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Ouch… I’m 3.6 ounces lighter! March 23, 2008

Posted by eCommando in : General , comments closed

Yesterday morning, after a night of near agony, I was admitted to have my appendix removed. And I have to say, the night of painful stomach and intestinal region activity was worse than the surgery AND recovery. In fact, until this morning, I didn’t think they did anything.. then the muscle pain kicked in where the incision was made.

All in all though, I’m glad it happened and I no longer have to worry about the stupid little puss pouch. Personally, I think removal should occur when you get your tonsils out. There’s no need for it, and you’re going to be in the hospital longer for adnoids than you will for a pre-rupture appendix.

Thanks to everyone who called, sent flowers, candy, and cash… You know who you are. Hillary.. thanks, but no thanks… I’m not voting for you unless, by some freak accident, you become John F Kennedy.
To those who didn’t, there’s always the chance I’ll have to go in for some other ailment… so don’t wait.. get that card and check ready :)

Cheers! - R

“I’m Tired” by Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya May 28, 2007

Posted by eCommando in : Uncategorized, General , add a comment

“I’m Tired”

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I’ll return to Iraq to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it’s because I’ll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I’m tired:

I’m tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I’m tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I’m tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they ‘Support the Troops’ by wanting them to ‘Cut and Run’ before victory is achieved.

I’m tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.

I’m tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I’m tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I’m tired of the so called ‘Elite Left’ that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I’m tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family who’s loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I’m tired that my generation, the Baby Boom-Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can’t stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I’m tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I’m tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I’m tired that the people of this great nation didn’t learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely, Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army 101st Airborne Division

- Some of us have your back Joe. Go Git ‘Em!

Rocketboom Redux July 15, 2006

Posted by eCommando in : General , add a comment

Ok.. I know we’re all sick of the Rocketboom soap opera, but Debbie Deese asked a question on our meetup message board, and I thought it was a good one…

RocketBoom Crashes

HEADLINE: RocketBoom Crashes, and is Burning

Randy, did you hear the news about your HipCast sensation, Rocketboom???
I am just shocked!!! I thought they had such a good thing going. There is already a new person in her place following Amanda’s shocking last broadcast.

http://www.rocketboom.co m/vlog/archives/2006/07/rb_06_jul_12.html

Funny that…

At the last SXSW (South By Southwest conference), I sat in the last session and Andrew was on the podium with a few others. Scoble and many other notables were on hand in the peanut gallery as well.

I asked Andrew why he thought Rocketboom was the brand, and that even to a neophyte it should be obvious that Amanda was the brand and Rocketboom was just a venue for her. Apparently, I was more right than I thought.

Amanda, who was sitting a few rows ahead of me, turned around and thanked me :)

The content of Rocketboom was weak at best.

This teaches an important lesson…

If content is the product, don’t make light of it… make it center stage.

Also, make sure the delivery of the content is uniform no matter who is presenting it. That way, the presenter can be replaced and, short of hiring a horrible new presenter, the consumer should not go away.

Amanda will do well. She’s personable, attractive, and talented.

Andrew will also probably do well, but the public has painted him as a bit of an ogre in this, and I’m sure they share some part of the responsibility for the failure.

Breakups like this are rarely one sided.