I'm sitting at home trying to decide what to have for dinner. Lately, my craving for pizza has been darn near insatiable. Although I was originally put off at the thought of the Domino's steak lovers pizza or meat lovers whatever with Angus beef and cheese and stuff. Really, I was ready to vomit when it first came out, just from watching the commercials. (I was also taking a lot of narcotics and my taste buds were REALLY put off.) Anyway, since I consider beef to be the main ingredient in any good meal, I decided to try it one night. I have a new favorite.
Any how, I've got a hankering for Mexican food. Don't know why, perhaps my cilantro levels are low. Which got me to thinking about the only decent Mexican restaurant in town, a place called El Cazador. I love eating there. The food is outstanding, even if the following day I could shit on a screen door and not hit a wire. Toxic stuff really. I imagine if I broke wind too close to the children, I might kill one of them.
Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed. Apparently it was raided by the immigration and naturalization service and all of the employees were carted off to points unknown. This brings me to the point of this post: Illegal aliens.
(You may want to get some coffee and get comfy, this is a loooong post.)
Now, I'm all for poor, weak, huddled masses yearning to breathe free—as long as they don't come here illegally. They should become fully indoctrinated into our society the right way: they should be inundated with government paperwork and bureaucracy, given the runaround, and then forced to learn more about civics and United States history than any American high-school graduate. Then, once they've gone through all of those hurdles, they can enjoy the fruits of their minimum-wage labor. “But Chuck”, you say, “please, please tell us what you would do to stem the flow of illegal aliens into this country.” Very well, As you wish.
Let's see, we've got something like a 1500-mile border to protect and pretty much anybody with a decent pair of Nike's can come in the country illegally. It's not something we can fix overnight. We have to take baby steps. First, we start rounding up all the Illegals we can find. Second, we organize them in the work gangs. Third, we put them to work for us. Since they'll be in our legal system, they can get the federal limit of $.90 an hour for their work. "But what will they do, Chuck?” you ask.
They will begin building the wall. When the Spanish conquered the West in their discovery of California, they built a mission roughly every 20 miles. That was a day's march for their soldiers. We should cut back by a half, and have the work gangs build prisons every 10 miles along the border. (For cost-effectiveness, we would follow the Sheriff Joe Arpaio model.) In between the jails, they will build the wall that separates us from Mexico. Just to ease the confusion, we will concede 1 mile of our border -- a no man's land if you will. Actually, since we'll be using unskilled labor, it gives us a margin of error if we screw up where the border lies. Volunteer citizens can be used as deputized guards and wardens and paid according to their skills and abilities. The jails will house the prisoners as they continue to build the wall, and anyone who “escapes” back to Mexico is welcome to leave. Anyone who escapes to el norte, is welcome to be hunted down like a dog, and shot (as an escaped felon). After working an eight hour day (any more would be too cruel) the detainees would work on the citizenship process. They could do their paperwork, take their classes on citizenship, and all of the other sundry things that apply to becoming a United States citizen. Also, they would learn to Habla Ingleś-- an absolute requirement for release (after all, we have to make sure that they completely understand their oath of citizenship).
Their wages would (of course) be taxed. Something that they could learn about: ThereAin’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. (Nods to Heinlein—TANSTAAFL.) As a matter of fact, they could use their wages to pay for their lunch while they work. And no, meals wouldn't be optional. Yes, Virginia, America is the land of opportunity. That doesn't mean that opportunities will be handed to you; it means if you work hard enough, you can make opportunities happen.
Now, after they have completed the citizenship process, they will be released from the work program. Just like your average American prisoner, they will be given $20 and a new suit, and released back into society. Of course like your average American criminal, they will begin their new life in America, with one strike against them, as a convicted felon. After all, that's the very definition of illegal alien, and it sends a clear message.
As we continue to capture aliens trying to cross the border legally, they will refill the ranks of those who attain citizenship. Trust me, they'll keep coming. Another note on these prisons: although they will have the overall goal of keeping the inmates penned up when they are not working, we're not talking about a Supermax here. Rather, something more along the lines of Cool Hand Luke, without the torture. As for the wall that they'll build, I'm not thinking about a simple fence that any idiot with a pair of tin snips can cut through about 15 seconds. I'm thinking about the eighth frickin’ wonder of the modern world; I wanna wall that can be seen from space. The Chinese built their wall for the same purpose, to stop the illegal immigration of the Mongols who threatened to destroy their society. That all is seen as a marvel, as a testament to their ability, and also as a testament to their cruelty, since millions died building it.
Of course, our illegals would be housed, clothed, fed, educated, paid wages (substantially higher than they would get picking lettuce, or cleaning the houses of well-to-do Californians) and otherwise rewarded for their efforts. They would be building a monument to security of the nation, it would stand for generations. They would be able to tell their children and their children’s children about the work they did to secure their new homeland.
And if Vincente Fox so much as bitches about it to his next-door neighbor, we will suspend NAFTA . According to the Pew Hispanic Center Report from Census Data, there are currently over 10.3 million “Unauthorized migrants” in the United States. 1500 miles of border/10,300,00 illegal aliens=only 77 feet of wall per illegal! (This assumes, of course that we could round up all 10.3 million The jails I'm talking about establishing are also not permanent fixtures, rather they are meant to be portable: tents, concertina wire, a few portable buildings, mostly the same stuff that the Army uses when we go someplace and build. This way, when sections of the wall are complete, they can pack up their camp and along the wall, establish a new camp, and begin building. As far as cost is concerned, the largest cost of any construction project is the raw materials for building. Just like the Great Wall of China, the wall could practicably be built from surrounding raw materials, whatever was at hand. The height of the wall could also be improved through the use of moats. These wouldn't have to be filled with water, punji stakes and land mines will work much better.
Of course, the best obstacle in the world is pretty worthless if it isn’t overwatched. So, we will need a more robust border guard force. Homesteaders work well for this. Build nice homes along the wall, which of course would connect to a tower, and these homeowners have shoot to kill orders for anyone trying to get over or through the wall. The homes would be given free, or, in keeping with the American way, at a greatly reduced rate for the people who live in them. (Former illegal aliens will be prohibited from living in/owning one of theswe, as it could create a conflict of interest.) The beauty is that you never know which towers will be manned when. Electronic sensors can also help quite a bit, so that the towers don't have to be manned 24/7. You could put a house about every mile or so, I'd be happy to have an nice, inexpensive home, with a beautiful view, a nice observation tower (also good for observing the night sky) and a very nice plot of land to call my own. Shoot to kill/defend the nation's borders order wouldn't be a problem for me at all. You've got enough land on every house plot for a small-arms range, the wall could serve as a backstop. And since I'm doing such a hell of a job and a service to my country, perhaps they could loosen the restrictions on ownership of automatic and long-range weapons, provide relief from property taxes (since tax revenue would be increased by this project and the resulting increase of legal aliens), and peace and quiet.
Next comes the issue of “wet foot/dry foot.” Once a person steps off of their rubber boat from the Dominican Republic, and onto dry land in the US, it becomes much harder to toss them back into the water (legally). That should be much simpler if they had to make it all the way off the beach. On the actual, arable soil. Until then, they could be shot. After that, they could still be shot, they'll just recuperate from non-fatal wounds in the work camps. If the Coast Guard locates one of these boats, they sink it. No questions asked. It's not all about search and rescue. It's about national security. If people can walk or swim across the border without any impedance, if they can gain entry into this country illegally, for the purpose of finding a better life, then they could just as easily find their way into this country, with the purpose of destroying lives. Perhaps carrying a backpack with God knows was what in it, perhaps not. Perhaps they're just going to learn how to fly.
It's a simple plan. The logistics would require a staff of maybe five trained people, and they'd need three or four days to figure it out. Establishing the guard force manpower might take a few more days. Let's say a month from “go,” we could start putting this plan into effect. It really is that easy.
I just realized, I've ranted about this before. Is anybody listening?
--Chuck
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
infernal machine
Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I broke my laptop. My claw, as I've taken to calling my left hand, had gotten precariously long nails. One of them got stuck under my tab key and popped the damn thing off. In my ham-handed attempt to fix it, I broke the little nylon thingamajig that held it in place.
As usual, the tech support folks at Dell were outstanding in their performance. (That's not a compliment.) They simply recommended that I spend $45 (not including shipping) on a new keyboard, which for a small fee ($30 at Best Buy) could be installed with no problem. Of course, Best Buy is only an hour away. So, we're talking about 15 more dollars for gas. Let's see, that makes it about $90, plus lunch.
The Mrs. dinna like that idea. She's usually opposed to spending any money at all on the computer, she hates the blasted things. More appropriately, she hates the time that I spend on them (I love them). As usual, she's right. I tend to fall into my own little world and ignore everything around me, spending hours on these machines, surfing the web, researching things I find interesting, but basically screwing around. And unfortunately the things that I do ignore (mostly my kids) are things that once lost can never be regained. This helps to explain the lack of posting over the last few days, that and laziness.
Oh yeah, back to the broken laptop. So I called every local computer repair shop and they told me the same thing, you have to replace the keyboard (and pay me lots of money to fix it). Notoriously cheap, (not frugal) I shopped around for days on the Internet. Finally, I found what I was looking for—at eBay of all places. Actually found a seller who finds laptops and such, and then tears them apart for all their little bits and pieces. The seller can provide me with the key that I need, and BOTH of the little nylon hookiedoos that will re-affix it to my keyboard. All for six bucks and I don't even have to leave the house. (For some reason, I feel like I might be turning into Howard Hughes, in his latter years...).
-- Chuck
As usual, the tech support folks at Dell were outstanding in their performance. (That's not a compliment.) They simply recommended that I spend $45 (not including shipping) on a new keyboard, which for a small fee ($30 at Best Buy) could be installed with no problem. Of course, Best Buy is only an hour away. So, we're talking about 15 more dollars for gas. Let's see, that makes it about $90, plus lunch.
The Mrs. dinna like that idea. She's usually opposed to spending any money at all on the computer, she hates the blasted things. More appropriately, she hates the time that I spend on them (I love them). As usual, she's right. I tend to fall into my own little world and ignore everything around me, spending hours on these machines, surfing the web, researching things I find interesting, but basically screwing around. And unfortunately the things that I do ignore (mostly my kids) are things that once lost can never be regained. This helps to explain the lack of posting over the last few days, that and laziness.
Oh yeah, back to the broken laptop. So I called every local computer repair shop and they told me the same thing, you have to replace the keyboard (and pay me lots of money to fix it). Notoriously cheap, (not frugal) I shopped around for days on the Internet. Finally, I found what I was looking for—at eBay of all places. Actually found a seller who finds laptops and such, and then tears them apart for all their little bits and pieces. The seller can provide me with the key that I need, and BOTH of the little nylon hookiedoos that will re-affix it to my keyboard. All for six bucks and I don't even have to leave the house. (For some reason, I feel like I might be turning into Howard Hughes, in his latter years...).
-- Chuck
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Happy Holidays from the Ziegenfi
Hey Y'all! Can you guess who this is? Yep, Carren is back... trying to think of something whitty to say, but Chuck seems to do that much better than I. So, I will keep this short and sweet while our children run in and out of the room asking for a million things at once... and while Chuck is SLEEPING peacefully in bed (I need to go jump on the bed and wake him up... maybe I'll send the kids up to do that so they can get yelled at instead of me...).
Okay, the real reason I wanted to write was to wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and may God bless you all in 2006!!!
I thank you all for being so supportive of us through the last six months. This blog has opened so many doors for so many people (other than our family), and I am very grateful to all of you who support the troops and their families.
Sidebar: As I am writing this, or trying to, I am getting a math lesson from my soon-to-be six year old son. And our two year old is asking for bubble gum..... can't a woman get a little space!!! :)
Anyway.... enjoy the holidays and remember all of the blessings in your life. We have had many blessings, including those of you who faithfully read the blog and keep us in your prayers.
Take care and God Bless!
Until next time,
Carren
Okay, the real reason I wanted to write was to wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and may God bless you all in 2006!!!
I thank you all for being so supportive of us through the last six months. This blog has opened so many doors for so many people (other than our family), and I am very grateful to all of you who support the troops and their families.
Sidebar: As I am writing this, or trying to, I am getting a math lesson from my soon-to-be six year old son. And our two year old is asking for bubble gum..... can't a woman get a little space!!! :)
Anyway.... enjoy the holidays and remember all of the blessings in your life. We have had many blessings, including those of you who faithfully read the blog and keep us in your prayers.
Take care and God Bless!
Until next time,
Carren
Friday, December 23, 2005
fund-raising
I'm thinking of opening up a T-shirt store online.proceeds from all sales would go toward soldier's angels, specifically project Valour-IT. The shirts would primarily be text, and cover some of the more trite phrases that I've managed to come up with while blogging. Some would be quotes I've found and really liked, and others just random quotes (like: "... like a baby seal on coat-making day." or "I carry too much shit.") Perhaps a picture of the tinfoil helmet... I don't know the thought is still forming in my head. If anyone has any suggestions, both for T-shirt ideas, quotes, and where to set up the store, please feel free to comment.
Again, any and all profits would go to soldiersangels.
-- Chuck
Again, any and all profits would go to soldiersangels.
-- Chuck
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Adopt a Cripple
During this holiday season, remember those less fortunate--I don't mean by patting your pockets as you resist your secret urge to strangle the overly-cheerful red bucket brigade of bell-ringers outside Wal-Mart No, assuage your guilt, clear your conscience, make sure you don't get a stocking full of coal and reindeer turds-- help a soldier who was not only wounded, but severely disabled fighting for your freedom, against those who deny that Jesus Christ was even divine.
That puts it very bluntly during this Christ-Mass. Sure it was a pagan holiday that Constantine married up to on the 25th of December. Who Cares? Mustafa Kareem Ali-Jababwah, that's who. If he had his way, every infidel--that's you--would die tomorrow if he could get enough bomb materials.
And, that's how most of these kids have been hurt. Improvised Explosive Devices--IEDs have definitely caused their fair share of destruction within our ranks. These bombs weren't placed by Jews, Buddhists, Wiccans, Presbyterians, or any other non-Christian religious group. The IEDs have been placed by Muslim terrorists. You know, the religion of peace?
Sorry. I'm spinning wildly off-topic. Forgive me, too much eggnog. Heh. The point I am trying to get you all excited about in this season of Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwellian bliss is here.
Or, you can directly Adopt a cripple through Soldier's Angels.
That's right woodchuck chuckers, I said cripple. Forget all that "Differently Abled" bullshit. For those who don't eat dictionaries...
Cripple: (v) deprive of the use of a limb.. (v) deprive of strength or efficiency
and my favorite: Having most of the cards that other players would need in order to win
So, if injuries inflicted on you deprived you of the use of a limb, deprived you of strength or efficiency, or left you without a full deck, guess what gimpy... you're a cripple. Now there's lots of folks out there who just love to say things like "You're only crippled/handicapped/gimpy if you think you are ." These are usually with complete and total function of their entire bodies. I imagine that deep down, they believe that parapalegics are secretly just really lazy, and with the right motivation and positive thoughts, the could just get up and walk.
I post a LOT of this vituperation in jest, except the part about muslims wanting to kill you, and soldiers who desparately need your help to get the equipment they need to be a little less crippled. I submit to you that the freedom that blogging, email, and general internet use provided me was second only to driving in allowing me to feel truly independent again. For a pittance, you can give a gift to an injured soldier that will give him him a fraction of the daily autonomy you enjoy, and return to him that which he so readily sacrificed on the altar of freedom... for you.
You may not support this war, or the other various expeditions of our government aroubd the globe, and quite frankly, I don't care. This fact remains: they can fight us here or they can fight us "over there," where would you rther the IEDs, Fire Fights, kidnappings, and murders take place?
Thank a Vet, and help a wounded vet.
And a felicitous Kwanzaa to Ya'll.
Heathens.
--Chuck
That puts it very bluntly during this Christ-Mass. Sure it was a pagan holiday that Constantine married up to on the 25th of December. Who Cares? Mustafa Kareem Ali-Jababwah, that's who. If he had his way, every infidel--that's you--would die tomorrow if he could get enough bomb materials.
And, that's how most of these kids have been hurt. Improvised Explosive Devices--IEDs have definitely caused their fair share of destruction within our ranks. These bombs weren't placed by Jews, Buddhists, Wiccans, Presbyterians, or any other non-Christian religious group. The IEDs have been placed by Muslim terrorists. You know, the religion of peace?
Sorry. I'm spinning wildly off-topic. Forgive me, too much eggnog. Heh. The point I am trying to get you all excited about in this season of Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwellian bliss is here.
Or, you can directly Adopt a cripple through Soldier's Angels.
That's right woodchuck chuckers, I said cripple. Forget all that "Differently Abled" bullshit. For those who don't eat dictionaries...
Cripple: (v) deprive of the use of a limb.. (v) deprive of strength or efficiency
and my favorite: Having most of the cards that other players would need in order to win
So, if injuries inflicted on you deprived you of the use of a limb, deprived you of strength or efficiency, or left you without a full deck, guess what gimpy... you're a cripple. Now there's lots of folks out there who just love to say things like "You're only crippled/handicapped/gimpy if you think you are ." These are usually with complete and total function of their entire bodies. I imagine that deep down, they believe that parapalegics are secretly just really lazy, and with the right motivation and positive thoughts, the could just get up and walk.
I post a LOT of this vituperation in jest, except the part about muslims wanting to kill you, and soldiers who desparately need your help to get the equipment they need to be a little less crippled. I submit to you that the freedom that blogging, email, and general internet use provided me was second only to driving in allowing me to feel truly independent again. For a pittance, you can give a gift to an injured soldier that will give him him a fraction of the daily autonomy you enjoy, and return to him that which he so readily sacrificed on the altar of freedom... for you.
You may not support this war, or the other various expeditions of our government aroubd the globe, and quite frankly, I don't care. This fact remains: they can fight us here or they can fight us "over there," where would you rther the IEDs, Fire Fights, kidnappings, and murders take place?
Thank a Vet, and help a wounded vet.
And a felicitous Kwanzaa to Ya'll.
Heathens.
--Chuck
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Help for underpriviledged child
Everytime I read this email, it just makes me wish I could help poor Billy more and more. You may want to cover your keyboard before reading of his plight, as the salt from your tears is horrible for the circutry
See? How could someone read that and not be moved?
--Chuck
I am a very sick little boy. My mother is typing this for me, because I can't. She is crying. Don't cry, Mommy! Mommy is always sad, but she says it's not my fault. I asked her if it was God's fault, but she didn't answer, and only started crying harder, so I don't ask her that anymore. The reason she is so sad is that I'm so sick. I was born without a body. It doesn't hurt, except when I go to sleep.
The doctors gave me an artificial body. My body is a burlap bag filled with leaves. The doctors said that was the best they could do on account of us havin' no money or insurance. I would like to have a body transplant, but we need more money. Mommy doesn't work because she said employers don't hire crying people. I said, "Don't cry, Mommy," and she hugged my burlap body. Mommy always gives me hugs, even though she's allergic to burlap, and it chafes her real bad.
I hope you will help me. You can help me if you forward this
Maybe one day I will be able to play baseball. Or maybe just use my lungs and heart, when the doctors make them. The doctors said that every time you forward this letter, the astronauts can take another prayer to the angels. Please help me. Mommy is so sad, and I want a body. I don't want my leaves to rot before I turn 10.
If you don't forward this
Please help me. This really sucks. I try to be happy but it's hard. I wish I had a puppy. I wish I could hold a puppy.
Thank You.
Billy 'Smiles' Evans,
The boy with just a head.
And a burlap sack for a body.
See? How could someone read that and not be moved?
--Chuck
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Flash traffic, Immediate attention required!
Attention all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have been wounded in OIF/OEF: there is an organization called salute America's heroes that wants to give you $500 for the holidays. This money has been approved by the Department of Defense for receipt and is approved through the Department of Defense office of General Counsel Standards of Conduct office.
All you have to do is go here and register. (may only work in IE)
http://www.saluteheroes.org/redesign/
Registration takes about five minutes total, and the cash is yours, free and clear. You got to hurry though, but the VA representative I spoke to about it said that it would be ending in a few days. You can even elect to have a member of the American Legion hand deliver it to you, or it can be sent through the U.S. Postal Service.
Please, if you are or know of any wounded veterans, especially those in the hospital who may not be able to get to a computer or register themselves, get their info NOW, and register for them if they wish.
Feel free to cross post or link to this, if I blow up my bandwidth on this post, I'll buy more.
It's a great way to say thank you during the holidays.
UPDATE:
Sorry folks, for getting ya'll jazzed about this. I called the Wounded Warrior Program to ask them how wounded soldiers would go about getting the authorization code, and was told that the Coalition to salute America's Heroes gave them a list of authorization codes and people to call. Apparently, it works like this:
Coalition to salute America's Heroes somehow selects who they want to donate to
DS3/WW2 is given the list of names to contact with authorization codes
Soldiers get contacted by DS3/WW2, given their authorization #, and asked to register.
I'm not sure how many people the Coalition to salute America's heroes have or are going to give this to, or how they generated the list of names, etc.
I apologize for jumping the gun without doing the research (heck, I was pretty psyched about getting $500 smackers right before Christmas, and wanted to share the wealth/spread the news.) I hope I didn't do more harm than good.
Thanks,
--Chuck
All you have to do is go here and register. (may only work in IE)
http://www.saluteheroes.org/redesign/
Registration takes about five minutes total, and the cash is yours, free and clear. You got to hurry though, but the VA representative I spoke to about it said that it would be ending in a few days. You can even elect to have a member of the American Legion hand deliver it to you, or it can be sent through the U.S. Postal Service.
Please, if you are or know of any wounded veterans, especially those in the hospital who may not be able to get to a computer or register themselves, get their info NOW, and register for them if they wish.
Feel free to cross post or link to this, if I blow up my bandwidth on this post, I'll buy more.
It's a great way to say thank you during the holidays.
UPDATE:
Sorry folks, for getting ya'll jazzed about this. I called the Wounded Warrior Program to ask them how wounded soldiers would go about getting the authorization code, and was told that the Coalition to salute America's Heroes gave them a list of authorization codes and people to call. Apparently, it works like this:
Coalition to salute America's Heroes somehow selects who they want to donate to
DS3/WW2 is given the list of names to contact with authorization codes
Soldiers get contacted by DS3/WW2, given their authorization #, and asked to register.
I'm not sure how many people the Coalition to salute America's heroes have or are going to give this to, or how they generated the list of names, etc.
I apologize for jumping the gun without doing the research (heck, I was pretty psyched about getting $500 smackers right before Christmas, and wanted to share the wealth/spread the news.) I hope I didn't do more harm than good.
Thanks,
--Chuck
Goodbye Tookie...rot in hell.
Did anyone else feel a strange disturbance in the force last night? I certainly did. It was about one o'clock my time (CST), (I think.) At first, I thought that it was the feeling of a single soul being snuffed out. Then, I came to realize that it was more than that. It was the voices of thousands of souls, screaming for justice. (Obviously, one soul being snuffed out is hardly enough to wake me up.).
After clearing the cobwebs from my mind, I realize that right about then was when Tookie would be getting his shot—and the rest of the world would be getting yet another vaccination against his kind.
Sure, sure he had dedicated his life since his incarceration to peaceful means. One is left to wonder if he would have continued down this path to righteousness had he not been caught and sentenced to die. I doubt that he had retired from the gang life before being caught and sentenced, and I doubt that he would have “seen the light” under any other circumstances.
Some people still have doubts whether or not the people that he was CONVICTED of murdering were actually killed by him. Regardless, as founder of the gang, he was responsible for thousands of murders carried out in the name of the gang. But that's not what he was sentenced to die for. I find it interesting that he claimed simultaneously his innocence, and asked for redemption. If he's innocent he doesn't need redemption, does he?
Governor Schwarzenegger simply added a little bit of Clorox to the gene pool. Despite all the hype, all the grandstanding, all the protests in all prayer vigils, there was one person, and only one person who could have (or should have) been able to offer Stanley redemption: Lora Owens. She never spoke on his behalf, never cried out for his execution. She simply sought justice.
Too bad, California won't be having any love-ins with Amnesty International. And, although California is a “red state,” it has a governor with the balls to seek justice, stick to his guns when he is doing something he believes in, and see things through.
The lesson here: if you take a life, you are responsible from that incident until the end of your days for that life. If the taking of the life was justified, then you will live out your days in peace. If however the taking of life was unjust, then your acts from that moment on, regardless of your motive should not and will not upset the scales of justice in your favor. And as you go to that "humane" execution, one in which you will feel little or no pain, be glad that you don't live in Chuckland; where the punishment fits the crime. In this case, Tookie would've been fatally shot and left to die on the floor of the convenience store where he murdered Albert Owens 26 years ago. And justice would've been served about 25 and ½ years ago.
--Chuck
After clearing the cobwebs from my mind, I realize that right about then was when Tookie would be getting his shot—and the rest of the world would be getting yet another vaccination against his kind.
Sure, sure he had dedicated his life since his incarceration to peaceful means. One is left to wonder if he would have continued down this path to righteousness had he not been caught and sentenced to die. I doubt that he had retired from the gang life before being caught and sentenced, and I doubt that he would have “seen the light” under any other circumstances.
Some people still have doubts whether or not the people that he was CONVICTED of murdering were actually killed by him. Regardless, as founder of the gang, he was responsible for thousands of murders carried out in the name of the gang. But that's not what he was sentenced to die for. I find it interesting that he claimed simultaneously his innocence, and asked for redemption. If he's innocent he doesn't need redemption, does he?
Governor Schwarzenegger simply added a little bit of Clorox to the gene pool. Despite all the hype, all the grandstanding, all the protests in all prayer vigils, there was one person, and only one person who could have (or should have) been able to offer Stanley redemption: Lora Owens. She never spoke on his behalf, never cried out for his execution. She simply sought justice.
Too bad, California won't be having any love-ins with Amnesty International. And, although California is a “red state,” it has a governor with the balls to seek justice, stick to his guns when he is doing something he believes in, and see things through.
The lesson here: if you take a life, you are responsible from that incident until the end of your days for that life. If the taking of the life was justified, then you will live out your days in peace. If however the taking of life was unjust, then your acts from that moment on, regardless of your motive should not and will not upset the scales of justice in your favor. And as you go to that "humane" execution, one in which you will feel little or no pain, be glad that you don't live in Chuckland; where the punishment fits the crime. In this case, Tookie would've been fatally shot and left to die on the floor of the convenience store where he murdered Albert Owens 26 years ago. And justice would've been served about 25 and ½ years ago.
--Chuck
Monday, December 12, 2005
The greatest Generation of the 21st Century
Teddy Roosevelt once said, “far and away, the best prize that life offers is
the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
As a member of the United States Armed Forces, your work is making a
difference daily in the lives of millions of people throughout the world.
You have volunteered to take on an incredible responsibility, and you
continue to exceed our expectations.
For centuries, U.S. soldiers have protected American families, guarded our
coasts, saved our cities, and paved the way for our children and
grandchildren to enjoy the same freedoms we cherish today. The work you are
doing today is furthering the greatest spread of freedom and democracy in
the history of the world. While most people cannot claim they risked their
lives for something that is greater than themselves, you have earned this
honor.
Tremendous responsibility rarely comes without great sacrifice. As you fight
the War on Terrorism by land, air, and sea, I can only imagine how much you
miss your family, your friends, and the comforts of home. American families
are now celebrating the holiday season, and your absence is felt in your
communities. While we continue to enjoy the blessings of living in our great
nation, we will never forget that the American way of life is made possible
by your service. You remain in the thoughts and prayers of every American.
Since our country was attacked on September 11, 2001, you have played a
critical role in spreading peace through strength. Where a brutal dictator
once ruled in Iraq, a new democracy has now begun to flourish. Where women
were dominated by an oppressive regime in Afghanistan, they now play a
critical role in their country and are enjoying the rights and privileges of
democratic societies. Where terrorists once seeped through the borders of
Pakistan, they are now being captured by American and Pakistani forces.
Where murderers once plotted disastrous attacks against innocent civilians,
they are now detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Where terrorists once found
safe haven in the Horn of Africa, they are now on the run and unable to
access the critical support they need to carry out their fanaticism. In
country after country, you are stopping terrorists and ultimately protecting
American families.
As a member of Congress, I have had the unique opportunity to visit your
battlefields and witness your many successes. Each week, you are capturing
terrorists, rebuilding communities, and giving people around the world the
chance to experience opportunities that only exist in free nations. Although
the media rarely reports your victories, I strongly believe that the
American people recognize that you are making tremendous progress.
The threat of terrorism is not temporary and your service will remain
essential for years to come. We will continue to stand behind you and to
entrust you with the duty of protecting our country and our families. As you
resolve crises and destroy the enemies of democracy throughout the world,
you reflect precisely why we must prevail in this war. You are the
definition of decency, the embodiment of excellence, and the meaning of
strength. Your presence abroad is securing our safety at home.
Thank-A-Soldier Week provides Americans
with an outstanding outlet to personally express our appreciation to you,
the brave men and women who make our freedoms possible. As the father of
three sons serving in the military (including one who served for a year in
Iraq), I fully understand how important it is for you to know that we
support your mission. I am sure Americans throughout the world would agree
with me when I say that we have never been prouder of our men and women in
uniform.
Although I will never be able to fully express my gratitude, I can guarantee
you my unwavering support. As you continue to work for the best prize that
life has to offer, never underestimate your contribution or forget how much
your efforts mean to the American people.
Congressman Joe Wilson is Co-Chair of the Victory in Iraq Caucus and a
member of the House Armed Services Committee. He has visited Iraq 5 times
and served in the National Guard for over 31 years.
--Chuck
the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
As a member of the United States Armed Forces, your work is making a
difference daily in the lives of millions of people throughout the world.
You have volunteered to take on an incredible responsibility, and you
continue to exceed our expectations.
For centuries, U.S. soldiers have protected American families, guarded our
coasts, saved our cities, and paved the way for our children and
grandchildren to enjoy the same freedoms we cherish today. The work you are
doing today is furthering the greatest spread of freedom and democracy in
the history of the world. While most people cannot claim they risked their
lives for something that is greater than themselves, you have earned this
honor.
Tremendous responsibility rarely comes without great sacrifice. As you fight
the War on Terrorism by land, air, and sea, I can only imagine how much you
miss your family, your friends, and the comforts of home. American families
are now celebrating the holiday season, and your absence is felt in your
communities. While we continue to enjoy the blessings of living in our great
nation, we will never forget that the American way of life is made possible
by your service. You remain in the thoughts and prayers of every American.
Since our country was attacked on September 11, 2001, you have played a
critical role in spreading peace through strength. Where a brutal dictator
once ruled in Iraq, a new democracy has now begun to flourish. Where women
were dominated by an oppressive regime in Afghanistan, they now play a
critical role in their country and are enjoying the rights and privileges of
democratic societies. Where terrorists once seeped through the borders of
Pakistan, they are now being captured by American and Pakistani forces.
Where murderers once plotted disastrous attacks against innocent civilians,
they are now detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Where terrorists once found
safe haven in the Horn of Africa, they are now on the run and unable to
access the critical support they need to carry out their fanaticism. In
country after country, you are stopping terrorists and ultimately protecting
American families.
As a member of Congress, I have had the unique opportunity to visit your
battlefields and witness your many successes. Each week, you are capturing
terrorists, rebuilding communities, and giving people around the world the
chance to experience opportunities that only exist in free nations. Although
the media rarely reports your victories, I strongly believe that the
American people recognize that you are making tremendous progress.
The threat of terrorism is not temporary and your service will remain
essential for years to come. We will continue to stand behind you and to
entrust you with the duty of protecting our country and our families. As you
resolve crises and destroy the enemies of democracy throughout the world,
you reflect precisely why we must prevail in this war. You are the
definition of decency, the embodiment of excellence, and the meaning of
strength. Your presence abroad is securing our safety at home.
Thank-A-Soldier Week
with an outstanding outlet to personally express our appreciation to you,
the brave men and women who make our freedoms possible. As the father of
three sons serving in the military (including one who served for a year in
Iraq), I fully understand how important it is for you to know that we
support your mission. I am sure Americans throughout the world would agree
with me when I say that we have never been prouder of our men and women in
uniform.
Although I will never be able to fully express my gratitude, I can guarantee
you my unwavering support. As you continue to work for the best prize that
life has to offer, never underestimate your contribution or forget how much
your efforts mean to the American people.
Congressman Joe Wilson is Co-Chair of the Victory in Iraq Caucus and a
member of the House Armed Services Committee. He has visited Iraq 5 times
and served in the National Guard for over 31 years.
--Chuck
Poor taste, but still funny.
Maybe it's cruel, or an example of my twisted humor run amok, but I find this stuff too funny. Talk about stocking stuffers.
--Chuck
--Chuck
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Pimp my Ride
Here we go. These are must-haves, non-negotiable for Chuck’s next vee—hickle.
1. All right hand controls, natch.
2. Room to seat five, comfortably.
3. Four wheel drive.
4. Power windows, doors, steering, brakes, transmission, and mirrors.
5. 6 Cylinders, minimum.
I have a truck now, and love the absolute utility of it, but I’m not wedded to one. I do like being farther off the ground and able to see (at least more than in the Mrs.’s Impala). I’m not interested in an over-muscled, gas-guzzling grocery fetcher, so most SUVs are out.
Believe it or not, I have entertained the thought of a hybrid. Never driven one, but I like the idea of 60 mpg. (I know, it’s contradictory to #5 but it’s my want list.) Honda has a promising pickup truck-like thing, anybody have any ideas?
Some other things I want in the vehicle (negotiable):
A dock for my Ipod
I wanna be able to call the vehicle and start it, or lock it, with my cell phone. Not through OnStar, but able to actually call the car directly.
I dig the commercial for the voice-activated car, but the car itself is unappealing.
I’ll entertain comments for other gadgets or items of coolness I may have missed, or suggestions for vehicles.
--Chuck
Friday, December 09, 2005
A question for Nerds
Anyone know how to back up this blog in its entirety? I don't want to lose it all if I try new things.
Chuck
Chuck
More on Iran
The Iranian President continues to deny the truth, see logic, etc.
Hat tip: LGF
Speaking in
Ahmadinejad said the West had no right to suspect
(No right to suspect them, Except for:
- In November 1979, Iranian student revolutionaries widely thought to be linked to the Khomeini government occupied the American Embassy in
- Observers say
- U.S. officials say Iran supported and inspired the group behind the 1996 truck bombing of Khobar Towers, a U.S. military residence in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19
Source: http://cfrterrorism.org/sponsors/iran.html )
But other than that, no right to suspect
“Those who have many nuclear weapons and have used them in the past century against defenceless people ... are accusing
“You are telling us we can’t produce nuclear fuel, that we will give it to you. You who imposed medical embargoes on nations that caused the death of countless numbers of people, what guarantees are there that you will give us nuclear fuel? Is there any real guarantee that when you give us fuel and we become dependent on you that we receive the fuel at the proper time and a reasonable price?” (Ever heard of OPEC? How about the oil embargo? Payback's a bitch, isn't it? Fact is, the nuke-having nations, according to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, have to give nuclear fuel to any country that develops nuclear capability, to keep them from giving it to others, and to get them to agree to the terms of the treaty.)
It seems that the only thing he's said that makes sense is the creation of an Israeli nation-state in
The Jews named it, and have been there since at least 3000 BCE, or about 3622 years before the BIRTH of mohammed. Since, in the last millenium, Jews and Christians have learned to peacefully coexist (One of my very best friends is Jewish, and has taught me much about Judaism that I didn't know--Thanks, Moshe) they should be allowed to freely remain in
Until then, they should just play with themselves.
--Chuck
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Stupidity is contagious (I've been reading the news again)
Let's review:
The folks who work on airplanes take bomb comments seriously. If you threaten to possess and/or use one, they'll kill you. Even if you're wife is behind you screaming that you're menally ill (which come to think of it, is probably not helping matters.) She could say you are the second coming of Christ, and You'll still find yourself with extra orifices once the Air Marshals get to you.
And that's how it should be.
Additionally, the shitheads who captured the dipshits (the Christian Peacemaking Team) in Iraq have extended the deadline until they murder the dipshits. Figures. I never met an Iraqi who did manage to do anything on time. The answer was always "inshallah": if allah wills it, then I'll do it, and if I don't do it/get around to it, well, allah must've wanted me not to do it. Not a bad idea. I'll wonder how far western civilization would've gotten if we used excuses like that. "I didn't do X, but it must be because God wanted me to stay up late at the nudie bar."
Actually, the shitheads are giving the US and Britain more time to decide they are serious and give in to their demands to release all Iraqi prisoners. All? I'd tell them to chose four. And no Saddam or anyone in the big deck of cards. Any four regular flunkies in the jail. Once they name their guys, we execute them. Their choice: kill their hostages and lose all their bargaining power, or let them go. Either way, there's four less shitheads in the jail, and four less dipshits. I doubt they will opt to stay in Iraq doing their "works of peace" after they get released.
When their parent organization told the world that they didn't want military action to secure their release, we should've said "Okay." But, fortunately, we don't do that. If I knew where they were, I'd be the first to lead a rescue raid. I doubt I'd order a "take no prisoners" gambit, as that is an illegal order, but I would stress to the boys that these folks are "True Believers" who were likely to resist. Give them an opportunity to surrender, and if they opt to fight, kill them. No different than any other mission. I honestly feel for the families of the men who are hostages. I truly do.
And what makes the bile bubble is that I know their organization would condemn their rescue by force, and probably their families too, and, in my heart of hearts, I know that if they are rescued, they will kiss the feet and faces of those who save them, call them heroes, thank them endlessly... until they are safely back beneath their rocks, back at home, and then they will decry the use of force, the military and the war on terror. Even if they are rescued by Iraqis, they will bemoan the use of violence to achieve their rescue. Some people you will never reach.
In happier news, Uncle Satan "boycotted" his trial. Never thought of that defense. Remember when they let Hannibal Lecter out of prison for transport? Facemask, chains, jumpsuit, strapped to a dolly?
That's how you get him into the courtroom next time he "boycots."
And finally Eritrea (rhymes with diarrhea) put the UN Peacekeepers there on notice that they had 10 days to get the fuck out of their soverign nation. The UN is there to stop the war betwixt Eritrea and Ethernopia So far, the war's been over for 5 years, ands only lasted for two--talk about a quagmire. While I greatly respect Eritrea's desire to rid itself of the UN, (and I support the idea of telling them to move their HQ the hell out of New York; we could use the land to build some trade centers) I think their move is rash. They should know how long it will take the UN to take real action (the UN did issue a statement, which is the same thing as action, right?) "The Security Council unequivocally demands that Eritrea immediately reverse its decision without preconditions," the 15-member Security Council said in a statement."
And if they don't reverse their decision, the UN will take action by issuing another, even more forcefully worded (but not offensive) statement. Note to Eritrea and Ethernopia: If we can't dig a couple of hundred feet and pump out dinosaur goo, we really don't care what you two do to each other. Ever heard of a place called Rwanda? No oil there either.
--Chuck
The folks who work on airplanes take bomb comments seriously. If you threaten to possess and/or use one, they'll kill you. Even if you're wife is behind you screaming that you're menally ill (which come to think of it, is probably not helping matters.) She could say you are the second coming of Christ, and You'll still find yourself with extra orifices once the Air Marshals get to you.
And that's how it should be.
Additionally, the shitheads who captured the dipshits (the Christian Peacemaking Team) in Iraq have extended the deadline until they murder the dipshits. Figures. I never met an Iraqi who did manage to do anything on time. The answer was always "inshallah": if allah wills it, then I'll do it, and if I don't do it/get around to it, well, allah must've wanted me not to do it. Not a bad idea. I'll wonder how far western civilization would've gotten if we used excuses like that. "I didn't do X, but it must be because God wanted me to stay up late at the nudie bar."
Actually, the shitheads are giving the US and Britain more time to decide they are serious and give in to their demands to release all Iraqi prisoners. All? I'd tell them to chose four. And no Saddam or anyone in the big deck of cards. Any four regular flunkies in the jail. Once they name their guys, we execute them. Their choice: kill their hostages and lose all their bargaining power, or let them go. Either way, there's four less shitheads in the jail, and four less dipshits. I doubt they will opt to stay in Iraq doing their "works of peace" after they get released.
When their parent organization told the world that they didn't want military action to secure their release, we should've said "Okay." But, fortunately, we don't do that. If I knew where they were, I'd be the first to lead a rescue raid. I doubt I'd order a "take no prisoners" gambit, as that is an illegal order, but I would stress to the boys that these folks are "True Believers" who were likely to resist. Give them an opportunity to surrender, and if they opt to fight, kill them. No different than any other mission. I honestly feel for the families of the men who are hostages. I truly do.
And what makes the bile bubble is that I know their organization would condemn their rescue by force, and probably their families too, and, in my heart of hearts, I know that if they are rescued, they will kiss the feet and faces of those who save them, call them heroes, thank them endlessly... until they are safely back beneath their rocks, back at home, and then they will decry the use of force, the military and the war on terror. Even if they are rescued by Iraqis, they will bemoan the use of violence to achieve their rescue. Some people you will never reach.
In happier news, Uncle Satan "boycotted" his trial. Never thought of that defense. Remember when they let Hannibal Lecter out of prison for transport? Facemask, chains, jumpsuit, strapped to a dolly?
That's how you get him into the courtroom next time he "boycots."
And finally Eritrea (rhymes with diarrhea) put the UN Peacekeepers there on notice that they had 10 days to get the fuck out of their soverign nation. The UN is there to stop the war betwixt Eritrea and Ethernopia So far, the war's been over for 5 years, ands only lasted for two--talk about a quagmire. While I greatly respect Eritrea's desire to rid itself of the UN, (and I support the idea of telling them to move their HQ the hell out of New York; we could use the land to build some trade centers) I think their move is rash. They should know how long it will take the UN to take real action (the UN did issue a statement, which is the same thing as action, right?) "The Security Council unequivocally demands that Eritrea immediately reverse its decision without preconditions," the 15-member Security Council said in a statement."
And if they don't reverse their decision, the UN will take action by issuing another, even more forcefully worded (but not offensive) statement. Note to Eritrea and Ethernopia: If we can't dig a couple of hundred feet and pump out dinosaur goo, we really don't care what you two do to each other. Ever heard of a place called Rwanda? No oil there either.
--Chuck
Pearl Harbor Day
To commemorate, I recommend we launch a crippling bomb-the-bejesus-out-of-them attack on any of the countries around the world that have either declared war on us, or we just don't like. Or, we could drop a bomb on Japan, just for old times sake.--Chuck
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Testicular Fortitude
You know, once upon a time, Iraq had a nuclear (or was it nuculear?) weapons program. Realizing that it was a threat to their own security, Israel (the Jooos) bombed the Bejesus out of it, destroying the Osiraq Facility. The Arab world flinched, and did not counterattack Israel. So much for brotherhood. Or was it something else, perhaps? Maybe everyone in the region was secretly relieved that his utter batshittines, Uncle Satan, was stripped of his atomic toys. I'm sure that the course of Iran/Iraq, Persian Gulf I and II would have been MUCH different had the Israelis not stood up for themselves and the rest of the world. That takes Balls.
Now it is clear that Iran is developing Both a weapons and non-weapon atomic program. Iran. With Nukes. I am not yet 33, (gimme a few weeks) but I still remember 444 days of terrorism in 1980-81. This was the founding act of their new gummint. And, if you'll recall, this was the event that founded Nightline with Ted Koppel. Talk about insult to injury. The Shah's out, the ayatollah's in, we're here, we're crazy, we're fundamentalist, and we don't give a damn about international condemnation. Attitudes like that, i.e., having the will to act unilaterally, take Balls.
{Random thought, completely off-topic} How come no one ever asked for a timeline for troop withdrawal from Saudi, Kuwait, Lebanon, Korea, Kosovo, Sinai, Bosnia ("They'll (US Forces) be home by Christmas."--Bill Clinton, 1995) or any of the other Myriad places soldiers get sent around the globe?
Back to the Balls.
In 2001, Iraq was named along with Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan as being terrorist supporting, dangerous, a threat to our security, etc. by the President and we applauded. We were so happy to hear a man speak plainly about what we all knew-these folks were crazy. And something needed to be done. Realistically, we are working on the threats in order of precedence.
I think that Syria is a bigger threat than Iran on the support terrorist/crazy people side of the house. Iran, however, wants to play with the bomb. The threat of dirty bombs is all too real, and anyone who has EVER visited the middle east knows that "When do the trash men come?" is an all too unheard of phrase. Trash is put wherever it won't be seen by the person who threw it out, over a garden wall will suffice, or just put it in a closet. So what do we expect they will do with their nuclear waste? I'm certain they aren't losing sleep over it. They'll just dump it out in the desert, right?
And when it seeps into oil reserves and contaminates them?
And when someone scoops up some plutonium-rich waste and puts it in a container headed for a US Port, which detonates while still on the ship (and you thought the chesapeke was polluted now.)
And when the sandstorms scatter radiation all over the middle east contaminating water, food, and oil?
And when the Iranians put a warhead on a ballistic missile, and shoot it at Iraq (the only Democracy in the region) or Israel, or a US Carrier group in the Gulf, then what?
And when they secretly give a small or medium sized nuke to say, Hezbollah, then what?
The 9-11 commission outlines the Iranian threat and support for terrorists quite well here: http://www.9-11commission.gov/hearings/hearing3/witness_gasiorowski.htm
Although the summation that "If we don't threaten them, they won't use terrorists" is flawed logic, (more likely, if they don't respect our willingness to use our power, they'll continue to dictate terms to us, because of our fear of terrorist retaliation.)
So what do we do? We take the nuclear option away from them. Bombs. Big, conventional bombs. Strip the nuclear payload from either minuteman or MX missliles, replace with respectable sized conventional warheads, (I like fuel-air incendiaries, but whatever's laying around will do) and reach out and touch them. Not from a stealth bomber, or any other plane. No special operations assaults, nothing like that. Send them and everyone else with aims to come sit at the big table a strong message:
"We can hammer the shit out of your most secure facilities from our own heartland, and you can't shoot down a MIRV. We have the strength of will and the righteousness of cause to keep you from possessing a weapon that you have never shown the maturity to possess. Next time, the warheads may not just go boom." Have the Commander in Chief do a press conference right outside to Silo (Okay, at minimum safe distance from the launch. I'd like to put the press chairs on the silo doors, but just for my own twisted amusement.) Broadcast the attack live. Even with advanced warning, the only thing the Iranians would be able to do is evacuate personnel. (Bet they wouldn't, so they could inflate the bodycount for those who condemn the attacks later.) Put cameras on the MIRVs so we could watch them hit their targets. Risks for loss of American life: 0%. Need for occupation? None. It would obviously piss off the Iranian gummint (who would call this an act of war (Not unlike the Embassy Siege [Soverign soil], could be our reply.) The man in the Iranian street would burn US and Israeli flags, rally, chant, etc. (really, it's rather played out, isn't it? Do they really think that pisses us off any more?) And they would be relatively impotent to do anything remotely retaliatory, without using terrorist-led attacks. Which they support anyway. So we basically end up in the same situation we are currently in, where Iran supports terrorists, uses them, and does all sorts of other nasty tricks, but does not possess the means to kill hundreds of thousands or even millions in a well-placed attack.
And the message to other countries is clear.
All it takes is the Balls to do it.
--Chuck
Now it is clear that Iran is developing Both a weapons and non-weapon atomic program. Iran. With Nukes. I am not yet 33, (gimme a few weeks) but I still remember 444 days of terrorism in 1980-81. This was the founding act of their new gummint. And, if you'll recall, this was the event that founded Nightline with Ted Koppel. Talk about insult to injury. The Shah's out, the ayatollah's in, we're here, we're crazy, we're fundamentalist, and we don't give a damn about international condemnation. Attitudes like that, i.e., having the will to act unilaterally, take Balls.
{Random thought, completely off-topic} How come no one ever asked for a timeline for troop withdrawal from Saudi, Kuwait, Lebanon, Korea, Kosovo, Sinai, Bosnia ("They'll (US Forces) be home by Christmas."--Bill Clinton, 1995) or any of the other Myriad places soldiers get sent around the globe?
Back to the Balls.
In 2001, Iraq was named along with Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan as being terrorist supporting, dangerous, a threat to our security, etc. by the President and we applauded. We were so happy to hear a man speak plainly about what we all knew-these folks were crazy. And something needed to be done. Realistically, we are working on the threats in order of precedence.
I think that Syria is a bigger threat than Iran on the support terrorist/crazy people side of the house. Iran, however, wants to play with the bomb. The threat of dirty bombs is all too real, and anyone who has EVER visited the middle east knows that "When do the trash men come?" is an all too unheard of phrase. Trash is put wherever it won't be seen by the person who threw it out, over a garden wall will suffice, or just put it in a closet. So what do we expect they will do with their nuclear waste? I'm certain they aren't losing sleep over it. They'll just dump it out in the desert, right?
And when it seeps into oil reserves and contaminates them?
And when someone scoops up some plutonium-rich waste and puts it in a container headed for a US Port, which detonates while still on the ship (and you thought the chesapeke was polluted now.)
And when the sandstorms scatter radiation all over the middle east contaminating water, food, and oil?
And when the Iranians put a warhead on a ballistic missile, and shoot it at Iraq (the only Democracy in the region) or Israel, or a US Carrier group in the Gulf, then what?
And when they secretly give a small or medium sized nuke to say, Hezbollah, then what?
The 9-11 commission outlines the Iranian threat and support for terrorists quite well here: http://www.9-11commission.gov/hearings/hearing3/witness_gasiorowski.htm
Although the summation that "If we don't threaten them, they won't use terrorists" is flawed logic, (more likely, if they don't respect our willingness to use our power, they'll continue to dictate terms to us, because of our fear of terrorist retaliation.)
So what do we do? We take the nuclear option away from them. Bombs. Big, conventional bombs. Strip the nuclear payload from either minuteman or MX missliles, replace with respectable sized conventional warheads, (I like fuel-air incendiaries, but whatever's laying around will do) and reach out and touch them. Not from a stealth bomber, or any other plane. No special operations assaults, nothing like that. Send them and everyone else with aims to come sit at the big table a strong message:
"We can hammer the shit out of your most secure facilities from our own heartland, and you can't shoot down a MIRV. We have the strength of will and the righteousness of cause to keep you from possessing a weapon that you have never shown the maturity to possess. Next time, the warheads may not just go boom." Have the Commander in Chief do a press conference right outside to Silo (Okay, at minimum safe distance from the launch. I'd like to put the press chairs on the silo doors, but just for my own twisted amusement.) Broadcast the attack live. Even with advanced warning, the only thing the Iranians would be able to do is evacuate personnel. (Bet they wouldn't, so they could inflate the bodycount for those who condemn the attacks later.) Put cameras on the MIRVs so we could watch them hit their targets. Risks for loss of American life: 0%. Need for occupation? None. It would obviously piss off the Iranian gummint (who would call this an act of war (Not unlike the Embassy Siege [Soverign soil], could be our reply.) The man in the Iranian street would burn US and Israeli flags, rally, chant, etc. (really, it's rather played out, isn't it? Do they really think that pisses us off any more?) And they would be relatively impotent to do anything remotely retaliatory, without using terrorist-led attacks. Which they support anyway. So we basically end up in the same situation we are currently in, where Iran supports terrorists, uses them, and does all sorts of other nasty tricks, but does not possess the means to kill hundreds of thousands or even millions in a well-placed attack.
And the message to other countries is clear.
All it takes is the Balls to do it.
--Chuck
Friday, December 02, 2005
Guess Who?
Can you guess who said this? When you get to the bottom, you'll be as shocked as I was. Apparently, You can actually get it through some people's heads.
I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months
and can report real progress there. More work needs to be done, of
course, but the Iraqi people are in reach of a watershed
transformation from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to
modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood -- unless the great
American military that has given them and us this unexpected
opportunity is prematurely withdrawn.
Progress is visible and practical. In the Kurdish North, there is
continuing security and growing prosperity. The primarily Shiite South
remains largely free of terrorism, receives much more electric power
and other public services than it did under Saddam, and is
experiencing greater economic activity. The Sunni triangle,
geographically defined by Baghdad to the east, Tikrit to the north and
Ramadi to the west, is where most of the terrorist enemy attacks
occur. And yet here, too, there is progress.
There are many more cars on the streets, satellite television dishes
on the roofs, and literally millions more cell phones in Iraqi hands
than before. All of that says the Iraqi economy is growing. And Sunni
candidates are actively campaigning for seats in the National
Assembly. People are working their way toward a functioning society
and economy in the midst of a very brutal, inhumane, sustained
terrorist war against the civilian population and the Iraqi and
American military there to protect it.
It is a war between 27 million and 10,000; 27 million Iraqis who want
to live lives of freedom, opportunity and prosperity and roughly
10,000 terrorists who are either Saddam revanchists, Iraqi Islamic
extremists or al Qaeda foreign fighters who know their wretched causes
will be set back if Iraq becomes free and modern. The terrorists are
intent on stopping this by instigating a civil war to produce the
chaos that will allow Iraq to replace Afghanistan as the base for
their fanatical war-making. We are fighting on the side of the 27
million because the outcome of this war is critically important to the
security and freedom of America. If the terrorists win, they will be
emboldened to strike us directly again and to further undermine the
growing stability and progress in the Middle East, which has long been
a major American national and economic security priority.
* * *
Before going to Iraq last week, I visited Israel and the Palestinian
Authority. Israel has been the only genuine democracy in the region,
but it is now getting some welcome company from the Iraqis and
Palestinians who are in the midst of robust national legislative
election campaigns, the Lebanese who have risen up in proud
self-determination after the Hariri assassination to eject their
Syrian occupiers (the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah militias
should be next), and the Kuwaitis, Egyptians and Saudis who have taken
steps to open up their governments more broadly to their people. In my
meeting with the thoughtful prime minister of Iraq, Ibrahim
al-Jaafari, he declared with justifiable pride that his country now
has the most open, democratic political system in the Arab world. He
is right.
In the face of terrorist threats and escalating violence, eight
million Iraqis voted for their interim national government in January,
almost 10 million participated in the referendum on their new
constitution in October, and even more than that are expected to vote
in the elections for a full-term government on Dec. 15. Every time the
27 million Iraqis have been given the chance since Saddam was
overthrown, they have voted for self-government and hope over the
violence and hatred the 10,000 terrorists offer them. Most encouraging
has been the behavior of the Sunni community, which, when disappointed
by the proposed constitution, registered to vote and went to the polls
instead of taking up arms and going to the streets. Last week, I was
thrilled to see a vigorous political campaign, and a large number of
independent television stations and newspapers covering it.
None of these remarkable changes would have happened without the
coalition forces led by the U.S. And, I am convinced, almost all of
the progress in Iraq and throughout the Middle East will be lost if
those forces are withdrawn faster than the Iraqi military is capable
of securing the country.
The leaders of Iraq's duly elected government understand this, and
they asked me for reassurance about America's commitment. The question
is whether the American people and enough of their representatives in
Congress from both parties understand this. I am disappointed by
Democrats who are more focused on how President Bush took America into
the war in Iraq almost three years ago, and by Republicans who are
more worried about whether the war will bring them down in next
November's elections, than they are concerned about how we continue
the progress in Iraq in the months and years ahead.
Here is an ironic finding I brought back from Iraq. While U.S. public
opinion polls show serious declines in support for the war and
increasing pessimism about how it will end, polls conducted by Iraqis
for Iraqi universities show increasing optimism. Two-thirds say they
are better off than they were under Saddam, and a resounding 82% are
confident their lives in Iraq will be better a year from now than they
are today. What a colossal mistake it would be for America's
bipartisan political leadership to choose this moment in history to
lose its will and, in the famous phrase, to seize defeat from the jaws
of the coming victory.
The leaders of America's military and diplomatic forces in Iraq, Gen.
George Casey and Ambassador Zal Khalilzad, have a clear and compelling
vision of our mission there. It is to create the environment in which
Iraqi democracy, security and prosperity can take hold and the Iraqis
themselves can defend their political progress against those 10,000
terrorists who would take it from them.
* * *
Does America have a good plan for doing this, a strategy for victory
in Iraq? Yes we do. And it is important to make it clear to the
American people that the plan has not remained stubbornly still but
has changed over the years. Mistakes, some of them big, were made
after Saddam was removed, and no one who supports the war should
hesitate to admit that; but we have learned from those mistakes and,
in characteristic American fashion, from what has worked and not
worked on the ground. The administration's recent use of the banner
"clear, hold and build" accurately describes the strategy as I saw it
being implemented last week.
We are now embedding a core of coalition forces in every Iraqi
fighting unit, which makes each unit more effective and acts as a
multiplier of our forces. Progress in "clearing" and "holding" is
being made. The Sixth Infantry Division of the Iraqi Security Forces
now controls and polices more than one-third of Baghdad on its own.
Coalition and Iraqi forces have together cleared the previously
terrorist-controlled cities of Fallujah, Mosul and Tal Afar, and most
of the border with Syria. Those areas are now being "held" secure by
the Iraqi military themselves. Iraqi and coalition forces are jointly
carrying out a mission to clear Ramadi, now the most dangerous city in
Al-Anbar province at the west end of the Sunni Triangle.
Nationwide, American military leaders estimate that about one-third of
the approximately 100,000 members of the Iraqi military are able to
"lead the fight" themselves with logistical support from the U.S., and
that that number should double by next year. If that happens, American
military forces could begin a drawdown in numbers proportional to the
increasing self-sufficiency of the Iraqi forces in 2006. If all goes
well, I believe we can have a much smaller American military presence
there by the end of 2006 or in 2007, but it is also likely that our
presence will need to be significant in Iraq or nearby for years to
come.
The economic reconstruction of Iraq has gone slower than it should
have, and too much money has been wasted or stolen. Ambassador
Khalilzad is now implementing reform that has worked in Afghanistan --
Provincial Reconstruction Teams, composed of American economic and
political experts, working in partnership in each of Iraq's 18
provinces with its elected leadership, civil service and the private
sector. That is the "build" part of the "clear, hold and build"
strategy, and so is the work American and international teams are
doing to professionalize national and provincial governmental agencies
in Iraq.
These are new ideas that are working and changing the reality on the
ground, which is undoubtedly why the Iraqi people are optimistic about
their future -- and why the American people should be, too.
* * *
I cannot say enough about the U.S. Army and Marines who are carrying
most of the fight for us in Iraq. They are courageous, smart,
effective, innovative, very honorable and very proud. After a
Thanksgiving meal with a great group of Marines at Camp Fallujah in
western Iraq, I asked their commander whether the morale of his troops
had been hurt by the growing public dissent in America over the war in
Iraq. His answer was insightful, instructive and inspirational: "I
would guess that if the opposition and division at home go on a lot
longer and get a lot deeper it might have some effect, but, Senator,
my Marines are motivated by their devotion to each other and the
cause, not by political debates."
Thank you, General. That is a powerful, needed message for the rest of
America and its political leadership at this critical moment in our
nation's history. Semper Fi.
Ready? It was Senator Joe Lieberman, on 29 Nov 05. Wow, maybe he actually gets it.
--Chuck
I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months
and can report real progress there. More work needs to be done, of
course, but the Iraqi people are in reach of a watershed
transformation from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to
modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood -- unless the great
American military that has given them and us this unexpected
opportunity is prematurely withdrawn.
Progress is visible and practical. In the Kurdish North, there is
continuing security and growing prosperity. The primarily Shiite South
remains largely free of terrorism, receives much more electric power
and other public services than it did under Saddam, and is
experiencing greater economic activity. The Sunni triangle,
geographically defined by Baghdad to the east, Tikrit to the north and
Ramadi to the west, is where most of the terrorist enemy attacks
occur. And yet here, too, there is progress.
There are many more cars on the streets, satellite television dishes
on the roofs, and literally millions more cell phones in Iraqi hands
than before. All of that says the Iraqi economy is growing. And Sunni
candidates are actively campaigning for seats in the National
Assembly. People are working their way toward a functioning society
and economy in the midst of a very brutal, inhumane, sustained
terrorist war against the civilian population and the Iraqi and
American military there to protect it.
It is a war between 27 million and 10,000; 27 million Iraqis who want
to live lives of freedom, opportunity and prosperity and roughly
10,000 terrorists who are either Saddam revanchists, Iraqi Islamic
extremists or al Qaeda foreign fighters who know their wretched causes
will be set back if Iraq becomes free and modern. The terrorists are
intent on stopping this by instigating a civil war to produce the
chaos that will allow Iraq to replace Afghanistan as the base for
their fanatical war-making. We are fighting on the side of the 27
million because the outcome of this war is critically important to the
security and freedom of America. If the terrorists win, they will be
emboldened to strike us directly again and to further undermine the
growing stability and progress in the Middle East, which has long been
a major American national and economic security priority.
* * *
Before going to Iraq last week, I visited Israel and the Palestinian
Authority. Israel has been the only genuine democracy in the region,
but it is now getting some welcome company from the Iraqis and
Palestinians who are in the midst of robust national legislative
election campaigns, the Lebanese who have risen up in proud
self-determination after the Hariri assassination to eject their
Syrian occupiers (the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah militias
should be next), and the Kuwaitis, Egyptians and Saudis who have taken
steps to open up their governments more broadly to their people. In my
meeting with the thoughtful prime minister of Iraq, Ibrahim
al-Jaafari, he declared with justifiable pride that his country now
has the most open, democratic political system in the Arab world. He
is right.
In the face of terrorist threats and escalating violence, eight
million Iraqis voted for their interim national government in January,
almost 10 million participated in the referendum on their new
constitution in October, and even more than that are expected to vote
in the elections for a full-term government on Dec. 15. Every time the
27 million Iraqis have been given the chance since Saddam was
overthrown, they have voted for self-government and hope over the
violence and hatred the 10,000 terrorists offer them. Most encouraging
has been the behavior of the Sunni community, which, when disappointed
by the proposed constitution, registered to vote and went to the polls
instead of taking up arms and going to the streets. Last week, I was
thrilled to see a vigorous political campaign, and a large number of
independent television stations and newspapers covering it.
None of these remarkable changes would have happened without the
coalition forces led by the U.S. And, I am convinced, almost all of
the progress in Iraq and throughout the Middle East will be lost if
those forces are withdrawn faster than the Iraqi military is capable
of securing the country.
The leaders of Iraq's duly elected government understand this, and
they asked me for reassurance about America's commitment. The question
is whether the American people and enough of their representatives in
Congress from both parties understand this. I am disappointed by
Democrats who are more focused on how President Bush took America into
the war in Iraq almost three years ago, and by Republicans who are
more worried about whether the war will bring them down in next
November's elections, than they are concerned about how we continue
the progress in Iraq in the months and years ahead.
Here is an ironic finding I brought back from Iraq. While U.S. public
opinion polls show serious declines in support for the war and
increasing pessimism about how it will end, polls conducted by Iraqis
for Iraqi universities show increasing optimism. Two-thirds say they
are better off than they were under Saddam, and a resounding 82% are
confident their lives in Iraq will be better a year from now than they
are today. What a colossal mistake it would be for America's
bipartisan political leadership to choose this moment in history to
lose its will and, in the famous phrase, to seize defeat from the jaws
of the coming victory.
The leaders of America's military and diplomatic forces in Iraq, Gen.
George Casey and Ambassador Zal Khalilzad, have a clear and compelling
vision of our mission there. It is to create the environment in which
Iraqi democracy, security and prosperity can take hold and the Iraqis
themselves can defend their political progress against those 10,000
terrorists who would take it from them.
* * *
Does America have a good plan for doing this, a strategy for victory
in Iraq? Yes we do. And it is important to make it clear to the
American people that the plan has not remained stubbornly still but
has changed over the years. Mistakes, some of them big, were made
after Saddam was removed, and no one who supports the war should
hesitate to admit that; but we have learned from those mistakes and,
in characteristic American fashion, from what has worked and not
worked on the ground. The administration's recent use of the banner
"clear, hold and build" accurately describes the strategy as I saw it
being implemented last week.
We are now embedding a core of coalition forces in every Iraqi
fighting unit, which makes each unit more effective and acts as a
multiplier of our forces. Progress in "clearing" and "holding" is
being made. The Sixth Infantry Division of the Iraqi Security Forces
now controls and polices more than one-third of Baghdad on its own.
Coalition and Iraqi forces have together cleared the previously
terrorist-controlled cities of Fallujah, Mosul and Tal Afar, and most
of the border with Syria. Those areas are now being "held" secure by
the Iraqi military themselves. Iraqi and coalition forces are jointly
carrying out a mission to clear Ramadi, now the most dangerous city in
Al-Anbar province at the west end of the Sunni Triangle.
Nationwide, American military leaders estimate that about one-third of
the approximately 100,000 members of the Iraqi military are able to
"lead the fight" themselves with logistical support from the U.S., and
that that number should double by next year. If that happens, American
military forces could begin a drawdown in numbers proportional to the
increasing self-sufficiency of the Iraqi forces in 2006. If all goes
well, I believe we can have a much smaller American military presence
there by the end of 2006 or in 2007, but it is also likely that our
presence will need to be significant in Iraq or nearby for years to
come.
The economic reconstruction of Iraq has gone slower than it should
have, and too much money has been wasted or stolen. Ambassador
Khalilzad is now implementing reform that has worked in Afghanistan --
Provincial Reconstruction Teams, composed of American economic and
political experts, working in partnership in each of Iraq's 18
provinces with its elected leadership, civil service and the private
sector. That is the "build" part of the "clear, hold and build"
strategy, and so is the work American and international teams are
doing to professionalize national and provincial governmental agencies
in Iraq.
These are new ideas that are working and changing the reality on the
ground, which is undoubtedly why the Iraqi people are optimistic about
their future -- and why the American people should be, too.
* * *
I cannot say enough about the U.S. Army and Marines who are carrying
most of the fight for us in Iraq. They are courageous, smart,
effective, innovative, very honorable and very proud. After a
Thanksgiving meal with a great group of Marines at Camp Fallujah in
western Iraq, I asked their commander whether the morale of his troops
had been hurt by the growing public dissent in America over the war in
Iraq. His answer was insightful, instructive and inspirational: "I
would guess that if the opposition and division at home go on a lot
longer and get a lot deeper it might have some effect, but, Senator,
my Marines are motivated by their devotion to each other and the
cause, not by political debates."
Thank you, General. That is a powerful, needed message for the rest of
America and its political leadership at this critical moment in our
nation's history. Semper Fi.
Ready? It was Senator Joe Lieberman, on 29 Nov 05. Wow, maybe he actually gets it.
--Chuck
Ewwww
This is what they did to me this last visit. Basically, the tube you see used to be my "love handle."
Then, after my three-week odyssey of over medication, infection, and generally ill-health, they detached the tube, cut it up, and put humpty dumpty together again. They also removed a large swath of skin graft from my forearm, leaving a single scar that runs from the graft covering my bicep (unfortunately too large to remove) to my wrist (previously,the scar was about an inch wide).
The flap of skin is the shape of a cut up raquetball. It doesn't hurt too much, but looks like hell.
Since I am home for a month, I am going to (hopefully) get my left ear fixed (right now it's like wearing headphones with a pinhole in the left speaker). I even get a feedback-like tone in my ear when I yawn! Also, I may have the opportunity to get some more shrapnel out of my face, especially the lump that sits on the right side of my face.
I did, however, manage to get off of the mega-doses of narcotics I was taking. No more fentanyl or dilaudid, Just a relatively low dose of methadone (Just like a heroin addict!) I feel more like me, just slightly lethargic instead of like a zombie. I listened to my voicemail that I set while taking the narcotics, and boy did I sound like one. I really have to change the announcement. I sound like Spicoli after an especially long bender.
More to follow, just not right now. Boy do I have a lot on my mind to write about!
--Chuck
Then, after my three-week odyssey of over medication, infection, and generally ill-health, they detached the tube, cut it up, and put humpty dumpty together again. They also removed a large swath of skin graft from my forearm, leaving a single scar that runs from the graft covering my bicep (unfortunately too large to remove) to my wrist (previously,the scar was about an inch wide).
The flap of skin is the shape of a cut up raquetball. It doesn't hurt too much, but looks like hell.
Since I am home for a month, I am going to (hopefully) get my left ear fixed (right now it's like wearing headphones with a pinhole in the left speaker). I even get a feedback-like tone in my ear when I yawn! Also, I may have the opportunity to get some more shrapnel out of my face, especially the lump that sits on the right side of my face.
I did, however, manage to get off of the mega-doses of narcotics I was taking. No more fentanyl or dilaudid, Just a relatively low dose of methadone (Just like a heroin addict!) I feel more like me, just slightly lethargic instead of like a zombie. I listened to my voicemail that I set while taking the narcotics, and boy did I sound like one. I really have to change the announcement. I sound like Spicoli after an especially long bender.
More to follow, just not right now. Boy do I have a lot on my mind to write about!
--Chuck
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)