From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War, the story of the first African American commissioned officer to earn our Nation's highest recognition for bravery:
*PITTS, RILEY L.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam, 31 October 1967. Entered service at: Wichita, Kans. Born: 15 October 1937, Fallis, Okla. Citation: Distinguishing himself by exceptional heroism while serving as company commander during an airmobile assault. Immediately after his company landed in the area, several Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons. Despite the enemy fire, Capt. Pitts forcefully led an assault which overran the enemy positions. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Pitts was ordered to move his unit to the north to reinforce another company heavily engaged against a strong enemy force. As Capt. Pitts' company moved forward to engage the enemy, intense fire was received from 3 directions, including fire from 4 enemy bunkers, 2 of which were within 15 meters of Capt. Pitts' position. The severity of the incoming fire prevented Capt. Pitts from maneuvering his company. His rifle fire proving ineffective against the enemy due to the dense jungle foliage, he picked up an M-79 grenade launcher and began pinpointing the targets. Seizing a Chinese Communist grenade which had been taken from a captured Viet Cong's web gear, Capt. Pitts lobbed the grenade at a bunker to his front, but it hit the dense jungle foliage and rebounded. Without hesitation, Capt. Pitts threw himself on top of the grenade which, fortunately, failed to explode. Capt. Pitts then directed the repositioning of the company to permit friendly artillery to be fired. Upon completion of the artillery fire mission, Capt. Pitts again led his men toward the enemy positions, personally killing at least 1 more Viet Cong. The jungle growth still prevented effective fire to be placed on the enemy bunkers. Capt. Pitts, displaying complete disregard for his life and personal safety, quickly moved to a position which permitted him to place effective fire on the enemy. He maintained a continuous fire, pinpointing the enemy's fortified positions, while at the same time directing and urging his men forward, until he was mortally wounded. Capt. Pitts' conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of his country.
According to Wikipedia, Riley Pitts' son Mark is active with Sons and Daughters in Touch - a fine organization dedicated to the memory and honor of the 58,000-plus American heroes who gave their lives in Vietnam.
Captain Pitts, thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice in the face of the enemies of Freedom. I honor you and I am forever greatful. October 31, 1967 was your finest hour!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Assignment for the day - Common Sense
Thomas Paine's words contained in Common Sense of January 10, 1776 are just as applicable today as they were then. Simply substitue "Congress" or "Democrats" for "Parliament" and "Barack Obama" for "King" and you'll see what I mean. For example:
Yup, that fits the New Soviet Man's "negative liberties" belief system to a "T".
Read the whole thing.
But as the same constitution which gives the commons a power to check the
king by withholding the supplies, gives afterwards the king a power to check the
commons, by empowering him to reject their other bills; it again supposes that
the king is wiser than those whom it has already supposed to be wiser than him.
A mere absurdity!
Yup, that fits the New Soviet Man's "negative liberties" belief system to a "T".
Read the whole thing.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
How did this story make it past an editor?
Don't get me wrong - I'm pleased this story got past an editor at the Associated Press. I hope it gets read and talked about again, and again, and again. Exact headline (click for story):
Obama's prime-time ad skips over budget realities
Sounds like the New Soviet Man's infomercial wasn't as successful as they'd have hoped. The first paragraph of the story is simply incredible by the simple fact it appeared:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was less than upfront in his half-hour commercial Wednesday night about the costs of his programs and the crushing budget pressures he would face in office.
WOW! Could it be...the truth?
The author of this article is Calvin Woodward. Mr. Woodward, thank you for your factual examination of the fantasies that are Barack Obama's policies and proposals. You might just be the only AP reporter to be critical of the most left-wing and inexperienced candidate for President ever.
Obama's prime-time ad skips over budget realities
Sounds like the New Soviet Man's infomercial wasn't as successful as they'd have hoped. The first paragraph of the story is simply incredible by the simple fact it appeared:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was less than upfront in his half-hour commercial Wednesday night about the costs of his programs and the crushing budget pressures he would face in office.
WOW! Could it be...the truth?
The author of this article is Calvin Woodward. Mr. Woodward, thank you for your factual examination of the fantasies that are Barack Obama's policies and proposals. You might just be the only AP reporter to be critical of the most left-wing and inexperienced candidate for President ever.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Judicial Lunacy
This is an exact headline from The Columbus Dispatch:
"Judge rules Ohio homeless voters may list park benches as addresses"
What?
The U.S. district court judge that made the ruling - Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. - was appointed to the court by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Surprise, surprise.
Hat tip: Drudge
"Judge rules Ohio homeless voters may list park benches as addresses"
What?
The U.S. district court judge that made the ruling - Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. - was appointed to the court by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Surprise, surprise.
Hat tip: Drudge
In Memoriam: Kirk Jacobs
Twenty years ago tonight, one of my high school classmates and good friend was killed in a car accident. My prayers today go out to the family of Kirk Jacobs and to my other friend who was driving that night; thankfully, he was relatively uninjured. I'm sure their grief still knows no bounds.
My life changed forever on Friday, October 28, 1988. That was the day I think I lost all of my youthful invincibility. I remember going to the funeral home the following Sunday night, and being closer emotionally to some of my classmates than I ever had been before.
School on Monday was a surreal experience. I unknowingly broke the news of Kirk's death to one of my friends, the first time I had to tell another person that one among us had passed. I'll never forget how our math teacher, Mr. Rodriguez - Kirk was in my class - just couldn't go on that day. When the teacher lost it, I don't think any of us in the classroom knew how to handle it.
I remember the shock and grief expressed by the principal of Bernards High School; in all his years, this was the first time he'd lost a student.
The Bernards High School Class of 1989, myself included, was forever going to be one classmate short.
I hadn't come to the Lord then, but I do remember that I was able to scribble a Bible verse - one of the few I knew at the time - in the memory book at the funeral home, so I'll close with what I wrote then, Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NIV):
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
I miss you Kirk. I'm blessed to have known you for the time we were given.
My life changed forever on Friday, October 28, 1988. That was the day I think I lost all of my youthful invincibility. I remember going to the funeral home the following Sunday night, and being closer emotionally to some of my classmates than I ever had been before.
School on Monday was a surreal experience. I unknowingly broke the news of Kirk's death to one of my friends, the first time I had to tell another person that one among us had passed. I'll never forget how our math teacher, Mr. Rodriguez - Kirk was in my class - just couldn't go on that day. When the teacher lost it, I don't think any of us in the classroom knew how to handle it.
I remember the shock and grief expressed by the principal of Bernards High School; in all his years, this was the first time he'd lost a student.
The Bernards High School Class of 1989, myself included, was forever going to be one classmate short.
I hadn't come to the Lord then, but I do remember that I was able to scribble a Bible verse - one of the few I knew at the time - in the memory book at the funeral home, so I'll close with what I wrote then, Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NIV):
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
I miss you Kirk. I'm blessed to have known you for the time we were given.
Monday, October 27, 2008
New Voters - Not as Democratic as you might think
We've all heard how The New Soviet Man's electoral fraud machine has registered record numbers of first-time, young voters. We heard the same thing back in 2004 - there was going to be record numbers of first-time, young voters and they were going to vote en masse for John Kerry. Well, did they? Let's run the numbers, popular votes only:
2000 Presidential Election Stats:
Bush (R): 50,456,002 - 47.87%
Gore (D): 50,999,897 - 48.38%
Nader (G): 2,882,955 - 2.74%
Fringes: 1,066,246 - 1.01%
Total Electorate: 105,405,100
2004 Presidential Election Stats:
Bush (R): 62,040,610 - 50.74%, +11,584,608 from '00
Kerry (D): 59,028,444 - 48.28%, +8,028,547 from '00
Fringes: 1,198,499 - 0.98%, essentially unchanged from '00
Total Electorate: 122,267,553
The difference in the total size of the electorate between 2000 and 2004 is 16,862,453; that many more people voted in 2004 than 2000.
Now, let's assume that had Ralph Nader not run on the Green Party ticket in 2000, all 2,882,955 of his voters would have voted for the Democratic slate of Al Gore and Joe Liberman (unlikely, since some would have gone off to fringe candidates, but is probably pretty close to reality). As a percentage of the electorate, fringe candidates were essentially unchanged in percentage of votes, so we can discount them for figuring out how the electorate actually changed in the four years from 2000 to 2004.
When you account for Nader's 2000 votes going to Kerry in 2004 - and also assuming that everybody who voted for Bush voted for him again, and everybody who voted for Gore did so for Kerry (probably pretty close; any side-to-side shifts probably would cancel out) - this is what the net change, Republican vs. Democrat, for the 2004 election looked like:
Bush (R): +11,584,608 votes
Kerry (D): +5,145,592 votes
That totals to 16,730,200 more people who voted Republican or Democrat more than who voted Republican or Democrat (plus Green) in 2000. If you recall from above, the total change in the size of the electorate was 16,862,453 - essentially the same number as those who increased the vote totals of Republicans and Democrats. (The difference in "fringe" voting between the two years is identical to the 132,253 voter count differential between D+R in 00-04 vs. the electorate count in 00-04).
So, 16,730,200 more people voted for either George W. Bush or John Kerry in 2004 than voted for the corresponding tickets in 2000. Now, were all of those "new" voters? Considering that the total electorate size in 1992 was 104,423,923 (-981,177 vs. 2000, -17,843,630 vs. 2004) and just 96,277,634 in 1996 (-9,127,466 vs 2000, -25,989,919 vs. 2004), for the purposes of this excercise I think it's safe to say that the net effect is that all of the 16,730,200 new Democrat or Republican voters in 2004 did not vote in 2000, 1996, or 1992.
Now, if you've haven't been calculating this in your head, here's how this works out:
Percentage of "new" voters who voted for John Kerry in 2004: 30.76%
Percentage of "new" voters who voted for George Bush in 2004: 69.24%
In other words, "new" voters to the electorate voted for George W. Bush in 2004 by a 2.25-to-1 margin.
I think it's dangerous to assume that "new" voters are automatically liberals, regardless of who the candidate is. I'm sure that that type of electorate assumption is skewing some of the polls dramatically.
As Sean Hannity would say, "Let not your heart be troubled" - unless you're an Obama supporter, that is.
All of us Republicans and conservatives MUST get out and vote.
Eight days to go...
2000 Presidential Election Stats:
Bush (R): 50,456,002 - 47.87%
Gore (D): 50,999,897 - 48.38%
Nader (G): 2,882,955 - 2.74%
Fringes: 1,066,246 - 1.01%
Total Electorate: 105,405,100
2004 Presidential Election Stats:
Bush (R): 62,040,610 - 50.74%, +11,584,608 from '00
Kerry (D): 59,028,444 - 48.28%, +8,028,547 from '00
Fringes: 1,198,499 - 0.98%, essentially unchanged from '00
Total Electorate: 122,267,553
The difference in the total size of the electorate between 2000 and 2004 is 16,862,453; that many more people voted in 2004 than 2000.
Now, let's assume that had Ralph Nader not run on the Green Party ticket in 2000, all 2,882,955 of his voters would have voted for the Democratic slate of Al Gore and Joe Liberman (unlikely, since some would have gone off to fringe candidates, but is probably pretty close to reality). As a percentage of the electorate, fringe candidates were essentially unchanged in percentage of votes, so we can discount them for figuring out how the electorate actually changed in the four years from 2000 to 2004.
When you account for Nader's 2000 votes going to Kerry in 2004 - and also assuming that everybody who voted for Bush voted for him again, and everybody who voted for Gore did so for Kerry (probably pretty close; any side-to-side shifts probably would cancel out) - this is what the net change, Republican vs. Democrat, for the 2004 election looked like:
Bush (R): +11,584,608 votes
Kerry (D): +5,145,592 votes
That totals to 16,730,200 more people who voted Republican or Democrat more than who voted Republican or Democrat (plus Green) in 2000. If you recall from above, the total change in the size of the electorate was 16,862,453 - essentially the same number as those who increased the vote totals of Republicans and Democrats. (The difference in "fringe" voting between the two years is identical to the 132,253 voter count differential between D+R in 00-04 vs. the electorate count in 00-04).
So, 16,730,200 more people voted for either George W. Bush or John Kerry in 2004 than voted for the corresponding tickets in 2000. Now, were all of those "new" voters? Considering that the total electorate size in 1992 was 104,423,923 (-981,177 vs. 2000, -17,843,630 vs. 2004) and just 96,277,634 in 1996 (-9,127,466 vs 2000, -25,989,919 vs. 2004), for the purposes of this excercise I think it's safe to say that the net effect is that all of the 16,730,200 new Democrat or Republican voters in 2004 did not vote in 2000, 1996, or 1992.
Now, if you've haven't been calculating this in your head, here's how this works out:
Percentage of "new" voters who voted for John Kerry in 2004: 30.76%
Percentage of "new" voters who voted for George Bush in 2004: 69.24%
In other words, "new" voters to the electorate voted for George W. Bush in 2004 by a 2.25-to-1 margin.
I think it's dangerous to assume that "new" voters are automatically liberals, regardless of who the candidate is. I'm sure that that type of electorate assumption is skewing some of the polls dramatically.
As Sean Hannity would say, "Let not your heart be troubled" - unless you're an Obama supporter, that is.
All of us Republicans and conservatives MUST get out and vote.
Eight days to go...
Liberal tolerance...
...or not. Just when the Left has disgusted me fully, they find additional and unsurprising ways to do more. Can you imagine the outcry - justifiable I might add - if the other side was depicted as such?
The Real Barack Obama
In his own words, here is Barack Obama in 2001:
His words, directly quoted:
This is frightening. The New Soviet Man is saying that the courts have a right, a responsibility even, to ignore the Constitution of the United States when its "essential constraints" forbid them from imposing his agenda and world view.
Negative liberties? Of course the Constitution controls what the government can't do. An unchecked, omnipresent, unrestrained government is tyrrany, which by the way is why our forefathers fought a revolution to break away from they tyrrany of the Crown.
At the same time, the Constitution guarantees what the people can do. We can redress our government for grievances - kiss that one goodbye under Chairman Obama. Our speech and the press is free - kiss that one goodbye when the Fairness Doctrine is reimposed. Forget about the 9th and 10th Amendments too. Our last line of defense against tyranny - the 2nd Amendment - will assuredly be trashed.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Should the American people risk our republic by electing this man next Tuesday, on January 20, 2009 when Barack Obama raises his right hand and is administered the following oath by Chief Justice John Roberts:
Every word out of his mouth - every word - will be a lie. This man hates our Constitution. This man hates our Nation. This man hates everything that the United States of America stands for.
More at: Michelle Malkin, HotAir
UPDATE @ 1231: Fox News has picked up the story.
His words, directly quoted:
To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, at least as its been interpreted and Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can’t do to you. Says what the Federal government can’t do to you, but doesn’t say what the Federal government or State government must do on your behalf, and that hasn’t shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies of the civil rights movement was, um, because the civil rights movement became so court focused I think there was a tendancy to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive
change.
This is frightening. The New Soviet Man is saying that the courts have a right, a responsibility even, to ignore the Constitution of the United States when its "essential constraints" forbid them from imposing his agenda and world view.
Negative liberties? Of course the Constitution controls what the government can't do. An unchecked, omnipresent, unrestrained government is tyrrany, which by the way is why our forefathers fought a revolution to break away from they tyrrany of the Crown.
At the same time, the Constitution guarantees what the people can do. We can redress our government for grievances - kiss that one goodbye under Chairman Obama. Our speech and the press is free - kiss that one goodbye when the Fairness Doctrine is reimposed. Forget about the 9th and 10th Amendments too. Our last line of defense against tyranny - the 2nd Amendment - will assuredly be trashed.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Should the American people risk our republic by electing this man next Tuesday, on January 20, 2009 when Barack Obama raises his right hand and is administered the following oath by Chief Justice John Roberts:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of
President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Every word out of his mouth - every word - will be a lie. This man hates our Constitution. This man hates our Nation. This man hates everything that the United States of America stands for.
More at: Michelle Malkin, HotAir
UPDATE @ 1231: Fox News has picked up the story.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
McCain & Palin, or is it actually McCain vs. Palin?
This report from CNN comes as no surprise - as the race tightens in the final days, it's exactly the type of hit piece you'd expect from the left-leaning media. However in this case, the core point of the article might actually be accurate.
It wouldn't surprise me a bit if some core McCainites are at odds with Sarah Palin. They were probably as unprepared as the media was for McCain to select her, and have probably been second-guessing their own candidate ever since. Given that McCain's closest advisors are no doubt of similar attitudes to their man, it follows clearly that they'd be naturally offended by Sarah Palin's unabashed and unwavering conservatism.
Frankly, the selection of Sarah is one of the more mystifying events we've seen - not that she was by any means the wrong choice, as I absolutely believe the pick was brilliant. Most everything McCain has done since has been to give away or surrender whatever advantage he's managed to build.
McCain should be up by twenty points right now - combine the enthusiasm Sarah Palin added to the campaign (the only reason there's a McCain/Palin sign in my yard and bumper sticker on my truck is the bottom half) from conservatives dissatisfied with McCain with the bar-none winning positions of national security and energy independence, and the fact that we're running against an out and out Marxist (which can be proved and documented) - and it shouldn't even be close.
Sarah Palin ignoring the reins that the McCain folks are supposedly trying to control her with is also the right move, assuming the article is accurate. There's going to be a battle for the soul of the Republican Party, and it's already started. This election is as much about November 4th as it is 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
It wouldn't surprise me a bit if some core McCainites are at odds with Sarah Palin. They were probably as unprepared as the media was for McCain to select her, and have probably been second-guessing their own candidate ever since. Given that McCain's closest advisors are no doubt of similar attitudes to their man, it follows clearly that they'd be naturally offended by Sarah Palin's unabashed and unwavering conservatism.
Frankly, the selection of Sarah is one of the more mystifying events we've seen - not that she was by any means the wrong choice, as I absolutely believe the pick was brilliant. Most everything McCain has done since has been to give away or surrender whatever advantage he's managed to build.
McCain should be up by twenty points right now - combine the enthusiasm Sarah Palin added to the campaign (the only reason there's a McCain/Palin sign in my yard and bumper sticker on my truck is the bottom half) from conservatives dissatisfied with McCain with the bar-none winning positions of national security and energy independence, and the fact that we're running against an out and out Marxist (which can be proved and documented) - and it shouldn't even be close.
Sarah Palin ignoring the reins that the McCain folks are supposedly trying to control her with is also the right move, assuming the article is accurate. There's going to be a battle for the soul of the Republican Party, and it's already started. This election is as much about November 4th as it is 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
We don't feed the trolls
Been getting some comments lately from what I'll call a "typical liberal", that is, a left-wing nut case who leaves the same comments under two IDs. (OMG, I've been "seminar called"!) It comes as no suprise to me that these upstanding folks act completely anonymously and don't have the courage to stand behind their words. So, I'm not posting those comments for that reason, and also because frankly, they're vile.
I will, for example, never accept a comment which denigrates the memory of our fighting men and women of the Armed Forces. Never.
Then there's this tidbit, from a brave soul known only anonymously as "BarackStar":
I will, for example, never accept a comment which denigrates the memory of our fighting men and women of the Armed Forces. Never.
Then there's this tidbit, from a brave soul known only anonymously as "BarackStar":
Obama is training people to vote, it's simple vote Democrat, straight
ticket, no Al Gore moments for the blue hair jews in FLA, or the illiterate
illegal non citizens McCain has let into this country.
Disgusting.
I don't care if you disagree ("I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the the death your right to say it"), but with free speech comes responsibility to stand behind one's words.
Pittsburgh: We want NO flights!
Just saw this article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that talks about the increased fees - taxes, that is - that will be imposed on airlines operating out of Pittsburgh International Airport beginning in January.
Southwest Airlines, one of my current favorites, is particularly incensed - as they should be.
Increase in landing fees? 34.8 percent.
Increase in terminal space? 35.9 percent.
Increase in ramp space? 191 percent!
Yes, Allegheny County is sitting on a white elephant - a top of the line hub airport with no hub airline. Yes, there are significant issues surrounding servicing the airport's debt.
Every time I'm at the airport, it is very depressing. The place is an absolute ghost town, even at peak travel times. Clearly though, travel originiating here is strong - the extended parking lot is usually mostly full, anyway.
Here's a suggestion for the powers that be: cut the fees for landing, terminal space, and ramp space, you dolts! Obviously RAISING fees hasn't exactly ATTRACTED airlines here. You want a new airline to take Pittsburgh seriously as a hub location? Make our airport the least expensive for airlines to operate from!
If you lower the fees, more airlines will operate and maybe we'd get a hub back, whether for passengers or cargo. If there are more operations, you'll get more fees. DUH!
Southwest Airlines, one of my current favorites, is particularly incensed - as they should be.
Increase in landing fees? 34.8 percent.
Increase in terminal space? 35.9 percent.
Increase in ramp space? 191 percent!
Yes, Allegheny County is sitting on a white elephant - a top of the line hub airport with no hub airline. Yes, there are significant issues surrounding servicing the airport's debt.
Every time I'm at the airport, it is very depressing. The place is an absolute ghost town, even at peak travel times. Clearly though, travel originiating here is strong - the extended parking lot is usually mostly full, anyway.
Here's a suggestion for the powers that be: cut the fees for landing, terminal space, and ramp space, you dolts! Obviously RAISING fees hasn't exactly ATTRACTED airlines here. You want a new airline to take Pittsburgh seriously as a hub location? Make our airport the least expensive for airlines to operate from!
If you lower the fees, more airlines will operate and maybe we'd get a hub back, whether for passengers or cargo. If there are more operations, you'll get more fees. DUH!
Friday, October 24, 2008
TFH 10/24-27: Technical Sergeant Charles H. Coolidge, USA
From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II:
COOLIDGE, CHARLES H.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company M, 141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: East of Belmont sur Buttant, France, 2427 October 1944. Entered service at: Signal Mountain, Tenn. Birth: Signal Mountain, Tenn. G.O. No.: 53, July 1945. Citation: Leading a section of heavy machineguns supported by 1 platoon of Company K, he took a position near Hill 623, east of Belmont sur Buttant, France, on 24 October 1944, with the mission of covering the right flank of the 3d Battalion and supporting its action. T/Sgt. Coolidge went forward with a sergeant of Company K to reconnoiter positions for coordinating the fires of the light and heavy machineguns. They ran into an enemy force in the woods estimated to be an infantry company. T/Sgt. Coolidge, attempting to bluff the Germans by a show of assurance and boldness called upon them to surrender, whereupon the enemy opened fire. With his carbine, T/Sgt. Coolidge wounded 2 of them. There being no officer present with the force, T/Sgt. Coolidge at once assumed command. Many of the men were replacements recently arrived; this was their first experience under fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge, unmindful of the enemy fire delivered at close range, walked along the position, calming and encouraging his men and directing their fire. The attack was thrown back. Through 25 and 26 October the enemy launched repeated attacks against the position of this combat group but each was repulsed due to T/Sgt. Coolidge's able leadership. On 27 October, German infantry, supported by 2 tanks, made a determined attack on the position. The area was swept by enemy small arms, machinegun, and tank fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. His bazooka failed to function and he threw it aside. Securing all the hand grenades he could carry, he crawled forward and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy. Finally it became apparent that the enemy, in greatly superior force, supported by tanks, would overrun the position. T/Sgt. Coolidge, displaying great coolness and courage, directed and conducted an orderly withdrawal, being himself the last to leave the position. As a result of T/Sgt. Coolidge's heroic and superior leadership, the mission of this combat group was accomplished throughout 4 days of continuous fighting against numerically superior enemy troops in rain and cold and amid dense woods.
According to Wikipedia, this great American Hero is still alive. Mr. Coolidge, should you find your way to my blog, thank you so much for your service, leadership, and courage in defense of our great nation. We - all of humanity - owe a debt to you and your comrades for your sacrifices to the cause of Freedom that our words and deeds can never repay. We can only hope to live up to your collective legacy and example!
Charles Coolidge, October 24-27, 1944 was your finest hour!
COOLIDGE, CHARLES H.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company M, 141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: East of Belmont sur Buttant, France, 2427 October 1944. Entered service at: Signal Mountain, Tenn. Birth: Signal Mountain, Tenn. G.O. No.: 53, July 1945. Citation: Leading a section of heavy machineguns supported by 1 platoon of Company K, he took a position near Hill 623, east of Belmont sur Buttant, France, on 24 October 1944, with the mission of covering the right flank of the 3d Battalion and supporting its action. T/Sgt. Coolidge went forward with a sergeant of Company K to reconnoiter positions for coordinating the fires of the light and heavy machineguns. They ran into an enemy force in the woods estimated to be an infantry company. T/Sgt. Coolidge, attempting to bluff the Germans by a show of assurance and boldness called upon them to surrender, whereupon the enemy opened fire. With his carbine, T/Sgt. Coolidge wounded 2 of them. There being no officer present with the force, T/Sgt. Coolidge at once assumed command. Many of the men were replacements recently arrived; this was their first experience under fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge, unmindful of the enemy fire delivered at close range, walked along the position, calming and encouraging his men and directing their fire. The attack was thrown back. Through 25 and 26 October the enemy launched repeated attacks against the position of this combat group but each was repulsed due to T/Sgt. Coolidge's able leadership. On 27 October, German infantry, supported by 2 tanks, made a determined attack on the position. The area was swept by enemy small arms, machinegun, and tank fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. His bazooka failed to function and he threw it aside. Securing all the hand grenades he could carry, he crawled forward and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy. Finally it became apparent that the enemy, in greatly superior force, supported by tanks, would overrun the position. T/Sgt. Coolidge, displaying great coolness and courage, directed and conducted an orderly withdrawal, being himself the last to leave the position. As a result of T/Sgt. Coolidge's heroic and superior leadership, the mission of this combat group was accomplished throughout 4 days of continuous fighting against numerically superior enemy troops in rain and cold and amid dense woods.
According to Wikipedia, this great American Hero is still alive. Mr. Coolidge, should you find your way to my blog, thank you so much for your service, leadership, and courage in defense of our great nation. We - all of humanity - owe a debt to you and your comrades for your sacrifices to the cause of Freedom that our words and deeds can never repay. We can only hope to live up to your collective legacy and example!
Charles Coolidge, October 24-27, 1944 was your finest hour!
Rally Pictures!
Melissa Hart (R) helped warm up the crowd. She is hoping to win back her seat from Jason Altmire. As much as I want Sarah Palin to be our next Vice President, I want Melissa Hart back as my Representative in Congress! 
Security was very present. When we went through the metal detectors, I made a point to thank the uniformed members of the United States Secret Service who were manning the screening point. The folks manning the rooftops appeared to be PA State Police SWAT. Thank you to all law enforcement members who keep us and our political office holders and candidates (regardless of party) safe and our Republic sound!
Sarah takes the stage! First dude Todd Palin and daughters Willow and Piper too.
Sarah with Willow and Piper; what a beautiful American family!
Big crowd! The stands on both sides of the field were full, and the field itself was about 75% covered. There was a large section to the rear of folks who weren't allowed to get any closer because the metal detectors (reportedly) had broken down. Best guess on attendance was 4,000 to 5,000.
Straight talk from the future 47th Vice President of the United States of America.Who's afraid of Sarah Palin?
The left-wing media/entertainment types are, apparently. (Hat tip: Drudge)
Why else would they be trying to get Governor Palin out of politics and on to television? The Left fears this woman, and hates her very existence because she puts the lie to all the liberal assertions of what it means to be a feminist and a woman.
It's surprising that the article suggested a reality show that just follows the Palin family and Sarah as Governor of Alaska. There is no way left-wing media power brokers would ever allow such a program on the air, at least, not in a form or outlet that would enable everybody to see it. The last thing the Left would want is for everybody to see that the Palin family is just like all of ours.
There's another big, big point that this article misses. What makes any of them think that Sarah Palin would actually sign up for it? Don't you all remember her line at the RNC about not going to Washington to seek the media's approval?
Sarah might make TV a career, but it will be after her occupancy of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - as President, not just VP.
Why else would they be trying to get Governor Palin out of politics and on to television? The Left fears this woman, and hates her very existence because she puts the lie to all the liberal assertions of what it means to be a feminist and a woman.
It's surprising that the article suggested a reality show that just follows the Palin family and Sarah as Governor of Alaska. There is no way left-wing media power brokers would ever allow such a program on the air, at least, not in a form or outlet that would enable everybody to see it. The last thing the Left would want is for everybody to see that the Palin family is just like all of ours.
There's another big, big point that this article misses. What makes any of them think that Sarah Palin would actually sign up for it? Don't you all remember her line at the RNC about not going to Washington to seek the media's approval?
Sarah might make TV a career, but it will be after her occupancy of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - as President, not just VP.
An American Holocaust?
Holocaust doesn't describe this. This is a planned Stalinist Purge of the United States of America, complete with extermination camps and political reeducation.
Sound like Red Dawn? Nope, just what the Weather Underground Terrorists, including Barack Obama supporter and friend Bill Ayers, wanted to do here - to you and your families.
Hat tip: little green footballs
Don't miss Bill Ayers and the Weather Underground's forgotten Communist manifesto either.
Sarah Rocked Last Night!
Sorry folks, couldn't pull off doing any live blog last night from the Sarah Palin rally at Beaver Area High School - we had our hands full chasing the next generation of conservative Americans around the football field.
That aside, I really enjoyed seeing Sarah and "first dude" Todd Palin on stage, along with their daughters Willow and Piper. She delivered her basic stump speech, but tailored for those of us in Western PA.
I loved her "channeling" of Joe Namath - we're the underdogs, the other side has all the stars, but we're going to win and I guarantee it. Well, Broadway Joe delivered and I think John and Sarah will too.
Even more so now that I've seen her in person, I have that true sense that Sarah Palin is "one of us". She certainly isn't a creature of Washington, and I so hope that the American people want Washington to reflect our society as I do, rather than society reflecting our government.
In Sarah and her family, we finally have a middle-class candidate who shares our values and struggles that I know my family deals with daily. There's something to be said for the only candidate in this year's Presidential contest who isn't a multi-millionaire.
Winning PA will be a huge help. Looks likeJohn Murtha may go down too. All of us bitter folks here clinging to our guns and religion will be heard on November 4th.
This election is shaping up to be 1948, plus 60 years, and the sides reversed.
Got pictures, will have them up later.
That aside, I really enjoyed seeing Sarah and "first dude" Todd Palin on stage, along with their daughters Willow and Piper. She delivered her basic stump speech, but tailored for those of us in Western PA.
I loved her "channeling" of Joe Namath - we're the underdogs, the other side has all the stars, but we're going to win and I guarantee it. Well, Broadway Joe delivered and I think John and Sarah will too.
Even more so now that I've seen her in person, I have that true sense that Sarah Palin is "one of us". She certainly isn't a creature of Washington, and I so hope that the American people want Washington to reflect our society as I do, rather than society reflecting our government.
In Sarah and her family, we finally have a middle-class candidate who shares our values and struggles that I know my family deals with daily. There's something to be said for the only candidate in this year's Presidential contest who isn't a multi-millionaire.
Winning PA will be a huge help. Looks likeJohn Murtha may go down too. All of us bitter folks here clinging to our guns and religion will be heard on November 4th.
This election is shaping up to be 1948, plus 60 years, and the sides reversed.
Got pictures, will have them up later.
Idiot of the Day Award
Thanks a lot Santonio, way to be a team player.
Suspension is a must. Whatever the league does to him, the Steelers should do worse.
Suspension is a must. Whatever the league does to him, the Steelers should do worse.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Faithful Breaking of the Laws
...he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed...
-- U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 3
Barack Obama's campaign is engaging in blatant violation of election finance laws. He does not belong in the White House; he belongs in an orange jumpsuit.
Should Barack Obama be elected, on January 20th his Oath of Office will be a lie for all to see...
-- U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 3
Barack Obama's campaign is engaging in blatant violation of election finance laws. He does not belong in the White House; he belongs in an orange jumpsuit.
Should Barack Obama be elected, on January 20th his Oath of Office will be a lie for all to see...
Beirut: 25 Years
Twenty-five years ago today 241 of our Marines and other servicemen were murdered in Beirut. The War on Terror began, but we wouldn't start fighting back in earnest until 2001.
Michelle Malkin has the complete roundup, including the names of the lost.
Thank you to all who gave their lives that day in defense of our Nation. We will never forget your service and sacrifce. My prayers today go out to the survivors and the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones this day.
Dulce et decorum est pro patia mori.
Michelle Malkin has the complete roundup, including the names of the lost.
Thank you to all who gave their lives that day in defense of our Nation. We will never forget your service and sacrifce. My prayers today go out to the survivors and the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones this day.
Dulce et decorum est pro patia mori.
Going to see our Sarah tonight!
I'm taking the wife and kids to see who we hope will be the next Vice President of the United States tonight - Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska! She's the headliner at a rally being held at Beaver Area High School.
Can't wait!!!!!! I'll live blog via mobile as I'm able to and will post pictures tonight.
We so need to win Pennsylvania...
No bones about it, Sarah Palin is the reason I'm excited about this election. Should the McCain/Palin ticket not rise to victory on November 4th, let's start the cheering for:
Palin/Jindal 2012
I'd prefer that ticket even if McCain is our 44th President...
Can't wait!!!!!! I'll live blog via mobile as I'm able to and will post pictures tonight.
We so need to win Pennsylvania...
No bones about it, Sarah Palin is the reason I'm excited about this election. Should the McCain/Palin ticket not rise to victory on November 4th, let's start the cheering for:
Palin/Jindal 2012
I'd prefer that ticket even if McCain is our 44th President...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Apollo+40: Welcome Home 7!
Today at 7:11 PM, Apollo 7 with astronauts Wally Schirra, Don Eisele, and Walt Cunningham splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered by the USS Essex. Apollo 7, while ground controllers had to deal with a somewhat cantankerous flight crew, was successful in all respects, fully put the Apollo spacecraft through its paces during the 11 flight days, and got the Apollo Program off to a fine flying start.
Commander Wally Schirra, with the success of this flight, was the only American astronaut to fly in all three of our Nation's first space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. He retired as an active astronaut after Apollo 7. His crewmates Eisele and Cunningham, somewhat black-listed by the crew's in-flight antics, also never flew in space again.
Regardless, the success of Apollo 7 started the end game of America's journey to the Moon. For Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham, it was also a finest hour!
Commander Wally Schirra, with the success of this flight, was the only American astronaut to fly in all three of our Nation's first space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. He retired as an active astronaut after Apollo 7. His crewmates Eisele and Cunningham, somewhat black-listed by the crew's in-flight antics, also never flew in space again.
Regardless, the success of Apollo 7 started the end game of America's journey to the Moon. For Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham, it was also a finest hour!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
TFH 10/21: PFC Richard G. Wilson, USA
Their Finest Hour has previously honored the courage and sacrifices of those brave members of our Armed Forces whose duty is to save others while they are unable to defend themselves: medics and hospital corpsmen on the battlefield. Here is another such story, found in Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War.
*WILSON, RICHARD G.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. 1, Medical Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Opari, Korea, 21 October 1950. Entered service at: Cape Girardeau Mo. Born: 19 August 1931, Marion, Ill. G.O. No.: 64, 2 August 1951. Citation: Pfc. Wilson distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. As medical aid man attached to Company I, he accompanied the unit during a reconnaissance in force through the hilly country near Opari. The main body of the company was passing through a narrow valley flanked on 3 sides by high hills when the enemy laid down a barrage of mortar, automatic-weapons and small-arms fire. The company suffered a large number of casualties from the intense hostile fire while fighting its way out of the ambush. Pfc. Wilson proceeded at once to move among the wounded and administered aid to them oblivious of the danger to himself, constantly exposing himself to hostile fire. The company commander ordered a withdrawal as the enemy threatened to encircle and isolate the company. As his unit withdrew Private Wilson assisted wounded men to safety and assured himself that none were left behind. After the company had pulled back he learned that a comrade previously thought dead had been seen to be moving and attempting to crawl to safety. Despite the protests of his comrades, unarmed and facing a merciless enemy, Pfc. Wilson returned to the dangerous position in search of his comrade. Two days later a patrol found him lying beside the man he returned to aid. He had been shot several times while trying to shield and administer aid to the wounded man. Pfc. Wilson's superb personal bravery, consummate courage and willing self-sacrifice for his comrades reflect untold glory upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Richard Wilson, your sacrifice and courage to care for and save the lives of your comrades at complete risk to your own showed that day the best of America. I honor your memory and sacrifice, and I will never forget them. Thank you. October 21, 1950 was your finest hour!
*WILSON, RICHARD G.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. 1, Medical Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Opari, Korea, 21 October 1950. Entered service at: Cape Girardeau Mo. Born: 19 August 1931, Marion, Ill. G.O. No.: 64, 2 August 1951. Citation: Pfc. Wilson distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. As medical aid man attached to Company I, he accompanied the unit during a reconnaissance in force through the hilly country near Opari. The main body of the company was passing through a narrow valley flanked on 3 sides by high hills when the enemy laid down a barrage of mortar, automatic-weapons and small-arms fire. The company suffered a large number of casualties from the intense hostile fire while fighting its way out of the ambush. Pfc. Wilson proceeded at once to move among the wounded and administered aid to them oblivious of the danger to himself, constantly exposing himself to hostile fire. The company commander ordered a withdrawal as the enemy threatened to encircle and isolate the company. As his unit withdrew Private Wilson assisted wounded men to safety and assured himself that none were left behind. After the company had pulled back he learned that a comrade previously thought dead had been seen to be moving and attempting to crawl to safety. Despite the protests of his comrades, unarmed and facing a merciless enemy, Pfc. Wilson returned to the dangerous position in search of his comrade. Two days later a patrol found him lying beside the man he returned to aid. He had been shot several times while trying to shield and administer aid to the wounded man. Pfc. Wilson's superb personal bravery, consummate courage and willing self-sacrifice for his comrades reflect untold glory upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Richard Wilson, your sacrifice and courage to care for and save the lives of your comrades at complete risk to your own showed that day the best of America. I honor your memory and sacrifice, and I will never forget them. Thank you. October 21, 1950 was your finest hour!
In Defense of Michelle Bachmann
Representative Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) has come under fire for saying on MSNoBamaC that Barack Obama could be considered to be "anti-American" for his associations and potentially his policies. The blowhard host of Hardball, Chris Matthews, pressed the point and, at least in the context of the program, got Representative Bachmann to extend her sentiment to other liberals in the Congress. (See Power Line for details)
She's now backed off the statement a bit. No surprise there, since the party line is "we don't question patriotism, we question judgement."
So, are our Liberal opponents anti-American or just judgementally challenged? Let's let them speak for themselves:
[Our military is] air raiding villages and killing civilians...
-- Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
I believe ... that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything, as is shown by the extreme violence in Iraq this week.
-- Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.
-- Representative John Murtha (D-PA), May 17, 2006; the US Marines he accused of murder in the Iraqi town of Haditha were later completely exonerated; Rep. Murtha has yet to apologize.
[In reference to the Iraq surge] The gains have not produced the desired effect, which is the reconciliation of Iraq. This is a failure. This is a failure.
-- Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
This war has been a grotesque mistake that has diminished our reputation in the world and has not made America safer.
-- Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (this from over 4 years ago BTW, still no attacks on US soil since 9/11)
I believe the president has no strategy for success in Iraq. His plan is to muddle through, and hand the problem off to his successor.
-- Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), April 2008
And I could go on, and on, and on. So, do these and other statements rise to the level of "anti-Americanism"? To quote:
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
In case you don't know, that is the text of 18 USC 2381. All of the Left's anti-American, anti-Military statements rise to the level of "aid and comfort" to our enemies - especially when our enemies quote the Democratic Party and its members when they spout off with their own anti-American scree. When you combine that with their willingness to associate and sit on boards with known domestic terrorist murderers like Bill Ayers - self-confessed purveyors and supporters of insurrection and sedition - then this is not a judgement issue.
It is an issue of patriotism, and the seeming way these individuals trample on their oaths to the Constitution of the United States.
There is a very good reason why, when the oath to the Constitution is administered, that it says: "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic."
She's now backed off the statement a bit. No surprise there, since the party line is "we don't question patriotism, we question judgement."
So, are our Liberal opponents anti-American or just judgementally challenged? Let's let them speak for themselves:
[Our military is] air raiding villages and killing civilians...
-- Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
I believe ... that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything, as is shown by the extreme violence in Iraq this week.
-- Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.
-- Representative John Murtha (D-PA), May 17, 2006; the US Marines he accused of murder in the Iraqi town of Haditha were later completely exonerated; Rep. Murtha has yet to apologize.
[In reference to the Iraq surge] The gains have not produced the desired effect, which is the reconciliation of Iraq. This is a failure. This is a failure.
-- Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
This war has been a grotesque mistake that has diminished our reputation in the world and has not made America safer.
-- Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (this from over 4 years ago BTW, still no attacks on US soil since 9/11)
I believe the president has no strategy for success in Iraq. His plan is to muddle through, and hand the problem off to his successor.
-- Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), April 2008
And I could go on, and on, and on. So, do these and other statements rise to the level of "anti-Americanism"? To quote:
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
In case you don't know, that is the text of 18 USC 2381. All of the Left's anti-American, anti-Military statements rise to the level of "aid and comfort" to our enemies - especially when our enemies quote the Democratic Party and its members when they spout off with their own anti-American scree. When you combine that with their willingness to associate and sit on boards with known domestic terrorist murderers like Bill Ayers - self-confessed purveyors and supporters of insurrection and sedition - then this is not a judgement issue.
It is an issue of patriotism, and the seeming way these individuals trample on their oaths to the Constitution of the United States.
There is a very good reason why, when the oath to the Constitution is administered, that it says: "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic."
The Comprehensive Argument Against Barack Obama
Read, watch and listen - then pass it around, again, again, and again.
Thanks to HotAir for putting this together all in one place.
Thanks to HotAir for putting this together all in one place.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Army of Joe the Plumber
If the McCain/Palin ticket manages to pull this out, we'll have a plumber from Ohio with entreprenurial spirit largely to thank. First for putting the New Soviet Man on the spot, and then for unleashing an army of other, hard working, American Joes.
Don't miss this story (Hat tip: Power Line)
Don't miss this story (Hat tip: Power Line)
The future SecState?
Rumored to be on the New Soviet Man's short list for Secretary of State, John Kerry (loser, 2004 Presidential Election) shows yet more of his true tact and classiness.
By the way, did you know he went to Vietnam?
Hat tip: Drudge
By the way, did you know he went to Vietnam?
Hat tip: Drudge
Spied on NRO...
Kathryn Jean Lopez relays an e-mail she received about a recent Episcopal Church service in NYC.
This is hardly a rare occurrence at churches of my ex-denomination, as readers of Stand Firm in Faith are sure to know.
This is hardly a rare occurrence at churches of my ex-denomination, as readers of Stand Firm in Faith are sure to know.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Obama's Reading Material
Just had to run out to the grocery store for some late-night replenishment of the pantry and I had my XM radio tuned to 166, "AmericaRight". The Roger Hedgecock Show was on. Mr. Hedgecock had a report of the New Soviet Man being photographed carrying a book called The Post-American World.
Well, this isn't exactly a recent occurrence, as this blog posting at The New York Times clearly shows - it's from back in May. Still, is this a book we want the potential President of the United States seeking guidance from?
According to the reviews of the book I've quickly read, it would seem that it's actually a balanced account not so much focusing on the decline of the United States but on the ascendancy of the rest of the world, the Chicomms and India in particular.
Now, is this what we want Mr. Obama reading for guidance on shaping his policies? Yes, absolutely, if his policies centered around American Exceptionalism and the continued quest of the United States to defend, protect, and spread our Creator-endowed unalienable rights. Unfortunately, Mr. Obama's policies will do nothing of the sort.
The NYT blog post asks, "Anyone know what book John McCain is - or should be - carrying around?"
Might I suggest for John McCain, as well as Mr. Obama:
In Defense of Internment
The Federalist Papers
When Character was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan
Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned the Political Establishment Upside Down
Among others...
Well, this isn't exactly a recent occurrence, as this blog posting at The New York Times clearly shows - it's from back in May. Still, is this a book we want the potential President of the United States seeking guidance from?
According to the reviews of the book I've quickly read, it would seem that it's actually a balanced account not so much focusing on the decline of the United States but on the ascendancy of the rest of the world, the Chicomms and India in particular.
Now, is this what we want Mr. Obama reading for guidance on shaping his policies? Yes, absolutely, if his policies centered around American Exceptionalism and the continued quest of the United States to defend, protect, and spread our Creator-endowed unalienable rights. Unfortunately, Mr. Obama's policies will do nothing of the sort.
The NYT blog post asks, "Anyone know what book John McCain is - or should be - carrying around?"
Might I suggest for John McCain, as well as Mr. Obama:
In Defense of Internment
The Federalist Papers
When Character was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan
Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned the Political Establishment Upside Down
Among others...
TFH 10/18: Bob Beamon
Forty years ago today during the Games of the XIX Olympiad in Mexico City, American Bob Beamon clinched the Gold Medal in the long jump with a world-record leap of 8.90 meters - 29 1/2 feet - that shattered the previous record by 55 centimeters/21 3/4 inches!
The record stood for the next 23 years until broken by American Mike Powell in 1991. Bob Beamon, American star athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist, this day in 1968 was your finest hour!
The record stood for the next 23 years until broken by American Mike Powell in 1991. Bob Beamon, American star athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist, this day in 1968 was your finest hour!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Two great new McCain ads, plus the Al Smith dinner
From the McCain/Palin Campaign Channel @ YouTube:
Plus, he brought the house down last night at the Al Smith dinner:
Part 1:
Part 2:
We can still win this thing.
Plus, he brought the house down last night at the Al Smith dinner:
Part 1:
Part 2:
We can still win this thing.
Why pay yourself, when it's "free"?
Hawai'i, under mostly-RINO Governor Linda Lingle, has terminated their seven-month old coverage-for-all universal child health care plan due to "budget shortfalls and other available health care options".
Budget shortfalls? Why is it that the state enacted this program, and then found it couldn't pay for it? Amazingly enough, the AP actually tells the story:
The New Soviet Man's mantra for his planned massive socialization of our healthcare says "if you have an employer plan and you like it, keep it". That sentiment is an out-and-out lie and here's why:
First, people who co-pay for their insurance benefits will compare what they get from what they have to pay extra for their insurance and figure out whether or not it's worth it when they could do "Commie Care" for "free". If that cost/benefit equation works out in favor of dumping their insurance, they will.
Second, employers who know that they no longer have to offer benefits in the first place won't. Or alternatively, the more employees who drop out of employer plans because they can now get "free" care will force the insurance companies to raise costs even more which employers will just pass along to their employees, which will then cause more employees to dump their insurance in favor of "free" care. And so on...
The result of every liberal program is the exact opposite of its stated intent. What the dirty little secret is is that the stated intent is not the real intent.
The real intent of every liberal program is, at its core, the exact outcome it actually generates. Liberals want our cities to be slums. Liberals want crime in the streets and prevent us from defending ourselves by interfering with our Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. Liberals want our schools to be indoctrination factories. Liberals want to destroy the private health care system. Liberals want to destroy our economy by promoting the myth of man-made climate change. And why?
Because Liberals hate the United States of America, our Constitution and all it stands for, and they seek to control every aspect of every human life - at least the ones they let live and aren't aborted.
Budget shortfalls? Why is it that the state enacted this program, and then found it couldn't pay for it? Amazingly enough, the AP actually tells the story:
"People who were already able to afford health care began to stop paying
for it so they could get it for free," said Dr. Kenny Fink, the administrator
for Med-QUEST at the Department of Human Services. "I don't believe that was the
intent of the program." ...
State health officials argued that most of the children enrolled in the
universal child care program previously had private health insurance, indicating
that it was helping those who didn't need it.
Ah, yes. Quinn's First Law proved yet again: Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent.
DUH! I have to pay for something, either completely out-of-pocket or as an employee benefit co-pay/payroll deduction, that I can now get for "nothing" by cancelling my child's private coverage? Why is it a surprise that folks stopped paying for their own coverage for what was "free"?The New Soviet Man's mantra for his planned massive socialization of our healthcare says "if you have an employer plan and you like it, keep it". That sentiment is an out-and-out lie and here's why:
First, people who co-pay for their insurance benefits will compare what they get from what they have to pay extra for their insurance and figure out whether or not it's worth it when they could do "Commie Care" for "free". If that cost/benefit equation works out in favor of dumping their insurance, they will.
Second, employers who know that they no longer have to offer benefits in the first place won't. Or alternatively, the more employees who drop out of employer plans because they can now get "free" care will force the insurance companies to raise costs even more which employers will just pass along to their employees, which will then cause more employees to dump their insurance in favor of "free" care. And so on...
The result of every liberal program is the exact opposite of its stated intent. What the dirty little secret is is that the stated intent is not the real intent.
The real intent of every liberal program is, at its core, the exact outcome it actually generates. Liberals want our cities to be slums. Liberals want crime in the streets and prevent us from defending ourselves by interfering with our Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. Liberals want our schools to be indoctrination factories. Liberals want to destroy the private health care system. Liberals want to destroy our economy by promoting the myth of man-made climate change. And why?
Because Liberals hate the United States of America, our Constitution and all it stands for, and they seek to control every aspect of every human life - at least the ones they let live and aren't aborted.
TFH 10/17: 2nd Lt. Harold Bascom Durham, Jr. (USA)
From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War:
*DURHAM, HAROLD BASCOM, JR.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 6th Battalion, 15th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division . Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 17 October 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 12 October 1942, Rocky Mount, N.C. Citation: 2d Lt. Durham, Artillery, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to Battery C. 2d Lt. Durham was serving as a forward observer with Company D, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry during a battalion reconnaissance-in-force mission. At approximately 1015 hours contact was made with an enemy force concealed in well-camouflaged positions and fortified bunkers. 2d Lt. Durham immediately moved into an exposed position to adjust the supporting artillery fire onto the insurgents. During a brief lull in the battle he administered emergency first aid to the wounded in spite of heavy enemy sniper fire directed toward him. Moments later, as enemy units assaulted friendly positions, he learned that Company A, bearing the brunt of the attack, had lost its forward observer. While he was moving to replace the wounded observer, the enemy detonated a Claymore mine, severely wounding him in the head and impairing his vision. In spite of the intense pain, he continued to direct the supporting artillery fire and to employ his individual weapon in support of the hard pressed infantrymen. As the enemy pressed their attack, 2d Lt. Durham called for supporting fire to be placed almost directly on his position. Twice the insurgents were driven back, leaving many dead and wounded behind. 2d Lt. Durham was then taken to a secondary defensive position. Even in his extremely weakened condition, he continued to call artillery fire onto the enemy. He refused to seek cover and instead positioned himself in a small clearing which offered a better vantage point from which to adjust the fire. Suddenly, he was severely wounded a second time by enemy machine gun fire. As he lay on the ground near death, he saw two Viet Cong approaching, shooting the defenseless wounded men. With his last effort, 2d Lt. Durham shouted a warning to a nearby soldier who immediately killed the insurgents. 2d Lt. Durham died moments later, still grasping the radio handset. 2d Lt. Durham's gallant actions in close combat with an enemy force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Lieutenant Durham, thank you for your courage and sacrifice in the face of the enemies of Freedom. October 17, 1967 was your finest hour!
*DURHAM, HAROLD BASCOM, JR.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 6th Battalion, 15th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division . Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 17 October 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 12 October 1942, Rocky Mount, N.C. Citation: 2d Lt. Durham, Artillery, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to Battery C. 2d Lt. Durham was serving as a forward observer with Company D, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry during a battalion reconnaissance-in-force mission. At approximately 1015 hours contact was made with an enemy force concealed in well-camouflaged positions and fortified bunkers. 2d Lt. Durham immediately moved into an exposed position to adjust the supporting artillery fire onto the insurgents. During a brief lull in the battle he administered emergency first aid to the wounded in spite of heavy enemy sniper fire directed toward him. Moments later, as enemy units assaulted friendly positions, he learned that Company A, bearing the brunt of the attack, had lost its forward observer. While he was moving to replace the wounded observer, the enemy detonated a Claymore mine, severely wounding him in the head and impairing his vision. In spite of the intense pain, he continued to direct the supporting artillery fire and to employ his individual weapon in support of the hard pressed infantrymen. As the enemy pressed their attack, 2d Lt. Durham called for supporting fire to be placed almost directly on his position. Twice the insurgents were driven back, leaving many dead and wounded behind. 2d Lt. Durham was then taken to a secondary defensive position. Even in his extremely weakened condition, he continued to call artillery fire onto the enemy. He refused to seek cover and instead positioned himself in a small clearing which offered a better vantage point from which to adjust the fire. Suddenly, he was severely wounded a second time by enemy machine gun fire. As he lay on the ground near death, he saw two Viet Cong approaching, shooting the defenseless wounded men. With his last effort, 2d Lt. Durham shouted a warning to a nearby soldier who immediately killed the insurgents. 2d Lt. Durham died moments later, still grasping the radio handset. 2d Lt. Durham's gallant actions in close combat with an enemy force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Lieutenant Durham, thank you for your courage and sacrifice in the face of the enemies of Freedom. October 17, 1967 was your finest hour!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Once again, Sarah is right...
....and the MSM will try to portray her as a religious freak.
From an AP report viewed on my mobile, our Sarah credited God with blessing the United States with abundant and diverse energy resources. No argument there.
The enthusiastic cheers of "Drill baby, drill" were followed by the cry of a lone protestor (yes, unbelievably the AP said just one): "No blood for oil"
Of course, drilling here won't cost any blood, except for the "war" we'll have to wage with the Left to do it.
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Why did I bother?
Why did I bother watching the debate last night? No, that isn't the question. Why did I bother watching any of the punditry after the debate? Ah, now we've found the question!
The following is attributed to Pete Rose, sometime in the 1980s:
The following is attributed to Pete Rose, sometime in the 1980s:
I wake up in the morning feeling sick as a dog. I don't want to go play. Then I make it to the ballpark, see my uniform hanging in my locker, and I start feeling a lot better. Then I see some of you guys [referring to reporters], and I feel sick again.
Now that is a dead-on summary of my debate experience of last night. I didn't want to watch the debate last night, mainly because I keep coming back to a very, very sad impression that John McCain is doing just about everything in his power to lose this election. Then, I catch about two-thirds of the debate between radio and TV. What did I think?
I saw a fired-up John McCain. I saw an on the attack John McCain. And most importantly and refreshingly, I saw a very conservative John McCain. Did he attack as hard as I would have? No. Did he make every single last point that I would have? No. Did he call Barack Obama on the carpet for being an anti-American Marxist? Certainly not as bitingly as I would have. Example - here's how I in John McCain's shoes would have addressed the topic of the New Soviet Man's association with the Old Soviet Man, William Ayres:Senator Obama, while I was being imprisoned and tortured by the Communist
enemies of our Nation along with hundreds of other brave Americans, and 58,000
of my countrymen were giving their lives in service to the United States, William Ayres was setting his bombs and supporting the Communist enemies of our great Nation. And that, Mr. Obama, is unacceptable to me, it is unacceptable to the American people, it is a total disgrace, and it can't be changed or mitigated whether you were eight, eighteen, or eighty years old at the time.
So, did I think McCain won the debate? Yes. Do I think he could have been more effective. Yes. Debate over, and I'm feeling good.
Then, here comes the parade of pundits. It's unusual that I have to shut off the Fox News Channel because I can't stand the absolute drivel coming out of the talking heads on the air, but last night I did. Fred Barnes, Bill Kristol, and Charles Krauthammer - conservative contributors - are all talking down McCain's performance!
YOU FOOLS. Talk up the man! Don't point out what he failed to do, point out what he did do, and keep on the attack in his stead! With friends like these, who needs enemies?
TFH 10/16: Lt. Col. Harold William Bauer, USMC
Not a member of the Air Force or predecessors, but still, a story of heroism worth our Nation's highest honor:
*BAUER, HAROLD WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 20 November 1908. Woodruff, Kans. Appointed from: Nebraska. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific Area during the period 10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in 2 air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than 2 to 1, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed 1 Japanese bomber in the engagement of 28 September and shot down 4 enemy fighter planes in flames on 3 October, leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on an over-water ferry flight of more than 600 miles on 16 October, Lt. Col. Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the U.S.S. McFarland. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that 4 of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.
Lt. Col. Bauer's heroism on October 16, 1942 is just part of his story. His Medal of Honor citation leaves out the details of his final sacrifice and why his award is posthumous. On November 14, 1942 he was forced to ditch his plane 100 miles from Guadalcanal after destroying two Japanese aircraft during action. He was seen in the water alive. He was searched for, but sadly, this brave American warrior was lost at sea.
October 16 was his finest hour among all his finest hours from May 10-November 14, 1942. Harold William Bauer, thank you for your service and sacrifice.
*BAUER, HAROLD WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 20 November 1908. Woodruff, Kans. Appointed from: Nebraska. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific Area during the period 10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in 2 air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than 2 to 1, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed 1 Japanese bomber in the engagement of 28 September and shot down 4 enemy fighter planes in flames on 3 October, leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on an over-water ferry flight of more than 600 miles on 16 October, Lt. Col. Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the U.S.S. McFarland. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that 4 of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.
Lt. Col. Bauer's heroism on October 16, 1942 is just part of his story. His Medal of Honor citation leaves out the details of his final sacrifice and why his award is posthumous. On November 14, 1942 he was forced to ditch his plane 100 miles from Guadalcanal after destroying two Japanese aircraft during action. He was seen in the water alive. He was searched for, but sadly, this brave American warrior was lost at sea.
October 16 was his finest hour among all his finest hours from May 10-November 14, 1942. Harold William Bauer, thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Election fraud? What election fraud?
Via Texas Rainmaker, veteran of the 2004 election as a member of the Republican Legal Task Force, a story of Democratic shenanigans in Philadelphia that November day.
Based on reports from PA and the surrounding states, I'd say the fix is in again.
He (Texas Rainmaker, that is) has perhaps the best blog tag line:
Every morning when I wake up I read the Bible and the newspaper...because I want to know what both sides are up to.
Amen to that.
Based on reports from PA and the surrounding states, I'd say the fix is in again.
He (Texas Rainmaker, that is) has perhaps the best blog tag line:
Every morning when I wake up I read the Bible and the newspaper...because I want to know what both sides are up to.
Amen to that.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
TFH 10/15: The Natural
Twenty years ago today...
In 1988, I had a bitter pill as a Yankee fan to swallow. The ALCS had been the Oakland Athletics (couldn't stand them) vs. the Boston Red Sox (well, there's only one situation where I can like them, and this wasn't it). The NLCS was the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the Mets (both arch enemies of my Yankees; one traditional, one inborn - you can't like both).
Well, the Dodgers beat the Mets, and the Athletics beat the Red Sox. Since I still couldn't stand Oakland (even though they dropped Boston) and the Dodgers sent the hated Mets packing, that put this Yankee fan in Dodger blue.
Down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, one runner in scoring position, two strikes, the best closer of the day - Dennis Eckersley - on the mound. At the plate an injured, hobbled slugger who wasn't thought even able to stand the pain enough to get his uniform on much less pinch hit with everything on the line...HOME RUN TO RIGHT! Dodgers 5, Athletics 4.
Could one home run in the first game of the World Series clinch a championship? I say, yes!
Kirk Gibson, October 15, 1988 was your finest hour!
In 1988, I had a bitter pill as a Yankee fan to swallow. The ALCS had been the Oakland Athletics (couldn't stand them) vs. the Boston Red Sox (well, there's only one situation where I can like them, and this wasn't it). The NLCS was the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the Mets (both arch enemies of my Yankees; one traditional, one inborn - you can't like both).
Well, the Dodgers beat the Mets, and the Athletics beat the Red Sox. Since I still couldn't stand Oakland (even though they dropped Boston) and the Dodgers sent the hated Mets packing, that put this Yankee fan in Dodger blue.
Down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, one runner in scoring position, two strikes, the best closer of the day - Dennis Eckersley - on the mound. At the plate an injured, hobbled slugger who wasn't thought even able to stand the pain enough to get his uniform on much less pinch hit with everything on the line...HOME RUN TO RIGHT! Dodgers 5, Athletics 4.
Could one home run in the first game of the World Series clinch a championship? I say, yes!
Kirk Gibson, October 15, 1988 was your finest hour!
Armed Citizens - Enemy of the Left
I'm off on a business trip. One of the things I "enjoy" about business travel is the free copy of USA Today that arrives outside my hotel room door. What I really "enjoy" about reading it is that I'm guaranteed to see some piece of left-wing scree that will just set the mood for the day.
This morning, USA Today comes through as expected with a below-the-fold front page article under Kevin Johnson's byline headlined: "Justifiable homicides at highest in more than a decade, FBI says"
No bias in these statements, none at all:
Now, it's possible that Dr. Blumstein had his words taken out of context, but somehow I doubt it.
Mr. Johnson, the Supreme Court did not "carve out" a right - they simply read the Constitution and ruled on what it said, you fool! To quote the Second Amendment, and yes, I know it by heart:
...THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.
Hear that? "Right of the people" means you and me - I guess they don't teach common plain English anymore in whatever so-called "journalism" school you went to. "Keep and bear arms" doesn't mean the two appendages attached to your shoulders Mr. Johnson; it means my Glock 23 .40 S&W - or whatever your weapon of choice is. "Shall not be infringed" means that the government - who rules by only the consent of the governed - can't do anything to stop us from keeping and bearing.
There is one statement in the article with which I can agree:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The solution to crime is to promote law-abiding, armed citizens.
This morning, USA Today comes through as expected with a below-the-fold front page article under Kevin Johnson's byline headlined: "Justifiable homicides at highest in more than a decade, FBI says"
No bias in these statements, none at all:
Add in a blowhard comment from a professor at my alma mater:The number of justifiable homicides committed by police and private
citizens has been rising in the past two years to their highest levels in more
than a decade, reflecting a shoot-first philosophy in dealing with crime, say
law enforcement analysts.In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court in June carved out a right to
individual gun ownership, ruling that the Second Amendment allows citizens to
keep guns in their homes for self-defense.
Alfred Blumstein, a Carnegie Mellon University criminologist, says the gun
"legalization movement" also may have helped create a "greater willingness"
among citizens to act in self-defense.
Now, it's possible that Dr. Blumstein had his words taken out of context, but somehow I doubt it.
Mr. Johnson, the Supreme Court did not "carve out" a right - they simply read the Constitution and ruled on what it said, you fool! To quote the Second Amendment, and yes, I know it by heart:
...THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.
Hear that? "Right of the people" means you and me - I guess they don't teach common plain English anymore in whatever so-called "journalism" school you went to. "Keep and bear arms" doesn't mean the two appendages attached to your shoulders Mr. Johnson; it means my Glock 23 .40 S&W - or whatever your weapon of choice is. "Shall not be infringed" means that the government - who rules by only the consent of the governed - can't do anything to stop us from keeping and bearing.
There is one statement in the article with which I can agree:
Some law enforcement analysts say the numbers represent changing attitudes on
the streets, where police have felt more threatened by well-armed offenders, and
citizens have taken greater responsibility for their own safety.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The solution to crime is to promote law-abiding, armed citizens.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Apollo+40: Apollo gets Airborne - LIFTOFF!
Launch of Apollo 7 (NASA)
Donn Eisele, Wally Schirra, Walt Cunningham (NASA)October 11, 1968 - 11:02 AM: Apollo 7 launched successfully from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 34! Carrying Astronauts Wally Schirra (Commander), Donn Eisele (Command Module Pilot), and Walt Cunningham (Lunar Module Pilot), the Apollo Project's first manned flight launched and while it only went as far as Earth orbit, started a necessary first step to the moon. This was the essential flight test of the Apollo Command and Service Module.
Just 10 minutes and 28 seconds after liftoff, Apollo 7 attained orbit. The Saturn IB booster - never having before flown manned - did its job flawlessly. All systems were go. America's would-be moon ship was finally airborne.
After reaching orbit, Apollo 7 tested the critical Transposition and Docking maneuver - required on a lunar flight to extract the Lunar Module from the spent Saturn booster. The crew found that the hinged spacecraft adapter panels did not fully spread as had been intended; on later flights these panels would be set to jettison completely.
Over nearly eleven days, Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham would put their spacecraft through its paces, including critical tests of the Service Propulsion System (SPS) - the rocket motor needed to brake Apollo into lunar orbit, and more importantly, bring our astronauts home from the Moon.
Much rode on this flight. At this point the world did not know that should Apollo 7 be successful, the next flight, Apollo 8, would truly go where no man had gone before...
Sources:
Friday, October 10, 2008
TFH 10/10: Major Richard I. Bong, USAAC
Today's edition of Their Finest Hour returns to Medal of Honor Citations honoring members of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. During World War II, this aviator's heroism was deemed worthy of our Nation's highest honor:
BONG, RICHARD I. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over Borneo and Leyte, 10 October to 15 November 1944. Entered service at: Poplar, Wis. Birth: Poplar, Wis. G.O. No.: 90, 8 December 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the Southwest Pacific area from 10 October to 15 November 1944. Though assigned to duty as gunnery instructor and neither required nor expected to perform combat duty, Maj. Bong voluntarily and at his own urgent request engaged in repeated combat missions, including unusually hazardous sorties over Balikpapan, Borneo, and in the Leyte area of the Philippines. His aggressiveness and daring resulted in his shooting down 8 enemy airplanes during this period.
Now normally, when I recount the sacrifices and service of a Medal of Honor winner, I let their citation speak for itself. In the case of Major Richard I. Bong, the citation is only a brief glimpse into the courage of this great American.
Major Bong is the United States' all-time air-to-air victory ace, with at least forty attributed "kills" of Japanese aircraft during the war. In additon to the Medal of Honor, Major Bong was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star Medals, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, and fourteen Air Medals for his wartime flying, making him one of the most - if not the most - decorated aviator in United States' history!
Richard Bong's Medal of Honor is in one sense, a well-earned lifetime achievement award.
After being relieved from wartime service in January 1945, Major Bong became a test pilot for the P-80, America's first jet fighter. He was killed tragically on August 6, 1945 when he was forced to bail out of a P-80 at low altitude, which did not give his parachute the opportunity to open.
The untimely death of this American hero made front-page news across the country, even though the major story of the day was the beginning of the Pacific War's final act - the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.
Richard Bong, your flying skill, tenacity, and courage in the face of the enemies of Freedom showed the best that America has to offer. I thank you sincerely for your service and sacrifices for our great Nation. October 10-November 15, 1944 was your finest hour!
BONG, RICHARD I. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over Borneo and Leyte, 10 October to 15 November 1944. Entered service at: Poplar, Wis. Birth: Poplar, Wis. G.O. No.: 90, 8 December 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the Southwest Pacific area from 10 October to 15 November 1944. Though assigned to duty as gunnery instructor and neither required nor expected to perform combat duty, Maj. Bong voluntarily and at his own urgent request engaged in repeated combat missions, including unusually hazardous sorties over Balikpapan, Borneo, and in the Leyte area of the Philippines. His aggressiveness and daring resulted in his shooting down 8 enemy airplanes during this period.
Now normally, when I recount the sacrifices and service of a Medal of Honor winner, I let their citation speak for itself. In the case of Major Richard I. Bong, the citation is only a brief glimpse into the courage of this great American.
Major Bong is the United States' all-time air-to-air victory ace, with at least forty attributed "kills" of Japanese aircraft during the war. In additon to the Medal of Honor, Major Bong was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star Medals, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, and fourteen Air Medals for his wartime flying, making him one of the most - if not the most - decorated aviator in United States' history!
Richard Bong's Medal of Honor is in one sense, a well-earned lifetime achievement award.
After being relieved from wartime service in January 1945, Major Bong became a test pilot for the P-80, America's first jet fighter. He was killed tragically on August 6, 1945 when he was forced to bail out of a P-80 at low altitude, which did not give his parachute the opportunity to open.
The untimely death of this American hero made front-page news across the country, even though the major story of the day was the beginning of the Pacific War's final act - the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.
Richard Bong, your flying skill, tenacity, and courage in the face of the enemies of Freedom showed the best that America has to offer. I thank you sincerely for your service and sacrifices for our great Nation. October 10-November 15, 1944 was your finest hour!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Barack's real party?
The Power Line guys have a great post on the New Soviet Man's associations with far left political parties.
I don't refer to Barack Obama as the "New Soviet Man" lightly. I am completely serious in my assertion that he is a Commnunist totalitarian.
More at Michelle Malkin and HotAir
I don't refer to Barack Obama as the "New Soviet Man" lightly. I am completely serious in my assertion that he is a Commnunist totalitarian.
More at Michelle Malkin and HotAir
Good Riddance, Plus 41 Years
On this day in 1967 Communist terrorist, murderer, and revolutionary Che Guevara was executed in Bolivia.
By the way, did you know that this enemy of Liberty and Freedom is a favorite of Barack Obama supporters?
Evidence, part 1
Evidence, part 2
Evidence, part 3
Remember that on November 4th...
By the way, did you know that this enemy of Liberty and Freedom is a favorite of Barack Obama supporters?
Evidence, part 1
Evidence, part 2
Evidence, part 3
Remember that on November 4th...
Apollo+40: Apollo 7 in readiness, Apollo 8 rolls out
Apollo/Saturn 503/CSM-103 on the way to the pad, and from there the Moon (NASA)Two momentous occasions occurred forty years ago today.
First, Apollo program officials certified that all changes mandated by the review process after the Apollo 1 tragedy had been completed on Apollo 7 (CSM-101) and that the spacecraft was ready in all respects for its flight just two days hence.
Second, America's first Moon ship - Apollo 8 (Saturn V booster #503 and Spacecraft CSM-103) - rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building destined for Pad 39A on its Mobile Launch Platform carried by the massive crawler transporter. Apollo 8's beginnings were slow, but none the less impressive.
Two days to the launch of Apollo 7...
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
TFH 10/8-9: SFC Tony K. Burris, USA
From Medal of Honor Cititations for the Korean War:
*BURRIS, TONY K.
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea 8 and 9 October 1951. Entered service at: Blanchard, Okla. Birth: Blanchard, Okla. G.O. No.: 84, 5 September 1952. Citation: Sfc. Burris, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 October, when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force, Sfc. Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the position and destroying approximately 15 of the enemy. On the following day, spearheading a renewed assault on enemy positions on the next ridge, he was wounded by machine gun fire but continued the assault, reaching the crest of the ridge ahead of his unit and sustaining a second wound. Calling for a 57mm. recoilless rifle team, he deliberately exposed himself to draw hostile fire and reveal the enemy position. The enemy machine gun emplacement was destroyed. The company then moved forward and prepared to assault other positions on the ridge line. Sfc. Burris, refusing evacuation and submitting only to emergency treatment, joined the unit in its renewed attack but fire from hostile emplacement halted the advance. Sfc. Burris rose to his feet, charged forward and destroyed the first emplacement with its heavy machine gun and crew of 6 men. Moving out to the next emplacement, and throwing his last grenade which destroyed this position, he fell mortally wounded by enemy fire. Inspired by his consummate gallantry, his comrades renewed a spirited assault which overran enemy positions and secured Hill 605, a strategic position in the battle for "Heartbreak Ridge," Sfc. Burris' indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding heroism, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself, the infantry and the U.S. Army.
Sergeant Burris, thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice for our Nation and the cause of Freedom. October 8-9, 1951 was your finest hour!
*BURRIS, TONY K.
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea 8 and 9 October 1951. Entered service at: Blanchard, Okla. Birth: Blanchard, Okla. G.O. No.: 84, 5 September 1952. Citation: Sfc. Burris, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 October, when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force, Sfc. Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the position and destroying approximately 15 of the enemy. On the following day, spearheading a renewed assault on enemy positions on the next ridge, he was wounded by machine gun fire but continued the assault, reaching the crest of the ridge ahead of his unit and sustaining a second wound. Calling for a 57mm. recoilless rifle team, he deliberately exposed himself to draw hostile fire and reveal the enemy position. The enemy machine gun emplacement was destroyed. The company then moved forward and prepared to assault other positions on the ridge line. Sfc. Burris, refusing evacuation and submitting only to emergency treatment, joined the unit in its renewed attack but fire from hostile emplacement halted the advance. Sfc. Burris rose to his feet, charged forward and destroyed the first emplacement with its heavy machine gun and crew of 6 men. Moving out to the next emplacement, and throwing his last grenade which destroyed this position, he fell mortally wounded by enemy fire. Inspired by his consummate gallantry, his comrades renewed a spirited assault which overran enemy positions and secured Hill 605, a strategic position in the battle for "Heartbreak Ridge," Sfc. Burris' indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding heroism, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself, the infantry and the U.S. Army.
Sergeant Burris, thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice for our Nation and the cause of Freedom. October 8-9, 1951 was your finest hour!
The Debate: Snatching Defeat?
Oh John, what could have been!
McCain:
Delivery: A-, Content: C-
Obama:
Delivery: D, Content: D-
John McCain had the opportunity last night to demonstrating clear differences between the two campaigns and launching a withering barrage of attacks on Obama's socialist views.
He didn't do it. What we get instead is McCain's plan for financial bailout/rescue II - which essentially is everything the ACORN communists wanted in the original!
McCain could have defended regulation reform and responsible deregulation, but he didn't. He could have done much better slamming Obama on national security. Where were the criticisms of Obama's judgment through his associations with Ayers, Wright, et al.?
All of this when the New Soviet Man was bumbling and stumbling through all his responses, hemming and hawing with all his cliches before he could remember what he was supposed to be talking about.
The knockout possibility was there, and didn't come to pass.
I'm so disappointed this morning. I'm feeling so sorry for Sarah Palin, who seems to have hitched on with a candidate who simply incapable of winning, not because he can't but because he won't.
I hope I'm wrong. For our Nation and my children, I pray I'm wrong.
We're going to need Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal in 2012...
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Apollo+40: America's First Moonship
On October 7th, 1968 Apollo CSM-103 a.k.a. Apollo 8 was stacked on top of Saturn V booster 503 - the first time a man-rated spacecraft was prepared to go to the Moon. Preparations for the landmark Apollo 8 flight to orbit the moon continued in anticipation of a successful Apollo 7 Earth-orbital flight in the next few weeks.
Source: Encyclopedia Astronautica
Source: Encyclopedia Astronautica
TFH 10/7: The War is Joined
Prior to 9/11, the United States was a passive participant in a violent conflict. Everything changed that September morning.
Seven years ago this day, the United States of America under the leadership of President George W. Bush began combat operations against Al Qaeda and the Taliban regime of Afghanistan under the command of General Tommy Franks, USA.
From this day forth, the United States of America made it known that we would no longer tolerate terrorist acts against our Nation, nor would we allow those who would support and harbor terrorists to persist among freedom-loving nations.
This day, those murdered by terrorists on 9/11 began to receive justice.
Today began Operation Enduring Freedom, a finest hour for freedom and liberty, and for the United States of America!
Seven years ago this day, the United States of America under the leadership of President George W. Bush began combat operations against Al Qaeda and the Taliban regime of Afghanistan under the command of General Tommy Franks, USA.
From this day forth, the United States of America made it known that we would no longer tolerate terrorist acts against our Nation, nor would we allow those who would support and harbor terrorists to persist among freedom-loving nations.
This day, those murdered by terrorists on 9/11 began to receive justice.
Today began Operation Enduring Freedom, a finest hour for freedom and liberty, and for the United States of America!
Do it to his face tonight, John!
Call a spade a spade, and call the New Soviet Man a liar to his face in the debate tonight.
It's the truth, and some of your famous "straight talk".
Better still, call him a racist to his face for sitting in Jeremiah Wright's pews for twenty years.
Call him a terrorist sympathizer to his face for befrending William Ayers.
Call him a traitor for accusing our brave men and women in the Armed Forces murderers.
Call him on it all - from his Marxist economic policies to his blame America attitute - hit him where it counts!
It's the truth, and some of your famous "straight talk".
Better still, call him a racist to his face for sitting in Jeremiah Wright's pews for twenty years.
Call him a terrorist sympathizer to his face for befrending William Ayers.
Call him a traitor for accusing our brave men and women in the Armed Forces murderers.
Call him on it all - from his Marxist economic policies to his blame America attitute - hit him where it counts!
Hmmmm....
I am not a believer in whack-job conspiracy theories, whether they come from the left or the right. However, this is too eerie to be completely a coincidence.
I was listening live to Quinn & Rose when Dr. Corsi was on the phone this morning describing his detainment because of "missing papers". I hope that he makes it out of Kenya, with the information he obtained, and back to the United States safely!
I was listening live to Quinn & Rose when Dr. Corsi was on the phone this morning describing his detainment because of "missing papers". I hope that he makes it out of Kenya, with the information he obtained, and back to the United States safely!
Monday, October 06, 2008
TFH 10/6: Lieutenants Bleckley & Goettler, USAAC
Their Finest Hour has recognized a lack of daily honorees from the United States Air Force and its predecessors. Today's posting in the series starts rectifying that. From Medal of Honor Citations, a story of two American aviators' bravery and sacrifice from the dawn of aerial warfare:
*BLECKLEY, ERWIN R. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 130th Field Artillery, observer 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service. Place and date. Near Binarville, France, 6 October 1918. Entered service at: Wichita, Kans. Birth: Wichita, Kans. G.O. No.: 56, W.D., 1922. Citation: 2d Lt. Bleckley, with his pilot, 1st Lt. Harold E. Goettler, Air Service, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division, which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of his mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in fatal wounds to 2d Lt. Bleckley, who died before he could be taken to a hospital. In attempting and performing this mission 2d Lt. Bleckley showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage, and valor.
*GOETTLER, HAROLD ERNEST (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, pilot, U.S. Army Air Corps, 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service. Place and date: Near Binarville, France, 6 October 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 21 July 1890, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 56, W.D., 1922. Citation: 1st. Lt. Goettler, with his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, 130th Field Artillery, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of this mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in the instant death of 1st. Lt. Goettler. In attempting and performing this mission 1st. Lt. Goettler showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage and valor.
Erwin Bleckley and Harold Goettler, your collective courage in the face of the forces of tyranny in a then experimental method of combat is a tribute to the service, sacrifce, and dedication of our Armed Forces and specifically among the pioneers of air warfare. October 6th 1918 - 90 years ago today - was your finest hour!
*BLECKLEY, ERWIN R. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 130th Field Artillery, observer 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service. Place and date. Near Binarville, France, 6 October 1918. Entered service at: Wichita, Kans. Birth: Wichita, Kans. G.O. No.: 56, W.D., 1922. Citation: 2d Lt. Bleckley, with his pilot, 1st Lt. Harold E. Goettler, Air Service, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division, which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of his mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in fatal wounds to 2d Lt. Bleckley, who died before he could be taken to a hospital. In attempting and performing this mission 2d Lt. Bleckley showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage, and valor.
*GOETTLER, HAROLD ERNEST (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, pilot, U.S. Army Air Corps, 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service. Place and date: Near Binarville, France, 6 October 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 21 July 1890, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 56, W.D., 1922. Citation: 1st. Lt. Goettler, with his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, 130th Field Artillery, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of this mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in the instant death of 1st. Lt. Goettler. In attempting and performing this mission 1st. Lt. Goettler showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage and valor.
Erwin Bleckley and Harold Goettler, your collective courage in the face of the forces of tyranny in a then experimental method of combat is a tribute to the service, sacrifce, and dedication of our Armed Forces and specifically among the pioneers of air warfare. October 6th 1918 - 90 years ago today - was your finest hour!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Why I call Barack Obama the New Soviet Man
(Images collected around the Internet)First, there's the imagery that Mr. Obama has either chosen or endorsed. Anybody who doesn't see the iconography of Soviet propoganda isn't being honest.
Then there's his associations with Communists, Marxists, and their policies. See:
And there's lots more...just search for "Barack Obama" and "Marxism" or "Socialism" or "Communism".
Then, there was the new words to the old Soviet tune as heard on the Glenn Beck Program:
Mark my words: should the American people make the disasterous move and elect Barack Obama on November 4th, there will be a move to repeal the 22nd Amendment so that the "Blessed Leader" can benevolently rule the revolution so long as he lives.
Did I miss a giant crack in the Earth's crust?
Or perhaps the giant meteor impact? Or perhaps the LHC creating a black hole that has sucked up the Earth? What follows are all quotes from articles appearing today on a certain newspaper's web site and print editions, emphasis illustrating what is exceptionally unusual in the passages is mine:
From reporting on the financial crisis:
From reporting on New Soviet Man Barack Obama:
From reporting on the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's realignment with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone:
What the heck is going on today at The New York Times???????? It could be sanity - or perhaps honesty - but they'll have to keep it up for me to believe it.
Even this earlier NYT article talking about the Liberal vs. Conservative conflict in TEC that my diocese has now relieved ourselves of is incredibly fair.
I'm amazed that (a) the NYT is reporting facts detrimental to the Left and (b) they're actually treating the Conservative point of view fairly.
A strange, strange day for the paper where "All the News That's Fit to Fabricate".
From reporting on the financial crisis:
With that self-assurance, the company announced in 2000 that it would buy $2 trillion in loans from low-income, minority and risky borrowers by 2010. All this helped supercharge Fannie’s stock price and rewarded top executives with tens of millions of dollars. Mr. [New Soviet Man economic adviser Franklin] Raines received about $90 million between 1998 and 2004, while Mr. [J. Timothy] Howard was paid about $30.8 million, according to regulators. Mr. [Daniel H.] Mudd collected more than $10 million in his first four years at Fannie.
Whenever competitors asked Congress to rein in the company, lawmakers were besieged with letters and phone calls from angry constituents, some orchestrated by Fannie itself. One automated phone call warned voters: “Your congressman is trying to make mortgages more expensive. Ask him why he opposes the American dream of home ownership.”...
Within a few years of Mr. Mudd’s arrival, Fannie was the most powerful mortgage company on earth.
Then it began to crumble.
Regulators, spurred by the revelation of a wide-ranging accounting fraud at Freddie, began scrutinizing Fannie’s books. In 2004 they accused Fannie of fraudulently concealing expenses to make its profits look bigger.
Mr. Howard and Mr. Raines resigned. Mr. Mudd was quickly promoted to the top spot...
Had Fannie been a private entity, its comeuppance might have happened a year ago. But the White House, Wall Street and Capitol Hill were more concerned about the trillions of dollars in other loans that were poisoning financial institutions and banks.
Lawmakers, particularly Democrats, leaned on Fannie and Freddie to buy and hold those troubled debts, hoping that removing them from the system would help the economy recover. The companies, eager to regain market share and buy what they thought were undervalued loans, rushed to comply.
The White House also pitched in. James B. Lockhart, the chief regulator of Fannie and Freddie, adjusted the companies’ lending standards so they could purchase as much as $40 billion in new subprime loans. Some in Congress praised the move.
“I’m not worried about Fannie and Freddie’s health, I’m worried that they won’t do enough to help out the economy,” the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, said at the time. “That’s why I’ve supported them all these years — so that they can help at a time like this.”...
Mr. Raines and Mr. Howard, who kept most of their millions, are living well. Mr. Raines has improved his golf game. Mr. Howard divides his time between large homes outside Washington and Cancun, Mexico, where his staff is learning how to cook American meals. [Sounds like somebody won't be spending as much time in his home "outside Washington"- one wonders why...]
From reporting on New Soviet Man Barack Obama:
At a tumultuous meeting of anti-Vietnam War militants at the Chicago Coliseum in 1969, Bill Ayers helped found the radical Weathermen, launching a campaign of bombings that would target the Pentagon and United States Capitol.
Twenty-six years later, at a lunchtime meeting about school reform in a Chicago skyscraper, Barack Obama met Mr. Ayers, by then an education professor. Their paths have crossed sporadically since then, at a coffee Mr. Ayers hosted for Mr. Obama’s first run for office, on the schools project and a charitable board, and in casual encounters as Hyde Park neighbors...
Steve Chapman, a columnist for The Chicago Tribune, defended Mr. Obama’s relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., his longtime pastor, whose black liberation theology and “God damn America” sermon became notorious last spring. But he denounced Mr. Obama for associating with Mr. Ayers, whom he said the University of Illinois should never have hired.
“I don’t think there’s a statute of limitations on terrorist bombings,” Mr. Chapman said in an interview, speaking not of the law but of political and moral implications. “If you’re in public life, you ought to say, ‘I don’t want to be associated with this guy,’ ” Mr. Chapman said. “If John McCain had a long association with a guy who’d bombed abortion clinics, I don’t think people would say, ‘That’s ancient history.’ ”
From reporting on the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's realignment with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone:
A wide majority of clergy and lay members of the Episcopal Diocese of
Pittsburgh voted Saturday to leave the national church and align with a more
conservative South American branch, adding to the fallout from the 2003
appointment of an openly gay bishop...
The movement is driven by theologically conservative leaders who believe
the church has turned away from traditional biblical teachings on issues like whether Jesus is the son of God and the only way to salvation.
What the heck is going on today at The New York Times???????? It could be sanity - or perhaps honesty - but they'll have to keep it up for me to believe it.
Even this earlier NYT article talking about the Liberal vs. Conservative conflict in TEC that my diocese has now relieved ourselves of is incredibly fair.
I'm amazed that (a) the NYT is reporting facts detrimental to the Left and (b) they're actually treating the Conservative point of view fairly.
A strange, strange day for the paper where "All the News That's Fit to Fabricate".
TFH 10/4: 1st Sgt. Benjamin Kaufman, USA
Medal of Honor Citations for World War I don't have as much detail in them as those from later conflicts, but the heroism described by them are none the less inspiring. 90 years ago today, a great American rose up and had his finest hour!
KAUFMAN, BENJAMIN
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 308th Infantry, 77th Division. Place and date: In the forest of Argonne, France, 4 October 1918. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Born: 10 March 1894, Buffalo, N.Y. G.O. No.: 50, W.D., 1919. Citation: He took out a patrol for the purpose of attacking an enemy machinegun which had checked the advance of his company. Before reaching the gun he became separated from his patrol and a machinegun bullet shattered his right arm. Without hesitation he advanced on the gun alone, throwing grenades with his left hand and charging with an empty pistol, taking one prisoner and scattering the crew, bringing the gun and prisoner back to the first-aid station.
KAUFMAN, BENJAMIN
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 308th Infantry, 77th Division. Place and date: In the forest of Argonne, France, 4 October 1918. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Born: 10 March 1894, Buffalo, N.Y. G.O. No.: 50, W.D., 1919. Citation: He took out a patrol for the purpose of attacking an enemy machinegun which had checked the advance of his company. Before reaching the gun he became separated from his patrol and a machinegun bullet shattered his right arm. Without hesitation he advanced on the gun alone, throwing grenades with his left hand and charging with an empty pistol, taking one prisoner and scattering the crew, bringing the gun and prisoner back to the first-aid station.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Thank You, Congressman Jason Altmire
As you've probably heard, the massive socialization of the US economy cloaked as a financial rescue has passed both houses of Congress and will be signed into law by President Bush.
171 American Patriots of both parties stood fast and voted NO on this legislative travesty.
One of them was my Congressman, Mr. Jason Altmire (Democrat) of the Pennsylvania 4th District.
I contacted Mr. Altmire's office several times during these past days to first encourage him to vote against any bailout, then to thank him for his original vote on Monday against the bailout, and then to continue to oppose the measure. I'm thankful that many others in our district did the same, and that Mr. Altmire listened to his constituents.
I do not support Mr. Altmire's reelection, but on this day, I am proud he is representing me.
171 American Patriots of both parties stood fast and voted NO on this legislative travesty.
One of them was my Congressman, Mr. Jason Altmire (Democrat) of the Pennsylvania 4th District.
I contacted Mr. Altmire's office several times during these past days to first encourage him to vote against any bailout, then to thank him for his original vote on Monday against the bailout, and then to continue to oppose the measure. I'm thankful that many others in our district did the same, and that Mr. Altmire listened to his constituents.
I do not support Mr. Altmire's reelection, but on this day, I am proud he is representing me.
Apollo+40: The Phoenix Will Fly!
Welcome! Today begins my blog series, "Apollo+40: America Goes to the Moon". Their Finest Hour was created to celebrate greatness, and American Exceptionalism in particular. Project Apollo is certainly one of the greatest examples of what the United States of America is capable of, given the national political and public will to accomplish the goal. In his special address to the Congress on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged our Nation:
Then, on September 12, 1962 at Rice University in Houston, President Kennedy defined our quest for the Moon as effectively as could have been done:
Launch was set for Friday, October 11th - 8 days later.
Sources: Encyclopedia Astronautica, NASA Human Spaceflight, and NASA KSC Apollo 7 History Page
I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before
this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the
Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to
mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none
will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.
Then, on September 12, 1962 at Rice University in Houston, President Kennedy defined our quest for the Moon as effectively as could have been done:
If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.
Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it--we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.
Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. In short, our leadership in science and industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men, and to become the world's leading space-faring nation. We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war...
There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon... (interrupted by applause) we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.
And now, the first installment of Their Finest Hour's "Apollo+40: America Goes to the Moon":
Thursday, October 3, 1968: NASA managers, engineers, and Astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walt Cunningham meet for the last approval required to let Apollo 7 launch - the flight readiness review.
Wally Schirra had wanted NASA to recind its rule against naming spacecraft so that he could call the mission's Apollo spacecraft, CSM-101, Phoenix - as it would be rising from the ashes of the Apollo 1 tragedy in January of 1967.
40 years ago today America's Phoenix - to sadly be known just as Apollo 7 - was determined to be fully ready in all respects to get our Nation back into space, and on our inexorable path to the Moon.
Launch was set for Friday, October 11th - 8 days later.
Sources: Encyclopedia Astronautica, NASA Human Spaceflight, and NASA KSC Apollo 7 History Page