Data Troll

Sorry; Your TV Remote will not turn off the War

2007-07-29T13:28:00.000-05:00

To the vidiots who are out there tired of a war you have made no sacrifices for, except for minor interruption of your information flow on the latest ‘Lost’ episode or Paris Hilton’s latest escapade. I’m sorry, but your TV remote will not turn off the jihadists. Jihadists have been killing Americans since the first truck bombing in Beirut in 1983 (my brother was there). These lunatics have been at war with everything you hold dear since before then and they will take every opportunity to impose their 7th century governmental concepts on you and as much of the world as we are willing to hand over to them.

Iraq is just one current front on this generational war, one that- if lost- will give Al Qaeda a nation of major financial resources to draw from and would guarantee the death of many 100,000s. It will also generate millions of refugees from their rule; and where do you think many of those refugees will end up? That’s right; the good old USA! And mixed in with them will be just as many terror cells as the Al-Qaeda can sneak in among the legitimate refugees. Who knows; your new next door neighbor may need some your help to move his RPGs in.

It's very simple; listen to the people who have served, or are serving over there. Let them, not some MSM type or US-based pundit, tell you about the value of the fight in Iraq. Ever wonder why you don't see a simple poll being done; one that asks the returning troops that asks them whether they think it is worth doing? The MSM would be real uncomfortable about the result.

Back from Uganda

2007-06-27T22:46:00.000-05:00

Another great, if a bit strange, trip to visit the kids in Uganda. Getting my girl Winnie started on college, doing some good deeds for Children of Uganda and for MADEUganda, and generally spending time with all the the great kids and fantastic people there is just great. I'll post details and more pics on the UgandaKids site.

I added a new blog of the people and places of my work in Africa

Mass Murder Mayhem, Encouraged and Abetted by the MSM

2007-04-21T01:26:00.000-05:00

Well, the scum-sucking ‘Ratings at all costs’ decision-makers in the MSM (with NBC being the lowest and most criminal of the bunch) have proven themselves lower than the maggots under horse shit. Their 24-hour monopolization of the TV screen of pictures and video that the murdering Cho monster sent them has done more disservice to this nation than even their traitorous anti-American slanting of the war ‘news’. News flash, Media Morons! When the Devil Incarnate sends you such things to glorify his monstrosity with the goal of having you publicize it, YOU DON”T GO ALONE WITH HIM!!

The result is perfectly predictable: a bunch on on-the-edge, ‘everybody-is-at-fault-for-my-misery-except-me’ types will latch on and do their utmost to top Cho's ‘badass’ness.

It certainly didn’t take long; just in the the last 36 hours we have DIRECTLY RELATED incidents in Montague County (fortunately stopped), California (fortunately stopped), and Houston, with one innocent casualty. And these are only the ones who did no planning at all; how many will occur in the next few weeks?

Is anyone going to hold the MSM accountable for the additional deaths they have assured, like the one in Houston? Reckless endangerment might serve for a giant civil case.

The MSM has become so disgusting, they deserve the attention of the only form of life beneath them; trial lawyers.

A different kind of John Doe

2007-04-01T22:19:00.000-05:00

Hey, Flying Imams! You terrorist facilitators should count yourselves lucky; the John Doe’s you ended up dealing with were the wary ‘sheep’ type, as described in this excellent piece, quoting from The Bulletproof Mind. You might have had to deal with the ‘Ram’ type (a group missing from the linked piece, but exists in the real world); those on United 93 and on the Shoe Bomber’s flight were definitive ‘Rams’. Or- worse- some off-duty ‘sheepdogs’ might have been at hand when you pulled your stunt; that would have ended it real quickly.

Trust me on this one; if I- as a ‘Ram’ type- am in the neighborhood and you start acting like you did, you just might have a new seat buddy close by you or at least between you and the cockpit that looks something like the guy above. And that seat buddy is pretty big and quite capable of slowing your punk ass down, if not stopping you cold. You’ll have your seat buddy’s undivided attention for the entire duration of the flight, with something heavy (laptop transformer) or sharp (a fistful of pens between the knuckles) close at hand. And my need to ‘go to the bathroom’ with amazingly coincide with yours.

On the ground… well, I’ve got a shiny new Concealed Handgun License and lots of practice at the range. So you’re welcome to visit me anytime to discuss your radical concept of religion and ‘human rights’. Count me as a much meaner ‘John Doe’ than you dealt with on your flight.

Gathering of Eagles: HotAir's Vent

2007-02-28T23:10:00.000-06:00

Time to get off your arses!
Today Michelle Malkin calls us to action, rightfully so. If you're tired of watching the deranged leftists hold their media-hyped rallies that are virtually unanswered, you need to try to get down to DC to the Vietnam Vets Memorial Wall on March 17th. If you can't get there in person, attend one of the rallies associated with This Caravan

digg story

William Arkin; symptom of systemic A**holeness of the Elitist Press

2007-02-11T22:14:00.000-06:00

It turns out that at least one editor DID review this piece of bovine excrement prior to it's posting. IMHO, the opinion he expressed is apparently held by a large part of the elitist MSM, though they would be a bit more refined and subtle about their expression of it.

Well, the vast majoritiy of the MSM aren't fit to apply the toilet paper of people like these written about in Arkin's own paper. These people are try to help brave Iraqis like these and hopeful Afghans like this one beat off some of the most heathanistic 'people' on the planet;thugs who would kill all 'infidels' (including many Muslims), rule by Sharia law and keep women uneducated and in Burkas.

These pampered elitists don't have a clue; if they did, they might be out doing reporting like this, or honoring our troops like this great man.

Go here to look in the eyes of the cost of this very important fight that we are waging against a belief system every bit as hideous as Nazisim; an absolutist, 7th century fanaticism that threatens the entire world in ways Hitler only dreamed of. But this time that have a willing accomplice Germany lacked in WWII; the Islamfascisits have the Imperial News Media of this country square in their hip pocket.

How many Boat People this time?

2006-10-25T23:20:00.000-05:00

For all of you out there who have listened to the Imperial News Media and the liberal Democrats out there about Iraq; those that want to pull out by timetable or as soon as possible: How many Iraqi boat people do you think will land on our shores this time? (Remember Vietnam?)
If we bail out without some sort of stability, here is what will happen:

1) Sistani will be assassinated and Al Sadr will be in charge of the Shia (after all, he’ll claim to have beaten the Americans).
2) A full-scale civil war will start- Shia against Sunni- with daily death tolls in the many thousands. Sunni genocide will begin.
3) Anybody with money on either side (and there are a bunch) will head across the borders; Shia to Kuwait, Sunni to Syria.
4) Those countries won’t take in that much trouble, so guess where they’ll end up? Yep, the good old U.S. How many? One million? Two? More? And the population would be guaranteed to have at least 2-3% true-blue terrorists mixed in among them.
5) Somewhere along the way, Al-Sadr get whacked, or fully converts to be the Al-Qaeda faithful, running a wealthy country. Bin Laden rides in a victory parade through the streets of Bagdhad.

So go ahead; vote the Democrats in. Then prepare to welcome your new neighbors; they may need help unpacking their RPGs.

Will be voting Republican.... reluctantly

2006-10-21T22:41:00.000-05:00

I guess I'll be voting for the national Republicans this year, but it will be only because we are at war. The Pork support, their open border policy and their general political establishment stunts are nauseating. But the nation's security cannot be trusted to Democrats who see the War on Terror as a crime issue; what idiots!

I will be registering my protest vote though. I'll be voting for Kinky Friedman for Governor. A monkey wrench needs to be thrown into the way Austin currently works; he'll do for now. He actually has a fair shot at getting elected. If it happens, maybe he, Arnold in California, Joe Lieberman, John McCain and Warner from Virginia can bolt and form a third party. I even have a name for it; the American Rational Party. Hopefully (if Condi Rice doesn't run), we'll be able to Vote Rational in '08.

Being 'Comfortable'

2006-09-23T09:53:00.000-05:00

I came to an epiphany while on the road the other day, one that is both enjoyable and depressing at the same time. I was in Boston for work, waiting for a shuttle bus, when I fell into conversation with an attractive young woman waiting for the same shuttle. She seemed to be in a talkative mood and we enjoyed a lively discussion of things for over a half-hour while waiting for and riding the shuttle bus. At the end of the ride, Monet (who turned out to be a Haitian-born biomedical engineer) shook my hand and we said our goodbyes.

As I walked the two blocks to the hotel, I thought that- had that happened 20-25 years ago- I certainly would have invited the young lady to join me for dinner. And then I stopped; I realized why an opportunity to enjoy such a spontaneous conversation with her would not have happened if I had been 20 or even 15 years younger. The conversation took place primarily because I have reached the ‘comfortable’ age.

What is the ‘comfortable’ age? It is that point that a young woman no longer looks at you as either a threat or a possible romantic issue and loses all social defensiveness toward you. You are no longer a threat, just someone to chat with.

It’s a little demoralizing to be so easily ‘socially harmless’, but I’ll enjoy the benefits as well; that ‘socially harmless’ state works both ways. I find it easy to chat pleasantly with a lovely lady, since I am past the stage where testosterone completely dissolves my IQ in such a situation.

It also explains my friendly relationship with a young colleague of mine, who has had problems with a husband who could easily be a finalist in the ‘Moron of the Year’ award. D. is very beautiful in appearance, but more so in personality and sweetness. She’s come to me for advice on her problems (of which I hope I’ve given her some help) and I work with her on a side project. We went to lunch with a crusty old coworker of mine also involved in the ‘side-work’ and D. seemed to really enjoy the two of us ‘greybeards’ verbally smacking each other around. I have come to realize that my ‘comfortable’ status is a big part of this easy association and I enjoy our friendship very much.

I offer this explanation for illumination to young men. If you shake your head not understanding why women like Bethany or Michelle (reasons alone to be conservative) often hang around with older guys, just realize it because those guys have reached that ‘comfortable’ stage.

But there is just enough ego left in me that wishes that I wasn’t so ‘comfortable’ around such angels. But time stands still for no man.

Five Years after the 9/11 Wake-Up Call

2006-09-10T17:09:00.000-05:00

Five years. Five years since my overly idealistic dream- that my son would live in a world with only scattered and short-lived conflicts- died. Five years since our entire concept of the barbarous capacity of men changed. An anniversary such as this is a time of reflection- and of comparison. Only one event in American history comes close to 9/11 in terms of the American psyche; that which happened December 7th, 1941.

Comparisons of the events themselves have been extensively done. Similarities include the unprepared status of the country and leaders and the crystal clear 20/20 hindsight are all on full display in a TV movie tonight; all aspects just as prevalent in 1941 and just as bipartisan. The differences are as important; a valid military target and a strictly civilian one; the enemy we face today is even more brutal than before (though the 300,000 dead Chinese civilians in Nanking might disagree).

Where are we now is more important to consider and the best way to do that is to compare now to where we were 5 years after Pearl Harbor . In that case, the clarity of the enemy in terms of nation-states resulted in a shorter timeframe. It was also a timeframe substantially shortened by the total ferocity of the American response and the absolute unity of the country. Our enemy knew there was no shaking our resolve and no amelioration of our military’s actions to protect the enemy’s civilians. Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki; we only got two nuclear bombs built and used them both.

Also, direct action was not required for an American response then; merely supporting our enemies was enough. Germany had nothing to do with Pearl Harbor, very much in the same vein as Iraq had little to do with 9/11. Italy’s ambitions in North Africa did not conflict with U.S. interests in any regard. Yet does anyone today (even in Japan, Italy and Germany) think the world would be a better place had American vernacular included phrases like ‘misled by the administration’, ‘Roosevelt’s War’ and ‘proportional response’?

This is a different war. The enemy is far more diffuse, does not act directly through nation-states, obtains resources from diverse places, and uses weaponry that is neither specialized nor expensive. There is also no way to ‘end the war’ for most of the upper and middle ranks of the enemy; their beliefs drive them to win or die. Even thought the lower and middle ranks of the Japanese were willing to die to the last man, their leadership realized- in the end- the futility of that. You can only kill the new enemy, or imprison them for life; anything else and they will try to kill again.

Another key difference is- after 9/11- the absolute minimal impact of the war on the general population. In no time in past wars have the sacrifices for the effort been so concentrated only on those that serve and their families. In that, we are developing a highly divided society in terms of understanding and support for the costs of war and that faction that suffers the least is complaining and opposing the most. I am ashamed that most of the whining and desire to ‘switch the channel; we don’t like this’ is coming from my ‘Vietnam’ generation. But I have hope because the warfighters, who ‘get it’ and are doing a magnificent job, are from my son’s generation. In them, in the crucible of the generations-long conflict we face, is the sole hope for America and a way of life that has the envy of the world and the greatest deliverer of freedom the world has ever seen.

Considering all that is going on, I feel we have a 40-50% chance of seeing a nuclear weapon going off in an American city in the next 5-8 years. If that happens, I pray the current warfighters step up, slap some Baby Boomers upside the head, and set things right on a cultural and societal basis. Or we risk going the way of the Roman Empire and, with that, centuries of tyrannical darkness may return to the world.

Sam Johnson, Fiscal Conservative??

2006-07-27T10:25:00.000-05:00

Just How FISCALLY Conservative is Sam Johnson (District 3, Texas)?

Thanks to Rep. Flake of Arizona (and he ain’t one!) and the Club for Growth, we have a better idea. Rep. Flake forced an up-or-down vote on 19 different ‘earmarks’ those marvelous little pork projects that are district-specific. You know the type of project; the ones that can’t really stand up on their own merit as a project worthy of federal resources, but are used to buy votes back home. They normally have impressive sounding names, but don’t let that fool you; they exist to buy votes or support from individual contributors. Many of these projects might actually be worthwhile; but they are all essentially local, state or commercial issues, not federal.

The amounts of these are tiny by Washington standards, but that makes them all the more indicative; only a Congressperson’s philosophy is at play here.

Well, here is how my representative, The Honorable Sam Johnson, did on this anti-pork effort and it ain’t all that pretty:

T = Voting for the Taxpayer
P = Voting for Pork
A = Absent

T: Vote 190 - Dairy education in Iowa ($229K)
T: Vote 191 - Hydroponic tomato production in Ohio ($180K)
T: Vote 192 - National Grape and Wine Initiative ($100K)
T: Vote 204 - Virginia Science Museum ($250K)
P: Vote 205 - Juniata Locomotive Demonstration ($1,000K)
T: Vote 277 - Swimming pool in Banning, CA ($500K)
T: Vote 278 - 'Facilities' in Weirton, West Virginia ($100K)
T: Vote 279 - Multipurpose facility in Yucaipa, California ($500K)
T: Vote 280 - Strand Theater Arts Center in Plattsburgh, New York ($250K)
T: Vote 298 - Mystic Aquarium in New London, Conn. ($1 M)
P: Vote 299 - The Jason Foundation in Ashburn, VA ($1 M)
P: Vote 302 - Northwest Manufacturing Initiative ($2.5 M)
P: Vote 303 - Lewis Center for Education Research ($4 M)
P: Vote 304 - Leonard Wood Research Institute ($20 M)
A: Vote 334 - Arthur Avenue Retail Market ($150K)
A: Vote 335 - Bronx Council for the Arts in Bronx, N.Y. ($300K)
A: Vote 336 - Johnstown Area Regional Industries ($800K)
A: Vote 337 - Fairmont State University ($900K)
A: Vote 338 - Tourism Development Assoc. in Kentucky ($1 M)

First, my son wasn’t this absent at school last year and he had a lot of medical reasons he could have been; Sam wasn’t elected to miss controlling the purse strings. It might have been an ‘excused absence’; truly important work elsewhere related to fiscal responsibility. But what are the odds?

Second: that’s $26 Million in pure pork that received his votes, while he voted against a little over $3 Million. And this man (who I dearly love on national defense issues) considers himself a fiscal conservative? It sure doesn’t look that way to me; I’m sending his office a link to this post to try to explain it. If they respond (and it’s something other than some no-thought form letter) I’ll post the response.

Say it ain’t so, Sam!

Is WW III upon us?

2006-07-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

Is this how World War III ends up? A Muslim caliphate?

Palestine, Syria, Iran, North Korea
Vs.
United States, Israel, Great Britain, Australia, Japan?

Plus all sorts of side plots (Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Northeast Africa as sympathizers on one side: Poland, India, and a few others in Europe on our side? Russia possibly playing both sides (like usual)? China sitting on the sidelines, cheering for both sides to lose?

Battlegrounds all over the Middle East and in the largest cities of the Allies? Profiling and restriction of Muslims throughout the Allied world, not quite matching the Japanese-American internments, but coming close for our own protection?

Will nukes get used? (Probably, if the Islamofascist side gets some.) Most importantly, does Western culture have the collective resolve to win one more time?

The Islamofascists insist on repeating history, it seems. And- like the Nazis before them- they are likely to seriously damage, if not destroy, that which they profess to love (in this case, a religion).

If this does turn into Word War III, either the Muslim world or Western culture will be massively damaged, possibly beyond repair. Being the latter has proven to be accepting of other worlds and cultures, whereas the former has not, the world will be better off if the Allies prevail. But it is by no means certain.

In Honor of those lost in the 7/7 Attacks

2006-07-07T10:02:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd bring up the picture of my 'Tube-riding' shirt to the forefront. I wore this shirt as I rode the Tube in London during my brief stopover the first of September last year, on my way to Uganda.

101st Fighting Keyboardists: To Arms! To Arms!

2006-06-02T21:41:00.000-05:00

Lock and Load, Troops! Unleash the Dogs of War!

One of the finest blogosphere warriors, Michael Yon, has had his copyrights invaded and plundered by one of the lowest forms of the enemy; a left-wing MSM journalist cesspool owned by a French company. Details are more eloquently detailed by Michael Yon himself here. The bottom line: the new rag SHOCK (owned by HFM) used Yon’s Pulitzer-nominated picture without his permission and in a manner totally repugnant to the Yon. They even included a picture of Yon holding his sacred work in the inside cover, implying he agreed to the anti-military sewage piece contained within. Their claim that they purchased in from an agency (a Pulitzer nomination??? Yeah, right!); their defense is a joke and an affront to anyone who cares about intellectual property and our troops in general.

So gear up, troopers! Find ways to contact these scumbag journalistic raiders and give them withering volleys of emails. For the following places that distribute the actual a**wipe mags, respectfully let them know that they are selling stolen property.

7 Eleven	Border Books	Brooks Drug Stores
Chapters Books (Canada)	Eastern Lobby Shops	Eckerd Drug Stores
Fry's Electronics	Grand Union	Hastings
Hudson News	King Kullen	King Soopers
Kroger Max Conven. Stores	Miejer's Supermarkets	Pathmark Quick Check
Ralph's Supermarkets	Rite Aid Drug Stores	Stop n' Shop
Tower Records	Universal News	Value Drug Mart

All airport and train station terminals

The powerhouses out there need to unload your big guns; it would be great if Michelle would unload fully with video bunker-busters, HE and WP on these plunderers. Powerline could explain to them (probably in baby talk) just how thoroughly they violated the copyright laws. Millbloggers, this is ‘shock and awe’ time for the Army of Davids; the Geneva Convention does not apply. We auxiliaries- less talented and well-read- will pitch in and do the best we can to help. (Hey, Oracle Corp. learned to fear the ‘Troll’; time to bring out the Beast again.)

Frankly, I doubt Yon can get them to get back their abomination; too many copies already distributed and it’s hard to undo the past. But if we- and his lawyer- give them enough grief, maybe he can get a payoff equal to the list price of all 300,000 cow chips- plus legal fees- and complete editorial control over a future edition whose front page would be an editorial apology to Yon.

Let’s Roll, Keyboardists! Full force and no prisoners! Let's not let Dan Rather feel alone!

Sincerely

The Data Troll

Conservatives should sit out the 2006 Election and let the GOP lose

2006-06-01T16:44:00.000-05:00

I can here the howls of anguish from the party faithful as I write this, but there are very sound reasons to do so. Most of them are related that- as the New Establishment- they have forgotten their roots. The GOP can take a perverse pride in their superior efficiency to the Democrats; they managed to reach the wildly out-of-touch buffoonery stage in only 12 years of total legislative power; the Democrats took over twice that long.

This is also not the first time the RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) have taken over. All of us really old warhorses remember that the last time they were called the Rockefeller Republicans, who gave us…. Tricky Dick Nixon. Boy, did that do wonders for the GOP! (sarcasm off) It was also the last time I ‘retired’ my GOP support (though my family did work the conventions of ’68 and ’72 trying to pound wisdom into delegates’ heads. Wisdom about an alternative named…Ronald Reagan).

Immigration has been a total debacle, thanks to the Senate RINOs; the misreading of the voting public (as opposed to the marching public) is appalling and suicidal. The earmark scandal- especially the fact they are getting more prevalent- is an abomination to all fiscal conservatives. And then there was the outrage over a Congressional felon’s office was searched via a warrant. How…non-elitist! How dare they! Search warrants; too good for you, not good enough for us!

It is time to ensure that the conservative don’t become the equivalent of the ‘black’ vote for the Democrats; ‘No matter how little you do for them, they’ll still turn out for us, so why pay attention? It’s time to sat at home (except for our nearest and dearest friends with ACU ratings of 80 and better) and let the Grand Old Party get booted out of power.

It is critical to do it now. Why? Because, if we don’t, it surely will happen in ’08, when the vastly more critical executive offices are up. Do you really want Hillary or Al Gore managing the continuing War on Terror (something likely to go on for at least a decade more)??

We need time for the Democrats to show their stuff; to show precisely how out of step with the voting public the Loony Left really is. In that regard, I hope it is the Senate that is lost (though I’m willing to lose both houses) and that the remaining voice of reason in the Democrats (Joe Lieberman) is lost in his upcoming primary (let the Kos Kids win that one; we’ll get Joe to run independent later.) A year of so of Reid as head of the Senate (and possibly Pelosi running the House, though less likely) should do the trick.

Why am I not just advocating knocking off RINOs in the primaries? It won’t do this time around; fresh conservatives in those races will still catch the wrath at the General election polls for what they didn’t do. And even if they didn’t, the Dems could still sit on the sidelines armchair quarterbacking with no responsibility.

Oh, and this applies equally as well to my home state of Texas. The overly comfortable buffoons have got to go.

Sorry, but that is my view. I’m sitting out this year on all but a few races- for the first time since the ‘72 Nixon campaign. Principle does trump party when those principles are repeatedly trampled, with no end in sight to the marching feet of the RINOs.

So much for the 'Quagmire' (except for Al-Qaeda's)

2006-05-08T20:16:00.000-05:00

Some of the recently captured documents in Iraq are pretty enlightening and Captain's Quarters has an excellent assessment. Of course, the MSM stand on the deck of the 'AQ in Iraq' Titannic with wet feet, filming chunks of ice on the deck and commenting on how seriously damaged the iceberg is.

Gasoline Price Solutions

2006-04-30T21:18:00.000-05:00

What can we as U.S. citizens do to reduce the price of gas at the pump?

SCRAP THE F * * KING MONSTER SUVs AND PICKUPS!!

We simply don't need them. The argument 'they're safer for my family' no longer holds water; recent studies have shown the increased rollover risk negates other impact injury savings. As for room, my wife's minivan is every bit as roomy and gets 22 MPG. The SUVs and pickups are merely bizarre extensions of the 'Middle-Aged Crazies' which used to be the realm of sports cars (which at least get fair gas milage).

As it is, we are burning the oil our children and grand-children will need and not just for energy. Oil is the primary feedstock for most of the chemical industry and- in that role- there is no equivalent alternative. We can burn alcohol; we can't make a multitude of plastics directly from it.

Basic problem is that we have to quit being so personally selfish. We have to quit using temporary handicap permits as a perennial pass for healthy people to be inconsiderate. We have to quit being excessive consumers, blaming everyone else for gas shortage when the mirror shows the problem. In the mid-70s, the U.S. response to the OPEC oil was to buy cars that used less. The result was price reductions within a few years. We need to try that again.

The Format that will Finish the Fossilized Media

2006-04-26T23:05:00.000-05:00

This blogging business was a start, one that's gotten better very quickly (this site is positively Stone Age compared to some). But this site is the next step up. Technology has finally made the 'garage (actually basement) newsroom' possible. This is still pretty primitive compared to what will be coming, but remember this site. This is the one that will finally lead to the shattering of the journalist oligarchy that now concentrates more on social engineering than on news reporting. The final step will be consoldation sites, fed by hundreds of 'freelancers'. High competition, low costs, no elitist control. It’ll be great stuff.

On a related note: Bush's picking Tony Snow as press secretary was great! But I have some advice for Tony (who doesn’t?):

- Go to an elementary school (preferably one of those tough inner
    city private ones) and do a question and answer session with them.
- Get a good length of that edited and put into a loop.
- Add several ‘time out’ chairs in the back corners of the White
    House briefing room.
- Show the school film to the press room vultures, tell them this
    is the level of decorum that is expected.
- First ones to violate the decorum, point to the ‘time out’ chairs
    and say the only way to ever get selected again to ask questions
    is to serve a ‘time-out’.
- If the whole room gets rowdy, start the tape in loop and start
    packing to leave the room. If they don’t settle down, walk out
    and end the day’s session.

The Solution to Illegal Immigrants

2006-04-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

It is time, if people are really serious about doing something about the illegal immigration problem, to go after those people who profit significantly from these illegal workers.

You could start in my own neighborhood. The federal government could go to every house within three miles of mine (including my own) and slap a 10% of appraised value lien on every one of them. Believe me, each one of our homes was at least that much cheaper based on the use of cheap, productive, illegal sub-contracting labor. Then they would go to the builders, slapping a lien worth 20% of their profitability over the last decade, along with continuing penalties of 10% of revenue until they demonstrate that every worker that touches their site is legal; no further hiding via subcontracting.

The money could be used to initiate sweeps through construction sites. All illegal workers would be taken to the border to use their construction skills to work on the border wall, paid for by the ever-growing fines on the previous benefactors of their illegitimate work. Start fines and liens on users of lawn services, small restaurants and their customers, custodial services and their customers (hello, Wal-Mart), hotels and motels and their customers (especially the business travelers), commercial construction outfits. More roundups and on and on…. We’d get a wall built from coast to coast in no time at all. Then we march all the illegal workers- pockets fat with fine money- through the gate and lock it behind them. Problem solved.

Seriously, am I the only one to realize we all are guilty of profiteering from the cheap and very productive labor of hard-working illegal aliens? Sure, we’ve paid more in education and healthcare costs, but the net is a financial positive and that is why it goes on and grows. But it is illegal and something needs to be done.

We Really need an 'Anti-Hollywood'

2006-03-19T23:07:00.000-06:00

I went with my son today to watch ‘V for Vendetta’. It’s a movie that really demonstrates the blindness of the Hollywood political extremists. The entire movie was reworked with clear references to current political situations; subtlety was not employed (including a quick shot of a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ poster with a Swastika on it).

The sad thing is nearly every reference situation they used is either applicable to those opposing Bush politically (the Unhinged Left or the MSM), or those the Bush Administration has defeated militarily (Hussein or the Taliban). Hollywood is so unhinged they don’t even see this aspect of the movie.

The evil Chancellor becomes increasingly upset that the people are not buying the message of the managed media (correlate this with clear frustration of the Mainstream Media over their loss of control and readership/viewership), having the media infusing the message everywhere (there were four different anti-Bush messages in my funny papers this Sunday!)

The troopers for the Chancellor commit rape with impunity and drag people off for reading or owning the wrong material or ‘moral turpitude’. These are well-documented activities of both the Saddam Hussein and the Taliban regimes. The Bush Administration took us to war partly to put an end of such things; they don’t actually commit such crimes.

They try to paint the lead role as a terrorist that you could sympathize with. He destroys the British Parliament building as a ‘symbol’, never mentioning the historical and democratic significance of the building. The Taliban destroyed two Buddhist statues as a ‘symbol’, not caring about the historical and religious significance of them.

While Hollywood is trying to paint the crimes of our enemies on our current administration, some people are making sure that real heroes are publicized. I just finished watching a special on Fox on India Company during the Fallujah battle; very moving, very poignant. Is there any hope of establishing an ‘anti-Hollywood’ to do movies on great, real-life heroes such as those brave Marines? Ones not loaded with political innuendo or back-handed compliments?

Cheney's Understandable Accident and Political Humor

2006-02-15T22:54:00.000-06:00

After hearing the details of the Cheney episode, I found it quite understandable and an unquestionable accident. Why?

Because no one would expect someone to be to the 'right' of Cheney. [Cue rim shot] And if he had, Cheney certainly wouldn't have shot them; now, if they had been on the left.... Of course, Whittington would have returned fire as payback, but figured that the Secret Service would have made it a real unfair duel. Not like the Aaron Burr days; the wounded gent decided to quit while he was behind.

Michelle Malkin thinks the jokes should end, since the gentleman suffered a mild heart attack. Sorry, but I hope that my last breath on this earth comes out as part of a laugh at myself. God loves buffoonery since we all seem to commit it from time to time and some (especially liberals and the MSM) seem to make a profession of it.

However, some people are simply vicious with absolutely no sense of humor and those people disgust me. There are people clearly wishing that Whittington would die (such as the Kos lunatics who I will never link to), just to tar the Bush Administration further. I put these idiots in the same category are those carrying signs advocating beheading cartoonists and close to the same fringe that are burning embassies over political drawings.

I also have utter contempt for those left-leaning wusses (like at our Dallas Morning News) that pixilated the Mohammed cartoons but blow up to twice the original size the nasty Rumsfeld cartoon that used a quadruple amputee soldier as a comedic prop. Insult to your hearts content those willing to sacrifice so much to defend their freedom of expression, but cave in to the thugs who would take that freedom away? There is no lower form of ideological scum.

How NOT to enjoy the Holidays

2006-01-29T22:14:00.000-06:00

Long time no post.
Primary reason was a really ugly holiday surprise for our family: my son was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, Type II, a very rare (1 in 50,000) genetic condition. What it means is that he has several tumors in his brain, scores of small tumors on the nerves along his lower spine, and one tiny one in the spinal cord. It’s a dominant genetic trait, so any children he’d have would have a 50% chance of having it and it only gets worse with every generation. The tumors usually start in the acoustical nerves and NF2 people are often completely deaf before they turn 30; Alan has lost maybe 40% of his hearing on his left side. He also has some weakness in the nerves on the right side of his face; when he blinks, his right eye only half closes.
Treatment involves either physical surgery and/or fractionated stereotactic radiation (FSR); odds are that the nerve involved has to be sacrificed during surgery. FSR gives some better odds of retaining neurological function, but some chance of not killing the tumor. The tumors are- fortunately- slow growing and the entire corral of doctors (six, so far, with one to go) believe the risk of surgery should wait until more symptoms force the issue.

How does one deal with such emotionally when your only kid has such a dire long-term diagnosis? It ain’t easy, but I had a bit of an advantage between being raised in a medical family and my eight years in the medical labs. You focus on the short term and those things you can definitively do something about; testing, diagnosis and opinion gathering. You can take comfort in the things that aren’t a problem: The condition is not painful, nor a short-term threat to life. My son’s current symptoms are not life changing.

Alan is being pretty much stoic as I try to be about this (for his sake). His mother not so much so; she’s never had to deal with serious medical issues herself (while I’ve had my Dad die of cancer). Se wants to try all sorts of outlandish alternative medicine crud. Alan and I humored her for awhile; we even went in for ‘Bio-resonance’ testing. (That’s a story that belongs on my humor blog.) But Alan put his foot down; he’s not willing to let his Mom impose foolishness on his for false hope for a ‘miracle cure’.

So on we march, because that’s all we can do. This same holiday weekend, we got another lesion in mortality. While Alan was in New York visiting his cousins, shortly after finding out about his condition, he met the best friends of my sister-in-law’s family just before they left for a California visit. Two days later, the whole family was killed in a head-on collision with a tractor trailer. We thought Alan should come home, but he decided he wanted to stay and let them try to all act as normal teenagers to adjust to it all.

Like I said, a really miserable holiday and it’s hard to get in a writing mood again.

Lest We Forget

2005-12-07T11:17:00.000-06:00

From Blackfive; I can't add a thing to it.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.

It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,'
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?"

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

A little known threat to Democracy

2005-11-24T01:54:00.000-06:00

I’m not sure how many people are aware of a threat to the democratic process going on in Africa this week. No, I’m not talking about the mess in Zimbabwe; there is no democratic process to threaten there. I’m talking about events in Uganda.

Why should Americans care about what is going on in Uganda? Because events there are magnified by Uganda’s location and the recent history of the area. Uganda, a country that has been relatively stable politically for 20 years, borders on nearly every country of recent atrocities in the region. Rwanda, The Congo, and Sudan all are adjacent to land-locked Uganda. Uganda has become a refugee and logistics center of sorts; if it falls into anarchy, there will be no place for many to flee to and various organizations to work from.

The political stability has been seriously disrupted in last few weeks. President Museveni, who has presided for nearly 20 years, is up for election in March of 2006. His chief rival is Colonel Kizza Besigye, who ran unsuccessfully in 2001, recently returned from self-imposed exile. After attending a number of large rallies, Col. Besigye and 23 others were placed under arrest and charged with number of crimes. The charges filed on November 14th primarily involve treason for plotting to take up arms against the government, supposedly beginning immediately after Besigye lost the 2001 election. In the intervening years, there has been no known armed conflict associated with this supposed group of rebels. There was also a rape charge included on Col. Besigye, related to some incident from 1997.

There were protests immediately following, some of which turned violent and had some arson and looting involved. The police and military put this down quickly with gunfire, killing at least one. (Side note; I do not condemn this police action outright. All moral high ground is lost when one torches and/or raids shops. What the French have been willing to tolerate in recent violence is ridiculous.)

I do not know the validity of the charges filed (though skepticism seems appropriate), nor the worthiness of Col. Besigye as a leader for Uganda. That would be for a fair, impartial judicial hearing and a fair and honest election to determine. But the signs are pretty clear that his arrest has little to do with traditional justice:

A heavily-armed militia unit associated with the government showed up November 16th at the courthouse to assure no one was granted bail or, if they did, they were there to meet them.

Gatherings of over four people that support the jailed politicians have been banned.

Two individuals have been jailed for merely putting up posters seeking donations for the legal defense fund of Besigye and the others.

Talk shows are not allowed to even discuss the situation.

Apparently, the government- starting to feel some heat- offered to grant Besigye ‘amnesty’, which would have essentially required him to admit guilt. This offer included dropping the rape charge, something amnesty cannot be given for. He refused to accept this (as he should, if he is innocent).

The silly thing is, this has likely done more to strengthen Besigye’s chances in a fair election than anything the candidate could have done for himself. Museveni probably could have had it in the bag with just a little campaigning himself.

With the current situation, the only way for democracy to progress, the whole group needs to be allowed to make reasonable bail (or have the charges dropped) and allow campaigning to continue unfettered. The election needs to be watched closely for fairness and let the Ugandan people make their decision. What would it take to bring this about? Continued pressure and publicity will help; heck, a phone call and some harsh words from Condi Rice would probably get it done quick.

For more information, the best source is the Monitor.
You can get the government position from the New Vision.

House GOP relocate spine and political smarts the same day!

2005-11-19T00:39:00.000-06:00

It was great fun, watching the antics tonight. The Dems thought they could propose 'cut & run' just before the recess, go home to talk it up and fill their coffers from extremist moonbats like Soros, not worrying about going on record for anything to kill them off in the '06 election cycle. Wrong! Thanks to some sharp-thinking Rank & File GOPers (the real heroes in this; I wish I knew their names!), the GOP came up with a 'Sense of the House' resolution. The brilliance of this is that just a resolution has no details that can be contested or delayed on technicalities (unlike Murtha's more detailed, but equally absurd resolution). The vote could easily go forward. The Democrats were forced to argue strenuously, behave badly, then vote against their own arguments, siding with the GOP! What a pack of buffoons! Only the 3 that voted 'Yea' had any guts (still treasonously wrong) and those were outnumbered 2-1 by the really gutless 'present' votes.

The result is a nearly unanimous backing of our troops in the field (with the troops still very much away who their real friends are), the anti-war political opportunists completely humiliated, and significant payback for recent Democrat shennanigans (e.g. Reid's 'secret' session). All accomplished in less than 36 hours and just in time for the Dems to go home to the laughter and ridicule of all but the moonbats. Great job for a change, GOP! Now; do something about that absurd pork you still are protecting like a pack of 70s tax-and-spenders!

An Intercepted Al-Qaeda Communique!

2005-11-13T12:51:00.000-06:00

I have located an internal Al-Qaeda communique; it has not been finished yet by the evil-doers, but it gives the rough idea.

Am I the only one who thinks it's time to put together a Onion-style site for these thugs? (Maybe 'jihadists-r-us.org'?) They want to engender fear; laughing at them is definitely a form of psy-ops. It would have to be done pretty carefully to ensure it contains only humor with bite, not anything offensive to Muslims as a whole, or to make light of any of the specific barbarism they engage in. But I could see things like:
- 'Hygeine corner; Safe sex with your sheep'
- 'Safety Tip: Don't plant IEDs while you hear helicopters'
(Linked to that classic night-vision video of the chopper taking out the thugs)
- 'Recommended earplugs and paper bags for your 72 virgins"
(Nobody said they wouldn't be ugly and whiny; after all, you ARE going to Hell.)

Think U.S. operations in Iraq don't have a plan?

2005-10-20T20:13:00.000-05:00

Take a look at this flash presentation and it all makes sense. Now, if we can just keep moving west along the road ...

Congratulations to the Iraqi People!

2005-10-15T21:58:00.000-05:00

The result is not known yet on the Constitutional election, but the turnout- especially in Sunni regions- and the lack of effective interference from the terrorists is a clear victory for Iraq and Middle-East democracy. The most impressive and important thing I noted was that in every picture I've seen of the election not a single non-Iraqi is seen in the process, even on security. It is their country and they are taking charge.

Myself, I hope the Constitution passes and they can correct its defects later. That would allow a permanent government to be elected in December; then there will be no shred of legitamacy to the 'insurgency'.

The marvelous kids of Uganda

2005-09-23T23:00:00.000-05:00

It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't been there to understand what wonderful kids there are in the orphanages of Uganda. Despite the harsh lives they've had, they are polite, happy, and eminently decent children.

The picture below is what some kids, without consulting the house parents, produced toward the end of my visit. All I did was provide some medicine, fund a few small projects, and counsel a few of the older kids. Their spelling of my name is a bit off, but that's the tiniest of details that adds charm to it all. What can one say?

Blogging from Uganda

2005-09-14T04:03:00.000-05:00

Finally got time to visit an internet cafe here in Kampala; I'm working to train my daughter on email and to post on her blog. After meeting Winnie, I am positively humbled and immensely honored that she calls me 'Daddy'. I have much work to do to truly earn that honor.

I have found Uganda a wonderful country; not so much the tropical nature, not any sights I have seen (I have not had time to do any real 'tourist' stuff; another trip will be needed for that. It is the people; the vast majority are very pleasant, generally much happier than Americans (with much less to be happy about), and they all but ooze talent.

Moud, the phenomenal, (but a bit of a pest) artist;
Alex, the 'special taxi' driver, skilled and polite thru the nightmare traffic;
Winnie, who is a natural and powerful leader and the finest daughter;
Rose, with a stunning voice for singing;
Constance, beautiful and a mesmerizing dancer for the Kika Dance Troupe;
Julius, who could probably construct a car out of tin cans;
Emanuall, extrememly gracious host of a bed and breakfast.
Scores of kid at the Kiwanga and Rakai orphanages; hard working, very polite, very talented.

All have powerful talents for what they do and just marvelous character. I will probably start a separate blog about travel in Uganda, I enjoyed it that thoroughly.

ALERT! ALERT! Link to Pulitzer-level material below!

2005-08-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

The story in the link below is the finest and most intense piece of reporting I have ever seen. I’d sent Yon some money and, responding to a thank-you from him, I promised him steak and beer anytime he’s in the Dallas area. Now I’ll have to rescind that offer; you would have to have stainless steel balls to even sit at the same table with this guy and those he is covering!

A Real Tale of Super-Heroes Kurilla and Prosser (and their trusty sidekick Michael Yon)!

Headed for Africa Next Week

2005-08-24T16:51:00.000-05:00

Well, not that I’ve been regular enough about posting anyway, but there likely will be a three week hiatus; I’ll be leaving for Uganda on Aug. 29th . Assuming I survive riding the Tube and buses wearing my new shirt, I’ll be spending 17 days at the Kiwanga orphanage in Kampala and the Sabine orphanage in Rakai (about 150-200 miles south). Winnie will be busy in leadership training for my first week, so I’ll be able to work with others until then. I’ll give a full report when I return; may post once while there, as I need to visit an Internet café with Winnie and show her the online ropes.

At least I’m not going to Northern Uganda; MSNBC reporters have done some great reporting on the problems here and here. I wouldn’t make a run up that way until a few things are done; my son is off on his own; my mother no longer needs me to buy cigarettes for her and to keep her out of trouble; and I buy myself a decent sidearm and get comfortable with its use. Maybe a few years from now.

Updates And Sheehan

2005-08-17T12:33:00.000-05:00

I found a great t-shirt site, where you can design your own shirt; I'll include a picture of mine after I ride the Tube with it. Also, it looks like I was wrong and the Dems are putting away their brass knuckles on Roberts. Are they really dumb enough to think he won't be a constitution conservative once on the court? (Uhh, Guys; you're putting a lot of faith in his statements on recognizing 'settled law'. Who do you think establishes 'settled law'?) Actually, I'm convinced he put on such a show in his one-on-one meetings that I think they were terrified they had another 'Oliver North' on their hands. (Those of us old enough to remember those hearings know how thoroughly the Dems got roasted on their own BBQ grill.) They'll pull out all stops on Renquist's replacement instead; I betting Bush's nominee then will be a minority woman, with Renquist timing his retirement in time to be sure it falls into the '06 election cycle. What fun!

As for the Michael Moore 'grieving Mom' puppet outside of Crawford: You know, I might be a little more upset at the thugs who planted the bombs that killed her volunteer son than at Bush, if I were her. And I certainly would not humilate his comrades-in-arms and her own family by becoming such a ventriloquist's puppet. As for Bush's heart on the matter, read this. (I never thought I'd link to a Newsweek article!)

I am most upset by her absolute lack of regard for the results of her antics and her desired goal on the Iraqi people themselves; they are not 'potted plants' in all of this, Madam! Is this what she wants? Would you care to hear this opinion? The rest of the military moms will let her know what they think, though the Imperial News Media will only show the handful friendly to her, not the droves in strong disagreement with her. But what about the voices I lsted here; will she give them an answer?

More threats

2005-08-04T10:25:00.000-05:00

Hmm, The Number 2 man in Al Qaeda is threatening London and the State Department has issued a travel advisory for Great Britain. My plans before all of the bombings and threats were- on my 12 hour layover in London in 3 weeks- to ride the Tube out to Tower Hill and take the double-deckers for a quickie tour. Now, I’ll have to change my plans... does anyone know where I can buy a ‘You Can Kiss My Ass, Al Qaeda’ T-shirt to wear as I ride the Tube and take the bus?

Heck, I’m on my way to Africa where mosquitoes kill as many ‘innocent bystanders’ every week than these Al Qaeda goons have managed in a year. Both types of blood-suckers need to be dealt with the same way; you go on living your life as you would otherwise while being alert for them, and squash either insect without mercy when they raise their ugly heads.

My boy's decision (for now)

2005-08-03T11:21:00.000-05:00

For those wondering about my son’s ‘marine’ decision. He actually was impressed with what the recruiter had to say and thought hard on it for several days. Finally, he decided to go to college for now and rethink it after that. Personally, I think that is the best decision; he has to have some significant surgery on his jaw (socket repair of a birth defect and synthetic ligament addition) just as he’s finishing up high school and that may have prevented him going immediately anyway. But I would have been proud if he decided to try for the service anyway.

My condolences to the families of Gyrenes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the last couple of days; this war if far from over, but will be worth it for our children and grand-children.

Big, Bad Bolton; go kick some U.N. tail

2005-08-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

Now that the liberal whining ‘No fair, No fair!’ has faded from the camera spotlight and Bolton is at the U.N., he needs to get down to the business. Kofi downplaying him as just one of 190 ambassadors (Uhh, Kofi; he’s one of 15 on the Security council and represents the nation that pays for one-fourth of your bloated and corrupt organization.) I’d loved to have been a fly on the wall of the ‘brief private meeting’ Bolton and Annan had. Something along the lines of:

Annan: “You’re going to mellow out here, aren’t you? You’ll have to to get along, you know.”
Bolton: “Yeah, right. Kofi, have you got your retirement planned out yet?”

I’ve heard that the Useless Nations are planning on spending up to $1.2 billion on rebuilding the current facility and have essentially asked to U.S. to ‘loan’ them the money. We ought to say, “Sure, we’ll even just give you the money (you’d never repay it anyway). Only one requirement; that you enhance your ‘image of neutrality’ (suppressed hysterical laughter) by building it elsewhere- say Switzerland.”

I’m sure the hookers and ritzy restaurants would be appalled, but the net positive of them moving out would definitely make it all worthwhile.

A Surprise from my Son

2005-07-08T14:32:00.000-05:00

There are times that our teenagers surprise us by making totally unexpected decisions that please us (but we don’t dare tell them; parents are to be irritated, not pleased). The best of these are the ones that show your kid to be a better, or more mature, person than the normal people you work with. I had one of those moments the other day.

My son Alan was already on my good side (for the most part) for having found himself a summer job finally, and apparently doing well at learning the ‘working-man’ skillset (a different animal than the ‘student’ skillset, which he now understands.) We had recently visited a couple college campuses to see where he might go after high school; he’s in the top 3% in his Plano school and has an interest in aeronautical engineering.

Imagine my surprise when I got a call from him that he had received a call from a Marine Corps recruiter and- despite not previously expressed interest and with no encouragement on my part- agreed to meet with the recruiter. Whether he’ll he go that route, I don’t know. But the fact that he actually is considering it pleased me. This is tough times for military people; he knows it, but is not afraid of the challenge or the risk. When I asked why the Marines, when the Navy or Air Force might serve his aeronautical interests better, he said ‘because they are the best’. I can’t argue that; my brother was a 20 year ‘Jarhead’ (veteran of Beirut, where this really started) and I know the Marines are the best. But everyone also knows they have the highest casualty rate; Alan knows this as well. I doubt if Alan is doing this out of any patriotic reason, but, if he goes this or another military route, that will come with time.

Let's get this straight; Alan is my only kid and he is my life. And I am fully aware of the current risks; I spent part of July 4th (before I knew of Alan's interest) reviewing the personal cost of freedom by reading up on our wounded soldiers on military blogs (Blackfive is one of the best).

I was as interested in the reactions of my co-workers when I told them about this. Most were shocked and one woman said she’d stand in the door blocking his path if her son wanted to talk to a recruiter; this from somebody supposedly ‘conservative’ in philosophy. How can so many people espouse a position, then be unwilling to live with the personal consequences themselves? Has their logic circuits totally failed?

I know my wife is concerned, but not to that level. She is Taiwanese Chinese, her father having served 16 years in wartime and several years afterward in Taiwan. She grew up with military service required for males in her country; it doesn’t frighten her, even in the current situation.

It was sad, really; these other people just don’t get it. You see, the day I started to fear for my son’s safety- at the same level my fear is today- was September 11th, 2001. It was that day that my grand illusion died; my illusion that we would be leaving our children and grand-children a world without widespread warfare. That, after the ‘Duck and Cover’ business and the dirty guerilla campaigns all over the globe, people were better.

How sadly naïve we were; how naïve many Westerners still are. This war is as serious as the Cold War, but played by a different set of rules- many still being formed- but even nastier and foggier than the previous ones. But it will still require one thing; people willing to risk their lives to protect and free the innocent. That’s what a U.S. soldier does; he puts on a uniform to mark himself as one to fight the good fight and also to proclaim themselves as targets; ‘come slug it out with me, if you want to fight!’

This new enemy does not fight that way normally; he is too cowardly and substitutes viciousness and fanaticism for courage and bravery. In London, we just saw one of the very new rules; everyday civilians are the primary target of this new opponent. How would I have felt if, instead of the Marine recruiter, my son was leisurely seeing London this week via the Tube? Even if he paints on that target of a soldier’s uniform, would I not prefer he do that, wearing the body armor and carrying the weapons our troops are so expert with? Many Americans will understand this only if New York City or Washington, DC is hit with a WMD. How many sons, whose mothers ‘stood in the doorway’, would die that day?

No matter what the outcome of the meeting with the recruiter, I will neither encourage nor discourage my boy. I will provide him with points to consider, let him make his own choice and then support him fully in that decision. But, no matter what the outcome, I am very proud of him; he gets it- maybe at only the sub-conscious level, but that’s better than most of my co-workers.

Axe Handles and Brass Knuckles

2005-07-01T23:06:00.000-05:00

OK; here we go! Does anyone seriously think that the Supreme Court vacancy will be filled without the most viscious political knife fight seen in this generation? And we thought the 2000 Election fight was bad and disgusting?

Kennedy wants consultation; who does he think he's kidding? All he wants is more time to search for dirt and prepare his ideologue’s Banzai charges. Unless Bush nominates Hillary Clinton, that dinosaur will declare the nominee an unacceptable extremist (Uhh, Ted; that's just your reflection in the mirror). They'll delay just as long as possible to find the nominee’s Post-it Notes, personal habits, ancestry, and restaurant choices that ‘clearly demonstrate’ a clear sign of a nascent Nazi and baby eater. The religious Right will accuse the left of setting fire to the Constitution and opening the gates of Hell to let demons overrun the country. (Demons would surely be preferable to the lawyers we’ve got now!)

Chances of a filibuster? Probably 90%, no matter the nominee. Chance of the ‘nuclear option’ being successfully used by the Republicans? Depends on the nominee, but I’d say 70%. The liberals are already twisting logic in knots, saying this is the fight of the generation but ‘not worth destroying the Senate over’ (i.e. using the nuclear option, after which the Democrats throw the ultimate tantrum and try to shut down the Senate; and this is bad…why? :))

The cleanest way to settle this would be to take the entire Senate to a convention center, hand out brass knuckles and axe handles, then turn out the lights and close the doors. Whoever comes out wins. Without knives in the fray, I don’t think the back-stabbing Democrats would have a chance, especially as reliant as they are on Alzheimer medication ad models.

Brian Williams in La-La Land

2005-07-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

Brian William's statement comparing our Founding Fathers to the thugs in Iran was bad enough but his attempted explanation was worse. I sent him the following email:

Brian, there is one huge difference between our Founders and the thug in Iran; a difference that gives you an air of moral ambivalence that disgusts many of us not out there in media La-La Land. Our Founders fought to expand personal freedom; the thugs fought to take it away and impose their will and dictates on others. Are you really so dense that you didn't see this?

Mike Openshaw, an ex-viewer of your show

Newsweek Buffoons and Islamic Lunatics

2005-05-16T23:29:00.000-05:00

The whole Newsweek debacle is a truly amazing combination of unadulterated incompetence and rabid media bias, mixed with ludicrous Islamic fanaticism and vicious terrorist opportunism. A little logic first: I challenge anybody to actually flush a book the size of even a small Qu’ron down any normal toilet! Now a little emotion: there are many Qu’rons in mosques and at funerals in Iraq that have been burnt and covered in the blood of innocent women and children in Iraq by thugs. Why is this not desecration worthy of rioting and calling for the death of the goons responsible? Because that desecration was done by those supported by the rioters.

The penalty that Newsweek should suffer? How about being denied press credentials at the Pentagon for a year? Not for being critical, but for violating fundamental standards of media and ethics. I guess it would be too much to ask that all reporters and editors involved in vetting the story be parachuted into Kandahar (wearing Newsweek t-shirts), told that a plane awaited them in Kabul and good luck getting there.

Going to Uganda

2005-05-09T20:16:00.000-05:00

I’ve made the decision to go to Uganda In September; two weeks minimum, three weeks if I can swing it. I am going as an individual, but most of the work I plan to do is in conjunction with UCCF facilities, an organization doing quite a bit of good there. Their site is a good source of the situation on the ground and you can find most of the reason for my involvement at Winnie's site.

If you’ve come to this posting, I’ve probably sent you an email about it. Nearly everyone I have sent this to knows me well enough that I am not one to ask for money or help easily; I’m used to relying on myself. But the opportunity to do some real good is too big and, for the sake of the 350+ kids at the two orphanages- I have to ask. If I can get some help with it, it would give me extra disposable cash that I can use once I arrive in Uganda for needs that can only be addressed there. For every $5 of stuff or cash I get from outside, it means I can buy one more mosquito net to help a kid have a better shot at avoiding malaria yellow fever or other condition. So let me lay out the task I have for this trip.

Winnie

I’ve been working with Winnie for two years now, and she has become my daughter in all senses but legal. It’s time I go meet her and see what she really needs. Here are some of the things I plan for her:

Supply her with a laptop; also- to protect it- a lockable aluminum case and a bike chain to secure it to her wheelchair

Give her at least three solid days of computer training: the basics, using Word and basic internet skills, including email and blog maintenance.

Make sure her wheelchair is up to snuff and get her whatever she needs to make school easier for her. I'll very likely visit her school to make sure they resolved a couple issues.

Kiwanga Orphanage

Winnie’s home away from home; an orphanage of 200 kids in Kampala. Ritah, who runs the place, has been extremely helpful. My goal at this orphange:

Bring as many multi-vitamins and ‘Tums’ (for calcium) for the kids as I can pack

Ditto on t-shirts (Ritah's request)

See what the situation is with mosquito netting and provide as much as possible for the kids. It really helps cut down on malaria, a real problem.

See what else I can do.

MADE Uganda

The people who built Winnie’s chair, this is a group well worth support. The concept of creating a business of wheelchair manufacturing by people living in wheelchairs, is brilliant. No better understanding of the issues and a great way to establish a small business to employ those that- in the Third World- have trouble finding employment. I’ve tasked Winnie with finding out what they need, but I plan to bring at least additional hand tools.

Rakai orphanage

Here I’m in REAL trouble. After I’d been told that this orphanage is on a good sized tract of land, I suggested the possibility of putting together what is needed for a football pitch (a soccer field to us Americans). When you’ve got 150 orphans and nothing organized for them to do, you’ve got more trouble than you might want to handle. Plus, it will be a reward mechanism for good academic performance or other accomplishments. The Ugandan members of UCCF went nuts about this suggestion! Great idea, they said. Unfortunately, the last Mzungu (white guy) they saw involved in their football, filled in on an adult's team and actually scored the only goal of the game. A very high precedence, especially for someone like myself (who is in the semi-sumo class) to deal with.

To build the soccer pitch, I know I’ll need the following:

Soccer nets (intermediate youth at 6 feet by 12 feet) - about $70

Scrimmage vests; at least one set, to distinguish teams- about $65

Money to buy a dozen iron irrigation pipes (6 foot or 2 meter lengths) plus joints – maybe $100

Corner flags and line markers

Shovels, rakes,etc. to work the ground flat (and add to their gardening tools)

I don't know if I can explain to many of you how much difference doing this work has made in my life (not to mention the lives of the kids themselves). My new perspective on life has been priceless; so please forgive this blatant pitch for help. Spend a little time looking through Jeremy's Journal or some of Gordon's stuff, and you'll see what this is all about. Please send me an email if you'd like to help.

2005-04-11T17:25:00.000-05:00

Long time between posts; too busy with Ugandan stuff. Since I’ve made the decision to go to Kampala in September, I’ve been trying to learn what ducks I’ve got to get in a row. Most people travel halfway round the world to see castles and fight off souvenir vendors; I go to see poverty and fight off malaria. So I’m weird.

It looks like the backroom deals have been cut in Iraq necessary for a peaceful division of power; the Kurds got enough to be satisfied, it seems. Actually, it works out best for the internal political issues in the Kurdish region as well; Talabani, leader of the PUK and Barzani of the KDP will both have prominent and influential positions as Iraq’s president and the primary local Kurdish leader, respectively. Not to mention the thought of a Kurd sitting down at the Arab League meetings is especially enjoyable. Thanks are very likely due Sistani, who no doubt is pulling a lot of strings in the background.

Some worry about Sistani driving Iraq to an Iranian type of government. I think his ambition (never doubt that he has a lot) lies in a different direction. I think he’s setting up for Iraq to be such a free, prosperous and desirable example that the Mullahs will lose control next door, Iran will want to follow the Iraqi example, and guess who instantly becomes the benign puppet master of BOTH countries due to the Shia dominance? Expect some assassination attempts coming out of Iran before this thing is done.

Why become the strong-handed, upfront leader of one country, when you can wield behind-the-scenes authority in two (with a lot less headaches, to boot)? And, if they become the beacons leading the way to the future for other Mid-East nations, who starts making the Saudi royal family look inconsequential in terms of real power? An example where one man’s ambitions, with a big helping hand from the U.S., suddenly can accomplish great things.

A new interesting blog is Iraqi Mistress; whether it is for real or not has yet to be determined. The blog author claims to be a mistress unemployed by the Iraqi invasion; obviously, her clientele would have been the Baathists and she’s very unhappy with the ‘Yankees’ (Ya’ll calling us Yankees down he’ar in Texas, them be fightin’ words, Little Lady.). Her third posting makes me (and others) suspicious of the authenticity, but, hey, it’s good for a laugh, anyway.

The Reaping of What was Sown

2005-03-20T14:05:00.000-06:00

It’s been too long between posts for me; working for a living sure crimps both time and intellectual energy for such things.

So now there been a bombing in Qatar and Natasha Tynes, a reporter for Al Jazeera who seems very much more reasonable than nearly all of her organization, is scared.

Well, I wish Natasha well, but her own organization has proven itself as an invaluable asset to the goons who set off bombs amidst civilians. They are spreading out from Iraq now, at Bin Laden’s request, which is clear proof that the Coalition- and the Iraqi people- have essentially won. I think most people expected that to mean terrorist actions in the U.S. However, the terrorists don’t have the organization or support network that they have in surrounding Middle East countries. So, to the consternation of those people, that’s where the monsters have moved their operations first.

Once these terrorists are brainwashed by the decades of Wahabism, they don't see the nice demarcations that those that merely tolerate or encourage the brainwashing (Arabic media, governments and royalty included) would desire.

Natasha seems like a very decent person and I pray for her safety. Just as I do for everyone who goes to a mosque or church. or who attends a funeral or wedding in Iraq and Lebanon.

Time to consider A Memorial to Iraqi Courage

2005-03-02T23:43:00.000-06:00

Considering this latest act of Iraqi bravery, I think it's time to consider planning a memorial in Iraq- paid for by the U.S. and whatever Iraqi civilians would like to contribute- to honor extremely brave Iraqi troops, police officers and civilians. There are a number of old Sadaam statues that could be melted down and the bronze recast into such a structure.

As appalling lacking in artistic talent, I do have a pretty good imagination. I envision the following design for the memorial:

Three middle-aged women- a Shia, A Kurd and a Sunni- leaving a polling place with dyed fingers in a victory sign. A group of determined civilian men- some armed- stand guard by the exit with a lone Iraqi Policeman standing guard at the entrance to the poll. On a road passing away from the poll, a
group of four policeman alert by their car; a little farther on, a little girl with a small bear sits by the roadside. Further down the road, a U.S. Captain is shaking hands with his counterpart from a group of ING standing beside a canal. The U.S. officer is part of a small group of U.S. soldiers- weapons slung- that are departing. A young boy, standing with the ING troops, waves to the departing U.S. detachment.

A separate plaque would detail each story at the base of the sculpture. What do you think?

P.S. I can't find the link to the story for the armed civilians at the poll exit. That refers to a small village that, after the election, a group of terrorists visited to 'punish' for turning out to vote. When it was over, three civilians were wounded, but five thugs were dead, eight wounded and the citizens burned the terrorist's cars. If you can find the link to this story, please send it on.

Iraqis have again Proved to be a Great People; now Pony Up!

2005-02-05T23:29:00.000-06:00

We have all watched in wonder the great election stories that came out of Iraq the the days past. The great throngs of voters, the brave people (one a policeman, another a civilian young man) who gave their lives wrestling suicide bombers out of line, the small village outside of Bagdhad who fought of the terrorist who came to punish them for voting.

But now it's time now to do more that write our congratulations; it's time to come up with some funds to help. I have never asked this for my own charitable efforts on this blog. But I will ask for Iraqi Humanity. The day of the election, this doctor lost both a young woman and her unborn child, all for the lack of about a dollar's worth of medicine. His needs are so pitifully small (a total of about $600), that if just a few of us bloggers can chip in, lives can be saved. And have not the Iraqis as a people proved themselves to be worthwhile? Even $10 can help, so please do what you can.

America should humbled... and very proud

2005-01-30T18:28:00.000-06:00

Despite the threat of substantial bloodshed and violence, over 60% of Iraqis went out to vote. Would we as Americans have the same level of bravery, in similar circumstances? I would like to think so, but I seriously doubt it. Yet America can be proud of the extreme bravery of her troops to help bring this about....and our Commander-in-Chief, in bucking all the 'conventional wisdom' in making today possible.

And, while the Iraqis proudly display their purple index finger (their pride in that being the biggest defeat of the terrorists), I watch certain MSM types and John Kerry. These bozos are trying to minimize this as a victory for democracy and an utter failure by the terrorists; I have a finger for them. Mine ain't purple-stained, but it is as emphatically displayed.

I'd have more to say, but I'll let the Iraqi blogs say it all and show it all. It's their show.

That's what two weeks of illness will do to your math

2005-01-29T01:22:00.000-06:00

Well, Duhh! One week of gout, followed by one week of flu and my math completely fails me.
The risk is somewhat higher; but still, given the far lower casualty rates of minimal car bombing, is unlikely to exceed 1 in 10,000.

Two Days to go for Iraq; MSM, bend over and Kiss it!

2005-01-28T22:44:00.000-06:00

Despite the Fourth Estate acting whole-heartedly as the terrorist's Fifth Column on the Iraqi issue, the real rubber meets the road on Sunday. Hopefully, the majority of Iraqis do the math:

The worst number I've heard is 150 bombs may be ready to go; that number is probably pretty excessive. Figure the majority of these will be stopped by the incredibly courageous Iraqi and Coalition forces (the vast majority of recent casualties have been security forces who stopped bombs from reaching their primary targets). So let's say 40 bombs go off anywhere near as planned. Quite atrocious, undeniably, and probably a very pessimistic number.

OK, how many polling places. 5,300? Even if a given poll is hit, it will be at a given time, effecting only a given number of people in line (especially since very few will be car bombs, with the traffic crackdown). No more than 1 in 50 that go to a normal poll. So the chances of becoming a casualty on election day? No greater than one in 50,000. And that's a very pessimistic view.

Heck, in 1997, I rafted a river that had killed a bigger percentage than that for the year. And I did that for fun, not to bring freedom to my country.

As for Sunni participation? They have more choice than anyone, since they are clearly the primary supporters of the terrorists. If they want to participate, they would simply quit supporting the terrorists and vote. Their loss, but I think they find kinder treatment by the winners than they actually deserve.

Eight Days to the Beginning of Democracy in Iraq

2005-01-22T09:38:00.000-06:00

Some of these videos may not reflect the current reality of Iraq, but it is a vision the elections eight days from now will help Iraq reach for. I pray the Iraqi people take full advantage of this opportunity; the ballots will have been inked and paid for by the blood of the most courageous people on Earth; Iraqi, American and Coalition alike. Those ballots are the future for their children and grandchildren, something the thugs and terrorists don't care the least about.

Imperial News Media attempts at Global Engineering

2005-01-20T14:07:00.000-06:00

The IMN (MSM just doesn't convey the level of blatant arrogance enough) is the primary reason for the explosive growth in the blogosphere. They were clearly hoping this was an election year phenomena and they could go back to their propaganistic ways unmolested. No such luck. Dan Rather can bend over and kiss our pajama-wearing asses!

Yesterday four car bombs went off in Iraq. While the deaths are certainly regretable, there was one fact that the news media did not mention anywhere; that all four were stopped by security precautions before they reached their intended targets. This was not just de-emphasized by the Imperial News Media, it was not mentioned! Instead, they wrote about how they all went off within 90 minutes of each other, the tone of awe for the level of coordination intentional (Hardly a grand accomplishment).

The fact is, the terrorists seek and thrive on publicity of their deeds and revel in the complete lack of positive coverage in Iraq. So when it comes time to assign blame for the killing of innocent civilians, save a little of it to be placed on the anti-democratic terrorists and put it on the Imperial News Media.

I wonder what would happen if, in one of the not-rare cases where news types seem to be on the scene of one of the bombings overly quickly, if the families of the slain were to sue the news media outlets as accessories to murder.

Not surprisingly, our troops over there are pretty fed up with this as well. Here is the best piece I've seen of late written by one of them: Media Distortion

Another kid that explains why Iraq is worthwhile

2005-01-01T17:08:00.000-06:00

The kid in this story is destined for greatness, if the monsters of the world don't get him.

Why Iraq is worth it.

2004-12-30T20:17:00.000-06:00

I couldn't let this story go by; the little girl in this story is worth fighting for her to have a decent and free country. The story can be found at the BLACKFIVE site, but I'm copying it here so it won't get lost:
==========================================
Via Seamus, this email is a thank you from a Marine Gunnery Sergeant in Iraq. It was sent two days ago (12/14/04):

Just wanted to write to you and tell you another story about an experience we had over here.
As you know, I asked for toys for the Iraqi children over here and several people (Americans that support us) sent them over by the box. On each patrol we take through the city, we take as many toys as will fit in our pockets and hand them out as we can. The kids take the toys and run to show them off as if they were worth a million bucks. We are as friendly as we can be to everyone we see, but especially so with the kids. Most of them don't have any idea what is going on and are completely innocent in all of this.
On one such patrol, our lead security vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. This is not normal and is very unsafe, so the following vehicles began to inquire over the radio. The lead vehicle reported a little girl sitting in the road and said she just would not budge. The command vehicle told the lead to simply go around her and to be kind as they did. The street was wide enough to allow this maneuver and so they waved to her as they drove around.
As the vehicles went around her, I soon saw her sitting there and in her arms she was clutching a little bear that we had handed her a few patrols back. Feeling an immediate connection to the girl, I radioed that we were going to stop. The rest of the convoy paused and I got out the make sure she was OK. The little girl looked scared and concerned, but there was a warmth in her eyes toward me. As I knelt down to talk to her, she moved over and pointed to a mine in the road.
Immediately a cordon was set as the Marine convoy assumed a defensive posture around the site. The mine was destroyed in place.
It was the heart of an American that sent that toy. It was the heart of an American that gave that toy to that little girl. It was the heart of an American that protected that convoy from that mine. Sure, she was a little Iraqi girl and she had no knowledge of purple mountain's majesty or fruited plains. It was a heart of acceptance, of tolerance, of peace and grace, even through the inconveniences of conflict that saved that convoy from hitting that mine. Those attributes are what keep Americans hearts beating. She may have no affiliation at all with the United States, but she knows what it is to be brave and if we can continue to support her and her new government, she will know what it is to be free. Isn't that what Americans are, the free and the brave?
If you sent over a toy or a Marine (US Service member) you took part in this. You are a reason that Iraq has to believe in a better future. Thank you so much for supporting us and for supporting our cause over here.
Semper Fi,
Mark
GySgt / USMC

2004-12-29T17:27:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, Nature is just a Bitch. Pray for all the victims, including these.

How does America produce such troops?

2004-12-25T18:40:00.000-06:00

I am constantly amazed at the stories about our troops in Iraq; their kindness, bravery and self-sacrifice that the Imperial News Media never seems to find interesting. Read this story about one casualty meeting Rumsfled; if you can read it without getting choked up, you are indeed a cactus!

Started another blog

2004-12-18T17:33:00.000-06:00

I ended up starting another blog, primarily to focus on a non-political area. I happen to believe that planning for the far future is a necessity for society and space exploration is an important part of it. To read more, go to Space Troll

Lessons from two displaced people

2004-12-12T01:23:00.000-06:00

In reading some of the Iraqi blogs, I came across an entry on Kurdo’s World that both concerned and irritated me. Because some Kurds are upset that the repatriation into Kirkuk of Kurds has not been actively supported by the interim government (which would involve removing various other Arabs from Kirkuk), there is talk of a possible election boycott by Kurds over this. I say this to those who threaten this boycott; grow up! Until you have an elected government, such relocation decisions could be construed as arbitrary. With the thousands of casualties the U.S. took (as well as our coalition partners), I resent such whining at this point that demeans those sacrifices and only serves to encourage the terrorists and anti-democratic forces.

I personally believe repatriation should occur and- at least to some degree- will occur. But- in the unlikely case it doesn’t- I would hold up two examples that both started in the late 40s and took two completely different directions.

The first is the fate of the Palestinians. These people were wrongly displaced- as much as a Holocaust payment as anything else- and forced to live where they did not wish to. Now, nearly sixty years later, the majority of the Palestinians still live in squalor, hatred for their displacement still consuming their lives and culture. The second- which occurred at about the same time- was the fate of the Nationalist Chinese (my wife’s people). The were driven from their ancient homeland to Taiwan, carrying very little with them. While they have never given up on going home, they did not let that consume them; they got busy and built up a society and political entity that is the envy of many. Their dislike of those that forced them from their homes and their yearning to return has not diminished; they just got on with their lives despite it.

Hopefully, none of the 14,000 Kurds will have to face the decision and should do everything legal and nonviolent to come to a constructive end. However, if some do not manage to (and- because the world is NOT inherently fair, it is possible), I certainly recommend the Taiwan approach over the Palestinian any day. One send their children off to become engineers, the other straps explosives to them to blow up coffee shops and buses.

Vanity Health Care

2004-12-05T21:06:00.000-06:00

I find I have some readership on my site, so I guess I should to post more.

America has lost all reason in what it considers heath care. My son, several years ago at the age of 11, pointed it out best. While watching a program discussing prescription medicine benefits for Medicare, turned to my mother and announced ‘Now, all those 70-year-old men can get Viagra!’

Viagra, Cealis, Levetra, Botox, plastic surgery, gastric bypasses, hair implants, Ritalin (for 90% of the kids who are on it), etc., etc. We are spending many billions a year on what can only be referred to as ‘vanity medicine’. The amount we spend on this stuff probably would be enough to provide essential healthcare to half of Africa. A recent figure listed that 44% of Americans are on a prescription; how much of that is truly needed?

I have news for my fellow Americans: we do not need to have the sex lives of crazed jack-rabbits. Fighting Mother Nature via cosmetic surgery is an utter waste of great talent and resources. Botox??? Don’t people realize that stands for Botulism TOXIN and works by poisoning muscles?? Steroids?? Excessive Ritalin prescriptions and gastric bypass surgery fit in the ‘we’re too lazy to try discipline’ category.

And lastly, we men do not need a full head of hair; I myself have a shiny cranium. Of course, it is not due to hair loss; I would say I suffer from GFM- Gravitaitional Follicle Migration. The only woman who would run her fingers through my long, wavy locks these days would be a chiropractor adjusting my back :)

I, as a political conservative, defend the individual’s right to be this stupid; but that so many people spend so much on this junk is a sad demonstration of the degeneracy of our current society. And- most importantly- not one penny of tax money should EVER go for any of this. Will the Federal government make that logical decision when it comes to granting prescription drug benefits for Medicare? Hah! Don’t make me laugh. Medicaid money goes for Viagra now. You Americans remember that come April 15th (tax day for the non-American readers).

Roe v. Wade from a Judicial Perspective

2004-11-28T21:03:00.000-06:00

I haven’t posted for awhile and there is plenty of information on Iraq on the Iraqi blogs. I thought I’d put out something is a equally controversial area .

Roe V. Wade is unique in terms of the emotion it raises, based on the two extremes. Almost never does one hear or see actual judicial considerations. And, based on judicial concerns, Roe v. Wade is a flaming disaster.

Let’s put a cork in the highly flammable emotions involved here and consider abortion for what it clinically is. It is a medical procedure, not one (at the time of the court decision) capable of being done by the woman involved. The medical community is one of the most highly regulated industries there is. There is no other part of it that has been ruled a Constitutional right!
Even worse, abortion is normally a medical procedure of convenience; it is not a life-saving process (except in rare cases, which have always been legal). Does it make sense that there is no judicial precedence that makes an appendectomy a legal right, but an abortion is? What about heart transplants? Control over one’s own body? Fine; do an abortion on yourself without any help from the medical community.

Arguing minors have a right to have them without informing parents is ludicrous, as would be the only medical procedure allowed to be done that way! Also, arguing partial-birth abortions should be covered as an extension of the judicially granted right puts abortion beyond the specifically granted Constitutional right to bear arms (otherwise, I could have a M1 Abrams tank in my garage!).

Roe v. Wade completely ignores the constitutional component that actually covers this (and a great deal of other areas): the 10th Amendment:

“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.”

Decisions such as Roe v. Wade make extensive reference to the ‘Elastic Clause’

“To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof”

The problem with this argument is that it completely ignores the temporal nature of the Constitution. The 10th Amendment was added afterward and, therefore, it takes precedence over the Elastic Clause! Even if laws had been passed at the national level to make abortion legal (they have not been), this makes abortion a State’s issue; exactly what it was before Roe v. Wade.

Those that say abortion was illegal , that it was only done as a ‘back alley, coathanger’ procedure before Roe v. Wade were not around (or had no contact with the medical community) before 1973. In Kansas, the rule was ‘medical necessity’, which was very loosely defined. One doctor was well-known for listing the medical need as ‘depression’.

Was abortion openly accepted by the general community (medical and otherwise)? Of course not; but part of the ethical question I have not addressed is, should it be? Should assembly-line abortions be performed as a commodity medical function, not far removed from flu shots? Or should it be a last-resort option? Or not available at all? Should partial-birth abortions be allowed? That is the ethical question that has consumed so much. However, the judicial aspects are far clearer, more rational and should be the driving factor of the discussion.

Winners and Losers

2004-11-03T22:37:00.000-06:00

Now that the election is over, here is my take on the winners and losers, in order of importance:

WINNERS

The Iraqi People

As important as Bush’s re-election is to America, it was vital for the Iraqis. This will give them hope that they will be backed consistently on their march toward democracy and freedom. The enemies of that freedom can now be hunted down like the dogs they are, with no concern of electoral impact.

The Middle East

This one probably won’t be obvious for several years but then, neither was Reagan’s effort against the Soviet bloc. Freedom and democracy is the long-term answer there, an answer only Bush was brave and visionary enough to undertake.

Freedom of Speech

The independent blogosphere played a key role after the Imperial News Media went completely over to the Dark Side immediately following the war (see Losers below). The blogs of free thinkers are now known, by much of the public, to be sources of more reliable and timely information than the IMN. Soros’s and Michael Moore’s attempt to bludgeon the campaign with their socialist, elitist millions was met by more cost-effective, impactful efforts by conservative 527s. Whether you agree with the Swift Boat people or not, they proved more effective than the radicals at Moveon.org (whose Web site was not reporting the election as of today). My kudos to the Swiftees; they again served their country honorably (even if I felt they were a bit over-the-top on some things).

The American People

Consistent leadership in a time of war (and we are in World War III) is essential. I could go on for pages on this, but it has been covered by others better than I can.

The Republican Party (short-term)

They picked up seats in both houses and crippled the Democrats for the next session by eliminating leaders like Frost and Daschle.

The Democrat Party (long-term)

I am not kidding on this one. Getting rid of Daschle and Frost clears some of the impediments of them actually coming up with viable left-leaning strategy and tactics for the 21st century. People like Obama and the Queen Bitch junior Senator from New York will need to get past the old labor union and ‘turn-out the minorities, then ignore them’ model that worked in the decades from the 30s to Reagan era. They need to actually come up with some modern, workable ideas (and folks; gay marriage ain't it!); hopefully, somebody will realize this soon among the Democrats. The Republicans are headed for the flabby, status-quo-defending degeneracy any party falls into when the competition is consistently weak; for the good of this country, we need two viable competitors.

LOSERS

Usama Bin Laden and Islamic Terrorism

Nobody is selling life insurance to them these days, especially in Fallujah. Usama came out almost as a whiner. He’ll be whining a lot more soon (if he’s able).

The Imperial News Media

The Imperial News Media pulled out all stops trying to swing this election to Kerry. They didn’t event try to maintain a veneer of objectivity, violating their own journalistic code repeatedly in an attempt to get their way. The last straw to me was the release after the election of the full Bin Laden transcript; if that had come out with the rest, Kerry would have been slaughtered. Of course, it did leak out to the blogworld before the election, but not that widespread.
The most ludicrous was Chris Matthews on MSNBC, who could not be seen for all of the last few months without a backdrop of sign-waving Kerry supporters. CBS was subtle compared to this cartoon character; he should be canned, except I’m certain he was following direction from the higher-ups who totally skewed the network hard-left about four months before the election.

‘Old’ Europe

Between the election and the Food-for-Oil scandal, they’ve been even further emasculated from where they were. They can’t even hold the EU together; no one looks to them for any kind of leadership.

About the Election

2004-10-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

Who do we blame for the missing explosives in Iraq? How about a U.N. official,
whose job is endangered, deliberately trying to break a story about explosives
unaccounted for for YEARS, suggesting it was a recent event. How about the New
York Times, who did *very* little research on the story before trying to make it
sound like 360+ tons of munitions (out of at least 600,000 tons found so far)
disappeared recently, when in fact much of it it very well may have disappeared before American troops even arrived! How about CBS News, still unrepentant after Rathergate, planning to spring this as a Sunday surprise 36 hours before election day, before the lid got blown off it.

Most importantly, how about John Kerry who- in desperate, reckless opportunism-
calls this a case of mass incompetence, in doing so besmirching the job our troops are
doing in Iraq. After all, Bush isn't physically on site; our troops are. If he is
claiming operational incompetence, it is not OUR TROOPS that Kerry is defiling??
Does anybody really think this guy could possibly be respected as Commander-in-Chief?

And, as a last point, you might want to read this Iraqi's thoughts on our election. If The Imperial News Media and blatant voter fraud puts Kerry in the White House, watch the celebration by the thugs, murderers and terrorists in Fallujah and other snake pits. Are those the people we want to make happy?

My call on the election

2004-10-23T01:56:00.000-05:00

Bush will win, but it will be close. The only reason it will be close because of the massive amount of fraudulent Democrat voting that will occur based on voter registrations obtained with money (and even crack cocaine!). Votes will be forged wholesale by leftists justifying their actions based on the 2000 election. The Republican party is nowhere near ready for the scale of this activity this time around.

Why do leftists always have to try to justify their deceit rather than be honest about it? Is it too late to get the purple dye used to stain thumbs in Afganistan, so we can bring our elections up to Third World standards?

IMPORTANT LINK! *********** Stolen Honor ************

Afgans do democracy proud (wrinkles and all)

2004-10-10T09:18:00.000-05:00

Despite threats of violence and hours-long lines, millions of Afgans voted the other day for the first time in their lives. (If only American appreciated the right to vote so much!) This is a historic acheivement for a people who have suffered too long. Sure, there were some wrinkles (make sure you've got the right ink, people!), but I'm certainly convinced the election was more fair than the vast majority of truly democratic elections. Heck, the U.S.- with historical cases of ballot stuffing and dead people voting alphabetically- has a far worse history of fairness before the middle of the 20th century.

Ironically, this set up an interesting scenario. I think the American government should, after the process is done, recruit among the Afgan election workers to go to Iraq as election consultants to help in the upcoming January elections. These people know how to do it, obviously are not easily intimidated, and what better image to give the world than Muslim helping Muslim to vote?

Hats off to Bush and his whole team that made this possible for a deserving people!

Dan Rather's Behavior explained!

2004-09-16T13:26:00.000-05:00

I have discovered the reason that Dan Rather has continued to defend the National Guard memos, against all evidence of forgery. He is planning to leave his day job and go on the road as a straight man for Bagdhad Bob, funded by an Al-Jazeera - Michael Moore joint venture.
I know this is true because I received a fax of a copy of a fax of a memo by a man long dead that says it is.

The Imperial News Media has totally lost it

2004-09-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

The Dan Rather - Bush memo debacle is a rather phenomenal display of how really archaic and arrogant the Imperial News Media has become. They’ve been unprecedented this time around in not even attempting to mask their bias and have clearly become the investigative arm of the Kerry campaign. No effort to investigate the claims of the SwiftVets; only efforts to discount them. But plenty of effort to smear Bush’s military history (which is hardly stellar, as Bush himself admits). The primary evidence of Dan Rather’s so-called expose was proven to be a hoax (definitely proven, thanks to bloggers such as Little Green Footballs) in a matter of hours by the blogosphere. Dan’s reaction of blaming Republican operatives (most of the bloggers involved are actually Kerry supporters, to which I tip my hat for their honesty.). What a fuddy-duddy response, as was the CBS claim that there will be no investigation. What rubbish!

Dan, it’s time for you to go. If he can’t see past your own arrogant bias and power and keep up at least a little bit with current informational trends, you need to go the way of the dinosaurs. And that goes for the upper management of CBS and any other traditional media source that feels their job is to manage the political process rather than report it. And they wonder how Fox got so popular?

To fellow bloggers, I say this: We are becoming a primary source of information for more and more people. Take that responsibility seriously; be sure of your information, keep your thoughts clear and concise, and march forward.

Whiny Politics, History and Sub-Animals

2004-09-03T23:28:00.000-05:00

Kerry sure gave a significant contrasting image the other day immediately following the Republican Convention, though I doubt it was the contrast he wanted. He sounded whiny, desperate and rushed, whle the convention was polished, entertaining and highly focused. He certainly had none of the attributes I would want in the Oval Office on display that night. It certainly matches the image one gets of Kerry while reading "Unfit for Command".

I finally got my copy of that book; it took 19 tries at about 8 different book stores to get a copy. Of course, I could have ordered it online; but I became convinced bugging the bookstores was necessary. Considering the number of viscious Bush-bashing books prominently displayed in all of these stores, I was determined to pester them into getting this book in the stores. It was obvious I wasn't the only one; the employees started getting that 'hunted' look. Only today did any quantities of significance showed up. One this for sure; establishment types don't have to worry about burning books if they don't get in the hands of the people. It would be interesting to see the details of the book distribution from the actual publishers to the outlets.

The Russian school tragedy really drives home the point that we ARE in World War III; these animals must be hunted down, as well as their brainwashers and funders. The vast majority of Muslims who are rational must come off the fence and actively join in hunting down, ratting out, and putting an end to the terrorists, the trainers and the financiers. Some already have and are extrememly brave for doing so. Vastly more have to, if this conflict in not going to turn into a real Jihad from both sides, one the Muslim world will not win. It is all up to them.

Zell Miller, a true Marine

2004-09-02T20:38:00.000-05:00

Brother! What a speech! There's a man I'd go over the top with in a bayonet charge! He did an equal number on Chris Matthews, whose tendency to block his guests from answering has gotten completely out of hand.

The Imperial News Media, as unashamed shills for the Democrats, will call into question Zell's motives, his past, even his sanity if needed. However, it will be very difficult to claim that this is of any personal benefit to Zell. Could it be that he actually did it for the reasons he stated? Naw, these people of whispy morality say; it can't be that. They can't understand those things that drive such men as Zell; it's not 'stylish' (to quote a sneering Dirty Harry).

Zell, You stay in the Democrat and fight the good fight there. God knows, those people need such a voice of strength (just as the Republicans need McCain to occasionally give them a kick in the pants). You have my deep gratitude and respect; keep that Marine bayonet charge advancing. Glory is already yours, you will not fail and- come the sad day when you go to meet your maker- your unwavering direction and moral fiber will be appropriately rewarded.

Same event, different perspectives

2004-08-27T21:26:00.000-05:00

The SwiftVet/Kerry blowup about the Kerry’s Bronze medal action can have BOTH sides explained with the following scenario. The Three boat was hit by the underwater mine; the surrounding boats, having been ambushed from shore after such before, immediately began to lay down covering fire to both shores. Kerry’s boat had left, losing a man overboard in the process (something that STILL is not well explained). As they came back, they saw the other boats lighting up the banks; a natural assumption is that incoming fire was taken. The man in the water hears gunfire all around him and certainly isn’t in a position to accurately ascertain source and direction. Kerry’s boat comes roaring back ‘in a hail of fire’ (very likely only outgoing) to retrieve the man they’d lost. The guys in the boats that stayed are in a position to know there was no incoming. Kerry’s boat, coming back, and the man in the water could have easily believed there was incoming. Hence the differing stories, both honestly believed. If tempers will cool down enough, maybe both sides will realize something like this was possible.

However, that does not excuse two Purple Hearts from self-inflicted, extremely minor wounds (not someone I’d want around in a fight), Kerry’s other bizarre behavior over there and a tendency to over-embellish reports. By themselves, these things are forgivable. What is NOT forgivable is Kerry’s clearly false testimony to the Senate and other statements after he returned. Peaceful protest is one thing; activities that can (and were) clearly usable against our men in the field and POWs is very much another. THAT is what is unforgivable and Kerry will get my vote when Hades freezes over AND Satan himself skates the Stanley Cup.

Where to even begin... How about the First Amendment?

2004-08-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

All the uproar about the SwiftVets is truly amazing. While I think some of the items of their critique are overly biased and certainly overly harsh, they DO have the right, under the First Admendment, to have their opinions and information heard. It is certainly no worse han most of the MoveOn.org content (and certainly with a greater number of eye witnesses). The Imperial News Media has pulled out all stops, with absolutely NO attempt to hide their ravenous bias to discredit the claims without ever actually REPORTING the claims. Kerry can solve the whole issue merely by releasing ALL of his records an let the world decide. To date he has refused to. In the meantime, in support of the first admendment, which liberal and the Imperial News Media seems to think only applies to liberals, I strongly urge everyone to peruse the SwiftVet site, and/or buy the book "Unfit for Command" and make the decision for yourselves.

2004-06-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

This is Winnie, my 'daughter' in Uganda; a remarkable young lady. Read her story here.

A great day for America and Iraq

2004-06-28T22:57:00.000-05:00

Today, while watching the glorious transfer of power in Iraq, I had a epithany. George Bush- a highly religious man who laid a hand on a Bible to be sworn into office- has risked his career and spent American treasure (Blood and money) to reach a day where a group of people could- in freedom- lay their hands on a KORAN to be sworn into office. Only this country- and this leadership- would have don this.

May the new Iraq and the US be friends for generations to come! May God (or Allah, if you prefer) bless these countries and these leaders!

A bunch of links that will open your eyes

2004-06-15T01:30:00.000-05:00

Me doing a blog is nothing. Here is a listing of some of the bravest bloggers out there; Iraqis speaking their minds, in an environment where Iraqis are being assassinated every day by goons and thugs. A GREAT people is emerging into the light, if these people are any indication. It HAS been worthwhile, despite our losses.

Iraq the Model (other links there)

Healing Iraq Iraq at a Glance Iraq and Iraqis Road of a Nation

A GREAT place to converse with Iraqis

Back Home; Roadwork is a Bitch!

2004-05-31T20:23:00.000-05:00

Just got back to Texas; spent 7 of the last 8 months on the road as a consultant.
On this trip, I got the undivided attention of a drunken young lady. Normally, this might be flattering; but- in this case- it was delivered head-on, at a relative combined speed of 80 mph, and came in the form of 2 tons of automobile. To walk away from that required the seat belt, the airbag and using up a whole bunch of points with God. She had clipped a SUV with a small kid in it first; glad I caught the attention rather than the kid. I got a sprained big toe and recurring headaches, slowly fading from it. The drunk was lucky, too; neither of us stayed the night in the hospital.

2004-05-28T10:07:00.000-05:00

Me in my favorite environment; the mountains

Welcome to the Musings of a Data Troll

2004-05-28T09:16:00.000-05:00

I figured if people in a war zone of Iraq can take the time to maintain a blog (and from which you can find out what *real* Iraqis think, not the ones the Imperial News Media hand select), I can too.

Humor helps one get through the long days, so we'll start with some I've accumulated during my last assignment in Florida:

The difference between the Biblical description of creation (7 days) and the
geological evidence of billions of years? Scope Creep.

The only woman running her fingers through my long, wavy locks these days is my chiropractor when she adjusts my back.

Remember, if you can't laugh at yourself, the world will more than make up
for your lack of participation.

My wife doesn't mind me going to lunch with female colleagues; she's firmly
convinced no woman has as bad a taste in men as she does.