Posted by Request (on thebosunlocker.blogspot.com)

Worth Mentioning from "A Soldier's Perspective"

Read this from the AP: Police to protect vandalized home of fallen soldier.

If that angers you to high heaven, if you care, then channel your feelings into action and show your support for the soldier's family: Letter writing request. It is the right thing to do for a family who has lost a son defending this country, and then having citizens of this country violate his home.

It would be nice if everyone would spread the word and post this onto their blog.Also, take a look at the Iraqi Index of Violence. Apparently, despite even the violence in wake of the thousand year old golden dome of the Al Askariya shrine, February experienced the lowest fatality rate for U.S. troops in 5 months. Reported by Antimedia.

A Glance Back into History and Memories

USS HAMLIN (AV 15) Seaplane Tender

Hamlin (AV-15) was launched by Todd Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma. Wash., 11 January 1944, sponsored by Miss Constance Taffinder, daughter of Rear Admiral S. A. Taffinder; and commissioned 26 June 1944, Captain G. A. McLean in command.

Hamlin conducted shakedown drills off California until 16 August 1944 when she departed San Pedro for the Pacific. Arrived Pearl Harbor 24 August, the ship loaded aviation gasoline and supplies and got underway 29 August for Eniwetok. She unloaded cargo and passengers there and continued to recently won Saipan, arriving 11 September to take up her plane-tending duties. During this period, seaplanes tended by Hamlin were making important contributions to the Pacific fighting by engaging in reconnaissance, hunter-killer operations against submarines, and air coverage of fleet cripples. She moved to Ulithi 11 October and back to Saipan anchorage 29 December 1944, all the time continuing her vital support of plane operations. Hamlin's aircraft protected the cruisers Houston and Reno, damaged 14 October off Luzon and flew photographic missions and rescue flights as the Navy pressed home the ever-mounting attack on Japanese held territory.

The operation next on her schedule was Iwo Jima, necessary to safeguard lines of communication and provide a base from which fighters could protect B-29's in bombing missions over Japan. Hamlin proceeded 15 February to Guam for fuel oil and two days later departed for Iwo Jima. She arrived 2 days after this historic and bitterly contested landing had begun, and with two other tenders established a floating seaplane base from which search and rescue missions were performed.

Debris and off-shore gunfire prevented the establishment of the seadrome until 24 February, and Hamlin worked under the handicap of large swells and congestion of' the sea areas around Iwo Jima. The ship also experienced numerous air raids during this operation, but suffered no damage. She got underway for Saipan 8 March 1945 and after another voyage to Guam, she returned to prepare for the Okinawa operation and the largest seaplane tending job of the war.

Hamlin sailed 23 March from Saipan for Okinawa, the first step prior to the home islands in the long campaign across the Pacific. Her commander wes designated Commander, Seaplane Base Groups. The tenders arrived Kerama Retto, west of Okinawa, 28 March, the day after it had been secured and 4 days before the main landings on Okinawa. During the operation, Hamlin's planes provided long-range search, antisubmarine patrols, and airsea rescue services, even providing aviation gasoline and luboil to battleships and cruisers. Her work was performed amid nearly constant air attack by Japanese suicide planes, and, though many ships in the anchorage were damaged by repeated attacks, Hamlin fought off all attacks without injury.

The tender group shifted its base of operations to Chimu Wan Okinawa, 11 July. After the surrender of Japan, Hamlin and other tenders got underway to assist in the occupation 16 August, anchoring in Yokosuka harbor 30 August. She began tending seaplanes on patrol over Japanese home waters 2 September, and was anchored in the harbor when the historic surrender was signed on board Missouri.

Hamlin returned to California following a short period in Japan and decommissioned at San Diego 15 January 1947. She went to reserve with the San Diego Group and remained there until September 1962 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration, under Navy ownership, and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Calif. She was struck from the Navy List 1 July 1963.

Hamlin received three battle stars for service in World War II.

You may be wondering why I have a photo and history of a US Naval Vessel on my Blog. You see this particular vessel has, shall we say, special meaning to a certain person in my family; MY FATHER. So why is it on the Blog? Well, there are two different reasons. The first being that this is the month (actually started in February) that Iwo Jima was declared secure after a fierce last ditch attack by the Japanese took place on March 25. The second reason is that my father served on this ship during the Battle at Iwo Jima, he was a mere child of 19 or 20, but before the war would end he would be a man in more ways than one.

My father, and the Hamlin also went on to take part in the battle for Okinawa, and was anchored in Yokosuka harbor when the surrender was signed on the USS Missouri ending the war with Japan. I know that this is not Veterans Day or any "special" day, but with him having his place in history as being a member of the "Greatest Generation", I felt compeled to at least post something.

I have shared many conversations with my father about his service in WWII, and 'Nam. But the experience that affected him the most was the battle of Iwo Jima. He lost many a friend during this assualt on volcanic ash, in the middle of the pacific. Many good men died pushing back the Japanese before their surrender, but this is the only battle that he has ever recalled that has brought tears to his eyes. My father served a little over 30 years in the Navy. Retired and now lives in Ohio, he has been interviewed by a local newspaper regarding his contribution to the war effort and that article will be published in the near future.

Although I am centering this piece on my father and a ship that he served on, I want to honor all the brave men and women of the Greatest Generation. For if it weren't for them I would either be speaking Japanese or German right now, and living under tyrants like the ones we are facing in the Middle East. So if you know a vet (from any war) give him or her a tip of the hat the next time you see them or pass them on the street, for this I can say without prejudice, they have definitly earned it. Shake their hand and let them know that you appreciate their sacrifice for this great country of ours.

On the Lighter Side of the News

Picture if you will...a robber lerking around to find a simple hit. At last he sees it, thinking to himself this should be a push over. He enters the establishment and demands their money. But wait, this isn't just any establishment, this is a beauty salon. Not just any beauty salon, one filled with women. This would be his first and last mistake.

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- It seemed like a good idea, but all robbing a beauty school got Jared Gipson was the beating of a lifetime and 25 years in prison.

When he tried to hold up Blalock's Beauty College last June, the would-be victims attacked Gipson, pummeling him with curling irons, hair dryers, a table leg and their own fists. He had to be taken to the hospital and had 21 cuts stitched up.

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Veterans and Community on board with America Supports You

Now this is really great. Hats off to the Vail Community and the Veterans that are sponsoring this program. Hollywood...step aside for some real stars.

Vail Opens Arms, Slopes, to Wounded Troops

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

VAIL, Colo., March 3, 2006 – Twenty-four servicemembers who lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan are here reaping the hospitality of a community first established by returning World War II veterans and to schuss down the slopes of this world-class ski resort.

The guests, all patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., along with their spouses or guests, are participating in the third annual Vail Veterans Program that kicked off March 1 and continues through March 5.

The all-expenses-paid program is hosted by Vail Mountain and the Vail community and gives wounded war veterans an opportunity to learn how to ski and snowboard, event organizer Cheryl Jensen said.

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Windows S.E. (gotta love it)

SOUTHERN EDITION OF WINDOWS.

Howdy

Dear Consumers:

It has come to our attention that a few copies of the WINDOWS 2006 Southern EDITION may have accidentally been shipped outside of the south.If you have one of these, you may need help understanding the commands. The Southern EDITION may be recognized by the unique opening screen. It reads: WINDERS 2006, with a background picture of Waylon and Willie superimposed on a bottle of Jack Daniels.

Please also note:

The Recycle Bin is labeled "Outhouse", My Computer is called "This Dern Contraption", Dial Up Networking is called "Good Ol' Boys", Control Panel is known as "The Dashboard", Hard Drive is referred to as " 4-Wheel Drive", Floppies are "Them little ol' plastic thangs", Instead of an error message " Duct Tape" pops up.

CHANGES IN TERMINOLOGY IN Southern EDITION :

Cancel............stopdat

Reset..............try'er agin

Yes...............yep

No................nope

Find...............hunt fer it

Go to............over yonder

Back...............back yonder

Help..............hep me out here

Stop...............kwitit (WHOA!)

Start............crank'er up

Settings..........settins

Programs......... stuff at duz stuff

Documents....... .stuff ah done did

Also note that the Southern EDITION does not recognize capital letters or punctuation marks. Some programs that are exclusive to WINDERS 2006:

Tiperiter............a word processing program

Colerin' Book.................a graphics program

Cyferin' Mersheen...........calculator

Outhouse Paper................notepad

Inner-net.....................Microsoft explorer 5.0

Pitchers ....................a graphics viewer

We regret any inconvenience it may have caused. If you received a copy of the Southern EDITION, you may return it to Microsoft for a replacement version.

I hope this helps all y'all!

A Thought Shared

I receieved this email today from a friend and I thought it would be something nice to share with all that wonder this way. It speaks for itself...yes, Virginia...Old Sgt does have a heart. Copy and paste if you want or not.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
Written by a former child

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS THAT THINK NO ONE EVER SEES. LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT.

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influence the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by sending this to someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others.

"There are Reports of Water Topping Levees..."

I know that this one has been whipped to no end but I just had to post it due to the fact that the MSM is still harping on the fact that he (President Bush) failed to take appropriate action. The tape clearly states the truth, even Max Mayfield pointed out that "flooding was not expected in New Orleans"; therefore enforcing the fact that the levees were not a major concern as far as them being breached. It is just another way the MSM is trying to take "contents" out of proportion.

Friday, March 3, 2006 11:54 a.m. EST
Bush Didn’t Lie About Levee Breaching

News sources have reported that President Bush lied when he said he wasn’t warned that the levees in New Orleans could be breached during Hurricane Katrina.

But a videotape of a key meeting between Bush and hurricane officials supports the president’s contention that the breaching of the levees was unanticipated.

On September 1, four days after Katrina struck, Bush said: "I don’t think anybody anticipated a breach of the levees.”

The Associated Press on Wednesday claimed that "federal disaster officials warned President Bush and his homeland security chief before Hurricane Katrina struck that the storm could breach levees.”

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CENTCOM unleashes the "DOGS of WAR" on Bloggers

It would appear that CENTCOM has taken a definite interest in blogging. CENTCOM has established its own blogging team to go online to "infiltrate" blogs and is trying to redirect them to CENTCOM's site. Hopeing that this move will enlighten negative bloggers about some of the "good things" that are happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, since the majority are getting their news information from the MSM.

The "team" works with more than 250 bloggers to try to disseminate news about the good work being done by U.S. forces in the global war on terror. According to officials at CENTCOM they have reached more than 17 million online readers. I often visit the CENTCOM site to try and get some "good news" about our fight on terror and invite others to do the same.

CENTCOM Team Engages 'Bloggers'

By Capt. Steve Alvarez, USAAmerican Forces Press Service

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., March 2, 2006 – The widespread use of Web logs, or "blogs," by online writers has proliferated information on topics as varied as the authors.

Blogs, in essence, are online journals or forums for their authors, known as "bloggers.

Public affairs officials here said thousands of blogs are created each day, and they estimate that more than 21 million blogs are posted on the World Wide Web today.

Blogs sometimes include information -- accurate and otherwise -- about the U.S. military's global war on terror. U.S. Central Command officials here took notice and created a team to engage these writers and their electronic information forums.

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Read IT TWICE slowly, makes more sense

White House Hopeful Harry Browne Dies

GASP !!! At first glance one would think the wrong thing, as I did.

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Still making it happen...America Suppports You

Virginia Group Focuses on Military Kids
By Samantha L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2006 – Deployed reserve-component troops are receiving support packaged a little differently from they're used to, thanks to a Virginia-based nonprofit organization supporting them by supporting their children.

Linda Davidson and Gail Kruzel, founders of "Our Military Kids, Inc.," realize many extracurricular activities for children are available on military bases. But for children whose parents are in the reserves or National Guard, however, those resources aren't always close to home.

"It's important to keep them in a routine, the same routine that existed before Dad or Mom was deployed," Davidson said. She added that the group's goal was not only to maintain familiar routines, but also to keep children focused on something other than their parents' absence.

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CINDY, Say it Ain't So...

Is Cindy Sheehan loosing steam? Probably not, but she has issued a refusal to join the protests in Germany this month. The protest that was scheduled to take place outside Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Ms. Sheehan claims that she will not participate stating "Let's leave our soldiers out of our protests. They have been put through so much by their commander in chief and his callous cronies already."

How kind of her. It would appear that Ms. Sheehan is still a pawn in the grasps of the left wing groups and has little to no pull in their actions though. Code Pink Women for Peace, a group that has backed Cindy, still plans on the protest and demonstration in Germany. Although somewhat ignored, Cindy stated that she will still plan on protesting in front or Congress, the White House and other places where they will have high visibility.

Darn, and I heard that they were going to have the welcome mat out for her if she went. Oh well, maybe next time.

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Is Congress legal in it demand for the Ports Review?

As we all know, Congress has its bowels in an uproar over the UAE Port Deal and has gone on a rampage against the administration. The Congress claims that the 30 day review conducted by CFIUS was not long enough and are demanding a second review of the process. However, this second review by Congress is technically in violation of the law as it is written. The Exon-Florio provision was added to "Section 5021 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and amended Section 721 of the Defense Production Budget Act of 1950 to provide authority to the President to suspend or prohibit any foreign acquisition, merger or takeover of a US Corporation that is determined to threaten the national security of the United States." In other words the determination as to whether or not a acquisition should be blocked or not fell entirely upon the President, not Congress.

According to CFIUS, once they are notified, it has 30 days from initial receipt of notification to begin an extended review. Any investigations is required to end within 45 days. The Exon-Florio Provision also states that "Information provided by companies contemplating a transaction subject to Exon-Florio is held confidential and is not made public except in the case of an administration or judicial action or proceeding." Section 721 also states that nothing in this section shall prevent disclousure to Congress or other authorized committees of Congress.

In accordance to the Exon-Florio Provision, the President or his "designee" may look at certain factors in determining whether the acquistion has any effect on National Security. According to Section 837(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 1993 (also known as the Byrd Amendment), requires and investigation when an acquisition by a foreign government and the purchase could effect the national security of the US.

Basically, so far everything outlined has been carried out by CFIUS. It has went through the required "investigation" within the prescribed time frame listed in the requirements. It has been reviewed by all appropriate members of CFIUS and given the green light. In 1993 CFIUS was expanded to include the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. In 2003 the Department of Homeland Security was also added as part of the "review board." With the addition of Homeland Security to CFIUS, the total number of CFIUS members was brought to twelve. The President retains full authority to protect the national security with respect to any deal. After full review by CFIUS and the President (not to exceed 90 days), the president is required to notify Congress whether or not he will take action under section 721.

At no time does anything in this Provision, or sections give Congress authority the override the decision of CFIUS. It says that they must be informed within a certain period of time. The organization of CFIUS was brought about to keep Congress out of the decision making process, but they were to be informed after decision was made. However, it does stated that any information submitted by the company wishing to make an acquisition be kept confidential and out of the public eye. In this particular case it would seem that Congress wishes to override a process that is part of the law, simply for political reasons. It would seem that the Congressional screams for further review are unfounded and illegal under the law pertaining to this matter.

It seems rather strange to me that this much ruckus has been made over the UAE deal, considering the fact that nothing in the manner in which security for our ports will be changed from what they already are. even longshoremen in New Jersey are totally amazed at the fuming from Capital Hill. The Coast Guard, local port authorities, unions and US Customs still retain control over the ports not the UAE. This is just a "knee-jerk" reation by Democrats and some Republicans due to the fact that it involves an Arab country. A country by the way which has been of great importance tothe US in their fight on terror in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Now Congress is trying to implement new laws (after the fact) simply because the UAE does not recognize Isreal. Many Arab countries do not formally recognize Isreal and we still deal with them. So is this all a sham before the mid-term elections? Sure has the makings of such. Please contact your representatives in Congress and stop this. The repercussions of this deal could effect more than just the UAE. It could have a dramatic effect on all of our allies in the war on terror.

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Irans Other Threat

It would seem that Iran has other plans as well as nuclear to make the West succumb to its wishes. As Iran and Russia perry back and forth over the Nuclear side of the issue, Iran is or has been making preparations to close the Strait of Hormuz to the US Warships and to trade.

According to a report by NewsMax, these plans were drawn up in September or October of 2005 and are a definite part of Iran's contingency plan against the West. NewsMax stated that:

The source provided NewsMax parts of a more than 30-page contingency plan, which bears the stamp of the Strategic Studies Center of the Iranian Navy, NDAJA. The document appears to have been drafted in September or October of 2005.

The NDAJA document was just one part of a larger strike plan to be coordinated by a single operational headquarters that would integrate Revolutionary Guards missile units, strike aircraft, surface and underwater naval vessels, Chinese-supplied C-801 and C-802 anti-shipping missiles, mines, coastal artillery, as well as chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

Statements is the article imply that a majority of these plans are already in place and awaiting the word to come down from Tehran. Considering the route in which the Nuclear Talks are going with Russia, things could be tightening up in the Strait of Hormuz in the very near future. The article also stated that these plans would be put into place if Isreal or the US took any actions (militarily) to stop nuclear sites or missle sites.

It would seem that the "cartoons" were just a teaser to get the extremists worked up to a boiling point so that it would be easier to get "other nations" involved in assisting Iran. Especially after Iran's lastest statements pertaining to the Holocaust and threats to "wipe Isreal off the face of the earth."

How close is Iran to fulfilling their threats; according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, they have been warning of Iran's build up since February 1995, the JCS submitted draft presidential finding to President Clinton, and concluded that Iran had the capability to close the Strait of Hormuz.

Now my next question would lead to the ongoing investigation into the UAE port deal. Considering the fact that its ports are only second to the US ports for staging actions in the Persian Gulf area. How important is that port to the US and its allies? I'll let you decide.

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Marine Father Goes Above and Beyond...

America Supports You: Marine Dad Offers Online Help to Families

By Paul X. Rutz, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2006 – Andrew Lubin knows what it's like to worry. Now this Marine dad is going online to share what he has learned to help others whose sons, daughters and spouses are going into combat.

Starting today, Lubin will be online regularly at Military Family Network (www.emilitary.org), a Web site devoted to working with community groups, local governments and businesses to support military families.

He will answer questions from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. weekdays, and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. If all goes well, he will add more time during weekday evenings in April.

The Rest of The Story

Those Who Repeat History Are Doomed

"STOP THE WAR"..."SAVE OUR TROOPS"..."HELL NO, WE WOULDN"T GO"..." STOP THE MURDERING"...

Does this have a familiar ring to it? If you think that it is from todays "anti-war" protestors you're wrong. These are the same cries that rang out so loudly across America in the late 60's. The same ones that cost us the war in Nam. Now we have these groups on the internet screaming for the end of this war. Only this war is much broader and more entrenched. Those that are preparing to "Take Over the White House" are those that want America to succumb to militant factions of Islam. These are people that cherish their right to freedom of speech, yet don't want you to protect it until it is challenged. These are the same people that are out there claiming they "support the troops" but are against what they are doing. I don't know about you, but, there is a reason we haven't been attacked since 9/11. It is because of what those fine young men and women are doing right now that has kept us safe.

Anti-war activists planning to 'take over' White House

Online announcement asks protesters to 'storm' executive mansion March 15
Posted: February 28, 20061:00 a.m. Eastern

By Ron Strom© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

A leading anti-Iraq war group is advertising a plan to storm the White House next month and "take it over" until the Bush administration vacates the premises.

The Rest of The Story

Welcome Home Col. Lineberger

Just another reminder that we are still bringing home those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in 'Nam.

Feb 27, 10:55 PM EST
Funeral Held for Vietnam-Era Pilot
By T.A. BADGER Associated Press Writer]

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- Thirty-five years after his Air Force jet crashed in Southeast Asia, Col. Harold Lineberger's remains are back in Texas.

Lineberger was remembered Monday by family and friends at a military funeral at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery about two months after his remains, found in Cambodia, were positively identified.

"We've missed him for so many years," his son Jeffery told a crowd of more than 150 people, including many of Lineberger's Vietnam-era comrades. "It's been over three decades since we said goodbye ... but it's still very hard and sad to let him go."

Lineberger, a 36-year-old major from Austin, disappeared Jan. 29, 1971, while flying an OV-10A Bronco on a reconnaissance mission over northeastern Cambodia.

The Rest of The Story

And the real giver of ports is...

I'm sorry, I just couldn't let this one pass by. It seems all of the hub bub over the ports is only wrong if it is done by the present administration. Remember that 1999 deal to let the Chinese operate a port or ports, well it just so happens...well, read it to get a good laugh. Could it be the pot calling the kettle black?

Thanks to NewsMax for delivering this one.

Monday, Feb. 27, 2006 6:57 p.m. EST
Hillary Clinton Rips Bill's Panama Ports Deal

2008 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is expanding her complaint about foreign companies owning U.S. ports - and now says a 1999 deal to let a Chinese company takeover the ports at each end of the Panama Canal was a mistake.

Speaking at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan yesterday, Clinton told the Jewish Community Relations Council:
"There are those who say we can't [prevent foreign governments from operating U.S. ports] because look what happened in the last 20 years . . . You know, we have the Chinese running the Panama Canal. We have other government-controlled entities controlling our ports."

The Rest of The Story

More MSM Deception?

As described in the MSM, Iraq is in total "Civil War", everything is falling apart, Shiites and Sunni are on a rampage to kill each other, Militia's taking over sectarian security...and the list goes on. However, there are other sources that disagree. This article posted in the "American Thinker" helps shed a little more light on the subject.

Iraq sectarian violence update

For those interested in keeping an accurate body and mosque count as related to the recent sectarian violence in the Baghdad municipal civil war, Omar at Iraq the Model has updated stats that indicate a lower level of rabid behavior than that reported by the mainstream media (MSM):

Curfew extended in Baghdad and three other provinces

The defense minister in a press conference currently on Iraqi TV gave statistics to correct what he described as “exaggerated media reports” about civilian casualties and attacks on mosques since the attack on the Samarra shrine:

Mosques attacked/shot at without damage: 21 not 51

Moderately damaged: 6 not 23

Mosques destroyed totally: 1 not 3

Mosques occupied by militias: 1 not 2 (evacuated later).

Civilians killed: 119 not 183

It was also announced that day-time curfew in Baghdad and three other provinces (Salahiddin, Diyala and Babil) will continue for another two days.

The Rest of The Story

Warm welcome prepared for Sheehan

Counterprotests in works for Sheehan's Germany protests

By Steve Mraz, Stars and StripesMideast edition, Sunday, February 26, 2006

RAMSTEIN, Germany — Efforts are under way to stage a counterprotest to Cindy Sheehan’s planned March 11 demonstration outside Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Ramstein Air Base.

Sheehan, who is the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq and who protested the war last summer outside President Bush’s Texas ranch, is scheduled to participate in a daylong war protest.

Stefan Prystawik, a German writer in Bonn, is working to stage a counterprotest. On his Web site, at www.stefan-prystawik.de, Prystawik characterizes Sheehan as “the great-great grandmother of all Bush haters.”

The Rest of The Story

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

John McCain Rips Hillary Clinton on Ports 'Hysteria'

Sen. John McCain said Sunday that the reaction to a Dubai-based company's proposed takeover of several U.S. shipping terminals has reached the point of "near-hysteria," singling out Sen. Hillary Clinton for criticism.

"The near-hysteria about this is not warranted, particularly in light of the other major crises that we're facing throughout the world," McCain told ABC's "This Week."

It would appear that the rift continues to grow over the concerns of the DPW operations as Sen. John McCain and Sen. Hillary Clinton square off. I have to admit that the Port situation is really starting to tighten up as "investigations" prepare to start on Capital Hill. With the Congress threatening to take over the "overseeing" of all port deals, that doesn't really make me any more comfortable.

The Rest of The Story

Farewell Don Knotts, aka Barnie Fife

Seems like only yesterday, we turned on the old B/W TV to watch "The Andy Griffith Show". Yes, I grew up watching Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, and Ronnie Howard. As well as watching many of the movies that he starred or co-starred in. His role in "No Time For Sergeants" is forever embedded in my mind as true comedy. I would find it hard to believe that anyone could ever replace him in that role or as Barnie Fife. Don's passing is indeed a great lose for the world and he will forever be remembered in the hearts of those that grew up with him.

Don Knotts - 1924 - 2006

Birth Name: Jesse Donald Knotts
Date Of Birth: 21st July 1924
Place Of Birth: Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
Height: 5’ 10”
Spouses:Loralee Czuchna (1974 - 1983)Kathryn Kay Metz (1947 - 1964)
Debut Film:“No Time For Sergeants” (1958)
Debut TV Appearance:“Search For Tommorow”(1953-55)
Signature TV Role: Deputy Barnie Fife on “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960 - 1968)
Trivia: During the 1960’s, Don won 5 “Emmy Awards” for his work on “The Andy Griffith Show”.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Don Knotts, the skinny, lovable nerd who kept generations of television audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" and would-be swinger landlord Ralph Furley on "Three's Company," has died. He was 81.

Knotts died Friday night of pulmonary and respiratory complications at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, said Sherwin Bash, his friend and manager.

The West Virginia-born actor's half-century career included seven TV series and more than 25 films, but it was the Griffith show that brought him TV immortality and five Emmys. Knotts appeared on several other television shows. In 1979, he joined "Three's Company," playing the landlord to John Ritter, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt.

Early in his TV career, he was one of the original cast members of "The Steve Allen Show," a comedy-variety show that ran from 1956-61. He was one of a group of memorable comics backing Allen that included Louis Nye, Tom Poston and Bill "Jose Jimenez" Dana. Knotts' G-rated films were family fun, not box-office blockbusters. In most, he ends up the hero and gets the girl - a girl who can see through his nervousness to the heart of gold. Some of his movies include "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo".

In 1998, he had a key role in "Pleasantville," playing a folksy television repairman whose supercharged remote control sends a teen boy and his sister into a TV sitcom past. In recent years, he said he had no plans to retire, traveling with theater productions and appearing in print and TV ads for Kodiak pressure treated wood.

Got a Tin Cup?

Nothing really new with this. Just thought the port deal deserved a break.

Bolton Blasts 'Sex and Corruption' at U.N.
By PAUL BURKHARDT Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/PAUL BURKHARDT

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Saturday that the world body is hobbled "by bad management, by sex and corruption" and a lack of confidence in its ability to carry out missions.

John Bolton also criticized the U.N.'s budget, noting that two-thirds of members pay only 20 percent of the cost.

"We find an organization that is deeply troubled by bad management, by sex and corruption and by a growing lack of confidence in its ability to carry out missions that are given to them," Bolton told an audience at a Columbia Law School symposium held by the Federalist Society, a conservative law organization.

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