From "my" LtCol ...................................... My kind of GENERAL

From General Hawley....he no longer has to be politically
correct..........................

So much for "politically correct" nonsense.... if this offends you,
get a grip on reality!!

For those who don't know General Hawley, he's a newly retired USAF
4-Star general. He commanded the USAF Air Combat Command [our front- line
fighters and bombers]. The Command headquarters is at Langley AFB, VA.
General Hawley is now retired and no longer required to be politically
correct. His short speech is very much to the point.

The following are excerpts:"

"Since the attack [9-11], I have seen, heard, and read thoughts of
such surpassing stupidity that they must be addressed. You've heard them
too.

Here they are:

1. "We're not good, they're not evil, and everything is relative."
"Listen carefully: We're good, they're evil, and nothing is relative. Say it
with me now and free yourselves. You see, folks, saying "We're good" doesn't
mean, "We're perfect." Okay? The only perfect being is the bearded guy on
the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The plain fact is that our country has,
with all our mistakes and blunders, always been and always will be the
greatest beacon of freedom, charity, opportunity, and affection in history.
If you need proof, open all the borders on Earth and see what happens.

2 "Violence only leads to more violence."

"This one is so stupid you usually have to be the president of an Ivy
League university to say it. Here's the truth, which you know in your heads
and hearts already: Ineffective, unfocused violence leads to more violence.
Limp, panicky, half-measures lead to more violence. However, complete, fully
thought-through, professional, well-executed violence never leads to more
violence because, you see, afterwards, the other guys are all dead. That's
right, dead. Not "on trial," not reeducated," not "nurtured back into the
bosom of love." Dead-D-E-A-D
Well, you get the idea.

3 "The CIA and the rest of our intelligence community have failed
us."

"For 25 years we have chained our spies like dogs to a stake in the
ground, and now that the house has been robbed, we yell at them for not
protecting us. Starting in the late seventies, under Carter appointee
Stansfield Turner, the giant brains who get these giant ideas decided that
the best way to gather international intelligence was to use spy satellites.
"After all, (they reasoned,) you can see a license plate from 200 miles
away." This is very helpful if you've been attacked by a license plate.
Unfortunately, we were attacked by humans. Finding humans is not possible
with satellites. You have to use other humans.

When we bought all our satellites, we fired all our humans, and here's
the really stupid part. It takes years, decades to infiltrate new humans
into the worst places of the world. You can't just have a guy who looks like
Gary Busey in a Spring Break '93 sweatshirt plop himself down in a coffee
shop in Kabul and say "Hiya, boys. Gee, I sure would like to meet that bin
Laden fella. "Well, you can, but all you'd be doing is giving the bad guys a
story they'll be telling for years.

4 "These people are poor and helpless, and that's why they're angry at
us." Uh-huh, and Jeffrey Dahmer's frozen head collection was just a despera
te cry for help. The terrorists and their backers are richer than Elton John
and, ironically, a good deal less annoying. The poor helpless people, you
see, are the villagers they tortured and murdered to stay in power. Mohammed
Atta, one of the evil scumbags who steered those planes into the killing
grounds is the son of a Cairo surgeon. But you knew this, too. In the
sixties and seventies, all the pinheads marching against the war were
upper-middle-class college kids who grabbed any cause they could think of to
get out of their final papers and spend more time drinking. It's the same
today.

5 "Any profiling is racial profiling." Who's killing us here, the
Norwegians? Just days after the attack, the New York Times had an article
saying dozens of extended members of the gaz illionaire bin Laden family
living in America were afraid of reprisals and left in a huff, never to
return to studying at Harvard and using too much Drakkar. I'm crushed.

Please come back. Let's all stop singing "We Are the World" for a
minute and think practically. I don't want to be sitting on the floor in the
back of a plane four seconds away from hitting Mt. Rushmore and turn,
grinning, to the guy next to me to say, "Well, at least we didn't offend
them."

SO HERE'S what I resolve for the New Year: Never to forget our
murdered brothers and sisters. Never to let the relativists get away with
their immoral thinking. After all, no matter what your daughter's political
science professor says, we didn't start this. Have you seen that bumper
sticker that says, "No More Hiroshima's"? I wish I had one that says, "No
More Pearl Harbors."

'Specially to Lainy, MK & SpeakerTweaker .......................................................

Thank you for your comments - Ja. is doing VERY well in her new class - now if her Mom can only get the school's speech therapist to work with Ja. - right now, she's "under observation/consultation" - the thing is, just as with kids with hearing loss, the earlier the intervention, the better the result.

What I posted earlier is just ONE example - I'm afraid I'm gonna have to buckle down and start attending town council meetings, to raise the issue of illegals & anchor/jackpot children here - one of the problems is that we're only ~ 30 miles outside Houston, where Mayor Witless and the carpetbagger police chief LIE about the sanctuary status the city imposes on all public service issues. Also, I've been invited to get involved in the school system - I haven't, because I do not now, nor ever DID, have a child in this school system. {D. was 22 when we moved here.}

I'm all for our kids learning languages other than English {though I believe they should all be well on their way to mastery of the English language before getting into any other language - in today's world, English is the language of choice in many fields} - with no indication that 'globalism' is going away any time soon, it can only HELP to have a grasp of another language. That being said, I question the "Spanish" that's being taught here - too often, it is classical Spanish {one could fare very well in Spain} - if the majority of people one must interact with come from Mexico or Central America, wouldn't it be better to at least offer "Mexican Spanish"?

Heh-heh-heh .................................. DAMN, they make me proud!!

As y'all may have noticed ...............................................

I don't like to see animals go hungry - if you're so inclined, please go to The Animal Rescue Site & click on the purple button - it's a matter of "clicks equalling food" ............................. St. Francis of Assisi thanks you! ;-)

Friends of ours have 3 children -

J. the son, C. the elder daughter, and Ja. the younger daughter. All 3 kids have had to overcome quite a bit - J. has been on ADHD meds since pre-K (he's now junior high); C. is learning disabled, bi-polar, with neuro thrown in, now in middle school; Ja. WAS OK 'til her sperm donor decided she was a sex toy - as a result, her language development is about the level of a 3-4 year old - she's 7.

School opened in August, as it usually does here, and Ja. toddled off to second grade - only, she's the ONLY Anglo in her class, and the teacher is teaching IN SPANISH. Poor little Ja. would come home, be asked by her Mom if she's making friends, having fun - Ja. would tearfully tell her, "Mom, I can't understand them when they're talking, and I can't understand the teacher." Her mother immediately went to the school and demanded Ja.'s transfer to another class; this was refused. For the entire first week, Mom went to school with her demands - finally, that Friday, arrangements were made to transfer Ja.

THIS is a major example of the rubber meeting the road on illegal immigration - OUR children are being sacrificed in the name of the almighty gods called 'multiculturalism' and 'diversity'.

From "my" Lt Col ................................................

whether it's 'urban legend' or not, it's well-worth reading - here's my reasoning - many criminals CAN READ - and something like this would give them ideas ............................



NEW FORM OF KIDNAPPING

Please take a minute to read this. This is very scary and could happen to
any of us.. Seems like every nice thing people do for one another can be
perverted.

A new twist on kidnapping from a very smart survivor:

About a month ago there was a woman standing by the mall entrance passing
out flyers to all the women going in. The woman had written the flyer
herself to tell about an experience she had, so that she might warn other
women.


The previous day, this woman had finished shopping, went out to her car and
discovered that she had a flat.

She got the jack out of the trunk and began to change the flat. A nice man
dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase walked up to her and
said, 'I noticed you're changing a flat tire. Would you like me to take
care of it for you?'

The woman was grateful for his offer and accepted his help. They chatted
amiably while the man changed the flat, and then put the flat tire and the
jack in the trunk, shut it and dusted his hands off.

The woman thanked him profusely, and as she was about to get in her car, the
man told her that he left his car around on the other side of the mall, and
asked if she would mind giving him a lift to his car.

She was a little surprised and she asked him why his car was on other side.

He explained that he had seen an old friend in the mall that he hadn't seen
for some time and they had a bite to eat, visited for a while, and he got
turned around in the mall and left through the wrong exit, and now he was
running late.


The woman hated to tell him 'no' because he had just rescued her from
having to change her flat tire all by herself, but she! felt un easy. (Trust
that gut feeling!)

Then she remembered seeing the man put his briefcase in her trunk before
shutting it and before he asked her for a ride to his car.

She told him that she'd be happy to drive him around to his car, But she
just remembered one last thing she needed to buy. (Smart woman!!)

She said she would only be a few minutes; he could sit down in her car and
wait for her; she would be as quick as she could be.

She hurried into the mall, and told a security guard what had happened, the
guard came out to her car with her, but the
man had left. They opened the trunk, took out his locked briefcase and took
it down to the police station.

The police opened it (ostensibly to look for ID so they could return it to
the man). What they found was rope, duct tape, and knives. When the police
checked her 'flat' tire, there was nothing wrong with it; the air had simply
been let out. It was obvious what the man's intention was, and obvious that
he had carefully thought it out in advance. The woman was blessed to have
escaped harm. (Amen, thank you, God!)

How much worse it would have been if she had children with her and had them
wait in the car while the man fixed the tire, or if she had a baby strapped
into a car seat? Or if she'd gone against her judgment and given him a
lift?

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life.

A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this
to the ladies only; but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters,
daughters, etc.., you may want to pass it on to them, as well.

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that The world
we live in has a lot of crazies in it. Better to be safe than sorry.

OK, SportsFans, here's the deal ..................................................

it appears our 'Cousins' are preparing to pillory one of their citizens for his exercise of free speech ............................. Wolf Howling gives a pretty good a rundown of what Lionheart is facing, for blogging his opinions about 'the religion of peace' ........................... now, I'm not a big advocate of telling other countries how to run their governments - BUT - our Constitution was the result of taking the best of the U.K.'s "Common Law", which had a few (SARCASM) of it's origins in the Magna Carta - and while WE struggle with folks who would completely re-write the Constitution, if not do away with it completely, we, at this point, still have most of our freedoms ............................ Lionheart is publishing the truth - unlike our 'stolen valor' types, who now are claiming their lies are covered by the First Amendment .............................. if this makes you as angry as it makes me, here's contact info for the British Embassy .........................

Public Affairs Team
The British Embassy
Washington D.C.
3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20008-3600

One of the harridans of the Beltway is blaming

bloggers {WTF, Over?} for journalism's more recent debacles .......................... per Helen Thomas, "bad journalism" is all the fault of bloggers, as "we" don't have 'ethical standards' ............................... ye-eah, here's the thing - among the bloggers I "know", I will take y'all's word over Helen Thomas and the rest of the MSM any day of the week - "we" haven't had the incidences of faked stories, photoshopping, forgeries, etc., making the rounds unchallenged ........................... she can kiss my original EGA tattoo ..............................

While I'm late for our friends Down Under ....................................

for future reference, should you wish to make some Texas caviar for a special occasion or just fun ........................... ;-)

Oh, yeah ............................

From our daughter ....................................... blame

LawDog for getting us started on Achmed the Dead Terrorist ......................... NOT SAFE FOR WORK {'less you're the boss}/AROUND CHILDREN ........................... You've been warned ......................... ;-)

Rest in peace, Mrs. Bhutto .........................................

and, please God, have mercy on Pakistan ...........................

My 'frou--frou' Christmas, from my spousal unit ............................................

Just in case .........................................

"things" get too demanding, I want to wish all who may visit here




May we move ever closer to peace, personal & global ............................

Semper Fi', Y'all

Diamond Mair

M. got me a knitting machine, per a friend's

suggestion that I get a hobby & I'm having fun with it ....................... but ............................. the raccoons & possums are still coming up for Big Red's 'leftovers' ........................ had a young coon up on the porch railing tonight, going to town on Red's dry food - I took some more dry food out, to put separate from Red's - it USED to be, when I opened the door, they'd take off - run about 5 yards, stop & watch me - not anymore - THIS young'un dangled {there's no other applicable term} from 3 paws, upside down {kinda like when we used to do 'skin the cat' on the playground} and just LOOKED at me - now, admitting the selfish aspects, it is extremely gratifying that I'm not perceived as a threat by this beautiful wild creature {NO, I'm NOT attempting to pet or otherwise domesticate them!}, but for THEIR safety, as well as that of any humans who decide to get stupid, I'll be calling animal control next week, to see about relocating them somewhere .......................... primeval ......................

Our progeny sent this a couple days ago ..........................................

Suicide cat


my spousal unit showed me where to go to be able to post it ....................... about ......................... the title, per our daughter, is "Muslim pussy", with all the double-entendres one could want .................... ;-)

OK, I just read the latest "Perspectives"

installment - y'all owe it to yourselves to go first to The LawDog Files, then to Ambulance Driver, and finally to BabsRN, to read a truly lovely, loving tribute to "Miss Helen" ...............................

JUST got my new computer ....................................

going - the spousal unit was tinkering until just before he left for work ......................... have I mentioned how I really, Really, REALLY love this man? I've been guilty of some boneheaded actions/inactions, yet, on my birthday {BTW, 30 years after he celebrated my 21st with me} he gave me a card in which he wrote "I would do it all over again" ......................... SIGH!! :-)

'Specially for Lainy ..................................

"Things" have settled somewhat - and our progeny MAY make it home for Christmas!! ;-)

Right now, I'm having to utilize the spousal unit's computer, as mine decided to "shat the bed" yesterday - spousal unit is putting a new one together for me, but it won't BE 'together' 'til sometime tonight or early tomorrow {he DOES have to work, doncha know? ;-) }

I'm going to our local magistrate's court tonight, for my spouse - he received a ticket because the addresses didn't match on his insurance card and license - MY attitude is, as long as the insurance is current, and the license isn't expired, what does it matter???? - it's just a means for municipalities to generate income - once we've taken care of this, though, I'm going to be questioning whether the illegals who live in the area are subject to the same rules & regulations - I'll have another blog when my computer is back, but it seems that those of us who generally-speaking obey the law, and have some kind of sympathy/empathy for other living creatures are being penalized every time we turn around - my husband gets a ticket 'cause his addresses don't match - local news is that people who feed feral cats are now responsible for vaccinations/spaying/neutering - never mind that other people are dumping the cats and leaving them to fend for themselves ............... no, let's gouge the folks that are showing compassion for these unfortunates ...................

OK, OK, I'm a day late, per my comment on

Crusader Rabbit's blog, but here I are! ;-)

Our daughter, D, has been undergoing some ....................... issues ..................... couple of months ago, a {recently hired, female} co-worker, C, in a general kibbitz session, demanded a hug from D - D complied, and inadvertently touched C's breast - C complained {sexual harassment}, D was counseled, 'don't let it happen again', etc. Fine.

Two weeks ago, C told another employee, S, that D had said it was OK for employees to help themselves to 'product' {they work in a veterinary clinic}, ie, steal from their employer. S went to T, the tech supervisor, who went to the owner of the clinic - Doc called D in, asked her if she had said this - D denied - S was called in, reiterated her conversation with C - C was called in, and claimed that S "totally misunderstood" what she {C} had said ....................... next few days were TENSE, with snarky comments & innuendoes directed at D, who finally went to Doc, & offered to quit, as it seemed she was such a target - Doc held a meeting after D had left for the day - read the riot act to ALL the other employees - upshot was, he called D & accepted her offer to quit, with 2 weeks' severance - seems D, when on the clock {and Doc's dime} believes she should be WORKING, not standing around BS'ing; also, she has a life outside work, and didn't find it necessary to go out drinking/partying with co-workers - C, the originator of the problems, is in her early 20's, with a small child - HER favorite after work activity is to go home & get high, with or without her husband, in the presence of her child ............................ NOW, before I'm accused of anything, yes, in my younger days, I did my share of indulging - YES, I did raise D with the knowledge that, if it were legal, Mom would still be indulging {getting high was more fun than getting drunk, for me} - D has had her experiences with .......................... "substances", but also outgrown it - BUT - I NEVER used 'unprescribed drugs' around D when she was small - she's rarely seen me drunk ............................
So, D gets her severance, cashes the check, gives $10.00 to J, her boyfriend, puts the rest {$490.00} in her purse - and has it stolen out of her purse @ WalMart .......................... if anyone thinks this Mom's heart isn't ACHING for her child, you're fulla gas ..........................

As for me, for about 3 days now, I've been having pain in my upper right/middle back - I THINK it's gallbladder stuff - Darvocet gave me about 3 hours' partial relief today - but there's NO comfortable position - I may go to the doc later this week, but there will be NO intervention 'til after the holidays - I turn 51 later this week, and then there's Christmas - give me medications to alleviate, and schedule any surgery after the first of the year .......................... ;-)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, ALL!!

And remember the immortal words of Mame Dennis: "LIVE!! Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-a-bitches are starving to death!!" ...........................







Haul out the holly ............................

Put up the tree before
My spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things,
But deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas,
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet,
Yes, we need a little Christmas,
Right this very minute,
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry.

So climb down the chimney,
Turn on the brightest string
Of lights I've ever seen,
Slice up the fruitcake,
It's time we hung some tinsel
On that evergreen bough.

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing,
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
Happy ever after,
Need a little Christmas now.

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.


Midi version

So, SCOTUS is hearing a 2nd Amendment case ........................................

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.
Source

IF the framers of the Constitution intended for the 2nd Amendment to apply ONLY to the "well regulated militia", the subsequent portion "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" would NEVER have appeared in the 2nd Amendment. If you don't believe me, read for yourselves some of the writings of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, et al - ANY WRITINGS YOU CHOOSE - the gentlemen were known for meaning what they said, and saying what they meant. I just hope the Nine Robed Ones are true Constitutional Scholars ...............................

I'm so mad, I could smoke a pickle!!!

I'm a regular, daily reader of VDare, an illegal immigration restriction site ....................... now comes word from the Conference of Catholic Bishops that Catholics' immortal souls are in jeopardy, if "we" don't tow the Church's line on voting in regards illegal immigration .............................. Hellfire & Damnation - how DARE they demand we throw away our national sovereignty?

I never jumped on the bandwagon, tarring all priests with the "pedophile" tag - stood up for those I've known & considered good people - and now, some clerical bureaucrat has the temerity to threaten my soul? Ohhhhh, nononononono - AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!

Lainy, MK & anyone else .....................................

doing better {still coughing, ribs still tender, but not as much} - x-ray was OK {"Everything's fine" per doctor's office} - one thing I would caution ANYONE on - if you're in any way sensitive to the effects of pseudoephedrine or dextromethorphan, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR if they want to prescribe 'Endacof' - I could only handle it for 3 days - s'posed to take it 4 times/day - I was taking it ONCE a day, at night, to allow me to sleep - the pseudo component made my heart race, so it took a while before I could get to sleep - then the next day, it was like I was moving through fog .................... I can't take codeine-based meds {not allergic, exactly, but I'll doze off for 1/2 hour or so, then get up in a RAGE - like a year's worth of PMS in one hour - NOT fun, for me or anyone around me ......................... :-( }
Right now, I'm working on the shopping list for Thanksgiving - we're going to the home of family friends - I'll be making bourbon-glazed pork roast, cheesecake & pecan pie with cream cheese crust, deviled eggs, bringing pre-bagged salad & dressings ...................... the ONLY items not made from 'scratch' will be the salad & dressings - OK, I admit it, I LIKE to cook, & see people enjoy what I make ............................ ;-)

Went for a chest X-ray yesterday ........................

hadn't had one for a couple years, and the 1.5 month cough I've had decided to get my attention Tuesday - I coughed, & something "popped" on the left back side of my rib cage - got to the doc Thursday, and she decided it was past time for one for baseline if no other reason .........................
ANYhoo - so there I am, in the Radiology waiting room - they give you a numbered card, for "privacy purposes" - you're then called to the registration area by your number - once you're registered, however, they call you by name to shoot your films ........................... as Ambulance Driver notes, HIPAA is rather ......................... capricious .........................
What got to me was the woman handling registration - it was lunch time, so she was the only registrar - but she would take TEN minutes minimum per patient, browsing through some manual for various codes - apparently, she's not only a very slow reader, but also has NO retention of what she read while dealing with the previous patient - you'd have thought she was looking through a magazine/catalogue .......................... also, there was a young woman with her daughter, the woman in scrubs, employed at this hospital - she kept looking at her watch and sighing - finally, she got up and went into the back, chitchatting with her fellow employees - NOW, I'm all about 'professional courtesy', but one DOESN'T flaunt it - she could have gone around out in the hall, and entered through the 'back door' of the department, to talk - as it was, she left the rest of us in the waiting room thinking she'd 'jumped the line' - once again, I can understand that, but DON'T FLAUNT IT ............................
When we were coming up on 2 hours I'd spent waiting, I went to the front desk - I was "the next one up" - sure enough, I was the next one called {yes, by NAME! ;-)} and was in/out in less than 10 minutes ...............................

Early Happy Birthday to all Devil-Dogs, past, present & future!!

If I may be so bold, "we" look DAMN good for being 232 years old! ;-)
Semper Fidelis to all!

On Nov. 10, the Marine Corps turns 232 years old. Ever since it was formed in a Philadelphia bar in 1775, the Corps has given Marines countless reasons to take pride in the heritage of their organization.

There is no shortage of instances in which Marine units and individuals have distinguished themselves in battle, but the bragging rights earned over the past 232 years weren't all born on the battlefield.

The Corps' culture sets it apart from other branches of the military in ways that those who have never earned the eagle, globe and anchor find difficult to fully understand. But what is obvious to even the most casual observer is that Marines distinguish themselves through their unique appearance, spirit and accomplishments.

To know the Corps is to love the Corps, which is why Marine Corps Times compiled the following list of 232 reasons to stand Proudly at this year's birthday ball.

1. Cpl. Jason Dunham. First Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. If jumping on a grenade to save a buddy isn't worth the top of the list, nothing is.

2. Civilians have to find time to go to the gym. Marines get paid to go.

3. The National Museum of the Marine Corps. It's like a Smithsonian of leatherneck.

4. There's no such thing as an "ex" Marine.

5. Re-enlistment rates are higher IN the war zone.

6. Stink-proof socks. Well, almost. Systems Command is working on them.

7. Jalapeño cheese.

8. "Every Marine Into the Fight."

9. Lump-sum re-enlistment bonuses up to $80,000. Many of you would consider doing it for free.

10. New uniforms #1. Pixel-pattern cammies? Yeah, the Corps came up with that.

11. "Doc."

12. Flexed arm hang is harder than it looks. We tried it.

13. Barracks parties on non-payday weekends.

14. Marine Gunners.

15. The Wounded Warrior Regiment.

16. MarAdmin 266/07: Letting 18-year-old Marines drink on base at this year's birthday ball.

17. No receipt necessary for travel claim expenses less than $75.

18. The lance corporal underground.

19. Fallujah II.

21. Archibald Henderson's couch, re-upholstered, is still in the commandant's living room.

22. "No better friend, no worse enemy."

23. Typhoons approaching Okinawa often spark islandwide beer runs.

24. Waivers.

25. Gen. James Jones, who followed his tour as commandant with appointment as "supreme intergalactic overlord" (OK, it was Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, but close).

26. 10 rounds from the 500-yard line.

27. Per diem.

28. To civilians, every Marine is recon.

29. Recruiting in Texas is like hunting at the zoo.

30. The "boat cloak." Because every super hero needs a cape.

31. You can re-enlist in the IRR.

32. The wallet in your sock.

33. Motivating television commercials.

34. The "horse shoe" haircut, gone but not forgotten.

35. The global address list. Find your buddies and send them links to Marine Corps Times.

36. Running cadences that mention napalm. And Eskimos.

37. Stories that begin with, "So there I was ..."

38. Modified parade rest.

39. The transformation. Who you are when you join is not nearly as important as who you become.

40. Lt. Gen. Jim Mattis getting a fourth star.

41. If you've been on liberty in Twentynine Palms, you've been on liberty in Yuma and Barstow, too.

42. Grooming standards. Not only can you not act like a thug, you cannot look like a thug.

43. It's not the Army.

44. Women in Manhattan have all seen the Fleet Week episode of "Sex and the City."

45. Combat shotguns.

46. Combat Action Ri bbons. IEDs count now, and should have counted all along. Duh.

47. The occasional free beer. Wear your blues into a bar and see what happens.

48. After decades of debate, there remains no resolution on whether sand fleas trump "The Reaper."

49. The Corps' doesn't call its officers, commissioned or not, "petty."

50. Cpl. Gareth Hawkins, lying on a stretcher after an IED shattered his leg, demanded re-enlistment before medical evacuation. And got it.

51. Whereas Army, Navy and Air Force jokes are funny, Marine jokes are potentially dangerous.

52. The occasional friendly debate. Refer to a Marine staff Noncommissioned officer simply as "sergeant," and see what happens.

53. That troublesome "10 percent," making good Marines look great since 1775.

54. Everyone at a high school reunion is obliged to justify his last 10 years, except the guy wearing alphas.

55. As if ranks that inclu de the words "master" and "gunnery" aren't intimidating enough on their own, the Corps uses them both. At once.

56. Soldiers have Hooah Bars. Marines have Ka-Bars. The second will generally get you the first.

57. The dress code. You can wear your cammies to meet the commandant or repair a tank.

58. From "Aliens" to "Doom," the future vision of warfare almost always includes Space Marines.

59. The Corps was formed in a bar.

60. Marines predicted the WWII campaigns in the Pacific years earlier and prepared for the inevitable. So when a Marine says, "Hey, I've been thinking." perhaps you should take notes.

61. Give a Marine some free time, and he'll rip down your dictator's statue.

62. If it ain't raining, we ain't training.

64. Duty station garden spots: Jacksonville, N.C.; Yuma, Ariz.; Bridgeport, Calif.; Twentynine Palms, Calif. (Yes, we're kidding.)

65. Making morning PT on time.

66. Recruiters who promise everything EXCEPT a rose garden.

67. Mustangs #1. It's easier to take crap from a CO who went to boot camp.

69. Gen. Peter Pace, the first Marine chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He left his four-star insignia with his fallen comrades at the Vietnam Wall when he retired. Nice move.

70. The people zapper. Using microwave energy to disperse a crowd sounds like fun. Semper fry, gunny.

71. Nothing says "Good morning" like a mouthful of Copenhagen and freeze-dried coffee.

72. Nothing says "I love you" like a welcome home sheet hanging on a chain-link fence.

73. Bill Barnes. In June, the former Marine beat the crap out of a 27-year-old pickpocket who tried to make off with his dough. Oh yeah, he's 72.

74. Leftwich Trophy. Heisman winners only think they know about leaving it all on the field.

75. EOD. If you don't know why this is on the list , defuse the next IED yourself.

76. Tax-free combat pay. Doing what you signed up for and not having to give Uncle Sam a dime back.

77. Montford Point Marines. The first African-American Marines know a little something about honor, courage and commitment.

78. Front toward enemy. It's not just a visual reference on a Claymore mine, it's a Marine Corps way of life.

79. Mustangs #2. You know at least three Marines who drive them. It's like a Ford dealership exploded on base.

80. Fred Smith, founder of FedEx. Only a former Marine could truly appreciate the value of getting your mail on time.

81. CMC: The tallest member of the Joints Chiefs. OK, so we haven't actually measured, but he looks the tallest anyway.

82. No more spit shining boots.

83. Chuck Norris was in the Air Force. Steve McQueen was a Marine.

84. The Crucible.

85. 1/9, 2/9 and 3/9. Welcome back, fellas.

86. The FROG uniform. You are now sweat-wickin' AND flame-lickin'.

88. The M4. More rifles in the fight is generally a win-win.

89. MRAPs. Trucks straight out of Mad Max. We still love a good Humvee, but we loved jeeps, too. Things change.

90. Arty guys who do civil affairs. They blow it up, then they fix it. Circle of life.

91. Service Charlies. They look so good, the Navy's copying 'em.

92. Fake Marines. No one eats 'em up faster than real Marines.

93. John Lovell. A 71-year-old former Marine is sitting in a Subway restaurant when two armed men try to rob the place. Lovell grabs his .45, kills one and wounds the other. No word on how Lovell's sandwich fared.

94. 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Six Navy Crosses so far. Six.

95. Staff Sgt. Lawrence Dean II, aka the "BadAss Marine." He recites a poem.
He gets uploaded to YouTube. Thousands get motivated.

96. Gen. James Conway takes over as the new commandant. Among his demands: a new PT uniform, new tattoo regs, a plan to add dress blues to the seabag, a change-up in medals and 22,000 more Marines. Someone's been thinking about taking over for a while, huh?

97. Body-fat standards. Everyone hates them, until they see a fat Marine.

98. "Jarhead." Only a former Marine could write a war story about not fighting anyone and make it last for 200 pages, then get Jamie Foxx to star in the movie.

99. The Stumps. The Rock. The Sandbox. Oh, the places you'll serve.

101. Tattoos #2. Getting a fallen friend's name tattooed on your other forearm, and knowing the same.

102. The new PT running suit. Sure, the Army had them first, but the Army gets most things first.

103. Marine expeditionary units: The cheapest cruise you'll ever take.

104. Camp Lejeune: The closest interstate and the nearest good shopping mall are both at least an hour away.

105. Camp Pendleton: There are roads and malls, but try affording a house near the main gate.

106. Tattoos #3. Meat tags. Getting your blood type and other info inked on your ribcage isn't necessarily a bad idea.

107. The Marine Corps is getting bigger. The Navy is getting smaller.

109. 30 days' paid vacation, plus federal holidays off, is obscene by civilian standards.

110. Maj. Gen. Marion E. Carl, the Corps' first fighter ace. First Marine to fly a helicopter. Two Navy Crosses, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 air medals. In 1998, the 82-year-old was killed during a home break-in when he jumped in front of a shotgun blast aimed at his longtime wife, Edna.

111. Tattoos #4. Reaction to the new policy: Conway says sleeves are going away, Marines run for the chair. Tattoo parlors never saw so much business.

113. Guaranteed pay raises.

114. Marine Security Guard #1. Duty in the Bahamas.

115. Having a WWII Marine sa y he's proud of you

116. Drew Carey used to be in the Marine Corps Reserve. Now, he's the host of "The Price is Right."

117. Combatant diver pins. No more of that Navy crap.

118. A Red Stripe is a beer, mon. A Blood Stripe is a symbol of pride.

119. NMCI, if only they would remove the "MC."

120. You watched "300," and it reminded you of your unit.

121. The "Det One" .45 pistol. Designed by Marines, for Marines.

122. Combat marksmanship. You are creeping death. And you get graded on it.

123. Never lost six nukes on a plane.

124. CamelBaks. Water tastes like water again.

125. Give a Marine enough free time, and he'll marry your Bahraini princess.

126. Go to YouTube. Type in "bored Marines." Enjoy.

127. When the president gets on a helicopter, it's not called "Army One."

128. The opposite of the Peace Corps.

129. Camouflage. You can camouflage anything a nd make it cool.

130. No Fear #1. Marines aren't scared of anything. Except apricots. And Charms.

131. Combat optics on M16s. Leave the iron sights, just in case.

132. "Combat loss" amnesty for missing gear. It's like pleading the fifth.

133. Riding a chartered Continental Airlines flight home from the war zone with assault weapons stuffed in all the overhead compartments.

134. In combat, the division band becomes a heavy-machine-gun platoon.

135. What do headaches, broken bones, infectious diseases, missing limbs and hurt feelings all have in common? Motrin. Thanks, Doc.

137. Global instability equals job security.

138. When NMCI goes down, and it will, it's like having the day off.

139. The honor, privilege and responsibility of leading, mentoring and caring for junior Marines.

140. Gunnery sergeants. Don't know the answer? Ask the gunny. Need something? Ask the gunny. In trouble? Avo id the gunny.

141. Because gunny said so.

142. The line to get "tazed" at a military gear expo. Marines will do anything for a free T-shirt.

143. Deployment reunions. Like reliving your wedding night. Sweet!

144. Gig lines. Even in khakis and a polo shirt.

145. Eight-point covers. Even the uniform stands at attention.

146. Marine Security Guards #2. They're not cute and cuddly, but when they greet you at the door, it's like getting a great big hug from the United States of America, no matter where you are.

147. The Mameluke sword. Distinctive.

148. The NCO sword. Earned, never given.

149. The World Famous Mud Run. Thousands of people pay good money to run through 10 clicks of muck every year at Camp Pendleton.

150. John Philip Sousa. A Marine, the nation's March King and composer of "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Ooh-rah.

151. MRE crackers. Hard as Milk Bones but much tasti er. You can almost feel your teeth getting cleaner as you eat 'em.

152. Jane Wayne Day. She'll never ask about work again.

153. Shirt stays. Or garters. Whatever you call them, they're a triple whammy, keeping your shirt tucked, your socks up and removing all that unwanted leg hair.

154. The slogans: "The Few, The Proud, The Marines." "We're Looking For a Few Good Men," "Once a Marine, always a Marine," "Tell that to the Marines." If they could only purchase the rights to Hallmark's "When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best."

155. Speaking of slogans, "The Few, The Proud, The Marines" beat out such notables as Nike's "Just Do It" and Burger King's "Have It Your Way" for a
2007 spot on the advertising Walk of Fame. Better luck next year, losers.

157. Real duty station garden spots you can go an entire career without being assigned to: Southern California; Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; Okinawa, Japan.

158. Rear-party Marines. God bless them. Whatever reason they stay behind - injury, impending retirement or being volun-told - they are indispensable.
They deserve medals for what they have to deal with while a unit is deployed.

159. While field-grade officers are at the company office, company-grade officers are in the field.

160. Colonels who can take a joke.

161. Free flu shots. And smallpox shots and anthrax shots .

162. Former Sgt. Chris Everhart. While camping with his three sons in June 2007, a bear snatched their cooler and made a play for his 6-year-old.
Everhart threw an 18-inch log at the bear's head, cracking its skull before it could attack and killing it instantly. Then, the park ranger gave him a ticket for leaving the cooler where the bear could get it.

163. Standards. The Corps doesn't lower the bar when recruiting gets tough.

164. Jim Nabors. "Gomer Pyle" beco mes an honorary Marine in 2001 and makes Lance Corporal. It takes him six years to pin on corporal. Talk about art imitating life.

165. Vincent D'Onofrio. The other "Private Pyle" is doing pretty well on "Law and Order: Criminal Intent." He's still weird, though.

166. If you ambush Capt. Brian Chontosh's boys, he's going to take off his Navy Cross and kill you. Then, he's going to pick up your rifle and kill your buddies. Then, he's going to pick up your buddy's rifle and kill your buddy's buddies. Then, he's going to pick up a rocket-propelled grenade launcher

167. Speaking of the Navy Cross, a combat award second only to the Medal of Honor, Marines have earned 15 so far in Iraq, plus one in Afghanistan. Of the six awarded to sailors for those combat zones, five went to SEALs, and one went to a corpsman who exposed himself repeatedly to enemy fire to evacuate and treat wounded Marines. Along with Chontosh, the other recipients include:

168. Gunnery Sgt. Justin D. Lehew.

169. Lance Cpl. Joseph B. Perez.

170. Sgt. Scott C. Montoya.

171. Cpl. Marco A. Martinez.

172. Sgt. Willie L. Copeland.

173. Capt. Brent Morel (posthumous).

174. Sgt. Anthony L. Viggiani.

175. 1st Sgt. Bradley A. Kasal.

176. Cpl. Robert J. Mitchell.

177. Cpl. Dominic Esquibel.

178. Sgt. Jarrett A. Kraft.

179. Cpl. Jeremiah W. Workman.

180. Cpl. Todd Corbin.

181. Sgt. Aubrey L. McDade Jr.

182. Pfc. Christopher Adlesperger (posthumous).

183. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Louis E. Fonseca.

184. Iwo JIMA. Japan might have changed the name to Iwo To, but that doesn't mean you have to acknowledge it.

185. Col. John Ripley. Received the Navy Cross for the destruction of the Dong Ha bridge in Vietnam. The Corps takes care of its own. In 2002, with Ripley near death, doctors finally found a donated liver for his much-needed transplant. So the Marine Corps sent helicopters and Marines to Philadelphia to retrieve it, and they personally rushed it back to Washington in time to save his life.

186. Marine Corps Times isn't a version of Navy Times anymore. How many careers get their own newspaper?

188. Gatorade bottles wrapped in green, 100 mph tape so as not to offend the sailors in the room.

189. Camaraderie. Marines will hook you up with their sisters, then punch you in the mouth for doing what they knew would happen the whole time.

190. Ingenuity. MRE bombs, 101 uses for cleaning rods and iPods wired into field radio speakers.

191. Getting off the ship.

192. Getting back on the ship.

193. No beach? No problem. Marines inserted 400 miles into landlocked Afghanistan and created Camp Rhino using CH-53 Sea Stallions. Imagine what you can invade with the Osprey.

194. Cases and cases of bottled water mean never having to stand behind a water bull.

195. Race as a nonissue. It wasn't always the case, but three black sergeants major of the Marine Corps in a row show that the Corps has only one color: green.

196. Every day in the Corps is another reason to celebrate. That's why they call them working "parties."

197. Riddick Bowe had what it took to be boxing's undisputed heavyweight champ. He did not have what it took to be a Marine.

198. The U.S. Army Band is called "Pershing's Own." The U.S. Marine Corps Band is called "The President's Own."

199. "8th and I." Ten bucks says you have no idea where the Army chief of staff lives. Commandants don't hide.

200. MRE "rat boxes." How grunts trick-or-treat.

201. The poncho liner. It's a blanket, it's a tent, it's a keeper.

202. Combat fit-reps. People say they're equal to regular fit-reps. People lie.

203. The "E-tool lean." Sailors don't know how good they have it.

204. Navy Lt. Vincent Capodanno, Medal of Honor recipient. If Marines have a hot line to heaven, Father Capodanno - aka the Grunt Padre - would take the call. His body peppered by shrapnel, his right hand nearly severed, the Navy chaplain and priest crisscrossed a Vietnam battlefield Sept. 4, 1967, to render last rites to his fallen Marines and corpsmen with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, until 27 rounds from an enemy machine gun took his life. Last year, the Vatican declared him a "servant of God." Next step, sainthood?

206. Amphibious warfare means always being near the beach.

207. No Fear #2. Talk about the AV-8B Harrier's troubled past all you like, but brave jump jet pilots are flying missions in Iraq.

208. New Uniforms #2. Wash-and-wear combat uniforms mean no more starch, no more dry cleaning.

209. Marine air-ground task force. Nothing like controlling the air and the ground.

210. Slapping an eagle, globe and anchor on the back of your car and knowing it'll get you out of at least one speeding ticket.

211. The Navy wants to put Marines back on warships. It seems that Tomahawk cruise missiles can't do everything.

212. Liberty in Thailand.

213. Liberty in Australia.

214. Liberty, well, anywhere.

215. The Navy's mascot is a goat. The Corps' mascot is a bulldog. You don't need Michael Vick to tell you who wins that fight.

216. If you need another occupying land force, you can use the Marine Corps.
If you need another rapidly deployable, sea-based, front-door-kicking, air-ground team, you can't use the Army.

217. 1775 Rum Punch. Four parts dark rum, two parts lime juice, one part pure maple syrup, grenadine to taste.

218. "It's fun to shoot some people," said Lt. Gen. Jim Mattis. He says what he thinks.

219. The Beirut Memorial Wall. If you ever forget what you're fighting for, pay a visit.

221. "Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinburg?
I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the b lanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." Jack Nicholson, "A Few Good Men."

222. Maj. Meghan McClung, Marine public affairs officer, killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq while escorting media. The PAO is more than just a spokesman.

223. Sgt. Rafael Peralta. Like Dunham, he hugged a grenade to save his buddies in Iraq. No Medal of Honor . yet.

224. Hearing an accidental discharge into the clearing barrel, then waiting for the lieutenant to walk inside.

225. Call signs like "Spider" and "Assassin," and these guys were generals.

227. Buttered noodles for breakfast.

228. "Every Marine should look like a Marine. But a Marine looks like a Marine when he's got a bayonet stuck in the enemy's chest." Gen. Robert Magnus, assistant commandant, discussing body-fat standards.

229. "Infantry" is the easiest job for recruiters to sell.

230. Being the youngest Marine at the ball.

231. Being the oldest Marine at the ball.

232. Marine Corps Times appreciates all you do. Happy birthday, Marines!

It's that time of year ..............................................

the junior sociopaths are out in force - went for a walk, found a little solid black, long-haired kitten {about 10 weeks old) with an unexploded M-80 duct taped to her tail - picked her up { she started purring immediately - brought her in, the spousal unit cut off the tape & M-80 - put her at the automatic dry food feeder - she climbed inside - I'm trying to type this, but she's wandering around, 'talking', demanding snuggling & 'mush' ............................. she may belong to neighbors - I'm waiting for an adult from the household to verify - if not, I'll take her to the shelter tomorrow ........................ please, please, PLEASE - if you have black cats you care about/for, take them inside until AFTER Halloween - she might have gotten away with losing a part of her tail, but there have been instances over the years where the psychos insert their munitions into the various available orifices - you can imagine the damage .................................

Ohboyohboyohboy!!

I have a 10 gallon freshwater fish tank that I canNOT maintain clear water in .................... the Spousal Unit is taking a day off this weekend, so we're headed to "the fish store" so he can get the kind of filtration system that will be effective ......................... "the fish store" we're going to, I had gone in a couple of years ago ....................... they had some seahorses ........................... YEP, I'm gonna be looking into getting a 2 to 5 gallon tank, black sand, the necessary salination stuff, some miniature hermit crabs, some red shrimp, MAYBE some eelgrass, some brine shrimp eggs & some rotifers ................... then set it up, get everything "as it should be" {salinity/specific gravity/temp} .............................. THEN get a couple of breed-able pairs of these guys:





They're Dwarf Seahorses - the smallest known seahorses - but {figure THIS out?!?}, per the experts, they're the easiest to care for ............................

"Hippocampus zosterae is one of the smallest of the many different seahorse species, ranging in size between 2 to 2.5 cm. The maximum reported size was a male of 5.0 cm (Jordan and Gilbert, 1882). This species of seahorse can be distinguished from other western Atlantic seahorse species by the presence of 10 to 13 dorsal and pectoral fin rays (Daswon and Vari, 1982). Also, dwarf seahorses possess 9 to 10 trunk rings, a high knob-like coronet that lacks spines or projections, knob-like spines on the body, a short snout that is one-third the length of the head, and skin covered in tiny warts (Lourie et al., 2004). Hippocampus zosterae also has a dorsal fin with a submarginal band (Dawson and Vari, 1982). Dwarf seahorses are found in colors of beige, yellow, green, and black, and may have white speckles or dark spots (Lourie et al., 2004). ()"
Link

Early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my progeny ...............................

th' Stinker was supposed to have been born yesterday {4 October}, feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which was GREAT, with our love for animals ......................... not MY daughter, nooooooooooooo - SHE has to be born on the feast of St. Bruno - patron saint of the possessed {as in, "The Exorcist"?} ........................ you think I didn't get her innocent little tuchis baptized posthaste? ;-)

Happy Birthday, my Angel ..............................

OK, so my allergies are kicking my butt ..............................

and I CANNOT figure out how to post a picture on the sidebar, soooooooooooooooooooooo .............................

Here's one of our progeny & me at the ASOMO {American Society of Monterrey} 4th of July "do", on 6 July 2001




And this one is at the ASOMO Christmas party, 8th December 2001; from left to right, our daughter, my Spousal Unit, me, and Poncho, D.'s boyfriend at the time

Our friend, E., who I mentioned on 24 September .............................

was found dead on 26 September ............................. E., I can't say Kaddish for you, but

MOURNER'S KADDISH
An English Translation

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

ORIGIN: http://www.ou.org/yerushalayim/kadish.htm

By now, I'm sure you've all heard the comments by

the psycho from Baghdad ............................



There's an interview with a gay Iranian couple here that gives a pretty good idea of what gays go through .........................

And THIS is rather graphic video of how Iran treats their gay teenagers :



But it's all just a matter of the Western world's non-acceptance of "cultural differences", right ?

Ok, y'all, ya ready for another stupid N'Awlins story?

{'Specially for AD & DragonWatch ;-) }



Yesterday, the husband of a co-worker of D.'s was 'visiting' with the manager of a local grocery - they observed a woman, sitting in her car, NOT in a parking space, with her eyes closed, and hands behind her head ...................... they leave her be for ~ an hour, then approach & ask if there's something wrong - "Yes, I've been shot in the head & I'm holding my brains in" ..................... they call paramedics, police, etc. - she doesn't want to move her hands so the paramedics can examine her - "I'm holding my brains in!" - finally get the hands away .................................. it's Pillsbury-type dough, that's packaged in a canister, that "pops" when it's opened .................................... this twitless wonder heard it "pop" due to the heat of the vehicle, assumed it was a gunshot, and .................................... just SAT there - no gestures, no verbalizing, just sitting there waiting to die ................................. while the {previously refrigerated} dough sets in her hair ....................... and is too stupid to realize that, HAD she been shot, it would have been warm ....................... :roll

From my LtColonel ............................

HOW-IN-THE-HELL CAN THIS HAPPEN IN WARTIME?

Mirandizing the Enemy
By Chuck Muth

For today's lesson in "How to Lose a War," let's consider the case of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in World War II and compare it to the case of Nawab Buntangyar in what some consider to be World War III today.

But first, consider this all-too-common report in the New York Times this week out of Nad Ali, Afghanistan:

"A suicide bomber wrapped in explosives walked into a crowded government building.and blew himself up, killing at least seven people, four of them police officers. Six people were wounded."

OK, back to the lesson. Admiral Yamamoto commanded the Japanese Navy and led the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. He was, as the lawyers put it today, an "enemy combatant." Then, on a spring afternoon in 1943, Admiral Yamamoto decided to take a leisurely inspection tour of the South Pacific in a transport plane. U.S. forces learned of Yamamoto's exact itinerary, intercepted his plane and blew him out of the sky.

Note that Yamamoto was merely on an inspection tour and not engaged in hostile activities directed at the American pilots who intercepted him. He posed no "imminent threat" to the American pilots. Therefore, according to some rather bizarre interpretations of today's rules of engagement, the American pilots should have tried to force Yamamoto's plane to land and capture him rather than shoot him down. And the pilot who was credited with nailing Yamamoto should have been tried for murder instead of being awarded the Navy Cross.

Asinine, right? Right. Absolutely absurd.

Which brings us to Nawab Buntangyar.

Mr. Buntangyar had been designated an "enemy combatant" in the Afghanistan war theater for organizing suicide and roadside bomb attacks like the one in Nad Ali described above. He was, for all intents and purposes, an officer in the enemy's corps, not a foot soldier. As such, Buntangyar was declared an "enemy combatant" and was "vetted as a target" by American commanders which, according to the New York Times, "meant he could be legally killed once he was positively identified."

Similarly to Yamamoto, U.S. forces learned of Buntangyar's itinerary last October and endeavored to take him out of the game - permanently. Buntangyar was lured out of his village hideout and into the open where a Special Forces team was waiting. He was positively identified by Afghan police on the scene. So Capt. Dave Staffel gave Master Sgt. Troy Anderson, reportedly 100 yards away from Buntangyar, the green light.

BLAM!! Right between the eyes. Bye-bye, Nawab. Hello, 72 virgins.

Think about this for minute, folks. Our man Sgt. Anderson, under the pressure of a wartime operation, nails the bad guy from the length of a football field right in the melon with one shot. No American casualties. No civilian causalities. Not even any property damage, other than maybe a dry-cleaning bill or two for the guys standing next to Nawab at the time. Compare this to the enemy's suicide bombings.

Naturally, Staffel, Anderson and the entire 7-man Green Beret team involved in the mission were warmly clasped on their backs and congratulated for a job well done, right? Wrong.

In June, Lt. Gen. Frank H. Kearney charged the pair of Green Berets with premeditated murder in the incident. What makes this persecution - er, prosecution even more outrageous is that Kearney brought the charges after not one, but two military investigations cleared the Green Berets in the incident, concluding the shooting was "justifiable homicide."

Is this any way to fight a war?

The shooting was cleared, twice, so why is Lt. Gen. "CYA" Kearney continuing to persecute - er, prosecute these military professionals who did the job they were trained to do and asked to do by their country? What kind of message does this persecution - er, prosecution send to our boots on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq? I mean, if we're not going to let our soldiers kill the enemy, then why the hell are they there?

Who's running this "war" anyway? The commanders in the field or the lawyers back home? If it's the lawyers, and men like Capt. Staffel and Sgt. Anderson have to read Johnny Jihadi his Miranda rights instead of plinking him in the noggin with a bullet, then the war is over. We lost. Bring the boys home.

Please keep a friend in your thoughts/prayers ..............................

E.'s been going through a rough swamp, about the size of the Atchafalaya or Okefinokee .................... he needed bilateral {both} hip replacement, attributable to his service in the USMC - he left the Dallas area {Dallas VA was doing nothing for him} and had one done in CT ................... came back here to the DFW area, and is currently scheduled to have the 2nd done @ Baylor in mid- to late November ..................... he's been staying with a friend he'd met while 'ham operating' - this friend has told him he must leave by Friday - so essentially, he'll be homeless on Friday, with his second surgery then put on indefinite hold ........................... the Spousal Unit & I aren't in a position to offer a whole lot of support, other than the moral kind .......................... so please, keep good thoughts for him, that everything turns out OK .........................

Watching the "new" .......................................

The Ten Commandments, with Dougray Scott as Moses ...................... it's good, but having grown up on the Cecil B. DeMille version, overacting & all, it seems ........................ less epic ........................ what I don't get, is that neither the older nor newer versions acknowledge that Moses didn't speak Hebrew - that was a main reason he needed Aaron by his side, to translate for him ........................ also, I know the plagues and parting of the Red {or Reed} Sea have been 'scientifically' explained - and yet, and yet - having them happen at the precise moments they were needed, to me, is nothing short of miraculous ....................... and argues {again, to me} for the existence of a Supreme Being who cares for all of us .................... He may not answer our prayers/requests as WE think they should be answered, but He does answer ............................. God give me patience, RIGHT NOW!! ;-)

FINALLY got the Spousal Unit ....................................

to start with a doctor, as a primary care physician ......................... got another home BP cuff ...................... he's asking for homemade, tomato-based vegetable juice recipes, where the fiber will be maintained {V8 doesn't retain too much fiber, as it's made from concentrate} ......................... any recipes out there y'all would like to share? ;-)

I buy catnip in large {~ 4”X 3” X 3”} plastic “jars” ………………………..

{I also grow my own, but with all the cats WE have, supplementation is a good thing ;-) } ……………………………..They have a large screw-on lid that’s about 3.5” across ……………………. There’s an ‘empty’ laying around …………………. FizzleDizzle was banging it around, trying to get the top off …………………… I took the top off for him ………………………. He just spent 5 minutes, walking around with the “jar” on his head, jumping on chairs, etc., not trying to get it off - he seemed perfectly content to ‘wear’ it until chow time ……………………. The clear plastic was FOGGING UP – I removed it from his head, and he looked at me as if to say, “Duuuu-uu-de!! Wass happenin’?” Now Spooky’s trying to wear it – yeah, that’s great – Spooky thinks diazinon {a bug-killing component of Agent Orange – we were able to get & use a 25% solution while we lived in Mexico} is good to drink ………………………

(SIGH!)

My cats are ……………………… druggies …………………………..

Gay Cynic, this isn't my offering, but it's just too good

to not post ............................ from "my" LtColonel ........................ ;-)

Subject: NO FREE LUNCH!

What an interesting "parable" for our times. Just thought you'd enjoy reading it!

There was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had some Exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Prof noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter.

The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.

In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, ' Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke.'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn.

When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America. The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc., while we continually lose our freedoms- just a little at a time.


One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch!' Also, 'You can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.

Also, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America, you might want to send this on to your friends. If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life then you will probably delete this email, but God help you when the gate slams shut.

Matt G & his Dad, Holly the Goddess' DB, have posts about

having to "put down" animals over the course of their lives ........................... Matt's denouement is here; HtG's DB's ishere ...................... I've been involved, to one degree or another, in humane work for the past 36 years - I have had the utter joy of 'midwifing' cats & dogs in labor; AND I have held cats, dogs, rats & mice while they were euthanized, or died of injuries or diseases {feline leukemia & feline herpes are the WORST} - it's never been easy, whether they were strays or my own beloved pets - but it HAS to be done, whether to alleviate suffering, or because there just aren't enough homes to go around - I've heard the old saw for years, that parents want their children to witness "the miracle of life" - that comes with a matching responsibility, and I believe that it's incumbent on the parents to ensure their children also witness the reality of death ..............................I'll have more on this subject tomorrow .............................

Got the “first” pot of soup on, for this winter ……………………..

Mebbe I’m jumping the gun, but I just have a feeling that the cold-damplies will be hitting this area sooner rather than later ………………… but with beef, pork, chicken, redskin potatoes, lentils, navy beans, black beans, spinach, cabbage, bell pepper & leek {OF COURSE there’s fresh garlic, onion & basil in it!}, it should make a nice “remove from freezer, put in microwave, thaw/warm up and voila!”

Anybody with experience of food processors, can ya give a gal an assist? Last week, making my chicken salad {chicken breasts, red/orange/green bell peppers, pomegranate, celery – secret is to run fresh garlic & onion and celery seed through an electrical ‘chopper’ with the mayo or Miracle Whip – puts the flavor throughout} I tried ‘chopping’ the bell peppers with the disk of the food processor ………………. If I’d been making pico de gallo, it would’ve been great – but it just battered the poor peppers – wound up cutting them up by hand – tonight, with the cabbage & bell pepper, I tried the 2 blades on a spindle ………………. If I were making coleslaw or pepper cabbage {a PA Dutch treat}, once again, would’ve been great ……………………….

Had an opportunity ………………………….

To observe one of Splendora’s finest in action tonight …………………… I had gone to a little restaurant here called “Sweets & Meats” – I was getting a takeout order on the porch, chitchatting with my neighbor, her granddaughter & granddaughter’s friend, who were also getting some goodies ……………………… now, you park directly in front, directly from one of the main drags here ……………………… there was a man, about my age, eating off the hood of his car …………………. OK, whatever – but he’s staggering around, and has the ‘jailhouse hunch’ over his meal …………………….. one of the rumors {remember, this is a VERY small town} is that his wife can’t stand to watch him eat ……………………. Personally, if I get to the point of being THAT critical of my spousal unit, it’s time for me to just leave …………………. Anyhoo, this fellow is eating/staggering/looking belligerently at all & sundry ……………………. Takes his divided foam clamshell & drink cup to the available trashcan ……………………… now, we’re rural, there are raccoons & possums running around, so the trashcan is lidded …………………….. the lid apparently was just beyond his abilities {too many moving parts?}, so he set his trash on the lid ………………. Walking back in front of the porch of the restaurant, he goes down face-first ………………….. gets in his car …………………… and a Splendora cop pulled in behind him, hit the ‘woo-woos’ & lights as the guy almost backs into the cruiser ……………………... now, Splendora cops AREN’T small – this one is over 6 feet, and built solidly ……………………. He walks up to the driver’s window & talks to the guy ………………….. talks the guy out of the car, takes him to the rear of the car, talks some more ………………………… and cuffs him & puts him in the cruiser ……………………… one of the kids working at the restaurant starts to walk up as the cop is cuffing the guy – cop tells her to get back – the kid visiting my neighbor got all bent out of shape – told her, the cop didn’t want her any closer until he was SURE he had the guy under control – turns out, {again, this is small-town rumor} the guy was in a motorcycle accident sometime ago – he takes some heavy-duty pain meds ……………………… but he ALSO adds alcohol to the mix, THEN gets behind the wheel of his vehicle ………………………. Dunno ‘bout the rest of y’all, but I really don’t want to be on the road with someone impaired to that degree ………………………..

Katie's Dad 2.0 is taking on libertarians re: illegal immigration .....................................

he's on about Cranky Insomniac, who is waxing verbose about the Statue of Liberty's significance - Katie's Dad says "It proclaims America as an example, not a bug lamp." GOTTA love it!! ;-)

I've added Holly the Goddess' Dearly Beloved to

my links ............................. you're starting off GOOD, DB!!

BTW, Holly, at least I now know where I fit in the constellation of the Goddess - nowhere!! Thanks for the eMail to let me know you were gonna be in the Houston area ...................... oh, wait, you didn't send one ..................... hurt my feelings, you did - gonna go eat worms ...................... eeeuuuuwwwwww .......................... :(

Lainy & everyone else ........................................

HBO is running it online, at least until 2130 CT tonight - the link is here; per our progeny, it's in an 'on-demand' type format - Jake's segment opens with video of his wedding - Laura, his bride, met & fell in love with him while he was undergoing his initial recuperation @ Bethesda - she's a NAVY doctor .............................

Tomorrow night ............................................

friends of our progeny will be on the HBO special Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq at 2130 Central time - look for a young Marine named Jake Schick; also, his bride, Dr. Laura Young was interviewed for it .......................... in every phone call, D. has nothing but admiration for this young couple ......................

I know, I know ...................................... my apologies .................................

Gay Cynic, I promise, I WILL get to the meme's .........................

Right now, though, I'm throwing down the gauntlet - where were you, what were you doing, what were your initial thoughts when you heard the news on 11 September 2001? This is open to any and all who read me - you're welcome to post it here, or on your own blogs ....................... taking a page from Holocaust survivors, we will never forget ........................

Remember, we were well-into our 2nd year in Monterrey ............................

I hadn't been able to sleep the night before; it was an undefinable anxiety keeping me awake 'til after 0200 ......................... M. had left for work, D. & I were still asleep, when Danny, an American acquaintance {and former Marine} started pounding on our door, ringing the bell ...................... D. answered the door, then came & woke me & told me that "they attacked the Twin Towers" - we all 3 stumbled down to our TV room, and were transfixed – M. came home, and he and Danny were as silent as the rest of us, watching & listening ........................ I truly believe we were all in shock, all that day, and for quite a while afterward ...................... it was so frustrating, not being able to contact anyone back here - and the border closing {since there was no indication when the border would open again} was scary ........................ we were able to come back up to McAllen that Friday, the first day the border was re-opened ...................

We lost a lot of our collective ........................ innocence? idealism? ....................... that day ........................

Couple of letters posted on "my" Marine Message Board ........................

GOTTA LOVE the Aussies, and the lady from NJ Makes me so damn proud to be from the NE ................................ ;-)

From an Australian newspaper in 2006

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is. So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)

"An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.

An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as Native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.

When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country! As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.

The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed.

These in fact are the people who built America. Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

~~~~~

Written by a housewife from New Jersey

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ?

Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave Marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college- hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and-you guessed it-I don't care !!

If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

Gay Cynie, I'm thinking about your challenge ...........................

but I kinda got knocked for a loop tonight .................. will post it when I can be more coherent ........................

Please keep some friends in your thoughts/prayers ………………………
C. was a young man who had a pretty rough upbringing ……………………….. he started using drugs at age 11 ………………………. but, over the past couple of years, he was turning his life around – he had a girlfriend of 6 years’ duration – they were expecting a baby – J. had gone with some friends to visit the friends’ relatives out of state – C. probably decided this was his “last hurrah”, that when J. returned, he would have to buckle down and ‘be responsible’, ie., no drugs, drinking, run-ins with the law, etc.
His body was found Monday – OD’d on some injectable – he was in his early 20s – what those of us older & with a medical bent believe happened was, that he’d been clean for so long, and whatever he put in the syringe was the strength he’d used way back when – and that his body just wouldn’t tolerate that particular insult again ……………………….
He leaves behind J., their unborn baby, his sister, brother-in-law, multiple nephews, and his father – and those of us who only knew him as “C.” ………………………….. rest in peace, C. – your Mom’s waiting for you ………………………………

Ya know, I REALLY wish we lived closer to

LawDog and/or Matt G ........................... the "neighbor" I mentioned, who went off about Big Red on his girlfriend's car - the following evening, he came over here, claiming to want to apologize ........................ yeah, right ...................... when I said, "If you had hurt him .............. " he went OFF again - another neighbor {woman} was here, and just LOOKED at me and said what an ass he is ...................... but this creep just doesn't have the BALLS to go off like that in front of MY husband, or either of 2 other neighbors' husbands ............................ and Big Red, God bless'im, pretty much stays on my porch, or under our vehicles - the creep just has a wild hair against Red or me - he's the same idjit who asked me to intercede when another neighbor {man} got pi$$ed at him - and I told him I didn't have a dog in that fight - but if he lays a hand on Red, that's IT - I generally take the attitude that folks who smoke dope, 'long as they don't bother ME, it's not my concern - but this character will get high {he smokes the stuff of another neighbor, who uses it for clinical/health reasons} and then get behind the wheel of his big ol' Chevy truck, or his girlfriend's car ........................... now, back in the day, when I DID indulge {whether smoke or alcohol}, I would stay put wherever I was - since I don't indulge in either {pot not at all; alcohol MAYBE twice a year} too often, I'm generally the designated driver - which is OK ............................ per the lady he went off in front of the other night, his girlfriend has him pretty well whipped ......................... izzit just me, am I spoiled, in that I don't have respect for {presumptive} men who are bullies? He'd best not try to talk to me again - I'll TELL him he has no balls ......................... and if, as I believe, he thinks he can get away with harming Red or me, well ............................ I already am known to the Chief of Police here {in a POSITIVE light - I sent an "atta-boy" letter on one of his officers! ;-) }, and I'll just have a sit-down with the Chief ............................

LawDog is one of my heroes ......................... ;-)

his willingness to help, in the face of {apparently} abject ingratitude warms the cockles of my heart ....................... I know there are people who "like" cats, and those who abhor them - but they are still living, breathing, "feeling", sentient creatures - and as such, not deserving of the treatment such as LawDog is rescuing them from ........................ I used to say, in all seriousness, that I wished there would be an outbreak of bubonic plague in Mexico, to force the people there to see that cats were NOT a 'nuisance' - they're 'adopted' as kittens, then tossed outside when they're no longer "cute" & expected to fend for themselves - yes, the same is done here, but to a much lesser extent - I was a "gringa loca" for stopping grown men from throwing rocks at a mother & her kittens .......................

Have a neighbor threatening to kill a stray Tom I've been feeding, 'cause "Big Red" is getting on his girlfriend's car at night ...................... we'll see, as this guy isn't exactly known for his willingness to 'go confrontational' with other men ........................ my spousal unit will stand up for "Red", if it comes to that ........................... ;-)

Time for a rant ....................................

Gay Cynic is having his issues with the medical profession ................ mine is with a much more superficial aspect, but I believe valid, nonetheless ..................

Twenty-plus years ago, I talked with cosmetic surgeons in a teaching hospital where I worked, asking why they couldn't remove fat from thighs/buttocks/wherever and re-locate it to the breast area for augmentation/reconstruction - was told it 'wasn't practical'. I also asked why hair from one's scalp couldn't be transplanted as eyelashes - I was basically laughed at by the docs.

NOW come reports from California & Europe - the latest fad in CA? Transplanting hair from the scalp to the eyelashes - developed for burn victims. Only problem is, one must trim them, as they continue to grow. And from Europe? Women are going on their lunch breaks, having liposuction done on the requisite areas, and the fat is then put in their breast areas .......................... Wonder if I can get any GYNs or urologists to listen to me NOW about my thoughts on reversible tubal ligations & vasectomies?

Happy Birthday, Mary Catherine Weber Chapura Mellon Vickery!!

I'm hoping the ponies are running well for you, and that there's plenty of polka competitions and Ortlieb's in heaven ........................ I miss you, Grandma ......................... ;-)

Hate to say "I tolja so", but ..................................

If y'all recall, my 29 June post, I noted that Teddy the Drunk {forgot to add Harry the Spineless @ the time} would do this very thing:

From FAIR {Federation for American Immigration Reform} today .....................

Piecemeal Immigration Measures Poised to Resurface in Congress
Although the Iraq War has taken center stage since Congress returned from the July 4th recess, special interests continue to work behind the scenes to advance their agenda in the realm of immigration. Sources tell FAIR that there is discussion in both the House and Senate on reviving parts of the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill (S.1639), such as the DREAM Act, the SKIL bill, and AgJOBS. With Congressional leaders in both parties signaling that a comprehensive bill is unlikely to move before the 2008 elections, supporters hope that these particular provisions will be popular enough to pass without being attached to border security or worksite enforcement legislation.

All three immigration measures seek to appease various minority and business special interest groups. The DREAM Act would give amnesty to illegal aliens who arrived in the U.S. as children and have established a certain level of education. It would also allow illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition at colleges and universities by reversing portions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), passed in 1996. The SKIL bill, as it is commonly called, would dramatically increase the annual cap of high-tech H-1B visas and, among other things, would create a special path to citizenship for foreign students who study math, science and engineering.

Finally, AgJOBS would grant amnesty to 1.5 million illegal alien agricultural workers and relax certain portions of the existing agricultural guest worker program (H-2A).

Some Senate sources even suggest that there may even be movement in the Senate this week during the debate on the Defense Authorization Bill. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced Friday he intends to offer the DREAM Act as an amendment to the defense bill; Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has filed an amendment that would increase H-1B visas; and some have suggested that Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) may attempt to offer an amendment that would expand the H-2B program.

Meanwhile, true immigration reformers are also looking for opportunities to advance provisions critical to enforcing our immigration laws. For example, Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA), a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, has successfully offered an amendment to three different appropriations bills that would require government contractors to use the Basic Pilot Program to verify that their employees are lawfully present in the United States. The amendment has been adopted on the Transportation/HUD appropriations bill; the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill; and the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill. These funding measures will soon move to the House floor where supporters of the Basic Pilot requirement will be working hard to ensure that the language is not stripped.

~~~~~

BTW, I lied - I LOVE saying "I tolja so" ........................ ;-)

~~~~~

Anybody else not getting comments noted ON their blog? I receive the eMails about'em, but they don't show on the blog itself .........................

I've added a link to

Desert Exile ...................... the proprietors are TacoBell {here in Alta Mexico} & XRoadCop {former CHP, currently as a neighbor of John McCain ;-) } .......................... they're pretty much spot-on re: the immigration wars ........................ check'em out! ;-)

Yesterday, while over on t'other side of town .............................

{spousal unit's putting in some O/T - so on paydays, he can't get away to deposit his check, so I went over, met him @ the gate & headed on to credit union} - after I'd taken care of my business on that side of town, I was heading back out here - now, the road our financial institution is at right angles to the highway that starts me on my journey home - you turn left onto the highway - THERE I am, minding my own business, in the left-turn lane - when off to my right I see a most BEAUTIFUL German Shepherd with the owner, who has a crate with a not-easily-seen sign on it - thinking there are !PUPPIES! there {yes, I'm a sucker for puppies - BIG surprise, I know!}, I swoop to the right turn lane, turn the block around {that's a PA Dutch term ;-) } and park next to the pickup with the Shepherd - turns out he's an intact male, 4 years old and his owners just don't have the time to devote to him that he deserves - they're GIVING him away - they just want him to go to a loving home. Tucker {the dog} is a most pleasant dog - VERY friendly, gentle and affectionate {you can tell he's been LOVED} - Joe {his owner} got him as a puppy - he has papers, etc., etc. Unfortunately, 'we' aren't in a position to have a dog right now - but I got Joe's number, and told him I'd see if I couldn't help find a good home for Tucker. Joe's a minister, and he & his wife travel a lot in their work.

We-ell, today I went to get my Jeep inspected {only 4 months overdue ;-) } and got to talking with a gentleman who's vehicle was the next to be checked out - mentioned in passing about Tucker - wouldn't you know it, turns out that Richard is looking for a full grown male Shepherd - got home, called Joe {I don't give folks' numbers out to all & sundry - I'll be the go-between 'til someone tells me different - it's a matter of respect for the folks who entrust their info to me} & left a message on his voicemail - Richard calls, and emphasizes that HE WANTS THIS DOG - Joe calls - I tell HIM about Richard, he gives me the go-ahead to give Richard his number - I call Richard, give him the number - 'bout an hour later, Richard calls - he'd been on the phone with Joe that entire time - they're meeting tomorrow, and Richard will be bringing Tucker into his home - the PLUS for me? Richard's home is really, REALLY close to us here, so I can go see Tucker pretty much whenever I want to ............................ oh, and it turns out that Richard is a minister, too! ;-)

Just call me a Yenta for our four legged friends! ;-)

Crusader Rabbit has a GREAT post ..........................................

but for those with prim family members who might see it, a language alert is in order ..................... ;-) Thank you, the Guys of Crusader Rabbit!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!

May we collectively appreciate what we have here ..........................

ATTENTION!! ATTENTION ON DECK!!

Tomorrow night, @ 2000 ET, 2100 CT, etc - Turner Classic Movie channel - 1776 will be on - if you've never seen it, or haven't seen it for a few years - from a teacher of history - it is amazingly correct in it's depiction of the founding of our nation - for those who are anti-musicals - GET OVER IT!! ;-)