A Perfect Contradiction

Barack Obama Officially the Democrat Nominee

2008-08-29T02:38:00.001-05:00

In honor of Obama's acceptance of the Democrat Nomination I am reposting Obama Fortuna:

Obama trying to silence critics Pt. 2

2008-08-28T10:25:00.003-05:00

The party of free speech and open minded debate is at it again...

The Obama-Ayers link has Obama's campaign very concerned. Why else would the send out this email to their supporters:

In the next few hours, we have a crucial opportunity to fight one of the most cynical and offensive smears ever launched against Barack.

Tonight, WGN radio is giving right-wing hatchet man Stanley Kurtz a forum to air his baseless, fear-mongering terrorist smears. He's currently scheduled to spend a solid two-hour block from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. pushing lies, distortions, and manipulations about Barack and University of Illinois professor William Ayers.

Tell WGN that by providing Kurtz with airtime, they are legitimizing baseless attacks from a smear-merchant and lowering the standards of political discourse.

Call into the "Extension 720" show with Milt Rosenberg at (312) 591-7200

(Show airs from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. tonight)

Then report back on your call at http://my.barackobama.com/WGNstandards

Kurtz has been using his absurd TV appearances in an awkward and dishonest attempt to play the terrorism card. His current ploy is to embellish the relationship between Barack and Ayers.

Just last night on Fox News, Kurtz drastically exaggerated Barack's connection with Ayers by claiming Ayers had recruited Barack to the board of the Annenberg Challenge. That is completely false and has been disproved in numerous press accounts.

It is absolutely unacceptable that WGN would give a slimy character assassin like Kurtz time for his divisive, destructive ranting on our public airwaves. At the very least, they should offer sane, honest rebuttal to every one of Kurtz's lies.

Kurtz is scheduled to appear from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Chicago market.

Calling will only take a minute, and it will make a huge difference if we nip this smear in the bud. Confront Kurtz tonight before this goes any further:

http://my.barackobama.com/WGNstandards

Please forward this email to everyone you know who can make a call tonight.

Keep fighting the good fight,

Obama Action Wire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Facts on Barack and William Ayers:

William Ayers was involved with the Weather Underground when Barack Obama was eight years old, and Barack has roundly condemned their actions.

Last night on Fox News, Kurtz tried to radicalize an education reform program in Chicago called the Annenberg Challenge. The Challenge was funded by Republican Walter Annenberg, introduced by Mayor Daley and Republican Governor Jim Edgar, and one of its initiatives was even praised by John McCain.

Kurtz claimed on Fox News that William Ayers recruited Obama to the Annenberg Challenge -- a flat out lie. Ayers did not serve on the board of the Challenge, and he had nothing to do with Barack's recruitment. Some more background on Stanley Kurtz:

Stanley Kurtz Is Tied To Bill Kristol's Conservative Think Tank. Kurtz is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. The Policy Advisory Board includes: William Kristol. [Bio, policy advisory board, EPPC website, accessed 8/27/08]

Stanley Kurtz Was A Research Fellow At The Hoover Institution. In 2004, Stanley Kurtz was a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. [Boston Globe, 3/10/04]

Stanley Kurtz Claimed That Same Sex Marriage In Denmark Led To A Decline In Marriage Resulting In 60 Percent Of Children Being Born Out Of Wedlock. Stanley Kurtz stated: "Data from European demographers and statistical bureaus show that a majority of children in Sweden and Norway are now born out of wedlock, as are 60 percent of first-born children in Denmark. In socially liberal districts of Norway, where the idea of same-sex registered partnerships is widely accepted, marriage itself has almost entirely disappeared. [Boston Globe, 3/10/04]

Analysis Of Statistics On Marriage In Scandinavia Was Debunked. "Kurtz's argument -- which O'Reilly embraces -- is that when legal rights are accorded to gays, through some unspecified process heterosexual couples begin bearing children out of wedlock and refuse to marry when they otherwise would. There are many government policies that alter the incentives to get and stay married, and thus have direct and unsurprising effects on marriage; for instance, the availability of no-fault divorce leads to more divorces, and laws providing the same rights for cohabitating heterosexual couples as married couples lead to fewer marriages, as couples make private commitments to each other without seeking the imprimatur of the state. But neither Kurtz nor O'Reilly has provided a plausible justification for their belief that extending rights to gay couples harms heterosexual marriage." [Media Matters For America, 6/3/05]

Claimed That The National Nursing Shortage Was The "Fault Of Feminism." In 2002, the Los Angeles Times reported, "Back at National Review Online, contributing editor Stanley Kurtz makes the same point! He, too, says women shouldn't be trying to play by men's rules. Of course he has a slightly different take. According to Kurtz, the national nurse shortage is the fault of feminism, for bringing about "the replacement of a traditional ethic of sacrifice by a post-'60s ethos of self-fulfillment." Kurtz stated at the time "Nursing was once built around a spirit of feminine compassion and sacrifice. In the new, feminist world, that is unacceptable." [Los Angeles Times, 7/21/2002]

Stanley Kurtz Stated That The Harvard Faculty No Confidence Vote In Lawrence Summers Would Cause "Lasting Damage To The Cultural Left." On March 19, 2005, Stanley Kurtz stated on the National Review Online website, "I think the vote of no confidence in Lawrence Summers is a wonderful thing. Harvard continues to discredit itself with the American public. The faculty is trapped. If Summers resigns, this extraordinary example of political correctness will come back to haunt Harvard, and the entire academy, for years. But if Summers hangs on, the faculty itself will have been humiliated -- checked by the very fact of public scrutiny. Either way, Harvard is tearing itself apart. So long as the public simply writes of the academy, the mice can play. But the intense public scrutiny in this case puts the captains of political correctness into a no-win situation. Like the closely watched Susan Estrich fiasco, this battle is doing lasting damage to the cultural left. As they say, sunlight is the best disinfectant." [National Review Online, 3/19/05]

The Obama Action Wire is a grassroots rapid response group for supporters to fight smears, spread the truth, push back on misleading media, and take positive action.

Forward this email to everyone you know or sign up for the Obama Action Wire now.

More proof that the only free speech is their speech, and when they hear something they don't like, they attempt to silence that speech. In this instance they are shouting down the speech they disagree with; but where we really have to be worried is how they plan on shutting us up with the fairness doctrine.

It would be nice if the email had taken the time to identify with particularity what exactly constituted the "baseless smears" with some hard facts refuting them. The Obama campaign only appears to be taking issue with Kurtz's assertion that Ayers didn't recruit Obama to be a member of the board they served on. They also claim that the Annenburg Challenge wasn't radical (a non-issue) and claim that Obama was 8 when Ayers was actively a terrorist. So what if Obama was only 8 when Ayers was an active Terrorist? Ayers is an unrepentant former terrorist and he and Obama appear to have a personal and political relationship. I think it is safe to say that Ayers is an America hating terrorist. So too is Osama bin Laden. Obviously there is no fair comparison between what Osama did and what Ayers did, so please do not misunderstand the point of the following analogy: If a Presidential candidate received funding, political help, and friendship from Osama bin Laden 25-30 years from now (Assuming Osama could live that long), would it be at all relevant if the candidate was only 8 on 9/11? The point I am making is this: Ayers is a "former" terrorist, has been pictured standing on the American flag in recent years, and whose only regret with regards to his terrorist past is that he didn't do more (not my words, his).

By anyone's estimation, Ayers is a bad dude. Strike that, by anyone except Obama's standards, Ayers is a bad dude.

I did a little more looking into the relationship between Obama and Ayers. If you haven't read this piece from February in the Politico, it is something you have to see...

Obama once visited '60s radicals

I can remember being one of a small group of people who came to Bill Ayers’ house to learn that Alice Palmer was stepping down from the senate and running for Congress,” said Dr. Quentin Young, a prominent Chicago physician and advocate for single-payer health care, of the informal gathering at the home of Ayers and his wife, Dohrn. “[Palmer] identified [Obama] as her successor.”

Obama and Palmer “were both there,” he said.

So, if this is true, the allegation that Obama's political career began in Ayer's living room is right on point.

With regards to Obama calling Ayers respectable and mainstream, those words don't appear to come from Obama directly, but his campaign website did take that position for a while. Hot Air has a nice explanation of it.

Doing The Jobs Americans Won't Do...

2008-08-26T23:04:00.002-05:00

Let them in! They do the jobs American's won't do! American's don't want to work out in the fields. They are only migrant farmers, right?

Yeah right!

ICE: Nearly 600 detained in Miss. plant raid

Federal officials say nearly 600 suspected illegal immigrants were detained in a raid on a manufacturing plant in southern Mississippi, making it the largest such sweep in the country.

So American's won't work in factories anymore? I'm not buying it. These are jobs American's would be glad to do... but the factories seem to like fudging the books, not paying the taxes, and undercutting the hourly rate to someone who will take less. Not to mention that employers like this can exploit their workers without fear of their workers reporting it to regulatory authorty. To do so would risk deportation. It is disgusting.

And the whole argument about jobs American's wont do is garbage. More and more I see construction and landscaping creews full of illegals, fast food restaurants completely staffed with mexicans, and I hear of restaurants employing illegals in the kitchen where nobody is watching. While most American's wont work in fast food resturaunts or as kitchen staff, their kids would... if the jobs weren't already taken.

The same is true of working the fields. When I was a kid I still remember the neighborhood kids from miles around working in the fields for extra money. By the time I was a teenager the migrant farmers were working those fields. I don't remember the neighborhood kids telling they farmers that they wouldn't work there anymore.

The truth is we probably do need more workers. America's economy is still growing and if the millions of illegal workers left there would be a severe shortage of workers, but we have an immigration system in place and these people are breaking the law. Worst of all, they aren't coming here to assimilate and be part of the American Dream; rather, they come here to work for a few months or years, then go back, taking with them the fruits of their labor. They don't want a piece of the American Dream, they just want to steal a slice of the American pie.

Obama trying to silence critics?

2008-08-26T09:39:00.005-05:00

The party of free speech and political dissent is at it again in an effort to ensure the only free speech is their speech. Barack Obama's campaign is reportedly furious over the following ad linking the new messiah to a former terrorist.

"It seems they protest a bit too much," American Issues Project spokesman Christian Pinkston said. "They're going all of these routes—through threats, intimation—to try to thwart the First Amendment here because they don't have an argument on merit."

The Obama Campaign has apparently already addressed this issue in an ad attacking McCain.

This raises some interesting questions about what connection Obama has with Ayers. The Washington Post Blog addresses this by stating the only known link between Obama and Ayers is that they both served on a anti poverty group's board of directors, Ayers donated $200 to Obama's campaign, and they lived in the same neighborhood in Chicago.

So where does the allegation that Obama's political career began in Ayers'
living room coming from?

In researching this entry I have found numerous allegations that Ayers had invited people from the community to his home to introduce them to the aspiring politician, but I have no credible sources to support this. I have also read that Ayers hosted a dinner in Obama's honor which Obama attended. Again, these are things I have read but which I have no real evidence to support. If someone out there has some credible information on this topic, I would like to know about it.

Obama picks Biden

2008-08-23T20:52:00.004-05:00

Obama picked this guy?!? Really? No, Really?!?

Well, I guess with Deleware in doubt he decided to shore up all those electoral votes (sarcasm). Honestly, I cannot think of a worse pick for Obama. What does Biden bring to the ticket? Executive experience? Nope. Age? Well yeah, but there are lots of candidates that could have done that.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy he picked Biden. Biden is an easy target. His loose tongue has got him into trouble in the past and will continue to get him into trouble....

But that isn't the only nice thing Biden has had to say about Obama...

I can't help but wonder if Obama's pick was an insurance policy. With Obama trailing in the polls and the Dem's starting to show buyer's remorse, Biden may prove a useful scapegoat for the young aspiring Obama. Only time will tell whether Obama throws biden under the bus. This assumes of course that Obama loses badly in the G.E.

Obama in France

2008-07-25T11:22:00.003-05:00

Today presidential hopeful Barack Obama is visiting France and meeting with French President Sarkozy. Obama and Sarkozy held a joint news conference in which Obama pledged to make cutting carbon emmissions in order to stem global warming a key element of his presidency. Obama did not speak in French during his trip to France; however, my sources have indicated that Barack, on several occasions, was overheard using the phrase "merci beaucoup."

New Jib Jab Video

2008-07-19T12:58:00.001-05:00

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

My Predictions... completely wrong

2008-06-20T23:22:00.002-05:00

So, I couldn't have been more wrong about the primaries. I didn't think Barack could win the nomination and I didn't think McCain had a chance. Wrong on both counts. I don't think Obama is ready to be President and I don't like McCain at all. I don't have a horse in this race and don't have any idea who I will vote for. If I had to vote tomorrow, I guess it would be for Barr. Anyway, since I don't care for McCain or Obama I probably won't feel compelled to post very often. So that is that.

Obama Fortuna

2008-06-20T23:04:00.002-05:00

Haven't posted in a while, but here goes:

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-22T11:40:00.000-05:00

It's been a long while since I've posted anything... I've been very busy.

I was searching youtube for Christmas videos and came across some of my personal favorites.

Enjoy!

Bing and Bowie: Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy

Bing Crosby: White Christmas

Mariah Carey: All I want for Christmas

Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song

Martina McBride: O Holy Night

John Lennon: Happy Christmas (War is Over)

Wham: Last Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

All Your Fakes Are Belong to Us

2007-08-18T11:02:00.000-05:00

I am a lazy blogger. That is not to say that I am not reading the news, I am just not writing about it. Check my shared Google reader to see a small fraction of what I would be blogging about if I weren't so lazy.

Despite my failure to commit to blogging, I occasionally see something so good I just have to drop everything and write up a post.

When I was in college, I remember seeing All Your Base Are Belong to Us... which was a great video in every respect. Here it is:

Well the Jawa Report, one of my daily reads, posted a fairly well done video mixing the extremely popular AYBABTU with the fauxtography scandals involving fake pictures used by the press in their propaganda campaign against the United States in the War against Radical Islam.

Here it is:

It is very well done, it just needs to be updated with all the new fakes.

Like I said, I have been a lazy blogger the last few months, but this is one I just had to put up.

What is Hillary Hiding?

2007-08-15T12:31:00.000-05:00

The net is abuzz with people asking, "Just what does Hillary have to hide?"

From today's LA Times:

Clinton's first-lady records locked up
Archivists say the documents at her husband's presidential library won't be released until after the '08 vote.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton cites her experience as a compelling reason voters should make her president, but nearly 2 million pages of documents covering her White House years are locked up in a building here, obscuring a large swath of her record as first lady.

Clinton's calendars, appointment logs and memos are stored at her husband's presidential library, in the custody of federal archivists who do not expect them to be released until after the 2008 presidential election.

A trove of records has been made public detailing the Clinton White House's attempts to remake the nation's healthcare system, following a request from Bill Clinton that those materials be released first. Hillary Clinton led the healthcare effort in 1993 and 1994.

But even in the healthcare documents, at least 1,000 pages involving her work has been censored by archives staff because they include confidential advice and must be kept secret under a federal law called the Presidential Records Act. Political consultants said that if Hillary Clinton's records were made public, rivals would mine them for scraps of information that might rattle her campaign.
Full Article.

So what is Hillary hiding in the millions of pages of records that she won't release? And which of her Democratic rivals will be first to call for their release?

I understand perfectly the need to protect the privacy of our citizens, and especially former first ladies; however, their privacy should be respected BECAUSE they are still ordinary citizens. When they decide to run for office, then these records become vital to the decision making process of the electorate. The voters should NOT be kept in the dark.

Gorical's Followers Now Blame Earthquakes, Volcanoes on Global Warming

2007-08-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

We've parodied this tendency on the left for a while, suggesting -- for laughs -- that the left would blame any calamity on global warming, even those that obviously could not possibly have any connection to atmospheric warmth, such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Which are of course caused by plate tectonics and pressures beneath the earth's mantle, and couldn't tell if the earth's temperature had increased by 1000 degrees, nevermind 1.

But last year's parody becomes this year's Inconvenient Truth. And the Cult of Mother Gaia, in all its illogical theocratic glory, officially takes the inevitable step towards deistic teleological anthropomorphization.
- Ace

Hahaha "deistic teleological anthropomorphization"! Well said, Ace.

This in response to the absurd article up on the guardian:

The Earth fights back
Never mind higher temperatures, climate change has a few nastier surprises in store. Bill McGuire says we can also expect more earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunamis.
More.

Great Global Warming Swindle

2007-08-08T11:17:00.000-05:00

As soon as the Great Global Warming Swindle came out I watched it and wrote a review. I've posted quite a bit about global warming.

In any event, The Jawa Report has it the movie posted now, please go see it.

Global Warming a No Brainer? Here is your chance for $100,000!

2007-08-08T10:09:00.000-05:00

The tagline:

"If you think it's a No-Brainer that humans are causing catastrophic global warming, here's your chance to make an easy US $100,000!"

The Challenge:

$100,000 will be awarded to the first person to prove, in a scientific manner, that humans are causing harmful global warming. The winning entry will specifically reject both of the following two hypotheses:

UGWC Hypothesis 1
Manmade emissions of greenhouse gases do not discernibly, significantly and predictably cause increases in global surface and tropospheric temperatures along with associated stratospheric cooling.

UGWC Hypothesis 2
The benefits equal or exceed the costs of any increases in global temperature caused by manmade greenhouse gas emissions between the present time and the year 2100, when all global social, economic and environmental effects are considered.

The Rules:

By submitting an entry to the contest, entrants agree to the following terms and conditions:
Entrants agreed to be bound by the UGWC Rules.
Entrants acknowledge that the concepts and terms mentioned and referred to in the UGWC hypotheses are inherently and necessarily vague, and involve subjective judgment. JunkScience.com reserves the exclusive right to determine the meaning and application of such concepts and terms in order to facilitate the purpose of the contest.
JunkScience.com, in its sole discretion, will determine the winner, if any, from UGWC entries. All determinations made by JunkScience.com are final.
The winner, if any, will receive $100,000 in a single, lump sum payment. JunkScience.com does not promise or guarantee that the UGWC will have any winner.
All entries must represent the original work of an entrant that has been produced specifically for the UGWC.
All data used in an entry must be publicly available and readily accessible to the public.
Entries will be accepted starting August 7, 2007.
A fee of $15 is required for each entry submitted. There will be no refunds of entry fees.
No entries will be accepted after December 1, 2008.
The results of the UGWC will be announced on February 1, 2009.
All entries must be submitted in MS Word or PDF format.
Entries must include a summary or abstract of no more than 700 words for each hypothesis.
Entrants consent to their entries being posted on the contest web site for public review and comment.
Entrants waive all rights and claims against JunkScience.com related to, or arising from the UGWC.

Visit: The Ultimate Global Warming Challange for your chance at an easy 100 grand.

Poisoned Penns

2007-08-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

Poisoned Penns
By Russ Vaughn

It runs like a flood beneath their skins,
In the veins of these left-leaning actors;
From Leo to Sean it seems that all Penns
Can’t help but be shrill malefactors.
Leo loved Stalin’s world socialist dreams;
Sean too has this love for dictators,
Blind to their cruelty, inhumane schemes,
A trait not uncommon in traitors.

All the world’s a stage for Leo’s boy;
Sean misses no chance to play lead.
He’ll play a tyrant’s tomfool toy,
Like his new Venezuelan misdeed.
Actors like Sean, lightweights like him,
Are to tyrants like Chavez but fools;
Fools for the moment, fools on a whim,
History proves them nothing but tools.

Leo the Lefty had a socialist son,
In Hollywood that’s a surprise?
Pushing their dogma as innocent fun,
Filling viewers’ minds with their lies?
Taking advantage of entertainment skills,
To romanticize their social design,
A hammer and sickle up on Hollywood’s hills?
The Poison Penns would call that a sign.

Russ Vaughn

Russ Vaughn: The Involunteers

2007-08-02T11:12:00.000-05:00

The Involunteers

One thing to me rings loud and clear
Through mainstream media sources:
Libs don’t understand, Volunteer,
When it comes to our fighting forces.
Their memories hark to former days,
Dubious deferments due to classes,
Craven cowering in cynical ways,
Just to cover their cowardly asses.

Pony-tailed pundits of treason foregoing,
Now scoff and condemn with derision,
Volunteer warriors, warned and knowing,
Who’ve made a fateful decision,
Foregoing the comforts liberals love,
That very succor to preserve,
A concept Libs are ignorant of:
To reap benefits, one should serve.

Ever fearful, Libs cower in classrooms,
Proclaiming the due of the masses;
On graves of the brave, toxic mushrooms,
Still cravenly covering their asses.
Preaching, protesting, showing their ire,
Cat-box covering all their worst fears,
Cowardly curs afraid of war’s fire,
They’re our nation’s Involunteers.

I know a truth from mankind’s past,
A truth that sure prevails;
Those who fight are those will last,
Throughout all man’s travails.
But those making phony excuses,
As false and fearful disguise,
Will feel history’s worst abuses,
Enslaved by their cowardly lies.

Russ Vaughn
101st and 82d Airborne
1959-1967

From The Inbox

2007-08-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

For those that don't know about history...
Here is a condensed version...

Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter.

The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups:

1. Liberals
2. Conservatives.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery.

That's how villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement.

Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly B-B-Q's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.

Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as girlie-men or wussies. Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided.

Over the years Conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth; the elephant.

Liberals are symbolized by the jackass.

A few modern liberals like Mexican light beer (with lime added), but most prefer a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc,with passion fruit and kiwi aromas which are marked by grassy notes, then rounded out on the midpalate by peach flavors. Crisp and refreshing, with a hint of chalky minerality on the finish; or Perrier bottled water. They eat raw fish but dislike beef. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare.

Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, Ivy League professors, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated-hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.

Conservatives drink Sam Adams, Harpoon IPA or Yuengling Lager. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, athletes, Marines, and generally anyone who works productively.

Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.

Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America . They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing.

Here ends today's lesson in world history: It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to the above before forwarding it. A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to piss them off.

Tough Choice

2007-07-18T09:38:00.000-05:00

Another great comic over on Raw Meat

Dem's on Iraq

2007-07-18T09:30:00.000-05:00

I never get sick of these vids. Watched this one today on the jawa report

I really need to get cracking on that Hillary Vid I am working on...

A Perfect Example of How the Left Supports the Troops

2007-07-16T09:51:00.000-05:00

It wasn't that long ago that the majority of Americans strongly backed our President and America's efforts in the war against radical Islam, more popularly known as the War on Terror. But in short order, the times, as Dylan might say, they were a-changin'.

Dean came way out of left field as an anti-war, anti-Bush candidate, and was but a "ye-haw!" away from winning Democratic nomination for President. Kerry, a former Vietnam protester who both accused his fellow soldiers and admitted himself to having committed war crimes, ended up with the nomination and began an all out assault on the war to liberate Iraq.

The Democrats, aided by the MSM, were able to convince the majority of Americans that Iraq was a personal war of vendetta, and unrelated to the greater war on terror.

I'll never forget watching Elizabeth Edwards host a townhall type meeting in which a large crowd of Kerry-Edwards supporting middle-aged women discussed how we leaned the lessons of Vietnam, and learned that we can support the troops but not their mission. Elizabeth Edwards said that the best way we can support the troops is to bring them home, to a room full of applause.

Since that time I have heard time and again the ridiculous assertion that Democrats support the troops, just not the war. The left repeatedly calls the war in Iraq a dismal failure, a quagmire, a "lost" war. When the right responds by asking, "How can you support the troops when you tell them that they cannot win, that their efforts have been a failure, and that they have already lost when they are still fighting and dying to keep you free?"

How can the left support the troops and simultaneously broadcast to the world that America has already lost? Try explaining that to the soldiers on the ground in Iraq!

The left usually responds by blaming the "failures" on the leadership (who, by the way, are still soldiers) and the President.

The truth of the matter is this: The left does not support the troops. They do not support the war on terror. They are not interested in keeping America safe from Radical Islam. Period.

I'd just like to thank Ted Rall for the inspiration for this post. He provided a stunning illustration of how the left supports the troops. Keep up the good work, Ted. Oh, by the way, I hope you get caught in a dark alley with some of the troops you "support."

Take 2

2007-07-12T14:20:00.000-05:00

I gave the Obama video a second try. I took out the dancing marijuana leaf and adjusted the volume a bit. We'll see if this version goes over any better than the first:

The first video is here.

McCain in Troubled Waters

2007-07-09T20:23:00.000-05:00

I could have predicted McCain's eventual fall from the top-runners, and I all but gaurenteed that he wouldn't get the Republican nomination, but I never would have guessed that Liberal Republican Moonbat Ron Paul would be ahead of McCain in the fundraising department:
Ron Paul says he has more cash on hand than McCain

And then there's this:

Is McCain Falling Through the Cracks?

And this:
McCain's Prospects Look Pretty Grim

Can't say I am sad to see these developments.

Update: 7/10/07
When it rains it pours on John McCain. Just today two of McCain's aids, aware of the sinking ship, quit and left McCain's campaign team:
Top two aides quit McCain's 2008 campaign

Barack Obama: For a Higher America

2007-07-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

Barack Obama has openly admitted to being a "pothead" and "junkie" in his youth. His youthful indiscretions include the use of marijuana and "blow," which is a street term for cocaine. In his candid admissions of drug use, Barack Hussein Obama said, "I inhaled, frequently, that was the point."

So in honor of his youthful indiscretions, I put together a little video to raise awareness about this would-be preseident. Enjoy!

Tribe America

2007-07-06T08:46:00.000-05:00

The big news on the streets today is that the people of Baqubah are generally ecstatic, although many hold in reserve a serious concern that we will abandon them again. For many Iraqis, we have morphed from being invaders to occupiers to members of a tribe. I call it the “al Ameriki tribe,” or “tribe America.”

I’ve seen this kind of progression in Mosul, out in Anbar and other places, and when I ask our military leaders if they have sensed any shift, many have said, yes, they too sense that Iraqis view us differently. In the context of sectarian and tribal strife, we are the tribe that people can—more or less and with giant caveats—rely on.
Read the rest @ Michael Yon

They can rely on us right up until a Democrat is elected President.

=<

A Comic to Lighten the Mood

2007-07-04T10:47:00.001-05:00

Sour Mood

2007-07-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

It is America's birthday, but I don't feel much like celebrating. I love America... don't ever think that I don't; but there are a lot of things I would like to change about my homeland.

I think what started me off in a sour mood today was learning that the local, annual fireworks show has been canceled this year. Not just in my hometown, but about 5 of the surrounding towns that usually have a fireworks shows. They have all cancelled for various reasons.

My hometown said that they could put on a show, but that the show would probably be pretty mediocre, and that if we saved the money from this year until next year we could put on a grand fireworks show next year. You'll have to excuse me if I don't buy that story. My hometown has more money than the know what to do with. They spend money like it is going out of style and still have more than they know what to do with. They could lower taxes and spend less, but that would be un-American, I suppose.

I'm not so upset about the local fireworks show being cancelled as I am about the fact that it is illegal to go out and buy your own fireworks and set them off. The whole reason little towns put on fireworks shows is because most states make it illegal for citizens to set off fireworks. The rationale is, "you don't need to set off fireworks because we will put on a show that is better than you could afford, and safer for everyone."

When the government lets us down, though, we have no self help remedy. We are not allowed to exercise the right to purchase and set off fireworks because at some point, scores of years ago, the government at the time decided that fireworks were too dangerous for the public. So on the day we celebrate freedom and independence, we are not free to go out and buy fireworks because the Nannystate said, "No." But at least we are independent, right? No taxation without representation, right? Except that most of the laws on the books are very, very old, and that no-one currently living was alive when many of the laws that restrict our personal freedoms were enacted.

For instance, it is illegal to gamble in my state. This is a free state in a free country, but we are not free to gamble... Why? Because the Nanny State said no. You see, we are all stupid children and we need the Nanny State to protect us from our own freedom. So we enact laws which are very difficult to change, which perhaps represent a small majority at some outdated time in history, and which are designed to protect us from ourselves.

This is America. A free country... but are we free to pray in school? Can we bear arms in the same way as our foundering fathers? Can we gamble or set off fireworks? Is what we consume an individual right that does not deserve the oversight of the FDA? Can we own property without fear of the government taking it from us? Can we purchase goods which are not taxed multiple times? Can we work without are labor and the fruit of our labor being taxed?

Does anyone honestly believe that the IRS would be in existence if all Americans had a say in the matter? If it came down to a vote in which every American had a say, would there be an IRS? How about this illegal immigration problem? Would it be a problem if Americans were actually allowed to protect their homeland?

I am just in a sour, sour, mood. I'd try to have fun, but it seems no matter what I'd like to do, there is a good chance that the Nanny State will be looking over my shoulder telling me something is verboten.

I just don't feel like celebrating today. What would make me happier to be an American is if there was less government, less restriction, and more rights for my fellow Americans. Then I would celebrate.

God Bless America, right?

Want a Beer? Just let me scan that ID...

2007-07-01T18:37:00.000-05:00

Everyone shows ID for beer in Tenn.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Comer Wilson hasn't had to show his ID to buy beer in a while. Maybe it's the 66-year-old man's long white beard.

Starting Sunday, gray hair won't be good enough. Wilson and everyone else will be required to show identification before buying beer in Tennessee stores — no matter how old the buyer appears.

...

Richard Rollins, who owns a convenience store in Nashville, is already using a computerized scanner to check everyone's driver's licenses when they buy beer. "We just say we're trying to keep our beer permit, and this is the safest way," Rollins said.
Read More.

Wow. Talk about an invasion of privacy. Want a brew? Let me just add you to our database.

Al Gore Shamed on FrontPage

2007-06-30T16:54:00.000-05:00

When he was in office and responsible for protecting us, Al Gore was absent from the war on terror. As Vice President, he was part of an administration that failed to respond to the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993; that cut and ran when al-Qaeda ambushed US Army Rangers in Mogadishu; that called for regime change in Iraq when Saddam expelled the UN weapons inspectors but then failed to remove Saddam or to get him to allow the UN inspectors back in; that failed to respond to the murder of US troops in Saudi Arabia or the attack on an American warship in Yemen; that reacted to the blowing up two US embassies in Africa by firing missiles at an aspirin factory in the Sudan and empty tents in Afghanistan; that refused to kill or capture Osama Bin Laden when it had a dozen chances to do so; and that did not put in place simple airport security measures, its own task force recommended, that would have prevented 9/11.
Read the rest!

That is a must read if ever I posted one.

What Can We Learn From The UK Terror Attacks

2007-06-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

The UK has been doing a phenomenal job thwarting the cowardly attacks brought on by the islamo-fascists, but the attack in Glasgow just goes to show that the determined enemy can occasionally slip through the cracks and cause massive damage.

Attacks like these help me understand why the islamo-fascists do not eat swine... it would be cannibalism.

But I digress, the purpose of this post is to question what we can learn from these recent attacks. I think the answer is pretty clear...

The islamo-fascists seem to target countries that are about to elect, or have recently elected new leaders. It seems as if they are either testing new leaders, attempting to influence future elections, or striking at a time when they believe the government will be most vulnerable. When better to attack than after power changes hands?

This leads me to believe that America will face attacks either directly before the '08 election or shortly after our next president takes office. This is a scary proposition. We must remain ever vigilant.

Obama Video: Faith Got Hijacked

2007-06-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or does he seem a little less articulate speaking before this crowd?

AFI's 2007 list of the Top 100 American Films

2007-06-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

Feel Free to comment about movies that should/shouldn't have made the list:

1. "Citizen Kane," 1941.

2. "The Godfather," 1972.

3. "Casablanca," 1942.

4. "Raging Bull," 1980.

5. "Singin' in the Rain ," 1952.

6. "Gone with the Wind ," 1939.

7. "Lawrence of Arabia," 1962.

8. "Schindler's List," 1993.

9. "Vertigo," 1958.

10. "The Wizard of Oz," 1939.

11. "City Lights," 1931.

12. "The Searchers," 1956.

13. "Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope," 1977.

14. "Psycho," 1960.

15. "2001 - A Space Odyssey," 1968.

16. "Sunset Boulevard", 1950.

17. "The Graduate," 1967.

18. "The General," 1927.

19. "On the Waterfront," 1954.

20. "It's a Wonderful Life," 1946.

21. "Chinatown," 1974.

22. "Some Like It Hot," 1959.

23. "The Grapes of Wrath," 1940.

24. "E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial," 1982.

25. "To Kill a Mockingbird," 1962.

26. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," 1939.

27. "High Noon," 1952.

28. "All About Eve," 1950.

29. "Double Indemnity," 1944.

30. "Apocalypse Now," 1979.

31. "The Maltese Falcon," 1941.

32. "The Godfather, Part II," 1974.

33. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," 1975.

34. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," 1937.

35. "Annie Hall," 1977.

36. "The Bridge on the River Kwai," 1957.

37. "The Best Years of Our Lives," 1946.

38. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," 1948.

39. "Dr. Strangelove," 1964.

40. "The Sound of Music," 1965.

41. "King Kong," 1933.

42. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967.

43. "Midnight Cowboy," 1969.

44. "The Philadelphia Story," 1940.

45. "Shane," 1953.

46. "It Happened One Night," 1934.

47. "A Streetcar Named Desire," 1951.

48. "Rear Window," 1954.

49. "Intolerance," 1916.

50. "The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring," 2001.

51. "West Side Story," 1961.

52. "Taxi Driver," 1976.

53. "The Deer Hunter," 1978.

54. "M*A*S*H," 1970.

55. "North By Northwest," 1959.

56. "Jaws," 1975.

57. "Rocky," 1976.

58. "The Gold Rush," 1925.

59. "Nashville" 1975.

60. "Duck Soup," 1933.

61. "Sullivan's Travels," 1941.

62. "American Graffiti," 1973.

63. "Cabaret," 1972.

64. "Network," 1976.

65. "The African Queen," 1951.

66. "Raiders of the Lost Ark," 1981.

67. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", 1966.

68. "Unforgiven," 1992.

69. "Tootsie," 1982.

70. "A Clockwork Orange," 1971.

71. "Saving Private Ryan," 1998.

72. "The Shawshank Redemption," 1994.

73. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," 1969.

74. "The Silence of the Lambs," 1991.

75. "In the Heat of the Night," 1967.

76. "Forrest Gump," 1994.

77. "All the President's Men," 1976.

78. "Modern Times," 1936.

79. "The Wild Bunch - The Original Director's Cut," 1969.

80. "The Apartment, 1960.

81. "Spartacus," 1960.

82. "Sunrise," 1927.

83. "Titanic," 1997.

84. "Easy Rider," 1969.

85. "A Night at the Opera," 1935.

86. "Platoon," 1986.

87. "12 Angry Men," 1957.

88. "Bringing Up Baby," 1938.

89. "The Sixth Sense," 1999.

90. "Swing Time," 1936.

91. "Sophie's Choice," 1982.

92. "GoodFellas," 1990.

93. "The French Connection," 1971.

94. "Pulp Fiction," 1994.

95. "The Last Picture Show," 1971.

96. "Do the Right Thing," 1989.

97. "Blade Runner," 1982.

98. "Yankee Doodle Dandy," 1942.

99. "Toy Story, 10th Anniversary Edition," 1995.

100. "Ben-Hur," 1959.

I have watched nearly half of the top 100 but I have never seen the following:

4. "Raging Bull," 1980.
7. "Lawrence of Arabia," 1962.
11. "City Lights," 1931.
12. "The Searchers," 1956.
16. "Sunset Blvd.", 1950.
17. "The Graduate," 1967.
18. "The General," 1927.
19. "On the Waterfront," 1954.
27. "High Noon," 1952.
28. "All About Eve," 1950.
29. "Double Indemnity," 1944.
35. "Annie Hall," 1977.
36. "The Bridge on the River Kwai," 1957.
37. "The Best Years of Our Lives," 1946.
38. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," 1948.
39. "Dr. Strangelove," 1964.
41. "King Kong," 1933.
42. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967.
43. "Midnight Cowboy," 1969.
44. "The Philadelphia Story," 1940.
46. "It Happened One Night," 1934.
47. "A Streetcar Named Desire," 1951.
48. "Rear Window," 1954.
49. "Intolerance," 1916.
51. "West Side Story," 1961.
53. "The Deer Hunter," 1978.
54. "M-A-S-H," 1970.
55. "North by Northwest," 1959.
58. "The Gold Rush," 1925.
59. "Nashville," 1975.
60. "Duck Soup," 1933.
61. "Sullivan's Travels," 1941.
63. "Cabaret," 1972.
64. "Network," 1976.
65. "The African Queen," 1951.
67. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", 1966.
73. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," 1969.
75. "In the Heat of the Night," 1967.
78. "Modern Times," 1936.
79. "The Wild Bunch," 1969.
80. "The Apartment, 1960.
81. "Spartacus," 1960.
82. "Sunrise," 1927.
84. "Easy Rider," 1969.
85. "A Night at the Opera," 1935.
88. "Bringing Up Baby," 1938.
90. "Swing Time," 1936.
91. "Sophie's Choice," 1982.
93. "The French Connection," 1971.
95. "The Last Picture Show," 1971.
96. "Do the Right Thing," 1989.
97. "Blade Runner," 1982.
98. "Yankee Doodle Dandy," 1942.
100. "Ben-Hur," 1959.

Any suggestions on which ones I should watch of the films I have not yet watched?

Newt On Shamnesty Bill

2007-06-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

I really, really, really want to see a Rudy/Newt ticket in '08!

Obama: Religious Right "Hijacked" Jesus

2007-06-24T20:43:00.000-05:00

10,000 flock to church to hear Obama speak
By Manya Brachear
Chichago Tribune

HARTFORD, Conn. -- They came to hear a prophet. Some believe they did. Others heard just another politician.

More than 10,000 members of the United Church of Christ rose to their feet in a hockey arena here on Saturday to applaud one of their own who happens to be a Democratic presidential candidate--Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Weaving biblical imagery with political promises, Obama, a member of Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side, encouraged those in the audience to follow their consciences and fight for a better America.

"Doing the Lord's work is a thread that's run through our politics since the very beginning," Obama told church members. "And it puts the lie to the notion that the separation of church and state in America--a principle we all must uphold and that I have embraced as a constitutional lawyer and most importantly as a Christian--means faith should have no role in public life."

He also accused the Christian Right of "hijacking" Jesus to polarize the public.

"Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together. Faith started being used to drive us apart," he said. "Faith got hijacked partly because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us.

"At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage, school prayer and intelligent design," he said.
Read More.

Yes... those pesky religious right-wingers are using the church to divide Americans and promote their political agenda.

...No word on whether Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton were in attendance.

Jessie Davis, RIP

2007-06-23T17:13:00.000-05:00

There is a special place in hell for the kind of monster who kills a pregnant mother and her unborn child. There is a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, but it doesn't seem particularly likely that police would go after one of their own unless the evedince was compelling. I will wait to see the evidence before I make up my mind; but if ever there were a case for capital punishment, this would be the case.

I live in Ohio, so this case which has sparked national attention has also been of local interest. When Jessie was still missing after 6 days, local opinion was that she was probably dead... but we still had hope that Jessie would return to her family.

During the Friday news conference broadcast on AM 640 WHLO, the Police said they would not have another press conference until Monday unless there was something new to report. At 6:00 PM this evening, the police reported that they found the body they believe is Jessie Davis and that Bobby Cutts has been arrested and charged with 2 counts of murder.

This case is so very sad. Today there will be millions of tears for Jessie and her unborn child. I just feel sick about this. Sick to my stomach and sick in my heart.

Could it be true?

2007-06-18T18:40:00.000-05:00

The Iranian connection may also have a Shanghai connection as well.

If true, this is very troubling. Very troubling, indeed!

Via Power Line (via the Washington Times)

Intelligence: China Supplying Terrorists In Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan

Bill Gertz, writing in the Washington Times, said today that China is supplying large quantities of weapons to both Iraq and Afghanistan, through Iran:

New intelligence reveals China is covertly supplying large quantities of small arms and weapons to insurgents in Iraq and the Taliban militia in Afghanistan, through Iran.

Some arms were sent by aircraft directly from Chinese factories to Afghanistan and included large-caliber sniper rifles, millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades and components for roadside bombs, as well as other small arms.

According to the officials, the Iranians, in buying the arms, asked Chinese state-run suppliers to expedite the transfers and to remove serial numbers to prevent tracing their origin. China, for its part, offered to transport the weapons in order to prevent the weapons from being interdicted.

U.S. Army specialists suspect the weapons were transferred within the past three months.

The Bush administration has been trying to hide or downplay the intelligence reports to protect its pro-business policies toward China, and to continue to claim that China is helping the United States in the war on terrorism. U.S. officials have openly criticized Iran for the arms transfers but so far there has been no mention that China is a main supplier.

There is no question about the fact that Iranian-supplied weaponry is making our task more difficult in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The question is one of degree. I don't have a good sense of whether this is a major factor or a small one. Likewise, it would take more information to determine whether China's contribution is material or not.

Still, why put up with even a trickle of Chinese weapons to our enemies? The economic growth on which China's leaders have staked their country's future is dependent on China's relationship with the U.S. Somewhere in our government's vast bureaucracy there are people who could suggest ways in which we could make it unprofitable for China to supply our enemies.

First off, how on earth did the Washington Times uncover an international arms conspiracy involving one of our biggest trading partners and one of our greatest enemies?

Then, on the one hand, if China is supplying the weapons being used to kill American Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, then that is simply outrageous. On the other hand, China probably sees our arming and funding of Tibet as being along the same vein. This is not to suggest that we are wrong to support Tibet, but it seems especially relevant to any outrage we may have towards China.

Wow

2007-06-11T19:18:00.000-05:00

Jeff Glodstein has an amazing discussion with Senator Robert Byrd's Grand Kleagle hood. You absolutely have to read this.

New Data Shows Devastating Losses in Iraq

2007-06-08T18:55:00.000-05:00

If the US media and the Dems were not so invested in defeat, this sort of data would be well known. Kudo's to Chuck at America's North Shore Journal for putting together these figures.

"Homegrown" Terror: The Thwarted JFK Pipeline Attack

2007-06-06T20:21:00.000-05:00

There has been something bugging me about this story and I know I am not the first to bring this up, but the following line seems inextricably linked to the reporting on the JFK terror bust:

Authorities said the JFK scheme was an example of homegrown terrorism.

Homegrown terrorism. When I think of that, I think of Timothy McVeigh. The guy was born and raised in America. He wasn't linked (that I am aware of) to international organizations. Homegrown in that context makes sense to me.

Apparently the press thinks of anyone with US citizenship of being homegrown:

Russell Defreitas, a U.S. citizen and native of Guyana...

How is it that a foreigner who moves to this country with a deep hatred of America and dreams of causing death and destruction herein is best qualified as "homegrown?"

Moreover, I read in one article that the plot was devised 10 YEARS ago!!! A decade is a fairly significant amount of time; particularly when put into the context of terrorism. This plot was dreamed up years before 9/11. This was long before the US began it's global War on Terror.

So once again, I ask: How exactly is this properly categorized as "homegrown" terror as opposed to, oh I don't know, a "sleeper" cell?

The man came to America hating America. He planed for over a decade to cause massive death and carnage. Isn't this what we were most concerned with after 9/11? Possible sleeper cells, radical extremists laying in wait. Isn't this exactly what these terrorists represent?

Allen Kelly, Barking Moonbat

2007-06-06T17:52:00.001-05:00

Allen C. Kelly.

I never met the man. Infact, we didn't exchange links, email, or other pleasantries. In a manner of speaking, I didn't know the man at all.

And yet, every day or so when I checked my Google Reader, I ALWAYS checked Barking Moonbat for updates. The Skipper always brought a smile to my face and lightened up my day. I am going to miss that.

I don't know how to explain my sense of loss. In a way it is like losing a favorite author, but it's also more than that. You read a book and it touches you, but you don't have a daily connection to the author. Through his blog, Allen reached out to a world-wide audience and connected with us sometimes several times a day. Everytime I checked my daily feeds this week there was something missing. I don't want to dwell on this, but I did want to share my thoughts on a great man who touched my life. Skipper, this one is for you!

Another sign of progress in Iraq

2007-06-03T10:49:00.000-05:00

I'm hesitant to distribute anything from the Washington Post as they tend to focus on negativity and portray anything and everything going on in Iraq as a sign of doom and failure. I believe this snippet was intended to be another harbinger of the four horsemen riding against our brave folks in Iraq but to that end, they failed. I think a deeper look into this graphic and some thought about the actual events described shows real progress on the part of the Iraqi police and on the part of our servicemen in dealing with the guerrilla tactics of the insurgency. When faced with a potent, well-planned and well-coordinated ambush (a sign of interference from professional soldiers from other troublesome "republics" in the area, perhaps) Iraqi police didn't crumble or run away, they worked with US forces to competently suppress the attack and ended up kicking butts and taking names. Milestones like these are important to the confidence of a budding force

The Insurgents' Increasingly Complex Tactics in Ambushes

RIP: Allan C. Kelly

2007-06-01T16:23:00.000-05:00

I have been reading this site for years...

I am at a total loss. This is a sad, sad day.

Rest in Peace Skipper.

Fitzgerald: Plame Was Covert

2007-05-31T08:51:00.000-05:00

Via the NYT's:

Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor, could have easily cleared up the confusion during his more than two years of prosecuting the case, but he waited until now.

Ms. Wilson “was a covert employee,” Mr. Fitzgerald wrote, according to Newsweek. “The CIA was taking affirmative measures to conceal her intelligence relationship to the United States.” More detail:

While assigned to CPD, Ms. Wilson engaged in temporary duty (TDY) travel overseas on official business. She traveled at least seven times to more than ten countries. When traveling overseas, Ms. Wilson always traveled under a cover identity — sometimes in true name and sometimes in alias — but always using cover — whether official or non-official cover (NOC) — with no ostensible relationship to the CIA.

Maybe her identity really was ultra-super-secret.

Then again the information is only as good as the source, but Fitzgerald probably wouldn't put his law license at risk by lying in court. Looks like the right was wrong. This is troubling indeed.

Cartoon Time

2007-05-29T16:46:00.000-05:00

Yaaaaaay!

Click pics to visit respective sites.

Memorial Day Tribute

2007-05-28T13:44:00.000-05:00

To all those now serving, all those having served, and especially all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for our freedom. God Bless you, and God Bless America.

Sicko2: Sicko Redux

2007-05-25T22:02:00.000-05:00

Because sometimes a comment is worthy of a post unto itself:

R. Bobak said...
Pudgy propagandist Michael Moore is dead wrong to paint Canada's sicko socialist healthcare system (where it is illegal for a private citizen to pay for a doctor's services, or to buy private medical insurance) as a panacea for the supposed ills of the American system. We in Canada don't need Moore's boorish and infantile stereotypes. If Moore gets his way, he'd deprive tens of thousands of Canadians from obtaing healthcare in the States- in Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Philly- where they are forced to go because our Ontario state-run government health monopoly cannot provide timely treatment. Look to Massachusetts, and look to Quebec -jurisdictions where a private-parallel health system is developing, albeit from different extremes. Do not be conned by those who babble of "universal healthcare" - in Canada, that socialist scheme morphed,in less than 40 years, into a no-patient-choice, waiting-list rationed, state monopoly. In Ontario, healthcare spending alone consumes something like 45% of the entire provincial budget, yet shortages are a constant fact. Quebec's Supreme Court noted,in its 2005 Chaoulli decision, that access to a healthcare waiting list is NOT the same thing as access to healthcare itself. It's unbelievable that a point as clear as this had to go to the provinces' top court, against the howls of protest from pro-medicare activists, who for years successfully parlayed the charade that getting a bill of goods, was the same thing as getting the actual goods. The Canada/U.S. healthcare relationship is a strangely symbiotic one - we both have strengths and weaknesses in healthcare delivery. For Moore to promote an unsustainable monopoly system like ours,where Canadians die on government waiting lists for rationed care, is simply ignorant.

May 25, 2007 3:53 PM

Thanks for the insight, learned friend from the North. I know I for one have never considered how a move towards universal healthcare in America could hurt not only Americans, but Canadians as well. I wish more Canadians would speak up on this issue, many Americans actually believe the fantasy of free, "top-notch" healthcare. They just don't understand that you get what you pay for.

Soldiers Have Difficulty Getting Supplies

2007-05-24T23:23:00.000-05:00

AP: Marines fail to get gear to troops

The system for delivering badly needed gear to Marines in Iraq has failed to meet many urgent requests for equipment from troops in the field, according to an internal document obtained by The Associated Press.
Read More.

No mention whether the Democrat's failure to fund the troops led to urgent requests being denied.

The Glorious Back of John Edwards's Head

2007-05-24T16:07:00.000-05:00

Behold! Bask in the magnificence:

My Jaw Just Hit The Floor

2007-05-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

Oh how I love the Internet Age!

Checkout John Edwards speaking for the Democrats back in October of 2001 about how the Democrats will stand united with the President throughout this War on Terror:

Fastforeward a few years, with the ash and smoke of 9/11 no longer fresh in our hearts and minds, and the Democrats having rallied around the anti-war, anti-troop movement, and where does John Edwards stand today?

Regrets his vote?

A bumper sticker?

Hrmpf.

Slave to Fashion

2007-05-24T11:05:00.000-05:00

Clinton's Campaign Song Suggestions

2007-05-17T23:32:00.000-05:00

Since Hillary wants America to help her choose a theme song for her campaign, the conservative blogs have had some creative suggestions her her list.

I was inspired by
Six Meat Buffet's list:
The Bitch is Back - Elton John
Fat Bottomed Girls - Queen
We Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who

So I went through my MP3 list and came up with some of my own suggestions:

Air bag - Radiohead
American Idiot - Greenday
Baby Got Back - Sir Mixalot
Badfish - Sublime
Badhead - Blur
Basketcase - GreenDay
Bed of Lies - Machbox 20
Better Off Without You - The Clarks
Bronzing the Garbage - The Mighty Might Bosstones
Certain Tragedy - Saves the Day
Chump - Green Day
Creep - Radiohead
Dead Wrong - The Fray
Death of a Party - Blur
Desperately Wanting - Better Than Ezra
Easy Target - Blink 182
Elderly Woman - Pearl jam
Everything Evil - Coheed and Cambria
Fool on the Hill - The Beatles
Freakish - Saves the Day
Hooker with a Penis - Tool
I Could Never Be Your Woman - White Town
I Think I Smell A Rat - The White Stripes
Idioteque - Radiohead
I'm a Fool - The Clarks
Jackass - Greenday
Jack-ass - Beck
Jaded - Green Day
Laughing Stock - Grandaddy
Loser - Beck
Mean Girl - Unwritten Law
Mess - Ben Folds Five
Nightmare Hippie Girl - Beck
No Brains - Sum 41
No Substance - Bad Religion
Pathetic - Blink 182
Prelude to Madness - Savatage
Prison Bound - Social Distortion
Reject - Green Day
Repeat Failure - The Delgados
Scumbag - Green Day
She Withers - Geggy Tah
She's Got A Problem - Fountains of Wayne
She's Got Issues - The Offspring
Soul Suckin Jerk - Beck
Sour Girl - Stone Temple Pilots
Stop this Train - John Mayer
Stupid - Toad of the Wet Sprocket
The Best Deceptions - Dashboard Confessionals
The Vampires of New York - Marcy Playground
The Young and the Hopeless - Good Charlot
Twisted Logic - Coldplay
Wasting Time - The Clarks
We're Not Right - David Gray
What a Mess - SR-71
Where is my Mind - The Pixies
Wrong Way - Sublime
Yellow - Coldplay

Think I missed a good one? Leave a comment.

Sicko!

2007-05-17T23:11:00.000-05:00

No... not the fat jerk's upcoming movie, but these pictures are sick.

Warning: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH

The pictures depict the REAL Cuban healthcare system. Courtesy of Jeffrey Blanco, the Louisiana Conservative (via The Real Cuba)

Republican Debate

2007-05-16T13:48:00.000-05:00

Here are my thoughts on the Republican Debate last night. I only watched half of the debate (but I've read the full transcript).

I thought McCain did well. He answered his questions mostly right, but in doing so he also kicked sand in the face of the sitting President - commenting on the "mishandling" of the war. I actually think I could trust McCain to run this country, but I don't like him and I won't vote for him in the primaries.

I think Romney did well also. He had some easy questions to answer and he dropped the ball a few times, but he looks and sounds good. I think he would make a decent candidate, but he lacks the name recognition of McCain and Giuliani.

I think Giuliani did well. The net is abuzz over his smack down of Ron Paul, not to be confused with Rupaul. Most people think this Giuliani stole the show when he pointed out what a moonbat Ron Paul is. You can see the clip here.

I have to disagree with that sentiment. I think the line of the night came from Huckabee, who said, "[We have had a] Congress that's spent money like [John] Edwards at a beauty shop." Now THAT is funny. If this were last comic standing, I think Huckabee would have a better chance.

Ron Paul definitely had the worst showing. I don't know how that guy is allowed to put an (R) next to his name. He is the Kucinich of the Republican party in that he is a crazy, moonbat who has no business running for President.

My pick is still Giuliani. Second is probably Romney. After that it is a toss up. Strange that I identify myself as a conservative and my top two picks are not.

Obama: Woops

2007-05-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

Obama overstates Kansas tornado deaths

RICHMOND, Va. - Barack Obama, caught up in the fervor of a campaign speech Tuesday, drastically overstated the Kansas tornadoes death toll, saying 10,000 had died. The death toll was 12.

"In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a speech to 500 people packed into a sweltering Richmond art studio for a fundraiser.
Read More.

That's a pretty big whoops.

10,000 Americans would be...
More than 5 times the death toll of Hurricane Katrina
Well more than 3 times the death toll of 9/11
Just barely less than 3 times the number of US soldiers who have died in this Iraq War

But hey, Obama only missed the right count by 9,988.

Lack of Posts

2007-05-09T10:59:00.000-05:00

(I've been busy)

Debutantes of Defeat

2007-05-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

Debutantes of Defeat
by Russ Vaughn

In 2003 they came to the Ball,
For some merry martial dancing;
Girlishly giggling in the Capitol hall,
Finding chords of war music entrancing.
Filled with excitement, throwing care to the wind,
DebiDems wanted Bush to be tough,
So the ladies signed on for a Ball with no end,
Without thinking it just might get rough.

But the dance card of war began to reveal,
That some people really were dying.
What? Death and violence are part of the deal?
That dumb cowboy must have been lying.
Lifting their hems, they ran for the doors,
Their hypocrisy blatantly stunning;
Shrieking defeat, they fled the dance floors,
Belles with no Balls, flat-out running.

Once hypocrite Hillary swirled the war floor,
Out-jingoing flat-footed Kerry;
Now Hil is shrilling she knew not the score,
Like whiney-voiced, tap-dancing Harry.
They went to the ball to advance their schemes,
They had planned, should the Martial Ball sour;
Lose the war, destroy Bush, fulfill their dreams,
They’d become the dance masters of power.

Hillary’s hip-hopping, Reid’s tapping like mad, club-footed Kerry’s still schlubbing,
And Pelosi in Damascus cornered Bashar for some old-fashioned, hot belly-rubbing.

When the Inmates Run the Asylum

2007-04-26T13:32:00.000-05:00

The Skipper posted "Disturbing Story Of The Day" and I think The Skipper may have got this one wrong. This isn't disturbing, this is batsh!t crazy!

Student Writes Essay, Arrested By Police
High school senior Allen Lee sat down with his creative writing class on Monday and penned an essay that so disturbed his teacher, school administrators and police that he was charged with disorderly conduct.

...

Allen Lee, an 18-year-old straight-A student at Cary-Grove High School, was arrested Tuesday near his home and charged with disorderly conduct for an essay police described as violently disturbing but not directed toward any specific person or location. The youth’s father said his son was not suspended or expelled but was forced to attend classes elsewhere for now.

...

Disorderly conduct, which carries a penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine, is filed for pranks such as pulling a fire alarm or dialing 911. But it can also apply when someone’s writings can disturb an individual, Delelio said.
Read More

I am completely convinced that the teacher, the school administrators, and the police in this town are completely, totally, clinically insane!

The arresting officers should lose their badges, the school administration should lose their high paying jobs, and the teacher should lose her teaching licence. Period.

Where is Al Sharpton? We need him to pull an Imus on these folks. A persons writings should NEVER EEEEEEEVER be considered disorderly conduct. EVER!

When I was in middle school we were forced to read Edgar Allen Poe. We read morbid tales of murder and deceit. If a student were to turn in something of the same quality for a creative writing class they now can be criminally charged?

Probably the most disturbing then I read when in High School was Johnny Got his Gun.

The book dealt with a soldier who was so grotesquely mutilated in combat (his arms, legs, and face were blown off. He was deaf, had no mouth, and couldn't really move) that when he finally figured out a way to talk to his doctors they refused to notify his family of his status because they didn't want anyone to see what a gross monster he had become.

Nowadays writing about a violence or a gun falls within zero tolerance policies. Disgusting.

Fresh Air Courtesy of Geoff Davis (R-KY)

2007-04-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

Here is a breath of fresh air in the stagnant halls of the Democrat controlled Congress. To steal a line from the left, this is speaking TRUTH to POWER:

Some of the Democratic leadership have declared it the job of congress to micromanage the war in Iraq. Yet we learn today that the Speaker of the House has refused to be seen face to face with the very military commanders whose hands will be tied by the Democratic War Funding Bill.

This latest insult to our troops should come as no surprise since others in the Democratic Leadership have declared the war lost despite our military commanders statements to the contrary and before Gen. Petraeus has even gotten the additional resources he has requested. His reinforcement hadn't even been fully implemented before Congressional leaders have called it a failure.

I urge my colleagues to insist on a funding bill that does not give our enemies a date for our surrender. I believe our soldiers when they say, "the war is not lost," and we must give our military the resources it needs to win. Language of surrender is inappropriate with troops in the field and reinforces the perceptions of our enemies.

via blackfive

Thin as a Reid (a poem)

2007-04-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

I’ve wondered who’d do the evil deed;
Not surprisingly, it’s Harry Reid.
It was Cronkite stabbed us in the back;
This time it’s a pol not a media hack.
Uncle Walter used his powerful podium
To betray me and mine with nightly odium;
America’s avuncular pontificator,
Now an admitted, liberal, media traitor.

In his lonely grave, FDR must be spinning,
Franklin Delano’s party’s lost all sense of winning,
Focused on feelings rather than thinking,
Their cut’n’run view is that our ship is sinking.
FDR, who stayed firm through our world’s darkest days
Would despair at his party’s current, cowardly ways.
“There is no fear but fear itself?”
Ha! His party’s put courage on its bottom shelf.

Within this old vet a haunting fear lurks
That we may again lose to these liberal jerks.
They control the main airways, most that’s in print;
All the world sees and hears is their wimpish bent.
Belaboring losses in their daily whining,
All that America stands for they’re undermining;
Supplying our enemies with moral support,
Craven quitters inside, opening the gates of our fort.

To witness all this is surely most saddening,
More even than that is how much it is maddening,
That we who go out, lay our lives on the line,
To protect all the rights of these whiners to whine,
Are so seldom portrayed in a positive light,
Are never given credit for winning the fight;
Yet fight on we do to protect even those,
Who never buy us a drink, just give us the hose.

It is my prayer that Senator Reid, will someday account for his treacherous deed,
Kneeling towards Mecca, sore knees on a rug, perhaps he’ll regret he gave in to the thug.

Russ Vaughn
Combat Infantryman
Vietnam 65-66

The Catcher in the Rice Paddy

2007-04-20T08:39:00.000-05:00

Hello all, I'm a new contributor to this blog. I hope you find my first post interesting. Forgive a bit of changing voice, I composed this in a hurry, before my mind could lose any of the points I wanted to make.

I found the "manifesto" and videography released by NBC news yesterday to be most revealing. Instantly it was clear to me. For years Cho Seung-Hui has been struggling with unhappiness and an inability to fit in. Eventually he began to find himself blameless for his own faults and shortcomings. It was simply somebody else's fault, somebody was keeping him down. He began fomenting a great hatred against his perceived oppressor until it became all-encompassing. Mr. Cho had decided to put a Marxist twist on the route of J.D. Salinger's famous Holden Caulfield. He became an avenging angel against his perceived enemy, the rich. Mr. Cho railed against decadence and the ills of western society and culture and blamed them for his impending actions.

Those who he saw as spoiled and insatiably greedy "caused" him to purchase two semiautomatic handguns and rob the world of a brilliant researcher combating cerebral palsy (Dr. Kevin Granata), a holocaust survivor and outstanding aerospace engineer (Dr. Liviu Librescu, who's final act was to sacrifice himself blocking Mr. Cho's path long enough for some of his students to jump out the window), a beloved teacher of environmental and civil engineering and mentor/father figure to thousands of undergraduate and graduate students (Dr. G.V. Loganathan), a Fulbright Scholar and German teacher (Jamie Bishop) and a cultural icon to Nova Scotia and teacher of French (Jocelyne Couture-Nowak). The killer also took the lives of students Ross Alameddine, Brian Bluhm, Ryan Clark, Austin Cloyd, Matt Gwaltney, Caitlin Hammaren, Jeremy Herbstritt, Rachael Hill, Emily Hilscher, Matthew La Porte, Jarrett Lane, Henry Lee, Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan, Lauren McCain, Daniel O'Neil, Juan Ramon Ortiz, Minal Panchal, Daniel Perez Cueva, Erin Peterson, Michael Pohle, Julia Pryde, Mary Read, Reema Samaha, Waleed Shaalan, Leslie G. Sherman, Maxine Turner and Nicole Regina White. He stole from us the best and the brightest in their chosen fields, full of the promise and potential of the rising collegiate. The world was their oyster until their paths were darkened by someone "saving" them from decadence, a Catcher in the Rice Paddy of his native Korea where, ironically, his parents took him from as a baby to make a better, richer life for himself here in the United States. I'm sorry Mr. Cho, this is neither fighting the good fight nor freeing the world from oppression, this is lunacy.

Your insanity and irrational mind took the lives of 31 people, without whom the world will be a darker place. You destroyed hundreds more families and altered countless lives by inflicting horrible violence upon what should have been a place of safety, security and tolerance. Just like Holden Caulfield, you thought your self-righteousness entitled you to dictate the course of other people's lives. Unlike Holden, you did not live to find out how wrong you were. A little bit of our nation died because you felt emboldened and empowered to rain your vengeance down upon those who had not wronged you.

Pork Bombs

2007-04-20T07:34:00.000-05:00

After reading about the Logistically Pernicious Ham Steak at Protein Wisdom, also known as the Ham Steak of Hate over at LGF, I came up with an idea... Pork Cluster-Bombs.

Just think about it, bombs that do not contain lethal shrapnel, but instead are coated in delicious bacon... mmmmm.... We start first by blowing ham particles all over the West. Pork Bombs over America, Great Britain, maybe Europe. Hotdog chunks covering the continents.

Then, if we want to get really diabolical, we start hitting the Middle East. Cover the entire region in microscopic pork particles. Get the Ham into the air, into the soil, into the water. Cover the whole planet except for ... I dunno, France? Then we just keep the ever-present threat of pork bombs to keep the radical-Islamic element at bay.

Ta-daaa. International problems solved.

Fun Fact about the Religion of Peace

2007-04-20T06:40:00.000-05:00

Apparently "Allah" forbids praying for non-Muslims:

...a Muslim student set off a debate when she sent an email to the mailing list of the Muslim Students' Association at Virginia Tech asking the students to pray that Allah have mercy on those killed and wounded in the shooting attack at the university.

According to Aafaq, the dean of student affairs at American International University, Abu Hamza Hijji, responded, writing that Allah the Most Merciful forbids praying for mercy for the non-Muslim dead, or even for the non-Muslim living, and that it is only permitted to pray that they be rightly guided. He added that what happened was a sad occurrence, but that does not give Muslims the right to transgress the laws of Allah the Most Merciful.
Read More.

How could "allah" forbid praying on behalf of non-Muslims? Don't Muslims pray to the same God worshiped by Abraham, David, Moses, and Jesus? If we all share the same God, how could that God allow Christians and Jews to pray on behalf of those of different faiths, but "allah" - allegedly the the same God - would forbid this to Muslims?

The Muslims can keep their false teachings and their impostor god. If "allah" forbids praying on behalf of those with different faiths, then he is not the same God worshipped by Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and David.

I'm going to go have a ham sandwhich and a beer.

Quote of the Day

2007-04-20T06:28:00.000-05:00

The Democrats, the war protestors, and the American media have chosen to give their support to terrorism against the United States of America. In doing so, they have chosen to embrace a monster the likes of which they are unable to comprehend.
LindaSoG

Democrat Leaders Boycott Fox News

2007-04-18T19:54:00.000-05:00

Democrats, Fox News Channel lock horns
Associated Press

NEW YORK - Democrats running for president seem to find Fox News Channel as ripe a target as President Bush, a development with dangerous implications for both the network and the politicians.

Fox has tried twice, without success, to set up a debate with the major Democratic contenders. Both times they failed because of pressure applied by online liberal activists, who consider Fox biased toward Republicans and conservatives.

The first debate, which was to be co-sponsored by Fox and the Nevada Democratic party, had been set for this August but was canceled. Fox then teamed with the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute for a Sept. 23 debate that is still scheduled, even though John Edwards, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton all said they won't attend.
Read More.

I think that comic probably sums it up for most folks.

Somehow we will manage to move on.

Coulter Cash is Money Well Spent

2007-04-18T00:42:00.000-05:00

The primping, preening, beauty queen otherwise known as John "da Fonz" Edwards has been putting your hard earned political contributions, aka "Coulter Cash", to good use:

Edwards' haircuts cost a pretty penny
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Looking pretty is costing John Edwards' presidential campaign a lot of pennies. The Democrat's campaign committee picked up the tab for two haircuts at $400 each by celebrity stylist Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a financial report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

FEC records show Edwards also availed himself of $250 in services from a trendy salon and spa in Dubuque, Iowa, and $225 in services from the Pink Sapphire in Manchester, N.H., which is described on its Web site as "a unique boutique for the mind, body and face" that caters mostly to women.

It is money well spent... he is soooo pretty

So pretty...

Democrats, please.... please keep giving this man your hard earned money. He wants to run for President; but more importantly, he wants to look good doing it.

UPDATE:
Awwww, the Coulter Cash is no longer helping make John pretty.
Edwards reimbursing his campaign $800 for haircut

Edwards Pays Homage to Silly Frenchman

2007-04-16T10:21:00.000-05:00

Global Warming is a hot topic here at A Perfect Contradiction. Since it is literally freezing today (mid April), and all of the spring flowers have pretty much died from the cold, I thought today would be a good day to review a global warming story I covered back in Feb...

Chirac Threatens U.S. with Trade Sanctions
The self-proclaimed President of the European Union, Jaques Chiraq, the actual President of France - the self-proclaimed capital of the European Union - has recently given the United States an ultimatum: Sign on to the Kyoto protocol or else!

"A carbon tax is inevitable," Chirac is quoted as saying in in the NYT's on Feb 2, 2007, "the countries that do not accept the minimum obligations will be obliged to pay."

This is not an idle threat. The European Union represents the strongest collective economic block in the world. According to wiki (I know, I know... take it with a grain of salt)

The European Union is the largest political and economic entity on the European continent, with around 500 million people and an estimated GDP of US$13.4 trillion (1st in the World if ranked).

The theory behind the EU is something like: Alone vie are tineey and stupeeed, but togetharr we are POWERFUL ... and stupeeed.

The United States will probably be forced into a similar alliance with Mexico and Canada in order to remain competitive in the world economy in the next 25 years or so... but back to Chirac.

The self-proclaimed president of the EU makes a frightening point... that a "carbon" tax is likely to become a reality. There is no real reason for this: Global warming is bogus; however, as long as scientists are given awards and grants for claiming Global warming is real, politicians will be able to use scare tactics in order to gain more of their two favorite things: money and power. In this case, France is trying to use the EU to gain more money and power.

The United States is the world economic superpower. The EU is working to knock the US off this position and to keep America from regaining this title. Global warming is as convenient a justification for tearing down free trade than any other. The EU, in a guise of being a friend to the planet, simply taxes the United States as punishment for our alleged transgressions. We are forced to choose between signing onto a treaty that would cripple our economy, which would help make the EU the world economic superpower, or face economic sanctions, which would help make the EU the world economic superpower.

Keep Chirac in mind next time you go shopping for perfume, wine, cosmetics, etc.

I bolded the relevant section. Back in February, I expressed concern over a possible carbon tax. Chirac said it all when he said, "A carbon tax is inevitable," and I explained it all when I said, "as long as scientists are given awards and grants for claiming Global warming is real, politicians will be able to use scare tactics in order to gain more of their two favorite things: money and power."

This past week the inevitable took one step closer to becoming reality when John Edwards decided that if he becomes President the carbon tax will become a reality.

Edwards proposes greenhouse gas plan
FORT MYERS, Fla. - America should charge industry for creating greenhouse gases to generate money for investing in clean technology, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Saturday.

"People ought to have to pay that want to generate greenhouse gases," Edwards said at a global warming rally that was part of a nationwide day of demonstrations.

Edwards said charging polluters could generate up to $40 billion to invest in clean technology to "get us off our addiction to oil." He also said the United States should ban the construction of new coal-fired power plants.
Read the full story.

Edwards pulled this one right out of Chirac's playbook. I actually think Edwards has a fairly good chance of getting the Democratic nod, but even if he doesn't, the cat is already out of the bag. He is going to run on this policy, it will gain traction with the enviro-idiots, and pretty soon all of the Dem candidates will be spouting that plan. Great, my worst nightmares are officially starting to happen. Wonderful.

Lest anyone who comes across this post thinks that creating a new tax is the solution to anything:

First, "man made" global warming is a THEORY that HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN!!!!

Second, a planet that is a few degrees warmer IS A GOOD THING!!! (Longer crop cycles = greater prosperity for all mankind)

Third, the "Evil Corporations" will not end up paying one red cent. The "Evil Corporations" will simply raise prices to keep their profit margins in place. This means that a tax on the "Evil Corporations" is really just a hidden tax on your stupid tree hugging @$$es when you pay for the goods and services the "Evil Corporations" provide.

Fourth, this new tax will NOT help fund research. This new tax will simply go into the general fund. From that fund, congress can earmark funds to go to research, but congress does not and will not 1) keep track of how much they are collecting from the carbon tax and 2) ensure that such funds are appropriately dolled out.

Fifth, watch this movie. If you still think global warming is the sort of problem that requires a "carbon tax" to solve it, then there is nothing more I have to say to you except enjoy your koolade, nutjob.

Read More About Global Warming

Selective Outrage

2007-04-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

Read this article:

Israel suspends soldier in shield case
By AMY TEIBEL, Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM - The Israeli army said Friday that it was suspending the commander of troops seen using two Palestinian youths as human shields, the latest evidence that its soldiers still protect themselves with civilians in violation of international and Israeli law.
Full Story.

Note the moral outrage at the Israeli's actions. The Israeli soldiers are routinely bombarded with rocks and stones from Palestinian children, who are taught to hate Jews. In an effort to stop the attacks, an Israeli Soldier asked a Palestinian child to ask their friends to stop throwing rocks at them. The child willingly stood between the soldiers and the mob of anti-Semites. Peace activists and the press are now blaming Israel for using the child as a human shield in violation of international law.

Now read this story:

Unconfirmed report says BBC journalist slain

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A previously unknown Palestinian group said Sunday it had killed a British journalist kidnapped over a month ago by gunmen in Gaza City, but the claim could not be confirmed.
Full Story

Note the lack of outrage. No moral condemnation of the group. No moral condemnation of a people who believe that taking hostages and murdering them is an acceptable form of political/religious expression.

The peace activists and the press are eerily silent when it comes to the actions of Palestinian militant groups who brainwash children into blowing themselves up, kidnap journalists and murder them, etc. But when Israeli's ask a civilian, even a child, to try and help stop the violence, the Israeli's are "violating human rights."

Isn't there a difference between using a civilian who volunteers to be a shield and one who doesn't?

I don't know if I fully support the Israeli use of a child, even a willing participant; but it's not like they took children against their will and brought them into a gun fight. They didn't force the child to stand in front of their vehicle. Besides, don't the Palestinians routinely surround their top commanders with women and children? Why no outrage over that?

Why no outrage at a people who take an unwilling civilians hostage. Why no outrage over the ritualistic murder of Westerners and Jews?

How exactly is it that the press and the peace movement find the Palestinians to be morally superior and unworthy of criticism, but Israel and the West are somehow blameworthy for all sorts of human rights violations? What is is that I am missing?

Delicious Article

2007-04-15T10:57:00.000-05:00

If you like coffee this article is an interesting read and a nice change of pace:

... I smiled, and for what would be the first of many times that day, tossed out a metaphorical line in order to save him from drowning again in a sea of burnt and bitter brews...
Read more.

Interesting Read

2007-04-10T11:09:00.000-05:00

I came across this article via the Evangelical Outpost

Pearls Before Breakfast
This is a long read, but it is a really interesting article. This is Pulitzer material, IMO.

The article involved an experiment: take perhaps the greatest living violinist, playing 10 of the most highly regarded compositions, on a violin created by the greatest violin maker in history, have him play as a street performer during rush hour in a DC metro station, and judge the crowd response. This is an amazing read, a wonderful experiment, and a great case study on life in America.

It is a long read, but well worth it if you have the time to take a minute and enjoy something beautiful.

Imus Should Apologize

2007-04-10T09:02:00.000-05:00

That's right... apologiiiiize!

In all seriousness, though, I think Imus is an idiot. A moron. So what? He said something stupid. He is, in fact, a stupid person. So what?

He called a bunch of black female collegiate basketball players, "dirty, nappy, ho's." What further proof do you need that the man is an idiot? He said something stupid and hurtful. If he were a professor at Rutgers, I would think that firing him would be appropriate, but he isn't affiliated with Rutgers, so why should he be fired?

Black "civil rights" leaders, like Al Sharpton, are demanding Imus be fired. For what? Saying something that is racially insensitive? Imus is a SHOCK JOCK. He is paid to say things that are shocking and offensive. It is his bread and butter. It is supposed to offend some people, some of the time. It is what he does for a living.

How will firing this man make things right? Is referring to a black basketball player as a "dirty, nappy ho" an offense for which someone should automatically lose their job?

What about calling a white, male, lacrosse player a "rapist"?

How about calling our soldier's "murderers"?

How about labeling all Christians as "right-wing nut jobs"?

How about labeling a person who disagrees with allowing homosexuals to adopt children a "bigoted homophobe"?

What about blaming white males for every bad thing that has happened in history, while praising all women and minorities (especially blacks, and not including jews)?

Why are saying things which are divisive, provocative, and hurtful, wrong when it involves a black person, but "ok" when it is a white person, or a Christian, or a conservative, or a soldier?

Civil rights are about equality. I think equality has been accomplished... and then some... and yet the "civil rights" movement continues. To what end? To the end that saying something bad about a black person - placing blacks on a level that is above all other races, a people who cannot be criticized ever, even if it IS due (which in this "nappy hos" thing the criticism was not due) - should result in the loss of one's livelihood.

BUT, calling all white people racist, calling all Christians "nut-jobs," calling conservatives "reich wingers" etc., ad naseum, does not result in a firing, and in fact can result in tenure in a collegiate setting.

Think about what is happening here:
BLACK, FEMALE, COLLEGE ATHLETES.

Blacks, who once upon a time were not even counted as people for census purposes, who once upon a time could not vote, who once upon a time could not be taught let alone go to college...

Females, who throughout history have been oppressed, who once upon a time could not own property, who once upon a time could not vote, who once upon a time could not attend college...

College Athletes.. only recently in the history of American academia have women's sports been guaranteed funding and opportunity to the extent that men's sports receive funding and opportunity. Think about it... women's sports are a topic of discussion on national radio stations!

On an equality scale, where are we today versus where we once were?
It wasn't that terribly long ago that funding wasn't guaranteed for women athletes. It wasn't that terribly long ago that blacks DID have a difficult time getting into colleges.
It wasn't that terribly long ago that blacks had no rights in this country.
Look how far we have come! Look how far we have progressed!

Women are guaranteed funding for NCAA purposes. Qualified blacks are virtually guaranteed admission into colleges, almost always placed ahead of equally qualified white students (in the interests of "fairness").
Blacks can vote. Blacks are found in every economic bracket. Blacks are found at every job level. No where in our country (that I am aware of) is the exclusion of blacks thought to be acceptable.

In what way is this unequal? MLK's dream was that blacks and whites could one day attend the same schools and that black children and white children could play together. MLK wanted blacks to have equality. Blacks have equality. In fact, they have "~~reverse~~-racism" working in their favor. Because universities WANT "diversity," in many cases blacks are placed well ahead of whites. That isn't equality. I'm not saying that these programs must end, but I am saying that that is NOT equality.

Equality refers to opportunity. In America, you open your own doors. Sure, some people are born with a silver spoon. I imagine Will Smith's kids aren't going to have to worry too much about how they are going to pay for college. If one of Will Smith's sons wants to get into music or acting one day, his father will be able to help open doors for him. This is true no matter what your color, religion, sex, etc.

Look at the sort of things that were said about the Duke Lacrosse players. Who should have been fired for calling them racists and rapists? Were saying those things any less hurtful? They were males. They were white. They were probably rich.

Now look at what that idiot Imus said. Ok. He is an idiot. We all agree. Should he lose his job? For what? Saying hurtful things about black, female, possibly poor people? Is that equality?

To express outrage over the public ridicule of one group and not the other... is that equality?

McCain HAD One Rght

2007-04-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

Five days ago, McCain shocked me by stating,

"I believe that we have a new strategy that is making progress and it’s not to say that things are well everywhere in Iraq; far from it,” McCain said. “We have a long way to go.”

“We read everyday about suicide bombings, kidnappings, rocket attacks and other terrible attacks,” McCain said. “What we don’t read about everyday and what is news since the surge began is a lot of the good news.”

“These and other indicators are reasons for very cautious optimism about the effects of the new strategy,” McCain said. “I believe just as we read about all the negative events in Iraq, the American people must be aware of the positive development under this new plan.”

I was floored by McCain's statements. At the time I said:
It is kind of hard to not to like the guy when you see that he is capable of telling the truth, if only for political points with the Republican base. If McCain acted like this all of the time, I might even like him.

Well I was wrong about McCain. It is easy to not like him.

In what appears to be perfectly implemented "Clintonian-Triangulation" McCain has backed away from his previous statements. According to Drudge:

In two interviews before the Army took McCain and 60 MINUTES on the heavily guarded visit to the al-Shorja market last Sunday, the senator said security had improved in Iraq. Upon his return, he also told a news conference he had just come back from a neighborhood one could walk around in freely. The remarks made headlines and he now regrets saying them. "Of course I am going to misspeak and I've done it on numerous occasions and I probably will do it in the future," says McCain. "I regret that when I divert attention to something I said from my message, but you know, that's just life," he tells Pelley, adding, "I'm happy, frankly, with the way I operate, otherwise it would be a lot less fun."

McCain is a snake... no, he is a worm.

This is a calculated move. First he tells the Republicans something they have been longing to hear - that things aren't as bad as being reported in the press. Then in an effort to appeal to the middle he says he misspoke, but still thinks we can win in Iraq. Finally to appeal to the left, he lashes out against the President, claiming Iraq is all his fault.

He is trying to be everything to everyman, but at what cost to the truth? Truth is not subjective. Either things are getting better in Iraq or they aren't. The press is either being honest, or they aren't.

You can't take each position and try to appeal to everyone.

I take back any nice thoughts I had about McCain. He is scum.

This is what we are fighting for:

2007-04-06T17:03:00.000-05:00

I came across this picture in the photo gallery of the Washington Post’s “Today In Photos” for April 6. I had to just sit and stare at it for several minutes. I couldn’t help but think what a contrast this idyllic setting with children playing and their parents resting in the sun in Baghdad’s al-Zawraa public park is with the normal images we get from the media in Iraq.

My first thought was “Hey! This can’t be Central Command propaganda as the anti-war activists would probably claim! This came from the Washington Post, of all places.” My second thought was “Why don’t we see more of these pictures?”
More.

Good question Skipper.

AP Continues Disinformation Campaign on Iraq-Al Qaeda Connection

2007-04-06T10:42:00.000-05:00

Consider the following article:

Cheney reasserts al-Qaida-Saddam link
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney repeated his assertions of al-Qaida links to Saddam Hussein's Iraq on Thursday as the Defense Department released a report citing more evidence that the prewar government did not cooperate with the terrorist group.

Cheney contended that al-Qaida was operating in Iraq before the March 2003 invasion led by U.S. forces and that terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was leading the Iraqi branch of al-Qaida. Others in al-Qaida planned the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"He took up residence there before we ever launched into Iraq, organized the al-Qaida operations inside Iraq before we even arrived on the scene and then, of course, led the charge for Iraq until we killed him last June," Cheney told radio host Rush Limbaugh during an interview. "As I say, they were present before we invaded Iraq."

However, a declassified Pentagon report released Thursday said that interrogations of the deposed Iraqi leader and two of his former aides as well as seized Iraqi documents confirmed that the terrorist organization and the Saddam government were not working together before the invasion.

The Sept. 11 Commission's 2004 report also found no evidence of a collaborative relationship between Saddam and Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network during that period.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, had requested that the Pentagon declassify the report prepared by acting Defense Department Inspector General Thomas F. Gimble. In a statement Thursday, Levin said the declassified document showed why a Defense Department investigation had concluded that some Pentagon prewar intelligence work was inappropriate.

The report, which had been released in summary form in February, said that former Pentagon policy chief Douglas J. Feith had acted inappropriately but not illegally in reviewing prewar intelligence. Levin has claimed that Feith's intelligence assessment was wrong and distorted but nevertheless formed part of the basis on which President Bush took the country to war.

Although Feith's assessment in mid-2002 offered several examples of cooperation between Saddam's government and al-Qaida, the report said, the CIA had concluded months earlier that no evidence supported the existence of significant or long-term relationships.

This sort of disinformation and rewriting of history ought to be criminal. This AP story is fraught with error and is typical of mainstream reporting on the Iraq-AlQaeda relationship.

Consider the following quotes taken from the 9/11 commission report and reproduced below:

"In building this Islamic army, [Bin Laden] enlisted groups from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Oman, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Somalia, and Eritrea."
Page 76, 9/11 Commission Report

"al Qaeda contacts with Iran continued in ensuing years. Bin Ladin was also willing to explore possibilities for cooperation with Iraq..."
Page 61, 9/11 Commission Report

"In 2001, with Bin Ladin’s help they re-formed into an organization called Ansar al Islam. There are indications that by then the Iraqi regime tolerated and may even have helped Ansar al Islam against the common Kurdish enemy."
Page 61, 9/11 Commission Report

"With the Sudanese regime acting as intermediary, Bin Ladin himself met with a senior Iraqi intelligence officer in Khartoum in late 1994 or early 1995. Bin Ladin is said to have asked for space to establish training camps, as well as assistance in procuring weapons, but there is no evidence that Iraq responded to this request. As described below, the ensuing years saw additional efforts to establish connections."
Page 61, 9/11 Commission Report

"...Bin Ladin sent out a number of feelers to the Iraqi regime, offering some cooperation. None are reported to have received a significant response."
Page 66, 9/11 Commission Report

"In mid-1998, the situation reversed; it was Iraq that reportedly took the initiative.

In March 1998, after Bin Ladin’s public fatwa against the United States, two al Qaeda members reportedly went to Iraq to meet with Iraqi intelligence. In July, an Iraqi delegation traveled to Afghanistan to meet first with the Taliban and then with Bin Ladin. Sources reported that one, or perhaps both, of these meetings was apparently arranged through Bin Ladin’s Egyptian deputy, Zawahiri, who had ties of his own to the Iraqis.

Similar meetings between Iraqi officials and Bin Ladin or his aides may have occurred in 1999 during a period of some reported strains with the Taliban. According to the reporting, Iraqi officials offered Bin Ladin a safe haven in Iraq. Bin Ladin declined, apparently judging that his circumstances in Afghanistan remained more favorable than the Iraqi alternative. The reports describe friendly contacts and indicate some common themes in both sides’ hatred of the United States. But to date we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship. Nor have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States."
Pages 65-66, 9/11 Commission Report

Another interesting quote from the 9/11 Commission Report is on page 128:

The original sealed indictment had added that al Qaeda had “reached an understanding with the government of Iraq that al Qaeda would not work against that government and that on particular projects, specifically including weapons development, al Qaeda would work cooperatively with the Government of Iraq.” This passage led [Richard] Clarke, who for years had read intelligence reports on Iraqi-Sudanese cooperation on chemical weapons, to speculate to [Sandy] Berger that a large Iraqi presence at chemical facilities in Khartoum was “probably a direct result of the Iraq–Al Qida agreement.” Clarke added that VX precursor traces found near al Shifa were the “exact formula used by Iraq.”

9/11 Commission superstar witness Richard Clarke speculated that a large Iraqi Presence at a chemical facility in Khartoum, Sudan - the place where Bin Laden set up shop after being kicked out of Saudi Arabia - was "probably a direct result" of the Iraq-Al Qaeda agreement. A sealed indictment dating from 1998 discussed a cooperative agreement between Iraq and Al Qaeda regarding weapons development.

Yet the AP refuses to acknowledge "connections" or "links" between Iraq and Al Qaeda.

The AP points out that Cheney contended that an Al Qada linked group had been operating in Iraq (supported by 9/11 Commission report, page 61), and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was operating within Iraq (widely known and supported by the Iraq War resolution signed by CONGRESS, which stated, "Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq").

Cheney said "They [Al Qaeda] were in Iraq before we invaded" the AP's proof to the contrary is ... what exactly?

The AP is saying that a recently declassified report proves that Iraq and Al Qaeda were not "working together" which is not at all the same charge as "there are no Iraq Al Qaeda connections."

Additionally, this new report directly contradicts the 9/11 Commission report's allegation that the Iraqi government may have worked together with Ansar al Islam, the 1998 sealed indictment mentioned in the 9/11 commission report, and Richard Clarke's Clinton-era speculations about Iraq/Al Qaeda cooperation.

I have not yet had the opportunity to read this recently declassified report; however, if the AP's interpretation of that report is as wrong as their interpretation about the 9/11 commission report, then the report probably adds support to Cheney's position.

Here is a fair question, "are links the same thing as cooperation?"
I point out the links.
You say "no cooperation."

Are we even talking about the same thing? Is no cooperation proof of no links? I am even giving benefit of doubt to the claim of no cooperation. Before there is cooperation, there must first be links. The links are indisputable. That is what Cheney keeps pointing out. The left keeps claiming no cooperation. I believe the left is wrong, but there is only circumstantial evidence of cooperation. And what exactly constitutes cooperation?

We know that Al Qaeda members were given safe passage, medical treatment, etc from Iraq. We know that Iraq offered to let Bin Laden move to Baghdad and set up in Iraq. Does that constitute cooperation? At one time, Bin Laden was seeking to overthrow Saddam, but they essentially called a truce. Is that cooperation? It seems that way to me.

Did Saddam give Al Qaeda guns and ammo? I don't know. Did Saddam help Al Qaeda carry out attacks? I don't know. Is that required in order for the Iraq war to be justified? Is that the standard that must be reached to appease the left?

If so, I guess we can't really make the left happy. Their standards are too high. I recognized Iraq as a threat that in a post 9/11 world that could no longer be left alone. The majority of Americans agreed. We weren't misled. We knew what a threat Saddam posed to the world.

And you know what? I am happy we liberated Iraq. I am proud of my country for doing the right thing. For keeping America safe. For bringing another Democracy to the Middle East.

I know Iran is still a problem. I know Syria is still a problem. I even think the rhetoric coming out of Egypt and Saudi Arabia is troubling, but I believe peace is possible as long as we support victory in Iraq and elsewhere.

I am mad as hell that the AP tries to cast doubt upon Cheney and Bush by claiming as "proof" the higher standard of "operational support" not being certain (therefore not established) against the lower standard of "links" (which have been proven). It is patently dishonest reporting.

Quote of the Day

2007-04-05T11:32:00.000-05:00

Imagine the surprise of the veteran Iraqi battalion last November when a young sheik, leader of a local tribe outside Ramadi, offered to point out the insurgents hiding in his hometown. "We have decided that by helping you," he said, "we are helping God."

Source.

Excellent Wash Post Article

2007-04-05T11:25:00.000-05:00

Pratfall in Damascus
Nancy Pelosi's foolish shuttle diplomacy

HOUSE SPEAKER Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered an excellent demonstration yesterday of why members of Congress should not attempt to supplant the secretary of state when traveling abroad.

...

In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's words were mere propaganda.

... The really striking development here is the attempt by a Democratic congressional leader to substitute her own foreign policy for that of a sitting Republican president. Two weeks ago Ms. Pelosi rammed legislation through the House of Representatives that would strip Mr. Bush of his authority as commander in chief to manage troop movements in Iraq. Now she is attempting to introduce a new Middle East policy that directly conflicts with that of the president. We have found much to criticize in Mr. Bush's military strategy and regional diplomacy. But Ms. Pelosi's attempt to establish a shadow presidency is not only counterproductive, it is foolish.
Read the Full Article.

I couldn't possibly have said that better myself.

Parsing Words in the Global War on Terror

2007-04-05T10:42:00.000-05:00

Democrats in Congress have recently banned the phrase 'global war on terror' from appearing in legislation and have discouraged Democrats from using the phrase when speaking about terrorism.

A new internal memo by a senior Democratic staff member urged aides to drop the term ["global war on terror"] from their legislative dictionaries because it was too broad. The directive quickly led to a linguistic dispute between the parties.

"The attempt by Democrats to erase the words 'global' and 'terror' from our current war is an absurd effort to deny the fact that America is battling terrorism on a global scale," said House Republican leader John Boehner (news, bio, voting record), R-Ohio. "How do Democrats expect America to fight and win a war they deny is even taking place?"
More.

Por qua? To put is simply, Americans overwhelmingly support the War on terror. When a particular crisis is associated with the war on terror, American support for intervening and resolving the incident is very high.

Ex. Fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan is considered by virtually everyone to be part of the global war on Terror. Support for the War in Afghanistan was very, very high.

Iraq is undeniably part of the global war on terror; however, the Democrats, with the help of the press, have successfully convinced the American public otherwise.

As soon as Iraq war was extricated from the global war on terror (never mind that it is universally accepted that Iraq was a state sponsor of international terrorism, Iraq supported Al Qaeda and Hamas, and Iraq's support of Al Qaeda was RECOGNIZED BY CONGRESS as a reason for authorizing war in Iraq the Iraq War Resolution Act)... let me start over. As soon as Iraq was extricated from the global war on terror - labeled a "grand diversion" and a "distraction" from the "real" war on terror - support for the Iraq war began to drop.

Why is this?

American people DO support the war on terror. Furthermore, American people trust the Republicans MORE than the Democrats in carrying out the war on terror.

Americans do not support going to war for no reason. We are a peace loving nation.

As soon as the left wingers were able to extract the Iraq war from the war on terror - instead labeling the Iraq was a "Bush's war" - the war no longer was understood as a matter of national security and instead became a war which could be attacked along partisan lines.

What is going on here is this: The war on terror is bad for Democrats, because the American people do not trust the Democrats to win the war on terror. The solution is to stop associating global terrorism as part of a global war on terror. When each incident is looked at as a single, solitary, unconnected attack - there is no need for the US to intervene and there is no need for Republican leadership to fight the global war on terror.

That's my analysis, anyway.

Progress in Iraq Update

2007-04-05T09:41:00.000-05:00

I know these seem like rapid fire posts on the progress in Iraq, but there is a LOT of progress to report lately. Amazingly, aside from ABC airing an occasional piece, the MSM (mainstream media) has been relatively silent on all of the progress. If I can find room for 10-15 stories per week, you think the press could find one worth reporting...

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers bring smiles to schools
Wednesday, 04 April 2007

AZ ZAIDON — The children, wide-eyed at the sight of Iraqi soldiers in their schools, seemed a little frightened at first, but within moments, as the soldiers began handing out cookies and asking questions about the day’s lessons, they warmed up.

Iraqi soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, visited two schools with troops of the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and the military transition team from 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, March 29. The visits, which provided much-needed school equipment like chalkboards and generators, also served to let the children and teachers see that the Iraqi troops serve the country and are available.

“Please give me your phone number,” Ta’if School Headmaster Nafir Abdullah asked the Iraqi troops. “And don’t be a stranger. This school is always open to you, and we would love to have you help educate the children.”

Sgt. Richard Fulham, a native of Toms River, N.J., and a squad leader with Troop A, 1-89, distributed cookies to several classes of youngsters.

“My mother-in-law made them for me, but I just had to give them to the kids,” he said. “I get too many cookies anyway.”

The children shouted and waved, competing for the troops’ attention and photographs before the teachers called them back to class.

“Most of the teachers here work without receiving a salary,” Abdullah explained. The school, while well-kept, is very poor. “There are plenty of terrorist attacks at night, but during the day it’s very safe. But we have no problems with the Iraqi or U.S. soldiers coming; please feel free to come anytime.”

At the Al-Haafaththa school just up the road, the combined patrol again distributed basic supplies and goodies to the children and teachers.

“We’re doing a humanitarian assistance operation here,” said Capt. Joshua Schneider, a native of Phoenix and the staff maneuver adviser to the Iraqi Army for military transition team 0632. “We’ve brought generators, blackboards, book bags filled with school supplies like pens and pencils and notebook paper, and activity books for school.”

About 60 Iraqi soldiers were part of the operation.

“The reception has been very good,” Schneider added. “The teachers and Iraqi soldiers are building stronger relationships, and that’s only going to help this area.”

“It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, helping the children,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Grilo, a native of Millington, N.J., and the executive officer for Troop A. “If we give them the ability to learn and get an education, they’re less vulnerable to other influences -- like extremist views.”

Platoon leader 1st Lt. Adam Robison, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was also upbeat about the mission.

“Seeing the kids respond to us handing out toys and book bags is always great -- they are so happy. It's like we’re Santa Claus to them,” Robison said. “I think doing missions like this with the Iraqi soldiers allows people to see that they (the soldiers) care and that they’re starting to take responsibility for their country so they can start taking over.”

Bush: Troops’ Hard Work in Iraq Will Impact the World
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2007 – The hard work U.S. troops are doing in Iraq is “laying the foundations of peace for generations to come,” President Bush told soldiers and family members today at Fort Irwin, Calif.

“The work that you have volunteered to do will have a lasting impact on the world in which we live,” the president told the troops.

By helping Iraq become a country that can sustain, defend and govern itself -- and become an ally in the war on terror -- the U.S. military will have delivered a significant blow to those who want to harm the American people, he said.

“The amazing thing about our United States military is that thousands and thousands of you have signed up knowing full well that we’re a nation at war,” he said. “You decided to put your country ahead of self in many ways.”
Read the Full Article.

Baghdad ‘Surge’ Produces Early Successes, Official Says
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2007 – Murders and kidnappings, the hallmarks of sectarian violence, have decreased in Baghdad since reinforcements of U.S. and Iraqi security forces began to flow into the city in mid-February as part of Operation Fahrd al-Qanoon, a senior U.S. military official said in Baghdad today.

“A clear reduction in the number of kidnappings and execution-style murders” has taken place across Baghdad since Fahrd al-Qanoon, or “Enforce the Law,” was launched to secure and tamp down violence in Baghdad and western Iraq, Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, said to representatives of U.S.-based veterans groups during a telephone conference call.

There are “some preliminary good signs” that security measures are taking hold in Baghdad, Fox said, as U.S. and Iraqi forces continue to make their presence felt as they operate from 31 joint security stations established across the city.

“Our troops now are living and operating in the districts of Baghdad,” Fox said.
Read the Full Article.

Iraqi Security Forces discover weapons cache
BALAD – Iraqi Security forces conducted an early-morning sweep on April 4 in Diyala, seizing a large cache of ammunition and detaining four suspected insurgents.

With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi forces raided the suspected site in Imam al-Hajj Yusuf Village in the Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad.

The primary targets of this operation are alleged to be planning attacks against innocent Iraqi citizens, Coalition and Iraqi Forces.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

Iraqi Police detain suspects tied to Tal Afar attacks
BALAD – Iraqi Security forces conducted a raid operation on April 3 in Nineveh Province, detaining two suspects believed to be involved in insurgent activities.

With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi forces raided a residence in the Nineveh Province northwest of Tal Afar and captured their primary targets.

Iraqi forces also detained 19 other suspicious individuals who were present during the operation.

The primary targets of this operation are alleged to be responsible for the recent vehicle borne improvised explosive device attacks on the people of Tal Afar, as well as attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Forces.

Iraqi Forces conduct raid in Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army forces conducted an early-morning operation on April 4 in Baghdad, capturing 10 suspects believed to be involved in a major terrorist cell.

With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi forces simultaneously raided several residences in the Adhamiyah neighborhood of Baghdad and captured their primary targets including the leader of the cell.

Coalition and Iraqi Forces encountered enemy-fire upon entry into one of the structures. Well aimed fire allowed Iraqi Security forces to kill one insurgent and wound another during the exchange.

The primary targets of this operation are alleged to be responsible for attacks on
Coalition and Iraqi Forces, as well as Iraqi civilians. The suspects were also linked to manufacturing and storing vehicle borne improvised explosive devices in a separate facility.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

So far the surge is working. Don't let the Democrats rip defeat from the jaws of victory... support our troops, support the war on terror.

One if these things is not like the other....

2007-04-04T19:16:00.000-05:00

One of these things just doesn't belong!

New York man pleads guilty to US terrorism charge
NEW YORK (AFP) - A New York martial arts instructor pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to the Al-Qaeda network after a sting operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Tarik Shah allegedly agreed to provide hand-to-hand combat training to Al-Qaeda operatives in a meeting in 2005 with an undercover FBI agent posing as a recruiter for the Islamic extremist militant group.
Read the Article

Plea in NYC terrorism-support case
LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press
NEW YORK - A cabdriver from Maryland pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to help a terrorist organization after admitting he attended training camps in Pakistan.

Mahmud Faruq Brent Al Mutazzim, of Gwynn Oak, Md., had been scheduled to go to trial April 24 along with a New York musician and a Florida doctor. A New York bookstore owner pleaded guilty to charges in the case in November.
Read the Article

Ariz. teen charged with terrorism
MESA, Ariz. - An eighth-grader faces a terrorism charge for confronting a girl with a knife and later being found with a backpack full of restraining devices and weapons, a prosecutor said.

The 14-year-old told police he planned to hold his class hostage, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas said Monday.
Read the Article

Trust me when I tell you that I am one of the most ardent supporters of the Global War on Terror. I want our police, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies to have the ability to pursue, charge, and convict terrorists.

However, to charge a US citizen as a terrorist, particularly a young teenage boy with no ties to any terrorist organizations whatsoever, and who cannot conceivably be linked to a terrorist cause, is, in my humble opinion, absolute garbage.

We give the State the power to try and convict terrorists on charges of terrorism to keep us safe from terrorists. We do not give the State the power to try ordinary criminals as terrorists when their crime creates fear and panic in others.

Ex. A troubled youth who doesn't want to go to school and so calls in a bomb-threat should not be charged with making terrorist threats, IMO.

However, a troubled youth who wants to engage in Jihad against America and who calls in a bomb-threat in order to strike fear into a community should be charged as a terrorist.

A teenage boy who plans to kill his classmates and himself in order to martyr himself for Allah, is a terrorist.

A teenage boy who plans to take his classmates hostage because he is having trouble with another classmate, however misguided, is not a terrorist.

Maybe I am missing the boat on this, I'm not sure, but I don't believe we should charge ordinary criminals as terrorists unless their actions can be directly linked to some sort of subversive ideology.

An "Eco-terrorist" who sets businesses ablaze because he believes their environmental policies are unsound is using arson as a means to further his subversive ideology.

An Islamo-fascist who plants a bomb on a school bus because he wants to kill "kufar" and further his radical Islamic agenda is a terrorist.

A KKK member who burns down a black church is a terrorist.

A kid who brings a blasting cap onto school grounds as part of a school prank is not a terrorist, the prank would not advance a subversive ideology.

A man who takes hostages during a bank robbery is not a terrorist (unless he is stealing the money to give to terrorists or use in in furtherance of a subversive ideology).

Bombing an abortion clinic would be a terrorist act.

Planting a bomb underneath the car of someone who plans to testify in a criminal case... not a terrorist act. Murder/attempted murder, yes, but not terrorism. Get it?

I would love for others to comment on this. I want to know what other people think about this. Am I crazy? Am I right on?

ABC Bucks MSM Trend, Reports Progress in Iraq

2007-04-04T18:32:00.000-05:00

Bucking a long standing tradition, ABC news has broke the mainstream media silence to report some of the recent progress in Iraq. If you haven't seen this, you should wath it now!

Now if NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, C-Span, BBC, and the written press would follow suit, the Amercan people might change their mind, again, about their support for this War on Terror.

Centcom Reaches Out to Bloggers

2007-04-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

I was contacted by a representative of CENTCOM today who had come across my Progress in Iraq posts.

The Sgt. informed me that CENTCOM is seeking to establish a relationship with bloggers to develop a dialogue about the Global War on Terror. He informed me of Centcom's weekly newsletter which contains 'stories about the humanitarian, reconstruction and security efforts taking place in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.'

I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the US military to reach out to people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn of the progress our military is making on a daily basis. During WWII, you couldn't watch a movie without seeing the progress reels that played before the movies. The military seemed to have unfettered access to the American people. These days, the mainstream media refuses to report anything positive happening in the middle east.

I understand the need to report the bad news too. The sad realities of war MUST also be reported by the press; however, to report ONLY the negative news does not present the reality of the situation either. The American press may as well be working for Al Qaeda when they openly report terrorist propaganda and refuse to report the progress our military men and women are making in the Middle East.

In any event, I am adding a link to CENTCOM on the sidebar and will add CENTCOM to my daily reader feeds so that I can expand my message about the progress not only in Iraq, but also to the greater global war on terror.

You may visit CENTCOM by clicking on the link below:

If you are a blogger and would like to get in contact with Centcom in order to learn more about the Global War on Terror, email me and I will help you get in contact with a CENTCOM representative.

Quote of the Day

2007-04-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

"The heavy condemnatory breathing on the subject of global warming outdoes anything since high moments of the Inquisition."

WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY JR.

I wish I had known about this article when writing my piece on global warming and human sacrifice.

British Hostages to be Released

2007-04-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

In what has widely been described as an act of war, Iran captured and took hostage 15 soldiers from international waters. Iran claimed the soldiers were in Iranian waters, and released the coordinates to prove it... except that the coordinates they gave proved that the British solders were NOT in Iranian waters. When confronted with this issue, Iran released a new set of coordinates to "prove" the British soldiers were in Iranian waters.

Iran held the British soldiers for almost two weeks, creating an international crisis and bringing Britain and Iran to the brink of war.

Today the crisis will be put to rest. Ahmadinejad has decided to "pardon" the British soldiers who were abducted by his country and held hostage for the past two weeks. This "gift" to the people of Briton is nothing more than a calculated political stunt.

Iran was in the wrong. At every step in the process, Iran was wrong and was facing severe consequences for their actions. Iran has now released the soldiers - soldiers they had no right to abduct and take hostage in the first place, so now what will the international response be?

Unfortunately, I fear this will prompt a "no-harm, no foul" response from the international community. If the West takes action against Iran for their discretions, the West will be seen as aggressors despite the fact that this would be a response to Iranian actions.

Meanwhile, Iran is still actively working to pursue the creation of nuclear weapons. Whether this hostage crisis was an attempt to divert attention away from Iran's nuclear aspirations is unclear. What remains to be seen is whether their will be a "honeymoon period" after the British soldiers are released, giving Iran much needed time to work uninterrupted on their Nuclear program.

I say that the moment those British soldiers touch down in England, the international community immediately begin focusing on a response to the hostage taking & further sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.

Wild Irish Rose

2007-04-04T09:33:00.000-05:00

Wild Irish Rose

What is that stench wafts ‘neath the nose?
Is it ABC’s Wild Irish Rose?
Must we endure this big broad’s ranting,
That has the liberal loon’s all chanting?
Dubya brought those towers down,
Claims this crazy corpulent clown.
Is our rotund Rose blatantly batty,
Or just hates the world ‘cause she‘s a fatty?

Appears that ABC has found
Ratings come cheaper by the pound;
Need someone hot, to blow and blab?
Hire a has-been encased in flab.
If its controversy that you like,
Broadcast a belligerent blowhard dyke,
Who hates the world because she’s fat,
And a dyke-by-default due to that.

Rose once played with Irish boys,
But boys don’t stay with tubby toys,
So Rosie pinned her heart to girls,
And men became just dogs and churls;
Especially men who act like men,
So Rosie’s out to do them in.
It’s sad to see such intelligence
Warped by hate, no common sense.

I take no pleasure in rhyming odium,
But I lack Rosie’s national podium,
No broadcast forum for rants and raves,
No applauding audiences, witless slaves;
Why denounce her deviance, excess weight?
Because they’re the roots of this Rose’s hate
Of a system where she’s never fit,
And she attacks our nation because of it.

A Rose by any name smells sweet?
Not this bulbous blossom of fatuous heat.

by Russ Vaughn

Editor's Note: The views expressed by Russ in his poetry may or may not express the views of the editors. We happily serve as an outlet for Russ Vaughn's work an will publish everything he submits without censoring his positions and thoughts.

Don't Look Now: More Good News from Iraq

2007-04-03T18:12:00.000-05:00

Since the MSM (mainstream media) refuses to cover the good news in Iraq, it has been the job of the bloggers to help get the good word out about the US successes in Iraq. Despite everything the Democrats are telling you, this war in NOT a total failure and is definitely worth seeing out until victory is achieved.

I am going to divide this post into 3 types of stories: Military Achievements, Humanitarian Accomplishments, and Feel Good Stories.

In recent days, there has been a LOT of good news from Iraq. First we will cover some of the military achievements:

Surge shows results in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Though it’s still in its early stages, the surge operation in Baghdad is showing positive results, the Joint Staff’s deputy director for operations said.

Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Barbero said attacks against Iraqi civilians are down about 20 percent, and civilian deaths are down 30 percent nationwide. In Baghdad, attacks against civilians are down 20 percent, with deaths down 50 percent.

Attacks using explosively formed projectiles are also down, from 38 in December to 22 this month, though the number of attacks against coalition forces has remained constant, Barbero said.

The Iraqi public also shows increasing signs of support, the general said.

Officials measure the support from polling data and from the number of tips they receive from Iraqi citizens, he explained. The number of tips is increasing.

“On 24 March, a tip from inside Sadr City led Iraqi and coalition forces to a cache inside Sadr City of more than 450 deadly anti-tank mines,” Barbero said. The general said he considers the raid especially important because Sadr City is a stronghold of support for radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia.

He cited polling data taken March 16-22 that indicates the Iraqi people are beginning to see results. The data shows Iraqis “are hoping the security plan will last and (that it is) showing signs of improvement. Iraqis are expressing greater confidence in the security plan and in their security forces.”

The general said people now are more concerned about basic needs such as electricity, water and sewage treatment rather than security.

The surge is designed to provide security and reduce violence in Baghdad to levels that will allow the Iraqi leadership to make political progress, he said. Barbero acknowledged that while the operation is off to a good start, problems remain.

High-profile attacks, especially those using suicide vests and vehicle bombs, have increased by about 30 percent, but they are less effective now, he said, crediting “increased and more effective security.”

While it is too early for rejoicing, the general said, but he noted that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government continues to fulfill its promises under the new security plan. The security plan calls for five U.S. brigades to be in place when it’s fully implemented.

The trends in Iraq are positive, Barbero said, and coalition and Iraqi forces are working to stay ahead of the enemy.

“We're seeing an enemy who is trying to make a statement and reacting to our operation, which is just … about six weeks old,” he said. “Only two of the brigades are on the ground, so we have a ways to go.”

Joint operation disrupts anti-Iraqi forces
Friday, 30 March 2007

BAQUBAH — Iraqi and Coalition forces began a joint operation targeting an Islamic State of Iraq power base at the Diyala River Valley Saturday.

During the ongoing operation, Soldiers from the 5th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Army 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division killed more than 15 anti-Iraqi forces, detained more than 15 suspected terrorists, and unearthed eight weapons caches.

“The Iraqi security forces, with our support, will maintain an aggressive approach to operations in order to secure the population and defeat the terrorists,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. commander. “Working together, we are attacking the anti-Iraqi forces in their perceived safe havens.”

As Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to successfully hunt terrorists and their strongholds, the population gained confidence in the Iraqi security forces improved abilities to protect them.

“The ISF continues to improve as we conduct these operations together, and the people gain confidence in their security forces’ ability to take the fight to the enemy and secure the population,” said Sutherland.

The Iraqi security forces with the support of Coalition forces weakened the terrorists’ ability to harm the population by finding their weapons caches.

“These terrorist supplies have been used to attack the Iraqi and Coalition forces, and the local population in Diyala to destabilize the area,” said Sutherland. “However, the initiative and ability to seize every opportunity to aggressively attack the terrorists will actually destabilize the terrorists.”

The detainees have been transferred to Forward Operating Base Warhorse detention facility for further questioning.

The operation continues to destroy enemy safe havens, restoring hope and security to the people of the Diyala River Valley.

COALITION FORCES CAPTURE 11 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS IN RAIDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq –Coalition Forces captured 11 suspected terrorists during operations targeting foreign fighter facilitator and al-Qaeda in Iraq networks Friday morning.
During an operation near the Syrian border, Coalition Forces captured six suspected terrorists with alleged links to al-Qaeda and foreign fighter facilitation.
Five more suspects with alleged involvement in foreign fighter facilitation were captured in a raid north of Karmah.

“These and other foreign terrorist facilitators are attempting to undermine the peace and stability the Iraqi people deserve,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

SIX TERRORISTS KILLED, 10 SUSPECTS DETAINED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed six terrorists and detained 10 suspects Sunday afternoon and Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq couriers and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices cells.

Monday, ground forces killed six terrorists in Mosul tied to VBIED attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. During the operation, ground forces entered the first of two targeted buildings and engaged three hostile men including one armed with a pistol. As one of the men charged at Coalition Forces, self-defense measures were used killing the three terrorists.

While approaching the second building, Coalition Forces began receiving enemy fire. Coalition Forces returned fire, killing three more terrorists.

In Baghdad, three suspects were detained with alleged ties to al-Qaeda courier operations and three more were detained for alleged involvement with VBIED emplacement operations.

On Sunday, Coalition Forces captured a suspected senior-level al-Qaeda in Iraq courier and an associate in an operation north of Karmah.

Also on Sunday, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists southeast of Mosul who are allegedly involved in VBIED and rocket attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

“These operations demonstrate that the Coalition continues to whittle away at the Al Qaeda in Iraq network,” said Multi-National Force – Iraq spokesperson, Lt. Col. Christopher Garver. “Al Qaeda continues to demonstrate they are only interested in murder and destruction and are not interested in the peaceful future of a united Iraq. Eliminating the threat of Al Qaeda will make Iraq safer for all Iraqis.”

Two suspected terrorists detained in Sadr city raid

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi forces along with their Coalition advisors detained two suspected terrorists Saturday evening during a raid in Sadr City targeting anti-Iraqi forces.

As ground forces approached the targeted area, they began receiving enemy fire. Ground forces called for air support and Coalition aircraft delivered munitions, suppressing the enemy fire.

No one was wounded during the raid. One building received minor damage during the air strike.

“Coalition forces take exhaustive precautions to mitigate damage to Iraqi property while in pursuit of terrorists,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesman.

FOUR-DAY OPERATION RESULTS IN EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED; SEVERAL WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES CACHES DESTROYED
Tuesday, 03 April 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq – During a recent four-day operation beginning March 30 in Arab Jabour targeting al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists, Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists, detained 13 suspects, destroyed two explosives production facilities and several weapons caches.

Coalition Forces were engaged by the enemy multiple times during the operation. Coalition Forces used appropriate defense measures to eliminate the threat resulting in eight terrorists killed.

Among the weapons caches discovered, Coalition Forces found six DShK anti-aircraft heavy machineguns, 150 rocket propelled grenades, more than 30 rockets, plastic explosives, and several hundred mortar rounds. The weapons caches were destroyed to prevent future use by terrorists.

On Monday, a Coalition Forces air strike destroyed two buildings housing large caches of explosives materials and chemicals used in the production of improvised explosive devices.

A total of 13 suspected terrorists were detained during the four-day operation.
No civilians were injured during the four-day operation.

“Coalition Forces continue to tear apart the al-Qaida network inside Iraq. This operation contributes to the reduction of this VBIED terrorist network’s ability to operate,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

Iraqi citizens aid security forces
Tuesday, 03 April 2007

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi Army general and a spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq held a press conference concerning the progress of Fardh Al-Qanoon at the Combined Press Information Center Sunday.

...

“We’ve seen some initial progress, but our work will not be accomplished in days or weeks, but will require a sustained effort over the course of many months,” said Fox.

Along with the contribution of over 5,000 tips from Iraqi citizens, Iraqi and Coalition forces seized over 300 weapons caches, detained over 1,400 suspects and cleared over 300 improvised explosive devices in March including the rescue of a kidnapped family in Doura, Iraq, last week.

...

As violence decreases in Baghad and other cities, some terrorists have fled to areas surrounding the cities, placing the responsibility of security on tribal leaders.

“Tribal leaders and tribesmen are conducting operations against [terrorists],” said Moussawi. “We have noticed military operations carried out by the tribes in Al-Anbar, Diyala, Hillah, and Nineveh; they have chased and tracked down these terrorists.”

As the Coalition and Iraqi populace aid the Iraqi government, confidence in security is expected to improve the economy and help establish water, sewage and electric facilities.

“The people of Iraq and the people of Baghdad are sick and tired of this violence,” said Fox. “We’re going to accomplish this mission.”

Joint police work toward secure Iraq
Saturday, 31 March 2007

ISKANDARIYAH - ...

"Our mission as a police transition team is to make sure the (Iraqi police) are fully trained and qualified to take on the mission of securing their country and keeping the citizens safe," said Staff Sgt. Johnny Colon, squad leader and native of Guayama, Puerto Rico.

This mission is of the highest priority not only to the Iraqi police who are training but also for the civilians they are training to protect.

"In our area of operation, the important thing is that more of the local population is beginning to trust the IPs," said 1st Lt. Nathan Diaz, platoon leader for the Wolf Pack. "The people are happy to see the IPs going through their villages and towns patrolling the area as well as a large increase of information being given to the IPs to help combat the insurgents in the local areas."

"In the short time that we have been here, the human intelligence has grown dramatically," said Diaz. "We are getting more and more tips on events that could harm Iraqi security forces and coalition forces in the local neighborhoods."
...

British, Danish troops arrest members of Iraqi rogue militia
Sunday, 01 April 2007
RAF.AL QURNAH — British and Danish troops successfully detained a number of suspected rogue militants in Al Qurnah, 70 km north of Basrah, Iraq, on March 23.

The search and arrest operation, known as Operation Python 2 involved 450 British and Danish troops. The operation was based on information which suggested that a number of senior figures and members of a rogue militia, involved in attacks against coalition troops, could be found in that location.

The number of suspected rogue militants detained included one individual suspected of involvement in coordinating attacks across Iraq.

At least one member of the rogue militia was killed after opening fire on the Coalition troops.

During the operation a quantity of small arms, ammunition, grenades, night vision equipment and intelligence material were seized.
...

Militarily we are routing out terrorists, destroying their weapons caches, and winning over the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people... you wouldn't know this to talk to the reporters in Iraq.

Now we will look at some of the Humanitarian Accomplishments

Black Jack performs medical mission
Monday, 02 April 2007
BAGHDAD — As Haifa Street residents begin coming back out into the streets that were once too dangerous to step into, coalition and Iraqi security forces are beginning to lend a much needed hand in many of the basic needs.

So, with hundreds of medical supplies, a few Army medical soldiers and an Iraqi doctor and nurse on hand, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, used an elementary school to perform examinations on hundreds of local citizens during a medical mission in the Haifa Street district of Baghdad, March 24.

"It's really good that they are doing this," said a man who brought his daughter to the clinic. "With the security plan working now, we can come out again."

...

Within a five-hour period, the team saw more than 230 patients, who were mostly women and children, according to Rivers.

...

The people really like us being there," he said. "Every time we go, we get a really warm reception."

Maternity hospital agreement reached
Monday, 02 April 2007

AN NASIRIYAH — In an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust and cooperation, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Provincial Reconstruction and Development Council (PRDC), and the Iraq Ministry of Health (MoH) signed a partnering agreement March 28 to build Al Musayib Maternity Hospital (MMH) in Iraq’s Babil Province.

“The partnering agreement is based on an essential interest in the successful and timely completion of a fully operational 50-bed maternity and pediatric hospital for the MoH,” said Robin Parks, project manager for GRS. “The main goal of the project is to reinforce support to the residents of Musayib and to the Babil Governorate. The community will get an aesthetically pleasing hospital where women can learn the importance of a safe and healthy pregnancy, and a childbirth program.”
...

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers give humanitarian aid to Tal’Afar
Sunday, 01 April 2007

TAL’AFAR – Iraqi security forces and Tal’Afar civic leaders provided aid and humanitarian assistance to Tal’Afar citizens displaced by the terrorist bombing Wednesday. The Iraqi military coordinated and flew a critical airlift resupply mission to Iraqi ground forces who distributed supplies to the population.

Coalition civil affairs teams provided assessments, making sure the aid was funneled through Iraqi leaders to areas who needed it most.

There is no question that part of winning over the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people is by providing them much needed humanitarian support. It would be nice if there was more international support for the Iraqi people, but as long as as the United States is able to, I am proud that we are helping the Iraqi people.

Finally, some feel good stories. The Iraq war is full of them, yet the press is reluctant to cover them.

Soldiers strive to make Iraqi village safe
Monday, 02 April 2007

KHAN DARI — On March 25, three improvised explosive devices went off here. Soldiers from Company E, 2nd “Lancer” Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment entered the village in an attempt to find the assailants.

“We know if we can continue getting information from anyone who can help us clean out insurgents here and find weapons caches, we’re making this a safer place down the line for the [citizens of the community],” said Staff Sgt. William Stone, a squad leader from the regiment. “All the people here say the same thing, they want our help, they want safety and they want the insurgents to go away.”

While asking the citizens about the IED strikes; Soldiers collected information about terrorist cells operating in the area, and inquired about the welfare of the people.

On their first stop, an Iraqi family greeted U.S. troops by offering them tea as a sign of friendship. Later an Iraqi man thanked the Soldiers for their help, telling them he felt safe when they were patrolling his neighborhood said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Pluhar, Co. E, platoon sergeant.

“When you meet people like that you really feel like (you’re) doing some good,” Stone said.

While the mission did not yield much information about the three IEDs, the Soldiers said, it was a success because the trust and cooperation of the villagers led to information on other insurgents.

“It’s a great feeling to know we’re contributing to getting insurgents off the streets so the people don’t have to live in fear from someone killing their children or hurting them,” said Spc. Michael Evans, Co. E mortarman.

As the Iraqi Police and Army stand up and take the lead being able to protect the lives of Iraqi citizens may be considered a rewarding mission.

“I’ll be coming away from this with a lot bigger appreciation of life in general and knowing that I was doing something to help (both) the Iraqi and American people, so what happened on September 11th never happens again,” he added.

Soldiers sacrifice for Baghdad security
Tuesday, 03 April 2007
By Spc. L.B. Edgar,
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Baghdad — ...

Petraeus met with the leadership of the Iraqi army soldiers, who live and work with U.S. troops on a day-to-day basis. He encouraged the commander of 2nd Bn., 3rd Inf., Regt., 10th Iraqi Army Div.

“It’s your country. You’ve got to go out and take it back,” he said to the Iraqi troops. “We need Iraqis to want this as much as we do.”

In order for Iraqi security forces to take back their country from the insurgency, Soldiers like Mankaja, are serving as role models to their Iraqi counterparts.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen a lot of changes. Their tactics are better,” he said. “In a way, it kind of makes you feel good because you’re helping someone else to help their country.”

However, despite the early success, Petraeus said the Baghdad Security Plan is far from complete.

“It’s off to a solid start, but there is a long way to go, and we only have about 40 percent of the additional forces on the ground so far,” he said. “Our Soldiers partnered with Iraqi soldiers and police have made a difference in the neighborhoods in which they’ve become established. The idea is to, in fact, bring better security to the Iraqi people, so they can reopen their businesses (and) send their kids to school without fear.”

To accomplish this objective, Soldiers like Mankaja, have had to sacrifice the relative comforts of large, fortified base complexes for the austere living conditions of Combat Outposts and JSSs like Mansour.

There are no hot showers, Post Exchanges or dining facilities for the Soldiers to enjoy. Though the creature comforts are in the rear and not every meal is a hot one, Soldiers like Mankaja, adapt to their environment and take pleasure in what few amenities they are afforded.

Letters from home help take the Soldiers away from their Spartan conditions, if only for a little while.

“That helps me out a lot,” Mankaja said of receiving letters from home. “It’s a morale builder. It feels good to just sit down and read a letter – see how everyone is back home.”

Iraqi Police graduates key to future
Tuesday, 03 April 2007

BAGHDAD — Recruits of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division graduated from training at Forward Operating Base Falcon, March 28. This is the first group of “shurta,” Arabic for police, to come onto a U.S. forward operating base and receive complete, 24-hour-a-day training by a National Police Training Team.

...

The training program includes weapons marksmanship, drill and ceremony, physical training and ethics classes. Once the recruits execute those tasks to standard they move on to team exercises such as precision room clearing and conducting raids.

...

“During this time that we spent here on this (base), we got good training,” the Baghdad native said. “They care about us a lot. We want to say thanks for our American brothers.”

...

“The men were excited and very proud to get formalized training like this,” he said.

One of the key points Hubbard said he wanted the new police officers to take away from their training cycle is how to treat the Iraqi people.

“The way they treat them as policemen will decide whether (local residents) go against the Iraqi government or if they come on board,” he said. “These people are here to protect them and they need to understand that.”

Hubbard said that police staying involved with their local community is vital to the success of their mission.

“They need to embrace their community, and start doing the right thing from this day forward,” he said. “I believe that they’re ready to do that. They understand this is the key to victory.”

Program sends soccer balls to children
Thursday, 29 March 2007

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA — A program that will provide hundreds of soccer balls to Iraqi children began with a mother who wanted to send them candy.

Spc. Daniel McCoy from Omaha, Neb., a soldier with the 134th Infantry Long Range Surveillance Detachment, said his mother, Sue Behr, wanted to do something for Iraqi children. He mentioned that soccer balls would be a good idea, since the children enjoy the game and are always asking for them.

Behr walks McCoy’s little sister to elementary school each day, and mentioned to a counselor, Nancy Wedberg, about her son being deployed to Iraq. When Wedberg asked what the school could do to support him, Behr suggested the soccer balls. In September, Wedberg began a program she called “Our Child to Child” and began speaking to parents and children at other schools she serves.

“I was talking about the project at the other school I serve as a counselor and the parents there wanted their kiddos to be involved,” Wedberg said in an e-mail interview. “Then the principal of a third school asked, so ultimately students from three elementary schools participated.”

The first of 290 soccer balls were shipped here in December. Many of McCoy’s family and friends donated to the effort and businesses also contributed. One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, gave $400 to help cover the shipping expense of the $1,800 worth of balls, Wedberg said.

Many of the children were involved from start to finish on the project.

“About half of the 290 balls shipped were bought by students earning $5 to buy a ball for a child in Iraq,” Wedberg said.

Once the soccer balls arrived in Omaha, the students had the opportunity to place a picture of themselves on a ball with their name. Peggy Rupprecht and the District Print Shop Staff worked hard to ensure the student picture and print cards were done for the students, Wedberg said.

The project saw its first products delivered on March 6 in the tiny village of Al Jamiah, Iraq, which is heavily populated with children. After the unit’s regular mission was complete, McCoy invited some children to join him by his Humvee. He proceeded to the trunk, popped the hatch, and dug out a huge bag with several balls.

The children went wild with excitement. While several soldiers from the 134th Infantry, LRSD, kept the area secure and safe, other trunks started to open up. Soon the town was full of youths wanting to get a soccer ball.

Not all of the balls were delivered to Al Jamiah, as the 134th Infantry will be able to visit other towns and villages surrounding Logistical Support Area Anaconda where the 1st Squadron, 167th Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target and Acquisition) defends the base.

McCoy, who serves as both a gunner and a driver for his unit, said he made sure that the children got a fair share and he purposely made sure that one little girl was given a ball. He said he was looking forward to seeing the children at the schools in Omaha when he returns from his deployment.

“The whole thing was neat. It is amazing how I don’t even know Nancy Wedberg except through e mails,” he said “I have only been to my sister’s school once and I already feel a bond with the school.”

With so much good news from Iraq, why can't the MSM be bothered to give a little front page room for all of the progress our soldiers are bringing to Iraq? As long as the MSM is dropping the ball, we bloggers have no other choice than to devote our pages to the progress being made in Iraq.

Amazing Article up on Barking Moonbat

2007-04-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

Check it out

The releveant quote from the article is as follows:

Pelosi’s spokesman Brendan Daly said the speaker was reluctant to weigh in on the incident without knowing that such a message would do more good than harm.

...

“The leadership discussed it and agreed that inserting Congress into an international crisis while ongoing would not be helpful,” Daly said.

Pelosi is traveling in the Middle East, where she plans to visit Syria, Israel and the West Bank.

Since when has Pelosi not wanted to "weigh in" on an onging international crisis without knowing that her message would do more harm than good? What the hell does she think her non-binding resolutions and timetables for withdrawel are doing?!?

Amazing. Kudos to the Skipper for fidning that gem.

Man Made Global Warming And Human Sacrifice

2007-04-02T19:52:00.000-05:00

When I wrote a few days ago that the notion of man made global warming was hardly new, a thought occurred to me. Odd though it may may sound, I thought of ancient human sacrifice. Strange, I know, but I think you will have to agree that the purpose of sacrifice (affect global weather) led to the conduct (human sacrifice).

Consider the following passage hastily grabbed off of the net:

The Aztecs worshipped a war god called Huitzilopochtli, who took on the likeness of the sun over time. It was thought that in order to insure the sun's arrival each day, a steady supply of human hearts had to be offered in holy sacrifice (Hogg:43). They believed that the sun and earth had already been destroyed four times, and in their time of the 5th sun, final destruction would soon be upon them. In order to delay this dreadful fate, the practice of human sacrifice became a major element in Aztec society and livelihood (Meyer & Sherman:67).

...

Bibliography
Hogg, Garry. Cannibalism and Human Sacrifice. The Citadel Press, New York 1966.

Meyer, Michael C. and William L. Sherman. The Course of Mexican History. Oxford University Press, 5th ed. 1995.
Source.

What we see in this example is a people who are aware that without the sun their crops would fail and their people would die. Without the sun the temperature of the planet would rapidly drop, effectively killing all living things on this planet. Without the sun Earth would be a large, lifeless, frozen rock, hurtling through space.

The sun is important - very, very important - in determining the weather and temperature of this planet. Despite their limited understanding of their relationship to the sun, early man did understand how important the sun was to their survival.

So how does this fit with the concept of human sacrifice? In the Aztec culture, the wisest, most distinguished and respected members of their society - their tribal priests - warned the people of an impending doom. Their gods were angry with them. Their actions were upsetting "the gods" and if man did not do something to appease their gods, the sun would fail to rise, and the end of mankind would result. So, the religious leaders determined that human sacrifice would be necessary to appease the gods.

Perhaps an oversimplification, but I think this model fits with the reasoning behind human sacrifice in many different cultures. Early cultures might offer sacrifice - not necessarily human sacrifice - to water gods, in order to obtain a good harvest, in thanks of good fortune, to prevent a volcanic eruption, etc. "Primitive" cultures were willing to make enormous sacrifices in order to *hopefully* be able to affect their environment for the better and prevent catastrophe.

What we see in our history is mankind making sacrifices to affect what we now attribute to global temperature and global weather patterns. The reasoning behind the sacrifices, human and otherwise, was either to attempt to please "the gods," if they believed they could win the favor of the gods by doing so, or to appease the gods, if they believed their conduct could pacify "the gods."

What does this have to do with Global Warming? Maybe everything.

In many ways, science attempts to replace religion. While "the gods" were often used to explain why things are the way they are, as science evolved, there has been less of a need for "the gods" to be used as an explanation. In many ways, science has become very much like religion. When a theory, like global warming, cannot be scientifically tested and proven, it becomes a matter of faith. You must have faith that the scientific reasoning is sound. You must also have faith in the scientific method as a means of proving things.

If science were a religion, our scientists would be like priests, our top scientists would be like bishops, and our false god would be scientific ideas.

When you look at early cultures, nearly all of them share stories of catastrophic events (great floods, fire falling from the sky, plagues, droughts, and very long winters - think ice age).

When cultures that were land locked and separated by thousands of miles tell stories of the same events, we see these events as being credible, or likely to have occurred, because it is the most likely explanation for how cultures with no contact with one another would have the same event in their historical accounts.

When we see traits exhibited by multiple cultures spanning the globe we attribute these traits to being 'human' in nature. For instance, every culture that I am aware of has had some sort of religion. One could infer from this that it is natural for man to feel the need to worship something. Atheists are every bit as religious as the most devout Christians/Muslims/Jews, except that instead of worshiping God, then put Man above all other things. Atheists tend to be narcissists - since they have no belief in an afterlife, they tend to take an "if it feels good do it" approach to life.

Atheists tend to put an enormous amount of faith in science (and not all "science" is particularly scientific, meaning that it holds up to scrutiny and testing over time). Atheists also have a tendency to believe that man has god like powers: some believe that man is capable of destroying the earth and that man is leaving a mark on the planet that can never be erased. The reality is that this planet is more resilient and powerful than man could ever hope to be. One need only take a look at before and after tsunami pictures to see how powerful nature is compared to man.

That point aside, I believe I was writing about global warming.

It seems natural, part of human nature, to believe "the end is near." Every society in human history has had those in its rank who believed that a catastrophic event was just around the corner. A major tenet of Christianity is Revelations (also knows as the Apocalypse).

In my lifetime alone, it has been postulated that AIDS, avian bird flu, black holes, bacteria resistant to treatment, viruses for which there is no vaccine, nuclear war, Y2K, super volcanoes, meteors, supernovas, machines that somehow become self aware, the next ice age/nuclear winter, and now global warming could bring about the end of mankind... and these are the scientific based predictions. When you look to religion, there have been many, many more predictions that the end is near.

Looking back through time we find apocalyptic beliefs have a large place in human history. PBS has a somewhat relevant timeline here; these tend to be exclusively religious examples. Here are some other interesting failed predictions, though most do not have catastrophic implications.

Once upon a time I was writing about how global warming and human sacrifice were related... I tend to ramble.

We see in man a historical tendency to believe "the end is near." Believing in a coming Apocalypse seems to be part of human nature (perhaps a manifestation of fear of our own mortality). These predictions of Apocalypse are generally religious or scientific in nature, and the line between religion and science is finer than most people tend to believe. Early man believed that man, through his actions (sacrifice) could affect the environment (the temperature and global weather). Modern Man believes that man, though his actions (industry and technology) can affect his environment (the temperature and global weather). Early man would sacrifice humans and sometimes livestock to appease "the gods" and prevent catastrophe. Modern man seeks to sacrifice industry and our way of life in order to prevent global catastrophe. Early man had faith that his actions would ensure the best and prevent the worst. Modern man is contemplating making enormous sacrifices in order to prevent some future catastrophe (global warming). To both early man and modern man, that their actions will have any impact whatsoever is purely a matter of faith.

How can I say that global warming is based on "faith" and not "science"?

Show me a scientific test which proves the hypothesis of global warming and you might change my mind. Before you start your search, I can give you some useful advice. There are no scientific studies which prove global warming is the result of man-made atmospheric c02 levels. There are some studies which "support" that notion, but none that prove it. To the contrary there are many studies which seem to disprove the notion of man-made global warming.

In sum, there is no proof of man-made global warming, there is very compelling scientific evidence to disprove global warming, and without proof and in the face of contrary evidence, the only way one could support the notion of man-made global warming is through faith.

Early man had faith that if he threw the virgin into the volcano, or cut the heart out of a human sacrifice, that disaster could be avoided. Global warming supporters believe that if we sacrifice our way of life, disaster will be avoided.

One need not look too far to see that already the steps taken to "fix" global warming are having severe consequences. Ethanol, widely regarded as a step in the right direction, is driving up the cost of corn, which is fed to our animals, which eventually we eat. As the cost of our food increases, some will have to go without food. While trying to fix the global temperature, we may force some to go hungry. I believe the appropriate expression for this sort of activity is jumping out of the kettle and into the fire. We are seeking to avoid one bad situation and in doing so creating a worse situation for ourselves.

Lets assume that mankind is capable of cooling off the planet. Why is this a good thing? A colder planet means shorter growing seasons, harsher winters, less food in general. Is that the solution we are looking for? And why is it that a warming planet will experience extreme weather? During the middle ages, before the mini ice age, when Greenland was still green and global temperatures were much warmer than they are today, there is no record of catastrophic weather or mass flooding or less desalinated water. The warmer time was a time of great wealth, growth, and prosperity.

But I digress...

I do not believe in man made global warming. I know that mankind thinks rather highly of ourselves, but in reality we are more like ants in a sandbox than Gods capable of destroying the earth. There is no real science to justify the global warming predictions of catastrophe, so before we start making sacrifices that will result in the deaths of millions of people, we ought to think long and hard about what we choose to sacrifice in order to appease our "gods."

McCain Gets One Right

2007-04-02T12:53:00.000-05:00

I am not a fan of McCain, and I suspect that his recent comments are stongly influenced by his bid to receive the Republican nomination, but on the following issue, McCain gets it right.

Today Senator McCain visited Baghdad and said some things I have been saying for several months:

“I believe that we have a new strategy that is making progress and it’s not to say that things are well everywhere in Iraq; far from it,” McCain said. “We have a long way to go.”

“We read everyday about suicide bombings, kidnappings, rocket attacks and other terrible attacks,” McCain said. “What we don’t read about everyday and what is news since the surge began is a lot of the good news.”

The good news the senator spoke of included the drop in murders in Baghdad, the establishment of joint security stations throughout the city, the deal among al-Anbar province sheiks to fight back against al-Qaeda, the deployment of additional Iraqi brigades to Baghdad from across Iraq and the increase in locals providing tips to U.S. and Iraqi forces.

“These and other indicators are reasons for very cautious optimism about the effects of the new strategy,” McCain said. “I believe just as we read about all the negative events in Iraq, the American people must be aware of the positive development under this new plan.”
Read the Full Story

McCain is 100% correct on this... and it is kind of hard to not to like the guy when you see that he is capable of telling the truth, if only for political points with the Republican base. If McCain acted like this all of the time, I might even like him.

Global Warming... Hardly A New Idea

2007-03-30T17:58:00.000-05:00

I saw the following video over on evangelical outpost, where Joe has some interesting thoughts on the following video.

In short, the idea of catastrophic man made global warming via co2 is not a relatively new idea.

This guy is a jerk

2007-03-30T13:18:00.000-05:00

Gavin King:kingg@tcp.newsltd.com.au is a jerk. He is actually much, much worse.

What did he do?
Read all about it.

It is Time to Cave into the Iranians and Give Them What They Want

2007-03-29T17:44:00.000-05:00

As a world community we must at some point realize that the Iranians will not stop until they get what they want. We have tried diplomacy, we have tried sanctions, we have tried hollow threats. We have dangled carrots, we have asked nicely, we have promised consequences, and it is now clear that all of our efforts have been in vain and sooner or later we will have to just give them what they want.

It is easy to say, "Never! We will never cave to the Iranians, they will never get what they want!" Easy to say, but impractical. We cannot hold out forever, we cannot keep them from their goal. No. Sooner or later we are going to have to assent to their demands and give them what they want. So why don't we already?

Is what they want so bad? Sure, we will sacrifice "blood and treasure" and it will make the whole world community weary, but the Iranians resolve will not be challenged and they will get what they want sooner or later, so why not just give it to them.

Let's look at the last 5 years, this list will in no way attempt to be complete:

In defiance of international laws and treaties, Iran has been working to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran has repeatedly made threats to "wipe Israel off the map."
Iran has supported Iraqi insurgents with weapons, intel, and other material support.
Iran held an international conference to debate whether or not the holocaust happened.
Iran elected as President a leader of the 1979 Hostage Crisis, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran has abducted and taken hostage 15 British soldiers from international waters - an overt act of war.

It is obvious that Iran is hell bent on having a war with the Western World, and we should give them what they want.

We have tried diplomacy, but Iran has been resolute. They will have their war with the West, and the only question the west need ask is whether we give them what they want now, or whether we wait until they become a nuclear super-power.

Democrats Stab Soldiers in the Back

2007-03-29T11:47:00.000-05:00

Senate OKs Iraq Troop Withdrawal Bill

In a mostly party line 51-47 vote, the Senate signed off on a bill providing $122 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also orders Bush to begin withdrawing troops within 120 days of passage while setting a nonbinding goal of ending combat operations by March 31, 2008.
Read the Article.

I am disgusted. Sick, even. There is no chance in hell of this bill becoming law, but that isn't the point.

The Democrats were elected because they promised the people a "plan for success in Iraq." They claimed that Bush's policies were a failure, that the Republicans had no plan for victory in Iraq, and that a new direction was needed. They claimed to have a "plan" - the details of which were never particularly clear. The plan would achieve victory and make America safer.

The Democrats didn't tell the American people they planned on cutting and running before the job was done. The Democrats didn't tell the American people they planned on spitting in the face of the US soldier by bringing them home before the job is done.

The Democrats want us to lose in Iraq. They don't realize that this war was waged for the security and safety of ALL AMERICANS. Saddam was a threat to the United States - a threat that in a post 9/11 world could not be allowed to remain. No matter how you want to look at it, the war in Iraq WAS justified. The Democrats, however, refuse to see the war as anything other than "George Bush's" war. They hate George Bush so much that they are willing to put political vendetta above the safety and security of the American people.

The Democrats hatred of Bush is so great that they will disgrace the ultimate sacrifice made by thousands of US soldiers who paid the ultimate price to keep America safe by pulling our soldiers out of Iraq, effectively letting the terrorists win. Despite the sacrifices made by our troops, the democrats place short term goals of scoring political points by ensuring "George Bush's" war fails over VICTORY in Iraq. Victory which is attainable. Victory which is within reach.

Look at the recent Progress in Iraq!

If you are an American. If you are outraged by the Democrats' lies to the American people, their promises for a plan for victory. If you are outraged by "slow bleed" and pulling out. If you are outraged by the Democrats selling out American security and handing the Terrorists a victory in Iraq, then remember this when you head into the voting booth in '08.

If you served in Vietnam, and you supported the war - because you were fighting communism, because you won every battle of the war, because victory was within reach and the communists were going to surrender BUT FOR the DEMOCRATS' "Peace Movement" - if you fought in Vietnam or had a loved one who died there, and you remember what happened AFTER WE PULLED OUT OF A WAR THAT WE WERE WINNING, then you know what will happen in Iraq if we pull out now.

If you think the world hates America now, see what happens if we pull out of Iraq and a real civil war breaks out. See how hated we are if genocide returns to Iraq.

No doubt today Al Qaeda is celebrating their victory in Congress.

Progress in Iraq: "Headed in the Right Direction"

2007-03-28T18:44:00.000-05:00

Iraq ‘headed in the right direction’
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON — Several positive developments indicate that Iraq’s leaders and its people will eventually surmount insurgent violence occurring in the country and ultimately achieve stability, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Iraq told reporters in Baghdad today.

“In my view, although difficult challenges lie ahead, and there is a long way to go, Iraq is fundamentally headed in the right direction and success is possible,” Zalmay Khalilzad said at the news briefing.

President Bush has nominated Khalilzad, who has served as the top U.S. diplomat in Iraq for the past 21 months, to become the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Taking stock of the situation in Iraq, Khalilzad said he’s buoyed and “cautiously optimistic” about that country’s future due to several indicators:

- The early success of the Operation Law and Order anti-terrorist campaign in Baghdad and western Iraq.

- The improved performance of Iraqi soldiers and police.

- The Iraqi government’s example of dealing evenhandedly with lawbreakers.

- More Iraqis are turning their backs on al Qaeda.

- Some Iraqi insurgent groups have agreed to fight al Qaeda terrorists and work toward reconciliation.

- Iraq’s leaders are reaching out to include all Iraqis in the sharing of the country’s oil wealth.

- Improvement in Iraq’s economic situation.

- Iraqi leaders’ comprehensive plan to achieve national reconciliation and stability.

Indeed, ongoing joint U.S., coalition and Iraqi security operations in Baghdad “appear to be having a positive effect,” Khalilzad said, noting violence has decreased in Iraq’s capital city by about 25 percent since Operation Law and Order began in mid-February.

The Iraqi security forces “are performing better and they are doing better in terms of carrying their share of the burden,” Khalilzad pointed out. Iraqis seem to appreciate the presence of their soldiers and police on the streets to help effect stability, he said, noting citizen-provided tips about insurgent activity have been flowing in steadily.

Also, the Iraqi government is bolstering its credibility among its citizens, Khalilzad said, by dispensing justice fairly without discriminating against any one group. Iraqi involvement with al Qaeda is on the wane, Khalilzad said, adding that some insurgent elements have openly turned against al Qaeda.

Some of these insurgents are “in touch with the (Iraqi) government, seeking reconciliation and cooperation in the fight against al Qaeda terrorists,” the ambassador said.

And the recent approval of a national hydrocarbon law that shares the nation’s oil wealth with all citizens demonstrates that the Iraqi government is reaching out to all Iraqis, Khalilzad said.

Iraq’s economic situation is looking up, and the Iraqi government has committed $10 billion for reconstruction programs, the ambassador said.

“Iraqi leaders have also adopted measures on fuel import liberalization, investment law reform and fuel subsidy reductions, as well as maintaining fiscal discipline,” said he added.

Iraq’s leaders also are taking steps to achieve good relations with neighboring countries, Khalilzad said, while continuing government efforts to achieve reconciliation between the nation’s different sects and tribes.

“Also, the United States and Iraq have agreed on a combination of pressure and engagement to create incentives for changes in behavior on the part of states currently seeking to destabilize Iraq,” the ambassador said.

Though these are all significant indicators and developments for Iraq, more needs to be accomplished, he said, to maintain the positive momentum.

Iraqi leaders need to enact a program to demobilize militias, make amendments to the constitution, schedule provincial elections, and reformulate the de-Baathification program so that insurgents can lay down their arms and join the political process, Khalilzad said.

“Iraqis have an unprecedented opportunity” to establish a better life for themselves, Khalilzad said. Yet, Americans and their elected representatives, he said, would like the Iraqi government to achieve more progress involving reconciliation, constitutional amendments and other issues.

“The members of the coalition as well as other countries have made enormous sacrifices to give Iraqis the chance to build a stable and democratic order,” Khalilzad said. “Iraqis must not lose this opportunity, and they must step up and take the tough decisions necessary for success.”

Success is possible... if we don't put deadlines or pull-out dates in the way of victory.

I don't care much whether you believe that the war in Iraq was a good idea, in hindsight. What matters is that we are currently at war, and the consequences of failure in Iraq cannot be understated.

That being said, the Democrats offer a plan of withdrawal while the President offers a plan for victory, a plan which is working.

Americans can either support surrender or support victory in Iraq. Which shall it be?

I say, Support the Surge! Let the Democrats in Congress know that "Slow bleed" is not a plan for victory, that the surge is working, and that history will judge them as traitors.

For No Reason at All

2007-03-27T22:31:00.000-05:00

Just one artist's rendering of al Gore's testimony before congress:

I would have posted that comic with some commentary last week but I was on vacation. I also never finished my Plame testimony post... I wish I had about 8 more hours in a day.

From the Inbox:

2007-03-27T21:35:00.000-05:00

I was wasting time before heading home this afternoon and came across this interesting little article.

Iran to hit back at US ‘kidnaps’
IRAN is threatening to retaliate in Europe for what it claims is a daring undercover operation by western intelligence services to kidnap senior officers in its Revolutionary Guard.

According to Iranian sources, several officers have been abducted in the past three months and the United States has drawn up a list of other targets to be seized with the aim of destabilising Tehran’s military command.

In an article in Subhi Sadek, the Revolutionary Guard’s weekly paper, Reza Faker, a writer believed to have close links to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, warned that Iran would strike back.

“We’ve got the ability to capture a nice bunch of blue-eyed blond-haired officers and feed them to our fighting cocks,” he said. “Iran has enough people who can reach the heart of Europe and kidnap Americans and Israelis.”

...

“The capture of Quds members in Irbil was essential for our understanding of Iranian activity in Iraq,” said an American official with knowledge of the operation.

...

Military analysts believe that Iranian threats of retaliation are credible. Tehran is notorious for settling scores. When the Israelis killed Abbas Mussawi, Hezbollah’s general secretary, in 1992 the Quds Force blew up the Israeli embassy in Argentina in revenge.

...

“In Iraq, the Quds Force can easily get hold of American — and British — officers,” said a Jordanian intelligence source.

Read the Full article

Not particularly threatening at the time but look at it in the light of the recent "apprehension" of Royal Navy "spies" in the Shatt-al-arab waterway.

Wow, that IS kinda scary.

It is a major problem when these islamo-fascists repeatedly tell us what they are going to do before they do it and still we do nothing to stop them. When they scream death to America, America needs to respond with death from above.

I haven't blogged much about the UK soldiers abducted in international waters by the Iranians. I don't know how else to see this than as outright act of war. This was a military attack on the UK, a NATO nation and close ally of the United States. Maybe these are just hollow words, or maybe I have just got it wrong, but I thought that an attack on one NATO nation was an attack on all NATO nations. Why haven't the NATO nations jointly invaded Iran and freed first the British soldiers, then the Iranian people?

The President's Remarks on Tony Snow

2007-03-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

THE PRESIDENT: This morning I got a phone call from Tony Snow. He called me from the hospital. He told me that when they went in and operated on him they found cancer. It's a recurrence of the cancer that he thought that he had successfully dealt with in the past. His attitude is, one, that he is not going to let this whip him, and he's upbeat. My attitude is, is that we need to pray for him, and for his family.

Obviously, a lot of folks here in the White House worry a lot about their friend, as do Laura and I. And so my message to Tony is, stay strong; a lot of people love you and care for you and will pray for you. And we're hoping for all the best. I'm looking forward to the day that he comes back to the White House and briefs the press corps on the decisions that I'm making and why I'm making them. In the meantime, I hope our fellow citizens offer a prayer to he and his family.

Thank you.

I think very highly of Tony Snow. I have the utmost respect for him. I so wish there was a cure for cancer. In the mean time, prayers don't heal, but they help.

Funny Pic, Funny Site

2007-03-27T20:02:00.000-05:00

Kudos to LindaSoG, she just made her way into my daily reads in Google Reader. Check out her blog.

Hilarious Global Warming Article

2007-03-27T19:39:00.000-05:00

I laughed at this article until I was nearly sick... I'm not sure whether it was serious or tongue in cheek. In any event, I suggest you read this, just because:

People Get What They Deserve: Climate Change

Cheney: Update in the War on Terror

2007-03-26T18:52:00.000-05:00

This is why I love Cheney... I wish the President had the courage to stand up to the Democrats and tell it like it is:

Cheney: The ones doing the fighting never lose their focus on the mission, or on what is at stake in this war. And neither should the rest of us. Five and a half years have passed since the attacks of September 11th, 2001, and the loss that morning of nearly 3,000 innocent people here in the United States. As we get farther away from 9/11, I believe there's a temptation to forget the urgency of the task that came to us that day, and the comprehensive approach that's required to protect this country against an enemy that moves and acts on multiple fronts. In fact, five and a half years into the struggle, we find ourselves having to confront a series of myths about the war on terror -- myths that are often repeated and deserve to be refuted.

The most common myth is that Iraq has nothing to do with the global war on terror. Opponents of our military action there have called Iraq a diversion from the real conflict, a distraction from the business of fighting and defeating bin Laden and al Qaeda. We hear this over and over again -- not as an argument, but as an assertion meant to close off argument. Yet the critics conveniently disregard the words of bin Laden himself: "The most... serious issue today for the whole world," he said, "is this Third World War...[that is] raging in [Iraq]." He calls it "a war of destiny between infidelity and Islam." He said, "The whole world is watching this war," and that it will end in "victory and glory or misery and humiliation." And in words directed at the American people, Osama bin Laden declares, quote, "The war is for you or for us to win. If we win it, it means your defeat and disgrace forever." This leader of al Qaeda has referred to Baghdad as the capital of the Caliphate. He has also said, and I quote, "Success in Baghdad will be success for the United States. Failure in Iraq is the failure of the United States. Their defeat in Iraq will mean defeat in all their wars." End quote.

Obviously, the terrorists have no illusion about the importance of the struggle in Iraq. They have not called it a distraction or a diversion from their war against the United States. They know it is a central front in that war, and it's where they've chosen to make a stand. Our Marines tonight are fighting al Qaeda terrorists in al Anbar Province. U.S. and Iraqi forces recently killed a number of al Qaeda terrorists in Baghdad, who were responsible for numerous car bomb attacks. Iraq's relevance to the war on terror simply could not be more plain. Here at home, that makes one thing, above all, very clear: If you support the war on terror, then it only makes sense to support it where the terrorists are fighting us.

The second myth is the most transparent -- and that is the notion that one can support the troops without giving them the tools and reinforcements they need to carry out their mission.

Twisted logic is not exactly a new phenomenon in Washington -- but last month it reached new heights. At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain put the following question to General Dave Petraeus, who was up for confirmation: "Suppose we send you over to your new job... only we tell you... you can't have any additional troops. Can you get your job done?" General Petraeus replied, "No, sir." Yet within days of his confirmation by a unanimous vote in the Senate -- I repeat, a unanimous vote of confidence in General Petraeus, not one single negative vote -- a large group of senators tried to pass a resolution opposing the reinforcements and support that he believed were necessary to carry out his mission. The House of Representatives, of course, did pass such a resolution. As President Bush said, this may be the first time in history that a Congress "voted to send a new commander into battle and then voted to oppose the plan he said was necessary to win that battle." It was not a proud episode in the history of the United States Congress.

Yesterday, the House Democrats passed the defense appropriations supplemental to fund our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. This will hamper the war effort and interfere with the operational authority of the President with our military commanders. It's counterproductive, it sends exactly the wrong message because of the limitations that are written into the legislation. When members of Congress pursue an anti-war strategy that's been called "slow bleed," they're not supporting the troops, they're undermining them. And when members of Congress speak not of victory but of time limits, deadlines, or other arbitrary measures, they're telling the enemy simply to run out the clock and wait us out.

Congress does, of course, play a critical role in the defense of the nation and the conduct of this war. That role is defined and limited by the Constitution -- after all, the military answers to one commander-in-chief in the White House, not to 535 commanders-in-chief on Capitol Hill. If they really support the troops, then we should take them at their word and expect them to meet the needs of our military on time, in full, and with no strings attached.

There is a third myth about the war on terror, and this is one that is perhaps the most dangerous. Some apparently believe that getting out of Iraq before the job is done will strengthen America's hand in the fight against the terrorists. This myth is dangerous because it represents a complete validation of the al Qaeda strategy. The terrorists do not expect to be able to beat us in a stand-up fight. They never have, and they're not likely to try. The only way they can win is if we lose our nerve and abandon the mission -- and the terrorists do believe that they can force that outcome. Time after time, they have predicted that the American people do not have the stomach for a long-term fight. They've cited the cases of Beirut in the '80s and Somalia in the '90s. These examples, they believe, show that we are weak and decadent, and that if we're hit hard enough, we'll pack it in and retreat. The result would be even greater danger for the United States, because if the terrorists conclude that attacks will change the behavior of a nation, they will attack that nation again and again. And believing they can break our will, they'll become more audacious in their tactics, ever more determined to strike and kill our citizens, and ever more bold in their ambitions of conquest and empire.

That leads me to the fourth, and the cruelest, myth -- and that is the false hope that we can abandon the effort in Iraq without serious consequences to our interests in the broader Middle East. The reality is that, if our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves, radical factions would battle for dominance in that country. The violence would spread throughout the country, and be very difficult to contain. Having tasted victory in Iraq, jihadists would look for new missions. Many would head for Afghanistan and fight alongside the Taliban. Others would set out for capitals across the Middle East, spreading more sorrow and discord as they eliminate dissenters and work to undermine moderate governments. Still others would find their targets and victims in other countries on other continents.

We must consider, as well, just what a precipitous withdrawal would mean to our other efforts in the war on terror, to our interests in the broader Middle East, and to Israel. What would it tell the world if we left high and dry those millions of people who have counted on the United States to keep its commitments? What would it say to leaders like President Karzai and President Musharraf, who risk their lives every day as fearless allies in the war on terror? Commentators enjoy pointing out mistakes through 20/20 hindsight. But the biggest mistake of all can be seen in advance: A sudden withdrawal of our coalition would dissipate much of the effort that has gone into fighting the global war on terror, and result in chaos and mounting danger. And for the sake of our own security, we will not stand by and let it happen.

Five and a half years ago, the President told the Congress and the country that we had entered a new kind of war -- one that would require patience and resolve, and that would influence the policies of this government far into the future. The fact that we've succeeded in stopping another attack on our homeland does not mean that we won't be hit in the future. But the record is testimony not to good luck, but to urgent, competent action by a lot of very skilled men and women -- and to a series of tough decisions by a President who never forgets that his first job is to protect the people of this country.

We can be confident in the outcome of this struggle. America is a good and an honorable country. We serve a cause that is right, and a cause that gives hope to the oppressed in every corner of the Earth. We're the kind of country that fights for freedom, and the men and women in the fight are some of the bravest citizens this nation has ever produced. The only way for us to lose is to quit. But that is not an option. We will complete the mission, and we will prevail.
Source.

I was thinking earlier today at how angry the US voter should be with the Democrats, who throughout the 2006 election cycle PROMISED a plan to WIN the war in Iraq. Yet today, several months into Democrat control of Congress, where are the plans for victory?

Where are the discussions of victory?

All they have to offer are plans to end the war. Plans to pull out. Plans to cut and run. How will this achieve victory? The simple answer is that the Democrats have no plan for victory. They lied to the American voter, promised a super secret plan to win, and then took their new found power and dedicated all of their efforts to ensuring we lose the war on terror - that we leave Iraq whether we have won the war or not... consequences be damned.

George Bush made Iraq the central front in the war on Terror. He essentially drew a line in the sand and said "Bring it on!" The result has not been the tragic loss of thousands of US soldiers, the unreported result is the killing of tens of thousands of Islamo-fascists, who would just as happily drive a plane into a building, or blow up as school bus on US soil, as fight the US on a battlefield.

George Bush brought the fight to them, and the fight is still ongoing. He said scores of times that he was bringing the fight to them, so that the battle with terrorists did not play out on American soil. When the violence stops in Iraq it will be a sign that one side was victorious. As long as al Qaeda and other terrorists are willing to wage jihad in Iraq the US involvement in Iraq MUST continue.

Cheney gets it. Cheney understands what is at stake. The President knows what is at stake, but has been too silent in the face of criticism. Has been to weak and ineffective in dealing with the American press, which is hell bent on the US losing in Iraq. Bush has been too weak in dealing with the Democrats, who are hell bent on making the War in Iraq a mistake, even if they have to be the ultimate cause of the disaster by bringing our troops home too soon.

Cheney is 100% right about the Iraq War Mythology, so I think I outta get cracking and write a few more posts for that series.

More Good News From Iraq

2007-03-26T17:17:00.000-05:00

But you have to visit Blackfive to see it.

Read more about the progress in Iraq.