WELCOME TO OLE' BILL'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

February 2010 - Week 4



THIS WEEK IN QUARTERHORSE HISTORY

22Feb67: Operation Juncion City begins.
22Feb67: B Troop, Highway 4 Sweep and battle.
24Feb19: First issue of the Bridgehead Sentenal published.
24Feb66: A Troop Battle during Operation Crimp. SSG Ron Thompson uses his tank to rescue injured Infantrymen trapped by VC.
24Feb91: Operation Desert Storm. Ground Forces attack on Iraq begins.
25Feb45: Division attacks across Roer River at Kreuzau, begins Rhineland Offensive.
27Feb91: Operation Desert Storm. 1/4th Cav severs Kuwait-Basrah Highway.
28Feb91: Cessation of Desert Storm Offensive Operations.


TROOPER HONORS

Thanks to Bob Corbin for tracking and providing this information to us. BB

Mr. Nelson,

I will forward your email to Avery Smith's brother and his sister. I am sure they will be in contact with you. They are really happy about he Memorial to their brother.
I want to Thank You personally for being part of this.
We Vietnam Vets seek little and appreciate any and all honors given.

Regards
Dennis Helm
Vietnam 1968/1969

----- Original Message -----

From: "Nelson, Daniel C CTR USA"
Date: Monday, February 15, 2010 11:44
Subject: Facility in Honor of PFC Avery Smith (UNCLASSIFIED)
To: dennishelm@insightbb.com

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Mr. Helm,

I was forwarded your email reference the Armor School naming a facility after PFC Avery Smith. A new barracks with company operations center will be named Smith Barracks in honor of PFC Smith.
This barracks is part of the new Armor School footprint at Harmony Church on Fort Benning,GA. We have not yet developed a schedule for the memorialization ceremonies of these facilities, when we do we will invite the families of the service members to be honored to the ceremony.
To that end I am assembling Points of Contact for each of the families. Can you provide me with contact information for PFC Smith's family so I can make initial contact?

v/r

Dan

Daniel C. Nelson
Comm: 502.624.8570
DSN: 464.8570
USAARMC Strategic Planning Cell
Booz | Allen | Hamilton

DSC CITATION FOR AVERY GENE SMITH

HQ US ARMY, VIETNAM,
APO San Francisco 96375
7 October 1966

GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 5964

AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.

AVERY GENE SMITH, Private First Class, U.S. Army
Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment

Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
Date action: 8 June 1966
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Avery Gene Smith, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. Private First Class Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 June 1966 while serving as tank loader on an armored convoy during a combat operations along Highway 13. While moving toward their objective, Private First Class Smith's column of armored vehicles was ambushed by a large Viet Cong force. Private First Class Smith unhesitatingly climbed outside to the exposed rear of the tank and began delivering suppressive fire upon the onrushing Viet Cong. Throughout the heaviest fighting of the engagement, he remained at this unprotected position and repelled the assaulting insurgents at point-blank range. During the course of action, Private First Class Smith was wounded in the face by shrapnel. Despite the severity of his wound, he remained at this self-appointed post and continued to protect his tank and other nearby vehicles. At one point during the battle, when the tank's main gun and machine guns were inoperable, Private First Class Smith's efforts alone prevented the vehicle from being overrun by the numerically superior Viet Cong force. When his tank received its fourth direct hit from Viet Cong fire, Private First Class Smith absorbed the brunt of the explosion and was mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.


TROOPER DATA CHANGES

Rich McClary

Bill, please change new address to First4Cav@aol.com. Thanks, Rich McClary


TROOPER SOUNDOFFS


Every wonder if you are a buddy may have lost dog tags while in Vietnam? Go to the below Web site and View the "Lost Dog tags" Lists. BB

www.pacom.mil

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Thanks to Dan Thompson for sending in this story. BB

Van T. Barfoot

Head east from Carthage on Mississippi 16 going north and after a few miles a sign says you’re in Edinburg.

It’s a good thing the sign’s there, because there’s no other way to tell what town your in. Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Carano, Italy, Van T. Barfoot, who had enlisted in the Army in 1940, set out to flank German machine gun positions from which fire was coming down on his fellow soldiers. He advanced through a minefield, took out three enemy machine gun positions and returned with 17 prisoners of war.

If that wasn’t enough for a day’s work, he later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions.

That probably didn’t make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot,

who retired as a colonel after also serving in Korea and Vietnam, a Congressional Medal of Honor.

What did make news last week was a neighborhood association’s quibble with how the 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home. Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot’s 21-foot flagpole were unsuitable.

He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action if he didn’t take it down. Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.

“In the time I have left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference,” Barfoot told The Associated Press.

As well he should.

And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him, they might want to read his Medal of Honor citation.

It indicates he’s not real good at backing down.

Van T. Barfoot’s Medal of Honor citation:

This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. >From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot’s extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.”

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

IN GOD WE TRUST

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Heres a heads up from John Conley. BB

THE MUSIC STOPPED

For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.

This is written from a Chaplain in Iraq :

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq , 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again and the Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1000 Soldiers standing at attention to do ?? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.

But No!!... You could have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:

"And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you. Remember them as they fight for us!

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This belongs in a "Know Your Enemy" column. Sent in by Smokey. BB

Uncle Sam Needs You!
"...Did they disrupt a planned attack on the base by home-grown extremists, or did they put a group of wannabe's behind bars...."

by Ed Lovette

For maybe six months or so after the 9-11 attack, Americans stayed extra-vigilant. But in time they returned to business as usual. The recent incident involving Ft. Dix, New Jersey, should serve as a reminder to us all that we cannot yet afford to drop our guard.

From what we know at present, the activities of the group planning the attack to "kill 100 soldiers" were brought to the attention of authorities by an alert employee at a store where a member of the group brought a DVD to be copied. The DVD apparently showed the group conducting tactical exercises and firing weapons. The authorities began an investigation culminating in the arrest of six individuals. Did they disrupt a planned attack on the base by home-grown extremists, or did they put a group of wannabe's behind bars. Even though several of those arrested were here illegally, it is too soon to tell. But while the facts are sorted out, the important point is that these guys are off the street, thanks to the actions of a single concerned individual, a member of the community just like you and I.

As a concealed carry permit holder, I expect that you are probably more attuned to what is going on around you than most. It soon becomes second nature for you to constantly be on the lookout for potential problems. Most of the homeland security advisories tell us that if we see "suspicious activity" we should report it. So far so good--especially if we add "suspicious interest" as well. But people are sometimes hesitant to call their state tip-line due to concerns regarding racial profiling. Note that "suspicious activity" and "suspicious interest" are behaviors and have nothing to do with a person's race or sex. You might also be concerned about calling because you are not really sure if what you saw is something of interest and you don't want to appear foolish. So before picking up the phone, if you want to double-check yourself, consider the following:

1) Think outside-the-box. The activities we are most likely to see are related to pre-attack planning and preparation. Consider your info with that in mind. (Remember the DVD involved in the Ft. Dix case.)

2) Is critical infrastructure involved? These days critical infrastructure can be anything from a major bridge to a middle school.

3) Trust your common sense. If it doesn't pass the smell test you may possibly be on to something of interest to the authorities.

4) Does it pass the "1+1" test? Look at the totality of the activity or interest. Is there additional info to justify your suspicions?

Example 1: A man taking pictures with a video camera in a food court in a shopping mall + we know the bad guys like to use video cameras so they can study the target as they do their attack planning + the mall is within sight of the Pentagon + the man leaves as soon as he sees a security officer.

Example 2: Three people enter a hospital unannounced posing as hospital inspectors at 3:00 A.M. (inspectors normally show up during daylight hours) + they are very interested in day-to-day hospital operations and services + they leave when security is called. (Boston, LA, Detroit)

Example 3: Several people enroll in a program to earn a commercial drivers license + they successfully complete the course and are never heard from again. (There have been reports in which 18 wheelers might be used to deliver large amounts of explosives in a suicide bomber attack)

Example 4: Two men are staying in a motel room during the winter + despite the cold they insist on keeping a window open + they refuse maid service although they are there for several days. (the Millennium bomber preparing his explosives)

And who do you call? We're much better at this since 9-11. Many states now have a suspicious activity tip-line for both terrorism as well as criminal activity. The larger police agencies may have a dedicated number for this as well and you can usually find it online.

Homeland security requires 3 elements which must work together in order to be effective--good intelligence; proactive policing; and an alert, informed citizenry. Someday what you see or learn may make a difference. When/if that day comes, don't forget, "Uncle Sam needs you!"

Mr. Lovette is a retired CIA paramilitary operations officer. He is a former Captain in the U.S. Army's Special Forces and is also a 10 year law enforcement veteran in which capacity he served as a patrol officer, sheriff's deputy and as the senior firearms and tactics instructor for the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. Mr. Lovette currently writes the Survival Savvy column for "Combat Handguns" magazine.

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Following was forwarded by Bob Corbin, updated and Compiled by Dennis Helm. BB

Vietnam War Statistics.

Officers: 6,598 28.43 years

Warrants: 1,276 24.73 years

E1: 525 20.34 years

11B MOS: 18,465 22.55 years

Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.

The oldest man killed was 62 years old.

Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1% (national average 58.9% for every 100,000 males in 1970).

Wounded: 303,704 -- 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care.

Severely disabled: 75,000, -- 23,214: 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,081 sustained multiple amputations.

Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than Korea .

Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII.

Missing in Action: 2,338

POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity)

As of January 15, 2004, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

DRAFTEES VS. VOLUNTEERS:

25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII).

Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam .


ACTIVE DUTY NEWS


Bill,
Please note the attachment from the Military Order of the Purple Heart HQ newsletter, especially the article about the Ladies Auxiliary adopting the 1-4 Cav HHT HCP Platoon. Is it appropriate for your weekly newsletter?

Joe B.

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LADIES’ AUXILIARY UNIT 1836 SENDSCARE PACKAGES TO THE FRONT LINES

The Ladies’ Auxiliary Unit 1836 adopted 1-4 CAV. HHT, ACP PLATOON in Northern Iraq late last year and has been sending “I Care Packages” to the Platoon. The Unit sent their first mailing in November so the troops could enjoy a small piece of home on Christmas Day. The packages contained 1000 unscented baby wipes, hard candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste, individual lotions, playing cards, LCD lights that clip on hats for night reading, Purple Heart National Magazines, cookies, shammy clothes, bubble gum, variety of fiction paperbacks, writing pads, pens and envelopes.

Trish Rosie, the Units President, along with the rest of the Ladies filled seven priority boxes from the Post Office with donated items and gifts the Unit had collected. Each member of the Ladies Auxiliary included their own special something to the packages. A handwritten letter was included to let the soldiers know that we were thinking of them and keeping them in our prayers. The Unit’s second mailing was in February, sending nine boxes and they are getting ready for a third mailing, scheduled for May 2010.

The platoon’s Commander, Lt. Col. John S. Nelson, and the rest of the troops signed a thank you note and expressed their appreciation and delight over the seven boxes of goodies. The packages arrived just before Christmas Day and President Trish Rosie thanked everyone for their commitment to this project of love. Trish’s son, Peter Jr., has been stationed in Iraq with the platoon since last year.

Commander Tony Roman of MOPH Alamo Chapter 1836 commended the Ladies’ Auxiliary for this caring and unselfish act of kindness. “Each item makes life a little easier for our soldiers who are in harm’s way. You make us proud, keep up the good work!”

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By Shelley Roten
Duty First Magazine

PLAN, TRAIN, EXECUTE
4th IBCT

While many 1st Infantry Division Soldiers were returning home in 2009, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was headed out Fort Riley’s door. After spending a year training and preparing. Soldiers said goodbye to Family and friends and left for a year in northern Iraq. Soldiers began preparing for deployment in late 2008,

Soldiers from 2nd En, 16th Thf Regt, prepare to head out on a field training exercise at Fort Riley

but really began ramping up training in early 2009, heading to the range for tactical training, as well as spending time at Fort Riley’s language and cultural classrooms. One of those training exercises was in February when four joint forward observers of 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, participated in ‘Pork Forward,” a joint exercise at Smoky Hill Range near Salina, Kan. “Going to Smoky Hill was a vita; part of training said Sgt. Randall S. Stow. “It’s very important to work with the different military elements such as the Air Force, Reserves and active duty. It’s something that needs to be done on a daily basis. In March, some Dragon Soldiers learned basic Arabic language in a two-week course at the education center on Custer Hill in preparation for their deployment.’ Soldiers started off conquering the basics, such as letters and numbers, and by the end of the course they were able to tackle more complicated language tasks to use during deployment, for example conducting a check point. In May and June, ‘Dragon” Soldiers headed to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., for a month- long mission rehearsal exercise. NTC has grown by leaps and bounds with the villages and the way they’ve tailored it so its more realistic for the Solders who have never been there before said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McCoy brigade command sergeant major. “The mission we were doing there was taking a backseat to our Iraqi counterparts. Our new job is to assist them and let them take the lead on most missions that are going to happen over in Iraq.’ Once the brigade’s rotation was over it returned to Fort Riley, where days were filled with packing and spending as much time as possible with their families. Col. Henry A. Arnold, Ill, brigade commander, said the mission for Dragon Soldiers had changed drastically since the last time the unit deployed during the Baghdad surge of troop’s. We are advising and assisting the Iraqi security, forces now,” Arnold said, leading from the rear, helping them and enabling them to carry out the missions themselves.”

a squad from 1st Bn 28th Inf Regt., practice house clearing skills at a Fort Riley shoothouse

Col Henry Arnold, Ill, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McCoy case the brigade’s cob’s durIng a deployment ceremony on Aug. 13.

On Aug 13, the brigade hosted its official deployment ceremony on Custer Hill Parade Field, during which the unit cased its colors and Maj. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, addressed Soldiers and their Family members, “I have every confidence that we have done our duty as a division to prepare this brigade, and I have every confidence that this brigade will deliver far more what we were able to give to them as they conduct their operations,” Brooks said The Dragon Brigade uncased its unit colors in a ceremony on Oct. 8 in Salah ad-Din Province, Iraq at Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq. The brigade took over the US Forces partnership role from 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., commanding general of Multi-National Division - North, addressed the crowd at the transfer of partnership ceremony commended 3rd IBCT for the mission accomplished and placed his confidence in the Dragon Brigade assuming command. “As we say thank you to a job well done to the Broncos, We also welcome the Dagon Brigade. I’ve been watching the Dragons for the last couple of weeks, and there is no better brigade to replace the Broncos… ... I know you will carry on the great work

Soldiers work through a training exercise at the National Training Center Fort Irwin, Calif., In late May.
(Photos by Anna Staatz, Jordan Chapman and Laura Stroda,, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

accomplished by countless other Soldiers who have served honorably in this province,” Caslen said. Arnold addressed the crowd and reassured them that the Dragon Brigade is ready to take on the mission of helping to rebuild Salad and Din Province. “We are ready to do our duty, and we are proud to be a part of - - this historic period in the history of Iraq and the United States,” Arnold said. The 4th IBCT is scheduled to return to Fort Riley in August 2010.

Copied from the DutyFirst “Year in Review” Publication dated December 2009.
www.riley.army.mil

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From: Kenneth Bolton
To: bbaty1@hughes.net
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 10:49 AM
Subject: Hello Sir!

Hello Mr. Baty!

I would like to inform you that I just found out that I got accepted into West Point Summer Seminar for the week of June 5 - June 11.

I hope all is going well with you and I cant wait to see everybody in the 1st in San Antonio!!!

Sincerely,

Ken


WARNING! - TROOPER JOKE AREA. JOKES MAY CONTAIN NUDITY, SWEARING, AND MAY BE FOUND OFFENSIVE BY SOME.


Wayne Paddack gets us started this week. BB

BEWARE OF A SCAM...................

I just had a call from a charity asking me to donate some of my clothes to the starving people throughout the world.

I told them to get lost

Anybody who fits into my clothes isn't starving!!

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Here's Smokey!. BB

An Amish farmer, walking through his field, notices a man drinking from his pond, with his hand.

The Amish man shouts: "Trink das Wasser nicht.

Die Kuhen haben dahin gesheissen."

Which means:

"Don't drink the water, the cows have s--t in it."

The man shouts back: "I'm a Muslim, I do not understand your gibberish... Speak English, infidel!"

The Amish man calmly says:

"Use two hands, you'll get more!"

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You think you have lived to be 87 and know who you are, then along comes someone and blows it all to hell!

An old Pilot sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee.

As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him..

She turned to the pilot and asked, 'Are you a real pilot?'

He replied, 'Well, I've spent my whole life flying biplanes, Cubs, Aeronca's, Neiuports, flew in WWII in a B-29, and later in the Korean conflict, taught 50 people to fly and gave rides to hundreds, so I guess I am a pilot.'

She said, 'I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about naked women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about naked women. When I shower, I think about naked women When I watch TV, I think about naked women. It seems everything makes me think of naked women.'

The two sat sipping in silence.

A little while later, a young man sat down on the other side of the old pilot and asked, 'Are you a real pilot?'

He replied, 'I always thought I was, but I just found out I'm a lesbian.

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Alan Benoit has captured a few thoughts about American Life. BB

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Grouchy tells us why Italians can't become Paramedics.BB

Vinny and Sal are out in the woods hunting when suddenly Sal grabs his chest and falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing; his eyes are rolled back in his head.

Vinny whips out his cell phone and calls 911. He gasps to the operator, 'I think Sal is dead! What should I do?'

The operator, in a calm soothing voice says, 'Just take it easy and follow my instructions. First, let's make sure he's dead.'

There is a silence .. and then a shot is heard.

Vinny's voice comes back on the line,

'Okay... now what?

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Ted Armstrong clears up something for us after all these years. BB

GUTS - Is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: 'Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?'

BALLS - Is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt and having the balls to say: "You're next, Chubby. '

I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions.

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John Vanerio has a salution to that parking problem at the Airport. BB

An Italian walked into a bank in Chicago and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Italy on business for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000 and that he was not a depositor of the bank.

The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the Italian handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank.

The Italian produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest.

Later, the bank's president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Italian for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan.

An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parked it.

Two weeks later, the Italian returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, 'Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a Multimillionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?'

The Italian replied: 'Minga! Where else in Chicago can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?'

Ah, the Italians.... Bada Bing!

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Jeff Kramer swears that this short movie is the "Story of His Life". BB


HERES TO YOUR HEALTH!


Medical Newsletter courtesy of Dr. Edmund Hayes.

Researchers Discover How Superbugs Become Resistant to Antibiotics
Many people with bacterial infections stop taking antibiotics when their symptoms improve, thereby allowing the hardy bacteria that survive to multiply and potentially mount a more powerful defense against future applications of the same drug. But a new study led by Professor James Collins (BME) indicates that sub-lethal doses of an antibiotic can trigger another, more alarming outcome, in which the targeted bacteria become cross-resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Collins, BME graduate student Michael Kohanski and post-doc Mark DePristo described their research in the Feb. 12 edition of Molecular Cell, findings that could spark considerable changes in how antibiotics are used across the globe as the public health community strives to combat the proliferation of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, the so-called "superbugs."
Two years ago, the researchers had proven that when applied in lethal doses, antibiotics stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules, or free radicals that damage DNA, protein and lipids in bacterial cells, contributing to their demise. In the Molecular Cell study, they demonstrated that the free radicals produced in targeted bacteria by a sub-lethal dose of an antibiotic live on to accelerate the formation of mutations that protect against a variety of antibiotics other than the administered drug.

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Herbal Medicines Can Be Lethal, Pathologist Warns
A University of Adelaide forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs.
A paper by Professor Roger Byard published in the US-based Journal of Forensic Sciences outlines the highly toxic nature of many herbal substances, which a large percentage of users around the world mistakenly believe are safe.
"There's a false perception that herbal remedies are safer than manufactured medicines, when in fact many contain potentially lethal concentrations of arsenic, mercury and lead," Professor Byard says.
"These substances may cause serious illnesses, exacerbate pre-existing health problems or result in death, particularly if taken in excess or injected rather than ingested." Professor Byard says there can also be fatal consequences when some herbal medicines interact with prescription drugs.

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Drug Shows Promise for Huntington's Disease
An early stage clinical trial of the experimental drug dimebon (latrepirdine) in people with Huntington's disease appears to be safe and may improve cognition. That is the conclusion of a study published today in the Archives of Neurology. "This is the first clinical trial that has focused on what is perhaps the most disabling aspect of the disease," said University of Rochester Medical Center neurologist Karl Kieburtz, M.D., the lead author of the study. "While more investigation needs to be done, these results are encouraging and show, for the first time, a statistically significant benefit in terms of improved cognitive function in patients with Huntington's disease."
Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impacts movement, behavior, cognition, and generally results in death within 20 years of the disease's onset. The disease steadily erodes a person's memory and their ability to think and learn. Over time, this cognitive impairment contributes to the loss of the ability to work and perform the activities of daily life. There are no treatments currently available that effectively alter the course of the disease or improve cognition.

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Researchers Uncover Promising Topical Drug For Diabetes Related Wounds
For those with diabetes, even a small foot wound can heal poorly, leading in some cases to amputation of toes, feet or legs. Now, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Stanford University have shown that a drug used to remove excess iron from the body reduces by nearly half the time it takes diabetic wounds to heal in mice. This finding could one day help to prevent crippling diabetes complications in humans, including some 71,000 lower-limb amputations that occur each year among Americans with diabetes.
The study is published in the latest online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The Einstein and Stanford scientists were led by co-senior authors Michael Brownlee, M.D., professor of medicine and of pathology and the Anita and Jack Saltz Professor of Diabetes Research at Einstein and director of JDRF International Center for Diabetic Complications Research, and Geoffrey Gurtner, M.D., professor of surgery at Stanford University.

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Study Reveals A Need To Evaluate And Regulate "Electronic Cigarettes"
Electronic cigarettes should be evaluated, regulated, labeled and packaged in a manner consistent with cartridge content and product effect - even if that effect is a total failure to deliver nicotine as demonstrated in a study supported by the National Cancer Institute and led by a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher. The research was published in the Online First issue of the journal Tobacco Control. The article will appear in the February print issue of the journal.
Electronic cigarettes consist of a battery, heater and cartridge containing a solution of nicotine, propylene glycol and other chemicals and have been marketed to deliver nicotine without tobacco toxicants. Despite no published data concerning safety or efficacy, these products are sold in shopping malls and online. Further, "electronic cigarettes" currently are unregulated in the U.S., unlike other products intended to deliver nicotine to smokers such as lozenges, gum and patches.

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Researchers Discover New Way To Kill Pediatric Brain Tumors
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown once again that "ready, fire, aim," nonsensical though it may sound, can be an essential approach to research.
The scientists robotically "fired" 2,000 compounds into culture plates containing tumor cells to see if the compounds had any effect. When the robotic screener found one substance had scored a hit by inhibiting growth of the tumor cells in its plate, researchers analyzed what that compound acted against. Follow-up studies showed that the drug slowed tumor growth in mice by inhibiting the function of a protein called STAT3.
As a result, researchers now have a previously unrecognized target, STAT3, at which they can "aim" new drugs for the treatment of cancer in neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1), a genetic condition that causes increased risk of benign and malignant brain tumors.

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Migraine may Double Risk Of Heart Attack
Migraine sufferers are twice as likely to have heart attacks as people without migraine, according to a new study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The study, published in the February 10 online issue of Neurology, found that migraine sufferers also face increased risk for stroke and were more likely to have key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Richard B. Lipton, M.D."Migraine has been viewed as a painful condition that affects quality of life, but not as a threat to people's overall health," said lead investigator Richard B. Lipton, M.D., senior author of the study and professor and vice chair in The Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Einstein. He also directs the Headache Center at Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Einstein.
Dr. Lipton added, "Our study suggests that migraine is not an isolated disorder and that, when caring for people with migraine, we should also be attentive to detecting and treating their cardiovascular risk factors."

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Believe it or not

Man tries to buy crack with credit card
Authorities said a man accused of stealing a car then reporting it stolen remains in custody after telling police he was robbed at gunpoint while trying to buy crack cocaine with a credit card. The Flint Journal said the man reported Thursday night that a 2003 Chevy Malibu had been stolen.
Police reports indicated the vehicle was previously stolen out of Lapeer, about 50 miles north-northwest of Detroit.
The suspect is being lodged at the Genesee County Jail.


COMPUTER ADVICE


Are you behind a firewall? Do you know what a firewall is?

A firewall is about protecting you from "them" - the bad people on the internet. A firewall lets you browse the web, get email, and do everything you normally do, but it prevents others from accessing your computer from the internet. You won't even know it's there unless it warns you of an attempt to access your computer. And if someone did get access to your computer, they could cause all sorts of trouble: install anything they wanted (spyware, trojans, adware), read all your personal emails, get your passwords, and even take control of your computer. So yes, a firewall is something you should have running on your computer along with anti-spyware and anti-virus (geez, it's dangerous on the internet!)

I have a few friends that didn't run firewalls on their computers, and let me tell you, it ain't pretty. One friend's computer was even being used as a spam relay station. Another had like 6 spyware and virus programs installed. And another had his credit card compromised. You can bet that they use firewalls now (except one holdout, but I told her I wouldn't help fix her computer anymore until she did get one). So if you're one of "those" people without a firewall, check this out.

: The Shield Firewall 5.0 is the multi-layered security application that keeps hackers out and personal information in. Built from the ground upwards with your security in mind, this award winning firewall constantly monitors and defends your system from inbound and outbound attacks. Version 5.0 now features a fully fledged Host Intrusion Prevention System to protect your critical operating system files and block viruses and malware before they ever get the chance to install.

It features a friendly graphical user interface; highly granular configuration options; easily understood and informative alerts; wizard-based detection of trusted zones and much more. The Shield Firewall 5.0 delivers enterprise class protection and can be used 'out of the box' - so even the most inexperienced users will not have to deal with complex configuration issues after installation.

Product Features:

* Constantly monitors and defends your PC from internet attacks
* Gain complete control over which programs are allowed internet access
* Patent-pending Clean PC mode maintains any new computer as a virus free computer
* A-VSMART prevention technology is a next generation Anti Virus, Spyware, Malware, Rootkits and Trojans (VSMART) platform that prevents harmful applications from getting installed on your system
* Host Intrusion Prevention System can stop malware ever being installed
* Stay protected against new threats via automatic online updates
* Real time traffic monitoring enables you to react instantly to threats and identify bandwidth bottlenecks.
* Easy to use interface and quick setup
* Free Technical Support - Lifetime License

What are you waiting for? The Russian mafia to take control of your computer? A few password stealing trojans? I didn't think so. Get protected!

Buy The Shield Firewall: Click Here


WEEKLY INSPIRATION


 
Lead Me to Peace

Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill my heart,
my world, my universe.
Amen.

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Heavenly Father life seems so bleak and useless right now. I don't have any energy. I have no ambition to do much of anything. I am really feeling down. I feel "down on" myself and "down on" everyone around me. Even as I pray, I don't sense your presence. I am going through the motions, knowing that you are still with me. I know that I am sacred and precious but they are just words right now. I know that my life has been worthwhile, full of many wonderful people and experiences, much happiness and joy. I feel little of this right now. God, all I can do is affirm the goodness of life and try to hold on until the darkness is replaced by your light and love. Help me to spot the lies that my depressed emotions are telling me. Life is good. I am good. You are good. Grant me hope. My loved ones love me. Life will be beautiful again. Soon, I will see the beauty around me again. Soon, I will again know vitality and purpose, happiness and love. Until then, give me the strength and hope to survive this day. Help me to smile and laugh, even if just for a moment. Be my strength and salvation. I ask you to restore me and make me whole. Fill me with the Word and the Spirit that I might be recreated anew. I praise and thank you. Amen.


Thats all the news for this week. Check back next Saturday. Thanks, Ole' Bill


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