August 13, 2003

In Saudi
Five dead as Saudis confront militants
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Raids Uncover Network of Extremists
In Afghanistan
Al-Qaida blamed for Bus Blast, Clashes Kill 58 in Afghanistan
In the Holy Land
Israeli Suspects Arafat's Hand in Attacks
Suicide bombers kill two Israelis
In Iran
Bin Laden's Son, Al Queda officials in Iranian Custody
Iran refuses US al-Qaeda access
Iran women's bill rejected
In Indonesia
High alert on Jakarta terror attack

Does anyone still doubt that the world is at war?
Now we're getting down to business with Al Queda.
I think we're going to have to brace ourselves:
it may get worse before it gets better.
We're in a fight to the death with these Islamists; it's either going to be us or them and they know that.
I'm afraid they'll put up a nasty fight because their fevered hate dreams of conquering the world for Islam by jihadi murder and ruling it by the tyranny of shari'a are dying with every one of their killers who is foiled and terminated and/or brought to justice.
We will prevail because Right is on our side, as well as Might, but pray without ceasing for our troops (and Britain's, Australia's, Poland's, Holland's and all those of our other Coalition partners), our Christian missionaries, Westerners travelling and working abroad in these hot spots and all of God's Chosen people in Israel who are on the front lines...!
Of course, those to pray for include ourselves now that America itself is a target.
"Lord, at what time I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee."
Pray, most of all, for Victory, as well our protection all the time, every day.

Texas Republicans Vote to Fine Fugitive Democrats

Republicans in the Texas Senate voted on Tuesday to fine 11 fugitive Democrats up to $5,000 a day each to force them to return from New Mexico to vote on a plan that would add Republican seats in the U.S. Congress.

The Democrats angrily vowed they would not pay the fines and would remain out of state and out of the reach of Texas police, as long as necessary to stop the Republican power grab.

The Senate vote came 16 days after the Democrats fled to Albuquerque in neighboring New Mexico to break a quorum in the state senate and stop a proposal to redraw the state's congressional districts.

The plan likely would change the state's delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives from 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans to 22 Republicans and 10 Democrats in the next election, adding to a narrow Republican majority in the House.

"It's a crime and it's called official oppression," Democratic state senator Juan Hinojosa said of the proposed fines.

The sanctions, which go into effect on Thursday, follow unsuccessful Republican attempts to first sweet talk the Democrats into coming back, then force their return through legal motions.

The Texas Supreme Court, made up of nine Republicans, on Monday rejected the party's request to order the Democrats home. The Democrats have filed lawsuits in state and federal court trying to derail the redistricting effort.

U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Houston is pushing the plan, with quiet backing from the White House on grounds that Republicans deserve more congressional seats from Texas.

Republicans control the Texas Legislature for first time in 130 years. They also hold all statewide offices.

Traditionally, the Texas Legislature has redrawn congressional districts after the U.S. census every 10 years. They were last remapped in 2001 by a panel of federal judges when the legislature could not agree on a plan. Democrats argue the state should stick to current practice, or risk redistricting chaos every time there is a change in power.

Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives fled to Oklahoma for several days in May to stop the same redistricting plan.

I am positively delighted to see my state officials take this step!
These clowns were elected by their constituents to vote in Austin, not to set up a Dimocrat gub'mint-in-exile like they were that Froggie General de Gaulle or something!
Texas needs to get on with its legislative business (Every special session is costing we taxpayers a couple of million $s...)
And if the census says that certain district should be re-designated as GOP, then dangit! running off to stay in the Marriott in New Mexico isn't going to change that.
Fine away, Governor Perry!

August 11, 2003

Elite Force Aviator: George W. Bush - U.S. President and Naval Aviator - 12" Action Figure


Props to the fabu Lee over at Right-thinking from the Left Coast who found this and said, "I am SO getting one of these!"
Lee, honey, I just did.
The funny thing is that I know that my 45-year-old boyfriend and I will fight over who gets to have it!

U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division Spc. Diandrea Harris, 23, from Ozarka, AL., kisses the tarmac after arriving to Hunter Airbase from Iraq in Savannah, Ga. Monday, Aug. 11, 2003. Harris, with A Company 3rd Battalion 7th Infantry Regiment returned after spending nine months in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
3rd Infantry Troops Return Home After Nine Months

Families Greet Soldiers Who Stormed Baghdad

It's so great to see our fine men and women of the 3rd Infantry back in the States!
Job well done and I hope that you all take a good, long and much-deserved rest!
(David Bloom and your fallen comrades-in-arms are looking down from Heaven and smiling, I know.)
And we here at home are grateful and proud of your service and thankful for your defense of our Freedom and Security!

On The Rushwire: Bloggers Can't Match Limbaugh
The last thing I intended to do with my blog was to try and "match" Rush.
Over the years, I've rarely found him to make a misstep, but this time, he's done a lu-lu!
Rush is showing both his age and his personal insecurity by making this pronouncement about bloggers.
Obviously, he didn't read the many superb (war)blogs on the Right-hand side of the political aisle, such as the ones I have linked under Blog Reads.
Give me a Steven Den Beste, a Little Green Footballs, Rantburg or Daily Pundit's Bill Quick's analysis of current events anyday over "El Rushbo's."
There's a conversation going on the in world today and it's going on in blogs!
To be honest, I was shocked that a guy like him would say something so ignorant and plain stupid.
Just goes to show that even the most "infallible"-seeming people can be wrong every now and then.
Needless to say, my respect and regard for him sank like a rock in a pond.
"What a falling off was there..."
*Spoons agrees with me for the same reasons and rants away as only Spoons can do!

[I donated one of these to one of our lady soldiers. Goody Giftbox has packs for men, too, of course!]
Care Packages For Soldiers
Check out this easy and meaningful way to send one of our military's men and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom a care package through Goody Gift Box's "Support a Troop" program!
We can let them know that we're supporting them and make their lives "in country" a little more comfortable.
It's 122 during the day there and running water and electricity are still spotty, so let's help them out!

Iraqi heat, beyond intense, makes work of coalition soldiers even harder

Update: Company president Dave Kreuger also tells me that you can order a Military Comfort Kit from World Prep and if you don't know a particular soldier to send one to, they'll be sure to see that a needy GI in Iraq gets one! (and they're a little less expensive than the Goody's).

02:04 PM Permalink

August 10, 2003

This makes me nervous...

Russia to Host Preparatory Talks on N. Korea

Russia, North Korea and South Korea will hold talks in Moscow this week to prepare for six-way negotiations in Beijing on the North's nuclear ambitions, Itar-Tass quoted a top Russian official as saying Sunday.
"The consultations will begin literally the day after tomorrow," Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov told Tass after arriving in Beijing to discuss the six-way talks with Chinese officials.

To paraphrase the bandido in "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," we don't need no steenkin' 'preparatory talks.'
This is akin to the kiddie table armed with nukes and no grownups!
Betcha our government is worried and so are the Chinese.
Damn Russians.
Stay tuned because this will be anything BUT boring.

08:00 AM Permalink