So, things may look a bit strange for a while here. My apologies...
Things will return to normal eventually...
hehehe...yeah right.
...
H&I FIRES* 10 July 2009
55 minutes ago
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday Hero Blogroll
21 years old from Rochester, New York
2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
August 7, 2007
Reynold Armand didn’t want to wait until he turned 18 to join the Marines. He persuaded his adoptive mother to sign papers allowing him to sign up a year early.
"I'm very proud of him," said his father, Carl Armand. "When he was home, he gave no sign of being afraid." Armand didn’t speak much about his experiences in Iraq, according to family members, saying only that most Iraqi civilians he encountered were very nice.
"We used to send him a lot of candy," said his mother, Alma Armand. "He would pass it out."
Manny Rodriguez, 21, of Rochester met Armand five years ago at New Day Church in Rochester, where both young men were members of the youth group. "He was such an amazing all-around person. He was so easy and comfortable to be around. He liked people for who they are."
No definitive report could be found on how Cpl. Armand died. Some report that he was killed when shot and others report that he was killed by an IED that exploded near his vehicle in Balad, Iraq.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com with help from Kathi
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
My Personal Outrage at the coverage and treatment of Honduras actions against Zelaya....
Alot of the info I got from Gates of Vienna.
Go check out their site...well worth the read.
I've been reading all kinds of BS about the supposed "military coup" in Honduras.
I am frankly disgusted with the media portrayal and our own government's reaction to the actions taken by the Honduran Government.
First of all, the actual attempted coup was by Zelaya himself. Blatantly breaking of Honduran constitutional law. The Supreme Court of Honduras gave the military their orders to arrest and deport Zelaya due to his brazen attempt to circumvent the Honduran constitution. The facts in this case are actually quite clear. Zelaya tried to force a populist referendum that was illegal and the government..all branches opposed him as it was unconstitutional.
This si a travesty. What is happening now is that our own government is allying with Hugo Chavez, Castro, Daniel Ortega and a whole host of socialist dictators on reinstating a criminal to the presidency of Honduras.
We should be applauding them for upholding the democracy not demonizing them as fomenting a coup on their own people. The fact is the overwhelming majority o Hondurans support his ousting and the entire government apparatus, to include the members of their congress in hios OWN party are against his move to secure his personal power in the country.
Liberty or Tyrrany...that is the question. And the Hondurans overwhelmingly chose liberty. We should be supporting this wholeheartedly, despite what the dictators and communists say.
But our current regime in Washington has no balls, or maybe, they support the ousted president because they have the same idea.
anywho, whatever you think about this, the fact is it was a legal removal of power from a criminal president. period.
You want some facts from the front, go read Fausta's blog.
Here is an excerpt of facts about the actual occurences there in Honduras:
More background information on the events prior to Zelaya’s removal from office:Here is more information on Mel Zelaya’s move:
Zelaya couldn’t get the ballots printed in Honduras since the referendum had been pronounced illegal by the country’s Supreme Court AND the electoral board. Therefore, the government couldn’t print them. No private printer was willing to break the law, either. So Zelaya had the ballots printed in Venezuela and flown in.
The Supreme Court instructed the military (who would be the ones doing the job) NOT to distribute the ballots to the polling stations.
Zelaya then
led thousands of supporters to recover the material from an air force warehouse before it could be confiscated.
His supporters broke into the military installation where the ballots were kept.
Zelaya’s supporters started distributing the ballots at 15,000 voting stations across the country. This act placed him in outright defiance of the law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court.
When the armed forces refused to distribute the ballots, Zelaya fired the chief of the armed forces, Gen. Romeo Vásquez, and the defense minister, the head of the army and the air force resigned in protest. The country’s Supreme Court voted unanimously that Vásquez be reinstated.
Tuesday last week the Honduran Congress, led by members of his own party, passed a law preventing the holding of referendums or plebiscites 180 days before or after general elections.
The Honduran Congress, led by members of his own party, named a commission to investigate Zelaya. The Commission found (my translation: If you quote it, please credit me and link to this post)
Zelaya acted against the mandates of legal and electoral laws, the Public Ministry, the National Congress, the Attorney General, and other institutions of the State, which had declared the poll illegal
On Thursday (h/t GoV) the Attorney General requested that Congress impeach Zelaya
The position of the Honduran Congress, the Supreme Court, and the attorney general is that the Constitution is to be strictly adhered to.
This is why Zelaya was removed from power: all branches of government and the country’s institutions recognized that he had broken the law.
Again, the military - by placing him in an airplane to Costa Rica early Sunday morning before he carried through the unlawful poll - acted in compliance with the Supreme Court and the Honduran Congress.
Enforcing the Honduran Constitution:Mary O’Grady, in today’s Wall Street Journal, writes (emphasis added),
Honduras is fighting back by strictly following the constitution. The Honduran Congress met in emergency session yesterday and designated its president as the interim executive as stipulated in Honduran law. It also said that presidential elections set for November will go forward. The Supreme Court later said that the military acted on its orders. It also said that when Mr. Zelaya realized that he was going to be prosecuted for his illegal behavior, he agreed to an offer to resign in exchange for safe passage out of the country. Mr. Zelaya denies it.
Many Hondurans are going to be celebrating Mr. Zelaya’s foreign excursion. Street protests against his heavy-handed tactics had already begun last week. On Friday a large number of military reservists took their turn. “We won’t go backwards,” one sign said. “We want to live in peace, freedom and development.”
Besides opposition from the Congress, the Supreme Court, the electoral tribunal and the attorney general, the president had also become persona non grata with the Catholic Church and numerous evangelical church leaders. On Thursday evening his own party in Congress sponsored a resolution to investigate whether he is mentally unfit to remain in office.
And,
Former Argentine Ambassador to the U.N. Emilio Cárdenas told me on Saturday that he was concerned that “the OAS under Insulza has not taken seriously the so-called ‘democratic charter.’ It seems to believe that only military ‘coups’ can challenge democracy. The truth is that democracy can be challenged from within, as the experiences of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and now Honduras, prove.” A less-kind interpretation of Mr. Insulza’s judgment is that he doesn’t mind the Chávez-style coup.
The struggle against chavismo has never been about left-right politics. It is about defending the independence of institutions that keep presidents from becoming dictators. This crisis clearly delineates the problem. In failing to come to the aid of checks and balances, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Insulza expose their true colors.
Zelaya couldn’t get the ballots printed in Honduras since the referendum had been pronounced illegal by the country’s Supreme Court AND the electoral board. Therefore, the government couldn’t print them. No private printer was willing to break the law, either. So Zelaya had the ballots printed in Venezuela and flown in.
The Supreme Court instructed the military (who would be the ones doing the job) NOT to distribute the ballots to the polling stations.
Zelaya then
led thousands of supporters to recover the material from an air force warehouse before it could be confiscated.
His supporters broke into the military installation where the ballots were kept.
Zelaya’s supporters started distributing the ballots at 15,000 voting stations across the country. This act placed him in outright defiance of the law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court.
When the armed forces refused to distribute the ballots, Zelaya fired the chief of the armed forces, Gen. Romeo Vásquez, and the defense minister, the head of the army and the air force resigned in protest. The country’s Supreme Court voted unanimously that Vásquez be reinstated.
Tuesday last week the Honduran Congress, led by members of his own party, passed a law preventing the holding of referendums or plebiscites 180 days before or after general elections.
The Honduran Congress, led by members of his own party, named a commission to investigate Zelaya. The Commission found (my translation: If you quote it, please credit me and link to this post)
Zelaya acted against the mandates of legal and electoral laws, the Public Ministry, the National Congress, the Attorney General, and other institutions of the State, which had declared the poll illegal
On Thursday (h/t GoV) the Attorney General requested that Congress impeach Zelaya
The position of the Honduran Congress, the Supreme Court, and the attorney general is that the Constitution is to be strictly adhered to.
This is why Zelaya was removed from power: all branches of government and the country’s institutions recognized that he had broken the law.
Again, the military - by placing him in an airplane to Costa Rica early Sunday morning before he carried through the unlawful poll - acted in compliance with the Supreme Court and the Honduran Congress.
Enforcing the Honduran Constitution:Mary O’Grady, in today’s Wall Street Journal, writes (emphasis added),
Honduras is fighting back by strictly following the constitution. The Honduran Congress met in emergency session yesterday and designated its president as the interim executive as stipulated in Honduran law. It also said that presidential elections set for November will go forward. The Supreme Court later said that the military acted on its orders. It also said that when Mr. Zelaya realized that he was going to be prosecuted for his illegal behavior, he agreed to an offer to resign in exchange for safe passage out of the country. Mr. Zelaya denies it.
Many Hondurans are going to be celebrating Mr. Zelaya’s foreign excursion. Street protests against his heavy-handed tactics had already begun last week. On Friday a large number of military reservists took their turn. “We won’t go backwards,” one sign said. “We want to live in peace, freedom and development.”
Besides opposition from the Congress, the Supreme Court, the electoral tribunal and the attorney general, the president had also become persona non grata with the Catholic Church and numerous evangelical church leaders. On Thursday evening his own party in Congress sponsored a resolution to investigate whether he is mentally unfit to remain in office.
And,
Former Argentine Ambassador to the U.N. Emilio Cárdenas told me on Saturday that he was concerned that “the OAS under Insulza has not taken seriously the so-called ‘democratic charter.’ It seems to believe that only military ‘coups’ can challenge democracy. The truth is that democracy can be challenged from within, as the experiences of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and now Honduras, prove.” A less-kind interpretation of Mr. Insulza’s judgment is that he doesn’t mind the Chávez-style coup.
The struggle against chavismo has never been about left-right politics. It is about defending the independence of institutions that keep presidents from becoming dictators. This crisis clearly delineates the problem. In failing to come to the aid of checks and balances, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Insulza expose their true colors.
If you want to know more...to educate yourself, follow these links
Fausta has all the up to date info in both Spanish and English.
Her home page is here.
Wednesday Hero Blogroll
Members of the force protection team at Camp Eggars, Afghanistan, assess damage resulting from an explosion near the gate. A vehicle-born improvised explosive device exploded near the German Embassy and a U.S. base. Eliminating threats such as the VBIED is the focus of Army's 3rd Counter-IED Conference that was scheduled July 28-30.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday Hero Blogroll
Something a little different this week. Instead of profiling a service member, Wednesday Hero will be profiling a movie. Band Of Brothers. It was a miniseries tha aired on HBO in 2001. It follows Maj. Richard Winters, Cpt. Lewis Nixon and the men of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, aka E-Company or Easy Company on their march to Germany. From their training to their battles at Normandy and Bastogne, their liberation of the Kaufering IV concentration camp to their taking of Hitler's Eagle Nest. A great cast and great writing make this one of the best war movies ever made. But it is graphic in visuals and language. And parts of it may be hard to watch, but it is worth it.
What the men of E-Company did will never be forgotten. They are the heroes that helped the cause of freedom.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Dead Cat on the Line...
ok another awesome blog from Sydney Allen Johnson....
CHeck all his awesome essays out at Babylon Mystery Orchestra
There's a dead cat on the line. I was first acquainted with this old adage in the early 90's while living in Augusta, Georgia. Apparently it is an old expression referring to the likelihood that something, somewhere is wrong. Very wrong. I thought about this expression after Chrysler (soon followed by General Motors) announced they would be closing down many of their dealerships. Since these are "franchise" operations that do not represent significant, if any, expenses for the company, but instead represent streams of revenue, it seemed mighty strange that they would have a desire to close any of them. To the contrary, they should be encouraging as many of these businesses as possible to stay open since they represent the public face of the company during this economic downturn that has created such a malaise for the auto industry. Instead of putting the best face they can to the public, they have curiously chosen to do exactly the opposite and essentially lower their public profile. There certainly seems to be a dead cat on the line...and there is.
There are just too many things that don't make sense. It isn't just the unjustifiable business decision to cut operations that don't affect the costs of the company's business. It is also the process of selecting the dealerships to be closed. It is particularly suspicious that many of the dealerships selected for elimination are among the most successful operations within the Chrysler network. Many of them have been Chrysler and Dodge dealers for decades. What possible justification could they have for closing down successful dealerships that represent the very lifeblood of their company's existence? Not only are they choosing to reduce the flow of cash into their company, they are doing so in the midst of a recession that has been particularly disastrous to the auto industry. Is somebody missing a cat?
Some of the dealerships that got the axe are telling stories that raise considerable doubt that there were ever any economic reasons for this process and that there was, instead, a political motivation. One dealership slated for closing in Alvin, Texas, increased its new car sales 50% in the first four months of 2009! How can you rationalize closing a dealer who is increasing sales while in the throes of the worst recession since the 1970's? As it turns out, this story is not unique. Successful and highly profitable dealerships have all too often been the ones selected for elimination. Smell a dead cat?
As you dig into this you find that there is evidence to suggest that dealers selected for elimination tended to be ones who are affiliated with, or donated money to, the Republican party and its candidates. Coincidence? When the the list of 789 closing franchises is compared to the list of political donors making contributions in the November 2008 election, less than 10 percent gave to Democrats while 90 percent gave substantial sums to Republican candidates. The franchise owners selected for dealership elimination contributed over $450,000 to Republican presidential candidates and the GOP, while $7,970 was donated to Hillary Clinton's campaign and $2,200 was given to John Edwards' campaign. By comparison, Barack Obama received a mere $450 in donations! Dead cat found.
Some of the dealers on the hit list jump right out at you:
“Vern Buchanan is a Republican Congressman from the Tampa Bay area. Robert Archer is the son of former Republican Congressman Bill Archer. John Culberson, a libertarian-leaning Conservative, is now the Congressman for that West Houston District. He was heavily supported in his election efforts by the Archers Family. Additionally, James Crowley, owner of a Chrysler Dealership in Escondido, California is on the list to be closed. Crowley is a big backer of libertarian-leaning Republican Cong. John Campbell of Orange County.”
The list is heavy with influential Republicans and libertarians. Another name on the list is Ray Huffines, who owns a large dealership in the Metro-Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The Huffines family have been major contributors to Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) over the years...- American Thinker
There is more...alot more.
Go here to read it
And never forget my fellow patriots....
Die with your boots on....
....
CHeck all his awesome essays out at Babylon Mystery Orchestra
There's a dead cat on the line. I was first acquainted with this old adage in the early 90's while living in Augusta, Georgia. Apparently it is an old expression referring to the likelihood that something, somewhere is wrong. Very wrong. I thought about this expression after Chrysler (soon followed by General Motors) announced they would be closing down many of their dealerships. Since these are "franchise" operations that do not represent significant, if any, expenses for the company, but instead represent streams of revenue, it seemed mighty strange that they would have a desire to close any of them. To the contrary, they should be encouraging as many of these businesses as possible to stay open since they represent the public face of the company during this economic downturn that has created such a malaise for the auto industry. Instead of putting the best face they can to the public, they have curiously chosen to do exactly the opposite and essentially lower their public profile. There certainly seems to be a dead cat on the line...and there is.
There are just too many things that don't make sense. It isn't just the unjustifiable business decision to cut operations that don't affect the costs of the company's business. It is also the process of selecting the dealerships to be closed. It is particularly suspicious that many of the dealerships selected for elimination are among the most successful operations within the Chrysler network. Many of them have been Chrysler and Dodge dealers for decades. What possible justification could they have for closing down successful dealerships that represent the very lifeblood of their company's existence? Not only are they choosing to reduce the flow of cash into their company, they are doing so in the midst of a recession that has been particularly disastrous to the auto industry. Is somebody missing a cat?
Some of the dealerships that got the axe are telling stories that raise considerable doubt that there were ever any economic reasons for this process and that there was, instead, a political motivation. One dealership slated for closing in Alvin, Texas, increased its new car sales 50% in the first four months of 2009! How can you rationalize closing a dealer who is increasing sales while in the throes of the worst recession since the 1970's? As it turns out, this story is not unique. Successful and highly profitable dealerships have all too often been the ones selected for elimination. Smell a dead cat?
As you dig into this you find that there is evidence to suggest that dealers selected for elimination tended to be ones who are affiliated with, or donated money to, the Republican party and its candidates. Coincidence? When the the list of 789 closing franchises is compared to the list of political donors making contributions in the November 2008 election, less than 10 percent gave to Democrats while 90 percent gave substantial sums to Republican candidates. The franchise owners selected for dealership elimination contributed over $450,000 to Republican presidential candidates and the GOP, while $7,970 was donated to Hillary Clinton's campaign and $2,200 was given to John Edwards' campaign. By comparison, Barack Obama received a mere $450 in donations! Dead cat found.
Some of the dealers on the hit list jump right out at you:
“Vern Buchanan is a Republican Congressman from the Tampa Bay area. Robert Archer is the son of former Republican Congressman Bill Archer. John Culberson, a libertarian-leaning Conservative, is now the Congressman for that West Houston District. He was heavily supported in his election efforts by the Archers Family. Additionally, James Crowley, owner of a Chrysler Dealership in Escondido, California is on the list to be closed. Crowley is a big backer of libertarian-leaning Republican Cong. John Campbell of Orange County.”
The list is heavy with influential Republicans and libertarians. Another name on the list is Ray Huffines, who owns a large dealership in the Metro-Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The Huffines family have been major contributors to Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) over the years...- American Thinker
There is more...alot more.
Go here to read it
And never forget my fellow patriots....
Die with your boots on....
....
Now that there's funny...
Now that there's funny...I don't care who you are...
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Obama Orders Stephen's Haircut - Ray Odierno | ||||
| ||||
Some actual Progress in Iran
And I'm not talking about the "revolution" or election debacle...
Via Stratfor
Iran: Amendments Will Eliminate Stoning As Punishment
June 22, 2009
Iranian lawmakers are working to outlaw stoning and some other traditional Islamic punishments, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported June 22, citing a report from Iran’s official IRNA news agency. Iranian parliamentary judiciary commission head Ali Shahrokhi told IRNA that amendments to current laws will eliminate stoning and cutting off hands, a traditional Islamic punishment for thieves.
...
Via Stratfor
Iran: Amendments Will Eliminate Stoning As Punishment
June 22, 2009
Iranian lawmakers are working to outlaw stoning and some other traditional Islamic punishments, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported June 22, citing a report from Iran’s official IRNA news agency. Iranian parliamentary judiciary commission head Ali Shahrokhi told IRNA that amendments to current laws will eliminate stoning and cutting off hands, a traditional Islamic punishment for thieves.
...
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ruminations from the Confuzzled Mind of Mjolnir
Every once in a while I need to sit back, digest information, and relax.
I spend a fair amount of time surfing the interweb and am bombarded by information. I do my best to absorb it all, but alas, my powers of absorption are lacking.
I know I need to take a break from time to time and pontificate and reflect on the information. I have been trying to do that. The problem for me, as I've stated in earlier posts is that there are so many things that are of concern and that although they are all intertwined, they also are best explored individually.
I'll start with the possible revolution in Iran. I say possible, because at present, that's all it is. A lot of folks I know seem to think something huge is happening. Maybe they're right, but I dunno. I read all the updates put out by Stratfor and honestly, they are usually on the money, but not always. But coming from years of experience in intelligence gathering to include the 1979 revolution in Iran, I tend to take these guys a little more seriously than a blogger at HuffPo or some other rag.
Contrary to popular belief, Iran is actually a huge country. And there is a large rural population. It seems to me, the rural denizens of Iran most likely don't twitter a whole lot, and only get what information they have from the cleric-controlled government.
I spend a fair amount of time surfing the interweb and am bombarded by information. I do my best to absorb it all, but alas, my powers of absorption are lacking.
I know I need to take a break from time to time and pontificate and reflect on the information. I have been trying to do that. The problem for me, as I've stated in earlier posts is that there are so many things that are of concern and that although they are all intertwined, they also are best explored individually.
I'll start with the possible revolution in Iran. I say possible, because at present, that's all it is. A lot of folks I know seem to think something huge is happening. Maybe they're right, but I dunno. I read all the updates put out by Stratfor and honestly, they are usually on the money, but not always. But coming from years of experience in intelligence gathering to include the 1979 revolution in Iran, I tend to take these guys a little more seriously than a blogger at HuffPo or some other rag.
Iranian Revolution 1979
Contrary to popular belief, Iran is actually a huge country. And there is a large rural population. It seems to me, the rural denizens of Iran most likely don't twitter a whole lot, and only get what information they have from the cleric-controlled government.
I suspect they're not all that supportive of this "revolution" that's going on. Not cause they're evil Islamists, but because they are, for all intents and purposes, a simpler people that don't care for change of any flavor. We know that first hand here in America. We have something that suits us, and we don't want a "progressive" government telling us what to do. I suspect, neither do the rural citizens of Iran.
Look at how things are here. Usually, it is the urbanite, collectivists that scream and holler for change, etc. And it's the "backwards rural types" like us that don't see the awesomeness of what is being offered. It's a thin comparison to be sure, but not entirely inappropriate.
What strikes me as interesting, is that because of all these "student protestors", our left-wing moonbats are all about supporting a new revolution there. And because the story is plastered all over and seems to point to a demand by the citizens to have a recount and support a more democratic process, a lot of "right-wing" moonbats are doing the saying the same thing.
Iranian Election Protesters 2009
What everyone fails to see, is that no matter who wins, even if a recount puts Mousavi (sp?) at the helm of the presidency, there will be no significant change of power. Now to be sure, the simple fact that the people could force a recount is a sure sign of power to cause the clerics to let this happen is significant in it's own right. But from the way I see it, and of course I am not an Iranian, so my opinion is probably moot anyways, but still, the way I see it, if they get the other guy instead of Ahmadinnerjacket, they still have Sharia law governed by the Ayatollah and another Islamic fanatic, maybe less fanatic, but still a pretty serious Islamic in charge of the presidency. A revolution, perhaps, but is it really necessary? More bloodshed, for essentially the same thing. I hear stories of this guy being more moderate, but what does being more moderate entail? Unless they totally roll back a bunch of draconian laws on social behavior and human rights, which is highly unlikely, are the Iranian people really better off?
I think this "revolution" talk from the west is simply that, talk. And who does it benefit, at least in the short-term? The world in general and the west in particular. As long as Iran is in turmoil, they won't be launching nukes or missiles at anyone. I think that is the main reason this is getting play and that we are supporting it, not because anyone really believes significant change will be coming to Iran once this election protest gets resolved.
Would I personally like to see the people overthrow that fascist regime? Absolutely! Would I support a US effort to enable the people to take control of their destiny? Absolutely! But let's be frank here. Interference from any country right now would be a poor decision. Until the Iranians actually produce a real leader that would enact significant change, we need to stay the hell out of it.
Ok, that's all I got for now on the Iranian "revolution" fiasco.
There is another thing here that ties in nicely with the distraction theory I talked about in regards to Iran. While the American citizens are tuned in raptly to witness the "revolution" in Iran, we're also not paying attention to the threats to our own freedoms here in these United States. Along with American Idol and MTV and whatever other garbage is on the tube or the interweb. When Us customs is set to change the definition of a switchblade to include one handed opening knives, that will essentially outlaw a HUGE number of current pocketknives, without a congressional mandate or a review, arbitrarily exerting their power to fundamentally change something to deliberately outlaw a tool. Not a weapon, but a tool. F--ing ridiculous. Whether as a result of the new definition cause the LEOs to actually enforce the law on switchblades to include a damn pocket knife or not is irrelevant. I suspect it would be one of those "additional" type crimes added to something else if said "switchblade" were found on a suspect. But still people, that is still a right we would allow a government agency to take away from us because of "change" in definition.
I have long been offended by our society's willingness to accept new definitions of words and concepts that have existed in their "old" forms for centuries if not longer.
Take for instance, the word militia.
Traditionally, and for centuries the militia was literally the armed populace of a country, territory, village, town etc. The people were expected to be armed and ready to defend the country, territory etc. even when ruled by Kings. What people can truly be called free men and women that are systematically disarmed. Especially in the false premise of their own safety and well-being? They can't be called free. That's a simple fact.
American Colonial Militia
I won't ramble anymore on that particular aspect, but seriously folks, back in the 90's during the militia "craze/scare" the media portrayed citizens, regardless of ideology or intent of being extremists and dangerous because they were forming "militias"…oooh scary…yeah, not so much. McVeigh did more damage to the individual citizens rights simply because he was an actual extremist. 
Terrorist Scum (McVeigh)
The numerous groups of citizens that believe in this country that were simply preparing to defend her, were lumped in with neo-nazis and white supremacist nutjobs. Who paid the price for his actions and the media response. Aside from the poor families and souls who were killed by his act of malicious intent, the American people as a whole were. He accomplished one goal, he terrorized us and the media aided and abetted him. Now militias are actually defined as anti-government paramilitary groups. 
Modern Militia
Look it up on wiki. I was shocked to find this out. There has been a long campaign against our freedoms by shaping our perceptions of things. This one egregious example.
Although I am not a real religious guy, I have a few other things that truly bother me. The religious symbols both Christian and Pagan that somehow have become symbols of white-supremacist hate groups. In fact to sport a tattoo of one of these symbols makes you a racist or even subject to being charged with hate speech.
Example one, the Celtic cross. How on God's green earth did that ever become a symbol of hatred? The Celtic cross is a beautiful symbol, I've always found it very attractive, and it's also very…well, Celtic. It boggles the mind. Which leads into example two…Odin's cross and the celtic cross are variants of the same, except Odin's cross is also refered to as the solar cross. The adoption of the Christian faith into pagan society showed a morphing of the original ancient symbols into Christian variants. This is true of Odin's cross and Thor's Hammer.
Celtic Cross
Celtic/Odin's Cross
Example two, Odin's cross or Thor's hammer. Both Ancient Norse symbols. Now they somehow symbolize hatred as well. I am a bit leery of Odin, but not as a hater, simply as a deity. He's a bit of a mischief maker…kinda like Coyote. That however, is a subject for another time. Thor, he was the patron of warriors and craftsmen. Hence the smith's hammer that was also the weapon of choice for smiting Giants. I do realize that there are a lot of these Pagan groups that are into old pagan religion as an affirmation and a pride in being of Nordic descent and in some cases they are actual racists. But the symbols themselves do not denote this and they never have.
Thor's Hammer/Cross
Pe-Christian influence Thor's hammer
Another interesting development in the last half of the last century was the steady undermining of the warrior class in our society. I think if we look at history, to actually be in the warrior class was desirable, if you were on the receiving end, not so much. But at what point did it become disgraceful to be a warrior. To join the warrior class, so to speak? Our progressive vision of a utopian collectivist society has a lot to do with that. Even those of us that are imbued with spirit of a warrior are sometimes misled about what it means to be a warrior in our society. It is sad really.
We've started to make a comeback. We have started to embrace our warriors for the heroes they are. But some do so in a patronizing way. Warriors are proud of their role in society and do not deserve to be patronized for their voluntary service. Do not show pity. Show support. Let them know that they truly are the defenders of this republic. And they we respect for what they are.
There are many tragedies in this world, one of the biggest is our denial of the natural order of things. People die, people fight, we will not ever all agree on anything. Human nature is a bitch to idealists. They just can't accept that we aren't all wired alike. I hear about the one tribe mentality. And to an extent the concept has merit. But when an actual tribal people can't get along with themselves, how can the world as a tribe expect any more than a small one? It is simply a fantastic delusion. Not accepting there are people that hate you and will do everything in their power to kill you for any number of idiotic reasons, does change the fact that said people are actually out there actively trying to do so. Until you come to that realization, you're blissfully ignorant of the world. If it makes you feel better, oh well. The warriors will be here to protect your asses too.
Feudal Warrior Class
Tribal Warrior Class
Constitutional Republic Warrior Class
Which Class would you rather be? Think on it.
I am done for now.
And on that note, Have a Great Weekend all!
And die with your boots on….
….
The Left-Right Lie
My favorite 3-percenter blogger Mike Vanderbough has a fantastic commentary over at
Sipsey Street Irregulars
An excerpt...
So, tell me. Which was worse, being killed by monarchists, Nazis or Communists?
Ask the dead and they will tell you: there is NO difference.
There are no "right wing" or "left wing" distinctions when it comes to government-sponsored violence. From Auschwitz to the Gulag to the killing fields of Cambodia to Mao's Cultural Revolution, a bullet in the brain of an innocent is still a bullet in the brain of an innocent, regardless of the excuse. Whatever its espoused ideological roots, government murder is collectivism.
Collectivism is a term used to describe any moral, political, or social outlook, that stresses human interdependence and the importance of a collective, rather than the importance of separate individuals. Collectivists focus on community and society, and seek to give priority to group goals over individual goals. . . Specifically, a society as a whole can be seen as having more meaning or value than the separate individuals that make up that society. Collectivism is widely seen as being opposed to individualism. -- Wikipedia.
This whole left-right paradigm came about accidentally anyway. During the early French Revolutionary era of 1789-1796, this referred to the seating arrangements in the various legislative bodies of France. The aristocracy sat on the right of the Speaker (traditionally the seat of honor) and the commoners sat on the left. And while this may have made sense in late-Eighteenth Century Franch, it does no longer.
Direct link to the entire post is here.
Go there now...read it. Be enlightened.
Die with your boots on...
...
Sipsey Street Irregulars
An excerpt...
So, tell me. Which was worse, being killed by monarchists, Nazis or Communists?
Ask the dead and they will tell you: there is NO difference.
There are no "right wing" or "left wing" distinctions when it comes to government-sponsored violence. From Auschwitz to the Gulag to the killing fields of Cambodia to Mao's Cultural Revolution, a bullet in the brain of an innocent is still a bullet in the brain of an innocent, regardless of the excuse. Whatever its espoused ideological roots, government murder is collectivism.
Collectivism is a term used to describe any moral, political, or social outlook, that stresses human interdependence and the importance of a collective, rather than the importance of separate individuals. Collectivists focus on community and society, and seek to give priority to group goals over individual goals. . . Specifically, a society as a whole can be seen as having more meaning or value than the separate individuals that make up that society. Collectivism is widely seen as being opposed to individualism. -- Wikipedia.
This whole left-right paradigm came about accidentally anyway. During the early French Revolutionary era of 1789-1796, this referred to the seating arrangements in the various legislative bodies of France. The aristocracy sat on the right of the Speaker (traditionally the seat of honor) and the commoners sat on the left. And while this may have made sense in late-Eighteenth Century Franch, it does no longer.
Direct link to the entire post is here.
Go there now...read it. Be enlightened.
Die with your boots on...
...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday Hero Blogroll
In case you didn't know, this young Private was murdered by an American that converted to Islam. He was doing "Hometown Recruiting" and the bastard drove up and shot him and another soldier. This is a fitting tribute to a young soldier that gave his life for his country.
23 years old from Conway, Arkansas
D Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry
June 1, 2009
"My brother taught me valuable lessons and made me the man I am today," said Pfc. Triston Long, brother of Pvt. William Long. "My commander said, 'Make your brother one of us.' I will miss my brother with all that I am, and I serve in honor of him."
Pvt. William Long had just completed basic training and was set to ship out on June 8 to his first duty station in Korea when he and Private Second Class Quinton Ezeagwula were shot outside a Little Rock, Arkansas Army-Navy Recruiting Center by Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad. They were in Little Rock to speak to with potential recruits about their experiences.
Pvt. Long's father, Daris Long, a former Marine, wrote a letter to give to him when he shipped out for South Korea. In that letter he wrote, "Your day only ends when you’ve done your duty. You and your brother … are both heroes for having the moral courage to stand up when your country needs you most. You are in my hopes and my thoughts and my prayers. You are my son, you are my hero. I love you. Semper fidelis."
Along with his father and brother, Pvt. William Long is survived by his mother, Janet, who had served in the Navy herself.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From RedState, Sipsey Street Irregulars & Army Times with help from Kathi
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Playing Catchup...
Wednesday Hero Blogroll...almost a week late, but could not go without posting a tribute to this warrior...
Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marc A. Lee
28 years old from Hood River, Oregon
Navy SEAL
August 2, 2006
"Marc was amazing. He was my best friend, my love," his widow, Maya, said.
Petty Officer Marc A. Lee joined the Navy in 2001 and became an AO after completing Naval Air Technical Training. Later that year he attempted to complete the grueling BUD/S program but caught pneumonia and had to drop out. He tried again in 2004 and completed the course.
On August 2, 2006, Marc A. Lee became the first SEAL to be killed in combat in Iraq when he was fatally wounded in a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq. The following is from the award citation:
"During the operation, one element member was wounded by enemy fire. The element completed the casualty evacuation, regrouped and returned onto the battlefield to continue the fight. Petty Officer Lee and his SEAL element maneuvered to assault an unidentified enemy position. He, his teammates, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks engaged enemy positions with suppressive fire from an adjacent building to the north.
"To protect the lives of his teammates, he fearlessly exposed himself to direct enemy fire by engaging the enemy with his machine gun and was mortally wounded in the engagement. His brave actions in the line of fire saved the lives of many of his teammates"
"It was so like Marc to give up his life to save his friends," his mother, Debbie Lee, told the Hood River News. "I am so proud of him. He is my hero."
Petty Officer Lee was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with combat "V" for his actions in Iraq during his team’s combat tour and the Purple Heart medal.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
28 years old from Hood River, Oregon
Navy SEAL
August 2, 2006
"Marc was amazing. He was my best friend, my love," his widow, Maya, said.
Petty Officer Marc A. Lee joined the Navy in 2001 and became an AO after completing Naval Air Technical Training. Later that year he attempted to complete the grueling BUD/S program but caught pneumonia and had to drop out. He tried again in 2004 and completed the course.
On August 2, 2006, Marc A. Lee became the first SEAL to be killed in combat in Iraq when he was fatally wounded in a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq. The following is from the award citation:
"During the operation, one element member was wounded by enemy fire. The element completed the casualty evacuation, regrouped and returned onto the battlefield to continue the fight. Petty Officer Lee and his SEAL element maneuvered to assault an unidentified enemy position. He, his teammates, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks engaged enemy positions with suppressive fire from an adjacent building to the north.
"To protect the lives of his teammates, he fearlessly exposed himself to direct enemy fire by engaging the enemy with his machine gun and was mortally wounded in the engagement. His brave actions in the line of fire saved the lives of many of his teammates"
"It was so like Marc to give up his life to save his friends," his mother, Debbie Lee, told the Hood River News. "I am so proud of him. He is my hero."
Petty Officer Lee was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with combat "V" for his actions in Iraq during his team’s combat tour and the Purple Heart medal.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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