Valour-IT And Some News

OK...once again, it’s time for the nightly recap for the Valour-IT contest (…yeah…it’s a little late…it’s been a busy night at work……the numbers are midnight numbers, though…I did manage that much…)

Want to know what this might mean to someone? Go read Homefront Six and find out.

Here are the close of day numbers for 11/03 11:59 Central (Day Five):

Team Air Force: $15,454.00
Team Army: $17,109.00
Team Marines: $15,052.60
Team Navy: $14,086.00
TOTAL: $61,701.60 (out of $180,000)

WAY TO GO TEAMS! A third of the way there!
Check the Valour-IT links in the sidebar for the sites of the Team Chiefs. (...see my original post for more info...or visit the Valour-IT homepage...)

And, remember, you don't have to be military or a blogger to participate! this is open to everyone. And, it's a tax-deductible donation and eligible for matching funds from companies who do that sort of thing (see: http://soldiersangels.org/valour/irsinfo.html for proof for the cautious). Just click the donation link at the top of the page to do the electronic thing. The snail mail address for those who'd rather donate that way (be sure to put AIR FORCE in big letters on the check):
Soldiers' Angels
1150 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 108-493
San Antonio, TX 78248

Let's complete the mission.

…And, now…for the news…

The NY Times reports on Israeli troops killing women. The Israelis are still trying to find a kidnapped soldier, which led to the fight with the gunmen. A quick fact check from the article revealed two important details. First, the women were marching to aid trapped terrorist gunmen when the shooting took place. Some women admitted they were bringing disguises so the gunmen could escape. Third, they did not disperse when told. If I read the article correctly, shots were actually fired in the air as a warning before shots were fired at the advancing women. I’m not happy the women were shot, and some even died. I know this is going to sound ugly, but, I don’t see a problem with the Israeli reaction.

Release the Lawyers! Republicans and Democrats—and even the Justice Department—are sending lawyers to the sites of close races in hopes of being able to overturn results.

A team of lawyers for the Democratic Party has been arguing with postal officials in Columbus, Ohio, trying to persuade them to process thousands of absentee ballots that have arrived with insufficient postage. In Pennsylvania, the Republican Party has opened a “recount account” and set aside $500,000 to pay lawyers who will answer telephones on Election Day and monitor polls to see whether officials demand proper voters’ identification. In Maryland, lawyers representing candidates for senator and governor from both parties met recently and swapped cellphone numbers and e-mail addresses to smooth out the logistics of potential litigation.

But, I think the worst part of it was this note:

Democrats say they are most concerned that voters will be prevented from voting by long lines or poll workers’ demanding unnecessary forms of identification.

Have we come so far in our pursuit of comfort that we are not willing to wait through whatever in order to vote? Let’s take a lesson from Iraqis who remained in line during explosions in order to cast their vote. Meanwhile, we worry about unnecessary forms of ID. This from the party that has tried to get rid of voter ID requirements (i.e. California). The only reason I can think of where ID would not be desirable is if you are trying to throw an election by invalid votes.
(…sheesh…just about the only thing worse than American politics is our apathy…)

And, I’ll make a short comment on Ted Haggard. It’s interesting to see the Democrats and liberals want to give the benefit of the doubt to their own who are accused of something, but not those on the Right. Sadly, those on the Right act no differently. The fact that he immediately—and voluntarily--stepped down says a lot. I don’t recall too many high profile leaders on either side of the aisle who have done that. The accusations alone have hurt, and will hurt a lot of people. IF (…emphasis on IF…) he did it, he should be held accountable for it—by his church, by his family, by the body of Christ, and,if applicable, by the law. But, if he hasn’t, what accountability is his accuser going to be under?