WOW, watching the shuttle launch

Just a few minutes ago I was standing in the parking lot here at work enjoying a J Fuego Original, listening to a live NASA feed via a local ham repeater and watching the launch of shuttle Atlantis for its last trip to the space station.  This trip included three payloads from my employer and that made it a little more special.

I have to admit though, I have been watching rocket launches since the 60's and I never get tired of it.  it still amazes me that we can even make all of that hardware work as it is supposed to when we face such a long list of challenges in our society.  It is indeed a testament to the human spirit and the power of a free people.

I became an Ambassador for Cigar Rights of America today.  I made the commitment because I believe in the cause and I believe that we still have a right to smoke cigars.  Cigars are a legal product and we are breaking no laws, hurting no one and infringing on no one else's rights by choosing to smoke them.  I remember when being free in this country included being free to be offended and to offend.  No one ever promised that you could live your life without being exposed to the legal acts of others that you may find personally objectionable.  And there is no guarantee of freedom from offense in our founding documents.  Yet so many today want everyone to live in a manner that is agreeable to 'everyone.'  We have seen how that type of a society works, its called socialism and it does not work very darn well.  If someone's legal choices offend you, turn your head, avert your eyes and keep your mouth shut.

So here is a salute to all freedom loving Americans, may they continue to live as they (legally) see fit no matter the opinion of those that their choices may offend.