Yeah, Right, Whatever

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia

Sgt James E. Craig
27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina
1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
January 28, 2008


James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed. I miss him each day.

James was on his third deployment to Iraq. There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.

"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."

"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."

"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."

To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Twenty-three years ago today, the Challenger exploded over the Atlantic Ocean. I've written about it before.

Here is the video from that morning:


Here is a longer report from ABC News:


Here is the video of President Reagan's national address from that evening:


I can't think of anything else to add today.

President Obama has been in office for one week. Let's see how he's done so far...

• Several of his Cabinet appointments are clouded in scandal.
• His first phone call to a world leader was to "Palestinian" President Mahmoud Abbas. (Sorry... there is no such place as "Palestine"... )
  
• One of his first acts was to approve funding for abortions around the world (even though we're in the middle of a world-wide financial crisis). It was especially tacky how he signed that particular Executive Order on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. No symbolism there or anything.
  
• His first television interview was with an Arab-speaking news agency based in Dubai.
• His environmental agenda might well destroy what's left of the auto industry in the United States.
  
• His economic agenda doesn't look much better. Where did he come up with his economic advisors, anyway?
  
• He's now an action figure.

So... how would you rate him?

There is this interesting weather phenomenon called the Gore Effect. In a nutshell, many times when The Goracle has scheduled a talk about the impending doom of Global Warming Climate Change, the temperature tanks. Two examples come to mind immediately- his visit to NYC when there was record low temps, and the trip to Harvard (at least, I think it was Harvard) where the school had to provide hot soup and cider to keep the students warm while The Goracle preached spoke.

Today, there is supposed to be a hearing on Capitol Hill to discuss the evils of Global Warming Climate Change. Cue winter storm in 3... 2... 1... (here's the text of the Drudge link, just in case it changes):

Al Gore is scheduled before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday morning to once again testify on the 'urgent need' to combat global warming.

But Mother Nature seems ready to freeze the proceedings.

A 'Winter Storm Watch' has been posted for the nation's capitol and there is a potential for significant snow... sleet... or ice accumulations.

"I can't imagine the Democrats would want to showcase Mr. Gore and his new findings on global warming as a winter storm rages outside," a Republican lawmaker emailed the DRUDGE REPORT. "And if the ice really piles up, it will not be safe to travel."

A spokesman for Sen. John Kerry, who chairs the committee, was not immediately available to comment on contingency plans.

Global warming advocates have suggested this year's wild winter spells are proof of climate change.

Developing...

It's not nice to fool Mother Nature (to quote the old commercial). "She" is so upset by all of this Global Warming Climate Change nonsense that her little temper tantrum will stretch all across the Fruited Plain. Here, in the land of the 2 week winter, we'll have a winter storm warning posted for tonight and tomorrow morning. Granted, it is supposed to be 54 tomorrow afternoon, but it's supposed to sleet and snow tonight.

Thanks, Al. Thanks a bunch.

I hope "Carlos" doesn't mind, but I received this in my email box, and I just had to share. I'm going to post it in its entirety, then I'll go through it line by line (more or less). Go and grab some popcorn first.

Subject: <> Elizabeth Buffy in Belleview: Let's welcome an accountable Executiv e Branch! <>

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"

~ Benjamin Franklin ~ February 17, 1775 ~

Greetings, Elizabeth.

I was disappointed to notice the misrepresentations of your website: http://www.yeahrightwhatever.blogspot.com/ I believe the Republican Party had an opportunity to mismanage our United States of America - domestically & overseas - for the past eight years. Elizabeth, it's time to wake up and instead of complaining so much why not use your time, talent & goodwill to rebuild our country. I/we will not allow so-called Negative Conservatives spoil the Presidency of Barack Obama. Just like I will respect your Freedom of Expression --- I will kindly request that you respect ours. As a public school teacher, it's time for intelligent/educated individuals like you to cease & desist promoting division & hatred. We are the United States of America! Haven't you realized the bruises caused to our Bill of Rights and Constitution by Ultra-Patriotic Republicans like Alberto Gonzalez, Rumsfeld & V.P. Cheney? As a proud member of a military family, I am disappointed that the lies of the past administration have caused much pain to my USMC nephew repeated tours of duty in Iraq. As well as - my niece in the army. Since the Korean War we have been a military family, who will follow directions from our Commander in Chief. Nevertheless, rest assured that I/we will use the power of the ballot to keep doomsayers & doubters like you from ruining the agenda of our 44th President. Please leave President Barack Obama alone! Don't rain on his parade! Thank you very much for your kind consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Carlos

OK. Now, go take some Advil to help with your headache. Let's take this apart, shall we?

Subject: <> Elizabeth Buffy in Belleview: Let's welcome an accountable Executiv e Branch! <>

Carlos, you don't know me well enough to call me by that nickname, and I'm not from Belleview, Nebraska. You misspelled Executive, btw.

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"

~ Benjamin Franklin ~ February 17, 1775 ~

You almost got the quote right. It's "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." And I understand where you were going with that quote... how... sneaky of you.

I was disappointed to notice the misrepresentations of your website: http://www.yeahrightwhatever.blogspot.com/

Where has my website been misrepresented? I'd love to know where.

I believe the Republican Party had an opportunity to mismanage our United States of America - domestically & overseas - for the past eight years.

First of all, what you believe and what the facts are don't seem to match up. Second, based on what you typed (rather than what I think you meant), every administration has the opportunity to mismanage the United States of America (although, technically, it would be foreign policy and not the actual country, abroad). I'm just happy to know the fact that President Bush's administration did not take advantage of the opportunity to mismanage our country.

Elizabeth, it's time to wake up and instead of complaining so much why not use your time, talent & goodwill to rebuild our country.

Oh? You mean like the way the Left has done the past 8 years? After 8 years of Bush Derangement Syndrome, you think those of us who are conservative (notice, I didn't say "Republican"... there is a difference) will just forget how you've treated our President and our country and play nice?

I/we will not allow so-called Negative Conservatives spoil the Presidency of Barack Obama.

First, multiple personality problems, Carlos? Second, I'm not a "Negative Conservative." Third, as an English teacher, I feel the need to tell you that you're missing a "to" somewhere in there.

Just like I will respect your Freedom of Expression --- I will kindly request that you respect ours.

This is golden. Where did you get the idea that I have ever disrespected someone's freedom of expression? I have never tried to squash anyone's freedom of expression... unlike liberals, who routinely interrupt conservative speakers by yelling and throwing things (pies, etc.).

As a public school teacher, it's time for intelligent/educated individuals like you to cease & desist promoting division & hatred.

Where did you ever get the idea that I am a public school teacher? As a homeschooler, I promote Christ's love, mercy, and grace. Division and hatred belong to another curriculum, not mine. (And what's up with the intelligent/educated thing? Couldn't pick which one to choose on the form letter?)

We are the United States of America!

Who is this "we"? Are you the official representative of one of the States? I am a proud citizen of the United States of America. This "we are" trend is... boring...

Haven't you realized the bruises caused to our Bill of Rights and Constitution by Ultra-Patriotic Republicans like Alberto Gonzalez, Rumsfeld & V.P. Cheney?

Realized what about the supposed bruises? "Ultra-Patriotic"? I'd like to think that I'm "ultra-patriotic"- did I bruise the Bill of Rights and the Constitution? No, those bruises were inflicted decades ago, not by President Bush.

As a proud member of a military family, I am disappointed that the lies of the past administration have caused much pain to my USMC nephew repeated tours of duty in Iraq. As well as - my niece in the army. Since the Korean War we have been a military family, who will follow directions from our Commander in Chief.

As a former Navy wife and friend of a Gold Star family, I can tell you about pain from war. Separation from family for a while stinks- been there, done that. That's the pain your niece and nephew have probably experienced. Gold Star families, however, have lost their loved one for the rest of this life, and most of those families supported President Bush and the War on Terror. As for the lies, there was conflicting information, and the President went with what was there at the time.

Nevertheless, rest assured that I/we will use the power of the ballot to keep doomsayers & doubters like you from ruining the agenda of our 44th President.

And just what exactly will you vote for between now and the midterm election? Not a darn thing. I will try to derail President Obama's agenda, not because I'm a doomsayer and doubter, but because I believe that socialism isn't the best path for our country.

Please leave President Barack Obama alone! Don't rain on his parade!

He's a big boy. Between him and his Chicago political machine, he can take care of himself.

Thank you very much for your kind consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Carlos

No, Carlos, thank you for this nice intro to a post I have wanted to write for a few days now. (edited to correct grammar- thanks, Dyan! - B)

Like I said, I've been contemplating this post for a couple of days before Carlos sent me this. What should the conservative response be, now that the Democrats have control of two branches of government? Should we resort to the same tactics that the Left embraced during Bush 43's administration (BDS, name-calling, telling lies, all that)? Should we take the high ground (like Bush 43 did)?

Here is Andy Levy's "Dos and Don'ts" list. See what you think:

DON’T question the motives - question the policy. When you disagree with Obama’s policies, say so, and make it clear why. But remember that President Obama is doing what he thinks is best for the country, as President Bush did. Both men love America and want what’s best for her. End of story.

DON’T make it personal. We don’t need another Derangement Syndrome. We don’t need people doing things like emphasizing Obama’s middle name in a derogatory fashion. How anyone would think that’s beneficial to their cause, or to the country as a whole, is beyond me. Also, it’s not even clever. Neither are smushwords like BusHitler, or sillywords like Rethuglicans and Dhimmicrats.

DON’T cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots. Sean Penn is an ass. No reason to be like him. ‘Nuff said. (Corollary: Don’t cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots and then act outraged when people question your patriotism.)

DON’T pretend you’re being brave when you criticize your government. Not while people in other countries actually, y’know, DIE, when they do that.

DON’T use the word “divisive.” At this point, all that word means is “You disagree with me,” and the English language gets mangled enough these days.

DON’T use the phrase “speaking truth to power.” EVER.

DON’T move to Canada.

DON’T say you’re going to move to Canada and then stay here. (I know it’s too late for Stephen Baldwin, but not for the rest of you.)

DON’T apologize to foreigners and say things to them like, “I didn’t vote for Obama,” or “He’s not MY president.”

DON’T say or do everything in your power to drive this country apart and then claim you want unity when it’s your guy in power. This is like the convicted felon who conveniently finds God when he’s up for parole.

DON’T call people un-American one week, and then talk about how “We are not blue states or red states, we are the United States” the next. (This rule may only apply to Tom Hanks, but I put it in just to be safe.)

DON’T automatically think people who disagree with you are stupid or evil. Some of them are, of course. But most of them aren’t, and you might actually learn something if you listen to them.

And finally, DON’T use the fact that many on the left behaved abominably for the past eight years as an excuse to behave the same way. America needs adults. And if it bothered you when they did it, it’s a good sign that you shouldn’t do it.

So... I agree with Andy on most of those points... America needs adults.If the Left thought it was a good idea, I have to question it.

Carlos, maybe you haven't been paying attention the past decade. It's been the Left who has slung the mud and called names and blamed the wrong person for every single thing that happened. President Bush wasn't responsible for every ill (if you had money trouble or lost your job or broke up with your girlfriend, President Bush isn't the one to blame). Conservatives didn't blame President Clinton for all the bad stuff that happened during his administration, and we won't blame President Obama if we get sick or have a bad day. That's not who we are.

Conservatives will hold President Obama accountable for the things that he does and says. (For example, when he signs an Executive Order and makes an exception to it within 24 hours). When he proposes a plan that will take us down the road even farther from where the Founders had planned for us, we will hold President Obama accountable. When he promotes policies that can only be objectively as socialist (or worse) in nature, we will hold President Obama accountable. There will be one huge difference, however- hopefully, it will be with the respect due the Office, unlike the way the BDS folks have treated President Bush.

Two Time photographers put together a (surprisingly nice) photo essay of President Bush's time in office. You can check it out here.

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor
29 years old from Garden Grove, California
September 29, 2006


In April 2008, Michael Monsoor (who had already been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in a May 9, 2006 incident, when he and another SEAL pulled a wounded team member to safety amidst gunfire) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His funeral, attended, in the words of President Bush, by "nearly every SEAL on the West Coast," was held on October 12, 2006 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. During Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs lined up in two columns to slap and embed the gold Tridents (a pin awarded for successful completion of SEAL Qualification Training) from their uniforms onto the top of Monsoor's coffin.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor's Summary Of Action.


"The procession went on nearly half an hour, and when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten." - President George W. Bush

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

I'm sitting in my US History class, checking my e-mail and doing a little surfing while the kids watch a movie. I am SO glad I'm not able to watch the inauguration coverage today. I'd probably be more sick than I already am.

First, here's the text of President Obama's speech. I agree with Ramesh Ponnuru that parts were quite petty and there's no way he can get even half of that accomplished.

Ace points out that Obama's supporters are as classy as ever. From his post:

• "He must behold the crowds with wonder and dismay," Matthews says.
  The crowd is chanting "na na na na, na na na na, hey-ey-ey, goodbye." Matthews, Maddow, and Olbermann refuse to note this. They simply pretend they didn't hear the loud, raucous taunting. Because they're too classy to point this out.

• Updates: Crowd taunts Bush with catcalls at Andrews Air Force base, to board a plane formerly designated Air Force One. Maddow, Matthews, and Olbermann once again fail to note the behavior of Obama's supporters, preferring instead to find Bush's rebuke in the size and jubilation of the crowd.

  Slubama writes:

  Heh. I'm watching cnn.com. When Bush got into the airplane [I think he meant "helicopter"], someone in the background at CNN clapped and I heard "Yeah."

  Awesome. I'm glad the CONSERVATIVE News Network is finally adding some balance.

I'm really not sure what is going to be worse: watching this President do his darnedest to lead the United States down the path to socialism, if not communism; or watching his willing accomplices in the MSM ignore his every misstep.

Some days, I love spending time in a vacuum.

UPDATE: Since Danny has accused me of sour grapes in the comments, I'll go ahead and have a moment of bitterness. I'm sick and tired of everyone on the Left act like President Obama is some kind of messiah. There's only one, his name is Jesus Christ, and... to paraphrase, I know Jesus, and President Obama is no Jesus Christ.

It's not just the Obamabots. His own team is in on it. Check out the new White House web site. You'd think he just saved the world from nuclear war, cured cancer and AIDS, and secured world peace for the rest of eternity.

And... if President Obama's election was supposed to signify the end of racism in our country, I guess someone forget to tell this guy.

So much for all that hope and change and unity and healing he keeps talking about.

Today, our nation welcomes its 44th President to the Office. Congratulations, President Obama.

I cannot say that I will support your policies. In fact, I hope that, somehow, government is gridlocked for the next 4 years and a true Conservative takes your place on Jan 20, 2013.

I can say, however, that I wish you good health, and I will be praying for you daily.

Good Luck, Mr. President. I think you're going to need it.

Today, we bid farewell to President George W. Bush. No, I didn't always agree with him, but he did his job to the best of his ability, and history will show him to be a far better President than the MSM views him today.

According to the Constitution (remember that little document?), this is the President's job:

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Let's see... Commander in Chief of the military (check). Grant pardons and reprieves (check, but not enough). Make treaties (check). Appoint Ambassadors, judges, Cabinet members, etc. (check). Receive Ambassadors (check). Inform Congress of the State of the Union (check). Take care that Laws are faithfully executed (check). Commission Officers (check).

President Bush (43) has fulfilled the obligations of his Office admirably.

Like I said, I don't agree with many of his decisions. He ended up being a tad less conservative than many of us hoped he would be. His fiscal policy... well... stank. His military policy, at times, wasn't aggressive enough. Crisis management was not always his strong suit (although the Katrina aftermath was as much a local and state failure as much as a federal problem, if not more so).

On the other hand, he did other things right. We have not been attacked on our soil for over 7 years, thanks in part to his policies. He defended Life while enabling research (although I'm not happy with federal money going for anything other than the Common Defense and a few other necessary items). Tax breaks put money back in the hands of all Americans, not just a select few. He nominated some great men to the Supreme Court. I could go on.

Here are a few golden moments:

At Ground Zero:

At the World Series:

The Purple Fingers:

Goodbye, Mr. President. We will miss you.

A bunch of actors people who think we care about how they feel put together this cute little video telling us about all the cool things they're going to accomplish now that the Obamessiah has asked everyone to "do something."

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge


In case you didn't sit through the 4 minutes of mindless drivel, I'll give you the highlights. In a nutshell, the Hollywood elite wanted to let everyone know just how wonderfully wonder they are, and they wanted to talk about all the stuff they're going to do:

• help end hunger in America
• smile
• volunteer
• be a great parent
  
• work with Unicef (why???)
  
• consider themselves an American, not an African American (I'm shocked he said that)
  
• to represent America with pride, dignity and respect (does he actually know what those words mean????)
  
• go to usaservice.org to find a service project (you can't just call the local church or homeless shelter or school or... or... or... ?)
• to not give people the Finger when he's driving (uh-huh... sure...)
  
• to find humor in everything (like your "acting ability"?)
• find cures and bring awareness about a bunch of different diseases
• to meet their neighbors
• to be a mentor
• bunch of promises concerning going green (paging Kermit the Frog)
• to "sell" a "culture of intelligence" instead of a "culture of ignorance" (won't that put him out of work?)
• to fulfill the 200 year old promise to end slavery (oh, yeah... and to end 21st century slavery and free 1 million people from slavery in the next 5 years) (I'm fairly certain that I have no idea what the first one is about, but, if they want to try to end slavery in foreign countries... more power to them, as long as they don't want to involve the government)
• to be a better person and "be the change"
  

Why did they suddenly decide that this was necessary? Were they incapable of doing any of those things before Obama told them to "be the change"??? I had no idea, as Breitbart pointed out, that President George W. Bush (or any other person on this planet, for that matter) somehow prevented them from accomplishing all these herculian tasks.

You know, I actually agree with many of the tasks they're pledging to accomplish. Conservatives have been doing most of things for quite a while before the Obamessiah sent his message from on high. Quite a few of them are simply the acts of a good person. Many are paraphrases of Biblical commands. Funny, that. Would they still want to do it if they knew?

Andrew Brietbart, in his post, called the celebrities "serfs". Here is the quote:

This video illustrates that the current celebrity class are not citizens but serfs. They need a leader to put their minds in the right place to do the right thing. They are not heroic individualists seeking to extend America’s promise but conformists who chose to sit out and complain during the tough years in order to ensure their guy got in the next go-around.

Does that make them serfs or sheep? Or maybe even lemmings. Or maybe even pre-schoolers playing a game of "Follow the Leader." They're obviously not individualists- there wasn't a single individual thought in that entire video.

They asked what my pledge will be. Here goes. I pledge to continue to do those things that I do to help others without comment or complaint, not seeking glory, praise, or even recognition. In addition, I, as Andrew Breitbart pledged, pledge to ridicule celebrities for their stupidity. I also pledge to support President Obama when he does something with which I agree, and to be the loud voice of the loyal opposition when he does something that violates the Constitution and the basic principles on which this nation was founded.

(h't to Andrew Breitbart)

Wizbang is having a weekend caption contest using this photo.My favorites so far?

• Now, you're free to swim about the country. #15
  
• No wonder it couldn't fly. It's got all those people standing on the wings! #18
• If you are landing "on a wing and prayer" and you end up "on a wing and a prayer", then consider your first prayer answered. Amen. #26

• What does a one term Senator becoming President and a 28 year veteran pilot have in common?

  They both scare the hell out of you when the say "watch this" . #43
• They say "any landing you can walk away from is a good landing". What about a landing you can swim away from? #53
• Pilot on the intercom in his best Maxwell Smart voice "Missed the landing strip by thaaaaaat much" #74
• Flight attendant: All right, now do you care about the "in the event of a water landing" speech? #83

"Miracle on the Hudson." That's what they're saying. Hard to argue, considering how rare successful water landings are. And considering that the pilot not only landed the plane safely, but without serious injury to passengers or crew (the worst injury appears to be broken legs). And considering that rescue boats (official and volunteer) were able to arrive within three minutes. And considering that no boats happened to be on that particular stretch of river at that moment. Truly a miracle? Technically, no. Hand of God involved? I think that's likely.

Many people are calling Captain Sullenberger a hero. That's hard to argue, too. After completing a maneuver that you can only practice in a simulator, he walked the aisle of the plane twice from tail to nose (in 40° water up to his chin), ensuring that no passengers were left behind. I'd bet, however, that he'd tell you he was just doing his job. According to reports, after he was taken to shore, he sat in the holding area, cap in place, sipping a cup of coffee, cool as a cucumber.

Yep... just doing his job.

The other day, I mentioned Ben & Jerry's new ice cream. I also mentioned the President-elect's cameo in a Spiderman comic. Now it looks like Pepsi is cashing in on the Obamessiah's fame.

From what I could tell, Pepsi seems to believe that Mr. Obama will "refresh America." Huh? How does that work? Do I even want to know?

The website has need statements like "I've never felt more optimistic!", " Time to hit Refresh" , "New Energy Solutions Now!" and "Everything will be different." That last person has no idea how right they are.

I'm sure other companies will jump on the Obama bandwagon. Seriously. Millions of Obamabots are just waiting to spend their money on hopey changey goodness.

As for me? No, no puedo. I'm still a Coke drinker.

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Deb

Capt. Ed Freeman
Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)


While reading the info on Cpt. Freeman, I found that I couldn't have put it better than this.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Earlier today, I talked about how boycotts (large, organized boycotts) don't usually work. That being said, I don't buy Ben & Jerry's ice cream or go to their scoop shops because I don't care for the causes they support.

Case in point. They have a new flavor, "Yes, Pecan." (The anchor I saw on tv today reporting on it mispronounced it. It's "Yes, pea-can," not, "yes, pea-cahn." She obviously didn't get the joke.) A portion of the proceeds go to "Common Cause."

Honestly, I don't know a whole lot about Common Cause, but I do know (from their web site) that they want more public broadcasting and more campaign finance reform. They're against "voter identification" laws. They also want to get rid of the Electoral College. Granted, I like accountability in government, and the idea of ethics in government is wonderful, if only a dream. All in all... not an organization I can stand behind.

So... my personal boycott continues. No, no puedo.

The American Family Association promotes tradition family values and exposes companies and organizations that support... other agendas. Recently, AFA brought to light Pepsi's support of homosexual causes while the company refused to donate to any company that objects to homosexuality.

(For full disclosure, my sister currently works for Pepsi, and I'm a die-hard Coke drinker. )

Do I think that Pepsi should give money to LGBT causes? No. Do I think they should support pro-family causes? Not necessarily. There are so many charities out there. I really don't think that either of those qualify. On the other hand, it's their money (well, their shareholders' money), and they can do whatever they want with it.

Sure, the AFA should spread the word about which companies support agenda which are against traditional family values- it lets the individual decide if they want to patronize a particular company. No problem. Will it do anything? Maybe... maybe not.

Small scale (personal) boycotting works simply because it's simply a personal choice based on their belief system (if they choose to tell Company X of their personal boycott, that's their call). Large scale boycotting doesn't usually work because there is usually an equally large bloc who bouy the boycotted company until the boycott ends (Disney has been boycotted for years, and they still have a 100% score from the HRC). (There are arguments that boycotts can work, but it depends on how much change you really want. From what I see... sure, they cause some change, but not meaningful change.)

I guess I'm quite the pragmatist when it comes to protesting companies that support the homosexual lifestyle. I don't like that fact, but it's where I am right now. Putting more pressure on a company because they are caving to pressure isn't going to accomplish much. The problem isn't the companies. They're simply spending their advertising dollars where they will work, and they're providing benefits to partners, etc., to avoid getting sued. They may or may not actually care one whit about gay rights or any other agenda. They know who will sue and who won't.

What to do? If people really want to change things in our country and move it back toward tradition family values, what should they do? Honestly, I have no idea. Something has to be done. I just don't think boycotting Campbell's soup or Pepsi will get it done.

Take a look at this list of companies who scored 100% on the Human Right's Campaign 2009 Corporate Equality Index. You practically can't stay in a major hotel chain, buy an American-made car, run a web search, take a commercial flight, or drink a soda without using one of the companies on the list.

Here's the entire HRC report. From that, if you want to support companies that least support the LGT agenda, go out to eat at Cracker Barrel, drink Miller beer (which still scored a 90%), fly Northwest (and get your tickets from Expedia)to your Royal Caribbean cruise, buy a Nissan, do your grocery shopping at H.E.B., use Aegon or Travellers insurance, get your car parts from Autozone, and get your gas at Exxon/Mobile stations (the only company to score 0).

How many pro-family advocates are going to do that? Not many, I'm afraid.

A few days ago, I saw that Andrew Breitbart launched Big Hollywood. It's "modest objective", according to Breitbart, is to change Hollywood. To that end, he's enlisted Hollywood conservatives, closet and open, to post at his new humble abode.

One of the first to take pen to paper fingertips to keyboard was Gary Graham. Don't know the name? That's ok. You know him. If you've watched sci-fi tv or detective/ investigative dramas in the past 30 years, you know him.

It's an awesome piece (language alert). Y'all should read it. The comments are funny, too... that is, if you find liberal insanity humorous.

(h't to Boortz via HDD)

Some news nibblets for your Friday.

General:

• Reason #594857298723947 why we homeschool.
• The media didn't properly cover the financial "meltdown"??? Say it isn't so.
  

Politics:

• Former ACORN members ask for a federal investigation. Maybe they can do what conservatives couldn't... get the feds to act. Then again, it's too late now.
• Obama is using focus groups again? Are you sure he's not Bill's little brother or something?
• Milt Patterson cast the lone "no" vote in the Illinois House's vote to impeach Blago.
• Why in the world would Michael Moore involve himself in the debate over one of The Obamassiah's appointments? Maybe because Dr. Gupta's not his biggest fan.
• (This could be cross-listed in "Oddities.") Obama will be in a "special edition" of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider Man. How... cute...
• If you're interested in the "is Obama really a naturalized US citizen?" controversy, here's the latest ad. I hadn't heard all of the arguments before. Interesting. But not interesting enough for the Supreme Court to take it up until after the inauguration.
  

Sports:

• I didn't actually hear any of this, but it wouldn't surprise me if the media fawned over Tebow like this. I mean, ESPN does it all the time. (There are more.)
• Oklahoma ends the season ranked #5. Way to go, Bob. (Congrats to Utah for getting a little love.)
  

Science:

• Quantum mechanics is cool.
  

Glo-bull Climate Change:

• People are still whining about the deforestation of the Amazon. Wasn't that supposed to destroy the planet 20 years ago or something?
• The Goracle's carbon permit and offset concept is making some serious cash for the folks lucky enough to get in on the ground floor.
• A dog-sled race was canceled... too much snow.
• Colorado is cooling.
  

Oddities and Other Stuff:

• At least they didn't arrest the clerk.
• Let's see... we have hot dogs... hush puppies... catfish... why would we be turned off by sea kittens?
  

Stoops can't coach his way out of a BCS paper bag.

You know, Bob... there are any number of NFL coaching positions available... take one of them...

That is all...

Here are some of the most obnoxious quotes from 2008. RWN has several "2008" posts, including "Worst Quotes from HuffPo", "Best story on Conservative Grapevine", and "Most Annoying Liberals."

Here are some odd facts from The People's Cube that slightly less than half of America's citizens already knew. Too bad "slightly more" didn't know it sooner... like before the primaries...

Airman Melissa Pyle


Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Melissa Pyle mans a jet blast deflector station on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Gulf Of Oman. Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

I'm going to ease myself back into blogging. Let's start with Launchball. It's a nice little waste of time, thanks to the nice people at the British Science Museum.

(This was originally supposed to post last week. For obvious reasons, it didn't.)

As 2008 draws to a close, here are several "year in review" pieces.

• Here is a three part photo essay of the year. Amazing photos. Ignore some of the commentary. (h't to Ace's place)
  
• George Will wasn't thrilled with the year.
• Here's Live Science's 2008 history makers.
• Deadspin has several "year in" posts. Be warned if you go to this one- serious cringe factor at the end. This one's just goofy.
  

(This was supposed to post on the 31st of last month. It didn't.)

Wait for it... wait for it... just a few more seconds, and... There! 2008 is officially one second longer than 2007.

Like the more well-known time adjustment, the leap year, a "leap second" is tacked on to clocks every so often to keep them correct.

Earth's trip around the sun — our year with all its seasons — is about 365.2422 days long, which we round to 365 to keep things simpler. But every four years, we add 0.2422 x 4 days (that's about one day) at the end of the month of February (extending it from 28 to 29 days) to fix the calendar.

Likewise, a "leap second" is added on to our clocks every so often to keep them in synch with the somewhat unpredictable nature of our planet's rotation, the roughly 24-hour whirl that brings the sun into the sky each morning.

...The new extra second will be added on the last day of this year at 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds Coordinated Universal Time — 6:59:59 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Mechanisms such as the Internet-based Network Time Protocol and the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) depend on the accurate time kept by atomic clocks.

You didn't even notice it, did you?