I am sure that many of the folks calling for an immediate end to the war in Iraq are well intentioned, but that doesn't make then right. I am just as sure that some percentage of the anti war crowd have very bad intentions. There are some who want this country to be defeated, embarrassed and ultimately worse off.
The anti war groups had their chance to prevent this war and they failed. That chance was before we invaded Iraq and the peace activists need to know that their time is before the decision is made. Their time is before military action is taken. That is when they can try to convince Americans that they are right and no action should be begun. Once a majority of the American people support action and our elected representatives authorize that action the time for protests has passed.
Protesting the war once our forces are in harms way is wrong. It emboldens our enemies and gives them the hope they need to keep killing our young men and women. Placing the blame for every death in Iraq on America gives the terrorists a pass on their heinous attacks on innocent Iraqis. We are fighting an enemy that attacks and then hides behind women and children. The peace movement people never blame the terrorists committing these atrocities, they blame the coalition forces who are trying to stop the killing.
Calling our troops home to "protect" them is nonsensical. These are men and women who chose to defend their country. They did not join the military to be safe. They joined to keep us safe. Pulling them out before they have achieved their goals is the worst thing we could do to them. They are willing to die for a cause but you want to take their cause away, or say it is a worthless cause or an impossible cause. You say you want to protect our troops but the only way you try to do so is by forcing defeat on them.
One of the things I heard repeated often in the 18 months of discussion prior to the invasion of Iraq was "The first President Bush should have finished the job in the Gulf War". Well, now some of those same people want to leave the job unfinished a second time. If we do this is a battle that will have to be fought again in ten to fifteen years and by then the terrorists might have nuclear weapons. How many of our brave soldiers and marines will have to die to win that battle?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Thought for the Day
If oil is such a godawful substance, a pollutant and such shouldn't we remove it from the earths crust and get it the heck out of here.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Al Gore, Triple Threat!
Algore has had quite a week. First we learned that his home is a real energy hog. Apparently his home uses twenty times the energy used by an average home. Also, his energy use has increased since his movie was released. The Gores pointed out that they purchase "carbon offsets" to make up for their excessive energy use.
Next we learned that Al Gore was purchasing these useless "carbon offsets" from, wait for it, Al Gore. He owns the company that he is paying to absolve himself for his energy gluttony.
Finally, Algore testified in front of the U.S. Congress where when he was asked if he would sign the "Energy Ethics Pledge" which he asks us all to sign at the end of his movie. Algore didn't say yes, he dodged the question. Hypocrisy, thy name is Al!
On the light side the late night talk hosts had a field day commenting on the size of Al's ass. Finally Al Gore was bringing a little joy into the world.
Next we learned that Al Gore was purchasing these useless "carbon offsets" from, wait for it, Al Gore. He owns the company that he is paying to absolve himself for his energy gluttony.
Finally, Algore testified in front of the U.S. Congress where when he was asked if he would sign the "Energy Ethics Pledge" which he asks us all to sign at the end of his movie. Algore didn't say yes, he dodged the question. Hypocrisy, thy name is Al!
On the light side the late night talk hosts had a field day commenting on the size of Al's ass. Finally Al Gore was bringing a little joy into the world.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Letter From General Cash
The following is so clear and to the point I have put it here in it's entirety.
LET'S BE SPECIFIC
By Jimmy L. Cash, Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret.
Due to the thunderous applause that I received from the far-left over the "I Am Tired" letter written by one of our troops in Iraq, I thought it prudent to follow up with one last attempt to be very specific about what I have observed and actually personally encountered during my 36 years of service to this Great Country. Unlike Bob McClellan, I will not continue to whine, twist and degrade our country's leaders on a weekly basis. Instead, this will be a one time input attempting to reach some of those who are confused by McClellan and his ilk's unethical rantings and give some insight through my personal experience as a professional military officer over the years. These examples are but a few. In real life there were many more which space and time will not allow.
As a young fighter pilot, flying F-4s in Vietnam, I was stopped in my tracks by the decisions made by Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara. I was young and naive, but even then I knew their daily interference was wrong and would not allow us to win this thing and go home. Decisions like not allowing us to strike enemy aircraft while still on the ground, keeping real targets off the target list, and allowing us to strike only rusted-out trucks made us basically a toothpick factory. However, the big one for me came the day I saw the President Lyndon Johnson on television, forcefully lying to the American people. I'll never forget the language, "I want to assure the American people that the United States of America has never, and will never, bomb or use force inside the borders of Cambodia". On and on he disavowed the reports that this was happening. I was amazed. Guess where I had put several F-4 loads of 750 pound general purpose bombs every day for the past five days. You guessed it, Cambodia!!! So much for Mr. Johnson. The only question in my mind was simply, "Was it just Johnson or was it the methodology of a particular political party?" I decided to delay answering that question until more experience was gained.
Years passed, and I ignored politics as much as possible, as a good military man should. Then came Jimmy Carter. Our young people don't remember 18% interest rates and 18% inflation, but I'll bet someone in your family does. That is one really bad thing Carter did for our country, but it is not the worst. During this period, I was an F-15 Squadron Commander, located at Langley AFB, VA. Jimmy Carter and his democratic party stopped spare parts procurement for almost every weapon system in our military, and diverted the funds to social programs. The F-15 was brand new at the time with leading edge technology designed to provide air superiority anywhere in the world on a moments notice. That was my job. I loved it, but guess what? In a two year period from 1979 to 1981, there was not one day when more that one-third of my assigned aircraft were flyable. It is amazing the lengths we went to in those days, cannibalizing parts, expending twice the time and energy to fix every little item, and still two-thirds of the birds were always broken because of no spare parts. Had this country faced a really serious military threat during that time frame, only Montana Hunters could have saved us. The military had some equipment, but it was all broken. Do you want to know the really bad part for me and the young fighter pilots working for me? Our flying sortie rate was so low that pilot proficiency dropped to dangerous levels. The accident rate tripled. That obviously was totally unacceptable, as we were losing expensive airplanes and highly trained young pilots at a rate comparable to losses seen in actual combat. All of a sudden, even a Texas Aggie like me began to see a trend.
Forward a few years to 1986. I am an F-16 Wing Commander at MacDill AFB, Florida, and Ronald Regan is president. His change in attitude and policy toward the military had time to fix the spare parts problem. We were flying 26,000 flying sorties per year out of MacDill AFB, my aircraft fully mission capable rate (FMC) was above 90%, the aircraft accident rate was below 1.75 per hundred thousand flying hours, fighter pilots were flying and proficiency levels were at an all time high. The United States Air Force was ready to defend this Wonderful Country. Proof of the pudding is simple. Look what the USAF, and the military in general, accomplished in Iraq during Desert Storm. And, they did it in less than 100 hours. Yeah, at this point I was starting to realize there was a difference in mentality between Democrats and Republicans, or should I say, the Right and the Left.
Then, came everyone's favorite---Bill Clinton. If there ever was an individual 180 degrees out of sync with the ideals and the values of the US military, it was Clinton. He was a known draft dodger, military hating, self absorbed, unspeakingly shameless and immoral individual, who the Left managed to elect President of the United States of America. Clinton's antics in the White House would have brought court martial, conviction, and Dishonorable Discharge had he been a military member. We still suffer oral sex on school buses, because the President told the world it wasn't real sex, and some of our children believed him. It took a lot of years, but now I became certain. There is a big difference in the right and the left on all fronts, and for the first time I started feeling angry and shamed that the majority of the American people were actually willing to vote for such an individual.
Sometimes, an abstract such as the following tells the story in very simple terms: Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, Ted Kennedy, Howard Dean, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Michael Moore, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Nancy Pelosi, Barbra Boxer, John Kerry, Benedict Arnold, and the list goes on. America, wake up. Giving in to the likes of these people and Abraham Lincoln's prediction of destruction from within just may come true. There is not a country in the world that can be considered a conventional military threat to the United States today. However, this country faces a new kind of threat---one that will not go away. It is a threat even more serious that WWII, because money, industry and technology will not defeat it. It is a threat of defeat from within. It is a threat of a faltering economy because of a lack of resources, or the even the simple threat of such a loss brought on by terrorism. It is a threat created by the American people trusting the inept. It is a threat created by the people wanting change, and perilously believing that the left can successfully deliver that change. Have you seen anything from the left that remotely resembles an answer to the Iraq situation? Have you seen anything more than continued Bush-Bashing? Is that an answer? If there was ever a need for a strong, well trained military, it is now. THE LEFT HAS HISTORICALLY DISMANTLED OUR MILITARY IN THE NAME OF REDISTRUBITION OF WEALTH FAVORING SOCIAL PROGRAMS. We just cannot afford to let that happen now. If we do, the entire country will be bowing to the east several times a day within the next 50 years, maybe sooner.
Now a final thought meant to upset as many as possible on the far-left. As you might guess, I don't believe in political correctness. So, let's look at the facts, not far-left rhetoric attempting to empower the democratic party. Initially, I was not a George Bush fan. I am not even a Republican. I normally vote Republican, because of my total despise of Communism, Socialism and the far-left in this country. I am a Conservative. However, during his watch, I feel President Bush just happened to stumble upon the leading edge of the greatest threat this country has ever faced. Mistakes have been made, because of the newness of the threat. Overall, the President has done a superb job dealing the threat, and at the same time held off the constant ranting, raving, deceitful and malicious escapades of the far-left attempting to regain political power. IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER AND BACK OUR PRESIDENT, IT IS RIGHT NOW. WITHOUT CONCENSUS WE ARE EMPOWERING THE TERRORIST!!!! The far-left is totally absorbed with the power struggle and regaining control of congress. They could care less about defeating the threat. It literally disgusts me to hear the constant disagreement with everything the President tries to do, all in the name of trying to make him look bad to the voters. Unfortunately, by the time the American people really appreciate how bad the far-left really is, it may too late.
What are the real facts? On the home front this country's economy is the strongest that it has been in my lifetime. Interest rates are as low as they were when I was in high school forty years ago. Inflation does not exist for all practical purposes. For you youngster's, please remember the Jimmy Carter comments? The Dow is approaching 13,000. Unemployment is nonexistent. Wages are at an all time high. Home ownership is at an all time high. Taxes have been lowered to an almost acceptable level. Because of the surging economy the deficient is under control and projected to go away far ahead of schedule. The far-left is rich beyond its wildest dreams, so Mr. President when are you going to "fix" all these domestic problems? Bob and George, give me a break!!!!
On the war front this country has not been touched since 2001. I remember being part of a seminar at the USAF War College in 1983 discussing the terrorist threat. There were some good minds at that table and a lot of disagreement. However, one common thought was that the US would be hit within the next five years. Answers to the terrorist threat were just as hard to come by then as they are now. Well, it took a little longer than the projection, but the attack occurred. For an old military guy like me, the main point here is that it has not happened again. We have suckered the bad guys into entering the fight somewhere other than in our country. To hell with political correctness. The President can't say this, but I sure can. I smile every morning when I get up and realize that one of our great cities has not been blown away. And, there is zero doubt in my mind that if we pull out of Iraq prematurely, that will happen within a short period of time after our departure. I don't care what you might think of President Bush personally. He has done the best he can with what he has, and this country is not smoking because of it. So, back off McLean and McClellan. You honestly don't have a clue about what you are talking about. Call me, and I will tell you what I really think.
I realize there are different points of view on war, and I do not believe the meek will inherit the earth, at least not in the next few hundred years. To those like McClellan, McLean, poor Eve Kyes and Sinowa Cruz let me say, "This is a strong country!!!" It has survived the uneducated thinking of the far-left before, and I'll just bet it will again. Regardless of who is President, the people will not tolerate mass explosions on a daily basis, as our good friends in Israel have been forced to do. To protect that position of power, even Hillary will be forced to become a true hawk. To guarantee a few more votes Ted Kennedy may be forced to begin supporting a strong military. One more attack on America might even wipe the giddy, 'I-am-finally-somebody' grin from Nancy Pelosi's face, and make her realize that is not about votes and personal power. IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING THIS GREAT COUNTRY FROM ALL ENEMIES, BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
Jimmy L. Cash, Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret.
349 Jib Lane Lakeside, Montana
LET'S BE SPECIFIC
By Jimmy L. Cash, Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret.
Due to the thunderous applause that I received from the far-left over the "I Am Tired" letter written by one of our troops in Iraq, I thought it prudent to follow up with one last attempt to be very specific about what I have observed and actually personally encountered during my 36 years of service to this Great Country. Unlike Bob McClellan, I will not continue to whine, twist and degrade our country's leaders on a weekly basis. Instead, this will be a one time input attempting to reach some of those who are confused by McClellan and his ilk's unethical rantings and give some insight through my personal experience as a professional military officer over the years. These examples are but a few. In real life there were many more which space and time will not allow.
As a young fighter pilot, flying F-4s in Vietnam, I was stopped in my tracks by the decisions made by Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara. I was young and naive, but even then I knew their daily interference was wrong and would not allow us to win this thing and go home. Decisions like not allowing us to strike enemy aircraft while still on the ground, keeping real targets off the target list, and allowing us to strike only rusted-out trucks made us basically a toothpick factory. However, the big one for me came the day I saw the President Lyndon Johnson on television, forcefully lying to the American people. I'll never forget the language, "I want to assure the American people that the United States of America has never, and will never, bomb or use force inside the borders of Cambodia". On and on he disavowed the reports that this was happening. I was amazed. Guess where I had put several F-4 loads of 750 pound general purpose bombs every day for the past five days. You guessed it, Cambodia!!! So much for Mr. Johnson. The only question in my mind was simply, "Was it just Johnson or was it the methodology of a particular political party?" I decided to delay answering that question until more experience was gained.
Years passed, and I ignored politics as much as possible, as a good military man should. Then came Jimmy Carter. Our young people don't remember 18% interest rates and 18% inflation, but I'll bet someone in your family does. That is one really bad thing Carter did for our country, but it is not the worst. During this period, I was an F-15 Squadron Commander, located at Langley AFB, VA. Jimmy Carter and his democratic party stopped spare parts procurement for almost every weapon system in our military, and diverted the funds to social programs. The F-15 was brand new at the time with leading edge technology designed to provide air superiority anywhere in the world on a moments notice. That was my job. I loved it, but guess what? In a two year period from 1979 to 1981, there was not one day when more that one-third of my assigned aircraft were flyable. It is amazing the lengths we went to in those days, cannibalizing parts, expending twice the time and energy to fix every little item, and still two-thirds of the birds were always broken because of no spare parts. Had this country faced a really serious military threat during that time frame, only Montana Hunters could have saved us. The military had some equipment, but it was all broken. Do you want to know the really bad part for me and the young fighter pilots working for me? Our flying sortie rate was so low that pilot proficiency dropped to dangerous levels. The accident rate tripled. That obviously was totally unacceptable, as we were losing expensive airplanes and highly trained young pilots at a rate comparable to losses seen in actual combat. All of a sudden, even a Texas Aggie like me began to see a trend.
Forward a few years to 1986. I am an F-16 Wing Commander at MacDill AFB, Florida, and Ronald Regan is president. His change in attitude and policy toward the military had time to fix the spare parts problem. We were flying 26,000 flying sorties per year out of MacDill AFB, my aircraft fully mission capable rate (FMC) was above 90%, the aircraft accident rate was below 1.75 per hundred thousand flying hours, fighter pilots were flying and proficiency levels were at an all time high. The United States Air Force was ready to defend this Wonderful Country. Proof of the pudding is simple. Look what the USAF, and the military in general, accomplished in Iraq during Desert Storm. And, they did it in less than 100 hours. Yeah, at this point I was starting to realize there was a difference in mentality between Democrats and Republicans, or should I say, the Right and the Left.
Then, came everyone's favorite---Bill Clinton. If there ever was an individual 180 degrees out of sync with the ideals and the values of the US military, it was Clinton. He was a known draft dodger, military hating, self absorbed, unspeakingly shameless and immoral individual, who the Left managed to elect President of the United States of America. Clinton's antics in the White House would have brought court martial, conviction, and Dishonorable Discharge had he been a military member. We still suffer oral sex on school buses, because the President told the world it wasn't real sex, and some of our children believed him. It took a lot of years, but now I became certain. There is a big difference in the right and the left on all fronts, and for the first time I started feeling angry and shamed that the majority of the American people were actually willing to vote for such an individual.
Sometimes, an abstract such as the following tells the story in very simple terms: Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, Ted Kennedy, Howard Dean, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Michael Moore, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Nancy Pelosi, Barbra Boxer, John Kerry, Benedict Arnold, and the list goes on. America, wake up. Giving in to the likes of these people and Abraham Lincoln's prediction of destruction from within just may come true. There is not a country in the world that can be considered a conventional military threat to the United States today. However, this country faces a new kind of threat---one that will not go away. It is a threat even more serious that WWII, because money, industry and technology will not defeat it. It is a threat of defeat from within. It is a threat of a faltering economy because of a lack of resources, or the even the simple threat of such a loss brought on by terrorism. It is a threat created by the American people trusting the inept. It is a threat created by the people wanting change, and perilously believing that the left can successfully deliver that change. Have you seen anything from the left that remotely resembles an answer to the Iraq situation? Have you seen anything more than continued Bush-Bashing? Is that an answer? If there was ever a need for a strong, well trained military, it is now. THE LEFT HAS HISTORICALLY DISMANTLED OUR MILITARY IN THE NAME OF REDISTRUBITION OF WEALTH FAVORING SOCIAL PROGRAMS. We just cannot afford to let that happen now. If we do, the entire country will be bowing to the east several times a day within the next 50 years, maybe sooner.
Now a final thought meant to upset as many as possible on the far-left. As you might guess, I don't believe in political correctness. So, let's look at the facts, not far-left rhetoric attempting to empower the democratic party. Initially, I was not a George Bush fan. I am not even a Republican. I normally vote Republican, because of my total despise of Communism, Socialism and the far-left in this country. I am a Conservative. However, during his watch, I feel President Bush just happened to stumble upon the leading edge of the greatest threat this country has ever faced. Mistakes have been made, because of the newness of the threat. Overall, the President has done a superb job dealing the threat, and at the same time held off the constant ranting, raving, deceitful and malicious escapades of the far-left attempting to regain political power. IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER AND BACK OUR PRESIDENT, IT IS RIGHT NOW. WITHOUT CONCENSUS WE ARE EMPOWERING THE TERRORIST!!!! The far-left is totally absorbed with the power struggle and regaining control of congress. They could care less about defeating the threat. It literally disgusts me to hear the constant disagreement with everything the President tries to do, all in the name of trying to make him look bad to the voters. Unfortunately, by the time the American people really appreciate how bad the far-left really is, it may too late.
What are the real facts? On the home front this country's economy is the strongest that it has been in my lifetime. Interest rates are as low as they were when I was in high school forty years ago. Inflation does not exist for all practical purposes. For you youngster's, please remember the Jimmy Carter comments? The Dow is approaching 13,000. Unemployment is nonexistent. Wages are at an all time high. Home ownership is at an all time high. Taxes have been lowered to an almost acceptable level. Because of the surging economy the deficient is under control and projected to go away far ahead of schedule. The far-left is rich beyond its wildest dreams, so Mr. President when are you going to "fix" all these domestic problems? Bob and George, give me a break!!!!
On the war front this country has not been touched since 2001. I remember being part of a seminar at the USAF War College in 1983 discussing the terrorist threat. There were some good minds at that table and a lot of disagreement. However, one common thought was that the US would be hit within the next five years. Answers to the terrorist threat were just as hard to come by then as they are now. Well, it took a little longer than the projection, but the attack occurred. For an old military guy like me, the main point here is that it has not happened again. We have suckered the bad guys into entering the fight somewhere other than in our country. To hell with political correctness. The President can't say this, but I sure can. I smile every morning when I get up and realize that one of our great cities has not been blown away. And, there is zero doubt in my mind that if we pull out of Iraq prematurely, that will happen within a short period of time after our departure. I don't care what you might think of President Bush personally. He has done the best he can with what he has, and this country is not smoking because of it. So, back off McLean and McClellan. You honestly don't have a clue about what you are talking about. Call me, and I will tell you what I really think.
I realize there are different points of view on war, and I do not believe the meek will inherit the earth, at least not in the next few hundred years. To those like McClellan, McLean, poor Eve Kyes and Sinowa Cruz let me say, "This is a strong country!!!" It has survived the uneducated thinking of the far-left before, and I'll just bet it will again. Regardless of who is President, the people will not tolerate mass explosions on a daily basis, as our good friends in Israel have been forced to do. To protect that position of power, even Hillary will be forced to become a true hawk. To guarantee a few more votes Ted Kennedy may be forced to begin supporting a strong military. One more attack on America might even wipe the giddy, 'I-am-finally-somebody' grin from Nancy Pelosi's face, and make her realize that is not about votes and personal power. IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING THIS GREAT COUNTRY FROM ALL ENEMIES, BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
Jimmy L. Cash, Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret.
349 Jib Lane Lakeside, Montana
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Who Else is Happy?
Well the Democrats are pleased with the election results of course, but who else is....................
The answer is Illegal Aliens, Terrorists, Socialists, and Dictators.
The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir was thrilled to see the Democrats take power. He posted a statement on the Internet which included the following "I swear by God we shall not rest from jihad until we blow up the filthiest house known as the White House".
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday called U.S. President George W. Bush's defeat in congressional elections a victory for Iran. "Since Washington's hostile and hawkish policies have always been against the Iranian nation, this defeat is actually an obvious victory for the Iranian nation."
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran was quoted as saying, "The result of this election indicates that the majority of American people are dissatisfied and are fed up with the policies of the American administration," Khamenei said military maneuvers in the Gulf this week in which Iranian forces tested new missile systems showed Iran was ready to face any threat. But, he said: "With the scandalous defeat of America's policies in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Afghanistan, America's threats are empty threats on an international scale."
Falah Hassan Shanshal, who leads the parliamentary bloc of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said "We hope the Democrats don't forget their campaign promises. If they don't, we will deal with them in a brotherly way once the last American soldier pulls out from Iraq."
More than 200 Socialist members of the European Parliament hailed the American election results and gloated that the Bush administration had been seriously weakened. French author Bernard-Henri Levy described the 2000 and 2004 American election victors as "moral values maniacs". These are Socialists who want America to be more like Europe where "morals" are not currently in vogue. They apparently think all is well in Europe and aren't concerned with unemployment in excess of 10%, stagnant economies, regular riots, and the fact that there will be more Arab Muslims than Europeans in Europe in 10-20 years.
Here's a Reuters headline "Arabs Relish US Republican Election Losses." Another headline from Madrid (in Spain where voters bent to terrorists demands): "Democrats Win in US, Embraced Overseas -- From Paris to Pakistan, politicians, analysts and ordinary citizens said they hoped the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives would force President Bush to adopt a more conciliatory approach to global crises, and teach the president a lesson in humility."
Hugo Chavez said of the vote "It's a reprisal vote against the war in Iraq, against the corruption' within the Bush administration. All this fills us with optimism." If a viscous dictator is pleased this must be a good
This from Mexico: "'Gains by Democrats in the US congressional elections may help promote more liberal immigration policies sought by Mexico,' said a spokesman for President Vicente Fox. Mexico's been deeply disappointed by President Bush's failure to convince his own Republicans to accept a guest worker program." So I guess we can look forward to an "amnesty" program for illegal immigration. You might want to start learning to speak Spanish.
When so many enemies of the US agree I have to think that the American people have made some mistakes in the recent election. Heaven help us all, if I'm still allowed to say such a thing.
The answer is Illegal Aliens, Terrorists, Socialists, and Dictators.
The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir was thrilled to see the Democrats take power. He posted a statement on the Internet which included the following "I swear by God we shall not rest from jihad until we blow up the filthiest house known as the White House".
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday called U.S. President George W. Bush's defeat in congressional elections a victory for Iran. "Since Washington's hostile and hawkish policies have always been against the Iranian nation, this defeat is actually an obvious victory for the Iranian nation."
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran was quoted as saying, "The result of this election indicates that the majority of American people are dissatisfied and are fed up with the policies of the American administration," Khamenei said military maneuvers in the Gulf this week in which Iranian forces tested new missile systems showed Iran was ready to face any threat. But, he said: "With the scandalous defeat of America's policies in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Afghanistan, America's threats are empty threats on an international scale."
Falah Hassan Shanshal, who leads the parliamentary bloc of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said "We hope the Democrats don't forget their campaign promises. If they don't, we will deal with them in a brotherly way once the last American soldier pulls out from Iraq."
More than 200 Socialist members of the European Parliament hailed the American election results and gloated that the Bush administration had been seriously weakened. French author Bernard-Henri Levy described the 2000 and 2004 American election victors as "moral values maniacs". These are Socialists who want America to be more like Europe where "morals" are not currently in vogue. They apparently think all is well in Europe and aren't concerned with unemployment in excess of 10%, stagnant economies, regular riots, and the fact that there will be more Arab Muslims than Europeans in Europe in 10-20 years.
Here's a Reuters headline "Arabs Relish US Republican Election Losses." Another headline from Madrid (in Spain where voters bent to terrorists demands): "Democrats Win in US, Embraced Overseas -- From Paris to Pakistan, politicians, analysts and ordinary citizens said they hoped the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives would force President Bush to adopt a more conciliatory approach to global crises, and teach the president a lesson in humility."
Hugo Chavez said of the vote "It's a reprisal vote against the war in Iraq, against the corruption' within the Bush administration. All this fills us with optimism." If a viscous dictator is pleased this must be a good
This from Mexico: "'Gains by Democrats in the US congressional elections may help promote more liberal immigration policies sought by Mexico,' said a spokesman for President Vicente Fox. Mexico's been deeply disappointed by President Bush's failure to convince his own Republicans to accept a guest worker program." So I guess we can look forward to an "amnesty" program for illegal immigration. You might want to start learning to speak Spanish.
When so many enemies of the US agree I have to think that the American people have made some mistakes in the recent election. Heaven help us all, if I'm still allowed to say such a thing.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Look for the Bright Side
I am of course disappointed about the election. The thought of Nancy Pelosi leading the House of Reps makes me sick to my stomach (darn, my IRA was doing so well). The thought of a Democrat controlled Senate makes me fear the next Supreme Court appointment confirmation, or non-confirmation I guess. However, I like to look on the bright side whenever possible.
Here's one bright spot. We got to skip the post election tears and recriminations. There were lots of really close elections that the Republicans lost. If Democrats had been the ones to lose by such small margins we would have had to have recounts, lawsuits and allegations of election stealing. As Ann Coulter pointed out, suddenly the Dibold electronic voting machines work!
Also, some really lousy Republicans bit the dust, namely Lincoln Chafee and Mike DeWine. Hopefully both will leave politics entirely or switch parties. They were never good Republicans or good representatives or good anything in my humble opinion.
Finally, neither majority is large enough to override a Presidential veto. Consequently I doubt the Dems can raise my taxes until 2009. By then the house at least could be back in Republican hands especially if the Democrats who talked so tough and conservative prior to this election go to Washington and legislate like liberals.
My advice, pray for gridlock (my IRA would like that) and look on the bright side.
Here's one bright spot. We got to skip the post election tears and recriminations. There were lots of really close elections that the Republicans lost. If Democrats had been the ones to lose by such small margins we would have had to have recounts, lawsuits and allegations of election stealing. As Ann Coulter pointed out, suddenly the Dibold electronic voting machines work!
Also, some really lousy Republicans bit the dust, namely Lincoln Chafee and Mike DeWine. Hopefully both will leave politics entirely or switch parties. They were never good Republicans or good representatives or good anything in my humble opinion.
Finally, neither majority is large enough to override a Presidential veto. Consequently I doubt the Dems can raise my taxes until 2009. By then the house at least could be back in Republican hands especially if the Democrats who talked so tough and conservative prior to this election go to Washington and legislate like liberals.
My advice, pray for gridlock (my IRA would like that) and look on the bright side.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
WE WON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN
The media is pulling out all the stops to discourage Republicans from voting. This isn't new. In the 2000 election returns the media called Florida for Gore before the polls closed in the very Republican panhandle of the state (costing Bush from 5,000 to 15,000 votes in Florida according to John McLaughlin). They managed to dampen Republican voter turn out nationwide by convincing many Republicans that the election was over and Bush could not win. This cost Bush the popular vote and made way for Gores attempt to steal the election with his three most liberal county"recount".
Then in 2004 they stacked the exit polls by steering Democrats to the voting booths at the times they knew pollsters would be present. Technically, they couldn't legally release the early exit poll results so they leaked them on the Internet. The word was that Kerry was winning in a landslide. Most didn't hear about it and voted. Those of us who did hear about it threw up, voted and went home to await the real results with fingers crossed that the exit polls would be wrong. We won with a large enough margin to avoid another attempt to steal the election.
DO NOT LET THEM FAKE YOU OUT!
Then in 2004 they stacked the exit polls by steering Democrats to the voting booths at the times they knew pollsters would be present. Technically, they couldn't legally release the early exit poll results so they leaked them on the Internet. The word was that Kerry was winning in a landslide. Most didn't hear about it and voted. Those of us who did hear about it threw up, voted and went home to await the real results with fingers crossed that the exit polls would be wrong. We won with a large enough margin to avoid another attempt to steal the election.
DO NOT LET THEM FAKE YOU OUT!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Democrat Double Standard
I have in the past voted for Rep. Mark Foley. He was actually a rather good congressman and I don't think I was aware of his sexual orientation. I am shocked by the contents of his "IM's" to former pages and would be calling for his resignation if he had not resigned already. I apologize to all of the decent and moral homosexual men out there but must say that this is yet another example of the inability of many gay men to stay away from teenage boys. That said let's deal with the Democrats outrage.
Whenever a Republican is accused of misconduct the "holier than thou" Democrats go bonkers and call for the resignation of any and every Republican anywhere nearby. When a Democrat is involved the response is quite different. When a former Democrat Rep., Gerry Studds admitted that he had sex with a male teenage page in 1983 he did not resign and his party did not demand his resignation. Apparently his constituents had no problem with this behavior as he was re-elected six times afterwards and finally retired no doubt with his pension intact.
Okay, so that was some time ago as was a similar incident regarding Rep. Barney Frank. In 1989 Rep. Frank had a "roommate" named Stephen L. Gobie, a male prostitute who was running a prostitution ring out of Mr. Franks apartment. Rep. Frank claims he had no knowledge of the prostitution going on in his own home, a claim disputed by Stephen Gobie and by Franks own actions in "fixing" thirty parking tickets issued to "clients" of Gobie. Barney Frank still serves as a congressional representative for the state of Massachuttes. This was an actual crime and if you are saying that minors were not involved you know nothing about male prostitution. No Republican would have survived this series of events.
Finally, in the sex crime arena we have former Rep. Mel Reynolds who was indicted for having sex with a female campaign volunteer who was only sixteen. That was august of 1994 and Reynolds who claimed the charges were untrue and "racially motivated" was re-elected in November of 1994. A year after the indictment Reynolds was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography. Yikes! At this point even a Democrat had to resign. Being from Chicago it turned out that Reynolds was guilty of additional crimes. Mr Reynolds was sentenced to a six and a half year sentence for wire fraud, bank fraud, lying to the Federal Election commission and the afore mentioned sex with a minor. When a Democrat is finally forced to resign he knows that he will be taken care of. Bill Clinton included Mr. Reynolds in his "Pardon-poluzza" and commuted the sentence. Reynolds was then hired by Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push Coalition in what is probably a high paying job as a "youth counselor".
Once, everyone knew that it was wrong for a man in a position of power to become sexually involved with a younger subordinate and that to do so was "taking advantage". Then came Bill Clinton, if you'll pardon the expression. Although President Clinton had sexual contact with a much younger, entirely subordinate intern, suddenly that was nobody's business. Although Clinton blatantly lied about the affair to the American people and even lied under oath, suddenly that was okay too as "everybody lies about sex".Well, so far all Rep. Foley did was send some truly repugnant messages to a young man and he has resigned in disgrace. That is as it should be but the Democrats demands for more resignations is just partisanship and hypocrisy at it's worst!
Whenever a Republican is accused of misconduct the "holier than thou" Democrats go bonkers and call for the resignation of any and every Republican anywhere nearby. When a Democrat is involved the response is quite different. When a former Democrat Rep., Gerry Studds admitted that he had sex with a male teenage page in 1983 he did not resign and his party did not demand his resignation. Apparently his constituents had no problem with this behavior as he was re-elected six times afterwards and finally retired no doubt with his pension intact.
Okay, so that was some time ago as was a similar incident regarding Rep. Barney Frank. In 1989 Rep. Frank had a "roommate" named Stephen L. Gobie, a male prostitute who was running a prostitution ring out of Mr. Franks apartment. Rep. Frank claims he had no knowledge of the prostitution going on in his own home, a claim disputed by Stephen Gobie and by Franks own actions in "fixing" thirty parking tickets issued to "clients" of Gobie. Barney Frank still serves as a congressional representative for the state of Massachuttes. This was an actual crime and if you are saying that minors were not involved you know nothing about male prostitution. No Republican would have survived this series of events.
Finally, in the sex crime arena we have former Rep. Mel Reynolds who was indicted for having sex with a female campaign volunteer who was only sixteen. That was august of 1994 and Reynolds who claimed the charges were untrue and "racially motivated" was re-elected in November of 1994. A year after the indictment Reynolds was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography. Yikes! At this point even a Democrat had to resign. Being from Chicago it turned out that Reynolds was guilty of additional crimes. Mr Reynolds was sentenced to a six and a half year sentence for wire fraud, bank fraud, lying to the Federal Election commission and the afore mentioned sex with a minor. When a Democrat is finally forced to resign he knows that he will be taken care of. Bill Clinton included Mr. Reynolds in his "Pardon-poluzza" and commuted the sentence. Reynolds was then hired by Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push Coalition in what is probably a high paying job as a "youth counselor".
Once, everyone knew that it was wrong for a man in a position of power to become sexually involved with a younger subordinate and that to do so was "taking advantage". Then came Bill Clinton, if you'll pardon the expression. Although President Clinton had sexual contact with a much younger, entirely subordinate intern, suddenly that was nobody's business. Although Clinton blatantly lied about the affair to the American people and even lied under oath, suddenly that was okay too as "everybody lies about sex".Well, so far all Rep. Foley did was send some truly repugnant messages to a young man and he has resigned in disgrace. That is as it should be but the Democrats demands for more resignations is just partisanship and hypocrisy at it's worst!
WINDS OF WAR
I recently read Winds of War and highly recommend that you read it or re-read it if you read it years ago. The parallels are frightening. The authors creation, General Armin Von Roon provided the mindset behind the Third Reich and it was amazingly like the Islamo Fascist today. Germany always had a reason for every attack, usually placing the blame on which ever country they were attacking. Germany considered itself morally equivalent to the countries who dared to fight back or to object to their goal of global domination.
Currently followers of Islam are burning churches, flags and the Pope in effigy. A Nun has been murdered in Somalia and an Al-Queda web site promises the Muslims will "Conquer Rome" "Slit throats" and "Make their money and descendants bounty" which I take to mean enslave the descendants and take the wealth. All this because the Pope dared speak the words of an Emperor from several hundred years ago.
Hopefully the good guys in this world will get the message and unite against Islamo-fascism as we united against Hitler. If we don't get the will to fight this enemy soon be afraid, be very afraid.
Currently followers of Islam are burning churches, flags and the Pope in effigy. A Nun has been murdered in Somalia and an Al-Queda web site promises the Muslims will "Conquer Rome" "Slit throats" and "Make their money and descendants bounty" which I take to mean enslave the descendants and take the wealth. All this because the Pope dared speak the words of an Emperor from several hundred years ago.
Hopefully the good guys in this world will get the message and unite against Islamo-fascism as we united against Hitler. If we don't get the will to fight this enemy soon be afraid, be very afraid.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Clinton Blows his Cool
Ex-president Clinton lost it during an interview with Chris Wallace on Sunday. Wallace dared to ask Clinton about his failures regarding Osama bin Laden. The Clintons', most Democrats and all liberals like to pretend that all terrorism (or anything else) began with the inauguration of George W. Bush. In the throes of a full fledged "hissy fit" Bill Clinton reverted to form and lied, lied, lied.
First Clinton insults the Fox News Channel and takes a swipe at ABC and their miniseries "The Path to 9/11". Then he misinterprets the question regarding Black Hawk Down and goes off on a tangent regarding that which distracts from the real question asked.
Clinton repeatedly named Richard Clark and his book as proof of his statements, but the book and Clark himself contradict many of Clinton assertions. Clinton claimed that he had done much more to fight terrorism than the Bush administration did prior to September 11th, 2001. In a background briefing to members of the press Richard Clark said the new administration had "changed strategy from a roll back of Al-Qaeda to elimination of Al-Qaeda" and that the new administration "decided in principle, in the spring to add to the existing Clinton strategy and to increase CIA resources -- for example, for covert action, five-fold -- to go after Al Qaeda".
Clinton said Clark was the best guy in the world to fight terrorists and that the Bush administration "downgraded him and the terrorists operation". In reality Clark states in his book that he chose to head up the new "critical infrastructure and cybersecurity" department outside of the NSC. Later Clark left the administration in a huff when he was passed over for a job he wanted but he was not "downgraded" or dismissed.
Clinton claimed he was ridiculed by "far right wingers" and "neocons" for being "obsessed" with finding and killing Osama bin Laden. However he never named any names and in his own autobiography barely mentions Al-Qaeda . There was some "wag the dog" ribbing from the media but Republican leaders like Newt Gingrich, Arlen Specter and Richard Pearl were very supportive of Clinton finally taking action against terrorists. Senate majority leader, Trent Lott was quoted as follows, "Despite the current controversy, this Congress will vigorously support the president in full defense of America's interests throughout the world." Wow, President Bush didn't have support like that from the "loyal opposition" one week after 9/11!
He laid the blame for not getting UBL at the feet of George Tenant, the CIA the FBI etal, but the man who carried the nuclear football related two instances when Clinton refused to answer or return calls to authorize action against Al-Qaeda.
Me thinks the ex-president doth protest too much.
First Clinton insults the Fox News Channel and takes a swipe at ABC and their miniseries "The Path to 9/11". Then he misinterprets the question regarding Black Hawk Down and goes off on a tangent regarding that which distracts from the real question asked.
Clinton repeatedly named Richard Clark and his book as proof of his statements, but the book and Clark himself contradict many of Clinton assertions. Clinton claimed that he had done much more to fight terrorism than the Bush administration did prior to September 11th, 2001. In a background briefing to members of the press Richard Clark said the new administration had "changed strategy from a roll back of Al-Qaeda to elimination of Al-Qaeda" and that the new administration "decided in principle, in the spring to add to the existing Clinton strategy and to increase CIA resources -- for example, for covert action, five-fold -- to go after Al Qaeda".
Clinton said Clark was the best guy in the world to fight terrorists and that the Bush administration "downgraded him and the terrorists operation". In reality Clark states in his book that he chose to head up the new "critical infrastructure and cybersecurity" department outside of the NSC. Later Clark left the administration in a huff when he was passed over for a job he wanted but he was not "downgraded" or dismissed.
Clinton claimed he was ridiculed by "far right wingers" and "neocons" for being "obsessed" with finding and killing Osama bin Laden. However he never named any names and in his own autobiography barely mentions Al-Qaeda . There was some "wag the dog" ribbing from the media but Republican leaders like Newt Gingrich, Arlen Specter and Richard Pearl were very supportive of Clinton finally taking action against terrorists. Senate majority leader, Trent Lott was quoted as follows, "Despite the current controversy, this Congress will vigorously support the president in full defense of America's interests throughout the world." Wow, President Bush didn't have support like that from the "loyal opposition" one week after 9/11!
He laid the blame for not getting UBL at the feet of George Tenant, the CIA the FBI etal, but the man who carried the nuclear football related two instances when Clinton refused to answer or return calls to authorize action against Al-Qaeda.
Me thinks the ex-president doth protest too much.
Monday, September 11, 2006
The Path to 9/11 Reveals Clinton Truth Blockade
Although the MSM mostly ignored the attempts of the Clintonista's to silence "The Path to 9/11" this was just the latest in a long history of attempts to savage the critic and salvage the legacy of Bill Clinton. Before Clinton was elected there were scandals concerning his involvement with women. These were generally handled using a two step process. First deny the allegation. Second smear the accuser. This was also called the "nuts and sluts" defense as the counter allegation would generally include besmirching the woman's reputation and or questioning her sanity. These maneuvers were quite effective in most cases.
When Mrs. Clinton invested $1,000 in cattle futures and walked away with $100,000 she said she had accomplished this amazing feat by reading the Wall Street Journal every day. It turns out there was no mention of cattle futures made during the time of her investment but no one ever got to ask the follow up question.
Over the years the Clinton couple used misdirection to detract from Mr. Clinton misdeeds. When word got out that the President had been doing naughty things with a young intern just a few feet from the Oval Office he first denied the claim while his wife blamed the entire matter on a "vast right wing conspiracy". Once "the blue dress" forced Mr Clinton to fess up neither Clinton ever apologized for blaming others for the allegations. If the matter was brought up at all Ms. Clinton would revert to the convenient role of the wronged wife to avoid having to answer.
President Clinton was specially fond of using the following phrase "Mistakes were made, it's time to move on so that I can get back to working for the American people. This phrase was trotted out so often it became the mantra for Clinton apologists and inspired the name of a leftwing liberal web site and organization, Move On.org. Which turned out to be a bit ironic later on as they were completely unable to "move on" when Al Gore failed to win or steal the presidency in 2000!
When Mr Clinton pardoned a wide variety of misfits on his way out of office and was questioned about the rumors that some of the pardons were quid pro quo his response was "That is just something that some people are saying there's no proof". Which wasn't much of a denial, really. Later when proof did appear regarding pardons promised and payments received by Clinton family members Mrs Clinton would only say that she was "very sad and disappointed". Despite her reputation with some as the "smartest woman in America" when the stuff hit the fan she never knew a darn thing about anything.
When they took thousands of dollars of furnishings and valuables that belonged to the White House it was an inventory error made by a subordinate. I often think of the Clinton presidency being part of an old SNL skit, "it just goes to show you, it's always something".
When Mrs. Clinton invested $1,000 in cattle futures and walked away with $100,000 she said she had accomplished this amazing feat by reading the Wall Street Journal every day. It turns out there was no mention of cattle futures made during the time of her investment but no one ever got to ask the follow up question.
Over the years the Clinton couple used misdirection to detract from Mr. Clinton misdeeds. When word got out that the President had been doing naughty things with a young intern just a few feet from the Oval Office he first denied the claim while his wife blamed the entire matter on a "vast right wing conspiracy". Once "the blue dress" forced Mr Clinton to fess up neither Clinton ever apologized for blaming others for the allegations. If the matter was brought up at all Ms. Clinton would revert to the convenient role of the wronged wife to avoid having to answer.
President Clinton was specially fond of using the following phrase "Mistakes were made, it's time to move on so that I can get back to working for the American people. This phrase was trotted out so often it became the mantra for Clinton apologists and inspired the name of a leftwing liberal web site and organization, Move On.org. Which turned out to be a bit ironic later on as they were completely unable to "move on" when Al Gore failed to win or steal the presidency in 2000!
When Mr Clinton pardoned a wide variety of misfits on his way out of office and was questioned about the rumors that some of the pardons were quid pro quo his response was "That is just something that some people are saying there's no proof". Which wasn't much of a denial, really. Later when proof did appear regarding pardons promised and payments received by Clinton family members Mrs Clinton would only say that she was "very sad and disappointed". Despite her reputation with some as the "smartest woman in America" when the stuff hit the fan she never knew a darn thing about anything.
When they took thousands of dollars of furnishings and valuables that belonged to the White House it was an inventory error made by a subordinate. I often think of the Clinton presidency being part of an old SNL skit, "it just goes to show you, it's always something".
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Glad Not to be a Native
Labor Day is fast approaching and summer will soon be over. I'm glad I'm not a native of Illinois as they go through a painful transition this time of year. With each wonderfully cool evening or misty morning an apprehension grows within the native Illini. There is this nervousness, a sense of being on edge as the Illini silently wonder "Is this it, is summer over?" Despite the mild weather we had last year the specter of winter in Chicagoland looms. Memories of endless days with gun metal gray skies, below freezing temperatures, backbreaking drifts of wet snow and biting winds haunt and taunt.
The Illini put forward a brave front. Fall and Halloween are celebrated like nowhere I've been before with Septemberfests and Octoberfests, some of which are in September??? Still the barely disguised panic is there, bubbling below the surface, eating at the psyche of the native Illini as they assemble their elaborate display of pumpkins, scarecrow and spooky scenes. How much nicer it is to be new to the area and get a thrill at the thought of autumn leaves. I look forward to our first evening cool enough to merit a fire in the fireplace. I'll be happy to put summer behind me and pull out my sweats and sweaters. I miss my warm socks my flannel pajamas and wearing my jeans nearly all the time. I'm ready for the electric bill to go down and the gas bill to go up.
I would love to have snow in time for Thanksgiving but I'll keep that to myself and let my neighbors deal with the change of seasons without subjecting them to my private euphoria.
Happy Halloween everybody!
The Illini put forward a brave front. Fall and Halloween are celebrated like nowhere I've been before with Septemberfests and Octoberfests, some of which are in September??? Still the barely disguised panic is there, bubbling below the surface, eating at the psyche of the native Illini as they assemble their elaborate display of pumpkins, scarecrow and spooky scenes. How much nicer it is to be new to the area and get a thrill at the thought of autumn leaves. I look forward to our first evening cool enough to merit a fire in the fireplace. I'll be happy to put summer behind me and pull out my sweats and sweaters. I miss my warm socks my flannel pajamas and wearing my jeans nearly all the time. I'm ready for the electric bill to go down and the gas bill to go up.
I would love to have snow in time for Thanksgiving but I'll keep that to myself and let my neighbors deal with the change of seasons without subjecting them to my private euphoria.
Happy Halloween everybody!
Monday, August 14, 2006
URBAN ADVENTURE CRUISE or Another Bad Hair Day In Chicago
Our cruise in Chicago Saturday was really a great time and sort of an adventure. Jack wanted me to reserve a specific cruise but with boats leaving every half hour and not knowing for sure when Jack would arise I didn't. Jack had chosen a $27 90 minute river cruise that would include commentary on over 50 buildings and had a bar aboard.
Well, he sort of slept in, then of course we had to go to breakfast and we caught the 11:05 into the city. I selected the correct exit from Union Station for the first time ever and the bus we needed was waiting there as we came out the doors. Still we arrived at the cruise Jack chose shortly before it sold out for the day (while I was in line with only 3 people in front of me). I was at a loss and not sure what to do.
Jack said, "Get in line for this cruise instead", and I stepped right up to the Mercury "Urban Adventure Cruise". The cruise was a Lake and River tour with commentary on 17 bridges and 82 buildings and landmarks and get this cost only $19. The only down side was no bar on board (which had to save us another $10+) and it was leaving in 40 minutes. While we were in line to board I mentioned to Jack that the boat we would be on was like the one in the movie "The Breakup". Later during the cruise our guide told us it is the boat used in that movie.
I didn't know there was a locks for boats to enter and leave the lake (to control the amount of water going from the lake to the river. It was interesting entering the lake, the water level in the lock went up 3-4 feet and then decreased on the trip back. In the lake we learned about the "adventure" portion of the cruise. The seats we had chosen were near a large bumper hanging off the side of the boat. This bumper threw up amazing amounts of water which dowsed everyone seated nearby, especially Jack who had traded seats with me. Poor Jack was drenched and we both missed small portions of the commentary on the skyline, distracted by the occasional cold wall of water falling on us!
Soon we were back in the river and no longer being drowned. Chicago has an amazing array of buildings and landmarks and the information provided by the tour guide was fun and fascinating. We cruised all the way to the Sears Tower and got to see and hear about a great deal of the city. Just as I was getting concerned about possible sunburn our cruise was over an we were back ashore. Two boats had unloaded at the same time and there was a delay to get up the stairs to the corner of Wacker and Michigan. Everyone seemed to be going to the top and I suggested we only go half way up. I can't fully explain but there is an Upper Michigan Ave and a lower Michigan Ave and get this there is Upper Wacker, Lower Wacker and Lower Lower Wacker?????
Anyway this worked well too as we wanted to go to the original Billy Goat Tavern which was at Lower Michigan and Wacker. We walked across the lower level of the bridge and were there (with one short stop for me to try and wring some of the water out of the tail of Jack's shirt). The Billy Goat Tavern was nothing special but the beer and double cheeseburger were great. If you every come here don't even consider a single burger, get the double or even the triple, (or as they say "Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke).
http://www.billygoattavern.com/history.html
Refreshed we decided we could walk back to Union Station and talked about stopping for another beer if we passed a good spot. However, once I checked the time and saw that we could catch the 4:39 if we moved along smartly instead of taking our time and getting the next train at 5:39. Jack was highly motivated and hurried me along the 10 blocks in time to catch the train. I really think this was one of my best trips to the city. If you ever get to Chicago, I highly recommend this cruise followed by a triple cheeseburger.
Well, he sort of slept in, then of course we had to go to breakfast and we caught the 11:05 into the city. I selected the correct exit from Union Station for the first time ever and the bus we needed was waiting there as we came out the doors. Still we arrived at the cruise Jack chose shortly before it sold out for the day (while I was in line with only 3 people in front of me). I was at a loss and not sure what to do.
Jack said, "Get in line for this cruise instead", and I stepped right up to the Mercury "Urban Adventure Cruise". The cruise was a Lake and River tour with commentary on 17 bridges and 82 buildings and landmarks and get this cost only $19. The only down side was no bar on board (which had to save us another $10+) and it was leaving in 40 minutes. While we were in line to board I mentioned to Jack that the boat we would be on was like the one in the movie "The Breakup". Later during the cruise our guide told us it is the boat used in that movie.
I didn't know there was a locks for boats to enter and leave the lake (to control the amount of water going from the lake to the river. It was interesting entering the lake, the water level in the lock went up 3-4 feet and then decreased on the trip back. In the lake we learned about the "adventure" portion of the cruise. The seats we had chosen were near a large bumper hanging off the side of the boat. This bumper threw up amazing amounts of water which dowsed everyone seated nearby, especially Jack who had traded seats with me. Poor Jack was drenched and we both missed small portions of the commentary on the skyline, distracted by the occasional cold wall of water falling on us!
Soon we were back in the river and no longer being drowned. Chicago has an amazing array of buildings and landmarks and the information provided by the tour guide was fun and fascinating. We cruised all the way to the Sears Tower and got to see and hear about a great deal of the city. Just as I was getting concerned about possible sunburn our cruise was over an we were back ashore. Two boats had unloaded at the same time and there was a delay to get up the stairs to the corner of Wacker and Michigan. Everyone seemed to be going to the top and I suggested we only go half way up. I can't fully explain but there is an Upper Michigan Ave and a lower Michigan Ave and get this there is Upper Wacker, Lower Wacker and Lower Lower Wacker?????
Anyway this worked well too as we wanted to go to the original Billy Goat Tavern which was at Lower Michigan and Wacker. We walked across the lower level of the bridge and were there (with one short stop for me to try and wring some of the water out of the tail of Jack's shirt). The Billy Goat Tavern was nothing special but the beer and double cheeseburger were great. If you every come here don't even consider a single burger, get the double or even the triple, (or as they say "Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke).
http://www.billygoattavern.com/history.html
Refreshed we decided we could walk back to Union Station and talked about stopping for another beer if we passed a good spot. However, once I checked the time and saw that we could catch the 4:39 if we moved along smartly instead of taking our time and getting the next train at 5:39. Jack was highly motivated and hurried me along the 10 blocks in time to catch the train. I really think this was one of my best trips to the city. If you ever get to Chicago, I highly recommend this cruise followed by a triple cheeseburger.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Bad Hair Day In Chi-Town
I went onto the city yesterday to see the DiVinci exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. As the train neared Union Station I saw the city was cloaked in the sort of fog you expect of Chicago but rarely see. I was standing at the corner of Adams and the Chicago River and could not see the top of the Sears Tower. Although there was a cool mist hanging in the air and occasional drizzle it was also warm and humid. I took a bus from near Union Station to the museum with no idea how far it was. The museum is just past Hyde park in the southernmost corner of Chicago. We drove past Soldier Field and the White Sox Cellular Field, got on an expressway for a bit and finally arrived near the museum.
Just as I entered the building a man with two children asked me the time and said something about the museum being free today. That struck fear in my heart. I had canceled this trip once before due to a "Free Admission" day sure to pack the place with children. The ticket lines were long and I wondered if I would even get to see the exhibit. Twenty minutes later I had tickets to enter in a little less than 1/2 an hour. I guess most of the crowd was getting general admission tickets or going to the Omnimax theater. I looked around a bit, got a Pepsi and waited for my 11:30 entrance time to the exhibit.
When my turn came I entered, saw a short film on the subject and got my headset for the audio tour. On clueless couple had their three children with them, the youngest girl was about 3 years old. Once she began to cry I found i couldn't hear the audio on my headset. So I slowed down a bit and allowed them to move ahead out of ear shot. As the group thinned out I was able to really see everything at my own pace and enjoy learning about all the devices DiVinci either invented or improved.
Near the end there is a "workshop" with lots of hands on items and two working catapults. A museum worker was there to explain how DiVinci improved the catapult and demonstrated it in action. Apparently DiVinci had attempted to make a name for himself as a weapons expert. When the Museum guide asked if there were any questions a woman asked "Why was DiVinci so interested in war". I had to bite my tongue not to answer "Because he was a genius not a pacifist" but the guide was even more of a realist and answered, "for the money". There is no way to know for sure what his motivations were but leave it to some people to assume that any great man must be anti war.
I had lunch and wandered around the museum for a while checking out lots of interesting stuff then walked to my bus stop at about 2:45. There I learned that the bus I took to the museum wouldn't be running again till afternoon rush hour. I took another bus planning to go to Navy Pier and catch the bus there to Union Station. Instead I got off at Adams and Michigan and walked from there. Back at Union Station I had time for a cold drink and made the mistake of seeing myself in the mirror in the ladies. The brush in my purse has been missing since Camp Auntie and the long walk in the heat and the steam had taken it's toll, oh well the anonymity of the big city is very liberating. I caught the rather crowded 4:50 home. I might not have walked the 10 blocks in the city if I had remembered that my car was parked 1/4 of a mile from the station. I guess the higher gas prices have more people using the train and a Grandmother managed to beat me to the last parking slot in the more convenient lot.
Tomorrow Jack and I plan to take one of the Architectural cruises and have lunch in the city. I plan to see the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum also, but will wait until all the kids are back in school. Summer heat will be gone soon, and fall is fabulous here. Come visit if you can!
Just as I entered the building a man with two children asked me the time and said something about the museum being free today. That struck fear in my heart. I had canceled this trip once before due to a "Free Admission" day sure to pack the place with children. The ticket lines were long and I wondered if I would even get to see the exhibit. Twenty minutes later I had tickets to enter in a little less than 1/2 an hour. I guess most of the crowd was getting general admission tickets or going to the Omnimax theater. I looked around a bit, got a Pepsi and waited for my 11:30 entrance time to the exhibit.
When my turn came I entered, saw a short film on the subject and got my headset for the audio tour. On clueless couple had their three children with them, the youngest girl was about 3 years old. Once she began to cry I found i couldn't hear the audio on my headset. So I slowed down a bit and allowed them to move ahead out of ear shot. As the group thinned out I was able to really see everything at my own pace and enjoy learning about all the devices DiVinci either invented or improved.
Near the end there is a "workshop" with lots of hands on items and two working catapults. A museum worker was there to explain how DiVinci improved the catapult and demonstrated it in action. Apparently DiVinci had attempted to make a name for himself as a weapons expert. When the Museum guide asked if there were any questions a woman asked "Why was DiVinci so interested in war". I had to bite my tongue not to answer "Because he was a genius not a pacifist" but the guide was even more of a realist and answered, "for the money". There is no way to know for sure what his motivations were but leave it to some people to assume that any great man must be anti war.
I had lunch and wandered around the museum for a while checking out lots of interesting stuff then walked to my bus stop at about 2:45. There I learned that the bus I took to the museum wouldn't be running again till afternoon rush hour. I took another bus planning to go to Navy Pier and catch the bus there to Union Station. Instead I got off at Adams and Michigan and walked from there. Back at Union Station I had time for a cold drink and made the mistake of seeing myself in the mirror in the ladies. The brush in my purse has been missing since Camp Auntie and the long walk in the heat and the steam had taken it's toll, oh well the anonymity of the big city is very liberating. I caught the rather crowded 4:50 home. I might not have walked the 10 blocks in the city if I had remembered that my car was parked 1/4 of a mile from the station. I guess the higher gas prices have more people using the train and a Grandmother managed to beat me to the last parking slot in the more convenient lot.
Tomorrow Jack and I plan to take one of the Architectural cruises and have lunch in the city. I plan to see the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum also, but will wait until all the kids are back in school. Summer heat will be gone soon, and fall is fabulous here. Come visit if you can!
Monday, August 07, 2006
Where Have all the Hurricanes Gone
Last year when a record number of hurricanes hit densely populated areas we were told by everyone (except the hurricane experts) that "Global Warming" was responsible. Today is August 7th and we are all the way to the letter "C" and there hasn't been a real hurricane yet. So, what's the explanation? Did "Global Warming" stop, reverse, peter out? I recently read a report that stated "Global Warming" stopped in 1998. This is "Global Warming" season, previously known as "summer" and we keep hearing about "record high temperatures". However, most high temp records still belong to 1936. What exactly was causing the "Global Warming" way back then? Why did it stop so completely that by the 1970's we were reading frantic warnings of the coming ice age?
Well the earth may be warming. Personally I'm not positive that even today we have the ability to determine the temperature of the entire planet. I am positive that it is not logical to assume that if the planet has been warming for the past 30 years it will continue to do so, indefinitely. Especially when we have every reason to believe that the earth has been warming and cooling for hundreds of thousands of years.
Well the earth may be warming. Personally I'm not positive that even today we have the ability to determine the temperature of the entire planet. I am positive that it is not logical to assume that if the planet has been warming for the past 30 years it will continue to do so, indefinitely. Especially when we have every reason to believe that the earth has been warming and cooling for hundreds of thousands of years.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
"NORM!"
At long last for reasons unknown Norm Mineta is stepping down as Transportation Secretary. Mr. Mineta, a leftover from the Clinton adminsitration has been too politically correct to be effective in a post 9/11 world. Mr. President, you are too kind to the weak links in your adminsitration and should have began your 2nd term with a wholesale house cleaning.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Chicago Style Politics
Chicago is nefarious for a certain style of politics. The phrase "Vote early and vote often" is said to have originated in Chicago and our Mayor Daly (Jr) was called to Florida when Al Gore needed his expertise to attempt to steal the 2000 election. Currently the president of the Cook County Board of commissioners is MIA. John Stroger who is 77, overweight and diabetic suffered a massive stroke on March 13th while running in the primary for the November 2006 election. Mr Stroger has been a member of the board since 1970. The newest hospital in Cook County is named after John Stroger but he didn't go there as it is considered an inferior medical facility and the only patients who go there are those who have no choice in the matter.
Immediately after Mr Strogers stroke his supporters swung into action to make sure his name was not removed from the primary ballot. They were successful and he won the primary. Now what? In the ensuing 3 months he has been released and then returned to the hospital and has been kept out of the public eye. Reports on his condition come from family members and no one is sure that his condition isn't being downplayed. We do know that he has been unable to come to work at his $170,000 a year Cook County job and that his family will hear no talk of him stepping down. As more time passes the whole thing becomes more suspicious. If he were able to sit up and speak wouldn't they get a camera crew in his room, as Reagan did after he was shot? Jokes are going around comparing Strogers situation with the movie "Weekend at Bernies". Strojers' family and supporters keep harping on what a great man he is (was?) and how cruel and unfair it is to question when and if he will be able to do his job again.
The man is up for reelection in November! How can people vote when they don't know if their candidate is awake or not? Well, he is the Democrat candidate and as history has shown there are democrats who will vote for a dead person before pulling the lever for a Republican. Well, that's their choice, but they at least have the right to know if they are voting for a dead man or not!
Immediately after Mr Strogers stroke his supporters swung into action to make sure his name was not removed from the primary ballot. They were successful and he won the primary. Now what? In the ensuing 3 months he has been released and then returned to the hospital and has been kept out of the public eye. Reports on his condition come from family members and no one is sure that his condition isn't being downplayed. We do know that he has been unable to come to work at his $170,000 a year Cook County job and that his family will hear no talk of him stepping down. As more time passes the whole thing becomes more suspicious. If he were able to sit up and speak wouldn't they get a camera crew in his room, as Reagan did after he was shot? Jokes are going around comparing Strogers situation with the movie "Weekend at Bernies". Strojers' family and supporters keep harping on what a great man he is (was?) and how cruel and unfair it is to question when and if he will be able to do his job again.
The man is up for reelection in November! How can people vote when they don't know if their candidate is awake or not? Well, he is the Democrat candidate and as history has shown there are democrats who will vote for a dead person before pulling the lever for a Republican. Well, that's their choice, but they at least have the right to know if they are voting for a dead man or not!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
A Good Day
You may disagree with this statement "A good day for this country is a bad day for the Left", but there is supporting evidence. Today the President has made a "surprise" visit to Baghdad where he will attend a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, most of his cabinet and a group of advisors assembled at Camp David. This is the second successful secret visit to Iraq our President has made. I'll never forget seeing President Bush appear at a big Thanksgiving Dinner for the troops in Iraq. That really took the shine of of Hillary Clintons' simultaneous visit to Afghanistan, where it was rumored troops had to be ordered to eat with her.
Pay attention to the way today's meeting in Iraq is reported and how the Democrats attempt to downplay the importance of this event. Since just a week or two after the Senate and Congress voted to give President Bush the authority to invade Iraq the Democrats have been undermining our war effort by marginalize any good news from Iraq and shouting any potentially bad news from the nearest mountain top. New York Congressman Charlie Rangle reacted to the elimination of Uday and Quesay with the following "I personally don't get any satisfaction that it takes 200,000 troops, 250,000 troops, to knock off two bums." Rangel went so far as to accuse the U.S. of acting illegally in killing the Hussein boys despite the fact that they were killed in a fire fight after refusing to surrender.
Since then we have seen the capture of Saddam Hussein, two very successful elections, the creation and ratification of a Constitution and the assembling of a freely elected Iraqi government. Each of these mile stones had drawn a yawn from the MSM (mainstream media) and the odd assortment of Democrats have taken every opportunity to undermine our effort. Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean said "The idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is just plain wrong," A remark that flew through the news and undoubtedly heartened the hopes of every terrorist fighting us and the Iraqis. Most recently when the top al-Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed the Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "This doesn't change anything in Iraq", but it does.
Another front in the MSM and Democrat war against the Bush administration suffered a blow today. Liberal Democrats are distraught over reports that Leakgate Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has decided there is no reason to indict senior White House advisor Karl Rove. Beginning with the Gore "Recount" fiasco the Left has tried every method they can invent to weaken the Bush Presidency. A memo written by an aide of Senator Rockefeller laid out the Democrats plans to throw one roadblock after another in front of the Bush Administration and use every trick they could access to trump up charges of wrongdoing.
Watch how they spin all the success in Iraq. Already today Senator Chuck Schummer (aka Schmuckie) has taken the opportunity of this momentous and historic meeting in Iraq to throw out the "Q" word once again, calling Iraq a "quagmire". Never mind that a brand new democracy is getting on it's feet and that we will have an ally in the Mid-east for the first time since Jimmy Carter allowed the overthrow of the Shah of Iran. If the Democrats no longer have any faith in democracy, it's time for them to change their name.
Pay attention to the way today's meeting in Iraq is reported and how the Democrats attempt to downplay the importance of this event. Since just a week or two after the Senate and Congress voted to give President Bush the authority to invade Iraq the Democrats have been undermining our war effort by marginalize any good news from Iraq and shouting any potentially bad news from the nearest mountain top. New York Congressman Charlie Rangle reacted to the elimination of Uday and Quesay with the following "I personally don't get any satisfaction that it takes 200,000 troops, 250,000 troops, to knock off two bums." Rangel went so far as to accuse the U.S. of acting illegally in killing the Hussein boys despite the fact that they were killed in a fire fight after refusing to surrender.
Since then we have seen the capture of Saddam Hussein, two very successful elections, the creation and ratification of a Constitution and the assembling of a freely elected Iraqi government. Each of these mile stones had drawn a yawn from the MSM (mainstream media) and the odd assortment of Democrats have taken every opportunity to undermine our effort. Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean said "The idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is just plain wrong," A remark that flew through the news and undoubtedly heartened the hopes of every terrorist fighting us and the Iraqis. Most recently when the top al-Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed the Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "This doesn't change anything in Iraq", but it does.
Another front in the MSM and Democrat war against the Bush administration suffered a blow today. Liberal Democrats are distraught over reports that Leakgate Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has decided there is no reason to indict senior White House advisor Karl Rove. Beginning with the Gore "Recount" fiasco the Left has tried every method they can invent to weaken the Bush Presidency. A memo written by an aide of Senator Rockefeller laid out the Democrats plans to throw one roadblock after another in front of the Bush Administration and use every trick they could access to trump up charges of wrongdoing.
Watch how they spin all the success in Iraq. Already today Senator Chuck Schummer (aka Schmuckie) has taken the opportunity of this momentous and historic meeting in Iraq to throw out the "Q" word once again, calling Iraq a "quagmire". Never mind that a brand new democracy is getting on it's feet and that we will have an ally in the Mid-east for the first time since Jimmy Carter allowed the overthrow of the Shah of Iran. If the Democrats no longer have any faith in democracy, it's time for them to change their name.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
I'm Not in Florida Anymore
Yesterday was a sunny warm day and for the first time since our move to Illinois I wore a favorite outfit from last summer. The mostly green floral print blouse was one of my last purchases at Burdines, a store that is no more but which was for my entire life "the Florida store". Apparently such bright colors aren't as common here in the Midwest where I received three "compliments" on my quote "Hawaiian print blouse". Thank heavens I was wearing white shorts instead of the yellow capris I used to match with this particular blouse. The addition of even more color might have stopped traffic.
I was reminded of a conversation I had with an American woman in London. This women said she was leaving that day which should be obvious from the bright colors she was wearing. The inference was that one would never dress in bright colors in London, something I hadn't known. After that conversation I did notice that there was a decided lack of bright clothing on, well everyone I saw. I'm all for "When in Rome" but I like my bright tropical clothing and will wear them whenever I choose.
I was reminded of a conversation I had with an American woman in London. This women said she was leaving that day which should be obvious from the bright colors she was wearing. The inference was that one would never dress in bright colors in London, something I hadn't known. After that conversation I did notice that there was a decided lack of bright clothing on, well everyone I saw. I'm all for "When in Rome" but I like my bright tropical clothing and will wear them whenever I choose.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Clinton the Cheater
I was once on a ski trip to Steamboat Springs in Colorado with the Gator Snow Ski Club. I was at that time the President of the club but just an intermediate skier. I chose a ski run one day based solely on the name, Rolex. Shortly after starting down the run I knew I was well beyond my skiing ability. I chose to ski nearly horizontally across the slope. This meant I was moving downhill at just a few feet per pass and it took dozens of passes and timid turns, about an hours worth, to slowly work my way down the terribly steep slope.
Later when I told someone about my experience they asked, "Why didn't you just scoot down on your butt". I replied, "Because I am the president of the ski club, I'm not going to scoot down a slope on my butt, that's like cheating, what if someone saw me?". Apparently I had more respect for my office as president of a ski club than Bill Clinton had or has for his office as President of the United States of America.
Ex-president Clintons' penchant for cheating at golf has been legendary and is recently reinforced by Tiger Woods. Woods was in Arkansas for a children's golf clinic, and was asked about playing golf with former President Bill Clinton. Woods described one hole with Clinton during which the former president first took a mulligan (golf lingo for a do over, a practice frowned upon by honorable golfers) then picked up a ball that was six to seven feet from the hole. In golf if your ball is so close to the hole that it is very unlikely you would miss the putt your opponent might give you a nod indicating that you can skip the actual putt, count the stroke and assume you made it. However, no one would allow a six foot putt and you shouldn't assume that allowance yourself even if it is a six inch putt.
Finally, Woods mentioned that when Clinton tallied the scores he didn't count his "mulligan" and recorded the count for the hole as Clinton 3, Woods 4. There was no mention of any bets on the round of golf which was a good thing for Tiger. I have it on good authority that in addition to playing fast and loose with the rules Clinton is also known to welsh on his bets (meaning he makes bets and collects when he wins but forgets to pay when he loses).
Later when I told someone about my experience they asked, "Why didn't you just scoot down on your butt". I replied, "Because I am the president of the ski club, I'm not going to scoot down a slope on my butt, that's like cheating, what if someone saw me?". Apparently I had more respect for my office as president of a ski club than Bill Clinton had or has for his office as President of the United States of America.
Ex-president Clintons' penchant for cheating at golf has been legendary and is recently reinforced by Tiger Woods. Woods was in Arkansas for a children's golf clinic, and was asked about playing golf with former President Bill Clinton. Woods described one hole with Clinton during which the former president first took a mulligan (golf lingo for a do over, a practice frowned upon by honorable golfers) then picked up a ball that was six to seven feet from the hole. In golf if your ball is so close to the hole that it is very unlikely you would miss the putt your opponent might give you a nod indicating that you can skip the actual putt, count the stroke and assume you made it. However, no one would allow a six foot putt and you shouldn't assume that allowance yourself even if it is a six inch putt.
Finally, Woods mentioned that when Clinton tallied the scores he didn't count his "mulligan" and recorded the count for the hole as Clinton 3, Woods 4. There was no mention of any bets on the round of golf which was a good thing for Tiger. I have it on good authority that in addition to playing fast and loose with the rules Clinton is also known to welsh on his bets (meaning he makes bets and collects when he wins but forgets to pay when he loses).
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