When I read articles about men like Sgt Mike Stokely and pass them on to others so they can know not only the truth but also the caliber of men and women in uniform these days, I often get the reply, “where do they make men like this anymore?” Well I’ll tell you it comes from being raised by men like Gold Star Father - Robert Stokely.
Since my post about Cindy Sheehan’s planned trip to Landstuhl and my reference to Mike in a subsequent post, Mr. Stokely and I have been conversing about Mike and how he would feel about this entire fuss about him, taking place. Mr. Stokely stated, “Thanks again for honoring my son with your kind words - No doubt Mike would be overwhelmed by those who speak so highly of him - probably say ‘what's the big deal?’” What Mike might think of being no big deal is a big deal, for Mike and men and women like him embody the soul of what it is to be an American Soldier.
When you talk to Mr. Stokely you can tell he is incredibly proud of his son. Especially when he writes something like this: “THANKS - HEY, GOOD NEWS: The State of Georgia is set to name - now get this - two different State Highways after my "boy." [W]hen I was a boy and somebody asked me if I was "Wade Stokely's boy" I beamed with pride to be able to say yes; now I am able to beam with pride that Sgt. Mike Stokely is my "boy" – a man I wish I had a second chance to grow up and be like.”
Unlike a more famous Gold Star Mother, Mr. Stokely doesn’t blame anyone for Mike’s death for he is “...firmly convinced that, if Mike were here and could look back at what happened in his life those final moments, he'd change nothing. He'd still join the GA NATL Guard as a junior in high school, go to boot camp that summer while his fellow classmates had fun and then come back for his senior year of high school. He'd still move from a Communications job to a front line Cavalry Scout unit. He'd still go with his "guys" to Iraq even though he could have had an exemption to stay home and recruit. He'd still take that empty seat on a Humvee as it was about to go out the wire the night he died, even though it was his squad going and he'd been on missions and duty for 30 hours, and had rested little in the last three days (since a soldier was home on leave). He'd still volunteer to stand cover flank watching the backs of his two fellow soldiers - one his best friend - as they walked down the road to check out a suspicious location.”
“Why would he not break the chain of events knowing that each step in his five years of duty was leading him to his death at 2:20 a.m. on 16 Aug 2005 south of Baghdad? Someone needed to answer the call to duty and each time; Mike Stokely did so someone else wouldn't have to take his place if he didn't. As you said about Casey Sheehan - he volunteered to go on a quick strike relief mission to rescue his fellow soldiers - why? Obviously, he didn't want someone to have to take his place.”
“American Soldier's understand how to answer the call to duty and service to their country - SEND ME - I'M READY TO SERVE MY COUNTRY, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, AND MY FELLOW SOLDIER; AND IF NEED BE, I AM WILLING TO SACRIFICE MY LIFE SO SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T”
“Mike Stokely didn't die for a just cause,” As Mr. Stokely is quick to point out, “[h]e died JUST BECAUSE he loved his country, his family, his friends, and the cause of freedom enough that he said "Send me, I'm ready...."
Thank you Mr. Stokely for raising such a wonderful human being, he is also a man I wish I could grow up to be just like and I wish I had been afforded the opportunity to meet him before he traveled off to Fiddler’s Green.
February 28, 2006
DADism #4
"If you fall and break your leg, don't come running to me."
Translation: "Be careful up there. Our insurance policy has a $200 deductible."
Translation: "Be careful up there. Our insurance policy has a $200 deductible."
Web Reconnaissance for 02/28/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes There are none so deaf as those who will not hear “One of the great tragedies of World War II was its utter preventability. In Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler spelled out his objectives over a decade before Germany invaded Poland. The key elements of his rein -- the German conquest, the distrust of Communism and Democracy, the scapegoating of the Jews -- were all there in black and white for all to see, but not enough people bothered to read it, or take it seriously. Too many were convinced that Hitler could be reasoned with, appeased, that he was the sort folks could do business with.”
Hugh Hewitt writes The Wall Street Journal Takes on the Reiner Scandal and Prop 82
“Today's lead editorial in the Wall Street Journal takes on Rob Reiner, the scandal surrounding the misuse of Prop 10 funds and the lousy economics and education theory behind Prop 82.”
Ian of Expose the Left has Al Sharpton Calls President Bush a Terrorist (VIDEO) The “Rev” Al Sharpton appeared on FOX’s Hannity & Colmes tonight to discuss “The State of the Black Union” that occurred in Texas this past weekend. (SIDE NOTE: Ironically, in the civil rights era, blacks complained about separate but equal, yet they are separating from the rest of the “union” in this event) The SotBU is just an excuse for prominent figures in the Black community to bash President Bush and fellow Republicans. At the event, Harry Belafonte reiterated his hate for President Bush along with many of his friends. In early January, Harry Belafonte called President Bush, “the greatest terrorist in the world“.
Victor Davis Hanson writes The Other Iraq “Screaming Iraqis and mangled body parts still dominate Americans' nightly two minutes of news from Iraq. And, indeed, Iraq is still a scary place within the Sunni Triangle. Opposition politicians in the United States charge that our troops don't have enough body protection or heavily armored Humvees - suggesting that our fighters have been almost criminally ignored. On CNN, a journalist laments that a prominent news colleague severely wounded near Taji is emblematic of the mess of the entire American effort.”
Captain Z of From My Position…On The Way! writes Sad News “I've often felt (both prior to deploying and since getting hurt) that I just don't give a damn about Iraq--they should all just be lined up and shot. Regardless of all the good things we did, and are doing; regardless of the good iraqis I met and worked with; regardless of how much I, and for the most part, all service members feel about what we're doing.”
Blackfive writes The Reverse Crusades “That's what some of my friends still in the Special Ops community have been calling the War on Terror since 9/11 (and maybe since Khobar - I just may not have been paying attention). We're fighting the crusaders this time - crusaders that want us either converted to their religion or dead.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Did The Germans Aid The War Effort? “The Guardian (UK) reports that a classified US military report states categorically that German intelligence provided the Coalition with vital information on Saddam Hussein's plans for the defense of Baghdad. This has long been rumored to be true, and the additional evidence has the Germans backpedaling at home:”
Mohammed of Iraq The Model writes The shrine crisis…words that need to be said. “Life is coming back to normal in Baghdad and marketplaces and offices are open again after being shut for 4 days. Although there were a few security incidents today people are mostly looking at these as part of the usual daily situation and not related to the latest shrine crisis. But, what can we learn from this lesson and how can we make benefit from it in avoiding similar problems in the future.”
Cassandra of Villainous Company writes NY TimesWatch: A Case About Nothing “More evidence that L'Affaire Plame is, as the half-vast editorial staff observed many moons ago, A Case About Nothing: “
Andi of Andi’s World writes Bogus Numbers “Scott Whitlock at NewsBusters reports that Chris Matthews recently misrepresented the number of dead OIF Veterans, in effect, fast-forwarding to that milestone that some are waiting for - the 3,000th dead American…I hope we never have to find out what the reaction to 3,000 dead Americans might be, but if we look back at the reaction to the 2,000th death, I'm sure the media and other leftists will be trolling in the swamps of depravity, using a well-rounded number in the most disgusting manner simply to further their own political agendas.”
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes There are none so deaf as those who will not hear “One of the great tragedies of World War II was its utter preventability. In Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler spelled out his objectives over a decade before Germany invaded Poland. The key elements of his rein -- the German conquest, the distrust of Communism and Democracy, the scapegoating of the Jews -- were all there in black and white for all to see, but not enough people bothered to read it, or take it seriously. Too many were convinced that Hitler could be reasoned with, appeased, that he was the sort folks could do business with.”
Hugh Hewitt writes The Wall Street Journal Takes on the Reiner Scandal and Prop 82
“Today's lead editorial in the Wall Street Journal takes on Rob Reiner, the scandal surrounding the misuse of Prop 10 funds and the lousy economics and education theory behind Prop 82.”
Ian of Expose the Left has Al Sharpton Calls President Bush a Terrorist (VIDEO) The “Rev” Al Sharpton appeared on FOX’s Hannity & Colmes tonight to discuss “The State of the Black Union” that occurred in Texas this past weekend. (SIDE NOTE: Ironically, in the civil rights era, blacks complained about separate but equal, yet they are separating from the rest of the “union” in this event) The SotBU is just an excuse for prominent figures in the Black community to bash President Bush and fellow Republicans. At the event, Harry Belafonte reiterated his hate for President Bush along with many of his friends. In early January, Harry Belafonte called President Bush, “the greatest terrorist in the world“.
Victor Davis Hanson writes The Other Iraq “Screaming Iraqis and mangled body parts still dominate Americans' nightly two minutes of news from Iraq. And, indeed, Iraq is still a scary place within the Sunni Triangle. Opposition politicians in the United States charge that our troops don't have enough body protection or heavily armored Humvees - suggesting that our fighters have been almost criminally ignored. On CNN, a journalist laments that a prominent news colleague severely wounded near Taji is emblematic of the mess of the entire American effort.”
Captain Z of From My Position…On The Way! writes Sad News “I've often felt (both prior to deploying and since getting hurt) that I just don't give a damn about Iraq--they should all just be lined up and shot. Regardless of all the good things we did, and are doing; regardless of the good iraqis I met and worked with; regardless of how much I, and for the most part, all service members feel about what we're doing.”
Blackfive writes The Reverse Crusades “That's what some of my friends still in the Special Ops community have been calling the War on Terror since 9/11 (and maybe since Khobar - I just may not have been paying attention). We're fighting the crusaders this time - crusaders that want us either converted to their religion or dead.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Did The Germans Aid The War Effort? “The Guardian (UK) reports that a classified US military report states categorically that German intelligence provided the Coalition with vital information on Saddam Hussein's plans for the defense of Baghdad. This has long been rumored to be true, and the additional evidence has the Germans backpedaling at home:”
Mohammed of Iraq The Model writes The shrine crisis…words that need to be said. “Life is coming back to normal in Baghdad and marketplaces and offices are open again after being shut for 4 days. Although there were a few security incidents today people are mostly looking at these as part of the usual daily situation and not related to the latest shrine crisis. But, what can we learn from this lesson and how can we make benefit from it in avoiding similar problems in the future.”
Cassandra of Villainous Company writes NY TimesWatch: A Case About Nothing “More evidence that L'Affaire Plame is, as the half-vast editorial staff observed many moons ago, A Case About Nothing: “
Andi of Andi’s World writes Bogus Numbers “Scott Whitlock at NewsBusters reports that Chris Matthews recently misrepresented the number of dead OIF Veterans, in effect, fast-forwarding to that milestone that some are waiting for - the 3,000th dead American…I hope we never have to find out what the reaction to 3,000 dead Americans might be, but if we look back at the reaction to the 2,000th death, I'm sure the media and other leftists will be trolling in the swamps of depravity, using a well-rounded number in the most disgusting manner simply to further their own political agendas.”
February 27, 2006
Can One Voice Make a Difference?
The Anti-war movement and by association the Anti-American movement is quickly losing power, Democrats that had been posturing as anti-war are now sliding more to the middle and the radical movement of the Democratic party is upset they need a victory to validate themselves and they aren’t willing to accept defeat. Unfortunately for them, like their liberal friends in the media they are afraid of speaking out against those that might actually “fight” back and that tactic is starting to bite back at them. Take for example Cindy Sheehan’s latest destination.
On March 11 Cindy Sheehan plans on protesting at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in her ongoing campaign of protesting the war in Iraq. This action on her part is no longer about her need to get in front of the President and express her concerns about the war, its another attempt of the anti-war movement to disgrace the US in front of a world stage, but it also means that the anti-war movement is fully committed to being an anti-troop movement also. Their attempt to get the German government to withdraw its support and refuse to allow the US Military to continue to use Landstuhl means that they only want the troops that are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to die in Iraq and Afghanistan, in their mind the only good soldier is a dead soldier.
The Anti-War movement says they want the illegal war in Iraq to end, but all of their actions to date seem to be pointing to the simple conclusion that they feel the military needs to be done away with. They seek the removal of Military Recruiters from College and High School campuses in some misguided belief that our young adults can not make any decisions for themselves, and they are now seeking the elimination of much needed medical services to further punish those valiant men and women that agree to put on the uniform of our country and defend her from all enemies both foreign and domestic.
Specialist Casey Sheehan the son of the de facto leader of the Anti-war movement was one of those valiant men. On April 4th, 2004, Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment were ambushed with RPGs and pinned down and dying. While fighting off an attack himself, the Commander of the 2/5th, LTC Volesky, called for help. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was formed of volunteers - their mission: to go out and rescue the ambushed American troops. Specialist Casey Sheehan was a member of that QRF, he volunteered to go outside the wire and help his fellow soldiers.
But Spc. Sheehan is only one of thousands of heroic men and women that have given their all in defense of our country, Sgt Mike Stokely was another. Killed by an IED while on patrol on August 16, 2005 he was a leader and role model not only for his fellow soldiers but also for dozens of young men back home where he volunteered as a Bible School teacher. When I was afforded the privilege of viewing Mike’s memorial service I was struck by how many people of varying backgrounds had nothing but good things to say about Mike, which re-enforced in me the belief that the measure of a man is not in how well he thinks of himself it is in how well others think of him.
This message is lost on the Anti-war movement and their liberal brethren. They view a life of freedom as a right not a privilege, they wish to partake in all life has to offer except for one very important aspect, they want to do so for free. As numerous others have already said, “Freedom is not free” it comes with a cost that must be paid and when you refuse to pay that price one day you will wake up and realize that what you thought was freedom was really submission to another. The anti-war movement has not yet awakened to that day because other greater people have proudly served and continue to serve their country defending freedom where ever they must.
Which brings me to the reason for the title of this essay, can one voice make a difference? I believe that one voice can make a difference especially when it comes to countering the Anti-war crowd. One voice can be the voice of reason that spreads the truth about our mission. One voice can be the person that counters the anti-war movement by holding a sign thanking the troops for their sacrifice instead of calling them baby-killers. One voice can be like that mythical wife of a service member that stands up to the gaggle of liberals in a restaurant disrespecting the troops who proudly serve and volunteer to do so time and time again. One voice can be the voice that leads others in a prayer of support or in the pledge of allegiance before a meeting. One voice can quell the stirrings of discontent that the media spews out as news and bring a lost follower back into the fold. One voice can send a card or letter to a Soldier in theatre or send a supportive email to those Angels that are doing something everyday to support the cause.
One voice can do a lot….have you done enough to support our mission?
On March 11 Cindy Sheehan plans on protesting at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in her ongoing campaign of protesting the war in Iraq. This action on her part is no longer about her need to get in front of the President and express her concerns about the war, its another attempt of the anti-war movement to disgrace the US in front of a world stage, but it also means that the anti-war movement is fully committed to being an anti-troop movement also. Their attempt to get the German government to withdraw its support and refuse to allow the US Military to continue to use Landstuhl means that they only want the troops that are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to die in Iraq and Afghanistan, in their mind the only good soldier is a dead soldier.
The Anti-War movement says they want the illegal war in Iraq to end, but all of their actions to date seem to be pointing to the simple conclusion that they feel the military needs to be done away with. They seek the removal of Military Recruiters from College and High School campuses in some misguided belief that our young adults can not make any decisions for themselves, and they are now seeking the elimination of much needed medical services to further punish those valiant men and women that agree to put on the uniform of our country and defend her from all enemies both foreign and domestic.
Specialist Casey Sheehan the son of the de facto leader of the Anti-war movement was one of those valiant men. On April 4th, 2004, Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment were ambushed with RPGs and pinned down and dying. While fighting off an attack himself, the Commander of the 2/5th, LTC Volesky, called for help. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was formed of volunteers - their mission: to go out and rescue the ambushed American troops. Specialist Casey Sheehan was a member of that QRF, he volunteered to go outside the wire and help his fellow soldiers.
But Spc. Sheehan is only one of thousands of heroic men and women that have given their all in defense of our country, Sgt Mike Stokely was another. Killed by an IED while on patrol on August 16, 2005 he was a leader and role model not only for his fellow soldiers but also for dozens of young men back home where he volunteered as a Bible School teacher. When I was afforded the privilege of viewing Mike’s memorial service I was struck by how many people of varying backgrounds had nothing but good things to say about Mike, which re-enforced in me the belief that the measure of a man is not in how well he thinks of himself it is in how well others think of him.
This message is lost on the Anti-war movement and their liberal brethren. They view a life of freedom as a right not a privilege, they wish to partake in all life has to offer except for one very important aspect, they want to do so for free. As numerous others have already said, “Freedom is not free” it comes with a cost that must be paid and when you refuse to pay that price one day you will wake up and realize that what you thought was freedom was really submission to another. The anti-war movement has not yet awakened to that day because other greater people have proudly served and continue to serve their country defending freedom where ever they must.
Which brings me to the reason for the title of this essay, can one voice make a difference? I believe that one voice can make a difference especially when it comes to countering the Anti-war crowd. One voice can be the voice of reason that spreads the truth about our mission. One voice can be the person that counters the anti-war movement by holding a sign thanking the troops for their sacrifice instead of calling them baby-killers. One voice can be like that mythical wife of a service member that stands up to the gaggle of liberals in a restaurant disrespecting the troops who proudly serve and volunteer to do so time and time again. One voice can be the voice that leads others in a prayer of support or in the pledge of allegiance before a meeting. One voice can quell the stirrings of discontent that the media spews out as news and bring a lost follower back into the fold. One voice can send a card or letter to a Soldier in theatre or send a supportive email to those Angels that are doing something everyday to support the cause.
One voice can do a lot….have you done enough to support our mission?
DADism #3
"Turn that racket down! I can't hear myself think!"
{Racket (n): Music, of any genere, played by the younger generation at decibels exceeding the volume of the television Dad is watching, particularly when Monday Night Football is on.}
Translation: None
{Racket (n): Music, of any genere, played by the younger generation at decibels exceeding the volume of the television Dad is watching, particularly when Monday Night Football is on.}
Translation: None
Web Reconnaissance for 02/27/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Politics of a Patriot has a simple post up called No Words Necessary. Stop in and take a look around, Politics of a Patriot is one of my newest stops and will be added to my blogroll shortly.
William Teach at Pirate's Cove has Hey, Look, Treason “Looks like the moonbats have finally realized that their ideas are so out of touch that they will continue to lose elections that they might as well go whole hog and try insurrection and treason. Because, you know, they are the party of tolerance:”
Jay Tea at Wizbang has The Fading Ember of Hope “As Hamas grows closer and closer to becoming the legitimate government of Palestine, they are coming under increasing scrutiny. Meanwhile, their apologists are grasping at any straws to show that they are ready to make peace with Israel. The Arab News, the mouthpiece of the Saudi government, is leading the charge.”
Kobayashi Maru has The Poor - Always With Us? “Reading this extraordinary memoir by Nicholas Sparks (picked up in an airport yesterday), and catching up on a few favorite blogs got us thinking about poverty. In particular, SC&A references this fact-filled article ('Understanding Poverty in America') drawn directly from U.S. Census data and "other government reports". For a quick summary, see this chart. Highlights:”
Crazy Politico at Crazy Politico’s Rantings has More On The Docks “...Which brings us back to the whole hulabaloo over this deal. The professionals who run the ports haven't been expressing issues with it, the politically insulated folks in DC who run CFIUS don't have a problem with it, but the folks who are running for reelection do. So is this really a national security issue, or just a political football painted up as one?”
Some Soldier’s Mom has The Olympics and National Pride “So the XX Olympiad closed this evening. I have to admit, I'm a bit of an Olympic junkie. Every time the Olympics are on (winter or summer games) I swear that I'm not going to watch them this time, but I am always compelled to watch at least the Opening Ceremonies and then I'm hooked. Dear Husband and I actually sought out and watched Curling this year for heaven's sake!”
Captain Z at From My Position…On The Way! writes SITREP “I picked up the new High Mobility Kid-Friendly All Terrain Truck today. Given the Penchant for acronyms, that comes out to the HiMoK(ay): FAT (Pronounced: "I'm Okay: Fat.") Believe it or not, I just thought that up on the fly. Must be time to take the pills again.”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive posts Please don't hurt me Mr. Buckley “I hesitated and actually quivered a bit as I contemplated writing this, but honesty means taking on your icons too. William F. Buckley Jr. is one of the most brilliant and entertaining thinkers in American history. When he recently wrote a column saying we need to admit defeat in Iraq, I was disheartened.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Beware The Ides Of Marching “Freedom of speech and assembly are the closest we come to unfettered rights in the United States; we do not tolerate limits on either unless necessary for keeping the peace. However, one of the limitations accepted by almost everyone is a ban on overthrowing the elected government through force, both in action and in rhetoric. The rally being organized by the group United For Peace And Justice appears to approach that limitation, if it doesn't actually cross it entirely:”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Honoring the Victims of the 1983 Beirut Terrorist Attack
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.- President Ronald Reagan, 1985”
John Noonan at The Officer’s Club writes The Essence of being Pro-Victory I was sitting in my backyard this weekend -enjoying a six pack and unwinding- and I started thinking about blogging and how it has shaken my old ideologies to the core. I once self-identified as a conservative, in the Reagan-esque definition of the word "conservative." No big government, few taxes, guide the nation according to the concrete Constitution (as opposed to those silly "living Constitutionalists," and a strong national defense.
Charlie Munn at The Officer’s Club writes Anti-War, Anti-Americans versus Everyone Else “The most recent Cindy Sheehan meltdown John noted below illustrates how the anti-war left in this country has gotten so far to the left they are now off the map in the “here be dragons” area. I believe that most of the hard-core, anti-war left is genuinely not “anti-war”, just “anti US-victory” or sometimes, even “pro- US defeat.”
Michelle Malkin writes A CHALLENGE TO PEACE STUDIES “Ex-Washington Post columnist Colman McCarthy, "veteran peace activist, animal advocate and educator who founded and directs the Center for Teaching Peace in Washington," teaches a "Peace Studies class" in the Montgomery County, Md., public school system. It has been unchallenged for two decades. But now, two outspoken students are raising questions about McCarthy's unabashed propaganda. Via yesterday's Washington Post:”
Politics of a Patriot has a simple post up called No Words Necessary. Stop in and take a look around, Politics of a Patriot is one of my newest stops and will be added to my blogroll shortly.
William Teach at Pirate's Cove has Hey, Look, Treason “Looks like the moonbats have finally realized that their ideas are so out of touch that they will continue to lose elections that they might as well go whole hog and try insurrection and treason. Because, you know, they are the party of tolerance:”
Jay Tea at Wizbang has The Fading Ember of Hope “As Hamas grows closer and closer to becoming the legitimate government of Palestine, they are coming under increasing scrutiny. Meanwhile, their apologists are grasping at any straws to show that they are ready to make peace with Israel. The Arab News, the mouthpiece of the Saudi government, is leading the charge.”
Kobayashi Maru has The Poor - Always With Us? “Reading this extraordinary memoir by Nicholas Sparks (picked up in an airport yesterday), and catching up on a few favorite blogs got us thinking about poverty. In particular, SC&A references this fact-filled article ('Understanding Poverty in America') drawn directly from U.S. Census data and "other government reports". For a quick summary, see this chart. Highlights:”
Crazy Politico at Crazy Politico’s Rantings has More On The Docks “...Which brings us back to the whole hulabaloo over this deal. The professionals who run the ports haven't been expressing issues with it, the politically insulated folks in DC who run CFIUS don't have a problem with it, but the folks who are running for reelection do. So is this really a national security issue, or just a political football painted up as one?”
Some Soldier’s Mom has The Olympics and National Pride “So the XX Olympiad closed this evening. I have to admit, I'm a bit of an Olympic junkie. Every time the Olympics are on (winter or summer games) I swear that I'm not going to watch them this time, but I am always compelled to watch at least the Opening Ceremonies and then I'm hooked. Dear Husband and I actually sought out and watched Curling this year for heaven's sake!”
Captain Z at From My Position…On The Way! writes SITREP “I picked up the new High Mobility Kid-Friendly All Terrain Truck today. Given the Penchant for acronyms, that comes out to the HiMoK(ay): FAT (Pronounced: "I'm Okay: Fat.") Believe it or not, I just thought that up on the fly. Must be time to take the pills again.”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive posts Please don't hurt me Mr. Buckley “I hesitated and actually quivered a bit as I contemplated writing this, but honesty means taking on your icons too. William F. Buckley Jr. is one of the most brilliant and entertaining thinkers in American history. When he recently wrote a column saying we need to admit defeat in Iraq, I was disheartened.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Beware The Ides Of Marching “Freedom of speech and assembly are the closest we come to unfettered rights in the United States; we do not tolerate limits on either unless necessary for keeping the peace. However, one of the limitations accepted by almost everyone is a ban on overthrowing the elected government through force, both in action and in rhetoric. The rally being organized by the group United For Peace And Justice appears to approach that limitation, if it doesn't actually cross it entirely:”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Honoring the Victims of the 1983 Beirut Terrorist Attack
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.- President Ronald Reagan, 1985”
John Noonan at The Officer’s Club writes The Essence of being Pro-Victory I was sitting in my backyard this weekend -enjoying a six pack and unwinding- and I started thinking about blogging and how it has shaken my old ideologies to the core. I once self-identified as a conservative, in the Reagan-esque definition of the word "conservative." No big government, few taxes, guide the nation according to the concrete Constitution (as opposed to those silly "living Constitutionalists," and a strong national defense.
Charlie Munn at The Officer’s Club writes Anti-War, Anti-Americans versus Everyone Else “The most recent Cindy Sheehan meltdown John noted below illustrates how the anti-war left in this country has gotten so far to the left they are now off the map in the “here be dragons” area. I believe that most of the hard-core, anti-war left is genuinely not “anti-war”, just “anti US-victory” or sometimes, even “pro- US defeat.”
Michelle Malkin writes A CHALLENGE TO PEACE STUDIES “Ex-Washington Post columnist Colman McCarthy, "veteran peace activist, animal advocate and educator who founded and directs the Center for Teaching Peace in Washington," teaches a "Peace Studies class" in the Montgomery County, Md., public school system. It has been unchallenged for two decades. But now, two outspoken students are raising questions about McCarthy's unabashed propaganda. Via yesterday's Washington Post:”
February 25, 2006
New Atrocities To Be Committed Against our Troops
No it isn’t some secret military operation that the MSM is leaking, nor is it a blatantly false report of some abuse committed against Islam by one of our troops that is going to get our troops killed it is a single woman who is so deranged with her hatred of President Bush that she is planning on protesting the use of a Military Hospital caring for wounded troops. Yes the uber-Bush-hater Cindy Sheehan is going to Germany to protest outside of Landstuhl Army Medical Center (LRMC.) LRMC is the first stop for wounded troops coming from Iraq or Afghanistan so that they can be stabilized before sending them to the states or keep them there for treatment. This is also the main place that most dependents get care as well.
Cindy who says she is going to Germany to talk about US Foreign Policy will also be at Landstuhl/Ramstein to call attention to the fact that Germany is Europe’s logistical hub for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and others threatening Iran and the Middle East,” according to an event flier. “Germany has the power to stop the further use of U.S. bases in Germany for illegal wars and criminal methods of warfare — the power and the right to just say no!” (Source)
Just say NO? Excuse me bitch! Perhaps you forgot that the men and women in those hospital beds have already served their duty, and for you to be out in front of their windows protesting and demanding that the German Government renege on its 40 years of agreements and contracts is reprehensible at best! Its cowardly to boot, its one thing entirely to protest in front of able bodied men and women but to take your dog and pony show to those who can’t respond is just down right cowardly, of course I would expect nothing less from you. Stand in front of President Bush as much as you want, but stand in front of those who have given more of themselves than you will ever imagine and we’ve got problems.
Perhaps you need a little history lesson about why your son was a much better person than you. Lets start right here: Army Specialist Casey Sheehan - Someone You Should (Have) Know(n)
More can be found by visiting:
Household6
Soldier’s Angels Germany
Iraq War Today
Mudville Gazette
Free Republic
And a big H/T to:Blackfive
Also visit Wizbang’s Carnival of the Trackbacks LII for more of what’s happening around the web.
Cindy who says she is going to Germany to talk about US Foreign Policy will also be at Landstuhl/Ramstein to call attention to the fact that Germany is Europe’s logistical hub for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and others threatening Iran and the Middle East,” according to an event flier. “Germany has the power to stop the further use of U.S. bases in Germany for illegal wars and criminal methods of warfare — the power and the right to just say no!” (Source)
Just say NO? Excuse me bitch! Perhaps you forgot that the men and women in those hospital beds have already served their duty, and for you to be out in front of their windows protesting and demanding that the German Government renege on its 40 years of agreements and contracts is reprehensible at best! Its cowardly to boot, its one thing entirely to protest in front of able bodied men and women but to take your dog and pony show to those who can’t respond is just down right cowardly, of course I would expect nothing less from you. Stand in front of President Bush as much as you want, but stand in front of those who have given more of themselves than you will ever imagine and we’ve got problems.
Perhaps you need a little history lesson about why your son was a much better person than you. Lets start right here: Army Specialist Casey Sheehan - Someone You Should (Have) Know(n)
More can be found by visiting:
Household6
Soldier’s Angels Germany
Iraq War Today
Mudville Gazette
Free Republic
And a big H/T to:Blackfive
Also visit Wizbang’s Carnival of the Trackbacks LII for more of what’s happening around the web.
February 24, 2006
What I want to hear on my next flight
Is a pilot giving us this kind of information....
http://www.barry.fireflyinternet.co.uk/fun/files/pilot.htm
http://www.barry.fireflyinternet.co.uk/fun/files/pilot.htm
Quote of the Day
Comes to us from Pam at Iraq War Today
"The most deadly thing on the battlefield is one well-aimed shot."
GySgt. Carlos N. Hathcock II, USMC Sniper
February 23rd was the anniversary of Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock's passing. Go visit Pam's site and read the short but incredible history of this valiant man!
Driver's Licenses for Legal Residents.
Just when I think my local paper can’t get any wackier, the editorial board throws me for a loop and takes a stand for something that I whole heartedly agree with. Today they published an editorial entitled Driver's licenses for legal residents only and I have to agree with them one hundred percent on this.
Driver’s Licenses have become the de facto proof of Identification in this country and only legal residents should be able to attain them. More importantly this bill is not about being isolationist or preventing immigration it’s about national security and curbing illegal immigration. Of course not everyone is happy with this proposal and I can be sure that over the next few weeks the presses will be burning up with the pro and con letters that will undoubtedly be coming in.
The editorial board also states quite rightly that its not “one bit unfair or discriminatory for the State of Maryland to require proof of legal residency before issuing someone an important document such as a driver's license…” a point that seems to be lost on the liberal crowd.
Driver’s Licenses have become the de facto proof of Identification in this country and only legal residents should be able to attain them. More importantly this bill is not about being isolationist or preventing immigration it’s about national security and curbing illegal immigration. Of course not everyone is happy with this proposal and I can be sure that over the next few weeks the presses will be burning up with the pro and con letters that will undoubtedly be coming in.
The editorial board also states quite rightly that its not “one bit unfair or discriminatory for the State of Maryland to require proof of legal residency before issuing someone an important document such as a driver's license…” a point that seems to be lost on the liberal crowd.
Web Reconnaissance for 02/24/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
William Teach at Pirate’s Cove writes Democrats Low on Enthusiasm “Now I am not a big poll person, I do not think you can really get a good measure of the country when surveying 1000 or so people. But, it would illustrate the notion that the Moonbat wing doesn’t represent what the majority of Democrats think and want, namely, cooperation, less hysteria, and a move forward, to get the business of the USA done. And, as usual, Democratic leadership blames it on the Republicans…”
Paul writing at Wizbang posts Reuters Takes Bogus "Study" and Calls it News “It is stunning what passes for both news and "science" today. One of the fundamental rules of experimental design is that your measurements must measure what you think they measure…”
Crazy Politico writes Breaking Some Myths: “There's been a lot of rumor, inuendo, and very false information about Dubai Ports World's take over of P&O North America, a British owned US chartered corporation, that currently operates in 7 US ports…”
Mohammed at Iraq the Model writes In the aftermath of the shrine attack... “Looking at the geographic distribution of the attacked mosques, I found they were mostly in areas adjacent to Sadr city forming a line that extends from the New Baghdad district in the southeast to al-Hussayniya in the northeast…”
Michelle Malkin writes MADNESS IN MALAYSIA "Let's review. Depictions of Mohammed are not allowed. Depictions of ordinary human beings and animals are not allowed. Depictions of mosques are not allowed. And now, depictions poking fun on the prohibition of depictions are not allowed, either...
Cassandra of Villainous Company writes The Voice Of History “Clarence Page, of all people, has a remarkable essay in Jewish World review about what happens to a people when they allow their own history to be perverted in the service of a twisted political agenda:”
Sgt Hook writes U.A.E. “I don’t know too many of the details, I’m sure they’ll be thoroughly looked into, if they already haven’t been. I do know, however, that the United Arab Emirates have been committed allies in the Global War on Terror since 9/11. How do I know? Well, I’m glad you asked. The U.A.E. armed forces served right alongside us in Afghanistan and I had the privilege of attending a dinner hosted by the U.A.E. commanding officer at their compound while I was deployed over there.”
William Teach at Pirate’s Cove writes Democrats Low on Enthusiasm “Now I am not a big poll person, I do not think you can really get a good measure of the country when surveying 1000 or so people. But, it would illustrate the notion that the Moonbat wing doesn’t represent what the majority of Democrats think and want, namely, cooperation, less hysteria, and a move forward, to get the business of the USA done. And, as usual, Democratic leadership blames it on the Republicans…”
Paul writing at Wizbang posts Reuters Takes Bogus "Study" and Calls it News “It is stunning what passes for both news and "science" today. One of the fundamental rules of experimental design is that your measurements must measure what you think they measure…”
Crazy Politico writes Breaking Some Myths: “There's been a lot of rumor, inuendo, and very false information about Dubai Ports World's take over of P&O North America, a British owned US chartered corporation, that currently operates in 7 US ports…”
Mohammed at Iraq the Model writes In the aftermath of the shrine attack... “Looking at the geographic distribution of the attacked mosques, I found they were mostly in areas adjacent to Sadr city forming a line that extends from the New Baghdad district in the southeast to al-Hussayniya in the northeast…”
Michelle Malkin writes MADNESS IN MALAYSIA "Let's review. Depictions of Mohammed are not allowed. Depictions of ordinary human beings and animals are not allowed. Depictions of mosques are not allowed. And now, depictions poking fun on the prohibition of depictions are not allowed, either...
Cassandra of Villainous Company writes The Voice Of History “Clarence Page, of all people, has a remarkable essay in Jewish World review about what happens to a people when they allow their own history to be perverted in the service of a twisted political agenda:”
Sgt Hook writes U.A.E. “I don’t know too many of the details, I’m sure they’ll be thoroughly looked into, if they already haven’t been. I do know, however, that the United Arab Emirates have been committed allies in the Global War on Terror since 9/11. How do I know? Well, I’m glad you asked. The U.A.E. armed forces served right alongside us in Afghanistan and I had the privilege of attending a dinner hosted by the U.A.E. commanding officer at their compound while I was deployed over there.”
DADism #2
"They don't make 'em like that anymore."
{Usually used in reference to cars, houses, movies and women, this is the classic father's lament.}
Translation:
It's hell getting old!
{Usually used in reference to cars, houses, movies and women, this is the classic father's lament.}
Translation:
It's hell getting old!
February 23, 2006
Stand Up and Cheer!
Mr. Benjamin Reichlin in his 2/23 letter to the editor Stand up and cheer? Sit down and shut up; states that he can see no reason for the Republican’s to stand up and cheer, well I see plenty of reasons. Let’s start with Iraq where we toppled a tyrannical regime and freed 50 million people from a dictator.
In Afghanistan we forced the Taliban out of power and returned the country to the people and in both countries for the first time in the History of Western Civilization both countries have adopted constitutions that afford rights never heard of before in Muslim countries. Has the road been easy and without cost, of course not, but it is an honorable road that our men and women in uniform have undertaken for us.
The problem with your view Mr. Reichlin isn’t that I believe you are unpatriotic its that I believe you and the majority of the Democrats are so enthralled in your hatred of all things Bush that you can’t see success even when it stands in front of you. The Democrats have adopted only one policy in their campaign and that is the utter humiliation of President Bush at all cost even if that cost results in the failing of our Country.
You ask us to step back and look at the direction of the country and the answer will be clear. Mr. Reichlin, I have stepped back and looked at the direction of the country under this administration and the direction we are headed in is one that I approve of.
In Afghanistan we forced the Taliban out of power and returned the country to the people and in both countries for the first time in the History of Western Civilization both countries have adopted constitutions that afford rights never heard of before in Muslim countries. Has the road been easy and without cost, of course not, but it is an honorable road that our men and women in uniform have undertaken for us.
The problem with your view Mr. Reichlin isn’t that I believe you are unpatriotic its that I believe you and the majority of the Democrats are so enthralled in your hatred of all things Bush that you can’t see success even when it stands in front of you. The Democrats have adopted only one policy in their campaign and that is the utter humiliation of President Bush at all cost even if that cost results in the failing of our Country.
You ask us to step back and look at the direction of the country and the answer will be clear. Mr. Reichlin, I have stepped back and looked at the direction of the country under this administration and the direction we are headed in is one that I approve of.
Web Reconnaissance for 02/23/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
GayPatriotWest at Gay Patriot writes Send David Gregory to Antarctica? “Last week, at the height of the media frenzy over the White House’s failure to cater to their every whim in informing the MSM about the Vice President’s hunting mishap, I suggested to a reader that if NBC News were serious about providing balanced coverage of the Administration, they would relieve its White House correspondent David Gregory of his current duties and replace him with someone less excitable. Since the White House is the plum berth to which all reporters aspire, it would seem that if a White House correspondent acts is a less than a professional matter, he should be dispatched to a less prestigious post…”
Paul writing at Wizbang posts Arab Company, Administration had "Super Secret" Agreement “And this year's award for the most misleading headline goes to... the Associated Press. Check out this headline: Arab Co., White House Had Secret Agreement. That damned secretive White House at it again. First Cheney, now this... Tonight we learn the administration had a "Secret Agreement" with the Arab company they sold the ports to. Or then again, maybe not....”
Ian at Expose the Left has Laura Ingraham on Scarborough: Iraq (VIDEO) “Radio talk show host Laura Ingraham appeared on Scarborough Country tonight to talk about her recent trip to Iraq, in which she spent a week with our brave men and women fighting over there. Laura said that she is confident that things are going well and will continue to go well. She also says that the troops do not agree that people can not support the mission but support them…”
Crazy Politco writes Great Minds Think Alike “Last night I went over to Chatterbox Chronicles, and responded to a commenter on the idea that the west shouldn't have published the cartoons of Mohammed. He had posted the following: ‘I’m going to disagree with you about posting the pictures. I think the reality of the situation has to be taken into concern.’ My response was this:..”
Andi of Andi's World writes On a Collision Course With Reality “Malcolm A. Kline of Accuracy in Academia highlights some worthy observations about liberal domination on our college campuses, and how the new media is putting a crimp in the style of the old media. On a daily basis we hear of outrageous behavior on our college campuses, whether it be students harassing our military recruiters or professors cramming their radical political agendas down the throats of students. Kline reminds us that the protesters of the 60s are now professors at many of our universities...”
GayPatriotWest at Gay Patriot writes Send David Gregory to Antarctica? “Last week, at the height of the media frenzy over the White House’s failure to cater to their every whim in informing the MSM about the Vice President’s hunting mishap, I suggested to a reader that if NBC News were serious about providing balanced coverage of the Administration, they would relieve its White House correspondent David Gregory of his current duties and replace him with someone less excitable. Since the White House is the plum berth to which all reporters aspire, it would seem that if a White House correspondent acts is a less than a professional matter, he should be dispatched to a less prestigious post…”
Paul writing at Wizbang posts Arab Company, Administration had "Super Secret" Agreement “And this year's award for the most misleading headline goes to... the Associated Press. Check out this headline: Arab Co., White House Had Secret Agreement. That damned secretive White House at it again. First Cheney, now this... Tonight we learn the administration had a "Secret Agreement" with the Arab company they sold the ports to. Or then again, maybe not....”
Ian at Expose the Left has Laura Ingraham on Scarborough: Iraq (VIDEO) “Radio talk show host Laura Ingraham appeared on Scarborough Country tonight to talk about her recent trip to Iraq, in which she spent a week with our brave men and women fighting over there. Laura said that she is confident that things are going well and will continue to go well. She also says that the troops do not agree that people can not support the mission but support them…”
Crazy Politco writes Great Minds Think Alike “Last night I went over to Chatterbox Chronicles, and responded to a commenter on the idea that the west shouldn't have published the cartoons of Mohammed. He had posted the following: ‘I’m going to disagree with you about posting the pictures. I think the reality of the situation has to be taken into concern.’ My response was this:..”
Andi of Andi's World writes On a Collision Course With Reality “Malcolm A. Kline of Accuracy in Academia highlights some worthy observations about liberal domination on our college campuses, and how the new media is putting a crimp in the style of the old media. On a daily basis we hear of outrageous behavior on our college campuses, whether it be students harassing our military recruiters or professors cramming their radical political agendas down the throats of students. Kline reminds us that the protesters of the 60s are now professors at many of our universities...”
DADism #1
"When I was your age..."
{One of the most common isms it's frequently followed by one of the following big lies:}
I walked to school ten miles in the snow ... uphill both ways!
They didn't have indoor plumbing. We had to go outside to do our business.
We were so poor we ate dirt ... and we were glad to have it.
I treated my father with respect.
{One of the most common isms it's frequently followed by one of the following big lies:}
I walked to school ten miles in the snow ... uphill both ways!
They didn't have indoor plumbing. We had to go outside to do our business.
We were so poor we ate dirt ... and we were glad to have it.
I treated my father with respect.
February 22, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 02/22/2006
A recon of what’s out there today that might draw your attention.
Average Gay Joe writing at Gay Patriot writes Un-American, untruthful and a lie? “I’m a little confused by comments from Brian Melendez, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic Party, that ads supporting efforts in Iraq are somehow ‘un-American, untruthful and a lie.’ How exactly does he arrive at this?”
Victor Davis Hanson writes Appeasement 101: “It is easy to damn the 1930s appeasers of Hitler — such as Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain in England and Edouard Daladier in France — given what the Nazis ultimately did when unleashed. But history demands not merely recognizing the truth post facto, but also trying to reconstruct the rationale of something that now in hindsight seems inexplicable.”
Crazy Politico writes Facts on the Port Takeover: The Washington Post has a very good article on the ports fiasco this morning, that lays out a lot of the details of who runs the ports, and how, regardless of the management company. It points out a lot of what the folks who are supporting Dubai Ports World have been saying all along, that security, and hiring practices aren't going to change. Those are all controlled through collective bargaining with the long shoreman and other federal agencies.
Some Soldier’s Mom writes An Unnatural Order: “I believe that the saddest thing that can happen to someone in this life is to have a child die. It upsets the natural order of life. Our children should outlive us. They should have 100 years to experience all the good that life has to offer. Sometimes, it doesn't happen that way.”
Buck Sargent of American Citizen Soldier writes BETWEEN IRAQ AND A HARD PLACE - IRAQI CITIZEN SOUNDBOARD: PART I OF III A CONVERSATION WITH A CITIZEN OF MOSUL: “A self-described 58-year-old medical doctor, husband and father of three daughters, this Iraqi blogger who writes under the name "Truth Teller" has been posting his opinions and observations about his home country of Iraq since January 2005. He recently agreed to be interviewed by email for the first in a planned three-part series of ACS interviews with local Iraqis.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Prophet Cartoons Polarizing Muslims: “The New York Times reports that the cartoons that dared to criticize Islam and Mohammed have created a polarization not just between Islam and the West, but within Islam itself as well. More and more, moderate Muslims have noticed the damage done to the image of their faith by the crowds of lunatics burning embassies and killing people around the world, and they struggle to hold a mirror to the faithful:”
Confederate Yankee writes Color Blind: “George Bush will never be half as eloquent as the late Dr. King, but the sentiment remains the same: judge people by what they do, and not because of cultural stereotypes or the color of their skin”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Democrats Attempt to Develop a Plan for Iraq: “I'm certainly no military strategist, but with a husband deployed, I know enough to know that "redeploying" forces to other countries and assuming they'll be in a good position to come back and strike quickly if the need arises is, at best, a weak plan. Have any idea how hard it is to mobilize forces, other than small elite units, for a mission? It's a challenge even when they're already on the ground.”
Michelle Malkin writes GOD ‘DOESN'T LIKE PEOPLE TO DRAW’ “But some depictions of humans--for example, effigies and caricatures, are apparently acceptable: Go Figure.”
Cassandra of Villainous Company writes Tiger By The Tail: “The other day I talked about how American society is becoming increasingly polarized. A similar phenomenon is taking place on a global level. In today's Washington Post, David Ignatius writes about how the world is divided into two parts: orderly, modern, mostly democratic nations and chaotic, tribalized societies that continue to lag behind the times. This is nothing new, but high speed communications, the Internet, and lightning-quick travel and international trade now make it impossible for those two worlds to ignore each other:”
Pamela of Atlas Shrugs writes Dezinformatsiya: By contrast, ideological and memetic warfare has been a favored tactic for all of America’s three great adversaries of the last hundred years — Nazis, Communists, and Islamists. All three put substantial effort into cultivating American proxies to influence U.S. domestic policy and foreign policy in favorable directions. Yes, the Nazis did this, through organizations like the “German-American Bund” that was outlawed when World War II went hot. Today, the Islamists are having some success at manipulating our politics through fairly transparent front organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations.”
Wonder Woman of A North American Patriot writes File under: Cryin' Shame!: “Chalk up a small victory for the few of us left, who balk at the bitter irony of this -- the proponents of a culture, who's defining activities of late have been the murdering of infidels, filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission under hate crimes legislation, because a magazine reprinted a cartoon which suggested perhaps Muslims had a propensity for violence...and they rioted!"
Average Gay Joe writing at Gay Patriot writes Un-American, untruthful and a lie? “I’m a little confused by comments from Brian Melendez, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic Party, that ads supporting efforts in Iraq are somehow ‘un-American, untruthful and a lie.’ How exactly does he arrive at this?”
Victor Davis Hanson writes Appeasement 101: “It is easy to damn the 1930s appeasers of Hitler — such as Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain in England and Edouard Daladier in France — given what the Nazis ultimately did when unleashed. But history demands not merely recognizing the truth post facto, but also trying to reconstruct the rationale of something that now in hindsight seems inexplicable.”
Crazy Politico writes Facts on the Port Takeover: The Washington Post has a very good article on the ports fiasco this morning, that lays out a lot of the details of who runs the ports, and how, regardless of the management company. It points out a lot of what the folks who are supporting Dubai Ports World have been saying all along, that security, and hiring practices aren't going to change. Those are all controlled through collective bargaining with the long shoreman and other federal agencies.
Some Soldier’s Mom writes An Unnatural Order: “I believe that the saddest thing that can happen to someone in this life is to have a child die. It upsets the natural order of life. Our children should outlive us. They should have 100 years to experience all the good that life has to offer. Sometimes, it doesn't happen that way.”
Buck Sargent of American Citizen Soldier writes BETWEEN IRAQ AND A HARD PLACE - IRAQI CITIZEN SOUNDBOARD: PART I OF III A CONVERSATION WITH A CITIZEN OF MOSUL: “A self-described 58-year-old medical doctor, husband and father of three daughters, this Iraqi blogger who writes under the name "Truth Teller" has been posting his opinions and observations about his home country of Iraq since January 2005. He recently agreed to be interviewed by email for the first in a planned three-part series of ACS interviews with local Iraqis.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Prophet Cartoons Polarizing Muslims: “The New York Times reports that the cartoons that dared to criticize Islam and Mohammed have created a polarization not just between Islam and the West, but within Islam itself as well. More and more, moderate Muslims have noticed the damage done to the image of their faith by the crowds of lunatics burning embassies and killing people around the world, and they struggle to hold a mirror to the faithful:”
Confederate Yankee writes Color Blind: “George Bush will never be half as eloquent as the late Dr. King, but the sentiment remains the same: judge people by what they do, and not because of cultural stereotypes or the color of their skin”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Democrats Attempt to Develop a Plan for Iraq: “I'm certainly no military strategist, but with a husband deployed, I know enough to know that "redeploying" forces to other countries and assuming they'll be in a good position to come back and strike quickly if the need arises is, at best, a weak plan. Have any idea how hard it is to mobilize forces, other than small elite units, for a mission? It's a challenge even when they're already on the ground.”
Michelle Malkin writes GOD ‘DOESN'T LIKE PEOPLE TO DRAW’ “But some depictions of humans--for example, effigies and caricatures, are apparently acceptable: Go Figure.”
Cassandra of Villainous Company writes Tiger By The Tail: “The other day I talked about how American society is becoming increasingly polarized. A similar phenomenon is taking place on a global level. In today's Washington Post, David Ignatius writes about how the world is divided into two parts: orderly, modern, mostly democratic nations and chaotic, tribalized societies that continue to lag behind the times. This is nothing new, but high speed communications, the Internet, and lightning-quick travel and international trade now make it impossible for those two worlds to ignore each other:”
Pamela of Atlas Shrugs writes Dezinformatsiya: By contrast, ideological and memetic warfare has been a favored tactic for all of America’s three great adversaries of the last hundred years — Nazis, Communists, and Islamists. All three put substantial effort into cultivating American proxies to influence U.S. domestic policy and foreign policy in favorable directions. Yes, the Nazis did this, through organizations like the “German-American Bund” that was outlawed when World War II went hot. Today, the Islamists are having some success at manipulating our politics through fairly transparent front organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations.”
Wonder Woman of A North American Patriot writes File under: Cryin' Shame!: “Chalk up a small victory for the few of us left, who balk at the bitter irony of this -- the proponents of a culture, who's defining activities of late have been the murdering of infidels, filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission under hate crimes legislation, because a magazine reprinted a cartoon which suggested perhaps Muslims had a propensity for violence...and they rioted!"
Wings Of Hope
Pam of Iraq War Today sent me an email this morning asking for some assistance, she has an adopted Airman who is beginning a project to provide schools supplies for the Afghanistan children in his AO, she writes:
So if you’d like to help Pam and Phil collect supplies for those less fortunate than us send her an email and get the info. I’ve already told her I would help so if anyone out there has some extra stuff they can donate please do. Better yet, if you have kids and are out buying them new school supplies or craft products pick up a couple extras and send it Pam and Phil’s way I know it will go to a good cause.
One of the hardest things to do with your adopted Hero sometimes is to get them to tell you what they'd like you to send. Specific requests are rare - and amazingly enough, they usually spend a whole lot of time thanking YOU for thanking them...
And when you do finally get a specific request, sometimes it's completely humbling.
This is a message from my adopted Airman:
Dear Pam,
Just received your latest card today. Thank you again for really the time you put into these, not only for myself but all the other soldiers/airmen you help out. I did manage to get a personal letter out to you, hope you receive it soon and well. You always ask me if there was anything particular I could use....and I have come up with something I could use a little help with. I have started a little program here for local schools and children/families who do not have much. I have traveled the base asking for the units to donate what ever they can spare as to school supplies and things they think kids would want. I am mostly focusing on school supplies and etc, but there isn't much here for us to get ahold of to give to them If you could maybe find some of your friends, neighbors co-workers etc to just think of whatever they think under privileged kids and families might want and need. Just a thought I had, if this is something that you feel is to grand I will understand, just had to ask. Once again, thank you for all the time you put into the letters, cards and packages (I have received all from you and they are GREAT). Take care and be well.
Respectfully,
Philip B.USAF
So now, I am a woman on a mission.I'm tentatively dubbing Philip's program "Wings of Hope," and I'm asking for your help. Soldiers' Angels has stepped up to lend a hand, and I'm asking any of you who'd like to help with Philip's efforts to get some much needed supplies to the families of Afghanistan. If you are interested in helping, please email me for details on what's needed and where to send your items.
Thanks in advance for any help that you can give. I'll keep you updated.Phil, you truly are a Hero. Keep your helmet on - take care, and stay safe.
Pam
So if you’d like to help Pam and Phil collect supplies for those less fortunate than us send her an email and get the info. I’ve already told her I would help so if anyone out there has some extra stuff they can donate please do. Better yet, if you have kids and are out buying them new school supplies or craft products pick up a couple extras and send it Pam and Phil’s way I know it will go to a good cause.
February 21, 2006
Educator Moonbats in River City
On Sunday (2/19) Deborah Carter our 'beloved' liberal member of the education system wrote an editorial entitled Stance of TJ activists sound unfortunately as an educator Ms. Carter has shown once again that she can neither do research or chooses to ignore the research when it doesn’t match her mindset. She states that, “According to last week's online poll, 69 percent of FNP readers think the military should recruit in our schools, once again proving the adage that what's right isn't always popular, and what's popular isn't necessarily right.” Excuse me? Just because the majority of the residents in this county do not agree with you does not make them wrong.
The poll was originated after several students from Gov. Thomas Johnson High School (TJ), went before the Board of Education (BOE) complaining that allowing the military to recruit in our schools violates the BOE's own policy, since the armed forces discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. These students, since Ms. Carter does not point that out are the leadership of the Young Socialists of TJ a group espousing the ideals of socialism as the cure for what is “wrong” with America.
First allow me to state, I agree with Ms. Carter when she states that “First, let's clarify that there can be no doubt or difference of opinion about that point "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is discriminatory…” but to blame the Military on this matter is ludicrous at best. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, is not a military policy developed or decided upon by the Pentagon it was created by the Congress of the United States and signed into law by the darling of the left President William Jefferson Clinton. If you have a problem with the policy that is fine, but take it up with the only power able to actually do something about it, Congress.
Blocking the presence of recruiters on campus is not about equal rights it’s about being afraid that there might be someone out there that believes differently than you do. The Young Socialists said in one presentation that gay and lesbian students shouldn’t be further discriminated against by the military since they encounter threatening harassment on a daily basis from their peers. If that is true having recruiters on campus is the least of their worries.
Richard Phillips further said in one of the presentations, "It is precisely this love of rights and freedom that motivates us to criticize the U.S. military for not upholding the same ideals it seeks to defend. ... When homosexual students see signs saying 'Be all that you can be,' they know that this promise is not for them. ... They know that they are simply not welcome because of who they are as a person." The problem Ms. Carter and Mr. Phillips is that you are now seeking to block the right of other students to “Be All 'They' Can Be" not out of some righteous goal of equality but rather to prevent your fellow students from choosing a path of honor and loyalty.
An interesting path that Ms Carter’s “patriots” have chosen, “They have gone through the appropriate channels to seek change, using well-researched and well-reasoned arguments.” The problem Ms. Carter is that their argument is not well researched or they would have petitioned Congress to change the policy they force the military to follow instead of attacking the military with their assaults. As a teacher of literature you are supposed to be teaching these students the power of research and the methods to follow the when writing. In point of fact these students deserve at best a C for presentation but an F on content and research. They raise more questions about their research and knowledge on the subject matter than they answer. Not surprisingly they do deserve an A for exposing you as the left leaning anti-military moonbat you are. Only a true “hater” would jump on their bandwagon without researching the facts before hand.
To paraphrase Meredith Willson “We’ve got Trouble/right here in River City/with a capital T/and that rhymes with P/which stands for presumptuous teachers preaching anti-militarism.
The poll was originated after several students from Gov. Thomas Johnson High School (TJ), went before the Board of Education (BOE) complaining that allowing the military to recruit in our schools violates the BOE's own policy, since the armed forces discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. These students, since Ms. Carter does not point that out are the leadership of the Young Socialists of TJ a group espousing the ideals of socialism as the cure for what is “wrong” with America.
First allow me to state, I agree with Ms. Carter when she states that “First, let's clarify that there can be no doubt or difference of opinion about that point "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is discriminatory…” but to blame the Military on this matter is ludicrous at best. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, is not a military policy developed or decided upon by the Pentagon it was created by the Congress of the United States and signed into law by the darling of the left President William Jefferson Clinton. If you have a problem with the policy that is fine, but take it up with the only power able to actually do something about it, Congress.
Blocking the presence of recruiters on campus is not about equal rights it’s about being afraid that there might be someone out there that believes differently than you do. The Young Socialists said in one presentation that gay and lesbian students shouldn’t be further discriminated against by the military since they encounter threatening harassment on a daily basis from their peers. If that is true having recruiters on campus is the least of their worries.
Richard Phillips further said in one of the presentations, "It is precisely this love of rights and freedom that motivates us to criticize the U.S. military for not upholding the same ideals it seeks to defend. ... When homosexual students see signs saying 'Be all that you can be,' they know that this promise is not for them. ... They know that they are simply not welcome because of who they are as a person." The problem Ms. Carter and Mr. Phillips is that you are now seeking to block the right of other students to “Be All 'They' Can Be" not out of some righteous goal of equality but rather to prevent your fellow students from choosing a path of honor and loyalty.
An interesting path that Ms Carter’s “patriots” have chosen, “They have gone through the appropriate channels to seek change, using well-researched and well-reasoned arguments.” The problem Ms. Carter is that their argument is not well researched or they would have petitioned Congress to change the policy they force the military to follow instead of attacking the military with their assaults. As a teacher of literature you are supposed to be teaching these students the power of research and the methods to follow the when writing. In point of fact these students deserve at best a C for presentation but an F on content and research. They raise more questions about their research and knowledge on the subject matter than they answer. Not surprisingly they do deserve an A for exposing you as the left leaning anti-military moonbat you are. Only a true “hater” would jump on their bandwagon without researching the facts before hand.
To paraphrase Meredith Willson “We’ve got Trouble/right here in River City/with a capital T/and that rhymes with P/which stands for presumptuous teachers preaching anti-militarism.
Good Deeds for the Public
In an effort to highlight more of what the military, fire service and law enforcement does for the country I am starting a new section called Good Deeds for the Public. Here is the inaugural post, enjoy and get the tissues handy.
Rising Above
By Sarah Breitenbach
News-Post Staff
FREDERICK -- Monday will rank as one of the best days of Erik Lerch's young life. The 13-year-old spent a portion of the afternoon hovering above the Frederick landscape in a Maryland State Police helicopter, a unique treat almost never afforded to civilians in nonemergency situations. Erik has suffered from a rare combination of cancers, including T-cell lymphoma and leukemia, since October 2003.
According to the Nemours Foundation, roughly 1,700 children under 20 are diagnosed with lymphoma each year. The cancer forms in lymphatic tissues, including the lymph nodes, thymus and spleen.
During the last year, Erik received a bone marrow transplant to help speed his recovery after being diagnosed with leukemia in November 2004. Following months of living in a Baltimore apartment near Johns Hopkins Hospital, he returned home to Mount Airy in July of 2005.
Erik has been in and out of remission since becoming sick in 2003 and was most recently diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2005, only two weeks after his father, Bill Lerch, died from a heart attack. According to the American Urological Association, testicular cancer is rare in children and usually affects young men between 15 and 35.
In January, Erik was once again diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. Through it all, Erik and his mother Joan Lerch remain upbeat.
"Because of Erik, I have to stay positive," Ms. Lerch said. "Nothing negative crosses our doorstep."
Flying high
Erik's ride through sunny skies Monday was a gift from a family friend, Officer John Cissel of the Montgomery County Police Department. Officer Cissel is a college friend of Mr. Lerch. Last week a conversation with Ms. Lerch prompted Officer Cissel to call some friends in Frederick and ask for a favor.
Days later Erik was outfitted in an official flight suit and playing with a police dog named Rocky. During the helicopter ride, pilot Jim Thomas helped Erik find his house in Mount Airy and took him to Harpers Ferry, W.Va. His mother greeted him at the helicopter door after he landed at the state police hangar at Frederick Municipal Airport.
"How was it?" she asked.
"Awesome," was Erik's only reply from the cockpit of Trooper 3, the state police medevac.
Erik took the ride with his brother Tony Quintana, 25, Mr. Thomas, Officer Cissel and Trooper First Class Bobby Harsh.
Lt. Mark Gibbons of the Maryland State Police helped organize the officers in Frederick for Erik's visit. Lt. Gibbons stayed grounded with Ms. Lerch while the helicopter buzzed around the county. He told Erik that his flight was one of a kind.
"You have made my day," Lt. Gibbons said. "I think you did more for us than we did for you."
Keeping busy
Erik and Ms. Lerch travel to Johns Hopkins Hospital once a week for treatments and chemotherapy. He has limited use of his hands and requires a wheelchair to get around, but shares the interests of any other 13-year-old boy.
Lately he has been unable to go out and play with friends and his passion for video games has been put on hold because of his hands. "I have really good friends," he said. "Even though I can't do some of the things they can, they still come over."
In December, Erik took a trip to Las Vegas and met Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow.
"In the magazines he (Mr. Armstrong) looks all rough," Erik said. "It was like talking to any other normal person who just likes to bike." Ms. Crow sang "Happy Birthday" to him on Dec. 4.
Erik's goals include beating cancer and running the Erik Lerch Foundation, a promise he made to his father. The foundation raises money for Erik and other children with cancer.
In March, the family will hold a yard sale to raise money for the foundation. Cal Ripken Jr., formerly of the Baltimore Orioles, agreed to donate memorabilia for a silent auction that will be held during the yard sale.
Erik speaks with Mr. Ripken via telephone and has visited his home in Baltimore County.
After sitting in the hangar to chat, Erik left the airport in his mother's new green Hummer H3. Erik picked the car out for her because it has everything they want and need, except for the global positioning system that has yet to be installed.
After Erik hollered thank you from the passenger seat, the officers gathered back inside and talked about their day with him. Officer Cissel called the helicopter ride one of the best things he had ever done.
"Police get this nasty rap sometimes, as much as we would like people to know about us doing this stuff," he said, pausing for a second and taking a breath. "I don't know about you all, but I don't care if anybody knows."
Rising Above
By Sarah Breitenbach
News-Post Staff
FREDERICK -- Monday will rank as one of the best days of Erik Lerch's young life. The 13-year-old spent a portion of the afternoon hovering above the Frederick landscape in a Maryland State Police helicopter, a unique treat almost never afforded to civilians in nonemergency situations. Erik has suffered from a rare combination of cancers, including T-cell lymphoma and leukemia, since October 2003.
According to the Nemours Foundation, roughly 1,700 children under 20 are diagnosed with lymphoma each year. The cancer forms in lymphatic tissues, including the lymph nodes, thymus and spleen.
During the last year, Erik received a bone marrow transplant to help speed his recovery after being diagnosed with leukemia in November 2004. Following months of living in a Baltimore apartment near Johns Hopkins Hospital, he returned home to Mount Airy in July of 2005.
Erik has been in and out of remission since becoming sick in 2003 and was most recently diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2005, only two weeks after his father, Bill Lerch, died from a heart attack. According to the American Urological Association, testicular cancer is rare in children and usually affects young men between 15 and 35.
In January, Erik was once again diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. Through it all, Erik and his mother Joan Lerch remain upbeat.
"Because of Erik, I have to stay positive," Ms. Lerch said. "Nothing negative crosses our doorstep."
Flying high
Erik's ride through sunny skies Monday was a gift from a family friend, Officer John Cissel of the Montgomery County Police Department. Officer Cissel is a college friend of Mr. Lerch. Last week a conversation with Ms. Lerch prompted Officer Cissel to call some friends in Frederick and ask for a favor.
Days later Erik was outfitted in an official flight suit and playing with a police dog named Rocky. During the helicopter ride, pilot Jim Thomas helped Erik find his house in Mount Airy and took him to Harpers Ferry, W.Va. His mother greeted him at the helicopter door after he landed at the state police hangar at Frederick Municipal Airport.
"How was it?" she asked.
"Awesome," was Erik's only reply from the cockpit of Trooper 3, the state police medevac.
Erik took the ride with his brother Tony Quintana, 25, Mr. Thomas, Officer Cissel and Trooper First Class Bobby Harsh.
Lt. Mark Gibbons of the Maryland State Police helped organize the officers in Frederick for Erik's visit. Lt. Gibbons stayed grounded with Ms. Lerch while the helicopter buzzed around the county. He told Erik that his flight was one of a kind.
"You have made my day," Lt. Gibbons said. "I think you did more for us than we did for you."
Keeping busy
Erik and Ms. Lerch travel to Johns Hopkins Hospital once a week for treatments and chemotherapy. He has limited use of his hands and requires a wheelchair to get around, but shares the interests of any other 13-year-old boy.
Lately he has been unable to go out and play with friends and his passion for video games has been put on hold because of his hands. "I have really good friends," he said. "Even though I can't do some of the things they can, they still come over."
In December, Erik took a trip to Las Vegas and met Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow.
"In the magazines he (Mr. Armstrong) looks all rough," Erik said. "It was like talking to any other normal person who just likes to bike." Ms. Crow sang "Happy Birthday" to him on Dec. 4.
Erik's goals include beating cancer and running the Erik Lerch Foundation, a promise he made to his father. The foundation raises money for Erik and other children with cancer.
In March, the family will hold a yard sale to raise money for the foundation. Cal Ripken Jr., formerly of the Baltimore Orioles, agreed to donate memorabilia for a silent auction that will be held during the yard sale.
Erik speaks with Mr. Ripken via telephone and has visited his home in Baltimore County.
After sitting in the hangar to chat, Erik left the airport in his mother's new green Hummer H3. Erik picked the car out for her because it has everything they want and need, except for the global positioning system that has yet to be installed.
After Erik hollered thank you from the passenger seat, the officers gathered back inside and talked about their day with him. Officer Cissel called the helicopter ride one of the best things he had ever done.
"Police get this nasty rap sometimes, as much as we would like people to know about us doing this stuff," he said, pausing for a second and taking a breath. "I don't know about you all, but I don't care if anybody knows."
Web Reconnaissance for 02/21/2006
A short recon of what’s out there today that might draw your attention.
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes A Civil Action: “Yesterday, I caught a bit of flak (and a whole lot more support when I tossed off a line at the end of a posting where I implied that I thought Sharia law was uncivilized. That was an error I deeply regret.
I should have said it explicitly.
I believe any legal system that permits a man to complete a divorce by reciting "woman, I divorce you" three times, but gives no such option -- in fact, hardly any option -- to the woman is uncivilized.”
Ian at Expose the Left has Coulter and Huffington Duke It Out On Hannity & Colmes (VIDEO) “Conservative author and columnist Ann Coulter and liberal “blog” hostess and Drudge Report wannabe Arianna Huffington appeared on Hannity & Colmes tonight to discuss unhinged liberals, which are now accepted in the mainstream of the Democratic party.”
Crazy Politico at Crazy Politico’s Rantings has Arabophia Gone Wild: “America and our Congress in particular seem too caught up in a case of "Arabophobia", as far as I can tell.”
Victor Davis Hanson writes What Will Europe Really Do? “Nothing is quite as surreal as the Islamic world’s fury at the liberal and innocuous Danes. How could anyone wish to burn their embassies and kill their citizens, when they have always offered all the politically correct, multicultural platitudes and welcomed in any and all from the Middle East?”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive leads us to a post by Dan at Gay Patriot called Mindful of the cost - Verdun to Fallujah: “…More soldiers were killed at Verdun than the total number of U.S. troops deployed in Iraq. Good lord! That hit me right in the guts. Imagine all of 'em gone...in one battle. I can imagine Dan reading that number and thinking the exact thing I did. It damn well better have been worth it, and that blood spent to gain peace. And yet…”
Charlie Munn at The Officer’s Club writes Time May be Running Out for Moderate Muslims: “I spoke below about the Muslim world, and the many, many problems it faces when its main spokespeople are crazed Islamic terrorists. As easy as it is for protestors in New York and DC to decry the “imperialism” of American foreign policy toward the Muslim world, let’s take a look at the actual circumstances that led to past military interventions:”
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes A Civil Action: “Yesterday, I caught a bit of flak (and a whole lot more support when I tossed off a line at the end of a posting where I implied that I thought Sharia law was uncivilized. That was an error I deeply regret.
I should have said it explicitly.
I believe any legal system that permits a man to complete a divorce by reciting "woman, I divorce you" three times, but gives no such option -- in fact, hardly any option -- to the woman is uncivilized.”
Ian at Expose the Left has Coulter and Huffington Duke It Out On Hannity & Colmes (VIDEO) “Conservative author and columnist Ann Coulter and liberal “blog” hostess and Drudge Report wannabe Arianna Huffington appeared on Hannity & Colmes tonight to discuss unhinged liberals, which are now accepted in the mainstream of the Democratic party.”
Crazy Politico at Crazy Politico’s Rantings has Arabophia Gone Wild: “America and our Congress in particular seem too caught up in a case of "Arabophobia", as far as I can tell.”
Victor Davis Hanson writes What Will Europe Really Do? “Nothing is quite as surreal as the Islamic world’s fury at the liberal and innocuous Danes. How could anyone wish to burn their embassies and kill their citizens, when they have always offered all the politically correct, multicultural platitudes and welcomed in any and all from the Middle East?”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive leads us to a post by Dan at Gay Patriot called Mindful of the cost - Verdun to Fallujah: “…More soldiers were killed at Verdun than the total number of U.S. troops deployed in Iraq. Good lord! That hit me right in the guts. Imagine all of 'em gone...in one battle. I can imagine Dan reading that number and thinking the exact thing I did. It damn well better have been worth it, and that blood spent to gain peace. And yet…”
Charlie Munn at The Officer’s Club writes Time May be Running Out for Moderate Muslims: “I spoke below about the Muslim world, and the many, many problems it faces when its main spokespeople are crazed Islamic terrorists. As easy as it is for protestors in New York and DC to decry the “imperialism” of American foreign policy toward the Muslim world, let’s take a look at the actual circumstances that led to past military interventions:”
February 17, 2006
Breaking News: US navy ship diverted for Philippine rescue
The US military is diverting a naval vessel taking part in war games in the Philippines to help the victims of a landslide that buried an entire village, the US embassy said. Embassy spokesman Matt Lussenhop said they were also studying requests by the Philippine Red Cross for the US military to send heavy-lift helicopters to help in the rescue and relief efforts.
US and Philippine forces have been taking part in joint military exercises in this country in recent days. A mountain collapsed after days of heavy rain, burying the village of Guinsaugon, including almost 500 houses, in the south of the Philippine island of Leyte. The head of the Philippine Red Cross said there were about 200 believed dead and 1,500 feared missing.
Lussenhop said a naval vessel would head to the coastal village "as quickly as possible." He did not identify the type of vessel or say how it would take part in the rescue effort.
Regarding the request for US helicopters, Lussenhop said the United States was working with Philippine civil defense officials on how to best use the US military assets. "We're discussing between our military forces and the (civil defense office) how best to address the needs on the ground," he said. He said 50,000 dollars in relief funds and medical supplies and body bags, already donated by the United States for earlier disasters, would be used to help rescuers.
Hat Tip: Camp Katrina who also notes; "If this story doesn't illustrate the U.S. military's dedication to humanitarian efforts wherever they are needed in the world, I don't know what does. "
UPDATE: A buddy of mine is in the Philippines on an SCUBA trip. If I know him he is probably trying to get to the scene to help out. Former military and a NREMT-P I know he could be very useful. If so, I hope he'll let us know whats going on.
US and Philippine forces have been taking part in joint military exercises in this country in recent days. A mountain collapsed after days of heavy rain, burying the village of Guinsaugon, including almost 500 houses, in the south of the Philippine island of Leyte. The head of the Philippine Red Cross said there were about 200 believed dead and 1,500 feared missing.
Lussenhop said a naval vessel would head to the coastal village "as quickly as possible." He did not identify the type of vessel or say how it would take part in the rescue effort.
Regarding the request for US helicopters, Lussenhop said the United States was working with Philippine civil defense officials on how to best use the US military assets. "We're discussing between our military forces and the (civil defense office) how best to address the needs on the ground," he said. He said 50,000 dollars in relief funds and medical supplies and body bags, already donated by the United States for earlier disasters, would be used to help rescuers.
Hat Tip: Camp Katrina who also notes; "If this story doesn't illustrate the U.S. military's dedication to humanitarian efforts wherever they are needed in the world, I don't know what does. "
UPDATE: A buddy of mine is in the Philippines on an SCUBA trip. If I know him he is probably trying to get to the scene to help out. Former military and a NREMT-P I know he could be very useful. If so, I hope he'll let us know whats going on.
History Lesson
Humans existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunter/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer & would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in winter The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups: Liberals and Conservatives.
Once beer was discovered it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early human ancestors were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed. Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to BBQ at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the "Conservative movement." Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly BBQs and doing the sewing, fetching and hair dressing This was the beginning of "the Liberal movement".
Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as 'girliemen.' Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy and group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided. Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass.
Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't "fair" to make the pitcher also bat.
Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, Marines, athletes and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.
Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to "govern" the producers and decide what to do with their production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tame and created a business of trying to get MORE for nothing
Here ends today's lesson in world history. It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to respond to the above before simply giggling and forwarding it. A Conservative will be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other "true believers."
Once beer was discovered it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early human ancestors were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed. Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to BBQ at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the "Conservative movement." Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly BBQs and doing the sewing, fetching and hair dressing This was the beginning of "the Liberal movement".
Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as 'girliemen.' Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy and group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided. Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass.
Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't "fair" to make the pitcher also bat.
Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, Marines, athletes and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.
Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to "govern" the producers and decide what to do with their production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tame and created a business of trying to get MORE for nothing
Here ends today's lesson in world history. It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to respond to the above before simply giggling and forwarding it. A Conservative will be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other "true believers."
The Slippery Slope!
The Slippery Slope that the Pro-Choice crowd promised would never happen; has begun as Democrats pressured the FDA to approve the Morning After Pill RU486 (MAP) for over the counter sales.
Liberals say ready access to the pill could reduce unintended pregnancies and abortion, but some Conservatives fear it would increase teen sex and promiscuity. Concerned Women for America a group opposed to this legislation has pointed out that the morning-after pill (MAP) lacks testing for safety to women. Access to the drug over-the-counter, or without a prescription, would prompt use among consumers who, unknowingly, have medical conditions that put them at high risk of life-threatening complications.
While I differ with my party on the issue of abortion, I do agree that readily access to MAP could have some terrifying unintended consequences. There really is no proof that MAP or Plan B is safe for teens or what its long term effects on the body are. The morning-after pill is a high dose of the birth control pill, which requires a medical exam, a prescription, and physician oversight. Birth control pills can cause significant or life-threatening conditions such as blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. Birth control pills are contraindicated for women with diabetes, liver problems, heart disease, breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and for women who smoke and are over 35. Physician oversight is necessary to ensure that none of these contraindications exists. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.85 million women of reproductive age (18 – 44) have diabetes; approximately 500,000 do not know that they have the disease.
NOTE: I had originally planed on writing about Maryland’s foray into this issue but as I researched the AP article more, I realized that in true AP fashion they failed to adequately research the matter completely and simply re-posted a story about MD’s Senate Bill 541 and House Bill 1141 from the 2005 session. Asshats!
Liberals say ready access to the pill could reduce unintended pregnancies and abortion, but some Conservatives fear it would increase teen sex and promiscuity. Concerned Women for America a group opposed to this legislation has pointed out that the morning-after pill (MAP) lacks testing for safety to women. Access to the drug over-the-counter, or without a prescription, would prompt use among consumers who, unknowingly, have medical conditions that put them at high risk of life-threatening complications.
While I differ with my party on the issue of abortion, I do agree that readily access to MAP could have some terrifying unintended consequences. There really is no proof that MAP or Plan B is safe for teens or what its long term effects on the body are. The morning-after pill is a high dose of the birth control pill, which requires a medical exam, a prescription, and physician oversight. Birth control pills can cause significant or life-threatening conditions such as blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. Birth control pills are contraindicated for women with diabetes, liver problems, heart disease, breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and for women who smoke and are over 35. Physician oversight is necessary to ensure that none of these contraindications exists. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.85 million women of reproductive age (18 – 44) have diabetes; approximately 500,000 do not know that they have the disease.
NOTE: I had originally planed on writing about Maryland’s foray into this issue but as I researched the AP article more, I realized that in true AP fashion they failed to adequately research the matter completely and simply re-posted a story about MD’s Senate Bill 541 and House Bill 1141 from the 2005 session. Asshats!
February 16, 2006
Shooting and Accidents
Contrary to what some people may be saying shooting accidents do happen and they have the potential to happen to anyone that handles a weapon if they do not train with that weapon on a daily basis. Both of the shooting incidents that I am familiar with happened while I was in the Army a long time ago, which goes to prove that if you don’t pay attention or use the knowledge you have been entrusted with you can get careless and make mistakes. Neither incident resulted in the injury of anyone but they both left a lasting impression on those that participated in them.
The first incident happened to me personally. I didn’t shoot anyone but was shot at by another unit while on a range at Fort Bliss. We were conducting Scout Platoon ops, maneuvering to contact, setting up over watch, and removing obstacles. My squad and another squad were emplacing charges to remove a simulated obstacle when the over watch units began to engage targets to our front. We knew it was going to happen but having .50 cal rounds fly over your head is an experience that will make you concentrate on the task at hand so you can get out of the AO. What we didn’t expect was to have those same rounds begin to walk down into our position. Seems that one of the Track Commanders couldn’t hold the Ma Deuce on target and he slowly began dropping rounds short of the target until they were only feet from our position. When those big rounds begin impacting your AO its enough to make you want to change your pants afterwards. Why no one noticed that he was so short of the target I never found out.
The second incident is a lot more humorous but it still could have had deadly consequences. A buddy of mine Mike was assigned to the Scout Platoon of an Infantry Company. Mike was a character and was always getting injured in some way when they went out to train; it was never serious and he never missed any duty time, but he just couldn’t go out in the field without cutting or breaking something. On one exercise the Scout Platoon received the much coveted task of being the aggressors, and as such they were issued AK47s. Yes real AK47s, gas operated, shoulder fired, magazine fed, selective fire assault weapons. Sitting in the barracks the squad was continuing to familiarize themselves with their new weapons which had been converted to fire blank ammo only, when Mike decided now was the time to practice inserting and removing the magazine so he could do it quickly while in a firefight. On his fourth or fifth attempt he somehow slipped the selector level from safe to full auto. You can see where this is going can’t you?
BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!
Mike suddenly emptied the entire magazine. It was assholes and elbows as every member of the platoon dove or ran for cover. When the dust cleared, the LT looked up and in all seriousness shouted, “Jesus Christ at least you could have yelled ‘Test Fire!’” I think that line from the LT, calmed the room in an instant and instead of wanting to pummel Mike to death for his stupidity they all began laughing hysterically.
Now almost 20 years later both incidents can be looked back on and the seriousness of the incidents can be tempered by the humor of them, but mishandling weapons is not funny, it can be deadly.
The first incident happened to me personally. I didn’t shoot anyone but was shot at by another unit while on a range at Fort Bliss. We were conducting Scout Platoon ops, maneuvering to contact, setting up over watch, and removing obstacles. My squad and another squad were emplacing charges to remove a simulated obstacle when the over watch units began to engage targets to our front. We knew it was going to happen but having .50 cal rounds fly over your head is an experience that will make you concentrate on the task at hand so you can get out of the AO. What we didn’t expect was to have those same rounds begin to walk down into our position. Seems that one of the Track Commanders couldn’t hold the Ma Deuce on target and he slowly began dropping rounds short of the target until they were only feet from our position. When those big rounds begin impacting your AO its enough to make you want to change your pants afterwards. Why no one noticed that he was so short of the target I never found out.
The second incident is a lot more humorous but it still could have had deadly consequences. A buddy of mine Mike was assigned to the Scout Platoon of an Infantry Company. Mike was a character and was always getting injured in some way when they went out to train; it was never serious and he never missed any duty time, but he just couldn’t go out in the field without cutting or breaking something. On one exercise the Scout Platoon received the much coveted task of being the aggressors, and as such they were issued AK47s. Yes real AK47s, gas operated, shoulder fired, magazine fed, selective fire assault weapons. Sitting in the barracks the squad was continuing to familiarize themselves with their new weapons which had been converted to fire blank ammo only, when Mike decided now was the time to practice inserting and removing the magazine so he could do it quickly while in a firefight. On his fourth or fifth attempt he somehow slipped the selector level from safe to full auto. You can see where this is going can’t you?
BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!
Mike suddenly emptied the entire magazine. It was assholes and elbows as every member of the platoon dove or ran for cover. When the dust cleared, the LT looked up and in all seriousness shouted, “Jesus Christ at least you could have yelled ‘Test Fire!’” I think that line from the LT, calmed the room in an instant and instead of wanting to pummel Mike to death for his stupidity they all began laughing hysterically.
Now almost 20 years later both incidents can be looked back on and the seriousness of the incidents can be tempered by the humor of them, but mishandling weapons is not funny, it can be deadly.
Web Reconnaissance for 02/16/2006
A not so short recon of what’s out there today that might draw your attention. Focusing today on the Cheney incident and how out of touch, the liberal left and Main Stream Media is with the art and sport of hunting.
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes Tunnel Vision And Trigger Fingers: “I've read some of the more conspiratorial thoughts on the left, and find them largely unpersuasive. Take for instance this from John Aravosis, accusing Cheney of lying about the details of his shot:
Michelle Malkin has a great round up she has titled THE BARNUM & BAILEY MEDIA: “My syndicated column today contrasts the clowns of the American media hyperventilating about the Cheney shooting accident with the plight of journalists facing retribution for taking a stand on the Cartoon Jihad.”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive has White House Press Briefing - Cheney's got a gun
The usual suspects await the arrival of Boy Press Secretary Scott McClellan. (Clownus Maximus Dana Milbank dresses for the occasion gracias Sra. Malkin)
Confederate Yankee has The Quail on The Grassy Knoll Part I and Part II: “Austin lawyer Harry Whittington was shot during a hunting trip with Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday. This afternoon, he suffered a slight setback as a birdshot pellet in his bloodstream became trapped in his heart... and what an interesting pellet it was.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Cheney Owns Up: “One of the advantages of having satellite radio is the ability to tune in network news broadcasts when they have a noteworthy event. Tonight, Fox's Brit Hume interviewed Dick Cheney about the hunting accident that wounded his friend and hunting partner, Harry Whittington, and the raging controversy over the method the news was released.”
Hugh Hewitt writes FNC Envy: “From CNN's Jack Cafferty this afternoon: JACK CAFFERTY: Well, I obviously didn’t see it because it hasn’t been released in its entirety yet. But I would guess it didn’t exactly represent a profile in courage for the Vice President to wander over there to the ‘f-word’ network for a sit down with Brit Hume. I mean that’s a little like Bonnie interviewing Clyde, ain’t it? I mean, where was the news conference? Where was the access to all of the members of the media? I don’t know, whatever.”
Ian of Expose the Left has Franken: Cheney Was “Drinking” Or Being an “Amazing Jerk” For Not Going to Hospital: “AL FRANKEN: It’s inconceivable that you don’t go to the hospital unless there’s a reason you don’t go to the hospital. If you had been drinking you wouldn’t go to the hospital. Or, you’re an amazing jerk, that’s the other, or both.”
Kobayashi Maru has Guns Pointed In Anger... and Not: “Which brings us to the current MSM monomania about the Vice President. Yes, it is a major story, but not the story of the century - or even the year. Does it really warrant this much attention? (5,700 stories on Google News for "Cheney + accident" and 5,500 for "Cheney + shooting") Let's play the double standard game for a moment.”
John Hawkins of Right Wing News has Excerpt Of The Day: Blankley On The Media Meltdown Over Bird Shot Gate: “As I understand the profound concern of the ever-alert White House reporters, they smell a constitutional crisis because the shooting party failed to alert the media of the accidental shooting down in Corpus Christi, Texas. Well, actually, they did alert the Corpus Christi media -- but that didn't count. Unless the exalted ones have been formally informed by an official government press secretary, no public communication has technically occurred.”
Marianne M. Jennings writing at Jewish World Review has I blame Carl Woodward or Bob Bernstein, you know, those Deep Throat Guys: The Veep's waiting for medical stability in his buddy Whittington before notifying the White House Press Corps may not quite be an impeachable offense. Check with Monsieur Kerry who has been rumbling and bumbling about in that field. However, that discernment was not evident as I watched the Monday morning White House press briefing. For the first five minutes I believed, treadmill noise being what it is, that CNN was playing a Saturday Night Live skit.
Thomas Sowell writing at Jewish World Review has Spoiled brat media: The first revolt of the American colonists against their British rulers was immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson as "the shot heard round the world." Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting accident has now become the shot heard round the Beltway.
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes Tunnel Vision And Trigger Fingers: “I've read some of the more conspiratorial thoughts on the left, and find them largely unpersuasive. Take for instance this from John Aravosis, accusing Cheney of lying about the details of his shot:
Michelle Malkin has a great round up she has titled THE BARNUM & BAILEY MEDIA: “My syndicated column today contrasts the clowns of the American media hyperventilating about the Cheney shooting accident with the plight of journalists facing retribution for taking a stand on the Cartoon Jihad.”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive has White House Press Briefing - Cheney's got a gun
The usual suspects await the arrival of Boy Press Secretary Scott McClellan. (Clownus Maximus Dana Milbank dresses for the occasion gracias Sra. Malkin)
Confederate Yankee has The Quail on The Grassy Knoll Part I and Part II: “Austin lawyer Harry Whittington was shot during a hunting trip with Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday. This afternoon, he suffered a slight setback as a birdshot pellet in his bloodstream became trapped in his heart... and what an interesting pellet it was.”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Cheney Owns Up: “One of the advantages of having satellite radio is the ability to tune in network news broadcasts when they have a noteworthy event. Tonight, Fox's Brit Hume interviewed Dick Cheney about the hunting accident that wounded his friend and hunting partner, Harry Whittington, and the raging controversy over the method the news was released.”
Hugh Hewitt writes FNC Envy: “From CNN's Jack Cafferty this afternoon: JACK CAFFERTY: Well, I obviously didn’t see it because it hasn’t been released in its entirety yet. But I would guess it didn’t exactly represent a profile in courage for the Vice President to wander over there to the ‘f-word’ network for a sit down with Brit Hume. I mean that’s a little like Bonnie interviewing Clyde, ain’t it? I mean, where was the news conference? Where was the access to all of the members of the media? I don’t know, whatever.”
Ian of Expose the Left has Franken: Cheney Was “Drinking” Or Being an “Amazing Jerk” For Not Going to Hospital: “AL FRANKEN: It’s inconceivable that you don’t go to the hospital unless there’s a reason you don’t go to the hospital. If you had been drinking you wouldn’t go to the hospital. Or, you’re an amazing jerk, that’s the other, or both.”
Kobayashi Maru has Guns Pointed In Anger... and Not: “Which brings us to the current MSM monomania about the Vice President. Yes, it is a major story, but not the story of the century - or even the year. Does it really warrant this much attention? (5,700 stories on Google News for "Cheney + accident" and 5,500 for "Cheney + shooting") Let's play the double standard game for a moment.”
John Hawkins of Right Wing News has Excerpt Of The Day: Blankley On The Media Meltdown Over Bird Shot Gate: “As I understand the profound concern of the ever-alert White House reporters, they smell a constitutional crisis because the shooting party failed to alert the media of the accidental shooting down in Corpus Christi, Texas. Well, actually, they did alert the Corpus Christi media -- but that didn't count. Unless the exalted ones have been formally informed by an official government press secretary, no public communication has technically occurred.”
Marianne M. Jennings writing at Jewish World Review has I blame Carl Woodward or Bob Bernstein, you know, those Deep Throat Guys: The Veep's waiting for medical stability in his buddy Whittington before notifying the White House Press Corps may not quite be an impeachable offense. Check with Monsieur Kerry who has been rumbling and bumbling about in that field. However, that discernment was not evident as I watched the Monday morning White House press briefing. For the first five minutes I believed, treadmill noise being what it is, that CNN was playing a Saturday Night Live skit.
Thomas Sowell writing at Jewish World Review has Spoiled brat media: The first revolt of the American colonists against their British rulers was immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson as "the shot heard round the world." Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting accident has now become the shot heard round the Beltway.
February 15, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 02/15/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Blackfive writes U of Illinois Editor Suspended Over Cartoons: “This morning, I heard this story on the radio about the editor of the student newspaper at the University of Illinois, Acton Gorton (a former Soldier), being suspended for publishing the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed in various forms. The Chicago Tribune has an article about it today:”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Dream City: “Michael Totten visited the Kurd region of Iraq and took some pictures that may surprise people. I know what I picture in my mind when I think of the region, and it's nothing like Totten depicts:”
John Hawkins of Right Wing News writes Dick Cheney is ‘The Godfather’: “Since Dick Cheney accidentally peppered his pal, shot his sidekick, and blasted his buddy, I think we all knew the moment would come when some wacko Democrat would go way over the edge and accuse him attempted murder for nefarious purposes....oh, you didn't know that was coming? Don't you realize how kooky these people are? Geeze....”
Pam at Iraq War Today writes GOP Congressman and Former POW Rips John Murtha: “Amid cheers, whistles and two standing ovations, U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) took fellow Congressman John Murtha (D-Pa.) and the U.S. media behind the proverbial woodshed for a verbal walloping.”
Blackfive writes U of Illinois Editor Suspended Over Cartoons: “This morning, I heard this story on the radio about the editor of the student newspaper at the University of Illinois, Acton Gorton (a former Soldier), being suspended for publishing the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed in various forms. The Chicago Tribune has an article about it today:”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Dream City: “Michael Totten visited the Kurd region of Iraq and took some pictures that may surprise people. I know what I picture in my mind when I think of the region, and it's nothing like Totten depicts:”
John Hawkins of Right Wing News writes Dick Cheney is ‘The Godfather’: “Since Dick Cheney accidentally peppered his pal, shot his sidekick, and blasted his buddy, I think we all knew the moment would come when some wacko Democrat would go way over the edge and accuse him attempted murder for nefarious purposes....oh, you didn't know that was coming? Don't you realize how kooky these people are? Geeze....”
Pam at Iraq War Today writes GOP Congressman and Former POW Rips John Murtha: “Amid cheers, whistles and two standing ovations, U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) took fellow Congressman John Murtha (D-Pa.) and the U.S. media behind the proverbial woodshed for a verbal walloping.”
February 14, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 02/14/2006
A short recon of what’s out there today that might draw your attention.
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes Any Excuse Will Do: “I've been doing a lot of thinking about the Cartoon War, and I've been thinking about other times the Muslim Street has shown this much spunk. And I think I see a common thread:”
Some Soldier’s Mom writes A Different Kind of Worry: “…On more than one occasion, someone just joining our little group will, upon learning that Noah is in the Army and that he has been in Iraq, stop whatever they are doing, open their eyes big as saucers and drop their jaw as they exclaim, “I have always wondered how you do it… I mean have a child in Iraq or Afghanistan. I don’t sleep at night and mine is only [pick one] at college – in another city – in their first apartment!”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Dems Push Hackett Under A Bus: “Remember Paul Hackett? He's the Iraq War veteran who got backing from the Democrats and a good chunk of the liberal blogosphere to run in a special election for a Congressional seat and made a respectable showing in a strong Republican district. He announced his candidacy for the Senate race and expected to make a hard run against Mike DeWine in a state that has had its share of GOP scandals. However, Hackett finds himself out of the race and out of politics, the victim of a Democratic campaign to push him out in favor of Sherrod Brown:”
Buck Sergent of American Citizen Soldier lets us know what he thinks about the Joel Stein commentary now that it has hit Star’s and Stripes with AMERICAN CITIZEN SOPHISTRY: “Late last month the deployed-area edition of the military newspaper Stars & Stripes reprinted that sentiment in a snarky hit-piece by LA Times columnist Joel Stein, just the sort of infantile, incoherent, and ill-conceived opinion writing needed to swipe the mantle of "Most Anti-American Paper of Record" away from the NY Times.
Chuck at From My Position…On the Way! writes Surprise Surprise Surprise: “LOOK!<<<------!!!------>>>CHUXSHIRTS! With lotsa help from ProcheinAmy (web designer extraordinaire), We've built CHUXSHIRTS! Spread the word, all your favorites are here, and ALL profits go to Soldier's Angels. Cafepress Cuts them a check Automatically, I never see a nickel.”
Michelle Malkin writes DANES PUT HEAT ON LYING IMAM: “Abu Laban, the Danish imam who stoked Cartoon Jihad in the Middle East by spreading a dossier stuffed with the 12 Jyllands-Posten Mohammed Cartoons and unrelated propaganda, is under fire. The Danes, including moderate Muslims fed up with the bile, are fighting back.”
SureFire of Pass The Brass writes The Dragging: “Well, this deployment has started to settle…like the algae on the stagnant puddles around post. And very similar in style too.
To be totally honest, this deployment is not turning out as expected. Of course when one goes “to war” they expect bullets to fly and explosions aplenty. Not here. In truth it’s actually rather boring most of the time. But then again…boring is usually safe, right? I hope so, cuz then I’m pretty well off.”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Grannies Gone Wild: “…on Valentine's Day, the "Raging Grannies" will be grandstanding at a recruiting station in Silver Spring, Maryland. Grandmothers, heartbroken and enraged over the enormous loss of life and the terrible injuries in Iraq, plan to enlist in the military. The old make wars and the young die in them; on Valentine's Day, grandmothers and others will demonstrate their love for this country and its young people by enlisting in the U.S. military in place of young people. The grandmothers vehemently oppose this war; their enlistment is not a show of support for military action in Iraq. But if someone must die, let it be the old, not the young. Too many have died. Too many have been maimed. Enough. Grannies say, "End the war now."Of course, if it's outrageous, Code Pink is involved.”
WO1 Michael Fay of Fire and Ice writes Don't Sell the Farm Ray: “We're out of Iraq and spending a few days de-compressing in a large transient tent city in Kuwait called Camp Victory before making the final leg of the journey stateside. Our arrival was in the wee hours of the morning and we we're greeted by comfortable buses. The stacks of seabags and backpacks were trucked right to the front of our hooch. We only had to drag them thankfully a few yards to our racks, dig out sleeping bags and collapse. Our flack jackets are now packed away and ammunition turned back in.”
WonderWoman of A North American Patriot writes Self imposed censorship... “Made in Canada... It seems to me that nothing does a better service of portraying Muslims in a negative fashion, than hordes and hordes of them burning down embassies, and calling for the heads of anyone who opposes them. Obviously the Canadian Defense Minister is also of the opinion that Muslims are fanatical lunatics incapable of rational thought, otherwise he wouldn't be worried about our troops being victim to them.”
Sgt Hook writes Lance Corporal Lucente: “On November 16, 2005 Lance Corporal John Lucente made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms and liberties. I recently received the following letter from LCpl Lucente’s parents:”
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes Any Excuse Will Do: “I've been doing a lot of thinking about the Cartoon War, and I've been thinking about other times the Muslim Street has shown this much spunk. And I think I see a common thread:”
Some Soldier’s Mom writes A Different Kind of Worry: “…On more than one occasion, someone just joining our little group will, upon learning that Noah is in the Army and that he has been in Iraq, stop whatever they are doing, open their eyes big as saucers and drop their jaw as they exclaim, “I have always wondered how you do it… I mean have a child in Iraq or Afghanistan. I don’t sleep at night and mine is only [pick one] at college – in another city – in their first apartment!”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Dems Push Hackett Under A Bus: “Remember Paul Hackett? He's the Iraq War veteran who got backing from the Democrats and a good chunk of the liberal blogosphere to run in a special election for a Congressional seat and made a respectable showing in a strong Republican district. He announced his candidacy for the Senate race and expected to make a hard run against Mike DeWine in a state that has had its share of GOP scandals. However, Hackett finds himself out of the race and out of politics, the victim of a Democratic campaign to push him out in favor of Sherrod Brown:”
Buck Sergent of American Citizen Soldier lets us know what he thinks about the Joel Stein commentary now that it has hit Star’s and Stripes with AMERICAN CITIZEN SOPHISTRY: “Late last month the deployed-area edition of the military newspaper Stars & Stripes reprinted that sentiment in a snarky hit-piece by LA Times columnist Joel Stein, just the sort of infantile, incoherent, and ill-conceived opinion writing needed to swipe the mantle of "Most Anti-American Paper of Record" away from the NY Times.
Chuck at From My Position…On the Way! writes Surprise Surprise Surprise: “LOOK!<<<------!!!------>>>CHUXSHIRTS! With lotsa help from ProcheinAmy (web designer extraordinaire), We've built CHUXSHIRTS! Spread the word, all your favorites are here, and ALL profits go to Soldier's Angels. Cafepress Cuts them a check Automatically, I never see a nickel.”
Michelle Malkin writes DANES PUT HEAT ON LYING IMAM: “Abu Laban, the Danish imam who stoked Cartoon Jihad in the Middle East by spreading a dossier stuffed with the 12 Jyllands-Posten Mohammed Cartoons and unrelated propaganda, is under fire. The Danes, including moderate Muslims fed up with the bile, are fighting back.”
SureFire of Pass The Brass writes The Dragging: “Well, this deployment has started to settle…like the algae on the stagnant puddles around post. And very similar in style too.
To be totally honest, this deployment is not turning out as expected. Of course when one goes “to war” they expect bullets to fly and explosions aplenty. Not here. In truth it’s actually rather boring most of the time. But then again…boring is usually safe, right? I hope so, cuz then I’m pretty well off.”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Grannies Gone Wild: “…on Valentine's Day, the "Raging Grannies" will be grandstanding at a recruiting station in Silver Spring, Maryland. Grandmothers, heartbroken and enraged over the enormous loss of life and the terrible injuries in Iraq, plan to enlist in the military. The old make wars and the young die in them; on Valentine's Day, grandmothers and others will demonstrate their love for this country and its young people by enlisting in the U.S. military in place of young people. The grandmothers vehemently oppose this war; their enlistment is not a show of support for military action in Iraq. But if someone must die, let it be the old, not the young. Too many have died. Too many have been maimed. Enough. Grannies say, "End the war now."Of course, if it's outrageous, Code Pink is involved.”
WO1 Michael Fay of Fire and Ice writes Don't Sell the Farm Ray: “We're out of Iraq and spending a few days de-compressing in a large transient tent city in Kuwait called Camp Victory before making the final leg of the journey stateside. Our arrival was in the wee hours of the morning and we we're greeted by comfortable buses. The stacks of seabags and backpacks were trucked right to the front of our hooch. We only had to drag them thankfully a few yards to our racks, dig out sleeping bags and collapse. Our flack jackets are now packed away and ammunition turned back in.”
WonderWoman of A North American Patriot writes Self imposed censorship... “Made in Canada... It seems to me that nothing does a better service of portraying Muslims in a negative fashion, than hordes and hordes of them burning down embassies, and calling for the heads of anyone who opposes them. Obviously the Canadian Defense Minister is also of the opinion that Muslims are fanatical lunatics incapable of rational thought, otherwise he wouldn't be worried about our troops being victim to them.”
Sgt Hook writes Lance Corporal Lucente: “On November 16, 2005 Lance Corporal John Lucente made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms and liberties. I recently received the following letter from LCpl Lucente’s parents:”
February 13, 2006
Found In My Inbox this AM
Dear Internal Revenue Service,
Enclosed you will find my 2005 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached article from the USA Today newspaper; dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Pentagon (Department of Defense) is paying $171.50 per hammer and NASA has paid $600.00 per toilet seat.
I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued @ $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued @ $1,029), which I secured at Home Depot, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00. Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the "Presidential Election Fund," as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5" Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from USA Today newspaper detailing how H.U.D. pays $22.00 each for 1.5" Phillips Head Screws). One screw is enclosed for your convenience.
It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.
Sincerely,
A Satisfied Taxpayer
Enclosed you will find my 2005 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached article from the USA Today newspaper; dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Pentagon (Department of Defense) is paying $171.50 per hammer and NASA has paid $600.00 per toilet seat.
I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued @ $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued @ $1,029), which I secured at Home Depot, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00. Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the "Presidential Election Fund," as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5" Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from USA Today newspaper detailing how H.U.D. pays $22.00 each for 1.5" Phillips Head Screws). One screw is enclosed for your convenience.
It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.
Sincerely,
A Satisfied Taxpayer
February 10, 2006
Legitimate Governments
Recently Vladimir Putin claimed, “We haven’t considered Hamas a terrorist organization. Today we must recognize that Hamas has reached power in Palestine as a result of legitimate elections and we must respect the choice of the Palestinian people.” But does that mean anything in the larger context of what has been happening in the Middle East? Let’s forget the very real possibility that the elections may have been rigged or even democratic in nature and assume for the sake of argument that everything was on the up and up, being legitimately elected has absolutely no bearing on whether those elected are going to be a good government to its people or its neighbors.
Throughout history there have been dozens of legitimately elected governments that turned out to be nothing more than murderous thugs with absolute power; do we have any reason to believe that Hamas will be suddenly any different now that it is in total power than when it was simply the militant wing of the anti-Israeli party? In fact now that it is in total power there is no one stopping it from advancing its primary mission in life; that being the removal of every Jew from Israel.
“Legitimate” elections only serve to prove one thing, that the populace approves of and wants the form of government that is being elected. In the case of Hamas, we can only conclude that the people that voted for it knew that they want to pursue a policy of killing Jews, the only difference now; it will be an official act of the state government and not a militant wing of the population. The election of Hamas to power isn’t an indictment on the legitimacy of elections it is an indictment on the future of the Middle East and it isn’t a pretty picture. We can only hope that the US and the rest of the world will finally stop hiding its head in the sand and stand behind Israel in its right to exist.
Throughout history there have been dozens of legitimately elected governments that turned out to be nothing more than murderous thugs with absolute power; do we have any reason to believe that Hamas will be suddenly any different now that it is in total power than when it was simply the militant wing of the anti-Israeli party? In fact now that it is in total power there is no one stopping it from advancing its primary mission in life; that being the removal of every Jew from Israel.
“Legitimate” elections only serve to prove one thing, that the populace approves of and wants the form of government that is being elected. In the case of Hamas, we can only conclude that the people that voted for it knew that they want to pursue a policy of killing Jews, the only difference now; it will be an official act of the state government and not a militant wing of the population. The election of Hamas to power isn’t an indictment on the legitimacy of elections it is an indictment on the future of the Middle East and it isn’t a pretty picture. We can only hope that the US and the rest of the world will finally stop hiding its head in the sand and stand behind Israel in its right to exist.
2006 Milblog Conference
Registration for this event is free of charge. Pre-registration began on February 8 and continue through midnight February 15. Any slots not filled by milbloggers will be given to the general public. Registration for the public will begin on February 16. All registrations are first-come, first-serve.
I’m registered and going and I hope to see you all there!
S N O W
A simple four letter word, but for the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, it’s a 4 letter word! Yes ladies and gentlemen snow is forecast for this weekend, up to 12 inches and that could be disastrous since 4 inches has the potential to absolutely shut this place down!
Snow despite all its beauty in this area of the country is completely unmanageable, which is amazing in its own right as most residents of the Washington area come here from much worse weather-wise areas of the country. If this was predicted for a week day it would almost be reaching natural disaster proportions right now, the stores would be stripped bare of every last drop of milk, every last slice of bread and every last roll of toilet-paper. People that typically only drink a half gallon of milk a week will be buying 4 gallons to make it through the next 2 days.
As it is a weekend Snow Storm, yes that’s what the weather service is calling it, still has the potential to wreck havoc upon the infrastructure around here. Home Depot and Lowes will be swamped tonight as the masses rush out to buy snow-blowers, shovels and salt all in anticipation of the big one that the meteorologists will be hyping all day today. And when it’s all said and done, come Monday morning we won’t even remember it and life will get back to what we in the DC Metro area call normal.
Just in case, don’t call on me tonight I’ll be out stocking up on bread, milk and toilet-paper with the rest of the madmen, I mean what else am I going to do, nothing will be open anyways.
Snow despite all its beauty in this area of the country is completely unmanageable, which is amazing in its own right as most residents of the Washington area come here from much worse weather-wise areas of the country. If this was predicted for a week day it would almost be reaching natural disaster proportions right now, the stores would be stripped bare of every last drop of milk, every last slice of bread and every last roll of toilet-paper. People that typically only drink a half gallon of milk a week will be buying 4 gallons to make it through the next 2 days.
As it is a weekend Snow Storm, yes that’s what the weather service is calling it, still has the potential to wreck havoc upon the infrastructure around here. Home Depot and Lowes will be swamped tonight as the masses rush out to buy snow-blowers, shovels and salt all in anticipation of the big one that the meteorologists will be hyping all day today. And when it’s all said and done, come Monday morning we won’t even remember it and life will get back to what we in the DC Metro area call normal.
Just in case, don’t call on me tonight I’ll be out stocking up on bread, milk and toilet-paper with the rest of the madmen, I mean what else am I going to do, nothing will be open anyways.
February 9, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 02/09/2006
A short recon of what’s out there today that might draw your attention.
Sgt Grey Eagle of A Female Soldier writes The Story Of A Female Soldier: “The true story of Army SPC Michelle M. Witmer, assigned to the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company.
On the night of April 9, 2003, Michelle’s squad was called in to help protect an Iraqi police station that was being overrun by insurgents. Michelle, who usually drove the vehicle, instead acted as gunner that night. Minutes before she headed out, she sent an e-mail to her twin sister Charity (a medic in Baghdad), about their sister Rachel, who was also an MP stationed with the 32nd MPC in Baghdad.”
Tom of The Redhunter writes Will Europe Wake Up? “I'm wondering if much of Western Europe will soon wake up from their current slumber. Consider what's happened these past three years:
1. Theo van Gogh murdered by a Muslim terrorist
2. Dutch politicians such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, forced to go into hiding or live under police protection after threats by Muslim extremists
3. The Madrid metro bombed by Al Qaeda
4. The London subways bombed by Al Qaeda
5. Riots in France by Muslim immigrants
6. The current "cartoon infidata"
Andi of Andi’s World writes Clearing the Stench Outside of Walter Reed "The entrance outside of Walter Reed Army Medical sure is looking better since Code Pink was kicked to the curb. "
Pamela of Atlas Shrugs brings us this piece of news Mohammad Cartoons Gets American Professor Fired The Twilight of Freedom of Speech “From the Danish daily newspaper Ekstra-Bladet here: ‘The American professor Claudia Kiburz has been fired from her teaching position at Sheikj Zayed University in Dubai for having distributed copies to her students of the Mohammad cartoons published by Jyllands-Posten, so that they could discuss the issue. That provoked complaints, however, whereupon she was fired, according to her colleagues who do not want to reveal their names.’”
Jay Tea of Wizbang writes Massachusetts town acts with courage -- briefly "An odd thing happened in Stoughton, Massachusetts yesterday. A public official acted courageously, taking a stand for principle and respect for fundamental rights against tyranny. Predictably, it didn't last long."
Sgt Grey Eagle of A Female Soldier writes The Story Of A Female Soldier: “The true story of Army SPC Michelle M. Witmer, assigned to the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company.
On the night of April 9, 2003, Michelle’s squad was called in to help protect an Iraqi police station that was being overrun by insurgents. Michelle, who usually drove the vehicle, instead acted as gunner that night. Minutes before she headed out, she sent an e-mail to her twin sister Charity (a medic in Baghdad), about their sister Rachel, who was also an MP stationed with the 32nd MPC in Baghdad.”
Tom of The Redhunter writes Will Europe Wake Up? “I'm wondering if much of Western Europe will soon wake up from their current slumber. Consider what's happened these past three years:
1. Theo van Gogh murdered by a Muslim terrorist
2. Dutch politicians such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, forced to go into hiding or live under police protection after threats by Muslim extremists
3. The Madrid metro bombed by Al Qaeda
4. The London subways bombed by Al Qaeda
5. Riots in France by Muslim immigrants
6. The current "cartoon infidata"
Andi of Andi’s World writes Clearing the Stench Outside of Walter Reed "The entrance outside of Walter Reed Army Medical sure is looking better since Code Pink was kicked to the curb. "
Pamela of Atlas Shrugs brings us this piece of news Mohammad Cartoons Gets American Professor Fired The Twilight of Freedom of Speech “From the Danish daily newspaper Ekstra-Bladet here: ‘The American professor Claudia Kiburz has been fired from her teaching position at Sheikj Zayed University in Dubai for having distributed copies to her students of the Mohammad cartoons published by Jyllands-Posten, so that they could discuss the issue. That provoked complaints, however, whereupon she was fired, according to her colleagues who do not want to reveal their names.’”
Jay Tea of Wizbang writes Massachusetts town acts with courage -- briefly "An odd thing happened in Stoughton, Massachusetts yesterday. A public official acted courageously, taking a stand for principle and respect for fundamental rights against tyranny. Predictably, it didn't last long."
February 8, 2006
Their Silence is Deafening
"Islam says it's all right to demonstrate but not to resort to violence. This must stop," said senior cleric Mohammed Usman, a member of the Ulama Council in Afghanistan. (Source) There we have it, the only reported act of a Muslim group calling for an end to the acts of war currently being waged against Denmark by the Muslim world.
Surprisingly the Religion of Peace is being extremely peaceful in its denouncing the violence against the Danes, especially since it is now coming to light that the images that upset the Muslim world the most were created by Muslims. Is it possible that the Muslim world was just looking for another excuse to take the fight to the next level, since their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan have pretty much failed to produce the results they intended, must they now take the war onto other less “able countries?”
This act of war against Denmark is not a reply to some offensive cartoons it is a new front on the war against Western Civilizations. Of course we have to give the Muslims credit; they have never lied to us. From the beginning they have stated that they wish to kill or convert us all and impose sharia world wide, it is the Western liberals “head in the sand mentality” that makes their actions seem to be provoked by something else, some reaction to a supposed affront.
And playing right along; as predicted is the American Media Outlets, in their ever increasing apologist format they are all but hanging the Danes right along with the radical Muslims that are leading the revolts world wide. When we should be demanding that the Muslim world act more civilized in its approach to those things they do not like, the media outlets make excuses for them and then attempts to shift the responsibility for their violent actions to another. Just as no criminal is at fault for leading a life of crime, no terrorist is at fault for strapping on a bomb and murdering innocents.
Until the moderate Muslims begin to speak out we have to assume that they also believe in the goal of sharia world wide and the end of Western Civilization as we know it.
Surprisingly the Religion of Peace is being extremely peaceful in its denouncing the violence against the Danes, especially since it is now coming to light that the images that upset the Muslim world the most were created by Muslims. Is it possible that the Muslim world was just looking for another excuse to take the fight to the next level, since their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan have pretty much failed to produce the results they intended, must they now take the war onto other less “able countries?”
This act of war against Denmark is not a reply to some offensive cartoons it is a new front on the war against Western Civilizations. Of course we have to give the Muslims credit; they have never lied to us. From the beginning they have stated that they wish to kill or convert us all and impose sharia world wide, it is the Western liberals “head in the sand mentality” that makes their actions seem to be provoked by something else, some reaction to a supposed affront.
And playing right along; as predicted is the American Media Outlets, in their ever increasing apologist format they are all but hanging the Danes right along with the radical Muslims that are leading the revolts world wide. When we should be demanding that the Muslim world act more civilized in its approach to those things they do not like, the media outlets make excuses for them and then attempts to shift the responsibility for their violent actions to another. Just as no criminal is at fault for leading a life of crime, no terrorist is at fault for strapping on a bomb and murdering innocents.
Until the moderate Muslims begin to speak out we have to assume that they also believe in the goal of sharia world wide and the end of Western Civilization as we know it.
Web Reconnaissance for 02/08/2006
A short recon of what’s out there today that might draw your attention.
Huntress at Diary of a Hollywood Refugee writes And on the subject of Shit Floating.... “While I have remained silent on everything that Antonia Zerbisias writes, I finally opted to comment on her blog about her latest piece of trash she pawns off as intellectually enlightening, (I swear she and Joel Stein must have been separated at birth!).”
Pam at Iraq War Today writes My Two Cents - There Must Be Something in the Water Really. “Someone needs to start testing the Potomac. The water on the left side must have lead in it, 'cause the Dems are really starting to lose it.
For starters, the behavior at the NSA hearings was contemptible. I thought we were talking about the balance of security and rights - about the law. Apparently we're talking about campaigning for 2008. This exchange, in particular, was pathetic:”
Master Gunner of Tanker Brothers writes New Iraqi Army: Better And Better: “In yet another example of the ability of the New Iraqi Army to enforce security in Baghdad, forces captures the "Number 4" leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq…Look at the page that I pulled this article from: The Times Of India. Isn't it strange that such a momentous event in the security of Iraq isn't being covered by the Mainstream media? Why?”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Using The Dead As Soapboxes, Part II: “I suppose after having watched the Paul Wellstone funeral here in Minnesota four years ago, I shouldn't be shocked by Democrats turning bipartisan shows of respect at memorial services into partisan sniping. President Bush and his family had to endure the bad taste of several speakers who used Coretta Scott King's funeral as a forum to snipe at his politics:”
Leon H Wolf writing at RedState posts Defending Jyllands-Posten: “It seems that the point of departure for the discussion of the Jyllands-Posten cartoons on RedState (even for those who believe that Muslim reaction has been wildly inappropriate), is that the Jyllands-Posten was irresponsible for printing deliberately inflammatory cartoons. Indeed, I began my first substantive post on the issue with much the same assumption. However, with each passing hour, more information comes to light which tends to discredit the claim that even non-offensive images of Muhammed are ipso facto legitimate cause for protest in the Muslim world, and further tends to implicate Danish imams as the real inciters of Muslim outrage.”
WO1 Michael Fay of Fire and Ice writes Two For the Road: “All good things must come to an end. This sojourn to Iraq is quickly drawing to a close and Friday night I'll start my return trip to the land of the big PX. For a final time an ASR number will be scrawled on the back of my left hand. In the darkness one last "seabag drag", weighted down with ALL my gear, into the back of a waiting helo. The dark expanse of Iraq will glide below us. Into memory will fade golden fragments of light spilling out from windows and doorways of Iraqi homes.”
Huntress at Diary of a Hollywood Refugee writes And on the subject of Shit Floating.... “While I have remained silent on everything that Antonia Zerbisias writes, I finally opted to comment on her blog about her latest piece of trash she pawns off as intellectually enlightening, (I swear she and Joel Stein must have been separated at birth!).”
Pam at Iraq War Today writes My Two Cents - There Must Be Something in the Water Really. “Someone needs to start testing the Potomac. The water on the left side must have lead in it, 'cause the Dems are really starting to lose it.
For starters, the behavior at the NSA hearings was contemptible. I thought we were talking about the balance of security and rights - about the law. Apparently we're talking about campaigning for 2008. This exchange, in particular, was pathetic:”
Master Gunner of Tanker Brothers writes New Iraqi Army: Better And Better: “In yet another example of the ability of the New Iraqi Army to enforce security in Baghdad, forces captures the "Number 4" leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq…Look at the page that I pulled this article from: The Times Of India. Isn't it strange that such a momentous event in the security of Iraq isn't being covered by the Mainstream media? Why?”
Captain Ed of Captain’s Quarters writes Using The Dead As Soapboxes, Part II: “I suppose after having watched the Paul Wellstone funeral here in Minnesota four years ago, I shouldn't be shocked by Democrats turning bipartisan shows of respect at memorial services into partisan sniping. President Bush and his family had to endure the bad taste of several speakers who used Coretta Scott King's funeral as a forum to snipe at his politics:”
Leon H Wolf writing at RedState posts Defending Jyllands-Posten: “It seems that the point of departure for the discussion of the Jyllands-Posten cartoons on RedState (even for those who believe that Muslim reaction has been wildly inappropriate), is that the Jyllands-Posten was irresponsible for printing deliberately inflammatory cartoons. Indeed, I began my first substantive post on the issue with much the same assumption. However, with each passing hour, more information comes to light which tends to discredit the claim that even non-offensive images of Muhammed are ipso facto legitimate cause for protest in the Muslim world, and further tends to implicate Danish imams as the real inciters of Muslim outrage.”
WO1 Michael Fay of Fire and Ice writes Two For the Road: “All good things must come to an end. This sojourn to Iraq is quickly drawing to a close and Friday night I'll start my return trip to the land of the big PX. For a final time an ASR number will be scrawled on the back of my left hand. In the darkness one last "seabag drag", weighted down with ALL my gear, into the back of a waiting helo. The dark expanse of Iraq will glide below us. Into memory will fade golden fragments of light spilling out from windows and doorways of Iraqi homes.”
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