Saturday, January 31, 2004Weekend Reading ListDivide and conquer has long been a successful strategy for winning a conflict. It's what political warfare is all about and the masters of it are the Democratic party. They skillfully use every divide available. Class, race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and ethnicity seem to be the most effective pot stirring topics as long as you don't let the facts get in the way. Since the limp noodle media rarely does anything but serve up their sound bites, it is rather easy for them to barrage you with the divide and conquer concept surreptitiously and blatantly. Neal Cavuto sounds off on class warfare. Neil just always makes sense to me regardless of the topic. There is a reason that few Senators and Congressman are ever elected to the Presidency. Their voting records haunt them. There's nothing quite like cold, hard facts to cut through the political rhetoric of stump campaign speeches. Matthew Continetti offers a quick look as to how the battle will shape up should Kerry keep the momentum he now has. The Patriot Act is again under attack, this time by the "Safe Act." This is my first introduction to the proposed legislation so I don't know much about it but I see that Teddy Kennedy is behind it. Sound General Quarters....if he's for it then I am probably against it. Learn more here. Thanks, Ramesh for calling my attention to it. France is at it again. David Kay's testimony is being spun as we were right! Excuse me but didn't your intelligence and the whole world's say exactly the same thing? Maybe this little gem puts it in perspective. Keep the boycott going. No money for arrogant ass*@#'$. The let's get the ''special interests" out of Washington. From the New York Times, the hipocrasy continues. Have a great weekend everyone! posted @ 04:49 AM MST [link] Friday, January 30, 2004Why I'm Voting for George W. Bush and Not (Insert Democratic Candidates Name Here)There are several reasons I believe that the current President of the United States has earned my vote over the last three years that I don't see in any of the Democratic Candidates. They are the same reasons that the rabid, left-leaning voters detest this President: Kyoto The World Court ABM War on Terrorism (including Iraq) Tax Cuts In his State of the Union Address, President Bush made his summation of his Presidency in one simple sound bite. "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country." All of my reasons for supporting this President are to continue his stewardship contained in that line: The protection of the physical and economic security of my country. Kyoto was a purely political attack on the American economy meant to take us down a few pegs. China was exempt. China, the most populous country in the world and the country positioned to become the next economic superpower was given a free pass. Can you imagine the recession we would be in now if the President had pandered to the enviro-wackos by accepting this treaty? American businesses would be suffering a crippling expense, deepening the recession that this President inherited from the Clinton/Gore Kyoto supporting Administration. “Just say no to Kyoto,” and he did. “Kiss off” to the World Court. The world loves our money and they love our Military when they need our protection. No matter how many wonderful projects around the world we fund, no matter how many times we come to their aid and ask little or nothing in return, no matter what we do, a large portion of the world is going to hate us for what we believe in and the strength of who we are. This portion of the world hates us and that’s too damn bad. I can live with that. Knowing this and then joining this “world court” is committing suicide by emasculating our military and leaders by making them new targets in a world court. Fortunately, we didn’t have to spend a dime to answer their recent indictment of General Tommy Franks. ABM needed to go after September 11th. If we can build the “Star Wars” defense system, why would the world oppose it? Why would you oppose something that could save millions of lives and not hurt anyone else? Because, we would be safe from certain attacks. Because, the world thinks we would deploy weapons against them through it. I think psychologist call this projection. ABM is out; we will be safer for it. The War on Terrorism was years overdue just like our entry into WWII. Face it; most of us didn’t particularly care if the rest of the world was blowing each other up as long as it didn’t involve us. But just like the attack on Pearl Harbor in WWII, now it did involve us and you have our attention. The era of appeasement ended at Ground Zero with a bullhorn decree that soon the terrorist would be hearing from all of us. This fight will go on for a long time provided we don’t put some weasel in the White House who would rely on the part of the world that hate us for our security. Tax cuts give me back what is mine and stimulate the economy. I don’t mind the government receiving a reasonable portion of my income to fund worthwhile endeavors. I do mind a government that is fat and happy through the fruits of my labors and wants more all the time. Slavery was abolished in this country. I just don’t see any of the Democratic candidates defending my countries interests better than the current Commander in Chief; therefore, they haven’t earned my vote and will not get it. We are getting our Mission Accomplished. I hope the added agenda item for his next term will be to strike a balance between "compassionate" and "fiscal" conservatism. posted @ 05:13 AM MST [link] From the North of US A beautifully written article about David Kay's findings from the Toronto Star to go with that morning cup of coffee. posted @ 03:57 AM MST [link] Thursday, January 29, 2004Have they all gone mad? Or am I just anal today?I am sitting here shaking my head at today's headlines. Saddam didn't have an active weapons of mass destruction program, Nancy Pelosi reveals the democrats better immigration plan that will reward illegal behavior by giving amnesty, and the President is seeking a large increase in the budget for the Arts. Prior to its liberation, Saddam Hussein brutalized Iraq. This was a man who cut out tongues of those who spoke against him, who shredded people alive-literally, used chemical weapons against his own people, invaded his neighbors, locked children in prisons, and committed mass murder on a whim. And now I am suppose to believe Iraqi scientist when they say that they deceived Saddam? They took the development money for his weapons programs but really didn't develop any weapons. You have to be kidding me. After thirty years of demonstrated brutality, I don't think there was an Iraqi in Iraq who would have even considered actually trying to deceive Saddam and his sadistic offspring. Flush this explanation down the toilet where it belongs. He had the weapons, we know that because he used them against the Kurds and we may never find them. That's a possibility we may have to live with. He may not have had large stockpiles of them because he didn't need to. Once the technology was developed, programs could be reconstituted rather quickly. They may have been shipped to a neighboring country awaiting the lifting of sanctions. They may have been sold off to terrorist. They may still be somewhere in Iraq. I can believe any of those scenarios, but don't tell me that the scientists fooled Saddam and all the world wide intelligence agencies who were in complete agreement that he had those weapons were wrong and expect me to believe it. Nancy Pelosi has a better plan for dealing with illegal immigrants, or as Nancy would say "undocumented workers." It's basically a blanket amnesty program. Come here illegally and we will award you with citizenship! Once your here, you can vote for me after we issue you your driver's license! And she had the gall, to call the President's plan "a political ploy." Okay all you politicians out there making critical decisions that affect every hardworking American's life, listen up. DID YOU NOT GET THE POLLING DATA AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN WAS ANNOUNCED? Republican, Democrat, Independent, Man, Woman, Young, Old, citizens, and legal immigrants-DO NOT want another amnesty program. We are tired of footing the bill for your political ploys. The only people who want this are the people who will benefit from it. Illegals and politicians. Last but not least, Mr. President, enough is enough. Can you spell fiscal conservative? I know that the federal government has a constitutional obligation to fund the "Arts." But the idea of my going to work this morning so that one dime of my tax money can wind up in the likes of Michael Moore's hands to produce another "Bowling for Columbine" or a larger endowment for NPR (National Puke-provoking Radio) is enough to make me lose all sphincter control. How about we meet our constitutional obligation by adding one more little line to my tax form "Do I wish to contribute $1 to the Arts?" Art that has an appeal to the people will thrive without government subsidy. Art exhibitions of toilet bowls and crucifixes in urine won't. Thank goodness. It's hard for those of us struggling to meet our financial obligations every day to give a rat's rectum about funding the Arts. posted @ 05:30 AM MST [link] Wednesday, January 28, 2004Catching Up Continued...Kerry takes New Hampshire, okay that's about as much coverage as that deserves. What was interesting to me is that the voters cited three issues as important in their decision: Health care Iraq The economy Health care-40 some million Americans don't have healthcare coverage. Can somebody tell me if this number is people who want it and can't afford it or just people who currently don't have it. This makes a difference to me, because quite frankly, I don't want my hard earned money spent giving healthcare coverage to someone who can afford it but chooses to spend their premium payment on something else. My social circle is not affluent, we are just middle-class Americans. The only people I know who don't have healthcare coverage can afford it and are banking on the fact they won't need it right now so they don't buy it. Poor planning for a catastrophe should not be a criteria for government handouts at the expense of those who act responsibly. From my years in healthcare, I can tell you that there are many avenues for those who can't afford coverage to get treatment both palliative and curative through Medicaid and our healthcare system. People who can afford the premiums are quickly covered under our current Medicaid system when a catastrophic event occurs. I can find and twist a statstic to support any position a politician wants to make an issue of. It's time the media gets down to brass tacks and starts asking the who, what, when, and why's of these politicians and help the voters make informed decisions instead of giving face and stump speech air time and calling it coverage. posted @ 04:57 AM MST [link] Tuesday, January 27, 2004MilBlogsI've added a link to MilBlogs at the top of the list. This is a great link to many military blogs. Nothing quite like hearing it from the horse's mouth. posted @ 04:53 AM MST [link] Catching Up Last week, while I was out shopping and doing lunch with my daughter, David Kay resigned his position. I had to go back and reread his original report to Congress in October to get a grip on how the politicians and media were spinning it this time. I remember reading the media headlines stating that no weapons had been found which was technically accurate but failed to serve up the details of all that had been discovered. Call me a suspicious bitch but I can't read this report and conclude that Saddam Hussein was not a threat in the past, present, or future had he been left in power. The current situation opens the playing field for political fodder both here at home and abroad. THE PRESIDENT LIED TO US! (Insert Prime Minister for UK and Australia) and you have the opposing political party slander splashed across the international headlines. Hogwash. Why would the President deliberately deceive and risk political ruin by embellishing the threat? Some cite a vendetta of family honor as the reason he intentionally deceived us all. I'm sorry but if you really believe this one, you're a nut case and your paranoia has reached Herculean proportions. This is my favorite...for political gain. Can you spell Churchill? We have a President with high popularity following the attack of 9/11, who responds (not by bombing an aspirin factory) but by successfully and quickly toppling a terrorist supporting government in Afghanistan. His popularity not only increases but is also sustained for an unprecedented time period. And now I am suppose to believe that ignoring the lessons of history, he decides to open a potential Pandora's box in Iraq (too long before an election) and the purpose of it is to increase his political gain? You must think Karl Rove has lapsed into a coma. If this President and administration LIED about WMD in Iraq, then so did the last one, along with his entire administration. And, so did every world leader who have all publically stated that there is no doubt that these weapons existed leading to sanctions and 17 UN Resolutions. They all lied? Cut the political crap. I don't believe most of us hardworking Americans think there was an intentional deception on anyone's part. I think the reason the polls have shown all along that we are indifferent to the fact that weapons have not been found is because we understood the choices and believe that the President made the right one. With whatever intelligence you have gathered, you can pick two courses of action. Act on it or don't. But can you live with the consequences of your decision if you are wrong? I choose the "better safe than sorry" school of thought and when I start to falter, I need only look at the pictures of the fallen WTC towers to strengthen my resolve one again. If you want to politically attack the current President honestly, then you need to look at our discretionary spending and ask when it will be curbed. Of course, you can't be living in a glass house when you throw that stone. That eliminates most of the Democratic candidates in one fell swoop. posted @ 04:36 AM MST [link] Friday, January 23, 2004Time OffMy beautiful daughter is here for a visit, so I'll be spending my time with her. I will write more on Monday. Have a great weekend. posted @ 10:22 AM MST [link] Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Stay the course was the bottom line of the President's State of the Union Address last night and that is a pretty good strategy as it has been working. The economy is doing well, rogue nations are falling into line, and the world will become a safer place for all of us if we stay this course. Tuesday, January 20, 2004In Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.I have a burning question for the political party who garners somewhere around 90% of the African American vote. Why did you choose to have your opening day kick off of the political Presidential Season on Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday? The holiday set aside to honor him was overshadowed by partisan, political rhetoric. It's a disgrace. The President was jeered when he placed a wreath on Dr. King's grave because he isn't from the correct political party. The "correct" political party is the one who trounces his memory and steals the lime light. Dr. King was a uniter. The Democratic party has thrived on it's divisiveness. I find the "content of their character" extremely lacking. You deserved better Dr. King. posted @ 04:39 AM MST [link] Eroding Europe A disturbing trend in Europe keeps evolving. Anti-Semitism is becoming fashionable again. I was struck by these three articles on the subject. From a paper in Illinois, the writer revisits Europe thirty years later and doesn't like what he sees. From a paper in Canada, the writer sees a unsettling trend rising and urges Canada to not become complacent. And finally, an AP story about the vandalization of a Holocaust memorial. How insane with hatred must one be to deny the Holocaust ever happened? Very frightening stuff and a sobering reminder of what the war on terrorism is up against. posted @ 03:05 AM MST [link] Caucus Ca Ca Has Iowa had enough of angry, white guys? Howard Dean taking third in the Iowa caucuses must be a disappointment for the wacky far left but John Kerry winning is even more of one for the nice, down-home kinda folks. The F word using, black leather jacketed, I voted for the war but I'm against it now cause the other guy messed it up, is their choice for the most powerful office in the land? John Edwards using the opposite approach to reach voters by being "the southern gentleman" did receive an energizing surge but should have been the favored son all along if Iowa really likes nice. posted @ 02:40 AM MST [link] Saturday, January 17, 2004Weekend WheedlingPictures worth a thousand words... Found this picture on blackfive’s website and it’s priceless. If you haven't been to this site, check it out. Saddam's Endorsement And this one is great also! New Uniforms Speaking of France.... I enjoyed this article this morning about French foreign policy or lack of. Important doings this week... Monday-Iowa Caucuses, Tuesday-State of the Union speech. Well, one of these is actually important..you decide. Have a great weekend! posted @ 04:15 AM MST [link] Thursday, January 15, 2004Hodge-PodgeA big installation at work this week has had me into work early and home very late everyday but I want to make a few short comments on some of the things happening. Space Program If John Kennedy had not pushed the space program 40 years ago, our lives would not have all the creature comforts of today that we take for granted. The list of things that have been produced as a direct result of the space program is huge. We need that kind of innovative catalyst again. As for the price tag, a mere pittance compared to what opportunities it will bring to market in the future. Personally, I would rather fund this than another failed social program the government thinks we can’t live without. Carol Moseley Braun Dropping out of the race today. Should only be a few more weeks before the rest of the drips have gone down the drain. She will throw her support to the bellicose Dr. Dean. Good. The polls are showing Dean on a downward trend and I really want him to win the primary because he is the last person I would want to see win the election. Dennis Miller I’ve missed his essays on Fox but his new show on CNBC will debut on the 26th. Check it out! posted @ 04:48 AM MST [link] Thursday, January 8, 2004On the Guest Worker ProgramI listened to the pundits on the radio and TV yesterday and was pretty upset at what seemed to be a purely political move on the President’s part according to them. But I wasn’t surprised that by reading the transcript of the Presidents announcement yesterday, my feelings were less negative. The Fact Sheet is also worth a look while formulating your opinion. But, I remain skeptical for several reasons. The government has a history of unintended consequences whenever it does something. This has led a lot of people to believe that the best government is one that does as little as possible. In the 80’s, President Reagan granted a one-time, never to happen again, amnesty to illegal aliens. In theory, on the day that this occurred, our illegal alien population went to zero and our guest worker population swelled instantly. The message that went out around the world was that our immigration laws are a façade, come on in. And come on in, they did by the millions. No one seems to be able to pin down the size of this problem. The numbers estimate between 10 and 25 million illegal aliens are presently in the country. What will the message be this time? “Hey, why wait? Don’t lose valuable time on those immigration forms, get in here now and start sending the checks to the folks back home right away. A small fee wipes away the “illegal” in illegal alien.” One of my major concerns is the protection afforded to the businesses and participants who choose to disregard the law to begin with. I can’t resolve this morally or philosophically. It’s like throwing your hands up and saying I quit. Some people are going to break the law, so why bother enforcing it? It just seems to fly in the face of the spirit of America. Is the message, “Hey all you businesses that spent time filling out those I-9’s and making sure your workers were documented, SUCKERS? You could have been paying these people under the table and saved yourself big bucks not paying the employer share of those payroll taxes or Workman’s Comp premiums or minimum wages we set. What an idiot you were to follow the law. Better think twice about that next time.” Another concern is for our National Security. Does this help or hinder? The President outlines how this will help by allowing our focus to shift from everyone crossing the border to targeting those who may wish to do us harm with the use of a Guest Worker Card eliminating those who are just here working hard. How long till these cards are forged? If you flash this card and are allowed to cross the border without scrutiny, haven’t you just opened another hole in the security system? If you have to scrutinize these cards, where is the savings? We do need a guest worker program in this country that works to eliminate the exploitation of the workers, meets the employer’s needs, and doesn’t further threaten our National Security. Here in Arizona, a shoot out recently occurred on a major freeway during morning, rush-hour traffic hours just outside of Phoenix between competing coyotes over a group of illegal aliens being brought into the country. The police chase that resulted in their capture went for miles into Phoenix. It was sheer luck that bystanders who were not involved in the incident were not caught in the crossfire. Like all other illegal activities, there is money to be made by the unscrupulous. The President outlined some reassuring criteria with this program. There would be no blanket amnesty. Illegal aliens currently in the country would not cut in line ahead of those trying to immigrate legally. There is a time limit on how long a worker could stay. We would have a way to document those who are here now, as we presently do not have that capability. American workers would have first crack at these jobs. These are all well thought out criteria for the plan. The question that Congress must answer is, how? How we will track this? How will we enforce this? How will we pay for this? How much will employers be required to contribute to healthcare needs for these workers and who pays the balance? How much will access to welfare programs be increased? Are they entitled to unemployment compensation? If they bring their family here with them and they have offspring during this tenure, will their children continue to automatically become American citizens? I have many questions and lack the skill to come up with viable solutions but I remain skeptical and will believe it when I see it. But it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. posted @ 05:20 AM MST [link] Wednesday, January 7, 2004Amnesty?I will reserve comment until the President speaks today and I can review the transcript but my gut feel is that I'm not going to be happy about this. posted @ 05:34 AM MST [link] Tuesday, January 6, 2004Fallen HeroesYou may have seen this already but for those who have not it is well worth it. Salute to a fallen hero is exemplative of how much we appreciate our military. I saw on Fox News this weekend a piece of reporting that helps keep things in perspective while we are being bombarded with the daily death count of our soldiers. It was a good day because none of our soldiers had been killed in Iraq and Fox took that opportunity to give the statistics of combat deaths since the war began against the murder rate of ordinary Americans in some of our major cities. The figures did not include accidentals deaths appropriately so, since nor do the murder rates. Deaths in Iraq were about 1/2 of the murder deaths in Chicago last year or New York City. A little infusion of reality helps every once and awhile. posted @ 04:33 AM MST [link] Monday, January 5, 2004Government Deficits – Why Not?In reading the transcripts of the latest Democratic debate in Iowa, I noticed that the same talking points keep getting harped on without challenge. To mix it up a little I wish the commentators would ask a simple question of these candidates, why not? Case in point, while talking about the federal deficit, Mr. Gephardt makes a point of saying with great pride that under his insistence the Clinton Administration balanced the budget and built up a reserve of funds as if this was a good thing. Here’s my take on it. I, like most Americans, run a personal deficit. I’m not talking about irresponsible shopaholics that can’t control their spending. (This group is currently in Washington with a tight grip on our wallets.) I am talking about average, hardworking, responsible Americans. I started my personal deficit spending the day I signed my mortgage. The fulfillment of the American dream, owning your own little piece of ground is this world, can only occur for most of us if we are willing to utilize deficit spending. With cars costing as much as the first house I bought, I further added to my deficit spending when I signed for a car loan. We Americans consider a house and a car a necessity not a luxury. They provide a way to get to work and somewhere to go after work, since we have to work to pay back our loans. I own my furniture, clothes, household goods, groceries, and have no credit card debt that isn’t paid in full each time the bill comes in. All of those items are on the pay as you go system and yet I have personal deficit spending. If that’s a bad thing, then I can’t have a house or car. So my question is, “If deficit spending is okay for me to utilize to reach my goals, why isn’t okay for the government?” Am I to go to work each day so that the government can pay as they go and have a rainy day fund, leaving me with less to apply to my own deficit? The excess funding Mr. Gephardt speaks so fondly of really burns my bottom. The government should never take and hold onto excess dollars. The government should not be a profitable organization. The reason is simple; it’s my money. So please don’t remind me that when you took an excess amount of my money, you had the gall to hold onto it. I wouldn’t tolerate that from any of my vendors. I expect and demand a refund when I have over paid. The rest of the debate, or lack of, was spent talking about the additional entitlement programs they would develop if they had unfettered access to my checking account. Very scary. We already work six months of every year to pay our taxes, I personally am unwilling to extend it a single day more. posted @ 04:25 AM MST [link] Sunday, January 4, 2004Flight of IdeasCongratulations to NASA for their successful landing on Mars. Mars is thought to have once had water that would have been able to sustain life, as we know it. This mission may provide some answers. My bet is that it dried up due to global warming, or a hole in the ozone layer, or excessive use of fluorocarbons, or strip mining, or destruction of rain forests, or whatever else Martian envirowackos warned them of and they didn’t heed. Al Qaeda may be down to using suicide bombers against airliners. Pathetic. If that’s not a move of desperation, I don’t know what is. Looks like the War on Terrorism is achieving its goals of disrupting and dismantling the terrorist network as this is beginning to look like the low budget version of terrorism used in Palestine. “Steve Irwin provokes international outrage over croc stunt “ with his one-month-old son is in the headlines. Crikey, the world may not have noticed but Steve has a little different definition of dangerous than most of us. While we wouldn’t walk our one-month-old son within a few feet of a croc, we also wouldn’t be in the pen with a croc to begin with. Steve’s kids will probably grow up to be the next generation of croc hunters and this was just one of many croc exposures to come. posted @ 05:56 AM MST [link] Saturday, January 3, 2004Howard Dean, MD – Specializing in Primary Care?It’s hard for me after twenty years in healthcare to look at Howard Dean and not want to slap that arrogant sneer off of his face. What is surprising to me is that he is a primary care physician and displays such pompousness. Usually in healthcare, that is reserved for Cardiovascular-Thoracic surgeons or Neurosurgeons. To the few truly decent physicians I have known; please know that the following does not apply to you because you are the exception not the rule. The political world is ablaze with the discovery that the good Dr. Dean has a temper. No Sh*t, Sherlock. In my experience, the majority of physicians in this country do; and have little or no experience in restraining it. Their altered perception of reality is formed by the catering masses to their esteemed position in society. The specialty area chosen by the physician may say a lot about the core character of the person. Background physicians are physicians who do not choose to be in the limelight. They are generally pretty normal, descent people. This group includes the docs you never really think about. Radiologists, Anesthesiologists, and Pathologists who all perform an extremely vital function in medicine today but do so from behind the scenes. They don’t feel a compelling need to be center stage headliners. Occasionally they slip into “Doctor mode” but for the most part, it’s forgivable after all they are human and these guys know it. They have all the smarts it takes to be a center stage physician but lack the ego, thank God. Primary care physicians are the jack-of-all-trades, masters of none. They function as the gatekeeper in the world of managed care, which elevates their importance in the food chain. They are the givers of referrals, which is why they are courted by specialists, who depend on them to eat. As you climb the ladder in the medical hierarchy, the degree of narcissism and lack of self-restraint escalates exponentially. The higher the regarded specialty, the bigger the pompous ass practicing it. That is why I am amazed that the relatively, lowly primary care physician Howard Dean displays such arrogance as compared to a heart surgeon. What’s the difference between a doctor and God? Answer=God doesn’t think he’s a doctor. What does MD stand for? Answer=Medical Deity. There are a few physicians I would support in their running for political office. They are descent human beings who are reasonable, intelligent, possess modesty and humility, and generally seek advice from the people they trust. (That means they aren’t having a conversation with themselves.) Howard Dean just doesn’t strike me as one of them. I don’t know him and I could be completely wrong, however, my gut feel has been pretty good throughout my life and I don’t see it failing me in this instance. Let's send the "good" doctor back to the waiting room. Perhaps when he has learned enough self control to be allowed in public, we'll give him another diagnosis and career prescription. posted @ 06:10 AM MST [link] Friday, January 2, 2004The Spirit of FreedomAcross the world, people of all threatened nations turned out to celebrate the New Year despite recent terrorist threats. In America amidst our “Orange Alert”, millions of Americans poured into the streets of our threatened target cities to ring in the New Year and thumbed their noses at terrorists. Good job world. They think we will cower in fear, disrupting our way of life, each time the chatter and threat status is elevated. It is important to send the message that we will not. The orange hats to go with our alert level were a very nice touch. What does one wear to a potential terrorist attack? It is important to accessorize. The media speaks of the sophistication of these terrorist operations each time they occur. I’m sorry but I have to disagree. 9/11 was well thought out with a predictable outcome that did require some preparation such as learning to fly, buying a one-way ticket, and purchasing a box cutter. That was a good one. The ability to pull it off was predictable because the status quo was to sit tight on a hijacked flight and do nothing; you fly to a foreign country to drop off the culprits and you’re back home a little later than you had planned. But the string of bombings seen around the world since then requires only the ability to synchronize your watch and a rudimentary knowledge of basic chemistry. I would hardly call that sophistication. I’m fairly certain the Three Stooges could pull these off. For those of us who value human life and freedom, each successful incident is tragic and is mourned. It’s hard for us to imagine such deranged, twisted thinking that justifies an attack on innocent people. It’s hard for us to imagine such hatred that you would consider any child not innocent and attack without a shred of human decency. It’s hard to imagine such pure evil really exists. It’s hard, but it is not impossible. With each incident you successfully pull off, our resolve grows a bit deeper. The unconvinced become convinced. The pacifist becomes a little quieter. Our determination grows a little stronger. You underestimate your enemy and that is your fatal flaw. The American people and people around the world that have joined forces against you will succeed. This year because of our elections, you will step up your pace and some attempts may actually succeed. You think this will result in a change in our leadership because we will be discouraged. It will not. It will force a stronger unity. You are angry because you have been left behind in a world that has made great advances while you chose stagnation. You are at a crossroads. You can swallow your pride and accept the hands that reach out to help you. Or you can assure your own destruction. It’s your freedom of choice. Choose wisely. The life you save may be your own. posted @ 05:26 AM MST [link] Thursday, January 1, 20042003 Accomplishments in Iraq - A job well done!One of the most striking events of 2003 for me was the realization of the evolution of how America views its military forces. Those who lived through WWII must have been shocked to see the adulation of the soldiers in that war be transformed to the polar opposite for the soldiers who fought in Vietnam. We have finally shed the stigma of Vietnam and can celebrate and appreciate the brave soldiers who protect our freedoms. Every time I see a soldier interviewed, I ask myself the same question. "Where did these guys come from?" I am so impressed. Their dedication and devotion to their mission and the honor and dignity with which they carry them out leaves me speechless. Through their willingness to put themselves in harms way for a greater good, a lot of accomplishments have occurred in Iraq that you won't hear about in the main stream press but you can read about here. And for an Iraqi perspective on 2003, read what Omar has to say here. May you all be safe and prosperous in the New Year. posted @ 07:13 AM MST [link] |
Here: Blog Archives About Me There: Old Site Archive Other Links Menopausal Screeds Links: Favorite Blogs:  Andrew Sullivan Blackfive Chief Wiggles Eject Eject Eject Electric Venom Instapundit Jennifer Martinez O'Hara Factor Rings of Benzene Useful Fools USS Clueless Vodkapundit Vox Zonitics Favorite Iraqi/Middle Eastern Blogs: Land of Pharaohs Hammorabi Iraq the Model Mesopotamian Favorite authors who actually make a living at it: Ann Coulter Ben Shapiro Charles Krauthammer Dave Barry George Will James Lileks Hugh Hewitt Jonah Goldberg Mark Steyn Michelle Malkan Oliver North Peggy Noonan Rich Galen Rich Lowry Susan Estrich Thomas Sowell |