Ya' Gotta Love Tony Blair - He's PISSED at Iran

Israel "must be wiped out from the map of the world," according to Iran's new President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, "And God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism."

This does not seem to bode well for the west's future relations with this "other" Gulf country, and Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair was not amused. Not amused at all. According to the Herald Sun, he (PM Blair) said Iran was making a "very big mistake" if it thought the world would ignore such comments because it was distracted by other events.

Describing his "revulsion," and in terms reminiscent of the early build-up to the war on Iraq, a visibly angry Mr. Blair indicated that European countries would be holding talks with the US and other allies about a possible response.

"To anybody in Europe knowing our history, when we hear statements like that made about Israel it makes us feel very angry, it's just completely wrong," he said. "And it indicates and underlines, I am afraid, how much some of those places need reform themselves."

Mr Blair made no direct reference to military action, which Britain had previously always insisted was not on the agenda - but made this fairly clear inference:

"Ask yourself: A state like that, with an attitude like that, having a nuclear weapon?" (You GO Tony!)

Apparently even the United Nations is angry - but that is a backpage story at best (since there are never consequences from the U.N.)

Here are some other choice words from this new and impetuous Iranian president:

"The new wave of confrontations generated in Palestine and the growing turmoil in the Islamic world would in no time wipe Israel away."

"(Israel's) disengagement from Gaza was a trick, meant to make Islamic states acknowledge the Zionist regime of Israel."

"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury."

Okay so this guy is pretty new, and may have forgotten a few things: His country is named amongst the "Axis of Evil" by President Bush - who is in a real bad mood right now and STILL has the most powerful Navy in the world that doesn't have much else going on right now (and Iran is a coastal nation - hmmm?) - not to mention the world's most powerful Air Force (likewise available for some action). Note to Tehran: Don't piss around with Bush right now, mmmkay?

2001 Dead Heroes - and here is what for...

Listening to President Bush yesterday, in what I consider to have been an extremely powerful speech (even for him), I reflected on what this war means and why we need to continue fighting it. And given the "benchmark" of 2001 dead American heroes today, who have fallen in the struggle of our century against terrorism, and the resounding success of Iraq's Constitutional election (79% approval), I labored to find an image that embodies why it is we need to continue doing (what I call) "the hard thing" - a concept I borrow from the great John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Of course, we've seen images of 9-11, and Iraqi people with dye on their fingers splashed everywhere in the media and throughout internet, but WHAT IS IT!? WHAT makes us DIFFERENT from this enemy? And why do we need to continue to fight, and kill or capture, these murderous and soulless thugs who are hijacking and perverting a major world religion?

These photos illustrate, like no words can, the vast UNIVERSE that lies between our two ideologies. Call it what you want, Good vs Evil...Them vs Us...Hatred Vs Hope...Islamic Anarchy vs Western Democracy...Destroyers vs Builders...East vs West...Old World vs New World? The list is endless, and not all analogies are absurd.

But how do these images, and all that they (collectively and separately) represent, make you FEEL!? How does it make disingenuous Celebrities, Radical Left-Wing Politicians and Self-Deluded Activists FEEL? For me, these photos TEAR MY HEART OUT - not just for young Nick Berg, who's horrific last moments on Earth I can't begin to imagine. And not just for this little Iraqi Girl, who now has a real future and a shot at equality and true freedom. Though not explicit here, this imagery conjurs (for me) our fallen heroes and our victims of terror on 9-11 and so many others on so many dates. It hits me hard, simultaneously, in two secret but vulnerable places, and the wildly unnatural juxtapositioning of these two images together somehow brings it all crashing home. THIS is why we are doing it. You need look no further.

As President Bush said yesterday "We didn't ask for this war." I say, like our grandparents in the so-called "greatest generation," let's rise to this challenge...and let's finish it. If not for ourselves, then for our kids.

Aussie Journalist Corrects Story on GIs Burning Dead Taliban

Having waited for an entire day in 90-degree heat for nearby villagers to claim the bodies of two slain Taliban combatants, who had died in a firefight with U.S. soldiers (in which one American and one Afghani soldier were also killed), the platoon leader chose to burn the decomposing bodies.

Despite accusations of intentional religious desecration, these soldiers had actually been concerned with hygiene and finding a solution to the unbearable stench of decomposition - according to photo-journalist Stephen DuPont, an Australian reporter who was embedded with the soldiers. The Australian news agent who received these photographs shot by DuPont apparently changed the story - which has caused international outrage. To set the record straight, DuPont made a statement which included the following:

"I actually believed that the guys that were involved in the burning did it for honorable reasons - they did it through their orders or did it for hygiene - I had no doubt in my mind that they were telling me the truth. If they were doing something that was problematic or controversial, there is no way they would have shown me this."

Dupont admitted that "Psy-Ops" troops later used these still smoldering corpses to intimidate and challenge any nearby Taliban over loud speakers, but he did not feel that the burning itself had been staged or inappropriate.

While traveling from Mongolia, U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, reacting with uncharacteristic speed to this report, condemned the desecration of enemy combatants. Having indicated that he is very concerned of the damage this kind of story could do to our men and women in uniform, he ordered the Central Command to pursue a full investigation.

"I've talked to people and explained what the effect is, and that there has to be a way for them to, not abbreviate the process, but to put a sense of urgency on it that it merits, given the damage that's done during periods of uncertainty..." he said.

Definitely NOT a good time for this kind of report to come out for the Bush administration. Though obviously a sensationalist piece by a disingenuous editor or reporter that plays on the sensitivities of Muslims, even the hint of impropriety by American forces can be disastrous - this despite the despicable treatment of American and other coalition hostages and dead by Muslims. (Contractors burned, hung and dismembered in Fallujah comes to mind).

It now remains to be seen if the MSM will do the right thing with this overblown story. Don't hold your breath...!

New Blogger Chazz - Features Farrakhan as "Dumbass Of The Week"

New Blogger (and Righting America fan) Chazz has been up and running for nearly two months, and I wanted to feature his excellent ~ and, shall we say, "to the point" ~ Blog.....Chazz's Dumbass Of The Week.

Chazz only writes one article per week (every Sunday), and his goal is to examine "Dumbasses" who happen to piss him off at the time, for whatever reason. He is fond of pointing out factoids and quotes that may not be well known, publicized or remembered about his subjects. Usually political, he tells me "that will not always be the case - it's just that lots of Whiny Liberals are pissing me off right now."

Here is a snippet of his latest article: Farrakhan: Still a Racist ~ And Still a DUMBASS!

Just when you were starting to be lulled into believing that racism had been pretty much defeated, and you could safely go bowling with your African-American neighbor without raising eyebrows, suddenly in recent months the cries of white racism are echoing loudly in all corners - and most of us whites didn't even know we are all still just racists! DON'T TOUCH THAT BOWLING BALL!!!

(Farrakhan-) "I firmly believe that if the people on those (New Orleans) rooftops had blond hair and blue eyes and pale skin, something would have been done in a more timely manner."

At 72 years old, Louis Farrakhan looks fit and powerful still (a life of concentrated hatred will do that for you) as he bellows his invectives at the THOUSANDS attending the "MILLIONS More March" on Saturday, where the gathering was estimated to be far below that of the "Million-Man March" a decade earlier...which itself fell short of half a million.

((Read the entire article))

I encourage my readers to visit Chazz's site each week - or subscribe to his site as I have. He is ALWAYS good for a laugh on Monday mornings (when I need it most! ;-)!!!

Sunnis Show for the Vote in Iraq ~ Insurgents Stay Home

In a scene that might have been theatrically crafted by over-zealous and optimistic coalition propagandists, over 90% of Sunni Arabs in the infamous city of Fallujah turned out for the vote this weekend after clerics and other Sunni leaders went door-to-door to encourage residents that it was safe to go vote.

Although some cities had low turnout due to fear of reprisals, according to the Washington Post in its article "Sunni Turnout is High In Vote on Iraqi Charter," at least three of four heavily Sunni-populated provinces, the turnout was strong: Salahuddin - 75%; Diyala - 65%; Anbar - (High but exact number unknown). The question on everyones' minds about the Sunnis: How did they vote?

According to ABC NewsOnline, "...as many as 10 million of Iraq's eligible 15.5 million voters cast ballots," which would make the voter turnout around 65% or more! That is much higher than the January 2005 vote, which achieved about 58%.

In contrast to the voter turnout, there were a reported total of 13 terrorist attacks resulting in no deaths - comparatively, a VERY calm day in Iraq indeed.

The worst thing that could happen from this election is that the Constitution will be defeated - at which point the process will have to be repeated, starting with another vote for representatives. As bad as this sounds, at least it will be the result of a DEMOCRATIC decision, in a Democratic country.

Iraqi Constitution Vs SCOTUS Nominee Miers

Okay, no linky love here, just an observation or two, starting with my basic gripe of the day: Why the HELL are Conservatives wasting OUR time and the hierarchy of the airwaves, ether and print complaining about the President's choice as the next Asscociate Justice for SCOTUS? Do they not realize that, at the end of the day, it is HIS CHOICE!? Where is all of this entitlement mentality coming from? Either you trust the guy or not...and if you worked to put him in the White House (2000), then to keep him there (2004), only to not trust his judgment now? Sorry, but if this is you then YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! NOW SHUT UP ALREADY!

Besides, there are more important concerns at the moment - say, for instance, the constitutional election currently underway in Iraq that will determine its very FUTURE, and will subsequently be used as primary evidence in the court of public opinion, and history, regarding George Bush and his legacy to the world.

Bigger news and bigger impact on us and the world. As I write this, Iraqis are risking their lives to get to polling stations in order to give themselves and their families a future. This is being monitored well and closely by fellow bloggers in Iraq, Omar at Mohammed at Iraq the Model (GREAT stuff - check it out!).

If there is one thing EVERYONE knows about George Bush, it is this: He is loyal and stubborn to a fault and will never withdraw this nomination. If anything, this kind of inflamatory campaign will make him dig in deeper. In 10 years, Supreme Court Justice Miers will have a MUCH BETTER RECOLLECTION of today's hate campaigns against her than the American public will - and she will also remember who conducted them. These folks might want to keep that in mind.

So, Coulter and Savage - STAND DOWN fer cryin' outloud! You (and your egos) are damaging what you both have worked so hard to build and preserve.

Zawahiri to Zarqawi: "US will abandon Iraq"

In an explosive development in the War on Terror, a letter was obtained that has been confirmed to be from Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al Zawahiri, to the leader of "al-Qaieda in Iraq," Abu Musab al Zarqawi. (No further information on how this letter was intercepted).

This letter, written just after the London bombings in July of this year, reveals many grave challenges to the insurgent efforts in Iraq and those of al-Qaieda at large. And while the 13-page document is nothing less than a testament to the coalition's surprisingly effective decimation of al-Qaida, their leadership and financial structure, it is something far more important: Specifically referencing Vietnam, Zawahiri writes that he anticipates an American abandonment of Iraq.

After stating that he believes "the Americans will exit soon, God willing," he goes on to discuss the methods by which they can appease the Iraqi populace through an Islamic Shura council and by dictating what is allowed, and what is not allowed.

"Things might develop faster than we imagine. The aftermath of the collapse of American power in Vietnam - and how they ran and left their agents - is noteworthy. Because of that, we must be ready starting now..."

While this is in stark contrast to the administration's oft-repeated commitment to "stay the course," Zawahiri has strong allies in a majority of the U.S. Democratic Party, and nearly all of its congressional liberals. In fact, he is unwittingly in league with nearly half of Americans who now believe that we should withdraw from Iraq!

As with Vietnam, celebrity pacifists and opportunistic leftist politicians (while pining for the nationally disastrous "kumbayah" days of the 60's and early 70's), are wearing us down, clouding our judgment and our instincts for survival - while at every opportunity casting doubt on our elected President and his efforts to shore up a nation gone soft throughout the last decade.

Taken from commentary from CENTCOM on 11 October:

"How al-Qaida views the developments in Iraq – and elsewhere – as turning against them: Zawahiri clearly is worried they are losing public support in Iraq, and is attuned to the role of the media in the battle for such support. Zawahiri emphasizes that the struggle is ideological, with each side competing for the popular support and loyalty of the Muslim world. Zarqawi’s methods are backfiring by alienating the Iraqi people with attacks against the Shia."

The enemy is desperately fighting against a Free Iraq, and is counting on us to repeat history in this, the war of our time. But in order to defeat terrorism, we are faced with a battle not only of ideology and self-preservation - but a battle of wills, where we have to defeat the ultimate enemy - ourselves.

Another "Rodney King" Cop Beating - in New Orleans!?

Saturday night, and we find the French Quarter in post-Katrina recovery. People have begun to get their lives, and their houses, back in order again. Bourbon Street has welcomed back its patrons, and outside a nearby bar, a 64-year-old black man gets pummeled by two white police officers for resisting arrest, while a third assaults an AP News producer....and it's all on tape. Several punches to the back of the head as he is dragged down to the gutter, bleeding from the arm.

The three officers identified in the incident are subjects of an immediate criminal investigation, according to the chief spokesman for the New Orleans Police Department Capt. Marlon Defillo, on Sunday. He termed this incident "troubling," and said that the three will be suspended and arrested for battery (which they just were tonight).

This comes after the resignation last month of black Police Superintendent, Eddie Compass, and fantastic allegations of intentional genocide against black neighborhoods by the government (courtesy of Louis Farrakhan).

Obviously, emotions are still running high in Sin City - and no doubt the licquor is flowing freer than ever. Reportedly, Officers have slept in their cars and worked double and tripple shifts in the hurricane's wake. Many also lost their homes and were separated from (and/or lost) members of their families.

But these policemen REALLY should have known better. This is just the sort of thing that keeps the racial hate-mongers like Jackson and Sharpton on our televisions and in their limos and mansions.

The video itself is rather damning, as it clearly shows several seconds of the beating - but time and additional evidence will tell. For now, these men are getting what they seem to deserve with their suspensions and arrests.

And while I do believe that there is still racism in America against blacks, times have changed dramatically since the days of Rosa Parks - and even Rodney King. I am hoping that we can ALL put this racial nonense behind us at some point in this lifetime, and that the tragic mishandling (at all levels) of emergency services in New Orleans will motivate us to do better with the security of our homeland in the very, very near future.

The Right to Die versus "Mandatory Life"

Fledgling Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is about to break his cherry on a real humdinger out of Oregon - a question that opens a can of worms nearly as squirmy and historically fractious as that of Roe vs. Wade and the Death Penalty. That is, the RIGHT TO DIE.

In an article by the Science Daily, entitled High court hears assisted suicide case, the case is laid out thus:

"Oregon voters passed the Death With Dignity Act in 1994, allowing physicians to dispense medication to assist patients with terminal diseases to commit suicide."

"However, the Justice Department argues the Federal Controlled Substances Act gives the attorney general the power to prohibit the use of drugs in assisted suicide, regardless of state law."

Ah, so it does NOT address your every-day activity, such as hanging one's self, or jumping off a bridge. It's about DRUGS and what the fed says you cannot dispense legally. So, does this mean that you can, say, hold a pillow over your suffering loved-one's face if they are terminal and ask you nicely to kill them (so long as no drugs are involved)?

It would appear that this is all about a snag the Federal Government found in order to protect us from suicidal people! Hey, don't tell these folks but they are being SOUGHT OUT in Iraq by insurgent/terrorist cells (a "temp" position, as it were)...a good suicide bomber is getting hard to come by!

Here is my take on the specific issue - assisted suicide. YES, we have a right to die - especially if/when we are in pain and are terminally ill. I think it is worth considering, but if you are hoping for a quick decision don't hold your breath! This one will be deliberated for months. There was a time when physician-assisted suicide would have been impracticable - a little thing called the Hippocratic Oath, which was taken by all physicians, forbade it. Essentially, it is an ancient oath by doctors to do no harm to people and to help them. Specifically, there is this line: "I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel" that might have caused a problem. Alas, most medical institutions have modified or replaced Hippocates' wisdom, as mentioned by Wikipedia in this article on the subject.

(For those interested, the very next line in the ancient text read "...and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion." Hmmm...I'll save this for another time ;-)

I really do understand folks who are terminally ill and in pain wishing to choose the details and timing of their deaths - and other than knowing how to argue the case (I'm not a lwyer, but I play one on T.V. ;-), am all for it.

On COMMON suicide (fill in the reason), I have known three people (so far) who killed themselves. For those considering it, I would say this: If pulling a trigger on a gun (which happens to be in your mouth) is too scary for you, perhaps you might want to reconsider. You can always kill yourself TOMORROW!

I have NO sympathy for people who kill themselves (can you tell?). They shatter the rest of us who know and love them. I am curious to know how my readers feel about this as well.

Here is my idea (for non-terminally ill people who feel they have nothing to live for): Instead of offing yourself cuz your girlfriend left you, why not go out in a blaze of glory! Join the military, volunteer for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan with our forces battling insurgents - that way, your death will have noble purpose (if you are killed), OR you might just find a noble purpose TO LIVE FOR! Read, the greater good.

Sorry to have digressed - back to the Supreme Court.

Just think, Anna Nicole Smith will be getting HER DAY in the Supreme Court in her continuing effort to get her hands on nearly a GAZILLION DOLLARS from the man she (pregnant pause) "dearly loved in the twilight of his life." Can't wait for that one.

Have fun, Chief Justice!

Racism, the Welfare State, Sharpton, Bennett and YOU

Is it just me, or is all this fuss about racism making many of us non-minority folk (who are NOT racists), feel kinda', ummmmm, RACIST? Is the taboo of talking about racism finally wearing off for white people, who might be tired of paying a pennance that we did not (personally) earn? Well, it is for me. Big time.

Former Drug Czar and Secretary of Education Bill Bennett's recent remarks on skin color, crime and abortion have lots of fringe liberals (pundits, politicians and media figures) crying foul, while taking his statement out of context.

"If you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." Of course, even if that was true (which it probably is), they leave out the rest of what he said, which is "That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do. But your crime rate would go down."

Mr. Bennett, while he now admits he could have put it much better, was trying to make a point on abortion. Now, as they often do these days, the moonbats are taking a small snippet of his remarks and running with them as "racist remarks."

I'm getting sick of the guilt we are supposed to feel every time disingenuous assholes like Sharpton, Jackson, Rangel and Farrakhan (all of which have accused the Bush administration of racism in the Katrina disaster) open their mouths. Don't folks realize that these people intentionally perpetuate racism in order to keep working themselves? Sharpton et al would like nothing better than to have 50's-style racism BACK in America....and further enrich themselves over the familiar uncertainty and righteous militantism. There is a special place in hell for these men.

This incessant cacophony of racism (by black leaders, black rap artists, black comedians, ALL fringe liberals etc), combined with the welfare state/entitlement mentality (welfare, Section 8, reparations, racial quotas, affirmative action) that has pissed me off for years is driving me (and other whites I've spoken to) back to racism - and I DON'T LIKE IT!

You want equal opportunity? Let's look at the hard facts of crime and be HONEST about it. Blacks commit more crime than any other ethnic group in America - period. In fact, WAY more. Now, do we want to solve this or keep making excuses? Be honest, look into the root causes of why that is true, and let's go from there....and let's stop bullshitting ourselves! While one can argue that the police tend to suspect and arrest young black men more often than other profiles, I submit that there is a reason for that. And who are the unsung, indirect victims of this? The millions of law-abiding and decent black men who do the right thing, and yet are looked upon daily with societal suspicion.

If we are to be honest with ourselves, we mustn't be afraid of the truth. Here are some statistics from the controversial study, The Color of Crime:

Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder, and eight times more likely to commit robbery

When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likely than non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife

Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent

Blacks are seven times more likely to be in prison than whites. Hispanics are three times more likely

Other things that have led me to my own conclusions:

BET should have NEVER gone on the air under this name. Its very existence is racist, and is proof of reverse-racism. Would a WET ever fly? How about an "Ivory Magazine," for white men only? How far does our misplaced guilt take us down this road?

Second, I have seen how black people (and other minorities) have a better chance to advance in the U.S. Navy than white people - and they know it. About mid-way through my 20-year career, I recall a conversation between an enlisted black man and an enlisted black woman (who didn't seem to realize I could hear them). While discussing ways of becoming an officer, the man retorted to the woman "Girl, you BLACK AND FEMALE - you'd be STUPID not to put in your package! You'd be a SHOO-IN!" As a career counselor at the time, I knew that he was right. The Navy (and other branches) have gone out of their way to demonstrate equality and diversity. Maybe too far.

Yep, I'm going to hit on RAP and Hip-Hop for a sec. This music glorifies all that is WRONG with the black sub-culture and it's values. Stealing, Cop-Killing, Raping, Gang-Banging...all acceptable and laudable behaviors. Been shot or stabbed? You get "Street Cred." Knocked up a girl? Tell her it's "her problem." Wanna deal some drugs? Be a Pimp? All of this is imagery that is blasted at us in modern Rap and Hip-Hop videos, acceptable vocations in the inner-city projects. And HEY! It's the white society's fault that you are living there in the first place, right?

Wrong. That might have been true 50 years ago, but get over yourselves. I didn't put you there, in fact I grew up poor myself - and now I look after my own family, with no handouts.

Just to be clear - I'm NOT paying any slavery reparations. Nada. Not only did I have no role in slavery, but handing a big fat check to an already welfare-entitled person is the WORST THING you could do for them - as it would further implant, into their psyche, the idea that society owes them and will always look after them and pick up the tab.

It took Bill Cosby to get the attention of some African Americans, and yet here we are still. Shining examples of what is possible in America, like Condi Rice, are somehow "Uncle Toms."

To Black folks who believe this crap from Sharpton and the other racial vampires of the African American community - I might be white, but I am not "The Man" and I have never, ever "Beat you down."