Recently in World Events Category
.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
- Michael Marks
December 7th, 2000
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
- Michael Marks
December 7th, 2000
.
I've never killed a man, but I've read some obituaries with great pleasure. - Clarence Darrow
From LawDog, who says it better than I ever could.
... thirty-eight years ago, a 28 year old teacher, secretary and campaign worker for Robert Kennedy accepted a ride to her motel from Senator Teddy Kennedy.
Earlier this day I wrote a post savaging Senator Kennedy for the subsequent death of that young woman. It is now -- and has been -- my opinion that she was left to die because Teddy Kennedy's political career was more important than her life.
I even dug up the National Lampoon fake VW advert as the opening for this post.
Teddy Kennedy is a murderer. He is a wretch totally lacking in courage, honour or common human decency and, as a result, he allowed that young lady to drown in the darkness.
The thing is, there is nothing I can do to Teddy. He has no conscience for me to prick; no sense of shame that I can jab; no vein of honour I can awaken.
Had he any of things, he would have atoned for his part in this slaying a long time ago.
I can write -- have written -- vicious satire, cutting humour and elegant insults, but to what end? There is nothing I can write this side of Eternal Judgement that will have any effect whatsoever on the sotted, ophidian soul of Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
And I would regret that my efforts in this would cause any disturbance to the rest of that slain girl.
I've never killed a man, but I've read some obituaries with great pleasure. - Clarence Darrow
From LawDog, who says it better than I ever could.
... thirty-eight years ago, a 28 year old teacher, secretary and campaign worker for Robert Kennedy accepted a ride to her motel from Senator Teddy Kennedy.
Earlier this day I wrote a post savaging Senator Kennedy for the subsequent death of that young woman. It is now -- and has been -- my opinion that she was left to die because Teddy Kennedy's political career was more important than her life.
I even dug up the National Lampoon fake VW advert as the opening for this post.
Teddy Kennedy is a murderer. He is a wretch totally lacking in courage, honour or common human decency and, as a result, he allowed that young lady to drown in the darkness.
The thing is, there is nothing I can do to Teddy. He has no conscience for me to prick; no sense of shame that I can jab; no vein of honour I can awaken.
Had he any of things, he would have atoned for his part in this slaying a long time ago.
I can write -- have written -- vicious satire, cutting humour and elegant insults, but to what end? There is nothing I can write this side of Eternal Judgement that will have any effect whatsoever on the sotted, ophidian soul of Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
And I would regret that my efforts in this would cause any disturbance to the rest of that slain girl.
.
What could possibly go wrong?
EU names airlines that could face Europe ban
Found on Ace
What could possibly go wrong?
EU names airlines that could face Europe ban
There is no way to reduce aircraft emissions at present...so this is a government plan to get 4000 airlines to buy carbon credits in the biggest scam ever created - globular waarmening.
Layoffs, loss of trade, MUCH higher fares, tourism tanking, the list is endless.
Found on Ace
.
A big earthquake with the strength of 8.1 on the Richter scale has hit Pakistan. Two million Pakistanis have died and over a million are injured. The country is totally ruined and the government doesn't know where to start with providing help to rebuild. The rest of the world is in shock.
The USA is sending troops to help...
Saudi Arabia is sending oil.
Latin American countries are sending supplies.
New Zealand is sending sheep, cattle and food crops.
The Asian continents are sending labor to assist in rebuilding infrastructure.
Australia is sending medical teams and supplies.
Britain , not to be outdone, is sending two million replacement Pakistanis. God Bless British generosity.
News Flash from Mr. Free Market
A big earthquake with the strength of 8.1 on the Richter scale has hit Pakistan. Two million Pakistanis have died and over a million are injured. The country is totally ruined and the government doesn't know where to start with providing help to rebuild. The rest of the world is in shock.
The USA is sending troops to help...
Saudi Arabia is sending oil.
Latin American countries are sending supplies.
New Zealand is sending sheep, cattle and food crops.
The Asian continents are sending labor to assist in rebuilding infrastructure.
Australia is sending medical teams and supplies.
Britain , not to be outdone, is sending two million replacement Pakistanis. God Bless British generosity.
News Flash from Mr. Free Market
.
Note From a Cop
The fear on the street is palpable. Ever since the election of Barack Obama as President of these United States in November 2008, coupled with the election of a democrat party majority in both the U.S. House and Senate, concern for the United States and personal safety has ignited like a fire in dry grass.
Sales of guns - black guns, rifles, shotguns and handguns (particularly 9mm) everywhere, have gone through the roof. AR15s have literally flown off of dealer shelves, and only now in the spring of 2009, have I seen the display samples of ARs begin to reappear on the wall of my favorite shooting emporium after the initial post election rush.
Manufacturers of ARs are still working to catch up and some of the major suppliers are as much as 150,000 guns behind. Not only that, ammo is in the shortest supply I have ever seen in the 43 years of my shooting life. Have you recently tried to get 5.56mm, 9mm or even 380 ammo?
Supplies of 5.56mm and 9mm ammo are in short supply due to the black gun buying craze; .380ACP because of the rise in people getting concealed carry permits and the resurgence of interest in convenient 380 handguns like the fine Ruger LCP. In fact, in doing a review of the Ruger LCP, my gun store only had a small supply of ONE .380 round on hand, the Winchesters 95-grain SXT, which they had just gotten in. Unfortunately, I had to do a 30-round review of that pistol. There was none other to be found.
What is odd about this new fear is that it is not coming from the average citizen gun owner out there, but it is coming from what to me is an almost shocking source: street cops.
Street cops and SWAT cops that I know from various agencies - rural, suburban and metro - in my area are scared. Cops that before November 2008 never gave much thought (that I knew of anyway) to politics or more
importantly to gun rights. For the most part, these are the guys that didn"t generally have any interest in shooting or gun ownership beyond keeping track of where their duty gun is, and a few of them didn't even do that so well.
The guys I am talking about now are some of the same guys who used to not even carry off duty on a regular basis- but not anymore. They don't scare easily, defenders of the Constitution of this State and the United States (as our oath of office reads), have been buying ARs, survival gear, and all the ammo they can lay their hands on. All of them (or I should say "us") have been discussing and have been acquiring guns to provide a layered perimeter defense.
What are we suddenly so afraid of? Well in our discussions it seems to boil down to four areas.
First, fear of federal government intrusion into our lives. Every time I look at or listen to the news, there is something new and intrusive coming out of the Obama administration and this Congress. New tax schemes, government-run Canadian-style healthcare, a volunteer citizen defense force (whatever that is, what happened to the National Guard?) equipped with funding similar to our military, forced voluntary "service" after retirement, a lack of a southern border with hordes of illegal and criminal aliens pouring over our border, the swine flu scare as well as government forced closing of thousands of privately held Chrysler and GM dealerships, which will be the final nail in the coffin for these companies and the list goes on and on.
But these items in the news are just the tip of the iceberg. We can't see the full impact of these actions yet, but we don't know what was added into the thousand of pages of stimulus package bills in the dead of night yet. I predict however that when the plans contained in the stimulus packages go into effect, a lot of us are going to be surprised if not shocked by what has suddenly and sweepingly changed.
What also scares us is the second, well-founded fear that there is an assault weapons ban looming, one that would make the Clinton Ban appear like a look of disdain in comparison. I remember well the 1990s and the Clinton years: the rise of militia groups, the "black helicopter" rumors and paranoia, all of which was motivated by the Brady Law and the Assault Weapon's ban. What if a new ban comes requiring registration or confiscation and turn-in of banned weapons as what happened in Australia?
...I foresee much civil disobedience coming down the road. Americans are citizens, and not subjects like the British, Canadians or Australians. They just don't always obey the law blindly and not one officer or citizen that I spoke to said anything like "I hope I get to keep this gun for awhile before they are banned; They are fun to shoot, so I would hate to give it up." It isn't going to happen, so the cop on the street and the soldier on the base needs to think now what he will do if the orders come down. I think you all get what I am saying here.
Which leads me to the third fear, that there is a revolution coming, yes, a revolution on the scale of the original American Revolution. You can hear this topic discussed on many of the talk radio shows by even the big name hosts. The possibility of an armed revolution against the U.S. government being discussed, albeit very gingerly and fleetingly and as something to be avoided, which it is. I never heard this mentioned in the 90s. One of my quietest, low profile officer friends brought it up the other day.
He said that at some point in the near future, he felt there is going to be an armed revolt if things keep going the way they are. Something has got to give. I was shocked. Yes, I had heard this from some of my more radical
cop friends in the past, but to hear it from a guy like this was unprecedented. Now, these guys are not saying this will happen to foment revolution, preach sedition or to even participate. They just want to be ready if it happens, to at least defend their families, because number four on the fear list is general societal chaos.
Cops fear for their parents, wives, children or grandchildren more now than ever before. Most cops are encouraging their spouses and loved ones to get concealed carry permits. Not only that, but some of these same cops are buying gun mounts for their personal cars so they can carry an AR in the family ride at the ready all the time. They are also strapping on heavier forms of off-duty hardware. I have other friends that are issued ARs or subguns for tactical team use, who always have their gear with them and are planning on just commandeering these weapons for personal use in defending hearth and home.
Final Notes
This is pretty heady and maybe even dangerous stuff. Know fully that I am not advocating anything here. I am reflecting to you what I see and hear going on around me, and maybe saying things that haven't been said in the open, until now. It is something to think about.
Written By; Scott Wagner is a Police Academy Commander and Professor at Columbus State Community College in Columbus Ohio, and Commander of the 727 Counter Terror Training Unit. A 29 year law enforcement veteran, and current Deputy Sheriff, he is the Precision Marksman for the Union County Sheriff's Office SRT Team.
Note From a Cop
The fear on the street is palpable. Ever since the election of Barack Obama as President of these United States in November 2008, coupled with the election of a democrat party majority in both the U.S. House and Senate, concern for the United States and personal safety has ignited like a fire in dry grass.
Sales of guns - black guns, rifles, shotguns and handguns (particularly 9mm) everywhere, have gone through the roof. AR15s have literally flown off of dealer shelves, and only now in the spring of 2009, have I seen the display samples of ARs begin to reappear on the wall of my favorite shooting emporium after the initial post election rush.
Manufacturers of ARs are still working to catch up and some of the major suppliers are as much as 150,000 guns behind. Not only that, ammo is in the shortest supply I have ever seen in the 43 years of my shooting life. Have you recently tried to get 5.56mm, 9mm or even 380 ammo?
Supplies of 5.56mm and 9mm ammo are in short supply due to the black gun buying craze; .380ACP because of the rise in people getting concealed carry permits and the resurgence of interest in convenient 380 handguns like the fine Ruger LCP. In fact, in doing a review of the Ruger LCP, my gun store only had a small supply of ONE .380 round on hand, the Winchesters 95-grain SXT, which they had just gotten in. Unfortunately, I had to do a 30-round review of that pistol. There was none other to be found.
What is odd about this new fear is that it is not coming from the average citizen gun owner out there, but it is coming from what to me is an almost shocking source: street cops.
Street cops and SWAT cops that I know from various agencies - rural, suburban and metro - in my area are scared. Cops that before November 2008 never gave much thought (that I knew of anyway) to politics or more
importantly to gun rights. For the most part, these are the guys that didn"t generally have any interest in shooting or gun ownership beyond keeping track of where their duty gun is, and a few of them didn't even do that so well.
The guys I am talking about now are some of the same guys who used to not even carry off duty on a regular basis- but not anymore. They don't scare easily, defenders of the Constitution of this State and the United States (as our oath of office reads), have been buying ARs, survival gear, and all the ammo they can lay their hands on. All of them (or I should say "us") have been discussing and have been acquiring guns to provide a layered perimeter defense.
What are we suddenly so afraid of? Well in our discussions it seems to boil down to four areas.
First, fear of federal government intrusion into our lives. Every time I look at or listen to the news, there is something new and intrusive coming out of the Obama administration and this Congress. New tax schemes, government-run Canadian-style healthcare, a volunteer citizen defense force (whatever that is, what happened to the National Guard?) equipped with funding similar to our military, forced voluntary "service" after retirement, a lack of a southern border with hordes of illegal and criminal aliens pouring over our border, the swine flu scare as well as government forced closing of thousands of privately held Chrysler and GM dealerships, which will be the final nail in the coffin for these companies and the list goes on and on.
But these items in the news are just the tip of the iceberg. We can't see the full impact of these actions yet, but we don't know what was added into the thousand of pages of stimulus package bills in the dead of night yet. I predict however that when the plans contained in the stimulus packages go into effect, a lot of us are going to be surprised if not shocked by what has suddenly and sweepingly changed.
What also scares us is the second, well-founded fear that there is an assault weapons ban looming, one that would make the Clinton Ban appear like a look of disdain in comparison. I remember well the 1990s and the Clinton years: the rise of militia groups, the "black helicopter" rumors and paranoia, all of which was motivated by the Brady Law and the Assault Weapon's ban. What if a new ban comes requiring registration or confiscation and turn-in of banned weapons as what happened in Australia?
...I foresee much civil disobedience coming down the road. Americans are citizens, and not subjects like the British, Canadians or Australians. They just don't always obey the law blindly and not one officer or citizen that I spoke to said anything like "I hope I get to keep this gun for awhile before they are banned; They are fun to shoot, so I would hate to give it up." It isn't going to happen, so the cop on the street and the soldier on the base needs to think now what he will do if the orders come down. I think you all get what I am saying here.
Which leads me to the third fear, that there is a revolution coming, yes, a revolution on the scale of the original American Revolution. You can hear this topic discussed on many of the talk radio shows by even the big name hosts. The possibility of an armed revolution against the U.S. government being discussed, albeit very gingerly and fleetingly and as something to be avoided, which it is. I never heard this mentioned in the 90s. One of my quietest, low profile officer friends brought it up the other day.
He said that at some point in the near future, he felt there is going to be an armed revolt if things keep going the way they are. Something has got to give. I was shocked. Yes, I had heard this from some of my more radical
cop friends in the past, but to hear it from a guy like this was unprecedented. Now, these guys are not saying this will happen to foment revolution, preach sedition or to even participate. They just want to be ready if it happens, to at least defend their families, because number four on the fear list is general societal chaos.
Cops fear for their parents, wives, children or grandchildren more now than ever before. Most cops are encouraging their spouses and loved ones to get concealed carry permits. Not only that, but some of these same cops are buying gun mounts for their personal cars so they can carry an AR in the family ride at the ready all the time. They are also strapping on heavier forms of off-duty hardware. I have other friends that are issued ARs or subguns for tactical team use, who always have their gear with them and are planning on just commandeering these weapons for personal use in defending hearth and home.
Final Notes
This is pretty heady and maybe even dangerous stuff. Know fully that I am not advocating anything here. I am reflecting to you what I see and hear going on around me, and maybe saying things that haven't been said in the open, until now. It is something to think about.
Written By; Scott Wagner is a Police Academy Commander and Professor at Columbus State Community College in Columbus Ohio, and Commander of the 727 Counter Terror Training Unit. A 29 year law enforcement veteran, and current Deputy Sheriff, he is the Precision Marksman for the Union County Sheriff's Office SRT Team.
Farah Fawcett died and went to heaven. God told her "I will grant you one wish for the exemplary life you've led before you enter into heaven." Farah thought for a moment and said "I wish all the children of the world would be safe." So god immediately killed Michael Jackson.
Did you hear McDonald's is going to come out with a commemorate Michael Jackson burger. Its a 50 year old piece of meat between two 10 year old buns.
Did you hear about Michael Jackson's last will and testament? It seems that since his body is more plastic than flesh now, Michael Jackson's last wishes were to be melted down and turned into legos. That way children would play with him for a change.
Did you hear Michael Jackson died of food poisoning? Yeah. It seems he got it from eating 10 year old nuts.
What's the difference between a plastic grocery bag and Michael Jackson?
One is white and made of plastic and dangerous for kids to play with, the other carries groceries.
What's the difference between Neil Armstrong and Michael Jackson?
One was the first man to do the moon walk, the other fucks boys.
Breaking News: Casper the friendly ghost was molested in the early hours of this morning!
Only in America can someone be born a poor black kid, and die a rich white woman.
The giant chain Wal Mart is having a sale honoring Michael Jackson's death,,,,
boys clothes half off.
Michael Jackson and David Carradine: If I told you one month ago that one was going to be found naked in a closet with a rope around his neck and genitals and one was going die of cardiac arrest, which way would you have voted?
On a scale of one to ten, how old is Michael Jackson's boyfriend?
Michael Jackson, the Pope and a bunch of kids are on a plane.
Suddenly the plane becomes out of control and is on course to crash.
"Here, there are two parachutes," said the Pope.
"What about the kids?" replied Wacko Jacko.
"Fuck the kids," said the Pope.
To this, Wacko Jacko said, "Have we got time?"
I just bought an expensive new car radio that is voice activated
When I shout "Soul", the radio starts playing "Soul music"
When I shout "Jazz", the radio starts playing "Jazz music"
"Some kids ran out in front of my car, I yelled at them "F%@king kids", the radio started playing Michael Jackson"
...and finally....
"Heeeeeeeree's Faaraaahh!!!"
"Heeeeeeeree's Miichaelll!!!"
St. Pete: "Damnit Ed-knock it off!"
Did you hear McDonald's is going to come out with a commemorate Michael Jackson burger. Its a 50 year old piece of meat between two 10 year old buns.
Did you hear about Michael Jackson's last will and testament? It seems that since his body is more plastic than flesh now, Michael Jackson's last wishes were to be melted down and turned into legos. That way children would play with him for a change.
Did you hear Michael Jackson died of food poisoning? Yeah. It seems he got it from eating 10 year old nuts.
What's the difference between a plastic grocery bag and Michael Jackson?
One is white and made of plastic and dangerous for kids to play with, the other carries groceries.
What's the difference between Neil Armstrong and Michael Jackson?
One was the first man to do the moon walk, the other fucks boys.
Breaking News: Casper the friendly ghost was molested in the early hours of this morning!
Only in America can someone be born a poor black kid, and die a rich white woman.
The giant chain Wal Mart is having a sale honoring Michael Jackson's death,,,,
boys clothes half off.
Michael Jackson and David Carradine: If I told you one month ago that one was going to be found naked in a closet with a rope around his neck and genitals and one was going die of cardiac arrest, which way would you have voted?
On a scale of one to ten, how old is Michael Jackson's boyfriend?
Michael Jackson, the Pope and a bunch of kids are on a plane.
Suddenly the plane becomes out of control and is on course to crash.
"Here, there are two parachutes," said the Pope.
"What about the kids?" replied Wacko Jacko.
"Fuck the kids," said the Pope.
To this, Wacko Jacko said, "Have we got time?"
I just bought an expensive new car radio that is voice activated
When I shout "Soul", the radio starts playing "Soul music"
When I shout "Jazz", the radio starts playing "Jazz music"
"Some kids ran out in front of my car, I yelled at them "F%@king kids", the radio started playing Michael Jackson"
...and finally....
"Heeeeeeeree's Faaraaahh!!!"
"Heeeeeeeree's Miichaelll!!!"
St. Pete: "Damnit Ed-knock it off!"
and we'll have to hear about it for weeks.
It's Looking like bubbles in his self-injected Demerol fix. Retard.
It's Looking like bubbles in his self-injected Demerol fix. Retard.
Our Media has really hit rock bottom when I have to watch the BBC to get accurate stories about IRAN, rather than the sticky gushing of our Crap Media on m'Bongas trip to the ice-cream store with the kids to pick up doggie pops for Bo.
Which also brings this to mind:
I hope the pResident got a sprinkle of nuts on his ice cream - he needs them.
The twitter feeds out of Iran are mesmerizing, but too much information is bad/wrong/hysterical.
This video of a young girl shot in the chest and dying as she stared into the camera should become the icon of this Revolution.
For a still from the video, run your mouse below to reveal a link. GRAPHIC PICTURE WARNING
Neda
Which also brings this to mind:
I hope the pResident got a sprinkle of nuts on his ice cream - he needs them.
The twitter feeds out of Iran are mesmerizing, but too much information is bad/wrong/hysterical.
This video of a young girl shot in the chest and dying as she stared into the camera should become the icon of this Revolution.
For a still from the video, run your mouse below to reveal a link. GRAPHIC PICTURE WARNING
Neda
France and England have fought each other in the 100 Years' War, the Seven Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars and scads of less memorably named conflicts. And more recently, the French and English have treated the blood-and-tears clashes between their national rugby and soccer teams as fetishes for those battles of yore. The geysers of bile pouring forth from the London tabloids this week suggests a new chapter in Anglo-French enmity may be upon us. Call it the "Great D-Day Hissy Fit."
This drawing was created by a 17-year old high school student named
Eliza Gauger in the wake of Sept 11th. She said she was illustrating
her own mother's willingness to do anything- even something she hated,
like guns- to protect her children
I Remember 9-11 and the anger I felt. I haven't forgotten.
Marine awarded MoH at 17 now gravely ill
Must of been a tough little fuck...join the jarheads at 14 and get thru
bootcamp, attack Iwo at 17, then jump on a grenade, survive, and live
to 80. He passed last June. I remember the tough old-school guys who were the Dads of my friends growing up. We don't deserve to shine the shoes of that generation.
Then there was Great Uncle Leo, fresh off the boat and joins the army...just in time for the Spanish American War.
I remember how immigrants did everything they could to assimilate in their new country. There is no such thing on the planet as a better culture than ours. Moral equivalence my ass.
...and dear old Dad.
Memorial Day...remember.
The photo above reminds me of how my brother and I, while being yelled at by my Dad, would slowly lean to the right to get in line with his broken nose. He would sputter and my Mom would piss herself laughing. I miss them both.
Eliza Gauger in the wake of Sept 11th. She said she was illustrating
her own mother's willingness to do anything- even something she hated,
like guns- to protect her children
I Remember 9-11 and the anger I felt. I haven't forgotten.
Marine awarded MoH at 17 now gravely ill
Must of been a tough little fuck...join the jarheads at 14 and get thru
bootcamp, attack Iwo at 17, then jump on a grenade, survive, and live
to 80. He passed last June. I remember the tough old-school guys who were the Dads of my friends growing up. We don't deserve to shine the shoes of that generation.
Then there was Great Uncle Leo, fresh off the boat and joins the army...just in time for the Spanish American War.
I remember how immigrants did everything they could to assimilate in their new country. There is no such thing on the planet as a better culture than ours. Moral equivalence my ass.
...and dear old Dad.
Memorial Day...remember.
The photo above reminds me of how my brother and I, while being yelled at by my Dad, would slowly lean to the right to get in line with his broken nose. He would sputter and my Mom would piss herself laughing. I miss them both.
Pirates are for hanging.
Pirates are not a law enforcement issue.
You do not negotiate with pirates.
Pirates are why Marines were invented.
Christ on a crutch, if M'bonga is bungling this little test, how much is he going to fuck up something big.
I made jokes about Carter, but M'bonga is making Carter's foreign policy disasters look positively Churchillian.
Ruh-roh!
I applaud being on the same side as the frogs on this one...at least until their (or ours for that matter) politicians get into the act.
Update: From Ace
It was not a planned assault. What they are saying is that there was an imminent danger to Captain Philips and the on scene commander (I think that's the commander of USS Bainbridge) gave the order to take the pirates down. Apparently there was an AK pointed at Philips and the commander authorized snipers to take their shots. It was a split section decision.
They had standing authority from the President to take action in the case of an imminent threat to the hostage's life.
The SEAL snipers were on Bainbridge about 20 meters or so from the life boat and sea conditions were 'deteriorating'. It sounded like Bainbridge had the life boat under tow at the time.
I'm guessing the early reports of a 'fire fight' were somewhat over stated. It seems 3 shots, 3 ex-pirates is more like the case.
As for Obama's role in this, it seems it was neither heroic nor stupid. This is as it should be. He seems to have given his approval to the military's requests for authority and then let them do their thing. He did his job, that's enough for now.
Comment of the Day...
Dont bring a Somali to a SEAL fight. - Kempermanx on Ace
Pirates are not a law enforcement issue.
You do not negotiate with pirates.
Pirates are why Marines were invented.
Christ on a crutch, if M'bonga is bungling this little test, how much is he going to fuck up something big.
I made jokes about Carter, but M'bonga is making Carter's foreign policy disasters look positively Churchillian.
Captain Free...3 Skinnys Dead
U.S. officials said a pirate who had been involved in negotiations to free Phillips but who was not on the lifeboat during the rescue was in military custody. FBI spokesman John Miller said that would change as the situation became "more of a criminal issue than a military issue."
Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said prosecutors were looking at "evidence and other issues" to determine whether to bring a case in the United States. The pirate could face a life sentence if convicted, officials said.
See No. 1 Above
"Uh, ahoy there, kind sirs! We were wondering if there are any Americans aboard your splendid vessel. There are? Really? Then we must be going. Have a nice day!"
Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over the shooting of their comrades, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday.I read this and heard Scooby Doo's voice in my head...
"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.
Ruh-roh!
I applaud being on the same side as the frogs on this one...at least until their (or ours for that matter) politicians get into the act.
Update: From Ace
It was not a planned assault. What they are saying is that there was an imminent danger to Captain Philips and the on scene commander (I think that's the commander of USS Bainbridge) gave the order to take the pirates down. Apparently there was an AK pointed at Philips and the commander authorized snipers to take their shots. It was a split section decision.
They had standing authority from the President to take action in the case of an imminent threat to the hostage's life.
The SEAL snipers were on Bainbridge about 20 meters or so from the life boat and sea conditions were 'deteriorating'. It sounded like Bainbridge had the life boat under tow at the time.
I'm guessing the early reports of a 'fire fight' were somewhat over stated. It seems 3 shots, 3 ex-pirates is more like the case.
As for Obama's role in this, it seems it was neither heroic nor stupid. This is as it should be. He seems to have given his approval to the military's requests for authority and then let them do their thing. He did his job, that's enough for now.
Comment of the Day...
Dont bring a Somali to a SEAL fight. - Kempermanx on Ace
I met her in January of '71...so this is our 38th. Yikes!
John Moses Browning
...the jet went down in the Hudson.
Thanx to that guy at work who remains forever nameless.
...at trainer's house like:
Bourbon
Wine
Dunkin' Donuts Coffee
Ammunition as stocking stuffers
Two brands of RC helicopters (Pete's and Clancy's) being mastered
Playing with Redboy's new shotgun
A Chorus of "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" by my daughter
All the presents wrapped in the happy color black
Two separate Roast Beast meals to accommodate visitor schedules
...and the best
Sleeping Late cuz my kids are grown
...and a new one from Mr. FreeMarket
Bourbon
Wine
Dunkin' Donuts Coffee
Ammunition as stocking stuffers
Two brands of RC helicopters (Pete's and Clancy's) being mastered
Playing with Redboy's new shotgun
A Chorus of "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" by my daughter
All the presents wrapped in the happy color black
Two separate Roast Beast meals to accommodate visitor schedules
...and the best
Sleeping Late cuz my kids are grown
...and a new one from Mr. FreeMarket
...with water cannon and pepper spray.
2008 Greek riots - The Big Picture - Boston.com
Yikes.
Why couldn't it happen to a more aggravating country...like France.
Submitted by another guy at work who wishes to remain anonymous.
2008 Greek riots - The Big Picture - Boston.com
Yikes.
Why couldn't it happen to a more aggravating country...like France.
Submitted by another guy at work who wishes to remain anonymous.
Rule 1: When in doubt - buy him a cordless drill. It does not matter if he already has one. As a man, you can never have too many cordless drills. No one knows why.
Rule 2: If you cannot afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. No one knows why.
Rule 3: If you are really short of money, buy him anything for his car. A 50 cent ice scraper, a small bottle of de-icer or something to hang from the rear view mirror. Men love gifts for their cars. No one knows why.
Rule 4: Rope. Men love rope. It takes us back to Boy Scouts or some other such organisation. Nothing says love like a hundred feet of 3/8" nylon rope. No one knows why.
Rule 5: A new TV remote control to replace the one he has lost. If you have a lot of money buy him the latest all-singing, all-dancing widescreen TV. Watch the smile on his face as he flicks, and flicks, and flicks.
Rule 6: Label makers are nearly as good as cordless drills. Within a couple of weeks there will be labels absolutely everywhere. Men really enjoy using these. No one knows why.
Rule 7: Never buy a man anything that says "some assembly required" on the box. He will be too preoccupied to speak to you for hours and he will always have parts left over.
Rule 8: Men enjoy danger. That's why they love to barbecue. Get him a big gas barbecue. Tell him the gas line leaks. Such excitement! Who wants a hamburger?"
Rule 9: Tickets to a football match are a smart gift. However, he will not appreciate tickets to "Creative Flower Arranging for Beginners." Everyone knows why.
Rule 10: Men love chainsaws. Never, ever, buy a man you love a chainsaw. If you don't know why - please refer to Rule 6 and what happens when he gets a label maker.
Rule 11: It's hard to beat a really good wheelbarrow or an aluminium extension ladder. Never buy a real man a step ladder. It must be an extension ladder. No one knows why!
From Theo...
Bettie Page, legendary pinup queen, dies at 85 | PopWatch Blog | EW.com
She will be missed by those of us of a certain age...
You can still see her beauty when she was 80.
World's longest legs meet world's shortest man...
