U.S. Forces Devises New Strategy on Burying Killed Terrorists in Pig Skins as Part of Psychological Warfare.

It was overheard that U.S. Forces on the war against terrorism is now devising a strategy to help deter Islamic terrorists from engaging in battle whether it's suicide bombing or fire fights by facing the prospect of being buried by U.S. Coalition Forces (non-Islamic) in pig skins after getting killed. Lieutenant "N" (preserved for anonymity and protection) in Iraq is part of the multi-prong "Bravo Game" efforts on mental and psychological warfare against Islamic terrorists.

Lt. "N".: "It's well known that these Islamic terrorists are devoutly religious and have deep revulsion and fear towards anything pig-related whether it's food or its by-products. It's a part of their dietary beliefs, fear and revulsion."

The Lieutenant continued to make an important point that by touching or eating pigs will prevent them, according to their Koranic beliefs, from going to heaven, even after martyrdom. This belief is considered to be a weakness among the Islamic terrorists.

Lt. "N".: "We've contacted several pig farms throughout North Carolina to acquire initially approximately 80 tons of pig skins. They will be used immediately to begin burying killed terrorists in them by wrapping up their bodies or their remains in pig skin. This include Islamic suicide bombers, too. The head usually survives intact in a vest suicide bombing or bombing in general. We have a protocol on burying severed terrorists heads by burying them in pig skins. Whether the bodies are intact or in pieces we'll scrap everyone of them up and place them in pig skins."

The Lieuteaent went on to explain that in order to be successful in getting the message out video tapes and photographs of the event will be advertised. When asked if they were worried about the Religious backlash from non-terrorists Islamic believers?

Lt. "N": "It's damn if you do, damn if you don't when it comes to fighting Islamic terrorists. We would rather use every tactical means to dissuade them from thinking that dying is a good thing in enemy terroritories believing they'll achieve martydom and heaven. Not so, according to their beliefs, if we advertise the fact we'll bury them for free in pig skins. Word of mouth should do the rest."

The Lieutenant smiled.

"Lt. "N": "We respect those who believe in Islam as a peaceful religion while respecting all other religions. But if they use the Koran as a source and inspiration for their terrorist activities, then by all means we'll use that against them. It's fair game."

Now, aint' that sweet folks?

Karl Rove, the Real Leaker?

Ok, folks. This is getting silly. When was the last time that the left had any concerns about the CIA? We knowthose Lefty Liberal Loonies weakened the CIA's ability to communicate when it came to doing its job by limiting their ability to hire certain people as operatives and agents, limiting where they can go, what they can do, who they can talk to even if it's the FBI, etc.

We know that Joe Wilson had lied about his assignment and lied about what he found in Niger as determined by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in its investigation of his intelligence gathering results. Wilson lied, and his wife, Valeria Plame, appears to have tried conducting her own personal effort to undermine the administration from within the CIA. It all falls under her using her CIA stature and connection to hire her husband to go to Niger. All this is a conflict of interest.

Now, Valeria Plame was never in a "covert" operation nor was she an "undercover" CIA agent at the time. Nor was she ever classified at the time. She was simply a CIA "operative" (e.g. worker) at the time where she worked behind a desk at the CIA. It was no mystery that she worked for the CIA and that she is married to Wilson. It was Wilson's wife who picked him for this assignment, not the White House as Wilson claimed at the time. This is also a conflict of interest on both Wilson and his wife.

Even in Joe Wilson's bio (from the earliest, February 2003, as listed in Archive.org) it listed Valeria Plame as his wife prior to the "leak."

"He is married to the former Valerie Plame and has two sons and two daughters."

Now, according to this week's Newsweek I'm reading, Karl Rove wrote something in an e-mail to Matthew Cooper of which he works for TIME magazine.

"Cooper wrote that Rove offered him 'a big warning shot not to get too far out on Wilson.'" and that "Rove told Cooper that Wilson's trip had not been authorized by either George Tenet of the CIA or VP Cheney."

You know, Wilson's out there lying all over the place and yet everybody gives him a total pass. The administration did not send Wilson over to Niger. George Tenet didn't send him. It was Wilson's wife! Tell me again about "conflict of interest" here.

If ya'll want to look at whose doing the "leaking" on this "non-issue", try the MSM. The NY Times seemed bent on protecting their sources who now sits in jail for contempt and obstruction of justice on interferring with a criminal investigation.

Now, if anybody, including Rove, whether Republican or Democrat, did in fact tip off of the identity of a covert and under-cover CIA operative, then certainly I'm all for the arrest of that person. I am more concern on the security of our people whether they are under-cover CIA agents or troops in Iraq. However, you Liberals are not even remotely concerned about them with all the Gitmos, Abu Ghraibs, and "Quagmire" screams ever since the Iraq war.

You Fruit Loops are just getting more fruitier everyday you cannot even see straight, common sense is not even in your vocabulary. Keep it up. But next time, pick a better target. You've been painting yourselves a bullseye ever since President Bush the younger won the first election.

When People Wish for Death and Destruction from Nature.

We have our kooks, naturally, among the natural order of things on planet Earth with the kooks being on the bottom rung of the human decency ladder. It is one thing when people are fascinated, such as me, by natural and powerful phenomenoms but give full reverence, respect and humility to such awesome powers of nature such as hurricanes, tornados, lightning strikes, volcanic explosions, blizzards, earthquakes, wildfires and the likes. However, there are many, many kooks who advocate, such as in James Wolcott's blog, for natural destruction to occur hoping to "teach" humanity a lesson of its awesome power.

I root for hurricanes. When, courtesy of the Weather Channel, I see one forming in the ocean off the coast of Africa, I find myself longing for it to become big and strong--Mother Nature's fist of fury, Gaia's stern rebuke. Considering the havoc mankind has wreaked upon nature with deforesting, stripmining, and the destruction of animal habitat, it only seems fair that nature get some of its own back and teach us that there are forces greater than our own. Sure, a hearty volcano can be enjoyable. Burning rivers of lava: so picturesque. But a volcano is stationary, like Dennis Hastert after a big lunch. It doesn't offer the same dramatic suspense. Hurricanes are in unpredictable flux. They move, change direction, strengthen, weaken, lose an eyewall, repair an eyewall; they seem to have volition and opera-diva personalities.

Hurricane Frances also has a heraldic quality. Camille Paglia observed on Salon in February, 2003 that the explosion of the Columbia shuttle on the eve of the war on Iraq was a "stunning omen," one that would make a Roman general think twice. A catastrophe strewing death, fire, and human remains across Bush's home state of Texas was inauspicious to our undertaking; and so it has proven to be. Frances is the second hurricane to afflict Florida, home of brother Jeb, in rapid succession.

The gods are not pleased.

Or here when you look at the first comment in a different blog when politics usually blinds these types of people into not thinking straight:

What's next for Jeb? Few hurricanes coming his way. Yay.

I suppose that Hurricane Dennis which killed 5 people in the United States and several more in Cuba and Haiti is what these people root for? Death and destruction? Ever hear of the "Law of Unintended Consequences"? Be careful what you wish for because you could be next. It'd be ironic if a hurricane or other natural phenomenom to strike James Wolcox' house suffering the wrath of "Gaia's stern rebuke".

These people have no class.

I have the greatest respect for these natural powers of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. It's the natural order of things but I certainly do not root for them to occur hoping to see death and destruction. Only an idiot would be that dumb which is why these people are at the bottom of the rung on the ladder of human decency.

Liberal Leftie Loonies Continue to Scream "Operation Quagmire!!"

People who say "operation after operation, it is not working at all" when it comes to eradicating terrorists (note: not "insurgents") in one of the many, many covert/overt opertions conducted by the coalition (and Iraqi) forces are the most clueless people on the planet. Can you say, "Duhhhhhh." ?

Terrorists will continue to try and cause trouble but the key point here is that the coalition forces are ensuring a more stable Iraq by letting, increasingly so, the Iraqi defense and police forces to take the helm. Just like President Bush said, "When they stand up, we stand down." The improvement continues in Iraq.

Now, if these operations did not work, then Iraq would not have held their first democratic free election ever. If these operations did not work, then Iraqis would not have stepped forward to help identify suspicious houses and people that are terrorizing and killing Iraqi citizens. If these operations did not work, then the number of new soldiers and police officers would not have continually gone up seeing 94,000+ police forces and 77,000+ for the Iraqi Army, Air Force and Navy. If these operations did not work, then reconstruction efforts would not have gone forward. If these operations did not work, none of the infrastructure and trust of the Iraqi people would not have happened. The expansion and improvement continues despite the bombings where more Iraqi citizens and Iraqi Armed and Police forces were killed than among the coalition group. A sure sign of dedication to ensure that the job gets done.

Despite the rhetorics by Liberal Lefties Loonies (LLL) who are completely clueless about the effectiveness of these covert operations have had all across Iraq, the success continues to move forward while Iraqi people gain more control of their country away from terrorists' hands.

High ranking officers reflect on one year of progress:

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2005 – A little more than a year ago, the 2nd Battalion of the Iraqi Intervention Force made its way through the streets of Baghdad, Iraq, hunting insurgents. It was the fledgling army's first operational military patrol, backed up by a team of coalition military advisers.

Iraqi army Maj. Abbas Jassim Jebir, then a company commander with the 2nd Battalion, told Iraqis while he was out on patrol that day, "There are more on the way just like us." Jebir's comments were prophetic. Today's Iraqi military is not the same as it was a year ago. And as he told the citizens of Baghdad, more like him have come to Iraq's aid.

The Iraqi military is increasingly taking control of security missions throughout Iraq, but it is a process often overshadowed by sensational attacks on civilians in the country. Coalition officials have pointed out the steady progress of the Iraqi forces and acknowledged there is still more work to be done before Iraqi forces accept full responsibility for securing their nation.

However, there have been considerable strides made by the Iraqi army in the past year. Leading that force during its transition from the parade field to the battlefield has been the responsibility of Gen. Babakir Shawkat Zebari, chief of staff of the Iraqi Joint Forces. "There is no comparison," Babakir told American Forces Press Service via e-mail through a translator. "It is 180 degrees different than it was last year at this time, and there are four basic reasons why," he said.

First, the Iraqi force has grown significantly, he said, adding that mentorship of Iraqi forces by the coalition in tactical conditions is helping the military forces mature.

"Our ability to supply the force is keeping pace with our ability to field the force, so far, and perhaps most importantly, we are identifying poor performers, rooting out corruption wherever we can and replacing those personnel accordingly," Babakir said.

In 2004, a small fraction of an Iraqi unit refused to engage the enemy after they were ambushed and later regrouped at an Iraqi training base north of Baghdad. Coalition officials cited miscommunication and cultural issues as the underlying reasons why some of the Iraqi soldiers did not fight.

More than a year later, things have changed. Iraqi military forces have participated in many of the major engagements in Iraq. They have conducted operations in Najaf, Fallujah, Baghdad, Mosul and other cities, and many of these operations have been independent missions with Iraqis planning, coordinating and carrying out the mission with no coalition assistance. The Iraqi armed forces now also have a navy and air force.

"When I see us accomplish the task before us with the help of the Iraqi people -- ordinary citizens -- this is key, in my opinion," Babakir said. "I see a military that is being built that believes in democracy, human rights, the importance of the law, and with a desire to serve the Iraqi people."

Today there are more than 76,000 in the Iraqi armed forces. Of that, some 530 are navy and 190 are air force personnel, according to a U.S. State Department report. Last year, there was merely one operational Iraqi army battalion. In June, the 5th Brigade, 6th Division, of the Iraqi army became operational after completing their training. Soon, Iraqi Marines will assume full responsibility for the security of Basrah and Khor al Amaya oil terminals, relieving U.S. sailors. Recently, a company of 100 newly trained Iraqi troops assisted coalition forces during Operation Spear in western Iraq.

Iraqi military forces have been responsible for the capture and killing of insurgent forces throughout Iraq, and they have discovered numerous weapons caches on a weekly basis. They have also helped free hostages throughout the country, including Australian Douglas Wood, who was recently rescued after being held for six weeks. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division found him as the unit conducted cordon-and-search operations in northwestern Baghdad.

But, as the Iraqi military becomes more of a viable military force, their casualty rates have increased. In a speech in June, President Bush stated that more than 2,000 Iraqi security personnel have been killed in Iraq. But the toll, which has surpassed that of U.S. casualties, is not keeping Iraqis from joining the military. "There are more than enough recruits," Babakir said.

Recently he visited a recruiting station and asked personnel there about recruitment. Earlier the recruitment center had announced that an Iraqi army battalion would be formed and that they were seeking 1,000 applicants. Nearly 23,000 recruits applied, Babakir said.

Babakir noted that potential recruits undergo a vetting process that checks an individual's identity, mental and physical health and literacy, and all recruits must be within the military service age range of 18-35.

"We check their background to ensure they do not have a dirty past from the(Saddam) Hussein era," Babakir said. "They must be willing to serve wherever the armed forces send them," he added. "For example, they may join in one city, but they may be moved to an area that is under a specific threat," Babakir said. "They serve the needs of Iraq. ... This generation of servicemen will grow to become tomorrow's leaders."

"Under Saddam's rule, all people feared for their lives, including the members of the armed forces," Babakir said. "They served in the military under coercion and intimidation for the sole purposes of Saddam. Today's military enlists volunteers who want to serve the people of Iraq."

According to Iraqi and coalition officials, in recent months there has been an increase in civilian cooperation. Tip lines stocked with fresh tips from citizens are leading Iraqi security personnel to insurgent hideouts, weapons caches and supporters.

"We are better able to keep the insurgents on the run, and we must continue to do so," Babakir said. "We are doing much better at gaining and keeping ground once held and controlled by those who would do harm.

"This is slow and hard work. (But) if no one can supply the insurgents, if no one can support the insurgents, then the insurgents will find it harder and harder to fight," Babakir said.

"We must keep up the pressure on them. We need the help of the local citizens to do
this effectively." The pressure, coalition officials said, will continue to intensify as Iraqi military forces continue to develop. The Iraqi navy now has a fleet of patrol and assault boats and an air force with fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft that provide theater airlift, reconnaissance and tactical transportation and support. It also has an army with armor, special operations, and anti-insurgent units that are killing and capturing insurgent forces throughout Iraq.

The quality of the Iraqi force is noteworthy too, Babakir said. The Iraqi military is now better equipped, trained and cared for than Saddam's military. Iraqi soldiers are expected to meet training standards and achieve proficiency with their equipment, and that takes time, Babakir said.

"Where have you known an armed forces to be built so fast, to do so much, in so little time?" Babakir asked. "None of this would be possible without the help the coalition, and we are so grateful for that support. We simply could not do any of this without the help we receive. ... I ask you, where have you seen such an undertaking before in history?"

Despite the anti-freedom and anti-democracy "quagmire" rhetorics by Liberal Leftie Loonies (LLL) who are completely clueless about the effectiveness of these covert/overt operations, these operations continue to play an important role in the success for Iraqi people to gain greater independency and autonomy. They gain more control of their country and away from the terrorists' grasp.

This "quagmire" screaming is getting very tiresome. Go take a brisk walk on a quicksand. Idiots.


Semper Fi.

For God's Sake, Please Stop the Aid!

Live 8, or rather Dead 8 had every intention of wanting to help Africa by getting wealthy countries (G8 is trying to do this) to throw money into Africa to help.

The Kenyan economics expert James Shikwati, 35, says that aid to Africa does more harm than good. The avid proponent of globalization spoke with SPIEGEL about the disastrous effects of Western development policy in Africa, corrupt rulers, and the tendency to overstate the AIDS problem.

Shikwati: Such intentions have been damaging our continent for the past 40 years. If the industrial nations really want to help the Africans, they should finally terminate this awful aid. The countries that have collected the most development aid are also the ones that are in the worst shape. Despite the billions that have poured in to Africa, the continent remains poor.
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Shikwati: And what's the result? A disaster. The German government threw money right at Rwanda's president Paul Kagame. This is a man who has the deaths of a million people on his conscience -- people that his army killed in the neighboring country of Congo.

SPIEGEL: What are the Germans supposed to do?

Shikwati: If they really want to fight poverty, they should completely halt development aid and give Africa the opportunity to ensure its own survival. Currently, Africa is like a child that immediately cries for its babysitter when something goes wrong. Africa should stand on its own two feet.

In other words, for simpleton folks who do not understand the consequences of people who are dependent on welfare, capitalism and self-sufficiency are the answer to help somebody to become self-sufficient. The United States who forked over 600 billion dollars over the last 45 years to Africa is not the answer. It only made the situation worse.


"Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

7/7 - London.

A horrific day of deaths and mayhem for the good people of London when terrorists (possibly Islamic terrorists) placed bombs on subway trains and on one bus which exploded in a timed attack during late morning rushhour. Some 40+ have been killed and over a 1000 injured. Almost the same parallel sense of gravity as the February 26, 1993 attack on the Twin Tower killing 6 and injuring over a 1000. This was the first attack against western civilization and people of all ethnic backgrounds.

The war on terrorism was never about on just getting Osama bin Laden only. The war is about getting terrorists at every level of hierarchy. It's about all the Zarqawis, Ladens, Yosefs, Omars, Husseins and all the fanatical and religious extremists who insist on 14th century thinking by despots and tyranical dictators. The attacks were never about America since it was an attack on western civilization who embrace freedom. This was an attack on people from all types of backgrounds, cultural upbrings, and ethnicity. An attack on a true melting pot.

The people who were murdered in 9/11 came from all sorts of ethnic background, including Muslims where some 200 to 400 were killed out some 3000 killed. The 9/11 and 7/7 attacks were an attack on freedom and personal beliefs whether those beliefs are based upon agnostic, atheist or a theist viewpoints. Today's attack was an attack on the freedom to live peacefully. Attacks by fanatics and extremists who share the same value and beliefs by those who terrorized innocent people during Pol Pot of Cambodia, Stalin of Russia, Nazi Germany, Rwanda, and the likes are becoming a rarer breed that we must see that they never succeed. They believe in ethnic cleansing. We don't.

If anybody who thinks that this war is about getting Osama bin Laden need to get an education since they are dumber than a brick. This war is about terrorism. 9/11 brought forth the start of World War III. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. It has now become a global war on terrorism. Nobody is immune from Islamic fanaticisms bent on world domination. Even Egypt is not immune to Islamic fanaticism. Kids were not immune from Islamic terrorists where 336 people died with about half of them being children in Breslan, Russia. Or the Madrid bombing killing nearly 200 people with some 1500 injured by coward terrorists.

London had it worst during WWII when hundred of thousands Londoners (among other cities in England) were bombed by the Nazis. Today is a reminder that there are extremists and terrorists who want you to follow their 14th century thinking by forsaking freedom and individual choice. The mayor of London said it right speaking to the coward terrorsts, "You will fail!"

Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life.

I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail.

In the days that follow look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential.

They choose to come to London, as so many have come before because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don’t want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail.

Freedom. It's all about freedom and liberty.

When an Islamic Community Backpeddles...furiously.

Follow the story closely here:

1. Defaced Koran angers Nashville Muslims
Police investigating possible hate crime. A Muslim holy book was found yesterday covered with flies, with a torn-out page mashed into what appeared to be feces and burned around the edges. The Koran was discovered on a doorstep about noon by an Islamic man who lives nearby in the LeNore Garden Apartments complex. He was walking to his home in the community, largely populated by Islamic immigrants from Somalia. A neighbor told police the book had been on the steps since at least 5 p.m. Tuesday.

2. Islamic leaders disturbed by delayed police response.
Islamic leaders said they notified police six times yesterday before officers arrived at the site of a Koran desecration. Police said the delay was due to an unforeseen number of higher-priority calls, including a burglary and a fight involving an officer.

3. Student Says Quran Burning Was an Accident
A Muslim Virginia Tech student says he was the person who left a burned Quran at a local mosque last month, saying it had been damaged in a fire and he hoped it could be given a respectful disposal. Police initially had said the case was being investigated as an anti-Muslim hate crime. The student contacted police last week, saying he was going to be traveling abroad and didn't know what to do with the Quran, which had been burned in a 2004 house fire, police Lt. Bruce Bradberry said Tuesday.

And now every thing is fine and dandy with the Islamic community praising the "friendly and supporting neighborhood".

"There is nothing better than knowing that Blacksburg is what we expect it to be - a caring, friendly and supporting neighborhood," Riad (Islamic Director) told the Roanoke Times.

But a month ago CAIR was frothing at the mouths about all this...

Laila Al-Qatami, a spokeswoman for the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday questioned how police could consider the act anything other than a hate crime.

You see, they scream bloody murder a la "the sky is falling" and demanded from police that they respond to their "crime scene" first above all else, even if police has to respond to a homicide or a burglary call. And while with their feet in their mouths, they find out how the burned koran book got there in the first place and starts to praise their community, of which the police is also a part of.

Excuse me, let me gag for a moment here.

*retch*

Live 8 or Dead 8?

Granted, Live 8 is a noble exercise on concern for humanity.

Live Aid's concerts 20 years ago saved 5 million Ethiopians from starvation and focused the world's attention on Africa's poorest people.

However, Band Aid was just that: a temporary fix for a condition that is chronic and for which the West is again being asked to help find the cure.

In Ethiopia's tumbledown towns of today, few smallholders who eke out a living growing coffee, teachers who struggle with classes of 80 or nurses who face empty drug cabinets have heard of Bob Geldof or Live Aid.

Most, however, know extreme hunger, few drink clean water, their children are malnourished, and HIV and AIDS infections are the third highest in the world.

Four million people rely on daily food handouts. Two years ago, 14 million - one in five Ethiopians - faced starvation when rains failed for three years running. This is despite the country receiving more emergency aid per person than any other nation.

Yet, such noble efforts to collect money to help pay for food, medicine, supplies etc, go to the government and the military first:

"Of course, if someone gave me some money I could make things better, but the money goes to the government, not to us," said Abdallah Abagisa, 36, a farmer with half a hectare of coffee trees near Jimma, 354 kilometres south-west of the capital, Addis Ababa. With 80 Ethiopian birr ($12) he could buy a scythe to clear weeds so that his trees produced more beans, but his family need that 80 birr just to survive.

The Live 8 is hoping to raise a few hundred million dollars to help Africa and will no doubt smugly pat themselves on their backs for their success while they scream at countries, notably the United States, for not doing enough.


In Capitalism magazine by Larry Elders:

Last year, American government provided 35 percent of worldwide relief aid. In private contributions, American individuals, estates, foundations and corporations gave over $240 billion to charitable causes in 2003, according to Giving USA Foundation. Privately, Americans give at least $34 billion overseas.

Josette Shiner, former Empower America president, points out that more than 80 percent of Americans belong to a "voluntary association," and 75 percent of households report charitable contributions. Shiner wrote in 1999, "Americans look even better compared to other leading nations."

According to recent surveys, 73 percent of Americans made a charitable contribution in the previous 12 months, as compared to 44 percent of Germans, and 43 percent of French citizens. The average sum of donations over 12 months was $851 for Americans, $120 for Germans, and $96 for the French. In addition, 49 percent of Americans volunteered over the previous 12 months, as compared to 13 percent of Germans and 19 percent of the French."

Of the 184 subscriber nations of the World Bank -- which provides financial assistance and debt relief to developing countries for particular sectors or projects with low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants -- contributions paid in by America make up over 17 percent. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) focuses on providing financing for general support of a country's balance of payments and international reserves.

Again, of the IMF's 184 nations, the U.S. does the heavy lifting, providing 17.5 percent of contributions.

What about debt forgiveness? The United States forgave about $14 billion in foreign debt from the late '80s through 1995. Since 1994, the U.S. has worked with the Paris Club -- an informal forum of creditor countries -- to review, negotiate and adopt debt relief programs for poor countries, recently badgering France and Germany into agreeing to forgive 80 percent of the $39 billion owed by Iraq.

America twice assisted Europe in World Wars I and II. America took the lead in defeating the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and continues to provide troops and military assistance to European nations and Southeast Asia.

United Nations' Egeland brags about his native Norway, which, in giving, he says, "is No. 1 in the world." Norway gives 0.92 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to foreign aid development, versus 0.14 percent in this country. " . . . We have . . . no country up to the 1 percent . . . line of foreign assistance in general," says Egeland, "and we have, I think, three . . . Scandinavians that have exceeded -- and Holland -- the 0.7 percent line of gross national income for assistance."

Yes, Holland gave $12.2 billion in foreign aid in 2003, but that was following two years in which it received more aid than it gave. Besides, these numbers overlook Americans' private contributions, which equal 2.2 percent of our GDP. Add the value of volunteer time contributed, and -- even when calculated at minimum wage -- that gives you another $100 billion.

Add in the amount of money spent to protect other (often wealthy) countries -- military spending is 3.3 percent of our GDP, versus Sweden's 1.7 percent, Denmark's 1.6 percent, Norway's 1.9 percent, and Holland's 1.6 percent -- and, as Ronald Reagan might have put it, not bad.

Not bad at all.

As to the tragedy in southern Asia, consider other actions taken by the United States so far: providing aircraft carriers, transport planes, helicopters, military support, logistical support, ships carrying food supplies, reconnaissance planes and warships, sending disaster assistance teams, shuttling supplies and advance teams to Sumatra's northwest coast and sending cargo planes carrying Marines and water purification equipment to Sri Lanka.

Former President Clinton, never missing an opportunity to take a swipe at a sitting president, said a few days after the tsunami, "It is really important that somebody take the lead in this." Well, Mr. Clinton, someone has -- America. Like always.

We need to be tough with the monies released to African countries run by dictators and despots.
William Easterly writes in the NY Times editorial:

It's great that so many are finally noticing the tragedy of Africa. But sadly, historical evidence says that the solutions offered by big plans are not so easy. From 1960 to 2003, we (United States) spent $568 billion (in today's dollars) to end poverty in Africa. Yet these efforts still did not lift Africa from misery and stagnation.

The above $568 billion spent does not include private donations. So, you think the answer is to throw more money into the pot?

Looks more like Dead 8 than a Live 8. Africa need to turn this around on their own using democracy as a tool and get rid of those dictators!

My Continuing Adventures as a Forest Fire Fighter

Found a couple of photos of me and the forest fire fighting crew I was with on the Toboggan fire in 2003 up in Idaho. Had a great time. Dirty, gritty, hot, sweaty work for two weeks worth. We actually had an impromptu ax throwing contest (two of them) during one of our breaks within the fire's perimeter. The team consisted of two persons. My team took 2nd place out of 5 teams. The guy with the big goatee and headband in the picture, if you can find him in the first photo below, his team took 1st place. All in good fun.

Looks like this year's fires are gaining a foothold with 1.8 million acres already burned to date (June 29, 2005)compared to the 10-year average to date of 1.3 million. Last year was approximately 800,000 acres burned to date which was a mild year. This year is anything goes with the increasingly hotter summer temperatures and reduced moisture exacerbated with the above normal Winter 04 and Spring 05 precipitation encouraging rapid growth of grasses and shrubs only to be dried out this summer next to dead plants from 3 to 5 years worth of drought. Not a good combination. While your at it, you can check out my main forest fire fighting site, Smoky Mike. I'll be ready to go once the National Prepardness Level gets to a "4" or "5" with 5 being the worst in terms of needed resources that are in extreme short supply, including fire fighting personnel. I've been conditioning myself for the past 3 weeks in preparation should I decide to go.



Click on picture to expand.
Click again to expand once more.
I'm the 2nd person standing from the left.


Click on picture to expand.
I'm the 3rd person standing from the right.


Be careful out there in the forests during this fire season out west.

Senator Barbara Boxer Lied About Timetable Support

Ok. I found the transcript where I caught Senator Barbara Boxer (D) lied about not supporting a timetable for troop removal in in Iraq. She in fact whole heartedly supported the timetable for troop removal from Iraq. This was an interview done by Marth Maccallum of Foxnews yesterday. The transcript was lifted from Rush Limbaugh site today.

MacCallum says, "I think this is the central question here, whether or not all of this in Iraq has been worth it. Do you believe it has not been worth it?"

BOXER: We went into a country that, according to the state department, the Bush state department at the time, did not have one cell of Al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq. There were more terrorist cells in America than there were in Iraq. Now it's a haven for the terrorists. We have made a mess of it. We've never had a plan and last night the president was eloquent and I appreciate his compassion and, Good Lord, we all feel it deeply in our hearts and souls. But where's the plan for success? We didn't hear it, it was more of the same, and I was very disappointed.

RUSH: So MacCallum said to Boxer, "Well, look, why do we have to separate Iraq from the war on terror when bin Laden doesn't? Bin Laden is not making that separation," and Boxer then starts trying to bully Martha MacCallum. This is how this sounded.

BOXER: If you and the president want to follow the advice and the words of Osama bin Laden, be my guest.

MACCALLUM: I don't think that's the issue here. I think --

BOXER: Let me make my point. I want to get him, and because we turned away --

MACCALLUM: But you're suggesting that Osama bin Laden is saying--

BOXER: Because we turned away -- if I might finish -- because we turned away when we almost had him by the way, and we went into Iraq where there wasn't one terrorist cell, we blew it, and now we're quoting Osama bin Laden? Please.

RUSH: Yes, we are quoting Osama bin Laden because you're not correct. We can rely on bin Laden's words. He says he had a relationship with Saddam and a relationship with Al-Qaeda. We know all kinds of things. The Democrats don't want to face it, don't want to admit it when it's right in front of their face. "Now we are quoting bin Laden?" It's better than quoting you. Bin Laden is a better source in what he's doing than you are, Senator Boxer -- and this business, "We almost had him"? You know what that's a reference to: Tora Bora. "We had him. We had him in the mountains of Tora Bora but we blew it." Let me tell you when we had him, Ms. Boxer, is when your hero, William Jefferson Blythe Clinton of the Clinton Library and Massage Parlor in Little Rock was offered bin Laden three different times by the government of Sudan and said, "Ah, I don't think we have a legal reason to hold the guy. I think we gotta let him go. I can't take it," and Clinton's admitted this in front of an audience. Yeah, we almost had bin Laden once. Tora Bora. Let's blame Bush for this. So, Boxer tries to avoid the final question here.

MACCALLUM: One more quick question. You've been criticized by Senator McCain and others for talking about a timetable to pull out, indicates a naïveté about war that to even to talk about a timetable to get out is undercutting everything our troops have worked for.

BOXER: You're putting words in my mouth and I think in Senator McCain's mouth because I don't ascribe to a timetable for our getting our troops out. What I have suggested is what General Newbold has suggested, which is a goal for when we can achieve success. You never heard that from this president, you know? It's too bad.

MACCALLUM: I'm sure he would say he tried to lay that out last night.

There you have it folks. Senator Barbara Boxer who lied about not supporting the notion of a timetable to get our troops out of Iraq when she did, in fact, supported it several times.

President Bush in fact laid out a goal for troops removal. The goal is as soon as the Iraqi troops and defense forces are capable of taking control of their country, the Coalition group will leave when requested bythe Iraqi govt if they feel comfortable that they can manage it from there on out. That's the only "timetable" you need, folks. Handwringers of America need to have some common sense here.

Success comes first just as we did in WWI and WWII.

ASL Golf

Sometimes later in life you realize you have a calling, an epiphany of sort, deep in the faith of God that calls you to use your skills to help teach or train people of the very same skill you've developed over the years. Waste not, want not. Someday I may have that opportunity.

Check out Rob Strano, a hearing professional golfer, who took the iniative to learn ASL to such a proficient level that he can now help deaf and hard of hearing children, teens or adults who want learn golf from a professional. Rob Strano's headquarter is out of Washington, D.C.’s Renditions Golf Club. But he is also available at the Kelly Plantation Club in Destin, Florida. Look for him also at selected Nationwide Tour events in 2005.

Check out an article here to read Rob's story of how he got started with ASL Gol Or visit Rob Strano's website ASL Golf.

Also, to help readers expand on some of the controversy regarding Deaf golf tournaments, go here, here, and here.

When Barbara Boxer Lies on Timetable Support

Today, just a few minutes ago, on Foxnews live in an interview with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) she said she never advocated on a timetable for soldiers to leave Iraq in response to President Bush' Address to the Nation in her attempt to cover her pale butt. But last week she was very much for a timetable on leaving Iraq.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Russell D. Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin, is signing up cosponsors for a resolution demanding that Bush produce a timetable for reaching his goals in Iraq -- and for withdrawing troops thereafter. Feingold quickly received the support of Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California.

And here.

Petri said a quick pullout could have a disastrous effect by tempting Iran to invade Iraq as it has done in the past.

“If we were to pull out tomorrow and leave a vacuum, we might see a bigger war in the Mideast,” he said.

In the Senate, only one lawmaker — Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. — has joined Feingold in co-sponsoring his bill that would give the president 30 days to announce his objectives in Iraq and a timetable for the withdrawal of the troops based on meeting those objectives.

As soon as Foxnews put Sen. Boxer's word up I'll put them here.


Update: From Baldilocks who received an email from Sen. Barbara Boxer last week.

Thank you for contacting me about the war in Iraq. I appreciate hearing from you. I recently traveled to Iraq and would liketo share my thoughts with you regarding my experiences. Meeting with our nation's braveservice men and women was truly inspiring. I admire and appreciate their courage, skill, and devotion to duty. In order to best support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, I voted for the 2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill to get them the equipment and support they need.

However, my trip to Iraq confirmed my view that the United States must set a timetable to withdraw our forces. I agree with retired Marine Corps General Gregory Newbold, one of the prime planners of the war in Iraq, who proposes that we set a goal for withdrawal. I believe our long-term presence in Iraq is becoming counter productive.

I recently joined with Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) in sponsoring a resolution calling on the Bush Administration to provide Congress with a time frame for achieving its military goals in Iraq and withdrawing U.S.troops from Iraq. I believe that it is timethat the Administration disclose its plan forIraq so that we know what our mission is and how we will accomplish it. It is time that we stop fighting this war with no plan and no end insight.

Please know that for as long as our troopsremain in harm's way, I will continue to pushfor an international effort to reduce thehardship on our troops while increasing the paceof training Iraqi Security Forces.

Once again, thank you for your letter and for caring deeply about this critical matter.

No word on a transcript or actual quote unless I see it again on Foxnews and write it down verbatim on what Senator Boxer said in the interview.

The Exponential Power of Chrenkoff

Some good reading. No, I take that back. It's great reading! Hand Wringers of America will only see the bad side of things in Iraq and have this irrational fear what other countries might possbibly be thinking about them when all you need to do is read Chrenkoff's "Good News from Iraq" 30th installment to cheer you up. As always, Chrenkoff's piece is a long one with many links but he does such a good job on Iraq's progress amid the Kennedy's personal clan of doomsayer hand wringers set to deliberately mislead America's effort in Iraq. Guess which ones really hates the military and America?

When Hatred Consumes You

I couldn't help but shake my head when I came across this site (enter at your own risk and be sure to read the comments link) by an email tip. When anger consumes a person to say such foul and demeaning words, including making fun of a person who has AIDS, all you can do is shake your head because of the ludicrousness.

Be careful on what you say because in life there is such a thing called "irony."

Operation Simply Shred

It's funny when Lefties do not understand the concept of freedom of expression by those who want to shred flyers given to them by Hand Wringers of America. Read the exerpts below of how things can be resolved peacefully and letting these HWAs understand the full value of freedom of expression:

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and honor for the majority of people. For a select few, those committed to a “peace at any price” world-view, Memorial Day is a day to protest war, warriors and to hand out printed propaganda. This year in Columbia Missouri, at the Air Show and the Memorial Day Parade the “Peace at any price” propaganda ended up in shreds – literally.

By an earlier federal court ruling, the Veterans group that hosts Missouri’s Air Show was forced to allow the peace groups to hand out their literature and carry protest signs onto the tarmac of the event. The court ruled that protesters had the right to free speech. So, we provided some free speech of our own, by the name of Operation Simply Shred.

A simple concept, legal, moral, and deliciously humorous – Operation Simply Shred provided a polite, free and immediate shredding service for any unwanted political literature or flyer that an Air Show or parade attendee did not care to keep any longer. Small, powerful battery operated shredders in the hands of polite and helpful volunteers allowed any citizen to exercise their own First Amendment right to shred any flyer or propaganda piece handed to them by a “peace at any price” protestor just seconds after they received it. And it was environmentally friendly to boot.

For years, the peace protesters have held their signs and harangued the Military Recruiters. They protest and try to dig holes in the yard at the ROTC building. They set up cardboard coffins fashioned from old “Kerry for President” signs at the Veterans Air Show. One loose cannon peacenik even assaulted a woman one evening as she countered their Wed. spectacle near the recruiters’ office when she refused to take a flyer. Well, they forgot that free speech goes both ways. The peace protesters know the military can’t express an opinion, so they have a captive audience to their street theatrics. Private citizens, however, have no such restraints.

Armed with shredders, signs advertising the Operation, signs supporting our Veterans and Troops, and with no announcement or forewarning we showed up. As the Klingons say “revenge is best served cold.”

The peace protestors appeared like clockwork when the Air Show gates opened and they started handing out their leaflets. They saw us, and at first our signs confused them. We offered to take any unwanted political flyers from any citizen who wanted to give them to us and then shredded them before the eyes of the smiling citizen and in full view of the peacenik who handed it out. The peaceniks were stunned.

When the shock wore off they came to dialog with us. The head peacenik said “its like Nazi book burning, you’re fascists.” We said “you want free speech, well – people who don’t like your propaganda are free to take it from you, give it to us and shred it.” The head peacenik still didn’t get it and walked off muttering about fascists, apparently unable to understand that by shredding his tract, regular citizens were expressing their rejection of his propaganda and affirming their own right to free expression. He could dish it out but he sure couldn’t take it.

The reaction from the regular citizens was astounding. We were thanked, we were given thumbs up, we were offered food and drink (which we declined as we were way too busy), we had veterans of all ages salute us for our efforts and many laughed out loud when they saw us ready and willing to shred a flyer that someone else was handing out just a few feet away.

Read more here. Now, you can do the same thing at any political events where ever flyers are passed out. Heck, even Lefties can do this. However, Liberals need not to complain if Republicans or those who don't like the flyers do the same thing.

Isn't freedom of expression great?

Blogs that Discuss Hand Wringers of America

Check out the list of links that talk about America's "Hand Wringers" who are afraid of what other people (or countries) may think about their country rather than be concerned for its national security and righting their common senses.


Ace of Spades HQ
Alarming News
Ambra Nykol
American Digest
American Thinker
Amy Ridenour
AnalPhilosopher
Anchoress
Ankle Biting Pundits
Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Art of the Blog
Athena
Atlantic Blog
Austin Bay
Babalu Blog
Backcountry Conservative
Baldilocks
Banana Republican
Basil's Blog
Beautiful Atrocities
Belmont Club
Bennelli Brothers
Betsy's Page
Blackfive
Brain Fertilizer
Brainster's Blog
Broken Masterpieces
BuzzMachine
C-Log
California Conservative
Cam Edwards
Captain's Quarters
Cheese and Crackers
Chief Wiggles
Chrenkoff
Clayton Cramer
Command Post
Commonwealth Conservative
Conservative Life
Conservative Outpost
Counterterrorism Blog
Cranial Cavity
D.C. Thornton
Daily Pundit
Daily Recycler
Daniel Pipes
David Frum
David Limbaugh
Dean Esmay
Decision '08
Democracy Project
Digger's Realm
Donald Luskin
Donald Sensing
Double Toothpicks
Drink This
Drudge Report
Drumwaster's Rants
Dust in the Light
Faute de Mieux
Florida Cracker
Friends of Historical Acurracy
FullosseousFlap
Hobbs Online
Huckleberries Online
Hugh Hewitt
IMAO
In the Agora
INDC Journal
Indepundit
InkWell
Instapundit
Iowahawk
Jawa Report
Jeff Harrell
Jen Martinez
Jihad Watch
Jim Miller on Politics
Junkyard Blog
JustOneMinute
Kelly Jane Torrance
Kim du Toit
LaShawn Barber
Little Green Footballs
Little Miss Attila
London Calling
Lonewacko
Mark in Mexico
Martini Pundit
Matt Margolis
Memeorandum
Meryl Yourish
Michael Fumento
Mickey Kaus
Milt Rosenberg
Moderate Voice
Moxie
Mudville Gazette
My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
Mystery Pollster
Neal Boortz
Nikita Demosthenes
Number 2 Pencil
Outside the Beltway
Overlawyered
Pajama Hadin
PalmTree Pundit
Pardon My English
Patrick Ruffini
Patterico
Paul Cella
PoliPundit
Power Line
Prestopundit
Protein Wisdom
QandO
Radio Equalizer
Ramblings' Journal
Real Clear Politics
Red State
Reporterette
Res Ipsa Loquitur
Resurrection Song
Right on Race
Right Wing News
Right Wing Nuthouse
Rodger Morrow
Roger's View
Rony Abovitz
Rosenblog
Scribe Journal
Secure Liberty
Seven Inches of Sense
Sharp as a Marble
Showcase
Sierra Faith
Sissy Willis
Solomonia
Sound Politics
Spoons
Steve Sailer
Sundries Shack
Tapscott's Copy Desk
Tempus Fugit
The Buzz
The Corner
The Political Teen
The Remedy
The Right Report
The Sake of Argument
Tim Lambert
TKS
Trey Jackson
Truth Laid Bear
TV Newser
UNCoRRELATED
VDARE
View from the Right
Villainous Company
Watcher of Weasels
Wizbang
World Magazine
Xrlq
Yorkie

Dick "Crocodile Tears" Durbin

A little too late for your apology, Dick. The damage has been done and you've given a gift to the terrorists you twerp. You should've gotten the first clue from irate emailers and phone calls the next day after your historic Senate speech rather than waiting a full week to finally apologize.

WASHINGTON - Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized Tuesday for comparing American interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to Nazis and other historically infamous figures.

“Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line,” the Illinois Democrat said. “To them I extend my heartfelt apologies.”

His voice quaking and tears welling in his eyes, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate also apologized to any soldiers who felt insulted by his remarks.

“They’re the best. I never, ever intended any disrespect for them,” he said.

No. I think he intended to disrespect the soldiers in his attempt to score political points but he miscalculated and it backfired badly. He lied, then cried to avoid being fried. This censure thing gained some more traction when McCain spoke of censure against Senator Durbin, which was a shot across the bow by McCain, more or less.

How HIV Can Affect the Brain

Very little understand of how HIV can affect the brain. However, today researchers are trying to understand how HIV damages the brain.

People with HIV sometimes have declines in memory and other cognitive abilities, but information about how the virus actually damages the brain has been scarce. A new technique to measure the thickness of the cortex, the outer surface of the brain that contains most of the brain cells, is providing some insight into how HIV affects the brain.

A recent study carried out at UCLA by Paul Thompson and colleagues used MRI scans to image the brain. Using these images they found cortical thinning of up to 20% in visual, motor and frontal regions of the brain in people with HIV, compared to non-infected individuals. Of particular interest is that the degree of cortical thinning in the parietal and frontal lobes is associated with impairments in cognitive function, and with T-cell counts (an index of immune function) in those with HIV.

These striking findings are the first to demonstrate the 3-dimensional nature of brain changes due to HIV infection, and to show the relation between damage in specific brain areas and immune system deterioration. Use of MRI-based maps such as these may provide biological markers of disease progression, and a novel way to gauge the impact of new anti-viral drugs in clinical trials.

Another "Fake but Accurate" Memo

The supposedly leaked "secret" Downing Street memos that have renewed questions and debate about Washington's motives for ousting Saddam Hussein.

The eight memos — all labeled "secret" or "confidential" — were first obtained by British reporter Michael Smith, who has written about them in The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times.

Smith told AP he protected the identity of the source he had obtained the documents from by typing copies of them on plain paper and destroying the originals.

The AP obtained copies of six of the memos (the other two have circulated widely). A senior British official who reviewed the copies said their content appeared authentic. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secret nature of the material.

Destroy the originals? How can a copied (typed) original be seen as "authentic" on what Blair and Bush had to say about the war? Does destroying the orginal undermine the whole concept on the authenticity of the source? As far as anybody is concerned, this is nothing more than another "fake but accurate" memo when anybody can type up a memo.

Senator Durbin (D) - Time to Vacate Your Seat

From the June 14, 2005 Congressional Senate Record Senator Durbin (D) makes a point as being an example of giving aid and comfort to the enemy by equating the U.S. as in the same league as the atrocities of Pol Pot, Nazi death camps, Stalin, Russian gulags. But the funny thing is that Durbin was on the floor to debate a portion of the Energy Bill and then went off on this tangent about prisoner abuse at Gitmo:

We still would have the ability to hold detainees and to interrogate them aggressively. Members of al-Qaida would not be prisoners of war. We would be able to do everything we need to do to keep our country safe. The difference is, we would not have damaged our reputation in the international community in the process. When you read some of the graphic descriptions of what has occurred here—I almost hesitate to put them in the RECORD, and yet they have to be added to this debate. Let me read to you what one FBI agent saw. And I quote from his report:

On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18–24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold. . . . On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees.

The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor. If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime Pol Pot or others—that had no concern for human beings.Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in thetreatment of their prisoners.

Now, the atrocities committed in gulags, Pol Pot, Nazi death camps, etc of the past have killed several hundred thousands to millions in forced labor, interrogation, lack of food, water, heat, and so forth. And what's 100 degrees in the cells of Gitmo compared to troops experiencing 120-130 degree weather right now in Iraq!

Senator Durbin (D) is more concerned about the Gitmo prisoners than the troops in Iraq and used his valuable time on the Senate floor to talk about Gitmo prisoners when the Energy bill was being discussed.

Traitor Senator Durbin (D - Liberal) hates America so much he'll aid and give comfort to the enemy just to try and make a point, which in this case was nada and instead took pot shots at our National Defense.

Senator Durbin needs to resign his position. He views are so seriously screwed up he has no common sense. Helping the enemy in time of war. Illegal combatants (no uniforms, target civilians, no unit) are not covered under the Geneva Convention. They are our P.O.W.