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."

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.

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)

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

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.

Unfit for command, unfit to lead

This speaks for itself.

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...

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!

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.

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:

"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!

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:

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.

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.

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!

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:

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.

Add in a blowhard comment from a professor at my alma mater:

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.

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:

NASA Human Spaceflight

NASA KSC Apollo 7 History Page

NASA Apollo Mission Reports

Encyclopedia Astronautica

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!

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