Cry Me a River

Friday's Whine and Cheese is up at The Ward View. This one is a must see!!!

Jim Webb Surrenders!

Virginia Virtucon has the story.

"Webb forced to withdraw his ill-advised amendment to the supplemental spending bill yesterday that would bar any funds for military operations against Iran (S. Amdt. 692).....

Like I said...Jim Webb is having a bad week.

Technorati : Iran, Iraq, Iraq War, James Webb, Jim Webb
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One Day Left-PRESIDENTIAL MARCH MADNESS

Duncan Hunter needs your help. Watch this and contribute if you can.

Technorati : 2008, Duncan Hunter

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A Bad Week for Jim Webb - People are Talking!

Two major issues are rising from Sen Jim Webb's gungate. The first being the negligence shown in possessing and securing the weapon. The next being the Senator leaving a fellow Marine hung out to dry. BadRose calls it "Weapons of Staff Destruction" and I could not agree more. Leslie Carbone has "Leaving a Marine Behind" posted on her blog and it is a must read. Ms Carbone's words ring true on the character of Sen Webb. She also has " A Tangled Webb" that addresses the poor fashion in which Sen Webb has responded to this issue. Grumpy's Gripes noticed the quality of Ms Carbones work and posted "Leslie cuts right to the chase" My old buddy JC Wilemore, known as the Richmond DumDemocrat makes a special appearance in the comments and Grumpy spanks him in quick fashion. Careful Grumpy, JC may call you some names and threaten to take you to to court!

Charles over at Two Conservatives publishes his latest article from the Potomac News titled "Look Out! Webb's Got A Gun" I share Charles view as he writes:

"More seriously, his actions give support to the enemies of the Second Amendment. The common argument against allowing citizens to own guns is that people can't be trusted to handle them properly and to behave responsibly. James Webb is a senator, a trained Marine and a long-time NRA member. If anybody could follow the rules of gun ownership, it would be Webb."

Yes, you would think so Charles. His article also tells the story of a teacher who "forgot" about her gun. She was fired from her job and convicted of a felony. Will Sen Webb's staffer face the same judgment? Maybe he can hire JC Wilemore to defend him. Will justice be served to the elitist Webb and his staffer in the same fashion as the school teacher or are they above the law? People are talking about this and not many are happy with Webb's conduct.

Technorati : 2nd Admendment, Guns, James Webb, Jim Webb

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Bill Clinton Weakened America

I had to post this great article. How soon people forget. Duncan Hunter gets a shout out!

Bill Clinton Weakened America
-- by Michael Reagan

On Friday night, Rep. Duncan Hunter, former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and now its ranking Republican member, appeared on the Hannity and Colmes show on Fox, and I was astonished to hear him castigated for failing to see that our troops in Iraq needed equipment.
He was specifically challenged on matter of the alleged lack of body armor for our troops in Iraq, and the administration’s alleged failure to ensure that our troops had the protection the armor affords them.
Ignored were certain inconvenient facts such as the amount of body armor that was available under Bill Clinton, which was zero. Today under President Bush and thanks to Duncan Hunter’s work in the Armed Services Committee, which authorized the funds to purchase the body armor, the armed services have one million sets of body armor. That’s one million!
It’s puzzling to see the media ignore the disastrous cutbacks in our armed services that took place under Bill Clinton, and the extraordinary efforts of the Bush administration and Hunter’s committee to beef up our military.
Under Clinton, for example, the number of armored Humvees available to the military was a pitiful 1,300. Under President Bush it’s over 26,000.
And it was not just Clinton who sapped our strength – Congress under the Democrats has just turned thumbs down on the Pentagon’s request for $4.75 billion for the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles that can safeguard our troops from the IED explosions which are responsible for a large part of the deaths and wounding of our soldiers and Marines.
Instead of funding that vital request in the $124 billion supplemental bill passed this week, the Democrats were able to find billions for such things as subsidies for spinach farmers and the shrimp industry, but not a dime for a vehicle that could save the lives of thousands of our troops in Iraq.
It’s instructive to look at what happened to the 1st Cavalry Division under Bill Clinton and what its strength is today under George Bush.
In 2000, the division had three brigades, – M1A2 (base-design Abrams tanks, Bradley A2 (base-design tanks), the situational awareness of the battlefield was provided solely by soldiers on the ground calling in spot reports, communications were by line-of-sight radio, there was no armor protection for Humvees, there was no connectivity between services, and the brigades had a mere 1,600 radios.
In 2006, however, the division had four brigades with more maneuver-capable companies. They had the M1A2 System Enhancement Package including improved armor, independent thermal sights, and embedded digital command systems. Their Bradley A3 tanks had improved armor, and embedded digital command systems. Battlefield situational awareness was enhanced by unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles (UAVs) integrated by Army Battle Command Systems (Network Centric Warfare). Communications were by a digital command-and-control network, including satellites. All Tactical Wheeled Vehicles off the forward operating bases were to be armored and radios in a Brigade numbered 2,500.
The facts is that this president, along with Duncan Hunter and others, sought to give the military all the equipment they need because when they came in there was no equipment thanks to the skeltonizing of our armed forces under Bill Clinton.
Under Bill Clinton we heard such horror stories as our soldiers and sailors going without essential training because equipment was broken and there were no parts to fix it. There were reports of maintenance crews “cannibalizing” other pieces of equipment to make Band-Aid repairs on equipment that has worn out.
One observer warned that because no new tanks were purchased in 1995, there was a clear danger that by 2005 the tanks available would be older than the soldiers driving them. Thanks to President Bush and Duncan Hunter that was not allowed to happen.
Under President Clinton our military was drastically downsized. Under the new Democratic leadership in Congress our troops are now being denied the funding they need to prevail in Iraq.
Once again I have to ask why they want us to lose another war. Wasn’t losing in Vietnam enough?

---

_{Mike Reagan, the eldest son of the late President Ronald Reagan, is heard on more than 200 talk radio stations nationally as part of the Radio America Network. Look for Mike’s newest book, “Twice Adopted.” E-mail comments to Reagan@caglecartoons.com. ©2007 Mike Reagan.}

Secure your Gun

From 2006

A Pennsylvania legislator knew his gun was missing the night before a teenage neighbor was found shot to death next to it, but he and his family did not think to call police to report it missing, his attorney said Wednesday.(LINK)

With the Jim Webb gungate going on I want to inform you of what it means to secure your weapon. Did Jim Webb or his staffer follow any of these common rules? Here are few things from the Prince William Sheriff's office.

As a firearms owner, it is your responsibility to know how to properly handle any firearm you possess and to know how to secure your firearm(s) in a safe manner. The Virginia law holds adults accountable when children have access to guns. The estimated number of households with guns is as high as 40 percent. In 1999, 306 children died from an accidental shooting.

Options for securing your firearm:

1. Unload and disassemble your gun.
2. Lock in gun box, unloaded.
3. Chain or cable lock, unloaded.
4. Apply trigger lock, gun unloaded.
5. Ammunition should be locked in separate place.

"The security of your firearm is your responsibility. Failure to secure your firearm in accordance with the law attracts heavy financial penalties and possible loss of license. Stolen firearms could result in death or injury to members of the public. Be responsible. Secure that gun." That quote is from a Australian shooting club but I take it to heart. You should also. Now if we can get Sen Webb and his staff on board...

The NRA (Webb shoots at one their ranges) has this advice. Rule #3- ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. How to store you gun-Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. (People who will take them to Capital Hill)

Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

Some people will defend Webb and his negligent practices. They will go as far as say you are putting politics over 2^nd amendment rights. That is a crock. My 2nd Amendment rights come with the responsibility to be safe for myself, my family, and my neighbors. Anything less is unacceptable.

Check Out Leslie Carbone - BVBL - Tale Of The Donkey - The Mason Conservative

Technorati : Guns, James Webb, Jim Webb

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Jack Reid and Jim Webb – Hypocrisy?

Lets look at few posts and comments from the left about Jack Reid and guns.

"lawmakers should immediately change the law and ban guns from the state Capitol and other buildings at Capitol Square before someone gets hurt or killed." - The Howler.

This is about someone's personal integrity. Posted by: Brian Patton

"Dave, I'm not just a gun owner, I'm an advocate of gun ownership. I think part of being a responsible citizen is knowing how to use guns safely and, for many people, owning one." - Waldo.

"James, I don't think this is a partisan issue." Posted by: Not Larry Sabato.

"as a result of his negligence and lies, Delegate Jack Reid must resign or be removed from office." James Martin.

Follow the links to put this in context.

And lets look at Lowell Feld

Still, why on earth does Reid feel the need to "regularly [bring] his gun to the legislative session?" Here are a few theories:

1) He's secretly afraid of all those "girly men" liberals in the House of Delegates.
2) He wants to be prepared to defend the Capitol in case a bunch of enraged homosexuals storm the building.
3) He's worried that some day, inevitably, Bob Marshall will "go postal," and he wants to be ready.
4) He would hate to be left out of the action when the anti-immigrant "Minutemen" show up and decide to form a posse.
5) He only got an 83% positive rating from the National Rifle Association in 2005 and he wants to up his score to 100%.
Whatever the reason, Reid ended up apologizing, saying that "everyone has a right to feel safe here." Which is interesting, because I thought the argument made by gun enthusiasts is that more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens - let alone lawmakers themselves! - actually make people SAFER.

I wonder if these comments and posts apply to Sen Webb also. How much safer are people when Sen Webb does not secure his weapon Lowell? In both cases no one was hurt. Both incidents happened on State or Federal property. Both were instances of negligence and poor safety practices. The main difference is Reid accepted his responsibility and Sen Webb ....Well you know the story. No charges filed in Reid case. Man facing a felony charge with Webb's gun. Jack Reid stood up, Sen Webb squats.

Technorati : Guns

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Move The Confederate Museum

ImNotEmeril thinks so. I have to agree. Alton has listed some good locations that would most likely welcome the museum and the history. No apology necessary.

Technorati : Confederate, Virginia

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Webb Watch - True Colors

SENATOR'S AIDE CHARGED IN GUN RAP. An aide to Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) pleaded not guilty yesterday to possessing a handgun without a license following his arrest Monday when an X-ray machine at a Senate office building detected the gun and extra ammunition. The aide, Phillip Thompson, who like Webb is a former Marine, was not available for comment. But Webb said taking the weapon into the Senate "was completely inadvertent. " Thompson said he was carrying the handgun for Webb, which the senator declined to confirm or deny. The charge carries a prison term of up to 5 years. (LINK)

We all know Webb said he would not comment on the case because it was pending. He had no problem saying he did not give Phillip Thompson the gun. Heh. When asked if it was his (Webb's) gun, he declined to step up. What a guy..Born Squatting.

The Mason Conservative has a grasp on the reality of this event and what it means to REAL gun owners who are responsible with their weapons. He writes "I'm sure there are gun owners who read this, tell me. . . is not Sen. Webb simply embarrassing you by his carelessness? And if this is some shallow play at gun votes, are Webb's political backers greatly generalizing gun voters in the rural areas of the state? No gun owner would be proud of his actions." True that Chris!

Jerry has the RTD Editorial that attempts to defend Webb. Yes Jerry, I think the writer is on drugs. The best piece so far is by Dana Milbank in the WAPO. This one is worth the time to read as it describes Thompson's day in court. Pitiful. The man was abandoned by his fellow Marine as he stood in court:

Ordered to stand in a box marked off with frayed duct tape, he must have been too stunned to answer when the judge asked if he understood the charges. "You have to answer, sir," the judge told the silent defendant. "Do you understand?"

"Yes," he said quietly.

The official complaint has "The defendant stated that he was in possession of a pistol and two magazines belonging to Senator Jim Webb. The defendant further stated that he inadvertently left the gun that he was safekeeping from the previous days." Webb may be pleased to know that, according to the complaint, "the weapon was test fired and is operable."

There is much more than I will copy here.

Webb even hinted that he ignores the District law requiring handguns to be registered. Asked if he considered himself above D.C. law, he said: "I'm not going to comment in any level in terms of how I provide for my own security," he said. The senator was less forthcoming in his defense of Thompson. "He is going to be arraigned today," Webb said. "I do not in any way want to prejudice his case and the situation that he's involved in."

Prejudice the case? But wasn't it Webb's gun that his aide was carrying for him?(GO NOW TO READ ALL)

Jim Webb should face the same consequences in this as any other blue collar American. Jim Webb cuts loose his fellow Marine as he tries to save face. I encourage all of you to write your NRA rep and let them know Jim Webb does not represent responsible gun owners. Sure Thompson is at fault, but so is Jim Webb. This whole case started when Webb refused to secure his fully loaded weapon. Sure, we all make mistakes, but mistakes with guns carry a price. Scott at Scott's Morning Brew has a great post. Scott is a police officer and we writes "If it is in fact Webb's weapon and he has left his friend out there like that, he needs to re-evaluate his definition of friend. Because I wouldn't want one like that." Indeed. This incident is very telling about Sen Webb. His ego, his gun issues, and his character.All three stink to high Heaven. When Jim Webb campaigned he played on his roots are in SWVA. The SWVA I know and love puts God, Family, and Friends above all else. We see where Webb's priorities lie. More later about the hypocrisy from the left.

Concrete Bob at UCV has a few choice words.

Technorati : Guns, James Webb, Jim Webb

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Webb Watch - Jim Webb Declines to Comment

Jim Webb - I did not have sexual relations with that woman "I did not give the weapon" to Thompson, Webb said. And Webb, D-Va., said he would not discuss the specifics of the case involving Thompson, who was due to be arraigned later today. Some news accounts have said Thompson told police the weapon was Webb's, but Webb would not address that issue. (Link)

The WAPO has the video. This is unreal. Jim Webb says he needs to defend himself but he does not know who has his gun? Wait...The staffer lied about it being Webb's gun? Wait...Webb gave him the gun on Friday at the airport so he had the weapon all weekend? What are they hiding? This story is growing.

I carry all the time. I know where every weapon I own is at all times. I do not not loan my guns to friends or family and I have never been asked "Hey Kilo, care if I borrow your Colt 1911? Why sure Jim let me load it up for ya! Here take a couple extra mags in case you need to throw down. Hell, just keep it all weekend" No sir. That is not going to happen. You will never hear me say "Where is my gun" because it is my responsibility to know where it is at all times.

Alton says He don't need no stinking Gun bearer. BVBL has a good post up also! So does Virginia Virtucon. Check them out.

Technorati : 2nd Admendment, Guns, Jim Webb

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Webb Watch Update - Who Do We Believe?

Jim Webb on CNN said he did not give the staffer the gun.

Staffer said Webb gave him the gun at airport.

Something here is not adding up.

Technorati : Guns, Jim Webb, Laws

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Webb Watch – Day Two - Do You Know Where Your Pistol is Sen Webb?

Read day one here. The story is being covered by every news group (150 articles on google alone) while Sen Jim Webb remains silent. No surprise there. Could it be "The Butler Did It"? Could be, but Jim Webb remains silent. "Earth to Webb"! Part of gun ownership is safety. Riley points out how "Webb-O dont know gun safety". Basic NRA safety rules were ignored by Sen Webb.

Stand up Sen Webb. Turn in your permit and admit to being negligent with your weapon.

Some fools on the left are trying to defend Webb. The hypocrisy of this is most of them support the ridiculous gun laws in DC while supporting the negligent Webb and his staffer. Hilarious! We support Webb but not the law abiding everyday citizens right to pack heat. Sen Webb gave possession of his loaded registered pistol to a man who chose to break the law. This is a gun, forgetting and I did not know is not a excuse. Is Webb above the law? Time will tell. One thing for sure is his staffer spent the night in jail and faces a judge today and Sen Webb remains silent.

Technorati : Guns, Jim Webb, Laws

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Emmett Hanger – EEEEE AWWWW

VCAP has the new radio ad that Virginia Conservative Alliance is running against Senator Emmett Hanger. This ad is very good. Listen here. Be prepared, Conservatives are going to make stand.

Technorati : Virginia Politics

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The Virginia Blog Carnival

Good blogging over at Good Sense! The VBC is live on the Internets.

Technorati : Blog Carnival, Bloggers, Blogging, Blogs, Virginia Blog Carnival

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Webb Watch – Do You Know Where Your Pistol is Sen Webb?

Do You Know Where Your Pistol is Sen Webb? Apparently not. Part of gun ownership is you are responsible for your weapon. When you obtain a concealed carry permit that responsibility increases, as it should.

Jim Webb has a concealed carry permit. Was this pistol on his person? No, it was in a bag. That is troubling in itself. What good is that for self protection? Maybe a little ego booster for Sen Webb? Was the gun loaded? Who knows, but if it was that is even more negligent. Sen Webb gave or let another person have his weapon. Is that against the law? I don't know, but it is dang sure is stupid.

The bottom line is Sen Webb should lose his concealed carry permit. Not knowing or forgetting is no excuse. He failed the competency test. First, the weapon should never have been in a bag, but on his person. When he chose to carry the weapon he accepts the responsibility of keeping that weapon secure. Sen Webb did neither.

Hand in your permit Sen Webb. You give responsible gun owners a bad name.

Technorati : Guns, James Webb, Jim Webb, Laws

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Could you have watched this happen?

Watching this video at Leslie Carbone's blog is a must. This video could get her banned from Waldo's site. Freedom of speech indeed. Since when is setting a fire using a propellant in a public place legal? It seems to me public safety was at risk. You can find more about this event here. It was also reported that a man dropped his pants and defecated on the flag.

Perhaps the most disturbing scene of the afternoon, however, involved the man who pulled down his pants in front of women and children and defecated on a burning U.S. flag. This disgusting act actually elicited cheers from some members of the crowd, but we hope that the emotion it produces in the community is one of revulsion.(LINK)

I cant imagine witnessing this in person. The list of charges brought against me would be long. Assault and battery with the intent to maim or disfigure.....I am honestly saying I don't think I could stand by and watch this happen. My thoughts on Flag Burning and such are well known. Freedom of speech is one thing, but the Supreme Court messed up when they said this act of flag burning was freedom of speech. This confuses acts with speech. I thank God I will never be faced with this here in Wise, Virginia. Watch the Video and have a nice day.

Technorati : Anti War Protest, Idiots
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Car of Tomorrow vs Cake of Tomorrow

Yesterday the Car of Tomorrow (COT) raced at Bristol. I guess it is now the car of today....or yesterday? I don't know. Die hard NASCAR fans, myself included, have not been thrilled with the COT but the race at Bristol proved those thoughts wrong. The race yesterday had 160,000 fans in attendance. There were 14 lead changes among 10 drivers and 15 cautions for 90 of the 504 laps. Time of the race was 3 hrs, 16 mins, 38 secs with a average speed of 81.969 MPH. The margin of victory was 0.064 seconds with Kyle Bush taking the win. My driver Jeff Burton finished 2^nd . Burton could have tapped Bush out of the way, but being a class act he raced clean for the points. He now sits in 2^nd place in the points and is only 3 points behind the leader Jeff Gordon (Picture here)

The COT impressed me. I saw drivers and teams working their butts off. They will race them again this week at Martinsville. I am looking forward to it. There is one thing - They need to paint the wing on the car to match the scheme. As my friend Alton said it reminded him of the young kids cars today and all they needed was boom de boom stereos. I agree.

The Cake of Tomorrow is awesome. Wise Girl outdid herself with this one. Yes, she did move up a notch or two. I think the car and the cake are both winners.

Technorati : Bristol, Bristol Motor Speedway, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, NASCAR, Race, Racing

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Dream Ticket

There is a lot of talk about Fred Thompson running in 08. That is good news for conservatives. I'm sticking with Duncan Hunter. Below is what I consider my Dream Ticket. Clicking the titles will take to the candidates On The Issues page.

For President

Duncan Hunter is a Moderate Conservative.

For Vice President

Fred Thompson is a Moderate Populist Conservative.

Technorati : Duncan Hunter, Military, War, War on Terror

Webb Watch - Jim Webb - Populist?

This is funny. The headline is "Virginia Senator Jim Webb Helps Defeat Tax on Millionaires" Good for Jim! Here is a little treat:

The self-proclaimed populist from Virginia, freshman Senator Jim Webb, joined 10 other Democrats to ensure the defeat of a measure that would have restored the income tax for 0.3% of us who earn more than US$1Million annually.

Bernie Sanders wants Millionaires to pay taxes again - the way they used to before their boy Bush took the Oval Office, but congress won't have any part of it. It's not surprising that every single Republican in the Senate voted against his bill, which would use the restored taxes on 0.3% of the tax base to provide a form of tax relief for the middle class - but they were joined by 11 Democrats who should be remembered the next time primaries come around.

One of the "Democrats" who voted against the tax relief meaure described in David Sirota's article below is Jim Webb, whose election in Virginia was hailed as a populist victory. Webb justified his conservative stance on many issues by claiming to be a populist restoring the Democrats rightful hold on a state where many people struggle to make ends meet.

That's not going to change with Webb in the Senate: his populist showboating ended with an interview in the New Yorker: he's just as much of a Republican as he was when during the Reagan years and has no loyalty whatsoever to the common man for whom taxes remain a burden second only to death.

The Democrats need a candidate in Virginia, a candidate who is a Democrat. (READ ALL)

The Raising Kainers wanted him, they got him. I am looking for Lowell and Josh to post about this. Looks like the populist Jim Webb loves him some millionaires too. Hang in there Jim....They love ya one minute...They hate ya the next. Lets look ahead......Webb runs for reelection as Republican? Hahahaha!

HR 1591 - Democrats Weaken America

The emergency spending bill ( H.R.1591) that sets a time line for our mission in Iraq contains a lot of pork. The big bad pig is not the scary thing though. Look at page 72 of this bill.

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be used to deploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the chief of the military department concerned has certified in writing to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Armed Services at least 15 days in advance of the deployment that the unit is fully mission capable.

Yes, take a breath and read that again. Duncan Hunter was on CNN before the vote making the case of how this cripples our military.

HARRIS: How are you going to vote?

HUNTER: I'm voting no. And everybody, Democrat and Republican, should vote no on this bill. And there's a very strong reason to do that.

This bill requires something we've never required of our forces since we were a nation, and that is that no unit can be sent into Iraq even as reinforcements without waiting for 15 days after notification to Congress. And that could mean you could have a life-and-death situation in Iraq where you have to send in reinforcements, where you have to send in specialties like bomb squads or IED teams to go in and protect our troops. And for the first time in our nation's history, you have to wait, you have to send notice to my committee, wait for 15 days.

Two weeks can be a lifetime for our soldiers in the field.

HARRIS: Yes.

HUNTER: This is a bad piece of legislation.

Take a minute to read the whole transcript here. If want to talk about pork check this out. Democrats in control and our military will suffer. Can you imagine waiting 15 days for reinforcements? Don't try to spin it because the language is clear. Democrats want congress to manage troop movements. Micro manage the war, wait 15 days to act.....For those who care - My congressman, the feckless Rick Boucher voted yes

Enjoy your moment Democrats. The troops will remember.

Technorati : Duncan Hunter, Military, War, War on Terror

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Kilos Favorite things

If you were going to ask for a list of Kilos favorite things you would discover these four things very near the top: NASCAR, Jim Beam, coffee and chocolate. I'll not tell you where I am on that list but I am certain when I finish with this I will move up a spot or two. I am going to mix all four of these things together to create one happy man!

Nascar Cake of Tomorrow

1 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ C strong coffee
½ C Jim Beam
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
1 C granulated sugar
1 C brown sugar
1 C mini chocolate chips
2 C flour
1 1/2 teas. baking soda
¾ teas. salt
¼ teas. pepper (Im thinking of using cayanne pepper here instead)
1/8 teas. ground cloves
3 eggs plus one egg white
2 teas. Vanilla

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°. Butter a 10-inch springform pan, dust with 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and place on a baking sheet.
2. In a saucepan, whisk together the coffee, Jim Beam, butter and 3/4 cup cocoa powder over low heat. Whisk in the granulated and brown sugars. Let cool. In a small bowl, toss the chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
3. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, pepper and cloves. Whisk the eggs, egg white and vanilla into the cooled coffee-chocolate mixture. Whisk in the flour mixture. Fold the cocoa-dusted chocolate chips into the batter.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out just slightly moist, about 1 hour. Let cool. Dust with the remaining 1 tablespoon cocoa powder before serving.

Now don't you wish you were going to be watching the Bristol race with Kilo and me? It is hard to tell which will be better, the cake or the racing in those new cars of tomorrow? I can't wait.

Technorati : Chocolate, Coffee, Jim Beam, Nascar, Recipe

A Challenge

Chris from Spank the Donkey has signed up at Bloggers for Hunter. Chris has issued a challenge saying he is giving $25 a payday to the Hunter campaign. Check out his post here. Well Chris, my check is in the mail. Like myself, Chris is convinced Duncan Hunter is the true conservative candidate in this race. He understands the importance of getting him on the ticket and is putting his money where his mouth is. I hope other conservative bloggers will contribute to the campaign. Click here to do that!

Duncan Hunter - Strong National Defense, Enforceable Borders, and A Two Way Street on Trade.

Technorati : 2008, 2nd Admendment, Duncan Hunter, Election

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The Great Divide

Staff Sgt Michael Elkins is a Marine from Pound, Virginia. President Bush called the marine Monday to thank him for his service. The Wise County native said:

"He thanked me for my services. He asked me if I was seeing a significant change from my last deployment, and I told him to stay the course. We were making significant progress in my opinion and in the opinion of my fellow Marines."

Many people talk about the divide over this war. As long as we have folks like Staff Sgt Michael Elkins I will support the effort. The divide is uncalled far. Rhonda Winfield, who lost her son in Iraq, wrote this letter to Cindy Sheehan. The letter speaks for many Americans.

Dear Cindy,

I am Rhonda Winfield, mother of LCPL Jason C. Redifer, USMC, who bravely and proudly gave his life for this country on January 31, 2005. I am still very much in the raw stages of my grief and have been extremely affected by the message you are sending out to our fellow Americans, as well as the rest of the world. I have watched ,day by day ,as you have continued to camp outside of our President's home in Crawford, Texas. I have listened to you explain to the media that you are the moral voice of America because yours is one of a mother who has lost a child. You present yourself as the true voice of those who have paid the most significant price of war and indicated that you are the spokeswoman for the broken souls of all grieving mothers. You were not, however, the recipient of the next of kin notice delivered to my household and while we perhaps share many emotions at this time, you do not speak for me.

While I defend a democratic system that allows our citizens to freely speak our minds, question our leaders when we disagree with their representation and hold those same individuals accountable for the decisions they make, I feel you have crossed the line. The final moment of tolerance came when you participated in erecting a display of crosses bearing the names of each felled service member whose lives have been given in Iraq to pay the price for such a freedom. You exercise the rights which they have purchased for you, only to disrespect and degrade what they held high enough to die for and what you value so little as to exploit. While casualty numbers are facts, you have crossed a moral boundary in using the name of my son, as well as many others to promote an agenda that he would be no part of. It is more than enough that his life was given to continue your ability to do just that very thing, if as an American you saw fit to do so. Must you further the pain of that fact for our family by soliciting his sacrifice for your purpose. He believed in nothing you stand for and it saddens my heart beyond words to know that he is, in death, being used as a pawn to empower your message.

My son was only 19 years old but knew what a precious gift freedom was and valued it enough to lay his young life down for that very thing. He volunteered for his duty knowing that there is always a human cost of war. He also was wise enough to understand that there would ultimately be a far greater human cost to avoiding this war. Let me remind you that Americans were attacked on our soil. Innocent countrymen whose only crimes were going about their daily lives were murdered that September morning and the evil forces that orchestrated and supported those horrific events, as well as the others that yet await us, must not be allowed to prevail. Jason knew that these terrorists must be engaged on their soil before we were forced to defend ourselves against them again on our own. He valiantly served to keep this from the doorsteps of our children.

We may not agree on the reasons that we are engaged in Iraq but we are there fighting nonetheless. Anti-American sentiment cannot be perpetuated by insisting on the rapid withdrawl of our troops. The message that would be sent to the entire globe would have ramifications of a magnitude too severe for us to even comprehend as we sit here in our free, comfortable homes pontificating the current state of things. American troops have a job to finish there and they must remain until they do.

Cindy, I have spent many hours with the survivors of the incident that took my son, as well as many other brave young men whom I've met while visiting Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I have watched the tears roll down their faces as they have watched the coverage of events that they have lived depicted in the media. My son's unit fought for six months in the "triangle of death", just south of Bagdad. Nine days before they were to return home, and on the final patrol of their mission, they were killed by an IED. The only two survivors of this brutal attack were not even aware of the details for weeks. They awakened after many surgeries and difficult medical procedures to be informed that they were the only survivors. They were obviously unable to even attend the funerals of the three men that had become such an important part of their lives. They remain hospitalized to this day. They will not only struggle with their physical disabilities but the emotional demons that will haunt them for the rest of their days. They do not understand why their lives were spared when their brothers were taken. They know only one thing for certain. They know this is not something that can ever be allowed to come to our streets. Please don't cheapen that degree of sacrifice, patriotism and selflessness by insinuating to America that you speak for us.

Without dispute, our sons were part of the price paid for our freedom to speak our minds. We both honor them by exercising those rights. Let's make sure we further honor them by speaking a message they would be proud of. We don't have to agree to be right in doing so. We all want our nation's children removed safely from harm's way. Let us unite in encouraging America to pray for a speedy victory, not a rapid withdrawl. Let us together remind our country that we are the Land of the Free, Because of the Brave and let us strive to remember that we are "one nation, under God". Freedom is never free. As it is said, "For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know." Jason and Casey know.

I am sincerely,

Rhonda L Winfield

You can buy Rhonda's book here. I mourn for the Winfield family. I also agree with this quote:

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

---George S. Patton, Jr

I thank God for men like Staff Sgt Michael Elkins and LCPL Jason C. Redifer.

Technorati : Iraq, Iraq War, Islamic Extremism, War, War on Terror

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Duncan Hunter and the 2nd Admendment

Via Raven at And Rightly So! we find a blog interview with Duncan Hunter on the Second Amendment-the right to keep and bear arms. The blog A Keyboard and a 45 has the scoop. He asks Hunter five good questions about gun laws. Here is the fifth.

5. If you are elected President of the United States, how would your presidency affect firearm owners?

"As President, I will not sign any treaty that impedes, in any way, the Second Amendment rights of Americans.

Only judges who have a demonstrated commitment to interpret the Constitution as our founders intended will be nominated to the federal bench.

I would ask Congress to send me for my signature, legislation to repeal the D.C. gun ban, legislation to allow reciprocity among states with concealed carry rights and other pieces of legislation to restore rights that prior administrations have eroded.

In fact, I authored the Hunter amendment, Roll call 241 in 1999, to allow DC residents to keep and bear arms."

I will add that Duncan Hunter has a A rating from GOA. He has been rated A+ by the NRA.

Technorati : 2nd Admendment, Duncan Hunter, Guns

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Mr. Supersonic Endorses Duncan Hunter

Chuck Yeager is a true American hero. He has The Right Stuff. Born in rural Myra, West Virginia he became a fighter ace in WW2:

During World War II, General Yeager distinguished himself in aerial combat over France and Germany during the years 1943-1945 by shooting down 13 enemy aircraft, five on one mission, including one of Germany's first jet fighters. On March 5, 1944, he was shot down over German-occupied France but escaped capture.(LINK)

Then on Oct. 14, 1947, when he became the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound. His awards include:

The Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished FlyingCross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with V device, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon. He is a command pilot and has flown more than 10,000 hours in 155 different types of military aircraft.(LINK)

Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager was awarded the Special Congressional Silver Medal in 1976. Today he is supporting Duncan Hunter for President. He will serve as Honorary Chair of the Congressman Duncan Hunter for President Committee. He writes:

To my Fellow Americans,

Congressman Duncan Hunter is the best candidate for President of the United States of America that I know - he has integrity, tenacity, courage, and diplomacy. He is intelligent and thoughtful, does his research, and acts on it.

I have known Congressman Duncan Hunter for over 35 years. Duncan served his country in the Army and is a Vietnam vet. In Vietnam, he served in one of the most dangerous outfits - the 173^rd Airborne Brigade and the 75^th Army Rangers.

Duncan Hunter is the former and very effective Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and I am proud to be the Honorary Chair of the Congressman Duncan Hunter for President Committee.

Chuck Yeager

Duncan Hunter is asking for your support. Chuck Yeager is asking you to support him. Give what you can to the true conservative candidate - Duncan Hunter. He has The Right Stuff !

Technorati : 2008, Conservatives, Duncan Hunter

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Bill Bolling named Honorary Chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governor’s Association

Great news for Bill Bolling! The Lt Gov is receiving some nation wide recognition for his leadership.

BOLLING NAMED CHAIRMAN OF REPUBLICAN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor to head up RLGA efforts to elect Republicans across America

March 19, 2007

Richmond - Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling, has been named Honorary Chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governor's Association. The RLGA is a part of the Republican State Leadership Committee, a national organization based in Washington, DC.
The Republican Lieutenant Governor's Association was formed in 2004 with the mission of electing more Republican Lieutenant Governor's nationwide. Of the 43 states that have a Lieutenant Governor, Republicans currently hold 21 of these seats.

"I am honored that my colleagues have asked me to serve as Honorary Chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governor's Association," Lieutenant Governor Bolling said. "I look forward to working with them to elect more Republican Lieutenant Governors across the nation in the years to come.
As Honorary Chairman of the RLGA, Bolling will work with the Association's staff and Executive Committee on fund raising and strategic matters.

Other members of RLGA's Executive Committee include Lieutenant Governor's Casey Cagle of Georgia, Peter Kinder of Missouri, Andre Bauer of South Carolina and Ron Ramsey of Tennessee.
Bolling, who was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2005 after serving ten years in the State Senate, also serves on the Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governor's Association.

Bolling also has a great op-ed in the Washngton Times today on transportation.
Technorati : Bill Bolling, Republican, Republicans, Virginia, Virginia Politics

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Democratic Controlled Congress Sucks

Via The Red Stater we have this from Right Wing News.

According to Gallup's monthly update on job approval of Congress -- in a March 11-14, 2007, national poll -- 28% of Americans approve of the job being done by Congress and 64% disapprove. This marks a substantial change from January and February, with approval down nine points and disapproval up nine points.

The control change happened and Americans are regretting it. Congress

Technorati : Congress., Democrats, Suck

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Duncan Hunter Can Win With Your Help

Some people say Duncan Hunter cant win. I say that is crap. Watch this 2 min clip and join the grassroots campaign to help Hunter win! Support the true conservative candidate.

Technorati : 2008, Conservatives, Duncan Hunter

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Saddened

A couple of things saddened me today and I want to share. Blogger Cathy Siepp is dying. As a long time reader of Cathy's World my heart breaks for her and her family. Her daughter writes "Thanks to everyone who posted. As of 7:45am this morning she is still breathing and pulsing but is passing peacefully." Cancer is a bitch....

My friend The Red Queen is also having a tough day. Her daughter Jess passed away 10 years ago today. Take a minute to read Ten Years Passed.

I am sure both these families would appreciate a comment. Reading politics does not seem that important today....

Technorati : Bloggers, Blogging, Blogs, Death

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Duncan Hunter – RINO Hunting

The Free Republic header reads

Lugar, Hunter Lock Horns on Threat Reduction (Duncan throttles a RINO)
Click over and check it out. The CTR waisting $200 million is amazing. Duncan Hunter is bringing this fact out. Standing strong against a RINO like Lugar. We need Duncan Hunter.

Technorati : 2008, Duncan Hunter

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Chad Dotson - The Robe

Judge Chad Dotson in The Robe. I think Wise County is a better place.

NASCAR....I Love Racing!

Check out my spiffy new widget on the sidebar. Cool Huh! You can get one here. The One Bad Wheel.Com site was found by Wise Girl. It is a great site for Fantasy Racing, Driver Stats, Track Stats, Race Stats, Webmaster Tools, History & Trivia, and a NASCAR Blog. It is easy to navigate so give it a look. The widget installed easily and comes in many different designs. The site owner asks that you email him if you use one and he then adds you to his blogroll. We are counting down to Bristol!

Technorati : Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR, Racing

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The Virginia Blog Carnival

The Virginia Blog Carnival is Up.

Technorati : Virginia Blog Carnival

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Duncan Hunter blogs at The Captains Quarters

Another great piece by Duncan Hunter is up at The Captains Quarters. He addresses the troop reinforcement in Iraq. Duncan Hunter in 08!

Technorati : 2008, Blogging, Duncan Hunter

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United Conservatives of Virginia

The UCV crew is back from protecting the memorials in DC. They have some great posts up here, here, and here. The latest post is here. Great job UCV crew!

Technorati : Anti War Protest, Gathering of Eagles, United Conservatives of Virginia

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VCAP endorses Scott Sayre in the 24th District

VCAP has endorsed Scott Sayre over Senator Emmett Hanger in the 24^th district. This cant be good news for Hanger. The release pounds this home:

"Emmett Hanger has completely failed his constituent families on the issues that impact their pocketbooks, lifestyle, and economic prosperity. Hanger has also financially hindered parents from exercising their authority to make the best educational choices for their children," said DeJarnette.

"It is time the 24th district had a Senator who ardently defends all their interests, including their pocketbooks! It is a betrayal to his constituents and Party to continually side with liberal Democrats on tax increases, and it is even worse to claim these are 'tax reforms' that will benefit the District. Voters in the 24th are smarter than that," said Robin DeJarnette.(LINK)

Big ouch for Hanger. This should make for a interesting primary.

Technorati : Conservatives, VCAP, Virginia, Virginia Politics

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I'm just Kilo

This weeks carnival is a good example of why I blog. The hostess set the guidelines to three subjects to write about. This is the exact reason I started to blog-To be free of rules. I was taking a few classes and writing a lot of technical papers for work. Writing tech papers is very confining. I started blogging as a release. No spell check. No grammar rules. On Spark It Up that still holds true. It never was about hits. I have other blogs that reach a much greater audience the SIU. My blog of poetry is well read but that is another story. I have my small return audience and that is what I care about. I don't break stories and I don't gossip. I will not spend my day making calls and gathering info. I have a real life and a real job that requires most of my attention. I am not a ego blogger. Where I live 99% of people do not know what the word blog means. Being a good blogger gains me zero points in the coalfields. Blogs hold no power over politics in my area. Grass roots face to face conversations are the ticket here. In those circles I am well known. There is nothing I write here that I would not say in person. Those who have met me know that to be true.

The future of this blog is simple. As long as I find it fun I will blog. I have met some great people while blogging. I have also been called names and told I would be sued. I have been linked by the MSM for some things I wrote about coal mining. I have been ridiculed and praised, loved and hated. I don't lose sleep over blogging. No one should.

One of my favorite posts is 1/22/1965. I will add Warm Blues and this tribute to a old friend. One of the most important things to me can be found here. If you click the links I provided you will get to know me well. Nothing fancy, just a simple country boy they call Kilo with my view of life from the coalfields.

Technorati : Blog Carnival, Bloggers, Blogging, Blogs, Virginia Blog Carnival

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