Sanity in the World?

Into all lives, a little Sanity must fall.

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Location: Michigan, United States

See post here: About Me

Monday, February 27, 2006

Random Military Information

Here, let me introduce you to some fine folks:

The real news in Iraq

Meet:

David Bellavia is a former U.S. Army staff sergeant who served in the First Infantry Division for six years. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor by his leadership, and has been nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross. He has received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Conspicuous Service Cross (New York state's highest combat valor award) and was recently inducted into the New York State Veteran's Hall of Fame. His Task Force 2-2 Infantry has fought on such battlefields as Al Muqdadiyah, An Najaf, Al Fallujah, Mosul, and Baqubah. His actions in Fallujah, Iraq, were documented in the Nov. 22, 2004, cover story "Into the Hot Zone" by award-winning journalist Michael Ware. He is 30 years old.

Rep. Murtha is causing casualties



This is part of the effort to provide safe, secure, healthy and professional law enforcement facilities for police officers so they can protect Iraqi citizens, secure their country from terrorists and apprehend criminals.

Celebrating with Iraqi Policemen



These children are fortunate enough to be attending a newly renovated school that the US Army Corps of Engineers finished renovating in December in Diwnaiyah Province. The school was previously called Saddam Hussein School and was in such deplorable condition that engineers thought the building should be condemned.

The community said no, they wanted to keep their school and I call this a phoenix project, almost like rising from the ashes. After new electrical wiring, ceiling fan fixtures, bathrooms, clean water, tiles on the floor and tiles in the courtyard for a playground, new plaster and lots of paint, the transformation is amazing.

The schools has 1600 children, it is in a poor area of the city and we attended the afternoon session that day which has all girls. Some schools have mixed boys and girls and some have separate classes. I'm told some have classes together until a certain age.

We delivered about 30 boxes of school supplies and backpacks to this school and we are trying to find donations to buy desks. More children could attend school if there were more desks. The desks they are using now are broken, sliverd, corners missing and I even saw one desk with the top missing so the children had nothing to write on. Yet these children sit three to one desk and smiled gleefully at getting one crayon out of a box, one colored pencil and one piece of candy. It is hard for us to imagine such gratitude when our children have boxes of crayons and more candy than they can consume.

Read the rest here



Meet Lieutenant K

I about died laughing at this one:

If I get waxed because I can’t move out of the way of oncoming bullets someone please find out who was behind it all and punch them in the balls for me.


Friendly Fire - With Friends like these...

And here is someone who GETS IT!

I was sitting in my backyard this weekend -enjoying a six pack and unwinding- and I started thinking about blogging and how it has shaken my old ideologies to the core. I once self-identified as a conservative, in the Reagan-esque definition of the word "conservative." No big government, few taxes, guide the nation according to the concrete Constitution (as opposed to those silly "living Constitutionalists," and a strong national defense.

I still believe in all that, but I realized that blogging day in and day out about our new enemy, the war in Iraq, and the rise of the new anti-war movement has given me tunnel vision. Today I could care less about stem cell research and gay marriage, abortion and taxes. I don't give a damn about the petty squables of the pre-9/11 world. All I care about is winning this war.

Thus my new ideology is that of victory. I'm not conservative or liberal or liberatarian or Green or Republican or Democrat. I'm pro-victory. Once upon a time my vote would have gone to a Republican 99.999% of the time. Today my votes will go to the candidates who prove themselves as committed to fighting this fight to the end, even if it takes years, decades, or centuries.

I hate cowardice more than I hate high taxes. I despise weakness more than I despise abortion. I'm more intolerant of lack of resolve than I am of campaign finance reform. And all I see out of this new anti-war movement is weakness, cowardice, and gutlessness.

A self identified anti-war type wrote in our comments section earlier:

Read the rest here
This person gets it. He understands.
It should not matter what political affiliation you are, you should be PRO-VICTORY!


"The Army met 103 percent of its goal with 8,337 recruits; the Navy got 101 percent of its goal with 2,726 new sailors; the Marine Corps met 106 percent of its goal with 3,234 Marine recruits; and the Air Force got 101 percent of its goal with 2,195 new airmen, according to the DOD.

The Army National Guard also got 113 percent of its goal with 6,341 recruits, while the Marine Corps Reserve and Air Force Reserve each met 100 percent of their goal with 854 and 2,362 recruits respectively."

Stars and Stripes

Oh those Evil Republicans will DRAFT you, but..but...but....
Look who is renewing the call for a DRAFT for the 3rd time:

WASHINGTON — A New York congressman has once again proposed reinstating the draft, not just to boost the ranks of U.S. fighters but also to discourage what he sees as some politicians’ cavalier attitude toward military action.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has introduced the legislation twice before, each time with no success. Two years ago the House rejected his idea by a 402-2 vote.

Stars and Stripes
Where is the media reports on this?
A 3rd time!

Hollywood wants to make a movie about Iraq called "Over There". The Soldiers who have seen it say it complete bull**** and hollywood has no clue.

"Thank God that's over," said a master sergeant as the credits rolled.


But some camo-clad critics at Camp Murray were left wondering just what the message was in "Over There." One said a young soldier who brags about slitting the throat of a child sentry "makes us look like murderers."

Master Sgt. Jeff Clayton complained that cameras deliberately dragged out the death scenes of Iraqi insurgents after a firefight, lingering unnecessarily on the carnage. "It made me sick."

And where, soldiers asked, were the scenes of soldiers building schools, Iraqi kids waving American flags?

Soldiers say 'Over There' is 'bogus'




Also, I was appalled reading this report on the LA Times front page smear on Michael Yon. As you are aware, I am a huge fan of Michael Yon and feel he speaks from a soldiers perspective rather than the elitist, ignorant perspective of the vast majority of journalist. The LA Times is a great example of this type of reporting, and anyone wishing to get a very negative view on things here in Iraq or Afghanistan (or Pres. Bush) can find it in either the LA or the NY Times.

Soldiers Diary




With the Kaiserslautern military community home to more than 50,000 Americans with military ties, Sheehan could face a rough welcome. When asked for comment Wednesday on Sheehan’s upcoming visit, several soldiers in Kaiserslautern asked if they could be quoted anonymously.

One soldier, who recently returned from Iraq, did give his name but didn’t have much to say about Sheehan.

“Anything I would have to say about her, you couldn’t print,” Army Staff Sgt. Mark Genthner said.

Stars and Stripes




After a year of rounding up bad guys, destroying Saddam's weapons caches and rebuilding Iraq, why would a veteran want to pay for information from the MSM? Those stories don't make the news, except for the aforementioned smaller newspapers and TV stations following their home units. Drop a Koran in Gitmo 8 and you're on the front page for two weeks 9, but pass out thousands of them in Iraq to needy worshipers and the press won't give you the time of day, unless of course you happen to accidentally drop one.

I've heard this a thousand times from soldiers of many races, creeds and colors. If I had a dollar for every time a grunt asked me if the media "covered the same war that I fought," I'd be a rich man. Simply put, soldiers think more than the rest of the populace that the press selectively covers stories, and with that mindset, I doubt they will ever be convinced to pay for the privilege of reading them. And I think it's safe to say that soldiers' families aren't going to be inclined to subsidize slander libel of their loved ones via a newspaper subscription (oops -- slander is spoken, libel is written).

Media Slander



Today Show: US Soldier in Iraq Zaps Media - "I'd Be Depressed Too If I Got my News from the Newspapers"

"For those of us who have actually had a chance to get out and meet the Iraqi Army and Iraqi police and go on patrols with them, we are very satisfied with the way things are going here and we are confident that if we are allowed to finish the job we started we'll be very proud of it and our country will be proud of us for doing it!"

Today Show Suprise


Why do I have to read British newspapers to learn about the heroic actions of our troops?

Ack! Sorry got carried away lol.


"Freedom is the natural condition of the human race, in which the Almighty intended men to live. Those who fight the purpose of the Almighty will not succeed. They always have been, they always will be, beaten." - Abraham Lincoln (Feb 23, 1861)

Music and Moods

Ever notice the feeling a real good song can give you?

It can lift you up...

It can make the hairs on your head and arms stand up...

It can make your muscles tight with energy...

I can make you feel alive and sharp...


How many songs do you know that can really do that to you?

I know of very few.

Granted my listening tastes have changed over the years to the point I now am a regular listener to Smooth Jazz and a mix of Country.

I came across Amy Lee some time ago, and if you do not know who she is, she is the Lead singer for Evanescence.

Now I am not big on everything they put out, but my favorites so far have been:

* Bring me to Life
* Going Under
* Everybody's Fool
* Imaginary

Not sure how you would classify it, but more of a Goth Rock.

For those that know me would surely find this strange for me, but I find myself drawn to these few songs. What I listed before on how a good song makes you feel, the first 2 songs can definately make my hair raise.

It is hard to describe just what a song can do to you.

For myself, music has always been around me in one fashion or another.

It affects my moods and how I think.
I listen to Classical and some Smooth Jazz and feel I can concentrate easier.
I listen to Classic Rock mainly just a few of the oldies I really enjoy.
I listen to very little Heavy Metal, and only when the mood hits.

Music, it transports you, makes you think, makes you feel...Depending on the Music.

Can't get that from TV.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Censoring the hat

On Dancing with the Stars, Drew Lachey's antics shown on the East Coast but for the West Coast is cut away.



Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke dance to “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” for their freestyle dance. In perhaps the most original performance of the competition to date, Drew and Cheryl wow the crowd and the judges. Len Goodman calls it “everything freestyle should be.” Bruno Tonioli proclaims that Drew is “ready for the lead in Brokeback Mountain the Musical.”

Link

At which time, the West Coast cut away as Drew Lachey took off his hat and covered his butt, which had the place roaring with laughter, but only the East Coast got to see it.

Afraid to see a hat on the butt West Coasters?

Obviously those who broadcast to you seem to think the West Coasters are overly sensitive that a hat covering a butt will offend everyone.

Drew Lachey Censored for West Coast Viewers

Drew Lachey nailed back-to-back perfect scores, but only half of the country got to witness all of his antics, as ABC deemed one comment Drew made too hot for West Coast viewers!

Lachey's reaction to Judge Bruno's "Brokeback" comment was censored on the West Coast. And when our Dayna Devon asked him to explain why the hat went where it went, Lachey responded, "I heard I've been edited."


From Access Hollywood:

A regretful Drew Lachey caused a controversy with his response to Judge Bruno Tonioli's remarks.

Bruno told Drew after his freestyle dance that the 98 Degrees star was "ready for the lead in 'Brokeback Mountain: The Musical!'"

Drew took the hat off dance partner Cheryl Burke's head and put it behind him.

"It was there," Drew said. "What else can I grab? She is not wearing anything else! I guess ABC, and their parent companies, don't find my humor as humorous as I do, so, maybe I need a cable show, not network!"

While Drew's response aired live on the East Coast, it was edited out on the West Coast.

Monday, February 20, 2006

The Main Stream Media - Gasping for Breath

From the Post at Sister Toldjah, and the Media's hope to drag the Cheney accidental shooting out for yet another week, I couldn't help but add some comments of my own:


CNN’s Candy Crowley added: “The perception is that we’re whining.”

I am glad you see this perception, because it is striking how glaring OBVIOUS it seems to the public that you ARE whining.


On CNN’s RELIABLE SOURCES, WASHINGTON POST reporter Dana Milbank fretted that the White House is exploiting the public’s growing disdain for the mainstream media. “Of course they succeed,” Milbank said of Bush aides. “The press always looks awful. They will once again make us look awful.”

Buddy, you don't need any help in this.
The President nor his Aides share in any blame in forcing you to put your own feet in your mouth. You did quite well on your own.

On Meet the Press this morning, the roundtable that included Mary Matalin, David Gregory, Maureen Dowd, and Paul Gigot, discussed the importance, or lack of importance, of the Cheney hunting incident. David Gregory, the White House Press correspondent, apologized for the on and off camera fit he threw with Scott McCllelan, noting his wife made him do it. Matalin duked it out with both Gregory and Dowd at several points because the former noted the bias the press has towards this administration. Dowd kept trying to excuse that because they are so secretive, and David hid behind the “it’s my job” argument. Matalin, who finally got fed up with Gregory and the press hiding their bias, said that “you [the press] went on a jihad”. Thank you, somebody had to say it, and I am glad it was Mary Matalin.

Yes, Yes they did Mary, and I am so glad you called them on it.
See the video Here.

You are trying to blame the administration for YOUR bad reporting?

Isn't that rich.

Take some personal responsibility and realize that the MSM in the way it has been acting is completely out of touch with the main body of Americans.

This has become such a YAWN issue.
When Mr Whittington came out of the Hospital, all the theories of the tinfoil hat wearing Liberal Media were shot to hell.

Blaming someone for YOUR follies will just make you look even more like the whiney, pathetic, little kids you seem to have degenerated into.

If you try reporting the news in an unbiased manner your ratings might be better. But adding in some wanna-be SNL type tricks into your reporting just makes you look foolish and stupid.

By the way, if your going to do a mock parody of a hunter with orange caps and orange vests, take off the 3 piece suits cause it makes you look incredibly stupid. Begala please lose the orange baseball cap. I keep expecting to see a little propellor on top.


TIME headlines a poll: DICK CHENEY APPROVAL RATING 29%

Did I miss something?
Did Vice President Cheney announce he is running for President?

What is with the Poll Numbers and do we really even care?

Expose the Left could not have said it any better than this after reporting on Neal Gabler completely losing his mind:

First it was Cheney was drunk, then it was Cheney is cheating on his wife with the ambassador to Switzerland, and now it’s he did it on purpose. Memo to the left, pick, choose, and stay with your conspiracy theories.


By the way, for Neal Gablers losing his mind, see the video here.

Where this moron (I must call him that, since the accusations he levels is so moronic - I wonder if Cheney can sue for slander?), goes on TV to say he thinks Cheney shot his friend ON PURPOSE. Yes, you heard me right. We have gone from Cheney being drunk, to cheatin gon his wife, to now shotting his friend ON PURPOSE.

And the Media wonders why we have a hard time taking them seriously.

Read what Expose the Left writes here:

Ok that’s it, Neal Gabler is officially insane. On last night’s edition of FOX News Watch, the “media critic” basically accused Cheney of shooting his friend, Harry Whillington on purpose to distract the public from the Abu Ghraib story. No mention that it is the media who starts these brouhahas and no mention of the Al Gore story that was subsequently squashed because of this incident. Yes, it would make perfect political sense that Cheney would shoot a man on purpose. First it was Cheney was drunk, then it was Cheney is cheating on his wife with the ambassador to Switzerland, and now it’s he did it on purpose. Memo to the left, pick, choose, and stay with your conspiracy theories.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Neal Gabler has literally lost his mind.

Courtesy of Expose the Left, the following certainly does Expose the wild, insane and pathetic attempts the Left seem to be employing to try and "get" Vice President Cheney:

Ok that’s it, Neal Gabler is officially insane. On last night’s edition of FOX News Watch, the “media critic” basically accused Cheney of shooting his friend, Harry Whillington on purpose to distract the public from the Abu Ghraib story. No mention that it is the media who starts these brouhahas and no mention of the Al Gore story that was subsequently squashed because of this incident. Yes, it would make perfect political sense that Cheney would shoot a man on purpose. First it was Cheney was drunk, then it was Cheney is cheating on his wife with the ambassador to Switzerland, and now it’s he did it on purpose. Memo to the left, pick, choose, and stay with your conspiracy theories.

Neal Gabler: Cheney Purposely Shot Whillington For Political Reasons (VIDEO

Eminent Domain - a Blight on our Constitution


Last fall Mr. Peterson told a Senate subcommittee that when the government threatens to condemn people's property because it thinks someone else can make better use of it, "a majority of the time, most people agree to sell."

Interesting. Given the choice between selling and fighting an expensive legal battle they will almost certainly lose, after which they will have to give up their land anyway, probably on less advantageous terms, most people "agree" to sell.

"Cities use eminent domain most often as a negotiating tool with property owners," explained Mr. Peterson, speaking for the National League of Cities. "Just having the tool available makes it possible to negotiate with landowners." Sure it does -- in the same way having a gun available makes it possible for a bank robber to negotiate with a bank teller.

..........

Reform opponents say Kelo did not really change the law, forcibly transferring property from one private owner to another had been upheld by state and federal courts. But until Kelo, the Supreme Court had not said the Fifth Amendment, which restricts eminent domain to "public uses," allows local governments to take perfectly good (not "blighted") homes and businesses on behalf of private developers.

By agreeing any private use expected to increase tax revenue and create jobs counts as a public use, the court gave a green light to politicians who might otherwise have hesitated because of the lingering legal uncertainty. As Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said in her dissent, "Nothing is to prevent the state from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping center, or any farm with a factory."

Mr. Peterson claims "eminent domain is used sparingly." Yet the Institute for Justice, which represented the property owners in Kelo v. New London, found 10,000 cases in which condemnation was used or threatened for the benefit of private developers during a five-year period. The true number is probably much higher, as the study relied on newspaper articles and recorded cases, reflecting a fraction of such land grabs.

In practice, that is all it takes to seize people's homes and businesses: the unilateral judgment of politicians that society would be better served if the property were in different hands.

Read the rest here.

Please, for the love of God, let the Supreme Court revisit this nightmare and correct this affront to the Rights of the Citizens to own property!

What if the Media treated Al Gore like Cheney

Reading Tom Bevan's post on A Tale of Two Vice Presidents, gave me the idea of what would happen if we substitute the wild conspiracy theories of the Liberal Media on Al Gore's Trip to Saudi Arabia.....


On Sunday at a major international economic forum in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Gore decried the treatment of Arabs in the United States after Sept. 11, telling the crowd that many had been "indiscriminately rounded up" and "held in conditions that were just unforgivable." Gore criticized America's current visa policy as "thoughtless" and "a mistake" and then apologized for the "terrible abuses" Arabs have suffered in America since 9/11.

What consiracy theories could we come up with?

Was Al gore Drunk?
I don't know but I have seen people that mean when they get drunk, and he definately seems angry all the time. Could he have a drinking problem?

Al Gore was normally so mellow during his campaign, now he seems so irritated and angry all the time. Could he be doing concaine?

Could he be on drugs and now be off them?
Is it possible Al Gore was on Ritalin and not taking his medications at the time he spoke in Saidi Arabia?

Of course when people are no longer drinking, and they have been drunks for a long time, they go through the DTs and become very irritable and angry at everyone.

Could Al Gore be going through a drying out stage from him being drunk all the time?

Now these are the type of things the media seems to be going round and round with on Vice President Cheney.

Can you imagine this being said about Al Gore?

On a serious note though, former Vice President Gore has not even visited Guantanomo where the prisoners eat better than the troops who guard them.

Indiscriminately rounded up?
They were caught on the field of battle, or in raids on terrorists bases, or firing on US soldiers. Indescriminate my ass.

They are held in conditions that were unforgivable?
AL, AL, AL....can I call you AL?

You really should go SEE how these prisoners are treated and are being held before you open your mouth.

These prisoners you support are prisoners caught and detained in acts of terrorism, firing on US troops. Not picking any bearded Muslim off the street and taking him prisoner like you seem to suggest.

These prisoners are also ones who fling feces and urine at our troops who guard them. Where is your condemation of that? Where is your support of our troops AL?


But Gore's remarks set a new standard. Gore is the former vice president of the United States and one of the most recognizable American political figures in the world. His accusation of the "indiscriminate" abuse of Arabs in the United States is disgracefully irresponsible not only because it is a grotesque misrepresentation of fact but because it was delivered in the country that is the epicenter of extremist Wahabbism, and the home of Osama bin Laden as well as 15 of the 19 hijackers responsible for killing more than 3,000 innocent Americans 41/2 years ago.

Why would you go to the home of of those who hold us in contempt and stir up more hatred for the US AL? I can still call you AL, right?

Why would you increase the dangers our US troops abroad face from angry extremist Muslims AL?

Why would you increase the chances of kidnapping and torture of our US citizens that travel abroad by angry extremists Muslims AL?

Why do you hate America and its citizens by putting them in increased danger AL?


Did Gore really think his comments were beneficial to the United States of America?

Was he putting the interests of his country first?

Did he believe making an exaggerated claim of U.S. abuse of Muslims and then apologizing for it on Middle Eastern soil would somehow help build goodwill for the United States in the Islamic world?

AL, do you really think you made us safer with going into the hornets nest and whacking it a few times?

Do you think by putting your feet on Arab soil and looking back and giving the finger to the US, then snickering with your hosts of Muslims would be anything but egotistical self-grandizing on your part?

AL are you looking for donations from them? Could this be a reason why you are sucking up to them and trashing the US?


There has to be another calculation involved -- namely, that Gore was trying to build goodwill for himself (both in the Muslim world and with crucial constituencies at home) by claiming rampant abuse of Muslims in America and then offering a personal apology. Simply put, Gore took the opportunity to make himself look good by making his country look bad.

Tell me it ain't so AL....
Tell me you did not besmirch the US, burn a US flag with your words, just to make yourself look better to the Arab Muslims.

AL, you do realize that extreme Muslims will laugh at your remarks, use it to incite more Muslim hatred for the US and its allies, and then will gladly saw your head off?

AL, do you realize that if you are not a believer in Islam that you are nothing to them? You are the enemy to them.


And what about the substance of what Gore said on America's current visa policy? Last month he ripped the Bush administration over a program designed to eavesdrop on conversations between suspected terrorists overseas and persons in the United States. Now Gore bemoans the tighter restrictions placed on visitors traveling to the United States from countries that have a higher likelihood of producing terrorists.

Gore is against eavesdropping on potential terrorist communications and he's against tighter screens for visitors originating from Islamic countries. So exactly what would America's national security policy look like under a Gore administration?

Is this true AL?
Do you wish to make it easier for terrorists to attack us?

You are against eavesdropping on suspected terorists? Tell me AL, are terrorist rights protected under our US Constitution? Do they have any rights?

AL do you want to give these terroists rights?

AL, supposedly you are an American Citizen. Are you not worried that if we decrease security, make things easier for Middle Eastern or other immigrants coming into this country, that we would be allowing ourselves to become an easier target to be attacked?

I don't think I want to call you AL anymore, FORMER Vice President.
I really do not think you have mine, and other US citizens best interest at heart anymore.

If you go back over there to trash the US again, please stay there, and someone in the US please revoke his damn passport.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Celebrity Spotlight - Bruce Willis


BRUCE WILLIS TELLS RITA COSBY HE WILL OFFER $1 MILLION TO ANY CIVILIAN WHO TURNS IN OSAMA BIN LADEN, AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI OR ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI

Secaucus, NJ - November 11, 2005 -- In an interview that aired last night on MSNBC's "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct" (9 p.m. ET), actor Bruce Willis told Cosby he would offer one million dollars to any civilian who would turn in Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri or Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Willis talks to Cosby about his support for embedded blogger Michael Yon, and the actor says he is in talks about a possible film about the Deuce Four, the soldiers Yon is embedded with in Iraq.

Following is the complete transcript of the interview. "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct" airs weeknights from 9 - 10 p.m. ET. Angie Dorr is the executive producer.
********

COSBY: Getting stories out of Iraq is not easy. Bruce Willis found that out firsthand when he went over to visit U.S. troops serving in Armed Forces.

Tonight, we are rejoined by an independent blogger who is bringing back some amazing pictures and stories from Iraq, Michael Yon. And also again with us is actor Bruce Willis, who is back with us on the phone.

It's great to have both of you here. You know, Bruce, I want to start with you. Last night, we talked a little bit about what's happening over in Iraq. You said the media isn't covering the full story. What are we missing?

BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR: I am baffled to understand why the things that I saw happening in Iraq, really good things happening in Iraq, are not being reported on.

Michael has been over there, was embedded with the members of the Deuce Four, you know, the battalion that actually won the battle for Mosul, that -- Michael, correct me if I'm wrong -- these are the guys who allowed the election to take place, the election that happened just, you know, a couple months ago, to take place, which is, you know, just a monumental thing. And it's not being reported on.

COSBY: You know, Bruce, you know, let's face it. A lot of celebrities have not been over there. A lot of folks in Hollywood have been very critical of what's happening in the war. Do you think, if a lot of your colleagues in Hollywood went over there, saw it for themselves, they'd have a different opinion?

WILLIS: I absolutely think that. I think we live in a global world. And I think that -- I think America is just too isolationist.
And a lot of big choices are being made. You know, to say this is not our fight, when this is the same fight that this country fought 60 years ago and the entire world fought 60 years ago, for the same kind of terrorism, the same kind of thing.

This is not a new war. This is not a new kind of fighting. This is the same fight. And it's back. And it's time for it to stop.

COSBY: You know, we've seen some of these amazing pictures that we're showing here.

You know, Michael, there's a photo I want to show of a soldier and a baby girl, in particular. Here it is. Why is this photo so meaningful, Michael?


Courtesy of National Review

MICHAEL YON, EMBEDDED BLOGGER: Well, I shot that photo on a day when a suicide or homicide car bomber ran into one of our Stryker vehicles, injured a couple of our soldiers, and, unfortunately, there were a lot of children who had crowded around to wave at our people.

And the attackers had every opportunity to just wait a couple of blocks and attack our guys later, without the children being around, but instead chose to attack straight through the children.

And Major Bieger, who is in the photo, found the little girl -- her name is Farah -- and decided he wanted to get her to the hospital as quickly as possible.

And so he picked her up, wrapped her in a blanket, and loaded her into one of our vehicles and started to take her to the hospital as fast as possible. And unfortunately, little Farah died en route.

We went back to that neighborhood the next day, and the people there actually welcomed us with open arms. They welcomed us into their homes.

We got into a firefight there again the next day. And the people in that part of the city began to give us more and more information about the terrorists until it got to the point where -- it's very dangerous to be a terrorist now in Mosul, because...

COSBY: You know, it's incredible to hear these stories, Michael. I mean, it's amazing what you went through firsthand.

And, you know, Bruce, you know, as you're hearing these stories from Michael, I understand why your jaw just dropped when you saw these pictures.

Are you thinking, maybe at some point, you know, playing a role with the Deuce Four? Is that something maybe you'd consider?

WILLIS: We are talking about that right now. But it's not really about the film. It's about these guys.

It's about these guys who do what they are asked to do for very little money to defend and fight for what they consider to be freedom.

And it's not just for this country. It's for the world. It is time for terrorism to stop. And the United States is the country that can stop it. And that's what they're doing over there.

And there is -- I have no idea why this country is not getting the information that Michael Yon has, you know, access to, is, you know, showing people. It's just not getting out, and it's baffling.

COSBY: You know, Bruce, in 2003, you admirably offered $1 million for the capture of Saddam. I have to ask you, because just last night we had on our show so many of those pictures, those horrific pictures of what happened in Jordan.

And right now, we've got three thorns in our side. We've got Zawahiri, of course, who is Osama bin Laden`s right-hand guy. You've got Osama bin Laden himself. And then you've got al-Zarqawi, the Iraqi who everyone believes is behind the mastermind of the attack, just those horrible attacks on three hotels just last night.

Are you prepared even right now to maybe offer $1 million for one of them?

WILLIS: Well, that was a conversation I was having with members of the military. I've since been told that military men and women cannot accept any reward for the job that they're doing. It was more about my passion for trying to stop Saddam Hussein.

COSBY: Would you offer that if somebody else, let's say a civilian, is willing to turn one of them in and finally put this to an end?

WILLIS: Yes, I would. Yes, I would.

I want to live in a world, and so do the Iraqi people want to live in a world, where they can move from their homes to the market and not have to fear being killed. And, I mean, doesn't everybody want that? Who doesn't want that?

COSBY: You bet.

And, Michael, I'm going to give you just a few seconds. What are you most proud of? I mean, your pictures just really show the heart and soul there.

YON: I'd actually like to say something about Bruce Willis. He's one of the men who has had the courageous to stand behind the troops. And the troops absolutely respect and love Bruce Willis.

He came out to the Deuce Four redeployment ball in Seattle. And I wonder if he realizes just how much they appreciated that. And it's just so good to see a man of his stature throwing his entire weight behind our people who are in harm's way.

COSBY: It's terrific.

WILLIS: Thank you so much, Michael.

COSBY: And hats off to both of you guys, not just Bruce. And, Bruce, thank you so much for being with us.

And, Michael, keep up the great work you're doing. Those pictures are amazing. And please come back, both of you, anytime. Thank you.

WILLIS: Thanks very much. Keep it up, Mike.

YON: Thanks, Bruce.

WILLIS: OK, buddy.

COSBY: Thank you guys very much.

YON: Bye, Rita.

COSBY: Thank you.

Link

Celebrity Spotlight - Gary Sinise


The U.S. media present a "completely opposite" view of what is really happening with American troops in Iraq, highlighting the negative and ignoring the positive, Emmy Award-winning actor Gary Sinise.

With so many in Hollywood knocking American efforts in the Middle East, Sinise – star of TV's "CSI: NY" – openly shows his support through actions as well as words.


Sinise has entertained troops in Iraq and is a co-founder – along with "Seabiscuit" author Laura Hillenbrand – of Operation Iraqi Children, a program that enables ordinary Americans to provide boys and girls in Iraq with school supply kits distributed by our men and women in uniform.


The actor, who played disabled Vietnam veteran Lieutenant Dan in "Forrest Gump," is also a spokesman for the U.S. Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation. He is also the co-founder of the Lt. Dan Band, a musical ensemble that entertains troops via USO tours. (Sinise plays a mean bass guitar.)


HIRSEN: Did the events of 9/11 change your view of the world?

SINISE: Yes, I think so. It definitely woke me up. I started doing a lot more looking into what was going on. I wanted to know why this happened. I knew that our military was going to start getting fairly active, and I wanted to do something, I wanted to help out. I felt, like a lot of people, very vulnerable in this country, having felt for so many years so secure. And all of a sudden to be attacked on our shores like that was a real slap in the face and a wake-up. I just felt like, well, we're a country at war now, and I wanted to be able to do something to help.

HIRSEN: You use the term "wake-up" to describe the change in attitude that 9/11 created. Why do you think 9/11 didn't change so many other folks in the media and in Hollywood?

SINISE: Well, I don't know anybody who wasn't affected by it; certainly at the time everyone was affected by it. I think there are some people that got more active in terms of volunteerism and feeling like life is much more precious than they had ever thought before and having a feeling of wanting to make the most out of it. That's what happened to me. I'm sure it happened to other people as well. And I'm sure there are many people who went back to sleep, or "it's business as usual," and that's unfortunate because I think the world changed that day. We've all heard that said. I just really believe it.

HIRSEN: What is your view of the way the media are portraying the military effort in Iraq and Afghanistan?

SINISE: It's interesting. I did an interview recently, and after the interview was over I got into a conversation with the journalist who was interviewing me who had been to Iraq as an embedded reporter; you know, fairly supportive of the media. I got into questioning why there seemed to be such an imbalance of reporting coming out of Iraq, and not just an imbalance but an omission or a confusion as to what is really going on and what is the whole truth of what is happening in Iraq, because I get a lot of other types of reports from Iraq that I never get from the media.

I'm in touch with dozens of military service members over there who are working quite diligently on their mission, accomplishing positive things, making progress, and who have a dedication and belief that what they are doing is helping, and therefore their morale is high. Yet in so many media reports we get a completely opposite view of what's happening with our military service members, that they are demoralized or broken or their morale is low and whatnot.

Granted, there probably are service members over there who don't have as high morale as somebody else might. There are a lot of people over there, and they're not going to all feel the same thing. But there's an overwhelming sense from a lot of the people that I deal with who are working cooperatively with the Iraqis on a day-to-day basis. They are making progress, and they're accomplishing positive things. Therefore they feel good about their mission, and some people who have gone would go back again.

I've talked to several people who were back here, who said, "Well, if they want me to go back, I'll go back." That doesn't sound like somebody who's angry about having gone to war, and what they did. ... A lot of people make general statements, big, sweeping, general statements. "The morale is down." That's a big, sweeping, general statement that lumps 150,000 people all into the same boat. "The Army is broken" or "The mission is not going well."

Well, there are day-to-day missions all over that country that are being accomplished by our service members, so it's not one single thing going on. There are people all over the country working with all kinds of things and doing all sorts of projects, combat related and civil affairs related, so there are many stories coming out of Iraq.

HIRSEN: What was it that you told the journalist?

SINISE: My point to this journalist [was] that I was disturbed at the media's willingness ... to go after the military regarding the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. It seemed like they could not put enough of those pictures on television enough times. We saw dozens and dozens and dozens of pictures daily, for two, three weeks, [showing] the lack of integrity of our military.

He [the journalist] said to me: "You know what, I don't care. I think we should put those pictures on every day and all the time, and I have no problem with that."

I said: "I can't disagree with you that it was a horrible misstep by a bunch of dufusses in our military, about 15 of them. But on the other hand I would say, where is the other side of the story? Why, if you're going to be so aggressive with depicting American troops in a negative manner, why not be just as aggressive to show the heroism of our service members?"

I brought up dozens of examples. There's a woman, a major, who is like a superwoman over there, helping kids and delivering kerosene lamps and pulling Iraqis out from under trucks and saving people and doing all these things. You never hear about that kind of stuff. Yet it seems like they can't wait to put bad news on.

I said, "You tell me. Why do we see one side of the story and not the other if there are two sides?" He paused, and then he said, "Well, bad news sells" – and that's all he could say.

HIRSEN: The media will respond somewhat flippantly that bad news is a hallmark of human nature. Do you find that response surprising considering this is a time of war?

SINISE: It seems like every day you could get a new piece of information that could throw you a curve. Personally, I believe that we are in a war, and I think there may be a fundamental difference with people that have varying degrees of conviction about who the enemy is, what the enemy's intentions are, whether we are actually in a war or not, who brought the war on, us or them. And there are always differing opinions about that.

Some people might not actually view this as a war. It's not like, the armada is coming; we can see it on the horizon; let's load the guns and defend the coastline. We can't do that anymore. There is an ideology out there that we have identified, that is threatening and requires response. Certainly we know that. But we're not fighting any particular country. We're fighting, basically, al-Qaida in Iraq now, and former Baathists of the Saddam Hussein regime.

There are a lot of people who didn't believe we should go to Iraq in the first place, so they're not going to view it as a war. And if they view it as a war, they view it as an illegal war, and they're not going to support it; therefore, they're not going to support the military members who are fighting it.

Personally, I believe that we are in a war. We are a country that's vulnerable. We saw that on Sept. 11.

There's no question in my mind that, given the opportunity to put a nuke in a suitcase, there are millions of people, not thousands but millions, who would dedicate themselves to detonating that nuke in one of our cities. I have no doubt in my mind. I saw it on Sept. 11. If they could have killed 300,000 instead of 3,000, they would have been all the happier about that. There's no question in my mind that that is a reality and that it has to be; that we will need our service members for many years to come and that we want to support them.

We're going to need these volunteers. That's why I get out there and support them. I believe there is an enemy and that the service members that we have are our defenders.


HIRSEN: You talk to servicemen and women regularly. Have they indicated that they're affected by the coverage of the war by the media?

SINISE: I have had some people mention it in terms of why don't they show any of the positive things that we're doing over here. I had one guy who delivered school supplies. That day they had a huge celebration in the village. It was a very cooperative day for everybody, and that to him was a big story. That was his story for the day. Instead he got back to the base and turned on the news and it was more of the same negative stuff.

It is big news every time bombs go off, and it's big news when our guys get hurt or killed. Those stories deserve to be told. But they [soldiers] might have been killed on a day when they had just accomplished some huge things and helped out a lot of people, and they would, I am sure, like that story to be told as well.

HIRSEN: Part of this is your story. You've co-founded Operation Iraqi Children. You're the national spokesman for the U.S. Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation. You've been involved with veterans for a long time, and people associate you with the military, with your role as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump." What was it that prompted your involvement and passion for veterans' causes?

SINISE: Years ago I was involved with a group of Vietnam veterans. I had worked on some theater material, a play where I got very involved with the Vietnam veterans that the play was portraying, and that was kind of a wake-up as well.

HIRSEN: Operation Iraqi Children (http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/) is such a wonderful concept. We have many readers who would like to show their support for the military. Why do you think that this is a good way for people to do that?

SINISE: Well, Jim, I've tried to, I've been very concerned and tried to keep Operation Iraqi Children as neutral a program as possible. I don't really go out and talk about my political views. I don't do a lot of criticizing of things, banging, slamming people, because Operation Iraqi Children, no matter what my political views are or anything like that, that's not what this program is.

I believe that these kids are the future of Iraq, and so many in that part of the world have been raised to think bad things about Americans or bad things about Western culture.

I'm actually in touch with Iraqis over there who are totally supportive and totally behind the United States being there and the coalition being there, and completely appreciative of the possibilities that they have now because of what has happened in the last two or three years.

Link

Politics & Celebrities

The Non-Support Celebrities take aim at Politics-
Alec Baldwin:

Cheney's the guy who told Libby to out Valerie Plame. The rumor I heard is that someone yelled, "Look out! Shooter!" and Cheney thought he said Scooter and fired in that general direction.

Cheney is a terrorist. He terrorizes our enemies abroad and innocent citizens here at home indiscriminately. Who ever thought Harry Whittington would be the answer to America's prayers. Finally, someone who might get that lying, thieving Cheney into a courtroom to answer some direct questions.

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Lauren Hutton:

A bizarre moment on CBS's Early Show on Thursday: In the midst of promoting her new cosmetics line for women over 35, former model turned actress Lauren Hutton, after incomprehensibly announcing that “the big nuke is the sun,” went into a feminist rant about how “governments everywhere are men and it is ancient and insane and shameful." She conceded, however, that without men we wouldn't have bridges or airplanes and that men are “fun in bed.” In fact, she shared how she's had sex with women too, but “I prefer men."

Link



Eddie Vedder lead singer of Pearl Jam:

Public revulsion at trashing the President in a time of war. “Incensed fans walked out of Pearl Jam's concert Tuesday after lead singer Eddie Vedder impaled a mask of President Bush on a microphone stand, then slammed it to the stage."

..........

...Most of Vedder's antiwar remarks earlier in the Pepsi Center show were greeted with mixed cheers and scattered boos. But dozens of angry fans walked out during the encore because of the macabre display with the Bush mask, which he wore for the song Bushleaguer, a Bush-taunting song from the band's latest album, Riot Act.

"When he was sharing his political views in a fairly benign manner -- supporting our troops, opposing policy -- that's OK," said Keith Zimmerman, of Denver.

"When he takes what looks like the head of George Bush on a stick, then throws it to the stage and stomps on it, that's just unacceptable. I love Pearl Jam, but that was just way over the edge. We literally got up and left."

"I wasn't sure if it was really happening," said Kim Mueller. "We looked at each other and realized he really did have George Bush's head on a stick and was waving it in the air, then slammed it to the ground and stepped on it."

"It was like he decapitated someone in a primal ritual and stuck their head on a stick," Zimmerman said....

Link


Mike Farrell (MASH):

....Actor Mike Farrell, best known for his role as Trapper John's replacement in "M*A*S*H," has emerged as a leading antiwar activist. This month, he even engaged in a surreal debate on geopolitics with former Senator Fred Thompson on "Meet the Press." "It is inappropriate," Farrell declared, "for the administration to trump up a case in which we are ballyhooed into war."

But in 1999, Mr. Farrell defended the Clinton administration's rationale for war in Kosovo: "I think it's appropriate for the international community in situations like this to intervene. I am in favor of an intervention." To avoid casualties, the Clinton administration had bombers fly at such high altitudes that "collateral damage" to civilians was bound to increase.

Hollywood stars were oddly silent when Mr. Clinton dropped bombs on Afghanistan and an aspirin factory in Sudan in 1998 in an unsuccessful attempt to deter Osama bin Laden. They were silent when, also in 1998, Mr. Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act into law and made regime change official U.S. policy....

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Sheryl Crow:

Sheryl Crow is appalled by George Bush's moves against Iraq, but she had no problem with Bill Clinton's intervention in the Balkans. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the singer accompanied Hillary Clinton on a USO tour to entertain U.S. troops in Bosnia. "Once over there, I felt extremely patriotic," Ms. Crow told a reporter that year. "Here are these people, from 18-year-olds to military veterans, enduring real duress for the cause of peace. I don't ever want to play for a regular audience again, only military folks who are starving for music." Ms. Crow hasn't been seen around any military bases lately.



Jamie Lee Curtis:

An anti-Bush outburst from a Hollywood celebrity on ABC's The View on Wednesday. When penta-host Meredith Vieira dared to pass along how President Bush said he will not be swayed by the anti-liberation of Iraq marches because he will not make policy based on a “focus group” since “he believes that the role of a leader...is to decide policy based upon the security of the people," guest penta-host Jamie Lee Curtis flew into a rage: "So then what is he talking about that it's a focus group? That was millions of people!...That was millions of the people that he's supposed to serve."

..........

- On President Bush
Vieira: "But the rap against Clinton was that he always had his finger up testing the wind, that he basically governed by focus group. Is that any better?"

Star Jones: "Well, I guess, you know, I guess the President says the majority of the people didn't elect him, he doesn't have to listen to 'em anyway."

Curtis agreed: "They didn't elect him, actually, at all."

Link


Queen Latifah:

.....Actress Queen Latifah implies "Whole Cold War Thing" a Ruse....
Queen Latifah, who was just nominated for an Academy Award, suggested the “whole Cold War thing,” in which “they made us scared” of the Soviet Union, was a big ruse.

“Don’t you want to know what’s real and what’s not? I remember when I was a kid, you know, this whole Cold War thing. They had us scared of the Russians. 'The Russians, the Russians, the Russians.' So it’s almost like what’s real and what’s not?”

Link


Danny Glover:

...“Yes, he’s racist,” Glover said in response to a question from a reporter from the Brazilian magazine Into E, according to our source’s translation.

“We all knew that but the world is only finding it out now. As Texas’s governor, Bush led a penitentiary system that executed more people than all the other U.S. states together. And most of the people who died from [the] death penalty were Afro-Americans or Hispanics.”

Glover continued: “[Bush] promoted a conservative program, designed to eliminate everything Americans had accomplished so far in matters of race and equality.”...

Link


Dustin Hoffman:

Dustin Hoffman denounces President Bush for his Iraq policy and arguing it's all about oil.

"For me as an American, the most painful aspect of this is that I believe that administration has taken the events of 9/11 and has manipulated the grief of the country and I think that's reprehensible," he said.

"I don't think, like many of us, that the reasons we have been given for going to war are the honest reasons.

"If they are saying it's about the fact they have biological weapons and might have nuclear weapons and that gives us the liberty to pre-empt and strike because we think they might hit us, then what prevents Pakistan from attacking India, what prevents India from attacking Pakistan, what prevents us from going into North Korea?

"I believe -- though I may wrong because I am no expert -- that this war is about what most wars are about: hegemony, money, power and oil".

Link


Ed Harris

Actor Ed Harris, who conceded to CNSNews.com that his wife, who is pro-abortion and an advocate for “women's rights,” has “educated me over the 20 years we have been together to the point where she's got me in her hip pocket," charged that President George W. Bush is not “a man,” apparently because of his pro-life position.

Harris leveled his insult at Bush's manhood during an appearance at Tuesday night's NARAL Pro-Choice America banquet. Harris is married to actress Amy Madigan who serves on the Board of Directors for NARAL Pro-Choice America.

When the spotlight turned on for him, he delivered some perfunctory remarks about the need to make sure women continue to have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. When he finished, the spotlight on his platform was turned off, but Harris protested and made clear he had something more to say: "Can I say one last thing?”

His plea worked and the spotlight on him was restored. He then launched into this mean-spirited personal attack on President Bush [be warned, obscenity is this quote]:

“I haven’t even been drinking, but, at all, but, you know, being a man, I’ve got to say that we’ve got this guy in the White House who thinks he is a man, you know, who projects himself as a man because he has a certain masculinity, and he's a good old boy, and he used to drink, and he knows how to shoot a gun and how to drive a pickup truck, etcetera like that. That’s not the definition of a man, God dammit!"

Link


George Clooney:

Referring to how the Bush team is getting other nations to go along, Clooney suggested: "The government itself is running exactly like the Sopranos and they sit back and they make deals. And they say okay, 'I’m going do this: France, you're getting the pipelines.'...”

..........

"The problem is we elected a manager, and we need a leader," Clooney tells the magazine. "Let's face it: Bush is just dim."



Woody Harrelson:

....We've killed a million Iraqis since the start of the Gulf war -- mostly by blocking humanitarian aid. Let's stop now....

..........

This is a racist and imperialist war. The warmongers who stole the White House (you call them "hawks", but I would never disparage such a fine bird) have hijacked a nation's grief and turned it into a perpetual war on any non-white country they choose to describe as terrorist.



Jessica Lange:

“I hate Bush,” Lange spewed last week when receiving an award at a film festival in Spain. She added: “I despise him and his entire administration” and that “what Bush intends to do with Iraq is unconstitutional, immoral and illegal.”

..........

said she was “ashamed to come from the United States” and, since the “atmosphere in my country is poisonous, intolerable for those of us who are not right-wing,” she thanked the festival organizers for “allowing me to get out” of the U.S. for “a few days.”

..........

-- On George W. Bush: “I despise him. I despise his administration and everything they stand for.”


-- “To my mind the election was stolen by George Bush and we have been suffering ever since under this man's leadership.”


-- “And I think this latest thing with Iraq is absolute madness and I'm stunned that there is not opposition on a much more global scale to what he's talking about.”


-- “There has to be a movement now to really oppose what he is proposing because it's unconstitutional, it's immoral and basically illegal.”


-- “It is an embarrassing time to be an American. It really is. It's humiliating.”



Misc Celebrities:

Last year Glover was amongst a bunch of left-wing celebrities, including Ed Asner, Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon and Marisa Tomei, who helped pay for a full page New York Times ad, from a group called Not in Our Name, denouncing President Bush’s war on terrorism. The ad screeched: “We call on all Americans to RESIST the war and repression that has been loosed on the world by the Bush administration. It is unjust, immoral, and illegitimate.” The signers also equated 9/11 with the terror inflicted by the U.S. military in Baghdad, Panama City and Vietnam.

..........

Streisand’s Liberal Rants at Star-Studded Democratic Fundraiser; Barbra Urges “Offensive” Against Bush; Asner: Bush “Desecrating” America; Robbins: Bush Wants to Deflect from Halliburton; Cruise & Spielberg on Hussein; Top Ten List: “If Streisand Were President”
Read it all

Link


Richard Dreyfuss

Dreyfuss declared: "I think that the lack of clarity in this country about why we're going to send young men to die and kill people is enormous.”

......

-- Criticizing conservatives: "I don't understand why everyone is so interested, especially people who are conservatives who say they want to conserve, have conservative values, why they're willing to give the executive such power that simply doesn't exist in the Constitution. I mean the Constitution says very clearly Congress has to declare war."
Sorry bud, but your lying - sanity





Now for some Supporters-
Kid Rock:

“Kid Rock,” who performed a duet at the Grammy Awards with Sheryl Crow, does not share her anti-liberation of Iraq views, the New York Daily News reported on Monday. An excerpt from the February 24 “Rush & Molloy” column:

...."Why is everybody trying to stop the war? George Bush ain't been saying, 'You all, make s-y records.' Politicians and music don't mix. It's like whisky and wine. [Musicians] ought to stay out of it."

But it doesn't take much nudging to hear the Kid's policy analysis. "We got to kill that mother-[bleeper] Saddam," he says. "Slit his throat. Kill him and the guy in North Korea."

Are some women and children going to die? "Yeah. But is doing the right thing. You got money, you sit around talking about peace. People who don't have money need some help."...

Link



Jason Priestley:

Priestley, Morano relayed, “lamented the excessive coverage of anti-war celebrities by what he termed the 'liberal media.'”

"I think more people should keep their opinions to themselves," Priestley said. He was particularly incensed by Moore's acceptance speech.

"It was shocking. I did not believe that was the forum to voice your opinions. Michael Moore is allowed to have opinions and his opinions are valid like everyone else's opinion, but I just didn't think the Academy Awards were the place to voice them in that manner," he explained.

'Keep their mouths shut'




Kelsey Grammer:

Actor Kelsey Grammer, who plays the lead role in NBC's "Frasier" sitcom, said he refused to watch this year's Academy Awards because of the anti-war "crap" that fellow celebrities spewed.

Grammer said he was spared filmmaker Michael Moore's anti-war acceptance speech and attack on the Bush administration at the March 23rd Academy Awards. "I didn't hear it because I didn't watch [the Academy Awards], Grammer told CNSNews.com.

"I wasn't interested. I knew that that kind of crap was going to be there and I thought, I am not interested," Grammer added.

Grammer called Moore's movie "a one-sided film" and blamed the media for giving so much publicity to Moore's anti-war speech.

"The media just loves to pay attention to whatever is happening that makes the most noise," Grammer explained.






Robert Duvall:

Actor Robert Duvall said he is not a fan of Michael Moore, and he lashed out at Hollywood political activists.

"They should keep their mouths shut," Duvall said.

Link




Shannon Doherty:

Doherty proclaimed: “I'm a Republican...I'm a big supporter of President Bush.” Justifying her support to a less than enthusiastic audience in New York City, Doherty added: “C'mon, our troops are over there, we gotta be supportive.”

Link



Dennis Miller / Katie Couric Interview:

Couric: “You would agree though, Dennis, that you push the envelop certainly, and, and you know you, you enjoy offending certain people and sensibilities. Yes?"

Miller: "Well yeah, probably like Bill Clinton. I never liked Clinton and I always liked winding him up, you know? And I'm sure he doesn't even know who I am probably but I always would take-”

Couric: "I'm sure he does actually."

Miller: "-I would always take, yeah I just thought that, he, he didn't earn my respect. Conversely Bush who I never thought I would, you know when he first came in thought I don't even know what to make of this guy. I've grown very fond of him. I think he's handled himself amazingly with some of the most brutal cards that history's ever dealt anybody."

Couric: "And you've certainly, you, you've been very supportive of the war."

Miller: "Oh I'm proud that he's my President. You know, I'm, I'm like Bush I see the world more like checkers than chess. I think that's how George Bush sees the world. I think it's more of a pragmatic thing and I consider myself a pragmatist. You know I'm a huge fan of the President's. I might, I might start pronouncing it, nuclear, [mispronounces nuclear like Bush does] just as an homage."

Couric: "What do you think, you know obviously, it, it's interesting to me how people in this country are, are either sort of appalled when celebrities come out with political positions or just want nothing to do with that and, and really don't care how they feel one way or the another?"

Miller: "Yeah well I assume there's a lot of people who could care what I feel about it. All I know is that I, I have to express my opinions right now. I'm a, I'm a comedian that talks about topical issues and this is the topic of the day. People say, 'Do you worry about your career out in Hollywood?' You know my career is, I've gotten a better deal than I ever thought I was gonna get. What is the urge to have a nicer house if you can't live with yourself? You gotta speak your mind?"

Couric: "Meanwhile you, you've missed a lot of opportunities because of the time of the special because you, you have great French jokes."

Miller: "Well the French have great French jokes. I mean, you know I went down and took the UN tour, even the guidebook is spineless. [Laughter in the studio, Couric grimaces and then smiles.] See to me we move the furniture, the French come in later and put the doilies on top of it, you know? It's a, it's a simple fact they've always been reluctant to surrender to the wishes of their friends and are almost anticipatory in their urge to surrender to wishes of their enemies. And if they want to get their hands dirty now they're just gonna have to run 'em through their own hair. I think they should come in and I think they should come in now and act as a concierge for Iraq and take care of the day to day. Theater tickets."

Couric: "You, you, you said their rationale, their rationale for invading Iraq would've been what?"

Miller: "Well, well if they found truffles in there. You know these are people who get off work when the day they invented béarnaise. This, this is an odd culture over there."

Couric: "You, you said that, that when the, when the United States had the decency to chisel off the arm-"

Miller: "Off the armpit hair from the Statue of Liberty. Listen, if they keep pushing us maybe we invade Iraq then invade Chirac. You want a pipeline from the oil fields over to the Eiffel Tower? Turn it into the world's biggest oil derrick, you just have Bush down at the bottom in a cowboy hat with a lariat and a branding-iron putting a big 'W' on Chirac's ass, it'll drive him crazy."

Couric: "Okay on that note Dennis Miller. Wow what did you have for breakfast?"

Miller: "Nothing yet."

Couric: "I want whatever it was."

Link


Dennis Miller on the Tonight Show:

Another round of pro-American patriotism, pro-President Bush and anti-liberal jibes, jests, zingers and slams from actor/comedian Dennis Miller on Thursday's Tonight Show with Jay Leno, including a nice shot at Peter Arnett: “How am I supposed to trust the honesty of a reporter that has that bad of a comb-over on top of his head?...Hey guess what Pete? We know you're bald, okay? The outside of your skull is as empty as the inside.”

..........

-- Pride in conduct of the war:
“I cannot tell you how proud watching that war coverage makes me. I know a lot of people are saying that they think that it's, that you know what we're doing is imperialistic. I watch the way we handle ourselves over there and I've never felt more patriotic in my life.”

..........

-- Denouncing anti-war protesters, Miller described how he puts them into four categories, the second one made up of those who call everyone but Hussein a Hitler:
“The second type you have at these parades seems to be the people who want to mislabel Hitler. Everybody in the world is Hitler. Bush is Hitler, Ashcroft is Hitler, Rumsfeld is Hitler. The only guy who isn't Hitler is the foreign guy with a mustache dropping people who disagree with him into the wood chipper. He's not Hitler.”

..........

-- On the up side of war protesters:
“I'll say this about the war protesters: At least most of them are only putting duct tape across their mouths so I can still tell the rest of them to blow it out their ass.”

..........

-- On the Dixie Chicks:
“Surprisingly, making fun of the President on foreign land in a time of war doesn't seem to play with the NASCAR crowd!”

..........

-- On Peter Arnett:
“How am I supposed to trust the honesty of a reporter that has that bad of a comb-over on top of his head? He's got four hairs left and he's swirling them around...This guy is dangerously close to pulling hair over from another guy's head. Hey guess what Pete? We know you're bald, okay? The outside of your skull is as empty as the inside.”

..........

-- On Michael Moore:
“He's going to wake up every day for the rest of his life, and he's going to tell us how he hates everything about this country except his right to hate it. And then we say that we love it and he's going to tell us what naive sheep we are and that he's the true patriot because he hates it and he sees all the problems in it. Yeah, right, Mike. You know something, if my yawn got any bigger they'd have to assign it a hurricane name, okay?

“Michael Moore simultaneously represents everything I detest in a human being and everything I feel obligated to defend in an American. Quite simply, it is that stupid moron's right to be that utterly, completely wrong.”

..........

-- On justification for the war:
“It is stupid for anybody in the world to say they're for war. But I am for this war because, you know, we've got to protect ourselves now. And we've got to remind the world that there is a point that we will not be pushed past before the [bleep]hammer comes down. Now, the simple fact is, do I think Saddam Hussein can bury the nuclear jumper from the top of the key? No, I don't. He's a putz. But I do think he can distribute the ball going down the lane and I think we've got to smack him around. It's time to circle the SUVs!

“The simple fact is, you've got to view this war like we've been on a long family car ride. Bush is the father and he's been screaming [gestures with arm as if a driver scolding kids in back seat] 'don't make me come back there!' for around 200 miles now and it just reached the point where we had to pull the car over and the bad kid is going to get the spanking of his life.”

..........

-- On those whining about the length of the war:
“And now we've got people whining about how long the war is taking. For God's sakes it's been two weeks. You know, it took Joe Millionaire eight weeks to pick Zora (sp?).”

..........

-- On global warming:
“There's a lot of differing data, but as far as I can gather, over the last hundred years the temperature on this planet has gone up 1.8 degrees. Am I the only one who finds that amazingly stable? I could go back to my hotel room tonight and futz with the thermostat for three to four hours. I could not detect that difference.”

..........

-- Advise to soldiers in Iraq:
“I would encourage the boys though not to rip down all those big wall portraits of Hussein because you got to remember, pretty soon we're going to need a headstone for my main man's grave and you might want to save one for him.”

..........

-- Praising the troops:
“God knows that we've got things we've got to perfect in this country. But there's enough people downplaying it right now. I want to go so far against that. I want to thank the President. I want to thank the troops and say God bless you for doing the tough job which allows us to sit here and do the easy jobs, like be on the Tonight Show.”

Link


Dennis Franz:

Dennis Miller may be one of the few Hollywood celebrities backing President Bush's was policy, but he isn't totally alone. On the April 1 edition of the syndicated program Extra Dennis Franz, who plays “Detective Andy Sipowicz” on NYPD Blue, declared: “I think we're doing the right thing.”

Franz, who fought in Vietnam for nearly a year, urged Americans to get behind the troops: “They are defending our country. Thank God that we have people in this world that are willing to do it.”

Link


James Woods

Woods asserted: “If you want to measure people, know that Rudy Giuliani went to something like 150 funerals, you know, Senator Hillary Clinton went to zero, okay. That's the measure of a man.”



Rick Schroder:

Schroder, who is not shy about his conservative views, also met with President Bush during his brief D.C. stint. "He's a fantastic guy, let me tell you that," Schroder said. "I told him I wanted to help him get reelected."


Will update more later, to many to put in one post.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Harry Whittington makes statement from Hospital




Good Afternoon.

All of you in the media have been very patient in waiting for me to make my appearance here. I hope you understand. I’m sorry I delayed you, but I know your role is to get the news out to the public. I compliment you on what you’ve done. I’ve read and seen many of your reports and I know your job isn’t easy. I regret that I couldn’t have been here earlier so you could see what a lucky person I am.

For many years my family has been friends with the Armstrongs down in Kenedy County. We have visited with them for over 25 years and have had some wonderful trips and visits – pleasant memories that we cherish forever. However, this past weekend encompassed all of us in a cloud of misfortune and sadness that is not easy to explain – especially to those who are not familiar with the great sport of quail hunting.

We all assume certain risks in whatever we do, whatever activities we pursue. And regardless of how experienced, careful and dedicated we are, accidents do and will happen – and that’s what happened last Friday.

I am very grateful and want to thank all the people that remembered me in their prayers and the kindness you have extend to my family that’s been here this week.

My family and I are deeply sorry for all that vice president Cheney has had to go through this past week. We send our love and respect to them as they deal with situations that are much more serious than what we’ve had this week. And we hope that he will continue to come to Texas and seek the relaxation that he deserves.

I also thank all of you for understanding the best you can that medical attention was very important to someone my age. And you haven’t failed to give my age.

Finally, I want to say there’re simply not adequate words to express my gratitude and appreciation to the very talented physicians, medical staff, nurses, of this great Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital system, here in Corpus Christi and in Kingsville. They’ve given me exceptional treatment, care and compassion for which I’m very grateful. They are truly remarkable servants of God and I’m extremely blessed for all they’ve done.

Thank you.



View the video at HERE courtesy of Expose the Left.

Read the Sheriff's Report on shooting HERE (In PDF Format)

California City bans smoking OUTSIDE

Calabasas no smoking law begins next month
Some exceptions are allowed
By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com


The new Calabasas secondhand smoke ordinance, which would prohibit smoking in all public areas of the city including parks, sidewalks and outdoor businesses, will take effect by the middle of March, city officials said.

Final passage of the ordinance is expected at the city council’s Feb. 15 meeting.

At its Feb. 1 meeting the council outlined certain exceptions to the law.

Officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Health, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, Healthier Solutions, Inc., Smoke-Free Air for Everyone and the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Los Angeles expressed strong support for the new law. Of the 17 public speakers at the meeting, all but one supported the ordinance.

Last month, California became the first state to declare second-hand tobacco smoke a toxic air pollutant.

“. . .The California Air Resources Board, which is the agency which regulates air quality in California, has adopted a regulation to treat secondhand smoke as a toxic pollutant of the air, like the kinds of things that come out of petroleum smoke stacks and out of the tailpipes of cars,” said Michael Colantuono, Calabasas city attorney. “That decision is the first time a state regulatory agency of any state in the nation has reached that conclusion.

The city council agreed to allow smoking in the following areas:

•Private residential property, other than housing used as a childcare or health care facility when employees, children or patients are present

•Up to 20 percent of guest rooms in any hotel or motel

•Designated smoking “outposts” in shopping mall common areas that are at least five feet away from any doorway or opening that leads to an enclosed area.

“I think the reason that (city) staff recommended a relatively small number (of outposts) in this instance is because (the city is) going to be dealing with a variety of commercial property: some large, some small, some that are big rectangles, some that have odder shapes,” Colantuono said. “We wanted to have the ability to have at least one designated space on each commercial property that meets the requirements. The feeling was that if you don’t provide an outlet, then people would simply defy the ordinance.”

The city said it would relax the ban at times when non-smokers aren’t present in a public area.

Business owners will be responsible for ensuring that all employees and patrons comply with the new law.

Individual citizens can report offenders to the city and officials will determine how to handle fines on a case-by-case basis, said Tony Coroalles, Calabasas city manager.

To view the second-hand smoke ordinance, visit www.cityofcalabasas.com.

Link

I quit smoking some time ago, but I can understand from a smoker's point of view also.

I can see if this gets wide spread support for the entire state they may see a decline in tourism for one.

It used to be habit to go to the bar, have a beer, smoke a cig and play some pool and darts. I suppose the bar scene has changed. Beer changed to Zima? Cigs changed to bongs? Dance and rock changed to something I equate hearing when using a grinder on metal.....

It is one thing to help those who want to quit smoking, but it is another to outright ban it. No more toking in the parks for the hippy or certain lefty crowds either.....

Thursday, February 16, 2006

RIAA Says Ripping CDs to Your iPod is NOT Fair Use

Nor does it seem is backing up your music either....

It is no secret that the entertainment oligopolists are not happy about space-shifting and format-shifting. But surely ripping your own CDs to your own iPod passes muster, right? In fact, didn't they admit as much in front of the Supreme Court during the MGM v. Grokster argument last year?

Apparently not.

As part of the on-going DMCA rule-making proceedings, the RIAA and other copyright industry associations submitted a filing that included this gem as part of their argument that space-shifting and format-shifting do not count as noninfringing uses, even when you are talking about making copies of your own CDs:


"Nor does the fact that permission to make a copy in particular circumstances is often or even routinely granted, necessarily establish that the copying is a fair use when the copyright owner withholds that authorization. In this regard, the statement attributed to counsel for copyright owners in the MGM v. Grokster case is simply a statement about authorization, not about fair use."


For those who may not remember, here's what Don Verrilli said to the Supreme Court last year:


"The record companies, my clients, have said, for some time now, and it's been on their website for some time now, that it's perfectly lawful to take a CD that you've purchased, upload it onto your computer, put it onto your iPod."


If I understand what the RIAA is saying, "perfectly lawful" means "lawful until we change our mind." So your ability to continue to make copies of your own CDs on your own iPod is entirely a matter of their sufferance. What about all the indie label CDs? Do you have to ask each of them for permission before ripping your CDs? And what about all the major label artists who control their own copyrights? Do we all need to ask them, as well?

P.S.: The same filing also had this to say: "Similarly, creating a back-up copy of a music CD is not a non-infringing use...."


Insight brought to you by the Electric Frontier Foundation

Sunday, February 12, 2006

8 Questions Men Are Afraid To Ask Doctors

Due to macho pride or the expense of health care, many men visit the doctor only when something noticeably breaks, like their nose, or stops, like their heart. Some guys even wait until there is a conspicuous and chronic problem before visiting a health care professional.

Likewise, they are not always willing to ask their family doctor embarrassing questions. Therefore, I have listed eight common questions that many men feel too uncomfortable to ask.

But before you use this article as your excuse to avoid the doctor yet again, I need to stress that if you feel any abnormal symptoms or feel like you're experiencing any of the following problems, you must visit your doctor as soon as possible. Your health should be more important than your pride.

Read the 8 Questions Here

How to take a Caffine Nap

The Caffeine Nap is simple. You drink a cup of coffee and immediately take a 15 minute nap. Researchers found coffee helps clear your system of adenosine, a chemical which makes you sleepy. So in testing, the combination of a cup of coffee with an immediate nap chaser provided the most alertness for the longest period of time. The recommendation was to nap only 15 minutes, no more or less and you must sleep immediately after the coffee.


Interesting.

Tip from How to Take A Caffeine Nap

Reasons why Iran should not have Nukes

Ahmadinejad: Israel 'will be removed'
Tehran (dpa) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that the Palestinians and "other nations" will eventually remove Israel from the region.

"We ask the West to remove what they created sixty years ago and if they do not listen to our recommendations, then the Palestinian nation and other nations will eventually do this for them," Ahmadinejad said in a ceremony marking the 27th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

While chanting "Death to America", "Death of Israel" and "Nuclear energy is our undisputable right", the crowd walked toward the Azadi (Freedom) Square in Tehran where Ahmadinejad held his annual speech.

In his speech the Iranian president warned that in case of harsh measures against Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme, the country would revise its commitment toward the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"The policy of Iran has so far been pursuing nuclear technology within the framework of the NPT and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)," he said.

"But if you (the West) continue efforts to deprive the Iranian nation from this (nuclear) right, then we would reconsider this policy," he warned.

Ahmadinejad asked the crowd in the Azadi square to tell the world its message and show its willingness to continue the nuclear programmes despite Western pressure.

Read the rest here

This is nothing but a stall tactic in saying they only wish it for energy purposes.

They have avowed "Death to America", "Death to Israel", "Death to Denmark", they wish to wipe Israel off the map. Do we really want to wait and see what will happen with these fanatics? Once they have the ability for Nukes and with thier hand-in-hand policy in helping Terrorists, it is a very distinct possibility that the next attack on the US would be a Nuclear one.

US prepares military blitz against Iran's nuclear sites

Strategists at the Pentagon are drawing up plans for devastating bombing raids backed by submarine-launched ballistic missile attacks against Iran's nuclear sites as a "last resort" to block Teheran's efforts to develop an atomic bomb.

Central Command and Strategic Command planners are identifying targets, assessing weapon-loads and working on logistics for an operation, the Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

They are reporting to the office of Donald Rumsfeld, the defence secretary, as America updates plans for action if the diplomatic offensive fails to thwart the Islamic republic's nuclear bomb ambitions. Teheran claims that it is developing only a civilian energy programme.

"This is more than just the standard military contingency assessment," said a senior Pentagon adviser. "This has taken on much greater urgency in recent months."

The prospect of military action could put Washington at odds with Britain which fears that an attack would spark violence across the Middle East, reprisals in the West and may not cripple Teheran's nuclear programme. But the steady flow of disclosures about Iran's secret nuclear operations and the virulent anti-Israeli threats of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has prompted the fresh assessment of military options by Washington. The most likely strategy would involve aerial bombardment by long-distance B2 bombers, each armed with up to 40,000lb of precision weapons, including the latest bunker-busting devices. They would fly from bases in Missouri with mid-air refuelling.

The Bush administration has recently announced plans to add conventional ballistic missiles to the armoury of its nuclear Trident submarines within the next two years. If ready in time, they would also form part of the plan of attack.

Teheran has dispersed its nuclear plants, burying some deep underground, and has recently increased its air defences, but Pentagon planners believe that the raids could seriously set back Iran's nuclear programme.

Read the rest here

Is this another case of a leak, once again?

I do think the US is preparing, just incase, as a last resort.

But to have this come out at a time when it is not definate, does seem irresponsible on the presses part and announcement to our enemies before we do something could kill Americans or at least put them in danger.

Nor'easter Hits East Coast



TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A developing nor'easter headed up the East Coast on Saturday with a threat of more than a foot of snow, canceling flights and putting road crews on overtime but cheering up skiers in a region spared harsh weather for most of this season.

Blizzard warnings were posted from the New York City area into eastern New England, and a winter storm warning was issued for most of New Jersey where up to 16 inches of snow was possible, the National Weather Service said. Heavy snow warnings were in effect from eastern Kentucky to New England.

Hundreds of homes across New Jersey were without power late Saturday as the first couple inches of snow fell.

More than 100 flights were canceled at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the New York area's major airports. There were scattered cancellations at New York's LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports.

Delta said it canceled its Sunday arrivals and departures at several other airports in the storm's path, including those in Philadelphia; Boston; Baltimore; Newark; Providence, R.I.; Washington, D.C.; and Hartford, Conn.

Four inches of snow had accumulated in parts of Fairfax, Va. late Saturday, and crews worked to clear the runways at Washington Dulles International Airport in suburban Virginia.

Snow began falling Saturday afternoon in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, slowing traffic and putting road crews into action.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation had 600 trucks ready to plow snow and spread salt, plus 1,100 contractor trucks, the department said. The department also had its regular maintenance staff of 735 employees, plus more than 400 other state employees, available to operate plows.

The Port Authority had more than 160 pieces of heavy snow equipment at the New York region's three major airports.

In Connecticut, forecasters predicted up to 12 inches of snow, with the highest totals along the shoreline. Snow was expected to start Saturday evening and become heavy after midnight before tapering off Sunday afternoon.

Read the rest here

Work - That thing we do to put food on the table

WORK.

Yes, it is a pain, but it is something that must be born out no matter how much it cuts into keeping up this Blog.

I will do my best to keep things rolling, but I will warn you that I am no where near in the league of those in my favorite reads for blogs.

I suppose if I spent as much time writing as I do on Sister Toldjah's Site, I would probably be in much better shape.

Again, I will do my best to keep up, but I do go in spurts. Check back as you wish.

Thank you for checking in regardless.