<![CDATA[Comments from TOWken22]]> <![CDATA[Comments from TOWken22]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Review: Generation Kill—The Iraq War, Batteries Not Included]]> There is a lot of bitter dispute going on in this posting, but the end all of it is that every vet had a different experience based on his unit and time of service. Being a former Marine myself, I can tell you that there were definitely times when we lacked properly functioning gear. There may be a "don't fix what isn't broken" attitude in the Marine Corps, but there are definitely times when things are broken, and there just isn't money to fix it.

We PM'd our vehicles every week, but it is hard to fix components on a vehicle when your motor pool doesn't have the parts. Mainly, this kind of preventative maintenance was done to ensure that the Humvee would run. We never had extra armor for our vehicles and no armor for the turret. Our TOW mounted Humvees didn't even have a proper mount for an M240G so the gunner could defend against close range small arms fire. I, along with a buddy of mine worked with a couple of our junior guys to design a mount and had the guys over in the machinist shop put one together for us to test on the range (and eventually use).

During training we couldn't afford blanks so we ran around shouting "bang!" Now I am sure that this show exaggerates things, but it is not a documentary and the exaggerations are there for effect and drama. If you were watching a totally realistic military experience of "hurry up and wait" I would imagine it would get very boring, very quickly.

Someone mentioned that they thought most military members vote Republican for funds and pay raises and I will have to agree, I know I did for Bush's first term (not proud of it, just saying). When you see military personnel (especially the enlisted guys) living in abject poverty with their families because they are getting paid $400 a month getting someone in office that will improve the quality of your life is what motivates you to vote that way. For all of those who think this show only makes Republicans look bad for the war, they should consider that the poor disbursal of funding (or lack of funding in some cases) had a lot to do with the Clinton administration and their systematic "downsizing" of the military.

In the end there are going to be multiple perspectives to every situation. Enjoy the show if it is interesting to watch, but understand that it is just a show for your entertainment. Don't walk away from it thinking it depicts absolute reality, and definitely don't let it be the basis of some political point you are making because you can't make fact from fiction.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Leaked Shots of Asus Eee 904 & 905 Laptops Show Half-Baked Idea]]> The original EeePC was great, it did what it was designed for well and it was small and portable. I was really excited when the announcement was made regarding the EeePC 900 with the larger screen and Atom processor. Now, I have to say I am a bit apathetic to the whole line because somewhere along the way Asus lost sight of what made the original so popular. This slew of new models is becoming overkill reminiscent of the Moto RAZR fiasco, and still manages to lack a single model that touts all the desired features we were hoping for in the original 900 series. The worst part is that the new pricing points effectively remove them from their original market segment.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Power Tool Drag Racing is Our Kind of Non-Sport]]> I am so glad that we live in a country where we have so much wealth at our disposal that we can come up with new ways to use/destroy our possessions. I believe we all go through this in one manner or another as children, setting GI Joes on fire (for realistic battle damage) or smashing Matchbox cars (the old metal ones, not plastic) with a hammer. Right? Anyone? No, just me? Really?

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Why Canada Sucks For Gadget Lovers]]> Oh, the horrible, horrible price you pay for state sponsored universal health care. I believe my priorities are a bit skewed and would prefer to get my hands on a bright shiny new gadget than to go get a physical.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on The Cloud Is Your Furryoptics Best Friend, Strangely Turns Me On]]> That's is the most awesome hairy mood stone I have ever seen. I mean that is what it is right?

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on The Great NERF Office War]]> This is awesome. What a relief to see that I am not the only inappropriately older individual that still engages in Nerf wars. Right? Hello, anyone? Screw you guys. I'll do what I want!

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Commenter Appreciation: Borrow Zeiss Cinemizer iPod Video Goggles for 2 Weeks]]> Eh, what else am I going to do at work if not fill out an 8 page feedback form, work?

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @discounteggroll: I figure there will be a couple of us there so we can act as beacons for other Giz readers

@92BuickLeSabre: Sounds like the best option. Not familiar with the park though, so figuring this stuff out in advance would probably be a good idea

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Robot Band is at Least as Good as Coldplay]]> After the Flight of the Concords I have to take every music act out of NZ seriously

@ballashoes: I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I like Radiohead, so I am going to have to say that your opinion is wrong.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Thanko's Lazy Geek's Cushion, Perfect for Prone PC Action]]> And people said technology would make us all lazy

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on ImAmp by Audiotrack Beefs Up Your Cans on the Go]]> This seems nice, and I always love to support the homeland tech, but I think I would prefer a portable Headroom or Grado amp for listening to music. Otherwise I would just go with a pair of Dolby Surround Sound headphones with a surround headphone adapter for mobile DVD solution.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Adobe Getting Flash Prepped for iPhone, if Only Apple Will Allow It]]> Flash support is sadly the one thing missing from my mobile browsing experience, so I hope this pans out and Jobs makes it happen.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Doing It "With the Lights On" Was Never So Disappointing]]> @strider_mt2k: Every once in a while lightning strikes and I have a witty comment

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @Log1c: Hey, hey, don't just go stripping that title away from cities like Detroit or states like New Jersey. They worked hard for that title. [Advance apologies for anyone here from Detroit or Jersey, but come on...]

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @Hiphopopotamus: How many people constitute a swarm, because I can pretty much accomplish that on my own?

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @OMG!!! Ponies!!!: Sounds cool, anything specific lined up?

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Doing It "With the Lights On" Was Never So Disappointing]]> Sadly this is a fact of life until you settle down into a monogamous relationship with that halogen bulb you have been seeing off and on.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on How the @&%# Is Crysis Running on the Eee??]]> @nutbastard: @ripfire: Not so much about the specs as it is about the price once those specs go into the eee. Look at how they have priced themselves out of their original target market with the new Atom eee.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Toshiba Portege R500 Upgraded to 128GB SSD]]> @Sora57: Chalk it up to a fine example of Engrish

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @92BuickLeSabre: Don't take my word for it. Just making assumptions here. Looks like something worth finding out ahead of time though.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Sony Ericsson C905 8.1-Megapixel Cybershot Phone Gets Official Specs]]> @Carmen is VERY sick: I agree about the megapixel thing, but the other [camera] features of the phone are what make it impressive.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Sony Ericsson C905 8.1-Megapixel Cybershot Phone Gets Official Specs]]> I like how these phones are being designed to compete in alternate market segments and not trying to just play catch-up to the iPhone. The C905 looks awesome and is truly a great phone for people who like taking [good] photos but don't want to have to carry around a separate camera everywhere they go. Just wish these would come out in the US market.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @92BuickLeSabre: Don't think advance purchase of tickets is necessary so we can designate a place to meet up outside the park before the game and get tickets together so everyone can sit by each other. Something tells me that there will be a bounty of empty seats at the game anyway.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Dealzmodo: Amazon MP3 Albums For $1.99 (Starting With Coldplay)]]> You know how I know you're gay? Because you listen to Cold Play.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> @92BuickLeSabre: I was thinking that too. Guess I can just look in the stands for a 92 Buick LeSabre since I am guessing you will stand out a bit.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Giz Coney Island Meetup: The Details]]> Looks like I will have to get there early for some Astroland action. Need to ride the Cyclone and walk around the historic amusement park before it is gone at the end of the year. But baseabll and beer sound like a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Just hope the weather isn't as crappy as it has been off and on since the heat wave.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Caption Contest: The Google Maps Prius Gets a Speeding Ticket]]> What are [sp] sorry

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Caption Contest: The Google Maps Prius Gets a Speeding Ticket]]> Driver: "No officer, I don't know what happened to the speed cam at the last intersection. What's on the roof of my car you ask? [waves hand in the air] There is nothing on the roof of my car. You will not write me a ticket, and you will be on your way."

Cop: "What the hell are you talking about? WHya re you waving your hands at me"

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on The Third Eye Brings Overhead View to Everyday Life]]> This is kinda cool in that you can have a virtual out of body experience as you have a real out of body experience when you get beat up walking around with this thing on in the middle of the night in NYC.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Last Minute Gadget Gifts For Rich Dads, Fun Dads and Deadbeat Dads]]> @thechansen: My dad is getting a phone call

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Eddie Izzard Talks Steve Jobs, iPhone 3G]]> It's been a long road, but Eddie is starting to see a bit of mainstream popularity in the US now.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Sealed Goldfish Keychains are a Bit More Upsetting Than Most Keychains]]> I have to pass, simply because that plastic fish chamber of death does not look all that strong and the last thing I need is my keychain exploding in my pocket and making me look like I just wet myself.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Free AT&T Wi-Fi Starbucks Lawsuit Settled, Lattes Still Overpriced]]> I have a hard enough time paying the bloated prices at Starbucks for their burnt coffee, the last thing I want to do is pay for internet access, which at this point should be a free with the prevalence of over the air internet access. Seriously, how many people actually pay to use T-Mobile's WiFi at Starbucks?

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Firefox 3 Available on Tuesday]]> This is great, truely the best browser out there, and it's free!

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Apple Introduces iPhone 3G Videoconferencing Kit, ZOMG!]]> Not only can you use this product for videoconferencing, but you can admire how cool you look talking on your new iPhone.

"So beautiful, can't look away..."

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Cubic Meter by Arik Levy Gives You Just That Amount of Storage Space]]> @The Incredible OMG! Ponies!: @AddyDugdale: Great haha, I have totally forgotten what this post was about.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Unlikely Spokesperson Contest Results: Gadget Ads You'll Only See in Hell]]> @TOWken22:
www.blogcadre.com/files/images/guys1_0.jpg
www.blogcadre.com/files/images/guys2.jpg

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on Unlikely Spokesperson Contest Results: Gadget Ads You'll Only See in Hell]]> LMFAO Jersey Boy for Bravia

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on PLoP! Collapsible, Recyclable Bookshelves Perfect For Students, Greens]]> @Sora57: Windex FTW, It is truly the best all purpose cleaner there is, at least that is what I tell myself while I use it to clean everything in my place.

]]> <![CDATA[TOWken22 commented on One Wash, One Cup of Water: Nearly Waterless Washing Machine Invented]]> I imagine these plastic chips would be abrasive to most materials, so I am wondering how clothes would stand up to this washing method. I don't want to put new clothes in the wash only to have it come out looking like vintage wear after one wash.

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