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November 30, 2004

And we thought the Nazi's lost...

Back in the years preceeding WWII in Europe, Germany began the routine practise of eradicating euthanizing the undesireable infants, the phyisically deformed, the mentally ill, the intellectually retarded, the aged, and eventually those with criminal tendencies as a means of purifying the nordic gene pool and building their "Master Race" for their eventual bid for complete European domination.

Asylums, nurseries, hospitals and pension homes were emptied and their tenants were incinerated after they had been exterminated euthanized for their own good, and the good of the German people. They were a strain on the economy, not to mention a weakening of the fine genetics that were prized by the Nazi eugenists.

And we all know what happened next. Homosexuals, Gypsies, Jews, all deemed impure and undesirable in their great experiment were also swept up in this murderous drive and killed in huge numbers. And then the Poles, and Catholics, and anyone who was politically undesirable.

How did it start again? Oh, I remember. It started with babies.

"In August, the main Dutch doctors' association KNMG urged the Health Ministry to create an independent board to review euthanasia cases for terminally ill people "with no free will," including children, the severely mentally retarded and people left in an irreversible coma after an accident."

Sound familiar? It should. History doesn't always repeat, but it always fucking rhymes.

"Examples include extremely premature births, where children suffer brain damage from bleeding and convulsions; and diseases where a child could only survive on life support for the rest of its life, such as severe cases of spina bifida and epidermosis bullosa, a rare blistering illness."

Do you also suppose they plan to include other disorders? Cystic Fibrosis? How about birth-injuries like Cerebral Palsy? Will that be next, or is it just not listed but being done now? Hydrocephalis? Down's Syndrome?

Can you say "Slippery Slope"?

Posted by Mamamontezz at 10:57 PM | Comments (3)

Saddam's Explosives

Remember the Dem's October Surprise? Those many tons of missing high explosives which Kerry went on to use as an example of the Bush administration's incompetence in Iraq? Sure, you do. It was in all the papers, all over the Main Stream Media, the big thing on ABC/NBC/CBS/CNN/PMSNBC/NYT. How could we forget it?

Well, seems they found out exactly what probably happened to all of that UN sealed and locked-away ordnance.

Saddam had it removed before the war ever really got revved up completely. It had just barely started when his minions nabbed that shit.

Egads! No! How could this have happened!

"As American forces closed in on Baghdad last year, senior members of Saddam Hussein's government devised a plan to send suicide bombers in vehicles packed with devastating high-energy explosives that were under UN safeguards."

So THAT'S what happened. Oh, it gets better.

A letter to Saddam from Dr Naji Sabri, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, five days before the fall of Baghdad, suggests taking the HMX from underground bunkers, where it had been kept under seal by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and giving it to suicide bombers.

He wrote: "It is possible to increase the explosive power of the suicide-driven cars by using the highly explosive material [HMX] which is sealed by the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] and stored in the warehouses of the Military Industry Departments."

Can you believe it? And all this time we thought it was administrative incompetence here. No, the incompetence was in the reporting by the world media in their desparate bid to affect the election here. Much like Bin Laden's video tape, this was to boost support for Kerry (regardless of the demented theory that senile ex-anchorman tried to float on the Larry King show) and intended to hoist Bush on the false petard of a poorly handled war.

Chew on this one a while, ABC/NBC/CBS/CNN/PMSNBC/NYT. And choke on it. We know you won't even mention it to your viewship/readership. We wouldn't expect you to. It would be completely out of character for any of you.

Posted by Mamamontezz at 10:30 PM | Comments (2)

Update on LCpl. Renehan

I just got out of AIM with Spence, the brother of LCpl. Kyle Renehan, and I have some updated information.

Because of some difficulty with the wounds to his leg, they are giving him a transfusion and are holding him in Iraq until the wound closes enough to make air travel safer. He is still sedated heavily and basically unconscious.

He will remain in Iraq until tomorrow night. They will start the process of waking him tomorrow, and reassess any damage to his brain. LCpl Chris will remain with him until he is moved, which is very good for Kyle. I'm sure he is talking Kyle's ear off, and that's good for both of them at this point.

Spence also said that he appreciates all of the kindness shown during this situation. Good and wonderful people have been hitting the Paypal link and doing what they can to assist his family, and it was overwhelming.

If you can help with prayer, please do so for Kyle and for his parents who are taking this very hard and need your support. If you can help with the finances, please go to Spence's page and drop a little change in the kitty.

[Mamamontezz: Spence has asked that we take down the link at this time. His parents will not need to fly to Germany, as they are not going to keep him there for any length of time before flying him to Bethesda Naval Hospital. He appreciates the generosity and prayers of all of everyone.]

Posted by Mamamontezz at 12:53 PM | Comments (3)

November 29, 2004

Mom the best Medicine.

And while we're on the topic of Wounded Warriors, I want to bring your attention to this piece from the Tennessean.

"At 18 months old, Ryan Autery flew off a swing and bloodied his front teeth. His mom, Trish, was there to clean him up and calm his tears.

At 10, he accidentally spilled a cup of boiling water. And Trish was there in the days that followed to change the bandage on his deep arm burn.

Now at 19, Ryan stood next to the dining room table Tuesday as Trish placed a large rectangular bandage underneath his left elbow.

Stitches crisscrossed this place on his arm like lines on a basketball after 10 surgeries. The latest set of stitches keeping a new skin graft in place looked angry red.

Ryan then kept the bandage from moving as Trish began to weave a wrapping around it, the elbow and upper arm. After putting on one layer, she started another. Midway through, however, Ryan had to sit down at the kitchen table.

Sometimes he can't bear to look.

''It's an abomination,'' he says of his injury.

His comment does not break Mom's concentration. And after a couple of minutes, Trish finished redressing this new hurt on her son, now a Marine corporal.

He lost the lower part of his left arm in Iraq."

Take a look at this powerfully written look at the situation this family is in, and do what you can. The link is at the bottom.

Semper Fi, young man. Persist.

Posted by Mamamontezz at 10:30 PM | Comments (1)

LCpl Kyle Renehan, USMC

Yes, I'm guest posting for a little while as SlagleRock gets his computer problems sorted out. So bear with me as I try to keep up his level of great posting.

I want to start tonight with information on Lance Corporal Kyle Renehan, USMC, the older brother of a young member of the VRWC who hangs out in the Loyal Citizens chat room at the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler.

LCpl Renehan was injured seriously Monday when a mortar struck the small trailer in Fallujah where he was messaging some friends online. The mortar caused two severe breaks in one of his legs, as well as multiple shrapnel wounds in his abdomen, arm, and the back of his head. The one to his leg and the one to the back of his head are the most serious, and have the potential of being extremely life affecting.

His brother LCpl Chris Renahan, also in Iraq, was quickly sent to be with him at the medical facility in Baghdad. He has undergone surgery and we belive that the surgery is over. No further information is available on his condition.

The family is struggling to deal with the situation, and need everyone's support.

When talking to Spence in chat this evening, he stated that Kyle had been online at the time, in what was considered a rear area in or near Falluhah which the family had believed was "safe." The other brother, Chris, has been in a forward unit taking heat on a regular basis. Apparently Chris noticed the irony of this, and is reported to have to have told his wounded brother "Here I am on the front line, dodging bullets, and you're the one who gets a Purple Heart while IM'ing one of your girlfriends."

Well, I imagine the language may have been a bit saltier, but we'll leave that alone for now.

Beth at Yeah, Right, Whatever has a call for prayers, and info on contacting the Renehan family, and Sir George has co-written a piece with Spence that is now posted at the Rottie.






Update: As of about 2am EST, we have learned that LCpl Renehan will be flown to Germany very shortly. We are still waiting word of his condition.

Update: As of 0350EST, LCpl Renehan is being moved to a hospital in Germany for further assessment and treatment, quite possibly as this is being posted. His parents plan to join him as soon as they can, probably by the end of the day Tuesday. Please go to Spence's site and hit the Paypal button, as they will need our financial support as well as our prayers.

Posted by Mamamontezz at 09:55 PM | Comments (1)

Internet Woes

I have been without an internet connection in my home for about 5 days. Due to the holiday I was away from work and had no way to post. I can see that many people have noticed. I have lost more than 200 inbound links and I am at an all time low for links and hits.

I apologize for this. I won't be able to post anything else today, but I promise I have several great things in the works and will post them once lousey ass Qwest pulls their heads out and fixes my connection.

Mama, if you read this would you mind guest posting a thing or two for the next few days? Anything would be appreciated, but you know I tend to lean to the military and political.

I need to get my links back up.

Sorry everyone for the inconvenience.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:30 AM | Comments (2)

The Stuff Legends Are Made Of...

Marine Sacrifices His Life For Others In Grenade Blast

According to the Seattle Times, heroism of epic proportions has been displayed by a Marine in Fallujah.

"It's stuff you hear about in boot camp, about World War II and Tarawa Marines who won the Medal of Honor," said Lance Cpl. Rob Rogers, 22, of Tallahassee, Fla., one of Peralta's platoon mates in 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Peralta, 25, as platoon scout, wasn't even assigned to the assault team that entered the insurgent safe house in northern Fallujah, Marines said. Despite an assignment that would have allowed him to avoid such dangerous duty, he regularly asked squad leaders if he could join their assault teams, they said.

One of the first Marines to enter the house, Peralta was wounded in the face by rifle fire from a room near the entry door, said Lance Cpl. Adam Morrison, 20, of Tacoma, who was in the house when Peralta was first wounded.

Moments later, an insurgent rolled a fragmentation grenade into the area where a wounded Peralta and the other Marines were seeking cover.

As Morrison and another Marine scrambled to escape the blast, pounding against a locked door, Peralta grabbed the grenade and cradled it into his body, Morrison said. While one Marine was badly wounded by shrapnel from the blast, the Marines said they believe more lives would have been lost if not for Peralta's selfless act.

"He saved half my fire team," said Cpl. Brannon Dyer, 27, of Blairsville, Ga

Go read the full story. Follow the link at the top of the post.

This is the type of story that you read about in military history books, and it is the sort of thing that movies are made of.

This Marine deserves the Medal of Honor. It is small consolation for the loss of his life, but it is the least our government can do for this brave man.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:02 AM | Comments (3)

November 21, 2004

Stay Home, You Pathetic Whining Maggots

By Ian Robinson -- Calgary Sun In the wake of the U.S. presidential election -- in which I cheerfully took a Sun assistant city editor, who figured Senator John Kerry couldn't lose, for $10 (a quick pause to gloat here) Americans disenchanted with President George W. Bush's re-election romp back into the White House, continue to deluge the Canadian immigration website.

How anybody can be unhappy with the president's re-election is beyond me.

Bush has my admiration in no small part because he manages to simultaneously annoy France and Germany, not to mention those renowned deep, geopolitical thinkers, the Dixie Chicks, Bruce Springsteen, P-Diddy or whatever he's calling himself now, Gwynneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck.

Be sure to click continue reading!

(Interesting note about France: America invades Iraq without UN approval and America is portrayed as a barbarian striding across the world stage. Recently, France essentially invaded the Ivory Coast to protect its interests there ... without asking the UN squat. Just pointing out the hypocrisy.)

Plus, let's face it: France deserves to be annoyed by as many people as possible, as often as possible, if only for encouraging Jerry Lewis by telling him that he was a genius.

Not to mention for exporting snotty wine culture across the Atlantic so that otherwise reasonable North Americans have turned into cork-sniffing oenephiles -- although the word sounds like an exotic perversion, it just means wine-nerd -- who can actually say with a straight face: "This is a full-bodied Cabernet, rich with a full body tasting of plum, blackberry and leather cooked on an oak plank."

Anyway, the day after the U.S. election, 115,628 Americans checked out the site and those numbers haven't fallen off very much.

Before the election, some U.S. celebrities and numerous other Democrats vowed that they'd move to Canada if Bush were re-elected.

I hope I'm not alone in gently suggesting to those considering coming to Canada: Stay home, you pathetic whining maggots.

Particularly celebrities. Canada has suffered enough without having to put up with any of the Baldwin brothers or -- heaven forfend! -- Barbra Streisand.

And frankly, I don't know if we can afford to feed Michael Moore.

Bad enough that Canada became a haven for the gutless wonders of the 1960s who fled the Vietnam draft. I sometimes think that the draft dodgers welcomed by the Trudeau government were a political virus that invaded our body politic, and we still suffer the lingering effects of that illness.

Our nation's preposterous pacifism, belief in nonsense such as "soft power" and fidelity to a morally bankrupt United Nations overrun with tin-pot dictators and other left-wing idiocies, may well be traceable back to the influx of thousands of the testosterone-challenged whose allegiance to country was superceded by their allegiance to smoking dope while trying to figure out the inner meaning of Beatles songs.

We have immigrants coming to this country who have been hunted from the air by murderous Islamofascists in Sudan.

Some new Canadians survived the atrocities in Rwanda or old Europe's final convulsions of genocide in the former Yugoslavia.

We have physicians from some parts of the world who are willing to throw away their prestige and power in their homelands for the privilege of driving a cab in Moose Jaw.

As a nation, we ought to welcome our share of people fleeing genuine oppression, and those willing to gamble everything to secure a safe and decent future for their families.

But welcome a bunch of spoiled brats willing to abandon their very nation because they don't like the man elected to be their leader for the next four years?

Geez, in my entire lifetime, there was maybe one prime minister I'd trust to run a street-corner hot dog stand -- the rest of them weren't fit for much more than compost -- but it never occurred to me to emigrate.

If we close our borders to anybody, it should be these fools. They'll be easy to screen out.

They'll be the ones who are whining.

Well, if anyone thought that all Canadians were neutral, tree hugging, anti-American hippies boy were you wrong.

This guy just keeps tacking them down.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:07 PM | Comments (4)

A Canadian With Balls And Common Sense

Mamamontezz mailed me this link to a man that instantly became one of my daily reads!

Sun, November 21, 2004

I don't blame that Marine in Fallujah at all

By Ian Robinson -- Calgary Sun

You're a kid, probably a year or two, or even three, shy of your 25th birthday.

Not a rich kid. Probably not even an upper-middle-class kid ... after all, you don't find a lot of those outside the officer corps in combat naval infantry units.

You're probably not that bright; certainly not as bright as the highly educated college types lining up to condemn you.

Maybe you finished high school. Maybe you didn't.

The average IQ of an enlisted man in the United States Marine Corps is under 90.

It hasn't stopped you from mastering the tools of your trade. You can break down a complex automatic rifle and reassemble it blindfolded. You take care of your rifle with a professional passion that is nearly fetishistic because if you take care of your rifle -- the voice of a Parris Island drill instructor echoes in your head when you think this -- your rifle will take care of you.

You're in fantastic physical condition ... the combat load you carry on your back is 40-lb. more than the average American infantryman in the Second World War.

For whatever reason, you decided to give your life to something greater than yourself. To your country. To the Marines.

Be sure to click continue reading for the rest of the article.

When you did that, you were indoctrinated. They broke you in boot camp and then rebuilt you. You were told you were the meanest, toughest S.O.B. who ever lived.

You know the names of obscure battles where Marines shed blood in the service of their nation.

You know the words of the Marine Hymn.

You know about the halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli. You know about Tarawa, where the landing craft hung up on the coral reef and the Marines went into the lip-high water and waded 1,000 yards through Japanese fire to the beach ... and won.

You know about Khe Sahn where Marines were surrounded by North Vietnamese regulars under a hellish rain of artillery fire week after week ... and prevailed.

You can look at the bewildering array of coloured ribbons on another marine's chest and know whether he's a warrior or a guy who spent his career fighting red tape.

You were told that your job was to go to the dangerous places of the planet and fight and possibly die for your country without asking why. But after you were in for a while, certainly after the first time angry men with guns tried to kill you and you tried to kill them, you figured that nobody's willing to fight and die for their country.

They're willing to fight and die for the guy standing beside them.

The day before it happened, you got shot in the face. The wound wasn't as bad as it sounds. You were back with your unit the next day. You didn't take the opportunity to slack off, to leave your comrades in the lurch.

The same day you got it, a guy in your unit -- maybe a friend, maybe just some guy -- tried to tend to the body of one of your enemies.

The guy was dead ... but he was still lethal.

Your buddy touched him and the booby trap went off and killed him.

He probably should have known better. Beaten soldiers have been booby trapping their dead for a long time. The Germans were artists at it. So too the Viet Cong.

No reason crazed Islamofascists wouldn't be either. These people booby trap live women and send them off to die. Stands to reason they wouldn't be squeamish about booby trapping their dead and dying.

Earlier this week you went into the mosque in Fallujah from which Marines had taken fire before. There were five insurgents there. Not moving. And you were afraid.

Another Marine yelled that one of them was faking. That he was alive.

Maybe you could still feel the bullet that tore through part of your face the day before. Maybe the thought of the other Marine killed by a dead man rocketed through your brain. Maybe your hands acted of their own accord.

Maybe.

You pulled the trigger.

We don't know your name yet. We don't know anything about you.

I do know one thing.

I don't blame you. I don't blame you at all.

That's it, to a "T". I couldn't have said it better. This Marine was not only just for what he did, but he may have saved the lives of other Marines.

This is war people, wake up. This isn't Mocha Lattes and puppy dog tails.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:01 PM | Comments (9)

Of Unsung Heroes And Split-Second Decisions...

...Of Mo Duc and Fallujah. Of Soldiers and Marines and Killing or Dying. Of Kevin
Sites and a Camera. Of Doing The Right Thing. Click here.

This link takes you to Small Town Veteran home of Bill Faith. He's a Vet, Father, Grandfather, friend and damn good blogger. This post is inspired by the recent events in Fallujah and well worth the read!

So follow the link and get over there. While you are there, give Bill a salute and tell him SlagleRock sent ya!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:48 AM | Comments (2)

How To Be A Coward

I was looking at some of the comments left on my site in the last couple of days and one of the individuals commenting left the URL to a website called Educate - Yourself.

So, like any good blogger, I clicked the link to see what a reader has left me. What I find is a really poor web design with a ton of senseless babble.

This particular link led to an article called, Dodge The Draft? Refuse To Volunteer.

In the article the author gives his opinion on a few ways to be a coward. In other words he offers options that he believes would prevent a person from being drafted into the military.

For example:

Being willing (and eager) to fight for one's country when it is truly in danger is one thing. Having the courage to refuse to fight in immoral and/or unconstitutional "wars" is quite another matter, I believe. ICE No need to "dodge" the ball if they're not allowed to hit you with it, if you merely 'take your stand' and refuse to VOLUNTEER!

1. Mr. A receives a "draft notice" and is told to report on a certain date to a certain place where he receives his physical and mental tests...then he
is classified with a number indicating whether he is A1(first called)...all the way down to 4F(unfit for duty).

2. Mr.A is told that he is to report for "induction" into the military and to appear at a certain military base for that purpose on a date specified.

3. By "LAW" he must appear there...or a warrant for his arrest will be issued.

4. Assuming he reports as directed he will have another brief physical and tests and then is told to "line up on the yellow line (painted on the floor)

5. A Recruiting Officer will then tell all those "joining the army (or whatever)to take one step forward...(Oh, oh, THOSE WHO DID THIS JUST
"VOLUNTEERED!")This is done so that no one can "legally" claim they were "forced into involuntary servitude!" "RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SWEAR ALLEGIANCE." (almost everyone does!...thinking it must be REQUIRED!): "I, (name) do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America and will defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic, and will obey the orders of the President and the officers appointed over me, so help me God."

6. Those who "voluntarily" stepped forward CANNOT NOW CLAIM THEY WERE"DRAFTED"...they stepped forward voluntarily and took the Oath voluntarily!

7. Assume Mr. B was smarter than Mr. A and HE DID NOT STEP FORWARD ANDTHEREFORE DID NOT TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. (the recruiter will probably say something like this: "what's the matter with you, don't you know what' step forward' means?" Mr. B responds, "sure I do, but I AM NOTVOLUNTEERING TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY...If you want me you must 'take me' against my will by force!"

8. All of those who "volunteered" will now be excused from the room...and the Mr. B will be cajoled with persuasive arguments...at first...then, when
nothing works to change his mind he will be called names and insulted, possibly even assaulted by one or more military people present there as
witnesses.

9.IF Mr. B does not weaken, stands his ground, eventually the tormentors will give up and have him arrested on some charge. However, there is NO
lawful way that they can MAKE him go into the military...because of the Constitutional prohibition against "involuntary servitude"...which is why NO
ONE IS TRULY EVER "DRAFTED" AND MUST BE "SEDUCED " INTO VOLUNTEERING!

Now that I’ve printed these "instructions" on how to be a coward here is what I think.

First, short of World War III I don't believe there will ever be a draft. Our all-volunteer force is the best trained, best equipped, best educated armed force the world has ever seen.

We have proven that we are capable of waging war on more than one front all the while having the reserves to kick ass here at home should some nation be dumb enough to bring it to US soil.

The volunteer force wouldn't want to work with non-volunteers any more than the cowards would want to work with real Soldiers, Sailors, Airman or Marines.
(Don't get your drawers in a bunch I acknowledge that there have been countless great service members who are drafted. When I refer to cowards I refer to those who try to snake out of their responsibilities.)

Second, I think anyone who attempts to aid the enemy by teaching Americans how to chicken out of their duties should be tried for treason.

Anyone interested in telling the web host what they think of the garbage he published?

Here is the contact information from the website:

Contact person: Ken Adachi
Voice Mail: (949) 726-5098

If anyone contacts him and he is brave enough to return your call, let me know what he says.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:36 AM | Comments (5)

Vietnamese Refugee And US Soldier Killed In Iraq

From the title I am sure most have assumed I am talking about two people. In fact I am talking about only one.

Army Sgt. Quoc Binh "Bo" Tran was killed in Iraq. According to AP News:

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (AP) - A Vietnamese refugee who fled through the jungles of Southeast Asia but died in the deserts of Iraq was buried Saturday with military honors. Army Sgt. Quoc Binh "Bo" Tran, 26, of Mission Viejo, was killed outside Baghdad on Nov. 7 when a car he was riding in was struck by a homemade bomb.

"To Bo ... you have fought the good fight," his father, Van Tran, said during services at the Vietnamese Alliance Church in Midway City, a suburb in Orange County's Little Saigon area.

"We know you had a life full of danger, but you never called back to complain," he said. "You have honored the Vietnamese in this country."

Van Tran was a former second lieutenant in the South Vietnamese army who was captured and placed in a "re-education camp" after the fall of Saigon in 1975.

Van Tran said that in 1986 as a young boy, his son carried one sister on his shoulders and led the other by the hand as the family fled through the jungle in Vietnam.

The family went through Cambodia and Thailand and eventually reached the Philippines. They came to the United States in 1989.

After active Army service, Bo Tran joined the California Army National Guard about three years ago. A mechanic, he was deployed with the 81st Brigade Combat team based in Camp Murray, Wash.

Tran tried to reassure his family about his deployment. He told his mother, Thu Truong Tran, that he was completely safe during a telephone call five days before he died.

More than 400 people, including about three dozen members of the military, attended Tran's funeral, which was held in English and Vietnamese. He was buried at Riverside National Cemetery.

Just one more reason why our military is so powerful and effective. We have people who serve this nation out of pride, others that feel obligated, and troops like this who are immigrants and served with distinction!

RIP Sgt Tran

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:24 AM | Comments (2)

November 20, 2004

Just One More Reason Why I Voted For President George W. Bush...

According to AP News:

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - President Bush stepped into the middle of a confrontation and pulled his lead Secret Service agent away from Chilean security officials who barred his bodyguards from entering an elegant dinner for 21 world leaders Saturday night.

Several Chilean and American agents got into a pushing and shoving match outside the cultural center where the dinner was held. The incident happened after Bush and his wife, Laura, had just posed for pictures on a red carpet with the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and his wife, Luisa Duran.

As Bush stepped inside, Chilean agents closed ranks at the door, blocking the president's agents from following. Stopping for more pictures, Bush noticed the fracas and turned back. He reached through the dispute and pulled his agent from the scrum and into the building.

The president, looking irritated, straightened his shirt cuffs as he went into the dinner. The incident was shown on APEC television.

"Chilean security tried to stop the president's Secret Service from accompanying him," said White House deputy press secretary Claire Buchan. "He told them they were with him and the issue was resolved."

As the title says, one more reason why I voted for President Bush. The man is not afraid to stand his ground!

Hoo Ah Commander In Chief

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:16 PM | Comments (2)

November 19, 2004

Damned if they do, Dead if they don't...

In their latest campaign to eradicate Jihadi vermin on the Iraqi warfront with Jihadistan, U.S. Marines and Army infantry have, in the last two weeks, purged Fallujah of more than 5,000 terrorist insurgents who were dug in throughout the city. The combat has been fierce.

A week into the Fallujah operation, an NBC photographer embedded with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, recorded video of a young combat-hardened Marine entering a room in a mosque where he found several insurgents on the floor under covers. Unable to determine if these enemy combatants were injured, dead or preparing to ambush his unit, the Marine raised his rifle in preparation to defend himself and his fellow Marines. When he detected movement from one of the combatants, the Marine yelled, "He's fucking faking he's dead! He's faking he's fucking dead!" and killed the Jihadi -- and that is where this story should have ended.

As it turned out, however, the Jihadi had been wounded the day before and the NBC photographer, Kevin Sites (whose photographs are featured on many anti-war Website), stepped up to get his 15 seconds of fame. Sites turned the video over to his network, telling them that he did not think the Jihadi was a threat, and within 24 hours, Lefty lynch mobs were forming to hang themselves a Marine.

Notably, the loudest protests of "war crimes" were from those who have never been closer to combat than the distance between their living-room lounge chairs and TVs. (Of course, it is a war crime to store weapons in a mosque as was documented, but the Lefties are not protesting that.) Indeed, the Leftmedia's mindless promotion of this video (as with the Abu Ghraib feeding frenzy) was tantamount to shaking a hornet's nest -- making the task of our fighting forces in Fallujah and elsewhere in the region all the more difficult. Actions have consequences, and the exploitation of this video empowered Jihadis in the region -- in effect, making life very difficult for our Armed Forces.

But what you're not hearing from NBC's Tom Brokaw or any other Leftmedia talkingheads in their wholesale condemnation of this incident is that Jihadis (knowing that U.S. military personnel have the decency to tend to wounded enemy combatants) have routinely booby-trapped the bodies of dead insurgents. In fact, one member of the Marine squad now being scrutinized was killed (and five others wounded) when attempting to check on a wounded Jihadi only days earlier. In addition, the Marine now being questioned for killing this wounded Jihadi suffered a wound to his face a day earlier when an injured Jihadi fired on him.

These facts notwithstanding, the Left and their media minions have now made this young Marine their poster boy for U.S. atrocities. Here, we would remind these hypocrites that a few short weeks ago, they were doing all in their power to support John F. Kerry's campaign for the most powerful office in the world. This would be the same JFK who received a Silver Star (with and erroneous "V") for chasing a wounded Vietcong combatant (described as a young boy in a loin cloth) around a hutch and shooting him in the back.

While we have strenuously questioned the merits of John Kerry's Silver Star for this action, we have never questioned his decision to kill this VC enemy, whom he judged to be a threat to his boat crew. By the Kerry standard, the young Marine in question should get a Silver Star. (Of course, enlisted personnel really have to do something spectacular to pin one of those on.)

Now that the Left is once again decrying military actions to liberate Iraq, please take a moment and join more than 115,000 grateful Americans who have already signed An Open Letter in Support of America's Armed Forces in support of our Patriots in uniform. These American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have plowed the ground for liberty while protecting their countrymen back home. We remain the proud and the free because they have stood bravely in harm's way and remain on post today.

For this, we, the American People, offer our heartfelt thanks. Please support our troops -- let your voice be heard! Join fellow Patriots on the front lines in defense of our liberty and national sovereignty. Link to --

Memo to the Pentagon: Leave the reporters embedded, but have them check their cameras in the rear. Otherwise, the resulting Leftist hype will continue to jeopardize our mission -- and jeopardize the lives of American military personnel.

Quote of the week...

"Some 40 Marines have just lost their lives cleaning out one of the world's worst terror dens, in Fallujah, yet all the world wants to talk about is the NBC videotape of a Marine shooting a prostrate Iraqi inside a mosque. ... The al-Zarqawi TV network, also known as Al-Jazeera, has broadcast the tape to the Arab world, and U.S. media have also played it up. The point seems to be to conjure up images again of Abu Ghraib, further maligning the American purpose in Iraq. Never mind that the pictures don't come close to telling us about the context of the incident, much less what was on the mind of the soldier after days of combat. Put yourself in that Marine's boots. He and his mates have had to endure some of the toughest infantry duty imaginable, house-to-house urban fighting against an enemy that neither wears a uniform nor obeys any normal rules of war. ... When not disemboweling Iraqi women, these killers hide in mosques and hospitals, booby-trap dead bodies, and open fire as they pretend to surrender. Their snipers kill U.S. soldiers out of nowhere. According to one account, the Marine in the videotape had seen a member of his unit killed by another insurgent pretending to be dead. Who from the safety of his Manhattan sofa has standing to judge what that Marine did in that mosque?" --The Wall Street Journal

This is just one of many very good perspectives found on the Federalist Patriot.

This absolutely hits the nail on the head. Support this Marine, sign the petition.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:11 PM | Comments (2)

November 18, 2004

Show Your Support (Marine Kills Insurgent In Combat)

By now everyone has either seen short clips from the "horrible" video in which a US Marine is seen shooting an Iraqi that is "pretending to be asleep" inside a mosque.

This has popped up in different formats from around the world. Newspapers, Blogs, TV News etc.

This Mosque Shooting as it is being called by many is raising quite a stir.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - As U.S. and Iraqi officials expressed concerns and regrets about the fatal shooting by a U.S. Marine of a wounded and apparently unarmed man in a Fallujah mosque, the U.S. military said Wednesday it is investigating whether other wounded Iraqis in the mosque were similarly killed.

I won't rewrite the story as it can be seen in full detail here on the Muslim Suport Network a.k.a. MSN. You can even see part of the video in question here.

Matt at Blackfive has offered 3 updates on the story, here, here and here.

Mamamontezz also offers her view and opinion on this incident.

Indigo offers a host of links to other sites/blogs that refer to this incident.

Now is your time to help. Don't be afraid to put your name to your beliefs. Show your support for this man by signing the online petition at Patriot Petitions.com

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:47 PM | Comments (9)

November 17, 2004

Yeah, Right, Whatever

While Beth (of Yeah, Right, Whatever) claims to suffer from post election blahs she is clearly a skillful writer.

Swing on by her set, check out her digs and tell her SlagleRock sent ya!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:43 PM | Comments (1)

Polls Worth Laughing At

OK, just for laughs check out these Poll Results. It is humorous. For example, the Arabs said Kerry would win (55%). Only 35% thought GW would win. They also stated overwhelmingly that the US has lost control of Iraq. Scuffle is not a sign of lost control, being kicked out is a sign of lost control. Not going to happen.

So follow the links and have a laugh. I learned that the average Arab is clearly a Democrat! Take a look.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:33 PM | Comments (2)

November 16, 2004

CARE Organizer Believed Murdered In Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan was believed to be dead Tuesday after a video received by Al-Jazeera television showed a hooded figure shooting a blindfolded woman in the head. The British government and Hassan's family in London said they believed the longtime director of CARE in Iraq was the victim. CARE said it was in mourning for the 59-year-old Briton who worked for decades providing food, medicine and humanitarian aid to Iraqis.

Are you kidding me? Now they are killing unarmed civilians with no association to the military. This woman was a CARE organizer. She was their to provide, food and assistance to all who need it.

She was brutally murdered for caring, nothing more. These people are animals. What do we do to animals with Rabies? We put them down. I'd like to stay politically correct and I truly would like to believe that there is hope for these animals, but at every opportunity they prove otherwise.

If this is their idea of life then perhaps we should just, NUKE THE WHOLE FUCKING LOT OF THEM!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:42 PM | Comments (2)

I Really Don't Like People

Have we really become so overwhelmed with ourselves that we no longer have time to be kind to our fellow man?

I have been a little under the weather for the last couple of days, and it reached its pinnacle today when I was so weak I could barely get out of bed.

Well, after waking this morning to find that I could barely lift my head I decided that I'd better go to the doctor. I called my boss to let him know what was going on and then called the doc. Luckily they were able to squeeze me in same day at 0830. Over the course of the next hour and a half I managed to crawl out of bed, get dressed, grab a little bite to eat and make it to my appointment.

The "hospital" as they like to call it (more like a first aid station) provided by far the worst customer service I have ever experienced. I walked in the door 20 minutes before my appointment because the lady at the appointment call center made it a point to tell me ten or 50,000 times that if I were late they would cancel due to their busy schedules.

I approached the desk that I believed serviced the Dr. I would be seeing. I stood in line for about 15 minutes (keep in mind there were only two people in front of me). Finally, I reached the young Airman at the counter. He stared blankly at me as if I should tell him what to do. Frustrated I just said, I have a 0830 with Dr. so and so. He told me all appointments must check in at the next counter.

So I thought, eh, my mistake and walked the twenty or so feet to the next counter. There I was third in line. Thankfully this line moved much faster. I got to the counter and checked in. I was asked to have a seat over by the previous counter I was turned away from and told that, "someone will be with you shortly".

I only waited ten minutes or so and then a Med Tech called my name. She took me back weighed me, took my vitals and then asked me to sit tight. The Doc came in almost immediately after she walked out. He was very polite and very professional. His exam took all of 5 minutes to determine what I already knew; I have a sinus infection. He prescribed three meds and sent me on my way. Good thing by this time I felt like I was dragging a boulder with me everywhere I went.

Next stop, the pharmacy. I sat in the designated waiting area for just over a half an hour. Finally, on the verge of falling asleep I approached the pick up window with ID in hand. I informed the civilian clerk that I'd like to check the status of my prescription. She looked it up and told me that they were putting it together and it would be ready in about 5 minutes. I sat back down.

Roughly 15 minutes later my name was called. I walked up to the window and a SSgt (can you believe that, an NCO) literally tossed my prescription on the counter and said, "there you go." What ever happened to, do you have any questions about your prescription? Anyway, as she was rudely walking away from the window I said excuse me, I had three prescriptions. She looked over her shoulder and said, "No you didn't there was only one" as she kept walking. I said firmly, YES I DID, and I can show you the instructions the Dr. gave me for each. She came back to the window, checked her computer and said, "apparently the Dr. didn't put the other two in completely." I said, oh what do I need to do? She looked right at me and said, "I don't know ask the Dr. it's not my job." At this point I was so frustrated I was ready to reach back and smack her so hard her great-grand kids would walk like drunkards, but I didn't.

I made my way back to counter one (smug airman still there) and told the young man that I needed to see my Dr. as he accidentally omitted two of my prescriptions. He looked at me and said, "Refills are handled by the next counter." I told him I didn't need refills I just needed my doc to send the Rx over to the pharmacy. He said again, "Refills are handled by the next counter." So I looked him dead in the face and said, thank you Airman so and so I will be happy to let your superiors know what a stellar job you are doing here.

I proceeded back to counter two where there was no med tech in site. I waited for nearly 20 minutes before the other young airman emerged. In the mean time a retired General, whom I was speaking to in line, said, "fuck this" and walked off. I finally got to the counter and told her my problem. She took my medication instructions sheet and went back to speak with my doc. She emerged a couple of minutes later and told me to have a seat at the pharmacy.

I went back to the pharmacy and the whole routine started over. Wait 20, inquire, wait 10 more. This time when they called my name they had the other two ready. I took my prescriptions and headed home.

As I was walking out the door I noticed that I had been at the clinic for over two hours. Two hours for an appointment that took less than ten minutes. Never mind the fact that there were never more than four people waiting at one time at the pharmacy.

I am only a month away from my 10th anniversary in the Air Force. In that time I have missed work only once before today. That's not to say that I have only been sick once in ten years. Like many Americans I have gone to work with everything from the sniffles to continuous vomiting. But today it just wasn't going to happen.

Shortly after arriving home I got a call from the office. There was a problem and it appeared that I would be the only one who could handle it. I called my boss (works in a different office) to let him now that I did in fact go to the Dr. and that I was headed to work to sort out a problem and then I was headed home. When I called a co-worker answered. I asked for the boss and he said hold on. As he was handing the phone to the boss I heard him say, "Wow that sure is good acting, he really does sound sick."

(See above, ten years one sick day.)

So now that I have told the whole story what was the point?

Are we really so cold and calloused that we have to worry about the competitions every move? Do we really need to try and make others look bad to advance ourselves? Whatever happened to the days when you went to the hospital and it was obvious that the people there cared and genuinely wanted to help?

Yes today was a bad day, but it was also a disgusting look at the character of some people.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:37 PM | Comments (9)

November 15, 2004

Secretary Of State No More

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Monday he was resigning, and two senior administration officials told CNN that national security adviser Condoleezza Rice is President Bush's choice to replace him.

In a letter dated Friday, Powell told Bush that, "now that the election is over the time has come for me to step down as secretary of state and return to private life. I, therefore, resign as the 65th secretary of state, effective at your pleasure."

"I will always treasure the four years that I have spent with President Bush and with the wonderful men and women of the Department of State," Powell told reporters. "I think we've accomplished a great deal."

Should Rice's nomination be approved, her top deputy, Stephen Hadley, will be promoted to national security adviser, the senior administration officials said. The nomination could be announced as early as Tuesday.

Well, what do we think of these changes?

Just the facts:

Gen. Colin Powell was a fantastic military officer and leader.
He has also served as a Secretary of State with honor, integrity and dignity. He will be missed in our political infrastructure.

Condoleeze Rice is qualified for the position and has potential. Beyond that we will just have to see.

I don't have too large an opinion on these changes.

Before the left starts screaming that Powell quit because of President Bush, just bare in mind that he always said he was a, "one term man."

I expect there will be many more changes in the Presidents cabinet postions. I personally feel change is good.

Time will tell.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:22 PM | Comments (3)

November 14, 2004

Charlie Daniels Speaks Up About Patriots And Patriotism

This is a direct reprint from Mr. Daniels website, Charlie Daniels.com. It comes from his "Soapbox".

November 12, 2004

Honorable

On Veteran’s Day I was in Washington DC and paid a visit to the Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Monument.

There was a ceremony going on at the Vietnam Memorial while we were there and as we walked into the crowd it was apparent that there were many Vietnam Veterans who had come to pay tribute to their fallen brothers.

They came in bits and pieces of uniforms or vests with their outfits blazoned across the shoulders. Some had worn a few medals and other accoutrements of past military service.

To stand shoulder to shoulder with these men as they solemnly
listened to the speeches being offered in homage to those who fell in the jungles of Southeast Asia, there was a kinship as far as being Americans was concerned but those of us who didn’t experience Vietnam will forever be outsiders.

If you haven’t been there and done that you can’t imagine the horror these brave eyes have beheld and the memories that only they can share in.

That long black wall seems to mean something really special to these men and only they know what it is.

Then we went down to the World War II Monument, which honors all branches of servicemen and women who fell in all the theaters of World War II.

It too, was a touching scene, aged old gentlemen being photographed by their grandchildren in front of some part of the monument, which was meaningful to them. Elderly couples strolling around the grounds stopping to examine some bit of stone, which represents something special to them.

There were wreaths of flowers and pictures and notes stuck around the monuments left there by some loved one, commemorating and honoring the memory of some husband or son who paid the ultimate price in defense of our country.

All in all it was a touching scene watching two generations of veterans from two totally different kind of wars coming together to remember and honor the hundreds of thousands
of their comrades who gave their lives for freedom.

And Veteran’s Day is not just about World War II and the Vietnam War. It’s about the Korean War, the Revolutionary War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and every
act of hostility against the United States of America, which have been defended by those who served.

I’m glad that America takes a day every year to honor our heroes in uniform, but the amount of gratitude we owe them cannot be fulfilled in one day or three hundred and sixty five days for that matter.

When you put your babies to bed tonight say a prayer of thanks and protection for our military, when you drive to work tomorrow morning thank God that this is a free country, we go where we want and do what we want. Thanks to a victorious military.

When you attend church Sunday or go to the high school football game Friday night, or watch your children playing in the back yard, when you go to bed tonight without fear of being rousted out and arrested in the middle of the night.

When you do all these mundane things, remember that they are not mundane to so many in the world.

These are the gifts of a free country, free by the grace of God and protected by a strong and dedicated military.

God bless our sons and daughters who wear the uniform of America. We can never repay you for all you do.

Pray for our troops.

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

Once again, Charlie hits the nail on the head.

Thank you Mr. Daniels.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:19 PM | Comments (2)

November 11, 2004

Veterans Day

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. (Article 1, Code of Conduct)

Today is Veterans Day. To me it is a day to celebrate and remember the countless men and women who have served this great nation. Of course this includes both those who have served and those who are serving.

Our nation has been blessed with literally millions of people over our 228 years who have chosen to serve this nation and its people.

From the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and in our more recent history Airman have laid it all on the line to preserve our freedoms and defend those people who cannot defend themselves.

This nation has been the center of, involved in, or the final solution in numerous world conflicts.

Americans have fought and won wars that reshaped the globe:

The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The American Civil War
WW1
WW2
Korea
Vietnam
Granada
Panama
Iraq
Bosnia
Afghanistan
Iraq

While the final result of some of these conflicts is still up in the air and others are hard to call a win, the one thing that is clear is that America's finest fought in these wars/conflicts.

We have also been involved in numerous other actions as well. There is no doubt that The United States has the best-trained, best equipped and most highly motivated military on Earth. It is an essential element in preserving the freedoms that our forefathers fought so hard for.

There are great patriots buried in American cemeteries throughout Europe and there are others still missing in Asia. The one thing that all of these men and women have in common is that they are Veterans. They are a small minority in this country and an elite group of people that chose a life of sacrifice.

I have the greatest respect for anyone who has served or is serving in the U.S. Military. Second only to the pride I have for my children I am most proud to say that I am an Airman.

I come from a family of military patriots. Though it looks like I will be the first to make a career of it most of my family has served in some capacity.

- I have two Great Great (etc.) Grandfathers that fought in the Civil War.

- My Grandfather, PFC (E-2) Robert C. Slagle was an infantryman in the Marine Corps during Korea.

- My Father, Sgt (E-4) Robert D. Slagle was a Security Policeman in the Air Force during Vietnam.

- My Uncle, Sgt (E-4) Carl M. Slagle was a Med Tech and Services Troop in the Air Force in the 80's.

- My Uncle, SSG (E-4 acting E-5) Lambertus J. Meyer was an Transportation Specialist in the Army During Vietnam.

- I am a SSgt (E-5) Combat Arms Instructor within the Security Forces career field. I have made multiple trips to the Middle East and proudly deployed during Iraqi Freedom.

I also have cousins that have served in various branches of the U.S. Military. Needless to say it was in my blood.

I will serve this country and the USAF as long as they both will have me. My goal is to one-day rise to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).

So, today on this Veterans Day, I stand at attention and salute all veterans, those before me, those I serve along side and those I am proud to have in my family.

Remember, honor and cherish these brave patriots.

I'll leave you with the Code of Conduct of the U.S. military:

ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free

I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

SlagleRock Out!

Note: Since today is Veterans Day please click on my milblogs link and visit the sites of some other great veterans.

Happy Vets Day, Dad, B (Guest Blogging at Mama's), Matt, Bill, Bill, Jerrod, Greyhawk and the list goes on and on.

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:23 PM | Comments (8)

Another View Of Veterans Day

The Mad Ogre posted his view of Veterans Day last year and decided it was worth running again. I agree Ogre:

Just a word to you cake eating civilians out there… You don’t say Happy Veterans Day. You don’t say Merry Vets Day. But just because you don’t have a meaningless Seasons Greetings for it doesn’t mean you don’t say anything. This isn’t some fat bunny in a sled passing around Jack O’Lanterns because it’s Santa’s birthday… This isn’t about some old fable-become-tradition. Veterans Day is a day for those that are still alive, and for those who are dead… those who died for your freedom to flip soldiers the bird and to call them baby killers and spit on them in the airport. Veterans Day is for the guys that died fighting for your personal independent liberty… It’s for that Veteran that walks with just a slight limp and seems otherwise fine, but he doesn’t have a spleen because an enemy of our country blew it out his back with an AK-47 so you can get 15% Off that new leather fat-ass reclining couch that your going to sit on to mock the President from while watching your 42 inch plasma TV flipping through the channels trying to find some Friends rerun. Veterans Day is for the guy that came home while all his friends didn’t. Veterans day is for the woman who gave up the best years of her young adulthood so she could press her hands over the sucking chest wound of some guy from her own home town 6 thousand miles away from home. Veterans day is for that old woman over there that raised 2 kids alone because when she was young she sent her handsome young husband off to fight for your freedom and came back as a flag folded into a triangle. That’s what Veterans day is for… and what do you say to those people who served? You just say “Thank You”.

Too extreme? Nah, just the slap in the face that some Americans need from time to time. Well said, Ogre, well said.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:09 PM | Comments (3)

November 10, 2004

Fat Anti-American Michael Moore Does Not Speak For This Marine Corps Mom

Mama pointed me to this gem of a story at the Tennessean.com

Eva Savage of Livingston, Tenn., has a message for filmmaker Michael Moore: You don't speak for me.

Savage has been more than capable of speaking for herself since her son, Jeremiah, a Marine corporal, was killed last May in Iraq. And tomorrow, she speaks at the Veterans' Day ceremony at the courthouse in Livingston, along with the mother of fallen Marine Cpl. Brad McCormick.

Webster's Dictionary should put Eva Savage's picture next to the word ''hero'' for a more pertinent definition beyond sports and Hollywood celebrities. Last month, I watched her pack holiday boxes for Tennessee Marines in Iraq, knowing no box would be for her son. I read her e-mail of congratulations to local Marine mothers on the return last month of their sons.

So, when Eva sent me a note she wrote in protest after Michael Moore posted a picture of President Bush — composed of the images of our fallen including her son from Iraq — I promised to publish her words. Heroes deserve as much. And people like Moore should be challenged.

''I will not allow the Michael Moores of this world to take my son's death and turn it and twist it to suit their own greedy and malicious purposes,'' she told me.

Eva is right. For Moore to represent himself as speaking for America's war dead in Iraq is like him claiming to be a spokesman for Weight Watchers. And consider the outrage and insult of a stranger using your son's image for their punitive politics. This is not the first time Moore has stooped so low. He used footage of the funeral of U.S. Air Force Maj. Gregory Stone for Fahrenheit 9/11. Maj. Stone's family told The Washington Times:

''We are furious that Greg was in that casket and cannot defend himself,'' Kandi Gallagher, Maj. Stone's aunt, said. ''And my sister, Greg's mother … called him (Moore) a 'maggot that eats off the dead.'''

Gold Star families are capable of speaking for themselves (for Bush or against). I know four such families personally. And Eva Savage's response to Moore is most appropriate for Veterans Day: ''I am the mother of a United States Marine. Jeremiah was killed in action in Ramadi, Iraq on May 12, 2004.

''People like Moore would have you believe that we hold President Bush responsible for my son's death. Michael Moore has not spoken to me — ever. So he cannot profess to know how I feel. He is a coward who thrives on the lives of others by twisting the truth and rewriting it to suit his own agenda.

''Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Edward Savage was a United States Marine. He was not drafted. He chose to join. It takes a special person, someone with a sense of honor, duty, commitment and courage to be a member of the Armed Forces. My son believed in his mission, in his duty to protect the way of life all Americans enjoy.

''A few Americans take that for granted and would have you believe that our military heroes have died in vain. My son did not die in vain. The only way that would be true is if you believe people like Michael Moore. My son died for Moore's right to use the First Amendment. But if Moore had said those same things about Saddam Hussein as an Iraqi, he would no longer be living.

''Michael Moore wants us to believe that the picture of President Bush's face — a mosaic of the lost lives of our soldiers in Operation Iraq Freedom — is a statement that President Bush is responsible for lives lost in vain. Let me tell you what I see: I see heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can continue to be free. I see faces that make up the face of our commander in chief who is not afraid to stand his ground, not afraid to say 'enough is enough' and will not back down to the terrorist, not afraid to cry with a mother, a wife when he meets with them, not afraid to admit he prays to the living God. I see honor, duty, commitment and courage. I see Semper Fidelis (Always faithful).

''I will continue to speak out against closed-minded co-wards like Michael Moore. I used to be afraid to say what I thought for the way someone would think of me. Not any more. You do not walk in my shoes, Mr. Moore. You do not know what I feel or think. Until you have stood where I stand, do not put words in my mouth.

''I have a voice, and it is about damn time I stop being silent. My son died giving me the right to speak, and speak loud. I will not allow his name or even his picture be disgraced.''

Tomorrow, because of Jeremiah and for Jeremiah, Eva Savage speaks. This Gold Star mother — not some Hollywood filmmaker — will have the last word about what her son died for.

Tim Chavez is a columnist in The Tennessean.

One of those that deserves to be posted as is!

Enough said!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:03 PM | Comments (2)

Happy Birthday USMC!

The Marine Corps celebrates its 229th birthday today. And with that in mind, Mamamontezz sent me a link to this story from the New York Post:

FORTUNATE SON

By WILLIAM McGURN

November 10, 2004 -- FORGIVE Mindy Evnin if she's not up for cake and candles today. Even if she knows how important this birthday was for her son.
On this day in a Philadelphia tavern, the Continental Congress gave birth to the Marine Corps almost a full year before the Declaration of Independence. More than two centuries later in Fallujah, America still looks to the Marines to do the job no one else can.

And no one knows better than Mindy Evnin the price: On a dusty Iraqi roadside in April 2003, her son, Cpl. Mark Evnin, gave his life wearing that same uniform.

But you hear only admiration for the corps from Mindy.

Until the Marine recruiter came to her home the day after Thanksgiving during Mark's senior year at South Burlington (Vt.) High, his mother didn't know what her son would do with his life. And once he did know, it was sometimes hard to explain to her social circles: "At a book club where the other mothers were all talking about which college their children were going off to," says Mindy Evnin, "I shared that Mark wanted to go to sniper school."

Mark's recruiter had given Mindy a Marine bumper sticker — which, he noted, she had no right to affix to her car until Mark had made it through boot camp. As she confesses over lunch in Manhattan, "I told Mark I wasn't sure then I could ever put it on my car."

Gradually, however, as she watched the changes in her son and his pride in his achievements, she realized that the little boy who wore fatigues to Hebrew school was finally where he was meant to be: with his fellow Marines.

In Iraq last April, a San Francisco Chronicle correspondent embedded with Mark's unit let him use his satellite phone to call home. Two days later, Cpl. Mark Evnin was killed in action while returning fire in an Iraqi ambush.

Click Continue Reading for the rest of this amazing story.

The United States Marine Corps is a relatively small elite group of true patriots. The brave men and women of the USMC have been kicking ass and taking names for Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty for more than two centuries.

Happy Birthday USMC!

SlagleRock Out!

And that's when Mindy really learned about the Marines. When Mark's buddies came back from Iraq, they wrote her as they might their own moms, and Mindy flew out to the base at 29 Palms, Calif., to spend some time with them. The young Marine recruiter who was in Burlington when Mark was killed recently invited Mindy to his wedding — and insisted on seating her in the row reserved for his family.

The sergeant-major whom Cpl. Evnin was driving when he was killed invited Mindy to his wedding. And on the first anniversary of Mark's death earlier this year, Marines sent her a bouquet of crimson-and-gold. (Actually, they had them delivered the day before, so she wouldn't be disturbed that painful day.)

Mindy's done her own work. She tells me she was particularly taken with a book by novelist Frank Schaeffer, "Faith of Our Sons: A Father's Wartime Diary," written after his son joined a Marine Corps that was initially as alien to him as the Navajo.

"I was able to relate to him," she says, "because he describes himself as a Volvo-driving eastern-establishment parent who did not know anyone in the military before his son enlisted, and whose friends wondered what was wrong with his son's private-school education that allowed this to happen."

Like Frank Schaeffer, Mindy was well aware of the Marine reputation for ferocity in battle. Nothing either has learned since changes that. But they have also learned what few outside the corps seem to appreciate: That Marines' heroics have mostly to do with the courage and pluck shown in looking out for one's fellow Marine.

So, the next time you hear of a hopelessly polarized America, remember Cpl. MarK Evnin, USMC, and the life he freely gave for something larger than himself.

And on this special birthday, with Marines fighting for Fallujah, remember too the Jewish mother in Vermont, a self-described product of the '60s, whose car now sports a bumper sticker that not so long ago would have been inconceivable: Proud Parent of a U.S. Marine.

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:55 PM | Comments (1)

November 09, 2004

Fallujah

Chinese Website says 35 Americans Captured

I will expand on this first thing tomorrow. Like Cynthia's comment said, "do you think they got this backwards?"

I hope so. I will post my thoughts and the actual post first thing in the am.

Update: This has been completely uncomfirmed. In fact this Chinese website is the only one to make the claim. I think they had their facts wrong!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:04 PM | Comments (2)

November 08, 2004

Assault On Fallujah

FALLUJA, Iraq(CNN) -- Thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops streamed into Falluja on Monday, beginning an all-out assault aimed at driving insurgents out of the city.

Taking Aim In Falluja

Pentagon officials said the operation involves more than 2,000 Iraqis and about 10,000 U.S. troops.

U.S. tanks fired 120-mm rounds into booby-trapped barricades for about an hour, igniting massive explosions.

Military officials told CNN's Jane Arraf, embedded with troops, one of the initial goals has been achieved -- clearing a path through defenses in the northern part of the city.

The Army said U.S. airstrikes against one position killed an estimated 20 to 25 insurgents.

Four Marines were wounded in one engagement, a medic told embedded CNN journalist Karl Penhaul.

Penhaul reported hearing an almost constant barrage of explosions and machine gun fire and said that tracer fire was lighting the night sky. Insurgents could be heard chanting in Arabic: "God is great."

A target hit Monday, a battalion commander told Penhaul, was a position manned by about five insurgents armed with assault rifles who were acting as forward observers, trying to direct mortar fire against Marines outside the city.

Before the ground offensive began about 7 p.m. (11 a.m. ET), Falluja was pummeled for hours by airstrikes aimed at destroying suspected safe houses and other insurgent strongholds. Arraf said the forces cut power to Falluja before the start of the assault.

U.S. and Iraqi troops had surrounded the city as they awaited the order for a full attack.

On Sunday, Iraqi forces seized a hospital, and U.S. Marines secured the two bridges over the Euphrates River on the west side of the city, according to a pool reporter.

Nearly 40 "terrorists" were killed in the hospital takeover and four foreign fighters -- two of them Moroccan -- were captured, said Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. The nationalities of the other two were undetermined.

One of the bridges is where exuberant crowds of Iraqis hung the bodies of U.S. security contractors killed last spring.

Allawi gives green light

Allawi said Monday he had given U.S. and Iraqi forces the green light to rid Falluja of insurgents, and he promised to restore law and order.

"We are determined to clean Falluja from terrorists," Allawi said at a news conference.

Allawi imposed a 6 p.m. (10 a.m. ET) curfew for Falluja and Ramadi, and closed Iraq's borders with Syria and Jordan to keep insurgents from escaping to other countries.

Allawi visited Iraqi troops as they waited to enter the city.

"First of all, this is our Iraq, and it is our duty to defend our country. We're counting on you to defend the country and regain its pride and its values," Allawi told them in Arabic. "I'm here to check on you and tell you that all of Iraq is with you."

Allawi announced a state of emergency in Iraq Sunday -- exempting the Kurdish north -- and told reporters the terrorists in Falluja "do not want a peaceful settlement."

U.S. and Iraqi forces hope to pacify Falluja in time for elections in January for a transitional national assembly.

Level of resistance unclear
Falluja is considered an insurgent command-and-control center for the rest of the country and a base for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's terror network.

Military officials say 3,000 to 5,000 insurgents may be inside the city -- difficult terrain for urban warfare -- but they acknowledge many may have slipped away amid widespread reports that an offensive was coming.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged Monday that al-Zarqawi's whereabouts are uncertain. "I have no idea if he is there," Rumsfeld said.

In April, Marines attacked Falluja after four U.S. private security contractors were killed and mutilated, and the ensuing battles led to many deaths. The U.S.-led forces established an indigenous Falluja brigade to restore peace to the city, but in the summer, the brigade fell apart and insurgents solidified control there.

Falluja's population was estimated to be 250,000 to 300,000 before warfare escalated in the city earlier this year. Now, it is thought that 50,000 civilians remain.

American forces have pounded Falluja for months in an attempt to root out insurgents. U.S. warplanes, including AC-130 gunships, bombarded targets in recent days to weaken insurgent positions.

Senior officers with the Army's Task Force 2-2, part of the 1st Infantry Division, said they had seen no signs of suicide bombers of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices they had expected to see, which they interpreted as possible signs that insurgents could be fleeing the city rather than choosing to fight.

In one incident, a task force intelligence officer said a Predator drone observed 15 to 20 insurgents running down a road away from advancing U.S. tanks. The insurgents were "neutralized" as they attempted to set up an ambush, the officer said.

From Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell placed calls Monday to the foreign ministers of other countries in the region to discuss the operations in Falluja, spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters.

Also in Washington, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld told reporters that the battle for Falluja was critical for the success of the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

About a report that some 500 Iraqi troops failed to show up for battle, Rumsfeld said, "I would characterize it as an isolated problem."

Rumsfeld downplayed the threat to the city's civilian population, saying U.S. forces are disciplined, well-trained and well-led.

"There aren't going to be large numbers of civilians killed and certainly not by U.S. forces," he said.

Other developments

A British soldier with the Black Watch Regiment was killed in an attack Monday and two other soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously, the British Ministry of Defense said. The attack took place north of the Black Watch base camp at Camp Dogwood, south of Baghdad. Last week, three Black Watch members were killed by a suicide bomber. (Full story)

A U.S. soldier died in a gunbattle in eastern Baghdad, the Combined Press Information Center said. An explosion damaged the front entrance of Baghdad's Yarmouk Hospital Monday. Police said they believe the hospital was targeted because Iraqi national guard troops were being treated inside.

Two Marines died near Falluja on Monday when their bulldozer flipped into the Euphrates River in an apparent non-combat incident, military sources said. There were no further details.

Fourteen insurgents died and nine others were arrested in an Iraqi police operation against insurgents in the Babil province town of Latifiya Sunday night. Police dressed in civilian clothes stormed a checkpoint being held by insurgents and freed a "number" of hostages, including two women, a police official said. The operation, involving about 100 police officers, netted a number of weapons, including machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and stolen cars.

Keep the troops in your thoughts!

Hopefully we can make some progress in this terror ridden town.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:43 PM | Comments (2)

November 07, 2004

Hezbollah Flew A Reconnaissance Drone Over Israel

High tech terrorists, just what we need. According to AP Breaking News the terrorist group Hezbollah claims to have flown its first arial reconnaisance drone all the way to the Israeli northern city of Nahariya.

Hezbollah claims the drone which was launched from Lebanon returned to them safely. Conflicting reports claim the drone crashed and was picked up by fisherman.

Israel claimed the craft was Iranian-made, and the army confirmed that it penetrated Israeli airspace early Sunday and flew over western Galilee.

The flight was believed to be the first hostile aerial incursion from Lebanon into Israel by guerrillas since Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command members sailed over in 1987 on a hang glider and killed six soldiers before being shot dead.

"This qualitative and new achievement by the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon comes as part of a natural response to the Zionist enemy's repeated and permanent violations of Lebanese airspace," a Hezbollah statement said.

Israel's army described the flight as evidence of Lebanon's lack of control within its territory and said "Israel views gravely any infiltration into its sovereign territory from the air, sea or by land, and will act to ensure the security of its citizens."

All I can say is Israel needs to act (not that they normally have a problem with responding to threats from other nations).

With the rapid growth of unmanned vehicle technology can you imagine the threat generated by terrorist posessing such aircraft?

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:17 PM | Comments (2)

King Arthur Am I

You are King Arthur of the Britons! You let no-one
stand in your way, you are brave and strong!
Keep searching, you'll find the grail yet!


Which Monty Python & the Holy Grail Character are you REALLY?
brought to you by Quizilla

King Arthur Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:35 AM | Comments (2)

November 06, 2004

20,000 Hits

The Slaughterhouse had its 20,000th visitor today the 6th of November 2004 at 1807 hrs.

Thank you all for reading!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:25 PM | Comments (3)

What Do You Think 3 Nov. Looked Like In The Kerry House...

... Something like this perhaps?

Thanks for the pic, Spats!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:10 PM | Comments (1)

Finally Coming Home??

According to First Coast News Capt. Scott Speicher, USN may finally be coming home.

It's 1 a.m. January 17th, Speicher is part of the first mission flown over Iraq during the first Gulf War.

Within hours his squadron is in the heat of battle. The mission is deemed a success.

But when Speicher's unit returns He is the only one who is not accounted for.

From the first moments, fellow pilots and squadron mates believe the highly skilled Speicher ejected and survived.

But within hours the Pentagon announces Speicher is dead, killed in action in a mid-air explosion. There would be no recovery mission.

In 1993, U.S. Intelligence finds an American plane in better condition than expected in a remote desert in Iraq.

The plane's identification numbers confirm it is Speicher's plane.

The cockpit canopy was found some distance from the wreckage, raising the theory that Speicher ejected, survived and was captured.

First Coast News has learned the human remains, thought to be Speichers, were not found at the crash site.

The remains being tested were found in another part of Iraq.

After the initial discovery of the crash site, in an unprecedented move, the Pentagon changed Speicher's status from Killed in Action, to Missing in Action, and then later, Missing Captured.

Hopefully this test will put an end to his families nearly fourteen years of grief, worry and wonder.

It will be both a sad and joyous day for the Speicher family if the test proves positive, but it will also provide some closure to this chapter of their lives.

Like others who have fallen before and since Capt. Speicher is a fine example of an American, a patriot and a member of our armed forces.

Cross your fingers!

For additional information on Capt. Scott Speicher visit freescottspeicher.com

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:05 PM | Comments (4)

November 05, 2004

Prepare For Americas New Party

Vote Repubocratitarian in 2012.

If there is one thing that this election has taught me it is that we need someone other than the cookie cutter Republican or Democrat to run for President.

One of my troops (staunch Kerry supporter) and I (obvious Bush supporter) have spent much time debating politics and collectively we have discovered that our nations greatest weakness (politically speaking) is the fact that we are always stuck with one Republican and one Democrat candidate.

It's time for a new party, a third party that can better adapt to the needs of the American people.

I am tired of the old you voted for Bush so you are a Republican. Well guess what people I am not.

OK, so if you voted for Kerry you are a Democrat right, wrong!

Let's take a look at where I stand on the issues.

I am:

- Pro Choice (predominantly a Democrat belief)
- Pro gun owner’s rights (predominantly a Republican belief)
- Pro Stem Cell Research (Democrat)
- Pro Military/National defense (Republican)

And the list goes on and on like this.

One idiot told me that I can't think this way, or you are "all fucked up"

But am I really? If most Americans stripped off the labels (Democrat or Republican) they would surely discover that they have beliefs that align with both parties and maybe it is time for a candidate that is closer to the overall needs of America.

So I'd like to announce the beginning of the Repubocratitarian Party.

I will balance the budget!
Preserve both Gun owner’s rights and a woman’s right to choose.
I will ensure that medical research is never hindered by religious debate.
This nations military and our national defense will remain a priority.

Vote SlagleRock 2012 (Hey a guy can dream right!)

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:10 PM | Comments (7)

November 04, 2004

Exit Polls Show Which Kind Of People Vote For Which Type Of Candidate

If you haven't looked at the voting statistics compiled via the exit polls you need to. Take a look at USA Today.com.

Here are some examples of the statistics that reflect the candidates.

Education

How well educated were the people who voted for each candidate.

The majority of High School DROP OUTS who voted, voted for Kerry.

Those with a high school diploma, some college or a college degree voted for Bush.

Those people who were married voted Bush, while unwed mothers voted for Kerry. (What Dems looking for a hand out, NO can't be!?!)

Those people who felt that morals were one of the main issue of the election voted for Bush.

So what do we gather from these statistics? The ideal Kerry supporter is:

A) Uneducated
B) Immoral
C) Unwed
D) Likely looking for a hand out
E) ALL OF THE ABOVE

You decide.

Follow the link and look at all the statistics. Are you comfortable voting with the particular crowd that voted for your candidate?

One more statistic. All age groups over 30 voted for GW while it was only the 17-30 year olds that voted Kerry. Could it be that the youth of America is far more gullible than the educated and those who have had to live through lifes hard knocks?

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:03 PM | Comments (7)

V-US Day + 2

It has been two days now since the election and roughly twenty four hours since John Kerry conceded, since then I have seen, heard and learned much.

First, President Bush won this election with the largest popular vote in history. That says two things to me: One, he is supported by the American people and two, John Kerry couldn't hide the truth.

Second, more than 3/4 of the country feel like the President won reelection fairly. What that says is that 1/4 of this country is either hard line (bitter) democrats or conspiracy theorists. I expected GW to win, but I was surprised by his powerful poplar vote results.

Third, while Kerry was able to bow out with style and grace his party is not capable.

Kerry conceded with style and grace. He came across very presidential in his speech and manned up (for a change), yet the extremists within the party just keep finding things to whine about.

Kerry, "we can't win." Remember that? He said that during his speech after he called President Bush to concede. The man himself acknowledged his loss, so lets move on America. Support your President, your troops, family, friends and neighbors.

SLAGLEROCK OUT!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:57 AM | Comments (6)

It's President Bush Not Mr. Bush

To the owners, editors, producers and broadcasters at NBC:

The correct way to refer to the President of the United States of America is....

Drum roll please......

Wait for it....

PRESIDENT Bush.

I know this may come as a shock to all of you at NBC but the title President of the United States is not only the most powerful on Earth it is also the most recognizable.

If I had a nickel for every time some moron at NBC referred to President Bush as Mr. Bush I'd be rich. I am sure that you would be quick to correct other media outlets if they referred to someone within your organization incorrectly.

President is not only a powerful title; it is also one that President Bush earned. He solidified that right with his history making popular vote.

In the future please keep in mind that Americans are not bumbling idiots and we do catch your efforts to undermine the status of those you do not agree with.

And since we are talking about titles:

SSgt Slagle Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:17 AM | Comments (3)

November 03, 2004

Kerry Concedes

According to CNN and every other major media outlet, John Kerry phoned the PRESIDENT this morning to concede the election.

Everyone can breathe a deep sigh of relief. The traitor did not win.

Not only did President Bush win reelection he also won the POPULAR vote.

It appears that the driving factor in this election was morals. People with strong moral beliefs and interests voted for President Bush.

WE WERE SUCCESSFUL!!

This is a toss up day here at the Slaughterhouse. I am very grateful that President Bush won both reelection and the popular vote, but I am saddened because I will now have to rework much of my blog. So much of my content and many of my links were focused on spreading the truth about John Kerry.

I will continue to focus on the military and political but I will no longer need to concentrate on John Kerry.

Wow the relief is amazing.

Today truly is a great day for America.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:52 AM | Comments (12)

November 02, 2004

Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force Gets New Stripes And Further Distinction

New CMSAF insignia debuts Nov. 1

WASHINGTON -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray explains the significance of his new stripes during an interview in his Pentagon office Oct. 21. His new insignia becomes official Nov. 1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)

by Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
Air Force Print News

10/29/2004 - WASHINGTON -- A new chief master sergeant of the Air Force insignia debuts Nov. 1, and stands out as a highly distinguished symbol representative of all Airmen, officials said.

The new insignia contains the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper blue field. The chevrons and the laurel wreath surrounding the star in the lower blue field remain unchanged to retain the legacy of the stripe worn by all 14 chief master sergeants of the Air Force.

The decision for the re-design came from a number of factors, officials said. Air Force enlisted insignias have evolved over the years, while maintaining the historical roots of the Airman star and chevrons. Today, each grade has a definable rank. Some positions such as command chiefs and first sergeants have additional distinguishing features.

Senior Air Force leaders, former chief master sergeants of the Air Force and Airmen throughout the service encouraged a re-design of the CMSAF insignia. In 2002, the process began to select a stripe that would be an even stronger representation of our enlisted force.

“A lot of people, including my predecessors, have said that the current stripe, although it is a distinctive stripe, may not be easily recognized,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray. “Many young Airmen thought the stripe should have more or be more. They tell me, ‘It’s hard to tell the difference between you and other chiefs.’”

That distinction is important, Chief Murray said, because the chief master sergeant of the Air Force is the senior representative of more than 300,000 enlisted Airmen.

“One of the foundations of the enlisted corps is that every Airman should have the same equal opportunity to promote through the ranks and to achieve (his or her) goals,” Chief Murray said.

“One of our Airmen serving today will be the 15th CMSAF and then the 16th and so on,” the chief said. “This honorable position provides not only something for Airmen to look up to, but provides a goal and motivation for their service. When they see our nation’s emblem in the new stripe, it will help them to realize this position, and the person who holds it, has the ultimate responsibility of leading and representing all of our Airmen -- America’s Airmen. This new stripe clearly identifies who represents them to the chief of staff, the secretary, Congress and the American people.”

A new insignia is not a new idea, nor is it something Chief Murray said he devised alone.

“In 2003, a formal statement was made in a meeting between the Air Force chief of staff and former chief master sergeants of the Air Force that we should change the insignia,” Chief Murray said.

“The first CMSAF, Paul Airey, truly embraced this and has been a leading proponent for change,” Chief Murray said. “It is something that has been supported by those before me and is something I believe is more for our Airmen to identify with, in what we stand for, in support of our nation.”

“It was definitely time to update the stripe,” retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric W. Benken said.

Chief Benken is also a strong supporter for the latest change. During his tenure, he created the command chief master sergeant position out of the former major command senior enlisted advisers and gave them a star in the top field of their insignia. Many people said that insignia began to overshadow the CMSAF insignia.

“The old one served us well, but the change is necessary, and it’s for the better. The new stripe also aligns us more with the other services’ senior enlisted leaders and that is a clear benefit as we go down the joint service path,” Chief Benken said.

Inspiration for the re-design came from the CMSAF’s official emblem, which contains the seal that has been the official national symbol since 1787.

Insignia of the top enlisted leaders from the other services provided additional inspiration. The insignia of the sergeant major of the Army also contains the seal. The insignia of the master chief petty officers of the Navy and of the Coast Guard contain an eagle with three stars above it. The sergeant major of the Marine Corps’ insignia uses its service emblem and two stars. All stand out from the ranks of their peers and subordinates.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said he liked the new stripe so much he wanted Chief Murray to put it on as soon as possible.

“This is the right time, and the right level of attention has been brought to it,” Chief Murray said. “Even though (he) had already made his decision, (General Jumper) introduced it first to all of our senior officers at Corona. They warmly embraced it and, in fact, they said 'sew it on immediately.'”

”As we continue to evolve as an Air Force, we must always preserve the honor of those who served before us,” Chief Murray said. “It will be a privilege to be the first of many to wear this stripe that maintains our heritage, yet provides an element of distinction to the highest enlisted position.”

Just thought I'd share. The Chief deserves the recognition and distinction without a doubt!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:42 AM | Comments (4)

November 01, 2004

A Vote For Kerry Is A Vote For Terrorism

According to the New York Times Osama bin Laden warned in his October Surprise video that he will be closely monitoring the state-by-state election returns in tomorrow's presidential race — and will spare any state that votes against President Bush from being attacked, according to a new analysis of his statement.

Oh gosh, you mean Bin Laden formally endorsed John Kerry? Imagine that!?!?!

Now I guess us "Right Wing Lunatics" can actually say a vote for Kerry is a vote for terrorism.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:47 PM | Comments (2)

The Slaughterhouse's First Caption Contest

Here we have my first picture for a caption contest.

BEER GOGGLES?

Is that what a gas mask is really for? Who needs to do a keg stand when it can be poured in directly?

Put your caption in the comments.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:37 PM | Comments (6)

Michael Moores Comments At The Slaughterhouse

Oh joy! Today I had a wannabe visit my site and comment as Michael Moore. The email provided with the comment was Wallace@aol.com. While I didn't bother to email that address I am quite sure that it is just some leftist looney who would love people to believe that Michael Moore actually read and commented on my silly little post about John Kerry's Bitch Wife.

Here is what "Michael Moore" had to say about my post:

First of all, let's just acknowledge what you already know: America is a country which still has a race problem, to put it nicely. Al Gore would be president today had thousands of African Americans not had their right to vote stolen from them in Florida in 2000. In Ohio, the Republicans are sending almost 2,000 paid "poll challengers" into the black precincts of Cleveland in an attempt to stop African Americans from voting. This action is beyond despicable. Do not let this stop you from voting. I, and thousand of others, will be there to fight for you and protect you.

To George W.:

I know it's gotta be rough for you right now. Hey, we've all been there. "You're fired" are two horrible words when put together in that order. Bin Laden surfacing this weekend to remind the American people of your total and complete failure to capture him was a cruel trick or treat. But there he was. 3,000 people were killed and he's laughing in your face. Why did you stop our Special Forces from going after him? Why did you forget about bin Laden on the DAY AFTER 9/11 and tell your terrorism czar to concentrate on Iraq instead?

There he was, OBL, all tan and rested and on videotape (hey, did you get the feeling that he had a bootleg of my movie? Are there DVD players in those caves in Afghanistan?)

Speaking of my movie -- can I ask you a personal question before we part ways for good on Tuesday? Why did you and your friends fund SIX "documentaries" trashing me -- but only ONE film against Kerry? C'mon, he was the candidate, not me. What a waste of your time and resources! Sure, I know what your pollsters told you, that the film had convinced some people to vote you out. I just want you to know that that was not my original intent. Funny things happen at the movies. Hope you get to see a few at the multiplex in Waco. It's a great way to relax.

Michael Moore

To "Michael Moore",

I know it's gotta be rough for you right now. All you leftist loons have been there. "You're a dumb ass" are four factual words when applied to you. Bin Laden surfacing this weekend to remind the American people of how inept Kerry is by supporting him is a total and complete failure for the Democratic Party. But there he was. 3,000 people were killed and he's supporting Kerry in the hopes he can kill 3,000 more. Why did Clinton turn down Sudans offer not once but three times to hand us Osama Bin Laden? Why do you focus your film making efforts on making Americans look bad when we pour billions of dollars into the well being of other nations?

There he was, OBL, on videotape and typical of the liberal media they didn't play the entire video including the part where OBL threatened any state that votes for Bush. Could this be that he fears our Incumbent and knows that Kerry would make us a soft target? As for your filth, if he did get a bootleg of your garbage "documentary" even OBL has the sense enough to know you are full of shit!

Speaking of your "movie" -- can I ask you a personal question before Bush gets re-elected on Tuesday? Why do you and your Hollywood friends further terrorist efforts by adding fuel to the fire? Why don't you just move to Canada and belittle and bemoan all things Canadian, at least they are your kind of people? (See Monument for Deserters)

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:16 PM | Comments (6)

To The Mainstream Media, Air The Rest Of The TAPE!!!

According to the New York Times there is another 12 minutes of the Bin Ladin tape that Al Jazeera selectively left out when airing it.

Officials said that in the 18-minute long tape — of which only six minutes were aired on the al-Jazeera Arab television network in the Middle East on Friday — bin Laden bemoans the recent democratic elections in Afghanistan and the lack of violence involved with it.

On the tape, bin Laden also says his terror organization has been hurt by the U.S. military's unrelenting manhunt for him and his cohorts on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

Can you imagine the effect of this tape on the democrats who would so love all of America to believe the the war on terror has been ineffective?

Bin Ladin admitting that his organization has been "hurt by the U.S. military's unrelenting manhunt for him." What a blow that would be to the Kerry campaign that keeps calling Bush ineffective.

I challenge the mainstream media to play the rest of the tape. Let American's hear from the top terrorist himself that Bush has made it difficult for his band of terrorist brethren to be effective.

Bush-Cheney '04
4 MORE YEARS

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!

Exercise Your Right We Fight For!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:09 AM | Comments (2)

True Patriotism

Lawyer takes salary cut to follow lifelong dream!!!!!

Despite dangers, attorney joins the Army to fight for his country By JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

DALLAS - A chance meeting in a Subway restaurant with an Army recruiter changed the life of Michael Brown, a Dallas lawyer.

Brown, 26, leaves for basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., on Thursday, cutting his annual income from $120,000 to $18,000 to serve in the Army.

The impetus was a conversation with Staff Sgt. Jerome Huntley in mid-July.

"I had been thinking about doing it," Brown said. "It's on your heart and you're thinking about doing it, and there he is."

They talked in the restaurant, and the next day Huntley came to Brown's apartment to describe life in an Army special operations unit, such as the Rangers or Green Berets.

Huntley said Brown's enthusiasm eliminated any doubts about someone giving up a career as a lawyer.

"He was just saying he wanted something more exciting in his life," Huntley said.

Basic training

After 16 weeks of basic and advanced individual training as an infantryman at Fort Benning, he'll go to Fort Campbell in Kentucky. He hopes to then join a special operations unit.

A recruit like Brown is "relatively unusual" not only because of his profession, but also because of his income and age, said Douglas Smith, spokesman for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox in Kentucky.

About 98.5 percent of Army officers have a bachelor's degree, and 40 percent of those have a master's or a doctorate, according to the Army. But only about 5 percent of enlistees have a four-year college degree or higher.

Smith said the average recruit's age is 21, and according to 2002 data, only 7 percent of enlistees come from households with incomes of $100,000 to $150,0000.

Choosing a career

Brown grew up in Starkville, Miss., and played outside linebacker at Mississippi College, where he earned an accounting degree before going on to law school at the University of North Carolina. He moved to Dallas to practice construction and personal injury defense law.

Approaching Huntley that day was no spur-of-the-moment decision, Brown said. It was something that built for a long time. As a boy, he loved to play with toy soldiers and as a young adult he thought about a career in the military, but he went on to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both lawyers.

After Brown got to Dallas, he started contemplating the switch.

"The law may not be exactly what I want to do — the military's something I've always wanted to do," he said.

Brown, who is single, said he misses being out in the field, building a camaraderie with a group of guys like he did when he played football.

"I wanted to serve the country too," he said. "That was something that really interested me with the Special Forces or Rangers. You give all your time to do that. The bond that you have with that group of guys was something that I didn't feel."

And the possibility of being sent into war isn't something that would stop him from joining.

"I want to go," Brown said. "That's really part of the reason that I'm signing up. You're ready to go out there and do what you can for the country."

Explaining a decision

Making friends and family understand his decision took some work.

"My mom just realized that that's what I really wanted to do," Brown said. "Dad didn't come around until I said, 'It's already done.' He said, 'All right, then I'm behind it.' "

Brown's mother, Patsy Holeman, 53, of Madison, Miss., said Brown told her about a year ago that he still had the urge to join the military.

"He was still searching, still looking," she said. "He just kept saying, 'This is something I've got to do. I've always had this in the back of my mind. I don't want to be 10 to 20 years down the road saying I didn't do it.' "

Will Andrews, 27, of Clinton, La., has been friends with Brown since they played football together in college. He said he didn't know how serious Brown was about enlisting until Brown said he'd talked to a recruiter.

"It did surprise me, but it didn't at the same time," Andrews said.

His co-worker, Randy Montgomery, had the same thoughts.

"I think it's rare that someone will give up as much as he's giving up to go and fight for his country," said Montgomery, a partner at Deary Montgomery DeFeo & Canada in Dallas. "That's a good quality that we don't all have."

These aren't the kinds of stories that are heard often, remember NFL safety Pat Tillman? He took a drastic decrease in pay (obviously by leaving the NFL) to serve his country and as a member of a special forces unit he payed the ultimate sacrifice.

These two men are a shining example of what patriotism is all about. These two were willing to give up very comfortable lives to serve at the bottom of the enlisted ranks just for the opportunity to give back to this great nation.

These are brave men, patriots, and true Americans.

Tomorrow is Nov. 2, election day. Please make sure you support the actions of these two brave men by voting and ensuring they will have a Commander In Chief worthy of their loyalty.

4 MORE YEARS
Bush-Cheney '04

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:00 AM | Comments (2)