Sunday, September 30, 2007

Red November


The November elections for President of the United States of America is little more than a year away. Once a week I plan to write a post about the election, or one of the candidates, until the day of the election arrives. This series of posts will be a part of Trek Medic's Red November Blogroll. If you would like to join, go to the Red November post on his site and follow the directions. By the way, I'm the first to join the blogroll, aside from Trek Medic, that is. Please join us and help this blogroll grow.

Anyway, the following is my first election post for the blogroll:

Sarah Palin for Vice President!

Sarah Palin is the Governor of Alaska, and would like to be your next Vice President. On July 28th Steve Maloney from Campaign2008Victory came on Political Pistachio Radio to acquaint us with this candidate from Alaska (who at that time was still aiming for the presidency). As I've learned more about Sarah Palin, I have grown more convinced that if there should be a woman in the presidency or vice presdency, Sarah Palin may be the most viable option (heck of a lot better than Hillary, that's for sure). And you know, I would love to have her on my radio show too. I'll keep you posted on that effort.

Anyhow, Sarah's supporters are nationwide. A group of bloggers have done all they know how to do to introduce Governor Palin to the American Public. One such blogger is a young man named Adam Brickley, a college student who launched the Draft Palin effort for Vice President.

I can see why Adam and his fellow "draft Palin" bloggers decided she's a more viable Vice Presidential candidate, as opposed to the presidency (for now, anyway). I don't believe it is due to her abilities as a politician. Governor Palin has shown her ability to lead during her sparking term as governor of Alaska. The need to drop down to a Vice Presidential bid is just the reality of the matter. Of the top ten candidates, Governor James Gilmore withdrew from the race (and talked about his withdrawal with me on Political Pistachio Radio) in July, 2007, and Tommy Thompson followed a little over a month later. So considering the money that needs to be made from contributions, and the headstart all of the other candidates have, I understand the step down to V.P. by Palin, and of course she is young, so many opportunities for the presidency will remain available later down the road.

Back to Adam Brickley - if anybody has Governor Palin's effort on the right track, it's this young man. He has launched a very successful "draft" effort, and makes good points about why Sarah Palin is a viable candidate.

And thanks to bloggers like Mr. Brickley, sites like Townhall's Patrick Ruffini have taken notice to the otherwise relatively unknown Governor from Alaska.

Sarah Palin may yet become a national figure. And it is important for us to realize that the big guys with the deep pockets aren't the only Republican Candidates out there. In fact, it seems like the smaller candidates are the ones that share with many of us bloggers the conservative principles we hold so dear. Perhaps these smaller candidates won't win the election as president, but their presence in the race demands that the other candidates take notice of the more conservative voters and issues, as well as giving the larger candidates other options for the choice of running mates when push comes to shove.

And you know, from what I am reading, Sarah Palin may be the Grand Ol' Party's fastest rising star.

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I have also joined other blog rolls that you may wish to check out. One is Christians Against Leftist Heresy. Considering my recent posts about the demoralization of America, it seemed apparent that I should join that one. I requested that my Carried By Christ blog also be a part of that particular blogroll. Another blogroll I have recently joined, considering my class "A" license for big rigs, is the American Truckers At War blogroll. Finally, earlier in the month I was happy to see a blogroll by my good buddy Gunz. His is called Gunz Roll Call, and the pic for it kicks.
Of course lefties that get a gander at it will freak out about the "glow" comment on it. It's a sorry thing that they get so bent out of shape so easily over the realities that may arise regarding dealing with this enemy we face. Must be rough for the bent out of shape liberals being constantly in a state of pretzelhood.

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Dr. Blogstein, and the lovely Jane (his co-host) were my guests yesterday on Political Pistachio Radio. The show began as expected, with a little lunacy, a few comical tidbits, and Dr. Blogstein even began to ask me questions like it was his show (creature of habit, apparently). Then an issue got brought up that really got things smoking. Cigarettes. Specifically, the high taxation of smokes in Tennessee, and their enforcement of a law regarding that tax that limits folks to how many cartons of cigarettes they can buy out of state. And of course, as it always seems to, the subject of the War on Terror was discussed as well. And most shocking of all, Dr. Blogstein was very serious during these topics (no comedy) for a moment - - - amazing! Of course, as great as he is, he still does not maintain the political prowess that I have been so gladly blessed with.

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And finally, last but not least, once again Andrea Shea King has honored me by inviting me back to co-host her show with her on Monday, October 1st. Andrea Shea King's guest will be United States Marine Sgt. Marco Martinez, author of "HARD CORPS: From Gangster to Marine Hero." Andrea and I will be having a conversation with him about the War in Iraq, and this is a man that will be frank about what he saw. Definately tune in on Monday, 9pm Eastern Time, 6pm Pacific to The Andrea Shea King Show.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Gene Autry's Birthday

Considering that I am a big Angels fan, I had to post this for you. This is a repost from Conservative Cowboy's Site!

Back in the Saddle Again

Today marks the Gene Autry Centennial!

What an occasion. The 100th Birthday of Public Cowboy #1. I cannot explain how much Gene Autry means to me. He is indeed a personal hero of mine. Gene Autry was not just a cowboy, and singing cowboy entertainer, but he was a model American. A Freemason (and the personification of what being a Master Mason means), Owner of the Angels baseball team, and the only person to this day to have a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame in ALL 5 categories. A man among men. A true hero, and certainly a man I wish we had more of today.

Gene Autry was the inspiration behind the Cowboy Code Marshals. A role model for America's youth.God Bless you Gene. May you and Champ ride where the trail meets the sky, back in the saddle again...

Gene Autry Links:
The Official Gene Autry website
The Autry National Center
Gene Autry Birthday Page

Liberal Lunacy by day, Blogstein's hilarity by night (oh, and something about illegal aliens)


As expected, one of my liberal pains in my butt sent me a video from youtube that accuses Rush Limbaugh of considering any military troop that disagrees with the war a phony soldier. You can view it here if you like.



So I sent her back an e-mail that said the following (and mind you, I usually try to ignore this individual so as to not feed her because reaction is exactly what she is vying for, and because the stuff she spews makes most of the trolls out there seem harmless. Her crap is usually pretty over the top).

Anyway, here's the e-mail I sent.

Interesting how ill-informed you are

You sent me a video about Rush's Phony Soldier statement. However, as usual, the liberal press you find so dear lied to you, and took the entire thing out of context. If you had listened to Rush's entire show you would have known that the phony soldier comment came from the before talked about Jessie MacBeth. Jessie was at one time the Left's media darling, because he claimed to be an Army Ranger that saw the horror of war, and was willing to talk about how horrible it was in Iraq. He smeared the military, and the Leftwing Media ate it up. Thing is, he was a liar. Oh, he'd been in the Army, but was let go after 44 days of bootcamp - basically he couldn't hack it and was lashing out at the military as a result. He, my dear, is a phony soldier. But you see, your little video, and that leftwing site, Media Matters for America, toyed with the story, and kind of left out that part in which indicated that he was referring to soldiers that are like Jessie MacBeth - phony soldiers that make claims they are real soldiers, and then tell horrific tales that are nothing more than horrific lies. But you see, if you were well informed, you would have known that.

RushLimbaugh.com and
The Free Republic and
Hot Air Anti-War video is bogus and
Michelle Malkin and
Hot Air Jessie MacBeth Admits he's a filthy liar

But that's not how the left works, is it. Since the battle of ideas is a losing battle, you and your liberal friends spend all your time smearing the right, and looking for incriminating tidbits (true or not) to smear all over the place. Then, you find more lies, and call it truth. It's a real shame. And yes, despite your accusations, I am much more well informed than you. You think you are informed because you listen to a media that provides nothing but lies. I pay attention to that media as well, but then counter it with the truth, and recognize the lies. I thought you were smarter than that, than to fall for the bogus crap the media sends your way. You are like a sheep being herded in the direction the socialistic Democratic Liberal Party is leading you.


And on a lighter note, Saturday, 29th (that would be today) is the day that Dr. Blogstein visits Political Pistachio Radio. His comedy mixed with my political prowess will be interesting to listen to indeed. Tune in at 7pm Eastern Time/4pm Pacific for the fun at Political Pistachio Radio on Blog Talk Radio.


And finally, do you know who Mike Gray is? Mike Gray is that lawn care worker that got in trouble for his sign last year. The Border Patrol hat wearing business owner advertised that his business was "Done with Pride by an English Speaking American!" However, his other job, Arapahoe County in Colorado, didn't like the sign, nor did the local bureaucrats, who, fearing someone might be offended, ordered Mike to can the sign (and the hat). Mike Gray decided to go get a lawyer instead. Well, guess what? Mike is my guest this Wednesday night on Political Pistachio Radio! And, as an added treat, Terry Funderburk, the South Carolina Roofer that claims his competitors are putting him out of business by hiring illegals, and was arrested for protesting at a job site where illegals were working, has indicated that he plans to chime in as well. Wednesday at 10 pm Eastern, 7 pm Pacific, will be a good night for Political Pistachio Radio, and a bad night for the illegal aliens.

Friday, September 28, 2007

During a Time Where Everyone Seems to be Offended

When a Muslim recently called me a pig because of my 9/11 Memorial hat and pro-American shirt, I was offended. Was what he said to me a hate crime? Of course not. However, for my own safety against the Political Correctness of society, I kept my own mouth shut. Had I have called him a pig back, I would have probably been in for some serious legal problems.

However, everyone else, these days is also offended, but when that happens, it's a big deal. You know, Muslims, Atheists, members of non-caucasian races, gays, and so forth.

If I say anything against the gay population it is considered to be "gay-bashing."

If I say anything deemed inappropriate about the Muslims, I must have Islamophobia.

How about whistling a Christmas tune near a Jew, Atheist, or Muslim? Offensive!

A Muslim woman sued Orange County in California over the right to wear a head scarf. A college student of Pace University was arrested for dropping the Koran in the toilet (which was tasteless, but not a hate crime). A student was disciplined for using the term "that's so gay" (after being asked if as a Mormon she has 10 moms) because it was considered to be an anti-homosexual putdown, and after it went to court, she lost! A four year old kid was accused of improperly touching a teacher. To try to not be offensive in textbooks "Newspeak" has been ripped right out of George Orwell's novel 1984 and applied to university handbooks, using non-sexist language. The emphasis in our universities has shifted from free debate to the compulsory adoption of a dogma called multiculturalism, which includes non-sexist speech and behavior, along with a whole slew of other politically correct beliefs, which uses intimidation to enforce, and will undoubtedly continue to lead our academic system to a certain failure.

And last Christmas a group of carolers were asked to stop singing a Christmas Carol in Riverside, California because it would offend the Jewish skater, Sasha Cohen. Sasha, by the way, not only didn't mind, but stated later she welcomed the Christmas Carols.

However, if an icon of Christ is dipped into a jar of urine, according to our current society, that is nothing less than art.

And more recently, if homosexuals mock the "Last Supper" with Sex-Toys, that is not only acceptable, but it is considered to be a courageous ad.

Liberal Readers, is that funny to you?

It's not to me. In fact, it's downright offensive. Where's the ACLU when the offense is against Christianity?

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Wrap up of Political Pistachio Radio about College Security, the Delaware State University Shooting, and (eeeek) the battlefield in Iraq?


My guest on the Wednesday Night addition of Political Pistachio Radio was offered to me with the explanation that he was an expert on security on our nation's college campuses and that he was available to discuss the recent shooting at Delaware State University. Great, I thought, I've been wanting to learn more about what is going on with what I perceive as an increase of violence on the college campuses of America.

When I asked John Zmirak, the editor-in-chief of "Choosing the Right College", about the shooting in Delaware, he did not have a clue about what I was saying.

Buzzzzz. Strike One.

When I brought up the stories in the news today about the gunman scare on a Wisconsin University campus, New York's St. Johns rifle toting Bush mask wearing gunman, and a slightly more obscure story in New Hampshire about a deer hunter wandering on to the campus (still unconfirmed with an Internet story), he knew nothing about them either. (as far as links go, I suppose 2 out of 3 ain't so bad!)

Buzzzzz. Strike Two.

When I asked him about security on the college campuses and how it affected violence on the campuses, he knew a little.

Foul tip.

When we began talking about gun control issues, though we didn't see eye to eye completely, he understood the importance of the Second Amendment.

Hit down the line, just foul.

Then the current situation in Iraq was brought up and all heck broke loose.

Buzzzzzz. Strike Three, you're outta there!

Don't get me wrong. I believe that everybody is entitled to their opinion, and not everyone agrees with me completely. The far left will even lie and say that the majority of America is against our presence in Iraq. That must be why Congress's approval rating according to a recent Reuters/Zogby Index is at a paltry 11% (the libs run to the Gallup Poll every time - not that the polls are ever very accurate - I am sure the real number is even lower).

In fact, the man acted as if he had been ganged up on and beaten, hanging up with a shaken voice after Iraq War Veteran Paul Couturier, Phil (the ever present Night Rider), and MDConservative of Conservative Intelligence Report Blog(his blog has some fascinating posts about the rebirth of the USSR, by the way), called in and confronted John regarding his position on Iraq. The guest was visibly (okay, sorry, audibly) shaken, and I regret that it came to that. I tend to be diplomatic and fair, most often in my dealings with people, but I did warn him before the beginning of the show that Political Pistachio Radio is a very conservative show with a very conservative audience. And when the conversation turned to the War on Terror, if he felt uncomfortable talking about it he should have said so, but instead, he decided to essentially quote the Daily KOS talking points, and so the wolves devoured him.

Thank you for joining us tonight, John. No hard feelings, I hope.

John?

John?

[sigh]

Confrontation with the truth will do that to you, I suppose.

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On a final note, a good friend of mine is off to deployment overseas - and surprisingly the far left liberals (so far three of them) gave him a good send off (surprised the heck out of me). Keep Rick in your prayers as he returns to the battlefield. www.skydiverick.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Delaware State University Shooting


How much do you know about the recent shooting that happened on a Delaware college campus that left two wounded? Was this shooting related to the other shooting of incoming Delaware State students that were shot execution style at an elementary school in New Jersey by illegal immigrants? Was there any connection between this shooting and the rally organized to honor the so-called Jena Six the night before? Is the fact that Delaware State University is historically a black college a factor? Considering that this comes four months after the Virginia Tech shooting, would it have been worse if awareness was not higher in the wake of Virginia Tech? Or is this just another example of our society and its ever increasing spiral towards violence?

Tonight on my radio show I have scheduled John Zmirak, editor-in-chief of "Choosing the Right College", which outlines 134 colleges nationwide on the security on each campus, as well as the academic and social life on campus, to discuss the shooting at Delaware State University. He is a college security expert, and may be able to answer those questions, as well as inform us about the details regarding the stories of these shootings.

Tune in tonight on Political Pistachio Radio at 10pm Eastern Time, 7pm Pacific for a live feed. Participation is encouraged. Call into the show at (646) 652-2940, or contact me during the show with your questions through Yahoo Instant Messenger, ID douglasvgibbs.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

I'm Called a Pig; Ahmadinejad speaks at Columbia University and the U.N. General Assembly; Communication Outage in Memphis grounds American Flights


Today, while arriving to pick up the Los Angeles Times newspaper (I only subscribe to the Press Enterprise, but every once in a while I pick up the LA Times too) a Muslim man in his full regalia took one glance at the hat I was wearing (which reads: FDNY, NYPD, 343, 23, We Salute Our Fallen Heroes, Ground Zero, 9-11-01) and the Political Pistachio Shirt (which has an American Flag in the logo) I was wearing, while in the parking lot, and called me a pig. He then walked away, only to step into his vehicle and drive away. Had I have turned and called him a pig, I would probably have been arrested for committing a hate crime. This comes a few days after someone handed my son a Koran at work and told him to read it, it would change his life for the good. In my opinion, that would be like someone handing my son a copy of "Mein Kampf" during the late 1930's or early 1940's.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid a visit to Columbia University in New York yesterday to speak. I used Yahoo and Google in a mad search to find articles about the speech, but couldn't find any in the top ten. Perhaps it was the search words I used. Perhaps it's a Vast Leftwing Conspiracy. When I saw a piece of video on television (KCAL 9 in Los Angeles) regarding the speech, the people listening were applauding him like he was Mother Teresa. I couldn't believe it. I wonder if they would have been applauding if Hitler had been invited to speak at an American University near Pearl Harbor after December 7th, 1941. Oh, wait, that generation wouldn't have been stupid enough to invite the enemy to further poison the minds of Americans in such a way, or even allow the enemy to step foot on our soil.

When I retrieved my morning newspapers, one of them, the Riverside Press Enterprise, accused Columbia University President Lee Bollinger of "set[ting] the combative tone in his introduction," and that Bollinger's introduction introduced Ahmadinejad as a "petty and cruel dictator" was an "introduction that upstage[d] Iran president [Ahmadinejad]." The Los Angeles Times, unlike the Press Enterprise, was willing to splash the top of the front page with a story about Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University. Their headline ran "Iranian leader receives rough reception in N.Y.", a surprisingly more objective headline. The article tried to keep to the facts, but incorporated a little bit of liberal bias. The New York Daily News had the most truthful headline I located, in my opinion, reading "The Evil Has Landed." The Liberals may call that Rightwing bias. I call it being honest.

Did you watch the beginning of the speech at Columbia? I watched a video of it today. After the introduction by Columbia University's President Lee Bollinger during which he called Ahmadinejad a cruel dictator, the Iranian President came off with the sweetest dog and pony act I've ever seen, and the people fell for it, cheering in response. The Sun Times had this to say: Un-forum-givable: Don't help propagandist.

Today, Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations General Assembly about sanctions imposed against his government regarding its nuclear program. After watching Ahmadinejad address the United Nations, and his continual attack against the United States (while not actually naming America, it was obvious who he meant), I noticed that his rhetoric sounded exactly like the talking points of just about any liberal member of the Democratic Party (Reid, Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer to name a few). Then, Ahmadinejad proclaimed he wished to begin a movement for peace, as he prepares for war.

The Iranian President, during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, also indicated he is offended by those nations showing through their actions that they are against Iran (once again meaning us and any of our allies), claiming we have badly mistreated his nation with unlawful activities fueled by unlawful wishes. Nations are inherently good, he said (Some members of Iranian society may be, but he sure isn't), and asked for the United States to leave the arrogance of Satan, and have compassion for others. Remember, this is the man that denies the existence of the Holocaust, and proclaims that Israel should be wiped off the face of the Earth, and that the United States is the Great Satan and that he can imagine a world without America.

Listening to Ahmadinejad in both speeches brought to mind Biblical text regarding Satan. Whoa, hold on, I am not trying to proselytize you, here. Whether or not you believe in Christianity or Satan is not the point, and I am in no way asking you to believe anything that I do, but I do wish to relay a point regarding biblical text regarding who most would call The Devil. Biblical text paints Satan out to be a counterfeiter that cannot be trusted. One who is evil, but disguises his evil with good intentions, and sweet and colorful packaging. He is the Prince of Lies, and the harbinger of war. He calls for peace and safety as he prepares for war. He promises closeness to God as he separates you from Him. He calls you to come together with all faiths and peoples so that you may be destroyed in one fell swoop. Ahmadinejad sounded a lot like the Biblical description of Satan.

Of course, at the end of his speech, the members of the United Nations General Assembly clapped and smiled.

And Ahmadinejad lied through the entire speech.

We want nukes, but we don't plan to use them. However, those imperialists won't let us. It's us against them. [part of what Ahmadinejad said in a nutshell] He also called for us all to believe in one God, monotheism, but don't believe that he means the same God that Jews and Christians believe in - Muslims believe in the moon god and then named it allah. Explains all the moons on Islamic Flags, don't it? So while you (the Liberal Atheists) proclaim that the Christian Right is trying to create a theocracy (which is, of course, false), how about you take your fangs out of Christians and turn your attention to the ideology that truly wishes to create a theocracy, and is willing to remove your head to accomplish it.

Other breaking news is that the Memphis Airport had a communication outage that grounded flights today for a 250 mile radius. Now, in response to those that say "Do you really believe that Islam can easily just destroy parts of the United States with attacks?" understand that just a small glitch in the communications system through Southern Bell grounded a great many flights. How much more would it take to shut down the entire Communications Network in the U.S., crippling us, and making us vulnerable?

Just a point to ponder.

Right Truth also wrote about Ahmadinejad's Propaganda Show at Columbia University

Oh, and don't forget to check out my latest favorite videos over at Political Pistachio Videos

Monday, September 24, 2007

Rewarding Illegal Behavior


In my recent interview with Brad Lord-Leutwyler he got upset when I stated that more than half of the people without health insurance in America are illegal aliens. He claimed that there are roughly 40 million people in this country without health insurance, and that there are 12 million illegal aliens in this country. I indicated that the number of 12 million is wrong. Last year, some estimates suggested the number of illegal aliens is actually 30 million. A large number of these aliens are Mexican, so the emphasis tends to be on the Mexican illegal immigrant.

Unfortunately, not all data and sources document the true danger of the Mexican immigrant. The dominant attitude in that particular group is rarely documented, and never spoken by the mainstream media. This attitude is that they are not only coming here to find work, but to take the American Southwest back for Mexico. And how do they plan to do this? By sheer numbers.

On September 22nd at Political Pistachio Videos I posted a video called Immigration Gumballs (thanks to Gawfer) that illustrates the problem of rapidly rising numbers in the illegal alien ranks. The threat is there. Aztlan is just a matter of a generation away.

As I speak out against illegal immigration, I have been careful to explain that it is not a racial issue. This is an issue regarding the law, enforcement of the law, and the fact that our government (both parties) seems intent to reward such illegal behavior.

I say that this is not a racial issue, yet that position is constantly challenged. I usually respond by saying that one piece of evidence that I am hardly racist against Mexicans is the fact that my wife is of Mexican heritage. I suppose that isn't absolute proof that I am not a racist. Perhaps there are those that have loved ones of a certain race, but still feels their race is superior because of their color. That's unfortunate.

I was recently misquoted, as I often am, by a liberal blogger named Tom, who seems to enjoy commenting here even after he has been asked not to. He wrote on August 20th of this year that I say it's not a "racial" issue BECAUSE my wife is of Mexican heritage, and then goes on to ask questions about her parent's legality, etc. For the record, her parents immigrated here legally when she was but a toddler, and my wife grew up with a resident alien ID card (green card). She believed the rhetoric that if she became an American she would lose her heritage and be turning her back on the Mexican people. She wasn't supposed to become one of THEM, she was supposed to only fight the White Man in America. In 2005 she decided the rhetoric was ridiculous, and that the illegal immigration problem needed more voters against amnesty, so she applied for citizenship, naturalizing under oath in April of this year. And to answer the question, I don't think it is a racial issue because my wife is Mexican. I don't think it is a racial issue because it is a legal issue and a national security issue. I don't care if you are Scottish, you better immigrate legally.

But what about Mexico? What do they think of all of their citizens abandoning their country to come to America?

The Mexican government encourages this illegal activity. But why encourage these people to do so in an illegal manner?

Illegal immigration is the fastest way to get people into this country from Mexico. Besides, under legal guidelines a large number of these people would be rejected because of health issues or past criminal activity. And of course they have no problem crossing in complete violation of the law. Crime is a way of life in that country, anymore. In the Sunday, September 23rd issue of the Press Enterprise newspaper in Southern California a story on the front page proclaims "Mexico's Crime Wave Explodes". In the Los Angeles Times on September 20th, the front page read, "A small guerrilla band is waging war in Mexico."

I am not saying that all of the illegals are members of Crime Families, or Revolutionary Guerrilla Bands. However, I am saying that considering the environment in Mexico the people have created, the willingness to break the law to obtain what they want is not as big of a taboo to them as it is to us. Facts are, 1 in 3 criminals in American Prisons are illegal aliens (as reported by Lou Dobbs of CNN), and the crime rate is higher in cities with larger illegal immigrant populations. Note, there are a lot of studies being done trying to disprove that notion.

Okay, so we've established that allowing illegal aliens into the United States, and rewarding them for their illegal behavior is not the best route to take. It puts a strain on our economy, it is unfair to the legal taxpayer, is bankrupting hospitals who are losing money because of providing care for uninsured illegal immigrants (or as the leftwing press would call them, undocumented immigrants - too afraid to tell the harsh truth, I guess), takes away jobs from Americans (and don't give me that "they do jobs that Americans won't do" crap, I am White and do one of those jobs for God's sake), puts American business owners at risk (remember Terry Funderburk?), and are over burdening already crumbling public assistance programs.

And that doesn't even begin to bring into the equation how many illegal aliens are not Latino, but instead are of Middle Eastern descent (10,000 of them), and are coming here with the intent of spreading the Islamic Jihad further into America. Thus, also making this a National Security Issue as well.

More on that aspect of it in a later post.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Stress Relief


You know, I had a great big post planned for today regarding illegals, and Iran, and Global Warming. . . but just thinking about those things was making me feel a little stressed. It's Sunday, after all, and I just got home from Church. I needed some stress relief, and I needed it immediately. Luckily, my fellow blogger, Phil, sent this to me, and it did the trick. By the way, when you click the link below and experience this fantastic stress relieving site, don't be drinking anything. You'll spill it when you're done.

Huh?

click for stress relief

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Political Pistachio Radio talks with Brad Lord-Leutwyler today


My guest today on Political Pistachio Radio is Brad Lord-Leutwyler. Brad is running for President of the United States, and based on what he had to say on last Wednesday's Episode of my radio show, he is an ardent supporter of the war against terror, and of our current presence on the battlefield of Iraq.

However, there are a few social issues we don't see eye to eye on. Two questions need to be answered. Why is he liberal on a few of the social issues? And do they really matter when confronted by an enemy such as Radical Islamism?

Tune in and find out live at 7pm Eastern Time, 4pm Pacific on Political Pistachio Radio.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Boiling Frogs

Have you ever heard that analogy about Creeping Incrementalism?

The story goes that if you place a frog in a pot of warm water, and increase the heat lightly and incrementally, he will never know he is being boiled even after it is too late.

The American Public is like the boiling frog. We have become accustomed to the slowly changing society, to the point that we identify certain aspects as being normal because of the slow and gradual brainwashing we have received.

I like to call it "little things add up."

And the changes have even gotten to the point that if one was to question any of these gradual changes to societal attitude, or the deterioration of moral values, that person is questioned and accused as if he or she is ignorant or intolerant.

We are slowly evolving into a society embracing ideas that have been historically proven to fail, and to accept the slow invasion by enemies that are telling us as they merge into our society that it is their goal to destroy our society as we know it.

Why don't we believe them when they say they wish to destroy America?

Why don't we care about stopping the illegal invasion?

Why are we bending over backward for an enemy that studies a book by a self-proclaimed prophet that is full of violence and judgment as we turn our backs on the conservative principles that have made this nation great?

Why are we defending the enemy and accusing our allies?

This film about Jimmy Carter's War Against The Jews explains the idiocy quite well.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Third of Three on GOEIII on Political Pistachio Radio - and a funny video


Join us tonight on Political Pistachio Radio as we air our third installment dedicated to the Gathering of Eagles event last Saturday in Washington D.C.

Eagle Justin from Right on the Right will join us to tell us his tale of the trip on the way to Washington D.C., how it went while he was there, and a little story about "Malcom X and The Ninja" (a couple libtards they encountered while there).

Also, a few other Eagles may call in and tell their tales as well.

Tune in tonight at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern.

Here's a video of Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson at the Gathering of Eagles Rally



oh, and by the way, if you don't visit Political Pistachio Videos, you missed a funny vid I put on there - put your coffee somewhere else, you may spill it with this one.

And what does Murtha have to say, now that the charges are being dropped regarding the Haditha Marines?

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Did you know that yesterday was Constitution Day?


Yesterday, September 17, 2007, celebrated Constitution Day, which observed the 220th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.


You've heard of The United States Constitution, right?


You know that document. The one that was designed to limit the control over the citizens by the Federal Government. The document that does not allow the Federal Government to force you to buy anything (like Hillary's Health Plan), does not allow the Federal Government to control your actions (where you smoke, or if you smoke for that matter), nor for the federal government to regulate business to the point that the free market suffers, nor Amnesty for illegals that essentially rewards incoming immigrants for illegal behavior . . . shall I go on?


What about the Left's attempt to take away your firearm with tighter and tighter restrictions?


Andrea Shea King's guest tonight on her BlogTalkRadio Show was David Harsanyi, an award-winning columnist at the Denver Post, who has made a study of the government's interference in our lives and turned it into a book titled NANNY STATE: How Food Fascists, Teetotaling Do-Gooders, Priggish Moralists, and Other Boneheaded Bureaucrats Are Turning America into a Nation of Children. Check it out on BlogTalkRadio.


And tomorrow night at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern on Political Pistachio Radio will be the third of three shows dedicated to the Gathering of Eagles event. Justin from Right on the Right will be on the show, along with the possibility of other Eagles. Hope to see ya there.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Sally Field - Emmy Acceptance Speech Uncensored

Sally Field was cut off short on the Emmy Awards Show because she said "Goddamn", not because of her anti-war rant. However, notice about halfway through the speech, when she brings up the war, how freaky she gets. Are her meds that she takes affecting her? Also, she stated that if the mothers of the world were in control there would be no war. Really? WRONG. All I've got to say is my wife, as sweet as she can be, is not to be trifled with when protecting her children. Also, Sally, ever heard of Woman's Scorn? Besides, tyrants will never allow war to become extinct. There will always be evil to fight. War, is an unfortunate bi-product.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Gathering of Eagles III and Andrea Shea King and Environmentalists screw up again and Veteran Care

Last Saturday on Blog Talk Radio was my second of three special Gathering of Eagles episodes on Political Pistachio Radio. Coming up this Wednesday night at 10pm Eastern/7pm Pacific I will be joined by Justin from Right on the Right, Crawfish from Crawfish's Swamp, a Navy man that not only attended GOE III, but also has served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, and hopefully Kit Lange from Euphoric Reality. Tune in for more interesting experiences by Eagles on Political Pistachio Radio.

Andrea Shea King has asked me to participate on her Monday night Blog Talk Radio show, which airs at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific. Tune in because also her guest will be Chuck Muth from the Conservative Leadership Conference.

I've said before, and I will say it again, we, as a species, should be good stewards of our planet. If there is gunk in the air and water, we should ensure we be careful, and clean what we have damaged. But today's environmentalists are extreme activists that cause more harm than good, sometimes. The money grubbing religion of Global Warming, and the great lies it is spreading regarding "carbon footprints" when the warming and cooling cycles have been proven to be natural occurrences, is a good example. Now, another example of environmentalism not being able to do anything right comes in the form of an attempt to save an endangered species of fish in Colorado. Scientists, in an effort to save the endangered greenback cutthroat trout erroneously stocked the rivers with the wrong fish (the more common Colorado River Cutthroat). This gives them more than a black eye, since it is just another mistake of many committed by those claiming to be there to do the right thing. Ooooops.

I am a partially disabled Veteran, for those that don't know. I have been receiving care from the Veteran's Administration since 1988. I have seen the VA go up and down in care, capabilities, manpower, and overall quality. Today, I read an article in my local paper that indicated that Veterans Affairs falls short, failing to even meet its own standards. From personal experience, the care was adequate until about 1994, at which time the care became shoddy, and manpower low. During the current administration the care at VA has improved drastically, and the manpower appears to be at levels at, or above, the level in the late 80's when I began being treated by VA. According to my experience, the agency maintains a high level of quality treatment when compared to the past. Unfortunately, the press is determined to claim the system falls short, and to somehow place blame on the current administration. Don't get me wrong, mistakes are sometimes made, and sometimes facilities are neglected when they shouldn't be, like in the case of Walter Reed Medical Center. Honestly, Walter Reed was downright despicable. But isolated incidents of poor management of a facility is hardly an indication that the entire VA system is in shambles. Honestly, it is not a perfect world. There is still room for improvement. Like anything, improvement is possible. But when compared to the care I received during the Clinton Administration (coupled with his massive cuts in VA and military funding), what I receive now is awesome. The overall system is not like Walter Reed, thank God. However, the Liberal Left will claim that it is, and that it is all Bush's fault. Granted, I do not agree with everything Bush has done, but under his watch, I have to admit, VA has improved drastically.

And for those of you that missed last Saturday's Political Pistachio Radio, check it out because we also had a surprise caller, John. John is a Cuban Exile. Watch for him to return on a future broadcast to tell his story about living under Castro, and escaping Communism.

Oh, and back to Global Warming, GM Roper has a great post on that.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Gathering of Eagles Takes their positions in Washington D.C.


ANSWER, which in my opinion has the wrong answer, will be marching on Washington D.C. today in a massive anti-war/anti-military/anti-patriotism/anti-America march. They will be waving their black and yellow banners (rather than the red, white and blue of the Star Spangled Banner), and flags of other countries (more often than not the flags of nations the terrorists use as breeding grounds and training locations, as well as those of nations that openly sponsor Islamic Terror).

The Gathering of Eagles will be there to meet them head-on.

The Gathering of Eagles was formed to protect our monuments and memorials. Last January anti-military/anti-American morons from the far left (representing groups like ANSWER) urinated on the memorials in Washington D.C. and spray painted the steps of the Capitol. Last week vandals damaged the Vietnam War Memorial. This will not be tolerated, and the Eagles will be there to make sure these anti-American jerks won't cause more damage as they whine and cry their way through D.C. on their treasonous route.

Unfortunately, they will, as they have in the past, do despicable things like disrespect the American Flag and burn effigies of American Soldiers, but there will be an answer to ANSWER, and they are the Gathering of Eagles.

Kit Lange of Euphoric Reality will be one of those Eagles. She, with tens of thousands of others, will protect our memorials, and stand up for our troops, today in Washington D.C.

Then, she will call live into Political Pistachio Radio today at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific to tell us about the events. A few other Eagles may be calling in as well, such as Paul Couturier (Iraq War Veteran and host of Indepedently Correct Radio), and Justin of Right on the Right. Tune in, you won't want to miss this.

And we may even get to hear some of the rantings of a member or two of ANSWER - wouldn't that be good for a laugh.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Lies, Lies, Lies, get out!


The mainstream media is untruthful (or fail to relay certain parts of information) continuously. Often, libtards accuse me of being a liar (Neurotic Tom, Crudkitty, BlueState idiot, Caday5, & "Ollie" to name a few - you may not know who they are since they are either banned, or trolls that troll around my other political sites, but they know who they are), then often will go to articles put out by the mainstream media to prove that I am a liar. However, what good is calling someone a liar if you are a liar and use lies to prove you're not a liar?

Let me give you an example of the media lies that the lying libtards depend upon so headily.

Charles Sennott, former Middle East bureau chief for the Boston Globe from 1997 to 2001 published a book that became a best seller in the Boston area called "The Body and the Blood: The Middle East's Vanishing Christians and the Possibility for Peace." The book purportedly documents a dramatically diminishing presence of Christianity in the Middle East. It speaks of a "Christian exodus" in the face of war, persecution, and radical Islam. In the prologue of the book he asks, "Is Christianity truly going to die out in the land where it began?"

CNN flashed a headline saying, "Christians Leaving Middle East," Jonathan Mann and Gerald Kessel, April 21, 1992, and the BBC has proclaimed "Christians Quit Christ's Birthplace," Roger Hardy, December 21, 2001. NPR indicated in one story "the dwindling number of Christians in the Middle East" during coverage of the Pope's visit to Syria, Morning Edition May 7, 2001; Denver Post stated in one of their stories that "once significant Christian communities [in the Middle East] have shrunk to a minuscule portion of their former robust selves. . . in fifty years they may well be extinct," Jonathan and Agota Kuperman, "Christian Eclipse in shadow of Radical Islam," op-ed Rocky Mountain News/Denver Post, December 22, 2001. The Guardian newspaper in London, U.K., suggests that Christians in the Middle East are becoming an "endangered species," William Dalrymple, October 30, 2001. In Toronto, Canada's Toronto Sun has claimed that "a time may come. . . when Christian communities of the Middle East no longer exist," Salim Mansur, "A Christian Exodus?", December 23, 2004.

Bloggers, often gathering their data from the media, are reporting the same, such as this post by the Modern Tribalist last year.

Here's the problem with all of these stories. They are not quite accurate.

A spiritual revolution, centering around Christianity, that is completely missed by the mainstream media, is under way throughout the Muslim World. In Cairo, Egypt, scores of Arabs are coming to Christ. On March 15, 2005, the Morocco Times ran an article titled "Why are Moroccans Converting to Christianity?" The newspaper published an article on January 24, 2006 titled "Evangelical Missionaries Back in the Limelight." A concert of contemporary Christian music has made its rounds of the country with large numbers of attendees, and no negative incidents, despite the fact that converts to Christianity generally face social ostracism. Newspapers and magazines estimate 25,000 to 40,000 Muslims have become followers of Christ in recent years, page 208, Epicenter by Joel Rosenberg. The growth of Christianity in Iraq and Iran, as reported by "Behind the Black Veil," Charisma, June 2004, is at an all time high as well as people in those areas search for freedom from the violence of Islam, and find it in the mercy of Christianity.

The point of me writing what you just read above was not to proselytize, but to point out the obvious errors in the reporting of our respected (well, not respected by me, but you know what I mean) mainstream media.

Hmmmm. So does that mean that journalists are willing to lie to get their story to say what they wish it to say?

Absolutely.

Now, let's turn to the recent reactions by the mainstream media (and liberal left Dems) to General Petraeus' report on Iraq, and yesterday's speech by George W. Bush. Los Angeles KFI Radio's John and Ken proclaimed, at the end of Bush's speech, that it was time for Bush to be led back to his rubber room. In Wisconsin, they reminded us that they believe, along with the Democrats, that Iraq is a diversion from the War on Terror, rather than a part of the War on Terror (by quoting Sen. Russ Feingold). Chicago scoffed at the plan to bring some of the troops home due to successes in the region, rather than bringing them all home in defeat all at once. AOL News was quick to remind us what Speaker Nancy Pelosi had to say when she slammed Bush's current plans regarding Iraq mainly because, according to Pelosi, the overall plan of the administration is to keep a significant number of troops in Iraq for ten years or more. They forget that even today we have a presence in South Korea, Japan, and Germany. We have only recently removed our presence from the Philippines which began after the Spanish American war in the 1890's! And of course the Huffington Post called General Petraeus Bush's political lackey, asked Petraeus to take off his rose colored glasses, as well as indicating that Petraeus is guilty of Al Qaeda Fearmongering. And finally, Hillary proclaimed on 9/11/07 that Bush and Petraeus were guilty of "the willing suspension of belief," and MoveOn.org decided to proclaim the General as being General BetrayUs, indicating that he is constantly at war with the facts.

However, Paul Couturier, the host of Independently Correct Radio, and regular participant on Political Pistachio Radio, an Iraq War Veteran who still has contact with a number of our troops, Iraq War Veterans I have talked to here in Southern California, General Petraeus, who is the commander of the operations in Iraq, and the President of the United States, all proclaim progress is being made in Iraq and that victory is on the horizon. Perhaps not as soon as The Left would demand, but the progress is such that the surge numbers will no longer be needed within the year. On my post, The General's Report, I explained the security and economic progress in Iraq, much of it based on government reports, and objective reporting outside the mainstream media.

In the beginning of this post I showed you an example how the media misses the obvious, and lies to support their agenda.

Now, when it comes to news regarding progress, or lack thereof, of the War on Terror, including the battlefield in Iraq, who are you going to believe? The liberal left who pays visits to the enemy, Hollyweird who rubs elbows with the enemy, and a mainstream media who has a vested interest in defeat - or the troops speaking on Political Pistachio Radio that have been on the ground in Iraq, the military General in charge of the battlefield in Iraq, and the President of the United States who is receiving much more information regarding the situation in Iraq than we are?

On my last broadcast Phil, a regular listener and participant in the program, made an interesting comment. He said the Left supported the President as long as we were victims. We had been hit by terrorists on 9/11 and that made us victims, and so it united the country. The moment we stopped becoming victims and took charge of the situation and struck back from a position of strength, the Left could no longer support the President of the United States, because they can only operate from the perspective of a victim, not a self-reliant entity.

Another point is this. Democrats and the Libtards seem to be shying away from a military solution of this war, and keep calling for a political end to the war. Their criticisms have been against the politics of Bush, and the weak political structure and lack of strong activities by the Iraq government. They also proclaim that there is not military solution to the war in Iraq, and that there cannot be a military solution to the war in Iraq. Now, let's look back in history. Vietnam was fought from a political point of view, and came to a political end, and was a disaster. Korea came to a political end, and is essentially still being fought. The two world wars, the American Civil War, and the American Revolution were fought purely by the military, and came to a military end by using a military solution. Now, looking back, which of these wars were victories, and which were failures?

We have no choice but to have a military end to Iraq, and using a military solution in the War on Terror. We cannot depart militarily from the region unless we do it from the position of victory and success, not in defeat. To depart in the form of a "cut and run" as the Democratic Party seems to desire will do nothing less than turn Iraq into a seething hive of terror sponsored by al-Qaeda, Iran, Syria, and a host of other "Hamas-like" groups. To finish the job in Iraq in the form of a military victory will leave a democracy in the state of Iraq with good ties to America in an area where it is most needed - and, less people will die in the long run - because a cut and run will simply lead to the wholesale slaughter of any Iraqi citizen that supported the United States' presence in Iraq. I guarantee a sudden departure from Iraq will result in many more deaths to innocent people than there ever will be as a result of our presence in that country.

It is sort of like tying a shoe. When my kids were young they had difficulty, as all children do when faced with a new challenge, tying their shoes. It took time to overcome the obstacles. It took patience to finally reach success and tie their shoes properly. But they stuck with it, determined to finish the job successfully, learning a valuable function that they would need and use throughout life.

I have a feeling libtards see their children struggling tying their shoes and just go out and buy their kids shoes with velcro instead.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

My Tribute to 9/11 on Political Pistachio Radio


September 12th's broadcast began with a tribute to 9/11 you must hear. CLICK HERE to go to the program page for the show. If the media player on the sidebar does not automatically begin playing, scroll down to the segment description of September 12th's episode of Political Pistachio radio and hit the play button so that the broadcast will play on your own media player. Then sit down and listen to the first few minutes of the show. Then hear what I have to say in addition. You will be glad you did.

I Wept Yesterday

To listen to tonight's show, click HERE.




On my way to work a radio program played footage from 9/11 and I found myself weeping. I came home last night and spent time with my wife in silence. I was sent a video by a friend of the Palestinians celebrating after the World Trade Center attack. I watched it in silence.

The ensuing War on Terror has many battle fronts, and one of them is in Iraq.

General Petraeus was correct in his assessment. Any decision to bring American troops home from Iraq must be made from "strength and success, not fear and failure.

Tonight Paul Couturier will join me on Political Pistachio Radio at 7pm Pacific Time, 10 pm Eastern. I will begin my show with audio from 9/11. I will speak on my thoughts regarding that horrendous day. Paul will tell us his thoughts, as well, I am sure, as well as give us a little more insight on how important that battle in Iraq is in this War on Terror. Then we will turn our focus on The Gathering of Eagles Event.

The anti-military crowd, by the way, has struck again against our monuments to our heroes in Washington D.C. They damaged the Vietnam Wall. More wish to do the same on September 15, 2007.

Support The Eagles.

To listen to tonight's show, click HERE.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Monday, September 10, 2007

The General's Report


Report to Congress on the Situation in IraqGeneral David H. PetraeusCommander, Multi-National Force-Iraq10-11 September 2007 (below this report is my take on the report by General Petraeus and how I believe progress is being made in Iraq)

Mr. Chairmen, Ranking Members, Members of the Committees, thank you for the opportunity to provide my assessment of the security situation in Iraq and to discuss the recommendations I recently provided to my chain of command for the way forward.

At the outset, I would like to note that this is my testimony. Although I have briefed my assessment and recommendations to my chain of command, I wrote this testimony myself. It has not been cleared by, nor shared with, anyone in the Pentagon, the White House, or Congress.

As a bottom line up front, the military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met. In recent months, in the face of tough enemies and the brutal summer heat of Iraq, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have achieved progress in the security arena. Though the improvements have been uneven across Iraq, the overall number of security incidents in Iraq has declined in 8 of the past 12 weeks, with the numbers of incidents in the last two weeks at the lowest levels seen since June 2006.

One reason for the decline in incidents is that Coalition and Iraqi forces have dealt significant blows to Al Qaeda-Iraq. Though Al Qaeda and its affiliates in Iraq remain dangerous, we have taken away a number of their sanctuaries and gained the initiative in many areas.We have also disrupted Shia militia extremists, capturing the head and numerous other leaders of the Iranian-supported Special Groups, along with a senior Lebanese Hezbollah operative supporting Iran’s activities in Iraq.

Coalition and Iraqi operations have helped reduce ethno-sectarian violence, as well, bringing down the number of ethno-sectarian deaths substantially in Baghdad and across Iraq since the height of the sectarian violence last December. The number of overall civilian deaths has also declined during this period, although the numbers in each area are still at troubling levels.Iraqi Security Forces have also continued to grow and to shoulder more of the load, albeit slowly and amid continuing concerns about the sectarian tendencies of some elements in their ranks. In general, however, Iraqi elements have been standing and fighting and sustaining tough losses, and they have taken the lead in operations in many areas.

Additionally, in what may be the most significant development of the past 8 months, the tribal rejection of Al Qaeda that started in Anbar Province and helped produce such significant change there has now spread to a number of other locations as well.

Based on all this and on the further progress we believe we can achieve over the next few months, I believe that we will be able to reduce our forces to the pre-surge level of brigade combat teams by next summer without jeopardizing the security gains that we have fought so hard to achieve.

Beyond that, while noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult, and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, though doing so will be neither quick nor easy.

Having provided that summary, I would like to review the nature of the conflict in Iraq, recall the situation before the surge, describe the current situation, and explain the recommendations I have provided to my chain of command for the way ahead in Iraq.
The Nature of the Conflict

The fundamental source of the conflict in Iraq is competition among ethnic and sectarian communities for power and resources. This competition will take place, and its resolution is key to producing long-term stability in the new Iraq. The question is whether the competition takes place more – or less – violently. This chart shows the security challenges in Iraq. Foreign and home-grown terrorists, insurgents, militia extremists, and criminals all push the ethno-sectarian competition toward violence. Malign actions by Syria and, especially, by Iran fuel that violence. Lack of adequate governmental capacity, lingering sectarian mistrust, and various forms of corruption add to Iraq’s challenges.

The Situation in December 2006 and the Surge
In our recent efforts to look to the future, we found it useful to revisit the past. In December 2006, during the height of the ethno-sectarian violence that escalated in the wake of the bombing of the Golden Dome Mosque in Samarra, the leaders in Iraq at that time – General George Casey and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad – concluded that the coalition was failing to achieve its objectives. Their review underscored the need to protect the population and reduce sectarian violence, especially in Baghdad. As a result, General Casey requested additional forces to enable the Coalition to accomplish these tasks, and those forces began to flow in January.
In the ensuing months, our forces and our Iraqi counterparts have focused on improving security, especially in Baghdad and the areas around it, wresting sanctuaries from Al Qaeda control, and disrupting the efforts of the Iranian-supported militia extremists. We have employed counterinsurgency practices that underscore the importance of units living among the people they are securing, and accordingly, our forces have established dozens of joint security stations and patrol bases manned by Coalition and Iraqi forces in Baghdad and in other areas across Iraq.

In mid-June, with all the surge brigades in place, we launched a series of offensive operations focused on: expanding the gains achieved in the preceding months in Anbar Province; clearing Baqubah, several key Baghdad neighborhoods, the remaining sanctuaries in Anbar Province, and important areas in the so-called “belts” around Baghdad; and pursuing Al Qaeda in the Diyala River Valley and several other areas.

Throughout this period, as well, we engaged in dialogue with insurgent groups and tribes, and this led to additional elements standing up to oppose Al Qaeda and other extremists. We also continued to emphasize the development of the Iraqi Security Forces and we employed non-kinetic means to exploit the opportunities provided by the conduct of our kinetic operations – aided in this effort by the arrival of additional Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
Current Situation and Trends

The progress our forces have achieved with our Iraqi counterparts has, as I noted at the outset, been substantial. While there have been setbacks as well as successes and tough losses along the way, overall, our tactical commanders and I see improvements in the security environment. We do not, however, just rely on gut feel or personal observations; we also conduct considerable data collection and analysis to gauge progress and determine trends. We do this by gathering and refining data from coalition and Iraqi operations centers, using a methodology that has been in place for well over a year and that has benefited over the past seven months from the increased presence of our forces living among the Iraqi people. We endeavor to ensure our analysis of that data is conducted with rigor and consistency, as our ability to achieve a nuanced understanding of the security environment is dependent on collecting and analyzing data in a consistent way over time. Two US intelligence agencies recently reviewed our methodology, and they concluded that the data we produce is the most accurate and authoritative in Iraq.
As I mentioned up front, and as the chart before you reflects, the level of security incidents has decreased significantly since the start of the surge of offensive operations in mid-June, declining in 8 of the past 12 weeks, with the level of incidents in the past two weeks the lowest since June 2006 and with the number of attacks this past week the lowest since April 2006.Civilian deaths of all categories, less natural causes, have also declined considerably, by over 45% Iraq-wide since the height of the sectarian violence in December. This is shown by the top line on this chart, and the decline by some 70% in Baghdad is shown by the bottom line. Periodic mass casualty attacks by Al Qaeda have tragically added to the numbers outside Baghdad, in particular. Even without the sensational attacks, however, the level of civilian deaths is clearly still too high and continues to be of serious concern.

As the next chart shows, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths, an important subset of the overall civilian casualty figures, has also declined significantly since the height of the sectarian violence in December. Iraq-wide, as shown by the top line on this chart, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths has come down by over 55%, and it would have come down much further were it not for the casualties inflicted by barbaric Al Qaeda bombings attempting to reignite sectarian violence. In Baghdad, as the bottom line shows, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths has come down by some 80% since December. This chart also displays the density of sectarian incidents in various Baghdad neighborhoods and it both reflects the progress made in reducing ethno-sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital and identifies the areas that remain the most challenging.
As we have gone on the offensive in former Al Qaeda and insurgent sanctuaries, and as locals have increasingly supported our efforts, we have found a substantially increased number of arms, ammunition, and explosives caches. As this chart shows, we have, so far this year, already found and cleared over 4,400 caches, nearly 1,700 more than we discovered in all of last year. This may be a factor in the reduction in the number of overall improvised explosive device attacks in recent months, which as this chart shows, has declined sharply, by about one-third, since June.

The change in the security situation in Anbar Province has, of course, been particularly dramatic. As this chart shows, monthly attack levels in Anbar have declined from some 1,350 in October 2006 to a bit over 200 in August of this year. This dramatic decrease reflects the significance of the local rejection of Al Qaeda and the newfound willingness of local Anbaris to volunteer to serve in the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Service. As I noted earlier, we are seeing similar actions in other locations, as well.

To be sure, trends have not been uniformly positive across Iraq, as is shown by this chart depicting violence levels in several key Iraqi provinces. The trend in Ninevah Province, for example, has been much more up and down, until a recent decline, and the same is true in Sala ad Din Province, though recent trends there and in Baghdad have been in the right direction. In any event, the overall trajectory in Iraq – a steady decline of incidents in the past three months – is still quite significant.

The number of car bombings and suicide attacks has also declined in each of the past 5 months, from a high of some 175 in March, as this chart shows, to about 90 this past month. While this trend in recent months has been heartening, the number of high profile attacks is still too high, and we continue to work hard to destroy the networks that carry out these barbaric attacks.
Our operations have, in fact, produced substantial progress against Al Qaeda and its affiliates in Iraq. As this chart shows, in the past 8 months, we have considerably reduced the areas in which Al Qaeda enjoyed sanctuary. We have also neutralized 5 media cells, detained the senior Iraqi leader of Al Qaeda-Iraq, and killed or captured nearly 100 other key leaders and some 2,500 rank-and-file fighters. Al Qaeda is certainly not defeated; however, it is off balance and we are pursuing its leaders and operators aggressively. Of note, as the recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq explained, these gains against Al Qaeda are a result of the synergy of actions by: conventional forces to deny the terrorists sanctuary; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to find the enemy; and special operations elements to conduct targeted raids. A combination of these assets is necessary to prevent the creation of a terrorist safe haven in Iraq.

In the past six months we have also targeted Shia militia extremists, capturing a number of senior leaders and fighters, as well as the deputy commander of Lebanese Hezbollah Department 2800, the organization created to support the training, arming, funding, and, in some cases, direction of the militia extremists by the Iranian Republican Guard Corps’ Qods Force. These elements have assassinated and kidnapped Iraqi governmental leaders, killed and wounded our soldiers with advanced explosive devices provided by Iran, and indiscriminately rocketed civilians in the International Zone and elsewhere. It is increasingly apparent to both Coalition and Iraqi leaders that Iran, through the use of the Qods Force, seeks to turn the Iraqi Special Groups into a Hezbollah-like force to serve its interests and fight a proxy war against the Iraqi state and coalition forces in Iraq.

The most significant development in the past six months likely has been the increasing emergence of tribes and local citizens rejecting Al Qaeda and other extremists. This has, of course, been most visible in Anbar Province. A year ago the province was assessed as “lost” politically. Today, it is a model of what happens when local leaders and citizens decide to oppose Al Qaeda and reject its Taliban-like ideology. While Anbar is unique and the model it provides cannot be replicated everywhere in Iraq, it does demonstrate the dramatic change in security that is possible with the support and participation of local citizens. As this chart shows, other tribes have been inspired by the actions of those in Anbar and have volunteered to fight extremists as well. We have, in coordination with the Iraqi government’s National Reconciliation Committee, been engaging these tribes and groups of local citizens who want to oppose extremists and to contribute to local security. Some 20,000 such individuals are already being hired for the Iraqi Police, thousands of others are being assimilated into the Iraqi Army, and thousands more are vying for a spot in Iraq’s Security Forces.

As I noted earlier, Iraqi Security Forces have continued to grow, to develop their capabilities, and to shoulder more of the burden of providing security for their country. Despite concerns about sectarian influence, inadequate logistics and supporting institutions, and an insufficient number of qualified commissioned and non-commissioned officers, Iraqi units are engaged around the country.

As this chart shows, there are now nearly 140 Iraqi Army, National Police, and Special Operations Forces Battalions in the fight, with about 95 of those capable of taking the lead in operations, albeit with some coalition support. Beyond that, all of Iraq’s battalions have been heavily involved in combat operations that often result in the loss of leaders, soldiers, and equipment. These losses are among the shortcomings identified by operational readiness assessments, but we should not take from these assessments the impression that Iraqi forces are not in the fight and contributing. Indeed, despite their shortages, many Iraqi units across Iraq now operate with minimal coalition assistance.

As counterinsurgency operations require substantial numbers of boots on the ground, we are helping the Iraqis expand the size of their security forces. Currently, there are some 445,000 individuals on the payrolls of Iraq’s Interior and Defense Ministries. Based on recent decisions by Prime Minister Maliki, the number of Iraq’s security forces will grow further by the end of this year, possibly by as much as 40,000. Given the security challenges Iraq faces, we support this decision, and we will work with the two security ministries as they continue their efforts to expand their basic training capacity, leader development programs, logistical structures and elements, and various other institutional capabilities to support the substantial growth in Iraqi forces.

Significantly, in 2007, Iraq will, as in 2006, spend more on its security forces than it will receive in security assistance from the United States. In fact, Iraq is becoming one of the United States’ larger foreign military sales customers, committing some $1.6 billion to FMS already, with the possibility of up to $1.8 billion more being committed before the end of this year. And I appreciate the attention that some members of Congress have recently given to speeding up the FMS process for Iraq.

To summarize, the security situation in Iraq is improving, and Iraqis elements are slowly taking on more of the responsibility for protecting their citizens. Innumerable challenges lie ahead; however, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have made progress toward achieving sustainable security. As a result, the United States will be in a position to reduce its forces in Iraq in the months ahead.

Recommendations

Two weeks ago I provided recommendations for the way ahead in Iraq to the members of my chain of command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The essence of the approach I recommended is captured in its title: “Security While Transitioning: From Leading to Partnering to Overwatch.”
This approach seeks to build on the security improvements our troopers and our Iraqi counterparts have fought so hard to achieve in recent months. It reflects recognition of the importance of securing the population and the imperative of transitioning responsibilities to Iraqi institutions and Iraqi forces as quickly as possible, but without rushing to failure. It includes substantial support for the continuing development of Iraqi Security Forces. It also stresses the need to continue the counterinsurgency strategy that we have been employing, but with Iraqis gradually shouldering more of the load. And it highlights the importance of regional and global diplomatic approaches. Finally, in recognition of the fact that this war is not only being fought on the ground in Iraq but also in cyberspace, it also notes the need to contest the enemy’s growing use of that important medium to spread extremism.

The recommendations I provided were informed by operational and strategic considerations.
The operational considerations include recognition that:

• military aspects of the surge have achieved progress and generated momentum;
• Iraqi Security Forces have continued to grow and have slowly been shouldering more of the security burden in Iraq;
• a mission focus on either population security or transition alone will not be adequate to achieve our objectives;
• success against Al Qaeda-Iraq and Iranian-supported militia extremists requires conventional forces as well as special operations forces; and
• the security and local political situations will enable us to draw down the surge forces.
My recommendations also took into account a number of strategic considerations:
• political progress will take place only if sufficient security exists;
• long-term US ground force viability will benefit from force reductions as the surge runs its course;
• regional, global, and cyberspace initiatives are critical to success; and
• Iraqi leaders understandably want to assume greater sovereignty in their country, although, as they recently announced, they do desire continued presence of coalition forces in Iraq in 2008 under a new UN Security Council Resolution and, following that, they want to negotiate a long term security agreement with the United States and other nations.

Based on these considerations, and having worked the battlefield geometry with Lieutenant General Ray Odierno to ensure that we retain and build on the gains for which our troopers have fought, I have recommended a drawdown of the surge forces from Iraq. In fact, later this month, the Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed as part of the surge will depart Iraq. Beyond that, if my recommendations are approved, that unit’s departure will be followed by the withdrawal of a brigade combat team without replacement in mid-December and the further redeployment without replacement of four other brigade combat teams and the two surge Marine battalions in the first 7 months of 2008, until we reach the pre-surge level of 15 brigade combat teams by mid-July 2008.

I would also like to discuss the period beyond next summer. Force reductions will continue beyond the pre-surge levels of brigade combat teams that we will reach by mid-July 2008; however, in my professional judgment, it would be premature to make recommendations on the pace of such reductions at this time. In fact, our experience in Iraq has repeatedly shown that projecting too far into the future is not just difficult, it can be misleading and even hazardous.
The events of the past six months underscore that point. When I testified in January, for example, no one would have dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has in the past 6 months. Nor would anyone have predicted that volunteers in one-time Al Qaeda strongholds like Ghazaliyah in western Baghdad or in Adamiya in eastern Baghdad would seek to join the fight against Al Qaeda. Nor would we have anticipated that a Shia-led government would accept significant numbers of Sunni volunteers into the ranks of the local police force in Abu Ghraib. Beyond that, on a less encouraging note, none of us earlier this year appreciated the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraq, something about which we and Iraq’s leaders all now have greater concern.

In view of this, I do not believe it is reasonable to have an adequate appreciation for the pace of further reductions and mission adjustments beyond the summer of 2008 until about mid-March of next year. We will, no later than that time, consider factors similar to those on which I based the current recommendations, having by then, of course, a better feel for the security situation, the improvements in the capabilities of our Iraqi counterparts, and the enemy situation. I will then, as I did in developing the recommendations I have explained here today, also take into consideration the demands on our Nation’s ground forces, although I believe that that consideration should once again inform, not drive, the recommendations I make.

This chart captures the recommendations I have described, showing the recommended reduction of brigade combat teams as the surge runs its course and illustrating the concept of our units adjusting their missions and transitioning responsibilities to Iraqis, as the situation and Iraqi capabilities permit. It also reflects the no-later-than date for recommendations on force adjustments beyond next summer and provides a possible approach we have considered for the future force structure and mission set in Iraq.

One may argue that the best way to speed the process in Iraq is to change the MNF-I mission from one that emphasizes population security, counter-terrorism, and transition, to one that is strictly focused on transition and counter-terrorism. Making that change now would, in our view, be premature. We have learned before that there is a real danger in handing over tasks to the Iraqi Security Forces before their capacity and local conditions warrant. In fact, the drafters of the recently released National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq recognized this danger when they wrote, and I quote, “We assess that changing the mission of Coalition forces from a primarily counterinsurgency and stabilization role to a primary combat support role for Iraqi forces and counterterrorist operations to prevent AQI from establishing a safe haven would erode security gains achieved thus far.”

In describing the recommendations I have made, I should note again that, like Ambassador Crocker, I believe Iraq’s problems will require a long-term effort. There are no easy answers or quick solutions. And though we both believe this effort can succeed, it will take time. Our assessments underscore, in fact, the importance of recognizing that a premature drawdown of
our forces would likely have devastating consequences.

That assessment is supported by the findings of a 16 August Defense Intelligence Agency report on the implications of a rapid withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. Summarizing it in an unclassified fashion, it concludes that a rapid withdrawal would result in the further release of the strong centrifugal forces in Iraq and produce a number of dangerous results, including a high risk of disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces; rapid deterioration of local security initiatives; Al Qaeda-Iraq regaining lost ground and freedom of maneuver; a marked increase in violence and further ethno-sectarian displacement and refugee flows; alliances of convenience by Iraqi groups with internal and external forces to gain advantages over their rivals; and exacerbation of already challenging regional dynamics, especially with respect to Iran.Lieutenant General Odierno and I share this assessment and believe that the best way to secure our national interests and avoid an unfavorable outcome in Iraq is to continue to focus our operations on securing the Iraqi people while targeting terrorist groups and militia extremists and, as quickly as conditions are met, transitioning security tasks to Iraqi elements.

Closing Comments

Before closing, I want to thank you and your colleagues for your support of our men and women in uniform in Iraq. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen with whom I’m honored to serve are the best equipped and, very likely, the most professional force in our nation’s history. Impressively, despite all that has been asked of them in recent years, they continue to raise their right hands and volunteer to stay in uniform. With three weeks to go in this fiscal year, in fact, the Army elements in Iraq, for example, have achieved well over 130% of the reenlistment goals in the initial term and careerist categories and nearly 115% in the mid-career category. All of us appreciate what you have done to ensure that these great troopers have had what they’ve needed to accomplish their mission, just as we appreciate what you have done to take care of their families, as they, too, have made significant sacrifices in recent years.
The advances you have underwritten in weapons systems and individual equipment; in munitions; in command, control, and communications systems; in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; in vehicles and counter-IED systems and programs; and in manned and unmanned aircraft have proven invaluable in Iraq. The capabilities that you have funded most recently – especially the vehicles that will provide greater protection against improvised explosive devices – are also of enormous importance. Additionally, your funding of the Commander’s Emergency Response Program has given our leaders a critical tool with which to prosecute the counterinsurgency campaign. Finally, we appreciate as well your funding of our new detention programs and rule of law initiatives in Iraq.

In closing, it remains an enormous privilege to soldier again in Iraq with America’s new “Greatest Generation.” Our country’s men and women in uniform have done a magnificent job in the most complex and challenging environment imaginable. All Americans should be very proud of their sons and daughters serving in Iraq today.

Thank you very much.
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Thank you to Captain Ed over at Heading Right for the text of General Petraeus' Speech.

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And as for those Pink Freakoes, or whatever they call themselves, have a little respect. Video on Political Pistachio Videos will blow your mind regarding these people.

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The Left was calling General Petraeus a liar before he even gave the report. They loathe good news. The report indicates that we have achieved progress in Iraq, that the level of violent incidents has dropped since the surge was put into place, that al-Qaeda ignited violence is down, civilian deaths has dropped, and the violence in Baghdad is down a good bit more.

This is good news. Doesn't the left wish for good news? Shouldn't they be happy that the region is more stable than it was last year?

But let's take this explanation a step farther.

Iraq is on her way to forming a strong, stable, and decisive central government. Iraq is going to have a well trained, well equipped, and increasingly effective military and internal security force. As the situation slowly stabilizes, Iraqi roads and airports are beginning to function safer, and eventually the people will be able to move freely about their country. In the near future I believe that the stability of Iraq will draw tourists to visit Iraq's many ancient archeological sites and national treasures. Business leaders are beginning to pour into the country, and many more will come, as will foreign investors, particularly interested in getting Iraq's oil fields and refineries up to modern standards. And Iraq will emerge as an oil superpower that rivals today's Saudi Arabia.

The people out there writing Iraq off to failure can't even dream possible what is in store for Iraq. Note, these will be the same people who proclaimed the Berlin Wall would never fall, the Soviet Union could not be defeated, and that we had nothing to worry about when it came to Islamic Terrorists.

How can I make such claims about Iraq becoming stable? Why am I so convinced that Iraq will rise gloriously out of the Middle East?

As I stated in a previous post, Islamic Coalition, with Russian Support, is ready to launch an assault against Israel, I firmly believe that Iran, Syria, Russia, and a few other key players, are going to launch an attack against Israel in the effort to wipe her off the map, and the coalition will lose badly. Oil and gas exports from those Islamic countries involved will slow to a crawl because of the destruction they will suffer when Israel responds to their attack. Iraq, in the meantime, too occupied with their fledgling democracy, will not be a part of that attack, and will be left intact, and the most stable in the region, thanks to American assistance.

And how will this happen with all the violence in Iraq?

Ah, my doubting friends, the Left paints an inaccurate picture of the region. First of all, they fail to recognize General Petraeus' points as being fact. They can't accept them as fact. Good news out of Iraq could not possibly be true in the eyes of the far left liberal.

When American and coalition forces liberated Baghdad on April 9, 2003 the Iraqis cheered in the streets. They sang and danced and wept while they tore down a statue of Saddam Hussein in Fardus Square. Despite the threat of violence, each new round of elections has drawn more Iraqis to the polls than the one before. According to the "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq", February 2006, report to Congress, in January 2005, 8.5 million Iraqis voted (58% of those elibible). October of 2005 turnout was 9.8 million Iraqi citizens (63% of eligible voters). By December of 2005 more than 12 million Iraqis came to the polls (77%), and in 2006 and 2007 the numbers have continued to rise. And this turnout has even increased in provinces racked by violence.

In Iraq, during Saddam's reign, thousands of people would be killed and dropped into mass graves and nobody would know. Now, if a few dozen people are killed the news is all over the local newspapers, television, and radio. Everyone speaks about the deaths, and people in Iraq are becoming weary of the insurgents.

According to "Epicenter" by Joel Rosenberg (page 180) Iraq's new economy has nearly doubled since liberation and is already beginning to attract large companies in the world that are recognizing that Iraq has a prosperous future.

Iraq is being restructured in an atmosphere of violence, growing during the crisis. She is making a transition from a war economy to a peace economy; from a dictatorship to a democracy. Imagine the enormous economic growth Iraq will be capable of once the violence settles down.

Fact is, even if the invasion of Israel by Iraq's neighbors does not take place any time soon, Iraq is making real progress. However, building a democracy takes time.

Time is what it will take to allow the increasingly battle-hardened Iraqi security force to mature, as well. In time, Iraq will be able to take charge of their own security and allow American and coalition forces to come home. All it takes is patience.

But none of this can be achieved if we drop our weapons and come home, leaving Iraq under-prepared to deal with hostile neighbors like Syria and Iran. The highest levels of Iraqi government wish to become the nation I have described they are becoming, but like myself, they realize that they are not ready to carry the torch without our assistance.

American presence must remain. Otherwise, rather than a stable democracy, Iraq will become a bloody killing field, and training ground for the next terrorists that will attack Israel, and launch the next 9/11 against the United States of America and any other nation of the West that dares refuse to convert to Islam.

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And. . .if you missed the last broadcast of Political Pistachio Radio with Andrea Shea King as my guest, you missed a dandy of a program. Listen to it now! Not only was Andrea Shea King, host on Sunday nights on WDBO AM 580 on the Space Coast in Florida and fellow BTR host during the week, on her best game, but we also had on the air an Iraq War Veteran who will also be on Political Pistachio Radio this coming Wednesday to kick off my trio of Gathering of Eagles broadcasts.

September 12, the day after the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Political Pistachio Radio will welcome Paul Couturier, Iraq War Veteran, to the program to discuss the post 9/11 world and his expectations of attending the Gathering of Eagles event coming up on September 15, 2007 in Washington D.C.

On the day of Gathering of Eagles III Kit Lange, a coordinator for GOE, as well as fellow BTR host, will be reporting live on Political Pistachio Radio beginning at 5pm Pacific Time, 8pm Eastern. And, she has promised me to have a number of Eagles report on the show, as well as a few crazies from the left! You gotta tune in to hear it!

Then, to wind out our GOE III trilogy, Justin from www.rightontheright.com will give us his post-event report (and don’t be surprised if a few other Eagles call in as well). That will be on September 19th at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern on Political Pistachio Radio.

So don’t miss the next three installments of Political Pistachio Radio - your official Gathering of Eagles Blog Talk Radio Program!