Daily Dozen - 3/11/2005

End Judicial Nomination Filibusters - Senator Orrin Hatch, Congressional Record

Expect Foes of Freedom to Stage Violent Counterattacks - M. Kondracke, Roll Call

Fighting 'Occupation' Does Not Legitimize Terrorism, Annan Says By Patrick Goodenough, CNSNews.com

A Year After Madrid, Counter-Terror Cooperation Among EU States Questioned, By Patrick Goodenough, CNSNews.com

Russia in Crisis By Ariel Cohen, FrontPageMagazine.com

Muzzled by Muslims By Joel Mowbray, FrontPageMagazine.com

Mullahs preparing to make nuclear bombs By Jerome Corsi, WND

Years of living dangerously By Clifford D. May, townhall.com

Thou shalt have no others gods before the ACLU By Mona Charen, townhall.com

CIA Right to Ship Terror Suspects Abroad - Michael Scheuer, New York Times

Those Subtle Chinese - Robert Kagan, Washington Post

Honoring a True Martyr For Freedom in Iraq - James J. Na, Seattle Times

Chrenkoff's Great Interview with Victor Davis Hanson

Chrenkoff

VDH is one of my favorite bloggers/authors/commentators. He brings his clarity of thought to a wide range of issues facing the US, Europe and the world at large - a worthy read.

The Death of a Muslim Woman: "The Whore Lived Like a German" - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The Death of a Muslim Woman: "The Whore Lived Like a German" - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE

This story has popped up all over the net over the past few days. I have listed it twice in my Daily Dozen. The thing I find most disquieting about this is that there is, in reality, no solution to this problem. Germany, and much of Europe, have held open the door to people who have no intention of becoming German, they simply wanted to leave the oppression of their homeland. Their customs and beliefs are not being shed infavor of more liberal and democratic western ideals, they are in fact hardening their old world stance.

Europe is very very close to a tipping point where they will be unable to reverse the Islamofication of their society. I am not sure they have the will to stop this process. Time will tell, but time is very short I fear.

Off to NYC

My lovely wifee and I are headed to NYC in the morning. Rather thhan luging my notebook along, I will be taking mt Toshiba e755. It has full wiireless features and I have been very happpy with its performance in the past. This post was done with it to wring out the process, seems to work fine!

Daily Dozen - 3/2/2005

A Bold and Brave Advance - President Bush’s second inaugural has given the American proposition planetary scope. By Michael Novak. NRO

2,000 Demonstrate at Iraqi Bombing Site By RAWYA RAGEH, AP

Same Old Story on Judicial Nominees -- for Now By Susan Jones, CNSNews.com

First Lebanon, Now Syria By Rhonda Roumani, Washington Times

Berlin's Honor Killings By Sonia Phalnikar, Deutsche Welle

U.N. influence on court's juvenile execution ban - In 5-4 case, majority ruling based on global treaties, foreign opinions WND

Wahhabis, Go Home - Confronting Saudi evangelism in Kuwait, Europe, and the United States. By Olivier Guitta, Weekly Standard

The War's Silver Lining - Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian

What Europe Wishes for in Iran - Reuel Marc Gerecht, Financial Times

Burying Good Economic News - Lawrence Kudlow, Kudlow's Money Politics

About That Quagmire - New York Post

Imagine: 500 Miles Per Gallon - Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek

Daily Dozen - 3/1/2005

Putting the fear of God into Holland By Brian Moynahan, Times Online

Big ideas . . . By Donald Lambro,Washington Times

SYRIA: W'S NEXT WIN? By PETER BROOKES, NY Post

A blinkered view from the Baghdad Hilton By KATIE GRANT, The Scotsman

OPINION: The Making Of A 9/11 Republican By Cinnamon Stillwell, SFGate.com

Palestinians Pledge to 'Put House in Order' By Julie Stahl, CNSNews.com

U.N. shuffles on rape cases - Annan claims 'very firm measures' amid continuing sex-abuse scandal WND

Wake-up call for my fellow Muslims By Kamal Nawas, townhall.com

Higher Compliance One Benefit of Flat Tax - Bruce Bartlett, Creators

Mideast Climate Change - New York Times

A Surefire Path to a Nuclear Iran - Wall Street Journal

The Arabs' Berlin Wall Has Crumbled - Mark Steyn, Daily Telegraph

Daily Dozen - 2/28/2005

Election Shock Treatment - The Democrats try to get over Iraq's latest achievement. By Noemie Emery, Weekly Standard

Now We Need the Media's Help in Iraq - Iyad Allawi, Wall Street Journal

Don't Blame Wal-Mart - Robert Reich, New York Times

Are We Fools Led By Liars? - William Rees-Mogg, Times of London

Thousands in Beirut protest despite ban - Government faces censure vote today By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press

Hillary Fever? Might Be Something We Eight. By Howard Kurtz, Washington Post

Russia Signs Deal to Fuel Iranian Nuclear Program - By Patrick Goodenough and Sergei Blagov, CNSNews.com Correspondents

Egypt and Syria Play Ball -- No Thanks to the Left By Ben Johnson, FrontPageMagazine.com

Rolling back the tide of tyranny By Mike S. Adams, townhall.com

Changing minds By Michael Barone, townhall.com

The pirates of eminent domain By Jeff Jacoby, townhall.com

Fear and Intimidation at Harvard - What do academic women want? By Harvey Mansfield

Off to Haiti

Off to Haiti

Well, tomorrow is the day our little band heads off to Haiti. I am looking forward to the adventure, but mainly to having some impact that allows the people we will work with to get a handle on life.

All the things that pop into my head to say sound a bit trite. Having never been there, I have no real expectations. The group I am traveling with are part of a larger group that make many trips a year. All tell the same tails of poor living conditions, no clean water, poor sanitation, no communication or infrastructure - - - the list is long and disheartening. When the opportunity came up for me to go, I really could not say no. How can a person take a pass on helping these folks?? And, since I have a broad range of technical experience – radio communication, solar power, wilderness survival – I felt I would not just be taking up a seat, but actually contributing is a real way.

I received a parish blessing at Mass this morning. I am humbled that the parish is praying for our group, embarrassed at the attention and pleased with myself that I stepped up and am going. It is an odd mix, but there it is.

I have completed packing, feels like an extended wilderness Scout trip. I took no shelter equipment, doubled the size of my first aid kit, took 2 water filtration systems, water purification tablets/liquid, good boots and 3 sets of all clothes.

I took communications gear, 2 GPS systems since I will be required to plot out villages, 2 compasses and accurate maps.

And, a minimal stash of food: 5 day packs each containing: 2 oatmeal, 4 granola bars and 4 meat sticks. Worst comes to worst, that should hold me over.

And personal gear: MP3 player with radio, camera with CF cards for 800 photos and a crap load of batteries.

I have set aside all the stories I have been reading in their news of rebel forces in the region we seem to be going into. I am not sure we would present the kind of target they would be interested in. Over all, the reports from others traveling there is that things are fairly quiet and as long as we stay out of “troubled areas” we will be fine. I trust we will. And, I am hoping that since this is a church trip, we may have some extra protection. I have never been one to expect God to protect me. But I have always thought that if I live my life well, do what is right and thank God for allowing me to make a difference where I can, that my life will unfold as He wants it to. On the day I stand before Him, I simply want to say I did the best I could and to thank Him for His love. That day will arrive whether I am in Haiti or walking across a street.

I appreciate any and all prayers for our little group. I will post a full trip report when I return, probably over the last weekend of this month. Until then.

Daily Dozen 2/9/2005

A CNN Executive Says G.I.s in Iraq Target Journalists BY RODERICK BOYD - Staff Reporter of the Sun

We Will Never Forget This Day - Election day in Iraq. By Joseph Morrison Skelly, NRO

Messages in the mosques By Arnaud de Borchgrave, Washington Times

W'S DEBACLE — NOT By John Podhoretz, NY Post

Internet Cowards By Shawn Macomber, American Spectator

Perceived US Cowardice Fuels Terrorism, Former CIA Head Declares By Kathleen Rhodes, CNSNews.com

"Kill a Jew--Go to Heaven" - Natan Sharansky draws attention to a new report by the Palestinan Media Watch. By Rachel DiCarlo, Weekly Standard

The Marines: A few sensitive men By Kathleen Parker, townhall.com

CNN slimes our troops By Michelle Malkin, townhall.com

The Left's Old-Time '60s Political Religion - Austin Bay, RealClearPolitics

The Price of Liberty in Iraq? Ten Years' Vigilance - N. Ferguson, Wall St. Journal

Personal-Account Myths - They’re not the speculative vehicles Democrats want you to think they are. By Cesar Conda, NRO

Daily Dozen - 2-8-2005

With Friends Like These: Stop Saudi jihad proselytizing in U.S. Dallas News Editorial

Freedom House Report: Saudi Publications on Hate Ideology Fill American Mosques Read the entire report for yourself

EASONGATE: BARNEY FRANK TALKS Eason Jordan, representing CNN at the Davos economic conference last week accused US soldiers of deliberately targeting journalists. He claimed to have information regarding 12 that had been deliberately murdered by US soldiers. Interestingly, this is receiving scant attention in MSM, but the blogsphere is on fire. Michelle Malkin has the results of her conversation with Sen. Barney Franks, who was in attendance as well as links to a number of other discussions on the topic.

Iraqis Cite Shift in Attitudes Since Vote By Doug Struck, Washington Post Foreign Service This story reminds me of the ice breaking on a river after a long, cold winter. Lord knows these folks have suffered for along time, I honestly believe Spring is just around the corner.

Counterterror Conference Sidesteps Issue of Defining Terrorism By Patrick Goodenough, CNSNews.com

'On the Road to Resumption' at Sharm el-Sheik By Julie Stahl, CNSNews.com

Exporting Immigrants, and Chaos By Michael Radu, FrontPageMagazine.com

Ostrich Authorities Deny Domestic Terrorism By Daniel Pipes, FrontPageMagazine.com

We Can't Tax Our Way Out of the Social Security Crisis - Senator Jon Kyl, RCP

Staying Power: Fight Over Flight in Iraq - Victor Davis Hanson, New Republic

What Kind of People Do We Want to Be? - Investor's Business Daily

What Bin Laden Sees in Hiroshima By Steve Coll, The Washington Post

The Bud Ad - What a great tribute!

I loved the simplicity of the Bud ad thanking the troops. Honestly, it nearly had me in tears. While it seems like such a simple thing, the act of thanking a service man or woman for their willingness to serve means so much to them. A short story about my return to "the world".

I left home on April 21, 1969 and returned April 23, 1971, to the girl of my dreams and my wife of 32 years. I spent a year at remote sites in Taiwan and a year in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. All the while, my girl stayed true and sucked it up through all the campus crap of the day.

I left the US in the era of black suits, white shirts, white socks and black shoes. I returned to checkered pants, colored shirts, stripped coats and platform shoes! Talk about a culture shock.

I did not experience the worst of the demonstrators upon my return to Sea-Tac, we disembarked well away from the terminal and were pretty much separated from the general crowd until we were well within the terminal complex. I flew to Chicago and then a short hop to Bishop airport in Flint Michigan, to the arms of my girl and the love of my family.

During the short flight, I chatted with the stewardess and a nice lady sitting next to me. She could not wrap her head around the fact that it had been two years since I had been home. She knew I was coming home from Vietnam and was meeting my family in Flint. Somehow, word filtered forward since I was the one military guy getting off. As I got off, the majority of folks sitting welcomed me home and said how happy they were I got home safe. A few moments of my life I will always remember.

Soldiers give so much, risk so much and love our country so much, they deserve our thanks and, as I know first hand, appreciate it down to their souls.

Conservative Outlook

New York Daily News - Home - Army red-faced over new prison antics

I suppose this is not PC, but what the hell is the deal here??? Troops, in the field, blowing off steam, all consenting adults, and we are going to waste media space about it?? Here is the deal, the MSM wants the troops to take a hit. They want to embarrass the soldiers, it has nothing to do with the event. I wonder why it is that Clinton could get a B.J. while chatting with Arafat and we are told it's only sex - why bother. Now, soldiers, in a combat zone, letting off steam is a scandal. And, make no mistake, heads will roll here - but what crap. Let the soldiers live their life and do their job.

Oh, and folks, put the damn cameras away!!!

New York Daily News - Home - Army red-faced over new prison antics

Yahoo! News - Iraqis Cite Shift in Attitudes Since Vote

This story reminds me of the ice breaking on a river after a long, cold winter. Lord knows these folks have suffered for along time, I honestly believe Spring is just around the corner.

Yahoo! News - Iraqis Cite Shift in Attitudes Since Vote

Michelle Malkin: EASONGATE: BARNEY FRANK TALKS

Michelle Malkin: EASONGATE: BARNEY FRANK TALKS

Eason Jordan, representing CNN at the Davos economic conference last week accused US soldiers of deliberately targeting journalists. He claimed to have information regarding 12 that had been deliberately murdered by US soldiers. Interestingly, this is receiving scant attention in MSM, but the blogsphere is on fire. Michelle Malkin has the results of her conversation with Sen. Barney Franks, who was in attendance as well as links to a number of other discussions on the topic.

Your Daily Dozen 2-7-2005

Fear itself By Paul Greenberg, Washington Times

'Violators' Appointed to Oversee Human Rights at UN By Patrick Goodenough, CNSNews.com

UK Edges Closer to Outlawing Religious 'Hate Speech' By Kevin McCandless, CNSNews.com

There Is No Crisis! Huh? By David Hogberg, American Spectator

A Realigning Election - President Bush never accepted the notion that Iraqis or other Arab or Muslim peoples are not "ready" for democracy. As a result millions of Iraqis (and Afghans) have now voted. By Robert Kagan and William Kristol, Weekly Standard

Sticking to His Guns - The consistency of Bush's foreign policy. By Stephen F. Hayes, Weekly Standard

Dems crunched by Social Security numbers By Donald Lambro, townhall.com

Harry Reid's 'Roulette' - George Will, Newsweek

Five Threats to American Way of Life - Newt Gingrich, Philadelphia Inquirer

Nuclear Power Can Lift Cloud Over US Energy - Barry Ganapol, Arizona Republic

Saudi Government Foments Religious Hatred in U.S. - Chicago Sun-Times

Can we cut the blather about the Trust Fund? David Frum NRO

Muslim apostates cast out and at risk from faith and family

I wonder what it will take for the West to awaken and realize they are in a fight for their survival with Islam. No, I am no religious bigot. But, those faithful to the "more radical" forms of Islam are perfectly willing to cross the lines of civilalized behavior and attack any unbelievers. Those especially at risk are converts to Christianity from Islam, with death the punishment in most Middle Eastern countries. This behavior is becoming established in the West, and quickly.

Muslim apostates cast out and at risk from faith and family

While Christians who turn to Islam are feted, the 200,000 Muslims who turn away are faced with abuse, violence and even murder.

WorldNetDaily: Embryo in clinic ruled a 'human'

Just what will the Pro "Choice" folks do with this one?? Surly the fertilized egg wasn't human - hell, they are not even human prior to the first trimester. What an outrage!! Is it just me, or does the justification for abortion get more and more convoluted on a daily basis.

WorldNetDaily: Embryo in clinic ruled a 'human'

A Chicago judge has ruled that an embryo mistakenly discarded by an Illinois fertility clinic was a 'human' and its parents can sue under the state's wrongful death law.

Free Iraqi: Iraqi citizens Kill 5 terrorists

What a great story! Iraqis taking responsibility for their own security! There will me more of this is the days to come. After January 30th they are fighting for THEIR country, THEIR family, THEIR children. You can't help but to be proud of these folks!!

Free Iraqi: Iraqi citizens Kill 5 terrorists: "Iraqi citizens Kill 5 terrorists

Citizens of Al Mudhiryiah (a small town in the 'death triangle') were subjected to an attack by several militants today who were trying to punish the residents of this small town for voting in the election last Sunday. The citizens responded and managed to stop the attack, kill 5 of the attackers, wounded 8 and burned their cars. 3 citizens were injured during the fire exchange. The Shiekh of the tribe to whom the 3 wounded citizens belong demanded more efforts from the government to stop who he described as 'Salafis'. "

You baked be cookies??? I'm gonna sue you!!!

Is it any wonder our legal system is out of control?? The proper response of the judge would have been to recommend psychatric care for the plaintiff and ask the girl for a batch of their cookies.

DenverPost.com - LOCAL NEWS: "Cookie klatch lands girls in court

Two Durango teens thought they'd surprise neighbors with nighttime deliveries of home-baked treats. But one woman was so terrified, she sued and has won.

By Electa Draper
Denver Post Staff Writer"

Daily Dozen 2/4/2005

When Muslims Convert By Daveed Gartenstein-Ros, Commentary Magazine

'There Can Be No End to Jihad' Christianity Today

The Hug: John Podhoretz, New York Post

The Hug: John Kass, Chicago Tribune

Dean as Party Chairman: A Suicidal Selection - Jonathan Chait, LA Times

Eason Jordan : CNN's Line of Fire - Washington Times

Iraq's Elections Will Change World History - Gerard Baker, Times of London

Academics Perpetuate False View of World - David Cowan, Washington Times

Democrats' Groundhog Day - Buzz Patterson, Human Events

Geneva Convention Isn't The Last Word - R. Delahunty & J. Yoo, SF Chronicle

Iraq 2005: Vietnam 1967 or America 1864? - Noel Sheppard, TechCentralStation

What I Should Have Said With the Merlot in Hand By Patrick O’Hannigan, American Spectator