Health care train wreck

In earlier posts, I've stated that to watch Britain is to see the future of the USA under a liberal government. Google the British health care system and you will find story after story of heartache and mismanagement. Example: Pain killers are too expensive for child birth in some areas.........

The closest thing we Americans have is medicare. We jump through hoops when we need to use it and the bureaucracy is terrible. Rationing is the norm. Doctors are underpaid and hospitals take a loss. Some medical practices do not take medicare at all. Lets be thankful that the doctors have a choice. In some cases, since they do not have to fight through the government maze, their costs and prices are MUCH cheaper, even than the medicare copays.

Well, here we go again. Hold on to your health and your wallets. They're with the government and they are here to help you.

The Doctor explains the consquences of "good" intentions and the attempts by the government to improve hospital care by taking away MORE profit.

Also unspoken in this proposal are the additional costs to the hospitals of added administrative expenses required to document and report compliance with Medicare’s quality standards in order to receive better (or actually, the same) reimbursement. The net effect would be far more money siphoned from actual patient care into administration and paperwork.

Medicare officials said they would monitor the program closely and adjust it as necessary, and at the same time to expand the quality criteria used to determine whether hospitals earn back the lost revenue. “We want to make sure we’re not causing some unintended or perverse consequences.”

That scraping sound you hear is the moving of goalposts.

The history of Medicare is a history of regulatory tyranny which invariably results in “unintended and perverse consequences.” When your local hospital closes, after this proposal is implemented, be sure to write your Congressmen and local Medicare officials to express your deepest appreciation for their efforts to improve health care quality.

Fred on the Dems

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Fred Thompson on the Democrats: “It’s like they’re all in training for the NASCAR, you know, nothing but a left turn, just steady as she goes, all the way around.”

h/t Don Surber

R. I. P. Mr. Knieval.... Final jump at 69.

Thank you Evel Knieval for inspiring me to be just a little more brave, and for making life a little more exciting. Thank you for inspiring me to build some really stupid jumps for my bike. Thanks for inventing extreme sports. People that watched you said you were crazy. You were outta your FU#@IN mind, is what you were. But you were the real thing. Crazy brave, you did what you said you were going to do. When I was small, we were all Evel Knieval when we took to our bikes.

God Speed. You made it over the last jump. Rest in Peace.

Mrs. Huckabee for President

For all of the 2nd Amendment supporters out there, I have found the perfect candidate:
Mrs. Huckabee. In a interview she mentioned her experience with firearms:

"I have fired a grenade launcher and hit the target two out of three times, so I think that's pretty good odds for me," she said, noting that she had a special interest in military matters and has also jumped out of an airplane, flown in an F-16 and shot an MP5 submachine gun.

Heck, just showing that interest in "military matters" separates her from 85% of the rest of the candidates, GOP and Dem.

Good Stuff in Astan

Jump over to my vox site and take a look. Then start rounding up all your school supplies and ship them to me.
Address is at the bottom of the post on DCProtestWarrior.

Multiple choice test for College Administrators

And you still want to prevent adults from exercising the right to self defense.....
My daughter will learn to shoot at an early age.
via Jerry at From on High
and Greg L at BVBL

Kosovo

Kosovo

Norwegians can sing!

also stolen, ahem, borrowed from Theo. Go visit him. He likes us. He really likes us. Besides, we're on HIS blog roll.....hint, hint.....

Born to be Wild

Born to be Wild

BORN TO BE WI-I-I-LLL-D!!!!
"cough,cough" Ow, my back....

via our British Patriot Theo

Leave Me the Heck Alone

The Leave Me the Heck Alone Candidate.

Before you read it, can you guess.....

Read the comments too. Not bad.

News From Across the Blogs

Here’s some news from across the blogsphere:


From Michelle Malkin: Trent Lott is calling it quits.

Seems that Trent Lott is leaving his position in the Senate. There seems to be no indication that his leaving is under any form of duress. Time will tell. The Senator says that he his moving over for “someone younger, fresh blood” can take the seat. There are rumors that he has been offered a position in academia, and other rumors that he will be part of a lobbying firm that will be working Capital Hill.

I think his leaving is a good idea. He has done about all he can from his position in the senate to make life harder on the Republicans. Maybe he is seeking to have a greater impact from the outside.



From Rightvoices: Paris is on fire, AGAIN!

Night number two of riots by Muslims is underway in Paris after two Muslim “youths” aged fifteen and sixteen were killed when the mini-scooter they were riding collided with a police car and were killed. Pam at Rightvoices quotes the news source:
"Two boys aged 15 and 16 riding on a mini-motorcycle (prohibited on the road) hit a police car this afternoon in Villiers-le-Bel. The boys, who weren’t wearing helmets, were killed. Hundreds of enraged men and boys are tearing up the neighborhood."

Pajamas Media has been reporting events of the rioting as they occur:

UPDATED PJM Paris: Fires raged and mobs rioted in the Paris banlieues (suburbs)
Monday night after two boys, aged 15 and 16, died when their mini-motorcycle hit
a police car, Nidra Poller reports. At least sixty policemen have been injured,
and a school gym has gone up in flames.
[…]
Violence is spreading from
Villiers le Bel to a dozen neighboring communities. At least twenty policemen
have been injured so far tonight (forty injured last night according to the
latest figures), some of them critically. The insurgents are using firebombs,
iron rods, baseball
bats, and firing buckshot. Journalists are attacked, their cameras are
stolen.
[…]
Cars, dumpsters, and buildings have been torched. A school
gym has gone up in flames. Shop windows that weren’t smashed last night are
targets tonight.
Police investigators and several eyewitnesses corroborate
the patrolmen’s version of the accident. The police car was going at a normal
speed, no sirens, no hot
pursuit. The mini-motorcycle came down a side street at high speed and made a left turn, crashing directly
into the police car. The police remained on the scene for approximately twenty
to thirty minutes until the fire department ambulance arrived.

Read the complete dispatch for the whole story.

Entire enclaves in Paris go up in flames. The press cites un-named “youths” as rioters. People are beaten or intimidated. The police are unable to squelch the violence. If this scenario sounds strangely familiar, it’s because this is not the first time France has had some of it cities and boroughs burned to the ground. There were riots in 2006 and 2005 also. At what point will 1.) the mainstream media cover honestly and fully what is going on in places like France, and 2.) will French society – and western society in general – admit that the large numbers of hot tempered “youths” in France has made the French prisoners in their own country?

GOP for Clinton.....No, really!

I wish Hillary all the success in the world....in her primary, that is. If these articles are accurate....

Hillary will lose to any top Gop candidate:

Democrat Hillary Clinton would lose to all major Republican White House candidates, according to a hypothetical election matchup poll Monday, reversing her months of dominance over potential 2008 challengers.

The Zogby International poll was the latest sign that withering attacks on the former first lady were chipping away at her opinion poll leads just 38 days before the Iowa caucuses, the first party nominating contests.

In the new survey, Clinton trailed Senator John McCain 42 percent to 38 percent, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani by 43 percent to 40 percent and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by 43 percent to 40 percent.

She also lagged behind former Arkansas Republican governor Mike Huckabee by 44 to 39 percent, and former Senator Fred Thompson by 44 to 40 percent in hypothetical general election matchups.

Hillary demoralizes Democrat core:

When Democrats worry about Hillary Clinton's electability, they focus on her reenergizing a depressed Republican base while demoralizing core Democratic activists, particularly those outraged about the war, and consequently losing the election. A November 26 Zogby poll now shows her trailing the major Republican candidates, while Edwards and Obama defeat them. But there's a further danger if Hillary's nominated--that she will win but then split the Democratic Party.

Clinton News Network

For many years, mostly in (ok, seriously) non-serious derision, CNN has been called the Clinton News Network. Now, the real scandal emerges. One which is guaranteed to get NO press. CNN REALLY IS THE CLINTON NEWS NETWORK!

Gateway Pundit exposes the truth about connections between the Clinton political machine and CNN:

This family picture (not shown here at UCV) was taken before Vinod Gupta's firm InfoUSA bought Opinion Research Corporation a marketing firm which conducts polling for CNN. (Theodore's World)

A lawsuit filed by shareholders of InfoUSA last year claims that Clinton supporter Vinod Gupta abused company assets and resources which he spent lavishly on Bill and Hillary Clinton.

This news that there will be an SEC investigation into InfoUSA was announced yesterday.

Further investigation from Doug Ross@ Journal brought out more questions and details concerning possible corrupt connections and possible improper relationships. The Clinton Library has rejected any disclosure of millions of documents until AFTER the 2008 elections. They've kept secret, as is their right, their donor list. Except the Clintons sold it. To InfoUSA. Not very confidential, is it. Mr. Ross has many links and a lot of information. Go read it.

Also, via ABC, linked on the above blog:
Among the entities who have been reported to have given more than $1 million toward the presidentical center: the governments of Dubai, Kuwait, and Qatar; the Saudi royal family; a deputy prime minister of Lebanon; filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Stephen Bing, and David Geffen; Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart heir Alice Walton; the Anheuser-Busch Foundation; and Vin Gupta, chairman and CEO of infoUSA Inc., a telemarketing firm that has come under scrutiny for its handling of private information...


Now, what was that concern about BUSH'S links to oil? And Saudi Arabia, and the other oil princes? And Halliburton, now headquartered in Dubai? What was all that concern about unions in Wal-Mart? And look...there's InfoUSA, Inc. again......

So, with all of this ammo, REPUBLICANS FOR HILLARY! VOTE IN THE PRIMARY! HAHAHAHA!

Redacted SUCKS!

UPDATE: THE MOVIE SUCKS! EVERYONE THINKS ITS A BOMB! ALL PROBABLE 3000 WATCHERS......NATIONWIDE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! DE PALMA IS AN IDIOT!

Outside The Wire beats Redacted
Written by JD Johannes
Monday, 26 November 2007

Brian DePalma's award winning anti-war movie earned $25,628.
It was made for $5,000,000.

That is a .5% return.

My first documentary cost $35,000 to make, and thanks to the supporters of the Outside the Wire project, has made $23,464 or 67% return.

When one guy with a camera is beating Hollywood in rate of return and almost beating Hollywood in gross receipts--Hollywood has a problem

(previously posted)
As mentioned earlier, Brian De Palma is showing yet another P.O.S. anti-war movie. Yet this time, the movie will provide aid and comfort to the enemy. Confederate Yankee has a good take:

...As sweat drips in the eyes of soldiers and Marines as they attempt to bring peace to a land that has rarely known it, their enemies will be watching pirated and crudely-dubbed bootlegs of Redacted in training camps in Syria, in mosques in Saudi Arabia, and in homes throughout the Arab world, who already take a suspicious view of the American soldier in Iraq.

We will not see the pictures that would actually win the war, of an Iraqi father wrapping his arms around a suicide bomber to keep him from entering a mosque, or of the Iraqi interpreter who proudly dreams of becoming an American Marine. We won't see American ssaving Iraqi lives, or Iraqis saving American lives, or the brutality of those we fight.

Those, you see, are the pictures that Brian de Palma has redacted.

National Anthem - Anthony Gargiula, 7 years old

Just Wow. Keep track of this boy.

also via Gunslinger

3 Doors Down - Citizen Soldier

OUTSTANDING! If I had seen this in the 80's I would have joined the Guard instead of the Navy. HOOOAH!

via Gunslinger

Move America Forward

And don't forget about this:

Thursday December 13, 2007
9:00 AM Norfolk, VA Pro-Troop Rally MacArthur Memorial MacArthur Square, Norfolk, VA 23510
Bring your family, flags and signs that thank our troops, express support for our troops. And of course be sure to bring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards for our troops - we’ll gladly accept them at the event and deliver them to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

1:30 PM Richmond, VA Pro-Troop Rally The Carillon @ William Byrd Park - CLICK HERE for MAP
Bring your family, flags and signs that thank our troops, express support for our troops. And of course be sure to bring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards for our troops - we’ll gladly accept them at the event and deliver them to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

Wreaths Across America

Mark 15 December on your calendar.
If you're able, please join me and the Sandston Presbyterian Church laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetary.
More info can be found at WreathsAcrossAmerica.

For Richmond area:

WAA - Richmond National Cemetery, Richmond, VA
by Sam Tinsley (Chester, Virginia)
Our ceremony will take place at the Richmond National Cemetery at 1701 Williamsburg Road. (www.cem.va.gov/pdf/richmond.pdf) The ceremony will start at 12:00 Noon EST as will all the ceremonies in the US. The length of the service will depend on how many wreaths we receive (between 7 and 2500) from the national organization but we are anticipating a ceremony that will be at least 20 minutes, but no more than 45. We are expecting at least a hundred volunteers to help lay the wreaths so if we get the entire 2500 the actually laying of the wreaths will only take 10-15 minutes. So far the ceremony will look something like this:· The Arrival of the Wreaths by motorcycle motorcade made up mostly of the Patriot Guards and other Veteran’s motorcycle groups. · Welcome and Presentation of the Colors· The Pledge of Allegiance· A Moment of Silence and/or a Prayer of Thanksgiving for the commitment of those who fought and died for our country and freedom.· Brief remarks to those gathered (volunteers, the general public and media)· The Laying of the Wreaths while “Amazing Grace” is being played on the bagpipes.· A Rifle Salute· A Flyover in the “Missing Man” formation (this has not been finalized)· The Playing of Taps· Thank You’s and DismissalI am working with Rocky Angone (11th Cavalry, Viet Nam). Rocky is serving as our Director. We are all volunteers and what donations we receive are going to the national organization to help pay for more wreaths to lay on veterans’ graves at other national cemeteries.Again, thank you for your interest in WAA - Richmond. For more information please contact me: stinsley@ig-usa.net or by phone above.

Optical Rectalosis is a Debilitating Disease

Thanks for Giving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let us bow our heads and give thanks to God for our good fortune.

Let us give thanks for the priceless gift of this country. Not the geographic location. But the people within. Whether we agree with each other, get along with each other or not, we are family. Brothers and sisters fight. But we are all family. We believe in this thing called the United States of America. And by the grace of God, we have made this the greatest country in the world. Let us give especial thanks for those that give. Whether charity or their lives in service to us. In little ways or great. For those that have given their lives, thank you. For their families, thank you. For the people that go into harm's way on our behalf, thank you. For those that stand the watch, thank you. For those that disagree with us, thereby making us reexamine our beliefs, thank you. For our families, for supporting us and putting up with us, thank you. For my angel of a wife, Thank you. And for that blessing that is my child, Thank you.

Thank you, God.
Amen

Fred is looking better

The New Fire in Fred's Belly

(except it's not new)

Lawrence Kudlow interviewd Fred Thompson, discovering that, contrary to popular belief(or at least recent opinions), Fred DOES have the "fire" to go the distance. And the guts to tackle the hard decisions early on.

(Thompson) said, "If we don't tend to business we are going to be in big trouble. Pendulum's swinging against us. We are down in the polls. Independents are leaning the other way [where they] used to lean with us. So we've got to . . . adhere to the principles that made us a great party and a great nation." That was a strong dose of honesty and self-examination. Good for Fred Thompson.

We talked about his controversial Social Security reform plan that would slow down future benefits by indexing them to inflation rather than wages, while providing for add-on private savings accounts with a government match, much like the system for 401(k)s.

Lower benefits? Isn't that the proverbial third-rail of politics? Not according to Mr. Thompson. He said big problems ought to be tackled: "If you can't do the right thing, say what you believe and what everybody really basically knows, why do it? Why bother? Life is too short for the aggravation." (my emphasis)

Delegate Rules Give Thompson an Edge

By Peter Brown

If the early primaries and caucuses don’t decide the Republican presidential nomination, former Sen. Fred Thompson may enjoy an edge in any drawn-out delegate slugfest due to his Sun Belt roots and “red state” strength.

That’s because the way delegates are allocated to the Republican National Convention, which picks the White House nominee, gives disproportionate clout to states that President Bush carried in 2004 above what their population would otherwise dictate.

If this is true, Fred may have a fighting chance against the lack of media coverage.

Greatest Movie Line Ever

Greatest Movie Line Ever

Stolen proudly from Theo Spark.

Metal Storm

This is JUST FREAKING COOL. I want one. Please? Pretty Please... The company has prototype handguns and rifles.

Actually the Navy is testing some of Metal Storm's toys. My mind's eye is drooling about Metal Storm 16 inch guns......yeah, yeah, I know.... But I can dream.

Made in Australia.

Presenting Justin King

Wow, again. All on one guitar.

Jake Shimabukuro - Star Spangled Banner

And now, a musical interlude......Andy McKee

Wow.

US in OPEC? Why not? Just askin....

Brazil is set to open up newly discovered oil fields in the Atlantic:

State-run Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, said reserves at Tupi field could be up to 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent, and initial production should exceed 100,000 barrels daily, though experts believe that will grow.

Brazil would consider joining OPEC based on the size of the newly discovered Tupi oil field off its eastern shores, the country's ambassador to Saudi Arabia said Friday.

Isnard Penha Brasil said he was attending the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries summit to talk with OPEC officials and that "a membership decision will come after we know what our export capacity will be and we think this will be good."

ANWR is reputed to be sitting on up to 12 Billion barrels of oil. If not more. And we have TRILLIONS of barrels in oil locked up in oil sands. So, just askin.... why don't we apply for membership in OPEC when we open up ANWR and open up our offshore fields like the ones being developed by Mexico with Chinese help.......but, that's another article.

Quagmire in Iraq - We Must Retreat........

"We're floundering in a quagmire in Iraq. Our strategy is flawed, and it's too late to change it. Our resources have been squandered, our best people killed, we're hated by the natives and our reputation around the world is circling the drain. We must withdraw."

Who said this? Senator Reid? Cindy Sheehan? Nancy Pelosi?

Nope.

Go read it.

I told you so.

Email the White House

'comments@whitehouse.gov'

'vice_president@whitehouse.gov'

Make it short and simple:
Free Ramos & Campean NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

TODAY is NATIONAL AMMO DAY - Get Some! Its for the children!

November 19 is National Ammo Day.

It is a nationwide BUYcott of ammunition. You buy ammunition. 100 Rounds a person.

The goals of Ammo Day:

The goal of National Ammo Day is to empty the ammunition from the shelves of your local gun store, sporting goods, or hardware store and put that ammunition in the hands of law-abiding citizens. Make your support of the Second Amendment known--by voting with your dollars!

There are an estimated 75 MILLION gun owners in the United States of America. If each gun owner or Second Amendment supporter buys 100 rounds of ammunition, that’s 7.5 BILLION rounds in the hands of law-abiding citizens! (If you want to buy more than 100 rounds.....who are we to discourage you?

The gun/ammunition manufacturers have been taking the brunt of all the frivolous lawsuits, trying to put these folks out of business. Well, not if we can help it! And we CAN help it by buying ammunition on November 19!

There are other ways to show your support if you are unable or not interested in buying ammunition. On November 19, send a letter, a fax, or call your local representatives and let them know that you support the Second Amendment and the unhindered rights of law-abiding citizens To Keep and Bear Arms.

Why November 19th?
There is really no particular reason November 19 was chosen. It did not conflict with any other holiday or event on the U.S. calendar.

We found, however, that people preferred to buy their ammo at gun shows or over weekends, which is why National Ammo Day is now National Ammo Day/Week.

However, we would me remiss if we did not mention that November 19 is the birthday of Kim du Toit (the creator of National Ammo Day). Kim couldn’t think of a nicer way to celebrate his birthday than it helping send a signal about how the value of the Second Amendment and our ammunition manufacturing industry. And, if we make our target of 5 BILLION rounds sold, his birthday wish will come true.

Remember, OBEY THE LAW.

Counter Attack vs Insurgent Mortars - Balad Air Base

If I can find this on the web, why can't CNN or MSNBC show this to us? Well, anyway, I like this video. I had friends at Balad Air Base. They would come under mortar attack EVERY day....

VBIED

In case you have not seen a VBIED as mentioned in the previous video, here's a sample of one that the Army found and detonated. Now, will armoring a Humvee matter? This is what Sgt Hanson went through. Hooah! Sgt. Hanson and to all you brave heroes out there.

And this one was not even one of the largest.....Search YouTube. You'll find bigger.

Moment of Valor - Camp Taji, Iraq

This is the news that CNN SHOULD be showing you. Instead of scamming the viewers at the so-called debate by planting not only the questions but the audience......

CNN IS LYING TO YOU

Over at QandO, there is proof that CNN is lying to you. Over a minor interview that affects nothing.

Watch both videos.

After you watch the respective interviews, consider what CNN (and any other major media outlet) is doing to the stories they feed you.

LIES, LIES, LIES. Like Reagan said, "Trust, but, verify." Never thought we would have to do that to our own.

The National Debt Disaster and other myths

The Skeptical Optimist explains how the politicians are using our ignorance of government finance to scare us into voting for them.

The national debt will be a crushing burden on our children and grandchildren.
... Financial doomsday will be inevitable, unless we elect fill-in-the-blank to save us from that disaster.

But debt doomsday is a myth.


Check out the rest of his site for interesting info like Farm Subsidies in Manhattan and why Porkbusting for its own sake may not be the best thing to do......

Project Valor - IT Fund Drive - HEY! YEAH YOU! COME HERE!

2nd Update: The Charity drive is now over. Thanks for the donations. It doesn't matter that we came in last.....what matters is that the troops get what THEY need. Thanks again. Go Navy! We'll win next year. Start saving your pennies.

Update: HEY GUYS! WE'RE BEHIND BY AT LEAST 6 GRAND. WE'RE LAST! THE AIR FORCE IS AHEAD OF THE NAVY? WTF, OVER! SHAKE A LEG! PUT SOME TURNS ON! WE'RE MOVING TOO SLOW! GO HERE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW CONTEST TO WIN A "COMMAND COIN." IT ONLY TAKES $25! AND HERE TO ENTER ANOTHER ONE, IF YOU LIKE THINGS THAT GO BANG (you'll have to register at the site). JUST DO IT! ITS EVEN TAX DEDUCTIBLE. TURN TO, DAMN IT! WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND MONEY!

Via Soldier's Angels

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled and adaptive laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries at major military medical centers. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field. The experience of MAJ Charles “Chuck” Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops can be to a wounded service member's recovery.

Need I say more? Go Navy!

Go to here to pick your team. Or:

Want to help? Join the Navy/Coast Guard Team by clicking here!
Army donations: Black Five
Marine donations: Soldiers Angels Blog
Air Force donations: Mudville Gazette Mail donations: Soldiers' Angels Project Valour-IT Fund - NAVY TEAM, 1792 E. Washington Blvd Pasadena, Ca 91104

She Called

written and spoken by Marine Staff Sargeant Lawrence E. Dean II

SEMPER FI

Just thought this one would be appropriate to end this patriotic weekend. I think it says it all.

God Bless America.

Ron Paul's support

For those of you wondering where Ron Paul's support comes from: on the East coast, its, well,...its us. Virginia is tops on the East Coast. I guess being Conservative and close to the evil city of DC will make a lot of people vote libertarian. I can see it.

You can too. Here's an interesting map at Ron Paul's site. Via QandO.

Hollywood Strike

Just sayin':

I don't really care if the writers' strike EVER ends. Do you? And why?

Pittance of Time

Via The Chosen Man and Theo Spark. From what I hear, the British military and vets aren't appreciated as ours. Here's to them too.
God Bless our Heroes. And theirs.

Flander's Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— John McCrae (1872-1918)

The Battle of the Somme, for which this poem was written, best remembered for its first day, 1 July 1916, on which the British suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead.

The FIRST day......

Next time some twit in the media mentions our "high casualty rate" in Iraq, remember this.

Faces of Freedom

For Veterans' Day via Guidons, Guidons, Guidons.....

Go see this slideshow Faces of Freedom. You won't regret it. And then thank God that there are people in the world like these.

For My Country - Veteran's Day

From the Right Brothers...

STAND UP AND SALUTE!

A conversation in Afghanistan

Austin Bay is in Afghanistan and had this conversation with an Air Force Colonel.
An excerpt:
Go read the rest.

DATELINE: Bagram Air Force Base, Afghanistan November 9, 2007

“You’re tired,” I said.

He nodded, a brief nod.

Then I told him there was no choice. There are those bearing the burden — for example, him– and those who don’t. Unfortunately, with a few stellar, brave exceptions, only the US military has shown up for this war, and you’re one of those who’ve shown up and shown up again. But show me the alternative?....

...Nukes and nerve gas make every tribal war an international crisis. Goodbye Tokyo, Moscow, or Miami– because a sophisticated tribesman at war with his eternally despised neighbor decides that demolishing the global economy would make everyone pay attention to his neglected, forgotten grievance. Tyrannies keep breeding this insanity. The only solution is consensus, wealth-producing societies, where everyone gets a say and everyone has a buy-in....

...We went into the control tower, a squat Soviet artifact slapped with thick white paint bristling with au courant American electronics. We went up to the second floor. In the staircase the fighter pilot said “We’ve a sign in the squadron that says “The mission, fuckhead, is supporting the 18 year old with the rifle.” We know that we’re here to put bombs on bad guys so they don’t kill American soldiers.”

That sign wasn’t on the door but then we were entering a staff office, not the squadron headquarters.

On the desk was a picture of a young US Army second lieutenant. The pilot picked it up. “That’s my son. He just finished armor officers basic.”

I recognized the patch on the young man’s shoulder. Thirty years ago I served in the same division.

“Some day I may be flying strikes to support my son,” the pilot said, his voice soft steel.

Taliban Insurgents Destroy Micro Hydro Power Station

Ghaziabad, Kunar Province: A group of insurgents destroyed a Micro Hydro Power Station in central Kunar Province.
Hundreds of families are affected by the resulting loss of electricity. Little of the land in this area of the Hindu Kush Mountains lies below 6000 ft. elevation, snow has been building on the mountain peaks, many more than 12,000 ft, since mid-October.
Travel will be severely curtailed and in places impossible by the middle of December.
The Taliban insurgency continues to target infrastructure and reconstruction as they attempt to discredit the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s democratic government.
The Governor and Coalition Forces will deliver supplies and resources to avert any loss of life during the harsh winter, both the local elders and the Chief of Police have vowed to catch these insurgents.

We're still in need of winter gear for the brave men of the 173rd Airborne Infantry standing watch in this area. With successes in Iraq being reported on a daily basis, and Pakistan on the verge of insurgency, AQ will cut their losses and this area of Afghanistan, which is called "Enemy Central" by our soldiers, will become the new front in the GWOT. Please consider clicking the USCav link on the left and ordering some winter neccessities for these men. Shipping address can be found here.

Say Thanks! Steal this post and re-post it on your website!

The Xerox company is doing a great thing. Go to their site, pick a card, and they will send it to a military member in theater. How great is that?! Can it be any easier? Steal this post and re-post on YOUR website!

LET'S SAY THANKS!

Hey Bob! Happy Birthday, ya Jar Head!

OooRah Marine Corp! Happy Frickin' Birthday from one of your taxi drivers... SemperFi!

Some truths about Virginia

Virginia Republicans must become the party of small government and low taxes again. If not, we will continue to lose, and more to the point, we will deserve to lose.

Depressed about the elections? Go read the rest of this. OUTSTANDING!

Democrats say "Thank you" to the troops

via Redstate:

Nancy Pelosi and Democrats in Congress decided to take a different track: voting down a "clean" veterans funding bill while pushing for our troops to withdraw and surrender for the 58th time this year.

This is not some sort of cruel joke or hoax. Republicans tried today to finish work on legislation which would fund the veterans bill without Washington inserted pork. It was turned back for the tenth time in 146 days. (votes here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here)

Need I say anything more?

Thanks and Praise - Michael Yon

Short and sweet from Michael Yon:

A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Infantry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John’s, an occasion all viewed as a sign of hope.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers.

Michael Yon is entirely reader supported. He relies on his readers to help him replace his equipment and cover his expenses so that he may remain in Iraq and bring you the stories of our soldiers. If you value his work, please consider supporting his mission.

Tribute to Ronald Reagan

A reminder to what our GOP candidates can aspire to be. However, we MUST stop looking for another Reagan. We must pick a President that is his own man, that presents his own ideas. I don't want another Reagan. I want a President that is great on his own. NO man can be great while attempting to be someone else. No man can be great while being an imitation. As voters, WE must stop wanting our candidates to pander to us. Stop asking them to "be the next Reagan." Ask them to stand up for conservative ideals on their own. Ask them how THEY will implement those ideas and defend them from attacks by liberals. If they can't defend those ideals on their own, then, at least its the truth. Don't ask them to pretend. Pick a candidate for what he genuinely offers. Aren't you tired of fakes?

12 Myths of 21st-Century War

Unaware of the cost of freedom and served by leaders without military expertise, Americans have started to believe whatever's comfortable

By Ralph Peters

We're in trouble. We're in danger of losing more wars. Our troops haven't forgotten how to fight. We've never had better men and women in uniform. But our leaders and many of our fellow Americans no longer grasp what war means or what it takes to win.
Thanks to those who have served in uniform, we've lived in such safety and comfort for so long that for many Americans sacrifice means little more than skipping a second trip to the buffet table.
Two trends over the past four decades contributed to our national ignorance of the cost, and necessity, of victory. First, the most privileged Americans used the Vietnam War as an excuse to break their tradition of uniformed service. Ivy League universities once produced heroes.
Now they resist Reserve Officer Training Corps representation on their campuses.

Read the rest at American Legion Magazine:

Stop Global Whining - The Right Brothers

Turn up the heat!

Bush Was Right

More from the Right Brothers....Hell yes!

The Right Brothers - The List

Introducing the Right Brothers. Saying it in song.....'nuff said.

Libertarians challenge the GOP

Conservatives profess to want limited government, to want citizen-politicians. Politicians that hold office for decades do not seem to represent that ideal. So, that said, competition in the field of politics is a good thing.

Apparently, a large percentage of voters in Henrico county appear to think this too. Challengers were consistently successful in reaching double digits in vote percentages. One such challenger, Mr. George Marchenko, of the the Libertarian party, fought a good fight. In an overwhelmingly Republican district, he garnered 21.61 percent of the votes, including over 32 percent in one precinct. This tells me two things. That the Libertarian party, though not as recognizable as the Democratic party in challenging the GOP, is no longer seen as a non-viable party at the local level. And that many voters are tired of career politicians holding office for years at at time.

Principles of small government are popular with conservative voters. And lately, incumbent Republicans are not exhibiting faithfulness to that ideal. The GOP is in danger of having to fight a two front war. One versus the socialism of the Democrats and another against the "small government" principles of the Libertarian party. If the GOP wishes to succeed in the future, it will have to return to the conservative principles of low taxes and minimal government. Like minded Libertarians could use this a jump start into office, if they run as Republicans. Remember, numbers count.

It doesn't matter to which party the GOP loses seats, the GOP will still lose.
This is a win-win situation for both parties. Remember, if a libertarian candidate runs as a Republican, that candidate will still be standing on his libertarian principles. The principles on which you run and govern do not change. If you change the label on a book, the plot inside stays the same.

Mr. Marchenko was able to take 2,332 votes away from his Republican opponent, even though his opponent was a popular, long time supervisor with support from the general Republican organization. 2,332 votes out of 10,787.

I wonder what would happen if he ran in the primary as a Republican?

With apologies to Mr. Sarcozy......

Found this as a draft in September entries....forget where I got it. I hope it only offends the appropriate people.

French jokes

Dear Dad,

A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia):

A French army officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought we (Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going to provoke a war in Iraq. He said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count on the support of France.

I told him that it didn't surprise me. Since we had come to France's rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, their ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface [again] at some point in the near future anyway. I also told him that is why France is a third-rate military power with a socialist economy and a bunch of pansies for soldiers.

I additionally told him that America, being a nation of deeds and action, not words, would do whatever it had to do, and France's support, if it ever came, was only for show anyway.

Just like in ALL NATO exercises, the US would shoulder 85% of the burden, and provide 85% of the support, as evidenced by the fact that this French officer was shopping in the American PX, and not the other way around.

He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would like to, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and whip his ass in front of the entire Multinational Brigade East, thus demonstrating that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average Frenchman.

He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff. With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Dad, tell Mom I love her,

Your loving daughter,

Mary Beth J.
Lt Col., USMC


The Complete Military History of France

Gallic Wars - Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.

Hundred Years War - Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman."

Italian Wars - Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.

Wars of Religion - France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots

Thirty Years War - France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.

War of Devolution - Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.

The Dutch War - Tied

War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War - Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Frogophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.

War of the Spanish Succession - Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.

American Revolution - In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."

French Revolution - Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.

The Napoleonic Wars - Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.

The Franco-Prussian War - Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France's ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.

World War I - Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it's like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.

World War II - Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.

War in Indochina - Lost. French forces plead sickness, take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu

Algerian Rebellion - Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; "We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.

War on Terrorism - France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe. Attempts to surrender to Vietnamese ambassador fail after he takes refuge in a McDonald's.

Don't Forget the 173 on 8 November

A bunch of people have been working above and beyond this week.

FreeRepublic has been a tremendous help.

DCProtestWarrior has more.

Unrelated to politics, I thought we needed a break

For one, I welcome our feline overlords.....
Remember Cats are tamed, Dogs are domesticated. Proof? If you own a cat the size of a Rottweiller, it will eat you.....

via Humor Archives.

Rules for Stray Cats

1. Stray cats will not be fed.

2. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food.

3. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.

4. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.

5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.

6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with or picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.

7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.

8. Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.

9. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except at certain times.

10. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except on days ending in "y".

11. Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.

12. Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on, or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.

13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must sharpen claws on new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching post with three perches.

14. Stray cats will answer the call of nature outdoors in the sand.

15. Stray cats will answer the call of nature in the three-piece, high-impact plastic tray filled with Fresh'n'Sweet kitty litter.

16. Stray cats will answer the call of nature in the hooded litter pan with a three-panel privacy screen and plenty of head room.

17. Stray cats will sleep outside.

18. Stray cats will sleep in the garage.

19. Stray cats will sleep in the house.

20. Stray cats will sleep in a cardboard box lined with an old blanket.

21. Stray cats will sleep in the special Kitty-Komfort-Bed with non-allergenic lamb's wool pillow.

22. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed.

23. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed, except at the foot.

24. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers.

25. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers except at the foot.

26. Stray cats will not play on the desk.

27. Stray cats will not play on the desk near the computer.

28. Stray cats are forbidden to walk on the computer keyboard on the desk when the human is asdfjjhhkl;ljfd.;oier'puyykmm4hbdm9l o9jmdskdm,.USING IT.

Red Shirt Friday

This Email was forwarded to me from Mrs. Cargosquid. It needs no further explanation.

Subject: Red shirt Friday

RED SHIRT

If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq, I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no lo nger silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

Lee Brothers may put the Nick.com article on the air

If any of you are awake early enough for the Lee Brothers show on 1140 AM, WRVA, (of course we are, we listen every Saturday 6-8 am, scout's honor), they may expose the Nick.com leftist propaganda. When I wrote the previous article, I also notified the Lee Brothers about it. They said they may use it. Since I will be busy at 6 am, please let me know if anyone hears it. Wow, 6am to 8 am......on a Saturday. Now, THAT'S sacrifice and discipline.....

Webb wants the authority to declare war against Iran

Update: At Mother Jones, (of all places), comes an analysis of the letter:

What's the significance of the letter? The answer has three parts:

1. Legally speaking, the letter has no significance whatsoever.
2. Moreover, it's legally false.
3. The legal aspect is essentially irrelevant. It's the political aspect that matters, and here it might have some impact.

Senator Webb has communicated to the President his opinion that the President has no authority to strike Iran without the consent of Congress. Apparently that authorization to fight international terrorism in 2001 has an expiration date. While I object to this belief, I am ambivalent about the Senator demanding this requirement.

The disgraceful way the Senate has been acting lately forces me to believe that, unless Iran detonated a nuclear weapon, Congress would weep and cry over ANY actions the President might take. So, the President should keep the Congress in the loop. Show them the intel. When action is needed, tell them that the strike will commence, unless THEY cancel it. If no action is taken, then if Iran develops and misuses nuclear weapons, THEY are responsible.

Another way, is to play it their way. They get to authorize the strike. They want the responsibility to declare war, since they feel that the previous authorization was not enough. So the President should go before Congress, lay out his reasons, regardless of secrets, and ask them to declare war. Bluntly lay out before the public on live TV that it is Congress that will determine the actions. Not him. That his hands will be tied if Congress does not authorize a strike. That Congress has to grow up and pay attention to something other than domestic politics. Then, no matter what happens, Congress can't bitch.

Or we can just ignore Webb for the pissant that he is.....

Notice that there are NO Republicans on this list, including RINO's. And no Senator Lieberman.
Oh, and no Dingy Harry Reid and no Obama. Didn't Obama object to even placing the Quds force on the terror list?

From Senator Webb's office:

Along with 29 co-signers, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia sent a letter to the White House today warning the President not to take offensive military action against Iran without the express consent of Congress. Designed to clarify any ambiguity as a result of a recent Senate amendment urging designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, the Senators also expressed concern that the administration's increasingly provocative rhetoric has undermined diplomatic efforts with Iran.

November 1, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

We are writing to express serious concerns with the provocative statements and actions stemming from your administration with respect to possible U.S. military action in Iran. These comments are counterproductive and undermine efforts to resolve tensions with Iran through diplomacy.

We wish to emphasize that no congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran. This includes the Senate vote on September 26, 2007 on an amendment to the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. This amendment, expressing the sense of the Senate on Iran, and the recent designation of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, should in no way be interpreted as a predicate for the use of military force in Iran.

We stand ready to work with your administration to address the challenges presented by Iran in a manner that safeguards our security interests and promotes a regional diplomatic solution, but we wish to emphasize that offensive military action should not be taken against Iran without the express consent of Congress.

Sincerely,

1. Webb
2. Akaka
3. Baucus
4. Boxer
5. Brown
6. Byrd
7. Cantwell
8. Carper
9. Casey
10. Clinton
11. Dodd
12. Dorgan
13. Durbin
14. Feinstein
15. Harkin
16. Johnson
17. Kerry
18. Klobuchar
19. Kohl
20. Leahy
21. McCaskill
22. Mikulski
23. Murray
24. Reed
25. Rockefeller
26. Sanders
27. Stabenow
28. Tester
29. Whitehouse
30. Wyden

THE Commander In Chief Delivers Five Star And Then Some Speech

This is why I luvya, W!

Excerpt of speech President George W. Bush delivered to the Heritage Foundation, November 1, 2007.
I ask Congress to send me a clean veterans funding bill by Veterans Day; and to pass a clean defense spending bill. Congress needs to put the needs of those who put on the uniform ahead of their desire to spend more money. When it comes to funding our troops, some in Washington should spend more time responding to the warnings of terrorists like Osama bin Laden and the requests of our commanders on the ground, and less time responding to the demands of MoveOn.org bloggers and Code Pink protesters. (Applause.)

Here's the bottom line: This is no time for Congress to weaken the Department of Justice by denying it a strong and effective leader. It's no time for Congress to weaken our ability to gather vital intelligence from captured terrorists. It's no time for Congress to weaken our ability to intercept information from terrorists about potential attacks on the United States of America. And this is no time for Congress to hold back vital funding for our troops as they fight al Qaeda terrorists and radicals in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In the struggle against the terrorists and extremists, I hope I made my strategy clear today -- that we will keep constant pressure on the enemy in order to defend the American people; we will fight them overseas so we do not have to fight them here at home. (Applause.) At the same time, we'll use every available tool of law and intelligence to protect the people here. That's our most solemn duty. It's a duty I think about every day. In the long run, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to advance freedom as the great alternative to radicalism and repression.

We can have confidence in this cause because we have seen the power of liberty to transform nations and secure peace before. Here at the Heritage Foundation, you understand this better than most. During the Cold War, there were loud voices in Washington who argued for accommodation of the Soviet Union -- because they believed the watchword of our policy should be "stability." At Heritage, you knew that when it came to the Soviet Union, the watchword of our policy should be "freedom."

Together with a great President named Ronald Reagan, you championed a policy of rolling back communism oppression and bringing freedom to nations enslaved by communist tyranny. And by taking the side of dissidents, who [sic] helped millions across the world throw off the shackles of communism, you helped build the free and peaceful societies that are the true sources of stability and peace in the world.

And now we're at the start of a new century, and the same debate is once again unfolding -- this time regarding my policy in the Middle East. Once again, voices in Washington are arguing that the watchword of the policy should be "stability." And once again they're wrong. In Kabul, in Baghdad, in Beirut, and other cities across the broader Middle East, brave men and women are risking their lives every day for the same freedoms we enjoy. And like the citizens of Prague and Warsaw and Budapest in the century gone by, they are looking to the United States to stand up for them, speak out for them, and champion their cause. And we are doing just that. (Applause.)

We are standing with those who yearn for the liberty -- who yearn for liberty in the Middle East, because we understand that the desire for freedom is universal, written by the Almighty into the hearts of every man, woman and child on this Earth. (Applause.)

We are standing with those who yearn for liberty in the Middle East, because we know that the terrorists fear freedom even more than they fear our firepower. They know that given a choice, no one will choose to live under their dark ideology of violence and death.

We're standing with those who yearn for liberty in the Middle East, because we know that when free societies take root in that part of the world, they will yield the peace we all desire. See, the only way the terrorists can recruit operatives and suicide bombers is by feeding on the hopelessness of societies mired in despair. And by bringing freedom to these societies, we replace hatred with hope, and this will help us to marginalize the extremists and eliminate the conditions that feed radicalism, and make the American people more secure.

The lessons of the past have taught us that liberty is transformative. And I believe 50 years from now an American President will be speaking to Heritage and say, thank God that generation that wrote the first chapter in the 21st century understood the power of freedom to bring the peace we want. (Applause.)

Thank you for coming. God bless. (Applause.)