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Theodore's World: November 2007 Archives
Murtha Spends Thanksgiving With The Troops~ WTF
Murtha finds military progress in trip to Iraq
Warns that Iraqis must do more for their own security
Post Gazette
U.S. Rep. John Murtha today said he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week, but he warned that Iraqis need to play a larger role in providing their own security and the Bush administration still must develop an exit strategy.
"I think the 'surge' is working," the Democrat said in a videoconference from his Johnstown office, describing the president's decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves."
Violence has dropped significantly in recent months, but Mr. Murtha said he was most encouraged by changes in the once-volatile Anbar province, where locals have started working closely with U.S. forces to isolate insurgents linked to Al Qaeda.
He said Iraqis need to duplicate that success at the national level, but the central government in Baghdad is "dysfunctional."
Mr. Murtha's four day-trip took him to a Thanksgiving dinner with troops in Kuwait last Thursday, and he then made stops in Iraq, Turkey and Belgium.
(Murtha said) the central government in Baghdad is "dysfunctional."
Pot, meet kettle.
" U.S. Rep. John Murtha today said he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week..."
Who gives a rat's ass what you think you pork bellied fat treasonous bastard! Too bad you sucked up taxpayers' money for your utterly useless opinion!
Walk With A Hero Sherman Jones
Spade High School is closing its doors for good. Walking with the last graduating class is a man who left Spade High School over 50 years ago - Sherman Jones
Spade High School Last Graduation
This is so moving and very special. I love things like this and how they honored Sherman Jones. America is the greatest country and people like this are the reason why. These students know what our freedom cost and is costing even today. It is a part of who they are and that is something that NO one can take away.
God bless Sherman Jones, all these students and their teachers.
.....Thank you Tom for sending this to me.
T.A.I.F. Thank ALLAH It's Friday! from Ramadan Rosie
Hey infidels, it's RAMADAN ROSIE coming to you LIVE from 'The Cradle of Civilization' at 33 degrees 00 North and 44 degrees 00 East!
Hello from the 58th largest country in Allah's world and all 168,743 square miles!
Since infidels have to celebrate their Thanksgiving Day holiday and shop to they drop on Black Friday .... Ramadan Rosie decided to take a four day weekend off as well. And so did your opposition since there's not too much going on when infidels are stuffing themselves with turkey and gravy and stuffing and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie! No wonder 60% of Americans are OVERWEIGHT and many OBESE! How come your US Marines can't follow in the same tradition?
About that Black Friday capitalist thing, how come you shop at 4 a.m. with plastic credit cards and debit cards? WE have soooo much oil revenues that usuing debit cards is beneath us. Do your Exxon and Texaco executives in Texas use debit cards, along with their company limos and Hummers and Lexus cars? I'm sure these executive infidels have company GA$ CARD$ too. Shame you nor your families don't!
We are curious that on Thanksgiving you give thanks to your God only one day a year? We're glad you are finally removing the CHRIST from your Christmas Day celebrations on December 25th in your secular 19 blue states! What took you infidels soooo long?
I'm listening to Ann Coulter on radio now and she needs a bodyguard 24-7 to protect her in the land of the Great Satan. What is going on over there in the land of plenty? I thought the cowboy and indian days, and Prohibition Era gangster days were long gone? Here's a quote from Ann Coulter coming at you: " We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing Adolf Hitler and his top Nazi officers. We carpet bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That's WAR! And now this is war!"
Ann Coulter writes for www.humanevents.com and is one of your supposed patriots? Thank ALLAH she didn't replace John Bolten in the United Nations! Ann needs to Burka-Up!
Today's WORDS OF THE DAY to educate you infidels is "OPEN, O' SIMSIM!"
Come on now, you never had nursery rhymes nor fables read to you? How about "OPEN, SESAME!" Now you're getting it! Perhaps Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves rings a bell?
French Europeon Antoine Galland wrote 'The Book of One Thousand and One Nights' in the 18th century. It was all about Ali Baba, who was a poor Arab wood cutter. His father, the caliph, was murdered by invading Mongols....... And yes infidels, Mongols were occupiers too.
So we have been occupied many times before and as you say, " We've been there and done that deal many a time!" Don't you infidels know about foreign cultures and religions and other nation's histories? How come you're constantly told that history repeats itself, and if so, how come you don't LEARN from the past? As you say on your immoral M-TV and BET videos: "WTF?"
We hope you have plenty of more holiday turkeys and pigs to eat, so you'll be so stuffed you won't be able to get off that chair while the football games are being played! Why didn't you name New England's team the New England Puritans? At least they were peaceful and religious occupiers!
So long for now and remember, all you infidels have to do is convert to Islam and pay the tax! It's that easy!!
...Wild Thing creations and written by Darth....
10.3 Million New Immigrants ~ Half Of Them Illegals
Immigration at Record Level, Analysis Finds
NYT ...for complete article
Immigration over the past seven years was the highest for any seven-year period in American history, bringing 10.3 million new immigrants, more than half of them without legal status, according to an analysis of census data released today by the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington.
One in eight people living in the United States is an immigrant, the survey found, for a total of 37.9 million people — the highest level since the 1920s.
The majority of immigrants arriving in recent years are from Mexico and Central America, and more than half of them are illegal.
The states that have received the largest numbers of the new immigrants are also states where immigration has been hotly debated. After five states that have been high on the immigration list for decades — California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas — those receiving the most new immigrants included Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
That this invasion happened on George Bush's watch, with absolutely nothing being done except a push for amnesty, will be the lasting lousy legacy of his presidency. It has cost our nation billions, debased our culture, and taken the lives of thousands of U.S. citizens who were victims of crimes perpetrated by illegals. Shameful.
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.
But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all.
We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." ~ Theodore Roosevelt January 03, 1919
Is It Muslim or Moslem?
MOSLEM!
Why Do People Say Muslim Now Instead of Moslem?
By Yii-Ann Christine Chen
When Baby Boomers were children it was Moslem. The American Heritage Dictionary (1992) noted, "Moslem is the form predominantly preferred in journalism and popular usage. Muslim is preferred by scholars and by English-speaking adherents of Islam." No more. Now, almost everybody uses Muslim.
According to the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, "Moslem and Muslim are basically two different spellings for the same word." But the seemingly arbitrary choice of spellings is a sensitive subject for many followers of Islam. Whereas for most English speakers, the two words are synonymous in meaning, the Arabic roots of the two words are very different.
A Muslim in Arabic means "one who gives himself to God," and is by definition, someone who adheres to Islam. By contrast, a Moslem in Arabic means "one who is evil and unjust" when the word is pronounced, as it is in English, Mozlem with a z.
For others, this spelling differentiation is merely a linguistic matter, with the two spellings a result of variation in transliteration methods. Both Moslem and Muslim are used as nouns. But some writers use Moslem when the word is employed as an adjective.
Journalists switched to Muslim from Moslem in recent years under pressure from Islamic groups. But the use of the word Moslem has not entirely ceased. Established institutions which used the older form of the name have been reluctant to change. The American Moslem Foundation is still the American Moslem Foundation (much as the NAACP is still the NAACP--the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The journal The Moslem World--published by the Hartford Seminary in Connecticut--is still The Moslem World.
I wish I could remember to spell it this way. Moslem! Especially since the word itself is much more descriptive of what they truly are.
God Bless You Henry Hyde ~ Rest In Peace
Henry Hyde - great man. He was one of the good guys.
Congressman Hyde spent more than three decades as a towering figure on Capitol Hill. But he first made his name in Washington more than 60 years ago.
He was on the Georgetown basketball team, and played in the NCAA Eastern championship game in 1943. After college and Navy service in World War II, he returned home to Illinois, and earned a law degree, and made his way into politics. This erudite, scholarly man has walked with kings and kept the common touch.
He won 20 elections, and gave steady service to the people of Illinois for 40 years.
In the House, Congressman Hyde rose to the chairmanship of two committees, Judiciary and International Relations. And from the first day, he was a commanding presence, and he was a man of consequence.
Colleagues were struck by his extraordinary intellect, his deep convictions, and eloquent voice. In committee and in the House chamber, the background noise would stop when Henry Hyde had the floor.
He used his persuasive powers for noble causes. He stood for a strong and purposeful America -- confident in freedom's advance, and firm in freedom's defense. He stood for limited, accountable government, and the equality of every person before the law.
Hyde was President of the Clinton impeachment trial, a high-level participant in the response to the 9-11 attacks.
However, more than anything else Henry Hyde is known for his stalwart defense of the right to life of unborn children.
He stood up against the Clinton slime machine and paid dearly. But, nonetheless, he stood. May God rest his soul.
Some office holders of long tenure become pliable and more compliant to their fellow office holders as they age. Others develop character and confidence in their principles and become, Statesmen. Hyde was a shining example of the later course in how to serve.
He was a good man.
God rest his soul.
Plants From The LEFT Run Rampant At GOP Debate
Debate? Well I can't stand these You Tube Debates, it shows disrespect for the office of the President. But since it is the idea of the left to do this, that is all we need to know in how little they respect the Presidency. Some stupid Muslim broad had a question, naturally about the war, ( Iraq) and might as well have had a sign on her saying she could care less about 9-11 or the sacrifices our troops are making for her fellow Muslim jerks. Moderate??? No SUCH animal!!!!!
Then another lowlight was a gay soldier, a sent there just ever so obviously by who pray tell?? Hillary per chance? Word has it the answer is yes, so I guess this is yet another Gate, might as well call it the Gay Gate via Hillary. The retired brigadier general Keith Kerr, who is gay, asked candidates if they thought U.S. military personnel were professional enough to work with gay and lesbian troops. CNN later learned that Kerr served on Clinton's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender steering committee. OH sure LATER learned?? With a-hem limp wrist Anderson Cooper running the debate, give me a break.
Duncan Hunter did great!!
Fred was especially strong on immigration tonight and did well overall.
RuPaul - This guy is nuts! 'nuff said
Rudy must have said the "I" word a gazillion times. I was going to count how many times, but it started to make me dizzy trying to keep up. LOL
McCain IMO messed up big time, letting the entire world know he does not own a gun. Even if he doesn't he should have omited saying he didn't have one. Also McCain's comments on waterboarding were absurd.
Hunters statement "I will never apologize for America" grew a big applause. The answer was to the question of a Muslim woman who asked how America can restore our image in the Muslim world. The so called moderate Muslim I mentioned earlier in this post. He gave a great answer to the gun question and even gave the young man a fatherly lesson on gun safety as well. He didn't bite on the Norquist pledge like the other stooges. And he smacked the Hildabeast planted gay general back in place pretty good. And did it quite respectfully, too.
Duncan Hunter at YouTube CNN Debate...these are some of his answers
Hunter covers illegal immigration, China cheating on trade, 2nd Amendment, never apologizing for America and homosexuals in the military.
I couldn't find a You Tube of all the answers Fred Thompson made but he did good as well.
Michelle Malkin has a lot of information on all the democrats that had their YouTube questions used last night. One of them a John Edwards supporter including a website she has with her wearing a John Edwards t-shirt. hahahahahha I mean this is just soooooo obvious what a bunch of BS this is doing it with CNN, the liars of the universe and Anderson Cooper who is a total joke as a human being.
Mannequins Removed From Peshawar Shops After Threats
Islamabad (PTI):
Garment shop owners in northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar are removing mannequins from their displays or covering them up with clothes following threats from militants.
A meeting of the shopkeepers' association of Karimpura in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), on wednesday discussed the threatening letters from militants. The association decided to either remove the mannequins from shops or cover them up fully with clothes.
The meeting was informed that 10 militants visited Shaheen Bazaar, a market for women, and asked shopkeepers to remove mannequins. The militants claimed the mannequins promoted obscenity, 'Dawn' newspaper reported today.
The letter sent by the militants warned the shop owners of dire consequences if they did not remove the mannequins.
Maybe the shopkeepers could have just put burqas over the mannequins...that might have appeased the Islamofascists (although the customers would never know what the merchandise looks like.)
They can't even put a plastic replica of a woman on display without driving these goat lovers crazy with lust. Which they of course see as an episode requiring the use of explosives.
Disabled Veterans Jeered At Swimming Pool
The disabled men were injured during tours of Iraq and Afghanistan
Injured soldiers who lost their limbs fighting for their country have been driven from a swimming pool training session by jeering members of the public.
The men, injured during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, were taking part in a rehabilitation session at a leisure centre, when two women demanded they be removed from the pool. They claimed that the soldiers "hadn't paid" and might scare the children.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation. Adml Lord Boyce, a former head of the Armed Forces, said last night the women should be "named and shamed".
"These people are beneath contempt and everything should be done to get their names and publish them in the press," he said. "It is contemptible that people who have given up their limbs for their country should be so abused when they are trying to get fit again."
It comes after calls for the public to do more to welcome home troops back from tours of duty and to recognise the bravery of those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The unpleasant scenes broke out at Leatherhead Leisure Centre in Surrey when the wounded veterans, who are at Headley Court Military Hospital, had to use the 25-metre public pool because the hydro-pool at the defence rehabilitation centre is not big enough for swimming.
The servicemen were about to begin their weekly swimming therapy in closed-off lanes when they were verbally abused by the swimmers.
One woman in her 30s was said to be infuriated by the lane closures saying the soldiers did not deserve to be there when she had paid.
It was also reported that others complained that limbless servicemen were scaring children at the centre.
The atmosphere was said to be so tense that the soldiers' instructors removed them.
Charles Murrin, 79, a Navy veteran who saw the incident, said: "The woman said the men do not deserve to be in there and that she pays to come in the pool and they don't. I spoke to the instructor in the changing room afterwards and he was livid."
It is not the first time that Headley Court neighbours have been accused of poor behaviour.
There was uproar earlier this year after residents objected to planning permission to convert a home into a six-suite hostel for injured soldiers' families to stay in. The local council later approved the building work.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are disappointed that a small number of people objected to the closure of swimming lanes so that patients of Headley Court could use them."
The incident comes weeks after the Help For Heroes appeal was launched to raise £5 million to build a full-size pool and gym at the centre.
Labour will today aim to repair its battered reputation with the Armed Forces by offering all military veterans priority NHS treatment, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
The concession, ordered by the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, will be available to the estimated 4.8 million ex-servicemen and women, sources said last night.
OK I am so angry about this I can hardly type. My hands are shaking I am so outraged.
The people that did this are a total waste of the air they breath. I would say it to their faces if I could!!!!!!
There are certain things that send me over the edge and this is one of them. Treating our troops badly, our Veterans badly and our disabled troops and Vets badly. It is a top priority with me that every single Veteran and our troops today know they are cared about, appreciated and respected. This is a total outrage beyond the pale and there is NO DAMN EXCUSE FOR WHAT THESE PEOPLE DID AND SAID.
The kind of person that can be like these people have been are not worth spit! Their lives are insignificant! The world is NOT a better place because they exist! They are selfish, self absorbed, POS, that walk the earth like brain dead zombies, using the freedom's they have to spew their vile attitudes and should never be allowed to get away with it. Telling them off is not enough, there should be some kind of punishment delivered to this kind of person. Something that will cause them to remember how evil they are. I hope they burn in hell! And THAT is letting them off easy!
....Thank you Jack ( Conservative Insurgent Blog ) for sending this to me.
Exoskeleton Turns Humans Into Terminators
Nov. 21: An experimental robotic exoskeleton for military
Trace Adkins: Kill them radical Muslims!
Country Star Tells TV Station That America Must "Crack Skulls" of Islamists and Kill Radical Muslims
Music City TV
Country singer Trace Adkins isn't shy, and talk radio and political-talk TV has reached out to him time and again for his conservative point of view.
Now, Trace offers a bunch of those points of view is a new book, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck.
And as you can imagine, he's not timid. Trace repeats what he told Bill Maher, that Trace thinks we need to beat on radical Muslims.
"We're going to have to fight it out till it's over and until they don' do this anymore. We're going to have to go in to Afghanistan and take care of this, and if Pakistan doesn't like it, we thump their (butt) too," he writes.
On the next page, Trace says: "I still believe the only way to fight Islamic terrorism is to crack skulls."
If yer going to Sunday's Titans game, you can ask him all about it: Trace is singing the national anthem.
This is great. Thank you Trace!
Worthless Farce Of A Peace Conference And Why
There is no Israeli flag flying from any of the four flagpoles outside the Washington hotel where Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the rest of the Israeli delegation are staying for this week's Annapolis summit. Security concerns, presumably.
A short drive away, at the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's hotel, by contrast, the Palestinian flag waves high and proud. And, inside, members of the Palestinian delegation are only too happy to publicize their presence and spread their message.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said," Saudi Arabia would not consider establishing diplomatic relations with Israel until after Palestinian and other territorial questions are settled. "
Prince Saud al-Faisal said, "The important factor is the placement of a deadline for negotiations so they do not become endless and this is what the American government hosting the conference has promised, that the time period does not exceed one year"
Ynet
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Friday he will attend next week's US-sponsored Middle East peace conference but insisted he would not allow "theatrics" like handshakes with Israeli officials, saying the "gathering must make serious progress."
a small sample from the Text of Abbas Statement at Mideast Summit
AP ...for complete statement terrorist Abbas made.
"It is my duty to say that, to have peace, we need the fate of the city of Jerusalem to be a critical component in any peace accord that we might reach. We need East Jerusalem to be our capital and to establish open relations with Western Jerusalem, and to ensure for all the faithful from all religions their right to exercise their rituals and to access holy shrines without any discrimination and on the basis of international and humanitarian goals."
The Israelis should be grateful that they won't have to shake the hands of these Arabs... They wipe their a$$es with that hand anyway. Let them spread germs among each other and let the Jews have the last laugh for once!! If a Saudi official - Bush's good friend - can't bring himself to shake hands with an Israeli, Annapolis is a farce!
They might make an agreement but PEACE will never be reached.
Olmert just might give away all of Israel but for 1 square mile, and it won't be enough. NOTHING is EVER enough, nor will it ever be.
And WTF, no Israeli flag flying, but the terrorist Amalekstinian one flying high! This "conference" stinks like Munich and Yalta! Abbas and his imps fetted like Hollywood celebrities, and Israel's folks treated like unwanted guests at a family reunion! What a slap in the face to an ally! It seems the enemies of the USA are treated better by it than its friends. Disgusting!
Memo to Abbas from Wild Thing: Right now Muslims can go to the Dome or the al-Asqa mosque, Christians can walk the Via Dolorosa, go to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher etc. Christian holy places are safe with the Israelis ruling all the city. Unlike what happens when Muslims take over anything belonging to another religion. Oh, Abbas, one more thing, stop the conniptions every-time observant Jews approach the Temple Mount. That place is sacred to Jews and Christians, and was sacred to them when Mohammed wasn't even thought of.
Bush wants a Palestinian state by the end of 2008. What is wrong with that man? Illegal amnesty. A state for terrorists. Giving America away to the UN. God save us from "compassionate conservative" RINO's! Believe me I hate to speak this way about our President. I respect the office of the President and would love to be gung ho about the man I voted for twice. But I did not let him down he let me down and I just have to say what is true. His actions effect not only his voting base ( me) but also our entire country and our safety. Yes he is better then if Kerry had won or Gore. But the lesser of two evils is wearing thin when important issues are at stake.
When you listen to the aduio below and hear a man like Bolton speak, his strength of what needs to be done, makes ones heart proud to be an Ameircan. And oh how I wish we had that strength in our President, but alas we do not.
Israel should not agree to any negotiations until the Arabs give up their objective of seeing to Israel's disappearance. Israel should not be asked to cooperate in signing her own death warrant. That is not what a self-respecting country should ever see as a legitimate goal of statecraft for its adversary.
If the terrorists would lay down their weapons, there would be no violence. If Israel would lay down its weapons, there would be no Israel.
CLICK HERE to listen to the conference call. In it Bolton shares his views of current foreign policy matters and he discusses why the Annapolis meeting is bad for the United States and Israel.
God bless John Bolton. I wish sooooooooo much he was in charge.
Hillary Says Colin Powell For Foreign Policy Expert If Elected
Clinton Says She'd Tap Colin Powell for Foreign Policy Expertise If Elected
SPARTANBURG, S.C.
Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that if elected U.S. president she would call on former Secretary of State Colin Powell as part of a bipartisan diplomatic delegation to be sent abroad to restore America's image.
Noting Powell's foreign policy expertise, Clinton publicly offered fresh details in her plan — often described in general terms — that she says she would institute before her would-be inauguration.
Clinton has previously mentioned Powell and George H.W. Bush as potential members of that delegation during interviews, but rarely names names when speaking publicly.
But Tuesday she specifically told a group of black ministers who were endorsing her in Spartanburg, S.C., that to restore the country's reputation, she would tap the man who under President Bush led the foreign policy argument to invade Iraq in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
"I won't even wait until I'm inaugurated, but as soon as I'm elected I'm going to be asking distinguished Americans of both parties — people like Colin Powell, for example and others — who can represent our country well, including someone I know very well, " she said smiling while making reference to her husband and former President Bill Clinton. "Because I want to send a message heard across the world. The era of cowboy diplomacy is over."
The over-reaching hubris of this woman is absolutely stunning. Have you ever noticed that every sentence out of her mouth has 3 or 4 "I's" in it? That's all I can say right now without popping a blood vessel in my head.
Remember when Powell let it be known, during the Florida recount, when everyone expected GWB to pick him as Secretary of State, that he'd be open to serving in a Gore administration if Gore won Florida? And then of course he kept quiet during the Valerie Plame uproar, all the while knowing that Richard Armitage was the leaker, even though he was still the Secretary of State and the controversy was damaging to President Bush.
Hey Colin, just a slight warning for you, don't forget about the other black man the Clinton's had on their team, Ron Brown, he ended up dead in an airplane crash. If you sign on with Hillary be alert at all times. I don't like Powell at all, but I do so hate to have to go through another Clinton GATE of any kind. We had so many of them when Bill was President.
America Still Has Her Soul
Amazing National Anthem at Fenway Park - Crowd Helps Autistic Singer
It was Disability Awareness day and the folks at Fenway did a lot of great things for kids with challenges..here is one who sang and when he got nervous the Fenway Faithful helped him out
I always get teary when I hear the anthem, and this one was very profound. Watch it all the way through, you will hear the audience join in, it is very powerful.
Contrast this with the ommission of the Anthem at last night's Monday Night Football game.
Anthem Skipped Before Monday Night Game
Breitbart.com
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Sports in America start with the national anthem. The Dolphins- Steelers game was an exception. Rushing to begin the nationally televised matchup following a 25- minute weather delay, the NFL chose to skip the anthem Monday night before Miami played Pittsburgh. The game started without any of the traditional pregame ceremonies, except the coin toss, and neither team was introduced on the public address system.
According to the Steelers, the NFL wanted the game to begin as soon as possible following the delay. Several more minutes would have been needed to set up a microphone and sound equipment at midfield, where the anthem is traditionally performed at Steelers games.
Why did they need a mike and sound equipment? Why not just make an announcement that anyone who wanted could stand up and sing the National Anthem?
Christmas Censors Are Out In Force
"We haven't hit December yet and already the politically correct police are out in force trying to censor Christmas.
Catholic league
Here are some samples:
· For 75 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 'Hollywood Christmas Parade.' When it refused to sponsor the parade this year, the L.A. City Council took over, renaming it the 'Hollywood Santa Parade.'
· The Department of Housing and Urban Development has censored Christmas religious symbols from its housing complexes.
· No Christmas decorations are allowed on school buses in parts of Vermont.
· A Jewish public official in Wisconsin wants to rename the State Capitol Holiday Tree the Christmas Tree, but is being opposed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
· Chattanooga has banned a live nativity scene from its public festivities.
· Sonoma City Council has nixed religious displays on the Plaza.
· Voters in Berkley, Michigan have forbidden a crèche at City Hall.
· Fort Collins, Colorado says it is okay to have green and red lights outside city buildings, but only secular symbols are allowed inside.
· After Briarcliff Manor, New York was ordered to erect a crèche next to a menorah, the village elected to ban all religious symbols.
· Residents in Olean, New York are fighting over privately owned nativity scenes being displayed in city parks.
· A nativity scene in front of the Ypsilanti Township fire hall in Michigan has been banned.
· No religious symbols are allowed in Seattle-Tacoma airport, but trees made of cardboard are legit.
· Nativity scenes at Texas Tech are not permissible, but a tree is okay. The official in charge says, 'We're not saying it's a holiday tree, because it's a Christmas tree, but we choose to do a tasteful tree that really anybody can embrace.' Great idea!
"There you have it. The multicultural monsters are rearing their ugly heads once again, showing what they really mean by tolerance for diversity."
I say a BIG ole Merry Christmas and a HO HO HO!
Ahmadinejad Offers To Be Observer At US Presidential Election
Ahmadinejad offers to be an observer at US presidential election
Guardian.co.uk
He denounces it as the "Great Satan" and frequently dismisses its power, but the overtures of the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to the US seem to grow ever more extravagant. Having failed to win a response with an 18-page letter to President George Bush or to a request to visit the site of the September 11 2001 attack on New York, Ahmadinejad has offered himself as an observer in next year's presidential election.
The proposal came in a speech to volunteers with the Basij, a pro-regime militia. He said he was prompted by a belief that Americans would vote against the current administration in a truly free poll. However, the terms of Ahmadinejad's offer appeared to betray some confusion about the potential candidates.
"If the White House officials allow us to be present as an observer in their presidential election we will see whether people in their country are going to vote for them again or not," he said. The US constitution prevents Bush from seeking a third consecutive term, while no member of his administration is expected to be in the running in next November's poll.
Bush and international human rights groups voiced doubts about the legitimacy of Iran's 2005 presidential election, which brought Ahmadinejad to power. More than 1,000 potential candidates were disqualified by the guardian council, a powerful body of clerics and judges.
Some domestic critics pointed out yesterday that Ahmadinejad's idea clashed with his government's opposition to allowing independent observers at Iranian elections. The interior ministry, controlled by one of the president's most hard-line allies, has rejected pressure for party representatives to be allowed to oversee proceedings at polling stations .
He said he was prompted by a belief that Americans would vote against the current administration in a truly free poll.
This bleepin' clown doesn't seem to realize that the current administration won't be on the ballot next year. LMAO How many Iranian "Subjects" will be instructed that Imanutjob prevented a Bush 3rd term?
And who's going to inspect the hanging chads, Putin? Maybe Mumu Ack-dinner-jihad can investigate why the Father of the Internet couldn't win his home state.
Maybe Hillary will offer him to be her running mate.
Hillary ~ "It will be me"
Sen. Hillary Clinton tells Katie Couric: I will be the Democratic nominee
Is Sen. Hillary Clinton feeling any doubts about winning the Democratic nomination for president? Not at all.
"It will be me," Clinton tells Katie Couric in an interview to air Monday on the "CBS Evening News With Katie Couric." The broadcast airs at 6:30 p.m. on WKMG-Channel 6.
Couric also asked if Clinton is concerned that Oprah Winfrey could boost Sen. Barack Obama by campaigning for him in three key states.
"No, at the end of the day," Clinton says. "I'm proud to have my husband support me ... with his knowledge, experience and incredible ability to vouch for me."
Clinton says she hasn't raised expectations of success in the Iowa caucus on Jan. 14, which is the first contest.
"When I got into the race, I was so far behind in Iowa it was embarrassing," Clinton says.
The candidate said she is encouraged by her progress and predicts Iowa will be a tight race.
So the keeper of all those FBI files declares herself a winner. LOL Now she can relax and pick out the draperies for the White House. OH wait..... She already has the draperies picked out, they're the same ones she and Bill stole on Jan 20, 2001, (along with the White House silverware.) I guess it depends on what the definition of VOUCH is.
"incredible ability to vouch for me"
WOW well yes it is incredible how the two of them vouch for each other. She's being vouched for by a man convicted of perjury!! LOL
Criminals BOTH! Will people DIE if it ISN'T her!!
Bride (a-hem ?) and Groom Terror Suspects
Official: Bride, groom stopped in Iraq actually terror suspects
BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Soldiers manning a checkpoint near Baghdad stopped a wedding convoy to find that the purported bride and groom were wanted terror suspects, an Iraqi Defense Ministry official said Monday.
The Army set up the checkpoint last week in the Taji area, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Baghdad.
The soldiers became suspicious of the convoy because its members -- save the "bride" -- were all male and because one of the cars in the convoy did not heed orders to stop, the official said.
Also, soldiers said, the people in the car seemed nervous and the groom refused to lift his bride's veil when soldiers asked him to, according to the official.
Soldiers ordered everyone out of the car, the official said.
Upon inspecting the convoy, soldiers found a stubbly-faced man, Haider al-Bahadli, decked out in a white bride's dress and veil.
Bahadli was wanted on terror-related charges, as was his groom, Abbas al-Dobbi, the official said.
Two other terror-related suspects were detained as well.
OMG this is hilarious. They must think our troops are stupid and they sure as heck aren't!! I have heard the terrorists have done stuff like this before as well as dressing in burka's.
...Thank you SSgt Steve
Palestinian State by '08, Says Bush
The U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., is the site of the Middle East peace summit this week
Tells PA president in private meeting U.S. committed to Israeli withdrawal
President Bush told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a private meeting today the U.S. will ensure the Palestinians will have a state on the ground before Bush leaves office, a senior Palestinian negotiator told WND.
"Bush and the U.S. administration gave us a commitment there will be a Palestinian state before he leaves office, and not just an outline of a state on paper but contiguous territory on the ground," said the Palestinian negotiator, who spoke on condition his name be withheld because he was revealing the contents of a private meeting.
"Bush said he is committed to seeing an Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank," the negotiator said.
Bush met separately today with Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ahead of tomorrow's U.S.-sponsored Annapolis summit at which the Israeli and Palestinian teams are slated to present a joint declaration widely expected to outline a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and eastern sections of Jerusalem.
After holding private meetings with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Bush told reporters at a press conference he was "optimistic" tomorrow's summit would be successful.
"We want to help [Abbas]. We want there to be peace. We want the people in the Palestinian territories to have hope," said Bush after his meeting with the Palestinian leader.
Abbas later told a news conference he has "a great deal of hope that this conference will produce permanent status negotiations, expanded negotiations, over all permanent status issues that would lead to a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian people."
"This is a great initiative and we need [Bush's] continuing effort to achieve this objective," said Abbas.
In what has been described by some media outlets as a diplomatic coup for Bush, the governments of Syria, Saudi Arabia and dozens of other Arab states are sending senior representatives to tomorrow's summit.
Bush and Condi want to give these people legitimacy! I say NO, NO NO way! The minute it becomes official, Hamas will take Palestine over from Abbas. It will be followed by such carnage as they attack the Israelis. This is the worst plan ever.
Granted this story is from WND, and sometimes we have to wait and see if it shows up in the rest of the media. But even so, the things Bush and Condi have said and done in the past go right along with what this article is saying. I pray none of this happens. There are so many things wrong with this.
Look at this video of a Palestinian PROTEST Against the US on 9-11
(cheering and so happy about the attacks on 9-11)
Students Suspended For Talking About Nooses
Lee's Summit West High
Accusations of racism in a Lee's Summit high school have lead to suspensions, but now the parents say their kids were unfairly punished.
There's apparently been some racial tension in the band at Lee's Summit West, specifically on the drum line. Students were talked to a couple weeks ago because both the black and white kids were using the "n word" and the band director told them to stop. But then talk about a noose landed a couple kids in big trouble.
Travis Grigsby loves playing drums, but he and his friend Alex Coday weren't able to play for two weeks after they were suspended. It started after the band's performance at a football game. Some kids on the drum line said they were talking about the best knots to use to tie up the drum equipment.
"Someone asked if anybody knew how to tie a noose and Travis did admit he knew how to tie a noose," Kim Grigsby said.
Travis' mom said her son is almost an Eagle Scout, he knew how to tie it, but told his friends he wouldn't because you could get in trouble for that. Later, a black student on the drum line told the teacher he was offended.
"Travis was accused of using a racial slur for saying the word 'noose.' Then he was suspended for 10 days," Kim said.
She said the school district accused the boys of having a racially charged conversation about nooses, but Travis and Alex insist that's not what happened.
"I don't feel they let Alex or Travis tell their side of the story," Kim said.
Alex's parents wrote to the district saying this is pushing the kids apart instead of bringing them together. Other kids and parents agree.
"We just want what's fair for our boys," Kim said. "They're good boys, get good grades, participate in school activities."
The school did shorten the kids' school suspension to only five days, but it will affect their grades.
"They are being punished beyond what is even near reasonable," Kim said.
The school district said it can't comment because of privacy issues, but said no one is aware of any racial tensions at the school. The administrators said they did investigate it thoroughly.
I hope and pray at some point in the future Americans will throw off the chains of this PC nonsense. The left has every intention of shutting down any speech they dislike.
Let's see, anybody heard the song "Dang Me Oughta Take a Rope and Hang Me", "The Old Home Town Looks the Same" Tom Jones singer. "Hangin Tree", Marty Robbins. And I can remember metal lunch pails with western scenes which included a noose. I refuse to cave in and give up parts of my culture that another race wants to co-opt and brand as evil.
Government Revising Plan on Illegals
Washington Post ...for complete article
WASHINGTON -- The government says it will rewrite rules for penalizing employers of illegal immigrants to try to satisfy a federal judge in San Francisco who put the crackdown on hold.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer stopped the Bush administration last month from going ahead with enforcement of regulations requiring employers to fire workers if their Social Security numbers did not match records and the discrepancies could not be addressed in 90 days. In issuing the temporary injunction, the judge said the Social Security database contained errors that could have cost many legal workers their jobs, and the government did not properly study the effect of the rules on business.
Late Friday, Breyer agreed to a request from the administration to put the case on hold while it reworks the regulations _ a process bound to put off enforcement until the spring. The judge stayed proceedings until March 24, when the government thought it could have new rules ready on how to enforce immigration laws in the workplace.
Another infuriating obstruction for US from the 9th Circus .. they're obsessed with making us a 60's hippy, socialist, crime-ridden nation. I N F U R I A T I N G !!!
U.S. Constitution, Article 4 Section 4:
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,
and shall protect each of them against Invasion;"
Invasion: \In*va"sion\, n. [L. invasio: cf. F. invasion. See Invade.] [1913 Webster]
1. The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.
I Won't Back Down ~ Our Troops Rock!
I wont back down-by Johnny Cash
Iran to Launch Home-Made Submarine, Destroyer
Fars News Agency
Iranian army's naval commander said that the country is due to launch a home-made destroyer and a submarine on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference here on Saturday, Admiral Habib Sayyari further pointed to the production of missile-launching PT boats by the navy, and added, "A home-made destroyer called 'Jamaran' and a (home-made) submarine of 'Ghadir' class will launch operation on November 28."
He further stressed that his troops are closely monitoring military moves of trans-regional powers in the region, and said:
"No move in the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormoz could remain hidden from our eyes. The naval force is in full control over the region and monitors all the military moves of the enemies in the region."
Asked if Iran would block the Strait of Hormoz in case of foreign invasion, the navy commander, said:
"We are prepared to defend the interests of the Islamic Republic against any kind of threat, but we have not made any such claim about closing the Strait of Hormoz. Yet, we are ready to take action to preserve our interests."
He described self-belief and self-reliance as the most important achievements of the Iranian naval forces, and said that his troops have made great achievements in training tactics and equipment manufacturing.
The commander further voiced opposition to the expansion of military capabilities in the Caspian Sea, saying:
"We view the Caspian as a sea of peace and friendship and we believe upgrading and expanding military equipment in this sea is incorrect. Yet, we are always prepared to defend the country's interests."
He said Iranian navy enjoys a powerful missile capability, adding that navy units are equipped with various types of surface and subsurface missiles and torpedoes.
The Admiral underlined that Iran's military capabilities serve as a deterrent and pursue defensive purposes, but meantime warned:
"If the enemy makes a mistake, he will receive such a powerful second strike that it won't be able to stand up."
He said a powerful and mighty Iran would bring peace and security to the region, adding, "We are willing to promote our interactions with regional states at all levels.
To end his remarks, the navy commander mentioned that his troops are scheduled to stage massive military exercises codenamed 'Unity 86' in the Sea of Oman in February, adding that new tactics and military tools and equipment would be tested during the maneuvers
What fun for us, for our troops. Target practice for a Sunday afternoon everyone. heh heh Notify the 72 virgins there will be more Islamofreaks heading your way.
Oh sure just like mom used to make. LOL
Christmas With a Capital "C"
The group is Go Fish and the album is named Snow.
To all Muslim lurkers and lefties wanting to wipe out our upcoming Christmas holiday. Watch it, and know we aren't giving anything up for your agenda!
Football Week Twelve
Cheerleaders of the NFL
Here are the matchups for Sunday, November 25 Time (EST)
NO @ CAR 1:00 PM
HOU @ CLE 1:00 PM
OAK @ KC 1:00 PM
SEA @ STL 1:00 PM
TEN @ CIN 1:00 PM
WAS @ TB 1:00 PM
BUF @ JAC 1:00 PM
MIN @ NYG 1:00 PM
SF @ ARI 4:05 PM
BAL @ SD 4:15 PM
DEN @ CHI 4:15 PM
PHI @ NE 8:15 PM
Monday, November 26 Time (EST)
MIA @ PIT 8:30 PM
Byes: None
These are the teams I think everyone is for. I will add to this as you tell me your favorite teams.
(Some names are those deployed in Iraq)
Lynn - Broncos, Bears, Browns
Tom - Cowboys, Broncos
Darth - New York Giants, Tampa Bay Bucs, (ABP - 'anybody' but Philly )
Mark - Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Bears
Bob - Buffalo Bills
Billy - Jets, NY Giants, Bears
Nick - Cowboys, Rams and Raiders
Karsten - Tampa Bay Bucs, NY Giants
navycopjoe - Chicago Bears
LindaSOG - Miami Dolphins
Jonathan - Raiders
Dawn - Seahawks, Bronco's ....(husband USARMY delpoyed, Iraq)
Amber - Green Bay Packers .....(husband USMC delpoyed Iraq)
Cuchieddie - Raiders
Sierrahome - Colts
patrickdaniel - Chargers, Cowboys
Eve - Colts ....(husband USARMY deployed Iraq)
Beth - Bears , Saints
Chief - Seahwaks
Chrissie - Bears, Broncos and Cowboys
Deployed:
Andy ( USMC) - Colts
Mike ( USARMY) - Seattle Seahawks
Sand Man ( (USMC) - Bronco's
Dave (USARMY) - Patriots
Tim ( USMC) - Bears
Jean ( USARMY) - Atlanta Falcons
Greg (USARMY) - Eagles
Max ( USARMY- Cowboys
Pete ( USMC) - Bronco's
Sunday FINAL Scores
OAK 20 @ KC 17 FINAL
WAS 13 @ TB 19 FINAL
NO 31 @ CAR 6 FINAL
TEN 6 @ CIN 35 FINAL
HOU 17 @ CLE 27 FINAL
BUF 14 @ JAC 36 FINAL
SF 37 @ ARI 31 FINAL
DEN 34 @ CHI 37 FINAL
BAL 14 @ SD 32 FINAL
MIN 41 @ NYG 17 FINAL
SEA 24 @ STL 19 FINAL
PHI 28 @ NE 31 FINAL
A Special Thankgiving With Friends
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and so special. We got to be with close friends that are family to me. Online is a world that opened up to me in 1997 when I got my first computer. There are many stories how we all have met our friends that we cherish, and when we meet friends we have gotten to know online it is such a special time. With blogs like this one we can get a feeling of how a person thinks, where there passion is about our country, our military, their stand on many things.
This last Thanksgiving some of us that have already met in the last few years were able to see each other again. Linda of Something.... and Half of Something, Beth of MVRWC, Vinnie or Vince aut Morire ( he has taken a break in blogging ) , and Merri of Merri's Musings. And their children as well which made it even more special and fun.
Laughter, wonderful conversation, more laughter and delicious food. Merri is an awesome cook, she did a special treat for all of us and fixed the Thanksgiving meal. Yummy. Merri is Vinnie's wife and her blog has two of her many interests. One is the protection of children and her love of cooking.
And ALL agreed that Merri is a better cook then Rachel Ray.
I wanted to share about our Thanksgiving with all of you, my dear friends and family here at Theodore's World because you all mean so much to me just as those that got to come here for the holiday do in my life. My friends are my family and the times we share on here, online, in person mean so much to me.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Mott lays down a row of M-792 .25-mm High Explosive Incendiary rounds into a pit on Ali Air Base, Iraq.
Airmen of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team unloaded just under 1,800 pounds of expired munitions to ensure they will not be used against U.S. forces. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder.
"The Religion of Peace" Beheading Because of Western Style Trousers
Iraq: Sisters behead uncle and aunt in front of their children - because he wore Western-style trousers
And also an article at Reuters
An Iraqi couple were beheaded in front of their children by their cousins because the man wore Western-style trousers.
Three suspected al Qaeda militants, including two sisters, beheaded their uncle and his wife, forcing the couple's children to watch, according to Iraqi police.
The killing came because the school guard Youssef al-Hayali was considered an infidel because he did not pray and wore western-style trousers.
The militants, later arrested in Diyala province northwest of Baghdad, killed Hayali and his wife Zeinab Kamel at the all-boys school in Jalawlah.
Sunni Arab communities across Iraq have been turning against al Qaeda because of its indiscriminate killings and strict interpretation of Islam, which includes a ban on smoking in public and forcing schoolgirls to wear veils.
Sick is the word for it. I don't want any of these kind of people coming into this country. Well, they didn't put panties over their heads or scare them with dogs etc.. So I guess the lefties in our country and the media will not want this to get out to let people know the truth about how peaceful Islam is.
Not Enough Parking for Private Jets at UN Climate Conf.
Not Enough Parking for Private Jets Going to UN Climate Conference
As climate alarmists from all over the world head to Bali to talk about the sacrifices regular folks have to make to save the planet from global warming, it seems certain media will ignore all the private jets clogging the tiny airport.
As if it's not enough that the United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held at what NewsBusters reported as "a truly beautiful tropical island paradise," the management of the nearby airport has issued a warning to attendees that they are going to have to park their private jets somewhere else.
Tempo Interaktif reports that Angkasa Pura - the management of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport are concerned that the large number of additional private charter flights expected in Bali during the UN Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) December 3-15, 2007, will exceed the carrying capacity of apron areas. To meet the added demand for aircraft storage officials are allocating "parking space" at other airports in Indonesia.
The operational manager for Bali's Airport, Azjar Effendi, says his 3 parking areas can only accommodate 15 planes, which means that some of the jets used by VIP delegations will only be allowed to disembark and embark their planes in Bali with parking provided at airports in Surabaya, Lombok, Jakarta and Makassar.
While idiots like Al Gore tell us to stop wasting fuel he jets around throwing out tons of hot air and fuel exhaust not to mention heating his rather large house and all the energy it consumes.
....And this from SSgt. Steve, thank you so much...................
"The only people who would be hurt by abandoning the Kyoto Protocol would be several thousand people who make a living attending conferences on global warming." - Professor Kirill Kondratyev, Russian Academy of Sciences
Detroit Lions Vow To Fight Global Warming
Lions vow to fight global warming with `carbon neutral' game
The Detroit Lions say they'll take on the Green Bay Packers without warming the globe, buying a stake in a replanted rain forest in Ecuador to offset the up to 933 tons of carbon dioxide the Thanksgiving Day game is expected to generate.
The Lions will follow the standards for greenhouse gas offsets laid down by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, according to the environmental engineering company handling Thursday's "green game" at Ford Field.
It may seem odd to plant trees in South America because of U.S. football fans' tailpipe emissions, but there is strong logic to it, said Mike Dolkowski, a partner in Carbon Credit Environmental Services Inc.
"CO2 and greenhouse gases are a global issue," he said.
U.S. businesses and private citizens can and should do much to reduce their own "carbon footprints" by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and switching to renewable energy sources, he said.
But some costs — like flying a football team and entourage from Wisconsin to Michigan — can't be helped, Dolkowski said.
"There are emissions that are inevitable," he said.
That's where carbon offsets come in.
A company or family can take steps that buy a share in a greenhouse gas reduction project anywhere in the world to neutralize the net effect of their own carbon dioxide output.
Carbon Credit Environmental Services is a Detroit-based for-profit business engaged in a range of programs related to energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction.
There seems to be no escape from this crap anymore.
"Carbon Credit Environmental Services is a Detroit-based for-profit business"
Wonder who's making money off this scam. No names on their Web site.
Parents See Red Over School's Green-Suited Santa
Father Christmas has been given a makeover - after one school decided his red suit was a symbol of "modern commercialism".
The outfit would remind pupils of Coca-Cola adverts, according to the parents' committee at the Steiner School in Brighton.
So instead youngsters will be visited by a green-clad St Nicholas.
School spokesman Sarah James said: "The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism."
But the move has upset some parents, who would prefer the red-suited Santa.
Cheryl Williams, 24, said: "What are they going to ban next - snow? Once again the PC brigade have clamped down on everyone's fun."
And amateur historian David Baker said: "There are images of a red-suited Santa going back to before the creation of Coca-Cola.
"Thomas Nast drew images of Merry Old Santa Claus that shows Santa in his red suit.
"If my research is correct, Coca-Cola wasn't even invented until 1886."
At the school's Christmas bazaar, pupils will be told a "moral" tale rather than the traditional Christmas story, and instead of opening presents, they will be given fake "rocks" to break open to reveal crystals.
Mrs James said: "The school isn't trying to be a spoilsport or anything like that.
"The children are bound to come across Santa Claus plenty of times in the run-up to Christmas and we're happy for them to.
"We just want to give them a different experience."
What the heck? They keep messing with alll aspects of our lives with this kind of baloney.
Happy Thanksgiving and Thank You Troops and Veterans
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am so grateful to each of you that are part of Theodore's World family. You are all very special to me. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thank you to our troops, please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Traditional Holiday Meal To Replace Field Rations for Many Troops
Traditional Holiday Meal Will Replace Field Rations for Many Troops
When troops stationed in the Middle East sit down to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, the turkey won't come in a brown field rations pouch.
Thanks to the efforts of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's efforts, troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Dubai and Djibouti will enjoy a traditional holiday meal.
"Historically, Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most family-oriented meals that there is," said Ray Miller, director of subsistence for DSCP, the agency that supplies meals to the military worldwide. "When you are deployed and you're not with (family), … it's a taste of home wherever you are."
Hundreds of thousands of troops will dine on turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, assorted pies and more. While this all sounds very "Norman Rockwell" normal, there's nothing normal about the amount of food needed to feed that many troops.
The employees sent 342,382 pounds of turkey alone. More than 15,000 containers of stuffing mix and about 13,000 containers of white potatoes will join nearly 120,000 pounds of shrimp and a combined total of 249,357 pounds of ham and beef, as well.
"It would be like 100 tractor-trailers pulling up outside your house to deliver Thanksgiving Dinnerdinner," Miller said, describing just how much food was sent to the Middle East for the dinner.
And at the back of the very last tractor-trailer would be the one thing needed to finish the meal in fine holiday tradition: nearly 163,500 pies.
As for those with no access to a dining hall, they're not destined to eat the same old everyday field rations. They, too, will get a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
"We … have provided a special ration meal called an URG-E (Unitized Group Ration – Express)," Miller said. "It won't be the turkey, but it'll be a turkey meal. It's our attempt to at least try to get something to the folks that are on the far end of the supply chain."
That effort doesn't stop with the supply center personnel. The dining facility staffs go above and beyond, often working on their own time, to make decorations to ensure the day is as special as possible.
"Each dining facility has its own theme chosen by the manager," said Army Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Stewart, a Bridgehampton, N.Y., native and food service sergeant major for Multinational Division Baghdad.
Adding a competitive element to the decorating helps to reward the DFAC workers for the time and effort they spend preparing their crafts. Each command with a dining facility judges the decorations, and medals are awarded.
Sharing a traditional holiday meal that's usually a family affair can bring servicemembers closer together Stewart noted.
"It humbles me," the sergeant major said. "Even though we are away from our families at home, those of us here are family, and we come together in fellowship and give thanks for being alive.
"It's especially rewarding to see the soldiers smile and the joy in their faces when they come through," he added.
I am so glad that many of our troops are getting a traditional meal today. They deserve far more than they will ever ask.
China Flip Flops ~ NO Then Yes On Allowing U.S. Carrier Into Hong Kong
China to allow U.S. carrier into Hong Kong after all
China refused permission for a U.S. aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels to visit Hong Kong for a long-planned Thanksgiving holiday visit -- and then changed its mind.
The USS Kitty Hawk group and its crew of 8,000 airmen and sailors had been expected in Hong Kong on Wednesday, but the U.S. State Department said the visit had been blocked by China.
Hundred of relatives of crew members of the Kitty Hawk had flown to Hong Kong to celebrate Thanksgiving. Hong Kong, especially its Wanchai bar district, has been a regular port of call for U.S. sailors on "R & R" (rest and recuperation) since the Vietnam War.
The Chinese move came as a surprise just weeks after a visit to China by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, which he said he hoped would lead to a long-term dialogue.
But the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday the carrier would be allowed to dock in the former British colony after all.
"We have decided to allow the Kitty Hawk to stay in Hong Kong during Thanksgiving," spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.
"It is a decision based on humanitarian considerations only."
He did not say why the ships had been blocked in the first place, but there are issues that may have prompted Beijing's action including U.S. plans to sell Taiwan a $940 million upgrade to its missile system and last month's meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist leader who Beijing considers a traitor.
Last year a Chinese submarine surfaced uncomfortably close to the Kitty Hawk near the Japanese island of Okinawa, an incident that highlighted the potential for friction between the two powers.
Beijing's move coincided with "airspace controls" introduced on Wednesday which the Xinhua news agency said affected the air travel plans of 7,000 people in south and east China.
The controls had been ordered for "unspecified reasons."
France learned that it isn't good to tick off the American consumer and now it's the chicom's turn.
I may be wrong, but my understanding is that U.S. Navy port calls are scheduled months in advance, (nrmally before leaving the U.S.)so this was a snub of the U.S. Usually, there is a confirmation of the arrival of the Navy ship one to two weeks ahead of the port visit by the State Department so that the tugs, food delivery, fuel and water/electricity can be formalized and payments arranged. In Hong Kong the ships anchor in the harbor and require shuttle boats to be hired to transport the liberty party to the pier.
High Court to Weigh Ban on Gun Ownership
(AP) ...for complete article
The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide whether the District of Columbia can ban handguns, a case that could produce the most in-depth examination of the constitutional right to "keep and bear arms" in nearly 70 years.
The justices' decision to hear the case could make the divisive debate over guns an issue in the 2008 presidential and congressional elections.
City officials said the law is designed to reduce gun violence, noting that four out of every five homicides this year was committed with a gun. Opponents of the ban pointed to the level of violence to make their case that Washington residents should be allowed to have guns to protect themselves in their homes.
"This is clearly going to be one of the biggest ... cases decided this year," said Georgetown University law professor Randy Barnett. "It is one of the very few times when the Supreme Court has the opportunity to interpret a provision of the Constitution ... unencumbered by previous Supreme Court rulings."
The government of Washington, D.C., is asking the court to uphold its 31-year ban on handgun ownership in the face of a federal appeals court ruling that struck down the ban as incompatible with the Second Amendment. Tuesday's announcement was widely expected, especially after both the District and the man who challenged the handgun ban asked for the high court review.
The main issue before the justices is whether the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own guns or instead merely sets forth the collective right of states to maintain militias. The former interpretation would permit fewer restrictions on gun ownership.
Gun-control advocates say the Second Amendment was intended to ensure that states could maintain militias, a response to 18th-century fears of an all-powerful national government. Gun rights proponents contend the amendment gives individuals the right to keep guns for private uses, including self-defense.
It is abhorrent that the Supreme Court should be permitted to consider the question.
"Whether the following provisions — D.C. Code secs. 7-2502.02(a)(4), 22-4504(a), and 7-2507.02 — violate the Second Amendment rights of individuals who are not affiliated with any state-regulated militia, but who wish to keep handguns and other firearms for private use in their homes?"
If you ask me, the Court has already tipped thier hands by substituting "state-regulated" for "well regulated".
There is a difference.
"State-regulated" = doing the state's bidding.
"Well-regulated" = equipped, competent, functional, coordinated - but not necessarily under gov't control.
"Islam should not be blamed for terrorism"
"Islam should not be blamed for terrorism," UN conference
The international community should counter the spread of Islamophobia partly due to "misinformation and misperceptions", participants at a UN counter-terrorism conference said.
Speaking at the 3-day conference, experts said there is a need for the international community to counter the spread of Islamophobia, which they noted has been growing in recent years partly because of misinformation and misperceptions about the religion.
The emergence of "misguided groups" that have deviated from the straight path to fanaticism, violence and extremism, attributing their acts to Islam, in no way justifies associating this phenomenon with the Islamic faith, they said during the conference titled "Terrorism: Dimensions, Threats and Countermeasures" in Tunis.
"It profits from weak State capacity to maintain law and order," said co-chair and Tunisian Culture and Preservation of Heritage Minister Mohamed El Aziz Ben Achour, during the concluding session on November 17.
"These vulnerable areas are exploited by terrorists to mobilize recruits and justify violence. None of the religions are a cause of political radicalism and extremism. Religious doctrine may be 'tools of mobilization,' rather than a direct cause," he said at the conference which was jointly organized by the UN's Department of Political Affairs and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Participants agreed that terrorism flourishes in environments where there is discontent, exclusion, humiliation, poverty, political oppression and human rights abuses, as well as in countries engaged in regional conflicts.
Well isn't this special, the UN counter-terroism conference sponsored & attended by Islamic states decree: "Islam should not be blamed...". sheesh!
Um, the Islamofacists clearly STATE that they are doing acts of terror in the name of Islam. The UN is giving them time to reload again. Most of the UN, of the 190 countries there are muslim and have histories from islam. Evil grows from evil.
Murtha Calls Pentagon 'despicable'
House Democrat calls Pentagon 'despicable'
Murtha denounces Defense Department for 'scaring people' in funds fight
In their latest tussle with the White House on the Iraq war, two leading House Democrats said Tuesday the Pentagon was using scare tactics to try to goad Congress into passing another war spending bill.
And Reps. David Obey and John Murtha said they won't bite.
Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Murtha, D-Pa., head of the panel's Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said they won't support more money for the war this year unless President Bush accepts a timetable for troop withdrawals. Story continues below ↓advertisement
Last week, the House passed a $50 billion bill that would keep operations afloat for several more months, but sets a goal of bringing most troops home by December 2008. After Bush threatened to veto the measure, Senate Republicans blocked it.
"If the president wants that $50 billion released, all he has to do is to call the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and ask him to stop blocking it," Obey told reporters.
and this..........
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Friday signed a memo ordering the Army to begin planning for a series of expected cutbacks, including the layoffs of as many as 100,000 civilian employees and another 100,000 civilian contractors, starting as early as January.
and this...............
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the military has only limited transfer authority.
"Those who think we have some sort of flexibility here are simply misinformed," Whitman told reporters on Tuesday. "We've entered into a very serious period here."
Murtha said the Pentagon was issuing "irresponsible" propaganda.
Murtha sees no credibility at Defense Department "They're scaring people," he said. "They're scaring the families of the troops . . .That's the thing that's so despicable."
The despicable one in this scenario is Murtha himself. Murtha is a traitor and Obey continues to show that he meant what he said on the floor and his apology was a farce! This is more filthy treasonous rhetoric from another treasonous liberal rat.
Murtha has done everything in his power to demoralize the country, undermine the troops, and to try to make us lose this war. Now that we are clearly, incontrovertibly winning, he chooses to continue his vicious, depraved assaults on so many people much better than he is. Murtha is scum.
Tribute to US troops in Vietnam
This video was made by the person that has a blog named Le Blog Drzz
The person that made the video titled it...."Tribute to US troops in Vietnam ".....
Music: Paul Potts
Here is a translate page if you want to see the blog translated from the French to the English.
http://translate.google.com/translate_t?langpair=ar|en
It is well done, and I am always glad to see others thanking our Vietnam Vets and praying tribute to them.
Thank you to the person that made this video. And a HUGE thank you to our Vietnam Veterans. - from Wild Thing
Soldier Re-Enlists Hours After IED Injury
4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division PAO
Multi-National Division – North PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq
A U.S. Soldier re-enlisted in the Army just hours after being seriously wounded in an improvised explosive attack near Zaganiyah, Iraq, Nov. 13.
Spc. Christopher Hoyt, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., suffered severe lacerations to his legs and torso when an IED exploded near him while conducting a dismounted patrol. Two of his fellow Soldiers were killed in the attack.
Hoyt was rushed to the emergency room at Logistics Support Area Anaconda, where he decided to re-enlist for four more years in the Army.
"He said he wasn't finished," said Hoyt's battalion commander Lt. Col. Mark Landes, who re-enlisted the Soldier. "He said, 'I still have a job to do.' I've never seen the like."
Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell, the brigade's top noncommissioned officer, was also on hand for Hoyt's reenlistment.
"It takes a person of very strong character to go through an incident where another Soldier five feet away was killed and he was severally wounded and still say 'I believe in what we are doing and I want to stay on the team. I want to support the United States Army and my country.'
"Spc. Hoyt is the epitome of what a Soldier should be," Troxell continued. "He is a model for what all men and women should be, and that is very patriotic and very selfless."
Hoyt, whose hometown is Clemente, Calif., is currently recovering in an Army hospital in Germany.
What totally awesome Americans we have in our military. Men like Spc. Hoyt deserve our respect and appreciation. Those that do not get it, do not want to support our troops, will never know the bursting pride and humble feeling it is to be able to say thank you sir, Spc. Hoyt for serving our coutnry.
Local Children Find Mortar And Bring To Soldiers
Local children find mortar, Concerned Local Citizens find caches
By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE Kalsu, Iraq
Three weapons caches were found in separate incidents in the Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour regions Nov. 11.
Concerned Local Citizens in Hawr Rajab located a cache consisting of one 155mm mortar and one 130 mm mortar round. The CLCs brought the ordnance to Paratroopers of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska, who were conducting a roadside security mission.
Local children in Arab Jabour discovered a 57 mm mortar, which they brought to Soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., Fort Stewart, Ga.
The third cache was discovered in Arab Jabour by Soldiers of Company A, 1-30th Inf. Regt. while conducting operations in the area.
The cache consisted of one 120 mm mortar and one 125 mm mortar.
"It is good to have the [improvised explosive devices] or bombs off the streets because it makes the community safer," said Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Newton, from Texarkana, Texas, 1-30th Inf. Regt., tactical command post noncommissioned officer in charge. "The more we work with the CLCs the safer we can make their communities."
All three caches were destroyed in controlled detonations by explosive ordnance disposal teams.
Good! Of course this would be very upsetting to Reid, and Pelosi and others to know that there actually were people wanting our troops to help them and that they were glad our soldiers were there.
A Soldier And His Son ~ A Welcome Home
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Horkey holds his nine-month old son, Colton, while standing in formation Wednesday to be dismissed from active duty with the 79th Military Police Company.
''He's big,'' Horkey said of Colton, who was born after Horkey was deployed for Iraq. Horkey was given leave to be home for Colton's birth, but he hadn't seen the boy since.
F-16s Destroy Insurgent Mortar Team
(by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky)
2nd BCT, 3rd Infantry Divison Public Affairs via F-16.net
Two Air Force F-16s destroyed a mobile insurgent mortar team consisting of three al-Qaeda members, a mortar launcher and van Nov. 14 in Adwaniyah using Maverick laser-guided missiles.
Paratroopers from 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, responded to an initial small arms fire engagement against a Concerned Local Citizens checkpoint in Adwaniyah. After driving the insurgents away, the Paratroopers performed an aerial reconnaissance of the surrounding areas.
While conducting the scouting mission, Coalition aircraft spotted the insurgent mortar team loading a van with a mortar tube and tripod. A pair of Air Force F-16 fighter jets were called to engage the van after three men entered it and began driving away.
The jets engaged the van with one Maverick laser-guided missile, resulting in the destruction of the weapons systems and three enemies killed.
The insurgent casualties brought the estimated deaths of al-Qaeda members in Iraqi to 20 over the past two days. On Nov. 13, an estimated 15 insurgent fighters were killed in a day-long battle in Adwaniyah.
Al-Qaeda has stepped up attacks in the recent days due to the implementation of a Concerned Local Citizens program in Adwaniyah. Al-Qaeda has been attacking the newly-formed program in an attempt to stop residents from standing up against them.
"This operation is typical of al-Qaeda in our operational area. They attempt to use intimidation and attack where they think they can cause the local population to feel unsafe," said Maj. Stephen Lutsky, plans and operations officer, S3, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. "We were prepared this time and worked in conjunction with both the Iraqi army and Concerned Local Citizens to ensure they stopped al-Qaeda from destroying the security we have emplaced in the town of Adwaniyah. They will try again and will fail again."
An example of the success similar Concerned Local Citizens programs are experiencing, was seen in two separate incidents Nov. 14 in Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab.
In both instances, concerned citizens brought a suspected member of al-Qaeda to Coalition Forces.
One detainee was taken to Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Inf. Regt., 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., Fort Stewart, Ga., and the other to Paratroopers of Troop A, 1-40th Cav. Regt. Both men were detained for questioning.
I love military euphemisms:
In other words, we blew the crap out of them.
Way to go F-16s!!! And to the pilots!
P.T.S.D. and Coming Home
Grim over at Black Five has a must read on the subject of PTSD. PTSD is not about weakness or strength and this write up is excellent in discussing it.
"What you need to know, first and last, is that so-called PTSD is not an illness. It is a normal condition for people who have been through what you have been through. The instinct to kill and war is native to humanity. It is very deeply rooted in me, as it is in you. We have rules and customs to restrain it, so that sometimes we may have peace. What you are experiencing is not an illness, but the awareness of what human nature is like deep down. It is the awareness of what life is like without the walls that protect civilization.
Those who have never been outside those walls don't know: they can't see. The walls form their horizon. You know what lays beyond them, and can't forget it."....................
Kucinich Protests Army Training School
KOOKinich delivers remarks while speaking at the 18th annual protest of the school at Fort Benning
I tell you, the mothership was HUGE. Those Aliens have some wicked huge saucers.
COLUMBUS, Ga.
(AP) ......for complete article
Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich said Sunday the thinking that went into producing an Army school blamed for human rights abuses in Latin America was the same that led the U.S. to war in Iraq and could cause it to raid Iran.
Kucinich was speaking at the 18th annual protest of the school at Fort Benning that trains Latin American soldiers, police and government officials. One of his first acts as president if elected would be to close the school, he said.
"The type of thinking that produced this school is the same type of thinking that produced the war in Iraq and is producing a war against Iran," Kucinich said. The Ohio congressman and former Cleveland mayor was addressing a crowd estimated by local police to number roughly 10,000.
The Army's School of the Americas moved to Fort Benning from Panama in 1984 and was replaced in 2001 by the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, under the Defense Department.
Kucinich wants to be Commander-in-chief of our Armed Forces????...what a putz! And notice how the Marxists were there supporting him of course.
Paratroopers Sign Up for Another Tour
Photo - One hundred forty-one paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, re-enlisted Oct. 14 on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, in a ceremony conducted by Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of Multi-National Division–Center. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Marcus Butler
Paratroopers Sign Up for Another Tour Deployed soldiers participate in mass re-enlistment ceremony
By Sgt. Marcus Butler
4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne)
BAGHDAD— One hundred forty-one paratroopers decided to stay Army in a mass re-enlistment ceremony held on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq.
The paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, made the decision to continue their service in the Army after being deployed for over a year.
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of Multi-National Division–Center, made a special trip to FOB Kalsu to lead the oath of enlistment for these paratroopers.
"To re-enlist this many paratroopers after being deployed for a year is truly amazing," said Master Sgt. Douglas Goodwin, senior career counselor for the 4th BCT (Abn.), 25th Inf. Div. "It says a lot about the leadership and the patriotism of these paratroopers."
After the ceremony, Lynch thanked each paratrooper and posed for pictures.
To this date, the Spartan Brigade has re-enlisted nearly 1,300 soldiers; approximately 70 percent of them have decided to stay with the brigade for another tour.
"Soldiers are special people and to see these paratroopers making a commitment to continue serving their country when the operational tempo is so high proves they trust in their leadership," Goodwin said. "It also shows how much they believe in what they are doing and stand proud as United States paratroopers ready to defend our country against the ever-growing threat of terrorism."
We support you and thank you for all you do.
Oil Leaders' Private Debate Televised By Mistake
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez(L) and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attend the opening session of the OPEC summit in Riyadh. OPEC leaders began a summit on Saturday with Chavez issuing a chilling warning about oil prices in a speech that also urged the group to be actively involved in foreign policy.
RIYADH (AFP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez opened an OPEC summit on Saturday with a chilling warning about 200-dollar oil if the United States attacks Iran in a speech that also urged the cartel to be more political.
But internal divisions about the role of the oil exporters' group were highlighted when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, OPEC kingpin and key US regional ally, sounded a moderate note, saying oil "must not become an instrument for conflict."
Chavez, a fiery leftist and fiercely anti-US leader, warned that crude prices could double from their current already-record level of near 100 dollars a barrel if Washington attacked Iran or aggressed Venezuela.
"If the United States was mad enough to attack Iran or aggress Venezuela again the price of a barrel of oil won't just reach 100 dollars, but even 200 dollars," he said.
.........BUT look at this............
Tim Webb in Riyadh
Observer/guardian
'Kill the cable, kill the cable,' shouted the security guard as he burst through the double doors into the media room at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh, followed by Saudi police. It was too late.
A private meeting of Opec leaders, gathered this weekend in Riyadh for the cartel's third meeting in its 47-year history, had just been broadcast to the world's media for more than half an hour after a technician had mistakenly plugged the TV feed into the wrong socket. The facade of unity that the cartel so carefully cultivates to a world spooked by soaring oil prices was shattered.
Sometimes, such innocent mistakes can have far-reaching economic and political consequences. Commodity and currency traders said this weekend that oil prices would surge again tomorrow - possibly breaking the $101 per barrel record set in the late 1970s - while the already battered dollar would fall further on the back of the unintentional broadcast.
On Friday night, during what the participants thought were private talks, Venezuela's oil minister Venezuela Rafael Ramirez and his Iranian counterpart Gholamhossein Nozari, argued that pricing - and selling - oil using the crippled dollar was damaging the cartel.
They said Opec should formally express its concern about the weakness of the dollar when the cartel makes its official declaration at the close of the summit today. But the Saudis, the world's largest oil producers and de facto head of Opec, vetoed the proposal. Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, warned that even the mere mention to journalists of the fact that leaders were discussing the weak dollar would cause the US currency to plummet.
Unfortunately his words and those of everyone at the meeting were being broadcast via a live television feed to a group of astonished reporters. 'I couldn't believe it,' said one who was there. 'When I realised they didn't know they were being broadcast live, I frantically started taking notes.'
Opec only realised that the leaders' row was being broadcast to the world when the Reuters news agency put out a report of the argument.
The weakness of the dollar is one reason why oil prices are so high, as cartel members seek to compensate for their lower earnings. This means a further drop in the dollar is likely to be accompanied by a rise in oil prices.
Petraeus Helping Pick New Generals
washington post.com ...for complete article
The Army has summoned the top U.S. commander in Iraq back to Washington to preside over a board that will pick some of the next generation of Army leaders, an unusual decision that officials say represents a vote of confidence in Gen. David H. Petraeus's conduct of the war, as well as the Army counterinsurgency doctrine he helped rewrite.
The Army has long been criticized for rewarding conventional military thinking and experience in traditional combat operations, and current and former defense officials have pointed to Petraeus's involvement in the promotion board process this month as a sign of the Army's commitment to encouraging innovation and rewarding skills beyond the battlefield.
Some junior and midlevel officers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been particularly outspoken in their criticisms, saying the Army's current leadership lacks a hands-on understanding of today's conflicts and has not listened to feedback from younger personnel.
"It's unprecedented for the commander of an active theater to be brought back to head something like a brigadier generals board," said retired Maj. Gen. Robert Scales, former head of the Army War College. A senior defense official said Petraeus is "far too high-profile for this to be a subtle thing."
The board, composed of 15 Army generals, will examine a pool of more than 1,000 colonels to select about 40 brigadier generals, expected to lead the service over the next decade or longer. Although each board member has an equal vote on the candidates, Petraeus will be able to guide the discussion.
Petraeus, a four-star general with a doctorate in international relations, has spent three of the past four years in Iraq and has observed firsthand many of the colonels under consideration for promotion. He is well-regarded by military officials for his political skills in Iraq and at home, including winning support from a skeptical Congress for a U.S. troop increase in Iraq.
"Dave Petraeus in many ways is viewed as the archetype of what this new generation of senior leader is all about," Scales said, "a guy . . . who understands information operations, who can be effective on Capitol Hill, who can communicate with Iraqis, who understands the value of original thought, who has the ability through the power of his intellect to lead people to change."
I hope this mean they are going to retire the last of the Clinton mushhead Generals. and the POS like Wesley Clarke.
Football Week Eleven
The US Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team visited the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Camp in San Antonio, TX and took some of the women on a tandem skydiving jump
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders visit our troops at Camp Arijan Kuwait
A Blonde's First Football Game - I love blonde jokes and this is a good one. Thanks To Lynn for sending this to me.
A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game.
They had great seats right behind their team's bench.
After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.
"Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and
all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were
killing each other over like 25 cents."
Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of
the game, all they kept screaming was: 'Get the quarterback! Get the
quarterback!' I'm like...Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!!!!
CAR @ GB 1:00 PM
OAK @ MIN 1:00 PM
SD @ JAC 1:00 PM
ARI @ CIN 1:00 PM
KC @ IND 1:00 PM
NO @ HOU 1:00 PM
NYG @ DET 1:00 PM
CLE @ BAL 1:00 PM
MIA @ PHI 1:00 PM
TB @ ATL 1:00 PM
PIT @ NYJ 4:05 PM
CHI @ SEA 4:15 PM
WAS @ DAL 4:15 PM
STL @ SF 4:15 PM
NE @ BUF 8:15 PM
TEN @ DEN 8:30 PM
OAK 22 @ MIN 29 FINAL
KC 10 @ IND 13 FINAL
MIA 7 @ PHI 17 FINAL
TB 31 @ ATL 7 FINAL
ARI 35 @ CIN 27 FINAL
SD 17 @ JAC 24 FINAL
CLE 33 @ BAL 30 FINAL
CAR 17 @ GB 31 FINAL
NO 10 @ HOU 23 FINAL
NYG 16 @ DET 10 FINAL
PIT 16 @ NYJ 19 FINAL
WAS 23 @ DAL 28 FINAL
CHI 23 @ SEA 30 FINAL
STL 13 @ SF 9 FINAL
NE 56 @ BUF 10 FINAL
Muslim Keith Ellison (D-MN) Seeks Bill To Let Ex-Felons Vote
Ellison (D-MN) seeks bill to let ex-felons vote
Rep. Keith Ellison said Friday he'll pursue legislation that would require states to let ex-felons vote in federal elections once they're out of jail or prison, which would nullify laws in states across the country, including Minnesota.
Ellison, a freshman Minnesota Democrat, had introduced legislation to let ex-felons vote when he was in the Minnesota Legislature. Now he's aiming for a bigger impact.
"Allowing felons to vote signals our value on redemption," he said in an interview. "We should believe in second chances. We should believe in redemption."
The question, Ellison said, is whether people who serve their sentences can join their communities' civic life.
"If what we want people to do is reintegrate, to rehabilitate," he said, "I can think of very few things that are more public-spirited than voting."
A report by The Sentencing Project last year found that almost 4 million Americans who have completed their prison terms remain unable to vote, because laws in most states prevent them from doing so.
According to the group, which supports criminal justice reform, there are 10 states in which a felony conviction can result in a lifetime voting ban. Minnesota and many other states let ex-felons vote once they have finished their parole and probation. Only two states — Maine and Vermont — let prison inmates vote.
Ellison isn't pushing the issue that far.
"I'd be happy if people could vote once they're out," he said. "I don't think there's any real good reason to deny you the right to vote once you're in, but, once you're out and you can vote — that would be a system that would make sense to me."
Ellison said he's still polishing the legislation, along with other lawmakers.
The Minnesota Republican Party expressed opposition to Ellison's idea.
"Felonies are so serious that there have to be serious consequences," said Mark Drake, a party spokesman.
Ellison said one reason he's pushing the issue is because of the effect that banning ex-felons from voting has had on black voters. Last year's Sentencing Project found that in 2004, about 1 in 12 African-Americans was disenfranchised because of a felony conviction — nearly five times the rate of non-blacks.
"It has a real disproportionate racial impact," Ellison said.
He said that many ex-felons made errors in judgment but are not bad people.
"It's easy to say they're all just monsters — which is completely untrue," he said. "I'm not saying that people don't deserve sanctions. I spent 16 years doing criminal defense. And Lord knows I represented a lot of clients who need to be in prison. I hate to say it, but it's true. Some of them were out of their mind and needed to be locked up."
But he said many people were just "messed up, and needed a break, and needed a chance."
Ellison has already introduced bills that would ban requiring photo IDs to vote in federal elections, and would require states to have same-day voter registration for federal elections.
Instant Democrat voting bloc brought to you by Muslim Ellison. He's probably in favor of giving all his brothers at Gitmo the vote, too! I guess Keith (Hakeem) Ellison's next bill will seek free explosive vests along with unlimited det cord for all muzzies that voted for him in MN's fifth district.
A Wild Moment
Wow I just had my first electrical shock.
We were putting up lights on the bushes in front of our house and along the white picket fence along the patio. Apparently I was holding the plug in my hand and part of the sting of lights while Nick was draping the light strand over the arbor.
ZAAAAPPPPPP! and there I was screaming and my jaw dropped open, and I couldn't close it for a few seconds.
All I could feel was a hard zap into my fingers, hand and up my left arm.
Whew, what a weird and very scary feeling. Well I guess I have been recharged now for another year. haha
Anyway I am gonig to sit quietly and relax for awhile whew. It scared the heck out of me. Nick works a lot with electricity since he was in the military and he said it has happened to him every so often, but just little zaps.
I hope all of you had a wonderful day.
Commie Walter Cronkite To Return To TV
Walter Cronkite returning to TV
Walter Cronkite, the TV news icon often described as "the most trusted man in America," is returning to television, signing on as a regular contributor to the startup cable network Retirement Living TV.
Beginning November 20, the former CBS Evening News anchor will contribute weekly editorial commentaries during the channel's two-hour noontime program, Daily Cafe. Each of Cronkite's videotaped messages will run between seven and 10 minutes in length.
The "Cronkite's Commentaries" segments will provide the veteran newsman a platform from which to offer his take on a host of issues, ranging from politics to the environment.
Retirement Living made the announcement Thursday morning, capping months of negotiations with the 91-year-old Cronkite. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
While Cronkite signed off from CBS News for the last time on March 6, 1981, he has stayed true to his parting words, "old anchormen, you see, don't fade away; they just keep coming back for more." Over the years, he has made occasional appearances on TV, including Discovery Channel documentaries and specials.
Retirement Living reaches some 29 million U.S. households, primarily through DirecTV. Its broadcast day runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
This little s.o.b. went to Hue City fairly late in the battle and saw what he wanted to see, but refused an invitation to see the massacred the communists had killed and tossed in a mass grave.
He will more then likely call the Iraq surge a losing battle (like he did the Tet Offensive) and call for the aging hippies to ride to Washington. Which goes to prove that old communists never die,,they just fade away. He should have guests like Alan Greenspan, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Cindy Sheenan, and all of those other people who just won't go away.
When you really need to end a war, Who would you look for?. Bob Hope?..nope. He was an American patriot. Che Guevera? Already taken. Cindy Sheehan? She and her smelly friends are still in my basement! Ewww. Get the a@@hole who lied and distorted the Vietnam war from start to finish. there ya go!!!!
Senate Votes to Block Iraq War Money
The Senate on Friday blocked a Republican proposal to pay $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without strings attached.
The 53-45 vote was 15 votes short of the 60 needed to advance.
The measure was aimed at countering Democratic legislation that also would bankroll the operations, but would additionally require that troops start coming home in 30 days.
The Democratic bill, passed by the House on Wednesday, set a goal of ending combat by December 2008.
"We need to get the funds to the troops and we need to do it now," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the only way to get troops the money was to approve the restrictions outlined by Democrats.
"Anything else is political posturing," said Reid.
Democrats also were expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed to advance their bill.
Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said this week that if Congress cannot pass legislation that ties war money to troop withdrawals, they would not send Bush a bill this year.
Instead, they would revisit the issue upon returning in January, pushing the Pentagon to the brink of an accounting nightmare and deepening Democrats' conflict with the White House on the war.
In the meantime, Democrats say, the Pentagon can eat into its $471 billion annual budget without being forced to take drastic steps.
"The days of a free lunch are over," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that unless Congress passes funding for the war within days, he will direct the Army and Marine Corps to begin developing plans to lay off employees and terminate contracts early next year.
"The days of a free lunch are over," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
The country is at war and this is what the al qaeda operative in the Senate from New York said about our military ??? WTF
Here is the vote on the Democrat bill. RINOS Snow, Hagel and Smith voted with the Dims
And Chris Dodd, and Joseph Leiberman voted with the Republicans on this. what the heck, Chris Dodd? Well good.
If a single soldier is killed because they lacked the funding and equipment due to political posturing Harry Reid, and all those that voted against our troops, I will hold you PERSONALLY responsible!!!!
Dingy Harry,The Dingbat Who Stole Thanksgiving ~ LOL
Reid to Keep Senate in Session to Prevent Recess Appointments
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has decided to keep the chamber in session over the Thanksgiving break to block President Bush from making any unsavory recess appointments while Senators are out of town.
In a statement inserted in the record Friday, the Majority Leader said he will hold the Senate in a series of pro forma or nonvoting sessions to prevent the controversial practice. In the statement, Reid argued that nominations need to get on track, and that Bush has not met the Democrats "halfway" in agreeing to Democratically backed nominees to "important commissions."
"While an election year looms, significant progress can still be made on nominations," Reid said. "I am committed to making that progress if the President will meet me halfway.
"But that progress can't be made if the President seeks controversial recess appointments and fails to make Democratic appointments to important commissions."
Senate sources said Reid made the decision after he was unable to strike a deal with White House officials that would have allowed swift consideration of several key Democratic picks for the executive branch. In his statement, Reid points to the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission as examples where Democratic choices have not been moved along.
"Up until recently, the President has generally discharged that obligation," Reid said. "In the last several months, however, the administration has been stalling progress on Democratic appointments."
Democrats have feared Bush would look to use the upcoming break to appoint some of his own nominees that may not otherwise clear the Senate. In particular, concerns have centered on the appointment of James Holsinger as surgeon general, who has met criticism from gay rights organizations and opposition from key Senate Democrats.
Here we go again! I swear I think Harry Reid is LONELY! He pulled this crap with the all-night debate, and here it is again. And now he wants to keep them during Thanksgiving. LMAO This is going to go over like a lead balloon in the Senate!
John Kerry Accepts $1M Swift Boat Bet
Sen. John Kerry, whose 2004 presidential campaign was torpedoed by critics of his Vietnam War record, said Friday he has personally accepted a Texas oilman's offer to pay $1 million to anyone who can disprove even a single charge of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
In a letter to T. Boone Pickens, the Massachusetts Democrat wrote: "While I am prepared to show they lied on allegation after allegation, you have generously offered to pay one million dollars for just one thing that can be proven false. I am prepared to prove the lie beyond any reasonable doubt."
Kerry, a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, said he was willing to present his case directly to Pickens, who provided $3 million to bankroll the group during Kerry's race against President Bush. Kerry said he would donate any proceeds to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
The senator said Pickens issued the challenge Nov. 6 in Washington, while serving as chairman of a 40th anniversary gala for American Spectator magazine.
In the letter, Kerry offered to travel to Dallas to meet with Pickens in a public forum or to invite him to come to Massachusetts. He suggested the two could visit the Paralyzed Veterans of America in Norwood to see firsthand how Pickens' money could be used to help veterans. A copy of the letter was provided to The Associated Press.
Kerry will have to authorize the release of his service records in order to win the 1 million bucks. Fat chance that will happen though, Kerry is blowing smoke.
Americans Can Text 'Thanks' to Troops
America Supports You: Americans Can Text 'Thanks' to Troops
For those seeking a quick way to show appreciation for the troops' service far from home this holiday season, look no further than "Giving Thanks," a new initiative from the Defense Department's America Supports You program.
America Supports You connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"This is a simple way to connect our citizens to our soldiers using modern technology," Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, said of the text messaging program.
The program, which already has received nearly 4,000 messages, officially kicks off at 6 a.m. EST Nov. 17 and concludes at midnight PST Nov. 22.
Between those times, people wishing to express gratitude to the troops for their service can text a brief message to 89279. Each text message sent will receive a response from an active-duty servicemember in return.
Major mobile wireless providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile, will provide access to the Giving Thanks text messaging program.
"We know that thousands of families will be sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner and thinking about loved ones who are far away from home serving their country," Barber said. "We are counting on other American families to take a moment during their holiday celebration to think of those families and their family members who are serving and say, 'Thanks.'
"The reassurance that others are thinking about them will mean a lot to our troops," Barber added.
Those who send a message during the six days of the Giving Thanks program also will be directed to the America Supports You Web site. There, they'll find a sampling of messages from the public and a running tally of how many messages have been received. They'll also be able to read messages from the troops.
Some servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan already have sent messages thanking the public for the support. Angie, an airman serving in Iraq, wrote: "Your support means so much, especially during the holidays. God Bless."
Troops of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan also wrote to express their appreciation for the continued support they receive: "To all the great Americans who go out of their way to support all the Soldiers of the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan -- Thank You."
Click here for more information...................
I have no idea how to Text message, but I think this is an awesome idea. I wanted to make sure the word got out about this. God bless our Troops and keep them safe.
Terrorists Never Take A Day Off
In my sidebar on the right side of this blog there is a counter graphic of the number of Islamic attacks, that can be clicked on. I am sure you have all seen it at many of the other blogs as well.
It has a counter of the attacks by the followers of Islam and updated regularly. Today I clicked on it to go to their page and see the information that our news media keeps from us. We all know too that if our media told us of these attacks to them it would be choosing sides and God forbid if they did that. sheesh
Here are just a few of the latest from the so called Religion of Peace:
11/15/2007 (Paktia, Afghanistan) - Taliban militants shot dead a teenage boy in south-eastern Afghanistan for teaching English to his classmates, police said on Thursday.
11/14/2007 (Nazran, Ingushetia) - A police officer is assassinated by Muslim separatists as he leaves his home.
11/14/2007 (Saidu Sharif, Pakistan) - Two civilians are among four killed when Islamic militants fire rockets into an airport.
11/14/2007 (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) - A street-sweeper is killed by a bomb planted outside a government building.
11/14/2007 (Hilla, Iraq) - Two people are killed by a Fedayeen suicide attack on a home.
11/14/2007 (Iskandariya, Iraq) - A suicide bomber kills two Iraqis at a tribal chiefs meeting.
And there is this at their site as well:
Monthly Jihad Report October 2007
Jihad Attacks: 242
Countries: 19
Religions: 5
Dead Bodies: 1252
Critically Injured: 2287
When someone says they can sit down and discourse with these people they are not only kidding themselves but I seriously wonder about their sanity. People like Harry Reid, Nany Pelosi or anyone else.....insane!!
T.A.I.F. Sports Can Be Dangerous For Your Health
Goooooood Morning Baghdad!
Thank ALLAH - It's Friday!
The infidels in the land of the Great Satan need to know that Ali Jaafar was an infamous Iraqi sports caster during the reign of beloved Saddam Hussein. Iraqis love sports and especially soccer, rugby and boxing. Ali Jaafar was famous, especially when he was assassinated!
Also, today we have good news and bad news. The good news is that the soccer game between FC Baghdad and the Green Zone Generals has not been cancelled. The bad news there has been IED's discovered on one end of the soccer field, so the coin toss prior to the match will be very important!
Heads or Tails ? As you infidels like to say " Good luck".
And to the infidel that thought it was cute to send me a box of chocolate covered pork rinds, Ramadan Rosie is not laughing.
Peace my brothers and sisters and all one has to do is convert to Islam, the 72 virgins await you.
Allah Ackbar
Ramadan Rosie
This is co-posting by Darth and Wild Thing.
Unit Honors Vietnam Veterans With Run in Afghanistan
Army Pfc. Zachary Wierman, in black t-shirt, a signal support system specialist, passes on a bayonet decorated with the national colors to Army Pfc. Brian Fitzsimons, an automated logistical specialist during a 24-hour running race Nov. 8. Both Soldiers are in Co. B, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, deployed to Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan
By 2nd Lt. Monika Comeaux
173rd Brigade Support Battalion
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan
"On the 8th of November, the angels were crying as they carried his brothers away. ... There were few men left standing that day," sings the country duo Big & Rich in their ballad commemorating the fall of 48 American Soldiers from 173rd Airborne Brigade in 1965 in Operation Hump in Vietnam.
Forty-two years later, members of 173rd Airborne Brigade, other Service members and civilians deployed honored the fallen Soldiers of Operation Hump by participating in a 24-hour relay.
The event celebrated unit cohesion, teamwork and esprit de corps, officials said. Participants ran along a nearly three-and-a-half mile route lined by miniature American flags and passed a bayonet, which is depicted on the unit patch of the 173rd ABCT, to one another in lieu of a baton. The event was made even more special by having a Vietnam veteran, Rick Petersen from the Facility Engineer Team, participate.
"I think it is a great idea. I think it is great that everybody is going to come out here and support one another. It is great for camaraderie," said 2nd Lt. Kate Fullenkamp, a quartermaster officer and platoon leader in Company A, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion (Airborne).
Her platoon of 40 entered with two seven-person teams. There would have been more volunteers, but mission requirements did not allow all of her Soldiers to participate, she said.
"We had more than seven people who wanted to do this, but we picked the best seven," said Pfc. Ikechuku Odi, a combat engineer with Road Clearance Patrol 4, Company A, 70th Engineer Battalion, deployed from Fort Riley, Kan.
Ever since they found out about the race, the engineers ran two laps every day when they didn't go outside the wire, in preparation for the challenging race. When Odi heard about the race, he thought, "We are going to win this," he said.
"Our tactic is simple: run as fast as you can," he said, after completing his first lap in a little over 22 minutes.
"Some people are out here for the physical aspect, ... but there are people that are out here because it is fun and you enjoy it and you will always remember it, for sure," Fullenkamp said.
The rules of the run were pretty simple. "Basically it is a 24-hour relay with seven-man teams. One runner must be running at all times," said 1st. Sgt. Drake F. Sladky, Company C, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion. An avid sportsman, he was one of the masterminds behind the event.
Sladky said many in the 173rd Airborne liked the idea of organizing another run after running a 10-kilometer race shortly after the unit's arrival in Afghanistan. Originally they were aiming for New Year's Day, but then they received a disk containing the music video, "8th of November," from James Bradley, a member of the 173rd Association. "We knew that we had to do some sort of race in commemoration of that date," Sladky explained.
"Everybody in the company helped out, mostly by getting sponsors for the race day and organizing the registration," Sladky said. As a result, a total of 21 teams signed up.
"We were really lucky; we started early and got sponsors. ... The 173rd Association sent the race T-shirts. Niles Harris (the Vietnam veteran who was the inspiration for the country song and was himself injured on Nov. 8, 1965) sent about 200 autographed T-shirts," Sladky said.
Some of the shirts ended up as prizes, but the majority were sent out to subordinate units of the 173rd who are deployed to other forward operating bases and weren't able to participate in the run. Prizes included name-brand golf clubs, shirts, hats and a multitude of other things. No team went home empty-handed.
Odi was right when he said he thought his team was going to win. On the 9th of November, 2007, perhaps the angels were smiling a little as his team carried their prizes away.
The winning team completed a total of 51 laps, covering, fittingly, just over 173 miles in the 24-hour period, and consisted of: Staff Sgt. Luis D. Rivera, Pfc. Ikechuku Odi, Pfc. Vincent A. Fiorillo, Pfc. Joshua M. Contryman, Sgt. Eric E. Chappel, Sgt. Bradley J. Edmonds, and Spc. Tin T. Tran -- all combat engineers.
This is so special, I love this. God bless our troops and the Brotherhood that is beyond a lifetime between our troops today and our Veterans.
Military Meet and Exceed Recruiting Goals
All Military Components Meet, Exceed Recruiting Goals
The first month of fiscal 2008 was a success for all active and reserve military components.
In a meeting with Pentagon reporters today, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said all components met or exceeded their recruiting goals for October.
On the active-duty side, the Army made 101 percent of its goal of 4,500, with 4,564 recruits. The Navy made 100 percent of its goal of 2,788 recruits. The Marine Corps made 102 percent of its goal of 2,720, with 2,788 enlisting. The Air Force made 100 percent of its goal of 2,656.
The Guard and reserve components "did very well" in October, Whitman said. The Air National Guard made 134 percent of its goal of 609 accessions, actually signing up 818 airmen. The Army National Guard also had a very good month, signing up 123 percent of its goal of 4,311 soldiers. The Army Guard signed up 5,305 men and women.
The Navy Reserve made 112 percent of its goal of 818, signing up 918 sailors, and the Army Reserve made 104 percent of goal, signing up 3,297 against 3,169. The Marine Corps Reserve and Air Force Reserve both made 100 percent of their goals of 890 and 681, respectively.
The services' monthly goals are not constant. "The goal numbers go up and down based on what they have to achieve at the end of the year," Whitman said.
Recruiting officials set goals, and military training personnel set class seats based on historic data showing when Americans traditionally enlist. For example, there are higher goals and more class seats for June, when most high school seniors graduate.
But the turnout is encouraging, Whitman said. "This is good news," he said. "In the first month of this fiscal year, in terms of recruiting in active duty and reserve-component forces, it looks pretty good right now."
Was it Murtha or Reid that said our Military is BROKEN beyond repair! The idiot dems continue to try and undermine our fine young military force for their political agenda but I think most Americans are awake to the threat and are patriotic.
God Blees our great military and the brave soliders who defend our lives and liberties.
In Country With Our Troops ~ Thank You
A Concerned Local Citizens group found a buried weapons cache in Arab Jabour, Nov. 12. The cache was so large it took three controlled detonations to destroy it. Photo courtesy of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.
Concerned Local Citizens Group Turns in Large Weapons Cache
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU
A Concerned Local Citizens (CLC) group found a large weapons cache in Arab Jabour, Nov. 12.
The cache was so large that three controlled detonations were needed to destroy it.
A CLC reported a buried weapons cache to Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The CLC led Company A Soldiers to the location of the cache where several barrels containing the munitions were buried.
The cache consisted of (24) 60mm rounds, (25) 82 mm mortar rounds, two 120 mm mortar rounds, three 122 mm projectiles, three rifle grenades, one 60 mm mortar tube, (20) bundles of propellant, (20) pounds of homemade explosives, (40) feet of detonation cord and an anti-tank mine.
After assessing the cache, an explosive ordnance disposal team was called to destroy it.
Throughout Iraq, the CLC groups have made a noticeable impact on the insurgency. The information they provide results in more weapons found and terrorists captured every day. These brave volunteers are taking a stand for the stability, safety and development of their country.
Pop Smoke U.S. Army cavalry scouts from Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division are clouded with green smoke as they await to be picked up by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during operations in Sheik Abraheim, Iraq, . U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bradley J. Clark.
Hey Wolf Blitzer Will You Have Arkancidophobia At Debate Tonight?
Blitzer: No Campaign Has Pressured Me on Debate Questions
(CNSNews.com)
CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer told Cybercast News Service Wednesday that no presidential campaign of either party has tried to pressure him to influence his questioning in CNN-hosted presidential debates.
The issue arose on Tuesday when the Drudge Report reported - under the banner headline "Wolf Warned: No Ganging Up on Hillary in Vegas"- that "Wolf Blitzer has been warned not to focus Thursday's Dem debate on Hillary."
The report quoted an unnamed "top Clinton insider" who said: "This campaign is about issues, not on who we can bring down and destroy. ... Blitzer should not go down to the levels of character attack and pull 'a Russert.'"
On Tuesday afternoon's edition of CNN's "The Situation Room," where this writer was making a regular weekly appearance as a guest commentator, Blitzer refuted the report.
"Not true," Blitzer said, when asked about the Drudge piece by his CNN colleague Jack Cafferty. "No one has pressured me, no one has threatened me. No one is trying to intimidate me."
Blitzer added, "No one has even called me to try to pressure me or anything like that."
On Wednesday, Blitzer was asked by Cybercast News Service whether Mrs. Clinton's campaign had attempted to influence the questioning in the debate he will moderate Thursday night in Las Vegas, or whether any Republican campaign had attempted to influence his questioning in the GOP presidential debates he has moderated.
"Nobody from Senator Clinton's campaign put any pressure on me, or threatened me in any way," Blitzer said. "No other Democratic campaign has tried to pressure me about my questions. Likewise, no Republican campaign has ever tried to pressure me before a Republican debate."
Um, well it IS the Clinton News Network afterall. And Wolf may be a leftie but he is not wanting to be the next Vince Foster either. hahahahaha Or Ron Brown or Colby or any of the other DEAD people associated with the Clinton's on their last time in power.
Words mean something and notice that Blitzer never said that that anyone in the Clinton campaign had spoken to him...
Just that he had not been threatened and/or warned.
American Muslim Demographic Facts
Please CLICK HERE to see the chart
You will see all kinds of information, from population, to cars they drive to all sorts of things. It is very interesting and infomative.
found the following statistic to be interesting too:
"Increase in number of mosques since 1994: 25 percent"
That's a huge increase since '94.
And rememebr how America's first Muslim congressman compared President George W Bush to Adolf Hitler.
Is This Your Final Answer Hillary?? ~ LOL
Clinton Says No to Licenses for Illegals
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday came out against granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, after weeks of pressure in the presidential race to take a position on a now-failed ID plan from her home state governor.
Clinton has faced criticism from candidates in both parties for her noncommittal answers on New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's attempt to allow illegal immigrants in his state to receive driver's licenses. Spitzer abandoned the effort Wednesday.
"I support Governor Spitzer's decision today to withdraw his proposal," Clinton said in a statement.
"As president, I will not support driver's licenses for undocumented people and will press for comprehensive immigration reform that deals with all of the issues around illegal immigration including border security and fixing our broken system."
Clinton stumbled when asked about the issue during a Democratic debate two weeks ago, and her new position comes the day before another debate where opponents are expected to raise the issue again.
Spitzer met with New York lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday, and conceded that there was too much public opposition to his plan. Clinton did not attend the meeting.
We knew she would do this and the day before the debate tonight. hahahahahaha
Oh Lord give us strength. LOL If a Repub;lican did this baloney on flip flopping they would be hung out to dry.
I was against it before I was for it.
Wait, I am against it, and always have been.
Wait, Bill, they're picking on me.
Oh, darn!
ClintonSpeak for, "I never said what I said. You can't prove I said it. Even if you can prove I said it, it's old news. Let's move on."
Muslim Prayer Time New Legal Issue At Swift Plant
Lubbock online
The dispute over prayer breaks for Muslim employees at the Swift & Co. plant in Cactus is a two-sided legal issue, an Amarillo attorney said this week.
At least 54 plant employees, all Muslims of African descent, walked off the job last week, citing the company's refusal to allow them two prayer breaks and female employees adequate time to wash after using the restroom, a strict requirement of the religion.
Vicki Wilmarth, an attorney specializing in employment law, said, "The basic rule is, an employer has to reasonably accommodate an employee's religious beliefs and practices, but only if the employee can do so without undo hardship to the employer's business.
"So it's a balancing act. It requires the employer and employees to determine what a reasonable accommodation would be."
Wilmarth said the federal statute governing religious discrimination in the workplace is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the state statute is Texas Labor Code section 21.051.
"Although neither statute says that employers have to reasonably accommodate religion, the courts have implied that and the regulations enforce that."
Muslim workers pray five times a day and are asking Swift to grant two breaks a day: one at 4 p.m. and one at sunset.
"Breaks have to be paid if they are less than 30 minutes, but the law doesn't say how many there have to be," Wilmarth said.
The poor things are being Swift-planted! heh heh The answer is simple, the moral of this story is don't hire muslims!
This is weird too, I mean the Swift Plant producse and packages meat products there, many of them PORK. And the reason why muzzies want to work around pork is what, exactly?
Remember when Bill Clinton brought 95,000 Somalis into the U.S. and gave them legal status. He also signed an executive order directing taxpayer monies for interpreters, job-training services and family/healthcare services for them.
U.S. Responds To China's Offensive Weapons Systems
US plans new space weapons against China
telegraph co.uk
The Pentagon is spending billions of dollars on new forms of space warfare to counter the growing
risk of missile attack from rogue states and the "satellite killer" capabilities of China.
Congress has allocated funds to develop futuristic weapons and intelligence systems that operate
beyond the Earth's atmosphere as America looks past Iraq and Afghanistan to the wars of the future.
The most ambitious project in a new $459 billion (£221.5 billion) defence spending Bill is the
Falcon, a reusable "hypersonic vehicle" that could fly at six times the speed of sound and deliver
12,000lb of bombs anywhere in the world within minutes.
The bombs' destructive power would be multiplied by the Earth's gravitational pull as they
travelled at up to 25 times the speed of sound towards their target.
The cost of the vehicle has not been revealed, but a spokesman for the Pentagon's Defence
Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) said a first test flight was scheduled for next year.
Loren Thompson, a leading defence analyst in Washington, said the focus of the project was attacking "time sensitive targets" in states such as North Korea and Iran, which have either developed nuclear weapons without international approval or are suspected of doing so.
"If we received intelligence that a strike was about to happen on South Korea, or on Israel, we would want to destroy that within minutes and not hours. But from most current US bases that is not feasible.
"With a hyper-sonic vehicle launching from the Middle East or Asia you could be over hostile territory within minutes," he said. "It's not just a question of can we destroy North Korean weapons, but can we get there quickly enough in the event of an imminent launch?"
Darpa is also developing a small unmanned launch vehicle that would provide "responsive and
affordable" access to space, for less than $5 million per launch. The first test flight was made in
It would be capable of re-launching satellites that had been attacked, or acting as a fast-moving
replacement for a damaged satellite with intelligence sensors of its own that could identify enemy
installations.
In its 621-page report on the Defence Appropriations Bill, Congressmen from both
Republican and Democratic parties said: "Enhancing these capabilities is crucial, particularly
following the Chinese anti-satellite weapons demonstration last January."
In China's first successful test of an anti-satellite system, a ground-based missile fired
into space shattered a weather satellite in low earth orbit. The Pentagon has also given warning
that China is making greater efforts to hack into its defence computers.
Congress awarded $150 million for the Falcon project and its associated "prompt global strike" programme. A defence industry source said it was likely that hundreds of millions more were being spent on space warfare "away from the public view".
The "global strike" platform would give America the "forward presence" it requires around the world without the need for bases outside the US.
Attempts to base missile defence shields in Poland and Czechoslovakia have provoked a fierce
row with Russia, while Uzbekistan, which neighbours Afghanistan, evicted the US from an
air base two years ago.
FALCON HYPERSONIC CRUISE VEHICLE
Max speed: Mach 6 (4,614mph)
Payload: 12,000lbs including cruise missles, 1,000lbs penetrator munitions and independent 'kill gliders'
CRUISING ALTITUDES
Satellites: 370 miles
Space shuttle: 230 miles
Falcon: 28 miles
Concorde: 12 miles
Airliners: 6 miles
So much for Bill Clinton selling China the ability to put weapons in orbit. The title of this article
sure makes it sound like the U.S. is the aggressor. "US plans new space weapons
against China". We've gotten ourselves into a real mess with China thanks to the Clinton's
especially, and it's going to get a lot worse from here on out. imo
Spitzer Said To Abandon License Plan
WASHINGTON (AP)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has decided to abandon his plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, officials familiar with the decision told The Associated Press Tuesday night.
The governor is due to meet Wednesday morning with New York's congressional delegation, many of whom have openly opposed the program. Debate over the issue has spilled over into the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The governor's office signaled to New York lawmakers Tuesday that the morning of the meeting, he will say he is shelving the plan and that immigration is a federal issue to be handled by Washington, according to congressional aides who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made.
Clinton has been criticized by her Democratic rivals for her non-committal answers on the subject. She has said she sympathizes with governors like Spitzer forced to confront the issue of immigration after the federal government has failed to pass immigration reforms. She has not taken a position on the actual plan offered by Spitzer.
I'm cautiously optimistic over this but it looks like (at least for now) the good guys have won. This is juicy. Spitz abandons the plan that Hillary just said she supports. Hahahaha OOPS Hillary.
I guess now we will hear Hillary say....."she supported it, before she didn't support it''.
The Hillary Clinton Scream Campaign
Hillary Clinton's speech recently at the Jefferson Jackson dinner in Iowa.
This is SCARY, when you watch it listen how she builds louder and louder and more intense with her horrible voice, exactly how Howard Dean did a few years ago. Weird how similar they are in their leftie scream.
I know I will not be able to stand her voice for 4 LONG years, that commie screaming like she is standing in Red Square, Russia handing out pamplets to join a commie party and yelling at those that will listen. That is the scene I always think of when I hear her talk. augh!!!
Our Troops in Iraq Bucca Dancing With Performers
IRAQ: BUCCA DANCING WITH PERFORMERS
I love it, and also the reaction of the performers is GREAT!! You can tell it not only is making the solider and rest of the troops happy, but the performers are loving it too........... as it should be!
Iowa Concert To Support Gore For President Called Off
'Run, Al, Run' concert called off
"Iowans who support former Vice President Al Gore have been forced to cancel a concert in his honor.
The $20 per ticket "Run, Al, Run" event, which I wrote about last month and was scheduled for Sunday in Des Moines, was called off because organizers feared they wouldn't sell enough tickets.
Peter Ryder of Cedar Rapids told me there are two reasons the rally and concert won't go on as planned, despite folk singer Paul Kaplan writing an original song in Gore's honor.
The idea was to "send a message to Al Gore there is a tremendous surge of feeling about you running, but after he won the Nobel Peace Prize, he really got that message pretty loud and clear," Ryder said.
Given the importance of Iowa for the declared Democratic candidates, "we felt it would be difficult to sell the number of tickets to make the whole thing financially viable," Ryder added."
LOL too funny. Well he will be busy anyway I am sure.
Al Gore joins famed Silicon Valley venture capital firm
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - In a career marked by second acts, Al Gore, the former vice president of the United States and co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is becoming a partner at Silicon Valley's most storied venture capital firm.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers said on Monday that Gore, a campaigner for action to slow global climate change, will join the Menlo Park, California-based venture capital firm as a partner focused on alternative energy investments.
'Mapping' A Danger
IBD Editorials
Homeland Security: Los Angeles police want to map potential terror hotbeds in the Muslim community, but critics are crying "religious profiling." Actually, it's just smart law enforcement.
And it couldn't come at a better time. The FBI is warning police in Los Angeles, as well as Chicago, that shopping malls there are possible targets of a new al-Qaida plot.
By mapping the local Muslim community, the LAPD would increase its chances of disrupting such plots. Its counterterrorism unit hopes to ID areas that might be more isolated and removed — and therefore riper targets for radicalization and even al-Qaida recruitment.
Shining a spotlight on these neighborhoods would take the terrorists and their facilitators out of the shadows where they prefer to operate.
"We just don't know enough about the communities," explains deputy LAPD chief Michael Downing, adding that the planned mapping project "has nothing to do with profiling."
But predictably, the ACLU has joined CAIR and other Muslim groups in denouncing the move.
"The mapping of Muslim communities seems premised on the faulty notion that Muslims are more likely to commit violent acts than people of other faiths," the ACLU complained.
Tolerant as this may sound, it ignores overwhelming statistical evidence to the contrary. Just since 9/11, more than 9,000 separate violent acts have been carried out in the name of Islam.
As Islamic terror expert Robert Spencer points out, we don't "see Presbyterians blowing themselves up in crowded restaurants, Buddhists flying planes into buildings and Amish waving placards crowing that they will soon dominate the world."
If the authorities ignored this reality just to appease the civil liberties crowd, they'd be committing politically correct suicide on behalf of the people they're charged with protecting. And civil rights are of no use to charred bodies.
You'd think patriotic Muslim groups would jump at the chance to cooperate in such a mapping project, which is supported by 69% of Americans, according to a CNN poll.
It's in the moderates' best interest to help police expose the extremists.
That way police can narrow their surveillance and gather more useful intelligence to protect not only society at large but also moderate Muslims who eschew violence.
The police are not the enemy here.
They know that the Muslim community is not monolithic or homogenous, especially in L.A., which is home to the second-largest Muslim population in the U.S.
They know that it contains harmless Sufi mysticists, as well as Shia and Sunni quietists, who neither support nor act out on jihad.
But police need to identify the pro-jihad Salafists — the radical fundamentalists — living among them who do pose a threat.
And the moderates can help them do it. They shouldn't let themselves be used by certain self-serving Muslim-rights groups looking for another false issue and inflammatory headline.
I will never understand how a human being can say NO to doing things that make our country more secure. You all and I would do anything we could, say yes to whatever it takes to accomplish the things that needed to be done to protect all of us, and our country. It sickens me and angers me too when I hear of things like that and how certain PRO terrorists groups and that is what they are, fight those every step of the way that are wanting to do their job.
Hillary Reveals Her 'Gay' Strategy For Presidential Run
Sen. Hillary Clinton at Human Rights Campaign Board Meeting
traditionalvalues.org
this is from March 8, 2007
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) recently appeared before the Human Rights Campaign to present a keynote speech on her support of the homosexual/bisexual/transgender agenda and her efforts to defeat any attempts by Congress to pass a constitutional amendment that will ban same-sex marriage.
HRC President Joe Solomese introduced Clinton and revealed their long-term relationship in fighting against the pro-family movement. Solomese describes numerous meetings with Clinton as they strategized together about how to defeat any constitutional amendment on marriage.
According to Clinton, "I am proud to stand by your side."
Clinton also noted that with Democrats in control of the both the House and Senate with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid in power positions, groups like HRC have less to worry about having a constitutional amendment passed that will ban homosexual marriage.
Clinton told her homosexual activist audience that they will have a close "partnership … when I am President."
I pray she NEVER becomes President. It was a total nightmare when Bill was President.
Here's what will be on the White House Christmas tree ....and it already was during BJ Clinton's regime
From "Unlimited Access" by Gary Aldrich, reviewed here: ( also this is an excellent review of his book)
http://www.natall.com/free-speech/fs977b.html
"Gary Aldrich tells of being asked to help decorate some of the Christmas trees in the various rooms of the White House in December 1994 and being horrified when he discovered that the Christmas-tree decorations supplied by Hillary consisted of condoms, various miniature items of drug paraphernalia, and little sex toys."
More Soldiers Issued Safer Vehicles in Iraq
The new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle undergoes initial inspection upon its arrival to Balad Air Base, Oct. 27. The MRAPs Design, including its "V" shaped hull, will provide greater protection from explosions for Soldiers out on combat logistics patrols. Photo by Spc. Thomas Keeler, 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA — The military's newest fighting vehicles are now on the ground at LSA Anaconda.
Lt. Col. Jeff Meo, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade commander from Army Material Command, says the MRAPs will provide more protection for Soldiers out on combat logistics patrols.
"The MRAP is mine protected with a 'V' hull, which allows it to 'push off' the explosion when it's hit," said Meo.
In addition to being up-armored, the interior seating has also been redesigned.
"The MRAP has seats that flex with an explosion, and what that does is absorb a lot of the energy so Soldiers aren't injured," he said.
This shipment of five MRAPs to LSA Anaconda is the first of many. Manufacturers are scheduled to deliver 4,600 of the vehicles into theater over the coming weeks and months.
"They are pushing these things out the door as fast as they can," said Meo.
(Story by Spc. Thomas Keeler, 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command)
I love that they keep on working on making things better and better for our troops. To keep them safe as much as possible is so important.
New Islamic Car To Have Compass To Find Makkah
A worker inspects a Proton Waja at Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) assembly plant in Shah Alam near Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Iran, Turkey and Malaysia are planning to build an "Islamic car" that will have a compass to find the direction of Makkah, Malaysia's state news agency reported.
The proposed car will also have a compartment for the Quran and prayer scarves, the Bernama agency quoted an official of Malaysian automaker Proton as saying.
"The car will have all the Islamic features and should be meant for export purposes," said Proton's managing director, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
"We will identify a car that we can develop to be produced in Malaysia, Iran or Turkey," he said during a visit to Tehran.
Syed Zainal said the vehicle was an Iranian initiative. "What they (Iran) want to do is to call that an Islamic car," he said.
The managing director said that with government support, the Islamic car producers will be able to get a big volume of orders.
Hmmmmmm I wonder does it blow itself up in crowds of innocent civilians? See Achmed, here is where we place the bomb! American liberals will want them, to show solidarity with the oppressed.
Marine Staff Sgt. Matt Bateman Who Beat 70 Iraqi Roadside Bombs
The Marine who beat 70 Iraqi roadside bombs DISARMING DUTY: Marine Staff. Sgt. Matthew Bateman just returned from third tour in Iraq as an EOD, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician who job is to detonate or disarm IEDs, Improvised Explosive Devices.
Veterans Day means more after you've stared down death for a living.
Over here, death waits in discarded rice bags. In motor-oil cans. Even in the carcasses of dead dogs on Iraqi roadsides.
That's where the bombs lie hidden. Waiting.
Most U.S. troops hope they never see an "improvised explosive device," or IED – the No. 1 killer of Americans in Iraq. But Marine Staff Sgt. Matt Bateman goes out looking for them every day.
That's his job.
On this day, he's been called to a small pile of rocks in the median strip of an intersection northwest of Baghdad. He's arrived with his two-man demolition team and a camera-laden robot. The robot has identified the IED and now is delivering a charge of TNT to destroy it.
Suddenly the robot hits a snag. It's stuck. Someone must leave the Marine cordon and retrieve it. By hand. It's Bateman who makes the 100-yard walk alone.
He's seen buddies die. Seen firefights. Seen what IEDs can do to trucks and tanks and men.
"Some days, you get nervous or butterflies," he says. "But you have to stay focused so the feeling doesn't turn into fear or panic or overtake you."
For 100 yards he keeps his focus. Then something catches his eye: blinking lights in the pile of rocks. The IED has been triggered.
He thinks: I hope this doesn't hurt.
WORST DAY
They're the go-to guys, the celebrities, the rock stars of Iraq – members of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, or EOD.
Someone in a convoy or patrol sees a possible roadside bomb, they call EOD.
"It's rewarding to see we make a difference," says Bateman, 36, a husband and father of two from Camp Pendleton. "We help guys out. They're really thankful and that's one of the rewarding parts of the job."
The downside?
He lifts his right arm to show a wristband: "Michael 'Mikey' Tayaotao, USMC Nov. 9, 1979 – Aug. 9, 2007. Fallen But Never Forgotten."
"I'll tell you my worst day there," he says.
They were responding to an IED that halted a 35-vehicle convoy on a major supply route in western Iraq.
"I hate to say it was routine," Bateman says. "But we handled it without major incident."
Then a second IED was found near the back of the convoy. The team moved in:
Sgt. Mark Zambon controlled their Talon robot, with its four cameras and robotic arm. Sgt. Tayaotao drove their 20-ton, armored truck – in military-speak a "Mine Resistant Ambush Protected" Cougar that could withstand most IED blasts – and set up the explosive charges used to detonate IEDs. Bateman was team leader.
They'd responded to as many as five IEDs in a day, so two at one scene wasn't unusual. But the second IED wasn't an IED. It was bait. The real bomb lay nearby, waiting to be triggered – by a footstep.
JUST WENT NUMB
As Tayaotao began to investigate, he triggered a booby trap that killed him.
"My brain didn't want to accept it," Bateman says. "But I realized we had to do something."
As leader of his EOD team and a security force of some 20 other Marines, Bateman had to give orders: Call a corpsman, reset security, call in a helicopter, clear a path to his fallen comrade, conduct a post-blast assessment, collect evidence.
Everyone turned to him: "What do we do next?"
In this strange place, people like to put bombs in the road,Bateman writes in an e-mail home. It's my job with my team to go and make it safe. On top of that, people like to shoot at us sometimes while we are working. What a strange place.
One thing the bombs and shooting taught him: No one ever died from not having a cool car. From not having the latest cell phone. From going without MySpace and YouTube.
I don't miss football or baseball,he writes. I don't need to seal myself off from my family while I sit in my room playing X-Box. I know I am a family man and I am very happy and proud of that fact.
His wife, Anita, would write him two or three e-mails a day and check her inbox every few hours.
"He was constantly on my mind," she says. "I couldn't watch the news. Knowing he's a target, it's very stressful."
At first, Bateman couldn't even grieve his buddy's death.
"It was too big to process at once," he says, "so everyone just went numb for a while.
It wasn't until 48 hours later, when Bateman finally could call Anita on the phone, that his emotions bubbled up.
"I just kept everything bottled up," he says. "And when I finally got on the phone with her, I got to let go of it."
Over here, they call it "outside the wire." As in, "Every time we went outside the wire, I'd say a little prayer."
As in, "Every time we went outside the wire, we had a security team."
As in "Every time we went outside the wire, we had on our uniform, boots, body armor, helmet, extra gear hanging on our body armor, pistol on our hips and a rifle. Even if it was 125 degrees."
Outside the wire – the fenced security of their base – is where most Marines spend most of their time in Iraq. That's what Bateman hopes people remember this Veterans Day.
"People forget the sacrifices made, not just in this war but in all wars," he says. "That there are men willing to say, 'I'll do this,' so we can have our barbecues or our day on the beach."
"Hopefully people won't take for granted those things they have that are comfortable to them," he says.
He can't anymore, because he knows life outside the wire. That's where more than 3,850 Americans have died in this Iraq war. Where more than 28,000 have been wounded. Where he watched his buddy Mikey die.
And where he faced his own death in a pile of rocks with blinking lights inside.
THE THINGS YOU HAVE
A chess match – that's how Bateman sees his job on the bomb squad.
"We constantly change our procedure because we know they're watching us every step," he says.
One time their armored truck ran over an IED while driving to investigate an IED. Another time they found an IED that was fake, not with a booby trap but with a note naming insurgents in town. He never found out if it was real or a trap. Another time, they took small-arms fire as soon as they stepped out of their truck to investigate an IED.
On successful days, it's exhilarating.
"Afterwards, we do a mental touchdown dance," he says. "We crossed the goal line. Everyone comes back with all their fingers and toes."
On this day, however, he is not so sure: The robot is stranded with TNT in its claw. Next to an IED ready to explode. He sneaks in. That's when he sees lights blinking in the rock pile.
The IED is trying to explode. But on this day, Bateman's crew is able to jam the signal – a procedure that doesn't always work. He is able to walk away. To live another day.
"It was a rush, coming out of the other side of it, wow," he says. "Not a rush like, 'Wow, skydiving – I can't wait to do again.' But, 'That was exciting – I hope that never happens again!'"
After facing and defeating more than 70 IEDS in Iraq, Bateman finally returned to his wife and children at Camp Pendleton last month. His routine? Mow the lawn, clean the kitchen, play with the kids and occasionally grab a good, old-fashioned In-N-Out burger.
I know now,he wrote in an e-mail last summer, that it is so important to want the things you already have.
And to appreciatethem, he might add today.
"You don't have to do anything amazing," he says of Veterans Day. "You don't have to buy a vet dinner or donate to a cause. Just please remember them for a moment. That's all a lot of us ask, just that acknowledgment."
Thank you Staff Sgt. Matt Bateman! You are in our prayers and we are so grateful for all you do.
Thank You Veterans You Are Never Forgotten ~ Never
If you know a Veteran, someone in your family, friend of the family, neighbor, who served their country, take a brief moment of your day to thank them. Thank them for the sacrifice they made for the better good of their country. I am so very thankful for every service member in our military who has served our great nation .So, to the men and women who answered the call in both times of war and peace, I thank you. ---- Wild Thing
Our Veterans took a thousand towns and villages……
Snow fields and empty stretches of Ocean……..
The jungles hot and deep,
and fought the fight for FREEDOM,
and turned then into sacred places
with their courage in the face of unimaginable horror
When they fought their way ashore at Normandy....
Dodged their bombers through a deadly maze of antiaircraft fire.......
Went weeks without sleep in a mad race to break the German Code...
They KNEW what was at stake.......
it was the United States of America.
Their children and grandchild and their homeland.......
it was about our FREEDOM
And away He went to war…….
Young, full of dreams and hope for a future...blue eyes shining bright.
He stepped on the bus that would carry him away from us.
We waved until we could see the bus no more and then
we waved once more...as if to insure all our love went with him.
We could not imagine our baby boy going off to
fight a war in a place we had never even heard of...
Days came and went. The letters were full of wonderful
memories of his childhood and telling me to be sure and
cook his favorite foods and think of him...He wrote about the
endless rain that kept them walking in soggy field of rice ...
and the heat that was relentless ... and of the people who
were so distrustful because of the Americans.
He also wrote of his pride in our country...
of believing in what he was doing.
And once he wrote a letter that ripped my heart into...he wrote
"Mom...there are times when I am in the foxholes and
I feel like I am not going to come out. I don't want you
to worry though, Mom because I believe I am going
to come home...deep inside of me. I am coming home, Mom."
Never before had I thought much about soldiers until
my son put on his uniform. And then I began to pray for them all...
and when I would see one my heart would fill with love for them.
I did not know all the horrors they saw or the pain they felt
but I knew they were laying down their very lives for the country we live in.
I knew there was no greater love.
Soon the calendar in our kitchen was filled with marks.
We were counting the days ...
and then the letters which had been coming stopped.
A couple of weeks after the letters had stopped and
my heart was growing so heavy...
it hurt to breathe. A mother knows. I gave him life.
He grew inside my body...and I knew. A part of my soul had died...
I knew before the two men knocked on our door that morning.
I did not hear much of their words...
all I knew was my baby boy was gone.
And I knew that my world would never be the same.
Many years have come and gone since that day in '69.
But whenever I pass a soldier on the street or see one on TV,
I stop and pray...
"Dear God...bless that young man...
protect him and let him know how grateful we are
for what he does. For what he is doing for this nation...
bless His life, dear God. Please keep him safe and
let him return home safe and sound..."
Today I laid a wreath and a flag on my son's grave.
I could hear his words still even after all these years...
"Mama, I am coming home."
And he did ... not the way I had prayed but my son is
home-in a place where there is no more death or sadness.
And He is home in his mother's heart...with every breath I breathe.
Each time I sing, "Our Country 'tis of Thee...Sweet Land of Liberty,"
I see my son, I see mothers and fathers who have lost their children...
I see wives who lost their husbands...
I see children who lost their Dads ...
and I see a flag waving in the wind over a land that is free.
And I know the cost of that freedom...
God bless our veterans ... each and everyday.
May they always know the price they paid is not forgotten ...
and the land they fought to save ...
may freedom always ring!
BALLAD OF THE CHOSIN
The nights were cold in the Korean soil.
But the night's been cold before.
And it's not so hard in your own back yard.
To be set for peace or war
But in history there's a chapter of a place called Valley Forge
Repeated one December on the Chosin Reservoir.
They had us all surrounded I could hear them scream and yell
My feelings at that moment No tongue could ever tell.
I saw the bursting mortar shells And the bullets around me flew
As all my strength had left me And all my courage too.
With the breaking of the morning Just before the dawn
I heard the sounding bugles And the big attack was on.
The cotton quilted uniforms Against our bullet spree
The screaming yelling banzai They called the human sea.
Baby faces bearded And chapped with hardenin' mud
Parkas that were dirty And stained with frozen blood.
Here a bunch of youngsters Who fought on 'til the end
In the battle of the Chosin Where boys were turned to men.
Twelve long miles of convoy Headed for the sea
Roadblocks at every turning Down through Koto-Ri.
The frost bite and the wounded With their dead and dying too
No matter what the objective be These boys were going through.
The Captain he informed us Perhaps he thought it right
That before we reach the river boys We're going to have to fight.
We're going out like Marines
In an organized withdraw
And no matter what the rumors say
It's no retreat at all.
We fought at least nine hours Before the strife was ore
And the like of the dead and wounded I've never seen before.
But the everlasting promise Kept along each bloody yard
No one leaves behind the wounded 'Cause there ain't no fight that hard.
The Chaplain collected dog tags In his hands were quite a few
There was Captain Smith's, McCloskies And Corporal Bryan's too.
And before we reached the river And fought our way back through
The Sergeant had the dog tags And he had the Chaplains too.
If I made you pause one moment And take a little time
Then I know it wasn't just in vain That I put these words to rhyme.
For there's just too many people Who take this all in stride
Who hear these tales of battles Then cast it all aside.
The nights were cold in the Korean soil But the night's been cold before
And it's not so hard in your own back yard To be set for peace or war
Written by Frank Gross
The Ballad of Chosin was composed on December 29th 1950
and it is believed to be among the first ballads
to be composed on the war in Korea .
"To those warriors, who have passed on since and to those who gave their youth, their health and their peace of mind in the fight for freedom, particularly the freedom of speech. We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." ~ Orwell
The Senrinels
You ancient, rusty relics- if you
could only tell
Your history and your legends, of
the battles and the hell.
You lie silent on those beaches,
where you formed a battle line,
Now decaying hulks of rusting steel
from a different place and time.
Ghostly figures man your turrets,
though the surf's the only sound.
Aye, your guns are long since si-
lenced, while the ground swells
rage and pound.
I close my eyes and visualize those
beachheads long ago,
When young Marines were fighting
through that surf and undertow
All too many never made it and, like
you, they shall remain
Silent sentinels at your turrets, while
the hourglass drops its grain.
Time, to you , is unimportant; You're
a monument to the past,,,
But your presence is a waning, if
again the die is cast.
Let no tyrant, King or ruler ever tam-
per with our land,
Lest you start your rusty engines,
and your gunners rise and stand.
May you never be forgotten; May the
old vets spread your fame,
For your colors still fly boldly, and
Old Glory still her name.
Carl Dearborn
Veterans Day Salute To Those Who Gave All
Click on graphic BELOW to hear "Some Gave All" by Billy Ray Cyrus
Football Week Ten
Cheerleaders visit the Marines at Camp Fallujah
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders In Iraq
STL @ NO 1:00 PM
JAC @ TEN 1:00 PM
CLE @ PIT 1:00 PM
PHI @ WAS 1:00 PM
ATL @ CAR 1:00 PM
DEN @ KC 1:00 PM
MIN @ GB 1:00 PM
CIN @ BAL 4:05 PM
DET @ ARI 4:15 PM
CHI @ OAK 4:15 PM
DAL @ NYG 4:15 PM
IND @ SD 8:15 PM
SF @ SEA 8:30 PM
Byes: Texans, Patriots, Jets, Buccaneers
JAC 28 @ TEN 13 FINAL
PHI 33 @ WAS 25 FINAL
ATL 20 @ CAR 13 FINAL
CLE 28 @ PIT 31 FINAL
BUF 13 @ MIA 10 FINAL
DEN 27 @ KC 11 FINAL
STL 37 @ NO 29 FINAL
MIN 0 @ GB 34 FINAL
CIN 21 @ BAL 7 FINAL
DAL 31 @ NYG 20 FINAL
DET 21 @ ARI 31 FINAL
CHI 17 @ OAK 6 FINAL
IND 21 @ SD 23 FINAL
Thank You Veterans We Owe You So Much
November 11~We Honor All Who Have
Served and Sacrificed For The Freedoms We Enjoy.
It was the Veteran,
Not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
Not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
Not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
Not the police,
Who has given us the right to be secure in our persons.
Not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the right to demonstrate.
It is the Veteran,
Not the politician,
Who defends our Nation
Who salutes the flag.
Who served under the flag.
Who gave his oath to support and defend
The Constitution and Our Nation
Against all Enemies, Foreign and Domestic
Willing to give his life to protect your freedoms and mine.
Whose coffin is draped by the flag.
With faith in God
Who has given us all our Freedoms.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM
D.C. imam Declares Muslim Takeover-plan
Logo of D.C. imam's movement
Washington-based cleric working toward 'Islamic State of North America' by 2050
A Washington, D.C., imam states explicitly on the website for his organization that he is part of a movement working toward replacement of the U.S. government with "the Islamic State of North America" by 2050.
With branches in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and Philadelphia, the group As-Sabiqun – or the Vanguard – is under the leadership of Abdul Alim Musa in the nation's capital.
Musa's declaration of his intention to help lead a takeover of America was highlighted by noted Islam observer Robert Spencer on his website Jihad Watch.
The group says it has a six-point plan of action which is implemented at each location where a branch of the movement is established.
* Establishing a mosque "as a place to worship Allah in congregation and as a center of spiritual and moral training."
* "Calling the general society" to embrace Islam.
* Establishing a full-time school "that raises children with a strong Islamic identity so they can, as future Islamic leaders, effectively meet and deal with the challenges of growing up in the West."
* Establishing businesses to "make the movement financially stable and independent."
* Establishing "geographical integrity by encouraging Muslims of the community to live in close proximity" to the mosque.
* Establishing "social welfare institutions to respond to the need for spiritual and material assistance within the community as well as the general society."
And we let these folks into our country for what reason????
America, these pukes are telling us to our faces what their intentions are. They are not some fringe element, but rather they are representative of mainstream islam. It is patently obvious our government is doing nothing to stop this clear and present danger to America, what with all the PC and multicultural and kumbaya crap that infests and infects our national leadership. These bastards are indeed the vanguard of the global islamic movement, and our response seems to be "What can we do to make them like us?" Get a grip, America! They are not here to like us, they are here to sow the seeds of our destruction!
Happy 232nd Birthday To The United States Marines
Since 1775 they have been answering thier nation's call. Thank you from a gratefull nation to all of you who have answered that call, but past and present. May God bless each and every one of you and keep you safely in His arms.
High Court To Look At Ban On Handguns
Justices to decide whether to take up case on strict limits approved in D.C. McClatchy-Tribune
The Supreme Court will discuss gun control today in a private conference that soon could explode publicly.
Behind closed doors, the nine justices will consider taking a case that challenges the District of Columbia's stringent handgun ban. Their ultimate decision will shape how far other cities and states can go with their own gun restrictions.
"If the court decides to take this up, it's very likely it will end up being the most important Second Amendment case in history," said Dennis Henigan, the legal director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Henigan predicted "it's more likely than not" that the necessary four justices will vote to consider the case. The court will announce its decision Tuesday, and oral arguments could be heard next year.
Lawyers are swarming.
Texas, Florida and 11 other states weighed in on behalf of gun owners who are challenging D.C.'s strict gun laws. New York and three other states want the gun restrictions upheld. Pediatricians filed a brief supporting the ban. A Northern California gun dealer, Russell Nordyke, filed a brief opposing it.
From a victim's view:
Tom Palmer considers the case a matter of life and death.
Palmer turns 51 this month. He's an openly gay scholar in international relations at the Cato Institute, a libertarian research center, and holds a Ph.D. from Oxford University. He thinks that a handgun saved him years ago in San Jose, Calif., when a gang threatened him.
"A group of young men started yelling at us, 'we're going to kill you' (and) 'they'll never find your bodies,' " Palmer said in a March 2003 declaration. "Fortunately, I was able to pull my handgun out of my backpack, and our assailants backed off."
He and five other plaintiffs named in the original lawsuit challenged Washington's ban on possessing handguns. The District of Columbia permits possession of other firearms, if they're disassembled or stored with trigger locks.
Their broader challenge is to the fundamental meaning of the Second Amendment. Here, commas, clauses and history all matter.
The Second Amendment says, "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Gun-control advocates say this means that the government can limit firearms ownership as part of its power to regulate the militia. Gun ownership is cast as a collective right, with the government organizing armed citizens to protect homeland security.
"The Second Amendment permits reasonable regulation of firearms to protect public safety and does not guarantee individuals the absolute right to own the weapons of their choice," New York and the three other states declared in an amicus brief.
Gun-control critics contend that the well-regulated militia is beside the point, and say the Constitution protects an individual's right to possess guns.
Clashing decisions
Last March, a divided appellate court panel sided with the individual-rights interpretation and threw out the D.C. ban.
The ruling clashed with other appellate courts, creating the kind of appellate-circuit split that the Supreme Court likes to resolve. The ruling obviously stung D.C. officials, but it perplexed gun-control advocates.
If D.C. officials tried to salvage their gun-control law by appealing to the Supreme Court — as they then did — they could give the court's conservative majority a chance to undermine gun-control laws nationwide.
Another example of liberals not being able to see the consequences of their actions. Suppose guns or even just handguns are outlawed. What happens next? Look at DC where handguns are already outlawed.
When you see the arrogance and treason in DC today, it's becoming apparent that we may need them to control our runaway government. When they are this treasonous knowing we still have guns, can you imagine how bad it would be if we were not armed and able to protect ourselves?
"No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." --Thomas Jefferson
"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence. To secure peace, securely and happiness, the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that is good." --George Washington
"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress ... to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.... "--Samuel Adams
"No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it. There is a remedy in human nature against tyranny, that will keep us safe under every form of government."---Samuel Johnson
"The tree of liberty needs to be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."---Thomas Jefferson "If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin" ~ Samuel Adams
"I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."--Thomas Jefferson
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship." --Patrick Henry
"A government that does not trust it's law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is itself unworthy of trust." -James Madison
" Freedom was never lost through a brutal assault; it was lost due to sloth, lack of vigilance, and apathy. Gradually more restrictions were imposed to make life seem safer, orderly and more fair. Freedom has been ravaged, now we must suffer the consequences!" author unknown
Weather Channel Founder: Global Warming 'Greatest Scam'
Weather Channel Founder: Global Warming 'Greatest Scam in History'
ICECAP, International Climate and Environmental Change Assessment Project
When John Coleman founded The Weather Channel in the early 1980's, he probably never could have guessed that TWC would be promoting the theory of global warming in the 2000's.
That's because Coleman doesn't believe in global warming, or so-called climate change. In a November 7 blog entry on icecap.us, Coleman makes it clear that he does not oppose environmentalism, but he says that global warming is a "non-event, a manufactured crisis and a total scam."
"I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct," Coleman wrote.
"The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril."
Coleman believes that in time, the global warming theory will be proven to be a scam when none of the predicted catastrophic events, such as coastal flooding and super storms, actually materialize.
"It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming; It is a SCAM. Some dastardly scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long term scientific data to create an illusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental whacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the "research" to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus. "
"Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild "scientific" scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda. Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmentally conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15 minute documentary segment.
I do not oppose environmentalism. I do not oppose the political positions of either party. However, Global Warming, i.e. Climate Change, is not about environmentalism or politics. It is not a religion. It is not something you "believe in." It is science; the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a non-event, a manufactured crisis and a total scam. I say this knowing you probably won't believe a me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award winning former Vice President of United States. So be it.
I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril. I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments by the high priest of Global Warming.
In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious. As the temperature rises, polar ice cap melting, coastal flooding and super storm pattern all fail to occur as predicted everyone will come to realize we have been duped. The sky is not falling. And, natural cycles and drifts in climate are as much if not more responsible for any climate changes underway. I strongly believe that the next twenty years are equally as likely to see a cooling trend as they are to see a warming trend. "
With NBC going green with their logo and during the football game this Global warming thing is really getting out of hand. It is INSANE!
B1 Bomber Strikes direct hit on Taliban Position
British Troops call in B1 assistance with a direct hit on Taliban Position
God Bless our Allies and all who hold Freedom and Liberty dear. Lucky Strike Means Fried Taliban!
This is the same B-1 bomber that treasonous puke Jimmy Carter tried to kill early on in his pathetic four year tour de' farce in the Oval Office. Fortunately, thanks to 44 States and President Ronald Wilson Reagan, the B-1 was resurrected and serves as an integral and valuable part of our military resources today.
Pelosi Says No Money For Troops Unless Immediate Withdrawal
Pelosi Says No Money For Troops Unless Bush Starts Immediate Withdrawal
WASHINGTON (AP) for complete article
Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will vote as early as Friday on legislation that would pay $50 billion for the war in Iraq but require that President Bush start bringing troops home.
The money is about a quarter of the $196 billion requested by Bush. It would finance about four months of combat in Iraq, Pelosi told reporters on Thursday.
"There will be no blank check for the president," she said at a Capitol Hill news conference.
The bill would set the requirement that troop withdrawals begin immediately.
The measure also sets a goal that combat end by December 2008. After that, troops left behind should be restricted to a narrow sets of missions, namely counterterrorism, training Iraqi security forces and protecting U.S. assets.
Bush rejected a similar measure in May, and Democrats lacked the votes to override the veto.
Pelosi said the bill also would require that the government rely on an Army field manual when conducting interrogations.The field manual makes no mention of waterboarding, a harsh technique that simulates drowning and is believed to have been used by the CIA.
Since taking control of Congress in January, Democrats have struggled to challenge the president on the war. Holding a shaky majority, they lack the votes to overcome procedural hurdles in the Senate or override a presidential veto.
Pelosi's measure will likely scrape by the House, but become hamstrung in the Senate over Republican objections. Buoyed by recent progress in Iraq, where enemy attacks have declined but political efforts remain in a stalemate, GOP lawmakers are more hopeful than ever that the war is turning a corner. They oppose setting a timetable for troop withdrawals.
Republicans also would likely oppose applying Defense Department interrogation standards government-wide because it would limit the CIA's use of aggressive techniques against high-value terrorism suspects.
On Thursday, the House and Senate were on track to approve $460 billion in annual military spending, as well as a stopgap funding measure to keep the rest of the government running through mid- December.
Without the $50 billion for combat operations, the Defense Department would have to transfer money from less urgent spending accounts to keep the wars afloat.
Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, the top Republican on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, predicts the Army would run out of money entirely by January if Congress does not approve some war money.
Pelosi at it again sending the terrorist's a message, hang in there while I try to assure defeat.
Ramadan Rosie Says T.A.I.F.
Goooooood Morning Baghdad / Anbar Triangle....Surf's bad on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers today.
The war against terror is still going on and on and on and on and Ramadan Rosie wants to ask the G.I. Joe's the following question. As a supposed world superpower, how come the U.S. defeated Germany, Japan and Italy in three and a half years during World War II (January 1942-1945), and the war in Iraq is still going on and on and on?
This is a fair question because the same question I just asked to all of the deployed U.S. fighting men and women is the same question asked daily by U.S. Senator Harry Reid and his Democratic majority party. Also, Senator Reid admitted - Praise be to Allah - "...that we already lost this war."
The Ramadan Rosie Word of the Day is 'Abu Sufyan'. Abu Suyfan was a leader of the pagan Quraysh who opposed Muhammad, but later converted to Islam, the religion of peace. Like in the game of chess, it's important to respect one's opponent. And since your public school education system in the land of the Great Satan is poor to say the least, Ramadan Rosie will soon bring you infidels up to speed. All I need is your attention and patience and loyalty.
Infidels have removed their God from the classrooms and sporting events and family dinner tables. Infidels say that 80% of Americans are Christians, but most only attend religious services on Christmas and Easter, and not the other fifty weeks of the year. This is shocking to the religion of peace and to global believers.
Islam's holy day is Friday, the Jews is Saturday and the Christians holy day of obligation is Sunday.
If you want to learn about Islam, do not refer to Robert Spencer's 'The Truth About Muhammad -
Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion.'
Peace my brothers and sisters and all one has to do is convert to Islam and pay the tax. It's that easy.
© created and written by Darth and Wild Thing
Thank you Everyone!!
We may not have won but actually in my heart we did. Your kindness and care to come here each day and your voting meant so much to me. And we still can put the Finalist logo in the sidebar so that is special too.
YOU ALL ROCK !
(((((((hug)))))
O'Hare Airport Security Breach
O'Hare Airport Security Breach - Over 100 Fake Security Badges, 23 Arrested
The National Terror Alert
Federal and local law enforcement agents raided several warehouses Wednesday at O'Hare International Airport and arrested 24 workers who were allegedly in the country illegally and using phony security badges for jobs on the tarmac, cargo areas and other restricted zones.
Also arrested Wednesday in a probe federal authorities said "identified national security vulnerabilities" were two company managers at Ideal Staffing Solutions Inc., a temporary employment agency in Bensenville. The firm allegedly hired the workers and provided them with deactivated airport security badges that allowed them to work at O'Hare, immigration officials said.
Ideal Staffing managers also knowingly allowed workers to lie about their identities on airport security applications, officials alleged. They said they're still investigating whether there are more related security risks at the airport.
One report indicates more than 100 workers at have been found with fake security passes.
Authorities said 110 of the badges issued to a contracting company did not match their owners.
Of those arrested, 21 are from Mexico and two from Guatemala, the Associated Press new agency reported.
The case concerns workers employed by Ideal Staffing Solutions, which contracted work for carriers including United Airlines, KLM and Qantas.
Applications for the 110 fake badges used social security numbers that did not exist or belonged to other people, some of them dead.
One worker is said to have told investigators he was asked to rummage through a box of about 20 airport security passes and pick one with a picture that looked like him.
"The investigation identifies a vulnerability that could compromise national security, while bringing criminal charges against individuals who built an illegal work force into their business practice," said Elissa A. Brown, special agent in charge for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office of investigations in Chicago.
Mary Gurin, 36, of Carpentersville, and Norinye Benitez, 24, of Franklin Park, were arrested and charged in separate federal complaints with one count of harboring illegal aliens for financial gain and one count of misuse of Social Security numbers, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys office.
There is a video here at the Chicago Tribune online
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-oharenov08,1,4075941.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Fox News said that the person who hired them was an illegal. And what if they had been Al Qaeda terrorists? If they can get into one of the largest airport in the World, they are already in a bunch of smaller airports!
Veterans Dine for Free
McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurants are offering veterans a complimentary entree in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2007. Veterans must provide proper ID to be eligible. Visit the McCormick and Schmicks website for details and to find a participating restaurant near you.
I LOVE to see this happening. There may be other's doing this but this is the only one I have found out about so far.
Duncan Hunter On Glenn Beck TV Show Full Hour
Glenn Beck radio show last week talked of having Duncan on the television show sometime for the full hour. Glenn has announced that it will be today, Friday, November 9 on Headline News. Glenn's show airs at 7 PM, 9 PM and midnight (ET). It should be great!
I have never seen Glenn Beck's TV show so this will be my first time to watch it.
Active Duty Troops Speaking out for Fred Thompson
Many active duty military are praising Fred Thompson, as the conservative leader they want as the next Commander in Chief.
Vets 4 Fred website
Typical of these comments is this one from a soldier in Ohio:
"As a soldier, I know there is some pressure to not get involved in anything political, but as a current member of the finest Army to have ever existed, and a Combat Veteran of the crucial Iraq campaign, I feel it is my duty as a patriotic American to see a good conservative succeed our current commander and chief. Every Soldier wants a leader that they can proudly stand at attention and snap a salute to their President and with pride pay respects to a man of honor. This has become a very wishful desire given the current candidates that have chosen to run for president. I know with Fred that we will have that man of honor to look to for direction and leadership, and he has my 100% support. I don't want a president that I can "tolerate"... and I surely don't want a president that makes me nauseous to salute. Fred Thompson is the right man for the job... and I already get plenty of questions from curious people who respect my opinion when they see my FRED08 bumper sticker! I am excited to have a candidate that I believe in so much. In 2008, Fred will have my vote in the Primary... and in November of 2008, Fred will have my vote for President. Go Get'em Sir!" A soldier from Columbus, OH "
Jihadi Hairstylists:THE KINDEST CUT! "A little off the top, infidel?"
Hairdresser sued for refusing to hire Muslim woman in a headscarf
The owner of a hair salon is being sued for religious discrimination for refusing to hire a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf.
Sarah Desrosiers, 32, says she turned down Bushra Noah as a junior stylist to maintain the image of her salon, which specialises in "urban, funky" cuts.
She told Miss Noah, 19, she needed her staff to display their hairstyles to the public.
But the devout Muslim insisted that wearing her headscarf was essential to her beliefs.
Miss Noah, who has been rejected for 25 different hairdressing jobs after interviews, is suing Miss Desrosiers for more than £15,000 for injury to her feelings plus an unspecified sum for lost earnings.
Miss Desrosiers, who set up the Wedge salon in King's Cross, North London, 18 months ago, says she faces financial ruin if she loses the case.
She denies any discrimination and insists it is an "absolutely basic" job requirement that cus-Yesterday, Miss Desrosier said: "When a potential client walks past on the street, they look into a salon at the stylists to get an impression of what haircut they are going to get there.
"The image I have built my salon on is very urban, funky, punky. That is the look I am going for.
"If an employee were wearing a baseball cap or cowboy hat I would ask them to remove it at work.
"It has nothing to do with religion. But I now feel like I have been branded a racist. My name is being dragged through the mud."
She went on: "This girl is suing me for more than I earn in a year.
"I am a small business and have only had my salon a year and a half. If I lose this lawsuit, my business will fold."
In legal papers setting out her employment tribunal claim, Miss Noah alleges she was discriminated against at her interview in March and wrongly turned down for a job she was capable of doing because of her headscarf.
Yesterday, she said: "The advertised job of junior assistant stylist was perfect for me. I did NVQs in hairdressing at college and have 18 months experience at a salon in Ealing Broadway.
"On the phone, Sarah sounded very keen on me because of my experience and qualifications. I sent her my CV and she invited me in a few days later for a trial day.
"But when I got there, she looked at me in shock. She started making excuses about wanting someone who lived locally but I knew it was my headscarf.
"She said, 'You really should have told me that you wear a headscarf'. She asked if I wore it all the time and I said, 'Yes'. She asked if I would take it off for work and I said, 'No'.
"Wearing a headscarf is very important in my religion and is non-negotiable. It is about showing your modest side."
Miss Noah added: "I am Britishborn and I know the urban, funky look. Just because I wear a headscarf does not mean I do not follow the latest trends and fashions.
"Afterwards, I felt so devastated and depressed. It has always been my ambition to be a hairdresser but I have given up now after being rejected 25 times.
"It is always because of my headscarf, whether they say it or not.
"I just thought that Sarah should not be allowed to get away with it and that if I don't stand up for myself, no one else will."
The case will be heard at the Central London Employment Tribunal in January.
Ask this sue happy immigrant how many christians wearing crosses would get jobs in her home country. I wonder why she chose her and not the 24 others that rejected her? Maybe after so many rejections someone gave her the idea to sue next time. hmmmmm Just wondering.
If you run a hair salon you should certainly have every right to require that your employees display the quality of work that can be expected there. If someone chooses to cover her head she should not expect to work in any "beauty" salon that does not cater to head-coverings.
Both Clinton's Draw Criticisim ~ Yippee!
Bill Clinton draws criticism as Democratic campaign grows ever more caustic
San Diego.com
Bill Clinton was hit with caustic criticism Tuesday from his wife's Democratic rivals, who accused the popular former president of falsely comparing questions about her candor to smears of past campaigns.
In a presidential nomination fight growing more intense by the day, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama also criticized the former first lady for having voted in the Senate against incentives for ethanol production and higher fuel efficiency standards. And 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards challenged her to spell out what she would do about Iraq.
The week after Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign accused her rivals of "piling on," those foes showed no sign of easing up. They even went so far as to criticize the former president, a strategy that comes with risks in a party filled with voters who admire him for resurrecting the party in the 1990s.
On Monday, in defense of his wife against political critics, Bill Clinton cited the "swift boat" television ads of the 2004 presidential campaign that questioned John Kerry's patriotism and the campaign commercials in 2002 that suggested Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia was soft on terrorism.
Obama told The Associated Press he was "stunned" to hear Clinton make the comparison. Both Kerry, who commanded a Navy swift boat in Vietnam, and Cleland, who lost three limbs in that war, are decorated veterans who were defeated by Republicans.
Obama said Hillary Clinton contradicted herself at the end of a Democratic presidential debate last week when asked whether she supported a plan by the New York governor to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. This week, the Illinois senator and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina have repeatedly reproached her on that subject.
"How you would then draw an analogy to distorting somebody's military record is a reach," Obama said.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, another candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the Clintons' response to the debate "outrageous."
"To have the former president come out and suggest this is a form of swift boating ... is way over the top in my view," Dodd said in a telephone interview.
A senior adviser to Sen. Clinton's campaign, speaking only on condition of anonymity, said the former president's remarks were not part of campaign strategy and in fact were considered counterproductive by the her advisers.
But Bill Clinton is a powerful advocate in the Democratic primary, and he is returning to the all-important first-voting state of Iowa Thursday to campaign on his wife's behalf. Roughly half of respondents to recent polls say they approve of him, and even more say looking back they approve of how he ran the White House.
The morning after last week's debate, Sen. Clinton's campaign issued a video called "Pile On" that featured each of her male rivals calling her name the night before. Then, at Wellesley College, she joked about presidential politics being an "all-boys club," and campaign surrogates suggested that sexism was behind the criticism.
Only then did Clinton herself say it wasn't her gender but her lead in the Democratic race that had led to the intensified criticism.
Said Dodd on Tuesday:
"If elected to the presidency, there will be a lot of tough questions, and if you can't handle it in a debate without accusing everybody who has an issue with you of piling on or a sexist attack, somehow, first of all that's unwise and, secondly, it's false."
Sen. Clinton acknowledged Tuesday that she could have done better in the debate, but denied that her stance on illegal immigrants has been unclear.
"I wasn't at my best the other night," Clinton said on CNN. "We've had a bunch of debates, and I wouldn't rank that up in my very top list. But I've answered probably, I don't know, more than 5,000 questions over the last 10 months and I have been very clear about where I stand and what I want to do for the country."
"If they want to use their energy attacking me, that's their choice," she said. "I'm going to use my energy focusing on a new energy policy and so much else."
In fact, her energy policy was the focus of criticism from Obama, with his campaign accusing her of voting 13 times against ethanol from 2002-2006, including measures to increase the amount of ethanol to be used as an additive in gasoline and to give liability protection for ethanol manufacturers.
"I think it is important to look at who has been a consistent champion on these issues," Obama said. "I think I can make a legitimate claim that I have been consistent even when the politics is hard."
Clinton's campaign said she has backed tax incentives for blending ethanol into gasoline, tax credits for installing ethanol pumps and a mandate that the nation's fuel supply contain 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022.
"She has always been a supporter of ethanol except for a time when there was evidence that New York would be hurt economically," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer. "Apparently, Senator Obama thinks misleading the voters about his fellow candidates' records is what the politics of hope is all about."
Clinton also was the focus of criticism in New Hampshire. Edwards said she must answer questions about her plans for Iraq, including whether she would continue combat missions.
"If you believe what Senator Clinton believes, then you can support her," Edwards said. "But if you believe that we need to bring this war to an end by getting all combat troops out and ending combat missions in Iraq, that is what I will do as president of the United States."
LOL this is the first time, really, anyone has talked back to the Clintons. Chris Dodd better watch his back and NEVER go near Ft. Marcy Park.
Now, she has cried "foul play" when faced with questions that no one helped her prepare for, there was no script for her to follow, no defensive player to run ahead for her. She used the "victim" card, of all stupid – and telling - things! Look what happened – the cracks have finally appeared to more than her advisories, and her true weakness has shown through. What next? Tears? Besides everything else vile about her, can anyone with a brain think this coommunist would make a good President or anything level of leadership in our government. Sheesh
At 61 years of age, after living a lifetime of lies, frauds, and needing others to keep her secrets, she is slipping – the mask she wears can't hide all the ugly truths much longer.
Go Ugly Early! ~ Upgraded A-10s Prove Worth In Iraq
A/OA-10/A Thunderbolt II
Primary function: A-10, close-air support; OA-10, airborne forward air control. Speed: 420 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 57 ft. 6 in.; length 53 ft. 4 in.; height 14 ft. 8 in. Range: 800 miles. Armament: 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance, including 500 pound Mk-82 and 2,000 pound Mk-84 series low/high drag bombs, incendiary cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, mine dispensing munitions, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Crew: One. Inventory: A-10, 129 and OA-10, 75; Guard, A-10, 76 and OA-10, 26; Reserve, A-10, 44 and OA-10, seven
by Staff Sgt. Markus Maier
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Combat Correspondent Team
AFPN
AL ASAD AIR BASE, IRAQ
A new version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been flying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months.
As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been converting it's A-10s from A to C models.
"We are the first A-10C model squadron to deploy to combat," said Lt. Col. Timothy Smith, the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. "We just transitioned to the aircraft six months prior to coming here, and the C-model was officially declared combat ready just two weeks before we deployed. I am very proud of our unit. We've put in a monumental effort, as individuals and as a group to get to this point."
The A-10C might look the same on the outside, but the recent upgrades have turned the aircraft, which was originally designed to battle Russian tanks during the Cold War, into an even more lethal and precise close-air-support weapons system.
A few of the key upgrades are a "first ever" for the aircraft, said Capt. Rich Hunt, a 104th EFS A-10C pilot. One of them is the situational awareness data link.
"Previously, for me to keep track of all the other airplanes that are around me or to help us perform the mission, I would literally have to write those down with a grease pencil inside my canopy or write them down on a white piece of paper on my knee board in order to keep track of all that," Captain Hunt said. "Now I have a color display that has all of the other airplanes that are up supporting the same mission across all of Iraq right now. And they are all digitally displayed through that data link on my map. So now, especially at night when awareness is a little bit lower, I can look at that beautiful map display and know exactly what other airplanes are around me."
The new system also provides the pilot with other critical information, such as what the other airplanes might be targeting, what munitions they have on board and fuel levels.
"That awareness provides us with a ton of valuable information in a very user-friendly manner," the captain said. "(It allows us) to do our mission with a lot clearer understanding of exactly what is going on around us in the battle space and what our wingmen may be targeting."
Another vital feature the data link offers is secure communication.
"All of the data that goes across that data link display is secure," he said. "Using that data link, I can also text message. We use that in more of a command and control situation. For example, if we are flying a mission hundreds of miles away and our operations desk here gets information through the classified computer network of a mission that we may have to support, they can text message right to my airplane -- and only to my airplane -- and tell me exactly what I need to know."
Something else the new C-model provides to the pilots is the integration of advanced targeting pods, which have also been upgraded. The new pods include long-range TV and infrared cameras with zoom capabilities and a laser target designator.
"Primarily, we still use the pods for weapons strikes," Captain Hunt said. "However, in Iraq we find ourselves supporting the troops on the ground by doing a lot of counter improvised explosive devices missions."
The pods infrared capability can be used to detect buried IEDs by picking up on their heat signature.
The new targeting pods have also been outfitted with the ROVER downlink capability, allowing the aircraft to transmit the live video feed to a joint terminal attack controller on the ground. This allows for more precise strikes with less chance of a chance for collateral damage.
"In Iraq that is especially important because it's a very difficult situation when we provide close-air support in such a densely urban environment," the captain said. "By the controller being able to look through my targeting pod real time, we can compare exactly what we are looking at and make sure we have an absolutely 100 percent positive identification of the target."
Another upgrade that increases the A-10's precision is that it can now employ the Global Positioning System-guided joint direct attack munitions.
"Sometimes we find ourselves where we have to destroy a terrorist stronghold location. But in the house across the street are friendly Iraqi civilians," Captain Hunt said. "We know we have to destroy the stronghold, but we don't want to cause any collateral damage whatsoever. So the JDAM has been outstanding for us. We've had unbelievable success where we've been able to strike the stronghold without causing any damage to the houses around it.
"Between the situational awareness data link, the targeting pod with the ROVER down link to the controller on the ground and the JDAM, the A-10C on this deployment has been an amazing success for us," the captain said.
The A-10 has been around the Air Force since the 1970s and with these new upgrades will remain well into the future.
"As technology moved further ahead, we stayed pretty far behind," Colonel Smith said. "And now, all over sudden, we have leapfrogged all the way pretty much to the front edge of all the technology for everybody."
But the colonel also said while they are the first unit to fly the C-model in combat, their main focus is not on the upgrades.
"In our minds we are just flying like we normally do," Colonel Smith said. "We don't see ourselves as the first A-10C model in combat, we see ourselves as A-10 pilots out helping the guy on the ground. I have great respect for the men and women on the ground. They are the ones who are really putting their lives on the line when they are out there. Our job is to ride shotgun for them -- to sit there in position, and ready for them when they need us. And now we have more tools available to do it faster and more precisely."
How's that saying go...Don't bother running, you'll just die tired!
This is a great video.......A-10 "Warthogs from hell"
M134 Gatling Gun Minigun
One of the most amazing -- and fearsome -- weapons in America's arsenal is the M134 Minigun produced by Dillon Aero. GI Factory host Kelly Perdew sure got a thrill riding around in a Huey and tearing up the landscape at 3,000 rounds per minute.
Lieutenant Colonel Russell Takes On Murtha
Hi name is William T Russell. He is running for Congress against John Murtha as a Republican in the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania in the November 2008 election.
Until August 31st of this year, he was a fulltime Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve, stationed at the Pentagon and a little over 2 years short of full, active duty retirement. He also is a small business owner and entrepreneur, as well as a husband and father.
During his military carrer he served six tours in hostile fire zones including Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Balkans. These tours include almost three years in the Middle East (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) and a year and a half in the Balkans (Hungary, Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia). He and his wife, Kasia, who was pregnant with their son at the time, were also in the Pentagon on 9/11.
His message:
"The United States is now engaged in a great political battle to determine whether this nation, founded in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, can maintain the political resolve in its fight against a totalitarian political system, cloaked in religion, which is dedicated to the destruction of our liberty.
Pennsylvania has been the turning point in many of the great events that have determined our nation's future as well as its character. These turning points include the founding of our nation with the signing of the Declaration of Independence to establish the political entity of our nation, followed by the Continental Army's long winter at Valley Forge and its crossing of the Delaware to capture Trenton on the long road to military victory. The Constitutional Convention defined the structure of this nation, the Battle of Gettysburg determined that such a nation could long endure, and Lincoln's address there clearly defined the purpose of that most difficult of this nation's struggles. The passengers of Flight 93 turned the tide of battle on September 11 over the skies of this great state and diverted what would have been the most devastating of the blows to this nation. In this war against Islamic Radicalism, the political battle of the 2008 election in the Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District is a critical turning point of this war.
The people of the 12th District have a choice between continuing on a path of economic stagnation and undermining our Soldiers in the fight with an enemy that seeks to destroy us or of growing the next generation of entrepreneurs and supporting our most precious national resources as they engage an enemy we cannot afford to lose to. It is a choice between a corrupted, long time Washington insider who is playing into the hands of the enemy and a new comer with 28 years of honorable Active and Reserve military service to this nation in war and peace. It is a choice between an incumbent who encourages the enemy to kill more of our troops with his calls for withdrawal and a new candidate who has served with our troops in the streets of Ad Daluhya and Kirkuk, and understands this enemy is seeking to weaken our political resolve. It is a choice between a politician who has accused a Marine from this District of the cold blooded murder of innocent civilians for his own political ends (when in fact that Marine was facing four armed enemy combatants at extreme close range), and a professional Soldier who understands this enemy was looking to create a My Lai type incident for propaganda purposes and knows our brave Service Members need our faith and support. It is a choice between an extreme practitioner of cronyism who brings in earmarks that benefit a few close supporters while providing few long term jobs and a practicing small businessman who knows that real jobs and economic growth are produced by men and women who respond to the demands of the free market. It is a choice between a political player who continually creates dependence on pork barrel projects that dry up every two years and a practicing entrepreneur who wants our children to start and own their own companies rather than work for them.
In this election, surrender on the political, military, and economic fronts is not an option. We must turn the tide toward victory.
Throughout this campaign, I will be visiting with people of every county and township in this district to listen, learn, and assist in developing free market and small business based solutions to meet the economic challenges of this part of South Western Pennsylvania. I believe I have a unique background as a soldier, small businessman, and student of international relations to help turn the tide economically for the 12th district and for our nation's security.
I deeply appreciate those supporters who have already welcomed this career Army transplant, who grew up as an Air Force brat and has lived in 11 different states and seven foreign countries. I invite all voters to follow suit.
I thank you for your time, interest, and support.
William T Russell"
Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15907
http://www.williamrussellforcongress.com/ ......his website ........ he has a lot of things there you can read as well.
william.russell@williamrussellforcongress.com ......his email
Hooray William T. Russell, for taking on that bloated, elitist, earmark-plundering POS Murtha. Murtha is a curse!
Handful of A**holes
I love those Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. They are some of my favorite westerns and this is a neat idea how the person did this video. hahahaha
....LOL this is great, thank you Jack. Jack's wonderful blog Conservative Insurgent
Sarkozy Throws Open His Arms to Bush and the U.S.
France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, burst onto the Washington scene on Tuesday, clearly reveling in his first official visit to the White House and asking the United States to embrace him as a friend.
Mr. Sarkozy has met President Bush several times, so the brief visit was a vehicle for Mr. Bush to reward him for his friendship and for the French leader to introduce himself and his team to official Washington.
Setting aside the recent anger he has shown because of his divorce, Mr. Sarkozy backslapped and hugged his way through the day. He also proclaimed his determination to be a reliable partner of the United States.
"I come to Washington to bear a very simple message, a message that I bear on behalf of all Frenchmen," he said in a toast at a formal White House dinner in his honor. "I want to reconquer the heart of America."
In his toast, Mr. Bush welcomed his guest with the words "Bienvenue à la Maison-Blanche."
Earlier in the day Mr. Sarkozy, calling France's opposition to the American-led war in Iraq "a disagreement," told the French American Business Council: "I never quite understood why we had to fight with the United States. I never quite got it."
Here's some Sarkozy quotes from tonight at the Bush's BLack Tie Event
"I come to Washington with a very simple message. I want to reconquer the heart of America, and to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting way. I have come to tell you one thing, it is that France and the United States, we are friends, we are allies, always and forever (that is mangled from "depuis toujours et pour toujours," sorry). I have come to tell you that we can be the friend of America and win elections in France, it is not a miracle, it is a reality. (laughter) ..."
Sarkozy also assured the audience that he had no electoral ambitions in the US:
"So here I am in Washington on a first Tuesday in November. (Laughter.) Now, I have no electoral ambitions when it comes to the U.S.even though I know it's a very special day because it's the day on which Americans elect their President."
Finally, despite language that was at time painful in its diplomatic and historical niceties, Sarkozy did briefly touch on common foreign policy challenges:
"We need to take up a challenge of nuclear proliferation, of religious extremism and of fanaticism. And we need to respond to the demands and challenges of peoples who wish to claim their rightful place in a new world, the world of the 21st century — and a new order, that of the 21st century, which is no longer the order of the 20th century. And we need also, together, to find a new balance between man and nature, in order that we may save this planet of ours — and not only save it, but leave it as a legacy to our children in a better state than that in which we found it. Together we must vanquish abject poverty, because it is on abject poverty that terrorism worldwide feeds."
"A great economy needs a great currency...You have quality labor, some extraordinary companies, you don't need a dollar that is too weak."
"We love America, but we love America that is true to its values...We love an America which supports creators but not speculators, we love an America that believes in free trade but also in honest competition."
"I will say to our Chinese friends, 'you have been spectacularly successful...you don't need an undervalued currency to win...It is not even useful. It creates imbalances and, at the end of the day, these imbalances impact you too."
What a difference Sarkozy is then America hating Chirac. We will see how Sarkozy does, but so far it appears he wants to be friends with America and that has hope in it.
Dems Are NOT Ready For Prime Time!
Debate on Cheney Impeachment Narrowly Averted
House Democrats on Tuesday narrowly managed to avert a bruising debate on a proposal to impeach Dick Cheney after Republicans, in a surprise maneuver, voted in favor of taking up the measure.
House Republicans, changing course midway through a vote, tried to force Democrats into a debate on a resolution to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney on the grounds he purposely led the country into war against Iraq.
The GOP tactics reversed what had been expected to an overwhelming vote to table, or kill, the resolution by longshot Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.
Midway through the vote, with instructions from the GOP leadership, Republicans one by one changed their votes from yes — to kill the resolution — to no, trying to force the chamber into a debate and an up-or-down vote on the proposal.
At one point there were 290 votes to table. After the turnaround, the final vote was 251-162 against tabling, with 165 Republicans voting against it.
"We're going to help them out, to explain themselves," said Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas. "We're going to give them their day in court."
Kucinich, an anti-war Democrat from Ohio, has long pushed for a vote to impeach Cheney, but has failed to win the backing of the Democratic leadership. After Kucinich introduced the resolution, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., immediately moved to table it.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "has said that impeachment is off the table and that the new direction Congress is focused on responsibly and honorably redeploying our troops out of Iraq, covering 10 million uninsured children and meeting our national priorities long neglected by the Bush Administration,"
All those dems thinking there is no way this will pass, then the GOP pulls a vote switch trapping the dems-BRILLIANT!
That's funny as heck! And what the heck is Cheney guilty of anyway! LOL Governing while Republican????
God bless VP Dick Cheney!
How To Steal An Election
By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist
RECENT story that didn't get nearly the attention it deserved was the New York Daily News report that 46,000 registered New York City voters are also registered to vote in Florida. Nearly 1,700 of them have had absentee ballots mailed to their home in the other state, and as many as 1,000 have voted twice in the same election. Can 1,000 fraudulent votes change an election? Well, George W. Bush won Florida in 2000 by just 537 votes.
It is illegal to register to vote simultaneously in different jurisdictions, but scofflaws have little to worry about.
As the Daily News noted, "efforts to prevent people from registering and voting in more than one state rely mostly on the honor system." Those who break the law rarely face prosecution or serious punishment. It's easy -- and painless -- to cheat.
I learned this firsthand in 1996, when I registered my wife's cat as a voter in Cook County, Ill., Norfolk County, Mass., and Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and then requested absentee ballots from all three venues. My purpose wasn't to cast illegal multiple votes but to demonstrate how vulnerable to manipulation America's election system has become.
It was a simple scam to pull off. "Under the National Voter Registration Act -- the `Motor Voter Law' -- states are required to accept voter registrations by mail," I wrote at the time. "No longer can citizens be asked to make a trip to town hall or the county office. No longer do they have to provide proof of residence or citizenship. In fact, they don't have to exist. Motor Voter obliges election officials to add to the voter list any name mailed in on a properly filled-out registration form. Anyone so registered can then request an absentee ballot -- by mail, of course. The system is not only open to manipulation, it invites it."
As journalist John Fund shows in an alarming new book, "Stealing Elections: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy," the United States has an elections system that would be an embarrassment in Honduras or Ghana.
It is so unpoliced, he writes, that at least eight of the 9/11 hijackers "were actually able to register to vote in either Virginia or Florida while they made their deadly preparations."
How fouled up are the voter rolls? So fouled up that in some cities there are more registered voters than there are adults. So fouled up that when the Indianapolis Star investigated Indiana's records a few years ago, it discovered that hundreds of thousands of names -- as many as one-fifth of the total -- were "bogus" since the individuals named had moved, died, or gone to prison. So fouled up that when a Louisiana paper filed 25 phony voter registration forms signed only with an "X," 21 were approved and added to the voter list.
Illegal aliens have been registered, too, since under Motor Voter, any recipient of government benefits can sign up to vote, no questions asked.
Did that wide-open door to fraud cost former GOP Congressman Robert Dornan his seat in Congress? An investigation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service following Dornan's 1996 defeat by Democrat Loretta Sanchez found that 4,023 noncitizens may have cast ballots in that election. Dornan lost by 984 votes.
It shouldn't take a degree in rocket science to fix a system this sloppy and chaotic. But not everyone wants to fix it. Some operatives don't mind cheating if it brings more of "their" voters to the polls. Fund cites the findings of Wall Street Journal reporter Glenn Simpson and political scientist Larry Sabato, co-authors of a recent book on corruption in American politics. Some liberal activists they interviewed go so far as to justify voter fraud on the grounds that such "extraordinary measures" compensate for the weaker political clout of minorities and the poor.
One simple fix -- requiring every voter to show ID when registering and voting -- would seem to be a no-brainer. Opinion polls show that the vast majority of Americans favor such a reform. After all, ID is required when boarding an airplane or buying liquor. Why not when voting?
Yet, incredibly, powerful political interests have long fought to block an ID requirement. The NAACP and La Raza liken it to the poll tax that Southern states once used to keep blacks from voting. A Democratic Party official says that "ballot security" and "preventing voter fraud" are simply code for voter suppression. That willingness to play the race card is not merely dishonorable; it is undemocratic. For as Fund notes, "when voters are disenfranchised by the counting of improperly cast ballots, their civil rights are violated just as surely as if they were prevented from voting."
The drift toward Third World-caliber elections in the most advanced democracy in the world is scandalous. Then again, if Americans can't be bothered to scrub the voting rolls or to make sure that voters are properly ID'd, maybe they've got the election system they deserve.
After 9/11, the Justice Department found that eight of the 19 hijackers were registered to vote.
When I read this I also remembered how the Dems had buses go and pick up homeless people and promised then coffee and doughnuts on their way to the voting booths. amazing!
...Thank you Jack for sending this to me. Jack's blog is Conservative Insurgent Blog.
Some Target Practice With Bin Laden ~ LOL
Just CLICK the link below, it is fun and it goes faster as you progress. You can also reload along the way if needed and then it goes faster too. hahahahhaa
http://www.sizor.com/flash/binladen.htm
Fred Thompson Ad for TV
He speaks of his 100 percent pro-life voting record and reminding voters that "our rights come from God and not from government," Senator Fred Thompson launches a pair of television ads set to begin airing on Wednesday statewide in Iowa and nationally on Fox News. This is the 60 second version.
Uproar at the State Department Regarding Baghdad Embassy
'Special Report' Panel on Uproar at the State Department
Fox News for complete article
JACK CRODDY, FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER: It's one thing if someone believes in what is going on over there and volunteers. I am sorry, but, basically, that is a potential death sentence, and you know it.
And then another thought—who will take care of our children? Who will raise our children if we are dead or seriously wounded?
REP. DUNCAN HUNTER, R-CALIF.: I think we should fire those folks that don't want to go. You can't have people on the payroll who refuse to be deployed to the tough places.
BRET BAIER, CO-HOST: There you see some of the back-and-forth over this issue at the State Department this week at a town hall meeting, where some officers said they did not want to be assigned to go to Iraq.
Now the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has weighed in with a cable to all diplomats, sending it out today, saying "Regardless of how the jobs may be filled, they must be filled. It is our duty to do our part towards succeeding in the vital mission in Iraq given to us by the President."
Some of the back and—it was amazing to watch that town hall meeting, Jeff. The vitriol for some of these Foreign Service officers about possibly being assigned to Iraq—there has not been a decision yet, but it might be that.
JEFF BIRNBAUM: That's right, they may be forced to go. And they should be forced to go. I think that is part of their duty.
Hunter's Press Release that tossed gas on the fire:
DUNCAN HUNTER: GO TO WALTER REED AND BETHESDA FOR NEW STATE DEPT PERSONNEL
U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, will be meeting with President Bush today regarding his Wounded Warrior proposal to Congress. During today's meeting, Congressman Hunter intends to also suggest that State Department personnel who refuse deployment to Baghdad be replaced with wounded veterans at Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals.
"When the State Department appears to be filled with reluctant personnel, let's turn to those who have bravely followed the American flag in the most dangerous of assignments," said Congressman Hunter. "The U.S. Marines, soldiers, airmen and Navy personnel presently recovering at our national military hospitals have all the character required by the Department of State. They are brave, loyal, intelligent and fiercely determined to win the War on Terror.
"They are veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters and you can be sure that when called on for difficult assignments, they won't convene a town meeting to protest. Especially for those whose mobility has been impaired by wounds, State Department positions, not only in Baghdad but around the world, will provide excellent jobs as well as availing our nation of their enormous talent."
Hunter will recommend a team of State Department recruiters be immediately sent to Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals, as well as posting application forms on relevant employment websites.
"Let's replace these reluctant Nellies with America's finest citizens," concluded Hunter. "Our wounded warriors will serve our country efficiently, effectively and with undying patriotism."
Yesterday Nick and I were talking about this and he said, they should send Veterans, soldiers that served in Iraq. They know Iraq now, they know the people, and how to deal with them.
Then when I just read this that Duncan Hunter said I agree. I see why it might be a great idea. I agree if we want intelligence, courage, and honor in our diplomatic postings, send vets.
The jerks with the State Dept. Firing them is also a great idea for any reason.
I'm willing to bet Mr. Croddy's political affiliation does not begin with an "R."
"Terrorists are 'running out of people to kill" ~ Dem. Obey
David Obey (D-WI) on Iraq: 'We've Run Out of People to Kill'
If violence is decreasing in Iraq, it may be because insurgents "are running out of people to kill," House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) said Monday.
"There are fewer targets of opportunity," Obey said in a speech to the National Press Club.
Obey was responding to a question about reports touted by Republicans that security is improving in Iraq and that President Bush's "surge" strategy is working. He stressed that military success has not led to political reconciliation.
"The issue has never been military," Obey said. "The issue has always been political improvement."
As the House's top appropriator, Obey has his hands on the nation's purse strings, giving him a significant say on the war in Iraq.
In his speech Monday, he stuck by his pledge not to approve any more money for the war until President Bush changes course on Iraq. He also offered a spirited defense of a new surtax to pay for the Iraq war, admitting that he knew it wouldn't pass when he offered his support for the plan. But he said it highlighted the fact that Bush has loaded the cost of the war onto the national debt while pushing tax cuts tilted to the wealthy.
The surtax plan, which is backed by Reps. John Murtha (D-Pa.) and James McGovern (D-Mass.), would raise $150 billion a year for the war.
"That may not be a popular thing to do, but it's a hell of a lot more responsible than sending the bill to your kids," Obey said.
Obey is the point man among House Democrats on the looming spending battle with Bush, which Obey called a "manufactured controversy" and an "unnecessary diversion." President Bush has threatened to veto any bills that exceed his requested spending levels, which together are $22 billion less than what Democrats have proposed.
He also accused President Bush, his allies and his aides of hypocrisy and an unwillingness to negotiate that is immature.
He said that when Democrats were in the majority, they worked with Republicans "like adults" to get spending bills passed.
"I believed that the way politics is supposed to work is that we are supposed to first define our differences and then work like adults to find ways to resolve them," Obey said.
But this year, he said, Republicans have engaged in "filibuster by amendment," trying to delay the process and then complaining when Democrats maneuvered to get bills passed by combining them.
"I find it interesting that [Bush] now raises objections, because we are doing what his party did for so long," Obey said
Obey and his fellow Democrats combined the bill for labor, education and social spending — which is disliked by Bush — with the military construction spending bill, which includes the budget for veterans' affairs and is popular with Bush. But Republicans have said the maneuver could stall veterans' funding.
"That claim is enough to give hypocrisy a bad name," Obey said, noting that last year, Republicans failed to pass any stand-alone domestic spending bills, including for military construction.
White House budget office spokesman Sean Kevelighan said the difference is that previous GOP Congresses abided by President Bush's "top-line" overall spending cap.
"We're in a different environment in this Congress," Kevelighan said. "Unfortunately, what we're finding with this Congress is that the reaction to everything is to raise taxes or spending more taxpayer dollars."
"With time running out this year and not a single bill complete, Democratic leaders may want to start focusing on the work that must be done now instead of blaming everyone but themselves for their pork-filled, shoddy work," said Brian Kennedy, spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).
OMG excuse me a second LMAO this guy is an idiot! Yeah...There's only 5 Billion infidelss left! They are getting si hard to find.
OH how I wish, hope and pray our Republicans USE this baloney in TV ads in the Presidential campaign. hahahaha
The Democrats are grasping at straws. Up to now, they have insisted that what creates terrorism in Iraq is the very presence of Americans. Now that the violence is declining while the Americans haven't gone anywhere, that position becomes less tenable.
Delusional Traitor Hanoi Kerry Why Are You Still Around?
Kerry says he'll be ready next time
The Patriot Ledger
John Kerry said Monday there might be a next time for his presidential aspirations, and if there is, the 63-year-old U.S. senator from Massachusetts says he'll be ready for the political torpedoes that helped sink his 2004 White House bid.
Kerry, whose service as a U.S. Navy Swift boat skipper during the Vietnam War came under attack in his race against President Bush, said he has compiled a dossier on his war record critics that he wishes he had as the Democratic presidential nominee.
``We have put together a documented portfolio that frankly puts their lies in such a total light of absurdity and indecency, that should they ever rear their ugly heads again, we have every single 't' crossed and 'i' dotted, and I welcome that in a sense,'' Kerry said following a morning address to the South Shore Chamber fo Commerce. ``It's a shame we weren't able to produce all that at the time.''
Kerry said he regrets his slowness to counter accusations from the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which faulted Kerry's war record and his subsequent anti-war activism.
``I think the bigger problem was the campaign should have spent more money putting the truth out there,'' Kerry said. ``I think there was an assumption that is was out there, it was sufficiently out there.''
NEXT TIME? Oh that's rich.....I can't wait, bring it on freak, liar, traitor.
Valour-IT Fundraiser ~ Giving Back To Our Wounded
Chesty would want us to
3rd annual Valour-IT Fundraiser
Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled and adaptive laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries at major military medical centers. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field. The experience of MAJ Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops can be to a wounded service member's recovery.
WHAT: Friendly fundraising competition for Valour-IT.
WHEN: October 29th through Veterans Day, November 11th .
WHERE: Based in the blogosphere, spreading everywhere else.
WHY: Because giving wounded warriors with hand and arm injuries access to a computer supports their healing and puts them back in touch with the world.
HOW: Blogger teams will be divided along military branches, with civilians "up for grabs."
The various teams are below:
Marines will be led by Holly Aho
Air Force will be led by Mrs. Greyhawk at Mudville Gazette
Navy will be led by Chaotic Synaptic Activity.
Army led by Matt and Jim of Blackfive
Military Family In Need Of Help
Please see UPDATE further down this post:
This is from Amy Palmer with Operation Homefront:
I don't often send out requests like this. We usually just provide the assistance and move on, but this family has a lot of needs that won't just end by Operation Homefront paying a couple of bills and moving on. This family will probably need some long term financial assistance and we'll need some help to make that happen.
Specialist John Austin Johnson was injured in Baghdad, Iraq, with Traumatic Brain Injury and has been at Brooke Army Medical Center for the last 5 weeks recuperating.
His wife, Lisa and their three children, Logan (2), Ashley (5), and Tyler (9) left Ft. Bliss (El Paso, TX), last Saturday, Oct 13, to drive to San Antonio to be with him. Around 10:30 AM, Lisa somehow veered into another lane and the vehicle rolled over several times. Logan and Ashley were killed. Lisa sustained injuries that were not life threatening. Tyler was taken to Children's Medical Center in Dallas and is in critical condition with a head injury and is currently in a coma. Unfortunately, he is not expected to live.
This family is in desperately in need of financial help. They have funeral expenses that are adding up quickly, travel expenses for family members, food and lodging near the Dallas hospital, and of course, rent, utilities and other expenses that need to be paid at home.
To donate to assist this family, please visit the Operation Homefront – Texas chapter website at www.operationhomefront.net/texas. You can enter "Johnson Family" in the comments section of any online donations and we'll ensure the family receives the assistance.
If you have any questions about this donation, please contact the Texas chapter directly at 210-324-0427.
Thank you for your continued support of our troops!
Amy Palmer
Operation Homefront
This has been researched and unfortunately is very true. I thought I would share it with all of you in case you wanted to help or would like to forward it to others that might be interested.
This update is from Amber she sent it to me. Her husband was serving with Army Spc. Johnson, and is based at Ft. Bliss.
Army Spc. John Austin Johnson and wife Lisa's children Ashley, 5, and Logan, 2, died in a car wreck last week. Tyler, 9, was on life support Saturday.
Three weeks after his siblings died in an Oct. 13 accident on the gusty West Texas plains, 9-year-old Tyler Johnson died Saturday at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Schmidt, a family spokesman, said Tyler survived longer than expected.
Tip Leads Coalition Troops to Explosives Factory
A Soldier from 1st Platoon, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., holds up a 12-inch copper plate (the largest size found in Iraq) used to pierce armored vehicles when fired from an explosively formed projectile (EFP). The plate was part of a large EFP cache recently discovered in a home in Husseiniyah. Photo by SSgt. Russell Bassett, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
Concerned Local Citizen Tip Leads Coalition Troops to Explosives Factory
(Story by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division)
A Concerned Local Citizen (CLC) led Coalition forces to a home Wednesday where explosively formed penetrators (EFP) and improvised explosive devices (IED) were being constructed in Husseiniyah.
Soldiers of Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., discovered a large cache of explosives at the home, including (10) fully-assembled EFP of various sizes (including one 12-inch EFP, the largest size found in Iraq) and (89) copper plates of various sizes used in making EFP. Also, more than (200) pounds of C-4 explosive, other explosive materials including TNT, and numerous other materials used in manufacturing EFP were found.
"We are getting these weapons off the street, which feels great," said Sgt. Damon Farmer, team leader with 1st Platoon, Battery A, 2-12 FA, who was one of the Soldiers who first discovered a buried container filled with explosives in an outbuilding by the home. "That stuff isn't going to blow up my truck. It isn't going to kill U.S. Soldiers and it isn't going to kill Iraqis."
EFP are one of the enemies' most dangerous weapons, because they are able to pierce armored vehicles. According to 4-2 SBCT officials, the EFP are effective approximately 50 percent of the time, a much higher percentage than the enemy's other weapons. The EFP is a favored weapon of anti-Coalition Shia militias.
"In our area of operations the EFP threat is significant, and there was enough material there to make (100) EFP, so we may have saved approximately 50 lives and eliminated about two months of (enemy) militia activity," said Lt. Col John Drago, 2-12 FA commander, noting that the discovery would not have been possible without Iraqi help.
Mondale Endorses Hillary For President ~ Party Anyone LOL
Mondale Endorses (Hillary) Clinton for President
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)
Former Vice President Walter Mondale is endorsing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for president, the Clinton campaign announced Sunday.
"America is ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver it," Mondale said in a statement released by the campaign. "Hillary is uniquely qualified to rebuild America's standing in the world and lead this nation from her first day in the White House."
Mondale, a former U.S. senator from Minnesota, was vice president from 1977 to 1981 under President Carter. He was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, but lost to Ronald Reagan in the general election.
Mondale also was U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1996.
Clinton, D-N.Y., said she was "deeply honored" to have Mondale's support.
The Republican National Committee noted with glee that it was her second endorsement by a failed Democratic presidential nominee. The other endorsement came from George McGovern, the 1972 nominee who was soundly defeated in the general election by Richard Nixon.
"Hillary Clinton's endorsement from yet another failed Democrat presidential candidate underscores concerns the American people will have with her own candidacy," said RNC spokesman Danny Diaz.
Mondale, a former U.S. senator from Minnesota, was vice president from 1977 to 1981 under President Carter [who lost in a landslide in 1980 - 489-49 electoral]. He was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, but lost to Ronald Reagan in the general election [also a landslide - 525-13]
There now THAT is better. heh heh
Hmmmmm Has Martin Van Buren weighed in yet?
Flag-burning 'lesson' Provokes UM Student
ORONO, Maine
A University of Maine student alleges her former professor offered extra credit to class members if they burned the American flag or the U.S. Constitution or were arrested defending free speech.
On the first day of class, associate professor Paul Grosswiler offered the credit to members of his History of Mass Communications class, according to sophomore Rebekah McDade. Disturbed by the comment, McDade dropped the class and intends to take the course again next semester with a different professor.
"I was offended," McDade said Friday. "I come from a family of military men and women, and the flag and Constitution are really important symbols to me because of my family background."
In an e-mail responding to a request for comment from the Bangor Daily News on Friday, Grosswiler said he thought McDade misunderstood the class discussion, which was intended to elicit thought about the First Amendment. He said he has held this same discussion for years without incident.
"I don't intend for students to burn either the Constitution or the flag, and over the years hundreds of students have understood that," Grosswiler wrote.
A journalism and political science double major, McDade said the first class of her fall semester at UM began with the typical syllabus introduction and class overview. Despite repeated "liberal" comments made by Grosswiler, McDade said, she was not uncomfortable in the classroom until the flag burning comment.
"Everyone is entitled to their own political beliefs, and more power to you if you are passionate about it," McDade said.
When Grosswiler listed the extra-credit opportunities, McDade said the class of approximately 50 students grew very quiet, and some questioned whether he was serious.
At first, student Kathleen Dame said she thought Grosswiler was joking, but then he went on to explain to the class that burning the flag was not illegal.
While Grosswiler approached the topic in a serious manner, Dame said she felt he used it as a tool to educate the class on the First Amendment.
"It was pretty outlandish and [he was] trying to prove a point," Dame said Friday.
While McDade said she would not be surprised if students followed through with the flag burning, Dame disagreed.
UM spokesman Joe Carr said Friday that Grosswiler's classroom comments were not intended to be taken literally and that extra credit would not be granted for carrying out such activities.
A second person in the class did submit a complaint about the lecture, but Carr did not know in what form it was filed.
When asked whether the university would pursue disciplinary action, Carr replied, "No."
I think there are much better and other ways to teach such things then to even go anywhere near suggesting to burn the Flag. I applaud this student for speaking out, and I am very disappointed in the University for not taking time to investigate this claim simply based on the fact that Grosswiler has been a staff member for years.
What is amazing about these liberal free speech types is the type of free speech they want. Burn the flag, burn the constitution, they think that is on the edge, showing free speech. Any two-bit dweeb can do that. Why don't these free speech liberals say extra points for burning the Koran? Now, that is a challenge on free speech, but they won't do that because they know the result of their actions, we all know how bad that would be. Ask the Danes.
A Friends Tribute to Her Husband A Hero
Near Fallujah, Iraq — Sunday, November 2, 2003
Two CH-47 Chinook helicopter's were attacked, probably with Soviet designed SA-7 shoulder fired missiles, one helicopter was struck by a missile and crashed. The passengers included several U.S. soldiers headed out of Iraq for rest and recreation trips. According to successive reports released by the Pentagon, the death toll showed 10, then 13, then 15, and then 16 soldiers had died, but on Tuesday the Army revised the number to 15 killed, (according to the Associated Press, Tuesday, November 4, 2003 15:38 PST).
On Thursday, November 6, one Sergeant severely injured in the crash of the Chinook died in a German hospital bringing the toll back to 16 dead and 26 wounded.
Staff Sgt. Daniel Bader, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colo. Assigned to Air Defense Artillery Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
Sgt. Ernest G. Bucklew, 33, of Enon Valley, Pa. Assigned to Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
Sgt. Steven D. Conover, 21, of Wilmington, Ohio. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
Pfc. Anthony D. D'Agostino, 20, of Waterbury, Conn. Assigned to the 16th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
Sgt. Paul F. Fisher, 39, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died November 6, at the Homburg University Klinikum, Homberg, Germany. Sgt. Fisher was very seriously injured on Nov. 2 in Al Fallujah, Iraq, when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding went down.
Spc. Darius T. Jennings, 22, of Cordova, S.C. Assigned to 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
Pfc. Karina S. Lau, 20, of Livingston, Calif. Assigned to the 16th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. DoD Report — Central Valley woman killed in Iraq attack She was headed home to Livingston for surprise visit when helicopter crashed.
Sgt. Keelan L. Moss, 23, of Houston. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
Spc. Brian Penisten, 28, of Fort Wayne, Ind. Assigned to Air Defense Artillery Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, 36, of Shawnee, Okla. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
Sgt. Joel Perez, 25, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Unit, Fort Sill, Okla.
First Lt. Brian D. Slavenas, 30, of Genoa, Ill. Assigned to F Company, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Peoria, Ill.
Chief Warrant Officer Bruce A. Smith, 41, of West Liberty, Iowa. Assigned to Detachment 1, Company F, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Davenport, Iowa.
Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez, 29, of San Diego. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
Spc. Frances M. Vega, 20, of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Assigned to the 151st Adjutant General Postal Detachment 3, Fort Hood, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, 30, of Crystal Springs, Miss. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
U.S. Army troops search the site where a Chinook helicopter crashed into a field near the restive town of Falluja on Sunday, 2 November 2003. Guerrillas shot down the U.S. Chinook helicopter as it flew toward Baghdad airport.
Witnesses said they saw two missiles fired at the heavy transport copter, the biggest U.S. target yet shot from the skies by Iraq's insurgents. It had been ferrying soldiers to Baghdad International Airport for flights out of the country for rest and relaxation.
The aircraft was hit at about 9 a.m. (06:00 GMT) and crashed amid corn fields near the village of Hasi, about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Baghdad and 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Fallujah, a center of Sunni Muslim resistance to the U.S. occupation.
The missiles apparently flashed toward the helicopter from behind, as usual with heat-seeking missiles such as the Russian-made SA-7. The old Iraqi army had a large inventory of SA-7s, also known as the "Strela" shoulder fired missile.
Villagers said the copters took off from the air base at Habbaniyah, about 10 miles northwest of the crash site. At the scene, villager Thaer Ali, 21, said someone fired two missiles from the area of a date palm grove about 500 yards from where the stricken copter crashed.
"I saw two helicopters coming from (the US military airport in) Habbaniyah. Two missiles were fired; one of them missed one of the helicopters and the other hit the tail of the other aircraft," said taxi-driver Rauf Suleiman Abed, 35.
Farmer Mohamad al-Issawi told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that "a projectile struck the tail of the helicopter at around 9:00 am. I saw fire coming out of the front of the aircraft which then crashed." Issawi said the owner of the land where the helicopter crashed "fled the area with his family of some 15 people, immediately after the explosion." "Human remains were found 500 yards away," he said.
Witnesses said the second copter hovered over the downed craft for some minutes and then set down, apparently to try to help extinguish a fire. The downed copter was already destroyed. At least a half-dozen Black Hawk helicopters later hovered over the area, and dozens of soldiers swarmed over the site.
Fort Carson, Colorado, officials confirmed at least some of their own were injured in the crash, but would not give an exact number or confirm whether any from the post were among the dead until all the relatives had been notified, said Lt. Col. Thomas Budzyna.
On Monday, 3 November 2003, President Bush said that some of the best Americans have fallen in defense of freedom and liberty. "We mourn every loss. We honor every name. We grieve with every family. And we will always be grateful that liberty has found such brave defenders," he said during a speech in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Army helicopter shot down apparently had a last-second warning of an approaching missile and managed to launch flares designed to draw the heat-seeking missile away, a senior Army official said Thursday.
It is not clear why the defensive moves did not work, but the official, who discussed the attack investigation on condition he not be identified, said U.S. officials believe the shooter simply got in a "lucky shot."
This is Dawn's husband. Dawn is a dear friend of mine and she did a tribute to her husband and the rest of the soldiers from the tragic day, November 2, 2003. I wanted to share this with you as you are getting to know her, she is the girl that helped me make the pinups for football.
Her husband is still on the mend and doing great. He just got his teeth this last month that had to be replaced. He has had many operations on various injuries he had.
Last week Dawn and Ray found out he might be going back to Iraq. They were not sure he would even be able to do anything at first, the injuries were so severe. It has taken this many years for the operations, healing and physical therapy etc. Not sure when but I am asking if you could please put both of them in your prayers.
We Are In The 2007 Web Log Awards Finalists
PC Free Zone (aka Theodore's World) has been chosen as a finalist for the 2007 Weblog Awards in the
"Best of the Top 251 - 500 Blogs" category.
It is always nice to be recognized and I am so grateful and appreciate so much those that nominated PC Free Zone.
Thank you so much to all of you Team Theodore friends and commenter's, and to those that nominated this blog.
From the Weblogs Award site:
"The Weblog Awards are the world's largest blog competition, with over 525,000 votes cast in the 2006 edition for finalists in 45 categories. Nominations for 49 categories ended October 17, 2007 and voting is scheduled to begin November 1, 2007. Final results will be announced November 8, 2007 at the BlogWorld & New Media Expo in Las Vegas."
"Nominations for The 2007 Weblog Awards were, as always, open and public. There were over 4,000 nominations in the 49 categories."
Today I was notified that we have made it to being a Finalist. It is such a compliment to be nominated and to make it to being a Finalist is very exciting.
Voting for The 2007 Weblog Awards is now open.
The basic rules:
* You may vote once every 24 hours
* After voting in an individual poll you will be locked out from voting again in that poll (on the computer you voted from) for 24 hours.
So I guess what I am supposed to do is ask you to please VOTE for PC Free Zone. It feels kind of funny to ask, and of course it is up to you if you would like to vote.
To Vote: click on the graphic above and it will take you to the site where you can vote. It can be done each day as long as there are 24 hours between each vote you make.
((hug))
There are many of your favorite blogs in this as well, so you may want to look around to vote for others too.
US Soldiers Toby Keith Sing-a-Long
U.S. Soldiers singing along with the Toby Keith song "Beer For My Horses."
Football Week Nine
Game of the day has got to be Patriots vs. Colts
This game will mark the first time in NFL history that two teams with 7-0 records or better have met.
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady each have 67 regular-season wins since 2002 — tied for most among all NFL QBs.
Here are the matchups for today Sunday 11/ 04/ 07
WAS @ NYJ 1:00 PM
SF @ ATL 1:00 PM
ARI @ TB 1:00 PM
GB @ KC 1:00 PM
CIN @ BUF 1:00 PM
SD @ MIN 1:00 PM
DEN @ DET 1:00 PM
CAR @ TEN 1:00 PM
JAC @ NO 1:00 PM
SEA @ CLE 4:05 PM
HOU @ OAK 4:15 PM
NE @ IND 4:15 PM
DAL @ PHI 8:15 PM
BAL @ PIT 8:30 PM
Byes: Bears, Dolphins, Giants, Rams
CIN 21 @ BUF 33 FINAL
JAC 24 @ NO 41 FINAL
CAR 7 @ TEN 20 FINAL
SD 17 @ MIN 35 FINAL
SF 16 @ ATL 20 FINAL
ARI 10 @ TB 17 FINAL
GB 33 @ KC 22 FINAL
DEN 7 @ DET 44 FINAL
WAS 23 @ NYJ 20 FINAL
SEA 30 @ CLE 33 FINAL
HOU 24 @ OAK 17 FINAL
NE 24 @ IND 20 FINAL
DAL 38@ PHI 17 FINAL
Campaign Flyer Offends Muslim Community ! Like I Care
Campaign flyer offends Muslim community
There is a new debate in Monroe County related to Governor Spitzer's plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. The debate has worked its way into the county legislature races. It has to do with a campaign mailing sent out by the Republican Party.
It is not so much what it says but what it shows that has members of the Islamic community upset. The flyer suggests that county legislature democrats want to license potential terrorists and the literature contains images intended to depict terrorists.
"Seeing these things are very wrong for me to see it in that way it means someone is profiling me that I'm a terrorist," said Dr. Muhammad Shafiq.
Dr. Shafiq is the Imam at the Islamic Center on Westfall Road in Rochester. He says the images are offensive to Muslims and believes the Republican Party is using fear tactics to persuade voters.
"Especially as a Muslim, it looks very very wrong the way they portrayed the pictures as linking Arabs and terrorism, equalizing them to terrorism, is racial profiling," said Dr. Shafiq.
County clerk Cheryl Dinolfo disagrees.
"I really do take issue with that way of thinking because, again, that piece is about not one particular nationality," said Dinolfo.
Dinolfo says licensing illegal immigrants could jeopardize the security of the entire nation. She uses 9/11 as an example.
"The fact remains that there were terrorists who came into this country and harmed our country using licenses to do so," said Dinolfo.
County Democrats say the Republicans are attacking them on the licensing issue that the county legislature has virtually no control over. Democrats accuse Republicans of using the topic to try and hold onto control of the county legislature.
"Frankly putting someone on the face of campaign literature with an Uzi in his hand and accusing Democrats of aiding and abetting terrorists is about the terrorists is the lowest form of discourse or communication I've ever seen in this community," said Monroe County Democratic Chair, Assemblyman Joe Morelle.
Dr. Shafiq is calling on County Republicans to denounce the mailing. But Thursday night, the county clerk offered no apologies.
Dinolfo is not up for reelection next Tuesday. Nine county legislature seats are being contested. Republicans currently control the Monroe County legislature 17-12.
Ah the Muslims are outraged again. What else is new? Ask me if I care? NOT! Muslims are always angry about something, so we can discount that. On the broader point, issuing licenses to illegals does indeed compromise our security. Drivers' licenses are used as de facto ID cards in our country. Those—Hillary, Obama, Edwards—who would issue these cards to illegals put pandering to foreign lawbreakers before the security of our people. No doubt about it.
Most of the 9/11 terrorists had American drivers licenses. Some of them, sad to say, had licenses from my sorry, leaky DMV state, North Carolina. Also, eight of them were registered to vote. Last but not least, ALL of them were Muslims.
Any Muslims who object to "profiling" can stick it up their ... turbans.
I say ignore the complainers and continue to use the offensive images and you will win. Cower and remove them and you lose because you show that even if you are against the practice, you have no strength, will, or cojones to see it through and if you will cave to the enemy on a complaint how will you accomplish anything at all?
Thompson: "Wrong Answer"
Hillary is for giving driver's licences to illegal aliens and this is Fred Thompson's response.
Click below to see video it is not a long one but I love the way Thompson does his video's. I do like the way he isn't a wind bag like Joe Biden and he just gets right to the point.
The media and the talking heads want to control the process by setting a frenetic and chaotic pace and make the candidates dance to the MSM's tune. Fred seems to totally reject this.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2007/11/thompson_wrong_answer.html
Pakistan Declares State Of Emergency
Nov. 3: Soldiers arrive in front of the administrative center of the capital Islamabad, Pakistan. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday ahead of a crucial Supreme Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win and amid rising Islamic militant violence.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan Musharraf declares state of emergency
Faced with increasing violence and unrest, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency Saturday.
Musharraf issued an order proclaiming the emergency and suspending the nation's constitution, according to a statement read on state television, and declaring martial law.
Musharraf is scheduled to address the nation at 1800 GMT (2 p.m. ET) Saturday.
The Supreme Court declared the state of emergency illegal, claiming Musharraf had no power to suspend the constitution, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry told CNN.
A senior Pakistani official told CNN that the emergency declaration will be "short-lived," and will be followed by an interim government. Martial law is a way to restore law and order, he said.
Shortly afterward, Chaudhry was expelled as chief justice, his office told CNN. Troops came to Chaudhry's office to tell him.
The government appointed Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar as the new chief justice, according to state television.
In Islamabad, troops entered the Supreme Court and were surrounding the judges' homes, according to CNN's Syed Mohsin Naqvi.
Supreme Court sources said some judges who were not in Islamabad were not at their homes, and it was not known whether they had been arrested.
Aitzaz Ahsan, a leading Pakistani attorney and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was arrested at his home. A former interior minister, Ahsan represented Chaudhry the first time he was forced to leave his post.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who left Pakistan last week to visit her family in Dubai, arrived in Karachi on Saturday, according to her husband, Asif Ali Zardari. She returned to Pakistan last month, despite death threats, after several years in exile.
On October 18, upon her return, at least 130 people were killed when a suicide attacker tried to assassinate her. Bhutto was lightly wounded, but escaped largely unharmed.
Bhutto has pledged to help her party succeed in January's parliamentary elections. She hopes to gain a third term as prime minister, possibly under a power-sharing deal with Musharraf.
"The people of Pakistan will not accept it," Bhutto spokesman Farhatullah Babar said of the emergency declaration. "We condemn this move."
The declaration prompted a few hundred people to take to the streets in protest, but police and paramilitary groups blocked Islamabad's main roads and dispersed the crowds.
Earlier, private networks had reported the declaration was imminent as top officials huddled at Musharraf's residence in Rawalpindi. Shortly after that report, most media channels went off the air in an apparent blackout, although some flickered off and on.
This is beginning to look real nasty and may drag us in a different direction. If Pakistan falls, every Islamist nutgroup in the ME will soon have nuclear weapons. This is just not good at all. Darn it anyway!
Herald Tribune My Local Paper PRO Illegals Article
Activists to protest Lou Dobbs lecture at reading festival
CNN's Lou Dobbs draws fire for immigration views
Herald Tribune
By CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ
christina.sanchez@heraldtribune.com
SARASOTA -- Immigration activists will protest today outside a lecture by Lou Dobbs to speak out against the news anchor's strong opinions on illegal immigration.
Dobbs, the host of a news program on CNN, is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, as part of the Sarasota Reading Festival..
Protesters plan to gather outside the church at 1:30 p.m. and rally until about 3:30 p.m. They will hand out pamphlets promoting putting illegal immigrants on a path toward citizenship and giving them rights, and will carry banners and signs.
Festival organizers are prepared for protesters, and said they did not anticipate any problems. Police were notified to ensure that the rally does not get out of hand, said Betty Morris, the festival's director.
"They have a right to oppose and stand outside with signs," Morris said. "We think all voices should be heard, and that's why we bring a variety of speakers to the festival."
Morris said Dobbs was invited to speak and promote his new book, "Independent's Day: Awakening the American Spirit," which comes out Tuesday.
Dobbs' lecture is co-sponsored by Forum Truth, a nonpartisan group of citizens who hold public meetings and discussions on hot topics.
The activists -- including students from New College of Florida and members of the community -- accuse Dobbs of "hate-mongering" against illegal immigrants, said Jose Godinez-Sampiero, a senior at New College and an organizer of the event.
"Just as he has a right to say the things he does, we have the right to say, 'We don't agree with you,'" Godinez-Sampiero said.
Dobbs is a strong supporter of tight borders and increased security. Over the years, he has repeated the same message on his show and Web site: "We cannot reform immigration law until we control immigration, and we cannot control immigration until we control our borders and our ports."
PROTEST PLANNED
Area activists who favor rights for illegal immigrants plan to protest today outside a lecture by Lou Dobbs. He is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. at the Sarasota Reading Festival..
When: Protesters rally from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave.
The news is supposed to give the news, what is happening, who, what, why etc.
IMO the NEWS should NOT be a part of promoting protests for either side of an issue.
Meaning, tell us Lou Dobbs will be speaking, give us the where, when etc. And as the article is titled "Activists to protest lecture at festival" fine, but what is this crap about the freaking invite to protest. This entire article is an ad for the protesters of Lou Dobbs and how to join in the protest rally.
Well this was in our paper this morning. Not on page 2 or 3 or 4 but right on the front page as big as life.
So what is a girl that is against illegal's to do. Get on the computer, do a post about this and then email this Christina E. Sanchez the link to the post and let her know how I feel about illegal's and her illegal loving article.
The media and their pro illegal stance is to blame for the illegal problem we have in this country just as much as the illegal's themselves. So listen up Christina E. Sanchez, I am glad you have job,I am glad you have progressed in life to follow your dream if that is what it was to write for a newspaper. I am not glad you have chosen to be pro illegal's and anti-American, anti- security, anti-LEGAL immigration and those that follow our laws of this land. You wrote the article babe and you must have had control of what was in the article.
Tell us the who, what, and where, but your little section box within the article promoting the protest Lou Dobbs rally was over the line. For those not getting the hard copy of the paper the section box promoting the protest was also in a different color background just to make it more noticeable and making the entire article one that might have been written by a full fledged member of LaRaza perhaps? One has to wonder! If it walks like a duck theory don't ya know.
None of us that are against ILLEGAL immigration are against immigration. We are FOR doing things by the existing laws we already have for immigration. By promoting, heck an invite to protest YOU and your article are ignoring and slapping in the face all the thousands that are coming to America the legal way, obeying the laws and waiting in line so to speak for their proud day to be an American citizen. They do NOT burn our Flag, they do NOT turn our Flag upside down and stick it beneath the Mexican flag. They do NOT give America the finger in protests and demand with their signs and voices that where a Mexican is it is Mexico. They do NOT demand that we speak their language or else! They are NOT catered to with press two to speak ANY special language because they are too stupid to learn English and demand special treatment. These people come here speaking many languages and want to learn English, they want to be American more then anything.
Link to this post has been sent to the writer of this article, and to Lou Dobbs CNN Tonight show on CNN.
Pakistani Troops Surrender
Masked militant supporters of Maulana Fazlullah, a hard line cleric, armed with AK-47 assault rifles stand guard in Charabagh near Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat district bordering Afghanistan, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Dozens of paramilitary troops defect in northwest Pakistan saying they do not want to fight their Muslim brothers, an embarrassment to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf as he struggles to regain control of an mountainous region from Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants. (AP Photo/Mohammad Iqbal) Email Photo Print Photo
AP ...for complete story
SWAT, Pakistan
Islamic militants paraded 48 men on Friday described as government troops who surrendered during fighting — an embarrassment to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf as he struggles to regain control of a mountainous region from Taliban and al-Qaida-linked extremists.
Islamic militants said Saturday they had taken control of a police station in the volatile northwest region, hoisting their flag over its roof.
Officers fled the police station in Swat late Friday, said Sirajuddin, a spokesman for a radical cleric who leads the militants. "Our flag is hoisted above Matta police station now," said the spokesman, who only goes by one name.
No government official was immediately available to comment on Sirajuddin's claim, which comes a day after Adm. William Fallon, the chief of the U.S. Central Command, met with Musharraf and other top generals to discuss the security situation. Washington backs Musharraf as a bulwark in its war on terrorism.
The rising violence and political turmoil have fueled fears that Musharraf might extend his military rule by imposing a state of emergency or martial law, jeopardizing a promised transition to democracy. The Bush administration and European allies have urged against such measures, according to a Western diplomat in Islamabad.
"I think it would be quite obvious that the United States wouldn't be supportive of extraconstitutional means," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters in Ireland ahead of a diplomatic mission to Turkey and the Middle East.
The Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said elements in Pakistan's ruling party were pushing for such a move in case the Supreme Court disqualifies Musharraf's Oct. 6 presidential victory because he did not first give up his position as army chief.
A verdict is due before his current term expires Nov. 15, after which Pakistan is due to hold parliamentary elections by January.
The deteriorating security situation is adding to the sense of crisis. Pakistan has been rocked by a string of suicide bombings and clashes between soldiers and Islamic militants who have expanded their influence inland beyond existing strongholds in border regions.
The army said it killed up to 70 rebels Thursday when helicopter gunships pounded the once-popular tourist destination of Swat, where a hard-line cleric is trying to enforce Taliban-style rule. The militants said the toll was exaggerated, and pointed to their own successes.
Masked extremists armed with AK-47 assault rifles and long knives escorted journalists Friday to a two-story concrete building in the town of Charabagh to show off 48 men who surrendered after the battle. Most were described as paramilitary troops from the Frontier Corps. They were released after the display.
"We have surrendered to these mujahedeen," said Barkat Ullah, 24, who, like other captives, was wearing civilian clothes, saying they had left their uniforms at their posts. "We had no ammunition. We had no other option."
Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad, who announced the reported militant death toll on Thursday, declined to comment Friday on the surrenders.
A video shop owner shows a jihadi or holy war CD at his shop in Mingora, the main town of Pakistani district Swat bordering Afghanistan, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. Muslim extremists are expanding their control of northern Pakistan, challenging the U.S.-backed government of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and adding to the geography where terrorists allied with Osama bin Laden can find refuge. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zubair)
Well this sure stinks! There has been a lot of fighting in this area recently, more then usual. The Pakistani government has failed to meaningfully address the terrorist threat. We have given Pakistan $11 billion I think it is,
F-16's and other incentives ( military , and economic etc.) But even so the Pakistani government has not been able to do a a lot of what needs to be done.
Also, I have always been curious how this works, how does AP or Reuters get close enough to report and photograph things like this. I mean without being killed, or taken prisoner. Pay the terrorists money? Promise them great 8 X 10 glossies of themselves to send to put up in their caves? hahaha
Never Forgetting Our Wounded Heroes
Patriot Fest Lakeway, Texas
The Patriot Fest is on the 19th and 20th of October in Lakeway, TX.
What is the iBot : It is a special type of wheelchair that costs about $26,000.00 and gives handicapped people more mobility and feeling of worth than any other wheelchair made.
You can visit www.ibotnow.com if you want to learn more about the iBot and its capabilities.
This is so wonderfiul, I love learning about this kind of thing happening.
....Thank you SSGT Steve for sending this to me and thank you to both you SSGT Steve, USMC and TomR...the "75043 Boys".
Cheney Endorses Water Boarding ~ I Agree
Cheney endorses simulated drowning
Says use of water boarding to get terrorist intelligence is 'no brainer'
Dick Cheney, US vice-president, has endorsed the use of "water boarding" for terror suspects and confirmed that the controversial interrogation technique was used on Khaled Sheikh Mohammed, the senior al-Qaeda operative now being held at Guantánamo Bay.
Cheney was responding to a radio interviewer from North Dakota station WDAY who asked whether water boarding, which involves simulated drowning, was a "no-brainer" if the information it yielded would save American lives.
"It's a no-brainer for me," Cheney replied.
The comments by the vice-president, who has been one of the leading advocates of reducing limitations on what interrogation techniques can be used in the war on terror, are the first public confirmation that water boarding has been used on suspects held in US custody.
"For a while there, I was criticized as being the 'vice-president for torture'," Cheney added. "We don't torture ... We live up to our obligations in international treaties that we're party to and so forth.
"But the fact is, you can have a fairly robust interrogation program without torture and we need to be able to do that."
Cheney said recent legislation passed by Congress allowed the White House to continue its aggressive interrogation program.
But his remarks appear to stand at odds with the views of three key Republican senators who helped draft the recently passed Military Commission Act, and who argue that water boarding is not permitted according to that law.
"It's a direct affront to the primary authors of the Military Commission Act in the Senate — John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Warner — all of whom have publicly stated that the legislation signed by the president last week makes water boarding a war crime," said Jennifer Daskal, advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.
"This is Cheney ignoring the consensus of his own Pentagon," she said, referring to comments by senior officials that harsh interrogation techniques do not produce reliable intelligence.
John Bellinger, the State Department legal adviser, last week declined to answer specific questions on water boarding, saying Congress would have to determine whether specific interrogation techniques were permissible under the Geneva conventions.
It's a no-brainer for me too. What kind of people do the Dem/Libs think we're dealing with anyhow? Our enemies would only put our heads under water AFTER they had sliced them from the rest of our bodies.
I heard Rep. Charles Rangel on FOX News the other day saying that "all the military experts" say torture used in interrogation doesn't work. This is another liberal media/Democrat chant that like Goebbels' "big lie" might be believed if publicly chanted enough times.
Beer After Workout Better Than Water
LONDON: When you reach for an ice cold mug of suds after playing a game of football, cricket or a long run, you're not just quenching your thirst, you're actually doing something healthy for your body -- seriously!
Researchers in Europe have carried out a study and found that a glass of beer is far better at re-hydrating the body after exercise than water as the sugars, salts and bubbles in a pint help people absorb fluids more quickly.
"The carbon dioxide in beer helps quench the thirst more quickly, while beer's carbohydrates replace calories lost during physical exertion," the 'Daily Mail' reported on Friday, quoting lead researcher Prof Manuel Garzon as saying.
In fact, the researchers at the Granada University in Spain came to the conclusion after examining 25 students who were told to do strenuous exercise in temperatures of around 40C until they were close to getting exhausted.
Half of the students were given a pint of beer to drink, while the others received the same volume of water after the workout. Subsequently, the team measured their hydration levels, motor skills and concentrationability.
Prof Garzon said the re-hydration effect in the students who were given beer was "slightly better" than among those given only water. Based on the studies, the researchers have recommended moderate consumption of beer -- 500 ml a day for men or 250 ml for women -- as part of an athlete's diet.
It may be mentioned that past studies have revealed that sensible drinking of one or two units of beer a day could help reduce the risk of heart disease, dementia, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
I didn't know which Beer you all would all like me to serve. hahahaha Hope this one is OK.
For some reason no matter which beer I have sampled I just don't like the taste of beer. So I will have to stick with water after my workout I guess. Or maybe a nice Frappiccino.
Muslim Woman Claims Discrimination At Bank
Muslim woman claims discrimination at Union Bank in Lompoc
KSBY.com
A Lompoc resident says she's the victim of discrimination.
The Muslim woman, wearing a traditional head scarf, says she wanted into Union Bank in Lompoc, trying to open a new account. But a bank representative and the manager said no.
Fatiha Harit was born and raised in Morocco but has lived in Lompoc for several years. Now, an incident that started about a week and a half ago has left her hurt, confused, and searching for the reason why.
"It makes me feel I want to go back to my country," Harit said.
Anger and humiliation.
Fatiha Harit tried to open an account at Union Bank in Lompoc. Instead, she said an employee and a manager told her she can't-her home country of Morocco is on a terror list, at high risk for money laundering.
"I told her that's ridiculous, because that's not true," Harit said. "I know a friend of mine, she just opened an account two weeks ago with them. Why didn't they say anything to her because I'm wearing a hejab? Maybe that's why."
Fatiha always wears the hejab as part of her Muslim religion.
The branch's vice president later apologized saying it was a mistake.
"There's several steps that a branch takes and the branch did not go through the necessary steps," said Union Bank spokeswoman, Sharon Woodson-Bryant.
The two Lompoc employees were counseled about the incident, but Fatiha says it is not enough.
"I want them to fire those two people, this is what I want. It's the only thing that can make me feel better," Harit said.
A seven year resident of the Central Coast, Fatiha says she tired of the stereotypes.
"Please stop calling terrorism of the Muslim people. We are not bad people," Harit said.
It is a negative experience that has changed her forever.
Fatiha is working to become a U.S. citizen. Despite the proper documents, the bank still refused.
She and her husband then went to a Santa Maria branch of Union Bank and opened an account without any problems.
Fatiha chose to stay with Union Bank because that is where her employer does their banking. A bank spokesperson says they deeply regret what happened.
"an employee and a manager told her she can't-her home country of Morocco is on a terror list, at high risk for money laundering"
In my opinion NO apology should have been made the bank was following the rules of what they were told to do.
The woman needs to learn something, we ARE at war with Islam and as she is a part of that and it WILL be difficult for her until more Muslims for one thing speak out with anger and outrage about what the terrorists have done, do and want to do.
The last I heard, no bank in existence is obligated to let me open an account. They don't even have to give a reason!
"I want them to fire those two people"
Let me see if I get this right: She objects to Muslims being suspected of terrorism and demands people give Muslims the benefit of the doubt. Yet she has decided that failure to give her an account was definitely discrimination (instead of misunderstanding bank policies) and demands these employees be fired instead of given the benefit of the doubt. Isn't that a tad hypocritical?
Those in banking know that there are new regulations amounting to about 16 ft of documents in tiny 8pt type having to do with Homeland Security and Patriot Act. There is great federal and state pressure to follow every rule when in some kind of regulated business...you err on the side of caution because one uncrossed "t" could get you shut down.
Branch #1 erred on the side of caution, Branch #2 might not know all the regs.
"I want them to fire those two people, this is what I want. It's the only thing that can make me feel better," Harit said
Fatiha is working to become a U.S. citizen "It makes me feel I want to go back to my country," Harit said.
Fatiha Harit please leave the USA and don't let the door hit you in your arse. WE don't need Muslim women trying to boss American people around here either. You want to fire people who were ill informed about how to handle your account on the reason you are from a terrorist country?
Please stop calling terrorism of the Muslim people. We are not bad people," Harit said. It is a negative experience that has changed her forever
Oh baloney, I think she is just rude and sees a chance for some media exposure. How on earth has it changed her forever? Where is her compassion for the bank employee'.......Isn't she of the religion of Peace? NOT!
In Country With Our Troops and Those That Appreciate Them
Oct. 31, 2007 - NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty takes a turn at the helm of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) under the instruction of the helmsman of the watch. Petty flew aboard Lincoln to meet Sailors, sign autographs and film segments for an upcoming movie project. Lincoln and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 are underway off the coast of Southern California participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise, an exercise designed to enhance the interoperability between Lincoln and its strike group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James R. Evans
Capt. Caroline Jensen connects the communications receiver to her helmet ensuring she is in contact with personnel on the ground before taking off in an F-16 Fighting Falcon from Balad Air Base, Iraq. Captain Jensen is assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)
Hawaii - Five-year-old Anthoney Kaites held a sign as he waited for his father, Marine Sgt. Santiago Kaites, to arrive at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i at Kane'ohe Bay after a seven-month deployment to Iraq.
Cpl. Jaymes Murphy, 20, from Arlington, Texas, was on his first deployment to Iraq after joining the Corps in 2005. "It was different. It was long, it was hot, and there was a lot of sand," said Murphy, who was at Al Asad. "I'm glad I got to experience it during my first term (in the Corps). He was met by his wife, Danielle, who said the reunion was "borderline amazing."
There will be a readjustment period for the Marines, but one family clearly hopes it's quick. On the back window of a Nissan Pathfinder in the parking lot was written "Welcome Home Dad" in temporary paint. On the side window, the family added:
"There's a load of dishes for you."
Hamas, Hizbullah Cells May Be Active In Mexico
Former CIA official warns that terror groups, Iran may exploit permeable US border with Mexico to infiltrate terrorists into US
Expert: Hamas, Hizbullah cells may be active in Mexico
The US is concerned that Hamas and Hizbullah agents may penetrate the porous US-Mexican border in order to carry out terrorist attacks, according to Robert Grenier, the former head of the US Central Intelligence Agency's counterterrorism center.
His comments were featured in a report published by the Mexican press on Thursday.
Speaking at an event in Mexico, Grenier—who now runs his own international security firm called Kroll—said that reports indicate the United States is fearful that Iran, Hamas, and/or Hizbullah may seek to set up operations in Mexico in order to carry out terrorist attacks in the US.
According to the US counterterrorism expert, American officials are concerned that terrorists will tap into illegal immigrant and/or drug trafficking networks in order to use them to bring people and equipment into the US.
The former CIA official added that the American government is also fearful that Hamas and Hizbullah sleeper cells are already operational in Mexico; and, that Hizbullah is funneling money from Mexico into to Lebanon to fund the organization's operations there.
Until now, the US has not given Hizbullah operations in Mexico much thought. However, in wake of the recent escalation of rhetoric between the US and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear program, American officials have become concerned that Iran will use Hizbullah to carry out terror attacks on US targets around the world, Grenier explained.
According to this scenario, Iran could also use Hizbullah networks to hit the US on its own soil.
The terrorism expert noted that it was hard to say for certain that sleeper cells already exist in Mexico. However, according to Grenier, The Lebanese Shia community in Mexico supports Iran and Hizbullah and there is speculation that members of the community could be recruited to carry out acts of terrorism.
I sure hope President Bush is listening. We have been hearing about this for awhile now, from various people in the know. Unfortunately the open border folks just do not care. The border will not be closed until we have a major terror attack in which the attackers come illegally from Mexico.
A-10 Pilot Capt. Scott L. Markle Awarded Mackay Trophy
A-10 pilot awarded Mackay Trophy - Capt. Scott L. Markle was presented the Clarence Mackay Trophy during a ceremony Oct. 29 in Arlington, Va. Captain Markle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, received the award for his actions while supporting troops in contact with the enemy along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
He is credited with destroying three machine gun nests and killing forty Taliban fighters. His actions saved the lives of 15 soldiers who were outnumbered three to one by the enemy. (Air Force Photo/Andy Morataya)
Wild Thing.......Holy Moly! How tall is that? ....OH wait I just found out here it is......it is 3 Feet tall. HERE
According to the award citation submitted to General T. Michael Moseley, United States Air Force Chief of Staff, Markle's support mission was re-tasked on takeoff to support a U.S. Special Forces team in contact with Taliban fighters along the Afghanistan- Pakistan border. "Captain Markle arrived on scene to find the team engaged in hand-to-hand combat and expecting to be overrun by the enemy," according to the citation.
"Unable to employ weapons due to the close proximity of the team, he flew a dangerously low pass over the enemy while dispensing self protection flares. After the ground controller noted the effectiveness of the pass in momentarily ceasing the enemy's fire, Captain Markle performed three additional passes, allowing the team to pull back farther each time."
Under Captain Markle's protection, the entire Special Forces team – outnumbered on the ground by three to one – egressed the "kill zone" with zero casualties.
"The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Markle reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force," as stated in the citation. Using a 30-millimeter gattling gun at danger-close range, Captain Markle is credited with destroying three machine gun nests and killing 40 Taliban fighters during the flight which was confirmed during a battle damage assessment survey the next day.
According to the nomination narrative, the ground commander and his team personally thanked Captain Markle and credited him for saving the lives of the 15 members of the U.S. Special Forces team involved in a pre-planned Taliban ambush.
Thank you Capt. Scott L. Markle for your service and for all you have done in this war.
Go Ahead And Run Ralph Nader ~ LOL
Nader ponders run, calls Clinton 'coward'
Politico ...for complete article
by Roger Simon
Ralph Nader says he is seriously considering running for president in 2008 because he foresees another Tweedledum-Tweedledee election that offers little real choice to voters.
"You know the two parties are still converging -- they don't even debate the military budget anymore," Nader said in a 30-minute interview. "I really think there needs to be more competition from outside the two parties."
Even the possible entry of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg into the race as an independent might not dissuade Nader.
"He is interesting (but) unpredictable," Nader said of Bloomberg. "I really like the stand he took against smoking, but he goes along with corporate welfare in New York and tax-funded stadiums. So he is unfinished in that way."
Nader would have little or no chance of winning the presidency should he run, but he doesn't need to win to affect the outcome: Many Democrats still blame Nader for draining enough votes away from Al Gore in Florida in 2000 to elect George W. Bush.
And while Nader, 73, realizes he might once again be accused of being a "spoiler" candidate, he says the Democrats could win in 2008, unless they spoil things for themselves.
Democrats have become, over the years, very good at electing very bad Republicans," Nader said. "Democrats always know how to implode, how to be ambiguous, how to waver, how not to be authentic."
While Nader praised two candidates who have almost no chance of winning their party's nomination -- Republican Ron Paul and Democrat Mike Gravel -- he was severe in his criticism of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.
"She is a political coward," Nader said. "She goes around pandering to powerful interest groups on the one hand and flattering general audiences on the other. She doesn't even have the minimal political fortitude of her husband."
LOL this is so funny and if he does run, he probably won't, but if he did, the dems would truly hate it. heh heh
Miss Utah Gives Back as National Guard Soldier
Miss Utah- Sgt. Jill Stevens
Sgt. Jill Stevens, Utah National Guard member and the 2007 Miss Utah, smiles after crossing the finish line at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2007. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mary K. Flynn, USA
By Staff Sgt. Mary Flynn, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
The 2007 Miss Utah is no stranger to the physical and mental discipline required to knock out 26.2 miles. She ran the Marine Corps Marathon here on Oct. 28, finishing in about 3.5 hours.
It's the third marathon she's run since winning the pageant title in June. "I love challenges," she said. "That's why I joined the military."
No, that's not a misprint. For one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, Miss Utah becomes Army Sgt. Jill Stevens of the Utah National Guard. She trades in her high heels and gown for combat boots and combat uniforms, her bouquet of roses for a combat medic aid bag, and her sparkling tiara for a beret or patrol cap.
Wearing the uniform, she said, feels more natural to her. "I'm first-off a soldier, always," said Stevens, who had originally laughed at the idea of participating in a pageant. "I don't do heels. I didn't even know where to buy them!"
Having deployed as a combat medic with 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Group, in April 2004 to Afghanistan, Steven's lifestyle isn't what one would expect of the typical pageant winner.
The 25-year-old previously shared the same opinion of pageant contestants that many people hold. "I thought that all these girls do is wave their hand, look pretty and do nothing," she said. "I didn't want to be associated with that."
She soon discovered, however, that the organization actually had a lot in common with the military. The Miss America program promotes education and teaches leadership, she said. It also promotes fitness and well-being, while focusing on bringing out one's best.
"I saw a great opportunity that would open doors," she said, referring to the titleholder's position as a chance to start organizations or pass bills to create change. "(These women) can move people to action and really make a difference."
One way Stevens has chosen to make a difference is by raising funds and awareness for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a support network for families of those who have died in service. TAPS offers peer support and assists survivors through a wide variety of programs, including programs for youths.
"I'm running for my battle buddies and their families, people who have lost loved ones over there," she said.
While in Washington for the marathon, Stevens met with families and visited soldiers recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "I thought of them along this run," she said. "I'm doing this for them."
Stevens said she intends to participate in more marathons before her reign as Miss Utah is over. In each one, she will run for TAPS.
Stevens was first exposed to the National Guard when recruiters set up a booth in her high school. Beyond the tuition assistance and hands-on medical experience she would receive as a combat medic, she said she was drawn to the challenge that being a soldier presented. "I wondered, 'Can I hack that?'" she recalled.
Today, the recent graduate of Southern Utah University has a bachelor's degree in nursing, 12 marathons under her belt, six years as a combat medic in the Utah National Guard, and she's just applied for a direct commission to become an Army nurse.
Stevens said she attributes much of her success to her experiences in the Guard.
"The military has really, truly provided me with a lot of opportunity" in addition to teaching her to make the best of a difficult situation, she said. "I turned Afghanistan into a positive experience, an incredible experience, and I'm able to share it."
Since her return from Afghanistan in April 2005, Stevens frequently has been invited to give talks on her experiences. She said it's an opportunity to give back, one that has only been fueled since her venture into pageantry
Her schedule is packed with speaking engagements at junior high and elementary schools, where she discusses her platform: "Ready When Disaster Strikes: Emergency Preparedness for Everyone." She also teaches the importance of living life to the fullest.
"I love giving back," she said, citing her opportunities as a soldier, a medic, a nurse and now, a titleholder. "It gives me the best feeling in life; it's my passion."
Stevens will compete for the Miss America crown in January.
I am so very proud of all our service men and women. This is a great story and how neat it is , because if young girls saw this, read it and would get motivated to also serve our country from the inspiration of seeing others like Jill doing this.............well I think it is awesome.
Our media wil NOT tell great stories about our troops. They should because there are tons of these great stories out there.
One thing else too, our troops are not just numbers to us like they are to our sick media and the horrible lefties. They all have a story why they joined, who they are as a person, their reasons for joining and why they want to make a difference. I am honored to be able to share them when I see them because you are all so awesome too in so many ways and you all know the sacrifices our troops make and their families and loved ones as well.
Phelps Liable In Marines Funeral Protest
Kansas church liable in Marine funeral protest
BALTIMORE (Reuters)
A jury on Wednesday ordered an anti-gay Kansas church to pay $10.9 million in damages to relatives of a U.S. Marine who died in Iraq after church members cheered his death at his funeral.
Church members said Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's death was God's punishment of America for tolerating homosexuality, and they attended his 2006 funeral in Maryland with signs saying "You're going to hell" and "God hates you."
The federal jury determined the Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, and three of its principals invaded the privacy of the dead man's family and inflicted emotional distress.
Albert Snyder, the Marine's father, testified that his son was not gay, but the church targeted the military as a symbol of America's tolerance of gays. Matthew Snyder died in combat in Iraq in March 2006.
The jury awarded Snyder's family $2.9 million in compensatory damages plus $8 million in punitive damages in the first civil suit against the church, which has demonstrated at some 300 military funerals the past two years.
The lawsuit said church Web sites vilified U.S. soldiers, accusing them of being indoctrinated by "fag propaganda."
"I hope it's enough to deter them from doing this to other families. It was not about the money. It was about getting them to stop," said Snyder, of York, Pennsylvania.
The church, which is unaffiliated with any major denomination, is headed by Rev. Fred Phelps, who has led a campaign against homosexuality for years. Most of the estimated 70 members of the church belong to his extended family.
"It will take the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals a few minutes to reverse this silly thing," Phelps said.
His daughter and co-defendant, Shirley Phelps-Roper, vowed to continue protesting military funerals and called the court's decision a blow against free speech.
Outside court on Wednesday, Phelps and his children waved placards with slogans such as "Pray for more dead kids" and "God hates fag enablers," while passing drivers and pedestrians shouted abuse at them.
Defense attorney Jonathan Katz urged jurors not to award punitive damages because the $2.9 million in compensatory damages was already three times the defendants' net worth.
"It's enough already to bankrupt them and financially destroy them," Katz said.
Craig Trebilcock, an attorney for Snyder, said jurors should award sufficient punitive damages to deter Westboro from repeating its actions.
Reaction of Fred Phelps on CNN over the Snyder verdict
This is from one of the Patriot Guards :
"Being in the Patriot Guard, I have personally witnessed this so-called "distance" where they don't disrupt things. One funeral was for SGT Fuga in Independence, MO. The Westboro Baptist Church was placed 300 feet from the services. But that placed them around the parking lot of where the family parked, easily an ear shout distance from the family. Shirley Phelps and the gang sing SO loudly (things like God Hates America or the Marine Corps song with the lyrics that "Marine Corps fags coming home in body bags") that you can hear them for blocks.
When this does start to occur at the funerals, the Patriot Guard will place their motorcycles in front of them to drown out their voices. If they were so far away and not disruptive, I guarantee you that the Patriot Guard would NEVER get to close to them. We'd rather keep our distance.
At the funeral for Kevin Ziegler in Kansas City, they were on the busy intersection where the family would pass to get to the funeral. As the family passed, they yelled out to the family that Kevin was in hell. I heard that, and I was at least 150 feet away at the time."
Teachers Ordered To Dress Up As Muslims
Dress Like a Muslim
Teachers at a primary school have been ordered to dress up as Muslims to promote multi-culturalism.
The West Midlands school is belatedly celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid and told its pupils and teachers to don traditional Muslim dress for the day.
All 257 pupils, most of whom are Christians, and 41 teachers - two of whom are Muslims - dressed up.
Teachers were told to dress as Muslims to promote diversity at a primary school
A morning assembly was held to mark the event and an afternoon party was strictly for women only, because Muslim husbands object to wives mixing with other men.
Sally Bloomer, head of Rufford primary school in Lye, West Midlands, told The Sun: "I have not heard of any complaints. It's all part of a diversity project to promote multi-culturalism."
But a relative of one of the staff reportedly said: "Who would put their job on the line? They have been told they have to embrace the day to show their diversity. But they are not all happy."
So it is just another day in merry old England.
For the boy's in class I wonder if it includes the suicide belt and AK-47?
The appeasers are sucking up to the enemy once again! Can you imagine the outrage if schools ordered their teachers to dress up as SS troops during WW2?