The 8th of November

Sky Soldiers - The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat team had one of the most gallant records in Vietnam. My uncle served with their sister unit - the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, in the same areas of South East Asia. It's a story that not many know, but that we should all remember - especially now, in the week leading up to Veteran's Day.

Follow Me - All The Way

Twin Sisters Divided over OWS

I know in my last post I said I would limit the amount of political commentary, but after reading this article this morning, I just had to comment. It speaks of the very real disconnect between the sides of the OWS movement.

Twin sisters divided by OWS

‘It Gets Heated’: Twin Sisters Divided Over Occupy Wall Street

By Enjoli Francis

Growing up, twin sisters Nicole and Jill Carty had a lot in common.

But around the age of 14, Nicole Carty told ABC News today, they started going in different directions — and they never stopped, with Nicole Carty attending Brown University for a degree in sociology and Jill Carty heading to the University of Pennsylvania to pursue degrees in international business and studies.

Now with the Occupy Wall Street movement more than a month old, the recent Ivy League graduates have found themselves on Wall Street but on opposing sides.

Nicole Carty, who works for a television station, spends her free time in Zuccotti Park, Occupy Wall Street’s headquarters, organizing general assembly meetings for the demonstrators.

Jill Carty works for a company that assists financial service  clients. She said although she agreed with some of the protesters’ sentiments, she did not support more government regulations and intervention.

“I feel that’s what’s gotten us into this mess in the first place,” she told ABC News Wednesday. “There are always unintended consequences with government intervention.”

She said it was no secret among her family that she and Nicole Carty had different views on Occupy Wall Street and its message.

“I’d be very much more pleased if she [Nicole Carty] would be able to come up with solutions to these problems [voiced by protesters] that use the tools of the country and the world like economics and things that I feel have potential really to change the way that things work and the way people behave,” Jill Carty said.

But Nicole Carty said that her sister’s politics were completely wrong and off base.

“[Jill Carty] lacks a fundamental understanding of structural oppression that is inexcusable and immature,” she said. “She just really trusts capitalism and doesn’t recognize that capitalism is kind of responsible for a lot of the injustices we have in the world.”

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I think that this article does a good job at showing the divide between the sectors of this movement, and how important the experiences someone goes through as a young adult can shape their opinions and outlooks. I also think that the girl's opinion of the other's side is very telling. They are both highly educated individuals, with Jill having a degree from the Wharton School of Business at UPenn - one of the bust Business schools in the country, and with Nicole having a degree in sociology from Brown - an Ivy leauge school known for it's liberal slant.

What is most telling to me is that Jill has a good job, working within her industry, and agrees that something needs to change within our nation (a sentiment I also hold) but wants it to be done organically among the business world. She sees the issues that her sister has, and simply disagrees with her method of implementing change - government regulation and interference in the personal lives of it's citizens is not the answer... it is the problem. Nicole, on the other hand, has a more or less useless degree that is only worth something in academia, and works within the decidedly left leaning world of media, yet seems to spend much of her time on street corners complaining that the Country hasn't given her enough for free. she also resorts to personal attacks on her own sister - calling her immature, and saying that her lack of understanding of structural oppression (which is a flawed theory, at the very best) is inexcusable. She blames capitalism for our current situation, and further attacks those who use their own merits and abilities to make a better life for themselves.

There is no "Structural Oppression." The United States is the freest society in the world, and not just in our personal rights and liberties, but in our potential. This is the land of opportunity, and everyone here has the chance to make something of themselves - to become something great through their own sweat and blood and toil. In no way should the acheivements and successes of others be shortchanged or hijacked for the betterment of those who refuse to work for it themselves, or even contribute to society.

I could go on about this topic for volumes, but I shall leave you with this small bit of opinion. Socialism does not work. It never has. It breeds corruption at the expense of the whole, and every society that has ever dared to attempt this flawed sense of utopia has failed. Capitalism, in all its variations, is the only thing that has worked throughout history. It is what has advanced technology and society the world over, to include the standard of living at the very lowest level. Compare the average worker, or even the poor, in the 1980's, under Reagan, with the vast majority of the citizens of the USSR. A car in every garage and MTV in every home, compared to standing in the bread lines for days just to eat.

Ten Thousand!

So, Sometime this morning, this little blog of mine hit 10,000 hits! I know, there are some that do that in a day, but for me, its kinda a big deal, especially since I feel like I was at 5,000 just a couple months ago. To those of you who read it, and those who care, look for some changes to be coming soon. I am modifying a bit of the tone, and the content to reflect where I am in my current situation, and what is going on. I will be doing more pieces on culture, fashion, and business, while trying to steer clear of polictics (I am still an unabashed capitalist, and some political stuff may drift into my business or individual rights postings) Most of my readership are shooters, and a lot of veterans, so there will continue to be an educated discussion of tactics and techniques, especially as I progress in both my military endeavors and as an instructor. I also plan on using more media assets, such as posting videos, pictures, and the like. I write for a living now (kinda) so you will see reviews and opinions on products, spirits, and cigars that really go hand in hand with what I experience and what I stand for. Look forward to taking this ride with yall!

-JMS

Sartorial Options

Since starting my new position as Lead Editor at Cigar & Spirits Magazine a few months ago, I have been making various tweaks and changes in my business wardrobe. Tailored suits and ties are great for more formal meetings with investors, while work attire (which is typically accompanied by a fine cigar and a glass of scotch… I know, our office culture is brutal) is usually khaki’s or jeans and a button down. What I am looking for is the in between: Something for client meetings, industry events, tastings, and the like. This is a relatively informal business, but it is still a business. I need something classy, sophisticated, yet not pretentious. Casual enough to keep people at their ease, but polished enough to be taken seriously. I have played with the idea of sport coats with my slacks, but they always leave me feeling a bit too old fashioned, and typically have more of a country club look. The option that I am leading toward most at the moment is simply pairing my suits with a solid color, or subdued, fitted polo shirt. I have seen this look work well, and again, it is typically the man wearing it that determines if it can be pulled off, but I think it is something to try. True enough, this is commonly a summer look, and works best with lighter colored suits and a bit of color on the polo (no logos please) but here in Southern California, the climate lends itself to what could be thought of as spring or summer looks nearly year round. I will try to post pictures of a few options, but I wanted to hear some opinions. I have worked in the fashion industry, and have quite a few contacts whose views I hold in high regard. Thoughts on this?

Act of Valor

I am normally very critical of any combination of Hollywood and the Military, but I have been paying attention to the buzz about this movie for a while now, and having just seen the trailer, I think it has the potential to be bad ass. The main difference here, is that the actors are all US Navy SEALs and they were advising on the entire film. If anything is close to reality, it aught to be this. Enjoy.

Customer Service

So back in August I messed up obe of my California mandated low-capacity magazines (the 10 round variety) for my FNP-40 while I was out hiking (more accurately I was climbing.) Anyway, I sent it in to Browning for either repair or replacement - by the way, if you ever have to do this, stick with USPS for shipping. UPS cost me nearly as much as a new magazine. A few weeks later i get a card in the mail stating that it is hunting season and so they are backed up, but they will be working on my issue as soon as they can. Completely understandable, and I have a few spare mags, so its fine.

Anyway, 6 weeks or so have passed since then, and yesterday I called for. Update. I spoke with Jeff, who took down my order number and asked me to hold. After a while on hold he comes back on to tell me that the magazine is still on backorder (I can see this, as my FNP-40 is not a common pistol) but that he found a distributor that has one in stock and will ship it to me ASAP. He also informed me that he did not cancel my order with browning, and as soon as they get one in they will ship me another mag to say "thank you" for my patience.

This was spot on customer service. Not because they are giving me free stuff but because Jeff understand a customer issue, and handled it. I was on hold, but only once. No transferring me around, no asking for a manager's approval, just seeing an issue and fixing it.

Tip of the hat to you Jeff, and Browning, you've got yourself a loyal customer.

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Twitter Fight!

Oh boy, I feel like a celebrity! People seeking me out and railing against stuff that I stand for? Awesome.

From my Facebook: Posted something on Twitter about my confusion as to the goals of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and had someone seek me out to rail against capitalism. 1) I have like... nine followers. how did he even find me? and 2) you're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to convert me to socialism. A man rises and falls in this nation based on the sweat of his brow, the strength of his arm, and the dedication in his heart. Those who work, succeed, those who do not, cry "oppression!"

From Twitter:

@jmsenk Marshall Senkarik

Really don't understand this whole "occupy Wall st" Thing... i mean, what are they even protesting? How can u be against banks AND the fed?

 

tariqshandz Tariq Talib

@

@jmsenk how can you be for them? Let's get the facts right Capitalism doest work, hasn't worked, and will never work. It is time for change

2 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

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jmsenk Marshall Senkarik

@

@tariqshandz facts? What facts? Capitalism is the ONLY economy that has worked throughout history. A society based on merit achievement&work