Memorial Day: USS Arizona

On this Memorial Day we remember all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Most poignant to me is the memorial for the USS Arizona, a living memorial that still leaks diesel fuel from the hull-- a living bridge spanning 69 years and counting, lest we forget.
As a nation, our thanks isn't enough, I know. But it's the best we can give.

It's a Darwin Thing: Al Qaeda Liason Accidentally Blows Self Up

Ok, was he at the Acme facility? That's what I'd like to know.
What a Wile E. Coyote moment....

"A man whom the U.S. described as a key figure in Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula accidentally blew himself up, U.S. military officials told Fox News.

The officials say Nayif Al-Qahtani was "messing with a bomb" when it went off. U.S. officials had been watching him, but Fox News' sources insist the U.S. had nothing to do with his death....

The State Department recently described al-Qahtani as "a liaison between Al Qaeda cells in Yemen and Saudi Arabia."

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05/21/key-al-qaeda-figure-accidentally-blows-officials-say/?test=latestnews

Arizona, L.A. and the Whole Immigration Issue

Los Angeles, and other cities in America, are boycotting Arizona because of the anti-immigration legislation that passed there recently. Arizona took a swipe at L.A. today, saying they'd be more than willing to renegotiate the power contracts & agreements they have to provide power to the L.A. area.
Touché. Someone needs to take a stand.

I'll take mine with Arizona. And I want to share three opinions:

1) To Mexican President Felipe Calderón:

If you are as worried that this new law would promote "discrimination" as you say, then I feel compelled to suggest that you keep your citizens within your own borders.

2) To those people who like to say that these people are here working jobs that no one else would take:

With the economy the way it is, do you really think there would be that much of a glut of available jobs? Seriously? And if so, how much do you think would be due to the fact that these illegal workers typically work "under the table," not paying taxes, like an American worker would have to?

3) Finally, to those people who think that there are too many "hoops," too much to the legal process to apply and be allowed to legally immigrate to the United States:

First of all, are the laws regarding immigrants from Mexico any different than those for, say, someone immigrating to the US from Sweden or New Zealand or Argentina? If so, that's a problem. But if not, these people simply need to suck it up and do the right thing. They don't deserve to be here, especially since proximity and a porous border affords them a relatively easy way in.

Secondly, how do America's immigration laws compare to those of other countries like Canada and the UK? When followed legally, are they stricter or more lenient? I've not looked into that but I'm curious about it-- it makes me wonder now, especially seeing as how I cannot remember the news media making a point out of it.

Until these people come here legally, I am not about to afford them any rights that I enjoy as a legal citizen.

Federal Legislation I'd Like to See Someone Have the Guts to Introduce

This will be fun!

My number one?

Legislation forcing a 2/3 vote on any bill in both houses of Congress when ONE party holds the White House and either the Senate or the House of Representatives.

Mojave Desert Cross

Erected by the VFW in 1934 in honor of the men killed in battle in WWI....
Center of a court fight for the past decade, ultimately winning a decision to stay put from the US Supreme Court just two weeks ago....

Stolen last Sunday night.

And I am speechless. This memorial was not merely vandalized (which would have been bad enough)... it was stolen.

Tell me something-- what is it about people that they don't recognize the danger in karma or cosmic retribution, or whatever it is your beliefs call it?

3rd Navy SEAL Cleared of Charges

"Virginia military jury found a Navy SEAL not guilty on charges of punching a suspected Iraqi terrorist.
Matthew McCabe, a Special Operations Petty Officer Second Class, was facing three charges: dereliction of performance of duty for willfully failing to safeguard a detainee, making a false official statement, and assault.
The suspected terrorist McCabe was accused of punching is Ahmed Hashim Abed, who is the suspected masterminded the grisly killings of four American contractors in Iraq six years ago."
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/06/navy-seal-guilty-assaulting-suspected-terrorist/

Good for McCabe! This is awesome news!

Here is a perfect example of how common sense did (and should have) won over liberalism.
In this trial (and that of the other two exonerated Navy SEALS), it was brought out how the suspect faked his own injuries to try to win favor from either the defense or the military jury.

Make no mistake: the terrorist will use all means, including dancing on the unsuspecting heartstrings of American liberalism, to win favor. Deceit is their friend, an informed public-- their enemy.
Remember that!

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, A Legend In His Own Mind

So the little creep thinks he can toy with the American public and make them think that

>>gasp<<

Osama Bin Laden is hiding in DC?
Heh. Heh. Heh.
Bin Laden's hiding, all right, but Iran seems the most logical place. Especially after that kind of explanatory façade.
Just a guess.

Will Ahmadinejad visit the Southern US? Can we take him on a snipe hunt, seriously? Please?

Asheville "Anarchists" Run Amok

And thankfully, the authorities are throwing the book at them.

A mob of about 20-30 people descended on downtown Asheville Saturday night, presumably on the heels of an "immigrant rally" (several of which were taking place all over the US).

Let's be serious. They were not rallying for "immigrant rights." They weren't rallying for anything at all.

They were merely a bunch of college brats with no respect for authority (or other's possessions-- in the case of several smashed-out car windows) out to spread mayhem.
And that they did. And now, authorities in Asheville have tacked felonies onto the existing misdemeanor charges.

Kudos to District Attorney Justin Steen!

These misfits need to feel the full extend of legal recourse against them. They need to realize that there is indeed a penalty to be paid for "civil disobedience." They need to realize now-- for once and for all-- that Newton's Third Law of Motion applies to them: that for every action in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Update-- 05/04/10
Most of the "anarchists" had their bonds increased to $65,000. Their court date is 06/08/10.
Although I have to give credit to the Asheville paper for their reporting they were, after all, one of the businesses suffering damage. I do find laughable their use of the word "vandals" to describe these idiots, though. After all, would a local group of "vandals" have a nationwide effort to collect bond money on their behalf? Really?

Car Bomb Attempt at Times Square

Dear Mr. President,

How are the politics of apology working for you?
You've travelled the world apologizing for America's past "transgressions."
Apparently, the hatred throughout the world isn't as shallow as you and the rest of the progressive liberals perceived it to be. Apparently, it's not simply all Bush and Cheney's fault.
Because, gosh dang it, someone tried to set off a car bomb in Times Square last night.
Thank God for they were inept.

Update 05/04/10, noting the Incredibly Obvious: the current administration has decided this was terror-related and the man in custody, Faisal Shahzad, will face terrorism and mass destruction charges.

The Illegal Immigration Issue

Why is this an issue at all?
Basically, I believe that anyone here illegally is a "squatter," and those people need to return to the country from which they came. If not willfully, then forcibly.
There are ways to enter this country legally, but until they do that, they are willfully breaking the law by their very presence. Send them back, case closed.
It's about everyone having the same opportunity to come here legally. Why should we allow those people who take advantage of proximity and hike across the desert to stay here?
And don't call me racist for saying that. This issue isn't about racism at all. But while that subject is brought up, might I remind you that "La Raza" is about "the race." Their words, not mine. So who is racist?

Curiosity about Oil Rig Platforms

It seems to be extremely coincidental-- after all these years that one oil rig in the Gulf succumbs to an explosion just after the current administration announces that they are opening all the other areas for exploration.
Could it be terror? Could it be eco-terror?
Either way, the evidence is now resting 1 mile under the surface.

Update 05/05/10 I'll refrain from what I really want to call this quote, but it bothers me nonetheless:

"A rule change two years ago by the federal agency that regulates offshore oil rigs allowed BP to avoid filing a plan specifically for handling a major spill from an uncontrolled blowout at its Deepwater Horizon project — exactly the kind of disaster now unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico."

If someone would be kind enough to point out the even-handed reporting that that statement, whatsoever, I'd be grateful.
Source:http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20100505/4fcb0f69-e836-4674-baa9-86574faf3036

51st Star on the Flag?

Ok, so why did the House push through Resolution 2499 to force an up-and-down vote on Puerto Rican statehood?
Why is the fact that they've voted it down in recent years not enough of a hint?