I know that there are so many of you out there doing great work in remembering this day. Your support of all the families is what makes us, us. No fan-fare, just good feelings and support being spread across the blogosphere.

My post is less than so many of you out there have shared. My post is not one of the 2996 posts. My post is just me, and my memories, feelings, and conviction about that ill fated day.

My wife and I were going through her photos of New York, from a vacation she took before we were married. We’re gonna post some of her shots - as our own little memorial.

For now, my September 11th 2001 rememberance is actually a journey. Each step along this journey is one that in reality is marked every day I post in this blog. I cannot put into words how deep my conviction is when it comes to the defense of free people everywhere. Everything I am, and the first steps of my journey, began the day I put my right foot on the first step of that Greyhound Bus, on my way to processing in Fresno CA.

I posted about “Why We Fight” and my reasons for joining the US Air Force. I was still a Junior in High School when I enlisted in the Delayed Enlistment Program. I wasn’t ROTC or a Boy Scout, or only talking about what needed to be done to protect this great nation after Jimmy Carter made the US Military look like fools.

I stepped on that bus and signed my life over to the United States Air Force.

Commitment? Conviction? Love of Country? Patriotism?

What has happened after September 11th separates us all. There are those that lead, and those that are lead. There are those that fight, and those of flight. There are those of action, and those of opinion. There are those of conviction, and those of dereliction. There are those that are patriots, and those that purport.

To me it all boils down to just one thing, comprised of the following questions:

• Are you willing to stand by and allow us all to be overrun?
• Do you truly think that appeasement is a course of action that will quell those engaged in terrorism?
• Do you honestly believe that the only way to defeat an enemy is to negotiate peace with someone sworn to destroy you?

If so, my September 11th is in no way close to yours.

Without passion, we have no path. Without commitment, we have no honor. Without conviction, we have lost our way. Without faith, we have surrendered our soul. Without duty, we have forfeited our “six”. Without reverence, we have no passion.

So ask yourselves, without these, what have you? And, what will become of our great country, The United States of America?

[Thanks, Amy and Johnny, for the muse - the words just fell out.]

“Atlas doesn’t shrug, Atlas heaves with cries of agony at our myopia.”

After Greta from Hooah Wife left a comment here, I flew on over to her blog. It’s been a while since I graced her blog-step and felt, time to do some readin’! I found a little snippet there from Silke where she wraps The Daily Show and George Will’s latest column into a question, “Is the Bush administration right? Are we defeating terrorism by promoting democracy in Iraq?” Her information sources from which to draw a conclusion are continents apart in respect to their circles of knowledge and influence. And the overall thrust of her piece, what I came away with, is that the Bush Administration is looking through a hollow tube in respect to fighting terrorism and terrorists. George Will’s quip, as you’ll see, is the narrowing of that tube.

Now, bear with me, ’cause The Daily Show and George Will are extremes in the ways of logic and breadth of knowledge imparted to the consumer (either the viewer or reader, respectively).

Tackling the first “outlet” or source I wondered, is The Daily Show where everyone should be getting enlightening and informative content or instruction? The content there, even though from the outside it’s goal is humor, actually hides the tip of a spear plunged into the heart of truth. Jon Stewart hardly makes me think. In fact, that show hardly makes me chuckle anymore. In the day, with Craig Kilborn, the funny bone used to get a good tweak! Now, all this show does is confirm my realization that today people are far less interested in learning and more interested in feeding their own isms. You don’t have to work to get the news and you can laugh at the same time!

It’s hard work to learn something. Shows like The Daily Show are easy to watch and therefore spoon feed the consumer tainted facts and news items. And, since there is news in there, well, learning is great! Hmmm …

Now, George, poor George … you always raise the bar just too dang high! Or, maybe it’s not a bar but a pretzel? Once we’ve taken the time to look up all your “cool” words, you’ve tossed us into the weeds at 70 MPH. Sometimes we need a curling iron to straighten out a few of those cryptic sentences you always love to throw at us. Yet, I have to credit you on a sentence fragment that captures your view, albeit tainted by Inside The Beltway ooze. The quip, “F-16s are not useful tools against terrorism that issues from places such as Hamburg …”, really shows the fact that you think all George Bush is doing requires an F-16 and a Striker or two. So very myopic, Mr. Will, in my estimation. You leave the reader with this view you’ve offered as the only option George Bush and this administration have chosen. How very pedantic of you (to those of you in Rio Linda, pedantic is narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned: UNIMAGINATIVE, PEDESTRIAN).

To be true to the entire effort, or the defeat of terrorism, does not require just one thing. There is no silver bullet (not the beer, doh!) to get to world peace. The Silver Bullet World Peace brigade, led by the Main Stream/Drive By Media, are so far from seeing the real solution as a whole concert of strategies, tactics, and tasks. They truly have deserted any clear research because it is too hard to stay in front of the bloggers and folks like Stratfor.com. And none of these elitists have ever experienced what it takes to defeat an enemy such as the likes we have today. They sadly grew up forgetting what the WWI and WWII generations faced. To actually have men like Neville Chamberlain selling you up the river without a spoon?! Appeasement and group hugs, as I have said before, are not going to stop the evil we face today.

While George Will’s sound bite, more appropriately a written quip, is cute and snags the reader, it falls disastrously short of carrying the real water to the fire.

George Will knows better; he is a man that studies history. It seems he has fallen into the same old same old world view lethargy. Inside The Beltway Pundits fail us all and have tainted the “gene pool of ideas”. The only place anyone is going to find the answer to the question Silke posed, is to study history. It’s a chore I know, but nothing of value ever comes without work. And armed with that knowledge, one must apply, with metered adjustments for today’s world, a strategy and action plan that is executed with strong conviction. To not learn from the past is to provide fertile soil for self destruction. Again, George Will has studied history, yet he is clouded by the tarnish found on all the media types revolving inside the beltway centrifuge.

I remember, as many of you ex-Military types do, we had to study world, US, and military campaign history. In basic training we had study hours devoted to these subjects. I loved to learn about how a certain campaign or individual battle was thought out, planned, and then executed. And at every level commitment and conviction were the keys to a resounding victory. As our brethren in the blogosphere are so quick to forget, or never learned as we did, a battle requires logistics that boggle the mind. We cannot win this war on terror without looking at the bigger picture, or more to the point a map to the future.

To many are stepping into the fray without the greatest weapon of all: historical context of war with an enemy hell bent on innocents being destroyed.

To those that say Democracy is not capable of defeating terrorism, riddle me this: when compared to every other despotic country or system, pick one that is more capable? And, no matter your answer, remember that tin horn dictators care less about the system as long as they are still in control and can still kill those that oppose them. Oh, and just remember, to Achmed-any-jihad, you are an infidel. Even though you side with him now, when he takes over you are also fated to die. You’re not safe either, Code Pinkos … you he likes least of all. He is using you as his tool to defeat us all.

Sad. Truly sad … Atlas doesn’t shrug, Atlas heaves with cries of agony at our myopia (a lack of foresight or discernment: a narrow view of something)!

I was fuming up a storm over at Amy’s blog this evening. I haven’t had time to write here, but I got rolling to the point I realized I needed to post my rant here. It is a blog after all …

The UN is the hotbed for despots and tin horn scum. The UN has never solved anything, and never will for that matter. Do you want some evidence? It would fill anyone’s blog to the point of collapse!

The UN does not care for Israel one iota. Israel is the plaything of the world and she has been smote more than enough times. It is time to bring all forces to bear against the evil we all know to be in front of us all.

I’ve got news for you, the Soviet Union of old is nothing compared to the “new breed”. At least the USSR had belonged to a code that we could reason with - albeit it was difficult but doable.

9/11 is the catalyst and we have been on this path since that day. Awakeing the sleeping giant begets one big can of whoop-ass! Well, unless you’re Bill Clinton or John F. Kerry! Sheesh, just think if Jimmy “Peanut” Carter was in office! What a mess … appeasers all.

To believe that a “group hug” (appeasement) with a terrorist is the solution, I say go hug! They’ll play nice with you until we are all dead. The we are those who love this country and freedom. Once we are all dead, you are next you twit!

You think that they give a wit about you at all? You’re a friggin’ tool! And, you’re a tool that is not much use to them except to divide just enough whereby the evil can begin to seep deep into the wound you’ve started.

Keep picking the scab you “Code Pink” idiots. You know not what evil you are allowing into the system! At least Neville Chamberlain could admit that his stance was wrong - we’ll get nothing like that from all these dolts ’cause it’s all about the destruction of George W. Bush as payback for “Hot Pants” Clinton and “Global Shmarming” Gore.

Those that still cling to the dream that the UN is great need to watch the movie “Batman:The Movie” from 1966. To see those nuts around the table just looks, perfect!

How many of you think that placing the control of US forces under the UN’s command is a good thing? We have quite a few examples and all were complete failures.

I weep for our future!

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

Every time I hear and see Madeline Albright on the TV, I just have to laugh out loud! I cannot believe that her cute stories are taken for great diplomacy! Everyone in the Clinton’s Camp Runamuk thinks they had the tiger by the tail when it comes to Hamas, North Korea, China, and yes, Iraq. Yet their brand of appeasement actually got them nothing but sneers, the bombing of the World Trade Center (the first time) and the USS Cole, and machinations behind their backs that proves they were lost.

Want some proof? Keep on readin’ folks!

I found a little gem, an off-handed remark, hidden deep within the Foreign Military Studies Office, Joint Reserve Intelligence Center - Operation Iraqi Freedom Documents. Saddam Hussein and Tariq Aziz are talking about the situation in the UN Security Council around Iraq’s hiding information about their chemical and biological weapons program. As they are sizing up the alliances in the Security Council, Tariq Aziz makes the following comment regarding the US, Argentina, and Madeline Albright:

The Ambassador of Chile appears to be an educated, wonderful person according to his representation. According to my observation, he is fair, imperial and has modern ideas and ahhh … if you will allow me to say, unlike the dog, the Argentinean, who used to be Albright’s servant.

Now, if I were the Ambassador from Argentina, and I were called, “Albright’s servant”, I think I’d be a bit tweaked. You? I mean, that there is some “head buttin’ fuel” wouldn’t you say?

This file store is chock full of amazing insight regarding Iraq’s political process. The way that Saddam’s team sized up their alliances, paid for some, negotiated some to stronger bonds, and ignored some. Obviously, those having tighter ties with the US and Britain were ignored or hopefully played into a tighter corner. Let me drop some comments on ya:

Tariq Aziz to Saddam on South Korea

TARIQ ‘AZIZ: … the meetings were good in general [ INTERRUPTED]
SADDAM: Except Korea
TARIQ ‘AZIZ: South Korea … The Ambassador of South Korea, we know each other, came and told me, I am here to visit you and to visit Baghdad. He appears to be one of the people who keep up with the bilateral relations and he said that we have an interest in Iraq and lifting the sanctions off Iraq and he said we want to buy oil from you. From the beginning, he has been supporting a company that is part of the Oil Ministry and he said, we are ready to pay you a down payment of $50 million dollars if you sign this contract … [INTERRUPTED]
MV ?: A Hundred Sir …
TARIQ ‘AZIZ: It is a hundred now! My information is outdated. Anyway, the possibility of this country being concerned about Iraq and lifting the sanctions, is because they have an interest in it [Iraq]. Ultimately, we can reverse the situation.

Tariq Aziz to Saddam on Eqypt

TARIQ ‘AZIZ: Sir, the new assembly for the Security Council next year, is clearly better than the current assembly is. I mean, Egypt will enter [the assembly], they report with us and you know, your Excellency, Egypt’s politics are much better. Their Ambassador, Nabeel Al-Arabi, is truly a good man, I mean, in the midst of the crisis, he used to come over and visit me years ago, for example, at my residence. By the way, he is also the brother-in-law of Hikeel, they are relatives and friends, I mean, and his demeanor as a human is good. I mean, his staff came over and they met … Dr. ‘Amir has told me that they all arrived, sat and prepared themselves to negotiate, which means that they are taking the issues very seriously, in a helpful way. Al-Arabi is the new replacement.

Tariq Aziz to Saddam on Guinea Bissau

TARIQ ‘AZIZ: When Guinea Bissau arrived, they said, “we are among the people who honor our relation with Iraq, and we remember when you helped us in our time of need”. When I asked them if they have close ties with France, their reply was yes.

Tariq Aziz to Saddam on France

TARIQ ‘AZIZ: After the General Assembly, when meeting with the French Prime Minister in private, I asked him, “how is your relation with Guinea Bissau?” He replied, “very good”. Thereafter, I told him, “I would like you to take care of that … that is to say, for them to take our side. Therefore, he promises to do just that. We are expecting the atmosphere in the Security Council to change relatively from last year, to our advantage, especially if we achieve greater progress with Ekeus’s file. The French, was reserved [firm] in regards to Ekeus or to the issue of Resolution 986, that is to say, he has a firm attitude. He told me, “when you go to Paris you can discuss the issues”. Thereafter, when I arrived in Paris, two days before the official meeting, I observed through my discussion with their Ambassador and [UNINTELLIGIBLE] which they are our close friends from the French Foreign Ministry, that the atmosphere in France is firm, that is to say, it is firm with us … I told my friend, which is the person who we communicate through, to setup a secret meeting with Jacques Chirac, so we finish … [INTERRUPTED] … They said that it could be difficult. I told them to talk to him and see, at any rate, if he could not see me, let us talk on the phone … By God, the next day he contacted me and said, I am coming to see you right now, ahhh … meaning, I am on my way right now. He brought a phone with him when he came. However, Sir, this happened because of the stipulations on us to …
SADDAM: [Yes]
TARIQ ‘AZIZ: Your Excellency, I must tell you this to complete the picture, he brought the phone with him and I talked with the President [Jacques Chirac] At the beginning, he started by saying, I want to help you. You are … [INTERRUPTED] Truthfully, I told him in so many words ahhh … what these issues require and what we are now asking. I also told him that we have not met for eleven months; we need to meet so we can provide you with information about Ekeus. He [Ekeus] will not present his report unless you apply pressure against the American pressure, which is the past Italian pressure. I explained other points to him and honestly, without hesitation, he said, “I will give instructions to the Foreign Ministry now to be completely open with you and to exchange and analyze the information, we will help you. We will call to give instructions to our Ambassador in New York to work in complete coordination with you in regards to this specific issue”. When I met with the Prime Minister on the evening of the next day, after my meeting with the Foreign Minister, during the private interview, he said, … I said, I ahhh … I mean, this issue was … I mean, when I met with the Foreign Minister, he was excited, I mean, not bad … [Laughing] … Foreign Minister? This is what we need from you, to pressure Ekeus, scrutinize him, and ask him when he will be finished and to tell him that this is what Iraq has provided, also for your Ambassador in New York to do whatever he is able to do. He told me yes, especially at the time when the Foreign Relations are warm, and the leadership is cold. Now it is the opposite, the situation has been reversed, the leadership is warm, and the Foreign Relations are cold, however, he told me that this has been solved. Chirac met with me today and told me to take the procedures and tell the Minister and the Ambassador and assure them that this issue has been solved. Therefore, the man was sure of his promise over the phone and put the Prime Minister in charge of giving the instructions. The Foreign Minister was friendly and serious at the meeting. We know the Minister, we met him before, however, we reached a level of understanding and he followed the instructions. I mean, at the end, when I was leaving, he assured me of his support, encouraged me, and said, if you are able, even by phone, call me and inform me if anything should happen. I mean, he encourages quick communications. Therefore, if they did not have the will for teamwork and cooperation, I believe, after my visit to Paris, the French position has been restored.

Tariq Aziz to Saddam on Russia

TARIQ ‘AZIZ: … The Russian position remains the same, it is a generous position, I mean, and I have not seen hesitation or coldness in all the issues that we have discussed between him and me, at all. He welcomed and greeted comrade ‘Amir Al-Sa’di. They paid attention to our information that … [INTERRUPTED]
SADDAM: He does not have a position change. Meaning? …
TARIQ ‘AZIZ: Negative.
SADDAM: Are you meaning that he does not have a negative change?
TARIQ ‘AZIZ: Yes.
SADDAM: Do you mean that he was positive?
TARIQ ‘AZIZ: Positive.
SADDAM: Hmmm [good]

And, speaking of Russia, in another file the Security Council issue and Russia gets pretty intense. In a conversation between Saddam and Lt. General ‘Amir, I found this teensy-weensy little bit of, graft:

LT GENERAL ‘AMIR: Sir, truthfully now [UNINTELLIGIBLE] we have put a defense plan in place and your Excellency was aware of the full picture, where the confidence of the success level is seventy percent and fifty percent, depending on the UN paragraphs. Truthfully, we have worked on it [the plan], but now sir, our effort is solely focused on the subject of the Biological Program. In addition there is a special team of inspectors in which all of their efforts are now concentrated on the Biological Program and the passing time during these few weeks has given them the chance to collect and examine the information. I mean, are we neglecting here …? [INTERRUPTED]
SADDAM: Are you talking about the Biological Program or are you talking [rambling] about another subject?
LT GENERAL ‘AMIR: No sir … sorry, it is not that, if I may say?
SADDAM: Yes.
LT GENERAL ‘AMIR: There are grounds for that, but there are no credible grounds left for the Chemical Program and missiles. However, there are grounds for the Biological Program. Sir … one could be suspicious of it [the Biological Program] if we concentrate on it [UNINTELLIGIBLE] and the trafficking effort and dodging everything in regards to it. Therefore … if one does not have anything or have anything left, for example, one should concentrate on their efforts to achieve results. Now, there is a strong ground for achievement on the subject of the Biological Program. Now, sir, the subject of the Biological Program has become a subject that was adopted by [UNINTELLIGIBLE] I mean I am sorry to say that we are responsible for this subject, I mean, we want to succeed. We have succeeded in a few of the UN paragraphs, we have won Russia, ahhh … we have convinced Russia by way of generous accounts [payoffs] in which, you remember how and why it happened … [INTERRUPTED]
SADDAM: Have you asked the Russians if they have any new information?
LT GENERAL ‘AMIR: Yes sir, I will answer that now sir … God bless you and keep you … The only hope we have in our present dilemma, is to extract the technical event to prevent the implementation of UN paragraph 22, I mean, [UNINTELLIGIBLE]. Sir, getting back to the subject of the difficulties that your Excellency has mentioned, I mean, without exaggeration it is consuming us day and night, I mean … it is choking and disturbing us and if we are late for our main work, it could be … Sir, this subject, I mean, it is causing us an effect and a cost … cost. Such a possibility could result in a positive outcome with a high percentage … not bad … it could be seventy or eighty percent. Sir, we must sit down with your Excellency and maybe we will be able to calculate and organize this effort. However sir, without doing this, the possibility to succeed in UN paragraph 22 will be zero and this is what they would like to see happen.

Did ya catch that, the bit about a payoff?

Uh-huh, the reason ALL these documents are not being released is the pure embarrassment that will befall all those that have either paid Saddam or were paid by Saddam. The alliances are thick and the UN is not the place to settle chemical and bilogical weapons issues with Iraq.

I’m still searching these archives for information on transportation of weapons out of Iraq. I have, however, found lots of great stuff regarding biological and chemical weapons development from 1995 to 2003. And, all roads are leading to Iran, I gotta tell ya …

FMSO OIF REFERENCE MATERIAL

1. ISGQ-2003-M0004694-JCOA-HT.pdf

2. ISGQ-2003-M0004667-JCOA-HT.pdf

Stand-To! Carries Us Again! HOOAH!

Soldiers’ Angels supports Soldier Ride and lends it’s support in the way of volunteers and money.

(PRWEB) July 7, 2006 — Wounded servicemen and women cycling across the United States From Montauk, New York to San Diego, California to spread their inspirational message of courage and hope. The brave men and women participating in this event are cycling in support of their injured comrades recovering in military hospitals across the country. All of the participants are provided the adaptive equipment they need to cycle though missing one or more limbs.

Soldier Ride is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for our injured soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. This organization is 100% non political. It’s not about the war it’s about the soldiers. Soldier Ride organizes cross country and local bicycle trips used as rehab opportunities for soldiers recovering from major injuries and also to raise awareness.

Funds raised go out to such organizations as the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and Disabled Sports USA (www.dsusa.org) You can learn more about us at www.soldierride.org or please feel free to contact Nick Kraus at 516 994 5907.

Soldier Ride began in East Hampton , NY as an effort to raise money and consciousness for soldiers who were severely wounded overseas. Last year Chris Carney a local bartender embarked on his second cross-country Soldier Ride, cycling from Los Angeles to Montauk, New York. Soldiers from the current conflict and veterans, both disabled and not, rode with Carney on Soldier Ride. Over the last two years Soldier Ride helped raise millions of dollars for the WWP. These funds are being used to:

• Purchase thousands of comfort backpacks for wounded soldiers on their return (including guidebooks on discharge from service and entitlement benefits). These packs include such basic comfort items as phone cards, Fresh clothing, Portable CD players and small items that make a big impact for a returning injured soldier.
• Hire full-time benefits counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical to distribute comfort backpacks to amputees.
• Conduct adaptive sporting events and clinics to build self-esteem and independence for those who suffered catastrophic injuries, for example the Breckenridge Colorado Ski Spectacular and our recent Florida bicycle program.
• Develop peer-mentoring programs where rehabbed soldiers can lend support to their newly injured comrades. Organize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symposia to help the estimated one in six soldiers who suffer from this disorder. Transport soldiers and their families between home and hospital, as well as purchase a van to transport soldiers to functions in the Washington D.C. area.

Soldier Ride has received extensive media coverage in The New York Times, New York Post, The New York Daily News, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Newsday. The project has also appeared on NBC’s Today in New York, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox News Radio’s Tony Snow Show, HBO’s Inside the NFL and CNN’s Larry King Live.

Several notable people have helped with Soldier Ride fundraising efforts, including Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi, Pat Lofaintane, Gary Sinise, Alec Baldwin, Tony Snow, Harris Yulin, Stephen Lang, Bill O’Reilly, Congressman Tim Bishop, Senator Bob Kerrey, and many more.
www.soldiersangels.org

Soldiers’ Angels will be hosting the closing ceremonies and beach party for the riders at Semper Fi Park in San Clemente on July 29, 2006 at 3 pm. Adam’s Attic, The Bader Band, and Jillian Russell will be performing at the beach party. Mayor Wayne Eggleston and the community are excited and happy to help Soldiers’ Angels honor these riders. Please join us in welcoming the riders by lining the streets and showing your support as they ride into San Clemente.

Soldiers’ Angels is an all volunteer, 501 (c) (3) non-profit based in Pasadena, Ca. Donations to help offset the costs of the closing ceremonies can be sent to:

Soldiers’ Angels
150 North Loop 1604 West, Suite 108-493
San Antonio, TX 78248
Attn: Soldier Ride

Please make checks and money orders out to Soldiers’ Angels. You can also donate on-line or adopt a soldier at www.soldiersangels.org. Include what your donation is for in the comments section.

One thing that most of us know, those that seem to love to write at tireless rates, is words and their formation can impart different messages. I may not wield the pen as well, and I may spend more time in the passion of writing where the words come more from the gut than out of a need to truly communicate a clear point. But, I do pay close attention to my use of certain words where more than one meaning can belie a separate meaning from my intent.

In today’s Stand-To article, Today’s Focus, the US Army is paying close attention to how words are used in communicating everything related to the Global War on Terror. It is clear that our enemies are using our words against us. When such learned members of the Beltway use terms in an elitist attempt to speak over our heads, they actually provide more support and in turn embolden the enemies of the United States of America.

We, however, should not make the same mistake!

Let’s take this as an example:

A case in point is the term “jihadist.” Many leaders use the term jihadist or jihadi as a synonym for Islamic extremist. Jihad has been commonly adapted in English as meaning “holy war.” But to Muslims it means much more. In their article, Streusand and Tunnell said in Arabic - the language of the Koran - jihad “literally means striving and generally occurs as part of the expression ‘jihad fi sabil illah,’ striving in the path of God.”

This is a good thing for all Muslims. “Calling our enemies jihadis and their movement a global jihad thus indicates that we recognize their doctrines and actions as being in the path of God and, for Muslims, legitimate,” they wrote. By countering jihadis, the West and moderate Muslims are enemies of true Islam.

In English, there are some important terms that can be misinterpreted. I can say that for me, regarding terms not in my native tongue, I try to stay far away from using the much over used word jihadist. Once I knew that it’s root means one thing and the power it can impart is motivating, I figured it’s a word that can stay in the bag for a while.

The two gentlemen from the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., Dr. Douglas E. Streusand and Army Lt. Col. Harry D. Tunnell IV, have only just begun this training process. Their paper was promoted on June 22nd of this year on the DefenseLINK site. The DefenseLINK article, Loosely Interpreted Arabic Terms Can Promote Enemy Ideology, is written by Jim Garamone of the American Forces Press Service. Dr. Streusand and Lt. Col. Tunnell have been taking careful aim at terms being used and getting a better understanding out to the rest of us. Let’s take jihadists again, yet here is what their research has found:

The men asked Muslim scholars what the correct term for Islamic extremists would be and they came up with “hirabah.” This word specifically refers to those engaged in sinful warfare, warfare contrary to Islamic law. “We should describe the Islamic totalitarian movement as the global hirabah, not the global jihad,” they wrote.

And, this is a very enlightening paragraph:

The men point out that an al Qaeda caliphate would not mean the establishment of just rule, but rather a global totalitarian state where women would be treated as chattel, music banned and any kind of difference severely punished. “Anyone who needs a preview of how such a state would act merely has to review the conduct of the Taliban in Afghanistan before Sept. 11, 2001,” they wrote.

The correct term for the al Qaeda goal is global totalitarian state - something no one in the world wants.

If you use terms like jihadist, mujahdeen, and caliphate, you might want to go peruse the Stand-To, DefenseLINK, or National Defense University sites. We all need to use the correct terms to put the Global War on Totalitarianism on it’s heels, big time!

RELATED SITES:
US Army’s Stand-To, Today’s Focus
DefenseLINK article, Loosely Interpreted Arabic Terms Can Promote Enemy Ideology
National Defense University, Choosing Words Carefully: Language to Help Fight Islamic Terrorism

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

I’ve been spending time on the CENTCOM site for months. There are so many stories about what our brave men and women really do today. It is true that any military has a primary role when at war. After the opposition has been vanquished, there are so many more things that can be done after the major fighting has ended. I believe that no matter what, we need to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

Some think that because the current administration has been successful in Iraq, every photo is a photo-op only. And, if the activity we are engaged in right now is not captured on film, there is room to cast aspersions or spin fabrications that we are failing at our ultimate mission. Leaving any negative spin to take hold threatens the entire mission (GWOT) as well as our men and women on the ground. It is a double edged sword for CENTCOM to capture the moments that should be something in which we all can be proud:

US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton

And then make those moments, which are powerful and illustrative, taken in the correct light to provide clear proof we are successful in Iraq. Yes, maybe to some of the elites in the US, delivering some water and a few toys is a joke. It’s just sad that all this poo-pooing we get from those with an axe to grind, or a plank to set for an election, takes center stage.

I, on the other hand, see our efforts in a multi-faceted way. Yes, the bad guys must be vanquished. And yes, we need to win the hearts and minds to provide an excellent foundation from which freedom can take root. There are some very small things that can be done to bring about a smile or laugh:

US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton

And we can all stamp out tyranny with smiles, laughter, water, protection, training, and good old fashioned friendship. It may be that the following small group of minds is not strong enough to topple an evil and maniacal regime:

US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton

But by touching so many families, and religious groups, and the policemen and soldiers, we can ultimately create the most powerful force from which freedom is sure to grow.

I’m positive, yes I am. Maybe some day being positive will begin to take hold again here at home. I am holding my breath so don’t take too long, people!

Remember I asked at the beginning, to cut and run does what?

Cut and run, if we followed the time table originally proposed by the Democrats, would never have provided friendship building like you’ve seen here. Cut and run would never have allowed us to get Zarqawi. Cut and run would only get more votes for the likes of John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, John Murtha, or Charlie Schumer. Cut and run will take us back to the days of a leaders that gave us bombing aspirin factories as a show of force, or not being able to rescue hostages in Iran, or the likes of present day Neville Chamberlains selling our country for some paltry price. Are more friends in the MSM or on Comedy Central a cost that today’s narcissists are willing to pay?

I think you’ve witnessed the answer to that last question. I think you all know what cut and run does. I think we all know what is at stake and why we press on under the weight of such negativity and selfish public gluttony.

Carry on, God Bless, and God Speed.

Also posted at California Conservative

In my CENTCOM e-mail today, this photo was mixed within some great news:

US CENTCOM Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael Skaar

Now, I just love it when the photo catches something ya just don’t see every day! No offense to the 1-158th or the 101st, I just made up the title as I was typing this posting. I couldn’t think of any other group other than the 101st to rhyme with “furry”. Sorry.

The story, Oklahomans Train Iraqi Police in Securing Baghdad, gives us some background into how the 1-158th Field Artillery of the Oklahoma National Guard is taking the time to train the Iraqi Police (IPs) the right way. Here’s a short snippet about how the new tactics they are learning are far different than the past under Saddam:

“In the past IPs never operated in quite the way that they do today and there were some growing pains at first”, said Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Venable of the 1-158th.

The IPs are coming around though and Venable went on to say that with each iteration of training the security situation continues to get better and better.

Training for the IPs has been mostly from the ground up, type of work since all police forces were disbanded when US troops first took control of Iraq said Venable. As a result US troops and contractors have begun with the basics, such as training the IPs in force protection (making sure that IPs are safe at their stations and in the streets) and investigation.

I suspect that there have been many trials and tribulations keeping the mission on track. It makes sense that to keep control, there needs to be some clear guidelines and cross-checks. Here, another key point made by Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Venable makes:

“One of the other situations that the 1-158th has to deal with is keeping the IPs autonomous from the influence of the local insurgency. The only resolution to this problem was to keep the IPs in the police station except when they are serving in their official capacity, sometimes they are even forced to stay” said Venable.

This should also have an effect on the overall effectiveness of insurgents, the IPs are making a big sacrifice staying at the station Venable added.

Keep it up guys, we’ve already turned the corner and are on the short stretch home!

Also posted at California Conservative

I’ve walked up to the most famous fence in the world, while it was still operational. I was under USAFE Command stationed in Germany from 1982 to 1984. The real fence was built to keep it’s people in. You really don’t even know what a real fence looks like, do you? Sure, you can wax prolific about seeing a fence around a prison. OK, so, maybe you’ve been close to a very secure US Military base. Or maybe you’ve seen razor wire atop a fence that has brand new cars being stored prior to transit. And maybe you think that by building a fence we’d be just like them. But, what made the most famous fence so, famous?

I’ll tell ya, guard towers with men inside with orders to shoot to kill. Shoot their fellow citizens that were trying to leave! Not to arrest or detain, not to control a population illegally crossing to get a few bucks doing hard work and get free medical and dental. No questions asked, kill. And did you know that even if you were able to cross the fence, there was still 50 more feet before you were truly free?

Have you ever been to Check Point Charlie and seen the bullet holes in the buildings where good people fled for their lives? Have you ever driven through Helmstedt and been given a direct order to wait for the East German guard to salute you first - because we do not recognize them as a country (learn why, learn a ton)? Have you been followed by East German patrols or KGB as you were seeing the sights on a sunny day? Do you know why these practices were in place?

I’ll tell ya, ’cause the most dangerous regime after WWII was in charge of a poor people who needed help. That country watched their people so closely that there was very little room to have your own personality. The fence extended way beyond the perimeter and entered every soul within it’s boundary, binding everyone through real acts of spying, not the lame stuff in the news today, that isn’t even spying (see Echelon for real spying). You here in the United States of America can talk freely and jump in your car to go to Vegas without having to notify the local “authorities”.

You do not even know what a fence really is, and you do not really know what spying is like. You’ve never had your every move tracked, day by day, just because they want to track you. Not ’cause you are an enemy of the State but because you might want to escape to the free world. Ask The Chief, go to his site The Truth, learn something - you’re in no way an “expert”.

The people that came to the rescue of those people trapped behind that fence were lead by one man. A man so courageous he threw down the gauntlet and forced the evil power to relinquish it’s cold as death hold on it’s people. That man was vilified often, misunderstood by many, and oh so underestimated by the world. Uh-huh, you know what I’m going to ask, who was that man?

President Ronald Wilson Reagan.

I served under his leadership. He’d provide no safe haven for anyone exhibiting Chamberlain-like traits. Why are we letting the psychos run the asylum, huh? Why are we so afraid of being the people that the rest of the world laughs at so often? What’s wrong with being a God fearing, Jesus loving, SUV driving, cowboy?

And for those of you that think I am against a fence on our southern borders, you are sooo very wrong. These people are not escaping an oppressive government that is torturing, killing, tracking, placing them in death camps, or stealing the money out of their hands. Yes, those crossing do come from a depressed economy. But arrest or put sanctions on their Presidente and the scum keeping them down which is forcing them to come here for free handouts and a better way. Sure, the work is hard, but if they came across legally, the pay scale is better and they can join the rest of us in the benefits later in life.

I did not write this post to show how bad a fence is, but the difference. Here, try this one on for size. If you had a purchased a brand new ski boat and you knew that access was easy and anyone cold just hook up a hitch and drive away with it, what would you do? And what if that person was starving and just wanted to sell it to get some money to send home to their family. Is stealing right?

I guess inside the beltway, stealing is OK. So is giving our Social Security money to illegals. If it’s OK to do that, McCain, maybe we should just start cuttin’ checks to all the scum in our prisons, too.

Wait, they should vote too! Right?

Ronnie, we miss you.

If you think that this country is awash with the likes of Neville Chamberlain, there’s an interesting discussion going on about the NSA, Al Jazeera, and al Quaida over at Amy Proctor’s blog. A couple of us are getting some good comments up there and providing good arguments. The more the merrier, so join in!

Here’s a comment I left over there regarding Amy’s that defines clearly the 4th Amendment. Added is I had asked if anyone knew who was in power when Echelon was in full technical swing:

On the 4th Amendment, Amy …

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Nailed it again, M’Lady.

And, Amy, I know _you_ know the answer to the Who’s Who of 1998 question. It’s the Captain of Crocodile Tears, y’all … that man could curl a lip on command like no one I know.

Disingenuous? I’ll leave that to all of you to decide.

For me, I’ll take the war-mongering Reagan and Bush over the aspirin-plant bombing, no answer for the USS Cole yellow-bellied, blue-hat order taking, bible-toten yet never reading or living it at all, lack of conviction for this country sell out of a man.

This country deserves to be protected not sold out to the highest bidder or tin horn dictator. And God save us from the likes of those that want to be accepted by the boneheads in the EU! One more Chamberlain-like politician or actor/singer in this country and we’re gonna go down like every other country in the EU, when they were at their peak. Sheesh.

It’s a shame that so many have forgotten the past. The disgrace of today is a simple rehash or repeat of the Chamberlains of yesterday.

God Bless the United States of America, and those who truly protect her from assault and destruction.

If you aren’t reading Irish Pennant’s for great leads, and you forget to wander over to RealClearPolitics and Jack Kelly’s articles, you’ve been bumping around in the night without a flashlight (torch to my friends in the UK). The primary thrust of Jack’s article for today is awesome about how the media is busy giving iteself a toilet-bowl-swirlee. Those dopes are never going to go back and reexamine the complete falsehoods they’ve published. I mean, why clarify or retract what you’ve written - the truth? Naw, too plebeian …

BUT, buried in all this, is a little snippet I think you all will find, astonishing:

We’re more reluctant to reexamine old news even when there are new developments, if the new developments run counter to journalistic memes. Here’s a story you didn’t read on the front page: Among the captured Iraqi documents recently released to the public is a March 17, 2001 memo from an Iraqi air force brigadier general soliciting volunteers from his command for a suicide mission to “strike American interests.” Gee, in what sort of suicide mission would pilots have been useful?

Another document, released Friday, has not yet been translated from Arabic, but notations on it indicate it describes the movement of chemical and biological weapons.

But Saddam had no ties to terror groups, and he had no WMD. We told you so.

Uh, did I read that right? A March 17, 2001 memo from Iraqi Air Force Brigadier General asking for pilots to volunteer for a suicide mission to strike US interests?!

Uh-huh, there’s no link between Sad-damn and al Qaida … you keep thinking that out there.

For those that just don’t get it, this picture is a poignant look into what the Global War on Terror is all about:

Shall we remain complacent and suffer from a fear that will inevitably ensnare a nation?

It is true, it is hard to be apart from your family and living day to day committed in and for the mission. Your day begins knowing that everyone at home misses you. You miss everyone and make the best of it with those around you. The meals are OK, but you’d just love that [enter greatest meal ever here!]. You don’t tell everyone that your heart aches to be home. You definitely know there is more to this than meets the eye. Your country being safe means that your family, and everyone else’s family, is safe too - it’s worth it.

Optimism? You bet and nothing less will fall short of what the United States Military is all about!

Yes, it is terrible to be at home experiencing so many different things at once. You’re living day to day with those feelings of frustration and hurt that makes you question your resolve. Those chairs at the dinner table are always pushed in when they should be filled right now. Going on an errand the driver’s or passenger’s seat in the car just doesn’t seem the same today. The sounds of laughter when the dog falls of the coach go hallow. Those contagious giggles from the little one are left hanging in the moment. The hurt and frustration has to remain hidden because you know it really isn’t going to help - just so far away.

Is a positive commitment to something larger than all of us, bad? It’s what defines us and makes all families at home what the United States of America is all about!

Whenever you see the hugs, tears of joy, and huge smiles on such tiny faces, remember: it is what we are all about.

It’s amazing what you can find when you are looking around for something else. You know, you went to go find a screwdriver and you came back with a hammer. OK, the goal was to find some information regarding a situation local to Texas. Instead, at the Longview News-Journal an interesting headline caught my eye: First Declassified Iraq Documents Released. I kept checking the date and stuff, but, yeah it’s actually recent - Wednesday night around 22:18 from the AP (Assoc Press). The story leads you to the Foreign Military Studies Office, Joint Reserve Intelligence Center, Document Exploitation Documents site. There I uncovered this interesting little document with the title, “Usage of Special Equipment”. I wondered what on earth could be in here, so, check it out:

[you’ll find this entry begins at page 3 of the PDF doc]
NVTC0152
Republic of Iraq
Office of the President No. 7371
Secretary Date: 3/31/1978
General Military Intelligence Directorate
Top Secret, Personal
To: General Staff Headquarters
Subject: Utilizing Special Equipment
1. The President/Leader (may God save him) ordered our
directorate to study, with the professionals, directing a
surprise strike against (Khomeini Guards bases located
within the quarters of the first division of Barazani’s
saboteurs) using special equipment, and the possibility of
executing it in any of the following methods (Air Force,
Army Air Force, artillery).
2- Studied the President Leader’s (may God save him) order
with the professionals, and we suggested the following:
A- Postponing the execution of the strike on Khomeini
Guards inside Barazani’s quarters until next June, because
these targets are located on the Iraqi-Turkish border. It
is preferable to change these targets to be away from the
Turkish boarders and villages.
B- Begin planning to execute similar limited operations
aimed at the bases of Iran’s agents.
2- Approval on both suggestions, under item 2 above, has
been obtained. Our Directorate studied the locations of the
Iran Agent’s bases, and choose the targets listed
hereunder, basing its decision on the size of the enemy
presence, the effect of this presence on internal security
in the Northern Region, and the available capabilities of
arms and fire power:
A- Bases of Iran Agents located in Balisan Basin (villages
of Balisan, Totama, Ghitti, Skeikh Wisan) next to the the
main road in Khlayfan Village vicinity.
UNCLASSIFIED //FOUO
UNCLASSIFIED //FOUO
NVTC0152
B. Bases of Iran Agents in the Basin of villages of
(Tkiyyeh,Bilkjar,Siyuisnan) annexing Karah Dagh.
4. The above mentioned targets, in paragraphs(A-B)under
item 3, are important bases for Iran’s agents and members
of Iranian enemies, are far away (as targets for special
equipment)from our units. They are considered more
appropriate than others to strike with our equipment for
being located in low regions which helps the chemical fumes
to settle. We can also treat them with available ways (air
force, tubular bombers, Samtiyyat (Helicopters) and at
night
5. Our directorate suggested striking both targets,
referred to in item 3, during this period using two thirds
of available special equipment (Ricin) plus one third of
available special equipment (Mustard Gas) and keeping the
balance for emergency situations that might arise in the
operation theater.
6. The top secret, personal and urgent letter No.953/965/k
dated March 29, 87 from the President’s Office Secretary,
stated the following:
“Approval of striking has been obtained provided the
results are exploited… for the purpose is not only to
inflict losses among the saboteurs, but also to coordinate
with the Corps… please advice prior to striking”.
Please be informed and order the execution of what was
stipulated in the above letter of the President’s Office-
Secretary, and advise your sanction. With esteem.
Signed
Major General
Chief of General Military Intelligence
Copy To: Office of the President-Secretary
Your top secret, personal and urgent letter
953/965/K dated March 29,87. Please review. With esteem
Usage of Special Equipment, CMPC-2004-002219-0 (PDF only)

[you’ll find this entry begins at page 13 of the PDF doc]
NVTC0152
Please refer to the number in full
The Martyrs will always be more
generous than us
Office of the President Secretary
General Military Intelligence Directorate
Top Secret, Personal and Urgent
Number?M1/Sh3/Q2/6414
Date/March 18, 1987
To/Presidency Office-Secretary
Subject/Utilizing Special Equipment
Your top secret -, personal and urgent letter 7/J2/808/K
dated March 12, 87
1. The following are our available capabilities to utilize
the special equipment against the Khomeini Guards bases
located within the saboteur’s quarters of Barazanis First
Division.
A. At the present time, climate conditions do not help in
Utilizing (Sarin) due to snow coverage of the designated
targeted areas, which could lead to diluting the said
element and transforming it to a non-poisonous element.
This condition applies to (Tabun) element too.
UNCLASSIFIED //FOUO
UNCLASSIFIED //FOUO
NVTC0152
B. A large quantity of (Mustard) gas is available, but its
potential effect is considered a (miracle) except in cases
where a concentrated dose is taken. In addition, its
evaporation becomes slow in snow regions.
C. Air force, tubular bombers and (Samtiyyat?) can be used
at night for this purpose.
2. We recommend the following:
A. Postpone executing the strike against Khomeini Guards
located within the Barazani Group’s quarters until next
June.
Because the targets lie in the Iraqi/Turkish boarders, it
is preferable we choose targets that will not impact the
Turkish boarder units, or the Turkish villages.
B. Start planning to execute similar limited operations
against the bases of Iran’s agents.
Please review, and advise us suggestions… With esteem
(signed)
Staff Major General
Chief - General Military Intelligence Directorate.
Usage of Special Equipment, CMPC-2004-002219-0 (PDF only)

Mentioned in these communiques is the use of ricin, sarin, to include for effect, mustard gas. They discuss the use of helicopters, rockets, mortars, all kinds of delivery. There is even a statement to delay the action due to the time of year (winter is bad for their activity it seems). And, they are explicit in carrying out an operation that is far from Turkey, but close enough to hit Iran - the goal being to take out the saboteurs, or the Khomeini Guards.

People, if the Administration continues to release more and more of these sorts of documents, it’s gonna be a field day for those of us that believe in what we have undertaken: the active and preemptive response to threats to our country.

This GWOT must be won. We must not give up. We must remain ever vigilant.

God Bless America, God Bless our fighting men and women and their families, and God Bless the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

UPDATE: go check out Amy Proctor’s recent post on WMDs, “Media Ignores Bush Exoneration”, and how the media refuses to exonerate President Bush. Basically, the Drive-By Media is blindly assuming we the people don’t read. Here’s a snippet from Amy’s post:

“Finally, President Bush has ordered that this critical evidence confiscated by U.S. forces after they liberated Iraq be made public. Bush’s initial order came on Feb. 16, the day after ABC News broadcast snippets from 12 hours of Saddam audiotapes obtained by FBI translator and former U.N. weapons inspector Bill Tierney.”

So, from the release of documents, I was able to find the above information related to Saddam authorizing the use of WMDs (ricin and sarin are WMD, you lost wondering puppies of stupidity!).

Thanks again, Amy!

CJ over at A Soldiers’ Perspective is trying to organize a letter writing campaign. If you are a regular reader over there, or have seen others posting about the situation I am about to describe, then you’re on “the list” and you know what ya gotta do - I’m just backin’ up CJ with extra motivation if you haven’t done your duty yet! .:. Hint .:. Hint .:.

If you are new to this issue, here we go.

CJ’s first post gave us all the background to the story regarding the treatment of Sgt. Rickey Jones’ family. Sgt. Jones, 21 and from Kokomo, Indiana, died while serving in Iraq. Here’s his photo:

When police have to be posted at someone’s home 24×7, the story is already getting ugly. Why would anyone need that level of security? I mean, Sgt. Jones died in Iraq, fighting for our country, our safety, and everyone’s freedom of speech.

He did not, however, die for some stupid groups freedom to destroy personal property, defame the family, and harass them at all hours via the phone line. The phone harassment should get the FBI involved, at the very least, since the phone is governed/regulated by the FCC - equaling Federal Jurisdiction. I know that if I do something stupid while using my 2M Handheld or HF Radio (I’m a HAMM), the FCC would come down hard and get other offices/authorities involved depending on the offense.

Where is the FBI now? I don’t know, but I’d add one small thread to this letter writing campaign and expand it to getting the FBI involved. Long shot? Sure, but hey, defame a soldier, go to jail!

IMHO

Now, defame is light when you take the words spoken in one of these phone calls:

“I’m glad your son is dead.”

What? Who are these callers anyway? Some strange sect/group of athiests that don’t believe in God, or the sanctity of life and death? Do these protestors range from the nail-IN-the-tree, lab burning, window-trashing types that make a big story everytime there is a G-7 meeting? No, these people are from, wait for it:

Westboro Baptist Church

Wow, I never would have guessed. You?

That said, I think that putting together a few letters to help this family through is the least we can do. In fact, my family and I are working on ours tonight.

The details on how, who, and when are on CJ’s site. The title is Letter Writing Request. I’ll repost a paragraph or two here to help ya out:

“I am trying to help organize a letter writing campaign to the family of SGT Rickey Jones’ family. As you may have read earlier, their home was vandalized by idiots who wouldn’t understand patriotism if it flew a plane through their bedroom window.”

“If you own a blog, please post this effort on your respective blogs and ask your readers to post it on their blogs. If you are as disgusted as I am and would like to write a letter to have delivered to this family, please email Lauren (mailto:MyWay716@aol.com) for more information. The good people over at Operation Military Pride are helping facilitate the delivery of these letters.”

Now, my being ex-USAF, I personnaly like CJ’s “idiots who wouldn’t understand patriotism if it flew a plane through their bedroom window”! Ha! If that just don’t give ya the right imagery?!

Oh, one more great paragraph:

“If you feel the same way I do, please email her and write this family a letter of support and love. Let them know that we appreciate their son’s service and mourn their loss. Let’s show them what America is really made of. This isn’t about whether or not you support the war. This is about common decency for a family that has suffered the ultimate sacrifice … having to bury a child. Thank you in advance. When this is over, I want the post office to have to hire new postmen just to handle the volume. Yes, it’s a challenge, as LinkedinUSAF would say.”

I caught this post over at LinkedInUSAF too … lot more calm over there …

[UPDATE: 5 March, 2006 at 14:21]
[CORRECTION - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION]
Buck over at Exile in Portales dug deeper into the story and alerted me that I missed a big piece of information: where to send your letters/snail-mail! I had not seen Heidi’s posting over at Euphoric Reality, which is where they included the mailing address for the local High School.

After writing to Lauren, CJ’s major helper, she would like you to contact her directly through the above e-mail address. She wants to ensure that we do not end up with another Joshua Sparling situation - and I agree! I have pulled down the address for the High School, and ask that you e-mail Lauren directly. Thanks.

I’d also like to add the folks that I know of who are trying to help, and have posted pleas for help in CJ’s letter writing campaign:

Euphoric Reality
Exile in Portales
You Betcha I’m a Proud Army Mom
Soldiers’ Angels - New York
Big Dog’s Weblog
Cao’s Blog
And THAT is MY Opinion
A Lady’s Ruminations
Gribbit’s Word
Conservative Insurgent
Ms. Underestimated
Iraq War Today
Landrys Life
Yikes!
A Rose By Any Other Name
Sparks From the Anvil
Blackfive
Right Truth
Conservative Cogitation
WhenEvilProspers
No End But Victory
In Training
Milblogging.com
Knowledge is Power

I’ll continue to update this list as more come online. Thanks to everyone I contacted in a separate e-mail for helping out and posting!     

Alright, this is truly a long flight. And, anyone that has been on a MAC transport (oops, AMC) knows that windows and flight attendants are - scarce?

You know, the general disorientation that comes with a long flight, crappy seats, the constant humm of the T-56s - oops, C-130 days flooding back here - umm, actually the Pratt and Whitneys whine. You look up, as Captain Erik Aadland does above (front row middle), and realize you are only 2 hours into the flight. Ugh. As time drags on you find yourself living the old adage: a soldier can sleep anywhere, anytime, if the opportunity presents itself. Just look, some of the most unpleasant conditions and folks are sleeping.

And then the bird hit the active runway, you taxi for a few moments, it seems like a lifetime, and then, chocks. Yeah! You get to really stretch your legs and that just seems like heaven. Now you’re out in broad daylight walking towards the “terminal”. We all know that Military Passenger Terminals are a far cry from the ones at home. As you head around the tail section of the plane, you see your destination just across the tarmac - and other folks are headin’ your way to get on the plane you just got off. Do they know how long their flight is going to be?

Actually, I think they do know how long the flight is, but they just want to sit down and sleep - for however long it takes to get home.

In those 5 words, the President of the United States:

• Separates the men from the boys
• Restates the classic oil and water conundrum
• Draws a line in the “sand” for those with no stomach
• Firmly states why the United States Military is what it is - the best

I’ll tell ya, when I hear words like those coming from a sitting President that has conviction and steadfast commitment, you just wanna re-up! At the very least you know that your CINC has got your six! At issue is if the rest of the electorate has the resolve to do what is right, what is needed, and what will keep us all safe.

Do you see a waffling, poll-numbers loving, womanizing, crocodile tears CINC here:

I know I don’t!

But, maybe that’s ’cause everything President Bush has done up to now has been to keep us all safe. We can all wander down the lane moaning and groaning about the spending, placating the Democrats on their stupid issues, and sucky candidates ad nauseam. But our true threat is far across the oceans, seas, and gulfs.

In President Bush’s speech in Afghanistan, found here at AF.mil, he went on to say:

“You saw our nation was attacked and when your country called you gladly served. This government will not blink, we will not yield. We are on the right course and the world will be a better place because of your service. God bless you for protecting our country.”

At every waking moment, every Sunday in Church, and whenever I see an Air Force plane, Navy ship, Army Duece-N-A-Half, USMC Hummer, or Coast Guard cruiser (we have those here in N. California), I wish them all God Speed and thank them for being there for my family.

When you write what you feel, and what you feel says so much to others, that’s when I enjoy my fellow Milbloggers. And, as she often does, Days Gone By puts it right out there for us all in her latest post:

She wakes up in the middle of the night
Wishing he were there to squeeze her tight.
But he’s been gone for what seems like years
And no one understands all her fears.
She waits by the phone every day
She looks up high and starts to pray
Another day and still no call
She closes her eyes and tears start to fall
He’s over in another land
Without her there to hold his hand
And she counts the days till he comes home
When she will no longer have to be alone.
She’s loved this man for so many years
And watched him go and then shed tears
But this is the life you choose to lead
When you fall in love with a United States Marine

Semper Fi!
dyzgoneby

Keep your chin up and remember that everyone else is out there praying for you both!