Random Musings

Hello Blogger world. I have a lot to say, and like always, I feel pressed for time.

Venezuela is out of the Copa America

The dream is over, Venezuela lost yesterday against Uruguay in the Copa America Quarter Finals. The game was tied 1-1 in the 2nd half of the game, then, Uruguay steam-rolled three goals to kill the venezuelan hopes of going to the semi-finals. Thanks a lot Uruguay, I hope Brasil has mercy on your poor souls.

Martha and I went to Orlando the other day

For her birthday we went to Orlando, we visited Sea World, had a fancy dinner, and then we went to Animal Kingdom to check out the new ride they got out there, Mt. Everest. It was good times. We have this thing in Florida, if you don't visit one of the Theme Parks at least once every three years, your Florida residence gets revoked, we were just following the law.

Father's day gifts

Thanks babe and thank you Caro (my crazy younger sister) for giving me what I want the most: books!

Dreaming in Code

This book was featured in one of the blogs I read, and it got a ok review, I wanted to read about software projects since this is sort of what I do for a living.

It was an interesting read, it was a story about a team of gifted programmers set on a mission to create a new product that would "change the world" in it's journey, they encountered many obstacles. I have only been a software developer for a measly six months, and I can relate. It is laced with the history of computing and software engineering, which makes it a must read for young computer professionals who are just getting started in this business. It was a good read. Here's the book website.

god is not GREAT

This blasphemous, hell-guaranteeing book I read thanks to my sister. I've already read "The God delusion", "The End of Faith", "Letter to Christian Nation" and now the only one I am missing is "Breaking the Spell".

I recommend reading this book if you are an skeptical person. If you are the religious type, you are going to hate this book. Christopher Hitchens is known to piss off a lot of people.

If you are the type of person who wonders about what the truth is, then I recommend you do your own soul-search, like I did. I truly believe that everyone has the right to think on their own. I hate it when others tell me how to think so I am not going to do the same to others.

However, if you ever wonder how I lost my faith, I recommend reading these web pages,
Ebon Musings and Control-Z.
Nietzsche said that "if you wish to strive for peace of soul and pleasure, then believe; if you wish to be a devotee of truth, then inquire."

That's all I am going to say about that.

An Unexpected gift

Last week we got a package from our good friend from Oregon Nicole, among the many things was a book called Road from Ar Ramadi, by Camilo Mejia.

Reading this book meant something to me. Sgt Mejia was a Squad Leader in my Battalion, I did not know him personally, although I believe we met and spoke in passing while being out there, I think I vaguely remember a conversation we had about Costa Rica, since that's where my wife is from.

Mejia's account of his experiences is very honest. I respect that. I also have a lot of respect for his Moral Courage, I honestly think he had no idea what he was getting into when he decided to become a deserter. I agree with many things that were said in this book, in particular about the mistreatment of Iraqi people. When I was there I never felt good about the way we were dealing with the locals, I rationalized it by figuring that in a combat zone the first casualty is innocence. We could not treat everyone nice. We just could not do that. It still hurts, I think of the people that died in our hands that would still be alive today. I remember many of the firefights he describes. He also has a few "facts" wrong. For instance, in page 37 he wrongly states that his outfit (Charlie Co) was the only one in our Battalion that flew into Iraq (as opposed to driving), when in fact Bravo Company was right behind them, ( I was in Bravo)

I, like him, changed my mind about the war, but I do not condone what he did, he left his men, he deserted, I am not saying he's wrong in doing what he thought was the right thing to do, I just would have acted differently. The other thing about his book, he comes across as a little whiny. I think he's a bit hollow. However, I respect him as a person for doing what he thought was honorable.

For me it is really difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong when it comes to this. I think that wars should be avoided, in the other hand, service men are expected to act a certain way. I don't know, I am still confused. I can't say I am ashamed of our service, but I wish we would get out of this war that's not helping out anybody...I could go on this subject for a while, but let me end with me saying that this book is important in putting a new point of view out there.

Even when I disagree with Mejia's conduct, I think there is an important message there, and his book should be read.

Farewell

This is it for now, I am not shutting down this blog people, but I don't know when the next installment will be, it could be tomorrow, or next months. Until then blogger world. Stay Tuned.

Be Good to each other.

J.V.