iOwnTheWorld Rules!
>> November 26, 2009
This is the funniest shiat I've seen in a looong time.
Check them out here.
Now There Is One Intelligent Reproductive Organ!
Sarah Palin's Uterus: America: Living on Borrowed Time
"Sometime in the next 20 years, entitlement spending alone - this doesn't account for trivial items like national defense - will exceed what we take in.
And every year the discretionary portion of the budget (the amount we're allowed to cut) grows smaller and smaller... while entitlements (expenses not subject to review) continue to expand. This means that every year it will become harder and harder to control the deficit."
This information just proves the point I was making here.
Seems like SPU has a lot of time on it's (hands?).
Would anyone be willing to allow a uterus to head The Fed?
Clueless or Calculating?
From Gateway Pundit:
For Thanksgiving Barack Obama Demands Release of 1,000 Terrorists
"President Obama wants the Israelis to release 1,000 terrorists…
The naive American President urged Israel today to release 1,000 terrorists in exchange for “peace” with the Palestinians."
Dell asks in the comments section:
"Would the fraud in the White House release Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to “insure peace” with the Muslim world? And, don’t be surprised if that demand is made before the circus trials in New York City! A dire warning will come – purportedly from Osama Bin Laden himself – and the President will get to see what the shoe feels like on the other foot..."
Read the rest here.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Here is the true story of Thanksgiving as told by Rush Limbaugh. Notice that the Pilgrims started out with a form of communism or socialism, then came upon capitalism by experimentation.
May you have a blessed day.
The War on Christmas Begins...
Shouldn't they wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to dis Christmas? Nah, why put off the inevitable.
Found at theblogprof:
Best Buy Can't Say "Christmas," But Wishes Muslims "Happy Eid al-Adha!"
Also, from the comments: "Best Bye-Bye" - I love it.
Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges...
>> November 25, 2009
for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist: via FOXNews.com
WHAT?!
This too, is asinine. It's Fort Hood "PC" taken to the nth degree on the international stage no less. We are the laughing stock of the world and it should be stopped. These SEALs are hero's and should be treated as such, not put on trial or charged with crimes. I don't have to tell you what kind of shock-wave this will send to the rest of our brave soldiers.With every move they make, this administration seems intent on burying any and all initiative in the public and private sectors except to grow their precious government.
2010
UPDATE: Cassie Fiano and Uncle Jimbo have more to say on the issue... Read more...
"The Secret Life of Climate Researchers"
>> November 24, 2009
Biting satire or actual narrative? You decide:
"...French Horn Fanfare Theme
Fast-cut montage of walrus mating with polar bear, astronomer peering through telescope into neighbor's window, cheetahs chasing penguins on the Serengeti, scientists filling out NSF grant proposalsDah dat dat DAAAH dat, dah daht duh dah dee-dah dee dah-dah!
Narrator
This is the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, home of one of the largest nesting populations of climate scientists in Europe.
Gentle ant's-eye scene of idyllic campus lawn, strewn about with drunken mating undergraduatesEach year it attracts magnificent migratory flocks of graduate students, adjuncts and visiting faculty from across the northern hemisphere.
Shots of jumbo jets landing at Heathrow; herds of climate researchers busily milling at Duty Free shops, retrieving baggage, phoning for prearranged limo service..."
Read the rest at Iowahawk
Found at HotAir
Read more...
Now Reading...
The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton
A counter argument to evolution and Darwinism.
I should make Dictionary.com my new homepage. This book has more fifty cent words than a slot machine has quarters.
I heard of this gentleman scholar from another blog some time ago. He was quoted in my previous post here. Highly recommended reading.
Thanks to The Thinker and South Bend Seven for introducing me to his writings.
Oh yea. My new favorite word: sophistry. It will sit there quite nicely next to subterfuge.
Read more...
A counter argument to evolution and Darwinism.
I should make Dictionary.com my new homepage. This book has more fifty cent words than a slot machine has quarters.
I heard of this gentleman scholar from another blog some time ago. He was quoted in my previous post here. Highly recommended reading.
Thanks to The Thinker and South Bend Seven for introducing me to his writings.
Oh yea. My new favorite word: sophistry. It will sit there quite nicely next to subterfuge.
Pick on someone your own size. - Oh, wait...
We are allowing our children to be attacked with increasing frequency.
I submit:
The Boy Scouts are (were) under attack from the SEIU. Bullies. I hate bullies.
And.. a teenage girl is grilled by MSNBC reporter. (She does rather well I'd say.)
More to come, I'm sure.
VC Has The Lowdown On Valour-IT Fundraiser
Plus a cool video of some Navy drill team action.
Bottom line is we raised $113,124.90 for wounded vets.
Thanks to all of you.
Climate Skeptics See Smoking Gun in Researchers Leaked E-Mails
>> November 21, 2009
Climate Skeptics See 'Smoking Gun' in Researchers' Leaked E-Mails - Biology | Astronomy | Chemistry | Physics - FOXNews.com
I think ACE had the first
The skull... "It's got flames on it!"
The File: At MegaUpload, thanks to Peaches. (got this from ACE also.)
Warmist conspiracy exposed?
from Andrew Bolt
To Keep My Sanity...
a little diversion now and again is useful. Jeffrey Ellis has a "Thought Experiment on Evolution vs. Creationism" that I found to be most interesting.
Are we "little software people"?
Insiders' Takes
Tevi Troy Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services :
Harry Reid will get his 60 votes, but he won't be getting closer to solving the $2.5 trillion cost problem facing American health care."Also at the Arena (Politico): Lanny Davis Attorney and Democratic strategist say's;
"In the history of politically brain-dead, utterly stupid, completely insensitive comments by an authorized U.S. Government entity -- "task force" I think is what they call themselves -- I would categorize recommendation of this task force that women in their forties not get mammograms because of the "cost benefit" equation of "only" 1/1000 (or is it 1/10,000 or is it who cares? ) of deaths vs. "false positives and unnecessary anxieties" as the worst of the worst of the worst....
'Makes me want to rethink my liberal philosophy of leaning to trust government solutions. Might even lead me to be a conservative."
Wow
Maybe there is hope these people will come to their senses.
I'm not holding my breath.
Fox News has these quotes in an article today:
"This is a vote about whether or not you want to fundamentally change the way health care is delivered in this country in a way which massively expands the size of government, the role of government and significantly increases the tax burden, especially for small businesses and cuts Medicare by a dramatic amount of money," Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., told Fox News before Saturday's session began.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called the bill "monstrous"...
I concur.
BackyardConservative has more: Huge New Costs, Major FAIL on Care Read more...
The Green-Stained Fingers Of Mary Landrieu ~ From No Sheeples Here...
>> November 20, 2009
"The state of Louisiana will receive an extra $100 million in federal Medicaid funding beyond what every other state will receive. Why, because Harry Reid cannot pass the bill without the support of Landrieu."
"Deep down in their black hearts, the Corruptocrats know that they are bankrupting America and giving a legacy of bankruptcy to our children and grandchildren. They are defrauding this country to get elected over and over again. What these accomplices are doing to this country is unforgiveable."
Couldn't have said it any better.
Read the whole thing at No Sheeples Here: The Green-Stained Fingers Of Mary Landrieu:
C'mon my Louisiana kinfolk. Don't let this happen!
Melt the Phones!
Say Hello to my Little Fed ~ Ruby Slippers
"Ed Morrissey reports the vote to proceed is on for Saturday. Rush reports 97% of bills that succeed in this vote become law. Call your Senator; tell them to start over. "
I say, tell them to quit altogether.
What We Have Here Is, A Failure To Excommunicate
Cassie Fiano has a good point. "For liberals, most of what’s in the Constitution is a problem. They have to dig and distort and pervert in order to get their liberal fantasies passed. Or, they can do what Sen. Jeff Merkley did, and boil the entire Constitution down to just two words, and ignore everything else: general welfare..."
Read the rest here.
2010 can't come soon enough for me.
Senate Health Scare Bill Update
Heritage Foundation points out that the new Reid HC bill in the Senate is "A Health Bill Nobody Believes In"
It "Kills Jobs, Hurts Small Businesses, Hurts Families, Hurts Poor, Hurts States, Funds Abortion [and] Hides True Costs".
One question...
How do we get these morans out of office sooner?
More at The Heritage Foundation's Fix Health Care Policy website
Read more...
More at The Heritage Foundation's Fix Health Care Policy website
3am: Insomnia and health care go together...
like milk and vodka. I'm awake. I don't want to be, but I can't sleep for worrying about what Reid and his ilk have dreamed up. Found this...
Ruby Slippers: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Oh the Joys of Government Health Care
Also at HotAir
The whole monstrosity is here.
Now I really can't sleep. I'm going to find some arsenic to put in my milk. Maybe that will mix better.
Still playing with the backlink thingy. Hope it works.
~What's this milk obsession lately?
Thursday's Potpourri - Sure Smells Around Here
>> November 19, 2009
NPR Shocker: Attorney General Holder Stumped By Lindsey Graham
Work site arrests of illegals fall dramatically
"The figures show that Mr. Obama has made good on his pledge to shift enforcement away from going after illegal immigrant workers themselves - but at the expense of Americans' jobs, said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the Republican who compiled the numbers from the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE)."
Advisory Health Panels Good, Obama’s Super MedPac Bad
Summary of New Taxes in Health Care Bill
HT LMA
Go Call Your Senator and Tell Them To OPPOSE The Monstrosity That Is Government Health Care!
Have a nice day.
Wednesday Linkfest
>> November 18, 2009
Jobs 'Saved or Created' in Congressional Districts That Don't Exist
Human Error Blamed for Crediting New Stimulus Jobs to Nonexistent Places
Lie like a rug.
RS McCain has a conservative for the list:
Allen West: 'Governed by your inferiors'
In a letter to his supporters, retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West quotes Plato -- "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors" -- and talks about the problem of "impostors" in politics
Where is my "like" button?
Obama Warns of Double Dip Recession
America?s big spender in chief warns of over spending.
Which side of the mouth would that come from?
Gateway Pundit Is On the Case...
To Read or Not to Read... That Ain't the Question.
>> November 17, 2009
The subterfuge fairy hath visited again.
I just read a piece by Alex Knapp at Outside The Beltway that, quoting another article, says:
"The 1,990-page length of the health reform bill is once again bringing forth demands that members of Congress be required to read the legislation before voting on it. While a seemingly reasonable demand, it is, in fact, a waste of time.
The reason becomes obvious the moment one actually reads legislative language.
[...]
For these reasons, reading an actual bill is a completely useless exercise for the vast majority of members of Congress and staff...."
Then, speaking of the article he's quoting, we are directed to "Read the whole thing, which is quite illuminating. The bottom line is that the language of a bill is generally technical and may have impacts on various pieces of existing law. If you’re a member of Congress who is not on the appropriate committee or not involved in drafting the legislation, it’s not necessary to read it. The legal language is there to ensure that particular policies get enacted. The important thing is that the members understand the policy, not the technical legal language." ~ emphasis mine
Read the whole thing?! What? Do as I say, not as your congress do?
If I take this idea further, I could extrapolate that we might be too stupid to understand the article to which we are being referred. Therefore, we should just take Alex's word for it that said article tells us what we need to know and sends us to bed with a warm glass of milk, assured once more that our blessed government is doing all it can for our safety and security. Thus, our lawmaker, equally assured, can say "Why would I need to read it? I'll just move on and vote a hearty AYE!" Pass the bill and sign it. No need to understand anything. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
What a load of dung.
Lawmakers should be able to understand what they are voting on. This is not too much to ask. If the language is too tough, let's simplify the language or elect new lawmakers! The halls of Congress have for too long been haunted by language abusing lawyers wedding glorious matrimonies of insidious carnage and passing it off as beneficial legislation. The honeymoon is over.
Thomas Jefferson had a few choice words on the language of lawyers ~ "which from their verbosity, their endless tautologies, their involutions of case within case, and parenthesis within parenthesis, and their multiplied efforts at certainty by saids and aforesaids, by ors and by ands, to make them more plain, do really render them more perplexed and incomprehensible, not only to common readers, but to lawyers themselves."
United States Judge and judicial philosopher Learned Hand wrote: "The language of law must not be foreign to the ears of those who are to obey it."
That being said, here is a link to the actual article. I refer you to this to get you to the comments section, where the real beat-down is happening. Scroll down for some actual acumen.
Tuesday's Recommended Reading
Times Online UK reports the Brit's are losing more of their privacy: "Health and safety inspectors are to be given unprecedented access to family homes to ensure that parents are protecting their children from household accidents...." Who would have guessed? There's not a nanny state thing going on over across the pond is there?
Thanks Quint
While we're pond hopping,
Michelle Malkin observes that "Female Conservative Derangement Syndrome has spread across the pond." in response to Sarah Palin? No. Michele Bachmann, even more at Wizbang.
I also like the comment "We are called stiletto conservatives." ~ Schweet! I like stilettos.
And speaking of Michelle Bachmann, she has drawn the ire of a "CREW" of her own. Who plan to file suit over some over hyped something or other. I'm sure that there's no pot/kettle thing going on here. I'm sure that our illustrious apologist in chief has never, ever thought about doing anything of the sort. I'm sure ACORN or SEIU wouldn't have either.
Judge Andrew Napolitano gets it right at Reason.com: "Kiss Your Freedoms Goodbye If Health Care Passes Why we cannot afford to sit out this fight".
Conservative Buddha links to Discover The Networks expose' of "THE CLOWARD-PIVEN STRATEGY" ~ This site is going into the links column. Lots of good stuff over there.
Subversive Socialism
From The August Review: "The Socialization of America":
"Socialists are united in their desire to see capitalism destroyed, either forcefully or gradually, and most would rejoice if Christianity were destroyed along with it. Socialists and liberals generally see in Christians "an infallible marker of mental retardation"” (Claremont Review of Books, Winter 2008/09, p. 6)
The Christian worldview endorses sound or hard money, fiscal responsibility, saving for a rainy day, deferred gratification, paying off monthly credit card bills, living within one’s means, etc. Keynesian economics, by contrast, argues for consumption, extravagance, and not providing for the future, arguing that “the great vice is saving, thrift, and financial prudence.” (Keynes At Harvard, p. 63) Keynesians love huge national spending, debt, and high inflation—anathema to Christians and conservatives.
Socialists see capitalism as an evil economic system founded on the concepts of profit, individualism, private property, private business, freedom to buy and sell products and services, etc. Indeed, a working definition of capitalism is “the peaceful and free exchange of goods and services without theft, fraud, and breech of contract.” Capitalism is tailored to individual initiative rather than groupthink or community initiative. Nearly all inventions that have furthered the capitalistic enterprise and blessed humanity in the process have been the result of individual initiative rather than committee, group, or government activity....
...It was Keynes himself who admitted that by "a continuous process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens. By this method, they not only confiscate, but confiscate arbitrarily: and while the process impoverishes many, it actually enriches some [e.g., Al Gore]. The process engages all of the hidden forces of economic law on the side of destruction, and does it in a manner that not one man in a million can diagnose"”
Thus it is astounding that Larry Summers, head of President Obama’s National Economic Council and former president of Harvard University, when asked by Charlie Rose “what idea, what person has most influenced your thinking on how to deal with this [financial] mess?” without hesitation answered "Keynes"”
...Following the economic advice of Keynes (huge government spending, debt, and inflation) is kissing the American capitalist system goodnight! His advice is what every socialist would give, even though clear-thinking, common sense Americans know that excessive debt and excessive spending are the main ingredients that created this current financial mess (with the help of Congressional Progressives like Barney Frank hatching socialist schemes in the House of Representatives)."
Read the whole thing.
Kickin' a$$ and naming names.
HT Conservative Buddha
"The Naked Insurance Saleswoman" or "Federal vs State Governance"
>> November 15, 2009
A libertarian friend and I were having a debate on the necessity of car insurance, a conversation which was brought about by Pelosi's asinine health care bill mandating all of U.S. to buy health insurance "Under penalty of death!" ok, that last is a bit of a stretch - under penalty of jail time. Although I could see a situation where the brown shirts come to an uninsured person's door saying "You haven't bought your health insurance, you're going to jail." (Insurance Ensurers?) To which the uninsured might say: "Over my dead body." One can see where that would end up, with a dead, albeit uninsured ex-taxpayer, problem solved.
But I digress, back to the argument er- discussion. In arguing against mandatory health insurance it was brought up that people are required to buy liability car insurance if they want the "privilege" of driving a car. Fair enough, I say. I should be able to assure to my fellow citizens that, if something goes wrong, whether by negligence or pure dumb luck, that I can pay restitution where needed. I have no problem with this.
"No" said friend, "it's not". He is of the opinion that we should not be required to purchase even liability car insurance. In his opinion, if I understand it correctly, all insurance should be a voluntary thing, letting karma do the work of... doing whatever karma does. I submit that, if that were the case, then at best only the most noble, moral and ethical among us would be insured and at worst none of us would have insurance at all. This is unacceptable in the eyes of our state legislators. They have seen a benefit to individuals having liability insurance for their cars and acted accordingly. I still have no problem with this. He does. While I'm certainly no expert on the constitution, I will try to explain my point a little better.
The main questions, I think, are these:
1. Where does my responsibility to another person begin and end?
Answer: When I, in the course of living my life and exercising my rights, negatively affect another person or their property. Then I have the responsibility to supply a reasonable amount of restitution.
Ahh, therein lies the rub. Reasonable. Who shall best determine what is reasonable liability? The parties involved will surely bicker about the worth of a fender, or a leg, or a house, or a life, or a wife (2 mules?).
Leading to the next question:
2. What if I cannot, or will not supply reasonable restitution to the injured parties?
Answer: Then the matter is for the courts to decide. This is where the states saw a problem and attempted to fix it by requiring everyone who wants the privilege of driving a car to maintain a reasonable amount of liability insurance in case they harmed a person or their property The point here is, it is an issue for the individual states.
I'll get to that by way of this:
3. Is it the federal government's role to determine reasonable liability in matters of persons or personal property?
Answer: No. There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that specifically grants this power to the federal government unless it first goes through the state and comes to the federal government through the courts.
* So check this out. It is, to me, the most important thing in the entire discussion.
The main flaw in the H.C. proposal and frankly most federal laws passed in the last hundred years concerning society and personal responsibility is this: The federal government's thinking has changed from QUESTIONING "Does the Constitution specifically grant me the power to do this?" To STATING "The Constitution doesn't specifically OPPOSE it, therefore, it is ALLOWED." In other words, it's like saying "Well, you didn't tell me I COULDN'T". It's an insolent child's justification and it is wrong.
AS a matter of fact, the Constitution did and it still does "Tell them they couldn't". The clause is called the Tenth Amendment, which has been conveniently ignored or forgotten.
It reads:
"Amendment Ten
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The federal government thinks that when they pass a law it is amending the constitution. They are not. A law in itself is not an amendment. This is no small, quibbling point.
The Constitution and it's Amendments is the litmus test by which we are to MEASURE laws. It should be used to judge a law's fairness with respect to individuals and their property. We have forgotten this basic rule. Our legislators are acting dogmatically to deconstruct our Constitution by creating laws that subvert it. Their dogma is running over our karma. (Car-ma?)
Wait. Wasn't I speaking about car insurance? Where did that lizard go?
Next question:
4. So, if the insurance question isn't in the federal government's bailiwick, then who's place is it?
Answer: The state is the only place in our system of government where this kind of law can be made. According the Tenth Amendment, the state can in fact, within the parameters of it's Constitution, do whatever it wishes. The state is even allowed to require a person to have liability car insurance. The individual, if he doesn't like it, can move to another, uninsured state although he would be hard pressed to find one except maybe another country, or he could fight it in the courts or at the ballot box or in the state legislature.
Which, in a round about way leads to this question:
5. Why did the founders put the Tenth Amendment in the Constitution?
Answer: It was meant to keep government's power closer to the people. They saw that laws pertaining to and encroaching on individual rights were best kept at the state level. It is close enough and local enough to the people so that if the power is abused, it is then easier to affect meaningful change either by the ballot or by changing law. The founders knew that if power were given to the federal government over an individual, then the federal
government would surely abuse such power and use it to acquire more. Recent events are bearing witness to this fact.
The federal government is, against the will of the American people, passing unconstitutional laws that oppress it's citizens. This is by definition, Tyranny. I think if the American people really understood how far the country has strayed from our Founders' defining principles they would be truly shocked and utterly dismayed.
"Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to god." ~ Benjamin Franklin
Read up people. Educate yourselves before it's too late!
Ok, I've got to find my bible and my "The End Is Near" body signs and get to the busiest street-corner now. Don't mind me. I'm a harmless street urchin. I know nothing. No, really. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Wasn't I talking about car insurance?
Valour-IT Fundraiser
Valour-IT: Technology for the Wounded: Another successful campaign!
Looks like over $100,000 for this worthy cause.
Many thanks to those who donated. You guys rock!
Beat Farmers Cover Neil Young - Powderfinger
Loved the Beat Farmers when they were together. Are they still together? Haven't heard from them in a while. I sing this one better though ;-)
November 11th ~ Thank You Veterans!
>> November 11, 2009
In observation of Veterans Day I'll give my "shout out" to my grandfather: US Army, WWII and Korean War veteran.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please, allow me to introduce you to someone. I think you'll like him. His name is Ross D. Provost, my grandfather. He is the most honorable man I have ever met. He’s a church going man, a Christian. A man who understands from experience the value of life and liberty, and what it takes to hold on to those precious gifts.
To look at him, you would never guess the trials he has been through. It just doesn't show.
In 1944, at 16 years old, he crawled out the dusty back window of a one-story schoolhouse to run off and join the Army/Airforce.
You see, there were soldiers fighting in the second "War to end all Wars". I guess he felt the need, along with most Americans, to do their part for freedom. He enlisted "indefinitely", which, in civilian speak of the time meant, "as long as we need you", for a 3 year stint with the option to renew. About a year later, the Army/Airforce discovered he was under age and kicked him out. Home he went. After a few months, he could stand it no more. He pleaded with his parents to sign his tickets and let him rejoin. They reluctantly agreed. At the ripe old age of 17 he rejoined the Army to deploy at Yokohama, Japan, toward the end of WWII.
After WWII, at 19 years old, he was stationed in Newburgh, NY, at a portion of West Point, where he was a member of the Pilot Training Crash Crew. They assisted with pilot training, obviously. My grandpa's portion of the training was to rescue pilots from the burning planes that the pilots crashed during the course of training. Sounds like loads of fun to me.
Then the Korean War began. Another deployment. This time he was a Field 1st Sergeant, commanding the 105 Howitzer regiment. At one point, serving on the same front line with all three of his sibling brothers at Hungnam - the 38th parallel. He lost his brother Donald in Korea. Paw also told me of the freezing cold and of jumping into an unknown foxhole with snow up to his stomach. I'm sure he was wondering who's foxhole it was, thankful that it was friendly.
After a "promotion" or title change, Paw left the smell of white phosphorus and lord knows how many obliterated landscapes, to the enviable job of...
"One Man Land Mine Discovery and Disposal Unit". This job consisted of "skipping a small tube of nitro across a piece of land like skipping a stone across a pond" in the hopes of exploding the nitro tube and creating a concussion, which would explode the land mines. He told me of times when his friends, seeing that the jeep he was driving was loaded down with tubes of nitroglycerin would give him an extra wide berth. ~ Why wouldn't they?
My grandfather's next military assignment was "Gray Registration", an obscure term for, in my opinion, what can be the most solemn and yet honorable task of any soldier, to escort the body of a fallen military brother to their home.
During a brief assignment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma he and his fellow soldiers broke wild horses for shipping to Greece. The horses were to be used as pack mules for the armed forces in the area. Afterward, he was tasked with the responsibilities of Master Sergeant at Camp Polk, LA. breaking and training new recruits for action. If my grandfather was their instructor, you can bet they were ready. I wonder though, what "Camp" Polk looked like back in the day.
I didn't know about most of my grandfather's military history until today. I had the idea to feature "Paw" in this post when I called him asking, "Would you mind if I told a bit of your story?" Maybe, I said, some of these newly awakened patriots need to be reminded of what you and your brothers in arms went through to secure our liberty. He graciously agreed.
Lucky me.
Lucky US.
Sometimes our heroes are reluctant to share the torment, the harshest, indescribable anguish of war. Who am I to blame them? I've never been to war. I don't know those horrid memory flashes that only an angel can erase. Nor do I remember the bygone friends and brothers who gave their lives for all of our freedom. It is precisely because of those brave soldiers, that I am here, reminding you to give thanks to my grandfather and men and women like him. They are the true patriots. I know that he would tell you, no, implore you, to get involved. He would demand that you take back the America that we have lost in just the few short years since he and his brothers in arms fought and died for it.
Do not let those lives and ideals go to waste.
Liberties lost are never found again.
We must fight to keep them, or fall into oblivion.
Raging Elephants!
>> November 10, 2009
New addition to the blogroll ~ Apostle Claver tells it like it is. Saw him speak at the TEA Party Rally Saturday. Great speaker with a great message.
Find out more at Raging Elephants main page.
Memeorandum Helps Get The Word Out ~ Ooh Rah!
Thanks to Cassandra at Villainous Company, the blog team has made the main Memeorandum page.
Semper Fi!
Happy Birthday Marines! Semper Fidelis
From our Valour-IT Marine team leader:
The Marine team is within sight of our 35K goal, but we need your help to get there! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of our Corps than to boost the Marine team to its first victory ever.
Valour IT provides adaptive technology to help severely wounded vets recover faster, establish a support system, and regain their independence. Since the program began, every single dollar raised by Valour IT has been used to provide:
· 4,100+ voice activated laptops
· over 30 Wii systems
· and nearly 100 handheld GPS devices to wounded vets at:
Balboa Naval Hospital
Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton
Brooke Army Medical Center
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital
Madigan RMC
Walter Reed AMC
National Naval MC (Bethesda)
and VA centers nationwide.
The men and women of the United States military have given their all to defend the values we Americans hold dear. For the price of a few sixpacks of beer or some dip and chips, you can tell them that you honor their sacrifices and their service. Please give generously. They did:
GO MARINES!!!
New Banner and Blog Title
>> November 9, 2009
A little house cleaning. I finally got around to making a bonafide banner for the site. While I was at it, I changed the title to match the url. Silly and anal, I know. Sue me. :) Hope you like the new banner.
Read more...What is The Meaning of Semper Fidelis?
Sometimes it's best to look at the definition of a phrase from a personal perspective.
Found at at Oo-Rah.com by Cam Beck:
"...the Marine Corps has never experienced a mutiny. Marines in England were revered for their loyalty to the crown, just as United States Marines are now revered for their downright fanatical dedication to each other, their service, and their country. Using Latin to characterize this quality represents its legitimization--its codification. Significantly, for Marines at least, it also provides a caste--a group that is separate and unique from any other--a group that has no desire to be like any other.
What is left unsaid in the motto is also notable. The phrase is "Always faithful." It isn't "Sometimes Faithful." Nor is it "Usually Faithful," but always. It is not negotiable. It is not relative, but absolute. Who is always faithful, though. and to what, exactly are they faithful? Interestingly, the simplicity of the phrase and the calculated neglect to specify its parameters seems to strengthen it. Marines pride themselves on their straightforward mission and steadfast dedication to accomplish it."
Don't forget to hit that Valour -IT fundraiser widget at the top right of the page. We may not all be Marines but we can be faithful. Only two days left in the fundraiser!
Semper Fi
Read more...
Found at at Oo-Rah.com by Cam Beck:
"...the Marine Corps has never experienced a mutiny. Marines in England were revered for their loyalty to the crown, just as United States Marines are now revered for their downright fanatical dedication to each other, their service, and their country. Using Latin to characterize this quality represents its legitimization--its codification. Significantly, for Marines at least, it also provides a caste--a group that is separate and unique from any other--a group that has no desire to be like any other.
What is left unsaid in the motto is also notable. The phrase is "Always faithful." It isn't "Sometimes Faithful." Nor is it "Usually Faithful," but always. It is not negotiable. It is not relative, but absolute. Who is always faithful, though. and to what, exactly are they faithful? Interestingly, the simplicity of the phrase and the calculated neglect to specify its parameters seems to strengthen it. Marines pride themselves on their straightforward mission and steadfast dedication to accomplish it."
Don't forget to hit that Valour -IT fundraiser widget at the top right of the page. We may not all be Marines but we can be faithful. Only two days left in the fundraiser!
Semper Fi
Health Care! Getcher "Free" Healthcare Here!
>> November 8, 2009
iOWNTHEWORLD is on the stick once again, pointing to the Democratic Underground's comment section, where they are all dismayed over the price of "free" healthcare. I'm going to refrain from any snarkism for the moment. It is interesting to watch the implosion though.
Also, here is the contact information for Congressman Cao, the sole "Republican" (RINO) who voted for the HC bill. We should send encouraging words, says one DU commenter. Hmmm.
Here is the full roll call of the HC vote
plus the roll call of the Stupak aborton Amendment
via Michelle Malkin
I'm Not Sayin' I Believe It...
>> November 6, 2009
Things that make you go hmm...
Let's make a quick examination of the facts. Michele Bachmann, Mark Levin, Jon Voight and a cast of tens of thousands descend on the Capitol for a rally which could in effect save the country from socialism and while the halls of congress are literally filling with constituents, to hold their congressmen's feet to the fire, so to speak, Bam! Here comes Mr. Gunman, effectively derailing what would have been another front page news story.
Did someone make a sleeper cell phone call? Pull a lever? Say the magic words "Allah Be Praised"?
We'd better check the phone records and all correspondence to and from Mr. Gunman post haste!
Hey Alex Jones! Someone call George Noory! There's a story here! Charlie Sheen, are you paying attention? Do you have plans to fake an interview with our new president? Get to the bottom of this!
There are questions that need to be asked and answered honestly.
I'm not a conspiracy theory guy but, what if?
I'm just sayin'...
Of course, the phone call or orders wouldn't have had to come from anyone in our government to achieve the goals of our enemies. It could have come from Bin Laden himself or no-one at all to do that. Because if it derails the Healthcare opposition, if this vicious attack serves to distract us from defending liberty in the halls of power, if we blink and let PelobamaCare pass, then the long term goals of our enemies are made easier.
By funneling billions and trillions of our dollars into socialized medicine then we will break the bank and go the way of the Soviet Union. Just as Ronald Reagan broke their bank with defense spending and Star Wars, we will have weakened ourselves economically, and more important, emotionally as well, giving in to the entitlement mentality, the dependant mindset which would ultimately break the will to succeed of most Americans anyway. After all, who wants to work to succeed if you're only going to be punished for it?
Whether or not this was an act of terrorism is immaterial. The fact is that these were soldiers of freedom who died in service to their country. We shouldn't let our grief for them serve to weaken our resolve. We should honor their memory by fighting harder to preserve the freedom they died for.
I'm just sayin'... Read more...
To Everyone At Fort Hood,
To the families and friends affected, and those who are forced to deal with the aftermath of yesterday's attacks, I offer my heartfelt sympathies and condolences. You are in my prayers.
If you would like to share a message of support, you can do so through the army's social media sites. The Army Times has the links
HT Backyard Conservative
Marine Sgt. John Eubanks...
like so many others I hear of, wanted to go back to Iraq on his own terms to deal with his personal struggle.
Via the recent USO Newsletter:
"When Marine Sgt. John Eubanks first went to Iraq, he was an infantryman and a weapons specialist. In the middle of his second tour in 2005, he suffered back injuries and a traumatic brain injury when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Since then, Sgt. Eubanks has undergone numerous medical procedures, but perhaps none has been as therapeutic as his recent return to Iraq as a visitor. During his recovery, Sgt. Eubanks wrote about what such a journey would be like for him and other wounded warriors.
In October, when Sgt. Eubanks and six other wounded soldiers returned to Iraq as part of Operation Proper Exit, those written wishes became reality.
"I believe these visits by our Wounded Warriors are important as they allow them to see the improvements in Iraq and that their sacrifices weren't made in vain," said MNF-I Commanding General Ray Odierno of the visit.
This was Operation Proper Exit’s second trip, a new program sponsored by the USO in partnership with the Troops First Foundation. Thirteen wounded warriors have returned to Iraq to answer the questions left there when they abruptly were taken off the battlefield on stretchers. To read more about these healing journeys and watch the warriors' personal stories, please visit: www.USOonPatrol.org. "
More on Sgt. Eubanks and other troops involved in Operation Proper Exit at BlackAnthemMilitaryNews
But before you head off... Don't forget to honor our hero's who have given so much in the service to our country. Please, make a donation to Valour-IT today.
Granted, I'm mixing charities here but we're all on the same team right? After all, Little Miss Attila was mixing metaphors just yesterday. Can one mix charities with metaphors? Charitaphors? Metapharities?
Now I know it's late.
Armed Forces dates to mark on your calendars:
* The USS NEW YORK -- made from the steel of the World Trade Center -- will be commissioned in New York on November 7. * Happy 234th Birthday, U.S. Marine Corps (November 10)!
* November 11 — Veterans Day. (End of Project Valour-IT)
Also, Cassandra at Villainous Company has a tribute you should read.
Read more...
Kill The Bill Rally Update...
Gateway Pundit is my hero. I love the fact that while I'm working, GP is on the job ~ You Rock!
Mark Levin is a national treasure. Why hasn't he run for office?
And did I mention iOWNTHEWORLD? - Pure Gold
Michele Bachman is smart AND hot. What a combo. Wait....
Bachmann+Palin? Palin+Bachmann? Aww, cmon, you know you've thought about it. No, not THAT. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Could the nation handle so much blatant patriotism? Could we balance so much progesterone and estrogen? Could they handle the 3am calls from the pentagon asking "What are you wearing?" But I digress, of course we could. We are in the process of weathering possibly the greatest ego since Kanye West. And for the next 3+ years no less. I think we could deal with a few female eccentricities. Besides, these are tough ladies. Anyone remember Margaret Thatcher?
How about this for a slogan: "Ladies For Liberty!" I like. It has a nice ring to it.
Whatever happens, I for one am glad to have these women patriots on the right side of the debate. Read more...
Free Speech? Nah - None For You
>> November 4, 2009
The blitz continues. What kills me is, I am funding it. Waddup widdat?
Little Miss Attila hooks and lands a big one... Via Boing Boing
Secret copyright treaty leaks. It’s bad. Very bad.
The internet chapter of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a secret copyright treaty whose text Obama’s administration refused to disclose due to “national security” concerns, has leaked. It's bad. It says: - * That ISPs have to proactively police copyright on user-contributed material. This means that it will be impossible to run a service like Flickr or YouTube or Blogger, since hiring enough lawyers to ensure that the mountain of material uploaded every second isn't infringing will exceed any hope of profitability.
- * That ISPs have to cut off the Internet access of accused copyright infringers or face liability. This means that your entire family could be denied to the internet -- and hence to civic participation, health information, education, communications, and their means of earning a living -- if one member is accused of copyright infringement, without access to a trial or counsel.
- * That the whole world must adopt US-style "notice-and-takedown" rules that require ISPs to remove any material that is accused -- again, without evidence or trial -- of infringing copyright. This has proved a disaster in the US and other countries, where it provides an easy means of censoring material, just by accusing it of infringing copyright.
- * Mandatory prohibitions on breaking DRM, even if doing so for a lawful purpose (e.g., to make a work available to disabled people; for archival preservation; because you own the copyrighted work that is locked up with DRM)
And I was worried about the (minute) possibility of some small time local misrepresentation. Silly me.
Please excuse moi while my head asplodes.
Southeast Texas RINO's?
UPDATE 4/5 am: KBMT picked up the story (with video)
UPDATE 4/5 am: SETXhomepage (also with video)
True switch? I'm encouraged but skeptical.
From Blair Dedrick Ortmann at the Beaumont Enterprise:
"The following is a list of Hardin County officials who announced today they were switching their political party affiliations.
All of the officials changed from Democrat to Republican.
County Judge Billy Carraway
Precinct 4 Commissioner Bobby Franklin
County attorney Rebecca Walton
Sheriff Ed Cain
Justice of the Peace Butch Cummings
Constable Wayne McDaniel
Justice of the Peace Kent Walker"
Hmmm, is the ship sinking? Do these officials know something we don't? Did they see something in last night's election coverage that suddenly changed their ideology? Do they think we won't remember this in 2010? One has to wonder, doesn't one.
I don't live or vote in Hardin County. Just thought I'd share this for those that do.
Make a list folks. Take note and do some searching for voting records and political platforms. Let's just see what kind of republicans these officials will be.
Nubs: A Mutt, A Marine, and A Miracle
From Cassy Fiano's Smokin Hot Blog - Sorry Cassy, I jusst ripped this story completely from your site. I love a good dog story and I've been too busy at work and with family stuff to do any posts on my own. Besides, You and Cassandra are much better writers than I anyway.
"You probably hear a lot about the stray dogs that servicemembers find in the Middle East. The common theme is that our soldiers just love to kill those strays, because they’re bloodthirsty and mean and evil. It seems like that theme is more based in fiction than in reality, especially for one group of Marines. One dog even made such a connection with a Marine, Maj. Brian Dennis, that he searched the country for him, and Maj. Dennis fought to be able to take the dog he named Nubs home.
This is their incredible story.
When Maj. Brian Dennis of the United States Marine Corps met a wild stray dog with shorn ears while serving in Iraq, he had no idea of the bond they would form, leading to seismic changes in both their lives. “The general theme of the story of Nubs is that if you’re kind to someone, they’ll never forget you — whether it be person or animal,” Dennis tells Paw Nation.
In October 2007, Dennis and his team of 11 men were in Iraq patrolling the Syrian border. One day, as his team arrived at a border fort, they encountered a pack of stray dogs — not uncommon in the barren, rocky desert that was home to wolves and wild dogs.
“We all got out of the Humvee and I started working when this dog came running up,” recalls Dennis. “I said, ‘Hey buddy’ and bent down to pet him.” Dennis noticed the dog’s ears had been cut. “I said, ‘You got little nubs for ears.’” The name stuck. The dog whose ears had been shorn off as a puppy by an Iraqi soldier (to make the dog “look tougher,” Dennis says) became known as Nubs.
Dennis fed Nubs scraps from his field rations, including bits of ham and frosted strawberry Pop Tarts. “I didn’t think he’d eat the Pop Tart, but he did,” says Dennis.
At night, Nubs accompanied the men on night patrols. “I’d get up in the middle of the night to walk the perimeter with my weapon and Nubs would get up and walk next to me like he was doing guard duty,” says Dennis.
The next day, Dennis said goodbye to Nubs, but he didn’t forget about the dog. He began mentioning Nubs in emails he wrote to friends and family back home. “I found a dog in the desert,” Dennis wrote in an email in October 2007. “I call him Nubs. We clicked right away. He flips on his back and makes me rub his stomach.”
“Every couple of weeks, we’d go back to the border fort and I’d see Nubs every time,” says Dennis. “Each time, he followed us around a little more.” And every time the men rumbled away in their Humvees, Nubs would run after them. “We’re going forty miles an hour and he’d be right next to the Humvee,” says Dennis. “He’s a crazy fast dog. Eventually, he’d wear out, fall behind and disappear in the dust.”
On one trip to the border fort in December 2007, Dennis found Nubs was badly wounded in his left side where he’d been stabbed with a screwdriver. “The wound was infected and full of pus,” Dennis recalls. “We pulled out our battle kits and poured antiseptic on his wound and force fed him some antibiotics wrapped in peanut butter.” That night, Nubs was in so much pain that he refused food and water and slept standing up because he couldn’t lay down. Dennis and his team left again the next day, but Dennis thought about Nubs the entire time, hoping the dog was still alive.
Two weeks later, when Dennis and his team returned, he found Nubs alive and well. “I had patched him up and that seemed to be a turning point in how he viewed me,” says Dennis. This time, when Dennis and his team left the fort, Nubs followed. Though the dog lost sight of the Humvees, he never gave up. For two days, Nubs endured freezing temperatures and packs of wild dogs and wolves, eventually finding his way to Dennis at a camp an incredible 70 miles south near the Jordanian border.
“There he was, all beaten and chewed up,” says Dennis. “I knew immediately that Nubs had crossed through several dog territories and fought and ran, and fought and ran,” says Dennis. The dog jumped on Dennis, licking his face.
Most of the 80 men at the camp welcomed Nubs, even building him a doghouse. But a couple of soldiers complained, leading Dennis’ superiors to order him to get rid of the dog. With his hand forced, Dennis decided that the only thing to do was bring Nubs to America. He began coordinating Nubs’ rescue effort. Friends and family in the States helped, raising the $5,000 it would cost to transport Nubs overseas.
Finally, it was all arranged. Nubs was handed over to volunteers in Jordan, who looked after the dog and sent him onto to Chicago, then San Diego, where Dennis’ friends waited to pick him up. Nubs lived with Dennis’ friends and began getting trained by local dog trainer Graham Bloem of the Snug Pet Resort. “I focused on basic obedience and socializing him with dogs, people and the environment,” says Bloem.
A month later, Dennis finished his deployment in Iraq and returned home to San Diego, where he immediately boarded a bus to Camp Pendleton to be reunited with Nubs. “I was worried he wouldn’t remember me,” says Dennis. But he needn’t have worried. “Nubs went crazy,” recalls Dennis. “He was jumping up on me, licking my head.”
This is Maj. Dennis with his new best friend, Nubs:
And of course, since we’re talking about a Marine… have you donated to Project Valour-IT? And hey, if you have, maybe you could forward this on to a friend and encourage them to donate. Remember, every little bit helps!"
In case can't get enough canine shenanigans, Cassandra has another dogs of war story at Villainous Company.
Read more...
Project Valour-IT Needs You To Help A Wounded Veteran
>> November 2, 2009
If you haven't yet done so, please consider a small donation to the Valour IT Marine team. We've managed to assemble a team of over 65 bloggers but it's tough for us to compete with the larger services.
Until yesterday we had a $2000 lead over the Army and a $7-8000 lead over Air Force and Navy. But our position is being overrun. We need reinforcements!
The devices that Valour-IT funds have a profound and visible effect on users/recipients and ALL money donated for Valour-IT goes to purchase and shipping of laptops, Wiis, and GPS devices (that means ZERO OVERHEAD). Valour IT provides powerful tools that help severely wounded vets (not just those with hand problems) speed up recovery and treatment, maintain a support system, and regain a sense of independence.
Valour IT facts:
• in 4+ years Valour IT has provided 4,100 laptops, over 30 Wii systems to VA hospitals, and nearly 100 handheld GPS devices
• Total online funds collected to date: nearly 3/4 of a million dollars
• Every dollar raised goes directly to wounded vets military medical centers and VA facilities nationwide, such as:
o Balboa Naval Hospital
o Brooke Army Medical Center
o Madigan Regional Medical Center
o National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda)
o Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton
o Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms)
o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Here's what your donation can provide:
Voice activated laptops:
1. Help wounded vets connect with still-deployed fellow service members (relieve anxiety about how their friends are doing, allow them to maintain a support system)
2. Allow vets to stay in touch with loved ones who can’t be at their bedside
3. Run therapeutic computer programs that help restore brain/vision function,
4. Can be used to research treatments, keep track of treatment regimen.
5. Retrain for post-military employment
6. Voice control makes using a computer one of the first things they can do on their own
Wii uses:
1. Physical therapists in VA hospitals and major medical centers are using Wii fit systems with their patients
2. Motivation: Wii Sports games key into natural competitive nature
3. Track progress in a fun way
GPS uses:
1. For those with very severe PTSD or TBI (memory problems, high anxiety, etc), having a GPS increases independence and restores a sense of competence. Short-term memory problems can make it hard to navigate of new locations. A GPS can mean the difference between success and failure.
Please help. These men and women have already given so much. The price of a nice six pack of beer or an inexpensive dinner seems the least we can to in return for their sacrifices.
Thanks for your support.
Man's Best Freind
>> October 31, 2009
This lack of self-regard caused me to think again of our selfless fighting men and women. This is, I think in essence, what they volunteer for and the ideal they strain and train to be: unrelenting protectors of their country, our backyards.
They volunteer to be dogs. Trained, disciplined dogs of war, Hoping, like any other dog that loves it's master or country, to be of use. In a dog's case, to fetch the bird, or herd the cattle, or protect it's master. In the case of the soldier, to take the hill, to hold the perimeter, or to root out the enemy wherever he may be, in short, to be an asset. Sure, a dog can't vocalize those desires, but if you have ever known and loved a dog, you can surely attest to the "willfulness to please" nature of man's best friend.
Disclaimer: While I certainly don't think of any soldier truly as a dog, or any animal, with some personal exceptions (you know who you are), I do admire the tenacity and audacity with which a soldier goes about their business. So, if any offense is taken to this analogy, please, rest assured that it is not my intention to offend, but to admire and to acknowledge the sacrifices given by those in service to our country.
Now, go hit the Valour-IT banner. Help those who, in the act of protecting us all, have given more than their fair share.
God Bless You All, you Dogs of War, you Protectors of Freedom.
HT Sharon for the photo of Vader.
Clinton: "We Tax Everything That Moves"
Via Gateway Pundit: Hillary Clinton Tells Pakistanis: "We Tax Everything That Moves"
There's some news to me.
Thanks Cassandra, Now The World Is All Watery
I could post a quote but, you would just go finish reading anyway. So go on, git.
It's well worth your time.
Good Commentary From Serr8d on the TARP Fiasco...
>> October 29, 2009
"Overshot the runway by more than just a hundred miles... ~ Serr8d's Cutting Edge
Click it to make it bigger.
Read more...
Valour-IT - The Beginning:
Found this at Something... and Half of Something
"Project Valour-IT began when Captain Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company in Iraq in June 2005.
During his deployment he kept a blog. Captivating writing, insightful stories of his experiences, and his self-deprecating humor won him many loyal readers. After he was wounded, his wife continued his blog, keeping his readers informed of his condition.
As he began to recover, CPT Ziegenfuss wanted to return to writing his blog, but serious hand injuries hampered his typing. When a loyal and generous reader gave him a copy of the Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred software, other readers began to realize how important such software could be to CPT Ziegenfuss' fellow wounded soldiers and started cast about for a way to get it to them.
A fellow who writes under the pseudonym FbL contacted Captain Ziegenfuss and the two realized they shared a vision of creating libraries of laptops with voice-controlled software that could be brought to the bedsides of wounded soldiers whose injuries prevented them from operating a standard computer. FbL contacted Soldiers' Angels, who offered to help develop the project, and Project Valour-IT was born"
Remember this: "Every cent raised for Project Valour-IT goes directly to the purchase and shipment of voice-activated laptops for wounded servicemembers."
How many charities can say that?
Read the rest here...
HT Mostly Game
em i cee kay e wye em oh you es e
Caution: Harsh language...
I am in a world of shit. Yes. But I am alive. And I am not afraid.
God Bless Our Troops. Amen. Read more...
Lemme See Your War Face!
Caution: Harsh Gunny language...
There is something wrong with this. I'll have to keep watching it til I figure out what it is. Read more...
Valour-IT: Have You Donated Yet?
Just click on the thermometer. It's easy. Look, I'll show you...
See how easy that was?
Video Exposes Health Care Bill Written By Democrats In Secret
Republican senators and members of the media highlight President Obama's failure to live up to his pledge to conduct health care negotiations in full view of the public. Senators and media members also highlight the White Houses alarming tendency to seek to punish those who dont share its views.
I'm hoping for a change in 2010.
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