by Kathy at misterpolitics.com

A suicide bomber apparently tried to kill Dick Cheney, and many commenters at the Huffington Post lamented his lack of success. The offending comments have been removed from the post in question, but you can read some of them here. Some examples include:

If at first you don’t succeed . . .

and:

Better luck next time!

and:

Dr. Evil escapes again . . . damn.

Glenn Greenwald is irate that conservative bloggers dared to take notice. Greenwald (also known as Thomas Ellers and Rick Ellensburg, among others) complains bitterly that conservative bloggers

went digging deep into the comment sections of various liberal blogs, found inappropriate and hateful comments, and then began insisting that these isolated comments proved something.

There is more, Oh so much, more here at Patterico’s.

by Kathy at misterpolitics.com

Media Lies has this post.

We are rapidly approaching….

….the beginning of the trial for the charges against the Marines involved in the incident in Haditha. I have written from the beginning about Haditha and I concluded, based upon the facts that we know, that the Marines followed the ROE and are guilty of no crime.

Sgt. Frank Wutterich must pay for his own defense. You can help. This is an extremely important case. If the Marines involved are found guilty of a crime, then the rules of engagement mean nothing and no military person will ever again be able to fight a war without looking over their shoulder to see if the lawyers are swarming. A guilty verdict will cost lives, American lives.

I agree. These Marines were doing their jobs in accordance with their ROE. These Marines are Innocent. You can contribute to Frank Wutterich’s fund at the link above or donate to all the Marines involved in this case by going to Defend our Marines; Justin Sharratt also has a defense fund here at JustinSharratt.com.

These Marines deserve a fair trial, Let’s make sure they get one.

Ravens cut Jamal Lewis

The Baltimore Ravens cut Jamal Lewis ahead of Friday’s pivotal free-agent signing period but the club says it will try to re-sign the veteran running back.

Lewis, 27, was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 when he rushed for 2,066 yards, the second most in league history. But his numbers have declined dramatically since that breakout season.

“We are involved in negotiations with Jamal Lewis, and there has been good dialogue,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said on Wednesday in a statement.

“Jamal has been a significant contributor to us in the last seven seasons. It’s our hope to have him back with the Ravens.”

Lewis, the fifth overall pick in the 2000 draft, is the team’s all-time leading rusher with 7,801 yards. The bruising, six-foot, 240-pound Lewis rushed for 1,132 yards in 2006.

The link is here.

It’s not time to panic yet. The Ravens have always been very good at knowing when to let people go and when to keep people. With the exception of Priest Holmes, it is difficult for me to think of many players who have left the Ravens and excelled elsewhere. The O’s, well, that is another story.

from Curt at Flopping Aces

The spirit of Jamil Hussein has arisen once more from Iraq with the report yesterday that more then a dozen children were killed in Ramadi:

A bomb attack near a soccer field in the volatile Iraqi city of Ramadi on Tuesday killed or wounded 19 people, most of them children, police said.

State television Iraqiya said 18 children had been killed by a car bomb at the field. Police said it was a roadside bomb.

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military. Iraqiya gave no more details.

Police said the field was near an American military base.

Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province, the heart of the Sunni Arab insurgency in Iraq.

But today it was discovered that there was no bomb, there was no 18 children dead, but there WAS a controlled explosion of explosives that was a bit bigger then expected:

But Rear Adm. Mark Fox, a U.S. military spokesman, said “the allegation was false” and suggested that rumors began circulating after a controlled detonation by U.S. forces caused injuries in Ramadi.

On Tuesday, a military statement said 30 civilians and one Iraqi soldier were injured by flying debris when troops destroyed 15 bags of explosives. None of the injuries was life-threatening, it added.

“There was no second blast,” Fox told reporters, “and there was no 18 children killed.”

So how did this happen?

Exactly as it happened with the Burning Sunni story. Unverified reports were spread throughout the media by reporters wanting to get a scoop. Wanting to push a story with more bloodshed.

Damn the facts! We don’t need no stinkin’ facts!
(more…)

NBC’s Today Show wasted no time calling Discovery Channel’s
upcoming “documentary” the “Lost Tomb of Jesus” a “huge story”
that could “rock Christianity to its core”.

Among the outrageous claims made by the film’s director
James Cameron (of Titanic fame), the film alleges that
Jesus and Mary Magdelene were married and produced a son, Judah.

Logic and fact have been carelessly tossed aside, and as
Brent Bozell says, “If they want to mount a full-blown attack
on Christianity, they should be honest enough to say so.
Instead, they coyly dredge up a long-discredited theory,
cloak it in half-baked ‘evidence’ and pass it off as science.
The public deserves better.”

We are asking ALL members of our MRC Action Team
to take a moment to call and email John S. Hendricks, the
Chairman of Discovery Channel demanding he intervene to stop
their attack against Christianity by pulling the show.

The Discovery Channel “documentary” purporting to have discovered the “lost tomb of Jesus” lacks scientific merit and is so laced with deceptive “facts” that it should be pulled from the broadcast schedule Sunday night, according to L. Brent Bozell, President of the Media Research Center and Robert Knight, Director of MRC’s Culture and Media Institute.

(more…)

Maryland Men: In a game that provided action, a comeback and a thrill-a-minute drama, the University of Maryland Terrapins defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 89-87 on a snowy Sunday in College Park.

As we are down to the homs stretch of the basketball regular season, the Terps have solidified their spot in the NCAA Tournament after starting out in ACC conference play 2-5. The team has won five straight games, and now is ranked in the Top 25, in the 24th spot.

The red-hot Terps play at Duke’s intimidating Cameron Indoor Arena tonight at 9 p.m. It will be a tough game, as Duke is always a formidable competitor and under the tutelage of Coach Mike Krzyzewski. He’ll have his troops ready and rearing for battle.

Maryland Women: Not to be outdone by the men, the Lady Terps are ranked number 6 in the women’s poll, as they head to the ACC & NCAA Tournament play. On Monday, the Terps beat Boston College 76-60 to finish 26-4 in regular season play, and 10-4 in ACC play.

The Terps are in the third seed going into ACC Tournament play, and are hoping for a repeat of last year’s success – the NCAA National Championship.

Baltimore Orioles: The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec has an article on the addition of the Spanish speaking coaches, Juan Samuel & Sam Mejias and their influence on the team, especially with the Latin players, such as Miguel Tejada. It’s an interesting read and takes a look into the Latin culture and impact on the Orioles.

Roch Kutbako has an article on John Parrish and his comeback from ligament surgery after being out in late 2005 and all of 2006. As well, he updated his blog on the first intra-squad game.

The Orioles.com Spencer Fordin gives us the updated on Kris Benson and he hopes to avoid surgery. As well, Fordin answers his mailbag on Miguel Tejada and his streak, as well as notes O’s manager Sam Perlozzo has named his starting rotation for spring training.

The Washington Post’s Jorge Arangure also has an article on John Parrish & and lets us know that Kris Benson is still in pain. The Examiner also has a piece on John Parrish.

*photo from the Baltimore Sun

Recently, the Baltimore Orioles have instituted a new policy about talk radio and the fans who call into the various shows in the city and the surrounding area. According to WBAL, Orioles management, including Jim Duquette and Sam Perlozzo have been barred from taking calls from fans from stations besides CBS affiliates, ESPN 1300 or WHFS 105.7 (from wbal.com).

Steve Davis, a radio host on WBAL alerted the fans after finding out the new policy:

He says “They’re both great guys and wonderful interviews, and enjoy their interaction with the fans. I’m very disappointed for the listeners and callers. We had people call in to talk to them, as they always have, and Perlozzo and Duquette were told by the Orioles that they couldn’t interact with the listeners.”

Davis says he’s expressed his concern to the team saying “The fans deserve to have their questions and concerns addressed, and not to be stonewalled by O’s brass. I hope the Orioles reconsider this decision.” (wbal.com)

Oriole Magic’s Mike Boehm goes off about this issue in an eloquent fashion, and I can hardly blame him at all.

Like the mythical “Big Brother” in the novel, ‘1984’, it seems like the Orioles in order to have further control of their product want a greater say in what their employees say to media outlets.

In a corporate sense, I can understand why it is done.

However, in the world of sports, and especially talk radio which is fueled by debate and much as chatter, what the Orioles are doing sets a real bad precedent.

Fans who buy the $9 seats to those who have spent tens and hundreds of thousands on corporate suites, the customer has the right to hold someone accountable for the product on the field and have a line open to voice complaints, or praise.

The team is taking people’s money, and traditionally talk show radio has been a way to voice their concerns.

Now, the new policy has taken the people’s voice away. That’s fine, and I understand why the Orioles would do it from a business viewpoint, but it is horrible customer service.

This is not an issue about winning or about the last nine years of losing — it’s about fan interaction, accountability & the feeling that the higher ups care what the fans think, whether it be positive or not. I’m a huge O’s fan, and have been for years and it seems every year it’s harder to like the organization in spite of the losing.

Maybe the Orioles’ brass will reconsider the new policy, but taking away the privilege of the fans to interact with team executives (a staple of talk radio) only adds to a further disconnect between the team and the fans today.

If anyone from the organization reads this blog, hopefully you’ll reconsider the new policy – you’ve upset a greater number of fans out there.

Website: The Oriole Post

by Kathy at misterpolitics.com

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that it is “probable” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei knew of Iranian weapons supplied to Iraqi Shi’ites and that Iraqis are being trained outside of Iraq in Iran and Lebanon on armor-piercing munitions.

Iran is training anti-American Iraqi Shi’ites at sites inside Iran and Lebanon in the use of armor-piercing munitions blamed for the deaths of 170 U.S. troops in Iraq, the top U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday.

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, newly installed U.S. intelligence chief Mike McConnell said it was “probable” that Iranian leaders including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were aware that weapons known as explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, had been supplied to Iraqi Shi’ites.

[...]Under questioning by Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut Independent, McConnell tersely acknowledged that the United States has evidence showing that Iran is training Iraqi Shi’ites to use EFPs at sites outside Iraq.

Read the rest here.

Crossposted at Victory Caucus

by Regina Sztajer

Vice President Dick Cheney made the Speaker of the House rather indignant when he spoke about the Democratics’ legislative proposals to weaken our current offensive in Iraq when he said, “Al Qaeda functions on the basis that they think they can break our will and cause us to quit and go home. That’s the fundamental underlying strategy..If we adopt the Pelosi policy.. we will validate the strategy of Al Qaeda.” ( www.townhall.com 2/27/2007.) Pelosi felt he was questioning her patriotism but Cheney had the obligation to warn Americans of the consequences of a cut and run policy.He is not questioning the Democratics’ patriotism but rather their judgement. If the Democrats’ are playing into the hands of the enemy it does constitute an attack on their patriotism. How often have they complained the presidents policies in Iraq is a terrorist recruitment tool. If the shoe fits wear it! Our president’s patriotism is not to be questioned because he is determined in the face of a relentless Democratic campaign against him with militant anti-war propaganda to engineer an American defeat in Iraq.

It is scandalous that the Democrat’s are advocating a surrender in Iraq without considering a civil war and resulting bloodbath in that county, the danger to the entire Middle East and the consequences to our national security. Speaking of our national security Al Qaeda and other deadly terrorist groups in our midst are planning catastrophic damage to our nation and most people refuse to realize their evil intent on killing us because they consider us infidels. Terrorist attacks in Britain made us aware they have their own homegrown Middle East terrorists in their midst. With the terrorist destruction forced upon us in 9/11, logic dictates we also have the same type of homegrown terrorists in our midst waiting for an opportunity to strike. Why do our politicians fail to speak out? Is it they fear to be labeled bigots by the liberal media and they would rather sacrifice tens of thousands of Americans rather than suffering the consequences of losing their power because of the slander that the media will inflict upon them.

Has our border with Mexico been infiltrated with Hezbollah terrorists? Are our politicians looking the other way from this dangerous prospect and why? Is it a shameless grab for Hispanic votes or oil? Is the United States fearful of offending Mexico and Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela because they may turn off the oil spigots and is that why politicians choose to ignore the influx of illegal aliens? It is a shame that political self preservation is put ahead of national security.

Appeasement of our enemies will not bring peace because history has taught differently. America thought it could tame Hitler when he laid out his plans in Mein Kampf for a 1,000 year reign of the Third Reich. Appeasement of the Germans in Munch in 1938, did not work and World War II resulted in the deaths of millions of people around the world. It did not work then and will not work now! If we leave Iraq before we attain victory we will not have bought peace but rather broken promises and the danger of terrorists attacks on our soil. Emboldened Jihadists will threaten our lives with car bombs, suicide bombers, full -fledged radioactive bomb attacks or poison gas attacks. Will we be so fearful that peace will cost us conversion to Islam? Leaders of Al Qaeda, bin Laden and al-Zawahiri and Iran’s President Ahmadinejad have publicly stated our sins will be forgiven if we convert and have urged Bush to lead the way with his own personal conversion.

Will those members of Congress who are plotting to bring our troops home in defeat find conversion to Islam and the possibility of the payment of tribute to the terrorists impossible? It may just be a reality! They must put aside their own ambitions for power and consider all Americans who have elected them to protect us from danger. They must cooperate with the administration and the military for the benefit of the United States, its citizens and the citizens of the world.

by Kathy at misterpolitics.com

Hans Blix speaks out against U.S., Europe and the U.N. position on Iran. Blix accuses the west of treating Iran like a child. He believes that if we shower the Iranians with enough gifts they will not want to build bombs to blow us up.

Former chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said Monday the United States, Europe and the UN Security Council are ”humiliating” Iran by demanding that it suspend uranium enrichment before any negotiations and then dictating its rewards.

Blix criticized the demand first by the Europeans, then the US, and now by the Security Council, that first Iran must suspend enrichment and then there will be talks where ”they will explain what the Iranians will be given.”

”This is in a way like telling a child, first you will behave and thereafter you will be given your rewards,” Blix said. ”And this, I think, is humiliating. The Iranians have resisted all the time saying, no, we are willing to talk, we are willing to talk about the suspension of enrichment, but we are not for suspension before the talks.”

Read the rest here .

Crossposted at the Victory Caucus.

Struggling D.C. bars miss the smokers, their cash

D.C. bar owners say business has fallen significantly since the city’s smoking ban was implemented almost two months ago.

Bar owners say that smokers no longer leave the office for lunch and a smoke, and that late-night customers don’t stay out as long or they go out in Virginia, where they can smoke inside.
The lunch and afternoon business at Adams Mill Bar and Grill in Adams Morgan fell so significantly that owner Darrell Green eliminated lunch service. He used to open at 11 a.m. Now, the doors open at 4 p.m.
At Hawk ‘n’ Dove, a popular Capitol Hill bar and restaurant, the smoking ban has combined with the recent cold weather and tougher lobbying laws for the worst January and February in 40 years, said owner Stuart Long.
“It’s been a perfect storm,” he said.
The Link is here.

A little peek into the crystal ball for Baltimore since the….

City Council passes smoking ban

Baltimore will join hundreds of communities across the nation that prohibit smoking in bars after the City Council approved a controversial smoking ban Monday night with a margin of support that swelled in the hours leading up to the final vote.

I don’t smoke, but I also don’t need the government regulating my lifestyle. Smoking, SUV’s, fatty foods, what will be next? What new right will we loose in the name of public safety? Besides, the liberal Democrats , the group that brought you the sexual revolution and it’s associated teen pregnacy and STD’s, really cared about safety, they would drop their liberal crime laws, support for abortion, and reverse their damaging views on traditional values.

Crossposted from Flopping Aces

It seems Al Gore doesn’t walk the walk….anyone really surprised?

Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.

Gore’s mansion, [20-room, eight-bathroom] located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).

In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Kim at Wizbang wants us to compare and contrast Al Gore’s home to our President’s private home:

The 4,000-square-foot house is a model of environmental rectitude
Geothermal heat pumps located in a central closet circulate water through pipes buried 300 feet deep in the ground where the temperature is a constant 67 degrees; the water heats the house in the winter and cools it in the summer. Systems such as the one in this “eco-friendly” dwelling use about 25% of the electricity that traditional heating and cooling systems utilize.

A 25,000-gallon underground cistern collects rainwater gathered from roof runs; wastewater from sinks, toilets and showers goes into underground purifying tanks and is also funneled into the cistern. The water from the cistern is used to irrigate the landscaping surrounding the four-bedroom home. Plants and flowers native to the high prairie area blend the structure into the surrounding ecosystem.

No, this is not the home of some eccentrically wealthy eco-freak trying to shame his fellow citizens into following the pristineness of his self-righteous example. And no, it is not the wilderness retreat of the Sierra Club or the Natural Resources Defense Council, a haven where tree-huggers plot political strategy.

This is President George W. Bush’s “Texas White House” outside the small town of Crawford.

But the hollywood nimrods love him because he has done so much to further the Global Warming religion.

Al spews all the right words to get the idiots to open their checkbooks but when it comes down to it he uses much more energy then a dozen of us combined.

Funny how liberals are always willing to have others sacrifice but it damn well better not inconvenience them.

Al Gore responds to the criticism with some very ridiculous advice:

What Mr. Gore has asked is that every family calculate their carbon footprint and try to reduce it as much as possible. Once they have done so, he then advocates that they purchase offsets, as the Gore’s do, to bring their footprint down to zero.

So let me get this straight. He is asking for the rest of us, meaning those who cannot afford million dollar mansions, to sacrifice our energy use for the good of the planet but if you CAN afford it there is really no need to sacrifice. Just burn up as much of the stuff as you want and then pay someone to plant a tree.

The arrogance and gall of this man knows no bounds.

by Haider Ajina

Iraqi PM Noori Al-Maliki said, ‘U.S. and Iraqi forces killed around 400 armed suspects since the beginning of the Baghdad security operation’. Al-Maliki visited the HQ for the security operations and prompted them not to fall under sectarian influence. Al-Maliki said in a press conference that 426-armed suspects have been arrested, and another similar number were killed since the beginning of the operation in mid February.

The Iraqi interior ministry reported that in northern Baghdad Iraqi forces with U.S. Air support have killed dozens of armed insurgents in an insurgent camp early Saturday morning. General Abdul Kareem Khalaf, spokesman for the ministry, said, ‘a large contingency of Iraqi forces clashed with armed men in a rural area at dawn and U.S. air strikes destroyed the insurgent base’.

Al-Maliki said, ‘Baghdad security plan will spread to other provinces as soon as it is successful in calming Baghdad. I am very optimistic about this plan, because of the support and cooperation between civilians and the security forces. There will be no peace for all the outlaws and all must know there will not be a country or security unless Laws rule. The government alone has the responsibility for the security of its citizen’s and national security’. He added, ‘the country will pursue all outlaws regardless of their affiliation. There will be no leniency for any outlaw and all security procedures will be implemented with out hesitation and completely devoid of political influence.

General Abud Qatier commander of operation ‘Enforce the Law’ (or Rule of Law) briefed the PM on the progress of operations and implementations achieved by the Iraqi forces daily. With its goal of defeating terrorism at its core and brining about security to Baghdad. The PM asserted the importance of respecting the rights of the individual by the security forces, and the manner in which they treat citizens especially as they search their homes, he added, ‘a soldier must not discriminate in his treatment of suspects and those who do will be dealt with accordingly. The soldiers are also responsible for spreading understanding, equality and brotherhood between all Iraqi sects’.

Al-Maliki said, ‘our battle with the outlaws is a battle of intelligence (as in uncovering secrets and information) and the security effort will help disassemble the foundation for the terrorist organizations. The average citizen has become the most effective and reliable intelligence source. The cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi security forces and the cooperation between the Iraqi security forces and the multi national forces will solidify our victory. The PM pointed out the positive outcomes of the operation over the last few days. Dismantling a number of terrorist cells, the foiling of many plots to kill civilians and the return of hundreds of families to their original homes. The country will provide returning families with security as well as financial rewards for damages. I promise that security officers will stay until security is achieved.

The PM was asked about attacks by terrorist groups against some of the returning families. He replied that these terrorists will be dealt with, with no leniency and will be arrested and sent to justice no matter what their affiliation. The PM was then asked about the meddling of some politicians with security operations and the statements they make (negative ones). The PM said, ‘I have instructed the commanders, of operation Enforce the Law, to not allow any political figure to interfere with security matters. These politicians have official governmental channels to use if they want information. As to their statements, it is a pity that some politicians have their own political agenda and some long for the old days. They must respect the national decision and the Iraqi people’s will, which the Iraqi people expressed at the ballet box. Mr. Abdul Kadir Mohamed Jasim the defense Minster and General Abud Qatier commander of operation ‘Enforce the Law’ accompanied PM.

My comments,

Operation enforce the law is so far going better than expected and appears to continue this way. I spoke to my father in Baghdad, he said that the street is very impressed by the operation and receiving much cooperation from the people. They have done in four days what we thought would take them over a month. Shiites love the Americans and want them stay to help the Iraqi security stand on its feet he said. He also told me the street knows that Iran is no great friend of Iraq. Reading the PM, Al-Maliki, order the soldiers to respect the rights of the individual is still amazing to me. What large difference from just four short years ago. I am not worried about my family from the security forces; I am only worried about them from the terrorist. Before we liberated Iraq the security force were who worried me. This is the same sentiment my family has in Baghdad and Nejef. They now trust and look to the security forces for help. What a turn around, and all squarely due to our training of these new Iraqis and the Iraqi’s willingness to learn and serve. There have been problems with some of the security personnel and most of those are being and have been addressed, as is evident from the PM’s directive of nondiscrimination and no favoritism. The support of the average citizen in Baghdad for this operation is nothing short of remarkable. Of course, this only comes if the citizens feel safe tipping off the Iraqi security forces. This also shows that the terrorists are loosing much of their support base in Iraq.

by Kathy at misterpolitics.com

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid shelving the Levin and Biden Iraq war reauthorization bill.

Democratic leaders backed away from aggressive plans to limit President Bush’s war authority, the latest sign of divisions within their ranks over how to proceed.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday he wanted to delay votes on a measure that would repeal the 2002 war authorization and narrow the mission in Iraq.

Even Nancy Pelosi is dumping John Murtha’s ‘slow bleed’ troop redeployment plan.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., meanwhile, said she doesn’t support tying war funding to strict training and readiness targets for U.S. troops.

The comments distanced her from Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who has said he wants to use Congress’ spending power to force a change in policy in Iraq, by setting strict conditions on war funding.

Pelosi said she supports holding the administration to training and readiness targets, but added: “I don’t see them as conditions to our funding. Let me be very clear: Congress will fund our troops.”

Asked whether the standards should be tied to a $100 billion supplemental war spending measure _ as Murtha has proposed _ Pelosi demurred, saying it was up to the panel that drafts funding bills.

The Democrats have found out that although Americans may not be entirely happy with the current situation in Iraq. We still want to WIN as I previously posted here. Most Americans do not support cutting funds and resources to our Troops.

The Democrats have proven again that their only plan for Iraq is to oppose the President and our troops; and that plan is now faltering.

Rest of the story here.

The Sun Lies is back……with more examples of why the pathetically biased Sun is just a sad waste of a tree..

A promotion may have been all David Nitkin needed to try to promote Governor O’Malley to the next level.

Nitkin showed no shame in giving Governor O’Malley the first and last words in his recent story:

“But many health care analysts say the president’s budget plan would remove children from the health insurance program because it contains insufficient funds.
The topic came up at the White House, but “they seem pretty rigid, and they seem pretty inflexible,” O’Malley said.

In addition to defending his decisions on Iraq, Bush talked about immigration, the No Child Left Behind education law and alternative fuels.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/politics/bal-omalley0226,0,1853789.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

To see an unpaid advertisement for former Vice President Al Gore

just check out http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-gore0226,0,762102.story?coll=bal-local-headlines where The Sun reporter, Nia Henderson, can’t find one group in opposition to Gore’s visit. A simple google search turned up the UMBC College Republicans ( http://sta.umbc.edu/orgs/republicans/home.html) and we’re guessing they won’t be supporting Al Gore’s visit.

A fun late Valentine’s Day way to say I love you:

“WASHINGTON // When he was mayor of Baltimore, Martin O’Malley was a star among the leaders of America’s big cities, winning praise and recognition from his peers coast to coast. But when he walked into a National Governors Association meeting for the first time yesterday, he found himself a rookie in a much more exclusive league.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.omalley25feb25,0,1660302.story

Did Andrew Green sign his belated Valentine, “Andrew Green honorary spokesman” or “Andrew Green, The Sun reporter?”

and…

“Gov. Martin O’Malley announced yesterday that the state would continue to host the Bay Bridge Walk, a Maryland tradition that has occasionally been scuttled in recent years by safety and traffic concerns.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-md.walk24feb24,0,1994826.story

The Sun conveniently forgot to share with readers that Governor O’Malley skipped the Polar Bear Plunge with the Maryland State Police, but they covered Governor O’Malley announcing the Bay Bridge Walk will continue?

Want the best in liberally biased news coverage, enjoyed by pinko and terrorist alike??… read the Baltimore Sun…..

by Brujo Blanco

Amendment I

US CONSTITUTION

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

For those of you who have read my articles in the past you may have noted that I am a big supporter of the 1st Amendment. The founding fathers had a reason for making it the first amendment. In my opinion if this amendment falls so will the rest of the amendments. It seems that when there is an attack on this amendment and others it is coming from the left (i.e. ACLU, etc) and the perpetrators of these this attack allege that they are protecting the rights when in fact they are trying to take away.

Claiming to protect our first amendment right to freedom of religion they have created virtual religion free zones such as court houses, schools and in some cases parks. Using the alleged “wall of separation of church and state” these forces have created the notion that government cannot recognize even the mere existence of religion. Consider this if there comes a time when government cannot even acknowledge the existence of religion then how will they protect that right.

Here in Maryland there is a thrust on the part of a state lawmaker to use a statute to allow government intrusion into a religious practice. Review the information in the text of the 1st Amendment above and note “the free exercise thereof” and keep it in mind. When a couple is married in the Orthodox Jewish religion there are certain rules. One of these rules is that if the woman wants a divorce and obtains this divorce in civil court the Orthodox will not recognize that the couple is divorced unless the husband grants what they call a ‘get” or a religious divorce. Without a get the woman cannot remarry in the Synagogue and any children from a marriage outside the Synagogue cannot become Orthodox. Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, D-Baltimore has a solution and I call in government intrusion. She has sponsored a bill which would require men to sign an affidavit promising to remove all religious barriers to remarriage when a couple files for divorce. She tried this government intrusion in 1998 but was not successful. It has been argued that this legislation violates the U.S. Constitution and I agree. One Jewish scholar has argued that a get can only be voluntarily given. We must also consider the Catholics have a similar rule. Maybe they are next on the hit list.

From my perspective this law would in effect change the rules by which Jews practice their religion. I also believe that such a law may be used as justification for other such intrusions. Perhaps they may attempt to call circumcision mutilation and attempt to terminate that practice and/or force the Jews to make it optional.

Let us not leave the feds out of this equation. Consider the current changes being proposed for the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. Under these new changes and the new speaker of the house, Pelosi, this proposal will designate churches, pastors, religious denominations, public interest organizations, and other non-profits as lobbyists. There would be a requirement for such groups to register with the government and would include as lobbyists any church that strives to influence public opinion. I am opposed to any laws that would require churches or other religious organizations to register. Failure to register could result in criminal prosecution and fines up to $100.000.00, six years in prison, and in some cases 10 years in prison. Registration equals regulation. These changes would also severely limit the right of the people to petition government. Could you imagine having to get licensed to disagree with the government?

Free speech and free practice of religion are joined at the hip. The problem is that the secularists, atheists, and other members of the anti-God squad are succeeding at slowing eliminating religion from public view. They have substantially succeeded at getting 10 Commandment monuments and other religious references out of the court houses and public parks. We must be careful because one small law that restricts can be followed by a big law the restricts.

Edward Daley wrote, “Many judges these days like to refer to the Constitution of the United States as a “living, breathing document,” implying that its text is designed to be flexible. It is not. The Constitution is a set of rules, and like any other set of rules, it is meant to be strict and uncompromising. Of course, the Constitution can be modified through the amendment process, but once ratified, any amendment becomes like the rest of the Constitution; rigid.” Daley is referring to the concept that the U.S. Constitution is primary law and should be narrowly interpreted. The liberal justices, such as found on the 9th Circuit in California, are dangerous in that they tend to use the constitution to restrict rights instead of protecting rights. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has explained that the this concept of the constitution alleges that it is done so that the rules can be changed for the good, however, he also states that if it can be used for good it can be used for evil.

Venezuela to seize foreign oil projects

City Council passes smoking ban

A Brave New World in Annapolis

I don’t have the energy to write an article for each headline, but there is a theme. The liberals are quite happy to take away any right, to levy any tax, to damage the economy in any way, in the interest of fairness and the public good. People accuse the Republicans of restricting rights. Funny how it is ignored when the Democrats do it. Expect the Venezualian and the Baltimore City economy to tank as the list of what “our rights” are grows smaller and smaller, all in the interest of the public good.

Crossposted from Flopping Aces

by Wordsmith

I haven’t spoken at an anti-war rally in 34 years, because I’ve been afraid that because of the lies that have, and continue to be spread about me and that war, that they would be used to hurt this new anti-war movement. But silence is no longer an option. I’m so sad that we still have to do this, that we did not learn the lessons from the Vietnam War- Jane Fonda, last month

Anti-war movements don’t stop wars.

Peace protests do not end suffering. They enable even more violence to take place.

Nor are such movements popular with the American people. Jane Fonda and her peace cronies learned all the wrong lessons from Vietnam.

The anti-war movement of the 60′s and 70′s give themselves far too much credit for Vietnam. Not only do I question their actual effectiveness (at least in the manner in which they saw their influence), I also question their motives for protest back then.

Something to note: By the end of 1971, under Richard Nixon, the draft had ended. There were major peace protests throughout 1968 and into 1971. Operation Linebacker II was the most intense bombing of the war, and took place during Christmas of 1972. Any protests? Any peace movement marches? Nada. Zippo. Zilch. The peace protestors remained largely silent, because the popularity of the movement was motivated by self-interest in not wanting to serve. After the draft ended, so too did the majority support for these idiotic marches, which only fueled more violence; not less.

Richard Nixon committed himself when he became president to the idea of “Vietnamization”, which was to train more and more South Vietnamese troops to become self-sufficient; and consequently, part of the plan was the steady troop withdrawal and intensified bombing. In ’72, when Nixon was running for re-election, and after Operation Linebacker II, he finally got the North Vietnamese onboard with the Paris Peace Accords. Part of the package included two secret agreements: one was billions of dollars in reparations, after the war. But the North did not get it, because they had broken their agreement by invading the South. The 2nd secret agreement was with the South Vietnamese. He gave them a solemn pledge, in writing, that if the North broke agreements, and invaded the South, America would get back in, and provide whatever aid the South needed; even troop support. Unfortunately for the South Vietnamese, Nixon was driven from office by the Watergate scandal. When the North Vietnamese invaded the South, an unelected President in the form of Gerald Ford pleaded with Congress to enforce our agreements and honor our pledge to our South Vietnamese allies. In 1975, more than one million innocent Vietnamese fled in terror from a massive invasion by the North. Congress and the anti-war movement did nothing to alleviate the suffering.

As a constant reminder of what President Ford deemed to be his failure, he kept the U.S. Embassy (Saigon) stairs in his library. It wasn’t President Ford’s failure: It was America’s failure.

And it is the Mother Sheehans, the Michael Bergs, the Hollywood know-nothing liberals, and the Jihad Janes who wish the same fate to befall Iraq. Uh-uh. Never again. Not on our watch.

The compassion of pacifists such as Jihad Jane, is in the abstract. It is in the childish naivete. They never ask of themselves, “What happens now?” “What will be the end results and consequences of my actions?” This is the typical mindset of liberal d0-gooders: they back “feel-good” policies, without ever pondering if their actions actually bring about the desired objective; often, they have the opposite effect.

Feminists, human rights advocates, should be at the forefront of ensuring that democracy succeeds in Iraq. But instead, they are a dead weight….a ball-and-chain every step of the way when it comes to doing what it actually takes to create a better world. Rather than blaming the violence on the violence makers, they blame it on us, the true peacemakers.

The anti-war left is angry for what got us into this war; you want to debate it? Fine. But don’t undermine and endanger the mission and lives of American soldiers. Real anger should be leveled at the radical Islamic militants; at the ones who have nothing to offer the Iraqi people other than a dismal future of suffering. The Left needs to get over themselves and quit wanting a Bush defeat more than they want an American and Iraqi victory. How does a premature withdrawal from Iraq make America safer; and how exactly is this showing compassion for the Iraqi people?

The terrorists and insurgents bombing the Iraqi people don’t want America to leave; if they did, all they would have to do is stop the violence, and the American military would eagerly come home. What they want is an American defeat.

Back then, at least, we did not have an enemy that threatened to attack our homeland; today, we have enemies who are trying to do just that. They are on the defensive. Let’s keep them that way.

On March 17th, the Peace fascists will be on the march, again. But so will we. Usually, it’s the tantrum-throwing Left that is good at making noise and making an embarrassing spectacle of themselves. But on March 17th, we will see who makes the most effective noise and sends the clearest message to our enemies and allies.

by Haider Ajina

The following is press release from the Multi National forces HQ in Iraq.

Basra IA division transfers to Iraqi command

BASRA — The Iraqi Army division based in Basra has transferred from Coalition command, and is now – for the first time – taking its orders direct from an Iraqi headquarters in Baghdad.
The transfer is a significant step toward Iraqi forces taking responsibility for security in the city.
The milestone agreement was formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Major General Jonathan Shaw, General Officer Commanding Multi National Division (South East), and General Abdul Lateef Thu’ban, Commander of 10 Iraqi Army Division.

“Today marks another important milestone on the road to Iraqi self-reliance. 10 Iraqi Army Division have made impressive progress in recent months,” Shaw said. “I am delighted to be signing this Memorandum of Understanding with General Lateef, Commanding General 10 Division, setting out how we will continue to support him and his soldiers to deliver security to all the citizens of South East Iraq.”

Under the terms of the MOU, which defines the coordination, cooperation and responsibilities agreed between 10 IA Div and MND (SE), Iraqi soldiers will take more of a lead on security operations, whilst Multi National Forces move to a more supporting role.

The new arrangements were used in full during last week’s Operation Troy – a successful security crackdown which saw the reinforcing and closure of border crossing points between Iran and Iraq.

My comments,

Iraq’s second largest city and southern Iraq’s most populace province is gradually coming under full Iraqi control. The coalition forces training and equipment supply to the Iraqis is bringing us closer to our goal of having a more secure and stable Iraq, under Iraqi control. Four provinces are under full provincial control already they are Muthena, Meisan, Nejaf and Dhi Qar. When Basra joins them all Iraqi southern provinces but one (Qadesiah province) will be under Iraqi provincial control. Basra is Iraq’s port city and the province has Iran as its eastern boarder and Kuwait as its southern border. This presents a difficult challenge. Not only do they have to maintain their own security they have to deal with the boarder influence. Much trade and traffic comes from both Kuwait & Iran. Since Iraq has a free economy, there are no restrictions on trade with either country. The free economy, and low taxes and tariffs, has obviously contributed positively to the economic growth of Iraq and its neighbors, in spite of the terrorist activities. Jobless numbers are declining in Iraq as well as Iraqi buying power is increasing. This is evident by observing the increase of 500 percent the number of cars in the last 3 years. Commence in Iraq especially in Kurdistan and the south is booming. Baghdad has experienced tremendous growth in economic activity in spite of the violence. This is evident by the increase of the prices of real estate in Baghdad many hundreds percent. Average wages have also increased at similar pace. Health care and electricity in most of the provinces has much improved and is better than it was under Saddam. Medicines are readily available and affordable. These were always in short supply under Saddam’s rule.

Patrick Ruffini wrote an excellent editorial yesterday in which he details the success of “the surge”:

Early indications are that the troop surge into Baghdad is working. It hasn’t been reported on widely, but murders in Baghdad are down 70%, attacks are down 80%, Mahdi Army chief Moqtada al-Sadr has reportedly made off for Iran, and many Baghdadis who had fled the violence now feel it’s safe enough to return. The strategy that Congress is busy denouncing is proving to be our best hope for victory.

In Iraq, there’s a sense that change is in the air — literally. Omar of Iraq the Model spots a B-1 Bomber in the skies of Baghdad for the first time since the end of the major combat. On the ground, Omar writes that the signs that Iraqis are getting serious about security are more palbable. With the help of Compstat-like technology, security forces are cracking down at checkpoints (even ambulances are getting stopped) and getting nimbler about locating them strategically so the terrorists don’t know what to expect.

This turnaround in Baghdad is confirmed at home by the media’s near-deafening silence. If it seems like you’ve heard less about how Iraq is spiraling into civil war in the weeks since the surge was announced, this is why. Even some discordant voices in the media are starting to wonder what’s happening. Time magazine worries that it’s “Quiet in Baghdad. Too quiet.” That’s right — a dramatic reduction in violence is actually bad news.

My favorite line:

When the Army and Marine Corps are on offense, carrying out combat operations and clearing out insurgent strongholds, we win. When we lay back, carrying out routine patrols and playing Baghdad beat cop, we lose.

This is how you win against an insurgency. You show the Iraqi people that you are not leaving, that your taking the fight to the terrorists, and they will help.

Check out this video the DoD put out on Friday in which they document the change on one of Baghdad’s worst streets:

All for power my friends. If they force the US to lose then the lefties will be happy as they scream “Bush was wrong” and will support them in their bid for more power.

So, as the surge works we will continue to see stories about the horrible horrible Iraq situation from our liberal MSM. If they can’t find bodies to report on they will report on the risks that contractors take in working in Iraq. Not about the good they are doing by building new schools and public utility facilities. No, it’s the risks. The MSM and the Rats do this because they know we could win if the public understood just how well things are going in Iraq. The Rats want nothing of the sort, as Joe Biden said on Chrissy Matthews show on Friday, they just need time. More bodies means more success for the Rats in their campaign to cut n’ run:

Time to lose is the new Democrats motto.

Crossposted from Flopping Aces