WARNING: Before reading this post, you might want to put a really tight hat on -- in order to keep your head from exploding.

Seems Fred Phelps has found himself an ally - yep, you guessed it - America's Craziest Liberals United!

ACLU Sues for Anti-Gay Group That Pickets at Troops' Burials

ASSOCIATED PRESS
By Garance Burke
Sunday, July 23, 2006; A02

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas church group that protests at military funerals nationwide filed suit in federal court, saying a Missouri law banning such picketing infringes on religious freedom and free speech.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Friday in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., on behalf of the fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church, which has outraged mourning communities by picketing service members' funerals with signs condemning homosexuality.

The church and the Rev. Fred Phelps say God is allowing troops, coal miners and others to be killed because the United States tolerates gay men and lesbians...

Read the rest, if you can stand it.



You know, there was a time when the ACLU used to do really good things.

There was a time that the Edsel seemed like a good idea, too.




UPDATE: Now here's a different way to deal with the Phelps crew - watch this Australian reporter get Fred Phelps, Jr., on the run! (not for the kiddies)

No matter the nationality, pilots speak same language
Capt. Lars Holten prepares for a routine aerial training flight on a T-38 Talon at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, on July 20. Captain Holten, from Norway, is an instructor pilot in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

Received by Soldiers' Angels:

July 22, 2006
IF YOU WERE FIGHTING WITH THE 278th I TROOP IN TUZ IRAQ, PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU KNEW OUR SON S/SGT ASBURY FRED HAWN II. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON AUGUST 14, 2005. IF YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES ON THE MEMORIAL THAT WAS HELD FOR HIM AND HIS COMRADS SHANNON DELAIN TAYLOR AND GARY LEE REESE I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE HAWN FAMILY........ WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THE SOLDIERS THAT ARE IN HARMS WAY FIGHTING FOR WE TAKE SO FREELY MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Asbury Hawn
Lebanon, TN

If you can help this family, please email me for contact information.

PATH TO SAFETY – American citizens departing from Beirut, Lebanon, make their way to a waiting U.S. Navy landing craft utility vessel for transport to the amphibious transport dock USS Nashville, July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the U.S. Defense Secretary, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor

Salena Zito, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, has a great column up about the Blue Dog Coalition within the Democratic party, with a look at what it all means to the heated Senatorial campaign in my home state of Connecticut:

Although your average Democrats are true "Blue Dogs" at heart, rarely have any of them heard the phrase. But they sure know what a "progressive" is -- the heir apparent to the Howard Dean movement.

Blue Dogs are economic and social moderates, appealing to the descendants of Reagan Democrats. On the House side of Capitol Hill, they have their own coalition.
The whole "big tent" political phenom has created an identity crisis for traditional Democrats who come home from a hard day's work, flip on the tube and see people rallying for their party but not for their issues. Issues such as fiscal responsibility -- they get that.

Blue Dog comes from two sources: The stereotypical Southerner would vote for even a yellow dog if he ran as a Democrat. And coalition members first met in the offices of two congressmen where hung "Blue Dog" paintings of Cajun artist George Rodrigue...

Read the Rest

Chaplain (Capt.) Jose Tate comforts an Iraqi child at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Chaplain Tate is specifically trained to provide the hospital's patients and staff spiritual support, services and counseling. He is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kerry Solan-Johnson)

A few months ago, I posted Mr. Stokely's request for support for wounded Hero Brian Hall (via The Thunder Run). SPC Hall had served with Mr. Stokely's son, SGT Mike Stokely, who was KIA in Iraq:

SPC Brian Hall served with my son, SGT Mike Stokely. A little less than a
month after Mike was killed; Brian suffered serious injury to the head from
anexploding IED on Sept. 13, 2005 near Mahmuhdiyah, south of Baghdad. Numerous
brain surgeries and partial loss of short term memory is just some of what he
has been through. He is coming along very well...

I am pleased now to give you an update (email received from Mr. Stokely):

Back on May 12 you sent out a call to support Brian Hall, a wounded soldier
from E Troop 108th CAV 48th Brigade GA NATL Guard. He was "stuck" at
Walter Reed far from family and home. Well, good news, he is basically
home on final convelasent leave and then will be discharged back to civilian
life. Basically, he is home for good. Thanks for your support of
this fine soldier and friend of my son, SGT Mike Stokely KIA Iraq
8/16/05.

Robert Stokely

Thank you to all who send words of encouragement to this Hero.

And thank you, Mr. Stokely, for raising such a Hero as your son, for all that your family has given for all of us, and for your continuing support of his Brothers.

We will never forget.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 21, 2006) - A woman comforts a small child after arriving aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Trenton by helicopter from Lebanon. USS Trenton and other ships belonging the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group arrived on station July 21 as part of Task Force 59, commanded by Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon.

"... every sapient prophecy with regard to America has been disproved. We were forewarned that she was too free, and her liberty has proved her security;
too peaceable, and she has been found sufficient for her defence; too large, and her size has ensured her union. The bonds of union, indeed, are more numerous and intimate than can be easily conceived by foreigners. A people who have bled together for liberty, who equally appreciate and equally enjoy that liberty which their own blood or that of their fathers has purchased, who feel, too, that the liberty which they love has found her last asylum on their shores—such a people are bound together by ties of amity and citizenship far beyond what is usual in national communities."

News of Note
Israel at War
Israel Stretches Further Into Lebanon
Bush, Rice, Saudi Diplomats Meet
Foreigners Continue to Evacuate
Video: Diplomatic Efforts on Fast Track
Video: Arab Leaders Silent on Crisis
Video: Israeli Troops to Enter Key City
Video: Bombs Rock Border Areas
Video: U.N. Observer Injured by Rocket
Rice flies to Beirut
South Lebanon caught in cross-fire - Video
More foreigners leave Lebanon, operations wind down - Video
Israel targets Gaza weapons facilities - Video
Saudis urge Bush to seek Lebanon ceasefire
Oil prices fall as Rice arrives in mideast
Bush resists immediate Mideast cease-fire
Lebanese Fleeing North
To Flee or to Stay?
Israeli Leaders Open to NATO Force
Israel Captures Two Guerrillas

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Car Bombs in Baghdad, Kirkuk Kill More Than 60- Saddam Force-Fed at Prison
Saddam trial resumes without ex-leader
Maliki insists Iraq will not slide into civil war - Video
IRAQI FORCES CONDUCT RAIDS IN BAGHDAD, TARGET 'DEATH SQUADS'
MND-B SOLDIERS KILL 15 TERRORISTS DURING FIREFIGHT; HILLA SWAT, IA SEARCH HUSANIYAH FOR SUSPECTS
Iraqi Shiite Militia Ready to Join Fight

Operation Enduring Freedom
Blast hits US-led forces vehicle in Afghan south
COALITION HELPS INJURED AFGHAN CHILD

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Security Breach Causes Delays at California Airport
India arrests fourth suspect in Mumbai blasts - Video
Jewell: Olympics allegations still painful

Troops on Trial
Guardsman Cleared in Iraqi's Death

Other Military News of Note
U.S. Government Plans Overhaul in Disaster Aid

Politics / Government
Group decries Bush's law interpretations

U.N. News
Dodd promises "bruising" fight over Bolton

Hurricane Season / Wild Weather / Mother Nature
Wildfire Burns on Calif. Island
Crews battle Calif. fires, sizzling heat
Heat blamed in 4 Northern Calif. deaths
Consequences sought for Con Ed in blackout
100,000 New Yorkers Weather Six Days Without Electricity
Indonesian children return to school after tsunami

Oddities
Reports of big fortune a "huge lie" star says

Other News of Note
Sharon's Condition Worsens
Sniper Shootings on Indiana Interstate Kills One
Khmer Rouge "Butcher" buried - Video
Dallas truck chase ends with hostage safe

Fox News
'Pirates' Sails to Third Weekend Box Office Win
Two Murdered at Kansas City Knights of Columbus Lodge
Gas Prices Hit Record High
Stocks to Watch: Microsoft

Reuters: Top News
Miss Puerto Rico crowned Miss Universe, collapses
Trade power talks collapse
Emotional Woods seals 11th major title
Texan wins Hemingway look-alike
California expects more record power demand
Microsoft ready to do the robot
New chips give Intel upper hand
Scientists work on anti-Alzheimer's pill
Drug trial dosing caution urged
Miss Puerto Rico crowned Miss Universe, collapses
Shyamalan's latest film dead in the water
Astra jumps on asthma drug approval
Vodafone CEO faces down rebels - Video
Stock futures point higher on takeover deals - Video
Wireless, Web seen driving AT&T, Verizon earnings
Google stock treads water despite standout results
On the Radar: LatAm ADRs
AMD to buy ATI for about $5.4 billion
Schering-Plough reports profit on higher sales
Hospital operator HCA to be sold for $21 bln: sources
Amvescap to buy firm run by billionaire Wilbur Ross

AP World News
Ind. police probe highway sniper attacks
Floyd Landis wins Tour de France
Lonely Boys: Arrest was misunderstanding
Fans get first look at 'Spider-Man 3'
Obituaries in the news
Closing arguments set in Yates trial
School closures for disabled causes worry
Andrea Doria offers lure of danger - Sunken oceanliner still claiming lives

Military.com
Operation Soccer Drop
Cuba Drills for Oil off Florida
CG Chief Seeks New Maritime Security Strategy

CENTCOM: News Releases
CCCI CONVICTS 6 INSURGENTS

MOD OPENS RECORDS CENTER TO SAFEGUARD SOLDIERS' DATA

ANA AIR CORPS OPENS NEW FLIGHT OPERATIONS FACILITY

IRAQI ARMY SOLDIERS CAPTURE IED MANUFACTURERS

3RD BN., 67th ARMOR SOLDIERS CAPTURE HIGH-VALUE TERRORIST

IA, MND-B SOLDIERS SUBDUE COMPLEX TERRORIST ATTACK

LOCAL VILLAGER LEADS IA TO MORTAR POSITION

SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK COALITION; CIVILIANS IN KANDAHAR CITY

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Iraqis Continue to Take Lead - Story
Afghan Development Progresses
Forces Kill, Detain Terrorists
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Iraqi Airmen Learn to Battle Blazes - Story
U.S. Marines Keep Vigilant Watch in Ramadi - Story
Chinooks Save Lives by Transporting Troops - Story
Iraqi Government Assumes Control in Mosul - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqi Security Forces Accept Control of Bases
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Rally Troops
Airborne Soldiers Add Armor to Humvees
Airmen Teach Iraqi Volunteers to Battle Blazes
Soldiers Expand Forward Operating Base

IN AFGHANISTAN
Extremists Destroy Afghan School

DefendAmerica Week in Review
Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Soldiers Die in Iraq - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul

Gitmo

Today in History
1683 - The first settlers from Germany leave for the U.S., aboard the Concord.
1758 - George Washington is admitted to Virginia House of Burgess
1824 - In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the first public opinion poll are published: Clear Lead for Andrew Jackson.
1866 - Tennessee becomes the first Confederate state readmitted to the Union.
1870 - The first trans-US rail service begins.
1877 - For the first time, Federal troops are used to combat strikers.
1925 - In "The Monkey Trial," Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution in a Tennesee high school; he is fined $100 & costs
1929 - President Hoover proclaims the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which renounces war.
1948 - Soviets blockade Berlin from the west.
1950 - The V-2/WAC Corporal rocket launch is the first launch from Cape Canaveral.
1969 - Apollo 11 returns to Earth; After his appeal, Muhammad Ali is convicted for refusing induction in the U.S. Army.
1974 - The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously orders the release of the Nixon Watergate tapes.
1975 - Apollo 18 returns to Earth.
1986 - In San Francisco, a Federal jury convicts navy radioman Jerry Whitworth of espionage.
1987 - IBM-PC DOS Version 3.3 (updated) is released.

This Day in Terrorism
1961 - In a scene that will be repeated frequently, a U.S. commercial airliner is hijacked to Cuba

Holidays
Ecuador, Venezuela - Bolivar Day (1783)

Birthdays
1783 - Simón Bol¡var, freed 6 Latin American republics from Spanish rule
1796 - John Middleton Clayton, (Sen-DE)/U.S. Secretary of State (1849-50)
1802 - Alexandre Dumas, author ("The Three Musketeers")
1895 - Robert Graves, poet/historical novelist ("I, Claudius")
1898 - Amelia Earhart, aviator
1920 - Bella Abzug (Rep-NY)
1932 - William D. Ruckelshaus, headed Environmental Protection Agency
1935 - Adnan Khashnoggi, Saudi businessman / financier

Passings
1862 - Martin Van Buren, 8th U.S. President
1966 - Montgomery Clift, actor
1974 - Chris Chubbock, newscaster, shoots self on air
1980 - Peter Sellers, actor
1991 - Isaac Bashevis Singer, Nobel prize winning author

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Fobair, Roscoe H., USAF (CA); F4C shot down (pilot); Vietnamese reported he was dead 1972 or 1973 without further details

Keirn, Richard P., USAF (OH); F4C shot down (weap / syst operator in above craft), released by DRV February, 1973 - deceased, May, 2000
NOTE: Richard Keirn was also a B-17 co-pilot in WWII, and a POW there, held in Stalag Luft 1, Germany - released June, 1945

1968
Bush, John R., USAF (FL); F4D shot down (backseater to Hackett)

Greiling, David S., USN (MI); A7A shot down, known to have been captured, still MIA

Hackett, Harley B., USAF (SC); F4D shot down (pilot)

1970
Bloodworth, Donald B., USAF (CA); F4D shot down (navigator to Reed), remains returned, ID'd February, 1998

Reed, James W., USAF (OH); F4D shot down (pilot)

1971
Antunano, Gregory A., US Army (CA); OH6A shot down (observer) while on reconnaissance mission in Cambodia, KIA, body not recovered

Dalton, Randall D., US Army (IL); OH6A shot down (door gunner) while on reconnaissance mission, KIA, body not recovered