Monday, February 26, 2007

The US Trespass Into Mexico

Mexico is outraged and claims that American workers and equipment were spotted on Mexican soil during the construction of a new boarder fence. Mexican officials stated that workers were seen trespassing into Mexico by 10 yards and claim that this violated Mexico's sovereignty.

It is funny that the Mexican government would be so outraged over 10 yards and not the 1.2 million Mexicans that illegally crossed into America and were arrested in 2005. Where's the American outrage?

Friday, February 23, 2007

GIs Petition Congress to End War

Over 1,000 American soldiers fighting on the frontlines in Iraq have petitioned directly to Congress for an end to the War. Supporters of the petition claim that under the 1995 Whistle blower Act, soldiers have the right to express their concerns in a protected communication directly to Congress.

Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Hutto stated, "I'm not anti-war. I'm not a pacifist. I'm not opposed to protecting our country and defending our principles, but at the same time, as citizens, it's our obligation to have a questioning attitude … about policy". Marine Sgt. Liam Madden, who helped Hutto to found the organization stated, "just because we volunteered for the military doesn't mean we volunteered to put our lives in unnecessary harm and to carry out missions that are illogical and immoral".

Well Mr. Hutto and Mr. Madden fighting in a war that the President and Congress both authorized American military forces to fight in is exactly what you signed up for. You may signed up for some other benefits that the military has to offer but in return you agreed to fight for the American people in aggressive actions in foreign lands.

Part of me wants to say, "Fine, if you want out we will send you home with a dishonorable discharge, we don't need gutless cowards like you anyway". The other, more reasonable part of me knows that if we succumb to these people who obviously have no fortitude or vision, then more soldiers than these will follow suit.

Our country needs to take a page from the United Kingdom. Prince Harry will be deploying to Iraq to serve with his comrades by is own choice. He knows that he can easily get out of serving in Iraq but he choose to serve, knowing that a great leader is born of a man who fights in the trenches with his men. We, soldiers and American citizens alike, need to sacrifice to win the War on Terror and insure that America will stand as the greatest country for all time.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Military Commissions Act Stands

Today, a US Federal Appeals Court decided 2-1 that Guantanamo Bay detainees may not challenge their detention in U.S. courts. This means that civilian courts can no longer consider whether the military holding of foreign combatants is legal. Under the Military Commissions Act that President Bush pushed through Congress, foreign combatants can now be held indefinitely and aggressive interrogation tactics can be used by military and CIA officials.

Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, stated that he will try and pass a revision restoring detainees legal rights. Leahy stated, "The Military Commissions Act is a dangerous and misguided law that undercuts our freedoms and assaults our Constitution by removing vital checks and balances designed to prevent government overreaching and lawlessness”.

Jonathan Hafetz, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice stated, "“It’s a terrible ruling that contradicts centuries of Anglo-American history and allows the indefinite detention of innocent people without charge or judicial review,”. “It also allows for detention based on evidence gained by torture.”

What these men have over-looked is the fact that the American justice system was designed to govern citizens of the United States. Never before have we faced an enemy like this. This enemy conducts military operations around the world including within our own boarders. Baring an international Justice system, the United States is within it's rights to protect itself against criminals and to use any and all means to route out enemies and un-cover their plans of attack. Until the United States military begins sweeping American streets and unjustifiably detaining and holding citizens of this country then the arguments of Leahy and Hafetz are not legitimate.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Italy indicts CIA agents

Today, Italy showed the world their support of the United States and the War on Terrorism by indicting 26 Americans, most of whom are CIA agents. Italian prosecutors allege that in February of 2003, CIA agents kidnapped Muslim cleric Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr from Italy. They further allege that Nasr was taken to Egypt, tortured and held captive for 4 years.

Italian prosecutors are basing their indictment on circumstantial information gathered from telephone calls and that fact that these CIA agent were conducting authorized operations in Italy at the time. Also included in the indictment were the CIA station chiefs from Milan and Rome, as well as members of the Italian military intelligence.

Nasr is suspected of being a terrorist and fighting for Islamic radicals in Afghanistan and Bosnia. He is also suspected of recruiting radicals to fight with other Islamic radicals engaged in conflicts within the region. Italy itself issued a warrant for the arrest of Nasr while he was allegedly in Egypt.

If Nasr's terrorist operations are known so well that Italy and the United States both know and Italy issued it's own arrest warrant then what is the issue here? To win the War on Terrorism we must be willing to conduct clandestine operations such as this. By maintaining custody over terrorist, such as alleged in the case, then important time sensitive information can be obtained and save lives of many Americans. "Allied" countries must be willing to allow the US to conduct operations without claiming that we violated their sovereignty.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Simply Said

Marine Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, who died in a 2005 firefight in Ramadi:

"Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq . . . I don't regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom.

An American Soldier, An American Hero

Capt. Brian Freeman, a West Point graduate and Army Reservist, was just another soldier in Iraq until he marked his place in history as an American Hero who died defending freedom. It came to his attention that an 11 year old boy had a heart condition that restricted more and more blood flow to his heart the older he got. This condition would most likely not allow the boy to see adulthood.

Freeman made it his un-official mission to facilitate a trip to the United States for the boy and his father so he could receive a life saving operation. Freeman began the process of securing US Visa's, sending medical records for the boy to the US and seeking donations to make the surgery possible. Freeman was able to get Schneider Children's Hospital in New York to agree to preform the surgery at a reduced price and Gift of Life International, a New York-based nonprofit organization, agreed to pay for the operation.

On January 20, just after returning from a leave home where he saw his 1 year old daughter take her first steps, armed insurgents entered his building killing a soldier and taking Freeman and two other soldiers captive. The insurgents drove the three soldiers away where they were later found executed.

Just days after his kidnapping and execution, the Iraq boy and his father were notified that their Visa's had been approved and they would be heading to New York to receive the life saving operation.

Capt Brian Freeman left behind a wife, a three year old son and 1 year old daughter. Not only did he fight to defend the world against terrorist aggression, he realized what the fight was all about. For this little boy and his father, Brian Freeman was an angel that watched over him and gave him life. Brian gave his life so that this boy would live. He is an American soldier, an angle for us all.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends". John 15:13

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Don't Close Your Blinds

anonymous,


Don't Close Your Blinds
The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at war.....My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then told my son to go stand in our front living room window. He said "Son, stand there and tell me what you see."
"I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses." he replied.
"Ok, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the United States of America and that you are President Bush."
Our son giggled and said "OK"
"Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every house and yard on this block is a different country" my husband said.
"OK Dad, I'm pretending."
"Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you see Saddam come out of his house with his wife, he has her by the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to death. Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they are afraid of their father.
You see all of this, son....what do you do?"
"Dad?"
"What do you do son?"
"I'd call the police, Dad."
"OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They take your call. They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help. What do you do then son?"
:Dad.....but the police are supposed to help!" My son starts to whine.
"They don't want to son, because they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it," my husband says.
"But Dad...he killed her!!" my son exclaims.

"I know he did...but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to his children."
"Daddy...he kills them?"
"Yes son, he does. What do you do?"
"Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop him." our son says.
"Son, our next door neighbor see's what is happening and refused to get involved as well. He refused to open the door and help you stop him." my husband says.
"But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself !!"
"WHAT DO YOU DO SON?" our son starts to cry.
"OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask for help and saw that no one would help you stop him. He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next son?"
"What Daddy?"
"He walks across the street to the old ladies house and breaks down her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on fire and then ....he kills her. He turns around and see you standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?"
"Daddy..."
'WHAT DO YOU DO?" Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, "I'd close the blinds, Daddy.

My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him. "Why?"
"Because Daddy....the police are supposed to help people who need them... and they won't help.....You always say that neighbors are supposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either...they won't help me stop him.... I'm afraid...I can't do it by myself Daddy.... I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible things and...and..do nothing ....so .... I'm just going to close the blinds...so I can't see what he's doing.....and I'm going to pretend that it is not happening."
I start to cry. My husband looks at our nine year old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husband's questions and he says....
"Son"
"Yes, Daddy"
"Open the blinds because that man....he's at your front door...."WHAT DO YOU DO?"
My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, without hesitation he says:
"I DEFEND MY FAMILY DAD!!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER,DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM!!.
I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says..."It's too late to fight him, he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son...you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have to do it alone, before its too late." My husband whispers.
That scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil happen son, THAT is the greatest atrocity in the world.

"YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT !! EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE !" BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE PROUD OF OUR TROOPS !! SUPPORT THEM!!! SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS..."

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Obama Family's Little Black Secret

In an interview with 60 minutes, Barack's wife made a serious mis-statement that sheds light on the Obama family's view regarding race and culture in America. For this reason, Barack is not ready to be America's first black President even though he feels he is qualified and primed.

The interviewer asked Barack's wife if she thought about possible violence that could be brought against Barack as President, referring to Colin Powell's wife's statement that she did not wish him to run for fear of this. Barack's wife responded with the following, "I don't lose sleep over it because the realities are that, you know, as a black man, you know, Barack can get shot going to the gas station, you know".

The question had nothing to do with Barack being a black man only if she feared violence against him because of a powerful position such as the Presidency. This is evidence that the Obama family mindset is geared to race and culture as a lens through which they make decisions. I have no doubt that these decisions include political ones made by Barrack.

The questions is not weather America is ready for a black President, the question is weather Barack is ready to be the first black President of the United States. I conclude that based on this sole reflective statement the he and his family are not.

North Korea agrees to nuclear disarmament

N. Korea agreed to nuclear disarmament today after reaching a resolution during six party talks. The resolution calls for N. Korea to shut down it's main nuclear reactor and dismantle it's atomic weapons program within four months in exchange for aid, specifically 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil. If N. Korea continues with it's dis-armament then the US will continue to provide aid.

Former US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton stated, “It sends exactly the wrong signal to would-be proliferators around the world: 'If we hold out long enough, wear down the State Department negotiators, eventually you get rewarded,' in this case with massive shipments of heavy fuel oil for doing only partially what needs to be done."

Although I appreciate the worthy goal of disarming N. Korea and discontinuing their nuclear proliferation, I am hesitant to believe that this resolution is anything but a stall tactic perpetrated by the Communist government. I believe that Pyongyang will bid by the resolution until initial shipments of aid come in, then he will force inspectors out of the country or not cooperate with inspectors who will have the monumental task of trying to find all of his weapons depots. This is a re-creation of the Iraq conflict between 1992 and 2002.

In addition, why are we providing fuel aid to N. Korea when the United State's own fuel dilemma is in question? Currently, President Bush has ordered our oil reserves to be stockpiled in fear of a possible showdown with Iran. If we are stockpiling oil and do not have a steady supply from a country that is not torn with conflict then why are we promising that kind of aid to N. Korea.

Finally, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, stated that N. Korea could still face sanctions from the international community including Russia. Isn't it funny that just two days ago, Russian President Putin berated the United States for getting too involved in international affairs, specifically referring to Iranian nuclear development, but yet here he is involved in talks with N. Korean in regards to their nuclear development? Could it be because Russia has provided military support to Iran?

Monday, February 12, 2007

Big Bad Billary

Yesterday at a fund raising function, Hillary Clinton claimed that she was the one person that Republicans most fear. She stated that Gingrich, Delay and Rove all have made statements in private claiming that they were afraid of Clinton becoming president.

Hillary stated, "I'm the one person they are most afraid of. Bill and I have beaten them before and we will again". This was the first time Clinton has slipped and touted previous Presidential winnings. If I were Hillary I would not be proud of what her husband did in office. Not only did he fail to defend the United States by letting Osama Bin Laden free, he also brought disgrace upon the White House and disrespect to his wife when he took advantage of his power by having sex with an intern.

I guarantee that if anyone is afraid of Hillary sitting in the Oval office it is for reasons far distant from her doing a good job running the country. I am afraid that she will spend more time allocating funds for liberal arts education then defending the country as the enemies seep across our boarders.

Target Tehran

President Bush ordered a second carrier battle group into the Gulf headed by its flagship the USS Stennis. Opponents are claiming this is a prelude to war and that President Bush is planning a strike against Iran in the near future. President Bush stated that actions were only taken to force Iran into considering different diplomatic solutions to the problem. Yesterday, Ahmadineijad, stated that Iran will not cease enriching uranium but that it was willing to talk.

Some supporters of action against Iran believe that instead of a direct military action we should support the Mujahideen-e Khalq to rise up and fight against the seated government. However, the MEK is branded as a terrorist organization and supporting them would pose a conflict of interest within the Bush administration.

Increased tensions with Iran have developed over the past several weeks as US military has evidence linking Iran with terrorist operations in Iraq. Military officials state that Iranian serial numbers and markings have been found on numerous ordinance that has been launched against coalition soldiers. This provides a direct and unequivocal link that Iran is suppling weapons and support for the insurgent resistance in Iraq.

Opponents claim that the US is not willing to negotiate with Iran to quell the issue of nuclear development. However, the US government has tried repeatedly to negotiate with Tehran and has not received any cooperation. The time for negotiation is fast coming to an end and the time for a military response is quickly approaching.

In 2002, the majority of liberal congressmen and women supported military action in Iraq based on the belief that their was evidence of WMDs and genocidal war crimes committed by Hussein. We now have evidence starting to surface the Tehran is directly supporting the insurgency in Iraq. If we can determine that Iran is behind the Iraq insurgency and the loss of thousands of coalition lives, we are bound to deal with them swiftly and violently.

Friday, February 9, 2007

Feith's Prewar Intel

Yesterday, Michigan Democrat Senator Carl Levin released a report stating that a prewar intelligence report authored by then Under Secretary of Defense Douglas Feith was created using "an alternative intelligence assessment process", implying that it was false and not proportionate to the truth. The report, issued in 2002, stated that Iraq and Al-Queda had a "mature symbiotic relationship" and provided evidence that the two were working together to launch terrorism against the United States and allied nations.

At the time of Feith's report, the CIA had concluded that their was an "evolving" association "based on sources of varying reliability". Further, Feith's office stated that it based it's report on both "reliable and unreliable" intelligence reports. Based on these statements, I do not see the problem. Intelligence does not rely solely on facts. Not everything can be proven. Intelligence is the gathering of information from any source and when drawn together, a pattern or credible action is developed.

The CIA itself determined before the war that at the very least an evolving relationship was being developed between Iraq and Al-Queda. So a dictator with a ruthless army was involved in a evolving relationship with those who came upon American shores to murder thousands of our countrymen? Furthermore, it is now known that Al-Queda is indeed conducting terrorist and insurgent operations within Iraq, as well as a host of other war torn nations.

Levin's report states that Feith's actions, although inappropriate, were not illegal. If they were not illegal then what is the problem? Could things have been done cleaner? Yeah probably. However, the fact remains that the US went to war with a ruthless enemy, who himself was a weapon of mass destruction. He murdered thousands of his own people, invaded numerous other countries, ruled his people with an iron fist and refused to cooperate with the UN weapons inspectors.

In order to win the War on Terrorism, we must not consume ourselves with issues such as these. Although I believe we must abide by the rules of law, I also realize that some of these laws only serve to restrict our valiant actions and will undermine our intentions to win the war and destroy our enemy. If we briefly forsake certain rights, we will enable ourselves to unite as a nation, win the war and spread peace to other nations.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Africom

In a bold but necessary move, President Bush directed Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates to develop a US military command for Africa. Currently, all military operations in Africa are directed by Centcom, which is also responsible for military operations in the Middle East.

Congressional Democrats will see this as a defiant action on President Bush's part and another step in his goal to militarize as much of the world as he can by November 2008. However, it is obvious that terrorist operations are continuing to spread to Africas from the Middle East and increased US military presence in the region is needed.

In 1998, Islamic militants associated with Al Queda successfuly bomed the US embassys in Kenya and Tanzania killing more than 250 people. Last month, US forces launched attacks on terrorits camps beleived to contain suspects who perpetrated the attacks on the embassys in 1998.

This proves, that the War on Terroism is working. We cannot expect results overnight. Intelligence gathering and tracking takes a lot of hard work and a lot more time. We must be patient. The enmies time will come.

Further, by his own words, Osama Bin Laden stated that his intentions to attack the United States and wage war with us is based on our actions in a little African town by the name of Mogadishu. In 1993, the US military was relieved of duties in the region by President Clinton after an all night battle raged taking the lives of 19 special operations officers. Bin Laden believes that if he can blacked our eye enough then we will "cut and run".

The development of Africom is a much needed action taken by this President to secure a more peacful tomorrow.

Monday, February 5, 2007

The Iranian Revelation

According to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's nuclear rights 'will be established' on February 11th. This date is significant as it marks the "ten-day dawn", the end of the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979. Ahmadinejad stated, "When a nation decides to stand on its own feet to climb up the peaks, God helps it and that nation will embrace victory". Ahmadinejad also states that after seven years, he will announce that Iranian scientists have developed an herbal cure for AIDS.

Why is this story not bombarding the mainstream media?

Iran has publicly defied the United States and other allied nations, saying it is in the process of developing nuclear weapons. This came after they initially claimed they were simply developing the technology to become energy sufficient with nuclear power. They recently kicked nuclear inspectors out of their country. They have publicly stated numerous times that they seek the annihilation of Israel and western influences in the Middle East.

Sources from the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that technicians have assembled two small uranium enrichment units at Iran's underground Natanz complex. This is in direct violation of the United Nations ban. This known action marks the beginning of what Iran hopes will be a facility capable of developing numerous nuclear weapons per year.

We know from history that Ahmadinejad and other Islamic radical terrorist prefer to execute missions to coincide with the timeline of previous terrorist attacks. They may not be able to execute, but these are their intentions. Ahmadinejad claims that when his people strive to become sufficient that god will help them and they will claim victory. What he is really telling us is that if they are capable of developing nuclear weapons then it must be willed by god and that the destruction of Israel and attacks on the United States would be justified.

Why are we not listening to what he is saying?

Finally, to think that Iran has developed a cure for AIDS is laughable. I just hope the liberal agenda does not get suckered in by this claim and provide it as another reason why we need to work with Iran to develop peace in the Middle East.

Friday, February 2, 2007

Muslim Compares Britain to Nazi Germany

Mohammad Naseem, chairman of the Birmingham's Central Mosque, compared Britain's increasing Police State to that of Nazi Germany. This statement followed the arrest of nine Muslim terrorists who were planning the kidnapping and televised beheading of a British soldier.

Naseem stated, "We can change this for the better by coming together, not by coming apart...Remain calm, don't get angry. Anger is a natural emotion, but Muslims should control it. We must never give way to anger". This statement was made in front of 2,000 other Muslims inside the Central Mosque during Friday prayers.

I agree that the Muslims should not get angry. For as they state, they are being targeted because other Muslims are committing terrorists acts. However, the ideology of Xenophobia is just that, an idea. It can never be guarded against this day in age. Although our enemies are spread around the world, one distinguishing factor can not be missed, most of them are Islamic radicals.

In one of my previous post, I state that over 5,700 people have been killed and over 11,300 have been wounded in terrorist attacks perpetrated by Islamic radicals. With this in mind, tell me why we should not target all Muslims and be weary of them until such time as they can prove their alligence to peace, the United State and all other allies?

We cannot. It would not be prudent in the self interest and self defense of any nation.

We should not trust anyone on their word alone. They must prove that they stand by us in the War on Terrorism and are not just simply planning the next attack from within our own boarders. Once they have proven their worth then maybe they will stop feeling like they are being targeted.

This presents another issue though. Can anyone identify an incident where a Muslim was un-justly targeted for enforcement action when there was no other circumstances present to lead authorities to take action against him? I challenge you to find one because you will not. Security actions are taken only based on actions presented by them or circumstances surrounding them. Based on those and recent historical events, I believe that law enforcement is justified, and further, obligated to protect American citizens from any attacks.

I will not accept Naseem's statement that Britain is becoming a police state such as Nazi Germany where Jews were targeted for being Jews. The difference is this: the Jews were innocent and targeted for no reason. Until Muslims walk out the doors of their Mosque and find themselves surrounded by fencing topped with barbed wire and armed guards posted at every corner, then I refuse to accpet that Britain or any other allied Western nation is becoming a police state.