Flight 3407

As I sit here watch the news about the crash my mind go back to my thoughts in November of 96.
I know my experience is with two planes that collide on take off, however it is the same. A tragic loss of life that should not have occurred. I wish I could say something to the families that are experiencing what I did and make it better for them. But I can not we all have to deal with our losses on our own.

What else can I say or do?????????

Are these the qualities of a true friend?

Sometimes I wonder what a true friend is. Maybe this is just rambling but these points are some things I have been trying to answer about what a true friend really is.

Do they?
Believe honesty above all is the best way to be.
Will always be there when they are needed.
Show up when asked and mutually agreed to do so.
Call you when they can not make an appointment.
Fulfill obligations to their “friends”
Blow you off when you need to talk with them.
Welcome you into their life as much as you invite them.

These are some of the things I have been pondering for some time. I find that some people tell you they are your friend but, when you need a friend they are not there. I have found in the past treating people as a friend and have been there if and when they needed things. Only to discover that I had been taken advantage of. I do hope that they are happy with their actions. I wonder if I should evaluate these people in my life and take actions accordingly.But I will say this, if my opinions of what a friend is wrong, then I am wrong. I am not above admitting when I error.I guess I am sitting here looking for others input. (If anyone ever does read this and gives a rat’s ass) I hate it when I let someone into my friendship and finding out I get …………on. (got to keep it clean here)

When is being a part of something really being a part?

Over the past few months I have been reflecting on an issue that is a recurrence of something from years ago. I have yet figured out how I feel about it.

Several years ago I got involved with an organization that I connected with and truely felt a part of. As time went by, I really felt like I belonged and would have a place within that organization. I had some personal issues come up and had to step away from what I was doing there. It was a great disapointment. As the years went by I missed being involved. After much discussion with friends I decided to get back involved.
Once again I jump in with both feet and do all I can. I have experienced some of the events that ocurred years ago all over again. Do not get me wrong I like the people that I am involved with and do not want hard feelings. However, I do get bothered when I am told how I am valued and when special events come up I am not included in them or asked if I care to participate. (even though I may not be able to do so) I would like to have the chance to say no thank you. It is amazing that you put out for an organization and when you ask for something you are shot down more often that not.
I am still trying to figure out what I should do. I do not want to up set anyone that I consider as a friend even though they may feel the same way about me. I am not that way.


Still trying to sort this all out.............BTW, MERRY.................. CHRISTMAS TO ME

Laura M. Brooks, R.I.P.

Pilot Instructor Killed in Collision Called Experienced.

This was the headline in the paper here when Laura died in 1996. The accident was a terrible tradgey.

My friends know how this affected me. Her and I were very much in love with one another and even though we loved each other we ended up divorced 4 months before her death. Had she not died, I am sure we would have ended up back together cause of our love.

I am writing this today cause, today would have been our 15th Anniversary had I not been so damn hard headed and gave our marriage another try. Now, 12 years later I still have troubles coping with her loss. While I was not there to intervene in what happened in that cockpit I am sure as I am here today that I would have been with them or she would have not been there that day. I get so frustrated at this time of the year cause I go through memories of getting the call that she had died, going and telling her mother what happened and assisting with the funeral. Even though I know better, I still get mad at myself for letting it happen. I loved her so much and still do to this day.

As the days after her passing went, I realized how much our lived were intertwined. I had always had the dream to fly airplanes and helicopters and her dream was to be a pilot as well. I have never met anyone else that ever had the same desire that I did. Her memories are with me every day. My work and my interest are aviation. So, I remember her every day. At times I just want to give up on my dreams and interests so I can put these feelings aside and do something else with my life. However I find myself drawn back to aviation. I do not know if it is her influence on me or her spirit not letting me give up on it. So I just go on about my life and continue. I do not know If I will ever get to where I would like to be.

The one thing I am thankfull for is that several years later I was blessed enough to have a daughter. I hope that I am able to pass on to her the love of aviation that I have been blessed with and she can share the passion of it and achieve what Laura did not.

Tonight, I sat down and watched the videos of our wedding and broke down and cried like when I spent the night in Quincy after taking her mother to the airport where the accident happened. That night is when all my mistakes with our relationship hit me and hit me hard.

I will finish up with saying, I believe I will be alright another year as in all the years since her passing. All I have to do is make it past thanksgiving and it will be ok.

A special note to Laura I know she knows what I am going through, I have always loved you since the first day i saw you in the flying club and you avoided me. If god never allows me another word out of my mouth, the last ones I will say is " I love you Laura"

Man dies after Moberly cops fire Taser at him

I read this article in the St Louis paper today. Please read it too. I will leave my input on it at the end.


ASSOCIATED PRESS
08/28/2008

Police say a 23-year-old suspected drunken driver is dead after an officer fired a Taser at him during a traffic stop in Moberly.

Moberly police say Stanley James Harlan was pronounced dead at a hospital after the incident at 12:30 a.m. Thursday.


Police Commander Kevin Palmatory said the officer who made the stop suspected Harlan was driving drunk and placed him under arrest. He said when Harlan resisted, the officer deployed his Taser twice in an effort to subdue him.

Palmatory said moments later Harlan became unresponsive and officers started CPR until paramedics arrived and tried to revive him.

Moberly police have asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Here is my input. The people that know me are aware that I have a degree in Law Enforcement and have done some work in it. My opinion is this, I believe that the use of the taser has become excessive. a lot of the deaths that have occurred (from my readings)after the subject had been handcuffed and or drunk. The use has been justified my saying that the subject is resisting. How many times have you seen someone handcuffed ever able to inflict serious harm on someone? I feel that the taser should be used like the sidearm only when there is no other choice. What do all of you think?

A video I found.

Hello all,

I found this video on youtube today and thought, wow, I can not believe this s*it. I do not know if I would attempt this. I just wonder if Greybeard would do it?

Do we outsource our Military equiptment??

Do we outsource our weapons for the Military? Well, McCain believes in it. Check out the new Blog I listed under what I read.