A Role Model For Women?

Elizabeth Vargas has left ABC on leave pregnant with her second child. Charlie Gibson is the new anchor. This has angered the Feminists.

"Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, and Susan Scanlan, chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, penned a letter this week to the heads of ABC, asking them to reinstate Vargas, who is expected to return to the network's 20/20 program following her maternity leave."

But get this:

According to AP reporter Jocelyn Noveck, "the feminists also said, referring to the cancellation of ABC's "Commander in Chief," starring Geena Davis as the first woman president, "You have now managed to eliminate two of the country's most visible women role models,"

Geena Davis??? An actress on a T.V show?? Uhh... what about say...THE SECRETARY OF STATE Condi Rice???? Wouldn't one say SHE is the most visible role model for women? Or perhaps Justice Sandra Day O'Conner? Or is it only permissible to be a role model for women if you are a "feminist?"

The "08 Presidential Campaign Begins.

First we have Hillary's video, then Al Gore's global warming/campaign movie, and now we have Kerry talking out of his...umm mouth:

"Kerry, who voted to give President Bush authorization to use force against Saddam Hussein in 2002, said he would attach an amendment to this summer's defense appropriations bill calling for a total withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by the end of this year. But he acknowledged that the idea would be unpopular. "I know I'm not going to get the majority of my own caucus."

As the LA Times goes on to say:

"As for his own political ambitions, Kerry would say only that he is "thinking very hard" about another presidential run in 2008.

"And I'm thinking about it a lot earlier than I'd like to because it's clear there are several other people also thinking about it," he said" ( I guess so! She's already made a video! And he made a movie! )

He is introducing a bill for the total withdrawal by the end of the year? Oh, he's running alright.

If I weren't so sick about the idea of Hillary as President, I think I could really enjoy watching Kerry , Al , and Hillary have a go at each other. Oh heck. I'm looking forward to it anyway.

Good News for our Military.

Let's hope this gets the press it would have if the opposite had been found (but don't count on it):

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A military investigation into allegations that U.S. troops intentionally killed Iraqi civilians in a March raid in a village north of Baghdad has cleared the troops of misconduct, two defense officials said Friday, despite dramatic video footage of slain children.

The investigation of the March 15 attack in the village of Ishaqi concluded that the U.S. troops followed normal procedures in raising the level of force as they came under attack upon approaching a building where they believed an al-Qaida terrorist was hiding, two defense officials said.

President Bush.

The left loves to beat the drum of the Bush's poll numbers. There is no doubt that the constant negative reporting from Iraq and none of the progress, makes people tire of this war and brings down Bush's poll numbers. Many have accused me of being a cheerleader for Bush, although I rarely post on him. But when I was looking through my archives for something I found this one I posted back in January of 2005. I think I will re-post it. I think Bush deserves it since there is this completely false picture painted of him from the left.

During the first Inaugural of President Bush most conservatives were just relieved to be rid of Clinton at last. But Texans were ecstatic!!!! Not only did we suffer so during the Clinton years but we had to suffer through Texas Governor Ann Richards as well. When George Bush decided to run against Richards no one thought he could win. I didn't think he could win. Richards was very popular, extremely funny, and witty. But policy wise, she was a classic left wing liberal. Wrong on everything.

I am not a bumper sticker kind of girl. I don't like them on my car. But I put those Bush stickers all over my mini van. I did what I could for the campaign ( I had 3 little ones at the time) and I told whoever would listen to vote for Bush. It was a nasty and dirty fight and the night Bush won was almost as sweet as when he later won the Presidency. The next day I made a poster that said "There is a God, George won!!" and taped it to the back window of my van. SOOOOO unlike me. But I was so happy.

The Clinton years had depressed me. It made me realize that Americans could be charmed away from the real issues. It made me realize what a visual star quality Americans liked now and the issues, they felt, never really changed much. And sometimes it seems that way. But changes do take place, just at a very slow pace. The democrats were very good at increasing taxes slowly and in different ways, where many Americans didn't realize how much of their paycheck was flying out the door to the government. Reagan shook us awake on that one. But it took his star quality to get there as well.

Bush had something more than star quality though. Bush had been a regular guy. Liberals like to paint him as part of American royalty like the Kennedys, but it was so different for Bush. Growing up in Midland Texas no one gets the feeling that your a part of royalty even if your dad is in the Senate.

I'll tell a personal story that I think reveals a lot about Bush. The year before Bush ran for Governor I was driving over with my best friend to her mom's house who happened to live in the same neighborhood as Bush. The houses are expensive in this area. But not because of how big or plush they are, they look like normal middle class homes, but because of the location the land is very expensive. We passed by Bush's home and my friend said. "You know what is interesting? My mom says she sees George Bush mowing his lawn. You would think the son of a former President would hire someone to do that." Right then I was impressed with that simple thing that all of us do. Mow our lawn. I am sure Bush could have afforded it, but that is the kind of guy he is. His home in Crawford is big but I have seen pictures of the inside, and you can tell from the outside, it is not fancy or over adorned. It looks like a home you or I might have. No one can ever accuse Bush of being aloof or elite, no matter how much money he has. Part of the reason I think he won is that people sensed that he was more like us (certainly more than Kerry) and his down to earth quality was real.

So I watched every single part of Bush's first Inaugural. But his Inaugural address impressed me so much I kept a copy of it in my hope chest.
Here are my two favorite excerpts.

"...The stakes for America are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most."

The "cause of freedom" now seem prophetic. At last the conversation is at least being discussed regarding the hearts and character of our children. And Bush did pull us out of recession that threatened our economy and considering what happened 8 months after he took office, it is a miracle that it was achieved.

But the quote Bush sited towards the end of his speech and then referred to at the end is the one that touched my heart. First Bush said:

"After the Declaration Of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: "We know the race is not to the swift nor the Battle to the Strong. Do you not think an Angel rides in the Whirlwind and directs this Storm?"

And then a few paragraphs later Bush ended with this:

We are not this story's author who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty; and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.

Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today: to make our country more just and generous; to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.

The work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm."


Beautiful.

Wow.

Once in a while I will read about something going on in my country that I had never heard of or had any idea about and it always blows me away. Michelle has the scoop on this.

"A local radio reporter was assaulted Thursday while leaving a Los Angeles charter school that his station has said imparts separatist ethics, a station official said.
The reporter, Sandy Wells, was not hurt, according to station spokesman Steve Sheldon.
Wells was leaving the campus of Academia Semillas Del Pueblo, 4736 Huntington Drive, after interviewing the principal when a car came around the corner, jumped the curb and the driver tried to run him down, Sheldon said.
Wells managed to dodge the car, but the driver, a man who appeared to be in his mid-20s, got out and tackled him, taking away his tape recorder, he said.
The incident was reported to police, Sheldon said, adding that it is believed to be linked to the station's reporting on the school.
The Los Angeles Unified School District said it would issue a statement on the assault later in the day."

What's the back ground here?

"McIntyre in the Morning has begun an investigation into Academia Semillas del Pueblo, an LAUSD charter school. The website for the K-8 school says it is, "dedicated to providing urban children of immigrant native families an excellent education founded upon their own language, cultural values and global realities." The school's student body is 91.3% hispanic and 8.7% native / alaskan native. There is not a single white, black, or asian student.
The school receives support not only from the tax payer but also the National Council of La Raza and the Pasadena City College chapter of MeCHA (Movimemeniento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan). In various interviews and actions the school's founder, principal and council trustee secretary, Marcos Aguilar, has shown contempt for racial integration. Like everyone else connected to the school, Aguilar has refused repeated attempts by McIntyre in the Morning for an interview, telling our reporter he only speaks with spanish speaking media and warning the reporter, "I would be very careful before I came down here."

Expose the left has the video of the reporter Sandy Wells on the O'Reilly Factor last night.

Unfreakinbelievable.

Oh, Good Grief!

Robert Kennedy Jr. says Republicans stole the 2004 elections.

We won. Period. Get over it.

via Outside The Beltway

Is this a joke?

From Talk to Action:

"Imagine: you are a foot soldier in a paramilitary group whose purpose is to remake America as a Christian theocracy, and establish its worldly vision of the dominion of Christ over all aspects of life. You are issued high-tech military weaponry, and instructed to engage the infidel on the streets of New York City. You are on a mission - both a religious mission and a military mission -- to convert or kill Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, gays, and anyone who advocates the separation of church and state - especially moderate, mainstream Christians. Your mission is "to conduct physical and spiritual warfare"; all who resist must be taken out with extreme prejudice. You have never felt so powerful, so driven by a purpose: you are 13 years old. You are playing a real-time strategy video game whose creators are linked to the empire of mega-church pastor Rick Warren, best selling author of The Purpose Driven Life.

The game, slated for release by October 2006 in advance of the Christmas shopping rush, has been previewed at video game exhibitions, and reviewed by major newspapers and magazines. But until now, no fan or critic has pointed out the controversial game's connection to Mr. Warren or his dominionist agenda."

Although I am not familiar with Mr. Warren and I realize there are all sorts of religious nut cases out there, I find it incredible that anyone with even the most basic knowledge of Christianity would see this game as Christian based. "Killing infidels for not converting??? Uhh... no. Not Christianity. (I also love the "convert Catholics," like we aren't Christians) Please.

Does anyone else know anything about this?

Hillary.

Do you want to see the "Hillary for President...oops, I mean for Senate video?" Here it is.

I can't explain my visceral reaction to this woman. I pretty much like everyone. I can find the good in everyone. I have defended, in a personal way, even Ted Kennedy here. But Hillary literally makes me sick to my stomach to watch. I find her dishonest, hiding a hidden agenda by clothing herself in moderation. Nothing about her is genuine or real. From her personal life to her past, she puts a very different face on the reality of her life. She wears a mask.

As President, she would be the worst thing to ever happen to this country.


via Powerline

Condi Rice...

rocks.

I saw her on Bill O'Reilly last night discussing the strategy of dealing with Iran. It should make everyone happy that she is working a deal with the international community to box Iran in. If Russia and China comply, then we should be able to avoid any notion of a war with Iran.

Harry Reid.

You know that free boxing ticket thing? The one where nothing wrong was done? Well, Reid isn't going to do it any more.

Haditha continued.

Michelle is on top of it as usual. But I have to copy her link to Mark Davis in the Dallas Morning News. It is so right on:

"Anyone with a shred of human decency approaches this with the utmost gravity. Those of us who support the troops and the war they are fighting have a special responsibility not to sugarcoat, minimize or marginalize any wrongdoing by those troops.

But, conversely, those who are exercising their right to speak ill of the war and the Americans fighting it have a responsibility not to allow their anti-war venom to inflame their assessments of bad moments in the war's history.

That track record is forever blemished by the absurd overreaction to Abu Ghraib, a prison scandal that was bad enough if treated objectively. The wheels of justice turned, and prices are being paid for humiliating detainees outside the protocols of interrogation.

But the day Sen. Ted Kennedy equated American misdeeds at that prison with the unspeakable torture that had happened there under Saddam, the reputation of war criticism was deservedly damaged beyond easy repair.

And now we have Mr. Murtha, barely able to contain the spring in his step as he basks in the grisly particulars.

"This is the kind of war you have to win the hearts and minds of the people," he said this weekend. "And we're set back every time something like this happens."

He should know a thing or two about setbacks, having inflicted so many with his own derisive tongue.

Our troops will face PR hurdles when Iraqis ask how a force they are supposed to trust can have bad seeds that create dark chapters like Abu Ghraib and, perhaps, Haditha. But that pales compared to the sucker punch Mr. Murtha delivered to every man and woman in uniform when he said the mission they still believe in is a "flawed policy wrapped in an illusion."

And I think I'd rather explain to Iraqis how we are an army of human beings who may sometimes display tragic flaws than explain how a key congressman – and ex-Marine, remember – could say as he did a few months ago that he would not join today's military, empathizing with those who did not wish to serve."

You remember al Qaeda?

You know...the ones who attacked us? The ones the left keeps insisting that we aren't really pursuing since we are in Iraq?

These guys:

Zarqawi Aide Captured by Iraqis(Baghdad) Labeled as one of Iraq's most-wanted al-Qaeda terrorists, Kassim al-Ani was captured by Iraqi army security forces in Baghdad Sunday night. Kassim al-Ani, a/k/a Qasim Al-Aani, is a senior aide to the Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. From KUNA.net.kw:

Chief of the 3rd Brigades in the Iraqi Army Jawad Roomi Al-Daini told KUNA Al-Aani is a leader of an insurgent group and is behind many attacks in several Iraqi districts. He said Al-Aani was involved in the assassination of the son of Chief Justice of Iraqi Supreme Court, Judge Madhat Al-Mahmoud, pointing out that the killer's brother, who is a member in the terrorist group, was also arrested. In total, three al Qaeda terrorists were grabbed, senior aide Al-Aani, his brother and one other unnamed individual.Notably, two weeks ago it was reported that Salah Hussain Abdul Razak (a/k/a Salah Hussein Abdelrazzaq), also a senior aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was captured in Ramadi.From AINA.org:

The relevant Interior Ministry statement said "terrorist Salah Hussein Abdelrazzaq was arrested Sunday evening" in Al-Ramadi and had in his possession a mobile telephone storing photos showing him and Al-Zarqawi.

But wait, there's more.

About one week ago, it was reported that another senior al Qaeda in Iraq member was captured by Jordanian Intelligence. Iraqi citizen Ziad Khalaf Raja al-Karbouly (a/k/a Ziad al-Karbouli and Abu Houthiyfah) was arrested after being lured into Jordan. Al-Karbouly (right) worked as a customs agent on the Iraq-Jordan border. On Jordanian state-run television, al-Karbouly described the kidnapping and killing of a Jordanian driver in Iraq. He also seized two Moroccans who worked at their country's embassy and admitted to killing Iraqis.

Taken all together, I'd say that al Qaeda in Iraq seems to have had a miserable two weeks. In total, three senior aides to Zarqawi have been captured in three separate operations. And I seem to recall others from earlier. In fact, over the last year, it's likely that Zarqawi lost at least a dozen senior aides. So, what's up? Just how many senior aides can a guy have? And how many can he lose and still be effective?

But as Ace says(sarcastically):

"I didn't bother posting on this, of course, because I didn't see the point. The MSM is providing virtually wall-to-wall coverage of Al Qaeda's very bad two weeks; what's the point of bloggers merely echoing what the MSM is shouting from the rooftops."

Yeah, why report on us nabbing the bad guys who attacked us when we the media can report on how bad our guys are?

Ted Nugent...

is insane. But you got to love him.

Maybe it's just my "high school loves to rock inner girl" thinking that though.

via LGF

Funny thing. Al Gore thinks Bush is a right wing extremist and Ted thinks Bush is too liberal. Heh.

Tony Snow...

handling the wicked witch of the press with his usual charm and grace. Funny.

Regarding the incident in Haditha.

There are so many things I wanted to say about it, but as usual Michelle has it all and says it much better than I could. If allegations are true, then everyone agrees that it is horrifying and those guilty should be punished to the full extent of the law. If not true, then I wish the media could be punished (but they won't be) for trying to paint a picture of a military force like the Marines, whose honor and integrity in general are without question, as ruthless killers who don't abide by the rules of war.

It is obvious that this is being used by many to undermine the good work of hundreds of thousands Soldiers and Marines in the military even before an investigation is complete. There is no one who would be more disgusted by the these actions, if true, than the Marine Corp itself. There will be justice for those accused, one way or another. Of that, we know.

But there is no justice in our media though. Of that, we know also.

UPDATE: Blue Star Chronicles has more interesting information regarding Haditha.

UPDATE II: Michelle has an excellent wrap up on her "Vent" video at HotAir. Check it out.

But the most important thing she says is at the end. We will do well remember that these terrorist's main strategy is to kill and maim men, women, and children every day and they do it. If you are angry about innocent death, be angry at the right people.

Here ya go...

Geeky Star Wars funny stuff. Enjoy.

via NRO

The Culture of Corruption...

.....continues. unfortunately for the Democrats, it continues for them.

In addition to Reps. William Jefferson and Alan Mollohan, they now have to add their own leadership (again) because Harry Reid has been taking favors from a corrupt industry while doing business on their behalf:

"Senate Democratic Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) accepted free ringside tickets from the Nevada Athletic Commission to three professional boxing matches while that state agency was trying to influence him on federal regulation of boxing.

Reid took the free seats for Las Vegas fights between 2003 and 2005 as he was pressing legislation to increase government oversight of the sport, including the creation of a federal boxing commission that Nevada's agency feared might usurp its authority.
He defended the gifts, saying that they would never influence his position on the bill and he was simply trying to learn how his legislation might affect an important home state industry. "Anyone from Nevada would say I'm glad he is there taking care of the state's number one businesses," he said. "I love the fights anyways, so it wasn't like being punished," added the senator, a former boxer and boxing judge.

Senate ethics rules generally allow lawmakers to accept gifts from federal, state or local governments, but specifically warn against taking such gifts -- particularly on multiple occasions -- when they might be connected to efforts to influence official actions. ...
Several ethics experts said Reid should have paid for the tickets, which were close to the ring and worth between several hundred and several thousand dollars each, to avoid the appearance he was being influenced by gifts."

And to make matters worse, as The Captain points out:


"...two GOP Senators also attended fights with Harry Reid. John McCain insisted on paying for his tickets at the retail value ($1400) while Reid's fellow Nevadan, John Ensign, recused himself from participating in Reid's pending legislation.

This follows on Reid's four interventions on behalf of clients of Jack Abramoff, actions which closely coincided with large donations from the tribes Abramoff represented. Reid, some will recall, also accepted campaign assistance from a former aide, Edward Ayoob, after Abramoff hired Ayoob to work as a lobbyist."

I agree with the Captain, it was a huge tactical error for the Democrats to try and paint their party as pure. Power corrupts both sides and everyone knows it. I think it has proven to only disgust voters even more with the entire Congress.

Ugh.

I saw this at Oxblog:

MICHAEL LEDEEN WRITES:

Anybody else notice that the Washington Post today has not a single tribute to a fallen warrior?

But the title of the Post's lead editorial is "Memorial Day", in which the editors observe that

"What ought to be unquestioned among us is the honor due those who have little to say about the rightness of a war but who take on the duty of fighting it."

If smugness were a smell this would stink to high heaven.

An Iowa Voice noticed this:

Anyone else notice that Google didn't put up a holiday logo for Memorial Day?

They will celebrate "World Water Day" or Frank Lloyd Wright's birthday, but no Veteran's Day or Memorial Day?