Indigo Insights |
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Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation 
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Monday, March 31, 2003
NEWLY UPDATED (again) Da Goddess Zander (previously MIA) Compleat Redneck Kevin McGehee Zone Gone South Best of the Web Sunday, March 30, 2003
Friday, March 28, 2003
My three cousins, twice removed, and a couple of old friends in nursing homes will not see this tribute from Misha unless it is totally copied here for them. Ergo - Jose Gutierrez, In Memoriam We would like to take this time out to honor one of our fallen heroes, chosen because he embodied the very essence of this great nation. Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez was a U.S. Marine who grew up an orphan in war-torn Guatemala. Hoping for a better life, he trekked by train, foot and bus all the way to the United States, determined to become an American, where he found a new family at age 14. Later, when he came of age, he joined the U.S. Marines because he felt that he owed it to the country that had given him a new life and went off to fight for all of us in far-off lands, where he found a hero's death on the battlefield of Umm Qasr on March 21st, 2003. I would say that he died a true American, but that wouldn't do him justice. In my opinion, Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez was an American from birth, he just happened to be born outside the United States. We mourn with his foster family, the Mosqueras of Lomita, CA, who gave this brave young man a new life and we mourn the loss of a great American. A loss to his family and a loss to this nation that he gave his young life for. May his place in Heaven be a prominent one and may his memory live on forever. Posted by Misha I at 06:09 PM | Comments (19) | See the article that moved Misha here. The American Soldier The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to country, rock and roll, or hip-hop, or rap, or jazz, or swing, and 155mm Howitzers. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. contributed by Brenda, Greenville, NC Thursday, March 27, 2003
A FEW BULLETS * Don't miss yesterday's Compleat Redneck. PLEASE! * Letter to Editor of High Point Enterprise from a NC military wife. Another MUST READ. * Two eye witness warriors: Lt. Smash and Capt. Steve - From the Sandbox. Both of these are updated regularly. Sandbox is archived from March 2nd. * One visit to The Agonist and you'll be hooked. This new site just can't be beat for up to the minute war news updates. Many people are making this their home page for quick access. * If you haven't written your "thank you" note yet, take 10 seconds and go sign in at Defend America. They have made it real easy for you. URBAN LEGEND? When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying that, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return." It became very quiet in the room. Snopes says this is true. Wednesday, March 26, 2003
YAHOO NEWS NC Town Grieves for 11 slain Marines Along streets in town, businesses display signs that say "God Bless our Troops" and "We Support Our Troops." Yellow ribbons flutter from truck mirrors and porch railings. American flags fly at half-mast in the city and on base. Tuesday, March 25, 2003
SEMPER FI FALLEN FOX NEWS has published the official list of American servicemen killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom as of 7:30 p.m. EST Tuesday, March 25. Complete list is here. Local Heroes Listed Were -- Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, 31, of Ventura, Calif. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Lance Cpl. Brian Rory Buesing, 20, of Cedar Key, Fla. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley, 26, of Lee, Fla. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, 21, of Orange, Calif. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Cpl. Jorge A. Gonzalez, 20, of Los Angeles. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sgt. Nicolas M. Hodson, 22, of Smithville, Mo. Killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq on March 24. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, 42, of Brazoria, Texas. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Lance Cpl. Eric J. Orlowski, 26, of Buffalo, N.Y. Killed by an accidental discharge of a .50 cal machine gun in Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 2nd Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney Jr., 31, Nye, Nev. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Cpl. Randal Kent Rosacker , 21, San Diego. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum, age unknown, Adams, Colo. Killed in action March 23 in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. I Got Your Back I am a small and precious child; My dad's been sent to fight... The only place I'll see his face is in my dreams at night. He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track. I may be sad, but I am proud. My daddy's got your back. I am a caring mother. My son has gone to war... My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before. Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black. I may be scared, but I am proud. My son has got your back. I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go. There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know. I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my husband pack... My heart may break, but I am proud. My husband's got your back... I am a Military Man standing Proudly, standing tall. I fight for freedom, yours and mine, by answering this call. I do my job while knowing the thanks it sometimes lacks. Say a prayer that I'll come home. It's me who's got your back. (From JD, Greenville, NC) Sunday, March 23, 2003
PEACE? "Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, off the pigs'n blow up buildings, riot now..." Thanks to Trojan Horseshoes and Dean's World for link. Saturday, March 22, 2003
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT IRAQ Da Goddess says "You know there's always more to the story than what the latest spin doctors are trying to sell. One of the best sites attempting to debunk some of the myths surrounding the war in Iraq is Spinsanity." Always trusting Da Goddess' judgement, I hot-linked it over there, read the first paragraph of "Myths and misconceptions about Iraq", and I was hooked. "As war begins in Iraq, this column is intended to serve as a resource. It highlights major fallacies and disproven and highly debatable claims from the debate over US policy toward Iraq." Links, and links, and links of interesting reading, a la Goddess. It will take me into the night to check them all out. But that's never stopped me before! Assuming this is, in fact, a "search for the truth" site, it's one I"ll revisit. MAIL BOX -- from Bob, Kinston, NC Not my Problem? A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package; what food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a mouse trap! Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, "There is a mouse trap in the house, there is a mouse trap in the house." The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me; I cannot be bothered by it." The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mouse trap in the house." "I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse," sympathized the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers." The mouse turned to the cow, who replied, "Like wow, Mr. Mouse, a mouse trap; am I in grave danger, Duh?" So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the farmer's mouse trap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat. So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk. And so it may be with Germany, France and Belgium one day................................ MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH > For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. > For lovely eyes, seek out good in people. > For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. > For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. > For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. > People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone. > Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms. > As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. > The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from within her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. > The beauty of a woman is not in a facial smile, but the true beauty of a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives and the passion that she shows. > The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years. ---- Audrey Hepburn EAR WORMS Several days ago, Acidman blogged about ear worms. This week WebMD featured a short article on this strange, but ubiquitous, syndrome. Stuck song syndrome annoyed, frustrated, and irritated women significantly more than men. And earworm attacks were more frequent -- and lasted longer -- for musicians music lovers. Slightly neurotic people also seemed to suffer more. Friday, March 21, 2003
DEEP BREATH It seems I'm too preoccupied with what other bloggers are saying today to take time to get my thoughts together and put up a blog of my own. These other guys are so much more "on top" of things than I am, plus on an articulation scale, they're mostly tens and can say it better than I. So, anyhow, here are some links that are very interesting, and that's going to be my job today. Leading you down the Linking Path. Thanks to The Artist Previously Known as Chuck for nudging me in this direction today. Yeah, I know. Best of the Web is listed in my Blog Addendum - but in case you don't scroll down that far, here it is. On a day such as this when I am overwhelmed with reading, I read the Redneckin's Digest synopsis and go back later to the read the entire unabridged article. Susanna over at Cut on the Bias says It's time the "activists for peace" were called what they really are: violent, hatefilled and dangerous. The only good thing about this is that the average American may figure out that these nutcases do not represent anything but violent, envy-filled anarchy. Every philosophy - including peace activists - have their freak fringe that tend to violence (think murderers of abortion doctors), but it seems only the left embraces theirs as heroes. The average American needs to make it clear that they understand the line between civil disobedience (civil rights sit-in) and anarchy (attacking a woman who just wants to get home, because ... well... because.), and stop allowing an environment where that is in any way encouraged or even condoned. One of her SF emailers sent her this "I Was There" mail. Her link is down below in the Blog Addendum too - or you can link here. Wednesday, March 19, 2003
ALL-AMERICAN MAN If you google "All-American Man", would Michael Moore's name come up, or Bruce Willis? No, I didn't google them; this is just a hypothetical google. But if you find that an interesting concept, have at it. Meanwhile, Frontpage Magazine has it all pretty much laid out in a March 7 piece. Catch the previous link to read the entire article. And leave your opinion at "Say What". I'd really like to hear some on this one. French products I used to buy: from this list BF Goodrich (owned by Michelin) BIC Chanel Christian Dior Culligan (owned by Vivendi) Dannon (yogurt and dairy foods) Lancome Michelin Mikasa (crystal and glass) Motown Records (o-no - say it ain't so!) Pierre Cardin RCA (televisions and electronics; owned by Thomson Electronics) T-Fal Yves Saint Laurent But French's Mustard - Trojan Horseshoes points out: French's Mustard put out a Press release, attempting to make sure everyone knows that they have no connection to the country of France. "No Media Bias" Again McGehee tells about the Oscar awards. Over the past several months, other awards shows have attempted to clamp down on the overtly political speechifying of recipients. But producers for the Academy Awards, as well as executives of the ABC television network (owned by Disney), which will carry the show, have made the decision to let Oscar winners and presenters speak their mind before a world audience that will be watching. And This Further to ensuring an all-anti-war, all-the-time event, Oscar producers and parent ABC are said by insiders to be devising a seating chart that would prevent "pro-war" celebrities from gaining a forum. Hawkish celebrities like Bruce Willis, James Woods, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others are not scheduled to serve as presenters. Read the rest at McGehee's Zone. How can anyone show support for celebrities like Bruce Willis, James Woods, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others who are not scheduled to serve as presenters? How about a sign-in website for some of the non-dissenting American actors? Or is there one, and I've missed it? Tuesday, March 18, 2003
JUST IN From a retired military friend in NJ - dated today - some of these were new to me. Maybe you too. BLOGROLL ADDENDUM In addition to Indigo's Reading List at right, try these: Da Goddess Zander Compleat Redneck Kevin McGehee Zone Gone South Best of the Web Cut on the Bias Blogs of War Right Wing News Grouchy Old Cripple The Safety Valve Neal Boortz The Iranian Girl Studio 8 Late Night Laughs BEST OF THE WEB You may notice Best of the Web is included in the new Blogroll Addendem. Now you can click the link and I won't have to copy and paste items like this anymore: My Three Sons"France has adopted a posture of pained superiority" in its effort to prop up the regime of Saddam Hussein, the Times of London reports. "Capping French glory was the news yesterday that babies in the Arab world were being named 'Chirac,' in tribute to the 'peace-warrior President.' In 1990, they were being called Saddam, and more recently Osama." AND Ronald Reagan, Right as Usual"Coniferous forests around the world may be emitting more smog-causing nitrogen oxides than traffic and industry combined, suggests a report in the prestigious journal Nature," the Associated Press reports. REVEALED: AL QAEDA PLOT TO KILL BUBBA "Clinton canceled two days before the event, and sent then-Vice President Al Gore in his stead." (link this) From NY Post. No comment. SHEEN & SON LOSE VISA CONTRACT "Visa has been getting tons of complaints based on his war stance." Here's a hoot! By the time this was posted, someone had already yanked it off the net. Basically, what it said was that although "tons of complaints" had been coming in, the Sheens' contract had run out anyhow. Monday, March 17, 2003
MORE SEMPER FI On Friday I posted a brief piece received in my mail-box from Capt. Smith, a Marine now in Kuwait. Yesterday I received the open letter below from a Marine, MGySgt. Ed Evans, unknown to me. I checked through Urban Legends for MGySgt. Evans and found nothing. Then I did a web search. That's when I found the second letter, "To Marine Wives", again from MGySgt. Evans, on Sgt. Grits' bulletin board at www.grunts.com. Once there, I could not leave until I had read all these inspiring messages. Take a few minutes to visit this USMC site. It is a plethora of Marine Corps info. All our wonderful military people make me proud to be an American. The Marine Corps is special to me only because of where I live and how many Marines I know. Sgt. Stryker's Daily Briefing keeps updates on the Air Force. "Do Not Forget" I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," and asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?" Now I know why. I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?" Now I know why. Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people. On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors. On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers. I will not be manipulated. I will not pretend to understand. I will not forget. I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting. I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president." I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington." And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely -- nor should they be expected -- to show deference." I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America. I will not forget the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem communications. I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration. I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport. I will not be influenced by so-called, "antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities. I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines. I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality. I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?" There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must! I will force myself to: hear the weeping; feel the helplessness; imagine the terror; sense the panic; smell the burning flesh; experience the loss; remember the hatred. I sat in a movie theater, watching "Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?" Now I know. We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living. Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.) Not as lean, not as mean, but still a Marine To Marine Wives: I spent 27 years on active duty in my beloved Marine Corps, 21 of it married to this good-looking lady sailor. I had five overseas tours, three of them in combat, and only one with my family, late in my career. Through it all my lovely wife, who at first was almost helpless with me, grew into a very capable, self-confidant lady. I was always worried about her, but I never heard about the difficult times until I was back in the good old USA. She felt I needed to keep my mind on what I was over there for, and she was right. Letters and photos from her helped a great deal, as mine did for her. Home made cookies packed in popcorn, packages of Kool-aid to change the chemical taste of the water, little things like that. They all helped work through the loneliness. As others have said, she threw herself into her own life. Did I mention the first tour in combat we had three kids? We eventually had five (I got home sometimes.) A lot of things went wrong, but like I said, I never heard about it until I was home. She, like you, cried her eyes out the first time, but she knew, like you ladies, that she needed to be strong, that there would be a tomorrow for us. Today she deserves a medal, because she devoted her life to her country, too, and sacrificed just as I did. It is a great thing your men are doing for their country. It's a great thing you are doing for your country. Your countrymen may never realize it, but you and your husbands will know. And that is what is important. Semper Fi! Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC-Ret. Not as mean, not as lean, but still a Marine January 31, 2003 Saturday, March 15, 2003
My intention was to take this day of the weekend off - you know, like the "Tall Dogs" Acidman refers to. But catching up on my reading this morning, I came upon Emperor Misha's blog from yesterday. So for my limited readership, here's the coquettishly purloined Nice Doggie blog of 3/14/03, with the accompanying pertinent links . Re: DIXIE CHICKS Misha said: Well THAT Didn't Take Long Pixie Dicks' singer apologizes for remarks: Nashville, Tennessee-AP -- The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines is apologizing for saying she's "ashamed" of President Bush. She says she was disrespectful, and anyone who holds the presidency should be treated with the utmost respect. Gee... Got a sudden pain in your right back pocket, didya? Sorry, but I ain't buying. (Link shamelessly robbed from Bill Quick) Misha's Commenters said: And when they return to Europe for another tour will they then apologize to the EuroTrash for having apologized to their fellow Americans?I'm happy that they're expressing a change of heart. Me, I have a short fuse and a long memory. I WON'T have a change of heart about buying any of their CD's. (posted by Dr.Kranky March 14, 2003 11:57 PM ) They're a cover band. A pretty good one, but they've never written a song that's been popular. It's too bad, I liked them, but not with any great intensity. Now they'll learn the lesson that Alec Baldwin, Ed Asner, Cher and Susan Sarandon have learned - once you trash your country, your career is basically over. You'll still be recognized in the supermarket, but that's the BAD part of stardom. The good part - getting lead parts and big paychecks - is gone. (Quick, name the last lead part any of those people had...) (posted by Richard R at March 15, 2003 02:07 AM) The fan discussion forum on their website is "temporarily shut down for maintenance". Yeah...guess they ARE getting the message! These girls are too stupid to have a successful career of any length. Their fifteen minutes are up. You don't pull this crap when your fan base is country western. They'll be lucky if their next album sells 100 copies. Maybe they'll get heckled off the stage when they come home. I don't buy the lame apology. Baldwin, Cher and Sarandon aren't finished because they do have their following. But the people who like Streisand and Cher usually aren't CW fans. These girls are history. Us rednecks have long memories. Rush has a great photo montage here: "Saddam's Angels" (posted by Robert at March 15, 2003 02:21 AM) OK. Those are the first few comments to Misha. Don't miss the rest. They get better and better, with email addresses for communicating YOUR comments to sponsors, plus more ascerbic opinions on the "Blixie Chicks". Link here, scroll down to "Well THAT Didn't Take Long" and click on Comments. And folks, DON'T MISS THIS! (Note to Self: Now that you are beholden to Misha, having disgracefully stolen his entire blog, how will you ever redeem the debt? hmmm) Friday, March 14, 2003
ZANDERISMS ~Z~ A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. ~Z~ All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand. ~Z~ If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. ~Z~ Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. ~Z~ To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research. (Hey I think I can use this one!!! Term papers anyone?) QUOTABLES "We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea and air--war with all our might and with all the strength God has given us--and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." -- Winston Churchill "What wine goes with Cap'n Crunch? I have trouble selecting a wine in the morning. Sometimes I give up." -- George Carlin (Sounds like a job for Aaaaaaaa-cid-Maaaaaaaaaannnn!) MAIL BOX -- Capt. Smith - Camp LeJeune, NC Earthquakes in France Today it was reported that severe earthquakes have occurred in 10 different locations in France. The severity was measured in excess of 10 on the Richter Scale. The cause was the 56,681 dead American soldiers buried in French soil rolling over in their graves. According to the American Battle Monuments Commission there are 26,255 Yankee dead from World War I buried in 4 cemeteries in France. There are 30,426 American dead from World War II buried in 6 cemeteries in France. These 56,681 brave American heroes died in their youth to liberate a country which is guilty of shameful unspeakable behavior in the 21st century. May the United States of America never forget their sacrifice as we find ways to forcefully deal with the Godforsaken unappreciative, forgetful country of France! Semper Fi! Thursday, March 13, 2003
NADER SCAMS COLLEGE KIDS Et tu, Ralph? Craig Rucker is executive director for the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, an organization that's been fighting the PIRG scams for years. Rucker estimates that Nader's causes take in somewhere between $10 and $20 million annually from college students, most all of it unwittingly. Read the whole article about Ralph Nader's skimming from our college kids' funds here. And be sure your kids see it too. HALFWIT QUOTES Want to know what your favorite celeb is saying? Go here for a list of the Hollywood Halfwits' current comments. This list helped me decide which of my previously fav celebs will get no more of my entertainment funds. I will no longer see Danny Glover, Dave Matthews, Donald Sutherland, Dustin Hoffman, Ed Harris, Gore Vidal. Mike Farrell, Oliver Stone, Sandra Bernhard, and Whoopi Goldberg, thanks to today's browsing. I had already dropped Alec Baldwin, Barbra Streisand, Cher, George Clooney, Harry Belafonte, Janeane Garofalo, Julia Roberts, Larry Hagman, Martin Sheen, Michael Moore, Richard Gere, Sean Penn, Spike Lee, Susan Sarandon, and Woody Harrelson. I'll really miss Cher, Richard, and Whoopi. I'm inclined to agree with John Fund of WSJ's Opinion Journal. He says "Hollywood celebs aren't antiwar. They just hate the president." Thanks to the McGehee Zone and Cox and Forkum for the links. Wednesday, March 12, 2003
138th ANNIVERSARY My dearest and oldest friend, Brenda, is quite a history buff, as am I. She is very much into genealogy, The War of Northern Aggression, her roots, and our Southern heritage. Since we have mutual ancestors and were born and raised in the same little North Carolina village, when she finds something outstandingly interesting, she shares it with me. Today I received from her in the mail an awe-inspiring new find (for me). The home page for the Averasboro Battlefield and Museum. The home page gives links to many informative sites to browse at your leisure. But you may want to read about the 138th Anniversary of the Battle of Averasboro immediately. This page describes the celebration for this upcoming weekend, and will be of interest today to those who may want to attend. "The Battle of Averasboro was the first deliberate, tactical resistance to the infamous march of Federal forces through Georgia and Carolina. The battle was fought on the plantation lands of the John Smith family, called Smithville, four miles south of the Cape Fear River village of Averasboro. The action is planned to begin Saturday, Mar. 15th at 1:00 pm at the Confederate first line of defense. Watch as re-enactors representing Colonel Alfred Rhett's South Carolina Brigade defend the Confederate first line." "The reenactment is based directly on historical fact. On March 15, 1865, at about 3 pm, Union troops, Judson Kilpatrick's Federal horsemen, and the 9th Michigan Cavalry arrived on the Smithville Plantation leading Sherman's advance up the Plank Road. They struck a heavy skirmish line composed of men from Colonel Alfred M. Rhett's South Carolina brigade who halted the Union advanced skirmishers from their main line 400 yards north of Oak Grove Plantation House." The 137th Anniversary page gives an excellent synopsis of last year's event, with pictures and quotes from those attending, such as: “It’s an honor for us to be here. We travel all over and this is one of the best re-enactments we’ve been to. We’re right on the battlefield, right on the hallowed ground the fighting took place on. It doesn’t get any better than this. As long as this continues and we're invited, we’ll be here,” said Sgt. David Topps of the 150th N.Y. Volunteers. Each page that I have viewed so far has music from the time period as background. The authentic music is quite impressive and makes a lovely background for the historical data given. Have speakers up so you can hear and enjoy. TEARS ON GREY CEMENT by Vadim Sirotnikof, classmate of Elizabeth Katzman If you can read this heart-rending account of the school bus bombing last week in Haifa without tearing up, Spec Ops need you in the Mid-East. Before reading young Vadim's memorial essay about Elizabeth, "17 killed" and the terrible scene of carnage on TV was my conceptualization of the latest suicide murders. While admitting he didn't know Elizabeth very well, Vadim, her high school classmate, has magically captured her essence. His "on scene" account of the events of that day conveys the horror that we never learn from TV. Remember the name Vadim Sirotnikof, for he will be a famous writer someday, if he survives Palestinian terrorists. See what a beautiful girl Elizabeth was and read the entire essay here. (link from Oceanguy in Acidman's comments) Tuesday, March 11, 2003
NO LINK Can not trace a link for reference on this. Surfed it up on a message board, purportedly written by a UK journalist on the one year anniversary of the Twin Towers attack. I did not see it last year. I hope it is authentic, but even if not, it's reassuring to read these words from a European. Tony Parsons Daily Mirror September 11, 2002 UKONE year ago, the world witnessed a unique kind of broadcasting ---- the mass murder of thousands, live on television. As a lesson in the pitiless cruelty of the human race, September 11 was up there with Pol Pot's mountain of skulls in Cambodia, or the skeletal bodies stacked like garbage in the Nazi concentration camps. An unspeakable act so cruel, so calculated and so utterly merciless that surely the world could agree on one thing - nobody deserves this fate. Surely there could be consensus: the victims were truly innocent, the perpetrators truly evil. But to the world's eternal shame, 9/11 is increasingly seen as America's comeuppance. Incredibly, anti- Americanism has increased over the last year. There has always been a simmering resentment to the USA in this country - too loud, too rich, too full of themselves and so much happier than Europeans - but it has become an epidemic. And it seems incredible to me. More than that, it turns my stomach. America is this country's greatest friend and our staunchest ally. We are bonded to the US by culture, language and blood. A little over half a century ago, around half a million Americans died for our freedoms, as well as their own. Have we forgotten so soon? And exactly a year ago, thousands of ordinary men, women and children -not just Americans, but from dozens of countries - were butchered by a small group of religious fanatics. Are we so quick to betray them? What touched the heart about those who died in the twin towers and on the planes was that we recognized them. Young fathers and mothers, somebody's son and somebody's daughter, husbands and wives, and children, some unborn. And these people brought it on themselves? And their nation is to blame for their meticulously planned slaughter? These days you don't have to be some dust-encrusted nut job in Kabul or Karachi or Finsbury Park to see America as the Great Satan. The anti- American alliance is made up of self-loathing liberals who blame the Americans for every ill in the Third World, and conservatives suffering from power-envy, bitter that the world's only superpower can do what it likes without having to ask permission. The truth is that America has behaved with enormous restraint since September 11. Remember, remember. Remember the gut-wrenching tapes of weeping men phoning their wives to say, "I love you," before they were burned alive. Remember those people leaping to their deaths from the top of burning skyscrapers. Remember the hundreds of firemen buried alive. Remember the smiling face of that beautiful little girl who was on one of the planes with her mum. Remember, remember - and realize that America has never retaliated for 9/11 in anything like the way it could have. So a few Al-Qaeda tourists got locked without a trial in Camp X-ray? Pass the Kleenex.... So some Afghan wedding receptions were shot up after they merrily fired their semi-automatics in a sky full of American planes? A shame, but maybe next time they should stick to confetti. AMERICA could have turned a large chunk of the world into a parking lot. That it didn't is a sign of strength. American voices are already being raised against attacking Iraq - that's what a democracy is for. How many in the Islamic world will have a minute's silence for the slaughtered innocents of 9/11? How many Islamic leaders will have the guts to say that the mass murder of 9/11 was an abomination? When the news of 9/11 broke on the West Bank, those freedom-loving Palestinians were dancing in the street. America watched all of that - and didn't push the button. We should thank the stars that America is the most powerful nation in the world. I still find it incredible that 9/11 did not provoke all-out war. Not a "war on terrorism." A real war. The fundamentalist dudes are talking about "opening the gates of hell," if America attacks Iraq. Well, America could have opened the gates of hell like you wouldn't believe.The US is the most militarily powerful nation that ever strode the face of the earth. The campaign in Afghanistan may have been less than perfect and the planned war on Iraq may be misconceived. But don't blame America for not bringing peace and light to these wretched countries. How many democracies are there in the Middle East, or in the Muslim world? You can count them on the fingers of one hand - assuming you haven't had any chopped off for minor shoplifting. I love America, yet America is hated. I guess that makes me Bush's poodle. But I would rather be a dog in New York City than a Prince in Riyadh. Above all. America is hated because it is what every country wants to be - rich, free, strong, open, optimistic. Not ground down by the past, or religion, or some caste system. America is the best friend this country ever had and we should start remembering that. Or do you really think the USA is the root of all evil? Tell it to the loved ones of the men and women who leaped to their death from the burning towers. Tell it to the nursing mothers whose husbands died on one of the hijacked planes, or were ripped apart in a collapsing skyscraper. And tell it to the hundreds of young widows whose husbands worked for the New York Fire Department. To our shame, George Bush gets a worse press than Saddam Hussein. Once we were told that Saddam gassed the Kurds, tortured his own people and set up rape- camps in Kuwait. Now we are told he likes Quality Street. Save me the orange center, oh mighty one! Remember, remember, September 11. One of the greatest atrocities in human history was committed against America. No, do more than remember. Never forget. History is preserved through knowledge shared. NO MEDIA BIAS Media Research Center "CBS skipped over the inconvenient numbers in its own poll. Bill Plante maintained on Thursday's CBS Evening News that 'the nation remains almost equally divided on whether the administration has made the case for war' and 'a solid majority of Americans...still thinks the President should get UN approval before taking military action.' " But that very same CBS News poll, in results Plante didn't tell viewers about, discovered respondents favored taking "military action to remove Saddam Hussein" by 69 to 26 percent. Plus, it found significant reductions from the previous week in the percentage of people who think the U.S. should "wait for UN approval" or "take allies' views into account," and hikes in the percentage who want the U.S. to take action "without UN approval" or "do whatever it thinks is right." Plante reported on the March 6 CBS Evening News: "The administration is almost having as much trouble with public opinion at home according to the latest CBS News poll. The nation remains almost equally divided on whether the administration has made the case for war and is also split on whether Iraq poses an immediate threat or can be contained. A solid majority of Americans in our latest survey still thinks the President should get UN approval before taking military action." On screen viewers saw: "Has the Bush administration made the case for war?" Yes: 47% No: 44%" And: "Iraqi threat: Military action now: 45% Can be contained 43%" But a check of results of the poll "conducted among a nationwide random sample of 723 adults, interviewed by telephone March 4-5, 2003," as listed on the CBS News Web site yielded a less clear picture of public disagreement with the Bush policy, or at least a public rapidly moving in Bush's direction: So much for getting your news from the "major networks" CBS, NBC, ABC. What I'd really like to know is how an obtuse Independent nincompoop like me can easily find such evidence of media bias just by surfing the web, and Dem/Libs deny it's happening. (sigh) GOTTA LOVE THE BLOGGERS Every day, after my favorite bloggers have had their say - and vented in every way imaginable - yes, even ranted - and actually INVENTED new words to express their disdain or complete contempt for any given subject/person/or another blog, when I've read them all, I head over to Francesca's for a calmer version The following paragraph from yesterday's Yorkieblog is the microcosm of hundreds of paragraphs I've read on this subject. Don't know how she does it, unless she's reading my mind, but the woman can express my feelings and thoughts before I can write them! And she does it so much better than I - why don't you read this? Then link to her home page for everything else that I didn't think of! The blogosphere is blogging incessantly about the Jimmeh Cah-tah OpEd and the appearance of Slick Willy on 60 Minutes over the weekend. I won't join the chatter, leaving dissection of the details to others much more articulate than this poor dog lady, but I will say that I found both spectacles disgusting and outrageous. According to a former Nixon staffer I heard on FoxNews this morning (transcript not available), even Richard Nixon knew better than to publicly chastise a successor President, choosing to disagree privately through personal channels rather than join a public chorus of disapproval. I am revolted by the idea that two former leaders of this great nation would break this trust. More than anyone else on the planet, these two men understand the thankless nature of the job, the agonizing choices that must be made, the high-wire diplomacy of crisis -- and rather than behave with some measure of decorum befitting the office they once held, they choose to take public pot-shots at the man who holds it now, at a time of national crisis. It all smacks of public relations profiteering somehow -- yet another way to get into the spotlight. And it's disgusting. Monday, March 10, 2003
FRIENDS OF AMERICA A young Norwegian blogger named Fredrik K.R. Norman has started a blog called Norwegian Friends of America. I just found this today, but I'll be checking in again at this most interesting site. It's a "feel good" place. Today on his home page Norman offers a tribute to Klaus Helberg, a WWII veteran. I don't know what I was doing in 1965 (actually, I do - but that's another blog!) that I was oblivious to "The Heroes of Telemark", the book about this Norwegian act of heroism, and the subsequent movie starring Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris. The Comments to Norman's blog are quite interesting too. Since I missed the book and the movie, this was another of thousands, I'm sure, WWII stories I never heard. "It all began in March 1942 with [sic] a lone parachuter was dropped to gather information on the heavy-water production. On 19 October, four other Norwegians were dropped near Sognsdalen, just west of Rjukan. They were all local boys and knew the area well. Their task was to prepare the sabotage and send radio messages to England. The group had the codename 'Grouse'." Now - to TRY to give thanks for the links leading to Fredrik Norman - all I know for sure is that I began at Gone South and by some circuitous route I landed at his home page. With all the detours and Senior Moments, I am hard-pressed to give an accurate genesis. I apologize. But at least I can thank dear Janis for launching me on my trip. Sunday, March 09, 2003
BLOGROLL Anyone who follows this blog, even occasionally, knows I have to have a guru on hand in order to change the page. Since I'm unsure right now when my guru will appear, and desperately wanting to have an updated blogroll, this list will have to do for the time being. In addition to the listings at right, please do drop in and visit some of my favorites here too: Da Goddess Zander Compleat Redneck The Kevin McGehee Zone Gone South Grouchy Old Cripple Blogs of War Right Wing News The Safety Valve The Iranian Girl Studio 8 (links and links and links of funny) Saturday, March 08, 2003
OOH RAH! Before Rachel went on hiatus, I emailed her about a retired WWII Marine I had just met. He is 86 years old, a public speaker, and you know that thing they say: "Once a Marine, Always a Marine"? Well, it's true! I asked Rachel if she would want me to record an interview with this WWII vet for her History Project. She replied very enthusiastically and we agreed that I would follow-up with the vet and get back to her. A week or so later, we met again by chance at a dinner club. George (the Marine) was with a mutual friend of mine and they joined my partner and me for dinner. We spent a couple of hours together, during which time George revealed some very interesting things about himself: e.g. He is tri-lingual. Treasures an audience. Although from Virginia, he wears a Texas hat. Plus, he is tall, handsome, with a closely-trimmed moustache, and is a big flirt with a perpetual twinkle in his eye. He is, in fact, everything Rachel could possibly wish for in a WWII Marine veteran interviewee, except that he spent his entire military career at the Pentagon and didn't leave the USA during the war. I'm hoping Rachel will see my blog today and I won't have to burden her with another email. Are you listening, Rachel? You can close that file! Sorry. MAIL BOX -- Bob, from Bear Creek, NC (what better place to get a bear story?) A bear walks into a bar in Billings, Montana and sits down. He bangs on the bar with his paw and demands a beer. The bartender approaches and says, "We don't serve beer to bears in bars in Billings." The bear, becoming angry, demands again that he be served a beer. The bartender tells him again, more forcefully, "We don't serve beer to belligerent bears in bars in Billings." The bear, very angry now, says, "If you don't serve me a beer, I'm going to eat that lady sitting at the end of the bar." The adamant bartender says, "Sorry, we don't serve beer to belligerent, bully bears in bars in Billings." The bear goes to the end of the bar, and, as promised, eats the woman. He comes back to his seat and again demands a beer. The bartender states, "Sorry, we don't serve beer to belligerent, bully bears in bars in Billings, who are on drugs." The bear says, "I'm NOT on drugs. (you're gonna love this..........) The bartender says, "You are now. That was a barbitchyouate." Thursday, March 06, 2003
MAIL BOX – Kirsten, Greenville, NC Balance in the Universe Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds. "Look Michael, look what I've made." Archangel Michael look puzzled and said, "What is it?" It's a planet" replied God, "and I've put LIFE on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance." "Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. "For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot and the Antarctica in the South will be very cold." God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and arid, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large area (Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina,etc) and asked, "What's that one?" "Ah," said God, "That's the SOUTH, the most glorious place on Earth. There are beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, and an exquisite coastline. The people from there are going to be modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they're going to be found traveling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hardworking, and high-achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace. A truly great people." Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there will be BALANCE." God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the people I'm putting just to the north of them." Wednesday, March 05, 2003
MAIL BOX -- from Mark, New Jersey An Open Letter To The Hollywood Bunch Ok, let's just say for a moment you bunch of pampered, overpaid, unrealistic children had your way and the U.S.A. didn't go into Iraq. Let's say that you really get your way and we destroy all our nuclear weapons and stick daisies in our gun barrels and sit around with some white wine and cheese and pat ourselves on the back, so proud of what we've done for world peace. Let's say that we cut the military budget to just enough to keep the National Guard on hand to help out with floods and fires. Let's say that we close down our military bases all over the world and bring the troops home, increase our foreign aid and drop all the trade sanctions against everybody. I suppose that in your fantasy world this would create a utopian world where everybody would live in peace. After all, the great monster, the United States of America, the cause of all the world's trouble would have disbanded its horrible military and certainly all the other countries of the world would follow suit. After all, they only arm themselves to defend their countries from the mean old U.S.A. Why you bunch of pitiful, hypocritical, idiotic, spoiled mugwumps... get your head out of the sand and smell the Trade Towers burning. Do you think that a trip to Iraq by Sean Penn did anything but encourage a wanton murderer to think that the people of the U.S.A. didn't have the nerve or the guts to fight him? Barbara Streisand's fanatical and hateful ranting about George Bush makes about as much sense as Michael Jackson hanging a baby over a railing. You people need to get out of Hollywood once in a while and get out into the real world. You'd be surprised at the hostility you would find out here. Stop in at a truck stop and tell an overworked, long distance truck driver that you don't think Saddam Hussein is doing anything wrong. Tell a farmer with a couple of sons in the military that you think the United States has no right to defend itself. Go down to Baxley, Georgia and hold an anti-war rally and see what the folks down there think about you. You people are some of the most disgusting examples of a waste of protoplasm I've ever had the displeasure to hear about. Sean Penn, you're a traitor to the United States of America. You gave aid and comfort to the enemy. How many American lives will your little, "fact finding trip" to Iraq cost? You encouraged Saddam to think that we didn't have the stomach for war. You people protect one of the most evil men on the face of this earth and won't lift a finger to save the life of an unborn baby. Freedom of choice you say? Well I'm going to exercise some freedom of choice of my own. If I see any of your names on a marquee, I'm going to boycott the movie. I will completely stop going to movies if I have to. In most cases it certainly wouldn't be much of a loss. You scoff at our military whose boots you're not even worthy to shine. They go to battle and risk their lives so ingrates like you can live in luxury. The day of reckoning is coming when you will be faced with the undeniable truth that the war against Saddam Hussein is the war on terrorism. America is in imminent danger. You're either for her or against her. There is no middle ground. I think we all know where you stand. What do you think? God Bless America Charlie Daniels *** For those who fought for it, Freedom has a price the Protected will never know. *** MAIL BOX -- from JD - Greenville, NC Why Athletes Can't Have Real Jobs -> Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model: "I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me." -> New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first." -> And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skins say: "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too." -> Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: "He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings.” -> Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann, 1996: "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." -> Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh: "I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." -> Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach: "You guys line up alphabetically by height." And, "You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle." -> Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King: "Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton." -> Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: "That's so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes." -> Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is." -> Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt." -> Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, "Coach, I don't know and I don't care." -> Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D: "Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject." -> Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked by Bob Costas why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips responded: "Because she is too damn ugly to kiss good-bye.” REVISE US AGAIN! The hidden history of Northern plantations and their slaves is emerging -- one shovelful of soil at a time -- from excavations in and around historic manor houses in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. From bits of china, kitchen utensils, tools, buttons and personal items, archaeologists are getting glimpses of a chapter of America's past that written histories have either ignored or forgotten. CALYPSO BEAT Here’s more on Belefonte – link lifted from Misha. Tuesday, March 04, 2003
13 PERCENT Secretary of State - Colin Powell was recently approached by an Iraqi journalist and accusingly asked "Isn't it true that only 13% of the young Americans can locate Iraq on a map?" Secretary Powell stopped and turned and then stated "Yes, you are correct. But unfortunately for you, all 13% are United States Marines." REMEMBER THE MAINE (teachers) Winds of Change tells all in HARASSING SOLDIERS' CHILDREN: FACTS & OPINIONS. This is a great site to keep up to date on this issue. A FEW STILL REMEMBER Little Green Footballs tells of at least 250 Frenchmen who are still appreciative of America. The Comments are enlightening too. CONTEMPORARY FRENCH Kim du Toit gives input and opinions here on today’s generation of Frenchmen/(women?), plus a New Feature. "I am proud to offer a new feature, which is called News From The Front The writer is a captain in the U.S. Air Force stationed somewhere Over There (for future reference, let's just call him "Captain Steve"), and he emailed me a while ago with some random gun stuff, and then got down to telling me about life Over There. This was too good just to leave in Reader Mail, so I've created (or, to be truthful, The Mrs. has created) a new department to hold the correspondence. All responses to Captain Steve will be posted in Reader Mail for him and his squadron to read. Here are the first two entries: Part I and Part II. If you didn't like the French before, you are really going to hate them now... snail-eating bastards." (Indigo note: Don’t miss Part II.) Monday, March 03, 2003
ATTENTION MAINE SCHOOL TEACHERS And Kevin McGhee begat Cut on the Bias and Cut on the Bias begat Supporting Our Soldiers and Supporting Our Soldiers listed: EMPLOYERS THAT SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS: Bank One - differential+ Boeing Corporation - differential EMC Corp - differential Sears - differential UPS - differential Wal-Mart - differential The list is being updated, so keep an eye on it - especially before you make a purchase. NOT PC Nissan is not. "If the board is providing discomfort or animosity, then we'll change the board.” EdFund is not. "It's apparent to me that EdFund is culturally unaware of who our students are," said Commissioner Dolores Jaquez at a recent meeting. "It's also apparent to me that there is a void of social responsibility at EdFund." Indiana University Student Newspaper is not. "When I saw it, I immediately thought, 'How dare they?'" she said. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is not. Larry Darby, Alabama director for American Atheists, said there is no way the classes can be truly voluntary as long as the governor is involved. "It's a form of Christian terrorism," Darby said. FUN WITH FRENCH Yes, I know Bastille Day is not until July.. But who knows what may become of France by then? So in an early commemoration of July 14, 1789, I offer the following enigmatic queries: How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris? --> No one knows. It's never been tried. What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up? -->The French army. FOR SALE: French rifles . . . never fired, only dropped once. Why are French streets tree-lined? --> So the Germans can march in the shade. How many gears does a French tank have? --> Five. Four reverse and one forward (in case of attack from behind). NOTICE FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES: Afghanistan Cruise We at Carnival Cruise Lines didn't forget that a lot of entertainers promised to leave the country if George W. Bush became President. With that in mind, we have a Special Offer for those who want to keep their promise! Attention: Would Alec Baldwin, Rosie O'Donnell, Cher, Phil Donahue, David Gephin, Barbara Streisand, Pierre Salinger, and anyone else who made that promise, please dispose of all US assets and report to Florida for the sailing of the Funship Cruise, "Elation," which has been commissioned to take you to your new vacation homes in Afghanistan. You may opt to be dropped off in Somalia or Iraq or take the Side Trip Special to Scenic North Korea. The Florida Supreme Court will sponsor a Farewell Parade in your honor through Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties prior to your cruise. Please pack for an extended stay... at least four years... and you should consider the possibility of eight years. Note: Since you advocate strict gun control, you may not bring any. Staffing your voyage is Bill Clinton as captain, Al Gore as cruise director, Monica Lewinsky as recreation director, Ted Kennedy as lifeguard and emergency procedures director, Al Sharpton as Entertainment director and Congressman Gary Condit as intern coordinator. If you have any questions about making arrangements for your homes, friends, and loved ones, please direct your comments to Senator Hillary Clinton. Her village can raise your children while you're gone, and she can watch over all your money and your furnishings until you return. Bon Voyage! >^..^< PUSSYFOOTIN’ >^..^< "Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will pee on your computer." --Bruce Graham >^..^< "Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." –Anonymous Saturday, March 01, 2003
HOLLYWOOD HALFWITS Here's a marginally interesting link, where one can go to read the latest asinine statements of Barbra and her ilk. If nothing else, it's giving me updated information on who on my boycott list said what! Anyhow, it's raining here and nothing else is going on. |