Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010

THANK YOU



It's the Veteran... not the preacher,
who has earned for us freedom of religion.

It's the Veteran... not the reporter,
who has earned for us freedom of the press.

It's the Veteran... not the poet,
who has earned for us freedom of speech.

It's the Veteran... not the campus organizer,
who has earned for us freedom to assemble.

It's the Veteran... not the lawyer,
who has earned for us the right to a fair trial.

It's the Veteran... not the politician,
who has earned for us the right to vote.

It's the Veteran... who salutes the flag,
who has protected and served under the flag

Thank you.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

DISGRAYSON

Dear Mr. Grayson,

     We the people of the 8th CD voted you out of office not because you only won in '08 by four percent   (you lost by 18 - you didn't even break 40%.  We're conservative, but we're not that conservative).  We voted you out of Congress because you ignored the will of the people and on top of that, every time you open your mouth, we cringe. Your style of hyper-partisan rhetoric drags the whole country down to the level of squabbling dogs.  You are a bomb throwing hack who doesn't deserve a national stage.  You embarassed yourself, you embarassed your constituents, you embarrassed your party and you embarrassed the country.  As soon as you open your mouth, the IQ level in the room drops 30 points.    When I think of a knuckle-dragging neanderthal out to gleefully bash heads, your face comes to mind. 

You may be a good lawyer, but you suck as a congressman.  Nothing that you did for your district or the country is worth having to deal with you on a frequent basis.  Considering you hail from a traditionally conservative district, gerrymandered or not, a thinking man would have thought about the electoral ramifications of vilifying and insulting conservatives on a consistent basis.   Performances like this certainly don't help:



Your righteous indignation at Mr. Bolling's saying that talking to you was like talking to a medicated person came off hollow, as you had repeatedly insulted the man and his audience right out of the gate.  You refused to answer his questions, you refuse to acknowledge that your own rhetoric sank your reelection campaign, and you refuse to act like a normal, civil human being.  One wonders why you even bothered to go on a Fox show in the first place, considering your obvious disdain for the network and it's many millions of viewers. 

You have rage issues, Mr. Grayson.  You see a majority of this country as the enemy.  That right there disqualifies you from politics, period.  No doubt you are a lovely person, provided the people around you agree with you completely.  But your base attacks, your ham-handed attempts at cleverness, and your smug, obnoxious attitude repels people - voters in particular.  You are what is wrong with politics today.  You happily go about demonizing whole groups of people because they disagree with your party.  You refuse to listen to them, you refuse to compromise, you refuse to even be civil. 

So please, Mr. Grayson, for the sake of your own dignity (if you even have any shreds of it left), please just go away.  I'd tell you it's what the voters want, but that doesn't seem to matter to you anyway, so why bother?  Just take the voters of the 8th CD's word for it - you're not cut out for politics.  Go work for MSNBC.  You'll fit right in.  And if you do, please be sure to move to New York.  We'll help you pack.

SEMPER FI

On this day in 1775 in a tavern in Philadelphia, the Marine Corps was born.  Tun Tavern, established in 1685, was the birthplace of the Marines because the tavern owner, Robert Mullan, was commissioned by an act of Congress to raise the first two battalions of Continental Marines.  The first appointed commandant was Samuel Nicholas.  His grandfather was a member of the Tun Tavern Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, as was Mullan.  It is this connection that lead to Tun Tavern being the birthplace of the USMC. 

In 1775 the US Navy was established to intercept British ships sent to resupply British troops in the colonies.  Five companies of Marines were mustered at Tun Tavern to join the Navy in their mission to stop the British ships.  Those first Marines carried drums painted yellow with a coiled rattlesnake with thirteen rattles and the motto "Don't Tread on Me".  A flag of this design was given by Marine Colonel Christopher Gadsden to the first commander-in-chief of the Navy, Commodore Esek Hopkins, to be used as a personal standard, and the South Carolina legislature (Gadsden was the Congressional representative from SC).  This flag became known as the Gadsden flag and was one of the first flags of our young country, eventually being replaced by Old Glory. It is still an acknowledged symbol of the Corps to this day, as well as a symbol of liberty and a wonderful example of American spirit.  A truly fitting symbol for our brave men and women in the USMC.

Our Marines are some of the most respected fighting men in the world.  Their bravery is legendary.  Their motto, Semper Fi - always faithful - is a tribute to their love of country.  Their ranks have included tough guy icons like Steve McQueen, Lee Marvin, George C. Scott, Gene Hackman and R. Lee Ermey.  Joining the Marines is a special call of duty.  When things get tough, the Marines get to work.  First in, last out.  Mention the word 'Marine' and patriot's hearts are filled with pride and our enemies hearts are filled with fear.

So raise a glass today, and join the world-wide celebration of the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  And for those readers who count themselves among the few and the proud, thank you for your service.  God bless you all.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

MEMORANDUM FOR SLAUGHTER

On October 25, 2010, President Obama signed a memorandum that will exempt four countries from 2008's Child Soldiers Prevention Act - Yemen, Sudan, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This Act was a bipartisan effort to block countries that recruit child soldiers from getting US military assistance or buying US arms. Two other countries mentioned in the law, Myanmar and Somalia, are still prohibited.


So let me get this straight - if a kid in this country makes a gun shape with her finger and pretend 'shoots', she is suspended for making a "terroristic threat" to a teacher. But if some third world hellhole forcefully 'recruits' a kid, gives him a real gun, trains him and sends him off to war, they get Uncle Sam to supply the weapons and foot the bill.

Isn't this genocide? Why are we now supporting this?

For those not aware of the genocide in Darfur, many of those fleeing the violence are seeking refuge in Chad - another of the four exempted countries. Could there possibly be a spillover of violence?

This has gotten little notice, but it should. How can Obama in good conscience exempt these countries? What in the world is he thinking? The reason given for the exemptions is 'national security', and yet there is no explanation forthcoming on how, exactly, this affects our national security. Is there some crisis he sees down the road where we will need armed children at our disposal? Or does he believe the armed youth will be the voices of reason that will overthrow the government and then create a peaceful utopia?

Darfur is already in chaos. Tacit approval of child soldiers by the US government is like throwing gasoline on a brushfire. Please remember that this isn't economic aid, aid for reugees or food and other supplies for the poor. This is a block on military aid. Places like Darfur most definitely do NOT need more weapons. What they need is a functioning, accountable government and a return to sanity. This memorandum all but ensures they will not get it.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

SO LONG, TEACUPS!

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping. Truly a picture perfect day. But honestly, it would have been a beautiful day even if it was pouring. Because last night, everything changed.  Last night a storm swept through and washed everything clean.


Today is a beautiful day because Alan Grayson is no longer my congressman.

I'm happy that Queen Nan has been kicked to the curb, that so many states will now be governed by conservatives, and that Marco Rubio has won. But my dearest heart's desire, to see Alan "Teacups" Grayson sent home after one term. has come to pass and I'm fairly giddy with it!

We had to have line work done to our cable/internet connection (a tree grew through the line) today, so I was unable to watch the post election wrap-ups. What I have seen has given me the impression that there are others who are just as happy as me that DisGrayson will no longer be darkening the halls of Congress and it's just so nice to know that it was a shared dream and a successful effort.

Last night was a resounding repudiation of the Pelosi/Obama agenda.  It wasn't the messaging, it wasn't the weather, it wasn't anything  but their policies and the offensive, patronizing, arrogant way in which it was implemented against the will of a majority if Americans.  We still have a long two months of lame duck session to go, but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. A rebuke was delivered and a mandate presented. The people have demanded a course change. Now it is up to the republicans to deliver and the White House to triangulate.

The big question is this: Will Barack Obama move to the center and compromise or will he remain firmly entrenched on the left - damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead? Compromise will get him reelected, entrenchment will get him primaried. 

There is plenty of time to ponder that question. Tomorrow.  For now, it's time to bask in the glory -

Alan Grayson is NOT my congressman! 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

DANIEL WEBSTER 1, DEVIL 0 Updated

Ding, dong, the psycho's gone!!!!

No more shall I hang my head in shame that Alan Grayson is my representative.  Praise God, haleluia!!  Congratulations, Daniel Webster.  It was a dirty fight, but you handled it with dignity. 

It looks like Nancy Pelosi will no longer be Speaker of the House.  Fox News is projecting a 60 seat gain for republicans, far more than the 39 needed to take the majority.

I just want to know when they will be airing footage of Pelosi handing over the gavel to Boehner on CSPAN.  I want to DVR it so I can watch that sweet, sweet moment over and over and over again.  January 3rd just can't come soon enough....

With all of the heady projections of 70+ seats going red and a possible Senate takeover, all I really wanted was three things:

1. Alan Grayson loses reelection.  Badly loses.  I'm talking double digits.
2. Nancy Pelosi loses the majority and thus her Speakership.
3. Harry Reid loses reelection.

Well, I've gotten two out of three so far, but I'm really hoping for a hat trick.  I'm waiting anxiously for the returns from Nevada and will post an update when there is some news.

UPDATE:  With 30% of precincts reporting, Harry Reid is in the lead, 51-44.  Well, two out of three ain't bad....

ELECTION DAY DRINKING GAME

The Washington Examiner has the key phrases for the Election Day Drinking Game.  Every time you hear one of these phrases from a pundit or talking head, take a drink of your favorite beverage (The Examiner has offered helpful suggestions for drink options):

1. "Anti-incumbent"
2. "Temper tantrum"
3. "Blind rage"
4. Blame Obama for "not getting the message out"
5. Voter racism
6. Mention McDonalds owner who told employees to vote Republican
7. "Secret money"
8. Drink for every block in which Christine O'Donnell is most mentioned candidate

Here's one I'd like to add - If a liberal pundit mentions the Harry Reid/Harrah's situation, you get a splash of cold water. 

Enjoy the coverage and don't drink and drive!