I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat.  It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read.  Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me.  I decided to start a conversation.  'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base.  We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars.  It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.  'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.  Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.  I'll wait till we get to Chicago '

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers.  None were buying lunch.  I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill.  'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.'  She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly.  Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me.  'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.  She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked.  She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.  'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.  A man stopped me.  'I saw what you did.  I want to be part of it.  Here, take this.'  He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.  When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.  With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot.  Once, someone bought me a lunch.  It was an act of kindness I never forgot.'  I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.  A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine.  He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.  Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.  Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.  I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.  'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.  God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.  As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.  These soldiers were giving their all for our country.  I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

 

 

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.'

"Enough Said!" ..... And well said. Thanks, Dan.

10-22-08

 

     With less than two weeks left in the Presidential Campaign, I am forced to make my call for Barack Obama to win. Not because he will win the most votes (I predict a very narrow margin of victory), not because the people are hungry for change and not because he is the better candidate for the Presidency. Obama will win because many conservative Republicans will refuse to vote for John McCain. They will either sit out the election, vote for a third party candidate (such as Libertarian Bob Barr) or even go as far as to vote for Obama. Why would they turn on the GOP candidate? In their view, McCain is not a "True Conservative." His stance on issues such as immigration, gay rights, his pick of Sarah Palin as his running mate over Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee and his support of the recent Wall Street bailout has angered many hard line conservatives to the point that they would rather see the Democrats win the White House as well as take full control of the Senate. Their reasoning, if the U.S. had to suffer under a leftist administration of higher taxes, social engineering, more regulation and bigger government  for four years, the American people would run to a more conservative version of the Republican party for relief. Granted, John McCain may not be the second coming of Ronald Reagan, but he is far better than a Socialist like Barack Obama. If hard-line conservative decide to play holdout, Obama will win and we will all suffer the pain. That is an attitude we cannot afford. So I suggest you go to the polls, hold the noses you would cut off to spite our faces and vote for the man our party chose..John McCain.

 

____

 

While I'm at it...

 

 I might as well make some other calls of  less important matters:

1) Philadelphia beats Tampa Bay in the World Series (6 games)

2) Chicago and New England in the Super Bowl, Patriots win.

3) Michigan State Wins the Big-10 and beats Southern California in the Rose Bowl (with apologies to U of M).

4) Wayne State U. (my alma mater) wins the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC, NCAA Div. II)  Football title.

 

"Enough Said!"

  

10-14-08

 

     After first voting against the Wall Street bailout, Congress then voted in favor of the $700 billion aid package. Of course, the bill was loaded down with another $150 billion in pork to sway those who originally opposed the bailout to vote yes. Some of the additional spending was justifiable and included tax credits for research and development, expanded child tax credits as well as protecting middle-income families from the overly broad aternative minimum tax. On the other hand, more billions were thrown about as outright bribes for special interests such as Hollywood producers (Like Oliver Stone and Michael Moore need our tax dollars to spit on America), stock car racetracks (we definitely  need another Daytona Speedway ) and an archery firm in Oregon. Nice going.

 

    What we did not get in the deal? How about Barney Frank ( or any Democratic lawmaker for that matter) admitting the whole mess was started in earnest during the Clinton Administration. They pressured mortgage lenders to loosen the pursestrings and cut loans for low-income families who had no jobs, income other than welfare, or assets to use as collateral (so-called "Ninja" loans). The argument being that more people needed to be able to buy their own homes regardless of their economic circumstances. I lenders refused, they were labelled as racists by leftist activists like Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow Coalition. Other groups such as the Association of Community Orgaizers for Reform Now (ACORN) would go so far as to stage protest rallies outside banks, storm bank lobbies and barge in on board meetings demanding low-interest loans. Can you say EXTORTION? STRONG-ARM TACTICS?

 

$850 billion of my tax dollars lost in the name of an economic form of affirmative action. Thanks.

 

____

 

While we're on the subject of ACORN....

 

      The non-profit orgaization is accused of voter registration fraud in 13 states. This is nothing new. During the 2006 campaign ACORN submitted false registration applicatins in Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington State.  State investigators in Nevada raided ACORN's office in Las Vegas. Nevada state officials allege  that ACORN hired 59 convicted felons on a work-release program as canvassers and submitted nearly 300 possibly fraudulent voter registration cards. Many of those phony registrations were filled out by members of the Dallas Cowboys including quarterback Tony Romo.  In Ohio, witnesses told Cuyahoga County prosecutors they were harassed by ACORN canvassers into filling out multiple registration forms. One witness stated he filled out 73 forms. Of course, representatives from ACORN Headquarters in Chicago flatly deny the allegations and accuse investigators of working for the Republican party in an effort to disenfranchise minority voters in the upcoming Presidential election. Question: Does anybody smell a Chicago Sewer Rat?  In response to these charges, House Republican leader John Boehner (OH) has called for all federal funding of ACORN be stopped.

 

Point of interest, Folks. Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama used to work for ACORN. Coincidence? I think not.

 

"Enough Said!"

09-30-08

 

    Despite pleas from President Bush, The House defeated a $700 billion bailout for the nations's financial system. As a result, the Dow Jones tanked out by 777 points, the worst in a single day. The vote was 228 to 205 with 65 Republicans and 140 Democrats in favor while 95 Democrats joined 133 Republicans voted against the measure. What could be considered a defeat for a President nearing the end of his term could very well be a final victory. 228 House reps stood up to their party leaderships and sided with the people who really matter...Their constituents. That gets the Republicans off the hook and distances them from George Bush who has been tagged as the villain in this crisis (as usual). Now they can run for re-election carring the mantle of "Maverick", one who puts his country and the needs of the voters  before their party. Sound familiar? This "Rebellion" can (if played properly) guarantee John McCain will win the Presidency in November and give Bush the one victory he must have before leaving office...Continued Republican control of the White House and possibly the GOP's takeover of Congress. As for the Democrats, 95 of them showed some courage by claiming the "Maverick" title for themselves and stood up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by giving the bailout a thumbs down. Suffice it to say 228 House reps have improved their chances of being re-elected while 205 of them may have just lost their jobs.

 

____

 

 

Why do liberals hate Sarah Palin? Let me count the ways:

 

1) She is Republican, Conservative Republican.

2) She is Pro-Life. A stance she backed up with actions instead of words when she chose to keep her infant son, knowing he would be born with Down Syndrome and then chose to stand with her teenage daughter when it was announced she herself was pregnant and was going to raise her child and marry the father.

3) She supports the Mission in Iraq. Her son has just been deployed there and has a vested interest in ending the American presence there...with a win.

4) She is Pro-Second Amendment. As a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, she has fough to protect gun ownership rights for law-abiding citizens.

5) She made her way in Alaska politics without riding her husband's coattails.

6) She owes no loyalty to the Democratic Party or to liberal feminism. She is her own woman.

 

Bottom Line: She is not Hillary Clinton.

 

_____

 

Rest in Peace, Mr. Newman. Your role as a humanitarian went far beyond any acting part you ever had and will be remembered forever. 

 

 

"Enough Said!"

09-23-08

 

     $700 BILLION. I cannot even fathom that amount without being scared to death. That's how much we taxpayers will have to pony up to make good on bad mortgage loans made over the past near 20 years. Who's to blame for this mess? The Democrats blame President Bush (As Always) and the Republicans blame liberal democrats who pushed to make mortgages available to low-income families, minorities who were discriminated against in the past and others who would not normally qualify for home loans. The main argument was that home ownership opportunity should be available to everyone, regardless of circumstances. Frankly, I DON"T CARE!!! There is more than enough blame to go around on this mess. What we need is both leadership and a workable solution. Congress will need to stop playing partisan games aimed at discrediting one another in hopes of making gains in the November elections. The people responsible for this mess on both Capitol Hill and Wall Street need to held accountable for their actions. Reforms must be put in place to prevent this from happening again. First off, Congress needs to reinstate the requirements for mortgages that were eliminated (Good credit history, tangible assets, a job, etc.) Tight money will be the order of the day for years to come. Greater government oversight of banks, mortgage brokers and other financial instutions will be necessary to regain the public's trust both here and abroad. We are in for some bad times, folks. This may just be the beginning. Bailing out Wall Street.....WHO'S GOING TO BAIL US OUT??!!

___

 

        Chutzpah is yiddish slang for the quality of unmittigated gall. Most examples include taking a limo to your bankruptcy hearing, catching your spouse in the act (literally) and their then saying "It's not what you think." or my favorite where a man who has killed his parents asking the judge for mercy citing his being an orphan.  It looks like both GM and Ford have cornered the market on Chutzpah going before Congress with hat in hand asking for their own bailout,  $25Billion worth of Chutzpah. Both companies claim they need the loans to modernize their production facilities so as to become more competitive with foreign car makers. Alright, since we as taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill for this one as well as the bailout on Wall Street, I think Congress should lay down some harsh and non-negotiable terms for the loan:

1) A ban on layoffs and outsourcing of jobs overseas.

2) Require both Ford and GM to shut down overseas operations in the far east where auto workers are paid slave wages and bring those jobs back to the U.S.

3) Require the re-opening of all American production facilities.

4) For Ford: Their plans to build the "Fiesta" overseas and not in any U.S. plants is scrapped. Either they agree to build the "Fiesta" here or it will not be allowed to be sold here. Of course they also lose their cut of the loan.

5) Like the Chrysler bailout of 1980 both Ford and GM must appoint a United Auto Workers (UAW) representative to their respective boards of directors with full voting rights. The rank and file must have a say in their own future.

6) NO GOLDEN PARACHUTES FOR ANYONE!!!  All executive perks need to be cut out entirely. CEOs and CFOs should be subjected to severe oversight and the companies books need to be audited thoroughly. Assembly line workers have suffered enough. Now it's their turn.

 

We may not get anything in return for bailing out Wall Street, but we must demand something from Ford, GM and (Most importantly) from Congress on this one.

 

"Enough Said!" 

09-17-08

 

This is one of those times......

 

     On September 16th, Barbra Streisand threw a fundraiser for Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama. Her combination $28,500.00/plate dinner and $2500.00/ticket concert netted the Obama campaign an estimated $9 million. You can bet the farm tens of thousands were spent by the attendees just on clothes, shoes and jewelry. Obama made money, so did Gucci, Prada and Versace. Since the guest list included the likes of Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and the rest of the Hollywood left, you can also bet many a film deal was made as well. My problem: a few days earlier, Hurricane "IKE" slammed into the Gulf coast and decimated Galveston Island as well as may coastal towns in Texas. As of this writing, the death toll stands at 50. Thousands are homeless and in desparate need of food, clothes and shelter and the relief services are hurting from the strain. Yo, Babs, Barack. Why not take that $9 million and give it to the Red Cross and other agencies so they can do some real good for a change? Otherwise you will have proven once and for all how shallow and uncaring Hollywood truly is and how hypocritical Democrats are about helping people.

 

"Enough Said!" 

09-10-08

 

    During her acceptance speech at the Republican Convention, Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) described herself as a "Hockey Mom" and that the only difference between a "Hockey Mom" and a pit bull is lipstick. During a campaign rally in Lebannon, VA, Obama criticized the Republican economic plan calling it the same Republican policies of the past stating  "You can put lipstick on a pig...it's still a pig." It sounded to me like a dig against Sarah Palin. Granted, it's a common phrase, it's the context however that is at the crux of the matter. Name calling, Senator? Is that what they taught you at Harvard...Or the Chicago School of Dirty Politics (of the Illinois Democratic Party)? If that is the case, the same can be said for Chicago sewer rats. You can take a rat of the sewer, clean it up, give it rabies shots and a flea shampoo. It's still a Chicago sewer rat. In this case, the sewer rat in question also has a law degree from Harvard and is running for President.

 

"Enough Said!"

09-09-08

 

Ooops....

 

    When I make a mistake, I own up to it and admit it (unlike Barack Obama refusing to acknowledge our success regarding the Surge in Iraq). In my last entry, I stated that John McCain's son was still in Iraq with the Marines. Since then, I have been told and have confirmed that he has completed his tour and retuned to the U.S. My apologies to my readers.

 

 

"Enough Said!"

09-08-08

 

    To say the month of August, 2008 will go down in history as one of significance would in itself be an understatement. At the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Barack Obama was formally nominated (or rather anointed) as their party's Presidential Candidate and the first African-American to be nominated by a major political party. We also witnessed the end (Hopefully) of the Clinton era with Obama's choosing Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) as his running mate instead of Hillary Clinton. Hillary, being the good Democratic soldier, endorsed Obama and pledged her support to his campaign. Obama seems to have forgotten that Hillary would have guaranteed him at least the 18 million votes she got in the primaries in and the White House in November. You can bet she will be screaming into her pillow for a while (Hide all the sharp objects and breakables, Bill). Bottom Line: As much as the Dems wanted to regain the White House, they did not want to be owing the Clintons, even if that meant nominating a freshman senator who spent more time running for President than doing the job he was elected to do. A product of the Chicago Democratic Machine (The biggest bunch of crooks outside the Mafia). A man whose friends include William Ayers of the Weather Underground (the 60s terrorist group responsible for bombings in Washington and New York City). Then there's radical minister Jeremiah Wright ("Rev. GODDAMN AMERICA!!!"), who accused the U.S. of developing the HIV/AIDS virus as a genocide weapon against blacks. Let's not forget Tony Rezco, Obama's main backer, now convicted of racketeering in Illinois. A man whose voting record on major issues in both the U.S. Senate and Illinois State Assembly speaks more of good attendance than taking stands...."Present." As for pick for running mate, Joe Biden is the modern-day William Jennings Bryan (I.E.: prennial LOSER), with a record of plagarism dating back to his college days. These guys aren't ethical giants. But then again, neither were the Clintons. 

 

       A week later (during the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota), John McCain made history by picking Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his VP running mate making her only the second woman behind Democrat Geraldine Ferraro to be chosen for Vice-President and the first by the Republican Party. Palin, like McCain is considered a "Maverick" in Alaskan politics. She is known for facing down both  Democrats and Republicans in Alaska and not backing down to anyone. As a city council member, and then mayor of the town of Wasilla, Palin ran a campaign of reform and fiscal responsibility with budget cuts and eliminating positions of officials deemed non-essential such as the museum director. As Governor, Palin took on her own party when she challenged long-term Senator Ted Stevens to come clean about allegations of corruption before he was indicted. Her most controversial move was to reverse her decision to support the building of a bridge connecting the Alaskan islands of Ketchikan and Gravina, a project that would have cost the taxpayers some $223 million. This "Bridge to Nowhere" would symbolize the kind of government waste John McCain has  fought against in recent times. Palind did use $25 million of the earmark and spent it on a road project on Gravina Island.  Palin also backed energy development in Alaska including support for drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWAR) as well as developing natural gas reserves. Question: Can either Obama or Biden claim any executive (Decision making) experience? NO!! Just so you know, McCain commanded an Attack squadron in the Navy, an institution where making and carrying out  vital decisions on a daily basis is a way of life. Can you say "Leadership Ability?"

 

    She has backed up her pro-life stance not once but twice now. The first time was when she gave birth to her son Trig earlier this year, knowing full well he would be born with Down Syndrome. Now she, and her family, stand with her 17-year old daughter as she is now 5 months pregnant with her own child. She is a life member of the NRA and an avid hunter. She supports capital punishment. She favors teaching both creationism and evolution in public schools. She favors "Abstinence-Only" sex education despite her daughter's situation and she opposes "Same-Sex" marriage. She supports the mission in Iraq and,  like Senator McCain, has a son serving in Iraq. As such, both have a more than vested interest in ending the war. For her conservative stances, Palin has been hit and hit hard by feminists and liberals accusing her of being a pawn of conservatives at best, a traitor to women's causes at worst. Which brings to mind the following question: Why are they still supporting Obama after he shoved Hillary Clinton under that well-known bus? Can you say liberal hypocrisy?

 

    Experience, leadership ability, experience and the strength of character to back up their words with deeds (and records to prove it). Characteristics lacking in both Barack Obama and Joe Biden, but in abundance in John McCain and Sarah Palin. To paraphrase the old cigarette jingle: "You've come a long way", Sarah. Further along than Hillary. 

 

____

 

    Kudos to Michael Phelps for winning 8 gold medals in swimming in the 2008 Summer Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz's 7 medals in one Olympics and 14 throughout his career making the top Olympian in the history of the modern games.

 

"Enough Said!"

08-05-08

 

Some random thoughts before I go back to Ripping on Obama.....

 

     We in Michigan held congressional and state legislative primary elections today. Like any good citizen, I exercised the franchise and went to the polls to vote. I was, for a brief moment, tempted to sit this one out. But then I realized that I would be the worst hypocrite on God's green Earth if I did. For years, I've railed on those who bellyached about going to vote saying their vote did not really count or that elections were fixed and just sat on their butts. I'd chew them out big time about not voting. I'd get on them about the hundreds of thousands who gave their lives in wartime just to protect that one freedom. That heroes like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and the "Freedom Riders" of the 1960s would spin in their graves and think their sacrifices wasted. Bottom Line: If you don't participate in the process, you lose your right to complain when things don't go your way.  See you all in November...I Hope.

 

____

 

     Recently I noticed that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had opend up an office just a few blocks from where I live. Those of you who have read my columns in the past know I have little or no use for that pack of socialist ambulance chasers. Rather than protect the rights of honest law-abiding citizens, defending the likes of drug dealers, terrorists, nazis, klansmen and child molesters is their stock in trade. Frankly, given the choice, I'd rather live next to a crack house than an ACLU office. Scumbags with law degrees are still scumbags.

 

____

 

 Rest in Peace, Mr. Snow.

 

"Enough Said!"

08-04-08

 

    On the eve of the 2008 Summer Olympics, I'd like to ask the International Olympic Committee one question regarding their decision to award this year's games to Beijing: What were you thinking? More importantly...WERE YOU THINKING AT ALL!!?? Awarding the Olympics to China only whitewashes one of the most oppressive regimes on Earth. In China, human rights are a joke and Democracy is a profanity (Remember Tiananmen Square?). Border regions like Tibet remain under the Chinese jackboot, population controls are enforced by involuntary abortions and "one child per family" laws. Religious freedom is a joke with only "official churches" being granted sanction. Dissidents are imprisoned for speaking out against the Communist government. Why would the IOC choose Beijing knowing their human rights record is so horrid? Could somebody please explain this to me and the rest of the world?

 

"Enough Said!"

 

 

07-22-08

 

     Ever since the 1980s. Iran has threatened to blockade the Persian Gulf at the Strait of Hormuz as a means of destabilizing the region and send the price of oil through the roof to cripple western economies, The United States in particular. Their argument is that OPEC should use oil as a political and economic weapon against the west for supporting Israel and, in their view, corrupting Islamic values with western influences. That threat was also thrown around by Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Now that Saddam is dead and Iraq in the hands of more level-headed leaders, I'd like to suggest to OPEC a project that would eliminate Iran's continued threat to the region's oil reserves.

 

    I propose that OPEC build a pipeline running south from Iraq along the coastline to the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. If an oil pipeline can be built in the harshest environs of Alaska, such a pipeline can be run through the Arabian peninsula. It wasn't easy in Alaska with the severe cold and hazardous terrain. It wouldn't be easy in an area where triple-digit temperatures and sandstorms are the norm, but it is possible. As for the monetary cost, whatever amount invested would return manifold. A pipeline that would secure the flow of oil from the middle east would be a major factor in maintaining stability in the region and shutting Iran down once and for all as a threat to that stability.

 

"Enough Said!"

07-04-08

 

    232 Years ago today, representatives from the thirteen colonies rolled the dice on what was at the time the greatest crapshoot of all time.  Men the likes of John Hancock, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklinn stood up and told England's King George III and the British Empire to get lost with the Declaration of Independence. And a nation was born. Today as we celebrate our freedom, we need to reflect on where we are now, what it took to get us here and where we go next. This year in particular, with our nation's political  leadership up for grabs, questions about our economy, national security and domestic needs must be addressed. By comparison to what our leaders are facing today, some would say the Founding Fathers had it easy. All they had to do was declare independence and literally pledge their "lives, fortunes and personal honor" to free our country from tyranny.  If they had failed , the next stop for them (and any of their followers) was the gallows for treason. It was just that simple.  It took a lot of guts to take a stand like that back then. 232 years after the fact, their courage and resolve continues to pay off as they have inspired other countries to move towards freedom with the American model as their template. I'd say that was something to be proud of.

 

"Enough Said!"....Happy Fourth.

07-01-08

 

Let's hear it for the Supreme Court....

 

    In the last two weeks of their 2007-2008 session, the U.S.Supreme Court was able to hand down rulings that pleased both the left and the right. AMAZING!!!

 

    First, the Supremes in a 5-4 vote, gave terror suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay the right to petition the courts for their release citing their right to challenge their detention through writs of habeas corpus. As a result, terrorists now have the same rights as gang bangers, hate groups, drug dealers and child molesters. Forget the fact that most of the terrorist held at "Gitmo" were captured in combat in Afghanistan. Since they were not members of an organized national military, the cannot be held as Prisoners of War (POWs)  for the duration of hostilities or subject to  protection under the Geneva Conventions. Lawyers for terror suspects can now demand that classified material in the hands of the government be turned over (and possibly compromise counter-terror operations) or demand that charges be dropped and their clients freed. The questions on my mind are these: How do we maintain our peacetime Constitutional liberties in time of war? How can we afford to maintain our own national security while at the same time be forced to protect the human rights of our enemies? Should we protect the rights of terrorists to access our criminal court system at the risk of more terror attacks? Should we risk another 9/11 in exchange by allowing a terror suspect to exercise the right to remain silent?

 

      Second, in another 5-4 decision, perople convicted of raping children can no longer face the death penalty. Citing the Constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, the justices overturned the death sentences of two Louisiana  "men" in separate cases.  Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion that "The death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child." Kennedy also acknowledged that the ruling had to accept coming to terms with "the years of long anguish that must be endured by the victim of child rape."  With all do respect to Justice Kennedy and the other four "FELLOW TRAVELLERS" who ruled against executing child rapists....

YOU ARE FULL OF IT!! You want to do something to ease the pain and anguish these children will have to face the rest of their lives? Then start the process by allowing the executions their attackers so richly deserve.  I hope you can live with this ruling, we have to.

 

      Third, and the only one they got right, the Supremes finally settled the issue of the right to keep and bear arms. The court threw out Wasington, DC's 32-year old ban on handguns, ruling the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the individual's right to own firearms and does not require a person to be part of a law-enforcement agency or a member of the military to exercise that right. The banned handguns in 1976 restricting ownership to current and retired police officers. Rifles and shotguns could be owned but were required to be stored disassembled or secured with a trigger lock, thus useless if needed for home defense. Anti-gun advocates have long argued the Second Amendment meant that the states had the right to arm their militias (Police and National Guard) and that private citizens had no such rights, and that restricting private gun ownership is essential to fighting violent crime. The National Rifle Association (The NRA) and other gun-ownership rights groups will now move to strike down the handgun bans in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs of Morton Grove, Oak Park and Winnetka citing this ruling. It's about time. 

 

     With any luck, two of the three sitting justices will step aside and (Hopefully) President McCain will be able to seat judges who will put the rights of law-abiding citizens and our national security ahead of politics.

 

"Enough Said!"

06-24-08

 

     I have been remiss of late. Remiss in my coverage of the Presidential campaign and more importantly, remiss in my giving propers to the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions...The Detroit Red Wings. They took Pro Hockey's most coveted prize by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4 games to 2 nearly a month ago and I've been celebrating since. This was the Wings first Stanley Cup win since their 2002 when the won not only the cup, but swept the Winter Olympics. Players from the wings played on all three teams (Canada, USA and Russia). This was their first cup win since the retirement of Steve Yzerman, Detroit's longest serving Captain who holds three Stanley Cup rings and a Gold medal from 2002 for Canada. Congrats.....GO WINGS!!!

 

"Enough Said!"