The Cook Shack alerted me to a Peggy Noohan article. In writing for the WSJ, Ms. Noohan speaks to an issue that will ultimately, and irrevocably, change the very nature of our country. I believe her words are prophetic:
"We are not assimilating our immigrants patriotic now. We are assimilating them culturally. "
"So far we are assimilating our immigrants economically, too. "
"But we are not communicating love of country. We are not giving them the great legend of our country. We are losing that great legend. "
"Because we do not communicate to our immigrants, legal and illegal, that they have joined something special, some of them, understandably, get the impression they've joined not a great enterprise but a big box store. "
But it's not just the immigrants, it's all our children. We no longer communicate the greatness of this country, the absolute wonder of a powerful free land and the impact it has made on an entire world. A population that sacrifices itself for others and yet demands nothing in return.
"We fought a war to free slaves. We sent millions of white men to battle and destroyed a portion of our nation to free millions of black men. What kind of nation does this? We went to Europe, fought, died and won, and then taxed ourselves to save our enemies with the Marshall Plan. What kind of nation does this?
Don't ever doubt for a second what would have happened sixty-five years ago if the Arsenal of Democracy had stood on the sidelines.
"Soviet communism stalked the world and we were the ones who steeled ourselves and taxed ourselves to stop it. Again: What kind of nation does this? "
Answer: a nation that has faith in what is right. And because of that faith, a united people who recognize a common good and respond in kind to overcome any and all obstacles.
"They're not noticing that the old text--the legend, the myth--isn't being taught anymore. Only the commentary is. But if all the commentary is doubting and critical, how will our kids know what to love and revere?"
The United States is the oldest continuous functioning government in the world. Our Constitution has withstood every challenge from without, but it will succumb to the cancer of indifference.
"Those who teach, and who think for a living about American history, need to be told: Keep the text, teach the text, and only then, if you must, deconstruct the text."
The issue isn't our survival as a nation, rather what kind of nation will survive the rampant narcissism of our culture? How can we maintain a national identity when the principles for the very founding of the republic are scorned and portrayed as lies?
"When you don't love something you lose it. If we do not teach new Americans to love their country, and not for braying or nationalistic reasons but for reasons of honest and thoughtful appreciation, and gratitude, for a history that is something new in the long story of man, then we will begin to lose it. "
We already are traveling down that long road. The immigration controversy is only a symptom of this disease. The precepts and responsibilities of a free nation under God are no longer being taught. Our moral underpinnings have been abandoned and nothing but relativistic rot is being taught to replace it. America as we know it will disappear unless a tremendous effort is undertaken to restore it.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Fun With Numbers: Part II
After the Aussie gun debacle, I wandered over to see how our British cousins are faring after disarming their citizenry. I was in for a surprise. The British Home Office reports that Violent Crime is tumbling down to it's lowest level in twenty years; in fact all crime is down.
Well, I figured I was wrong. Taking guns away from law-biding citizens indeed does the trick.
But then I read this, and I got an incredible warm, gushy feeling, you know, the kind you get when you pick up a loveable, squirming puppy and it pisses all over your chest:
"Note: Violent crime, as measured by the BCS, includes common assault, wounding, robbery and snatch theft. It does not include homicide (as the victims cannot be surveyed) and other types of violent crime, like firearms offences."
Note to reader: BCS is the British Crime Survey
So what's going on? This report at News Max (March 2001) begins to peel back the facade of civility surrounding England's anti-gun laws.
To the great consternation of British authorities concerned about tourism revenue, a June CBS News report proclaimed Great Britain "one of the most violent urban societies in the Western world." Declared Dan Rather: "This summer, thousands of Americans will travel to Britain expecting a civilized island free from crime and ugliness ... [but now] the U.K. has a crime problem ... worse than ours."
Thousands of Americans also traveled to CBS for an unbiased story from Gunga Dan and have come away disappointed. But he got it right this time...
Not surprisingly to many observers, the violent crime rate has risen dramatically and steadily since gun bans have been instituted. That's a trend seen wherever strict gun control laws have been implemented. And that's the part of the story British officials have tried to keep under wraps.
A headline in the London Daily Telegraph back on April 1, 1996, said it all: "Crime Figures a Sham, Say Police." The story noted that "pressure to convince the public that police were winning the fight against crime had resulted in a long list of ruses to 'massage' statistics," and "the recorded crime level bore no resemblance to the actual amount of crime being committed."
The coppers know Barbara Streisand when they smell her.
For example, where a series of homes were burgled, they were regularly recorded as one crime. If a burglar hit 15 or 20 flats, only one crime was added to the statistics.
This is what is known as cooking the books. All that needs to be done is "reclassify" the crime or simply refuse to report a specific type of incident. I have seen it done recently at the local level.
More recently, a 2000 report from the Inspectorate of Constabulary charges Britain's 43 police departments with systemic under-classification of crime – for example, by recording burglary as "vandalism." The report lays much of the blame on the police's desire to avoid the extra paperwork associated with more serious crimes.
Britain's justice officials have also kept crime totals down by being careful about what to count.
It gets better.
"American homicide rates are based on initial data, but British homicide rates are based on the final disposition." Suppose that three men kill a woman during an argument outside a bar. They are arrested for murder, but because of problems with identification (the main witness is dead), charges are eventually dropped. In American crime statistics, the event counts as a three-person homicide, but in British statistics it counts as nothing at all. "With such differences in reporting criteria, comparisons of U.S. homicide rates with British homicide rates is a sham," the report concludes.
What a concept! Give Misha the credit at AIR... this is merely an "Undocumented DOA!" Case closed, let's say we hit the pub for a pint, no?
Explaining away the disparity between crime reported by victims and the official figures became so difficult that, in April 1998, the British Home Office was forced to change its method of reporting crime, and a somewhat more accurate picture began to emerge. In January 2000, official street-crime rates in London were more than double the official rate from the year before.
When you cook the crime books like this you create a potentially very dangerous situation. Policy decisions are supposed to be data-driven, that is, you establish a statistical basis that will support your policy recommendations. When the statistical base you create only exists in the fevered imaginations of liberal politicians, your policies are going to go right down the crapper. And that is exactly what has happened in Merry Ole.
When the United Nations sees the train wreck, you know it's a doozy. This from the September 19,2005 London Times:
A UNITED Nations report has labelled Scotland the most violent country in the developed world, with people three times more likely to be assaulted than in America. England and Wales recorded the second highest number of violent assaults while Northern Ireland recorded the fewest.
The study, based on telephone interviews with victims of crime in 21 countries, found that more than 2,000 Scots were attacked every week, almost ten times the official police figures. They include non-sexual crimes of violence and serious assaults.
Violent crime has doubled in Scotland over the past 20 years and levels, per head of population, are now comparable with cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Tbilisi.
Based on a crime survey of the world's top industrialized countries, the U.N. report indicates that a resident of the United Kingdom is nearly 3 times more likely to become a victim of violent assault than is a citizen of the United States. The report reveals that Scotland is the most violent country in the industrialized world with over 2,000 Scots attacked every week, which amounts to about 3 percent of the population on an annual basis. England and Wales are close behind with 2.8 percent of the population falling victim to violent assault. By comparison, Americans are victimized by violent offenders at a rate of 1.2 percent.
Case closed.
Well, I figured I was wrong. Taking guns away from law-biding citizens indeed does the trick.
But then I read this, and I got an incredible warm, gushy feeling, you know, the kind you get when you pick up a loveable, squirming puppy and it pisses all over your chest:
"Note: Violent crime, as measured by the BCS, includes common assault, wounding, robbery and snatch theft. It does not include homicide (as the victims cannot be surveyed) and other types of violent crime, like firearms offences."
Note to reader: BCS is the British Crime Survey
So what's going on? This report at News Max (March 2001) begins to peel back the facade of civility surrounding England's anti-gun laws.
To the great consternation of British authorities concerned about tourism revenue, a June CBS News report proclaimed Great Britain "one of the most violent urban societies in the Western world." Declared Dan Rather: "This summer, thousands of Americans will travel to Britain expecting a civilized island free from crime and ugliness ... [but now] the U.K. has a crime problem ... worse than ours."
Thousands of Americans also traveled to CBS for an unbiased story from Gunga Dan and have come away disappointed. But he got it right this time...
Not surprisingly to many observers, the violent crime rate has risen dramatically and steadily since gun bans have been instituted. That's a trend seen wherever strict gun control laws have been implemented. And that's the part of the story British officials have tried to keep under wraps.
A headline in the London Daily Telegraph back on April 1, 1996, said it all: "Crime Figures a Sham, Say Police." The story noted that "pressure to convince the public that police were winning the fight against crime had resulted in a long list of ruses to 'massage' statistics," and "the recorded crime level bore no resemblance to the actual amount of crime being committed."
The coppers know Barbara Streisand when they smell her.
For example, where a series of homes were burgled, they were regularly recorded as one crime. If a burglar hit 15 or 20 flats, only one crime was added to the statistics.
This is what is known as cooking the books. All that needs to be done is "reclassify" the crime or simply refuse to report a specific type of incident. I have seen it done recently at the local level.
More recently, a 2000 report from the Inspectorate of Constabulary charges Britain's 43 police departments with systemic under-classification of crime – for example, by recording burglary as "vandalism." The report lays much of the blame on the police's desire to avoid the extra paperwork associated with more serious crimes.
Britain's justice officials have also kept crime totals down by being careful about what to count.
It gets better.
"American homicide rates are based on initial data, but British homicide rates are based on the final disposition." Suppose that three men kill a woman during an argument outside a bar. They are arrested for murder, but because of problems with identification (the main witness is dead), charges are eventually dropped. In American crime statistics, the event counts as a three-person homicide, but in British statistics it counts as nothing at all. "With such differences in reporting criteria, comparisons of U.S. homicide rates with British homicide rates is a sham," the report concludes.
What a concept! Give Misha the credit at AIR... this is merely an "Undocumented DOA!" Case closed, let's say we hit the pub for a pint, no?
Explaining away the disparity between crime reported by victims and the official figures became so difficult that, in April 1998, the British Home Office was forced to change its method of reporting crime, and a somewhat more accurate picture began to emerge. In January 2000, official street-crime rates in London were more than double the official rate from the year before.
When you cook the crime books like this you create a potentially very dangerous situation. Policy decisions are supposed to be data-driven, that is, you establish a statistical basis that will support your policy recommendations. When the statistical base you create only exists in the fevered imaginations of liberal politicians, your policies are going to go right down the crapper. And that is exactly what has happened in Merry Ole.
When the United Nations sees the train wreck, you know it's a doozy. This from the September 19,2005 London Times:
A UNITED Nations report has labelled Scotland the most violent country in the developed world, with people three times more likely to be assaulted than in America. England and Wales recorded the second highest number of violent assaults while Northern Ireland recorded the fewest.
The study, based on telephone interviews with victims of crime in 21 countries, found that more than 2,000 Scots were attacked every week, almost ten times the official police figures. They include non-sexual crimes of violence and serious assaults.
Violent crime has doubled in Scotland over the past 20 years and levels, per head of population, are now comparable with cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Tbilisi.
Based on a crime survey of the world's top industrialized countries, the U.N. report indicates that a resident of the United Kingdom is nearly 3 times more likely to become a victim of violent assault than is a citizen of the United States. The report reveals that Scotland is the most violent country in the industrialized world with over 2,000 Scots attacked every week, which amounts to about 3 percent of the population on an annual basis. England and Wales are close behind with 2.8 percent of the population falling victim to violent assault. By comparison, Americans are victimized by violent offenders at a rate of 1.2 percent.
Case closed.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Fun With Numbers: Part I
Anti-Gun BS Alert
I came upon an Aussie site "proving" how the tough Australian 1996 anti-gun legislation has been a boon to the Australian people. The old adage comes to mind:
"Figures never lie but liars never figure."
Latest official data from Australia shows a marked reduction in gun-related crime and injury following recent restrictions on the private ownership of firearms. Twelve days after 35 people were shot dead by a single gunman in Tasmania, Australia's state and federal governments agreed to enact wide-ranging new gun control laws to curb firearm-related death and injury. Between July 1996 and August 1998, the new restrictions were brought into force. Since that time, key indicators for gun-related death and crime have shown encouraging results.
What is not so encouraging is that law-abiding Australian citizens were disarmed. And now they are paying for it.
"There was a decrease of almost 30% in the number of homicides by firearms from 1997 to 1998."
-- Australian Crime - Facts and Figures 1999. Australian Institute of Criminology. Canberra, Oct 1999
People were using swords, spears, clubs and rocks loooong before firearms were invented. And guess what? They'll use them again if need be.
Those who claim that Australia suffered a "crime wave" as a result of new gun laws often cite as evidence unrelated figures for common assault or sexual assault (no weapon) and armed robbery (any weapon). In fact less than one in five Australian armed robberies involve a firearm. "Although armed robberies increased by nearly 20%, the number of armed robberies involving a firearm decreased to a six-year low."
I'm sure that every Aussie who had a Ginzu held to his throat or had the snot beat out of him is now rejoicing. What's "unrelated" about being robbed or raped? What is "related" is that you have been disarmed.
"A declining firearm suicide rate, a declining firearm assault rate, a stable firearm robbery rate with a declining proportion of robberies committed with a firearm and a declining proportion of damage to property offences committed with a firearm suggest that firearm regulation has been successful in Tasmania."
-- Warner, Prof K. Firearm Deaths and Firearm Crime After Gun Licensing in Tasmania. Australian Institute of Criminology, 3rd National Outlook Symposium on Crime in Australia. Canberra, 22-23 Mar 1999.
The operative expression is "committed with a firearm" because everything else is going to hell in a hand basket. And why not? Criminals don't need a gun anymore thanks to the gubmint. Just walk right up and take it, thank you.
Let's cut to the chase. Here are the Australian crime stats from 1996 to 2003. I couldn't use the 2004 numbers as they are obviously incomplete. The numbers tell us this:
In 1996 Australia reported 354 murders, 114,156 assaults, 14,542 Sexual Assaults, 16,372 Robberies for a total of 145,424 Violent Crimes.
In 2003 Australia reported 341 Murders (-4%), 158,629 Assaults (+39%), 18,237 Sexual Assaults (+25%) and 19,709 Robberies (+20%) for a total of 196,916 Violent Crimes (+35%).
This is the Aussie Anti-gun Miracle, 13 less murders in a nation of 20 million people.
Now examine the violent, evil, gun loving Americans.
In 1996 the FBI reported 19,645 murders, 535,594 assaults, 96,252 Rapes, 1,037,049 Robberies for a total of 1,688,540 Violent Crimes.
In 2003 the FBI reported 16,528 Murders (-19%), 895,030 Assaults (-21%), 93,883 Rapes (-3%) and 414,235 Robberies (-29%) for a total of 1,383,676 Violent Crimes (-22%).
There were 304,864 fewer Violent Crimes committed in the United States during the same period of time. Australia had 51,492 more Violent Crimes. We also have a population almost 15 times the size of Australia's (295,734,134 v 20,090,437 July 2005 est.) as well as a swelling illegal immigrant population.
Not bad.
I came upon an Aussie site "proving" how the tough Australian 1996 anti-gun legislation has been a boon to the Australian people. The old adage comes to mind:
"Figures never lie but liars never figure."
Latest official data from Australia shows a marked reduction in gun-related crime and injury following recent restrictions on the private ownership of firearms. Twelve days after 35 people were shot dead by a single gunman in Tasmania, Australia's state and federal governments agreed to enact wide-ranging new gun control laws to curb firearm-related death and injury. Between July 1996 and August 1998, the new restrictions were brought into force. Since that time, key indicators for gun-related death and crime have shown encouraging results.
What is not so encouraging is that law-abiding Australian citizens were disarmed. And now they are paying for it.
"There was a decrease of almost 30% in the number of homicides by firearms from 1997 to 1998."
-- Australian Crime - Facts and Figures 1999. Australian Institute of Criminology. Canberra, Oct 1999
People were using swords, spears, clubs and rocks loooong before firearms were invented. And guess what? They'll use them again if need be.
Those who claim that Australia suffered a "crime wave" as a result of new gun laws often cite as evidence unrelated figures for common assault or sexual assault (no weapon) and armed robbery (any weapon). In fact less than one in five Australian armed robberies involve a firearm. "Although armed robberies increased by nearly 20%, the number of armed robberies involving a firearm decreased to a six-year low."
I'm sure that every Aussie who had a Ginzu held to his throat or had the snot beat out of him is now rejoicing. What's "unrelated" about being robbed or raped? What is "related" is that you have been disarmed.
"A declining firearm suicide rate, a declining firearm assault rate, a stable firearm robbery rate with a declining proportion of robberies committed with a firearm and a declining proportion of damage to property offences committed with a firearm suggest that firearm regulation has been successful in Tasmania."
-- Warner, Prof K. Firearm Deaths and Firearm Crime After Gun Licensing in Tasmania. Australian Institute of Criminology, 3rd National Outlook Symposium on Crime in Australia. Canberra, 22-23 Mar 1999.
The operative expression is "committed with a firearm" because everything else is going to hell in a hand basket. And why not? Criminals don't need a gun anymore thanks to the gubmint. Just walk right up and take it, thank you.
Let's cut to the chase. Here are the Australian crime stats from 1996 to 2003. I couldn't use the 2004 numbers as they are obviously incomplete. The numbers tell us this:
In 1996 Australia reported 354 murders, 114,156 assaults, 14,542 Sexual Assaults, 16,372 Robberies for a total of 145,424 Violent Crimes.
In 2003 Australia reported 341 Murders (-4%), 158,629 Assaults (+39%), 18,237 Sexual Assaults (+25%) and 19,709 Robberies (+20%) for a total of 196,916 Violent Crimes (+35%).
This is the Aussie Anti-gun Miracle, 13 less murders in a nation of 20 million people.
Now examine the violent, evil, gun loving Americans.
In 1996 the FBI reported 19,645 murders, 535,594 assaults, 96,252 Rapes, 1,037,049 Robberies for a total of 1,688,540 Violent Crimes.
In 2003 the FBI reported 16,528 Murders (-19%), 895,030 Assaults (-21%), 93,883 Rapes (-3%) and 414,235 Robberies (-29%) for a total of 1,383,676 Violent Crimes (-22%).
There were 304,864 fewer Violent Crimes committed in the United States during the same period of time. Australia had 51,492 more Violent Crimes. We also have a population almost 15 times the size of Australia's (295,734,134 v 20,090,437 July 2005 est.) as well as a swelling illegal immigrant population.
Not bad.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Cyborg City
At first I can't say I was real happy to see this development.
European researchers have managed to create a "neuro-chip" where neurons and silicon circuits are able to communicate.
"To create the neuro-chip researchers squeezed more than 16,000 electronic transistors and hundreds of capacitors onto a silicon chip just 1 millimeter square in size.
They used special proteins found in the brain to glue brain cells, called neurons, onto the chip. However, the proteins acted as more than just a simple adhesive.
"They also provided the link between ionic channels of the neurons and semiconductor material in a way that neural electrical signals could be passed to the silicon chip," said study team member Stefano Vassanelli from the University of Padua in Italy.
This article dated February 2003 shows that neurons and silicon have been talking for at least three years. I'm not sure what they were saying and I'm not a rocket scientist so I'm not sure what the implicatons are. But I can dream.
I went to this site to see what smarter (allegedly) people think and ran into moonbats ranting about secret gubmint mind reading programs instead.
This whacko thinks it may be the first step to immortality.
I think that more research should be immediately prioritized regarding neuro-chips and prosthetics devices. If neurons can be "grown" on an integrated circuit, the possibility of giving our war wounded actual prosthetic devices that their nerves can control are real. Imagine a new limb that enables a vet to actually sense his weight and apply pressure! Small motors that can be activated by finding the correct neural path from the brain!
Good stuff. Exciting stuff.
European researchers have managed to create a "neuro-chip" where neurons and silicon circuits are able to communicate.
"To create the neuro-chip researchers squeezed more than 16,000 electronic transistors and hundreds of capacitors onto a silicon chip just 1 millimeter square in size.
They used special proteins found in the brain to glue brain cells, called neurons, onto the chip. However, the proteins acted as more than just a simple adhesive.
"They also provided the link between ionic channels of the neurons and semiconductor material in a way that neural electrical signals could be passed to the silicon chip," said study team member Stefano Vassanelli from the University of Padua in Italy.
This article dated February 2003 shows that neurons and silicon have been talking for at least three years. I'm not sure what they were saying and I'm not a rocket scientist so I'm not sure what the implicatons are. But I can dream.
I went to this site to see what smarter (allegedly) people think and ran into moonbats ranting about secret gubmint mind reading programs instead.
This whacko thinks it may be the first step to immortality.
I think that more research should be immediately prioritized regarding neuro-chips and prosthetics devices. If neurons can be "grown" on an integrated circuit, the possibility of giving our war wounded actual prosthetic devices that their nerves can control are real. Imagine a new limb that enables a vet to actually sense his weight and apply pressure! Small motors that can be activated by finding the correct neural path from the brain!
Good stuff. Exciting stuff.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
From The Frying Pan Into The Fire
Dread Pundit posts that, according to ABC News, Abdul Rahman's case has been dismissed by an Afghani court for "a lack of information and a lot of legal gaps in the case," and that he will be released soon.
Until then, authorities moved him to "a notorious maximum-security prison outside Kabul that is also home to hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaida militants. The move to Policharki Prison came after detainees threatened his life at an overcrowded police holding facility in central Kabul,"
You can almost hear them sharpening their knives.
I give the poor guy three days, a week at most before the prison chefs grind him into Policharki Pate' de rahman.
They'll be spreading this guy on crackers.
Until then, authorities moved him to "a notorious maximum-security prison outside Kabul that is also home to hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaida militants. The move to Policharki Prison came after detainees threatened his life at an overcrowded police holding facility in central Kabul,"
You can almost hear them sharpening their knives.
I give the poor guy three days, a week at most before the prison chefs grind him into Policharki Pate' de rahman.
They'll be spreading this guy on crackers.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Shut This Man Up
The Conservablog has posted a link to a site advocating the censure of Jimmy Carter. This is mostly a symbolic measure; censure is “a process of Congressional reprimand--the political equivalent of a strongly-worded letter.”
Jimmy Carter unfortunately won't go to jail. But maybe, just maybe it'll shut this drooling, treasonous fool up.
Please go there and sign the petition.
Jimmy Carter unfortunately won't go to jail. But maybe, just maybe it'll shut this drooling, treasonous fool up.
Please go there and sign the petition.
Suffer The Little Children
There is a special place in hell for certain people...
From the Syracuse Post Standard:
"Cortland police officers entered the house on Union Street looking for drugs. They found 5 ounces of marijuana, but they also found a scene far more gruesome than they expected, Cortland police Chief James Nichols said."
A place where they will be savaged for all eternity...
"Bags of garbage covered the floors of 6 Union St. Cockroaches scurried about, and soiled diapers littered the home. Upstairs, a 5-year-old boy suffering from Down syndrome lay in a bedroom unable to speak or stand, Nichols said. Lice covered his body, and he sat in diapers full of his own waste."
Where they can contemplate the terrible things they have done while being ravaged by fire...
"Police said the boy weighed 15 pounds, the average weight of a 31/2-month-old. A typical 5-year-old should weigh about 40 pounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
There comes times in a cop's career when he just has to shut it down, turn it all off.
"The police chief said it was one of the worst cases of child abuse his department has seen."
No emotions, no feelings, just a robot-like attention to duty and detail. Take photos, collect and bag the evidence, type the affidavits and write the reports.
"The officers were horrified," Nichols said Friday. "The doctors described the boy as dangerously malnourished and showing signs of starvation. If this neglect had continued, he could have died."
Because if you don't you're gonna kill some asshole.
Police also found an 11-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy in the home. Like their younger brother, Nichols said, both suffered from malnourishment and neglect.
And people wonder why cops drink...
From the Syracuse Post Standard:
"Cortland police officers entered the house on Union Street looking for drugs. They found 5 ounces of marijuana, but they also found a scene far more gruesome than they expected, Cortland police Chief James Nichols said."
A place where they will be savaged for all eternity...
"Bags of garbage covered the floors of 6 Union St. Cockroaches scurried about, and soiled diapers littered the home. Upstairs, a 5-year-old boy suffering from Down syndrome lay in a bedroom unable to speak or stand, Nichols said. Lice covered his body, and he sat in diapers full of his own waste."
Where they can contemplate the terrible things they have done while being ravaged by fire...
"Police said the boy weighed 15 pounds, the average weight of a 31/2-month-old. A typical 5-year-old should weigh about 40 pounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
There comes times in a cop's career when he just has to shut it down, turn it all off.
"The police chief said it was one of the worst cases of child abuse his department has seen."
No emotions, no feelings, just a robot-like attention to duty and detail. Take photos, collect and bag the evidence, type the affidavits and write the reports.
"The officers were horrified," Nichols said Friday. "The doctors described the boy as dangerously malnourished and showing signs of starvation. If this neglect had continued, he could have died."
Because if you don't you're gonna kill some asshole.
Police also found an 11-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy in the home. Like their younger brother, Nichols said, both suffered from malnourishment and neglect.
And then there's those who just don't care...
"Christina Stevens, who lived next door in the same two-family house for several months last year, said the 5-year-old boy next door looked as though he were 10 to 12 months old. Stevens said she called Cortland County child protective services workers at least three times last year about the family."And people wonder why cops drink...
Donuts
As a retired cop (and still gainfully employed in LE), I naturally look at many current issues from a cop's view point. Sorry, can't help it.
One of these issues concerns donuts. Now I like donuts, AKA "Police Vitamins," But I am referring here to prison donuts. The ones served to criminal aliens as part of their taxpayer funded breakfast.
I found this May 2005 report released by the National institute of Corrections (NIC) referring to "Information regarding the criminal histories of incarcerated aliens..." and directed to the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, the Honorable John N. Hostettler, Chairman.
This documents reports that:
One of these issues concerns donuts. Now I like donuts, AKA "Police Vitamins," But I am referring here to prison donuts. The ones served to criminal aliens as part of their taxpayer funded breakfast.
I found this May 2005 report released by the National institute of Corrections (NIC) referring to "Information regarding the criminal histories of incarcerated aliens..." and directed to the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, the Honorable John N. Hostettler, Chairman.
This documents reports that:
- There were about ten million illegal aliens living in the US in 2005.
- In 2003 there were 55,322 illegal aliens incarcerated in federal/state prisons and local jails.
- These illegal aliens combined for 459,614 arrests on 691,890 offenses
- On the average each illegal was arrested at least 8 times
- About 24% of these offenses (166,054) were drug crimes.
- About 15% of these offenses (103,784) were property crimes such as burglary, larceny, auto theft and property damage.
- About 12% of these offenses (83,027) were violent crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and assault.
- 80% of all arrests (367,691) occurred in three states - California (58%), Texas (14%) and Arizona (8%).
In a prior report to the same Subcommittee in April, 2005, the NIC reported that:
- The federal government bears total cost of incarcerating all criminal aliens in federal prisons and reimburses state and local governments for portions of their incarceration costs for certain criminal alien populations through the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).
- Any costs related to incarcerating criminal aliens not reimbursed by the federal government are borne by state and local governments.
Here the NIC is reporting on criminal aliens, which includes both legal and illegal aliens, housed in correctional and custody facilities in the US.
Within the federal prison system:
- Criminal aliens incarcerated increased from about 42,000 at year-end 2001 to about 49,000 at year-end 2004.
- For 2004, the majority of incarcerated criminal aliens were identified as citizens of Mexico.
- The federal cost of incarcerating criminal aliens totaled about $5.8 billion from 2001 through 2004.
The 2004 federal prison population was 180,328 inmates; criminal aliens (47,000) comprised 27% of the total.
Within the state prison systems:
- 47 states received reimbursement for incarcerating about 74,000 criminal aliens in fiscal year 2003.
- 5 state prison systems incarcerated about 80 percent of these criminal aliens in fiscal year 2003 - Arizona, California, Florida, New York, and Texas.
- 4 of these 5 states spent a total of $1.6 billion in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 to incarcerate State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) criminal aliens and were reimbursed about $233 million through SCAAP. (A reimbursement rate of 14.5%)
Within the local jail systems:
- Fiscal year 2003 - SCAAP reimbursed 698 local jurisdictions for about 147,000 criminal aliens.
- 5 municipal and county jails incarcerated about 30 percent of these criminal aliens in fiscal year 2003 - Los Angeles County, California; New York City, New York; Orange County, California; Harris County, Texas; and, Maricopa County, Arizona.
- 4 of these 5 local jails spent a total of $390 million in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 to incarcerate SCAAP criminal aliens and were reimbursed about $73 million through SCAAP. (The feds picked up only 19% of the cost, it appears that many incarcerated illegals do not qualify for reimbursement at the state and local level)
Unfortunately not all state and local prison authorities report the number of illegals detained or the costs. But we do get a clearer picture of the impact of criminal aliens on our criminal justice systems.
I extrapolated the costs given for the 30% reported in local jails and the 80% in state prisons. This is a very rough estimate given that costs to house a prisoner vary significantly depending on whether it's a low, medium or high security facility, where the facility is located and the differences between federal, state and local "amenities". Because of the incomplete reporting by states and localities, it is also a low estimate.
for 2002 through 2003:
- Federal prison system expended $2.9 billion (half of $5.8 billion for 2001-04)
- State prison systems expended $2 billion ($1.6 billion divided by .8)
- Local jail systems expended $1.3 billion ($390 million divided by .3)
- Total expenditures estimated at $6.2 billion or $3.1 billion annually
The smell of bean burritos permeating the criminal justice system, priceless.
Show Us
I have a question for all the supporters of illegal immigration. If you want to show America how much we need illegal aliens, instead of protesting, why don't all you return to Mexico for a week or two? A month? Six months?
Go ahead, show us ! Bring us to our knees! Have us beg for you to return to free welfare gimmes.
What are the costs of illegal aliens? The individual States pay a increasing tax burden for providing illegals with schools and hospital care, and increased costs for police and prisons. In Harris County, Texas, 20% of the prison population were illegal aliens.
In 2002 our taxes also supported welfare costs for illegals through Medicaid ($2.5 billion); treatment for the uninsured ($2.2 billion); food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches ($1.9 billion); the federal prison and court systems ($1.6 billion); and federal aid to schools ($1.4 billion).
In the State of California the burden to the taxpayer for illegal (insert "criminal" at this point) immigration is estimated at over $10 billion annually. Other estimates are even higher.
This is insane. Massachusetts was even considering a law that would grant the children of illegal aliens free college tuition! And they don't even want to learn English!
On a more sinister note, US House of Representatives Ted Poe, Texas 2nd District, states, "In Michigan, 23 criminal cases were filed alleging that pregnant women from Syria, Lebanon and Yemen flew into the United States, falsified information on Medicaid forms to cover those costs of delivering their babies, and then returned to their native countries within a few months. Americans paid for all of this criminal activity."
What he didn't say is that their children (who are US citizens) are now being raised in hotbeds of Islamic terrorism. If they indoctrinate these kids with virulent anti-American hatred and love of death, we cannot stop them from returning to the US.
Go ahead, show us ! Bring us to our knees! Have us beg for you to return to free welfare gimmes.
What are the costs of illegal aliens? The individual States pay a increasing tax burden for providing illegals with schools and hospital care, and increased costs for police and prisons. In Harris County, Texas, 20% of the prison population were illegal aliens.
In 2002 our taxes also supported welfare costs for illegals through Medicaid ($2.5 billion); treatment for the uninsured ($2.2 billion); food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches ($1.9 billion); the federal prison and court systems ($1.6 billion); and federal aid to schools ($1.4 billion).
In the State of California the burden to the taxpayer for illegal (insert "criminal" at this point) immigration is estimated at over $10 billion annually. Other estimates are even higher.
This is insane. Massachusetts was even considering a law that would grant the children of illegal aliens free college tuition! And they don't even want to learn English!
On a more sinister note, US House of Representatives Ted Poe, Texas 2nd District, states, "In Michigan, 23 criminal cases were filed alleging that pregnant women from Syria, Lebanon and Yemen flew into the United States, falsified information on Medicaid forms to cover those costs of delivering their babies, and then returned to their native countries within a few months. Americans paid for all of this criminal activity."
What he didn't say is that their children (who are US citizens) are now being raised in hotbeds of Islamic terrorism. If they indoctrinate these kids with virulent anti-American hatred and love of death, we cannot stop them from returning to the US.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Failed Strategy
In a commentary carried by the LA Times, Madeleine Albright demonstrates beyond a doubt of a doubt why the Clinton administration was not only incompetent, but also unqualified to defend the interests of the United States.
Ms. Albright does not believe in the existence of good and evil. And because of that, she and her boss completely failed to recognize that evil men take pleasure in committing the most vile acts.
"It is sometimes convenient, for purposes of rhetorical effect, for national leaders to talk of a globe neatly divided into good and bad. It is quite another, however, to base the policies of the world's most powerful nation upon that fiction."
Ms. Albright ignores the Holocaust, the massacres in the Ukraine, Ghana, Rwanda, China and many more. History is replete with the horrors of man's inhumanity to man, yet she blithefully blathers on.
Her solutions are:
1) Admit failure in Iraq - "The U.S. is no longer able to control events in Iraq, but it can be useful as a referee."
2) Admit failure in Iran - "The Bush administration should disavow any plan for regime change in Iran not because the regime should not be changed but because U.S. endorsement of that goal only makes it less likely."
3) Admit failure in the Middle East - "...the administration must stop playing solitaire while Middle East and Persian Gulf leaders play poker."
I wouldn't allow this tired political hack to run a paper route. She counsels the Bush administration to cease present operations in the Middle East and instead allow murders and thieves to dictate US foreign policy. This from someone who runs a business that represents Arab interests (DP World). I wonder how much The Albright Group, LLC was paid to write that self serving piece of crap.
No wonder the Clinton administration will not only be remembered for it's scandals but for it's utter failure to recognize the dangers posed by Muslim terrorists. Three bombings (WTC the first, AF barracks at Khobar, and the USS Cole) occurred under his watch with virtually no response.
Ronald Reagan 's foreign policy was successful because he believed that the Soviet Union was evil and then worked to hasten its collapse. Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright believed in nuanced complexities and accomplished nothing.
I have witnessed evil. I've walked in blood pools so thick and slick that I had to hold onto the furniture to keep my balance. I've held the next of kin as they collapsed from shock and grief. I have seen first hand what evil men can and will do and for the life of me I cannot understand how elected officials can be so blind.
Ms. Albright does not believe in the existence of good and evil. And because of that, she and her boss completely failed to recognize that evil men take pleasure in committing the most vile acts.
"It is sometimes convenient, for purposes of rhetorical effect, for national leaders to talk of a globe neatly divided into good and bad. It is quite another, however, to base the policies of the world's most powerful nation upon that fiction."
Ms. Albright ignores the Holocaust, the massacres in the Ukraine, Ghana, Rwanda, China and many more. History is replete with the horrors of man's inhumanity to man, yet she blithefully blathers on.
Her solutions are:
1) Admit failure in Iraq - "The U.S. is no longer able to control events in Iraq, but it can be useful as a referee."
2) Admit failure in Iran - "The Bush administration should disavow any plan for regime change in Iran not because the regime should not be changed but because U.S. endorsement of that goal only makes it less likely."
3) Admit failure in the Middle East - "...the administration must stop playing solitaire while Middle East and Persian Gulf leaders play poker."
I wouldn't allow this tired political hack to run a paper route. She counsels the Bush administration to cease present operations in the Middle East and instead allow murders and thieves to dictate US foreign policy. This from someone who runs a business that represents Arab interests (DP World). I wonder how much The Albright Group, LLC was paid to write that self serving piece of crap.
No wonder the Clinton administration will not only be remembered for it's scandals but for it's utter failure to recognize the dangers posed by Muslim terrorists. Three bombings (WTC the first, AF barracks at Khobar, and the USS Cole) occurred under his watch with virtually no response.
Ronald Reagan 's foreign policy was successful because he believed that the Soviet Union was evil and then worked to hasten its collapse. Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright believed in nuanced complexities and accomplished nothing.
I have witnessed evil. I've walked in blood pools so thick and slick that I had to hold onto the furniture to keep my balance. I've held the next of kin as they collapsed from shock and grief. I have seen first hand what evil men can and will do and for the life of me I cannot understand how elected officials can be so blind.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Christians: Activist vs. Missionary
After reading excellent posts at Stop The ACLU and The Dread Pundit Bluto regarding the successful multinational military rescue of three members of the Christian Peace Team, I was struck by the difference between so-called Christian Peace Team activists and the Christian missionaries I have been fortunate to know. The peace activists invoke the name of Christ to pursue political objectives. From the CPT website:
"Christian Peacemaker Teams is a program of Brethren, Quaker and Mennonite Churches (USA and Canada). The Baptist Peace Fellowship, Every Church a Peace Church, On Earth Peace and The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship are also sponsors of CPT."
Looking at their operational areas, it is no surprise that they are for the most part active in areas of the world where the United States has a powerful (military) influence or where they can represent ecological interests. Only one country (Chechnya) does not fall into this pattern. Most of their web site is devoted to "challenging the injustices of the occupation, and telling the stories of those forced to live under it."
The CPT says that they have learned that:
"Christian Peacemaker Teams is a program of Brethren, Quaker and Mennonite Churches (USA and Canada). The Baptist Peace Fellowship, Every Church a Peace Church, On Earth Peace and The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship are also sponsors of CPT."
Looking at their operational areas, it is no surprise that they are for the most part active in areas of the world where the United States has a powerful (military) influence or where they can represent ecological interests. Only one country (Chechnya) does not fall into this pattern. Most of their web site is devoted to "challenging the injustices of the occupation, and telling the stories of those forced to live under it."
The CPT says that they have learned that:
- trained, skilled, international teams can work effectively to support local efforts toward nonviolent peacemaking;
- “getting in the way” of injustice through direct nonviolent intervention, public witness and reporting to the larger world community can make a difference;
- peace team work engages congregations, meetings and support groups at home to play a key advocacy role with policy makers.
Except this strategy doesn't work where they cannot blame the United States for all the evils that plague a nation. The CPT has been active since 1993, but where you will not find the CPT is:
Sudan: "conflict that broke out in the western region of Darfur in 2003 has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and nearly 2 million displaced; as of late 2005, peacekeeping troops were struggling to stabilize the situation" (CIA Factbook). CPT? Not there.
Rwanda: A civil war, "along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees ... fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the former Zaire" (CIA Factbook). CPT presense? Nada.
It seems that the CPT haunts countries where the US can be blamed for all manner of mischief and the US military can bail them out if needed.
I have a good friend who comes from a missionary family. He was brought up in the Central African Republic (CAR) and is active in the missionary field through Baptist Mid Missions. His brother is currently a missionary in the CAR, the same nation his father served for so many decades.
Or at least he was until muslims and animists threatened him and his family. He has been robbed at gunpoint by muslim militia; once a militia member put the muzzle of a rifle in his mouth and threatened to kill him. He has been forced to hide while they broke into his house at night and ransacked it. He has also defended himself with a rifle against garden variety thieves. He has been threatened with imprisonment for a business deal that never took place. He has been forced to flee the country twice in as many years but still struggles to go back.
Why does he do this? Simple, he is trying to train local Africans to start and maintain their own churches. He feels a bond of loyalty that few of us can understand, a sense of responsibility for a people, a nation where God has called him. There are no US armed forces to protect him. He does not engage in empty symbolic exercises. He is too busy spreading the gospel. This is a true Christian activist.
There are no politics as far as he is concerned. He could care less about presidents and councils and media representation. His sole concerns is for souls. It is the missionaries who go to places where you will never find activists.
Many activists seek their lives, define their lives through the media. Where there are no cameras, there you will find the missionary.
The last commandment of Christ charged all believers with the Great Commission:
“All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:18-20 ASV).
You judge if the CPT agenda of anti-war demonstrations is in compliance with this.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Abdul Rahman
After reading about some efforts to spare the life of Abdul Rahman at The Cookshack, I fired off an email to the Afgan embassy info@embassyofafghanistan.org. This is what I wrote:
Dear Sirs:
I was astounded to learn of the prosecution of Abdul Rahman because of his decision to change his religion. I thought that the hundreds of American lives and billions of dollars we invested in your country had defeated the savagery of the Taliban.
Was I wrong? Are you really contemplating the execution of this man?
If so, then our lives and treasure were seriously misspent and I will contact my elected officials to see if we can return your country to the state we originally found it in.
Sincerely,
***********
My email went out at 9:12 pm. This reply came back almost immediately. Obviously a form letter type of response but I think I recognize an "Uncle" when I hear it.
The Embassy of Afghanistan greatly appreciates public concern about Mr. Abdul Rahman. We have received a significant number of inquiries about his case, which initially involved a civil lawsuit in child custody filed by his family.
Please note that the Government of Afghanistan is fully aware of and pursuing the best ways to resolve his case judicially. It is too early to draw any conclusion about the punishment, and we appreciate public understanding of the sensitivity of religious issues.
The Afghan judicial system is currently evaluating questions raised about the mental fitness of Mr. Rahman, the results of which may end the proceedings. Hence we kindly request that the judicial process be given time to resolve Mr. Rahman case.
The Constitution of Afghanistan provides protection for freedom of religion. The Government of Afghanistan will ensure that the constitutional rights of its citizens, international principles, and the due judicial process are respected and implemented.
Maybe the response of many Americans helped bring these people to their senses. Or they'll just wait for things to quiet down and then select an expeditious moment to send Mr. Rahman to his eternal Home with the aid of unidentified "terrorists."
If the Afghan constitution provides for freedom of religion, how in blazes did Mr. Rahman end up in court facing a possible death sentemce?
Dear Sirs:
I was astounded to learn of the prosecution of Abdul Rahman because of his decision to change his religion. I thought that the hundreds of American lives and billions of dollars we invested in your country had defeated the savagery of the Taliban.
Was I wrong? Are you really contemplating the execution of this man?
If so, then our lives and treasure were seriously misspent and I will contact my elected officials to see if we can return your country to the state we originally found it in.
Sincerely,
***********
My email went out at 9:12 pm. This reply came back almost immediately. Obviously a form letter type of response but I think I recognize an "Uncle" when I hear it.
The Embassy of Afghanistan greatly appreciates public concern about Mr. Abdul Rahman. We have received a significant number of inquiries about his case, which initially involved a civil lawsuit in child custody filed by his family.
Please note that the Government of Afghanistan is fully aware of and pursuing the best ways to resolve his case judicially. It is too early to draw any conclusion about the punishment, and we appreciate public understanding of the sensitivity of religious issues.
The Afghan judicial system is currently evaluating questions raised about the mental fitness of Mr. Rahman, the results of which may end the proceedings. Hence we kindly request that the judicial process be given time to resolve Mr. Rahman case.
The Constitution of Afghanistan provides protection for freedom of religion. The Government of Afghanistan will ensure that the constitutional rights of its citizens, international principles, and the due judicial process are respected and implemented.
Maybe the response of many Americans helped bring these people to their senses. Or they'll just wait for things to quiet down and then select an expeditious moment to send Mr. Rahman to his eternal Home with the aid of unidentified "terrorists."
If the Afghan constitution provides for freedom of religion, how in blazes did Mr. Rahman end up in court facing a possible death sentemce?
America's Sacrifice
The Jawa Report references a post at Say Anything, where there is discussion on what the number of US deaths in Iraq means, comparing the first four years of Clinton's administration against the first four years of Bush 43. I decided to take a look at the numbers to see if there is any sense to be made out of this.
As I got into researching America's war dead and wounded, I started to feel like Tom Hanks in the movie Saving Private Ryan where his men are pawing through the dogtags of KIA’s while wounded GI’s walk past them. The numbers mean nothing outside a long and careful consideration of what these men and women were fighting for. And I spent a good part of the afternoon doing just that. But I found it necessary to look at the whole grim picture of the sacrifices that so many have made.
The Department of Veterans Affairs shows US killed and wounded as follows:
America's Wars Total
U.S. Military Service During Wartime 43,185,893
Battle Deaths 652,696
Other Deaths (In Theater) 14,416
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater) 525,223
Non-mortal Woundings 1,447,281
WWI
Battle deaths 53,402
Other deaths in service 63,114
Non-mortal woundings 204,002
WWII
Battle deaths 291,557
Other deaths in service 113,842
Non-mortal woundings 671,846
Korean War
Battle deaths 33,741
Other deaths in service 20,557
Non-mortal woundings 103,284
Vietnam
Battle deaths 47,410
Other deaths in service 42,785
Non-mortal woundings 153,303
The following statistics can be found here:
1992-1996 Clinton
Battle deaths 1
Other deaths in service 4,301
Non-mortal woundings n/a
2000-2004 Bush
Battle deaths 1,102
Other deaths in service 4,085
Non-mortal woundings n/a
Note: record keeping for wars prior to WWI did not account for other service deaths. Not until the Korean War were other service deaths categorized as theater and non-theater)
Historically during times when America is at war, other service deaths run 83% of battle deaths. Since Clinton was not a war time president, we cannot evaluate his administration as compared to other presidents. And to tell the truth, after pondering these numbers for the past hour and a half, I'm not interested.
But the first four years of Bush’s administration are really interesting. For the very first time, battle deaths are not only lower, but almost four times lower (3.7x) then other service deaths.
This is an amazing tribute to the technology and tactics of the US armed services.
As of March, the latest figures for the Iraqi War losses show 2,319 battle deaths and 16,653 non-mortal woundings. No numbers are available for other service deaths.
I apologize for the awful statistical formatting. I survive on Excel spreadsheets at work and I promise to figure out how to get one in a post.
As I got into researching America's war dead and wounded, I started to feel like Tom Hanks in the movie Saving Private Ryan where his men are pawing through the dogtags of KIA’s while wounded GI’s walk past them. The numbers mean nothing outside a long and careful consideration of what these men and women were fighting for. And I spent a good part of the afternoon doing just that. But I found it necessary to look at the whole grim picture of the sacrifices that so many have made.
The Department of Veterans Affairs shows US killed and wounded as follows:
America's Wars Total
U.S. Military Service During Wartime 43,185,893
Battle Deaths 652,696
Other Deaths (In Theater) 14,416
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater) 525,223
Non-mortal Woundings 1,447,281
WWI
Battle deaths 53,402
Other deaths in service 63,114
Non-mortal woundings 204,002
WWII
Battle deaths 291,557
Other deaths in service 113,842
Non-mortal woundings 671,846
Korean War
Battle deaths 33,741
Other deaths in service 20,557
Non-mortal woundings 103,284
Vietnam
Battle deaths 47,410
Other deaths in service 42,785
Non-mortal woundings 153,303
The following statistics can be found here:
1992-1996 Clinton
Battle deaths 1
Other deaths in service 4,301
Non-mortal woundings n/a
2000-2004 Bush
Battle deaths 1,102
Other deaths in service 4,085
Non-mortal woundings n/a
Note: record keeping for wars prior to WWI did not account for other service deaths. Not until the Korean War were other service deaths categorized as theater and non-theater)
Historically during times when America is at war, other service deaths run 83% of battle deaths. Since Clinton was not a war time president, we cannot evaluate his administration as compared to other presidents. And to tell the truth, after pondering these numbers for the past hour and a half, I'm not interested.
But the first four years of Bush’s administration are really interesting. For the very first time, battle deaths are not only lower, but almost four times lower (3.7x) then other service deaths.
This is an amazing tribute to the technology and tactics of the US armed services.
As of March, the latest figures for the Iraqi War losses show 2,319 battle deaths and 16,653 non-mortal woundings. No numbers are available for other service deaths.
I apologize for the awful statistical formatting. I survive on Excel spreadsheets at work and I promise to figure out how to get one in a post.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Required Reading
This is required reading for all the anti-war moonbats.
Dread Pundit Bluto has posted a letter from Najim Abdullah Abidal-Jibouri, the Mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Ninewa, Iraq, thanking the men and women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment for saving their lives.
"To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months."
Why isn't this letter on the front page of the NY Times or the WaPo? Why isn't the Mayor being interviewed by the MSM. Does it surprise anyone that none of this has happened?
"I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism."
More than anyone here, this man is qualified to speak for the mission of our armed forces in Iraq.
"Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpsesof children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young."
"To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute.
How about one of you libs telling this man that it was all a horrible mistake.
"They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and inevery flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life."
This is gratitude. Something you moonbats only feel when someone gives you a bong hit.
"We see them in the smile of every child, and inevery flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life."
We honor all the brave souls who serve in our armed forces. And we join in praise of the men and woman of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. And for you libs out there, here once again is a dose of John Stewart Mills:
"A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight; nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety; is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
Dread Pundit Bluto has posted a letter from Najim Abdullah Abidal-Jibouri, the Mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Ninewa, Iraq, thanking the men and women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment for saving their lives.
"To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months."
Why isn't this letter on the front page of the NY Times or the WaPo? Why isn't the Mayor being interviewed by the MSM. Does it surprise anyone that none of this has happened?
"I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism."
More than anyone here, this man is qualified to speak for the mission of our armed forces in Iraq.
"Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpsesof children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young."
"To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute.
How about one of you libs telling this man that it was all a horrible mistake.
"They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and inevery flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life."
This is gratitude. Something you moonbats only feel when someone gives you a bong hit.
"We see them in the smile of every child, and inevery flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life."
We honor all the brave souls who serve in our armed forces. And we join in praise of the men and woman of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. And for you libs out there, here once again is a dose of John Stewart Mills:
"A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight; nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety; is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
The Long Term
J.R. Dunn at the American Thinker has a very interesting article on the future of jihad and what it implies for western culture. It's a bit long, but well worth your attention.
Dunn's musings consider the recent events in Iran and the Cartoon Jihad as evidence of weakness in Islamic extremists.
"But these examples do suggest that the struggle in the Middle East has mutated, with the Islamists and their allies—the Arab nationalists and the old regimes—adapting a new strategy: the struggle to halt reform in the Middle East is no longer, for the moment, a military effort, but a political one."
As Dunn develops this notion, he reminds us that a political offensive requires a political (as well as military) response. And this is is of great concern to me. The Democrats will stop at nothing to discredit and dishearten our war effort.
"A political solution is necessary to secure the military victories already won. This strategy will require patience, understanding, and willingness to overcome setbacks. "
This is why the Democrats are so busy attacking our President's war policies. They understand the political component of any conflict; why the home fires of an opponent are just as important a target as an enemy munitions factory.
In many respects I don't agree with everything that Bush says and does. The border situation drives me to distraction. Iran should have been turned into a one huge 7-11 parking lot in 1979. But he is doing more than his draft-dodging, dope smoking, skirt-chasing predecessor (words of Maj. Gen. Harold N. Campbell).
In their lust for political power at any cost, the Democratic party will seek to destabilize the political scene and discourage the wrong "type" of voters from participating. For over forty years the anti-war movement has been part and parcel of the DNC. The demonstrations last week just underscore their preparations for the 2008 elections.
Dunn's musings consider the recent events in Iran and the Cartoon Jihad as evidence of weakness in Islamic extremists.
"But these examples do suggest that the struggle in the Middle East has mutated, with the Islamists and their allies—the Arab nationalists and the old regimes—adapting a new strategy: the struggle to halt reform in the Middle East is no longer, for the moment, a military effort, but a political one."
As Dunn develops this notion, he reminds us that a political offensive requires a political (as well as military) response. And this is is of great concern to me. The Democrats will stop at nothing to discredit and dishearten our war effort.
"A political solution is necessary to secure the military victories already won. This strategy will require patience, understanding, and willingness to overcome setbacks. "
This is why the Democrats are so busy attacking our President's war policies. They understand the political component of any conflict; why the home fires of an opponent are just as important a target as an enemy munitions factory.
In many respects I don't agree with everything that Bush says and does. The border situation drives me to distraction. Iran should have been turned into a one huge 7-11 parking lot in 1979. But he is doing more than his draft-dodging, dope smoking, skirt-chasing predecessor (words of Maj. Gen. Harold N. Campbell).
In their lust for political power at any cost, the Democratic party will seek to destabilize the political scene and discourage the wrong "type" of voters from participating. For over forty years the anti-war movement has been part and parcel of the DNC. The demonstrations last week just underscore their preparations for the 2008 elections.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Zippy Doesn't Get it
The far-right crowd does not want to get news that conflicts with their demented view of the world. These are the people who live on Limbaugh's, O'Reilly's, and Matthew's, diet of hysterical rantings.
Evil Progressive AKA "Zippy" (emphasis mine)
It's good to see the libs are reacting to what I have to say in the preceding post; it's flattering that they are bothered enough to jump on my little blog.
My answer is this. You just don't get it do you?
This was your DAY, the day when protest organizers put it all together and showed the world that they could "take it to the streets." This was not a spontaneous outpouring of anti-war bubbleheads united in a vision of peace and justice. This was a contrived, calculated PR effort on behalf of thousands of organizers around the world.
And you fell flat on yer arse. All dolled up in your new prom dress and no where to go.
You're telling me 50 people in Utah is a good turnout? Come on, even San Francisco was quiet in comparison to other protest events. DC peace organizers are wondering "what happened" and you're claiming that I'm out of touch? If you can't get thousands and thousands of people to show up to protest a war in DC on a Saturday then you're on life support Zippy.
This is what slays me about you libs... you think that because someone is not frothing at the mouth about BushHitlerRoveEvaBraunRice then we're all for the death and destruction in the ME. Forget about body counts, the neocons want body parts, eh?
Robert E Lee said it most succinctly, "It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it."
It's not that we want a war, it's just that the alternative is completely unacceptable.
War is terrible. No one disagrees about that in any shape, manner or form. I wish all our troops were home safe and sound with their families.
I also wish that the 2,967 people killed in the 9/11 attacks were still alive.
I wish those 17 sailors killed aboard the USS Cole were still alive.
I wish the 241 marines/soldiers killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing were with us today.
I wish that the 19 soldiers killed in the Air Force barracks bombing in Saudi Arabia were alive.
I wish that the 192 people killed in the Madrid rail station bombing were alive.
I wish that Daniel Pearl and Nick Berg were still alive too.
Well Zippy, they're all dead.
And the reason why they and thousands more are dead is because of Islamic extremism. That's why we are embroiled in a war, plain and simple.
John Stewart Mill wrote, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight; nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety; is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
Decayed and degraded. Miserable creature.
I can't improve on that.
And that's why Zippy and his troll buddies will never get it.
Evil Progressive AKA "Zippy" (emphasis mine)
It's good to see the libs are reacting to what I have to say in the preceding post; it's flattering that they are bothered enough to jump on my little blog.
My answer is this. You just don't get it do you?
This was your DAY, the day when protest organizers put it all together and showed the world that they could "take it to the streets." This was not a spontaneous outpouring of anti-war bubbleheads united in a vision of peace and justice. This was a contrived, calculated PR effort on behalf of thousands of organizers around the world.
And you fell flat on yer arse. All dolled up in your new prom dress and no where to go.
You're telling me 50 people in Utah is a good turnout? Come on, even San Francisco was quiet in comparison to other protest events. DC peace organizers are wondering "what happened" and you're claiming that I'm out of touch? If you can't get thousands and thousands of people to show up to protest a war in DC on a Saturday then you're on life support Zippy.
This is what slays me about you libs... you think that because someone is not frothing at the mouth about BushHitlerRoveEvaBraunRice then we're all for the death and destruction in the ME. Forget about body counts, the neocons want body parts, eh?
Robert E Lee said it most succinctly, "It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it."
It's not that we want a war, it's just that the alternative is completely unacceptable.
War is terrible. No one disagrees about that in any shape, manner or form. I wish all our troops were home safe and sound with their families.
I also wish that the 2,967 people killed in the 9/11 attacks were still alive.
I wish those 17 sailors killed aboard the USS Cole were still alive.
I wish the 241 marines/soldiers killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing were with us today.
I wish that the 19 soldiers killed in the Air Force barracks bombing in Saudi Arabia were alive.
I wish that the 192 people killed in the Madrid rail station bombing were alive.
I wish that Daniel Pearl and Nick Berg were still alive too.
Well Zippy, they're all dead.
And the reason why they and thousands more are dead is because of Islamic extremism. That's why we are embroiled in a war, plain and simple.
John Stewart Mill wrote, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight; nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety; is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
Decayed and degraded. Miserable creature.
I can't improve on that.
And that's why Zippy and his troll buddies will never get it.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Your Tax Dollars At Work
The expenditure of US lives and treasure in Afghanistan has brought us this,
A man detained by police for converting from Islam to Christianity could face the death penalty if he refused to become a Muslim again, an Afghani judge said today.
As reported by the AP in The Mercury News, 221 GI's have been killed in Afghanistan and surrounding coutries (Pakistan and Uzbekistan) since 2001. Of these deaths, 138 are attributed to hostile action.
Islamic sharia law proposes the death sentence for Muslims who abandon the religion. Afghanistan's new constitution says "no law can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam".
On November 19, 2004, Congress reported that $73.6 billion had been spent for enhanced security in Afghanistan.
Supreme Court judge Ansarullah Mawlavizada said the suspect, Abdur Rahman, was arrested after members of his family informed police of his conversion. He would be charged with abandoning Islam, Mr Mawlavizada said.
The families of 221 GI's mourned the loss of their fathers, mothers, sons and daughters while the family of Abdur Rahman turned him over to authorities because he decided that he believed in Christ rather than the state sponsored religion. And in a country ravaged by Islamic terrorists and drug warlords, the police decide to devote investigative resources in order to put Mr. Rahman in jeopardy of losing his life for changing his religion.
"The prosecutor says he should be executed on the basis of the constitution," Mr Mawlavizada said, who added that Mr Rahman could come back to Islam. "If he does not ... he will be punished," he said.
Several legal officials said they could not recall a previous prosecution for abandoning Islam in Afghanistan.
Is this what we saved a country for?
A man detained by police for converting from Islam to Christianity could face the death penalty if he refused to become a Muslim again, an Afghani judge said today.
As reported by the AP in The Mercury News, 221 GI's have been killed in Afghanistan and surrounding coutries (Pakistan and Uzbekistan) since 2001. Of these deaths, 138 are attributed to hostile action.
Islamic sharia law proposes the death sentence for Muslims who abandon the religion. Afghanistan's new constitution says "no law can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam".
On November 19, 2004, Congress reported that $73.6 billion had been spent for enhanced security in Afghanistan.
Supreme Court judge Ansarullah Mawlavizada said the suspect, Abdur Rahman, was arrested after members of his family informed police of his conversion. He would be charged with abandoning Islam, Mr Mawlavizada said.
The families of 221 GI's mourned the loss of their fathers, mothers, sons and daughters while the family of Abdur Rahman turned him over to authorities because he decided that he believed in Christ rather than the state sponsored religion. And in a country ravaged by Islamic terrorists and drug warlords, the police decide to devote investigative resources in order to put Mr. Rahman in jeopardy of losing his life for changing his religion.
"The prosecutor says he should be executed on the basis of the constitution," Mr Mawlavizada said, who added that Mr Rahman could come back to Islam. "If he does not ... he will be punished," he said.
Several legal officials said they could not recall a previous prosecution for abandoning Islam in Afghanistan.
Is this what we saved a country for?
Another *yawn* Protest
"What if they gave a war and nobody came?" was a popular 60's anti-war theme. Like all liberal fantasies it sounds good until you test drive it. What if the Germans declared war and the French army didn't show up? That's pretty much what happened on May 12, 1940. The French surrendered on June 22, 1940. The French surrendered in the same railcar where less than 22 years earlier the Germans surrendered at the end of WWI.
That's what happens when one nation declares war and the other nation doesn't show up. But what happens when no one shows up for a war protest? Even a world-wide anti-war protest?
The Salt Lake City Tribune reports on the consequences. Disappointed folks like the members of People for Peace and Justice of Utah started the rally in Salt Lake City with only 50 people. By twelve noon frenzied text messaging had increased their ranks to roughly 200. The protestors "marched from Pioneer Park to a rally on the steps of the City-County Building, where they listened to songs, speeches and chants condemning the war."
Going to college in the sixties, I've seen this act before. Activists like to think that they are the sole possessors of truth, that they represent the conscience of the nation or the entire planet. This self absorbed, narcissistic world view demands to be stroked by masses of hysterical, like minded wanna be victims. How else can a group with a name like People for Peace and Justice support their fragile egos? For no one else wants peace and justice more than them.
"There's just about more policemen here than people," said the Democratic candidate for the Utah House of Representatives in District 40, nodding to the squadron of eight motorcycle officers parked alongside 400 South. "I guess the longer the war goes on, the more people accept it."
A protestor outside President Cheney’s residence at the Naval observatory stated ''It's very disappointing, especially in Washington, D.C.,'' she said. ''You think this is the place where people come to make things happen. I'm just not sure why there aren't more people here today.''
It simply doesn’t occur to these people that the majority of Americans understand the nature of the conflict. Most Americans do not accept the Michael Moore/Cindy Sheehan meme. The Peace and Justice crowd must invent a mechanism to explain why adoring hordes of robots are not standing next to them shoulder to shoulder.
They can’t understand why no one shows up because, well, they care so much and it’s just not fair that everyone doesn’t feel the same way! If they just shout the right slogan, or just wear the right t-shirt or just have enough tattoos or just inconvenience enough poor working slobs then everyone will come to their senses and agree with them.
When the libs have their noses rubbed in their failure to convince the electorate that their views are correct, they lash out; 51% of the American public are too stupid to vote. It’s always someone else’s fault.
That's what happens when one nation declares war and the other nation doesn't show up. But what happens when no one shows up for a war protest? Even a world-wide anti-war protest?
The Salt Lake City Tribune reports on the consequences. Disappointed folks like the members of People for Peace and Justice of Utah started the rally in Salt Lake City with only 50 people. By twelve noon frenzied text messaging had increased their ranks to roughly 200. The protestors "marched from Pioneer Park to a rally on the steps of the City-County Building, where they listened to songs, speeches and chants condemning the war."
Going to college in the sixties, I've seen this act before. Activists like to think that they are the sole possessors of truth, that they represent the conscience of the nation or the entire planet. This self absorbed, narcissistic world view demands to be stroked by masses of hysterical, like minded wanna be victims. How else can a group with a name like People for Peace and Justice support their fragile egos? For no one else wants peace and justice more than them.
"There's just about more policemen here than people," said the Democratic candidate for the Utah House of Representatives in District 40, nodding to the squadron of eight motorcycle officers parked alongside 400 South. "I guess the longer the war goes on, the more people accept it."
A protestor outside President Cheney’s residence at the Naval observatory stated ''It's very disappointing, especially in Washington, D.C.,'' she said. ''You think this is the place where people come to make things happen. I'm just not sure why there aren't more people here today.''
It simply doesn’t occur to these people that the majority of Americans understand the nature of the conflict. Most Americans do not accept the Michael Moore/Cindy Sheehan meme. The Peace and Justice crowd must invent a mechanism to explain why adoring hordes of robots are not standing next to them shoulder to shoulder.
They can’t understand why no one shows up because, well, they care so much and it’s just not fair that everyone doesn’t feel the same way! If they just shout the right slogan, or just wear the right t-shirt or just have enough tattoos or just inconvenience enough poor working slobs then everyone will come to their senses and agree with them.
When the libs have their noses rubbed in their failure to convince the electorate that their views are correct, they lash out; 51% of the American public are too stupid to vote. It’s always someone else’s fault.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
US Debt Ceiling is Now $9 Trillion
The London Times has an article about the recent raising of the US debt ceiling to $9 trillion. The Times says that $9 trillion:
- Is roughly four times Britain’s GDP. Equates to $1,500 for every man, woman and child in the world.
- Would buy all the tea in China. In fact it would buy all the tea in the world for the next 2,000 years.
- Is enough to solve the Palestinian crisis by rehousing every Israeli and Palestinian family in a £1.5m detached house in Henley-on-Thames.
- Would build 28 Eiffel Towers — constructed out of gold.
Well, I say there’s a lot more we can do with that!
For $9 trillion we can also buy:
- 24 Trillion Twinkies at $0.75 for a package of two. That’s enough to feed all the moonbat bloggers in Michigan for an entire weekend.
- 180 billion hookers (at fifty bucks a crack). That’s enough to keep Bill Clinton busy for an entire weekend. If he’s staying in Paris he could triple the number of hookers for that same price and still have enough left over to dry clean ALL their dresses.
- 72 billion bottles of the finest rye whiskey (Hirsch Selection 21 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 93 Proof at $124.98 a bottle). That’s enough to keep Ted Kennedy busy for an entire weekend.
- 2 billion face lifts for Helen Thomas (at $4,500 a pop). That still wouldn’t be enough for that hag.
Can you think of anything else?
Friday, March 17, 2006
Brokeback Jihad
Some of the documents being released by the US Army Foreign Military Studies Office are down right frightening. They expose for all to see that Al Qaeda has horrifying plans to, well, ahhhhh, ask us for a date? (page 4).
In the Name of God the Merciful the Compassionate
I felt alive again when I saw you, and felt my heart pulse when I spoke with you. I love you as the pure water, as the running river, and as the blooming spring roses. I love you in a way Qais and Laila did not feel; do you perhaps love me as I love you!
Signed: Salman Yahya Hasan Mohammed Al-Rabi’i
Seems like Qais and Laila were the lucky ones. Better keep that tiny little terrorist in yer pants Sallyboi.
In the Name of God the Merciful the Compassionate
Dear brother/ Furqan Al-Tajiki
Peace be upon you; I send this letter and I am full of longing to see you. Please be informed that I am ready, and need nothing except knowing how to reach you. "Salman".
Please contact me urgently.
Start looking for Salman's cellphone number and email addy written on men's restroom stalls.
There are documents here and here. Michele Malkin and Dread Pundit Bluto also have excellent posts on this gold mine of (ahem) jingoistic self-serving Bush propaganda.
In the Name of God the Merciful the Compassionate
I felt alive again when I saw you, and felt my heart pulse when I spoke with you. I love you as the pure water, as the running river, and as the blooming spring roses. I love you in a way Qais and Laila did not feel; do you perhaps love me as I love you!
Signed: Salman Yahya Hasan Mohammed Al-Rabi’i
Seems like Qais and Laila were the lucky ones. Better keep that tiny little terrorist in yer pants Sallyboi.
In the Name of God the Merciful the Compassionate
Dear brother/ Furqan Al-Tajiki
Peace be upon you; I send this letter and I am full of longing to see you. Please be informed that I am ready, and need nothing except knowing how to reach you. "Salman".
Please contact me urgently.
Start looking for Salman's cellphone number and email addy written on men's restroom stalls.
There are documents here and here. Michele Malkin and Dread Pundit Bluto also have excellent posts on this gold mine of (ahem) jingoistic self-serving Bush propaganda.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
The Official Bin Laden Fan Club
With the recent declassification of captured AL QAEDA documents, it’s finally out in the open. The official Osama Bin Laden Fan Club.
It even has rules:
Requirements of joining AL QAEDA:
1. Abiding by AL QAEDA rules, its beliefs and objectives as previously mentioned.
2. Obedience to the leaders in charge as much as possible, without disobeying Islamic rules.
3. No connection between AL QAEDA membership and any other Islamic group.
4. Maintain secrecy in work-related issues.
5. Physically healthy (except in administrative work).
6. The candidate should not be in question when it comes to religion, integrity or his morality.
7. Reciting the pledge of AL-QAEDA.
Whoa! What 's that last one??
"I pledge allegiance to the One
Who has strapped me to my splodey belt.
And to the Caliphate,
Whatever that is,
One detonator,
Twenty kilos of #12 common nails,
Five kilos of Semtex,
And my guts spattered all over the Mall."
There's more:
AL-QAEDA's Regulations and Instructions:
First: Duties
1. Preserving the unity of AL QAEDA is an important and legitimate goal, which occurs by fearing God in private as well as in public. (Surat 65, 5). This is fulfilled through humbleness and flexibility towards the brothers and the rest of the Muslims, good manners, rejection of disputes, and mutual agreement and settlement of differences.
We are ALL inpressed by the good manners of Muslims. Especially the French, Danes and Dutch; and Theo van Gogh's relatives are all atwitter at your last visit. They can't wait for you to hurry back. Bring some figs with you.
2. Preserving Islamic morals and avoiding means of corruption and bad companions, through verification and confirmation of news. To observe good conduct and filial piety even if they were infidels.
That's why they watch CNN.
3. Adherence to eating Islamic Halal food.
Because whatever you had for lunch is how they're going to ID your remains.
4. Maintaining physical fitness and military exercises as much as possible.
A tight bod helps keeps the spatter down and gives the nails a good grouping.
5. Do not talk about work assigned by AL-QAEDA with others, even if they are AL-QAEDA members. The only person you can discuss work with is your direct commander (Amir), unless you are asked to do otherwise or if your work demands participation of others, and then through guidance of the leadership.
They may find out they're on a flight to DC.
6. The call to adhere to Islam in general, and spreading the concept of Jihad specifically, starts with relatives and friends. You may not be able to do this, if your work demands extreme secrecy, like Naeem IBn Mas'uud (May God bless him).
Yes, do tell all your relatives. American Special Forces need good people on the "range".
7. Safeguard AL-QAEDA's general funds and do not mishandle these funds. (Albukhairi)
Achmed's been dipping into the falafel jar again. Or dipping into his cousin.
8. Sincerity in providing advice to commanders and to your brethren in AL-QAEDA, without harboring deception.
The bennies just keep rolling in...
Vacations
1. The married have a vacation by rotation for a week every three weeks, and in certain cases AL-QAEDA may deny this vacation for four months.
2. A bachelor can have a vacation by rotation for five days every month. ALQAEDA may deny his request for vacation in certain cases.
3. Request for vacation travel should be submitted two and a half months before the travel date. The request would only be considered if it had been submitted in a timely manner as indicated, except in special cases.
Is there a civil service test for this? How about requesting a transfer? Promotional exams?
Enjoy. There's tons more here. Maybe next we'll get to see their bi-annual personnel evaluation reports.
Look for more on this at The Dread Pundit Bluto.
Update: 3/18/06
These documents were moved to a new url here
It even has rules:
Requirements of joining AL QAEDA:
1. Abiding by AL QAEDA rules, its beliefs and objectives as previously mentioned.
2. Obedience to the leaders in charge as much as possible, without disobeying Islamic rules.
3. No connection between AL QAEDA membership and any other Islamic group.
4. Maintain secrecy in work-related issues.
5. Physically healthy (except in administrative work).
6. The candidate should not be in question when it comes to religion, integrity or his morality.
7. Reciting the pledge of AL-QAEDA.
Whoa! What 's that last one??
"I pledge allegiance to the One
Who has strapped me to my splodey belt.
And to the Caliphate,
Whatever that is,
One detonator,
Twenty kilos of #12 common nails,
Five kilos of Semtex,
And my guts spattered all over the Mall."
There's more:
AL-QAEDA's Regulations and Instructions:
First: Duties
1. Preserving the unity of AL QAEDA is an important and legitimate goal, which occurs by fearing God in private as well as in public. (Surat 65, 5). This is fulfilled through humbleness and flexibility towards the brothers and the rest of the Muslims, good manners, rejection of disputes, and mutual agreement and settlement of differences.
We are ALL inpressed by the good manners of Muslims. Especially the French, Danes and Dutch; and Theo van Gogh's relatives are all atwitter at your last visit. They can't wait for you to hurry back. Bring some figs with you.
2. Preserving Islamic morals and avoiding means of corruption and bad companions, through verification and confirmation of news. To observe good conduct and filial piety even if they were infidels.
That's why they watch CNN.
3. Adherence to eating Islamic Halal food.
Because whatever you had for lunch is how they're going to ID your remains.
4. Maintaining physical fitness and military exercises as much as possible.
A tight bod helps keeps the spatter down and gives the nails a good grouping.
5. Do not talk about work assigned by AL-QAEDA with others, even if they are AL-QAEDA members. The only person you can discuss work with is your direct commander (Amir), unless you are asked to do otherwise or if your work demands participation of others, and then through guidance of the leadership.
They may find out they're on a flight to DC.
6. The call to adhere to Islam in general, and spreading the concept of Jihad specifically, starts with relatives and friends. You may not be able to do this, if your work demands extreme secrecy, like Naeem IBn Mas'uud (May God bless him).
Yes, do tell all your relatives. American Special Forces need good people on the "range".
7. Safeguard AL-QAEDA's general funds and do not mishandle these funds. (Albukhairi)
Achmed's been dipping into the falafel jar again. Or dipping into his cousin.
8. Sincerity in providing advice to commanders and to your brethren in AL-QAEDA, without harboring deception.
The bennies just keep rolling in...
Vacations
1. The married have a vacation by rotation for a week every three weeks, and in certain cases AL-QAEDA may deny this vacation for four months.
2. A bachelor can have a vacation by rotation for five days every month. ALQAEDA may deny his request for vacation in certain cases.
3. Request for vacation travel should be submitted two and a half months before the travel date. The request would only be considered if it had been submitted in a timely manner as indicated, except in special cases.
Is there a civil service test for this? How about requesting a transfer? Promotional exams?
Enjoy. There's tons more here. Maybe next we'll get to see their bi-annual personnel evaluation reports.
Look for more on this at The Dread Pundit Bluto.
Update: 3/18/06
These documents were moved to a new url here
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Into the Sea of Moonbatteria
Yesterday was my first time delving strongly into the Land of Moonbatteria. I just never had much interest in reading the thoughts of these people. I still don’t. But what was worse than the discourse was the shattered reasoning that begot it.
Talk about Athena springing full formed from the head of Zeus! They have yet to find a body part that can account for what I read last night in that intellectual waste land called the liberal blogs.
What passes for cognitive effort is a sophomoric disconnect with reality, an incestuous cluster mentality where the nose of one thought runs directly into the ass of another. If moonbat A sneezes, moonbat B belches. It is an entirely circular process and the last one to leave gets to eat the cookie.
I left early while they were still fighting over who gets to open the bag.
Ignorant rantings aside, the paranoia flying around those sites tempts me to apply for a National Institute of Health grant to see if there is a direct correlation between moonbattery, Dorito bingeing, basement living and pornography.
The Twitch O’ Meter™ was pegged all the way into the red for half these folk. After all, they made Dietrich Mateschitz , Red Bull CEO, a billionaire.
But it was fun. All had a good time and it was an education for me.
YAAAAARRRRRRR!
Talk about Athena springing full formed from the head of Zeus! They have yet to find a body part that can account for what I read last night in that intellectual waste land called the liberal blogs.
What passes for cognitive effort is a sophomoric disconnect with reality, an incestuous cluster mentality where the nose of one thought runs directly into the ass of another. If moonbat A sneezes, moonbat B belches. It is an entirely circular process and the last one to leave gets to eat the cookie.
I left early while they were still fighting over who gets to open the bag.
Ignorant rantings aside, the paranoia flying around those sites tempts me to apply for a National Institute of Health grant to see if there is a direct correlation between moonbattery, Dorito bingeing, basement living and pornography.
The Twitch O’ Meter™ was pegged all the way into the red for half these folk. After all, they made Dietrich Mateschitz , Red Bull CEO, a billionaire.
But it was fun. All had a good time and it was an education for me.
YAAAAARRRRRRR!
Infiltration of Our Military
I have been waiting for this worrisome information to reach the public before commenting. This infiltration is deliberate, these men are gang members before they join the military and the implications as to why they enlist have frightful implications for all LE personnel and the public.
"They will hand pick them, ask them to keep their record clear so that they can enlist in the military and then once they're in the military, they want them to try and gain access to weapons and explosives and basically try to filter that back to the street level,"
Not only do these men have access to weapons, ammunition, protective gear and explosives, they are also being trained in military tactics, which perhaps may be the most dangerous aspect of their infiltration. Case in point.
The Iraqi army was the fourth largest in the world when Operation Desert Storm was implemented. Granted, the equipment the U.S armed services deployed against them was much superior in most, if not all instances, but the superior training and tactics of our forces is, in my opinion, what truly made this Operation Turkey Shoot.
And this is what the military is teaching the Cribs and Bloods. Urban warfare utilizes tactical entry training for almost all ground forces. These tactics and techniques are virtually the same as the ones taught to police special teams.
Anticipating correctly what an opposing force is about to do gives the defender an incredible advantage. This does not portend well for us.
"They will hand pick them, ask them to keep their record clear so that they can enlist in the military and then once they're in the military, they want them to try and gain access to weapons and explosives and basically try to filter that back to the street level,"
Not only do these men have access to weapons, ammunition, protective gear and explosives, they are also being trained in military tactics, which perhaps may be the most dangerous aspect of their infiltration. Case in point.
The Iraqi army was the fourth largest in the world when Operation Desert Storm was implemented. Granted, the equipment the U.S armed services deployed against them was much superior in most, if not all instances, but the superior training and tactics of our forces is, in my opinion, what truly made this Operation Turkey Shoot.
And this is what the military is teaching the Cribs and Bloods. Urban warfare utilizes tactical entry training for almost all ground forces. These tactics and techniques are virtually the same as the ones taught to police special teams.
Anticipating correctly what an opposing force is about to do gives the defender an incredible advantage. This does not portend well for us.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Moderate Muslims?
The WahhabiWatch is a service provided by the Center for Islamic Pluralism. I stumbled across this site while researching Wahhabi terrorist imams spreading their poison propaganda throughout the New York State prison system (I’ll be posting on this soon).
I usually despair of ever having even a glimmer of hope for some moderation in Islam. But if this is any indication, maybe, just maybe there is something going on under the radar. Read…
The Center for Islamic Pluralism supports the protest of the American Jewish Committee against the demolition of the historic Jewish synagogue in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, February 28, 2006.
The American Jewish Committee issued the following statement on the matter:
"AJC Calls on Tajikistan to Halt Synagogue Demolition
"February 28, 2006 -- New York -- The American Jewish Committee is calling on Tajikistan to halt the demolition of the synagogue in Dushanbe. Concerned about the Jewish community in Dushanbe, AJC issued the following statement today:
"Earlier this month the Government of Tajikistan began to dismantle the century-old synagogue serving the Jewish community of Dushanbe. If these steps are not halted, the country's remaining Jews, many of whom are poor and elderly, will have no place for prayer and communal gatherings. That the synagogue is being demolished in order to make way for the construction of a new presidential residence only adds to the sorrow and anger. At a time when the world grows increasingly aware of the sensitivity of all religions and when places of worship have been attacked by those espousing hatred and intolerance, it is unacceptable that a national government would decree the very same destruction. For the sake of interreligious tolerance, for the sake of the Jewish community of Tajikistan, and for the sake of elemental decency the demolition of Dushanbe's only synagogue must be stopped."
CIP will additionally investigate the case through out contacts in Central Asia and issue further bulletins as information is developed.
I dunno. I would like to be surprised but I am far too skeptical, particularly when confronted by the Islamic practise of lying to confuse their enemies. However, I will drop in every so often to see what these people have to say.
I usually despair of ever having even a glimmer of hope for some moderation in Islam. But if this is any indication, maybe, just maybe there is something going on under the radar. Read…
The Center for Islamic Pluralism supports the protest of the American Jewish Committee against the demolition of the historic Jewish synagogue in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, February 28, 2006.
The American Jewish Committee issued the following statement on the matter:
"AJC Calls on Tajikistan to Halt Synagogue Demolition
"February 28, 2006 -- New York -- The American Jewish Committee is calling on Tajikistan to halt the demolition of the synagogue in Dushanbe. Concerned about the Jewish community in Dushanbe, AJC issued the following statement today:
"Earlier this month the Government of Tajikistan began to dismantle the century-old synagogue serving the Jewish community of Dushanbe. If these steps are not halted, the country's remaining Jews, many of whom are poor and elderly, will have no place for prayer and communal gatherings. That the synagogue is being demolished in order to make way for the construction of a new presidential residence only adds to the sorrow and anger. At a time when the world grows increasingly aware of the sensitivity of all religions and when places of worship have been attacked by those espousing hatred and intolerance, it is unacceptable that a national government would decree the very same destruction. For the sake of interreligious tolerance, for the sake of the Jewish community of Tajikistan, and for the sake of elemental decency the demolition of Dushanbe's only synagogue must be stopped."
CIP will additionally investigate the case through out contacts in Central Asia and issue further bulletins as information is developed.
I dunno. I would like to be surprised but I am far too skeptical, particularly when confronted by the Islamic practise of lying to confuse their enemies. However, I will drop in every so often to see what these people have to say.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Road To Poverty
After church this morning, I filled up the tank in anticipation of picking up my daughter at Binghamton University later tonight. When I got home a friend of one of my other daughters (I have four) had stopped by to see her. She is a stylist and must work on Sundays.
He is a personable young man and stayed awhile to chat us up. He was a year ahead of my daughter in high school but got bored, so he dropped out to take advantage of the minimum wage offered at a hamburger joint.
Six weeks ago my daughter informed me about that this young man had gotten his girl friend pregnant.
This is not is a “bad” young man. He is not a criminal. He does not use alcohol or drugs. He is courteous, respectful and is very intelligent. He is also a vegan; I do not comprehend how he can work as a burger flipper. He has made a series of bad decisions in his young life and now has made another that is very different from all his prior bad choices.
He has condemned two other people to a life of grinding poverty. And if not an entire lifetime, at least a long, very difficult period of precarious, hand to mouth, daily living. These three people are on the Road To Poverty.
Out of my twenty-four years with the Syracuse Police Department, I spent twelve years in patrol; most of that on the City’s South and West sides. If you are familar with the City you know exactly what I am referring to: high crime and grinding poverty. I have entered every kind of festering hellhole you can think of. I have never lost my lunch because of something I have smelled or seen (as an evidence technician I have photographed autopsies). The closest I came to meeting Uncle Ralph was while walking up the stairs to an upper flat on the West Side. The stench was so bad I had to pause on the steps for thirty seconds until my dry heaves subsided.
This was not a crime call. There were no decomposing bodies, blood-slicked floors or crying relatives to deal with. It was a simple non-criminal complaint very much like the hundreds we get every day. The stench was rotting garbage, three or four filthy, unwashed children (I stopped counting), a massive pile of dirty clothes that filled half the living room, at least a half dozen cats and no litter box (that was what the pile of clothing was for), and a thirty-something year old single mother who had given up. After ten minutes inside the apartment, I could tolerate it. I imagine when these kids walked in the door it was the aroma of “Home Sweet Home” that assailed their nostrils.
This single memory from 1976 with its accompanying sights and smells is my everlasting Kodak Poverty Moment. There have been others, hundreds of them, but nothing like this stench.
And this is the very first image that leapt into my head when I saw Harry (not his real name) sitting at my table this afternoon. He is excited about having the baby but did not discuss any plans to marry Harriet (not her real name). Harry was proudly relating how he was going to get a tattoo of his child’s name on his chest. My wife (God bless her) commented that maybe it would be better to instead spend the money on food and diapers.
Harry got fired from one fast food restaurant last week, and just started at another one; he has résumés at other fast food establishments. Harriet is a senior in high school.
Poverty sets its own standards of failure.
They signed up for food stamps and public assistance. His girlfriend just moved in with him and he intends to work several jobs to support his new family. His father just left his wife and also moved in with him. Working two jobs, Harry figures he will have a take home salary of $400 per week. With his father kicking in to help with the rent and utilities, he figured he will only need about $170 per week to live.
Poverty is aided by programs that help people remain poor.
Harry was abandoned by his mother when he was but a child; he hasn't seen her since. She tried to contact him a few years ago, but Harry rejected her efforts. Same story for Harriet; she was abandoned by her mother when she was only an infant. Harry’s stepmother never made an attempt to get to know him; she made him sleep in the basement.
There is a pattern to poverty.
Harry has yet to start working on his GED. “With two jobs”, I asked him, “when will you find the time to work on your GED?” He did not respond.
Poverty accepts what seems to be a hopeless position. Poverty is its own excuse.
I could weep for this lad. I did not press him, as I sometimes do, to get his GED. I was too discouraged and I don’t want to make him uncomfortable in my house. He already has someone who did that; who literally drove him out of his father’s house. My wife gave him a book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, by Rick Warren. He promised to read it. We invited him to stay for dinner but he had to get ready for work.
I have seen this over and over again. Before I retired, I was seeing the arrests of young men whose fathers I had arrested. Cops with 35-40 years experience see this happen to the grandchildren of people they arrested years and years ago. There are families of crime/poverty famous (infamous?) in every city, every county across this land. Say Whatshisname to an experienced beat cop in Tacoma and he’ll recite how the father, brothers, aunts and uncles are nothing but a waste of breath. Mention Joetheragman’s family to a detective in Tampa and he’ll roll his eyes and give a disgusted snort.
If Harry and Harriet’s child is a boy, I hope they’ll name him Houdini ‘cause that kid’ll need every trick in the book to escape the same fate.
He is a personable young man and stayed awhile to chat us up. He was a year ahead of my daughter in high school but got bored, so he dropped out to take advantage of the minimum wage offered at a hamburger joint.
Six weeks ago my daughter informed me about that this young man had gotten his girl friend pregnant.
This is not is a “bad” young man. He is not a criminal. He does not use alcohol or drugs. He is courteous, respectful and is very intelligent. He is also a vegan; I do not comprehend how he can work as a burger flipper. He has made a series of bad decisions in his young life and now has made another that is very different from all his prior bad choices.
He has condemned two other people to a life of grinding poverty. And if not an entire lifetime, at least a long, very difficult period of precarious, hand to mouth, daily living. These three people are on the Road To Poverty.
Out of my twenty-four years with the Syracuse Police Department, I spent twelve years in patrol; most of that on the City’s South and West sides. If you are familar with the City you know exactly what I am referring to: high crime and grinding poverty. I have entered every kind of festering hellhole you can think of. I have never lost my lunch because of something I have smelled or seen (as an evidence technician I have photographed autopsies). The closest I came to meeting Uncle Ralph was while walking up the stairs to an upper flat on the West Side. The stench was so bad I had to pause on the steps for thirty seconds until my dry heaves subsided.
This was not a crime call. There were no decomposing bodies, blood-slicked floors or crying relatives to deal with. It was a simple non-criminal complaint very much like the hundreds we get every day. The stench was rotting garbage, three or four filthy, unwashed children (I stopped counting), a massive pile of dirty clothes that filled half the living room, at least a half dozen cats and no litter box (that was what the pile of clothing was for), and a thirty-something year old single mother who had given up. After ten minutes inside the apartment, I could tolerate it. I imagine when these kids walked in the door it was the aroma of “Home Sweet Home” that assailed their nostrils.
This single memory from 1976 with its accompanying sights and smells is my everlasting Kodak Poverty Moment. There have been others, hundreds of them, but nothing like this stench.
And this is the very first image that leapt into my head when I saw Harry (not his real name) sitting at my table this afternoon. He is excited about having the baby but did not discuss any plans to marry Harriet (not her real name). Harry was proudly relating how he was going to get a tattoo of his child’s name on his chest. My wife (God bless her) commented that maybe it would be better to instead spend the money on food and diapers.
Harry got fired from one fast food restaurant last week, and just started at another one; he has résumés at other fast food establishments. Harriet is a senior in high school.
Poverty sets its own standards of failure.
They signed up for food stamps and public assistance. His girlfriend just moved in with him and he intends to work several jobs to support his new family. His father just left his wife and also moved in with him. Working two jobs, Harry figures he will have a take home salary of $400 per week. With his father kicking in to help with the rent and utilities, he figured he will only need about $170 per week to live.
Poverty is aided by programs that help people remain poor.
Harry was abandoned by his mother when he was but a child; he hasn't seen her since. She tried to contact him a few years ago, but Harry rejected her efforts. Same story for Harriet; she was abandoned by her mother when she was only an infant. Harry’s stepmother never made an attempt to get to know him; she made him sleep in the basement.
There is a pattern to poverty.
Harry has yet to start working on his GED. “With two jobs”, I asked him, “when will you find the time to work on your GED?” He did not respond.
Poverty accepts what seems to be a hopeless position. Poverty is its own excuse.
I could weep for this lad. I did not press him, as I sometimes do, to get his GED. I was too discouraged and I don’t want to make him uncomfortable in my house. He already has someone who did that; who literally drove him out of his father’s house. My wife gave him a book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, by Rick Warren. He promised to read it. We invited him to stay for dinner but he had to get ready for work.
I have seen this over and over again. Before I retired, I was seeing the arrests of young men whose fathers I had arrested. Cops with 35-40 years experience see this happen to the grandchildren of people they arrested years and years ago. There are families of crime/poverty famous (infamous?) in every city, every county across this land. Say Whatshisname to an experienced beat cop in Tacoma and he’ll recite how the father, brothers, aunts and uncles are nothing but a waste of breath. Mention Joetheragman’s family to a detective in Tampa and he’ll roll his eyes and give a disgusted snort.
If Harry and Harriet’s child is a boy, I hope they’ll name him Houdini ‘cause that kid’ll need every trick in the book to escape the same fate.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Ann Coulter at Syracuse University
This past Wednesday I was invited by a good friend to listen to Ann Coulter at the Syracuse University student center auditorium. He told me that he also attended her last appearance in 2003 and related how she was frequently interrupted by raucous and profane heckling. As soon as we entered the building we were greeted by the sight of student activists holding signs protesting her presence and her alleged racist views. It brought back very unpleasant memories.
I am an SU graduate; I was a junior in 1970 when the Kent State riots broke out on college campuses all over the country. From my experiences with student radicals back then I developed an intense dislike of the left, its politics and its tactics. Bill Clinton’s general counsel for the 1992 presidential campaign, David Ifshin (Little Lord Haw Haw) was in my graduating class. There has never been a bigger prancing fool with a bandanna wrapped around his forehead than Mr. David “We’re Taking It To The Goyim” Ifshin, president of the SU student council. Don’t take my word for it, read William F. Buckley’s opinion about the man.
The left has always been more concerned about how they can limit or, better still, eliminate what offends them rather than persuading you why you should agree with them. Slogans replace rational discourse, physical intimidation (or worse) is the preferred means of establishing moral superiority. Volume bespeaks righteousness and you cannot be trusted to reach your own conclusions. They must be obeyed.
With this experience (more like post traumatic stress disorder) to buttress my resolve, I mentally prepared myself for the moonbat offensive. I was not disappointed. The event was sponsored by the Young Republicans who were also there in force. You could recognize them before you saw them because they bathe regularly.
The moonbats had established a skirmishing line right in front of the auditorium entrance. Hoisting their Placards O’Doom on high, they obviously expected us to be impressed by their sincerity, radical chic apparel and poor grammar. I really liked the big fat barefoot white dude wearing a skirt and imitation combat fatigue jacket ala Che Moore.
Event security personnel did not frisk or wand us, but we had to open our coats to show that we were not naked under our coats.
The auditorium filled up slowly and eventually there were about 600-700 people in the room.
At approximately 8:10 pm, Ann Coulter appeared on the stage, accompanied by a loud and sustained round of applause and some boos. She was escorted by a body guard who remained behind her the entire time. Very large men were stationed in front of the first row of seats. Wearing suits manufactured by Goodyear, they looked like they were in town for the NFL Retired Defensive Lineman Benevolent Association meeting. One guy still had the remains of a wide receiver hanging out of the side of his mouth.
I attended the JC Watts speech at the SU student center back in 2004 and this level of security was not present. It appears that after suffering several heckling incidents around the nation, Ann needs these arrangements to address the children of the nation’s “elite.” This is not a Healthy Omen™. To attend Syracuse University you are expected to pay:
Tuition/fees $28,285
Room/board $10,370
Total $38,655
Preparing to speak to the elite young men and women attending Syracuse University is similar to preparations for attending a British soccer match. Priceless.
I will not presume to capture the essence of Ann Coulter here. You would be far better served to read for yourself (here) what she has to say. But I can and will capture the spirit of those who attended. I use the word “attended” and not “listened” for a reason.
Those who agreed with her (and there were many!) listened to what she had to say and were rewarded with a witty recital of why democrats are the most useless humans beings on the face of the planet (moonbats be advised, this is a hyperbole advisory). She was interrupted more by applause than she was by heckling.
Those who did not agree with her did not listen to what she had to say and were likewise rewarded with a verbal high school food fight laced with profanity, childishness and typical moonbattery. Feces flinging must have been thwarted by the forced opening of outer garments by event security staff.
I was surprised by the number of older citizens (50+) who attended the event. By their comments prior to the event I know that many of them were not Friends of Ann. I hope they were not the ones screaming “F*** Y**.” In Syracuse you never know. Since the wolves were all slaughtered more than a hundred years ago we have a lot more seniors that survive the bitter Upstate New York winters. How many attending the event were fans of Ms. Coulter? Hard to say. Moonbats are always much louder then their actual numbers would justify, but I would estimate that the ratio was 65% pro and 35% con.
Staff personnel would walk over to the hecklers and warn them that they would be ejected if they continued to interrupt her, but no one was. So the staff were ignored and the heckling got worse. I was seated in Moonbat Central. The young woman seated next to me would scream in approbation and engage in conference giggling with her little friends every time some fool launched a common four letter obscenity. What I found truly appalling was the lack of creative invective and the hysterical reaction of these moonbats to such plebeian profanity. Those who have reached the pinnacle of profanation would be horrified by the lack of contextual significance, relevance and the mind numbing redundancy of these amateurs.
But even when faced with such a worrisome lack of quality provocation, the inestimable Ms. Coulter rose to the occasion. This was no more apparent than in the Q&A session. One young man sitting behind me was so (high) excited to have the opportunity to embarrass himself in front of hundreds of people that he tripped over a chair trying to get into the aisle. It took some time to extricate himself from such a fiendishly clever device.
My favorite Q&A response was the person who complained that because George Bush cut student loan allocations by $12 billion that “my interest rates for loans will rise to 6.8%. What is your response to this?!?!”
Ms. Coulter’s reply: “That’s because there are far too many of you who really don’t belong in college.”
Up until then I had remained silent. Now I laughed my ass off. I made sure it was a deep, sustained, bellowing guffaw. The moonbats all around me didn’t say a word. And because they are moonbats they didn't understand the implied concept of supply and demand. Priceless, simply priceless.
I am an SU graduate; I was a junior in 1970 when the Kent State riots broke out on college campuses all over the country. From my experiences with student radicals back then I developed an intense dislike of the left, its politics and its tactics. Bill Clinton’s general counsel for the 1992 presidential campaign, David Ifshin (Little Lord Haw Haw) was in my graduating class. There has never been a bigger prancing fool with a bandanna wrapped around his forehead than Mr. David “We’re Taking It To The Goyim” Ifshin, president of the SU student council. Don’t take my word for it, read William F. Buckley’s opinion about the man.
The left has always been more concerned about how they can limit or, better still, eliminate what offends them rather than persuading you why you should agree with them. Slogans replace rational discourse, physical intimidation (or worse) is the preferred means of establishing moral superiority. Volume bespeaks righteousness and you cannot be trusted to reach your own conclusions. They must be obeyed.
With this experience (more like post traumatic stress disorder) to buttress my resolve, I mentally prepared myself for the moonbat offensive. I was not disappointed. The event was sponsored by the Young Republicans who were also there in force. You could recognize them before you saw them because they bathe regularly.
The moonbats had established a skirmishing line right in front of the auditorium entrance. Hoisting their Placards O’Doom on high, they obviously expected us to be impressed by their sincerity, radical chic apparel and poor grammar. I really liked the big fat barefoot white dude wearing a skirt and imitation combat fatigue jacket ala Che Moore.
Event security personnel did not frisk or wand us, but we had to open our coats to show that we were not naked under our coats.
The auditorium filled up slowly and eventually there were about 600-700 people in the room.
At approximately 8:10 pm, Ann Coulter appeared on the stage, accompanied by a loud and sustained round of applause and some boos. She was escorted by a body guard who remained behind her the entire time. Very large men were stationed in front of the first row of seats. Wearing suits manufactured by Goodyear, they looked like they were in town for the NFL Retired Defensive Lineman Benevolent Association meeting. One guy still had the remains of a wide receiver hanging out of the side of his mouth.
I attended the JC Watts speech at the SU student center back in 2004 and this level of security was not present. It appears that after suffering several heckling incidents around the nation, Ann needs these arrangements to address the children of the nation’s “elite.” This is not a Healthy Omen™. To attend Syracuse University you are expected to pay:
Tuition/fees $28,285
Room/board $10,370
Total $38,655
Preparing to speak to the elite young men and women attending Syracuse University is similar to preparations for attending a British soccer match. Priceless.
I will not presume to capture the essence of Ann Coulter here. You would be far better served to read for yourself (here) what she has to say. But I can and will capture the spirit of those who attended. I use the word “attended” and not “listened” for a reason.
Those who agreed with her (and there were many!) listened to what she had to say and were rewarded with a witty recital of why democrats are the most useless humans beings on the face of the planet (moonbats be advised, this is a hyperbole advisory). She was interrupted more by applause than she was by heckling.
Those who did not agree with her did not listen to what she had to say and were likewise rewarded with a verbal high school food fight laced with profanity, childishness and typical moonbattery. Feces flinging must have been thwarted by the forced opening of outer garments by event security staff.
I was surprised by the number of older citizens (50+) who attended the event. By their comments prior to the event I know that many of them were not Friends of Ann. I hope they were not the ones screaming “F*** Y**.” In Syracuse you never know. Since the wolves were all slaughtered more than a hundred years ago we have a lot more seniors that survive the bitter Upstate New York winters. How many attending the event were fans of Ms. Coulter? Hard to say. Moonbats are always much louder then their actual numbers would justify, but I would estimate that the ratio was 65% pro and 35% con.
Staff personnel would walk over to the hecklers and warn them that they would be ejected if they continued to interrupt her, but no one was. So the staff were ignored and the heckling got worse. I was seated in Moonbat Central. The young woman seated next to me would scream in approbation and engage in conference giggling with her little friends every time some fool launched a common four letter obscenity. What I found truly appalling was the lack of creative invective and the hysterical reaction of these moonbats to such plebeian profanity. Those who have reached the pinnacle of profanation would be horrified by the lack of contextual significance, relevance and the mind numbing redundancy of these amateurs.
But even when faced with such a worrisome lack of quality provocation, the inestimable Ms. Coulter rose to the occasion. This was no more apparent than in the Q&A session. One young man sitting behind me was so (high) excited to have the opportunity to embarrass himself in front of hundreds of people that he tripped over a chair trying to get into the aisle. It took some time to extricate himself from such a fiendishly clever device.
My favorite Q&A response was the person who complained that because George Bush cut student loan allocations by $12 billion that “my interest rates for loans will rise to 6.8%. What is your response to this?!?!”
Ms. Coulter’s reply: “That’s because there are far too many of you who really don’t belong in college.”
Up until then I had remained silent. Now I laughed my ass off. I made sure it was a deep, sustained, bellowing guffaw. The moonbats all around me didn’t say a word. And because they are moonbats they didn't understand the implied concept of supply and demand. Priceless, simply priceless.
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