Three Decades Of Putting Up With Joe Courtemanche. Happy Anniversary, Honey.

Posted on by

sizedkipandjoeinhaiti

That picture is a few years old. We were in Haiti on a missions trip with Healing Haiti. It was, by far, our best anniversary by any measure. Serving God, warm weather, years of spiritual growth together. And, a pretty awesome cake thanks to our friends.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Thirty years ago we headed off to Lake Tahoe with a handful of friends. All of us active duty, all of us linguists. I’ve looked at that wedding picture in places I can’t even talk about, but always with a smile and a question: How did I get such a babe?

The answer is not that there was a huge dowry. Nor did we think we’d set the world on fire as a singing duo. Nope, we loved each other with an unreasoning passion. We had to get married or die. I sure felt that way. I think she did as well.

Now, after more speed bumps and obstacles than any couple should face, we can look back on thirty years together. We’ve both grown in Christ. I know I’ve grown in other ways, but you can fix that by purchasing larger sizes at Fleet Farm.

I consider myself blessed to have this good woman as my wife.

If you are considering marriage, or your marriage is in trouble, let me offer you some free advice: “For better or worse, in sickness and in health” means just what it says. Stick to your mate, tough out the bad times. Love each other and offer support when it gets dark and stormy rather than run out the door looking for a respite.

Be one. Be joined. Cleave unto each other.

It’s worked for us for three decades. I hope another three are on tap.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

Brian Williams Is Not Equivalent To Any Of The Ones You Are Pointing Out: Relative Evil/Lying Is still Lying/Evil.

Posted on by

Today it started: “Brian Williams just fibbed a little. What about…” Enough. Let’s talk about this below and sort out why this kind of stupidity is so hurtful to our processes.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Bill O’Reilly is the main target of this stupidity. He once said he was in combat. He was pretty clear about where and when: as a reporter armed with a pen in Central America. He never claimed to be in the military (that I could find,) nor did he claim to be in combat with United States forces in the Persian Gulf. Bill isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and I can barely stand him. I am not a regular viewer.

But it saddens me that people are purposely misconstruing his words (I sought out the clips and listened to them. Yes, on the left-wing Fox News bashing sites themselves. It’s very clear what he does/doesn’t say) just to make it political. It’s not. Bill is a pundit. But he didn’t lie about this issue.

Brian Williams is the voice of one of the largest companies in the nation. He has a nightly audience in the millions/tens of millions. He is allegedly a journalist, not a pundit. His lie about the aircraft taking fire is bad enough. But now his other reports are called into question. What about that dead body floating by during hurricane Katrina? Was that a lie? If it was, it helped turn the nation against the president more than any other statement I remember. What else was made up?

He had a significant platform that was supposedly impartial. O’Reilly was always a partisan for Bill O’Reilly. And that’s the last time I mention his name, for the rest of this post goes to the issue of bald-faced lying.

Speaking of Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate, she was even more egregious than Mr. Williams. She lied about many things, including Benghazi, during her time in the public eye. But none stands out more than the piece of video below. I didn’t make it up, they are the woman’s own words from her own evil mouth. Take a minute to watch and then read on below. (The source is CBS News. Not exactly a right-wing cabal.)

Simply put, no military unit, no Secret Service agent, no aide to the First Lady would allow her, and her child, to be brought into an area with an active sniper. The plane would have gone on elsewhere. Period. End of story. Only a completely deranged liar would put that story out with the video present to watch on the web, and thousands of people involved in that trip. That describes Mrs. Clinton.

I’m sure some of you are squirming in your seats about my political viewpoint. The truth is ugly. But if the press is on your side you figure you can get away with anything. If she hadn’t been running against Obama for the nomination at that moment, but was already in the general election phase, I’m pretty sure John McCain wouldn’t have been seeing that on his television when he tuned in at night. It would have been the sound of crickets.

I’ll make it clear to all of you for whom moral relativism is the daily flavor: I don’t care what someone else did, or did not, do in comparison to your boy/girl. If they are guilty of the deeds that Brian Williams clearly is, if they have twisted the truth as Hillary Clinton has, how can you repose trust and faith in them ever again? It’s not just a cute war story that gets better with a couple of vodkas at the VFW. Those are almost always embellished. That’s part of the context. We know they are embellished because they start with phrases like, “This is no ****” or “There I was, minding my own business” or “Back on the U.S.S. Ustafish, we had a kid…” We all know they’re “sea stories” and most are like fairy tales. Some are true. But we know how it’s done.

When you do it every night on NBC, or running for the White House, it’s not just a fib, it’s a public statement that you think all of us (watchers and voters) are stupid and deserve to be lied to so you can be more important. I hate the fact that these two evil (yes, evil) people who lie to all of us so boldly, will go on to regain most people’s respect because they will buy the spin and forget the truth.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the work of Satan.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

More Of It Seen, Not Quite All Of It Yet.

Posted on by

This morning I was travelling down the highway when a Prius pulled out in front of me, in the left lane, with emergency flashers going and two pieces of particle board strapped to the roof.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

This is on a road under construction, lane restrictions, average speed 55+. He’s going maybe 18.7, passenger and driver both have outside hand out the window holding down the boards. Tied down with at least two wraps of cheap twine.

Every time I witness such an exhibition I despair for the driving public. There are maroons, and then there are maroons, to cite that eminent philosopher Buggs Bunny.

I think Buggs would be a better driver. I was in Florida for the past week. I think Elmer Fudd has a shot at being a better driver. This is largely due to the demographic: older than me. Elmer’s covering the younger demographic: road ragers.

I might have some road rage if I drove here long enough. Younger drivers lose it after a while due to the heart-pounding adrenaline dumps you get when seniors pull out in front of you at freeway speeds. I have learned to keep my idiot box about 5x it’s normal size this past week. I will be as bad, or worse, when my hearing and sight decline to the level of my motor skills. This is just aging taking its toll.

The Prius, however, topped the cake.

I’m going to risk it all in a few minutes and head out to a local restaurant with my mom and wife. I will set the blog to post automatically tomorrow – just in case I don’t make it back.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

The Names Don’t Matter. The Healing Does.

Posted on by

Posts like this one are touchy. I want to tell this story because it has taken a beautiful turn, yet I don’t want to hurt anyone by telling it in the wrong way. I will try my hardest to put it in the positive light it deserves.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Several years ago I was heavily involved in an organization as a volunteer. I put in long hours, had great responsibilities, and loved the people I was involved with each day. Over time that relationship quit “doing it” for me. I became disenchanted with things, was sure I knew a better path, and eventually wound up leaving.

I did not take that step lightly. I had dear friends within those walls. People whom I considered brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. I prayed for a very long time. I sought guidance from people I respected. I listened to what I was sure God was telling me to do in order to regain my joy with life.

My departure was orderly. I turned over all of my materials, showed the leader of the group where everything was, prepared a pass-down briefing, and quietly said goodbye all in the space of a single day. I thought I’d done things the right way.

It turns out that something I had done/not done caused a resentment to smolder. It burst into flame some time later. I was crushed: I could not figure out what I’d done wrong.

Over all the time since I left, I’ve continued to volunteer with two associated groups in the same building. This brought me into contact with my old group on a semi-regular basis. It was almost as cold a relationship as the weather in Minnesota.

One evening, as I got out of my car, the wind almost knocked me over. I finished my work with one group and got ready to leave the building. I’d done some good work, accomplished a lot of what was needed and helped them move toward their goals. They’re a good bunch, they don’t need me, but they appreciate the help and experience. It was fulfilling.

An old friend was between me and the door. We gave each other a hug and chatted for a moment. As I looked up one of the people whom I had been estranged from was walking by on the way to their office. I spoke up and offered some words of comfort for a sick relative of theirs. I extended that olive branch at the risk of a rebuke. Instead, “We all need that prayer. Thank you.” A kind response. A good response. A smile.

My friend then informed me that the person we were speaking of was in the next room. God, who is merciful and great, moved me across the room to talk to a person I had given up hope of ever talking to again. I got down on my knees (she was seated) so that we would be at eye level and as I knelt she said, “I just asked God to bring you to me yesterday. I want to apologize.”

If that moment hadn’t happened to me, I’d suspect it as bad writing in a poorly written novel. There, next to the Christmas tree we traded apologies, talked about life and illness, and smiled at each other for the first time in years. It felt good. It was the right thing to do. I gained back a friend by listening to God.

In the next few moments I had a chance to make amends with another person. All I could say was that I was glad we were healing and letting the enmity go. I had regained two people who mean a very great deal to me. I was blessed.

As I left, I was walking on a cushion of joy. God had healed broken hearts, including mine. I had carried around that hurt for way too long. I was released from yet another bond of that liar, Satan. In the space of fifteen minutes I had gained back a large part of my life that I had assumed was lost forever.

Today, if you’re up to it, I’d like you to search your heart for a missing piece. Look for that broken bit that you can heal by stepping out in faith. I’m not asking you to walk into a buzz-saw, or risk your physical well-being. But pray about fixing a broken friendship. Look at the possibility of finding peace with an estranged friend.

Most of all, trust God when he tells you to say a kind word to a person in need.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

CLICK: Attention All Hands. Now Hear This…

Posted on by

Item 1: The staff of this blog is touched by the outpouring of messages, comments, and contacts from former shipmates about the crew of Ranger 12. I am still seeking pictures. If any of you have pictures of the guys, or know their families, I’d like to use them down the road to honor the crew.

Item 2: I realized a lot of you are still hurting all these years later from the loss of those fine men. I want to talk about that below the bar here.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Ladies and gentlemen: I realize that spooks don’t have mental health problems. Not a one of us. You get your badge pulled for admitting that you have issues.

Well, that may have been true 27 years ago, but I’m begging you to listen to the reality of today: If you’re feeling overwhelmed and sad, thinking about harming yourself, call 800-273-8255 and talk to someone immediately. If you want to chat, hit the bottom of the page and use that logo. If you’re a friend of mine, call me. But don’t sit there and stew: reach out.

I’m a blunt person: I’ve lost too many friends in the last 30 years to suicide. Reading some of the stuff this brought up I worried about all of you and wondering how we ever made it this far. We didn’t go for help, we just gutted it out. That’s not working. I’m weary of opening my email and Facebook and reading of another CT who took their own life.

People, you’re all amazing if you were in the business. Not a one of you is anything less than a valuable asset to national security. Each of you is smart and a part of the family. I realize depression and suicide don’t let you think rationally about things when you’re in the midst of the darkness. So I’ll say it loud and clear:

YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE ONE OF US. CALL A SHIPMATE OR 800-273-8255 AND GET HELP NOW!!!

I hate caps lock, but that needed to be shouted out.

Now, for the rest of you hoodlums, the ones who are momentarily in full possession of your faculties, resume your preparation for the snooperdull on Sunday.

That is all. Now sweepers…

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.