Blowing San #1

A vent of frustration on Friday afternoon...

2012-01-27T15:56:00.008-06:00

So there won't be any expansion by the HHS fools of the religious exemption clause in the mandate for health insurance coverage of birth control, including abortion. The MSM has decided to censor or minimize coverage of items such as the March For Life. Hollywood has produced a real POS in the form of "The Devil Inside", with what has become almost a standard in offhanded insults to the Magisterial authority of the Church. One of the most celebrated videos on YouTube features some clueless twerp who loves Jesus but hates religion (it strikes me as similar to saying you like rebuilding car engines but hate using hand tools).

The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time and a season for everything.

It's time for the Church Militant to get serious about that title:

Lock and load baby, and let's take the chains off Chang.

Now just watch as some government agency comes knocking on my door about this.

Go Granny!

2012-01-27T15:47:00.004-06:00

Click to enlarge:

Waking up in "1984"...

2012-01-24T11:53:00.008-06:00

If a nationwide event isn't covered, did it ever really happen? I think Winston Smith dealt with that question in "1984". As I recall, one of the defining statements of that book was "He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future." It isn't in our future, it's already here and starting to gel.

Should you be wondering what the Hell I'm blathering about NOW, it's the March For Life that took place all over the freaking country this past weekend and yesterday. Here in Dallas our diocese sponsored it on Saturday, since I had to stay with my son during his First Reconciliation retreat that day I had no chance to attend.

I thought I'd get some news of it from the Dallas Morning News.

HAH!

Zippo coverage. I'll be seeing some guys active in the prolife movement this Thursday evening so I'll get an update then.

But why wasn't anything found in the local fishwrap? Hey, the OWS movement here got a fair amount of coverage and they only numbered a few dozen or so. The newspaper breathlessly covered how they were initially camped out behind City Hall, how they were moved to a local park, how they disbanded after a few weeks. THAT was in the papers, maybe not on the front page but it was definitely easy to find.

Then theres the March For Life that happened in the nation's capital yesterday. Damned little and I do mean L-I-T-T-L-E coverage. There was a blurb near the bottom of the fifth page, approximately 30 lines of type in a single column. This is what was devoted to an event that saw over 400 thousand participants. Thats it.

For decent coverage of the event unnoticed by the MSM, go here: http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/over-400000-march-for-life-in-washington-dc-pics-and-videos/ (thanks to Adrienne for that).

Before anyone says, "Hey some of those videos/write ups come from Fox, the Washington Times, etc. So how can you claim inadequate coverage?" I'll mention that here in Dallas the leading newspaper has been silent, as already said at the beginning of this post. What was shown on the tube I really don't know since I don't watch it. I've looked at various blogs from around the nation, it seems the story is pretty much the same all over. One very noteworthy and troubling fact, the news outlets on the Internet have been either as silent or muted as their MSM counterparts.

Bottom line: There was a lot of prolife activity throughout the country over the weekend, culminating with a march in the nation's capital yesterday and the coverage of it by the nation's news media has been inadequate. That is especially apparent when you contrast it with the attention paid to the OWS movement. Maybe the prolife movement needed to start publicly shitting on police cars to get more attention.

Okay, all snark aside, I'm pondering the significance of this. Because LAST year there was much more extensive coverage of this event by local arms of the MSM.

What's it all about Alfie?

I doubt there is any formal conspiracy operating in the shadows, deliberately molding minds and hearts to the nefarious ends of an evil cabal. More likely it's a bunch of like minded elitist fools who think some things shouldn't be given a public forum. Chief amongst them would be the growing success of the prolife movement.

Because it IS getting more successful, a look at the same blinkered media proves that. When Planned Parenthood facilities are increasingly under close scrutiny due to proven malfeasance, the prolife movement is winning. When the same fishwrap that under reported this year's anniversary observances of Roe v. Wade runs a story regarding the effectiveness of "personhood" legislation, the prolife movement is winning.

I could give more examples but you get the point.

So what's proven here?

Once again the effectiveness of the alternative media in the form of individual bloggers is shown. Thats one fact evident by the hyperlinked article and the source leading me to it.

But the more sobering one is the growing inclination of the MSM to selectively report newsworthy items.

It's "1984" and we're in the midst of it.

‎"Under the spreading chestnut tree

I sold you and you sold me

There lie they, and here lie we

Under the spreading chestnut tree"

See you in the reeducation camps, comrades.

Obama on the anniversary of "Roe vs. Wade"

2012-01-23T11:08:00.003-06:00

Obama Defends Roe v. Wade As Way for ‘Our Daughters’ to Have Same Chance As Sons to ‘Fulfill Their Dreams’By Fred Lucas

CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama says the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is the chance to recognize the “fundamental constitutional right” to abortion and to “continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.”

The 1974 U.S. Supreme Court nationalized abortion law, prohibiting states from deciding on the matter. In his written statement, Obama acknowledged that abortion has been a divisive political issue.

Obama, while serving in the Illinois State Legislature and as president of the United States, has taken a hard line on abortion rights.

In his statement on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling, Obama said it reflects the broader principles of America.

“As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters,” Obama said. “I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.

“While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue -- no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption,” Obama said.

“And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.”

As a state lawmaker in Illinois, he voted four times against legislation to protect the life of a baby that survived a botched abortion. He voted against such legislation at the state level in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The 2003 bill was assigned to the Illinois Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which Obama chaired at the time. It mirrored a law passed by Congress, which said nothing in federal law should be construed to undermine the Roe v. Wade ruling.

As president, Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, which would appropriate federal money toward insurance plans that pay for abortions.

On Friday, the Obama administration finalized regulations that order Americans – unless they work directly at a church – to purchase government-approved health insurance plans that cover sterilizations and contraceptives, including those that cause abortions.

Planned Parenthood also marked the anniversary of the Supreme Court's abortion ruling by setting up a Web site "to show the world exactly what Roe has meant in the past and still means today."

The "Since Roe" Web site invites women to add their own comments about "how Roe v. Wade has made a difference in your life."

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Obama's comments are just as strong and distasteful as when he made his "...punished with a baby..." remarks on the campaign trail. He evidently feels just as certain of victory in 2012 as he did four years ago.

Stand by folks, it's gonna get damned interesting.

Fritos and Twinkies on the black market...

2012-01-20T19:12:00.002-06:00

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The revamped school lunches at Los Angeles Unified School District have won awards, commending them for improving the menu at the second largest school district in the nation. Too bad the students don’t agree.

Rejecting healthful alternatives like vegetarian curries and tamales, quinoa salads and pad Thai noodles, students are throwing them in the trash by the thousands, bringing junk food from home and buying instant noodles and other decidedly unhealthy fare from the “black markets” that have begun to thrive at campuses across the district, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The wholesale rejection to its healthy menu comes about a year after a very public food fight with TV chef Jamie Oliver. Oliver filmed a few weeks of his ABC series “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” at one LAUSD campus, but the permit was terminated abruptly.

The series’ first season featured Oliver trying to revolutionize the eating habits and food policies of Huntington, W. Va.

The district said they welcomed Oliver, but not his cameras, in an effort to avoid gimmicks, like filling a school bus with 57 tons of white sand to represent the amount of sugar LAUSD students consume weekly in flavored milk.

The kerfluffle led to LAUSD’s decision to change the menu in favor of healthier options. The district decided to do away with chocolate- and strawberry-flavored milk.

Now, the Times reports cartons of plain milk are being thrown away en masse, unopened, along with uneaten entrees. Participation in the school lunch program has dropped by thousands of students, who are ditching lunch and are suffering from hunger-related ailments.

The complaints have been heard and LAUSD is planning changes to the menu, the Times reports. Burgers and (healthy) pizza are coming back, and dishes like quinoa salads and brown rice cutlets are out.

L.A. Unified serves 650,000 meals daily.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Gee, who couldn't see this one coming? A black market for junk food? Who'd a thunk it?

Catholics should prepare for Civil War II.

2012-01-20T18:28:00.003-06:00

Found this on http://catholiclane.com:

Obama’s Contempt for Religious Liberty

Posted By Bill Donohue

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on today’s announcement from the Obama administration that it is going forward with its original “Obamacare” policy that mandates coverage of sterilization and contraceptive services in most healthcare plans:

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said today that aside from houses of worship, all other religious agencies and organizations will be required to provide sterilization and contraceptive services, including abortifacients, in their employee healthcare plans; none will be allowed to charge co-pays or deductibles. The policy goes into effect in August 2013 for these entities; all others will be required to provide these services in August 2012.

Sebelius explained how her directive applies to non-church religious entities such as Catholic hospitals and universities: “Employers wishing to take advantage of the additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. This additional year will allow these organizations more time and flexibility to adapt to this new rule.” She also said, “I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”

The language is Orwellian. With stunning magnanimity, Sebelius tells Catholic non-profits that they can take advantage of their one-year reprieve as long as they seek the blessings of the federal government. If they pass muster with the bureaucrats, then they have time to figure out how they can prostitute their religiously ground convictions, or prepare for bankruptcy. To top things off, after shoving the radical secular agenda down the throat of Catholics—and other people of faith who share their concerns—Sebelius congratulates the Obama administration for striking a “balance” between religious liberty and Obamacare. But, of course, no balance was struck: the edict grants nothing to those who believe in religious liberty, and she knows it.

That this dictatorial edict is being announced in an election year indicates both contempt for the First Amendment and plain stupidity.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

No damnit, it does NOT indicate plain stupidity. It shows how confident the present Administration is of winning this year's election.

Look at how the most reliably conservative (and prolife) candidates have been picked off, one by one. I spoke briefly about it recently: http://agangershome.blogspot.com/2012/01/republican-whack-mole.html

Soon we'll have the choice of Obama or ObamaLite (Romney). I've no doubt there will be an unexpected revelation about "Mittens" waiting to be used in the campaign should he seem likely to win. Look to the past and how Obama won his selection as the Democratic Senatorial candidate and final election to the Illinois seat in the Senate.

Once he's solidly in place for another four years we can expect the American Dictatorship to go full throttle. I foresee the complete demise of our representative government. Then all dissenters will be dealt with in harsh and uncompromising terms.

Stand by folks, it's going to get damned rough with no guarantee of relief.

Here are more stories on the topic: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/obama-administration-refuses-to-change-contraception-mandate and also http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/religious-leaders-blast-hhs-over-contraception-mandate

Michael Voris, "RealCatholic TV" and Archbishop Vigneron.

2012-01-20T13:52:00.012-06:00

I normally don't comment on volatile issues within the Church. Face it, if we're attacking one another just who benefits from the fighting? It isn't those trying to follow Christ. So I've not spoken out about (former) Father John Corapi, Father Pavone, Our Lady of Medjugorje, the 4th Secret of Fatima, Father Thomas Euteneuer or any other controversial items. The hate and discontent raised amongst the Faithful is already too much, why should I add to it?

The Voris/Arbp. Vigneron dust up is different because too many Catholics are ready to go to the mat for the wrong reasons. I'm talking specifically about the defenders of Michael Voris and his "RealCatholic TV" organization.

For those who aren't Catholic and really don't give a rip, this whole affair has been over the term "Catholic" in Voris' organization's title. The Archbishop has said Voris & Co. never received permission to use that word and they should cease immediately. That's where the fun begins.

Hey, Voris DOES put out a lot of thought provoking things via his webcasts on YouTube. Some of them are damned good, some of them are of completely Looney Tunes quality.

One thing he does is routinely claim many Church problems as having originated approx. 50 years ago (read "Fruits of Vatican II"). It's an almost reflexive statement on any given topic. He's as wrong as a football bat, Vatican II and it's changes HAVE been used to cover some abuses but many more of our problems are merely the fruits of long festering rot in the Body of Christ.

If you don't agree with me, fine. It's only my opinion, I'll stick by it until proven wrong. But you will notice that I don't cover my rants with the "Catholic" cloak of respectability, which is what Voris does.

The Archbishop was right in calling him to task on this, he needs to stop trying to pass his commentary off as almost Magisterial in origin.

Voris DOES have a lot of education in the Faith, he received a Sacred Theology Baccalaureate (STB) from Sacred Heart Major Seminary/Angelicum in Rome – Magna Cum Laude. That's a far cry from my own 8 years of attendance at Our Lady of Perpetual Payments Elementary School and the single year of schooling in a now defunct Catholic high school. But he, like myself, is a member of the laity. He is not a member of the clergy, he is not a part of the teaching Magisterium. He is expressing ONLY his own opinions as a Catholic (as I am here) and they should be more easily identified as such. They're not so identified and IMO can be readily mistaken as official Church positions.

So whatever other faults Arbp. Vigneron may have, he is right on the money in this instance. As the leader of the Archdiocese of Detroit he has the responsibility to protect his flock from possibly erroneous teaching. The fact that the teaching we're talking about has a worldwide reach is unimportant, it reaches into the AOD and so it needs to be addressed by the Archbishop there. End of story.

Be "okay" with gay or else...

2012-01-19T22:45:00.003-06:00

Here is the standout line, hyperlink to the article included: This is not marriage equality. It is the setup for a knockdown.

Admittedly the article is written by a Pentecostal and not a Catholic. But we should be concerned, there will be no differentiation made when this law kicks in. Plus the Catholic Church is always a target of opportunity for anyone with an agenda.

If anyone thinks this won't spread from Washington, think back to how gay marriage has gone from one state to being an issue in so many others. It hasn't happened here in Texas yet. But the key word is "yet".

The bottom line is that those of us adhering to traditional values can no longer expect to have a "live and let live" attitude about this topic. It'll soon be a case of choosing a side and standing by for the consequences. I see a lot of hate and discord coming, not the least in my own wife's family. There are a heck of a lot of gay aunts and cousins there, up until now it's just been something not discussed. I doubt that will be allowed to continue.

Gird your loins for battle and pray for all concerned. God's will be done.

About Gingrich's ex spewing her venom...

2012-01-19T11:50:00.005-06:00

As you can tell by the title of this post, I'm just a tad critical of the man's ex coming forward at this time to tell the whole wide world what a two legged walking waste of human flesh the man is.

Yep, noted.

Hey, I am NOT for Gingrich getting the GOP nomination. I am NOT a supporter of his. But this just stinks a bit.

Am I being paranoid in noting that as serious contenders to Romney winning the nod for Republican candidate raise their heads above ground level there seems to be a game of "Whack A Mole" being played?

Bachmann started to take off, then the wheels came off her bus due to several gaffes. Since we have a Chief Executive who made his own share of verbal screw ups while campaigning (here is fairly good list compiled back in 2008: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/224544/barack-gaffes/michelle-malkin)

So Bachmann cratered. Bye, bye.

Next up was Herman Cain, who would have completely negated any cries of "racism" from supporters of B.O.. Well as we all know, there began an increasing crescendo of complaints regarding his treatment of women. Since the man had a squeaky clean image, I'd guess that was correctly seen as his Achilles heel. Isn't it odd how all stories regarding his randy libido immediately stopped once he dropped out of the race? Purely coincidental of course.

Now Newt is in the cross hairs. The tales of sexual impropriety seem to be picking up from where they left off with Herman Cain. They aren't starting with a charge of sexual harassment or sophomoric groping from a middle-aged man. Nope, the ex is coming out swinging (no pun intended) with tales of his asking for an open marriage with her.

I'd been waiting for Cain to be accused of a menage a trois with the Amor sisters from the Addams Family, maybe it'll get tacked onto Gingrich instead? Who knows.

But it just seems weird how any contenders posing a threat against "Mittens" seem to get picked off when their popularity starts to rise.

Just another coincidence, I'm sure.

When the man is right, the man is right....

2012-01-18T22:39:00.000-06:00

We're Turning into a Bunch of Damned* Nazis!

Absolutely worth reading.

"Undocumented" immigrants: Doing the murders Americans won't...

2012-01-18T13:21:00.002-06:00

Found at latimes.com:

Hikers stunned by grisly human head discovery in Hollywood Hills

The search for human remains resumed at sunrise Wednesday in the Hollywood Hills, where a human head was found by two dog-walkers the day before.

The entrance to Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park was closed by a police blockade Wednesday morning, and coroner's office vans were on scene, along with a canine unit.

Authorities were attempting to learn more about the man whose head was found wrapped in a plastic bag Tuesday afternoon near the "Hollywood" sign.

Neighbors who frequent the park said they were stunned after hearing what had been found.

Liam Lesevour, 35, said it was "freaky" to know a human head was found in the same place he walks his dog, Tiger, each morning.

With all the law enforcement activity, "everybody here just assumed it's just a hiker that got stuck," said Carole Joseph, who has lived nearby more than 40 years and was walking her 10-year-old shepherd, Sadie, on Wednesday morning.
Many of the regulars believe the head must have been dumped there sometime after the Tuesday morning rush. In the mornings, there are always at least 10 people walking through the park, sometimes even before dawn.

Had it been there Tuesday morning, they said, surely another dog would have spotted it.

"If it was up there in the morning, he would have found it," Lesevour said, pointing to Tiger, a 4-year-old greyhound and pitbull mix.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Well who'd a thunk it? Porous borders with a Third World toilet to the south that is being overrun by drug cartels known for violence. Gee ma, didn't see this one coming now did we?

Look for the routine "Nothing to worry about, nothing to see here." declarations from our elites. This will be done with a total disassociation from any efforts to work for "comprehensive immigration reform" while the DOJ prosecutes states like Arizona for having the temerity to try securing their border with the aforementioned toilet.

A joke? Or not?

2012-01-16T21:50:00.005-06:00

Guy #1: I spent some time in Okinawa with the army.

Guy #2: Oh, I think my brother lives in Okinawa!

Guy #1: Where in Okinawa?

Guy #2: Tulsa.

If you think this is funny, please recall that not too long ago we had a Congressional Representative voice his fears that too many military personnel on the island of Guam could be catastrophic: http://youtu.be/zNZczIgVXjg

Yep, they live amongst us and they can reproduce. Be afraid, be very afraid.

VD Hanson on cutting the military.

2012-01-16T21:37:00.001-06:00

I've copied this in it's entirety, it is just THAT good!

January 15, 2012
Cutting the Military Is a Bad Idea
by Victor Davis Hanson
Ricochet.com

After World War II, Harry Truman and Louis Johnson wanted to cut the Marine Corps; by winter 1950 what was left of it almost single-handedly saved the reputation of the collapsing US military in Korea. After Vietnam, we were told there was no more need for large ground forces — until the Middle East heated up and we won the Gulf War in four days with huge ground forces. Then came massive cuts in the late 1980s and 1990s — until Iraq and Afghanistan proved that we still needed boots on the ground. So now, with President Obama’s cuts to the defense budget, the future is supposed to be all air, naval, drones, special forces, and counter-insurgency. Apparently the North Koreans will never again cross the 38th Parallel; or some rogue nation will never help plan or subsidize another 9/11; or some future European or Asian dictator will never again threaten his neighbors — or if all the latter come true, drones and missiles will suffice. I find all that hard to believe. Some other considerations:

A) There are really only two ways to audit the Obama administration's new cuts to defense — are we presently spending more on defense in terms of GDP (say, over 5%) than usual during "peacetime" and is the percentage of the federal budget inordinately devoted to defense (say, over 30%)? In truth, we are spending in the postwar age what we usually do between major wars, even though we just fought two major wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

B) Yes, it could be wise to shift emphasis to Asia, but Europe was where most American lives were lost in the 20th century. We do not yet know the strategic ramifications of the unwinding of the EU. NATO ('keep Germany down, Russia out, and the US in') is now a cocktail-party construct, and will fade away without a strong US presence. An ascendant Turkey has always bullied Greece when the former was confident and the latter weak, and there are lots of hot spots from the Ionian coast to Cyprus. The Balkans are not settled yet, and the democratic futures of the former Soviet Republics are still up in the air. Libya would have been impossible without US/NATO bases in Italy.

C) The military is not all fighting and hardware. The training offered 1 million youths is in many cases superior to what they now find on today's college campuses. They leave the military with skills and responsibilities, and without student loans; all too often, in contrast, our twenty-something students pile up debt without skills or real learning on contemporary campuses. We trust 20-year olds in the military to guide $100 million jets on carriers; in contrast, I find it dangerous to walk across a campus parking lot with 20-year-old students running through stop signs.

D) The drawdown is not occurring in a vacuum, but is the bookend of a loud new 'reset'/'lead from behind' strategy that deprecates traditional allies like Britain and Israel while failing miserably in outreach to supposedly new neutrals like Syria and Iran — all in a landscape of bowing, apologizing, and Cairo speechifying. All of these developments serve as force multipliers to the military retrenchment and confirm the impression of our enemies that the world is now entirely negotiable in a way not true four years ago. The unspoken irony is that the military and our anti-terrorism protocols served Obama well when he arrived: he found a quiet Iraq with almost no monthly American casualties, a decimated al Qaeda (largely destroyed in Iraq), anti-terrorism measures that had foiled over 30 plots against the mainland (and were all demagogued by candidate Obama before President Obama embraced them), major powers like China, Russia, and Iran wary of pressing the US, allies like Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and South Korea secure under the US nuclear umbrella, and the most seasoned and experienced US military in generations.

E) The new $500 billion cuts must be considered against the nearly $5 trillion Obama has borrowed since assuming office, in addition to what he will borrow this next year. A defense budget that was tolerable prior to 2008 becomes apparently unsustainable with expenditures for Obamacare, vast new green projects like Solyndra, expansions in food stamps and unemployment insurance, and vast increases in the size of the non-military federal government. At least with the military our money earns safety and deterrence, while with Obama's massive new Keynesian projects we do not get more jobs, more energy production, or more wealth created — only more dependency, more class strife and 1% vs. 99% class warfare, as one's status is not judged by absolute material standards but only in relationship to being worse off than someone wealthier. Some of us might prefer a new frigate manned by professionally trained American youth to another resurrection of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, another cash infusion into GM, yet another failed private/public windmill or solar factory, or another 20 weeks tacked on in unemployment insurance to the increasingly dispirited jobless.

©2012 Victor Davis Hanson

MLK quote, my way of observing his birthday.

2012-01-16T17:18:00.002-06:00

"When people criticize Zionists they mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism."

I'm probably a "Christian Zionist". So shoot me. DILLIGAF, LAMDILLIGAF.

Elect this woman "Mother Of The Year"!

2012-01-14T17:28:00.003-06:00

Found via Lucianne.com:
(CBS) FT. WAYNE, Ind. - An Indiana mother forced her son to wear a sign around his neck listing his law-breaking behavior and stand on a Ft. Wayne street corner for two hours earlier this week.

The sign read: "I lie, I steal, I sell drugs, I don't follow the law."

CBS New York reports that Dynesha Lax thought the punishment police had given her son when he broke the law recently wasn't strong enough to get him to stop his behavior, so she took matters into her own hands.

"He broke the law again today and they only gave him a few hours community service. So I decided that we're going to wear a sign," she said. "Since you're looking for attention, we're going to get you attention."

CBS Atlanta reports that some passing drivers evidently thought Lax was breaking the law and called police. But officers said Lax is completely within her rights to make her son stand on the side of the street. It is not illegal.

"I'm hoping that having him out here is going to make it sink in. It wasn't for it to be a joke or anything funny. He just had to stand out here two hours and suddenly it blew up. Then again they've got their way of parenting and I've got mine. My object is to save my son," said Lax.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

This reminds me of my Aunt Kitty (may she rest in peace) who was widowed at an early age with four sons to raise. She did it, and one of her prime motivators was to make it plain that "If you get arrested, you're on your own. I WILL NOT come down to bail you out."

It worked fairly well. The only one of my cousins by her that ever got arrested was Francis, the Jesuit priest.

But thats another story.

About those Marines who pissed on dead Taliban...

2012-01-13T18:23:00.001-06:00

I believe this man says it best: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/unless-you-have-been-shot-at-by-the-taliban-shut-your-mouth-war-is-hell-allen-west-weighs-in-on-urinating-marine-scandal/

Yep, I hope he runs for President someday, he'll definetly get my vote.

No need for voter ID?

2012-01-11T16:45:00.002-06:00

Columbia, SC (AP, WLTX) -- The director of South Carolina's Department of Motor Vehicles has told the State Law Enforcement Division that more than 900 people who were recorded as having voted were actually dead.

DMV Director Kevin Shwedo told legislators about the issue Wednesday as the U.S. Justice Department questions a new state law requiring people to show photographic identification when they vote in person.

In response, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson asked SLED to review the evidence.

"Director Shwedo's research has revealed evidence that over nine hundred deceased people appear to have 'voted' in recent elections in South Carolina," said Wilson in a statement. "This is an alarming number, and clearly necessitates an investigation into potential criminal activity. I have asked SLED Chief Keel to review Director Shwedo's research."

Shwedo analyzed more than 230,000 records on people without state driver's licenses or identification cards. He found state Election Commission data included 30,000 dead people. He said the records involving 900 dead people were turned over to SLED to investigate.

Shwedo said the records also included more than 91,000 people who now appear to live in other states.

When asked, Shwedo did not have the specific dates of the elections the records included.

South Carolina's voter ID law was signed into law last year, and was to have taken effect January 1st. However, last month, the U.S. Justice Department said the law was unconstitutional as currently written.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

So forget all the hoopla about racist attempts to suppress the minorities, the elderly and the poor from voting. The lack of reliable identification will encourage voter fraud, end of story.

Adventures in fatherhood.

2012-01-10T22:14:00.002-06:00

Background information: The wife and I try teaching our kids to NOT take the Lord's name in vain. Nope, we're not perfect but we're trying to have our children get off to a better start than our own. Now we return to our regularly scheduled program:

My three kids have taken up Tae Kwan Doe, the boys for the discipline, balance & coordination and their sister ultimately to learn how to kick some guy's butt when he doesn't believe the word "No!".

So today as we, the other students & parents wait in a postage stamp sized foyer for the class to start, the instructor's wife puts in a video of a competition. Nothing special, just a bunch of guys busting bricks stacked 15 high with their bare hands. I'd feel comfortable fighting any one of them as long as I had a flame thrower, brace of .45 caliber pistols and a full suit of armor.

One of the other boys exclaims "Oh my God!" after one noteworthy exhibition. My youngest son, 6 yrs. old, spins around and says, "What did you say?"

The boy repeats himself and my Torquemada-in-training emphatically states, "You can't say that! You can say "Oh my goodness" but not that!"

The boys mother tries distracting her kid, kinda hard to do while laughing her head off.

I tell mine to shush while wondering how to handle this one? If I say that we don't correct other people for their faults, he'll think only he and his siblings are fair game. If I explain to the mom that we don't condone that language in our home I'll be dealing with a pissed off adult thinking I'm trying to raise her kids for her.

So I just shut my mouth while distracting my boy.

I'm still looking for that handbook on how to raise the perfect child. I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about, they supposedly give it out with each newborn babe. We misplaced all three of our books.

Hope for the youth of today...

2012-01-09T12:56:00.003-06:00

We can all too easily find cause for bitterness and cynicism these days, especially regarding our seemingly selfish and narcissitic youth. Here's a story that runs counter to that trend, you may want to have the Kleenex handy: http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/2012/01/tear-jerker.html

All in all, a nice way to start the week.

We march onward to the Brave New World...

2012-01-05T11:53:00.002-06:00

The encroachment of the nannystate continues: http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/education/parkway-s-use-of-fitness-monitors-raises-privacy-questions/article_af46b549-0f1e-5a41-8a26-7f77c91ced20.html#ixzz1iaLCRtpt

This is pure and utter bullcrap. End of story. What follows is an example of where I feel good intentions can lead.

As it now stands, when my kids visit a pediatrician we'll be asked if there are firearms in the house. My wife, the RN, initially saw nothing wrong with this. Then I gave a "what if" speech:

"What if Texas enacts gun control laws mandating that ammo and firearms in a home are to be kept separate. We both know that's baloney, when you need a gun you need it immediately and fully loaded. So we disregard the idiocy.

Our kids go to the doctor and in a discussion about the home it comes to light that Daddy emptied the .38 the other night before cleaning it. The doctor knows the law and also knows about potential liability for doing nothing. So CPS gets notified.

The next thing we know, theres a CPS worker at our front door with a local cop. Asking to be let inside and explaining just why gets a refusal from you and I. The CPS worker turns to the cop (just doing his job, the poor schmuck) and says theres a real potential the children are in imminent danger in the house. THAT is enough cause for the cop to demand entry with the CPS toady in tow.

Our firearms are produced, the presence of bullets in the cylinder is noted. The CPS worker demands our kids be taken away. It happens.

So now we begin trying to justify our case. Lottsa luck, in the history of Texas there has been only one couple who successfully fought CPS and won. Don't expect your status as an RN to help, as a matter of fact, since you knowingly broke a law designed to protect the children, you'll have to fight like hell not to lose your nursing certification. Tell me if I'm wrong on that one (silence ensued). We can also forget about my status as a retired military man, churchgoer and activist in the local prolife movement. As a matter of fact, those items might count against us.

Okay, now just for a moment realize that none of this really requires an avid anti-gun activist. All it is are a bunch of folks who do their job and don't want any future repercussions from it.

Do you now see why my panties are in a twist about telling the pediatrician anything regarding our home?"

End of my trip down Memory Lane. FWIW, the wife was convinced. I'm sure you see how it pertains to the linked article, the unintended consequences of seemingly beneficial policies can get good people really caught up in the gears of our society.

Now we see the possibility of 24/7 monitoring for health reasons. It currently speaks about activity levels, the article also notes the potential for expanding into the nutrition of a child. But why should it stop there?

"It's for the sake of the children" has become the greatest irrefutable position to take for any legislation. It is also a great tool for removing parental control of the little darlings.

So Billy and Mary are monitored for exercise levels at home. After that comes checking their caloric intake and filling out questionnaires about what gets served for dinner. What laws will be proposed/passed with the information gleaned from that?

What follows after that?

We now have a king....

2012-01-04T15:40:00.002-06:00

Here's the story: Obama defies Congress with ‘recess’ picks

The portion I found most noteworthy was, "The president introduced Mr. Cordray during a trip to Ohio Wednesday, telling a supportive crowd that the Senate Republicans’ ongoing blockade of his nomination “inexcusable.”"

For a Constitutional scholar he sure is ignorant. The Founders of our nation wanted to intentionally make any sort of action by ANY ONE OF THE THREE branches of our government difficult to perform. That built-in impediment insures we don't find ourselves suddenly under the control of idiots with an agenda. Put it simply, if you believe that government works best which governs least, you'll go out of your way to hamper any action by it. End of story.

Yet B.O. whines about how hard it is to get what he wants done. Boo-fucking-hoo.

Now he's setting himself up as a king-like figure. Funny, I thought we fought a war a few centuries back to get rid of buttheads like that. Silly me, "clinger" that I am.

Next Up: Kristallnacht Redux...

2012-01-03T21:03:00.004-06:00

And here's the story:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ca-judge-deems-ramming-jewish-woman-with-shopping-cart-free-speech/

Okay ladies and gentlemen, just how far down this road do we go until we find the concentration camps set up and running? Seriously, how much further does this go? We've got a viable candidate for the GOP Presidential nomination who is just this side of anti-Semitic (Martin Luther King: "So know also this: anti-Zionist is inherently antisemitic, and ever will be so.").

We've got a Chief Executive who has enthusiastically scaled back our support of the only trustworthy ally we have in the Middle East.

How much more do we need before it's enough?

I ask this as someone who knows enough history that he recognizes how fallible humans can be, how easily we find ourselves in a place we'd never plan to go.

When Patton & his troops liberated Buchenwald concentration camp he was so enraged by what he saw that the entire nearby town of Weimar was forced to walk through the camp before it was cleaned up. Time and again the citizens would say, "We didn't know." In an even more dramatic followup to a camp visit, the mayor of the town of Ohrdruf committed suicide, along with his wife, after General Walton Walker ordered the people of the town to visit a sub-camp of Buchenwald near Ohrdruf.

Do yah think they might have been in major denial of what was going on there? Maybe we're headed the same damned way.

How does this involve the security of our nation?

2011-12-29T19:05:00.004-06:00

Here's the story:

(AP) WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department is launching a hot line for people jailed on immigration charges who believe they are victims of crime or may be U.S. citizens.

The toll free hot line — 855-448-6903 — will be staffed 24 hours a day and run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to answer questions from people held in local jails about whether they may face deportation proceedings.

The hot line is the latest move by the Obama administration to address concerns about suspected illegal immigrants held in local jails. Earlier this month, Homeland Security ended agreements that had allowed deputies at an Arizona sheriff's office to check the immigration status of local jail inmates after a Justice Department report outlined allegations of racial profiling and discrimination against Latinos.

(End of story. My comments follow.)

Now just why should a government entity tasked with insuring our national security become a de facto advocacy agency for illegal aliens? Can someone answer that one?

I mean c'mon, is there a government agency with a 24 hour hotline I can contact if I'm put in the slammer? Hell, even if I request an attorney be appointed pro bono to work on my case, I'll be subjected to a financial audit to see if I actually can't afford a lawyer.

This is being paid for with my tax dollars? WTF?

Momma; make the stupid people go away!

2011-12-28T13:08:00.004-06:00

I had an email from "Cookie" about this. I just had to check it out. Serves me right!

Boy disciplined after waving gun-shaped pizza slice
Reported By Andy Cordan, Reporter (www.wkrn.com)

SMYRNA, Tenn. - For the rest of the semester, a Rutherford County elementary student has to eat lunch at the "silent table" for allegedly waving around a slice of pizza some say resembled a gun.

Nicholas Taylor attends David Youree Elementary School in Smyrna, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville.

School leaders say the 10-year-old threatened other students at his lunch table with a piece of pizza with bites out of it so it looked like a gun and when asked about it was initially not truthful.

Nicholas' mother LeAnn calls her son's punishment "absolutely ridiculous" saying he was just playing around and never said anything derogatory or anything about shooting anyone.

"The kid across the table from him said it looked like a gun so he picked it up and started shooting it in the air," she told Nashville's News 2 Investigates.

Taylor said she learned of the incident when the school sent her a note saying her son was threatening other students.

James Evans, spokesperson for the Rutherford County School District, said the boy isn't being punished because he had a piece of pizza shaped like a gun.

He's being punished because "some students reported he was making some threatening hand gestures, that he was shooting other kids at the table and they reported it to a teacher," according to Evans.

He continued, "The student didn't tell him the truth about it so he got silent lunch for six days."

Evans called the punishment minor but said the message is clear.

"I realize some might say we are going overboard but the principal is just trying to use an abundance of caution and send the message that we don't play about guns and it's not something we joke around about," he said.

To that, Taylor said her son knows he shouldn't play with guns.

"We don't have a gun in the house," she said. "He plays with light sabers. He's a big Star Wars fan."

In addition to lunch at the silent table, Nicholas has spent time with the school resource officer learning about gun safety.

Taylor said the school system has made it clear that if her son eats his pizza into the shape of a gun again and there is a similar occurrence, he will be suspended.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Just how much more ridiculous does it get? Maybe I don't want an answer to that one.

Coming soon: "Up against the wall and spread 'em!"

2011-12-26T18:25:00.004-06:00

Found this via Drudge at www.latimes.com:

TSA screenings aren't just for airports anymore
Roving security teams increasingly visit train stations, subways and other mass transit sites to deter terrorism. Critics say it's largely political theater.
By Brian Bennett, Washington Bureau

5:03 PM PST, December 20, 2011

Reporting from Charlotte, N.C.
Rick Vetter was rushing to board the Amtrak train in Charlotte, N.C., on a recent Sunday afternoon when a canine officer suddenly blocked the way.

Three federal air marshals in bulletproof vests and two officers trained to spot suspicious behavior watched closely as Seiko, a German shepherd, nosed Vetter's trousers for chemical traces of a bomb. Radiation detectors carried by the marshals scanned the 57-year-old lawyer for concealed nuclear materials.

When Seiko indicated a scent, his handler, Julian Swaringen, asked Vetter whether he had pets at home in Garner, N.C. Two mutts, Vetter replied. "You can go ahead," Swaringen said.

The Transportation Security Administration isn't just in airports anymore. TSA teams are increasingly conducting searches and screenings at train stations, subways, ferry terminals and other mass transit locations around the country.

"We are not the Airport Security Administration," said Ray Dineen, the air marshal in charge of the TSA office in Charlotte. "We take that transportation part seriously."

The TSA's 25 "viper" teams — for Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response — have run more than 9,300 unannounced checkpoints and other search operations in the last year. Department of Homeland Security officials have asked Congress for funding to add 12 more teams next year.

According to budget documents, the department spent $110 million in fiscal 2011 for "surface transportation security," including the TSA's viper program, and is asking for an additional $24 million next year. That compares with more than $5 billion for aviation security.

TSA officials say they have no proof that the roving viper teams have foiled any terrorist plots or thwarted any major threat to public safety. But they argue that the random nature of the searches and the presence of armed officers serve as a deterrent and bolster public confidence.

"We have to keep them [terrorists] on edge," said Frank Cilluffo, director of the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University in Washington. "We're not going to have a permanent presence everywhere."

U.S. officials note that digital files recovered from Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan after he was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in May included evidence that the Al Qaeda leader had considered an attack on U.S. railways in February 2010. Over the last decade, deadly bombings have hit subways or trains in Moscow; Mumbai, India; Madrid; and London.

But critics say that without a clear threat, the TSA checkpoints are merely political theater. Privacy advocates worry that the agency is stretching legal limits on the government's right to search U.S. citizens without probable cause — and with no proof that the scattershot checkpoints help prevent attacks.

"It's a great way to make the public think you are doing something," said Fred H. Cate, a professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, who writes on privacy and security. "It's a little like saying, 'If we start throwing things up in the air, will they hit terrorists?' ''

Such criticism is nothing new to the TSA.

The agency came under fresh fire this month when three elderly women with medical devices complained that TSA agents had strip-searched them in separate incidents at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Lenore Zimmerman, 84, said she was ordered to pull down her pants after she refused to pass through a full body scanner because she was afraid the machine would interfere with her heart defibrillator.

TSA officials denied the women were strip-searched, but they announced plans to create a toll-free telephone number for passengers with medical conditions who require assistance in airport screening lines. TSA officials said they also are considering a proposal by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to designate a passengers advocate at every airport.

The TSA's viper program hasn't drawn that kind of attention, although it is increasingly active.

In Tennessee in October, a viper team used radiation monitors and explosive-trace detectors to help state police inspect trucks at highway weigh stations throughout the state. Last month in Orlando, Fla., a team set up metal detectors at a Greyhound bus station and tested passengers' bags for explosive residue.

In the Carolinas this year, TSA teams have checked people at the gangplanks of cruise ships, the entrance to NASCAR races, and at ferry terminals taking tourists to the Outer Banks.

At the Charlotte train station on Dec. 11, Seiko, the bomb-sniffing dog, snuffled down a line of about 100 passengers waiting to board an eastbound train. Many were heading home after watching the Charlotte Panthers NFL team lose to the Atlanta Falcons after holding a 16-point lead.

No one seemed especially perturbed by the TSA team.

"It's probably overkill," said Karen Stone, 26, after a behavior-detection officer asked her about the Panthers game and her trip home to Raleigh.

"It's cool," said Marcus Baldwin, 21, who was heading home to Mebane, near Burlington, where he waits tables to help pay for computer technology classes. "They're doing what our tax money is paying them to do."

"I'm mostly curious," said Barbara Spencer, 75, who was heading home to Chapel Hill after watching her grandson perform in a Christmas play. She asked the officers whether a terrorist threat had required the extra security. No, they replied.

Vetter, the lawyer, had attended the game with his son, Noah. They jogged for the train after Seiko had finished his sniff, but Vetter had bigger worries on his mind. "The Panthers blew it," he said.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

There is no way, no how we should be okay with this crap.

Just what will be next in the way of random searches with no real justification? Will we see teams of TSA agents knocking on our doors, wanting to check out possible problems?

"TSA officials say they have no proof that the roving viper teams have foiled any terrorist plots or thwarted any major threat to public safety." Then where is the damned justification for the expansion of their searches?

I'm all for being proactive rather than reactive. But this is overkill and a very strong threat to our civil liberties.

It's time to stand up and start voicing our concerns, else we'll soon find an ironshod boot in our face.

Don't they have doctors there too?

2011-12-25T22:50:00.004-06:00

Jawdropper of the day: The wife is working phone triage for her job. That translates into her giving advice to concerned parents on what to do with Johnny when he gets sick after hours and the doctor is out of reach. This can be anything from "take him to the ER" to "just give his meds a little more time to kick in". The wife has a whole list of doctors who signed onto her company's service, the listing comes complete with what hospitals to take the kid to. Pretty neat setup.

So tonight she gets a phone call, "Mom" has a tot with 104 degree fever so what should she do? Oh by the way, she's calling from Ecuador where they're vacationing for the holidays. Gee, I remember when calling to the other side of the country was considered a big deal. Ain't modern technology wonderful?

No, that list of doctors doesn't include anyone out of country. "Mom" called her Stateside doctor's office for advice. DUH!

My two cents worth was to tell "Mom" in words of one syllable or less that she has to find the local equivalent of an ER. Lottsa luck too!

As I told the wife, some people would have difficulty figuring out how to pour piss out of a boot if they couldn't call for help.

Maybe I'm just getting cranky in my old age, I dunno.

Somtime I'll have to put up a post about the call she took from India. No, I'm not kidding.

Guilty...

2011-12-25T09:21:00.003-06:00

Of having Christmas everyday of my life.

I've three beautiful children who love me unceasingly, a loving and EXTREMELY forgiving wife, good health, no financial needs, friends who value me, life in the greatest nation in the world, membership in a religion that assures me if I keep honestly trying for real improvement that I've an even-steven chance of eternal salvation.

So it's Christmas every day for me. God bless all who read these words.

Persecution on the rise...

2011-12-23T16:15:00.006-06:00

I guess the idea of religious freedom was great while it lasted, seems it's on the decline and most notably in the Middle East: Christianity May Be Eradicated in Iraq and Afghanistan, Says Chair of U.S. Religious Freedom Commission

Evidently the idea of immigrating away from persecution and into Western society isn't as easy as it sounds either: Christians in Imminent Danger Across the World Are Refused Refugee Status While Muslim Refugee Immigration Goes Unimpeded

I'm sure I'm not the only naive fool that thought after the USA invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, the non Muslim natives would at least be allowed to leave. You'd think we'd insure that but I guess our PC leadership under both Bush and Obama had better things to do. Noted.

I'll note that while we here in the United States aren't anywhere near to what the Christians are suffering in the Middle East, we're starting to see a lot less empathy from the government in our dealings with them. Think back to the DHS memo that listed likely sources of "right wing extremists". Chief amongst those listed were anyone focused on a single issue such as abortion. Just how many non Christian groups figure prominently in the fight against murdering the unborn?

Also think of how traditional (read Judeo/Christian) values are disregarded by the current Administration, remember the persecution perpetrated against supporters of Prop. 8 in California. Chief amongst those supporters were the Mormons (if you don't want to consider them "Christian" I suggest reading Mk 9:38-41). I could cite several other examples, but I'm sure anyone reading this blog is familiar with them and many others.

So the enviornment here in the USA is becoming more hostile also.

I wouldn't bet on any turnaround come January of 2013 either. The GOP, even if they win the election (doubtful IMHO) is more than willing to cater to the loudest voices. Those are more than likely to be secular athiests.

We've the curse of living in interesting times. Whoop-dee-dew-dah-day.

And as bad as it will be for us, pity the Jews. There will be no need for those with anti-Semitic feelings to dissemble and lie.

Stand by folks, it'll get a lot worse before it gets better.

Someone will indeed take the garbage away...

2011-12-23T13:45:00.003-06:00

It's just a question of who?

Victor Davis Hanson gives a good preview of what may be in store for us should the present gang of thieves and liars continue running the nation: http://victorhanson.com/articles/hanson122211.html

Remember how you could always look to California for a good idea of what would soon be the newest cultural fad? I think that could apply to our future expanded welfare state.

"It's all about me" from the First "Lady"

2011-12-23T12:48:00.002-06:00

Found this via Drudge at www.realclearpolitics:
Michelle Obama: "Practical" To Put Myself Highest On My Priority List

First lady Michelle Obama tells Barbara Walters in a 20/20 special that it is "practical" for her to put her self highest on her priority list.

Obama says she found her self slipping "pretty low" on her own priority list because she was "so busy caring for everyone else."

Michelle Obama says she spends time with girlfriends and going out in her attempt to put herself higher on her priority list. Transcript below.

Barbara Walters, ABC News: "Mrs. Obama, you've recently said something that I thought was very interesting for other women to hear. You said 'you put your own self highest on your priority list.' That sounds selfish?"

Michelle Obama: "No, no, it's practical. It's something that I found I needed to do for quite some time, even before the presidency. And I found it other women, in similar situated balancing career family, trying to do it all and a lot of times we just slip pretty low on our own priority list because we're so busy caring for everyone else. And one of the things that I want to model for my girls is investing in themselves as much as they invest in others."

Walters: "So what do you do?"

Obama: "Make sure I get my exercise in so I work out as much as he works out."

Walters: "I hear more."

Obama: "I do now. He's been busier. Spending time with girlfriends. Going out. You know, pulling in people in my life who give me strength and joy."

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Wow. Now who would want to put others first before themselves? Isn't it always, "all about me"?

Some names go trailing through my mind; Mother Theresa, Clara Barton, Sophie Scholl, Joan of Arc. Those are just the ones I can think of without doing an internet search.

Yep, who in their right mind would put others before themselves?

Have we ever had such an unabashed, self-centered narcissitic twit for a First Lady? Even Shrillary would put up a caring front. It might not have been sincere but she at least implicitly acknowledged the primacy of placing others before herself.

The demise of our military captured in a photo...

2011-12-22T14:07:00.007-06:00

Okay, I'm sure everyone has seen the pic of two women sailors kissing on a Norfolk, VA. pier after one returns from deployment. It purportedly happened after they won a lottery for the first sailor to leave ship and meet their beloved. Personally, I find it nothing more than a photo op showcasing the demise of our military. We've now gone from concern of how effective our fighting forces are to how politically and morally "avant garde" they can be. God, I'm so glad to be retired with no prospect of being called back to service!

Am I the only one that suspects a set-up by the MSM on this pic?

I mean really, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed two months ago. Is this the first ship with gay crewmembers to come home since then? Is it coincidental that the first pic of two openly homosexual military members swapping spit showcases a pair of attractive lesbians rather than two hairy, burly guys (guess which one will be more acceptable in furthering acceptance of gay practices)? How were the news organizations alerted to this? Somebody had to tip them off, the "first kiss" ceremony is routine enough in naval towns not to normally garner any interest. My guess is a squadron level Public Affairs Officer tipped the newsies on this. That had to be done with a high level endorsement. So the thinking isn't focused on the successful return of a ship after it completed it's mission, it's focused on the positive feedback from having two women publicly swap spit on a pier. This isn't treating gay members of the military as equal to their heterosexual peers, it's showcasing them for special attention. So much for "equality".

The greatest military in the world has passed from history and this photo merely documents it. Our troops are now considered acceptable only as lab rats for some sociological experimentation.

The hell of it is that this was never necessary. Despite stereotypes to the contrary, sexual orientation was never that big a deal during the last few decades. What mattered more than anything else (deservedly so IMHO) was how well a military member did their stinking job.

So you could have a complete moral reprobate enjoying the esteem of his shipmates as long as he did his job and was willing to go the extra mile to insure a successful accomplishment of the mission. Ditto for anyone who was gay, hell on one boat I served aboard we had a senior enlisted man that made no secret about being light in his loafers. Nobody cared. Everybody, including himself, referred to the man as "Swishy". The man was an excellent sailor, openly gay, kept it in his pants until he was home and life went on.

A man could be a flaming alcoholic while on liberty, as long as he performed while on duty and at sea nobody gave a damn except to cover for his butt.

My point is that the military was built on merit and conventional morality be damned. It was to be expected, especially given the disdain our troops often encountered at home during and after the Viet Nam War. For a good explanation of how the military thought and perceived life at that time I recommend Rudyard Kipling's "Tommy". Some things never change.

Nevertheless, the thinking of our military was based on merit. It worked and damned well too.

In recent years thats changed. It seems the troops have become a target of opportunity for anyone with some sort of cultural agenda. Our nation is the poorer for it as the focus shifts from success of what should be the prime mission (winning wars quickly & efficiently) to performing as a sociological petri dish.

Just the opinion of a retired enlisted man.

How to use a Bible to go to jail...

2011-12-21T22:21:00.003-06:00

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Patrick Mahoney to read the Christmas Story at the Capitol Tree on Thursday, December 22, at 12:00 P.M.

The Capitol Christmas Tree is located on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol Building.

Rev. Mahoney met with Capitol Police officials telling them of his plans to sing Christmas Carols, read the Christmas story, pray for peace, justice and religious freedom, hold a small 5 inch Nativity Display and pray for political leaders at the Capitol Christmas Tree.

Police officials told him some of his activities may be prohibited or constitute an illegal demonstration.

Rev. Mahoney contacted his attorney, Jim Henderson Senior Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, who in turn called the Office of General Counsel for the Capitol Police on Tuesday, December, 21.

After talking with the Assistant General Counsel for the Capitol Police, Mr. Henderson sent Rev. Mahoney this email:

"Your use of the Bible or the ornament (Nativity Scene) would convert your activity, in the view of the Capitol Police, into a prohibited demonstration. If you failed to discontinue that activity on police direction you would be risking ticketing or arrest."

Rev. Mahoney told Capitol Police officials he would still read the Christmas Story and hold the Nativity Display on Thursday even if it meant arrest or citation.

This threat of arrest for reading from the Bible comes in the wake of national news stories reporting that the Capitol Christmas Tree has no ornaments depicting the Christmas Story, The Nativity or Jesus.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states:

"It is hard to imagine that a minister, or any American, would face possible arrest or citation for reading the Christmas Story from the Bible or holding a Nativity Display in the palm of their hand in front of the Capitol Christmas Tree on the lawn of the United States Capitol Building.

"Yet, this is what I am facing on Thursday at noon.

"Sadly, we are seeing a growing hostility toward public expressions of faith in the public square especially during the Christmas Season.

"We are now seeing that at the Capitol Christmas Tree where there are no ornaments of Christ or the Nativity and a minister is facing arrest for reading the Christmas Story from the Bible.

"I was told I could hold sheet music, an instrument or camera in my hand, but if I hold a Bible or small Nativity Scene that would be considered a 'prop' and cause me to face arrest or citation.

"I want to make to clear that every American should have the right to express their faith in the public square free from government intimidation or harassment.

"If that means spending time in jail for reading the Christmas Story from the Bible, then I consider that a small price price to pay."

(End of story. My comments follow.)

I fail to understand how what he plans to do will constitute a prohibited demonstration. Just don't get it. It seems to me to fall under the heading of freedom to speak in a public area.

If he brought a few thousand followers with him, I could understand THAT being a prohibited demonstration. If he blocked public access in some fashion THAT would be understandable.

Failing that, what the hell is the problem?

Our non Muslim friends should pay attention, they won't stop with Christians and the only group exempt from this sort of persecution would be those who follow the Pedophile Prophet.

Killer flu developed? Ehh no problemo, what could possibly go wrong?

2011-12-19T23:47:00.004-06:00

When I first read of this I wondered if someone was pulling some chain. No such luck. Here's the story: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/alarm-as-dutch-lab-creates-highly-contagious-killer-flu-6279474.html

If you've read Stephen King's "The Stand" you know where my thinking goes. Nope, I don't see Randall Flagg appearing any time soon. But this is bad enough that he doesn't need to make a showing. Take a look around you on a normal day and envision 60% of the people you come into contact with suddenly dying. BTW, there is NO guarantee you, me, or our families will survive either. Think "Black Plague" level of mortality here.

Just one minor question here, "WHO THE HELL THOUGHT DEVELOPING THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD IDEA?" The article states that it was brought about to insure a vaccine could be developed to counter it. What kind of bassackwards logic was used here anyway?

IAW the Bible, the Tower of Babel insured the demise of civilization due to the pride & arrogance of mankind. I think we're at that point again.

Silencing of dissent...

2011-12-17T13:13:00.003-06:00

Here is the story from www.thechurchreport.com :

Washington D.C.-- Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) president Andrea Lafferty was targeted and detained by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s security personnel this Wednesday during the closing event capping the three day closed-door conference advancing the implementation of U.N. Resolution 16/18.

“For weeks we have been asking whether the true aims of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and U.N. Resolution 16/18 would be used to apply “old fashioned techniques of peer pressure and shaming” to chill and coerce those critical of the Islamist agenda,” said Lafferty.

Hillary Clinton was as good as her word,” said Lafferty.

Lafferty was circled by several members of Secretary Clinton’s staff before being approached by a member of the security detail, demanding Lafferty follow him. When asked why she was being removed from the reception hall, the security detail announced that a phone call had identified Lafferty as a “security threat” to Secretary Clinton.

“I was shocked and angry at the pressure and shameful intimidation tactics our State Department put on, even to the point of identifying me as a threat to Hillary Clinton.”

Secretary Clinton in a June 2011 conference in Istanbul, Turkey remarked how certain comments from those concerned about Islamic fanaticism have been deemed as “incendiary” and looked to sympathize with efforts that would criminalize certain speech that is “an incitement to imminent violence.”

“This language -- “incitement to imminent violence” -- has been used time and time again to close events here in the United States concerning the impact of Islamic shariah law, detain law-abiding Christians elsewhere, and now even target and detain as security threats people from State Department events,” said Lafferty.

“The very restriction on free speech the UN Resolution was pushing is exactly what they used against me,” said Lafferty.

“I had warned previously how members of the U.S. State Department and Hillary Clinton have pointedly remarked that part of the implementation of U.N. Resolution 16/18 will be an effort to utilize “techniques of peer pressure and shaming” to silence critics of Islamic shariah,” said Lafferty. “Little did I realize how quickly Clinton and her Islamist friends were set to make examples out of law-abiding Americans.”

In response being detained unlawfully, Andrea Lafferty has written a letter to the U.S. State Department asking for both transcripts and written records of the individual who called to identify her as a “security threat” to Secretary Hillary Clinton during the closing events capping off the three-day closed door conference to discuss the implementation of UN Resolution 16/18.

“I want to know precisely who identified me as a so-called security threat,” said Lafferty. “When concerns over the tactics of “peer pressure and shaming” were precisely why Christian groups and others were so alarmed about this closed door three day conference, why would the State Department use those precise tactics to forcibly detain me?”

“Unfortunately, the December 14th incident demonstrates how some officials in our State Department have come down with a bad case of exactly what needs to be cured in non-democracies scattered across the Middle East,” said Lafferty. “Dissent and free speech critical of Islam only pose a threat to those who fear the free exchange of ideas critical to representative government -- and “threatening” to those who see dissent as something that needs to be punished or crushed.”

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Okay, I've no doubt this isn't all that unusual to have an overzealous security detail boot possible troublemakers from a public meeting. It happens.

What I find disturbing is the complicity of State Department personnel who seem to be going an extra mile in silencing possible dissenters.

It doesn't even take the involvement of a higherup to make this happen, just some cube ape acting on their assumed authority. That can happen at anytime no matter what political group is in power.

But the troubling thing is that it happens all too often lately, too many of our self-appointed ruling class (government workers of all stripes) are assuming dictatorial roles. This comes from a mindset starting at the top and seeping it's way down through the ranks.

Too damned much of it, in the most surprising circumstances.

These fools are forgetting who pays their salaries, who their real boss is.

Just my opinion.

Consequences of the "Arab Spring"...

2011-12-17T12:06:00.004-06:00

This is just a sample of what's happening over in Egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood and their ilk come to power. The story comes via Rick of "Divine Ripples" out of the Assyrian International News Agency. It isn't something you'll see in our MSM, those fools are following the latest sexual hijinks's of whoever is "Skank of The Month". Don't look for any outrage from NOW or other feminazi organizations either, they're too busy providing cover for whoever is the most popular abortionist these days.

Here's the story:

(AINA) -- The number of Christian girls abducted and coerced into converting to Islam since the Egyptian "January 25 Revolution" has skyrocketed, according to Father Filopateer Gamil of St. Mary's Church in Giza. "More than two to three girls disappear everyday in Giza alone," he said. "The cases that are brought to public attention are few compared to what the numbers actually are."

Many Christians blame the military council for not intervening to put an end to this problem, which has escalated after the Revolution because of the "emergence of Muslim Salafists," says activist Mark Ebeid, "who believe strongly that converting a Christian Infidel is in some ways like earning a ticket to paradise -- not to mention the earthly remuneration they get from the Saudis."

Jackline Ibrahim Fakhry, 17, disappeared from a town on the outskirts of Cairo, prompting her parents to stage a sit-in until her appearance. They accused 31-year old Muslim Shokry Abdel-Fatah, who used to take lessons with her mother (a teacher) of kidnapping her. After she returned, Shokry said in a television interview that he has loved her since she was nine years old. He brought her to Alexandria where she met many sheikhs to convert, but she refused.

Nancy (14) and her cousin Christine (16) Fathy disappeared from their town in Upper Egypt. Their parents staged a sit-in in Minya until their children surfaced and accused two Muslim brothers, in their late twenties, of being behind their disappearance. The two teens appeared in Cairo, wearing burkas and claiming they had converted to Islam, which is illegal before the age of 18. Instead of being handed over to their parents, they are now in a state care home pending investigations and until they and their parents have reconciled. The two men accused of their abduction have been discharged by the court (AINA 7-4-2011).

This issue has been ongoing for over four decades. Coptic Pope Shenouda III warned against this phenomenon back in 1976, saying "There is a practice to convert Coptic girls to embrace Islam and marry them under terror to Muslim husbands."

Christian parents say their girls are underage children who disappear either due to emotional ties or to blackmail, and they do not get any assistance from the police in locating them, not even after they have been coerced into converting to Islam, which is illegal before the age of 18. Muslims claim the girls, of whatever age, flee their homes and convert to Islam of their own free will (AINA 12-23-2009).

Coptic activist Michael Saeed denies this, saying "there is no legitimate reason which prevents Muslim men from marrying women "of the Book" -- either Jewish or Christian -- without their conversion to Islam. What we have here is a Saudi Arabia funded campaign of Islamization of Christians in Egypt."

Egypt4Christ, which monitors the abduction and forced Islamization of Christian minors, published this week its latest report, which shocked many people because of the age of the targeted Christian girls, the involvement of high ranking officials as well as the Salafist leader from Alexandria, Sheikh Osama Borhammi, who is contemplating running for President in the upcoming Egyptian elections.

Egypt4Christ initiated this project when an Alexandrian priest reported that a ten-year old Coptic girl was sexually abused by a 20-year-old Muslim university student.

The investigation by Egypt4Christ, carried out under secrecy, exposed a highly organized Muslim ring centered in the Fatah Mosque in Alexandria. The investigation also uncovered a systematic "religious call" plan, where young Muslim males in high school and university are urged to approach Coptic girls in the 9-15 age group and manipulate them through sexual exploitation and blackmail. The plan, called "operation soaking lupin beans" (small dried beans, soaked until they grow in size and are then eaten raw), aims at sexually compromising Christian girls, defiling them and humiliating them in front of their parents, thereby forcing them to flee their homes, and use conversion to Islam as a "solution" for their problems.

"The architect of this idea, who diligently promotes it among the Muslim youth, is Salafi Muslim Sheikh Osama Borhammi, in collaboration with other Sheikhs," says Ms. Rasha Nour, head of Egypt4Christ. Some volunteers from the Young Female Muslims Service are also engaged, according to Nour.

The report has published the names of those involved in this Islamization ring, including names of co-operating department heads and officers of the Alexandria headquarters of State Security, the name of a legal firm supporting this ring, the location of places used to keep Christian girls, as well as complete addresses and private telephone numbers of those involved.

Magdy Khalil, political analyst and researcher in Coptic affairs also believes that abduction and forced Islamization of Coptic girls is an organized crime, carried out through an organized and pre-planned process by associations and organizations inside Egypt with domestic and Arab funding.

Recently a new organization named "Alliance for the Support of New Muslim Females" staged protests against the Coptic church, accusing it of abducting Christian-born converts to Islam. "It is a Salafist organization, without a doubt," says Michael Saeed. "It has a primary role in the Islamization of minors. The proof for this, is that any case of disappearance of a Coptic female in any province in Egypt and at any time, you find they have a complete file on it. A clear blueprint is followed, in coordination with security and legal agencies, to get the results they want."

By Mary Abdelmassih

(End of story, my comments follow.)

So where is the outrage in the Western world? What statements condemning this atrocity have come out of our State Department? Our Commander-in-Chief could give his opinion on everything else under the sun, e.g. basketball games, the action of local police in a small town, etc. what is his opinion here? Hell, he had no problem in calling for the ousting of Mubarak not too long ago, what are his thoughts on this consequence of the "Arab Spring"?

Why is the only sound that of crickets chirping?

On Leaving Iraq...

2011-12-16T13:43:00.003-06:00

With the 20/20 clarity provided by hindsight I'll say we should have just stayed the hell out of there.

Not because of the phony WMD data (every major intelligence agency in the world believed in them), not because it was "Bush's War" (Congress gave their okey-dokey on it) and not because of any question regarding the legality of the actions.

We never wholeheartedly supported the military when they were deployed there. THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED OUT!!

Our troops were sent in with one arm tied behind their backs in the way of asinine "rules of engagement". The media did what they could to sabotage any support (remember the LA Times placing a photoshopped pic of a Marine pointing his weapon at terrified women & children? It turned out he originally held out his empty hands in reassurance. Photoshop is the liar's friend.) The entire conflict was treated like a political football during the Bush years, with the troops getting shit on left, right and straight up the middle.

Abu Gharib? Hey, it was on the level of frat hazing ala "Animal House". I mean really, how bad was it? Yes the damned fools who perpetrated that idiocy were court-martialed and rightfully so. But come on, how much true pain and suffering were inflicted?

But to hear the media and those gunning for Bush's head, you'd have thought it was on a par with Dachau.

Gitmo? Hey, wasn't our present Commander-in-Chief elected with the promise to shut the place down? Hows that going? Truth to tell, the supposedly heinous conditions suffered by the inmates are so bad, the military has brought in a dietitian because so many have become obese. Yep, another concentration camp in the making. Noted.

But all the critics would have you believe our military was taking sadistic pleasure in torturing those "poor souls".

How about Haditha? The NCIS was hellbent for leather to prosecute and convict 8 Marines based solely on the testimony given by relatives of the Iraqis killed in that incident. Thankfully, the courts-martial have seen through the bullshit and dismissed all charges.

The military of this nation is routinely treated like a sociological petri dish for all types of PC experimentation (repeal of DADT comes to mind), they're micromanaged and Monday morning quarterbacked every step of the way. Thats just in peace time. When they're sent off to war by their civilian bosses (including you and I) they're viewed as baby-killing, sadistic, torture prone mental misfits who are employed in a government workfare program. They're never left to do their job, they're harassed, criticized, denigrated, and denied the respect we would show to homeless bums panhandling for their next fix.

Our troops have been treated like shit from the get go, trying to do their damned job the best way they could and getting shit on in the process.

Now they're leaving Iraq, an Iraq with a constitution that recognizes the primacy of sharia law, an Iraq where Christians are increasingly persecuted, an Iraq that you can bet will fall into the Islamonazi orbit within six months of our departure.

Gee, I'll bet those military who served there (some of them for multiple tours) are really satisfied. They know it was worth their separation from home, their comrades' deaths and maiming, the completion disruption of their own lives.

Yep, they'll look at what they're leaving, recall how they had to operate there and under what kind of PC micromanagement and slap one another on the back with a "Well Done" on their lips.

My ass.

We've the best damned military in the world, the most professional, compassionate warriors anyone could hope to encounter. We treat them like shit.

While they've been at war we've been at the mall.

God help this nation, we really suck.

An indication of national priorities...(With an update)

2011-12-16T09:58:00.000-06:00

Found this via Drudge:

(CNSNews.com) – Ten days before its temporary authorization is due to expire, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Tuesday moved ahead with preparations for a permanent shutdown, while expressing hope that its tenure may yet be extended.

The USCIRF’s nine commissioners adopted a resolution outlining the steps the body is obliged to take to prepare for “orderly and financially solvent closure,” saying it had been informed by the Government Services Administration of the need to do so in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations.

The measures include preserving and archiving all commission records, determining where they will be kept, and making arrangements to transfer them once the USCIRF expires.

Since its creation under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, the USCIRF has served as an independent body advising the executive and legislative branches on promoting religious freedom around the world as a foreign policy priority – not always seeing eye-to-eye with the State Department in the process.

Its work has won praise around the world – not least of all from victims of religious persecution – and numerous religious freedom advocacy groups have voiced deep concern about its future.

The House of Representatives last September passed a bill authorizing the USCIRF for another two years, a 391-21 vote reflecting the importance members of both parties ascribe to the promotion of religious freedom.

But the measure has been held up in the Senate, the subject of a hold attributed in published reports to Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Two continuing resolutions to fund the federal government, passed by Congress in October and November, temporarily covered USCIRF authorization. The latter continuing resolution expires on Dec. 16.

In its resolution Tuesday, the USCIRF spelled out the situation it finds itself in, stating that it will shut down on Dec. 16 “in the absence of either enactment of reauthorizing legislation by the Senate and the House of Representatives that is duly signed by the President of the United States by that date, or, enactment of provisions specifically extending USCIRF's operations in another continuing resolution or other measures, should any of these be adopted by the Congress.”

The resolution was sent to President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of Congress. In a brief cover letter, the nine commissioners, who are unpaid and nominated variously by the president and congressional leaders, expressed regret at having to bring the matter to their attention.

“It remains our most fervent hope that the Commission will be reauthorized, so that it can continue its vital work in advising the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of State,” the note said.

“The Commission expresses its sincere appreciation to all those who have supported, and remain supportive of, the continuation and reauthorization of the Commission’s mandate and work.”

Earlier, USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo urged lawmakers not to let the commission die, saying that doing so “would signal to the world that the United States is retreating from the cause of religious freedom.”

(End of story, my comments follow)

Normally the shutting down of any government agency would be considered good news. But this is an exception. I've read some of the reports from this Commission and they're pretty well onboard with the stated objective. It IS bipartisan and accurate.

If the ending of this Commission was a one of a kind act it'd be no problem. But coupled with things such as placing the topic of human rights on the back burner in negotiations with China, tacitly supporting the "Arab Spring" which has all indications of bringing hardcore Islamic fanatics to power, refusing to speak up when the Iranians were being killed in the streets for THEIR protests a few years back, makes me doubt there is ANY concern by B.O. & Co. for true freedom in this world. That would also include our own nation, I trust those bums as far as I can throw them. End of story.

Yet the demise of this Commission will be met with a yawn for the most part. IMO it's more indication that the time is fast approaching for a wakeup call of some kind. I believe whatever it is will be harsh and violent. Stand by folks, we live in interesting times.

UPDATE: Evidently they've dodged that particular bullet at the last minute. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/us-religious-freedom-commission-reauthorized-at-last-minute/

As always, our government bears watching.

Apples from heaven...

2011-12-14T20:15:00.002-06:00

Well here's something to take our minds off the serious: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8956076/Apples-fall-from-the-sky-over-Coventry.html

I love the way things falling from the sky are always explained as a product of excessively strong winds. That might even be true for some incidents, I doubt it applies to all. My reasoning is based on the exclusive nature of what gets picked up and later dropped. That plus the lack of any report concerning high winds in any nearby areas.

For example, as the linked article notes; apples have some weight to them. If the wind is strong enough to pick them up then why not also leaves off nearby trees, branches on the ground, mulch, etc? If those winds remain so strong that only the weight of the apples is sufficent to overcome them, why are they all dropped in just one area? You'd think there'd be more of a disperesed drop over a wider area if the winds starting losing strength.

What do I think? I think something/someone felt like pelting the Coventry area with apples. Who was it? I dunno. Why was it done? I dunno. How was it done? Hellifino.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
William Shakespeare, "Hamlet", Act 1 scene 5

Maybe Shakespeare got hit with a few stray apples too. Who knows?

We ARE a soft people...

2011-12-12T16:13:00.006-06:00

Found this via Lucianne.com at www.theatlanticwire.com:

Alabama agriculture officials are stumped over how to keep farms operating now that the state's draconian new immigration law chased away all of the low paid (however illegal) labor. The latest idea: Hire prisoners. The Associated Press reports:

The nursery and landscape industry will need as many as 4,000 workers in southern counties early in 2012 to get ready for the growing season, he said, and forestry and farming will require still more laborers. Unable to find legal residents to fill all the employment gaps, [Deputy commissioner with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Brett] Hall said the Agriculture Department is consulting with the Department of Corrections to determine whether prisoners could do some of the work.

But we thought America was experiencing an economic downturn, leaving many Americans out of work. A quick Google search reveals that Alabama is actually worse off than the rest of the country, with a 9.3 percent rate of unemployment. What's wrong with helping out on a farm? Is the pay crappy? That's actually not it:

Farmers have complained of a lack of field hands since parts of the law took effect in late September. Many have said legal residents aren't physically able or mentally tough enough to perform the work, and others won't do so because it doesn't pay enough.

Hall said the agriculture positions pay well above minimum wage, but many Americans find them too "physically taxing" to perform.

This sounds just like that comedic mockumentary that Hollywood dreamed up a few years ago, A Day Without a Mexican, except it's not that funny because it's actually happening. Also kind of sad.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

My first full time job was as a field hand chopping weeds with a hoe that had been fit with a 18" handle, the kind that Caesar Chavez successfully fought to eliminate because of it's long term effects on the backs of farm workers. He was right, use one of them for too long and you'd have a permanent curve to your spine.

That was my first job out of high school, all of my coworkers were either in high school or newly graduated like myself. Where were the illegals? Well they actually KNEW something about farming so they were working the tractors, combines, etc. Heck of a nice bunch too, always very friendly. On payday they'd go zipping into town all piled in a pickup shouting "Vino, seniorita, musica" to us as they drove by.

That was my FIRST full time job. It made me glad to join the Navy, learn a trade and not spend too many years doing grunt work.

After I'd moved down here to Texas in '98 I spent some time bouncing around jobs. As part of my work history I signed onto a temp agency. I'd take ANY job, there were jobs I'd go on where I was the only Anglo and only non Spanish speaking worker. The white foremen didn't seem to have too high a regard for me. Guess I looked like white trash scraping the bottom of the barrel for his next cheap drunk. Whatever.

What's the point of this trip down memory lane? Well IMHO if you're motivated enough to work there is NO job beneath you. Physically taxing ones (farm labor) can be done by men in their late teens and early twenties. We've certainly got enough of them, far too many on the welfare rolls and dropping out of school. Other jobs are easily done by the older (and fatter) members of our nation. Please remember, I'm speaking from personal experience.

Want to motivate the native born Americans to pick jobs formerly done by illegal aliens? Just bring the gravy train known as public assistance to a screaming halt and pay a decent wage for the physically arduous work instead of the chicken feed thrown to those on their way to joining what has been forming into our national underclass.

If we want to be a nation with a "can do" attitude, a lot of that mindset has to come from being faced with "must do" choices, i.e. "I MUST find a job of ANY sort that will feed me, pay my rent and keep clothing on my back or else I'll be hungry, homeless and damned near naked."

If it sounds harsh it's only because it is. Face it, life isn't Burger King and by always ennabling the sloth of our less fortunate we only do them and us a disservice. As proof I offer the obesity "epidemic" so prevalent amongst our "poor". Sorry, you get obese from not working off the calories you ingest, end of story there. Nobody wakes up in the morning, looks in the mirror and screams, "Honey, call the doctor!! I done got the fat bug!" Once again, thats the voice of my personal experience speaking (50 lbs. overweight). I didn't put on the lard overnight nor did anyone else with a gut on them.

So if we're to be a nation of hardworkers we need the necessity of hard work. Just my opinion.

No, it can't get any worse...

2011-12-05T11:20:00.001-06:00

Cheerfully stolen from the Ignorant Redneck

On Cain bowing out and the likely future...

2011-12-04T14:01:00.003-06:00

So goes the last best hope we had, when the dust finally settles and a GOP candidate is chosen, we'll be left with voting for the lesser of two evils. Again.

I don't blame the GOP for standing by and doing nothing, I don't blame the Democrats for continuing the same sort of dirty tricks that got B.O. put into office. I blame John & Joan Q. Public and their apathy. An informed and involved citizenry wouldn't allow the shenanigans that happen in our politics to be even thought of. Instead we have what, a bunch of couch potatoes getting their news & views spoon fed to them when not watching pro sports, American Idol or Glee.

As proof of this, I point to the fact that here in Texas the last Election Day saw a grand 5 per cent turnout of all eligible voters. This despite the fact that the state ballot contained ten measures dealing with amendments to the state's constitution. Nothing major, mostly the authorizing of whoever is in Austin to further pick your pocket. Who would want to vote on that?

When it comes to responsible citizens staying on top of things and doing their civic duty, We The People suck on toast. In the long run it will really bite us on the ass.

Believe "gay is okay" or work in another field...

2011-12-02T21:30:00.002-06:00

WASHINGTON, December 1, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – After losing at a lower court, a counseling student at a public university in Georgia who was threatened with expulsion because she express discomfort with counseling homosexuals, is pleading her case before an Appeals Court this week.

A legal complaint filed on behalf of Jennifer Keeton accuses Augusta State University of placing Keeton on academic probation after she refused to comply with faculty instructions that she must, in their words, “alter her beliefs” on homosexuality and “gender identity.”

The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is representing her. The ADF’s media office told LifeSiteNews.com the court had placed a gag order on the case, forbidding either side to discuss the proceedings.

However, many of the case’s details are known from the original lawsuit.

Keeton was pursuing a master’s degree in hopes of becoming a school counselor when she told faculty and students she would have a difficult time counseling a homosexual, because of her deeply held religious beliefs. According to affidavits produced by the university, Keeton had told other students “she would refer gay people to other counselors,” reported Inside Higher Ed.

However, ASU officials said Keeton’s beliefs violate the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, which states counselors must “avoid imposing values that are inconsistent with counseling goals.” It adds, “Counselors do not condone or engage in discrimination” based on a variety of criteria, including “gender identity” and “sexual orientation…in a manner that has a negative impact on these persons.”

The school drew up a re-education plan that forced Keeton to attend “diversity sensitivity training,” go to homosexual celebrations such as the Augusta Gay Pride Parade, and complete essays discussing how remedial reading assignments about counseling homosexuals have impacted her beliefs.

Her attorney, Jeff Shafer, said on Tuesday that university officials instructed Keeton, “You don’t have to believe it. You just have to say you do.”

When she refused to comply on religious grounds, she was suspended from ASU’s Counselor Education Program. She then sued the state university for religious discrimination. Last August, federal judge James Randal Hall denied her case.

Keeton is not the only Christian to face disciplinary action for refusing to recant her strong Biblical beliefs. Julea Ward was kicked out of Eastern Michigan University’s graduate counseling program in March 2009 after she referred a homosexual client to another counselor.

The Michigan state legislature is currently considering the Julea Ward Freedom of Conscience Act, which establishes that colleges and universities in that state “shall not discipline or discriminate against a student in a counseling, social work, or psychology program because the student refuses to counsel or serve a client as to goals that conflict with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of the student, if the student refers the client to a counselor who will provide the counseling or services.”

(End of story, my comments follow.)

According to another article I read on this case, Keeton was interested in becoming affiliated with reparative therapy. So since such a therapy exists, it's safe to assume it employs licensed, degreed professionals. Professionals on the same level as this student was studying for.

Following that line of thought, why would a state university (i.e. funded by taxpayers) take it upon themselves to conduct this persecution of someone not comfortable with the homosexual life style who was aiming to get into an officially recognized field of therapy where her aversions wouldn't be an issue?

I wonder if the same line of reasoning would be followed for a Muslim man who expressed an aversion to treating women, a man who would refer females to other counselors. Would he be going to sensitivity training also? Maybe he'd be required to attend Tupperware parties or join a bunch of hens at the local Chippendales.

How about some chick who had been raped at some point in her life and refused to counsel men? Would she be told her aversion was unacceptable?

As always, some animals are more equal than others.

Cain and a 13 year affair...

2011-11-28T18:59:00.006-06:00

As I predicted, the allegations against Herman Cain have increased in their severity. First it was "sexual harassment" in the workplace. When that didn't fly a bimbo conveniently came forward to allege an attempt at date rape, that flew like a lead balloon also. Now another SBGS (sperm belching gutter slut) comes into the spotlight to accuse him of having an affair with her of 13 years duration. Five gets you ten that'll also turn out to be extremely questionable.

Whoever wants him out is so blatant in upping the ante as time goes by that it isn't even funny. This stinks to high heaven. The steady progression in the level of immorality implied is so apparent that it's counterproductive. Why is this happening to Cain, why is he so obviously the focus? Is he seen as a threat to B.O. due to the fact of their shared skin color? Nobody can effectively play the race card when both contenders are as black as the ace of spades.

I support Cain, mostly for the fact that he IS NOT a politician. His gaffes and admitted ignorance are refreshingly human. His views on the OWS bums, abortion, muslims, etc. are straight from the shoulder, unvarnished, blunt and unequivocal. I have no grasp of economics, so all I can say about the "9-9-9" plan is that it sounds good.

All of what I just listed would be seen as liabilities in times past. As an example; remember how Steve Forbes and his ideas for tax reform were jeered into silence? From what I see there isn't much difference between him and Cain there. In past elections the attitude towards outsiders like Cain seemed to be "ignore him and he goes away". Why isn't Cain being ignored? If he can turn these allegations back on his accusers it'd really give him a boost. Why is that possibility seemingly ignored?

Somebody is uneasy about him. It'd be interesting to know who and why. The obvious playing on the old stereotype of the sex crazed black man is a risky ploy. Whoever is calling the shots on this smear campaign better be careful, it could all blow up in their collective face.

So what comes next? Accusations of a menage a trois with Flora & Fauna Amor of the Addams Family?

Thanks to Him, may His will be done...

2011-11-24T10:46:00.001-06:00

My knee.

2011-11-21T17:05:00.004-06:00

Barring any unforeseen glitches, I'll have my right knee replaced in March. Since losing some weight would facilitate the recovery process, I'll be cutting back on the food intake and staying physically active. Blogging will be light from this point onward. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Growing old; it ain't for sissies!

No, they DO NOT belong in combat.

2011-11-19T12:26:00.002-06:00

Agreement elusive on women in combat

Women don't belong in combat. They don't belong in the police departments/fire departments. They don't belong in any physically strenuous or dangerous occupation.

They are the civilizing agents of our culture, our better halves. As such they should set the tone of our national mindset. That means helping to run the country from back home while men do the physical tasks for which we are better suited.

Why yes, I am a Neanderthal. Did you have to ask?

Why yes, I do have one...

2011-11-19T12:23:00.001-06:00

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/11/pelosi_accuses_catholics_of_having_this_conscience_thing.html?utm_source=dlvr.it

And damned proud of it!

Toys R' Us selling profanity spewing doll...

2011-11-19T12:01:00.003-06:00

Heres the article: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Parents-Cursing-baby-doll-should-not-be-sold/-/1637132/4783422/-/hw1vgb/-/index.html

Yep, no doubt about whats being said. My hearing positively stinks and I can make out the words with no problem.

This is disgusting.

Penance...

2011-11-18T12:50:00.003-06:00

I normally abstain from red meat on Fridays, following the Catholic tradition of penitential recognition of the Crucifixion. Tonight though I'm attending a meeting of my CRHP men's group and one of the participants is bringing bratwurst. Not wanting to attract undue attention, I've already signed up for some.

So the question was, what to do as a substitution?

Unfortunately I just figured it out. It'll suck on toast, I hate the thought of it and it will REALLY be a penitential act.

The worst part is that I can't be more specific or it'd just be putting myself on display.

So why this post? Just as an aid to keeping my big mouth shut about the specifics of it and not telling anyone directly involved who will undoubtedly be pleased with an unlooked for action on my part. If I were closer to perfection this post wouldn't exist.

But Lord, life is really going to suck for a short time!

The only "Occupy" movement I agree with...

2011-11-18T12:31:00.000-06:00

(H/T to Moonbattery)

Another reason to unplug the tube...

2011-11-17T12:01:00.001-06:00

Here it is...http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pamela-anderson-virgin-mary-christmas-show-261145

I'll just leave that where it's at. Really. Some things are too repulsive to discuss.

OWS explained.

2011-11-16T23:25:00.001-06:00

Success, n. The one unpardonable sin against one's fellows.
Ambrose Bierce

Illinois bishops announce shutdown of adoption services

2011-11-15T12:51:00.004-06:00

Springfield, Ill., Nov 15, 2011 / 06:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).By Marianne Medlin- Bishops in three Illinois dioceses announced Nov. 14 that they have dropped their lawsuit against the state and will shut down their adoption and foster care programs, after a civil union law required them to provide their services to same-sex couples.

“The decision not to pursue further appeals was reached with great reluctance, but was necessitated by the fact that the State of Illinois has made it financially impossible for our agencies to continue to provide these services,” said Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Bishop Edward K. Braxton of Belleville, and Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of Joliet.

“Since we now need to close offices and lay off employees, further appeals would be moot,” the bishops said.

Catholic Charities branches from the dioceses of Belleville, Springfield, Peoria, and Joliet had filed a lawsuit in June against the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the state’s Department of Children and Family Services to prevent them from ending state contracts for foster care and adoption programs with the charities.

The department told the agencies that it was ending their contracts over their alleged refusal to obey the 2011 Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, which established legal privileges for same-sex and opposite-sex couples in civil unions.

Peter Breen, an attorney with the Thomas More Society, which represented the charities in their lawsuit against the state, called the news “tragic.”

In a Nov. 14 statement, Breen said the situation “stands as a stark lesson to the rest of the nation that legislators promising 'religious protection' in same sex marriage and civil union laws may not be able to deliver on those promises.”

In their remarks, the bishops noted how the Church has “successfully partnered with the State for half a century” and lamented the fact that the “the losers will be the children, foster care families and adoptive parents who will no longer have the option of Catholic, faith-based services.”

“We are sad to lose the dedicated employees who have served our Catholic foster care and adoption services so faithfully for so many years,” the bishops added. “We are grateful to them and reluctantly bid them farewell with our prayers and best wishes.”

Bishop Paprocki clarified that despite the loss of foster care and adoption services in his diocese, “our Catholic Charities in the Diocese Springfield in Illinois will continue to address the basic human needs of the poor in central Illinois in other ways.”

“The silver lining of this decision is that our Catholic Charities going forward will be able to focus on being more Catholic and more charitable,” he said, “while less dependent on government funding and less encumbered by intrusive state policies.”

The news of the decision to close the programs follows the Nov. 11 announcement by the Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois that will it separate from the Belleville diocese and offer adoptions and foster-care services to same-sex couples.

The Catholic Social Services agency, which had been operating at the Belleville diocese since 1947, said that it will now be called Christian Social Services of Illinois.

Gary Huelsmann, the agency’s executive director, called the move a “solution” that will be “best for the children” as it ensures “their continuity of care.”

The Diocese of Belleville said in a Nov. 11 statement that the agency was unable “to remain faithful to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church” while adhering to the state's civil union law enacted in June.

Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Peoria announced in October that it will withdraw from all state contracts and transfer its staff to a new non-profit organization with no affiliation to the Catholic Church.

The new organization, titled the Center for Youth and Family Solutions, will take on the caseload of foster children from Peoria Catholic Charities starting Feb. 1.

Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Conference, summarized what he believes to be the underlying problem in remarks to CNA on Nov. 11.

What “you're seeing at the state level in Illinois, what you're seeing at the national level in Washington, D.C., is a consistent promulgation of policies and laws that are making it very difficult for faith-based agencies that believe that marriage is between one man and one woman,” Gilligan said.

(End of story, my comments follow)

This will happen with increasing frequency. We can look forward to little if any sympathy from the public at large as adherence to Church teaching will be considered secondary to "doing it for the children" and other feel good platitudes.

Well pardon me all over the place but "doing it for the children" takes a backseat to following the will of God. End of story.

That's where the disconnect comes with faithful Catholics and the population at large. Because although our nation is considered by many to be devoutly religious, that commitment only goes so far as convenience. Call any denomination what you will, be it Lutheran, Baptist, Evangelical, Independent, etc. when the rubber hits the road they all too often fit under "First National Church of I'm Okay and You're Okay". That applies to non Christian religious bodies also, there are some that are firmly committed to following God's will and then there are the rest.

But I'm Catholic so I'll only address the topic as far as it impacts my Church.

It will become more difficult to follow Church teaching without being castigated for bigotry, hate, etc.. We'll be asked why we can't be "reasonable" and "evolve" in our thinking. For a good example of where we'll wind up, consider how the Church's stance on artificial contraception is perceived. Soon it will extend to many other areas.

Christ didn't promise us a rose garden in this life. The fact that we've had it so easy in this country the past few decades has lulled many into a feeling of false security. Welcome to the real world.

Ever wonder what happened to Joseph's coat of many colors?

2011-11-15T09:39:00.002-06:00

Now we know:

Why selecting Romney is a bad idea...

2011-11-15T09:31:00.003-06:00

Thomas Sowell explains it very well: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/11/15/will_republicans_blow_it_112066.html

IMO we'll have to suffer through at least another four years of B.O., picking the wrong GOP candidate could feed into that.

We're all Joe Paterno...

2011-11-12T15:43:00.005-06:00

This is a post that'll drive off some followers.

Now the hue and cry over the sexual molestations involving a Penn State football coach are reaching a crescendo. Since the first story broke, right up to the present moment theres been a cry for Paterno's head. The recurring theme is, "He shoulda done more than just notify a university official..."

Noted. Now shut up why don't cha?

Paterno has been exonerated for any culpability under the law. So the legal angle is covered. As for anything beyond that, take a look around and tell me that we all don't do the minimum to cover our butts.

Do you have any young daughters, nieces, granddaughters? Do you think they should mature into sexually obsessed women? Then what do you do to counter the filth they're exposed to? What immediately comes to mind are the "women's magazines" near most food store checkouts. Why should an elementary school girl be exposed to an article titled, "How To Make Him Scream For More" or "Seven Ways Guaranteed To Bring Him To Orgasm"?

How the hell do young girls learn to be skanks? Did they all get born that way? Or over the years did they learn that being sexually active was okay, no matter what lip service "Mom and Dad" gave to the contrary? When we walk our kids through a sewer all day is it any wonder they become accustomed to the stench?

So what have you done to combat it? Have you spoken to the store management about putting covers over the mags? Have you written to the magazines editors? The same thing applies to clothing for young girls. What have you done besides just make them dress a bit different than their peers? Ever heard of the high school girl who keeps a change of clothing in her locker so she'll be able to wear what she wants after getting to school? Do you think it's only "white trash" that experience that?

How about video games? I'm not talking "PacMan", I'm thinking of the likes of "Grand Theft Auto". You know, the ones that glorify unlawful and/or violent behavior. Should our male children/grandchildren/etc. be routinely playing games where the one with the highest body count wins? Doesn't that benumb them some extent to extreme violence?

Back to magazines. How about the flip side, how about "mens magazines" that carry covers just this side of gay porn? Check out the cover of a typical issue of "Mens Health". Then tell me the six pack abs routinely depicted there don't qualify as homosexual erotica. Yeah, gay men aren't the target audience, just as hetero horn dogs aren't those who purchase "Cosmopolitan" with it's scantily clad cover girl. But who gets turned on by what?

Even for straight kids the message is pretty plain, i.e. life is all about being buff and toned. What are the odds a kid will want to be Sally Ride or Steve Jobs when with a little bit of work they could be Ron Jeremy or Linda Lovelace? Doesn't a positive exposure to possible role models have an effect on a child?

Of the four names just mentioned, which ones are our children more likely to recognize?

And what are you doing about it? Just not allowing porn into your home? Telling the children in your life theres more to it than just sex appeal and trying to get your rocks off as often as possible? Well that would be the equivalent of Paterno going to a university official about Sandusky. You're doing the legal minimum. Whoop-dee-due-dah-day.

We're all guilty. Guilty by our silence if nothing else. We all turn a blind eye and walk away instead of getting more involved in cleaning out the toilet of our culture. We do the minimum and call it good.

So why expect anything from an 84 year old football coach, no matter who he is?

The answer is, we SHOULD expect more. But that expectation shouldn't stop with the famous. It should extend to each and every one of us.

You think the television is nothing more than a purveyor of immorality? Don't just turn it off, start firing up the computer and let whoever heads the various studios know just what you think.

You're against abortion so you selectively buy only from those companies NOT supporting Planned Parenthood and it's ilk. Nice start, but keep on going. Let the companies you DON'T buy from know why you take your business elsewhere.

The list can go on and on. You got the idea about ten minutes ago.

Get involved as much as Paterno should have. Exert yourself as much as we call for him to have exerted himself. Get outside the comfort zone. Be a pain in the ass about morality no matter where you go. Because being silent in the face of evil is what Paterno did, it's what we're all doing. Don't just speak to a sympathetic audience, speak out at work, at family gatherings, at social events of all sorts. Be like an Old Testament prophet, call evil by it's name often and loud. Just remember that most Old Testament prophets DID NOT die of old age, in the rapidly putrefying world we live in that thought is worth keeping in mind.

We're all doing the minimum while our nation and culture slide into the cesspool. You do it, I do it. We all suck.

Our nation and culture reek to Heaven, we try staying uninvolved and call it good. Whatever happened to "...be in the world, not of it..."? Doesn't following that entail some involvement to make things better?

When you get right down to it, we're all Joe Paterno.

My Veteran's Day post...

2011-11-11T11:48:00.005-06:00

Here's a fair-to-middling article about sub service. I'll never think of it as heroic, we just had a job to do. Quite often that job sucked on toast, mostly due to the long term discomfort and isolation from the rest of the world. The majority of us were never shot at, quite often a deployment was like a long bus ride with all the windows painted over. But other than that, the article is fairly accurate:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/10/us/veterans-in-focus-silent-service/index.html

It didn't involve a lot of physical danger. But it was a bit different. I'll close by quoting a SEAL Team member who rode on our last boat (we were set up for covert ops). After going through the same routine training as our helmsmen/planesmen this elite warrior of almost 20 years experience got out of the helmsman's chair, looked at the Control Room party and calmly stated, "You motherfuckers are all crazy". Then he went below to the Chief Petty Officer's Quarters (Goat Locker) for a cigarette and cup of coffee.

Facts about the Wall...

2011-11-09T23:43:00.001-06:00

Took this from Knuckledraggin My Life Away:

SOMETHING to think about - Most of the surviving Parents are now deceased. There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010. The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.

Beginning at the apex on panel 1E and going out to the end of the East wall, appearing to recede into the earth (numbered 70E - May 25, 1968), then resuming at the end of the West wall, as the wall emerges from the earth (numbered 70W - continuing May 25, 1968) and ending with a date in 1975. Thus the war's beginning and end meet. The war is complete, coming full circle, yet broken by the earth that bounds the angle's open side and contained within the earth itself.

The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth , Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.

There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.

39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.

8,283 were just 19 years old.

The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.

12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.

5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.

One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.

997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam .

1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam .

31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.

Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.

54 soldiers on attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia . ( I wonder why so many from one school.)

8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.

244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.

Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.

West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.

The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest . And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.

The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam . In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths. ( the Tet Offensive )

The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.

For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.

CAIN UNMASKED!!!

2011-11-09T18:11:00.001-06:00

As per the MSM and various gold digging bimbos:

It's all over for Herman Cain now...

2011-11-09T15:39:00.001-06:00

Who could refute allegations like this?

The Grinch of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...

2011-11-08T22:05:00.003-06:00

Found this at blog.heritage.blog :

Obama Couldn’t Wait: His New Christmas Tree Tax
David S. Addington

President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.

In the Federal Register of November 8, 2011, Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman announced that the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).

To pay for the new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program, the Department of Agriculture imposed a 15-cent fee on all sales of fresh Christmas trees by sellers of more than 500 trees per year (7 CFR 1214.52). And, of course, the Christmas tree sellers are free to pass along the 15-cent Federal fee to consumers who buy their Christmas trees.

Acting Administrator Shipman had the temerity to say the 15-cent mandatory Christmas tree fee “is not a tax nor does it yield revenue for the Federal government” (76 CFR 69102). The Federal government mandates that the Christmas tree sellers pay the 15-cents per tree, whether they want to or not. The Federal government directs that the revenue generated by the 15-cent fee goes to the Board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the Christmas tree program established by the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. President, that’s a new 15-cent tax to pay for a Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.

Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax — his Administration cites the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996. Just because the Obama Administration has the legal power to impose its Christmas Tree Tax doesn’t mean it should do so.

The economy is barely growing and nine percent of the American people have no jobs. Is a new tax on Christmas trees the best President Obama can do?

And, by the way, the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

HUMBUG, YOU ASSHOLE!!! Lord but I'm glad we have an artificial tree.

Discount for abortions with a copy of the ad...

2011-11-08T13:51:00.002-06:00

At first I thought it had to be from an internet version of The Inquirer. No such luck:
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/11/07/abortion-clinic-advertises-discount-for-sunday-abortions/

Just how long will it be before they offer a discount for presenting a copy of an ad when driving "Grannie" to her appointment for euthanasia?

Will they start giving Green Stamps for aborting a special needs kid?

Unfortunately, the possibilities are endless.

The First Thanksgiving...

2011-11-08T12:08:00.002-06:00

Our oldest son has proudly taken to telling us all he's learned about the first Thanksgiving.

You know, when the Indians sat down with the Penguins and shared a meal.

Sometimes I think his world is a very strange and wonderful place.

Thats my boy!

"Fast and Furious" continues...

2011-11-07T22:03:00.004-06:00

This was passed on to me from Adrienne, for which I dearly thank her:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/07/holder-to-call-for-tighter-gun-control-in-fast-furious-testimony-tomorrow/

So here we are exactly where I've figured we'd be, i.e. the amoral swine in Foggy Bottom are going to use "Fast and Furious" to push for greater gun grabbing.

The question may be asked, "But they've been busted on this. Why would they press on with it?" The answer for this is the same as for the question, "Why do dogs lick their genitals?"

BECAUSE THEY CAN!!!

While those of us in the blogosphere and some other non somnolent individuals are aware of this, you can bet that the vast majority of drones sitting in front of their flatscreen TV's are unaware or just DO NOT CARE.

So Holder & Co. will push for a greater expansion of gun regulations, always put in the light of being "reasonable" and "responsible". Those opposing him and his kind will be painted as rabid gun clingers, intellectually incapable of accepting the higher level of reasoning that sees how this is not only necessary but desirable.

Stand by, it's gonna get more interesting and it won't stop after Jan. 20th of 2013 either.

About the latest assault on Herman Cain...

2011-11-07T20:29:00.008-06:00

So now the latest accuser of Herman Cain has risen from the sewer. As you may be able to tell from that comment, I'm not convinced.

1) Even if it were true, this doesn't qualify as sexual harassment. The woman wasn't working for Cain, she was trying to get his backing in finding employment. I'd think it would only qualify as harassment if he could threaten her with dire consequences should she refuse his advances. At best he made unwanted sexual advances, which ceased as soon as she said "No".

2) Again, even if it were true, she's playing the naive waif too much. Let's see, she had her hotel accommodations unexpectedly upgraded, she's wined and dined by the man she's come to see. Then they take an evening ride to "check out the offices of the National Restaurant Association". Right. Sounds an awful like "I went up to his room to see his etchings". No clue whatsoever he might want something more? What planet has this bimbo been living on? Wherever it is, they suffer a deficiency of oxygen. Hell, I've known of guys who made advances after providing free donuts to the right bimbo (she accepted too!). This woman supposedly didn't think anything else was required?

FWIW, it only cost the sailor involved with the "pastry princess" a single donut. No, it wasn't yours truly either.

3) So she returns home and for well over a decade stays mum about the event, only coming forward when Cain runs for President. Right. Noted. BTW, why didn't she come forward when he ran for President in 2000 or for the Senate in 2004? Does his newly found prominence in the political arena now merit somebody's attention?

4) Okay, so much for "what if it's true". I don't believe it. No way, no how. As point #3 states, she could have come forward a lot sooner but didn't. Why?

5) This woman has an interesting background to say the least: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=8422203 . I recommend clicking on the link and reading the story. Suffice to say, it does zippo to enhance her credibility ( TWO declarations of bankruptcy??)

6) Isn't it just too cutely coincidental that the first three claims against Cain were easily dismissed due to a lack of any details, so #4 comes on the scene with a detailed description of the entire evening? We now know that the woman wore a pleated skirt, Cain wore a suit with his shirt open, etc. The devil is in the details I guess.

I can't seem to fit this anywhere else, but am I the only one who feels there is just something worth noting in the fact that this woman is from Chicago?

7) I'm wondering whats next if this fails to gain sufficient traction? Will the next allegation have Herman Cain spending a wild weekend of debauchery, with enough sexual kinks, perversions and quirks to make an aircraft carrier's Singapore port call look like a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel?

8) One last observation. According to this poor lass, Herman Cain wanted to "get some" in the front seat of the car he drove. Look, the man is presently 65 years old. At the time of this incident he'd have been 53-54. I think most men who get to that age and are able to afford upgrading the hotel suite for the object of their affection will want to go use those same digs. He paid for 'em for crying out loud, and there'd be a hell of a lot more room in the bed than the car seat. Less likely to get busted by a cop or attract the attention of any nosy passerby too. Speaking strictly for myself, once I was able to afford a room after finding myself divorced (again) I got one and used it whenever I was "lucky". Only horny and broke teenagers try doing it in the car fer crying out loud!

Just my opinion.

"If it ain't true it oughta be"....

2011-11-06T23:05:00.002-06:00

So said Jebediah Nightlinger in "The Cowboys".

That quote came to mind while reading the following story (warning, very strong language in this post): This is it.

As I've said, if it ain't true it oughta be.

A comment on "Fast & Furious" and life in general.

2011-11-06T13:57:00.004-06:00

Because I'm really averse to conspiracy theories, when "Fast & Furious" broke I had reservations about ascribing an intent of it to greater gun owner restrictions in our nation. I DID because it only made logical sense, didn't "feel" right but on an intellectual plane it seemed on target.

I still had reservations, feeling it had me wearing a tinfoil hat when I didn't want to.

But it seems theres more than one person who is on board with that same deduction, quite s few people as a matter of fact. They don't all sit at computer monitors in their jammies either. Here's the story:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/05/its-happening-democratic-lawmakers-say-fast-and-furious-proof-of-need-for-harsher-gun-laws/

Yep, when the public starts fearing the government there is something definitely wrong. I think it went wrong a few decades back, we're now seeing the fruition of it all.

When we started seeing history rewritten in the schools and on the news is when everybody should have woken up.

When we allowed Uncle Sugar to institute the "Great Society" programs that have gutted the family structure of the poor and encouraged them to remain on the dole, we should have spoken up. In all fairness though, most of us were too damned young to do anything, I'd fault the adults of that time. That would be the so called "Greatest Generation" (no, I'm not their biggest fan).

When we saw the traditional values of our Judeo-Christian roots demonized and called into question, we should have shouted out with strong voices against it.

Now we're reaping the whirlwind. Not just in this instance but many others.

A benefit of OWS...

2011-11-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

With a hearty H/T to the Ignorant Redneck.

What is wrong with this picture?

2011-11-02T08:38:00.000-05:00

Cain getting smeared...

2011-10-31T12:43:00.005-05:00

Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;'

Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;

But he that filches from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him,

And makes me poor indeed.

Othello; Act 3, Scene 3

So now Herman Cain is getting dogged over old (unsubstantiated) accusations of sexual harassment. Story here: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/cain-campaign-prepares-for-scrutiny-of-harassment-allegations/?hp

Gee, why doesn't this surprise me? Maybe because the smear merchants have worked for Obama before: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/26/us/candidate-under-pressure-quits-senate-race-in-illinois.html

IMO this affair is proof positive that some supporters of B.O. consider Cain a threat to his reelection.

Do I believe Obama has any knowledge or involvement in this? Nope.

Do I think it's being done at the behest of George Soros or some other "puppet master"? Nope.

Do I think theres a high level conspiracy to take out the most likely threats to B.O.'s reelection? Nope.

All it takes is somebody who wants to win at any cost, rationalizing that the end justifies the means. That's a mindset VERY prevalent amongst those who Obama consorts with (don't let a good crisis go to waste).

So Herman Cain has risen high enough on the national radar to pose a threat for Obama. Somebody decided to do something, it didn't even have to be a noteworthy person, just a true believer with access to the right information.

We'll see more of this. I'd bet a dollar to a donut on that. We'll see Cain increasingly smeared, Romney mocked for his religion and flip-flops on issues, the hits will just keep on coming.

They'll keep coming until the only contenders Obama has to deal with are suffering under insurmountable handicaps toward their election. I'm thinking specifically of Ron Paul here.

What can be done? Just pick a candidate based on how they present themselves and their stance on various issues AT THIS MOMENT and stick with that candidate.

Just my two cents.

Right now I'm reminded of how Ronald Reagan once opined that politics was the second oldest profession in the world and it bore a close resembalance to the first.

How did this scumsucker make parole?

2011-10-30T21:08:00.002-05:00

Found this at www.bioedge.org;

Mentally challenged can be “walking targets”

by Jared Yee

A horrifying story from Philadelphia has brought to light the complexity of the issue of autonomy. Paroled murderer Linda Ann Weston dragged several mentally challenged adults along to Social Security offices to sign off as their representative payee – someone who helps manage their monthly benefits of between US$600 and $900, authorities say. Weston, previously found mentally unfit to stand trial, was arrested after her Philadelphia landlord found 4 starving, mentally disabled adults in a basement crawl space, one chained to a boiler. They also found her burned, severely abused teenage niece trapped in a closet. Since then, police have learned that another disabled woman died under Weston’s supervision in Virginia, of severe malnutrition and meningitis.

The case shows the vulnerability of the disabled if family and friends do not protect them. One expert says their Social Security cheques lure predators. “Anyone with a cognitive impairment is a walking target,” for Social Security fraud, said Nora Baladerian, a Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist who works with disabled victims of crime. “It's not just the money. It's sexual abuse. It's physical assault.”

While such crimes are shocking, and neighbours attempt to get authorities involved when they suspect wrongdoing, fraud and abuse can continue for years. Police are often reluctant to pursue crimes involving disabled because they have difficulty communicating with them, Baladerian says. However, she argues that shouldn’t be an obstacle. “It's no more of a challenge than dealing with elder abuse or children, who have difficulty talking like adults,” she said. “And you're a cop. You can go to Social Security and see who's cashing that check.” ~ AP, Oct 22

(End of story, my comments follow.)

IMO this two legged walking waste of human flesh should be made a poster child for the death penalty. A "paroled murderer"? Hello!! Hey MacFly, anyone home in there? WTF is she doing walking the streets unsupervised to the point of being able to imprison helpless humans?

Being the father of two autistic children really has me pay attention to these stories. I'll stop ranting now, my blood pressure meds aren't up to this.

A Halloween safety message....

2011-10-30T19:16:00.000-05:00

Want independence? Get off the government tit!

2011-10-29T17:30:00.005-05:00

Here's a story illustrating that he who pays the piper gets to call the tune: http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/Article/Index/5639

Now I don't know if the Freedmen mentioned were wrongly removed from the tribal roles or not. I have no idea what the requirements for tribal membership are. Following along with that, I wonder if HUD has any real knowledge of tribal law for the Cherokees.

My last observation on this particular story is that our Executive Branch will cheerfully stick its nose into the affairs of Native Americans and cite a concern for human rights while doing it. But this same Executive Branch is absolutely mum on any human rights violations by China or any other totalitarian nation it wishes to suck up to.

Regardless, this story out of Oklahoma only illustrates the need for anyone wishing the freedom to exercise any sort of autonomy to absolutely cut all ties to the Feds. It's something our Catholic hospitals, universities and other institutions need to take heed of.

Because the withholding of funds is a tactic guaranteed to get attention. It also works.

So in a time when we don't want our institutions to perform abortions, endorse the gay lifestyle or anything else that goes against the Faith, keeping ourselves free from any binding ties is just common sense.

I wonder if the USCCB has given this any thought?

Halloween, the paranormal, etc....

2011-10-29T13:53:00.004-05:00

Anthony S. Layne over at Outside The Asylum has an interesting post up about the paranormal, here it is: http://tonylayne.blogspot.com/2011/10/things-that-go-bump-in-lab.html

Since it's "that" time of year again, I guess a lot of folks will be thinking of things supernatural, diabolic, etc. My kids are on fire about it. If I hear much more about ghosts & such I'll start screaming. Thats just me, they're normal in that respect.

I have no use for Halloween since over the years it's grown into a full blown holiday with almost all the recognition given Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. About all thats missing is having the schools shut down for it. It wouldn't surprise me if that happens soon, we live in nutty times.

My antipathy isn't fueled solely by the inordinate emphasis on the day, I've known some folks who suffered at the hands of satanists (one lady I knew up in Connecticut had been sold as an infant to a witches coven) and the tie in with Halloween is inescapable.

So I've no use for the day, even though I'll spend the evening doling out candies while my wife and kids head to the grandparents' home to show off their costumes. Big whoop. Let's get it over and done with.

Having said all of that, I've no problem in believing in the paranormal and supernatural. There are just too many unexplained occurrences in this life to NOT admit to their existence.

One very handy example is the house we currently live in. Several times over the past few years we've had unexplainable phenomena occur. Since I'm bored (and if you're reading this you're probably the same) I'll list a few:

1) We had a brief power outage once while I was using our CD player. No biggie. Once the power came back on the machine stayed off, I was doing other things by then and left it that way. Two days later, as my daughter and I played on the living room floor, the sucker fired back up with a different CD than had been selected when the juice went away. You tell me what it was all about, I have no idea.

2) The wife's wristwatch, a 24 hour timepiece, inexplicably set itself 12 hours ahead. She figured this out when the alarm she'd programmed some time before that went off in the middle of the night. Again, no idea of what might be going on.

3) I do all the cooking here so I have a pretty good handle on where my utensils are. Recently a favorite spatula went missing for a week, I searched for the sucker fairly thoroughly but with no luck. Two nights ago I opened the utensil drawer and it's sitting dead center on top of everything else. My kids don't play with the items I use and they certainly WOULDN'T put them back when they're done with them (welcome to parenthood). The wife doesn't do any cooking and disavowed all knowledge of this incident. I dunno, maybe it's mice?

These are just a few items I can cite, there are a lot more. Some of them could be attributed to memory loss, the kids getting into things, etc. But not all.

They seem to happen more frequently when some kind of spiritually themed undertaking gets going. The first two I listed happened right about the time of my men's CRHP retreat. The last occurred after I decided to seek counseling for an increase in my faith.

We once spoke to a Dominican friar the wife knows, asking him for his input about this. He opined we either had a disgruntled spirit in the house or a poltergeist. Either way, he didn't jump up and start screaming for exorcism of our domicile.

To tell the truth, it's more an annoyance than anything else. Coping with our sons' autism is more aggravating than this crap.

How to have your entire day's schedule upended...

2011-10-28T12:57:00.004-05:00

All it takes is a six year old boy vomiting his last meal of creamed spinach into the computer keyboard.

No going to school for at least a day. No spelling test for him. No taking his grandmother out to lunch. No taking his sister to the playground.

New keyboard. New mouse pad. New wrist rest. New video to watch while recuperating. Dad jumps up and makes chocolate chip muffins on request. Sister doesn't bug the batsnot out of him. Older brother gets to ride the bus in peace. Maximum nap time after taking Tylenol and Benedryl.

Yep, all it takes is one good heave into the keyboard while Mom helps with spelling homework.

Pretty simple.

I didn't know keyboards were so cheap these days.

Welcome to parenthood.

Hank Williams Jr. and his comment about Obama...

2011-10-26T22:47:00.000-05:00

Hank Williams Jr. apologized for comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler Sunday in a Fox News interview.

Monday, the surviving members of the Hitler family appeared on German television and accepted Hank's apology.

The ability to silence all MSM broadcasts, what could go wrong?

2011-10-23T21:41:00.003-05:00

This just seems like a bad idea: Feds Will Temporarily Cut Off All TV and Radio Broadcasts on Nov. 9

No, I don't believe we'll see a massive "Night of the Long Knives" scenario where the current Administration wipes out all opposition. I think it'll go as planned and advertised with no problems. Everything will go just fine.

I just don't like a central control for so much of our news sources. Yes, the MSM is so far left it isn't funny. But they ARE available to put out needed information in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, etc. A central "kill switch" that will enable some nogoodnik to take out a major part of our national communications capability is a case of carrying all the eggs in one basket.

Just my paranoid opinion.

The TSA kraken keeps growing...

2011-10-20T15:18:00.005-05:00

Found this via Drudge at www.newschannel5.com:

By Adam Ghassemi
PORTLAND, Tenn. – You're probably used to seeing TSA's signature blue uniforms at the airport, but now agents are hitting the interstates to fight terrorism with Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR).

"Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate," said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.

Tuesday Tennessee was first to deploy VIPR simultaneously at five weigh stations and two bus stations across the state.

Agents are recruiting truck drivers, like Rudy Gonzales, into the First Observer Highway Security Program to say something if they see something.

"Not only truck drivers, but cars, everybody should be aware of what's going on, on the road," said Gonzales.

It's all meant to urge every driver to call authorities if they see something suspicious.

"Somebody sees something somewhere and we want them to be responsible citizens, report that and let us work it through our processes to abet the concern that they had when they saw something suspicious," said Paul Armes, TSA Federal Security Director for Nashville International Airport.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol checked trucks with drug and bomb sniffing dogs during random inspections.

"The bottom line is this: if you see something suspicious say something about it," Gibbons said Tuesday.

The random inspections really aren't any more thorough normal, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott who says paying attention to details can make a difference. Trott pointed out it was an Oklahoma state trooper who stopped Timothy McVeigh for not having a license plate after the Oklahoma City bombing in the early 1990s.

Tuesday's statewide "VIPR" operation isn't in response to any particular threat, according to officials.

Armes said intelligence indicates law enforcement should focus on the highways as well as the airports.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

I haven't paid much heed to the actions of the TSA, I really don't see me ever flying in an airplane again. There is just no reason for it.

So stories of them groping young children and women in a highly sexual manner disgusted me more than anything else.

Hearing about mothers forced to drink their own breast milk from the bottles it was in to prove it was harmless had me rolling my eyes. But not much more.

Hearing that they'd soon be deployed to the subways of NYC made me yawn. My little farming community northeast of Dallas doesn't even have freight trains passing through it. No biggie. You can't be pissed about everything outrageous, you'll go flat insane. Pick what really jerks your chain and focus ranting on that.

But this one gets my attention NOW because 1) I can see the searches growing beyond trucks at weigh stations to random selection of cars on the highway. 2) I don't trust our government.

Ruby Ridge, David Koresh @ Waco, the stormtrooper tactics to return Elian Gonzalez to Cuba. Do I need to say more?

How soon before we wake up to the degree the government has undermined the Constitution?

Here's a scenario for ya: A fat, middleaged retired sub sailor playing "Mr. Mom" in Texas posts a highly critical rant against "Dear Leader" on his blog. The man is none too bright, his blog is used mainly to blow off steam. Otherwise his suffering bride would cheerfully shoot him for burning her ears with his fussing & fuming.

But he posts the rant and it catches the eye of a government cube ape monitoring the Internet for possible leads to terrorists.

Since the Dept. of Homeland Security believes that anyone who is a veteran or strongly prolife or believes in limited government or supports the exercise of the 2nd Amendment or even is somewhat religious may be a potential right-wing extremist, the cube ape's pointed little ears prick right up after reading our hero's profile.

The cube ape gets all the personal data about the blogger the server carries, notifies the TSA who have the local authorities monitor the man. Shortly thereafter he's stopped on the local road for a "random" check.

Take it from there. If you think nothing will be found and the suspected perp will cheerfully drive away, just Google "Jose Guerena of Tucson, Arizona".

So who gets sued next?

2011-10-19T07:29:00.002-05:00

Found this via Pewsitter:

Residents of a West Tennessee town are responding to a request for city officials to take down a cross displayed on a public water tower.

Roger Alston, who is co-owner of Whiteville Auto Parts and Hardware, told The Jackson Sun that he has put a cross that is 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide on a small plot of land near his business. In addition, he says he is helping organize a community cross giveaway.

"They may get the cross down, but at the same time they're not going to destroy the spirit," he said.

The actions come after the Freedom From Religion Foundation threatened to sue the town over the location of the cross after officials ignored repeated requests to remove it.

The foundation, which is the nation's largest association of atheists and agnostics, said it made the complaints on behalf of a Whiteville resident.

"It is unlawful for the Town of Whiteville to display a patently religious symbol such as a Christian cross on public property," foundation Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert said in a statement. "The Whiteville cross, displayed on the Town water tower, unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity."

Freedom From Religion Foundation Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said last week that the law has not changed, "and our opinion hasn't changed."

The water tower cross may come down, but Alston said more crosses would go up around the community on private property.

He said a volunteer effort will be held at his store where crosses will be made for Whiteville residents who want to display them on their property.

Tim Lewis, who owns an animal feed company in Whiteville, said he plans to put a cross on top of his business, which is one of the tallest buildings in town.

"Our country was built on that cross," he said. (AP)

(End of story, my comments follow.)

So now the next move for the atheists is to push for whatever code enforcement would bar the crosses on private property. From the sounds of things, they might be in for a long battle.

Somewhere in the ensuing dustup the name of the original complainer will be divulged. In a small town you can just bet their popularity will soar. Just like a mud seeking missile. Yep.

The freedom to associate (or not) with whoever we want is still intact. So the person lodging the original complaint can look forward to many years of peace and quiet as they're completely ignored/ostracized by their neighbors.

"More trouble than it's worth" will be a phrase that will be used somewhere along the line.

Serves 'em right.

A simple pleasure...

2011-10-18T23:04:00.005-05:00

The Wife: "Now why does that not surprise me?"

Me: "What?"

The Wife: "I returned that call and theres a voice message saying they don't accept blocked calls."

Time for a little background information, sorry about that.

The wife now works from home, perfoming pediatric phone triage for those doctors signing up for the service with her company. It doesn't pay as well as the hospital, but it's steady with no work cancellations (increasingly common at the last hospital where she worked). So the money can be counted on, she's home at night, gets to see more of the kids and have more to do with them. I continue on, playing the male version of Donna Reed (no pearl necklace) or Mister Mom if you prefer. Whatever.

So on the night in question a mom had left a message with the answering service that the oncall rep from her doctor's office was to call back IMMEDIATELY! Achtung to you too, baby.

The above exchange between the better half and myself was what transpired when she tried returning the call. As sure as God made little green apples, when someone refuses to accept a blocked call it's a potential setup for the dingbat to consider the wife her personal medical "go to" rep from now until death do they part.

We return you now to the aforementioned conversation;

Me: "Since they don't accept blocked calls, just call them with my cell phone. They'll get my number and I've no problem telling someone to pack sand."

The Wife: "You got it!"

Me: "Hell, just do it anytime you want and let me know afterwards. I'll enjoy the conversations."

The Wife: "I know."

So now I've something to look forward to, i.e. antagonizing various dingbats calling for cheap medical advice for their kids and themselves. What are they going to do? Send me to sea on a submarine? BFD, DILLIGAF, LAMDILLIGAF.

It's life's little pleasures that make a day worth getting out of bed for.

Gay kiss during a high school musical causes walkout.

2011-10-18T17:40:00.004-05:00

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBS Connecticut) — A Connecticut high school musical causes a public walkout after two men in the cast kissed during the performance.

It happened during the “Zanna Don’t!” musical at Hartford Public High School last Friday.

“There are always circumstances (in organizing these programs) under which the values of the student or their family come into play,” said Adam Johnson, principal of the Government and Law Academy at the high school, told CBS Connecticut.

He added that many students expressed a desire to skip the show due to the subject matter.

“It’s a balancing act of individual values and the expectations of the school … (and) it was interesting, actually, seeing the apprehension,” Johnson explained.

“Zanna Don’t!” depicts life at the fictitious Heartsville High, where students with academically-charged interests sit atop the popularity echelon while football players are the outcasts, and heterosexuals must conceal their sexual preference to avoid public scrutiny.

During the show, two men in the cast share a brief kiss — a lip lock that became a great point of contention.

“There was a public walkout by a bunch of students (when the kiss happened) … mostly male,” Johnson said. “It was visually evident (due to the jerseys the team was wearing) that a lot of football players got up and walked out. It was almost a symbolic kind of thing.”

Reportedly, the school began receiving a great number of phone calls. The dean of students was even allegedly paid a visit by a Bible-wielding parent that spoke about homosexuals in an unflattering manner.

“In the weeks prior … we were told by those organizing the play that there was going to be a boy-boy kiss,” said Johnson, noting the importance of accepting homosexual intimacy as society accepts heterosexual intimacy. “When one teacher asked if I wanted to remove it, I said absolutely not.”

The production was produced by a joint effort between a task force created by Leadership Greater Hartford’s Quest program and True Colors. It was one of 16 projects available for the taking by task forces involved in Quest, participant Louise Provenzano explained.

“Our specific task force voted for this project because we believe in it, especially in light of national and local stories about LGBTQ issues and bullying,” Provenzano, who worked on the marketing committee for the project, told CBS Connecticut. “It’s not a comfortable topic for many folks … but our group is very passionate about bringing the message of inclusiveness and … compassion to the community.”

And with Spirit Day – a holiday during which celebrants promote awareness and widespread acceptance of the LGBTQ community – coming up on Oct. 20, the timing seemed perfect.

“Through humor … and music, we’re able to address uncomfortable topics and very serious issues for many,” Provenzano said.

“Most change that comes about does require a certain amount of movement through the uncomfortable – the change process can be a bit messy and disruptive,” Ted Carroll, president of Leadership Greater Hartford, told CBS Connecticut.

After the performance, a talk back session was held to promote a dialog between students, administrators and moderators, and materials were handed out for those seeking more information about issues that affect the LGBTQ community.

Though there were members of the community put off by the show’s content, many also received it positively, Johnson said.

Its message of acceptance is especially important to proponents of “Zanna Don’t!” – which is why two more productions of the show will be performed at Hartford Public High School on Oct. 21. One performance will be for the school’s two remaining academies, and the other will be for the general public.

“I think that we’re at a time in history where there is tremendous focus on bullying and the way students are treating each other, and how they are treated, in school,” Johnson said. “We have to teach students how to respect and honor each other. (The students) need to learn about the diversity of the world and respecting the rights of all people. (I’m) really glad that we did this program.”

(End of story, my comments follow.)

And so the brainwashing/indoctrination of our children continues. I'm almost surprised that those students walking out weren't threatened with some form of retribution such as suspension. But in a few years, after the pro gay groups feel more sure of themselves I'll bet we'll see such measures. At the very least, double secret probation.

Just how much further does the rotting of our society go before we see a point of no return? Maybe we're already there.

I don't see why public funds should be used for this sort of propaganda. Even if it only involves turning on the lights of the auditorium, public funds are involved.

This is the sort of issue where organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and their non Catholic counterparts need to get involved. This is where the local Pentecostal churches need to voice their displeasure. It's time for those who believe they're doing the will of God to stand up and be counted.

Because a direct lack of that attitude and it's associated actions is whats brought us to this.

Sue me, I couldn't pass this one up...

2011-10-18T13:41:00.002-05:00

(H/T to Moonbattery)

Damned right I'd pay to see this...

2011-10-17T14:01:00.002-05:00

Seen on Facebook;

I have four extra tickets for the Robbie Knievel (son of Evil Knievel) event at Dodger Stadium next weekend in Los Angeles, if anybody wants them.
Robbie is going to jump over 1,000 Obama supporters with a Caterpillar D-9 bulldozer....

I'm certain he's gotten rid of them by now.

Only one kid and her parent objected?

2011-10-17T11:00:00.005-05:00

Did you ever feel so pissed off your jaws seized up and you were speechless? It happened to me after reading this: TX High School Students Made to Recite Mexican National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance

Gee Ma, why not have the kids recite OUR Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish? How about something from the Cristero War? THAT last is a part of Mexican history and their culture, why not go with that?

This is just so fubar that words to describe it fail me.

This'll keep them in their seats...

2011-10-17T07:11:00.000-05:00

How soon before the pogroms start?

2011-10-16T18:18:00.007-05:00

So now the "Occupy Wall St." groups have started voicing anti Semitic rants. They've been endorsed by both the American Nazi's and the American Communists. This is in addition to the approval they've already received from Pelosi, Obama, Sharpton, and a host of other pols including Eric Cantor. That last proves the moonbat frame of mind isn't limited to the Democrats.

I wonder how long it will be before the USCCB joins in the lovefest?

How many folks have noticed the silence of the ADL about the Semitic slurs?

IMO there are a whole slew of idiots trying to fan the flames of this dingbat movement for whatever political gain might be had. They're all willing to ride that tiger named "Kill The Jews" for a while.

Have the damned fools thought of how interesting life gets when you try to climb off a tiger?

UPDATE: Evidently the ADL has called on “organizers, participants and supporters of these rallies to condemn such bigoted statements clearly and forcefully.” Bravo.

The more things change...

2011-10-14T16:23:00.003-05:00

So now B.O. has dispatched troops to Uganda as "advisers".

But isn't that how we initially got into Viet Nam? Yeah, I know we began over there by helping an ally against the perceived threat of Red Chinese intervention and Uganda has no such problem.

But isn't it time to quit the halfhearted measures whenever we send troops anywhere? If we're going to get ourselves involved via the military in any part of the world, let's not do it in a halfassed, slipshod fashion. That's been proven to drain our men and resources until we're so heartily sick of thing we forget why the hell our involvement was justified in the first place. Look at Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq as great examples of that.

As jingoistic as it sounds, whenever our troops go into a new theater of war they should do it completely unleashed and with our full support. The inevitable casualties some of them will suffer require nothing less.

Otherwise we're using our troops as pawns in some sort of game. That is just plain evil.

They deserve better and so do we.

"Arab Spring", where we're at and where we're going...

2011-10-11T19:41:00.005-05:00

This is a first hand account of whats going on in Egypt: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/503496

Yet the talking heads in the MSM are giddy about the supposed freedoms being brought about by the ousting of Mubarak. More lies, more spin in order to further the aims of our present Administration.

The same Administration that stayed mum while the Iranian dissidents were dying in the streets two years ago.

The same Administration that spoke out when the Honduran military, acting in accordance with their nation's Constitution, ousted President Manuel Zelaya after he sought to extend his reign.

The same Administration that assured China any concern over human rights would be tabled in favor of trade negotiations.

Do I have to go on?

Now the fools in Foggy Bottom are aligning themselves with the "Occupy Wall Street" tantrum throwers. Is this in hopes of riding a soon to be born tiger of social change in our nation?

Could the tiger's birth be brought about by the EPA regulations set to go into effect in January? These regulations are projected to remove anywhere from 8-25% of our electric power generating capability, resulting in nationwide rolling blackouts and skyrocketing electrical rates. When those rates go up, so will the cost of everything else.

Prior to Hitler's rise, a loaf of bread cost a wheelbarrow full of German currency. The lousy economy was instrumental in bringing "Der Fuhrer" to power. In Germany of the 1930's a large part of their problem were the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles. Could a deliberately engineered repetition of those conditions here help another demagogue to power? Just as the Nazis could use the Jews as scapegoats in energizing their base, could various groups in this nation (Jews, wealthy, Religious Right, etc.) serve the same purpose?

But a comparison to Hitler and Germany of his time isn't the only one that can be made. I'm thinking of Mao's takeover, where property owners were executed, professors were sent off for "rehabilitation". Or Russia when the Soviets took over and all farm land was collectivized.

Sinclair Lewis wrote, "It Can't Happen Here" in 1935. Read the sucker if you can. Maybe he was onto something. The possible parallels to our own time are just a bit scary.

I began this post on the topic of the "Arab Spring" and how it is anything but a new dawning of freedom for those living in Muslim countries. The post seems to have morphed into an observation of how our nation is heading down a path it never should have gone, led by those who keep quiet whenever true freedom lovers are oppressed but speak out in favor of despots. It's also become an open question of just where the Hell we're headed.

My guess is, nowhere anyone sane would want to go.

I see a bunch of damned fools aligning themselves with clueless anarchists occupying Wall Street and other financial districts in the land. I see an Administration up to it's neck in an operation that provided high powered firearms to the Mexican drug cartels. I see a President who favors killing the unborn at all times of a pregnancy for whatever reason may present itself. I see a Health & Human Services under his sway trying to mandate the dispensing of birth control pills, abortion on demand, etc from all hospitals no matter what their religious affiliation. An EPA gone hog wild and trampling over the rights of anyone in their path. A Department of Homeland Security that furtively issues a memo for all the nation's police to be aware of "right wing extremists" and their groups being the fertile recruiting grounds for domestic terrorists. That same agency, along with the Department of Justice, does backflips through hoops to avoid placing followers of Islam in the same category. The aforementioned Dept. of Justice has dismissed a case of outright voter intimidation, solely on the grounds of the ethnicity of the perpetrators. The same agency that refuses to enforce DOMA (a duly enacted law of the land).

I see all of this and I wonder what the future holds for my kids? What does it hold for any one of us?

Now I think I'll get some more ammo. It'll eventually get used at the range if nowhere else. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Iran in bed with the Zetas?

2011-10-11T16:59:00.003-05:00

So here is the story: http://news.yahoo.com/u-says-iran-tied-terror-plot-washington-d-145047487.html

Just a few stupid questions that go through my brain here; Is it possible there have been other more successful contacts between various Muslim groups and the narco gangs of Mexico?

Are we looking at the shape of things to come?

Since many of our police are actively discouraged from asking about the immigration status of Hispanics, wouldn't this provide an easy access for 9/11-style massacres?

Or something worse?

On "Occupy Wall Street" and a possible outcome...

2011-10-06T20:36:00.004-05:00

Adrienne posted on the Wall Street idiocy that is growing across the nation. Here is her take on it: http://adriennescatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupy-wall-street.html#disqus_thread

In the wrap up she notices the predictions of violence from various sources and asks who the nitwits will battle since Tea Party type conservatives won't play. That got my wheels spinning in their paranoid fashion.

Who will the dingbats get violent with? Well the police will do for starters.

If you're middle aged you probably remember when being a cop had a certain appeal to honor, integrity, courage, sacrifice. All the civic virtues many of us grew up to respect & admire.

But since the late 60's the police officers of this nation have been vilified, denigrated, held up for scorn & ridicule on a continuous nonstop basis. If you're around my age (59) you may put all of that into the mental circular file, knowing that it's pure unadulterated bullshit. To be a cop DOES still entail a lot of admirable virtues.

But if you're in Generation X or beyond you don't have that frame of reference we Baby Boomers do. You've probably been brought up to expect cops to be violent, crooked, lying abusers of John & Joan Q. Public.

So when the morons presently occupying Wall St. and other financial districts across the nation start mixing it up with the cops, we'll see some heavily edited videos appearing on YouTube, Facebook, etc. If you've guessed they won't be flattering to anyone wearing the blue, go to the head of the class.

The outrage over supposed thuggish Brownshirt tactics will mushroom, soon the fools presently protesting will be joined by any/all of the following: SEIU, New Black Panthers, Code Pink, and a whole slew of other fools that we're all familiar with but I can't bring to mind right now.

It won't make a rat's patoot how many other videos show the cops actually using restraint in their response. Too many people believe only what they want to. Many of them are college educated respected members of the community. Just remember some of the scares we've had over the years. Those scares would include avian flu, swine flu, Y2K, etc. Common sense really isn't too common.

The protests will grow, more videos will surface, soon police stations will be attacked. The response will (again) appear on the various outlets already mentioned.

The Executive Branch of the Federal Government gets involved, declaring martial law throughout the land. The Internet will be heavily monitored for seditious postings, all suspect groups will be put under a microscope.

But in the fashion we've seen since 9/11/01, those groups WON'T be the ones most folk would associate with starting this violence. Instead, we'll see all the ones mentioned some time back in the Homeland Security memo that went to all police departments across the nation. I'm sure you remember, it was the one describing "right wing terrorists" being recruited from religious groups, those supporting limited government, supporters of the 2nd Amendment, and veterans.

So the clampdown will start. Any criticism of "Dear Leader" or his policies will be dealt with swiftly. Those portions of the MSM still allowed to function will give the nation it's daily dose of propaganda/news.

Just as Goldstein in "1984" and Snowball in "Animal Farm" became the scapegoats that never die, so we'll see another such figure emerge from the rewritten recent history of our nation. G.W. Bush may want to move overseas soon.

Don't look for the military to step in, their top ranks are firmly in the pocket of this administration. The weeding out of malcontents is being accomplished by the repeal of DADT and open-armed embrace of active homosexuals. A further weakening has been accomplished (though unintentionally) by the troops serving multiple tours in two war fronts under completely asinine Rules of Engagement. These rules have included among other things the ban against bombing any congregation of enemy combatants in a cemetery. This is done out of "respect" for the Muslims. My ass! That is just one of many such idiocies our armed forces work under.

So who will stand and protect John & Joan Q. Public? Go look in the mirror and while doing that, reach down and find the biggest, hairiest "set" you have. You're gonna need them.

Now granted this all could be just the rantings of a middle-aged paranoid retired sub sailor who spent one too many times diving into a bottle of booze. But given how things have gone for the past 40-50 years, how unlikely is this scenario?

"Your religious beliefs be damned!"

2011-10-05T17:59:00.002-05:00

(CNSNews.com) - Bantering with the audience at a fundraiser in St. Louis yesterday, President Barack Obama bragged about a new regulation, proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services, that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has denounced as an “unprecedented attack on religious liberty.”

"Darn right!" an audience member at the fundraiser shouted as Obama described the regulation.

“Darn tooting!” Obama said back.

The proposed regulation, designed to implement part of Obamacare, will require all private health plans in the United States to cover sterilizations and all FDA-approved contraceptives--including those that cause abortions—without charging any fees or co-pay. These regulations were drawn to implement a provision in Obama’s health-care law that calls for all health-care plans to cover “preventive services.”

Combined with Obamacare’s mandate that all individuals must buy health insurance, the “preventive services” regulation would require all American Catholics to buy health care plans that pay for sterilizations, contraceptives and abortions--all of which violate Catholic moral teaching.

A “religious exemption” in the regulation is so narrowly drawn that it does not include any lay Catholics, or any Catholic hospitals, charitable organizations, or colleges or universities. Thus, many major Catholic institutions in the United States would be forced to choose between dropping health insurance coverage for their employees and students or violating the moral teachings of their own church.

In comments on the regulation submitted to HHS last month, the Catholic bishops called for the regulation to be “rescinded in its entirety” and described the proposal as “government coercion of religious people.”

"Indeed, such nationwide government coercion of religious people and groups to sell, broker, or purchase 'services' to which they have a moral or religious objection represents an unprecedented attack on religious liberty," the bishops said.

At a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis last night, Obama touted the “preventive services” regulation to an appreciative audience.

“And, yes, we passed health care reform because no one in America should go bankrupt because somebody in their family gets sick,” said Obama, according to the official White House transcript of his remarks.

“Insurance companies can’t drop your coverage for no good reason,” said Obama. “They won’t be able to deny your coverage because of preexisting conditions. Think about what that means for families all across America. Think about what it means for women.”

At that point, an audience member shouted: “Birth control.”

“Absolutely. You’re stealing my line,” said Obama.

“Breast cancer, cervical cancer, are no longer preexisting conditions,” Obama continued. “No longer can insurance companies discriminate against women just because you guys are the ones who have to give birth.”

At this point, a member of a laughing audience shouted out: “Darn right!”

“Darn tooting,” Obama answered back—to laughter. “They have to cover things like mammograms and contraception as preventive care, no more out-of-pocket costs.”

Last week, the Catholic bishops distributed an insert for placement in church bulletins all across the country. It called on Catholics to contact HHS to object to the regulation. On their website the bishops are now asking Catholic to write Congress to urge members to support legislation that would overturn the regulation,

(End of story, my comments follow.)

So someone tell me again why 56% of those who identify themselves as Catholic voted for this jerk?

"We'll decide who is/is not clergy in your church"

2011-10-05T11:46:00.003-05:00

Found this at online.wsj.com:

Washington Wants a Say Over Your Minister

By MICHAEL W. MCCONNELL

Today, the Obama administration will invite the Supreme Court to open a new front in the culture wars. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC concerns a commissioned minister, Cheryl Perich, who taught elementary school and led chapel devotions at a small Lutheran school outside Detroit. Ms. Perich became ill and was replaced in the classroom by a substitute. In the middle of the school year she sought to return and then, instead of attempting to work out the dispute through the church's reconciliation process, she threatened to sue.

As relations broke down, the church congregation voted to withdraw her "call" to the ministry, and she ceased to be eligible for her prior job. She sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the support of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The federal statutes outlawing employment discrimination based on race, sex, age and disability contain no express exception for church employers. But for 40 years lower courts have applied a "ministerial exception," which bars the government from any role in deciding who should be a minister. Courts have reasoned that the separation between church and state protects the ability of churches to choose their own clergy just as it protects the state from any control by churches. The Supreme Court has never spoken to the issue.

But who counts as a minister? Cheryl Perich's duties included leading students in prayer and worship, but she also taught secular subjects, using ordinary secular textbooks. The sole disagreement in the lower courts was whether her job was sufficiently religious to be considered ministerial. The Supreme Court will consider, for the first time, how to make that determination.
But the Obama Justice Department has now asked the court to disavow the ministerial exception altogether. This would mean that, in every future case, a court—and not the church—would decide whether the church's reasons for firing or not hiring a minister were good enough

But the government, including the judiciary, is not entitled under the First Amendment to decide what qualifications a minister should have, or to weigh religious considerations against others. Is a secular court to decide, for example, whether confining Catholic priests or Orthodox rabbis to males is a correct interpretation of scripture, or merely a vestige of outmoded and stereotypical bias?

James Madison famously declared that the civil magistrate is not a "competent Judge of Religious truth." Yet every discrimination claim about the hiring of a minister necessarily comes down to the question of whether the church had a bona fide religious reason for its decision. That places the courts squarely in the business of adjudicating the validity of a church's claims about its own religious practice.

The Justice Department's brief grudgingly concedes that there may be an exception for employees performing "exclusively religious functions," but this is an illusory protection. Every church officer—even the pope—performs at least some nonreligious administrative duties. If the government's position were accepted, the courts would be embroiled in disputes about the selection of clergy at all levels and in every denomination. This would be a radical reversal of our nation's long constitutional tradition.

In the colonial era, with an established Church of England, the government controlled who would preach the gospel. The royal governor of Virginia licensed ministers in the colony, and Madison's first known writing on religious liberty was a letter protesting the jailing of Baptist ministers for preaching without a license.

When the First Amendment declared that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," it meant that churches would support themselves and control themselves. And the separation of church and state is a two-way street: It protects the autonomy of religious institutions from governmental interference no less than it prevents advancement of religion by government power.

That tradition of church-state separation has continued to the present day. After the Civil War, for example, the framers of the 14th Amendment, which applied the Establishment Clause to the states, voted against legislation to subject churches to antidiscrimination laws, concluding this would violate the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has held (Bishop v. Amos, 1987) that religious organizations must be "free to select their own leaders, define their own doctrines, resolve their own disputes, and run their own institutions." Even EEOC guidelines a few years ago reaffirmed the ministerial exception.

Perhaps American churches should be more open to female clergy and more accommodating toward elderly pastors or disabled chaplains. But if the separation between church and state means anything, such changes must come from within.

As a lower court judge, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote: "Federal court entanglement in matters as fundamental as a religious institution's selection or dismissal of its spiritual leaders risks an unconstitutional trespass on the most spiritually intimate grounds of a religious community's existence." It is unfortunate that the Department of Justice does not see it that way.

Mr. McConnell is the director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford University. He wrote a friend-of-the-court brief in this case on behalf of major Protestant denominations.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

Should the government win, I wonder how a dissident priest who came out as a practicing homosexual would fare? What sort of assinine guidelines would they come up with in Foggy Bottom to determine who is clergy and who is not?

China is currently butting heads with the Vatican over the selection of bishops. How soon before we see something similar here?

"Fast & Furious", indictments and equivalence...

2011-10-04T21:10:00.004-05:00

The "Fast & Furious saga continues. Much to my surprise it seems to be growing legs as Rep. Issa and his committee keep digging out the dirt.

Now Eric Holder is backtracking and saying he didn't properly understand the question when asked how long he knew of this fubar operation. This comes right on the heels of proof he knew of it months before the shit hit the fan, vice the "few weeks" he initially claimed.

The AP is doing damage control for B.O., citing what they claim was a similar operation (named "Wide Receiver") that was run by the Bush Administration. This sounds like, "We're no worse than the other guys" which is a great way to justify being accomplice to murder.

The problem with that is while "Wide Receiver" had ATF agents nailing the gun purchasers shortly after they'd made a buy for various nogoodniks, "Fast & Furious" let the buyers fade into the sunset with guns in hand, ostensibly leading to bigger fish.

That means we won't be seeing any illegally purchased firearms that could be traced to "Wide Receiver" showing up at crime scenes. Too bad the same can't be said about "Fast & Furious".

So the story won't go away, now theres speculation of having a special prosecutor assigned to look into who knew what and when did they know it.

Return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when Slick Willie eventually found himself facing impeachment for perjury after the infamous blue dress came to light. At the time I thought all too many people were too damned eager to push impeachment, not realizing what goes around will come back around. Proof of that was when constant calls for impeaching G.W. Bush arose for little or no justifiable reason.

So the idea of impeaching ANYBODY is distasteful to me. Politics are partisan enough without idiots trying to even a score.

But this is an entirely different kettle of fish. Innocent people died as a direct result of "Fast & Furious". Theres also a faint stench of "setup" to allowing a flow of illegal American firearms into the narcostate Mexico is becoming while at the same time the gun grabbers start wailing about the cartels being supplied all too happily from Americans looking to make a fast buck.

So yeah, in this case the string needs to be pulled right up to a complete unearthing of any and all involved. Whatever charges can be brought, should be.

Theres a hell of a difference between a horndog in the Oval Office with an intern eagerly gobbling his goop and the arming of murderous animals who cheerfully kill anyone they want.

Same sex military weddings; a line is drawn in the sand...

2011-10-03T21:14:00.005-05:00

(CNSNews.com) – Will same-sex marriage ceremonies be allowed at the Catholic Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point?

“The answer is ‘no,’” said Taylor Henry, director of public affairs and media relations for the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and spokesman for Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who certifies all Catholic chaplains for the armed services.

“Holy Trinity is an actual Catholic parish, unlike the non-denominational chapels that are found on other military installations, and the only services held there are Catholic services. The Catholic Church does not perform the sacrament of matrimony for same-sex couples,” he said.

What about other Catholic chapels on other military bases?

“What non-Catholic chaplains do in nondenominational chapels on U.S. military grounds around the world will be up to the military, but no Catholic chaplain is authorized to perform a same-sex marriage under any circumstances,” Henry added.

Archbishop Broglio, meanwhile, has denounced directives issued last week by Under Secretary of Defense Clifford Stanley and DoD General Counsel Jeh Johnson clearing military chaplains to perform same-sex weddings in military chapels.

“The Pentagon's new policy, as outlined in these two memos, appears to ignore the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was signed into law 15 years ago and remains in effect,” Broglio said in a statement released last week.

“Undersecretary Stanley cannot say, on the one hand, that chaplains may take part in any private ceremony as long as it is ‘not prohibited by applicable state and local law,’ and on the other, say nothing of the federal law.

“Nor can DOD's General Counsel say that determinations regarding use of military facilities should be made on a 'sexual-orientation neutral basis, provided such use is not prohibited by applicable state and local laws' while neglecting to take DOMA into account.

Broglio pointed out that voters in 29 states have affirmed marriage as the union of one man and one woman by referendum – and 41 states total have adopted laws or constitutional amendments protecting marriage. .

“Fundamentally the new policy seeks to circumvent the clear will of the majority, whose unquestionable sovereignty has the last word in the system of government enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” Broglio said.

“It cannot be forgotten that the 1996 enactment of DOMA was due to the efforts of a substantial, bi-partisan majority in Congress and to then-President Clinton. As a Nation we walk down a dangerous path when appointed officials are allowed to thwart the will of the people.

He added: “The women and men I am privileged to serve place their lives on the line every day to defend the Country whose government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Let us pray that the millions who have died to ensure those liberties did not die in vain."

The Archdiocese for the Military Services is the sole endorser (certifier) of Roman Catholic chaplains to the United States government. A Roman Catholic priest cannot serve within the United States military as a priest without the express permission of the Archdiocese.

As of 2008, there were 285 Roman Catholic priests certified for active-duty military service.

(End of story, my comments follow)

This will be what those pushing the agenda of not just tolerance, but outright endorsement of active homosexuals in the military have been waiting for.

The stage is set. Now it'll take just one gay couple to be refused the use of this chapel for the dance to start. We'll see the ACLU get involved, look for the separation of church and state to be invoked and stand by for the recent pedophile priest scandal to be resurrected (again).

When the dust settles we'll be just a bit further down the same road traveled by Sodom & Gomorrah. Catholics faithful to Rome will also be closer to outright persecution.

I covered this recently: http://agangershome.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-gives-me-bad-feeling.html

It didn't take long at all for the ball to start rolling. A public stance such as the one taken here won't go unanswered.

A worthy cause deserving of support.

2011-10-03T21:11:00.001-05:00

Go here for more information: http://sadcatholic.blogspot.com/2011/10/they-miscalculated-you-can-help.html

A breathing piece of cat food = a human life

2011-10-02T19:38:00.002-05:00

Anti-whalers launch kamikaze operation
By Tamara McLean in Auckland

RADICAL anti-whaling operation Sea Shepherd is promising dramatic attacks against Japanese whalers in coming months, with volunteers warning they're prepared to die for the cause.

The group has announced "Operation Divine Wind" against the Japanese whalers, who plan to begin their annual hunt in the Southern Ocean in December.

The name translates to the Japanese word kamikaze, the name given to World War II pilots sent on suicide missions.

In launching the mission at the weekend, Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson promised on the group's Facebook page a "very dramatic and adventurous three months beginning in December".

"I am confident that we will be able to stop them once again," he wrote in a statement "liked" by more than 2000 Sea Shepherd Facebook fans.

The Sea Shepherd has become increasingly successful in recent years at disrupting the Japanese fleet, last year taking it further when New Zealand activist Peter Bethune illegally boarded a whaling ship and was briefly jailed.

Angered by the campaign, which reduced the catch, the Japanese government has injected $US27 million ($27.71 million) into the program to improve the safety for its crew.

Undeterred, Sea Shepherd announced it will send 100 volunteers to the Southern Ocean and is prepared to lose lives if necessary.

"They will have to kill us to prevent us from intervening once again," Capt Watson said.

"Are the Japanese people ready to take human lives in defence of this horrifically cruel and illegal slaughter of endangered and protected species of whales?

"If so, my answer to the Japanese Government is hoka hey - it's a good day to die."

He also accused Japan of continuing its whale program solely to save face against activist opposition.

"It now seems they are simply obsessed with killing whales not for need, and not for profit, but because they believe they have the right to do what they wish and kill whatever they wish in an established international whale sanctuary, just for the sake of defending their misplaced honour."

He claimed the program was a "smack in the face" to foreign nations that donated funds in the wake of Japan's killer tsunami.

Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research has yet to comment on the claims.

(End of story, my comments follow.)

This isn't treated as a bunch of nuts making completely idiotic statements, its treated as hard news. In this day and age, it unfortunately is.

Not too long ago, idiots like this would have been laughed off the face of the planet. "You want to commit suicide for cat food? Have at it sweetpea!" would have been a popular sentiment. Not these days.

So the life of a whale is seen to be equal to that of a human, even those who disagree will do so with a muted voice. This is where the ideas of moral relativism and "judge not lest ye be judged" has brought us. These nutjobs will confront the Japanese whalers and you can bet they'll be sympathetically portrayed by the MSM.

I've read several places where Caesar decreed his horse be worshipped as a god and when Christians refused they were persecuted. So it's a safe bet a good portion of the populace of Rome went along with worshipping "Flicka". A lot of them probably did it with a smirk.

But how many actually bought into the insanity with a straight face?

How far from that level are we?

Catholics and the death penalty...

2011-10-02T13:34:00.003-05:00

Found this via Pewsitter:

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church's position on capital punishment has evolved considerably over the centuries.

And as a result, "it is not a message that is immediately understood -- that there is no room for supporting the death penalty in today's world," said a Vatican's expert on capital punishment and arms control.

Because the church has only in the past few decades begun closing the window -- if not shutting it completely -- on the permissibility of the death penalty, people who give just a partial reading of the church's teachings may still think the death penalty is acceptable today, said Tommaso Di Ruzza, desk officer at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

St. Thomas Aquinas equated a dangerous criminal to an infected limb thereby making it "praiseworthy and healthful" to kill the criminal in order to spare the spread of infection and safeguard the common good.

However, over the centuries, justice has evolved from being the smiting arm of revenge toward a striving for reform and restoration, much like today's medical science, where amputation is no longer the only recourse for curing an infection.

Modern-day popes have reflected that change in attitude.

As far back as the 19th and early 20th centuries theologians pondered the seeming paradox between the Fifth Commandment, "You shall not kill," and the church's dark history of condoning state-held executions to deal with heresy and other threats and crimes.

Pope Paul VI took concrete action in distancing the church from this form of punishment, first by formally banning the use of the death penalty in Vatican City State, although no one had been executed under the authority of the Vatican's temporal governance since 1870.

Pope Paul also spoke publicly against planned executions and called for clemency for death-row inmates. Pope John Paul II also would punctuate his Angelus and general audience talks with impassioned appeals to spare the life of a prisoner on the verge of execution.

It was the Polish pope who "earnestly hoped and prayed" for a global moratorium on the use of capital punishment and the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

Pope Benedict, too, continues to send appeals for clemency in high-profile cases via telegrams either through a country's bishops or nuncio, and he has praised a U.N. resolution calling upon states to institute a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

The 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church recognized "as well-founded the right and duty of legitimate public authority to punish malefactors by means of penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime, not excluding, in cases of extreme gravity, the death penalty." At the same time, it said, "bloodless means" that could protect human life should be used when possible.

The "extreme gravity" loophole was tightened with changes made in 1997, which reflected the pope's 1995 encyclical, "Evangelium Vitae." It specifies that the use of the death penalty is allowed only when the identity and responsibility of the condemned is certain and if capital punishment "is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor."

However, given the resources and possibilities available to governments today for restraining criminals, "cases of the absolute necessity of the suppression of the offender 'are very rare, if not practically nonexistent,'" it says.

Pope Benedict, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, had a major role in drafting the 1992 Catechism and, especially, its 1997 revised passages. When he told journalists about the changes in 1997, he said while the principles do not absolutely exclude capital punishment, they do give "very severe or limited criteria for its moral use."

"It seems to me it would be very difficult to meet the conditions today," he had said.

When a journalist said the majority of Catholics in the United States favor use of the death penalty, Cardinal Ratzinger said, "While it is important to know the thoughts of the faithful, doctrine is not made according to statistics, but according to objective criteria taking into account progress made in the church's thought on the issue."

Di Ruzza said the divergence of many Catholics in the United States from the church's current position is a sign that "the universal church must also accompany the particular churches a little bit" and help guide them on this "journey of purification," which is more a process of "maturity rather than a revolution or change in tradition."

Without reading Popes John Paul and Benedict's clear condemnations of the death penalty, the catechism will "unfortunately have the risk of being ambiguous or taken out of context," he said.

The church upholds the inherent dignity of all human beings, even the most sin-filled, and believes in hope, conversion and mercy, he said.

There is always room for conversion, he said, and forgiveness does not mean being naive about the real evil the human being is capable of committing.

The death penalty does not solve much; a victim still feels loss and crime is not deterred, he said.
Communities must strive to promote the common good, and it's dubious "that you can kill someone for the good of all," he said.

"The beauty of forgiveness must also be truly discovered; it's this that saves us," said Di Ruzza.

Otherwise, "by killing the just or the unjust without understanding that they have dignity, we will find ourselves after 2,000 years in the same courtyard shouting, 'Kill him!,' like they did with Jesus."

"God forgave us. He did not call us to death. Jesus let us overcome death" so as to more fully embrace life, he said.

END

(End of story, my comments follow)

In rebuttal I offer this from "Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion" by then Cardinal Ratzinger:

"...3. Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia."

The rest of that missive can be found here; http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm

I've been told by some Catholics that I can't really be considered "pro-life" if I support the death penalty. Fair enough, I don't wholeheartedly and without reservation attempt to belong to any group of any persuasion. The exception to that would be the Church, which by it's very name implies a "big tent" mentality. Since membership there is wrapped up in my eternal destination I'll put a premium on the requirements, all of which are found in the Catechism, Bible and various papal encyclicals. Nor will I mindlessly follow any popular trends no matter who may promote them. Because at the end of this life I'll be standing in front of the King of Kings, ALL BY MYSELF with no one to blame for my life and how it was lived but me.

Extend sub deployments? What could go wrong?

2011-09-30T17:52:00.003-05:00

Found this at washingtonexaminer.com, my comments within the article are in bold:

Navy explores longer sub deployments
By: MICHAEL MELIA

The Navy is considering lengthening the standard deployment of attack submarines beyond six months as it faces rising demands with a fleet that has been shrinking since the end of the Cold War, the commander of American submarine forces told The Associated Press in an interview.

Already, attack submarines are at times asked to stay out longer than six months — extensions that can be trying for sailors who serve in tightly confined spaces with limited outside communication as members of the "silent service."

Vice Adm. John Richardson told the AP this week that keeping subs out longer is one of several options the Navy is considering as the number of attack subs is projected to continue dropping in the next decade and beyond. Older boats seeing more use, that'll mean more equipment failures at the worst possible times. Lovely, just stinking lovely.

"I think we're looking at all the options," he said. "As you try and maintain the same presence with fewer hulls, there are all sorts of variables in that equation. One would be extending deployment lengths. So that's certainly on the table."

Submariners are not alone in seeing deployments extended periodically, as two wars and evolving threats strain the entire U.S. military. A spokeswoman for the admiral, Navy Cmdr. Monica Rousselow, said it is impossible to say how long sub deployments might become because so many factors are involved. To my successors in the sub force: BOHICA shipmates!

Extending deployments permanently would save resources because the Navy could complete more missions with the nuclear-powered submarines that it has available. The fast-attack subs travel to far-flung corners of the globe for missions including intelligence gathering and firing missiles, but they can maintain a presence only for so long before making the time-consuming journey back to U.S. bases. The real restriction is the crew, running out of food will get the attention of most people. Those boats ARE tight as far as space goes, you just can't dump an extra couple of months of groceries down the hatch and walk away thinking, "They'll figure a way to store it".

Navy contractors began stepping up submarine production this year, but pressure on the defense budget has raised uncertainty about future procurement. While some critics describe the multibillion-dollar vessels as costly relics of a different era, Richardson says submarines remain integral to America's nuclear deterrence strategy and the security of a nation that conducts the vast majority of its trade by maritime channels. They perform a host of other missions also. For a glimpse of what a boat's capabilities can include I recommend reading "Blind Man's Bluff" by Sontag and Drew.

Enlisted crew members on the attack subs sleep six to a room, stacked in bunks areas barely larger than a closet, and navigate corridors so narrow only one person can pass at a time. That would be if they're lucky enough to have their own rack(bunk). The Los Angeles class of subs were initially designed for more crewmembers than could be accomodated by assigning each sailor his individual rack. So the practice of "hotbunking" was used.The deployments are typically broken up by port calls, but they can remain at sea for weeks or months at a time. The bigger, roomier ballistic missile subs generally stay closer to their home ports and have shorter deployments.

Sailors in the elite, all-volunteer submarine force go through psychological screening to make sure they can cope with the tight quarters and extended time beneath the ocean's surface. Nobody with claustrophobic tendencies is allowed on board.

But retired submariners say the time at sea does take a physical and emotional toll, particularly when a mission is suddenly extended.

"You establish a battle rhythm in your mind where 'Six months is how long I'll be' and then, if it becomes seven months, you have to shift your mind a bit," said retired Rear Adm. John Padgett III, who remembers a particularly grueling 7 1/2-month submarine deployment during the Vietnam War. "You get a little tired of it."

Deployments longer than six months are unlikely to cause problems for specially trained sailors, but they would probably entail challenges for their families, said Army Col. Tom Kolditz, a psychologist at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. DUH!! Then the problems the wives & kids are having come back on those same sailors, this guy talks like an idiot. But wait a minute, we can always go back to the mindset of "If the Navy thought you needed a wife, they'd have issued one in your seabag". Yeah, that'll do wonders for retention.

"You can probably find business decisions in the community based on that six-month cycle. You can find various kinds of financial planning done on that six-month cycle. If you take something like that that people are used to and change it, it can create problems," said Kolditz, director of the military academy's Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership.

At Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, support services are available to help sailors' families deal with prolonged deployments, said Beth Darius, a services facilitator for the base's Fleet and Family Support Center.

"We honestly try to tell them, 'Yes, you have a fixed date, but remember that date can always change,'" she said. "We try to help them not cement that date, but I personally know how easy it is to get that date and count down, and then have it change on you." The divorce rate in the sub force is just a bit high. This is coming from a guy who went through Connecticut courts twice for that experience while in the canoe club. I'm a slow learner, shoot me.

Richardson said in the interview Wednesday that constraints on communication are part of the nature of submarining, but that the Navy is working to improve bandwidth on the vessels. He said sailors will be able to communicate with family members more than ever, although e-mail will remain available only when it can be sent without the risk of giving up the sub's location.

Beyond the strain on sailors and their families, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney said, the longer deployments reflect an increasingly acute security problem. Although Navy contractors received approval this year to double production of Virginia-class attack subs to two a year, he said that will only slow the decline in the size of the fleet and will not fully replace older ships as they are taken out of commission.

The number of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the U.S. force has fallen from a peak of 98 in the late 1980s to 53 at the end of fiscal year 2010, a decline that roughly matches a drop in the overall size of the Navy since the end of the Cold War. Each Virginia-class attack submarine costs about $2.6 billion and carries a crew of roughly 135 officers and sailors.

Courtney, who is pushing for an increase in attack sub procurement, said they are unmatched in their ability to deliver firepower and do surveillance without being detected. THAT is a fact, been there and done that. Nope, can't talk about it.

"Look at Libya. When President Obama said 'unique capabilities,' what he was really referring to was the USS Scranton, the Providence and the Florida, which in a matter of an hour obliterated Gadhafi's air defenses," said Courtney, a Democrat whose eastern Connecticut district includes the sub base and the Groton headquarters of the Navy's primary submarine contractor, General Dynamics' Electric Boat.

Currently, the submarine force can accommodate only about half the support requests from combatant commanders, according to Richardson, who said sub deployments are currently extended a month or more to meet demands on a case-by-case basis. He noted that surface ships also face extended deployments, as all branches of the military contend with increased demands.

As the Navy deals with rising security demands and budget pressures, he said, the force is also looking into repositioning submarines around the globe to reduce transit times and pressing builders to reduce maintenance periods and wring more deployments from aging vessels.

(End of story, my comments follow)

So the Powers That Be recently opened up the sub force to women, they've also scuttled DADT and will soon be actively recruiting flamboyant gays into the military (if you think that statement is a bit drastic, you don't know our military and the kind of assholes in charge in Washington).

Now they're looking at increasing the length of deployments. Yes, I know it's happening in the surface navy as well as the other armed forces of our nation. My chosen screen name is SUBvet for a reason. Check the profile if you're still puzzled.

Gee, what could possibly go wrong?

Plenty.

Eddie and Freddie go to sea aboard the USETAFISH, Eddie hooks up with Suzy Creamcheese who is the boats newest recruit. Suzy and Eddie slap bellies whenever they think they're alone (the photos the roving watch takes of them will go on sale a week after returning to homeport). Suzy dumps Eddie halfway through the deployment and starts banging Freddie (that roving watch loves it, they're making him rich).

Eddie cops an attitude, during one field day he clobbers Freddie. They both go talk to the "old man" (Captain). He discovers Suzy's involvement in this and transfers her skanky ass back to homeport. She promptly files a sexual discrimination complaint against the command (Eddie and Freddie weren't transferred, she was.Therefore she was inappropriately reprimanded, or so the complaint goes). The squadron sends out Lt. Lana, the lesbian JAG (Judge Advocate General) officer, to investigate the onboard climate of USETAFISH in order to determine if there's a problem with discrimination.

Lt. Lana interviews Mona Mattressback who just got denied promotion (if she studied for the test, she'd probably pass). Mona sees the Lt. Lana is a manhater from Jump Street and plays it up, citing numerous incidents where her LCPO (leading chief petty officer) made inappropriate comments to her. In private. No other witnesses cited. The good JAG officer knows she has a case and pursues it. To make a long story short, after the local fishwrap back home gets the story, the officers and crew of the good ship USETAFISH are crucified by the squadron commodore in order to show that "something has been done".

Then we can add in the zip of extending the deployments of the boat because, as a newer craft, it doesn't break down as often as the dinosaurs of the squadron do.

The crew gets the big flick, if you stick around you're screwed by either spending life at sea or by being dragged across the coals for PC purposes. Time to hit the highway by faking claustrophobia (very easy to do) and spending your remaining days in the canoe club aboard a tender (repair ship) that is basically welded to the pier and hardly ever gets underway.

I haven't even factored in a gay sailor or two actually in the crew, this post is already overly long.

Yep, we'll maintain an elite force under these conditions. Sure we will.

When pigs fly.

This gives me a bad feeling...

2011-09-30T10:09:00.003-05:00

Here's the story: US: military chaplains may perform same-sex unions

So what happens when "Steve & Dave" show up for counseling and the only chaplain available cites religious beliefs against doing anything to help them keep their union intact? Not all denominations are represented on every military base. During the few years I spent as a Pentecostal I tried starting Bible study classes on the nearby base. I wound up talking to a chaplain who was Southern Baptist because there were no Pentecostal chaplains at that facility.

So the couple I mentioned may get married by a chaplain associated with the First Church of I'm-Okay-You're-Okay-And-Jesus-Is-Our-Palsywalsy, then get transferred to a spot where the Chaplain Corp is represented by a Catholic and a Southern Baptist. Wedded bliss hits the shitcan, they want counseling and the scenario I mentioned takes place.

I see a real possibility of legal action, and before anyone reminds me that service members can't sue the military I'll just state that spouses and family members can do that AND complain to their Congressional Representatives. So if that Rep. should be Barney Frank, just how sympathetic a hearing will the military get?

How long before ALL chaplains are instructed to provide services for ALL couples, regardless of any religious beliefs that are violated?

Think, think, think

2011-09-29T15:16:00.001-05:00

Here's a quiz to see if you're paying attention: http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/2011/09/keep-gray-matter-active.html

I missed two.

(H/T Adrienne's Corner)