“The BBC’s defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan has cast doubt on whether the missile that killed two journalists in Baghdad today was fired by a US tank, speculating that Iraqi soldiers may have launched the lethal attack. Three other Reuters journalists and an Abu Dhabi TV staff member were injured when an explosion hit their room on the 15th floor of the hotel. “I may be right in saying we’re hearing from central command that they’re starting to retract their apology for this incident,” Gilligan told Radio 5 Live’s drivetime show. He added that after examining the scene he concluded it was virtually impossible for the US tank to have fired on the 15th floor room. “I have to say I rather doubt it and, having been underneath it and looking up now just before it got dark at the hole again in the side of the hotel, I still doubt it. “For a start the damage to the hotel is superficial, it’s only the masonry that’s been torn off in a very small area, a tank shell would have done more damage I feel. “Secondly the angle that the tank would have to have reached to hit that roof, it would more or less have had to have shot just round the corner and I don’t think even the Americans have got those kinds of weapons.”
—————
Oh but how the liberal media is hoping and praying it’s the fault of the U.S. The moment it happened, the international media began pointing at the American forces and quickly the blame was absorbed into every report without verification or confirmation. This was it. Finally the world will see that the Bush administration, in a moment of frustration with the negative coverage by the foreign press, has decided to take military action against them. I can almost picture the drool on Katie Couric’s chin. Tom Daschle and John Kerry were probably toasting each other and singing “another one bites the dust”.

But wait, hold the presses…. the first report may have been slightly wrong. Imagine the dismay at CNN to learn that it may have in fact been some of Saddam’s own people that did this. Those sweet, loving, Iraqi Republican Guard characters. But, but, but….it HAS to be Bush….it HAS to be…..

*click*

and in other news, Iraqis are violently protesting in the streets in complete defiance of the U.S. military. They’re looting and shouting in a fit of anarchy. Way to go, Bush, you’ve replaced a terrible regime with a land of anarchy. What do you have to say for yourself now? Tom, John where’s the chilled champagne? This is the big one. The Bush administration is going to pay for this tragic miscalculation! Just look for yourself and feel the hatred of the Iraqis…..

“I’m 49, but I never lived a single day,” said Yusuf Abed Kazim, a Baghdad imam who pounded the statue’s pedestal with a sledgehammer. “Only now will I start living. That Saddam Hussein is a murderer and a criminal.”

Yes, liberals, these are the people that would still be jailed, tortured, brutalized and terrorized if you had gotten your way. Yes, protestors, these are the people you so sincerely fought to keep under the control of a madman. Yes, arabs, these are your neighbors getting the first taste of freedom and justice. God bless America! God bless George W. Bush! God bless our troops!

As you read the following, think to yourself how much it says about our world today, April 8, 2003.

“The world is very different now, for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe. . .the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.

Let the word go forth from this time and place. . .to friend and foe alike. . that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans. . . born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage. . .and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today. . .at home and around the world.

Let every nation know. . .whether it wishes us well or ill. . . that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge. . .and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share: we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United. . .there is little we cannot do in a host of co-operative ventures. Divided. . .there is little we can do. . .for we dare not meet a powerful challenge, at odds, and split asunder. To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free: we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom. . .and to remember that. . .in the past. . .those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside. To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery: we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required. . .not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border: we offer a special pledge. . . to convert our good words into good deeds. . .in a new alliance for progress . . .to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. . .and let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

To that world assembly of sovereign states: the United Nations. . . our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support. . .to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective. . .

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversaries, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace; before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction. We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

So let us begin anew. . .remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce. Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah. . .to “undo the heavy burdens. . . let the oppressed go free.”

And if a beachhead of co-operation may push back the jungle of suspicion. . . let both sides join in creating not a new balance of power. . . but a new world of law. . .where the strong are just. . . and the weak secure. . .and the peace preserved. . . .

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days. . . nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens. . .more than mine. . .will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe. Now the trumpet summons us again… not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need. . .not as a call to battle… though embattled we are. . .but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle. . .year in and year out, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation. . .a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny. . .poverty. . .disease. . .and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance. . .North and South. . . East and West. . .that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger; I do not shrink from this responsibility. . .I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. . .and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans. . .ask not what your country can do for you. . .ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world. . .ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the Freedom of Man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds; let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

-John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

Pentagon Releases Top Taliban Officials
The Pentagon revealed today that four high-ranking Taliban prisoners suspected of having close ties to Osama Bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorist network were released from custody early this morning.
The prisoners were captured during the furious battle at Tora Bora in Afghanistan in December, 2001 and had been held captive for CIA, DIA, AND FBI intelligence debriefings for nearly thirteen months aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65).

The prisoners were provided $50 cash each and a white 1963 Ford Fairlane for their return trip home.

Navy photographers aboard the Enterprise captured the attached photo as the prisoners departed the ship.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Selected” not Elected

One of the most irritating arguments I keep hearing from the Left is about the 2000 Presidential election. It seems that there are still those that are so opposed to George W. Bush and so light on facts, they ultimately resort to the argument that Bush, with the help of his brother, the Supreme Court and Katherine Harris, stole the 2000 election. I’m tired of hearing this and I’ll point out why it is completely and utterly ridiculous.

A brief examination of history shows us what amazing foresight the Founding Fathers had. You see, the Electoral College is designed to force candidates for president to focus on NATIONAL issues rather than issues central to an area small in geography but large in populace, like NYC or L.A. Looking at the popular vote in 2000, the official record shows Gore received 400,000+/- more popular votes. With a margin this close, it means cities like New York City could’ve single handedly decided the outcome. I doubt if all issues central to inhabitants of NYC are central to those living in the midwest or the south.

I find it quite ironic that during the campaign, when asked if he supported the electoral system, Gore simply stated that it was brilliant process and should never be abolished. However, this was said when the sentiment around the country was that Bush would win the popular vote and Gore may take the electoral votes. Funny how Gore challenged the validity of the electoral voting system when it worked as it should…. just not in his favor.

Now, just for argument’s sake, let’s just say that the election was stolen by Bush, his brother and the Supreme Court….

Why did Republicans overwhelmingly win the 2002 mid-term congressional elections? If Bush and the Republicans really did cheat in 2000, then wasn’t the 2002 congressional elections the perfect opportunity to put democrats into Congress to insure Bush didn’t get anything done? Explain to me why Americans who so reject Bush as President, voted overwhelmingly WITH his party in 2002.

The real culprit in 2000 was Al Gore and the Democrats who stole possibly million of votes by faking votes of dead people, confusing elderly and uneducated voters, buying votes off those who would normally not have voted, encouraged felons to votes, etc.

Has anyone answered the question as to why Tennessee, Al Gore’s home state, those who know him the best, those whom he has served for quite some time…. DIDN’T EVEN GIVE HIM ELECTORAL VOTES….?

Democrats tend to be quite opinionated. I don’t mean they make their position known to others, I mean they choose to rely on opinion over fact. Facts are such a disturbing nuisance to the Left. You wonder what I’m talking about? Let’s examine a few facts about the 2000 presidential election:

Counties won by Gore: 677
Counties won by Bush: 2,436
Population of counties won by Gore: 127 Million
Population of counties won by Bush: 143 Million
Square miles of country won by Gore: 580,000
Square miles of country won by Bush: 2,427,000
States won by Gore: 19
States won by Bush: 29
Source: USA Today

Take a look at the County by County Presidential Election Map and tell me where the majority of America stands.

If you really think Bush stole the election and don’t think Bush is your President, I just have one last thing to tell you….nobody is forcing you to stay.

We hear time and time again how the Arab states hate the U.S. for its support of Israel. In those same arguments, we hear that the bulk of all the middle east wars and terrorism center around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Well, I decided it was time to learn about this conflict in hopes of understanding the world we live in.

I found a site that provides a good timeline of events from the beginning days of Israel in biblical times, right up to the modern day. Of course, this is but one source, so I will continue to seek out other sources in an attempt to uncover the whole picture from all angles.

I wanted to take this moment to share with you the site and ask you to read the history as well… this link will take you to the first of about a dozen pages that chronicle the formation of today’s middle east. As you reach the end of the page, just click on the next topic on the right side of the page to follow the story.

Happy Learning…: http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/mideast/index.html

On April 2, 2003, John Kerry, Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 said, in a speech, “President Bush committed a ‘’breach of trust'’ in the eyes of many United Nations members by going to war with Iraq, creating a diplomatic chasm that will not be bridged as long as Bush remains in office.”

‘’I don’t think they’re going to trust this president, no matter what,'’ Kerry said. ‘’I believe it deeply, that it will take a new president of the United States, declaring a new day for our relationship with the world, to clear the air and turn a new page on American history.'’

From JohnKerry.com, Kerry’s campaign website:

“It appears that with the deadline for exile come and gone, Saddam Hussein has chosen to make military force the ultimate weapons inspections enforcement mechanism. If so, the only exit strategy is victory, this is our common mission and the world’s cause. We’re in this together. We want to complete the mission while safeguarding our troops, avoiding innocent civilian casualties, disarming Saddam Hussein and engaging the community of nations to rebuild Iraq.”

Now Mr. Kerry, you know you can’t have it both ways.

How can you say on one hand Bush breached the trust by going to war and turn around and say Saddam has chosen to make military force the ultimate weapons inspections enforcement mechanism?

How can you say on your CAMPAIGN website that it’s the “world’s cause” to remove Saddam, but in your FUNDRAISING SPEECH state Bush has created a “diplomatic chasm”?

You’re just another liberal hypocrite, Mr. Kerry. You are obviously willing to say anything to win approval for the moment. Just what is your idea of “clearing the air” with respect to “our relationship to the world”? Are you referring to returning us to an administration of appeasement and cowardess? Something along the lines of Bill Clinton, who experienced Kobar Towers, The USS Cole, The World Trade Center Bombing, Oklahoma City and other terrorist acts, by the very same people the perpertrated September 11th, and then talked a big game only to do ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN’ NOTHING!!!!?

We HAVE declared a “new day for our relationship with the world” with George W. Bush. We have declared that we will no longer tolerate an administration that comforts the enemy, that trades top secret information for campaign donations, that sits idly by committing adultry why our enemies plot our murder, that lies to the American people about ANYTHING and that refuses to ACT ON ITS THREATS AND DEMANDS.

Of course you say it will take a “new President to clear the air and turn a new page on American history”…. for God’s sake, you’re campaigning for the very job! You are obviously willing to say anything to get the power, follow any ideal that may seem popular at the moment and sell your moral position to the highest bidder.

I’m just curious of one thing, Mr. Kerry…. I bet you won’t even resign from the Senate to run for President, will you? You’ll do just what Lieberman did and hang on to any avenue that gives you access to political power for your own personal gain.

Keep speaking Mr. Kerry…. so far you’re helping the Bush cause more than his own strategists….

Even the Iraqi people themselves support the Bush administration….

Click below to hear a couple of Iraqis debate the issue….

Iraqi Man

Iraqi Woman

Makes you wonder what side the protestors are on…..

From the New York Post yesterday:
“April 2, 2003 — Nearly a week after Columbia University professor Nicholas De Genova called for the mass slaughter of U.S. troops, the man who wants “a million Mogadishus” fears so much for his own life he is refusing to go to class. De Genova claimed death threats forced him to skip his 2:40 p.m. Latino History course at the university’s Hamilton Hall - the first lecture he had scheduled since the March 26 anti-war “teach in” in which he referred to the 1993 “Black Hawk Down” incident in which 18 GIs were slain.

awwww….. isn’t that just a shame. I’m sorry Nick, if your anti-American sentiment wasn’t received with hysterical applause and adoration. It’s a shame, you coward, that you’re too afraid to show your face in public again. Perhaps wishing the brutal murder of millions of Americans, brave military men and women no less, wasn’t the best choice of words now, was it?

Nick, did you expect a medal? an award? a cookie? I think it’s quite ironic that you and people like you are criticizing the Bush administration for “not thinking ahead” on this war. Didn’t you “think ahead”? Didn’t you wonder how a comment so inflammatory as to call for the murder of millions of Americans might be received before you said it? Of course you didn’t. You people never think about the big picture. You self-righteous, indignant SOBs focus on the minutia, the fine little details of the here and now…. whatever serves your personal agenda for the moment works for you.

You’re a teacher, Nick. Let’s just consider this a “learning event”. Of course, when you crawl out of that hole you’re hiding in and return to your fantasy utopian world of socialist ideas and anti-Americanism, I’m sure you’ll field some book and movie deals and try to capitalize on the American dream. Of course, just remember this…. you created this nightmare for yourself. The speech may be protected by the First Amendment, but common sense and respect are life’s lessons.

This is pretty ironic for a “peace protest”. I think this just goes to show who is really behind the anti-American, anti-war rallies….

.

What’s wrong with this picture?

A Columbia University professor, Nicholas De Genova, stated in a public address that he “would like to see “a million Mogadishus” � referring to the 1993 ambush in Somalia that killed 18 Americans, in which our fallen heros were dragged through the streets by the animals residing there. Where is the outrage?

Shortly after September 11th, Berkeley, CA’s city manager forced the local firefighters to remove American flags from their firetrucks. Where is the patriotism?

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has declared the use of the words “under God” by public schoolchildren when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to be an unconstitutional. Where is the freedom of choice?

Yellow bows affixed Monday to a sign reading “Entering the Borough of Fieldsboro” (near Philadelphia) and a nearby tree, the traditional show of hope for American combat troops’ safe return, were ordered to be taken down by order of the Borough Council and Mayor Edward “Buddy” Tyler. Where is the compassion?

Mike Coffey, Mayor of Burlingame, had decided the city would not enforce an ordinance against private displays on public property when a woman asked if she could put ribbons on Burlingame Avenue. Now that nearly every tree and lamppost has a yellow ribbon, Seth Yatovitz, a resident of Palo Alto, wants the city to take them down, calling them “offensive ribbons.” In his complaint to the city, Yatovitz mentioned his belief that the soldiers involved in the Iraq theater are actually criminals. “I find the yellow ribbons on city property offensive to my senses, as they are posted in support of violators of international law. I do support our troops that are not involved in illegal activity,” Yatovitz wrote to the council.

Thank you “Blame America First” crowd. It seems to be more readily accepted these days to blame America for being a problem then it is to praise America and support America. What really bothers me the most is that this anti-American attitude is happening WITHIN OUR OWN BORDERS!

We as a country have become so swept up in political correctness and ‘tolerance’ that common sense, basic human dignity and compassion and accountability for outrageous conduct has been all but ignored. It seems clear to me that the only time we, as Americans, are ‘free’ to do or say anything these days is if it’s something completely outrageous, inappropriate or mean-spirited by generally accepted standards. Otherwise, you’re labelled as an oppressor, close-minded, intolerant or part of some grand conspiracy to thwart an entire group. It’s ridiculous. It has got to stop. For the love of God, let’s get back to the basics of life. Let’s shun those who make statements like De Genova. Let’s criticize the actions of those who find the American flag offensive, yet live under the very freedom it represents. Let’s demand some common decency. Let’s restore America to the way it use to be. The days before it was down-trodden by pinko, leftist, communist-loving, terrorist-supporting, God-hating freaks of nature.

Seriously, if the American flag offends you…. or if a yellow ribbon in support of our military’s safe return infuriates you…. or if you think America deserves to be hated for its policies…. take your candy-ass, liberal elitist, welfare-loving, America hating views and move to friggin FRANCE! Most of you hippie, anti-Americans will fit nicely into their ‘one bath a week’ schedule anyway.

God Bless America!