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May 30, 2004

What Memorial Day Means To Me

When I was a very young boy, growing up in central Indiana, Memorial Day was just another day off school, at least in the beginning. By the third or fourth grade I started to better appreciate the holiday for what it was. The older I got the more I understood why we observed Memorial Day. I grew to think of Memorial Day as a day of remembrance for the sacrifices of the brave men in the Second World War. I am not sure exactly why the fallen heroes of WWII stood out but that is whom I always thought of.

Mine was a generation that hadn’t really lived through war. I was born in 1975 and by the time I can remember Vietnam already seemed like a thing from the past. Then in 1990, my freshman year of High School, Iraq invaded Kuwait. We watched the televised war very carefully every day at school. From the time of the invasion to the day the Iraqi’s were driven out of the small country of Kuwait.

It was then that I started to really understand the meaning of Memorial Day. Yes it was a way to honor the hundreds of thousands who sacrificed their lives during the Second World War, but it was also a way to honor all service men and women from all wars. I thought of the 50,000 plus lost in Vietnam, the men who gave their lives in Korea and Grenada. I thought of those lost in Kuwait. I started to learn more about the brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines that served our great nation.

As I finished high school I went on thinking about those who sacrificed their lives for this great nation.

I joined the Air Force in 1994 and some of my “understanding” of Memorial Day has changed quite a bit.

I know now, that Memorial Day isn’t just a way to honor the dead, but a way to honor all who have served. Everyday, I am surrounded by some of America’s finest. Men and women who have seen hells gate and chose to remain in the service. I have seen hostile fire and I know those with purple hearts. I have had friends lost and family scared to death over where I might go next.

As we observe Memorial Day this year I will remember all who have served. I will think of those who stood up to tyranny from the revolutionary war to the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq. I will think of my brothers (and sisters) at arms with whom I served side by side for eight long months in the Middle East. I will think of those whom I work with everyday.

Memorial day is not only a tribute to the brave men and women of the armed forces but also a tribute to the American spirit.

Enjoy your freedoms and remember those who fight for them.

SlagleRock Out.

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:38 PM | Comments (3)

May 29, 2004

September 11th 2001 A Reflection

Below is a personal recollection of the initial moments of September 11, 2001. My wife and I were both on active duty, stationed at Travis AFB, California. I wrote this on the 1st anniversary of the cowardly attack on the US. It was my reflection on a most troublesome time. While I intend on re-running this on Sept 11th this year I decided that this Memorial Day weekend was an appropriate time to post this personal essay. Feel free to comment and please direct anyone you like here to the site to read the thoughts of one patriot, one airman as he looks back on one of the darkest days in US history.

On September 11, 2001 my alarm went off at 0545 just like any other day. Like any other day I did not turn on the television or radio. The love I have for my wife and daughter prevented me from doing anything that may wake her or my little angel prematurely on their day off. I went through my normal routine. I showered, shaved and donned my crisply ironed uniform and spit shined boots just as I had done for nearly 7 years. I left the house in good spirits.
Mentally, I was prepared to teach my M-16 class on that fateful Tuesday. While driving to work I was listening to the radio just as I did every morning. At approximately a quarter until seven the radio DJ’s cut into the song and announced that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. Initially I was horrified at the thought. Then I started to think that was simply inconceivable and the DJ’s (known for horseplay) must be playing some sort of very sick joke. As I made the turn onto the road leading into the back gate at Travis AFB, CA I noticed something peculiar. Traffic was backed up a great deal. Was it an accident I thought? I didn’t see anything in the road up ahead. Was something wrong on base? Then the fear hit home. The radio DJ’s weren’t joking; we were under attack. Quickly I changed the radio to another station to verify the horrifying news, then another and another. I must have checked every single FM station that I could tune in. Moments later the radio announced that a second plane had struck the other tower. I was getting the information in bits and pieces from numerous radio stations. Later I heard another plane crashed into the pentagon. Moments later they announced that one of the WTC towers had collapsed. Initial casualty estimates were in the tens of thousands. As I sat there in traffic, eager to get to my unit where I could perform my duties as a Security Forces member, I cried. The tears flowed almost uncontrollably. The knot in my throat felt the size of Texas. It was possible that I may have lost thousands of my brothers and sisters, my fellow Americans. I thought about my wife and daughter. I thought about how terrible it would be to be a family member of someone who worked in those buildings.
I immediately began working on a plan to have my daughter picked up by grandma so that my wife, also a Security Forces member, and I could do what we do best, serve this great nation. I knew that long arduous shifts were in our future.

Slowly traffic cleared. As I made my way through the gate I stopped to talk to a fellow SF member, he was in tears. He was instructed to allow only active duty military onto the installation. Numerous “non-essential” personnel were sent home. He feared for his family that lived in the San Francisco area.
As I crept in traffic closer to my squadron I noticed an unfamiliar sound. Something I had never heard living and working so close to the airfield. Silence. Suddenly there was no air traffic. No planes were landing. Nothing was taking off or taxiing.

As I rounded the corner to my unit, I didn’t bother to stop at my office, without hesitation I drove on to the armory. I was certain that I would be armed to perform my primary duties as a Defender, air base defense. I was anxious to get intel, find out what the hell was going on. Who attacked us, why? I had so many questions.

As soon as I arrived at the armory I was told to call my wife. Everyone was being recalled to duty. The phone rang for what felt like an hour and when my wife answered, it took her a moment to realize what I was saying. After the initial shock and likely fear had a moment to settle she informed me she, “was on her way.” On her way to work she dropped our daughter off at the Child Development Center (day care) and rushed on to the armory to draw her weapon and perform her duties.

Initially we were told that I would be working a 12-hour day and she would be working a 12-hour night. Since we had no idea how many consecutive days we would be working and what we would do for our daughter, as daycare was only good until 6pm we called Grandma to the rescue. Grandma and Grandpa drove over 100 miles and picked up our little girl from daycare. They took her back to relative safety in a small town in northern California. My wife and I knew she was in great hands. With our daughter taken care of we could focus on the task at hand.

The response of the American people was amazing. Each day after my wife and I settled in to the routine, if you can call it that, we drove to work and saw literally hundreds if not thousands of Americans all along the roads leading to the base waving flags and lighting candles. Horns honked, people waved and the gratitude was unbelievable.

Thanks… Initially the appreciation of America was a huge uplift. It kept me going when I felt totally exhausted. It went on day after day after day. Then one day as I was walking to my house from my car, I passed my neighbor. I had passed this man a million times and he had never said as much as hello or how are you. He stopped me and told me thank you. He went on to elaborate on how proud he was of the military and how grateful he was for, “those in uniform”. I told him thank you and headed home.

Over the next several days this trend continued. If I stopped in a gas station in uniform someone stopped me and said thank you. It actually got to the point where I would not go to a public place in uniform (other than work). I started to become angered over the appreciation of strangers. I asked myself why is it now that all of these people are grateful, but on 10 September they barely acknowledged me when I walked by. For a few days I milled this over in my head. Should I feel good for all of the admiration, or should I be spiteful that it took an attack on American soil to wake up certain segments of our society. Finally I settled into the idea that these people were thankful even before the attacks they just chose to express it more after.

While I can’t say how long we worked or how different the duties became I can say the camaraderie of the troops was something that I will never forget. I have been deployed several times. I have been to hostile fire zones, and the feeling here in the states was the most memorable.

Terrorists plotted and enacted a cowardly attack on U.S. soil. Their hatred for our freedoms were brought to the public eye in a most brutal way. America lost more than 3,000 wonderful people that day but Lady Liberty regained her resolve. To this day a full year after the attacks on the trade center and the pentagon, flags still fly high. There are more American flags flying today than there were before the attacks. You see flags on poles, in windows; from stickers to banners they are everywhere. Old Glory, the symbol of American patriotism and resolve can be seen more places today than ever before. All the terrorists did was remind Americans just how precious our freedoms are and just how important our military is.

While the attack was a tragedy I believe it will make The United States and even better, stronger place to live and serve.

As Todd Beamer said aboard flight 93, Just before whipping some terrorist ass, “Let’s Roll!”

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:05 PM | Comments (3)

Kerry Faults Bush

"I can wage a more effective war on terror than George Bush"

Another mouthful of crap spilled from the mouth of Waffles himself. John Kerry said, "I can wage a more effective war on terror than George Bush" while giving a speech in Seattle on Wednesday May 26th.

Here we go another armchair president. Honestly how can criticize the president when you yourself are clearly not qualified to be the leader of the free world?

I don't talk smack about NFL quarterbacks because I know I couldn't do their job.

Get a clue Kerry, you can't do Bush's Job.

Anyone interested in Kerry's Seattle babble look here.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 02:47 PM | Comments (1)

May 28, 2004

"One Day Isn't Enough"

I recently received this in an email from a friend and fellow veteran, while I haven't attempted to authenticate it I think it is worthy of printing regardless of who wrote it or what their age. If in fact a twelve-year-old girl wrote it, I commend her. We need more young people who think this way.

The following is a verbatim copy of the winning entry at Lakeview Middle
School for a Memorial Day Contest sponsored by Jackson Center Boro. A 12-year-old girl named Trina Jewell wrote this. As a veteran I was very moved by this peace. Many times we don't give our younger generation enough credit for having these kinds of feelings.

This young lady won a 100-dollar savings bond but I really felt she
needed some additional recognition. I am putting this on the Internet in
hopes of generating some encouragement and recognition for Trina. Please
forward this to anyone who would enjoy her tribute to the veterans on
this up coming Memorial Day.

Dennis C Winger
wingerdc@certainty.net

"One Day Isn't Enough"

by Trina Jewell, Age 12

Everyone has their own opinion about different holidays. My
opinion about Memorial Day is that it's a great day to honor soldiers,
our freedom, and all those who fought to protect us.

This is not your typical story of one man but a story about millions of brave men who have fought in many wars and conflicts to keep America's freedom and beliefs alive. There comes a time in everyone's life when they must stand up for their beliefs. For the veterans their beliefs were for freedom and democracy. There have been tyrants around since the beginning of time and there has always been men who have stood up to them, but in America we unite and we all stand up for them. Sometimes it means dying for your beliefs, but in every veterans heart giving their life for our country to be free would be a
great honor. A lot of wives and parents have gotten the news that their child was killed defending our country. Although they were sad they were also proud to have children that believed in our way of life and were willing to give their life to support it.

Freedom is a very word that is often overlooked by the average person, but a veteran knows that freedom isn't free. People have been trying to take our freedom since the Declaration of Independence was signed, but the more they try the harder America fights. America owes its freedom to all of its veterans who have fought every person and notion who have challenged our freedom. Often they gave their lives, but they will never regret the hard fought battles they fought for our right to speak, walk, work and do what we want. That is a right that has been protected for us by veterans. For over 200 yrs. Not only do we owe our lives to veterans, but everything that we do or want to do is because they fought and died for our right to do it.

A lot of young men enlisted in the armed forces on their own, but a lot got a letter in the mail saying that they had been drafted. They were scared, but they were more than willing to serve their country. It don't matter how rich or poor you were, once you were enlisted you were all the same. None wanted to go to war but if called on they would fight with all the courage they had, and if you needed help the rest of the men were there. They weren't behind you, but beside you, all more than willing to help carry the burden. America has never and will never lose our freedom thanks to all the people who have fought for our rights. Not all came home, but none will be forgotten.

Nobody ever wants to go to war, but when it happens America has never had a shortage of volunteers to go and fight for our country. Some volunteers were as young as 14, they had to lie to enlist, but fighting for their country was worth it to them. Even when drafted the men came and fought, all of them willing to give there life for their country. We have lost a lot of men and women in wars, but America remains free. In my heart the veterans deserve more than just one day to honor them. A month would not even be enough to thank them for the sacrifices they had made for all of America.

Anytime you do anything, you should thank a veteran, because
without their sacrifices you would not have freedom to do anything. So
in my opinion one day a year is not enough.

Trina Jewell I commend you on this essay! It is wonderful to hear such things from America's youth.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:42 PM | Comments (1)

Waffles True Colors Seen By Other Nations

Even overseas Waffles cannot hide his true colors. An article in the BBC News stated that US voters would be hard pressed to find much difference between the challenger and the incumbent George W Bush.

The only reason anyone would think that is because Kerry is chasing the Poll. If voters are leaning towards G.W. he will talk like G.W., and when voters are leaning his way he will recant and bash the President.

This is just further proof that Kerry doesn't know what the hell he stands for. His doublespeak is so thick that abroad people believe he and President Bush share the same views on many issues.

They don't share the same views; their views are not even close. Kerry is seen as one of, if not the most liberal senator (even more so than Satan, I mean Hillary Clit-on). How can this be misconstrued as sharing views with the Republican President.

Kerry simply says whatever the moment calls for. He opens his mouth and out belts whatever the crowd of the moment wants to hear.

While giving a speech in Michigan Kerry was asked what kind of vehicle he drove. He of course told the auto making capital of the world that he drove, "SUV's". Later while giving a speech for Earth Day he was asked about driving "SUV's" and he recanted. He told the crowd that he doesn't own any SUV's, his family does. You own, your family owns; same thing Mr. Kerry. First he attempts to appease the auto makers and when it angers the tree huggers he recants.

As the old expression goes, the proof is in the pudding. In this case Kerry is clearly whipping up a batch of bullshit pudding.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:08 AM | Comments (1)

May 27, 2004

Terry Nichols Eligible For The Death Penalty

Almost 10 years after the most horrific terrorist attack on American soil (at the time) Terry Nichols was convicted of 161 state murder charges Wednesday for helping carry out the Oklahoma City Bombing.

Nichols Conviction makes him eligible for the death penalty. A death sentence would supersede the life in prison sentence he received in Federal court.

According to CNN.Com, the jury only deliberated a short 5 hours before convicting Nichols on 161 counts of murder.

The April 19, 1995, blast at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killed 168 people. Timothy McVeigh was executed in June 2001, and until now was the only person convicted of murder in the bombing.

Here's to hoping that Nichols will be the second. Death by lethal injection is far to soft a punishment for Nichols. He deserves to suffer the pain of all of his victims.

Nichols and McVeigh are the worst kind of terrorists, the home kind. Both served in the US Army and it has been speculated that they plotted to bomb a federal building because of their ill will towards both the Army and the Federal government.

"These two were partners, and their business was terrorism," prosecutor Lou Keel said during opening statements.

The prosecution brought a ton of circumstantial evidence and nearly 250 witnesses over the course of the two-month trial.

I hope that Nichols gets his due, and while I think that a lethal injection is too lenient it is better than the taxpayers paying to keep this human waste alive for the remainder of his lifetime.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:35 PM | Comments (2)

May 26, 2004

Quote of the Day

"Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others." --Alexander Hamilton

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:33 PM | Comments (1)

Al Gore Calls For Resignations In Bush Administration

Former Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday called for the immediate resignations of several Bush administration figures, blaming them for "the catastrophe that we are facing in Iraq."

Al Gore called for resignations?

Who the hell does this ass clown think he is? He had no power or influence when he was vice president what makes him think anyone gives a squirt of piss what he thinks now.

Gore singled out Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice during a speech at New York University.

He also went on to say, President Bush's "arrogance, willfulness and bungling" in Iraq have put Americans at risk around the world, and urged voters to oust him in November.

Sounds like more Democratic babble. Dems will do anything to draw attention to their party. Hell, Waffles is the prime example of that. It is as if they (Dumb-ocrats) wake each morning and try to think of what lie will draw the most attention.

Gore also attacked his so called friend, CIA Director George Tenet, even though he called Tenet "a personal friend" and "a good and decent and honorable man." But he said the U.S. intelligence community needs new leadership as well.

As if anyone cares what Gore thinks.

How about a Kerry/Gore ticket? He would be one more moron that would help ensure a Bush re-election.

To Gore and the rest of his kind...

Put your asshats back on, go sit in a corner and color, and maybe just maybe we'll give you a cookie after naptime.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:29 PM | Comments (2)

Terror Attack Expected, "Within the next few months"

Credible intelligence from multiple sources indicates that Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terror network plans to attempt an attack on the United States "within the next few months," Attorney General John Ashcroft said Wednesday.

When will these Muslim extremists learn?

Do they not remember what America looked like on 12th of September 2001?

Flags were waving everywhere. Americans all over the country were holding candle light vigils in churches and on street corners. All their cowardly attack did, was refresh America's patriotism and further fuel Uncle Sam's resolve.

Americans everywhere were reminded that we are vulnerable, but that didn't change the fact that we are the most powerful nation on the planet. It also had no affect on our freedoms.

For further information on this report check out Fox News!!!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:21 PM | Comments (1)

May 21, 2004

Spec. Jeremy Sivits Receives Maximum Sentence, Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse (Part 2)

Spec. Jeremy Sivits received the maximum sentence Wednesday for his role in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal as part of a plea deal with prosecutors that leaves him open to testify against other soldiers charged in the mistreatment of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison.

This piece of shit got what he deserved!

Pvt. Sivits (Demoted to E-1) will face a year of confinement, the previously mentioned demotion and a discharge for bad conduct. That's right a Dis-Honorable Discharge. Hear that America? A discharge for having no honor. Sivits was not a soldier. He was not following orders! He is just some immoral ass hole who got what he asked for!

I think this is what he deserves. I hope all of the others fall in line with his sentencing. Maybe a year of making boulders into big rocks, and big rocks into little rocks will give this nimrod the time to think about how he not only mistreated other human beings but also about how he brought disgrace on the U.S. Army, all of the armed forces and the US as a whole.

Sivits like most criminals made lame apologies for his actions. If he were truly remorseful he wouldn't have to apologize, as he wouldn't have involved himself in these immoral actions.

Sivits said, "I'd like to apologize to the Iraqi people and those detainees, I should have protected those detainees, not taken the photos."

For him to say this in hindsight just shows me that he knew he was wrong in the first place.

Sivits Special Court-Martial was part of a plea deal to testify against others charged in the Abu Ghraib Scandal. His plea prevented him from facing a much more severe General Court-Martial.

Again, like most criminals anything to screw over the next guy to save his own ass.

I personally don’t agree with any deals, all charged in this case should face the maximum allowable sentence under a General Court-Martial.

One final thing I would like to note is that all seven of the U.S. soldiers, who have been accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, are reservists with the 372nd Military Police Company.

I do not mean this as a slam to reservists (ever) I have the greatest respect for all of our armed forces, however all of these allegations are centered around one small group of people and one incident.

As I have said before, the actions of a few DO NOT REFLECT the morals or beliefs or our Armed Forces

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:25 AM | Comments (4)

May 17, 2004

US Troops To Re-Deploy From South Korea

Some 3,600 troops will be deploying to Iraq from South Korea. Troops from the 2nd Brigade will be deployed to Iraq for up to a year. The brigade was selected because it had not done a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Some in South Korea fear any cut in U.S. military presence might weaken its defense readiness against the million-man army of North Korea, the world's fifth largest military.

Korea is the last remaining "front" from the cold war. While there mission in S. Korea is vital so to will be their role in Iraq.

I think in one respect any diminishment of troop numbers in S. Korea could be a bad thing. On the other side of the coin is the relatively small number, 3,600, isn't even a tenth of the troops on the peninsula.

To the troops of the 2nd Brigade, keep your head down and spirits up.

It is nice to see that the scandals have slowed just enough for us to hear of regular troop deployments and re-deployments.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:39 PM | Comments (2)

John Kerry's Running Mate

Talks of John Kerry's choice for a running mate are haunting the news.

While I would never be so lucky as to have Kerry choose her…

Hillary Clinton?

Are you kidding me? Didn't she do enough to this country when she was running it for eight years while slick Willy was supposed to be in charge? I truly wish that he would choose Clinton. She would be the nail in his coffin. That would seal the deal for republicans. A woman with the level of scandal that surrounds Hillary would never be elected to the white house even if it were 2nd chair.

I can't wait to see who nails down the position. The sad thing is that whomever he names will probably be better suited to run for president than he is.

I also look forward to his next ploy. It is starting to become apparent that waffles will do whatever he can to get elected. He goes back on things he has said. He says one thing to one audience and the opposite to another. What's the next step? I suppose he will start dropping strong republican names for key positions within his administration.

Time will tell. As for the closing gap in the polls, hold on America your world could soon be turned upside down. Imagine having a president that can't stick by anything, a man who doesn't even know where he stands on the issues.

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:10 PM | Comments (5)

May 13, 2004

Nicholas Berg, Abu Ghraib, John Kerry, Pfc. Lynndie England (and others) and Donald Rumsfeld

Ok, this post is my chance to play catch up. Recent duty requirements have limited my time and opportunity to post my thoughts on recent events at home and abroad.

The first thing I'd like to touch on is the recent beheading of American Nicholas Berg. This chickenshit, hide behind a mask, make threats you can't possibly live up to attempt by some terrorist ass holes was just that, a threat and nothing more. A handful of fanatic morons will not control or change the outcome of the conflict in Iraq. It will not win the war for their cause. It will not scare America into leaving, and it will not change our involvement in Iraq. It is that simple. As several news sources have reported the video was quite gruesome.

As described, Berg is heard screaming as his throat is cut. One of the captors then holds up his severed head.

"For the mothers and wives of American soldiers, we tell you that we offered the U.S. administration to exchange this hostage for some of the detainees in Abu Ghraib and they refused," the hooded man standing behind the American said just before the killing.

"Coffins will be arriving to you one after the other, slaughtered just like this."

What kind of a moronic statement is this? At every encounter insurgents are killed at numbers several times higher than that of the coalition. They did not get my attention. All they did was further convince me why we need to help settle their truly backward, barbaric society.

For our own nimrods, conspiracy terrorist, or bleeding heart who are looking for something to cry about... No the CIA did not have Berg killed. No, it isn't some republican ploy to take the heat off of Abu Ghraib. This was nothing more than the senselessly killing of an innocent. What could these terrorist hope to accomplish. They could stand to learn something from the WWII era Japanese. "I can't imagine anything that would infuriate the Americans more. I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Those words were spoken by Admiral Yamamoto in World War II after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. I think the terrorist will come to learn just how true Admiral Yamamoto's statement is.

To Mr. Bergs family my heart and thoughts go out to you.

Next Rant..

Abu Ghraib

These sicko's: Pfc. Lynndie England, Spc. Jeremy Sivits, Sgt. Javal Davis and Staff Sgt. Ivan "Chip" Frederick and all who were involved will get there due.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice is just that, a code. It is the code we live by. The rules, regulations and laws that govern the United States Military. All who were involved in any mistreatment of prisoners in Iraq will get what they deserve. The court-martials will come and all will have there day in court. I am confidant that the truth will be told and those responsible will pay for their actions.

Pfc. Lynndie England, and others are now claiming that they were following orders. Bullshit, even if such an order were issued, no service member would be obligated to follow them. One of the first things you are taught in the military is about lawful orders. If you are ordered to do something that is clearly illegal there is no obligation or requirement to follow those orders. Anyone who chooses to engage in unlawful activity is responsible for his or her own actions. No one other than those involved can be held accountable. Donald Rumsfeld is not responsible for Pfc. England's raunchy sex videos in front of the prisoners. That was her ignorant doing. No commander would order a troop to have sex with multiple partners in front of prisoners. There is also no chance in hell that a military officer would order someone to record such horrible actions.

The actions of a few are not a reflection on the US military; they are the actions of a few!

Just like our two recent deserters to Canada, the military is not at fault for their actions they are.

Rant three

John Kerry

Holy shit where to begin. If it isn't one thing it's another. Kerry would make a better actor than a President. He is so full of shit I don't think he even knows when he is lying. Today on Fox news I heard him say that we have failed to bring peace to Iraq and that would not happen if he were president. First of all Waffles, they have been at war with each other for centuries how stupid would a person have to be to believe that this would all happen overnight. As for what would happen if Kerry were President, I think you'd see a dramatic decrease in re-enlistments in all branches of service.

I know these entries were short, but I needed to get my thoughts out there.

Stay strong America, Support the Troops and never ever allow the actions of the terrorists or a few rogue Americans sway your opinion of this great nation.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:48 PM | Comments (1)

May 10, 2004

Rep. Pete Stark Needs To Increase His Medication

Below you will find an article from the Oakland Tribune. It shows the utterly disgusting response of U.S. Representative Pete Stark to a letter he received from a man in his district. Stark a former Air Force Captain made several inflammatory remarks about an elite fraternity that apparently he has forgotten, the United States military. Stark spewed several ignorant remarks that showed just how out of touch some of our politicians really are. Stark raises the question, when is a person to old to serve in politics? Below you will find the article, in bold are some of my thoughts.

Stark said, "enlisted men are too stupid to spell"

In his 72 years of life has he become that out of touch to think that the enlisted men in our military are cavemen? Are we all inarticulate, Neanderthals? I take personal offense to his remarks. I know that a Bachelors degree is not that uncommon amongst enlisted people. At the least an Associates is required for higher enlisted ranks. I have known enlisted men and women with degrees ranging from an AA to a Ph D. Who is stark to call these well educated enlisted men and woman "stupid"?

Stark voice mail on Iraq vote winds up on Limbaugh, Net

Newark man takes offense to rep.'s response to his faxed criticism
By Josh Richman and Sandhya Somashekhar, STAFF WRITERS
Saturday, May 08, 2004 - A man who wrote to U.S. Rep. Pete Stark criticizing his Thursday vote against a resolution on abuse of Iraqi prisoners got a personal reply within the hour -- voice mail from Stark inviting him to explain why he thinks he's "such a great, goddamn hero."

"I think I got the point across," Stark, D-Fremont, said Friday after the voice-mail message had been posted online and become the topic of heated local talk radio. Syndicated host Rush Limbaugh played it nationwide later Friday.

"I probably would've left out the blasphemy ... it was a poor choice of words," added Stark, 72. "Other than that, I would stand by the entire statement that I made to him. We can't call back our words. If that's the part that offended him, I would humbly apologize."

"I guess that means he stands by his statement that enlisted men are too stupid to spell," shot back Daniel L. Dow, 33, the Newark tech sales executive, Army National Guard sergeant and 2002 Republican Assembly candidate who drew Stark's ire.

"It was assaulting the very person he's there to represent," said Dow, who returned in January from a six-month deployment to Kosovo. "Rather than saying, 'Mr. Dow, I hear your opinion, and though I don't share it, I appreciate hearing it,' he leaves this message. This isn't a bar room brawl kind of arena."

Tape heard 'round the nation

Dow faxed Stark a letter Thursday afternoon saying he was "appalled" by Stark's vote against the resolution, noting many of Stark's constituents are serving in the military with pride and distinction. Dow wrote that Stark's vote shows he doesn't support troops selflessly serving their nation, and "is a disgrace to the people of this district who have elected you."

"I urge you to stop your contemptuous display of bitter partisanship and your politicization of this war," he added. "Your actions are very divisive and destructive to the morale of our troops and the morale of our nation. I know that a majority of the population of the 13th Congressional District are very strong in their support of our soldiers and in their support of the war in Iraq. Your 'NO' vote today reflects that you are way out of touch with the people of this district."

Stark soon left Dow a phone message saying that Dow didn't know what he was talking about, and that Stark believed someone had put Dow up to writing the letter, perhaps even writing it for him: "I doubt if you could spell half the words in your letter."

"But I'll call you back later and let you tell me more about why you think you're such a great, goddamn hero, and why you think that this general and the defense department who forced these poor enlisted guys to do what they did shouldn't be held to account -- that's the issue," Stark said. "So if you want to stick it to a bunch of enlisted guys, have your way, but if you want to get to the bottom of the people who forced this awful program in Iraq, then you should understand more about it than you obviously do. Thanks."

Dow gave Stark's taped message to KSFO 560 AM, which aired and discussed it Friday. The station also posted it on the Internet and sent it to Limbaugh, who played it nationwide later Friday. Limbaugh said Stark spoke "typically as a liberal would to an upstart, peasant, dare-to-speak-to-a-congressman citizen."

Thursday's resolution passed 365-50 with 19 members not voting. Ron Paul, R-Texas, was the lone GOP vote against it, while Democrats against it included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco; Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; George Miller, D-Martinez; and Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma.

At a news conference earlier Thursday, Pelosi noted Democrats had wanted to amend the resolution to call for a congressional investigation of all abuses committed by military personnel or civilian contractors, "including the command atmosphere that contributed to such abuse."

Despite our pleadings last night, the Republicans would not put in the resolution a call for looking into the behavior of the contractors in Iraq, she said.

The resolution's final draft urged the secretary of the Army to investigate any and all allegations of mistreatment or abuse of detainees in Iraq, correct any problems found, bring swift justice to troops who violated military law and report to Congress often.

The ultimate question

Stark said Friday the ultimate question must be: "Was this in fact ordered, implicitly or directly, by the Department of Defense, the CIA, the administration, or was it just six rogue enlisted guys?"

"Part of our concern was that without a congressional investigation ... it will be left to the administration to cover up the obvious involvement of the Department of Defense and the administration of condoning, if not creating, the atmosphere that allowed this to go on," he said. "There are those of us inside the Beltway ... who are sometimes suspicious of the tenacity with which the fox can in fact guard the henhouse."

Alameda maritime consultant and U.S. Naval Reserve veteran George Bruno, Stark's GOP challenger in November, said Stark "has a history of this type of behavior.

"Stark's disdain for the military is a slap in the face to all who have served and sacrificed to protect this county," Bruno said, adding the district has been disadvantaged because Stark "refuses to value diversity of opinion above his personal preferences."

Dow ran for the 20th Assembly District seat in 2002, losing to Democratic incumbent John Dutra. He served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1994, reaching the rank of sergeant and serving as a Korean linguist in the Military Intelligence Corps.

Stark was a U.S. Air Force first lieutenant from 1955 to 1957 and then served six years in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a captain.
Stark has a habit of dusting it up with his critics.

Is this man so arrogant and out of touch to think that he reached the rank of Captain on his own. Without the enlisted men around him the mission would not be met, plane and simple, cut and dry. It is the enlisted man that makes the military what it is. The military could survive without officers, but it could not exist without the enlisted men and women who serve this great nation!

During a tumultuous Ways and Means Committee hearing last July, Stark called another lawmaker -- an ex-policeman 21 years his junior -- a wimpy fruitcake who couldn't make him shut up. Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., replied by telling Stark to take his medication.

But ultimately it was committee chairman Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield, who offered a tearful apology on the House floor for that day's events; he had called Capitol Police to evict committee Democrats from a library where they were caucusing.

I do not condone the actions of a few soldiers, civilians and whomever may have been involved with the mistreatment of the Iraqi prisoners of war. I do however condone anyone who feels the need to tell Stark what an Ass Hole he is!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:11 PM | Comments (2)

May 07, 2004

SlagleRock Calls On John Kerry To Resign

OK, before I start this rant I have to share a dirty little secret. I subscibe to the Kerry campaigns email alerts. I do however, only subscribe because Kerry is his own worst enemy. I get all kinds of ammo from his "supporters". Here is the most recent email:

Donald Rumsfeld
must resign.

Dear Friend,

Over the past week we have all been shocked by the pictures from the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. But we have also been appalled at the slow and inept response by President Bush, which has further undermined America's credibility in the world and created new dangers for Americans in Iraq. George Bush must fire Donald Rumsfeld. But that is only a first step towards taking responsibility for his administration's failures in Iraq.

John Kerry has called on Donald Rumsfeld to resign, and today we're asking you to support him by adding your name to the call for Rumsfeld to resign here:

Here are my thoughts on that, F-you Kerry you nimrod! Big D Rumsfeld is good at what he does. Like GW he pulls no punches and cradles no bleeding hearts.

Our military is at its finest in the 10 years that I have been in. Military families can actually survive. We are no longer living paycheck to paycheck. I am not saying that we are adequately paid (whole different blog) but everyone from the president on down the chain of command have been more focused on our quality of life than slick Willy or anyone in his circus ever were.

Ok, back to my original thought.

Rumsfeld is no more responsible for the terrible actions of a few looney troops than I am for the invention of space travel. What kind of a world do we live in where a grunt halfway around the world humiliates (or worse) an enemy combatant and a politician is supposed to be held accountable? Rumsfeld didn't order sodomy. He didn't direct the troops to photograph the enemy in the nude. For Kerry to call for Rumsfeld’s resignation is just a democratic attack on the Republican Party.

This recent ploy is one more sign of the dems desperation.

I say to hell with Kerry!!

I call for Senator Kerry to resign!!

What’s next Hillary Clinton for VP?

Show your support for Secretary Rumsfeld and leave your comments here.

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:48 PM | Comments (11)

1,000 Hits In 25 Days!!!

At Apx 1030 Hours on Wednesday May 5th the Slaughterhouse hit the 1,000 visitors mark!!!!! Man I enjoy doing this.

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:31 AM | Comments (2)

May 04, 2004

Ted Rall Is Truly A Jackass

Ted Rall claims to be America's hardest-hitting editorial cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate. This is obviously a self-proclaimed title. Take a look at his sorry leftist cartoons and you will soon see he is little more than a lackluster cartoonist who uses "shock" to attract an audience.

With what is barely conceivable as a modicum of talent Rall chose to slander recently deceased soldier, and true American Pat Tillman. His cartoon is not only offensive as he chose to dirty the heroic name Tillman it is also a slap in the face of every American who has chosen to serve this great nation.

To pay tribute to all veterans as well as true Americans Mamamontezz has designed a cartoon of her own. Here you are Turd Rall, here is what the blog community thinks of you!

For a better view of this cartoon click Mamamontezz and take a look at the larger version.

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:58 PM | Comments (2)

May 03, 2004

Rene Gonzalez, Coward, Intellectually Impaired or Just Plain Stupid?

Ok, I know I am a day late, but certainly not a dollar short. This is a subject that I have left alone too long. At the request of several readers I have decided to add my two cents on UMASS student Rene Gonzalez. I’ll bet in hindsight Rene wishes he never had his 15 minutes of fame.

Shortly after it was announced that former NFL player Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan a storm of comments appeared on the web. Everything from hero, to fallen patriot to a “"G.I. Joe" guy who got what was coming to him.” According to UMass student Rene Gonzalez. He also said, “That was not heroism, it was prophetic idiocy.” He went on to senselessly babble about the American propaganda machine and how Pat Tillman “was acting out his macho, patriotic crap”. He tried to imply that outside the US or "in his neighborhood" the view of the US is very different.

Another comment Gonzales made that stuck in my mind was, “in my neighborhood in Puerto Rico, Tillman would have been called a "pendejo," an idiot.” Well Rene, why don’t you go back to your neighborhood since obviously there is nothing for you in this land that has so ineptly educated you. Oh and by the way pendejo, we speak English and don’t care what you or your “intellectually immature” friends on the block have to say.

Another thing, Patriotic Crap? Who is this idiot to sit and denounce American patriotism? I have served proudly with some very fine people from Puerto Rico. They serve proudly in positions throughout the United States Department of Defense. I recently spent eight and a half months in the Middle East with a group of US Air Force Air National Guardsman from Puerto Rico. I will tell you this. They believed in what we we're doing there. They were also proud to serve the United States and all hoped someday that Puerto Rico would be the 51st state. Most of which were also soon to be US citizens. Are these the people that would call Tillman a "pendajo"? I think not, these are people who would mourn the loss of this unique man.

Rene wasted his time and that of those of us who read his literary garbage. He said numerous idiotic remarks in his article about fallen hero Pat Tillman and American patriotism.

Since Rene made his anti-American remarks in the opinion piece published in the UMass Daily Collegian, he has back peddled and offered an apology to the family of Pat Tillman.

Gonzales said his comments were “insensitive”. Insensitive to say the least, ignorant is more like it.

I say his apology should be just a start. Since he chose to spit on the grave of Tillman and all proud Americans who have fallen this war and all wars before he should next move on to every POW/MIA or KIA that has ever served this nation with distinction. Once he is finished apologizing to the families of Mr. Tillman’s military brethren he should return to Puerto Rico and never again return to the United States.

UMass should be ashamed to have the likes of Rene Gonzalez in their ranks. Gonzalez is nothing more than an intellectually ill-equipped, half-wit who doesn’t have the stones to do what Pat Tillman and countless others have chosen to do.

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:29 PM | Comments (5)

May 01, 2004

SPC Theresa Flannery (update)

To all who are interested. I received an email from SPC Flannery today and she is recovering well. She had her cast removed and is working out hard in the gym and patiently anticipating her return to her unit. I wish her all the best and know you all do to. She is a patriot, a true American, and an example for not only women but all Americans!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:57 PM | Comments (4)

News From Iraq

Today we live in a world where the media whores want to portray us as a violent nation. They chose only to focus on the horrendous. Often the news is more a biased entertainment (if you can call it that) broadcast than an accurate portrayal of what is really going on. I know this first hand as I have been deployed to several locations in the Middle East and many times what we were watching on CNN was not the way it was at all. Recently I received an email with a focus similar to mine. Getting the information out there as it really is or how it is perceived by those who are there and those who have been there.

I do not know the author of this email personally. I received this by way of a friend of a friend so to speak and some where along that chain someone purportedly knows SFC Ray Reynolds. SFC Reynolds is a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Iraq. In an email to friends and family SFC Reynolds wrote:

As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two-week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that have happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing.)

* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35% before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us here. I have met many, many people in Iraq that want us here, and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

To SFC Reynolds I say thank you. Also, I agree John Kerry doesn't have a clue. It would be a sad day if he were elected president of our great nation. The thought of having a Commander in Chief that has done so much to hinder our military is NAUSEATING.

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:46 PM | Comments (1)