Skyviper

ROFL

CombatACE Interview with: Barbara Owens Bullying is a problem we are all familiar with. New reports released by various organizations, including the United States CDC, reveal shocking statistics about the negative impact bullying has on it's victims. CombatACE has featured the interview of an USAF JROTC Cadet who is helping to lead the way for the development of a Speak Life chapter in his area. To learn more about the Speak Life chapter, I reached out to Barbara Owens, the founder of Speak Life. Yes this interview may not be focused on military, gaming, or aviation; however, this organization is something I think many of you would like to know about. Ms. Owens has kindly agreed to do an interview with CombatACE and tell us more about Speak Life. Thank you so much Ms. Owens for taking the time to do this interview. So to get started, the short description about your organization, Speak Life, is that it's an anti-bullying program. Could you tell us a little more about Speak Life? Speak Life’s Mission is to Unite & Improve Our Community Through Our Local Youth. We strive to bring awareness and hope to educate on the issue of bullying and the effects that it can have on our children today. We want to offer hope for every child who experiences the harmful effects of bullying and help guide them to pursue their passions whatever they may be. It’s so important to teach them that Confidence is key. What were the events that motivated you to create Speak Life? It was the children. Years ago we didn’t have to worry about bullies except on a school yard or at a local park. Today, that’s not the case. Children and teens, because of social media have bullies that follow them right into their homes. We want to remain a positive outlet for children that reminds them that they are not alone in what they are facing. It is imperative that we show them that no matter what life throws your way, confidence is key. In Speak Life they learn that they aren’t alone, they connect with other children and teens that are going through the same situations that they too are facing, they connect through what they are passionate about and begin working with our organization to make a difference. Once their confidence is restored it’s truly amazing to see these children begin mentoring others. How well has your organization been received by your community as well as other communities? We have a lot of amazing and wonderful people in our community that have supported our efforts and still do. Other communities love what we are doing with the kids and the events that we have done for the past four years and now have a Speak Life in Beebe, Ark. Others have reached out to start a Speak Life in their area. I think people like the positive message that we try so hard to send to the kids. It’s not about dwelling on what you’re going through but using that as a stepping stone to make you stronger. What are some of things Speak Life does for the kids who are victims of bullying? I don’t feel that there are victims, just children that have had to deal with bullies. You’re only a victim if you allow the bully to victimize you and life is too short and precious to fall victim to anyone or anything. For children or teens that have been through bullying situations we have connected them with celebrities, internships, jobs, and other areas that allows them to pursue what they are passionate about in order to restructure and build their self-confidence. Speaking of being the victim of bullying, is your organization just a place for kids to find a shoulder to cry on? What are some of the things Speak Life does to help the those are subject to bullying? We are definitely not just a shoulder to cry on. Of course we are there to support these children in every way possible but the goal is to redirect the negative influences and information into positive concepts that will change hearts and attitudes and have a lasting impression on the kids that need it the most. What about the bullies themselves? Does your organization offer any help to them? There are some who might say that the bullies too have problems to deal with. Or that kids need to learn how to cope with these things. It’s not meant for us to know what someone else is facing and we can’t walk a mile in their shoes so you never know what a bully could also be facing. Yes, some bully just because but there are others that are bullying because they are facing problems that others aren’t aware of. It is so important that you always be open to helping everyone because unless you can walk in their shoes, you have no idea what life has thrown their way and they just may need your help. What are some of the challenges you and your team encounter and how are those challenges overcome? It took quite some time for us to send the message that we are not here to do anything but send a positive message and support the children in our community in a positive way. When you mention the word “bully” people tend to get really defensive and think that you are wanting to harp on the negative when you are working so hard to do exactly the opposite. What kind of impact has Speak Life had on the teens in your program? I think it’s had a great impact and we hope to do more. We make every effort to show these children just how amazing they truly are. With every child comes a story and they truly are the light, sometimes they just lose sight of that and need us to remind them of just how wonderful and confident they are. What are some of the things you'd like Speak Life to accomplish? An office space is now what we are working to accomplish so that we can do more. We have children that are interested in web design, social media, photography, journalism and much more and with an office space we can better connect these children in working directly with our organization, celebrities and upcoming programs. What can someone do to help your organization? Can they open a new chapter in their area? Yes, people can always connect with us if they are interested in opening a Speak Life in their area and if they are in the Heber Springs area we can always use volunteers. Speaking of opening new chapters, how many different branches does Speak Life and how many are you planning to have by the end of the year? Right now we just have a Speak Life in Heber Springs and one in Beebe Arkansas Some people will probably like the fact you teach your teens to find the positive things in life. To hold on to them and move forward as much as they can beyond the negativity. So where can they send their donations? They can send any donations for Teen Recruiters to any US Bank Location and thank you so much for any donations in advance without them we couldn’t continue our efforts with the children. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization so they can contact us and their donations are tax deductible. Do you have final thoughts that you'd like share with your teens, supporters, our readers? Yes, thank you. To our teens and children, you have changed my life. Watching all of you come into our program and accomplish so much gives me so much strength and happiness you’ll never know. We all face so much in life but surround yourself with positive people and work every day to change the lives of others whether that’s through helping someone with their books, giving someone a smile that needs it or volunteering in your community to create a better tomorrow. To our supporters, we couldn’t do half of what we do without you. Thank you for helping us to continue to make a difference. To our readers, if your child is withdrawn, going through a situation or being bullied, it’s so important to let that child know that they aren’t alone. That tends to be the first thing a child or teen thinks. In finding that they aren’t alone in what they are facing they immediately feel a sense of relief. Find out what their passion is and create connections that will support that in ways that will help to build their self-confidence again. We will all experience bumps in the road, but as long as you stay positive and believe in yourself, you can get through anything. Speak Life Videos

In case you need a laugh. Here's a video published several years ago.

Nice catch indeed. Thanks for sharing it! (That's one clean tank!) So puts me in the mood for Man in the High Castle (so glad season 3 is in the works! but that's for another thread.)

Interesting.

I was told it costs him 10K to make a model. He told me a long time ago they would be focusing on the app market a bit more.

Shoot, now I need to go find my book. Wait, didn't they rewrite that book a couple of times?

I found this Cop simulator on Steam that came years ago. It's called Enforcer. I'm sure most of you have already played and have found that the thing is seriously lacking. It's almost there to where I'd really like but there are a few things that I'd like to see done. All of which are just extra menu items. The simulator has you controlling an officer both on and off duty. Social life can help improve stress control. I.e hanging out with friends ups the stress control meter as does watching TV, taking a nap, etc. I'd like a few more options to be implemented to that menu. For instance going a date, (after so many dates) then spending time with the spouse. for the computer/radio menue. I'd really like their to an option to ask for a warrant. As the game is now you'd have drive to the police station, go in, ask for a warrant, and then leave and get your car and go to the scene. It would be nice to ask for a warrant on your way to the scene (for instances you have to put your foot through a door) Those two things right are my main annoyances with the game. More stress control options with higher impacts and warrant. The other things that will take a freaking team to do are,

That and they got to tour the CIA facilities too.

Oh bummer so I called my local O'Reilly's and the poor clerk was saying "Sir I ain't never heard of that line code before." For some reason I thought they would have it in their system (with a little note that it's a gag item) and then tell me this crazy obscene price (because it says on my screen to call for pricing and availability). So anti-climatic. Nevertheless that is hilarious!

That's neat.

Helping to Lead the Way! Over the years we've discussed video games, aircraft, and people who played an amazing role in aviation history. Today, CombatACE is proud to shine the light on a young cadet in the United States Air Force JROTC. An organization that makes it a mission to “develop citizens of character dedicated to serving nation and community.” The organization is “grounded in the Air Force core values”, which are, “Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.” When it comes to Anthony Conklin, a 16 year old acting Cadet Captain within his JROTC Unit, you will see each of those values in all he does. Barbara Owens, CEO of Speak Life, an anti-bullying organization, directed CombatACEs attention, to a young man who is helping lead the way for a new, Central Arkansas, chapter of Speak Life. The new chapter has been founded by Kim Helm who states “Mr. Conklin has supported our mission statement by choosing to make a difference. He stands by our mission statement fully on a daily basis by not bullying, judging, or separating people. He wants to help everyone feel that they have a place to belong in this world and is helping us find positive ways to channel these kids into areas they fit in.” Yes, Speak Life is an organization that helps the victims of bullying find a place to fit in. They also prevent certain victims from committing suicide. However, do not mistake this organization as a giant shoulder to cry on. Their CEO, Ms. Owens, constantly spreads the message of holding on to your strengths, and moving forward with the positive things. Mr Conklin told CombatACE what he likes about Speak Life; he states “What I find fascinating about this Speak Life organization is the fact that we, as a community, can be the difference makers. While bullying will never stop, we can be the reason it slows down in our community!” And the reason one Central Arkansas Speak Life chapter will make such an impact is Mr. Conklin. As Ms. Helm states “Anthony has already superseded my expectations for what a 15/16 year old would be capable of. He is an exceptional young man with a super heart. He gives his all in everything he does including this organization. If I could turn back time and be half the kid Anthony is – I'd have gone further in life!” Anthony is heavily involved with coordinating events that the Central Arkansas Speak Life plan to role out soon. He's also designed their website, as well as the website for his local school district. He's coordinating with fellow student and various community leaders to move the Speak Life agenda forward. Below is the interview that we did with Mr. Conklin. Hello Anthony, thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us. To get started could you tell us a little bit about yourself? My name is Anthony Conklin and I am currently 16 years old. I live in Austin, AR. I am acting as a Cadet Captain within my Air Force JROTC unit. I am super involved within every organization that I play a part in. I take everything that I participate in very serious and value my role within those organization. What are some of the things that motivated you to join your local JROTC program? At first, just receiving the P.E. credit motivated me to join the local JROTC program here. Then knowing and seeing the difference I can make within the corps and the community made me continue to stay super involved within my organization. What is a job that you like to do when you get out of school? When I get out of school I will act as a correctional officer while I am in college. Post college I will become a Arkansas State Trooper or an Officer in the United States Air Force. Both of these jobs will maintain the military structure, which I like. We understand that you are spearheading the activities for an organization in your area called Speak Life. What motivated you to join this anti-bullying organization? What motivated me to join the anti-bullying organization, Speak Life, was seeing that a change was needed within our community. I want to continue to be a difference maker within my communities and surrounding communities. What are some of the things that you do for Speak Life? Some things I do for Speak Life is act as the Secretary, act as the webmaster for our newly created website: speaklifebeebe.org. This was created by me. What do you find fascinating about the Speak Life organization? What I find fascinating about this Speak Life organization is the fact that we as an organization can be the difference makers. While bullying will never stop, we can be the reason it slows down in our community! What do you hope others will learn from your actions and from the organization? I hope others will learn that they can all be difference makers and make our community a better place by my actions. Has working with the Speak Life organization taught you anything? If so the care to In just a short time, Speak Life Beebe has already taught me that people do care. That there are people willing to bridge the gap between bullies and their victims. share some of those lessons that you learned during your time with Speak Life? What are some of the memories that you will try to cherish as long as you can from your time with Speak Life? As of now, we've only had board meetings. I will cherish those until we start having these amazing events we are currently putting together. Editors Note: Stay tuned, because we're going off mission next week. I was very curious about Speak Life and reached out to Barabara Owens who agreed to tell me a little more about her organization.

Well we got things kicked off just right in my state last night. Even though we caught the ass end of the party down here other states were smack in the middle. Apparently my area got hit pretty hard because even the weather channel mentioned my county. Which brings me to my "weather team". These sorry bastards signed off the air just seconds before my county came under fire by two super cells that decided to have a meet and greet over my county. Here's what happened. Weather Team: "Well there's nothing else in the state right now. So we'll return you to your regular programing." Wheel of Fortune comes on. I head my room. Family is visiting up front. I faceplant on my bed and contemplate on some CombatACE Presentations(got a neat one coming up) I hear the faint sounds of tornado sirens. I shout for everyone to take cover. I'm yelling like we're being shelled. They look at me like I'm stupid. Cellphones stars playing their warning tones. Alarm company sends weather alert over keypad so it's peeping away. National Weather Service confirms what the alarm pad, cellphone, and myself has been saying. Now there's an orderly dash to our safe area. Except grandmother. Seriously she was just looking at us like we were crazy. Grandmother is ushered into the safe area. An interesting mix of gimping and waddling (She moved faster than that in the morning when I told here we were going to get coffee and donuts.) 5 minutes later while there was absolutely nothing to be concerned about in our area. Two cells are heading toward each other. One of them already dropped a tornado. +15 minutes we were all on the floor, ducked and covered, listening to a deafening sound. I just know I'm winding up in someone's backyard. Silence. Everyone's all right, lights still work, no leaks, neighborhood looks good. What fuck the just happened? Power lines are down a few miles away, some structural damage, no injuries reported, phones don't stop ringing as people check in. (They're fine but have property damage) I'm assuming today we'll find out what kind of tornado came through last night. Here's the funny part. The weather team is now on TV (after it's all done). Oh they're really getting with it now. People in my area are urged to take cover. Well no shit. Take cover! Na We'll just take a little trip up to the weather center there and have a "discussion". about the phrase "nothing to worry about".

Seeing this thread reminded me of this movie, especially this scene.

LOL .. .I just dropped my grandmother off this morning. LoL No further comment ROFL. I have no words

Tornado in a hurricane ... wow. No escape from that.

Okay. That's one thing I like about cell phones, it connects to more places better.

It depends on what kind of tornado moves through your area. For instance a small or relatively weak tornado will just fluff some pillows, maybe take a roof if it could. Things get really destructive and deadly when there is a much stronger tornado, with wind speeds high enough to pick giant objects up and toss them as if they were nothing. It's not just the tornado itself you have to worry about, it's the debris that it can carry with it. Then you also have changes in pressure that can wreck havoc as well. What kind tornadoes are you getting Central Europe? Scale Wind Speed(Estimated) Relative frequency EF0 65–85mph 105–137km/h 29–37m/s 56.88% Minor or no damage. Peels surface off some roofs; some damage to gutters or siding; branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted trees pushed over. Confirmed tornadoes with no reported damage (i.e., those that remain in open fields) are always rated EF0. EF1 86–110mph 138–177km/h 38–49m/s 31.07% Moderate damage. Roofs severely stripped; mobile homes overturned or badly damaged; loss of exterior doors; windows and other glass broken. EF2 111–135mph 178–217km/h 50–60m/s 8.80% Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-constructed houses; foundations of frame homes shifted; mobile homes completely destroyed; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated; cars lifted off ground. EF3 136–165mph 218–266km/h 61–73m/s 2.51% Severe damage. Entire stories of well-constructed houses destroyed; severe damage to large buildings such as shopping malls; trains overturned; trees debarked; heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown; structures with weak foundations are badly damaged. EF4 166–200mph 267–322km/h 74–90m/s 0.66% Extreme damage. Well-constructed and whole frame houses completely leveled; cars and other large objects thrown up to 300 feet and small missiles generated. EF5 >200mph >322km/h >90m/s 0.08% Total destruction of buildings. Strong-framed, well-built houses leveled off foundations are swept away; steel-reinforced concrete structures are critically damaged; tall buildings collapse or have severe structural deformations; some cars, trucks and train cars can be thrown approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometres).

A town to the south of me, got hit 3-4 times in a row. They finish cleaning up, and then bam, each time. They couldn't catch a break that year. That was also the year tornadoes were dropping from the sky like rain. F-3s, F-4s, (by today's standards I'm sure they would've been EF-2s and EF-3s).

That is weird and very scary. I thought Europe never got tornadoes. Same here in Arkansas. My Grandmother visited from Texarkana, Texas and I think last night she regretted her trip, bless her heart. But the rest of the week and we're supposed to have a decent weather. So at least her drive back will be sunny and clear. Speaking of last night. I'm looking around our immediate area and I"m not seeing much now that the sun is up. On the weather channel they mentioned my county and said that in some places they aren't sure if they got hit by a tornado or straight line winds. I'm thinking it was straight line winds that we were taking cover from. Even though it was loud, and sounded like things were getting ripped apart. The event lasted about a minute or two.But my policy is to assume that's it a tornado, especially at night time. With the sun now up and out I'm thinking we're going to get more details as the day goes on.

Good for him they didn't jump in his boat while he was talking junk.

You know Crazyhorse you're right. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say. "We'll I'd go with McCain but if he dies then that woman will be running the show."

So after getting a prime subscription (why not I order a bunch of junk anyway) I saw all the nice movies they have included with it. As well some really interesting series. For instance Man in the High Castle. I marathon watched both series and now I'm waiting for them to come out with season 3. That's a really cool show. So I decided to check out some war movies and here's what I got so far. Twelve O' Clock High (Heard about it, never seen it) Against the Sun (Looks promising) Fortress (A B-17 movie done in 2012) The Man Left Behind (Summary states: Chronicles the return of U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Paul R. Longgrear to the battlefield at Lang Vei, Vietnam, where in 1968 he faced down North Vietnamese tanks and was forced to make the most difficult decision of his life.) *Shrugs* it's free. Above and Beyond (The incredible story of the escape from Nazi-occupied Europe by Jewish-American Pilot Bruce Sundlun and his subsequent return to support the French Resistance.) All 15 people who watched it gave it 5 stars. Again why not it's a free movie and I got plenty of time. And for this evenings entertainment. A movie that I was thinking about for a long time, one of my favorite movies. With an actor I did not know was a Brigadier General. He served in the United States Army and later in the United States Air Force. 1941-1968. Strategic Air Command But I'm wondering" what are some forms of entertainment you may be willing to suggest? Good books? Movies? TV Shows? Comedies, sci fiction, alternate history, military, aviation, naval. Thank you for your time.

I learned that Band of Brothers is free on amazon prime. So ... yeah. But I just came across Upotte. Never heard anything about it. It's a very silly show but very interesting. I think you have to be a gun nut to really like the show though.