The Median Sib

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last!”

~Sir Winston Churchill~

“A man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away.”

~Charles Schwab~

(Hat tip to JTH)

Here’s a tidbit of news you won’t see on CNN or ABC.  The Rocky Mountain News reported on a welcoming ceremony at Fort Carson for troops who had arrived home after another tour of duty in Iraq.

The mayor of Tal Afar, Najim Al Jibouri, praised the United States troops for saving his city from almost certain ruin.

“Are you truly my friends?” he asked through a translator. “Yes. I walk a happier man because you are my friends. You are the world to me. I smell the sweet perfume that emanates from your flower of your strength, honor and greatness in every corner of Tal Afar. The nightmares of terror fled when the lion of your bravery entered our city.”  

The mayor said afterward through a translator that he worried about fading support for the war in Iraq and urged Americans to remember what it was like before U.S. forces arrived.

“One year ago today, not even a bird used to be inside the city of Tal Afar because of all the shooting that happened continuously,” he said. “All of the schools were closed and all the government facilities were closed completely. Killing and murdering was allowed - even of the children.”

It’s difficult for me to reconcile stories such as this with all the anti-war rhetoric found in the MSM.  Our soldiers are risking their lives daily in order to help people who have been terrorized their entire lives to gain control over their own lives.  Our newspapers and television networks should be praising their efforts and highlighting the good they’re doing every day.

That title quote is one of the most poetic statements I’ve ever heard.

Hat Tip to Dr. Sanity for first mentioning the Rocky Mountain News article above.

Here’s a photo you sure won’t see on the news.  I got this from Flopping Aces where you will find more photos that are too shocking for TV.

Hat Tip to Blue Star Chronicles.

U.S. Army Maj. Jeff Pugh helps Iraqi children put gravel on the new playground at the Al Shrooq Primary and Secondary School in Taji, Iraq, April 19, 2006. Pugh serves as a civil affairs officer with Company A, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt.

There’s a news story about a Tennessee man who confessed to killing Lance Cpl. Suzanne Collins 21 years ago,  He confessed, but for the past two years he’s claimed he is innocent and that DNA tests will exonerate him.

According to one report, he repeatedly raped the young woman with a wooden pole and then impaled her on it.  While he’s been in prison with three meals a day, a warm bed and an opportunity to live for the past 21 years, his victim has been dead - after experiencing a brutal and heartless death at his hands.  He is challenging his death sentence by saying that execution by lethal injection is not humane.  Hmmm.  Some people have an endless supply of audacity.  So predictable that now he is suddenly concerned about humane treatment.  Maybe someone should impale HIM on a wooden pole and let him see what inhumane really is.

And now it seems that the governor of Tennessee has given him a reprieve - to allow time for DNA tests.  I guess after 21 year, another few weeks won’t make any difference. 

And in a related news story, we read about two gang members scheduled for execution in Texas who are appealing their execution on the grounds that lethal injection is cruel and inhumane.

Their victims were two teenage girls who had taken a shortcut while trying to get home from a friend’s house and happened upon this group of teen-aged beer-drinking gang members who had been initiating a new member into their gang. They gang-raped the girls for more than an hour, and then kicked and beat them before strangling them to death.  Again, I think we can forego the lethal injection and let them experience being gang-raped, kicked, beaten and strangled to death. 

There will be those who say that we should not kill in order to teach people not to kill.  No, the purpose of the death penalty is not to teach people not to kill.  Maybe if the death penalty were actually used effectively, there would be a few killers who would be afraid to commit murder.  However, we have the death penalty so that scum such as those are no longer taking up oxygen and space on earth.  

This could be the solution to the Illegal Immigration issue.  I received this via email today, and as usual when things are forwarded, there’s no telling if it’s true or not.  But whether or not it’s true is irrelevant.  It’s a darn good idea.  What do you think? 

I have a friend who is president of his homeowner’s association in Washington D.C. They are having a terrible problem with trash on the side of the road that is around his association’s homes.The reason according to Wallace (my friend) is, there is being built just next to them, six new homes…..big ones! Wallace said the trash is coming from the Mexican work crews working at the construction sites. (McDonald Bags, Burger King trash, etc). He has pleaded with the site supervisors and the general contractor to no avail, called the City,County, the Police and got no help.

 So………………guess what some people in his community did?  They organized about twenty folks, named themselves The “Inner Neighborhood Services” to go out at lunch time and “police” the trash themselves.

It is what they did while picking up the trash that is HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!  They got some navy blue baseball caps and had the initials “INS” in gold put on the caps. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, however, to understand what they hoped people would think it means.

Well the day after their first pick up detail, with them wearing their caps and some carrying cameras; 46 out of 68 of the construction workers did not show up for work the next morning!!!!!!!!….  and haven’t come back yet!!!!! It has been ten days. 

Now the General Contractor, I understand is madder than hell, but can’t say anything publicly, because he could be busted for hiring “illegal aliens”.  Wallace and his bunch can’t be accused of impersonating INS folks, because they have it on their home owner association records the vote to form the new committee within their association, plus they informed the INS about what they were doing in advance, and the INS said basically according to Wallace…………..”Have at it”!

Since I recently had to pick up trash left by nearby Hispanic workers, I could identify with the frustration of the real or imagined homeowners.

Hat tip to RC for a little levity amidst all the uproar about illegal immigrants.

Vinnie at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy also has an idea for solving the illegal immigration problem.

Update: Check out this latest post on the illegal immigration issue at Blame Bush!

Others posting on illegal immigration: Pursuing Holiness, Hot Air, Captain’s Quarters, A Lady’s Ruminations, The Violence Worker

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.

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“The world’s greatest fool is the person who waits for his ship to come in when he didn’t send one out.”

~unknown~

Our world is full of these fools - people who expect to receive free what others must toil for: illegal aliens, healthy welfare recipients, to name two.

Hot Air tell about how Zacarias Moussaoui had decided that he didn’t REALLY mean what he said earlier at his trial.  You know, that stuff about knowing about the 9/11 attacks and how he was supposed to be a part of the team that carried them out.  No, he didn’t mean any of that.  It’s just that he figured we’d believe he was guilty anyway.  He was sure he couldn’t get a fair trial.  So he just said he did it — even though, of course, he didn’t.

Reminds me of a second grade student – I’ll call him Billy - I had about ten years ago. We had a science exhibit, and another child came crying to me because Billy had broken her project. I asked Billy, and he readily admitted his guilt. I didn’t even have to say the usual “You’ll feel better if you tell the truth.” Since he had broken the project deliberately (he was angry with the girl), I called his mother who said she’d talk with Billy.

The next day the mom came in and said that she had talked to Billy and learned that he really hadn’t broken the project. 

“Oh?” I inquired, “Why did he tell me that he did?”

Her response was immediate and confident.  “He knew you’d believe he did it no matter what he said. So he said he did it even though he didn’t.”

I was dumbfounded. Did she really believe that? She knew me – I had taught Billy’s older brother, and the mother had gone to great lengths to be sure Billy was in my class that year.  I’m known for being soft-spoken and mild-mannered.  And furthermore, I knew Billy. He was not shy about standing up for himself.

But let’s look at his options: (1) Consequence of admitting his misdeed to me: I’d make him apologize to the girl and “walk the fence” for ten minutes during recess. He could handle that. However, I told his mom about it, and thus there was an additional consequence added to the equation; (2) Consequence of admitting his misdeed to mom: He’d almost certainly get a spanking, grounding, or both. Plus, he knew that if he denied doing it, she would believe him.  It wasn’t a difficult decision for Billy. 

Did Billy’s mom really believe that he didn’t do it? Yes, she did. I dropped the issue because I figured Billy’s punishment in having to deal with such stupidity in his mother was far worse than any consequence I could have given him. And sadly, the ensuing ten years have born that out. Billy has been in and out of trouble, and he recently was arrested for burglarizing some homes. I’d be willing to bet that his mom is blaming someone else for that, too.

And how does that relate to Moussaoui? He thought he could handle the consequences of admitting his wrongdoing. He was ready to “be a martyr” and die.  However, he didn’t get the consequence he expected. He didn’t want to be stuck in a prison cell with no way to draw attention to himself and glorify himself to his fellow terrorists. So now he’s recanting his confession. It’ll be interesting to see who buys his story…because some will.

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I went through a year of being unable to sleep, and my doctor prescribed Ambien.  I hated the idea of taking sleeping pills, and so I cut each pill in half so I’d only take a half-dose at a time.  As a result I was able to get some sleep occasionally.  My year of taking Ambien was an eye-opener - which is paradoxical since it’s supposed to be an eye-closer.  (Sorry - weak attempt at humor).  The sleep carried a price, though.

I remember clearly one day attending a  meeting at another school.  I pulled into the parking lot and gently brought my car to rest against the car parked facing me.  It was like watching a movie in slow motion.  I turned to the student teacher who was riding with me, and said something like “Did I hit that car?”  She nodded in the affirmative - most likely thinking I’d been hitting the sauce a  little early in the day.  That night - horrified that I’d been so foggy and certainly hadn’t set a professional example for my student teacher - I took each half-pill and cut it in half.  I was down to taking 1/4 pill each night.  I was still a walking zombie often during the day.  After a few days, I stopped taking them altogether.  It wasn’t worth the risk.

My sleeping problem was solved shortly afterwards when the snorer and I parted ways, and I’ve slept wonderfully chemical-free ever since.

My point is that if Patrick Kennedy was taking Ambien - especially if he’d been taking it long term and in full or increased doses - he most likely DID have no recollection of what happened that night.  It’s powerful stuff.

Others posting on this topic: My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy,  Michelle Malkin, The Liberal Wrong Wing, Scared Monkeys, RightWinged, Wonkette, The Radio Equalizer, Stuck on Stupid, Wiz Bang, Sister Toldjah

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Freedom Of Speech: Not If You Disagree

Cross posted from CommonSenseAmerica by Christi S. King

The far left relies on their `right to freedom of speech’ whenever their words (and diatribes) are questioned but it seems that the far left believes they are the only ones entitled to this right.

From WBBM 780-Chicago

Unruly Crowd Shuts Down Immigration Debate

A community forum on immigration ended just about as fast as it began Thursday night in the Logan Square neighborhood when protesters disrupted the event and shouted down the controversial participants.

“No free speech for terrorists!” chanted the demonstrators who crowded inside the Fourth Congregational Church at 2625 N. Tallman Ave., where the event was being held.

WBBM Newsradio 780’s Steve Grzanich reports organizers had barely started the introductions when the noisy protest began.

The demonstrators succeeded in stopping what was supposed to be a debate between advocates of immigration rights and a group called the Illinois Minuteman Project which supports stricter enforcement of U-S immigration laws.

“They have to know that their racist ideas are not going to be tolerated,” said protestor Maria Melquiades of Chicago. “Racism kills. You don’t debate racism,” she said.

“All immigrants are welcomed and Minutemen are not,” said protestor John Eriksen of Chicago. “Where they are, they need to be shouted down because they are racists and Nazis,” he added.

The forum had to be cancelled when police were called in to disperse the protestors. Officers arrested one demonstrator for disorderly conduct.

Hmmm, the far left has apparently decided that they will dictate what can and cannot be debated in America. What part of freedom of speech do they not understand?

When people are silenced and forced to live in fear of repercussion because of words, thoughts, and ideas, where is the freedom?

That is not America. That, my friend, is the ugly face of communism.

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.**

On the way to work most mornings, I listen to Steve Gill on WTN 99.7 radio.  I don’t always agree with Gill - especially when he gets on a roll about “nitwit” teachers.  However, I agree with him more often than I disagree with him.  So I keep listening.  Well, and there’s also the matter of not having much choice in Nashville radio morning shows. 

One day last week he talked about how the constant use of the hyphenated versions of Americans (African-Americans, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Mexican-Americans) becomes divisive and encourages people to emphasize the differences in ethnic groups rather than the similarities and common goals.  I like that!  It is SO true.

All American citizens are Americans.  Period.

Once again our justice system has demonstrated the lack of courage to execute a known terrorist - even one with responsibility in the murder of almost 3000 Americans.  Terrorists around the world are laughing at us.  Without question, it is a clear win for Moussaoui.  Islamic terrorists are likely cheering for this additional proof that we don’t have the stomach or courage to win this war.  While our soldiers are giving their lives for our freedoms, our politicians and judicial system are working against them at home.

Allahpundit at Hot Air has a round-up of viewpoints on the sentencing of Moussaoui. 

Bryan at Hot Air writes:

I don’t care if giving him the death penalty would have made him a martyr. We need to make a lot more martyrs, out of every last member of al Qaeda that still breathes.

I don’t care that he had a rough childhood. A lot of people who have rough childhoods don’t grow up to join a band of war criminals.

I don’t care if he’s mentally disturbed. You have to be mentally disturbed to join up with the monsters he called friends.

I only care that he could have talked, and didn’t, and that jury could have delivered justice today, but failed.

The spirits of the 3000 Americans who went to their fiery deaths on September 11, 2001 are surely dismayed at how little their deaths mean to those jury members.

As far as I’m concerned, the “immigration” rallies were a big zero.  I’m only one minute cog in the vast wheel of our country, but the rallies/protests/boycotts didn’t affect my life one bit. There was the usual traffic on the roads and the usual crowds in the stores.

Any reasonable American understands that it is detrimental to our country - to our self-respect and to the respect that others have for our country - to tell millions of people that it is okay to break our laws - not only okay but that we’ll reward them for breaking our laws.

Nope.  It’s a stupid idea.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with racism.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with hate.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with compassion or the lack thereof.  It has to do with not wanting people in our country who have blatantly broken our laws and who have shown disrespect and a willingness to take advantage of our generosity.

We welcome legal immigrants.  Follow the rules, and you’re welcome here.

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Looks like there will be lots of people demonstrating today, Monday, May 1st, for “immigration reform.”  Sounds good, but it’s not what the demonstrations and boycott are about.  It’s about legalizing the illegal activity of millions of people.

(1) This is a nation of laws.

(2) If someone from another country wants to become an American, that person should follow the lawful channels.  It isn’t too much to require people from other countries to follow the established procedures to obatain admission to the United States.

(3) Giving amnesty or any concessions to these law-breakers will only make more people willing to become illegal invaders.  It is also a slap in the face the the millions of immigrants upon which this country was founded.  It is a slap in the face to the millions who have followed the law to become citizens.

I’ve heard the quote: “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism” attributed to Thomas Jefferson a lot in the past few months.  That particular quote has never made sense to me.  Why could dissent in and of itself be considered patriotic?  However, it’s how many Democrats justify their anti-anything-and-everything-remotely-connected-in-any-way-possible-to George W. Bush-and-Republicans attitudes, rhetoric and actions.  Darren, at Right on the Left Coast has done a little research to find that the ones who parrot that quote and say it is from Thomas Jefferson are WRONG.  Go read the post. 

Look at Michelle Malkin’s latest post about anti-military vandals at the UNC-Chapel Hill ROTC headquarters.  The limited vocabulary vandals wrote some venomous epithets on the doors:  “We won’t fight your wars!”  and “F*** Off.”

Fortunately for them, we have wonderful and patriotic soldiers who love our country, freedoms and rights so much that they WILL fight this war for all of us.

When I first read about Andrea Clarke I figured it was one of those tales that make its way through the internet - a story someone fabricated and sent around to see how far the story would go.  It turns out, however, that it is a true story - an unbelievable and horrifying one.  And it’s happening right here in the United States - in Texas.

When Terry Schiavo was killed last year, I couldn’t believe that despite the fact that she had parents who wanted her to live and who were willing to take care of her for the rest of her life, her husband - who already had another girlfriend and children - was allowed to prevail in making the decision to kill her.

There is something seriously wrong and inhumane about a society that not only allows such things to happen but even supports it.  And now it appears something very similar is happening once again.

Beth at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy has several posts on Andrea Clarke’s story.  I won’t repeat what she’s written - click HERE, HERE, and HERE and read it for yourself.