[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Maj. Greg Hicks, commander, explosive ordnance disposal control team, examines a potential mine on a boomerang trail on Hill 3070. The troops were on the mountain outside of Kabul, Afghanistan, June 19, 2005, to check out a future training area and to recover remains from a Feb. 3, 2005, Kam Air crash that killed 104. Combined Joint Task Force 76 photo by Sgt. Adrian Schulte

Contrary to popular media belief, the USA is not arrogantly forcing unwilling allied countries to bend to our policies. They are working with us to combat terrorism/piracy. Fighting those evil forces benefits EVERYBODY:

050618-N-3904I-029 Dakar, Senegal (June 18, 2005) - Senegal Army Soldiers static-line parachute jump from a U.S. Air Force MC-130 Talon over Dakar, Senegal, during Exercise Flintlock '05. Flintlock is a series of military exercises conducted throughout the Trans-Saharan region of Africa, concentrating on ground, air operations, land navigation, human rights training and collaboration between militaries. Other countries participating in the exercise is Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Chad. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Jeremy L. Wood (RELEASED)

050621-N-4104L-040 Sattahip, Thailand (June 21, 2005) - A Royal Thai Navy bugler aboard HTMS Phutthayotfa Chulalok sounds a call marking evening colors aboard his ship was the colors detail, right, stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) prepares to lower the Ensign. The two ships are participating together in exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005. Phutthayotfa Chulalok was formerly the U.S. Navy Knox-class frigate USS Ouellet (FF 1077), which was decommissioned in 1993 and sold to Thailand in 1996. CARAT Thailand is a the second part of an annual series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asian nations designed to enhance the interoperability of the respective sea services. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Melinda Larson (RELEASED)

050526-N-5663H-018 South China Sea (May 26, 2005) -- Philippine Navy SEALS have weapons drawn as they search compartments on board the U.S. Navy dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise. VBSS training is being conducted as part of Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) 2005. SEACAT is a weeklong, at sea anti-terrorism exercise in the Philippine and South China Seas. This was the first boarding by the Philippine Navy in the four-year history of SEACAT. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class David J. Ham (RELEASED)

[Diver Dave]

Photo #2 gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Go take a flying leap..."

'preciate the pics you post that will never see the light of day in my daily rag.

[DollyCali]

Bevlar sent this to me a few weeks ago.. been meaning to post, but keep forgetting. State-by-state scores on driving test

Kassie, aol this AM on the home page had a special list of best places to live & raise kids and for the greater Houston area it was Sugarland!!!! Picked out the 10 biggest/major cities & did each one for best locale & best value. I would link it here but if you do not have aol, you cannot access it.

[Billie]

Picture #2.....Oh my gosh! So that's what it looks like from up there when you're about to jump! I knew I wouldn't want to do it! But oh, my, that is an awesome photo - all of them are!

[deadhead]

Hi all....I wish my flowers grew as fast as my weeds do :-)

"Catching up on front yard flower beds chores this morning, I captured several volunteer zinnia plants that had strayed to odd places, and tidied the border grasses -- and then placed the sprinkler to water same."

Wonderful, Maggie...happy you are out there enjoying the great outdoors :-)

Great scuba diving pic, DiverDave...LOL

Excuse_My_Bellicosity, as always..awesome photos, thank you.

P.S. Anyone planning on freeping in New London, Ct. ...sounds like a good idea to me

[anonymoussierra]

thank you

[MEG33]

I always enjoy your pictures. Thank you!