Dagney's Rant

Some Perspective

After a day of relative quiet in Iraq yesterday, we're still hearing about the 16 lost military lives in a helicopter shot down in Afghanistan. The media just does not know what to do with themselves if they don't have deaths in Iraq to screech about. Meanwhile, much to the dismay of the left, a widow of a soldier lost in Iraq beseeches the President,

"I said: 'I know people are pushing you, but please don't pull the guys out of Iraq too soon,' " said Crystal Owen, whose husband, Staff Sgt. Mike Owen, was killed in Iraq last year.

"Don't let my husband -- and 1,700-plus other deaths -- be in vain," she added during a private meeting with Mr. Bush at the North Carolina base. "They were over there, fighting for a democratic nation, and I hope you'll keep our service members over there until the mission can be accomplished."

Seventeen hundred + American dead in Iraq, not to mention the countless Iraqis who have fallen, both innocent and not innocent. The price of war is never pleasant, however necessary. So what I would like to do is present some perspective,

"Crime in the United States accounts for more death, injuries and loss of property then all Natural Disasters combined. The Disaster Center is pleased to be able to provide you with access to the statistics of crime compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

The crime statistics illustrate that America is more dangerous per capita than Iraq! How about a really big killer of Americans? Like sports?

"Overall, "more than 6,000 deaths each year are associated with sports and recreation, not including the many thousands that occur in connection with recreational use of motor vehicles in traffic,"

We've lost 1700 + brave Americans in just over two years to terrorists who would be trying to walk over the border into America if they weren't otherwise engaged. As we all know, that's not too difficult. Come on people! Feint of heart types never won any contest, and this contest is for the survival of civilization. The enemy would drag us back to the middle ages! This is a war we cannot afford to lose!

// posted by DagneyT @ 1:40 PM

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Misplaced Concerns...UPDATED

In wandering around the internet gathering the news of the day, I am surprised to see that the most blogged & reported news stories concern missing teen in Aruba, polls showing a downturn of public support for Iraq, or the Supreme Court's final decisions on the 10 Commandments. Yet very little outrage & uproar is showing up on the Court's decision that essentially said that your house is no longer your house. It now belongs to the government. Yet when I go to the Supreme Court's own site, I do not see an opinion beyond 2004. My calendar says we are mid-way through 2005, with life changing decisions that have been made by this oligarcical body, yet no reports available about it. In fact, no search I did with just "Supreme Court" came up with a news story about this decision. The recent decision by the court to allow a township to force homeowners from their homes so that a developer can build a business which will net the township more tax revenues seems to be going unnoticed.

Now let me get this straight; some local politician lining his pockets with campaign donations from wealthy developers decides my house would be a great location for his pals newest development idea. According to the Supreme Court, that's just fine and dandy. Yet no one seems to be too upset...folks, it's not just my house in jeopardy. It's your house too! American Thinker has put some thought into what has befallen our country.

"For most people, after paying a mortgage for 20 or 30 years, the thought of actually owning their home is exciting because it provides a feeling of security. They realize that they had been paying all those years for a piece of property that was owned by the bank, but at least they knew the bill would one day be paid. "

Thanks to the Supreme Court, that can no longer be the case.

There is a move under way in Texas to insure this cannot happen here. However, Texans decided at the ballot box that underage murderers should be treated like any other murderer, and could indeed be put to death. Yet the Supreme Court took our voters' rights away on that decision, so what is to stop them from declaring our law to protect ownership of private property "unconstitutional"? The Court has stripped us of voters rights, state rights, and now ownership rights. We have become an oligarchy for a court whose majority seems to never have read the Constitution [see if you can find the phrase "separation of church and state"] our forefathers so diligently crafted, fought for and died to provide America an abiding democratic representative Republic. They stopped teaching the Constitution in public schools, and now we are paying for the consequences of ignorance: A population that is not concerned about what the Supreme Court is doing to our country. As Iraqi people are meeting [hat tip: Iraq The Model...scroll down, Omar's fix only worked on the main page] all over their country crafting a constitution, we should tell them "Don't bother. You can have ours. We aren't using it."

UPDATE: As usual, I've underestimated my fellow Americans! A Rally in New London? WOW! I love being wrong when it comes to this!

"FORT (For Our Rights Today) is holding a RALLY on Tuesday, July 5 at 6PM on the steps of City Hall on State Street in New London. There is a Parking Garage on the corner behind City Hall. Scott Bullock, the lead attorney from the Institute of Justice who argued the Kelo v New London case in front of the Supreme Court will be present. We are hoping to have a few other interesting speakers. Please do everything you can to be there. A strong showing is important not only for the Fort Trumbull residents but people across the nation. If you would like more information, please contact Susette Kelo at 860-447-0466 or Kathleen Mitchell at 860-701-0023 or the email address above."

And then, there is THIS! The idea of a Hotel Lost Liberty being built on Judge Souter's confiscated land is actually possible! The good people of Weare, New Hampshire, a notoriously freedom loving state, could actually make it happen. This is an entirely serious movement! The idea of using the Supreme Court's bitter medicine on them & their possessions is an absolutely delicious plan!

"The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."

Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans.

"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development."

The part of their proposal that I especially love is to give each and every guest a copy of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". I'm sure she is smiling down from the heaven she didn't believe in while still on earth. God has saved a special spot for her I'm sure, whether she liked the idea or not!

// posted by DagneyT @ 10:45 AM

Sunday, June 26, 2005

This Is Too Funny!

Listening to Drudge on the radio tonight, I heard him talk to reporter Funt (?)...developing...reports he was in the audience of the Discovery Channel's Greatest American program, hosted by Matt Laurer (sp?...dunno...don't watch he and the Perky Katie's morning show). Apparently, the number one vote getter was....are you ready for this? RONALD REAGAN! With 25% of the vote! Poor Matt was reportedly a bit ashen in his reporting of this disturbing outcome. Abraham Lincoln was number TWO (HELLLOOOOOO...both Republicans!), and even more to his utter dismay...TAAA DAAAAH....George W. Bush came in 6th, beating out Clinton's 7th place vote getting.

I'm going to bed a very happy camper! ROFLMAO

// posted by DagneyT @ 8:42 PM

Must Reads On Iraq

As Ted "The Walrus" Kennedy screeches "quagmire", to be echoed by every American Military hating Democrat, I temper the screeches by receiving updates from the internet. I cannot even watch Fox News anymore, so seldom do they cover anything but the death of someone in Iraq, while never showing any of the 95% of daily life there! I know, "if it bleeds, it leads", but that does not relieve them of the responsibility to our military by showing their accomplishments! I get my news from the likes of Michael Yon, who has boots on the ground and covers ALL of Iraqi news, warts and all. I added my e-mail address to his list, and he alerts me when he has a new post. The latest is about Iraq's beating heart, and our multi-national forces arrayed to protect it. What a writing talent this guy is, not to mention his extremely newsy posts:

"The insurgents here are not trying to topple an established and oppressive government. The converse, actually--they are trying to prevent a new democratic government from gaining a foothold in the sand. The zealots employ proven methods of past insurgencies by engaging in operations that destroy the economic infrastructure and destabilize and discredit the government, thereby undermining its ability to govern. While the insurgents have seriously hindered the process of reconstituting Iraq, the new government is getting stronger by the day, making insurgency a game of diminishing prospects. The insurgency does not appear to be weakening, but the government is definitely getting stronger."

Yet as strides are made in Iraq, does the media notice? Sure, but they mask it by calling it something other than what it is, as Omar points out in this post. [I had to scroll way down the page to get to it.]

"By the end of the battle, at least 10 terrorists were found killed and some 40 were arrested. What a victorious battle those terrorists planned for!

Finally and actually most important is that during the battle, people from the mixed Sunni and She'at neighborhood called 55 times and provided tips to the IP about the movements of the terrorists.Yes, 55 phone calls in less than 2 hours and if this doesn't show the real attitude of Iraqi citizens towards terrorists then I don't know what can! But still, the Guardian wants us to believe that the insurgents are winning. How disgusting!"

Why does the media keep complaining about losing market share? Why not get the job done, so the rest of us don't have to do it for you, MSM?

// posted by DagneyT @ 5:24 AM

Saturday, June 25, 2005

And On That Note.....

I have been gone a few days...if you hadn't noticed...but while I was gone I learned a new word. My daddy used to say, "A day without learning is a wasted day", so today was not wasted. The new word is Ethnomath. What was the first thought that came to my mind when I heard that word? "You mean, like ethnicity?" Sure enough, that is what it means.

I read a column by one of my favorite people this morning in the Corpus Christi paper (I admit it, I was at the beach on Port A). Charles Krauthammer is someone I NEVER argue with, but in this case, I may have to do so. The column is called "A Party Without Ideas". He makes the point brilliantly, except in the case that they have no new ideas. Apparently ethnomath is a first for their idea market. Dr. Krauthammer said,

"Mathematics does not change, but calculations of political expediency do."

Doggone! He's correct again! I forgot about that little item "political expediency".

What, you may ask is "ethnomath"?

"Introduction to the history and concept of ethnomathematics
· Mathematics in India: sand drawings, Pythagorean theorem, concept of zero
· Mathematics of the Inca: Quipu, patterns on pottery
· Mathematics of Japan: origami, abacus
· Mathematics of Maya: base 20 number system, Mayan calendar
· Mathematics of China: magic squares, Chinese remainder theorem
· Mathematics of Africa: fractals, Egyptian mathematics
· Mathematics of African Americans: need more research here
· Mathematics of Women: need more research here "

Things that make me go hmmmmmmmmmmmm? "Mathematics of Women: need more research here". Is that something like "What do you mean my account is overdrawn? I still have checks!" No, couldn't be that! The feminists wouldn't stand for it, right? Funny though, I didn't hear them raise 10 kinds of hell over the trashing of Dr. Rice during her confirmation hearings. Did you?

// posted by DagneyT @ 2:03 PM

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Homespun Bloggers Symposium XXV

I saw this question, and my brain started immediately formulating responses and I started foaming at the mouth over the frustration I have over this topic: "With all things being equal, are schools today producing better, worse, or graduates of about the same quality as they did the day you graduated high school?"

First of all, "all things being equal" would suggest that they spent the same amount of money when I was in school, as they do today. Since they spend roughly twice as much today, if they'd spent that much money back then, I 'd have come out of the 12th grade with a Doctorate in English, and a Masters in History! I am still trying to figure out how we can throw that much at schools, and still be unable to turn out kids who can read? Oh, wait. I know. Could it be administrators and NEA union leaders making six figures, while teachers strive for tenure instead of teaching?

Using classmates.com as a current benchmark, all I have to do is go to the message boards for my school, and read comments from graduates from the 80's, 90's and since 2000 to make my point. Where I learned to spell "you are", they now use U R! Tenses, spelling, usage, and any other standard of English usage are abysmally missing!

I can still tell you who was in JFK's cabinet. I had to know it; if I didn't pass the tests in the 8th grade, I wasn't allowed to continue on to coveted high school status! If you were to ask a recent graduate, or a student in the 9th grade today, who is in President Bush's cabinet, how many of them would ask you "What's a cabinet? Like where we keep the dishes?" Because my school was having so few grads able to pass "bonehead English", a special class with partnered teachers was created to teach "college prep" students. Of my class, I only know of one student who still didn't pass bonehead. I won't go into which airhead it was, however.

When I went to school, we learned that we didn't always win, so we tried harder when we lost. Today they don't even allow kids to keep score. Sorry folks, life isn't like that! You don't protect their feelings, you teach them skills to EARN self-esteem. I have ranted about this before; you don't teach self-esteem. You teach skills. We all have to earn self-esteem on our own! Today's kids are going off into a world thinking everyone will be nice to them, not upset them, and will be totally unarmed for life! They learn instead, how terrible the mean men who run corporations, and how terrible America is causing the ozone to collapse, or other such nonsense unsubstantiated by real science. Then you send them to college, and they are fodder for left wing nonsense spewed out by the likes of Ward Churchill!

Today's schools are doing a disservice to our children. I am so pleased to see the trend move toward home schooling. The left hates home-schoolers, because they lose control of the minds of the kids! Why do you think Shrillary pushes "children's rights"? She does it so that someday the left can take your kids away from you for home-schooling! Mark my words, I am convinced that is her purpose!

Today's home-schoolers will pull our country out of what she would make of it, as they will be the leaders of tomorrow! Unless you live in an area where the schools have some standards, or give your children extracirricular training such as Karate, or dance, or some such discipline where they will learn to strive to be better, your kids will lose in the lottery that is life.

// posted by DagneyT @ 5:40 AM

Monday, June 20, 2005

Iraq Will NOT Become Viet Nam!

We all know what the media and the left want, don't we? They want to have the same "success" with Iraq that they had with Viet Nam. Sorry folks, no amount of your phonied targeted "polls" is going to convince me that Americans are going to fall for that again! The internet will prevent it! Lance in Iraq gives some reasons. Lance even documents his narrative with pictures!

"We were going on another dull mission, and I wasn’t really looking forward to it. I should want all our missions to be dull, recognizing the safety that dullness provides. I bet my wife would like all of our missions to be dull. I don’t want to get shot at every day or have someone try to blow us up, but I wouldn’t mind something to make the day a little more eventful. You prepare yourself mentally for that, but it was unlikely anything would happen on this day. I should be happy about that. It’s a sign of progress, a good thing."

Anyone who has been reading my rants for any length of time knows that I am determined to do what I can do to prevent today's military personnel from having any experience like so many of my friends who went to Viet Nam. They came home to scorn, venom, and attacks of every sort! As I scan the many military blogs of today, I am blown away by the bald faced honesty, the insight, the wisdom, and the articulate and talented writing that goes into these diaries! Each milblog has links to other milblogs I do not have in my favorites. I am overwhelmed with their willingness to share their thoughts and feelings. What a great outlet it must be for them. What a gift they are giving their families and friends at home!

Another phenomenon in the blogosphere are the wives [sorry, haven't seen any male spouses who blog, if you know any please share their html] who are also joining in with their own contributions. I had occasion to e-mail one of them,

"I know a good bunch of guys over there but they're pretty spoiled already. they dont want for stuff for long, as once they mention anything about 15 people jump to it and its on the way before they can finish the sentance. (new wives HA!)"

So when I say "Iraq Will NOT Become Viet Nam!" I am confident that it's true! Go find your own reasons for agreeing with me! They're out there! Now how do I convince the morons on the left?

On the third try, I have given up! Blogger is having its way with me today! Someday when my ire has cooled, I will discuss why this has been the technical Monday from HELL! This just proves it!

// posted by DagneyT @ 2:56 PM

Separated By A Common Language

Yes, it's true. British English vs. American English has raised its linguistic head, in the "person" of the Downing Street Memos. Thanks to these memos, John sKerry is rubbing his boney hands together, salivating, and suggesting they are proof-positive of Bush's perfidy, and is therefore grounds for his impeachment. [yawn] Right, Flipper, sure...I thought you were such a cosmopolitan guy! I remember hearing the phony baloney affected accent you thought was so cool in the 60's and 70's, like when you were in front of the Senate committee talking trash and telling lies about your comrades in the military. So why is it, sKerry, that you are so misguided on the following:

"There was a perceptible shift in attitude. Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. "

Justice is the root word of "justified". In the government of the U.S., a department is asked to "justify" their budget, and generally inflate the numbers in order to do so. A politician is asked to "justify" their behavior [in UK, that is spelled "behaviour"] and in your case it is generally a fabrication, so I can understand how you might misconstrue the meaning. Its meaning in this context means the facts justify the action.

The phrase "fixed around the policy" is also probably a bit difficult for you to "get". To you, "fixing" something, means tampering with voting results, like digging up dead folks to vote for you, or giving a crack addict drugs to fill out voter forms. However, in this context it means "set in concrete" or "set in stone". They use the word differently in jolly London Town, John.

Still you insist that it proves that President Bush and PM Tony Blair lied about WMD. Considering the grades you got at Yale, you probably did not bother to read the memo further, Mr. sKerry!

"For instance, what were the consequences, if Saddam used WMD on day one, or if Baghdad did not collapse and urban warfighting began? You said that Saddam could also use his WMD on Kuwait. Or on Israel, added the Defence Secretary."

Notice how they spell "Defence"? We spell it "Defense", but it is still pretty understandable, despite the differences! Try reading the whole memo, Senator Kerry!

UPDATE: Apparently sKerry dropped this idea like a hot potato when the memo itself was questioned about being authentic. The "reporter" said he destroyed the originals. He backed off, but some donks went ahead with a "mock impeachment" anyway! I am happy to hear that he's not as stupid as he often sounds, rather sKerry just has wet dreams about Bush being impeached, and jumps on any little matter that may present itself! That serves to confirm my opinion of him as being as deep as a puddle!

// posted by DagneyT @ 1:24 PM

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Father's Day And Iraq's Successes

Since my father took himself out of my life when he was only 48, this day is always a bit difficult for me. I still celebrate though, as my son is the father I never gave him. He amazes me, and makes me wonder what I did to have raised such an phenomenal son, artist, business man, but most importantly DAD of my two fantastic grandsons! To make it through this day, I celebrate him.

A bit of bragging here, indulge me, both of my grandsons are Karate champs. The oldest grandson won third in his first tournament ever...it was international, and he didn't even know it! He is now assistant teaching, going after his black belt, assistant teaching Krav Magaw (I hope I spelled that correctly). He began taking lessons just a year ago. Yep, only a year! He's also in ROTC. Did I mention he's 15? His 10 year old brother is getting better every day, and is the smartest little whip I've ever met, except his dad!

I found a story today I'll bet you haven't heard about. I did a yahoo search (I stopped using google, all I get is liberal propaganda, unless I look for recipes and gardening assistance!) and found a grand total of ONE story about it. Yes, you read correctly. Basra has opened its airport, and Iraq Airways has taken to the skies. WOW! Great news, right? Why haven't we heard a cotton picking mention of it? You may ask, then how did you hear of it? My friend MadTom told me. Sorry Tom, but your blog title will not get a mention here.

"The Corps’ goal is to give the Iraqis a functioning civil aviation airport that will allow planes with passengers to land and take off, both domestically and internationally, according to Robert Vanoer, resident engineer for the Basrah Resident Office, Gulf Region District South."

You have no idea how many times I have cussed the Army Corps of Engineers, concerning their work at various lakes that I love to fish. So it is with great pleasure that I give them a great big
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((STANDING OVATION))))))))))))))))))))))))

// posted by DagneyT @ 1:14 PM

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Why Are We Surprised?

It took me a day to calm down over this Dickhead Durbin incident, and as I heard call after call for this reprehensible Illinois representative to be censured, I began remembering other disgraceful comments from the left. How can we forget Ted [hic] Kennedy's anniversary memorial to Abu Ghraib;

"On December 4, 2003, President Bush had proclaimed to the world that the capture of Saddam Hussein brought “further assurance that the torture chambers and the secret police are gone forever.” The photos of Abu Ghraib made all too clear that torture continued in occupied Iraq."

That was the written version, his public comments were worse, saying that the only difference between Abu Ghraib under Saddam was the management. I don't remember anyone calling for his censure, as they are doing now, for Durbin. Why is that? Senate seniority rates the ability to make outrageous comments with impunity?

Of course we can see the historical context of this sort of outrage from the left. Must I remind you of John sKerry's testimony to the Senate subcommittee on April 22, 1971? Of his likening our troops in Nam to being "reminiscent of Ghengis Khan"?

We should have come to expect America-bashing and troop-bashing rhetoric from the left. Depending on who she is talking to, the sometimes moderate/sometimes shrill liberal Shrillary Clinton takes turns at defending or bashing America. If she is at a fund raiser, she is just as America-bashing as any other liberal on her side of the aisle, appealing to her radical left supporters. If she wants to sound "presidential", she changes her tone entirely. She reminds me of a doll I had when I was a little girl. She had two heads, if you turned her upside down, an other head, which had been hidden under the skirt, was revealed. See the resemblance?

The only question I keep finding myself asking is, "Why haven't we heard from John McCain?". The senator from Arizona has been suspiciously silent on this Gitmo controversy. After all, he knows what it is like to be a prisoner of war, having spent 5 years of his life as one. Why hasn't he chimed in on this topic? Afterall, we know he never met a TV camera he didn't like! I know he'll be on a Sunday talk show somewhere, as he is nearly every Sunday. I guess I'll have to watch them for a change. Oh, wait. I can't. The PGA Open is on. darn

UPDATE: Arrrggghhhh! Mike just thumped me on the head! Sorry, Bunker, it's the US Open, not the PGA Open, and I know you are in the front of the gallery, having a ball! We miss you. God bless you, my friend.

// posted by DagneyT @ 5:55 AM

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Are You Embarrassed, Illinois?

You ought to be, if you aren't. Dick Durbin is a sorry excuse for a senator. What were you thinking, Illini, for voting for this piece of human excrement?! Durbin stood on the floor of the Senate chambers and said,

"If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners."

Why was he saying that? Because a prisoner got cold? Because a prisoner was too hot? What about our troops in 130 degree weather with all of their gear, including bullet proof vests? That his comments are patently untrue is beside the point. That a United States Senator said it, is the point. Now I'm hearing that he's being quoted in Al Jazeera! To call him irresponsible is such an understatement, that it defies logic! Can senators be impeached? He should be arrested for treason! Dick Durbin, you should be ashamed of yourself! He's not, in fact he refused to apologize!

"News of the Democrat's comparison created a buzz around the Internet today, fueled by sound bites of yesterday's Senate floor speech on radio talk shows. By this afternoon, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna asked Durbin to apologize.

Durbin says the Bush administration should apologize for abandoning the Geneva Conventions."

Mr. Durbin (I refuse to dignify this piece of crap with the title of "Senator"!), these scumbags being held at Gitmo are not eligible for treatment under Geneva Convention, yet they are being treated humanely. Your transparent attempt to paint President Bush as the bad guy failed miserably. You, Dickhead, are responsible for handing our enemies a new weapon to use against us. I say the people of Illinois should, short of arresting you for treason, impeach you.

// posted by DagneyT @ 5:55 AM

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Update!

Is this evidence that the blogosphere is having an impact?

"Conducted June 6-10 among 913 adults, the poll found nearly two of every three (60%) think America's foray into Iraq has helped sow the seeds of democracy in the Middle East. Among Republicans, that number jumps up to 87%. Even large numbers of Democrats (44%) and independents (53%) agree with that sentiment.

"Most Americans see a democratic Middle East as one positive outcome of the Iraq War," said Raghavan Mayur, president of TIPP, a unit of TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence, IBD's polling partner.

What's more, a large majority (70%) also believe it's important for the U.S. and coalition countries to maintain a military presence in Iraq."

The day to day harangue of the leftist in MSM is not working the way it did back in the 60's and 70's, and that can only serve to fuel their hatred of Dubya! The left wing hippie leftovers of my generation [she says with embarassment] want their glory days back, and their comrades in the media have been trying to help in everyway they possibly can, yet it doesn't seem to be taking!

Greyhawk and his lovely Missus have been and continue to chronicle their constant bad mouthing of our troops, and their elevation of our enemies to rock star status at Mudville Gazette. Apparently I am not the only blogger sick and damn tired of the liberal media's take on Iraq!

// posted by DagneyT @ 12:27 PM

Why Not?

At a recent press briefing in the White House, after receiving a tongue lashing from the President's Press Secretary Scott McClellan, a female reporter was heard to say [paraphrased] "What do you want us to do? Write good news stories about the military?" I say, "why not, $itch?" What would be so bad about the press writing a "good news story" about the military? Because I am not fond of waiting for a cold day in hell, I decided to do it myself!

A commenter to my last post [hat tip: Raven1] introduced me to Michael Yon's website. Michael is an embed with a recon unit in Mosul. Wow, is he a great read! A small part of the story he is telling is about a little girl named Rhma;

"During one late-night sweep in Isla Zeral, Lt. Dan Kearney entered a house where a man asked for help with his five-year-old daughter. She is five years old and her name is Rhma Taha Ahmed and she is afraid of the soldiers, but the father asks the Americans to slow down and look at his daughter. Rhma hid her face while her dad showed her fingers and toes to Lt. Kearney. Her nails were receded and there was blood-blistering, her fingers and toes were tones of red and purple. SFC Joel Lundak called a medic who checked Rhma's vital signs and said she seemed to have a heart condition."

The dad produced a paper that stated Rhma's condition was inoperable. Inoperable to an Iraqi doctor, but a unit member named Sandra Jontz obviously didn't believe in "inoperable". Sandra took on this challenge, and a mention in the "Stars and Stripes" [you didn't expect the New York Times to pick it up, did you?] got sufficient attention;

"While a scandal-starved media is about to feast on the 7-course "desecration of the Quran" meal, Sandra Jontz's story is quietly tucked inside the latest edition of the Stars & Stripes. Despite her story being nearly hidden from view, it gets enough spotlight to generate offers of real support. When the story and photos run, medical professionals from coast to coast in America jump on it, offering to fund or provide free treatment.

The good news prompts a return visit to Rhma's house from CPT Paul Carron and his Bravo Company men; only now, instead of being afraid of the soldiers, she is merely shy, and her mother says that when the soldiers are away, Rhma says, "The Americans are going to take care of me."

Now can someone please tell me why the New York Times, Fox News, or someone in what we call "mainstream" media pick up on this story? At least we have the Army's site we can look to for news.

"MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, June 13, 2005) -- Coalition forces detained 36 suspected terrorists in Mosul, Iraq this past week, rescued a hostage and found seven weapons caches. A cordon and search operation in southeastern Mosul June 9, conducted because of a lead provided by an Iraqi citizen, led to the rescue of a local reporter who was being held hostage. "

How hard was that little story to find, MSM? I even gave y'all the link. Try it. It doesn't hurt, honest.

The work our people are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan is being noticed by others though, worldwide. Like people who live under tyranny, and yearn for the freedom being enjoyed because of our military. Look at this picture. Women in IRAN protesting! They see women in Iraq and Afghanistan running their own businesses, living life in a world where they can vote for their leadership, and they want the same amount of freedom. These women risked their lives to show their hunger for freedom.

Further signs of the success of President Bush's visionary Middle East policies are showing up all over the ME. My friend Tom, over at The Redhunter noticed another sign here. He noticed that Assad of Syria is not as secure as many may believe. Another despot ready to fall?

"Syria talks tough, but runs scared. Surrounded by stronger enemies, decades of pretending to be able to confront these potential foes is coming to an end. Reality is arriving, and it is bringing a lot of unrest and instability to Syria. Constantly defeated by its neighbors, Syria would also be a loser if civil war developed."

Let's see. Could the reason the "mainstream" media doesn't like to notice such signs and progress be because they hate our president? nnaaaaaahhhh That couldn't be it, could it? If they noticed that our military is comprised of honorable and heroic men and women, that would be putting lie to their 30 years of vilification of all things military, right? If they noticed that other countries in the ME were making progress toward women's rights and deposing despots, they'd have to admit George W. Bush was right after all, wouldn't they?

No wonder the blogosphere is growing readership every day!

// posted by DagneyT @ 7:11 AM

Monday, June 13, 2005

Iraq Roundup

The first headline to come to my notice was "USA Losing Patience in Iraq". Now I know that polls are generally taken with a view to writing a particular story. The questions are phrased in such a way that the desired results are achieved, and the poll becomes the desired story. As we all know, the liberal media was and is opposed to this war, as it is being pursued in Iraq.

So rather than even wasting my time reading the story, I set to work to find out how things are really going in Iraq. [hat tip: Chrenkoff] One of the more interesting stories is how expats are helping to rebuild Iraq. One of the more intriguing Iraqi blogs is one called "neurotic Iraqi wife". When I first began to read her, this blogger was still stateside. She is now a contractor working inside the Green Zone. Her observations are interesting, and indicative of her spunky personality.

"Things are strange here in the Green Zone, and no I wont start calling it the International Zone anytime soon cuz I like the sound of the former, thats how I got to know it by HUBBY, and thats how it will remain in my mind. Something am sure most of you know about the GZ is the fact its a very minute area of Baghdad. I think Ive seen most of it already. At times I tell HUBBY it feels like the Bahamas, its hot, many people tend to wear shorts and sleeveless tops, and the workers have those round hats covering their heads from the scorching sun."

Of course my favorites have long been the three brothers who started Iraq the Model. Ali now has his own blog, A Free Iraqi. Both sites have excellent prospectives on Operation Lightning, the Iraqi Police's advance against terrorists in Iraq. Notice that none of the Iraqi blogs refers to the terrorists as anything other than TERRORISTS! None of the ridiculous "insurgency" references that our own media just cannot seem to stop using.

Why not read the article, you say? Why indeed. Even when the liberal media gets something that to any reasonable person would be good news, they can make it become bad news. For instance this story is about the dramatic upswing of weddings and betrothals in Baghdad, but the L. A. Times manages to find this "expert"; [hat tip: Jim Bass]

"In relatively quiet areas such as the Shiite south and Kurdish north, the wedding boom may signal a belief in the future, sociology professor Qassim Hussein Salih said.

"But not in Baghdad, where mornings are flavored with explosive powders, where people are meeting death every day." Desperation can propel people into marriage, said Salih, who teaches at Baghdad University.

"This should not necessarily be seen as a sign of optimism," he said. "Iraqis see no end to the current situation, so they have adapted themselves psychologically."

Despite the doomsayer, the story is good to read for the other information and stories. Yet not all of the Iraqi bloggers are optimists, and the Iraqi people do love their "conspiracy theories" and rumor mongering. The bottom line; don't just read one source. Read as many as you have the time to peruse, and rotate the sites you read. There is so much out there to read that some days I feel like I'm on information overload! The right hand column of my blog should give you an indication! So many sites, so little time.

// posted by DagneyT @ 12:58 PM

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Random Mental Wanderings

Congrats, Mr. Hardberger. All hail the new Mayor of San Antonio, Texas. [choke.....gag....donks.] The only Republican running was eliminated in the original vote. This was a runoff. There are not many reasons this is an occasion to be heralded. The only one that comes to mind, from a blogger who rarely covers local politics is; it is interesting that the organization established by Howard Dean had endorsed Hardberger's opponent, Julian Castro, yet Castro lost. tsk tsk. Imagine that!

Can someone please explain to me what Rosie O'Donnell could possibly have against Dr. Rice? I don't get it. Did anyone hear her rant on The View? Black donks can complain, but Rosie? Sean Hannity was brave to venture into the belly of the beast, but he held his own, and even turned the audience his way when he pointed out the anti-American rhetoric of the left.

I heard a caller on Rush's program Thursday. A frosh in a CA college who wrote to tell Rush about his first day in summer school telling about his prof's justification of single-sex unions being the answer to "over population"! HUH? Is the left reaching, or what?

I received a request for funding assistance from Keith Butler for Senate in the mail yesterday. I supported Myrah Kirkwood's bid for a Michigan congressional seat, so my guess is that she has shared her donor list with Rev. Butler. That's fine with me. Anytime a black American wants to be a part of the Republican political landscape, I'm there. The idea of defeating Debbie Stabenow is a bonus! I guess not everyone is as enthusiastic about Rev. Butler's chances;

"Uphill Task No. 2 for explorer Butler: He was named last week by Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman to a panel of African-American leaders and other experts on minority issues to explore ways to attract more blacks to the GOP "in a long and sustained effort."

Long indeed. Republican presidential candidates in the last decade or so have been getting about 5 or 6 percent of the black vote in Michigan.

Mehlman, who was President George W. Bush's campaign manager last year, notes that Bush got about 11 percent of the 2004 black vote nationally, and 16 percent in the Bush's critical victory in Ohio. The 11 percent for Bush was up from his 9 percent in 2000.

Mehlman doesn't need a reality check about how daunting is the GOP outreach to attract black voters. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Mehlman said:

"Will it be dramatic and happen overnight? I don't think it will."

This reporter plays into the stereotypical estimation of the black vote being a shoe-in for the donks, but anyone who reads LaShawn Barber's Corner isn't as sure. In fact, there are more and more grumblings from conservative black voters that indicate the increase of 4-5% of black voters in Bush's column from 2000 to 2004 is just the tip of the iceberg.

Any black Republican who decides to take up the challenge should automatically be awarded a medal for bravery. When Vernon Robinson ran for the senate seat vacated by his hero, Strom Thurmond, Al Sharpton came to his state to castigate him! Hello! Rev. Al! The man is NOT a Democrat, he's a Republican in a primary race! The ugliness this man went through because he was a black Republican was horrendous! Myrah Kirkwood, likewise, was called every ugly name in the book! I'm sure Dr. Condaleeza Rice, and Judge Clarence Thomas, not to mention Judge Janice Rogers-Brown can identify! The mid-term elections could hold some surprises.

Good Luck, Keith Butler. I'll help out!

// posted by DagneyT @ 3:03 PM

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Pardon Me

I haven't blogged today because I have roofers all over my roof making a cacophonous racket. I have to blog today, because I have roofers all over my roof making a cacophonous racket. Perhaps it will soothe my rising angst. This is probably a good time to bring up a topic that has laid heavy on my heart for nearly a week; the death of a friend. I have not blogged about it before, because others were doing a superb job of memorializing this lovely man. Mike Reed was Bunker Mulligan. His family has been kind enough to share more of him with his readers since his death. I cannot thank them enough for the photos currently up on his site.

He was the first blogger who ever linked my blog, without my request even, to his site. I was so complimented, and still am, that someone of his caliber would see fit to recommend my blog. He kindly offered to assist my abysmal efforts at html on several occasions, and even offered to re-design it. It is manageable for me, so I gratefully declined. He enlisted my assistance in a Texas blogger get-together, which I was unable to attend. Last Christmas, he teased me about being a "northerner" in San Antonio, to his Corpus Christi location, and said I'd probably have a white Christmas. Turned out Corpus Christi got a white Christmas, and San Antonio was missed. I was at my son's home in southern Washington state when we heard that Texas got snow. I immediately went to Mike's site, and voila! He had pictures of the snow at his house.

We've talked, e-mailed and commented on one another's blogs many times, but had never met in person. I always pictured him "mentally" as looking like Ernie Kovacs. Remarkably, he bears a strong resemblance. I received an e-mail from him the day he died. He'd e-mailed earlier in the week to query whether my blog was still up, as he hadn't been able to find it in awhile. I wrote back to say that Mozilla's Foxfire did that to me occasionally, and to try to access the site in IE. He'd written back to say that using IE enabled him to reach it. But curiously the last word in the e-mail was "Problem....", and that was it. Guess I'll never know what the "problem" was, but that's okay, Mike. You can tell me when I get there.

It's always heart wrenching to lose a friend. When they are younger than you, it makes you realize your own mortality. To lose a friend you never got to hug is the hardest of all. Tomorrow I will attend Mike's funeral. I will give his hug to his wife.

// posted by DagneyT @ 1:02 PM

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Their Extremists vs. Our Extremists

Can you say "Ruth Bader-Ginzberg, Left Wing Extremist & former ACLUnatic attorney"? Now ask yourself who it is that donks consider "extremist". Why is this woman acceptable to the left, this judge who has reportedly never had a black person on her payroll [I'll post a source on this later]? Yet black judicial candidates such as Clarence Thomas and Janice Rogers-Brown are somehow extreme? Here we go with the questions again, I know! In my opinion, however these questions need to be asked, and the liberal media, a.k.a. MSM never seems to see fit to ask them.

Let's look back at some of the cases Ms. Ginzberg was involved with, prior to coming to the Supreme Court in 1993, and apparently without any backbone showing on the GOP side of the aisle. Wikipedia's entry on Ms. Ginzberg includes;

"Women's rights advocate

She married Martin D. Ginsburg, a professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, in 1954, and has a daughter, Jane, and a son, James. She received her B.A. from Cornell University in 1954, attended Harvard Law School, and when her husband accepted a job in New York City, she tranferred to Columbia Law School, where she received her LL.B. degree. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edmund L. Palmieri, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, from 1959-1961. From 1961-1963, she was a research associate and then associate director of the Columbia Law School Project on International Procedure. She was a Professor of Law at Rutgers University School of Law from 1963-1972, and Columbia Law School from 1972-1980, and a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Stanford University, California from 1977-1978.

In 1971, Ginsburg was instrumental in launching the Women's Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, and served as the ACLU's General Counsel from 1973-1980, and on the National Board of Directors from 1974-1980. In this position, Ginsburg successfully argued several women's rights cases before the Supreme Court, including 1973's Frontiero v. Richardson."

Wikipedia goes on to say that she has remained "centrist" on the bench. Many could give argument to that, since she insists on making her judgements using anything but our Constitution as her basis.

A few of her free-wheeling historical court involvements include advocating a ban on the Boys and Girls Scouts as "forcing stereotypes" on children [YooHoo! Ms. Ginzberg, since you have children you must know there truly IS a difference in the sexes?]; creation of uni-sex prisons as a way for men to get used to dealing with women...need I go on? This woman is as "left" as you can get! Yet she was voted into her present postion with a 97 to 3 nod from the senate! Yes, I know, there were more than THREE Republican senators.

Now contrast this uber-lib with Janice Rogers-Brown. In her speech I posted last month she had the audacity to call Roosevelt's New Deal for what it was, i.e., the first toehold of socialism in American policy. For that, we've heard Schumer accuse her of trying to be the "Grand Exalted Ruler"...which to some members of the GOP sounded like he was referring to "Grand Wizard" of KKK fame. He probably was, but their friends who are members of the Elk's Club, or Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, have surely set them straight by now.

We should see Judge Rogers-Brown confirmed today, but not until they have excoriated her thoroughly, as Barbara Boxer did yesterday. She read this entire list of looney left "coalitions" against Janice Rogers-Brown, including NARAL, NOW, et al. Of course Barbie is probably chaffing over the fact that the good lady judge received 76% of the San Francisco vote to retain her judgeship....far more than Boxer got in re-election.

It is time for the Republican senators to stop being the good kids on the block, and for them to stop going along to get along. GOP Ladies & Gentlemen of the Senate, take back your backbone! Or do we have to bring you home?

// posted by DagneyT @ 10:08 AM

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

This Sounds Familiar

Who said, "If they have won fairly and squarely I have no problem with that, but the counting is not even over yet. It is still too early to call. "

Okay, now who said, "Some irregularities in procedures did occur, the most notable being that ID cards were not always checked. While officials consistently asked for voter cards, they failed to be equally diligent on the presentation of ID documents."

Right. Now let's step back and look at this. Ethiopia is at a democratic apex, and who is representing America through the U.N.? Not John Bolton. Who indeed. Jimm'ah Car'ra a.k.a. Jimmy Carter! Give me a break! This could have heralded another Ukraine, yet our GOP wooses are still sitting on their thumbs! Why? No one has the gonads to get him confirmed. Folks! Pay Attention! We need some U.N. representation we can count on to get the job done!

Interestingly, former president Carter's party kicks a huge fuss everytime we want to initiate ID card requirements in America's elections. Something about disenfranchising? hmmmm.....

Here I go again! Exercising my right to free speech, I busied the fax machine again with:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, while you are twiddling your thumbs over John Bolton’s approval, Dr. Condoleeza Rice is having to do her job as Secretary of State, plus the job Mr. Bolton should be doing. I refer you to a myriad of links on-line with news of the fiasco that should have been a new Ukraine in Africa! Were any of you aware there was a huge election in Ethiopia? Did you think “We, the People” were not paying attention?

When are you folks going to get this vital job filled? If you are counting on Jimmy Carter to pick up the slack, count on more dictators, rather than more democracies! PLEASE put John Bolton in the job we sorely need to have done! The U. N. has been throwing our tax dollars at despots for too long, and Dr. Rice and President Bush cannot stem the tide without your help, Senators! "

// posted by DagneyT @ 8:52 AM

Monday, June 06, 2005

Good News? Or Bad?

I guess it should be considered good news that freshman congressional-types are asserting themselves,

"By tradition, they're supposed to be more deferential than a Donald Trump apprentice, but some new members are breaking with that custom - and, on occasion, party orthodoxy. It's a striking change in a place where the most important members had been the ones who served the longest.

"The days when new members were to be seen and not heard are long gone," says Don Ritchie of the Senate historian's office. "

Then why doesn't it feel very good to me? Because we have been on the outside looking in for 40 years, and now that we have the upper hand, we're not using it!

" Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., says he'll vote against John Bolton, the president's embattled nominee to be name United Nations ambassador. Thune does not discourage the notion that he's retaliating for a Pentagon decision to close a major Air Force base in his state. "I'm concerned about our diplomatic posture as a nation, and I'm concerned about our defensive posture," Thune says. "

Instead, the new group wants to be conciliatory? Nope. I don't read it that way. Reasonable might be nice, but I don't think it's the real point, either.

"What pleases the freshmen most is the ability to have an influence, despite their lack of seniority. McHenry, the youngest member of Congress at 29, says, "You can still take on large issues and have an impact."

When the freshmen can have an impact, is there still a reason NOT to have term limits? Not in my book! It's time to get rid of the dinosaurs on both sides of the aisle; Byrd, sKerry, Kennedy [hic], Warner, Hatch, et al.

// posted by DagneyT @ 6:04 AM

Friday, June 03, 2005

ACLU Outrages Again

The Association of Criminal Liars United, also known as the ACLU has done it again. Judge Alvin Hellerstein, hereinafter to be known as Clinton-appointed Hellstain, has ordered the Army to release more videos and photos of Abu Ghraib. Their justification?

"The public has a right to information about the CIA’s role in the abuse and torture of detainees," said ACLU attorney Jameel Jaffer. "We are hopeful that today’s order will encourage the CIA to finally comply with our request for information."

The FOIA request was filed by the ACLU, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Physicians for Human Rights, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans for Peace. The New York Civil Liberties Union is co-counsel with the ACLU in the case."

In case you are still wondering why President Bush's judicial appointments are so important for America, may I refresh your memory about this Clinton-appointed Hellstain:

"In September, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein issued an order requiring all of the government agencies named in the lawsuit to search and review their files for records responsive to the FOIA request. However, at a hearing on December 22, the CIA argued that it did not have to search its operational files. In today’s ruling, Hellerstein found that the CIA "failed to articulate a viable reason" why the agency’s operational files should be exempt from the September order.

Hellerstein also noted that the CIA’s Inspector General is conducting an investigation into impropriety and possible criminal activity by CIA personnel in Iraq, and that the CIA has already searched its operational files in connection with that investigation. "

Within weeks, or even days, this judge will officially have American soldiers and contractors blood on his hands. Can someone please explain to me why it is okay to show Abu Ghraib pics, but not photos of Americans and Europeans who are doing their jobs in Iraq, having their heads cut off? HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Now between America-hating judges, and the Assoc. of Criminal Lawyers United, if you still do not think that some of the worst threats on our nation come from within, I contend that you are wearing rose-colored blinders!

You couple that with the latest volley from John F'ing sKerry, and you go from evil to ridiculous!

"Failed presidential candidate John Kerry said Thursday that he intends to confront Congress with a document touted by critics of President Bush as evidence that he committed impeachable crimes by falsifying evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

"When I go back [to Washington] on Monday, I am going to raise the issue," Kerry said, referring to the Downing Street Memo in an interview with Massachusetts' Standard Times newspaper."

Come ON '06! Let's not waste these next four years! Vote Republican, unless they act like donkeys! Then find a conservative replacement, even if they are a Democrat. Zell Miller comes to mind!

I hate to end this particular rant without mentioning one of my pet peeves. This has been niggling like an itch in the back of my brain for some time. Having been raised by Democrats, I resent the dickens out of people calling them the "Democratic Party". They are the Democrat party. If you are a long time reader, you know that I have ranted about this numerous times, but it is really getting ridiculous. Even GOPbloggers and my beloved Rush Limbaugh do it!

As I illustrated above, and have in numerous posts in the past, they are NOT democratic. To make matters worse, they are becoming more and more socialistic! To illustrate my point, [hat tip: Laura Ingraham]

"In sum, European nations penalize work and subsidize non-work, and, no surprise, they have gotten a lot of the latter and far too little of the former. By contrast, the U.S. model--allegedly cruel and "laissez-faire"--has done much better both by economic growth and worker opportunity.

The frustrating irony is that, at the very moment in history when Europe's model is in disrepute, many U.S. politicians [want to guess which side of the aisle they're on?] still want to emulate it. In Congress today there is some bill to provide virtually every social welfare benefit that Europe now offers. And the Congressional Budget Office predicts that if America's federal entitlement programs are not reined in, by 2030 government's share of the U.S. economy will close in on 50% of GDP, or even more than Europe's share today. The good news is that at least Washington has begun to debate how to reform these programs."

If you are going to call the dumocraps anything, call them the Socialistic Party! They are so in line with the EU progenitors that they have ceased being called American patriots. That was the Democrat Party I remember from my childhood.

// posted by DagneyT @ 3:15 PM

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

McCain-Feingold, Now This!

There are several disturbing things about this story, not the least of which was my being in agreement with Harry Reid and Zuniga at the Daily Kos. The first thing that hit me when I read this story was "there goes another judge trying to legislate from the bench!" [hat tip: Matt Drudge ]

"The FEC long has been reluctant to craft rules for the Internet, and it has exempted the online world from many regulations that apply to other media such as television and radio. But a court ruling last fall required the agency to include the Internet in its definition of public communications and to begin regulating activities there."

It's not like I have not been hammering on the judicial nomination importance here, but then I read this:

"I think FEC needs to regulate ordinary people as lightly as possible," said Carol Darr, director of the Institute for Politics, Democracy & the Internet at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.

But as Internet technology improves, she said, politicians, corporations and unions will "learn where to go to reach unconverted people. They will use Internet more and more. People like me who are worried about corporate and union abuse are less comfortable with that."

Unconverted people? What does that mean? Does she mean that people cannot think for themselves, and are susceptible to 'conversion'? Is that what they teach at the Graduate School of Political Management? What is political management, anyway?

The disturbing part of this article is the possibility that Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision could affect me, here in my little computer room in my home, writing what I feel compelled to write.

When are we going to start insisting that judges follow the law, & not create new ones? And in the case of McCain-Feingold, when is Congress going to have the guts to repeal a law that violates the Constitution by repressing free speech?

Sorry for so many questions on this post, but I just don't have the answers. If you do, feel free to enlighten me.

// posted by DagneyT @ 5:34 AM