Old enough?

Eighteen to twenty year old citizens are old enough to: drive, get married without permission, have abortions, open businesses, volunteer for the military, go overseas into combat, lead soldiers in combat, operate and manage millions in military equipment, run for office and get elected, and star in pornographic movies ( though in some places, 18 yr olds can't watch themselves in said movies).
But they can't have a beer.

My question: Should the conservative movement back laws enabling our ADULT citizens, younger than 21 years old, to enjoy what all other citizens enjoy?

I say YES! Bring back the 18 year old limit for alcohol. These people are adult citizens whether the nannies like it or not. Every time I hear that "our kids" are in Iraq, Afghanistan, are .....doing whatever is being criticized at the moment, I get fed up. I wasn't a kid at 18. Anyone eligible for the draft is not, by definition, a child.

And just think, we might even get them to vote on it.

Hilton out of jail! Now to other news. Paris still out of jail.

"Terrorist Nuke Network Neutered"

However, in our news, the origin of cats and the status of that all important American, Paris Hilton, was front page news. Don't y0u wish that the US had a news industry?

Very cool!

This is the International Space Station as photographed from the ground by the Clay Center Observatiory. Here's the link to the Danger Room blog that found it.

HOW THE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION PROBLEM WILL SOLVE ITSELF

Here is a premise that I haven't seen before. I did not know that the demographics of Mexico had changed so much. However, one reason for a lower birth rate could be the absence of young men. If there are, say, 9 million Mexicans in this country, the majority of which are primarily male, out of a total Mexican population of 109 million, no wonder the birth rate is dropping. Here is the article at TCS Daily.

Caption this!

This pic is over at Powerline.
They are asking for captions. Its a group of day laborers at the Senate while the Senate is "debating" the Amnesty bill.

I like this one: Illegals - doing the legislating that Americans won't do.

What Fred Thompson says about:

The War in Iraq:
"In the two and a half years since the President received a standing ovation from every member of the House and Senate, I have been flabbergasted at how quickly some have forgotten the words they applauded that day. Not only do these folks appear to have lost their spirit and determination, they have forgotten the spirit and determination of the American people."

Guns:
"Still, there are a lot of people who are just offended by the notion that people can carry guns around. They view everybody, or at least many of us, as potential murderers prevented only by the lack of a convenient weapon. Virginia Tech administrators overrode Virginia state law and threatened to expel or fire anybody who brings a weapon onto campus."

Immigration:
"My friends, it's also time for a little introspection. Since we all agree that improving Mexico's economy will help with the illegal-immigration problem, you might want to consider your own left-of-center policies. For example, nationalized industries are not known for enhancing economic growth. Just a thought. But here's something even more to the point that you might want to think about: What does it say about the leadership of a country when that country's economy and politics are dependent upon the exportation of its own citizens?"

FDT Responds To Dhimmcrat Critics

Senator Thompson recorded a message either last night or this morning, and posted it on Im With Fred.

It's funny. The last line is great.

Listen here

Congressman Eric Cantor Posts on RealBlog

Congressman Cantor has a post over at The Real Democrat Story.

Short but succint.

"As I have traveled and listened to Republicans across the country, one refrain has remained constant - it is time for our party to rededicate itself to conservative reform. When Republicans fight for conservative principles, Republicans win. The wave of Republican victories on the House floor have proven it.
House Republicans stood united against abusive tactics, secret Democrat earmarks and a host of other issues where the Democrats failed to live up to their campaign promises. As a result, the American People have seen past the Democrats' hollow rhetoric and rejected their agenda. Democrat failures have triggered a 14% approval rating - literally the lowest Congressional approval rating in recorded history.
The Democrats have already mired themselves in a storm of trouble. Speaker Pelosi and her party believe that they know how to run your lives better than you; they believe that the best ideas are found in Washington. They couldn't be more wrong.
I firmly believe that the American People generate the best ideas; it is the innate creativity of the people that has long made our nation great. And as we navigate a world faced with increasing challenges, our ingenuity will ensure that America's best days lay ahead.
Thanks for the chance to post today, I look forward to continuing this discussion as we move forward."

I hope ya'll checked the sidebar at redstate

because what Fred said later that night defines the man, the mission, and the rules.

Redstate Has the Facts

Haystack over at Redstate has the info you need for Senator Fred Thompson.

This is a MUST READ for anyone who is still undecided.

Although why you would be indecisive considering the choices, is a mystery.

G.O.M.E.R. (The Real Acronym)

Guest Editorial - G.O.M.E.R. (The Real Acronym)
ACEP News May 2007
By Peter J. Paganussi, MD

I recently had the pleasure of taking care of an elderly gentleman from a local assisted living facility. He suffered from dementia and was brought in with a fever and mental status changes. Not surprisingly, he had both pneumonia and a UTI contributing to his picture of sepsis. He was not able to answer questions intelligently and was somewhat hypotensive.

His wife came with him, and she provided his history for me. This delightful lady had on what one would call her "Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes," despite the fact that it was a Tuesday morning. Her outfit was accented by a single strand of small pearls, which she would occasionally reach for in an absentminded fashion when deep in thought. She was right out of central casting for the part of a retired World War II officer's wife.

It turns out real life is so much better than Hollywood.

She gave me her husband's history, complete with recent medication changes, drug allergies, prior surgeries, and hospitalizations, but in the end, I got so much more.

I asked her what her husband did for a living. She smiled a soft smile, her shoulders squared as she drew herself up in her chair. "He was a Marine," she answered proudly as she handled her pearls. He was deep into his 80s, so I asked if he was a combat veteran, more specifically a World War II combat veteran.

"Oh yes," she said, touching her pearls. "He was on Tarawa ... awful place, he said. Only three of them left from his platoon of 32. Then Okinawa ... he lost some hearing there because of an explosion. After World War II, he fought in Korea ... at Inchon. He was very proud of that ... they took the beach and blew up a lot of enemy tanks. He said they really gave them heck!" She told me all this while stroking his leg.

"I know this would embarrass him, but would you like to see a picture of what he really looks like?" she asked. It was as if this person lying before us was a stranger who had taken over her husband's body--a body that had fought, and somehow survived, some of the bloodiest conflagrations of the last century. I told her I would love to see it, so she reached into her purse and pulled out an old black-and-white photo circa the 1950s. The photo was of a proud Marine, upright and clearly battle-hardened. He was very distinguished looking and, I'm sure, quite formidable in his day.

Yet here he was fighting again - only this was an enemy he couldn't see. He wasn't on some foreign beachhead; rather he was lying before me on a stretcher in my emergency department, only miles from his home. A ruthless enemy was multiplying its forces exponentially deep inside him and exhausting his supply lines. It was an enemy he was not trained to repel.

"Doctor," she said, smoothing the blanket over her husband, "you must try to fix him--he is all I have left in this world." She made me feel as if I now was the one who must take up arms and fight. I must fight to save her husband. It was my calling and my duty as a physician, yes; but more important, it was my duty as a younger American who benefits from the freedoms that he had fought so dearly to protect.

I held her hand and told her I would do all that I could for him. I told her it was an honor to take care of a real hero. She scoffed, waved her hand, and said, "He would tell you he was just a soldier--a Marine, not a hero. The heroes are all gone already. He always says that."

About an hour later, the resident team from internal medicine came down to admit my Marine. I heard the intern and resident discussing his case. The intern said, "Man, another gomer on my service. They are all the same. I never get any really good cases." I looked up and first asked the intern if he knew what "gomer" meant. He stared at me with a "duh" look on his face and stammered, "Ah, it means ... you know ... a 'gome' ... gomertose. A very sick old person, who can't talk, with lots of chronic medical problems, from a nursing home." He seemed content with this response. He smiled proudly, yet with just enough of a goofy look to convey that he really didn't have a clue.

I explained to him that "G.O.M.E.R." was actually an acronym. It really meant "Get Out of My Emergency Room," straight from Dr. Samuel Shem's novel "The House of God." Over the years, its exact meaning has been lost or twisted, but its connotation remains the same.

I thought this was truly an excellent teaching opportunity for me--I have always despised this term. No term I've learned in medicine is more pejorative or demeaning than "gomer."

I told the young intern that "gomer" meant something different to me; it meant "Grand Old Member of my Emergency Room." It was my acronym and silent tribute to these people who actually had a life once upon a time.

I told him that he needed to read Tom Brokaw's book "The Greatest Generation." I also told him that he should go back and take a more careful and complete history. I explained to him what he would find if he took a more complete "social" history on this particular patient.

We talked a bit about these truly great Americans and how they are now vanishing, like late summer fireflies, before our very eyes. Who else did he think he was going to take care of? Did he think only the young with interesting and rare disorders will flood his office someday? This man needed our help. He deserved it, and most important, he had more than earned it.

These great people weathered a depression, a terrible war that engulfed the planet, a "cold" war that threatened each day to end the modern world, economic recessions, and recovery. Yet they came out of all of this with an indomitable spirit. We can, and should, learn much from them. We just need to take the time. The time is now, because they are fading before us.

They love to talk about their lives, and rarely do we take the time to actually ask. They are living history, these little white tufts of hair that roll past us into our treatment rooms. They say things like, "You're the doctor--whatever you say." When was the last time a latte-swilling, BMW-driving, Generation X-er said something like that to you?

The young intern and I discussed all this. I believe I made my point.

Living and working in suburban Washington, D.C., I often take care of retired military and government employees who led fascinating lives. Many of them were direct participants in history; some rubbed elbows with it as it came past them. I told the young intern that in the past few weeks I had taken care of an 89-year-old former Army Air Corps bombardier who had flown in the same squadron as the Memphis Belle, an 83-year-old Ph.D. in physics who worked with Richard Feynman and Robert Oppenheimer, an 86-year-old woman who was one of the original WACs during World War II, a former Tuskegee airman, and the list goes on.

All I did was ask and care. That's all they really want. They can give so much more in return, if you just take the time.

So I leave you with the strains of Benny Goodman's "Moonglow" playing softly in the background. Betty Grable is showing off her famous "gams," and Joe DiMaggio has just hit safely in number 56. Frankly my dear, Rhett Butler may not give a damn, but I do. They are gomers: They are Grand Old Members of our Emergency Rooms; and don't you forget it, pilgrim!

And my Marine "gomer"? He improved dramatically with fluids and antibiotics, and got to go home to his sweetheart ... again.

DR. PAGANUSSI is editor of Virginia ACEP's EPIC and one of many talented writers who have joined the ACEP Section of Medical Humanities.

Final Flight Home

H/T ASP and DomestikDiva
Here's another great story, since we're in that mode this evening. I received this via email at 1327 hours Saturday 23 June, from a very nice Lady I met at the milblog conference party. Apparently Patriot is on the same list as me, and took the time to research the story before posting it at A Soldiers Perspective.

God Bless America and our fighting men and women

Go read this.

Tried to copy and paste it. Blogger wouldn't let me paste.

A Brit sounds off on the religion of peace

There is hope for the British yet.

This is an amazing rant. Hope it doesn't get him killed by the followers of the religion of peace.

For all who fight the good fight ...

... sometimes you just have to kick off the shoes, crank up the volume and get ALL FIRED UP!



All Fired Up by the awesome Pat Benatar

NOW, Can We Question Their Patriotism?

Hat Tip: Drudge

Looks like there is still no love lost between Hillary Clinton and the rabid, radical left-wing that supports the Democratic Party. Hillary got “boo”-ed this morning at the radical left-wing Take Back America Conference in D.C for asserting that the American troops in Iraq “has done it’s job.” Things really got bad when she went the unpopular direction of “The American military had succeeded” in its ongoing mission in Iraq. Here’s the details as they appear in National Review:

"Hillary Clinton Booed Again [Byron York]

Sen. Hillary Clinton was booed again this morning at the Take Back America conference, sponsored by the lefty activist group Campaign for America's Future here in Washington. At this same conference last year, Sen. Clinton was booed for her position on the war in Iraq. This morning, she was enthusiastically received as she bashed the Bush administration — "a stunning record of secrecy and corruption" — but the crowd became less friendly when, at the end of her speech, she turned to Iraq.

"We're going to end the war in Iraq and finally bring home the troops," she said as a number of Code Pink protesters stood up in the audience. When she declared, "The American military has done its job," boos began to be heard around the room. As the boos increased, Sen. Clinton raised her voice. "The American military has succeeded," she said, to more boos. "It is the Iraqi government that has failed to make the tough decisions." Still more boos.

At that point, there was a round of cheers. "I love coming here every year," Clinton said. "I see the signs, 'Get Us Out of Iraq Now.' That's what we're trying to do.""

Can we question their patriotism now? If this doesn’t show the anti-America, anti-troops attitude these radical left-wing groups have then I don’t know what ever will.

As for me, I question the patriotism of ANYONE who “boo”-ed to the statement that the “American military did it’s job” and that the “military has succeeded.”
Whether or not you like the idea of the war, or how the generals or the president ran it, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces did what they were asked to do, in the best possible way that they could have done it. To “boo” the statement that they have done their job shows a lack of character, understanding, and PATRIOTISM. Nothing more.

Carter Out Campaigning for Hamas -- Again

Could someone please take Jimmy Carter home and medicate him? How could America have EVER elected a person like this to the White House? Carter’s time in office was, of course, looonnnnnggg before I was old enough to understand politics, but just looking at the crazy things he has said over the last decade and I have to wonder just how he got into office. Here’s his latest:

Hat Tip: LGF

The United States, Israel and the European Union must end their policy of
favoring Fatah over Hamas, or they will doom the Palestinian people to deepening
conflict between the rival movements, former US President Jimmy Carter said
Tuesday.
Carter, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was addressing a
conference of Irish human rights officials, said the Bush administration’s
refusal to accept the 2006 election victory of Hamas was “criminal.”
Carter said Hamas, besides winning a fair and democratic mandate that should have entitled it to lead the Palestinian government, had proven itself to be far more organized in its political and military showdowns with the Fatah movement of
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Favoring Fatah over Hamas? On any relevant topic, there is almost no difference between Fatah and Hamas! They are both radical terrorist killers who keep their people (what few that are not as radical as they are) oppressed and frightened. They oppress free speech and the free exercise of religion in their “countries” – such as it is.
They are both Jew-hating, Zionist conspiracy wielding, pork-petrified, woman-hating, gun toting, bomb throwing, suicide vest wearing murderers, who are so in love with death that they would murder each other out of existence without the common thread of hate for Israel. And that reaction is only to Carter’s first sentence! Jimmy Carter is so out of line, he should be a circle, and is certainly not someone to be seriously listened to on ANY subject, and certainly not foreign policy.

Charles at LGF says: “Far more organized” = much better at murder, torture, and violence. It’s just astounding that Carter would use a phrase like that to describe the nightmarish atrocities that have gone on in Gaza.”

Michelle Malkin Reloaded

Michelle Malkin has done an overhaul of her web site, and it looks great.
It shows a lot of imagination, and some of her changes I wouldn't mind implimenting here on our site. Stop by and check out her new look.

Immigration Debate Watch

The "great amnesty chase" begins anew today. Any immigration news that you can find from C-Span or any other news outlets, post the links here in the comments scection. I won't have time to follow the debate, but I can take time out to follow the links.

Belated Happy Father's Day

I wanted to take a few minutes and, belatedly, say Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

From all of us here at UCV!!

***

Share your Father's Day Stories: anyone who want's to share their Father's Day story, come by and post it. I'd love to hear what some of the father's got. ;-)

The "Governator" Is Right: Turn Off The T.V.

Can I go on record now and say that the “Governator” is right. I don’t understand how comments as simple and straight-forward as his can even start a dispute. Some of the comments in this article are so off-based or irrelevant it’s pathetic. Here’s a running commentary; there’s just too much to talk about any other way. My comments are in red.

***
"Some Hispanic leaders lashed out Friday at California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's advice that immigrants should "turn off the Spanish television set" to better learn how to speak English.

Schwarzenegger, who immigrated to the U.S. from Austria, recently told a group of Hispanic journalists that immigrants should stay away from Spanish-language television, books and newspapers.
Need I say that probably his first problem was that he was talking to “journalists.” I used to like that word. Now it stikes the same cord with me as “tax collector” and “ACLU.”

"You've got to turn off the Spanish television set," Schwarzenegger said Wednesday night at the annual convention of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in San Jose, Calif. "You're just forced to speak English, and that just makes you learn the language faster."
He’s right. It’s the same principle as a Spanish immersion program. You go stay in another country and immerse yourself in it. You learn to speak the language as the inhabitants do out of necessity. I don’t believe he is saying “don’t look at it ever again,” but if you don’t push yourself out of your comfort zone you will never learn. It shows a great sense of understanding and maturity on the Governor’s part – not to mention the fact that he is an immigrant himself – a very successful immigrant. IF ANYONE W0ULD KNOW HOW TO SUCCEED IN AMERICA HE DOES!

Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., called the governor's advice a "typical sound bite solution to an important issue," said Jim Dau, a spokesman for Sanchez.
And her answer is a typical Democrat sound bite snipe at people who tell the honest truth. It shows a huge lack of understanding on HER part. That, or she is deliberately trying to be a hindrance to the progress of Spanish-speaking immigrants to this country. This smells suspiciously like Democrat attempts to once again create a permanent underclass who the “Dems” can pander to with “freebies” in exchange for slavishly voting Democratic. Absolutely contemptible.

Sanchez said immigrants face the challenge of taking an ESL course because of long lines and up to a three-year wait to get into a class.
The subject of her answer is totally different than the subject at hand and is a distraction from the real subject.
So, again, if you can’t get into an English-as-a-second- language class, why not study on your own? Immerse yourself in the language for an hour or two a day and hear English speakers talk and try to understand. I watch Univision to learn some Spanish and how it’s said. This is a typical Democrat refute of their worst ideological enemy – self-help. If you learn that you may not need government programs and intervention – that you can do some things for yourself without governments help – then their hold on you is broken and bye-bye votes.

A Hispanic advocacy group said Schwarzenegger's comments show his "ignorance on immigration issues."
HIS ignorance? HE IS AN IMMIGRANT! This “Hispanic advocacy group” is not doing their own constituents a favor here.

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger demonstrated his ignorance on immigration issues once again by perpetuating the myth that immigrants have to reject their old culture and language in order to learn English and assimilate," said Brent Wilkes, national executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
Where in anything he said did he say to “reject their old culture and language in order to learn English? This is typical race-baiting and an attempt to create a straw-man to argue against when they have no argument.

Wilkes said today's Latino immigrants learn English faster than German, Irish and Italian immigrants did a century ago, without TV.
And if they would listen, they would learn it even QUICKER.

Spanish-language media helps Hispanics stay connected to their cultural heritage and important public information, according to a spokesperson for Univision, a U.S.-based Spanish-language television network.
Wonderful! But watch 1 less hour per day while you try and learn the language of the country that you want to work in – especially since that is the language that your paycheck is written in.

"Spanish-language media plays the essential roles of providing the Hispanic community with the news and information they need and care about, and keeping them connected to their cultural heritage," a said the Univision spokeswoman, who declined to provide her name.
I repeat: “Wonderful! But watch 1 less hour per day while you try and learn the language of the country that you want to work in – especially since that is the language that your paycheck is written in.

"In addition to daily news from around the world, Spanish speakers rely on Spanish-language media for information in critical situations, such as severe weather alerts and health emergencies, and for other public services they may not be able to get anywhere else," the spokeswoman said.
And what happens to your Spanish-speakers when they are away from the television? What happens when they are caught in an English-only environment and that same emergency comes up? Do we need hurricanes in Spanish now? Do we need bi-language disasters?

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., agrees with Schwarzenegger that there should be English language standards."Congressman Hunter believes there should be English language standards in place, especially through this citizenship process," said Joe Kasper, a spokesman for Hunter.
Joe, that’s not what the issue is. This issue isn’t “English language standards.” It’s whether it’s a good idea for non-English speakers to try and seek to learn English on their own by watching and listening to people who do it.

But TV viewers should be free to watch whatever basic programming they prefer, Kasper added.
Cop-out. I wonder if Duncan would have said this himself? Piss-poor answer for someone who is a conservative.

Sanchez agreed.
The first sign that you’re WAAAYYYY off base.

"People should use whatever news outlets keep them best informed — whether they're in English, Spanish, German or any other language," Sanchez said.
Dope.

Joey Vento, owner of Geno’s Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, told FOX News that Hispanics won’t progress until they are forced to learn English.
“The Spanish people will never progress because of the fact that it makes it so easy for them to go to school or have anything and it’s done in Spanish,” Vento said. “You must be forced to learn English to be prosperous, otherwise you will be limited.”
Certainly the case if we are providing everything in multiple languages

Francisco Hernandez, an immigration attorney, said there’s nothing wrong with encouraging immigrants to learn English but there’s no need for “immigrant bashing.”
Oh, no – a lawyer! Plenty of education, but no sense.
Listen to what he’s telling you folks: telling Hispanics to turn on American t.v. to get exposure to English that they are trying to learn is now IMMIGRANT BASHING! DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT TO YOU??

“We have to remember that Spanish is part of this country’s heritage. There’s nothing wrong with it,” Hernandez said.
Nope, English is a part of this country’s heritage, not Spanish. Revisionism at it’s best.
Having half the Southwest and California carrying Spanish names doen’t make Spanish “a part of this country’s heritage – certainly not to the point that Spanish speakers shouldn’t have to take initiative to learn the language of their host country in order to live easier.

Schwarzenegger answered a question about how Hispanic students can improve academic performance, saying he was about to make a politically-incorrect statement.
He’s at least smart enough to see controversy when the opportunity arises.

"I know this sounds odd and this is the politically incorrect thing to say and I'm going to get myself in trouble," Schwarzenegger said. "But I know that when I came to this country, I very rarely spoke German to anyone."
SLAM!!

But the governor's comments didn't sit too well with audience members.
"I'm sitting shaking my head not believing that someone would be so naive and out of it that he would say something like that," Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
The president and CEO of a coalition that is charged with looking out for Hispanic’s interests and he can’t see this? Amazing! They are reacting to something that has not even been said!

Rafael Olmeda, president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, said most NAHJ members would agree with the governor's statements.
"Most people I've spoken to walked away believing that he was trying to say that we must learn English to succeed in American society," Olmeda said.
THANK GOD!!!!!! Someone restored my belief in the competence of the leaders in the Latin community. Great for you Mr. Olmeda, please tell that to everyone you see and tell your members that f22strike says “Hola.”

The governor's office backed up Schwarzenegger's comments."
Kool.

That’s it for me. I couldn’t take one more crazy comment. I need a drink. “Chow!”

"April Showers in Iraq"

Please check this flash video out on LiveLeak.com. And then go kick a certain Senator in the ass.

Treason is the word we're looking for!

Words almost fail me when I think about Senator Reid. After declaring the war is lost, now he says that the two generals in charge of the war effort are incompetent. Paraphrasing Inigo Montoya, I don't think that word means what you think it means, Senator. I guess disagreeing with you means that General Pace should be forced out. And now you call Patreaus incompetent. I don't know what to say about you. You incompetent, corrupt, cowardly, treasonous piece of s##t. Yep, them's the words I was lookin' fer.

Palestinian Civil War Watch: Fatah Tells Hamas Get Out of West Bank

I think it is beyond dispute now that the Palestinian cease-fire on their own people is over.

After days of Palestinian in-fighting in Gaza between the murderous Hamas killers and the murderous al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade killers of Fatah, Hamas seems to have come out as being the top killers.

Fears that the fighting may spread to the West Bank seem to be getting closer. According to this report, Fatah, which still controls the West Bank of “Palestine,” have given an ultimatum to Hamas leaders: “Leave the West Bank within the next 48 hours, otherwise they will be arrested.”

Further, the al-Aqsa chief in Nablus says “Fatah militants ‘will kill a Hamas leader in the West Bank’ for each Fatah leader killed in the Gaza Strip.”

Happy Birthday U.S. Army!

A hearty “thank you” goes to Kilo for reminding me that:

This is the 232nd birthday of the United States Army! Sooo….

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL ARMY SERVICEMEN EVERYWHERE!

Says Kilo:
“My father was Army, along with three uncles and four great uncles. They all learned principles and responsibilities that they practiced throughout their lives. We have many fighting proudly now to protect our freedom. There are many who will never make it back here, but they will go home.”

I don’t know how many of my relatives were in the Army, but I know that I grew up a lot in those days right after high school, and I would still – and do – recommend it to all young men (and women) to enter a branch of service. It will change your life.


Watch some video here.




I salute you from the “BE ALL YOU CAN BE” generation.
First Infantry Division “Duty First”


Check out how the Army Birthday is being celebrated at my old Alma-matter:
Fort Riley, KS.

Leslie Carbone: The Spirit of '76

Leslie Carbone has a post that has helped me a lot today: The Spirit of '76. It helped to blunt the disappointment and sometimes anger towards the party as they leave conservatism behind to chase votes, or whatever their reasons are.

SWAC Girl has a great intro to Leslie and finds the same things I find encouraging.
Quoting SWAC Girl:
“In Spirit of 76, she recounts how Gerald Ford invited Ronald Reagan to address the delegates at the Republican Convention. If we use history as our guide we often find a template to follow and words of wisdom to help us weather the storms. To what could have been a divided Party, Governor Reagan concluded his remarks with:

"We must go forth from here united, determined that what a great general said a few years ago is true: There is no substitute for victory, Mr. President."


I don’t pretend to know who to unite with someone who wants the exact opposite in life of you, but, over time, the job got done. Someone on the conservative side blinked, and we went on for the better. What helped me most? Her it is. I hope it helps you as much as me:

“The next morning, [after the ’76 convention] Gov. Reagan met with the California delegates. "The cause goes on," he reminded them. "It's just one battle in a long war and it will go on as long as we all live." He finished by quoting St. Barton's Ode:
I will lay me down and bleed a whileThough I am wounded, I am not slainI shall rise and fight again.
Next he met with his disappointed campaign volunteers. "Don't get cynical," he cautioned them. "[L]ook at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be as we do, who want it to be a shining city on a hill."And then he headed back to the ranch, passing, on the way to the airport, a hand-painted sign reading: "GOODBYE REPUBLICANS. YOU PICKED THE WRONG MAN."But, Nancy Reagan later wrote in her autobiography, "Ronnie has always believed what his mother taught him--that whatever happens, happens for a purpose. As he saw it, he lost the nomination in 1976 because God had other plans for him.
"Four years later, we would learn what they were."”

The biggest point I took away was don’t quit. If we quit now, things will be even worse. Ronal Reagan knew the world needed conservatives, and conservatism. And out of his defeat came a brighter future for the U.S. and the world. Somewhere on the other side of our senseless difficulties to move conservatism forward is a brighter future and a brighter day. We just have to earn it first. That man was a leader with vision, and yet today, it still encourages. May God make me a leader of the same caliber one day.

Mark Stein on Immigration

Mark Stein has a great column on the Demo-Republi-cratic-an immigration debacle:

Hat tip: Outraged Patriots

***Snip***
“Second, the bill's supporters should stop assuming the bad faith of their opponents. On Fox News the other night, I was told by NPR's Juan Williams, "You're anti-immigrant!" Er, actually, I am an immigrant – one of the members of the very very teensy-weensy barely statistically detectable category of "legal immigrant." But perhaps that doesn't count any more. Perhaps, like Colin Powell's blackness, it's insufficiently "authentic." By filing the relevant paperwork with the United States government, I'm not "keepin' it real."
I wouldn't presume to speak for the millions of Americans who oppose this bill, but it's because I'm an immigrant myself that I object to the most patent absurdity peddled by the pro-amnesty crowd. The bill is fundamentally a fraud. Its "comprehensive solution" to illegal immigration is simply to flip all the illegals overnight into the legal category. Voila! Problem solved! There can be no more illegal immigrants because the Senate has simply abolished the category. Ingenious! For their next bipartisan trick, Congress will reduce the murder rate by recategorizing murderers as jaywalkers.”
***Snip***

It’s a really good piece.

More Typical Reid & Pelosi: "You Failed!"

Via: Drudge

Speaker of the House "Dingy" Harry Reid and Senate Majority Leader Nancy "I [heart] the Middle-east" Pelosi are back, fresh off their joint Democrat/Bush immigration implosion, and ready to continue the fight against American efforts in Iraq. Convinced that the war still can be lost, they have vowed another showdown with the President over his "troop surge" -- Bush's capitulation to Democrat criticisms that there wasn't enough troops to do the "illegal", "immoral", "imperialist", "fascist," "invasion" in Iraq (for which they support the troops.) After failing to get an al-Qaeda--sponsored timeline for troop withdrawal attached to a war funding bill, they have promised a new strategy: attaching a much needed al-Qaeda--sponsored timeline for troop withdrawals to a "Defense Department Authorization bill."

No longer a Republican

Glenn Beck put out some good advice to all concerned Americans, Democrat and GOP. He said that, no matter what party we are affiliated with, we should withdraw from that party. We should make the parties earn our membership. Frankly, I'm exhausted from defending the GOP. And any common sense Dem should be ashamed of the Democrats.

From now on, I will be an Independent. If a party wants my allegience, that party will have to earn it. We should NOT have had to do a full court press to get the GOP to defeat the Amnesty bill. We should NOT have had to beg the GOP, WHEN THEY WERE THE MAJORITY, to enact conservative programs or repeal liberal ones. When the GOP President decides that a grassroots campaign to stop a bad bill is a symbol of bigotry, I'm outta there. When the GOP President seems to cooperate with the libs and push for liberal bills harder than trying to fix the Social Security mess, forget it. No child left behind, Prescription drug plan, Amnesty, and announcing that he would sign a new "Assault Weapons ban", why are we supporting the GOP? The local GOP want to raise taxes constantly. Even when we have a surplus. And don' t get me started on property taxes..... I'm sick of it. From now on, I'm a conservative Independent. If a party wants my vote, EARN IT.

"I'd like to do things that only can be done by Presidents."

O'l Fred hasn't declared himself officially yet. He's teasing us some more. On Leno, last night, he was asked if he would like to be President. He replied that while he wouldn't seek the office for its own sake, there are things that he would like to do that can only be done by a President.

Damn it! Run! Stop waiting.....!

Va. Republican House of Delegates Primary Results

Unofficial Results as of 10:45 p.m. 06-12-07, 100% of precincts reporting:

HOUSE DISTRICT 72
Jimmie P. Massie III: 4,160
J. C. "Jimmy" Wheat III: 2,422
P. S. "Bill" Subramaniam: 614

HOUSE DISTRICT 83
Chris P. Stolle: 1,819
Carolyn D. Weems: 1,582

Va. Republican State Senate Primary Results

Unofficial Results as of 9:45 p.m. 06-12-07:

SENATE DISTRICT 1
Patricia B. "Tricia" Stall: 4,757
Marty E. Williams: 4,000

SENATE DISTRICT 12
Walter A. Stosch: 8,518
Joseph E. Blackburn, Jr.: 8,246

SENATE DISTRICT 13
Frederick M. Quayle: 1,913
Richard H. Ramsey, Sr.: 388

SENATE DISTRICT 22
Ralph K. Smith: 3,645
J. Brandon Bell II: 3,570

SENATE DISTRICT 24
Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.: 7,618
R. Scott Sayre: 6,753

SENATE DISTRICT 27
Jill Holtzman Vogel: 5,139
Mark D. Tate: 2,784

Can Your Bike Talk? This One Can

A Tribute To Militrary Wives

Ask any soldier who loves a woman; the most important person is not on the battlefield.

There is a soldier who goes to war 24 hours a day 7 days a week, who wears no uniform, and gets no medals, but without them the war could easily be lost:

Video by: asailorswife06


As a Desert Sheild/Stom vet, I can attest as to how much we really need that support from our ladies. We could carry on with our jobs without it, but it mean SOOOOOO much more to have you supporting us. WE ARE STRONGER INSIDE WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT. The days are easier, even though the nights aren't. We will never know all that you go through while we are away, but always know that we do care, and when the job is over, to your arms is the first place we're going.

To the wives faithfully holding down "Fort Home-coming" till their soldiers return, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You too serve this country and we thank you.

One Tough Lady

Speaking of tough ladies, check out this lady I ran into at Rolling Thunder.

I found out that the bikes with the yellow stars on them are the "Gold Star Mom escorts." These people take the moms who have lost a loved one in a war, and ride them through the parade to the rally site. Well, this lady is not being escorted. She IS the "escort-er." You could see the pride in each of these people's eyes as those moms mounted up to ride past thousands of people that lined the course. I will never forget it. My two-year goal now, is to get a bike like these so that I can ride one of these moms through that parade. After seeing what it means to them, and watching the tears of gratitude flow on both sides, I really want this. They deserve to have that day.

The Zionist Army of Oppression, Unmasked

Ever wonder what some of the oppressive Zionist army looks like that supposedly keeps the Palestinians beaten down and disillusioned, has Iran’s leader running around in a tizzy shouting threats of nuclear annihilation, and has Hezboallah and Islamic Jihad training in hot deserts to defeat? Here they are in their awesome, intimidating, overwhelming best:

Video by: barnowl01


Or, how about this:
Vide: DopeyWizard


or even this:
video: ravivc




The bottom line: Islamic "leaders" and our own lovable left-wing would like you to believe that Israel and her menacing army are two breaths away from overwhelming the Islamic world, taking away all that Muslims hold dear, and crushing them under a boot of oppression -- so much so that they have had to resort to suicide bombings, and other terrorist tactics to survive. Well, now you see for yourself the faces of the "demons" al-Qaida and the like are refering to. This is the army that is two steps away from ruling the world. Are you properly intimidated now?

Rolling Thunder 2007 Photos

Here is one of the photos from Rolling Thunder:

Men Such As These

Maj. Douglas Zembiec KIA 05/11/07 and Maj. Ray Mendoza KIA 11/14/05

Major Douglas Zembiec, USMC wrote the following letter to the young children of his good friend and fallen Marine, Major Ray Mendoza. Links on news sites soon disappear and this letter shouldn't. Here it is in its entirety.

Dear Kiana and Alek,
Ray and I had a conversation late May in 2004 while we were deployed to Iraq. He spoke of why he fought. He fought to give the people of Iraq a chance. He fought to crush those who would terrorize and enslave others. He fought to protect his fellow Marines.

The last thing he told me that day was, "I don't want any of these people (terrorists) telling my kids how to act, or how to dress. I don't want to worry about the safety of my children." Kiana and Alek, your father fought for many things, but always remember, he fought for you.

As you fight this battle we call life, you will find your challenges greater, your adversity larger, your enemies more numerous. The beautiful thing is, you will grow stronger, smarter, faster, and you will overcome the obstacles in your way.

No one could've better prepared you than your father. In the month and a half your family stayed with me in Laguna Niguel, Calif., while waiting for base housing to open up, I saw how, with the help of your incredible mother, he instilled in you the essentials to life:

• Live with integrity, for without integrity we deceive ourselves, we live in a house of cards.

• Fight for what you believe, for without valor, we lose our freedom.

• Be willing to sacrifice, for anything worthy in life requires sacrifice.

• Be disciplined, for it is discipline that builds the foundation of your success.

You will encounter misguided people in your life who may question America's attempt to help the people of Iraq and the Middle East. These pathetic windbags, who have nothing so sacred in their lives that they would be willing to fight for it, will argue and debate endlessly on what we should've done.

While they criticize, they forget the truth, or conveniently overlook the fact that it takes men and women of action, willing to make a sacrifice, to free the enslaved, to advance the cause of freedom.

Our great nation was built on the shoulders of men like your father. While the nay-sayers and cowards hid in the shadows sniveling that nothing was worth dying for, men like your dad carved our liberty away from the English, freed the slaves and kept the Union together, saved Europe from the Germans twice; rescued the Pacific away from the Japanese, defeated communism, and right now, fight terrorism and plant the seeds of democracy in the Middle East.

Your father was a warrior, but being a warrior is not always about fighting. He was patient with those he led, and he understood people make mistakes. He cared about the men he led as if they were his own family. To him, they were. His work ethic was tremendous. But he made time for his family, to enjoy life. He was balanced, at equilibrium. He was an inspiration. He was my friend.

In your future, when you are pushed against a wall, in a tight spot, outnumbered and seemingly overwhelmed, it may be tempting to give up, or even use the absence of your father as a crutch, as an excuse for failure.

Don't. Your father's passing, while tragic, serves as an endless source of your empowerment. Your father would not want you to wallow in self-pity. I know you will honor him by living your life in the positive example he set. Respect and remember him. Drive on with your lives. Serve something greater than yourself. Enjoy all the good things that life has to offer. That is what he would want.

Kiana! I have never met a more capable young lady in my life. You are the most well-read, articulate, disciplined young person I know. Often I tell people of the arm-bar you demonstrated on me in your parents' garage. When you become a worldwide Judo champion, I will say with great pride, "that woman nearly torqued my shoulder out when she was 11 years old!"

If my daughter grows up with a quarter of the strength of your principles, determination and intelligence, she will be an incredible human being. Like your mother, you are a beautiful woman, a fact of which you should be proud.

Alek! You are blessed with your father's strength of character and his unbreakable will and his broad shoulders. Your mother gave you her determination and unwavering mental toughness.

Your mother told me the story of you hanging up the sign, "Be a leader, not a follower." My eyes well up every time that I think of you doing that. My eyes fill not with tears of sadness, but of pride, to know you grasped the mindset your father passed on to you. This mindset will allow you to be a leader and protector like your father, and one day, to raise an upright, solid-as-a-rock family of your own.

When I look in your eyes, I see your father. Courageous, determined and resolute, your father embodied all that is virtuous in a warrior. Even now, you strive to embody his same character. Remember, there will never be any pressure for you to be exactly like your father. Be your own man, but build your character in his image.

Many people may be concerned about your future because of the early passing of your father. I don't worry at all. Your dad gave you all you ever need to become a great woman and a great man. I know your father would have told you to be your own hero/heroine. Don't wait for someone to rise up and lead you to victory, to your goals. If you do, you might wait for a very long time.

Ray died as a warrior, sword in hand, in service of his country, his comrades and you, his loved ones. His spirit and example give us all hope, reaffirms our faith. Your father reminds us there are men willing to fight for people that they don't even know so that all may live in peace.

I joined the Corps to serve beside men like your father. There is no other Marine I'd rather have protecting my flank in combat than your dad. Even now, as I write this letter in Iraq, I will honor him on the field of battle by slaying as many of our enemies as possible, and fight until our mission is accomplished.

You will always be in our lives. Please stay in touch. We will always be in your corner for assistance, advice or just conversation. Pam and I plan to retire in Idaho and would love for you to visit us so we can take you white-water rafting and mountain climbing.

Very Respectfully,
Doug

The Lion of Fallujah Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec

Hat tip: FreeRepublic.com
ABQJournal.com

The Continuing Rise of "Eurabia"

Hat Tip: Drudge

Europe continues to head down the road to being Saudi Arabia with snow.
Europe is having “a 26-year high in the number of children women are having in England and Wales” and cites “rising immigration and older mothers” as the main source of the rise. Quote:

“The last decade has seen a 77 per cent increase in births by mothers born outside of the UK, with the figure climbing to almost 150,000, or over a fifth of all babies, last year.

As Britain’s demographics change, Mohammed is expected soon to replace Jack as the most popular boy’s name. It has already pushed Jack to third place.”

The trend of cultural dilution is supported even more by the claims of infant mortality rates being “at the lowest level ever, at five deaths per 1,000, the same as for 2005.” So, of those babies born to the UK by immigrants by far the majority live on.

Take into account those who are UK citizens but who come from other countries, or, are the female children of immigrants from over two decades earlier that are now bearing children, and the rate at which native Europeans are being supplanted in their own country is probably alarmingly high.

She's Out -- After 5 Days

I don’t generally blog about Hollywood-related issues, because, quite frankly, Hollywood bores me. However, with the latest developments in the Paris Hilton “Jail” saga, I have just had enough. If I don’t vent now, my head will explode. Paris, after spending 5 days of her 45-day jail sentence in a “special needs” detention facility will now spend the other 40 days sentenced to life at her home wearing an ankle bracelet, due to “unspecified medical” conditions.

UPDATE*** 6/8/07
I hear she's getting hauled back into court this morning. Maybe we might see some justice after all.
************
Here’s the details:

“LOS ANGELES (Map, News) - Paris Hilton was released from a Los Angeles County jail early Thursday because of an unspecified medical problem and will fulfill the reminder of her sentence in home confinement, a sheriff's spokesman said.
The 26-year-old hotel heiress was sent home shortly after 2 a.m. fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet. She had spent five days at the Century Regional Detention Facility in suburban Los Angeles for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

"I can't specifically talk about the medical situation other than to say that, yes, it played a part in this," said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

Hilton had been sentenced to 45 days behind bars, but had been expected to serve 23 days because of state rules allowing shorter sentences for good behavior.

Whitmore said that under the new agreement, Hilton would be confined to her home for 40 days.

"Because she has agreed to this through her attorney, her sentence is now back up to the 45 days. She has served already five days so that's 40 days," he explained.

Hilton checked into the Century Regional Detention Facility just after 11:30 p.m. Sunday. She had surrendered to authorities with little fanfare after a surprise appearance at the MTV Movie Awards, where she worked the red carpet in a strapless designer gown.

"I am trying to be strong right now," she told reporters at the time. "I'm ready to face my sentence. Even though this is a really hard time, I have my family, my friends and my fans to support me, and that's really helpful."”

***


I challenge anyone not a “Holly-s**t” celebrity to get a DUI, drive on a suspended license and get caught (after an accident) and be able to report to jail at 11:30pm when you are done chasing other celebs at the MTV Movie Awards.

Let’s be honest: if there was anyone in the world who could serve 45 days in jail and suffer no lasting consequences, it’s Paris Hilton. She has nowhere to go, nothing to loose, and it will – more than likely – be an enhancement to her “career” rather than a hindrance.

1. She will not suffer and significant financial consequences for being “locked up” for 45 days! She doesn’t work a 40 hour a week job for $50K a year. She won’t loose her home, car, family, and livelihood. She is an heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune, in addition to what she has made on her own in television, a few movies, and the possible royalties from the video tape distribution of her and a former boyfriend having sex.

2. She was not serving 45 days in San Quinton. She was not going to serve her time with the ladies of “Set It Off.”; she was being sent to a special facility that catered to those who could not be mixed with the general prison population. “Hilton was housed in the "special needs" unit of the 13-year-old jail, separate from most of its 2,200 inmates. The unit contains 12 two-person cells reserved for police officers, public officials, celebrities and other high-profile inmates. She didn't have a cellmate.” Heck, a lot of inmates would kill – Oops, did I say that? – to have only themselves in one of those tiny two-person cells.

3. What medical need – except hospice, maybe – could she possibly get at home that could not be provided to her in the city jail system? It’s Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA for crying out loud! They spend tons on taking care of people in jail that they are yet to provide for those who are on the outside. Since the sentence was changed for medical reasons, unless Paris blabs, the reason in question is hidden from the world’s scrutiny due to medical privacy laws. The rest of the nation has no way to know if the Cali legal system gave in to pressure uphold the law and it’s own sentencing. It sure doesn’t look like it did so far.

The one thing that might even this out might be chaining her to her designer sofa and making her watch Court TV for the whole remaining 45 days – including the 2am “info-mericals.” That would seem tougher than her punishment so far. Right now, it looks as another case of special treatment.
That’s a shame. The court had an opportunity to show that the same law – including sentencing – applied to everyone and not just the rank-and-file (which is really needed) while dealing with someone who both deserved it due to her act (no pun intended) and would suffer the least lifestyle consequences.

Virginia Beach PGR Mission: SDCS Ralph William Hodges

Preparing to go on a mission ride with the guys and gals of P.G.R.

We will be doing an honor guard in Virginia Beach for SDCSPO Ralph W. Hodges, a "veteran of three wars and a 20-year veteran of the Virginia State Police."

"The family of Virginia Beach veteran, SDCS Ralph William Hodges, USN-- Retired, [age] 80 (World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam), and Virginia State Trooper (20 years -- Senior Logistics Support) Retiree has invited and requested an Honor Mission on the passing of this Naval Retiree, Veteran, Law Enforcement Administrator and American Hero."

It would be an honor to provide any service possible the veterans who have sacrificed and done so much to protect this nation -- especially in the case of Officer Hodges.

Fire-up, the engines, lock in the coordinates, and off I go to honor one of Americas finest, alongside the best riders I know.

Last Great Hope?

The Democratic Party is now officially the only organization on Earth that does not take the threat of Islamic fascism seriously. Between the Democrats and the media, America has gone from its usual position as the world's last hope to radical Islam's last hope.
-- Ann Coulter

Thanks for the support.

I just wanted to say Thank you for all of your support over the last few months. It made a long deployment seem much shorter.

THANK YOU.

Of course all Iraqis hate us.....just look....

I wonder if the MSM would ever print these photos? Apparently the support for the campaign in Iraq is dropping. And of course the MSM take no responsiblity for that situation. Day after day, the press bad mouths the military and the government. One one site, Redstate.com, brings up a good point about comments in the original website posting these photos: –I think this guy could be a washed up police man who just got himself a life long job working for Halibuton. Can this man’s connection to The US Military be verified?
Redstate.com provides a solution to confused readers.
The cynicism shown by the media is disgusting. And their influence is the cause of the lack of support.

SWAC Girl: "I'm Tired"

There is a great post over in SWAC country, by SWAC Girl.
The piece was written by Lietenant Colonel Joe Repya, of the 101st Airborne Division and is titled "I'm Tired."

SWAC Girl: "I'm Tired"

An excerpt:

"I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired."


Dear Colonel,
There are those of us who are stuck on this side of the fence who are just as tired as you are. Keep doing the great job that you're doing. We on this side of the DMZ will do what we can to get the REAL story out, and root out the "domestic" side of our enemy.

Signed,
F22strike