The above video was found at Blackfive, which has more on the New Field Manual.
You should read Matt's blog every day.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Blackfive TV- FM 3.0 Doctrine for Dummies
The above video was found at Blackfive, which has more on the New Field Manual.
You should read Matt's blog every day.
(LONG WAR JOURNAL)The State of Jihad: for 2007
The US and her allies in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond have witnessed both stunning successes and dramatic setbacks in the Long War during 2007. Pakistan has continued its slide towards a failed state, with the government having relinquished control over additional territory to the Taliban and, thus, al Qaeda. Suicide bombings and attacks on all segments of the state plagued Pakistan as the Taliban and al Qaeda cemented their new safe havens. Iraq, which seemed all but lost at the end of 2006 as the US appeared to lose the all-important political will, has turned around with the change in counterinsurgency plan and the surge of troops US and Iraqi troops. Al Qaeda and the Iranian-backed Shia terrorists are losing ground and local support in Iraq. Afghanistan has seen its worst year of violence since the Taliban was defeated in late 2001; suicide bombings and IED attacks skyrocketed due to the problems in Pakistan.
The war also continues in dozens of lesser theaters. India suffered numerous blows from Pakistani-based terrorists. Al Qaeda has revitalized itself in Algeria and greater northern Africa. A brutal insurgency is being waged in Somalia after the Islamic Courts was ousted at the end of 2006. The Philippines saw some progress against Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah in the southern provinces. Thailand's Islamist insurgency ballooned in 2007. Al Qaeda is attempting to revive the jihad in Chechnya and the greater Caucasus. Saudi Arabia and Yemen continue to breed the next generation of al Qaeda fighters.
Read the rest of the report at The Long War Journal
Scott Osbourne has a helpful list of 7 Key Principles of this war in theological and ideological contexts.
Commentary
This Fourth World War has had it's ups and downs in the past year, and, although I believe we are winning, the outcome is still in doubt.
We are waging a twin war on the homefront as the anti-American war protesters will be gearing up to oppose our foreign policies, and give aid and comfort to the enemy with their actions. They will be opposed at every turn by brave Americans who have had enough, and by other Americans who will be moving into offensive 5GW actions designed to discredit and confuse the enemies of America. Stay Tuned.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Americans Standing Up:
Call to Arms for DC Troop Rally 15 March
All of us remember St. Patrick’s Day, 2007. It was blustery, cold, bitter and just about perfect. The time has come to revisit that emotion.
Those who would disparage our brave men and women in uniform are planning to congregate in our nation’s Capital once again this coming March. On March 15, 2008, Gathering of Eagles, in coordination with Move America Forward, Freedom’s Watch, The Band of Mothers, Vets for Freedom, DC Protest Warrior, Eagles Up, Free Republic, New England Warrior and rank and file patriotic Americans, will come together to Support Our Troops and their in-theater commander, General David Petraeus.
Under the banner AMERICANS STANDING UP, we will gather to face down the associated groups who are against everything we hold dear. We will stand united, wave Old Glory, and remind them that they speak neither for us nor for most Americans. We encourage you all to join us in Washington, DC . It is time to once again take back the streets and remind all those people
in their living rooms that there are people who think like them. It is time to once again remind the nation that our brave volunteers in uniform have earned our support. The Surge is working. The tide has turned. I promised some time ago to do everything in my power to BUY THE TROOPS SOME TIME TO WIN. I will stand and support them, come what may, and I look forward to seeing you, my brothers and sisters, again.
Keep fighting the good fight, because not only would our men and women in uniform do it for us: They Already Are Doing It! Consider this your warning order. As plans develop, we will post everything you need to know. Ruck up, troops. Once again, it’s time.
Source: Gathering of Eagles
This time, I think I might be able to swing going, and provide some coverage of the event. If you are interested in joining our group going to DC from western North Carolina, drop me a note because seating will be limited, unless there is a demand for a second bus.
I will have more details as they develop.
A Great and Terrible Beast is Birthing in Europe
I have heard the prophecies of a Great and Terrible Empire rising in Europe in the End Days since I was knee high to a grasshopper.
As I grew older, I continued to hear them, and always read the news out of Europe with an ear for their path to empire. I always wondered how the independent-minded surrender monkeys in France would be brought into this Beast-government that would rule Europe with an Iron Fist, yet have feet of Iron and Clay mingled together.
For about six months now, Belgium has gone without a government. It has done just fine. Why? Because it needs none, because the EU already rules!
Here is a list of 50 Reasons to Leave the EU from a fellow member of CVF, who lives in Britain. While it is intended for a British audience, I feel we need to read this here in America because of the coming North American Union. In this essay, we see our future reflected in the eyes of someone about to be swallowed up in a Dictatorship:
We joined the EU in 1972. After 35 years inside we now know:
1. The European Union has the constitution of a dictatorship.
2. The EU has the laws of a police state which will be enforced after the sixth treaty is signed.
3. The EU’s 111,000 regulations will bring us a soviet style command economy and abject poverty.
4. Unelected EU dictators will control the nuclear weapons of former nations of Britain and France.
5. The EU ’s Constitution will compel us to hand over all our armed forces to the EU.
6. Our armed forces and police have been told they will swear a new oath to the EU, or be fired.
7. Its 111,000 regulations will rigidly control our personal lives moreso than any nation in history.
8. EU regulations now cost us £100 billion a year. (Better Regulation Commission annual report 2005)
9. When enforced, those regulations will destroy hundreds of thousands of small businesses.
10. Millions will be unemployed after EU regulations close small businesses.
11. The 111,000 regulations will make us subject to continual arrest (SOCPA 2005).
12. There are now 3,095 “Crimes against the EU state” on the British statute book.
13. We will be stopped on the street for continual checks on our EU ID cards from 2009.
14. The EU Constitution will replace the British Constitution (currently planned for May 2009).
Read more at the Center For Vigilant Freedom
Commentary
Our resistance must begin now.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Our Judicial Despotism
As this year comes to a close, I find myself waxing philosophic.
Who we choose as our next President will be crucial in determining whether or not we can walk the dog back from the Living Constitution back to the Written Constitution.
L. Brent Bozell, "Warren Revolution" pp 110-112
Thus began the Republic's Second Great Crisis, the first having been the Civil War.
I can guarantee one thing: If Ron Paul recognized the danger posed by The Third Great Jihad, and supported our efforts at stopping it over there before it comes over here, he would be the next President of the United States. His refusal to acknowledge that threat keeps 60% or more of the GOP vote away from him, and unreachable.
This is truly sad, and a great tragedy for the Republic.
At this point, my only option is to support Fred Thompson or Duncan Hunter.
Who we choose as our next President will be crucial in determining whether or not we can walk the dog back from the Living Constitution back to the Written Constitution.
If it is true that a construction of the Constitution by the Supreme Court, no matter how spurious or absurd, no matter how damaging to the organic life of the country, is eo ipso "the law of the land," unchallengeable even by a law made by the people's representatives...then, where, in all candor, are we?
If a judicial interpretation of the Constitution is, by definition, the Constitution, why then we are in the grips of a judicial despotism.
L. Brent Bozell, "Warren Revolution" pp 110-112
Thus began the Republic's Second Great Crisis, the first having been the Civil War.
I can guarantee one thing: If Ron Paul recognized the danger posed by The Third Great Jihad, and supported our efforts at stopping it over there before it comes over here, he would be the next President of the United States. His refusal to acknowledge that threat keeps 60% or more of the GOP vote away from him, and unreachable.
This is truly sad, and a great tragedy for the Republic.
At this point, my only option is to support Fred Thompson or Duncan Hunter.
More Inconvenient Truth for Algore
Warming Much Less Than Previously Thought
If a scientific paper appeared in a major journal saying that the planet has warmed twice as much as previously thought, that would be front-page news in every major paper around the planet. But what would happen if a paper was published demonstrating that the planet may have warmed up only half as much as previously thought?
Nothing. Earlier this month, Ross McKitrick from Canada's University of Guelph and I published a manuscript in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres saying precisely that.
Scientists have known for years that temperature records can be contaminated by so-called "urban warming," which results from the fact that long-term temperature histories tend to have originated at points of commerce. The bricks, buildings, and pavement of cities retain the heat of the day and impede the flow of ventilating winds.
For example, downtown Washington is warmer than nearby (and more rural) Dulles Airport. As government and services expand down the Dulles Access road, it, too, is beginning to warm compared to more rural sites to the west.
Adjusting data for this effect, or using only rural stations, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states with confidence that less than 10% of the observed warming in long-term climate histories is due to urbanization.
Source: The American Spectator
Hat Tip: Yidwithlid
Commentary
I am firmly convinced the Global Warming Believers will not accept their religion has been disproved until the next Ice Age begins. They are almost as funny to watch as the 9/11 Twoofers.
Algore's infamous "hockey stick graph" has been proven false, and a judge ruled in Britain that there were several errors (I say lies) in the movie "An Inconvenient Truth," and it could not be shown as truth, but as opinion.
I would love to debate Algore over his fantasy that humans are the cause of Catastrophic Anthropological Global Warming, too bad he won't debate.
Aussies Release David Hicks,
Says He is "no longer a Muslim"
Now 32 and no longer a Muslim, Hicks yesterday promised not to let down the Australian community he credited with helping to bring him home. "I will not forget, or let you down," Hicks said in a statement read by his lawyer, David McLeod.
Source: Gateway Pundit
Most of the other detainees have returned to the jihad after their release. Lets hope that David Hicks is truly an apostate from Islam and Terrorism, and that he is not practicing taqiyya.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Americans are Poorly Served at the Welfare Table
by Carl Mumpower
Guest Commentary
Americans are Poorly Served at the Welfare Table
Dr. Carl Mumpower
As a country that works far more often than it does not, our future rests on the same American Success Equation of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility that has uplifted generations past. In today's America, there is a struggle to determine whether this equation, or one deceptively labeled as social welfare, will determine our future.
As a vision, the concept of welfare has much to offer. The desire to help our fellow man beats strongly in the hearts of most Americans, but sadly, when man plays God, it is difficult to match the vision to the reality. What results from the stumbling rescue attempts of government, bureaucracies, and even the well-intended is rarely and truly helpful.
Today in America, we embrace four approaches to social welfare, beginning with the most visible - individual welfare. It is hard to argue with the mission of uplifting those needing a helping hand. Unfortunately, as most often practiced, individual welfare has more to do with help to get by versus help to get ahead. The result is an assured relationship of hostile dependency that robs participants of their dignity and autonomy in an expensive exchange for subsistence and hollow hopes.
Community welfare is an overlooked phenomenon that has you and me sending our taxes to Washington to be skimmed and returned to us through a rigged lottery of earmarks and handouts devoted to political special interests. In today's America, those defined as the best politicians are those most able to bring home the bacon - the fact that this bacon was ours to begin with gets lost in the spin.
Corporate welfare has our legislators passing laws granting special privilege to business interests that should be sinking or swimming in our free market economy strictly on their own merits. The subprime loan bailout, relocation incentives, cronyism with Halliburton, and a gerrymandered tax system are all examples of corporate welfare that feeds business special interests at the expense of our collective interests.
The fourth leg of the social welfare table stands on one-sided trade welfare relationships that we have allowed to flourish for decades. The closed markets of Japan, currency manipulations by China, and trademark and patent indifferences practiced by just about everyone else are forms of trade welfare that we tolerate through indifference, habit, or possibly even intentional policy. The results are a "fly now - pay later" philosophy that ignores realty and mortgages our grandchildren's futures.
Grounded in the policies of Roosevelt's hope generating "New Deal", many Democrats have a long-standing marriage to most forms of welfare as a means to cementing loyalties. Republican behavior of the past decade has more than demonstrated that party's vulnerability to similar thinking applied to their own list of preferred customers. In both cases, politicians carry heavy responsibility for manipulating the public into believing that handouts are more about uplifting the downtrodden than upholding the powerful.
It remains that in God's world there is no way around personal responsibility and that the only real love is that which helps people step up versus find a way to sit down. Whether it is an individual, community, business, or country, there is no escaping that living from the labors of others sidesteps the potentials of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility beating in the heart of the American Dream.
America is fighting for its future and yet many of us do not even know there is a struggle. Our politicians and many media outlets continue to seduce us with hollow assurances and distractions that mock the seriousness of our situation.
Yet history tells us, when faced with adversity, Americans can always find a right way forward. The beginning of that process is the realization that we are in real danger of losing the way we have now - and that the outcome will certainly not be in support of our welfare.
Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
www.mumpower08.com
Americans are Poorly Served at the Welfare Table
Dr. Carl Mumpower
As a country that works far more often than it does not, our future rests on the same American Success Equation of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility that has uplifted generations past. In today's America, there is a struggle to determine whether this equation, or one deceptively labeled as social welfare, will determine our future.
As a vision, the concept of welfare has much to offer. The desire to help our fellow man beats strongly in the hearts of most Americans, but sadly, when man plays God, it is difficult to match the vision to the reality. What results from the stumbling rescue attempts of government, bureaucracies, and even the well-intended is rarely and truly helpful.
Today in America, we embrace four approaches to social welfare, beginning with the most visible - individual welfare. It is hard to argue with the mission of uplifting those needing a helping hand. Unfortunately, as most often practiced, individual welfare has more to do with help to get by versus help to get ahead. The result is an assured relationship of hostile dependency that robs participants of their dignity and autonomy in an expensive exchange for subsistence and hollow hopes.
Community welfare is an overlooked phenomenon that has you and me sending our taxes to Washington to be skimmed and returned to us through a rigged lottery of earmarks and handouts devoted to political special interests. In today's America, those defined as the best politicians are those most able to bring home the bacon - the fact that this bacon was ours to begin with gets lost in the spin.
Corporate welfare has our legislators passing laws granting special privilege to business interests that should be sinking or swimming in our free market economy strictly on their own merits. The subprime loan bailout, relocation incentives, cronyism with Halliburton, and a gerrymandered tax system are all examples of corporate welfare that feeds business special interests at the expense of our collective interests.
The fourth leg of the social welfare table stands on one-sided trade welfare relationships that we have allowed to flourish for decades. The closed markets of Japan, currency manipulations by China, and trademark and patent indifferences practiced by just about everyone else are forms of trade welfare that we tolerate through indifference, habit, or possibly even intentional policy. The results are a "fly now - pay later" philosophy that ignores realty and mortgages our grandchildren's futures.
Grounded in the policies of Roosevelt's hope generating "New Deal", many Democrats have a long-standing marriage to most forms of welfare as a means to cementing loyalties. Republican behavior of the past decade has more than demonstrated that party's vulnerability to similar thinking applied to their own list of preferred customers. In both cases, politicians carry heavy responsibility for manipulating the public into believing that handouts are more about uplifting the downtrodden than upholding the powerful.
It remains that in God's world there is no way around personal responsibility and that the only real love is that which helps people step up versus find a way to sit down. Whether it is an individual, community, business, or country, there is no escaping that living from the labors of others sidesteps the potentials of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility beating in the heart of the American Dream.
America is fighting for its future and yet many of us do not even know there is a struggle. Our politicians and many media outlets continue to seduce us with hollow assurances and distractions that mock the seriousness of our situation.
Yet history tells us, when faced with adversity, Americans can always find a right way forward. The beginning of that process is the realization that we are in real danger of losing the way we have now - and that the outcome will certainly not be in support of our welfare.
Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
www.mumpower08.com
West Carolina Report for Dec 28th
Since I am on a vacation schedule, my daily updates for West Carolina Report have been later in the day, and today is no different.
Some of my neighbors and I have an odd tradition where we watch marathon showings of TV Shows or movie series.
This year, it was the 3rd season of LOST, which we finished waaay ahead of our schedule last night instead of on Monday as planned, so we have boldly gone ahead with our threat of watching 5 seasons of Babylon 5 by Tuesday evening. This is insane!
We managed to get in 6 episodes last night, and will be firing up the computer and TV again in a few minutes. I have all the episodes on a portable hard drive via iTunes, and we are watching them on my TV through a S-Video Cable and a dual monitor set-up (thank you NVIDIA!) with my TV acting as a second monitor.
So, I will only be posting very sporadically between now and then.
Unless the wives intervene, that is.
Some of my neighbors and I have an odd tradition where we watch marathon showings of TV Shows or movie series.
This year, it was the 3rd season of LOST, which we finished waaay ahead of our schedule last night instead of on Monday as planned, so we have boldly gone ahead with our threat of watching 5 seasons of Babylon 5 by Tuesday evening. This is insane!
We managed to get in 6 episodes last night, and will be firing up the computer and TV again in a few minutes. I have all the episodes on a portable hard drive via iTunes, and we are watching them on my TV through a S-Video Cable and a dual monitor set-up (thank you NVIDIA!) with my TV acting as a second monitor.
So, I will only be posting very sporadically between now and then.
Unless the wives intervene, that is.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
West Carolina Report for Dec 27th
I have updated West Carolina Report for today, including coverage of the Bhutto assassination today in Pakistan on my World War IV page, and several stories about Ron Paul from the left and right about developing scandals in the Ron Paul campaign.
Here is a video from Live Leak purpotedly of the attack on Bhutto.
My connection keeps timing out on me before I can see anything much of it. (The horrors of a dial-up connection!)
Here is a video from Live Leak purpotedly of the attack on Bhutto.
My connection keeps timing out on me before I can see anything much of it. (The horrors of a dial-up connection!)
Bhutto Assassinated (Updated at Noon EST)
Before everyone begins to wax poetic about Bhutto, please remember that is was her incompetence, and her and her husband's corruption (as well as Sharif) that led to Musharaf taking the necessary step of a coup d'etat that saved Pakistan's nukes from falling into Islamists hands. Her death may complete what she could not accomplish in life...the loss of Pakistan's nukes into the wild. 12.57 pm Thunder Pig
**updated at bottom of post**
This is very bad news for Pakistan, and may be the straw that broke the camel's back.
I will have periodic updates on my War World IV page throughout the days and weeks to come.
**updated at bottom of post**
This is very bad news for Pakistan, and may be the straw that broke the camel's back.
I will have periodic updates on my War World IV page throughout the days and weeks to come.
BHUTTO ASSASSINATION COVERAGE
Police said a suicide bomber fired shots at Bhutto as she was leaving the rally venue in a park before blowing himself up.
"The man first fired at Bhutto's vehicle. She ducked and then he blew himself up," said police officer Mohammad Shahid.
Police said 16 people had been killed in the blast.
|GATEWAY PUNDIT| BENAZIR BHUTTO KILLED IN BLAST!!
|CHARLOTTE OBSERVER| Pakistan's Bhutto killed in suicide bombing
|NEW YORK TIMES| Bhutto Killed in Attack on Political Rally
|REUTERS| US STOCKS-Futures fall after reports Pakistan's Bhutto killed
|FOX NEWS| FOX Facts: Benazir Bhutto
|DAWN NEWS| CONTINUING COVERAGE FROM DAWN NEWS
|UNI| UNITED NEWS OF INDIA
UPDATES IMMEDIATELY BELOW...NEWEST ITEMS ON TOP
|NATIONAL TERROR ALERT| Benazir Bhutto Assassinated at Rally in Pakistan
|RIGHT TRUTH| Benazir Bhutto Dead
|JIHAD WATCH| US Special Forces to increase presence in Pakistan -- Al-Qaeda's new central battlefield
|JIHAD WATCH| Al-Qaeda claims murder of Benazir Bhutto
|LONG WAR JOURNAL| Pakistan: Benazir Bhutto assassinated
|AMERICAN THINKER| Who Killed Bhutto? (updated)
|ISRAPUNDIT| Rice (and Bush) fiddles while World burns
|COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG| Assessing Benazir Bhutto's Assassination
|CAMPAIGN SPOT| Giuliani, Romney Respond to Bhutto Assassination
|7.62 mm JUSTICE| Bad Day In Pakistan: Bhutto Killed
|BLACKFIVE| Former PM of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, Assassinated
|AKI| Pakistan: Al-Qaeda claims Bhutto's death
|DANGER ROOM| Bhutto Assassinated
|CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS| What Next For Pakistan?
|BELMONT CLUB| What died with Benazir Bhutto?
|UK TELEGRAPH| Benazir Bhutto killed in gun and bomb attack
|THREATS WATCH| RapidRecon: Benazir Bhutto Assassinated in Pakistan
|NEPTUNUS LEX| Benazir Bhutto murdered in Pakistan
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Two Minutes of Hate with Keith Olbermann
George Orwell in 1984 captures perfectly a characteristic of radical thinking, if thinking is not too generous a term. The regime of Orwell's fictional "Oceania" regularly televises "Two Minutes Hate" that is required viewing for the population. These broadcasts are a shortened version of the regularly scheduled renditions of "Hate Week." During these exercises, everyone must follow the ritual of hate against those deemed enemies of the regime - "Goldstein" (Trotsky) being that regime's favored enemy.The purveyor of Hate Minutes and Hate Weeks betrays a simple and stifled mind that seeks the same in its viewers. It is a mind that cannot conclude that someone with conflicting views is merely misguided or wrong. Rather, anyone who has views that don't comport with those "smelly orthodoxies" (as Orwell put it) is utterly contemptible. He deserves all the venom and hate that can be mustered.This sort of hate, so lovingly cultivated by the likes of Keith Olbermann, is indicative of a peculiar attitude and little more. This attitude is actually the pose of one who supposedly sees through all the charades, who cannot be fooled, and who then smugly reports his findings to the less sophisticated. It simulates depth. This attitude has become especially prevalent on the left since King Karl Marx was dethroned and relegated to the dustbin of history.So, during primetime on weeknights, MSNBC treats America to Olbermann's hatefest, where, like being on The Edmund Fitzgerald, the minutes go by like hours. Rather than "Goldstein," Olbermann subjects to his venom George Bush and anyone who may implement or support his policies.In the show that I endured, Olbermann hyperventilated over the destroyed waterboarding tapes, which Olbermann repeatedly called "torture tapes." In Olbermann's world, saying it is so often enough makes it so. He trotted out a left-wing law professor who assured us that water- boarding is illegal torture.
Source: American Thinker
Commentary
Another good book to look to to see a vision of America under lefty control is Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, which a lot of former libertarians seem to be ignoring in their drift to the left.
I wonder what Ayn Rand would say of our plans to fight instead of fleeing...
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Lakota Independence Story A Media-Encouraged Hoax! (updated)
I posted on the story a few days ago briefly, and even the local progressive group blog, Scrutiny Hooligans noted it.
Now, it turns out that the Legacy Media (Legacy: as in outdated) has been ginning the story from Indian activists who don't even speak for the leadership! From Newsbusters:
Source: Newsbusters, who have once again busted the legacy media.
Once I found out, I knew I had to issue a correction to the story.
Will the Legacy Media? I doubt it, unless it is in really small print on a back page somewhere.
**update 3.12pm** Captain Ed interviewed Russell Means yesterday on Blog Talk Radio. Click here to download the MP3.
Now, it turns out that the Legacy Media (Legacy: as in outdated) has been ginning the story from Indian activists who don't even speak for the leadership! From Newsbusters:
And who is the Russell Means? He is a long time Indian activist who does not officially represent any tribe, that's who. It takes the local press to make this clear. The Rapid City Journal of Rapid City, South Dakota informs us that, "Means' group is based in Porcupine on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation," and that "it is not an agency or branch of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Means ran unsuccessfully for president of the tribe in 2006."
Yet in report after report, this Means character is presented as if he is "the Lakota Sioux" when, in truth, all he really is is A Lakota Sioux -- not a representative of all of them. He does not represent American Indians except as a tangential, activist. He has no authority to make this "declaration of Independence" for the Lakota or any other American Indian tribe.
It turns out that these reports are nearly all just a rehash of Russell Means’ press releases and not based on any real reporting at all.
And here is the worst part. The bulk of the news outlets that have picked up this story are foreign press agencies like the Agence Presse France, The Telegraph, and Radio Netherlands, all of whom presented this as if it was somehow legal and binding instead of an activist's scheming.
Source: Newsbusters, who have once again busted the legacy media.
Once I found out, I knew I had to issue a correction to the story.
Will the Legacy Media? I doubt it, unless it is in really small print on a back page somewhere.
**update 3.12pm** Captain Ed interviewed Russell Means yesterday on Blog Talk Radio. Click here to download the MP3.
Friday, December 21, 2007
West Carolina Report for Dec 21st
I have updated West Carolina Report for today, and have included a portion of an article on Blackwater on my war page about their exciting new expansion into other areas of business as war becomes ever more privatized to keep pace with the evolution of warfare.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
What Recession? 3Q GDP Increases!
Source: NASDAQ
(RTTNews) - The Commerce Department released its final report on gross domestic product in the third quarter on Thursday, showing that the pace of GDP growth for the quarter was unrevised compared to the preliminary estimate.
The report showed that GDP increased at an annual rate of 4.9 percent in the third quarter compared to the 3.8 percent growth seen in the second quarter. Economists had expected GDP growth to remain unchanged at 4.9 percent.
The GDP growth in the third quarter marked the fastest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2003, when GDP surged up 7.5 percent.
The acceleration in the pace of GDP growth compared to the previous quarter primarily reflected accelerations in exports, consumer spending, and private inventory investment.
At the same time, an upturn in imports, a larger decrease in residential fixed investment, and a deceleration in nonresidential structures partly offset the acceleration.
The report showed that the pace of consumer spending growth was revised up modestly to 2.8 percent from the preliminary reading of 2.7 percent growth. This represents a significant acceleration from 1.4 percent in the second quarter.
The Commerce Department also said that its reading on core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy prices, was upwardly revised to show 2.0 percent growth compared to the previously reported 1.8 percent growth.
Including food and energy prices, consumer prices rose 1.8 percent in the third quarter, which represent an upward revision from the preliminary estimate of 1.7 percent growth.
While the upward revision to the pace of consumer price growth may add to recent inflation worries, the report is largely seen as old news.
Despite all the America Haters out there, the economy is still surging ahead while the economic girlie-men cry "wolf" too many times to be believed.
With the success of the surge, the decrease in violence in Iraq, and the continued handover of the provinces back to local control...this bit of economic news will make for a very blue Christmas for our progressive friends, and the pauleroids who root for America to fail.
Lakota Indians Withdraw From US, Form Own Country
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Lakota Indians, who gave the world legendary warriors Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from treaties with the United States, leaders said Wednesday.
"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," long-time Indian rights activist Russell Means told a handful of reporters and a delegation from the Bolivian embassy, gathered in a church in a run-down neighborhood of Washington for a news conference.
A delegation of Lakota leaders delivered a message to the State Department on Monday, announcing they were unilaterally withdrawing from treaties they signed with the federal government of the United States, some of them more than 150 years old.
They also visited the Bolivian, Chilean, South African and Venezuelan embassies, and will continue on their diplomatic mission and take it overseas in the coming weeks and months, they told the news conference.
Lakota country includes parts of the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.
The new country would issue its own passports and driving licences, and living there would be tax-free -- provided residents renounce their US citizenship, Means said.
Source: Yahoo! News
I wonder how long it will be before these guys end up in prison.
Islam's Aim Is Establishing Global Government
IRI President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Wednesday on Al-Adha Eid Day in Saudi Arabia philosophy of Haj can be defined merely through considering Islam's aim at establishment of a global government...
He said, "If we would delete the ultimate objective of establishing a global system from the Haj rituals, the remainder would be deeds devoid of a soul."
Upon President Ahmadinejad's arrival in Mena, he was received by the Emir al-Haaj of the Iranian Haj pilgrims Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri and members of the Supreme Leader's Mecca Headquarters.
Source: IRNA
Commentary
For all those ostriches out there who would ignore the global jihad, and pull our troops back in retreat, you need to remember that act would allow our enemies abroad to grow past the point where we could stop them.
Ron Paul: Bought and Paid For By Anti-War Socialists at MoveOn.org
While researching for my last post, I ran across an intriguing blog, Sword At The Ready, who has posted this today:
Related: Free Republic
Commentary
This is also another reason I believe the Legacy Media won't look too closely at Ron Paul, for fear of exposing their use of his campaign as a Stalking Horse for their anti-American Agendas, and creating divisions in the GOP for their benefit next fall
. I have noted that some of the local Ron Paul Supporters are also White Supremacists [WNC4RonPaul], and have had to read their profanities and threats in response to some of my posts. I notice that Storm Fronties are supporters of Ron Paul.
I remember the storm (no pun intended) that resulted from these cretins supporting Tom Tancredo, which very likely crippled his campaign out the gate.
Notice the near lack of criticism from the same people on their support of Ron Paul.
Source: Sword At The Ready
There is a reason I have been trumpeting the warnings about the supporters Ron Paul attracts. From anti-semetic NeoNazis at Stormfront and Secular Anarchists to Whorehouse moguls and rabid anti-war Leftists, the Mob Zombies of Ron Paul are growing in numbers and awash with cash, thanks in measure to the front groups MoveOn.org, Code Pink, Iraqcampaign.org of International Socialist Powerbroker George Soros, who both covertly and openly - is helping to fund and aid the Ron Paul campaign.
Of course, the Mob Zombies say they welcome anyone wanting to join their throngs for ‘freedom’. What these dupes don’t understand is that they are being used as pawns for a larger play by the Democrat Left, who as I have stated before - WANT Ron Paul opposite their candidate for the General 2008 Election because getting the war OFF the table of discussion opens the door for the Left to scare the crap out of the Welfare Society they have created about the rest of Ron Paul’s agenda.
When a candidate - who says he stands for the Constitution and garners the aid and support of rabid Socialists hellbent on rewriting it into a newfound Soviet Manifesto - I am suspect and dubious of that kind of alliance, unwitting or not.
Ron Paul has already drawn a huge bunch of unpleasant freaks that think nothing of spamming forum boards and threatening violence and death on those who oppose their candidate. Even Radio Talk Show host Glenn Beck had death threats made against him by the Ron Paul Mob Zombies for his comments about their messiah not long ago.
Related: Free Republic
Commentary
This is also another reason I believe the Legacy Media won't look too closely at Ron Paul, for fear of exposing their use of his campaign as a Stalking Horse for their anti-American Agendas, and creating divisions in the GOP for their benefit next fall
. I have noted that some of the local Ron Paul Supporters are also White Supremacists [WNC4RonPaul], and have had to read their profanities and threats in response to some of my posts. I notice that Storm Fronties are supporters of Ron Paul.
I remember the storm (no pun intended) that resulted from these cretins supporting Tom Tancredo, which very likely crippled his campaign out the gate.
Notice the near lack of criticism from the same people on their support of Ron Paul.
Conservative Blogger Opens Dialogue With Ron Paul Supporters
Okay, Ron Paul fans, it's your turn. (North Carolina voters only, please.) Katy's Conservative Corner wants to know, why, if Ron Paul is running as a Republican, do his followers hate the GOP so much? Your blogger doesn't get it. Why doesn't he run in another party or as an Independent? Your candidate has the same chance as any other. He's running in the same primary states and has the opportunity to buy media and generate so-called "earned" media as do the other candidates.
So, why all the beef with the GOP? What about the mainstream media? What about all the money he's made with these "money bombs"?
Tell us also, are you new to the political process? If so, is it Paul's candidacy who got you interested?
Source: Katy's Conservative Corner
Commentary
Good Luck, Katy.
I have found most Paul Supporters unwilling to engage in a real discussion, and refuse to acknowledge errors in their information, or cede points.
I am not the only one to question the sanity of the Pauleroids, another blogger has noted as follows:
Source: Sword At The Ready
As I’ve publicly said, I like Ron Paul’s strict Constitutionalism in terms of domestic policy and the small role of government. But I think his foreign policy ideas of imposing a 17th century mindset on our current high-tech, nuke-tipped and Jihad threatened world are not only naive and ignroant - but downright dangerous and stupid.
His own comments in the debate, his capitulation to Jihadists’ justifications with his “blowback” remarks and growing hostility in blaming America for causing 9-11 cement in concrete and steel for me that Ron Paul is completely UNFIT to be Commander In Chief.
What I keyed in on is his growing usage of calling anyone who disagrees with him, “neocons”. During the last few days, the commentary and debate I’ve had with Ron Paul People has only revealed that slur to be a secondary and motivating factor in wanting Paul for President outside of retreating from the war on Jihadists. The moment you disagree with them, the “neocon” slur gets fired over and over. They have “neocon” on the brain.
It’s amazing to discover that they hate “neocons” more than Jihadists, and some simply suggest there would be no Jihadists if it weren’t for “neocons” like me.
“Neocon” - short for neoConservative - or ‘not really a conservative’ - but a Jew, an Israeli or someone who supports Zionists” is apparently the common definition.
Lots of these Ron Paul People are anti-semites apparently - I’ve not heard such vile depricating bashing of Jews except when reading White Supremacist garbage, hearing Ahmedinejad speak or reading old Nazi propaganda.
They cleverly argue that they hate the “Israeli Lobby”, not Jews; that they hate Zionists - not Jews. What is the difference? Some Ron Paul People then try giving me a history lesson on Khazars and how they “hijacked” Judaism and such crap, subtly suggesting they are a “satanic people” and not really “Jews”.
al-Qaeda Torture Chambers Discovered During Operation Iron Reaper
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 20071220-03
December 20, 2007
MND-N Soldiers find atrocity site, torture complex and weapons caches during Operation Iron Reaper
Multi-National Division – North PAO
TIKRIT, Iraq – During Operation Iron Reaper, Multi-National Division – North Soldiers killed 24 extremists, detained 37 suspects, and discovered an atrocity site, torture complex and nine weapons caches north of Muqdadiyah Dec. 8-11.
Intelligence provided by Iraqi tips led U.S. troops to a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven and operating bases. Evidence of murder, torture, and intimidation against local villagers was found throughout the area.
During the operation, U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces were involved in multiple engagements with groups of armed men. They discovered what appeared to be a detention facility. As they continued to clear the area, they found several bodies and eventually uncovered 26 human remains in multiple mass graves next to execution sites.
In the same area a torture complex was found, consisting of three detention facilities with one doubling as both a headquarters building and torture facility. The buildings contained chains on the walls and ceilings, a bed still hooked up to an electrical system, and several blood-stained items.
U.S. Forces also located and destroyed nine weapons caches anti-aircraft weapons, sniper rifles, more than 65 machine guns and pistols, 50 grenades, a surface-to-air missile launcher and platform, 98 personnel mines, 170 pipe bombs, 130 pounds of homemade explosives, 21 rocket propelled grenades, numerous mortar tubes and rounds.
Operation Iron Reaper has been ongoing over the last few weeks across northern Iraq.
“Operation Iron Reaper has been successful. We will continue to pursue al-Qaeda across our area, and they will find no safe haven in the north of Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commanding general, Multi-National Division - North.
Commentary
I doubt the Legacy Media will even bother to make a fuss of this discovery.
Also remember that those opposed to the war would allow this type of activity to spread throughout the world until no one was left untouched by this darkness.
They hope to feed the crocodile the world.
December 20, 2007
MND-N Soldiers find atrocity site, torture complex and weapons caches during Operation Iron Reaper
Multi-National Division – North PAO
TIKRIT, Iraq – During Operation Iron Reaper, Multi-National Division – North Soldiers killed 24 extremists, detained 37 suspects, and discovered an atrocity site, torture complex and nine weapons caches north of Muqdadiyah Dec. 8-11.
Intelligence provided by Iraqi tips led U.S. troops to a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven and operating bases. Evidence of murder, torture, and intimidation against local villagers was found throughout the area.
During the operation, U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces were involved in multiple engagements with groups of armed men. They discovered what appeared to be a detention facility. As they continued to clear the area, they found several bodies and eventually uncovered 26 human remains in multiple mass graves next to execution sites.
In the same area a torture complex was found, consisting of three detention facilities with one doubling as both a headquarters building and torture facility. The buildings contained chains on the walls and ceilings, a bed still hooked up to an electrical system, and several blood-stained items.
U.S. Forces also located and destroyed nine weapons caches anti-aircraft weapons, sniper rifles, more than 65 machine guns and pistols, 50 grenades, a surface-to-air missile launcher and platform, 98 personnel mines, 170 pipe bombs, 130 pounds of homemade explosives, 21 rocket propelled grenades, numerous mortar tubes and rounds.
Operation Iron Reaper has been ongoing over the last few weeks across northern Iraq.
“Operation Iron Reaper has been successful. We will continue to pursue al-Qaeda across our area, and they will find no safe haven in the north of Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commanding general, Multi-National Division - North.
Commentary
I doubt the Legacy Media will even bother to make a fuss of this discovery.
Also remember that those opposed to the war would allow this type of activity to spread throughout the world until no one was left untouched by this darkness.
They hope to feed the crocodile the world.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Karl Rove on Sean Hannity
I just heard Karl Rove on the Sean Hannity Show, and thought to share the audio of the discussion between Sean and Karl.
This confirms my suspicion that the big boys would prefer the Hilda Beast as the opponent in the General Election in 2008. Great Minds think alike, since that is my opinion as well.
And here is the link in case the embed is still not working. (DivShare has been having problems lately)
This confirms my suspicion that the big boys would prefer the Hilda Beast as the opponent in the General Election in 2008. Great Minds think alike, since that is my opinion as well.
And here is the link in case the embed is still not working. (DivShare has been having problems lately)
Santa's Chopper Shot Over Rio
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Not even Santa Claus is safe as the violent Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro celebrates the Christmas season.
Drug traffickers in a Rio slum opened fire on a helicopter carrying a Santa to a children's party, apparently mistaking it for a police helicopter, police said Tuesday.
Source: Reuters via Yahoo! News
Not even Santa is safe anymore, it's a good thing we provide fighter cover.
Drug traffickers in a Rio slum opened fire on a helicopter carrying a Santa to a children's party, apparently mistaking it for a police helicopter, police said Tuesday.
Source: Reuters via Yahoo! News
Not even Santa is safe anymore, it's a good thing we provide fighter cover.
Rasmussen Numbers for Dec 19th
The Rasmussen Daily Numbers are in:
The GOP:
The Dems:
I was getting worried there for alittle bit that the Oprabama Machine would ruin the GOP chances by killing the Hilda Beast before the General Election. I think that Hillary would be easily beatable, and Obama (especially if paired with Edwards) would stomp the GOP in 2008.
The big bonus for the GOP if Hillary is the nominee is the coat tail effect, or in this case, the opposite...many GOP Congress Critters for the 111th Congress would benefit from her high negatives. Enough to perhaps tilt the House back into the Red Column by a slim margin.
The thing that has disturbed me about this election cycle is the sheer number of people running for the top slot. It cheapens the whole thing, and makes us look like some third world nation, or worse yet, a parliamentary democracy. We would be well and truly screwed if there were third parties involved in the primaries, and national elections. Strong third parties (and 4th, 5th, etc.) are disasters for republics...they become easy prey for charismatic demagogues.
Daily tracking results are from survey interviews conducted over four days ending last night. Each update includes approximately 750 Likely Democratic Primary Voters and 600 Likely Republican Primary Voters. Margin of sampling error for each is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
The GOP:
- Hucklebee 22%
- Julie Annie 16%
- Romney 16%
- McCain 13%
- Fredster 12%
- Ron Paul 6%
The Dems:
- Hilda Beast 42%
- Obama 24%
- Edwards 15%
I was getting worried there for alittle bit that the Oprabama Machine would ruin the GOP chances by killing the Hilda Beast before the General Election. I think that Hillary would be easily beatable, and Obama (especially if paired with Edwards) would stomp the GOP in 2008.
The big bonus for the GOP if Hillary is the nominee is the coat tail effect, or in this case, the opposite...many GOP Congress Critters for the 111th Congress would benefit from her high negatives. Enough to perhaps tilt the House back into the Red Column by a slim margin.
The thing that has disturbed me about this election cycle is the sheer number of people running for the top slot. It cheapens the whole thing, and makes us look like some third world nation, or worse yet, a parliamentary democracy. We would be well and truly screwed if there were third parties involved in the primaries, and national elections. Strong third parties (and 4th, 5th, etc.) are disasters for republics...they become easy prey for charismatic demagogues.
Daily tracking results are from survey interviews conducted over four days ending last night. Each update includes approximately 750 Likely Democratic Primary Voters and 600 Likely Republican Primary Voters. Margin of sampling error for each is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
(VIDEO) Meanwhile, Fred Thompson was on Hannity & Colmes
While I am no longer serving on the local Fred Thompson Committee, I still like the guy, and would like to see him the White House in 2009. (I resigned over the flag flap.)
He was on Hannity and Colmes last night whilst I slept:
He was on Hannity and Colmes last night whilst I slept:
(VIDEO) Ron Paul on Glenn Beck in 7 parts
I am embedding the interview here, and will be editing the videos down to a more manageable size for discussion.
I was glad to see Ron Paul finally agree to come on the TV Show, I wish he had the nads to come on the Radio Show and take calls from the audience. I have a few questions that would show him the error of his thinking on fighting World War IV, instead of running home like cowards.
Update...I found it on Google...so scratch the you tube crap!
Google Rocks! You Tube Sucks!
CNN Transcript is here.
part one
part two
part three
part four
part five
part six
part seven
I was glad to see Ron Paul finally agree to come on the TV Show, I wish he had the nads to come on the Radio Show and take calls from the audience. I have a few questions that would show him the error of his thinking on fighting World War IV, instead of running home like cowards.
Update...I found it on Google...so scratch the you tube crap!
Google Rocks! You Tube Sucks!
CNN Transcript is here.
Both Parties Continue a Pattern of Failed Promise by Carl Mumpower
Guest Commentary
Both Parties Continue a Pattern of Failed Promise
by Carl Mumpower
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The 2006 election offered a clear indictment of the policies of the President and Republican Congressional majority and their failure to provide effective leadership on core issues. Illegal immigration, deficit spending, health care issues, unfair trade practices and job impact, social security solvency, erosion of America's educational standing, and other primary issues were sidestepped by those in control in deference to legislative trivia and the pursuit of pork. Even stalwart Republican voters came to feel they were voting beneath their dignity in supporting 'Republicans in Name Only' as the lesser of evils over liberal Democrats.
A year after this call for something different and better, little has changed. We are seeing a shift from the short-sighted 'borrow and spend' policies of the Republicans to the historical 'tax and spend' policies of the Democrats, but few would describe that as progress. Tough issues continue to be ignored in deference to the easy task of regulating the behavior of average Americans who already behave pretty well on their own. The new Democrat controlled Congress is just another restaurant's version of a frozen french fry --it looks real, but still tastes like greasy paper and leaves most Americans with a queasy stomach.
We seem to have lost faith in our two primary parties. The Democrats, who seem to be in love with the concept of individual and community welfare, have been kidnapped by extremists that mock the traditions and values still held by a majority of Americans. The Republicans, who seem to be in love the concept of corporate and trade partner welfare, have been kidnapped by those who say one thing and do another. Principle, which has more to do with standing for something than being perfect, has seemingly been abandoned in the rush to pander and indulge special interests.
Solutions will not come by careening from one ditch to another as is sometimes the tendency of a frustrated electorate. Instead, each of us as Americans must get serious about holding our elected officials to their promises and separating the pretty, smooth, and seductive leaders from those struggling with real principles and real issues. Nature sends a daily message that God's world is a tough world, and that we get no better from that world that we are willing to earn. Politics are certainly no exception.
It's a continued personal belief that the Republican party's principles offer the closest match to the values of the average American. I also believe those principles best support the historical American Success Equation of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility that grounded our tremendous history and holds the key to our future. The Republican party of principle is grounded in the works of men like Lincoln and Roosevelt “men who struggled with the often contradictory influences of principles versus power and politics“ and more often than not, unlike most of today's leaders, won that internal struggle. We can see both clouds of darkness and sunrays of hope when we look toward America's future. Political parties that are corrupted by extremist views or an absence of principle will not take us toward the light. Building something good has never been that easy. Carl Mumpower is currently a member of the Asheville City Council and a candidate for the NC-11 Congressional seat. Website: Mumpower 08
Both Parties Continue a Pattern of Failed Promise
by Carl Mumpower
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The 2006 election offered a clear indictment of the policies of the President and Republican Congressional majority and their failure to provide effective leadership on core issues. Illegal immigration, deficit spending, health care issues, unfair trade practices and job impact, social security solvency, erosion of America's educational standing, and other primary issues were sidestepped by those in control in deference to legislative trivia and the pursuit of pork. Even stalwart Republican voters came to feel they were voting beneath their dignity in supporting 'Republicans in Name Only' as the lesser of evils over liberal Democrats.
A year after this call for something different and better, little has changed. We are seeing a shift from the short-sighted 'borrow and spend' policies of the Republicans to the historical 'tax and spend' policies of the Democrats, but few would describe that as progress. Tough issues continue to be ignored in deference to the easy task of regulating the behavior of average Americans who already behave pretty well on their own. The new Democrat controlled Congress is just another restaurant's version of a frozen french fry --it looks real, but still tastes like greasy paper and leaves most Americans with a queasy stomach.
We seem to have lost faith in our two primary parties. The Democrats, who seem to be in love with the concept of individual and community welfare, have been kidnapped by extremists that mock the traditions and values still held by a majority of Americans. The Republicans, who seem to be in love the concept of corporate and trade partner welfare, have been kidnapped by those who say one thing and do another. Principle, which has more to do with standing for something than being perfect, has seemingly been abandoned in the rush to pander and indulge special interests.
Solutions will not come by careening from one ditch to another as is sometimes the tendency of a frustrated electorate. Instead, each of us as Americans must get serious about holding our elected officials to their promises and separating the pretty, smooth, and seductive leaders from those struggling with real principles and real issues. Nature sends a daily message that God's world is a tough world, and that we get no better from that world that we are willing to earn. Politics are certainly no exception.
It's a continued personal belief that the Republican party's principles offer the closest match to the values of the average American. I also believe those principles best support the historical American Success Equation of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility that grounded our tremendous history and holds the key to our future. The Republican party of principle is grounded in the works of men like Lincoln and Roosevelt “men who struggled with the often contradictory influences of principles versus power and politics“ and more often than not, unlike most of today's leaders, won that internal struggle. We can see both clouds of darkness and sunrays of hope when we look toward America's future. Political parties that are corrupted by extremist views or an absence of principle will not take us toward the light. Building something good has never been that easy. Carl Mumpower is currently a member of the Asheville City Council and a candidate for the NC-11 Congressional seat. Website: Mumpower 08
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Honesty of a Cat's Purr by John Armor
Guest Commentary
The Honesty of a Cat's Purr by John Armor
We have two cats: Weasel, a grey female calico, and Orion, a male orange and white tabby. Orion is a big, lump of a cat, twenty pounds if he's an ounce. He's taught me a lesson for years that I finally realized today. He teaches by example.
Orion showed up at the door four years ago in the fall. He was obviously a house cat, not a feral or wild one. He had no collar. We brought him water and food. He wanted to come inside, but we didn't let him. He was obviously someone else's cat; we shouldn't prevent him from going home.
Winter came. The wind chill dropped to its mean minus ten at night. Orion had apparently gone home. Then one morning in the snow, I saw little cat prints from the barn up to our door and back. We started putting out food and water, and changing the water every time it froze.
We kept watch. We saw the orange boy, much thinner, and with a cut on his cheek, from a fight with another creature. Eventually, we got Orion inside.
For more than a year, he was frightened of me, but not of females in the household. He would skitter and run when anyone attempted to hold him or pick him up. In time, we found he had a knot on one of his ribs where it had been broken, and healed badly.
So, we knew his story. He was abused where he used to live. He was kicked, probably frequently by a grown male in the house, and suffered a broken rib. We showed him nothing but kindness from then to now.
How has this sweet creature responded? He obviously has deep affection for his folks. He sleeps with us, usually on the far side of Michelle, nearest to the window. Especially on cold winter mornings, he wants to be first in line for the warming sun of dawn to wash over him, and warm his fur.
He no longer fears being touched or held. Quite the contrary, he will curl up within touching distance of one of his humans. And, when you scratch him under the chin, he will often respond by rolling over on his back, catch your hand with his paw, and encourage you to rub his belly.
Mind you, please don't tell this to the President of the Cats' Union. Orion will be drummed out of the Union if word about this leaks out.
The most telling thing that Orion does is a deep, rumbling purr whenever he is generally satisfied, which is most of the time. It is such a loud purr that, unlike most cats, when he is in full fettle his purr can be heard from way across the room.
It took years for Orion to reach that point of being at home and comfortable, so he will curl up close to his humans, invite rubs and scratches, and purr to beat the band. He was doing that this morning while I was reflecting on the political debates that I have watched (that have been inflicted on me recently).
I follow politics closely. As I listen to national politicians speak, I can spot about one bald-faced lie every 30 seconds.
Yes, I'm being charitable.
There is exactly one of the candidates for President whom I think is telling the truth all of the time. And that makes him all the more frightening, that he actually believes what he is saying. No, I won't name him. And thanks be to Heaven he will never be elected to any nationwide office.
But this morning as I watched one more spectacular sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and over Michelle's shoulder, and over the ears of an orange, purring cat, I thought of the difference between Orion and all those politicians.
Orion is honest at all times and in all ways. And every aspect of my relationship with him is based on trust.
Can you say that of any politician you know? I can't. So, I suggest this standard to use when you are listening to, or reading, any speech by a politician: Is this as honest as a cat's purr? The answer to that first question will be no.
So, you can follow up with mille-cats. Rating a politician at 400 mille-cat means he/she is 40% as honest as a cat.
- 30 -
About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years.
John_Armor AT aya DOT yale DOT edu
He lives in the 11th District of North Carolina.
- 30 -
John Armor
Highlands, NC
www.ArmorforCongress.com
The Honesty of a Cat's Purr by John Armor
We have two cats: Weasel, a grey female calico, and Orion, a male orange and white tabby. Orion is a big, lump of a cat, twenty pounds if he's an ounce. He's taught me a lesson for years that I finally realized today. He teaches by example.
Orion showed up at the door four years ago in the fall. He was obviously a house cat, not a feral or wild one. He had no collar. We brought him water and food. He wanted to come inside, but we didn't let him. He was obviously someone else's cat; we shouldn't prevent him from going home.
Winter came. The wind chill dropped to its mean minus ten at night. Orion had apparently gone home. Then one morning in the snow, I saw little cat prints from the barn up to our door and back. We started putting out food and water, and changing the water every time it froze.
We kept watch. We saw the orange boy, much thinner, and with a cut on his cheek, from a fight with another creature. Eventually, we got Orion inside.
For more than a year, he was frightened of me, but not of females in the household. He would skitter and run when anyone attempted to hold him or pick him up. In time, we found he had a knot on one of his ribs where it had been broken, and healed badly.
So, we knew his story. He was abused where he used to live. He was kicked, probably frequently by a grown male in the house, and suffered a broken rib. We showed him nothing but kindness from then to now.
How has this sweet creature responded? He obviously has deep affection for his folks. He sleeps with us, usually on the far side of Michelle, nearest to the window. Especially on cold winter mornings, he wants to be first in line for the warming sun of dawn to wash over him, and warm his fur.
He no longer fears being touched or held. Quite the contrary, he will curl up within touching distance of one of his humans. And, when you scratch him under the chin, he will often respond by rolling over on his back, catch your hand with his paw, and encourage you to rub his belly.
Mind you, please don't tell this to the President of the Cats' Union. Orion will be drummed out of the Union if word about this leaks out.
The most telling thing that Orion does is a deep, rumbling purr whenever he is generally satisfied, which is most of the time. It is such a loud purr that, unlike most cats, when he is in full fettle his purr can be heard from way across the room.
It took years for Orion to reach that point of being at home and comfortable, so he will curl up close to his humans, invite rubs and scratches, and purr to beat the band. He was doing that this morning while I was reflecting on the political debates that I have watched (that have been inflicted on me recently).
I follow politics closely. As I listen to national politicians speak, I can spot about one bald-faced lie every 30 seconds.
Yes, I'm being charitable.
There is exactly one of the candidates for President whom I think is telling the truth all of the time. And that makes him all the more frightening, that he actually believes what he is saying. No, I won't name him. And thanks be to Heaven he will never be elected to any nationwide office.
But this morning as I watched one more spectacular sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and over Michelle's shoulder, and over the ears of an orange, purring cat, I thought of the difference between Orion and all those politicians.
Orion is honest at all times and in all ways. And every aspect of my relationship with him is based on trust.
Can you say that of any politician you know? I can't. So, I suggest this standard to use when you are listening to, or reading, any speech by a politician: Is this as honest as a cat's purr? The answer to that first question will be no.
So, you can follow up with mille-cats. Rating a politician at 400 mille-cat means he/she is 40% as honest as a cat.
- 30 -
About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years.
John_Armor AT aya DOT yale DOT edu
He lives in the 11th District of North Carolina.
- 30 -
John Armor
Highlands, NC
www.ArmorforCongress.com
Monday, December 17, 2007
(VIDEO) They Are Coming For Your Weapons
The video you will see on this web site is horrifying. The crimes committed against law-abiding gun owners are beyond comprehension. The arrogance of anti-gun politicians and government officials and their hate of freedom will churn your stomach.
The law is the law, the Constitution is the Constitution. If ONE local mayor or police chief can decide what the Second Amendment means, it opens the door to tyranny—where ANY mayor or police chief can say what the Second Amendment means.
You've seen this brand of abuse of freedom in the history books—in the pages about days of gun confiscations leading to the terror of Stalin, Mao and Hitler. But you'd never in a million years think it could happen in America.
Well, it can and it did. And it will happen again unless we take action today.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Police Superintendent P. Eddie Compass unleashed a wave of confiscations with these chilling words:
"No one will be able to be armed. We will take all weapons. Only law enforcement will be allowed to have guns."
Thousands of firearms were then confiscated from law-abiding gun owners. The police gave no paperwork or receipts for those guns. They just stormed in and seized them.
With your help we're going to make the first time in New Orleans the LAST time in America. Thank you!
Now, one year later, these crimes against gun owners have snowballed into a far greater threat to our freedoms.
Even though NRA secured a court order demanding their immediate and unconditional return, almost every single confiscated firearm remains locked in government trailers.
With the stroke of a pen, Mayor Nagin and Police Superintendent Compass are getting away with "murder"—a savaging of the second, fourth and fourteenth amendments of our Constitution. And they have put America on notice that they're going to keep seizing lawfully owned guns under any pretense.
New Orleans gun owners are showing up at these trailers, with serial numbers of their firearms, expecting Mayor Nagin and his band of anti-gunners to respect the Federal courts.
They are met by stony-eyed bureaucrats who say serial numbers aren't enough—and that gun owners now need PROOF OF PURCHASE of these firearms.
How many of those gun owners do you think had original receipts for those firearms? And even if they did, how many do you think could find those receipts in the wreckage of a hurricane?
Many of these firearms were passed down from father to son, generation to generation. Some are precious heirlooms. Some are collector's pieces won in our wars. And they were all lawfully owned and they must be returned to their owners.
With your help we're going to make the first time in New Orleans the LAST time in America. Thank you!
Source: NRA
Hat Tip: The Jawa Report
Related: NRA-ILA
For Your Consideration: The E.S.C.A.P.E. Company
Commentary
Anything I say at this point will get me arrested, so I'll offer some advice, which may or may not get me arrested:
- Never keep all your firearms in your home.
- Never have all your firearms registered. (Hey, it's real easy to forget!)
- Train frequently with your weapons, so that you are intimately familiar with their operation, and can do so blindfolded.
- Make sure you have an attorney on retainer versed in firearm rights, and is enthusiastic about preserving the Second Amendment.
- Always aim for center of mass, and use the largest caliber of firearm you can safely operate, repeat. Move on to the next target.
- Vote only for candidates who support the 2nd Amendment, and make sure you ask them about the Second Amendment in Public Forums.
- Keep your powder dry, and stay frosty on your gun rights!
- Never, ever fire on an officer of the law unless you are ready to die.
- I mean really ready to die.
West Carolina Report for Dec 17th
I have finished updating West Carolina Report for today.
It is hard to believe that Iowa is two weeks or so away, and Giga Tuesday about six weeks away, which mean I'll have to kick it into high gear to complete my review of the GOP and Dem Candidates before Giga Tuesday.
It is hard to believe that Iowa is two weeks or so away, and Giga Tuesday about six weeks away, which mean I'll have to kick it into high gear to complete my review of the GOP and Dem Candidates before Giga Tuesday.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
(VIDEO) Spring Into Action For The Holidays
Local Talk Show host Matt Mittan has rallied support for this family in their hour of need since their home was destroyed in the 2004 Flood.
Here is a slide show you can watch of their progress.
Spring Into Action Home Nears Completion -
Asheville, NC –The Spring Into Action Home constructed for Ginger Boyd Phillips who lost her home in the wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Ginger also suffered the loss of her parents, grandparents, and 14 year old sister, all victims of a brutal, random murder in Haywood County in 1999. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the home should be completed before Christmas. Brian Anderson, Anderson Family Homes and General Contractor for the volunteer project stated, “ The home is dried in, the insulation and drywall is completed and Mrs. Boyd should be in the home before Christmas.” Hearts With Hands, executive director, Bill Bradley commented, “The construction of the home has taken longer than we anticipated, however, every step has been taken to ensure this home is of top quality construction and is something the Boyd family and all of those who have volunteered their time and money can be proud of.
Read the rest here, and learn how you may contribute to the effort.
This post will remain on top until Monday morning.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Ron Paul Blimp Will Not Make it to Tea Party
Our operatives have reported success with their mission to delay the launch of the Ron Paul Blimp, and it will not be able to make the Boston Tea Party on the 16th.
Keep up with the flight path here, and watch for surprises!
Watch intermittent Webstreaming here. Too bad it won't embed like my service. It will embed...see below.
View Larger Map
Watch live video from ronpaulblimp on Justin.tv
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Courtesy of Paulpatine News Net
Keep up with the flight path here, and watch for surprises!
Watch intermittent Webstreaming here. Too bad it won't embed like my service. It will embed...see below.
View Larger Map
Watch live video from ronpaulblimp on Justin.tv
">(Another) Burglar Shot Dead in Texas
A southwest Harris County homeowner shot and killed a man he discovered climbing into a window of his house at about 2:15 a.m. today, investigators said.
Steven Dunbar, 44, died in the window of the home in the 3400 block of Cascadia, Harris County sheriff's homicide Det. Rolf Nelson said.
Nelson declined to name the homeowner but said the man, 32, was asleep in the house with his wife, a son, 6, and an infant daughter when he heard a loud noise.
"The homeowner says he heard a loud noise, possibly a gunshot, that startled him out of bed," Nelson said. "As he got up, he said he heard another loud noise and he said the house was shaking."
The man had retrieved a pistol he keeps and was on his way to investigate the noises when he heard glass breaking in a bedroom.
"When he entered that bedroom, he said he saw a burglar coming through a broken window," Nelson said. "He shot several times and struck the burglar several times, killing him at the scene."
Source: Houston Chronicle
Which gives me an excuse to embed the video of Quanell X's aborted demonstration in the neighborhood of Joe Horn...the community ran him and his thugs off!
Video Courtesy Blogs of War
Steven Dunbar, 44, died in the window of the home in the 3400 block of Cascadia, Harris County sheriff's homicide Det. Rolf Nelson said.
Nelson declined to name the homeowner but said the man, 32, was asleep in the house with his wife, a son, 6, and an infant daughter when he heard a loud noise.
"The homeowner says he heard a loud noise, possibly a gunshot, that startled him out of bed," Nelson said. "As he got up, he said he heard another loud noise and he said the house was shaking."
The man had retrieved a pistol he keeps and was on his way to investigate the noises when he heard glass breaking in a bedroom.
"When he entered that bedroom, he said he saw a burglar coming through a broken window," Nelson said. "He shot several times and struck the burglar several times, killing him at the scene."
Source: Houston Chronicle
Which gives me an excuse to embed the video of Quanell X's aborted demonstration in the neighborhood of Joe Horn...the community ran him and his thugs off!
Video Courtesy Blogs of War
Former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford Arrested
Feds Charge Corruption
There are many outlets covering this arrest, but by far the best covergae is to found at The Asheville City Paper:
Democracy NC, a Raleigh-based election watchdog group, documented more than $100,000 in campaign contributions to state legislators from the video poker industry during the 2004 election. The biggest recipient was former House Speaker Jim Black who used his office to block video poker bans repeatedly passed by the state senate. Finally, in 2006, with Black fending off an onslaught of corruption charges, the ban was approved in a 114-1 House vote and signed into law. The machines became illegal on July 1 of this year. Black is now in prison.
In Buncombe County, contributors tied to video poker made generous donations to Medford’s campaigns. He took in $12,300 from machine owners or operators in 2006 and $2,400 for the 2002 election. In addition, the Medford campaign reported dozens of $100 anonymous cash donations, with cash receipts totaling $4,789 in 2006, and an impressive $17,024 in 2002.
To put this in some perspective, Medford reported total receipts of $72,000 in 2006; so known video poker operators pitched in 17 percent of the total while seven percent of proceeds were anonymous cash. Van Duncan, who defeated Medford in that election, took in $120,000, none of which came from anyone visibly linked to video poker, and collected $2260.56 or two percent in cash. Anonymous cash donations up to $100 each were completely legal until Jan. 1, 2007, when a new campaign finance law reduced that figure to $50.
Looking back to 2002, Medford’s challenger Mike Ruby didn’t record a single donation from a video poker interest while his cash donations totaled $9,074.
Source: Asheville City Paper
Cecil Bothwell, despite his lefty leanings, is a very good reporter. You should include his new venture on your reading list. I fully expect him to cover the eventual arrest of DA Ron Moore someday with equal treatment as he has this case. Perhaps Moore will retire "elsewhere" because the noose is tightening.
My personal view is that corruption of public officials is inevitable where gambling is concerned. I fully believe this type of activity has gone on in all the western counties, and that there is corruption involved in the NC "Education" Lottery, as well as at the Casino in Cherokee. The Casino is a very good place to launder money.
Here are other places covering the arrest, many introducing their own spin (and humor) into the mix:
Asheville Citizen-Times
AshVegas
Arratik
Mountain Xpress
Scrutiny Hooligans
Tale A Stand done!
Download MP3 if embed doesn't work for you.
Topix Poetry
Where's the Outrage?
Wild West
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Charles Johnson, Following Rather?
So how well does the Dan Rather analogy apply to Charles Johnson and Little Green Footballs?
Some aspects of Mr. Rather’s situation seem quite apt. Consider what the The New York Times wrote in the wake of Rathergate, after CBS’ investigative panel issued its report:Over the next week or so, CBS News issued a number of press statements and “CBS Evening News” reports that staunchly defended the Sept. 8 segment despite increasingly strong indications that the reporting for the segment was flawed. The panel finds that these statements and reports contained numerous misstatements and inaccuracies. Moreover, the panel finds that once serious questions were raised, the defense of the segment became more rigid and emphatic.
But other aspects of the CBS debacle differ from the LGF situation. LGF has no Mary Mapes to take the fall for any errors. There is no corporate board which can ease Mr. Johnson out when he becomes embarrassing. He may suffer an attrition of traffic over the long haul, but it’s also possible that his popularity is independent of any fidelity to the truth, and that he will continue to flourish.
So the analogy, though instructive, is incomplete. This leaves open the possibility of a different denouement than emerged from the whole sordid mess at CBS.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
What are the options for Charles Johnson, or for any other prominent blogger who makes significant factual errors?
I see the same three possibilities that faced Dan Rather when the forged Killian memos were exposed:
1. Acknowledge the errors and accept responsibility for them, even though they were committed by subordinates. This was not the road taken by Mr. Rather. 2. The infamous “fake but accurate” defense, which acknowledges that the “facts” were bogus, but asserts the underlying truth of the accusations. Dan Rather attempted this strategy, but it never gained any real traction, not even in the MSM. 3. Stonewalling. This was the method most favored by Mr. Rather, and which he persists in to this day, as witnessed by his lawsuit against CBS.
So far Charles Johnson has preferred option #3, failing to take up any of the suggested corrections posted here yesterday.
But I’m optimistic that this situation might change. After all, Mr. Johnson gained a well-deserved reputation for ferreting out the truth, and letting the chips fall where they may.
Source: Gates of Vienna
This has been a sad affair, and should be a cautionary tale for the rest of us interested in ferreting out the truth of things. Well, except for those of us who are gods, and don't make mistakes.
I'd rather see the counterjihad movement return to counterjihadi activities, and the Baron, Dymphna, Fjordman, Pamela, and Christine are among the very best we have. I'm sorry if I left anyone out, these are the guys I know best.
Era of Open Government is Here
Have you ever wanted to find more information on government spending? Have you ever wondered where federal contracting dollars and grant awards go? Or perhaps you would just like to know, as a citizen, what the government is really doing with your money. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act) requires a single searchable website, accessible by the public for free that includes for each Federal award:
1. The name of the entity receiving the award;
2. The amount of the award;
3. Information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc;
4. The location of the entity receiving the award;
5. A unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.
Source: USA Spending
I have been exploring the website this morning, and almost forgot to post about it until now, and will be posting on some of the stuff I am finding.
Congress Critters will now be much more accountable to the citizenry, and I hope this will help cut down on some of the corruption.
1. The name of the entity receiving the award;
2. The amount of the award;
3. Information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc;
4. The location of the entity receiving the award;
5. A unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.
Source: USA Spending
I have been exploring the website this morning, and almost forgot to post about it until now, and will be posting on some of the stuff I am finding.
Congress Critters will now be much more accountable to the citizenry, and I hope this will help cut down on some of the corruption.
(VIDEO) Fred Thompson is not a Third Grader
This was Fred at his best! The only way it could have been better was if he had left the debate at that point.
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