Embrace the Debate: SEAL Summer Reading II

CM SEAL Team blogger: Alan "Sav" Saviano

Teammates, I was asked to submit two influential books for reading to this blog and I’ll have to admit it’s been some time since I’ve read very many books; however, two books came to mind immediately because their content is so relevant to what is going on in our country today. Now, before I suggest these readings let me just say that I am a conservative yet I am also open minded and transparent, and I do not agree with every position of the Republican party. Actually, I embrace the fact that in America we can debate and strongly disagree with one another over the state of our affairs now and into the future without resorting to civil war or suppression by our government.

Many of the men on this blog have had the opportunity to travel to other countries, and embrace and fight for beautiful humans that haven’t been so fortunate, to say the least. I, like many of my fellow Teammates, truly wish every American had the opportunity to see and feel what we have in these faraway places because if you did you would not believe everything you hear on any of the thirty second sound bites on the various Nightly World News Reports at 6:30 EST. If you like the facts and are open to other’s opinions you will enjoy at least one of these books-at least I’m honest :).


Liberty and Tyranny: Mark Levine- An interesting dialogue into what principles our country was founded on and why. It’s really that simple so you be the judge…

A Random Walk Down Wallstreet: Burton Malkiel- Probably my favorite book which I have read numerous times. If you think some of what has happened on Wallstreet is a first, keep reading! This book is so interesting because Mr. Malkiel gives you concrete, factual events that show that everything will be ok in regards to stocks and specifically the stock market. Most investors think the last 25 years was ordinary concerning the explosive rise of the stock market; however, he will explain in detail how most Americans haven’t a clue about what they should expect from the market and more importantly, why. As a matter of fact, if you invest with someone and they haven’t read this book I would run for the door!

Cheers,
Sav

CHARLIE MIKE SITREP: May 2009

Teammates – Check out our SITREP (Situation Report) for May - highlighting the depth and breadth of the CM SEAL Team bloggers. Click on their names to read more.


CM SEAL Team blogger: Mike Ryan
Title: Secret Weapon #1
"Cowards never got started and the weak died along the way. Truer words were never spoken. The first time I read this quote I was standing at parade-rest waiting to begin my first day of SEAL training. The words were carved into a wooden bench that stood just inside the doors of the Naval Special Warfare Center. At my feet, just in front of the bench, stood a perfect line of about 30 helmets - the last remnants of students who had reached their mental and physical limits and quit training. Predictably, my initial reaction was a mix of skepticism and sarcasm. “Yea” I thought, “that’s a little bit over-the-top.” About twenty minutes later I realized my worst nightmare had just begun.



CM SEAL Team blogger: Tom Rancich
Title: A Debt of Memory to Brothers and Sisters, Gratefully Paid
Memorial Day has always had an identity crisis. Even in the very beginning, it was only for Union soldiers, not merging all "Decoration Day" activities until after World War One. In 1971, Memorial Day became the last Monday in May instead of May 30. This move, designed to create a three-day weekend, irritated many by adding to the day an air of celebration instead of reflection: picnics, parades, ballgames, sales -- the start of the summer party. That doesn't bother me: somewhere in the 1.5 million soldiers remembered every Memorial Day there is certainly someone who would have really enjoyed another picnic, parade, ball game or day shopping. Some of those sacrificed would have liked one more party or one more prayer. It's all good.

CM SEAL Team blogger: Marcus Colburn
Title: MMA Fighters: Modern Day Gladiators
They entered the ring to the sound of rap, rock, old-school hip-hop, reggae, and even country-and-western, but the one thing every fighter at Saturday’s UFC (mixed martial arts fighting) event had in common was a powerful athletic physique built from metabolic resistance training. These modern-day warriors know better than to do bodybuilding, because those workouts just take too long and leave you puffed up, slow, and inflexible. That’s not how modern man should be – or look.



CM SEAL Team blogger: Stew Smith
Title: Stew Smith's Bodyweight Exercise Plan: Part I
Calisthenics, or bodyweight exercises, originated thousands of years ago in ancient Greece and have been a major component of fitness in athletics, military, law enforcement, and daily fitness for home workouts without equipment. Here is a request from a Perfect Pushup user in our YouTube group seeking to do more exercises without having to go to a gym.

"I need help in making a full body bodyweight routine. Any advice/sample that you can offer? I am seventeen and have been using the Perfect Pushup on and off for a year now."
CM SEAL Team blogger: Tim Grizzell
Title: Completing a Marathon: IV (a): The TAPER
Hello Charlie Mike teammates – I was initially going to cover just the day of the race in the final post of my marathon series. After reviewing a previous answer to CM teammate, Joe G., regarding tapering, it was suggested that I should cover this topic and break up the blog up into two parts: tapering and the day of the race. It was a great idea!

Tapering is very important if you want to post a good marathon time. It gives your body the opportunity to recover from all of the hard training you put in leading up to the race. You can replenish energy, rejuvenate muscles and possibly kick any nagging injuries you might have up to this point.

Teammates -- Mike, Tom, Marcus, Stew, Tim, Sav -- all of them get the meaning of CHARLIE MIKE -- that it's "An Attitude of Action" and they're preaching what they practice. Drop on Down and Get Fired UP for pushing out and pulling up after you read what my Teammates have to say.

CHARLIE MIKE – ALDEN