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What Is Jim Up To Today?

by Jim

Rated: 13+ · Book · Travel · #1779685

What the heck am I doing today? Shenanigans, General Tomfoolery or What? You never know

Talk about perks, my career had one of the best I can think of! I traveled in the course of business, delivering classes for my employer. I was a Senior Training Specialist for Motorola Solutions, and taught classes on a wide variety of subjects centered around 2-way radio communications. I knew that when the time arrived that I would retire, and I have. I've always said that if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen, get out! I can't handle the heat anymore. I was qualified to deliver approximately 32 different classes, but about half of those were 'Legacy' classes, and were not in demand anymore. My students were technicians, those who maintained, programmed, calibrated, and repaired large 2-way radio systems. Some of these systems are statewide, and use TCP-IP networking to allow sites to communicate with others. Some are small, traditional type radio sites. The size doesn't matter, in each case the systems must be kept operational at all times, since many of them are Public Safety Systems. So I traveled, sometimes frequently, 3-4 weeks in a row.... where have I been?

Some of the places I've been (I can't list them all here, the list would be too long) are pretty interesting.

1. Hawaii - Four times, Oahu, Maui (twice), and the Big Island, Plus I lived on Oahu from 74-83.
2. Bangkok Thailand, twice
3. Frankfurt Germany, twice
4. Algiers, Algeria
5. Melbourne Australia
6. Bismarck North Dakota, Summer & Winter
7. California, especially the Los Angeles area, Too many times to count
8. Washington DC, Too many times to count
9. Seattle three or four times
10. Texas, all over the state
11. Florida, all over the state
12. New Mexico, HOME! Several times

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Comments ·

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

☘️ Richard ☘️

about 5 hours ago
In response to "Great Lakes Naval Station Visit"

If a brake light flickers anywhere within two miles in front of us, I am immediately expected to step on our brakes. Despite the fact that none of the cars in front of us have done so, are not slowing, and the multiple car lengths separating us have not diminished.

Sigh.

TJ: one day closer to camping

Mar 8, 2026 at 3:31pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

I quote, "All is fair in love and war".

Iran has been staging a terrorist war since 1979, when it took hostages from the American Embassy. It was a big part of my enlistment and service. Numerous presidents from both sides have tried to find peace, but to no avail. I am not pro-war, but I also don't like the idea of terrorists destroying not only our way of life, but the world's. Something had to be done before Iran developed nuclear weapons and held the world hostage.

Jim

Mar 8, 2026 at 2:31pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

☘️ Richard ☘️

You present valid points. I did not realize that the Dena was unarmed (is that a true statement?), nor did I know that we participated in the Milan 2026 Joint Exercise. But if you read about it, our participation consisted of a lone P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, which took part in anti-submarine warfare drills and other exercises. The sad thing is, we (humans) never communicate well. We're terrible at it. Combine that with a Military mindset and it will get even worse. It's impossible to say if the Submarine knew the Dena was unarmed

I looked up the Dena's status when she was sunk. Yes, according to Iranian officials, the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was unarmed and in a non-combat configuration when it was targeted and sunk by a United States submarine in early March 2026. To me, the statement by Iranian officials that it was unarmed and in a non-combat configuration when sunk is suspect. Could it have offloaded it's weapons before the exercise, and reloaded afterward, before heading for home. It's all conjecture on our part, most likely we will never know the true answer. I will say that didn't Iranian Officials also say they weren't enriching Uranium to weapons grade? Maybe not these same officials, but I would be willing to bet that they work for the same people.

While Iran maintained the ship was defenseless, some legal experts and US officials have indicated that under the laws of naval warfare, warships can be considered valid targets if their home nation is engaged in an active, albeit undeclared, conflict. Legal experts and US Officials.... Hmmmmmmm. Suspicious if you ask me. Once again though, playing Devil's advocate, when did Legality have anything to do with warfare? Yes, we've not declared war. But we are at war. Ask anyone who's been affected by this conflict.

1 Like

☘️ Richard ☘️

Mar 8, 2026 at 1:47pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

Jim Strangely, the fact that the sub in question didn't render aid doesn't bother me as much as the fact that we knew the Dena to be unarmed, and therefore at the time defenseless. Up until the Laconia incident in World War 2, German U-boats often stopped to render aid, but since they were still considered targets during that activity, the practice was halted. Clearly, the attacking sub would have been a target itself.

I do hope the sub "called it in" at least after the attack, as it safely exited the area.

Here's my problem with the view that we considered the Dena a viable target, despite knowing the vessel was unarmed. We also participated in the exercise. What would our response be had one of our unarmed vessels been attacked? I also think that we would have had no problem eliminating the Dena threats in her home waters after she was rearmed and truly presented an honest threat.

Jim

Mar 8, 2026 at 1:29pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

Thanks for your comment also ☘️ Richard ☘️

! You wrote - The vessel at that time presented no clear and present danger. Surely you aren't saying that all ships that are not a clear and present danger should be ignored? Like I said, I'm not happy with the idea of abandoning survivors, but I can see why they would. I honestly feel that any Military vessel, armed or not, is a target for any other craft, submarine or surface. Just MHO, I'll stick to it.

Robert Waltz

Mar 8, 2026 at 1:28pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

Jim

- To be clear, I didn't mean "issues" as in "personal issues," but in the broader sense: anything Navy-related, you'll obviously know more about than I do. I'm not expressing an opinion on whether it was cowardly or not.

Jim

Mar 8, 2026 at 1:21pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

Thanks for your comment Robert Waltz

. I agree with your assessment. They seem to forget that we never declared war on Vietnam or North Korea. I only hope that WWIII is not on the horizon.

As for my Naval issues? They are only that this is thought of as a cowardly act, by people who have never lived a life like this.

☘️ Richard ☘️

Mar 8, 2026 at 1:18pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

I agree that other presidents have indeed conducted military strikes in defense of the country. However, in most cases, those actions were defined, had goals, and were limited to achieving those goals. This particular action has, depending on who you listen to, multiple goals. That, in addition to the fact that the main driving force behind this action repeatedly calls it a "war", leads me to believe that the President should indeed go to Congress, seeking a formal declaration, or at least explain the purpose, goal, and end point of the action.

As far as the Dena, the troubling fact for me is that we knew the vessel was unarmed. We had also participated in the Milan 2026 Joint Exercise. The vessel at that time presented no clear and present danger. Comparing the attack on the vessel to warfare during World War II is a bit of a stretch. After all, everyone but the President is insisting we aren't at war.

The contrast is our attack on an Iranian drone carrier. That vessel did present a clear and present danger; its drones could target shipping, naval vessels, and land targets. I would imagine that in this situation, it was indeed active in Iran's response. As such, it had made itself a target, and being attacked should not have come as a surprise.

Robert Waltz

Mar 8, 2026 at 12:52pm
In response to "The World As It Is"

I defer to you on the naval issues.

As for declaring war, well, I'm no expert there, either, but I'm pretty sure the President - any President - has the legal authority to instigate certain military actions, regardless of declaration of war. I don't see how it could be any other way, considering that sometimes, you have to act fast and going through congress is the actual opposite of acting fast. Prez is Commander in Chief for a reason.

I don't say this to defend this particular military action, or this particular President; just pointing out that many Presidents have done similar actions, both Rs and Ds, so people should maybe find a different argument.

1 Like

JACE

Mar 8, 2026 at 9:48am
In response to "The Illinois Product Expo"

I hope Kathy has fully recovered from her ailment. It so tough to have plans that get derailed. Glad you were able to make the trip. Sounds like you had fun.

Day before yesterday, the weather here was 76 and sunny. So we took Jeanette's little Mazda convertible to Alley Springs Mill about two hours away for some hiking. We were able to do about half the three-mile trail. But it was fun.

March 10, 2026 at 11:17am

#1110315

Great Lakes Naval Station Visit

It was time for our 'Quarterly' visit to the Great Lakes Naval Station. Well, it was really to the nearby Burkey Mall Pharmacy to pick up her Trulicity. It was a nice trip, except for one thing.

She has become the epitome of a Back-Seat Driver. IF I don't drive exactly like this does, well, no details here, but you get the idea. The really bad part is, she would fall asleep then wake up and see something 'wrong' (example: When she woke, I was following a truck too close in her opinion. But I was waiting for a car to come past so I could change lanes and pass it), and fly off the deep end.

The ride up was fine, it was the ride home when things started. Part of it was fatigue on my part I'm sure. We'd been going to over 5 hours now, so yep, I was tired. Still, all things combined, it made for a rough trip home.

There, rant, and whining over. Thanks for listening/reading.

Today is a new day, it's warm, and everything is good, just like always. Y'all have a great day!

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