01/24 Morning Report

Well, I had to work last night, and did not get to see the President’s speech. To be honest, I wanted to be physically ill as I contemplated reading today’s news reports. I had a pretty good of what the liberal media would be doing. And, today’s news is actually a mixed bag of stuff…The BBC had a relatively mild take on the speech. While I’m there, here is their link to the entire speech…I’ll be reading it later…I have a lot of homework for my management class to do.

The Hispanic political groups aren’t sure what to make of Bush’s immigration plans. I doubt it will end up being anything new. He has put this issue up for reform every year, with varying degrees of importance. Congress will have to act in order for anything to change. And, I doubt they will do anything new—perhaps a reenactment of another amnesty program, but nothing substantial beyond that.

In terms of wages, the Democrats and Republicans are still divided along traditional lines. No minimum wage increase without small business tax relief. Is that a surprise? I doubt it..or at least I don’t think it should be. It goes right along with the raging debate about how to balance the budget.
(…of course, that isn’t taking into account the fact that the deficit is already decreasing…the media wouldn’t want you to remember that little fact…not while trying to bolster liberal standards and trends…)

In another “no-big-surprise” move, the Democrat-controlled Foreign Relations Committee said ”no more troops” for Iraq. I think it’s a bad move overall. More troops, with a well defined mission and goal could easily be a great short term measure towards success. My great fear is this decision may precipitate a sudden move to pull out completely. That, I am certain, would be disasterous.
(…rule by popularity is a very bad thing…I see the Democrats being more interested in making popular decisions than doing the tough, but right thing…of course, the Republicans did the same thing in the 90s…which is why the Democrats made such gains recently…)

To be honest, I’m not sure if Kerry’s exit will be a good thing or a bad thing. From a Republican standpoint, I think it would have created more of a divide in the Left.
(…from a personal standpoint, the amusement he procides with his gaffs would have been well worth the expense of his campaign…)

Lastly, there were two sad announcements today. From the Ft. Worth Star Telegramyesterday:

A 20-year-old Army private from Alabama was among five U.S. troops killed in a reported ambush in Iraq, according to his family.
Jonathan Millican, a 2005 graduate of Locust Fork High School, died in the attack along with three other soldiers and a Marine, the soldier's father, Mitchell Millican, told Birmingham television station WBRC.

Also from the Star Telegram:

A Marine from northern Wisconsin has been killed in Iraq, family members said.
Lance Cpl. Andrew Matus, 19, graduated in 2005 from Weyerhaeuser High School and had already signed up to be a Marine before that, his father Gary Matus of Chetek said when contacted Monday evening.
He said he had been told his son was shot in Anbar Province.

We at our house remember your cry—the cry of all warriors:

"Tell them of us and say,
For their tomorrow, we gave our today."
--The Kohima Epitaph--

We remember what you have given. And we say thank you for the tomorrows you have given others. May God give back to your family more than they have sacrificed and lost.

And, now, we dance In Memoriam.