Testament to Lunacy- Our Military

How can the American people continue to support a government that sends their young men back with brain damage, drug problems and alcoholism? How much longer can we supply an all volunteer force to fight a 10 year war that is slowly taking a tole on our servicemen. How many more tours in Afghanistan can our men be expected to endure? Four, five, six? Why hasn't the gutless Congress reinstated the draft? They are gutless because it will cost them their seats in Congress. Not A bad price to pay for saving our young men. There were Congresses in the past that did the right thing when it was needed. They gave up their seats in Congress because of integrity. Now they give up their seats when they are going to be prosecuted.

Murder or Something Else

How about we get all and I mean all the facts in before we hang and quarter the SSgt. that is said to have killed 16 civilians in Afghanistan. The President has already apologized and between him and the Security of Defense have him hanged already. I believe in justice and he should take his licks if guilty. However if he is found to have brain damage he needs to be treated. From everything being told on television he was a family man with children and well liked by everyone. So what happened here and why?

TIDE-You Can't Snort It

At the present time there is an apparent theft of Tide [detergent] around the United States. No they aren't using it, they are trading it on the black market. A container of Tide can bring anywhere from 5-10 dollars on the black market. They are stealing it from stores and it has became a commodity for organized crime. In one recent drug bust there was more Tide than cocaine confiscated. One person until he was caught had stolen over $20,000 worth of Tide products. When caught he had a container of Tide and was heading out the door. Some stores around the country are locking it up to deter theft. Proctor and Gamble are remaining silent at the present time about the theft of their product.

The World Turned Upside Down

What was the song that the British played when the good Lord Cornwallis marched out upon his defeat in America that for the most part ended the American Revolution. America's "Derry Down" or "The Old Woman Taught Wisdom." The King of England's beloved song.

Goody Bull and her daughter together fell out,
Both squabbled and wrangled and made a great rout.
But the cause of the quarrel remains to be told,
Then lend both your ears and a tale I'll unfold.
Derry down, down, hey derry down,
Then lend both your ears and a tale I'll unfold.

The old lady, it seems, took a freak in her head,
That her daughter, grown woman, might earn her own bread,
Self-applauding her scheme, she was ready to dance,
But we're often too sanguine in what we advance.
Derry down, down, hey derry down,
But we're often too sanguine in what we advance.

For mark the event, thus for fortune we're cross,
Nor should people reckon without their good host,
The daughter was sulky and wouldn't come to,
And pray what in this case could the old woman do?
Derry down, down, hey derry down,
And pray what in this case could the old woman do?

Zounds, neighbor, quoth pitt, what the devil's the matter?
A man cannot rest in his home for your clatter
Alas, cries the daughter, Here's dainty fine work,
The old woman grows harder than Jew or than Turk
Derry down, down, hey derry down,
The old woman grows harder than Jew or than Turk.

She be damned, says the farmer, and do her he goes
First roars in her ears, then tweaks her old nose,
Hello Goody, what ails you? Wake woman, I say,
I am come to make peace in this desperate fray.
Derry down, down, hey derry down,
I am come to make peace in this desperate fray.

Alas, cries the old woman, And must I comply?
I'd rather submit than the hussy should die.
Pooh, prithee, be quiet, be friends and agree,
You must surely be right if you're guided by me,
Derry down, down, hey derry down,
You must surely be right if you're guided by me.

Americans Killing Americans

Where is the outrage here people. The Attorney General of these United States Eric Holder says in a speech that it's okay to kill Americans that are committing acts of terror. What happened to the justice system where you got a trial by a number of your peers? Better yet what happened to the Declaration of Independence? Wasn't the King killing off American colonists before and during the American Revolution? No trial, no nothing. Rotting in ships off the American coast.

There has to be some point where not only the Republicans get upset but the Democrats do to. Where is the outrage? Yes I know that's its a bad thing to kill people. But why did we fight a revolution to allow our countrymen to walk the streets with out fear of being picked up and killed? Now this goes for the United States and foreign countries. Americans are Americans. The end is coming my friends and it isn't far off. Wake up and forget about a job, worry about your life.

Starbucks Coffee and Whose Bent Over the Stump

How many of you have seen the Starbucks coffee story to pass along on the Internet? The one where some GI's overseas write and ask Starbucks for some coffee. Starbucks writes back and tells the GI's up yours! Well the whole thing is a just a bunch of ca ca. If Starbucks was a small company such a lie could cause them to shut down their operation. But for any of you out there that believed this song and dance your just plain stupid.

What company in their right or left mind would refuse a request for one of their products? How many customers would they loose that are in the military and how about the retiree's and civilians? No company who gets a legitimate request from our military is going to turn them down. Any company that refused such a request regardless of their politics might as well head down to the unemployment office.

Starbucks made no such comments nor refused to send anything to anyone. All it took to find this out was go to a web site and check out the truth. Pretty simple and Starbucks has some great products and customer service. Another hoax set on fire and burned!

The Dream Don't Lie

Have you ever had one of those dreams that you just knew you weren't going to get out of? The one where Freddy, Jason and Machete had all teamed up and were out there slaughtering everything and anything that moved. Then there was the Terminator, Wesley Snipes, Iron Man and about a 100 other characters ripping each other apart. If Steven King could have got this dream down on paper, he could give up writing. Started a whole new career as a doctor in a nut house. Six hours of nonstop ripping, slicing and sticking. If they stuck those machetes in each other once they did it 1000 times. So I guess you get the jest of the dream and naturally I made it out alive. But by the skin of my teeth!

PETA Killing Furry Bunny Friends

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] it appears is not protecting as many furry friends as it says. In 1998 they killed 27,000 dogs and cats in their possession. In 2011 they killed 95% of the animals they claim to protect. With a budget of $37,000,000 it appears that fund raising is far more important to them than saving animals. No surprise there. Rather than find them homes they just had them killed. While they claim the rest of us are wearing furs, hunting, killing chickens for food and other such nonsense.

Iran and Nukes- by The Rude Pundit

Yep, Media Matters Is Right: Iran Has Always Been a Year or Two Away From Having Nukes:
This week, Media Matters came out with an article that detailed how, since 2005, conservatives have been predicting imminent death by Iranian nuclear bombs, always conveniently a year or two away from coming to full, frightening fruition. But Media Matters could have gone back even further. Because, see, pretty much as long as many of us can remember, despite the IAEA saying it's not true and, at times, despite the U.S. government denying it, Iran has been within a couple of years to a decade from having nukes. Think of this as a supplement to what is probably the most convincing argument you'll read about how irrational our media and politicians are about Iran right now:

Iran will have nukes by 1986, says AP article, April 25, 1984: "Iran is likely to have its own nuclear bomb within two years, according to press reports cited by Jane's Defense Weekly. The magazine, part of the authoritative Jane's Publications on weapons systems, said Tuesday that reports from the Persian Gulf region last week indicated the bomb was being produced at a nuclear power plant in Boushahar, southern Iran."

Or maybe 2000, says AFP, December 4, 1991: "Iran will be able to build a nuclear bomb by the year 2000 if it keeps up its present military activities, German intelligence chief Konrad Porzner said."

Or sometime between 1995 and 2000, says the Washington Post, October 18, 1992: "Gen. Uri Saguy, the head of Israel's military intelligence, estimates that Iran will have a nuclear capability by the end of the decade; British and French intelligence officials predict that Iran might join the nuclear club even earlier. Mohammed Mohaddessin, an adviser to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said during a recent visit to Washington that he believes Iran will have nuclear devices within three to five years."

Or perhaps in 1999, according to AP, February 12, 1993: "Iran now poses the greatest threat to Israel's security, a leading Israeli newspaper said today, quoting experts who predicted Tehran would have an atomic bomb within six years."

No, more likely 2000, according to the Guardian, January 6, 1995: "Iran is much closer to producing nuclear weapons than previously thought, and could be less than five years from having an atomic bomb, several senior American and Israeli officials say. 'The date by which Iran will have nuclear weapons is no longer 10 years from now,' a senior official said recently, referring to previous estimates. 'If the Iranians maintain this intensive effort to get everything they need, they could have all their components in two years. Then it will be just a matter of technology and research. If Iran is not interrupted in this program by some foreign power, it will have the device in more or less five years.'"

Or, holy crap, they already have them, says AFP, April 9, 1998: "Iran obtained several nuclear warheads from a former Soviet republic in the early 1990s, according to Iranian documents obtained by Israel and revealed in The Jerusalem Post newspaper Thursday."

You get the idea. Hmmm. There's a common thread here that the Rude Pundit can't quite figure out, a nation involved in this fearmongering that has controlled a great deal of U.S. foreign policy in the region for decades. It's on the tip of his tongue. Gosh, he really wishes he could connect the dots. Of course, if one does ever connect 'em, one will automatically be accused of being anti...well, something or other.

// posted by Rude One @ 11:04 AM ShareThis

Fairbanks, Alaska- Dae Miles Stew-pot

Stew-pot- News-Miner photo

Sometimes you wonder after you have left a location whether some people that were there still are. During this decline in our great society it haunts me, "is Dae Miles" still running the Alaska Family Stew-pot across from the University in College, Alaska. His Stew-pot served up some of the best soup you would have ever eaten and it was healthy for you.

The Stew Pot was made out of slabs of timber if my mind is still working and about 9 foot long and 6 wide. He would make up 5 gallons of soup a day and feed whoever came along. There was a jar for those who wanted to make a one dollar donation and the rest was free. It was one of those grass roots down to earth businesses.

His famous Rainbow stew I think had pinto beans, the Delta stew had pintos and barley and the Tundra had reindeer meat. You could stop by the stew-pot and meet some of the most interesting people. If the stew-pot is still open on cold days I think of Dae, his one man operation and what he did for the community and College.

Monkeys Listening to Monkeys and Half a Loaf of Bread

It just occurred to me that those running for president have jumped the track and can't stay on the issues. How about you stop attacking the president and get to the real problems we have here in the United States. Like jobs, what are you or can you really put people to work without starting another war? We can't even see the top of the hole we've got ourselves into with the national debt. Talk about that for awhile. Tell us your going to put a loaf of bread in everyone's mail box. We likely could all use a loaf of bread. If it's a PO box give us half a loaf. Tell us your going to fix the roads and bridges that are falling down. My hip waders are starting to get old. Tell us anything except this monkey who has his hand in the jar and wont turn loose of the banana. So it ends up the monkeys, are talking to the monkeys and the monkeys who got us into this fix are still running loose, or in their graves.

Binding Their Wounds- America's Assault on it's Veterans by Robert J Topmiller and T Kerby Neill

"This is a book filled with love and anger and patriotism, but patriotism as Mark Twain defined it: 'supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.' It asks us all, as individuals and as citizens, to consider mistakes that have been made, to listen with open hearts to those who have suffered, and to accept responsibility for being agents of change. Would that 'Doc' Topmiller had finally been able to bind his own wounds, but, as his death underscores the urgency of the problem, so this book, and the community it brought together to honor his intent, suggest solutions."

Seaman First Class Calvin Graham

Seaman Calvin Graham

Cavin Graham joined the US Navy in 1942 and was stationed on the USS South Dakota [BB-57]. As a gunner he participated in the battle of Guadalcanal with the USS South Dakota suffering 47 hits from the Japanese military. Seaman Graham was wounded but helped carry his shipmates to safety. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.

Calvin Graham was born in Canton, Texas on 3 April, 1930 and died at his home in Fort Worth, Texas on 6 November, 1992. His service in the Navy was from 1942-1943 and he later joined the Marine Corps as a Corporal from 1948-1951. Seaman First Class Graham was the youngest soldier in the United States military. He joined the military at the ripe old age of 12.

Fort Campbell Army Suicides On the Increase

"Fiscal year 2009" saw the suicide rate in the Army increase to 160 soldiers on active duty. Many of these soldiers had been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The "101st Airborne" stationed at "Fort Campbell, Kentucky" after many programs were newly instituted to help due to nine soldiers committing suicide in 2007. 2008 saw the suicide rate rise to 12 at Fort Campbell and they hired a "suicide program manager" and increased other programs and brought in more "mental health personnel." The year 2009 saw the suicide rate increase to 14 because of military "stresses," prevention is hard to achieve and "difficult to research." As the military draws down its forces around the world there will be an increase of suicides due to long tours, family problems and military competing for civilian employment.

DOD, VA Cover Up on PTSD [R] & Known Atrocities

According to Binding Their Wounds America's Assault on it's Veterans by Robert J. Topmiller and T. Kerby Neill the DOD, VA and other associated agencies have gone out of their way to cover up atrocities committed against veterans going back to at least WWII and likely longer. They have experimented on veterans and one case American civilians with gas, others atomic devices, medicines not approved by the FDA in the name of national security.

First they infect soldiers with known and unknown substances knowing in advance what the results will be, but it is nothing short of what the Nazi's did during WII. In Vietnam it was Agent Orange they knew was harmful to humans but went ahead using it and effecting American, allies and the Vietnamese population. The Vietnamese may be suffering up to 20 million casualties and because of DNA modification Agent Orange and other pesticides have caused birth defects for four generations.

By falsifying testing, modifying results, the DOD and VA can come up with whatever results they desire. If they wait long enough many of the causalities will be dead or dying. This saves the Congress from appropriating funds to pay for the problem they caused. Problems at this time for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans could and will run into the billions in twenty years to medicate those who have not already committed suicide or died. Only a major outcry from the American people will remedy this sad, despicable use of our soldiers as guinea pigs and cannon fodder.

Editor A.C. Russell & the Field of Honor

Governor McDougal

September 10, 1851 would be a day both A.C. Russell and Captain Joseph L. Folsom would remember. Russell had ruffled the feathers of Folsom in his newspaper the San Francisco Picayune and Folsom was looking for satisfaction on the field of honor. Folsom had made his fortune in land speculation during the gold rush. They both retired to the outskirts of town and shot at each other twice. Having felt they had satisfaction they retired from the field.

A year later Russell wrote an article that got the Governor upset. So the governor retired from office and met Russell somewhere on San Francisquito Creek. McDougal fired and his bullet slid off the pistol of Russell and hit him in  the chest. Russell offered his hand with a sharp reminder not to shake to hard since he was wounded. But in the end the Governor and Russell found common ground and retired from the field of honor alive.

Gilmer County, West Virginia

Back in 1979 a friend worked a cattle farm in the hills of Gilmer County West Virginia. He lived in an old house built around c1900 which was quite a ways off the beaten path. It was situated northwest of Sutton and the road to get there followed a creek bed and you had to cross the creek several times. In rainy weather the creek would rise and you would have to drive through the water.

Him and a female friend had fixed up the house and it was quite cozy inside. It had three fireplaces, a potbelly stove in the living room, wood cook stove in the kitchen and a hand pump well near the back porch. Upstairs there were two bedrooms and the one that had a door to an outside balcony which was mine when I visited. On the front side of the house above the stairs was an outside balcony you could set on and listen to the squirrels across the creek in the trees while you had coffee.

When I needed a couple days off I would drive up in my truck and stay for the weekend. Sometimes I would cut a load of firewood for the house or we would cook up a deer stew and have it for supper. At night there was one battery operated television station and the radio. But one of his friends played the guitar and we would stay up till the last dog was hung and listen to her sing. In the winter you got under all those quilts and stayed there till sunrise since there was no heat upstairs. The memories of staying in Gilmer County were quite nice and visiting friends made it even better.

Rider's Tavern 1912

Chains Rattling in the Night

Henry had lost track of the years he had taken care of his wife in the cellar below their house. Yes she was in chains and each day he would give her water and feed her. Her every need was met except one and that was freedom. When friends came at night to visit it was always the ghosts in the cellar that made the noise. After his friends left the noise would persist.

At times she looked as same as anyone. Then she would return to the madness that she had. As he entered Saint John's Church one day to address the congregation it is wondered if he thought of his wife. The day was March 23rd 1775. His words would ring across the country and the world.

"Shall we try argument?.....Shall we resort to entreaty?.....What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?.....We have petitioned, we have remonstrated, we have supplicated.....We have been spurned with contempt.....There is no longer any room for hope.....Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains.....Forbid it, Almighty God!.....I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" Patrick Henry

Godfather vs the President

Lets start out with a rundown on the Republican candidates running around the country in these straw polls. Santorum is very passionate and believes what he says about the country but looks to young to be president. Paul has some good domestic programs but no cohesive foreign policy and doesn't look presidential. Romney sounds like another Democrat or a snake oil peddler with money and can't keep his tie on straight.

So where does that leave us? How about we skip the going back to Reagan with Gingridge or go over the 98 charges the Democrats trumped up on him and never proved one. Show me any politician that hasn't made mistakes or admitted to them and I'll show you a damn liar. Gingridge is the most articulate of the crowd, knows more about Washington than the whole bunch and doesn't need a teleprompter to say his name.

In this next election the country will turn on who becomes president and sink, swim or drown. The people want a strong president who can lead us rather than running around in the bushes hunting the bird. Gingridge can take the heat, looks presidential and most important, he doesn't care if the president calls him a racist. He has been called a lot worse over the years.