Sabot Loaded

Update

2007-09-12T17:50:00.000-05:00

For those that have emailed or commented in the last few months, thank you. We are doing really well and hope to be under the same roof again soon. BS should return home before long and we hope to blog more then.

2007-04-19T06:20:00.000-05:00

We had hoped for this blog to be posted on regularly, but things have just gotten too busy for us.

Hopefully at some point down the road, we can begin posting regularly again.

Bloody Liberals

2007-02-22T10:20:00.000-06:00

Liberals are the same no matter what country they are in!

Liberals are the only ones that can get away with so many contradictions. In the same article they say 1) we never should have been in Iraq and 2)the withdrawing of troops is admitting defeat. Talk about not being able to win!

With Liberals, they bitched because we went, they bitched when we stayed, and they bitch when a leader pulls their troops out. I wish someone in the mainstream media would force them to pick a side.

Iraq withdrawal a defeat: UK press

2007-01-23T10:41:00.000-06:00

TDY - Stand by!

Bill would enhance credit rating protection

2007-01-19T12:40:00.000-06:00

A Pennsylvania congressman wants the financial protections of the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act to better protect troops’ credit ratings.

Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa., wants consumer credit bureaus to include a notation in the files of service members that any report of a late payment or nonpayment of a bill could be the result of military service.

This would apply to active and reserve members but would be limited to accounts opened by a person in the military before starting military service, which, in the case of Guard or reserve members, would be before they are mobilized.

Brady introduced his bill, HR 513, Wednesday, and it was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act. He sponsored similar legislation in 2003 that drew 32 co-sponsors. His earlier bill was assigned to the veterans’ benefits subcommittee, which did not include it in updates made in legal and financial protections when Congress overhauled the law.

Under that law, formerly known as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, creditors are limited in collecting debts while a service member is deployed or mobilized, and interest charged on consumer credit is capped.

Brady’s concern is that while the law may protect service members, creditors who are not getting paid or are getting reduced payments may include this information when notifying credit bureaus about the status of accounts, and those statements — without a disclaimer about military service being a factor — could have long-range implications for service members.

More NASCAR News

2007-01-19T11:41:00.000-06:00

With Kelly Clarkson partnering up with NASCAR and the Casey Mears news, the only other thing we need for a great season is for JR to rock and roll this year!!

War vet featured on Esquire

2007-01-14T07:12:00.000-06:00

Triple amputee gives his idea of the meaning of life

Army National Guard-sponsored NASCAR vehicle

2007-01-14T07:05:00.000-06:00

Casey Mears was officially presented Friday as the new driver of the Army National Guard-sponsored NASCAR vehicle.

Mears, his Hendrick Motorsports team and Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the National Guard, mingled with soldiers and others at a reception at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Va.

Mears, 28, will make his first recruiting appearance Jan. 24, Guard officials said.

This will be his fifth season as a driver in the Nextel Cup series. He moved to NASCAR in 2002 from the Indy Racing League.

The Guard will be sharing sponsorship of Mears’ No. 25 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with GMAC.

Source

Vets Fight Changes in N.J. Curriculum

2007-01-12T19:17:00.000-06:00

What is wrong with this picture and with NJ?

Don't forget to visit....

2007-01-10T18:38:00.000-06:00

SpouseBUZZ

Lots of great conversation goes on over there and great information updates too!

Take your six and get out of my husband's military LT!

2007-01-08T20:59:00.000-06:00

Conscientious Rejector?

First Lieutenant Ehren Watada still refuses Iraq deployment orders, calling the war illegal. A six-year prison term could result. Preliminary hearings are set for Thursday.

U.S. Central Command Launches NEW Podcast on Website

2007-01-05T14:42:00.000-06:00

Encouraging youths to consider aviation careers

2007-01-04T18:28:00.000-06:00

Group aims to give free flying lessons to military kids

A nonprofit corporation in Florida hopes to raise money to give free flying lessons to select teens who have lost a parent in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Students would complete the Private Pilot Ground School and receive a minimum of 20 hours of flight, said retired Marine Col. Jack D. Howell, president of Fightertown USA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

“We are optimistic that we will be able to solicit corporate sponsorships which will cover all costs involved, Howell said.

His goal is to conduct an aviation summer camp in August in Jacksonville, Fla.

As to grieving parents’ concerns about their children’s safety, “There’s always an element of risk, but we’ve never had an incident,” he said, adding that he is the recipient of several aerospace and aviation education awards and hand-picks his instructors.

“There are parents who want to hold close and shield their children, but there comes a time when they want to spread their wings,” he said.

His group wants to encourage youths to consider aviation careers, he said.

A notice on the organization’s Web site said more information on the proposed program will be posted soon.

P.L.109-364

2007-01-04T11:09:00.000-06:00

Law Catches up to Private Militaries

Contractors are now subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the same set of laws that governs soldiers. Embedded reporters are now under those regulations, too.

P.L.109-364

Sir, why did the chicken cross the road?

2007-01-03T12:06:00.000-06:00

I love this post over at MilBlogs!

Every now and then I stumble across this old chestnut.

Suitably updated,
naturally, from Being All that It Could Be in the
Army of One to being Army
Strong.

"Sir! Why, Sir, did the chicken cross the road, Sir?!?"

Go read the rest of the story!

Postings to have a look at....

2007-01-03T12:03:00.000-06:00

That fun time of year, tax season!

Continue to Support Our Wounded Troops

H/T Love My Tanker

The Freedom Project begins today

2007-01-01T06:56:00.000-06:00

Start the new year out by supporting The Freedom Project!

Happy New Year

2006-12-31T17:04:00.000-06:00

From our family to yours, have a very Happy New Year!

We are busy getting ready for family to invade (visit) us at our new duty station this week.

Enjoy the holiday and stay safe out there!

My two cent worth..........

2006-12-30T09:25:00.000-06:00

To remind yourself of why he is now dead..........Obituary: Saddam Hussein, 1937-2006

Some say that his death by hanging does nothing to make them feel better, that is does nothing at all. I realize that it will likely bring a surge in violence among the crazies and I realize that it might not make some people feel better.

I, on the other hand, feel much better. He got what he deserved, although it could have been carried out in a manner closer to what he inflicted upon others.

I firmly believe in and eye for an eye. When the proof is there and the crime is horrid, it is justified.

It likely makes many Iraqi citizens feel better that he is gone and for those families that his evil hand touched, they likely are jumping for joy.

His death will not bring back our friends that have lost their lives fighting in Iraq, but his death and the death of others like him make me feel a little better when I look at our friends' families that are now left behind.

My rambling thoughts may not make any sense to you, but they make sense to me and their are likely others out there that feel the same way that I do.

General Batiste is advocating a sound strategy for victory

2006-12-27T21:52:00.000-06:00

Is the General Still Loved?

We'll soon see if liberals think as highly of retired Major General John Batiste as they did before.

At some point, this country needs to realize that we're in a long fight against Islamic extremists that will require attention and sacrifice not just criticism.

Read the entire article here.

Court: Execute Saddam within 30 days

2006-12-26T09:56:00.000-06:00

Iraq court upholds Saddam death sentence

Iraq's highest appeals court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for
Saddam Hussein' in his first trial and said it must be carried out within 30 days. The sentence "must be implemented within 30 days," chief judge Aref Shahin. "From tomorrow, any day could be the day of implementation."

2006-12-25T00:57:00.000-06:00

My hubby is so sweet...

2006-12-24T19:44:00.000-06:00

Look what I got for Christmas

Dedicated to our Troops

2006-12-24T19:27:00.000-06:00

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the land
We argued about our troops in the faraway Sand.
Our politicians grabbed pork with so little care,
While our soldiers risked life, limb and soul over there.

Congress was nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of another win danced in their heads.
Our soldiers dodged bombs, bullets and suicide freaks
While protesters hung their effigies on our streets.

Inside the Beltway there arose such a clatter,
Another Kennedy crashed a car, its window in shatters.
The Capitol police flew like a flash,
But the Kennedys just gave them some cold, hard green cash.

Thousands of miles away, how could our soldiers know,
That our support was more than just pomp, smiles and show?
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a half-baked report that made surrender clear.

What of Justin and Casey, once lively and strong,
They'd given their lives, how could it be wrong?
Patriots fought back, called the cowards by name,
"Come from under your beds, have you no shame?"

"Now Murtha! Now Al Gore! Now Obama! Now Kerry!
And your first woman speaker, oh, this could get hairy!
Our soldiers stand strong as you cut off their funds,
They leave behind their blood, as you cut, turn and run.

Stop where you are, Kennedy, get out of the booze,
Our colors don't run, we can't and won't lose.
Remember Sept. 11, and the radicals who pray,
That they cut our throats and kill Santa's great sleigh.

And now, as we look to the north for the miracle star,
We get on our knees, and pray for peace here and far.
We will not falter, if we stand all together,
In cold desert nights, whatever the weather.

We love our men and women, so far from their home.
This Christmas we pray for them, so they don't feel alone.
We will stand by them, as they drive the enemy from sight,
Then Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

H/T YID With LID

Keep looking...

2006-12-14T20:47:00.000-06:00

Ok folks, we're almost back to it. We had to do that little task called a PCS, and what fun it has been.

Some of our postings s in the near future will most likely be about the crap all military families go through during a move, but I like to single people out too. Oh, it's coming!

By the way, you military folks ask your transpo and finance people if DLA is supposed to be used to pay for your ON POST housing up front when you arrive at a new duty station. Forgive me, but I thought BAH was supposed to cover that. We had to give a check for the rest of the month (from the 11th to the 31st) just to move in to on post housing (on the 11th). Gotta love privatization. I'm getting ahead of myself, I'll (actually, probably my wife more so) write more later.

Stay tuned...

Temporary Radio Silence....

2006-11-30T07:11:00.000-06:00

Please stand by!

NBC, WTF?

2006-11-28T10:06:00.000-06:00

NBC News Labels Iraqi Conflict a 'Civil War'

It appears the NBC has taken it upon themselves to define what is going on in Iraq for the rest of us. Thanks guys, we trust the MSM and need for you to make us understand things and see them your way!

I now refuse to turn the tv to any channel where Matt Lauer's face is appearing. I don't look to him or the left wing MSM to define or to educate me on a damn thing.

After all, we have seen time and again how the MSM, tv and print, educate us correctly!

Looking at Islam

2006-11-28T09:24:00.000-06:00

Captain's Comments takes several looks at Islam:

More great comments

2006-11-28T09:15:00.000-06:00

American Legion Wants Apology

The National Commander of The American Legion called on Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) to apologize for suggesting that American troops would not choose to fight in Iraq if they had other employment options.

“Our military is the most skilled, best-trained all-volunteer force on the planet,” said National Commander Paul A. Morin. “Like that recently espoused by Sen. John Kerry, Congressman Rangel’s view of our troops couldn’t be further from the truth and is possibly skewed by his political opposition to the war in Iraq.”

Read the entire article

2006-11-27T09:48:00.000-06:00

If it weren't for the fact that we homeschool our children, we would be looking to move to Juneau.

Thankfully we can do the same type of outdoor education at home. Thankfully we are free to make this choice for our family.

Yes, I think guns are good when used responsibly.

H/T Free Republic

Video

2006-11-26T21:25:00.000-06:00

The video clip Political Poet from Dennis Miller is a must see!

Now if someone on the left would just listen up!

2006-11-23T10:12:00.000-06:00

The Draft

2006-11-22T21:17:00.000-06:00

Based on the recent comments by several ill-informed individuals about reinstating the draft, I thought I might put my commander thoughts out there. I don't think anyone would argue that we have the best military in the world. Not just the best equipment, but more importantly the best Soldiers. Smart. Tough. Dedicated. How did we get this kind of a military? How did the USA get so lucky to have the greatest military power? Did we just put rocks behind really good equipment and it just happens to work?

We have this military because men and women that want to serve their country joined voluntarily. Not only are they people that want to serve their country, but they are smart and dedicated. They really TRY to do the best they can. Soldiers have pride in their jobs. When a lot of civilians (don't take this as you if it doesn't apply, just going off what I've seen) have things messed up at work, it is someone else's fault, or they just don't care. Soldiers get pissed. Really pissed. And they get pissed because of the pride they have for their responsibilities to the unit.

If you force people to join the military, the reasons we are great will disappear and we will become a mediocre mess that once was the greatest collection of hero's ever assembled. As a commander, I'll take the unit of volunteers, keep your draft for somewhere else.

Let the military fight the bad guys already..

2006-11-21T09:43:00.000-06:00

Can't everyone just shut the hell up and let the military handle the bad guys?

It is their job, they are good at it and it comes without all of the political shit that undermines our entire country.

Janet Reno Files Challenge to Terror Law...

Last weekend, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales defended the nation's handling of the detainees. He said they are afforded more rights than required.

"What is extraordinary, in other words, is how much _ not how little _ our law protects enemy combatants," he said.

H/T Drudge Report

The D word

2006-11-21T09:22:00.000-06:00

Right Wing Rebel has a good post on reinstating the draft.

He also links a super great article by Thomas Sowell and I concur!

Just what we need

2006-11-19T19:12:00.000-06:00

You know what we need?

more civil rights groups.....

Thousands Protest Ga. Military School

John Kerry to run for President in 08.......

Kerry: 'Botched' war joke won't hurt me

Wicked pissed...

2006-11-19T14:49:00.000-06:00

Why is it so difficult for the middle east and a portion of US Citizens to realize that things that go on over there really don't have that frickin much to do with oil? Idiots.

The UN is not worth too much in my book, but when they were finally forced to wake up and smell some coffee on Darfur, you then get other idiots chiming in and making comments that have no relation to what the hell is going on. It asses me off that stupid people are everywhere and when they speak, it gets printed! Tell me exactly what Libya has done to help Darfur and it appears that the Sudanese government has done about squat! Example: U.N.: Sudan 'terrorizing citizens' - This kind of crap makes me wicked pissed!

Gadhafi: U.N. Darfur force is ruse to grab Sudan's oil

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi Sunday accused the West of trying to grab Sudan's oil wealth with its plan to send U.N. troops to Darfur and urged Khartoum to reject them.

"Western countries and America are not busying themselves out of sympathy for the Sudanese people or for Africa but for oil and for the return of colonialism to the African continent," he said.

It’s Buy Ammo Day!

2006-11-19T11:15:00.000-06:00

Celebrate your 2nd Amendment rights!

H/T Traction Control

The good news just keeps coming...

2006-11-19T11:03:00.000-06:00

The Clinton Battle Plan

-a dinner at the Four Seasons in New York for the 20th anniversary of Harvard's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy. Portentous Ivy League professors, Upper East Side gazillionaires, Precambrian media pooh-bahs; Dan Rather and Al Franken and Paul Pelosi, spouse of the Speaker-elect. Almost all in attendance cheer the results of the midterms while bemoaning the demise of old media. Suddenly, shimmering over the tabletops, comes a vision of what was and might yet be again: in full plumage, arriving and departing separately per their insane schedules, Bill and Hillary Clinton—"two for the price of one," as the Arkansas governor liked to say back in 1992, before Dogpatch went global.

This audience knows about the ex-president's ability to put other people's money where his mouth is. Big money. At the second annual Clinton Global Initiative in September, he extracted more than $7 billion in commitments to address world problems. Hosting a conference of the Slate 60 largest charitable givers in the United States last week at his presidential library in Little Rock, he joked to the assembled billionaires, "I looked in the mirror and realized I'd become an NGO."

Kissinger: Iraq Military Win Impossible

2006-11-19T11:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks a lot Mr. Kissinger! NOT!!

The Hypocrisy Of The United Nation And The World

2006-11-17T07:04:00.000-06:00

Share your thoughts on this.

Right Wing Guy calls it like he sees it!

Things to know about...

2006-11-16T13:34:00.000-06:00

Guardsmen hero exhibit
An Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom exhibit honoring guardsmen opens Dec. 6 in Washington, D.C. www.ngef.org or www.ngaus.org

Army OKs war-zone fitness waiver
the Army announced Nov. 9 that it was cutting some slack on Army physical-fitness-test requirements for soldiers deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

“The APFT requirement is waived for soldiers deployed in units unable to administer the Army physical fitness test due to mission or conditions,” the Military Personnel message reads. “Those soldiers may be recommended, considered by a board and placed on the promotion standing list, if recommended.”

The announcement follows one in October in which the Army granted a six-month grace period for soldiers who fail the tape-test standards for body fat. The Army at that time also raised weight limits for women and clarified taping procedures for all troops. Those changes apply to the entire force but only deployed troops can take advantage of the new guidance on the APFT.

Searching for bone marrow
A chief warrant officer 3 serving in Iraq is trying to find a bone marrow match for his ailing father and has turned to fellow soldiers for help.

Retired Reserve Staff Sgt. Charles Miller has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of pre-leukemia.

Miller’s son, Ty, arranged with an Army surgeon for a bone marrow registry drive among soldiers in Iraq. So far, 150 soldiers there have registered.

Details about the military’s marrow donor program is online at www.dodmarrow.org

Survivor benefits extended for children
Children of service members who die on active duty will get enhanced health care coverage from the Defense Department under a new policy that took effect Nov. 1.

Children of service members who die while on active duty will now stay in “transitional survivor status” for health care at active-duty payment rates until they marry or reach age 21 (age 23 if they are enrolled in school full time).

Previously, children of those who died on active duty received benefits at the active-duty payment rates for up to three years after a member’s death, after which the benefits package shifted to higher retiree payment rates.

The three-year limit on active-duty payment rates remains in effect for surviving spouses.
More details at www.tricare.osd.mil/survivors/default.cfm

via www.armytimes.com

Read this.......

2006-11-16T08:55:00.000-06:00

Iraq Now questions, have we lost our minds?

The way to defeat the insurgency is to force THEM into a last ditch effort. For all we know, influencing the elections in the United States was their last ditch effort - their final gasp of strength.

If they recieve an unmistakeable message from Washington that we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will never sell out our allies in Iraq - ever, ever, EVER - that their herculean effort to influence the midterms was for naught, and that both parties in the United States are united in their commitment to prosecute the war, uphold Iraq's fledgeling democracy, and find and kill these bastards where they live, you will see the momentum begin to change.

Read the rest of the story...

Attention Military Kids

2006-11-15T12:29:00.000-06:00

Toy Summit with Santa

H/T Love My Tanker

This is just the left wing beginning folks........

2006-11-15T08:18:00.000-06:00

'San Francisco kills JROTC program'

"San Francisco values" prevailed last night. Some 1,600 students of all backgrounds will now be robbed of a valuable training program that immunized them against the anti-military hatred that infests the Bay Area

Sex play and the Patriot Act

2006-11-15T08:15:00.000-06:00

Talk about a waste of time, resources and energy.............

Mid-flight sex play lands couple afoul of anti-terrorism law...

A couple's ill-concealed sexual play aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles got them charged with violating the Patriot Act, intended for terrorist acts, and could land them in jail for 20 years.

H/T Drudge Report

Watch this...

2006-11-14T13:03:00.000-06:00

'Exposed: The Extremist Agenda'

We know exactly what Islamic extremists are planning to do. How? We've seen the video. On Wednesday, you will too. Tune in Wednesday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET for a one-hour "Glenn Beck" special event.

It ought to be an interesting show and Glenn Beck is saying that it will show things never show before on American TV and open our eyes!

Helping Darfur

2006-11-13T17:52:00.000-06:00

Not that I have a lot of faith in the U.N. - but at least they might now be doing something..........

U.N. Pledges $22 Million to Help Darfur Forces

How to piss off this military wife......

2006-11-13T17:24:00.000-06:00

Just to name a few.....

Democrats set to seek Iraq troop withdrawals

Bolton's Chances of Confirmation Are 'Nil,' Official Says

Pelosi backs Murtha as House Democratic leader

'Waging war on JROTC'

The realists take charge in Washington

Mayor admits he did not serve in Green Berets

Veterans' Bill of Rights

2006-11-12T21:41:00.000-06:00

Have a look at Veterans' Bill of Rights and sign on if you are willing to support this concept.

**UPDATE**Also linking the Military.com "Bill"~ OPFOR

Iraq the Model shares an opinion

2006-11-12T21:36:00.000-06:00

The American elections from a middle eastern perspective

It was obvious that a majority here were in favor of a change, not because they think the democrats have a better agenda but because folks here wanted to see Bush and his party lose.

2007 DePuy Writing Contest

2006-11-09T18:46:00.000-06:00

Writing Competition

The topic for the 2007 Gen. William E. DePuy Writing Competition is “Consolidating victory: Stabilization and reconstruction operations.” Entries are due April 1.

The Combined Arms Center (CAC), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is pleased to announce its second annual Special Topics Writing Competition, now named for General William E. DePuy, a visionary Army leader, educator, and promulgator of doctrine. The focus of this year’s competition is post-conflict stabilization operations (SO).

$2500 in prizes and publication in Military Review

Go here for more details

Border Watch

2006-11-09T12:54:00.000-06:00

Texas Border Watch

Moonbats at it again

2006-11-09T12:28:00.000-06:00

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan demonstrates outside the White House in Washington, Wednesday. AP

Activist Cindy Sheehan, Two Others, Arrested for Interfering With a Government Function at White House

Good, Bad and Ugly...Gates related articles

2006-11-09T12:24:00.000-06:00

Bush taps Gates to replace Rumsfeld

Gates seeks to resuscitate policy in Iraq

Rumsfeld move means U.S. troops may leave Iraq sooner

Gaining Military's Trust Is Early Step for Incoming Defense Secretary

In Gates, Bush taps one of his father's trusted advisers

Bush makes right move by removing Rumsfeld

More Resignations Expected at Pentagon After Rumsfeld's Departure

Gates increased number of minorities on campus

DEFENSE SECRETARY Nominee is 'old school,' 'pragmatist'

Robert Gates, the anti-Rumsfeld?

Gates lacks defense experience, views on Iraq unknown

Gates served 6 presidents, including the first President Bush

Robert Gates, a cautious player

Defense nominee can do the job without 'having rocks thrown at him ...

Will Gates Nomination Revive Old Scandals?

The 'realist' at the helm

Robert Gates: Profile Aljazeera.net

Who Is Robert Gates

Robert M. Gates Profile Washington Post

Robert Gates, from a Colleague's Viewpoint

How Will Robert Gates Work Out at the Pentagon?

What will this mean for our forces?

2006-11-08T12:01:00.000-06:00

GOP says Rumsfeld stepping down

I received this via email today....

2006-11-08T11:22:00.000-06:00

This is a great photo of an Air Force training squadron flying in a never-done-before "USA" formation over the control tower "Taj Mahal" (HQ building) of Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

WELCOME TO HELL!

2006-11-08T10:58:00.000-06:00

Good analysis!

BEAST MEDIA: GOOD MORNING AMERICA! WELCOME TO HELL!

Is there one star, maybe......

2006-11-08T09:52:00.000-06:00

One star in the universe about the Dems takeover: hopefully the Dems elected will actually help the President on the immigration issue. Some of the Dems have more in common with the President on this one issue than several Republicans. We will see.

Other than that issue, I am very dismayed at the results and the decision of American voters. I think that many voters made their decisions based on anger and/or false hope. I will be waiting for the Dems to actually voice their plans. Right now they can't or won't tell me any plans for anything, they are all lip service. All I can do now is complain about it, write about it and hope like hell that they either stand up and do the right things by America and by our troops over the next two years OR they show their true colors often enough (without driving America totally into the ground in the meantime) that the American voters that chose them, will wake up and smell the coffee before the 2008 elections.

I am concerned about what decisions are going to be forced on Iraq, GWOT, minimum wage, education, gun rights, and these are just to name a few.

We shall see, we shall see!!

Vote America, Vote!

2006-11-06T17:57:00.000-06:00

We are voting Republican.

If you aren't, we won't tell you that you are (too) wrong. What matters the most is to just get out and vote, PERIOD!

Troops speak

2006-11-06T17:49:00.000-06:00

Move out and read A plea from the battlefield over at Hillbilly White Trash.

This is as close as soldiers on active duty can come to making an outright political endorsment. But make no mistake that is what they are doing. They are begging the folks back home to not to stab them in the back by voting for the party which is on their enemy's side.

Marines have pulled ahead of Army

2006-11-05T20:23:00.000-06:00

As of right now the Marines have pulled ahead of Army in the 2006 Project Valour-IT Competition.

The real winners are our wounded military heroes. Lets keep the competition going!!

GO ARMY! HOOAH!

Are you a Veteran?

2006-11-05T20:17:00.000-06:00

It seems that Contact Right is not really a Veteran! I suppose that means that my husband isn't one either?

H/T Love My Tanker

Military Times Editorial

2006-11-05T06:20:00.000-06:00

Greyhawk has some good comments about Military Times vs Rumsfeld.

I was duly unimpressed to learn that the Military Times had published an
editorial calling for the scalp of Donald Rumsfeld - but I see the issue has
gotten some attention, mostly from those who would like to believe (or have you
believe) that the Gannett publications aimed at the military are somehow actual
military publications.

Saddam Hussein Guilty

2006-11-05T06:14:00.000-06:00

Saddam Hussein SentencedTo Death by Hanging

Saddam Urges Iraqis to Not Take Revenge on U.S. Forces

Fast Facts: Key Figures in the Saddam Hussein Trial

Videos:
Former Iraqi dictator launches tirade upon hearing death sentence
FOX News' Courtney Kealy at the courthouse
Saddam Hussein Guilty

And there was cake.....yummy

2006-11-03T23:18:00.000-06:00

Emanuel's take on the Iraqi nuclear program: the Left wants to have their cake and eat it too

Um, excuse me.....WTF

2006-11-03T22:54:00.000-06:00

Britons wary of Bush more than Kim Jong-il-poll

Questions....

2006-11-03T15:56:00.000-06:00

Do you think that it possible to be Right Winged on all things except:

Stem cell research, abortion and God?

Do you think it is possible for a Right Winged person to believe that Stem Cell Research should move forward (with certain limits) to benefit the living, breathing human being that desperately need this research to be done?

Do you think it is possible for a Right Winged person to believe that abortion is an individual choice and that aside from partial birth abortion; the government should stay out of it?

Do you think it is possible for a Right Winged person to be an atheist or to be agnostic and not be offended by the Ten Commandments being on public and/or government property and that is not offended by public prayer?

Do you think there are other Republicans out there that only claim to be in the middle or on the left on these particular issues?

Are you one of them?

Do you think that only people who support the left can have the above views?

Do you criticize Right Wingers that have a few different views than the larger part of the Republican Party?

What are your thoughts??

Will they be keeping tabs on me too??

2006-11-03T10:09:00.000-06:00

GOOGLE 'will be able to keep tabs on us all'...

My question.........Why the hell would anyone want to know what I am doing at 0230 on any given day? I AM BORING and not worth the effort, really!

H/T Drudge Report

The wild herd theory, why drinking helps

2006-11-02T20:44:00.000-06:00

As I progressed through college I had many weekends (and some weekdays) to pontificate about my drinking. And, as many people do, I came up with a reasoning as to how my drinking was helping me in some way (granted I was 20 at the time). Now, even though I do realize it has some flaws, I refuse to believe it's not true.

As we all know, wild herds are thinned out by predators. The weakest and slowest are the animals taken. This feeds the beast, but also allows the herd to function more efficiently. The herd can now move more quickly and protect itself better. Well (I think you can see where I'm heading with this), drinking does the same thing. We all know that alcohol kills brain cells. But, I believe drinking kills off the weakest and slowest brain cell; thus improving the overall function of the brain. You are now able to think more quickly and efficiently because you're drinking!! Hey, it sounded good on a Saturday night in 1996.

Honor the Fallen

2006-11-02T09:54:00.000-06:00

Oregon Army National Guard’s Sgt. Nathaniel “Brad” Lindsey

Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Nathaniel “Brad” Lindsey made the ultimate sacrifice for his country on Sept. 9, 2006. After serving in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina he volunteered for duty in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Lindsey and his convoy were attacked when Taliban fighters set up a false checkpoint in Afghanistan on Sept. 9, 2006. The enemies hit the convoy with either a roadside bomb or a rocket-propelled grenade, and then opened up small-arms fire on the vehicles. Lindsey, a gunner who had recently switched from a desk job at a secure base in Kandahar to a job training Afghan soldiers, died in the attack. He had volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan after having already served in Iraq and during Hurricane Katrina to protect an officer he had driven for since June 2004. Lindsey was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medals on Sept. 22, 2006.

They are everywhere.......

2006-11-02T09:27:00.000-06:00

'The Latest Liberal Attack On The Military' from Right Wing News.

Dennis Miller

2006-11-02T09:10:00.000-06:00

H/T Enlisted Swine

The Darfur Genocide

2006-11-01T18:04:00.000-06:00

I have recently learned of this situation through Right Wing Guy and I am disappointed with myself for not picking up on it sooner. Though I do pay more attention to sub-Saharan Africa, I should have caught this. Kudos to Right Wing Guy for bringing it to my attention.

If you go to any site about this atrocity, you won't go far without seeing the data of over 450,000 killed and over 2.5 million displaced Darfur citizens. Just a bit of background: Darfur is an area of western Sudan with borders of Chad on the northern side and Central African Republic on the southern.

According to Genocide Intervention the situation has been on going since 2003. The Darfur region, about the size of Texas, contains racially mixed African tribe peasants and Arab nomadic herders. The majority of people identify as Muslim. Due to years of poverty and neglect, two groups began an uprising against the ruling Sudanese government in the north, the Khartoum government. The government's response has become the Darfur Genocide. (There are two ruling entities in Sudan, one in the north and one in the south, which was a war of its own. You can get a brief run-down at the Sudan Tribune.

The Sudanese Government began killing and raping Darfurians and enlisted the help of Arab nomadic tribes, the Janjaweed, to continue the onslaught. Remember, the Darfur region is in the west of Sudan, and Chad is the northwestern border of Darfur. The Sudanese government is helping Chadian rebels to conduct the same types of attacks, thus enveloping the Darfur region with atrocities.

The Darfurian area rebels have banded together somewhat to form the National Redemption Front (NRF) to counter the Sudanese government. The NRF did reportedly have a cease fire, but have since called it off due to rapes allegedly by the Janjaweed. The UN sent Special Envoy Jan Pronk to talk to the Sudanese government, but he was expelled from the country. The US, EU, African Union, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have all weighed in on this topic.

Now, all this being said, I must put aside some of my own personal feelings to support something I think needs it. A lot of the information and voice on this issue in the US is coming from some of my least favorite places (The Washington Post, The New York Times, Lieberman, and General Kofi Annan). But, I'm willing to look past the source when right is right. Let's see if we can't help.

A female view on gun rights

2006-11-01T13:52:00.000-06:00

Our household believes in The Second Amendment.

We use our guns for hunting and recreational range shooting. We collect guns. We also believe that we reserve the right to protect ourselves and our children in our own home, should the need arise. We are trained and educated in the use of our guns.

When the horrible hurricane rocked New Orleans, many residents were forced to hand over their weapons. I blame the Mayor and the New Orleans Police Superintendent . I assume that they were attempting to contain crime. What they did instead, was to keep law abiding citizens from protecting themselves when 911 was not working and the police were nowhere to be found. State "Emergency Powers" vs. The Right to Arms

Take a look at:

Brutally Disarmed, Victims and Give Them Back.

I am a female, I believe that guns rights are important. I believe that the guns that kill people daily in our country are rarely used by law abiding citizens. They are used instead by thugs and criminals that do not own guns legally and seek only to harm others.

I reserve the right to protect myself against those types of people and to protect my family.

Maybe you don't hear from a lot of females with my views. But you should. Women should be standing up in droves for gun rights.

IraK

2006-11-01T13:43:00.000-06:00

H/T Drudge Report

Original photo and story can be found here.

More on the left

2006-11-01T11:13:00.000-06:00

This is a worthy read.

More today here and at Vent.

Searching for 'failure'

2006-11-01T10:26:00.000-06:00

Here is a little something for you to do..................

Go to Google.com and search the word 'failure' -

What is the first thing you see?

President of the United States - George W. Bush

Shall I personally boycott Google.com? I think I will!

Blah, Blah, Blah.....

2006-11-01T01:35:00.000-06:00

House Democrats Propose More Spending for Military and Education

As part of their midterm election push, House Democrats are promoting a wide-ranging legislative agenda that would add tens of billions of dollars a year to the federal budget for the military, homeland security and education yet still impose a new budget restraint that would make it harder to widen the annual deficit.

Republicans and budget experts doubt that Democrats could do both simultaneously. When price tags are attached to their six-pronged agenda -- named Six for '06 -- critics say the Democrats will be forced to choose between keeping their pledge of fiscal rectitude and their promises of federal largess.

"There's a trade-off that's being left unspoken here," said Robert L. Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan opponent of deficits. "To pay for their new spending, they would have to cut programs, raise taxes or be unable to do what they want."

Continue reading....

What criminals deserve and saves me money

2006-10-31T20:12:00.000-06:00

I've had a thought stirring in the back of my mind since my long gone days of high school. The thought: of what jails should be like. It started when all of the "rehabilitation" rage came about, around 10yrs ago. I couldn't understand it, and I thought jail shouldn't be a place where you can work out, watch TV and get a degree. I thought jail was supposed to be a punishment.

My jail would look something like this: a large field in the mid-west, 20 foot high fence topped with barbed wire, crows nests ever 100 meters, and pup tents. Yes, pup tents. Just like the ones everyone got issued in the military. Actually, everyone got issued half of one, then you put it together with your buddy's half to make one tent. Then, you both slid inside, just enough room for the two of you with a ruck under your head. Oh, I'd give them wool blankets, too. No gyms, no TV, no advanced education.

I've never understood the concept of rewarding people for committing crimes. That's why they are there, right? They did something that required jail time. We aren't talking about running a red light here. Men and women in the military sleep in tents. Why can't criminals? Oh, men and women in the military volunteered you say? Military personnel joined of their own free will? True. But didn't the criminal conduct a crime of their own free will? Didn't the drug dealer sell drugs of his own free will?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that jails are day spas (although some low security places could give some a run for their money). What I am saying is that I don't appreciate having my tax dollars going to a criminal's bachelor's degree while he's in prison. I wonder how much money would be saved a year in the US, if the expensive prisons were closed and we went to my type of prison system. There would be no electricity bills and we could feed them T-rats (you've got to try them, they're delicious!). If they want to work out, they can do push ups.

More of my soapbox comments

2006-10-31T13:48:00.000-06:00

In relation to my previous post, Sen. Kerry has now said that he will apologize to no one and he seemingly only danced around his nasty comment from last night.

I did not misunderstand his comments and I did not take them out of context. He refuses to answer to his previously made comment and accuses the GOP of dancing around and shifting topics. A mirror might serve him well at this moment.

No one in my military household has respect for his words. He is indeed a Veteran and the fact that he insulted our current and future service members makes his status all the more disgusting. It is a flat out fact that he insulted our service members, my husband, our family and the families of our friends that gave their lives and limbs in OIF and OEF.

I will NOT forget his comments, ever!

You can read a much better take on the situation here and see other eye opening things here.

On my womanly 'Right Wing' soapbox

2006-10-31T13:16:00.000-06:00

I must be a 'Republican Hack' and a 'Right Wing Nut' ~ because I take total offense to (mispoken or not) Kerry's comment about U.S. troops 'stuck in Iraq'.

Sen. Kerry, if you were curious about the view of this military spouse, now you have it! An apology will not be good enough for me and cannot negate the words you have already spoken.

I am sure that my college educated husband (along with the majority of other college educated service members) will not take your comments lightly!

“You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.” -- John Kerry

2006-10-30T18:43:00.000-06:00

As I was working my way through some of the blogs, I found an interesting story.

Unfortunately it seems the "I happened to see this" type of events are more heart wrenching than some huge protest. In this situation, just an idiot with a marker did the damage. But, it does show the way anti-Soldier people act. You don't see pro-Soldier people writing hatred on houses or memorials.

I just hope someday that I can catch someone doing something like this. On the other hand, I do have a wife and kids to support, maybe that wouldn't be so good after all.

You can see the story here.

ARMY STRONG! - 2006 Project Valour-IT Competition

2006-10-30T12:34:00.000-06:00

ARMY STRONG! - 2006 Project Valour-IT Competition

HOOAH - GO ARMY!!

That just chaps my ass!

2006-10-28T09:38:00.000-05:00

I thought I would write about something that just burns me every couple of years due to election time.

I try to keep up with all elections with national implications, the current "hot" topics, and topics important to me. And, because I'm an argumentative type of guy, I like to discuss politics with other people. The problem I have is that a MAJORITY of the people I talk to don't even vote. I think everyone should wear a shock collar. If you don't vote, and try to talk about politics, it sends electric signals to your brain that makes you drop your pants and write "I'm an ass" on your ass. The most disturbing thing to me personally is that of the people that don't vote, most of them agree with me (at least a little). They just accept that things will turn out fine as usual. Wow, what a misguided view.

Now, spinning from the conversations I have with other eligible voters comes my other great loath: blindly believing something. I talk to a great number of people that say they believe something, and when I ask "why" the answer is "because I do." Are you kidding me? That's what my 6 year old says. I have a great idea. Why don't you actually research what the hell you're talking about. Now, I believe that must include statistical or literature investigation. You would be amazed what kinds of "logic" can be developed in the mind of an uninformed person. You know what I'm talking about. When a person tries to explain why they think something, and you just look at them thinking "did you come up with that yourself? Or did Big Bird help you out?"

I, very quickly, want to hit a couple of these topics for two reasons. First, because I like to cause controversy. And two, because there are so many misguided people out there that need my help (sarcasm doesn't show well in writing, but that was a joke). Now keep in mind the following discussions are in no way meant to be all-inclusive or complete. I just want to hit a few of the topics I get asked about the most.

Let's start with one very near to my heart, gun control. Let's try, if a Liberal can stand it, to look at this reasonably. You say we need to ban gun shows. You say we need to ban hand guns. You say we need to ban "high power" rifles. And even some of you have the endstate in mind of banning guns all together. And why? Because kids are dying on the streets of America due to gun violence. Gangs are killing people. Kids are killing people at schools across the Land. I understand this. What I don't understand is how taking guns away from me will fix that. How many gang members own legally obtained firearms? I can't find a statistic on that, but I feel a safe assumption is not many. And what about the kids taking guns to school? Well, they steal them. I don't think many parents say, "Here son, take this gun to school and shoot people." The only people you take guns away from with the "reform" that Liberals are attempting is the law abiding citizen. The mom that goes to the range with a legally owned hand gun and practices, just in case she may have to use it to save her life. The man in the field on a hunting trip. The individual that just plain likes to go to the range a shoot. These are the people that will get hurt. If all Americans actually knew what guns would be banned, I think there would be more of an up-roar across the country. Most people think that politicians are just trying to ban 50 caliber military rifles. They don't understand the handgun they have a home could become illegal, not because of the magazine capacity, but just because it's a handgun. I love the argument that we need to ban guns because people are using them illegally. Well, I guess we have to ban rope, duct tape, and knives. The manufacturers of those products certainly don't intend people to be killed with them. But it happens. So let's be just and even with our absurd "banning" laws. We need to ban everything that is used illegally as a weapon. People run over other people with cars. People get drunk and kill people with cars. Why don't I hear a cry for a ban on cars? Now, many of you will read this and say that I'm just a crazy gun nut and that this is just ridiculous. I can take that. But that doesn't make what I wrote any less prudent. If I choose to own firearms, then that's my choice, not yours. If we want to stop kids from killing kids, let's put the emphasis where it belongs: at home. Last time I checked my children are my responsibility and I'm the one raising them. I can't get started on that topic. I'll have to save the parental responsibility wasteland for later.

Let's move on to another "choice" topic, abortion. Oh, look at the snarls! Grrrr. You know, for as emotional a topic as this is, we don't talk about it that much. That, in of itself, is a bit odd. I know what your thinking, "Oh, he's a pro-gun guy, so he is definitely a pro-life guy." Wow, you people don't know me at all, do you? I'm a pro-CHOICE guy, and I mean that in a much broader sense than the current topic. I tried to come up with a different phrase for myself, but haven't accomplished that yet. Now, the reason I am pro-choice (lower case, meaning about abortion) is not because of religion, political affiliation (obviously) or because I think the fetus is a human at conception. I am pro-choice because there isn't realistically another option looking at it with some common sense (I know that phrase scares a lot of you). If you don't believe in abortions, for whatever reason, that's fine. I don't have any issues with that. Then you make the decision not to get an abortion (the whole "CHOICE" thing again). The problem lies in there is no middle ground on the issue. You can't say that abortions are illegal unless it involved rape. If you do that, every boy when he enters 9th grade should turn a mug shot and fingerprints over to the local police department. Oh, how awful of me to say that! Come on! Are you going to sit there and say that there aren't some women out there that would claim rape to get the abortion? Are you going to use the argument that the legal system will sort out the truth in those cases? Um, let's look at the present case at Duke University. It seems very obvious, if you actually look at all accounts available, that the males didn't rape the stripper. But, those men will never have a normal life from here on out. Their reputation are ruined no matter what happens, even if the courts say they are not guilty. We all know this. This is just one example of why rape cannot be used at a reason to legally obtain an abortion. Just off this one discussion, I don't believe there is a reasonable method of making abortions illegal, that won't create more problems. It is because of that I believe abortions need to remain the choice of the individual (with parental consent up to a certain age, which we can discuss later).

Let's move on to the military, another lovely topic. No, I'm not going to talk about Iraq or Afghanistan. That is entirely to involved to blast Liberals out of the water in one paragraph. What I do want to discuss is how pathetically unjust the pay scale is for our military members. I can hear the screams now. People that watch CNN, NBC, CBS or ABC say we spend more money than any other country on our military. They saw we need to be spending that money at home. OK, I have some homework for you. I know the answer so I can do this. Go ahead and rank all the countries in the world by how much money goes to defense. Now that you feel good about yourself, look up and rank all the countries of the world by the percentage of their GDP that is spent on defense. Wow, that sucks. Another chart for you while you cry is here. And, with out fail, you people that post things like this that say how bad the US is on military spending. After looking at that, did you notice nothing was said about what the percentage of GDP those numbers are? Come on, common sense now. If you have more money to start with, you can spend more than the next guy and it sill be a smaller percentage of what you have.

Now that you've done your homework and have seen the truth, how do you feel about the fact that there are military members that qualify for food stamps and WIC? Men and women that voluntarily put there lives on the line for you, even those of you that hate them, can't support themselves. But some of you out there think we spend too much on defense. I have an idea, put things in perspective with the info you have and make an honest assessment of what is fair here. Do members of your nations defense honestly deserve to be paid so little? It is an easy question to answer. This example is just the lowest paid Soldiers. If we actually took the responsibility of mid-grade NCO's and Officers into account, you would find that civilians with the same level of responsibility make much more than the military counter-part. I will leave the "level of responsibility" thing for another day, as it is 100% impossible for a civilian to have as much responsibility as a military commander.

I think that's enough for one day. The bottom line is this, let's be realistic about what we're doing here. I understand people have deep emotional connections to certain topics. Hell, you've felt that way all your life. All I ask is that we step back and take a common sense approach to things. Separate the emotion from the facts, discuss it rationally, and find real answers.

Sabot Loaded

2006-10-21T17:41:00.000-05:00

Welcome.........Sabot loaded.....On the way............

Sabot Loaded

Update

Bloody Liberals

Bill would enhance credit rating protection

More NASCAR News

War vet featured on Esquire

Army National Guard-sponsored NASCAR vehicle

Vets Fight Changes in N.J. Curriculum

Don't forget to visit....

Take your six and get out of my husband's military LT!

U.S. Central Command Launches NEW Podcast on Website

Encouraging youths to consider aviation careers

P.L.109-364

Sir, why did the chicken cross the road?

Postings to have a look at....

The Freedom Project begins today

Happy New Year

My two cent worth..........

General Batiste is advocating a sound strategy for victory

Court: Execute Saddam within 30 days

My hubby is so sweet...

** Dedicated to our Troops **

Keep looking...

Temporary Radio Silence....

NBC, WTF?

Looking at Islam

More great comments

Video

The Draft

Let the military fight the bad guys already..

The D word

Just what we need

Wicked pissed...

It’s Buy Ammo Day!

The good news just keeps coming...

Kissinger: Iraq Military Win Impossible

The Hypocrisy Of The United Nation And The World

Things to know about...

Read this.......

Attention Military Kids

This is just the left wing beginning folks........

Sex play and the Patriot Act

Watch this...

Helping Darfur

How to piss off this military wife......

Veterans' Bill of Rights

Iraq the Model shares an opinion

2007 DePuy Writing Contest

Border Watch

Moonbats at it again

Good, Bad and Ugly...Gates related articles

What will this mean for our forces?

I received this via email today....

WELCOME TO HELL!

Is there one star, maybe......

Vote America, Vote!

Troops speak

Marines have pulled ahead of Army

Are you a Veteran?

Military Times Editorial

Saddam Hussein Guilty

And there was cake.....yummy

Um, excuse me.....WTF

Questions....

Will they be keeping tabs on me too??

The wild herd theory, why drinking helps

Honor the Fallen

They are everywhere.......

Dennis Miller

The Darfur Genocide

A female view on gun rights

IraK

More on the left

Searching for 'failure'

Blah, Blah, Blah.....

What criminals deserve and saves me money

More of my soapbox comments

On my womanly 'Right Wing' soapbox

ARMY STRONG! - 2006 Project Valour-IT Competition

That just chaps my ass!

Dedicated to our Troops