Aloha Dump

I was so happy to read this email my wife sent me concerning the Navy's use of active sonar off the coast of California. I remember how much of a pain in the ass it was to come out to San Diego to do battlegroup operations becuase of the Marine Mammal Active Sonar regulations the Navy had to adopt. In short, whenever a few whales beached themselves, there happened to be a Naval exercise somewhere in the area, perhaps even 2000 nautical miles away. This was unequivocably related and caused by the active sonar operations of the ships and subs, regardless of whether or not the power levels were 100dB or 250dB. I remember one exercise that came to a halt because a pod of dolphins was detected near our boat. 2 U.S. submarines, a Frigate, and a helicopter had to secure active until the dolphins got tired of playing with us. Heaven forbid a humpback get in our path in which case we had to provide right of way, no matter the distance. Oh yeah, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg can suck it too.

While rummaging around in one of my Rubbermaid boxes of Navy stuff I came across a stenopad with a mini essay I wrote while stationed aboard the USS LOS ANGELES (SSN 688). I do not know the exact date of this writing but it was sometime in October 1998 based on an underway log entry made immediately following. I am finding more and more of these notebooks and pads and I have mixed feelings after I read them. On one hand, I am extremely grateful that I m not punching holes in the ocean aboard a nuclear powered submarine. On the other hand, I miss punching holes in the ocean aboard a nuclear powered submarine. The following essay is exactly how I wrote it over 10 years ago. Enjoy. The very nature of a submarine causes people to dislike the situation they are in. It is a unique animal which demands a like coexistence with its crew. Most people will admit that they like their job and just tolerate the rest of the bullshit that goes along with it (drills, workups, fucked up command policies...

Wow, I hadn't really finished my last post on election day when, only 13 minutes after the polls closed here in CA, Obama had reached the 270 electoral votes. I almost feel bad for the people on the West coast who waited in line for 2 hours to vote for McCain. I honestly feel the better candidate did not win and the close popular vote showed that Americans were almost divided on whom should pick up the office for the next 4 years. But only time will tell, as with everything, but I hope that Obama's presidency will not weaken our country like Clinton's did. Speaking of which, it was a historic day because the United States has elected it's second black President. I don't see much change coming in the next 4 years though. Obama's liberal and consistent voting record will be his benchmark for me. I hope that he proves me wrong because our country is desperate need for some help. But I don't have much faith in a man who, along with his party, do not support the ...

Today was the first time in 20 years that I actually went to a polling station to cast my vote. I had sent in absentee ballots the whole time I was in the Navy so this was an eye-opening experience. My polling station is small and I was the 8th person to cast their vote this morning. Starbucks gave me a free cup of coffee for my civic duty. I think this election will be a nail biter but as I am writing this Obama has taken a significant lead in electoral votes. I have always though the electoral process is crap and that the popular vote should be the deciding factor. As it stands, it is a race to 270, and the McCain/Palin ticket is lagging. Besides the Presidential vote, there were some important propositions here in CA that were also on the ballot. There were also a few people running for reelection of offices in the state that I did not really care about- so I wrote in my name. I have a pretty good shot at taking Judge of Superior Court #6 since Peter McBrian is running unopposed. So...