For all of you who have read my wife's blog, thank you for your support.
If you haven't, here's your chance.
Hope you had a memorable Memorial Day.
Tuesday, May 31
Sunday, May 29
ex-ACT-ly
I knew I wasn't the only one who thought like this. I don't know the validity of everything she says here, but I can certainly understand the sentiment. If there is one advantage to actually being deployed over here it must be that I don't get my blood in a boil every day. I'm free to wallow in my own conservatism and fellowship with red-blooded Americans who, for the most part, share my values.
Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Memorial Day!
Wednesday, May 25
X-squeeze me?
Let me give you some background info. I work in the admin office out here in Iraq, which means that I am able to check email, read news stories, and update my blog on a fairly regular basis. I have set up my account to provide me with daily updates concerning the key word Ramadi. I also get their headlines, and that's what I'm talking about today. I was reading this story about the ALLEGED abuse of the Quran by guards in Cuba and I was struck by the last few lines. Let me save you the trouble by pasting those lines here:
"The United States government continues to turn a blind eye to mounting evidence of widespread abuse of detainees held in its custody," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "If we are to truly repair America's standing in the world, the Bush administrtation must hold accountable high-ranking officials who allow the conitnuing abuse and torture of detainees."
Excuse me? Since when does America have to prove anything by catering to whiny little cowards like these terrorists? Here, I'll let another section of the same story make my argument for me:
FBI records cite at least one instance in which a detainee is said to have falsely claimed that a guard had dropped a Quran. "In actuality the detainee dropped the Quran and then blamed the guard. Many other detainees reacted to this claim," the FBI document said, and that sparked an uprising "on or about 19-20 July 2002."
See my point? These cowards are willing to do anything and everything to get their willing accomplices in the press to help them forward their cause. They desecrate their own holy book and blame us. They stockpile weapons in mosques and use those mosques as staging areas for launching attacks against US and mult-national forces. According to the Geneva convention, using a holy site for anything other than worship or humanitarian reasons (a field hospital, for example) is a huge NO-NO! "Places of worship may not be used in support of the military effort" If a mosque (or church or cathedral) is used in violation of this principle, it loses it's protection. Does that stop these thugs? Hardly. But, hold a Quran and sneeze at the same time and all of a sudden you've violated their human rights.
While doing a bit of surfing for this entry, I came up with something that might interest the media. This is an excerpt from Wikipedia.com, an online encylopedia, concerning the law of war.
"Spies and terrorists are only protected by the laws of war if the power which holds them is in a state of armed conflict or war and until they are found to be an unlawful combatant. Depending on the circumstances, they may be subject to civilian law or military tribunal for their acts and in practice have been subjected to torture and/or execution. The laws of war neither approve nor condemn such acts, which fall outside their scope."
I'm going to give myself an ulcer if I keep this up much longer, so I will finish with this thought: we are down to 129 days before it's October 1st!
"The United States government continues to turn a blind eye to mounting evidence of widespread abuse of detainees held in its custody," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "If we are to truly repair America's standing in the world, the Bush administrtation must hold accountable high-ranking officials who allow the conitnuing abuse and torture of detainees."
Excuse me? Since when does America have to prove anything by catering to whiny little cowards like these terrorists? Here, I'll let another section of the same story make my argument for me:
FBI records cite at least one instance in which a detainee is said to have falsely claimed that a guard had dropped a Quran. "In actuality the detainee dropped the Quran and then blamed the guard. Many other detainees reacted to this claim," the FBI document said, and that sparked an uprising "on or about 19-20 July 2002."
See my point? These cowards are willing to do anything and everything to get their willing accomplices in the press to help them forward their cause. They desecrate their own holy book and blame us. They stockpile weapons in mosques and use those mosques as staging areas for launching attacks against US and mult-national forces. According to the Geneva convention, using a holy site for anything other than worship or humanitarian reasons (a field hospital, for example) is a huge NO-NO! "Places of worship may not be used in support of the military effort" If a mosque (or church or cathedral) is used in violation of this principle, it loses it's protection. Does that stop these thugs? Hardly. But, hold a Quran and sneeze at the same time and all of a sudden you've violated their human rights.
While doing a bit of surfing for this entry, I came up with something that might interest the media. This is an excerpt from Wikipedia.com, an online encylopedia, concerning the law of war.
"Spies and terrorists are only protected by the laws of war if the power which holds them is in a state of armed conflict or war and until they are found to be an unlawful combatant. Depending on the circumstances, they may be subject to civilian law or military tribunal for their acts and in practice have been subjected to torture and/or execution. The laws of war neither approve nor condemn such acts, which fall outside their scope."
I'm going to give myself an ulcer if I keep this up much longer, so I will finish with this thought: we are down to 129 days before it's October 1st!
Tuesday, May 24
Take me out of the ball game...
See, in the never changing world of high priced athletes, it continues to amaze me when someone gets canned because he can't get the job done... and then pitches a fit about the way he's being treated. My basis for this argument? The recent assignment of Danny Graves is what's provoked this latest flurry of wit and insight. For those of you who don't understand baseball as a business, it basically boils down to one simple thing. Despite eight years in the Cincinnati orginization, Danny Graves has been told that his services are no longer required. In other words, he's fired. Okay, maybe that sounds harsh, but the man gets paid a LOT of money to win ball games ( or actually save them for the starting pitcher) and he isn't getting it done. Even in the Marines, if you can't do the job you're history. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the man personally. I just want to see my hometown heros win every now and again... especially if they're leading by six runs in the ninth inning.
Friday, May 20
TAG!
Ok, my wife "tagged" me with this. I guess I'm supposed to finish five of the sentences below and then "tag" three others to continue the game. Slight problem with that... I don't know anybody! Oh well. Here's my list...
If I could be a scientist . . .
If I could be a farmer . . .
If I could be a musician . . .
If I could be a doctor . . .
If I could be a painter . . .
If I could be a gardener . . .
If I could be a missionary . . .
If I could be a chef . . .
If I could be an architect . . .
If I could be a linguist . . .
If I could be a psychologist . . .
If I could be a librarian . . .
If I could be an athlete . . .
If I could be a lawyer . . .
If I could be an inn-keeper . . .
If I could be a professor . . .
If I could be a writer . . .
If I could be a llama-rider . . .
If I could be a bonnie pirate . . .
If I could be an astronaut . . .
If I could be a world famous blogger . . .
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world . . .
If I could be married to any current famous political figure . . .
So, of the choices listed above I chose these.
If I could be an inn keeper I would run a bed and breakfast for rednecks. You'd have to help with the chores and kill your own food. Why would that be a vacation? I'd let you sleep in until 5:30 and your sheets wouldn't smell like cow patties. Plus, there'd be a rule that you can only have a maximum of two people in a bed, which would allow everyone to have a lot more elbow room. The water would be hot and fresh for everyone and I wouldn't bother you with modern distractions like phones, newspapers, or a TV. That way you could concentrate on your whittling during our group happy hour.
Okay, that one's a joke, but the next one's legit...
If I could be a doctor, I'd specialize in pediatrics. I would love to help little kids who have to be taught that it's okay to trust someone. How sad is that when we have to teach our kids it's okay to trust someone because they learn too quickly that trust can be broken and so will their little hearts. God, help me never break the trust of my children.
If I could be a lawyer, I'd defend churches from liberal groups who want separation of church and state (which is NOT mentioned in the Constitution by the way - it's a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson in a personal letter) but only as long as that means no church. It's funny how the people who want Jesus out of schools also want to dictate (yes, I said "dictate" like a dictator would do) to churches that they must hire gay activists and people who don't follow the church's teachings all in the name of "diversity and tolerance." Hey, Egghead! Why can't you tolerate me practicing my faith in a way that has no impact on your life?
If I could be a scientist, I'd figure out how to turn salt water into fuel and make the technology affordable so that I could start my own company. I'd sell after market engines that would be just as powerful (or more so) as the engines that come in your car. That way I could concentrate on the fuel economy stuff and leave the pretty designs to the big car companies. Also, if people have to buy American cars before they can get one of my engines (they'd be the wrong size to fit into foreign cars) it would help the domestic job market by keeping people employed.
If I could be a professor, I'd teach ethics at UC Berkeley. HAH! Can you see me teaching ethics at a liberal college like Berkeley? I'd get into so many arguments with my students and other professors that I'd either be fired within two minutes or I'd become the most popular professor on campus and a rallying point for all the conservatives within 100 miles.
Anyway... that's my list for now. If you'd like to copy the top part and put it on your own blog, please leave me a comment with your blog address so I can develop a friends list. Please? I don't have any friends. :-<
If I could be a scientist . . .
If I could be a farmer . . .
If I could be a musician . . .
If I could be a doctor . . .
If I could be a painter . . .
If I could be a gardener . . .
If I could be a missionary . . .
If I could be a chef . . .
If I could be an architect . . .
If I could be a linguist . . .
If I could be a psychologist . . .
If I could be a librarian . . .
If I could be an athlete . . .
If I could be a lawyer . . .
If I could be an inn-keeper . . .
If I could be a professor . . .
If I could be a writer . . .
If I could be a llama-rider . . .
If I could be a bonnie pirate . . .
If I could be an astronaut . . .
If I could be a world famous blogger . . .
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world . . .
If I could be married to any current famous political figure . . .
So, of the choices listed above I chose these.
If I could be an inn keeper I would run a bed and breakfast for rednecks. You'd have to help with the chores and kill your own food. Why would that be a vacation? I'd let you sleep in until 5:30 and your sheets wouldn't smell like cow patties. Plus, there'd be a rule that you can only have a maximum of two people in a bed, which would allow everyone to have a lot more elbow room. The water would be hot and fresh for everyone and I wouldn't bother you with modern distractions like phones, newspapers, or a TV. That way you could concentrate on your whittling during our group happy hour.
Okay, that one's a joke, but the next one's legit...
If I could be a doctor, I'd specialize in pediatrics. I would love to help little kids who have to be taught that it's okay to trust someone. How sad is that when we have to teach our kids it's okay to trust someone because they learn too quickly that trust can be broken and so will their little hearts. God, help me never break the trust of my children.
If I could be a lawyer, I'd defend churches from liberal groups who want separation of church and state (which is NOT mentioned in the Constitution by the way - it's a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson in a personal letter) but only as long as that means no church. It's funny how the people who want Jesus out of schools also want to dictate (yes, I said "dictate" like a dictator would do) to churches that they must hire gay activists and people who don't follow the church's teachings all in the name of "diversity and tolerance." Hey, Egghead! Why can't you tolerate me practicing my faith in a way that has no impact on your life?
If I could be a scientist, I'd figure out how to turn salt water into fuel and make the technology affordable so that I could start my own company. I'd sell after market engines that would be just as powerful (or more so) as the engines that come in your car. That way I could concentrate on the fuel economy stuff and leave the pretty designs to the big car companies. Also, if people have to buy American cars before they can get one of my engines (they'd be the wrong size to fit into foreign cars) it would help the domestic job market by keeping people employed.
If I could be a professor, I'd teach ethics at UC Berkeley. HAH! Can you see me teaching ethics at a liberal college like Berkeley? I'd get into so many arguments with my students and other professors that I'd either be fired within two minutes or I'd become the most popular professor on campus and a rallying point for all the conservatives within 100 miles.
Anyway... that's my list for now. If you'd like to copy the top part and put it on your own blog, please leave me a comment with your blog address so I can develop a friends list. Please? I don't have any friends. :-<
Tuesday, May 17
Fox News Alert
Over the objections of some of the members of my command, former Marine Lt Col Oliver North is in the wire. For those of you who don't get it, that means he's in our camp. He's here taping for his show on Fox News. If you are interested in watching to see what he comes up with, it might be a good idea to read a couple of his stories to get a feel for where he comes from. To that end, I've selected a couple of editorials that are currently available at www.foxnews.com. Enjoy. Keep an eye on his show on Fox News and see what he has to say about the First Battalion of the Fighting Fifth Marines.
Here is his commentary about a picture of a soldier cradling a dying child in his arms:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155737,00.html
And these are his comments about the recent push toward the Syrian border:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156700,00.html
Just for the record, Fox News did NOT pay me to mention this in my blog.
Here is his commentary about a picture of a soldier cradling a dying child in his arms:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155737,00.html
And these are his comments about the recent push toward the Syrian border:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156700,00.html
Just for the record, Fox News did NOT pay me to mention this in my blog.
Friday, May 13
What's the deal?
OK, so I've been here for about two and a half months so far and I have to ask, "What's the deal?" What do you mean, Bill? I mean simply that I don't understand why the citizens of Ramadi don't step up and help themselves. We are here to help them learn to govern themselves and they seem to be willing to simply allow their lives to be manipulated like pawns in a chess game. No, strike that. It's more like marbles in a game of Chinese Checkers. There seems to me that there are more than two players and the "rules" have alot of sublties involved. On the surface of course, are the Multi-National Forces, led by America on one side and the terrorist insurgents (many of them from outside of Iraq) on the other, with the citizens of Ramadi caught in the middle. But that's not the whole story. When we roll through town, the townspeople are pro-America, until they disappear from our rearview mirror. Why? They don't want to get shot. When we leave, they turn pro-insurgents. Why? Again, they don't want to get shot. While I can understand the instinct for survival, I can't understand the logic. Survival, as an end to itself, is not enough. You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything. If you're an insurgent, then step up and we'll either capture or kill you in a quasi-fair fight. That way, your integrity is intact and we can clean this place up that much faster. If you're on our side, then talk to your friends and get out and vote! If you don't vote for your young government then, in my opinion, you don't have the right to bitch about it. Vote. Make your convictions known. Take a stand for crying out loud.
Thursday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo
I'm just using "Cinco de Mayo" as my title. I don't really have anything relevant to say about today since it looked just like yesterday, and will probably look alot like tomorrow. Check that...
Did you see the news reports about the insurgents who were sent to their final reckoning when they attacked the multi-national forces in Ramadi yesterday? That was us. I guess the bad guys read our battalion logo, "Make Peace or Die" and opted for the latter. Works for me. The more of them we kill the fewer there will be to harass the decent people here who really just want to be left alone to live their own lives, and we can get out of here.v
I saw that Tony Blair is projected to win reelection as PM of England. Once again those who thought that a world leader had committed political suicide by supporting an invasion to rid the world of a despot are being proven wrong. There really are two types of people out there: those who see the world as being a conflict between right and wrong, good and evil, and are willing to take a stand for what they believe in; and those who "report" the news, but actually try to reshape the truth into a version that better fits their world view. Face it, the rest of the world does not think like some who spend their whole careers and even lives living in secluded communities and criticizing absolutely everything. Get over yourself, Hollywood. The terrorists won't attack you because you're not nearly as important as you think you are. If anything, they'd just as soon hire Alec Baldwin to be their spokesman. By the way, didn't he promise (I mean "threaten") to leave the country if President Bush was elected? That was over 4 1/2 years ago... why isn't he gone yet?
End of speech.
I got some pictures today of my kids from my mother in law. She had a great shot of little Leah at Christmas sitting next to her Mommy and completely fascinated with a little doll she'd gotten. It was great. Thanks, "Mom".
Did you see the news reports about the insurgents who were sent to their final reckoning when they attacked the multi-national forces in Ramadi yesterday? That was us. I guess the bad guys read our battalion logo, "Make Peace or Die" and opted for the latter. Works for me. The more of them we kill the fewer there will be to harass the decent people here who really just want to be left alone to live their own lives, and we can get out of here.v
I saw that Tony Blair is projected to win reelection as PM of England. Once again those who thought that a world leader had committed political suicide by supporting an invasion to rid the world of a despot are being proven wrong. There really are two types of people out there: those who see the world as being a conflict between right and wrong, good and evil, and are willing to take a stand for what they believe in; and those who "report" the news, but actually try to reshape the truth into a version that better fits their world view. Face it, the rest of the world does not think like some who spend their whole careers and even lives living in secluded communities and criticizing absolutely everything. Get over yourself, Hollywood. The terrorists won't attack you because you're not nearly as important as you think you are. If anything, they'd just as soon hire Alec Baldwin to be their spokesman. By the way, didn't he promise (I mean "threaten") to leave the country if President Bush was elected? That was over 4 1/2 years ago... why isn't he gone yet?
End of speech.
I got some pictures today of my kids from my mother in law. She had a great shot of little Leah at Christmas sitting next to her Mommy and completely fascinated with a little doll she'd gotten. It was great. Thanks, "Mom".
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