DADISM # 24

"Did I ever tell you about the time..."

{The classic prologue to Dad's tired old stories of hardship, camaraderie, brushes with death, embarassing moments, and, sometimes, romantic encounters.}

Note: It does no good to say , "Yeah, Dad, you already told us that one." You're going to hear the story again. Just sit back and go with it.

Web Reconnaissance for 05/30/2006

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

Captain B writes AMERICA DOESNT FORGET! “This Memorial Day is the first one I have been home at since I deployed to Afghanistan for 8 mos, then Iraq for a year. A lot has happened in that time, to me, my family and my fellow Marines but I haven’t forgotten.” (read more)

T.F.Boggs writes Of Marines and Congress"men" “Lately a lot of media coverage has been directed towards the actions of a few marines in Haditha, Iraq last November. The marines killed 24 Iraqis after a roadside bomb hit their convoy on November 19th 2005. After the dust settled on that day 1 marine and 24 Iraqis were dead, and of the 24 dead Iraqis 15 of them were supposedly innocent civilians. Since then an investigation has been opened concerning the events and everyone has an opinion about what happened that day.” (read more)

Sgt Allen writes In Harm's Way “Today another Soldier goes into harm's way, again. This Soldier is Sergeant First Class Diana Parenti, and until several days ago she was a patient here at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.” (read more)

Bandit36 writes We ARE Winning “I was watching the news a couple days ago and saw a lady, I can't remember her qualifications, look into the camera and say, "The American public is unhappy with the war because we're losing." My first reaction was to put my fist through the screen and it took me a bit to calm down, but once I did I realized how foolish it was of me to let myself get so angry since what she was saying was so ridiculous. I really hope people don't believe her.” (read more)

Serving the People of Iraq writes Christian Soldiers Worship in an Islamic Country “Just before we left the United States, where we trained for a couple of months before coming to 'The Sandbox,' church attendance skyrocketed. Many of us had been on active duty before, but very few of us had been in a combat zone. When you're confronted with your possible mortality--not to mention simply being in a new and uncomfortable situation--God is a good (and common) Someone to turn to.” (read more)

Dafydd writes Lying About Lying About Lying “The New York Times has taken upon itself the man-sized task of resurrecting Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA, 95%) from the political graveyard... and the paper has decided that the best way to do that is to refight the war Kerry lost against the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. (Hat tip to Scott Johnson at Power Line.) Worse, the Times appears to have decided to refight that war the old-fashioned way: by lying about it.” (read more)

Captain Ed writes Let's Get Ready To Rumble “Democrats who have busied themselves painting corruption as an exclusively Republican affair have hit a number of obstacles to that message -- Reps. William Jefferson and Alan Mollohan prominent among them. Now the Democrats have to add their own leadership -- again -- as the Senate Minority Leader has been exposed as taking favors from a notoriously corrupt industry while he intervened on their behalf:” (read more)

Omar of Iraq the Model writes Lost in translation? “Does the CNN have problems with translation from Arabic to English or is it a case of deliberate twisting of facts?
Yesterday Iraq's and Iran's foreign ministers had a joint press conference in Baghdad after which the CNN ran a headline that reads "Iraqi minister defends Iranian nuclear program" and wrote:” (read more)

WO1 Michael Fay writes Storm and Stone “Over the past few weeks I have been working out the different elements for a painting to be titled Storm and Stone. This title came to me before any image of the piece appeared in my brain housing group (Marinespeak for one's brain). Normally I create a piece and name it afterwards..” (read more)

Most Certainly Not writes Memorial Day 2006 “…It was over 90 degrees in our hometown. Hubs donned his Class A's anyway and we trooped to the Main Street in town for the parade. The parade is a big deal in my hometown even though it only has about 4 units and is over in a matter of minutes. The entire town turns out and follows the parade route to the American Legion hall on the edge of town. A ceremony takes place there complete with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps. The speaker today mentioned toward the end of his speech that there were lots of people whose hands we should shake and thank for their service. He encouraged people to look around and take a moment to shake the hand of a veteran or those currently serving and in uniform…” (read more)

Thank You Patriot Guard Riders.

Yesterday I had the “privilege” of encountering the Phelps Family up close and personal. I was driving past the site of the funeral of 1st Lt Robert Seidel III who was Killed In Action in Iraq on May 18, 2006. Lt. Seidel was buried in the quaint town of Emmitsburg, MD, the home of the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial. The local paper the Frederick News –Post said that hundreds attended the funeral but by my count there were easily 800 - 1000 people there to pay respects to this fallen hero.

Also there was the reprehensible group, the Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps, the main thrust of the passage into law yesterday by President Bush of the law restricting protests at Military Funerals. I wasn’t prepared to see them, on the way up I passed one motorcycle after another with large flags on their backs, and I wondered if they were going to the funeral to pay their respects. As I got closer to Emmitsburg I encountered a half dozen police cars from several agencies prepared to block traffic as the family and 1st LT Seidel arrived. Coming into town I began to see a wonderful sight, the gleam of a thousand pieces of chrome lining South Seton Avenue, and I knew the Patriot Guard Riders were there to shield the family. I didn’t know then that they were there actively shielding the family for the Phelps family had already arrived.

Protected by a half dozen uniformed officers several members stood on the far side of the avenue holding those indecent signs and it sickened me. I honestly felt like stopping right there on the road and confronting them for the frauds they are but I didn’t, instead I honked my horn and saluted them in the manner in which they deserved, a single finger salute. To have stopped would have validated their mission, to draw international attention to themselves and to provoke a fight so that someone else may fund their trips. I will not afford them that honor for they deserve to bankrupt themselves in their misguided mission. To the Patriot Guard Riders I saluted them in the proper manner extending my fingers and touching them to my forehead, and then I waved.

Lt. Seidel was buried with full military honors in the quiet green cemetery under a blazing sun. Leaves and American flags rustled lightly in the breeze as members of the U.S. Army Color Guard fired a salute and folded an American flag, which they presented to the Seidel family, and the Patriot Guard Riders were there.

Thank you for being there to silently honor 1st LT Robert Seidel and to shield the family from the reprehensible acts of a small group of asshats, if there is anything I can do to assist you all, please let me know.

True Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day Thank You

From Mr. Robert Stokely:

In the first hours after news of Mike's death came to us last August 16, our family put in motion, with the help of friends, the formation of the Mike Stokely Foundation. It was our family's desire to encourage those who wanted to do something to show support for our family and remember Mike to think about contributing to the Foundation rather than sending us flowers or other presents. The generosity of our friends, and so many others who have heard of the Foundation allowed Mike to be remembered and honored these past few weeks with the awarding of $2,100 of book scholarships to five students headed to college, including two at his former high school. Plans are underway to provide funding from the Foundation to help purchase books for underprivileged children, and for various libraries that had some connection to Mike. Flowers would have died; other presents would have soon been forgotten, but the money contributed to the Foundation has helped purchase a lifetime of learning, and hopefully bring a better life to those who will receive books purchased with Foundation funds. Mike's life was about helping others. Mike's life and memory have become a vehicle to help others, even if only a little and few at a time. The Foundation will not change the world, but it will do what Mike did his whole life and that is do what can be done to make a positive difference in as many lives as possible. For the foreseeable future, the positive difference, in Mike's honor and memory, will continue to be made, thanks to the continued support of so many.

Memorial Day is a day of rememberance. Personally, and for the Mike Stokely Foundation, I thank those who remembered Mike in so many ways, and for those who helped make it financially possible to remember him through helping others, and furthering Mike's passion for reading.

On this Memorial Day, I say this - You can't die for a just cause if you didn't live for one. Mike Stokely is an example of a life lived well and to the fullest. He did not flinch when asked to fight in the service of his country. Throughout his service for his country and with fellow soldiers, even in his final moments, he continued to be a beacon of positive spirit whose big friendly eyes and generous smile were his tradmark. While others debated, he served. Mike Stokely died in the same way he lived - devoted to God, Family, Duty, Honor, Country. No less, he died in the same way he lived, looking out for others, as he watched the back of two friends and fellow soldiers. Mike Stokely lived for such just causes and willing sacrificed his life just because of them. How much more just a cause can there be?

I will remember those who serve in the lineage of service that keeps our country free and safe, for they serve while others debate. Their just cause of service is not found in the politics of debate, but in the answer of the call to Duty, Honor, Country - a duty to honor and obey the lawful orders of their Commander-in-Chief and thereby serve the Country they each love dearly enough to be willing to give their very life. I am thankful for those willing to serve, especially those who gave their life. I am ever thankful that so many return alive. God Bless America. Thank you God for those willing to answer the call of their country and the just cause they serve - Duty, Honor, Country.

thanks,

Robert Stokely
proud dad, SGT Mike Stokely
KIA IED Yusufiyah Iraq 8/16/05

A Model Crash

Remember this post about the Model Airplane of the B-52? "Some people have just too much money on their hands!"

Well Walt Thompson sends this link to me via email...its not a pretty ending to such a wonderful bird.

He also sends this link to another example of someone with too much time and money...a replica B29 complete with flying Bell X1.

Sheile School-Back to School in Style

Photo courtesy of Gulf Region North, US Army Corps of Engineers

Students at the new Sheile School express their delight with their new quarters. The school, a $460,000 project, completed March 2006, was funded by the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund and built by a local Iraqi construction company. Of the 317 IRRF funded school projects in the northern region of Iraq, 315 are complete and two are in progress

Sheile School-Back to School in Style
By Polli Barnes Keller, Gulf Region North, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Mosul Iraq- A newly constructed school located in the center of Dahuk will provide service to approximately 840 students and 36 teachers.

This new two-story complex consists of a 12-room classroom school with a detached exterior lavatory building, a play-yard and a generator building; all of which is surrounded by a three-meter high perimeter wall.

The exterior and interior walls are of masonry construction with a concrete super structure and terrazzo tile flooring. The exterior wall finishes are cut stone and plaster.

“The architectural design and material selection was made by a local Iraqi engineer in coordination with the Director General (DG) of Education and then provided to the Dahuk Residence Office,” said Joshua Adekanbi, Dahuk resident engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Read more…

Afghanistan National Army Opens Base, Brings Stability to Kunar Province

Photo by Staff Sgt. Mason T. Lowery
An Afghanistan National Army soldier stands guard over a village in the Korangal Valley May 7. Representatives from the ANA, Border Police and local leaders met to establish the ANA Forward Operating Base Lumberyard and discuss putting an end to the lingering enemy resistance in the area.

Afghanistan National Army Opens Base, Brings Stability to Kunar Province
By Army Staff Sgt. Mason T. Lowery

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Afghanistan flag was raised over a remote outpost in the Korangal Valley May 7, bringing the promise of stability and national unity east into this turbulent region.

Representatives from the Afghanistan National Army, Border Police and local leaders met to establish the ANA Forward Operating Base Lumberyard and discuss an end to the lingering enemy resistance in the area.

FOB Lumberyard is the first permanent base in the Kunar Province. It is centrally located on high ground so ANA troops can observe all avenues of approach into the valley, and the Afghan Flag is visible to all who enter the Valley.

Chief of the Afghan National Army’s General Staff Gen. Bismullah Khan listened to local leaders during a Shura (tribal meeting) and extended an offer of peace.

“The path to reconciliation is open,” he said.

“The people still fighting in the hills against a stable Afghanistan are fighting for the wrong reasons.”

Read more

Heart of the Deal: Contracting Officials Coordinate with Local Agencies for Services, Supplies

Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Troy Darling

Air Force Master Sgt. Jeffrey Stebbins, a contract inspector with the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, watches an Iraqi contractor excavate a drainage ditch. Contingency contracting officers are authorized to obligate hundreds of thousands of Air Force dollars via issuance of warrants from their respective commands.

Heart of the Deal: Contracting Officials Coordinate with Local Agencies for Services, Supplies
By Air Force Master Sgt. Jon Hanson,
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

ALI BASE, Iraq -- In a war environment, when military customers can’t find the product or service they are looking for through supply channels they often turn to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Contracting Office for help.

The contracting office is responsible for procuring commodities, commercial and construction services to support and sustain Ali Base in a legal, ethical and cost effective manner. Six Air Force contingency contracting officers here manage more than 50 contracts worth almost $23 million.

Active contracts include janitorial services for the Cadillacs, DV tents and portable restrooms. They also administer the laundry cleaning contract which provides a 24-hour turn around and provide oversight on the Italian Restaurant in Bedrock (the Air Force community at Ali).

On-going construction contracts include paving the combined defense operations center parking lot and repairing concrete on the airfield and airport road.

Several completed projects include building sidewalks in Bedrock, putting in a drainage system in Bedrock and pouring foundations for several services facilities.

Read more…

DADISM # 23

"Keep your eye on the ball."

{A dad's quick fix to all sports-related performace problems.}

(Can be modified for nonball sports: Keep your eye on the puck, shuttlecock, etc.)

A Grateful Nation

I am posting Cal Thomas' excellant essay in its entirety. You can read it at Townhall if you wish, otherwise, enjoy.

A grateful nation
May 26, 2006
by Cal Thomas ( bio archive contact )

I watched the HBO documentary "Baghdad ER," not only to see whether it lived down to the expectations of some conservatives who claimed, without seeing it, that the film would be an anti-war propaganda screed; I also wanted to be reminded of the cost of freedom.

The program was "MASH" without as much humor, though there was humor amidst the blood, pain, death and grief. The documentary shows the reality of war. Viewers can read into it whatever they wish, but I found it authentic and compelling. What continues to amaze is how many of the wounded men and women did not want to leave Iraq, preferring to rejoin their units as soon as possible.

Chaplains prayed with the wounded and for the dead. If the ACLU objects, someone should tell them to shut up.

We are told that most people don't have any relatives in today's all-volunteer military, or know anyone who does. That is too bad, because such people are missing out on the privilege of knowing a group of young men and women whose commitment to duty, honor and country is refreshing in a self-centered universe.

Memorial Day honors those who took up arms in the defense of freedom and the common values shared by free people. These men and women lost their lives so that we (and others) could maintain our freedom. Unless you know them, it is difficult to understand their reasons for leaving behind comfort and loved ones to give their lives so that others might live in freedom.

Eighteen months ago, I wrote about a remarkable young man who I have known since his birth. Specialist Daniel Calvin Dobson of Grand Rapids, Mich., joined the National Guard with the intention of going to Iraq. He served and he came home. Next week, he leaves for a second tour. He tells me the Army has a policy that anyone who has already served in Iraq is not required to go back should his unit be recalled. Daniel volunteered to go back.

In e-mail to his friends, he asks three things: "First, do not lose hope in the face of negative reporting. We are doing good work in Iraq and God is with us. Second, pray for those of us who have chosen to serve our nation and the liberties espoused by our Constitution. Third, I ask that you never take advantage of the liberties guaranteed by the shedding of free blood, never take for granted the freedoms granted by our Constitution. For those liberties would be merely ink on paper were it not for the sacrifice of generations of Americans who heard the call of duty and responded heart, mind and soul with 'Yes, I will.'"

In a new book, "Home of the Brave: Honoring the Unsung Heroes in the War on Terror," the late Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and presidential speechwriter and scholar Wynton C. Hall write of such men: "Every morning, in cities all across the world, 2.4 million Americans wake up, put on a uniform, kiss their loved ones goodbye, and head out the door to defend freedom. In exchange, they ask for nothing: not wealth, not power, not celebrity. . To them, protecting America is a privilege, an honor, a solemn duty that has been passed like a torch from their parents and grandparents before them.

"As First Sergeant Justin LeHew told us, 'It's all the crosses in Arlington Cemetery. It's all those GIs who died over there with my dad on Omaha Beach. You want your generation to do America justice like that one did. 'And they did."

They did, indeed. And they still are doing America justice and doing America proud.

Find a veteran this Memorial Day weekend and say, "thank you for my freedom." Visit a military cemetery and thank God someone was willing to die so you and I might live in freedom. And support those, like my friend Daniel Dobson, who for the second time is about to make an installment payment toward the price free people must pay in order that we might continue to enjoy liberty.

Celebrating Those Who Gave Chase to Evil

Wade Zirkle, founder and Executive Director of Vets for Freedom, a nonpartisan, pro-mission advocacy group representing Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans writes a wonderful account of his time spent in Iraq and the sacrifice and courage of the American Spirit.

Celebrating those who gave chase to evil
May 26, 2006
by Wade Zirkle ( bio archive contact )

Since the Global War on Terror was launched four and half years ago, Americans are now only casually reminded of the sacrifices that our new generation of warriors are making in Afghanistan, Iraq and other desperate corners of the world. Usually these reports come in the form of terse, sterile news briefs: a fleeting portrait of a service member flashing across a TV screen or a radio sound-bite at the top of the hour that notes that soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb. When there is an occasional in-depth story, it often focuses on the nature and controversy of the casualty and follows with overtones of grief, sorrow and pity.

Yet, seldom is there a celebration of the life of our fallen warrior.

On this Memorial Day, I hope that our nation can put aside partisanship and political animosities to more fully celebrate the lives of a new, great generation of American warriors; the ordinary citizens who achieved extraordinary achievements and made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

In September of 2004, nearing the end of a long deployment to Fallujah, the truck in which I was riding with my Marine platoon was hit by a massive suicide bomb. Seven brave American fighting men died instantly in addition to three patriotic Iraqi soldiers. Along with five others, I survived and was evacuated. After a lengthy rehabilitation, I visited with all seven families of my fallen men. My trip took me from Lafayette , Louisiana , to Concord , California , to Washington D.C. , and places in between.

Read the rest

Web Reconnaissance for 05/26/2006

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

Captain Ed writes Blair's Next Project: UN Overhaul “Tony Blair has decided that the next Anglo-American project will be the overhaul of the United Nations, whose own reform efforts have been undermined by corruption and scandal. Blair will announce at an appearance today that the UN no longer functions as an effective organization in the post-Cold War era and must transform to retain any relevance:” (read more)

Expose the Left has Dean Blames ‘CoC’ On Repubs, Provides a Laugh (VIDEO) “If you’re in need of a good laugh, I provide: Thanks to Howard Dean, we find out that it is Republicans that have brought the “culture of corruption” to Washington and it is them to blame for infecting poor little William Jefferson with the disease.” (read more)

Some Soldier’s Mom writes Memorial Day 2006: Yes, In My Name. “…I know I say this a lot, but holidays have new meanings for me beginning this year. The change in my outlook is not just a one-year change, but a life-changing epiphany. The day our son was wounded irreversibly changed the intensity with which I view each day, but especially holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas had new meaning, as did New Year’s Day and Mother’s Day. And certainly Veterans’ Day…” (read more)

Mrs. American Soldier writes Just droppin’ in “Hello all. It’s the Mrs. dropping in to say hello and let you know what’s going on here. Readjustment has it’s ups and downs for both of us. AS is going through a lot of differnet things- medical issues due to his injury, anger. anxiety, sadness.” (read more)

John, The Armorer writes Memorial Day 2006 – The Notification “…In a different life, now seemingly long ago and far away, I answered a ringing doorbell. I opened the door, and there stood the Western Union man. I was 12. I knew this was Not Good. Mom came up. She saw the Western Union man. She froze. The Western Union man looked miserable. I took the offered envelope. Opened it. Mom was a statue, frozen in her own private hell. The Western Union man was fidgety, and downcast.
I opened the envelope. Read it out loud.” (read more)

Blackfive writes What Memorial Day Means “...Tomorrow marks a dark anniversary for my friends as well. We lost a good friend three years ago (on Memorial Day 2003 which fell on the 26th) - Major Mathew Schram. If you've never read about Mat Schram's Memorial Day, please click the link.
I miss him. And I probably won't post much tomorrow.” (read more)

The Middle Ground writes Information War: Massive Failure of Culture and Policy “…In the end, a few things are very apparent: the Islamists are not coy about using all types of media to their advantage. They have no qualms about propagandizing their own supporters, the "tacit appovers", outside neutrals or our own civilization. We, on the otherhand, have taken a rather lacadasical approach. Our information programs into these countries that support, even rudimentally, the terrorists and the Islamist ideology, are rather half-measure…” (read more)

Captain B writes MEMORIAL DAY TRIFECTA “Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.” (read more)

Serving the People of Iraq writes "Bush, Bush! [Not] Ali Baba!" “Iraqis commonly refer to members of the terrorist insurgency as Ali Baba. In fact, anyone they think is a thief or some other sort of criminal is referred to as Ali Baba. If you want to know where an insurgent is, or if they come forward volunteering where an insurgent is, your linguistic bridge is the phrase "Ali Baba."” (read more)

They are the Soul of Our American Spirit

In a previous post Mr. Robert Stokely stated "By now, it would be understandable if you and others were tired or hearing from me and what I say." On the contrary Mr. Stokely we are forever in your debt for your service and sacrifice to our Country.

Your words are so obviously true and heartfelt even if from a broken heart, it is still obviously a proud heart for your son was a great man. And great men come from great fathers, they are taught from an early age the value of character and honor. Mike learned his lessons well, and found his purpose in life early. It was because of that, that he, as you said before served while other debated.

On this Memorial Day you, your son and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers and I am grateful for your dedication to your son's memory. So often these days we hear and see lost souls speaking out against that which they have no idea. They take the expedient route, and choose instead the 4 second sound bite and the 2 minute speech that will garner them the most attention, where instead you have taken the high road. And while you have taken a path more morally straight than they, your road is much more difficult, but the reward is greater still. As the preacher stated at Mike's memorial service, "Honor is not the reward that one receives, Honor is the reward for what one gives."

You have mentioned to me many times that you are thankful for my continued honoring of your son, but for me Mike is more than just a topic of discussion, something about Mike touched me, the similarities were too uncanny for it to have been coincidence that I learned of him and the price he paid for our Country. Mike knew his purpose in this life and he helped me find my purpose in this life, he helped refine it and focus it and for that I am forever in his debt.

Mike is still with us, we know that by how we have been brought together to carry on his mission and to accomplish our own. As a previous post of mine stated, "we must tell their story's, 'For They're the World to Us.'" And Mike's story is very important, as is Spc. Casey Sheehan's, Sgt Albert Duplantier's, Lt Robert Seidel's; and the over 2000 other Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom I, II, III, IV and all of the action in Afghanistan as well as the almost 2 million American Fighting men and women that have gone on before them. They are the soul of our American Spirit and for that we must never stop telling their stories.

You ask; are we tired of hearing from you? Never could we be tired of hearing of the great spirit that drives our Country forward onto victory and salvation. Thank you for your service to our Country.

I salute you.

Memorial Day from the eyes of a Gold Star Father

Mr. Robert Stokely, father of Sgt. Mike Stokely, KIA August 16, 2005 Iraq wrote the following last night. Its truly the heart felt feelings of a father whose heart is broken but the words of a father who is extremely proud of his son, who gave his life so that others might live.

Without further delay, Mr. Robert Stokely...

Dear friends in the MilBlog World:
By Robert Stokely,

By now, it would be understandable if you and others were tired or hearing from me and what I say. But, I feel a need to talk about my experiences. It makes me feel better to not hold it in. It also is my hope that others can find something in what I say that makes them feel better, cope, or just think of things said from a perspective I now hold.

This weekend is a very traditional time in modern day American culture - it is Memorial Day Weekend whose premise is on remembering those who fell on the field of battle for the cause of freedom and in the service of our great country. Realistically, it is a three day weekend that signals the start of summer fun for friends and family alike. To be very honest with you, I can't claim to have placed the proper focus on this important weekend in so many years in the past. But, this year I have a new perspective, to say the least.

Sadly, it probably took my son Mike dying in Iraq to make this holiday a time to truly focus on what Memorial Day means. No doubt, I'd rather be remembering "someone else's" fallen soldier. But, I also recognize that the lineage of fallen soldiers is one of privilege for the fallen's family members. No soldier wills to die in battle, nor does a family hope such privilege is accorded them. But, as the dad of a fallen soldier, I can say that I recognize such privilege is given me and our family for who else would it be given if we chose not to accept it? SGT Mike Stokely is an example of a life lived well, boldly committed and bravely given. He believed in God, Family, Duty, Honor, Country. He left nothing in reserve when it came to any of those life character traits. How little it is for me and his family to show our love for him, to honor him, and serve in comfort and safety by simply accepting the privilege of service we have been given by his death in Iraq.

Thank you soldiers generations past and present for your sacrifice and giving us reason to have a Memorial Day.

I never got to tell Mike thank you, so I'll say it now - Thank you son for your life, a life well lived, boldly committed, and bravely given. You made a difference, you died for a just cause, you will be remembered, and you are forever loved. John 15:13 - No greater love...

Thank you God for the privilege of being Mike Stokely's dad.

God Bless America and those whose time of privileged committment is yet to come. The Stokely Family stands ready to serve with you.

Robert Stokely
proud dad
SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 8/16/05 Yusufiyah Iraq
E Troop 108th CAV 48th Brigade GA NATL GUARD US ARMY

DADISM #22

"Life isn't fair."

{This is the standard retort to the child's complaint: "NO Fair!" Most dad's will leave it at that simple, three-word reply, but, on occassion, the provoked dad will unleash a litany of woe at the unsuspecting child, such as:}

"Fair? You think male pattern baldness is fair? Or how about tht rusty heap I take to work every day? Is it fair I should still have to drive that thing while Thompson down the street gets a new SUV? Is it fair old man Simpson gave my promotion to suck-up Wagstaff, even though I have seven years' more senority? Is it fair that your mother gets to watch the Home and Garden channel whenever she wants, even during Monday Night Football? Is that fair? Huh?"

(When this happens, kids would be well advised to quietly sneak out of the room. A rant like this could go on for days.)

Web Reconnaissance for 05/25/2006

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

Captain Ed writes Post: Congress Hysterical (Update: Someone's Listening) “The Washington Post scolds Congressional leaders for their hysterical overreaction to the execution of a duly authorized search warrant on the offices of William Jefferson, and underscores the point by noting that the subpoena hardly came as a surprise to anyone on Capitol Hill:” (read more)

All Things Beautiful writes The Liberal Thought As We Know It “As I have now joined the elite ranks of anti-idiotarian bloggers who have been labeled "Nazis" for having the temerity to identify Islamofascists as the true heirs of the Third Reich, and a racist, a xenophobe, as well as of course an Islamophobe, for daring to be in favor of preserving our sovereignty free of Shari'a oppression, and a bellicose Christian for having the audacity to advocate it vociferously, whilst still confirming my Christian beliefs, I feel the Democrats have now been uplifted to new dizzying heights of verbal lunacy:” (read more)

Michelle of Reformed Chicks Blabbing writes Muslims Don't Believe in Absolute Truth?
“Wouldn't you think that a Secretary of State would have some insight and wisdom from spending time in the Middle East working with people for peace? Don't you think she would understand their culture and mindset? Didn't Madeleine Albright learn anything from her term as a Secretary of State? It would appear not:” (read more)

Dafydd writes Plenty of Room for Improvement - Updated “In defending the basic outline of the Hagel-Martinez immigration bill, Big Lizards does not want to leave the impression that we think the bill is perfect. In fact, we eagerly await negotiations with the House of Representatives; there are elements in the House bill that we hope prevail.” (read more)

Michelle Malkin writes THE JIHADI SNIPERS REVISITED For most people, the Beltway-area sniper case is a distant memory. Over and done. But in Montgomery County, Md., the pain and suffering caused by convicted killing spree murderers Lee Malvo and John Muhammad is as fresh and raw as it was three years ago when the pair terrorized the area--leaving 10 dead and three injured in their wake. (read more)

Neptunus Lex writes Chutzpah “In yesterday’s WSJ, White House staffer Peter Wehner has the unmitigated gall to challenge the emergently conventional wisdom on Iraq - Chiefly that, 1) The president lied us into to war, 2) the administration pressured intelligence professionals to bias their judgments in favor of the war, 3) the failure to find WMD proves Saddam posed no threat, “imminent” or otherwise, and 4) finally, that the goal of promoting democracy in the heart of the Arab Middle East was a post-war rationalization, made up on the fly after that whole “WMD thing” didn’t pan out.” (read more)

John Hawkins of Right Wing News writes The GOP Has A Lot Of Work To Do Before November “Just to give you an idea of how much work the GOP has to do, I thought I'd share some of the feedback I received yesterday -- via comments and email -- after writing a column that urged conservatives to vote for the GOP in 2006. As you read this, keep in mind that the responses you are going to see below are from the sort of people who read Right Wing News & Human Events. In other words, they're mainstream conservatives, exactly the sort of people who should be the GOP's biggest supporters.” (read more)

Quid Nimis writes TAM-Galveston It came to my attention the other day that a Muslim read from the Koran as a part of the Texas A&M Galveston convocation/commencement exercises this past weekend. I fired off an email to the interim CEO, a Mr. Hearn: (read more)

Al Gore - Wrong Again.

Worried about Global Warming?

Don't be, in this article by Pete Du Pont, Mr. Du Pont debunks all of the Global Warming proponents and proves that their warnings are little more than hype. *more in the extended section*

Don't Be Very Worried
The truth about "global warming" is much less dire than Al Gore wants you to think.
BY PETE DU PONT
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 12:01 a.m.

Since 1970, the year of the first Earth Day, America's population has increased by 42%, the country's inflation-adjusted gross domestic product has grown 195%, the number of cars and trucks in the United States has more than doubled, and the total number of miles driven has increased by 178%.

But during these 35 years of growing population, employment, and industrial production, the Environmental Protection Agency reports, the environment has substantially improved. Emissions of the six principal air pollutants have decreased by 53%. Carbon monoxide emissions have dropped from 197 million tons per year to 89 million; nitrogen oxides from 27 million tons to 19 million, and sulfur dioxide from 31 million to 15 million. Particulates are down 80%, and lead emissions have declined by more than 98%.

When it comes to visible environmental improvements, America is also making substantial progress:
• The number of days the city of Los Angeles exceeded the one-hour ozone standard has declined from just under 200 a year in the late 1970s to 27 in 2004.
• The Pacific Research Institute's Index of Leading Environmental Indicators shows that "U.S. forests expanded by 9.5 million acres between 1990 and 2000."
• While wetlands were declining at the rate of 500,000 acres a year at midcentury, they "have shown a net gain of about 26,000 acres per year in the past five years," according to the institute.
• Also according to the institute, "bald eagles, down to fewer than 500 nesting pairs in 1965, are now estimated to number more than 7,500 nesting pairs."

Environmentally speaking, America has had a very good third of a century; the economy has grown and pollutants and their impacts upon society are substantially down.

But now comes the carbon dioxide alarm. CO2 is not a pollutant--indeed it is vital for plant growth--but the annual amount released into the atmosphere has increased 40% since 1970. This increase is blamed by global warming alarmists for a great many evil things. The Web site for Al Gore's new film, "An Inconvenient Truth," claims that because of CO2's impact on our atmosphere, sea levels may rise by 20 feet, the Arctic and Antarctic ice will likely melt, heat waves will be "more frequent and more intense," and "deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years--to 300,000 people a year."

If it all sounds familiar, think back to the 1970s. After the first Earth Day the New York Times predicted "intolerable deterioration and possible extinction" for the human race as the result of pollution. Harvard biologist George Wald predicted that unless we took immediate action "civilization will end within 15 to 30 years," and environmental doomsayer Paul Ehrlich predicted that four billion people--including 65 million American--would perish from famine in the 1980s.

So what is the reality about global warming and its impact on the world? A new study released this week by the National Center for Policy Analysis, "Climate Science: Climate Change and Its Impacts" (http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st285/) looks at a wide variety of climate matters, from global warming and hurricanes to rain and drought, sea levels, arctic temperatures and solar radiation. It concludes that "the science does not support claims of drastic increases in global temperatures over the 21rst century, nor does it support claims of human influence on weather events and other secondary effects of climate change."

There are substantial differences in climate models--some 30 of them looked at by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change--but the Climate Science study concludes that "computer models consistently project a rise in temperatures over the past century that is more than twice as high as the measured increase." The National Center for Atmospheric Research's prediction of 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit warming is more accurate. In short, the world is not warming as much as environmentalists think it is.

What warming there is turns out to be caused by solar radiation rather than human pollution. The Climate Change study concluded "half the observed 20th century warming occurred before 1940 and cannot be attributed to human causes," and changes in solar radiation can "account for 71 percent of the variation in global surface air temperature from 1880 to 1993."

As for hurricanes, 2005 saw several severe ones--Katrina and Rita both had winds of 150 knots--hitting New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and Florida. But there is little evidence linking them to global warming. A team of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists concluded that the increased Atlantic hurricane activity since 1995 "is not related to greenhouse warming" but instead to natural tropical climate cycles.

Regarding Arctic temperature changes, the Study found the coastal stations in Greenland had actually experienced a cooling trend: The "average summer air temperatures at the summit of the Greenland Ice Sheet, have decreased at the rate of 4 degrees F per decade since measurements began in 1987." Add in Russian and Alaskan temperature data and "Arctic air temperatures were warmest in the 1930s and near the coolest for the period of recorded observations (since at least 1920) in the late 1980s."

As for sea ice, it is not melting excessively. Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans concluded that "global warming appears to play a minor role in changes to Arctic sea ice." The U.N.'s IPCC Third Assessment Report concluded that the rate of sea level rise has not accelerated during the last century, which is supported by U.S. coastal sea level experience. In California sea levels have risen between zero and seven millimeters a year and between 2.1 and 2.8 millimeters a year in North and South Carolina.

Finally come the polar bears--a species thought by global warming proponents to be seriously at risk from the increasing temperature. According to the World Wildlife Fund, among the distinct polar bear populations, two are growing--and in areas where temperatures have risen; ten are stable; and two are decreasing. But those two are in areas such as Baffin Bay where air temperatures have actually fallen.

The Climate Science study concludes that projections of global warming over the next century "have decreased significantly since early modeling efforts," and that global air temperatures should increase by 2.5 degrees and the United States by about 1 degree Fahrenheit over the next hundred years. The environmental pessimists tell us, as in Time magazine's recent global warming issue, to "Be Worried. Be Very Worried," but the truth is that our environmental progress has been substantially improving, and we should be very pleased.

'Gouging' is Good

Famed Libertarian Journalist John Stossel pens this great piece found at Jewish World Review that proves once again Government is not there to protect you, but to protect itself.

Mississippi has a place for heroes: Jail
By John Stossel
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com

John Sheperson is a hero. When Hurricane Katrina struck, he turned on the news and learned that people in Mississippi had lost electric power. They desperately needed generators. He decided to help them, while helping himself.

He borrowed money, bought 19 generators, rented a U-Haul and drove it 600 miles to Mississippi, where he offered to sell the generators for twice what he paid for them. Eager buyers surrounded his truck. "People were excited," he said.

So did the generators go to hospitals? To nursing homes? Did they save lives? Did Mississippi officials give Sheperson a medal?

Nope. Instead, they locked him up — and his generators, too.

"Nobody got any use out of them," said Sheperson.

After Katrina, Jim Hood, Mississippi's attorney general, launched a crusade against "price gouging." "For people to take advantage of those in need," he said, "violates every biblical standard of morals that I'm aware of."

The Bible does say, "Give to him that asketh," and if Sheperson had donated those 19 generators and had hauled them down to Mississippi as an act of charity, it would have been fine with Jim Hood. But the attorney general considers making a profit by selling to the desperate at so-called "gouging" prices immoral and illegal.

But making money isn't evil, it's good. Modern life is made possible by people working to make money. And making a profit by "taking advantage" of people in need by meeting their needs is even better.

Today we hear about "gouging" at the gas pump. But it's simple supply and demand. Those "greedy" oil companies don't search for oil and drill for it out of the kindness of their hearts.
They do it to make money, just like John Sheperson. The hope of fat profits is what motivates them to take risks to find new sources of oil to meet our energy needs. If companies think the government will "cap" prices to keep profits "fair," they would have little incentive to take the risk.

"Gouging" prices are made possible by extraordinary need — by times when people decide that it's so important to get a generator that they're willing to pay twice the normal price. This free trade makes both parties better off, or they wouldn't agree to it: Taking advantage of someone's extreme need means meeting someone's extreme need and getting fairly compensated for the unusual effort you had to make in order to do it.

George Mason University economist Russ Roberts points out that if sellers don't raise prices after a disaster, supplies vanish. Anxious buyers often buy more than they need, just in case. Those not at the front of the line may get nothing. "How do you solve that problem? And how do you find out who should get those scarce items?"

One way is rationing — have the government decide who gets what. Another way is to make people wait in long lines and let patience and luck determine who gets the goods.

But the best way is to give the items to those who are willing to pay higher prices. It's best because it directs supplies to those who need them most and because it inspires more people to take the risks John Sheperson took, or invest in finding new sources of (or replacements for) oil.

"High prices are good because what they do is they give people — and companies — the incentive to bring supply in ... and help people in the time of crisis. Without that price increase, who has the incentive to bear the risk of stocking up to take care of people?" said economist Roberts.

You may not believe me or Roberts when we say "gouging" is good, but will you believe three Nobel Prize-winning economists? Nobel Laureate (1992) Gary Becker says "gouging" is the "fairest and best" way to get supplies to those who need them the most. "That's a good thing," added Vernon Smith (2002). And Milton Friedman (1976)?

"The 'gougers' deserve a medal."

DADISM # 21

"Do what I say, not what I do."

{This common disclaimer is frequently used when a dad is practicing not what he preaches.}

Examples:

• Drinking or eating too much
• Leaving his dirty underwear on the floor
• screaming
• cussing
• not wearing a seatbelt
• wandering out in the yard in his underwear

Web Reconnaissance for 05/24/2006

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

Outlaw13 writes News the networks ignore... “It's amazing to me the amount of real news that gets ignored. The news that if reported would actually lend context to the arguments about the war in Iraq. Stories like this one from The Rocky Mountain News...but I guess that would be too much to ask for.” (read more)

Midnight writes Memoirs of a desk jockey “It’s not often one would complain about being promoted to a higher-level position. However, in the military it’s the lower-level units (platoons, teams, etc) that actually conduct operations and most directly impact the war. Higher level commanders, while having much more responsibility, just don’t get outside the wire as often. They direct larger-scale operations and provide supervision to the units actually doing the grunt-work. This makes staff and support jobs undesirable to most Marines.” (read more)

Serving the People of Iraq writes Remember When? “…I know just about every one of us can remember where we were on September 11, 2001. But how well do we remember how we felt that day? And does it really matter?” (read more)

Glen at The Babylon Blog writes There's A Tank In My Front Yard “Every now and then we here a rumble and the clanking of treads. I look out the front door and see the top of a turret and a 50 cal machine gun roll by behind our wall. The tanks are back.” (read more)

Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck writes Out of The Woodwork “They came out of nowhere. I gave some candy to this kid this morning and all kinds of kids started coming out of nowhere. They were going wild! I thought, oh shit, what did I do? A few kids are ok but a crowd could be distracting.” (read more)

Dafydd writes Criminal, Schriminal - We're Talking PRIVILEGES Here! I think it was Paul Mirengoff over on Power Line who wondered how long it would be before the blatant bribery case against Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), was sent to the back of the bus while yet another accusation of George W. Bush's "unilateral approach to the use of [executive] authority" hopped into the driver's seat instead. (read more)

Captain Ed writes Subpoenas Not Enough? “The corruption case of William Jefferson took a strange turn yesterday when several Republican members of Congress objected to the execution of a subpoena on the uncooperative subject of the investigation. House Speaker Dennis Hastert questioned the constituionality of the FBI search, and House Majority Leader John Boehner predicted that the Supreme Court would have to decide the issue:” (read more)

Mohammed at Iraq the Model writes A new oil policy. ‘While a few months ago we were hearing calls from inside the former government for giving a big role for Russian investments in Iraq's oil, now we're hearing a new and different tone; one that calls for opening the door for investments from countries that "stood with Iraq".
Nori al-Maliki also said during a meeting with the S. Korean ambassador that he appreciated the humanitarian role of the Korean troops in Erbil and called for reactivating the Iraqi-Korean cooperation committee to give it a bigger role in Iraq's reconstruction.” (read more)

Michelle Malkin writes MEESE: IT IS AMNESTY Ed Meese III, attorney general of the United States from 1985 to 1988 and Heritage Foundation fellow, calls out the amnesty-deniers this morning in the NYTimes. As the AG who presided over the Reagan amnesty of 1986, he (unlike most of the pols blubbering that their amnesty is not an amnesty) knows what he's talking about: (read more)

While Others Debate, They Serve

Mr. Stokely replies to my post, We Must Tell Their Story “Because They're Everything to Us” with this email:

[T]hanks for sending me this great post about 1st Lt. Seidel III.

This weekend, we will remember lives from generations past to present who died and made a difference. It is not for the MSN to decide what difference is made, or not. It is the life committed to service that is a difference in and of itself and the ultimate commitment is giving one's life in this service to our country, the values we hold, and freedoms we so dearly crave and cling to.

As to the MSN, they should look no farther than their very own ability to report from Iraq today versus three plus years ago under Saddam Hussein and therein, the question is begged and answered - fine men and soldiers like 1st Lt. Robert Seidel II, SGT Bobby Hollar, SGT George Draughn, SGT Mike Stokely and thousands more like them made the difference and MSN can freely report, even distorted reports, without being put in a tree grinder, shot in a stadium, thrown off a balcony, or gassed. That is the difference made by our brave and courageous soldiers who fought for freedom and especially those who died. WHILE OTHERS, INCLUDING THE MSN DEBATE, THEY SERVE!!!!

Thank God for us all that they so willing do.

Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely KIA
8/16/05 near Yusufiyah Iraq south of Baghdad

"While others debate, they serve."

You've said that before and it is so true. Others are only interested in hearing their own words, words spoken without any conviction other than to be heard by themselves, on the contrary there are plenty who do not speak words but rather they serve, and serve they do, in foreign lands, distant shores and down the street, protecting the right of others to speak there empty words.

Thank you for your service!

And I will never forget!

Web Reconnaissance for 05/23/2006

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

Most Certainly Not writes Guard the Border Blogburst 5/22 “This week's Guard the Border Blogburst has arrived. It's authored by Heidi at Euphoric Reality and posted here because I am a member of their blogburst. Interested in joining? See the instructions at the bottom of the post. ‘Our Open Borders Will Be The Death Of Us Yet’”

WO1 M. D. Fay USMC writes The Visit “November 16, 2005 is seared into my memory. It was a day of pitched battle, heroism and violent death.
We rose early and ate hurried meals of crackers and cheese washed down with weak lukewarm Gatorade. The night before word was passed that solid intelligence indicated a significant number of insurgents were cornered with their backs against the Euphrates River, and nowhere else to go…”

Stop the ACLU writes Defending the Right of Congressmen to Break the Law in Private “Over the weekend, the FBI executed a search warrant to search Representative William Jefferson’s congressional office. While it might be amusing to point out that the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana is a Democrat, the intent here is not to make partisan jabs (okay, maybe a little). Corruption has been a part of both parties and neither has a lock on it. (Just look at Illinois).”

Jay Tea of Wizbang writes You have to be pretty highly educated to be this dumb “This morning's Boston Globe has an opinion column by H. D. S. Greenway that discusses the war in Iraq, and cites some rather remarkable historical parallels. Greenway puts together a thorough list of prior wars, ones started under false pretenses. Citing the new book of a historian who seems to have a rather leftist bent, Greenway talks about conflicts as long ago as 1893 where the war was arranged by the alleged "aggrieved" nation, and brings it up to 1954 and Israel's conflict with Egypt.”

Expose the Left writes Almond Refuses To Admit His Vote For Kerry (VIDEO) “Steve Almond, the Boston College professor who quit his job in protest over Condi Rice’s commencement speech at the school, was on Hannity & Colmes tonight. Almond’s appearance was segued by a video montage of liberals doing what they do best, making complete fools out of themselves.”

Kobayashi Maru writes Rewarding Bad Behavior - More Wishful Thinking on Iran “Michael Ledeen's scintillatingly logical (and funny) mock letter to Ahmadinejad yesterday - written, he says, by a Reagan administration official - is set off by a fuzzy-headed piece in this morning's Boston Globe. It betrays itself in the frighteningly ignorant headline: "US could benefit from a give-and-take strategy with Iran". Where to start...”

"Operation: Thanks for Freedom." UPDATE

Kat in Ga writes:

Howdy! Here's the latest update on "Operation: Thanks for Freedom."

[S]tatus report on " Operation: Thanks for Freedom!" And it's not a happy status report, unfortunately. So far, after about two-plus weeks of working on this [which involves sending dozens and dozens of emails, blog postings, putting out flyers, working with the media and the like]…I have a grand total of approximately 15 cards/emails. And that's IT. I'm hoping that I'll just suddenly get a huge influx of cards all at once, haha!!! It does tend to do that sometimes… but typically, a couple weeks into a card drive, I do have more than 15! It worries me – not only for this particular card drive, but worries me for what it might mean in terms of public support for our heroes. Recently, I had two soldiers tell me that in general, they DON'T feel the support from home. One of those soldiers is over in the Sandbox now, and one has been home from the Sandbox for over a year. So, they know whereof they speak. This worries me… it's my life's mission, literally, to make sure our heroes "feel the love" from us back here at home. They've got to know, tangibly, really, how much we support them. They shouldn't have to wonder, or worry, or ever feel forgotten by us back here at home (yep, I know…preaching to the choir again, hehe!).

A friend of mine & I were discussing the low response I've had thus far. She said, "I think people are just plain tired of the war!" I'm quite sure our heroes are awfully tired, too. I'm quite sure they'd all rather be at home, safe & sound, instead of getting shot at, blown up, and holding their best friends in their arms as they take their dying breaths. I'm quite sure that they are tired of wondering, "Has everyone at home forgotten about me? Do they care we are out here? What kind of welcome will I get when I return home?" They are physically tired, as well, often going several days at a time with little or no sleep.

We are ALL tired. Our hearts are ALL weeping (or should be!) over the loss of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts ache for those who were dreadfully wounded, physically and/or otherwise.

And yet, it is for these very reasons that we MUST – we MUST – do everything in our power to support our troops in real, tangible ways, regardless of one's political views. I don't mean this specific card drive: it's bigger than just this one event.

Several folks have promised cards, and I know their word is as good as gold and that they will come through. What I'm getting at, is that her statement (admittedly, in conjunction with the slow response I've gotten so far) made me wonder if perhaps it is indicitive of a nation that is, at least to some extent, sliding into apathy regarding support for our heroes. I'm not talking about just this one tiny, tiny card drive - I'm thinking it's a symptom of something way bigger than that - a national attitude of growing apathy. Don't slide into apathy, don't let your weariness and heartbreak cause you to give up and back away… no, the longer the war rages, the worse it gets, and the more tired we get, THE MORE WE MUST PRESS ON IN SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS!!!

If we don't….then who will? The famous, "Someone Else?" Sorry… Someone Else isn't available. He's busy taking a nap – he was tired.

I have to admit, I've gotten caught up in my own projects that I didn't take the time, a short 5 minutes to send a simple letter or email for this. I'm sure we all feel that way, stretched thin and tired of doing by "ourselves" what everyone in this country should be doing.

Come on people, its the least we can do, they are putting their lives on the line and many times, giving their entire being for our freedom, isn't a card,letter or email a small price to pay for that?

We Must Tell Their Story “Because They're Everything to Us”

War came to our bucolic county North of Washington DC once again this past week when we learned that 1st Lt. Robert Seidel III had been killed in Iraq by an IED. In an attempt to make sense of this sacrifice the local papers have been running articles and even an editorial on him, all saying pretty much the same thing, as expressed by family friend V. Rippeon and mother of Lt Seidel’s friend Ensign Rippeon USN; “…I really hope they're making a difference, because they're everything to us."

I find it quite ironic that the local paper who willing assists the AP and the rest of the MSM in presenting nothing but a negative image of the war in Iraq and purposely ignores the great and noble acts taking place on a daily basis in both Iraq and Afghanistan, is now concerned that our men and women in uniform “over there” are making a difference. They constantly post the numbers of dead as if it is a game, and they are keeping some macabre score card, but it is war and for those of us who are intimately familiar with war you never forget that it is hell, people get hurt and people die, there is no other way to conduct the act of war in which this does not happen, it is not as many in America believe one big video game where at the end of the day everyone re-spawns back on the start point and they do it all again.

The simple truth is my dear editors and fellow Frednecktonians, our men and women in uniform are making a huge difference over there. This past weekend the Iraqi government was finally formalized as they selected all but two of their Cabinet Positions for the new Iraqi Government, despite an increase in violence wrought by those who seek to create chaos and instability the Iraqi’s are moving forward and as in the words of a fellow blogger Mohammed: “I do believe we have a good chance to correct our mistakes and build a modern state and although the new government isn't a perfect creature it is a positive step forward mainly because it is much widely representative of the population than the previous one. Yes, it does not meet our ambitions but also our ambitions have no limits and we must expect a lot of bumps on the road before we reach our goal.”

It has been a hard road for sure and the cost has been high, for the loss of any of our men and women in uniform is a high price to pay, but it is as I have mentioned before a cost that our sons and daughters have willing accepted. The cliché ‘Freedom isn’t Free’ is just that a cliché but it is so true and while our men and women in uniform mean “everything to us,” we have to understand that the cost we are paying now is nothing to the cost that we will have to pay if their loss is to be all for naught and we follow the advice of Mr. Murtha and the rest of the ‘cut and run’ crowd.

Lt. Robert Seidel III USA understood this; he graduated from high school in 2000 a year before 9/11 and graduated from the USMA – West Point in 2004. He knew that upon graduation from West Point as an Infantry officer he was going to see combat at some point in his career, it was inevitable. What he didn’t do though was abandon his fellow soldiers and his men in combat; he strode forward even though he knew the possible price that would have to be paid.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Lt. Seidel loved his fellow man and he lived the ethos of the Infantry in his actions, his death was not in vain and the only reason you are questioning it now is because the media has failed you and the American people in this war. The US and its allies are winning the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, if you don’t believe me, just ask anyone of the fellow soldiers that will be in town for Lt. Seidel’s funeral. And then ask yourself this question, if men who are at the funeral of one of their own are so positive about it, why isn’t the media and more importantly why isn’t your leadership in Congress?

UPDATE: Longtime friend, fellow soldier, sailor and now Navy Civilian wrote this in an email reply:

This is succinct and to the point. The MSM, the liberals, the politicians, the pundits, the anti-American Democrats and Republicans and every other parasite that lives off of the blood and treasure of our patriots will never admit it. To admit it is to look deeply into the mirror and see the cowards that they are. They will find every excuse and do anything in their power to keep from looking at the coward in the mirror.

Since men have banded together to fight, the main reason they did it was for each other. 1LT Siedel will be the "missing man" in the formation at his graveside. If he could speak words that we could hear, do you think he would beg the MSM and the other parasites to validate his cause? I'm sure he would save his breath for those comrades who bid him farewell.

When 241 of my shipmates died in Beirut after I returned to "the world," it never occurred to me that their death needed validation by the peckerheads that benefit from their sacrifice. I knew then that it was up to me to keep their memory and ever forget. Because I'm one of them, a sheepdog, not a sheep. You're a sheepdog too! Its up to us to keep the faith. To never forget.

Cliches are cliches. That doesn't mean that they aren't true, or don't apply. It means that a sound bite can be used to describe it, and it has been described over and over again. Freedom isn't free. The only reason it is a cliche is because that it is true.

SPARTAN SOLDIER
It is beautiful when a brave man of the front ranks falls and dies, battling for his homeland,and ghastly when a man flees planted fields and city and wanders begging with his dear mother,aging father, little children and true wife.

He will be scorned in every new village, reduced to want and loathsome poverty; and shamewill brand his family line, his noble figure. Derision and disaster will hound him.

A turncoat gets no respect or pity; so let us battle for our country and freely give our lives to save our darling children. Young men, fight shield to shield and never succumb to panic or miserable flight,but steel the heart in your chests with magnificence and courage.

Forget your own life when you grapple with the enemy. Never run and let an old soldier collapsewhose legs have lost their power. It is shocking when an old man lies on the front line before a youth: an old warrior whose head is white and beard gray, exhaling his strong soul into the dust, clutching his bloody genitals in his hands: an
abominable vision, foul to see: his flesh naked.

But in a young man all is beautiful when he still possesses the shining flower of lovely youth. Alive he is adored by men, desired by women, and finest to look upon when he falls dead in the forward clash. Let each man spread his legs, rooting them in the ground, bite his teeth into his lips, and hold.

Open Posted at Mudville Gazette

News from Michael Yon

Michael writes:

Greetings:

There are several new items posted on the website today, including a new dispatch entitled "Hiatus Corpus." Also, a veteran who served in the Gulf War and at Mogadishu submitted two poems for the Frontline Forum. There is news about our Canadian allies in the Vox Sententia box, and today we launch a new segment called "First Person Singular" where people who are in the news, and sometimes making the news, answer important questions about what they do and what they believe in. Bill Roggio is our first "First Person Singular. "

Please visit http://www.michaelyon-online.com/ and look for the New This Week box at the top center of the home page, all the above posts can be accessed from that spot.

I'll meet you all there!

Heard the Good News?

Are you ready for an anylsis of the current state of affairs that the MSM isn't giving you? Then take a look at this column written by Michael Barone at Real Clear Politics

Heard the Good News?
By Michael Barone

Things are better than you think. Yes, I know, most Americans are in a sour mood these days, convinced that the struggle in Iraq is an endless cycle of bloodshed, certain that our economy is in dismal shape, lamenting that the nation and the world are off on the wrong track.
That's what polls tell us. But if we look at some other numbers, we'll find that we are living not in the worst of times, but in something much closer to the best.

What do I mean? First, economic growth. In 2005, as in 2004, the world economy grew by about 5 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund, and the IMF projects similar growth for several years to come. This is faster growth than in all but a few peak years in the 1980s and 1990s, and it's in vivid contrast to the long periods of stagnation or contraction in history.

The great engine of this growth is, of course, the United States, which produces more than one-quarter of world economic product and whose gross domestic product has been growing at around 4 percent -- 4.7 percent in the latest quarter. Other engines are China and India, each with about a sixth of the world's people, and economic growth of 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively. But other areas are growing, too: Eastern Europe (5 percent), Russia (6 percent), East Asia (5 percent), Latin America (4 percent), even the Middle East (6 percent) and sub-Saharan Africa (5.5 percent).

Lagging behind are the Euro area (1 percent) and the rest of Western Europe (2 percent). Lesson: Sclerotic welfare states produce mass unemployment and stifle initiative and innovation. In contrast, the Chinese and Indian growth rates show how freeing up an economy produces rapid growth, and the continued contrast between the United States and Europe makes the same point. Free market economic growth is enabling millions of people to rise out of poverty every year. Even more than the experts expect -- as the IMF writes, "The momentum and resilience of the global economy in 2005 continued to exceed expectations."

It's worth noting, as the IMF does, that this growth is being achieved with minimal inflation. "The present era of globalization and low inflation has an important precedent: 1880-1914, the era of the classical gold standard," it notes. That period ended with the outbreak of World War I, and there is no guarantee that the current low-inflation growth will continue. There are always downside risks in the economy. But we seem to be living by far in the best economic times in human history.

But aren't we also living in times of record strife? Actually, no. Just the opposite. The Human Security Centre of the University of British Columbia has been keeping track of armed conflicts since World War II. It reports that the number of genocides and violent conflicts dropped rapidly after the end of the Cold War, and that in 2005 the number of armed conflicts was down 40 percent from 1992.

Wars have also become less deadly: The average number of people killed per conflict per year in 1950 was 38,000; in 2002, it was just 600. The conflict in Iraq has not significantly changed that picture. American casualties are orders of magnitude lower than in the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and precision weapons have enabled us to vastly reduce the civilian death toll.

After our victory in the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama proclaimed that we had reached "the end of history," by which he meant the end of any serious argument over what constitutes the best kind of society. That is disputed by the Islamist fascists, who have made it clear that they will do whatever they can to inflict harm on our civilization.

As Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in his recent letter to President Bush: "Liberalism and Western-style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today, those two concepts have failed."

That's obviously nonsense, of course. Free markets and democracy are chalking up one ringing achievement after another -- as we can see from the surge in world economic growth and the reduction of armed conflict -- while the Islamists can achieve their goals only through oppression and slaughter.

Yes, they can inflict severe damage on us by asymmetric warfare, as they did on Sept. 11, and we must continue to take determined action to prevent them from doing so again. Yes, a nuclear Iran is a severe threat. But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, in most important respects, our civilization is performing splendidly.

Copyright 2006 Creators Syndicate

Web Reconnaissance for 05/22/2006

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

Iraq War Today writes Censure Carter Update “From Melanie Morgan: This Monday, May 22nd is a very big day for the Censure Carter movement. We have our "Censure Jimmy Carter" TV ads debuting on CNN [between 12:00 Noon and 4:00 PM Eastern / 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific] and Headline News [from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern / 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific]. The ads will be seen on these channels NATIONWIDE.”

Captain B writes BAGHDAD ER “On May 21st HBO will be airing “Baghdad ER”. It’s an in your face look at the wounded receiving first rate medical care in Baghdad. HBO is probably going for shock value to gain viewers as they show amputation and massive trauma of our service members. They say the series isn’t “Pro” or Negative” war………..ok, right.”

American Citizen Soldier writes CSI: IRAQ There exists an underreported but ever-present crossover between war and crime that has taken hold in the past year throughout the large metropolitan areas of Iraq. It may always have been a factor, but it has become even more apparent over time. A deadly mix of organized criminality and jihadist savagery has increasingly come to blur the distinctions between the acts of violent terrorists and that of common thugs.

Bruce writes Week #20 (14-20 May 2006) “We are back in the “groove” here at Salerno. We had a command visit from Bagram. LTC **** (Ed Note: Removed for OPSEC) came down for a couple of days and we went on a convoy downtown to meet with the Khost Provincial Hospital and the Minister of Health. It was quite an experience as always…”

Chris writes Whoa Nelly!!!! “Hold the fort and hang on to your butts, sportsfans...Daddy has hit single digits until he's home! Yeah, that's right. I go on R+R leave in 9 days. Why so excited, and why so early, you ask? The same answer to both questions. Because my wife is having a baby, silly!”

Midnight in Iraq writes Junkyards of War “Last week I discovered the Camp Falluja junkyard. It was glorious.As our HMMWV turned the corner and I caught my first glimpse of this vast expanse I heard the playing of “Hallelujah” and saw a radiant white light shine down from heaven upon the scores of deadlined vehicles, discarded parts and general detritus that filled the place. It was a sight to make any gearhead shed a tear. Gunny cursed out loud in excitement from the seat behind me. We had found our Mecca.”

Bandit36 writes Update “IRAQ - I still have yet to hear any logical explanations detailing how we're losing the war, and now that the Iraqis have a government in place I really doubt that anyone will be able to. We won the war. We are winning the peace.”

Justice Soldier writes Full moons, swimming, Insurgent dive bombers, and following mom’s orders “I was walking to midnight chow the other night, which is my one meal of the day. I eat cereal for breakfast, but the only meal I need is the midnight one- heck, I seem to live off the food everyone sends from home anyway. On that note, Jack link’s beef jerky is equal to gold here- it is like Crack or Meth really- people will fight over it.”

Serving the People of Iraq writes Polling by the Numbers “Some poll results vary widely by how the questions are asked, some are good indications of what the people of America think, and others are nothing more than a measurement of how well the media has been able to conceal its bias. Here's a breakdown of good and bad Iraq polling questions, and why it matters.”

Pat Dollard writes DOLLARD DISPATCH #5: WHERE’S THE CIVIL WAR? (MEET ALI BABA) - May 22, 2006 The cold metal in my hand may as well have been the palm of Jesus Christ welcoming me into heaven. As I gripped the Humvee door latch, pulled it, and dragged myself inside, it meant I had made it out of the unprotected kill-zone and back into armored protection - although still inside of the kill-zone. My camera was no longer in my hands - it was outside, perhaps obliterated. There was yelling inside.

Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck writes Apprehension “We were outside the wire today when we had to detain some individuals on suspicion of illegal activity. We were almost back to the FOB when we turned around. Our morning ended up longer than planned. I kind of wished we would’ve just let them go but I’m sure we had to check them out first. It’s safer to make sure everything is ok before letting someone dangerous go.”

The Middle Ground writes Information War: The Hidden Leader of Virtual War “Al-Qaida's media strategy continues to gain in sophistication. Videos and DVDs, often portraying mujahideen attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan or beheadings of "apostates", have become common currency in the souks of the Middle East. A more recent phenomenon has been the emergence of 150 FM radio stations in the Afghan-Pakistan border areas. A Peshawar source said: "They're spewing out an unalloyed message of hatred and jihad against the west."...And people are worried about "placing" stories in Iraqi newspapers."

Andi of Andi’s World writes Profiles in Courage: What a Joke “As I mentioned over at MilBlogs, John Murtha will be receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Monday. As if it's "courageous" to speak out against Operation Iraqi Freedom these days.”

Fbl of Fuzzilicious Thinking writes An Open Letter to Hilton Corp. “Dear Hilton Corporation, This is a friendly letter to try and help you understand what is about to descend on you. You have been greatly misled by the local management of Capital Hilton in Washington, DC in regards to Fran O'Brien's, and that is going to have international repercussions for you. I regret that people are going to be financially hurt along the way, and hope that this letter can have a small role in avoiding that.”

Mohammed at Iraq the Model writes Looking at the new government... “After five long months from the day we elected our representatives the government finally saw the light, though lacking two key members who hopefully will be named within a week. The remaining part of the task requires the PM to find two independent, qualified, competent and nonsectarian Iraqis to fill the defense and interior ministries and a third for the national security ministry but five months were not enough to find such people which indicates that either such people have become very hard to find or that the distrust between our politicians have grown bigger.”

Sgt B of The Gun Line writes Murtha… *spit* “I shall echo a brother Marine, the soon to be frocked Doctor Russia…
To all those who shall read this; Greetings.
Know ye that the special trust and bond of brotherhood between Marines has forever been the essence of our esprit de corps…”

Dixie Chicks Singer Natalie Maines Recants Apology

Bush Gets No Respect From Chicks' Maines
Sunday, May 21, 2006 12:18 PM EDT
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP)

The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines apologized for disrespecting President Bush during a London concert in 2003. But now, she's taking it back. "I don't feel that way anymore," she told Time magazine for its issue hitting newsstands Monday. "I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever."

As war in Iraq loomed, Maines told the London audience: "Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas."

The remarks led to death threats and a backlash from other country stars, including a high-profile spat with Toby Keith. It also stalled what until then had been the group's smashingly successful career.

[Ed Note: Excuse me? I don't think I ever heard of the Dixie Chicks receiveing one death threat because of this. I do rememebr lots of former fans telling her to leave the country but I don't think I ever heard anyone that had threatened her life because of her statement. Is this jsut another attempt by the unhinged left to blame someone else for their statements?]

Bandmate Emily Robinson said she knew right away the remark wouldn't be taken lightly and got "hot from my head to my toes."

"It wasn't that I didn't agree with her 100 percent; it was just, 'Oh, this is going to stir something up,'" she told Time.

For band member Martie Maguire, the controversy was a blessing in disguise. "I'd rather have a small following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith," Maguire said. "We don't want those kinds of fans. They limit what you can do."