Captives told to claim torture

For any of you that think those we fight have not been studying us, think again. Unlike some on this side, al-Qaeda and others of their ilk, have studied us and learned some valuable lessons on how to influence the media and public opinion. Of course the MSM is more than willing to buy into all of this, take for example their overwhelming coverage of Abu Garhib and their Shockingly under coverage of the beheadings and murder of civilians by these same people. The word torture seems to make the dem/leftists, terrorist ass kissers and appeasers and the left leaning MSM salivate much like Pavlov's dogs, Amnesty International included. Who can forget saddam's attempt to get the usual suspects all worked up by bringing up the specter of Vietnam? Rowan Scarborough has some things to add in his column.

"In a raid on an al Qaeda cell in Manchester, British authorities seized al Qaeda's most extensive manual for how to wage war.

A directive lists one mission as "spreading rumors and writing statements that instigate people against the enemy."

If captured, the manual states, "At the beginning of the trial ... The brothers must insist on proving that torture was inflicted on them by state security before the judge. Complain of mistreatment while in prison."

The handbook instructs commanders to make sure operatives, or "brothers," understand what to say if captured.

"Prior to executing an operation, the commander should instruct his soldiers on what to say if they are captured," the document says. "He should explain that more than once in order to ensure that they have assimilated it. They should, in turn, explain it back to the commander.""

Of course, these captured terrorists have a willing audience to make their unfounded charges to. The MSM is all too willing to take the word of a scumbag, murdering terrorist over that of nay that have captured or interrogated these scum. That is exactly what these murderous bastards want.

" An example might have occurred in a Northern Virginia courtroom in February.

Ahmed Omar Abul Ali, accused of planning to assassinate President Bush, made an appearance in U.S. District Court and promptly told the judge that he had been tortured in Saudi Arabia, including a claim that his back had been whipped. He is accused of meeting there with a senior al Qaeda leader.

Days later, a U.S. attorney filed a court document saying physicians had examined Ali and "found no evidence of any physical mistreatment on the defendant's back or any other part of his body.""

The MSM and the usual leftists were all in a tizzy. When the doctor's reports were released, there was nary a word on this in the MSM and the usual suspects either went silent or into denial.

There are those all too willing, such as Amnesty International and the ACLU, to press these false claims of these terrorists. Of course, the facts never entered into any of their reports or claims. - Sailor

Italian Moral Stupidity in Iraq

I am sure most of you remember Giuliana Sgrena, the Italian communist reporter and terrorist ass kisser that was kidnapped in Iraq and subsequently released, after Italy was rumored to have paid a large ransom. She was wounded and an Italian security man killed while trying to run an American roadblock near the Baghdad airport. She made some rather outrageous claims about what occurred. So outrageous, I dubbed my posts on the subject, 'Sgrena's Tales'. Now Jack Kelly has a few more things to say about Sgrena and her fantasy in his commentary.

"Sgrena left her hotel the morning of Feb. 4th to interview refugees from Fallujah, the resistance stronghold captured by U.S. Marines in November. The interviews didn't go well. "The refugees...Would not listen to me," she said. "I had in front of me the accurate confirmation of the analysis of what the Iraqi society had become as a result of the war and they would throw their truth in my face."

Sgrena's feelings were hurt that the refugees could be so curt to: "I who had risked everything, challenging the Italian government who didn't want journalists to reach Iraq and the Americans who don't want our work to be witnessed of what really became of that country with the war and notwithstanding that which they call elections." (Maybe it reads better in Italian, or maybe she just can't write worth a damn.) "

Note the words "their truth". Looks like the Iraqi view of their situation did not agree with Sgrena's world view. I doubt that this read any better in Italian. What Sgrena wanted was to find Iraqi's that would condemn their own liberation. What she heard was definitely not to her liking, so like the typical leftist she is, she whined and sought to belittle those that did not give her what she wanted to hear.

"Sgrena and the driver said they approached the checkpoint slowly. But "slowly" seems to be a relative term for Italian drivers, and for communists. An Army officer told ABC news the car may have been going 100 mph when it was fired upon.

Sgrena claims the Americans shot without warning. "A tank started to shoot at us without any sign or any light," she told reporters March 7th. The soldiers say they used lights, and hand signals, and fired warning shots before shooting into the engine block to stop the vehicle. The car's driver said the soldiers did shine a spotlight, but opened up almost immediately afterwards.

Sgrena said "the tank" fired 300-400 shots at her car. But photographs of it published March 8th by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica indicate the vehicle suffered remarkably little damage for such a fusillade. There is a single bullet hole in the windshield, but the window glass and the fenders are otherwise intact, as is the hood."

Recently released satellite surveillance indicates that the car Sgrena was in was approaching the checkpoint at about 60mph. The most absurd of Sgrena's lie was the 300 - 400 rounds fired by a "tank". Surely if that were true, there would be no fantasy tale from Sgrena, as she would have been quite dead. Of course, the gullible and 'thirsty to smear' the US Military MSM, seized on this immediately and once again got egg on their collective faces.

"But there is no doubt about the credibility of Giuliana Sgrena. She entitled her story "My Truth," perhaps to distinguish it from the bourgeois concept of truth that depends on adherence to fact. Many on the Left in America embraced Sgrena's "truth," while refusing to give their countrymen the benefit of the doubt.

But hey, liberals support our troops. They say so all the time."

A typical America hating, terrorist ass kisser, Sgrena has made up her version of the "truth" I doubt this woman would know the truth if it shot at her. As for the leftists that say they support our troops, I have said this before, what utter bullshit. - Sailor

Memorial Day - 2005

Last year, I was honored and privileged to give a speech before a local veterans group. Here is my speech.

"Thank you, Commander.

Distinguished guests, my brothers and sisters in arms, families and friends, good morning. We meet here on this warm May morning, to pay homage to those that died to keep us free.

As I look out amongst you, I see few from my grandfather's generation, who fought in the 'War to end all Wars', WWI. Then I see my father's generation, the 'Greatest Generation', who saved the world from fascism by winning WWII and fought in Korea, the 'Forgotten War', to keep communism in check. This generation further fought the early part of the Cold War, by being ever vigilant and ready. There is my generation who fought in Viet Nam. The cause was just, you won every battle you were engaged in, including the Tet Offensive, which though billed as a loss by the media of the time, was in fact your greatest victory. You crushed the enemy to the point of despair. You did not fail, the politicians failed you. You also took the torch from our fathers and win the Cold War. Finally, I see my son's generation, the Xers. The ones some were concerned would not pick up the torch. They were wrong. This generation fought magnificently in the Gulf War and continues to fight on against terror. I salute each and every one of you.

To those here, that have lost their loved ones in defense of our Nation, I salute you as well, for your sacrifice and your steadfastness in these troubled times.

Today, our Nation is at war once again. While we cherish and pay homage to those that have died in past wars defending our freedoms and our way of life, young warriors are fighting and, sadly, dying to continue to preserve what we hold so dear.

The enemy we fight today, is the same as other enemies we have fought before. They want to destroy us and force their way of life upon us. They are different in their methods. They do not wish to engage our military in major battles, for they know they have no hope of defeating them. Instead, they seek to terrorize us. They target civilians and soft targets. They use people whom they have convinced will become martyrs by sacrificing themselves to kill innocents and our warriors. You WWII vets called them kamikazes.

They know that it is the United States that stands in their way to dominate the Middle East and then Europe and Asia. They try to cower us with their murders and other terror tactics. They do not know, nor do they understand the spirit of the American people. We will not be cowered, instead we rise with steel in our backbones to see that they are eradicated from the face of this planet.

As I speak to you this day, our young warriors are engaging this enemy in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places we do not hear of. This will not be a short or an easy war. We will have successes and we will have temporary failures. We will lose loved ones, both in the military and, tragically, civilians. Our enemy has no remorse in the killing of innocents. But we will see this through to final victory.

In closing, let me say it has been an honor and privilege to have served for twenty years to defend the most free Nation the world has ever known. I respectfully thank those who died to keep America free. I salute our warriors who continue to fight to keep us free. May God bless and keep them and their families. May God Bless the United States of America.


This speech was given by Sailor, SCPO, USN (ret.) before a local VFW."

Never forget. - Sailor

For Those Who Wait........Thank You

Another Memorial Day approaches and it has dawned on me that little is said about those who sit and wait on the home front, worrying about their loved ones overseas. It is their sacrifice that is all too often over looked. The wife and mother, raising the kids, dealing with what some of us consider the mundane issues of day to day life, doing this all on her own. Making those every day decisions that most married couples make together.

Let us not forget the husband that is doing the same things, while his wife is overseas, defending her family. I know I would have been beside myself trying to do those things my former wife did whilst I was Globe trotting for Uncle Sam.

We also need to remember the anguish of those moms and dads, of which I am now one, worrying about their child who is now in the military defending us here at home. I am finding that my son is always in my thoughts, even though he is stationed Stateside for now.

It is even more distressing in this day and age of instant communication, to wait at home. I can only imagine the fears and, for lack of a better word, terror, that those watching the news or reading a newspaper must feel when they see or hear of the death or injuries of our troops in the war zone. The waiting for word must be absolutely terrifying.

We all need to take some time and consider those that are waiting on the homefront. If you know some one that is, take out some time to see what you can do to help them through their day. It is the very least we can do. Even some thing as simple as dropping off a dessert or offering to take care of their children, so they can have some alone time or even just go to a movie.

To those of you that are waiting at home, I apologize for not having said some thing sooner. I thank you for your unheralded sacrifices. You are truly the backbone of our military. - Sailor

Chirac: French Reject EU Constitution

AP is reporting that Chirac has stated that France has rejected the EU constitution. This will have serious ramifications for the EU. The Dutch are set to vote on Wednesday.

"PARIS (AP) - French voters rejected the European Union's first constitution Sunday, President Jacques Chirac said - a stinging repudiation of his leadership and the ambitious, decades-long effort to further unite the continent.

Chirac, who urged voters to approve the charter, announced the result in a short televised address. He said the process of ratifying the treaty would continue in other EU countries.

"France has expressed itself democratically," Chirac said. "It is your sovereign decision, and I take note."

Earlier, the Interior Ministry said that with about 83 percent of the votes counted, the referendum was rejected by 57.26 percent of voters. It was supported by 42.74 percent."

This is a major defeat for Chirac and possibly the EU. Chirac is on the record as stating he would ignore a no vote. I will have more as soon as details become available. - Sailor

Injured Zarqawi has fled Iraq

The British paper, The Sunday Times is reporting that Al Qaeda's head scumbag in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has run away after being severely injured in a US missile attack 3 weeks ago. According to the Times' source, Zarqawi suffered shrapnel wounds to his right shoulder and chest. The Times also is reporting that Zarqawi suffered from a very fever that necessitated his seeking nedical help at a hospital in Ramadi.

"LONDON (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had fled the country after being seriously injured in a U.S. missile attack, a British newspaper reported on Sunday, quoting a senior commander of the Iraqi insurgency.

Al-Zarqawi has shrapnel lodged in his chest and may have been moved to Iran, The Sunday Times newspaper reported, adding his supporters may try to move him on to another country for an operation.

The paper quoted an unnamed insurgency commander as saying the Jordanian-born militant was wounded three weeks ago when a U.S. missile hit his convoy near the northwestern Iraqi city of al Qaim.

"Shrapnel went in between the right shoulder and his chest, ripped it open and is still stuck there," the commander said, adding a second piece of shrapnel penetrated Zarqawi's chest but exited from his back.

"There was concern about spinal injuries," the commander said. "But his ability to move eliminated that fear.""

I would think that Zarqawi's cohorts will need to seek a hospital to have that shrapnel removed and any infection treated. One can hope that Zarqawi succumbs to those would and infection in a rather painful manner, if in fact, he already has not. If he is or has indeed been moved to Iran, it would be on Iran to turn Zarqawi over to either Iraqi or US authorities. I will not hold my breath waiting for that to occur.

"Then, on Thursday, an Internet statement in al Qaeda's name said the group had named a deputy to fill in for Zarqawi, but a later statement attributed to the group spokesman swiftly denied it.

On the same day, Iraq's interior minister said he had confirmation Zarqawi had been wounded, but the country's prime minister later said there was no firm news.

Washington has offered a $25 million bounty for Zarqawi, its top foe in Iraq.

His group is blamed for many of the suicide bombings and ambushes by mostly Sunni Arab guerrillas, which have killed more than 600 Iraqis in the last four weeks and raised fears Iraq could slide toward civil war."

This could also be a ruse to take the pressure off Zarqawi. Having the Iraqi and US authorities believing he has left Iraq, might slow down the hunt for him. Time will tell on this one.

Just a word here on all the MSM's talk about a civil war. From all I can see and read, this is another attempt by the leftist media to throw water on the flames of democracy that has taken root in Iraq. This is on about the same level as the quagmire hysteria prior to the Presidential election. - Sailor

Source

Constitutional Option Still on the Table

Many people have been touting the recent compromise int the Senate on filibustering judicial nominees as a victory for the dem/leftists. Those that believe this claim the dem/leftists can still filibuster nominees for "extraordanary circumstances". One would think, by listenting to these folks, that this agreement is cast in stone. It is not. The Constitutional option is still very much on the table. Senator Orin Hatch explains.

"On May 23, 2005, a group of 14 senators, seven Democrats and seven Republicans, issued a “Memorandum of Understanding on Judicial Nominations.” The Democrats’ part of the pact was pledging to vote for cloture on three named judicial nominees and to oppose filibusters of future judicial nominations except in undefined “extraordinary circumstances.” The Republicans’ contribution was pledging to oppose changing Senate rules or procedures regarding judicial filibusters during the current 109th Congress.

They announced this deal on the eve of a Senate vote that would have eliminated the judicial filibuster altogether. Four times during the 108th Congress, the Senate failed to invoke cloture, or end debate, on the appeals court nomination of Priscilla Owen. Had that happened again on May 24, 2005, Frist would have sought a ruling from the presiding officer that, after sufficient debate, the Senate should vote on a judicial nomination. I would have joined a majority of my fellow senators in voting to affirm that ruling, re-establishing Senate tradition and making the judicial filibuster a thing of the past.

Recently dubbed the constitutional option, this is a mechanism for changing Senate procedures—without changing Senate rules—that has been used, directly or indirectly, for nearly a century. The filibuster deal was struck, in part, so that the constitutional option would not, at least for now, be exercised.
The operative words here are “for now.” On its face at least, the deal fails to re-establish the Senate’s tradition of up-or-down votes for all judicial nominations reaching the Senate floor. Instead, it may effectively reduce the number of senators who can dictate which nominees receive floor votes to just the handful involved in this deal, since they can make or break the 60-vote threshold for invoking cloture, or ending debate, under Senate Rule XXII.

Loopholes in the Deal

Perhaps even worse, the deal does not even attempt to distinguish the “extraordinary circumstances” justifying future filibusters from the “extreme” standard Democrats say justified their past filibusters. Rather than confine the filibuster, this subjectivity creates loopholes large enough to drive a filibuster through."

As long as these extraordinary circumstances remain undefined, the constitutional option remains on the table. It will likely be when the time comes for a nominee to be named to replace a SCOTUS justice that the extraordinary circumstances card will be played and the constitutional option will again become the center of debate. What we have now is a very fragile truce that will collapse under it's own weight. - Sailor

Amnesty's Idiocy

Amnesty International is at it once again. This time they have compared the dentention center at Gitmo to a gulag. I suppose you have to expect this sort of nonsense from a group headed by William Schultz, a card carrying leftist and terrorist ass kisser from way back. You can read about Schultz's affiliations here. John Podhoretz takes issue with Amnesty's gulag comparison in his commentary.

"Number of prisoners at Gitmo: approximately 600.

Number of prisoners in the Gulag: as many as 25 million, according to the peerless Gulag historian Anne Applebaum.

Number of camps at Gitmo: 1

Number of camps in the Gulag: At least 476, according to Applebaum.

Political purpose of Gulag: The suppression of internal dissent inside a totalitarian state.

Political purpose of Gitmo: The suppression of an international terrorist group that had attacked the United States, killing 3,000 people while attempting to decapitate the national government through the hijack of airplanes.

Financial purpose of Gulag: Providing totalitarian economy with millions of slave laborers.

Financial purpose of Gitmo: None.

Seizure of Gulag prisoners: From apartments, homes, street corners inside the Soviet Union.

Seizure of Gitmo prisoners: From battlefield sites in Afghanistan in the midst of war."

It would seem AI has some problems with exaggeration to say the least. You can bet your bottom dollar that those confined at Gitmo are being treated far better then those enslaved in a Soviet gulag. AI obviously needed the shock value of using the word gilag to sustain it's America bashing credentials.

"The people who work at Amnesty International surely know something of the history of the Gulag. After all, the group was founded in part to serve as a watchdog of Communist human-rights abuse. They surely know that even though they might consider the American camp at Guantanamo Bay a terrible violation of human rights, it is a speck on a speck of a mote of dust compared to the Everest of horror that was the Soviet Gulag.

On the other hand, maybe not. Maybe the people who work at Amnesty International really do think that the imprisonment of 600 certain or suspected terrorists is tantamount to the imprisonment of 25 million slaves.

The case of Amnesty International proves that well-meaning people can make morality their life's work and still be little more than moral idiots."

It is obvious to me that AI is now nothing more than an America bashing entity that cannot find it's collective ass with both hands. I wonder when AI will apply this type of standard to the world's leading human rights abusing organization, the United Nations? - Sailor

Our Spoiled and Unhappy Global Elites

I do not know about you, but I for one am getting very sick and tired of these foreign elitists insulting the US. If it were not for this country, where would they be? I will let Victor Davis Hanson explain in his commentary, since he is far more eloquent than I will ever be.

"Not long ago Pepsi Cola’s chief operating officer, Indra Nooyi, gave an address to the graduating class at Columbia Business School. In it, she metaphorically likened America to the middle finger on the global hand.

Denunciations and anger arose from her use of the silly metaphor (e.g., “This analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents leaves the long, middle finger for North America, and, in particular, the United States.…However, if used inappropriately — just like the U.S. itself — the middle finger can convey a negative message and get us in trouble. You know what I'm talking about… So remember, when you extend your arm to colleagues and peoples from other countries, make sure that you're giving a hand, not the finger.”)

Then came her employer’s obligatory explication that she really did not mean what she said. And soon her defenders claimed hypersensitive Americans could not take well-meaning admonishment."

The temptation here, of course, is to extend the proverbial middle finger to all of Pepsico's businesses. A boycott may not hurt them all that much, but it would send a meggage about biting the hand that feeds them.

"Former cricket-star-turned-Pakistani-politician Imran Khan in some ways jumpstarted the Newsweek-induced frenzy when in a May 6 press conference he demanded an apology for the alleged slight to the Koran. “This is what the U.S. is doing,” Khan boomed, “desecrating the Koran.” His mischaracterization, based on a lie, was then beamed across the Middle East — and, presto, Mr. Khan got the anti-American outburst he apparently wanted.

Khan may have made his fortune and name in the British tabloids as a cricket star and international playboy of the London salons, a lifestyle that had strong affinities with the West rather than the madrassas. But now he is back in Pakistan crafting a political career and catering to the Islamists, even though religious extremism is antithetical to what allowed him to succeed and prosper abroad."

How is this for hypocrisy? Let's face itm Kahn was a major league playboy in the West and now all of a sudden he has found his religion? It never ceases to amaze me how low some will go in the pursuit of power.

"A final suggestion for these unhappy and privileged few: To end your obsessions with the pathologies of America and the West, find a way to create your own alternative sports, literature, corporations, soft drinks, and filmmaking in the non-West.

It is not that we Americans are mad at what you say. It is just that you have all become so hypocritical, then predictable, and now boring — you are all so boring."

If they all despise the West and America, I suggest that they at least be honest and cut off all business dealings with th the West and America. I suspect that they are far too greedy to do that. Boring , boorish and so very tiresome. - Sailor

Don't expect the filibuster deal to last for long

For those of you that think this filibuster compromise will last, think again. I will go on the record right here and now and predict that it will not be all that ling before the dem/leftists find some reason to block a Bush judicial nominee. It will not make any difference if that nominee, as with the other nominees the dem/leftists have filibustered, hase the ABA Most qualified rating. As soon as NARAL or one of the other leftists groups tell Harry Reid no on a nominee, the filibustering will begin anew. Terence Samuel explains in his commentary why this deal will evaporate quickly.

"The deal was anomalous, because it made both sides vulnerable to capitulation and hypocrisy. It was not long before those charges were leveled. But maybe the easiest way to gauge whether this was a compromise with real costs is to note that both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Reverend James Dobson’s Focus on the Family decried the deal as a stinker and threatened to mobilize against it.

And it is those competing armies on the left and on the right that seem destined to run over this agreement like a semi over a caterpillar.

Add to that a clear sense that the GOP Senate leadership (which had the deal foisted on it) seems determined to blow it up at the earliest opportunity. After the agreement was reached, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist reminded everyone that he was not a part of the deal, and he reserved the right to resurrect the nuclear option at any point he feels necessary.

“I do not want to use the constitutional option, but bad faith and bad behavior during my tenure as majority leader will bring the Senate back to the point where all one hundred members will be asked to decide whether judicial nominees deserve a fair up-or-down vote.”

The deal itself may come up for an up-or-down vote before long."

We have already seen the bad faith on the part of the dem/leftists as they try to filibuster the Bolton nomination. Yes, Bolton is not a judicial nominee, but what ever good faith that may have been created by this compromise went out the window yesterday when the dem/leftists voted against cloture. This is all really a set up for a show down on the next SCOTUS nominee, which considerintg the current health of the Chief Justice will be sooner ratner than later. - Sailor

Turmoil as Chirac plots to disregard 'non' vote

It looks more and more as if the French voters are going to reject the EU Constitution. This would be a major blow to President Chirac ans his efforts to have France as the centerpiece of the EU. Philip Webster and Charles Bremner are reporting that Chirac has every intention of ignoring a no vote.

"“The decision before us goes far beyond traditional political divisions,” he said. The choice was “about your future and that of your children, of the future of France and the future of Europe. On Sunday, everyone will have a share of the destiny of France in its hands.”

He argued that the constitution would strengthen France’s influence in Europe and reinforce the French social model. Rejecting it would create “divisions and doubts” in Europe when “we need a political Europe capable of bringing about a genuine European power”.

But the latest poll showed the rejectionists’ support growing to 55 per cent — the 13th poll in succession to put the ‘no’ camp ahead. With two days of campaigning left, the French political establishment was left hoping for a Liverpool-style comeback.

Even as M Chirac prepared to deliver his appeal last night the recriminations within his centre-right UMP party had begun, and he was said by colleagues to have accepted that he had bungled by calling a referendum."

So there it is really. This is about Chirac having things in the E done the French way. France's economy is in the dumper, which is one of the reasons that the opposition has been able to muster enough votes as of now to defeat the EU constitution. It will be interesting to see how Chirac goes about ingoring a no vote. The Brits have yet to vote on the EU constitution and Chirac is trying to bully them into acceptance, using the US as the whipping boy. Monday will indeed be a very telling day for the future of the EU. - Sailor

More Non-Inflationary Prosperity

When Harry Reid was off whining about his perception of GOP sniping, he also complained that the economy was weak. Perhaps Harry has been too busy being obstructionist or thinking up new insults for republicans to have noticed the latest economic numbers. Lawrence Kudlow breaks some of the numbers down in his commentary.

"Actually, we are looking at non-inflationary prosperity for several more years to come. This is a good stock market scenario where the broad indices still look to be 20 to 25 percent undervalued. In policy terms the Fed has done its job by restraining inflation and President Bush’s supply-side tax cuts have reignited economic growth. The results are unmistakably positive."

While the economy is not growing at the break neck speed it once was, it is still growing at a very solid pace. Fears of increasing inflation are looking more and more unfounded. All in all good news for everyone but Harry Reid. - Sailor

A Marine exonerated

As I posted earlier, Marine 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano, has been exonerated of charges of premeditated murder. This Article 32 hearinf should never have happemed, based on the initial investigation in the field, which found Pantano's actions justified. The Washington Times hase some comments in their editorial.

"There is little doubt Lt. Pantano made just such a decision on April 15, 2004, during one of the worst months of the Iraq insurgency. While raiding a house full of weapons south of Baghdad, Lt. Pantano and his men found two suspected terrorists who tried to flee in an SUV. Lt. Pantano shot out the vehicle's tires and forced the suspects to search for bombs and hidden compartments. Moments later, the suspects turned as if to rush Lt. Pantano and ignored his orders to stop. So he killed them. At a time when terrorists were blowing up American soldiers with improvised explosive devices and booby-trapping carcasses on the road, Lt. Pantano acted to protect his men. He didn't help his case by emptying two M-16 clips into the suspected terrorists and leaving a sign on their corpses bearing a Marine Corps slogan, reportedly to send a message. But the danger and uncertainty of the situation were clear. "We're parked in a kill box right now," Lt. Pantano recalled telling his squad. "It's a miracle that we're not all in a bag right now." "

Pantano's leaving ofthe sign on the bodies of the dead terrorists, is unprofessional, though considering the heat of combat, understandable. If you have never been in combat, this may be hard for you to understand.

"Lt. Pantano could have faced the death penalty. Yesterday's decision sends all the right signals to servicemen who feared that authorities back home might second-guess justifiable decisions in the battlefield. "Down at the unit level, there was never a question about Ilario's conduct and whether or not he did the right thing," the lieutenant's lawyer, Charles Gittins, told the Associated Press yesterday. "It was up in the higher echelons. The people removed from combat situations needed to put more trust in their officers rather than assuming they're guilty." Indeed.

Lt. Pantano will face administrative punishment for desecrating the corpses. We hope that he will return to his combat unit now that he has been cleared of criminal wrondoing."

It is far too easy to second guess the action of those in a combat situation. We need to have more faith in our troops, as well as the after action reports and in the field investigations. Justice has been done. Now it is time to allow Pantano to get on with his Marine career. - Sailor

Vote to end debate on Bolton fails

Didn't take long for the dem/leftists to use the filibuster on a Bush nominee. They have had their opportunity to express their advice and consent. This excuse about not having some additional classified documents is a red herring. The dem/lestists are on a fishing expidition, hoping against hope that some how, some where, they can find some thing that would sink Bolton. After all of this time, they need to stop being obstructionists and get to doing the people's business.

"Republicans needed 60 votes to cut off the debate; they fell short by four, with a 56-42 breakdown.

The debate on Bolton's nomination will now likely resume next month after senators return from their weeklong holiday break.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist had said he wanted a vote on the nomination before the weeklong Memorial Day holiday.

"It does disappoint me," Frist said after the vote. "It looks like we have, once again, another filibuster."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid took issue with Frist's comment.

"This is the first filibuster of the year, and maybe the last. [I] hope so," the Nevada Democrat said."

Maybe the last? How long will it be before the dem/lefists find an excuse to say, filibuster a Bush SCOTUS nominee? After all NARAL has already spent a very large sum of money hiring political consultants to dig into the finances of potential judicial nominees. When NARAL speaks, the dem/leftists jump. So the this so called spirit of co-operation lasted about about 2 days. We can expect to see more of this obsrtuctionist behavior in the future. - Sailor

Source

American Flag Retirement

I received an e-mail today from a group that will retire your flags that are ready for this. Please do take advantage of their free service. To Charles Taliaferro and the Kitchen Table Gang Trust, thank you for providing this timely and valuable service. - Sailor

"Please share the below message with your website viewers and newsletter readers. I hope you deem us worthy of your support. Thank you very much! - - - - - - You can retire your tattered, worn out and frayed American flags without cost to you. Send your flags to the Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866 and we will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner with full honors and dignity pursuant to the United States Flag Code Section 8K. We have been providing this free service for he past seven years. Our flag retirement ceremonies are held on Flag Day, June 14th each year and are conducted by an all volunteer U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard led by GySgt. Dan Kelley USMC (Ret.).

Thanks, Charles Taliaferro
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THE KITCHEN TABLE GANG TRUST

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Charges Against 2nd Lt. Pantano Dropped

NewxMax, from the AP, is reporting that the charges against Marine 2nd Lt. Illario Pantano have been dismissed. These charges should never have seen the light of day. The preliminary, in the field investigation, found that Pantano's actions were correct and justified. This is where this should have ended. Here is the article.

"Huck could have accepted Winn's recommendation, given some form of administrative punishment or gone ahead with a court-martial. He decided that Pantano should face no punishment for any of his actions.

"The best interests of 2nd Lt. Pantano and the government have been served by this process," the Marine Corps said in a statement.

Supporters of Pantano said troops should not be second-guessed for decisions made in fleeting seconds of combat. A North Carolina congressman had urged President Bush to intervene and dismiss charges."

As I posted above, these charges should never have been brought. Second guessing actions of troops in the field, after an investigation has been concluded by those in the field and no wrong doing has been found, should be stopped, except in if overwhelming evidence points to the contrary. And I do mean overwhelming, not just the words of an obvioulsy disgruntled subordinate.

"Pantano is now helping to train troops at Camp Lejeune, but his attorney said he hopes the decision will clear the way for the Marine to return to a combat unit.

"I think (the decision) demonstrates that Ilario acted honorably in combat and the suggestion that he didn't that tarnished his reputation was unjustified," Gittins said. "I'm pleased for Ilario and his family because the nightmare is over.""

We need more men and women like 2nd Lt. Pantano in our Military. They are our rock and our line of defense against those that wish us harm. - Sailor

A Father’s Dream

Since I changed the format of my blog a couple of months ago, it is rare that I post an article in it's entirety. This is one of those rare occassions where I find myself at a loss for comments. First off, I agree entirelly with Tony Woodlief and his dream for Isaac. You see, my son Daniel, of whom I am extremely proud, is a member of the US Army. He is on his way to airborne, then Ranger schools. I want to give a huge hat tip to Missy4, for alerting my to this article. - Sailor

" May 17, 2005, 8:07 a.m.
A Father’s Dream
I can see it now…
By Tony Woodlief

Like many fathers, I find myself gazing at my sons and dreaming about what they will become. I have a vision for the most important parts — that they become strong, gentle husbands and fathers, servants and leaders, better men than me. But I wonder what they will do for a living, especially since we expect them to be out of the house by the time they are 21 18 16 12.

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but sometimes I think I can see in their mannerisms glimpses of their future professions. Take the newest addition to our home, William Isaac, a few months short of a year old. Some of you may scoff, but I think he is destined to be a sniper for the Navy SEALS.

I know, I know, we all imagine our sons will be NFL quarterbacks and our daughters nuclear physicists, and nobody ever envisions that his child will grow up to head the janitorial-services division of the local community college. But hear me out on this.

I have to begin by acknowledging that the thought of her son becoming a Navy SEAL sniper fills my wife’s heart with dread, as it probably would many mothers. She can’t understand why I would encourage fate by giving voice to such an idea. But I nurture my dream nonetheless. Let's face it, the number of people around the world in need of a match-grade round between the eyes is on the increase, and you and I aren’t up to the task. I’m proud to think of my son filling that niche in the job market.

Why do I think Isaac is headed for this profession, you ask? First, he’s a natural-born jumper, which is key if your future job requires you to occasionally bring silent death from the skies. We have a seat suspended from springs that we attach to a door sill, and he can spend an entire hour in it, hopping about like a frog, without, I might add, tangling the gear overhead. He’s still working on the silent part, but the boy's a natural parachutist.

An even better predictor is the fact that Isaac can hit the weak point in his diaper with amazing accuracy. As every parent knows, when babies get fatter, they create vulnerabilities in their undergarments. This child exploits them without mercy. If he can be that accurate with his butt, imagine what he'll be able to do with a .50 caliber M88 from 300 yards.

At first I thought the destruction was just coincidence. But once you've got a whole drawerful of onesies with permanent mustard-colored waist-high stains, you realize that either the Lord hates you, or you've got a natural marksman on your hands. Since I know Jesus loves me, that leaves Explanation B.

I've actually gone to change the boy after hearing one of the intestinally generated explosions that are his hallmark (explosions: another SEAL specialty!), only to find…an empty diaper. Somehow, he's able to fire a whole payload of poop over the rim of his diaper, and up his own back. The Defense Department pays, what, $2 billion for a Stealth bomber? I say this to our nation’s military leaders, with all due respect: you folks don’t know from Stealth bombing. I’ve got a Stealth bomber right here under my roof, and he only cost one dinner, half a bottle of wine, and nine months of misery to make.

It’s not easy raising a lean, mean, pooping machine. As an ESPN announcer might say, you cannot stop such a Hazmat disaster, you can only hope to contain it. Lately I've taken to stripping us both naked and getting in the shower after he makes mockery of his diaper. This has the dual-benefit of letting me enjoy his happy wiggles at being both naked and in a shower (he likes water — another trait of a good SEAL), while muting the distressed cries of my wife as she struggles in vain at the sink to scrub indelible stains from cotton.

I try to explain to her, just like making a cake entails breaking a few eggs, making a warrior means we're going to ruin a few sets of multicolored Gap baby clothes. And truth be told, most of the Gap line doesn’t suit my tastes anyway; their clothing makes the boy look like he was dressed by a band of juggling circus gypsies. Since most of the clothes come from her side of the family, this silver-lining argument tends to fall on unreceptive ears.

The final bit of proof I have about my son’s destiny can be found in his hand-to-hand combat skills. With the drool and the goofy grins Isaac may look like he’s destined to ride the short bus, but just put your face within striking distance of one of those chubby little grabby hands and you’ll find that he’s a ruthless master of pain. His specialty is the lip-pull. One second you’re making stupid baby talk to him, and the next he’s got your bottom lip stretched down over your chin. If you don’t retreat to a safe distance while you recover from that indignity, he’ll get you with a Chinese finger-through-the-brain-by-way-of-the-nostril kung-fu move he’s been practicing on his mother. I pity Osama bin Laden when my son finds him cowering in a Pakistani cave in 20 years.

The wife and me, we don’t see eye to eye on Isaac’s future. Though she is too kind to say so directly, I suspect she thinks my SEAL dream is farfetched. It's one of those tom-A-to/to-MAH-to things. Were I French, I might be inclined to say "vive la difference." But then, were I French, I probably couldn't have sired a son with such deadly skills in the first place.

— Tony Woodlief is president of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and he lives in Virginia with his wife and three sons. More of his writing can be found at http://www.tonywoodlief.com/."

Source

Gallup Shock: 69 Percent Oppose Dem Filibusters

We have all seen one poll or another in the MSM, saying the American people support the dem/leftist position on filibustering judicial nominees. Many claim that it is how the question is framed that showed the results the left leaning MSM wanted. Of course, the MSM, or any organization, that wants a specific answer to a poll, will try and get that answer by framing the question to lead the poll taker in that direction. Now, NewsMax, is reporting the results of a Gallup poll that shows 69% of Americans favor an up or down vote on judicial nominees.

"The bombshell survey found that 35 percent "want to see the filibuster rules changed so that those judicial nominees are subject to an up-or-down vote," Gallup said.

Thirty-four percent "want to see the filibuster rule preserved" but "would like to see the Senate have an up-or-down vote on those nominees."

Only 19 percent told Gallup that Democrats were right to filibuster judicial appointments, with 12 percent voicing no opinion."

Do not hold your breath waiting to see these poll results in the leftist MSM. - Sailor

Jeanine Pirro: A Hat in the Ring?

NewsMax is reporting the Jeanine Pirro, Westchester County, NY's District Attorney will announce that she will not be seeking a fourth term. The reason put forth is that Pirro is or will be seeking "higher" Office. This has been taken to mean that Pirro will challenge Hillary Clinton in 2006. Pirro has an excellent track record of success in law enforcement and has been a frequent commentator on CNN and other news outlets.

"A frequent television commentator, Mrs. Pirro began her career in law enforcement as a prosecutor in Westchester more than 25 years ago, according to an online biography.

In 1978, she headed the county's first domestic violence unit, one of only four in the nation, and was later elected the first woman jurist to sit on the Westchester County Court bench.

Mrs. Pirro's High Technology Crimes unit has won plaudits nationwide for its work against pedophiles and child pornographers who use the Internet to prey on children.
"

Pirro has excellent credentials, is known to many New Yorkers and would be a strong candidate to challenge Clinton. The only real fly in the ointment for Pirro, is her husband Al Pirro's recent legal entanglements, including a conviction on tax charges. Knowing the Clinton propaganda machine and their willing allies in the MSM, you can bet they will try and exploit this. - Sailor

Source

Newspaper union leader: U.S. military targets journalists

Here we go again. Another member of the media, this time a union leader, is claiming the US Military is intentionally targeting journalists. Newspaper Guild President Linda Foley has made this ridiculous claim at a meeting in St. Louis on May 13. Mind you, she offered no evidence, no proof, she just shot off her mouth. Thomas Lipscomb provides some details in his article.

"A public statement by Newspaper Guild President Linda Foley is reviving questions about the intentional targeting of journalists in Iraq by the U.S. armed forces.

At a May 13 meeting in St. Louis, Foley said: "Journalists, by the way, are not just being targeted verbally or politically. They are also being targeted for real in places like Iraq. What outrages me as a representative of journalists is that there's not more outrage about the number, and the brutality, and the cavalier nature of the U.S. military toward the killing of journalists in Iraq.""

Okay Linda, how about providing direct evidence of you outrageous charges? I suspect you cannot, because there is none. Journalists in war zones put themselves at risk and they know those risks. For Foley to make these outlandish statements is simply irresponsible.

"At the Communications Workers of America, Candice Johnson said she could not provide any evidence for Foley's revival of the Eason Jordan charges. Linda Foley refused requests for an interview.

Retired Air Force General Thomas McInerney, a Fox News military consultant, was "frankly astonished."

"It may be legitimate to investigate whether there may or may not have been an incident in which U.S. troops have targeted journalists, but there is no question at this point that major media figures are targeting the men and women of the United States military in Iraq, repeatedly and with no evidence," he said."

Foley cannot provide any detailsof any incidnet where a journalist was intentionally targeted. So now she refuses any interviews. How courageous of her, not. She is just another cowardly leftist, who will try and wait till this all blows over. Here is a challenge for you Foley, provide direct evidence of your charges, or apologize. I will not be holding my breath waiting for you to do either. The leftist MSM continues to bash America's military. Any time you hear some leftist tell you they support the troops, simply reply, bullshit. I know I will. - Sailor

Democrats no longer have a lock on voters under 30

Over the past few months, I have been posting on what inroads the GOP has or has not been making into what has been considered the dem/leftist base. Recently, I posted on how the GOP has been reaching out to the black community. Now it is time to look at the under 30 voters. Since the Vietnam era, the under 30 vote has been considered to be solidly dem/leftist. Attitudes and political leanings change over time. Vahe Tazian explains the changing demographics in his article.

"The trend of young voters becoming more conservative has, to some degree, been overlooked. The general assumption, as Dean incorrectly claimed, is that young voters are typically liberal. One reason this notion still exists is that the trend has been gradual. Starting in 1984, when Ronald Reagan transformed the image of the Republican party in the eyes of many youth, to the recent presidential election, the GOP has been slowly, but impressively, increasing its appeal among young voters.

The rise in more young voters leaning conservative is not a coincidence. A constructive, issue-oriented debate has long been lacking in the Democratic Party. Simultaneously, Republicans have proposed new ideas and offered better solutions to various problems.

In his re-election campaign and early in his second term, Bush has outlined issues that are of vital importance to young voters, namely, reform of the Social Security system, an affordable college education and the creation of well-paying jobs.

Ideas do matter. If Dean is to resurrect the party, he may want to start by reassessing his claim to being "the party for young Americans.""

Once again it would seem that the dem/leftists have taken another of what they thought were their base for granted. The President, on the other hand, seems to be resonating with the concerns of under 30 voters and has taken action on them. Bush at least has put ideas on the table, the dem/leftists have yet to do more then bash what Bush as put forth. If the dem/leftists are serious about retaining their portion of the under 30 vote, they will need to present a plan and/or some ideas. Merely trashing Bush is not going to cut it. - Sailor

Kerry Signs SF-180 - The caveat emperor

According to a report in the Boston Globe, Joh Kerry has finally signed SF-180 on 20 May. This may sneak under the radar with all the focus on the deal over judicial filibustering. As always with Kerry, there is still some confusion over exactly what will be released and when. Joan Vennochi explains.

"AT THIS POINT it comes as no surprise. John Kerry is releasing all his military records -- but then again, he isn't.

During an interview yesterday with Globe editorial writers and columnists, the former Democratic presidential nominee was asked if had signed Form SF 180, authorizing the Department of Defense to grant access to all his military records.

''I have signed it," Kerry said. Then, he added that his staff was ''still going through it" and ''very, very shortly, you will have a chance to see it.""

How soon is very, very shortly? What exactly will Kerry be showing and will it be aniother sanitized version? Personally, I would still like to know who wrote all those after action reports concerning the action the Kerry saw in Vietnam.

"The devil is usually in the details. With Kerry, it's also in the dodges and digressions. After the interview, Kerry's communications director, David Wade, was asked to clarify when Kerry signed SF 180 and when public access would be granted. Kerry drifted over to join the conversation, immediately raising the confusion level. He did not answer the question of when he signed the form or when the entire record will be made public.

Several e-mails later, Wade conveyed the following information: On Friday, May 20, Kerry obtained a copy of Form 180 and signed it. ''The next step is to send it to the Navy, which will happen in the next few days. The Navy will then send out the records," e-mailed Wade. Kerry first said he would sign Form 180 when pressed by Tim Russert during a Jan. 30 appearance on ''Meet the Press.""

Well, it should not have been too hard for Kerry to obtain a copy of SF-180, goodness knows he had enough of them e-mailed to him.

"The campaign waged against him by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth arouses Kerry's greatest passion. ''What they said was untrue," he said. He considered, but decided against, filing suit against the group, which alleged that he did not deserve his Vietnam military honors.

Kerry insists ''The truth in its entirety will come out . . . the truth will come out."

Signing Form 180 is the first step. Releasing his entire military record to the public is the second.

It doesn't get any plainer than that."

Depending on whether or not Kerry release all of his records, we will know who was correct, Kerry or the Swifties. There can be little doubt that Kerry is planning a run in 2008. With the signing of SF-180 and the ensuing release of some or all of his records, Kerry is trying to get his Vietnam record behind him early this election cycle, or at least trying to. No matter what the information released contains, Kerry still has his post Vietnam activities to account for. Perhaps if Kerry does take another shot at the Presidency, he will not make his Vietnam service the centerpiece of his campaign. - Sailor

NEWSWEEK: "THE DAY AMERICA DIED"!

For those of you who still believe there is no MSM bias, you really do need to get your head out of the sand. Newsweek in a follow up to their Koran toilet flushing lie, has now gone taken another big step on it's America bashing crusade. In one of it's foreign edtions, Newsweek claims America is dead and blames Bush. Here is the full excerpt from FrontPage Magazine's War Blog. It isn't a pretty picture.

"NEWSWEEK: "THE DAY AMERICA DIED"!

If you thought Newsweek’s phony Koran-in-a-commode story was bad, hold onto your hat. Riding Sun shows us what Newsweek is doing overseas, and you won’t believe it.

Or maybe you will.

Newsweek: America is dead.

UPDATE at 5/22/05 2:38:02 pm:
Note that the cover for the equivalent American edition of this issue was a feature on the Academy Awards titled, “Oscar Confidential.”

UPDATE at 5/22/05 3:10:13 pm:

LGF reader rickadams translates the cover text:

The red text at the left just above the “Newsweek” logo says:
“America forsaken.”

The big white and yellow text says:
“The Day America Died — The ideal of ‘freedom’ falls to the ground due to Bush continuing in office.”

UPDATE at 5/22/05 4:44:35 pm:
Aaron’s Rantblog answers."

Doeas Newsweek really think that this would not get out? Has Newsweek and the rest of the old media already forgotten the lessons of Rather, Jordan and Newsweek? Next we will hear the whining from Newsweek about how their circulation continues to fall off. Then we will see the old media circle the wagons and continue to bash the bloggers. - Sailor

Report urges troops sent to border

The Minuteman Project was an unqualified succees, much to the chagrin of the ACLU, dem/leftists, supporters of illeligal immigration, Vincente Fox and assorted others. Congress has acknowleged the success of the Minitemen in their report on illegal immigration. This article by Jerry Seper gives the some of the details of this Congressional report.

"The deployment of 36,000 National Guard troops or state militia on the U.S.-Mexico border would stop the illegal flow of foreigners into America, says a congressional report that credits the Minuteman Project with proving that additional manpower could "dramatically reduce if not virtually eliminate" illegal immigration.

The 33-page report, written by investigators for the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, said the Minutemen — who shut down a 23-mile stretch of the Arizona border last month — served as a model for a government effort to reclaim the southern border of the United States."

It is about time that Congress realizes the gavity of the issues on our southern border. The Minutemen, despite the best efforts of the ACLU and their fans, and despite beimg called all sorts of name, did what the governemnet could not do; Shut down the border. I am sure you willl hear the gnashing of teeth and the long winded whines of the left over this report.

"It said the agency's uniformed leadership should be pointed in a "new direction" as it is in "total denial of the magnitude of the disaster" and — as currently organized, staffed and supported — "cannot be relied upon" to remedy the situation soon.

"The Border Patrol needs new direction from the Department of Homeland Security if it is to shake off the lethargy from years of undermanned frustration," the report said. "The patrol needs to empower its outstanding field officers to act as necessary to accomplish the patrol's mission ... to energize its leadership to think outside the box."

The report said Congress and the states could sustain the success of the Minuteman Project — whose members were lightly armed, had no arrest powers, were not paid and traveled to Arizona at their own expense — with the deployment of National Guard troops or state militia working in coordination with the Border Patrol."

A recent report that Border Patrol field agents were ordered not to make as many arrests of illegals indicates that some in the middle levels of the Border Patrol need to be directed to see the job is done. The way the situation is currently on the southern border is an invitation to disaster. It is not only the burden that illegals put on the taxpayers, but an open invitaion for terrorists to further infiltrate the into the US. The use of national Guard or militia troops will send Vincente Fox into all sorts of coniptions. Byt it will alos force the Mexican government to finally address the severe economic plight of those trying to enter the US illegally. It is also imperative that those employing illegals be come down on and hard.

" The report also noted that Border Patrol supervisors said the Minutemen had little or no effect on illegal immigration, attributing apparent decreases during the vigil to increased enforcement efforts by the agency, along with the increased presence of Mexican military and police south of the border.

"However, nearly every individual Border Patrol officer who spoke off-the-record in the field to the Caucus team said that illegal immigration virtually stopped in the sector patrolled by the Minutemen as a direct result of Minutemen activity and publicity," the report said.

"The individual officers were highly appreciative of the impact the Minutemen made in the area, had good working relations with the project unofficially and felt the project had made a valuable contribution to the cause of the rank-and-file officer — protecting the border against impossible logistical challenges," it said.

Despite contrary claims by the supervisors, the report said, illegal immigration dropped significantly in the areas east and west of Naco, Ariz., targeted by the Minutemen. It said the decline "put to rest the historic immigration reform myth that it is impossible to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border with any reasonable amount of additional manpower.""

The American people owe a great debt to the Minutemen. Thye clearly showed that with the prioper manpower levels, illegal immigration can be slowed to a mere trickle. The ACLU and President Bush owe these people an apology for the harsh words they had for them.

It is high time that the Adminstration and Congress, along with the States impacted, come up with a plan and the resources to implement the plan. Illegal immigration must be stopped and soon. - Sailor

Hugo Chavez: Pirate Of The Caribbean

Hugo Chavez is the prototypical, two-bit, tin horn dictator. Jimmy Carter, not withstanding, the last election in Venezuela was about as fixed as they come. Of course, don't tell Jimmy that, there has not been a despot in years that Jimmy has not embraced. He and his group had no clue what was going on in that election. But, that is another matter. Chavez is going to become a major problem in South America and very soon. He has a great amount of oil money to use as he sees fit and what he sses fit is to purchase as many wepons as he can. His alliance with Castro should have been the bell ringrer. Investor's Business Daily looks into Chavez and his lengthing shadow over South and Central America.

"The contradictions mean something ominous: There's a bully stalking the hemisphere, and his shadow is lengthening. The region's weakened states have well-founded fear of being Chavez's next target. He can cut off their oil. He can crush their economies. In the past two years, he's done it on a hair trigger.

He did it to Colombia this year, shutting down border trade in a dispute over the apprehension of a terrorist. Before that, he did it to the Dominican Republic, cutting off oil in a fit of pique over an asylum case. Indirectly (at the very least), he's supporting Bolivia's coca-growing roadblockers who are trying to starve Bolivian cities into submission to their demands for investment-killing taxes. That's economic warfare.

Now he's telling Caribbean and Central American states that if they hope to buy a drop of Venezuelan oil, they'll go through Castro's Cuba. He has announced a new scheme to put Venezuela's Caribbean oil operational headquarters in Havana.

It would appear that Chavez has designs on becoming some sort of South American over lord. His open support of terrorist group that are aligned with the left should be raising a slew of red flags. Engaging in economic warfare is some thing the UN is supposed to prevent. Fat chance of that.

"Castro does have useful purposes for Chavez. Whatever the true level of Chavez's popularity, he's a nervous leader, cocooned by security, alarmed by the unprecedented corruption around him and raving about enemy encirclement.

He's so afraid of potential rebellions that some observers believe his real game is to set up a safe place in Havana for Venezuela's biggest money centers — oil and banking. That in turn would keep cash within his access. No people-power revolution can reach this money in Havana.

So, if there's a revolt in the restive oil fields of western Venezuela or in Caracas, money will still be accessible to Chavez's political machine, far from the hands of his democratic opponents.

Venezuelan cash in Havana also props up Castro. Ironically, this oil alliance will likely serve to entrench both leaders. That in turn will free them to take up more predatory practices around the region. A long shadow of tyranny over the Americas looks to be lengthening."

If some tout Chavez as "popular", then why is this man running so scared? This movement of resources and economic offices to Cuba is an indicator that Chavez is so scared he needs a safe harbor. Chavez will become a major problem that will need to be dealt with down the road, unless he is over thrown. With his corrupt political machine running any elections in the future, it is unlikely that he will be voted out of office. Of course, Chavez can always depend on the likes of Jimmy Carter to legitimatize any future election that keeps Chavez in office. - Sailor

Senate majorities and judicial nominees

Tuesday looks like the day that the confrontation over judicial filibustering comes to a head, barring any compromise that might be worked out. I have posted here last week, that the Republicans should not compromise. They are the majority party, because the American people elected more Republicans to the Senate. That be said, it is time that the Senate got to the people's business and had an up or down vote on all judicial nominees. This is about more then Justice Owens, it is the set up for all future judicial nominees, including those to the Supreme Court. The Washington Times explains in their editorial.

"During 2003 and 2004, in an unprecedented, systematic use of the tactic, Democrats wielded the filibuster, which requires 60 votes to stop, to deny up-or-down votes for 10 nominees to the increasingly powerful U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal. The Republicans' majority during the 108th Congress, narrow though it was, nonetheless was sufficiently united to guarantee the confirmation of each of those nominees in an up-or-down vote that was denied them.

In the 2004 election, Republicans increased their majority in the current 109th Congress to 55 members. With 60 votes needed to stop a filibuster, however, that is still not enough to overcome a united front by the Democrats, who have pledged to use the filibuster as relentlessly in the 109th as they did in the 108th. There is no doubt the Democrats would use the tactic for a Supreme Court nominee."

The American people continue to elect Republicans to the Senate, increasing the Republican majority in each of the last 2 election cycles. This includes the defeat of the former Minority Leader, Tommy Daschle, who lead the the dem/leftist filibustering. One would think the dem/leftists would have learned from Daschle's defeat. Instead, the new Minority Leader, Harry reid, has increased the volume of rhetoric.

"The final trend worth considering involves the results of the last several elections. Democrats haven't won the White House since 1996. The last time Democrats emerged from national elections with a majority in the Senate was 1992. On election night in all subsequent elections, Republicans achieved majority status in the Senate. Recall that the Democratic majority (June 2001-December 2002) occurred only after Mr. Jeffords left the Republican Party.

In its May 18 editorial, "Nuclear Disarmament," The Washington Post offered a recommendation to defuse the current battle over filibustering judicial nominees. As an alternative to the "nuclear option," The Post said the Republicans "could advocate rules that would guarantee swift committee hearings and up-or-down votes starting in 2009, when nobody knows which party will control the Senate or the White House." Reviewing the election results described above, we could not disagree more.

In this case, we agree with Chris Matthews of "Hardball": Democrats could solve the dilemma that the "nuclear option" poses for them by winning a few more elections."

I do not find it surprising that The Washington Post wants to wait until 2009. I am sure that they are hoping that the political landscape will have changed by then, favoring the dem/leftists they usually support. As I have posted numerous times here, if the dem/leftists want to control the agenda as it concerns judicial nominees, all they need do is get more of their members elected to the Senate. It is nice to know that Chris Matthews agrees with me. - Sailor

The Rise of Pajamas Media

Most of us know how influential Google is as pertains to any thing on the web. The large majority of people looking for information turn to Google to search web site for the information they are looking for. Google is in the process of applying for patents for ranking news sources on the web. This may bode poorly for the blogosphere. By ranking news sources, many blogs may find their ranked very low, if at all. Enter Roger Simon and two others. They are in the process of setting up Pajamas Media. Pejman Yousefzadeh explains in his article.

"We've recently learned that Google News is seeking technology patents to rank stories on its news site "based on the quality of the news source." Naturally, this has caused concern among bloggers that their sites will be ranked lower -- or perhaps not ranked at all -- by Google News, but as blogger Jeff Goldstein notes, this decision by Google will open up a niche for Blogospheric aggregators like Pajamas Media.
What is Pajamas Media? Well, as co-founder Roger Simon explains, Pajamas Media has a twofold purpose. The first is to give bloggers access to more advertising revenue -- in addition to what many bloggers are receiving from Henry Copeland's BlogAds. The second is to develop a Blog News Network that will do what many bloggers fear Google will no longer do; aggregate blog posts on various topics and present them for bloggers and blog readers to peruse and search through.

My blog is signed up with Pajamas Media, so needless to say I wish the enterprise all the success in the world. But apart from any self-centered desires on my part, it seems to me that the development of Pajamas Media and its various operations -- as well as Google News's possible decision to no longer carry blogs as part of its news outlets -- might be a blessing in disguise."

I signed my blog up as well. This will be a very valuable servide, not only to bloggers, but to anyone seeking information that is not readily available in the MSM.

"As for the issue of an aggregating system, there is no disputing the fact that Google News is both extremely influential and exceedingly well-financed. Anyone who seeks to compete with Google News would find the task daunting, to say the least. But as Roger Simon pointed out in our discussion, Pajamas Media's Blog News Network need not compete with Google News. Rather, in the most extreme case, Google News can establish itself in the niche of aggregating Big Media stories while the Blog News Network can establish its own niche in aggregating blog posts. Each aggregator can work off of and profit from the efforts of the other. To employ a gaming metaphor, this is not a chess match between Google News and the Blog News Network where one side seeks to destroy the other. Rather, it is a Go contest where each side seeks a sphere of influence and where "winning" means letting one's opponent (insofar as Google News and the nascent Blog News Network actually are opponents of one another) profit from its own sphere of influence while one profits from one's own sphere and winnings. One side will come out ahead in the end, but any such victory is not achieved through a zero-sum arrangement."

It is my opinion that this will be a huge boon to bloggers. It will also be a great service for those seeking information that may not be available through Google searches, or any other search engine for that matter. The side benefit of earning some income will also help many bloggers improve their blogs, making them more attractive to those seeking out information.

The days where the MSM has a strangle hold on information are coming to an end. Pajama Media will help to open the flood gates of information to every one around the World Wide Web. I urge all bloggers to get onboard. I requested that my blog be added today. You should do the same. - Sailor

Harrisburg harbinger?

A while back, I posted a couple of items on how the GOP was courting the Black community. I mentioned how it would be interesting to see how this plays out. Last week, there was a fund raiser in Harrisburg, Pa. The MSM did not think much of it, since there was barely a mention. Donna Brazile, a veteran campaign strategist and some other dems have taken notice of this event. Donald Lambro explains why in his article.

"The GOP chairman rarely, if ever, attends fund-raisers for local elected officials this far down the political totem pole, but this event was an unusual case that sent new fears rippling through Democratic ranks.

The candidate is Otto Banks, a 33-year-old African-American and the biggest vote-getter in Harrisburg, a predominantly black and overwhelmingly Democratic city where a Republican hasn't been elected to the city council in nearly 20 years.
Like everyone else on the all-black city council, Mr. Banks was a Democrat -- that is, until this March when he announced he had become disenchanted and was joining the Republicans.

But there was much more going on here than just another local official making a party switch. Mr. Banks, an articulate Pennsylvania State University graduate, is a political star whose desertion was supported by some other city council Democrats.

Two of Mr. Banks' council colleagues stood with him when he held a news conference to announce his switch. Their unspoken message: We're not ready to join him, but we support what he's doing and why he's doing it."

The fact that Mr. Banks had changed parties would be unremarkable, except that he is a huge vote getter in Harrisburg and two of his calleagues stood by his side as he made his announcement. This could have a ripple effect as more in the Black community begin to realize that the DNC has taken their vote for granted. What should further worry the DNC, was Al Sharpton's complaint of the lack of color at DNC headquarters.

" "There's been a huge ripple" in the Democratic Party as a result of his switch, Mr. Banks told me. The reaction has been particularly favorable within his community. "More and more people of color are starting to take a second look at the Republican Party."

Mr. Banks, who now calls himself a "progressive Republican," voted for John Kerry in 2004, but after the campaign "took some time off and really started to do some soul-searching. I realized that many of the ownership and economic opportunity issues I stood behind were actually part of the president's program."
He is, for example, for school choice programs. He likes the idea of workers investing some payroll contributions and building a nest egg they can own and leave to their families.

Most troubling, he said, is how Democrats have treated their party's most loyal constituency. "The Democrats have definitely taken their African-American base for granted," he said. "We have lost our influence in the Democratic Party and by losing that, we have lost our ability to influence policies in our community.""

This could have a huge impact on the 2006 elections. Even a small movement of the Black vote from dem/leftist to the GOP, may well change the results in several close elections. The dem/leftists are very dependent on the Black vote. Others in the Blcak community have found that their views are mor in line with the GOP than the DNC.

This will be very interesting to watch. A shift in the Black vote from the DNC could change the future political landscape significantly. - Sailor

George W. Bush - President, Commander in Chief, Sith Lord?

My good friend, Doc Farmer, has a few comments on the latest Star Wars entry. Seems those leftisits in Hollywood have decided to make some camparisons of the Sith and Dubya. Of course, they are disparaging. Even moveon.com is going to air ads comparing the Republicans to the Sith over judicial filibustering. I suppose that is better than those Nazi ads they thought about. - Sailor

George W. Bush - President, Commander in Chief, Sith Lord?
Written by Doc Farmer
Wednesday, May 18, 2005


I'm a sci-fi fan from WAY back. I still watch original Star Treks and find enjoyment there, although NexGen, DS9 and Voyager were excellent follow-ups (I'll have to get back to you on Enterprise, though). I watch Stargate SG-1 and love the way they can make fun of themselves. I watch Tripping the Rift because, well, there just aren't enough buxom, horny, well-constructed 3-D cartoon sex androids on TV these days, in my humble opinion.

I also love Star Wars.

Haven't heard of it? Haven't seen it? Gee, you sound just like my boss!

For those of you who have NEVER heard of Star Wars, let me give you a quick thumbnail sketch. It's about good versus evil. Yup, that about sums it up. It's all of the heroic swashbuckling you could want, with none of the Errol Flynn (sorry, folks, but that cheesy grin of his always bugged me). It has lasers, starships, comedic robots, love, hate, courage, strength - all the things today's moviegoers
demand with their popcorn.

Now, why am I bothering you with any of this? I know at least two of the readers of this article (my Mom and my Dad) don't really give a rat's rump about sci-fi movies (example - having to explain Pon Farr to my own mother - talk about embarrassing!). Besides, this is usually a column about political issues, media mishaps, my planned takeover of the universe, and other trivial matters. So why is this a hot topic for me today? Is it because the movie is released on Thursday? Is it because I'm still waiting for my collectors’ item lightsabres to come in the post? Is it because I want all of my female coworkers to staple cinnamon buns to their ears? (note: you have to see the original Star Wars movie to get that particular joke).

Nope. It is because there are a number of the Hollyweird set who are trying to compare the new Star Wars movie, Revenge of the Sith, to
the current republican administration.

We've all heard it before in one form or another. Dubya wants to be a dictator. No, wait, he IS a dictator! No, wait, Cheney's really running stuff, and Dubya's just a figurehead. No, wait, Dubya's an evil genius bent on world domination. No, wait, [fill in next lame-assed lib/dem/soc/commie excuse for losing again here]. However, now that there's a great movie coming out that the whole world will see, and that pits good against evil (something lib/dem/soc/commies don't acknowledge because they don't believe in stuff like that), it seems as good a time as any to try and lie to the general public again.

After all, it didn't work with Fahrenheit 9/11. It's just gotta work this time.

Here's the deal. In the movie, an ambitious senator maneuvers his way to the top job by secretly arranging a war. The
senator, now Supreme Chancellor, is actually a very evil person (hmmm, must be a (bleep)ing lawyer in his spare time) who is bent on destroying the peaceful Republic and create an Empire, through media manipulation, a trumped-up war, and selling himself to the galaxy as a good guy.

Through Hollyweird's twisted vision, this is their interpretation of the Bush Administration. The lib/dem/soc/commies are the ones who want to retain peace and order and Social Security, while the evil rep/cons are planning to throw your granny out of her house and make her live in a dumpster. Oh, and take over the universe as well.

Now, I know full well that movies, especially in the sci-fi genre, can and have been used as political commentary in the past. A lot of what made the original Star Trek so groundbreaking wasn't that it was all warp drive and phasers. It took contemporary issues of the day and put them into a different (future)
perspective. However, for that to actually work, the issues must be designed in to the script. Frank Gorshen, with half of his body painted white and the other half black, was able to pull this kind of stuff off only because the writers used the contemporary issue of racism to make a blatant, and yet to the censors, anyway) covert statement.

That's not the case with this movie, however. George Lucas himself said that the original backdrop for the Star Wars saga was not the current issue, but the end of the Vietnam War. Although considering that Nixon actually got us OUT of Indochina instead of IN seems to be the part that everybody forgets, especially Hollyweird. Still, the wacko conspiracy theorists over at DemocraticUnderground.com (or, as I like to refer to them, DumbassesUnlimited.com) are picking the storyline apart looking for hidden Dubya clues. Considering these people believe that ''Where's Waldo'' is actually a CIA internal
spying process, I don't know why anybody even bothers to listen to them.

However, the MSM do. And they have a shared interest. Bush-hatred.

So, this is what the lib/dem/soc/commies have come to. Lie or manufacture stories about Dubya's alleged drug use. Question every policy, every motive, every action. Forge documents about his Air National Guard service. Call him stupid over and over again. And when NONE of that works, compare him to an evil wizard in a sci-fi movie. What's next? Will we see Harry Potter destroying Dubya in an upcoming movie, perhaps? Will Dr. Evil be usurped by this Galactic Country Bumpkin?

It's not just the movie itself that is generating this. The book based on the movie came out a few weeks ago. Naturally, I bought it. Hey, I just wanted to see if there were any surprises - I did not want to go into that theatre and hear the dulcet tones of Jar Jar Binks, after all. Sadly, however, I did find one surprise. Right before the
Introduction, there's a half a page of, well, preintroduction. The author, Matthew Stover, comes up with this little dig -

Though this all happened so long ago and so far away that words cannot describe the time or the distance, it is also happening right now. Right here.

It is happening as you read these words.

This is how twenty-five millennia come to a close. Corruption and treachery have crushed a thousand years of peace. This is not just the end of a republic; night is falling on civilization itself.

So, according to Mr. Stover, and an assortment of fruits, nuts and flakes that IS Hollyweird, we are currently in an age where all of civilization will be destroyed. Not by scumbags like Saddam, wackos like Kim Jong Il or just plain evil bastards like Usama. Nope. Dubya's gonna kill us all.

Y'know, I realize that movies like this are ALWAYS going to generate tons of hype. I heard on the radio today that Lucas ponied up $95 million for movie promotion alone! That's above and beyond however
many squillions he had to drop to actually make the movie. Moreover, everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon. Personally, I think the M&M ''dark side'' commercial is a hoot, although I'm getting a bit tired of seeing Darth Vader's mask on damn near every box of cereal ever made. However, when a bunch of petty, whining losers can take a movie that I was actually looking forward to seeing, and put a political spin on it, that's when I get a bit perturbed.

Oh, I'll still go see the movie. However, this does take some of the fun out of it. Which, I suppose, is the short definition of what lib/dem/soc/commies live for.


About the Writer: Doc Farmer is a writer and humorist who is also a moderator on ChronWatch's Forum. He formerly lived in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but now resides in the Midwest. Doc receives e-mail at docfarmer9999@yahoo.co.uk.


This Article Was First Published In ChronWatch At: http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=14644