Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Tuesday Roundup

Commentary will be short today as the workload piled up. But on to the News:

Success in Iraq: Via CQ
Lieberman Says Iraq Going Well As Army Continues Growth
Despite the recent shrieks of hysteria coming from the Democratic caucus in Congress, one of their most respected members says that the American-led Coalition has Iraq in "pretty good shape" and expects that troop drawdowns can begin late next year or early 2007 as long as progress continues. Senator Joe Lieberman took the opportunity to actually travel through Iraq, and his recommendation follows the administration's plan to key troop withdrawals based on the buildup of the Iraqi army, and not on calendar due dates as suggested by Joe Biden last week:
full story here

Refining politics, By Greg Pierce

"After Hurricane Katrina temporarily knocked out 30 percent of America's oil refinery capacity and caused gasoline prices to spike, it became dramatically obvious that the nation needed to build more refineries away from the vulnerable Gulf Coast." John Fund writes at www.opinion journal.com. "But when a bill to streamline the permitting process and provide incentives to build refineries on closed military bases was headed for the Senate floor, Sen. Lincoln Chafee [Rhode Island Republican] joined with every Democrat on the Senate Environment Committee and blocked the bill," Mr Fund said. "Mr. Chafee says he opposed the bill only because it lacked provisions to develop alternative fuels and raise fuel-economy standards, although he offered no amendments to that effect. But even if conservation takes center stage in the future, existing energy sources must be expanded now before the economy's health is jeopardized. A just published report by the New England Energy Alliance warns that 'energy shortages could be acute soon -- by 2010 at the latest' if policy-makers in the region don't act aggressively. "Unfortunately, Mr. Chafee and other senators appear more concerned about fending off the aggressive criticism of the green lobby. Mr. Chafee's spokesman noted there is strong local opposition in Rhode Island to using two shuttered military bases to add refinery capacity. "Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, chairman of the Environment Committee, says he personally urged Mr. Chafee to back his bill, noting that the nation hasn't built a new refinery since 1976. 'He sweats a lot,' Mr. Inhofe told Human Events, referring to his fellow Republican's re-election battle next year. 'He said, "I just can't do that. I have to win that election. Right now, I have a perfect record with the environmentalists."?' "Mr. Inhofe then approached some committee Democrats who he knew were under pressure from home-state businesses to vote for the bill. They rebuffed him too. Noting that a House-passed bill to streamline refinery permitting also failed to get even one Democratic vote, Mr. Inhofe concludes the nation's refinery policy is now being held hostage to partisan politics. 'In the next election, high gas prices will be one of the Democrats' big campaign issues.'"
Greg's link here

TED RALL IS THE SCUM OF THE EARTH - NO OTHER COMMENT NECESSARY

CALIFORNIA'S CARNAGE:

Poll: Reiner, Beatty are Well-Known, But Not Well-LikedThe Associated PressPublished:

November 22, 2005 SACRAMENTO—Director Rob Reiner and actor Warren Beatty already are well-known to California voters if either decides to run for governor next year.
Their problem: they’re not particularly well-liked.
http://www.sacunion.com/pages/state_capitol/articles/6930/

LA TIMES EDITORIAL Death and Taxes: Is there something wrong with this debate?

The Bush tax panel has also taken aim at states such as New York and California with its proposal to cap the deduction for mortgage interest. The $411,704 cap is well below California's median price, $568,890, for a single-family home. Around New York City, the cap would also be well below housing costs for middle-class families. But Texans purchasing a median-priced house would still be able to deduct all their mortgage interest. That's unfair. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rangelangelides29nov29,0,4809867.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

WMD Story (HT Captians Quarters)
http://airforcefamily.blogspot.com/2005/11/lies-my-congressman-told-me-special-by.html
I just started to read this one and it looks interesting.

Women learning outdoor skills
http://www.latimes.com/travel/outdoors/la-os-bow22nov22,0,5530411.story?coll=la-home-outdoors We "fellers" gotta git out more or were gonna git shot. :)

Monday, November 28, 2005

Left Right, Left Right


Cindy Sheehans "Retreat"
via Powerline

Do ya think it's time for Cindy
to pack up, go home, and do
something positive? Like
becoming a part of a "real"
family again.

Filed under lost souls



Ramsey Clark aiding Saddam in his defense? Story here Can the left get much loonier?

Bruce Willis' War: Let the truth be told! via Roger Simon


And (finally) some common sense forwarded to me by my wonderful brother-in law:

Written by an Australian Dentist...

To Kill an American

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is. So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!) " An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan. An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans. An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses. An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God. An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness. An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return. When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country! As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least. The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America. Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists. So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other bloodthirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Note: (dentist unknown at this publishing, but I will credit him/her at the soonest notification)

Have a great day! Rovin

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Saturday Stuff

Stayed home yesterday and let the rest of the mad-folk take on the Christmas rush of "Black Friday"

A little "Bolton-nization":

"Americans are a very practical people, and they don't view the U.N. through theological lenses," Bolton told reporters outside the General Assembly hall. "They look at it as a competitor in the marketplace for global problem-solving, and if it's successful at solving problems, they'll be inclined to use it. If it's not successful at solving problems, they'll say, 'Are there other institutions?' . . . that's why making the U.N. stronger and more effective is a reform priority for us: Because if it's a more agile, effective organization, it is more likely to be a successful competitor as a global problem-solver."

Does this sound like some one divisive or out to destroy the U.N.?...... Not
Complete article here.

Dana over at CSPT has an interesting post on Link Scrooges and I'm not sure where I fit in (or out) :)

My good friend, Glenn (the new director of our local Jazz and Blues Festivals) is coming over to replace the heater fan in his car. Now this should be interesting to watch. I not only will refrain from criticizing, but may offer support and tools to expedite the maneuver. We got some sunshine today for the first time in a week, so removing my bottom from this seat and getting some "outdoor" activities accomplished is a good thing.

HAVE A GREAT DAY...................

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Sunday Wrap-up

Wesley Pruden, editor in chief (Washington Times) sums up the Plame-gate fiasco and points the "shame" on the two most biased(get the Bush Administration at any cost) "rag-tabloids" in this country, the NY Times, and the Washington Post.

"The irony is that this investigation into the fluff from an airhead's navel came about because first the New York Times and then The Post demanded it, nurtured it and gave the story mouth-to-mouth resuscitation every time it began to fade into the mist along the Potomac."
Pruden also describes the "now outed" and infamous "source writer"from the WP, Bob Woodward as "Mortuary Bob"

"It's not the crime, it's the cover-up. Mortuary Bob Woodward made his career by establishing that as an article of capital faith. You could ask the ghost of Richard Nixon."

Read the full story: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/pruden.htm

Greg Pierce, also from the Washington Times pulls enough quotes from Louis Freeh's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on ABLE DANGER and the 911 COMMISSION that makes the 911 commission look pretty inept:

A Failed Panel
"It was interesting to hear from the 9/11 Commission again on Tuesday," former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh wrote yesterday in an opinion piece on the Wall Street Journal editorial page. "This self-perpetuating and privately funded group of lobbyists and lawyers has recently opined on hurricanes, nuclear weapons, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and even the New York subway system. Now it offers yet another 'report card' on the progress of the FBI and CIA in the war against terrorism, along with its 'back-seat' take and some further unsolicited narrative about how things ought to be on the 'front lines,' " Mr. Freeh said. "Yet this is also a good time for the country to make some assessments of the 9/11 Commission itself. Recent revelations from the military intelligence operation code-named 'Able Danger' have cast light on a missed opportunity that could have potentially prevented 9/11. Specifically, Able Danger concluded in February 2000 that military experts had identified Mohamed Atta by name (and maybe photograph) as an al Qaeda agent operating in the U.S. Subsequently, military officers assigned to Able Danger were prevented from sharing this critical information with FBI agents, even though appointments had been made to do so. Why? "The Able Danger intelligence, if confirmed, is undoubtedly the most relevant fact of the entire post-9/11 inquiry. Even the most junior investigator would immediately know that the name and photo ID of Atta in 2000 is precisely the kind of tactical intelligence the FBI has many times employed to prevent attacks and arrest terrorists. Yet the 9/11 Commission inexplicably concluded that it 'was not historically significant.' "This astounding conclusion-- in combination with the failure to investigate Able Danger and incorporate it into its findings-- raises serious challenges to the commission's credibility and, if the facts prove out, might just render the commission historically insignificant itself."


From the Iraq Front
We received e-mail from a Marine Corps major in Iraq giving us a first-hand account of recent operations. The message talked about two recent operations in western Iraq that U.S. press accounts said took place in areas where American forces "dare not go," the major said. "Well, they should learn to never dare a Marine Division!" he stated. "Both operations were executed almost flawlessly. Most of the enemy fled upon the arrival of the Marines but a good number of them stayed to fight. Those that did quickly found out the 70 virgins they were promised for martyrdom was bravo sierra!"-- the last a military slang term for bovine manure.

By Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough


On a personal note:

To all services in harms way for my safety, please disregard all the political rhetoric you are hearing in the US.

There's a desperate party over here, that has no agenda, no idea how to fight terrorism, and believe the only way they can regain control is to play the "impeach Nixon" syndrome. These cowards don't think that what you are doing to help a nation of 50 million Iraqis experience freedom is worthy. The radical left is hell bent on destroying the Republican party "at all cost" and with out regard to the safety and security of this nation, a new Iraqi nation, or, indeed, the entire world. Please inform your Iraqi comrads fighting beside you that these shameful tactics of a"surrender" and "cut and run" policy will not come to pass. These disgraceful "few" do not represent the majority of those in this nation that know this is a war we must win. And to use this for political gain is a sad commentary of the direction of the democratic party.

Take to heart that when your President (and a majority of the United States Congress) chose to lead us into the salvation of the Iraqi people, that this is a nobel and wise thing we are doing. Stay the course, 50 million are depending on you. So what the "left" are doing here will only show their selfishness and indignity magnified. The world is indeed watching the progress of a new society of democratic freedom in Iraq.

The price you have paid is great, and our debt will be the honor we pay our soldiers who have been injured or made the ultimate sacrifice. They will always be my heros.

Rovin
Eureka, Ca, USA

Saturday, November 19, 2005

And That Just About Sums It Up.......Folks

What's it called?, a Coup D' Etat, or something like that. Funny how the Dems keep searching for a "solid" plank to stand on, and still come up with the "we are winning this WOT and we need headlines too" syndrome.

Remember how in 94 Clinton turned in a Budget package that was in excess of 350 billion, but a new congressional leadership (for the first time in forty years) passed a BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT that Clinton was forced to sign, and then proceeded (attempted) to take credit for it ?

Well, it's happening again. Same old playbook. With the Iraqi December elections coming to pass and Zarqawi and his nutbags loosing any credibility by blowing up Muslim's, this WOT, (at least in Iraq) will wind down next year. The Iraqi army is now 200k strong and growing. Our President will start to bring our forces home when the generals (on the ground) tell him, and the Iraqi leaders say so.

Despite all the gloom and doom the MSM is writing about, the people of Iraq are getting stronger by the day.

Even the intelligent democrats see the writing on the wall and they need to steal some of the "thunder of victory" by bringing this stupid debate of troop withdrawal.

Rather than let them carry this leaking pale of water, the Republicans just let it come to a floor vote and put an end to the BS. Results, 403-3 , the nays have it.

The Dems needed to have something to take home to their constituents during this holiday break. "Bush Lied" doesn't work, Plamegate fizzled, and worse (for the Dems) gas prices are plummeting and the economy is clicking along at a healthy pace.Spending all their energy of obstructionism filibustering Alito won't work either.

So what's a Democrat to do? Their negative posturing and lack of a platform just isn't cutting the mustard these days, and it won't win elections. If they think they can be responsible for bringing troops home and claiming victory for the salvation of 50 million Iraqis, they are sadly mistaken. George W. Bush took down Saddam Hussein and freed these people. Democracy in the Middle East? Who'd da thunk it? The Democrats just can't (or refuse) to find something positive to say about the things this President has accomplished. It's just not their nature. Oh, and "where's Osama? Who gives a shit.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Sometimes it just doesn't pay to mettle.

The other day, as I was surfing thru websites inhaling information like a sponge, I came across in interesting post that I wanted to leave a comment on. Trouble was, there was no "comment" section at the bottom of the post. I was just about to leave the site when I noticed the website owner mentioning that the site lacked the traffic desired, so I emailed the owner and "snidely" suggested that a comment section might help. (Note: this was done with all the good intentions a fellow blogger would/could accept) Well, lo and behold Ken took my suggestion to heart and began the changes to cause enough headaches in what we will call the "template-tweaking-blues". Simple changes are almost never simple. They usually effect another portion of the equation).

Which brings me to another question/revelation. What "chain of events" evolve when we make "simple" changes. I'm sure there's a philosophy professor out there that could expel on this question, but attempting to decipher their terminology is well beyond my comprehension, so I will try the "keep it simple stupid" methodology so (at least) I can understand it.

Example #1. (9/11 to today) When a "group" of fanatics develop an ideology that the only way to change something is to exterminate it by indiscriminately murdering all those who oppose, there is a chain of events that will happen. IT'S CALLED A WAR ON TERRORISM! (WOT)Now I won't even attempt (in this post) to explain all the reasons why these events have come to pass. "Why" is moot, nadda, kapoot. The only goal these people have is to exterminate me, and I could give a rats ass as to "why". History can ask that question. My current objective, (and I'm not alone here) is to prove to these idiots that this is not going to happen without a fight. "Who" is also moot. I don't give a shit who you are if "you" are my enemy. History, will also record who you are. "Where" is not so moot. So far, free people have chosen to meet you (and your ideology of death) on your hollowed ground. (Many here in USA sit in their little "comfort" zones and deny that this (WOT) could come back to our shores. They will (most likely) be sadly mistaken. Unless there is change. "How" will this change come about? Duh! It's happening right before our eyes. Free democracys and elections in Afghanistan, Iraq, and indeed the yearning for more in many countries around the entire world. Only in a free democratic society can there be resolutions made without the threat of death or extermination of humans. "What" will transpire in this "chain of events"? "When" will we see a semblance of stability?Patience, is not one our good traits these days, and many seem to think this whole thing (WOT) should just go away so we can go back to simpler things to bitch about, like the price of gas, how to eliminate Christmas, who's allowed to own guns (that one really gits my goat), but the simple reality is this is not going to be over tomorrow, the next day, or even the next year. United we Stand? Or will it be divided we fall? Many (on the radikull left) think we should just pack it all in and bring our troops home and let the rest of the world fall to pieces. Then they could all blame this one on GW too. The "kulls" have an agenda that would be perilous to this nation, indeed the entire world, and they just don't get it.

Change is sometimes a good thing (in the long run) Dana.

Time will tell.

Please visit Common Sense Political Thought when you have a chance, (in my opinion) it's good reading. You can even leave a "comment" :)

Friday, November 11, 2005

President Bush......Hits One Out!


On this day that we observe and honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, President Bush stepped up the the plate and smacked one down the throats of the detractors and dissenters who have insisted on blaming the war on terror and the conflict in Iraq on one man.

"At this hour, a new generation of Americans is defending our flag and our freedom in the first war of this century. This war came to our shores on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. ...We know that they want to strike again and our nation has made a clear choice. We will confront this mortal danger to all humanity. We will not tire or rest until the War on Terror is won."

"As our troops fight a ruthless enemy determined to destroy our way of life, they deserve to know that their elected leaders who voted to send them to war continue to stand behind them," the president said. "Our troops deserve to know that this support will remain firm when the going gets tough. And our troops deserve to know that, whatever our differences in Washington, our will is strong, our nation is united and we will settle for nothing less than victory."

"The stakes in the global war on terror are too high, and the national interest is too important, for politicians to throw out false charges. (Applause.) These baseless attacks send the wrong signal to our troops and to an enemy that is questioning America's will. As our troops fight a ruthless enemy determined to destroy our way of life, they deserve to know that their elected leaders who voted to send them to war continue to stand behind them. (Applause.) Our troops deserve to know that this support will remain firm when the going gets tough. (Applause.) And our troops deserve to know that whatever our differences in Washington, our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory."

Complete speech here:

And from California Conservative:

From a small town in Pennsylvania, the president came to finally answer critics of an increasingly unpopular war, a war that Democrats hoped would sweep them into office in the next election.

But enough about Lincoln at Gettysburg 142 Novembers ago; let me analyze George Walker Bush’s speech today: CC's complete post here

Bob Krumm asked an interesting question:

"Instead of looking backward to question why we're at war, Democrats should focus on winning by increasing the size of the military, portraying a positive message, supporting not just the troops, but also their mission, and showing the world a united homefront in the midst of war."

There's precedent for this counterintuitive approach--1992. When Bushes win victories abroad, the focus returns quickly to their failures at home. And as far as many Republican voters are concerned, there are domestic deficiencies aplenty in this Bush administration. Just as there were in his father's.

So, Democrats, stop running against the war. You serve only to unite an otherwise disenchanted Republican base. If you take the war off the front page by winning it, Republicans will have to depend on their domestic record for victory. And, unfortunately, there's little there to rally the base.

Mr. Krumm's full post is here

Update: Political Teen has the full vidio

More at 7 & 11

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Repairs,Relationships, and Propositions

Coming Soon.......commonsensepoliticalthought (and the adventures of finding this fine site)

But first I gotta go vote and prepair for some election and proposition reports.

BUT EVERYBODY GIT OUT THERE AND VOTE!!!

Thursday, November 03, 2005

There's just no other way to put it

As a frequent reader of Captain's Quarters , I had the pleasure of catching a "little" conversation in the comments section between two people on different sides of an issue. I will change the names to protect the innocent, but you will know by the end where I stand and ,(I think) , a strong majority of this country feels as well.

" It's sad that so many of you guys (not all) can't respond to our arguments with anything but insults.


Talking time is over (deleted). The battle has begun. Things are going to get real heated; real quick. If you want to talk and make nice chat chat, you had better stick to your side of the blogosphere. The gloves are off, the helmets are on, and the battle has started. Your questions are just plain stupid. Your answers are even dumber than your questions. You don't get it, and you won't get it even if we play nice chat chat with you for the next ten years.

LA; where's Osama........ CK; Wilson is a LIEING worthless phonie scumbag........

Absolutely no nice way to put it; we have had it with the Liberal destruction of this great country. Bring on the filibuster; bring on the impeachment of our President at a time of war; bring on Howard Dean. No more appeasing Liberalism. There comes a time when words no longer have any meaning; when that time has arrived, it's time for a fight; that time has arrived between Liberalism & Conservatism. Gee let's have a friendly debate; gee can't we all just get along; NOPE, too late now. It's on....."

posted by Keemo

"I believe in the people of this great nation; "
Except for the ones who happen to disagree with you, eh Keemo? Or -- horror of horrors! -- vote Democrat.
Posted by: (deleted) at November 2, 2005 05:09 PM

Complete the theme (name deleted); the vast majority of Americans........................

You are in the minority for a reason (deleted). The vast majority of Americans have voted Republican for more than a few cycles now (deleted). What do you think about that (deleted)? Our system of government works best when we have TWO healthy parties (deleted). I would love to see your party become healthy once again. In order for that to happen, you will need an entire house cleansing, and you will have to stand firmly behind the principles that this country was build upon. You can't attack "God" and religious freedom; you can't attack our constitution and try to sell it away as some kind of "living document"; you can't attack our ability to defend ourselves against enemies, as we will always have enemies as history has shown us; you can't block the people from developing energy; you can't attack and destroy the foundation of marriage; you can't continue to shove this "wealth redistribution" bullshit down our throats; you can't continue to suppress minorities from their God given right to develop and advance. Everything that defines "Liberalism" is not going to sell to the majority of Americans. The event of talk radio, the new media, and Fox News has educated the people Herb; your kind simply are not having much success brain washing the public anymore. Your entire platform needs to collapse in order for your people to rebuild. I hope your kind can accomplish this great task, as our government works best with two healthy parties. But first, we must destroy Liberalism as you know it; & only then will you have a chance for reconstruction. We are in the process of destroying your party by exposing them for what they really are; we are doing our part. If successful, it will then be up to people like you to rebuild on a solid foundation of principle, faith, and honor of American tradition.

Posted by Keemo


I would like everyone to know that these are not my words, but they could be and should be, because the reflect (mirror) my sentiments to the exact word. For the Democratic Party to become healthy again we may have to start with the school system that begins to poison our young minds at a very young age and continues thru college. By the time these kids are out of school they already have a hatred for Conservative ideologies based solely on the cancer spread to them by many teachers and professors. The working stiff got to bypass the indoctrination for a while until their union delegates began to feed them with this same ol' crap that the Democratic Party was their only salvation. (But that is also changing).

Many moderate Democrats are ashamed of their party, but (to this point) have no where to turn. (Or do they?) As my friend (above) has so promptly pointed out "Liberalism" and their cancer are attempting to destroy the very fabric of this countrys values. Conservatives have a proven vaccine.

They are called elections. Better to move to higher ground........there's a landslide coming.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

COMING SOON.........KEEMO

What I am about to post are the true feelings of what I believe is "right" about this country.

But I must wait for some permissions............ stay tuned.