My new job rocks!

Well, I'm starting to get settled in to my new job. I'm still awaiting my first paycheck–it should arrive in about two weeks. It looks like I'm going to be on the swing shift after all, but it's understood that this is just a stepping stone in people's careers. On the up side, drill weekends here take place whenever you have two days off, rather than on strict Saturday/Sunday, so I won't be burning my own leave to cover drills. My only concern is that swing shift interferes with my Masonic Lodge and martial arts classes, but given the temporary nature of this assignment, I'm really not concerned with it.

Jason C. Diederich

Richard Gere

Jeanne Wolf, an entertainment writer, yesterday defended Richard Gere's anti-American nonsense by saying that he "loves peace," and therefore what he sees on TV everyday must be "deeply troubling" for him.
This leads to a question that I must ask Mr. Gere, and everyone else who dedicates their energies to America bashing and terrorist appeasement:  If you are so concerned with peace, why aren't you calling on the self-proclaimed "Jihadists" to stop their brutal campaign of murder, terror and genocide?

—
Jason C. Diederich

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

On the 10th of March, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was heard by a military tribunal to determine whether he was, in fact, to be considered an "enemy combatant."  Former Federal Prosecutor John Flannery was interviewed by Fox News, where he stated that not only could the military not give a fair trial to Mohammed, but, "they didn't!"  He also seconded Rosie O'Donnel's support of Khalid Mohammed's claim of being "tortured," stating that it was "an open secret." 
Flannery's personal objection is based on the fact that Mohammed was not provided with certain rights granted to defendants in civilian courts.  I would point out first, that national security issues central to an ongoing war dictate the use of a military tribunal, which can keep classified evidence in confidence.  Second, Mohammed has dedicated his life to destroying the system of government which would afford him such rights–and not being a citizen of the United States, there is no compelling reason to grant him the rights of one.  Third, this was not a trial resulting in sentence; it was merely to determine whether he should be considered an enemy combatant. 
—–
Finally, I offer two quotes from the transcript of tribunal itself (Detainee here refers to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed):
 
From page 16:
"President: I do note that in one of the exhibits you indicate you are not under any pressure or duress today.  Is that correct?
 
Detainee: …Yes."
 
From page 22
"Detainee:  So when we say we are enemy combatant, that right.  We are." 
—–
Below is a link to the transcript of the tribunal.
 
—
Jason C. Diederich
 

My Power Shake

My power shake provides healthy, long-lasting energy and is best used as a between-meals snack (you should be feeding your body five-to-six small meals per day). It delivers not only Zone-friendly balances of protein, carbohydrates and fats, but high levels of vitamins and antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, digestive enzymes, creatine monohydrate, and 10 grams of dietary fiber per serving. I prepare two the night before, simply leaving the dry powders in shakers (also available from GNC) and adding water when I’m ready to consume.
I’ll be honest; it takes like you’d expect a health shake to taste. However, I feel so much better from drinking it that I honestly don’t mind at all.

1 scoop GNC “T. R. Complete” Protein
1 tbsp GNC “Maximum Greens”
1 tsp GNC “Maximum Fruits”
2 tbsp whole ground flaxseed meal
1 tsp sugar-free psyllium husk fiber
1 scoop GNC Nitro Explosion

Protein 20 grams
Carbohydrates 27
Fat 9.5 grams

Total Calories 310

300

I have seen the movie 300.
It was brilliant! Visually stunning, incredibly choreographed… This comic-book retelling of the stand of the Spartans at Thermopylae is absolutely fantastic. It is a brilliant story of men standing up for freedom in the face of tyrant hordes–and being Persian hordes, it is particularly timely.
It is definitely not film for children, however; full of sex, nudity and gore, it is for adults.

See it, see it, see it!

Back on track!

Well, it appears that everything is back on schedule. The Sergeant Major for whom I work spent the entire week jumping through hoops (he’s a great guy), and managed not only to get me transferred to a local unit (I’m now an admin NCO with, if memory serves, the 1221st Troop Command), but also to have my appointment back-dated to Monday.
I have also completed several hours of training, including anti-terrorism, fiscal law, and NIMS training, and now have access to Army-account Microsoft certifications and Rosetta Stone language programs. Of course, my first priorities are OCS and my degrees.

My new "job"

Well, today was the third day of work at my new job–sort of. I’ve been showing up and doing the work; however, the HR person who told me when to report for orientation got her wires crossed. My appointment has not yet been approved, and the Sergeant Major for whom I am working is having to jump through hoops trying to find a way to get me paid in the interim. On the up side, it’s been quiet in Missouri and the job isn’t very taxing so far. Probably they’ll consider my first two weeks on the job as my Annual Training for the National Guard for this year.
Drill last weekend was very taxing; my unit had a field training exercise just north of Macon. It got down to about ten degrees at night (we did a night land navigation exercise) and was never over twenty five degrees. Also, we had to drive an hour or so each way, and my HMMWV broke down on the way back.

25 Feb 2007

Well, this will probably be the last time the Qatari 2600 is sent out as an e-mail. From now on, it will be maintained as a blog, available here: http://q2600.blogspot.com/ Hopefully, with my new job, I will be able to maintain regular forms of communication with people.

Which is the big news: I have been hired as a GS-7 to work at the Joint Operations Center in Jefferson City. Essentially, I am now a federal employee responsible for maintaining communications between all federal and state agencies which respond to states of emergency declared in Missouri. I will be part of a group of nine people working a rotating shift at Ike Skelton Training Center. This is, of course, a large jump in pay and a huge jump in prestige for me; I’m really looking forward to starting. Orientation is on March 5th, right after drill.

They will eventually transfer me to a unit in Jefferson City so that I don’t have to drive to Hannibal to drill; apparently they are having difficulty finding an E-5 slot for me (I told them that E-6 would be just fine).

The next item on my agenda, now, is setting up an ACT re-take. I’m hoping that my parents can schedule one at the MMA for me; it’s been too much hassle trying to set one up through Ft Leonard Wood. I want to make certain that everything is ready for next year’s OCS class before I do anything else.

Finally, Kevin’s stepfather Wayne is having a difficult time right now–serious medical problems possibly related to contact with Agent Orange during his tour in Viet Nam. I would appreciate it if everyone could keep him and his family in their prayers.

–SGT Jason C. Diederich, 2175th MP Co, MOArNG
Semper Fidelis