The Last Six Seconds

On Nov 13, 2010 Lt General John Kelly, USMC gave a speech to the
Semper Fi Society of St. Louis, MO. This was 4 days after his son, Lt
Robert Kelly, USMC was killed by an IED while on his 3rd Combat tour.
During his speech, General Kelly spoke about the dedication and valor
of the young men and women who step forward each and every day to
protect us.
During the speech, he never mentioned the loss of his own son.
He closed the speech with the moving account of the last 6 seconds
in the lives of 2 young Marines who died with rifles blazing to protect
their brother Marines.

"I will leave you with a story about the kind of people they
are...about the quality of the steel in their backs...about the kind of
dedication they bring to our country while they serve in uniform and
forever after as veterans. Two years ago when I was the Commander of all U.S.
and Iraqi forces, in fact, the 22nd of April 2008, two Marine
infantry battalions, 1/9 "The Walking Dead," and 2/8 were switching out
in Ramadi. One battalion in the closing days of their deployment
going home very soon, the other just starting its seven-month combat
tour.

Two Marines, Corporal Jonathan Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan
Haerter, 22 and 20 years old respectively, one from each battalion, were
assuming the watch together at the entrance gate of an outpost that
contained a makeshift barracks housing 50 Marines. The same broken down
ramshackle building was also home to 100 Iraqi police, also my men and our
allies in the fight against the terrorists in Ramadi, a city until
recently the most dangerous city on earth and owned by Al Qaeda.

Yale was a dirt poor mixed-race kid from Virginia with a wife and daughter, and a mother and sister who lived with him and he supported as well. He did
this on a yearly salary of less than $23,000. Haerter, on the other
hand, was a middle class white kid from Long Island. They were from two
completely different worlds. Had they not joined the Marines they would
never have met each other, or understood that multiple America's exist
simultaneously depending on one's race, education level,
economic status, and where you might have been born. But they were
Marines, combat Marines, forged in the same crucible of Marine training,
and because of this bond they were brothers as close, or closer,
than if they were born of the same woman.

The mission orders they received from the sergeant squad leader
I am sure went something like: "Okay you two clowns, stand this post
and let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass." "You clear?" I am
also sure Yale and Haerter then rolled their eyes and said in unison
something like: "Yes Sergeant," with just enough attitude that
made the point without saying the words, "No kidding sweetheart, we know
what we're doing." They then relieved two other Marines on watch and
took up their post at the entry control point of Joint Security Station
Nasser, in the Sophia section of Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq.

A few minutes later a large blue truck turned down the alley
way-perhaps 60-70 yards in length-and sped its way through the serpentine of concrete jersey walls. The truck stopped just short of where the
two were posted and detonated, killing them both catastrophically.
Twenty-four brick masonry houses were damaged or destroyed. A
mosque 100 yards away collapsed. The truck's engine came to rest two
hundred yards away knocking most of a house down before it stopped. Our
explosive experts reckoned the blast was made of 2,000 pounds of
explosives. Two died, and because these two young infantrymen
didn't have it in their DNA to run from danger, they saved 150 of their
Iraqi and American brothers-in-arms.

When I read the situation report about the incident a few hours
after it happened I called the regimental commander for details as
something about this struck me as different. Marines dying or being
seriously wounded is commonplace in combat. We expect Marines regardless
of rank or MOS to stand their ground and do their duty, and even die in
the process, if that is what the mission takes. But this just seemed
different. The regimental commander had just returned from the
site and he agreed, but reported that there were no American witnesses to
the event-just Iraqi police. I figured if there was any chance of
finding out what actually happened and then to decorate the two Marines
to acknowledge their bravery, I'd have to do it as a combat award
that requires two eye-witnesses and we figured the bureaucrats back
in Washington would never buy Iraqi statements. If it had any
chance at all, it had to come under the signature of a general officer.

I traveled to Ramadi the next day and spoke individually to a
half-dozen Iraqi police all of whom told the same story. The blue truck
turned down into the alley and immediately sped up as it made its way
through the serpentine. They all said, "We knew immediately what was
going on as soon as the two Marines began firing." The Iraqi police then
related that some of them also fired, and then to a man, ran for safety
just prior to the explosion. All survived. Many were injured...some
seriously. One of the Iraqis elaborated and with tears welling
up said, "They'd run like any normal man would to save his life." "What
he didn't know until then," he said, "and what he learned that very
instant, was that Marines are not normal." Choking past the
emotion he said, "Sir, in the name of God no sane man would have stood
there and done what they did." "No sane man." "They saved us all."

What we didn't know at the time, and only learned a couple of
days later after I wrote a summary and submitted both Yale and Haerter for
posthumous Navy Crosses, was that one of our security cameras,
damaged initially in the blast, recorded some of the suicide attack. It
happened exactly as the Iraqis had described it. It took exactly
six seconds from when the truck entered the alley until it
detonated.

You can watch the last six seconds of their young lives. Putting
myself in their heads I supposed it took about a second for the two
Marines to separately come to the same conclusion about what was going on once the truck came into their view at the far end of the alley. Exactly
no time to talk it over, or call the sergeant to ask what they should
do.
Only enough time to take half an instant and think about what the
sergeant told them to do only a few minutes before: "...let no
unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass." The two Marines had about five
seconds left to live.

It took maybe another two seconds for them to present their
weapons, take aim, and open up. By this time the truck was half-way
through the barriers and gaining speed the whole time. Here, the recording
shows a number of Iraqi police, some of whom had fired their AKs, now
scattering like the normal and rational men they were-some running right
past the Marines. They had three seconds left to live.

For about two seconds more, the recording shows the Marines'
weapons firing non-stop...the truck's windshield exploding into shards
of glass as their rounds take it apart and tore in to the body of the
son-of-a-bitch who is trying to get past them to kill theirbrothers -
American and Iraqi-bedded down in the barracks totally
unaware of the fact that their lives at that moment depended entirely on
two Marines standing their ground. If they had been aware, they
would have known they were safe...because two Marines stood between them and a crazed suicide bomber. The recording shows the truck careening to a stop immediately in front of the two Marines. In all of the
instantaneous violence Yale and Haerter never hesitated. By all
reports and by the recording, they never stepped back. They never even
started to step aside. They never even shifted their weight. With their
feet spread shoulder width apart, they leaned into the danger, firing
as fast as they could work their weapons. They had only one second left
to live.

The truck explodes. The camera goes blank. Two young men go to
their God. Six seconds. Not enough time to think about their families,
their country, their flag, or about their lives or their deaths, but
more than enough time for two very brave young men to do their duty...into
eternity. That is the kind of people who are on watch all over
the world tonight-for you.

We Marines believe that God gave America the greatest gift he
could bestow to man while he lived on this earth-freedom. We also
believe he gave us another gift nearly as precious-our soldiers, sailors,
airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines-to safeguard that gift and
guarantee no force on this earth can every steal it away. It has been my
distinct honor to have been with you here today. Rest assured our
America, this experiment in democracy started over two centuries ago, will
forever remain the "land of the free and home of the brave" so long as
we never run out of tough young Americans who are willing to look beyond
their own self-interest and comfortable lives, and go into the darkest
and most dangerous places on earth to hunt down, and kill, those who
would do us harm.

Oh look!! Another "I told you so"...

About a couple of months ago, I forecast the inevitable. Stated emphatically that it was going to occur.
Oh, quite a few parrots on FaceBook said " yer just a RINO, and she'll do just fine."
Well, I responded -- you're just a bunch of novices and you've proved that you can't even vet your choices, and you've got more bad news coming if you go with these low-hanging fruitbaskets. You need candidates with ethics and charisma...or leave the particular office alone till you find that combo. Look at Marco Rubio. Integrity and charisma in one dynamite package. It can be done.

Federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation of Delaware Republican Christine O'Donnell to determine if the former Senate candidate broke the law by using campaign money to pay personal expenses....again.

We could have been one man closer to Senate domination....save for the idiots in Deleware that thought that this twit was a good idea. :rolleyes:

Lt. Col. Shamil al-Jabouri, may Allah smile upon your face

Lt. Col. Shamil al-Jabouri was killed in the early morning hours of Wednesday (Baghdad time)in Mosul. He had previously been targeted 5 times by Al Queda.And it took three bombs to get him this time. This is how he'll be remembered as a great man and leader, and also demonstrating the lackluster proficiency of the idiots who killed him, and the utter bafoonery, reminiscent of the keystone cops, with which they operated. I apologise to the keystone cops, actually.

He was a beacon of light , and saw his job as bringing about freedom, which drove Al Queda nuts, because they represent the very oppression of the people of Iraq.

Seems to have run in his family, too. Lt. Col. Shamil al-Jabouri has 3 brothers who are also policemean charged with the safety of Iraqi citizens. I pray for their safety as they do the work that's required to liberate Iraq from her oppressors.
I also offer prayers for the Lt. Colonel's wife and four children.

I mourn the loss of such great men. He may have been aware of it, and he may not have been aware of it...but he was awash in the sentiment of the old saying...
" All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"

Rest, Lt. Col. Shamil al-Jabouri...you've earned it. You will be missed, and thankfully, there are thousands of others who believe as you did. May you see the face of Allah, and know his grace for the truly enlightened.

HealthCare Bill is now challenged.

Congrats, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
Thank you for stepping up to the plate and standing your ground on the erosion of the Constitution.
Interstate Commerce was such a crumbling standard to perch this on....that if all 20 States currently involved continue to chip away at the lousy pedastal, it will eventually fail to bear this flawed piece of....(pause) ....legislature.

Health issues may define District races

An awful lot of folks are still wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth over the selection process for District Senate seats and other elections, as the districts still lack definition and that news is most likely to have a late April coming. Early May could be the actual layout of the borders of the Districts in question to Loudoun.

In the shadow of that timeline, another concern has stepped into the determination process, and no one is celebrating or controlling that issue.

Anyone who has spoken with Dick Black in the past six months has noticed the tremors. That could indicate Parkinson’s. I dated a gal for five years and during that time, was with her thru the process of her father's last days. He had been a Navy Captain of one of the first Nuclear powered-ships...and a striking figure in his prime.
And still more who have actually lost loved ones to Alzheimer's is familiar with the short term memory loss that it begins with. My wife's father, a once strong and vibrant architect in Cape Cod, lost his fight some 6 years ago. So, my heart goes out to any family who has to deal with the situation and the eventual loss.

I've been hearing from several sources that Black may actually decide not to incur the stress of a vigorous campaign and may well just decide to enjoy family and more important issues closer to home. I offer prayers on behalf of the family, and on Mr. Black . I'm sincere, because I've seen what lies down that road.

And just like that....there it was...

I like to browse back thru old postings at a number of political blogs every once in a while. Tonite, I was going back thru the history of my "warming" to Howie Lind....kinda like a refresher on how I got here.... month by month, if you will.

The last response in a particular thread caught my eye. Didn't mean anything back then. But has taken on a whole new meaning/explanation of the strange bedfellows I heard about back on October 9th. Seems like they were working near enough to each other to forge that new alliance back in May of 2010.
Too Conservative
by:Voice of Reason
on May 20th, 2010 at 10:05pm

"Guess who is a alive and well and selling real estate in Purcellville right across the street from Lazaro’s church. Yep! DPM, working her way back in and back up, right next to the Purcellville rino/dino/inde mayor. Still not sure what his political or religious affiliation is. Changes like the weather. DPM is representing carrington homes, subsid. of Lerner. Wonder what the western clan has planned for the LCRC? Watch out, it is not wise to play with self serving *#&%$@ (people) disguised as “friends”."

Emphasis is mine. I'd heard that she was assembling a "deathstar"... and the particulars were right there in that golden comment at the end of a dead thread.
Oh, well. It's not 2011 yet, and forewarned is fore-armed.

Laymen's Terms

Some simply do not understand the chain of events that got us where we are....choosing to blame it on wars and GW Bush. Fact is, GW Bush actually made comment to reigning in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae some eight (8) times from 2004 -2008.
If you still can't follow - unemployed and those who could never qualify to repay a loan were given one anyway, because it just wasn't fair that people who could repay their loans were given preference over those who couldn't.


Understanding Derivatives
Heidi is the proprietor of a bar in Detroit . She realizes that virtually all of her customers are unemployed alcoholics and, as such, can no longer afford to patronize her bar. To solve this problem, she comes up with a new marketing plan that allows her customers to drink now, but pay later.

Heidi keeps track of the drinks consumed on a ledger (thereby granting the customers' loans). Word gets around about Heidi's "drink now, pay later" marketing strategy and, as a result, increasing numbers of customers flood into Heidi's bar. Soon she has the largest sales volume for any bar in Detroit .

By providing her customers freedom from immediate payment demands, Heidi gets no resistance when, at regular intervals, she substantially increases her prices for wine and beer, the most consumed beverages.
Consequently, Heidi's gross sales volume increases massively.
A young and dynamic vice-president at the local bank recognizes that these customer debts constitute valuable future assets and increases Heidi's borrowing limit. He sees no reason for any undue concern, since he has the debts of the unemployed alcoholics as collateral.

At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert traders figure a way to make huge commissions, and transform these customer loans into DRINKBONDS. These securities then are bundled and traded on international securities markets.

Naive investors don't really understand that the securities being sold to them as AAA secured bonds really are debts of unemployed alcoholics. Nevertheless, the bond prices continuously climb, and the securities soon become the hottest-selling items for some of the nation's leading brokerage houses.

One day, even though the bond prices still are climbing, a risk manager at the original local bank decides that the time has come to demand payment on the debts incurred by the drinkers at Heidi's bar. He so informs Heidi.

Heidi then demands payment from her alcoholic patrons, but being unemployed alcoholics they cannot pay back their drinking debts. Since Heidi cannot fulfill her loan obligations she is forced into bankruptcy. The bar closes and Heidi's 11 employees lose their jobs.

Overnight, DRINKBOND prices drop by 90%. The collapsed bond asset value destroys the bank's liquidity and prevents it from issuing new loans, thus freezing credit and economic activity in the community.The suppliers of Heidi's bar had granted her generous payment extensions and had invested their firms' pension funds in the BOND securities. They find they are now faced with having to write off her bad debt and with losing over 90% of the presumed value of the bonds. Her wine supplier also claims bankruptcy, closing the doors on a family business that had endured for three generations, her beer supplier is taken over by a competitor, who immediately closes the local plant and lays off 150 workers.

Fortunately though, the bank, the brokerage houses and their respective executives are saved and bailed out by a multibillion dollar no-strings attached cash infusion from their cronies in government.

The funds required for this bailout are obtained by new taxes levied on employed, middle-class, non-drinkers who have never been in Heidi's bar.

Now do you understand?

Monday mornin' Quarter-backin' ...or worse

Seems alot of the local "talent" is all twisted up about the upcoming 33rd District Candidates. I've commited early to Michael "Spike" Williams, a good solid conservative fellow with a son just graduated from Liberty University.
I like Patricia Phillips as well, because Patricia has paid her dues in local party activism. She, unlike many others, stayed the course when the Committee was re-energized under the fantastic direction of Glen Caroline.(The author had the pleasure of serving as Mr. Caroline's 72 Hr/GOTV Chairman). At every turn, Patricia was right there moving the effort forward. She blended well with the team, and her enthusiasm never departed.

When Dick Black came back from Stafford'Spotsylvania's First District (after a 4th place thumping as I hear it) to reinsert himself into the 33rd District race, a whole host of irrelevant folks started spouting that he had to be stopped. Let me explain here (where it can't be deleted or altered) that Dick Black has every right to run in the District. The State and National Constitution guarantee that right to anyone who desires it and meets the criteria set forth. What is disturbing is that these individuals would attempt to disqualify Mr. Black in this run by using the same under-handed whisper campaigns that have been employed against them in the past.
I suppose their view of right and wrong is tainted by the "better good" as they interpret it.

I have explained on numerous postings, on numerous occasions ...that the best effective way to defeat Black is to mount an all-out call for delegates to a convention --- or to establish a primary and fill it with enough voters for the majority of one of the other candidates. Black is toast at that point...or he chooses to run as an independent (which would only serve to reinforce my opinion that he thinks alot of himself).

I've also pointed out...the District borders are unknown today. The Candidates have not even all announced. So all of this hand-wringing is a bit premature. It changes nothing.

And to those who think I've evolved into some sort of "party hack/LCRC loyalist/Dick Black supporter" I simply respond, you do not understand now, nor will you ever truly grasp politics. If I pout and go to my corner- then my worst nightmares come true. I have no input mecahnism that actually changes things.
BUT, If I engage and argue from the floor of the LCRC to defend what I see as fair and reasonable practice- then I'm engaged. I do affect decisions. And I influence (with the other folks who are also challenging the Committee to adhere strictly to the rules of the Party Plan) the monthly outcome of the Committee's direction.

And they've forgotten...I have a history of breaking clean and doing it my own way if the situation calls for it.

But to QUIT. Leave. Pout. Whine.
All of these actions are the actions of losers. They are the actions of quitters. Those who carry the notion " my vote doesn't count anyway, so I just won't bother"...

But if these folks want to be heard, they have to mount a campaign and begin aligning actual warm bodies that will attend the decision-making process and heavily influence the outcome. Dick Black's people will do no less.

BDS II

Common Cents Blog has a video of the interview with Bill O'reilly posted here.

Seems like an awful lot more snarky comments around the media outlets than when Jimma Carter injects his latest idiocy. Or Clinton chimes in on what Bush was responsible for. There's a general courtesy, boys. As former Presidents, you don't critique a sitting President. It's just really bad form. (not to mention that the current resident of the office is doing a bangup job all by himself. Korea and others have told him to pound sand with his damned Union thugs needs and wants)

This former President explains to the American People what formed his opinions and actions. Something he didn't even bother to do while he was at the helm. Can you imagine G.W. Bush whining about his treatment on MSNBC while he was seated???
His actions of the time regarding the press should have set the bar, and Obama would have done well to employ them. Instead, the current President seems hell-bent on blaming Fox News for his every dilema. The comparison with the rock that was Bush is stark.

While I disagree with much of what Bush and company did in his latter term, his first term should be the very definition of how the office is run. Strong and unflinching on defense and how we approach the rest of the world. Compassionate when it was needed at home, and smart enough to listen to the people who actually deliver the jobs to that job report. Our current President seems hell-bent (again) on handing out our candy to the special interest that he bemoaned Bush of having. And as an inexperienced state senator, who's never once owned a company, he should have surrounded himself with business owners who could tell him that those upper end tax cuts are actually being deployed to sole small businesses who show better on paper...and currently produce 70% of the actual jobs in the country. Because using this strategy, Obama and his people could have grown the job market. But, as I'm prone to pointing out: Liberal economists overlook this --- Two and Two are always going to equal Four - regardless of how you FEEL about the numbers.

Glad to see Bush back in the limelight, and delighted to see he's still classy enough not to break the cardinal courtesy that Carter and Clinton never observed.

The Project behind it all

As many of you know, I've been working on a replacement vehicle for the SuperVan. I've covered the beginning of the project here and here .

I collected the side rockers, "B" bar and hood back in May from a military vehicle swap meet in Aberdeen. I secured the windshield from a fellow in Pennsylvania on Ebay around then, too.

I secured a kevlar top and doors in July...and they've decorated my yard for that long. Last weekend, I got the tractor and pulled the vehicle out of the shop long enough to snap some pics and lift the 450 lb. top onto the project. I was delighted to find that I built the body to about a 1/4" tolerance using only photographs to scale the parts, and an occasional measurement of the real thing to nail the dimensions. The top fit like a glove, meaning that I got it right.

See, this body spaceframe was built in my front yard, using an old arc stick welder, until the accumulated parts got to the point where the body got so heavy that I couldn't lug it around anymore. At that point I cleaned and denuded the truck chassis, and mounted it to the rolling chassis for portability.

I still have floorpans and an altered firewall to mount, as well as all the lighting and brakes to do. But getting the exterior finished was a huge first step. The rest will seem like a cake walk.

Blame Game

I'm telling you now...so hear me later.
Democrats and liberal media will begin an all out assault on the American People tomorrow night. Some of the choiciest words will be ...idiots/ misinformed/ dumb/ fickle/ and misguided.
You see, when the American People do what Dems want, they are empowered, informed and sharp as a tack.
But let the game go the wrong way, and dems are the FIRST ones to toss the American People under the proverbial bus. I do not make a habit of watching MSNBC, but I'm making an exception on Wednesday. I specifically want to see how bad they berate voters, and watch them wallow in it for a couple of hours.

Update: It's even worse than the casual name-calling from the left media. They are continuously covering the democrat wins in California and NY.....and purposely avoiding any reference to the losses they incurred to Republicans across the country..
Even as late yesterday, Matthews on msnbc was reffering to the day as "stupor Tuesday" as a slam against those petty stupid and uninformed voters who would weild the blows to Obama and Dems.

Left lunacy on display.....but is it in overdrive?

From Clinton's trip to ask Meeks to step out so a former republican can win over Rubio, to the verbal attacks on The View on Angle, to the back-pedalling on the Tea Party by a former vocal critic who called them "nutjobs", to the firing of Juan Williams from NPR when he didn't follow 'talking points". More recently, we caught two supposed "journalist" plotting made-up stories about the TEA Party candidate in Alaska after their iphone failed to disconnect....
there's so much more that I haven't pointed out.

All in all, this is powering towards a very enjoyable week for those of us who knew that the democrats were overreaching when they pulled completely unwarranted gymnastics to get the HealthCare fiasco thru, attempted to pull the same manuever to pass unhealthy job-killing Cap and Trade legislation, promised to be "transparent" even if they had to change the actual meaning of the word....
We also foretold of the piper that would have to be paid in the next election. But they were in denial. They gnashed teeth, they lied openly. They ignored previous races for the Governorships in two states and they turned their noses up at Scott Brown's chances to win the "kennedy" seat in Massachusetts(no extra "E"). Now comes the proverbial "meltdown"...

What does all of this point to? Democrats have lost contact with reality, and the will of the people....if indeed they ever had a handle on it. And in this last week of campaigning, the American voter can get a bellyfull of the insanity of these idiots when they don't get what they want. It's the ultimate in laying bare what they're REALLY about all of the time. I've seen a couple of them melt down locally.
A certain bow-tied attorney, famous for his liberal drivel and newspaper column, actually came short of physical blows at a recent public input when he was challenged to back rhetoric with facts. We had a full blown astro-turfing party in a newspaper's comment section regarding a local debate. I'd have actually wagered that half of those commenting were sitting in other US cities and were being paid to surf and comment.

This coming week....Have fun and enjoy the entertainment.I fully suspect they'll continue to attempt to out do each other in over the top lunacy for all to see.


Going further, there's a message that I want Republicans to hear loud and clear. This is your last chance. Obtain the offices, turn your backs on the constituents, spend like the democrats before you.....and you will become expendable. The whole point of the voter's outrage that will put you in office this year and the next national year is that we will not accept the actions that were dispalyed in the immediate years post-1994. Ignore this warning, and Republicans will be in the sights of the people in the subsequent elections...not Democrats. Foul this Godsend up, and you will actually give birth to the third Party you fear so badly.
There is a very bright side to this equation. Do a great job of turning this mess around, staying true to your promises, and leading us into prosperity....and you may well keep republicans in the Congressional majority for another 20 years.

Update: Okay. It was funny and getting funnier until they start fixing ballot machines.
And not acting on others... when they "stick" on delivering democrat party lines, no matter what the voter who's operating them wants....
Update 2: Apparently the State of Pennsylvania tossed 900 absentee votes today. Many of you will remember that I suspected the use of that particular apparatus in the Steve Hunt race last year. I found it odd that Steve lost only after the absentee votes were counted. Evidently, those do not undergo a great deal of scutiny and don't require the voter to stand in front of an election officer who might call them on any malfeasance that is performed in their presence.
Keep eye-balling www.truethevote.org for more shenanigans as we move towards Tuesday and the inevitable thumping.

Chinese Strategy

Everyone with an eye turned towards this country's finances already knows we're in a deep hole and up to our necks with Chinese loans and investments in the Country's operations. We just turned another $$TRILLION Dollar year.
You may have noticed on the News programming lately....the Dems are bellyaching that China is manipulating their stock market with hope of influencing ours. And according to the Dems, China is doing it with the expressed intent of helping Republicans in November.
Has it ever dawned on you that they might just be correct?
Let's say that China is an investor who has given money hand over fist to an endeavor(They have). Now suppose the principles in that endeavor are blowing thru the initial seed money (They are - at an alarming rate). What if they eventually began partying and using that investment for the keg money -- and were totally ignoring the project that was initially financed?
If that investor was able to manipulate the conditions for putting a grown-up in control of the investment to turn the project around and make it actually complete it's course and begin a return on the investment instead of pissing it all away on a good time??
Any of you think the Chinese don't have a pretty good idea who is a better manager of their interest???
Pretty soon, it all boils down to the money...and the desire to turn a profit.
Right now, this is the best roaring endorsement for the Republican management team...by China.

Ric nails it....as usual.

HoodaThunk?

Dale Myers' Death Star nearly complete

Just as we saw the last of Ms. Myers back in June of 2009 (or was it July?)at an LCRC meeting where she sniffed the wind, decided it was definitely against her agenda....and promptly left....

Word has come from a reputable source that Dale Polen Myers is building up an organization to influence the County elections again. I highly suspect that she's had to recruit from some new sources for money, since the building industry wallet is probably pretty flat.
Unfortunately, I also hear that she's currently running Greenvest.

There was some suspicious activity involved in her last backed candidate, Ken Mikeman - who she pitted against Bruce Tullock, once Tullock spat the Kool-aid out and bucked her auth-or-it-tay.
Sheriff Steve Simpson, Jack Ryan and Mikeman all ran as "independents" with Polen Myers' help....(she was already circulating petitions for them before the Convention floor was cold) and some of the financing is a little fuzzy. I'm still chasing down the exact trail it took that year. The road appears to lead straight from Tyson's Corner into GAM printers. A quick check of Vpap appears that the money actually was given In-Kind from GAM to the candidate. Nothing unusual there...but the back story of how GAM came to possess the money in order to offer it to Mikeman could be juicy. I'll need a confirming source before I step right out and spell it out that way, however.

I'm all ears on anyone who's familiar with the machine's inner mechanicals. This is already a bad move for Loudoun and it's financial (read taxes here) health.
When I do advocate for anything, I side with citizens...the voters who live and work here. Anywhere that "Pay to Play" elevates one class over the others will meet with resistance from me and a plethora of other activists.

How to tell you're out of touch....

The Board of Supervisors held a public input session last night. In a wild display of public sentiment, the speakers for the Chesapeake Bay Protection Ordinance were outnumbered in a 4 to 1 thumping.
The message from the public is clear. Abandon the CBPO and draw up a less radical approach that does not include a land grab. Prove that the stream data isn't skewed to arrive at a pre-ordained conclusion, and let the particulars shine thru without covering the tenets of the planned implementation.
All of the above mentioned faults have been used in the current campaign. They hid the particulars, they never laid out the exact definition of a Perennial stream, and they never fully contacted the affected HOAs and major Agricultural stakeholders, despite the staff assuring us that they had.

The long line of folks to speak out against the Ordinance was led by Tony Howard, who heads the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and it never really got better for the proponents of the Ordinance.
More prominent speakers following Mr. Howard were Purcellville Mayor, Bob Lazaro, who also represented Round Hill and Hamilton governments's positions against the Ordinance.

After seeing the stack of citizens and organizations against the ordinance, a local advocate for this bastardization of government control, John Flannery, was approached by a seasoned former correspondent to the White House. There was a shouting match and Flannery finally verbally assaulted the gentleman. That, to my mind, sums up the true colors of those who wanted to foist this thing onto Loudoun. When they have to deal with resistance, they'd rather shut down all logic and particulars and just go straight in for the beligerant and the heavy gestapo tactics.

Update: on the day following his comments to the Board of Supervisors, Tony Howard and his Chamber of Commerce (who represent every business in Loudoun as Stakeholders) were removed from that Stakeholder's list for speaking out of turn on this matter. More proof that under alot of makeup, this Board is uglier and uglier in their direction and intent.

Update: In passing the Ordinance back to land use -- the public can now ask them as many questions about the science, process, suggested changes to the Ordinance, and just questions as we want.
A very involved partner in this effort propses the following questions to be included in the process:

1. A copy of the original board direction for staff, a copy of the original direction to engage a Stakeholders group, a copy of the decision to add Stakeholders to the group (like Dulles Area Realtors), a copy of the resolution directing the CBPO proposal to be advertised, a copy of the resolution referring the CBPO to the Loudoun Planning Commission, and a copy of any motions or resolutions the Planning Commission made with respect to the draft Ordinance.


2. I would like to ask Staff to review and provide to the public all of the documents that they relied on in terms of authority to go forward with and manage the CBPO, in terms of preparing staff reports, formulating the proposed Ordinance, assistance in and actual forming of the stakeholder group and further in terms of notifying the public, in terms of notifying the HOA's and to provide those documents, and to further state whether staff believes it complied fully with the direction of the Board.


3. I would like Staff to affirmatively state why it refused to allow the Stakeholders or the Planning Commission to make changes to the proposed CBPO. Did Staff have any legal opinion to this effect? Was this simply a misunderstanding, or was there something in writing to this effect. If there was something in writing, I would ask that this be provided.


4. I would also ask that Staff provide all of the underlying data, benthic and otherwise, to support all testing in the possession of the County, including all the underlying data supporting the stream assessment of 2009 and all volunteer testing, and all underlying data of the DEQ testing.


5. I would like Staff to provide all data it has in support of the 100 foot buffers, and also all data to support staff's claims of buffer efficiency.


6. Further I would like to see all data or modeling information that staff has to show what if any a.) specific or b,)hypothetical benefit the buffers will provide to the Bay.


7. Did Staff make any attempt to quantify the benefit of imposing RPA and RMA on Loudoun to the Chesapeake Bay, with respect to nutrients or sediment? or with respect to any other benefit to the Bay?


8. According to any modeling information available, what will be the credit that Staff expects the County to be given if these RPA buffers are imposed by Ordinance?


9. Will the County receive any credit for RMA? Is there any modeling information or other data to support any benefit to the Bay for imposing RMA on Loudoun County?


10. Will the County receive EPA or State credit for anticipated future buffers, or only actual buffers installed?

Concerned citizens should ask these questions of the members of the Land Use Committee....it consist of Kelly Burk, Delgaudio, McGimpsy, York, Burton and Sally Kurtz.

Update: Buckley is still one of the most pragmatic on this board.
She's stepped in and advocated for the wider Stakeholders group, which I read as bringing Chamber of Commerce and Tony Howard back in. (After all, the Chamber of Commerce does speak for all of the commerce in the County)
Along with this smart step by Buckley was a small chorus of the main instigators of this travesty ....who belly-ached about Susan stabbing them in the back. Miller and Burton were the two biggest whiners. So , I suppose that they are strongly supportive of eliminating businesses from the county decisions. Miller's wife, in particular- guages a business' political contributions before shopping there....which is dangerously close to the point of lunacy. And severely narrows Stevens and her availability to get ANYTHING for their home(s)....because anyone in business ought to be a conservative these days.

Reflection and gloating

Back then, I told you...

Told you it was coming. Yet they elected him. Try that again anytime after June of 2010. LOL

As if we weren't mad enough...

(responding tongue-in-cheek to the woman who wrote the LTE "Now Republicans are mad?" to the Leesburg rag. In her letter, she goes down a really idiotic avenue where in she demonstrates her ignorance when she intimates that "the Supreme Court handed Bush the 2000 election". Anyone with half a brain understands that the Florida Supreme Court violated the law/constitution when they elected to "create" a law on how to count chads -- instead of convening the legislation to make a law on the matter, and when the SCOTUS called them on it, dems who have no use for the Constitution have repeated this turd, ad nauseum.....)

Lookee here. Seems that Lil' Timmy Geitner was just the tip of the iceberg....
Without giving names- 41 people in the current Administration (so adept at taxing you and me) are pulling a "Leona Helmsley" on the rest of us ("only little people pay taxes") by failing to pony up for the $831K that they owe in back taxes.
But wait, it gets worse. Remember the lashing dems gave Rangle?? Whatever will they do with the House of Representatives, where 421 people owe a total $6,524,892. (you DO KNOW that there are only 435 people in that body, right?
What about the Senate, where 217 people owe $2,774,836. That HAS GOT TO INCLUDE SOME STAFF, too.

But hold on...it's still coming.

Treasury Department 1,204 people owe $7,670,814 in back taxes.
Labor Department 463 people owe $7,481,463 in back taxes.
Federal Reserve System -Board of Governors 81 people owe $1,076,733 in back taxes.
Justice Department 1,971 employees owe $14,350,152 in back taxes.
Homeland Security 4,856 people owe $37,012,174 in back taxes.

Read the full details and the breakdown of the full tab

here

.

Common Cents Blog does a great report with Video of more tricks and trinkets by Dems that clearly show that they think they are entitled to take full advantage of their positions in order to fill their bank accounts.

Update: Ric over at HoodaThunk opines about the INTENT of Dems to see not paying taxes as perfectly acceptable here.

Just another brick kicked out of the wall

Today's Washington Post (the liberal rag of choice) actually put some really good news on the front page today. The Potomac River is markedly improved, aside from some progress that still needs to occur. This is great news for those who endeavored to clean it up, and I applaud the efforts because , evidently, they were stepping stones in the improvement.
The bad news, is of course, that the Chesapeake Bay Protection ordinance was not in effect in either of the counties that now hope to introduce it's weighty constraints onto their peoples. Fairfax had not - at that time...and Loudoun hadn't enacted the draconian straps onto their businesses at all.
And in all that time, stream clarity and health began to rise in Loudoun, and the Potomac was getting cleaner...all without the ordinance.
I attribute most of this to the water and aquifer pollution running thru us from West Virginia's steep runoffs, as well as some of Maryland and Pennsylvania runoffs.

So, in truth, Loudoun's draconian adoption would not regulate "squat"....but it would be a major source of new income to the County coffers. And that new revenue would sit square atop of the farmers and business owner's shoulders.

Be sure to show up September 20, 2010 at the Government Center to tell the Supervisors to forget about raiding your pockets and shaking you upside down to be sure they've relieved you of all that hard-earned money -- just so they can "who wants to make some money -Now Supervisor Andrea McGimsey" on the imposed Ordinance.

New TAXES coming... Crystal Conservative breaks it down

Bob Goodlatte does a guest post and breaks Dems down like a fraction.
When viewed in the context of the speech/campaign stop(?) last night, one begins to see how far from reality the dems actuallly are.

Sadly, it is that time of year, again.

As many know, I lost my only nephew in 2006 in Bagdhad, Iraq.
September 3rd is the anniversary of his departure from this world, and a lone buglar will sound TAPS at his gravesite at exactly 6:30 PM EST.
I will be observing a moment of silence at that time. I offer this information for anyone who is moved to do so as well.
I have been moved by the kindness and the offerings to me and my family by friends (many who did not personally know EJ)and aquaintances.
I thank all of you for your support in these years since EJ's departure, and want you to know that you've made the transition back to life possible.

Code Pink Tells Gold Star Mom: Your Son Deserved to Die

Code Pink Tells Gold Star Mom: Your Son Deserved to Die

I can only tell you that, although I have great personal restraint...I would find it hard not to rip out Code Pink throats so they would never again be able to disrespect the memory of men who are much greater than them. ESPECIALLY if they personalized it and referenced my nephew's ultimate sacrifice.

In the "told you so" column.....

An issue of the Wall Street Journal lays it out. We actually won in Iraq, and in many ways, history has revealed that we also won in Vietnam, contrary to the claims of that era. We certainly slowed the spread of communism then, and we have now given the hope of democracy to the Middle East with the creation of a viable elected government where there once was a dictator.
Steve opines and links to the WSJ article here.
All this in the aftermath of Harry Reid's cowardly projection that we'd lost this war.

Time for local action, again....

The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance is rearing it's ugly head again, and if citizens do nothing, the BOS is lining up to pass this massive bureaucratic boondoogle on the County. They tabled it back some months ago because they knew it was too hot to push...and they hoped to slip it thru under the radar this time. You need to reach out and make sure that they see a BROAD representation from all corners against this abomination.

A new website was hatched recently to spearhead this operation, and I'm happy to supply a link to http://bigloudoun.com/

Inside the site you have a plethora of tools that will educate folks, help them find their property on the Loudoun maps, and more. Use this (and The Bulletproof Monk) as a link to direct folks to the information. I'm going door-to-door out here and if there is a public session the Monday night before the September 21st session of the Board (as there usually is)... I want to do my part to pack it full of opponents to this bloated government overreach.

Great video. W/ PWC and Arizona leading the way.....

We may see this wall in our lifetime. It's just going to take enough people out of work getting pissed off enough to run off their illegal competition.
What part of ILLEGAL do you not understand?

Check out a fantastic case for ending the mortgage of our country

And ending the democrat reign of Washington. They CLEARLY do not deserve anymore time in a Majoity.

Joe's post at Novatownhall.com is here.

Troubling patterns of outright dismissal

Liberals have now had a Judge overturn the Prop 8 legislation. (you know - the one where overwhelmingly the people of California voted to ban gay marraige?).
Now, anytime leaders host a referendum, they're pretty much stuck with what the voters say in that referendum. It's the rule of the majority.

Here we have the same thing happening in overturning portions of Arizona's Immigration Law that are supported by some 60% to 70% of Arizona's citizens.

Need we mention that Virginia is now being reinforced by a vote in Missouri that yeilded 71% of the voters backing a measure to toss out the enforced healthcare purchase or the fines for not doing so.

Think liberals will pay any attention to that? Probably not.....they're far too busy administering what is good for you....as defined by them.
In this election year, that 71% is a pretty good indication (as good or better than any other polling)that Dems in Missouri who supported HealthScare are toast.

Combined with the election of the Republicans in Virginia, New Jersey and , dare I point out, Massachusetts....Democrats who supported HealthScare, Cap and Trade and the bloated Stimulus package that was passed around as candy to those dems....are also toast.

Lessons from Meatloaf (Like a Bat outta Hell)

Lessons for Liberals: "There ain't no Coupe DeVille hidin' at the bottom of the CrackerJack box"
Every action made right now that buries small business in the papertrail is inching some towards closing the doors and just letting more people go from their payrolls.
Every new law that targets the small businesses across America is closing down the largest collective source of the new jobs that we need so desperately.

This appears to be foisted upon us by a group who has never owned anything, and never had to manage any aspect of the business world. This is why it is so dangerous to have them implementing the policies that manage the actions of small business.

On top of all that, they are spending three times the money spent by Bush, all the while laying blame back on Bush for the past 18 months of chaos. Look dems.....grow a set and stop whining. If you had a friggin' clue about where jobs come from, you'd get off of small business' back and work harder for them.

I have to search for it, but I saw a brilliant layout of Reagan vs. Obama job creation...month for month. As much as this administration likes to crow about their job growth, they suck. They wouldn't even give Carter a run for his money, much less Reagan.

Bringing this to a head, I recently reviewed Wolf's competition's website (no, you will not get a link here)...because he's engaged a reply button to his posting apparatus.And I foolishly thought he'd allow the posting of arguments based in fact and devoid of cussing and such language. I was incorrect.
My post was kicked out as "spam". Guess I'd like a look at exactly what his "filter" is spitting out. Bet all of the filter words are ones contained in the following:

Two rules in politics. Never ask a question you do not know the answer to...Never acknowledge your opponent if he's not gaining any traction. Oh yeah...third rule - never NAME your opponent when all that does is add name recognition.
With regard to Jeff's outlined tasks...
"I am running for Congress because our district needs someone who believes in stepping up to our problems, not passing the buck to the next generation of Virginia." Jeff, you've got a lot of nerve even saying that and running as a democrat.
Under this administration, those who could choose to purchase health insurance at their leisure before this congress engaged in it's terminal run, are now forced to buy it or pay a huge fine. Nice going. Now they'll have to decide between food or insurance.
And with the way dems are spending money (we're awfully close to a 100% of GDP....that's never been done or anything close to it to this date) -- I'm personally glad Frank Wolf has been there to say "enough".

"We need to focus on producing economic growth while helping families keep their homes, sparking the next generation of job growth, creating the next generation of transportation, and achieving national security."

You're damned right we do. So stop Cap and Trade job killing legislation, rescend the Healthscare fiasco that has so many boots on the throats of your main employment engine (the small businesses across Virginia) - start enforcing the rule of law on immigration and stop passing the buck to that next generation that you don't want to saddle. If you really want to help, get off the taxpayer's back....don't put your boot on his neck.

Cap and Trade looms.

In an earlier posting I pointed out that the next generations will inevitably get left holding the Obama joke bag.... But wait, there's more.

In the newest Cap and Trade legislation - they propose to opt for a licensing for your home....the building. You'll need to get federal approval before you sell.
In order to get that approval, you need to have your residence evaluated to a standard that they will determine. If you don't pass - you need to invest in the repairs and services to get it up to their standard in order for them to allow you to sell it.

Sounds pretty bad so far, huh? It gets worse.

The opening standard was pretty lax, but each year , they'll enable themselves to raise that standard....until an overhaul is pretty darned expensive.

This travesty has passed the House...and it's headed for the Senate.

You youngin's wanted change? Now change involves an efficiency apartment for life, if this passes.

Catching up on my life....

Aside from the recent ramblings from some who continue to fill my e-mail box with garbage for races as far away as South Carolina -- and then bitch when I tell them to delete my address from their list --- life is going swimmingly. Of course I'm prepared for November. I plan a huge undertaking to increase Frank Wolf's percentage over Barnett by unbelievable numbers in a solid trounce.

But right now, I'm in the stride of summer. I'm working quite a bit this year with an uncommon amount of jobs....all of them occurring concurrently, too. It is basically a great time to throw some money back for the famine just around the corner. When those Bush Tax Cuts end, you'll see what I mean. This is the last chance to employ those cuts and their benefits. Next year, the smart money is going to clamp down -- and find a floorboard somewhere.

Along with that, there's long days and sunset that doesn't come until 8:00 or 9:00....and me slaving over my latest project in the shop.



I stripped another truck to the frame and cut all of the floorboards and cab completely off, leaving only the engine, transmission and the footwells.
Then I drew up the skeleton of this monster and began to attach it and square it.



After the basic skeleton was complete, I attached it to the donor and began making the interior sheetmetal, as well as reforming the firewall. I set out to mock the original 6061 aluminum stamped pieces of the real thing, so that once it's all covered in Linex, only the true expert can see that it's not original.



Yesterday, I hinged the hood and completed the new supports that will permanently join the new body to it's older frame. Today, after I finished my work for the day, I went back down and cut more steel for the fab of the floorboards and door hinges.
I recently aquired a full Kevlar top for this thing, and the gentleman also provided those four slick Kevlar doors from a military unit.(Thanks so much, CW)



If I actually finish the body by September, I should be well into relocating the brake, the steering wheel and box, the accelerator and the center tunnel dress up and complete all the wiring by next spring...in time to go topless!

$220 MIL back on reserve!!

Congressman Eric Cantor (VA-07) today made the following statement after Virginia announced a $220 million state budget surplus:

"During these challenging economic times, Virginia balanced its budget and created a revenue surplus of over $200 million in FY 2010. This is a result of the steady leadership of Governor Bob McDonnell. Due to its fiscal prudence, Virginia was also able to close a $4.2 billion budget shortfall in the FY 2011/2012 by significantly cutting spending and without raising taxes. If America is to get its fiscal house in order, Washington needs to learn from the bold actions taken in Virginia by Governor McDonnell.

"Unfortunately, over the last eighteen months, Washington has gone on a spending spree to the tune of nearly $8,000 per person - an increase of $4.9 billion per day - the highest rate of growth in our history. We must start cutting spending, and we must start now, which is why over the past month, Republicans have forced the House of Representatives to vote on more than $100 billion in spending cuts. Unfortunately only a handful of Democrats supported our efforts. Instead of working together to cut spending immediately, President Obama and Speaker Pelosi want to keep kicking the can down the road, but there's no more road left. We can't keep waiting until the proverbial ‘next year,' we need to get our fiscal house in order now so that tomorrow our children and grandchildren can enjoy the same freedoms and opportunity that were provided to us.

"Mr. President, take a look at the example set by Virginia, and let's start making the tough decisions today."

See....All 'ol Timmy had to do was make the tough choices that everyday families have to. Kinda like splurge on instant gratification --- or plan for the long haul.
McDonnell was on Fox news telling the rest of the Nation. It is possible - you just have to make decisions with limited money and stop acting like there's always more in the spigot. The well is dry, Obama....the road ends ahead, so stop kicking the can, man.

An Oval Office pitch, and then this...

GULF HELP HELD UP BECAUSE OF UNIONS?
By Charles Payne, CEO & Principal Analyst

6/11/2010 12:34:37 PM Eastern Time

This BP situation keeps getting more interesting. Within two weeks of the spill, no less than thirteen nations offered assistance. They have all been turned down. This is nuts and more than hypocritical considering criticism aimed at President Bush for not accepting aid from Cuba after Hurricane Katrina. We are talking about help being offered by our closest allies and nations with vast expertise in deepwater disasters: Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. (the UN offered help, too). According to Foreign Policy magazine, Belgians say they could clean the mess up in four months or less.

So what gives? The Jones Act, which isn't named after Van Jones but could have been. The Jones Act is in section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The act states all goods transported between U.S. ports must carry a U.S. flag, be constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and have a U.S. crew who are permanent residents. The act also says these ships must have union crews. The act has already devastated the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which has been saddled with higher costs and limited opportunities. As a consequence, only 1% of the world's shipbuilding occurs in the United States.

It seems certain President Obama hasn't waived the Act because of his obligations to unions. By the way, President Bush waived the Act after Katrina, and help came in from many nations. As culpable as BP is for this, their partners in crime seem more and more to be the Administration, which appears to take its marching orders, even on environmental disasters, from environmentalists and unions. This is shocking stuff especially as the White House is looking to break more contract law and dictate the actions of an independent business. I don't know if BP is going to fold on the dividend; if there is a hint they couldn't pay for the clean up they should.

If, however, the company is going to be forced to pay for political decisions by the Administration, but otherwise could meet new obligations, then it should stand for shareholders and capitalism. In the meantime, there is close to $3.0 billion in the Oil Spill fund and it grows by $667,360 a day; we should be using that money to help the people in the Gulf. It's not, and it never will go to help those people because the fund and the new hike is nothing more than a way to punish oil companies in lull of a windfall profit tax so eagerly sought for a long time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But the most heinous act of all, in the face of an ever growing spillage of oil and the threatening movement of that spill into the Gulf currents and Gulf stream which would encompass even more southern states' economies...is the fact that additional help, equipment, technological support and manpower from 13 countries remains idle on purpose and at the direction of our President and his Democratic Congress.

While America fears the consequences coming from this absolute worst
oil industry accident and ecological disaster in the history of man, the
President and his advisors see it as a golden, once in a lifetime opportunity to score political points and move their socialist agenda forward.

Chesapeake Bay Debacle and the effort to inform folks

Donnie, over at The Ferguson Forum, is evidently on to new opportunities, after serving as a Board staff aide to Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio from 2002 to 2007.

The new gig is as Western Tradition Partnership’s National Director of Media and Public Relations, and his most recent press release is here.

While I do support the effort to contact these Supervisors and rally the public, I do not exactly think the Supervisor's personal cell phones and home phones should have been targeted. Any County equipment used in contacting them is perfectly fine, however....because that should be expected by the Supervisors, or any elected official.

The Board is still deciding what to do after over 100 folks made their case in person on Monday night. Many, many more e-mailed or wrote their Supervisor directly.
In order to fully investigate what these Supervisors were trying to foist on the County residents (mind you, public utilities and power lines that cut 250 foot wide swaths were not subject to these draconian rules) read more of the link above, and the description of the Act contained there.

NovaTownHall elaborates, too...

Robert W. Legard, Loudoun County Sheriff 1964-1979, passes

A dear friend passed last evening. "Bob" Legard and I used to pass time chatting at the local welding shop. Bob was the Sheriff of Loudoun County from the time I was a toddler until the year I graduated High School. But I met him much later.

Bob worked from 1964 with Hankey's Radio in Frederick, MD to erect a tower on land secured by former Sheriff Roger Powell from Arthur Godfrey. The tower broadcasted two low-band channels, one for the Sheriff's Office and one for Loudoun Fire/Rescue. The tower still stands today but is no longer in use.

He was also the first member of the Loudoun force to graduate from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. Legard graduated from the 86th session in October of 1970.

You will be missed, Bob. I feel I'm already being deprived of the tales of your exploits during your tenure. Thank you for your years of service to the citizens of Loudoun, and many of your friends join me in wishing you Godspeed to your next appointment.

Update: It has been pointed out to me that in his earlier years, Bob was a member of as many as 45 social groups ---from the local Masons to the American Legion....
An 11:00 service at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Lovettsville, VA has been scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 2010.

Update: I attended the funeral and services for Bob on Saturday. It was a beautiful service, and his tributes were many. He has a lovely family, and they filled the Church with even more stories of how Bob knew all of the folks that he represented, and watched after many of those folks needs, like a good shepherd, and keeper of the public that elected him. They simply do not make them like this, anymore, folks.
The world is just a bit worse for the loss of this great man.

Hamas screws the pooch again, and so do some of the press corps....

Same as it's ever been...
A post from December of 2008, when the geniuses at Hamas last forgot their place in life.....
Israel's plan is resolute and it is capable of ending the entire state of Palestine....if they allowed themselves to do such a thing. Only the self-contained efforts of Israel to measure it's responses stands in the way.

New Radio show debut!!

A new Conservative Radio show debuts Saturday, July 10th at 9:00am on Radio Viva 900 AM .. The name of the show is “America Eres TU” (America Is YOU) and it is expected that the program will be very lively, with a call-in format in Spanish.

The July 10th start date means there should be a full head of steam in order to make a serious impact in November, not only in NOVA, but also in MD because the listening range of this station is really great. Make sure to get the word out among your friends and help make “America Eres TU”, the Conservative voice in Spanish, the best outreach program possible.

As we approach Memorial Day, let's remember what it truly signifies.

Unlike a President who'd rather slink away to Chicago instead of honor those that allowed him to do what he does daily.
Most specifically, our local VIRGINIA boys and girls, who left it all on the field, and often gave the ultimate sacrifice. To those who did make it home, to those who did not make it home, and to all who served.... We thank you!

Even MORE specifically, we'll be hunkered around remembrances of a certain young Army PFC, who was larger in life at a tender 23 than many become... even as they bridge 50 .... EJ Andino. We miss you , buddy.

And with that .....

The outcome of the 10th District was unfortunate, from my point of view. I certainly hope Howie meant what he said about supporting Frank Wolf. I congratulated Howie, and if his intent is indeed to reelect Wolf to office, he can certainly count on my help.

There is so much in my personal life that has gone unanswered during the past 4 years, that I've had a chance to slow down and reevaluate my priorities today.
My wife, the dear and patient woman, has endured -- without complaint -- numerous nights and weeks of my absence, all in the name of the "good fight". I'm in the starting gates of lavishing attention on her, and the huge honey-do list at our house.

I have a few intense hobbies, which some of you are aware of, and many of you aren't.
I build off-the-wall stuff. My immediate project for the next 6 months or so....





5 Cylinder Mercedes 300TD engine and one ton axles.... Welding, cutting, wiring..and wrenching. I really enjoy that stuff...and I haven't had the time to play with it.

As many of you know, my dental health has always gone around the latest campaign, or the convention, or the next meet n' greet. I will be taking time over the next couple of months to correct what I haven't had the time to correct for the past 2 years.

Will I totally disengage? I don't see that happening. I'll watch, and if I see anything particularly disturbing, I can still rally a huge offensive of like-minded folks to push the right buttons. It's just going to take a bigger bump in the road to trigger it.

The blog will continue, and actually pick up on frequency, as I'll actually have more time to tend it. Stay tuned.

Delegates: Review your support here.

The Howie Lind Record:

1. Has missed has missed 4 out of the 7 meetings of the 10th District Committee since his election to State Central. Now he wants to be Chairman of the District. You can’t send a proxy as Chairman.

2. He missed so many meetings that Republican Party of Virginia had to amend the Party Plan to address this issue. Under the Party Plan a State Central member must attend 50 percent of the meetings in person. Something he has failed to do.

3. He is out of touch with the majority of the members of the 10th District Committee. Out of the 18 voting member committee the votes are always 13-5. He is always voting with the 5 in the minority. Now who is out of touch with the District?

4. He is out of touch with the majority members of the State Central Committee, once again he always votes with the obstructionists on State Central. Who again are in the minority. I would call him a bomb thrower not a leader.

5. Howie Lind resigned as Dranesville Magisterial District Chairman before his term was over before is term was over because he was to busy. The young man who did such a great job in Howie’s absence is supporting Mr. Schmidt.

6. He has only attended one 10th District fundraiser in all his years of living in the 10th District and only paid the general admission. Who has never been a sponsor to anything.(the author has actually sponsered that Dinner) You can look those figures up on the FEC and SBE reports. Now he talks about raising money. What is being overlooked here is that most of the money that did come in for the contest in 2006, did so AFTER Jim Rich had safely won the Chairman’s race.That very same money is on hold till after this race. If Howie wins, the District will never see it.

7. Organized a very small protest, of a couple of people outside of last year’s Jefferson Day dinner protesting rather than joining the over 200 people who were attending the dinner.

8. Has insulted members of the largest Republican Women’s Club in the 10th District and in the State. Now he wants to lead the 10th District.

9. 10th District is already RED. We have a REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN named Frank Wolf.
Someone that a number of Howie’s minions have sworn they’ll never support. So, can we really count on Howie to defend Wolf when his supporters are all frothing to end Wolf’s run? Or is it okay to lie about his support for Wolf, because it's okay to lie as long as you do so for the greater good?


Update: While I remain concerned that Howie will improve the 10th, I have actually congratulated Howie, and advised him that I am hopeful that he keeps the wheels on the machine and that he actually succeeds in the 10th District's election power.
I think I've been abundently clear that if he fails to work for Frank Wolf to the full extent that the Chair can work....There are several wrecking balls on hold right now. I hope Howie is afforded every opportunity to re-elect Frank Wolf, and all fiscally conservatve Republicans in 2011, and more importantly, in 2012. I will lend any assistance to this effort that I can...unless Howie deviates from the course I've just laid out. Then , very bad things begin to happen.

Dear Howie,Please remove my name from your list of supporters

I am actively supporting Dave Schmidt.I appreciate your help in this matter.

Howie Lind has a long trail of half run and half finished business behind him. Almost all of his failure to the Party is attributable to his day job. Howie is (and all you TEA Party people please sit up and read this one)a LOBBYist to a major corp doing business before the US Government right now.
When he was elected to the Dranesville District, he was non-existant enough that a yound fellow who was full of vigor and drive completed Howie's responsibilities to that District in Howie's stead. And then that enterprising young man was never even given proper credit for the function that he provided. Howie eventually stepped aside for the District Chair position. That enterprising young man who held things together in Dranesville when Howie was absent?? He's openly backing Dave Schmidt.

Howie and his campaign have been using a number of names as endorsements and supporters. Some of the endorsements are outright fabrications. Albert Navas, David Crow, Johanna & Nat Ashworth, Gerrie Smith, Carol Hoffman, Liz & Hunter Richardson, Garnet Dupont, Nancy Ningard, and Larry Ambrogi. All these folks have indicated that they did not endorse Howie, and several have actually hosted events FOR Schmidt!

The point? So how many other names on this list are used fraudulently? How many times does one have to contact Howie to have their name removed from the endorsements?
How many of the folks listed do not even reside in the 10th District??

Be assured that Dave Schmidt's list of supporters is all 10th District grown.
They are your neighbor's endosements...not someone across the State.

See how many Democrats Howie's firm has greased the palms of here.

"Legal Food Frenzy"

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced earlier this week that Virginia's legal community joined together to raise more than 1.7 million pounds of food for Virginia's hungry during April. The fourth annual "Legal Food Frenzy" broke previous fund raising records by bringing in 36 tons more than in 2009. The statewide competition is sponsored by the attorney general's office and pitted 197 firms against each other. The food donated to the Virginia food banks is especially helpful during this critical time as food banks around Virginia are seeing a surge in the number of families who need food during this difficult economic recession.

Schettine & Nguyen from Richmond raised the most food per employee to win the "Attorney General's Cup" for the third year in a row. The law firm has 13 employees and raised almost 6,881 pounds of food per person. The contest ran April 5 through April 16 and was open to all lawyers, their staffs, and members of the legal community across Virginia.

I'm particularly glad to see lawyers doing something for the community, and I've laid off of the lawyer jokes for this posting.

Elaine Walker retains Lovettsville Mayoral position

With a steady stream of voters today, and a 28% turnout, Lovettsville Mayor Elaine Walker was treated to a 165 to 95 thumping of her opponent, Bing Lam.
Others on the current Town Council survived as well. Charlotte Coleman and Bob Zoldos did well, but another Councilman probably fell victim to lack of name recognition, and was outmanuevered by Tiffany Carder.
Those who know me are surprized that I'd back and assist Walker in this contest.
Elaine was a far superior choice to the alternative, and I never really thought he had the temperment for the job.

If someone would have actually taken 10 to 1 odds...

I'd be a very rich fellow right now.
I did my part in keeping quite for a couple of months. Aside from hoping aloud that Mark Sell really meant his inclusive mantra....I was never critical.

The LCRC had it's first meeting last night, and in the tail of that meeting, my outlook has changed. All the meeting was lacking was circus music. The clowns were all over the big ring, right next to the troop of monkeys attempting to fornicate with a football.

We started out well enough, with Mr. Sell giving kudos to the immediate past team and especially it's Chairman, Glen Caroline. "Okay, we're off to a great start, so far" I said to myself.

When the announcement came of their officers.....the dread started. A virtual who's who of malcontents and bumblers who's candidates have lost more elections over a 8 year period than I can even count.

A Communications Chair who's not even technically savvy enough to run that first class website that our Communications and web guy built.

More newbies from God-only-knows-where who didn't have a clue about what the team before them had accomplished in 2009, and not smart enough to realize that those in 2009 had actually greased the skids towards any victories that might occur.

Well, dingbats....those opportunities evaporated when you tried to ramrod the TWICE DECORATED Best District Chair on the Committee. Recognized by McDonnell and Bolling.
Retired and putting in 40 hour weeks for nothing but the Party needs.
And you jag-offs pushed him to the side and elected a stammering joke.

Mr. LaRock....you wanted it. Well, you'd better DAMNED WELL produce the results. If you do... I'll be the first to say "attaboy" and buy you a beer. But fail, and I really hope you have thick skin, partner.

Attempting to use those invalid proxies to attempt a coup will haunt you till the day you move out.

The choice for the Broadlands Chairman is also interesting. Given that 2010 is a Frank Wolf reelection, why would a Republican Committee elect a confirmed Wolf hater to any District post? Jack Ryan is on record as saying "the Congressman can no longer count on my support in the future". Why, then....is he anywhere near a position that is supposed to handle the votes FOR Frank Wolf?

I've now moved into "wait-n-see" mode to watch what further rules and procedures thay can break and fracture..... When it gets to be too much, further action will be called for, and I'm pretty sure I know some folks who actually own a wrecking ball.

At the rate these clowns are going...it's as if they WANT to lose in 2011.

But it gets worse. As many of you know, Howie Lind, Kate Gunter and JoAnne Chase ran for State Central Committee. The jagovs in Loudoun and Prince William started pushing this because their boy got jerked from the Chairman's position after abusing the power of that office for personal gains.
In order to assure that they'd never have to take a back seat to rational republicans again....they stormed the 2008 10th District Convention (complete with Ron (Ru) Paul reinforcements at the ready) and elected three SCC people to replace those in NoVa.

The ultimate plan was to overtake Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and move on to Fauquier County and beyond. Once they control enough of the power seats in this area, they wanted to leverage the RPV to readdress the Party Plan to their favor.
What many do not seem to recognise is clearly visible from the 30,000 ft view. They want to restack the deck in their favor in order to elect and run the Party the way "they" deem fit.

One big problem(and trust me...it's an alien concept to them)is that the Virginia Republican Party "Plan" was negotiated , worked on, and actually put in place with the blessing of the United States Justice Department to work fluently with the Voter's Act passed by the United States Congress, which is also vigorously enforced by the Justice Dept.

When they've moved enough of the mountain in Virginia, where will they place the first shovel in the Justice Dept? Bypassing some sections of the Voter's Act could carry fines, and even prison time for blatant and provable efforts to sidestep the spirit of the law.

Proceed with caution.

What the lame-street media is missing....

There are African American members of the Tea Party movement, and they are deliberately overlooked when the idiots depict the movement as racist and hateful.

"They've been called Oreos, traitors and Uncle Toms, and are used to having to defend their values. Now black conservatives are really taking heat for their involvement in the mostly white tea party movement—and for having the audacity to oppose the policies of the nation's first black president."

Pretty telling of the tolerance of the liberals....but surprising no one.

"Opponents have branded the tea party as a group of racists hiding behind economic concerns—and reports that some tea partyers were lobbing racist slurs at black congressmen during last month's heated health care vote give them ammunition."

After investigation, the alledged incident has been proven never to have occurred. And there was a You Tube released to prove that it never occurred.

Read the original article here. It goes beyond anything the lame-street-media has ever reported. Which is why they are a dying breed, soon to be ousted by powerhouses like Fox News and free blogs where folks don't want to be spoon-fed.

The end is near....

This is what you're left with after a couple more takeovers. After they control everything, and owe their soles (yes, their very shoes and everything else) to the Chinese....This is the one who'll go down in history as the albatross around America's neck. Unfortunately, it's the democrats ...or America.

Early reports are giving America the edge over those democrats.
Polling now suggest that the independent voters actions in recent days say that "passing the health care bill constitutes an "abuse of power by the democrats."

Yeah....those same independents that helped elect this travesty. Those numbers reflect some pretty intense buyer's remorse. And in more proof that democrats are truly ignorant of Constitutional issues, 70% of them are okay with that twisting and turning lack of bipartisan outreach just witnessed.

But in a refreshing turn of events, the chickens are coming home to roost immediately this time. A sizable number of larger companies are adjusting their tax and profit statements to reflect the impact of what the democrats just did to them. This solidly links what Republicans said would happen, and what actually came to pass...exactly as those Republicans foretold.

Obama isn't the answer, he only created a bigger boondoggle.

Another big lie.....

When obvious race-baiting doesn't pay off, you'll have to get a bit more creative and invent something to whine about, I suppose.
VaRight covers the event that has spawned fabrications from the Congressional Black Caucus on hearing racial epithets, and the video clearly shows that isn't the case at all. They made the whole thing up. And when they lie about the small things like this to get political cover from it, why should I trust them on bigger matters?
Kill the Bill....now.



Thanks for the link to the video, Tom. Great work, as always.

Holy Crap...no wonder Pelosi wants to keep you from reading the bill!

Nancy Pelosi has stated that everyone can read the bill after it's passed. Ever wonder why??

Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.) (Like always)

Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans' finances and personal records. (I guess so they can 'deduct' their fees)

Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says that!) ( a 'fee' instead)

Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)

Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)

Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor's time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally-- the value of humans.)

Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for "private" HC industries.

Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.

Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e...re-admissions).

Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.

Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)

Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)

Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)

Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want -- rationing.)

Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)

Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!' Unbelievable!

Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)

Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)

Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it's mandatory!)

Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')(Sounds like Soylent Green to me.)

Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)

Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.

Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)

Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.. (I wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)

Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)

Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)

Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)

Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.

The deed is done.

Mark Sell has outmanuevered Candace Strother for the Chairmanship of the LCRC.
Are darker days ahead of us? I can't say, because the optimist in me wants to believe that Mark meant what he said before the LCRC in a February 2010 meeting.

Candace is gracious in her consession.
------------------
Dear Friends and Fellow Republicans,

On March 6, a brilliant sun splashed Saturday, 970 Loudoun voters came out to cast their ballot for our next Chairman of the LCRC. Standing there for the four hours that our canvass took place, shaking hands and talking with folks from all walks of life, it was encouraging and exciting to see the steady stream of people coming to cast their ballots. This is good news indeed for our Party.

I was also struck again by the wonder that is America, that here we assemble peacefully to choose our leaders, even at this the level of County Chairman. We all share the common conviction of our Founding Fathers that this democratic process is superior to all other forms of choosing leaders.

And so yesterday the choice was made. By a vote of 512-458, the voters chose Mark Sell to be the next LCRC Chair and he gets my congratulations for a hard fought race and well wishes for future success.

For those who voted for me, I send a heartfelt thank you – your emails and comments were encouraging beyond measure and I’ve made many new friends. For all those that worked so hard in our campaign I am forever grateful and am inspired by your dedication and leadership.

As I said over and over again during my campaign, there is a battle going on for the soul of America and Loudoun County. We must now come together and be about the fight before us.

Candace
-------------


Mark tells us that he'll Chair us all, and be inclusive of all members. That he wants to keep the team in place and unite us all. I'm very hopeful that he means it. Ric James and I are waiting with much concern to see if that is indeed what emerges in the coming years.

I'm somewhat apprehensive about the full two year pull, however. I predict here...that Mark will start out clean, but that in a year....the Committee will be a different animal as elements around Mark forget that we're all working together and begin to step over the rest of us on their one-way ticket to the dark ages ....
That'll prompt some action from me. So, it's best advised to keep me pacified. Run it by the book (the RPV Party Plan), folks--and you need not worry whether I'm with you.

Candace Strother is still a strong presence in Loudoun, and I predict that you've not seen the last of the girl. I offer a personal thanks to Candace for stepping into the race and offering to lead us. With your tons of experience, and generous nature,we could have been even greater in 2011.

Be vewy, vewy quite....

Just when you think the Patriot Act is on short legs, what with the Democrats controlling everything..... BAM!! They suddenly have a change of heart and ADOPT the Patriot Act in a non-publicized move (c'mom MSM, you do report the NEWS, don't you??)

I know, I know. You've got all of those rightwingers to contend with......

Candace Strother...strong on 2nd Amendment and tax relief

UPDATE: Ric James, in his usual logical prowess.... gives us the final word on this race. And it's right on target!!!
Common Sense among lots of rhetoric out there that just ain't so.

As most know, in the up and coming Party Canvass at Belmont Ridge Middle School, on March 6, 2010 (--from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.) there is a choice before the Committee.
Candace Strother is facing competition as a candidate for Chairman.
She's also come out as a strong advocate for the taxpayers of Loudoun County when she calls on the BOS to follow thru when they say fiscal conservative.

" Candace Strother of Ashburn, who is running for chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee, pointed to gains made by Republicans statewide last year in comments before the board at a budget hearing Wednesday. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) swept all of Loudoun's 71 precincts, finishing with 61 percent of the vote in November. Republicans also swept all five Loudoun delegate races, defeating two Democratic incumbents.

"All of these Republican candidates ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and limited government. The people of Loudoun agreed," Strother told the board. ---From the Washington Post


Many do not realize that Candace was a delegate for Ken Cuccennelli in the months before the Convention, or that she is a crack shot.

Give a look!!!

Frank Wolf's Birthday was HUGE and successful.

Just in from the bash. I was impressed with the sheer number of folks who came out on a Friday Night to wish the Congressman a belated Birthday. Seems the delay of the snow actually added to the numbers in attendance.
What was to be 400 folks actually swelled to 650 RSVPs by yesterday.
And over 500 of them made it!
After the speeches were all made -- we all sang Happy Birthday. That was one loud room, and due to the size of the room, we even spilled out into the lobby.

Congrats on a significant Campaign kickoff, Representative Wolf!!

Conservative Tim Graney Challenges Congressman Ron Paul

Conservative Tim Graney Challenges 20-Year Incumbent Congressman Ron Paul in Texas.

I never really understood Ron Paul, or the ideological dimwits that he spawned across the nation. They showed up everywhere. The last Convention of the Tenth District was stacked with them.(Thank you Mike McHugh, wherever you are) You know what we got from these misguided twits?
Kay Gunter, No-Show Howie Long and the illustrious JoAnne Chase as SCC. We were going to send one of their ilk to Minneapolis to cast a vote for Virginia's Tenth in the Presidential delegation... Guess who that vote was going to be for? That's right! But for some wrangling (all legal and allowed, before you start)in selection of those delegates, one of these morons may well have gone to that Convention and cast a vote for Ron Paul, and to hell with representing all of us back at home who were counting on them to do the right thing and ....represent us.
And as all the smoke cleared, only an extremely small contingent even stayed involved in local Committee work after all that. I can think of two from Loudoun who stuck around (and I thank them for the work they've done since then).

Finally, someone steps up to challenge the Texas Congresscritter in his own backyard. From all accounts, Tim is standing on all the parts of Ron Paul that I agree with, and equally upset with the parts of Ron Paul I cannot stomach. There's the whole isolationistic crap that I abhor. If we bury our head in the sand, will the problems and the conspiring against America really stop? Didn't think so.
There's that whole "Ron Paul started Tea Parties". That is bullshit. Tea Parties started life as the purest form of American expression of dissatisfaction. There are conservative Democrats at these things. There are millions of independent(self-identified)voters, and millions of republicans - from right of center to hardliners.
Each group is equally as important as the others....and my worst fear is that some fringe group overtakes the movement and destroys everything it could have been - and starts exploiting it for their own personal agenda, until they fracture it.

Tim is interviewed here

I don't know how much traction he'll get, but I wish him the best. He's certainly got his head wrapped around the game firmly. I know if he wins this one, we'll have an ally down Texas way.