Fred's Message to Iowans (and the nation)

On living to fight another day...

A big thank you (and thanks to GOD) to all those who are sending prayers our way--they are working!

My father responded well to dialysis treatments, and he is now mentally coherent. He is now off of many of the IV medications; and, from being literally at death's door two nights ago, is now out of Intensive Care and in a regular hospital room!

He's not totally out of the woods, but nonetheless he has made an amazing recovery.

Thanks to every one of you, for your kind thoughts, and your prayers during this difficult time.

May the love and blessings of GOD be with each and every one of you during the coming New Year!

Sincerely,

-Leo-

Thanks for your prayers and support...

Things are not good.

He usually has a good mind, but is now quite disoriented... he's "taking" imaginary medicine at the times he's supposed to take them (he's pretending like he's taking his pills) even though we're reassuring him that all his medicine is going through his IV...

Underwent his second dialysis treatment last night... the first one resulted in a slight improvement. We're thinking that all the toxins in his blood may be a reason for his disorientation.

Also, he has gotten some kind of contagious infection (MRSA (sp?)--heh... there's a blister on my finger now, I think I caught it...) so we have to gown up before entering his room....

We're hoping that the dialysis will stabilize him, but between the cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and everything else... well. we're ready for the worst, I guess...

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers...

I'll be a the hospital all day again today... hopefully I can check back tomorrow morning,

Thanks again-- you folks are the best...

-Leo-

With a heavy heart, and request for prayers...

My father has taken gravely ill. I'm in Chicago right now to be with him. Prayers would be greatly appreciated--

Thanks--

-Leo-

A blessed and joyous Christmas...

May the Visage of the Christ Child give you peace and comfort, always!

With an abundance of God's blessings wished for you and yours, throughout the coming year, from the Psycmeister Household to yours!

Congressman Jim Moran's Warm Holiday Words for our Troops...

What a traitor!

Fred Thompson's Christmas Salute!

What would it take for me to vote for a democrat?

That's the interesting question I heard yesterday from a nondescript liberal-leaning fill-in host on a rerun of an October talk radio show.

The host, who admitted that the democrat party has lost its once prominent base of white male voters, acknowledged that the democrat party wrote off the voting bloc 30 years ago, and hasn't courted it since.

A quick google search suggests that the concept is not lost on many a democrat mind; some saying that the white male vote is a bloc forever lost in the democrat vest pocket; a prodigal son never to return to the fold. Others say that the white male voter is still a yet-untapped bloc of voters that if accessed, would assure a democrat juggernaut for years, if not decades to come.

The radio host went on to observe that all is not well in republican-land; that white male voters were becoming disaffected with the Republican party; and went on to cite the war in Iraq as the major factor in white male disaffection within the GOP.

I would submit that there may indeed be a growing disaffection with the GOP among white males, but the war in Iraq would be the least, if not nearly the least of the reasons. If anything, the disaffection of the white male voting bloc with the Republican party is due to the fact that the Republican Party, rather than governing under the principles that swept it into a decade-long majority, actually forgot who it was that brought them to the dance; and instead started acting like the two-bit tart that flirts with all the other guys while her frustrated date looks on.

The white male voting bloc signed on first with Ronald Reagan, then with Newt Gingrich's Contract With America; and not for democrat lite. President Bush received a hefty majority vote among the white male voting bloc, not because we were ecstatic over his expansion of Medicare into prescription drugs for seniors; not because of his endorsement of No Child Left Behind; but rather because between him and Jean Francois Kerrie, he was the one that we trusted to be a stalwart against the terrorists, and the one who actually gave a damn about protecting this nation.

So, back to the original question, what would it take for me, a white, middle class male, to be able to vote for a democrat as President of the United States?

Here is a non-inclusive, though important list of the top four traits that would make it so:

• 1. First and foremost: The democrat must put America first, not blame America first.
  

If your rhetoric panders to the European intelligentsia, go and run for German Chancellor or President of France.

If you put the "rights" of terrorists above the safety of the United States, its citizens, and its defenders in harm's way so that you can beat your chest atop your soapbox and claim that you're a morally-superior, caring, sensitive, feeling metrosexual, forget about leading the U.S.

Go and apply as a houseboy for OBL, sing kumbaya with Kalid Sheikh Muhammed; but get the hell out of my face and leave the leading of the Free World to the big boys, okay?

You want to know a secret? If the presidential race were between Ron Paul on the Republican side, and Joe Lieberman on the Democrat side, I'd vote for Joe Lieberman in a heartbeat, based on the above principle alone.

• 2. National security is serious business. Quit fucking with it.

The notion of National Security embodies the very fight for our survival as a nation and as a people. It is not a political point vending machine placed there for your convenience.

When you go and treat Iraq as a political football game to be won, rather than what should and must be a critical strategic victory over a deadly geopolitical enemy; going so far as to actually lay obstacles in the way of our victory, and putting those who put their lives on the line in additional and unnecessary risk as a result, that tells me you don't give a flying f*ck in a rolling donut about the security of our nation, and that you have no business leading it.

There really are people and even nations out there who mean to do us harm.

9/11 should have given you a clue.

• 3. The democrat must quit showing contempt for America and that for which it stands!

Trust me on this. You may get a pat on the back from your fellow limousine liberals over at the Yacht club, but you won't score a single vote among the "Joe Sixpack" crowd if you refuse to wear a flag on your lapel because you have contempt for the nation for which you are asking for the privilege and honor of leading.

It's OK to say you love America, that it is the greatest nation on earth, and that Americans have spilled more blood and have given more treasure to help the downtrodden than any nation in the history of the planet.

It's OK. Really, it is.

• 4. Don't tell us what our problems are. We know what they are.
  

Running a grocery-styled bitchlist of everything that's wrong, and portraying everyone under the sun as a victim isn't going to make anyone run through a wall to get you elected.

Here's a novel idea: Present a vision of what is right about America, and an accompanying vision of how to work with what's right so as to become an even greater nation (and--this is important-- believe in it!).

Ronald Reagan's Shining City on the Hill vision eventually garnered him two landslide terms as President. Jimmy Carter's "malaise" speech, along with his inability to proffer a positive vision of America's future is arguably what lost him his second term, and what sealed his fate as one of the most ineffectual presidents in history.

Again, this list is far from inclusive as to what it would take for me to vote for a democrat as President, but it's a start.

I offer this in the knowledge that the ideas put forth in this screed will be summarily dismissed as hogwash, and also in the knowledge that some leftwinger will no doubt leave some "clever" comments about how wrong I am. But it was a democrat that asked the question, and since I am the world's leading authority on what I think and feel, I answered it to the best of my ability.

Fire away.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst, 12/19/2007

From Leo Pusateri

SSgt. Mike Mills (MNARNG (retired) hails from Freeport, Minnesota, and is a vet wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom...
Here is his story:

On June 14, 2005. my life was forever changed. I saw the IED, I tasted the gun powder. No one is sure if I jumped or if I was blown from the HETT that I was riding in. Doesn't matter I guess. When I landed though, it was hard enough to crack both my clavicle and scapula bones, dislocate my shoulder along with breaking my hip all on the left side. I also broke 4 out of 5 bones in my foot. Did I mention that I was on fire. I kind of remember getting up to see where my driver was and to make sure that he was alright. The extra rounds that I had on my IBA started to cook off and somehow I managed to take it off. The KBR driver that was in the truck behind me had cooler of ice that melted and dumped it on me to put out the fire. That's all I really remember until the middle of August. I spent 3 months in Brooks Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Beside the breaks that I mentioned above, I also had 2nd, 3rd and deep tissue burns to 31% of the left side of my body, they had to amputate the thumb and pinky on my left hand and I'm missing the majority of the outer ear and some of the nostrile opening. I have pins and plates holding my hip together, which are permanent. The first thoughts I remember having where I have to get back. My soldiers need me and it's not fair to them that I'm back in the states, leaving them behind. I should have seen that damn IED sooner. I had become complacent, nothing was going to happen to me. Was I being punished? I had to get back to say I was sorry. Somehow this was my fault.

Then the guilt set in about what I did to my family. I've totaly screwed that up. Look at me, no don't. I look hideous. How can I face my kids looking like this. They'll be embarrassed to be seen with me. What if they won't love me anymore? Speaking of love, my wife, oh my god. How can I expect her to stay with me. I'm not a man anymore. She's not going to want be intimate with a freak. What if I can't work, how do I support myself, my family.

I had the nightmares and couldn't sleep. I wasn't eating and was loosing weight. I didn't really care. If I didn't start eating, they where going to put the feeding tube back in. Who cares, I've totaly screwed up my life anyways.

I found out just how much my wife loved me, and was given peace of mind that she wasn't going to leave me. Not only was she by my side from the moment I arrived at the hospital, but she was there for every wound dressing change no matter how grotesque it was. She learned how to change the wound dressings and help with the physical therapy even though it was very painful for me. She cried with me and for me. She reassured me everything was going to be ok. She reminded me that love came from the heart. Then she would joke that she was too old to train another husband! She wanted me to open up and talk about what in side, but I wouldn't. I'm a guy. Guy's don't do that. We don't talk about "feelings". If you knew my wife, that didn't sit well with her, she knew that this wasn't the run of the mill stress. She talked to the physiologist and asked him to see me. What, now I'm nuts? At first he just came in asked how I was and it was small talk. Before I knew it, he had me opening up like a book. He had one simple question that we concentrated on, "Was it my fault?" Was is my fault that I went to Iraq. Was it my fault that I went on that mission. Was it my fault that, that IED was placed in the road. He just went on, and as he did, I realized that it wasn't my fault. I did not cause any of this. That was the turning point of my emotional recovery. I was by no means healed and still had to deal with my emotions. I had to admit too that I needed medication to help me deal with the ordeal I had been through. I have made up my mind that only through a positive out look and attiude will I make it. I can't change what happen and to live with the "what if's" will get me no where.

I found that the more I talked about what happened, the easier it was to deal with. People would and still stare when they see me, but I hold my head high because I am proud to be an American Soldier. My kids are proud of me and most of all, my wife is proud of me. Not matter what I saw, what I did, or what happened to me, I was an American Soldier on a mission to protect the freedom of those who need it!

Mike now operates a web site called For the Vet, By the Vet.

...

My mission with FOR THE VETERAN...BY A VETERAN is to help you find the answers to the questions you where left with when you where medically discharged/retired. The whole process of being injured, going through recovery and trying to readjust to home is stressful enough. To have questions or to run in to a situation you're not sure where to get the answers just adds to that stress. I have built and continue to add resources to help you and you're family ease that some of the stress.

EMOTIONAL MISSION

Along with finding answers and helping with that stress, I feel I can help in another very important area. Dealing with the emotional baggage that came home with you. As I stated before, I'm not a counselor or have any training in that area, but I've had some of the same emotional issues and learned how to take control of it and not let it take control of me. It isn't an easy process, but you don't have to do it alone.

FAMILY MISSION

Your family members are not to be left out. Although this site is named FOR THE VETERAN...BY A VETERAN, we know first hand that everything that effects the soldier, effects the family as well. If you are a family member that needs assistance, we'll listen and do the best we can to take care of you and help you find what you need.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

Something that has been on my mind is the lack of correct information the public has concerning veterans. By reaching out through public and private speaking, I hope to better inform the american people of the needs that are not being met for the veterans no matter which war they were in or not in.

I had been invited to speak at two local schools to children of grade school ages. They had a certain understanding of what is happening in the world around them. I directed them away from the usual questions of curiosity about guns and shooting and spoke more about the positive accomplishments that where happening. We talked about how they could help the troops that are still over in country and the ones coming home.

Some may say that Mike gave his country more than enough when he was severely maimed by an IED on that fateful day of June 14, 2005, but Mike continues to give to his fellow servicemen, as well as to his nation!

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Where is NOW?

A Muslim girl was murdered by her father, reportedly for her refusal to wear a hijab.

Where is the outrage in the streets from this woman's sisters at NOW? A perusal of their website denotes no outrage, not even a mention of this story, nor any other story of oppression and/or torture of women at the hands of male Muslim counterparts!

Oh, they're having a bloody cow over the reinstatement of Don Imus. But of course, calling someone a "nappy-headed ho" is a much more an egregious offense than strangling a girl to death, or mutilating her genitalia. They're lobbying Congress for "hate crime" legislation, but I'll bet not one word is said about the hate crimes that are perpetrated daily against their Muslim sisters.

Where are the demonstrations in the streets? Where are the hoardes at U.C. Berkeley who protested the supposed torture practiced by the CIA? (yes, I know that waterboarding is much more heinous than murder and beheading or lifelong subjugation of women)

Where is the outrage on the Left regarding the murder of Aqsa Parvez?

Could it be that there is no political gain or agenda to be advanced in demonstrating against Islamist atrocities? Could it be that the moonbat left has a problem pointing out that which may actually give credence to the reasons behind our war against radical Islam?

Could it be that the suffering of women isn't really important to them at all?

Could it be that there must be a political payoff before they'll demonstrate about anything? Or that any outrage that they do display is contrived and calculated to get the maximum political benefit?

Could. It. Be?

Regarding "An Inconvenient Truth"

My 16-year old 11th grader, as a part of his environmental science class at Tech High School will be watching "An Inconvenient Truth," in segments, over the next several days. When I asked if there would be any opposing viewpoints entertained as a counterpart to the good Rev. "Bigfoot" Al's proselytizing, he said that there would be a "discussion period" after each segment. So I sent the following along with my kid, to pass along to his teacher, for "discussion purposes."

Questions to ask regarding “An Inconvenient Truth” and anthroprogenic (human-induced) “global warming”

• Given the fact that the ice age came – and went – leaving sheets of ice one-half mile thick across two-thirds of the North American continent – and given that it occurred tens of thousands of years before the current age of human industrialization; how is it that the massive amounts of ice melted, given that there were no SUV’s or industrial emissions to warm the planet?

• Read this news story:

"A considerable change of climate inexplicable at present to us must have taken place in the Circumpolar Regions, by which the severity of the cold that has for centuries past enclosed the seas in the high northern latitudes in an impenetrable barrier of ice has been, during the last two years, greatly abated."

"2000 square leagues of ice with which the Greenland Seas between the latitudes of 74° and 80°N have been hitherto covered, has in the last two years entirely disappeared."

"The floods which have the whole summer inundated all those parts of Germany where rivers have their sources in snowy mountains, afford ample proof that new sources of warmth have been opened ..."

The Royal Society, London. Nov. 20, 1817; Minutes of Council, Vol. 8. pp.149-153,

Given that the industrial revolution, which served as the advent of the internal combustion engine (supposedly a primary cause of so-called anthroprogenic global warming) would not have begun to occur for at least another 50 years, what is it that caused the global warming that served to melt the ice caps during that relatively recent period of our planet’s history?

· Given our supposed high rate of climate change that is supposedly serving to forever alter our climate and boil our oceans, why is it that the Antarctic ice shelf, long thought to be contributing to rising sea levels as a result of global warming, is shrinking on a much-less rapid pace than once thought, or even increasing in size? http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast27dec_1.htm; http://www.iceagenow.com/Growing_Antarctic_Ice_Sheet.htm

· Outside of an occasional solar-powered Rover, SUV’s and other reported man-made climate-change agents are absent on Mars. So how does one begin to explain the shrinking of the Martian polar ice caps? http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=3503 Furthermore, if Mars is subject to action and cycles from the sun in the melting of its ice caps, why then is the earth immune to such?

· Despite the “consensus” that Al Gore claims is the basis for his supposed credibility with regard to the supposed global warming crisis, why is it that whomever questions Mr. Gore and his adherents is excoriated to the level of those excoriated for insinuating that the earth wasn’t flat? Why are the global warming alarmists so afraid of academic and intellectual scrutiny? Why is it that a supposed weather channel “climate expert” called on the American Meteorological Society to strip members of their scientific certification if they dared question the global warming dogma? http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=32abc0b0-802a-23ad-440a-88824bb8e528

· Why does the so-called scientific community, who by definition and by trade must rely on precise measurements to test and prove hypotheses, see nothing wrong with utilizing weather-measuring data from instruments that were not calibrated properly or weren’t even operational? http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/09/one_more_reason_to_distrust_gl.html

· Furthermore, why have scientists completely disregarded the role of sunspots, which appear to have a much higher correlation with changing climatic cycles than did the advent of the industrial age? http://www.qualitydigest.com/mar98/html/spctool.html

So what is the agenda behind the global warming scare?

· Why does Al Gore, who calls on us to embrace a lifestyle change by driving less, taking bicycles to work, and relying more on unreliable energy sources such as solar and wind power, himself ride in SUVs, and take private jets on his global travels, that emit tens of thousands of pounds of Carbon Dioxide on a 2,000 mile trip?

· Why does Al Gore, who calls on us to embrace a more puritan lifestyle, himself have a lavish mansion, complete with a heated pool room that in and of itself demands a $500 electric bill per month to operate, not to mention the over 22,000 kilowatt hours that Mr. Gore used per month in his lavish estate (the average American home uses a bit over 10,000 kilowatt hours—IN AN ENTIRE YEAR). Of course Mr. Gore says that he purchases “carbon credits” to finance his opulent lifestyle (does buying indulgences in the Catholic church in the middle ages ring a bell?) But since Mr. Gore calls on those who view his movie to sacrifice in their lifestyle, if he was truly a man of conviction and really believed what he preaches, wouldn’t he be leading the charge by example? http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367

· Given that Al Gore made over $24 million dollars from the movie, “An Inconvenient Truth,” not to mention the ¾ million dollars that was his share of the proceeds (and of course the prestige and speaking fees that he could and does command) from the Nobel Peace prize recently awarded him; that Al Gore just may have a self-serving agenda behind his Jim and Tammy Faye Baker style crusade?

As a parent, this is only the tip of the iceberg regarding my skepticism of the whole idea and agenda behind the concept of anthroprogenic global warming, which in my opinion has emerged as a caricature of itself and a cottage industry that has kept a lot of people bankrolled who would otherwise be out of a job; not to mention utilized as tool by other nations to attempt to hamstring the economy of the United States and other free developed nations.

It is my hope, that as an academic exercise, that you will pay due attention to these and other arguments that serve to question the “global warming” dogma that has permeated academia without opportunity for question. It is the very idea that there are those who refuse to even entertain opposing facts and viewpoints that gives me great pause before accepting anthroprogenic global warming as truth.

Sincerely,

Leo Pusateri

Parent.

I'm quite anxious to see how his teacher handles this, and will report on this as time progresses.

Singer/Writer Dan Fogelberg dead at 56...

Story here.

I know it wasn't really cool to like his music, but like it I did. I'm a lyric kind of guy, and Dan Fogelberg was beyond a doubt a gifted songwriter.

His song, "Another Auld Lang Syne" was a classic "what if" song; and whenever I hear, "Leader of the Band" I always think of my own aging father.

His song, "Longer than" was a wonderful anthem with deep spiritual overtones.

His genius in genuinely touching hearts with his music will most surely be missed!

Regarding nonexistent blogging...

Yeah, I know my last post (other than this past one) was Wednesday; and that I usually make multiple posts per day, but I can explain everything:

"I ran out of gas. I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. . . . There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! It wasn't my fault, I swear to Gooooood!"
Well, Okay.. maybe not that, but it has been a bit crazy around the Pusateri household lately; and we're getting ready for the entire clan to visit our house next weekend... so I've been working on this:


And this...

Well.. you get the idea.

And, as everyone knows by watching Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, hanging Christmas lights can be a dangerous occupation.

For real!

More news to wreck your buzz (if you're a commie lib, that is)...

For starters, let's look here....

BAGHDAD — Violence in Iraq is at its lowest levels since the first year of the American invasion, finally opening a window for reconciliation among rival sects, the second-ranking U.S. general said Sunday as Iraqi forces formally took control of security across half the country.

Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the man responsible for the ground campaign in Iraq, said that the first six months of 2007 were probably the most violent period since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The past six months, however, had seen some of the lowest levels of violence since the conflict began, Odierno said, attributing the change to an increase in both American troops and better-trained Iraqi forces.

"I feel we are back in '03 and early '04. Frankly I was here then, and the environment is about the same in terms of security in my opinion," he said. "What is different from then is that the Iraqi security forces are significantly more mature."

I don't know, it wasn't all that long ago that the dems in Congress, including one John P. "We can't win!!" Murtha, said that Iraq was a quagmire... that "George Bush's go-it-alone war" couldn't be won; that nothing would change and it would only get more violent the longer that we were there!

And yes, it's gotten so violent that..

BAGHDAD - British forces formally handed over responsibility Sunday for the last region in Iraq under their control, marking the start of what Britain hopes will be a transition to a mission aimed at aiding the economy and providing jobs in an oil-rich region beset by militia infighting.

With the handover of Basra, an overwhelmingly Shiite region home to most of Iraq's oil reserves, nine of the country's 18 provinces have reverted to Iraqi government control.

"I came to rid Basra of its enemies and I now formally hand Basra back to its friends," the commander of British forces in Basra, Maj.-Gen. Graham Binns, said shortly before he added his signature to papers relinquishing responsibility for the region in Iraq's far south. "We will continue to help train Basra security forces. But we are guests in your country, and we will act accordingly."

Mowafaq al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, said his government was ready and called on Basra's citizens to work together.

Okay, dhimmikrats... I know you were not only hoping against all hope, but doing your level best to ensure defeat in Iraq so as to score a political victory for yourselves; but since it just ain't gonna happen, perhaps now's a good a time as ever to repeat after Emily Litella and just say,

"Never Mind!"

Wednesday Hero Blogburst...

Unfortunately, no Wednesday Hero blogburst this week. According to my good friend, ChicagoRay, Indian Chris, our group's founder, is probably caught up in the middle of the ice storm that has paralyzed much of the south-central U.S... as a substitute, I offer the following that I received in an email from my sister:
Arlington at Christmas

I had no idea this was done. I thought you might want to see it.

Arlington National Cemetery



Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...


Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Regarding light blogging...

I just got home (10pm) and don't have any time tonight for anything in depth.

But suffice it to say, there's going to be some blockbuster stuff coming to this blog in the relatively near future.

Let's just say tip o' the iceberg stuff.

More to come.

Stay tuned.

Tonight's Dose of Holiday Cheer...

Al Gore's Carbon Footprint...

A large one. As a matter of fact, ol' Algore's carbon footprint is so large, I think it would be safe to give him the moniker, BIGFOOT ©:



Algore's "call for sacrifice" apparently didn't take into account his making yet another huge carbon footprint, wending his way to Oslo to accept the Faux-bel © "peace prize"



And I wonder how many "carbon credits" were squandered for all the pomp and circumstance in which Al "Bigfoot" Gore will take part, including a "lavish white tie" banquet...



Al and Tipper Gore--the biggest scam artists since Jim and Tammy Faye Baker.

And people are lapping it up like he was some kind of messiah.

Guess I'll never get it.

Thank God.

Tonight's Dose of Holiday Cheer...

The More Things Stay the Same, The More They... Change?

Frothing-at-the mouth moonbats, still reeling from failed causes celebre such as the fizzling of "Plamegate," and looking for yet another dead horse carcass to hop on top of and scream righteous indignation, have since latched on to "waterboarding" as a yet-unheard of instrument of torture utilized by Bushitler and Cheneyburton in their efforts to wrest oil for their buddies and to control the world! Why, according to the moonbat left, there is nothing more heinous than the practice of having someone think he's drowning in order to extract information that would otherwise save American and innocent Iraqi lives.

Forget beheading. Forget being placed foot-first in a chipper-shredder. Forget rape rooms!

Waterboarding was so much more heinous than all that, and was emblematic as the evil practiced by the Bush administration. Just ask Ted Kennedy about what "simulated drowning" was all about (after all, he should know, shouldn't he?).

No self-respecting democrat would ever sign on as approving of the practice of waterboarding!

Or would they?

WASHINGTON — Four top members of Congress, including now-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, got a close look at CIA overseas detention sites and interrogation techniques in September 2002 and offered no challenge to their legitimacy, according to a news article out Sunday.

On the contrary, at least two lawmakers involved in the briefing that day questioned whether the CIA was pushing hard enough, even after hearing the details of the now widely criticized technique known as waterboarding, two U.S. officials told The Washington Post.

"The briefer was specifically asked if the methods were tough enough," one official is quoted saying.

Click here to read The Washington Post article.

A virtual tour of the sites given by the CIA was among 30 private briefings with key legislative leaders during the 2002-2003 era when waterboarding was used. At the time, only one objection — filed by then-House Intelligence Committee Ranking Democrat Jane Harman — was made.

This again, dear readers, is emblematic of the contrived nature of the democrat party. Fingers ever in the wind, looking for any opportunity to score politically like the carpetbagging hucksters that they are, the democrat party leadership and their minions continually try to count on short memories of the American populace; to see what the latest scam is that they can concoct to try to fool the American voters, to tug on their heartstrings, and to generally PW3N them into hating Republicans and voting for democrats.

But like the hucksters they are, their lies are eventually uncovered, and they're forced to crawl back under their collective rock to dream up the next contrived 'scandal.'

Come on, dems... isn't this getting a bit old already?

Hey, democrats-- here's a novel idea! Try telling the truth once in a while! Granted an unorthodox practice going by the standards set forth by your erstwhile heroes; but just try it once for grins and giggles, k?

What the hell could it hurt?

Tonight's Dose of Holiday Cheer...

Given the sub-zero weather we've been having the past couple of weeks (global warming my arse!) , I thought this one appropo:

Regarding "ending poverty."

From KNSI News (all emphases mine):

ST. PAUL (KNSI)- Minnesota’s Commission to End Poverty made a stop in St. Cloud a few weeks ago to talk about the increase in poverty and hunger.

The 20-member group, established by the Legislature, held a hearing Wednesday at the State Capitol. Among those testifying Colleen Moriarty with Hunger Solutions. She says, while the state needs a long-term plan, there are also immediate concerns. She also called on the Commission to urge Congress to increase funding for Food Stamps, school breakfast and elderly nutrition programs in the next Farm Bill.

The Commission has been directed to draw up a plan to eliminate poverty in Minnesota by 2020.

Another "Great Society" debacle in the making on the State level?

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This pov·er·ty /ˈpɒvərti/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pov-er-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun

1.	the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor; indigence.

Question: How does one "end poverty" by increasing government handouts?

You want to end poverty? Literally? You do it by increasing the number of JOBS available! You do it by ending confiscatory tax policies that stifle job growth, and instead unleash new money into the local economy.

Fact of the matter is, liberals have never been in favor of eliminating poverty. They NEED poverty; since they need a hopeless, subservient class that depends on liberalism for their meager sustenance. The white limousine liberals have, since the early 1960s, created a plantation that parallels those that enslaved blacks during the mid 1800s. But instead of harvesting cotton, they harvest the votes required to keep them in power.

In the end, liberals aren't for finding solutions; rather, they're looking for the next problem that allows them to be viewed as saviors. And rather than actually solving the problem, they propose inane "pseudo-solutions" that only perpetuate it, such as enabling and expanding the culture and conditions that served to create the problem in the first place.

In sum, the problem of "poverty" is at its roots one of social engineering. The road to hell has and continues to be paved by the neo-socialists with their "good intentioned" means of keeping the poor in their place; while instilling no hope of upward mobility.

Rather, by creating a climate of fear that the poor will be abandoned should they fall out of power, the neo-socialists have accomplished what the KKK could have only hoped to accomplish.

As a matter of fact, the KKK couldn't have done any more damage if they tried.

Days that live on in infamy...

It was the attack that sounded the clarion call; that the United States could no longer stand idly by while evil elements made their insidious trek across the globe.

It was the decisive moment that provided Americans with the righteous indignation that would be required to sustain them in fueling their eventual victory over the then-axis of evil; Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan. No longer would that generation stand on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to take up that mantle; nor would they pass the burden for future generations to bear.

This was their moment. Their cup of suffering did not pass, but neither did their sacrifices fail to bear the fruits of liberty for future generations; not only of the United States of America, but of the entire global community.

_________________________________________

Fast forward to another day that will continue to live in infamy:
This, my dear readers, is our generation's clarion call. The time when history asks us to step up to the plate to fight a global evil.

Will we follow the brave example of what up til now had been our greatest generation? Will we now take up the mantle to fight the forces that threaten liberty, and portend doom upon our way of life, if not our very existence?

Or, will we instead squander the fruits of the sacrifices that followed that fateful day in December of 1941; opting rather to play on political expediency; hoping against hope that the unthinkable will not occur. Or if it does, that it will do so long after our generation passes; leaving our progeny to live their lives in slavish dhimmitude, if at all.

My dear readers, History today calls upon us to answer the call of defending liberty.

The question that is yet to be answered is thus: Will we utilize the clarion call put forth by the events on September 11th, 2001 as a source of righteous indignation to persevere in the cause of freedom? Or will our generation be the one that allowed government by the people, of the people, and for the people to perish from the earth?

I shudder to think about the looming answer to that question.

Tonight's Dose of Holiday Cheer...

Tonight's dose of Christmas cheer...

Thoughts on the Day...

I don't have a lot of time to post tonight, but just a few thoughts on the day...

First, when I heard the NIE's report the other day that Iran hasn't been seeking nukes since 2003, it hit me as just a little bit more than a brain disconnect. After all, it flied in the face of everything I've been hearing, since 2001 (this year included).

The report concludes that Iran "bowed to international pressure" in its decision to supposedly halt its nuclear program in 2003.

My question: If Ahmawhackjob did indeed bow to international pressure in its decision to halt its nuclear ambitions, ostensibly to give the message, "Hey, don't invade us--we're really not all that bad!" then why the even-recent rhetoric to "blow Israel off the map?" If one abandons nukes because they're afraid of international pressure, then wouldn't it be defeating the purpose by continuing to talk as if you had nukes or were still looking for them? Wouldn't that be the same kind of denial that ultimately got Saddam into trouble? Wouldn't a government wanting to avoid an invasion rather take a Qaddafy-like approach?

The more I look into this matter, the more putrid-smelling it becomes.

My main man Fred Thompson makes the most sense of anyone I've read or heard on the subject.

---

Next on the agenda--the Romney "JFK'esque "Don't be afraid of my religion" speech.

Truth be told, I was never afraid of Romney's Mormonism. I was more (and continue to be more) afraid of his being a "successful" governor of one of the most liberal states in the Union. The perpetual home of Sens.- for- life Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, for cripe's sake! For all we know, a Romney candidacy will be George Bush v. 2.0 in terms of social spending and lack of immigration enforcement, and without George Bush's lifelong convictions on the abortion issue, to boot!

As far as I'm concerned, there's a lot more 'splainin' and cowtowing to do in those departments than WRT Romney's possible allegiance to the ideals of Joseph Smith.

At the very least, Romney sucked up all the political oxygen for the day, which was a brilliant move on his part in keeping his name at the forefront of the news cycle.

When it comes down to it, I truly suspect that's what it was all about to begin with.

Today's Dose of Holiday Cheer...

Click for full size

Wednesday Hero 12/5/2007

This Week's Hero Was Suggested By Mark Bell


Marty and Sue Horn



Born in Philadelphia, Marty Horn spent 20 years in the Army as a Military Policeman, retiring in 1993 and going to work in Internet technologies. In 2003, his son Brian Horn deployed to Iraq. Trying to support their son’s unit, Marty and his wife Sue, who also served as in the Military Police, put together the concept of Any Soldier. In essence, Any Soldier is an effort to provide support and encouragement to those who are in harm’s way. Due to overwhelming requests for ready-made care packages on the AnySoldier.com site, Sue Horn started TreatAnySoldier.com.

Using his background in Internet technologies, Marty built and maintains the web site. The Any Soldier program slowly expanded to include other Army units. In 2004, the program opened up to include all service branches.. In 2005, the websites for AnyMarine.com., AnySailor.com, AnyAirman.com, and AnyCoastguardsman.com were launched.

In the words of the Any Soldier web site: "The success of Any Soldier has far exceeded expectations and continues to grow with the invaluable help and guidance of our supporters, board members and Support Team."

In the words of Marty Horn: "It is the supporters who deserve the credit."

Thanks to the efforts of Marty and Sue, their son Brian, and a dedicated staff, over 950,000 servicemen and women received support and encouragement they would never have been able to get through the Any Soldier program.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Wednesday Heroes are written by Indian Chris as part of a non-partisan effort to recognize the bravery of our men in uniform.

World's Fastest State Trooper!

A clipping I received in an email:

And in his final rush...

Evel Knievel passed ad astra on November 30th...

He dearly loved his grandchildren and he always made it a point to stay in touch with the people he loved the most, his friends and family. And lastly, most important to him above all was his new-found faith in Jesus Christ. Just as he always took great care in surrounding himself with the best people he could depend upon to help him make his jumps during his motorcycle career, Knievel found his greatest friend of all in preparation for his final leap from life. He was profoundly happy that he gave his life to God, who comforted him and gave him the strength he needed to make it through the end.

Godspeed, sir... Godspeed.

h/t JRoosh

Chavez Gets PWN3D!

Story Here!

Time for another Happy Dance!

On a more somber note, sources close to Chavez report that Hugo's long-time mentor and lover whispered sweet words of consolation in his ear:

Though the content of the exchange remains unclear, it was believed to be Castro's own rendition of "Don't worry baby," which reportedly went a little something like this:

DON'T WORRY BABY (By Fidel Castro)

Well Hugo it's been building up inside of me
For oh I don't know how long
I don't know why
But I kept thinking
Something's bound to go wrong

But I look into your eyes,
And your ability to traumatize
And I say, "Don't worry baby"
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby

I guess I should've kept my mouth shut
When I bragged about my health care,
But I can't back down now--
Michael Moore thinks I'm Fred Astaire!

And he makes me come alive
And makes me wanna drive
When he says "Don't worry baby"
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby

And I told you, "Baby when they vote today
Just take along my love with you,"
And if you know how much they loved you
Baby nothing could go wrong with you"

But screw their vote today--
Just torture their asses as you say,
"Don't worry baby"
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby

****UPDATE****
Welcome Dr. Sanity Readers

Please click here and have a look around.

Central Minnesota Values?

Would an area that elected Michele Bachmann and overwhelmingly voted for George Bush-- Twice-- actually think about supporting Hillary Clinton?

Perhaps not...

But that didn't stop our State Senator from supporting her.

Tarryl Clark and central Minnesota Values?

I don't think so.

Jack Murtha Admits Defeat.

Despite his best efforts at thwarting our troops' efforts, despite his ongoing attempts to kill their morale, even to the point of accusing them of cold-blooded murder, Congressman Jack Murtha finally came to admit defeat, stating the other day that the surge is working, and that our troops are winning.

Well, Congressman Murtha, now that you've finally capitulated after a long, drawn out battle to secure defeat for America and its troops in harm's way, do you plan a trip to the Missourri to sign the terms of surrender with our Marine Corps?

New look, New URL...

So how do you like the new look (and the new spelling)?

Just to let you know, I now have an alternative url: http://www.psycmeister.com

As always, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

-Leo-

Just in case you wanted to know what happened to Pravda reporters...

Or so it would seem through this story on the AP:

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - When the hostages had been released and their alleged captor arrested, a regal-looking Hillary Rodham Clinton strolled out of her Washington home, the picture of calm in the face of crisis.

[SNIP]

It was a vintage example of a candidate taking a negative and turning it into a positive. And coming just six weeks before the presidential voting begins, the timing could hardly have been more beneficial to someone hoping to stave off a loss in the Iowa caucuses and secure a win in the New Hampshire primary.

[SNIP]

At the same time, the woman striving to move from former first lady to the first female president was eager to convey that she knew the traditional lines of command and control in a crisis, even if the events inside the storefront on North Main Street were far short of a world calamity.

"They were the professionals, they were in charge of this situation, whatever they asked me or my campaign to do is what we would do," Clinton said.

Along with taking charge while giving the professionals free rein, Clinton offered up a third dimension to her crisis character: humanity. She said she felt "grave concern" when she first heard the news of the hostage-taking.

[SNIP]

"It affected me not only because they were my staff members and volunteers, but as a mother, it was just a horrible sense of bewilderment, confusion, outrage, frustration, anger, everything at the same time," Clinton said.

It was a thawing moment for a stoic figure who once snapped that she opted for professional life instead of staying home to bake cookies.

She buttressed it with one final message. Clinton sought to use the sad moment as a national teaching opportunity, another skill often employed by presidents.

She paid tribute to the thousands of believers who set aside their lives every four years so they can propel presidential campaigns on little more than blood, sweat and tears.

"They believe in our future. They work around the clock. They are so committed to their cause, and I just want to commend every one of them from every campaign who really makes what is a sacrifice and a commitment," Clinton said. "A lot of them postpone school, leave their families, move across the country, and I'm so grateful for them every single day, and I'm especially just relieved to have this situation end so peacefully without anyone being injured.

Class dismissed.

Class dismissed??

As in Sycophantic Reporting 101?

Err.., Glenn Johnson... Just wondering... did you smoke a cigarette after that piece?

h/t BRight and Early