The fact that Saddam was capable of using chemical weapons against his own people is proof he is a megalomaniac. Saddam was also the type of leader that had no qualms executing anyone that took an opposing position to his. One final facet giving a VVS clarity to this gem of a megalomaniac is, well, read on:

So you read, from this FMSO document, that Saddam’s idea was to enshrine hairs from his mustache, right? And, this letter is to be written on solid gold! (without the dancers - you’d have to have lived in the ’80s, people)

Oh, right, you didn’t know how his “cookie crumb duster” was to be kept safe from the elements and thieves so read on:

Lead, glass, gold, and mustache hairs. Uh-huh, megalomaniac.

I wonder if Kim Jong Il has some spiky locks from the top of his head in one of his “Paper Dong II” missiles … ???

Also posted at California Conservative

Have any of you been reading any of the recently released documents on the Foreign Military Studies Office, Joint Reserve Intelligence Center - Operation Iraqi Freedom Documents? I have been reading, well, a ton! Umm, that also is why you aren’t seeing me post as often lately. There really is a huge gold mine of information that so many have just turned a blind eye to - well, in the Drive By Media.

What I posted last is not as significant as what I found this evening. While browsing more of the FMSO files, I noticed a document by the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) regarding a meeting. This was no tea and crumpets chat, this is a meeting between Osama Bin Laden, the Taliban Group, Afghanistan, and the Iraqis!

I kid you not! LOOK!

Here is the text, just so you can see the whole letter:

In the Name of God the Most Merciful the Most Compassionate
Office of the Presidency
Intelligence Service
M5/3/9/2

The Honorable Mr. General Director Manager M5

Subject: Information

Our Afghani source numbered 11002 had provided us with the information on the denotation paper number -1- )

The Afghani Consul Ahmad Dahstani (the information on the denotation paper number (2)) had mentioned in front of him with the followings:

1. Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban Group in Afghanistan were in touch with the Iraqis and that group of the Talibans and Osama Bin Laden had visited Iraq.
2. The United States of America has evidence that the Iraqi government and Osama Bin Laden’s group expressed cooperation among themselves in bombing targets in American.
3. In case Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban were proven to have been involved in carrying out these terrorist operations, it could be possible that the United Stated will attack both Iraq and Afghanistan.
4. The Afghani consul heard about the connection between the Iraqis and the Osama Bin Laden group during his stay in Iran.
5. Upon what has been presented we suggest writing to the Intention Committee with the above information.

Please revise…Your recommendation…With appreciation,

Director, M5/3
15/9/2001 Khalid
15/9
Immediately to be
presented to the
Intention Committee President

Did you happen to notice the date on this missive? It is SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2001 ! ! !

Folks, how many more dots do these people need? And, why is it this information isn’t out there? Am I the only person reading this stuff, and NOT in the administration?

Thanks to bRight & Early’s Open TB

Also posted at California Conservative

It’s the Fourth of July!

Today, two people I enjoy reading have written very different pieces. I just realized that their subjects intersect perfectly. This intersection, in a nutshell, is that we have chipped away at our freedoms by trying, in excess, to be fair. In one hand we have those that aspire to bring political correctness to the fore, without regard for everyone’s freedom. And, in the other hand there are those that have made a mockery of protecting others and instituting a Nanny State that is surely causing Benjamin “Kid Gloves” Harrison to spin faster than if he were in a salad spinner! When ya slap both hands together they end up being shackled - we still have the key, you know.

It’s true that many situations can be misconstrued. Often times those that are hypersensitive seek errors in ones ways before they truly grasp any situation. And, it is our current attempt to make things even that so many have taken fair to an unfair level. Political Correctness has placed a major shackle on one hand in such a way that personal expression has been eroded. And, please, don’t bring up burning the flag as expression, that is a tired position and not expression but destruction laced with hatred. I’m referring to compliments and kindness, like kudos for the choices made in a career goal or even holding the door open for another. Today, while people that we elect continue to strip away what freedom truly is in the pursuit of fairness, we get inequality.

We also have a Nanny State that is getting more unbelievably out of control. How is it that protecting others from harm has become so restrictive? How can freedom for all allow those in high places to shackle the other hand without reproach?! As Jonathan Hoenig writes today in Smartmoney.com:

As we’ve pointed out in the past, free countries are always the most prosperous countries. From the former Soviet Union to still-communist China, every inch a society takes towards free-market capitalism results in unheralded prosperity and improved quality of life.

The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is now appreciated primarily for fireworks and barbeque. Yet more than any other celebration, Independence Day is the quintessential American holiday because it clearly enunciates liberty and individual rights as the basic premises on which this country was founded. The Declaration of Independence, presented on July 4, 1776, put forth that all men are endowed with the rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” In America, man functions as an independent entity, free to live his own life independent of the church, government or so-called “public good.”

For many years, this country honored and preserved those principles. Yet, slowly, we’ve been steered away from the rugged individualism towards a collectivist free-for-all in which individual rights are routinely compromised, challenged, or tossed out the window altogether.

This country was FOUNDED on the principles of Godliness, God’s love and respect for us all, and His being the example we must all follow. If we follow His example, and His only Son’s examples, fair is but a given.

We are being shackled because we cannot see beyond the trees. These are the trees sown by those that have no love of God and this country’s principles. The trees are getting thicker out there, and so many have decided the forest is the trees - and visa versa. It’s truly shameful that this translates into a life without happiness, full of darkness and dread, where around every bark-strewn giant something evil lies in wait.

On this Fourth of July, our country’s 230th Birthday, I choose light. Well, light with a few alders, birches, Bushes (41 and 43), and a Mount McKinley or two for color and a break in the horizon!

Cross Posted at California Conservative

The above snippet is just a taste of Jonathan’s points. If you are a subscriber you can get all the benefit, ’cause it costs money for a Smartmoney.com membership. Or, watch him on Fox Channel’s Cashin’ In - he’s the pro-Capitalist on the panel. OK, the ONLY pro-Capitalist you’ll see on TV or in print!

This is a follow-on, of sorts, from Amy’s previous post over at California Conservative and at her home blog Bottom Line Up Front. She says more than this one question I am taking out of context, but follow me here on this one key point.

Amy asks this question:

“What is someone saying who burns the flag?”

They burn Old Glory because they know that it offends so many of us to the core. If they were burning the flag in glee I suspect it would be noticeable - that the act is a happy event and a form of celebration. Yet, the hard looks on their faces, the venom in their speech, and the stamping on the flag in flames is exactly what it is - the flag is us.

If they could get away with it, they would be lighting us on fire and stamping us to death. That is what they are doing, make no mistake. There really is nothing there of any major substance, they just want us all to go away, die, expire, be null.

It is as basic as gutting you and I to the core.

And if I tried to defend the flag, which is my right and duty as a citizen of the United States of America, I would be arrested and thrown in jail for harming another person protesting. I am ex-US Air Force and I fought to keep the flag safe. No man, no team, no battalion is to leave our standard unprotected! If one must retreat, never forget the standard! Leave no man behind, and take our precious Old Glory with you - or be damned!

And, would there be any justice for me, the man that rescued Old Glory from being lit on fire and trampled?

Justice?

I say that has gone out the window. There is no one left to protect our standard, our banner, Old Glory. She has been left on that hill with no one there to protect her. She has been left unprotected on Capitol Hill. Not one but 34 men and women with more respect for the almighty vote and their pursuit of power and money left her undefended. She stands there, battered and in disgrace, left to the curs that they are with more time on their hands than most - and more money and benefits than the richest we know.

Our bravest get paid a paltry sum, and not one would leave our standard in the shape she is in now!

Oh, and it is more than the 34, my friend. It is the whole lot of ‘em inside the Beltway, in the Big Cities, and teaching in our Nation’s Universities.

Also posted at California Conservative

You may have received these jokes in e-mail from your Dad. Someone at work may have said, “Hey, ya gotta see this joke!”

Well, here ya go, these just made me laugh! Gunn Nutt has moved to Semper Gratus, and posted these yesterday. I asked if I could steal ‘em and post here. Without delay:

2 Pigs in a Poke
As President Bush gets off the helicopter in front of the White House, he is carrying a baby pig under each arm. The squared away Marine guard snaps to attention, salutes and says, “Nice pigs, sir.”

The President replies, “These are not pigs, these are authentic Texas Razorback Hogs. I got one for Representative Jack Murtha, and I got one for Senator John Kerry.”

The squared away Marine again snaps to attention, salutes and says, “Nice trade, sir.”

72 Virginians
When Abu al-Zarqawi died, George Washington met him at the Pearly Gates. He slapped him across the face and yelled, “How dare you try to destroy the nation I helped conceive!”

Patrick Henry approached, punched him in the nose and shouted, “You wanted to end our liberties but you failed!” James Madison followed, kicked him in the groin and said, “This is why I allowed our government to provide for the common defense!”

Thomas Jefferson was next, beat al-Zarqawi with a long cane and snarled “It was Evil men like you who inspired me to write the Declaration of Independence.”

The beatings and thrashings continued as George Mason, James Monroe and 66 other early Americans unleashed their anger on the terrorist Leader.

As al-Zarqawi lay bleeding and in pain, an Angel appeared. Al-Zarqawi wept and said, “This is not what you promised me.”

The Angel replied, “I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you in Heaven. What did you think I said?”

Ha! So, stop by Gunn Nutt’s new digs at Semper Gratus!

Also posted at California Conservative

Folks, this Sunday, the 25th of June, is the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Khobar Towers. At a time where this country had returned to the ways of men like Neville Chamberlain and Jimmy Carter, we get one more big appeaser. And, appeasement gets you, what?

This:

AF.mil Courtesy Photo

And this:

U.S. Air Force photo by SrA. Sean Worrell

Ronald Reagan didn’t end the Cold War by making sure that the Europeans loved us and that the USSR was ready for a big group hug and a shot of vodka! Real, true force, a determined effort to develop new defensive technology, and having no fear to step into the fray prevents scenes like …
This:

U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Cesar Rodriguez

And, in the end, we never fired a shot at the USSR. We put enormous pressure on the Europeans, we made sure that the USSR knew we meant business, and we provided enough evidence that no matter how much you throw at us, we’re still gonna kick some ass!

So, Sunday, please pay special attention and pray for our departed brothers in arms from the Khobar Towers bombing. I’ll leave you with this shot of the memorial for our fallen at the former Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia:

AF.mil Courtesy Photo

God Bless and God Speed.

Also posted at California Conservative

Alright, I get regular calls from the RNC on their “membership drives” (worse than KQED!). I also used to get calls from the RNC Small Business Council. Uh-huh, I was a member, but since they made four tries to get cash from me, with no result, they must have just stopped calling.

Now, it’s a different story for the RNC. Three times now I have let them have it, and I do apologize to the callers, it isn’t their fault. They are, after all, just the messenger. This time, in fact about 15 minutes ago, I joked around with the caller (she was a very nice woman) and made sure she knew I wasn’t mad at her. Then I said, “Hey, if they let you send them messages, tell them to wake up on more than just this amnesty thing! They’re not getting another dime from me until they wake up!”

She chuckled - I mean, who wouldn’t? The RNC is looking for more than just a dime from me!

Is there no decency anymore in the RNC? I mean, I think Ronnie is turning in his grave right now (God rest his soul). Do these dolts not get that we really do know what they are up to? I love my party, and I love those that have the ethics and the guts to do what’s right - pun intended. But I gotta say, I’m so close to telling them to put me on the DO NOT CALL list.

Sheesh. Even if I were made of money, these guys still wouldn’t get a dime.

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration - CAII. If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, e-mail the coalition and let them know at what level you would like to participate.

Also posted at California Conservative

It’s Flag Day today. Here is my flag out front, as she always is, flying free! She’s not out just this one day a year. She’s a grand old flag and she remains free, as her colors portray.

You may know what the 13 red and white stripes symbolize. And, you may know the field of blue that contains all 50 precious states - the bright white stars. I’ll give you all a snippet from the USA Flag Site:

Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

I have a slightly different take on our flag, our banner, our standard, or just Old Glory.

The red and white stripes are the blood and tears of past wars, conflicts, and periods of growth this country has experienced in her time. These stripes stream from the field of blue, as each and every star has had their own struggles, internal and external, to remain free. Although the trials and tribulations have been severe at times, we as a country grow stronger - bound by the field of blue.

And that brings us to the field of blue. I believe that for me, the field of blue has always been the most powerful force. While binding those 50 stars together, creating a safe haven for all of us, the field of blue signifies the power of freedom enabled by our collective strength to be “one nation, under God”. I’ll grant that “under god” was not added until June 8th, 1954 - 52 years and 6 days ago! These words were added because our country had lost sight of the primary force behind the founding of this country, and our core belief that God protects us all and wants us all to be free. One courageous Senator, Homer Ferguson, (R-MI), and one brave President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, took up the challenge and put forth that we add those two awesome words - the words that bind those 50 stars, our 50 states, our country.

Our country, for which many tears and rivulets of blood have been shed, provided brave men an women from our great 50 states to take up arms in the name of freedom. On foreign soil for our own safety and security, we have answered the call. On our own soil, when we repelled forces dead set on occupying and destroying what is in our hearts. That blue field, binding the stars together, flanked by red and white stripes, well, she is our banner, our standard, our Old Glory.

The flag of the United States of America is freedom. Celebrate Flag Day, it is very important whether you realize it or not. If you’re here reading this blog, I think you realize it!

God Bless, and God Speed.

Also posted at California Conservative

We just got back from a short trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth”!

Now, whoever said that all day, every day, is “happy”? Have you stood in those lines on a hot summer day in Southern California? If you have, and you are a parent, then you know what it must be like to be an illegal alien waiting for a kai-yoh-tee (coyote) to take you across the border, or you make a run for it all on your own!

Here, lemme ’splain:

• You cough up tons of cash just for the opportunity to ride the rides (nothing’s free)
• You stand around in hot temperatures with little or no concept how long it’s gonna take (another hidden cost)
• There are tons of people around you looking for the same fun and excitement (hundreds a day cross)
• Once in a great while a fairy with pixie dust or a prince or princess (politicians) makes your day with free stuff
• There is the “Fast Pass” (coyote) way to get to the USA - sometimes not worth the trouble
• If the lines are short you can just jump the chain and end up right next to the last person in line (amnesty)
• You’re jammed into the smallest spaces, subjected to noise, and left wanting (smuggled in a car or truck)
• Food’s expensive and you hope for water in this heat (water stations and maps)

OK, so that’s a funny way of seeing this whole mini-vacation! But, while traipsing around SoCal, I really did have a few observations that sorta, stick. And, being a Native Californian, I’ve seen a serious trend emerging that no longer threatens this great state of California - we’re already down for the count and the ref is on number 8.

We drove the whole way. It’s a hot, and kinda boring, drive from the Bay Area to Anaheim. You can see all walks of life on your journey, and often times wonder if these folks are also on vacation. But, to be honest, I was interacting with folks that just did not adequately communicate in English. Here’s a list of everywhere I HAD to repeat myself or received the wrong thing:

• Gas Stations
• Fast Food (ok, McDonalds and Wendy’s is really not a joke)
• Hotels and Motels (especially the motel)
• Restaurants
• Stores
• Rides and Attractions

For some people this is the biggest vacation they have once a year, or maybe once every five years. Kids are wide-eyed and amazed at all the things going on around them - parents just wanna take a nap! Sometimes you can be tolerant and look the other way when someone doesn’t understand you. And, if you are not constantly immersed in the communication mismatch saga, you’ll be nice and smile and repeat yourself until understood. I mean, you’re a good Christian or were raised with good manners, so it’s wrong to get frustrated - just try a little harder.

For those of us that live this day to day - you start to get short tempered. For those of us that have been beaten over the head with ESL and screwed up lesson plans, ya start to fume just a bit. And then, when you have someone close to you (or you yourself) needing the services of a local hospital, and illegals are in front - you get down right mad! Why is it that you are to be second-citizen to someone that has placed undue burden on your state?

And, folks, that is the crux of this whole issue. We all have become second-citizens because our government and its representatives, held hostage and threatened by the Drive By Media, haven’t the strength to take a stand. These spineless dolts continue to play Three Card Monty with us - and all we get is taken, time and again.

We need a change. Keep a close eye on your representatives. And, enjoy “The Happiest Place on Earth” if you haven’t already! I still had fun - as long as the ibuprofen kept coming!

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration - CAII. If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, e-mail the coalition and let them know at what level you would like to participate.

Today is the second anniversary of President Ronald Reagan’s death. To some, he was the best President the United States of America has had since Theodore Roosevelt. For conservatives, and our brave men and women of the United States Military, Ronald Reagan brought back the pride and prowess the United States of America, and her armed forces, so rightly deserve. Here is a beautiful aerial shot of the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN 76, steaming into port:

The full story, over at DVIDS Hub, can be found here. The following is a very brief story provided by the folks at DVIDS (see below for full information on DVIDS):

Ronald Reagan Underway Following Third Port Visit to United Arab Emirates
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) passes Palm Island prior to arriving in Jebel Ali for a port visit to Dubai. Reagan is currently deployed as part of a routine rotation of U.S. maritime forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region. MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.

Thank you so very much, President Reagan, for bringing back the respect and honor to our armed forces. I was one very happy camper when your first year in office happened to coincide with my first day in the United States Air Force. By the time I was launching SR-71s and U-2s, you were in full swing and bringing the fight to all that thought the United States of America was just a ratty carpet in an old mud room.

Thank you and God Bless!

The Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) is provided as a public service operated by Headquarters, U.S. Third Army/Army Forces Central Command (ARCENT) on behalf of the Department of the Army in support of all branches of the U.S. military (Navy, Air Force, Marines) and its Coalition partners serving in the U.S. Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

Cross Posted at California Conservative