Oregon

Mind One.

So hi. I'm here to infuriate you. It doesn't matter what side you stand on the issue happening in Oregon, there's a 90% chance that this is going to piss you off. And it should. Because if you're pissed off at the end of this post it means your brain is working at the end of the post.

My first point is that the actual victims in this whole shit show have been so horribly mistreated by the very protesters claiming to protect them it actually makes me physically ill.

Holy shit.

The Hammond family did not ask for a freaking militia to roll into to their backyard and make an already complicated and difficult situation a complete soup sandwich.

Historically there are few things that end worse for people, than when an outside group rolls in and makes their personal struggles a goddamn figurehead for a political movement.

But that really isn't my main point and I don't want to get too caught up in that. (Hammond family, I'm so so so sorry for this bullshit.)

What sparked this rant is the video that was released earlier today showing the death of one of the militia leaders. Robert Finicum. There's about a million and a half places for you to watch that video, but find the unedited version if you do. Let's take the events of that video and break them down without any of the bias of the situation weighing in shall we? (Keep in mind we don't have audio right now)

Suspect is travelling down a highway with two vehicles in pursuit.

Suspect does not immediately pull over when the lights come on behind him signaling him to do so. (This is illegal)

Suspect stops in the middle of the road instead of pulling to the shoulder.

Suspect appears to communicate with authorities for a few minutes.

(Keep an eye on his tail lights, you can see him put his vehicle into gear and back into park multiple times. What's this about?)

Suspect then flee's the scene of the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. (Also illegal)

Suspect is driving erratically, moving in and out of his lane. (More law breaking. Thank god the authorities had a road block up ahead, because that kind of driving is the kind that kills innocent people.)

Suspect comes upon roadblock and plows into snowbank, hitting a law enforcement officer of some kind in the process. (Assaulting an office is...a...crime.)

Suspect exits the vehicle immediately.

Suspect puts his hands into the air, but continues to move forward.

Suspect drops his hands repeatedly in a reaching motion, still moving.

Suspect is shot by authorities.

I had the ability to watch this video multiple times from an aerial angle. The officers on the scene did not. All they had to work with was the knowledge of who was in the vehicle, a man who had made it clear many times he was willing to engage in violence over his opinions, a man who they knew was armed, and a man who was refusing to cooperate with law enforcement officers.

Finicum had the right to his opinion, as we all do.

He had the right to bear arms, as we all do.

What he did not have is the right to ignore authorities.

What he did not have is the right to endanger other peoples lives like he did in fleeing the scene of the traffic stop.

What he did not have is the right to break the law repeatedly, present a tangible threat to the safety of others.

"Innocent until proven guilty" something that society doesn't seem to have a problem with when a criminal is involved, but when a law enforcement officer responds in a logical way to a situation, it seems much more "guilty until proven politically correct".

Mind Two:
Following in Mind One's footsteps, I will also most likely infuriate you.

On a quick side note, I would just like to point out that the reason for crap like this happening is that politics has gotten way out of hand. You can't say the word Democrat or Republican without people shouting insults and screaming how stupid it is to be either. For a society that is so against labeling people and claims to want to be at peace with each other, there sure is nothing peaceful about politics. And people wonder why I always decline to participate in political discussions.

On to the Hammond story.

For everyone who has not read the actual facts and is uninformed about the story, the Hammonds were definitely in the wrong. They already went to prison once, and then went back for DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. So word to the wise, if the government says "hey don't do that or you'll go to jail" DON'T DO THE THING. It's actually an incredibly simple concept.

So no, we probably shouldn't free the Hammonds. Let them serve their time in peace and maybe the second time around they will learn their lesson.

As far as the militia goes, it's insane. The Hammonds have been trying to get them to go home since day 1. They don't need help guys. Stop protesting on their behalf when they don't want it. Also, taking over a federal building is illegal. So fucking illegal. And to the so-called ranchers that have come from God-knows-where to protest and stir shit up, what the hell did you do with your ranches? As an actual ranchers daughter, ranches don't run themselves and neighbors will only do the chores for so long before they expect the owner to come back and take care of their own shit. Personally, I think going home and actually running your own ranch for a while would be better than getting involved in people's business that don't want you involved.

Now on to this guy who got shot by the feds. I watched that video Mind One is talking about. I saw everything she mentioned. Go watch it yourself if you don't believe us. To all of you saying it's murder and he shouldn't of been shot, please go Google the definition of murder, or God forbid open a dictionary. And if your too lazy to do that, her you go:

Murder (noun)
1. the UNLAWFUL PREMEDITATED killing of one human being by another.

So it definitely wasn't unlawful because he was not following directions given by the officers and he also actually hit an officer with his car in the video. And it was not premeditated either.

In case you are curious to learn more or don't believe me, below is the link to the whole story, including facts and real documents. I encourage you to read it and be informed before you start spewing nonsense all over the internet.

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/12/militiamen_ranchers_in_showdow.html#incart_big-photo

"I was inverted"

Mind one.

If you know what this post is going to be about just from the title, good for you, if not you better fasten your seatbelts.

Top Gun. It's a classic movie, with all the critical components that make a movie awesome. There's action, there's romance, there's a whole lot of sass from all of the characters. Plus, there's a Top Gun quote for every occasion. Don't believe me? Then keep reading.

My first story regarding this movie happened at Basic (yes I know, ugh another Basic story, just let it happen). This is the one and only time I was ever singled out and yelled at during basic. And it was about Top Gun. I know. I didn't understand either. To make a long story shorter and funnier, I'll skip some bits. It all began with one DS introducing himself for no apparent reason as Maverick. He insisted we call him Maverick for the rest of the day. (Cue every private squinting at each other suspiciously.)
Unfortunately, I chose this moment to lose my damn mind and blurt out, "Maverick? Did your mother not like you or something?"
In the beat of silence that followed, I knew I had fucked up. I fucked up real bad.
Like a goddamn missile DS "Mav" came barreling through my platoons formation and got right in my face.
"What did you just say?"
Shit. There's a few options to answer that question and all of them ended badly. I opted for honesty, which in the end saved my pathetic ass from annihilation.
"Drill Sergeant, I said 'Maverick? Did your mother not like you or something?'"
Another beat of silence, and then DS #2 a.k.a. Iceman appeared behind me.

"Mav": "This private thinks she knows Top Gun Ice."
"Ice": "Bullshit"

What followed was about five minutes of two DS's screaming Top Gun quotes at me, and me scrambling to come up with the corresponding quote. If I was right, nothing happened. If I got it wrong, the whole battery would be beating their faces in the dirt. How's that for motivation?
Luckily for me, and the rest of the battery, I know that movie like the back of my hand.
From that day forward, I was known as the residential Top Gun expert, and also as "That asshole that almost got us smoked all day because of a fucking movie."

I'm not sorry.

Although, you'd think I would of learned my lesson about quoting movies in the military. I absolutely did not. The reactions I get are always perfect.

At NTC while discussing how to load the vehicle with the metric fuckton of gear
Me: "Talk to me goose."
The look I was given:

At a drill weekend, when a soldier was discussing a fight he had with his wife.

Me; "She's lost that loving feeling, I hate when she does that."

The reaction from my section: Three disgruntled expressions, and one Gibbs slap. 

At NTC while driving an officer around.

Me: "I've got the need."

Officer: "The need for speed."

*high five*

This was followed by a soul deep sigh from the second officer in the back seat. 

There's been no purpose to this post, and there wasn't supposed to be. The only take away is this, watch Top Gun and spread cheer to all you know by quoting it at all times appropriate or not. 

Mind Two:

I also tend to quote shows at inappropriate. Except at least Mind One picks a show that most people will know. I usually end up quoting something super obscure or even if it is from a famous movie, it's a part no one remembers. Let me give you some examples.

My brother and I watch this web series called Kid History (on Youtube if you feel the need to watch). There is a part where one character gets a sweater for Christmas and screams it out at the top of his lungs, One time, when I was at the doctor, the nurse handed me the robe to change into, to which I promptly replied, "A NEW SWEATER! OH MY GOSH!!!!" The nurse just stared at me and walked out of the room. So awkward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AvzaGkekDE

Another time, when I was talking to my friend and we were talking about how bored we were. And I said this: "Yet year after year, it's the same routine

And I grow so weary of the sound of screams
And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King
Have grown so tired of the same old thing" The only thing that saved me was it said Jack the Pumpkin King, which is a giveaway.

I also quote a lot of Disney, which you think people would get. But alas.

When I was walking with my friend, my shoe was untied and she noticed and told me. To which I responded, "I'm a big tough girl. I can tie my own sandals and everything." A quote from Hercules in case you didn't know, like she didn't.

And here is what I say anytime my makeup doesn't turn out perfect. Which is practically everyday.

And what I say to people who ask for ridiculous favors.

And when a friend asks me how their hair looks.

So basically, if you ever hear Mind Two spouting words of what seems like nonsense, it's probably just a random movie quote. Worry not.

Drill Sergeants Love Rabbits

Mind one.
I originally intended to post this right after I got back from AIT and it's just been sitting here, so I present a moderately motivational post for no real damn reason.

Moving on. Now most people don't know this, but before you actually begin basic training, there is a week or so of reception. And reception sucks. So so much. Because you basically get issued a crap ton of clothes, you get poked and prodded by every manner of medical professional possible, and you do a whole lot of sitting around getting yelled at. The DS's (Drill Sergeant's) at reception are 1000x more hateful than the ones at actual training. The DS I remember very vividly from reception is DS H. I'll leave off his whole name because 1. I cannot spell it. And 2. OPSEC.

DS H had a mile wide Colgate commercial worthy smile. He never ever put his teeth away. Even when he would say, "soldiers, I'm going to kick you so hard in the chest that your heart will stop and you will die." he smiled. Which was terrifying. But one thing I remember best from reception is this.

We were marching back from dinner chow. Or trying to, image around two hundred and fifty people trying to stay in step with each other, sound off with the cadence, and not straight fall on their face. Most of these privates had never marched before, so it was just painful all around for everyone. As we are struggling along, all of the sudden DS H calls, "platoon, HALT!". Naturally we stumbled our way to a stop, and stood there in a minor state of panic. The next thing I know, DS H darts past me, whips off his campaign hat and proceeds to yell, "do you see that rabbit soldiers? I'm going to catch it."
...What? You're going to what?
He made a solid effort, hat in one hand, chasing around a baby rabbit. After a good two minutes of chasing the rabbit around buildings, the formation, and through a couple of bushes, he turns back to us, puts his hat on, and nods. At this point we were all caught between wanting to laugh at the sight of a drill sergeant chasing a tiny rabbit frantically, and not wanting to get "nuked so hard you will glow, and then I will shoot you in the dark."

DS H comes to the front of the formation and gave us the most inspirational speech we would hear at reception.

"Soldiers, that baby rabbit is all alone. It's mother is dead on the side of the road. It's foot is broken. But did the baby rabbit want help? Hell no. The baby rabbit keeps on going. If the baby rabbit doesn't need help, neither do you privates. Just remember every time a private quits, a kitten dies." Seemingly pleased with the days work, he called forward march, and that was that.

For those of you who never had a DS, you won't understand how your DS can be the most inspirational figure in your life, while also the most terrifying. I'm not done with DS stories, but that covers it for reception. Because I spent 9 weeks with my Basic DS's I have many more stories, and they impacted me a hell of a lot more. But I can honestly say I will remember DS H chasing a tiny rabbit around the formation for a very long time.

Sherlock is to Watson as Mind one is to Mind two

Mind Two:
This is going to be the post we promised about how Mind One would be Sherlock and I would be her Watson.

Reason #1.
Because Mind One always comes up with ideas, and I always think "This is a really bad idea," and then go ahead and help her out anyway.

Reason #2.

Reason #3.

People often mistake us for being a really cute lesbian couple, WHICH WE ARE NOT.

Reason #4.

But I still love her anyway.

Reason #5.

Sassy McSass pants here, folks.

Reason #6. Because I know how to keep her under control.



Mind one.

Everyone knows Sherlock wouldn't be shit without his Watson, same holds true here because...

1. She keeps me from taking myself too seriously. And we dance like this in the car a lot.

2. I tend to need attention at random times, and she not only tolerates this, but give said attention, with only mild disgruntled expressions.

3. No matter how many times people assume we're lesbians together, she still goes out in public with me, because she's a freaking saint. 

4. I'm a huge jerk, and generally don't care about hurting peoples feelings. Mind two acts as a buffer, apologizer, and filter all at once for which we are all grateful.

5. Many people hear "punch me in the face" while I talk, and she rarely does. So thanks for that.

6. She lets me be an overdramatic asswagon. And if you haven't ever felt the power of whipping a scarf off like this, go do it right now. Feel the power Kronk. 

7. My eating habits closely resemble "unsupervised-five-year-old-at-a-birthday-party" and she tolerates that. Because dipping lime chips in chocolate frosting is fucking delicious.

8. She's mastered the disappointed parent face, which is key because I don't believe in "behaving".

9. I love batman. I am the batman. She has to deal with this.

10. But most importantly my "people skills" are "rusty" and even when I'm trying to help, that element of compassion is missing. She brings that. 

A Not So Gentle Reminder

Mind one.
First off, we are baaaaack. *Insert creepy child voice "They're heeeere."* And while it has been a very long time since we've posted, I'm just here to remind you of a few things in no particular order. See rant below.
1. You all seem to need to revisit that post I made about winter driving. Just because the temperature drops doesn't mean that I.Q, points have to follow. You people are ridiculous. Slow down. Don't drive if you don't have to. And for the love of coffee, WAKE UP BEHIND THE WHEEL. And now follows a story that brought me to revisit this topic.

Mind two and the troll and yours truly were indulging in our annual after christmas shopping spree. For those of you not in the know, the time inbetween christmas and the new years is literally the best sales ever. All of those stores full of crap they ordered to sell for christmas marked way down. It's glorious. However, this isn't exactly a secret, so there is a great many of morons that hit the stores, and by extension the streets at this time. For those of you lucky souls unfamiliar with I-84, just know that its a cluster fuck at the best of times. And so when I witnessed the following event, all I could really do was. Well. This.

A vehicle, presumably something along the lines of a suburban, (It was dark, and I was in shock my observational skills briefly threw all of their files on the floor and had a screaming fit), had missed the exit. Not just the exit, but the asphalt area after it, the sign to the exit and about ten yards of grass, before deciding...

"Fuck it. I'm a god. A god of doing whatever the fuck I please."

They took a hard right up the slope, in the snow and ice and all other manner of cold tomfoolery mother nature shits out in december, engaged four wheel drive and just powered up. They got on the exit ramp and drove on like it was no big deal. However the passengers in my vehicle, and if the flashing break lights and horns were anything to judge, the people occupying the rest of the free way, we all just simultaneously went. 

I'll admit, I forgot to drive for a minute and just stared in abject disbelief. So I'm begging here. If you miss the sodding exit, TAKE THE NEXT ONE. 

2. "Should you be eating that?" Ah this question is an old enemy for females all over. My answer to this question and its infinite variations is usually mature and respectful. Or I shove a full size doughnut into my mouth in one go. Like I said maturity. It takes a full size person mouth and some serious determination to fit a maple bar in my mouth in one piece. I'm the real MVP.

Mind Two: Yes I should be eating that. Because it tastes fucking delicious and salad tastes like sadness. Also, girls get super bitchy when they go on a diet. Is that what you, as a member of the opposite sex, want to have to deal with? No. It is not. You should be impressed your girlfriend can down a giant hamburger and a plate of fries in under half an hour. Girls that eat are the real MVP.

3. "Why are you taking time off?" You know what, you go join the army and spend six months surrounded by privates. And I mean that in the least sexual way possible. For those not in the know. A private is the lowest enlisted member of our glorious army. And that means that 99.99999% of the time, private is synonymous with "full-blown-wind-between-the-ears-idiot". Jokes aside, privates do idiot things, ask idiot questions, and have idiot emotions. I witnessed "grown men" come to blows over M&M's from a MRE. So the answer you nosy bastard, is I am taking time off to decompress, so I don't get into a fist fight the next time a fat woman in a leopard leotard rams her cart into my ankles at the grocery store. It's a public service really. 

4. I have two words that are key to getting along with me. Personal. Space. Seriously, it's a good idea if I don't know and love you to give me my 21 inches, or 21 feet. Here are some warning signs that you've invaded my space and stayed too long.

      1. I'm glaring at you- This is tricky cause I tend to glare at people on default. However the difference between my resting bitch face and an honest glare is the growl. Yeah, sometimes I growl at people. I know its not normal. Shut up.

      2. I've made a few not so subtle attempts to either escape or move you- Did I just dart across the room for no apparent reason? Yes. And it'd be beneficial to your health to let me. Did I just elbow you rather viciously and then insert one of my people between us? Yes, take a freaking hint. 

      3. My phone is very close to my face, and I'm giving off the attitude that I'm solving the cure to cancer right in front of you- It's called avoidance techniques. And I'm honestly thinking about blinding you with the flashlight app. I'm sadistic and have an app for that.

Mind Two:

I am not really sure where Mind One intended to go with this, but I'll get on board with discussing things that irritate me.

1. Please for the love of God stop asking me how college is going. I am a freshman, I have only general ed classes. My grades are good, no, I do not have a boyfriend, yes, I have friends, yes, I like Arizona. Chances are, if I wanted to talk about these things, I would. Better yet, if I wanted you to know, I would have stayed in contact with you when I moved. Understand that when you ask these questions, I will answer with a slightly disgusted look on my face because I HAVE HEARD THEM A MILLION TIMES BEFORE.

2. Stupid made-up words, Guys. It is 2015. Can we please leave those in 2014?

           "Salty" should not EVER be used to describe a person. A person is only salty if you shove a pretzel stick up their ass.

           "Ratchet" is also not a word used to describe people. It is a tool guys. Used to fix things.

           Hashtags. I despise them on Instagram and I especially despise them in conversation. If you ever use the word hashtag in a conversation I will #kickyourassallthewaytoIndia. Fun Fact: that symbol is actually called a pound sign.

           Woman Crush Wednesday and Man Crush Monday. Why are these still happening? Is this really the best you can give your significant other? A photo that has probably already been seen by the entire Facebook population that has that stupid hashtag on it? It's not really a sweet gesture if we have to see it EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

           

General Lee Rides Again

Mind two:
In case you weren't aware, it's rant night for the minds.

So this flag bullshit that Mind One was talking about. I'm here with part two.
The Confederate Flag.

So first of all, the flag y'all are posting isn't even the first Confederate flag. Or the second. Or the third even. It's a battle flag y'all are posting everywhere. The flag of General Lee's unit. (Like the car from Dukes of Hazzard. That has that flag on it).

According to Snopes, the Confederate flag never actually represented slavery or racism. It was just a fucking battle flag. That's it.

" The fact that the Confederate battle flag was never the official national flag of the Confederacy is a technical historical aspect which is of little import today — that flag was nevertheless used by officially sanctioned Army and Navy units that fought in the service of the Confederate government, its Southern Cross design was incorporated into the Confederate national flag, and that banner was popularly recognized and regarded at the time as a symbol of the Confederate nation by the people who lived there."
http://m.snopes.com/2015/06/28/confederate-flag-history/

THIS WAS 150 YEARS AGO. AND WAS ONLY USED BY THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE.
You people posting this stuff about racism and slavery and this flag living in Idaho and Oregon, tell me again how it pertains to you exactly, since YOU HAVE NEVER LIVED IN THE SOUTH AND HAVE PROBABLY NEVER EVEN BEEN THERE. REDNECK DOES NOT MEAN SOUTHERN.

Also, flags are used as symbols, which means they can be interpreted every fucking way. A flag did not start slavery, nor did it end it.

So all you ignorant idiots out there posting stuff about the flag, stop unless you have actually done some research or not slept through every single one of your history classes. I have included some handy links for you in case you need some real reliable sources that aren't 100% bullshit. Enjoy.

I'm just gonna go ahead and leave this here for you.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/24/us/confederate-flag-myths-facts/

Mind one.

I'm back again. I'd just like to point out that CNN is defending the Confederate battle flag. Clearly you all should fact check because IT'S A BATTLE FLAG. IT'S NOT A NATIONAL FLAG OF ANYTHING.

The Southern Cross (the proper name for that flag), was a battle flag and the only reason it even exists is because the actual Confederate flag was too similar to the American flag at the time and both sides were getting confused.

In closing, you are all morons. And seriously, do people not have to take history classes???

Rant Incoming

Mind one.
(This post is rated R for swearing, violence, over use of sarcastic quotation marks, and political themes. Viewer discretion is advised.)
ALRIGHT BUCKLE UP BOYS AND GIRLS BECAUSE SHIT'S ABOUT TO HIT THE FAN.

On the off chance you've somehow managed to escape the political shitstorm of the past few days (you lucky bastard) here's a suuuper brief recap.

1. Gay marriage was made legal in all fifty states.
2. The internet literally exploded into a rainbow of fuckery.

Now before I get on my soap box let me knock you off yours.
 I don't really give a shit that gay marriage is legal. It doesn't affect me in the slightest. I am not a homophobe, bigot, ignorant, or any other left wing term generally used to describe people in my situation. 

What does affect me is the blatant disrespect being displayed. 

If I see one more American flag bastardized with a rainbow I'm going to develop a stress ulcer. People do realize defacing the flag is a federal goddamn crime right? But because its "a celebration of equal rights" its okay right? NO. NO IT IS NOT. In the public's excitement to show their pride they are literally trampling all over those that made this event even possible. The American flag isn't just a symbol to be manipulated to fit the needs of a "celebration". It stands for so much more, but that has fallen by the wayside to some. That flag has stood as a symbol of hope and freedom, but in the last year alone it has been treated like a doormat. In case there is any confusion here is a list on what is not okay to do to the American flag.

1. Let it touch the ground. (Which sure as fuck includes standing, walking, stomping, and god forbid dancing on the flag.)
2. Burning the flag for a protest. (The only proper form of disposal of an American flag is to burn it, however that takes place in a respectful ceremony with rigid standards of conduct you fucking swine.)
3. Changing the colors, or pattern of the flag. 

To expand on point three let me share with a direct quote from the United States code title 4 chapter 1- The Flag. (This will be summarized below the quotation for better understanding)

"§3. Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag

Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court. The words "flag, standard, colors, or ensign", as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America."

Essentially that giant block of legalese states that placing a design (such as the gay pride rainbow) upon the flag, exposing said altered flag to the public, and manufacturing and selling altered flags will be found guilty of a misdemeanor and punished with a maximum fine of one hundred dollars, or thirty days in jail, or both. This applies not only to physical flags, standards, and ensign, but also pictures and representations of aforementioned items. It doesn't have to be a standard flag either. That's what that last long rambling sentence explains. As long as it contains the colors, and the stars and stripes, in any combination thereof that the average person would believe with out deliberation to represent the flag of the United States of America.

A great deal of thought was put into protecting the American flag. And for good fucking reason. That flag is more than a colorful piece of fabric. It stands as a representation of America as a whole. No caveats. For a group of people within the American public to take the flag and manipulate it into a symbol to further their own agenda isn't just illegal, its morally disgusting. 

(Brief pause for breath)

I could harp on about the significance and symbolism of the flag for years, but there's a couple more points that need to be addressed. So if you're still with me, read on.

There is another picture that is circulating that is deserving on some serious ranting. A group of men, (presumably gay but I'm not going to throw stones), took a rainbow flag on a pole and deemed it wise to reenact the second flag raising on Iwo Jima.

(For those of you unaware the flag was actually raised twice on Iwo Jima and pictures were taken of both. The one that you are familiar with that has become iconic is the second flag raising.)

There are not enough words for the rage, disgust, and disappointment I felt when I saw that picture. Yes, disappointment. Because the legalization of gay marriage was supposed to be a step forward for America. (Or so I'm told. Remember I don't give a shit.) Instead it's been a significant leap back. 

Consider the definition of the word hypocrisy. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Here it is in case you didn't look it up.

"the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense"

I can't even begin to list all the ways that the gay community has demanded respect from the rest of America. And yet in the wake of getting what they wanted they are trampling all over core American beliefs and values.  There isn't even a basis for comparison between World War II and legalizing gay marriage. Is history no longer a required course in high school? Does the public not even realize what WWII was? What it was fought over? The sacrifices that were made? 

Holy fucking shit America. 

I'm going to stop here. But I leave you this to consider.

Is this really the way you want future generations to remember this "monumental occasion"? By desecrating the flag? By making a mockery of the very people that fought to make this even possible? By shitting all over the rest of the American people? After decades of asking everyone else to be conisderate here I am. A straight, white, conservative, soldier, asking for a little consideration in return. Think before you act. If you are so tired of being offended, consider how your actions might offend someone else. 

BECAUSE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE I'M RATHER OFFENDED. 

Mind Two:
Ditto.
Listen to the soldier people.