The worse enviornmental disaster...

Nope, not the oil in the Gulf. Vigilis has the story here; http://aquilinefocus.blogspot.com/2010/05/worst-us-environmental-disaster.html

Something to think about the next time you go for that dip in the ocean.

Educate your kids, no matter what...

The wife and I decided NOT to homeschool primarily because our autistic boys need a routine contact with their peers. The socialization aspect of their disorder makes it a major concern. Otherwise, I'd given serious thought to bringing the classroom into the home.

That might still happen, anyone following the news lately knows that Texas' state school board has recently adopted new standards in the social studies area that are giving some of the more liberal institutes in other states a case of the willies. That isn't a bad thing, IMO.

However, in reading about the greater than anticipated flexibility publishing houses have in providing what the customer wants I was surprised by one small part.

What caught my eye was the following; "...The superintendent has noted that if all 50 states were to approve national education standards, appropriate textbooks would be easier to find. Only two states have balked at those standards—Alaska and Texas."

The rest of the article is here; http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9G20OBG4&show_article=1

So, only two states are holding the line against Big Brother deciding what will be taught nationwide? THAT gives pause for thought. I've no interest in my kids learning about how the Erie Canal was built, not when they might have to give up time that could have been spent learning about the legacy of the Alamo. Living in a border state makes me want them to know more about the local history and how we've gotten along with our neighbor to the south. Especially one as untrustworthy as Mexico.

Homeschooling may still be an option. Regardless, I'll be gathering some texts for future reference of my own. I still recall the feeling of disgust I had when speaking to my now 26 yr. old son when he was in middle school. The kid knew all about the Greek gods but damned little about American history. That was in Connecticut in what up till then I'd thought was a good public school. Since then we've had all too few discussions regarding history. More than otherwise but not enough for my taste.

Bottom line, only you can insure the education your kids receive is adequate.

Thoughts on the Israeli boarding of the Gaza bound flotilla...

Already the usual suspects are calling for the crucifixion of all Israelis possibly involved. No surprise there.

Assuming just for the sake of argument that the IDF actually DID act without reasonable provocation (something I absolutely, positively DO NOT BELIEVE!!), I'm reminded of a Cheech & Chong interview done some decades back. They were asked their views on the Kent State Massacre.

Surprisingly, they said it showed what happens when a bunch of stupid sheltered white kids try making names for themselves. According to the comedic duo, anyone with street smarts knows you don't try pissing off a man with a gun.

So, again following an argument I DO NOT BELIEVE IN, this would be a case of "Stupid is as stupid does" when a bunch of "peaceful activists" try facing off with the IDF.

And the stupid shall always be punished.

I also see that B.O. is trying to get the Israeli explanation for what happened, here's a quote from a news story on an Israeli website, “The president also expressed the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances around this morning's tragic events as soon as possible.”

IMO it would be too much to hope for to have the Israelis reply, "We were doing something you'll never think of, i.e. protecting our nation's borders!"

Memorial Day 5/31/10

Why the oil spill happened...

The truth is out there;

Well it makes a hell of a lot more sense than, "It's Bush's fault." and THAT is starting to make the rounds!

Obama swings into action!

Just when we got tired of the seeming lethargic action of the White House in response to recent crises, just when it seemed NOTHING would get done about anything, we're proven wrong by this.

My wife has quite a lot of extended family in Louisiana and the term "raging Cajun" is a mild description these days. I'm sure they'll be mollified by the latest from the Oval Office.

Sure they will.

Like the flag?

The one at the top of the page, right undereneath my header? ABNPOPPA cleaned it up, got rid of the annoying white background and sent the result to me via the wife. Never had to ask him either. What a guy!

Thanks Pops!

The Bush Years; a gift that keeps on giving....

...or so the fools in Foggy Bottom would have us believe. Found at www.washingtonexaminer.com via Drudge;

“Many of the people appointed in the Bush administration are still burrowed in the agencies that are supposed to oversee the [oil] industry,” Pelosi said when asked if Democrats could have prevented or mitigated the crisis by keeping a closer watch on the industry.

Added the Speaker, “the cozy relationships between the Bush administration’s agency leadership and the industry is clear…I’ve heard no complaints from my members about the way the president has handled it,” Pelosi stated.

Honest to God, just when do we stop hearing "Bush did it!"?

Class or it's lack always shows.

Thoughts on 21st Century military service...

I've had the opinion that "don't ask, don't tell" was a mistake from the getgo. It brought attention to yet another group of "victims" and when the eventual repeal of the policy happened we'd see all kinds of politically correct acts on the part of the military brass to assure the world that "we think gay is okay".

Now we're on track for it to happen; House OKs repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

FWIW, I'd come across gays in the military during my 22 year career. The good ones who wanted to serve their country kept it in their pants and didn't make waves, just as heterosexuals who wanted to serve didn't turn into horn dogs once the service was made more accessible to women. It's called restraint, anyone can exercise it.

So the whole thing was a non issue until that damned policy was passed. Really, not a big deal at all.

But the highlighting of the issue in this fashion will insure every drag queen and dyke who wants to make their lives into a political statement will start lining up at the recruiter's desk. Watch for morale to take off like a mud seeking missile.

Just what in hell has Washington really done for the troops? I mean besides treat them like hamsters in a maze when they can, castigating them on a routine basis for being stupid (John Kerry's statement comes to mind), putting them under a microscope when the failure of PC brass to eliminate the Ft. Hood shooter explodes in the news, call them every foul name under the sun in order to further political aims during the Bush Administration, ignore them as much as possible at all other times.

America is at the mall and the military is at war.

During Viet Nam the military were scorned and vilified, you didn't even have to see combat to see that. Just wearing the uniform brought the attitudes out.

With that in mind, a lot of folks who lived through those times have gone out of their way over the last decade or so to thank the troops in whatever way possible. So in that way it isn't as bad.

But when some trooper is getting ready for his fourth or fifth deployment to the "sandbox" and there is just about zippo coverage of the war in the news it has to have an impact.

At least during the Viet Nam War it got publicity, that was at a time when the MSM tried to maintain an appearance of impartiality. Now, there is jack. Everyone is tuning into "American Idol" or it's successor.

As an example of the lack of caring, I'd been running the "R.I.P." posts here for a while, it isn't much but better than nothing. Anyway, I'm also a member of the "Catholic Dads" blog. So I figured I'd run them there also. Could have saved myself the aggravation.

In short order I was told by the administrator I should modify the posts due to their excessive length. Fair enough, obituaries aren't too exciting.

But that was followed by a post on that blog from the resident dingbat socialist who was offended by what he felt were items of a political partisan nature. Although the "R.I.P." posts weren't mentioned by him a fellow traveler enthusiastically brought them up, piously averring sympathy towards the military as shown by his membership in the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus.

B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T

I initially responded that he seemed to care for the vets as long as he didn't have to face the unpleasant fact of their deaths. After his reply of "sorry you take it that way" I said to just forget it. To hell with them. You no longer see that particular link on my sidebar.

Where am I going with this? I started with the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", devolved into a general gripe about how Foggy Bottom trashes the troops and just ended opining about the public in general not giving a shit.

So whats the point?

The point is that man/woman in uniform isn't stupid and they're busy taking notes for future reference. That extends from the grunt getting shot at in Afghanistan to the dental tech stationed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Just as those who served in and during Viet Nam remembered how things went and responded by backing the troops with an attitude of "hell no, not again", so too will the current generation's military members respond in what they deem an appropriate manner in the future.

What will that response be? I have absolutely no idea. Really, none at all.

But those who served in Nam only had to do one tour. The military wasn't strapped across the breakers then as it is now. With the exception of Admiral Zumwalt & Co., no one was routinely using the troops for the equivalent of a sociological petri dish (and not all of Zumwalt's ideas were bad). The stress and frustration is correspondingly higher. As may be the eventual response to all of us who seem willfully oblivious to their sacrifice.

So for what it's worth, tell any military member how much you DO value their service. If for no other reason than that they damned well deserve it.

How big is that lake?

I mean really, just how many frogs can fit into any landbound body of water? And why are they suddenly beating feet for populated areas? Here's the followup to an earlier story;

The Associated Press THESSALONIKI, Greece - Thousands of frogs are still slowing traffic on a busy Greek highway, a day after a horde of them forced officials to close the road altogether.

Police said Thursday they were directing traffic around frogs on the Egnatia Highway about 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) outside Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki.

The frogs, leaving a nearby lake to look for food, were expected to disrupt traffic through the weekend.

Police closed a section of the road Wednesday after three cars skidded off the road when the drivers tried to dodge the frogs.

When was the last time anyone heard of something like this and it was actually proven beyond all doubt to originate from a nearby lake? These stories never have a followup with any really plausible explanation, as per this one . They just get dumped into the circular file and forgotten.

My point in all of this is that theres a lot more going on in this world than any human can account for. When I get into discussions with athiests/agnostics I don't bring up religious miracles or teaching, I go for the unexplained such this to prove my point. Since they always seem to come from a viewpoint of "If you were as intellectual as I, you'd be able to understand how easily explained all the religious mumbo jumbo is."

When they can't explain the nonreligious "mumbo jumbo" the conversation usually shifts abruptly.

One of my grade school teachers...

...or a close relative to them;

The Associated Press PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A thief turned out to be no match for a little nun with a commanding voice.

Sister Lynn Rettinger didn't even have to break out a ruler for a man who reached into an opened car window and stole a wallet Tuesday. She just needed the tone of voice she's used for nearly 50 years in Catholic schools.

After a teacher saw the man swipe the wallet, the diminutive principal of Sacred Heart Elementary School went outside and firmly told the man: "You need to give me what you have."

The thief turned over the wallet, apologized and walked away.

Rettinger said she merely talked to him as she would to students when she knows they have something they shouldn't.

Police are still looking for the man. (Check the nearest line for Confession)

"On the Immorality of Illegal Immigration"...

...by Fr. Patrick J. Bascio, C.S. Sp

I'm in the midst of reading this now. Fr. Bascio is a retired priest who spent time in Tanzania, the Caribbean islands and parts of the U.S. including Harlem, NYC. He's currently fighting cancer with a not so great prognosis for recovery.

He pulls no punches. His take is that BOTH the legal and illegal immigration to this country provide a brain drain on the native nations, depriving them of their best chances for getting out of Third World status. He argues for the right of the U.S. to maintain it's borders, excoriates Big Business, Big Government and the Church leadership in ALL involved countries for abdicating their roles in this fray. The man takes no prisoners and puts forth his ideas in a straightforward, plain-spoken fashion that makes his novel solutions not only easy to understand but at first glance to appear at least worthy of consideration.

I can't recommend this book enough for anyone interested in our current dilemma with illegal immigration. That goes especially for those of us who are routinely castigated for all the routine bullshit of being "hardhearted", "racist", "unfeeling" and "questionable" in our Catholic faith.

The following is a video where he talks briefly on the topic, turn off the playlist above in order to hear it better;

The R.I.P. posts...

I'm taking a break. It's gotten so I dread going online because I'll be cutting and pasting information found about yet another military member killed. It's wearing me out.

If that makes me a candyass, fine. So be it.

So the posts will be suspended for a bit. No longer than necessary but for a bit.

How do the military representatives who notify the families manage to do it as a routine duty?

Now for tales of the strange...

THESSALONIKI, Greece - Greek officials say a horde of frogs has forced the closure of a key northern highway for two hours.

Thessaloniki traffic police chief Giorgos Thanoglou says "millions" of the amphibians covered the tarmac Wednesday near the town of Langadas, some 12 miles east of Thessaloniki.

"There was a carpet of frogs," he said.

Authorities closed the highway after three car drivers skidded off the road trying to dodge the frogs. No human injuries were reported.

Thanoglou said the amphibians probably left a nearby lake to look for food.

Anyone who is familiar with the writings of Charles Fort knows of incidents like this. They're always written of in the back pages of newspapers, seemingly added to fill space.

But they're never REALLY explained. "A carpet of frogs"? Something like that is unusual to say the least. But it'll be passed on, just another isolated incident found in the man-bites-dog section of the papers.

R.I.P. Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges

Marine Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges
Died May 12, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

23, of Ludlow, Mass.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 12 while supporting combat operations in Marjah, Afghanistan.

(Taken from www.masslive.com of May 21, 2010) CHICOPEE – It’s a long way from the sun-blasted terrain of Afghanistan to the green grass, blue skies and singing birds that graced the Base Ellipse at Westover Air Reserve Base late Friday morning.

The late Marine Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges, who grew up in Ludlow, was honored by family, friends and military personnel in a private ceremony here.

Desforges, 23, a six-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, died May 12 while supporting combat operations in Marjeh, Afghanistan.

His body, borne by a private aircraft, touched down on Western Massachusetts’ soil late Thursday morning at Westover.

Friday’s ceremony marked the first time, at least in recent history, that a military funeral has been conducted at the base, Westover officials said.

The ceremony, conducted by the Marines, lasted about an hour and was attended by a number of dignitaries including Gov. Deval L. Patrick, U.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal.

It included remarks from retired Sgt. Major Edward C. Mitrook, leader of the Westover Young Marines program that set the young Desforges out on his quest to become a Marine.

Mitrook, at the request of the young Marine’s parents, David and Arlene Desforges, accompanied their son’s body from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to Westover.

“It wasn’t something I looked forward to,” Mitrook said after the ceremony. “But, what a privilege, what a privilege.”

Desforges was a squad leader assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, I Marine Expeditionary Force

He was midway through his second tour in Afghanistan, having been deployed there in December, the statement read. His previous tour was March through September 2008.

Mitrook said Desforges death seemed unreal until one of the last stages of his journey home. “I was fine until we touched down. I said, ‘Welcome home Josh.’ That’s when it hit me.”

In his prepared remarks, Mitrook spoke of his first impression of Desforges in September 1999 when he spotted the young future Marine, then 13, standing amidst a gaggle of young boys and girls at the start of a Young Marines session. He had “a slight smile on his face and a glint in his eye,” Mitrook said.

Mitrook said he remembers Desforges as being quiet during the group’s boot camp. But, “he was intent and completely absorbed as if he had a greater purpose. ... I would later learn that he did have a life plan and the Young Marines was a stepping-stone.”

Desforges parents knew early on that their son was born to serve in the Marines. “His dad will tell you that as a child and others were playing Army, Josh made it clear he wanted to play a Marine,” Mitrook said.

Mitrook described Desforges, who graduated from Ludlow High School in 2004, as a natural leader, “from his peers to the younger recruits who looked up to him for guidance and assistance and sometimes laughter.”

Desforges’ leadership led him to being selected by the national director of the Young Marine’s program for its first ever trip to Iwo Jima.

“Josh was walking tall and honored at being chosen,” Mitrook said. “He couldn’t stop talking about it.”

That trip evoked, for Mitrook, memories of a topic he touched on several times during his eulogy: Desforges’ sense of humor and penchant for mischief.

“It took me almost a year to figure out how he loaded the screen-saver on my personal computer showing him on top of Mount Suribachi with that same slight smile on his face and glint in his eye,” he said, referring to the mountain on Iwo Jima where Marines raised a flag in World War II.

Desforges joined the Marine Corps in September 2004, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant on Jan. 1, 2008.

Mitrook concluded his eulogy by wishing Desforges well as he begins what he described as “his new journey.”

“We hope and pray that some day we too will get to walk alongside you in this new journey,” Mitrook said. “God bless you Josh and Semper Fi.”

The Marine Corps., in a statement released after the service, honored their fallen peer’s “bravery, patriotism and service to the nation. Sgt. Desforges will not be forgotten,” Lt. Col. David McCulloh said.

Mourners included Stephanie A. Stetson of Chicopee, who became good friends with Desforges when the two joined the Westover Young Marines program in 1999.

“I thought it was beautiful,” Stetson said of the ceremony. “I am really glad it was here.”

Stetson described Desforges as being charismatic and larger than life. “Everything he did was so big. ...Words can’t describe him really,” he said.

Desforges’ death jarred the close-knit town of Ludlow.

Before the funeral began, hundreds of residents clutched flags and held back tears along the procession route, which began at Ludlow Funeral Home on East Street. Red, white and blue ribbons were tied to utility polls and American and Marine Corps flags dotted East, Chapin and Fuller streets.

Outside the Community Children’s Center on Chapin Street, where Desforges was a student 20 years ago, director Edith M. Chenevert and her assistant, Joanne F. Fenney, hung a hand-painted sign made by pre-schoolers. It featured student hand prints and the words, “Our Hero, Sgt. Josh.”

“This is a celebration of Josh’s life,” Chenevert said.

The hearse carrying Desforges’ body paused in front of Ludlow High School, where band members played “Amazing Grace.”

Clarinetist Cassie E. Goncalves said that the band had been rehearsing for the past two days since learning they would perform. Some of those standing along the route knew Desforges, while others wanted to show their support for his family.

“It’s good Ludlow came together like this,” said Senior Airman Travis G. Wilson, who attended Ludlow High School with Desforges.

Vincent A. Ferrero carried an American flag in his right hand and a sign proclaiming Desforges’ sacrifice in his left. He said he would place the sign on his Pond View Drive front lawn on Memorial Day.

“I am a proud Vietnam veteran here to support these folks,” Ferrero said. “Hopefully, it will help.”

Anna Marie Dias and her friend, Debbie L. Martell, stood under a shady tree as the hearse traveled down Chapin Street. The pair had attended the wake the night before.

“He fought for our freedom,” Dias said. “How could you not come out?”

R.I.P. Sgt. Kenneth B. May Jr.

Marine Sgt. Kenneth B. May Jr.
Died May 11, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

26, of Kilgore, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died May 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Marine Cpl. Jeffrey W. Johnson.

(The following was taken from www.kilgorenews.com of May 15, 2010) American flags streamed a somber tribute Friday in the home neighborhood of U.S. Marine Sgt. Kenneth May Jr.

The 2002 Kilgore High School graduate was killed Tuesday while on foot patrol in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.

May, 26, had served two tours in Iraq and was deployed just two weeks ago to Afghanistan, where he was killed by an IED on May 11, the day after his second wedding anniversary.

May was assigned to the Third Battalion, first Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Also killed in the explosion was Marine Cpl. Jeffrey W. Johnson.

May’s parents, Kenneth Sr. and Karen have tender memories of their last connections with their son.

He was just home for a week in April before re-deploying.

“He wasn’t too worried about those ones, but he was worried about this one. He knew it was a hotspot,” his dad recalled.

Condolences have come in from near and far for the fallen Marine. The Rotary Club put flags up in the neighborhood, and U.S. Sen. John McCain called from his personal cell phone to express his condolences to the Mays and assure them of his support.

Known to his friends and family as Kenny, Kenneth May Jr. was a brilliant student with many academic options who wanted to serve his country and put himself through school.

“He could have done anything in the Marine Corps – he tested off the charts, but he chose to be an infantryman,” his dad said.

May left Kilgore College to enlist just a few credits short of a diploma.

(Kenneth Sr. said he will ask Kilgore College President Bill Holda to issue Kenny an honorary diploma.)

He loved the Latin language, and on his forearms, May had Latin tattoos – “Strength and justice” on one, “Honor and truth” on the other. (“That’s kind of like Kenny, summed up in four words,” Karen May said.)

He deeply felt his status as a “junior,” writing about Kenneth May Sr. on his myspace site.

“We are so much alike in appearance and behavior that sometimes I jokingly refer to myself as Ken 2.0. I like to tell him that I've got none of his flaws and all of his strengths, but really, it's more the other way around,” the younger May wrote.

His myspace site included another favorite Latin quote, “Via ad pax pavimentatum cum sanguis,” - the road to peace is paved with blood.

He wrote there about his reconciliation to his difficult job as a Marine.

“The Warrior, the way I have made the word to mean in my own mind, is one of the elite caste of mankind who do something that no other profession does... they seek to make their jobs disappear. The Warrior is one who desires nothing more than to lay down his sword (or rifle, whatever) and never do harm again. The Warrior, whose sole reason for existence is War, is the seeker of Peace,” May wrote.

He married his high school sweetheart, Krystal Barton, two years ago.

“He called her his soulmate. Krystal was the love of his life – he was lucky he found her,” his mother said, recalling her son as patriotic from childhood and possessing an intense personal faith.

“He loved his wife, he loved us, he loved God more than anything,” Karen May said. “He wanted to be known as a Christian man first.”

He had a tattoo on his back that showed an open casket, and with his own date of birth and a Marine buddy’s date of death. Asked what it meant, he said, “Death can’t hold me – I’m saved.”

The Mays don’t sorrow as those who have no hope. The elder May’s voice broke as he shared a statement of faith about his son.

“God gave him to us, and He missed him so much, He took him back early.”

In fact, it was Kenny who reminded them of all he had learned from them as a child when he called his mother Sunday for Mothers Day.

As a result, Karen May will always remember 1 Cor. 15:55.

“Mom, don’t worry about me. You need to study up on your Corinthians, Mom,” he told her, reciting the verse: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?“

“That was one of the last things he said to me,” she said.

And now she is a member of the saddest sorority of all.

A neighbor made a banner for the window portraying her status as a U.S. military Gold Star mother – one who has lost a son in the line of duty.

Wearing red to support the troops instead of the black of mourning at a Friday interview, Kenneth May Sr. would ask just one thing of the community – continued recognition and prayers for the servicemen and servicewomen in harm’s way.

“For some reason, we’ve lost sight of our men and women in uniform who are out supporting their families,” he said.

“Red shirt Fridays around here doesn’t mean anything but Kilgore football, and I understand that, but I’d like to see a little more of that,” he said.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Kenneth B. May Jr. will be accompanied home to his final resting place by the Patriot Guard and a Marine escort, which will include the Marine who was the best man at his wedding.

Services are pending, with Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore in charge of arrangements.

A memorial fund has been established at Austin Bank, and proceeds after funeral expenses will be donated to charity in Kenny’s honor.

He leaves behind his wife, Krystal (Barton) May, his parents, Kenneth and Karen May and sister Kalynne May, all of Kilgore, and his in-laws Pastor Glenn and Wilma Barton, also of the Kilgore area.

R.I.P. Cpl. Kurt S. Shea

Marine Cpl. Kurt S. Shea
Died May 10, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Frederick, Md.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

(The following was taken from www.washingtonpost.com of May 12, 2010) The family of Cpl. Kurt S. Shea, a 21-year-old Marine from Frederick, had been planning a party for July 4 to celebrate the end of his tour in Afghanistan. Instead, on Tuesday, relatives were preparing to go to Dover Air Force Base to retrieve the body of Shea, who was killed Monday in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

He died doing what he had always longed to do, said his mother, Linda Shea. "When he was 3, he wanted to be an Army man," she said, adding that she probably still has her son's crayon drawings of military men from that time.

The Department of Defense said that Shea, a radio operator assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division Forward, died while supporting combat operations. His mother said preliminary reports say he was killed by a gunshot to the head.

After investigating all the branches of the military during high school, Shea chose the Marines and signed up before beginning his senior year, his mother said.

He was attracted to the discipline and physical rigor. "Kurt did not ever sidestep a challenge," she said, adding that his three years of service had helped him develop. "He was always respectful, he became more respectful; he was always mature, he became more mature."

Shea's friends were reeling from the news, with messages about his death appearing on Facebook and pouring in to the Web site of Maryland DeMolay, a youth fraternity Shea had been a member of since his early teens.

Jonathan Adler, one of his fraternity brothers, said Shea had wanted to study kung fu. "We were going to look into schools in the area so that we could train together," he said. "He demonstrated many qualities that would have made him a great martial artist."

Courtney Duvall, a classmate at Frederick High School, recalled a gesture Shea made when she was a new student at Frederick High. "He was kind enough to invite me to his table with his friends at lunch when I first started," she said.

Shea was to serve one more year in the Marines, after which, his mother said, he was trying to decide whether to continue or pursue a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. "He wanted to protect," she said. "He's a big brother."

His sister Olivia, who is in high school, felt that protection, his mother said. "With the guys that are paying attention to her, Kurt reminded her to remind them that her brother's a Marine."

Shea, who was promoted to corporal in April 2009, was still getting used to overseeing people, his mother said. "He would ask for advice: How do you supervise people?" He would also ask for Girl Scout peanut butter cookies and Hostess banana cupcakes, which his family would send in the mail.

Shea will be buried in Frederick, his mother said.

Texas sheriff hammered for not providing abortion transportation

WEATHERFORD, Texas, May 24, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has threatened legal action against a Texas sheriff, claiming he violated an inmate's constitutional "right" to an abortion by refusing to transport her to an abortion clinic.

Sheriff Larry Fowler, however, said he would not use taxpayer funds to facilitate the deed.

"My personal feeling is I don't feel like the taxpayers of Parker County would think much of their sheriff spending taxpayer money to take people to abortion clinics," Fowler told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"I don't think they would want me to even entertain that notion."

Lisa Graybill of the ACLU Foundation of Texas said that court precedent has established the "constitutional right of incarcerated pregnant women to access abortion care," in a letter to Parker County Attorney John Forrest. She also said that the woman's family had arranged the appointment and was going to pay for the abortion.

Sheriff Fowler said, however, that the woman could have simply posted bond and gone to the abortion mill by herself. The county attorney John Forrest also stated that Fowler was following the law.

The ACLU is not going to sue, as the woman was recently released on probation and obtained an abortion without government assistance; however, Graybill threatened legal action should a similar incident occur.

"The purpose of our letter [to John Forrest] is to put Parker County on notice that any future restrictions on women’s reproductive health care will be challenged in court,"said Graybill in a statement.

In October, an Arizona judge sided with the ACLU to forbid Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio from charging female inmates transportation costs for obtaining abortions - even though the sheriff charged transportation for other medical procedures - due to a constitutional "right" to abortion. Arpaio's office at the time said he planned to appeal the ruling.

This just reeks of a setup for future incidents. The woman could have posted bond and gotten her abortion. Her family was paying for it. Looks like she just wanted to make the lack of government funded transportation an issue. Which would dovetail nicely with the aims of the ACLU, NARAL, etc.

Shit! Somebody pass me my tinfoil hat, I'm seeing conspiracy wherever I look these days.

But the followon to that is sometimes there will BE conspiracies wherever you look.

R.I.P. Cpl. Jeffery W. Johnson

Marine Cpl. Jeffery W. Johnson
Died May 11, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Tomball, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died May 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. Kenneth B. May Jr., 26, of Kilgore, Texas.

(The following was taken from www.hcnonline.com of May 21, 2010) A slide show played on screens above the casket flanked by the United States and Marine Corps flags.

It showed a son posing with Santa Claus with his siblings, a boy with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a student at his high school dance, a buddy with his friends, a teen enjoying time on a boat.

The last photograph, a warrior in uniform.

The words “son, grandson, brother, hero” appeared at the bottom of the screen.

Nine days after being killed by an improvised explosive device on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan May 11, Marine Cpl. Jeffrey Johnson was remembered as the grinning boy and the quick-witted, hard-working cutup who loved his family, loved his country and loved life.

The Rev. Kay Johnson shared words of comfort with friends and family at the crowded funeral May 20 at Cpl. Johnson’s home church, Rosehill United Methodist.

Cpl. Johnson stood in that very church a month before his death to speak at his grandfather’s funeral.

Rev. Johnson told stories of the man who caught his jeans on fire in welding class, the man whose wife had to trick him into watching scary movies because he hated them, the man who had dreams of becoming a game warden when he got home from the war.

Marine Sgt. James Skuce, Johnson’s vehicle commander, said he immediately noticed that Johnson was different from most new Marines in combat.

While many were quiet, timid and shy, Johnson’s shyness wore off in about an hour, he said.

Skuce quickly saw Johnson’s ability to handle tasks with ease, which rapidly turned into Johnson leading his fellow Marines.

Johnson wanted to know how everything worked; he was constantly asking questions, constantly watching, Skuce said.

But what he will remember most about the man he considered a little brother, is his outgoing personality.

“He had a way of defusing the situation, usually with his sarcastic humor. It was really hard to stay mad at him,” he said. “To sum it up, war is sheer misery... The four of us in that truck, because of Jeff and his humor, we were always uplifted.”

Marine Capt. Michael Ercolano recalled his favorite memories of Johnson at what was considered to be the celebration of Johnson’s life rather than a funeral.

“To the family of Jeffrey ‘Babyface’ Johnson, thank you,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in raising him for instilling kindness, honor and a love of country. Thank you for supporting his dreams.”

Johnson’s captain spoke of his patriotism, of his courage in answering his nation’s call, of his willingness to give his life to a cause greater than any one man.

“He was an endearing, quick-witted young Marine who couldn’t wipe the smile off his own face if he wanted to,” he said, as the mourning audience laughed.

Ercolano spoke of a Marine who always piped up and shared his opinions, of a Marine who showed exceptional potential and initiative, of a Marine who died while on patrol leading his fellow servicemen on the front lines.

“To Jeff: Every Marine sitting here today as well as those who couldn’t be here considered it an honor to serve beside you,” he said, fighting back tears. “He has fulfilled his final mission, he has checked into his last duty station. And he now patrols the streets of Heaven.”

As the Marines’ Hymn was played on the church piano, Johnson’s flag-draped casket was escorted out of the church by family and Marines.

The hearse entered into a processional down FM 2920 to his grave site in the same way Johnson made his final trip home two days before: with citizens lining the street proudly waving the flag of the country he gave his life for.

R.I.P. Spc. Jeremy L. Brown

Army Spc. Jeremy L. Brown
Died May 09, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

20, of McMinnville, Tenn.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died May 9 at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

R.I.P. Capt. Kyle A. Comfort

Army Capt. Kyle A. Comfort
Died May 08, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

27, of Jacksonville, Ala.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died May 8 in Now Zad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

(The following was taken from www.jaxnews.com of May 22, 2010) Goofy, loving…he loved to live.”

That is how Brooke Comfort describes her husband, Captain Kyle Aaron Comfort. “He loved riding sports bikes and the faster he could go, the happier he was,” said Brooke.

Capt. Kyle Comfort, 27, was killed in action May 8th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. The combat operation in which he was involved led to the discovery of a large IED factory, according to an Army news release.

“He was a great friend, a great husband. He never met a stranger. He was just a wonderful person,” said Brooke. “I don’t think there was a single person that ever came in contact with Kyle that did not just fall in love with him. That’s just how he was.”

Kyle Comfort was a fun-loving individual who was described as a ‘glass-half full’ individual.

“His mother (Ellen Comfort) said it best. Kyle never saw the gray clouds. He saw the silver lining and the rainbow on the other side. It did not matter what the situation was, he always saw the best in it. If there was any good, he saw it even if no one else did,” said Brooke.

Brooke and Kyle met while they were working at Federal Mogul one summer. At first, Brooke did not want to go out with Kyle, but he never gave up.

“I was on first shift and he was on third, so I kind of ran into him one morning as I was coming in and he was getting off. He just came up and started talking to me and I didn’t think anything of it. I would see him out and about around town and we became friends. We were friends for about a year and he asked me out. After about a month of telling him no – he was very persistent…always – I finally went out with him and the rest is history. We were together ever since,” said Brooke.

The couple married in October of 2005. On Veteran’s Day 2009, Brooke gave birth to their daughter, Kynleigh.

It was evident that Kyle loved his family. It was also obvious how much he loved his country. Capt. Comfort was a fire support officer in Company D, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

“Kyle always thought what we were doing meant something,” said Brooke. “He thought we were making a difference and he believed in what we were doing. He loved his country and he was born to be a soldier. If they told him to go, he was ready to go.”

Kyle brought his positive outlook and fun loving nature with him overseas.

“He would always make the best of every situation,” said Brooke. “At one point he had became good friends with some pilots and somehow finagled his way to have two helicopters deliver 50 something pizzas to his men. Pizza Hut pizza in the middle of the desert, who would of thought? But, he did it and that was just the type of person he was.”

Brooke said she hopes that people will take from this a better understanding of the cost of freedom.

“I hope people realize what it is to live in the land of the free. This is what these guys are fighting for,” said Brooke. “I want people to know what kind of person he was and what kind of soldier he was. He will always be a hero to me whether to anybody else or not. He will always be my hero.”

Six-month-old Kynleigh has a broad, easy smile just like her father.

“His daughter, although she will never know who he was personally, she will always know what type of man her father was,” Brooke said. “I see so much of him in her already at six months old. And it won’t just be me. Anyone that knows him can help live out his legacy. She can talk to just a couple of people and know just by talking to them what kind of man her father was. He was wonderful and she will know that.”

At the family’s request, a memorial scholarship is being established in Kyle Comfort’s name at Jacksonville State University, where Kyle graduated in 2006. Memorial contributions may be made to the JSU Foundation, Inc., 700 Pelham Road N., Jacksonville, AL 36265. Please indicate on your contribution that it is in memory of Capt. Kyle Comfort. Also, a fund for his daughter has been established at www.kylecomfortmemorial.com (under the Donate tab).

On Monday, The local community gathered together in show of support of the Comfort family and to honor the sacrifice the Kyle made. Hundreds lined the streets waving flags, signs and wearing shirts decorated with messages of hope.

Businesses changed their signs from sales and deals to love and support. The square was decorated as well. Yellow ribbons were tied around the light poles and the fire department displayed a giant American flag for the funeral procession to drive under. Hundreds of area bikers congregated to help lead the procession. Brooke said that the support shown was unbelievable.

“I just want to thank the community. I am just absolutely overwhelmed with how everyone has just come together in support of us,” said Brooke. “Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everyone in this community. I have never been more proud to say that I am from here.”

When asked if Kyle was here today, what would he think about all the community support, Brooke knew exactly what the local hero would do.

“You know, I don’t think he would say anything,” said Brooke. “He would probably just smile and he would probably have a tear rolling down his cheek, as he would be so filled with pride. I know he would.”


Cpt. Kyle’s Aaron Comfort’s Military Awards


• Ranger Tab

• Parachutist Badge

• Air Assault Badge

• Overseas Service Medal

• Army Service Ribbon

• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

• Iraq Campaign Medal with combat star

• National Defense Service Medal

Posthumous Recognitions for Cpt. Kyle Aaron Comfort

• Purple Heart for wounds received in action.

• The Meritorious Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned to the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment.

• The Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement as a Ranger Fire Support Officer for a joint task force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Alabama State Flag, a certificate of commendation and a certificate in memory of Comfort.

• The Distinguished Service Medal, the highest honor of the State of Alabama.

• The Gold Star Banner presented by the Blue Star Salute Foundation and American Legion in recognition of Comfort’s sacrifice for our nation.

• Combat Action Badge


Family and Friends reflect on Comfort


“[Cpt. Comfort’s] sense of team play, courage and selfless service will live on as ideal examples of what a Ranger should be as we continue our fight.” – Col. Dan Walrath, Comfort’s battalion commander

“He was just a very outgoing, funny, very relatable guy,” – David Buckner, Comfort’s best man at his wedding

“We are humbled by Captain Comfort’s selfless service to our country and are most grateful for his sacrifice, as well as that of his family,” – Dr. William A. Meehan, JSU President

“He had an uncanny ability to bring a sense of humor to all conversations and make friends with anyone,” – Cpt. Chris Hopes.

“Kyle exemplifies everything that is right with this country. He was a true professional, a selfless leader of the highest caliber. A ranger capable and willing to tirelessly answer our great nation’s call to duty, discounting hardship and fear to honorably serve others.” – Col. William Ostlund

“Five minutes in a room with Kyle Comfort and you either wanted to marry him or be his best friend. That’s who he was. Kyle went to God doing what his passion was.” – David Sayers, Kyle’s Brother-in-law

“He lived a great life and accomplished many things many of us never will, he had things most of us look for and never find.” – Kenneth Comfort, Kyle’s brother.

R.I.P. Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Davis

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Davis
Died May 07, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

19, of Perry, Iowa; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 7 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

I really hate it when theres nothing more to add than the above. These men all had lives worth living. They all had loved ones who mourn them, they all deserve to be remembered as "one of us". Scant information like this reduces them to names on a roster and nothing more. It stinks.

R.I.P. Lance Cpl. Richard R. Penny

Marine Lance Cpl. Richard R. Penny
Died May 06, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Fayetteville, Ark.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Mojave Cross update...

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, California, May 21, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) -- On Thursday a replica of the much-disputed cross stolen from a federal park on May 9 appeared on Sunrise Rock - but officials said the new cross broke park service regulations, and removed it.
To honor veterans of World War I, the Veterans of Foreign Wars had originally placed a wooden cross on Sunrise Rock in 1934 with a plaque stating “The Cross, Erected in Memory of the Dead of All Wars.” It became the site of Easter gatherings starting the following year; it was replaced by a metal cross after time.

In Salazar v. Buono, the ACLU and others filed suit to remove it. Congress transferred the property on which the cross rested to private hands, and on April 28 the Supreme Court of the United States sent the case back down to the district court with orders to consider legality of the land transfer. In the meantime, the cross remained hidden by a wooden cover, making it look like a blank billboard.

Less than two weeks later, the cross was stolen. The Liberty Institute offered a $125,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible removing the cross.

An anonymous letter, purportedly from the thief, said that the government's actions in preserving the cross clearly violated the Constitution and that a non-sectarian memorial should be raised at the site instead.

Sometime between Wednesday and Thursday, a look-alike cross was again raised. Differences between the two were soon noticed, as it had a new paint job, lacked the marks of the previous cross, and was six inches taller. LInda Slater, Mojave National Preserve spokeswoman, said that the new cross was not covered by the Supreme Court ruling.

"Technically, it's illegal," she said, according to the AP. "The park service has regulations about people putting up memorials. You can't just go to a park and put a memorial to a family member."

The cross had been removed by the end of Thursday.

As I implied in an earlier post, the removal of the cross wasn't something done on the spur of the moment. It was several feet tall, made of metal and anchored into the ground in a remote location. Somebody knew where it was, what needed to be done for the removal and had the right people, i.e. relatively young and in decent enough shape, to do the job.

Gee, wonder who that would have been?

In any event, looks like the assholes are winning this one. They couldn't do it legally so they stole the cross and now have the system working for them.

If anyone thinks the original can be found and restored, lots of luck with that one. Chances are it made the recycling center two days after the theft. Probably in several unrecognizable pieces by that time.

Nuts!

Misadventures in higher education...

"According to the classes I took, I'm a lesbian trapped in a man's body."

That was a statement my oldest son made recently when he was ridiculing the field of psychology as a whole. He then went on to explain that everyone supposedly has three different sexual manifestations; physical, emotional and social.

The physical one you're born with, a quick look between the legs answers whether you're male or female.

The emotional one involves what sex you're attracted to. He likes girls, therefore he's male.

The social one concerns who he gets along best with. He has the least friction/arguments with women, so in that respect he's female. Total it all up, he's a lesbian trapped in a man's body.

Noted. FWIW, he thinks it's crap. So his head is screwed on straight.

I asked if this was a high school or college class he learned it in. He'd done some college work and that's where it came from.

Good thing, I'd hate to think a lot of taxpayer dollars are funding idiocy like that.

R.I.P. Lance Cpl. Christopher Rangel

Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Rangel
Died May 06, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

22, of San Antonio; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

(The following was taken from www.mysanantonio.com of May 10, 2010) Listed on a roster as 5 feet 9 inches and just 165 pounds, Chris Rangel was a leader on the field in one of the last football seasons at West Campus High School.

To friends and family, memories of a hard-driving linebacker in a red, white and blue No. 35 jersey soothe the pain of learning that Rangel, 22, was killed by enemy fire last week in Afghanistan. According to the Defense Department, he died Thursday while supporting combat operations in Helmand province.

His wife, Linda, who also attended West Campus, said her husband, a Marine lance corporal and infantry team leader who served twice in Iraq, “gave it his all.”

“He was a great husband. Even when he came home tired, he would help me with anything,” Linda Rangel, a petty officer in the Navy, said by phone Monday from Norfolk, Va.

“He did everything he could for his team. His buddies would say, ‘Rangel is the best!'” she said.

Rangel, son of former San Antonio boxer Roland Rangel, was raised with his sister Belinda and twin brother Roland Jr. by their paternal grandparents, Gloria and Alfredo Rangel, relatives said.

“We pretty much grew up together as brothers” in a large family on the Southwest Side, said Robert Rangel, 27, the Marine's uncle.

Rangel had wanted to become a career Marine. But after deploying to Afghanistan in January, he recently decided to get out of the service and return to school, once his tour ended in July, his uncle said.

“He knew it was going to be tough in Afghanistan,” he said.

According to iCasualties.org, Helmand has been the Afghanistan war's deadliest province, with 447 coalition deaths.

But Rangel's uncle smiled when talking about his nephew being nicknamed “Wee Man” in football, because of his size, and his jubilation at scoring a touchdown against Marion his senior season, though the game was one of many the Cougars lost.

John Olmstead, a former West Campus football coach and former Army major, said Rangel played football all through high school and had extra energy in the fourth quarter.

“If he'd tried as hard in academics as he did in athletics, he would've made all A's,” Olmstead said. “He played much bigger than his size. There were a lot of qualities in Chris that reminded me of some of the better soldiers I'd had.”

Jesse Heridia, a math teacher, said Rangel was a B and C student — “the type of kid you wouldn't want to fail” — because he showed such promise and “had a clear understanding of right and wrong.”

While returning in a school bus from a senior trip to the zoo, Rangel took charge as students distributed their leftover lunches to homeless people on Commerce Street, said Toni Needham, his former English teacher.

“He was very bright, and had a real quiet sense of leadership,” she said.

Rangel's 2006 senior class at West Campus, which closed in 2007 and was consolidated with South San High School, had just 96 members and was a close-knit group, Needham said. Though many of his fellow graduates are now scattered, teachers at South San who still remember him consoled each other Monday with hugs and words of comfort.

“This is one of the hard parts of being a teacher,” Olmstead said.

Family members said Rangel's remains might arrive this week at Lackland AFB. Services are pending with Porter Loring Mortuary.

Since his death, the family has lined the front of the house with small red Marine Corps flags, “to let him know we're proud of him,” his uncle said.

R.I.P. Spc. Wade A. Slack

Army Spc. Wade A. Slack
Died May 06, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Waterville, Maine; assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 6 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.

(The following was taken from www.pressherald.com of May 17, 2010) WATERVILLE - Freezing rain pelted the soldiers as they climbed a steep mountain in Afghanistan. When they reached the top, Spc. Wade A. Slack turned and looked at his good friend, Sgt. James Cribbett.

"This wasn't in the brochure," Slack said to him.

Laughter arose from hundreds of people sitting in pews Sunday afternoon in the Blessed Hope Advent Christian Church on Pleasant Street as Cribbett recounted that tale and other memories of his fallen friend.

"He was an incredible soldier, an amazing friend and very dear brother to all of us. He gave of himself without ever asking for anything in return. I don't think I ever once heard him complain about the job," Cribbett said. "He was always there to brighten our day, every day."

With warm sunshine illuminating the church's stained-glass windows, hundreds gathered to honor Slack, 21, who grew up in the city and graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 2007.

He died May 6 of wounds suffered from indirect fire in Jaghatu, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his Army unit. Slack, who specialized in disarming explosives, was assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

In the church lobby, a photo collage showed Slack's progression from birth, to playful youngster who played Little League baseball, to more recent pictures of him in camouflage fatigues. On a nearby table, a photo showed Slack holding a small dog, and nearby were a partially used dog bone and a collar with dog tags that read: "Boomer, 707th EOD, US Army, Bomb Dog."

During Sunday's funeral, Slack's family -- including mother Mary Slack, father Alan Slack, stepmother Rose Slack and his siblings -- was presented with many federal and state awards and medals on his behalf. Federal awards included the Combat Action Badge, the NATO medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

In attendance were Gov. John Baldacci, who presented the Maine Gold Star Award and the State House flag; U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, and numerous city officials, Maine Army National Guard officers and community members.

In speeches at a lectern overlooking Slack's flag-draped casket, family members and military officials recalled the hardworking, brave man who always put others before himself and loved his extended family. Slack was a cheerful practical joker who knew how to have a good time, speakers said, and yet he was also wise beyond his years, a confidante for many and a "glue" for his family.

Maj. Gen. John Libby of the Maine Army National Guard described Slack as the personification of a warrior, which he described as a "soldier with a heart," and said Slack exemplified the warrior's creed by being a team member who put the mission first and never quit.

Slack's stepmother, Rose Slack, talked about celebrating all that he "gifted to us" by touching people's hearts and sharing the importance of family and fun.

"I was in awe about how much a 21-year-old boy shared with everyone," she said. "He'll always be teaching all of us. His spirit still stays with all of us."

Meghan, his sister, confided a family "secret" that "Wade was pretty much everyone's favorite," eliciting laughter from the audience. "He was sweet and smart and listened to all of our problems," she said.

For his 20th birthday, while he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., Slack insisted that the family get together for dinner even though he couldn't be there himself, Meghan Slack said. "That was Wade. He made people feel special and loved."

Jonathan Slack said he had "a profound trust" in his brother, while Andrew Slack said he lost a close friend and co-worker who "couldn't have been a better brother."

Jesse Slack recalled a time when he was 16 and driving his 8-year-old brother Wade back from an overnight Cub Scout trip. He said he was driving 50 mph and saw a turn too late. His father's van careened off the road and into the woods. Shaken and sobbing, he said he looked over at his brother, who announced: "That was fun!"

"At 8 years old, in uniform, and already fearless," Jesse Slack said.

In a statement read by Capt. Earl Weigelt, a Maine Army National Guard chaplain, sister Lauren said Slack "was like glue in our family" and a "true go-getter" who "became Army strong in 2007, but he was strong and determined long before that."

Weigelt, reading Bible verses selected by Slack's mother, Mary, said in part: "For God so loved the world he gave his only son."

"Heroes put their lives on the line," Weigelt said in a closing address. "Spc. Wade Alan Slack was such a hero," who died while on a mission to disarm an explosive and save the lives of others, making him also "an instrument of peace."

"So in a very special way," Weigelt said, "Spc. Wade Slack was a warrior of warriors."

Goodbye, Knights of Columbus...

I'd joined the Knights of Columbus after returning to the Catholic Church with the idea of committing myself more deeply to Catholicism by it. They do a lot of good works, such as working at the Special Olympics, caring for residents at a veteran's home, etc. All in all, pretty good. They also provide security at prayer vigils for the prolife efforts of my parish. Fairly good.

So when I read the following my first thought was, "Oh shit, just when you think somebody might have a bit of spine..." Here's the link; Knights of Columbus refuse to allow suspension of members who promote abortion, gay marriage

I'm reminded of Christ saying that no tree can give forth fruit both bitter or sweet. It's going to be one or the other in the long run. It's why my wife left the Methodist Church a couple of years ago. They also do good work, but their endorsement of "women's reproductive rights" puts them beyond the pale. Can I do any less than follow that example?

Damn!

Well I guess I'll just let my membership expire and when quizzed as to why, reference the above listed news byte.

The following are the thoughts of another prominent Catholic poster, they pretty well sum up my own thinking; of Knights and bishops... and getting rooked

R.I.P. 1st Lt. Brandon A. Barrett

Marine 1st Lt. Brandon A. Barrett
Died May 05, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

27, of Marion, Ind.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 5 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

(The following was taken from www.courier-journal.com of May 8, 2010) The letter with instructions about where 1st Lt. Brandon Barrett wanted to be buried told friends back home in Indiana that — even if he didn't talk about it — he understood he might not survive his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

But Kristin Marcuccilli also thought about another letter when she found out the 27-year-old Marine was killed in combat Wednesday — the one he wrote to the parents of the men he would lead on his first tour, promising to take care of their sons. There also was that smile he had when he came home to Marion, Ind., having done just that a couple of years ago.

“The first thing out of his mouth when we went out to dinner is 'Everyone's safe,“’ said Marcuccilli, who went to Marion High School with Barrett. “You never heard a person more passionate about the responsibilities of leading these young men.”

Barrett, of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force from Camp Lejeune, N.C., died while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's volatile Hemland province. His mother said Friday that she was told he was shot in the chest.

As she waited to be taken to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to meet her son's remains and escort them back to Marion for burial, his mother, Cindy Barrett, sounded like many moms before her who have been given the news they always hoped would not come — but knew it might.

She worried about her son's safety ever since she received a telephone call in 2001 telling her that her son had been accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy. As the daughter of an Army captain, Cindy Barrett understood that graduation from the military academies led to active duty.

She put those fears on the back burner until months before his 2006 graduation from the Naval Academy, when Barrett excitedly told her he'd been accepted into the Marine Corps and that, as he'd hoped, would be going into the infantry, she said.

“I took a big gulp, told him I was excited (but) when I hung up I probably cried for two hours,” she said.

If Cindy Barrett tried to protect her son from her own worries, she said her son did the same thing with her, the rest of his family and his friends. “Never once did he second guess his decision or tell me, ‘Mom, I'm scared, this is real.’ Not one time,” she said.

In fact, in all the letters and e-mails he sent to friends like Marcuccilli and Jason Hodge, another high school buddy, besides some minor complaints about the food, there was no talk of fear or questions about whether he made the right choice.

“He chose to do it, he was happy to do it,” said Hodge, to whom Barrett sent the letter — with a copy to Marcuccilli — about where he wanted to be buried. In it, he said he wanted to be buried in Marion and not New Mexico, where he'd lived for part of his boyhood.

Even then, Barrett, who Marcuccilli described as a “clown,” kept it light.

“He said don't let my mom take me out to that desert in Albuquerque,” she said, letting herself chuckle for a second.As she was poised to carry out her son's wishes, Cindy Barrett said Friday couldn't help but think about how she was just a few months from seeing her son again and wonder if his death came with suffering.

But she also said there was some comfort knowing her son, who thought about making the military his career or perhaps following an uncle into the Secret Service, was doing what he wanted to do with his life.

“He was passionate about his platoon and what he was doing and what his mission was in this world,” she said.

R.I.P. Sgt. Ralph Mena

Army Sgt. Ralph Mena
Died May 04, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

27, of Hutchinson, Kan.; assigned to 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 7th Signal Brigade, 5th Signal Command, Mannheim, Germany; died May 4 of injuries sustained from a noncombat-related incident in Tikrit, Iraq.

(The following was taken from www.hutchnews.com of May 8, 2010) Sgt. Ralph Mena, Jr., 27, died May 3, 2010 in Iraq. He was born October 25, 1982 in Pratt, the son of Ralph and Melody Mena. He was a lifetime resident of Hutchinson. He had served in the United States Army for seven years.

He married Amber Harrison on February 14, 2010 in Deerfield, Florida. She survives. Other survivors include two stepdaughters, Lexi and Bridget Knopp, Hutchinson, two brothers, Willie Schmidt, Preston, KS and Philip Hernandez, Las Vegas, NV, two sisters, Jennifer Hall and Marie Mena, both of Hutchinson, his grandmother, Margaret Packebush, Hutchinson, and a niece, Rebecca Hill, Lyons.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

Private funeral services will be held at Westside Baptist Church. Burial will take place at Eastside Cemetery, Hutchinson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ralph Mena Memorial Fund, for the family to designate at a later date. Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Hutchinson, is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message for the family, visit: www.PenwellGabelHutchinson.com.

The voter intimidation story that won't die...

Members of the group were caught on tape clearly intimidating white voters at a Philadelphia polling place. A summary judgment followed but before sentencing, Justice dropped the case. When some Republican senators asked why, Holder refused to comply with requests for an explanation. Even a US Civil Rights Commission subpoena couldn't get Holder to supply them with a reason why he dropped a case that Justice had already won.

Now it appears that someone is going to talk... The rest of the story is here; http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/05/doj_attorney_in_charge_of_blac.html

Just imagine if it had been members of the Klan harassing black voters in Atlanta. They'd have been publicly drawn and quartered.

I'm not saying that wouldn't be a good thing, as a matter of fact it would be fantastic. But whats good for the goose is good for the gander.

R.I.P. Staff Sgt. Esau S.A. Gonzales

Army Staff Sgt. Esau S.A. Gonzales
Died May 03, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

30, of White Deer, Texas; assigned to the 38th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died May 3 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

R.I.P. Airman 1st Class Austin H. Gates Benson

Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin H. Gates Benson
Died May 03, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

19, of Hellertown, Pa.; assigned to the 54th Combat Communications Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; died May 3 near Khyber, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat-related incident.

(The following was taken from blog.lehighvalleylive.com of May 4, 2010) Joie Gates' bags sat on the living room floor of her Hellertown home this afternoon as she waited for U.S. Air Force airmen to pick her up and drive her to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Gates' son, Austin H. Gates Benson, 19, an airman first class, died in Afghanistan Monday from injuries suffered during a noncombat incident, according to the Department of Defense. Air Force officials said no further details were available.

His casket arrives tonight in Dover, Gates said.

"Every child is a loss, and I can't say mine is a greater loss than anyone else's," Gates said, "but I never expected it. He will be sorely missed."

Gates Benson graduated from Saucon Valley High School in June 2008 and left for basic training a month later. He was assigned to a combat communications unit, Gates said, in the Khyber Pass at a place called Torkham along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It was his first tour of duty, Gates said, and he volunteered for the assignment.
"He was really proud to serve his country," Gates said.

Three airmen arrived at her home Monday, Gates said, and were directed to the car dealership where she works in Flemington. She said watching the men come in through the door was every bit as awful and heart wrenching as it is depicted in movies.

"They aren't there to tell you how great they think your son is," Gates said.

Former Saucon Valley High School principal Todd Gombos said Gates Benson was an independent thinker, an advocate for others and just a good kid.

"He was the kind of man who was going to do things," Gombos said. "He was going to make his own path in life."

Gates last spoke to her son in late April and he told her that he felt humbled by his interactions with Afghans, many of whom live in abject poverty.

"He said, 'Mom, I will come back and always be grateful for everything we have because these people have nothing,'" she said.

Gates said arrangements are being made with a Hellertown funeral home to hold a memorial service, but details were not finalized.

The new Miss America...

Who really gives a rat's ass?

It's a big T&A contest, probably rigged from the start as to who will win. If I want to see a hot babe wearing damned little clothing I'll look at my wife as she gets ready for bed.

Why drool for hamburger when you can have steak?

Not only that, who would be more in line as my daughter's role model? Would it be some bimbo that trades on her fleeting physical attributes or will it be a Madame Curie, Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatcher, or Golda Meir?

Really, so many of us bewail our cultural cesspool but get whiplash from watching a tightassed babe wearing a thong. Isn't that just a tad bit hypocritical?

As are these dumbassed beauty contests.

Just my opinion.

R.I.P. Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman

Army Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman
Died May 02, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

40, of Centerville, Wash.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 2 at Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

(The following was taken from www.yelmonline.com of May 6, 2010) The Department of Defense on Thursday announced the death of Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman, 40, of Yelm.

Coleman died May 2 at Khakrez, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Coleman and his wife, Barbie Coleman, have lived in Yelm for the past two years with their children Jessica, 15, and Brett, 20. Brett is also in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska.

Coleman grew up in Centerville near Goldendale, Wash. His parents and other family members still live there.

He joined the Army right after graduating from Goldendale High School in 1988. Though he was eligible for full retirement in 2008, Coleman re-enlisted for five years.

His family is arranging a public memorial 2 p.m. May 15 in Goldendale.

R.I.P. Spc. Eric M. Finniginam

Army Spc. Eric M. Finniginam
Died May 01, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

26, of Colonia, Federated States of Micronesia; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died May 1 at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.

(The following was taken from www.guampdn.com of May 9, 2010) A 26-year-old soldier from Yap is the latest war casualty from the Micronesia region.

Army Spc. Eric M. Finniginam died May 1 of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, according to a Department of Defense announcement yesterday.

He is the 35th service member from the Micronesia region to die while supporting U.S. wars since 2003, according to Pacific Daily News files.

Finniginam was in his base camp, Forward Operating Base Blessing, when it was attacked with mortar fire, said his father, citing Army officials who informed him of his son's death.

Robert Finniginam said his son is survived by his wife, Annie Tilig and their 1-year-old girl.

Eric Finniginam last visited his family in Yap in February, and he was scheduled to see them again next month, his father said. The family was getting ready for his welcome back party. Instead, they have begun preparing for funeral services.

Robert Finniginam, who spoke by phone from Yap, described his son as a friendly guy who was fun to be around. In the water, he was an excellent fisherman. On the field, he was an outstanding soccer player, his father said. "He made it to the national soccer team when he was 15," Robert Finniginam said. "He was one of the youngest players ever to make the Yap team."

Robert Finniginam said he and his wife were a bit hesitant when their son shared his plans to join the military. "Knowing that the death mortality rate for (Federated States of Micronesia) citizens is pretty high, we were very concerned about his safety," his father said. "We always worried about him. We were always praying for him."

Eric Finniginam was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colo. He joined the Army in 2008 and left for his first deployment last June, according to the Department of Defense.

Last year, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for valor that he displayed while he and fellow soldiers were attacked with rounds of rocket-propelled grenades. After being thrown by the blast, Finniginam assisted his fellow soldier to safety and effectively suppressed enemy fighting positions to result in two enemy kills, the DOD record stated.

Nun sacked for approving abortion...

"An unborn child is not a disease. While medical professionals should certainly try to save a pregnant mother's life, the means by which they do it can never be by directly killing her unborn child. The end does not justify the means."

The rest can be found here; http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/05/15/20100515phoenix-catholic-nun-abortion.html#ixzz0oDtDchjF

Just my opinion, I'm by no means an expert in Church canon law, the Catechism, or bioethics.

Abortion is always wrong. Period. No exceptions allowed. If as an unintended consequence of a medical procedure an unborn life is terminated that's a different story. That wasn't the case here.

As for anyone asking, "What about the life of the mother? Wouldn't the baby have died anyway?"

My answer would be A) Shit happens, we all die at some time, and B) Yep, both lives would have been snuffed.

If the mother had chosen to adhere to Church teaching and remain in the hospital, the medical staff there could have done their best. That might have been damned little as she slowly suffocated to death (as I understand the condition she had). But it wouldn't have been as if they turned her out in the street to die.

Do I think abortion should be banned across the board, even in cases like this? You bet. Is that wishing to impose my religious beliefs on others? Probably, but if abortion is evil it should never be tolerated.

There are no exceptions, there are no gray areas, no nuance to be considered. It's black and white. Shit happens, people die, sometimes they die even if that entails passing up a procedure that would be their salvation.

It's just as unacceptable to abort a child in this scenario as it is to harvest organs from a patient in a vegetative state in order to save the life of another. End of story.

The Lamestream Media and CINO's will be applauding the "courage" of this nun, fomenting outrage at her excommunication (although THAT was automatic and never imposed by anyone else), and in general banging the drum of "that mean old Catholic Church, headed up by misogynist old men and followed by clueless Neanderthals." Noted. Maureen Dowd and her ilk are undoubtedly penning sympathetic articles now. Look for Sr. McBride to appear on The View, Oprah, etc. Her book will probably be out in less than a year.

She was wrong. She should have stood on Church teaching, she should have fought for the life of the unborn.

Tribunal set for autistic teen boy...

The following was found on www.foxnews.com, you can't make this shit up;

Autistic Boy Charged With Making Terrorist Threats Over Stick-Figure Sketch

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - A fourteen-year-old autistic boy is facing terrorist charges after a sketch he made in school.

The sketch shows two stick-figures. One of them is labeled ‘Me’ and is shown shooting a gun at another with a teacher’s name above it.

Karen Finn says that her son, 8th grader Shane Finn, doesn’t understand why he is in trouble. She says the boy is autistic and has the mental capacity of a 3rd grader.

Officials at Ridgeview Charter School say the student will face a tribunal and is being charged with making terrorist threats.

I look at this and think of my two autistic sons, aged 6 & 5. Georgia? Not exactly known as a stronghold of liberal thinking. We can't homeschool because our boys actually need that daily interplay with peers, peers that they know and relate to.

Sheesh, "Officials at Ridgeview Charter School say the student will face a tribunal...", Now that is just plain bizarre.

Here is a copy of my own email sent to the school administration;

To Whom It May Concern,

It was with dismay I read the news story concerning Shane Finn and his upcoming tribunal for making terrorist threats. Have you people gone mad?

Fourteen year old boys, even those without autism, are notorious for venting their adolescent frustrations via drawings, notes, etc.

You're making a mountain out of a mole hill. The fact that the boy suffers from autism only works further to your detriment. I seriously suggest you seek professional help at the earliest opportunity.

Sincerely,
My Name

No, it isn't diplomatic but the story hits close to home. For those who care to, the following is a link to contact the fools; http://www.ridgeviewcharterschool.org/index.php?pr=Contact_Us

School district shoots itself in the foot...

Here's the story behind the picture; http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/may/13/school-pulls-student-art-after-complaints/

Smooth move ExLax, by having the picture removed from the school's copy room you've insured people all over the world will see it. From the window of a glorified broom closet to the Internet in one step. Not bad, not bad at all.

Somebody smack this guy...

Taken from www.washingtontimes.com

Holder hasn't read Ariz. law he criticized

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who has been critical of Arizona's new immigration law, said Thursday he hasn't yet read the law and is going by what he's read in newspapers or seen on television.

Mr. Holder is conducting a review of the law, at President Obama's request, to see if the federal government should challenge it in court. He said he expects he will read the law by the time his staff briefs him on their conclusions.

"I've just expressed concerns on the basis of what I've heard about the law. But I'm not in a position to say at this point, not having read the law, not having had the chance to interact with people are doing the review, exactly what my position is," Mr. Holder told the House Judiciary Committee.

This weekend Mr. Holder told NBC's "Meet the Press" program that the Arizona law "has the possibility of leading to racial profiling." He had earlier called the law's passage "unfortunate," and questioned whether the law was unconstitutional because it tried to assume powers that may be reserved for the federal government.

Rep. Ted Poe, who had questioned Mr. Holder about the law, wondered how he could have those opinions if he hadn't yet read the legislation.

"It's hard for me to understand how you would have concerns about something being unconstitutional if you haven't even read the law," the Texas Republican told the attorney general.

The Arizona law's backers argue that it doesn't go beyond what federal law already allows, and they say press reports have distorted the legislation. They point to provisions in the law that specifically rule out racial profiling as proof that it can be implemented without conflicting with civil rights.

But critics said giving police the power to stop those they suspect are in the country illegally is bound to lead to profiling.

Mr. Holder said he expects the Justice and Homeland Security departments will finish their review of the Arizona law soon.

Thomas Sowell on "Duty to Die"...

Is Pro-Euthanasia "Duty to Die" an Extension of Throwaway Consumer Culture?

by Thomas Sowell
May 13, 2010

LifeNews.com Note: Thomas Sowell is noted for his conservative views on social and economic issues. An African American author and economist, Sowell opposes such programs as affirmative action, busing, racial quotas, minimum wage, and welfare. He has drawn fire from liberals and a number of African American leaders, while generating applause from fellow conservatives.

One of the many fashionable notions that have caught on among some of the intelligentsia is that old people have "a duty to die," rather than become a burden to others.

This is more than just an idea discussed around a seminar table. Already the government-run medical system in Britain is restricting what medications or treatments it will authorize for the elderly. Moreover, it seems almost certain that similar attempts to contain runaway costs will lead to similar policies when American medical care is taken over by the government.

Make no mistake about it, letting old people die is a lot cheaper than spending the kind of money required to keep them alive and well. If a government-run medical system is going to save any serious amount of money, it is almost certain to do so by sacrificing the elderly.

There was a time-- fortunately, now long past-- when some desperately poor societies had to abandon old people to their fate, because there was just not enough margin for everyone to survive. Sometimes the elderly themselves would simply go off from their family and community to face their fate alone.

But is that where we are today?

Talk about "a duty to die" made me think back to my early childhood in the South, during the Great Depression of the 1930s. One day, I was told that an older lady-- a relative of ours-- was going to come and stay with us for a while, and I was told how to be polite and considerate towards her.

She was called "Aunt Nance Ann," but I don't know what her official name was or what her actual biological relationship to us was. Aunt Nance Ann had no home of her own. But she moved around from relative to relative, not spending enough time in any one home to be a real burden.

At that time, we didn't have things like electricity or central heating or hot running water. But we had a roof over our heads and food on the table-- and Aunt Nance Ann was welcome to both.

Poor as we were, I never heard anybody say, or even intimate, that Aunt Nance Ann had "a duty to die."

I only began to hear that kind of talk decades later, from highly educated people in an affluent age, when even most families living below the official poverty level owned a car or truck and had air-conditioning.

It is today, in an age when homes have flat-panelled TVs, and most families eat in restaurants regularly or have pizzas and other meals delivered to their homes, that the elites-- rather than the masses-- have begun talking about "a duty to die."

Back in the days of Aunt Nance Ann, nobody in our family had ever gone to college. Indeed, none had gone beyond elementary school. Apparently you need a lot of expensive education, sometimes including courses on ethics, before you can start talking about "a duty to die."

Many years later, while going through a divorce, I told a friend that I was considering contesting child custody. She immediately urged me not to do it. Why? Because raising a child would interfere with my career.

But my son didn't have a career. He was just a child who needed someone who understood him. I ended up with custody of my son and, although he was not a demanding child, raising him could not help impeding my career a little. But do you just abandon a child when it is inconvenient to raise him?

The lady who gave me this advice had a degree from the Harvard Law School. She had more years of education than my whole family had, back in the days of Aunt Nance Ann.

Much of what is taught in our schools and colleges today seeks to break down traditional values, and replace them with more fancy and fashionable notions, of which "a duty to die" is just one.

These efforts at changing values used to be called "values clarification," though the name has had to be changed repeatedly over the years, as more and more parents caught on to what was going on and objected. The values that supposedly needed "clarification" had been clear enough to last for generations and nobody asked the schools and colleges for this "clarification."

Nor are we better people because of it.

I believe many of us can think of an "Aunt Nance Ann", if not from our immediate family then from the extended one.

In my own case, my maternal grandmother spent the last years of her life shuttling between our home and my relatives in Anaheim, CA. I always believed the woman rode a broom vice the airlines, she had that sort of personality. She'd considered my father "shanty Irish-American white trash", he enthusiastically returned her sentiments.

At the end of the day it made no difference to him, you step up and do for family what needs doing. Even if that "family" could haunt a house and charge by the room.

Helping doesn't include trying to end their lives for the sake of personal convenience.

Sowell is right, we're much the poorer now for our supposed sophistication.