Are We Winning The War on Terror?

With the seemingly constant stream of bad news and rising death tolls coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan these days, one of the questions we Americans are asking ourselves and our leaders - are we actually winning this war on terror?

True, it could have gone better - try to name a war that was perfect and tidy? But as with all major ideological struggles of human history, there is a terrible price to be paid by all sides. Vietnam, our most celebrated mistake, saw nearly 60,000 of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen lost in a foggy quagmire. In Iraq and Afghanistan, our basis for war was a response to continued terror against Americans and our allies over the span of decades.

Also true, Saddam had no discernible connection to the 9-11 attacks (and for the record, Bush never claimed he did), but his sponsorship of terrorism (payoffs to Hamas suicide bombers), continued attacks against our aircraft flying patrols in the southern "No Fly Zone," prior use of WMDs to slaughter tens of thousands, his constant thwarting of inspection teams and habitual breaking of U.N. resolutions was enough for this American President (with congressional approval) to make the hard decision.

Whether one believes in the later existence of Saddam's WMDs or not, that point will surely be debated until their discovery or proof of their destruction. The oft-repeated liberal mantra about how "Bush lied" overlooks the fact that he, and his administration, told the truth as the CIA and international intelligence agencies reported it. See this article by Factcheck.org.

But are we winning? Consider this new piece of evidence: A letter discovered on the body of Abu Zayd, al Qaieda in Iraq's Northern commander who was killed in recent weeks by coalition troops. The letter was addressed to his Superior Officer, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and shows an increasingly desperate alliance slowly coming apart.

Among Zayd's complaints to Zarqawi (courtesy of The Washington Times):

• "The Emirs (cell leaders) hold on to power until their capture or death and refuse to designate a successor, despite their incompetence."
• "The lack of diversity in the attacks and the unwillingness to go after the centers and headquarters especially when they are easy targets, and being content with sending suicide bombers after armored vehicles."
• "The lack of any legitimate organization in Mosul, in spite of the presence of rightful knowledge-seekers in Mosul."
• "Squandering the Muslims' money on petty expenses, cars and phones."
• "Reports to the Sheikh (Zarqawi) about the situation in Mosul are inaccurate and blurred."

"Shi'ites are rapidly concluding that al-Qaeda is serving no purpose," a Pentagon official told The Times. "I read the intelligence. Shi'ites are saying 'If you want the Americans out, get rid of al-Qaeda.'"

Reported also today was the death of Zarqawi's right-hand man, Abu Azzam, who was shot during a house raid in Baghdad Sunday night. When Azzam opened fire on coalition troops (including Iraqi forces) during the raid, he was shot dead. The assault on this insurgent leader's house was in response to a tip - which is occuring with more and more frequency as Iraqis tire of insurgent bloodshed.

It is also important to remember that Iraqi troops are growing in strength and confidence with every week, and the democratic process in both Iraq and Afganistan (though imperfect) is marching along.

It is easy to forget that about 50 million people were liberated, over 3,000 schools built, and suffrage for women instated. And though we are approaching 2000 fallen U.S. military in Iraq and 250 in Afghanistan, there have been no further successful attacks against American soil since 2001. None.

Are we winning? I believe a guarantor of failure would be to follow the weak-hearted pacifists or the misguided Sheens and Sheehans, which would surely put us right back where we were before standing up to terror. Perhaps, given the complacency of the Clinton administration that led us to this place, a better question is this: Is this one we can afford to lose?

Charlie Rangel called out by Conservative Blacks

In his latest hate-speech at a Congressional Black Caucus town hall meeting, Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) compared President Bush to an infamous white segregationist Birmingham (Alabama) Police Commissioner of the early 1960's, "Bull" Conner. In so doing, he has raised the ire of many - including a Conservative Black organization called Project 21. From their press release:

"Charles Rangel's comments are morally vacant and beneath the pale, but obviously not out of character for him and his supporters," said Project 21 member Mychal Massie. "How many blacks today suffer from beatings, fire hoses or have dogs set on them for trying to seek a seat at a lunch counter or go to school? How many of us today are living under inflexible, legislated segregation?"

"Rangel's comments may play well with those who embrace ignorance, but it will not resonate with Americans who eschew racial demagoguery. We demand that the CBC and Senator Clinton join with this overwhelming majority of their fellow citizens in banishing hate speech such as this to the trash heap of history."

Among Congressman Rangel's ridiculous rants at the CBC's 35th Annual Legislative Conference:

"George Bush is our Bull Connor"

"If you're black in this country, and you're poor in this country, it's not an inconvenience--it's a death sentence."

"If there's one thing that George Bush has done that we should never forget, it's that for us and for our children, he has shattered the myth of white supremacy once and for all."

Why is it that so many prominent African-Americans (and liberal European-Americans) are throwing out this disingenuous and gratuitous race card, as if to trump all other possible considerations for this month's disasters (both natural and man-made)?. A better question might be, what is it that makes evil men like Charlie Rangel tick? How do they sleep? For what do they wake up?

Sheehan Desperate for Media Attention (and it shows)

Cindy Sheehan, who has turned desperate for the lime-light as her 15 minutes of fame ends, has managed to make the headlines again in recent days.

On Sunday night in a packed New York church, Sheehan decided to call out none other than the Queen of the Democratic Party - Hillary Clinton. While obviously enjoying her imagined superstar status among the moonbats, while urging that Senator Clinton should oppose the war in Iraq, she thundered "You say it, or you're losing your job!"

Thus begins the end for Ms. Sheehan, who (no doubt) wishes she could take it back. As one Democratic Political Advisor put it on Fox News Monday night, "She (Sheehan) should have stuck with her simple message and the grieving Mother by the side of the road routine."

If that weren't enough, Cindy Sheehan claims to have been hurt by police while they were shutting down an illegal protest in Union Square on Monday night. Paul Zulkowitz, one of the Sheehanites from Crawford, was arrested while they continued to use a PA system without a permit. Apparently Sheehan was jostled in the shuffle.

As time goes on and her earlier sympathy from most Americans diminishes with every childish public tyrade against Israel, the Iraq War, Hillary Clinton and President Bush (and his daughters), Cindy Sheehan is quickly becoming a darkly comical figure that will be remembered as a minor footnote to the wildly radical anti-Bushisms of 2005.

Angela Merkel: Germany's Best Hope

Finally, a new beginning for our recently estranged ally is dawning. In a national election today, Germans are expected to elect their first woman chancellor - Christian Democrat Angela Merkel. Not only will she be the first female leader of this, the largest and most central of European countries (physically and symbolically speaking), but its first chancellor from the formerly communist East Germany.

And it couldn't have happened too soon for Germany, either. Having been there many times over the years, I found it to be one of the most pristine and beautiful countries in the world - yet beneath the veneer of cleanliness and old-world charm lay huge problems. As a welfare state with bloated taxation and massive unemployment, Germans have rightly turned their frustration on Gerhard Schroeder - an ineffective leader who has been unable to affect economic or social reforms.

Merkel, often called the "Iron Lady" and compared to Margaret Thatcher, hopes to overhaul the welfare juggernaut and make some tough changes. She is also expected to rebuild Germany's friendship with the U.S. and Great Britain. For President Bush, her victory will be an extremely important milestone, as she embraces the necessity for a global war on terror. Unlike her contemporaries in most of Europe, she supported the invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Let us wish this extraordinary woman good luck today - for Germany and for the rest of us.

Farrakhan: Levees 'May have been blown up'

Louis Farrakhan, the only African-American leader more ridiculous than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, has made his hateful presence known again - this time with an allegation of racial mass-murder in New Orleans.

Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam's nefarious "minister" and outspoken shit-stirrer, said earlier this week while in Charlotte, North Carolina, "I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach," Farrakhan imparted. "It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."

On Sunday, while addressing a crowd of 300, Farrakhan stated “FEMA is too white, the Red Cross is too white.”

This comes on the heels of claims by rap artists, actors and liberal politicians that President Bush is racially motivated and might have acted sooner for a less diverse population.

Given that inciteful Muslim figures have been under recent public scrutiny for promoting terrorism, this "minister" (although true Islam has no ministers...but imams, Ayatollahs and clerics) might consider maintaining a low-profile with this kind of rhetoric.

It is abundantly clear as well ~ the likes of Farrakhan, Jackson and Sharpton are like vampires, who feed on the propogation of racism and the penchant for many in the Black community to embrace such nonsense. These men are the worst kind of predators, who sow the seeds of imagined discrimination and hatred to enrich and empower themselves.

Righting America Remembers 9-11 ~ and Father Mychal Judge

Some people use the word "Hero" for things, in my view, that are other than heroic. Dale Earnhardt and Mohammed Ali come to mind. Sports Idols? Sure, but H E R O E S ??? I think not.

New York City Chaplain Mychal Judge is a true hero, who died honorably in the performance of his duty.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, upon learning that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, Father Judge removed his Franciscan habit, changed into his chaplains uniform and sped off to the towers. While anointing the bodies of a firefighter and the woman who had fallen on him, Father Judge was struck by falling debris himself and killed.

This wonderful man and his life is featured in this article on the St. Anthony Messenger.

To Father Judge, and all of those poor souls taken from us by Islamic Terrorists on that tragic day - We will NEVER forget, and will NEVER rest until your deaths are avenged and our nation safe once again.

Who IS to blame for New Orleans' Shame?

Although I have repeated the refrain ad nauseum, along with many other more "act now, blame later"-minded folks, this question is being shouted from every battlement, bastion and barstool and so must be addressed in all its politically motivated prematurity. But be warned - we will not fully understand the rightful percentage of "dunder" to assign each "head" for months to come.

While listening to a local AM radio talk show, while on my way home from work today, I followed with interest an interview with Bob Williams about his article on the "blame game" over Katrina and the resulting debacle in New Orleans. I found that Williams made some excellent points, so have decided to speak to that suddenly ubiquitous subject. Ron Smith, with whom I often debate via my cell phone (while fighting the insidious Baltimore afternoon rush-hour), hosted Mr. Williams on WBAL radio and has posted his article Blame Amid the Tragedy on his website.

For what it's worth, this is my admittedly amateurish (and early) take on the situation: President Bush is GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY of one thing....he could not read the future! If he could have, then he might have invoked the INSURRECTION ACT as soon as Governor Blanco turned down his help on FRIDAY and asked for 24 hours to make a decision. As many of you know, this would be the only way for the president to override the POSSE COMITATUS ACT.

In other words, the federal government may not legally comandeer a state or city without extreme circumstances or the express invitation of the state or local government. This, in the face of a media sigh of ill-deserved relief on Saturday and Sunday. By the way, it is rumored that Bush did just that on Saturday morning - we will know shortly. Read Barbara Stock's excellent article for more on this.

FEMA is not a first responder, but could have been better organized. The Governor and Mayor were both COMPLETELY without the skill or gravitas to handle this situation - but both were more than willing to engage in the blaming of others.

You decide.

Another Idiot Celebrity - Celine Dion

"I open (sic) the television, there's people still there, waiting to be rescued, and for me it's not acceptable."

Such began the emotional-breakdown rant of yet another unwitting celebrity miscreant, Celine Dion, on Larry King Live last Saturday night.

Don't get me wrong - her donation of a mill was a big step in the Right >>> direction, and may have earned her a very different kind of write-up on this blog. However, this formerly poor French-Canadian pop-star, now worth an estimated 320 Million clams (conservatively), followed her pocket-change (for her) donation with yet another child-like rant.

"I know there's reasons for it, I'm sorry to say, I'm being rude, but I don't want to hear those reasons."

Oh, it just got better folks, trust me. On the War on Terror...

"How come it's so easy to send planes in another country to kill everyone in a second, to destroy lives?"

On the looting....

"You know, some people are stealing and they're making a big deal out of it...oh, they're stealing 20 pair of jeans or they're stealing television sets. Who cares? They're not going to go too far with it. Maybe those people are so poor, some of the people who do that they're so poor they've never touched anything in their lives. Let them touch those things for once."

Does she even realize that those jeans and televisions belong to somebody? Is it okay for small business owners to lose their inventories, along with everything else they have? What about them?

Celine, let ME just ask YOU just one last question: What would YOU do if someone stole the rights to one of YOUR SONGS? An entire catalogue? Would THAT be okay, since they "never touched anything in their lives?"

These people make me sick!!

Kanye West Attacks Bush at NBC Fund Raiser

Kanye West, a college drop-out turned rap "artist," decided to go "off-script" while doing a celebrity fundraising spot with Mike Myers for Disaster Relief on NBC Friday night. West's childish rant, at a most inappropriate time and venue, visibly surprised Myers, fellow comedian Chris Tucker, and the technicians who finally managed to cut him off after nearly 2 minutes. Check it out and decide for yourself - watch the partial clip or read the following transcript:

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Mike Myers: [Dutifully reading from the teleprompter] "The landscape of the city has changed dramatically, tragically and perhaps irreversibly. There is now over 25 feet of water where there was once city streets and thriving neighborhoods."

Kanye West: [Obviously winging it - totally nervous. Maybe can't read?] "I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family and they say we are looting, you see a white family and they say they are looking for food. And, you know, its been five days because most of the people ARE black. And even for me to complain, I would be a hypocrite because I would turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right to see what is the biggest amount I can give. And just to imagine, if I was down there and those are my people down there. If there is anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help about the way America is set up the help the poor, the black people, the less well off as slow as possible. Red cross is doing as much as they can. We already realize a lot of the people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way. And now they've given them permission to go down and shoot us.

Mike Myers: [A bit shaken, continues to stick with the teleprompter] "And subtle, but in many ways even more profoundly devastating, is the lasting damage to the survivors' will to rebuild and remain in the area. The destruction of the spirit of the people of southern Louisiana and Mississippi may end up being the most tragic loss of all."

Kanye West: [Pauses - getting up his nerve?] "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

Mike Myers: [Deer in the headlights now, gives West a disbelieving look] "Please call ..." [finally cut off by control booth and over to Chris Tucker]

Chris Tucker: [More shocked than Myers, pauses] "In the past few days..."

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(Fellow bloggers should check out the open trackback at My Right-Wing Conspiracy)

Timmer's Design o' the Month - SEPTEMBER (~stays on top~)

As a graphic designer (now just on the side), I sometimes do work for fellow bloggers. Chazz, one of my original readers and now a NEW BLOGGER, asked me to help him with some graphics for his site: Chazz's Dumbass Of The Week. This is the centerpiece design for his site. Let me know what you think, and make sure to give DOTW a visit!

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Got a great design idea you'd like to see here or on my CafePress gear? Let me know.

Liberals Exploiting Katrina - Surprise!

There are truly GREAT and HEROIC stories unfolding these days in the face of utter disaster - folks giving their time and money to help those desparately in need of assistance. Most are putting aside their politics in order to come together - much like we did on 9-11.

But as early as Monday, those other folks with an insatiable axe to grind began their campaign to lay this one squarely on the shoulders of the president and his people. These political vampires will stop at nothing to hurt President Bush - and if they can find a way to implicate him in this, arguably the worst disaster we have ever faced as a nation, then they will do their unsporting best.

In his piece published on the Huffington Post, Robert Kennedy Jr, an angry, stuttering little man of famed lineage, has decided that Bush not only derailed the Kyoto Treaty (he didn't), but that his energy and conservation policies led to an "increased prevalence of destructive hurricanes" (which is not at all true). Various other Moonbats, liberal bloggers and the dubious and childlike Cindy Sheehan have made similar accusations.

Kennedy's piece, and the disgusting assertions are deftly trounced by James Glassman, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (think tank), in his article entitled Katrina and Disgusting Exploitation. In his article, he provides evidence that we are in a natural cycle that includes a period of increased weather activity, and shows that Kyoto, if ratified, would have had no influence on weather for generations to come.

Not only does he make the case that, if anything, facts show that hurricanes have decreased, "...but environmental extremists do not want to be bothered with the facts. Nor do they wish to mourn the destruction and death wreaked on a glorious city. To their everlasting shame, they would rather distort and exploit."

Well said.