Pastor Assassinated During Service

Earlier this morning, during the 8 am Church service at the First Baptist Church, Pastor Fred Winters was gunned down by a stranger in Maryville, Illinois. Why? We do not know. No description of the suspect has been released, and no one has the guts to call it a hate crime.

While the attack was in full mode, some of the parishioners tackled this mental midget. For more more information, please read, "Pastor shot to death at Illinois church", written by Joel Currier, Jeremy Kohler and Nicholas J.C. Pistor from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Please send up prayers for all these people. This is horrible.

Now a few words from the Editor. Who is this assassin that he gets to have his name withheld from the public? This pastor was white. He was also a Christian. Could these two facts have anything to do with the situation? I am not saying they did. I do not know that. I'm just asking.

I am, however, tired of everyone thinking that Christians are some sort of fruitcakes that you can just gun down and get no retaliation. Have you ever heard the saying, "What goes around, comes around"? No matter if we do something about it or not (which 'not' is the usual case, because we are mostly law-abiding), GOD SAW YOU. He will make you answer for whatever you do on this earth during your life.

So what can you do to escape God's wrath? You can accept His offer of grace.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's One and Only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

John 3:16

Believe in Jesus Christ, His One and Only begotten Son, repent of your sins, turn from the life you are living and follow Jesus. Jesus has said:

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

Matthew 16:24-28

There is also this:

More Than Conquerors.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified, He also glorified.

What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is always interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as
sheep slaughtered."
Psalm 44:22

No, in all these things we were more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28-39.

I must confess, as I was writing this there were things that came to mind. I have been dishonest with myself. I have beared false witness against me. I try to do so many things that I know I cannot actually achieve, I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders which I should place all burdens at the foot of the Cross, I do not care for myself as I should, I have let myself go, have I given up? All these things I repent to You, oh Lord. Please help me in my struggles and draw me closer to You. Help me, Lord. I need You. In Jesus' precious name I pray, AMEN.

I hope if you are reading this, you will see that no matter where you are in your life, no matter what age, no matter what religion or lack thereof, no matter what sins, you, too, can and will be forgiven by the Father, God, if you only seek His Son's forgiveness. If you need any help, please feel free to e-mail me. I will try to do my best. If I cannot help you, I shall try to find someone who can. Please do not just lose your life. You are too precious to Him. Thank you.

PS. If anyone thinks it is too harsh to speak the truth to people who do not our beloved Lord, they are the problem with religion today. People know when you are lying to them, and they really do not approve of this! I don't blame them. I can't stand it myself.

Are people who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour condemned to hell? Yes. But not by God. They are condemned by their own choice. All you pro-choicers out there, ya got that? It is all of our responsibility to try to keep others from falling off the narrow path. We will be judged for this, especially if we do nothing when we could have and should have done something. Even a prayer would help. You'd be surprised at the power of an earnest prayer!

No one is doing more harm to Christianity than Christians. Soft services. No connecting current events with the Bible. Following foolish idols. (For that matter, any idol at all.) We are so watered down that if they threw the whole lot of us in the ocean, I'm afraid we would sink. We must clean our own home first. Quickly! Thanks for reading. That has been weighing heavy on my mind and in my soul.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Today I am having an open trackback. This means you can (track)post your best post here. Remember to link me to your article before you trackback. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a nice day.

Friends who've shared their posts for your reading pleasure through Linkfest:
1. Woman Honor Thyself: Israel beats Sweden 3-2 in Davis Cup.
2. Potbelly Stove: Chinese Naval Adventurism.
3. Right Voices: The ATT Rewards Referral Is A Scam..Stay Away From Att.
4. Get Back Living Mobile - How to Fix the Recession: Its a Linkfest World.
5. third world county: Grading The One.
6. Stageleft:. Life on the left side: It Died, And Should Have Stayed Dead.
7. Mark My Words: It's Only A Joke.
8. Woman Honor Thyself: Madrid Train Bombings: 5 YearS Later.
9. Walls of the City: commercial appeal compilation.
10. Nuke's: Obama vs Miss South Carolina.
11. Stageleft: Life on the left side: Civil Disobedience.
12. Walls of the City: no brass for you!
13. Woman Honor Thyself: Muslim attacks Christian Minister..World Yawns.
14. Mark My Words: Straw is easy to burn.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Conflicted Over Army ROE

Again we have the Army trying to protect their information (which is essential) running up against the silliness of blocking some websites here at home from our men and women serving in Afghanistan. The Rules of Editing have apparently blocked sites such as Blackfive and War Is Boring.

These are two excellent sites which provide much necessary information. God only knows we do not have a media covering the war. Oh, wait a minute. Yes they do...if they're bleeding or someone screams 'Torture!', then they're all over it. Back to reality...

Here is the article which has me conflicted:

Dispatches from FOBistan: The Army’s Woeful IT Policies Poison the War Effort.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN — In January, when I first arrived here, I made an alarming discovery about the state of IT in the Army. Practically all of the blogs and other online tools I use to stay informed and connected to my colleagues (see here, for example) did not work. More accurately, they are deliberately blocked by a series of web filters, both automatically and manually constructed, in an effort to restrict inappropriate uses of the Internet from Army computers. This is a noble goal—I prefer that they block porn from office computers—but it is so unevenly implemented as to make me wonder what its real intent is.

...it also speaks to a deeper problem in how the military in general is approaching IT issues in the field: it makes absolutely no sense. Many of the blocked blogs are sources for deep, intelligent, and even essential analysis, news, and discussions. In fact, I only know they are blocked because I read them and see value in them. Moreover, when the Army’s own Command General Staff College is requiring its students to blog (how lucky they can actually read that news, as it is on SWJ), blocking other blogs, especially ones written by think tankers and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists of the very wars we are fighting, is nonsensical. The military wants to be relevant, it wants to be able to compete in the “information battlespace” (a wretched term I use only for simplicity’s sake), yet it cripples anyone’s ability to have situational awareness. It would be one thing if the Army were good at disseminating information internally, but they’re not. [Continue reading.]

I have offered my services to Joshua Foust, and you should think about offering yours as well. We must not forget about our men and women in uniform fighting for our very lives. You think you have it bad now? Wait until there is sharia law! Not on their watch. And I'm not about to let them think for one minute that we've forgotten them or that they are not loved and appreciated.

We are not the land of the free and the home of the brave because we sat on our butts...

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Talon, The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Sustainers, PRT, Cavalry Troopers host Iraqis Economic Seminar

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

www.mnc-i.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20090306-01
March 6, 2009
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Coalition forces and members of the Balad Provincial Reconstruction Team hosted the first Iraqi banking and finance conference in the area with Iraqi business investors, future entrepreneurs and local government leaders Tuesday to discuss how investors can find businesses to invest in to develop the local economy in the Balad district.

Soldiers from 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment worked with the provincial reconstruction team to provide a safe environment for approximately 80 economic leaders, including city managers from the cities of Yathrib, Ishaki and Dubuiya, to network together to discuss future business opportunities.

Amir Abdul-Hadi, the Mayor of Balad district, said to the group there are many profitable projects in the Balad district but that investors’ money and business knowledge is needed to build the business.

“We will support you (business leaders) with the security issue,” Abdul-Hadi said. “We’re going to support you with anything you need to build your business or factories for the sake of developing this area.”

Joe Pinon, the leader of the PRT from the U.S. State Department, said he meets with Iraqi investors everyday wanting to invest in business and people with business ideas but no money. He said the best thing we can do for the Iraqis is to connect them together to work among themselves.

“The best solution is to have Iraqis meet each other and invest with each other,” Pinon said.

Maj. Rebecca B. McElwan, the commander for the 106th Finance Management Company, said Iraqi provincial leaders do not get together on a regular basis. She said conferences like this helps provinces merge and work together for a common goal to support the Iraqi banking industry.

“Bankers are leaders in their communities,” McElwan said. “They represent the banking community and the business community as well.”

Source: MNF-Iraq.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Hey There, Everyone

I'm still here working my fingers to the bone trying to get through this whole mess of tags and moving my other blogs over to my blogger site. I have been trying to keep up with current events somewhat, but I cannot stand depressing people. Know what I mean?

Sorry about not keeping up with the posting. Please don't go away. This so-called vacation is doing well for me. It is giving me back some vitality and perspective. I can't stand copy/pasting e-mails and calling it a post.

I know I do that sometimes, but when it takes over my whole day, then it's time to stop. Either I'm allowing myself to be taken advatage of or I'm lazy. I do not like either case, and you deserve better.

I want to go back to the days when I searched for the stories that no one else is covering. Most of the articles written nowadays you can find in some form from Instapundit, Michelle Malkin, Always on Watch, Atlas Shrugs, Little Green Footballs, Gateway Pundit, Right Truth, Woman Honor Thyself, Vets for Freedom, and many more. Then there's us little people. We try to come up with something original, and we're very good at it. Unfortunately though, people can only read the same info a few times before they get bored.

That is why I try to get the news from other countries. Sometimes it's about our country, sometimes it's about issues we'll never hear about in the USA unless I report it.

So. Now that I've mumbled on about nothing, I guess I can call this a post and be proud of myself that I at least got something on the computer. Not. Just facing facts. I'm busy! ;)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Today I am having an open trackback. This means you can (track)post your best post here. Remember to link me to your article before you trackback. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a nice day.

These are some friends I've shared this post with: The Virtuous Republic: The Virtuous Republic, The Pink Flamingo: She's too sexy for the job, too sexy to be POTUS/This hurts, third world county: “Forget-Me-Not”, Conservative Cat, Right Voices: As The Unions Crumble Obama Proclaims: “We need to level the playing field for workers and the unions that represent their interests,”, The World According To Carl: Dr. James White Responds To Sean Penn’s Anti-Christian Bigotted Rant Made At The Oscars, and The World According To Carl: Dallas Cowboys Cut Terrell Owens, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

These are some posts my friends from Linkfest want to share with you:
1. Mark My Words: I hope Obama fails = treason?
2. Conservative Cat: Speaking Ellie.
3. third world county: Obama’s Plan to Balance the Budget.
4. Nuke's: WWFOT: woof-woof.
5. Mark My Words: Sarah Palin - pro-choice?
6. Adam's Blog: Can Obama Hit the Reset Button?

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Afghan Security Forces Shouldering More Responsibility

by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (March 5, 2009) – The Afghan National Army continues to improve as it assumes more security responsibility, the U.S. commander in charge of the training effort said Wednesday. Since its inception about six years ago, the corps of Afghan soldiers has grown to an 80,000-strong force that increasingly takes the lead role in security operations, Army Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica said.

Formica -- who commands Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, responsible for Afghan national security force growth and training -- acknowledged that progress with the army has outpaced progress with the police. “As we look out towards 2009 and into 2010, we must sustain the momentum that is with the Afghan National Army while adding focus to the Afghan National Police,” he told reporters here via video teleconference.

Appearing with Formica, who assumed command in November, was Canadian army Brig. Gen. Alan Howard, assistant commanding general for Afghan National Army development. Howard, who has helped to oversee Afghan National Army development for nearly a year, said the army has undergone an “amazing evolution,” has garnered the respect of the local populace and continues to expand its capabilities. “The Afghan army is certainly and fully participating in security operations here in Afghanistan. And in many cases, they actually lead,” he said, adding that the corps is focused on growing to 134,000 soldiers by December 2011.

In recent weeks, the Afghan army has shown its humanitarian capabilities, assisting flood victims in northern Afghanistan and acting as first responders in some cases of domestic crises, Howard said. “They're also extremely well respected by the local population,” he said. “Each time I'm out with them, I am simply amazed on the interface that they have with the locals.”

U.S. Army Col. Stephen Yackley, deputy to the commanding general for Afghan National Police development, said the national police force is focused on three areas: security operations, reform and development.

Afghan police helped to provide security recently for voter registration ahead of an election cycle slated for August. Police also work side by side with their army counterparts on routine security missions throughout the country, he said.

But the command also is focusing on tamping down corruption among the police ranks. The corruption often stems from the mishandling of police salaries, with about half being paid in cash, Yackley said. “Sometimes that pay wouldn't arrive,” he explained. “Sometimes because of literacy problems, the policemen would get less than they were supposed to. So there was potential for skimming in that area.”

The colonel said nearly 60 percent of the police force is receiving their salaries via electronic transfer, which is expected to reduce the level of corruption related to pay.

But widespread illiteracy -- with CIA estimates citing 60 percent of Afghanistan’s male population as unable to read and write -- exacerbates more than the issue of corruption. “We've got good people, hardworking people, in many cases, but literacy does hold us back in some of the development areas, and we're trying to address that as we go along,” Yackley said.

Afghan national policemen march, demonstrating the discipline they've learned over the past eight weeks, before their graduation from Shouz Regional Training Center, Herat province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Feb. 26, 2009.

Source: CENTCOM.

Founders' Daily Quote: 5 Mar 09

Thursday, March 5, 2009.
"[C]ommercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic. ...[I]f industry and labour are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out."

--James Madison, speech to Congress, 9 April 1789

You hit that nail on the head. Now what do we do about the unions that own our legislature?

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Toomey To Replace Specter?

For all of you live in Pennsylvania, we have another chance to make things right. Former Congressman Patrick Toomey has agreed to put his hat in the ring to run against Arlen Specter. This is wonderful news!

Former Congressman Pat Toomey (R, PA-15), current Club for Growth President, just announced on Bobby Gunther Walsh’s 1-On-1 Show, WAEB, 790AM, that a Primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter is “now back on the table.”

Mr. Toomey acknowledged that “Senator Specter cast the deciding vote on the very worrisome stimulus Bill, when he could have negotiated with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama for more productive tax cuts and less wasteful spending.” Pennsylvanians need to do some soul searching about who will really represent us in the Senate.

Pat Toomey would not be the 100th Person in the Senate. He would serve Pennsylvania through principled leadership and with acute thinking. As an entrepreneur, former investment banker, business owner, Congressman, co-founder of a local Lehigh Valley bank, and national policy leader, Mr. Toomey will give instant credibility and acumen to banking and finance issues on Capitol Hill. He is a fiscal and social Conservative.

The last time Pat ran against Specter, he lost by 49.6 to 50.4. President Bush stumped for Specter, and I have never forgotten that. I stopped giving money to the RNC! I just recently started to contribute again, after they elected former Lt. Governor Michael Steele to be the Chairman. Be careful, Michael. I don't like this in-fighting against Rush. You're supposed to stand up us, not the other side. Hmm...

Anyway, let's spread the word. Here is the link to this message: TOOMEY: SENATE RUN 'BACK ON THE TABLE'. Have a nice day.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 4 Mar 09

"Harmony, liberal intercourse with all Nations, are recommended by policy, humanity and interest. But even our Commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand: neither seeking nor granting exclusive favours or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of Commerce, but forcing nothing; establishing with Powers so disposed; in order to give trade a stable course."

--George Washington, Farewell Address, 19 September 1796

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

If only someone would speak to Congress and exlain this to them...

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Coalition, Afghans Find Goodwill At Traditional Games

U.S. Forces - Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (March 3, 2009) – As U.S. forces and their NATO counterparts here were thinking recently about ways to win the trust and cooperation of local people in their fight against radical insurgents, village elders suggested a way to come together in common interest: a sporting event.

Such was the start of the Feb. 20 “do-rah” games in the Deh Rawood district of Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province. For some, it was the chance to see a familiar game played against other villagers. For others, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to watch a sport rarely seen by foreigners. For everyone involved, it was the opportunity to bring communities together in a way only a sports tournament can.

With security greatly improved in what had been one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan, some 1,500 people participated in or came out to watch the five-hour event, hosted by coalition civil affairs soldiers in partnership with Afghan soldiers and police.

"The genesis for the idea was rooted in multiple interviews with the elders in the Deh Rawood area," a civil affairs team leader said. "All the elders indicated that they thought it would be a great idea to have an athletic competition."

Everyone joined together to make the tribal elders' idea a reality. Civil affairs coordinated the setup of the games and provided funding for prizes and refreshments. Villagers created the field and Afghan forces provided security.

The request for participants went out across the district and people were excited to take part, Deh Rawood Police Chief Omar Kahn Ankalm said.

"Four teams from different villages took part in today's tournament," Ankalm said. "The people are having a good time. They are happy to be playing."

The villages of Lundyanah, Mian-do and Lublan, as well as people from the Deh Rawood bazaar, had teams that participated in the tournament. The games provided a means for the people to demonstrate their abilities as well as provide a reason to bring a village together, Ankalm said.

"Do-rah is a sport that is unique to the area, and I thought nothing would showcase the pride and competitive nature of the people more than a do-rah tournament," the civil affairs team leader said. "At first, the game was confusing. But after the rules were explained, the games were very interesting to watch."

The game is played inside of a large ring which acts as the out-of-bounds. In the center of the ring is a second ring, where the action happens.

"There are two groups playing -- one inside the middle ring and one outside the middle ring," Saed Asman Sadad, the district chief for Deh Rawood explained. "The goal is to hit the legs of the other team. If your group is hit too many times, you lose."

There are four people on each team. The team outside the middle ring tries to tag the legs of the other team with their “fotho,” a large, Afghan body scarf, Sadad said. The other group tries to kick the fotho-wielding group below the waist when they step inside the middle ring. If they are successful, then the teams change positions. The fotho-wielding group remains in their position, regardless of how many times they score hits, until one of them gets kicked.

The game is refereed by two judges who determine if the kicks and whips count. They award points subjectively. The most aggressive team receives the most points. Judges stop the game once they feel one team has had enough.

“Enough” came after five hours when the Deh Rawood bazaar team took first place, the Mian-do team took second, and the Lundyanah team finished third. The three teams took home trophies, and the players from each of the teams took home medals.

With the successful turnout and enthusiasm, coalition and Afghan forces are considering more community events, the civil affairs team leader said. He also said the games would not have been as successful if it were not for the support of the government representatives in the district.

"A significant reason the event was so successful is because of the cooperation and enthusiasm that the district chief and [Afghan National Police] chief of police had for the event," the civil affairs team leader said. "They both addressed the crowd prior to the games. Due to their efforts and the effectiveness they have had in the area, the games went off without any problems."

Two do-rah teams battle it out during a goodwill tournament of the traditional Afghan sport in the Deh Rawood district of Oruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 20. The games were hosted by coalition and Afghan forces.

Source: .

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Engineers Establish Presence In Basra

by 1st Lt. Aaron Saari
610th Engineer Support Co.

COB ADDER, Iraq (March 3, 2009) — “Who doesn’t want to go to Basra?” Pfc. Andrew Logan, from New Richmond, Ohio, and a few other soldiers raised their hands following their platoon sergeant’s question.

It was the beginning of December 2008 and 3rd Platoon, 610th Engineer Support Company of the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, from Fort Lewis, Wa., was preparing to move south from the relative luxury of Contingency Operating Base Adder to the drastically different living conditions in the British-controlled Basra province.

The platoon, which specializes in horizontal construction, is still working at COB Basra located at the Basra Airport more than two months after making the initial move. They have been building the infrastructure required for U.S. forces to assume control of the second largest city in Iraq following the planned British departure from the country this spring. The Soldiers of the platoon spent the weeks before Christmas preparing a living area for housing units and have spent the month of January constructing a fueling point that will support the U.S. Soldiers who will replace the British soldiers.

New construction on U.S. bases in Iraq may sound counter-intuitive considering U.S. forces are required to end operations in Iraq by the end of 2011, but sometimes it is necessary to take two steps forward and one step back. Less than a year ago, COB Basra received more than 400 indirect fire attacks per month. In the two months that the platoon has been operating in Basra, the COB has received only one indirect fire attack. Because the level of security in the area has made such an immense leap forward, the British are prepared to turn the province over to United States control in the coming months.

British and U.S. forces in Basra have been working together for months in preparation for the transition. Lt. Jacobus Van Der Merwe, a troop commander in the British Royal Engineers who recently finished constructing a Joint Security Station in the city for the U.S. military police, said, “It is great seeing our countries work hand in hand. We are preparing the US-Iraqi stations in the city while the US engineers are preparing the COB. In the end, it will be a smooth transition because we have been living and working with each other for so long.”

Though they are working upwards of ten hours per day, the soldiers of 3rd Platoon rarely have anything negative to say about living and working with the British. After a month of operating at COB Basra, Pfc. Logan has even had a change of heart. “I really like working here in Basra,” he said. “It’s a lot different from all of the U.S. bases in the country and the days are going by quickly because we are constantly busy building. I hope we stay here the rest of the deployment.”

With many projects on COB Basra still to be completed and only six months of the platoon’s fifteen month tour remaining, it would be no surprise if his wish comes true.

Pfc. William Morgan scoops dirt to fill dump trucks with the 35,000 cubic yards required for the current construction project in Basra, Iraq.

Source: CENTCOM.

Founders' Daily Quote: 2/23--3/3/09

March 3, 2009.
"I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, 7 July 1785

Obama's desire is to 'remake' America into...what? A slave market? That is the ultimate opposite of a free market. He is punishing those who are successful, giving to the dredges on society (not the temporarily displaced, but the ones who know how to 'work' the system) and corrupt, removing choice from schools, cutting the Military budget, etc. He is trying to control the market, and that is why it is tanking. Not to mention the Marxist government policies.

March 2, 2009.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."

--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787

There is a warning in those words, and we would be wise to heed it. Government, ALL TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT ON SITE.

February 27, 2009.
"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? It is feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. ...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."

--A Pennsylvanian, The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 February 1788

AMEN!

February 26, 2009.
"To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, counties or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws."

--John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, 1787-1788

John, there's just one thing you've forgotten to take into consideration. When it comes time for the Congress to receive their come-up'in's and a Constitutional Convention will not do, this militia shall be in the hands of the free to fight against the tyrants!

February 25, 2009.
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States."

--Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 10 October 1787

Mr. Noah Webster, We wouldn't have signed the Constitution into existence without this amendment. The people, not the government, own this country. And above that, God owns all His people!

February 24, 2009.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

--Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 5 June 1778

I love this guy!

February 23, 2009.
"[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, - who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia."

--George Mason, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 14 June 1778

He understands. They come for our arms, our means to rid this weight put around our necks by these cretons, and we shall fight back with everything it takes. Do not ever fall asleep.

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

CPAC Is Wrong

I have to come out of my hiatus (I'm still working on the 'C's in the tag section before I can start moving my posts over, arghh!). I have to let you know that you are hoodwinked by this LIBERAL RINO, Mitt Romney. I do not care if Hugh Hewitt likes him, so what? Does that make it right? NO.

There are many things wrong with this man, starting with his pro-ABORTION, pro-HOMOSEXUALITY, pro-BIG GOVERNMENT, pro-GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE, stances. Has anyone actually looked at what he did to Massachusetts? Have you investigated?

My good friend Gregg Jackson has done more investigating than anyone I know (or don't know for that matter), and he does not compromise. He does not back down. He demands answers for which Romney has never his questions.

Just so you know, Gregg used to be on the air with Kevin on station WRKO in Massachusetts. That's right. He was a constituent of Romney's. He knows first hand what it's like to live under this arrogant person. (You may now listen to Gregg at station KDAR 98.3 FM or streamline. It is on Sunday's at 8 pm PCT. It is a Christian talk show, and you may call in at 805-656-5327.)

Here are three articles written by Gregg and are on TownHall.com:

Romney Secrets The Media Are Hiding From You, November 9, 2007.
Romniacs Ignore Evidence Against Their Messiah, November 14, 2007.
Romney Hoax Fails To Fool Evangelicals That He Is a Conservative, December 11, 2007.

Please his articles. You will have your eyes opened at least. If not, you could gain some insight into some of the facts are and make your own conclusions. You know the media isn't going to educate you. I don't agree with everything he says or the way he says it, but I know he is not a liar. I cannot say same thing about Romney. As I a matter of fact, I am quite sure I can say the exact opposite and win in a court of law...truth is an absolute defense against someone trying to sue me for slander or defamation of character. Can you imagine a polititian actually trying that? Wow. What a sight that would be. Then we could do evidentuary proceedings. Yeah, try it Romney!

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Troops In Iraq After 2010 To Focus On Training

by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2009 – The U.S. military will conduct “a very different mission” in Iraq after combat troops withdraw in August 2010, with troops slated to remain there through 2011 serving primarily as trainers and advisers, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Sunday on CNBC’s “Meet the Press.” Gates said the residual force in Iraq – currently estimated at 35,000 to 50,000 – will have a limited counterinsurgency mission but will focus primarily on training Iraqi security forces. Gone will be combat brigades, replaced by “advisory and assistance brigades” that Gates said will build on current successes in building Iraqi security capability.

“Iraqi forces already are standing up in a significant way,” Gates said. “They organized the security for the provincial elections last month and did a very good job.” U.S. forces supported these efforts through planning and logistics help, but the Iraqis maintained the lead.

Gates conceded that Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq, and many other ground commanders would have preferred to keep more combat troops in Iraq longer. “So having a somewhat larger transition force mitigates the risk of having the combat units go out sooner,” Gates said.

The secretary called the move from a combat force to a transition force a step toward fulfilling the terms of the exit strategy established in the status or forces agreement with Iraq. “In the absence of any new agreement with the Iraqis, we have to be at zero by the end of 2011,” Gates said. “So that 50,000 or 35,000 is a way station on the way to zero.”

Any extension of the U.S. presence in Iraq is “completely hypothetical” at this point and would come only through a completely new agreement negotiated with the Obama administration at the Iraqis’ initiation, Gates said.

Obama has acknowledged that as commander in chief, he “always retains the flexibility and the authority to change or adjust a plan if he thinks it is in the national security of the United States,” Gates said.

“The fact is, I don’t think any of us believe that will be necessary. I would characterize the likelihood of significant adjustments to this plan as ‘fairly remote,’” he said. “We have a signed agreement with the Iraqis that says we have to be out of there by the end of 2011, and that is what we are all planning on.”

Gates conceded that the problems over the security situation in Mosul, Arab-Kurd tensions and the need for a law to structure Iraq’s oil industry continue to loom.

“There is no question, we have had a significant military success,” he said. “There has been real progress on the political side, but there is clearly unfinished business in that arena as well.”

Significant progress made during the past six to 12 months is expected to continue, he said, meaning that the risk faced by the residual force in Iraq after August 2010 is likely to be “substantially less” than in the past.

But Gates said it’s too soon to characterize the success of the overall mission in Iraq. That, he said, will depend on where Iraq stands when the United States ultimately leaves.

“If Iraq is basically stable, if the level of violence remains at the relatively low levels that it is now, if they have had national elections, if they are an ally of the United States, I would call that a substantial success,” Gates said.

Marine 2nd Lt. Joshua Donathan, 26th Brigade Military Transition Team, teaches a class on how to search suspects to Iraqi soldiers Feb. 25.

Source: CENTCOM.

Pirate Attack Thwarted In Gulf Of Aden

US Naval Forces Central Command.

USS MONTEREY, At Sea (Feb. 26, 2008) – The Danish flexible support ship HDMS Absalon (L 16) successfully deterred an attempted pirate attack on the Chinese M/V Yandanghai at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Absalon closed on the coordinates given by the Chinese ship following their distress call and spotted a skiff matching the description given by the captain of the motor vessel. A Danish boarding team then boarded the suspected skiff, finding several weapons, including a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), four AK-47 assault rifles, two grenades and a knife. The weapons were cataloged and confiscated.

The suspected pirates were unable to board the vessel due to evasive measures taken by the ship’s crew who engaged their fire hoses to keep the suspected pirates a safe distance from the ship.

According to Yandanhai’s captain, two of the motorvessel’s crew sustained minor injuries during the attack.

CTF 151 is a multinational task force that conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.

The Danish flexible support ship HDMS Absalon (L 16), right, the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) transit the Gulf of Aden. Vella Gulf is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multi-national task force conducting counter-piracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's Thoughts. Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Iraqis Assume Authority Over FOB Iskan

MNFI.

FOB ISKAN, Iraq – Soldiers, Iraqi Police and power plant workers gathered to transfer authority of Forward Operating Base Iskan from Coalition forces to the Ministry of Electricity during a ceremony here Feb. 22. The ceremony officially turned over the responsibilities of the FOB to the Ministry of Electricity and signified that the Iraqi government has the capability to secure the Musayyib Thermal Power Plant.

Al Abd Al-Ameer Al-Yasseri, the General Director of Operations at the Ministerial Presidency and Lt. Col. Steven Miska, commander, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, both spoke about what it meant to transfer the responsibility for FOB Iskan over to Iraqi officials. “This transfer of authority reinforces the Iraqi government’s independence and demonstrates the capabilities of the Iraqis,” said Miska.

Lt. Col Mary Morehouse, Deputy Director of Personnel, Logistics and Resource Management for Multi-National Force - Iraq, and Al-Yasseri, signed the official paperwork transferring the authority of FOB Iskan over to the Ministry of Electricity.“The Iraqis have come to a point where they can stabilize security on and around the FOB ” said Capt. Bradley Kinser, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander, 1st Bn., 2nd Inf. Reg. The Musayyib Thermal Power Plant is located on FOB Iskan. The power plant provides power to the majority of Babil Province and 25 percent of the electricity to Baghdad.

Security for the plant will be one of the major responsibilities for the Ministry of Electricity. The last attack by ant-Iraqi forces on the FOB happened around late October 2008, when a mortar attack occurred and left many Iraqis without electricity. The power plant had stopped generating electricity in 2003 due to anti-Iraqi forces’ activities.

Coaltion forces maintained the security on the FOB, while the Iraqis fixed and continued to work in the power plant. Approximately 1,600 employees work at the power plant.

Lt. Col. Mary Morehouse, deputy director of Personnel, Logistics and Resource Management for Multi-National Force - Iraq, and Ali Abd Al-Ameer Al-Yasseri, general director of operations, Ministerial Presidency, prepare to sign the official paperwork transferring the authority of Forward Operating Base Iskan to the ministry of electricity during a ceremony, Feb. 22. The ministry of electricity will be in charge of maintaining security for the Musayyib Thermal Power Plant and its 1,600 employees located on the FOB.

Source: CENTCOM.

Kuwait Logistics Center Improves Afghanistan Supply Lines

by Beth Reece
Defense Logistics Agency

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 24, 2009) – As 17,000 soldiers and Marines ordered to Afghanistan by President Barack Obama prepare to deploy this spring and summer, logisticians already are orchestrating the shipment of critical supplies such as food and lumber. The Defense Logistics Agency here has been working with U.S. Central Command’s Deployment Distribution Operations Center in Kuwait since January to support the troop increase requested last year by U.S. Forces Afghanistan Commander Gen. David D. McKiernan, Navy Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, director of DLA’s Logistics Operations and Readiness Directorate, said.

The operations center merges experts from U.S. Transportation Command, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Army Materiel Command, DLA and service components. Together, they plan the most efficient and timely movement of supplies to troops. “We’re planning for increased demands of food subsistence, building supplies, spare parts and packaged petroleum products in Afghanistan,” Heinrich said. “All of our supply centers are deeply involved with the CDDOC and working closely with DLA support teams in Kuwait.” Defense Supply Center Philadelphia is partnering with the operations center to ensure collapsible housing units are sent where needed.

“The [distribution center in Kuwait] is playing a role in metering the flow — some by air, some by ship — and getting them to where they need to be to meet warfighters’ requirements,” Heinrich said. “The fact that they’re doing that and have visibility, and we know who to talk to there, has been very beneficial to DLA.

Heinrich, who headed the operations center during a voluntary five-month deployment last year, said the arrangement is working because the right people are working together in the right ways. “Our response to warfighters is greater because DLA and its strategic partners have put boots on the ground over there, which allows us to fuse our information and be persistent,” he said.

The operations center is the first of its kind to be used in wartime, Heinrich said. It was established in 2004 at Centcom’s request, with the goal of achieving shorter delivery times and lower costs.

The admiral said he believes the center already has made big improvements. The center lets DLA members see how the supplies they procure are actually sent to customers, he said, which challenges them to evaluate agency processes and occasionally make adjustments that speed delivery.

For example, he said, small changes at the Defense Distribution Depot Kuwait, Southwest Asia, shortened the time it takes to prepare pallets for shipment.

“DDKS produces about 60 pallets each day for air delivery, and when you send a pallet via air, there’s an expectation that it’s going to get there fast,” Heinrich said. Pallets built at the depot were being weighed and measured on the airfield, then offered for bid to commercial carriers.

“But the CDDOC started looking at the process and asked, ‘What if we did all this at DDKS?’” he said. “‘Can we improve the process?’”

Two months later, the depot had installed the Air Mobility Command’s Global Air Transportation Execution System, which gives visibility of pallets awaiting shipment.

“So we were able to report those air pallets as soon as they were built at DDKS to the people who offer them to commercial carriers,” Heinrich said. “What took about seven and a half days now takes about two days.”

Partnerships generated at the center are being used now as the depot assumes management of a formerly Navy-owned warehouse in Bahrain.

“Today, when folks in Bahrain requisition material from Kuwait, we fly it at a cost of about $1.98 a pound,” he said. “Now that we have a warehouse in Bahrain, we can fill it with material from Kuwait and, working with Transcom, we can truck it, and it will only cost us about 10 cents a pound.”

The center also has improved end-to-end distribution by increasing cargo visibility and maximizing airlift assets. And by initiating the use of “pure pallets,” which contain items for one customer only, the center eliminated the need to break down and repackage cargo for specific users in theater.

“The CDDOC plays an important role in synchronizing operations right there on the ground,” Heinrich said.

“The future for CDDOC is limitless, and I feel lucky to have been a part of its beginning,” he added. “It’s made me a better logistician and a stronger member of the DLA team.”

Source: CENTCOM.

Violence In Iraq At Lowest Level In Six Years

by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (Feb. 23, 2009) – Violent attacks in Iraq are at their lowest levels since August 2003, a U.S. commander in Iraq said Sunday. Army Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director for strategic effects with Multi-National Force - Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad the downtick in violence marks a 90-percent decrease since the surge of U.S. troops began in 2007.

Perkins added that on Feb. 20, no Iraqi civilians were killed or even targeted in attacks. “This is a very significant event, and we are seeing more and more days like that throughout Iraq,” he said.

Contributing to the improved security are the growing Iraqi security forces, which have increased the size of their ranks from 463,000 last year to 618,000 now – a 25-percent boost. “It's not only an increase in the size and numbers, but the capability such as planning, orchestrating these very complicated operations, and then leading throughout the country of Iraq,” Perkins said.

He added that Iraqi forces led and planned security for the countrywide provincial elections last month, in which some 7 million Iraqis participated in balloting that featured 14,000 registered candidates. “On election day this year, there were no attacks which resulted in any disruption to any of the voting that went on,” Perkins said. “This is in comparison to the last national election period in 2005, where we had hundreds of attacks on election day, with 44 deaths.”

Election results are being widely accepted by victors and vanquished alike, he said. “If you take a look at emerging democracies, historically, it is generally the second election that is sometimes more difficult than the first election,” the general said. “By the time the second election comes, those who may have to lose power or give up power are not necessarily as excited about doing that."

“But the fact that we've had this second election and a very large number of people participating, both as candidates and as voters,” he continued, “shows the enthusiasm that Iraqis have for the democratic process here in Iraq.”

The downturn in violence comes as U.S. forces begin transferring a greater share of power to Iraqi forces in keeping with the status-of-forces agreement that became effective Jan. 1. The agreement between Washington and Baghdad stipulates that American combat forces pull back from cities and villages to major bases by June 30.

“There is no doubt that we will be out of the cities by June, and we are working this day by day,” Perkins said. “And you can see many of these facilities we have already transferred, as well as the upcoming ones, are part of this plan to move out of the cities.”

An Iraqi policeman enteres an abandoned building in the Saha section of Baghdad earlier this month. Vast improvements among Iraqi Security Forces are among the reasons violence in Iraq has fallen to its lowest level since 2003.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand

This lady is not only beautiful, she has been gifted by God with a very sweet and tender voice. Please listen to her sing. When I first heard her, I knew I had to share her with you. I hope this edifies you today. ;)

This song is so true. I pray these words for every Servicemember who is in the line of fire and those who are not. Also, I would like to extend my prayer to those who've served before and never received the proper recognized. I remember you. I thank you for your service. Welcome home.

Remember - He is always there for you. All you have to do is reach out and ask for His Guidance, Love, Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Help, and whatever is your need. He is always Faithful. God bless you, and have a very blessed day.

Tip o' the hat: David L. Brown aka Blade Runner.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

I am sharing this beautiful lady with a gifted voice with my friends:

Cross-posted @ Talon, The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Is Your Faith Curious?

I heard a very intriguing sermon this morning, and I was wondering if I was the only one who was curious about those questions sometimes mistaken for doubt. Remember as a child how everything was brand new and it had to be explored? Do we do this with something that is so fascinating and wondrous we cannot even describe it sometimes, yet do we examine it with the same enthusiasm? Gosh, I wish I did. I must confess, I do not. After this sermon, I think I just may start!

This is such a question, I think it would be a good idea to leave it up to discussion. I know I could use all the help you can offer. Thanks. ;)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Today is an open trackback at Rosemary's Thoughts. You are all welcome to add this URL to your post, trackback to me, and I shall add your name as a contributor. This means you can post whatever you like (tasteful and edifying) here. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a blessed day.

These friends from Linkfest shared these posts with us for your reading pleasure:
1. The World According To Carl: Some Thursday Humor.
2. Woman Honor Thyself: Pancakes…Mmmmmmm!
3. The World According To Carl: IT’S FAT TUESDAY 2009! (For Those Unfamiliar: “Fat Tuesday” = “Mardi Gras".
4. Mark My Words: Does God Exist?
5. Nuke's: Live free or die.
6. The Virtuous Republic: Mirror, Mirror Obama.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's Thoughts. Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Day 3 Of Hiatus

I am still working on the tags, but I have reduced them significantly. However I still have a long way to go. The reason being, I have come across many links that are no longer good so I have to go search for a workable link. Arghh!

I won't be able to even start moving my other posts over here until I straighten out this mess. I don't like having this many categories. It's just too hard to manage. Oh well. Back to work. ;)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Today I am having open trackbacks. This means you can post whatever you like (tasteful and edifying) here. Remember to link me back to your article so I can read it. If you fail to do this, I will delete your post. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a nice day.

Friends I've trackbacked to for your reading pleasure: Blog @ MoreWhat.com: Open Trackback Linkfest Haven Weekend, Faultline: Weapons In or Out of Our Hands Forever, Right Truth: Mr. Indebt and Mr. Nodebt, The World According To Carl: It Was 29 Years Ago Today…, The Pink Flamingo: Who The Heck Is In Charge Of US Foreign Policy?, Wingless: Harper Victorious Despite Epidemic of Fear & Ignorance, Democrat=Socialist: Ann Coulter Owns Joy Behar, Nuke's: Missouri Plant Makes Three, Woman Honor Thyself: The Kooran Challenge eh?, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Day 2 Of Hiatus

Just checking in. I've been trying to reduce the number of categories I have before I start moving other posts over here. I don't want to deal with over 300 categories! Anything having to do with religion, prayers, Christianity, or Jewish affairs shall now listen under 'God'. All countries shall have a 'c-' before them, so I may be able to find all of my countries together. The same will true of the Military, News, and Politics, except they will have a 'g-' before them which represents 'general'. Well, gotta get back to work. Have a nice day.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Founders' Daily Quote: 2/16--2/20/09

Monday, February 16, 2009.
"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting.... The purity of his private charter gave effulgence to his public virtues...."

--John Marshall, official eulogy of George Washington, delivered by Richard Henry Lee, 26 December 1799

I long for such men as this to fill our legislative halls. Alas, the process has become so corrupt. They voted in a way to guarantee their own success against any opposition at the voting polls. Thanks alot, John MexiCain.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009.
"The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt, are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning knife."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Spencer Roane, 9 March 1821

What can one person out of 300 million do? What a great name for website! The Pruning Knife. Yes, I like it very much. If anyone would like to take that name and run with it, please let me know. I'd love to add it to my blogroll.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
"It might be demonstrated that the most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome."

--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 35

Aw, that would mean the people would have the OPPORTUNITY to think for themselves and be responsible for their actions whereas the faceless government would gladly take away any LIBERTY the people - after being convinced the government was the solution to any problem - would allow.

Thursday, February 19, 2009.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms ... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

Oh, come on. That's too logical. That's not 'playing' fair. After all, it doesn't 'feel good' to know that you could actually be attacked, so the Left would prefer to pretend the only enemies they have are Conservatives.

--Cesare Beccaria, On Crimes and Punishment, quoted by Thomas Jefferson in Commonplace Book, 1774-1776

Friday, February 20, 2009.
"[W]hereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it."

--Richard Henry Lee, Letters from the Federal Farmer, 1788

Has anyone presented this to the SCOTUS?

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's Thoughts. Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Internship Injects The Right Prescription For Afghans

February 19, 2009
Release Number 20091902-01

KABUL, Afghanistan - Opportunities for better health care continue to grow for Afghans with the assistance of the United States, Republic of Korea and Egyptian medical personnel through the International Medical Mentorship Training and Internship Program.

The Alliance nations strive to enhance the Afghan Ministry of Public Health's goals of establishing their own health care system and have developed two programs to aid Afghanistan in seeing a dream become reality.

"The goal is to give students an opportunity to see all the factors that it takes to manage an effective hospital," added Army Maj. Maureen Nolen, coordinator for a two-week Medical Mentorship Program. "We work with and build on the education and training in the various ANA and ANP facilities."

While initially, the two-week class was targeted specifically to the Afghan National Army to provide them with the skills needed to manage a medical facility, now it has grown to include the Afghan National Police, National Development Strategy health care providers and civilian doctors from district hospitals.

In July 2007, the program hit the ground running with a two-week residency course. Then, a little over a year later, the program expanded by adding a three month course when they realized there was a need to include more civilian health care providers.

The three-month instruction was created for Afghan civilian doctors and experienced health care personnel. The curriculum requires students to attend the course twice a week for three months. During this time, they participate in lectures at Craig Joint Military Hospital at Bagram and then are given opportunities to implement their training by treating local nationals at the Korean and Egyptian hospitals on base.

Egyptian Col. H.E. Salem, who also serves as a pediatrician, works diligently with the interns to ensure their level of care also targets the young people within the community.

"We are enthusiastic about working with the Afghan doctors," said Salem, the chief physician at the Egyptian hospital.

At the Korean hospital, the interns are introduced to evidence-based medicine and how to properly treat communicative and non-communicative diseases in addition to common illnesses. "We expect through this program that the interns will become aware of their public health care programs," said Dr. Seup Park, the medical director at the Korean hospital.

So far, the internship program has trained and graduated more than 100 Afghan practitioners, including three females. Air Force Lt. Col. Montserrat Edie-Korleski, who oversees a three month program, was quick to point out the importance of female graduates and how their success makes an impact on the program and within the local community.

"We're planting the seed that gender shouldn't be an issue when it comes to being a health care provider," Nolen added. "Women are a key element in the health of the nation," Edie-Korleski said. "We would like to see more female recruits."

As the program continues to grow, one constant remains for this group of professionals working to improve the medical care in this country: teamwork.

"It's a great working relationship," Edie-Korleski said. "The Koreans have a fabulous system already developed and working for them. The Egyptians have a great doctor staff who are also very capable. We learn from them, and they learn from us."

Word continues to spread about the success of the program, and classes are filled through 2009. Local nationals are encouraged to contact their Ministry of Public Health and Provincial Reconstruction Teams to enroll and receive more information about the internships. "Someone, somewhere always wants to hear about our program," Edie-Korleski added. "Health care providers from all over BAF are expressing interest in lecturing and training."

A plan is in place for the internships to include more options in the near future. By the end of March, Afghan practitioners from Kabul are scheduled to begin a new veterinary program offered at Craig Joint Military Hospital. The continuing interest and commitment of the Afghans have been a huge boost to the ongoing success of their mission, said Edie-Korleski.

"The purpose of the program is to train Afghan health care providers in the health care arena, so they can take what they learn and develop their own health care system," she said. "It's been amazing the positive responses we've gotten."

-30-

United States Forces Afghanistan's mission, in coordination with NATO's International Security Assistance Force, is to conduct operations to defeat terrorist networks and insurgents by developing effective governance and building the Afghan National Security Force. Effective security throughout the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan facilitates continued regional stability and increases economic development for the people of Afghanistan.

Contact Information - US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs Office

Tel +93 (0) 799 51 2919 or cell phone 93 (0) 707 355 965

USFOR A Media Relations. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Picture 1: BAGRAM, Afghanistan - An Afghan citizen holds his daughter after receiving treatment at the Egyptian Field Hospital. The Egyptian Field Hospital has an open clinic for Afghan citizens to receive free medical care.

Picture 2: BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Egyptian Col. Ehab Foad, an ophthalmology consultant, checks a patient’s eye for cataracts and other abnormalities at the Egyptian Field Hospital. The Egyptian Field Hospital offers medical services for Afghan citizens.

Source: CENTCOM.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Afghanistan Commander Welcomes Additional Troops

by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2009) – The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that while he’s pleased with President Barack Obama’s authorization to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, tough times are ahead.

Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan, said at a Pentagon news conference that the reinforcement fulfills about two-thirds of his request for additional forces and will provide enough manpower to sustain security through the summer.

“Those forces, of course, are aimed at being operational by the highest part of the insurgent fighting season this summer, and to be in place and operational before the projected elections in August of 2009,” McKiernan said. The additional forces also are needed “to give us a security foundation that will allow the other lines of operations in governance and socioeconomic progress to take place and change what I've called a stalemate in the south,” the general said.

The additional forces will focus their efforts in the south and along Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan to combat insurgents. However, the lack of a strong central government for three decades, combined with high illiteracy and poverty rates and a resilient enemy, doesn’t offer a quick solution for Afghanistan, McKiernan said.

“Even with the additional forces, I have to tell you that 2009 is going to be a tough year,” he said. “While this will give us a security foundation, we certainly need additional contributions -- civilian capacity-building programs that will enable people in Afghanistan to feel hope and to develop their abilities to take the lead for their governance.”

About 38,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, including about 6,000 reinforcements from the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team and a contingent of Marines who arrived last month. Another 19,000 troops from 42 other countries make up the balance of allied efforts there.

The 17,000 additional troops are made up primarily of soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division’s 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Lewis, Wash., and Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The incoming troops, as well as those currently in Afghanistan, can expect a “dual mission,” McKiernan said, noting he asked for a Marine expeditionary brigade and an Army Stryker brigade because of their versatility. He wanted units with counterinsurgency capabilities that also could provide security for the population and partner with Afghan forces, he explained, adding that Afghan border and national police forces need trainers and organizers, which the additional troops also will provide.

“[The additional units] are battle-space owners conducting counterinsurgency operations, but they’re also developing capacity and capability in the Afghan policing forces,” he said. “Training and mentoring … will be part of the units’ mission.”

When McKiernan took command in Afghanistan less than a year ago, he requested 30,000 additional forces. Even after the increased U.S. presence takes hold, he still will need 10,000 to 12,000 more, whether they come from allies in NATO or the United States, he said. He told reporters he probably will not ask for any more troops beyond that, but he stressed that the additional forces are not a short-term proposition.

“This is not a temporary force uplift. … It’s going to need to be sustained for some period of time,” he said. “I can’t give an exact number of years that it would be, but I’m trying to look out for the next three to four or five years.”

Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, delivers an update briefing at a Feb. 18 Pentagon news conference.

Source: CENTCOM.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas.

I Have An Idea

When I started Rosemary's Thoughts, it was with the whole intention of moving Causes of Interest, DoD Daily News, DoD Daily News-2, Knickerbocker News, Love America First, Love America First-2, My Newz 'n Ideas, and a few more blogs over to this one collection of all my writings. As it stands, I have barely scraped the surface.

The solution? My idea! I am going to be taking a one month hiatus to finish moving 7000+ posts over to Rosemary's Thoughts. Some of you know that I also have a blog on wordpress, Rosemary's News and Ideas. Well. I also write for Talon, the official blog for Eagles UP! and TownHall.com (but not that often. I keep forgetting), The Conservative Underground and Smart Girl Politics. I moved again...why? lol.

I do not like the fact that all everyone is talking about is negativity. The porkulus bailout bill, the auto bailout bill, the federal reserve banks and wall street bailout (it's not even a bill!), etc. If I have to listen to them say the problem is the free market, SHOW ME WHERE YOU SEE THE FREE MARKET. I shall scream.

If government had not interfered in the first place (forcing banks to give loans to people who could not afford them, refusing to sign the Columbian Free Trade agreement, printing money as we had it to cover what they were printing - get rid of the Fed!, etc.), we would have had a normal business cycle. The Housing Committee, Sec. Paulsen and all the others (including the new Treasury Secretary who helped write the last bailout bill before he was secretary and refused to pay his taxes), YOU ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. Why should we trust you to fix it?

Why is there no discussion about the 17,000 Marines headed out to Afghanistan that the president let know about it by a press release without any planning, expectations, nothing! His precious little signing of the 'historic' (I'll scream if I hear that one more time. He's just a politician who doesn't give a crap about our men and women in uniform. Otherwise, he would have given a speech. Sorry, but it will be very difficult to change my mind about this, however I am open to anyone who thinks they can try) signing of a bill. Do you realize how many bills have been signed before him? TOO MANY! LOL.

I want to know what his plans are for our Military. We have a right to know, and he's not being forthcoming. This is not transparency.

Therefore I am going to wait for this too to pass. In the meantime, I am going to have open trackbacks. I like to use Linkfest, and I would like you to use them, too. It is a place where conservative like us can send our post and our trackback id, then others may read our work. They also include our posts in their posts so that we may get greater readership. Give it a try. Thanks everyone. I'll be back. ;)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Just follow the easy directions.

Here are some posts for your reading enjoyment: The Pink Flamingo: How I've Learned To Stop Worrying and Have Learned To Live With Obama, Wingless: BBC Presents Bizarro Version of Gaza, Right Voices: No Need for the Automakers and UAW to Meet Today;s Deadline, You Are Handing Them 7 Billion Today, No Questions Asked, The World According To Carl: Ephesians 4:29 and Blogging, Nuke's: Monday Night Linkage, The Virtuous Republic: The Virtuous Republic, The Pink Flamingo: Life, Obama, and the Democratic Universe, Wingless: Hamas Residential Stockpiles Lead to Casualties; World Silent, The World According To Carl: Uncle Jay Explains The News — February 16, 2009, and Third World County: Wal-Mart+Microsoft=Juggernaut of Doom?, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

There are friends who've shared their posts for your reading pleasure:
1. The World According To Carl: Saints Release Deuce McAllister.
2. The World According To Carl: Godly Wisdom - February 19, 2009.
3. Potbelly Stove: Loose Lips sink ships.
4. Conservative Cat: A Nation of Cowards.
5. Woman Honor Thyself: Kissing!
6. The World According To Carl: Stimulus Bill (a.k.a. — “Porkulus”).
7. third world county: Santelli’s Chicago Tea Party.
8. Nuke's: Missouri plant makes three.
9. Faultline USA: Weapons In or Out of Our Hands Forever?
10. The World According To Carl: WARNING — VIRUS ALERT.
11. Right Truth: Mr. Indebt and Mr. Nodebt.
12. Conservative Cat: Another Obama Miracle.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Nation, SmartGirlPolitics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Call Obama Or Lose The F-22 Fighters

It has come to my attention that Lockheed Martin will begin shutting down production of the valued F-22 fighter planes which the US Air Force needs (a total of) 243 more of unless President Obama "certifies that continued production of the F-22 is in the national interest" by March 1, 2009. Here are the links to a few artices: (Reuters) U.S. Air Force says needs more F-22 fighters, (UPI) Obama needs to rescue the F-22 Raptor from being scrapped and (War is Boring) Only 60 More Raptors? Everybody Panic!

Please read these articles before you make any calls. I want you to know what they are saying. You may also have a better handle on this than I do, and I'm not too proud to admit it.

The Capitol: 202-224-3121. The White House: 202-456-1111 or 456-1414.
House Committees: Armed Services 202-225-4151.
Senate: Armed Services: 202-224-3871, Foreign Relation: 202-224-4651.

Source(s): Jim Wolf, Reuters; UPI, Loren B. Thompson; Ethan Kendrick, Hynes Communications; and 'War is Boring'.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Talon, The Conservative Underground, SmartGirlPolitics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!