American at heart

Been busy with the holidays and my new job. I'll get caught up very soon.

-Smith

Posted by Smith at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Could the Dems lose control of the Senate? It's a possibility now that Democratic Senator Tim Johnson is in critical condition following brain surgery at the George Washington University Hospital. Johnson, who is already a cancer survivor, was admitted for "stroke-like symptoms" last night.

If he is unable to continue his duty as Senator, it would be up to Republican Governor Mike Rounds to appoint a replacement. That would probably mean that the Democrats would inadvertantly be giving up their control of the Senate. Things could get interesting and this is definitely an issue worth keeping an eye on.

Labels: Politics

Posted by Smith at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

There is new evidence in the Duke rape case. But first let's rehash what's been said so far.

This from Fox News in April:

"The commentators are out in force along with the lawyers, almost all of them having concluded that the prosecutor is playing politics and the victim is a liar and a whore. After all, it was an escort agency that sent her, I read five or six times."

Hmmmm... Liar and a whore, huh?

"To be sure, no one has explained why a woman would leave her cell phone, makeup case and money in the bathroom, but those are just details. According to the defense, she was drunk, and polishing her nails. Polishing her nails? There must be a better explanation, but that’s what a real trial is for."

Details... right. Details usually solve cases in my experience. That or common friggin sense. That's what I couldn't figure out about this whole thing. There is no evidence at all. Yet, on March 28th, we read this:

"I needed to have the information about who will be charged," said District Attorney Mike Nifong said. "I feel pretty confident that a rape occurred."

He must know something the public doesn't. Fast foward to October when MSNBC's Susan Filan reports that:

"The defense has come out swinging once again. They have written a letter to D.A. Mike Nifong accusing him of withholding crucial evidence in the Duke lacrosse rape case. They claim the D.A. has not turned over the contents of statements the accuser made to the D.A., nor have they received key police reports."

Interesting. And when you continue reading, Susan Filan states that:
"But if the D.A. believes a crime was committed, no matter how difficult the case, or how problematic the victim, the D.A. has an obligation to take the case to trial and let the jury decide."

Sure, it IS his obligation. But where is the evidence supporting his/the victims claim?

Well, the evidence is in folks and it appears that the victim was *gasp* lying. Perhaps that's why there has been no evidence against the accused. Now if you read carefully, the evidence was "Buried in thousands of documents handed over to defense lawyers by the district attorney in the Duke rape case..." Now why in the world would the DA want to hide the fact that "not only did the DNA not match the three defendants, but that it also did not belong to any of their lacrosse teammates or anyone else who submitted DNA samples to police, including the accuser's boyfriend."? Wow. Suddently that whole "liar and whore" claim comes around full circle. Not to mention the fact that this particular DNA study was done BACK IN APRIL! So why was "None of DNA Security's findings ... included in its final report to Nifong on May 12"? That's what I want to know.

Something fishy is going on here and thankfully Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina is asking questions. As stated in the Fox News article: "Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., wrote a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Tuesday asking for an investigation into Nifong to determine whether he is guilty of prosecutorial misconduct."

Yep, I'll be anxious to see how this all pans out. At least the truth is finally coming out. I am going to expect some apologies in the coming weeks.

Posted by Smith at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

*****************Update!************************

This bill has passed through the house and is now on the Presidents desk. Soon to become law. Hooah!


*******************************************************


It appears that something worthwhile has come out of the senate. Let me introduce you to Senate Bill 4042.
The article is a few days old, but was published in our local newspaper. Here is a snipet:

Published Friday, December 08, 2006
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday sponsored by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., that prohibits protesters at the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers.

The legislation was largely in response to the funeral protests led by the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. Church members have been picketing the funerals under the belief that U.S. soldiers are dying because of America's acceptance of homosexuality.

I have encountered these people personally and they are serious as sin. The things they say are ridiculous and not worth repeating here. I lined up with the Patriot Guard Riders in Fargo, ND at a NDARNG soldier's funeral to block the processions view of these whackos. I have never been so enraged in my life. To the credit of ND citizens though, about 250 people showed up just to encircle the church and block the view of the picketers. It was a great scene, there were flags a-plenty.
A quote from the story...

“It sickens me to see our fallen soldiers being dishonored by protesters,” Conrad said in a release. “No one deserves this. It must stop, and it must stop now.”

Although I despise Sen. Conrad, he makes a good point. Nobody deserves this. Especially not our brave soldiers. I hope this is the end of the Kansas Psycho's...

The bill is on it's way to the House for consideration.

Labels: Politics

Posted by Smith at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Yes folks, ROE is the hot topic right now. Be patient, we're gonna get into this big-time soon. For now, check out what Matt has to say at Blackfive about it. You'll get to hear my feelings soon enough.

Labels: ROE

Posted by Smith at 6:05 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Hello to you all. I just wanted to clear up a few things. First of all, I added the word verification onto the comments section. I'm tired of the automatron spam geniuses. As my partner in crime Nick put it...

Good Day Fine Sir! I was stumbling across the internet blindly looking for schematics to build a home-made submarine/time machine when I found your blog. Although it has nothing to do with anything remotely close to what this blog is about I wanted to say hello. Thank you for writing whatever it is you are writing. You certainly are a good example to the people you are trying to set an example to. I for one support you in things that may interest you. The level of quality of your work is far better than my two websites, www.sendmeallyourmoney.com and www.totalscam.net/dietpills/herbalviagra/datingservice.html. Good luck with stuff!

Sincerely,
Automated Blog Spammer

I laugh longer and harder each time I read that.

Lastly, in my blog I'm going to cover current topics around the world, mostly dealing with the war, so you can get the perspective of a combat veteran. But I'm also going to rant once in awhile about the things that really "grind my gears." So, if my Libertarian beliefs upset/offend you, then skip over them. ;-) But the war on terror is not going anywhere soon, so I'll be here to guide you as we sift through the B.S. presented to us by the media and administration. Together, we'll find out what is really going on in the world.

Posted by Smith at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I found an email that I wrote and sent home towards the end of my deployment. As I read it I realize how much I miss Iraq. I said some great things in it and I'd like to share it with everyone. Granted it's from a year ago, but you get to see how the soldiers feel about the war. Does anyone think that the soldiers want to pull out? Cause I don't.


Hello friends and family,

It's been a long and prosperous journey. I've done and seen enough
things this past year to write a novel. Surprisingly, most have been
good, but there have been bad experiences to go along with the
good. My time here is winding down as I have only a few weeks left of my
deployment. When I look back on these last 17 months, I realize that
I've grown up a lot. I've become a man. (isn't that what puberty is
supposed to be for?) Regardless, I feel that my life is better off for
having had these experiences. I have formed bonds with my friends that
only war can seal. I've read about the relationships made when you are
back to back with a man who you trust with your life. I wasn't
sure if I could form those bonds during this deployment. I now know that I have.
There are men here with me who I trust with my life. I'm sure we will
gather years from now to tell stories and compare the scars of our
adventures. I look forward to those days.

I can tell you first hand that the United States of America did not
start this war. But, come hell or high water, we will finish it. I can
also tell you that we did not come here in vain. I believe that the
focus here should be the children. These kids are going to grow up
in a world never dreamt possible by the elders of this country. Who would
have thought that Iraq would have a democratic society? There is a lot
of work yet to be done, but in my time here I have seen two, yes count
'em, two, democratic elections go off without a hitch. These people
should and do take a lot of pride in that fact. I'm proud of every
policeman, soldier, and government official who put their life on the
line night and day to stand up for what they believe is the right road
for this country to follow. And I can't forget every civilian who left
the safety of their homes to vote and put their stamp on Iraq's
freedom. It's astounding how many people can oppose that freedom.
It's also funny how many of them aren't from Iraq, and don't see the
benefits first hand.

I am glad I came. I am glad I could do my little part to help these
people. And if there is a need for another soldier here down the line,
I'll be back. I just hope next time they don't need me for 18
months. I miss home.


Wish me luck these last couple days. I am not done yet. There are
still patrols to be done before our replacements take over, but I
will be safe
and sound soon enough.

I thank you all for the support you've given to me and the entire
military community. Keep it up. Don't let the guys here forget that
America loves them.


Almost a civilian again,

-Smith

SPC United States Army

Labels: Veterans Speak

Posted by Smith at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

----- Sorry, this really turned into a rant -----


NYC bans science! What the hell?
The Junk Science master Steven Milloy has the topic covered...

"The New York City Board of Health this week banned the use of trans fats by restaurants. The decision is directly traceable back to the “research” of Harvard University’s Alberto Ascherio and Walter Willett, the promoters-in-chief of trans fats hysteria."

Now I don't care one bit about the health of trans fats or why someone whould choose to either consume them or not. What worries me is our government! Since when does the government know best? Fact is, ideologically speaking, I'm a Libertarian. Yes, I know that I live in a two party system and yes, I vote Republican. But freedom really excites me. And when my Google homepage links to a story like this, I can't sleep until I've vented...

"The Board’s notice of its decision to ban trans fats tries to bolster its case by playing on popular misconceptions about saturated fat. The notice states that, “trans fat appears even worse than saturated fat.” The Board apparently isn’t familiar with the several Ascherio-Willett studies that fail to link saturated fat with heart disease and stroke."

Are you kidding me? Wait, so now the infinitely wise NYC Board of Health can control the kind of food available to people based on a popular misconception?!
Hmmmm... And, since I'm such a fan of hypocricy:

"Regular (sugar-sweetened) soft drinks ought to be history as well. Willett linked them with weight gain and diabetes in women (Journal of the American Medical Association, Aug. 25, 2004). It didn’t even matter that the same study also inexplicably linked diet soft drinks with a similar risk of diabetes."

By now I'm laughing out loud.

If trans fats are so bad, why should you be able to purchase food in a store that is too dangerous to be served in a restaurant?

Good question. Because obviously the Board is only looking out for the safety and well-being of it's residents. And if trans fats are bad enough that the city government is forced to ban them from restaurants, then surely it should be ILLEGAL and not to mention, dangerous, to consume trans fats regardless of when or where. Unless I'm missing something.

This is the same kind of attitude we've been exposed to regarding the war on terror. It's the whole "people should listen to me because I know what's best for them" attitude of the Liberal elite. And frankly, I'm tired of it. So... combat operations and policies in foreign countries should be decided on by washed up desk jockeys who've wasted their life spending someone else's money in an attempt to get ahead in politics? The people who feel it neccessary to make decisions for everyone else have problems. My theory is it's the same people who were picked on in gym class 20 years ago for wearing black socks.
Is this how the schoolyard "weenie" gets back at the bully? By rising to power in politics and dictating the day to day life of everyone around them? The normal people went out and got jobs. They did something worthwhile. There are plenty of people in our country who would be amazing politicians. It's too bad that they are out doing other things... like leading military troops, or fighting fires, or running successful businesses. I can't imagine how many CEO's in our country would be over qualified to run for the Presidency. As Ronald Reagan once said:
"The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them away."

I am an advocate of free enterprise because it allows those of us with "will", to succeed in whatever we do. I believe in survival of the fittest. If I want something, I am able to go get it. It doesn't matter what it is, all I have to do is work hard enough to achieve it and it's mine. That is what makes this country great. You don't like your boss? Start your own business. That's freedom.

And so I get pretty distraught when that kid I used to beat up on the playground now heads the Democratic Policy Committee and is trying to tell men such as myself how to fight a war. It just doesn't make sense.

Labels: Politics

Posted by Smith at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I know I'm always griping about the ROE and how we need to crush the insurgency, let the troops do their job, win the war, and on and on and on, but here is a great summary along with testimonials and links. Check it out. I guess I'm not the only one smart enough to realize how poorly the "politicians" are allowing us to fight this "War".

Labels: ROE

Posted by Smith at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I find this quote very appropriate for today, especially with all the talk about quitting this war. Cause that's what the Left wants. They want to quit. I want Freedom, and besides, I'm not a quitter:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
-- Ronald Reagan

Posted by Smith at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Hooray for the Iraq Study Group! They have finally solved it. I'm sure glad that they have all the answers. I'm voting for them. < /sarcasm >

I'm not quite sure how disappointed I should be that stuff like this is widely accepted as "Media worthy" truth.

I started reading the report and at about page 12 had to stop. This line really did it for me: "The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating. There is no path that can guarantee success, but the prospects can be improved."

Now, I hope for the sake of the free world that this quote was aimed at the terrorists. Now, unless things have changed since I spent 337 days patrolling the dusty streets of that country, we are winning the war... and in a big way.

I've said it before in regards to this war, but a diplomatic approach is wrong. Diplomacy doesn't work in war! It's a fact. Wars are won with violence. Oh wait, no... WWII ended when World leaders sat around, held hands, and talked about love and peace. I almost forgot about that famous gathering. Are you kidding me?! We had to drop more than 1 bomb in Japan before they gave up! We physically marched into Germany and DESTROYED the Nazi regime. Have we forgotten that the 42nd ID lost half their men fighting for Dauchau? Uuuggghhhh...
But no... The Iraqi Study Group believes that:
"The US should immediately launch a new diplomatic offensive to build an international consensus for stability in Iraq and the region."

Why?!? So more US troops can die while being blindsided and cheated to death in a war fought unfairly by the other "side"???
I don't get it.

Let's CRUSH the insurgency like we should have done in 2003. Let the troops do what they are trained to. Kill. Then we can hold hands and sing songs with the "new leaders" of Iraq. Until the terrorists are dead and defeated, I will NOT quit voicing my distaste with the way this "War" is being "fought".

I'm done.

Go read the Study if you'd like. Here's the link to the PDF version.


****************** UPDATE ************************

Froggy over at Blackfive has more or less written something similar to what I'm saying as far a solution is concerned. He goes into a bit more detail. And if I'm sharing the same military opinions as someone as accomplished as he is, then I must be doing something right!

Labels: War On Terror

Posted by Smith at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Finals week is fast approaching and studying has become more frequent. That means less time for reading about the military and politics, which in turn, means less time for my blog.

I'll give you my quote for the day:

"How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."

-My main man, Mr. Ronald Reagan.


Have a good week/weekend everyone.

Posted by Smith at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post