CatHouse Chat

Proper use of the Second Amendment

Via Michelle Malkin, an entry at the New Orleans Times-Picayune blog:

In Uptown, one the few areas that remained dry, a bearded man patrolled Oak Street near the boarded-up Maple Leaf Bar, a sawed-off shotgun slung over his shoulder. The owners of a hardware store sat in folding chairs, pistols at the ready.

Uptown resident Keith Williams started his own security patrol, driving around in his Ford pickup with his newly purchased handgun. Earlier in the day, Williams said he had seen the body of a gunshot victim near the corner of Leonidas and Hickory streets.

"What I want to know is why we don’t have paratroopers with machine guns on every street," Williams said.

Like-minded Art Depodesta sat on the edge of a picnic table outside Cooter Brown’s Bar, a chrome shotgun at his side loaded with red shells.

"They broke into the Shell station across the street," he said. "I walked over with my 12-gauge and shot a couple into the air."

The looters scattered, but soon after, another man appeared outside the bar in a pickup truck armed with a pistol and threatened Depodesta.

"I told him, ‘Listen, I was in the Army and I will blow your ass off,’" Depodesta said. "We’ve got enough trouble with theflood."

The man sped away.

"You know what sucks," Depodesta said. "The whole U.S. is looking at this city right now, and this is what they see."

Now, the looters are not just taking food and water and necessities, they are stealing TVs, stereos, and so on as well. Tell me this: y'all have no power, and won't for the next several weeks. Your house and neighborhood are a wreck; the city is wet, muddy and full of debris; you have stranded, wounded, and dead people all around...

What the hell are you thinking?? Oh, that's right - uncivilized barbarians don't think, they pillage.

Well, idiots, this is one of the reasons the Founders of this country put in the Second Amendment, so that law-abiding citizens can protect their property from - oh, let's use some good synonyms here - philistines, ruffians, troglodytes, brutes, louts, hooligans, and cannibals such as you.

Lock and load, citizens: it's time to take out the vandals.

Lady Raquel

Ah, I missed this: Your World w/ Neil Cavuto - Cavuto's Interview - Transcript: American Beauty. But, thanks to THIRDWAVEDAVE, I've now read it (although I can't get the video - is it because it's from the 12th of August?)

Raquel Welch, a lady and patriot, and a true beauty!
 

This it the way to impress me!

The National Geographic Channel, which just televised its excellent two-part series on 9/11, also has a series called "Seconds From Disaster". Beloved Husband and Darling Daughter have been fascinated, and so it's one of the items they've scheduled to TiVo.

Tonight, we watched "Pentagon 9/11", and it was incredible! I highly recommend it.

I have been very happy with the content and style of many of their programs which Husband and Daughter have chosen to record. They've been educational,  entertaining and well filmed - but then, National Geo always has been known for superior photography...

American Muslims, take note

Dr. Rusty Shackleford posts What Muslims Can Learn from Japanese-Americans of WWII.

I strongly urge you to read the whole thing, but here are a couple of excerpts which caught my attention:

Were Japanese-Americans mistreated in WWII? Yes. And while some in the Japanese community reacted to this mistreatment by renouncing their U.S. citizenship, the vast majority of Americans of Japanese decent set out on a course to prove that they were loyal. The bravery of the more than 25,000 young men on the field of battle dispelled the nation's misgivings.

...

I do not wish to succomb to prejudice and make the presumption that Muslim-Americans are not loyal to this country. As of this writing, I presume that there is a silent majority of Muslims in this country who are uniquivocally pro-American. But if they are out there, their silence is doing nothing to alleviate these fears. The occasional small protest against terrorism in general does nothing to signal that Muslim Americans are particularly worried about terrorism against our country any more than they are worried about terrorism against another coutnry. Groups such as Muslims Against Terrorism, from what I have seen, have little support.

...

If Muslim-Americans wish to receive the benefit of the doubt than they must begin to do much more than they are doing today. They may argue, rightfully, that requiring them to do more than what is expected of other Americans adds a higher duty of citizenship to them and is a form or unequal treatment.

They are right. It is a form of unequal treatment. But so what? Muslims are in a unique position to be our first line of defense against terrorism. They are the vanguard of our defense. Terrorists do not congregate in the Polish communities of Chicago, do not use Orthodox churches as places to meet up with other extremists, and do not call upon the help of a relative or mutual friend from Mongolia. Muslim-Americans have been given the gift of being able to aid our country in ways that others cannot. They can translate for us. They can infiltrate our enemies more easily than the rest of us. They can watch in ways nearly impossible for the rest of us.

Dr. Rusty also refers to Jay Tea's post at Wizbang, which is also well worth a thoughtful read:

The consequence, to me, is the forfeiting of the presumption of patriotism. They are losing the good will of their fellow Americans, who more and more believe that they can trust in the common bond that unites Americans to outweigh the sense of loyalty Muslims feel towards each other when those come in conflict -- regardless of what their fellow Muslims might have done.

The greatest enemies the United States faces right now are Muslim extremists. This puts American Muslims (of the non-extremist bent) in a conflict -- whose side will have their sympathies? Their fellow countrymen, or those who are dishonoring and besmirching their faith?

And every time another American Muslim chooses the latter, the more they lose that presumption of patriotism. And that is not any kind of penalty or discrimination, but a simple consequence of their choice.

I agree with both these gentlemen that I do not wish to presuppose guilt, simply because a fellow citizen is Muslim. However, they also make the very valid point that the Muslim community, in its lackluster opposition to Islamic extremism, is actually encouraging any bias against it.

Disgusting!

From the New Orleans Times-Picayune: Looting begins in New Orleans.

Looters filled industrial-sized garbage cans with clothing and jewelry and floated them down the street on bits of plywood and insulation as National Guard lumbered by.

Mike Franklin stood on the trolley tracks and watched the spectacle unfold.

"To be honest with you, people who are oppressed all their lives, man, it's an opportunity to get back at society," he said.

Two wrongs don't make a right, Mikey-boy. You live in the most open and free country in the world, your city and neighborhood are in the midst of a major tragedy, and all you can think about it "getting back at society"? There is no excuse whatsoever for this illegal and uncivilized behavior. Grow up and get a life. Or, would you prefer that the society you so despise simply shuns you? That would certainly be poetic justice! When you attempt to secure social service benefits it would be great for you to face the consequences of your worldview.

*sigh*

And the phrase that Gene Hackman's character, Lex Luthor, spouted in Superman just keeps running through my head: "...People are no damn good..."

CONstructive and DEstructive support for our military

Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink and groups of that sort have received a lot of publicity recently in the media and in the blogosphere, and I must admit that I haven't commented much because I figured that many other people had done so more eloquently than I could have.

However, when these lefty groups and people claim to "support the troops, but not the war," it really makes me wonder just how it is they do that?

Do they dishonor and sneer at Navy Cross and Silver Star winners? Do they stand outside hospitals and mock wounded heroes? Do they compare our troops with Hitler and Pol Pot?

Apparently so.

They also like to claim that military people are duped into enlisting; or perhaps that men and women enlist for the benefits of travel and education, and that they are completely caught off-guard when called to serve in a war. I've read statements that our troops are stupid, that they are vicious, that they are losing, that they are poorly supplied, and all manner of false accusations and assertions.

Gee, that's really the way to support our troops, guys! Obviously, you haven't checked out the military blogs - where real military people, with real military experience, do real reporting about real heroes who have been-there-done-that.

Have you blind pessimists read Michael Yon? Have you stopped by to read Chrenkoff's good news from Afghanistan and Iraq? How about Black Five, Winds of Change, Armor Gedden, Austin Bay, Small Town Veteran, and many others?

These bloggers, and many on their blogrolls, tell the real story of our men and women in uniform. They tell the stories of honor, bravery, and perseverance. They report the news of heroism, compassion, and dedication. They report the tragedies in context, and they present the good the bad and the ugly from people who have lived the war first hand.

You know what I find in those MilBlogs? I find decent men and women doing a hard job. I find people I would be honored to have as neighbors. I see trustworthy warriors dealing with set backs and delays, determined to win the victory. I also see men and women sacrificing to serve our country and its people.

Do you really want to support the military? Go support Soldiers' Angels, the Wounded Warrior Project, the USO, volunteer in a VA hospital, buy a military family lunch...

Look into the eyes of a service member and say, "Thank you!"

Give our men and women in uniform the respect and honor they deserve so well.

That would truly be "supporting our troops."

Crossposted to the Wide Awakes

So why have I NOT been mouthy this weekend?

Well, I've had lots of things to do!

Beloved Husband (who really is the Last Best Guy On Earth©... Sorry, ladies, he's already mine!) helped me immensely by building me shelves for my fabric. The frame is up, and I need to put on the WW3-Can't-Touch-It epoxy to protect the wood - and all my fabric!

What's out there?

Smudgie surveys her domain...

Don't forget to stop by the Modulator for this week's Friday Ark, and the Carnival of the Cats will be hosted at Annoying Little Twerp (!!). The CotC link will be --> here <-- when ALT posts it Sunday night.

Smudgie just likes to know what's going on. She has been exploring our "new" house for the last couple of months, and especially enjoys getting up into the suspended ceiling in the basement.

Of course, sometimes the tiles give way...

I think it's much better to explore like this!

Fried Tofu with Spicy Dip

UPDATE: Welcome to the Carnival of the Recipes readers! This week it is hosted by the talented Caltechgirl at Not Exactly Rocket Science. Please feel free to look around. My other recipes are here, beautiful fur purrs are here, and an adventure in travel is here. There's lots more, of course, so make yourself at home!

I confess: I like tofu. Really! So, one of the simple ways I enjoy it is Deep fried Tofu with Peanut Sauce.

This recipe has 3 ingredients.  Really! I'm NOT kidding! You need

• 2 lbs extra firm tofu
• 2-4 cups peanut oil
• Bangkok Padang Peanut Sauce (or your favorite spicy asian dipping sauce)

Slice the block of tofu lengthwise (along the "equator") so you have two "thin" slabs. Lay all the slabs flat, put a cutting board (or what ever) over them - flat, of course - and add weight so all the excess water is pressed out.

You can allow the tofu to drain/press for 30 minutes, or you can be a legalistic person and press out all the water possible. I don't care - just make excess water a moot (insignificant) point.

Cut slabs of tofu into large bite-sized pieces.

Heat oil in a saucepan, nice and hot...  And then deep fry tofu cubes  (in batches!) in the oil until a lovely crispy golden brown. Drain the oil off (and cool, too!) on a paper towel.

Dip in Peanut Sauce, and savour! But, have something on hand to cool the spice if you're not too used to it.

I can eat a pound of this in one sitting - which doesn't help my weight any, but soy products are supposed to be good for you, so...

Trust me; I can eat 2 pounds of tofu prepared this way in ONE NIGHT!   Nummy!

THIS is the way to welcome ALL our heros home!

Gateway Pundit has a wonderful post up about a Missouri town that did it right: Missouri Welcomes Home a War Hero.

Fantastic! Welcome home, LCPL Maguire, God bless you and your service. May we always honor your courage and sacrifice.

(Video link is here; the one at Gateway Pundit didn't work for me.)

(HT to the Marvellous Michelle Malkin)

Clearing up recruitment confusion

Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters published an e-mail from an experienced military source - Recruitment: A View From The Front - who does an excellent job clarifying why high re-enlistment with so-so recruitment is not necessarily a bad thing.

The source says:

It's important to point out that we have a highly motivated military. I have *never* seen those sort of re-enlistment rates before, and I've 26 years time in service. The recruitment rates, while not spectacular, are excellent when you consider that the economy is in good shape, and there is a good chance that joining up means a tour in Iraq. Yes, people are chosing not to join the military, but that was the case before 9/11. I don't see a major problem here, in my opinion.

... but he also makes many other interesting points and is well worth the read.

Betsy Newmark points over to a brief post by Stephen Spruiell at Media Blog. He says,

I spoke with Peters, and it turns out he was most likely the victim of a bureaucratic mix-up. The year-to-date numbers are here. According to a Pentagon spokesman, Peters apparently got the overall Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard re-enlistment numbers instead of the first-time enlistment numbers. In other words, the re-enlistment rates for those three organizations are 108 percent, 102 percent, and 106 percent respectively.

So, yes, the military really is doing fine, thankyouverymuch - in spite of the Looney Left trying to hinder them by undermining morale and spreading falsehoods.

"But the Army can't meet it's enlistment goals!"

Oh, really? Go on over to the New York Post (free registration required) and read the OpEd byRalph Peters: The Real Iraq News.

What should have made headlines? It would've been nice to see more attention devoted to the complexity and importance of drafting a new constitution for Iraq. But my nomination for the "Greatest Story Never Told" is a quieter one: Locked in a difficult war, the U.S. Army is exceeding its re-enlistment and first-time enlistment goals. Has anybody mentioned that to you?

Remember last spring, when the Army's recruitment efforts fell short for a few months? The media's glee would have made you confuse the New York Times and Air America.

When the Army attempted to explain that enlistments are cyclical and numbers dip at certain times of the year, the media ignored it. All that mattered was the wonderful news that the Army couldn't find enough soldiers. We were warned, in oh-so-solemn tones, that our military was headed for a train wreck.

Now, as the fiscal year nears an end, the Army's numbers look great. Especially in combat units and Iraq, soldiers are re-enlisting at record levels. And you don't hear a whisper about it from the "mainstream media."

Now, you don't. A Google news search on army exceeds recruitment brings up five - five! - stories, two of which are irrelevant.

The ugly truth is that much of the media only cares about our soldiers when they're dead or crippled. That's a story.

As you read this, 500,000 soldiers are on active duty because they chose to serve their country. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of Reservists and Guard members have been called into uniform. And they're all behaving as true soldiers do: Running toward the sound of the guns, not away from them.

We should be humbled by their choices, honored by their sacrifices, and proud of what they're fighting to achieve. Instead of the jerk's refrain "Support our troops, bring them home," the line should run "Support our troops, make their home worthy of them."

Our young men and women in uniform — in every service — deserve far better than we've given them.

Yes. They do.

Intelligence found in Hollywood?

Mmm, reports say vanishingly small probability with a larger likelihood of vacuous vanity and posturing.

Gay Patriot sent me over to this great article by Robert J. Avrech at Front Page Magazine: Help! I'm a Hollywood Republican. Mr. Avrech, a Republican, takes a look at Hollywood's prevailing idiology, and it ain't pretty:

Let's be clear about one thing. Hollywood people are glamorous. But that's about it. They are ill informed about jihad. They are ill informed about Islam. They are ill informed about Israel, the PA, Iraq, Afghanistan. They are ill informed about U.S. history, the Constitution, etc. The truth is, the movie people I've met are ignorant about most everything - save the weekend grosses of the top ten films. That they know like human computers.

That's just the tip of the iceburg. As a scriptwriter, Mr. Avrech works with many people in Hollywood, so I daresay he knows whereof he speaks, and he has some alarming insights into the hostility in Hollywood towards the country which has enriched so many of them:

Look at Hollywood now. Sean Penn goes to Iraq and apologizes for American war crimes. Hollywood's patron saint is Michael Moore, its liturgy his package of lies, the movie "Fahrenheit 9/11." When this film had its Hollywood premiere, the red carpet was choked with stars just dying to make an anti-Bush statement. We're talking about movie stars who know basically nothing about politics. To call them fools would be generous. I have spent time with too many of these people, and believe me, if you're not talking about how beautiful or how talented they are, the conversation sort of just dies.

It is, I kid you not, a badge of honor in Hollywood to hate America. These airheads who have amassed millions through the free market economy constantly spout nonsense about the need for a Scandinavian style socialist government. They don't even know that the Scandinavian countries are economic basket cases. I'm not making this up. They actually cruise Sunset Strip in their Bentleys and accuse Republicans of being greedy.

Really? And these Hollywood Very Important People obviously don't see their own hypocracy and arrogance, much less their blind adherence to an ideology and worldview which undermines and destroys their very way of life.

However, to me the most frightening comment Mr. Avrech makes is this:

Last year the Dutch film director Theo Van Gogh was murdered in Holland at the hands of Islamic extremists. It was a gruesome murder. There was not one word of protest from the Hollywood community. Because of liberal political correctness, the 2002 version of Tom Clancy's "The Sum of All Fears" transformed Palestinian terrorists into European neo-Nazis.

The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been leaning very heavily on Hollywood the past few years and the film industry is, frankly, terrified. According to CAIR, not a single Muslim should ever be portrayed as a terrorist on film, reality be damned.

The sad truth is that behind the dashing and courageous Hollywood characters up on the screen sit a bunch of cowards. A group of craven men and women who have little love for this country and who have no idea that Islamic terrorists are working hard to bring down the foundations of civilization.

The blind leading the blind. It's no wonder I hardly ever go to the movies if this is the sort of mindset that produces the dreck they call "blockbuster films" these days. At any rate, the whole article is excellent and well worth the read.

Kerry! Release all your records!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted in the Kerry 180 blogburst, but a fellow Wide Awakes member mentioned this lovely little article: John Kerry Postures as Mr. Freedom of Information, by Roger Aronoff at Accuracy in Media. He writes,

We couldn't help but note the irony when John Kerry took the lead in calling on the White House to release all documents and memos related to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, covering his work for two past Republican administrations. "We cannot do our duty if either Judge Roberts or the Bush administration hides elements of his professional record," Kerry said, as reported by USA Today.

...

So what about John Kerry's record on releasing documents. He is now out front calling for a release of documents "in their entirety" for that period of John Roberts' professional life. Mr. Kerry, the presidential candidate, promised on Meet the Press in April of 2004 to release his full military file, including medical records. He said they were available already to anyone who wanted to come to his office. But the next day, when a reporter took him up on his offer, he was turned away. Later on, the Kerry campaign did release a few hundred pages of documents and posted them on their website.

...

Either way it seems odd that Kerry would be leading the call for the release of all documents, when his own record on the matter is so spotty. But the mainstream media don't even bring this up, especially while they have in their sights Bush nominees to the Supreme Court and the U.N.

Oooooh, do we detect a little hypocracy here? Gee, Kerry, if you want all of Roberts' records, shouldn't you lead by example and release all of yours?

Others participating in the blogburst:

Elizabeth Sandoval

Interesting. I've been getting a lot (OK, well, "a lot" for me) of hits from google searches for "Elizabeth Sandoval." I'm not in the top 10 as of this writing, but "Elizabeth Sandoval" writer is apparently getting some interest. Hey, one hit was even from "am not an ultraconservative who is cohabiting with a houseful," which is pretty cool (I think I was number 8 or 9 on that one).

Great! Like I said, I really enjoyed Elizabeth Sandoval's article, and I'd love to see more from her.

So, who is Elizabeth Sandoval? What else has Elizabeth Sandoval, writer, written?

Enquiring minds want to know! (Well, actually, enquiring minds also want to know why the heck these people are searching for her, even though Elizabeth Sandoval - or Elizabeth Sandoval, writer - is a good writer who I'd like to see write more.)

Elizabeth Sandoval Elizabeth Sandoval, writer - an interesting subject, and is everyone elso also done with the google-baiting? Me, too!

But Elizabeth Sandoval is a very interesting topic...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Testing out AudioBlog.com

So I'm uploading an old video that I posted eons ago...

Hope this works, and I hope you enjoy it!

More... OK, it worked beautifully!

The vlogging component to Audioblog.com is apparently in beta, so I don't know if it will be an add-on service with an extra charge or what. Nevertheless, I think that Audioblog.com, so far, is a great help to my blogging! For about $50/year, you can post your podcasts, audio bites, etc. to your blog - you can even do a post from your cell phone!

Go on over there and check it out!

What would you put in a Museum of Liberty?

Robert Mandel, of Mandelinople has the answer: My Liberty Freedom Center. (UPDATE - ooops! The post title is "My Freedom Center." PIMF)

Once again the left is trying its best to rwrite history. Anyone remember the Enola Gay display?

So, here's my proposal for a freedom center.

It would have:

1) a musket
2) a mast and sail
3) a chain
4) a top hat, a wheel chair, and a cigar
5) a steam engine
6) a dollar bill
7) a loaf of bread
8) a model of the statue of liberty
9) a pint of blood
10) a flag

It's perfect: go read the rest!

Sunday thoughts

I was just thinking about a brief exchange I had yesterday over at Misha's place. Misha had gotten more than normally frustrated with this administration, particularly about the recent withdrawal of the Israli settlers from Gaza, and then this outrageous news item caught his eye:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday that Israel will be expected to carry out further withdrawals that would ultimately lead to an independent Palestinian state, Israeli sources reported.

Rice said that she feels for those settlers being evacuated, but "It cannot be Gaza only."

I understand Misha's outrage: the Israelis won that land fair and square after they were attacked, and the Palestinians have certainly done little - or nothing - to be "rewarded" in such a way. The whole situation is patently unscrupulous, and certainly terribly discouraging.

And that was what I saw in Misha's post (turns out that wasn't what he meant). So, in the process of attempting to boost morale, I came across some timeless words from the Apostle Paul:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7,8)

For those of you who do not know, Paul wrote this from prison in Rome to his son-in-the-faith, Timothy. Paul was in chains, he'd lived a very hard life

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.  From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;  in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—  besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.  Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

Paul knew what is was like to be discouraged, to be hated, and yet he never gave up, even when he knew the Romans were about to kill him.

Consider what that means to us today, in this country:

• Does our government - the people I voted for - make terrible mistakes? Yes, but I'm not in jail because I worship the Living God.
• Are the forces of evil alive and well in the world today? Yes, but God has placed me in a land where I can raise my voice and make some small difference.
• Do people die and starve and lie and murder? Are many selfish, deluded, and arrogant - including Christians? Yes, but El Shaddai is unchanging and holy, and His Word has never failed. He has ordained that justice will prevail, and that Satan and his servants will be cast into the Pit forever.

I am blessed that my justice - which I did and do deserve - has been taken care of on a lonely, torturous Cross two thousand years ago.  I have been given what I do not deserve: mercy.

And so, through it all, how can I be discouraged? For

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
         From whence comes my help?
  My help comes from the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth.
         
  He will not allow your foot to be moved;
         He who keeps you will not slumber.
  Behold, He who keeps Israel
         Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
         
  The LORD is your keeper;
         The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
  The sun shall not strike you by day,
         Nor the moon by night.
         
   The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
         He shall preserve your soul.
   The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
         From this time forth, and even forevermore.  (Psalm 121)

Isn't He altogether marvelous and beautiful? We can place our complete confidence in the Warrior for Right, for He will prevail.

Doing the Moblog thing again...

powered by Audioblog.com

A Noble Cause

Power Line posts this link: The Official Website for Singer/Songwriter Luke Stricklin. American By God's Amazing Grace, as well as to a post by David Adesnik (Democracy Arsenal).

Mr. Adesnik posts the words to Mr. Sticklin's song, and his attention was caught - as was mine - by the third verse:

You want to talk about it, you better keep it short
'Cause I got a lot of lost time I gotta make up for.
Really don't care why Bush went in to Iraq
I know what I done there and I'm damn sure proud of that.
You got somethin' bad to say about the USA
You better save it for different ears 'less you want to crawl away.
And I laugh in your face when you say you've got it bad
Until you've spent some time on the streets of Baghdad.

The chorus goes:

Well when you've seen what I've seen
Things don't seem so bad
Quit worrying 'bout what you ain't got, thank God for what you have
'Cause I could be raising my family in this place
But I was born an American
By God's Amazing Grace.

Mr. Adesnik comments

This is the definition of a noble cause.  This is the answer to Cindy Sheehan's question.  Luke Stricklin doesn't have a team of speechwriters or a degree in international relations.  Nor does he describe America as threatened, like Trace Adkins does.  He is simply proud of what he and his country have been able to do on behalf of others.

While I never got the impression that Trace Adkins' song, Arlington, portrays the country as threatened, Mr. Adesnik's comments are spot-on.

I've ordered Mr. Stricklin's CD, and I hope he is very successful in his career.

What have you done for them lately?

The Instapundit reminded me - to my shame - of Soldiers' Angels via a story at BLACKFIVE: If it wasn't for her....

Imagine that you are a 19 year old paratrooper at Walter Reed. Due to wounds from an IED, you are supposed to have your leg amputated. You haven't been able to reach your family in California to tell them what is happening. You are trying hard to be brave.

A Soldiers' Angel named Kathleen stops by late one night after caring for a wounded Captain nearby. Kathleen ensures that you are cared for and sees to your needs and talks to your doctors. You are relieved that someone cares about you.

Your Angel stays with you into the early hours of the morning.

That's a 20 hour day for Kathleen.

Fortunately, this story has a very happy ending. You get to keep your leg. Eventually, you mother shows up after flights were delayed for days due to bad weather in the midwest. The next time Kathleen comes by, you tell your mother, "There's my Angel, Mom!"

Kathleen introduces herself and talks to your mother. After awhile, she moves on to find another Soldier in the ward who might need her...

This is just one of many, many stories that are happening each day. (BlackFive's post even inspired an article in the Washington Post!)

Ladies and gentlemen, I've put two new links up on the right under my "It Matters" blogroll - one for Soldiers' Angels, and one for Wounded Warriors. I'm going to commit to going by and donating to each site, in one way or another, each month.

How about you? How have you "earned" the blessing of your citizenship lately?

Go do something simple and tangible to encourage and bless those who sacrifice so much for our comfort and freedom.

I really shouldn't post this...

... especially on a Sunday, but what the heck...

Your word is SHIT. You are laid back and relaxed,
and most people like you. You don't especially
want to stand out from the crowd, you are
pretty happy with your lot.

Which Swear (Curse) Word Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Lord, I hope my momma doesn't read this today... (ducks and runs)

Zzzzzzzing!

Go on over to the Political Teen and download “I’m not talking to anybody from FOX.” (VIDEO).

*snerk*

Moonbats on parade!

Remember 1st SGT Kasal?

This hero?

Well, the Beloved Husband had TiVo'd the History Channel's Shootout: D-Day - the Battle for Fallujah, which we watched tonight. Excellent documentary, which surprised me.

The documentary mentioned 1SGT Kasal, and I was wondering what was happening with this brave warrior. I found Senor Lechero, who has been keeping tabs on 1SGT's progress.

See his posts here, here, here, and here (in chronological order). The last post referenced says:

Back in mid July my son Lcpl Tyler, and a friend of his, Lcpl John, as well as my young son Joshua and myself took Brad to the Gunshow in Del Mar . The 1st Sgt is a huge gun nut and had a great time looking at everything and giving us an education on every gun known to man. It was a pleasure for us, and good for Brad to get out and about for a few hours. It's pretty fun being a civilian and watching two young marines around the 1st Sgt. I thing both of the "little fellers" came away with a great role model etched in their minds. For that matter, so did little Joshua, who wants to know if the 1st Sgt is tougher than Lt. Shane Wolf (see the movie The Pacifier). I told him that Lt. Wolf wouldn't have lasted a month with the devise on his leg, making the 1st Sgt. winner of the "tough warrior" contest in Joshua's mind.

... and then mentions that 1SGT Kasal's next appointment is/was on the 16th of August. I hope you will keep this patriot in your prayers for healing and strength. May God richly bless this man for his service to this country.  It is truly a blessing to us that men of courage and character like this choose to stand and fight for our freedom.

I'll be praying for you and your family, First Sergeant.

Crossposted at the Wide Awakes Sunday After Action Briefing.

Varifrank celebrates his first Blogiversary!

Go give Varifrank his due accolades and congratulations for his first blogiversary!

He has a plethora of bloggy excellence which is edifying and uplifting, so go check out one of the blogosphere's best writers!

"Mama" Sheehan: Moonbat Extraordinaire"

Power Line points out this link: Mother of Soldier Killed in Iraq: "The Best Way To Honor My Son's Death Would Be To Bring The Troops Home".

Our family was against it from the beginning. Casey was against it, but he felt it was his duty to go because he was in the Army. And he felt that he had to go to protect his buddies, to be there for his buddies, to be support, and they are brainwashed into thinking that even if they don't agree with the mission, they're brainwashed into just blindly following it. I begged Casey not to go. I told him I would take him to Canada. I told him I would run over him with a car, anything to get him not to go to that immoral war. And he said, “Mom, I wish I didn't have to, but I have to go.” [emph. mine]

Just send in the nice men with the pretty white jacket. The woman is obviously incurably insane.

(Thanks to Patterico for the tip!)

I'm convinced

I agree with Lawrence: Let Cindy Sheehan meet the President.

I want to make a full and complete apology to Ms. Sheehan, and I will fully support her endeavors to meet the President. Heh.

[/sarcasm]

Riding with the President

This seems to be a sort of Betsy Newmark day for me.  Her husband pointed out and article in Sports Illustrated by Austin Murphy: Cycling with the president is no small task.

No matter your politics, you have to give our 43rd president props: The man has a big engine. The unofficial rule governing those who ride with the ex-governor: No one passes the president. Of course, the farther we went, the less of an issue that became. Most of the riders in our group weren't capable of hanging with the Chief, let alone passing him. When I pointed out to the president that, by never drafting, he gets more exercise than anyone else on the ride, he explained why he likes to be out front:

"You know, if I wasn't leading, I'd be following," he said, "and I don't like to do that. And secondly, a person may go a little faster than I want to go, you know?"

Go read it all - it's a fun article!

Keep your dirty paws off of MY property!

Today I'm reminded of the ludicrous and despicable Kelo decision by Betsy Newmark's post (dated yesterday) about the additional injustices suffered by the defrauded citizens:

Can the city of New London, CT be any more despicable. First they condemn private homes so that they can build hotels, a Pfizer plant, convention center, and upscale homes. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court upheld their right to take away people's homes and give the land to private enterprise. Since they condemned the land in 2000, the owners of these homes are now being charged "rent" for living on "someone else's" property since 2000.

...

And here's another way that these poor homeowners are getting the shaft. Since the city condemned their homes in 2000, they will be paid what their houses were worth in 2000 with no accounting for the increase in housing prices in the past five years.

This is worse than absurd, and more ominous than you think. When you add it to insane decisions like the one I saw over at Cao's Blog, it really signals the destruction of our most basic property rights. The New York Times Slimes article she quotes states:

Spent shells litter the ground at what is left of the firing range, and camouflage outfits still hang in a storeroom. Just a few months ago, this ranch was known as Camp Thunderbird, the headquarters of a paramilitary group that promised to use force to keep illegal immigrants from sneaking across the border with Mexico.

Now, in a turnabout, the 70-acre property about two miles from the border is being given to two immigrants [ed. - illegal aliens] whom the group caught trying to enter the United States illegally.

The land transfer is being made to satisfy judgments in a lawsuit in which the immigrants [ed. - illegal aliens] had said that Casey Nethercott, the owner of the ranch and a former leader of the vigilante group Ranch Rescue, had harmed them.

"Certainly it's poetic justice that these undocumented workers [screw that, you moron, they're ILLEGAL ALIENS!] own this land," said Morris S. Dees Jr., co-founder and chief trial counsel of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., which represented the immigrants ILLEGAL ALIENS in their lawsuit.

As I commented over at Cao's, the justice system needs to be... forcibly... reminded that, in America, the rights of American citizens comes before the "rights" of ILLEGAL aliens who came here ILLEGALLY by ILLEGAL means and ILLEGALLY stay in ILLEGAL jobs ILLEGALLY.

I understand that perhaps the legal landowners were, perhaps, a little too enthusiastic about defending their property rights, but I don't think they were terribly far out of bounds. My home is my castle, and my land is my demesne: I will fight to protect and preserve it, and if you haven't been invited, it's open season.

Have I made myself clear?

Betsy also points over to the Castle Coalition, whose mission is

... we ask each of you to organize to change the law in your city or county or state. We urge you to join the Castle Coalition, which will help you with the language for a constitutional amendment or statute and even work with your legislators, but now is the time to start organizing your friends and neighbors. Your local government will tell you there’s nothing to worry about, that it would never use eminent domain, or that it’s only as a “last resort.” Don’t believe a word of it. Your only protection is a change in the law (or good state court rulings, which is what the Institute for Justice is working on).

In my home state of Virginia, the bill is HB 1806, sponsored by State Representative Robert Marshall. According to the information at the Castle Coalition (scroll near to the bottom),

Status: Was introduced in January 2005 and was tabled in the Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns. [Marshall] plans to reintroduce the bill in the next session.

I would strongly urge you to contact your State Representatives as soon as possible and inform them that this issue is something they must address. Urge them to give firm and unyielding support for bills supporting our property rights. Don't let the Fifth Amendment fall by the wayside (as the Tenth apparently has):

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. [emphasis mine]

(UPDATE - respectfully submitted to the Wizbang Carnival of the Trackbacks)

(Further UPDATE - Of course, I should have known that Emperor Misha's favored minion, B.C.,  was already on the case.

Here's a little note for Rio Grandé Ricardo and his filthy band of border jumpers: STAY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE BORDER, OR GO THROUGH LEGAL CHANNELS TO CROSS IT, AND YOU WON'T GET "TERRORIZED" BY US CITIZENS' DEFENDING THEIR PROPERTY!

(UPDATE the Grandchild - Also submitted to Common Sense Runs Wild and MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy - Hi, Jeanette and Beth!)

(And, of course, basil's Saturday brunch post - brilliant basil, who is so witty and interesting! Yes, I'm sucking up!)

Crossposted to the Wide Awakes Sunday After Action Briefing.

*snerk!*

Cox and Forkum - just go look.

Let's hear more from this lady!

Yahoo News has an article from USAToday by a lady named Elizabeth Sandoval. "A neo-feminist's view of abstinence" is well worth the read, although - sadly - far too short!

I don't want to have sex. Clarification: I do want to have sex, but only with my husband. And I don't have one of those yet.

No, I am not an ultraconservative who is cohabitating with a houseful of cats and TiVo'ing Lifetime movies. I'm a middle-of-the-road 32-year-old who likes tattoos and loud music. And yes, I am cute (I've been told by friends and strangers alike). So you can put aside the notion that I'm bitter about not being offered the chance to have sex.

What I am is a neo-feminist. Definition: "One who respects her body so much that she won't allow it to be used as someone's playground."

Major STANDING OVATION! Speaking as someone who has been-there-done-that, and regrets it (although the Best Husband in the Universe™ is baffled by my regrets, God love him), a lot of anguish and angst would be avoided if people just kept their pants on.

The "You Have to Know if You're Sexually Compatible or the Marriage Will Be Doomed" club will argue that one out of two marriages end in divorce, so you have to know that you're sexually compatible before you can even contemplate marriage. Well, maybe one out of two marriages end in divorce precisely because people are too free with sex. Many people don't take time to establish real communication with one another. It's false intimacy.

Who is Elizabeth Sandoval? I want to read more from her!

(HT to Jayson at PoliPundit, who finds this attitude attractive - may he be blessed with the woman of his dreams!)

Sober reasoning on display

Scott Randolph has finally had enough: Cindy sealed the deal.

I got this link from lgf, and couldn't be happier to see this. As I stated in Mr. Randolph's comment section, it's wonderful to see someone with whom I may disagree politically make reasoned arguments based on careful thought and consideration.

I really do like to hear what the "other side" has to say, but both sides too often descend into ad hominem attacks and invective. Although it does seem to come more from the left, nevertheless I've seen a few on the right who are pretty bad, too. And I admit, lots of times I enjoy it - but I don't care to wallow in it.

At any rate, here are some choice quotes from Mr. Randolph, but I would suggest that you read the whole thing!

Then it happend. The good little democrat in me tied the little noose around his neck and jumped off the stool. He just couldn’t take it anymore.

Take what? The whining. The constant whining by the extreme left about the reasons for war, the incompetence of this administration, and how we’ve all been lied to, and how we should pull out of Iraq immediately, because, *gulp* our soldiers were in danger.

Guess what folks….they signed up to join the Army, not the boy scouts. Anytime your orientation to a new job involves an automatic weapon, you should be smart enough to figure out there’s danger involved. I actually read some people’s comments about many of the soldiers over there being naive….they weren’t expecting to go to war, so, they should be allowed to go home. Wow.

...

I never was a big fan of Bush. But, one thing I do believe….he honestly wants to make this country, and this world a better place. Think about it…the war almost cost him the election. If we hadn’t invaded Iraq, he’d have won in a landslide.

I think it’s just my personality that lead me to this decision. I think the left is too concerned with everyone’s immediate rights and needs, and refuses to sacrifice a bit of comfort and happiness in the present, for something that will make life better for everyone in the future. You can take the environmental stance on that, and I’d have no argument…but I think there enough conservatives concerned with that to make it a moot point.

Mostly, I’m just really pissed off. We’re in a crappy situation, and it’s time for all of America to stand together, put on the big boy pants, and get through the next few years.

Welcome to the Dark Side of the Force, Mr. Randolph! ;-)

Chris Muir does it again! AGAIN!

Day By Day does it again!

Oh, I love this guy's sense of humor! Truly, he's just the best.

I have got to figure out how to insert his code into my blog template so his strip appears here every day. Running off to do so now...

Welcome to a great new "blog"

... although it's being set up more as an information resource.

The Truth Project is dedicated to organizing information that tells the truth about the real Islam and its actions and consequences. This is going to be a no-holds-barred look at the soi-disant "Religion of Peace."

For further resources, Amazon has a great book, the Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) . Authored by the writer at Jihad Watch, this book is an excellent overview of Islam, its true philosophy, and its plan for the future.

Don't be fooled. Although there are many Muslims who want to live in peace and who are horrified by acts of terror, Islam itself is not interested in peaceful co-existance and never has been.

Go investigate these resources and get the truth, rather than PC lies.

Catblogging Friday - the "Thank God I'm Home!" edition

Yes, I'm home! I have my stuff (now, I've gotta shoehorn all this stuff in...), and I have broadband access on my computer with all my bells-and-whistles! Hooray!

Smudge was having a grand old time welcoming me back this morning, and she expresses my delight at returning so well, that I thought I'd let her "speak" for me (pics below the fold).

Now, don't forget to stop by the Modulator for this week's Friday Ark, and the Carnival of the Cats will be hosted by Running Scared. I'll put the link for CotC up on Sunday, after Running Scared posts it. (UPDATE - Link is right here! Thanks, Jazz, for hosting; it looks great!)

On to the "pitty-white-purr, 'Mudgie the Magnificent"...

Ooooookay....

Very Well-Rounded You have: 62% SCIENTIFIC INTUITION and 70% EMOTIONAL INTUITION

The graph on the right represents your place in Intuition 2-Space. As you can see, you scored above average on emotional intuition and above average on scientific intuition. (Weirdly, your emotional and scientific intuitions are equally strong.) Your Emotional Intuition score is a measure of how well you understand people, especially their unspoken needs and sympathies. A high score score usually indicates social grace and persuasiveness. A low score usually means you're good at Quake. Your Scientific Intuition score tells you how in tune you are with the world around you; how well you understand your physical and intellectual environment. People with high scores here are apt to succeed in business and, of course, the sciences.

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 0% on Scientific You scored higher than 99% on Interpersonal

Link: The 2-Variable Intuition Test written by jason_bateman on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Although the bar graphs at the bottom seem off... How can I have 62% Scientific Intuition, yet score the lowest? I got the link from Media Lies, who was in the "empath" area, and yet maxed out in both the Scientific and the Interpersonal areas. Very confusing, but a cute "test." Fair warning, the last part of the test does have a couple somewhat disturbing questions.

An American Hero - that the MSM won't tell you about

Go read the story of CPT. Brian Chontash, USMC, recipient of the Navy Cross: THIS WILL MAKE YOU PROUD.

(Thank you, Dan at Riehl World View, whose link I got from Dr. Rusty at My Pet Jawa.)

Dear Lord, I love our brave troops!

You've gotta be f***ing kidding me! (UPDATED)

Ahem. Pardon my language, but this is just too bizarre!

My Dread Lord, Emperor Misha I, informs me that a Texas Marine Told He's No Resident, Must Pay Higher Tuition.

The FoxNews report is brief (and I hope they do a follow up...), reading in part:

A decorated Marine (search) enrolling in college was shocked to learn his Texas driver's license, car registration and bank records weren't enough to get the lower resident tuition rates.

Carl Basham (search) said officials at Austin Community College recently told him that he lost his Texas resident's status because of the years he spent out of state on two tours of duty in Iraq.

As Misha says:

Nice.

Bureaucrat. Rope. Tree.

Some assembly required.

Seconded!

UPDATE: Well, Misha has some new information which may put a completely different light on this. Apparently the Marine wasn't a resident of Texas:

...This is an individual situation involving one person who lived in another state before entering the military and who listed the other state – not Texas – as his permanent address in military records.

My bad. I apologize to the Austin Community College for not checking into the facts carefully myself.

Submitted with applause...

Via Power Line Blog News (which I just "discovered" today), who got it from Lori Byrd at PoliPundit, I give you James Lileks at his best:

The hard left in America needs to realize a bald, cruel fact: Anyone who sees no moral distinction between Israel and the mullahs of Iran, or sees the U.S. attempt to set up a constitutional republic in Iraq as equivalent to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, suffers from incurable moral cretinism. The more the fervent anti-war base embraces these ideas, the more they ensure that no one will trust the left with national security. Ever.

[loud whistles of appreciation, w00t!, clapping, etc.]

Thatisall.

How cool is this?

From the divine Ms. M. (that's "Malkin," not Midler), I learn that steel from the World Trade Center is being used for the USS New York, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.

Well, how cool is that? Personally, of course, I would have loved to see a nice big modern nasty aircraft carrier carry this name - it would have been poetic justice to use that ship in the War on Terror, after all - but amphibous transports carry our brave and talented troops to places where they go in and eliminate the enemy.

Works for me...

It also works for the father of someone killed at the WTC:

For Patrick Cartier Sr., the ship is an honorable way to remember his son, James Marcel Cartier, who was killed when the South Tower collapsed.

“You’ve got the very soul of the event in that mangled steel, and all of that steel which housed all the people fell along with them and they were all consumed in that terrible fireball and that collapse,” the New York City man said.

Using the steel for the new ship would capture the spiritual essence of those who died in the World Trade Center, Cartier said.

“If you would you use that steel, it would almost be a resurrection,” he said.

Amen to that, brother! Amen...

Sunday's thoughts

This Sunday finds me in Orlando, with Mom now at the rehab hospital. It's been a tough week, what with bad reactions to pain medicine, poor sleep, and feeling out of control. But, in an attempt to help ease Mom's fears and calm her panic attacks, I've had to do something that I should have been doing all along: spending time in God's Word.

God likes to do that to me: when I'm not paying attention to Him, He'll drop me into chaos and then He'll remind me that true peace comes only from Him.

So, these past couple of days, He's given me some verses in Phillippeans 4...

First, verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That has been a true source of comfort to me this week. It tells me that whatever comes my way, God has a plan to work it out, and that - if I obey and follow His lead - I can come through it. I can deal with it. I CAN do it, because El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty, is with me and gives me strength. His strength never fails, even when I am beyond my last frail power. 

God also put verse 8 in my mind: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Here, He reminds me that I need to focus on the good things, the rich and uncountable blessings that He has given me. Each of these things He has given me were unearned and undeserved, but He gave them to me anyway - because that's the kind of God He is. He loves to bless His children, He loves to see their joy. As His children, we need to remember all our Father has given us, and rejoice in His bounteous goodness.

And out of all the rich and gracious blessings He has given me, I can name the two that are the most important: He has given me His salvation, and He has given me breath and tongue to sing His praise. If He chooses to take all else away from me, I can still rejoice in Him and say, "Blessed is the Lord God Almighty! Blessed is the God of Israel, who loves and cherishes me, who died for my sins, and has risen again to give new and everlasting life! Blessed is He among all the people and in all the universe!"

Thanks, God. I don't say it enough. But thank You, Lord, for who You are and for what You've done. Thank You!

Help Chris Muir's sister!

Chris Muir's sister is ill and undergoing treatment, and you can help out. All it takes is a little time - no money, no information...

Thanks to Cox and Forkum

Day By Day by Chris Muir.

So,  Click4Cathy, on the button below, and help a really great family out!

My heart and prayers go out to Chris and his family - they've already suffered the loss of a family member this past year. Please ask God to heal Cathy and ask Him to give the doctors and researchers wisdom and insight to find and  implement a cure !

Project VALOUR IT

A call for help....from Kathleen at The Middle Ground, a very worthy project:

Hello friends, family and fellow bloggers, I'm emailing you to let you know about a new project for wounded soldiers through that fantastic organization Soliders' Angels and ask for your assistance. The new project is called Project VALOUR IT (Voice Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops). This project is to help get laptops with voice activated software to our wounded troops recuperating at military hospitals. From Soldiers' Angels: "Project Valour IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, provides voice-controlled software and laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand and arm injuries or amputations at major military medical centers. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field without having to press a key or move a mouse. The experience of CPT Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important this voice-controlled software can be to a wounded servicemember's recovery."

To find out how you can help, please go visit Kathleen for more details. I work with patients who use the voice activated laptop systems...it's amazing what can be done and it's another way to say THANK YOU to the troops. Cross Posted @ Flightpundit, And Rightly So, Vince Aut Morire & Merri's Musings

& Caos Blog

Watch out!

Today, while I'm down in Orlando, I went to church at First Baptist of Orlando with my parents. Pastor Jim Henry was speaking from Mark 13, and reminded me, rather forcefully, of a few things that I really need to remember.

We will always have war and rumors of war. We will always have famine and earthquakes and poverty. We will always have persecution by false churches, family, and society as a whole. We should not be surprised by this - Jesus told us it would happen.

But He also told us that these things are all only the beginning of sorrows, the beginning of birthpangs. And He also said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

So what do we need to do while we wait? Well, first, we need to watch for Him, and for the signs of His return. In Mark 13, He uses "Watch out" and several synonyms about six times. When Jesus repeats something six times, we'd all better pay attention! Secondly, we need to be busy with the work He has set before us. We need to actively and wisely love our families, our churches and our country. We need to preach the Gospel to every creature on the earth, to every tribe and tongue, and nation and kindred. We need to be faithful to His Word and Doctrine, and to follow His teachings diligently, with a spirit of humility.

And when we fail, we need to turn to Him, seek His forgiveness - and ask for His power in our lives to keep us from stumbling again.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:8-10)

Lord, please forgive my failures, and help me walk closer to You. Help me turn from my sins, leave them behind me, and do the work You have set before me. Thank you for Your grace and mercy to me, Lord!

Ohmigosh! It's Friday!

And I'm actually somewhere where I have a hope of posting a picture of the purrs!

Don't forget to stop by This Blog is Full of Crap on Sunday evening for the Carnival of the Cats, issue #72. Link will be --here-- when Lawrence's post goes active. (Update: which it now is)

On to the purrs!

How low can they go?

Well, if you're the New York Times Slimes, pretty low. One might even consider that they probably need to climb up to the gutter before they can attempt to get out of it.

Drudge reports:

The NEW YORK TIMES is looking into the adoption records of the children of Supreme Court Nominee John G. Roberts, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

The TIMES has investigative reporter Glen Justice hot on the case to investigate the status of adoption records of Judge Roberts’ two young children, Josie age 5 and Jack age 4, a top source reveals.

...

One top Washington official with knowledge of the NEW YORK TIMES action declared: “Trying to pry into the lives of the Roberts’ family like this is despicable. Children’s lives should be off limits. The TIMES is putting politics over fundamental decency.”

Thanks to Hugh Hewitt, who has a good, long post about various reactions to this despicable tactic.

UPDATE: Via Getting Nothing But Static From the MSM (oh, damn, another good blog...!), Brit Hume from FoxNews is on the case:

The New York Times (search) has been asking lawyers who specialize in adoption cases for advice on how to get into the sealed court records on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' (search) two adopted children.

Oh... ! My mom would be very disappointed with the language running through my brain right now. I'd get my mouth washed out for sure...

OK, right now, I'm thinking "Mushroom cloud..."

Go take a look at the video link at Kit's place Chinook Attack on Film.

These murderous freaks are using homicide and terror for a recruiting film...!

Hah! If our President even hinted at asking for volunteers, the whole bloody Marine Corps (God bless 'em) would step up en masse, and go in and wipe those dhimmies out, and disassemble them down to their molecular particles!

UPDATE: The Jawa Report has an excellent follow up about Operation Quick Strike.

See, I told you so! Go wipe them out, guys - and good hunting.

Psalm 46

As some of my regular readers (all three of them) may know, Mom goes in for knee-replacement surgery on Monday. She's 82, and she's a bit worried about the anesthesia and all the therapy afterwards. She and Daddy will have some live-in help, but it's still pretty major surgery.

This morning, I was talking to her about Luray Caverns and the cavern organ there - remember? It played "A Mighty Fortress," and was beautiful and ethereal.

Well, this hymn by Martin Luther is based on Psalm 46, and so I thought I would post it as a reminder to us that God is bigger than all our problems ever could be, and that He stands ready to be our fortress and our foundation, if we will only turn to Him in faith and humility.

  ¹ God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble.
    ² Therefore we will not fear,
         Even though the earth be removed,
         And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
    ³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
         Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah 
         
    ⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
         The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
    ⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
         God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
    ⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
         He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
         
    ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah 
         
    ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD,
         Who has made desolations in the earth.
    ⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
         He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
         He burns the chariot in the fire.
         
    ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
         I will be exalted among the nations,
         I will be exalted in the earth!
         
    ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah 

Thank You, Lord, for being my refuge and strength.  Please help me trust You and Your plans, and help me to follow faithfully where You lead me.

The Lodge

Staying at Bay Hill - no bband here yet (upgrades are going to be finished in January), so blogging will be light. But, there is a Barnes and Noble nearby, so I may get some free time to surf around.

Mom and Dad are well, but Mom goes in for her knee-replacement surgery on Monday - early! - so we have quite a few activities scheduled to get ready. Please keep her in your prayers, that the surgery goes smoothly, and that her recovery is quick!

God keep you, Steven Vincent

It's all over the news and the blogosphere: American Journalist Killed in Iraq.

Steven Vincent, a freelance journalist, was kidnapped in Iraq on Tuesday, and his body was found in Basra that evening. According to FoxNews, he had been shot to death. Mr. Vincent had been reporting on the war on his blog, In the Red Zone, and had a recent book of the same name.

Please take the time to go over and offer your condolances to the family. Don't get into political rhetoric, as some have already attempted - just go over and offer your sympathy.

Bloggers on the story:

Kander's Musings - and Kender is on right now on Xradio.biz talking about it. Scathing words of righteous anger against radical Islam - and "moderate" Islam as well, since it's not standing up an doing something about these mad mullahs and their followers.

The Middle Ground, who has this (as well as an excellent round up of links to bloggers covering this):

If you never read his blog, In the Red Zone, you should have because he had the low down about the Shia Islamists having taken over the city. He interviewed them. He drank tea with them. But he always wrote the truth about it. The good and the bad.

And it was bad. The reports about prostitutes and other "undesirables" being murdered came from him. But he also took time to meet with some of the interesting people, such as the woman who proclaimed there would be women's rights, but insisted that it came from Islam while she wore a full abaya when she met him, only her eyes showing.

He brought a part of Iraq to the outside world that the rest of the media ignored.

Now he's been murdered by some would be tyrant and his goons because they didn't like him reporting the truth. The truth that there was widespread corruption. The truth that there were murderers running around in uniform acting like police. The fact that many of these men owed their allegiance to Iran. The truth that these men were creating petty kingdoms in the guise of religious purity in the sad, run down environs of Basra.

Mr. Vincent's last article, On Again, Off Again, is over at National Review Online, published "just hours" before his death.