Obama stirs up outrage at Ground Zero...

President Obama has stirred up a hornets nest over the past few days with his comments at a foreign (arab) dignitary dinner regarding the mosque proposed across the street from Ground Zero (site of the twin towers tragedy).  Though correct in his support of religious freedom we are all guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, this was rather insensitive and inappropriate to take a local New York City matter and make it a Presidential matter.  After Congress shot down a bill to provide health care to first responders (police, fire and medical services) and their families who took part in the rescue and clean-up efforts, this was an insult to injury to many New Yorkers.  Also insensitive was the mosque's Imam's comments regarding rights to build in this vicinity.  Further complicating matters is the fact that the U.S. Government is paying for this Imam to travel around the middle east to gather financial and political support for the construction of the mosque in his proposed location (yes, our tax dollars are paying for his trip...air travel, lodging, food, etc.).  An interesting turn of events in the case is the proposal by a New York man to purchase a property adjacent to the proposed mosque site to be opened as a gay nightclub.  What next?

U.S. to conduct exercise with Vietnam

The U.S. announced today that American warships will be conducting a military exercise in the South China Sea with Vietnam, signalling closer ties with the former adversary.  China has responded with scathing remarks, claiming the U.S. has no business being in its waters, and now claims ALL of the China Sea, including disputed islands claimed by several ASEAN trade member nations.  Also announced by the U.S. Government is proposed sharing of nuclear technology, materials and assistance to Vietnam in the near future.  Vietnam claims a desire to keep China from expansionist agendas and to keep Chinese ambitions for the region in check.  What's your opinion?

Home Wind Power Saves You $$$!!!

Tired of $100, $200, $300+ electric bills every month, especially in the heat of summer and the chill of winter?  Want a better way to power your home and save money, and possibly earn money?  Yes, you can sell excess electricity back to the power company's grid from solar or wind power installed for your home.  Check out http://www.homewindmill.org/ for a do-it-yourself kit for as low as $150 or you can pay to have a home power generation windmill installed with battery pack back-up (windmill stores excess energy in the battery pack, and when there's no wind, you use the battery pack as the secondary source of electric power...especially usefull when you would normally lose power co. service [ex: hurricane, tornado, storm, etc.]) for $1,000 - $10,000 for professional installation.  Most installation companies have 2-7 year payment plans which range from $20 - $100 per month, which I'm guessing is less than your current electric bill, and you don't have to pay for fluctuations of energy usage, especially during peak seasons when power companies typically raise their kilowatt-hour rates.  There are several different designs / models, but the most efficient variety that produces the most consistent power with minimal wind is the vertical cylinder.  Best of all, wind power is CLEAN, RENEWABLE, NATURAL, and creates ZERO POLLUTION!  It's all around us, so why not use it and save some hard-earned cash, while helping protect the environment?  Heres a good starting list of information and resources to learn more:
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/vertical_axis_wind_turbines.htm - Several links to home wind turbine manuracturers / various models
http://www.squidoo.com/residential_windmills
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Good-And-Bad-In-Windmills-For-Your-Home&id=980982  (article)
http://www.bergey.com/
http://www.skystreamenergy.com/
http://roncoelectricinc.net/ - Windmill installation co. based in Destin / Ft. Walton, Florida
http://www.silentwindturbine.com/design.htm - Info. on Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/ - Good pros/cons article
http://blujay.com/?page=ad&adid=3275237&cat=11060000

BP hiring clean-up crews...

Veterans take heed:  BP is hiring boat owners, boat crewmen and beach clean-up crews for $10/hr. to $200 per day (more for boat owners who register their boats and services to help clean-up the gulf)!  Boat owners are paid according to the size of their boat, and BP has pledged to pay for any damage, cleaning and repairs encountered by the boat while performing clean-up work for the company.  Click the link above or go to http://www.bp.com/ and click on or call the phone number options on the right sidebar for the appropriate category of registration.  You can also go to the beach in affected areas, and when you sight a clean-up crew, ask to speak to the supervisor... BP has a program to offer FREE 'hazwoper' courses to registered clean-up workers ($400 normally) to help get you to work faster.  You have to be available 12 hrs. a day, but the opportunity to clean up our gulf and beaches could rake in some recession-busting income for you.

Gen. McChrystal OUT / Gen. Petraus IN as Commander in Afghanistan...

President Obama announced this week that Gen. David Petraus will assume command of operations in Afghanistan effective immediately.  Can General Petraus turn the tide in the 9-year-old war against the Taliban and Al Qaida?  SOUND OFF!

USA WORLD CUP SOCCER TEAM WINS!!!

THE DROUGHT IS OVER!!!!  Landon Donovan's 91st-minute amazing goal sends the U.S. Team to the next round of the FIFA World Cup in dramatic fashion...
A loss would have ended the U.S. hopes of a World Cup Title.  A tie would have ended the run.  A win was the only thing that would do the job since England defeated Slovenia 1-0 in Group C.  Without a win, England and Slovenia would be going to the dance.  With a loss, England and Algeria would be into the next round.  But with a win, the U.S. would take first place in the preliminary round of 32 teams.  Our boys knew it, and they played their hearts out!  Though another bad referee call COST the USA yet ANOTHER GOAL!?!?!?!... our young men played like champions and gentlemen, and had the Algerians frustrated and down a man after one of their players got a RED CARD and ejected from the game.  Unlike previous U.S. World Cup teams full of individual stars who often lost their cool and manners on referees for lesser bad calls, Mr. Donovan and Coach Bradley have formed a truly cohesive, effective and confident / settled TEAM.  END RESULT?  USA 1 - 0 Algeria, 5 team points (1 win, 2 ties, 0 losses), WINNERS of GROUP C, USA into the round of 16 remaining teams chasing the Cup, and ....yes you read that right... AN UNDEFEATED USA TEAM with a chance to run the tables to the championship!  U-S-A...U-S-A...U-S-A!!!  GO YANKS!!!

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

Veterans - Please share your knowledge on career advancement, testing, resources and websites to help our fellow veterans and their families reap the benefits of service to our country.  Feel free to post links and free websites in your comments.  Please do NOT include websites that cost money or spam our veterans.  This site is FREE, and I try to keep it that way.