Thursday, February 22, 2007

20070221 Lilliputians

February 22^nd, 2007

In case you missed it, the Washington Examiner editorial from yesterday, Wednesday, February 21, 2007 is a must read

The Washington DC Examiner Newspaper, The Examiner

Feb 21, 2007 3:00 AM

WASHINGTON - Rep. John Murtha is bidding to pre-empt the president’s constitutional authority as commander in chief by attaching so many preconditions to a $93 billion supplemental defense appropriations bill that troops and other reinforcements cannot be deployed to Iraq. The Pennsylvania Democrat and like-minded colleagues from both sides of the aisle in both chambers of Congress are giving Swift’s Lilliputians a bad name.

Read the rest here.

####

20070222 Americans say finish the job in Iraq

Americans say finish the job in Iraq

February 22^nd, 2007

“Hanlon's Razor” and “Congressman Blunt talks with Neil Cavuto regarding the situation in Iraq on Fox News.”

… This is pretty much what I said in my Tentacle column from last week, on Wednesday, February 21^st, 2007: “Hanlon's Razor” – “Last Friday and Saturday, the Democrats in Congress took another step in a desperate attempt to assure our defeat in Iraq and ultimately threaten our national security at home.” Read the rest here.

_____

Congressman Blunt talks with Neil Cavuto regarding the situation in Iraq on Fox News.

House Republican Whip Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt (R) says…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd73GGIbeSU

And - Yes there were 17 Republican members of the House who voted for the House resolution: “Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.”

Remember their names. Voters need to remember these names in the next election…

THE VOTES ARE IN.

"The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's decision to deploy more troops to Iraq," reports the Wall Street Journal this afternoon. "The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182, with 17 Republicans voting for the measure and two Democrats voting against."

The 17 Republicans were.

Castle, Mike (DE)
Coble, Howard (NC)
Davis, Tom (VA)
Duncan, John (TN)
English, Phil (PA)
Gilchrest, Wayne (MD)
Inglis, Bob (SC)
Johnson, Tim (IL)
Jones, Walter (NC)
Keller, Ric (FL)
Kirk, Mark (IL)
LaTourette, Steve (OH)
Paul, Ron (TX)
Petri, Tom (WI)
Ramstad, Jim (MN)
Upton, Fred (MI)
Walsh (NY)

20070220 Huffington Post Eat the Press is fuming over Hume

Huffington Post Eat the Press is fuming over Hume

Brit Hume, John Murtha, And The Broken Telephone Of A Smear

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2007/02/20/brit-hume-john-murtha-a_e_41646.html

Rachel Sklar | Posted Tuesday February 20, 2007 at 05:09 PM

Rachel Sklar, writing for “Eat the Press” on the Huffington Post takes issue with Fox News Channel’s Brit Hume’s remarks over Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) “slow-bleed” initiative to pulling our troops out of Iraq.

Hold on - - it is actually an interesting read – and should be read, in order to get other points of view and for a balanced analysis of the issues.

It begins:

Brit Hume provoked a strong reaction yesterday with his comments on Fox News calling Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) an "absolute fountain" of "naiveté" and saying he was "long past the day when he had anything but the foggiest awareness of what the heck is going on in the world."

[…]

… The distance between Murtha's actual interview to WaPo's version of it to Brit Hume's little soliloquy is far indeed &madash; a classic case of media broken telephone where carelessness in rendering and representation twists both word and intent, providing ample opportunity for further mischaracterizations, false conclusions, and out-and-out smears. WaPo — we're lookin' at you.

[…]

Now that I've taken the time to parse through Murtha's comments and WaPo's rendering of them, I'm definitely alarmed. But it ain't by Murtha.

Murtha Touts New Way To Stop Troop 'Surge' In Iraq [CNSNews.com]
Congressman Jack Murtha Briefs MoveCongress.org [MoveCongress.org]

"This page has advocated many of the same reforms [as Murtha] -- but not as a back-door way of forcing lower troop numbers in Iraq" [NYT]

Hume and Hannity Mug Murtha While the White House Pretends to Take the High Road [Arianna Huffington, HuffPo]

Related, Ish:

Olbermann Adds Laugh Track To Hume's Murtha Rant [MSNBC via TVNewser]

Please read the entire post here.

####

20070222 Operation Babylift

Operation Babylift – April 1975

Feb 22, 2007 4:17 PM

Subject: [Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies] New comment on 20061111 1959 1975 Women Who Died in the Viet Nam ....

Lana has left a new comment on your post "20061111 1959 1975 Women Who Died in the Viet Nam ...":

Please visit my website at:

www.Vietnambabylift.org

for information and details re: "Operation Babylift".

Excerpted from www.Vietnambabylift.org:

On April 3, 1975, United States President Gerald R. Ford announced that "Operation Babylift" would fly from Vietnam to safety in America some of the estimated 70,000 Vietnamese babies and children who were left orphaned by the Vietnam War. Thirty flights, combining private and military planes, transported at least 2,000 children to the United States and another 1,300 children to Canada, Europe and Australia. These children, born in a war-torn land, grew up as members of international, adoptive families. These adoptees and their families acknowledge President Ford, himself an adoptee, for the important role he played in ensuring them a new life. Many will be on hand on Saturday to share in a ceremony honoring President Ford and in the presentation of this recently released film about their story.

Read the rest here.

Thank you “Lana.”

####

Vietnam, Women in the military

20070222 Meta: Rules for Comments

Meta: Rules for Comments

February 22, 2007

I cannot agree with Mr. Bruce Godfrey more.

This is the one aspect of being a blogger – and one dynamic of the internet that is so incredibly unrewarding: monitoring inarticulate childish churlish behavior.

It is so profoundly sad.

Please read Mr. Godfrey’s post “Meta: Rules for Comments,” and if also agree, please link to it and spread the word.

Also read: “This is why I don't publish too much information about myself.”

And bear in mind that the callous churlish behavior needs to be shouted down, whether it occurs on the right or the left. I have found cringe worthy behavior on both sides of the aisle.

I try to subscribe to the “the terms of the Family Friendly Blogroll.”

Monitoring comments is a pain. If you ever find a comment on this blog that is inappropriate, please e-mail me at: kevindayhoff(at)gmail(dot)com immediately.

As far as my posts are concerned, if you ever find any of my posts offensive, let me know.

Yeah, some of them are in poor taste. I’m reminded of that by my wife…

Whatever.

The blog, “Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies” never fails to make it through the local public schools web filters.

(Well, yeah, I have considered taking that one post down – but I skewer the right side of the aisle also. See here - - and here.)

I’m ever mindful of the watchful eye of my wife, sister-in-law (who is a seminary student,) and my mother-in-law, who is a practicing “Preacher’s Daughter,” and the product of four or five generations of pastors. My goodness, if I stray, the Family Friendly Blogroll patrol is the least of my worries. Do you have a spare couch?

If you find that I stray, please tell me quickly before my family finds out. What do you call a 53-year old artist and writer without family support:? Homeless.

Thanks again, Mr. Godfrey.

####

Civility

20070222 I never drink coffee at lunch

I never drink coffee at lunch

(Well, make that I hardly ever drink coffee at lunch – I’d hate to spoil my afternoon nap…)

February 22, 2007

Whatever.

My suggestion for a caption is:

"I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon.”

If I understood it correctly, “Answers.com” attributes this quote to former President Ronal Reagan. If he didn’t say – he should’ve - - or I would’ve said it…

The picture above was e-mailed to me by Mrs. Owl. I don’t know who owns the picture – but I sure wish I had taken it.

Meanwhile, if you have another idea for a caption. Let us hear from you. And remember this is a “No Foul Language” web site.

####

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

20070216 Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson

Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson, former POW: “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors”

http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58470

Washington, Feb 16 – 2007

_____

To gain some additional understanding of where Representative Johnson is coming from go to:

20040527 POW Congressman Johnson Hanoi Used Kerry Speech
Or
http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2004/05/20040527-pow-congressman-johnson-hanoi.html
or
POW Congressman: Hanoi Used Kerry Speech, Gore Comments 'Traitorous'

Thursday, May 27, 2004 11:34 a.m. EDT

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/5/27/113857.shtml

For a brief biography of Representative Johnson – go to the end of the speech…
_____

Congressman Johnson (R-TX) Floor Speech (02.16.07)

YouTube video Provided By: Republican Whip Roy Blunt

Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U. Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force for 29-years as a highly decorated pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. Then, in 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service - representing the people of Texas' third district in the United States Congress.

_____

20070216 Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson, former POW: “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors”

http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58470

Washington, Feb 16 – 2007

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) delivered the following closing statement on the floor of the House during the 36-hour debate on Iraq.
A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement.

Coincidentally, this week in 1973 as one of the longest held captives, Johnson finally left Hanoi on February 12, 1973 and returned home to Texas on February 17, 1973.

Earlier this week on Monday, Johnson spent the anniversary of his release pleading with a House panel to accept his amendment to support and fully fund the troops for the 36 hours of debate on the troop escalation in Iraq.
Johnson’s floor statement follows:

“You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.

“I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

“I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

“Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life – and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

“I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War – weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow – 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas – a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

“While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days….

“As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 ½ years. That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle – with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.

“I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

“But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.

“Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way … I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future.

“From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 – I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly…

“And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when – not if – we returned home.

“We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.

“We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it… We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

“So – little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth… I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.

“We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

“Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

“We must never, ever let that happen again.

“The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.

“Our troops – and their families – want, need and deserve the full support of the country – and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way without support.

“Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

“There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq – maybe to Iran. And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan …we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

“Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.
“The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ‘slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way.

“Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home – and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.
“Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past… instead learn from them.

“We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful.

“God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.”

Biography of Representative Johnson:

Sam Johnson returned home to Texas after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 29-years as a highly decorated pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. After his military career, he established a home-building business and served in the Texas legislature. Then, in 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service- representing the people of Texas' third district in the United States Congress.

Dubbed a "Top Texan" by USA Today, Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on both the prestigious Ways & Means Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. On these committees, he is able to influence the key issues of economic security, health care and improving our children's education. As one of a few Members of Congress who has fought in combat, Johnson serves as an informal advisor on military readiness issues.

He has consistently advocated smarter government, lower taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and pushing for a simpler, fairer tax system.

On the Education Committee, Johnson continues to work to return control of education to parents, teachers, and local school boards-where it belongs. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, Johnson is one of three Members of 535 who has authority over retirement, health and labor issues.

After growing up in Dallas and graduating from Southern Methodist University, Johnson began his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. In the Korean War, he flew F-86s in 62 combat missions.

In the Vietnam War, Johnson flew F-4s. While flying his 25th combat mission in 1966, he was shot down over North Vietnam. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war, half of that time in solitary confinement. Fellow POW Capt. James Mulligan, USN (Ret.) recalled the day Johnson was allowed to return to a joint cell. He walked into the room with the two other detained American officers, "stood at attention with tears in his eyes, and said simply, 'Lieutenant Colonel Sam Johnson reporting for duty, sir'...after he had not talked to or directly been with an American for three full years." Johnson recounts the details of his POW experience in his autobiography, Captive Warriors.

A decorated war hero, Johnson was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards.

Sam Johnson is married to the former Shirley L. Melton, of Dallas. They are proud parents of three children and ten grandchildren.

####

Iraq War, Military, Military Veterans Day, Vietnam

20070216 Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson

Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson, former POW: “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors”

http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58470

Washington, Feb 16 – 2007

_____

To gain some additional understanding of where Representative Johnson is coming from go to:

20040527 POW Congressman Johnson Hanoi Used Kerry Speech

POW Congressman: Hanoi Used Kerry Speech, Gore Comments 'Traitorous'

Thursday, May 27, 2004 11:34 a.m. EDT

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/5/27/113857.shtml

For a brief biography of Representative Johnson – go to the end of the speech…

_____

Congressman Johnson (R-TX) Floor Speech (02.16.07)

YouTube video Provided By: Republican Whip Roy Blunt

Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force for 29-years as a highly decorated pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. Then, in 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service - representing the people of Texas' third district in the United States Congress.

_____

20070216 Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson, former POW: “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors”

http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58470

Washington, Feb 16 – 2007

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3^rdDist.-Texas) delivered the following closing statement on the floor of the House during the 36-hour debate on Iraq.

A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement.

Coincidentally, this week in 1973 as one of the longest held captives, Johnson finally left Hanoi on February 12, 1973 and returned home to Texas on February 17, 1973.

Earlier this week on Monday, Johnson spent the anniversary of his release pleading with a House panel to accept his amendment to support and fully fund the troops for the 36 hours of debate on the troop escalation in Iraq.

Johnson’s floor statement follows:

“You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.

“I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

“I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

“Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life – and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

“I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War – weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow – 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas – a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

“While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days….

“As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 ½ years. That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle – with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.

“I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

“But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.

“Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way … I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future.

“From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 – I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly…

“And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when – not if – we returned home.

“We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.

“We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it… We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

“So – little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth… I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.

“We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

“Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

“We must never, ever let that happen again.

“The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.

“Our troops – and their families – want, need and deserve the full support of the country – and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way without support.

“Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

“There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq – maybe to Iran. And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan …we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

“Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.

“The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ‘slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way.

“Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home – and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.

“Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past… instead learn from them.

“We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful.

“God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.”

Biography of Representative Johnson:

Sam Johnson returned home to Texas after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 29-years as a highly decorated pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. After his military career, he established a home-building business and served in the Texas legislature. Then, in 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service- representing the people of Texas' third district in the United States Congress.

Dubbed a "Top Texan" by USA Today, Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on both the prestigious Ways & Means Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. On these committees, he is able to influence the key issues of economic security, health care and improving our children's education. As one of a few Members of Congress who has fought in combat, Johnson serves as an informal advisor on military readiness issues.

He has consistently advocated smarter government, lower taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and pushing for a simpler, fairer tax system.

On the Education Committee, Johnson continues to work to return control of education to parents, teachers, and local school boards-where it belongs. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, Johnson is one of three Members of 535 who has authority over retirement, health and labor issues.

After growing up in Dallas and graduating from Southern Methodist University, Johnson began his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. In the Korean War, he flew F-86s in 62 combat missions.

In the Vietnam War, Johnson flew F-4s. While flying his 25th combat mission in 1966, he was shot down over North Vietnam. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war, half of that time in solitary confinement. Fellow POW Capt. James Mulligan, USN (Ret.) recalled the day Johnson was allowed to return to a joint cell. He walked into the room with the two other detained American officers, "stood at attention with tears in his eyes, and said simply, 'Lieutenant Colonel Sam Johnson reporting for duty, sir'...after he had not talked to or directly been with an American for three full years." Johnson recounts the details of his POW experience in his autobiography, Captive Warriors.

A decorated war hero, Johnson was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards.

Sam Johnson is married to the former Shirley L. Melton, of Dallas. They are proud parents of three children and ten grandchildren.

Iraq War, Military, Military Veterans Day, Vietnam

####

20070219 Back in Frozen North

Back in Frozen North

February 19^th, 2007

No better opportunity to feature a YouTube video I came across the other day for Valentines Day, “Chasing Cars”[1] by one of my current favorite indie bands, “Snow Patrol.”

Click here for the “Snow Patrol” web site.

“Chasing Cars” is off their May 1, 2006 album release, “Eyes Open.”

Snow Patrol is an indie rock band from Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The band was formed in Scotland by vocalist/guitarist Gary Lightbody and bassist/keyboardist Mark McClelland. Achieving sudden success after years of obscurity in much the same way as Pulp, Snow Patrol mix Coldplay-style indie, and alternative rock to create tasteful tales of relationships good and bad.

Originally formed in late 1994 as "Shrug", the band started by performing gigs at Dundee University and the surrounding pubs before changing their name to "Polar Bear" (or "Polarbear") in late 1995.

20070220 How bad was last week’s snowstorm

How bad was last week’s snowstorm in Westminster Maryland?

Daily Photoblog: February 20th, 2007

While I was in Key West Florida last week, I would call the Westminster Street Department and Carroll County PIO, Vivian Laxton, W.A.B. as often as possible and raze them that I was in 90-degree weather and they were in temperatures in the single digits.

They were in the ice and the snow at all hours of the night and day, plowing snow and chipping ice and I was sitting on my back balcony strategically positioned with my laptop overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

They vowed to get me back.

Well, they did.

Pictured above is the igloo they made of my house with tons of snow which greeted me upon my arrival late Monday afternoon, February 19th, 2007.

Not to worry. I simply went inside and made a fresh cup of tea, hooked up the laptop and raised my office window just far enough that did not let too much cold air into the house, but my wife could still hear me as I cheered her on - - while she shoveled us out.

Man ole’ man was it hard work watching my wife do all that shoveling. Oh – she was happy to do it. You see, for Valentine’s Day I had purchased her a new snow shovel.

My wife is super. I’ll think I’ll keep her.

As for the Westminster Street Department; oh, I’ll get them back. Journalists in the print media may purchase ink by the barrel, but bloggers have an infinite amount of “ones” and “zeros” at their disposal. And me, I have the ink and the 1s and 0s.

Kevin
02/20/2007

20070220 Senator Hillary Clinton sports new look

Senator Hillary Clinton sports new look[1]

February 20th, 2007

Senator Hillary Clinton sports new look – wants to stop by and talk with you.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton, seen here emerging from a tattoo parlor and hair salon on the Air Force Hillary One while sitting on tarmac at LAX, remarks, “What good for Britney is good for me. She’s got no more family values than me and after all, I’m much more shallow that Britney any day of the week.”

####

Hillary Clinton Watch, Humor Political, Presidential election 2008

[1] Darn it, I had worked for much of the morning with the idea of satirizing Senator Hillary Clinton with material from Britney Spears’ latest life-drama. I went out to lunch and had pancakes with Mom for Shrove Tuesday and came back and there, as big as life was the Scott Ott piece. Well, in all candor, Mr. Ott did a better job – and besides I went ahead and copied his bald-headed Senator Clinton and placed it on a Britney Spears photo. I had been in a slightly different direction, but this turned out better, thanks to Mr. Ott. So, with all respect to Mr. Ott, here is the direction in which I was going. For Mr. Ott’s excellent satire – go here or here.

20070220 Hillary Shaves Head to Grab Limelight from Obama

Hillary Shaves Head to Grab Limelight from Obama

February 20th, 2007

OMG – Scott Ott strikes again.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who will say anything, do anything – ANYTHING to win the presidency, has once again been skewered by Scott Ott – in an almost believable satire:

(2007-02-20) — Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, whose presidential campaign has been overshadowed in recent weeks by charismatic rival Sen. Barack Obama, D-IL, today walked into a K-Street beauty salon in Washington, D.C., commandeered the clippers and shaved her head down to the bare skin.

Put your Dr. Pepper done and read the rest here – and prepare to laugh.

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20070219 Back in Frozen North

Back in Frozen North

February 19th, 2007

No better opportunity to feature a YouTube video I came across the other day for Valentines Day, “Chasing Cars”[1] by one of my current favorite indie bands, “Snow Patrol.”

Click here for the “Snow Patrol” web site.

“Chasing Cars” is off their May 1, 2006 album release, “Eyes Open.”

20070219 Congress to Troops: Drop Dead

Congress to Troops: Drop Dead

February 19^th, 2007

H/t: Brutally Honest

In Brutally Honest’s February 18th, 2007 post, “Poignantly true,” it credits:

“… the folks at MidnightBlue in a February 17th, 2007 post, “DNC -We did it for al-queda.” “Not So Funny, but deadly accurate.”

(http://midnightbluesays.blogspot.com/2007/02/dnc-we-did-it-for-al-queda.html)

Brutally Honest gives “Kudos to Flopping Aces for the find.”

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Sunday, February 18, 2007

20070217 Chuck Muth's NEWS & VIEWS

February 16th, 2007 - Chuck Muth's NEWS & VIEWS

H/t: GOP Charley

Catch all of Chuck's blogging...national, Nevada and Carson City...now in one location. Surf on over to Muth's Truths here

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TODAY'S DOSE OF "UNCOMMON SENSE"

Why does health insurance cost so much? One reason is the number of unneeded or unwanted government mandates, such as acupuncture, forced into policies by state governments. The Shadegg Solution: Allow residents of one state with a bunch of mandates to buy an insurance policy from another state without all the frills. Read more here

CHILDLIKE EMOTIONALISM

"It takes a lot more integrity, character, and courage to be a conservative than it does to be a liberal. That's because at its most basic level, liberalism is nothing more than childlike emotionalism applied to adult issues."

Columnist John Hawkins

THE DISHONOR ROLL

"Congress has rarely been distinguished by its moral courage. But even grading on a curve, we can only describe this week's House debate on a vote of no-confidence in the mission in Iraq as one of the most shameful moments in the institution's history.

"On present course, the Members will vote on Friday to approve a resolution that does nothing to remove American troops from harm's way in Iraq but that will do substantial damage to their morale and that of their Iraqi allies while emboldening the enemy. The only real question is how many Republicans will also participate in this disgrace in the mistaken belief that their votes will put some distance between themselves and the war most of them voted to authorize in 2002."

Wall Street Journal, 2/15/07

THE VOTES ARE IN.

The 17 Republicans were.

IMAGINE IF A HONKY HAD SAID THIS

"Every Democrat running on (Obama's) ticket next year would lose because he's black and he's top of the ticket. We'd lose the House and the Senate and the governors and everything."

South Carolina state Sen. Robert Ford on why he endorsed Hillary Clinton instead of Barack Obama for the Democrat presidential nomination

NEWT IN TOP TIER, LIKE IT OR NOT

"Press accounts seldom name former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the top tier of aspirants for the Republican presidential nomination, despite polls consistently showing he belongs there. News stories and opinion columns routinely refer to Arizona Sen. John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the 'top tier' or 'first tier' Republican presidential candidates for 2008. Yet in every recent national poll -- as well as in Iowa, a key early caucus state -- Mr. Gingrich leads Mr. Romney among Republican likely voters."

Washington Times, 2/16/07

THE CHECK IS NOT IN THE MAIL

"As the 2006 tax season approaches, the federal government is still trying to recover nearly $3 billion from 450,000 active and retired federal employees who failed to file income tax returns in 2005. The federal agency with the highest number of delinquent taxpayers is the USPS (postal service), where 56,652 employees owe more than $320 million in unpaid taxes."

Mark Segraves, WTOP 103.5 FM, 1/17/07

A REAL SERIOUS BEEF

"Senate Finance Chairman Baucus called it 'ridiculous!' His freshman Montana colleague, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, said it's 'amazing!' Why the uproar? Well, apparently the Senate dining room serves imported Japanese Kobe beef burgers and the two Montana senators are red-meat mad. 'Ranchers in our state raise the best beef around, and we would like to see it showcased in the Senate Dining Room,' they wrote this week to Robert Savidge, the dining room's general manager.

"Baucus even sounded ready to use his new power as a chairman to rewrite the menu. 'We're going to stop this,' he vowed. When asked about his free-trade stances, Baucus replied: 'Yeah, but we're in America. It's the United States Senate.' Apparently, the benefits of a global economy do not apply to Montana beef."

CongressDailyPM, 2/16/07

ONCE AGAIN, A GUN SAVED LIVES

"This past Monday night, a gunman walked into a popular Salt Lake City mall and opened fire with a shotgun. The trench coat-clad gunman was heavily armed and intended to kill as many people as he could. He killed five people before being challenged by an armed off-duty police officer. Once again, a gun saved lives. . . . The mall was crowded with Valentine's Day shoppers. Doubtless, had the off-duty officer not confronted the gunman, the death toll would have been staggering."

Columnist Chuck Baldwin

REPUBLICANS GO FROM BAD TO WORSE

"The Senate Republican leadership met behind closed doors this week to ponder Majority Leader Harry Reid's audacious power grab on the massive catchall appropriations bill. They decided they could not filibuster the bill for fear of being blamed for closing down the government, but they still wanted enough votes opposing cloture to make an impression. That would seem a formula for defeat, and indeed it was.

"The vote to end debate Tuesday was 71-26, with 23 Republicans -- including the party's two leaders -- voting with Reid. The GOP was accepting a bill that perpetuates earmarks, masks additional domestic spending under the disguise of fiscal responsibility and establishes a precedent of prohibiting the opposition party from amending an appropriations bill. . . . What ails Senate Republicans is lack of principle and lack of will, two reasons why they lost the 2006 elections."

Columnist Robert Novak

TRANSPARENCY ON THE WAY

"U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) praised the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today for taking the first steps in implementing the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. OMB launched an interim version of the required Web site today that includes a full timeline of how the transparency law will be implemented as well as a public comment form so all taxpayers can submit comments on how to best provide federal spending information. The interim Web site can be found at www.federalspending.gov."

Joint Coburn/Obama press release, 2/15/07

SHOULDN'T THEY WORRY MORE ABOUT KILLER SPINACH?

"Lawmakers reintroduced legislation today that would allow the FDA to regulate tobacco products. The bill would restrict tobacco advertising and promotions and ban candy-flavored cigarettes and ads targeting children. The measure would give FDA the authority to require cigarette makers to remove harmful ingredients or reduce nicotine levels."

National Journal, 2/15/07

MUTH'S TRUTHS

Catch all of Chuck's blogging...national, Nevada and Carson City...now in one location. Surf on over to Muth's Truths here

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