Wednesday, December 31, 2003What we learned in 2003…In preparation for welcoming in the New Year, it’s always good to take a look back at what we have accomplished in the last 365 days and plan ahead for the next 366 (yes, 2004 is a leap year.) From my point of view, 2003 was a pretty good year. At the end of 2002, we were in the process of building up forces in the Gulf for an impending battle to topple the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. At the end of 2003, Saddam Hussein is in custody, his brutal, male offspring are dead, and 25 million Iraqis are learning the meaning of freedom. Another mission accomplished. In 2003, we found out who our true allies are and just how ineffective the United Nations has become. We found out that containment doesn’t work. The Food for Oil program was a miserable failure and should have been named the Food for Weapons program as evidenced by the unbelievable amount of weapon caches that are found daily in Iraq. Containment of North Korea’s nuclear program proved to be another joke. And for the trifecta, Libya, who has been under sanctions for years, voluntarily comes out of the closet with an admission of their weapons of mass destruction program and announces their desire to end that program. 2003 proved the economic recovery was solid as the year ends with the Dow over 10,000, NASDAQ over 2000, unemployment figures returned to 1990’s levels, productivity records being set, continued low interest rates, and no inflation to impede it. For the third time in the last 50 years, tax cuts are proven to stimulate the economy. 2003 brought about four high-terror alerts (if we make it through tonight) without an attack on our soil. We have no way of knowing how many attempts have been thwarted but I think it is safe to say that we have made it more difficult for them to pull it off. I think most of us understand that it isn’t a question of whether there will be another attack; it’s a question of when. What will 2004 bring us? No clue but my road map will be to stay the course we are on because the successes outweigh the failures and that makes for a pretty good year. Happy New Year! posted @ 04:18 AM MST [link] Tuesday, December 30, 2003Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein join Al Gore in endorsing Howard Dean!I think everyone knows how important the Presidential Election will be this year. It may explain why poll figures of the Democratic candidates running against President Bush are lagging by double digits behind him. Al Aqaeda and the Baathists surely don’t want to see this President re-elected and will probably do everything they can to make sure it doesn’t happen. Your mission –should you decide to accept- is to make sure it does happen and do everything in your power to keep strong and keep fighting until the job is finally done. The last thing we can afford in this war is a return to the appeasement method of dealing with terrorism. I think Joe Lieberman may be the only candidate that even merits a second look but I just can’t forgive him for putting himself in the lockbox with Al Gore, so there he will remain in my mind. John Kerry is a f****** disgrace with his foul mouth and black leather look. John Edwards has nothing to offer. Wes Clark, don’t even get me started. Howard Dean, oh pulleeezzz send the good doctor packing back to the hospital to blend in with the rest of the pompous asses. As for the rest…who? posted @ 02:43 PM MST [link] Sunday, December 21, 2003If you’re not a liberal Democrat at eighteen, you have no heart. If you still are at thirty, you have no brains.I wish I knew whom the original author was to credit with this bit of wisdom. I remember my father paraphrasing it to me it when I was young, idealistic, stupid, under thirty, and liberal. I have come to notice some platform differences between the two major political parties and with that knowledge, my IQ has risen significantly. Championing the downtrodden was the principle tenet of the Democratic Party. They have heart and they feel your pain. I think most of us, regardless of political affiliation, have sympathy for the underdog and are generous enough to want to take care of the less fortunate that cannot help themselves. I think the amount of donations to charity both in money and time offer ample proof of this hypothesis. My split from this philosophy comes with the inclusion of those that will not help themselves. When it comes to those who are perfectly capable and yet will not help themselves, I swing into survival of the fittest mode and greatly resent giving a cent of my hard earned tax dollar to them. But hey, by including this parasitic group (who may vote), you potentially increase your rank and file. While I don’t agree with it, I understand why they would choose this path. My major difference is with the belief that the government can and should take care of me. This may come as a shock to the liberals running around Washington thumping their chests but I don’t need you to take care of me, nor do I want you to. If I buy into this philosophy, I must think you know what’s best for me. You don’t. What buying into this philosophy does do is grant you the power to trample me by creating a dependency much like a junkie to their dealer. Just say no to big government. It is no surprise that this philosophy is monetarily supported by labor unions pouring tons of laborers hard-earned money into the Democratic coffers. Labor unions have long outlived their usefulness in this country and serve solely to keep the little guy “little.” Other than the union bosses, everyone is equal. Whether you are incompetent or a shining star, your wages are the same. This smacks of Communism to me and creates an obstacle in a capitalist society usually resulting in jobs going oversees. Let me see if I have this process straight. We have a dispute. We attempt negotiations. We go on strike. During the strike, the union pays me from a strike fund that I funded. To re-earn the money I contributed in the first place, I must work the picket lines to re-earn it again. Talk about double taxation and it’s not even the government. Most sadly, the Democratic Party has become anti-American. I know them be fighting words but when the best you can offer is hoping for American failure socially, economically, or internationally, you’ve made the wrong bet and deserve to rest in peace. That’s exactly what I hope for next November. posted @ 07:39 AM MST [link] Saturday, December 20, 2003From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of TripoliLibya is one of the countries on our state sponsored terrorism list along with North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and Sudan. Yesterday, Col. Moammar Khadafy agreed to dismantle his weapons of mass destruction program and allow UN inspections. The UN had suspended its sanctions against Libya after he turned over the terrorists responsible for the bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie in 1999. I wonder what finally made him see the light? His oil field production has been steadily increasing since the suspension of the UN sanctions. So it might not be the economy, stupid. I wonder if seeing Saddam’s molars and bicuspids flashing across television screens around the world may have influenced his decision in anyway? Some of the Middle Eastern blogs I read speak of fear in the Middle East that their country might be next. I think the world is starting to believe that there is a President in the White House who remains resolved that we will hunt down terrorists and bring them to justice and that we have the capabilities to do it. The President should be pleased at yesterday’s announcement, as should all of us. Maybe, Col. Khadafy will sleep better if he can quit hearing “Halls of Montezuma” in his head wondering if he is next. The war on terrorism will be won by accomplishing many missions. Congratulations, Mr. President. For someone with no plan or foreign policy, you sure are lucky. Here is one more of many to come.  posted @ 07:29 AM MST [link] Wednesday, December 17, 2003MusingsOn Iraq... I loved this little piece in the NY Times today. The Iraqi foreign minister lets the UN have it for playing politics instead of helping the Iraqi people. Kofi’s reaction “Now is not the time to pin blame and point fingers.” If now is not the time, when is it? At what point will the UN be accountable for its action or lack of? On Politics... The Democratic Party is undergoing a mind-game makeover. To combat those who believe the word “liberal” has picked up a negative connotation, they have a new label they are using. Democrats are “progressive.” The original political party labeling themselves "progressive" in this country was the Communist party…maybe the Democrats are just finally coming out of the closet. Just in case they thought this gives a more positive spin to their political ideology, I would remind them that cancer, left untreated, is also progressive. Hmmm, with that malignant specimen Howard Dean ahead in the polls, maybe this is a fitting label. On International Relations... Finally, something good out of France that may help reduce my shear contempt. Red Wine contains anti-cancer properties according to a group of French chemists. This coupled with recent research of other health benefits of red wine, I can find a little piece of common ground with the French. Until tomorrow... posted @ 03:30 AM MST [link] Monday, December 15, 2003CBS SpinYesterday while I was driving to work, I was listening to my favorite conservative talk radio station KFYI here in Phoenix. The station gives news updates from the major network and cable stations. It is usually Fox News in the morning and CBS in the afternoon. Perhaps this is their version of fair and balanced. The CBS news update was reporting on President Bush’s earlier speech on the capture of Saddam Hussein. I was stunned when the report finished with “The President concedes that this does not mean attacks on troops will decrease.” Concedes? I didn’t hear the President concede anything in his speech, I heard him counsel the American people that this doesn’t mean that attacks will stop. The spin of that single word changes the entire perspective of his speech and is just one of the many examples of CBS’s bias and contempt for this President in their news reports. posted @ 08:51 AM MST [link] Sunday, December 14, 2003A Great Day in IraqWhat a great holiday gift for the Iraqi’s and the world, Saddam is in custody. My condolences for the Democratic party who have suffered through the good economic news this week and now another victory for the coalition. I’m sure this week the spin will be, “Yeah it’s great that we have Saddam but where’s Osama?” To see what the Iraqi reaction is on their blogs, check out these links: Hammorabi Messopotamian posted @ 09:47 AM MST [link] Saturday, December 13, 2003Is this really from the New York Times?Memo to self: Mark this on the calendar-I actually read something in the NY Times today that I could agree with. Check out this Op-Ed. posted @ 04:59 AM MST [link] Weasling Their Way In The Axis of Weasels is upset about being shut out of the reconstruction contracts in Iraq. Apparently, they don't think that they made enough money off of their illegal deals with the former government and are worried that their foolishness to extend credit may leave them empty handed. They have the gall to start whining that the US may be breaking international law by banning them from bidding on the primary contracts without mention or mea culpa of their own illegal activity. The useless UN calls this ban divisive and counter productive. This is the time we should all be coming together, rebuilding Iraq, and singing a rousing chorus of Kum-Ba-Yah. We should forget our differences and move forward. Sorry Kofi but the American people aren’t that generous or stupid. I don’t care to have my hard earned tax dollars lining the pockets of Chirac and company and I’ll be damned if you or the rest of the world will tell us how we can spend our own money. I guess so much of our money passes through your hands that you think it’s your entitlement….it isn’t. posted @ 04:49 AM MST [link] Tuesday, December 9, 2003UN Won't Get Control of the InternetThe latest effrontery of the UN was abated temporarily in their efforts to take control of the Internet. It seems some member states don’t think the Internet is managed properly under capitalism and want governmental control to return with the oversight of the United Nations. Plans to debate this have been abandoned for the meeting in Geneva this week and a study is to be commissioned revisiting the issue in 2005. Where the hell do these people get off even debating this? The Internet exists today thanks to good, old American know-how. It was conceived in the late 1950’s during the Cold War by the Department of Defense and was originally known as ARPANET. Its purpose was to establish the United States lead in science and technology for our defense. International participation didn’t occurred until the 1970’s. In the 1990’s the US government turned management control over to private industries. The history of the Internet shows what colossal achievements can occur when capitalism replaces bureaucracy. Were you emailing anyone or reading on-line when the government controlled the Internet? The technologies for the Internet have existed for years but its widespread use could only come about when the ingenuity of capitalism was unleashed. User-friendly PC’s and affordable connections to the Internet are the direct result of our competitive business structure. I realize that there is a movement towards globalization of everything but this strikes me the same way it would if a hitch-hiker turned out to be a car-jacker. I was kind enough to let you be along for the ride but now want control of my car. The UN hasn’t shown me that it is competent in any of its endeavors and now they want to screw up my Internet. I’m not in favor of widespread globalization. I favor the laws and system of this country. I don’t want communist, fascists, and totalitarians influencing decisions that effect my life. posted @ 02:39 AM MST [link] Saturday, December 6, 2003New FormatI've been reworking the site for the last week, so bear with me. Will write sporadically for the next week and then I'll be back! posted @ 04:08 AM MST [link] In The News – by Leslie Johnson, Phoenix, AZ Friday, November 28, 2003 Wow! What a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise for 600 soldiers in Baghdad and all of us to have the President show up for dinner with the troops. I am shocked that the media kept their end of the bargain and didn’t breach security forcing an aborted trip. Watching the breaking news just before we sat down to our Thanksgiving dinner was yet another moment in my life recently where my heart swelled with pride and I was again thankful for being born an American. Mr. President, I salute you for your courage, strength, resolve, honor, and decency. Your sheer guts and determination earns you the right to be the Commander in Chief of the finest military in the world. (To the protestor I saw the other day with a sign that said “Send Bush to Iraq” – What say you now? - moron) Thursday, November 27, 2003 Happy Thanksgiving! Today starts the kick off of the holiday season. For most of us, the holidays mean good food, family and friends gathered together, and a month long season of parties to attend ending on New Year’s Eve. For our deployed soldiers, it means more events happening at home that they will miss. How about spreading a little holiday cheer their way this holiday season? usahelp.us is one of the many non-profit organizations that have sprung up since the war on terrorism started who’s goal is to make life a little easier for our military and their families. Gladys Walker is the founder and she is just an ordinary American with a very big heart. She sends care packages to Iraq from the donations she receives and has been doing so since the start of the war. One of her suggestions is to send the soldiers calling cards so that they can call home to their families. You can purchase the cards yourself and mail them to her and she will get them to Iraq or you can make a donation to her and she will do the purchasing. Happy Holidays everyone! Wednesday, November 26, 2003 The President visited Phoenix yesterday to attend a fundraiser and visit a senior’s center where he spoke about the new prescription drug benefit added to Medicare that was passed yesterday. I drove home through the route he would take between the two events and found a handful of protestors lining the street with their profound, handmade signs such as “Bush- War Criminal” ready to greet him. As traffic went by them, they enthusiastically waved their signs. As I went by them, I just as enthusiastically flipped them all off. I can’t tell you how good it felt to exercise my right to freedom of speech, even if I had to use my version of “sign” language. Headline today in the Arizona Repugnant, oops I mean Republic “Bush gets Rousing Phoenix Welcome…but visit not without Protestors. They estimate 100 of the “useful idiots” turned out to protest the war in Iraq. Seems strange to me that these people who are so eager to exercise their freedoms wouldn’t want the same for the people of Iraq. Seems stranger to me that in the fifth largest city in the country with a population of about 3.2 million people in the metro area, 100 people got any ink at all. Tuesday, November 25, 2003 Hey it took almost a full week for the race card to be played in the latest Michael Jackson scandal. I figured day three myself after the PR people had been given a chance to mobilize. If allegations of pedophilic behavior weren’t enough to turn your stomach, the 24-hour news coverage of the story is. We will be ringing in the New Year with dread thanks to Scott, Kobe, and Michael providing fodder for the incessant media. Time to shut off the boob tube and read a good book. Monday, November 24, 2003 A refreshing display of the bounties of freedom is being set into motion in Iraq. They are trying to organize a mass Anti-terrorist demonstration for December 10th. Maybe you have to have been to hell and back again as these people have for the last 30 years to have your eye so keenly on the right target. You won’t see the usual “No blood for oil” crappy signs at this one or the usual cast of characters imitating the hippie protestors of the sixties. These people will actually be putting their lives in danger to show their support for the coalition’s efforts. I hope this movement spreads to the US and UK. This is from a good Iraqi Blog I follow. Sunday, November 23, 2003 Last Wednesday, the President gave a magnificent speech in London. If you didn’t catch the live broadcast of the speech, you may not even know about it. Instead the media was filled with breaking news about Michael Jackson, which is still running around the clock. More pathetic than Michael Jackson himself, is the media that drones on for days about every scandal and allegation. If you missed the speech, follow this link to read the full text of something important in this world. posted @ 03:53 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 |