A New Mesage From Fred Thompson

Our Cousins Know a Real Man When They See One

UK Telegraph names General David Petraeous Person of the Year

.....the reason for picking Petraeus is simple. Iraq, whatever the current crises in Afghanistan and Pakistan, remains the West's biggest foreign policy challenge of this decade, and if he can halt its slide into all-out anarchy, Gen Petraeus may save more than Iraqi lives.
A failed Iraq would not just be a second Vietnam, nor would it just be America's problem.
It would be a symbolic victory for al-Qaeda, a safe haven for jihadists to plot future September 11s and July 7s, and a battleground for a Shia-Sunni struggle that could draw in the entire Middle East. Our future peace and prosperity depend, in part, on fixing this mess. And, a year ago, few had much hope.

Senator Thompson sets the story straight

Two weeks ago, I wrote about how the idea that conservative voters were not backing FDT because "they were waiting to be excited by him" was so much crap. I found the reality repugnant that conservatives were buying into the media misrepresentations because he wasn't matching their idea of a campaign, even though those "conservatives" professed to want a conservative candidate. WELL, HERE YOU GO. IF YOU ARE A CONSERVATIVE VOTER THAT DOES NOT WANT A CANDIDATE THAT WANTS TO RUN EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE, THAT BELIEVES THAT PRESIDENTS ARE NOT THE ANSWER TO LIFE'S EVERY PROBLEM, HERE IS YOUR CANDIDATE. IF YOU ARE STILL WAITING TO GET EXCITED....GO SURF THE INTERNET. YOU'LL FIND SOMETHING.

Getting the Story Straight

By Fred Thompson

Every once in a while I am more thankful than ever for today’s technology which allows me to talk to you directly instead of having to go through the filter of the main stream media.

Some of them are intent on making the outcome of the campaign dependent upon their pre-conceived notions. Every once in a while their incomplete and slanted coverage makes this clear.

Today I had this story written about me regarding what I said at a Town Hall event in Burlington, Iowa by a reporter who wasn’t even at the event. Incidentally, I declined to be interviewed by this particular reporter yesterday for reasons which will soon be apparent.

In referring to me, she reported “he doesn’t like modern campaigning, isn’t interested in running for President, and will not be devastated” if he doesn’t win.

Below is a transcript of what I actually said in response to a question by a local Burlington resident which was the basis of the reporter’s story.

It is clear that there are those in the media who will exact a high price for candor and from those whom they consider to be insufficiently ambitious. But it is with increasing amazement that we see that those who are willing to slant or leave out important parts of a story to make their point.

If a candidate succumbs to this he will be reduced to nothing more than a sound bite machine.

As for me I am going to continue to say exactly what is in my heart and is on my mind and give straight and honest answers to those who ask straight and honest questions.

Incidentally, the audience in Burlington broke into applause in the middle of my answer. The reporter wouldn’t know that because she wasn’t even there.

Q: (Courtesy ABC News) My only problem with you and why I haven’t thrown all my support behind you is that I don’t know if you have the desire to be President. If I caucus for you next week, are you still going to be there two months from now?

That is a very good question, not because it’s difficult to answer, but I’m gonna answer it in a little different way than what you might expect.

In the first place, I got into the race about the time people normally get into get into it. The fact of the matter is people get into it a lot earlier than they used to. For some of them, they were juniors in high school.

The first place, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. I wouldn’t be doing this. I grew up in very modest circumstances. I left government and I and my family have made sacrifices to be sitting here today. I haven’t had any income for a long time because I figured to be clean, you’ve got to cut everything off. I was doing speaking engagements and I had a contract to do a tv show. I had a contract with abc radio…and so forth. A man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family which is not a joyful thing if he didn’’t want to do it.

I am not consumed by personal ambition. I will not be devastated if I don’t do it. I want the people to have the best president they can have.

When this talk first originated from people around the country both directly and through polls, liked the idea of me stepping up and of course, you always look better form a distance.

But most of those people are still there. I approached it from the standpoint of a deal. A kind of a marriage. If one side of a marriage really has to be talked into the marriage, it probably ain’t going to be a good deal. But if you mutually decide it’s going to be a good thing. In this case, if you think this is a good thing for the country, then we have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together.

I’m offering myself up. I’m saying that I have the background, the capability and concern to do this and do it for the right reasons. I’m not particularly interested in running for president, but I think I’d make a good president.

Nowadays, the process has become much more important than it used to be.

I don’t know that they ever asked George Washington a question like this. I don’t know that they ever asked Dwight D. Eisenhower a question like this. But nowadays, it’s all about fire in the belly. I’m not sure in the world we live in today it’s a good thing if a president has too much fire in the belly. I approach life differently than a lot of people. People, I guess, wonder how I’ve been as successful as I’ve been in everything that I’ve done. I won two races in TN by 20 point margins in a state that bill Clinton carried twice. I’ve never had an acting lesson. I guess that’s obvious by people who’ve watched me…

When I did it, I did it. Wasn’t just a lark. Anything that’s worth doing is worth doing well. But I’ve always been a little more laid back than most. I’m only consumed by very, very few things. Politics is not one of them. The welfare of our country and our kids and grandkids is one of them.

If people really want in their president super type-a personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night and been thinking about for years how they win the presidency of the united states, someone who can look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning, I ain’t that guy. So I hope I’ve discussed that and didn’t talk you out of anything. I honestly want – I can’t imagine a worse set of circumstances [than] achieving the Presidency of the United States under false pretenses. I go out of my way to be myself... (continues at update)

via REDSTATE

Update: more from this speech at NRO: (emphasis mine)

because I don't want anybody to think they're getting something they're not getting. I'm not consumed by this process, I'm not consumed with the notion of being president. I'm simply saying I'm willing to do what's necessary to achieve it if I'm in sync with the people. And if the people want me, or somebody like me, I will do what I've always done with everything else in my life. I will take it on and do a good job. You'll have the disadvantage of having someone who probably can't jump up and click their heels three times, but will tell you the truth. And you'll know where the president stands at all times."

FDT on National Security

Let the Shock and Awe Begin

Bush STILL Polling Better Than Democrat Congress

While his numbers are low for a sitting president, GWB's poll numbers are STILL higher than the democratically elected Dem congress who were going to clean things up and do the will of the people:

Via: Real Clear Politics

President Bush's Job Approval Rating:
Approve [35.4%]
Dis-approve [60.2%]

Congressional Job Approval Rating:
Approve [25.0%]
Dis-approve [63.5%]

Yet another reason not to vote for Carter, uh, Huckabee....

via The Gunthing forum:

LIBERALS SING ‘HUCKELUJAH’
by Ann Coulter
December 26, 2007

All I want for Christmas is for Christians to listen to what Mike Huckabee says, rather than what the media say about him. The mainstream media keep flogging Huckabee for being a Christian, apparently unaware that this “God” fellow is testing through the roof in focus groups.

Huckabee is a “compassionate conservative” only in the sense that calling him a conservative is being compassionate.

He responded to my column last week—pointing out that he is on record supporting the Supreme Court’s sodomy-is-a-constitutional-right decision—by saying that he was relying on the word of a caller to his radio show and didn’t know the details of the case. Ironically, that’s how most people feel about sodomy: They support it until they hear the details.

First, I’d pay a lot of money to hear how a court opinion finding that sodomy is a constitutional right could be made to sound reasonable. But the caller had the right response when Huckabee asked him, “What’s your favorite radio station?” So he seemed like a reliable source.

Second, Huckabee’s statement that he agreed with the court’s sodomy ruling was made one week after the decision. According to Nexis, in that one week, the sodomy decision had been the cover story on every newspaper in the country, including The New York Times. It was the talk of all the Sunday news programs. It had been denounced by every conservative and Christian group in America—as well as other random groups of sane individuals having no conservative inclinations whatsoever.

The highest court in the land had found sodomy was a constitutional right! That sort of thing tends to make news. (I was going to say the sodomy ruling got publicity up the wazoo, but this is, after all, Christmas week.)

So this little stretch-marked cornpone is either lying, has a closed head injury, is a complete ignoramus—or all of the above.

Huckabee opposes school choice, earning him the coveted endorsement of the National Education Association of New Hampshire, which is like the sheriff being endorsed by the local whorehouse.

He is, however, in favor of school choice for kids in Mexico: They have the choice of going to school there or here. Huckabee promoted giving in-state tuition in Arkansas to illegal immigrants from Mexico—but not to U.S. citizens from Ohio. “I don’t believe you punish the children,” he said, “for the crime and sins of the parents.”

Since when is not offering someone lavish taxpayer-funded benefits a form of punishment? That’s almost as crazy as a governor pardoning a known sex offender so he can go out and rape and kill.

Huckabee claims he’s against punishing children for the crimes of their fathers in the case of illegal immigrants. But in the case of slavery, he believes the children of the children’s children should be routinely punished for the crimes of their fathers.

Huckabee has said illegal immigration gives Americans a chance to make up for slavery. (I thought letting O.J. walk for murdering two people was payback for slavery.)

Just two years ago, Huckabee cheerfully announced to a meeting of the Hispanic advocacy group League of United Latin American Citizens that “Pretty soon, Southern white guys like me may be in the minority.” Who’s writing this guy’s speeches—Al Sharpton? (Actually, take out “Southern” and “white,” and I agree with Huckabee’s sentiment).

He said the transition from Arkansas’ Southern traditions would “require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border.” But, curiously, most of the efforts Huckabee described would come entirely from this side of the border. Arkansas, he pledged, would celebrate diversity “in culture, in language and in population.” He said America would have to “accommodate” those who come here.

All that he expected from those south of the border was that they have a desire to provide better opportunities for their families. Basically, we have to keep accommodating everyone but U.S. citizens.

For those of you keeping score at home, this puts Huckabee just a little to the left of Dennis Kucinich on illegal immigration and border control. The only difference is that Kucinich supports amnesty for aliens from south of the border and north of Saturn.

In a widely quoted remark, Huckabee denounced a Republican bill that would merely require proof of citizenship to vote and receive government benefits as “un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life,” according to the Arkansas News Bureau. Now, where have I heard this sort of thing before? Hmmm ... wait, now I remember: It was during the Democratic debates!

In his current attempt to pretend to be against illegal immigration, Huckabee makes a meaningless joke about how the federal government should track illegals the way Federal Express tracks packages. (Can a Mexican fit in one of those little envelopes?)

In other words, Huckabee is going to address the problem of illegal immigration by making jokes. It’s called leadership, folks.

Huckabee confirms for liberal TV hosts their image of conservatives as dorks by bragging about how cool he is because he “likes music.” What’s he doing—running for president or filling out his Facebook profile? Arkansas former fatty loves to make jokes and play the bass guitar. Remember what happened to the last former fatboy from Arkansas trying to be “cool” by liking music? I’ll take “Stained Dresses” for $400, Alex.

According to Huckabee, most people think conservatives don’t like music. Who on earth says conservatives don’t like music—other than liberals and Mike Huckabee? This desperate need to be liked by liberals has never led to anything but calamity.

Huckabee wants to get kids involved in music at an early age because he believes it leads to a more balanced and developed brain. You know, as we saw with the Jackson family. Maybe someone should tell him the Osmonds are voting for Romney.

He supports a nationwide smoking ban anyplace where people work, constitutional protection for sodomy, big government, higher taxes and government benefits for illegal aliens. According to my calculations, that puts him about three earmarks away from being Nancy Pelosi.

Liberals take a perverse pleasure in touting Huckabee because they know he will give them everything they want—big government and a Christian they can roll.

Ass Meet Hat

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) prepares for the leadership role of a lifetime; opening and closing a nine second session of the Senate of the United States of America in order to thwart the constitutional authority of the President to make appointments when Congress is in recess.

"Don King comb-out. Climb up on chair. Bang gavel...."

The historic moment nanosecond:

Climbing to the president's chair, Webb took the gavel and banged it.

"The Senate will come to order," he intoned, reading from a two-line script to a floor empty of other senators but witnessed from the gallery by one reporter and about a half dozen staffers. "Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until Friday, December 28th, 2007 at 10 a.m."

His work done, Webb left. The floor staff reported to those in the gallery overhead that the session had lasted nine seconds. [link]

For that flash in the pan, all he had to do was sell out a generation of American Warriors, court Hillary Clinton, and kiss John Kerry's butt. How sweet is that?

More background info:

President Bush has used recess appointments to seat blocked judicial nominees, ambassadors, and Federal commission members, angering Senate Democrats each time. After he appointed Judge William Pryor to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Ted Kennedy, sued, saying that the appointment was unconstitutional. Sen. Kennedy and others petitioned the court to enforce a narrow interpretation of the president's power to make appointments during Senate recesses, allowing them only during the annual recess at Christmas. The Eleventh Circuit court disagreed, ruling 8-2 that the president's action was Constitutional, settling on a broader interpretation of the power that grants the president the authority to make recess appointments at any time during the year. The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the case, letting the lower court's decision stand.

Since Democrats have taken control of Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has sought to make agreements with the White House over recess appointments. In April of this year, the first recess under a Democratic watch, President Bush made three appointments, including appointing a Swift Boat Veterans for Truth donor, Sam Fox, as Ambassador to Belgium. Determined not to let that happen again in August, Reid and the White House agreed that the Senate would move 42 stalled nominations and President Bush would make no recess appointments during the break. The deal held. Later in the year, a deal could not be reached, and so Reid held the Senate in pro-forma sessions over the Thanksgiving holiday, just as he is doing now. [Link]

Senate Meets Briefly to Block Bush
Webb Stands Guard in Empty Senate

America Stand Up for Your Troops

Post up at Vox. You know what to do.

You want to meet an impressive young man?
Justin at Right on the Right is one.

Tankerbabe has a story about another impressive young man, a member of Battle Company 2-503 Airborne Infantry.
You'll like it.

KeystoneSoldiers has a picture you should see. (These folks have been relentless in their support of the 173DABN and I can't thank them enough.)

FreedomsWatch is reporting that another Democrat has returned from Iraq with a different perspective:

U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., who has been a vocal critic of President Bush’s policy in the war in Iraq, on Monday visited troops in Iraq and said the situation appears to be improving.
“What is happening on the ground tactically is very good, and everyone is hopeful that it will continue, but no one is taking anything for granted and they don’t want to overstate things,” she said. “Our troops have done an incredibly good job,” she said. “The buds of a political solution are starting to form.”

I bring you tidings of great joy....

Merry Christmas!

And as Tiny Tim says, "God Bless Us, Every one."

A Christmas Message from B Company 2-503 173DABN

Please vist Tankerbabe's site and remember the fallen of Battle Company.

Jingle Bombs, Jingle Bombs....

Achmed sings!

T'was the night before Christmas......

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Boom. AH-64 Apache gets a suprise.

Being sure of your target and WHAT IS BEHIND your target applies to AH-64 Apache Gunships too.

(WARNING!) Highly appropriate rough language towards the end.....

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!

I wonder if they'll blame this on global warming?

Asteroid has a 1 in 75 chance of hitting Mars next month. COOL.

Instapundit is spreading the alarm.
Mars could be in for an asteroid hit. A newly discovered hunk of space rock has a 1 in 75 chance of slamming into the Red Planet on Jan. 30, scientists said Thursday. "These odds are extremely unusual. We frequently work with really long odds when we track ... threatening asteroids," said Steve Chesley, an astronomer with the Near Earth Object Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

This Arkansas Governor just like the other.....

First, you had the news that Huckabee was a fool, and possibly more. Allegations have been made that sound familiar: Pardons for Cash?

And bloggers most familiar with the Governor describe him in dangerous terms: From Opinion Journal via Freeman Hunt, an Arkansas blogger:

Betsy Hagan, Arkansas director of the conservative Eagle Forum and a key backer of his early runs for office, was once "his No. 1 fan." She was bitterly disappointed with his record. "He was pro-life and pro-gun, but otherwise a liberal," she says. "Just like Bill Clinton he will charm you, but don't be surprised if he takes a completely different turn in office."

Phyllis Schlafly, president of the national Eagle Forum, is even more blunt. "He destroyed the conservative movement in Arkansas, and left the Republican Party a shambles," she says.

So now, from another source, in IOWA, The Caucus Cooler, comes the information that they have actual documents describing possible conflicts of interest:
The Cooler has obtained documents that show Mike Huckabee received $378,000 in consulting fees during 2006, while he was still governor of Arkansas.



Didn't we already go down this path before with another Arkansas Governor?

Huckabee pwned

“Who is your favorite author?” Aleya Deatsch, 7, of West Des Moines asked Mr. Huckabee in one of those posing-like-a-shopping-mall-Santa moments.

Mr. Huckabee paused, then said his favorite author was Dr. Seuss.

In an interview afterward with the news media, Aleya said she was somewhat surprised. She thought the candidate would be reading at a higher level.

“My favorite author is C. S. Lewis,” she said.

h/t Ace

Hahahahaha!

College Republican Federation of Virginia Blog

There are some gems in the writing:

One of my personal favorite Democrats is none other than Harry Reid. Now, before I am lynched by my colleagues for treason, I must explain.

I like Harry Reid, simply because he makes we Republicans look like Hawkings-level geniuses, with Aah-Nold physiques. When comparing Harry Reid with your average Republican, we the people tend to laugh - because Reid can't seem to hold one position, ever.

Check them out.

h/t Shaun Kenney

Tonic Sol-fa - Joy To The World

Enjoy. Merry Christmas.

Christmas Holiday Message from Mr. Thompson

This is nice. No politics. Just what's important. Merry Christmas.

Its Called Christmas

SEIG HILL!

Need anything more be said?

OF COURSE THERE IS! LET THE CAPTIONS IN THE COMMENTS BEGIN!

Rules for Extracting Information

T. Bubba Bechtel, a part-time City Councilman from Midland , TX , was asked on a local live radio talk show the other day just what he thought of the allegations of torture of terrorists. His reply prompted his ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.
"If hooking up a terrorists' balls to a car's battery cables will save one MARINE life, then I have just two things to say":
"Red is positive"
"Black is negative"

The view of Congress from THIS vet..........

h/t The Liberal Lie, The Conservative Truth

Troops for Fred.

From a new favorite South Carolina blog, Marie's Two Cents:
(I don't think I need to add anymore. Go visit her.)
Here is a *snip* of a letter from one Soldier To Another:


Vets For Fred

Dear Fellow Veteran:

While most of us are stateside enjoying the comforts of home with family and friends during this holiday season, hundreds of thousands of brave men and women will remain abroad defending our freedom and that of others.

We are in the trenches stateside helping Fred Thompson run for President because he is the most experienced and consistent conservative leader of the major candidates. It is imperative to have a solid Commander-in-Chief to lead our nation during time of war, and Fred is that man.

Some of our troops in Iraq agree, and are showing their support for Fred there. You can see more on the Vets for Fred site.

Last month, Fred rolled out his plan to revitalize our military in a speech at the Citadel entitled: "Four Pillars of a Revitalized National Defense" which you can review by clicking here. His plan is being widely hailed as a substantive and sound policy proposal.

Fred's plan increases the defense budget to 4.5% of GDP and builds a "million member" ground force with and Army end strength of 775,000 organized into 64 brigade combat teams and increase active duty Marine Corps forces by 50,000 to 225,000. This will enable us to handle peacetime and wartime missions without wearing out our troops or increasing the vulnerability of the United States. As Fred stated, "Half-measures and small increases will no longer do."

Here is what a people have said about Fred's plan:

*Investor's Business Daily:

"Fred Thompson wants a million-man ground force and more modern equipment on the ground, in the air and on the water. The arsenal of democracy needs some retooling....Once again the U.S. military is depleted and exhausted...It may be time for another buildup like Reagan's that brought down the evil empire and gave us the means for victory in Desert Storm."

*The Weekly Standard:

"Fred Thompson staked out a Reaganesque position on defense spending and the need to increase the size of the military... Thompson is talking about a real build-up of the kind that this administration should have undertaken from the moment it entered office, but failed to do even after the attacks on 9/11."

*The National Review:

"While most candidates have called for increasing the size of the military, Thompson laid out a detailed plan to achieve that end...Thompson has set a standard of specificity, conservatism, and soundness that we would like to see the other Republican candidates measure up to."

Our troops, veterans and their families deserve a Commander in Chief who is ready on Day One, not someone who needs on-the-job training when it comes to foreign affairs and national security.

Fred Thompson will be ready to lead the minute he is sworn in, and that is why we are supporting him for President.

Sincerely yours,

James E. Livingston
Co-Chairman
Veterans for Fred
MAJGEN, USMC (Ret.)
Medal of Honor Recipient

Joe Repya
National Executive Director
Veterans for Fred
LTC, USA (Ret.)

Vets For Fred

Press Release

Thompsons Troops

Christmas Wishes From Home

Set those alarm clocks for 6:00 a.m. ( you heard me!) 6:00 a.m. this Saturday so you can call in and wish your loved one overseas all the joy and blessings of Christmas.

How can you wish our troops a Merry Christmas?

By telling them during a very special Patriot Radio segment with the Lee Brothers on Dec 22nd. Christmas Wishes from Home is your chance to send a special Christmas wish to friends or
family serving in harms way!
Simply call during the Patriot Radio segment on Dec 22nd
and your special wish will be posted on the WRVA website and www.theleebrothers.com for our troops to listen to at their convenience.

Christmas Wishes from Home - It is the
least we can do for the best of America! Patriot Radio with the Lee Brothers,
Saturday,
Dec 22nd 6-8 am.

If you can not call in, please send us an e-mail at patriots@theleebrothers.com with your Christmas wishes including the name of your friend or family, unit, and where they are serving and we will say it for you!

God Bless our troops and Merry Christmas from the Lee Brothers!
Scott and Richard Lee

Michael Yon reports: Gen'l McCaffrey's report

Michael Yon is doing great work. Check him out. If you have some spare change for Christmas, hit his support button.

Here is a report from Gen'l McCaffrey. He describes the difficulties ahead and possible solutions. They are difficult but they are ALL political decisions. Our country needs to support the mission. Our press and the "loyal" opposition needs to stop trying to surrender. The propaganda put out by the Senate and the press depress enlistments and provide aid and comfort to the enemy. While we may disagree on the way this campaign was entered and/or prosecuted, we are now in combat. There are two outcomes. Victory or Surrender. If we have to build our military and spend some money, so be it. Especially if Congress can bear to cut a few hundred million in pork. And I mean BOTH FREAKING PARTIES!

Tancredo drops out. Loses mind in process......

Rep. Tancredo finally accepted reality and dropped out of the race. I'm sorry to see him go, as he brought important issues to the forefront. But WTF? He endorsed ROMNEY? What was he thinking? I thought that Tancredo would endorse a fellow conservative. Politics makes strange bedfellows......

Hopefully this will turn into more support for Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson.

Veterans Outraged

“Sure there’s less violence, but that’s because we’ve ethnically cleansed most of Baghdad”
– Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA)

Video of Morons' comments here

From our friends at Vets for Freedom:

(Washington, DC) Vets for Freedom condemns the recent comments by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) on the floor of the House of Representatives in which he stated that American troops “ethnically cleansed Baghdad.” The United Nations, along with the rest of the civilized world, commonly refers to ethnic cleansing as genocide.

“Once again, Congressman Moran demonstrates how far from reality he has fallen,” said Executive Director of Vets for Freedom and Iraq Army veteran, Pete Hegseth. “Jim Moran has a long history of putting his foot in his mouth, but this time he has gone too far. The men and women who make up our nation’s military are decent and honorable citizens who bravely serve to fight our enemies who threaten our national security. Insinuating that they are war criminals is outright despicable.”

He continued, “I call on all Members of Congress to follow Vets for Freedom in our condemnation of these irresponsible accusations, as well as on the constituents of the 8th District of Virginia to stand up to such nonsense and support the men and women whose very sacrifice allows Moran to run his mouth.”

Vets for Freedom is a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand knowledge to issues of American military strategy. For more information, please visit http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/. For more information or to schedule interviews with Pete Hegseth or other Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, please contact Josh Grodin at (202) 841-1387 or Josh@VetsForFreedom.org.

To the Young Republicans

To any Young Republicans that are visiting. Thanks for welcoming me at your Christmas Party.

Hope you like what you see. Leave a few comments, especially if you disagree with something.

But, I'm still right. Just ask me.

Fred wants you to buy guns.

I don’t know if this is true. Probably isn’t. But this sounds like it could be Fred. Gotta love Scrappleface.

Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson today, upon hearing that rival Ron Paul’s supporters had raised $6 million in 24 hours to commemorate the Boston Tea Party, called on his supporters to match that figure in gun purchases before Christmas to mark George Washington’s victory at the Battle of Trenton.

“I’m tired of running around the country raising money that I just have to hand over to the same mainstream media companies that ignore my campaign,” said the former senator from Tennessee. “We’ve done enough this year to support the so-called free press of the first amendment. Let’s give a boost to our friends who make it possible for us to exercise our second amendment right to keep and bear arms.”

Fellow Republican

A USMC sniper was real good at his job, and he had a method. He would yell out some insult at the enemy and when someone stood up to reply, BANG - one less insurgent!

After every mission the company commander would ask "How many insurgents have you shot today?"

However, on this particular day when asked about the number killed, he reported "Five killed and I let one go, sir."

"Let one go?" roared the company commander. "What do you mean, you let one go?"

"Well, sir, I yelled out 'Osama is a Homo!' Then this big insurgent stood up and yelled 'Hillary is a Bitch!'

I just couldn't shoot a fellow Republican!

Gun Free Zone Liability Act

I've seen this talked about on the web lately. It has even been put forth as bills in a few places. I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, so I will leave the details to experts.

The Gun Free Zone Liability Act: If you create a "gun free" zone, you are liable for the safety of the visitors.

That said, we can reverse it.

The CCW Protection Area: Business owners are not liable for damages caused by any CCW while using a weapon to protect himself or others.

Any ideas? Suggestions are welcome.

Fred Thompson: Kill, Protect, Punch

Kill the terrorists. Protect the borders. Punch the hippies.

Any blogger supporting Fred HAS to put this video on.

via RightWingNews and IMAO.

Just Sayin'......Fred Facts

Chuck Norris wears Fred Thompson pajamas.......

Fred Thompson not only doesn't add cream or sugar to his coffee, he doesn't add water.
Fred Thompson kills at least one terrorist every day after his first cup of coffee. You don't want to be the terrorist he kills before he gets his first cup of coffee.
Fred Thompson's preferred way to kill a bill in the Senate is the shotgun.

See more fun Fred Facts at IMAO.

We, the Militia........

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The above amendment states, in MY opinion, that the citizens of the United States have the right to bear arms. The purpose of the right is to provide for the security of their freedom. And since unorganized mobs tend to lose battles to organized forces, the citizens should form well trained militias. In fact, we HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY to form militias to secure our freedoms and those of our fellow citizens. With all rights come responsibilities. Since part of the the freedom that we enjoy includes the right of being safe in our homes and in our daily lives, carrying weapons for self defense is included.

The militia was always a volunteer force, expected to provide their own weapons, subject to being placed under government control voluntarily, subject to the ability to leave government service under certain conditions. While not as well supplied or trained as regular forces (hence the name "regular"), the LOCAL militia was still armed with the latest weapons affordable, including CREW SERVED WEAPONS. While, admittedly, such cannon were kept in central armories, they were kept there for efficiency, because there were no regulations or laws restricting ownership of cannon.

All this being said, the blogger at Ricketyclick has an interesting idea:

How about this: the people’s right to keep and bear arms includes their right to join a (loosely) organized militia. However, while owning a firearm would be a prerequisite to joining the militia, militia service would not be a prerequisite for owning a firearm. (Disabled folk especially must be allowed to arm themselves for self-defense.)

The vision that I have is high schools offering a voluntary Militia class, along the same lines as Drivers’ Education. This would include:

• A review of BOR law.
• Instruction on how to comport yourself during a police stop. (”Keep your mouth shut and don’t consent to any search.”)
• Instruction on how to comport yourself as a juror or a witness.
• Expanded Citizens’ Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, including firefighting, search and rescue, and first aid through CPR. Extra credit for obtaining a ham license.
• And the capstone: Firearms training with rifle and pistol, including self defense law, practical shooting exercises, and paintball battles.

All to be taught, per Heinlein, by combat vets.

While this is just a rough idea, the basic premise is sound. Concealed carry is already common. Most CCW's accept the responsibility of bearing arms in the defense of themselves AND OTHERS. Crime prevention can only be accomplished the citizenry. The police catch criminals after the crime is committed. Civil defense training would only improve the emergency response capabilities of communities.

Also, many citizens have seen the continued growth of government into our personal lives. I don't believe that the militia would be necessary to "fight" the government in any foreseeable future. But, I see that the existence of the militia would bring to the forefront of the citizenry the idea that the government is supposed to be limited and work FOR us. Decisions such as the Kelo decision or the seizure of Elian Gonzales, or other such over reaching would become rare. The militia's purpose is to provide security to the population and to protect the freedoms of the population.

If the local populace does not need to rely on a central government for safety or disaster relief; if such needs could be decentralized, the citizenry would be empowered.

Remember, we are a FREE people. Let us educate our children to be Free and independent.

Fred does not pander

The good fellows over at Society for Independent Thinking put out a good description of Fred Thompson and why he's not getting any press:

And, of course, there’s the AP dog-and-pony show, wherein they ask the candidates stupid yearbook questions, instead of dealing with substance. Thompson’s responses, while certainly not pleasing to the AP (that is, they wouldn’t have been had the AP gotten the joke) were sure-fire crowd-pleasers to those of us who understood where Thompson was coming from:
What’s your favorite joke? Presidential debates.
What’s your favorite keepsake? Trophy wife.
What’s your favorite nickname? Mr. President.
And, of course, there’s my new favorite poke in the eye: What do you like to do on a ‘lazy day’? Campaigning.

Huckabee is a fool.

UPDATE: From Riehl World View: Pardons for Cash? Sounds familiar.......

And from Opinion Journal via Freeman Hunt, an Arkansas blogger:

Betsy Hagan, Arkansas director of the conservative Eagle Forum and a key backer of his early runs for office, was once "his No. 1 fan." She was bitterly disappointed with his record. "He was pro-life and pro-gun, but otherwise a liberal," she says. "Just like Bill Clinton he will charm you, but don't be surprised if he takes a completely different turn in office."

Phyllis Schlafly, president of the national Eagle Forum, is even more blunt. "He destroyed the conservative movement in Arkansas, and left the Republican Party a shambles," she says. "Yet some of the same evangelicals who sold us on George W. Bush as a 'compassionate conservative' are now trying to sell us on Mike Huckabee.

Paul Pressler, a former Texas judge who led the conservative Southern Baptist revolt, told me, "I know of no conservative he appointed while he headed the Arkansas Baptist Convention."

I've said it before: Huckabee is a GOP Jimmy Carter. He may be religious, but he does not seem to have the courage of his convictions. He wants to be "nice" and "liked" by all the right people.

Huckabee sees WH 'Bunker Mentality'
By LIBBY QUAID

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Mike Huckabee, who has joked about his lack of foreign policy experience, is criticizing the Bush administration's efforts, denouncing a go-it-alone "arrogant bunker mentality" and questioning decisions on Iraq.
"American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out," Huckabee said. "The Bush administration's arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad. My administration will recognize that the United States' main fight today does not pit us against the world but pits the world against the terrorists."

Is it an arrogant bunker mentality when the US seems to be the main target of AL Quaida? Is it an arrogant bunker mentality when the US is sometimes the ONLY country that stands up for principle? Is it an arrogant bunker mentality that has US troop assisting Muslim countries during disasters?
Go-it-alone? WTF? He sounds like Hillary Clinton! We seem to be alone because our military outclasses all of our allies. But they are still there! Go-it-alone is always about Iraq. Well, Canada and Britain are finding out just how alone we are in the world. Other than the above two, NATO is NOT pulling its weight in Afghanistan. Change OUR tone and reach out? Last I looked, Germany and France have elected PRO American leaders. North Korea is giving up its nukes. Libya did that years ago. If the NIE is to be believed, (yeah, right) our invasion of Iraq halted the Iranian nuke program.
And that quote! "Pits the world against the terrorists!" If the world is not against the terrorists now, why would they join in later, with him as President? How is that different than "if you're not with us, you're for terrorism" since WE are most definitely against terrorism. However, he will need to convince countries that have a vested interest in supporting terrorism against the US to join with us. Last I looked, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and China like the status quo.
He's stating that our present course is the US against the world. Way to go is providing propaganda to the enemy, Mr. MoveOn......

On Iran, for example, he makes a case for diplomacy by saying, "Before we put boots on the ground elsewhere, we had better have wingtips there first."

He adds that the U.S. can exploit the Iranian government's hunger for regional clout, saying, "We cannot live with al-Qaida, but we might be able to live with a contained Iran."

And just how is his "wing tip shoes" going to stop Iran from being a nuclear armed belligerent state? What can he offer or threaten that does not include military threats? Is this the same "vigorous diplomacy" offered by Clinton? Someone should ask Huckabee how his ideas differ.

Last week, Huckabee missed a report the White House released saying Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program; one day later, the candidate said he was unaware of the report and had been campaigning too hard to read the newspaper or be briefed. The Foreign Affairs article seems to have been written before the report was released, citing "urgent concerns about Iran's development of nuclear weapons."

If Huckabee has not been briefed, how can he offer an informed opinion on Iran? Is he just mouthing platitudes, hoping to appear different from the supposed war-mongers in office?

In his article, Huckabee also thumped Bush for failing to pursue al-Qaida in Pakistan, noting recent terrorism plans, since thwarted, that were planned there: "Whereas our failure to tackle Iran seems to be leading inexorably to our attacking it, our failure to tackle al-Qaida in Pakistan seems to be leading inexorably to its attacking us again."

So, this SOUNDS like it makes sense, but, now he sounds like OBAMA! Doesn't he have an original idea at all? Is he advocating an attack on an, admittedly weak, allied country? He appears to want to send troops into Pakistan. What is HIS strategy for attacking Al Queda? Does he want to use Special Forces or an Armored Division? And since he does not seem to be well briefed, how does he know if we are NOT sending special forces into Pakistan, seeing as how that would be a very discreet activity.
And what does he mean by that quip on Iran? If his logic is played out, he's saying that our failure to attack Iran and letting them build up is leading to an inexorable attack by us to stop them.

Mike Huckabee want to be President. His recent rise in the polls seem to have gone to his head., for which I'm really glad. The increased exposure has shown us his flaws. And they are serious. For those of us that remember, he most reminds me of Jimmy Carter. Do we need another Jimmy?

Citizens Arrest......

Of course, as anyone knows, being threatened with Gang Violence should be responded to by retreating and abject apologies.

Only complete and total savages would don a full-face helmet, fire up a Husqvarna hydraulic saw and commence to convertible-ize the Subaru -- free of charge. An act which was apparently met with lusty cheers and shouted recommendations -- some of which were Not Politically Correct -- from the rest of the cafe patrons.

*scratch, scratch*

Ripping both doors off -- by hand -- was a nice touch, I think.

Anyhoo, responding officers report that Joe was found sitting very still in the drivers seat, and detectives announced that they cleared seven burglary cases before they could get him to stop confessing.


Gotta love it. Check out LawDog for the rest of the story.....

What to get a liberal for Christmas?

Merry Christmas, Liberals!

"I'm waiting for Thompson to get me excited...." BULLS#&T!

I am so sick and tired of supposedly conservative voters saying in some form or another: " I want to vote for Thompson, but, I'm waiting for HIM to get me excited....He just hasn't excited me.....I'm waiting for him to get exciting...."

What the hell is this? A freaking porno? This is the PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION!

IF YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT THE ISSUES WITH EACH CANDIDATE BY NOW, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

Its not a candidates job to "excite" you. His job is to present his response to the issues of the day. Its your job to make a LOGICAL, NON-EMOTIONAL choice, to the best of your ability. Pick a candidate for his character, his skill in diplomacy, his knowledge of the issues that are important to you, etc....But don't wait FOR THE CANDIDATE to excite you. If you wait that long, the democrats will win. THEY PICK THEIR CANDIDATES BY EMOTIONAL APPEAL. Do you want to be like a democrat? I like Fred Thompson. I like Duncan Hunter. Between the two, I like Fred's presentation of the issues and his responses to the campaign situations the best. If you do not support the candidate that you like best, but pick the most "electable" because they seem to be more exciting or have more momentum, well, GIVE YOUR CANDIDATE MOMENTUM! SUPPORT HIM! But stop with all this crap about excitability being your criteria. It makes you look stupid.

Or worse, like a democrat.

Fred Thompson's campaign apologizes......

Since many of the Presidential candidates are offering apologies, the Thompson campaign decided that it was time for them to also offer theirs.

Sign of the times.....

From Oleg Volk
Does anything more need to be said?
Update: Actually, something does need to be said. via MunchkinWrangler


The number of casualties at the site of an attempted mass shooting is usually determined by whether the gun used to stop the killer is already at the site, or whether it must be carried there in the holster of a police officer.


BTW, 1200th post!
No, not me, the blog....

Get your Carbon Offset here....Get your Carbon Offsets .....

Wanna be Green for the REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Get your own Carbon Offsets.

These are just as valuable as the ones you can buy from Al Gore.

Rally For Our Troops Thursday in Richmond - Be There!

Young Marines, Sacramento, CA Rally
photo by Move America Forward

Join Move America Forward and our fellow pro-troop supporters with Freedom's Watch, Gathering of Eagles, and Eagles Up for the “Honoring Heroes at the Holidays Tour” this November 26th - December 16th as we cross this nation holding pro-troop events in 40 cities across America to honor and salute the men and women of the U.S. military who will be thousands of miles away from their homes and families during this holiday season. (Help us pay for the cost of this effort by making a donation - HERE).

RICHMOND, VA. Pro-Troop Rally
Thursday, December 13th, 2007
1:30 PM
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.

Semper Fi, Semper Gratus, Peter Pace

I'm taking the "Draft Peter Pace" banner down tonight.

Gen. Pace, if you ever read this, please know how proud I am of you. And how very grateful that my son served under men such as you as a United States Marine.

God bless and keep you safe always,
Ted's Mom

The Democrat candidates can go Elf themselves....

The Dem Candidates at their best. Heh, indeed.
via Instapundit

How Have House Democrats Performed Their First Year?

Except for the "No action on the mortgage crisis" this is great!

The government has no business in fixing the "mortgage crisis."

Buying a house is not like buying a pack of gum. You sign that mortgage, its YOUR problem.

If you can't pay it, sell.

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Sleep well my brothers.
We have the watch.

Happy Hannukah

Mrs. Cargosquid reminded me:

HAPPY HANNUKAH!

Merry Christmas

*Twas the month before Christmas, when all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying, nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

*December 25th is just a "Holiday".*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd!*

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS!, not Happy Holiday!*

I did not write this, and I'm sorry but I forget where I found it.

Charlie Rose interviews Fred Thompson

If you have the time, here is the Fred Thompson interview.

He had me on "principles."

How Far The Mighty Have Fallen

Sen. Jim Webb in February of 2001:

Check the casualty lists in any war. See who stands tall and salutes when the flag passes by. Note who wasn't sleeping in Lincoln's bedroom when Bill Clinton occupied the White House.

Instead, Bill and Hillary's misadventures provide an echo of a different time and place, another set of values. Of bright students brought to good schools and becoming convinced, as Ben Stein wrote of his years at Yale Law School with the Clintons, "that we were supermen, floating above history and precedent, the natural rulers of the universe. . . . The law did not apply to us."

Sen. Jim Webb in December of 2007:

Meet The Press Transcript
MR. RUSSERT: You were very critical of Bill Clinton, talked about his ethical fraudulence, he—that he left with arrogance. Are you more receptive to Hillary Clinton?

SEN. WEBB: Hillary Clinton has been, been very good to work with. She’s been very impressive. I, I sit on the Armed Services Committee with her. She has taken some positions and I’ve aligned myself with her on, on a number of positions over the past year.

MR. RUSSERT: She make a good president?

SEN. WEBB: I think Hillary Clinton would be a good president.

MR. RUSSERT: How about Barack Obama?

SEN. WEBB: I think Barack Obama would be a good president. Barack Obama is a, is a very bright individual, and he—he’s got a lot of good ideas. He’s very charismatic, and I—I’ve enjoyed working with both of them.

MR. RUSSERT: Protecting your options there, huh?

SEN. WEBB: Well, I just happen to—I happen to have respect for both of them.