This is just too good to pass up. Many of you (Richard – you know who you are) have been so extremely adamant in your statements that there is no way OBL could have had a working relationship with Sadam. One is a secular Muslim the other a fundamentalist – so based on this reasoning, it is impossible to think that Sadam had any relationship with OBL and his terrorist ways.
Just as I predicted a year ago, and reiterated on another blog just last week, as more of these documents get translated we are going to see that the only thing the loony left has been hanging their hat on is soon going to crumble before their very eyes – “Sadam had no ties to the people who attacked us on 9/11”. It may not be next week, and this particular document doesn’t prove anything in and of itself…but 20 or 30 of these documents will. At last check, there were hundreds of thousands of documents form Iraq secret service and military just waiting to be translated.
It is with great pleasure that I direct your attention to the following (courtesy of ABC news. As an aside, why does ABC an other media, think they must put editors notes on information that is supportive of the war effort but not on information that is against it. I don’t recall any editor’s notes on the CIA leaks, but I digress):
http://abcnews.go.com/International/IraqCoverage/story?id=1734490&page=1
Here are some highlights (or lowlights depending on how bad you hate the President)
“A newly released pre-war Iraqi document indicates that an official representative of Saddam Hussein's government met with Osama bin Laden in Sudan on February 19, 1995 after approval by Saddam Hussein. Bin Laden asked that Iraq broadcast the lectures of Suleiman al Ouda, a radical Saudi preacher, and suggested "carrying out joint operations against foreign forces" in Saudi Arabia. According to the document, Saddam's presidency was informed of the details of the meeting on March 4, 1995 and Saddam agreed to dedicate a program for them on the radio. The document states that further "development of the relationship and cooperation between the two parties to be left according to what's open (in the future) based on dialogue and agreement on other ways of cooperation."
"The relationship with him is still through the Sudanese. We're currently working on activating this relationship through a new channel in light of his current location [Afghanistan]," it states.
“The document does not establish that the two parties did in fact enter into an operational relationship. Given that the document claims bin Laden was proposing to the Iraqis that they conduct "joint operations against foreign forces" in Saudi Arabia, it is interesting to note that eight months after the meeting — on November 13, 1995 — terrorists attacked Saudi National Guard Headquarters in Riyadh, killing 5 U.S. military advisors. The militants later confessed on Saudi TV to having been trained by Osama bin Laden.)”
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Someone you should know
This article tells so much more than just a tragic, heroic story of life and death. It completely goes against nearly everything that the angry left tells us about our soldiers in Iraq:
First, there is the fact that this marine was a high school salutatorian. Which seems odd since we are constantly told that the US military is the bastion of last hope for all the poor, and poorly educated kids who cant get into college. After all, who in their right mind would volunteer for that type of work when they have other options? Who indeed!
Then, we learn that on at least one occasion he went in to Iraqi homes to save the life of a mentally challenged kid who had a bomb strapped to him. Of course, according to John Kerry, our soldiers are only going into the homes of Iraqi’s to “terrorize them”. Mr Fry saved this boys life and countless others that were no doubt the intended target of this “victim bomber”.
Finally, we learn that last year he received a hand injury that would have won him a trip back to Germany – except for the fact that Mr Fry didn’t want to go back to Germany. He believed in his mission and stayed in Iraq. If things were going so horribly over there, why would he ever want to go back?
God speed Gunnery Sgt Fry.
Marine dies day before return home
Lorena native was proud of his work, did it willingly, family said
By Katy MooreWACO HERALD-TRIBUNESunday, March 12, 2006
A Marine from Texas who was due to return home from Iraq to his wife and three children this week was killed Wednesday after he volunteered to disarm a bomb in Iraq's war-torn Anbar province.
Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry, 28, of Lorena, south of Waco, specialized in defusing explosive devices and planned to return to his family at Marine base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for six months before starting another tour in Iraq in September.
"He believed in what he was doing," Malia Fry said of her husband. "He was protecting his country, and he was doing his job because he didn't want his children to grow up with people blowing up buildings."
As an explosive ordinance disposal technician, Fry disarmed hundreds of bombs during his six-month stint in Iraq.
On Wednesday, he volunteered to defuse one more bomb, which exploded and killed him, family members said.
"He laid down his life so other Marines would be safe, and he did it willingly," Malia Fry said. "Every EOD tech that is over there does the same thing a hundred times a day, and they don't think about themselves. They think about the Marines. . . . They think about the children that are over there."
In interviews, Fry's family described him as selfless in his work, protecting his comrades and Iraqis from explosive devices.
Both his wife and his mother, Beth Fry of Lorena, described an incident in which the Marine answered a call to disarm a bomb and played a game of hide-and-seek with a young Iraqi boy before sending the youngster away from the site and out of danger.
On another occasion, Fry arrived at an Iraqi home to find a bomb strapped to a young Iraqi boy with mental retardation.
The Marine disarmed the bomb and saved the child's life.
"He was so proud to be there doing what he was doing," Beth Fry said. "Not just the war part . . . but the Marines and all the military people that are there have restored power, built schools, built hospitals, and they have running water. Those are the things that nobody talks about and that nobody hears about."
Fry was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
In October, family members said, Fry received a hand injury that was severe enough that he could have left Iraq and gone to Germany.
The graduate of Waco Christian Academy was happy that he was salutatorian of his high school class because he did not like speaking in public and did not want to give a speech at his graduation.
Relatives said Fry will be remembered as a devoted father and a humble patriot.
"(The military) wanted to give him the Bronze Star for his injury, and he wouldn't accept it," Beth Fry said. "He said what he was doing was what he was supposed to be doing and what everyone else was doing."
Family members said he had no second thoughts about returning to Iraq in September.
He is survived by three children: Kathryn, 9; Gideon, 7; and C.L., 2.
"He was a person who knew exactly what he wanted to do and was willing to make the sacrifice to do it," Beth Fry said. "And he realized the cost."
First, there is the fact that this marine was a high school salutatorian. Which seems odd since we are constantly told that the US military is the bastion of last hope for all the poor, and poorly educated kids who cant get into college. After all, who in their right mind would volunteer for that type of work when they have other options? Who indeed!
Then, we learn that on at least one occasion he went in to Iraqi homes to save the life of a mentally challenged kid who had a bomb strapped to him. Of course, according to John Kerry, our soldiers are only going into the homes of Iraqi’s to “terrorize them”. Mr Fry saved this boys life and countless others that were no doubt the intended target of this “victim bomber”.
Finally, we learn that last year he received a hand injury that would have won him a trip back to Germany – except for the fact that Mr Fry didn’t want to go back to Germany. He believed in his mission and stayed in Iraq. If things were going so horribly over there, why would he ever want to go back?
God speed Gunnery Sgt Fry.
Marine dies day before return home
Lorena native was proud of his work, did it willingly, family said
By Katy MooreWACO HERALD-TRIBUNESunday, March 12, 2006
A Marine from Texas who was due to return home from Iraq to his wife and three children this week was killed Wednesday after he volunteered to disarm a bomb in Iraq's war-torn Anbar province.
Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry, 28, of Lorena, south of Waco, specialized in defusing explosive devices and planned to return to his family at Marine base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for six months before starting another tour in Iraq in September.
"He believed in what he was doing," Malia Fry said of her husband. "He was protecting his country, and he was doing his job because he didn't want his children to grow up with people blowing up buildings."
As an explosive ordinance disposal technician, Fry disarmed hundreds of bombs during his six-month stint in Iraq.
On Wednesday, he volunteered to defuse one more bomb, which exploded and killed him, family members said.
"He laid down his life so other Marines would be safe, and he did it willingly," Malia Fry said. "Every EOD tech that is over there does the same thing a hundred times a day, and they don't think about themselves. They think about the Marines. . . . They think about the children that are over there."
In interviews, Fry's family described him as selfless in his work, protecting his comrades and Iraqis from explosive devices.
Both his wife and his mother, Beth Fry of Lorena, described an incident in which the Marine answered a call to disarm a bomb and played a game of hide-and-seek with a young Iraqi boy before sending the youngster away from the site and out of danger.
On another occasion, Fry arrived at an Iraqi home to find a bomb strapped to a young Iraqi boy with mental retardation.
The Marine disarmed the bomb and saved the child's life.
"He was so proud to be there doing what he was doing," Beth Fry said. "Not just the war part . . . but the Marines and all the military people that are there have restored power, built schools, built hospitals, and they have running water. Those are the things that nobody talks about and that nobody hears about."
Fry was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
In October, family members said, Fry received a hand injury that was severe enough that he could have left Iraq and gone to Germany.
The graduate of Waco Christian Academy was happy that he was salutatorian of his high school class because he did not like speaking in public and did not want to give a speech at his graduation.
Relatives said Fry will be remembered as a devoted father and a humble patriot.
"(The military) wanted to give him the Bronze Star for his injury, and he wouldn't accept it," Beth Fry said. "He said what he was doing was what he was supposed to be doing and what everyone else was doing."
Family members said he had no second thoughts about returning to Iraq in September.
He is survived by three children: Kathryn, 9; Gideon, 7; and C.L., 2.
"He was a person who knew exactly what he wanted to do and was willing to make the sacrifice to do it," Beth Fry said. "And he realized the cost."
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
The acceptance speech nobody heard
As you three or four readers have noticed (or am I up to five readers now…not sure) I have been missing in action from the blogshepere for a while – work has been kicking my tale for the better part of a month with little relief in sight. I thought I would ease back into posting with this faux acceptance speech by Dennis Prager:
The Academy Award speech we should have heard
Mar 7, 2006
Here's a speech we would like to hear from an Academy Award winner: I thank you for this wonderful award. Receiving an Academy Award gives the recipient an almost unique opportunity to speak to hundreds of millions people around the world, so I would like take this once-in-a-lifetime moment to say this:
First, I want to thank my country, the United States of America. Every one of us here has this country to thank for enabling us to live lives of unprecedented freedom and unimaginable affluence. Too many of us forget that no other country in history has offered such opportunities to people in our profession or in any other profession, for that matter.
Second, I want to thank the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. While we bask in freedom and spend a good part of our lives going from party to party and award show to award show, tens of thousands of my fellow Americans are confronting a menace to our world as great as that fought by previous generations fighting Nazism and communism.
At the same time, I also want to apologize to these troops for my profession not having made even one motion picture about any of the heroic American fighters in Afghanistan and Iraq. This country is fighting a war, Hollywood. You may think this war is unwise, waged under mistaken, or even false, pretenses. And as an actor in Hollywood, you are overwhelmingly likely to hate this commander in chief. But even the men and women of Hollywood must recognize that America is fighting the worst people of our time, people who hurt every group Hollywood claims to care about -- minorities, women, gays -- people who engage in the sins Hollywood most professes to oppose -- intolerance and violence -- far more than anyone else on the planet.
In another era, when what many have labeled "the greatest generation" fought the German Nazis and the Japanese fascists, Hollywood made movie after movie depicting that great war and our great warriors. And Hollywood showed freedom's enemies as the cruel and vicious people they were. We have not produced one film yet depicting this war in positive terms or one depicting this generation's enemies of freedom as the cruel and vicious people they are.
In fact, the only nominated film about people who slaughter children at discos, blow up weddings, and bomb pizzerias and buses filled with men, women and children is one that attempts to show these murderers in God's name as complex human beings. Just imagine how the Academy would have reacted 60 years ago to a film depicting Nazi murderers as complex human beings. We have descended far.
We in Hollywood walk around thinking we are very important. That is why this year's nominated films for best picture are largely pictures with messages, pictures that relatively few people actually see. But although Hollywood was always concerned with politics, we have let ourselves be taken over by those for whom their message is more significant than the primary purposes of film -- to illuminate life and to entertain. Yes, entertain.
You know, entertainment is actually a noble pursuit. Life is difficult for almost every human being on earth. And if we can offer people an elevated way to divert their attention for a couple of hours from their troubled child, their marital tensions, their ill parent, their financial woes, we have rendered the world a greater service than by making another message-film against racism in America, the least racist country in the world.
My fellow actors, we walk around feeling that we are very important. But we do so only because we confuse fame with significance. We do have more fame than any other human beings in history. Far more people have heard of any actor here tonight than of any of the discoverers of any medication saving billions of lives, of any teacher of the disabled, of any nurse tending the aged, of almost any national leader.
But the truth is that, as noble a calling as acting can be, all we do is make-believe: We portray other people, and we speak words written by other people. Everyone knows our names, but almost no one knows us. All they know are the characters we play.
Thank you again. I hope I haven't ruined your evening.
Dennis Prager is a radio talk show host, author, and contributing columnist for Townhall.com.
The Academy Award speech we should have heard
Mar 7, 2006
Here's a speech we would like to hear from an Academy Award winner: I thank you for this wonderful award. Receiving an Academy Award gives the recipient an almost unique opportunity to speak to hundreds of millions people around the world, so I would like take this once-in-a-lifetime moment to say this:
First, I want to thank my country, the United States of America. Every one of us here has this country to thank for enabling us to live lives of unprecedented freedom and unimaginable affluence. Too many of us forget that no other country in history has offered such opportunities to people in our profession or in any other profession, for that matter.
Second, I want to thank the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. While we bask in freedom and spend a good part of our lives going from party to party and award show to award show, tens of thousands of my fellow Americans are confronting a menace to our world as great as that fought by previous generations fighting Nazism and communism.
At the same time, I also want to apologize to these troops for my profession not having made even one motion picture about any of the heroic American fighters in Afghanistan and Iraq. This country is fighting a war, Hollywood. You may think this war is unwise, waged under mistaken, or even false, pretenses. And as an actor in Hollywood, you are overwhelmingly likely to hate this commander in chief. But even the men and women of Hollywood must recognize that America is fighting the worst people of our time, people who hurt every group Hollywood claims to care about -- minorities, women, gays -- people who engage in the sins Hollywood most professes to oppose -- intolerance and violence -- far more than anyone else on the planet.
In another era, when what many have labeled "the greatest generation" fought the German Nazis and the Japanese fascists, Hollywood made movie after movie depicting that great war and our great warriors. And Hollywood showed freedom's enemies as the cruel and vicious people they were. We have not produced one film yet depicting this war in positive terms or one depicting this generation's enemies of freedom as the cruel and vicious people they are.
In fact, the only nominated film about people who slaughter children at discos, blow up weddings, and bomb pizzerias and buses filled with men, women and children is one that attempts to show these murderers in God's name as complex human beings. Just imagine how the Academy would have reacted 60 years ago to a film depicting Nazi murderers as complex human beings. We have descended far.
We in Hollywood walk around thinking we are very important. That is why this year's nominated films for best picture are largely pictures with messages, pictures that relatively few people actually see. But although Hollywood was always concerned with politics, we have let ourselves be taken over by those for whom their message is more significant than the primary purposes of film -- to illuminate life and to entertain. Yes, entertain.
You know, entertainment is actually a noble pursuit. Life is difficult for almost every human being on earth. And if we can offer people an elevated way to divert their attention for a couple of hours from their troubled child, their marital tensions, their ill parent, their financial woes, we have rendered the world a greater service than by making another message-film against racism in America, the least racist country in the world.
My fellow actors, we walk around feeling that we are very important. But we do so only because we confuse fame with significance. We do have more fame than any other human beings in history. Far more people have heard of any actor here tonight than of any of the discoverers of any medication saving billions of lives, of any teacher of the disabled, of any nurse tending the aged, of almost any national leader.
But the truth is that, as noble a calling as acting can be, all we do is make-believe: We portray other people, and we speak words written by other people. Everyone knows our names, but almost no one knows us. All they know are the characters we play.
Thank you again. I hope I haven't ruined your evening.
Dennis Prager is a radio talk show host, author, and contributing columnist for Townhall.com.
Friday, February 03, 2006
My response to Friday DMN letter
Here is the letter that got me fired up:
The new first lady of civil rights
Re: "On the Sidelines – Sheehan is arrested, removed from gallery," Wednesday news story.
This newspaper devoted 111 words to one of the most remarkable events to take place Tuesday, more remarkable than the grandiloquent rhetoric of President Bush's address.
Cindy Sheehan was arrested in the House chamber minutes before the State of the Union address, after already being seated. She was not being disorderly. She was wearing a constitutionally protected T-shirt that read, "2245 Dead. How many more?"
Regardless of what you think of Ms. Sheehan, her free speech was abridged. Moments before the president was to deliver a speech that extolled the virtues of democracy and civil liberties, our government used Stalinist tactics to censor Ms. Sheehan.
Any American who is not outraged is not a patriot.
On Monday, the first lady of the civil rights movement died. On Tuesday, the torch was passed to Cindy Sheehan.
- George Henson, Dallas
And my response:
If your definition of a “patriot” is someone who cohorts with anti-American dictators like Venezuelan President Chavez (as did Sheehan), or who claims the President of the United States is the world’s biggest terrorist (as did Sheehan), then I think I will count myself lucky that you do not consider me a “patriot”.
Your assertion that Mrs. Sheehan’s free speech was abridged is true - yet free speech is abridged every day across the U.S., and yet it isn’t deemed unconstitutional. I bet your employer would not allow you to wear shorts to work in order to “express your desire to be more relaxed”, or what about students on college campuses who can only protest in “free speech zones” – their free speech is certainly abridged. I am certain you can’t wear shorts to court - not even to pay a traffic ticket. Would you consider the municipal judge to be “Stalinist”?
Cindy Sheehan doesn’t have a free speech “right” to wear an anti-troop shirt to the State of the Union Address any more than the wife of Rep. Bill Young has to wear a pro-troop shirt (she was removed as well by the way). If the rules for that gathering specify a dress code, then you must obey or else you have the “right” not to attend.
The new first lady of civil rights
Re: "On the Sidelines – Sheehan is arrested, removed from gallery," Wednesday news story.
This newspaper devoted 111 words to one of the most remarkable events to take place Tuesday, more remarkable than the grandiloquent rhetoric of President Bush's address.
Cindy Sheehan was arrested in the House chamber minutes before the State of the Union address, after already being seated. She was not being disorderly. She was wearing a constitutionally protected T-shirt that read, "2245 Dead. How many more?"
Regardless of what you think of Ms. Sheehan, her free speech was abridged. Moments before the president was to deliver a speech that extolled the virtues of democracy and civil liberties, our government used Stalinist tactics to censor Ms. Sheehan.
Any American who is not outraged is not a patriot.
On Monday, the first lady of the civil rights movement died. On Tuesday, the torch was passed to Cindy Sheehan.
- George Henson, Dallas
And my response:
If your definition of a “patriot” is someone who cohorts with anti-American dictators like Venezuelan President Chavez (as did Sheehan), or who claims the President of the United States is the world’s biggest terrorist (as did Sheehan), then I think I will count myself lucky that you do not consider me a “patriot”.
Your assertion that Mrs. Sheehan’s free speech was abridged is true - yet free speech is abridged every day across the U.S., and yet it isn’t deemed unconstitutional. I bet your employer would not allow you to wear shorts to work in order to “express your desire to be more relaxed”, or what about students on college campuses who can only protest in “free speech zones” – their free speech is certainly abridged. I am certain you can’t wear shorts to court - not even to pay a traffic ticket. Would you consider the municipal judge to be “Stalinist”?
Cindy Sheehan doesn’t have a free speech “right” to wear an anti-troop shirt to the State of the Union Address any more than the wife of Rep. Bill Young has to wear a pro-troop shirt (she was removed as well by the way). If the rules for that gathering specify a dress code, then you must obey or else you have the “right” not to attend.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
SOTU Thoughts
What is up with the Democrats cheering about their failure to reform Social Security? Am I the only one who thought that was a bit “odd”? They take pride in the fact that they defeated the President’s Social Security plan, but failed to offer an alternative. What a twisted sense of accomplishment.
What wasn’t “odd” but was despicable was the reaction, or lack thereof, on the part of several Democrats who would not even clap, much less stand, when it came to Bush’s statements that “we will never surrender to evil” (Charlie Rangel) or when John Lewis refused to stand up when Bush talked about “our love of freedom”. This is a microcosm of what the Democrats stand for. It is a perfect example of their defeatist attitude and their blame America first politics. If you can’t applaud for general freedom statements or pro-victory statements, what the heck are you doing in Congress?
The Democrats official response given by the Gov. of Virginia wasn’t too abrasive (refreshing coming from the party of Howard Dean), but it also lacked something that has been lacking for years – an alternate solution. If the Democrats would counter just one of the President’s plans with a plan of their own, they would gain some credibility. But they don’t. The President summed it up nicely when he said, “Hindsight alone is not wisdom and second guessing is not a strategy.” Well said, sir.
What wasn’t “odd” but was despicable was the reaction, or lack thereof, on the part of several Democrats who would not even clap, much less stand, when it came to Bush’s statements that “we will never surrender to evil” (Charlie Rangel) or when John Lewis refused to stand up when Bush talked about “our love of freedom”. This is a microcosm of what the Democrats stand for. It is a perfect example of their defeatist attitude and their blame America first politics. If you can’t applaud for general freedom statements or pro-victory statements, what the heck are you doing in Congress?
The Democrats official response given by the Gov. of Virginia wasn’t too abrasive (refreshing coming from the party of Howard Dean), but it also lacked something that has been lacking for years – an alternate solution. If the Democrats would counter just one of the President’s plans with a plan of their own, they would gain some credibility. But they don’t. The President summed it up nicely when he said, “Hindsight alone is not wisdom and second guessing is not a strategy.” Well said, sir.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
The circle of life
“Wake up Jack. Wake up son.” This is how I start my day, most days. Weekends not so much, but definitely Monday through Friday. It is my job to wake up my oldest son, get him dressed, and feed him breakfast. “Come Jackson – rise and shine. What do you want for breakfast this morning? Cereal or sausage biscuits?” (Jimmy Dean’s sausage biscuits have been one of his favorites for a while now). I gently roll him over, change his diaper and put on clean clothes. I then carry his mostly limp, half-asleep body to the living room and lay him down, ever so lightly so as not to disturb his second round of sleep, on the oversized chair. I then cover him up and start making his breakfast choice.
“Wake up dad. Rise and shine old man.” This is how I start most of my days, weekends included. It is my job to wake up my dad, get him dressed and fix him breakfast. “Come on Josh – time to get up and get going. What will it be today – bagel or cereal?” There was a time I’m sure when I was young and my dad would do the same for me. Now that he is in the twilight of his life, this is the least I can do for him. I help him put on his clothes, bring him his walker and escort him, slowly, to his favorite recliner – the one with the view of the woods out beyond the swimming pool. I then cover him up, and begin making his breakfast.
This is the circle of life. The child becomes the parent. Three years have already passed in a blink of an eye. I am fearful that when I next awake, Jackson will be saying those words to me as I lay there with the strength of a three year old in the body of a 90 year old. I just hope he loves me then as much as I love him now.
“Wake up dad. Rise and shine old man.” This is how I start most of my days, weekends included. It is my job to wake up my dad, get him dressed and fix him breakfast. “Come on Josh – time to get up and get going. What will it be today – bagel or cereal?” There was a time I’m sure when I was young and my dad would do the same for me. Now that he is in the twilight of his life, this is the least I can do for him. I help him put on his clothes, bring him his walker and escort him, slowly, to his favorite recliner – the one with the view of the woods out beyond the swimming pool. I then cover him up, and begin making his breakfast.
This is the circle of life. The child becomes the parent. Three years have already passed in a blink of an eye. I am fearful that when I next awake, Jackson will be saying those words to me as I lay there with the strength of a three year old in the body of a 90 year old. I just hope he loves me then as much as I love him now.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Bright Lights
Lately I have been in an introspective mood (see my really weird “Penny” post below). So staying with that theme…
Every morning I take the train to work - for those not in the DFW area the DART train is a mostly above ground light rail system. There is one small stretch though that does venture into the subterranean for a couple of miles – just before making it into downtown Dallas. Heading from north to south, you enter the tunnel after leaving Mockingbird station – you then proceed to the only underground station – City Place, before exiting the tunnel in downtown.
Lately, there has been something spectacular about the exit into downtown. I don’t know what it is about the stark contrast of the tunnel’s blackness and the emergence into what has mostly been over the last few weeks, bright, sunny skies. Maybe its because the change is so abrupt. There is no gradual lighting change that takes place. You go from total darkness (not total in the sense that there are no lights on inside the train, but total in that you look out and see nothing - blackness) to total, amazing light in the blink of an eye. And it is in this blink, that something comes over me that completely energizes me and gives me pause at the same time. It is in that instance that I feel God’s creation around me.
Maybe there is some symbolism here to be found. Maybe the darkness represents life without God and the light is the embodiment of walking in the presence of God – I really don’t know. Maybe it is all just in my mind. I don’t know and I don’t really care. When I come out of that darkness I feel a big smile come on and I get excited about the prospects of another day. I get excited about all that is great in my life. That’s not to say that this feeling lasts throughout the day. Like any feeling, it goes away. Some days it lasts longer than others. The real key is finding out how to bottle that feeling and release it at any time during the day – not just the morning commute.
Every morning I take the train to work - for those not in the DFW area the DART train is a mostly above ground light rail system. There is one small stretch though that does venture into the subterranean for a couple of miles – just before making it into downtown Dallas. Heading from north to south, you enter the tunnel after leaving Mockingbird station – you then proceed to the only underground station – City Place, before exiting the tunnel in downtown.
Lately, there has been something spectacular about the exit into downtown. I don’t know what it is about the stark contrast of the tunnel’s blackness and the emergence into what has mostly been over the last few weeks, bright, sunny skies. Maybe its because the change is so abrupt. There is no gradual lighting change that takes place. You go from total darkness (not total in the sense that there are no lights on inside the train, but total in that you look out and see nothing - blackness) to total, amazing light in the blink of an eye. And it is in this blink, that something comes over me that completely energizes me and gives me pause at the same time. It is in that instance that I feel God’s creation around me.
Maybe there is some symbolism here to be found. Maybe the darkness represents life without God and the light is the embodiment of walking in the presence of God – I really don’t know. Maybe it is all just in my mind. I don’t know and I don’t really care. When I come out of that darkness I feel a big smile come on and I get excited about the prospects of another day. I get excited about all that is great in my life. That’s not to say that this feeling lasts throughout the day. Like any feeling, it goes away. Some days it lasts longer than others. The real key is finding out how to bottle that feeling and release it at any time during the day – not just the morning commute.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
1969 Penny
Do you ever look at your change? You know – the shiny or not so shiny round things in your pocket or “piggy bank”. Well, I did recently. It was a penny. I don’t know why I looked at it, but I did. President Lincoln’s face was stamped on it in 1969. It has a dull brown look to it – nothing like the shiny copper of more recent vintage. For whatever reason, the age of this penny got me to thinking about all that has happened in its life. I wonder how many “owners” it has had. Millions perhaps – maybe just a few. Maybe it has spent most of its life under some old lady’s mattress, only recently to resurface after she past away and her grandson put it back into circulation – who knows.
That 1969 penny has a story to tell. In God We Trust, Liberty, Out of Many, One. They all say something about America - Americans. There is a reason why so many want to come here and so few want to leave. Despite what some people may want you to believe, American is a pretty cool place – and Americans do some pretty amazing things in this world. If that 1969 penny could talk, I bet it would have one heck of a story to tell.
That 1969 penny has a story to tell. In God We Trust, Liberty, Out of Many, One. They all say something about America - Americans. There is a reason why so many want to come here and so few want to leave. Despite what some people may want you to believe, American is a pretty cool place – and Americans do some pretty amazing things in this world. If that 1969 penny could talk, I bet it would have one heck of a story to tell.
The U.S has reached a truce with Osama Bin Laden!
Not! But apparently OBL thinks he is in a position to bargain with us. It’s kind of hard to bargain when you have NOTHING to give. OBL is a leader with no way to lead. By the time his trained donkey can carry his messenger across the mountains to the terrorists, the terrorists are dead.
That’s not to say that because OBL is powerless (or damn near) that terrorism is defeated. We still have Zarquawi running around in Iraqi somewhere. But he too is getting closer to receiving his 70 virgins. We just took out the top bomb maker for AQ this past week with the predator attack in Pakistan. It is only a matter of time before the snake has no head at all.
All signs point to a stabilizing Iraq – which is not to say that Iraq is currently stabilized. Iraq is far from reaching a point where they no longer need ANY foreign help. The recent elections, and especially the last election have gone a long way to that country being able to care for itself.
OBL recent truce offer reminds me of what Saddam said upon his discovery in that hole – something along the lines of “I am the President of Iraq and am willing to discuss terms”. Terms? Yeah…I don’t think so. The only term that will be offered to OBL and others like him is how do you want your death – quick or slow. We have excellent options to facilitate both.
That’s not to say that because OBL is powerless (or damn near) that terrorism is defeated. We still have Zarquawi running around in Iraqi somewhere. But he too is getting closer to receiving his 70 virgins. We just took out the top bomb maker for AQ this past week with the predator attack in Pakistan. It is only a matter of time before the snake has no head at all.
All signs point to a stabilizing Iraq – which is not to say that Iraq is currently stabilized. Iraq is far from reaching a point where they no longer need ANY foreign help. The recent elections, and especially the last election have gone a long way to that country being able to care for itself.
OBL recent truce offer reminds me of what Saddam said upon his discovery in that hole – something along the lines of “I am the President of Iraq and am willing to discuss terms”. Terms? Yeah…I don’t think so. The only term that will be offered to OBL and others like him is how do you want your death – quick or slow. We have excellent options to facilitate both.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Terrorist wish list - disposable phones
It is highly suspicious that just THREE days after the NY Times broadcast to the world details about the NSA wiretap program, that a group of Middle Eastern men with known ties to terrorist cells (in Dallas) were arrested after attmepting to purchase between 60-150 prepaid TracPhones (phones that are near impossible to trace - because nobody knows who owns it)!!!
Michelle Malkin has a good roundup on the details of this story, which are just now starting to see the light of day.
Good grief - does the media have no regard for national security? We tell the entire world that we are tapping international calls between known terrorists and others in the US...and what happens next? They switch their method of communication and go out and buy disposable phones that cant be traced!! I was OUTRAGED over the initial story - and even more so now.
Michelle Malkin has a good roundup on the details of this story, which are just now starting to see the light of day.
Good grief - does the media have no regard for national security? We tell the entire world that we are tapping international calls between known terrorists and others in the US...and what happens next? They switch their method of communication and go out and buy disposable phones that cant be traced!! I was OUTRAGED over the initial story - and even more so now.
A couple of warriors you should know about....
I found this on Capt B's blog "One Marine's View." It is from his 1/8/06 entry and well worth the read. Everyone says that Marines, Soldiers, Arimen, etc are heroes...but have you actually taken the time to read about some of the things they do to EARN this title? It is amazing!
You should visit his site to read all of the heroic accounts listed on the 1/8/06 post - but here is my favorite:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the battle for Baghdad, Sergeant M's sniper team arrived within Company F's position as they came under heavy small arms fire from a determined enemy force. He immediately encouraged Marines to deploy and return fire. Noticing a disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine struggling to get off the same fire swept street, he risked his life to lead the Marine to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine lying in the street. Ignoring the hailstorm of bullets, Sergeant M rushed into the street for a third time to carry the injured Marine to safety. Sergeant M returned a fourth time to evacuate an unconscious Marine. Returning to the front again, he dashed into the contested street and assisted a Marine to safety who had been dazed by an explosion. Sergeant M ensured medical attention was administered and verified that evacuations were ongoing. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant M reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Please read SSgt Daniel Clay's final letter home as well - be sure and grab a tissue first.
You should visit his site to read all of the heroic accounts listed on the 1/8/06 post - but here is my favorite:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the battle for Baghdad, Sergeant M's sniper team arrived within Company F's position as they came under heavy small arms fire from a determined enemy force. He immediately encouraged Marines to deploy and return fire. Noticing a disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine struggling to get off the same fire swept street, he risked his life to lead the Marine to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine lying in the street. Ignoring the hailstorm of bullets, Sergeant M rushed into the street for a third time to carry the injured Marine to safety. Sergeant M returned a fourth time to evacuate an unconscious Marine. Returning to the front again, he dashed into the contested street and assisted a Marine to safety who had been dazed by an explosion. Sergeant M ensured medical attention was administered and verified that evacuations were ongoing. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant M reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Please read SSgt Daniel Clay's final letter home as well - be sure and grab a tissue first.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Italy breaks up terrorist plot against the US
Italy has foiled a terrorist plot that would have made 9/11 look like child's play. But you wouldnt know this unless you picked a paper from China, Australia, Italy, Englend, etc...in fact, if you would have picked up a paper anywhere but in the US this past week, you would know about this! This type of omission should not shock me at this point - but it still does.
It is not that there is an orchestrated media conspiracy - with the media ring leader calling up all outlets each night and telling them what to run - I don't believe that. But the fact that 90% of all journalists, editors, publishers are (by their own admission) liberal ensures that we will not get unbiased coverage.
It is interesting that Italy used wire taps to break this plot. The very same tactic that Bush is under fire for. It would be unmentionable for the Times to run a story hailing the effectiveness of wire taps to stop terrorism!
The story.
It is not that there is an orchestrated media conspiracy - with the media ring leader calling up all outlets each night and telling them what to run - I don't believe that. But the fact that 90% of all journalists, editors, publishers are (by their own admission) liberal ensures that we will not get unbiased coverage.
It is interesting that Italy used wire taps to break this plot. The very same tactic that Bush is under fire for. It would be unmentionable for the Times to run a story hailing the effectiveness of wire taps to stop terrorism!
The story.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Buyer beware
Attention car buyers. Do not shop for a new car at North Central Honda. Here is the skinny on the scam they pulled on my sister in law and her husband recently.
Sister in law is expecting (twins) and they need to get a bigger car. Her husband takes his Honda Accord to the place he originally bought it (North Central Honda) to trade in for a Honda SUV (I forget the name – the one with 3 rows). The salesman and husband agree on price, trade in value, line up financing and it ends up being a deal at $500 month. They take his trade in keys, hand him the new keys and it’s a “done” deal.
One week later, husband gets a call from finance guy saying the deal fell through and the payment was going to go up to $680! “Unacceptable” says husband and says he thought they had a deal. After all, the credit manager had him fill out a credit application, and was told it was approved with x terms. Credit manager said, “let me see what I can do and I will call you back”. Doesn’t call back. Husband calls him back and plays phone tag for a few days. Credit manager calls and said, “I got it down to $550 and with a shorter term, lets meet Friday night and you can sign the papers.” Husband goes Friday night to meet (some location, not the dealership) and the guy no shows. Husband finally reaches him the next day and finance guy said something came up, etc, etc. Husband now wants his car back and goes back to the dealership to turn back the new car and get his old car. Of course, sister in law and husband are now late on their car payment because they thought they were going to trade it in. They have also already switched over insurance…but enough is enough and they want their car back.
Guess what, their trade in is “locked up somewhere” and they “can’t get it right now, but if they will hang tight a little longer they will get a deal worked”. They talk with their original salesman who they liked and who was surprised that their initial $500 deal was dead. He pretended (or could have been sincere) that he had no idea. Another few days pass and they get a call saying it’s a done deal at $560 month, which they take. If it were me, I say hell no and demand my car back and go somewhere else. But they were so beaten down by this they gave in - even if it cost them $60 more than they thought.
There are a few lessons to learn here. After hearing this and reading about stuff like this on-line, it turns out this is a common “yo-yo” scam pulled by many dealers – mostly on people with bad to average credit who often fall for this since they think they can’t get anything better (and who ironically enough, can usually least afford the higher payments that come with the scam). Lesson #1, arrange your financing ahead of time with your bank. That way you buy a car based on negotiating the price of the car and that’s it. Forget about them jacking you on rate, term, etc. Unless, you’re a savvy buyer and the dealer’s lender is offering major rebates by financing with them, don’t do it! Lesson #2, no matter how much you like that car – NEVER drive it off the lot until the financing has been approved (no “spot delivery”). You can solve this problem by following step #1.
This is a scam people. The finance guy knows within 15 minutes of running the application if the financing will go through. Financial institutions have this down to a science as to whom they will finance and whom they wont. The dealer knows that Joe Buyer with a 600 credit score aint getting the car for 72 months at 6% interest! But, if he lets Joe Buyer drive the car for a couple of weeks and get attached to it, well, that makes the new deal at 60 months and 13% interest a little easier to take. Car finance people are running a close second to tow truck drivers for me. I’m sure there are honest people in both professions, but I haven’t found one yet!
Sister in law is expecting (twins) and they need to get a bigger car. Her husband takes his Honda Accord to the place he originally bought it (North Central Honda) to trade in for a Honda SUV (I forget the name – the one with 3 rows). The salesman and husband agree on price, trade in value, line up financing and it ends up being a deal at $500 month. They take his trade in keys, hand him the new keys and it’s a “done” deal.
One week later, husband gets a call from finance guy saying the deal fell through and the payment was going to go up to $680! “Unacceptable” says husband and says he thought they had a deal. After all, the credit manager had him fill out a credit application, and was told it was approved with x terms. Credit manager said, “let me see what I can do and I will call you back”. Doesn’t call back. Husband calls him back and plays phone tag for a few days. Credit manager calls and said, “I got it down to $550 and with a shorter term, lets meet Friday night and you can sign the papers.” Husband goes Friday night to meet (some location, not the dealership) and the guy no shows. Husband finally reaches him the next day and finance guy said something came up, etc, etc. Husband now wants his car back and goes back to the dealership to turn back the new car and get his old car. Of course, sister in law and husband are now late on their car payment because they thought they were going to trade it in. They have also already switched over insurance…but enough is enough and they want their car back.
Guess what, their trade in is “locked up somewhere” and they “can’t get it right now, but if they will hang tight a little longer they will get a deal worked”. They talk with their original salesman who they liked and who was surprised that their initial $500 deal was dead. He pretended (or could have been sincere) that he had no idea. Another few days pass and they get a call saying it’s a done deal at $560 month, which they take. If it were me, I say hell no and demand my car back and go somewhere else. But they were so beaten down by this they gave in - even if it cost them $60 more than they thought.
There are a few lessons to learn here. After hearing this and reading about stuff like this on-line, it turns out this is a common “yo-yo” scam pulled by many dealers – mostly on people with bad to average credit who often fall for this since they think they can’t get anything better (and who ironically enough, can usually least afford the higher payments that come with the scam). Lesson #1, arrange your financing ahead of time with your bank. That way you buy a car based on negotiating the price of the car and that’s it. Forget about them jacking you on rate, term, etc. Unless, you’re a savvy buyer and the dealer’s lender is offering major rebates by financing with them, don’t do it! Lesson #2, no matter how much you like that car – NEVER drive it off the lot until the financing has been approved (no “spot delivery”). You can solve this problem by following step #1.
This is a scam people. The finance guy knows within 15 minutes of running the application if the financing will go through. Financial institutions have this down to a science as to whom they will finance and whom they wont. The dealer knows that Joe Buyer with a 600 credit score aint getting the car for 72 months at 6% interest! But, if he lets Joe Buyer drive the car for a couple of weeks and get attached to it, well, that makes the new deal at 60 months and 13% interest a little easier to take. Car finance people are running a close second to tow truck drivers for me. I’m sure there are honest people in both professions, but I haven’t found one yet!
Freedom to sound stupid
Aint free speech grand! Fortunately, free speech has consequences – like when you say something really stupid, other people are “free” to point out your stupidity, or in this case hypocrisy.
Decorated war hero Rep. John Murtha had this to say about our troops (which he of course “supports”)…”I worry about a slow withdrawal [from Iraq] which makes it look like there’s a victory…”
Heaven forbid our men and women leave Iraq feeling victorious! Gotta love that troop support!
Here is another one, which is soooo outrageous, I’m not sure anyone really takes this guy seriously.
Actor Harry Belafonte “[President George W. Bush is] the greatest tyrant in the world. [He is] the greatest terrorist in the world."
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure those people on Flight 93 would have rather had President Bush on board instead of those terrorist. I’m pretty sure Israeli teenagers would have rather seen President Bush walk into the pizza joint than the suicide bomber. I could fill up 10 pages with many more “I’m pretty sure” examples…but you get the point.
It is statements like this that continue to isolate Hollywood types from average Americans and that will guarantee that Republicans remain in control for the foreseeable future. Dean, Murtha, et al are the GOP’s greatest asset!
Decorated war hero Rep. John Murtha had this to say about our troops (which he of course “supports”)…”I worry about a slow withdrawal [from Iraq] which makes it look like there’s a victory…”
Heaven forbid our men and women leave Iraq feeling victorious! Gotta love that troop support!
Here is another one, which is soooo outrageous, I’m not sure anyone really takes this guy seriously.
Actor Harry Belafonte “[President George W. Bush is] the greatest tyrant in the world. [He is] the greatest terrorist in the world."
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure those people on Flight 93 would have rather had President Bush on board instead of those terrorist. I’m pretty sure Israeli teenagers would have rather seen President Bush walk into the pizza joint than the suicide bomber. I could fill up 10 pages with many more “I’m pretty sure” examples…but you get the point.
It is statements like this that continue to isolate Hollywood types from average Americans and that will guarantee that Republicans remain in control for the foreseeable future. Dean, Murtha, et al are the GOP’s greatest asset!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Happy New Year
Happy New Year to everyone! It is a really busy time at work, and at home (getting house ready for sale). I hope to have something new to post soon in case anyone happens by accident to find this blog!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Get a rope
A handful of CIA/NSA officials are putting the lives of countless spy personnel in danger, not to mention the entire US by releasing confidential information relating to our ability to gather intelligence - intel that has (according to the NYT story in question) already thwarted some attacks.
First they "leak" the info about the CIA airlines. Then they leak the info about the overseas prisons. Now they leak the info about the wiretap of international phone calls. It seems the only “leaker” that gets any scrutiny is the one that made the administration look somewhat good (Plame leak). Why aren’t we in an uproar over these other well-placed leaks? I know - its because Rove isn’t behind those leaks.
At what point does the exercise of First Amendment rights morph into treason? It seems like people associate treason with something that could only happen back during the Revolutionary War. It is as much a real issue now as it ever was. We are all free to question policy and disagree with policy, but when we actively (by leaking classified information) oppose legal procedures by our government in a time of war – that has to be at least considered treasonous.
In 1990 the US had figured out the type of cell phone used by Bin Laden and the particulars around how he used it – so that we may listen in. But somehow the press found this out and published it. Guess what? Bin Laden stopped using that phone and we stopped getting our intel. Point being - our actions carry consequences. The person who leaks the classified information should recognize the harm he is causing, and the media should recognize the harm caused by publishing. If the media wanted to run a “watch-dog” story on perceived abuses by the administration, it could do so without disclosing the particulars.
You can sit there and wish our troops were not engaged in a war. You can wish that the Jihadists don’t want you dead. You can pretend that America will be safe if we only pull out now (funny, I don’t recall us being engaged with Iraq or Afghanistan prior to 9/11 – as if those were the reasons they attacked us). But none of that wishing will get rid of the facts. And whether you like it or not, real people are in harms way to ensure that we don’t have to be. Leaking classified information, especially during a time of war, for petty partisan gain puts us all in harms way and is below reprehensible. It is treason. And if we ever uncover who did the leaking, they should be tried and once convicted - hung!
First they "leak" the info about the CIA airlines. Then they leak the info about the overseas prisons. Now they leak the info about the wiretap of international phone calls. It seems the only “leaker” that gets any scrutiny is the one that made the administration look somewhat good (Plame leak). Why aren’t we in an uproar over these other well-placed leaks? I know - its because Rove isn’t behind those leaks.
At what point does the exercise of First Amendment rights morph into treason? It seems like people associate treason with something that could only happen back during the Revolutionary War. It is as much a real issue now as it ever was. We are all free to question policy and disagree with policy, but when we actively (by leaking classified information) oppose legal procedures by our government in a time of war – that has to be at least considered treasonous.
In 1990 the US had figured out the type of cell phone used by Bin Laden and the particulars around how he used it – so that we may listen in. But somehow the press found this out and published it. Guess what? Bin Laden stopped using that phone and we stopped getting our intel. Point being - our actions carry consequences. The person who leaks the classified information should recognize the harm he is causing, and the media should recognize the harm caused by publishing. If the media wanted to run a “watch-dog” story on perceived abuses by the administration, it could do so without disclosing the particulars.
You can sit there and wish our troops were not engaged in a war. You can wish that the Jihadists don’t want you dead. You can pretend that America will be safe if we only pull out now (funny, I don’t recall us being engaged with Iraq or Afghanistan prior to 9/11 – as if those were the reasons they attacked us). But none of that wishing will get rid of the facts. And whether you like it or not, real people are in harms way to ensure that we don’t have to be. Leaking classified information, especially during a time of war, for petty partisan gain puts us all in harms way and is below reprehensible. It is treason. And if we ever uncover who did the leaking, they should be tried and once convicted - hung!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Tis the Season to be Thankful
This Christmas season has been just as hectic as the last 6 (they started getting that way the time I started really working). This, despite my resolution each year to finally stop and ‘smell the roses’ known as family. It is only now, as I sit hear after a torrid week of work that I can sit still and reflect on how very special my life is.
I’m not sure where to start, and I suppose this is in no particular order, but here is what I am thankful for in 2005. My thanks goes to directly to God for blessing me with the following:
- A wonderful wife and mother to my boys who sleeps so lightly at night so that I can sleep so soundly. A wife who takes care of the house, the bills, the birthday parties, etc while still managing to work 40 hours a week – that’s something to be thankful for.
- Two awesome boys who bring so much joy to me. Each night I open the door and Jackson exclaims, “Daddy – your home!” while Jacob runs to me with a huge grin and his open arms, speaking some language that I’m certain translates into, “Daddy – your home!” Man, if that aint enough to make you forget about all the troubles of the world, I don’t know what is.
- A good job - paying a good salary. Which pays for all the junk in my kids closet and room!
- The DART train. Sounds odd? If not for the train, I would not have had the time to read the awesome books I did this past year. The topics have ranged from hard-core quantum mechanics, to religion, to finance, to politics and as always, the wild west (Elmer Kelton in particular). Reading is exercise for the mind. These books have strengthened my imagination, my spirit and my politics.
- A wonderful grandmother (known as Nanny in our household) who prays every night for my family and I. Nanny, who while living on a tiny fixed income, will give one of her grandkids her last penny for the month so that they can feed their kids and turn on their electricity. I thank God that I don’t need this type of physical assistance from her, but I do need her prayers, and I am thankful.
- For Papaw. For hanging on to this world on that day in January, just long enough for me to make it down from my house in time to say I love you. For holding off St. Peter long enough for me to say the things that your suppose to say way in advance.
- For the Patriots standing in harms way, who, even as I type this, are likely taking fire right now to protect everything that I love in this world. The men and women of our armed forces who risk their lives to spread freedom where there was none. The warriors who deal out swift justice to those who kill innocent people. The sentries who eliminate the threats to my country before they even have time to become a threat. I am thankful for their service and I wish them continued success so that they may soon be reunited with those that love them even more than I.
- For my parents. It would take more hard drive space than this computer has to list out how fortunate I am to have my mom and dad – lets just leave it at that. I can only hope my boys look back 20 years from now and feel as proud of me as I do my parents.
- For groups like the Alliance Defense Fund who will fight the war against our religious freedoms even though many of us are not even aware of the severity of the attack
- For Howard Dean. For ensuring that Republicans will maintain their majority in Congress for years to come (you didn’t really think I would close without a political point – did you).
Well, those are the big ones, but not the only ones. Each member of my family is special to me - my brother and sister, their children. And I suppose if you twist my arm hard enough, I could even admit to having a pretty good mother-in-law (who despite having raised two odd daughters, appears to be doing a good job with her 16-year-old son. At least he appears to have some sense on him, unlike his older sisters).
I suppose that now that I have gotten that off my chest I have just enough time to get out of here and run to the mall. I gotta get those two globes, the cell phone, the new toy, pick up something to eat, grab some batteries, get the…….
Merry Christmas!
I’m not sure where to start, and I suppose this is in no particular order, but here is what I am thankful for in 2005. My thanks goes to directly to God for blessing me with the following:
- A wonderful wife and mother to my boys who sleeps so lightly at night so that I can sleep so soundly. A wife who takes care of the house, the bills, the birthday parties, etc while still managing to work 40 hours a week – that’s something to be thankful for.
- Two awesome boys who bring so much joy to me. Each night I open the door and Jackson exclaims, “Daddy – your home!” while Jacob runs to me with a huge grin and his open arms, speaking some language that I’m certain translates into, “Daddy – your home!” Man, if that aint enough to make you forget about all the troubles of the world, I don’t know what is.
- A good job - paying a good salary. Which pays for all the junk in my kids closet and room!
- The DART train. Sounds odd? If not for the train, I would not have had the time to read the awesome books I did this past year. The topics have ranged from hard-core quantum mechanics, to religion, to finance, to politics and as always, the wild west (Elmer Kelton in particular). Reading is exercise for the mind. These books have strengthened my imagination, my spirit and my politics.
- A wonderful grandmother (known as Nanny in our household) who prays every night for my family and I. Nanny, who while living on a tiny fixed income, will give one of her grandkids her last penny for the month so that they can feed their kids and turn on their electricity. I thank God that I don’t need this type of physical assistance from her, but I do need her prayers, and I am thankful.
- For Papaw. For hanging on to this world on that day in January, just long enough for me to make it down from my house in time to say I love you. For holding off St. Peter long enough for me to say the things that your suppose to say way in advance.
- For the Patriots standing in harms way, who, even as I type this, are likely taking fire right now to protect everything that I love in this world. The men and women of our armed forces who risk their lives to spread freedom where there was none. The warriors who deal out swift justice to those who kill innocent people. The sentries who eliminate the threats to my country before they even have time to become a threat. I am thankful for their service and I wish them continued success so that they may soon be reunited with those that love them even more than I.
- For my parents. It would take more hard drive space than this computer has to list out how fortunate I am to have my mom and dad – lets just leave it at that. I can only hope my boys look back 20 years from now and feel as proud of me as I do my parents.
- For groups like the Alliance Defense Fund who will fight the war against our religious freedoms even though many of us are not even aware of the severity of the attack
- For Howard Dean. For ensuring that Republicans will maintain their majority in Congress for years to come (you didn’t really think I would close without a political point – did you).
Well, those are the big ones, but not the only ones. Each member of my family is special to me - my brother and sister, their children. And I suppose if you twist my arm hard enough, I could even admit to having a pretty good mother-in-law (who despite having raised two odd daughters, appears to be doing a good job with her 16-year-old son. At least he appears to have some sense on him, unlike his older sisters).
I suppose that now that I have gotten that off my chest I have just enough time to get out of here and run to the mall. I gotta get those two globes, the cell phone, the new toy, pick up something to eat, grab some batteries, get the…….
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 02, 2005
Merry Winter Holiday Season
It seems like the last few years, just about this time, we hear stories about the attack on the word “Christmas”. Most liberals dismiss this at right wing, Christian right nonsense. But this really is a lazy or naïve dismissal. Or perhaps its just another attack on all things perceived to be platforms of the “Christian right”. In reality, it takes only a little digging to compare our current political correctness during the “Holidays” to how we went about discussing this time of year just 10-15 years ago. Go to any newspaper archive and compare the 1980’s Christmas specials to today’s Holiday specials.
I find it hard to believe that there is anyone out there who doesn’t admit to the secularization of Christmas. By secularization, I refer to the increased importance given to gift giving and material adoration than time spent reflecting on the meaning of Christmas and time spent enjoying family. This transformation is not a mere 10-15 years in the making, but multi-generational. This secularization is not just the handiwork of non-Christians, but of all those who celebrate Christmas in some form or fashion. Anyone who stands in line at 4am the day after Thanksgiving (Christian or not) in order to get the best deal on the latest gadget is responsible for this type of secularization. But even the concept of gift giving has a basis in Christianity (not that the Three Wise Men shopped at Best Buy or anything). So I suppose this secularization doesn’t bother me as much as the other.
The other that I refer to is the trend that is most disturbing - the effort to whitewash “Christ” from Christmas - the concerted effort in the name of diversity to replace Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays. The idea that tolerance and respect for minority views somehow equates to intolerance and disregard for the majority is tragic. We would rather call the company party a Holiday Party than a Christmas Party so that we don’t offend the two Muslims working in accounting. We somehow think it is better to ban all Christmas carols from the school play than to take a chance that a Jewish or Hindu person may “feel” uncomfortable.
This trend, this whitewash, is not the only aspect that bothers me though. The combination of removing the word Christmas while still including other religion displays is what is ruffling my feathers. When was the last time you heard someone call the menorah a “Holiday Candle”? Why is it acceptable to display the menorah and the Muslim star and crescent, but we cant display a nativity scene on public property? Why is ok to call the Muslim holy month of Ramadan by its name but not ok to call a single day in December – Christmas?
Displaying the other religious symbols, while suppressing Christian language, symbols and customs in a predominately Christian society is not inclusive. It is an insult to 90% of Americans who celebrate Christmas.
Remember, the Constitution does not protect us against “feeling” excluded. We have no “feeling” protections. The Constitution does, however, protect us from discrimination. But it seems to be doing a poor job of protecting Christians against discrimination when it comes to the celebration of one of our holiest times of the year - Christmas.
I find it hard to believe that there is anyone out there who doesn’t admit to the secularization of Christmas. By secularization, I refer to the increased importance given to gift giving and material adoration than time spent reflecting on the meaning of Christmas and time spent enjoying family. This transformation is not a mere 10-15 years in the making, but multi-generational. This secularization is not just the handiwork of non-Christians, but of all those who celebrate Christmas in some form or fashion. Anyone who stands in line at 4am the day after Thanksgiving (Christian or not) in order to get the best deal on the latest gadget is responsible for this type of secularization. But even the concept of gift giving has a basis in Christianity (not that the Three Wise Men shopped at Best Buy or anything). So I suppose this secularization doesn’t bother me as much as the other.
The other that I refer to is the trend that is most disturbing - the effort to whitewash “Christ” from Christmas - the concerted effort in the name of diversity to replace Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays. The idea that tolerance and respect for minority views somehow equates to intolerance and disregard for the majority is tragic. We would rather call the company party a Holiday Party than a Christmas Party so that we don’t offend the two Muslims working in accounting. We somehow think it is better to ban all Christmas carols from the school play than to take a chance that a Jewish or Hindu person may “feel” uncomfortable.
This trend, this whitewash, is not the only aspect that bothers me though. The combination of removing the word Christmas while still including other religion displays is what is ruffling my feathers. When was the last time you heard someone call the menorah a “Holiday Candle”? Why is it acceptable to display the menorah and the Muslim star and crescent, but we cant display a nativity scene on public property? Why is ok to call the Muslim holy month of Ramadan by its name but not ok to call a single day in December – Christmas?
Displaying the other religious symbols, while suppressing Christian language, symbols and customs in a predominately Christian society is not inclusive. It is an insult to 90% of Americans who celebrate Christmas.
Remember, the Constitution does not protect us against “feeling” excluded. We have no “feeling” protections. The Constitution does, however, protect us from discrimination. But it seems to be doing a poor job of protecting Christians against discrimination when it comes to the celebration of one of our holiest times of the year - Christmas.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Give me the unfiltered facts
The Dallas Morning News is highly insulting to all legal immigrants who have come to the country lawfully when today they describe an illegal alien who murdered a Dallas police officer over the weekend as a “Mexican immigrant”. He is not – at least according to WFAA TV on Sunday who cited that he is here illegally. Can the DMN not see the distinction between immigrant and alien? Do words not have specific meaning?
Quit being so danged politically correct. This is similar to refusing to call the Paris rioters Muslim when that is exactly what most of them are. It is not racist. It is just the facts. When the IRA was in full battle mode in Northern Ireland, almost every story mentioned IRA and Catholicism in the same sentence. Why is the word Muslim so taboo?
It is not the job of the media to coddle certain groups of people. Give us the facts. I want to know if someone who commits a crime is here legally or not. It doesn’t have to be bold and centered, but just include it. We are told that illegal aliens don’t commit crimes for fear of deportation. Ok - if that is true, it shouldn’t be a problem identifying those “few” that do.
We are told that Islam is a religion of peace. Ok – it should not be a problem identifying those “few” examples of terror that are carried out in the name of Islam. No more sugar coating – it is driving me insane.
If race truly doesn’t matter then that’s ok. I can buy off on that. But make it the policy across the board to not identify anyone’s race or religion in a story. Unfortunately that is not the case. It is a selective process by which certain groups are not identified.
It won’t be long before I read a story like, “A person caused harm to another person in some neighborhood.” We can’t identify the attacker because they may be something other than a white male. We do not want to identify the victim for sound reasons that I cant argue. We can’t identify the neighborhood, because it might be some place other than the white suburbs and people would draw an inference on the neighborhood racial or religious makeup.
I want to know “who, what, when, where, and why”. I want the “who” to be descriptive and factual. I don’t want to read a story that is written under the assumption that I may suddenly become a racist if I read that someone other than a white male committed a crime. Give me the news in the news section. Give me your editorials in the editorial section. I do not want to have to decipher on my own whether I am reading a news piece or an opinion piece.
Quit being so danged politically correct. This is similar to refusing to call the Paris rioters Muslim when that is exactly what most of them are. It is not racist. It is just the facts. When the IRA was in full battle mode in Northern Ireland, almost every story mentioned IRA and Catholicism in the same sentence. Why is the word Muslim so taboo?
It is not the job of the media to coddle certain groups of people. Give us the facts. I want to know if someone who commits a crime is here legally or not. It doesn’t have to be bold and centered, but just include it. We are told that illegal aliens don’t commit crimes for fear of deportation. Ok - if that is true, it shouldn’t be a problem identifying those “few” that do.
We are told that Islam is a religion of peace. Ok – it should not be a problem identifying those “few” examples of terror that are carried out in the name of Islam. No more sugar coating – it is driving me insane.
If race truly doesn’t matter then that’s ok. I can buy off on that. But make it the policy across the board to not identify anyone’s race or religion in a story. Unfortunately that is not the case. It is a selective process by which certain groups are not identified.
It won’t be long before I read a story like, “A person caused harm to another person in some neighborhood.” We can’t identify the attacker because they may be something other than a white male. We do not want to identify the victim for sound reasons that I cant argue. We can’t identify the neighborhood, because it might be some place other than the white suburbs and people would draw an inference on the neighborhood racial or religious makeup.
I want to know “who, what, when, where, and why”. I want the “who” to be descriptive and factual. I don’t want to read a story that is written under the assumption that I may suddenly become a racist if I read that someone other than a white male committed a crime. Give me the news in the news section. Give me your editorials in the editorial section. I do not want to have to decipher on my own whether I am reading a news piece or an opinion piece.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
The great oil scare of 2005
Yesterday, several top oil executives were called to testify before Congress on high energy costs. Specifically, they were called to explain why they were making so much money of late. You can read the story here. What business is it of Congress how much money a legal company is making? Ok, I’ll grant you that Congress should be concerned about price fixing, gauging of the consumers. But that is not what is going on here, and it is clear to anyone who paid attention in high school economics.
There is an enormous worldwide demand for oil right now. We all know that supply is stickier than demand –it takes longer for supply to catch up (assuming in this case it can catch up) to rising demand. If the markets are not allowed to work freely, which is what several legislators are calling for with this silly idea of a “windfall profit tax”, we will see temporary price decreases, but we will also experience energy shortages. We all know how that worked back in the 70’s, right? If you are a producer of oil, and you are going to get taxed at x% over a certain profit – why would you continue to produce oil once you hit that profit mark? You wouldn’t – and that will lead to an even thinner oil supply. It makes no sense. What makes even less sense is that this tax would only affect the U.S producers (a small percent of world production). If you are an investor, why would you invest in a U.S oil firm that is getting taxed at a higher rate when you can just invest in an overseas firm – you wouldn’t? Are you starting to see what nonsense this “windfall profit tax” is?
But wait, there is more. Some of the same legislators who summoned the oil executives for show and tell - as of yesterday, decided not to open parts of ANWAR to oil drilling – and decided not to allow drilling off the east and west coasts. Specifially, the decided not to allow the States to decide on allowing drilling off thier coasts! So long Federalism. The Senate last month included ANWAR drilling in their budget bill, and the House removed it from theirs yesterday. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out in joint committee. But it strikes me as hypocritical to lambaste big oil for high oil/gas prices while at the same time refusing to allow the domestic expansion of oil/gas production at home. Not to mention that a new refinery has not been built in the U.S since the 1970’s!!
So, who is to blame? Of course, the usual Democratic suspects, but this time, a few Republicans have succumbed to the hysteria as well. I have been thoroughly disappointed in the Republican Party this year. Grow a spine for crying out loud! Republicans have a majority, and not by just one vote either. Quit trying to play nice. Democrats don’t know what nice is.
As I re-read this, I realize it isn’t super coherent. But writing it down was certainly therapeutic for me. I am just really sick of liberals crying about oil/gas prices as they drive the cars (that use gas) down the freeway (made with petroleum products) to their office (heated and cooled by petroleum products), while at the same time refusing to allow the U.S to tap a fraction of its natural resources that can be used to help alleviate the supply problem.
There is an enormous worldwide demand for oil right now. We all know that supply is stickier than demand –it takes longer for supply to catch up (assuming in this case it can catch up) to rising demand. If the markets are not allowed to work freely, which is what several legislators are calling for with this silly idea of a “windfall profit tax”, we will see temporary price decreases, but we will also experience energy shortages. We all know how that worked back in the 70’s, right? If you are a producer of oil, and you are going to get taxed at x% over a certain profit – why would you continue to produce oil once you hit that profit mark? You wouldn’t – and that will lead to an even thinner oil supply. It makes no sense. What makes even less sense is that this tax would only affect the U.S producers (a small percent of world production). If you are an investor, why would you invest in a U.S oil firm that is getting taxed at a higher rate when you can just invest in an overseas firm – you wouldn’t? Are you starting to see what nonsense this “windfall profit tax” is?
But wait, there is more. Some of the same legislators who summoned the oil executives for show and tell - as of yesterday, decided not to open parts of ANWAR to oil drilling – and decided not to allow drilling off the east and west coasts. Specifially, the decided not to allow the States to decide on allowing drilling off thier coasts! So long Federalism. The Senate last month included ANWAR drilling in their budget bill, and the House removed it from theirs yesterday. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out in joint committee. But it strikes me as hypocritical to lambaste big oil for high oil/gas prices while at the same time refusing to allow the domestic expansion of oil/gas production at home. Not to mention that a new refinery has not been built in the U.S since the 1970’s!!
So, who is to blame? Of course, the usual Democratic suspects, but this time, a few Republicans have succumbed to the hysteria as well. I have been thoroughly disappointed in the Republican Party this year. Grow a spine for crying out loud! Republicans have a majority, and not by just one vote either. Quit trying to play nice. Democrats don’t know what nice is.
As I re-read this, I realize it isn’t super coherent. But writing it down was certainly therapeutic for me. I am just really sick of liberals crying about oil/gas prices as they drive the cars (that use gas) down the freeway (made with petroleum products) to their office (heated and cooled by petroleum products), while at the same time refusing to allow the U.S to tap a fraction of its natural resources that can be used to help alleviate the supply problem.
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