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Written by Chris Manthos
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Tuesday, 06 January 2009 11:59 |
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Gunny Brad Colbert speaks with the AWA’s Chris Manthos
 In one of the most insightful books on modern military history of our time, Evan Wright’s “Generation Kill” is a page-turning account of the incredible 2003 lightning blitz on Baghdad by the 1st Recon Battalion, United States Marines. Wright skillfully and carefully captured the challenges of the often 24 hour a day combat tempo of some of the fnest warriors our Nation has ever produced. When I frst picked Gen’ Kill off the shelf at an airport Borders, I skeptically thumbed through it, seeing yet another anti-American diatribe written by yet another anti-military “journalist.” Instead, I found it impossible to put down. Highly focused on a single platoon, and often on a single squad, I was moved by the incredible detail and highly intense relationships of the Marines who Wright ‘embedded’ with during the historic drive on the Iraqi metropolis.
We’re you surprised at the success of Evan Wright’s book and David Simon’s mini-series? I was surprised at just how many people identifed with the characters and the dialogue. I have had numerous people approach me about the show and tell me how much our experiences mirror their own. Marines have a defnite culture and the back and forth banter and joking is universal regardless of where they come from or what they do in the Corps. I knew this ahead of time, but wasn’t prepared for how many Marines approved of that facet being publicized. I mean, we talked about some pretty infammatory and derogatory things! As far as the popularity of the book in civilian circles, I wasn’t as surprised as much since when it went to print there wasn’t another book like it, and in many respects, there still isn’t. The ground-eye view of Marines on the battlefeld presented in “Generation Kill” was a unique insight for most people.
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Read more... [The Real "ICEMAN" from Generation Kill]
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Written by Chris Manthos
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Tuesday, 18 November 2008 19:40 |
 By the time you read this, the presidential election will be over, and thankfully so. It’s not a far stretch to suspect most of us are about done with the silly stump speeches, promises made but not to be kept, alleged scandals, and the always popular blame game over who really dropped the ball on the U.S. economy. The truth is both sides of the aisle are highly culpable, even as they point fngers. Congress, and their cohorts in the media continue a non-stop bombardment on our sensibilities and intelligence by fostering hardship in order to cover up their ineptitude in doing their jobs, and it seems to be working rather nicely for them.
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Read more... [Armadillos and Optimism]
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Written by Shawn Alladio
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Sunday, 02 November 2008 19:34 |
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New Invasive Mussel Guidebook Available Online
Contact:
Alexia Retallack, 916-322-8944
Jordan Traverso, 916-654-9937
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A state multi-agency taskforce today unveiled a guidebook to help water managers and recreationalists take part in the fight against invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels. The "Invasive Mussel Guidebook" outlines how aquatic mollusks can devastate waterways and why local governments and water users should encourage all Californians not to move a mussel.
The taskforce - composed of California's Department of Fish and Game, Department of Water Resources, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Boating and Waterways and Department of Food and Agriculture - is working to advance understanding about these mussels and their potential ecological and economic impacts. However, it is local officials and residents who must take critical steps to address this important issue.
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Read more... [California Reminds Boaters & Water Users: Don’t Move A Mussel]
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John Donaldson is not the longest serving PWC government relations guy, but he’s close. He had been in the power sports industry for over a decade when his then employer decided his gift for gab and ability to write completely confusing letters were a perfect match for dealing with politicians and legislators. Since the course change in his work history, Donaldson has worked for two of the biggest PWC manufacturers as well as having a turn at running the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. Donaldson says that these government relations experiences have helped him understand that it sure isn’t the government one learns about in a text book. Further in Donaldson’s past was his service in the U.S. Coast Guard and a few years as owner of a major power sports dealership in Southern California. This diversity of government, manufacturer, and retail experience qualifies Donaldson to help keep AWA members and others informed on the latest activities of government impact on the use of PWC in the PWC Nation. 
Chris Manthos serves as executive director of the American Watercraft Association. When not riding, he dedicates his time to educating regulators and other officials on the realities of personal watercraft, in contrast to the fantasy world of the no-access crowd. He mows his own lawn, washes his own truck, served his country, pays his taxes, picks up trash on public roads, opens his own beer bottles, reads books, hunts, feeds his own dogs, doesn’t need government to tell him right from wrong, and deplores sanctimonious hypocrites, bullies, and know-it-alls, particularly the political kind. 
Wiley Russell Jr. is the dealer coordinator of the AWA and works closely with personal watercraft dealers nationwide, promoting PWC access for all enthusiasts, as well as promoting dealerships. He is a Virginia native and enjoys riding PWC as much as possible. 
