Video: Impressive clmc.usc.com ‘LittleDog’ Robot
Posted By RichC on May 25, 2010
via youtube.com
Trip to Washington with Shelby Co Ohio WW2 & Korea Veterans
Posted By RichC on May 24, 2010
Veterans from Shelby County Ohio at the World War II Memorial Saturday, May 22, 2010
I intended to blog this past weekend (May 21-23) while volunteering with the WWII and Korea veterans honor trip to Washington DC … 
but my hands were full from dawn until dusk … and then some! That’s not to say that this group of men from Shelby County Ohio were a troublesome handful or helpless, but is an indication that we were all busy nearly every minute of the day.
While on the bus, we made rest stops about every two hours (one for a mechanical issue) and organizers filled the drive with activities including a variety of games 
with prizes and multiple “mail calls” for the vets. Besides lining the Sidney Ohio roadway while departing on Friday morning (very humbling to all the vets I might add), the school children, supportive residents and families from the area wrote letters to each veteran … nearly 2000 letters in all. (WOW!) The support also included fundraising efforts which paid for each of the 48 veterans being sent to Washington DC … the community sure knows how to support their own.
(I was missing a nametag, so was presented with my “badge” that I proudly wore during the trip … there was no mistaking me. – image left. Also the “Kilroy was here” paper was tucked under the hotel room door with a “riveting” account of the history [PDF])
The heroes from Shelby County Ohio being honored had a near perfect trip, in my opinion. They were deeply humbled by the greetings from visitors young and old as they visited the memorials dedicated in their honor. One of the veterans commented that before the trip that he was pessimistic about America’s future referencing younger generations, but after young and old alike thank him for his service everywhere he went, he said he realized that he was premature in assessing their heart. Not once did we encounter anyone who was less than respectful … and there were too many account of appreciation too count. It certainly gave me a more positive feeling about the future of our country.
Veterans of Korea at the memorial for them.
Besides visiting the WWII, Korea and Vietnam memorials, we also spent time at Arlington National cemetery, the “Iwo Jima” Marine Corp memorial and new Pentagon Memorial. where I was able to help the wife of one of the veterans look up the “bench” of a family member who was killed – LTC Karen Wagner.
The trip was special for me because I not only had the opportunity to assist 48 veterans, 
but also had the privilege to be with my dad (and my brother Ron). My father served in Korea as an Army M4a3 Sherman Tank commander and his 1st Sergeant rank became a comedy of purposeful mispeaks during each “mail call.” I suspect there were many with not so fond memories of their days in the service.
All in all the group was amazing. I only wish I would have taped the men with their a cappella singing of “God Bless America” on our return trip. There are two sets of Picasa photo slideshows, one larger one from my Canon DSLR included below the field of 19 bronze infantryman at the Korea Memorial photo (when reflected in the wall there are 38 – for the 38 parallel as well as what some say was the 38 month duration) and the other from my Palm Pre.
LINK to 200+ shared Google Photo Album from trip
AMP Advances to Knockout Stage of XPrize competition
Posted By RichC on May 23, 2010
Local Cincinnati (Blue Ash), Ohio company advancing to next level of competition for Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize competition.
The AMP electric racer has advanced to the “Knockout” Qualifying Stage of the intense multi-stage Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE competition. The competition will pit some of the world’s most fuel efficient vehicles against one another in a quest to win their share of a $10 million prize.
The 100% Electric AMP Passes Shakedown Stage at MISAMP advanced to the Knockout Qualifying Stage by passing the on-track performance Shakedown tests conducted at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in late April. Tests included: 0 to 60 acceleration, braking, durability, as well as a collision avoidance safety test.
Steve Burns, CEO of AMP, stated, “We were pleased that Consumer Reports participated in the qualification of these vehicles during the Shakedown Stage – such intense scrutiny can only serve to further validate these vehicles as safe, reliable and highway capable.”
When the competition started in February 2009, 111 teams from 11 countries applied for entry. In order to advance, teams first qualified by passing a design review and the scrutiny of the X PRIZE judging panel, which includes some of the country’s leading engineers. With the Shakedown Stage complete, AMP is one of 22 teams to advance to the Knockout Qualifying Stage of the competition.
Mr. Burns continued, “Our 100% electric conversions of both the well-engineered GM Saturn Sky and the full-size 2010 GM Chevy Equinox are exactly what consumers are wanting to buy – viable super-efficient vehicles that are ideal for everyday use.”
Read the press release:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/05/prweb4007044.htm
Sailor Jessica Watson’s around the world Australian return
Posted By RichC on May 22, 2010
Posting a ‘catch up’ post after taking the weekend off. Here’s a youtube video Australian’s welcoming the youngster circumnavigator home a week or so ago.
Honoring those who served their country
Posted By RichC on May 21, 2010
By the time this posts to the blog, I should be heading to Washington DC assisting about 50 World War II and Korea veterans on a trip to visit to memorials built in their honor. The three day weekend will be a chance for me to listen to them share their thoughts on serving our country … and for me to show my respect by honoring them. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also say how proud I am to be traveling with my father, a veteran of Korea (along with my brother Ron who will also be traveling along as a caregiver).
5/19/2010 8:05:00 AM Sidney Daily News
Veterans ready for trip of a lifetime
Ten World War II veterans. Check.
Thirty-four Korean War veterans. Check.
Thirty-one caregivers. Check.
Thirty-four volunteers. Check.
Two bus drivers. Check.
Departure time set. Check.
Mail call. Check.
Travel orders distributed. Check.
All systems are "go" for Friday morning’s departure of 35 World War II and Korean War veterans as they prepare for a visit to Washington, D.C., to visit the WWII and Korean War memorials. A send-off dinner was held Tuesday night at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Sidney, so the veterans and their caregivers could meet the volunteers going on the trip. "This is the start of what we hope will be a safe, enjoyable, happy and rewarding time" said Mike Bennett, chairman of the Shelby County Veterans to Washington, D.C., group. "We will be visiting the World War II and Korean War memorials while we are there." "From today on, everyone one of you (veterans and caregivers) are part of our family," said Bennett. Tuesday night was the first time the veterans were able to meet the volunteers who will assist them during their trip.
Seeing oil leaking in to the Gulf of Mexico is sickening
Posted By RichC on May 20, 2010
As headlines announce that oil is arriving to the shore of Louisiana in headlines of the paper today, the leaking BP drill site continues to gush oil at unknown rates. On the low side, NOAA has estimated 210,000 gallons per day, but after looking at the Enterprise ROV camera video I’m guessing it closer to the higher estimates projected by BP’s own experts … 2,520,000 gallons per day. In any case, it’s a sickening disaster.
The ‘LA politicians vs Arizona’ political feud – Where will it stop?
Posted By RichC on May 20, 2010
Most agree that the Federal government isn’t doing its job when it comes 
to protecting the southern U.S. border or in dealing effectively with illegal immigration, yet there is disagreement as to when affected states can enforce laws associated with a person’s immigration status.
Heated debate continues on both sides seeing politicians from California (and around the country) criticizing their new law and going so far as to recommend an economic boycott of Arizona. Wednesday even the presidents of both Mexico and the U.S. made critical comments suggesting the law is or is potentially “discriminatory.”
Calderón that the Arizona law is “discriminatory,” Obama said “the Arizona law has the potential of being applied in a discriminatory fashion.” (Christian Science Monitor)
Some in Arizona aren’t going down without pointing out that economic pressures can go both ways and that the boycott seems to be selective. Commissioner Gary Piece sent a letter to the outspoken Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hinting that if Californians want to boycott spending money in Arizona that perhaps they many not want to purchase electrical power either? He has a point … a point which many perceive as a threat that Arizona might consider cutting power to California (LA receives 25% of their electricity from Arizona). Pierce quickly pointed out on a Wednesday talk show that this wasn’t a a threat, nor does he have the power to “stop selling power to the state of California.” (Letter below)
If this wasn’t such an important issue, the squabble would be comical.
Are you looking for someone new to ‘follow’ someone on Twitter?
Posted By RichC on May 19, 2010
New to Twitter or just tired of the same ol’ same ol’ tweets? Add @richwarren to your follow list … his tweets are always thought provoking, encouraging and helpful. Besides with the quality of advice he offers he should be over 100,000 followers IMHO. (99,049 as of 5/19/2010)
MATURITY:Feeling the wrong thing but doing the right thing.You can’t always control feelings but u DO control your actions
Video: American Heart by Jon David
Posted By RichC on May 19, 2010
After reading the article about Jon David in the WSJ the other day, I’ve been wanting to listen to the song that is played at Tea Party rallies around the country … it’s moving (video below). It has me remembering the 1980s Reagan Revolution and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” (check out AmericanHeartMusic.com)
Would legalizing drugs improve our illegals and border problem?
Posted By RichC on May 19, 2010
Yesterday’s repost concerning illegal immigration triggered a comment from 
a regular reader concerning his thoughts on drugs. His contention is that the narcotic trade significantly contributes to the more serious criminal activity on the US/Mexican border and throughout the country as it relates to the illegal alien population, and that if we would “legalize the drugs, then the cartels and the violence go away.” For argument sake I disagreed and responded in comment.
I’ve often argued the “legalize and tax” drugs position — for the sake of debate. I also believe making drugs openly and legally available isn’t good for our nation’s children, our society or for productivity. Even though I’m a “take responsibility” kind of guy … I know what hardcore addictive drugs can do to even productive and intelligent people … hey, I watch “House” … let alone ill-equipped and poorly parented young people.
If I believed the answer was to simply legalize marijuana alone … and that our problems would go away … I would be 100% in support (seeing ‘pot’ is less destructive than alcohol). Unfortunately I don’t believe the problem would be solved there … and that the business of illegal narcotics smuggling and violence would continue (I’m on the fence with the “gateway drug” argument).
Deep down its not the ‘drugs’ that are the problem … it is that those who seek money and power without a conscious will turn to whatever behavior is necessary to achieve their goals. They make risk/reward decisions and depending on their morals, will evaluate, then decide where to draw the line. It might be at prostitution, a farmer growing poppies or someone smuggling drugs and trafficking people; on the other hand it might be contracting for an assassins, being a crooked or oppressive politician and willing to accept or order genocide to remain in power. People eventually find their risk/reward tolerance and there are enough bad ones that we’ll still need to address it. In the case of drugs, I’d rather error on the side of infringing on someone ‘right’ to buy harmful narcotics than watching even more Americans strain public services while addicted or dying from their choice to buy drugs.
Interestingly with this fresh on my mind, Bill OReilly and Charles Krauthammer talked about the same thing …
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.