France Loose 60 Tons of Explosives

This is an interesting story about a French solider who really does not want to retire!

Waxman's Report - Abstinence?

Last week there were stories on The Waxman Report, accusing an abstinence-based program of misleading teens. Many touted the reporter's view of the report as fact without reading the report or investigating. I found an article by Jane Jimenez that dives further into the Waxman Report and identifies some interesting points.

Filming Combat: Yes or No

Army Times has a story by Rick Maze about Rep. Walter Jones' (R - N.C.) letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stating that he "worries the presence of camera crews could end up jeopardizing lives". Some more excepts:

“There must be a balance between the need for media coverage and the difficult and complex missions being carried out by our brave troops,” Jones wrote. “I pray that a Marine or soldier in the future will not lose their life because they hesitated due to concerns that their action would be recorded by the media, reported out of context and scrutinized by public opinion before all of the facts are presented.” (Read more)

I agree that cameras should not be present and would question the justification for reporters at all on some missions - the American people do not realize how this can jeopardize military personal just by their presence not to mention adding another loophole to security

More Scrutiny at Canadian Boarder

This story briefly outlines some measures that are being taken at some US-Canadian boarders and though I think it is good news they are doing something, shouldn't the simply and initial steps described happened sooner than three (3) years after 9/11?

UN Trouble Problem for Dems?

Interesting opinion piece by Deborah Orin pointing out that during the 2004 campaign the Democrats suggested that the corrupt UN could be trusted more than President Bush could. Further, democrats have reflexively been pro-UN and for their survival, they need to distance themselves from the UN. I agree with Ms. Orin adding only "hey democrat distance yourself".

Need to Define Concession

I believe the Kerry campaign needs to learn the meaning of concession; but guess it is simple depression and they can't let it go! Leave it to a democrat to go back on their word. See the story here.

Hundreds Re-Enlist

Good story out of Fort Carson, CO about a large re-enlistment ceremony held today. Here are some reasons the soldiers gave:

"I am doing it because of him," said Spc. Chad Mobley, pointing to Spc. Josh Soelzer. "He's like a brother to me."

"I think it is a sense of duty," added her camouflage-clad husband, who will be serving his second tour in Iraq. "I decided I owed it to my boys. I am very proud of being in the Army."

"I wanted to do my part in protecting the nation and the future of my children. I just love the Army. I can't picture myself doing anything else," he said as his 3-year-old son, Dontay, watched from a stroller.

Interesting fact: "The Army says 58,446 soldiers over all re-enlisted in the year ending Sept. 30, 2,000 more than the goal."

Economic Good News?

I believe this story might depress the pessimistic liberals out there - but not to worry you can still harp on "consumer confidence" until that myth is destroyed, after which you can blame the "high energy prices" on President Bush. Face it liberals should not be so depressed it is always easy to find something negative to harp on.

Racism in US not Bad

My wife and I are of different races and do get the occasional stares; however, we do not instantly believe those staring hate us. We prefer, if the opportunity presents itself, to approach and give a nice "hello how are you"; if further given the opportunity we will have a conversation. To assume the individual simply "hates" us and then "hate" them back make all parties ignorant!

I do want to be clear - there is ignorance in all races about racism; so yes racism does exist across all races and is not limited to black and white. Simply ask an older Korean, Chinese, or Pilipino how they feel about the Japanese; you might be shocked by the hate that could come out of their mouth - Turks and Greeks or Germans!

My problem racism is portrayed as such a problem in this country when in fact it is much worse in many other countries; one word genocide - how many times have your heard this, recently?

I believe racial tolerance in American though not perfect is much better then almost another place in the world and the word "racism" is simply used for shock value. The media itself promotes racism while condemning it - amazing. I realized this many years ago after a "cult multi suicide" outside San Diego - the realization hit me like a brick and I wondered how I missed it.

While talking about the number of humans that died the media gave a race and gender breakdown. I thought about it and I challenge you to listen to tragic stories reported they will give you a race, religion, gender, and anything else they can think of breakdown - Heck, they did it after 9/11 to the best of their ability using percentages mainly.

If a medium really seeks racism to become a memory would they not simply report "xxxxx" Americans or human beings died in a tragic ………………….., instead of "x" blacks, "x" whites, "x" males, "x" Asians died in a tragic……………..and the reason there were more "whites" is because…………………but the male number was high because…………………..!" Give me a Break - racism is promoted by the media and politicians! In my opinion anyone that believes racism is so much worse in the United States simply needs to travel and talk to the people not just see the sites. You see other countries know it is ugly to and don't promote it like the good ole USA.

Secretary-General Annan Has Got to Go

In a New York Times column by William Safire it is reported that Annan said:

the secretary general said that the allegation (originally reported in The Sunday Telegraph in London) had been "thoroughly investigated" by the U.N. and there was "nothing to it."
[...]
statement in April about the contract award: "Neither he nor I had anything to do with the contracts for Cotecna."

Now a Scotsman.com News article has Annan saying:

Asked to react to news that his son took the money and had not disclosed it, Annan said: “Naturally I was very disappointed and surprised.”
[...]
Annan said his son “is an independent business man. He is a grown man, and I don’t get involved with his activities and he doesn’t get involved in mine.”

Well which is it "nothing" or nothing that involves you? This man has got to go!

UPDATE: Looks like someone agrees with me (Read here)

Things Democrats Say

Shout out to Betsy's Page for pointing out John Leo's latest column. Mr. Leo points out several statements made by the open-minded liberals over the last year. A snippet:

According to Sen. John Edwards, “I’d say if you live in the United States of America and you vote for George Bush, you’ve lost your mind.”

Hollywood people who used the “F” word but weren’t talking about the president, the winner is Tim Robbins for “F - - - compassionate conservatives!”

In the sour-grapes department, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann said “Fox News is hated because they’re elitist and the worst winners television’s ever seen.” Also referring to Fox News, he said “Shallow, phony patriotism will always draw a crowd, like dogs humping in the street.”

Former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite said he is inclined to think that Rove “probably set up bin Laden” to deliver his latest tape. Maybe he set up Florida’s hurricanes, too.

In the category of saying nice things about terrorists, Michael Moore wins for comparing the insurgents in Iraq to the American Minutemen....(Good read here)

You have to agree with Mr. Leo's title, because these statements are truly "Over the Top". The sad fact is there are many more statements that could have been placed in this article.

60 Minutes Against The Miltary

Last night while channel surfing I ran across Leslie Stahl's 60 minutes piece Spy Ring at Gitmo. Little to my surprise it was another derogatory story on the military. Is anyone else getting tired of this relentless effort to demoralize the military while continuing to state the lie "we support our brave men and women"? I don't expect no negative stories since I know they have to get their ratings, but I do expect some positive stories which are sorely lacking. Anyone reading, can you tell me the last time you heard a positive story about the military come out of CBS?

I am not talking about the basic "we support our brave men and women" I am looking for a true story involving interviews etc. CBS along with the other MSM simply refuse to air those types stories and then criticize those that feel as I do. This is not being supportive "of our brave men and women"! Act as if these were you children; do you believe that constant belittling and berating without praise would motivate them to strive to be their best? I don't thinks so!

Like I have said before how about some Good News Please!

Is the World Better Off?

Daivd Brooks has a good piece on the state of world economics and the effect of globalization. I agree with his statement "I hate to be the bearer of good news, because only pessimists are regarded as intellectually serious.."! Here are some excerpts:

Developing countries are seeing their economies expand by 6.1 percent this year - an unprecedented rate - and, even if you take China, India and Russia out of the equation, developing world growth is still around 5 percent. As even the cautious folks at the World Bank note, all developing regions are growing faster this decade than they did in the 1980's and 90's.
[...]
Just once, I'd like to see someone like Bono or Bruce Springsteen stand up at a concert and speak the truth to his fan base: that the world is complicated and there are no free lunches. But if you really want to reduce world poverty, you should be cheering on those guys in pinstripe suits at the free-trade negotiations and those investors jetting around the world. Thanks, in part, to them, we are making progress against poverty. Thanks, in part, to them, more people around the world have something to be thankful for. (Read here)

Genes Not The Reason

Maureen Dowd placed a sample of your conservative brother's E-mail in her column "Blood is Thicker Than Gravy". She further describes her conservative family, meaning the gene pool is not the reason she is a misguided liberal. Michelle Malkin reprinted the E-mail and has an accurate conclusion.

Taking France To Court

Looks like France after calling for the United States to be brought before the World Court will get there but not the way they expected. This did bring a smile to my face.

Patricia Hamza, a lawyer working with an Ivory Coast presidential mission in Brussels, said a suit against France would be lodged with the International Court of Justice, the UN's highest legal body, in The Hague.(Read more)

Hey Spain - We Got It!

This story further ties the same cast of al-Qaida characters responsible for Spain's train bombing to the 9/11 attack. However, as we know these cast of characters, which anti-war activist say have no ties to Iraq, bomb the train in Spain in revenge for Spain's sending troops to Iraq - resulting in Spain withdrawing her troops. This story solidifies that indeed America is fighting Spain's battles against terror. Some interesting excerpts:

Spain's leading anti-terrorism judge, Baltasar Garzon, said in an indictment handed down in September 2003 against 35 al-Qaida suspects - including Osama bin Laden and Setmariam - that the Tarragona meeting was used to decide last-minute details of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, including the exact date.

Investigators in Spain and the United States have long said Spain was a key staging ground for Sept. 11, along with Germany.

Ban Carving Knifes

This story should be the start of an organized effort to ban carving knifes - appears that people don't use only guns to kill. Go figure, but Moore can add this incident with incidents in China. in his "Bowling for Columbine" sequel.

News Flash - Florida Did Vote Bush

Wonder if this story satisfies Keith Olbermann's curiosity?

LAKE BUTLER, Fla. - A newspaper's review of ballots cast in three north Florida counties where registered Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans showed just what officials reported: the counties' voters did on Election Day as they often do here, they voted for a Republican for president.

The review of ballots by The Miami Herald shows that people really did mark their ballots in larger numbers for President Bush than John Kerry, debunking Internet-fed rumors questioning whether there was some sort of conspiracy against Kerry in those counties. (Read more)

Sins of The Father

Parents should really read this story and remember to practice what you preach. I guess the old saying "do as I say and not as I do" doesn't apply here.

Chem Lab in Fallujah - Update

Earlier today it was suggested that we "not ruin the antiwar establishment's holiday weekend" by telling them about the chemical lab that was discovered in Fallujah - but someone must have let is slip; they know! I also updated you on the fact that a Zarqawi lieutant was arrested near the same location.

Now there is a story on Aljazeera reporting that former UN chief weapons inspector Han Blix would be surprised if the lab were capable of creating weapons. Mr. Blix states:

Many of these stories evaporate when they are looked at more closely," he told the mainly student crowd. "The chances [that the laboratory could produce weapons] are, I think, relatively small. I would be surprised if it was something real.

Is this wishful thinking or insightfulness - I believe it to be the former.