http://buttons.blogger.com/bloggerbutton1.gif INFOSEC / Trail-Running / Military / Whatever Else I Choose: 06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005

This is a personal blog for my own satisfaction and for the reference of close friends and family. If you are not one of the three (me/friend/family), there's not much to see here (go away).

27 June 2005

"Do my worst, eh? Smithers, release the robotic Richard Simmons." -Mr. Burns

I kind of feel like Richard Simmons is going to come popping out from behind my closet door (scarier than any monster one might otherwise envision taking up residence there) as it has been a slow road back to running at the level at which I was and there's still a long way to go. The biggest problem wasn't overcoming a minor injury, it was falling out of the habit of running. It's very easy to get out and go run when you do so regularly. Get out of the habit and look out! Tomorrow, after work, is a full Chubb; the first since my ITB problems began. I am very excited actually, though I must admit I'm dreading the feeling that I know will hit me at about mile ten (or the first big hill for that matter). In addition, I've taken to working my upper body to try to combat the aches and pains that seemed to accompany long runs (shoulder soreness, nagging mid-back pain, etc.). I believe the real cause was weakness in my upper body, causing my muscles to overwork to try to keep "things" stable on rough terrain. I have always had a VERY weak upper body (arms, shoulders, back, stomach...did I mention arms), and frankly, it's always been frustrating. I have gone through periods where I built up a lot of upper body strength (during my Judo and Arnis days for instance), but time always seemed to get the best of me and as such, any muscle tone quickly faded. I picked up a great book a year or two ago that I used for a while with excellent results. The book, "The Body Sculpting Bible for Men" is an excellent resource with a no nonsense approach to muscle toning and strengthening. It provides sound exercise routines, dietary information and presents them in an easily to stick with schedule. It also provides tips for the psychological side of things (something I've found to be very useful in running). It's not the physical exertion that's hard to tolerate in exercise, be it running, lifting, etc. Rather, it's the constant reminder coming from your brain that it would be easier to quit; and unarguable truth. Overcoming your own mind is the hardest hurdle to clear, but also the most gratifying so far as I'm concerned. Anyway, we'll see how things go. Tonight was my first night of upper body work taken straight from the aforementioned book. I began with the "Break-in" routine (for those who "may not have lifted weights before"). I could not complete it...my arms were simply worked to the point of failure in spite of using what I was sure was too little weight. On the bright side, I've nowhere to go but up, and hey...I love hills!

ER

posted by Egon Rinderer at 21:48

23 June 2005

"History's like an amusement park. Except instead of rides you have dates to memorize." -Marge Simpson

James Bamford has authored two books that I've read recently; "The Puzzle Palace: Inside America's Most Secret Intelligence Organization" and "Body of Secrets : Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency". Both of these books are quite popular within my "circle of friends" and as such, I thought I'd address them. Mr. Bamford seems completely unable to simply write about the historical facts contained in his works and as such is forever interjecting his own political views as fact. I became disgusted at the number of sources cited as "documents that were obtained by the author" (or similar descriptions) which, while so specific as to include direct quotations from meetings involving members of the JCS, SECDEF and DIRECNSA/CIA, could not have their actual source named despite in many cases claiming that the source was "a declassified memorandum". Translation; someone wrote it down on a piece of paper for him so that he could include it in his book. Mr. Bamford has a long history as an ultra-liberal political hack, yet his books seem to garner automatic legitimacy within the community of readers who should honestly know better. While there were many interesting bits contained within, the unsubstantiated assertions and never-ending diatribe against conservatives and the military leave one with a certain inability to know what can be trusted as accurate, even in terms of the issues of levity. I'd have to recommend a pass on both works. Looking for good books in the same vein? I can strongly recommend the following:


See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism

False Flag

The Wizards of Langley: Inside The CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology

ER

Oops...I almost forgot. Another book that I've been hearing a lot about that has to rate is one of the greatest wastes of my hard-earned (I am one of those few conservatives that work for a living according Howard Dean) money in recent time would be "Code Names" by William Arkin. Don't waste your money.

posted by Egon Rinderer at 12:07

"Oh sure. Even communism works. In theory." -Homer Simpson

A little off the beaten path as far as subject on my blog are concerned, but topically relevant none the less; I find an interesting paradigm that has developed with regard to China as a national security threat to the United States. Boring? Hear me out.

In the past, "Red" China has been considered a major threat in the form of a communist regime. Second only to the USSR, China was the source of many a valid concerns in terms of their nuclear arsenal as well as the raw number of foot soldiers that they could field. Their ability to prop up the NVA during Viet Nam cannot be ignored, and they haven't reduced in size militarily since. An interesting thing has begun to happen in recent years, as the US and other countries have outsourced more and more manufacturing business to China. China, very slowly and steadily, has modified their form of communism into something very different that was chosen by the previous USSR. China learned by example that the purist form of communism was unsuccessful in terms of economy, productivity, etc. While China doesn't differ as significantly as many would like to think (as many are quick to laud China as the recipient of a "miracle conversion"), they did modify their practices enough to allow for economic growth. Recently, China has even begun to consider privatizing some of their largest "state" corporations allowing citizens to own stock, own entire companies even. Wow! That's great! We've defeated communism in China by slowing injecting capitalism in the form of off-shoring US production....right? Wrong (in my opinion). Here's what we've done by my estimation:

1. We have pumped untold billions of dollars into China's economy of which 2.8% of their GDP ($78 billion) goes directly into military development. Not too shabby.

2. We have had countless manufacturing facilities (and capabilities) go dark her in the US. Should we ever find ourselves in the midst of WWIII, we'd have quite a task in ramping up production to meet demand. Not only has production been hamstringed, raw materials production and supply has even shifted to China. Craziness.

3. China is not like the United States in that as we boost their economy, this money is not spread across the demographic of their society. They are still communists, and as such, as the upper echelon of society becomes wealthier and increases their production demands, the oppressed citizens of China are simply forced to work harder. More people (mostly male) = more production capability. The general populous is like a machine and is treated as such.

4. Finally, as China becomes a pseudo-capitalist power in the world economy, they have a very real opportunity to surpass the US in terms of financial leverage in the world market. What's a greater threat to us; A China that is a crazy, inefficient totalitarian nuclear power, or a China that is a crazy, incredibly wealthy totalitarian nuclear power with a huge percentage of our production capabilities and raw materials supply. I have heard the argument that all we (the US) would need do is pull all of our business out of China, back into the US and China's economy will collapse. Really? Are you sure? That seems a bigger gamble than the whole crazy + inefficient + etc. China to me. What about the issue of China owning US interests? Just yesterday China put in an $18.6 billion bid to purchase Unocal, a US oil company. Nearly $2B was recently put on the table in a bid to buy Maytag. Months ago China purchase IBMs personal computer operations (desktops and laptops). Hello? Anyone home?

So, that's it really. Just me displaying my complete ignorance of world socio-political and fiscal issues based on very limited information and a little commen sense. Here's some good reading if you're interested.


Chinese on China

China; The nuclear power

Beijing devoted to weakening 'enemy' U.S., defector says 27JUN05

Thefts of U.S. technology boost China's weaponry 27JUN05

Chinese dragon awakens 26JUN05

ER

posted by Egon Rinderer at 05:33

19 June 2005

"I glued my head to my shoulder, now I have two owies." -Ralph Wiggum

Ahh...things are slowly returning to normal. Yesterday was my first day back on the Chubb Trail since my ITB injury. This time, however, I was not alone as two brave souls from my unit (Petty Officers Barnett and Croarkin(sp?)) joined me for a partial run. It was a beautiful day for a run, not too hot and very little humidity. I met the two of them at the trail head at around 1600 (I think). I had my CamelPack and loaned Barnett my spare Platypus (an off-brand hydration back-pack which will come into play in a few sentences) and finally a water bottle for Croarkin. We set off from the Tyson end of the trail (a much harder start/finish than departing from the Lone Elk end) and walked about the first quarter mile. After a short time we began a slow jog to get everyone used to running on a trail as opposed to roads as they were accustomed to. I frequently annoyed them with pointers, one of which was to "pick your feet up just a tad higher than you're used to" as to avoid tripping on rocks, roots or fallen fellow runners. About a minute later (and 3/4 of a mile into the run), Mr. Barnett learned the hard way just how high a "tad" is when he ate the trail nice and hard. Unfortunately he went down on his hands and knees and slid a good long way in said pose. Now, back to the Platypus hydration pack that he was wearing. The closure on the water bladder on this pack is like a giant, heavy-gauge zip-lock. When he went down, his lunge was sufficient to squeeze the bladder and pop open the zip-lock leading to a good half-gallon of water dumping onto his head and running down his back. After a great deal of laughter, oh...and making sure Barnett was alright of course, we continued on.

When we set out, I had told the two of them that we would run "to the second rail-crossing...that's four miles out and four miles back". Well, I was wrong (first time for everything). It's actually five miles out to the second rail-crossing but I decided that when we passed the four mile marker (which clearly says 4mi.) that I would keep them going to the second rail crossing so long as no one noticed the 4mi. marker. As we rolled past it, no one noticed and on we went. Not long before the 5 mile marker, Petty Officer Croarkin could no longer contain her femininity and had to complain just the littlest bit about the fact that we "still hadn’t turned around to head back". I commended her on her acute observation skills and assured her that it "wasn't much further". When we reached the 5mi. marker, I ‘fessed up that we had gone further than planned, but that this would only increase the feeling of accomplishment when we were finished. I must say that the trip back was VERY quiet. Not only was there no chit-chat, there was almost complete silence. I was beginning to wonder if there was a mutiny at hand. Rather quickly we made our way out of the river bottom and into the hills. I had warned them on the way out that the hills on the return trip were brutal. Luckily since no one had the energy to speak, there was very little complaining and no threats against my well-being. Before long we were back at the trail-head and ready to leave. Our 10 mile trek had taken 2 hours and 41 minutes; a respectable time considering there were two first-timers running. Since I forgot my good camera, I was forced to snap a couple of pictures with my phone as my two cohorts crossed the "finish-line". Good job guys! My hope is that every drill weekend I can get a group of people from the NAVSECGRURES St. Louis to run the trail. It's a great deal of fun, and speaking from experience, the drive to take on the Chubb Trail and "conquer it" (run the entire thing out and back without any stopping or walking) is addictive and of course it's great exercise. So, for those other members of NAVSECGRURES St. Louis who are reading this...bring your running shoes and clothes next drill weekend and join us.




Derek "Two-Owies" Barnett: Still moist but in good spirits.


Trish Croarkin: No big deal, "Let's do it again."

posted by Egon Rinderer at 15:25

01 June 2005

Marge: "Homer, is this how you pictured married life?" Homer: "Yeah, pretty much, except we drove around in a van solving mysteries."

Happy anniversary to my lovely bride of 9 years! That's it. Bye. (Can you think of a better excuse to insert a favorite Homer quote of mine?)

posted by Egon Rinderer at 06:19