The Right is Right

This Week in Pictures

2012-01-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

State of the Union Rebuttal

2012-01-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

No Republican could have given a better rebuttal than these two Democrats did.

"Forty-nine million Americans living below the poverty line...Things are not going in the right direction. They are going in the wrong direction." - Bill Clinton

"I don't think they are better off than they were four years ago." - Barack Obama

Thank you Misters President.

Things To Remember on the Way to Tomorrow's State of the Union Address

2012-01-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

I'm sure Obama's gonna tell us how much better things are since he's been president, and how they can only get better if HE is the man in charge. It's what State of the Union Addresses have become in the modern age...BUT, while listening to Obama drone on keep a few things in mind: Since he took office unemployment has gone UP, the price of gas has DOUBLED, the cost of food has JUMPED.

Basically, he's failing Average Joe/Jane America...There is one group who is doing better, however: Wall St. Yes, the very people he rails against on a daily basis have benefited the most. They are also the ones who have given him the most cash. Do the calculus yourself.

Speaking of things that have gotten worse, there is one thing that is very measurable which has gotten much worse since Obama took office...And will only continue to multiply if he's given four more years.

On a different note, anyone want to guess how long Obama's speech will be? I'm thinking somewhere around 55 minutes...Thankfully he won't go on as long as Hugo Chavez's recent nine hour speech.

Just a little something to think about...Some things never change; like the path to ultimate power.

This Week in Pictures

2012-01-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

Words of Praise for a Democrat 'Nutter'

2012-01-17T19:20:00.003-07:00

“Seven young people, somewhere between 14 and 16 years old, on a Tuesday night, a school night, are out in a car going to somewhere to have a fight with some other teenager. That is completely insane, it is irresponsible. Parents have to know where their children are and what they are doing...Their little butts should have either been in bed, getting ready for bed, or doing some homework...Not out in a car, not in some other neighborhood, and not up to this kind of nonsense. I’m not your mom and I’m not your dad. We cannot completely legislate, or by policy, make people responsible for their children...The least you can do is know where the hell your kids are, in the daytime, in the nighttime, or at any time during the week or on the weekends. That’s the minimum we should ask and expect from our parents. You want to have kids? Take care of them.” - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

- Statement after three Philly teenagers were killed.

YES! YES! YES!

This is exactly what our leaders need to say to the American people; on this and many other things...BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN! DON'T EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE (least of all the government) TO BE YOUR CARETAKER!

I have nothing but praise for Mayor Nutter's statement and legitimate anger. Especially a black man, speaking to a majority black city...If only he, his Democrat peers, and other black leaders would have the guts to take the steps needed to force their constituents to do as he says.

It would also help if they'd encourage putting and keeping people like the man who killed these kids in prison...He'd been arrested at least seven times since 2000.

It's the third time I've referenced this book in three weeks, but: Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America - and What We Can Do About It

Like Juan Williams said in Enough, if blacks and Democrats would stop coddling blacks and criminals there wouldn't be as much black crime...Most of which is black-on-black crime.

Excellent job Mayor Nutter...If you meant what you said, act on it instead of just paying lip-service.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2012-01-15T10:56:00.001-07:00

"I have a dream, it is a dream deeply rooted in the 'American Dream.'"

This day should properly be Civil Rights Day: MLK was a great man (not perfect by any means, but great none the less), and the civil rights movement didn't begin or end with him. Though he was undoubtedly the most effective and powerful of its leaders. The spirit of this day is the celebration of America's civil rights advances, and as such I am certain Dr. King would agree such a day should honor all of those who ignited and forwarded the civil rights cause.

I'm also quite certain Dr. King would be disgusted by many of the modern pretenders who have disgraced his legacy (Jackson, Sharpton, Farrakhan, etc.).

For those who don't know some of the great civil rights leaders: Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglas, George Washington Carver, Sojournor Truth. (click the links to read about each)

Click here to listen to MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech.

---------------------
On another note, I challenge you to read an incredibly powerful book: Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America - and What We Can Do About It

In this book, Juan Williams (a black Liberal) has put out a dynamic challenge to American blacks...And his most important concept is:

'he isn't worried that white racists will use his book against blacks; he cares enough to point out to black Americans their continuing problem is mostly a problem of their own making.'

I have two copies of this book and am willing to GIVE ONE AWAY FOR FREE, and to LOAN ONE OUT FOR RETURN...If you are interested, email me at poisonpero@yahoo.com or ask me in person. I will pay the postage for anyone who needs it mailed.

This Week in Pictures

2012-01-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

Prager University: When Telling the Truth Is Wrong

2012-01-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Class presented by Guest Professor' Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

"What is perverse about human nature is that while we don't want others to know about such events in our lives, almost all of us are just aching to to learn and speak about such events in the lives of others." - J. Telushkin

"Can you go 24 hours without saying anything unkind about anyone?" - J. Telushkin's '24 Hour Challenge'

Tebow

2012-01-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

I didn't intend on returning to full-time blogging after the New Year with a sports post; much less a Tim Tebow post...But I am.

I admit, I root for Tim Tebow. To a certain extent I have to...I went out on a limb and picked him in my favorite dynasty Fantasy Football league (and was ripped for it :). As it turns out, my team is very poor at the quarterback position, and things have played out to where Tebow is my top QB option. Sure he's had a few clunker games, but overall he's been a steady 20-25 points per week, which is more than enough to be a solid QB1 in most leagues.

That's not the only reason I root for Tebow, however. Truth be told, I don't know why anyone roots against him...Other than the fact we live in a somewhat degenerate culture. One that idolizes scumbags who make anti-American movies and TV shows, sing songs about 'banging hos' and 'snorting coke', or no-talent hot-chicks who no one can figure out how they got such notoriety.

Tebow will never be a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady-type quarterback, and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit it. If anything, in the modern NFL era the quarterback I'd compare his play most closely to is Jim McMahon. Both played with reckless abandon, both were/are ripped for not having a 'pretty' game. Most importantly, both were/are winners.

I do understand why people take shots at his game, though. It is often ugly, and there are days when he looks truly awful. What I don't understand is the personal hatred some have for Tebow...I can think of another NFL quarterback who has had many similar amazing/terrible games in his career (especially in his first two years); Michael Vick. Yet somehow Vick is thought of as a great player, with a $100 million contract. Our popular culture loves guys like 'Dog Killer' Vick and 'Punky QB' McMahon, but Tebow is hated by so many. I'll never get it.

As far as those who hate or mock Tebow for his supposed 'in-your-face' religiosity, I watched today's game very closely and saw him make two displays of faith: One before the game started, one after his team won. Outrageous stuff...In this same game, Troy Palamalu (Steelers safety) made the 'sign of the cross' after every play. I'm betting not one person has or will say a word about his displays of faith. Just a hunch.

For those who want to come after me on this matter, I'm not Christian (or any other recognized religion) so take a day off.

Tim Tebow is a very good football player; maybe not a very good quarterback, but a very good football player. From every reasonable standard he is also known as a very good person. Not because he's a Christian, or because he wins games, but because he busts his tail at his craft (limited in skill or not), has never broken the law or injured anyone, and hasn't done anything to embarrass his family or team...Something which can't be said for far to many players in the NFL; including some of the most admired and loved players.

It is something which can't be said for far to many American citizens; including some of the most admired and loved.

Oh by the way, today Tim Tebow had the best game of his career against one of the best defenses in the NFL, won a playoff game (Peyton Manning lost his first three playoff games), and would have scored 37 points in my fantasy football league (which is over)...Pretty good by any standard. But I'm sure the so-called experts can't wait for Tebow to fall or eventually lose (and I'm pretty certain the Patriots will beat the Broncos next week). That's unfortunate, but pro sports are tough.

What's sad is the haters will still hate. And they'll still love others who are much less admirable, or are downright awful human beings...Such is modern-day American culture.

Which brings this post back to my normal blogging: I'm betting most of those who hate Tim Tebow are Liberals, and most who love or admire Tim Tebow are not Liberals...Hmmm!

'The 5 Most Important Books of the 21st Century'

2012-01-05T12:41:00.033-07:00

Those who visit The Right is Right on a regular basis have seen references to each of the books listed below. They are about various subjects, but each is of vast importance because they are the best books based on the most important topics of our time...Superbly researched and written, and produced by brilliant writers from both the Right and Left; in fact most are Lefties.

The nice thing about all five is they are very easy reads; flawlessly written, and don't require a specialists knowledge to handle their subject. A major plus, and a sign of excellent storytellers and writers.

I have linked each book to an Amazon.com address if you want to purchase them. I have no financial stake in any of these books, but hope if you have time for just one great book this year you will pick one of these five...Hopefully you have time for each. They are ranked in order of current-day importance.

This year a new book has entered the Top 5, and is so exceptional it came in at #3.
-------------------
#1: The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11

Where did al-Qaeda and other Islamist threats originate, and what do they want? Why do they hate America so much? The answers and reasons may surprise you...What shouldn't be surprising is our national intelligence operations could have stopped them from killing 3,000+ on 9/11. Why did our government (Clinton and Bush administrations) fail to stop them when they could and should have?

"...someday somebody will die...the public will not understand why we are not more effective and throwing every resource we had at certain 'problems.'" - Steve Bongart (FBI agent before 9/11/01)

Make no mistake, Bin Laden is dead, but if his successors or any of the worldwide Jihadist groups has their way 9/11 will be a preview of 'bigger things to come'...Don't be afraid to be afraid. You should be afraid; especially if our government gives our enemies room to breathe and operate.

The 2011 Middle East revolts make this book of the highest importance, because our enemies aren’t just al-Qaeda. There are wanna-be al-Qaeda groups, many of which started with the Muslim Brotherhood; the very group poised to stake claim to the ashes of the Middle East revolts.

#2: Germs: Biological Weapons and America’s Secret War

Written before 9/11/01, which is important to keep in mind...The author is also a Liberal, so it can't be considered a Rightwing/Neo-Con scare book.

A few questions kept coming to mind during and after reading this book:

1. Muammar Gaddafi admitted to having, and turned over, a bio/chem program to the U.S. after the Iraq invasion, because he was afraid of being 'Sadaamized'...If relatively insignificant Libya had an unknown bio/chem program can anyone doubt other countries do as well? Much larger, more deadly programs?

2. When the Soviet Union dissolved, it's bio/chem scientists disappeared. Where did they go? What countries would pay millions of dollars to employ them?

3. If the Soviets (and probably the U.S. as well) changed the DNA of their smallpox weapons would anyone on Earth be safe from the 'new strain'? If one of these weapons were set loose on the world could it have the same effect as smallpox had on the New World Indians; who had no protection against smallpox and were wiped out by it?

#3: Infidel

An amazing biography about a Somali woman, born and raised in the Muslim culture of East Africa and Saudi Arabia, with all the horrors of being a female...Horrors which are very routine for girls and women in this portion of the world.

Incredibly, the author (Ayaan Hirsi Ali) managed to escape these horrors and fled to the Netherlands, where she became a member of it's national government...Unfortunately, the Dutch were too gutless to keep her, however, because they couldn't handle the Muslim backlash against this brilliant woman's quest to 'free' Muslim women.

Women compose half the world's population, and in the West much has been done to liberate women. Sadly, the vast majority of women on Earth don't have these same liberties; especially not in the Muslim world...It's a harsh reality, and one which is often overlooked or excused as a 'cultural norm' by the West; which should be disgraceful to all those who truly care about women's rights.

#4: Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America - and What We Can Do About It

The author is a BLACK LIBERAL, which is part of the power of this book.

He attacks black America's problems, and takes no prisoners in explaining why they continue and who/what is causing their problems...The most impressive way to explain it is simple: Juan Williams isn't worried that white racists will use his book against blacks; he cares enough to point out to black Americans their continuing problem is mostly a problem of their own making.

A genius, as well as socially, politically, and personally courageous book for Williams to write.

#5: Imperial Grunts: The American Military on the Ground

A detailed account of the modern American military from the perspective of those executing American policy...Civilian leaders, generals and admirals are important and establish policy, but it's the men on the ground who are the backbone of the military and execute the policy of their leaders.

Think about the implications of every positive, neutral, and negative action from every soldier, Marine, airman, and seaman.

It’s #5 on my list, but by far my favorite of the five to read.

Most recent book bumped out of the Top 5 - Gulag: A History
-------------------
Like I said at the top, I hope you read all five, but at worst give one a try...I promise you’ll agree these are superior books on some of the most important topics of our time.

It may be awhile before another book cracks this list, but I'll make sure to update it when one does.

If you are looking for an entertaining book, though by no means as important as those listed above, I have another book to recommend: 2005-2008 Liberal Jackass Quotes of the Year

I have no financial stake in that one either, since I listed it at the publisher's price :)

2011: The Year In Pictures

2012-01-01T15:34:00.009-07:00

History of New Year's

2011-12-31T17:00:00.001-07:00

January 1st is considered New Years Day in today's society. But this is a fairly new concept because up until the time of Julius Caesar, the Romans celebrated the New Year in March because it was the first month in the Roman calendar. However, January 1 marked the time when the Romans changed their governmental figures and new consuls were inducted into office. And, they had games and feasting to help celebrate the new officials. But, they still used March 1 as their official mark of the new year and had a festival to their god, Mars (God of War).

It was Caesar who changed the Roman New Year's Day to January 1 in honor of Janus, (God of all beginnings and gate keeper of heaven and earth). Janus was always depicted with two faces: One looking back to the old year (past) and one looking ahead to the new year (future). One of the customs in the festival honoring Janus was to exchange gifts and then make resolutions to be friendly and good to one another.

When Constantine ruled the Romans and accepted Christianity as their new faith, they kept the Festival of Janus as the New Years Day ( Not March as before) and turned it into a day of prayer and fasting and not parties etc. It was a day for all good Christians to turn over a new leaf. However, the Romans may have accepted January 1 and Janus as the New Year, but many did not accept the turning over a new leaf, prayer and fasting part of it.

However, even in 1582, Great Britian and the English colonies in America still kept March for the beginning of the year. (Spring as a beginning?) It wasn't until 1752 that Britian (and it's colonies) adopted the new Gregorian calendar and January 1 as the beginning of the year. But many Puritans in New England felt Janus was an offensive pagan god and chose to simply ignore January 1 as a New Years Day. Instead they just made the entire month of January as "The First Month" of the months.

And, today no one really considers January 1 a fasting day. Ironically, for many it is a major day of feasting on junk food and watching football games on television.

How did New Year's Resolutions all begin?

Once again, we go back to the wild and crazy parties of the ancient Romans. :) They indulged themselves in alcoholic and sexual excess as a way of acting out all the chaos that they hoped a new year would get rid of. So, the New Year's festival was a way to start over. By purging yourself of all this so-called excess energy and confessing your sins, there was a hope that you would be much better in the next year ahead.

Now, the Puritans never did approve of all this New Year's hoopla. So of course they went for this religious renewal of cleanse, purge, fast, confess idea. So they encouraged young people not to waste the new year on foolish things but to use it as an opportunity to make a good change in their lives for the good. So, like some Christians, they made New Year's vows or pledges focused on overcoming their own weaknesses, to enhance their god-given talents and to make them better citizens to others.

The custom of making New Year's Resolutions came into vogue in the 20th century. But most of it was done with jest and an understanding that they would not be kept (for long anyway) since humans were naturally backsliders by nature to their naughty habits and ways.

The resolutions today are simply a secular version of the religious vows made in the past toward spiritual perfection. They are often made with good intentions and broken with a sense of humor and renewed annually.Original Posted @ Cojoweb
--------------------
AULD LANG SYNE
The song, 'Auld Lang Syne,' is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, 'Auld Lang Syne' literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

'Auld Lang Syne'
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Jeff Caruthers: 1 Year Later

2011-12-28T15:15:00.166-07:00

"Funny when you're dead how people start listening." - The Band Perry ('If I Die Young')

First, I hope those who wish to know, know Dec. 29, 2011 is the date Jeff died...The official date is Dec. 30, but the final conclusion that his cause of death was 'drowning' leaves no doubt he died on Dec. 29. The story and timeline left in texts on his cell phone tells the story.

I've been able to reconcile the fact Jeff's dead - death is all of our final destiny - but I'll never get over the fact an otherwise-healthy, six-foot three-inch, 240 pound, 25-year old man died in twelve inches of water in a bathtub...The medical examiners on the scene said it was the ultimate fluke. They also said there was no sign of struggle. No bruising, cuts, breaks. Nothing. There was also no sign of drugs or alcohol in his final 'tox screen'. He was showering, had a massive seizure, slumped down in the tub, clogged the drain with his body and peacefully drowned.

The medical examiners were also certain if he went in such a way he had to have done so without pain, because if he had been in pain or had any level of consciousness he could have easily rolled over or pulled himself out of the water.

If nothing else, I am thankful for this.

Unfortunately, there is 'nothing else'. It's too surreal.

Below are the words of a special young lady; portions of a letter she left in Jeff's mini-coffin (used with her permission):

I want this to be over. But when is it really over? I will never stop missing you, thinking about you, loving you...It's hard accepting the fact that you’re gone. It’s too soon and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I never got one last kiss from you. I never got to tell you how much I love you, how I would do anything to keep you here with me. I know you’re in a good place now but I miss you so much Jeffery...I wish I could have just one more day with you. It tears me up inside knowing I will literally never see you again. I will never get to hug you, or laugh with you. And that’s the hardest part. I love you so much Jeff. It’s not right that you’re gone. It wasn’t supposed to happen. - Holly Caruthers

"It wasn't supposed to happen" is correct. Not so young, not in the way it happened...But life isn't fair - it is often terribly cruel.

That said, I have no doubt Jeff wouldn't want me, or anyone else who knew him, to stew over his death. He would want us to live and love, to laugh and have fun. I have no doubt this is true, and those who wish to honor his death will do him proud to:

1. Remember Jeff, and by default Patty as well (I know when I think of one, the other instantly comes to mind). Time may 'heal all wounds', but it shouldn't erase our memories and love...Think of and speak of them often. Even in death, kind words and fond memories go a long way.

2. Live - LIVE WELL...Our ultimate destiny is death, and only suicides know their date and means of dying. So, live life like each day could be your last, because you never know when that twelve inches of water has your name on it.

I love you Brother - Jay

Greeting Cards

2011-12-24T15:12:00.009-07:00

To All My Liberal Friends : Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes.

To All My Conservative Friends: Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!
--------------------
**I don't know where these "Greeting Cards" originated, but not even Hallmark has made two that are more appropriate.

Have a great Christmas...Or 'whatever-it-is' Liberals want to call it.

A Different Christmas Poem

2011-12-23T12:12:00.001-07:00

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really alright,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me."

"My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram' always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,'
And now it is my turn and so, here I am."

"I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue...an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

CDR Jeff Giles,
SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC,
Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 10)

2011-12-22T18:32:00.002-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Little Boy Blue)

“Democracy is always a messy business in a big country like this…When you listen to what the federalists said about the anti-federalists…those guys were tough. Lincoln, they used to talk about him almost as bad as they talk about me.”

Poor, poor President Obama. He swooped into office as a demigod, and now over half the country thinks he's a putz. Even a lot of his supporters are shocked by his putziness...Boo-hoo-hoo!

"[The comparison between Obama and Lincoln] is hysterical...that is really laughable in many respects...You couldn’t print things today they said about Lincoln...To put himself at [Lincoln’s] level seems very vain and self-absorbed." – Alvin Felzenberg (Presidential Author)

"Obama is a guy who has a thin skin and does not take criticism well." – Eric Foner (Lincoln biographer)

"He [Obama] has discovered the truth and if you disagree with him, it’s not only against the country, its unpatriotic and anti-Obama." – Michael Franc

It's also 'racist.' Don't ever forget the race card...Ah, forget the race card. What Obama really is is the star in a nursery rhyme.

Little Boy Blue, Come blow your horn,
The sheep's in the meadow, The cow's in the corn;
Where is that boy, Who looks after the sheep?
Under the haystack, Fast asleep.
Will you wake him?
Oh no, not I,
For if I do, He will surely cry.

That's our president...He pays no attention to the needs and desires of his flock (except the sycophantic little flockers who give him round-the-clock love and attention), and when he's called on it he cries like a little girl.

Pathetic!

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 9)

2011-12-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Debt Creator-in-Chief)

"We didn't need a ratings agency to tell us that we need a balanced, long-term approach to deficit reduction...we've always been and always will be a triple-A country."

The U.S. as a nation is a "triple-A country", no doubt...It's sovereign debt is anything but "triple-A", though. If anything our fiscal house is 'triple-S', 'triple-H', 'triple-I', 'triple-T', 'triple-T', 'triple-Y'!

I'm assuming the cheerleader in you can figure that chant.

The fact S&P downgraded our credit-rating from AAA to AA+ This year is a joke, because it probably should have happened a year ago.

There is only one way to solve this problem, and that is to quit spending. We can't tax our way out of the problem; not by any stretch of the imagination...Since the Left can't give into this reality (because doing so would be a repudiation of its very existence), the situation won't improve until the Democrats are kicked out of leadership in the Senate and Barack Obama is replaced in the White House. If either one is kept in control after the 2012 Election, our situation may be hopeless.

Heck, it may already be hopeless...Such is life in the land of "Hope and Change"; no 'hope' and no 'change'.

The Story of Chanukkah

2011-12-19T15:36:00.010-07:00

For my Jewish friends...Also, it's important that non-Jews who celebrate America recognize there is no America-as-we-know-it without the Judean portion of this great Judeo-Christian nation.

Begins: Sunset December 20, 2011...Ends: Nightfall December 28, 2011 (first candle: night of 12/20; last candle: night of 12/27).
--------------------------------

On the 25th of Kislev are the days of Chanukkah, which are eight...these were appointed a Festival with Hallel [prayers of praise] and thanksgiving. - Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud.

Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.

Chanukkah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.The Story

The story of Chanukkah begins in the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs and the dress of the Greeks, in much the same way that Jews in America today blend into the secular American society.

More than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a basically nationalistic group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious traditionalist group known as the Chasidim, the forerunners of the Pharisees (no direct connection to the modern movement known as Chasidism). They joined forces in a revolt against both the assimilation of the Hellenistic Jews and oppression by the Selucid Greek government. The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated.

According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle. Note that the holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil, not the military victory: Jews do not glorify war.Traditions

Our rabbis taught the rule of Chanukkah:...on the first day one [candle] is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased...[because] we increase in sanctity but do not reduce. -Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud.

Chanukkah is not a very important religious holiday. The holiday's religious significance is far less than that of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu'ot. It is roughly equivalent to Purim in significance, and you won't find many non-Jews who have even heard of Purim! Chanukkah is not mentioned in Jewish scripture; the story is related in the book of Maccabbees, which Jews do not accept as scripture.
The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah (or sometimes called a chanukkiah) that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited: l'hadlik neir (a general prayer over candles), she-asah nisim (a prayer thanking G-d for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time), and she-hekhianu (a general prayer thanking G-d for allowing us to reach this time of year). The candles are allowed to burn out on their own after a minimum of 1/2 hour.

The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah (or sometimes called a chanukkiah) that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited: l'hadlik neir (a general prayer over candles), she-asah nisim (a prayer thanking G-d for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time), and she-hekhianu (a general prayer thanking G-d for allowing us to reach this time of year). See Chanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings for the full text of these blessings. After reciting the blessings, the first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and the shammus candle is placed in its holder. The candles are allowed to burn out on their own after a minimum of 1/2 hour.

A dreidel is marked with four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimmel, Heh and Shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham", a great miracle happened there, referring to the miracle of the oil.

The letters also stand for the Yiddish words nit (nothing), gantz (all), halb (half) and shtell (put), which are the rules of the game! There are some variations in the way people play the game, but the way I learned it, everyone puts in one coin. A person spins the dreidel. If it lands n Nun, nothing happens; on Gimmel (or, as we called it as kids, "gimme!"), you get the whole pot; on Heh, you get half of the pot; and on Shin, you put one in. When the pot is empty, everybody puts one in. Keep playing until one person has everything. Then redivide it, because nobody likes a poor winner.

Reposted from: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 8)

2011-12-18T16:07:00.001-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (The Hope Pope)

"When I said 'change we can believe in' I didn't say 'change we can believe in tomorrow.' Not change we can believe in next week."

The logical questions are: Why is it taking so long? And even more important, what does "change we can believe in" actually mean or look like?

"We knew this was going to take time because we've got this big, messy, tough democracy."

Damn that "democracy" stuff! If only Obama didn't have to deal with the House and the Senate...Oh, and damn those American people, the majority of which don't want their country 'radically changed', as the Dear Leader does.

This guy is a train wreck of epic proportions, and is truly becoming Jimmy Carter II...I'm sure there are some Americans who thought Jimmy was a good president, and those who do should vote for Obama in the next election. Everyone else, however, should look elsewhere, because the only POSITIVE "change" we can truly 'hope' for is a "change" in leadership.

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 7)

2011-12-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Bi-Partisan Jam-Down Specialist)

“We have an extraordinary - and extraordinarily rare - opportunity to move forward in a way that makes sure our government lives within its means, that puts our economy on a sounder footing for the future, and that still invests in the things we need to prosper in the years to come.”
- Commenting on the need to increase the debt ceiling.

LOOK OUT AMERICA! Obama's talking about a 'bi-partisan deal'...Better known as a Democrat scheme to somehow get the idiotic Republicans to bend over and 'take it like a man'; with or without lube.

Be very leery of these 'deals', because Obama has proven to be anything but a 'deal maker.' At best he's a cut-throat politico who has mastered the art of the legislative 'jam-down' (IE: ObamaCare, Dodd-Frank, Porkulus/Stimulus, taking over GM, etc., with little-to-no Republican support - forget Republican support, he's done them with little-to-no support from the American people).

Like I said, be very leery, America. In his three years in office Obama hasn't been 'bipartisan' on anything...He's gotten his way on just about everything, and has no intention of ruining his streak.

So, get ready to hear something stupid like 'We have solved the debt ceiling problem, but we have to pass the bill to find out what is in the bill.'

Be very leery, America!

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 6)

2011-12-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Chump-in-Chief)

"First time I saw (the) 10th Mountain Division, you guys were in southern Iraq. When I went back to visit Afghanistan, you guys were the first ones there. I had the great honor of seeing some of you because a comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to who actually came back and wasn't receiving it posthumously."

I can't figure Obama out. Is he a complete numb-nut, or does he do this stuff on purpose to be cruel?

What was cruel about his comment? Sergeant First Class Jared Monti was killed in Iraq in 2006...He received the Medal of Honor "posthumously."

I'm sure his mates in the 10th Mtn Div were perfectly aware of this fact...I'm also sure they were mortified to hear the C-in-C so ignorantly use Monti as a pawn.

Truthfully, I don't think Obama's stupid, nor do I think he's purposefully cruel when it comes to these matters. They just aren't important to him...He's also generally lazy when it comes to researching the things he talks about. If words show up on the TOTUS (Teleprompter of the United States) he regurgitates them. No thought, just words spewed out by the supposed 'greatest American orator since Lincoln.'

I'm sure you heard about this in the Mainstream Media, too...Oh, you didn't? I'm shocked. Heaven knows you would have if it had been 'W', or Palin, or anyone without a (D) behind their name spewed out such stupidity.

U.S. National Guard's 375th Birthday

2011-12-12T16:57:00.023-07:00

I could have put together a post honoring the Guard, or found a wonderful article on its history, but the video below is much better than anything I could have done or found...That said, I do recommend you go to the National Guard Home Page to get a history lesson.

When you play the video, listen to the words (even if it's not your favorite type of music), watch the images, and read the captions (the ones on the video, not the ads. X-out of the ads)...The song and video give me the chills, and presents the National Guard in all its past, present, and future glory!

"Hope and pray that you never need me, but rest assured I will not let you down."

"I walk beside you, but you may not see me, the strongest among you may not wear a crown."

"We'll always be ready, because we will always be there."

"Right here underneath my wing, you can rest your head."

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 5)

2011-12-11T18:44:00.001-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Joe Not-So-Cool)

"It's not as cool to be an Obama supporter as it was in 2008."

No commentary is needed, because his statement is so obviously true.

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 4)

2011-12-10T08:48:00.002-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Border Patrol Agent-in-Chief)

"They wanted a fence. Well, that fence is now basically complete...So, we have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement. But even though we’ve answered these concerns, I suspect there will be those who will try to move the goal posts one more time. They’ll say we need to triple the border patrol. Or quadruple the border patrol. They’ll say we need a higher fence to support reform...Maybe they’ll say we need a moat. Or alligators in the moat."

- The "fence" in question is a 'border fence.'

We have a completed border fence? Really? I dare anyone to prove this statement to be true. If it is true it should be easy to find a Google picture of a legitimate border wall covering the entire passable expanse of the southern border. I don't even expect the double-wall they were supposed to build; a single-walled fence would be enough...And please, don't bother to show me a magic invisible fence created by construction workers on unicorns.

Barack knows this isn't true (assuming he doesn't have the same definition of "basically complete" as Bill Clinton had of the word "is") which means he's out-and-out lying! Pandering to the illegal alien/amnesty crowd...Even worse, he's shirking his duty: In 2005 a law was passed to build a 700-mile double-layer border fence along the southwest border.

"Today, according to staff at the Department of Homeland Security, just 5 percent of the double-layer fencing is complete, only 36.3 miles. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress’s investigative arm, reported in early 2009 that only 32 miles of double-layer fencing had been built. That means under President Obama, only 4.3 miles of double layer fencing has been built. This is woefully inadequate." - Sen. Jim DeMint (R - South Carolina)

"Woefully inadequate" is being generous...Purposefully negligent is a much better description.

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 3)

2011-12-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------

SS-Obersturmführer Barack Obama

"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Authorization for Use of Military Force of September 2001 (AUMF), Public Law 107-40, and in order to ensure that military detention of individuals now held at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Guantanamo), who were subject to the interagency review under section 4 of Executive Order 13492 of January 22, 2009, continues to be carefully evaluated and justified, consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice, I hereby order as follows:..."

- First paragraph in Obama's recent executive order continuing President Bush's military commissions policy at Gitmo.

Maybe I've gone crazy, but I thought Obama wasn't going to follow Dubya's 'terrible' policies...Especially when it came to Gitmo.

"But make no mistake. We will close Guantanamo prison, which has damaged our national security interests and become a tremendous recruiting tool for al Qaeda. In fact, that was an explicit rationale for the formation of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. And as I've always said, we will do so - we will close the prison in a manner that keeps the American people safe and secure." - Obama (2008)

Hmm? Maybe the Teleprompter-of-the-United-States (TOTUS) snuck that monkey business about closing Gitmo in on Barack. Or did Obama mean what he said in 2008, and now realizes he was very wrong? Nah...Either way, as C-in-C Obama is the man making the tough choices. He's the new Guantanamo Gate-Keeper, and it'll be interesting to see how long it takes his pals to start comparing him to Stalin, Hitler and other democidal nutters.

"If I read this [Gitmo report] to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control...you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime - Pol Pot or others - that had no concern for human beings." - Sen. DICK Durbin (D - ChiTown)

Wouldn't it be nice if Obama would just admit he was wrong? Yes it would, but Durbin will compare Obama to Attila the Hun before that happens...Which is never.

Pearl Harbor Day ("A date which will live in Infamy")

2011-12-06T15:36:00.008-07:00

NOTE: The Flag should be flown at half-staff on Pearl Harbor Day.

November 25, 1941 - A "war warning" was sent to commanders in the Pacific: Admiral Harold R. Stark, U.S. chief of naval operations, told Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, that both President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull thought a Japanese surprise attack was a distinct possibility.

November 26, 1941 – A Japanese task force left for Pearl Harbor: Admiral Chuichi Nagumo led the Japanese First Air Fleet, an aircraft carrier strike force, toward Pearl Harbor, with the understanding that should "negotiations with the United States reach a successful conclusion, the task force will immediately put about and return to the homeland."

November 28, 1941 - The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise departed from Pearl Harbor to deliver F4F Wildcat fighters to Wake Island.

December 1, 1941 - Japanese Emperor Hirohito signed a declaration of war and War Minister Hideki Tojo rejected U.S. proposals for a Pacific settlement as fantastic and unrealistic.

December 2, 1941 - Japanese Admiral Yamamoto sent his fleet toward Pearl Harbor.

December 2, 1941 - Japanese First Air Fleet arrived at 43 N, 158 30' E, c. 3,200 miles NW of Pearl Harbor.

December 2, 1941 - Hawaii recon aircraft were ordered to search 400 miles, NW to S only.

December 2, 1941 - Roosevelt asked Japan to clarify its intents with regard to French Indochina.

December 4, 1941 - The U.S. Navy Department ordered Guam to destroy all codes and secret documents.

Dec. 6, 1941 - U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt made a final appeal to the Emperor of Japan for peace. There was no reply. Later this same day, the U.S. code-breaking service began intercepting a 14-part Japanese message and deciphered the first 13 parts, passing them on to the President and Secretary of State. The Americans believed a Japanese attack was imminent, most likely somewhere in Southeast Asia.

ALL OF THE AMERICAN EVENTS ABOVE LOOK LIKE THE ACTIONS OF A COUNTRY WAITING TO BE ATTACKED SO IT COULD ENTER THE WAR...It's just too bad we had to be hit first.

December 7, 1941 (early AM) - Pearl Harbor was not on a state on high alert. Senior commanders concluded, based on available intelligence, there was no reason to believe an attack was imminent. Aircraft were therefore left parked wingtip-to-wingtip on airfields, anti-aircraft guns were unmanned with many ammunition boxes kept locked in accordance with peacetime regulations. There were also no torpedo nets protecting the fleet anchorage. Since it was Sunday morning, many officers and crewmen were leisurely ashore.

7:55 A.M. (Hawaii time) - A Japanese force of 183 airplanes attacked U.S. military and naval facilities on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands without warning. For 30 minutes, dive bombers, and torpedo planes struck airfields and naval vessels.

8:40 A.M. - After a 15-minute lull, a second wave of 170 planes launched another attack which lasted one hour.

Casualties to U.S. service personnel: 2,343 killed, 960 missing, and 1,272 wounded; 151 U.S. planes destroyed on the ground and all eight U.S. battleships at anchor in Pearl Harbor were either sunk or damaged. At a cost of only 28 airplanes shot down, the Japanese dealt the U.S. a staggering blow.

Escaping damage from the attack: The prime targets, the three U.S. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers, Lexington, Enterprise and Saratoga, which were not in the port. Also escaping damage were the base fuel tanks...Coincidental??

Dec. 8, 1941 - The U.S. declared war on Japan.

Dec. 11, 1941 - Germany and Italy, bound by treaty with Japan, declared war on the U.S...The U.S. then declared war on Germany and Italy.

"A Date Which Will Live In Infamy" (Click Here to listen to FDR's address to Congress requesting a declaration of war against Japan.)
----------------

WHY DID JAPAN ATTACK THE U.S.?

The prevailing belief within the Japanese military and political establishment was eventually, with the then expected German defeat of Great Britain and Soviet Russia, the United States' non-involvement in the European war, and Japan's control of the Pacific, that the world power structure would stabilize into three major spheres of influence:

1.) The Empire of Japan would control East, Southeast, South Asia and the entire Pacific Ocean.

2.) The combined powers of Germany and Italy would control Great Britain, all of Europe, Western and central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

3.) The United States would control North and South America.

The expected result of the attack was to cripple the U. S. Pacific Fleet for a period of up to eighteen months, preventing aggressive action against imperial forces, with the fleet to later be drawn out into a final battle and destroyed. This goal eluded the Japanese as U.S. forces were acting aggressively in the South Pacific within 60 days and the fleet was fully effective within a year. There was never the kind of massive fleet battle that the Japanese hoped for, and the only one which even closely resembled such a battle resulted in a crushing Japanese loss at the Battle of Midway.

The attack was almost a complete tactical success. By a matter of chance, of the three Pacific Fleet carriers which would normally have been at Pearl that morning, two were at sea on exercises and one was on the U.S. west coast undergoing maintenance. Not knowing the location of these ships, which could have attacked his strike force, caused the Japanese tactical commander (Admiral Nagumo) to withdraw before a planned third strike, sparing the Pacific Fleet submarine force, important maintenance facilities and critical American fuel supplies.

The survival of the repair shops enabled rapid restoration of the fighting capability of the fleet. The carriers, which enabled the first blow to be struck against the Japanese homeland in the Doolittle Raid, proved to be decisive in the Battle of the Coral Sea, where the Japanese forces were turned back in their thrust toward Australia, and proved essential to U.S. success in the Battle of Midway Island, where naval aviation forces from U.S. carriers sank four Imperial carriers.

The attack against Hawaii was in fact the worst possible thing Japan could have done, given its goal of hegemony in the western Pacific. The war plans of the U.S. had written off the defensibility of the Philippines and projected, baring any direct attack against the Philippines or U.S. possessions, a strictly defensive posture against Japan, with the principle effort being directed to the protection of the western hemisphere (particularly the Caribbean and South America) against Germany and a strictly defensive posture in the Pacific to protect Alaska, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.

The short-term goal of the Japanese was to obtain the oil supplies, rubber, and other strategic materials from the East Indian possessions of the Netherlands, Great Britain, and France. Given the isolationist temperament of the U.S. Congress at the time, it is questionable, even doubtful, the United States would have responded directly to the seizure of those foreign possessions.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a terrible event in American history, but should also be seen as the 'Beginning of the end of WWII.'

The entry of the United States into WWII was inevitable, and should have occurred in 1939, not the end of 1941...This two year period cost the U.S. much, but cost humanity even more, which is something we must always keep in mind.

As far as the tactical victory the Japanese produced at Pearl Harbor: Congratulations. It was a stunning victory, but it was a Pyrrhic victory they were able to enjoy for only a short period of time. "War is all Hell," and Americans hate it for just that reason...That said, the rest of the world should always keep in mind the American people may be lax, but they are not to be abused. The Japanese brought War to the U.S. The eventual reality was the the U.S. brought Hell to the Japanese.

Information for this post was adopted and adapted from many sources. Primarily:
Pearl Harbor Day Page
Naval Historical Center Library of Congress
Pearl Harbor Remembered

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 2)

2011-12-05T21:32:00.001-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
Barack Obama (Debt Creator-in-Chief)

"Just like every family in America, the federal government has to do two things at once: It has to live within its means while still investing in the future. If your family [is] trying to cut back, you might skip going out to dinner, you might put off a vacation, but you wouldn't want to sacrifice saving for your kids' college education or making key repairs in your house. So you cut back on what you can't afford to focus on what you can't do without, and that's what we've done with this year's budget."

If only Obama would run the country the way most average Americans run their families; we'd be in a much better fiscal situation. Unfortunately, the Prez has no idea how most Americans live. And how could he, since he hasn't lived the adult life of most Americans.

The reality is when most of us simpletons (you know, the one's who pay for Obama's unaffordable 'investments') can't make our budgets we don't invest; we just try to survive...We don't have the opportunity to 'save', or to make "repairs" on anything. We just have to "cut back on what...[we] can't afford", and only pay for "what...[we] can't do without."

"That's...[NOT] what...[he's] done with this year's budget."

No, Obama continued trying to load up on so-called 'investments'; otherwise known as DEBT! Debt we'll never be able to repay. Debt those we supposedly care the most about (our children and grandchildren) will be overburdened with, which will lead to a lower standard of living for them than any of us want to think about.

That said, it must be noted the budget Obama sent to Congress went nowhere...Even Congressional Democrats couldn't muster up the 'courage' to pass it.

Barack Obama Jackass Quotes of the Year (Pt. 1)

2011-12-02T19:47:00.001-07:00

Note: This list is in chronological order...Each could be the most Jackass Quote.
--------------------
(State of the Union Address)

"Blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah..."

- Entire text of the speech.

To be fair, the above is the extent of every State of the Union Address, from every president in my lifetime...Obama just makes it sound prettier than most.

My favorite part is Obama referencing this as "our generation's Sputnik moment."

First, I'm willing to bet at least 50% of the morons who voted for Obama have no idea what Sputnik is...Second, Obama is the president who has more or less killed off NASA's space exploration programs.

Sadly, I'm betting many of the same morons who voted for Obama have no idea what NASA is or how it relates to Sputnik...Which is why Obama has well over a 50% chance of giving State of the Union Addresses for the next five years.

The U.S. Has 'Jumped the Shark'

2011-11-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, Nov. 23, the U.S. National Debt officially passed our GDP...I'm betting this is the first you've heard of this matter, because the government and it's media psychophants (spelling intended) don't dare bring it up.

For those who think this isn't a big deal, lets look at a few other 'fun facts' (it might be helpful to go to the U.S. Debt Clock to get the current numbers, but for now we'll work off the picture from last Wednesday's data - Right click on the picture below and open in a new window. The whole picture is terrifying, but lets stick to the circled areas)

1. As stated above the National Debt has passed our GDP...It continues to move past it at a ridiculous rate, and will only get worse as we go forward.

2. The State and Local Debt should be added to the National Debt, because the Feds would never let them go 'belly up'...This would add another $3 trillion to our government's OVERALL DEBT. Like the Feds, the State and Local Debts are increasing at a faster rate than the Revenue streams to pay them.

3. The Interest on our National Debt FOR THIS YEAR ALONE is over $3.7 trillion! That's over 20% of our GDP! And the Feds have only received around $2.3 trillion in tax revenue...It doesn't take a genius to figure this accounting problem: We'll need to increase our taxes by almost 50% to JUST PAY THE INTEREST ON OUR DEBT.

4. Look at those Unfunded Liabilities: $116 trillion...A joke; an impossible figure. But no one wants to give them up.

So, what's to make of these FACTS?

Our elected officials and the geniuses in the media can lie to us all they want, the reality is our nation is bankrupt and no one is going to be willing to do what it takes to solve the problem: Raise taxes drastically, lower entitlements drastically, steal money from the rest of the world (through empire and resource exploitation), or a combination of all three. Americans aren't willing to do any, or all, of these three factors which would be necessary to manage our National Debt...Which is why we have 'Jumped the Shark' as a nation.

As Americans, most are ignorantly cruising through life without a care in the world about this matter, but make no mistake at some point we will ALL have to pay-the-piper...And when that time comes there will be hell to pay.

What Are You MOST Thankful For

2011-11-23T14:36:00.088-07:00

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

While thinking about Thanksgiving this week, I was going through the many, many things I have to be thankful for. At some point I asked myself "Jay, you are 41 years of age, what do you have to be MOST thankful for in your life?"

That's an interesting question, and one we should all contemplate. I thought it would take a lot of personal reflection and be terribly difficult to answer, but it wasn't...The answer kept popping in my head.

I've had the same employer for 17 years, and have never felt concerned or threatened about losing my job. Even during the country's current economic difficulties...I am incredibly thankful for this.

I'm not a great friend or relative, but I have some great friends and relatives...I am very thankful for them.

I regret the first twenty years of my relationship with my stepmother and brother...But I am hauntingly thankful for having patched up these relationships to a large extent before they died.

I am thankful for my health...It's easy to look past this matter when you don't have health problems, but working in the medical field has shown me how lucky I've been.

The decision to join the Air Force gave me a career path and helped me grow as a human being...Thankfully there was such an institution for a floundering young man in need of a little direction.

It's not politically correct, but I'm thankful to have a 'y-chromosome'...I'm assuming you can do the calculus on that one.

My mother and sister are the bedrock of my existence...I can't even begin to state how thankful I am for these two. It's impossible to think of what I would have become without both of them together and individually.

I was born in the greatest, most free, country in the history of mankind...Anyone as lucky I as on on this matter is truly blessed, and would be a fool not to be eternally thankful for winning the lottery of American citizenship through birth.

My children are amazing, and I am so proud of both of them for the wonderful young ladies they are becoming...These are the treasures of my life, and thankful is a ridiculous understatement to explain how I feel about them.

I'm thankful I can be around and have a conversation with my father without feeling betrayed, angry or hurt. I don't say this to betray, cause anger or to hurt...It may be infrequent and in small doses (by my choice not his), but it is what it is, and I'm thankful it is what it is as opposed to what it has been.

I'm thankful to not have the stigma of having voted for Barack Obama...Over time, many who did will walk around with a virtual 'Scarlet Letter' stamped on their forehead for that decision.

I am incredibly thankful for all of the above, and much, much more. So, on this greatest American holiday what am I MOST thankful for? Those who know me well should know the answer: Melissa.

I am MOST thankful for my wife. We've been together for 20 years, through good, bad and otherwise, and our marriage is strong and vibrant. I'd go so far as to say it is better than ever, as is she...I am surrounded by women, great women, but it is this woman who keeps me going. Melissa is the rock of my existence, and having met, married and matured with her is what I am MOST thankful for. I hope she knows it.

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation (1863 - During the Civil War)

2011-11-22T14:13:00.004-07:00

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward, Secretary of State

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

2011-11-21T14:11:00.006-07:00

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789."

**NOTE: Shortly after the Thanksgiving Proclamation was written, it was lost for 130 years. The original document was written in long hand by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and was then signed by George Washington. It was probably misplaced or mixed in with some private papers when the U.S. capitol moved from New York to Washington, D.C. The original manuscript was not placed in the National Archives until 1921 when Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, assistant chief of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress found the proclamation at an auction sale being held at an art gallery in New York. Dr Fitzpatrick purchased the document for $300.00 for the Library of Congress, in which it now resides. It was the first official presidential proclamation issued in the United States.

Account of the First Harvest Feast and Thanksgiving

2011-11-20T12:00:00.008-07:00

Thanksgiving is the first 'American' holiday, and in my opinion our greatest holiday because no other people in the history of the world have had as much to be thankful for...It would do us all well to remember and honor this fact.

Although I'm not religious, it should also be noted this holiday is and has always been a religious holiday...Those who know its history should notice the similarity between Thanksgiving and at least a few Old Testament stories.

All spelling below is in it's original form.

"America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this Nation throughout its history. In keeping with America's heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we should reflect on the full meaning of this day as we enjoy the fellowship that is so much a part of the holiday festivities. Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance. Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people." - Ronald Wilson Reagan

By: Mark Alexander
Original & Complete Article @ The Patriot's Post

Some historians note that the first thanksgiving was recorded on December 4, 1619, when 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred on the north bank of the James River about 20 miles upstream from Jamestown, the first permanent Colony of Virginia settlement established on May 14, 1607.

The charter for the settlers at Berkeley Hundred required "We ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."

To that end, Captain John Woodleaf led that service.

However, the first harvest feast and thanksgiving was at Plymouth Colony in 1621, and it is that iconic event that is now considered, the First Thanksgiving.

President Ronald Reagan often cited the Pilgrims who celebrated the First Thanksgiving as our forebears who charted the path of American freedom. He made frequent reference to John Winthrop's "shining city upon a hill."

As Reagan explained, "The phrase comes from John Winthrop, who wrote it to describe the America he imagined. What he imagined was important because he was an early Pilgrim, an early freedom man. He journeyed here on what today we'd call a little wooden boat; and like the other Pilgrims, he was looking for a home that would be free."

Who were these "freedom men," and how did they eventually blaze the path of true liberty?

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE "FREEDOM MEN"

It's much a much better outlay on the matter than any you will see on TV or read in a magazine.

This (Past Two) Week(s) in Pictures

2011-11-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

Happy $15,000,000,000,000 Day!

2011-11-16T21:15:00.001-07:00

That's $15 trillion in U.S. National Debt! Congratulations America!...Truly 'a date which will live in infamy': November 16, 2012, approximately 2:30 PM AZ time

Right click on the picture and open in a separate window...It deserves to be seen in all it's glory.

It won't take long for this debt figure to reach $15.14 trillion. What's so 'special' about $15.14 trillion? That's the current federal debt limit. You know the same debt limit the government went crazy about in July 2011...At our current rate we'll be at $15.14 trillion around Valentines Day, and our elected geniuses will get to play out the same doom-and-gloom scenerio all over again. And they'll raise it again, as they always do, because there is no control on spending.

YES I SAID SPENDING! The government can literally tax the rich to death (kill them and steal all their money) and it will barely come up with $1 trillion...What are they going to do next, come after the 'middle class'? There's a good idea. Crush the middle class and make everyone equally poor. At least the 'Occupy' clowns will be happy (until they realize they're going to be crushed as well).

But even if they did that they won't be able to come up with $15 trillion.

Like I said, congratulations America. You are circling around the bowl at a truly awsome rate.

That said it won't take long to reach another dubious 'goal'. Visit the US Debt Clock frequently to watch as the United States prepares to 'Jump the Shark'...I'll explain that one when we get there. Luckily (in a sick way) it probably won't take too long.

Occupy Wall St - As Seen By Stephen Colbert

2011-11-15T18:44:00.002-07:00

Colbert is a big Liberal, but this is fantastic.

Please take the 7 minutes it takes to watch this video...It's well worth it. Especially the last 4 minutes.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

What a bunch of douchebags.

'LOGS' IN A LANDFILL?!?!

2011-11-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

During WWII, Japanese scientists performed biological and chemical experiments on prisoners (primarily Chinese, but also Australian, American, British, etc.)...In order to de-humanize the prisoners, Japanese scientists and guards referred to them as 'maruta'.

Maruta = "wood logs"

Americans would never treat prisoners of war in such a way. In fact we even went so far as to allow Muslim funeral rites to be performed after killing Osama bin Laden.

Remains of war dead dumped in landfill

Oh no! Did the United States mistreat our enemy's war dead? Of course not...We would only perform such an act of stupidity on OUR OWN WAR DEAD!

"My only peace of mind in losing my husband was that he was taken to Dover (Air Force Base) and that he was handled with dignity, love, respect and honor. That was completely shattered for me when I was told that he was thrown in the trash.” - Gari-Lynn Smith (her husband died in Iraq in 2006)

Our troops remains were dumped in a landfill? Excuse me?! OUR TROOPS REMAINS WERE DUMPED IN A LANDFILL?!?!

American troops are not 'maruta'; they are not 'logs' to be tossed in the trash!

“What happened at Dover AFB exceeds on many levels the nationwide anger that resulted from reports of mistreated wounded at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2007 and reports of lost or misplaced graves at Arlington National Cemetery. You only get one chance to return our fallen warriors to their families with all the dignity and respect they deserve from a grateful nation - and that mortuary affairs unit failed.” - Richard L. DeNoyer (National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

I first saw news of this matter last Tuesday, and I immediately broke down. Broke down in anger and in sadness for the families of the fallen...My 17 year old daughter saw me and read the headline over my shoulder. EVEN A SILLY 17 YEAR OLD GIRL couldn't believe what she was reading. She asked "Dad, why did they throw them in the trash?"

Why? There is no reasonable explanation...And no excuse should be accepted.

I've been to Arlington National Cemetery (as well as other military cemeteries), and there is plenty of room to bury our soldiers. In this case, the bodies of the dead (and their dismembered body parts) were properly collected and cremated. Even if there were thousands of cremated bodies there is more than enough room in our military cemeteries to have given these soldiers an honorable burial...If nothing else they could have created a large plot for all of them and placed a memorial on it. This would have been acceptable to everyone, would have cost very little money (as if our government has a problem blowing money), and would simply have been the right thing to do.

INSTEAD THEY WERE CREMATED AND THROWN IN A LANDFILL!

This is entirely unacceptable. Those responsible should lose their jobs, and the various military institutions should make a solemn vow to never allow such a mistake to happen again...It's the least they can do. It's a small promise of decency they can make to our servicemen and their families.

Veteran's Day: How Do We Expect Our Kids To Know...

2011-11-10T15:07:00.013-07:00

...If We Don't Teach Them?

Every day should be Veteran's Day in our heart, but at the very least we should take a few moments on every November 11th to make note of those who have protected the freedoms we enjoy as Americans...And please, don't forget those who are currently serving.

Happy 236th Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

2011-11-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Marines are one of the greatest fighting forces in the history of the world, and a major component in America's past, present and future arsenal of freedom...Global Reach, Global Power!

This date marked the first formal commemoration of the birthday of the Marine Corps as 10 November. On 21 October 1921, Maj Edwin McClellan, OIC of the Historical Section, HQMC, sent a memo to MajGen Commandant John A. Lejeune, suggesting that the original birthday of 10 November 1775 be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps. Accordingly, on 1 Nov 1921, Gen Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47 summarizing the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps, and directed that it be read to every command each 10 November
-------------------------
MARINE CORPS ORDERS No. 47 (Series 1921) HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS

Washington, November 1, 1921 759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.

(1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

(2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and is the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

(3) In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

(4) This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

Original Article (no longer exists)

"The Marine Corps, not the Peace Corps, is the greatest force for world peace." - Dennis Prager

Semper Fi!

This Week in Pictures

2011-11-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

Class War According To Spengler

2011-11-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

The economics of polarization

Has America become irrational? Not since the 1930s have politics been so polarized, from the Tea Party movement on one side of the spectrum to the Occupy Wall Street protesters on the other. Why does the right object so vehemently to government spending? And why does the left attack private capital with parallel passion? The answer lies not in the American psyche, but in the statistics.

America is engaged in class war, but not of the sort one reads about in the mainstream press. The truly indigent - young African-American men, for example, most of whom are now unemployed - have little to do in this war. Large corporations for the most part are bystanders as well; they will make their peace with the victor. This is a war of survival between the productive middle class on one hand, and the dependents of the state on the other [Not just the poor, but those dependent on the government for jobs].

This is an excellent article, and sadly portrays modern-day America. No one knows how this battle will eventually end, but it's pretty much assured it won't end well for many no matter how it turns out...Please follow this link for the rest of the article.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

History and Customs of Halloween

Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual?

The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en), the Celtic New year.

One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife. The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.

Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily paraded around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess.

Probably a better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fires was not to discourage spirit possession, but so that all the Celtic tribes could relight their fires from a common source, the Druidic fire that was kept burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach.

Some accounts tell of how the Celts would burn someone at the stake who was thought to have already been possessed, as sort of a lesson to the spirits. Other accounts of Celtic history debunk these stories as myth.

The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some of the other Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

The thrust of the practices also changed over time to become more ritualized. As belief in spirit possession waned, the practice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches took on a more ceremonial role.

The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates.

The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts, but with a ninth-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes," made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers, could expedite a soul's passage to heaven.

he Jack-o-lantern custom probably comes from Irish folklore. As the tale is told, a man named Jack, who was notorious as a drunkard and trickster, tricked Satan into climbing a tree. Jack then carved an image of a cross in the tree's trunk, trapping the devil up the tree. Jack made a deal with the devil that, if he would never tempt him again, he would promise to let him down the tree.

According to the folk tale, after Jack died, he was denied entrance to Heaven because of his evil ways, but he was also denied access to Hell because he had tricked the devil. Instead, the devil gave him a single ember to light his way through the frigid darkness. The ember was placed inside a hollowed-out turnip to keep it glowing longer.

The Irish used turnips as their "Jack's lanterns" originally. But when the immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were far more plentiful than turnips. So the Jack-O-Lantern in America was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with an ember.

So, although some cults may have adopted Halloween as their favorite "holiday," the day itself did not grow out of evil practices. It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. And today, even many churches have Halloween parties or pumpkin carving events for the kids. After all, the day itself is only as evil as one cares to make it.

Re-posted from: http://wilstar.com/holidays/hallown.htm

This Week in Pictures

2011-10-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

Prager University: Is Israel an Apartheid State?

2011-10-25T14:42:00.001-07:00

Many Americans are sick of hearing about Israel, but the state of Israel is the 'canary in the coal mine' when it comes to the 'battle of civilizations' between the West and Islam...Unfortunately, many Americans don't realize the victor in this battle isn't predetermined, and there is no guarantee the West will survive. Islam has been on top of the world before, and it's possible it will be again. If Islam is successful Israel will be the first to fall.

That's assuming you believe there is a 'battle of civilizations', of course.

"Give us five minutes, we'll give you a semester." - Dennis Prager

"Arabs in Israel are freer than any Arabs in the Arab world." - Prager

The American Dream: B.O., D.O. & A.B.

2011-10-23T11:17:00.005-07:00

"The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, 'life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement' regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that 'all men are created equal' and that they are 'endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights' including 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'" - Wikipedia

That was B.O. - 'Before Obama.' Heaven knows what the American Dream will be like A.B. - 'After Barack'...Sadly, it looks more and more like an American Nightmare every day.

US 'Misery Index' Rises to Highest Since 1983

A Long, Steep Drop for Americans' Standard of Living

CDC: Antidepressant use skyrockets 400% in past 20 years

It would be unfair to blame President Obama for all of America's problems, but it would be extremely dishonest not to admit he hasn't made things better, and in many cases has made things much worse.

"No wonder (the people)...distrust him now. They have sized him up, and got his measure. They know by hard experience that he is not to be trusted. Instead of the competent and conscientious administrator who asked for their votes...they see before them only a shifty and shabby politician, his back to the wall. If he is beaten in November, as seems certain, he will be getting only what he deserves. No American President ever went into the White House with better opportunities, and no President has ever failed so ingloriously to meet the reasonable demands of his high and formerly honorable office." - H. L. Mencken

Mencken died in 1956. Was he a prophet, predicting America D.O. - During Obama?

No, he wasn't a prophet. He was speaking of the Herbert Hoover presidency, which seems to be what the Obama presidency is becoming...For those who aren't familiar with the reference, Hoover was president when the Great Depression began (it's sad if you didn't get it, but it's not your fault you went to public school in modern-day American schools where they spend more time teaching Liberal PC BS than legitimate history.)

There are many jokes about Obama being Jimmy Carter II, but at this point we better pray this is as far as he slides...Herbert Hoover II is becoming more likely, and as hard as it is to believe, it would be worse.

This Week in Pictures

2011-10-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

"These are ordinary Americans."

2011-10-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

So says Rep. Jan Shakowsky (D - Illinois).

I live in one of the largest cities in America, but somehow I'm missing all the "ordinary Americans" who glamorize Lenin, Mao, Che and the French Revolution. Oh, and the hundreds of millions of "ordinary Americans" who support the Communist Party and hate Jews.

My favorite "ordinary Americans" are those who sing songs like "Fuck the U.S.A", or rip out classic lines like "ultimately the bourgeoisie will not go without violent means."

Lets take a couple peeks at these so-called "ordinary Americans."

Heaven help us if these truly are "ordinary Americans." Thankfully, I know they aren't.

And, what's with the stupid chants?

"These are ordinary Americans."

2011-10-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

So says Rep. Jan Shakowsky (D - Illinois)...I live in one of the largest cities in America, but somehow I must be missing all the "ordinary Americans" who glamorize Lenin, Mao, Che and the French Revolution. Oh, and the hundreds of millions of "ordinary Americans" who support the Communist Party and hate Jews.

My favorite "ordinary Americans" are those who sing songs like "Fuck the U.S.A", or rip out classic lines like "ultimately the bourgeoisie will not go without violent means."

Lets take a couple peeks at these so-called "ordinary Americans."

Heaven help us if these truly are "ordinary Americans." Thankfully, I know they aren't.

And, what's with the stupid chants?

S-E-A-R-G-A-N-T

2011-10-16T14:31:00.002-07:00

A standby for when I'm sick of politics...I'll never get sick of these videos.

"I'm just glad he's here."

This Week in Pictures

2011-10-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

U.S. Navy's 236th Birthday

2011-10-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

On Friday, October 13, 1775, meeting in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress voted to fit out two sailing vessels, armed with ten carriage guns, as well as swivel guns, and manned by crews of eighty, and to send them out on a cruise of three months to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This was the original legislation out of which the Continental Navy grew and as such constitutes the birth certificate of the navy.

To understand the momentous significance of the decision to send two armed vessels to sea under the authority of the Continental Congress, we need to review the strategic situation in which it was made and to consider the political struggle that lay behind it.

Americans first took up arms in the spring of 1775 not to sever their relationship with the king, but to defend their rights within the British Empire. By the autumn of 1775, the British North American colonies from Maine to Georgia were in open rebellion. Royal governments had been thrust out of many colonial capitals and revolutionary governments put in their places. The Continental Congress had assumed some of the responsibilities of a central government for the colonies, created a Continental Army, issued paper money for the support of the troops, and formed a committee to negotiate with foreign countries. Continental forces captured Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain and launched an invasion of Canada.
In October 1775 the British held superiority at sea, from which they threatened to stop up the colonies' trade and to wreak destruction on seaside settlements. In response a few of the states had commissioned small fleets of their own for defense of local waters. Congress had not yet authorized privateering. Some in Congress worried about pushing the armed struggle too far, hoping that reconciliation with the mother country was still possible.

Yet, a small coterie of men in Congress had been advocating a Continental Navy from the outset of armed hostilities. Foremost among these men was John Adams, of Massachusetts. For months, he and a few others had been agitating in Congress for the establishment of an American fleet. They argued that a fleet would defend the seacoast towns, protect vital trade, retaliate against British raiders, and make it possible to seek out among neutral nations of the world the arms and stores that would make resistance possible.

Still, the establishment of a navy seemed too bold a move for some of the timid men in Congress. Some southerners agreed that a fleet would protect and secure the trade of New England but denied that it would that of the southern colonies. Most of the delegates did not consider the break with England as final and feared that a navy implied sovereignty and independence. Others thought a navy a hasty and foolish challenge to the mightiest fleet the world had seen. The most the pro-navy men could do was to get Congress to urge each colony to fit out armed vessels for the protection of their coasts and harbors.

Then, on 3 October, Rhode Island's delegates laid before Congress a bold resolution for the building and equipping of an American fleet, as soon as possible. When the motion came to the floor for debate, Samuel Chase, of Maryland, attacked it, saying it was "the maddest Idea in the World to think of building an American Fleet." Even pro-navy members found the proposal too vague. It lacked specifics and no one could tell how much it would cost.

If Congress was yet unwilling to embrace the idea of establishing a navy as a permanent measure, it could be tempted by short-term opportunities. Fortuitously, on 5 October, Congress received intelligence of two English brigs, unarmed and without convoy, laden with munitions, leaving England bound for Quebec. Congress immediately appointed a committee to consider how to take advantage of this opportunity. Its members were all New Englanders and all ardent supporters of a navy. They recommended first that the governments of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut be asked to dispatch armed vessels to lay in wait to intercept the munitions ships; next they outlined a plan for the equipping by Congress of two armed vessels to cruise to the eastward to intercept any ships bearing supplies to the British army. Congress let this plan lie on the table until 13 October, when another fortuitous event occurred in favor of the naval movement. A letter from General Washington was read in Congress in which he reported that he had taken under his command, at Continental expense, three schooners to cruise off Massachusetts to intercept enemy supply ships. The commander in chief had preempted members of Congress reluctant to take the first step of fitting out warships under Continental authority. Since they already had armed vessels cruising in their name, it was not such a big step to approve two more. The committee's proposal, now appearing eminently reasonable to the reluctant members, was adopted.

The Continental Navy grew into an important force. Within a few days, Congress established a Naval Committee charged with equipping a fleet. This committee directed the purchasing, outfitting, manning, and operations of the first ships of the new navy, drafted subsequent naval legislation, and prepared rules and regulations to govern the Continental Navy's conduct and internal administration.

Over the course of the War of Independence, the Continental Navy sent to sea more than fifty armed vessels of various types. The navy's squadrons and cruisers seized enemy supplies and carried correspondence and diplomats to Europe, returning with needed munitions. They took nearly 200 British vessels as prizes, some off the British Isles themselves, contributing to the demoralization of the enemy and forcing the British to divert warships to protect convoys and trade routes. In addition, the navy provoked diplomatic crises that helped bring France into the war against Great Britain. The Continental Navy began the proud tradition carried on today by our United States Navy, and whose birthday we celebrate each year in October.

Re-posted from:
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq31-1.htm

Oh, By the Way...An Act of War Almost Occured

2011-10-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

Iranians charged in U.S. over assassination plot

Not only did the Iranians (thought to be the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - a covert arm of the Iranian Army) put out a hit on the Saudi Arabian U.S. ambassador (Adel al-Jubeir), but they had the gall to do it on American soil...With the help of Mexican drug cartels.

World War I started as a result of Serbian nationalists killing Archduke Ferdinand of Austria...Anyone doubt the Middle East is just as volatile as Southeast Europe? If you have any knowledge of the century's old hatred between the Sunni/Arabs and Shiite/Persians you know how fragile this matter is, and the assassination of an ambassador is definitely an act of war.

This is bad enough, but the Iranian assassins didn't put their plot in order on their own; they had help from the 'Terrorists to the South'. I've said for years the cartels would have no problem accepting Jihadi money in exchange for helping bring terrorism to the U.S., and it wouldn't take much for your average Arab/Persian to pull off a Mexican accent and dress...Heaven forbid we get control of our borders, though. No wall would be foolproof, but a defended wall with real intentions to stop illegal immigration would surely help.

It'll be interesting to see how the Saudis react to this matter. I have no doubt they've been preparing for war with Iran for a long time (along with their Sunni/Arab brothers), and this will only encourage them to do even more preparing...Preparing as in insisting they need nukes if the Iranians get them. No doubt Turkey and Egypt would as well.

Even more interesting, I can't wait to see how President Obama reacts. I'm afraid we're going to get a useless speech and promises to take the matter up with the U.N.

"May you live in interesting times." - Chinese Curse

Make no mistake we live in very "interesting times"...Question is, do we have the right man in the right place at the right time?

Tea Partiers are Radicals

2011-10-09T13:36:00.012-07:00

Democrats and the Left love to spew out how radical the Tea Party is. And why are Tea Partiers radical? They want lower taxes, less government and a return to traditional American values...RADICAL STUFF.

How about the Occupy Wall St/LA/DC/Atlanta, etc. crowd? Now those are civilized people.

And last, Michael Moore and Keith Olbermann love the Lefty Protesters

WOW! Compare that to the 'so-called-lunatics' who go to Tea Parties. You know those radicals who show up to sing pro-America songs, read the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, call for lower taxes and less government, support the military, and worst of all maybe even recite a prayer.

"I disagree with some of the Republicans. I wish the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators long life and ample publicity for two reasons: I think they do represent the intellectual spirit of the American left, but also I remember (the) 1960s. We had four years of demonstrations like this leading (sp) up to 1968 when the Nixon/Wallace vote was 57 percent - the country reacting against demonstrators, and Republicans went on to win five of the next six presidential elections." – George Will

This Week in Pictures

2011-10-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Yom Kippur

2011-10-06T16:30:00.001-07:00

For my Jewish friends...It's important that non-Jews who celebrate America recognize there is no America-as-we-know-it without the Judean portion of this great Judeo-Christian nation.
-----------------------------
Begins: October 7, 2011 at Sunset...Ends: October 8, 2011 at nightfall.

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri. The holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26 et seq.

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. G-d inscribes all of our names in the "books". On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.

Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Talmud also specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes (Orthodox Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.

As always, any of these restrictions can be lifted where a threat to life or health is involved. In fact, children under the age of nine and women in childbirth (from the time labor begins until three days after birth) are not permitted to fast, even if they want to. Older children and women from the third to the seventh day after childbirth are permitted to fast, but are permitted to break the fast if they feel the need to do so. People with other illnesses should consult a physician and a rabbi for advice.

Most of the holiday is spent in the synagogue, in prayer. In Orthodox synagogues, services begin early in the morning (8 or 9 AM) and continue until about 3 PM. People then usually go home for an afternoon nap and return around 5 or 6 PM for the afternoon and evening services, which continue until nightfall. The services end at nightfall, with the blowing of the tekiah gedolah, a long blast on the shofar. See Rosh Hashanah for more about the shofar and its characteristic blasts.

It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Is. 1:18). Some people wear a kittel, the white robe in which the dead are buried.

Wastebook: #76

2011-10-04T19:35:00.002-07:00

A Tree Grows In…Cracked Pavement: Transportation Enhancement Grants Used to Plant Flowers Instead of Repairing Highways - (Department of Transportation) $571 Million

Funds originally intended to repair and maintain highways are being allocated to plant flowers and trees on the side of the road. Congress established the Highway Transportation Fund (HTF) - funded by the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax - to finance the maintenance and construction of the Interstate Highway System, but a portion of those funds are now being used for aesthetic purposes only. While highways and bridges across the country are crumbling, the Government Accountability Office found that from 2004 to 2008, the Department of Transportation spent $850 million in Highway Transportation Funds on 2,772 landscaping and other scenic beautification projects. According to the Department of Transportation, $571 million was obligated for these types of projects just last year. Presumably, the flowers growing on the side of the road will divert the drivers’ attention from cracks and potholes in the pavement. Other projects intended to enhance the transportation experience and funded as “transportation enhancements” include museums, bike trails, and road-kill reduction projects. Funded projects, however, do not always occur in the proximity of a highway. Some examples include excavating a ship in Maryland and $270,000 to renovate and operate a historical trolley as part of a museum‘s effort in Pennsylvania.

These expenditures are made at the same time that the Highway Trust Fund is being drained and critical infrastructure continues to be in disrepair. In fact, the Obama administration said that as much as $17 billion in additional federal money is needed to maintain roads and bridges. Indeed, as a result of the recession, Americans are driving less or trading in gas guzzlers for fuel efficient cars, resulting in lower gasoline consumption and lower gasoline tax revenues. As a result, the transportation infrastructure of many states is suffering. For example, in Texas highways are deteriorating as transportation funds are drying up. The Texas Department of Transportation forecasted it would need $370 billion from 2011 to 2035 just to fund transportation projects designed to ease congestion and maintain commuter roads across the state. The Texas gas tax stands at 20 cents per gallon, however, one local researcher does not believe that raising the tax is the answer since “[a]nytime anyone buys a new car, chances are it is more fuel efficient. If you drive the same amount of miles and your fuel efficiency goes up, you are consuming less gasoline, and you are paying less gas tax. But the state still has to maintain the roads that you drive on.”

At a time when funds are scarce and states are desperate to repair highways, the federal government should place less emphasis on the view from the driver‘s seat and more attention on ensuring drivers arrive at destinations safely on well maintained highways.

"Wastebook: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010"

We Are More Like Greece Every Day

2011-10-02T17:52:00.002-07:00

"A government is an entity which holds the monopolistic right to initiate force." - Leftist putz signage

WELCOME TO AMERICA! This is going to get much uglier, and violence is probably likely...Question is will Obamba go forward as the 'Community Organizer-in-Chief', or act to defend all of the American people?

I'm afraid we all know the answer, and it isn't possitive.

And if that's not enough, here's even more proof of our Greek-ness: National Debt Clock

This Week in Pictures

2011-09-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

Rosh Hashanah

2011-09-27T16:00:00.002-07:00

For my Jewish friends...It's also important for non-Jews who celebrate America to recognize there is no America-as-we-know-it without the Judean portion of this great Judeo-Christian nation.
----------------------
Begins September 28, 2011 at sunset...Ends September 30, 2011 at nightfall.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept at Days of Awe.

The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.

The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. There are four different types of shofar notes: tekiah, a 3 second sustained note; shevarim, three 1-second notes rising in tone, teruah, a series of short, staccato notes extending over a period of about 3 seconds; and tekiah gedolah (literally, "big tekiah"), the final blast in a set, which lasts (I think) 10 seconds minimum. Click the shofar above to hear an approximation of the sound of Tekiah Shevarim-Teruah Tekiah. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayerbook called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.

Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It's yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason.

Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom.

Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty.

The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year"). This is a shortening of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or to women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." More on that concept at Days of Awe.

You may notice that the Bible speaks of Rosh Hashanah as occurring on the first day of the seventh month. The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nissan, occurring in March and April. Why, then, does the Jewish "new year" occur in Tishri, the seventh month?

Judaism has several different "new years," a concept which may seem strange at first, but think of it this way: the American "new year" starts in January, but the new "school year" starts in September, and many businesses have "fiscal years" that start at various times of the year. In Judaism, Nissan 1 is the new year for the purpose of counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar, Elul 1 (in August) is the new year for the tithing of animals, Shevat 15 (in February) is the new year for trees (determining when first fruits can be eaten, etc.), and Tishri 1 (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years (when we increase the year number. Sabbatical and Jubilee years begin at this time).

They Knew "It Is Gonna Happen"...

2011-09-25T18:11:00.001-07:00

Liberals and Democrats are very aware of what they created in ObamaCare...They wanted to destroy the American healthcare system, and ObamaCare is the tool to make it happen. It's always been the goal, and they out-and-out lied to the American people about it.

"The only way its a help is if they drop coverage and their employees would all of a sudden have to go on the exchange, which is what of course the president promised wouldn't happen." - Gov. George Pataki

"It is gonna happen, and I think it is a very, very good thing." - Gov. Howard Dean

This Week in Pictures

2011-09-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

Solyndra?

2011-09-20T19:55:00.002-07:00

Do you know what Solyndra is? Do you know why I'm bringing it up?

How about 'Fast & Furious' (not the damn movie!)? How about Lightsquared?

Are you familiar with any of them? If you are, congratulations. You are way ahead of the curve...If not, YOU SHOULD BE!

But if you are waiting for the Mainstream Media to inform you of these matters you're never going to know, because they are complicit in covering for Obama...John Stewart (above) may be a Liberal, but at least he recognizes the insanity of the matter.

It's hard to imagine how the MSM would be treating these issues if a Republican was president...I take that back, we know exactly how crazy they'd be.

Maybe you don't care, however. Maybe Obama's list of accomplishments are so great he deserves a pass on these matters...That would have been funny if it weren't so sad.

Or maybe you'd rather ignore the massive incompetence and fraud going on in the Obama administration...Incompetence and fraud which make 'Watergate' and the 'Teapot Dome Scandal' look like spilled milk.

Please tell me you know what the 'Teapot Dome Scandal' is.

"Lunatic Fringe, We All Know You're Out There"

2011-09-18T18:17:00.001-07:00

Somehow it's ok for the Left to be as vile and crass as they wish, but the Right is constantly blamed for stirring violence and "lowering political discourse"...You know, like blaming Sarah Palin putting 'Red X's' over defeated Democrats for a nutter shooting Rep. Giffords.

There is no way the Right could get away with a game like this one, and the media coverage would be insane...Yet I'm sure you've heard nothing from this media about this game from the Left.

"Controversial online video game 'Tea Party Zombies Must Die' allows players to slaughter Tea Partiers and famous conservatives with a variety of weapons. The graphic, offensive, and violent game was created by StarvingEyes Advergaming"

U.S. Air Force 64th Birthday

2011-09-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

Written by: Lawrence R. Benson (Office of the Air Force Historian) - Original, and only known link, is dead.

Golden Legacy, Boundless Future

On September 18 the United States Air Force (USAF) celebrates its birthday. One-half century earlier, the National Security Act of 1947 created the USAF as a separate armed service. Appropriately enough, President Harry Truman had signed the legislation for this while aboard his "Sacred Cow," the C-54 presidential aircraft that served as the "Air Force One" of its day.

From the Signal Corps to the Air Corps

The official lineage of today’s USAF began four decades earlier. On August 1, 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps formed an Aeronautical Division. This action came only 3 ½ years after the Wright Brothers flew the world’s first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. At first, however, the Aeronautical Division was mainly interested in balloons and dirigibles instead of heavier-than-air flying machines. The Army had already used manned balloons for aerial observation during the Civil War and Spanish American War in the 19th Century. The Aeronautical Division accepted delivery of its first airplane from the Wright Brothers in 1909. Under the leadership of brave pioneers such as Capt. Benjamin D. Foulois, a small band of early Army airmen experimented with various aircraft and formed an operational unit, the 1st Aero Squadron, in December 1913.

On July 18, 1914, as a result of congressional legislation, the Army established the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps to improve its fledgling flying capabilities. Just a few weeks later, Europe plunged into the massive military struggle that became known as World War I. The Central Powers (primarily Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire) fought the Allied Powers (led by Britain, France, Italy, and Russia). By April 1917, when the United States entered the war on the side of the Allied Powers, each of the major combatants had developed aircraft industries far superior to that in the United States.

Despite optimistic plans and ample funding, the United States proved unable to catch up to the European nations in aviation technology. Responding to criticism of the American aircraft effort, President Woodrow Wilson created the Army Air Service and placed it directly under the War Department on May 24, 1918. By the time of the armistice in November 1918, the Air Service had grown to more than 19,000 officers and 178,000 enlisted men, while American industry had turned out 11,754 aircraft (mostly trainers like the JN-4 Jenny). The Air Service soon lost most of these people and planes in a rapid demobilization right after the war.

Although failing to deploy competitive combat aircraft, the United States had sent many fine airmen to Europe. Flying mostly French-built planes, they distinguished themselves both in allied units and as part of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) led by Gen. John J. Pershing. By the time Germany surrendered, Brig Gen Billy Mitchell had honed many of the AEF’s aero squadrons and groups into a formidable striking force. While the outcome of the Great War was decided primarily by horrible attrition on the ground and a strangling maritime blockade of Germany, air power had shown its potential for autonomous offensive operations as well as providing valuable support to surface forces. The United Kingdom had recognized the importance of air power by creating the Royal Air Force, independent of the British Army and Royal Navy, in April 1918.

Notwithstanding a bitter struggle by visionaries such as Billy Mitchell, the United States did not follow the British lead and create a separate air force. The Army Reorganization Act of 1920 made the Air Service a combatant arm of the Army, and the Air Corps Act of 1926 changed its name to the Air Corps on July 2 of that year. On March 1, 1935, General Headquarters Air Force (GHQ AF) assumed command of US-based Air Corps tactical units, which previously had been parceled out to regional Army corps commands. Yet even after Germany, Japan, and Italy began to build up their armed forces, the Air Corps (as well as the rest of the Army) remained a small, peacetime establishment with only limited funds for growth or modernization.

Air Power Comes of Age in World War II

After September 1939, when Adolf Hitler launched World War II by invading Poland, the Air Corps began a steady growth from 26,000 personnel and fewer than 2,000 planes. On June 20, 1941, the Department of War created the Army Air Forces (AAF) as its aviation element and shortly thereafter made it co-equal to the Army Ground Forces. The Air Corps remained as one of the Army’s combat arms, like the Infantry.

Expansion of the AAF accelerated after the surprise Japanese attack on Hawaii in December 1941 propelled the United States into the war. Under the leadership of Gen Henry H. ("Hap") Arnold, the Army Air Forces oversaw mobilization of the nation’s aviation industry and deployment of the largest air armada of all time. The AAF’s inventory encompassed a wide range of training, transport, pursuit, attack, reconnaissance, and bomber aircraft. These included the ubiquitous C-47 Skytrain, the splendid P-51 Mustang, the rugged B-17 Flying Fortress, and the awesome B-29 Superfortress. Drawing upon American industrial prowess and human resources, the AAF reached a peak strength of 80,000 aircraft and 2.4 million personnel organized into major commands, numbered air forces, air divisions, groups, and squadrons. AAF units conducted a wide range of air operations over every theater of battle—from the jungle-clad islands of the Southwest Pacific to the sun-baked deserts of North Africa, from the icy waters of the North Atlantic to the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.

By the last year of the war, the quantity and quality of AAF aircraft and airmen dominated the skies over both Germany and Japan, all but paralyzing their war economies. Air power did not win the war by itself but did make possible the Allies’ total victory over the Axis powers--punctuated in August 1945 when two B-29s dropped atomic bombs on Japan.

Much as it did a quarter century before, the United States immediately demobilized its armed forces after World War II. Based on the AAF’s wartime achievements and future potential, however, the United States Air Force won its independence as a full partner with the Army and the Navy on September 18, 1947. Stuart Symington became the first Secretary of the Air Force, and Gen Carl A. Spaatz its first Chief of Staff. Within a month—on October 14, 1947—test pilot Chuck Yeager flew the Bell XS-1 past the speed of sound, launching the new USAF into the supersonic era.

Countering the Communist Threat during the Cold War

The threat posed by the Soviet Union and communism soon convinced American leaders to strengthen US military forces—especially air power. The role of the new USAF in breaking the Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1948 demonstrated the value of air capabilities in this new "Cold War." The USSR’s detonation of an atomic bomb in 1949 accentuated the importance of long range bombers, such as the Air Force’s giant B-36 Peacemaker, and modern air defenses. The Air Force expanded its efforts to foster science and technology with an ambitious Research and Development (R&D) program.

The Soviet-backed invasion of South Korea by communist North Korea in June 1950 drew the USAF into a brutal 3-year conflict. The Air Force soon used new jet fighters, such as the deadly F-86 Sabre, to establish air superiority over the Korean peninsula. In concert with Navy and Marine aviation, the USAF helped protect United Nations ground forces with close air support and the interdiction of enemy reinforcements and supplies. The war ended in 1953 after an armistice with China and North Korea, but the Air Force kept a large number of units stationed in the Pacific to help contain communism. It also began a massive buildup of the forward-based United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), from England to Turkey. USAF units provided the cornerstone of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) capabilities against the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact for the next four decades.

Invention of the powerful hydrogen bomb and the promise of long range rockets accelerated the arms race between the superpowers in the 1950s. Under the bold leadership of Gen Curtis LeMay, the Air Force’s Strategic Air Command (SAC) became the preeminent instrument of American defense strategy. Standing continuous alert for the rest of the Cold War, SAC’s arsenal of bombers, such as the long-range B-52 Stratofortress, was joined in the 1960s by intercontinental ballistic missiles, such as the Titan and Minuteman. Together with the Navy’s missile-launching submarines, these powerful weapons comprised America’s nuclear deterrent "triad." With the development of launch vehicles and orbital satellites, the Air Force mission also expanded into space.

Possession of strong strategic forces helped the United States prevail in crises provoked by Soviet probes in Berlin and Cuba during the early 1960s. Communist expansion in Southeast Asia posed new and difficult challenges. In 1964 the United States began full-scale military operations on the side of South Vietnam and, in 1965, launched Operation Rolling Thunder against targets in North Vietnam. With the use of air power constrained for political reasons, both Air Force and naval aviation had to support a protracted and unpopular counter-insurgency effort against a determined and elusive foe. Tactical aircraft, such as the versatile F-4 Phantom II, performed in a wide variety of roles from aerial combat to close air support. The F-105 Thunderchief specialized in bombing raids against North Vietnam, while SAC B-52s "carpet bombed" remote jungle strongholds. All were enhanced by "force multipliers" such as aerial refueling by KC-135 Stratotankers. Not until the Linebacker Operations of 1972, however, was air power brought fully to bear against North Vietnamese forces and facilities. Although this compelled the enemy to sign a peace treaty in January 1973, US forces were no longer available in 1975 when North Vietnam launched a successful invasion of the South.

In the 1970s the USAF invested as much of its reduced budgets as possible in modernizing its aircraft and missiles while continuing to expand its role in space. The Air Force developed new weapon systems, for example, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, E-3 Sentry, and M-X Peacekeeper. It also made great progress on satellite-based communications, reconnaissance, warning, weather, and navigation systems. With its large fleet of aerial refueling tankers and long range transports, the Air Force also expanded its world wide airlift capabilities, as demonstrated during the Arab-Israeli War of October 1973 when C-141 Starlifters and giant C-5 Galaxies formed an airborne bridge to Israel (Operation Nickel Grass). But the Air Force did not receive adequate resources to maintain full readiness of its existing conventional forces. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union continued to develop and produce new and improved weapons at an even faster pace while building up its combat forces in Europe and the Far East to alarming levels.

The military balance began to shift back in America’s favor after 1979. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the humiliation of the American hostages in Iran confirmed the need to improve US military capabilities. The ensuing American defense buildup of the 1980s allowed the Air Force to expand its force structure, enhance its training and readiness, and deploy a wide range of advanced new weapons and other systems. These included the revolutionary F-117A stealth fighter. Air Force units engaged in several contingency operations, including the seizure of Grenada in 1983 (Urgent Fury), the raid on Libya in 1986 (El Dorado Canyon), and the invasion of Panama in 1989 (Just Cause). These operations demonstrated steadily improving capabilities of the Air Force and its sister services to conduct joint operations.

At the time, the progress the United States was making in new technologies--such as "stealthy" airframes, sophisticated information networks, and space-based systems--helped convince a more flexible Soviet leadership that their inefficient economy could no longer afford to compete in the Cold War. The tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the final days of the Warsaw Pact and presaged the breakup of the USSR itself a few years later.

Global Reach, Global Power, and Global Engagement

Ending of the Cold War did not mean completion of the USAF’s mission. Even though no longer having to keep nuclear forces on constant alert against a Soviet first strike or to base large forces overseas ready to fight World War III, the USAF’s inherent speed, range, precision, lethality, and flexibility gave America what Secretary of the Air Force Donald B. Rice called "global reach, global power."

The Air Force’s well-trained personnel and sophisticated weapons lived up to this vision during Operation Desert Storm in early 1991. Deploying half-way around the world in Operation Desert Shield after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August 1990, they helped win one of the most lop-sided battlefield victories in military history. Advanced aircraft, such as the unstoppable F-117 Nighthawk, delivered an arsenal of precision-guided munitions with the help of sophisticated information and navigation systems, including those on space satellites. Under the control of Lt Gen Charles A. Horner, the intensive 6-week air campaign neutralized Iraq’s air defenses, decapitated Iraq’s command structure, and demoralized its once feared army. Air power allowed coalition ground forces to liberate Kuwait and quickly drive into Iraq--with fewer casualties than those suffered by the United States in a typical week of the Vietnam War.

Without the Soviet threat, the United States no longer needed the large force structure that stood guard during the Cold War. Recognizing the need for streamlining, the Air Force in the early 1990s underwent the most complete reorganization since its establishment. The USAF consolidated from 13 to 8 major commands (for example, replacing the Strategic Air, Tactical Air, and Military Airlift Commands with Air Combat and Air Mobility Commands) and did away with various lower echelon headquarters. The Air Force also inactivated many proud wings and squadrons, closed once valuable bases, and downsized from more than 600,000 military personnel in the late 1980s to under 388,000 in 1996.

Although smaller in size, the post-Cold War Air Force has been called upon for increased participation in contingency operations. In addition to maintaining units in the Persian Gulf area (Southern Watch) and Turkey (Provide Comfort) to deter Saddam Hussein from threatening his neighbors, the Air Force has supported humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in places like Somalia (Restore Hope), Rwanda (Support Hope), Haiti (Uphold Democracy), and the Balkans (Provide Promise and Deny Flight). To help stop a barbaric civil war in Bosnia, USAF aircraft made precision strikes against Serb targets in Operation Deliberate Force during late 1995. After this first air campaign ever conducted by NATO, the USAF then supported implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords through Operations Decisive and Joint Endeavor. On the volatile Korean Peninsula, the Air Force continued to keep units combat ready for action at any time.

Today the pace of technological change moves ever faster, while America’s role in protecting against aggression and fostering world democracy is more complex. In recognition of anticipated challenges the Air Force will face in the 21st Century, Secretary of the Air Force Sheila Widnall and Chief of Staff Gen Ronald Fogleman inaugurated the year of the Air Force’s 50th anniversary with a long range planning effort reminiscent of Toward New Horizons, the compendium of scientific forecasts instigated by Hap Arnold at the end of World War II. Under the umbrella concept of Global Engagement, today’s Air Force has set forth a vision of how its people, technology, and infrastructure must adapt to assure the USAF will become more effective and influential than ever.

With these challenges in mind, the Air Force looks eagerly to the future while remembering the lessons and achievements of the past as well as honoring the memory, sacrifices, and contributions of those who succeeded—often in the face of skepticism—in building what is now the world’s only truly global Air and Space Force.

U.S. Constitution's Birthday

2011-09-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Some would rather watch a video than read; if this is you follow this link
A Young Person's Guide to the U.S. Constitution
----------------------------------------

On September 17, 1787, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting. Only one item of business occupied the agenda that day, to sign the Constitution of the United States of America.

The U.S. Constitution
Preamble ["We the people...."]
Article I [The Legislative Branch]
Article II [The Presidency]
Article III [The Judiciary]
Article IV [The States]
Article V [The Amendment Process]
Article VI [Legal Status of the Constitution]
Article VII [Ratification]
Amendments

Signers of the Constitution (with links to their short biography)
New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts: Rufus King, Nathaniel Gorham
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, William Samuel Johnson
New York: Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey: William Livingston, David Brearley, William Paterson, Jonathan Dayton
Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, Gouverneur Morris, James Wilson
Delaware: George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom
Maryland: James McHenry, Daniel Carroll, Dan of St. Thomas Jenifer
Virginia: John Blair, James Madison, Jr.
North Carolina: William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson
South Carolina: John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler
Georgia: William Few, Abraham Baldwin

This Week in Pictures

2011-09-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

10 Years Later - Still No Words

2011-09-09T17:47:00.010-07:00

"I am a Sept. 11 American. I know the world has changed and that Americans must defend America. Everything else we do, everything else we believe, pales in comparison to that duty." - Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell

For many of us, this is still the worst day of our life...For many of us, there are still no words to properly, effectively or exactly say how we felt and continue to feel.

I am not one who will 'get over' this day. I will never get over it, and will do everything I can to remind as many as I can of the feelings we had on this fateful day.

This is the single event which led me to start blogging. This is the single event which has formed my current world view. I admit it has made me bitter, and with each successive year I become more and more belligerent towards those who wish to destroy the American way of life - including certain Americans who wish to destroy our way of life.

The links below are to my 9/11 posts since 2005 (some of the links in the posts are old and no longer active)
2010
2009
2008
2006 & 2007
2005

This Week in Pictures

2011-09-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Prager University: The Four Big Bangs

2011-09-06T20:48:00.001-07:00

Religion of any kind isn't my forté, but I admit to believing in something; I'm just not sure what that something is. One thing I can tell you is I have a real hard time with 'something from nothing'...That said, I also have a hard time with 'something from something.'

"Give us five minutes, we'll give you a semester." - Dennis Prager

"There are four 'Big Bangs' that have to be accounted for, not one...It's either faith in these four big bangs, of 'somethings from nothings' to account for the world that we see all around us, or faith in some kind of creator god behind it all." - Frank Pastore

Happy...Uhhhhh...Happy Labor Day??

2011-09-03T14:55:00.007-07:00

Labor Day has never been worse than under the current president...But hey, who am I to rain on the parade of "Obama's Recovery Summer Pt. II"?

Employers added no net jobs in August, while unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.1%

US economy created no job growth in August, data show
First time since 1945 that government has reported net monthly job change of zero

Job growth grinds to halt, fuels recession fear

Black unemployment highest in 27 years

Gov't Is Job Killer, Not Creator

The sooner Obama understands this last headline, the sooner he'll cease being the Job-Killer-in-Chief...I'm afraid he'll never figure it out, however, and only an eviction from office in 2012 will solve the problem.

This Week in Pictures

2011-09-01T23:08:00.000-07:00

Wastebook: #54

2011-08-30T20:03:00.001-07:00

Wine and Beer Promotion Abroad - $8.6 Million

At least $8.6 million in federal funds were paid this year for overseas wine and beer promotion. The grants came from the Market Access Program (MAP) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The MAP program distributed $8.3 million to the Wine Institute, the Northwest Wine Promotion Coalition, and the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. The Brewers Association, Inc, “an organization of brewers, for brewers and by Brewers” that focuses on the promotion of craft beer, received a $365,655 federal grant.

In 2008, the total dollar amount of U.S. wine and brandy shipments exceeded $13.4 billion. Additionally, in 2009, the United States produced over 758 million gallons of wine, with California accounting for 90 percent. According to the Brewers Association, “[c]raft brewer retail dollar value in 2009 was an estimated $6.98 billion, up from $6.32 billion in 2008.”

"Wastebook: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010"

This (Past) Week in Pictures

2011-08-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

Man's Best Friend

2011-08-25T13:04:00.001-07:00

It takes a lot for me to put off "This Week in Pictures", but a story like this would do it every time...Thanks for the 'hat tip', Tony.
-------------------------------------------------

Navy Seal Jon Tumilson was one of the American soldiers killed in the August 6th Afghanistan ambush...Tumilson was an amazing man, who loyally served his country, ultimately giving his life protecting the American people.

Lucky for him there is a companion who loved him as unconditionally as he did his country.

"Tumilson’s Labrador retriever, Hawkeye, was photographed lying by Tumilson’s casket in a heart-wrenching image taken at the funeral service in Tumilson’s hometown of Rockford, Iowa, earlier this week. Hawkeye walked up to the casket at the beginning of the service and then dropped down with a heaving sigh as about 1,500 mourners witnessed a dog accompanying his master until the end." - Scott Stump

Thank you for your sacrifice and rest in peace, Jon...The loyalty your dog shows you is a picture many will remember as a discription of how you did likewise for your country.

Wastebook: #36

2011-08-23T20:49:00.001-07:00

Gold-Plated Potties in the Woods - (Denali National Park, AK) $1.49 Million

The Denali National Park in Alaska recently built new restrooms at the Teklanika campground to “replace chemical toilets with a sweet smelling toilet facility” at a cost of nearly $1.5 million to taxpayers. The park will be spending more than $41,000 to replace each of the 36 toilets.

Even worse, following completion of these expensive toilets, it was determined that the contractor had failed to ensure that all of them were compliant with the American for Disabilities Act (ADA). While the resulting additional costs are supposed to be covered by the contractor, it is unbelievable that a project that expended so much money couldn‘t be completed correctly.

"Wastebook: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010"

Saying EXACTLY What Many Want To Say!

2011-08-21T13:37:00.002-07:00

Every last word!

“How can I tell my daughter with a straight face capitalism is a better system than communism if we’re borrowing all of our fucking money from the biggest communist country on the fucking planet?” – Felonious Munk

This Week in Pictures

2011-08-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

Wastebook: #41

2011-08-16T20:09:00.001-07:00

Carrousel Museum Takes Taxpayers for a Spin - (North Tonawanda, NY) $265,000

The National Endowment for the Humanities gave over a quarter-million dollars in taxpayer money to a carousel museum in upstate New York to pay for architectural improvements.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum makes its home in the building, which housed the Herschell Carrousel Factory until the 1950s. The museum claims to host 15,000 visitors a year.

The grant will pay to “stabilize and support the carving shop‘s failing wood tresses and roof trusses and replace the aging sprinkler system.”

For those passing through or living in North Tonawonda, NewYork, the museum offers a chance to see demonstrations of carving and restoration of wooden horses, band organ roll production, and antique carousel operation.

The museum also hosts several carousel-related events throughout the year, like “Santa on the Carousel‖ in December.”

"Wastebook: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010"

The New "Yes, We Can!"

2011-08-14T13:53:00.001-07:00

Bwahahaha!

If you're as big a fan of Al's great slogan as I am, you can order your own "Resist We Much T-Shirt"

For those who don't pay attention, the Democrats lost the Wisconsin 'Recall Election'...So I guess Al will have to keep on 'resisting much'. At the very least I'm hoping he keeps his job; great comic relief.