Ranting Kossacks

Over at the Daily Kos, someone is fuming over Bush wanting US leadership of UN forces. I don’t necessarily have a problem with it. Leadership of UN forces is always under different nations. Bush’s argument that ”its our turn” isn’t that far out of line, on that score. And, honestly, to extrapolate the various events the author mentions isn’t that far out of line either. To claim them as de facto events if Bush gets US leadership of UN forces? That’s a bit much. Personally, given the problems NATO is having in Afghanistan, and our troops having experience there, my thought is US leadership might be a good thing.

But, what the writer describes is not the way the military is supposed to work—although it was the way Johnson and Nixon handled Vietnam. And, for some reason, it is a belief that persists even today. Nothing happened, down to the tactical level, without White House knowledge and approval. It was a micro-managing nightmare. The way it is supposed to work is this: the White House (i.e. the commander-in-chief) sets the goals. The generals decide the best way to accomplish those goals. And, the soldiers obey the orders of the generals.

That works somewhat differently in the UN setting. The generals are not supposed to their home country, but to UN leaders. As far as I know, every prior general of UN forces has let their own country’s politics and agenda affect how he leads UN troops to some degree. And, I’m sure it will happen under US leadership. But, the President does not command those troops, if they are under the authority of the UN. So, the premise the writer uses is faulty from the start.

Personally, I do not agree that US troops should ever be under the authority of the UN. They are US soldiers—not UN soldiers. So, I actually don’t agree with the original premise of the idea. But, if it is going to happen, the US should get it’s turn at being in command of those soldiers on the ground.

Meanwhile, Daily Kos is blaming Bush for everything about the Iraqi nuke documents being released on the internet. Kind of silly really. This rants on and on about how Bush failed us in national security because he authorized the posting of the info. But, since action was taken immediately to bring down the site and end the problem, all I see is an informational screw up. Technically, and in fact, the guy who actually put the information on the net is the one at fault. Bush, or whoever he had appointed, did his job. So, I don’t get it. Democrats have been doing this type of thing as long as Republicans. How come it’s only Republicans who are such nasty awful failures, and such threats to national security?

Valour-IT Update...And Evening News

OK…once again, it’s time for the nightly recap for the Valour-IT contest (...see my original post for more info...or visit the Valour-IT homepage...)

Wow, things slowed WAY down today. Remember, the goal is for each team to raise $45,000. So, let’s keep spreading the word!

And, here are the close of day numbers for 11/02 11:59 Central (Day Four):

Team Air Force: $13,829.00
Team Army: $15,680.00
Team Marines: $14,357.60
Team Navy: $13,311.00
TOTAL: $57,177.60 (out of $180,000)

WAY TO GO TEAMS!
Check the Valour-IT links in the sidebar for the sites of the Team Chiefs.

And, remember:
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

We are almost a third of the way there! Let's complete the mission.


(…Now, for a look at the news…)

Voting For Dollars? That’s what they are going to decide in Arizona. A chance to win one million dollars just for voting. Of course, the initiative is sponsored by a Democrat—Mark Osterloh. Of course, it’s all in the name of “getting out the vote.” Right? Has our greed and selfishness become so bad we have to be bribed in order to get involved in government? Meanwhile, the courts have upheld voter ID requirements in Arizona, overturning (at least partially) a 9th Circuit ruling on the matter.
(…I tried to get the CNN video link for the lottery thing...I just couldn’t get it to work…sorry…can anybody shoot me the links/codes/tips/instructions to be able to make it work?...)

And, Democrats are actively courting religious voters

"What we're doing is paying real dividends in the faith community," said Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, who heads the House of Representatives Democratic Faith Working Group…"We're framing issues in religious terms and getting our members to be comfortable with it,"
(…snip…)
Until recently, Democrats have been reluctant to mention religion, but that has begun to change with some now even quoting scripture.
(…snip…)
John Green, a senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, said: "Many Democrats have concluded that they can compete for the Christian vote. Perhaps not for hard-line votes but for moderate evangelicals, Catholics and mainline Protestants."
(…snip…)
In a June speech, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois said fellow Democrats must end their reluctance to talk about their faith. "If we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons will continue to hold sway," Obama said, naming two outspoken conservative Christian figures.

The fact that Obama is actively (…aggressively???...) pushing this is problematic. Even more problematic is that Liberals are learning how to approach, and draw in, the normally Republican base.

An example of that is in this report from CNS. It’s a bout a new film on global warming, called “The Great Warming.” What the liberal left does is frame the issue in moral terms, concealing from conservatives and Christians what is really going on.

Karen Coshof, producer of the film put out by Canada's Stonehaven Productions, said in an interview with Cybercast News Service that when it comes to climate change, the problem is there are too many people on the planet. "Population is the underlying problem -- the catalyst for the whole thing, but we didn't get into that in the film," Coshof said. "That is the underlying problem -- too many people -- all in competition for the same resource."

Kindly note the belief they are not expressing is the need for population control—forced abortions and so forth. But, framed in the moral, Christian argument of being tasked by God to care for/maintain the earth (…go read the book of Genesis in the Bible if you need to…), many conservatives are being drawn to them and end up supporting things they wouldn’t otherwise.

Cassandra Carmichael, the Eco-Justice Program director for the National Council of Churches, said the environmental issue was the crucial issue in this case. We are bringing our moral voice to the cause. In our work, when we're signing on with other groups, we're looking at what we have in common," said Carmichael. "We're able to agree as a community that addressing global warming is important -- we are focusing on the issue.

Ms Carmichael needs to understand there is no such thing as a single, isolated issue. If we focus on just one thing, to the exclusion of other related issues, then we are on a dark road for sure.
(…say…isn’t that what the liberals are blaming Bush for?...)

Moderate Republicans suffering most in this election. Speaking of Rhode Island’s Chafee:

A Chafee loss could sound the death knell for an increasingly rare creature: the moderate Republican.
(…snip…)
It's not just Chafee. Moderate Republicans are struggling across the country, especially in the Northeast:… says Democratic pollster Mark Mellman. "There was a time when you could look all up and down the East Coast — Jacob Javits in New York, Mack Mathias in Maryland — and see a variety of moderate and even liberal Republicans. That is a disappearing breed."

In another election hot-potato, immigration, there was this announcement: Medicaid proof required of illegal immigrant babies. Of course, the rules went into effect a few months ago. States have just been slow in the implementation. But, typical of the NY Times, why say anything until election time?

And…what was I saying about Google and Microsoft yesterday? Well, Microsoft and Novell’s Linux are joining up.

Productivity down, labor costs up. After announcing increased wages and benefits on October 31, the business world reveals it has productivity issues. This is not surprising. Given the sharp focus on the bottom line for shareholders sake, and the next quarter’s earnings, companies have been shaving their employment rolls. Add to that how automation has greatly reduced the manpower requirements of most companies. So those left at companies are doing more and more work. This is called increased productivity. But, as any good operations manager knows, there is a point of diminishing returns. It sounds like we may have finally exceeded it.

Levity IS REQUIRED Today!!!

(This hit my e-mail box about a month ago. I'm sure it's been floating around the internet for a while. If you know the source, let me know, so I can give due credit. ENJOY!)

Old Testament Parenting

Laws of Forbidden Places
Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room. Of quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room.

Of the juices and other beverages, yea, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein. Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink. But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then may you eat in the living room.

Laws When at Table
And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as it were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination unto me. Yea, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke.

Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you shall be sent away. When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck: for you shall be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister hath done the same to you. Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is.

And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that,that is why.

Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

Laws Pertaining to Dessert
For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert.

But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert.

But if you eat a lesser number of peas, and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof. And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.

On Screaming
Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that the server may correct the fault. Likewise if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not been scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throat, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat it myself, yet shall not surely die.

Concerning Face and Hands
Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon. And in the breast pocket of your garment, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see. Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say. Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.

Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances
Bite not, lest you be also bitten again. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of the bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, not against any building; nor eat sand.

Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape? And hum not the humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you shall drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape.

(Now…come on…admit it…you laughed at the part about the cat…didn’t you?

Morning News Blurbs

In Blogging news, Uncle Mac has a new home. I just discovered Uncle Mac has creating Beast Media. Some say it's more toned down than his last venture...We'll see...

Meanwhile, Castle Argghh! linked this report on a Blogger election poll. Scroll for it if you have to, it's worth the read.
(H/T to Argghhh! for the link)

In the news, Forbes is reporting on the fickleness of American car buyers. According to their numbers, American car buyers stupidity is still as strong as ever: gas guzzling trucks and SUV have doubled sales since gas prices dropped...
(…anyone think it’s just Republicans who are buying these things…)

More news on Google expanding and taking over the internet...
( will it face the Microsoft/Bill Gates legal problems one day?... a left wing conglomerate?...hhhmmm…)

And, how about this weird news via the AP. Donald Trump is in trouble for flying a flag...on too big a pole...put up without a building permits. People find some of the strangest ways to do stuff. (…you’d think with all his lawyers, he would have discovered that little problem…)

And, patriotism brings us to the subject of Iraq. Op-For had a great post on honor and dishonor. It will help you put things back in perspective. There is no substitute for the honor of doing what is right, in the beginning, HM3 Melson J. Bacos, a Corpsman who served with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, has discovered a little too late.

Joseph Galloway, at Michael-Yon On-Line, contines to warn of the slide to civil war and anarchy in Iraq. It’s not a pretty picture. Although, with Maliki’s recent actions, it is a very accurate one—if nothing changes.
(…my concern is we are still missing one of our own…sure, he broke regs and created the problem…but he’s still ours…)

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said he wants US troops to stay another 3 years:

to help bring peace to the country, envisaging a slower withdrawal programme than that suggested by Washington.

(…one says “don’t do anything”…the other says “stay and help”…no wonder nothing gets done…)

OK…Here’s one last piece of weird news—mostly on the foolishness of consumers. And, I’m not commenting on this story, except to say, “And I thought push up bras were a vanity issue!”

Hockey News...And A Valour-IT Update

OK…once again, it’s time for the nightly recap for the Valour-IT contest (...see my original post for more info...or visit the Valour-IT homepage...) Remember, the goal is for each team to raise $45,000. And, here are the close of day numbers for 11/01 11:59 Central (Day Three):

Team Air Force: $12,464.00
Team Army: $13,808.00
Team Marines: $12,642.60
Team Navy: $10,187.00

WAY TO GO TEAMS!
Check the Valour-IT links in the sidebar for the sites of the Team Chiefs.
(…uuummm…we definitely set the target too low…!!!...)

Now, for some HOCKEY news…

GO STARS! Mike Smith gets his second win over struggling LA. Currently, the Kings are 0-4-1, though they aren’t doing as bad as their 11 game streak back in 03-04. I can see more players moving around LA pretty soon—if there’s no change in trend that is. On the down side for Dallas, Steve Ott is out for two months with a broken ankle. That’s gonna hurt! (…yes…pun intended…don’t ask next time…)

Sidney Crosby had his first career hat trick and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 8-2 Saturday night for their fourth straight win (…I’m still expecting Philly to start moving a few players…). And, check out this report on where Hitchcock might land after getting the ax in Philly.

Too bad for Buffalo. It would have been really cool to see that record broken. Tied is good…but not as good. Too bad about Tallinder, too. (…makes you wonder how they would have done had the D not been so depleted…)

A quick look at the league this weekend revealed something interesting. Phoenix (6 pts) has the current lease on the basement, closely nipping at the heels of Philadelphia, Boston, Columbus, and Calgary (all with 7 pts). The sad part is Phoenix is outscoring the other teams. They just aren’t defending better.

And, Hockey’s Future has begun releasing their organizational rankings fall 2006, based on prospects in the pipeline. Teams 16-30 are out. So are teams 1-15. They do this twice a year. It will be interesting to see how things change…uuuhhhh…progress as the year goes on. By the way, here is their list of the hot prospects for 2007.
(…it will be interesting to see how the 2007 draft goes…)

Meanwhile, back in Pittsburgh, they have decided to keep ALL three rookies: Jordan Staal, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin. For this season, given the chemistry the Penguins have going, that could be really good (…currently 6-3-0…). However, ESPN takes a special look at how this could affect the team due to free agency issues. Crosby, for example, goes into restricted free agency status next year. That could have a very nasty financial impact on the already financially struggling Penguins. The kicker? ALL THREE could be unrestricted free agents by 2013.

And, finally, Google will be broadcasting NHL games this year! Yes, you heard that right. I first found the news on Kukla’s Korner. He pulls a quote from the Buffalo Business Journal, stating that games will be available, with a 48-hour tape delay, for about $2.99.
(…well, that should help a little with league revenues…maybe…)

Some Notes for Today

I could possibly put together a piece to detail the PR war that is being lost by our military, and the administration. But, why bother since ’El Capitan’ did it first? He has the links to show we are winning in Iraq—even if we don’t get around to telling everyone.
(…hhhmmm…I seem to recall somewhere else this problem cropped up…someplace…I think it started with a “V”?…)

(…by the way…the Valour-IT thing has helped me find a whole lot of folks I might not have found any other way…there’s a list of the Blogs for Team Air Force over at Fix4RSO…oh, yeah...if you're intersted in who is on all the team, the lists can be found here...)

I woke up this morning thinking about Michael yon and the stolen photo situation. Well, now I know why. Op-For has the links to a Democratic mailer in Washington that stole the picture again.
(…can someone on the Democratic side give me a reason why use of stolen property is OK?...since you are trying to be elected to UPHOLD the law…uuummm…anyone think I should hold my breath?...)

In the continuing saga of the John Kerry kerfluffle, the Daily Kos had this way off base “rebuttal”. First of all, I fail to see what service or non-service has to do with recognizing when someone says something stupid—and goes on to attack the offended party, rather than apologize. John Kerry’s record speaks for itself—badly, I would add. I’ll list some of the soldiers/former soldiers who are very vocally objecting to his remarks, you can go read them for yourself:

Beast Media (disabled vet)
Blackfive
Mudville Gazette
Argghhh!!! (disabled vet)
Dude, Where’s The Beach?

Conservative? Sure. But, so what? Does that invalidate their anger over Kerry’s insensitive remarks? Not hardly.
(...what about John McCain...and...yeah…you can even add little ole me to that list, too…)

UPDATE: For a truly priceless look at this, check out Thoughts from the Heart of Dixie

Still over at Kos, there was this saddening piece by a former Republican/conservative. There is as good bit of truth about the Republican party. The one bright spot in the post was this:

I could be flip and say, "come on in, the water's fine on our side!" But first of all, it's not like our party doesn't have its own problems. And more importantly, partisan fealty (especially for us political junkies), like religion, goes much deeper than the intellect. It cuts to the very core of who we are, of how we define ourselves. That's why for many of the disillusioned, it's simply easier to tune out or become "independent" than it is to jump in bed with the other party.

I suspect that when we all reach the point this writer did, the political process will begin to clean itself up—on both sides.

Valour-IT Update, and the Late News

First things first. A VALOUR-IT Update! (...see my original post for more info...or visit the Valour-IT homepage...) Remember, the goal is for each team to raise $45,000. And, here are the closing day numbers for 10/31 11:59 Central (Day Two):

Air Force: $9704.79
Army: $10,788.00
Marines: $9125.00
Navy: $6477.00

WAY TO GO TEAMS!
Check the Valour-IT links in the sidebar for the sites of the Team Chiefs.
(…uuummm…we may have set the target too low…???...)


Meanwhile, in the later part of the day’s news…

There's another Democrat who seems to be working hard to help their cause. Reuters had this report about a lawyer arrested in Maine after he dressed up like Bin Laden.

A Maine attorney who released information in 2000 about President George W. Bush's drunken driving conviction was arrested on Tuesday after he dressed up as al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and waved a fake gun at traffic.

But, here is the absolute best part:

Connolly, a Democrat, ran for governor in Maine in 1998.

(Thanks goes to Chickenhawk for the alert)


No Sex Till You’re 30! That’s how the government is marketing an abstinence program, due to so many children being born out of wedlock. The problem is the announcement is aimed at those in their 20s. (…let’s see…we spend how much money in public schools telling our children all about how to have sex…then we expect them not to…am I missing something here?...)

Are white’s being sterotyped in the Media now? That the claim of the only black player on Duke’s lacrosse team. Read up on his defense of his teammates. I love his statement on why he believes the accused teammates declaration of innocence:

Asked how he could be so sure if he wasn't present when the alleged attack took place, Sherwood said he knew the defendants well enough.
"I don't hesitate," he said. "I believe in the character of my teammates. I believe in the character of specifically [the three defendants]. I would never ever … doubt them or think, 'Well, are they lying?' I would never do that, because I believe in them."

(…enough said…)

Is the Iraqi police under militia control?
This MSNBC report says yes. It seems fairly obvious that some elements of it are. However, there are reports of other elements that truly are not. But, with Prime Minister Maliki getting US checkpoints removed, albeit on a limited basis, you’ve got to wonder nonetheless what the leader of Iraq is really doing.

Did Kerry give the Republicans and election gift with his education statement disparaging the military? Well,
ABC News thinks he may have done just that.
Many conservatives think he made things worse when, in his explanation of the original gaff, he made this one:

"It disgusts me that a bunch of these Republican hacks who have never worn the uniform of our country are willing to lie about those who did," Kerry added.

(…those are not words to apologize with…or earn friends among the military…not with his history of sucking up to the enemy…)

On the subject of John Kerry, Michelle Malkin had a link to a great takedown of the bumbling Senator that she got from Scrappleface. Go check it out!

As a final piece of commentary, I send you to Jarhead John for hard hitting, right between the eyes look at how voters make decisions, and what Democrats are doing to take advantage of it.
(…great piece of thought John…Thanks!...)