McCain Destroys Barbara Boxer: Boxer Never Supported Victory Video

Barbara Boxer is the most bitterly partisan, most anti-defense Senator in the U.S. Senate today. How does John McCain know this? He tells you in the video.

John McCain Destroys Barbara Boxer

Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook

Barbara Boxer's Arrogant "Don't Call Me Ma'am" Spreads Across the Web

Do you remember when Barbara Boxer had Brigadier General Michael Walsh in front of her in a Senate committee hearing, and said:

Carly Fiorina and Barbara Boxer

You know, do me a favor, would you? Say 'Senator' rather than 'ma'am.' It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title.

More appalling than Boxer's words, was her tone. Carly Fiorina is reminding us of this uncomfortable and shameful moment coming out of the U.S. Senate.



Carly Fiorina on the Arrogant Barbara Boxer (video)

Friendly Fire Kills Linda Norgrove?

Here it comes. The Mail Online (U.K.) is saying that "friendly fire" from Navy SEALs killed a British woman, Linda Norgrove, as they tried to save her life and rescuse her from Muslim Taliban thugs. Nato and the U.S. are launching an investigation. Of course they are.

Linda Norgrove, 36, was snatched by the Taliban along with three Afghan colleagues on September 26, 2010. She was traveling in a two-vehicle convoy. She wore a burka. It didn't save her. She was moved from mud hut to mud hut - over and over.

A senior security source said: 'It was clear from very early on that the level of threat was very high that she would be moved from the very bad people who were holding her to even worse people across the border in Pakistan.

The last thing we wanted was for her to be passed into the hands of Al Qaeda.

One-hundred and fifty "heavily armed U.S. troops, supported by Afghan soldiers, launched the raid in the early morning hours of Saturday - before the dawn call to prayer. The troops wore-night vision goggles. Predator drones and Apache attack helicopters were standing by.

Americans fight the Taliban small arms fire for half an hour, and then make it through to where Linda Norgrove lay, guarded by about 8 Taliban. They find her alive but "fatally wounded." Urgent medical aid tried desperately to save her life.

If you read my blog with any regularity, you know that I am exasperated and saddened at the number of Westerners who travel to these dangerous areas to work in Islamic countries where they are hated. I understand that Afghanistan women, especially, need all the help they can get, but when a lovely young woman like Norgrove is in their midst, they are sure to have a target on their back the minute they step foot in the country. Every American is a target.

There must be a realization that if you get in trouble, you put the lives of others at risk, and in Afghanistan, it makes fighting a war so much worse. Linda Norgrove was working toward an MBA at the University of Warwick. She worked for the UN in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2008 and returned there in February of this year. The UN cannot protect anyone. The UN does not protect anyone. Please. Find other, safer places to spread charity, and to do doctoral work. Stay home where you will not need our Military.

General David Petraeus notified Prime Minister David Cameron today that Linda Norgrove may have died of a grenade thrown by the SEALs. This according to Cameron:

Miss Norgrove’s life was in 'grave danger' from the moment she was seized and there were fears that she might be passed up the terrorist chain to bases in Pakistan and put at greater peril if she was not rescued. 

'I am clear that the best chance of saving Linda’s life was to go ahead, recognising that any operation was fraught with risk for all those involved and success was by no means guaranteed,' Mr Cameron said.

Here is the story from the U.K.:

A British aid worker may have died when U.S. special forces lobbed a grenade in a frantic bid to save her from the Taliban.

Linda Norgrove, 36, was fatally wounded when  U.S. troops stormed the compound where she was being held hostage.

It was initially thought she died when her captors blew-up a suicide vest.

But today Prime Minister David Cameron said a review of the Navy SEALs' rescue operation had uncovered a new 'deeply distressing development' suggesting a grenade detonated by taskforce members may have been to blame.

If you must have an investigation, make it quick and let these heroes move on. God bless Linda Norgrove and God bless our Military.

Prime Minister David Cameron on Death of Linda Norgrove (video)

Posted by Maggie@Maggie's Notebook

Illegal Migrants Entitled to Dream Act: Illegals Coming out as Undocumented

A movement of illegals coming "out of the closet" and admitting they are illegal is on a roll. Power to the People - No one is illegal" is the mantra. Senator Harry Reid has introduced the Dream Act and making complete sense, attached it to the Defense Authorization Bill. The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) which will pave the way to amnesty "for those who have graduated from high-school, have stayed out of trouble and plan to attend college or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years." See a video.

In the video at about 5 minutes in, a young woman tells a story of driving to school, without a driver's license, and parking in an area where she was not supposed to. She was called into the Principals office and instead of telling her not to park there, or calling her parents to come and move the car, they had the audacity to ask to see her driver's license. The girl had to admit she did not have one, because she was not eligible for one. Her mother came to the school "and in her broken English" told the school they if they talked to her daughter in that manner again, and made her daughter cry, she would sue them.

This twisted thinking flaunts illegality and apparently dares us to do something about it. My bet is on the illegals. This country is unwilling to uphold the Rule of Law.






Thanks to FactReal for the graphic
Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook

Westboro Baptist Church will Burn Korans if Florida Church Does Not

The vile Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka says if Florida's Dove World Outreach Center calls off the Koran burnings, they will pick up and slack and do it themselves. Dove's Pastor Terry Jones has just announced they will not burn Korans, and Jones believes he has worked a deal with the mosque developers to move the mosque away from the present location of Park 51, two blocks from Ground Zero. Does anyone really believe that?

Terry Jones

Dove has apparently joined with Westboro Baptist (did I mention it is a vile church) in the past to protest at military funerals across the country. This puts Dove in the same "vile" category.

If you have not seen the video of the imam of the planned Ground Zero mosque lay out the threats the U.S.  will face if the mosque is not built, you can view it here. American's understand that we are threatened by Islam every minute of every day anyway. We must ask, how much uglier can this get?

Colbert at his Best, Saluting Troops Who "Won the Iraq War." Biden Defends Bush: Is it a Gaffe?

This is the Col-bair Repoir! Celebrating the troops who "won the Iraq war!" Even without Biden admitting that Bush handled the Iraq war well (was that a gaffe?), seeing the troops with Col-bair is FABULOUS!

See the troop segment in the first video. See the Biden statement in the second video. See the General Odierno segment in the third video

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Intro - 9/8/10
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

Colbert and The Troops (video)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Joe Biden
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

Colbert and Joe Biden (video)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Been There Won That - Ray Odierno
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

Colbert and General Ray Odierno (video)

Gretchen Carlson Robert Gibbs: Carlson: CANDIDATE OBAMA SAID THAT? Gibbs Spins the Surge Video

Among many incongruities in this video, Fox News' Gretchen Carlson questions Obama's Press Secretary, whose spin leads Carlson to ask "Candidate Obama said that? Carlson had two things on her mind, both of which Robert Gibbs tried to ignore: (1) the surge worked, but Obama said it would not, and (2) will the President give President George W. Bush credit for the surge in his speech tonight.

Gretchen Carlson

Gibbs insists Obama actually said the surge would work. Gretchen questions that statement and asks if Gibbs' spin is how Obama will address his own flip-flop tonight.

Gretchen asks over and over if Obama will thank President Bush tonight for the success of the surge, and gets no answer. Watch at 4:42 in. Carlson is not amused.

Then in the second video listen to Obama's comments on the surge, where Obama says that Bush was wrong on the surge.

OBAMA: I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there. In fact, I think it will do the reverse. I think it takes pressure off the Iraqis to try to arrive at the political accommodation that every observer believes is the ultimate solution to the problems we face there. So I am going to actively oppose the president’s proposal. I don't doubt his sincerity when he says he thinks this is the best approach, but I think he is wrong. And I think the American people believe he is wrong. (NBC News)

The third video has clips of Obama saying none of the experts believe the surge will work, but then experts tell the real story. Obama began the flip-flop in July 2008 when he scrubbed his campaign website of all criticism of the massive effort that would allow troops to come home within two years.






Gretchen Carlson and Robert Gibbs: Candidate Obama said that? Experts Weigh-in on Obama's Opposition to the Surge (video)
Linked by: Ran at Si Vis Pacem who has a great pic of Baghdad Bobby Gibbs
Karen at The Lonely Conservative

The Miracle Wedding

Holger at Holger Awakens tells us about his weekend when he attended "the miracle wedding." Read this touching story of the tragedy and triumph that brought two military heroes together.

This past weekend, I traveled to attend a wedding. Yeah, I can hear you now...."big deal, Holger!" Well, you see, this wasn't just an ordinary wedding, folks ... this was a "Miracle" wedding.

I sat in the overflow loft of a little country church in rural Oregon on Saturday and saw Christopher Frost and Catherine Neary exchange their vows, to promise to love each other forever and ever until death do them part. What most of you don't know, is that this member of the Airforce and this medically discharged member of the Army had to pass Death on their way to the altar.

Let me share this regarding the service of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Frost of the U.S. Air Force (from OurMilitaryHeroes):

On May 18, 2008, while conducting a counter-improvised explosive device mission in Iraq, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher J. Frost was seriously wounded when the vehicle in which he was riding struck a large, buried IED.

The explosion severely injured three personnel and killed one, Frost said. I lost my right leg below the knee, sustained severe injuries to my left foot and ankle and broke the orbit of my right eye. Other than losing my right leg, the physical therapy I need for my left foot, and learning to use a prosthetic, I do not feel that my injury has changed me. I did not suffer a brain injury, nor do I suffer from any [post-traumatic stress disorder].

As Weapons Intelligence Flight team leader for Weapons Intelligence Team 1, Multi-National Division North Weapons Intelligence Section, in Joint Task Force Troy at Forward at Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq, from Dec. 9, 2007, to May 20, 2008, Frost is described as providing flawless support to the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, and associated units.

When he first arrived in Iraq, Frost was directly responsible for the acquisition, distribution and maintenance of more than $2 million worth of technical exploitation and force protection equipment. His efforts resulted in the overwhelming success of more than 400 combat missions conducted in the most lethal area of Iraq's Salahuddin province.

Despite his injuries, Frost plans to remain in the Air Force for seven more years until retirement. He also plans on keeping his Air Force specialty code of 3E871, explosive ordnance disposal.

Now,  let me share something regarding the bride, Army Spec. Catherine Neary (from af.mil):

"This afternoon, being at Ground Zero, that's very emotional," said Army Spc. Catherine Neary. "It's something that I won't forget."

Specialist Neary was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring while serving at Camp Victory, Iraq.

And this is from Cat's blog regarding the moment she was diagnosed with the tumor while in medical unit in Baghdad:

That morning I finally see the surgeon and the first thing he tells me, "hun I'm not going to sugar coat this for you" and went on to tell me they had found a 4cm tumor on the head of my pancreas. I was going to be medivaced to Walter Reed in Washington DC and have a very hard surgery to remove it. IF I was lucky and they had found this in time, hopefully chemo would save me and I could recover from this.

I took this in, listening carefully...I was so glad to finally have a reason for being sick, that I wasn't just making it up or looking for attention. So when he asked if I had any questions, I asked just one. "Sir, will I get to come back to Iraq and be with my unit?"

Now, I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing Catherine Neary for a couple of years through a blogging network - I first met her when she was serving in Iraq and along with many of her other friends, we lived through the crisis of her diagnosis of a pancreatic tumor and her transport out of Camp Victory in Baghdad to Germany and then on to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland where G_d answered our prayers and surgeons successfully removed her tumor.

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting her now husband, Christopher, and saw just what Catherine had seen in him when they met at Walter Reed - an honorable man, a good man and yes, a warrior.

So, as I stood in that little loft in that country church this weekend and I saw these two people who had been willing to dedicate their lives to America's service, well it was emotional - as I saw Chris, thisBronze Star recipient, walk to the back of the altar to light the unity candle with his prosthetic and Cat join him, knowing of her scar under the gorgeous wedding grown...well, I couldn't quell the emotion. How G_d has blessed this young couple - knowing each of them has so narrowly escaped death while in the service of their country, only to meet while healing at Walter Reed...well, man, it's what movies are made of!
This is my chance to tell the whole world how proud of you, I am Cat! And also my chance to tell Christopher again - thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice to this country.

May G_d bless them, and hold them and make their days together forever bright.

(Photo courtesy of: Birkenstock Cowboy)

Posted by Holger @ Holger Awakens

Iraq 2nd Stryker Combat Team: 2nd Stryker Renamed Advise Assist

As ALL combat brigades left Iraq and moved into Kuwait this week, the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division stays in Iraq - with a newly named Brigade - now known as the Advise and Assist Brigade. Their mission: to conduct security force assistance.

There are seven Advise and Assist Brigades still in Iraq, along with two National Guard Infantry birgades "for security." It all depends on what the meaning of is "Combat Team" is.





Last Patrol of Iraq's Final Combat Brigade (video)

Hannity Freedom Concert in Tulsa: Tulsa World Shame on You

Sean Hannity's Freedom Concert in Tulsa last night was great success. In fact, of the eight concerts, Tulsa was the first to sell-out. Col. Olie North started the Freedom Alliance project to send children of deceased and permanently disabled Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen and Marines to college with Freedom Alliance scholarships, and other support.  To date, the project has issued $3 million dollars for scholarships and has $15 million in trust to grow to be there for the future youngest children of those whose fathers and mother will not come home. The Tulsa World, which never misses an opportunity to shame itself over the slightest sign of patriotism, gets it wrong again.

Sean Hannity and Charlie Daniels

Hannity's Freedom Concerts are just one of the fundraising opportunities for Freedom Alliance. The concerts are responsible for $10 million of the $15 million held in trust. The Freedom Concerts are a project of The Freedom Alliance, founded by Colonel Oliver North. The Alliance does incur the cost of providing transportation for our troops, their families and the families of the scholarship recipients. The costs are paid out of The Alliance programming budget. Neither North or Hannity receive "a salary or stipend" for their participation. Sean and Jill Hannity have personally donated over $1 million. Yet the bitter Liberal loons drone on.

Sean Hannity

Most of you know that I have no respect for my local newspaper, the Tulsa World. If you were listening to Sean's radio show yesterday from Tulsa, you know that this utterly-liberal paper did a hit piece on Hannity and the concert, both before and after the event.

James D. Watts, Jr. (no relation to J.D. Watts, the former Congressman - that we know of) who is the "World Scene Writer," correctly titles his piece "A concert with an attitude." The concert definitely has an "attitude," of 1) support for the troops and their families, 2) a deep love for America, 3) a deep appreciation for patriotism, 4) a strong belief in America's exceptionalism and 5) and unwavering support for American sovereignty.

J. D. Watts, Jr. the writer, slammed the Lynyrd Skynyrd band for their patriotism and loving their "God and Guns." Many years ago, the Lynyrd Skynyrd band were a bit rebellious and outspoken as opponents of handguns. Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd's career is soaring, and through the band's tribulations of losing their front man Rickey Van Zandt to a plane crash many years ago, disbanding for a decade, coming back together, losing other band members to heart attack and cancer, they have emerged as passionate supporters of our troops, AND of the United States of America AND the U.S. Constitution.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Mark Sparky Matejka, Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington 

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Johnny Van Zandt

The same criticism of Charlie Daniels. Many years ago Charlie sang of getting "stoned in the morning" and "drunk in the afternoon." Today Charlie Daniels is talking about the common sense way to eliminate criminals - see that video below.

Charlie Daniels Band: Pat McDonald Drummer

Writer Watts talks about "The controversy." 1) the concert portion of the evening gets most of the time, but Sean gets "most of the attention," and 2) a "conservative blogger, Debbie Schlussel" has accused Hannity of benefiting personally from the concerts (I believe she accuses North of the same).

Olie North

The president of Freedom Alliance, Thomas Kilgannon, sent a letter in March to members of Friends of Freedom Alliance, in answer to Schlussel's charges, and said Hannity "does not use any Freedom Alliance Funds or Concert funds in any way."

Kilgannon's letter went on to say that "In 2008, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $6,745,717. Of that 79 percent ($5,317,970) was spent on Program Activities, 14 percent ($945,950) was spent on Fundraising (and) 7 percent ($481,797) was spent on Management." 

The organization's IRS Form 990 for 2008 states that it gave out 167 scholarships totaling $802,250, and 429 Cash Assistance grants to wounded servicemen and women, totaling $266,651. 

Of those 167 scholarships, only one - worth $1,500 - went to an Oklahoma student (the grants are listed only by the name of the college, in this case, the University of Oklahoma). 

If this charity was Left-leaning, you can bet not a dime of Freedom Alliance proceeds would go to an Oklahoma military family...the one state with every single country voting a majority for John McCain - and the only state where Obama didn't win a single county. Hubby and I, living here in Oklahoma, bought tickets priced just under the VIP seats. We had second row, left of stage, great seats. After paying the $125 ticket price ($146 with tax), we donated separately to Freedom Alliance.

CNS quotes Freedom Alliance:

Hannity “pays for all his own transportation, hotels, and all related expenses for himself and his family and friends and staff,” and that he “does not use any Freedom Alliance Funds or [Freedom] Concert funds in any way, period.

Hannity is a conservative. In New York he can register as a Conservative. His concert promotes conservative thought. Maybe Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, or Ed Schultz have personally given $1+ million for military scholarships?  Just asking...

The Freedom Alliance is accused of not paying for a full-four year scholarships.

We analyze the specific needs of each applicant in granting scholarships and consider many factors including whether the student is receiving other aid and what need the student has demonstrated.  Our scholarships are renewable for four years of undergraduate study if the recipient maintains a 2.0 grade point average.  The scholarships typically run up to $6,000 per year so some students cumulatively receive as much as $24,000 toward their college experience.  We are fortunate to assist these students who could not otherwise afford college without the scholarships.  

Tulsa World writer James D. Watts, Jr's article was typical Liberal drivel. We had a great event come to Tulsa and he did his best to discredit it. Once again, Mr. Watts, if you have participated in helping children of Military deceased or permanently injured get to college, just tell us about it. Why would you report what a blogger said when there are facts to dispute it? Oh yes...because you are a Liberal. We won't hold our breaths waiting for a Liberal event to support the troops or express any kind of patriotism.

Today, the day after the concert, a photo of Hannity and Charlie Daniels is published in The World with the title: "Freedom Concert: Republicans Gather." Darn right most of us were Republicans - but probably not all. Daylight will never dawn on a headline declaring Democrats gathered for a patriotic salute to the troops and the exceptionalism of America. Not going to happen. The photo accompanied Randy Krehbiel's piece claiming that the show "lured: Hannity fans. "Lured?" What an ugly and dishonest word. Is there an ounce of decency or honesty anywhere in the World offices?

On stage last night were two Obama supporters: Oklahoma Sooner coach, Barry Switzer - sounding like a true conservative, supported Democrat candidate for Governor, Jari Askins.  J.C. Watts, former OU quarterback, who led the Sooners to two National Championships and went on to be a Republican Congressman astonishingly also voted for Obama. From listening to Hannity's interviews with Watts, he was overwhelmed at the thought that a Black man might be president. From interviews, I doubt he will vote for Obama in 2012.  No matter how he votes, Sean Hannity is huge fan of pastor J.C. Watts.

J. C. Watts and Barry Switzer

Hannity threw out small, wussy footballs throughout the evening. The crowd loved it. Sean has developed quite a throwing arm. When J.C. Watts came to the stage, Hannity said they had a challenge going between the two of them: the longest ball of three tries wins. The winner donates $1,000. J.C. lost. When Switzer took the stage he defended his star quarterback saying Watts could chuck the ball out of the arena - and said he thought the contest was "fixed."

As I search the web for Liberal or Democrat charities supporting the military, I come up with zero. In the first place, Liberals believe government should take care of our charitable needs, and when Liberals do donate it is overwhelmingly for environmental, abortion and family planning, AIDs, animal protection, and civil rights disguised as "population planning." Yes, Hollywood shows up in places where there are foreign wars going on. They entertain the troops - an important mission. I just don't think they raise much money for the needs of the families of our military. I will gladly correct this if someone can point me to proof that Liberals raise money for Military families.

Michael W. Smith

Christian singer and songwriter Michael W. Smith spoke and sang. He told a couple of stories about George W. Bush. Smith sang at the 2000 inaugural, and was a visitor in the Oval Office. He started his program with the audience singing America the Beautiful. Michael introduced his wife, along with Jill Hannity. Sean said his "family" was there, and his son went on stage with him to pass the wussy footballs to Dad, and he threw a few himself. He is a sweet little replica of Sean. I'll only post a photo to show you the resemblance, even without seeing his face.

Sean Hannity's Son

Three recipients of scholarships were introduced, along with the Gold Star parents of a soldier who lost his life in Fallujah, Iraq.  I can't remember the name, I believe the last name was "Vincent." I hate it when I can't remember things like that.

There were so many highlights of the night. One was an awesome drum solo by Charlie Daniels' drummer, Pat McDonald - about a 5 minute solo. The second video below is of a similar McDonald's solo at California's Alameda Country Fair.

The evening was definitely a concert. None of the acts cheated the ticket holders. The reverb shook the floor from the time the first instrument was plucked. I could feel at the crown of my head - the entire night. This was my first time to see Lynyrd Skynyrd live. Rickey Medlocke didn't disappoint. See the photo above - see Medlocke's foot at about Van Zandt's waist - not bad for a 60-year-old. Van Zandt's voice was in fine form. Charlie Daniels will turn 74 in October and his voice is still extraordinarily strong. Olie talked about the troops, the many embeds he has had with them, and the times he has been asked by a dying Soldier, Sailor or Marine to "take care of my family."

A blog of the Tulsa World "lured" an abundance of pissy comments. On intimation is that not all that many attended the even at Tulsa's new Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center. I don't know how many were there but the room was full, with the exception of the seats directly behind the stage. The BOK holds about 17,000 for basketball games.

I get all of my news from the InterWeb. Hubby reads the Tulsa World for local sports and coming events. He never reads the editorials. Tulsa is a very conservative, extraordinarily beautiful city, which we consider a Nation's best-kept secret - yet we are plagued with this scummy newspaper.

Many thanks to Tulsa's KRMG radio, morning talker Joe Kelly and "most popular sports guy and charitable fund-raiser around," Rick Corey, for sponsoring this wonderful event. KRMG in Tulsa is the radio home of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz and Michael Savage. Laura Ingraham would be on KRMG if there was a daytime slot to fit into. I suggest Neal and his Liberal newser (Cox Radio Washington correspondent) Jaimie Dupree move on along and let Laura move in. My apologies to photographers everywhere. These are poor specimens except for the one I borrowed (see below) but remember the lights were strobing and the floor trembling and every opportunity for a great shot was interrupted by the onstage videographer stepping right in my viewfinder.




Charlie Daniels A Simple Man at the Grand Ole Opry (video) Pat McDonald Drum Solo (video)
Photo of Pat McDonald courtesy of Pen and Paige.
Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook

Iran Air 744 Secret Pipeline to US: Iran Air Iranian Agents Exclusive Flight

Iran Air 744 flies bi-monthly from Tehran to Caracas, with some stops in Damascus and Beirut, and has been doing so since February 2007. The flight is exclusively reserved for Iranian agents, Hezbollah, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard. A real concern is that Iran is "schooling" the Venezuelan military. U.S. intelligence believes the flight is a secret pipeline of weapons and spies coming to America, and perhaps uranium heading back to Iran on the Boeing 747SP.

Iran Air 744 

We are concerned about this flight, and how these agents might get into the U.S. from Caracas, Damascus and Beirut, or how staging sites may be established for attacks against us from Venezuela. Apparently we've watched this, and worried about it for 3-1/2 years.

Current and former U.S. intelligence official fear the flight is a shadowy way to move people and weapons to locations in Latin America that can be used as staging points for retaliatory attacks against the U.S. or its interests in the event Iranian nuclear sites are struck by U.S. or Israeli military forces.

"My understanding is that this flight not only goes from Caracas to Damascus to Tehran perhaps twice a month, but it also occasionally makes stops in Lebanon as well, and the passengers on that flight are not processed through normal Venezuelan immigrations or customs. They are processed separately when they come into the country," says Peter Brookes, senior fellow for National Security Affairs at the Heritage Foundation.

The 16-hour flight typically leaves Tehran and stops at Damascus International Airport (DAM), which is Syria's busiest. In 2009, almost 4.5 million passengers used the airport.

After a 90-minute layover, the flight continues the remaining 14 hours to Venezuela's Caracas Maiquetía International Airport (CCS). Upon arrival, the plane is met by special Venezuelan forces and sequestered from other arrivals.

"It says that something secretive or clandestine is going on that they don't want the international community to know about," says Brookes, a former deputy assistant defense secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs and CIA employee.

"The fact that there is a flight is of course of interest, but the fact that not anybody can gain access to this flight or buy a ticket for that flight is of particular curiosity and should be of concern to the United States."

In addition to speculation about who is aboard, there are significant concerns that the Boeing 747SP airplane might be transporting uranium to Tehran on the return flight. The U.S. government has enacted strong sanctions against Iran because of its nuclear program and there are worries the flight might provide an opportunity to skirt the embargo against materials that might be used for the program.

The major concern is the direct flight from Tehran to Caracas. The "special" passengers of Iran Air 744 "may not even need visas." 

Eric Holder MOVE Act Update: Still not Moving on Timely Ballots to the Troops

 Do you know that our troops apparently seldom get their election ballots in time to get their vote back to their precinct to be counted?  It has happened enough times that the Senate stepped in and passed the MOVE Act which requires every state to follow certain guidelines assuring that ballots be on their way to the Military 45 days before elections day. Are States planning to follow these guidelines - doesn't look like it. An "undue hardship" is the only way to opt out, but oh my, many are claiming they have such a hardship. Let me ask you, when we talk about our Military and the hardships they face, what possible qualifying hardship, other than a natural disaster that wipes out the precinct records, can be considered?

The Department of Justice, according to Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is allowing "waivers" to  certain states. I believe the Military and the American people deserve to know exactly what the hardship is- because after all, these elections roll around every two years.

Holder's Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich answered Cornyn today.

As of Wednesday afternoon [yesterday], 12 states had submitted waiver applications, Bob Carey, Federal Voting Assistance Program director told FoxNews.com through a spokeswoman.

The states are: Hawaii; New York; Delaware; Virgin Islands; Alaska; Washington; Maryland; Washington, D.C., Massachusetts; Wisconsin; Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

A Colorado secretary of state spokesman said Colorado also will be filing a waiver application by the end of the day.

Now let me ask again, how can a waiver be granted for anything less than a natural disaster? The DOD is the last word on approving or not approving the waivers - with the final decision made by August 29th. Will they lend a hand in this unsavory business? I can only guess and I don't like the first answer that comes to mind.

Cornyn's letter to Holder said "the statute does not create any discretion for the Executive Branch to decide whether or not to enforce its legal requirements." I say, name the hardship publicly. This is outrageous. Can we send these people to jail for voter fraud and intimidation - because that is what this is? Of all the many Zero Tolerance issues in this country, this is one that should apply.

Related and Background:
States Opt Out of Timely Ballots to Troops


Others Talking:
Bob Belvedere at The Camp of the Saints has  righteous outrage .

Move Act US Military Votes: DOJ Allows States to Opt Out of Timely Ballots to Troops

The MOVE Act ensures the votes of service men and woman serving overseas will receive their ballots in ample time to return their vote to their precinct (which did not always happen in the 2008 presidential election). Senator John Cornyn has sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder expressing his concern for the lack of action, and at issue is the DOJ allowing states to opt out of the mandate for timely ballots getting to the troops. Cornyn's letter says "the statute does not create any discretion for the Executive Branch to decide whether or not to enforce its legal requirements."

The MOVE Act

The result of the DOJ's alleged inaction in enforcing the act, say Eric Eversole and J. Christian Adams — both former litigation attorneys or the DOJ’s Voting Section — could be that thousands of soldiers' ballots will arrive too late to be counted.

"It is an absolute shame that the section appears to be spending more time finding ways to avoid the MOVE Act, rather than finding ways to ensure that military voters will have their votes counted," said Eversole, director of the Military Voter Protection Project, a new organization devoted to ensuring military voting rights. "The Voting Section seems to have forgotten that it has an obligation to enforce federal law, not to find and raise arguments for states to avoid these laws." 

The MOVE act requires states to send absentee ballots to overseas military troops 45 days before an election, but a state can apply for a waiver if it can prove a specific "undue hardship" in enforcing it.

Sen. John Cornyn,R-Texas – who co-sponsored MOVE – wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on July 26 saying he is concerned that the Department of Justice is allowing states to opt out of the new law

From Cornyn's letter to Holder [pdf]:

The MOVE Act requires states to mail unmarked absentee ballots to military and overseas voters at least 45 days before an election. This 45-day standard was statutorily mandated based on extensive Congressional evidence that any shorter period of time significantly burdens military and overseas voting rights. The bill allows states to apply for a waiver from the 45-day requirement, but only if at least one of three specific situations arises that renders the state "unable" to comply with that time frane. The waiver language is very narrow and very clear, just as it was intended to be.

How sick is this? How obscene is it that our DOJ would purposefully allow states to avoid getting ballots to our troops - and worse that we allow it to happen? Our DOJ is completely corrupt and our Republic is so broken.

Rush Limbaugh on Obama's Victory in Iraq Video

Speaking to a group of Veterans this week, Obama said there were patriots for the war, and patriots against the war, but there has been no daylight between either side on the support of the troops. Limbaugh sets the record straight.

"Watch Rush on video-cam as he goes back in time and exposes Obama's hypocrisy. Read more at The Daily Caller.


Limbaugh on Obama's Victory in Iraq (video)

Julian Assange Arrest Warning from White House? Bradley Manning Held in Secret Kuwait Jail?

Julian Assange, the Wikileaks editor-in-chief, says he has been warned by sources inside the U.S. government that he may be detained or arrested if he returns to the U.S.  The Drudge Report headline saying the source is from the White House is taken from a Telegraph headline - but there is nothing in the Telegraph article claiming the White House is involved. PFC Bradley Manning, a U.S. Army intelligence analyst, is under arrest for funneling the classified information to Wikileaks. Assange also says the U.S. is trying to "hide" Manning from effective civil representation in a secret Kuwait jail which is "a second Guantanamo Bay."

Julian Assange - Wikileaks

Assange says his government sources say he will be charged as a co-conspirator to espionage if he returns to the U.S. Wikileaks leaked 92,000 pages of classified military document about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with more to come. He claims he gave the information to the White House weeks before he posted the documents online, and he asked if there was anything the White House wanted redacted, but received no response. The White House basically said Assange was lying and they knew nothing about the documents.

The 39 year-old told journalists at the Frontline Club last night that US government insiders had informed him about discussions to charge him as a co-conspirator to espionage.

An Australian, Julian Assange, takes classified intelligence documents from a disgruntled member of the U.S. Military and is warned by our own government that he should not enter the U.S. I have to ask what is happening to our Military? They can't keep a PFC in line? Why did a PFC have access to classified documents, or at least the ability to retrieve them? And what is the real story? Are White House sources in touch with Assange or the State Department...what's up the Telegraph's headline?

Prudential Financial MetLife Denies Safety and Reasonable Interest Rates to Families with Deceased Military

Prudential Financial, Inc. "handles life insurance for the Department of Veterans Affairs. A Maryland mother received a package with information about her son's $400,000 account after his death in Afghanistan. Inside was what looked like a checkbook and a letter saying the money would be held in an interest-bearing account to give her time to decide what to do with the money. The short story is that the checkbook was not a checkbook. It was a draft, and once executed, Prudential Financial had to deposit funds into a Chase bank account before she could receive the money. The interest payment on the money was far below normal and the money is not held in a FDIC account. MetLife is involved in similar tactics. The bottom line, those grieving for their loved ones should move the money to their own FDIC, interest bearing account. How much has Prudential and MetLife made off of the death of soldiers, and how much has the cheated the families lost.

Prudential Financial and MetLife Scam Military Families

Prudential holds the money in it's Alliance Account. They tell survivors the money is put in a secure account. Neither Prudential nor MetLife Inc, the largest life insurer in the U.S., segregates death benefits into a separate fund.

Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential, the second-largest life insurer, holds payouts in its own general account, according to regulatory filings.

 ...the company [MetLife] was paying some survivors 0.5 percent in July while some others got 1.5 percent or 3 percent, depending on the age and origin of insurance accounts. The accounts don’t violate any laws, Madden says, and are authorized by New York state insurance law.

Insurance companies -- in addition to holding onto the money of survivors, paying them uncompetitive interest rates and giving them misleading guarantees -- may be violating a federal bank law. A 1933 statute makes it a felony for any company to accept deposits without state or federal authorization.

“There’s more than $25 billion out there in these accounts,” Baxter says. “A run could be triggered immediately by one insurance company not being able to honor its payout. The whole point of creating the FDIC was to put an end to bank runs.”

This type of "retained asset account" does not affect only military benefits. The retained asset account was "invented" to pay the insurer. These accounts can pay the insurer 1 to 3 points more than it pays out to survivors. There are so many of these accounts that state regulators cannot keep up with them, and other banks are involved. Read the whole story here.

Obama Cuts C-17 from Budget? Cutting C-17 loses 30,000 Jobs

While all is silent on the serious news of the Obama administration's latest outrages, and while the focus is on Fox News and Shirley Sherrod, Obama is signaling he will cut the budget for purchases of the C-17 used in military operations and humanitarian disasters. Some 30,000 jobs will be lost if the cut is made.

C-17

From The Daily Caller:

There is strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for maintaining and purchasing the widely versatile and highly capable C-17 airlifter. It is the only U.S. made military wide-body airlifter, and it is the most flexible and most capable airlifter in the world. The C-17 can perform strategic and tactical missions, and serve military and humanitarian functions. It can land on standard runways and austere remote dirt airfields anywhere around the world. It can airlift troops, equipment, and supplies on a moment’s notice, as well as perform medical evacuations.

Additionally, the C-17 is also the logistical backbone of emergency relief and humanitarian efforts worldwide. The C-17 was key in delivering timely aid to Haiti and Chile after earthquakes and helping with clean up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Simply stated, whether in time of war or peace, the C-17 is critically needed.

This is good news for our friends, the Russians and the French

...if the administration gets its way and effectively shuts down the C-17 program, just a few short years down the road we taxpayers will have to pay out billions to ramp up a new plane and production line or we’ll be forced to go to the Russians or the French in hopes that they will bail us out by selling us or leasing to us second-rate airlift aircraft.

Obama released details of his $3.5 trillion budget plan, with over $17 billion in proposed cuts. Republican Minority Leader, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) says the cuts "do not go far enough:"

Some of the savings would come from items such as shutting down production of the C-17 aircraft, canceling funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage program, cutting farm subsidies, ending some scholarship programs and reducing federal travel, among many others.

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) said the cuts are "a baby step....It's as if you took a teaspoon of water out of a bathtub while you left the spigot on at full speed...It's as if this were the Gobi Desert or the Sahara Desert, and you came along and you took a few pieces of sand."


George Landrith, the author of The Daily Caller piece linked above, compares the cut of the C-17 to a homeowner refusing to patch a hole in their roof to save $200 this month, and he notes that this move will cost more American jobs, as the C-17 provides 30,000 jobs in 44 states flowing $5.8 billion into the economy. 

Sarah Palin on Troopathon Video

Troopathon is underway and Sarah Palin was one of the Troopathon video guests. See that video below.

Troopathon 2010

Have your sent your care package yet? I know these are tough time, but if you can help this outstanding effort, please do. Go to Troopathon 2010 or better yet, help fellow blogger The Lonely Conservative who is Standing for our Soldiers on the Hot Air Troopathon team again this year. Last year The Hot Air Steamers raised $16,000 for our troops overseas. It takes no more than 3 minutes to have a package on its way.

It is all streaming live at Troopathon 2010. In the meantime, this video is Sarah talking to Troopathon host Melanie Morgan.






Sarah Palin on Troopathon (video)

Troopathon 2010 Remembering our Troops Streaming Live

My friend Karen at The Lonely Conservative is supporting Troopathon 2010. She is on the Hot Air Steamers team and last year this feisty group raised $16,000 for care packages for our troops overseas.

I just went to The Lonely Conservative, clicked her link that says "send a little comfort from home," chose my package, and it took about 3 minutes to complete my order, if that long.

Troopathon is streaming live at http://www.troopathon.org right now! the show is loaded with notables, and this minute Mark Levin is talking with Melanie Morgan. Watch it at Troopathon.



Melanie Morgan Troopathon 2010 (video)

Jeff Sessions Opening Remarks at Kagan Hearing Video

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) listed an astounding number of violations of Federal law committed by Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan. I am at a loss to understand how Democrats will find this woman, who has spent her professional life in activism, with complete disdain for the U.S. Constitution, qualified for this life-time position. The fact that she will end up on the Supreme Court and my children and grandchildren will live with her lack of integrity and contempt for the Rule of Law is heartbreaking. See the video below.

Elena Kagan

Here are a few of Sessions comments (paraphrased):

Kagan has less real legal experience of any nominee in at least 50 years.

Not only has she not been a judge, she has barely practiced law, and not with the intensity and duration that I think real legal understanding occurs.

Kagan has never tried a case before a jury

She argued her first appellate case just 9 months ago. There is no substitute of being in the harness of the law, handling real cases over a period of law.

Kagan has spent her career in policy and politics, mixed with law.

Her college thesis, Socialism in New York, bemoan socialism's demise.

Her Master's thesis noted the activist tendencies of the Earl Warren court - but said it could have done a better job justifying their activism.

Kagan left law for 5 years for politics.

Kagan was central figure in the White House Clinton-Gore effort to restrict gun rights.

She was the point person for the Clinton Administration effort to block Congressional restriction on partial birth abortions - the key person to convince Clinton to change his mind from supporting restrictions to opposing legislation that would ban it.

While at Harvarvd as the Dean, she reversed existing policy, and kicked military out of recruiting offices in violation of federal law. She punished our Military and demeaned our soldiers as they fought in two wars overseas.

Kagan joined 3 other law school Deans to write a letter in response to Senator Grahams legislation to establish procedures to determine who was an enemy combatant in the war on terror. She compared this legislation, which passed 84 to 14 as fundamentally the same as the lawless actions of a dictatorship. Gr

As Solicitor General for 1 year, her short tenure was not without controversy. In her first appellate argument that speech and press guarantees of First Amendment would allow Federal Gov't to ban publications and pamphlets discussing political issues before an election. [Session reminds her of Thomas Paines Common Sense]

As Solicitor General, Kagan approved filing of a brief  to SCOTUS asking that it strike down provisions of the legal Arizona Workers Act which suspends or revokes the businesses licenses of corporations which knowingly hire illegal aliens, even though Federal law expressly prohibits such hiring. She did this even after the liberal 9th Circuit upheld the law.

There is much more. I hope you will listen to the video. If you believe Kagan should be confirmed, please ask yourself why you want a judge who will attempt to change, at least the First and Second Amendments, refuse to define an enemy combatant and abort late-term babies?


Senator Sessions Opening Remarks at Kagan Confirmation (video)