Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide

Have you seen this?  The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide?

"The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) is a reference for auxiliary communicators who directly support backup emergency communications for State/local public safety entities or for an amateur radio organization supporting public safety.

"This reference guide contains information about AuxComm best practices, frequently used radio frequencies, Mutual Aid channels as well as tips and suggestions about auxiliary emergency communicators integrating into a NIMS ICS environment to support communications for planned events or incidents. It can serve as a reference both for auxiliary emergency communicators and public safety communications professionals."

Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide

What in the world?

That’s interesting. All of the sudden my blog posts are auto-posting to my Google Plus page…the wrong page!

Now I need to track down what went wrong, and where.

Update - Problem solved. An errant filter in HootSuite.

Done and done

On Thursday morning we withdrew Isaiah from public school. Later that morning he started his assessment testing for the new charter school. He finished the testing on Friday.

Based upon the assessment results, his teachers will develop an Individual Learning Plan that is best suited to his needs.  It will be up to us (his parents) and his teachers to help him stick with the course plan.

He is now enjoying his Christmas break, and will start full-time with AZVA in January.

ARES and CERT

One of the groups I belong to on LinkedIn.com has just finished up a long discussion on Community Emergency Response Teams and Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

I’m not sure if any agreement was reached, but the pontificating was fierce on both sides of the discussion.

And now, to toss some fuel onto the embers of the fire, the ARRL released their weekly newsletter, and advocated for ARES members to get involved in CERT!

New Year’s Resolution: Become a CERT Leader

Ducks vs...

Unless you live in a cave, you are probably aware of the kerfuffle surrounding Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, and his comments in a recent article of GQ Magazine.

The A&E Network promptly suspended Mr Robertson, indefinitely.

Late yesterday evening, the Robertson Family released the following statement:

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since hearing of A&E’s decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs on what is sin are biblical. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments “Love God and love your neighbor,” and any implication that Phil would incite or encourage hate is entirely false. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his personal and constitutionally protected beliefs. We have enjoyed a good relationship with A&E up until this point but as a family cannot imagine the show going forward without the patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.

This is not a First Amendment issue, actually. Your Constitutionally guaranteed Rights can only be infringed upon by a Government entity. No private individual, or organization, has the ability to take your Rights away. This is a business decision by A&E Network. 

However, I have seen, in several places, that people are justifying A&E’s decision as being “in the best interests of their viewers”. Unfortunately, without Duck Dynasty, A&E would only have 1/3 of the viewers they currently have.

Phil Robertson was within his rights to answer the question the way he did. A&E is within their rights to suspend him because of the fallout from the answer, and I am within my rights to boycott the A&E brand, and any companies that advertise on A&E, if that is my desire.

The reporter at GQ Magazine asked Mr Robertson (who makes no secret that he is an outspokenly devout Christian) for some examples of what sin is. Why are people acting shocked by the answer he gave? Apparently those who are “shocked” have never watched any part of a episode of Duck Dynasty.

The Robertson family does not need the A&E Network. Television did not “make them,” and television won’t “break them.” They can walk away and go back to living their lives.

It is the devoted fans of Duck Dynasty who will lose out. The Robertson saga has touched something deep within Americans in Fly-Over country that no other television show currently in production has been able to reach. We see these people as human, with the same senses of humor, dignity, faith and honor that most of us have. No longer will we be able to look at the crazy relative at the holiday table and console ourselves with, “at least he’s not as bad as Uncle Si.” Duck Dynasty connects with viewers on a different level than any other reality TV show I’ve ever seen. You actually care about the characters, and you relate to them.

The Robertson’s statement says that, without Phil, there will be no “Duck Dynasty.” If this happens, A&E will find some other program to fill the time slot. Maybe they can come up with a “Rodeo Shipping Storage Girls” show or something. The Robertson’s will go back to being Happy, Happy, Happy private citizens, with a bunch of new stories to tell the grandkids and great-grandkids.

Most reality TV is about watching the train wreck happen, every episode. Duck Dynasty is about Faith, Family and Facial Hair. There is no sex, no profanity, and religious and family values are exalted.

What a refreshing island of sanity in the sea of TV shows that glorify sex, drugs, violence, criminal activity, socioeconomic stereotypes and family breakdown.

One Step Closer

We are all signed up and ready to go. My son starts on Jan 6th, at the beginning of the Spring semester.

One Step Closer

Timeline - December 8, 1941, 13:10

The US House of Representatives passes the resolution declaring war upon Japan, with a total vote count of 388 to 1. The single dissenting vote is cast by Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, who also voted against a declaration of war in 1917.

Timeline - December 8, 1941, 13:00

The United States Senate unanimously adopts a resolution declaring war on Japan. 

Timeline - December 8, 1941, 12:29

The President, still on his son’s arm, enters the Chamber of the House, is introduced briefly by Speaker Sam Rayburn, and receives a thunderous ovation. For the past nine years, Republicans have shown little enthusiasm toward the President when he has addressed a Joint Session of Congress. This time, the Republicans join in, signifying the nation’s sudden unity.

Solemnly, he begins his speech: 

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Timeline - December 8, 1941, 12:20

A heavily guarded black limousine pulls up to the south entrance of the U.S. Capitol.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt gets out of the car and enters the Capitol, assisted by his son Captain James Roosevelt, who wears the uniform of the U.S. Marines.

The chamber of the House of Representatives is jammed with members of both houses of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, official guests, and onlookers in the galleries.

Timeline - December 7, 1941, Evening Hours

Because the US Military immediately seized all communication lines from Hawaii, news of the attack on Pearl Harbor was released from the White House. Sunday afternoon shows on the Mainland were interrupted by the breaking news. (Following courtesy of AP)

FLASH

WASHINGTON — White House says Japs attack Pearl Harbor.

BULLETIN

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (AP) — President Roosevelt said in a statement today that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from the air.

The attack of the Japanese also was made on all naval and military “activities” on the island of Oahu.

The president’s brief statement was read to reporters by Stephen Early, presidential secretary. No further details were given immediately.

At the time of the White House announcement, the Japanese ambassadors, Kichisaburo Nomura and Saburo Kurusu, were at the State Department.

___

FLASH

WASHINGTON — Second air attack reported on Army and Navy bases in Manila.

#

First lead Japanese

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 — (AP) — Japanese air attacks on the American naval stronghold at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and on defense facilities at Manila were announced today by the White House.

-2-

Only this terse announcement came from President Roosevelt immediately, but with it there could be no doubt that the Far Eastern situation had at last exploded, that the United States was at war, and that the conflict which began in Europe was spreading over the entire world.
This disclosure had been accepted generally as an indication this country had all but given up hope that American-Japanese difficulties, arising from Japan’s aggression in the Far East, could be resolved by ordinary diplomatic procedure.

#

BULLETIN

Second lead Japanese

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 — (AP) — Japanese airplanes today attacked American defense bases at Hawaii and Manila, and President Roosevelt ordered the Army and Navy to carry out undisclosed orders prepared for the defense of the United States.

Announcing the president’s action for the protection of American territory, Presidential Secretary Stephen Early declared that so far as is known now the attacks were made wholly without warning — when both nations were at peace — and were delivered within an hour or so of the time that the Japanese ambassador had gone to the State Department to hand to the secretary of state Japan’s reply to the secretary’s memo of the 26th.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin was the first newspaper to report the attack on Pearl Harbor. They published several Extra Editions throughout the day. By the morning of Dec 8, every newspaper in the country was carrying some version of the story.

It's Official

Isaiah is now enrolled in a Online Virtual Charter School.  It’s not home-schooling.  It’s Home Based learning.

What’s the difference?  The difference is that we don’t have to come up with lesson plans and put together learning opportunities with minimal outside support.  He will have teachers, school books, classes, assignments, homework, and parents who act as “Learning Coaches” to make sure he has the support and help he needs.

It’s going to be a learning curve for all of us, but we’re looking forward to it.  He starts right after the Christmas break.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor - A Historical Guide

Interesting study ideas from the blog of Isaiah’s new school.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor - A Historical Guide

Time For A Change

For 3 months now, I’ve been watching my youngest son lose interest in school. It’s been a very painful process for me.  This year he is in a specialized program, 20+1, that is supposed to be the greatest thing for students who don’t do well in classroom settings.  The program is designed to be self-paced to a point.

Well, he says that he likes the work, but his grades are slipping. He has problems with a couple of the teachers, and I think he’s given up on even trying.

Over the Christmas break, we’re pulling him from public school and enrolling him in a online, home-based charter school. His mom will be home with him, so she can work with him to keep him focused and on track.  He is excited about giving it a try.

We’ll see how it goes.

Hon Machi Lunch Time!

Lunch time