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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

My Two Cents: The End is Nigh?

So here we are, less than a week from an election that could quite literally mean the end of the United States of America as we know her. Paranoia? Perhaps. I never would have believed that my nation could truly be on the verge of voting itself out of existence. But here we are.

The golden child of this presidential election has deep, obvious cracks in his hallowed facade. There are signs that few could miss if they actually look - signs that indicate severe issues. Besides his associations with radicals and terrorists, there are scores of trouble markers.

He appears not to care who supports him. His website does not utilize credit card matching for donations; a test using the names Osama bin Laden, John Galt, and Saddam Hussein to make donations with the same credit card revealed that all the donations went through. In fact, a lot of interesting people have been donating to Obama; and foreign credit are also being accepted. Donations have come from Palestine. Good Will, Loving, and Dela Ware have also made donations. Obama also accepts donations from largely untraceable pre-paid credit cards. His campaign’s response to questions was that “no campaign can fully insulate itself” from these types of issues. John McCain and Hillary Clinton used computer matching (ABS) and citizenship checks for their donations. Obama checks neither.

Barack Obama reflects the far Left in this country - a political sect that wants to cut the military 25% during a time of war. He advocates negotiating with dictators who vow to see Israel and the United States eradicated. He goes to a country where we are fighting a war, and urges them to delay a deal on withdrawal of American troops - so that he can be sure to get the credit for that withdrawal.

Barack Obama doesn’t want you to use his middle name. He doesn’t want you to ask questions about his Marxist leanings, or his radical ties. Yes, he advocates redistribution of wealth, and thinks it’s too bad that the essential restraints of the Constitution limit the ability to act at will. Yes, he intentionally (and “carefully”) chose Marxist professors and friends. But don’t call him a Marxist. Don’t call him a Socialist - or you will be banned from any contact. Yes, he has ties to terrorists. But don’t talk about it. Don’t dare ask about it.

If you do, like "Joe the Plumber," you may find your DMV and other government files illegally accessed, and your life open to investigation. You may, like Sarah Palin, find your private email hacked and published. You may, like reporter Barbara West, be denied any further access to the campaign. Don’t cross the line, or you will see the consequences. And the Left doesn’t just want to restrict certain speech - it wants to go much further. The Left seeks to mandate speech (the Fairness Doctrine). The Left seeks to ensure that you hear what it wants you to hear - and only what it wants you to hear. If the Fairness Doctrine passes, blogs like mine may be required to publish “both sides” of the story. Even if “both sides” means the truth, and the lie from the Left. I have already decided that I will not comply. If I maintained a bigger blog, with a larger audience and a voice that might make a difference, I might openly defy the order. Realistically, though, I’m not that big. I will simply cease to blog. Much bigger voices may be silenced - the prime target of the Fairness Doctrine is talk radio. Barack Obama may not be a leading voice for the Fairness Doctrine, but if the Left has the House, the Senate, and the White House, do you really think that it won’t get passed? Can you see him using a presidential veto to prevent it?

Barack Obama wants you to stay away from examining his wife’s anti-American statements, associations, or political leanings. He says that family is off limits. Unless, of course, you’re talking about his opponent’s family. How has this campaign been to Sarah Palin’s family? To John McCain’s wife? The press is almost universally in the tank for Obama. CNN distorts quotes to portray Sarah Palin as negatively as possible. Other outlets refuse to cover stories that are negative to Obama - even to the point of refusing to release a tape where his own words might harm his campaign. Those who expose him are detained by countries where he has ties. How do you think people who oppose him will be treated once he is in power?

Barack Obama promises that the poor downtrodden masses will be lifted up, and that the evil rich will be taken off their pedestals. So did Lenin. Barack Obama promises that he will cut taxes for 95% of Americans. But only about half of those he’s promising tax cuts to actually pay taxes. Barack Obama will take your money and decide that someone else who has less deserves it - though you’re the one who worked for it. From each according to his ability; to each according to his need - not his worth, but his need.

Barack Obama promises to restore our standing in the world. We will be liked by a world filled with terrorists, socialists, communists, sellouts, and radicals. What will we have to sell to earn their praise? What is the value of our soul?

Well, it’ll only be four years, you might say. Eight, at most. And then the Left will have screwed things up so badly that they’ll be out of power for a long time. Maybe. But maybe not. During beloved Bill Clinton’s presidency, there was a movement to lift presidential term limits. It died then, but now there’s precedent. In New York, a lifting of term limits is allowing Bloomberg to run again (despite two referendums enforcing a two-term limit). After four years of nothing but positive press, nothing but the pap of propaganda, who will there be to oppose lifting presidential term limits?

If elected, Barack Obama has the potential to make us long for the good old days of Jimmy Carter. A Barack Obama presidency will be far, far worse. For the first time, we will have a socialist president, presiding over a legislature where the Democrats - a party with a significant number of like-minded socialists - rule.

The Republicans, with few exceptions, don’t have the guts to stand up to him. Even if they did, it would likely not do much good - they will not even be able to count on the filibuster. We are headed for a period of time where the checks and balances that form the basis of this government may mean nothing. Elect him, and we will likely have a Socialist president, a rubber-stamping Socialist legislature, and eventually, a rubber-stamping Socialist Supreme Court. We also have a fawning, socialist media - the type that refuses to air a tape in which Barack Obama praises PLO-linked Rashid Khalidi as having views that “the whole world“ should hear (for example, that Israel should be obliterated).

How much damage do you think all of that can do in four years? Eight years? Longer?

Recently, a growing chorus of voices are priming the pump. How bad is socialism, really? Would it be so bad to be liked by other nations? Would it be so bad to have those less fortunate lifted up? Would it be so bad if we tried something different? But the beautiful picture they paint of socialism is, and has always been, a lie. And make no mistake - Barack Obama is a liar. He is, like many charismatic leaders before him, one person on the surface, and another when you look any further. Barack Obama is a socialist. He is a radical. He is dangerous. And if he is elected, it could very well mark the beginning of the end for this country as she was meant to be. He says that his opposition is trying to scare you. It doesn’t take that much effort. He’s a pretty scary person.

Some elements of the Left will tell you that to not vote for him means that you’re a racist. But just because they say something, it doesn’t make it true - the Truth and the Left aren’t close friends anyway. I am not voting for him because I am an anti-socialist. I view redistribution of wealth as an evil. I view unbridled altruism as evil. I view restriction of free speech as a violation of the principles on which this country was founded - principles which formed the basis of the greatest form of government to ever exist on Earth. I define social justice as ensuring that everyone gets a fair shake - that they rise or fail based solely on their own merits - and not because someone propped them up or ensured that they would have what someone else earned. I am not voting for him because I believe him to be a radical, diametrically opposed to what this country stands for - or used to, anyway. I view him as someone who will sell our country out to whomever he sees fit. I am not voting for him because anyone who would enter into a dialogue with Iran deserves contempt, not a seat in the highest office in the land. I am not voting for him because he lacks the character and qualifications to be president.

Maybe the country that I believe in is already gone. Maybe political correctness, socialism, and self-loathing are the values of the new America. I hope not. I hope that this country takes a long look at Barack Obama before next Tuesday, and realizes the threat that he poses to its survival.

We will know shortly. We have already started down the slope, but our fingers are still desperately clinging on the edge. Take a moment to fix in your mind the country you have on Monday. You may never see it again.

Paranoia, maybe. But then again, maybe not.

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THUMB WRESTLING - U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Thomas takes time out to play a friendly game of thumb wrestling with an Iraqi boy during a patrol in the New Baghdad Security District of eastern Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 14, 2008. Thomas is commander of the 66th Armored Regiment's Company A, 1st Battalion. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremy Todd.

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In Today's News - Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Quote of the Day
"Therefore I say, know the enemy and know yourself;
in a hundred battles you will never be in peril."
-- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
S. Korea to Withdraw All Troops From Iraq by Dec. 20
Soldier Helps Iraqi Girl with Congenital Heart Condition
Reconstruction Improves Life in Iraqi City

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
U.S. Official: Unclear If Al Qaeda Coordinator Killed in Syria Raid
U.S. embassy in Damascus may close, mission says
Syria seen pursuing U.S. engagement
Iraq denounces raid
Iraq to share results of U.S. raid probe with Syria
U.S.: Raid targeted smuggler
Video: Video claims to show raid
Pakistan to U.S.: Stop Airstrikes Near Border 'Immediately'
Al Qaeda media man vows to wage "jihad by pen"
Colombian rebels say open to hostage dialogue

Other Military News
U.S. must update nuclear arsenal as rivals are: Gates
Military families feel financial crisis
U.S. says 2008 intelligence budget was $47.5 billion
Russia ratifies treaty with Georgian rebel regions

Religion of Peace??
Muslim Cleric Faces Possible Criminal Charges for Marrying 12-Year-Old Contest Winner
After trousers, Malaysia Muslim body targets yoga

Worldwide Wackos
N. Korea Executions 'Worse Than Animal Slaughter'
North Korea Threatens to Turn South Korea Into 'Debris'
Report: N. Korea's Kim Jong Il Suffers 'Serious' Setback
Japan may consider more sanctions on N.Korea: Kyodo

Politics / Government
Obama to Flood Airwaves
McCain Shows Gritty Determination in Final Week
Obama's Call to 'Take Off' Fuels Debate
Obama Affinity to Marxists Dates Back to College Days
LAT: Allies of Palestinians See a Friend in Barack Obama
Obama Accepting Untraceable Prepaid Credit Cards
Obama Tells Supporters He Is 'So Close' to Winning
McCain's Pollster Foresees Race 'Too Close to Call'
Obama's final TV blitz to focus on economy
McCain short on time
McCain, Palin tangle with Obama
Reuters Slideshow: One week to go
"Exurbs" emerge as battleground
Obama holds 4-point lead on McCain
McCain, Palin seek to dent Obama's armor - Video
Obama has 5-point lead on McCain
Video: Obama's lead narrows
AP EXCLUSIVE: Obama ahead or tied in 8 key states
McCain links economy and national security
Ga. residents wait up to 8 hours to vote early
McCain gains backing of Joe the Plumber
McCain struggles for upset in Pa.; GOP doubts grow
Barack Obama and 'New Age' Christianity
George Bush's Attack on Syria a Cynical Political Ploy
More Republicans call on Sen. Stevens to resign
McCain, Palin urge convicted senator to step down - Video
White House to banks: Start lending now
FBI: Pics Show Mass. Lawmaker Stuffing Bribes in Bra
DC mayor cuts own budget; councilman wants more

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
Immigration debate
Slideshow: Inside American Apparel
Crisis threatens Mexico textile sector

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
A Year After Stacy Peterson Vanished, Husband Calls It 'Just Another Day'
Boy, 8, Shoots Self With Uzi at Gun Show
Charges Possible in Boy's Uzi Death - PHOTOS
Kate Hudson's Pre-Halloween Party Busted by LAPD
American Charged in Slain British Coed Case - PHOTOS
Slain Jogger's Hubby Charged With Murder - PHOTOS
Actor Pleads Guilty to Child-Porn Charges After Manhunt
Newlywed Killed by Police in Case of Mistaken Identity
Ex-Detroit Mayor Gets Jail in Sex Scandal - PHOTOS
Teacher Vanishes After Getting Flat Tire on Highway
Man Ran Illegal Sex Club, 'Cherry Pit,' in Texas Home
Police: 14-Year-Old South Carolina Boy Killed Pregnant Mom, Unborn Sister
Experts: Plot detracts from race progress in South
Jennifer Hudson's nephew died of gunshots
Hudson Murder Suspect Had June Drug Bust - PHOTOS
Hudson suspect could have had parole revoked
Video: Talk of the Town: Hudson's nephew

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
U.S. media ready for possible early election outcome
CNN says no thanks to Obama half-hour
L.A. Times Hiding Obama Video

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
King Solomon's Mines Possibly Found in Jordan
Drug prices highest in poorest neighborhoods
Thin line between love and hate? - science knows why
U.S. study says doctors subconsciously favor whites
Video: The creep of nanotech
Tyrannosaurus rex noses out dinosaur competition
Mars robot's heaters to be turned off, one by one
Does mold make you sick? Doctors seek answers
Technology helps restore Raphael masterpiece
HP launches $400 mini-notebook as it plays catch-up
LittleBigPlanet players help build video game
Social networking sites "good for businesses"
EA takes FIFA 09, Spore Origin to N-Gage this year
China investigates tainted eggs in new food scare
Doorknobs and TV remotes are germ hotbeds
Paleontologists sift Utah soil for plant fossils

Mother Nature
Scores Killed in Pakistani Quake - PHOTOS
Pakistan rescuers pull 160 bodies from quake rubble - Video
WWF says reckless consumption threatens the planet
Rising sea levels to erode Sydney beaches: study
China says greenhouse gases catch up with U.S.
One-third of world fish catch used for animal feed
WWF says reckless consumption threatens the planet
Low ivory prices at first legal auction in 9 years - Video

News from My Neck of the Woods
Season's First Nor'easter Dumps Snow, Rain - PHOTOS
Northeast snowstorm closes major highways, schools
New details of overdose episode at Thomas' NY home

Oddities
Official fined for leaving secret files on train
The woman in red drives the men crazy, study finds
Saudi luxury car sales strong despite global crisis
Lobster fishermen feel pinch of global crisis
Man drives drunk to protest drunk driving charge
Video: Drag queens go political

Fox News
Investors Still Holding Breath Despite Wall Street Surge
FOXBusiness: Buying Blitz Sends Dow Soaring
Pop Tarts: Inside the Playboy Halloween Party

Reuters
Nikkei climbs 7.7 pct on rate cut talk
Factbox: Japan's crisis measures
Factbox: Recent Japan comments
Loss of Wall St. "yuppies" welcomed
Crisis heralds "new seriousness" era
Small businesses not being heard?
A case for aid
GM seeks aid for merger: sources
Car dealers hit by sales decline
Chrysler offers $75,000 in buyouts
GMAC curtails auto financing
Rate cut hopes, bargain hunting boost global stocks
GMAC seeks bank status for rescue funding: report
Oil above $64 after U.S. stock market surge
Banks lead Europe shares up after U.S., Japan surge
M&A hunters may prosper
Lender of first and only resort
Behind the curve
Distortion is the new normal for markets
A crisis of solvency?
Fed set to cut rates, others line up to follow - Video
Aetna profit falls, but results meet views
GM could have case for aid: experts
S.Korea plans more crisis measures, stocks fall
Sony profit down 90 percent on yen, digicam slowdown
Toshiba drops 99 percent on weak chips, outlook hazy
Entergy to postpone spinoff: report
Japan to urge EU to block BHP/Rio merger: Nikkei
S7 lawyers say S7 has not filed binding Austrian Airlines bid
Britney Spears' dad retains control of her affairs
Keanu Reeves denies knocking over paparazzo
Sandra Brown says she finds drama everywhere
Elvis ranked top-earning dead celebrity - Video
Celtics celebrate title win by rallying past Cavs
Bryant on song as Lakers crush Trail Blazers
Crying Jones tells Oprah Olympic memory will be tarnished
Mickelson happy to be a golfing globetrotter
Flames blank Avalanche 3-0

Associated Press
Most Asian markets extend gains after US rally
Fed is expected to cut interest rates again today
Whither the weather: Wacky World Series on hold
Dow jumps nearly 900 as investors seek bargains

NewsBlaze
NASA To Update Reporters About Constellation Program
Latin America and Caribbean Exports Rise in Face of Global Crisis
Levi Stubbs: He will always be here
Famous Coffee Shop: A Jerry's Nugget Tradition
Indiana National Guard Dedicates New Facility
Iraqi and Coalition Sustainers Partner in First-ever Logistics Training Exercise
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
Security improvements spur resettlement, reconstruction
I-BIZ program bolsters Iraqi economy
U.S., Iraqi leaders discuss Sadr City rehab
U.S., Iraq nearing troop status agreement
U.S. will continue to aid improving Iraqi security

USJFCOM
Joint fires team, Army's BCTP team prepare corps headquarters for deployment
Joint fires team supports joint training integration event - More about JFIIT
Free Salute to Veterans 2008 tickets - Click here to get your free tickets
USJFCOM working to prepare forces for deployment

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Camp Ur Graduates New Iraqi Officers, Enlisted Troops
Corps of Engineers Helps Guide Iraq Infrastructure Progress
Tips lead INP, MND-B Soldiers to seize weapons throughout Baghdad
Ministry of Women’s Affairs hosts its 4th Women’s Conference
Coalition forces detain key Katai’b Hezbollah facilitator
Coalition forces strike al-Qaeda in Iraq senior networks, detain two (Tikrit)

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Russians Know Missile Defenses Not Aimed at Them, Defense Secretary Says

AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Elders See Water Problem, Progress
U.S. Forces Kill Militants After Helicopter Attack

IRAQ NEWS

Iraqi Security Forces Increase Footprint
Soldiers Help Warfighters Communicate
Forces Capture 11 Suspects, Seize Caches
Airmen Receive Spurs for Building Base

AROUND THE SERVICES

Army Unit Wins International Sniper Contest
Marines Train Border Quick Reaction Force
Navy Ships Team With Allies During Exercise
Oklahoma Air Force Base Enters Partnership

NATIONAL GUARD

Group Surpasses $2 Million in Grants

MILITARY NEWS

82nd Airborne to Become Global Response Force
Transportation Command Called 'Jewel in Crown'
Working Dogs, Handlers Share Special Bond
First-Timers Win Marine Corps Marathon
'Financial Challenge' Events to Help Troops Cope
Military Linguists Learn Language Skills Vital to Force

FACE OF DEFENSE

War Hero Inspires Soldier

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU

Care Package Site Provides Ideas

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

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

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
539 BC- Babylon falls to Cyrus the Great of Persia.
1682 - William Penn lands in what will become Pennsylvania.
1727 - A severe earthquake hits in New England.
1811 - The first Ohio River steamboat leaves Pittsburgh for New Orleans.
1863 - The International Committee of the Red Cross is founded (Nobel 1917, 1944, 1963).
1894 - The Hawaiian Republic holds its first election.
1923 - Turkey is proclaimed a republic (National Day).
1929 - On "Black Tuesday," the Stock Market crashes, triggering "Great Depression."
1940 - Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson draws the first number in the first peacetime military draft in U.S. history (#158).
1942 - 16,000 Jews are killed in Pinsk, Russia; the Alaska highway is completed.
1945 - The first ball point pen goes on sale, 57 years after it was patented.
1956 - The International Zone of Tangier is returned to Morocco; Israeli paratroopers drop into the Sinai to open Straits of Tiran.
1957 - A hand grenade explodes in Israel's Knesset (Parliament).
1960 - A chartered C46 carrying Cal State's football team crashes, killing 16.
1964 - In NYC, the Star of India and other jewels are stolen.
1966 - NOW (the National Organization of Women) is founded.
1982 - Car maker John DeLorean indicted for drug trafficking (he is later acquitted).
1988 - 2,000 U.S. anti-abortion protesters are arrested for blocking clinics.
1989 - In NYC, the MTA opens the 63rd street subway extension.

Birthdays
1875
- Marie, queen consort of Ferdinand I of Romania (1914-27)
1884 - Bela Lugosi, horror actor (Dracula, Body Snatcher)
1891 - Fanny Brice, singing comedienne (Ziegeld Follies, Baby Snooks)
1897
- Paul Joseph Goebbels, Nazi propagandist
1947 - Richard Dreyfuss, actor (Jaws, Nuts)

Passings
1618 - Sir Walter Raleigh, executed in London
1885 - George B. McClellan, Union General
1901 - Leon Czolcosz, assassin of President McKinley, executed
1911 - Joseph Pulitzer American newspaperman, dies in Charleston, SC
1947 - Frances Cleveland Preston, former First Lady
1957 - Louis B. Mayer, MGM producer
1990 - William French Smith, attorney general (1980)

Reported Missing in Action
1963

Pitzer, Daniel L., US Army SF (WV); released November, 1967 - deceased

Rowe, James N., US Army SF (TX); escaped December, 1968 - killed in the Phillipines by a sniper in 1989

Versace, Humberto R., US Army SF (VA); reportedly executed September, 1965 - on PRG DIC list

1968
Bezold, Steven, US Army (MO); O1G shot down (observer, w/Harrison)

Harrison, Donald L., US Army (GA); O1G shot down (pilot, w/Bezold)

Hunter, James D., US Army (TN); swept off of air mattress by wave, Killed - accidental drowning

1971
Oakley, Linus Labin, USAF (AR); KIA, body not recovered

1972
Sullivan, James E., USN (MA); A7C shot down, remains returned August, 1985

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