It is sad to say it, but Bin Laden and Rep. John Murtha (and Dims like him) were so invested in the United States and Coalition Forces to lose in Iraq.  So, isn't it just so interesting to hear that Bin Laden is now shifting al Qaeda's focus to Afghanistan and to weakening the European's commitment to fighting there.  Then we also hear that Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa) has returned from Iraq and he is now saying what the administration and the military has argued since the surge began:

Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), one of the leading anti-war voices in the House Democratic Caucus, is back from a trip to Iraq and he now says the "surge is working." This could be a huge problem for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders, who are blocking approval of the full $200 billion being sought by President Bush for combat operations in Iraq in 2008.

Murtha's latest comments are also a stark reversal from what he said earlier in the year. The Pennsylvania Democrat, who chairs the powerful Defense subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee,  has previously stated that the surge "is not working" and the United States faced a military disaster in Iraq.

Hummmm, the hardcore anti-war Dimocrat has changed his tune.  He and Bin Laden are now admitting their investment in defeating the US and Coalition has failed.  One is now going to refocus on Afghanistan and the other will, no doubt, focus on the political failures of the Iraqi government.  And, we keep hearing that the troops need to come home, now it will be that we have succeeded, no need for them to be there...thankfully, in the democratically elected Iraqi government recognizes the role of a long military alliance between themselves and the US military.

We will no doubt hear that we should not be investing in "permanent" bases.  Most  forget (or better, ignore) that we are still in Japan, Korea, and Europe.  Do you think we should also pull those troops out?  Dismantle those bases as well?  The argument goes that we were attacked precisely because we had troops in the holiest of holies in Arabia, namely Saudi Arabia.  These folks ignore that they hate us for who we are, and are desirous of our complete destruction; the western civilization replaced by the Caliphate...Israel removed from the face of the earth.  Not only is Bin Laden invested in this future, but so is the whackjob Ahmedinejad.  Do Dimocrats really listen to our enemies?  They are very plain in their propaganda, and so are the terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah, etc...

What say you?

(Sidenote: I commend Rep. Murtha for going to Iraq in the first place, and that he is not being silent on the success of the surge.)

I am now calling what the Dimocrats pulled during the Republican debate a fraud.  A fraud perpetrated against the American public.  The number of plants seems to have grown, from what was one easily uncovered fraud: the openly gay man, the Hillary plant asking the gays in the military question (wasn't don't ask don't tell created during the Clinton years?)  Now, how many questions were submitted?  I think I heard something like 5000.  And, just how many are plants:

1) Gay military man, asking the gays in the military question, on Hillary's GLBT Steering Committee
2) Log Cabin Republican, that is a Obama supporter
3) Journey, asking the abortion question, and John Edwards supporter
4) Concerned Mom asking about imported toys, Activist for the John Edwards-endorsing United Steelworkers union
5) Concerned Muslim interned for CAIR- shocking...
How many more?  If there was a 50-50 split of liberal questioners versus conservative at least it would be representative...fraud, mockery, plain and simple. 

The debate was a fraud.  And the Dimocrats are boycotting FOXNews...attempting to marginalize Fair and Balanced reporting...complete farce.

And, here's the kicker: not one word on our liberal friends at the Talking Points Memo, nor The Washington Monthly, shameful...wonder how it would be received if plants from Republicans were exposed.  What outcry would we hear not only from Dimocrats, liberal bloggers, and the MSM?  Perhaps the Dimocrats will hold investigatory hearings in the Senate and House...the do nothing Congress would then have something to crow about...

Hillary, of course, will maintain that she knew nothing.  No responsibility for anything...Welcome Back Clinton...the glory years return...

What Say You?

Okay, last night the news was not good from Florida for the Clinton News Network.  Again, what did they know and when did they know it?  This is what is great about the blogosphere, in general it puts the MSM to shame.  There are more revelations of planted Dimocratic questioners.  Michelle Malkin is all over it.  What is really sad is that these questioners are asking fair and tough questions of the Republicans, and plants during the Dimocrats tend to be softballs. 

Ret. Brig Gen. Keith Hill asked what was a tough question on its face, and his follow up was even tougher for the candidates.  Do you think that the next Dimocratic Debate will include tough questions from Republicans?  Now there is word that there were questions from a John Edwards supporter, an Obama supporter and a union activist.  At a minimum 4 questions came, essentially from Dimocrats, and the questioners from Dimocratic candidates. 

I've always heard that everything is fair in love and war?  But in political debates?  It is hard enough when the moderators lean heavily Dimocratic (well, liberal surely).  Based on a recent Harvard study that showed the MSM's left leaning politics, is it any wonder that the Clinton News Network made this "gaffe."  Make the Dimocrats look good, and challenge Republicans.  Personally, I would rather the Dimocrats keep this up. 

The defining moments will come during the general election debates.  The Dimocratic nominee will have to define his or herself and the Republican nominee can help in that definition.  The Republicans have to be able to defend their position, do it now or later.  I 'd rather it be now.  When Hillary was asked a tough yes or no question on illegal immigration she stumbled, and stumbled badly.  That's reflective of the fact that the Dimocrats are not challenged by tough questioning, whether those questions come from liberal/activist plants or from liberal leaning "journalists."  These plants make the Dimocrats look bad, not only for their softball questions to Dimocrats but also for their political shenanigans attempting to trip up Republicans.

So, I say let the plants continue, let the Dimocrats continue their deception.  Afterall, it is easy for  Republicans to be transparent, especially when the Dimocrats don't want the electorate to become aware of their true positions...higher taxes, liberal activist judges, bigger government, and their investment in the defeat of the military in Iraq...

What say you?

Tonight's CNN/You Tube Republican Debate contained one small problem.  Does anyone believe the audacity of the Clinton News Network?  The questioner  Retired Brig. General Keith Kerr that identified himself as an openly gay man is a member of Sen. Hillary Clinton's LGBT (that's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Steering Committee...nice. 

Following the debate Bill Bennet was on a panel that was review the night's debate, and he mentioned that he was getting e-mails identifying Kerr's role in Hillary's Committee.  A plant, you say?  Of course.  And, now we need to know what CNN knew and when did they know it.  Was Anderson Cooper forthright in saying if they knew they would have disclosed the relationship.  It must have been real hard to do a background check, afterall not only did the Ret. General ask the question via You Tube, but was conveniently in the audience.  He was asked if he felt that he got a straight answer from the candidates.  How convenient that he was the one chosen to get to ask his own followup question out of the many questioners...something smells rotten in Denmark...

Not only does the Clinton campaign plant their own questioners at the Dimocratic debates, to toss softball questions, now they are able to get their plants to the Republican Debate to make them look foolish.  Everything about the Clinton's stinks to high heaven.  The Clintonian dissembling is going to wear thin on the electorate as well.

Bill Clinton's assertion that he was against the War in Iraq from the beginning when he was on record in support is classic Clinton- having it both ways.  Double speak, saying what they feel is what their constituents want to here.  Hillary is going to have a hard time explaining that her vote authorizing the War in Iraq, and to try to square it with her current opposition.  Especially, in light of the fact that the surge is working, and ordinary Iraqi's are returning to their homes.  One can say many things about Bush/Cheney, but they have been consistent in their belief that the War in Iraq was and is the right thing to do.  No flip/flopping in them.  I can't wait to see Clinton as the nominee.  A chance to define her positions, define her character (or lack thereof) and especially her non-existent resume other than being married to Bill.  Ask her about her accomplishments...what are they? 

In Arkansas she was in charge of Education.  Arkansas was dead last in rankings, and when she left they were still last.  Her secretive Healthcare Reform failed miserably.  And what has she done in the Senate?  Named a few post offices?  Major legislation?  Zip, zero, zilch...If Bill was so against the war, did she choose not to listen to him? Oh this will be fun...

But the scariest scenario is waking up to "Madame President Hillary Clinton" or Madame Co-President Hillary Clinton and Co-president Bill Clinton...nice way around the 22nd Amendment.

See also NewsBusters: CNN Fails to Mention Retired Gay General’s Endorsement of Hillary

Iraq Says Stay

By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Monday, November 26, 2007 4:20 PM PT

Winning The War: One of the most effective rhetorical arguments thrown at supporters of the war in Iraq has been that Iraqis don't even want us there. But the truth is they do — and badly.

---

Related Topics: Iraq | Global War On Terror

---

According to the Associated Press, Iraq's government will soon ask the U.S. to keep troops in that country long-term to guarantee its security against terrorists and predatory neighboring states such as Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

It's all part of a new "strategic partnership" between the U.S. and Iraq, according to what the AP described as two "senior Iraq officials" from different political parties.

The Iraqis also will ask that the United Nations end its involvement inside the country, go home and wrap up its role in deciding Iraq's fate — a job it has had since the first Gulf War in 1991. The U.N.'s official mandate expires next year.

Huh, but Pelosi, Murtha et al say the Iraqi's don't want us there, and Harry Reid says we've lost...

The first post comes from the Middle East Times by Oliver Guitta,  First target for Iran: Qatar? The choke point of the Straight of Hormuz, effectively shut off by Iran would be disastrous for the United States.  Iran is already threatening Qatar.  Long a target for Islamofascists, sinking a tanker would be hurting the US, and if you don't like $100 a barrel oil, imagine $200 or $250 a barrel!

The next post is by Michael Yon.  His dispatches from Iraq are a breath of fresh air, his most current is a series called Men of Valor, Part II.  Honest, open and eye popping reporting from the front lines, a perspective not provided by the Main Stream Media.  If you are not reading his dispatches, I ask you Why not?  Keep up the great work Michael.

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 

My Oregon Ducks are ranked Number Two in the BCS ranking.  Idle this week, they play Arizona, UCLA and the perennial Toilet Bowl against the Oregon State Beavers- at home.  Win three and we're in!!!!  BCS Title Bowl Game.  Such excitement, and Dennis Dixon is in the run for the Heisman.

To all those veterans, past, current and future I place here on my site the 13 Folds Recitation Flag Ceremony, of which there is so much controversy, I salute you:

• The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

• The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
• The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
• The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
• The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
• The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
• The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
• The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
• The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
• The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
• The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

A salute to my friend, neighbor and former Marine (and to all our fine militiamen and women).  Richard lost his arm while serving his country.

Richard,

We are so very happy for you in your moment of such great joy!  I talked with Leo this morning and she expressed the sheer joy that you are having at getting your new i-Limb, that she had not seen you smile like that, in ever so long, WOW!.  I am so very grateful to you and you brother's and sister's in harms way protecting the very things that most take for granted: freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!  May the good Lord Bless you all for your service to your Country!  I stand in awe at the sacrifices you and others have made to secure mine and my family's freedom.  If there is anything I can give to help you and your fellow Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsman, and Reservists (did I forget anyone?) I would do it in a second.  Thanks for sharing!

Godspeed,

Eric Jay, Molly, Conner and Samantha

i-Limb: http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/touch-bionics-i-limb-bionic-hand/

In his email to us you can feel his excitement and joy.  This Veteran's Day reach out and touch a Vet near you:

"I felt I need to express my excitement over the i-Limb Hand (by Touch Bionics) prosthesis that Prosthetics at the VA Long Beach is in the process of fabricating for me.  I had the opportunity see it and test it for the first time yesterday.  Keep in mind the socket is still at the test socket stage so Duane...(VA Prosthetist) taped the electrodes on the test socket and then taped it to an old turned in forearm with an Otto bock waist so it can simulate a prosthesis as best as possible. I was ecstatic with the function and appearance of the i-Hand.  I quickly was able to function with it and manipulate the digits as I’ve seen on the company’s web-site.  It was an incredible feeling being able to see the digits open and close to the point that I was able to open a finger at a time.  I knew then function wise this was leaps and bounces over what has been available in the past.  But personally to me it is the psychological aspect that has me thinking about this limb all day and night since yesterday.  I thought I would never see myself moving the fingers on my left hand since losing it over 23 years ago.  I know and can comprehend it is not my natural hand, I know that this hand functions the same as the pre-existing myo-electric hand but just seeing the digits move filled me with emotions and hope that I thought I would never experience again in my life time.  It felt and function like a hand.  It was my hand. After using it for some 2 hours I knew I had to leave so Duane can finish it…but inside of me I didn’t want to give it back.  It truly felt as I was leaving a part me behind.  I was like a kid in a toy store and saw that one toy you hope Santa Claus will be bring it to you on Christmas.  As a Prosthetic Representative for over 20 years I’ve seen the development and advancement of many medical devices but there really hasn’t been anything new for upper extremity amputees, until now.  This is truly a remarkable hand which will change the lives of those amputees fortunately enough to get an i-Limb Hand.  Not only from the new function of it but the psychological impact it will have on its users. I consider my one of those fortunate individuals and am proud to be a part of this VISN 22 Prosthetic Network Service Line.  As we celebrate Veteran’s Day this coming Monday and I urge all of you in Prosthetics to take a moment and thank all those men and women that have served and are currently serving.  One day one of them may come to you for help and you are in the position to change that person’s life.          
 
I want to thank everyone at the VA Long Beach involved in this process for their role or part in all this, Ed...., Dana..., ReaLean..., Ron... and Russell....  I also should thank Mr. John... and Mr. Fred... at national level in Washington D.C. for making the commitment for the VA to fabricate and provide the disabled veteran the highest quality prosthetic devices available.   
 
I want to personally thank Duane... for taking on this assignment for the VA, an assignment I know you will look back in the future and be proud of.  I know you haven’t had much experience with fitting upper extremity amputees but I have to say that test socket felt pretty good to me.  I know and have confidence you will do a great job. 
 
And last but not least Mr. Bill..., Head of Prosthetics at Touch Bionics.  It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday and truly appreciate you traveling all the way from the UK to be at the VA Long for myself and Francisco... (who at this writing is being fitted with his i-Hand).  You and Touch Bionics have a life changing product that we have been waiting for a long time.  Thank you and those private individuals or corporations that have donated to your cause to make this a reality.  Thank you for having the visionary and knowledge to come up with the i-Hand and no doubt all the improvements that will come out in the future. 
 
Sincerely,  
 
Richard" 

(Ed. Note, all names with ellipses are held back on purpose, namely permission not granted, but they too are heroes in my book)...

The following is a letter I sent to the Honorable Duncan Hunter in response to a current fundraising e-mail:

Honorable Mr. Duncan Hunter,

 

I must say that I was heartily prepared to support you in your candidacy for President of the United States; your Conservative principles have aligned nearly perfectly with mine, more so than any other candidate currently in this race.  You have a marvelous way to connect with your constituents, and it is a shame that more of the country have not been a part of the leadership you provide to the people of San Diego.  All that said, I am greatly, nay- make that extremely- disappointed by the fact that you have given your YEA vote to the pork laden Water Resources Development Act.  A bill that went from a $14 Billion dollar cost to $20 Billion Dollars.  How can any Republican, with a straight face, claim to be a fiscal conservative when so many earmarks are thrown in every bill?  I ask you how can we criticize Rep. John Murtha for his largess when, we as Republicans do the same. How can we be critical of Madame Speaker Pelosi ramming through the $151 billion Veterans Affairs bill without letting members read it, and which funds things like a Kansas City jazz museum and a million-dollar Thomas Daschle Center for Public Service?   If I had my say, and my way, earmarks would not simply be forbidden, they would expressly- by law- be stricken from the American legislative language!  Perhaps a new amendment to the Constitution- no bill shall be further burden by the ill effect of an earmark?  How do you believe the American populace would in approval of a Congress that didn’t slide pork projects into it’s bills, rather they forthrightly mandated that those projects be voted upon directly rather than hidden within other legislation?  I have not even begun to talk about the dirty shenanigans that occur in order to slip those earmarks into legislation- if Rep. Randall “Duke” Cunnigham’s abuse doesn’t shake the Congress to it’s knees, then perhaps nothing will…we cannot criticize a family living beyond it’s means when the Government of the United States does the same, especially when it does so in such an underhanded way.  If I hid from wife that I was borrowing money in our (make that OUR) names it would necessarily be grounds for divorce- does Irreconcilable Differences ring a bell?

 

We cannot on one hand berate Dimocrats- yes, I use the spelling Dimocrats as the proper derisive spelling- for being big spenders when we as Republicans do the same.  Fiscal Conservatism must, and always does, begin at home.  I have withheld funds from both the Republican Party and the Republican Senatorial Committee for these reasons:  1) Lack of fiscal conservatism 2) Lack of stand for Freedom, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness- namely, there have been too many Republicans that are beholden to polls- Thank God for President Bush’s steadfastness in support of the War on Terror and the War in Iraq 3) Pork, Pork, Pork 4) Scandal, Scandal –from Mark Foley to “Duke” Cunningham to the disgraceful Senator Craig.  I certainly can not hold you responsible for 1) and 2) as you have been steadfast in your resolve, but I can for 3) and 4). We must make a promise to the American people, pork shall never pass between the Republican party and legislation, nor can we stand by as those who are in conflict with our core principles get away with obviously deceitful behavior!  Cover ups, obfuscation, distortion and outright deceitfulness can not be tolerated.  There must be those who rise up in Leadership.  Will you be one of those Leaders?

 

Respectfully Yours,

 

Eric Jay Addington

Neophyte Pundit

619-922-5824

I, as I suspect many, have withheld donating to any Republican organization because of the abandonment of true Conservative, Republican virtues.  We can no longer distinguish ourselves from the Dimocrats when our fiscal conservatism has flown out the window, when there are more squishy republicans regarding the War on Terror.  I find it absolutely reprehensible that there were so many "republicans" voting for the pork laden Water Resources Development Act.  A bill that went from a $14 Billion dollar cost to $20 Billion Dollars.  How can any Republican, with a straight face, claim to be a fiscal conservative when so many earmarks are thrown in every bill?  My gut wrenches thinking that:

"Senate Finance Committee ranking Republican Charles Grassley, like Lott, voted for the pork. So did senior Republican Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana, Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Orrin Hatch of Utah. Over in the House, where the override passed 361-54, presidential candidate Duncan Hunter, Dan Lungren, Dana Rohrabacher, all California Republicans who should know better, voted to spend. Even Louisiana Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal disappointed his fiscal conservative supporters on the vote."

Count me a disenchanted Republican...and I haven't even begun to talk about Life...

That said I will support the Republican Candidate for President, as he will be infinitely better than a "President Elect Hillary."  aghhhhhhhhhh!?!?!?!?!

What say you?

Hey, what is going on throughout the world?  What is the deal?  Why are the masses demanding change?  From Myanmar:



From Pakistan:




To Venezuela:



The people are rising up in opoosition to men who are drunk with power.  Watch out, miltary junta in Myanmar, President Musharraf, and nutjob Chavez...your people want freedom and liberty not a dictatorship...

Great to see the best daily edit-toon back daily, welcome back Chris!  And, his salute to the success that has come about in Iraq, from Michael Yon:

"Thanks and Praise: I photographed men and women, both Christians and Muslims, placing a cross atop the St. John’s Church in Baghdad. They had taken the cross from storage and a man washed it before carrying it up to the dome.

A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Cavalry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John’s, an occasion all viewed as a sign of hope.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers. (Videotape to follow.)"
=======================================================================================
What will the Dimocrats say to this success?  Will they maintain that it requires "suspension of belief" as Hillary says?  Is it merely an aberration as is the 60% decline in violence?  Will the mantra become "they have no else to kill" as Rep. David Obey maintains?  Will Dimocrats declare that withdrawal is required not because we've lost but because we've won?  Thank God for President George W. Bush remaining steadfast in his resolve to success in Iraq, not for the praise rather it was for the freedom and liberty of the Iraqi people!

My biggest fear: the Dimocrats are now successful in their withdrawal plans too early.  As Gen. Patraeus, the man responsible for the counter-insurgency manual, it is "clear and hold."  Premature withdrawal will ensure again that the insurgency can surge as well.  What needs to happen now?  The US must ensure that political reconciliation can occur.  Reconciliation is occurring from the bottom up, from the tribes, and regional areas understanding that the US is the one fighting for their freedom and liberty.  Over and over the people are rejecting the barbaric nature of Al Qaeda and the militia's intent only on death and destruction.

Where will Iraq be in 6 months? In a year?  Will Iraq be our launching point to set back Iran's nuclear ambitions? 

What say you?

Go Ducks!!!