Saturday, December 24, 2005

A soldiers Christmas

I have seen this poem posted in a few places and received copies in my e-mail. I just had to pass it along to you. This is how I spent last Christmas and there are thousands spending theirs like this on this Christmas. Never forget them while you are enjoying spending time with your family and enjoying that wonderful Christmas dinner.


I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

T'was the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house, made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give,
And to see just who, in this home, did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung some pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sober thought, came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor, in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
Not how I had pictured an American soldier.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families, that I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers,
Who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone,
In a cold Christmas eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought, a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees, and started to cry.
The soldier awakened, and i heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, i don't ask for more,
My life is my god, my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, i continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
And we both shivered, from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
When the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day & all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.


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Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Update on our progress in Iraq

I'm tired of people saying that we aren't doing any good in Iraq, I'm tired of not seeing the real news stories broadcast on T.V. I'm getting sick of our supposed leaders saying that we should cut and run before this job is done and I'm really tired of listening to people that have never left the comfort of their own over stuffed couch try to tell me what is going on in Iraq and how messed up it is.

I want to share this document that includes an update of the number of attacks on our troops and some information on what is being done on a day to day basis by our troops. Get a clue people, stop eating up what you see on T.V. or read in blogs by the anti-everything people. Let me tell you how to find out the truth, its easy, not too complicated.....ASK SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN A DAY!!!!

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, here is the link to the .pdf file that I was talking about.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Lies!!!! Or are they??????

I had a reader complain about the quotes that I posted awhile back. This person seems to think that I'm playing a game or trying to be funny. I never wanted this to be about politics, I wanted to use this space to share my thoughts about comming home, give a different view on the events in Iraq and maybe give out some useful information.

What I can't stand are people that "forget" what they have said in the past to attack our President because they think that the people will turn on him. They set themselves up to gain from this mission in Iraq if WMDs were found and now that they aren't turning up in the numbers that we had expected they cut their support, call the President a liar and forget that they were saying the same exact things back in the 90's.

Stop following the party line and open your eyes to what is going on. Stop following the Kerrys and the Moores or the Clintons. Look at what is really going on and not just eat up the one sided view of the media. Look in to things for yourself, talk to the soldiers that have been there and who will go back. Ask us how we feel about putting our lives on the line in Iraq because we are the ones taking the risk for these people and not you, not the actors in Hollywood or the Dems in Washington, but us!

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Truth or lies part 2

Well, I have had a few hundred people look at my list of quotes but only one has guessed who said any of them. Yes you are right, all of the statements were made by Democrats. What angers me is that when the Dems. said these things it was the truth but when the President was saying them he was lying. I don't understand how they could have such short memories.

The quotes that I posted weren't all from post 9/11 speeches either, some were made by the Dems. during the Clinton administration. Was he telling lies back then as well?

Check out the full text with the date and the name of the person that said it at Right Wing News.


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Resources for help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

I have received a few requests for help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from my readers and some of the people that I talk to locally. I thought I'd list some links to resources as well as some more information on what PTSD is.

The first thing that I suggest to the folks that I talk to is seek out your Chaplin or someone that you trust to talk with about your feelings. Not all of the feelings that you experience after returning from a war zone are true PTSD but may just be a reaction to the extreme change in environment. I always suggest that a person seek help and not try to handle this alone because you never know what might develop if you don't get your adjustment problems worked out in a timely manner.

The Community counseling Center on post along with the VA are wonderful places to start for either the person suffering from stress or depression or their family.

You might think that soldiers are more prone to suffering from PTSD but in my experience I have found that women that were raped or abused are much more common. This could be because of the training that a soldier receives helps them to deal with the harsh situations that they face but nobody really knows.

What I'm getting at is that this can happen to anybody at any time for many different reasons. Don't let it control your life, attack this issue by seeking help before it causes harm to your family, your career or yourself.

Help is out there!
Links:
I am not a health care professional, I am just a simple soldier that has been asked for help and I am trying to offer it in any way I can. Please seek help for you or your loved ones no matter how or where they experienced their traumatic incident or how long ago it was. All we have is each other.


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Monday, November 21, 2005

Iraqi Police, U.S. Soldiers Help Children Hurt in IED Attack


Iraqi Police, U.S. Soldiers Help Children Hurt in IED Attack

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2005 Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers responded to help five Iraqi children injured in a Nov. 20 roadside bomb explosion in eastern Baghdad, military officials reported.


Officials said the bomb most likely was targeting an Iraqi police patrol, but missed the target and detonated near a vehicle filled with children.


Police and U.S. soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, secured the site and took the wounded children to a local hospital for treatment.


In other news, Iraqi police and soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team killed one suspect and injured two more Nov. 19 while responding to a roadside bomb attack in Tikrit, officials reported.


Soldiers located the triggermen as they attempted to escape the area and chased them into a hastily prepared roadblock. Once the attackers saw the roadblock, they tried to turn around and began ramming other civilian vehicles on the road in an attempt to escape the containment area, officials said.


Soldiers at the roadblock used several warning measures, attempting to stop the vehicles. When the drivers did not stop, the soldiers opened fire and stopped both vehicles, killing one occupant and injuring two others.


All three men tested positive for explosive residue. A search of the vehicles revealed a large sum of money. Iraqi police took the two wounded terrorists to the Bayji hospital for treatment.


About 150 Iraqi army soldiers and 300 Marines and soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Division, began Operation Bruins in northern Ramadi on Nov. 19, officials reported.


Operation Bruins is part of a series of disruption operations in Ramadi, military officials said, and is designed to set the conditions for successful elections in December.


Forces are conducting cordon-and-search operations, blocking off known terrorist escape routes and searching for weapons caches. The operation comes on the heels of Operation Panthers, which disrupted operations in the Sophia district of eastern Ramadi. During Panthers, the team discovered weapons caches and detained suspected terrorists.


Bruins also follows the Nov. 17 engagement in which the 2nd Brigade Combat Team successfully repelled a terrorist attack in downtown Ramadi, killing 32 terrorists.


The caches found during Panthers, along with the recent capture of three high-value terrorist targets, have been part of continuous disruption operations in the Ramadi area, officials said.


Attacks against Iraqi and U.S. forces in the Ramadi area have decreased 60 percent in the last few weeks, officials reported, as a result of these ongoing operations.


Iraqi and Task Force Baghdad soldiers saved an Iraqi woman who had been shot by terrorists Nov. 19 in the Abu Ghraib area of western Baghdad. After being hit in a drive-by shooting, the woman was treated by combat medics on the scene from 1st Squadron, 11th Cavalry Regiment, a unit from Fort Irwin, Calif., and immediately was evacuated to a local hospital with the help of soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Division.


The woman was shot in the chest with an AK-47 assault rifle fired from a white sedan as it approached a military checkpoint. She was reported to be in stable condition at the hospital.


Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, operating in southwestern Baghdad, detained three suspected terrorists in two separate incidents Nov. 19.


After striking a roadside bomb, the soldiers of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, searched the area and detained a man positively identified to have been tampering with explosive material. He also had multiple timers, detonators and initiators in his possession, officials said.


Later in the day, A Company, 2-101st Brigade Troops Battalion, in support of 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, discovered a roadside bomb consisting of a propane tank with a timer attached to it. The patrol secured and searched the area, detaining two individuals who were positively identified to be tampering with explosives.


Coalition aircraft flew 39 close-air-support and armed-reconnaissance sorties Nov. 20 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.


U.S. Air Force F-16s struck roadside bomb locations near Ramadi, while other U.S. Air Force F-16s provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy fighters near Hawijah and Husaybah.


In addition, 12 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.


(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq, Task Force Baghdad and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)



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Friday, November 11, 2005

On this Veterans Day

I don't have much time because of all of the Veterans activities that I have been supporting today but I wanted to leave you all with this brief thought.....

I don't care what service you were in, how long you served, or what your job in the Military was....... Today is OUR day! To all of you that have something against us, you are welcome! You are welcome for the right to have a different view of life and to speak out. You are welcome for the chance to sleep in your bed knowing that there are rough men standing guard over you while you sleep.




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Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Smoking ban passes in Washington State

Well it is happening, your rights as a business owner to choose how you run your business are being taken away. A new law in Washington State will be put in place on Dec. 8th 2005 to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other privately owned establishments. What ever happened to the right of a consumer to go someplace else if they didn't like the way a business was run? If a business owner wants to only offer service to people over 6 feet with pink hair they should be able to and allowing smoking or not allowing it should be their right as well.

What happened to freedom of choice? If you don't like what I say you have the right to stop listening, if you are offended you have the right to leave, if you don't like eating or drinking near smokers GO AWAY! I had somebody tell me that they were offended by my cigarettes so I told them that I was offended by their breath and that they should leave before I complained to the police.

We have home owners groups that can put a lien on your home for painting it an un approved color or having a flag pole that is too big. The state can tell business's how to run their stores.

I guess I'd better check the state approved dress code before I leave the house.....I wouldn't want to offend anyone!




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Military.com Launches Career Resource for Veterans

The Department of Defense news service has released the following information about job placement for separating service members.

About 250,000 people leave the military each year, Christopher Michel, president and founder of Military.com, said. A goal of the new network, found at www.military.com/network, is to help veterans capitalize on the training they received in the military by connecting them with employers who value this type
of training and to make that connection more efficient.



They talk about how it has been made easier for employers to find veterans to hire.

To make it easier for those wanting to hire a veteran to find one, veterans' resumes are literally "flagged" in Monster.com's resume database. A small American flag has been added next to veterans' resume listings, Michel said.

This is a great article for all vets to read and I suggest that you all check it out over at the DOD web site.


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Monday, November 07, 2005

My take on the Paris riots

To all of those in Paris, good luck, stay safe and remember..... You know where to find us when you need us.... as always.



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Friday, November 04, 2005

Truth or lies, you tell me!

I found some quotes of government officials and I thought I'd play a little game with them. I want you guys to use the comments section for your answers. I will post my source and the person or persons that made the quote in a couple of days.

Lets get started!

1) "[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."

2) "This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies."

3) "What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs."

4) "The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow."

5) "There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime is a serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot be tolerated. He must be disarmed."

Lets stop for now and see how many of you get them correct. Please format your answers like so:

1) (True or False) or like this (Dem or Rep)

Either true / false or political party answers are ok. Good luck to all!



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Thursday, November 03, 2005

Have some fun at Blogshares!

I know that this is way off topic but I have just started playing the Blogshares trading game. I'm sure that most of you have heard of this by now but I am new and just love it. The idea is that you trade shares in blogs like they were stocks, a good blog with links is worth more than one that has few links.

Blogs produce "ideas" that can be grouped in to bonds and traded on the bond market. If you click the link to blogshares on the right side of this page you'll be taken to the status page for this blog, if you just want the main page, click here.

Check it out, its a lot of fun and the people are really helpful.



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Thursday, October 27, 2005

Some things to think about after the 2,000th American death in Iraq

I guess its about time that I added my 2 cents to the news of the last couple of days. It has happened, we have now lost our 2,000th soldier in Iraq. I feel for the families of all of those soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that have lost their lives or had them forever changed.

Mine was forever changed the day I left my family for 13 months, that's 13 months that I will never get back with my 70 year old parents, my beautiful wife or my 9 year old son. I am forever changed by the events of my time in Baghdad and the things that I have seen. Some may say that I lost a year, I say that I lived for that year.

There are children and families in Iraq that are able to vote, to choose their own future because of what my brothers in arms and I have done. Do not make this political, do not try to divide our country as it was during Viet Nam. What we are doing is just, it is necessary and it should have been done a long time ago.

Do not cry for our service men and women, hold them high for what they are doing. Keep them close to your hearts and offer them thanks. If we were afraid to pay the price to spread freedom and democracy the French, Belgians, English and most of Europe would be called Germans. China and the far east would be a part of Japan. We didn't stop because it was hard or we had lost too many people during that struggle, we continued to fight the good fight and we made the world a better place. Germany and Japan were about as much of a threat to us back then as Iraq or any other "enemy" of our is now.

According to the D-Day Museum, we suffered 1,465 killed in action during the Normandy landings. On Iwo Jima during the 36 day battle for the island we lost 6,000 American soldiers.
During the Civil War at a place called "Little Round Top" the armies of the north and the south suffered 51,000 casualties during fighting that lasted only 3 days.

Freedom is not free, it is bought and paid for by the people that have the will to leave their homes and their families, to go and knowingly put them selves at risk not only to protect their current family but to protect future generations. To offer a future not only to Americans but to every person on this planet.

Today you hurt for the loss of a loved one either dead or far away, do not cry for them, support them and help to keep the memory of their deeds alive for future generations to look back on so that they may decide if it was just or not.


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Thursday, October 13, 2005

New Link Exchange Program for blogs and retail sites

Everything Below Retail is offering a new link exchange program for your blog or retail web site. Right now it is set up for outdoor related blogs, sporting good and automotive sites but I bet if you ask for a new category one will be added for you. Get the full story over at the EBR Blog

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Saturday, October 08, 2005

Response to comments from my last post

This post is for the person that left the long winded comment in my last post about the uninformed. Click here to read the comment.

I am educated and so are my men. Everybody on my crew has atleast an AA if not a BA, mine is in electrical engineering. We are the highest educated fighting force that America has ever fielded so I can tell that you are far removed from the American soldier. I can tell you what makes a terrorist, poverty like none you have ever seen in America, a lack of hope for tomorrow, a life that isn't a life. That is what I saw when I arrived in Iraq. Have you been there? Have you seen the new look of hope in the faces of the young and old alike? Have you seen the warm welcome and the thanks that the Iraqi people offer up to the American soldiers? I think not! If you had you would know that we are doing the right thing by offering those people a chance to choose their own life, to be free of a mad man. I don't know where you get your "facts" but maybe you should put your boots on the ground and see for yourself like I have and will do again! Stop swallowing everything that people like Michael Moore are feeding you because it is full of slander, half truths, and utter nonsense.


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Thursday, September 29, 2005

The uninformed are everywhere!

Check out what this guy has to say and be amazed at the level of stupidity that some people posses. I hate to even link to this page but when I read it I didn't know if I should fall out of my chair laughing at this person or choke the living sh*t out of them. You figure it out for me please!

Attitudes we need to fight!


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The Combined Federal Campaign is seeking donations for many different causes!



DoD Kicks Off 2005 Combined Federal Campaign

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2005 Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England kicked off the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign here today by thanking Defense Department employees for their generosity in supporting hurricane-relief efforts and encouraging them to continue that same level of support for other important causes.

England acknowledged that this year's CFC goal of $12.8 million might be challenging in light of more than $1 billion department employees and other U.S. citizens have donated to hurricane-related charities.


This year's CFC campaign includes several hurricane-related causes, along with hundreds of others whose needs "did not go away because (Hurricane) Katrina happened," England said.


"Many people are in need of help from Hurricane Katrina and Rita," the deputy secretary told a group of service and DoD agency leaders and CFC key workers. "But we must not forget that there are also regional and national and international charities that need our support."


Speaking in a room decorated with red, white and blue balloons and a banner urging, "Please Give," England encouraged department members to continue their long history of generous support to the CFC campaign and to support this year's theme, "Be An Everyday Hero."


England praised the "uniquely American" spirit in which DoD workers open their hearts and their wallets to others in need, in most cases, to people they've never met and never will.


"You don't know the lives you've changed and the effect you've had," he said, noting that CFC donations cause a "ripple effect" throughout local communities and the nation as a whole.


England referred to a famous Winston Churchill quote in urging department members to give during this year's CFC campaign. "You make a living by what you get," he said. "You make a life by what you give."


Goals for this year's campaign, by organization, are:


  • Department of Defense -- $12.8 million
  • Navy and Marine Corps -- $3.45 million
  • Army -- $2.95 million
  • Air Force -- $1.75 million
  • Defense Intelligence Agency -- $800,000
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense -- $780,000
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency -- $560,000
  • Defense Information Systems Agency -- $525,000
  • Defense Logistics Agency -- $347,000
  • Joint Staff -- $275,000
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency -- $195,000
  • DoD Inspector General -- $170,000
  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences -- $169,000
  • Washington Headquarters Services -- $136,000
  • Missile Defense Agency -- $132,000
  • Defense Contract Management Agency -- $115,000
  • Defense Contract Audit Agency -- $96,000
  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service -- $95,000
  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency -- $80,000
  • Pentagon Force Protection Agency -- $50,000
  • Department of Defense Education Activity -- $40,000
  • Pentagon Federal Credit Union -- $32,000
  • Defense Security Cooperation Agency -- $25,000
  • Defense Security Service -- $14,000


Related Site:

Combined Federal Campaign


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Sunday, September 18, 2005

Child Firearm Safety Program

Check out this post for more information on child firearm safety and order your free safety kit with 2 gun locks today!
Read More



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Saturday, September 17, 2005

Resources for the Army family

Everybody knows that military life is tough. Not only is it tough on the soldier but it is tough on the entire family. A soldier's day can pass quickly while in training or on deployment but there is always somebody that is left behind at home. Children are missing a parent to talk to, play with and provide guidance. There is a spouse that has to become mom and dad, handle the kids and home on their own and pass the down time alone.

The Army is trying to make this transition as easy on the family as they can by extending assignments and trying to stick to published training schedules. As anybody that has ever served knows its best to live by the motto "Semper Gumby" meaning always be flexible.

I'd like to direct all soldiers and their families to the Army family web site called, My Army Life Too. This site is full of resources for the entire family and includes things like child development, deployment preparation, adjustment to post deployment life and many other resources.

Check it out!

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Thursday, September 15, 2005

Leo Damascus knife at Everything Below Retail $305 plus free shipping!

Leo Damascus knife

A truly rare and unique piece of work blending the centuries-old art of hand forged Damascus with a piece of history. The Leo Damascus a high performance Damascus steel was made available to Boker through a noted European Damascus forger Markus Balbach. The steel used in this knife is forged out of the barrel of the German battle tank Leopard I thus Leo Damascus. This speciality steel is not available to the market and there is no material number even assigned to it because it was only used by the military.
Herr Balbach was fortunate to acquire some for the exclusive use of Boker. A chromium-manganese and vanadium tool steel alloy was added to this extremely wear-resistant barrel steel. The result is a remarkably high hardness for Damascus steel (63-65 HRC). A very high performance Damascus. The pattern provided on the blade is labeled "small pyramid" providing a spectacular work of art; and as with all true Damascus every blade is different.
Handle material is hard coated 6061-T6 aluminium and features exotic desert ironwoods inlays. Liner locking. Includes certificate of authenticity and gift box. Serialized.
Overall length: 7 7/8". Blade length: 3 3/8".

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Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Operation Restoring Rights to secure Tal Afar
















'Operation Restoring Rights' to secure Tal Afar


September 13, 2005


BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 13, 2005) – At least 119 suspected terrorists have been detained since Sept. 10 by Iraqi security forces and Coalition troops in northern Iraq as they continue operations to purge insurgents from the city of Tal Afar, about 30 miles west of Mosul.

In a cordon and search Sept. 10, Coalition forces detained 41 individuals suspected of terrorist activity, officials said. Security forces also seized a mortar system with multiple rounds of ammunition and a cache consisting of hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“Operation Restoring Rights is being conducted to remove terrorists and foreign fighters operating in Tal Afar,” said Col. Billy J. Buckner, spokesman for Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

“This operation is in support of the Iraqi government’s efforts to bring safety and security to the citizens of the city,” Buckner said. “The local government requested Coalition assistance in setting the conditions needed to establish permanent Iraqi security for the people of Tal Afar that will allow them to vote in upcoming elections.”

Task Force Freedom detained 78 more suspected terrorists during operations in Tal Afar Sept. 12 as Operation Restoring Rights continued.

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 57 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two operations.

Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR detained 15 terror suspects during a cordon and search operation.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment detained four suspected terrorists.

Soldiers from 3rd ACR also detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity while patrolling. The suspects are in custody with no Multi-National Force injuries reported

Since Aug. 26, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have captured 211 terror suspects, killed 141 terrorists and confiscated nine weapons caches, MNC-I reported.



(Editor’s note: Information provided by two press releases from the Multi-National Force-Iraq Combined Press Information Center.)

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Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Updates on the offensive in Tal Afar

The offensive in Haditha is in full swing. The Army along with soldiers from the Iraqi army are moving in to secure the town. Read more at In The Bull Pen

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Iraqi Soldiers Donate to Katrina Victims


Iraqi soldiers collected 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

By Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq

TAJI, Iraq, Sept. 9, 2005
Iraqi soldiers serving at Taji military base collected 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.Iraqi Col. Abbas Fadhil, Iraqi base commander, presented the money to U.S. Col. Paul D. Linkenhoker, Taji Coalition base commander, at a Sept. 5 staff meeting.

"We are all brothers. When one suffers tragedy, we all suffer their pain."
Iraqi Col. Abbas Fadhil“We are all brothers,” said Abbas. “When one suffers tragedy, we all suffer their pain.”The amount of money is small in American dollars - roughly $680 - but it represents a huge act of compassion from Iraqi soldiers to their American counterparts, said U.S. Army Maj. Michael Goyne.

“I was overwhelmed by the amount of their generosity,” Goyne said. “I was proud and happy to know Col. Abbas, his officers, NCOs and fellow soldiers. That amount represents a month’s salary for most of those soldiers.”
Abbas read a letter he wrote after giving the envelope to Linkenhoker.
"I am Colonel Abbas Fadhil; Tadji Military Base Commander,” Abbas wrote. “On behalf of myself and all the People of Tadji Military Base; I would like to console the American People and Government for getting this horrible disaster. So we would like to donate 1.000.000 Iraqi Dinars to help the government and the People also I would like to console all the ASTs who helped us rebuilding our country and our Army. We appreciate the American's help and support. Thank you."


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Saturday, September 10, 2005

Sep. 11th 2001, a day hard lessons were learned. Remember 9/11

Its been 4 years since that terrible day and a lot has changed. We are engaged in 2 theaters of war, our transportation systems are guarded like never before, there is great debate amongst the masses regarding our foreign policy, we know without a doubt that America is a target.

Before 9/11, we lived in our own little world where the bad things that happened to us were of our own making. Now, we have an enemy. Not only does this enemy dislike us because of our freedoms, they hate us for our religion. To them we are the enemy no matter where or if we worship, how much money we make, or what we do for a living. These people believe that by killing us they will earn a reward in heaven. We must NEVER forget what happened on that morning 4 years ago, we must never stop working to prevent things like this from happening EVER again.

Some think that we brought this on ourselves......I ask, how? Afghanistan is better off for our being there, Iraq will be better off very soon. So what if Saddam bluffed us about the WMDs....or did he? I have been there and seen what we are doing in Iraq, and I will always say that we are preventing future attacks on our country with our actions in the middle east. We are making the lives of the people in Afghanistan and Iraq better and we are killing terrorists in their own region and not on the streets of America. Find the enemy, fix the enemy and kill them. That is how we can protect America.

Never forget the pain in your hearts when you saw the twin towers come crashing down, never forget the sight of people jumping to their deaths, never forget the hero's that we saw during that time and the feeling of community that we as Americans haven't had since Pearl Harbor.

Finally, NEVER forget who the enemy is and that only the American people can stop the enemy from trying to change our way of life. Be proud to be American, there is no other country like ours. We make mistakes, we don't have all of the answers, but we try and we care about each other. We have chances that people in other countries could never have, protect that.

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Monday, September 05, 2005

The Civilian Marksmanship Program

Civilian Marksmanship Program
For anyone interested in shooting but that doesn't know a lot about it, or those that are or have been in the Military, I have a wonderful resource for training and the purchase of M1 Garand rifles.


This program was started to provide training and low cost rifles for citizens so that they would have basic marksmanship training to speed up the draft process. It followed the every man is a rifleman theory that during the time of war, everybody should be able to work a fire arm to defend their country or themselves.


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Monday, August 29, 2005

Our prayers are with those in the path of hurricane Katrina

Our prayers as well as our thoughts go out to you all..........





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One more example of news not covered by main-stream media. I guess Cindy Sheehan is more important!

I don't know about you but I haven't seen any coverage of this part of the Cindy Sheehan story.

Move America Forward has a caravan of people, to include parents of slain soldiers, moving across the country to promote support for the troops and the President. Where are the cameras?
Where are the head lines about the families that are proud of the sacrifice that their children made?

I guess they either don't think anybody cares, or they don't want people like you and me to know that there are some Americans left that believe in the President, our soldiers, the job we are doing in Iraq, or in America itself.

You Don't Speak For Us, Cindy!



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Friday, August 26, 2005

Large selection of knives and accessories at Everything Below Retail.

Well, I knew this would happen sooner or later....the famed shameless plug! Wel, we all do have to eat after all, and most of us know what the Army pay scale is like. ;-)

For a large collection of outdoor items to include knives, hunting gear, fishing tackle, camping equipment, gun accessories, and much, much more.... visit Everything Below Retail.

Thanks to those that have already checked out the new store and to everyone, I ask that you let me know how you like it. After all, what good is a store that is missing what people need, doesn't work properly, or is just plain ugly? I can't wait to hear your feedback.

Have a great day and keep your powder dry!




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Saturday, August 20, 2005

Does the war in Iraq really have no heros?

I have heard it said that America doesn't have any heros to look up to in the Iraq war. To them I say, you are wrong!

Hero of Iraq This a hero........

Hero in Iraq This is a hero......

This is a true hero, SFC Paul R. Smith, Medal of Honor winner.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Send a service member a care package!

Here are some links to find information about sending care packages to our
troops.

I will tell you that there is nothing like being away from home and getting a
letter or package from ANYBODY.

Any and all mail we received was counted as a blessing.


Adopt a Platoon

Any Soldier

Operation
Care and Comfort


Operation Care
Packages


Operation Gratitude


Operation Holidays

Operation
Military Pride


Operation
Military Support


Operation Mom

Operation
Morale


Operation Paperback

Operation Support



Operation Troop Appreciation


Operation We Care
US Troop Care
Package


USO Care Packages




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Help our service members call home!

Here are links to help deployed service members contact their loved ones.


Please let me know of any other links that I should add or if any of these
links are broken.



Cell Phones for
Soldiers


Freedom Calls
Foundation



Help Our
Troops Call Home



Operation Uplink




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Resources for service members in need of family support

Here are some links that I found for service members needing family support.


Please contact me if you find more links that I should add or if any of these
links are broken.



Air Force Enlisted
Village


American Heroes Tribute

American
Military Family


American
Red Cross


Armed Forces
Foundation


Armed Services YMCA

Army Emergency Relief

Association of the U.S.
Army Family Programs



Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund


Citizens Helping
Heroes


Coast Guard Mutual Assistance


Deployed Soldiers Family
Foundation


Marine Moms Online

National Military Family
Association



Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society


Operation Child Care


Operation Family
Fund


Operation Homefront


Our Military Kids

Salute Our Services


The Military Family Network


Yellow Ribbon
America




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Saturday, August 06, 2005

Tired of income tax?

Look at the Fair Tax Act and let me know how you feel about changing the current tax code. Do you feel that taxing people on what they make or how they spend their money is more fair? Our founding fathers didn't like taxes and the big government that it helped create, so why should we have them now. Income tax was ment to fund the world wars but was never repealed like it should have been.




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The Brookings Institute released information on Iraq

Look at the report from the Brookings Institute on the condition of Iraq and the public opinion of the progress made. This is about as close to the truth as you are going to find and I suggest everybody checks it out.




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Tips for deploying soldiers

I found this wonderful post full of tips for soldiers deploying to Iraq.

Check it out!
Thanks to Austin Bay Blog


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The first Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima 60 years ago today

Currently Japan is a friendly nation but 60 years ago the country of Japan was a much different place. Today is the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the question "Was it necessary" has been asked. The answer is no, but the result of of not dropping such a powerful bomb would have been far worse for both Japan and Allied forces if we had invaded the island country. It is a fact that more people were killed in the coventional bombing of cities than in the atomic blast. It is a fact that the Japanese government was preparing every citizen to fight in the event of an amphibious landing on their shores.

Looking at the landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa as examples, you will see that the Japanese were dedicated to their country and were willing to fight to the last man rather than giving up to save themselves. No estimate of casualties was below 2 times the number of deaths caused by the bombing. It was expected that we would have over 200,000 killed while Japan would suffer 3 to 400,000 killed during an invasion. We would have pounded every inch of every city to dust and had to face mobs of civilians fighting with sticks to take that island. It is hard to say how many would have given up and how many would have fought with no chance of success.

The Japanese war department wanted to fight on after Hiroshima and again after Nagasaki but is was the Emperor Hirohito that put an end to the war.

In Germany, the Allies bombed cities in response to Hitler attacking England's cities with V-1 and V-2 rockets. This carried over to the pacific theater of war because the plants that made war material were placed in the cities. Today we have the ability to pick our targets with care but back then we could only flatten the city block that held the factory with the hope that we wouldn't need a second bombing run to finish the job.

Some have chosen to try to show American as evil for dropping the atomic bomb but how many know what the Japanese did in Nanking? How about in Nanjing in the 1930's?

I have no hatred for the Japanese but I want to show that they were not victims, they were a ruthless enemy and President Truman did what he felt had to be done to put an end to this war once and for all.

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In response to some comments I received about Gitmo.

I never said that our troops were perfect. I am sure that some of the detainees aren't being treated with kid gloves but it angers me when the media wants to hang our government and our soldiers every change they get. They NEVER come out and call for a terrorists head on a platter after a beheading, but they want our soldiers ruined after taking some STUPID pictures in Abu Ghrab. Lets say a detainee dies of an actual heart attack in gitmo.... The press will blame it on the way he was treated even if nothing "bad" actually happened, by the time the story is dropped, the guards and the unit in charge have been drug through the mud so much that the American people will assume the detainee died of abuse. If a reporter has two stories in front of them to pick from, they will ALWAYS pick the one that is about a soldier screwing up, or getting blown up.

Nobody except our local papers EVER reported about the schools that we opened, the medical clinic that we opened, the sewer that we put in, or the power we brought to people that didn't have and electricity before we came to Iraq.

The media is doing a great disservice to the American people by only reporting the part of the story that they think will sell advertising or the parts that back their political agenda.

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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

I guess a quick lesson is required.......

After reading a couple of the comments I received from readers, I decided that a quick lesson was needed to straighten a couple of things out.

Bad Guy
Bad Guy

Hero
Good Guys

Mass Grave In Iraq
Atrocity

Handing out donations in Baghdad
Handing out donations
Any Questions?


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Sunday, July 31, 2005

Stop making excuses for terrorists!

Condoleezza Rice made a good point in an interview on the "Jim Lehrer New Hour" the other day. I'm glad to hear her put it in actual in your face words and not the normal "PC" speak.

You can read this story on American Forces Information Services.


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Terror Cell Leader Captured; Nine Terrorists, Two Marines Killed






Terror Cell Leader Captured; Nine Terrorists, Two Marines Killed

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2005 – U.S. troops captured al Qaeda terror cell leader Ammar Abu Bara, alias Amar Hussein Hasan, during a July 27 cordon-and-search operation in Mosul, Iraq's third largest city, U.S military officials reported today.
Bara, reportedly one of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's most trusted operations agents in Iraq, was arrested by troops of the Army's 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team,) and Iraqi army soldiers. Bara replaced Abu Talha, former terror cell leader for the Mosul area, following his capture in early June.

Officials said a number of al Qaeda terrorist leaders have been captured in recent months in northern Iraq, leading to a more secure environment in the region. These captures have led to the systematic dismantling of the al Qaeda network in Mosul, military officials said.

Camp Fallujah officials reported that two Marines were killed in Cykla, about 120 miles west of Baghdad, July 28 when their unit came under attack by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The Marines were assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Officials at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi reported that Iraqi security forces and U.S. Marines killed nine terrorists, five of them reportedly were Syrian nationals, who were using buildings as safe houses and firing positions in a small village west of Haditha.

Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Marines were conducting a security patrol in the city of Cykla when terrorists attacked them with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire from three different buildings. The joint patrol consisted of Iraqi soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, and Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team.

Air combatants from the 2nd Marine Air Craft Wing struck enemy positions with three laser-guided bombs and one Global-Positioning-System-guided bomb. The air strike destroyed all three buildings and caused minimal collateral damage to the surrounding community, according to U.S. officials. Coalition forces also detained two terrorists for questioning.

A single-vehicle accident claimed the life of a Task Force Baghdad soldier in central Baghdad on July 28. The soldier was taken to an Iraqi hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body was later recovered by U.S. military authorities.

A 30-year-old Iraqi detainee died July 27 at the U.S.-run Camp Bucca prison camp in southern Iraq as a result of renal failure and other organ failure due to chronic malaria, U.S. military officials reported. The detainee was admitted to the field hospital July 3 following complaints of nausea.

Hospital officials said they believe the detainee contracted malaria prior to arriving at Camp Bucca in December 2004. The detainee was not diagnosed until recently, as he did not exhibit any symptoms, they noted, adding that he did not pose a contagious hazard to other detainees. His body will be transferred to his family upon completion of an autopsy, which is standing procedure for all detainees who die while in custody of coalition forces, officials said.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Task Force Baghdad news releases.)



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Saddam Music Video

Here is a funny music video sung to the tune of Jlo's Jenny from the block! I almost fell out of my chair!!!



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Look at these pictures of abuse!

Check out this link I got from a retired soldier and let me know what you think of the abuse and mistreatment that is going on.

Read the full article and let me know how you feel about our troops....are we monsters or Nazis like some think? I'll see if I can find the menu for the chow hall on gitmo and we'll see how many Americans eat as well as the detainees.....I know as a soldier I don't eat that well!!!



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Friday, July 29, 2005

What side is the press on anyway?



I just wish that the American news would remember what torture really is. They show photos of a frat party at gitmo while they should be showing what is happening to American prisoners.....Maybe they think its a crime to take a picture of a naked detainee and its OK to chop off the head of an American.....hmmmm.....Sometimes I wonder what side the press is on. I want the American people to see the planes crash in to the WTC, I want them to see the terrorists cut the head off of an American, I want them to be as mad as I was while watching the Nick Berg video on AFN while I was sitting in Baghdad. I don't want the American people to ever forget that we are fighting an enemy with no honor, no morals, and the will to do whatever they think is necessary.



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Have you watched the new FX show "Over There"?

I watched this new show about soldiers in Iraq and I have mixed feelings. If I watch it as a soldier that has been to war, I am unimpressed and a little offended by how the soldiers are stereotyped. If I watch it as a piece of entertainment and don't try to pick apart the tactics as well as remember that it is Hollywood's view of soldiers, I can actually enjoy the show. Currently I am on the fence on this one.......I am looking forward to the next show because the preview looks pretty good but I won't get my hopes up. Let me know how you feel about this one, I'd love to know.

Check out what sgt mom has to say about the drugs use of one of the soldiers.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Here are some more photos from Iraq.

Most of these photos were taken around the time of the Iraqi Elections. Its hard to believe but I actually miss being over there when I look at these.














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Wednesday, July 20, 2005

What should we do if terrorists explode a nuke in the U.S.?

Since coming home I have been thinking about what a good response to the terrorist threat in the U.S would be and now somebody in the government has said something I agree with. You can read the story here.

Congressman Tancredo's answer to a radio host's question about what we should do if terrorists explode a nuke in the states in right on the money in my opinion. There is only one thing that these people understand and that is violence...I wish it weren't so.....GOD how I wish but you can't fight these people by attacking a country, you fight them by threatening their families and the one thing that matters to them the most, their religion. I'm not saying to blow these sites up just because we can but as a response to an attack from them. It is the terrorists that want this to be a war about religion and to that I say to the NORMAL Muslim people.....Take care of these crazy people before the world starts to hate all of you for what they are doing. It is them that give you a bad name and it is up to you to stop them before they do something really stupid.

I don't want everybody to think that I am painting every Muslim as a terrorist because I'm not, in fact, if 9/11 was caused by blond haired, blue eyed Icelanders I'd expect to be watched more than any other group of people simply because I look like and have the same background as the attackers.

That's it for me for today. Send me your thoughts and have a great day.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Terrorist Attacks in London

Well, they are at it again. This time it was in London, tomorrow it might be Seattle. These people are nothing but cowards, they are too afraid to face real soldiers and only know how to kill women and children. I don't care if they are Muslims, Christians, Jews, or don't even know what god is, religion doesn't matter!!!! They are COWARDS plain and simple!!! They need to be hunted down one by one and wiped from this earth like vermin! Don't believe me? Look at what happened today in London and decide for yourself.

London Attacks.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Here's some info on Al Qaeda members and their time at Guantanamo Bay

Al Qaeda Manual Drives Detainee Behavior at Guantanamo Bay
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2005 – If you're a Muslim extremist captured while fighting your holy war against "infidels," avoid revealing information at all costs, don't give your real name and claim that you were mistreated or tortured during your detention.
This instruction comes straight from the pages of an official al Qaeda training manual, and officials at the detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, say they see clear evidence that detainees are well-versed in its contents.

Police in Manchester, England, discovered the manual, which has come to be known as the "Manchester document," in 2000 while searching computer files found in the home of a known al Qaeda member. The contents were introduced as evidence into the 2001 trial of terrorists who bombed the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998.

The FBI translated the document into English, and it is posted on the Justice Department's Web site.

The 18-chapter manual provides a detailed window into al Qaeda's network and its procedures for waging jihad - from conducting surveillance operations to carrying out assassinations to working with forged documents.

The closing chapter teaches al Qaeda operatives how to operate in a prison or detention center. It directs detainees to "insist on proving that torture was inflicted" and to "complain of mistreatment while in prison."

Chapter 17 instructs them to "be careful not to give the enemy any vital information" during interrogations.

Another section of the manual directs commanders to teach their operatives what to say if they're captured, and to explain it "more than once to ensure that they have assimilated it." To reinforce the message, it tells commanders to have operatives "explain it back to the commander."

And at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, detainees take this instruction to heart. Many of the more than 500 detainees are "uncooperative" in providing intelligence, Army Brig. Gen. Jay Hood, commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, told military analysts who traveled to the facility June 24 and reiterated today during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee.

Some detainees have never uttered a single word during more than three years of interrogation. Others give false names or refuse to offer their real names.

This can prove challenging for interrogators at the facility, because many detainees "follow the al Qaeda SOP (standard operating procedures) to the T," according to Army Col. John Hadjis, chief of staff for Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

Officials say they see evidence of the al Qaeda-directed misinformation campaign in allegations of detainee abuse and mishandling of the Koran at Guantanamo Bay.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld expressed frustration over this effort during a June 21 interview on the "Tony Snow Show."

"These detainees are trained to lie, they're trained to say they were tortured, and the minute we release them or the minute they get a lawyer, very frequently they'll go out and they will announce that they've been tortured," Rumsfeld said.

The media jumps on these claims, reporting them as "another example of torture," the secretary said, "when in fact, (terrorists have) been trained to do that, and their training manual says so."

During a February 2004 Pentagon news conference, a DoD official said new information provided by detainees during questioning is analyzed to determine its reliability.

"Unfortunately, many detainees are deceptive and prefer to conceal their identifies and their actions," said Paul Butler, principal deputy assistant secretary for special operations and low-intensity conflict.

Butler said the Manchester document includes "a large section which teaches al Qaeda operatives counterinterrogation techniques: how to lie, how to minimize your role."
The document, he said, has surfaced in various locations, including Afghanistan.
The manual's preface offers a chilling reminder of the mentality that drives al Qaeda disciples and the lengths they will go to for their cause.

"The confrontation that we are calling for ... does not know Socratic debates, ... Platonic ideals ... nor Aristotelian diplomacy," its opening pages read. "But it knows the dialogue of bullets, the ideals of assassination, bombing and destruction, and the diplomacy of the cannon and machine gun."

Saturday, June 25, 2005

What has happen to Americans?


that's what I want to know. I guess my eyes have ben opened by my time in Iraq and I am angered by what I am seeing right here at home. When exactly did people stop caring about others? All around me I see the "I've got mine" attitude and its pissing me off. Companies care more about the bottom line than customers or their workers, our political leaders don't listen to us anymore, the list goes on and on... I'm also sick and tired of hearing about (fill in the blank) Americans getting special treatment on this subject or that subject. I my self am an Icelandic/Swedish American and I want to know what we get! The last time I checked, when you became a citizen of the United States, you became an American! Honor your culture as I honor and practice mine but don't try and make the rest of us "enjoy" it. Another thing, LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!! My family worked in Swedish logging camps until they learned English, why should I have to learn a different language to order a hamburger? When I was stationed in Germany did I expect the Germans to speak English? NO, I was happy when they did but I learned German so I could travel and shop. Finally, for those of you here with ID from the black market....GO HOME!!!! I don't want my taxes to go to feeding your families. Nobody helped my family like that. If you want to be here then do it the right way and I'll say WELCOME to America, until then.......Patrol the border and send everybody back to their home country that doesn't belong.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Some quotes to think about.

If you expect a nation to be
ignorant and free, you expect
what never was and can never be.
Thomas Jefferson
"We, the people, are the rightful masters of both
Congress and the courts; not to overthrow the
Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert
the Constitution."
Abraham Lincoln
FREEDOM
IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE
SECURED IN ANY ONE
MOMENT OF TIME.
WE MUST STRUGGLE
TO PRESERVE IT EVERY DAY.
AND FREEDOM IS NEVER
MORE THAN ONE
GENERATION AWAY FROM
EXTINCTION.
RONALD REAGAN
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
George Washington
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.
Thomas Jefferson
Those who give up essential liberties for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.
Edward Abbey
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive.
Thomas Jefferson
Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.
Theodore Roosevelt
Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.
John Adams, letter to John Taylor, April 15, 1814
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lighlty upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
Samuel Adams
The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.
Edmund Burke
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.
Thomas Jefferson

Changes that I have noticed in the government since comming home.

You know, I have never really been in to politics because most of what goes on never seemed to apply to me. I don't know if its the fact that I am now 30 and have a family or if being away from home has opened my eyes a little bit. Since I cane home I have learned that the vote I mailed in from Iraq for my states general election was not counted. Also, our gas tax has been raised by 33% and we already had the 2nd highest gas tax in the nation! The attempt to repeal this tax is being laughed at by the state leaders and frankly its pissing me off....Take the mass transit plan for Seattle, the additional taxes for that project were supposed to end in 2025 and now they are trying to extend that time out to 2053 for a grand total of $12,000.00 per inch of the 14 mile track!!! Now look at the crazyness back on the east coast with the Supreme Court aloowing the taking of private property so it can be given to a private company to build a factory. What is next???? I thought we were supposed to have a government of the people, by the people and that it was FOR the people. Our so called leaders are basically telling us that we are not entitled to own our own property if somebody richer wants it, or we are too stupid to vote on what taxes we are willing to pay. Check out the "No New Gas Tax" web site at also, look at this report on the supreme court ruling and what it can do for retailers. I don't mind being paid fair market value if you need to build a school or expand a road but taking people's land for the use and gain of a private company?!?!?!?! I think not! I know I wouldn't go without a fight... I think of my self as a good upstanding member of the community but if you try to take my lad for a Wal-Mart or Target then you'll see the next Ruby Ridge typ stand off. Where is it going to end? They laugh at our votes, if they even count them, and they go against our wishes because they can. What is this country comming to? I support my President 100% and I love my country with all of my heart but isn't it MY country or does it belong to "them"? I have and will continue to fight for my country when it asks but I want to know when the people are going to force the government to act in the spirit of the first continental congress or even try to live up to what our founding fathers had in mind? Thats enough for now as I am getting madder and madder all of the time. I sure don't need to say anything that could get me in to trouble now do I? ;-)

If you expect a nation to be
ignorant and free, you expect
what never was and can never be.
Thomas Jefferson