Delftsman

New Year

Well, tonight is the end of the old and the beginning of the new year. I certainly hope that the new year is better than this last one has been.

Mamamontezz has to work, so there won't be any partying going on at the Citidal this year. I don't know if I'll even stay up to watch the Ball drop in Times Square.

To all of you brave few that continue to read my blatherings, I want to wish you all the happiest and most successful of New Years. May your hit counters overflow and your spammers catch a virus and crash. May all your endevours bring you happiness.

A Toast: To Health,Wealth, and Happiness! Pr0st!

Brady BS

Here's what the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence thinks of those of us who choose to avail ourselves of our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms: we're "overexcited and underintelligent".

I have owned at least one firearm since the age of 15, at the present time, I have 3 handguns, 1 shotgun, and 5 rifles..in calibers ranging from .22 to .303; and in the 35 years of owning those weapons, not ONCE have I ever felt the urge to fire any of those weapons indiscriminatly into the air in celebration of any event, nor have I known ANY of my fellow gun owners of my aquaintence to so so (I assure you, IF any had, I would no longer be friends with them!)

Has it happened? Yes, I'm sure it has. There are always idiots who will do stupid things, but to use such a wide brush to paint all gun owners as capable of such idiocy is just plain stupid, and in contradiction of facts.

This is just another ploy directed at those that already belong to the GFW* crowd, to attempt to further the agenda of the Brady group to end private ownership of all weapons.

(*Gun Fearing Wienie)

WHO is really helping?

While all the Liberals are decrying that Bush is "undercutting" the UN relief efforts for the Tsunami victims (they ARE after all, attempting to determine a venue to discuss what should be done!); Those Eeeeevil American Corporations are stepping up to the plate and getting the job done faster than even our own government is, to the tune of over $75 Million in cash and drugs/supplies so far.

The next time you see some patchouli soaked,starbucks sipping,GFW, "compassionate" liberal spouting off on how Eeeeevil American corporations are, and how "stingy" Americans are, give them a good brain cleaning enema with their own Latte.

F. E. T. E.

AWESOME!!!

Yeah, Satan is the Prince of Darkness and all that, but sometimes he has the best advertising for his minions (his minions according to the Moonbatted Leftards in Kalifornia and Taxachuttes!)

Go check out the link in this posting from the Evil One and TELL me that it isn't the best marriage of Steppenwolf and awsome F-18 flight footage You've ever had the privilage to experience! Be sure to turn your speakers up to megablast!

A Real Hero

Blackfive has an inspiring story of a true American Hero, Major Tammy Duckworth. We often tend to forget that women are contributing in a larger part than ever before in combat type operations.

The thing that makes Maj. Duckworth a real hero in my eyes is her determination to reassume her duties in the military despite the extent of her injuries. I certainly wish her well in her quest. Maj. Duckworth is the embodiment of the best qualities of Military service, Pride, Honor, and Faithfulness.

Kudos to Blackfive on being named Best Military Blog in the 2004 Blog Awards!
He certainly earned it.

The P-o-D shows himself

Hmm...It seems that Satan himself has joined the Blogging community! Things must not be going well in Hell if He has to resort to Blog-snot as His host though, I would have thought with all the lawyers,politicians, and system programmers He has under His purview that He could have been His own hosting entity. You'd think that MT™ and Satan would be a natural fit. I AM sure that he uses MicroSoft™ as his operating system though.

At least He admits that He's responsible for the crap that is known as Rap. I KNEW it was Satanic! LOL

Troops view of Rumsfeld

Kim du Toit received an e-mail from a SSgt. who had attended the Rumsfeld town hall meeting with the troops.

The SSgt. was amazed at the difference between what he observed at the meeting and how the MSM reported the meeting. The MSM media would have you believe that soldiers were disgruntled and were wanting a chance to castigate the SecDef. The truth was, in the SSgts. own words:

"There are over 12,000 troops on our base. Only 2,000 or so had the opportunity to attend the gathering and I can tell you, those were hotly contested seats. Not as the media would have you believe, so we could voice our displeasure, but rather to have the opportunity to see and hear the man we admire."

He went on to further say:

"He was applauded, he was given a standing ovation and he was loved. He stood there like a professional, like a man, and he took the heat because that's what leaders do. And yet somehow, the American media turned that wonderful event into a "disgruntled troops meet with Secretary Rumsfeld" headline."

And here's the statment that made me the proudest of our troops:

"The morale is high, the equipment is good and improving daily. Disregard what you read and hear from the media, and trust in the American fighting men and women to do the right thing. We have excellent leadership and are doing what we signed up to do."

Sentiments like these expressed by our troops need to be disseminated far and wide by the blogging community; The MSM will never show this side of the conflict. If WE don't do it, it won't get done. It's far past time that we allow the MSM free hand in passing off their bias as fact without challenge.

Disaster in Asia

Well, the death toll stands at least at 40,000 people in the wake of the recent earthquake induced Tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

This is something that a human mind can not really comprehend, the number is just too large. The island of Sumatra, the size of California, was moved 100 feet to the southwest in the earthquake. Power such as capable of doing that is incomprehensible.

America was in the forefront of offering aid. The US Navy was utilyzing survelliance planes to try to help locate survivors even as the waters were just starting to recede. The US government has pledged $25M in initial emergency aid within hours of the event, and I'm sure that much more will be forthcoming in the near future.

How long will it be before the Leftards start saying "We aren't doing enough" or "It was Americas fault that this happened"?

Happy Blogiversary!

Gut Rumbles is three years old today. Go give Rob a hearty congratulations.

Rob doesn't nibble at life, he takes huge bites. Agree or disagree with him; he'll always make you think, and usually give you a hearty laugh to boot.

Military Funding

The Left has made much of Rumsfeld's comment that "you go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want". Given the level of funding the Left would WANT to give the Military, here's an example of the aircraft defensive systems they would allow:

(note: NO body armor!)

Have Fun but STAY SAFE!

As we continue the revelries of the the Christmas/New Year season, I think that it is important for everyone to take a step back and remember that we can all have fun without getting dangerous.

I've attached a rather graphic picture of an overdose victim, not for its shock value, but in the hope that everyone remains aware of his or her limits.

When you look at the picture below,

remember, that this did not have to happen.

Thanks Catfish!

Tribute, Part Two

Here's another E-mail from Brandon.

The Story:

Claire Elizabeth Bailey was a friend of mine (a best friend's best friend) that was tragically lost in a car accident on April 18, 2003. She was on her way home from college, driving out to her parent's lake house, driving 35 in a 35, seat belt on, hydroplaned in the rain. She got hit by a Chevy Van on the passenger's side...she was doing everything right. Everything worked in her favor...yet still, the Lord called on her hand...and took her to her final resting place.

I was working really late one night and I sat down with a pen in my hand and saw a scratch piece of paper sitting in front of me. I don't know why but I was compelled to write down my feelings...I started and the whole thing just flowed from my brain to my fingers, from pen to paper. What was really weird is I hadn't written anything "poetic" since 7th grade...

The Poem:

CLAIRE

I sit here and think
As the rain hits the ground
My heart rests empty
Loneliness is around

The room echoes
With every word I whisper
There is no doubt in my mind
That I should be with her

She left quickly, quietly
Tiptoed through the night
Left it all behind
Vanished out of sight

The news ate at my heart
Like a plague-ridden rose
Tore through my soul
Worse than anything I've known

I'd like to ask why
But I know the answer
He called upon her hand
For he has his follower

What once was an angle on earth
Is now a star shining bright
She looks out over us
And protects with all her might

Darkness falls on this world of mine
Without her just the same
But knowing her light shines brightly above
Calms and soothes my pain

As I travel on my journey
I know we'll never part
She will be there by my side
Holding the key to my heart

Brandon

Tribute to a Friend

I received an e-mail today from Cpl. Brandon Strassler USMC today. Brandon was a good friend of Cpl. Kyle Renahan's from Cherry Point. He had written a poem about how he felt about Kyles death, and Claire's death too. Here it is:

GROWTH

I'm learning to grow
I'm seeing the light
I realize what is happening
It's all about the fight

My emotions run deep
My soul cries out
I witness my purpose
I learn what life's all about

He whispers his words
He feeds my heart
I fuel my curiosity
I try to do my part

She shows me her love
She leads me her way
I tiptoe so softly
I catch up someday

His memory keeps me going
His memory soothes my pain
I smile at his picture
I know he didn't pass in vain

They both were called upon
They had completed their journey
I look back and see it now
I hope to learn from their maturity

I'm learning to grow
I'm feeling so safe
I FINALLY realize what is happening
It's all about the faith

Brandon
26 Dec 04

Military Poll

Here is a poll that shows the attitude of the men and women on the "pointed end of the stick" in regards to Iraq.

These are the people who take the risks and see what is really happening on the ground in Iraq. I found it interesting to note that the support for the operations there was highest among those who had served there the longest.

It also shows that that the troops are under no illusions as to how long we may have to continue operations. I only pray that we don't have a repeat of the CIVILIAN anti-war crowd that we experienced in Viet Nam. It would be an immoral travesty to negate the sacrifices made by our troops in Iraq as we did in Viet Nam.

David Horowitz

Here's another column by David Horowitz which shows the immorality of the Left's position towards Iraq. He says it as only he can.

Rumsfeld NOT the Ogre

The MSM has done everything in it's power to make Donald Rumsfeld out to be an overbearing, self-righteous ogre that cares little for the welfare of the troops under his purview. One father of a Marine captain killed in Iraq has a different view.

I think the reason for the villification of Rumsfeld is that he stands up to the press and answers their questions with cold logic and not a hand wringing angst of "what did we do?" Rumsfeld is a MAN in a mans position, and the press act like little children trying to play "gotcha" and playing as if the the cold hard facts of life in war don't apply to american soldiers. The questions SHOULD be tough about any military operations, but the focus shouldn't be about a personality, but about facts, results and consequences. Mr. Rumsfeld has shown himself to be able to handle his responsibilities like an adult, and it's irritating the childlike press.

The fact that Rumsfeld visits the wounded at Bethesda often and WITHOUT PRESS COVERAGE speaks volumes about the man in my mind. He could use these visits as photo-ops to ease the pressure against him, but he knows that only children and polititians think that way. He goes because it is the RIGHT thing for him to do. He takes his responsibilities personally and ackowledges the sacrifices made by the men and women who are affected by his decisions in a personal and heartfelt manner, not as a part of a political game.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Rummy Visits Wounded

The Banty Rooster has a first hand account by an Army nurse anesthetist who witnessed an encounter between Donald Rumsfeld and a badly wounded soldier.

Read it. Bookmark it. And the next time someone disparages our SecDef, point the moonbat to this story and show him how a real man acts like.

Native Wisdom

Another bit of humorous wisdom from Catfish:

An old Indian chief sat in his hut on the reservation, smoking a
ceremonial pipe and eyeing two U.S. government officials sent to interview
him.

"Chief Two Eagles" asked one official, "You have observed the white man
for 90 years. You've seen his wars and his material wealth. You've seen his
progress, and the damage he's done."

The chief nodded in agreement.

The official continued,"Considering all these events, in your opinion,
where did the white man go wrong?"

The chief stared at the government officials for over a minute and then
calmly replied, "When white man found the land, Indians were running it. No
taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, women did all the work,
medicine man free, Indian man spent all day hunting and fishing, all night
having sex."

Then the chief leaned back and smiled "Only white man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that."

Hoo-ah!

Tony Blankley has a great opinion piece about Donald Rumsfeld where he takes Rummy's detractors to the woodshed and delivers some well deserved Cluebat™ upside their mush filled heads.

One Picture, No Words Needed

SOMETIMES, NOTHING MORE NEED BE SAID....

A New Paradigm?

Thanks to Sir George Turner(you need to cut back on work and post more on your OWN site George!) for sending Mama a link to a two and a half hour power point presentation of Thomas P.M. Barnett, a senior Analyst/Professor for the Navy War College.

Mr. Barnetts contention is that we must develop a new paradigm in dealing with other countries in the face of Globalization. He proposes that, while the US is undoubtedly number one in the world in the capability of projecting military force, we are woefully inadequate in securing a stable long term peace after the conflict is won, and that, in essence, it takes a "global village", working in unision, to effect a stable peace.

He avers that we are dealing in the world by how we want it to be, not how, in reality, it really is. And that misalignment of views is dangerous to our national security.

At first I found myself resistant to some of his ideas, thinking them just a reiteration of Leftist Moonbat ideas of a Global Community singing Kum-Ba-Ya in perfect harmony. But in furthur listening to him I found that Mr. Barnett is hardly a Leftist Moonbat, he is a hardheaded realist. Yes, some of his ideas at first glance seem to smack of a Idealists vision, but he backs up his contentions in a cogent, realistic way, and what is even more unusual, he provides a step by step road map of how to achieve his vision of the world. He admits that it won't be easy, but that it is inevitable, and the big question is, how much pain it will take before it is achieved.

I think that his ideas merit serious study and consideration.

I put his web site at the top of my "People that make me think" blogroll, and I will be visiting it often.

Talk About Guns, but take care When you do

Riverdog has an interesting post on gun blogging and the possible ramifications thereof.

I have less than half the experience in Law Enforcement than he has, but I have to say from my own experience that he clearly points out the reality of the dangers that any blogger must face up to if they want to express their opinions vis a vis the Second Amendment and the private ownership of weapons, and he gives some sage advice to follow to prevent unnecessary harrassment from the government and it's enforcement agencies. As Riverdog stated: "It (list of gun contacts/expressions)does exist in field contact reports as they are coded and maintained by local police. I know, because I used to write these reports myself." I did also, so I know he is correct.

It is a fine line that you must walk, or in the doublespeak world of government law enforcement, you ARE guilty of heinious crimes against an oprderly society, just by expressing your opinion.

I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if I was on "the list" in some obscure government agency for my outspoken opinions on the Second Amendment.
And I have to admit that in my more paranoid moments that thought frightens me.

I do not believe in armed insurrection against the government as it stands, but I believe that the Second Amendment was put into place in case of a tyranical turn of that government, and the responsibility of the citizens of this country to be prepared for that eventuality by keeping arms and by using those arms if the situation warranted it.

I do believe we should be "A Nation of Riflemen" as Kim du Toit terms it. A just and honest government has nothing to fear from that concept.

But it seems that anyone of that mindset has to fear that those ideas may put him at odds with a government that has become more authoritarian the farther the ideas espoused by the Left has pemeated it. The more that Groupthink government control comes into vogue, the greater the danger to independant and self-reliant people; who must therefor guard their own public expressions of belief, lest they become victims of that groupthink mentality.

Acidman and McGehee have their own two cents to add too, and worth the read.

Another one gets hooked

So. My brother comes over to check out the net.....I don't know how impressed he was, I have a habit of showing things I'M interested in, not what floats his boat. But he did find a couple of things he liked, like this sweet 55' Chevy Bel Aire:

Now I think I might have gotten him interested...you can find/buy cars with this thing?!? And rare parts? And talk to hot chicks women?

Maybe Santa will fix him up with his own system this Christmas. I sure hope so, cause I sure can't!

Still Hope?

Here is another entry on the Dutch awakening to the Islamic Fundementalist threat.

As I've stated before, the Dutch have what is arguably the most "tolerant" society on Earth. The Moonbats here have made a mantra of "if we just understand and tolerate the Muslims, they will understand that they have nothing to fear from us and we can sit down and sing Kum-Ba-Ya together in perfect understanding" Ask the residents of Schiedam just how far "tolerance" has to go before that happens.

If you "tolerate" to the point that you no longer have a cohesive, basic agreement on the limits/mores a society will agree on, you no longer have a society.

I find it encouraging that if the ultratolerant Dutch can be starting to "get it", maybe the rest of Europe may too, before it reaches the point of open warfare.

Rest of the story

I posted about this before, and it seems that the reporter that fed the young dupe soldier the question didn't even try to get the facts right. He saw an opportunity to get Rumsfeld in a "gotcha" that would raise a furor with the sheeple folks back on the home front, and he took it. Like the CBS fake documents fiasco however, it seems that it's coming back to bite the reporter in the posterior.

From the Washington Times:(emphasis mine)

"The reporter who managed to get a National Guardsman serving in Iraq to question Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld about why his unit's vehicles lacked sufficient armor coached the soldier using false information," NewsMax.com reports.

"In fact, by the time Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts rehearsed Spc. Thomas 'Jerry' Wilson on what to say to Rumsfeld, the Pentagon had already up-armored 97 percent of the vehicles in Thomas' 278th Regimental Combat Team, senior members of the Army's combat systems development and acquisition team said Thursday.

"Further undermining the premise of Pitts' question, orders to up-armor the last 20 of the 278th's 830 vehicles were already in the pipeline when he engineered the bogus inquiry," NewsMax said.

"According to the Maryville, Tenn., Daily Times — a rival to Pitts' paper — Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Speakes and Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson said during last week's Pentagon briefing that routine pre-deployment preparations before proceeding to Iraq included adding protective armor plates to the last 20 vehicles of the Tennessee-based 278th Regimental Combat Team's 830 vehicles.

" 'When the question was asked, 20 vehicles remained to be up-armored at that point,' Gen. Speakes said, in comments completely ignored by the major media.

" 'We completed those 20 vehicles in the next day,' he said. 'In other words, we completed all the armoring within 24 hours of the time the question was asked,' Gen. Speakes added.

Just another case of the MSM trying to move their own anti-war/administration agenda.

A Time to Think

Sitting here, listening to some old Coltrain and trying to find something that strikes me worthy of a post.

Then it hit me, why not just go the stream of conciousness route and put out whatever dribble is on my mind? Maybe it will unblock the dam and rid me of this verdamt writers block that has afflicted me for the last couple of days.

I LOVE Coltrain, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker,and Dave Brubeck when I'm in a mood like this, nothing to do but let the music flow over you, around you, and through you.
Music is truly the balm of the soul, if you pick the right piece to match your mood.

I have very eclectic tastes....one moment I may be listening to Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King", the next "White Room" by Cream. It's all good to me. Blues one minute, Rock the next and finish up with some really nice piece of Classical.

The only form that I have never found more than one or two things I Like to listen to is Rap. Rap is NOT music. I don't care for much Bluegrass either, but at least it IS music. Rap is Satans way to pervert the minds of it's listeners. Nothing but raw sex, unwarrented violence and pure hate, all done to a basic beat or some clown trying to use a mike as a drum. All music has an energy that affects the listener for good or ill, Rap is only pure negative energy.

Now I have that image in my mind, I need to go floss out my head.

Writers Block

Scanning through the resources available on the web, there are so many things of interest to write about.....and I can't get my mind around any of them to write a cogent post about any of them.

I start out to comment on a case where a citizen is being mistreated by Police in an incident over carrying a gun in his car, conforming to the open carry/non-CCW rules of his state, and it comes out a mish-mosh of incoherant blather.

I try to post on the case where a useless piece of human waste strangles a woman and cuts out her unborn child from her womb, and it's so stridently incoherant that even I can't bear to reread it.

Whats a blogger to do when it seems as if his Muse has deserted him?

Write tripe like this in the hopes that inspiration will hit, that's what!

I find a heart-warming/rending story like a a mothers love and pride in their sons serving in Iraq, and I can only say "way to GO Moms!" They demonstrate what are true heartland values, beyond that, what more is there to say?

Bahhh! I'll be back when I can put two words together in a way that makes some sort of sense. In the meantime, why don't you check out some of the fine people in my blogroll? I highly recomend The Rott, Kim du Toit, Acidman and Poisening Pigeons. And be sure not to miss the Conservative Insurgent and Small Town Veteran.

Hopefully I will be back to coherance before you get done with checking out these fine examples of Blogdom.

Ho, Ho, Hmmm....

I noticed the Spousal Unit hadn't posted any girlies in a while, so I found him this little bit of Holiday Cheer. I don't think he'll mind that I posted this. Do you?

Rest in Peace

Update on LCPL Kyle Renehan: Copied from the Baltimore Sun

CORPORAL KYLE J. RENEHAN, USMC (21), died on December 9, 2004,as a result of injuries he sustained while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is survived by his loving parents, James P. and Theresa L. Renehan; brothers, Brandon P., CPL (USMC) Christopher, Spencer L., and Cameron L. Renehan; nephew, Michael D. Renehan; grandmothers, Elizabeth Ann Renehan and Mildred L. Gallis. He is predeceased by both grandfathers, Patrick Renehan (paternal) and Cy Gallis (maternal). Family will receive friends on Sunday, December 19, from 12 to 3 P.M. and 5 to 9 P.M. at Fleck Funeral Home, Inc., 7601 Sandy Spring Rd., Laurel, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's of the Mill Catholic Church, 114 St. Mary's Place, Laurel, Maryland on Monday, December 20 at 11:30 A.M. Interment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. Donations in Kyle's memory may be made to: Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

A REAL Hero

Oliver North has a column showing up the MSM on just how biased it really is.

He compares and contrasts the media treatment given to two different stories about two very different Servicemen.

Go read it.

Ask yourself, why is one man "heroic", according to the MSM, for shirking his duty, while a TRUE hero who knowingly and willingly gave up his life to protect his brothers in arms live's is all but ignored?

The MSM is all too willing to broadcast anything embarrassing to the administration, but when there are stories of true heroism and self-sacrifice, there is an all but deafening silence. We The People must show the MSM that we. will. NOT stand for this obvious bias any longer. Hit them where it hurts, in the pocketbook. Write them and let them know why you refuse to read/watch/listen to them any longer. Patronize only those news outlets that show ALL sides of an issue, and report just the facts and not their opinions.

Sgt. Rafael Peralta USMC, rest in peace. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow Marines, may you be forever remembered with the honor you deserve. Semper Fi

Just feeling good about myself

When Mblog pulled the "dump their clients" fiasco several months ago, I was devastated. I'm STILL really ticked off about not being able to recover my archives from the original site.

I had reached the point where I was starting to build up a readership, and I was really in the swing of blogging; then, in one fell swoop, it was all gone. At 5 PM, I was a blogger, by 12 PM, it was all gone.

Pixi Misa came to the rescue and gave me a new home, for which I'll be forever greatfull. It was disheartening though, to start from nothing again...I was afraid that I would never match where I had been.

That fear made it difficult to keep up my interest in trying to do the work to try to make a blog people would want to read and link to. I apologize to all of you who proved me wrong in having that attitude.

Blogging shouldn't be about the numbers, it should be about expressing yourself. Nevertheless, the numbers do kind of give you a validation in that it shows that, just maybe, people might be interested in what you have to say.

I opened my new digs on December 5, 2004, and now, in a short 12 days, I checked my numbers at Truth laid Bear and in viewing the graph of the progress of the new blog was gratified to find that I had gone from 0 to 70 unique links, and went from over 17,000 in the ranks to 2,148, and I was consistantly one level higher in the ecosphere than I had been.

It wasn't anything I did, I know my posts haven't been up to the level of the old house in general. It was all of YOU. You who took the trouble to find me again, and continuing to read me, and relink to me, despite the drop in quality.

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I promise that I will endeavor to re-attain my old level of mediocre writing to repay the great favor you have shown me, and to continue to try and improve as best I can.

If you ever have any constructive criticism, suggestions, or just want to tell me what a lousy blogger I really am, please feel free to put them in the comments, or e-mail me. I may not always answer, but I'll always consider any input.

Again, THANK YOU for coming to visit me, please come back soon and often.

European Attitudes

David Kasper of Davids Medienkritik sent me a link to an interview with Keffery Gedman, who presents a very enlightening view of attitudes in the EU towards the US and Israel.

Here is just a taste:

Jeffrey Gedmin, an American, is director of the Aspen Institute in Berlin. According to Gedmin, four factors play a role in Europe's increasingly anti-Israeli sentiment: Europe's attempt to assuage guilt over its murderous past, rivalry with the United States, anti-Semitism, and the nonacceptance of European concepts of society by the majority of Israelis.

Gedmin forecasts that with the greater divergence in views between the United States and Europe, the disagreement over Israel will increasingly widen. He says, "During the forty years of the Cold War, we Americans had a close relationship with Europe, even if it was not without problems. After the Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989, Europe, and in particular Germany, gradually woke up, thinking that they needed America less. Thus began a path to greater competition and rivalry, some of it benign, some less so.

"Dependency on America during the Cold War has bred terrible European resentment. Americans have underestimated how deep that runs. Yet the imbalance in power between the United States and Europe remains and this breeds even more European frustration and envy. Europe is still lacking in economic growth and dynamism, self-confidence and demography."

Go and read the rest.

Finally, the Courts do Something Right!

In a landmark case,a jury found three Muslim organizations and one individual guilty of providing funds to a terrorist organization, namely Hamas.

This is a landmark case in the WoT as it is the first time that American citizens were held civialy liable for helping to fund terrrorism.

It's good to see that some common sense has infiltrated into American Jurisprudence in some small measure.

News Flash

Custody Battle Ruling:

A seven year old San Francisco boy was at the center of a courtroom
drama this morning when he challenged a court ruling over who should
have custody.

The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents so the judge awarded custody to his aunt.

The boy confirmed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he refused to live there.

When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents the boy cried out
that they beat him more than anyone.

The judge then decided to allow the boy to choose who should have custody of him.

Custody was granted to the Cleveland Browns this morning as the boy firmly believes that they are not capable of beating anyone.

Hijack Prevention

Subject: Hijack Prevention

I have the solution for the prevention of hijackings, and at the same
time getting our airline industry back on its feet.

Since men of the Muslim religion are not allowed to look at naked
women, we should replace all of our female flight attendants with strippers.

Muslims would be afraid to get on the planes for fear of seeing a naked
woman, and of course, every businessman in this country would start
flying again in hope of seeing a naked woman.

Hijackings would end, and the airline industry would have record sales.

Why didn't Bush think of this?

Why do I still have to do everything myself?

Sincerely,
Bill Clinton

hat tip to Catfish

Iraqi Tribute

This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Texas.

The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad.

Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country; he melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen warriors. Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.

To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.

Do you know why we don't hear about this in the news? Because it is heart warming and praise worthy. The media avoids it because it does not have the shock effect that a flashed breast or controversy of politics does. But we can do something about it. We can pass this along to as many people as we can in honor of all our brave military who is making a difference.

hat tip to SlagleRock

Break In

Subject: Breaking in

I HEARD HIM TRYING TO BREAK IN.

I RAN TO THE CABINET GRABBED MY AUTOMATIC,
SLAMMED THE CLIP IN AND CHAMBERED A ROUND.
I WAS SCARED AS I SNUCK DOWN THE HALL
TO THE BACK DOOR.

I ALSO GRABBED A FLASH LIGHT.

I OPENED THE DOOR
AS QUIETLY AND AS SLOWLY AS I COULD.

I TIP TOED TO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE
WHERE I HEARD HIM
STILL WORKING ON THE SCREEN.

I TURNED THE CORNER
AND PUT THE FLASHLIGHT AND GUN IN HIS FACE.

I YELLED, "HANDS UP!"
AS HE TURNED TO FACE ME

Yep.
It Was A Cat Burglar.

10 Years and Counting

Today is the tenth anniversery of my nephew's entry into the hallowed ranks of Those Who Serve, in the Air Force to be specific.

So to SSgt. Robert G. Slagle USAF, Congratulations and many more happy years in doing what you do best.

Go on over and give him your best wishes.

Whats next?

It had to happen...many proponents of the Second Amendment pointed out that even if guns were outlawed, criminals would just turn to other weapons.

They effectively outlawed guns in the UK and Scotland, and now they are after knives. Whats next? taken to the idiotic extreme, will they ban trees on private premises so as to take away the availibilty of branches to use as clubs?

The answer has always been to hold the criminals responsible, not their weapons. But that means assigning personal accountability, something the G/KFW "progressives" view as anthema.

Gun Shop Owners Pay

We are on the slippery slope to the loss of effective access to avail ourselves of our Second Amendment rights.

The guns used in this case were STOLEN from the gun shop in question, they were NOT illegally sold. And just how is it that a manufacturer is held liable when a distributer of their product is the victom of theft?

The manufacturer followed all the guidelines mandated by law, they should not be held responsible for the CRIMINAL use of their product. The gun shop owner was a victom of theft, so just what precept of law holds that he is responsible for actions of the criminals that used the stolen items illegaly?

The parties in question no doubt settled the case in this manner so as to not have to bankrupt themselves in their own defense, but in so doing opened up a whole new chain of events leading, in the end, to the cessation of the availability of legal firearms, as the costs of doing business will become too high to sustain it at a level afforable to the average citizen.

In my jaundiced view, this is yet another end run by the anti-gun lobby to deprive the average citizen of his right to bear arms by escalating the price of guns to that not sustainable by the average citizen. If guns are legal, but unaffordable, the net effect is the same as if they had been banned outright.

The people of this great country had better make themselves aware of what is happening, or they may soon wake up to find themselves subjects, rather than citizens.

Peterson recommended for the needle

I have some difficuty with this post. Scott Peterson was recommended for the death penalty by the same jury that convicted him.

I do believe that Mr. Peterson was guilty of the crime that he was charged with, but I also believe that the State did not present a case that was sound enough to get a conviction, much less the death penalty.

What is a law and order conservative to think when he believes a defendant is guilty, but the prosecutor fails to make a case beyond a reasonable doubt?

And there ARE many reasonable doubts in the way the circumstantial evidence was presented in this case. Adding the death penalty into the mix only compounds the dilema.

I can only hope in my mind that the jury was presented with facts not presented to the public at large that tipped the scales towards conviction and death sentence, despite the prosecutors inept public presentation.

I'm all for those guilty of heinious crimes getting a fitting end for their transgressions, but the death penalty should be used only when there isn't ANY doubt about the guilt of the defendant. That isn't true in this case.

I also wonder if Mr. Peterson could truly have a fair trial with all the pre-trial media exposure. The defendant's right to a fair trial was overshadowed by the public's "right to know"in this case, IMHO.

So, a man I believe to be guilty is convicted in a trial I believe to have been unfairly (to him) publicised and poorly prosecuted, should I be happy that a guilty man was convicted, or should I be worried that the justice system has been subverted by the court of public opinion, just on the off chance that he is innocent? After all, you or I may be the next one in the defendants chair, and I would hope that we would not be unfairly judged.

US vs EU economies

Many of the Moonbat Left are continually touting the EU as an economic model for the US to follow. They say that in the EU, things are SOOO much better for the poor, the social welfare programs in the EU ensure that the distribution of income is more equitable than in the US, where those that are rich are "cheaters" and "thieves", to the detriment of the poor.

Now there is a study out of Sweden, that great socialist bastion much touted by the Left as the model of where the US should go for the betterment of all. Called EU versus USA , the study was written by Dr Fredrik Bergström, President of the Swedish Research Institute of Trade, and Mr Robert Gidehag, until recently Chief Economist of the same institute and now President of the Swedish Taxpayer's Association.

The study shows that, with the exception of Luxembourg, the total per capita GDP (Gross domestic Product) and AGR (Annual Growth Rate) of any of the 15 EU countries is lower than all but the four poorest states in the US. Luxembourg was the only EU country to fall into the median rate as it is in the US.

The study also stated that if the GNP/AGR rates in the US were frozen at the 2000 year level, and the forcasts in growth proposed by the the EU ministers of Finance are accurate, it would be 2013, on average, before any EU country would match the US of four years ago.

Go to the site and download/read the report. It is long, but it is informative on just how the EU is faring economicaly compared to the US. And the US comes out FAR ahead.

Armor for the troops

Much has been made in the MSM about a question that a young dupe trooper asked Donald Rumsfeld about getting more uparmored Humvees into the thjeater of operations. Greyhawk has a good take on it from the perspective of one who is there and doing that.

One of the points he makes is that no army anywhere has ever gone into battle with everything that they needed, or most certainly, wanted. One of the great strengths of American servicemembers has always been the ability to "make do" and to adapt their equipment with on the ground modifications to suit the needs of the particular theater where they were operating in.

That is not to say that that the government shouldn't ensure that they provide the best and the most equipment possible to the troops at the pointed end of forcefull diplomacy, but to acknowledge that it will never be a perfect system, and there will always be needs unmet, in any exercise of military power.

I sincerely believe that the shortcomings are being addressed, and hopefully overcome, in the shortest possible time.

Why did I call the trooper a dupe? Because he was cajoled into asking the question by an imbed reporter trying to set up a "gotcha" moment so he could write yet another story critical of the war. It was a valid question, but the ensuing coverage reveals the true reasoning behind it wasn't to try to protect the troops, but to try to embarrass the administration yet again.

It was a question from one who hasn't entered the zone yet, maybe the conditions in the zone are aren't what they are in the staging area. The fact that he stated that "they were scounging steel to add to their vehicles" shows that the men higher up are aware of some the problems and are trying to overcome them in a time honored way..Yankee ingenuity.

Soldiers will always bitch about the conditions they are fighting in, and the equipment they are fighting with. That is a military tradition. They usually come up with ingenious ways to upgrade their equipment on their own to meet their needs and be more in tune with their conditions. That is also a military tradition.

Some MSM sources try to make much of the fact that some troops were sent without adequate body armor. The same MSM that 15 years ago complained that military expenditures were far too high. In my time of service body armor was almost unheard of, other than the "Flackjacket" type issued to some troops in Viet Nam, and found to be highly wanting to the type of operations and environment being fought in.

The fact is that the technology has been vastly improved in the intervening years and come into much greater use, but this technology is expensive and choices must always be made in military appropiations. Sometimes those choices are wrong, and the grunt on the ground suffers for it. Thats life, get over it. There will always be shortcomings in war. We will get enough armored vehicles/body armor in the theater, and there will arise another shortage item. That is also life.

Civilians always assume that any piece of military gear can be used in any condition for any mission. That is far from the truth. The fact is that if you put enough armor on a Humvee to protect the soldiers within to the greatest extent possible, you'd no longer have a humvee, you'd have an APC. An APC can't do things that a humvee can. Military operations always carry great risk to the personnel involved, there is no way around that other than not engaging in the operations in the first place. Service members know the risks when they join, that is what truly makes them all heroes, knowing the risks and doing the job anyway.

Multiculturism

The grand Dutch experiment is breaking down.

The Dutch have long been in the forefront of tolerance for cultural and racial diversity, and it had seemed for years that maybe they were pointing the way to have a liberal society that worked. But now the grim facts of life are breaking the great experiment apart.

As much as liberals wish it so, the fact is that unless a society as a whole has a set of common goals and social ethics, it can not survive in the long term. The fact that it is Islamic influances leading the breakdown is demonstrative of the situation of the world as a whole.

The Western world has one ethic, the (radical) Islamic world has a totally different ethic. These two ethics CAN NOT co-exist in a world that is economically interdependant, they are too different at their basic core. One espouses the independance and power of the individual, the other emphasises a tribal/clan/family religious identity as the most important. One encourages innovation and free thinking, the other enforces strict conformity within the religeous guidelines of the Muslim sect one belongs to. The various sects war among themselves unless there is an (perceived) anti-Muslim outside enemy that causes the sects to temporarily forget their differences to fight the common enemy.

Sound familiar? It should. German society was at war with itself and with the neighboring societies in the late 20's and early 30's, war in an economic and social sense...then Hitler gave them a common enemy to band together against, the Jews..the rest is history.

It has been said that Osama bin Laden has used Hitler as the model for his rise to power. A big difference is that this time there was a leader that was unwilling to allow that rise to continue without taking assertive action against it.

I weep for the land of my birth. The Dutch tried to lead the way into a new paradigm, without taking into consideration that human beings must change before that paradigm will work. They will suffer the pain for that mistake, and I fear that it will be a great pain indeed.

I AM the Easy rider!

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

I know these tests aren't really indicative of anything, But I have often pictured myself in this poster, with the wind blowing free in my hair as I tear down the highway on my bike. I do prefer cruisers to choppers though! LOL

The Fork

Jesus always taught with parables. Here is a little parable about a fork.

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So, as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what Scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the
Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be
buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this
story..and from that time on, I have always tried to pass along its
message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending Socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, "Keep your fork." It was my favorite part, because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, "What's with the fork?"

Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork . The best is yet to
come." The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the
young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death; but he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral, people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.
Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?"
And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he
had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them
about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people
how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they
probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was
right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so
gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel,
indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork." Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share, being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility. And, remember to keep your fork!

A Soldiers Last Request

Blackfive has a last request made by one of the brave men that paid the ultimate price in Iraq. He wanted Toby Keiths "American Soldier" played at his funeral. This man is a patriot even in his death!

Davids family and friends want to go one better, and want to try to have as many radio stations playing the song on the air at one time in memorium to him, in as many parts of the couintry as possible. In this way they feel they can honor David in the way it was most like him.

If you don't listen to country music, there is a link in his post to where you can find the station(s) in your area.

This man gave his all in OUR defense, the LEAST we can do is spend just a few minutes of our time to try to honor him in a way he would have found delightfull.

He is being laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetary at 10 Am EST on the 15th of December.
David's family and friends are asking radio stations to play Toby Keith's "American Soldier" on the 15th at 1pm EST with a dedication to Specialist David Mahlenbrock.

Let's make this happen!

In Memorium

LCpl Kyle Renehan USMC died this this morning of complications from his injuries sustained in a mortar attack in Fallujah on November 29, 2004

I offer my most heartfelt condolences to his family and hope that they can take comfort in the fact that Kyle was a man that that saw and performed his duty to his country in the finest traditions of the Marines. May his name be forever remembered in the Corps as one of their own who gave the last full measure in the service of his country.

Condolences may be extended to the family through LC & IB BethW at Yeah,right,whatever.
The family has asked, in lieu of donations or flowers, that a donation be made to a military charity of your choice.

Gratuitus Boobage

Yep, It's just a ploy to keep you coming back and raising my hit count!

The LT SMASHes Paredes

Citizen (LT) Smash has a great open letter to Pedro Paredes, giving him a knock with the cluebat™ on what his future will be if he continues on his present course of action. Definately a MUST READ!

See WHY I love this woman?

Mamamontezz has once again turned her talents to produce another song parody guarenteed to give you a chuckle. Here it is:

(sung to the tune of Oh Holy Night)

Oh, Canada,
our liberals keep whining.
Take them, please,
Let us send them your way.
Loud have they moaned,
The volume's not declining.
Let them come,
It would sure make our day.
Sweet land of snow,
Give homes to Moonbat voices.
You did before.
Ple-ase do it once again.

Paul Martin, Please?
We'll give you lots of choices.
Take Michael Moore,
Sean Penn, Carmen Diaz,
Garafolo!
Oh, please. Oh Canada!

(inst)

Sweet land of snow,
Give homes to Moonbat voices.
You did before.
Ple-ase do it once again.

Paul Martin, Please?
We'll give you lots of choices.
Take Michael Moore,
Sean Penn, Carmen Diaz,
Garafolo!
Oh, please. Oh Canada!

******************************************************************

Beauty, Brains, A GREAT sense of humor, and a voice like an Angel, how could I NOT help but love her?

Keeping the Faith in the Election Process

When I read the first few paragraphs of this article, I was thinking, "here we go again with another Moonbat conspiracy theory on how Bush "stole" the election"; after all, it is in the SF Chronicle, hardly a bastion of rational thought from a conservative point of view.

In reading furthur, however, I found that the author had a salient point. The perceptions held by any large segment in the general population are just as important as the facts in any given election.

The Moonbat Left has tried to say that Bush and Deibold "stole" a number of votes in some Florida, and California counties, since it is obvious that these were really Democratic Counties by the number of registered voters. The theory doesn't hold water because it doesn't take into account a number of factors, ie Independants, new voters, crossover voters, etc.

As someone once said: "there are lies, damned lies, and then there are statistics". If the proper information is "massaged" or salient facts ignored, statistics can be made to back up any loony theory you might care to espouse.

The main point however, is that for the people to trust in their leaders, they HAVE to have confidence that the electorial process is fair and accurate.

With some of the new electronic systems, it is all too easy for any glib Moonbat to make outrageous statements that are taken up by ignorant Moonbats as proof that any given election was "rigged" or "stolen", and these theories can't be effectively squashed due to a lack of a solid paper trail.

When any given theory is possible (even though highly unlikely), and you can't point to hard, irrefutable evidence; it allows the theory to take roots and grow, undermining confidence and spreading disension in the electorate.

I believe that any given system used should have some way of producing a hard copy of any given vote that is independent of the electronic tabulations, so that if there is any controversy, it can be CONCLUSIVELY proven just how that vote really went.

I for one, am sick and tired of Moonbat Left wing Democratic (redundancy alert!)
conspiracy theories that, for the most part, can't be proven, and lack of tangible evidence is taken to mean that it proves the theory.

Given the Left's proclivity toward these theories, we must ensure that the electoral process is conducted in such a manner as to provide solid evidence to refute any such claims in a manner understood by even a product of the Public SchoolIndocrination system.

A paper ballot somewhere in the process is probably the best way. It may be cumbersome and slow, but just remember that the integrity of the process must be as absolute as possible, or a breakdown of the process is inevitable sooner or later.

Head UNich preaches Tolerance

From the AP news:Annan Opens First-Ever Seminar on Islamophobia With Plea Not to Judge Muslims by Acts of Extremists

By Edith M. Lederer Associated Press Writer
Published: Dec 8, 2004

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened the first U.N. seminar on confronting Islamophobia with a plea not to judge Muslims by the acts of extremists who target and kill civilians.

Ok, Kofi, since you cay so, I'll just judge them by the astonishing lack of protest in the Muslam world against those that are perptrating these heinous acts.

The daylong forum on Tuesday came six months after a U.N. seminar devoted to confronting anti-Semitism, also a first for the world body. Both were part a series entitled "Unlearning Intolerance," sponsored by the U.N. Department of Public Information.

Thats what the UN does, talk about everything under the sun, too bad they don't DO anything to really solve any of these problems. They held a seminar on anti-Semitism? So I guess the Palestinian Mis-placed Arabs--Israeli conflict is over?

"The few give a bad name to the many, and this is unfair," he told Islamic scholars, writers and religious leaders as well as representatives of other religions.

It may be unfair, true, but it sure seems that those who SHOULD be speaking out against this in the Muslim world AREN'T, in fact most of the "biggies" seem to be, at the least, tacitly encouraging them with their various fahtwas.

Annan urged people to condemn terrorist and violent acts carried out in the name of Islam but which "no cause can justify."

I won't hold my breath for any in the Muslim Street to do this.

"Muslims themselves, especially, should speak out, as so many did following the September 11 attacks on the United States, and show a commitment to isolate those who preach or practice violence, and to make it clear that these are unacceptable distortions of Islam," he said.

Um... Kofi? Just WHO in the Muslim world did speak out against terrorism on 9/12? I must have been sleeping and missed it. And most of the stories I hear about coming out of the Muslim world is some new Imam issuing a Fahtwa that seems to be more encouraging to terrorist activities than condemning them.

Annan said "it is essential that solutions come from within Islam itself" and suggested and suggested that the Islamic scholarly principle of "ijtihad," a process of critical inquiry, could foster free debate into what is good and bad in Muslim cultures as well as others.

Yes jihad is supposed to be self-battle against sin within, but it has been distorted from the beginning to be battle with those perceived as "infidels". And free debate? It's NOT a part of Muslim culture, at least not in matters of religion, thats why Sunni fights Shia fights Kurd, and the Wahabi sect fights everyone. SHOULD "Islam" suceed in defeating the West, the various sects will take to fighting amongst themselves untill there is only one sect left, like you said, Islam isn't monolithic

He stressed that Islam "should not be judged by the acts of extremists who deliberately target and kill civilians."

Then LET THE "PEACEFUL MUSLIMS" speak out against these fanatics, lest they be judged, at the least, tacit collaberators.

"We should not underestimate the resentment and sense of injustice felt by members of one of the world's great religions, cultures and civilizations," he said.

Injustice brought on by their own actions, by their own people; resentments largly fostered by and between the various sects of Islam.

"And we must make the re-establishment of trust among people of different faiths and cultures our highest priority," Annan added, saying that failure to do this threatens world peace and development.

Seyyed Hussein Nasr, professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University, said Islamophobia was a question not only of fear but also of hatred - often by people who know little about the religion.

Yeah when Omar Ahmed, the Chairman of the Board of C.A.I.R., a supposed "moderate" group, who's stated function is to "foster understanding" says:

"Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant, " he said. "The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth," he said.