Open Thread - Thurs 15 Aug 2024 - Bravery
Bravery
Yesterday I read about a young man who showed so much bravery and dedication to service that he died. Cpl. Spencer R. Collart was a young Marine who burnt to death in the fires that resulted from an Osprey crash in Australia in 2023. (The article is also on the AP and other websites.)
It sounds kind of 'normal' in a way, burning to death in a fire because a military air plane crashed - especially an Osprey which doesn't have a great record. But what wasn't normal was this, Collart got out of the burning plane just fine, after all the other Marines that were in the back of the plane escaped. And then, he saw that the cockpit was on fire. So he went back inside the burning plane to rescue the pilots. Unfortunately, he and the pilots all died in the fire. Because of his bravery he is being posthumously awarded the highest non-combat medal the Marines and Navy have - the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. It's awarded for acts of heroism which are a great risk to the service member's life.
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal from the military times website linked above.
One of Collart's best friends in the Marines, Lance Cpl. Evan Strickland, was killed in the crash of an Osprey during a training flight in California in 2022. That crash was due to mechanical failure. How surprising /* sarcasm */.
Collart's other best friend in the Marines, Cpl. Jonah Waser, was a pallbearer at Collart's funeral. Waser met Collart's sister and they fell in love. They are married now. So, even out of sorrow, love can arise and good things can happen.
I'm not sure why this story touched me so much, but it did.
In other news this BBC article says the US is trying to 'turn the temperature down' in the Middle East and get Iran to not retaliate to the assassination of the Hamas leader in Tehran. Why didn't we 'turn down the temperature' before the assassination? Or the killing of two newborns, twins, in a stupid Israeli bombing run on Gaza? Or... I'm too discouraged to look up all the current atrocities and stupidities of Israel's idiotic war.
Anyway, thanks for reading! Here's the open thread - remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Hello! Happy Thursday!
Hope today is going well for everyone. I am off to the dentist today, ohh boy. Then the usual work at home. I've got about 15 cabbage heads to process, basically cut up and freeze for later use. We love having strips of cabbage in soups and stews.
What have you been doing lately? How have things been going? What stories of bravery have affected you recently? Let us know! And have a great weekend!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Hey, good morning
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Thanks for the touching story. Here is one you may like ..
Brave Goat 'Sneaks In' to Livestock Guardian Dog Pack Like the Best Helper
When you have animals living and working together, they're going to get curious; it's just how it goes. Animals may know how to do many things, but minding their business has never been one of them. It will never be. The sooner you accept that, the better.
One goat boldly showed off his penchant for getting in other people's business on Saturday, August 3rd. He saw his livestock guardian bestie about to head out for night duty, and he really wanted to tag along ..
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/pets/brave-goat-sneaks-in-to-livesto...
cheerio
question everything
@QMS That was a great story,
That was a great story, thanks!!! Hope your day was good and your weekend even better.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Good morning, good people!
I will come up with some bravery stories today.
But first, a new scam. You might get a call from some police officer about an arrest warrant being issued. Personal info may be requested. Also money.
This happened to a friend and neighbor. I made arrangements to turn him into the jail, had the county judge lined up to set a personal recognizance bond, only to find out from the jail dispatcher that there was no warrant.
My pay: My friend has a pro-grade barbecue pit, is a caterer. I will be getting a slab of baby back ribs, smoked all night long, with assorted sides.
Interesting times, people!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Do cops call people when an arrest warrant is issued??
They call ahead and refuse a chance to burst into a home?? I know Indian scammers have one where they claim a person owns back taxes and they must pay immediately or the police who are waiting at the court house will come and arrest them and the victim will spend years in jail.
Sometimes they do call.
The only way to know why it is issued is to go to the sheriff's office in person. Makes their job easier. Usually non-violent crimes.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
The scams!!
Currently the ones I get are from some really juicy voiced man saying he's calling from the police benevolent fund or whatever and wants money NOW! Heh.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
And so it goes...
The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.
Nothing ever changes, does it?
No matter the color, flavor, gender, height, weight... whatever, of the person supposedly in charge.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Busy getting ready for the cook book group
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Tonight it is Tyler Florenece. Chose the Cold Sesame Noodles from his Eat This Book.
Says 30 minutes to prepare, more like 3 hours. Sitting in the fridge chillin'.
DIRECTIONS
Cook the noodles in large pot of boiling unsalted water over medium heat until barely tender and still firm, about 3 minutes. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water until cold. Drain the noodles really well and transfer to a wide bowl; toss with the sesame oil so they don't stick together.
In the same pot, heat the peanut oil over medium low heat. addd green onions, ginger, garlic, and chile paste.
Cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened, only about a minute or so.
Then stir in brown sugar, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, and hot water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and peanut butter is smooth. Toss noodles back into pan and coat with sauce.
Toss sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium low heat until golden brown. Shake the pan constantly to keep them from burning. Put noodles in a serving bowl and garnish with sesame seeds, cilantro and cucmber strips. You can place the sauced noodles in the refrigerator and serve them cold; just garnish right before serving.
Yumm
https://www.food.com/recipe/cold-sesame-noodles-tyler-florence-445486
question everything
That sounds something like...
the recipe I use for peanut chicken. YUM!! I'm gonna try it.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Not that you can trust the weatherman here is the forecast for
the autumn.
Which is cool, except
.
.
not listed is the region wide average highs and lows. According to this map, we are
80% likely to be above average (like Lake Wobegon children).
Compared to what? 10 year means, last year? I know the temp swings in southern
New England can not be compared to the same in northern Maine.
Oops, heavy thunder incoming. Gotta go button-up.
question everything
So, maybe hot, maybe cold...
maybe normal, where I am. Right now it's colder than normal, which is very strange. And we are going to have a thunderstorm or two on Saturday, which is also strange. I wish the rest of the country were 'normal' in temps.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
A straight forward story of heroism
...is inspiring in the age dominated by grifters, frauds and bullies.
To me each service member who drives, crews, rides or services a military aircraft is brave. Two of my friends were killed in military aircraft crashes. Others just "shipmates" as the expression goes. I witnessed several too, where friends or colleagues survived. I know I was petrified every time I got on an aircraft, because I knew what can happen, despite people talking about the "unlikely chances." I considered every pilot and crewman that I knew that flew aircraft "brave."
I haven't done anything especially noteworthy lately. I think I've been discouraged by the constant barrage of evil reports of war, massacres, surveillance, and other corruption of civilized life; that's probably designed by the oligarchs to do exactly that.
On the subject of fortitude, I'd been working on an interpretation of another Teresa Teng song Stars, which I think is about the courage to go on. There is a Japanese version too called Subaru. The original arrangement and song was probably Japanese. Below the long Chinese version. Elsewhere, Teng sings it in Japanese and Cantonese or Mandarin, and perhaps other languages or dialects (not that I can tell the difference). I had to listen over and over again to see if I had the right version. Subaru is beautiful also but not sure about that English translation. There is also a short version of the song on video in Chinese. The male singer in the first minute and half doing the first half of the song, is Guan Zhengjie. Teresa Teng does the second half starting at 2:00. I used the google, and looked at other people's translations. I've been working on it all week.
Stars
Lyrics: Zheng Guojiang
Composition: Tanimura Shinji
Guan:
I close my uplifted eyes to put my heart at rest
Opening my eyes again, Fearfully, I anticipate the way ahead
The cold night air becomes clear over the wilderness
Ahead the path divides My direction forward unknown
Ah- where is the bright moon? Guide me, I lost my way
There only the stars Ah- the rough desolate path
Companions on my lonely journey ...a stream of sparkling light
Along the way, a profound stillness I hear only the sound of my breathe
Slowly I proceed...resolved to take the rugged mountain path...
Teng:
Treading through thorny bramble, amidst suffering to find tranquility
I tread through wilderness as mud covers my feet
The sky filled with stars, I'm undaunted by strong winds
Expectations fill my heart After darkness, the dawn will come
Ah, the stars shine as well Fellow night travelers,
Casting my shadow Ah, starlight guides the way
I barely hear the wind's sound Inspired by burning passion
I'm searching for an ideal That ideal is peace
Pursuing a dream yet I go
Fear not traveling a dangerous mountain path.
Tomorrow someone will walk this way. The stars too will guide their journey
Thanks for the tale of heroism Sima.
語必忠信 行必正直
What a good song...
and I wouldn't even know about it except for you. Thank you! Your tales of how you felt in service really speak to me. Once, when I was young, I wanted to be a pilot in the Marines. But, they wouldn't let women be pilots then, so I didn't join. Dunno if I'm happy or sad about that.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
The road not taken
I had neither the skills nor the sang-froid to be a pilot. Both are something I don't pretend to have, but admire in others. One of the most talented pilots I knew flipped his Pitt Special on takeoff at a general aviation field. I went flying with him once in a private plane on one of his FAA directed remedial flights. I had complete confidence in him. One of my few friends in this area, is a pilot. Unfortunately, he was hit by a car about a month ago, while riding his bike around the neighborhood. So there's that. The proverbial "you could be killed just walking down the street," or whatever that saying is. I think he'll be alright eventually.
Doing the song translations was so rewarding for me with Korean. I know I'm overreaching with the Chinese but why not? I'm learning a lot just by trying. Appreciate the positive feedback, Sima.
When I think of why I wasn't offered the opportunity to do this earlier in life, I think it must have been my French grades. "Life is what happens when you were planning something else," John Lennon said once, I think.
語必忠信 行必正直
I may have told this story before.
In the 60s, my Dad paid black farm workers the same pay as white workers. Consequently, other farmers and ranchers had to wait for them to finish our crops before they went to other farms, and sometimes it had negative effects on their harvests. This was a time when my county was probably 80% agricultural land use.
One morning, a crowd of angry farmers and ranchers pulled up at the house, got out yelling for Dad to come out and face them. He did. With rifle in hand, cocked. The leader of the gang was the sheriff.
They got back in their vehicles, left the yard.
Mom also had a rifle cocked and ready. She was standing inside the screen door at the entrance into the house. I was standing beside her, ready to hand her bullets is she needed them.
I think I was maybe 7 years old.
Good times!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
What a great Dad..
and Mom you had. Brave and standing up for what is right. So awesome!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so