The past few days have gotten me worried about the state of things in our great nation of ours, the US. There is a lot of tension and strong words, and the fringes on both sides are over the top. Such crazy words and a lot of hate.

First of all, I consider myself a conservative for I am for a strong military, and for free enterprise. I am pro meat, pro middle class lifestyle, pro wealthy, pro designer clothes and pro guns. The biggest thing that sticks me in the conservative camp is my love of small business ownership, and the right to get rich. This idea is dear to me, and I love being my own boss. I'm an individualist, and that is a part of wanting to preserve small business in America. I'm anti-socialist for this reason.

But why should hate come into the picture? That's taking it too far. We are all Americans, and this is a democracy. This is how we work, having both sides voting and having a voice. Even if I disagree with the present day White House, and their supporters, I don't think it's right to toss around some hate.

Hard right conservatives will do much better if they dropped the prejudice and be more welcoming. More people will join their ranks. If more joined, then we just might have a chance of preventing the slow creep of socialism. But right now, a lot voters are being scared off.

Right now, I feel very alone in all this. Standing alone and confused, probably in the line of cross fire, for I'm not going to hate. I also belong to some categories of human being that do not fit the tighter boundries defining conservative - according to the haters.

That being said, I have gotten more rudeness from liberal anti-war people. Mainstream conservatives tend to be a polite group for the most part.

Our country seems to really be in a thunderstorm - and riding such a storm, scaring a few passengers.

I just ask that we vote, and keep in peaceful if we can.

HAD THE PREMIERE FOR DEFCON 2012, AND STUDYING ALOT

About a month ago, we had the premiere of the movie Defcon 2012, and that went well. We had delivered the movie to the theater only one day before the screening - after doing some last minute tweaks on it's sound levels. That was nerve wracking! Jeeeeeze ....

Ok, I'm used to leading teams, and getting the overall job done. But I'm used to pilots, the USAF, and leading this movie team has been a challenge. Getting my film crew to get along, to complete tasks as instructed - well, it's like herding cats! I think I keep saying this too.

I had one fellow join us, save the day and the movie's first screening, and then he insulted my co-producer to the point I almost lost that essential team member.

All this makes me miss flying! Most pilots are pretty mature and will do their job. Understatement.

Well the parties that week were great. We had our premiere one week before the Oscars, so I hit some Hollywood parties. I met a lot of cool people, and hit it off with a couple of rock stars. I always get along with music people anyhow. Rockers are totally down to earth too. The one's I met were from the old school hard rock genre, which I really prefer.

Now we're transferring the movie into DigiBeta, and our distributor is sending it off to Cannes. I'm going too, and then after following my movie at various venues, going off to do a documentary.

I just ordered a helmet cam, and will get some more. I'm filming some flying as well as doing a documentary on some bikers and their custom bike shop. That'll be fun! I'm aiming at some great angles at speed, of bike, boot and road.

Also, staying current as much as possible with the bitter box, you know, the simulator. I have been doing very good with it, but last night had a few more lost BFM fights than normal. Probably my mind is on my movies too much. That's why I'm staying on the ground. I've got 'movie head' happening right now.

Women have been flying military aircraft for decades, and they did so during WWII. In this country, the USA, they really haven't been given their due credit and recognition. It's about time that they do get that credit! They need to be honored, and young people, especially girls, should learn about them.

There has been such a steady resistance when it comes to women fliers. But they do just as well, and very often better than male pilots.

Here is an article that hits home for me on two fronts, because I am both a pilot and a filmmaker. I produce and sometimes direct. Check this article out, how it takes so long for women of excellence to get credit for what they do.

http://marilyns.nexcess.net/2010/03/first-woman-wins-oscar-for-bes.html