Monday, July 31, 2006

Makes Sense, Doesn't It?


"For decades, American policy sought to achieve peace in the Middle East by promoting stability in the Middle East, yet these policies gave us neither," said Bush. "The lack of freedom in that region created conditions where anger and resentment grew, radicalism thrived, and terrorists found willing recruits. We saw the consequences on September the 11th, 2001, when terrorists brought death and destruction to our country, killing nearly 3,000 innocent Americans."

-President George W. Bush
29 September, 2006

The man makes an excellent point: throwing money at inefficient, almost crininal aid programs does nothing to stabilize the region. On the contrary, they keep the poor people destitute, and enrich thugs like the late Yasser Araft. I gaurantee you that 99% of the "aid" given by the United Nations to the Palestinians and others in the region never makes it to the "end user", but instead to terrorists and those who would work to destabilize the region.

Don't believe me? Think of Somalia back in 1993, then talk to me about "aid for the people". Adid's henchmen would capture the food that was given by the UN, and then dole it out as they saw fit, often using it as leverage to facilitate criminal acts.

Now think about this: if your're hungry, and destitute, and violence is being perpertrated all around you... you're going to get pretty angry, and you're going to develop some resentment.

Then, you look at nations like the United States and Israel, countries who have developed vibrant economies through economic development and freedom of the people to choose their government... and you get even more frustrated and angry, because you can't get your 5hit together and create the same thing.

So what do you do?

You get crazy.

All President Bush said was what any sane man has already realized: that enough is enough. We're not going to take this anymore: we're going to secure our future by eliminating threats to our national security, and the security of our citizens. And to do that, the answer isn't to attack and kill civilians (kind of like Hizbolah and Hamas do), but instead attack and eliminate the leadership of those people who are kept down. Only by eliminating tyranny, can we promote and help develop Democracy.

Only through Democracy and Freedom, can regional stablity be attained.

But that's just a guy with a 31 GT score talking, so it's probably not worth much.

Hoo. Ahhh.


“We earned these medals rescuing fellow Soldiers from burning vehicles and killing terrorists. Usually battalion commanders don't get to give these (Bronze Star Medals with V device) out, but I presented a bunch of them. I'll never forget this day.

- Lt. Col. Dave Thompson
Commander, 7-10 CAV, 4th Infantry Division

Well Done!

Which raises a burning question: why is it that the New York Times is quick to give us stories of alleged crimes at Haditha or of detainee abuse, but when it comes to Soldiers showing uncommon valor under enemy fire, or risking personal safety to hunt down and eliminate a terrorist threat...

The silence is deafening.

Changes On The Horizon...

[EDIT: The Following link is NOT safe for Internet Explorer! Just FIREFOX! I'm having issues with the HTML rendering properly in IE. Please do not Click the link if you are using IE! Thanks!]

[EDIT-2]Coding Fixed (for now). The link now works with Internet Explorer. Check it out!]


Okay.

Y'all hate the new banner. I get it.

The consensus (sp?) is that you want to see the Tanker Brothers smilin' at y'all when you hit the site. (Why, I have no idea, but I aim to please.)

Anyway, I was working with the coding to come up with a happy medium, but be aware of two things:

1. It's a work in progress - it's in no way complete.
2. It's not the final banner. The final banner will be with us in ACU's.
3. I didn't want to go with the "White Letters-On-Black Background" look - we tried that before, and didn't get a great response.
4. My HTML/CSS coding skills are HORRIBLE. The final version, however it may look, will be more polished. (Hopefully).

That being said: buckle in and check out the "Sandbox" site we set up a while back for experimentation with templates and such. You can find it by clicking HERE.

Then PLEASE come back and leave us some comments on what you would improve, so that we can develop it further and hopefully port it over to THIS page.

Hooah.

Always Good News: Iraq's Western Border More Secure!


Iraq’s Western Border Becoming More Secure
by Norris Jones

Al Asad, Iraq—Iraq’s western border with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will now be more secure thanks to a continuous line of outposts that will be completed this month.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Central District (GRC) was responsible for overseeing that work which included 23 border forts overlooking nearly 600 kilometers of Iraq’s remote western frontier. The final fort, Border Fort 32, located along the Saudi Arabian border, was recently completed.

Each of those castle-like, one-story structures, built by a crew of about 20 Iraqis, measures 24.25 meters by 19.5 meters. They are reinforced concrete masonry buildings with a raised center clerestory. Each features a dormitory area, kitchen, armory, observation posts, perimeter security lighting, berms, offices, showers, as well as electrical and plumbing services provided by on-site twin 50kV generators and six 250-gallon water tanks. Each facility is manned by 20 to 40 Border Police at all times.

“Border security is extremely important,” said Lt. Commander Damon Lilly, Officer in Charge of GRC’s Al Asad Resident Office in Al Anbar Province, who worked with the Iraqi contractors to ensure the border forts were completed. “Those facilities offer a secure environment for border police who have a very difficult job in some of the most hostile, desolate areas of Iraq. The 590 kilometers of border terrain is an arid desert with temperatures rising to over 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. It was a difficult challenge”

The forts are located about every 20 kilometers and cost approximately $250,000 each. “The whole purpose of these outposts is to enhance border patrol effectiveness in stopping unauthorized travel and supplies,” Lilly explained.

Of course, you won't read about stuff like this in the New York Times.

Why?

Because they don't want America to believe that we're actually winning. Think about this: who is on Iraq's Western Border?

Yep, Tanker Brothers and Sisters: Syria.

And guess who is, er, motivating Hizbollah in Lebanon and the Sunni Terrorists in Iraq?

Right again, Tanker Brothers and Sisters: Syria.

So I would assume that monitoring and controlling access to the western border would be a good thing, right?

Hello? Can someone call the New York Times?

(Man, I bet the US Border Patrol and the Minutemen would LOVE to have a few of those $250K forts, huh?)

Multi-National Force - Iraq: Shifting Forces Around


Good news for the citizens of Baghdad: MNFI is moving Coalition Forces into the city to help the Iraqi Security Forces bring the smackdown to Terrorists:

BAGHDAD — The Multi-National Force – Iraq commander announced Saturday the repositioning of Coalition soldiers to bolster security in Iraq’s capital city.

About 3,700 Coalition force soldiers from throughout Iraq will be repositioned to support the government of Iraq in their ongoing mission to secure Baghdad and reduce the level of violence in that city, according to an MNF-I press release.

With the already-scheduled troop rotation of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the decision was made to reposition the unit from northern Iraq into Baghdad. The 172nd, an Alaska-based unit known as the ‘Artic Wolves’ Brigade, will provide additional security in the capital city...

Don't believe the hype in the Mainstream Media: more eyes, ears, and rifle barrels rolling out on patrol will bring the Terrorist/Insurgent problem to an end... quickly.

American, And Proud Of It! (And Fastin' Dammit!)

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Robert (31 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Yankee Mom (01 August 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)

The Tanker Brothers Rolling Victory Fast is closing out this month, and gearing up to go into what we like to affectionately call "Month Two". (No one here ever claimed to be clever, dang'it!)


Anyway, take a second to visit Robert over at "American, And Proud Of It!": Rants and raves from an American infidel!

Sunday, July 30, 2006

WOW...

Y'all hate the new banner THAT much?

Can I ask that you leave some comments WHY you like one particular version over another?

Please?

Concrete Bob: Comedian!

Concrete Bob, the "HMFIC" of the Washington, DC chapter of Protest Warrior, sent me this today:

The Pentagon announced today the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces.

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia good ole boys will be dropped off in Iraq and have been given only the following facts about terrorists:


1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

The Pentagon expects the problem in Iraq to be over by Friday.

Hooah.

The Zarkman's 72 Virgins!

Pretty sure Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi didn't have that in mind...

H/T to Openfire

Red Sky Brothers: The Rolling Victory Fast Continues...

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Thor (30 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Robert (31 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)

Yet another Red Sky Brother chips in to make the Rolling Victory Fast a success!

Thanks, Thor!

Tee Shirts Become Personal!

It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I couldn't have said it any better:

From Melinda at MostCertainlyNot:

When we determined t-shirts were in order for the Rolling Victory Fast and that the proceeds would go to Soldiers' Angels, I was happy with that. Soldiers' Angels works on so many worthwhile projects that no matter where that money went, I knew it would be doing major amounts of good.

Last night, I received an e-mail from the Wounded Team coordinater in Texas. I'm not even sure how it ended up in my mailbox, but anything "angel-esque", I'm always sure to open.

The coordinator was asking for all Angels receiving the e-mail to try and donate $5 so we could provide emergency relief to a hero's family in need. It seems Chad (more information on him once sharing is cleared with his family) suffered catastrophic injuries while serving our nation in Iraq. He's now in a military hospital in Texas and his mother, wife and siblings have begun the paperwork dance to make sure they receive all the assistance they deserve.

In the meantime, the travel/accomodation expenses and the relocation expenses (they are not from Texas, but are relocating to be by Chad's side as he is on a very long road to recovery) have strapped this family terribly. They are in desperate need of immediate intervention.

Now...I hope you know that I only gave it one nanosecond of thought before I e-mailed Master Gunner and asked him if he were okay with me earmarking our shirt proceeds for Chad and his family. He quickly replied it was a go; I e-mailed the coordinator and she is contacting Chad's family to let them know we're on the case. It now becomes our mission not to let them down.

Here is where you come in.

If you are a Victory Fast participant, please consider purchasing a t-shirt for $10. $3 of which will go directly into the donation for Chad.

If you aren't a Victory Fast participant (um, what are you waiting for?!), you've already bought a shirt or you have $5 in your pocket, consider making a donation to Soldiers' Angels to help Chad via our fund drive.

You can take care of any and all of this by visiting the t-shirt ordering page...easy-to-follow instructions are there for you. If you don't have a PayPal account, but are interested in sending some help to this brave hero's family, send me an e-mail and we'll make it work. I don't care if it's a dollar in an envelope. Every little bit helps. Our fund drive is ongoing so if you want to take some time to share Chad's story and offer others a chance to contribute, we'll wait. Challenge your office mates to a "who has more pennies in her purse" contest...as my wise former brother-in-law once said, "Pennies make dollars." ;)

Just know that whatever you do will make a difference to this family. Money is great, but please don't forget the most important thing--pray for Chad. His mother. His wife. His siblings. His brothers and sisters in arms.

He's given us so much.

It's our turn.


Now, I definitely can't take any credit for any of this. Yeah, my Little Brother and I came up with the idea for the Rolling Victory fast, but all the Tanker Brothers and Sisters are what keep it rolling. The tee shirts: that's 100% Melinda. She definitely deserves all the credit. $7 of the $10 price of the shirts goes towards overhead (she's having them made in Conroe, TX, and they will ship to her from there). The other $3 goes directly to Soldiers' Angels in direct support of Chad and his family.

It's a great cause, y'all.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Tabby From Freedom Isn't Free Starts Her Fast!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tabby (29 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Thor (30 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)

What Do You Think...

Of the new banner?

I'm not completely sold on it yet, and I am working on a few different versions for our Main Blog, and a completely different banner for our German-Language Sister Blog.

So, Tanker Brothers and Sisters: What do YOU think? Should I go back to the drawing board?

I'm attaching to this post the last three versions of our banner:

Version One:
TankerBrothersBanner

Version Two:
Israel-Cesar-Iraq-Banner

Version Three:
Banner-ACU3

Friday, July 28, 2006

As Of 28 July 2006: The Duty Roster!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)



Update:

The Duty Roster:


23:MAJ Mike and Some Soldier's Mom
24:Tammy Loux
25:Shaylondon@ http://proudamerican-shaylondon....n.blogspot.com/
26:Neffi
27:Copperhead1861
28:Instapilot@ http://www.thedonovan.com/
29:AF Sister
30:PC Mom and
31:MN NG Dad and Rae

September-
1:Master Gunner and Tanker Angel@ http://www.nellyathea.blogspot.com/
2:thirdee@ http://codered4troops.blogspot.com
3:AngelInMi
4:BJ Barron
5:SFC D
6:Groovy Vic and Rae and
7:Miss Pam
8:PolarBear
9:Sarah@ http://blueangel43.blogspot.com/ and Sarah's Dad
10:Jay
11:United prayer and fast in rememberance of the WTC attacks
12:Paw Paw@ http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com/
13:LOVEMYSEABEE
14:Niki
15:
16:
17:
18:
19: Gail
20: Linda in Oceanside
21: Donna
22: Leta
23:
24:
25: Lil Toni @ TToni
26:
27: and Concrete Bob
28:
29:
30: Concrete Bob and Tanker Angel http://www.nellyathea.blogspot.com/

October-
1:
2: ???
3: ???
4: ???
5:
6:
7: ???
8: ???
9: ???
10: ???
11: ???
12:
13: Rae
14: ???
15: ???
16: ???
17: ???
18: ???
19: ???
20: ???
21: ???
22: ???
23: ???
24: ???
25: ???
26: ???
27: ???
28: PC Mom
29: ???
30: ???
31: ???

[17 July 2006] Updated the duty roster to reflect the previous comments on this post.

[18 July 2006] Updated duty roster again. Due to confusion, please check your dates! You may have slipped one day to the left or right. (I had a few people sign up for the same day and had to adjust slightly. Only effects participants AFTER 14 September...]

[21 July 06] Updated Duty Roster to reflect Melissa on the 24th of September. Also: if you have a special day that you would like to fast, and someone has already signed up for that day, shoot me an email, and I will "double-slot" you to "Co-Fast" on that particular day.

[25 July 06] Updated Duty Roster, added link to top of post pointing to Melinda's Site, where Rolling Victory Fast tee shirts, in support of Soldiers Angels, can be ordered.

[28 July 2006] Updated the duty roster for people who have recently signed up for new days. Also, the duty roster will now be updated once a week, on Fridays evenings. Get over to Melinda's Site and pick up one of the Rolling Victory Fast tee shirts in support of Soldiers Angels!

Tanker Brothers And Sisters: YOU WIN!

WE DID IT!

And by "We", I mean each and every one of our readers that hooked us up and voted for the Tanker Brothers in the Blogs of Summer event over on Bloggin' Outloud!

We appreciate all the votes that were submitted for us, and we appreciate your continued visits to our little corner of the Milblogging scene. Thanks again!

There were some excellent Blogs up that really inspired us to "kick it up a notch": please visit our fellow milbloggers' sites, and don't forget to tell 'em the Tanker Brothers sent'cha.


Code Red* Women For The Troops : The patriotic opposite to those hairy-armpit crazies over at Code Pinko

Blackfive: One of the elder statesmen of Milblogs - an inspiration to the Tanker Brothers

Assorted Babble: Christian. Conservative. Southerner. Awesome.

A Rose By Any Other Name
: "Would Smell As Sweet." And this blog IS sweet. As in Saaaaah-weeeet!

SO check 'em out! Add to your favorites! And feed your mind!

Hooah!

Also (if you have time), add us to your favorites on Milblogging.com, by going HERE.

Scouts Out! Fiacha: Takes The Fast!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Fiacha and Cory (28 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tabby (29 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)


Fiacha and Cory are up to bat. I especially feel a kinship with the mysterious Fiacha. He was a Scout back in the 90's (1990-1996), and everybody knows that Tankers have a special place in our hearts reserved for our Scout little brothers.

Shoot, yours truly is even a proud owner of the famed 19D MOS! (Albiet as a Secondary MOS - Military Operational Speciality)

Good luck, Fiacha and Cory.

Scouts Out.

The Culture Of Honor


Being a complete political/foreign affairs junkie, I am avidly following events in the Middle East. I yell at the stories on NPR. I mull over what they have to say on FoxNews and other news outlets. But largely, my opinion is reflected quite accurately in this cartoon (that seems a frivolous word for such a serious message).

I first saw this over at Lex's place. He credits Steve at "The Wood Shed" who tips the hat to Heidi, who mentions LGF and finally you get to IDF Israel!!!!!! I am exhausted!

And I, in turn, give the H/T to Boston Maggie.

Which leads me to my commentary:

In the above drawing/picture/illustration/cartoon, note the differences between the terrorist and the IDF Soldier.

The terrorist is a coward, he hides behind women and children. He crouches, like a craven dog. The terrorist uses a human shield.

The IDF Soldier, on the other hand, has his arm back, protecting the civilian woman and child. He stands tall, with weapon at a Ready/Rest position, prepared to level it and return fire to protect his charges. The IDF Soldier is a shield.

The Israelis are an honorable people. I'm not just talking about the IDF, but every Israeli man, woman, and child. Together, they are united towards one purpose: the continuation of their existence and way of life. The future of their people and the security of their nation.

They are a Culture of Honor.

Our nation used to be like that. We used to be an honorable people. Many of us (I would like to think the majority of us - the Silent Majority) still are. We, the Silent Majority, like the Israelis, still believe in a "Manifest Destiny" (in terms of the spreading of Democracy and Freedom - a constant quest for greatness and fullfillment as a nation, as opposed to the physical expansion of the borders of the United States). When the evil regime of Saddam Hussein fell to the bravery and crack shooting of the US Military, we cheered - we didn't offer excuses or undermine the authority of our President. When the Taliban came tumbling down and ran for the hills, we thrust our fists in the air and offered encouragement to the new Afghan government. We didn't claim a conspiracy when Bin Laden got away at Tora Bora. When the Iraqi people held their first elections in decades, we showed solidarity with them in their quest for security by dipping our fingers in purple ink right along with them.

But the loudest of us, the Mainstream Media, the Looney Left, the Cindy Sheehans and Michael Moores, they don't believe in the Culture Of Honor. They suck up to the United Nations, who give tin-pot dictators like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro the same stature as men like Prime Minister Blair and President Bush. They put other nations before our own.

Left in the hands of people like this: America will die. Not a physical death, but an ideological one. Our drive, our quest, our thirst for greatness will wither away: our time as the shining light to the rest of the world will come to an end. The light will dim, and then extinguish, without the fuel of American morals, ethics, and drive to power it.

I will leave you with this sobering thought: what would happen if the horrors of WWII happened right now? What would happen if we stumbled on the Jewish Holocaust in 2006? Would the mainstream media carry the concentration camps, the ovens, and the emaciated Jews struggling to survive?

Or would they undermine the authority of the United States and lament the "horrible conditions" of the concentration camp guards and demand civilian trials for them?

Think about it.

Monday Night At Morton's: The Final Column By Ben Stein

It's an old column, but still a great read: and every single word that Ben Stein wrote in this column still rings true...

Ben Stein's Last Column...
============================================
How Can Someone Who Lives in Insane Luxury Be a Star in Today's World?

As I begin to write this, I "slug" it, as we writers say, which means I put a heading on top of the document to identify it. This heading is "eonlineFINAL," and it gives me a shiver to write it. I have been doing this column for so long that I cannot even recall when I started. I loved writing this column so much for so long I came to believe it would never end.

It worked well for a long time, but gradually, my changing as a person and the world's change have overtaken it. On a small scale, Morton's, while better than ever, no longer attracts as many stars as it used to. It still brings in the rich people in droves and definitely some stars. I saw Samuel L. Jackson there a few days ago, and we had a nice visit, and right before that, I saw and had a splendid talk with Warren Beatty in an elevator, in which we agreed that Splendor in the Grass was a super movie. But Morton's is not the star galaxy it once was, though it probably will be again.

Beyond that, a bigger change has happened. I no longer think Hollywood stars are terribly important. They are uniformly pleasant, friendly people, and they treat me better than I deserve to be treated. But a man or woman who makes a huge wage for memorizing lines and reciting them in front of a camera is no longer my idea of a shining star we should all look up to.

How can a man or woman who makes an eight-figure wage and lives in insane luxury really be a star in today's world, if by a "star" we mean someone bright and powerful and attractive as a role model? Real stars are not riding around in the backs of limousines or in Porsches or getting trained in yoga or Pilates and eating only raw fruit while they have Vietnamese girls do their nails.

They can be interesting, nice people, but they are not heroes to me any longer. A real star is the soldier of the 4th Infantry Division who poked his head into a hole on a farm near Tikrit, Iraq. He could have been met by a bomb or a hail of AK-47 bullets. Instead, he faced an abject Saddam Hussein and the gratitude of all of the decent people of the world.

A real star is the US soldier who was sent to disarm a bomb next to a road north of Baghdad. He approached it, and the bomb went off and killed him.

A real star, the kind who haunts my memory night and day, is the US soldier in Baghdad who saw a little girl playing with a piece of unexploded ordnance on a street near where he was guarding a station. He pushed her aside and threw himself on it just as it exploded. He left a family desolate in California and a little girl alive in Baghdad.


The stars who deserve media attention are not the ones who have lavish weddings on TV but the ones who patrol the streets of Mosul even after two of their buddies were murdered and their bodies battered and stripped for the sin of trying to protect Iraqis from terrorists.

We put couples with incomes of $100 million a year on the covers of our magazines. The noncoms and officers who barely scrape by on military pay but stand on guard in Afghanistan and Iraq and on ships and in submarines and near the Arctic Circle are anonymous as they live and die.

I am no longer comfortable being a part of the system that has such poor values, and I do not want to perpetuate those values by pretending that who is eating at Morton's is a big subject.

There are plenty of other stars in the American firmament...the policemen and women who go off on patrol in South Central and have no idea if they will return alive; the orderlies and paramedics who bring in people who have been in terrible accidents and prepare them for surgery; the teachers and nurses who throw their whole spirits into caring for autistic children; the kind men and women who work in hospices and in cancer wards.

Think of each and every fireman who was running up the stairs at the World Trade Center as the towers began to collapse. Now you have my idea of a real hero.

I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters. This is my highest and best use as a human. I can put it another way. Years ago, I realized I could never be as great an actor as Olivier or as good a comic as Steve Martin...or Martin Mull or Fred Willard--or as good an economist as Samuelson or Friedman or as good a writer as Fitzgerald. Or even remotely close to any of them.

But I could be a devoted father to my son, husband to my wife and, above all, a good son to the parents who had done so much for me. This came to be my main task in life. I did it moderately well with my son, pretty well with my wife and well indeed with my parents (with my sister's help). I cared for and paid attention to them in their declining years. I stayed with my father as he got sick, went into extremis and then into a coma and then entered immortality with my sister and me reading him the Psalms.

This was the only point at which my life touched the lives of the soldiers in Iraq or the firefighters in New York. I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters and that it is my duty, in return for the lavish life God has devolved upon me, to help others He has placed in my path. This is my highest and best use as a human.

Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will.
By Ben Stein

H/T to my good buddy Chris Tanner
Powered by Qumana

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Last Day For Voting! Help Us Win!

Okay, even though we're doing really well in the polling, we still need your help! (Remember, you can vote once a day, so if you haven't voted - or even if you have - go visit and VOTE!)

We've been selected as Finalists in the "Blogs of Summer."

Celebrating the Blogs of Summer
All you have to do is go here and following the instructions (in the blue box on the left). Remember, to the Tanker Brothers, it's an honor just being nominated.

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far! Remember: today is the last day!

Also (if you have time), add us to your favorites on Milblogging.com, by going HERE.

Next Up: The Oracle!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant:The Oracle (27 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Fiacha and Cory (28 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)



Okay people, listen up!

Our longtime buddy The Oracle has begun his portion of the Rolling Victory Fast! Shoot on over to Red Sky and let him know you apprecite him!

Hooah!

Oracle: Please do us the honor of giving us an AAR (After Action Review) upon completion of this most crucial mission in the fight against Crazy Cindy Sheehan!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Well, I Guess It Makes Sense...



The Virtual Reality Medical center in San Diego just got $4 million from Naval Research to improve their VR systems to help treat soldiers who are returning from battle with PTSD. How does VR work to treat PTSD? Doctors and psychologists set up a situation where the soldier is back in battle, in this case, Iraq. They then try to give soldiers the opportunity to experience some traumatic situations again, but this time, helping them explore their emotions and work through their psychological stress.

H/T to Gizmodo

I remember, a few years back, Cav Tanker and I would listen to George Carlin and and just laugh hysterically. I remember one bit in particular that always kind of stuck with me, especially as a Soldier. I knew that I would go to War someday (Most Combat Arms guys, just KNOW it. And spend years and years training for it, to be ready.)

Now, having been in War, and having gone through mortars literally almost falling on my head more than a few times, and almost having my hair parted by a 7.62mm round (LONG STORY I'd care not to get into right now), I can really appreciate what George is saying.

It makes perfect sense.

I don't like words that hide the truth. I don't words that conceal reality. I don't like euphemisms, or euphemistic language. And American English is loaded with euphemisms. Cause Americans have a lot of trouble dealing with reality. Americans have trouble facing the truth, so they invent the kind of a soft language to protest themselves from it, and it gets worse with every generation.

For some reason, it just keeps getting worse. I'll give you an example of that. There's a condition in combat. Most people know about it. It's when a fighting person's nervous system has been stressed to it's absolute peak and maximum. Can't take anymore input. The nervous system has either (click) snapped or is about to snap.

In the first World War, that condition was called shell shock. Simple, honest, direct language. Two syllables, shell shock. Almost sounds like the guns themselves. That was seventy years ago.

Then a whole generation went by and the Second World War came along and very same combat condition was called battle fatigue. Four syllables now. Takes a little longer to say. Doesn't seem to hurt as much. Fatigue is a nicer word than shock. Shell shock! Battle fatigue.

Then we had the war in Korea, 1950. Madison avenue was riding high by that time, and the very same combat condition was called "Operational Exhaustion." Hey, were up to eight syllables now! And the humanity has been squeezed completely out of the phrase. It's totally sterile now. "Operational exhaustion." Sounds like something that might happen to your car.

Then of course, came the war in Viet-Nam, which has only been over for about (thirty-two) years. I guess it's no surprise that the very same condition was called "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."

Still eight syllables, but we've added a hyphen! And the pain is completely buried under jargon. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I'll bet you if we'd of still been calling it "Shell Shock", some of those Viet Nam veterans might have gotten the attention they needed at the time.

I'll betcha. I'll betcha.


But of course, we have completely distilled our culture so as to not offend. We make everything sound so sterile and weak, so that we, in some way, reduce the impact of the situationswe find ourselves in.

When, for example, did "Terrorists" become "Insurgents"? Did you know, according to Princeton University, "Insurgent" is defined as: "a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)"

I wish I was making this stuff up.

But think about this, Tanker Brothers and Sisters: the way we speak, the way we convey our message, and the way we describe our views will reflect and manifest itself in our children. And if they dilute and distill their language and beliefs (so as to not offend), then our once-proud American culture will end up being nothing more than a hiccup in History: a completely inconsequential society.

We'll end up like the French.

To Hizbollah: From Israel (And More Where This Came From!)

One thing that escapes the Left about Israelis: they are a reflection of a time when entire populations of countries would band together and support the War effort.

Any War. Kind of like how the entire country got behind the US Military during WWII.




Why can't we get 100% of America to support US?

(Ahem...Let the outrage begin. I'm standing by for attacks from the Left.)

Hook A Brother Up...

Or rather, hook two Tanker Brothers up!

We've been selected as Finalists in the "Blogs of Summer."

Celebrating the Blogs of Summer
Hook up your favorite (we hope) Tanker Brothers by going here and following the instructions (in the blue box on the left). Remember, to the Tanker Brothers, it's an honor just being nominated.

[EDIT 26JULY06: You can vote once PER DAY! And we're in the lead, with 39 votes (48% of the vote)! Tanker Brothers and Sisters... do the math. If we win, we owe it all to y'all! BIG 120MM KUDOS to Boston Maggie, who (get this) actually got Uncle Jimbo from Blackfive to cast his vote for the Tanker Brothers! Cool, considering he's one of the finalists, too!]

Also (if you have time), add us to your favorites on Milblogging.com, by going HERE.

Fasting In Kosovo: Leta Carries This Leg Of The Rolling Victory Fast!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant:Leta in Kosovo (26 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: The Oracle (27 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)

Ma'am: keep safe in Kosovo, and please keep up the good work over there! I guess you're helping make the Rolling Victory Fast a GLOBAL event now!


Tanker Brothers and Sisters, please take the time to take a look at Leta's Organization, get a look at the great work they are doing in Kosovo, and perhaps see if anyone can offer even a little bit of help. Just like each and every one of us Tanker Brothers and Sisters make the Rolling Victory Fast a success, each and every little bit of help makes the mission in Kosovo successful, as well.

Hooah.

Oracle: You're up next, Buddy!

I'm. Not. Saying. Anything.

Seen on the Drudge Report:


Someone please tell me that a gajillionare like Matt Drudge proof-reads his layout. I mean, what is he trying to imply about the woman on the left?

You know, the one who is calling for a boycott of United Airlines?

C'mon, Matt. You're better than that.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Grrr... It's Unfair!


Why is it that the IDF is allowed to fly their flag from their vehicles, but US Soldiers in Baghdad are not allowed to fly Ol' Glory from tanks and Brads?

That kind of sucks, but...

Give 'Em Hell, Israel!

Flora Steps Up For Victory!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: F MacDonald from United Conservatives Of Virginia (25 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Leta in Kosovo (26 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here

Monday, July 24, 2006

Of Course They Are Willing...

Perhaps because they are on the verge of defeat?

I remember reading that they (Hezbollah) would never ceasefire.

Gaza groups ready to deal on cease-fire, release of Shalit
By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent

All groups in Gaza, including Hamas, would now accept a cease-fire deal with Israel which would include releasing Gilad Shalit, according to the Palestinian Agriculture Minister, who also heads the coordinating committee of Palestinian organizations there.

Ibrahim Al-Naja said the factions were ready to stop the Qassam rocket fire if Israel's ceased all military moves against the Palestinian factions in Gaza. They are also ready to release Shalit in exchange for guaranteeing the future release of Palestinian prisoners.

(Read More)


So? What to do?

I seriously hope Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (a former IDF Infantryman in Ariel Sharon's Golani Brigade) is a Tanker Brothers reader, and reads this post on the case against ceasefires.

And then hits them again.

Iraqis Take On Logistics Responsibilities, Save Coalition Money...

Yet another indicator of the progress being accomplished in Iraq, by the Iraqi Government:

Iraqi Army takes on logistics
Monday, 24 July 2006

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Lucia Newman
Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq

BAGHDAD — The Ministry of Defense has taken over life support functions for more than 80 bases throughout Iraq since April, cutting Coalition expenses by $24 million a month.

The Iraqi government is now responsible for providing food, water, cleaning, supplies, security, maintenance for facilities and equipment, morale items, and clearing of waste products, to name a few, for more than 130,000 Iraqi Soldiers.

(Read More)


Of course, it's not something you would read in the New York Times...

Please Don't Forget:

If you're visiting here for the first time, please take a second to sign our "Battle Roster" by clicking the graphic link underneath the banner.

Hooah.

Mary*Ann Starts Her Rolling Victory Fast!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Mary*Ann (24 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: F MacDonald (25 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here


Esteemed Tanker Sister Extraordinare - Mary*Ann took over the baton from me at 0001 hours Central Time!

Mary*Ann: we epect updates, Tanker Sister!

Hooah.

PS: A very special "Happy Birthday" to my Wingman for Life, Tanker Brother, and "Brother from the same Tanker Mother" (and Tanker Dad): CAV TANKER! Happy 26th, Bro!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Now THIS Explains Why The French Don't Like Us!

US Imperialist War Crimes In France


Why we probably never got a "Thank You"...

H/T to the Freedom Folks

The Case Against Cease-Fires



I'm a simple guy. Just your average, everyday ACU-wearing Soldier.

What I lack in sophistication, I like to think that I make it up in Common Sense.

But I may be wrong.

Do you remember when you were a kid, playing tag on the playground?

You remember the one kid that would always call "time out" and make the infamous "T" sign with his hands, just before you caught him or her?

That kind of always left you with a distaste for him/her, didn't it, even going so far as making up your mind that he was a "cheater"?

That's what I equate a "Cease Fire" to. A "time out". Your opponent is getting creamed, he's on the ropes, ready to crumble under your whitering attack. He's on his last legs, about to be eliminated as a threat to you.

Then he calls for a "time out".

Or better yet, he appeals to the United Nations and presses them politically to call for a "Cease Fire". You know, so that he can gather his wits, consolidate and reorganize, and get ready for a counter-attack.

Have you ever noticed that some of the most life-changing, complex situations in our adult lives can be broken down to things you learned when you were a little kid?

I think President Bush has the right idea when he refuses to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Why should he? Israel is one of the staunchest allies of the United States. Hezbollah is a well-known Political/Terrorist organization that has launched suicide attacks and artillery strikes against Israeli civilians. Why should the United States take any position that would allow an arch enemy of one of our most important ideological, political, and most importantly, strategic allies?

Let's do a quick benefit analysis here:

Course Of Action (COA) #1: Call for a ceasefire. If we call for a ceasefire, Hezbollah will continue it's terrorist agenda. They will still launch strikes against Israelis. They will still actively pursue anti-semetic agenda against Israelis and Jews. It will be a continuation of the pre-offensive status quo. The United Nations would, of course, demand that they monitor the "buffer zone", and monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement. And we all know how successful the United Nations is at monitoring anything. Perhaps we should ask the people that starved because Saddam Hussein diverted funds from the Oil For Food program to fund Presidental Palaces. Or maybe we can ask some of the hundreds of young women in Africa who have been raped and murdered by UN peacekeepers, or even been sold as sex slaves? Or what about all the wars that the United Nations has been successful in averting? Isn't that the UN's mission, after all?

COA #2: Let them fight it out. Israel has a better Army, better weapons, and the tenacity to use both to complete their goal of the elimination of Hezbollah as a threat to Israel's security. Hezbollah will either be mortally wounded or completely eliminated, damaging Iran's and Syria's significant influence in Southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government would be able to secure and adminster Southern Lebanon, with no influence from both these terrorist-sponsoring states (through Hezbollah).

Personally, I think the choice is obvious. Let's see if the rest of the world has the "stones' to do the right thing.

(But I doubt it.)

Kerry "Sour Grapes" President Bush's Response In Israel-Lebanon Conflict: Rest Of America Rolls Eyes And Smells Jealousy...


Why doesn't this moron just shut up?

U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D- Mass., who was in town Sunday to help Gov. Jennifer Granholm campaign for her re-election bid, took time to take a jab at the Bush administration for its lack of leadership in the Israeli-Lebanon conflict.

"If I was president, this wouldn't have happened," said Kerry during a noon stop at Honest John's bar and grill in Detroit's Cass Corridor.

Bush has been so concentrated on the war in Iraq that other Middle East tension arose as a result, he said.

"The president has been so absent on diplomacy when it comes to issues affecting the Middle East," Kerry said. "We're going to have a lot of ground to make up (in 2008) because of it."

Kerry lost by a narrow margin to Bush in 2004 and plans to seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2008.

Today marks the 12th day of fighting between Israel and Lebanon. Israel launched air strikes after Hezbollah militants, whom operate within Lebanon, kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in an attempt to swap them for prisoners.

Israel began a ground invasion, sending tanks and troops across the border as thousands of Lebanese have fled to escape the fighting.

Hezbollah guerillas should have been targeted with other terrorist organizations, such as al-Qaida and the Taliban, which operate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kerry said. However, Bush, has focused military strength on Iraq.

"This is about American security and Bush has failed. He has made it so much worse because of his lack of reality in going into Iraq.…We have to destroy Hezbollah," he said.


Of course, like all members of the Left, Kerry didn't offer what HE would do differently.

Yeah, John Francios Kerry... sit down, eat some ketchup, and "Shaddap". Seriously.

YOU. LOST.

YOU. ARE. A. LOSER.

(I hope I was clear on that)

H/T to Drudge

Add This To The List Of Things I Don't Understand...

Isn't the ACLU against religion? Or does undermining the War on Terror trump that agenda?

Can someone please explain this to me?

ACLU Sues for Anti-Gay Group That Pickets at Troops' Burials

By Garance Burke
Associated Press
Sunday, July 23, 2006; Page A02

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas church group that protests at military funerals nationwide filed suit in federal court, saying a Missouri law banning such picketing infringes on religious freedom and free speech.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Friday in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., on behalf of the fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church, which has outraged mourning communities by picketing service members' funerals with signs condemning homosexuality.

The church and the Rev. Fred Phelps say God is allowing troops, coal miners and others to be killed because the United States tolerates gay men and lesbians.

Missouri lawmakers were spurred to action after members of the church protested in St. Joseph, Mo., last August at the funeral of Army Spec. Edward L. Myers.

The law bans picketing and protests "in front of or about" any location where a funeral is held, from an hour before it begins until an hour after it ends. Offenders can face fines and jail time.

A number of other state laws and a federal law, signed in May by President Bush, bar such protests within a certain distance of a cemetery or funeral.

In the lawsuit, the ACLU says the Missouri law tries to limit protesters' free speech based on the content of their message. It is asking the court to declare the ban unconstitutional and to issue an injunction to keep it from being enforced, which would allow the group to resume picketing.

"I told the nation, as each state went after these laws, that if the day came that they got in our way, that we would sue them," said Phelps's daughter Shirley L. Phelps-Roper, a spokeswoman for the church in Topeka, Kan. "At this hour, the wrath of God is pouring out on this country."

Scott Holste, a spokesman for Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, said, "We're not going to acquiesce to anything that they're asking for in this lawsuit."

The suit names Nixon, Gov. Matt Blunt (R) and others as defendants.


I just don't get it...

New York Times: Does It Again!

It's Treason as Usual at the NYT

Source: New York Times (H/T Michelle Malkin)

The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which requested the expedited shipment last week after beginning its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, American officials said Friday

The decision to quickly ship the weapons to Israel was made with relatively little debate within the Bush administration, the officials said. Its disclosure threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah.

Un-be-freakin'-lievable. NOT. Actively, deliberately, and persistently seeking to harm this country and her allies. If that's not treason, I don't know what is. There need to be severe consequences for what this worthless rag is doing to our country while hiding under the skirts of respectable journalism.

Michelle Malkin also shared some shed light on these leaks...from former NYT Editor Howell Raines himself...

One audience member asked about the role of media leaks. Raines opted not to go in-depth since he no longer is a working journalist, but offered a bit of a leak of his own:

"Almost all leakers are lawyers. That's the bottom line."

Shocker. With bottom feeders like the NYT and lawyers, it must be a constant competition to see who can feed the lowest.

H/T To the Freedom Folks

My question is this: when is "Enough, Enough?"

Seriously, when are we going to start doing something about the subversive agenda of the New York Times?

1. President Bush needs to quit being so forgiving of leakers. He needs to find the leakers, and then he needs to get them out of close proximity to information like this. That's the bottom line.

2. The New York Times needs to start being a wee bit more responsible when it prints things like this. But we all know that will never happen.

Mom Tries To Fight Back, Lefty Continues To Disrespect Fallen Heroes Sacrifice

OKLAHOMA CITY - A woman whose Marine son died while serving in Iraq is fighting to keep his name off anti-war T-shirts.

Judy Vincent learned last year that Cpl. Scott Vincent's name is among about 1,700 included on a T-shirt being sold by an Arizona man over the Internet. The front of the shirt reads "Bush Lied" and the back reads "They Died."

The woman, whose son was killed in April 2004, pushed for Oklahoma legislators to pass a law that makes it a misdemeanor to use a soldier's name or likeness for advertising purposes without consent. The law goes into effect this November.

The shirt vendor, Dan Frazier of Flagstaff, Ariz., issued an open letter to family members praising the soldiers' bravery and sacrifice, but said he would not stop selling the merchandise

Link HERE

What bothers me about this, is the absolute lack of decency on the part of the guy printing the tee shirts. That's one thing about the Anti-War left: they want to plunge in the knife, and then twist it, to try to further their agenda.

Would taking Cpl. Scott Vincent's name off of the shirt damage or hurt Dan Frazier's sales at all? Probably not, considering there are already 1,7oo names on the shirt. I doubt that omitting his name would be noticed.

See, Tanker Brothers and Sisters: the Lefty Anti-War Crazies are such hypocrites - they claim that to President Bush, Soldiers don't mean anything, that we are just names and social security numbers, and therefore easy to send into battle. We're nameless, faceless Warriors in this War.

The truth is, however, that to the Left, all we are is "names on a shirt" to make some kind of political statement. And when someone steps up and asks for proper honor and respect to be given to their fallen: it's too difficult for the Left to grant. Or else, they just won't.

Dan Frazier is a scoundrel: his hollow words "
praising the soldiers' bravery and sacrifice", and inaction when it comes doing the right thing to respect that same bravery and sacrifice, is the best summary of the positions of the Cindy Sheehans, Dick Durbins, Michael Moores, Susan Sarandons, Sean Penns, Nancy Pelosis, John Kerrys, and John Murthas on the Left.


Master Gunner: Reporting For Duty!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Master Gunner (23 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Mary*Ann (24 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here


Yep, you read that correctly: my day has come up again!

I'll be posting updates in the comments section of this post throughout the day!

Next up for tomorrow, Cav Tanker's Birthday, is Mary*Ann - Esteemed Tanker Sister Extraordinare!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

They Are Almost Ready!

(Pictured Shirt is an approximation of final shipping product)

After lots and lots of coordination, Melinda has finally secured some Rolling Victory Fast Tee Shirts!

ROLLING VICTORY FAST T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!!!
(All proceeds from shirt sales will go to Soldiers' Angels)

For those with PayPal accounts:
To pre-order your white t-shirt emblazoned with the Victory Fast logo, please refer to the sidebar on the right. You will see a drop-down menu where you may select your size. (Please keep in mind that the XL is VERY extra-large and that the large is generous too.)

Each tee is $10 and shipments begin August 1. Shipping will not be charged for the shirts in the hopes that you'll consider donating what you would have paid for shipping to Soldiers' Angels.

Once you select your size, click the "add to cart button". If you are purchasing more than one shirt, simply click "continue shopping" so that you can repeat the process of selecting a size and adding to the cart. With each item you add, you may review your selections and make any changes to your shopping cart.

When finished shopping, please click on the "Proceed to Checkout" button. This will take you to PayPal's secure transaction site. If you have a PayPal account, log in and follow the easy instructions to process the payment.

Please consider making an additional donation to Soldiers' Angels by using the "Make a Donation" button located in the right sidebar or by clicking on the Soldiers' Angels' link and making your donation directly to SA.

If you do not have a PayPal account and are not interested in opening one, you may still purchase a shirt and/or donate to Soldiers' Angels by sending me an e-mail. We will arrange a workable solution privately. Please note, however, that if you wish to use a credit or debit card for the transaction, PayPal is the only way for that to happen. You may also use this e-mail address if you have questions about the ordering process.

Keep in mind a few things:

1. The shirts are only $10, all proceeds (above the cost of the shirts - goes to Soldiers Angels).
2. Shipping costs will be absorbed in the hope that you will make a donation to Soldiers Angels. I've posted about SA before. SA is an excellent organization that helps keep the morale of our Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan high.
3. Don't let not having a PayPal account stop you. Melinda has other paying options availible for the shirts. But I'm sure PayPal is much easier on all accounts.
4. Melinda's husband is a Tanker.
5. You would look really cool wearing a Rolling Victory Fast Tee shirt on your "RVF" day!
6. Buy now. Shirts will begin shipping August 1st.

(Shameless plug) Also remember, we have Official Tanker Brothers merchandise availible, as well!

Tanker Angel Update!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Angel! (22 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Master Gunner (23 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here


Update on everyone's favorite German Tanker Sister: she's "good to go!"

AM I READY FOR THE FAST?
HELL YES I AM!
I proudly fast for our troops and heck I like it!

Inspiring, isn't she?

it is 9 AM over here at my place and I am already without food for about 19 hours just because I forgot about eating. When I am in stress or just have a lot of work to do, I sometimes forget about eating, if I eat I eat in hurry. You know what? It won't kill me!

Also from 1 AM - 4.30 AM I've been out to a bar.
I had 1 Maß of Beer and a couple of glasses of water.

Cindy, you said that you don't like being on fast, you know what?
I do like being on fast, because it is for the good cause!
If you would truly believe in what you do, you would like being on fast for simple 24 hours.
Ooooh you are on travel, I forgot, how bad for you.
You know, we all have to travel in someway. It is so damned hot over here, and the sun is burning down like in hell. On a regular day I have to ride my new bike for about 3 hours a day. If not even more. And I am not talking of a motorbike. No I am talking about a regular hybrid bike, and yes we do use them in Germany. I am not sitting on an airconditioned plane to fly from this to that place, I ride the bike for three hours in the burning sun and I do it proudly on fast because I believe in the Tanker Brothers and our Troops!

All it takes to not pass out is plenty of water and minerals.

Didn't you take protein powder?

THAT IS CHEATING!

Heck 24 hours on a fast and you have to take protein powder and complain?

Jeeeeeez Cindy... get over yourself, I've sometimes been without food for nearly a week, or even longer and it didn't kill me!

Get over yourself.....

As you can see Tanker Brothers, I am doing fine :)

I have 100% faith in you, Tanker Angel!

Tanker Angel: Ready To Fast!

Link To Original Post: Here
Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Angel! (22 July 2006)
Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Master Gunner (23 July 2006)
Updated Duty Roster: Here

Friday, July 21, 2006

Master Gunner's First Posted Lifehack!

I am a huge fan on the Lifehacker website, and I've used lots of their tricks to help make my ife easier.

Recently, I have rediscovered recreational running. Usually, I run 6+ miles a day, on my own, just for fun. I purchased a Nike+ iPod kit to help me track my runs, and the only thing that irritated me was the HORRIBLE shoes availible to use with the kit.

So, after being inspired by Lifehacker and Podophile, I decided to "Lifehack" my OWN pair of shoes to use the kit:

I usually run in my Nike Shox COG running shoes. They have the benefit of being light, well cusioned, and very comfortable. Unfortunately, the Nike Shox COG is NOT Nike + iPod kit compatible.


Unfortunately, with the Nike+ kit, you are forced to buy running shoes with a specially-designed "cut out" in the inside of the shoe for a small Bluetooth transmitter. Like a dummy, I went out and about this $100 pair of shoes that were VERY HEAVY, because I was under the impression that I could ONLY use the kit with them.

Well, after being inspired by this site, I decided I could come up with an easier modification to my beloved running shoes so that I could still use them with the kit. First, I took a razor blade and cut the tongue of the COG, being careful not to cut right through it. Make sure the cut is JUST a tad smaller than the sensor (it will stretch a wee bit).

Next, inspect the cut you just made and trim any stray threads/fabric. Make sure the Bluetooth sensor will fit in the incision.

Slide the Nike + iPod Bluetooth transmitter/sensor into the new incision.

Lace up your shoe, fire up your iPod Nano, and GET TO RUNNING!

Admittedly, this is in no way, shape, or form related to the Global War on Terror (the theme of this blog), but if I can help some health-conscious Tanker Brothers and Sisters some money by NOT having to buy new shoes to use the kit....

Did I Miss Something?

Stumbling around Bloglines, lookee what I found!!!!

BoS Category 3 - Milblogs & Military Support

Welcome to the Blogs of Summer Awards!
Nominations accepted Wednesday, July 19 thru Sunday noon, July 23.
Voting will occur July 24 - July 27 (at different blogs, watch for details).
Winners & awards will be announced back here on Friday, July 28th.

Celebrating the Best Blogs of Summer
Nominate the Best of Summer
Milblogs & Military Support Blogs

  • Use either Blogger or Haloscan comment popups for your nominations.
  • You can nominate up to 5 blogs in this category (including your own).
  • No vulgar, hate, or anti-God blogs accepted. No anonymous nominations.
  • The Top 10 Nominations will make it to the final round for the official vote.
    (Ergo, you actually want lots of people to nominate you - so go solicit votes :-)

  • NOTE: Starting July 24, vote for your favorite at Category Host: Pettifog.

    Here are the nominees so far. Please visit every one.
    Blue Star Chronicles
    A Rose By Any Other Name
    Assorted Babble - Suzie Views
    Code Red Women for the Troops More than one!
    The Violence Worker!
    Tanker Brothers
    T.F. Boggs
    American Citizen Soldier
    Pettifog - won't accept nomination, but we'll do it anyway 0 Comments via Blogger; Email this Post to a Friend
    Or use Haloscan: Lots of Chatter (13) + | + You Linking at Me?!


    What do they say in the movie business?

    "It's an honor just to be nominated..."

    Tanker Brothers Greatest Hits: The "Give It To Cindy" Posts!


    On the occasion of our (and by "our", I mean ALL of us, Tanker Brothers and Sisters) wildly successful 2006 Tanker Brothers Rolling Victory Fast, I want to re-post an article I wrote back in January that I am still particularly proud of.

    It's a long post, so if you read it before, then I apologize. If not, humor me, ok?

    On to the post(s):

    I don't think there's any secret to the fact that we detest Cindy Sheehan. It would be too nice to compare her to Hanoi Jane Fonda, considering Hanoi Jane actually had the onions to go to North Vietnam and pose with the NVA. Maybe Cindy Sheehan should go pose with Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, y'know, to spread some peace. I'm sure they can rummage up an orange jumpsuit that would fit her.

    So anyway, Ol' Cindy Sheehan has posted a new article. It's our responsibility, nay...our duty, to refute her. Point by point. Without further ado:

    Cindy Says:


    A New World Is Possible -- And necessary! This is the theme for the World Social Forum that I (along with tens of thousands of people from all over the world) am attending in Caracas this week. I know the idea of a world where everyone lives in peace and with justice is very "subversive," but the theme is very close to my heart and soul.

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    Damn Skippy, we need a New World. A world with justice, where criminals and terrorists who commit crimes against their people won't be let off the hook because some Anti-War Peace Activist doesn't have the "stones" to do the right thing. We need a New World with guys like President Bush calling the shots, showing resolve, and doing the right thing. This should be the theme for your World Socialist (or whatever) Forum. The idea of a world where everyone lives in Peace and with justice cannot happen until criminals and terrorists are eliminated or incarcerated. Only then can you have justice. And as a result...peace.

    Cindy Says:


    Since I began to speak out against the dishonesty and deception that led to this illegal and morally reprehensible occupation of Iraq, I have journeyed all over the United States and now am starting to fill my passport with stamps.

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    What is dishonest, deceptive, or morally reprehensible about bringing a tyrant and dictator to justice? A man (if you can call him that) that had supressed the freedom of his people, executed dissidents to his regime, was a documented mass murderer, invaded his neighbors, funded suicide bombers in Israel, had confirmed ties to Al Qaeda, hosted terrorist groups and even built a training facility south of Baghdad for them (guess what...an airliner for them to train on), and was the main source of instability in the Middle East? What is dishonest, deceptive, or morally reprehensible about bringing freedom to a country who had not held a free election in decades, or had the choice or opportunity on how to govern themselves? Yeah, I guess I can see how all that would be dishonest, deceptive, and morally reprehensible, considering your best friend is a dictator like Hugo Chavez.. And Cindy, I'm quoting you: "I admire him for his resolve against my government and its meddling..."

    I'm sure we can arrange for you to renounce your US citizenship to a consular officer there in Venenzuela, if you hate this country so much. Then again, you could fill up your US Passport with all those pretty stamps, could you? Nor would you be covered by our First Amendment, huh? Yeah, I can see how that would such, you cowardly "moral midget".

    Cindy Says:

    Our world is so beautiful, and the people who inhabit it are, for the most, part loving - and all they want is a good life for themselves and their children. They just want to feel safe and secure in their communities. They want to be warm and fed. They want clean drinking water and they want to dance and laugh when appropriate. They want to live long lives with their families and they want their children to bury them at the end of their time here. In short, the people of the world want what we Americans want.

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    You're right. Our world is beautiful. And even though we know that "for the most part, loving", you of course meant that the Majority of the US: all the Red State, Conservative, Freedom-loving, Bush-voting, meat-eating citizens of the United States that voted for President Bush (Remember, we won the last two elections). That's the cool thing about free elections (you know, the kind that Iraqis are just now experiencing), the people who get the most votes decide what we're going to do to make Americans safe and keep America strong. Not some washed-up hippie holdover from the 60's, who uses her son's brave sacrifice as some kind of morbid claim to fame. Stop dishonoring your son, Cindy. I'd like to think he died for something he believed in: serving his country in a time of war.

    They want to feel safe and secure in in thier communities? What about us, Cindy? What about Americans who are willing to fight for that safety and security? Don't we have a right to it, as well?

    Allow me to fill you in on a little secret: We (the TankerBrothers) fight for the security, safety, and freedom of our families and loved ones. I'd be willing to bet my life (again) that your son fought for the exact same things we do. By marring what we do, you cheapen that sacrifice he made almost two years ago, and you cheapen the sacrifices made by 2240 other brave men and women who have shed their blood in the defense of this nation, its people and their freedoms and security, and the freedom and security of the citizens of Iraq.
    Cindy Says:

    It is our governments who want to demonize and marginalize other cultures, religions, races and ethnic groups. George Bush and his cold-hearted cronies and his easily misled and willingly blind followers want to "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here!" Who are these "thems" that we are fighting over there? Are they the babies lying in their cribs when a bomb (chemical or conventional) is dropped on their house? Is it the mother who has gone shopping for her family's daily food who is killed by a car bomber who never even thought to commit such a heinous act until his country was occupied by a foreign invader? Is it the grandmas and grandpas who are too old, or too stubborn, to leave their lifelong homes when the coalition troops are illegally carpet bombing civilian centers?

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    How do we demonize or marginalize other cultures, religions, races and ethnic groups? By overthrowing the people that hold them down, and giving them back the honor and freedom they deserve as human beings? Our Founding Father wrote "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." They didn't write that these rights were exclusive to Americans, but everyone. And look what we've done since 2001: stood up two democracies where brutal, repressive regimes once tortured and raped their citizens at will. Inspired the Lebanese people to throw off the destructive influence of their Syrian neighbors. Influenced the abandonment by the Lybians of their WMD programs. Led to the first elections in Egypt to have opposition parties. The list goes on and on.

    If fighting "them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" means I am easily misled and willingly blind...then sign me up! Because I'll tell you who the "thems" are: they are guys like Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, who would just as soon chop your friggin' head off with a dull knife as he would mine. Don't worry, Cindy, he won't get to you. One of the unfortunate aspects of our jobs as Soldiers is to protect even the uninformed, ignoant, or just plain dumb Anti-War protestors. People who wouldn't believe it until Zarqawi or one of his cronies shows up at your doorstep with a dull knife, an orange jumpsuit, and a video camera (so Al Jazeera can get some ratings).

    Also: I haven't heard of any carpet-bombing going on in Iraq. Would you care to back up your allegations with some sort of evidence?
    Cindy Says:
    We as citizens of the United States of America must stop allowing our leaders to give the orders to kill innocent people. I almost said: we must stop allowing our leaders to "kill" innocent people. But we all know the cowards don't fight their own fantasy battles or send their own children to fight in the causes that they idiotically and diabolically iterate are "noble." No, they order our children to go over and do their dishonest and destructive dirty work! Our soldiers are taught that "Hajis," the brown skinned people of Iraq who clean their toilets, showers, and wash their clothes, are less than people ... which makes them easier to kill. The dehumanization of the Iraqi people is also dehumanizing our soldiers. Our children.

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    Allegations of War Atrocites are a very serious thing, and border on slander. I would strongly suggest you provide evidence on Soldiers being given orders to attack or kill innocent civilians. If by "kill" you mean build schools, immunize and innoculate, feed and clothe, provide work and security, repair infrastructre, and provide for the welfare of innocent civilians...then you really need a dictionary. Because those are all things that American Soldiers do for the people of Iraq. We only kill those who attack us, and those who attack and murder Iraqi civilians. There a a huge difference in what you're implying and what the reality of the situation is.

    Fighting a war to help people who are not strong enough to help themselves is noble, Cindy. But I know that would be difficult for you to understand. People like you have no idea of what nobility or honor is.

    Cindy Says:

    A new world is necessary and it can only be possible if we believe and live the belief that every human being is inherently the same as we are. They feel pain when they are hurt. They have hunger pains when they haven't eaten. Their mouths go dry when they are thirsty. They mourn when they experience a loss. They shiver when they are cold. They laugh when they are happy. How can we condone our leaders' killing our brothers and sisters like this, or even allow it?

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    You're absolutely correct in all but the last sentence. Every human being is inherently the same. They all yearn for security. They all strive for freedom. They all want a better, stronger future than the present one.

    Once again, you insinuate that the US military indiscrimanately kills human beings seemingly at random. Be very, very careful with this, Cindy. I might take it personal. Once again, you provide no proof or reputable evidence. You're a liar and an idiot.

    Cindy Says:

    A new world is necessary, and it can only be possible if we rein in the depraved corporations that thrive off of the flesh and blood of our neighbors all over the world and here in America. War profiteers like Halliburton, Bechtel and General Electric, who are racking up obscene profits and increasing the bottom line of their shareholders while they are running roughshod over this planet. Malevolent companies such as Dow who dump chemicals and other pollutants into the water and atmosphere that kill people, our environment and our future! Companies like Wal Mart that exploit workers in the US and abroad to enrich a family that already has more than enough money to fund healthcare and a living wage for all of its employees and have a little extra left over to pay their country club fees.

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    Halliburton and other "War Profiteers" are bound by federal law on their profits (in terms of participation in the Iraq War).

    In the interest of space, lets just take one of your "evil" corporations: Halliburton. Richard Miniter writing in Disinformation (Regnery,2005): "Halliburton earned $85 milion from $3.6 billion in Iraqi contracts, a profit margin of roughly 2.4 percent, in 2003. In the second quarter of 2004, Halliburton reported that it earned 1.4 percent profits on $1.7 billion worth of work in Iraq. These are pitifully small rates of return."

    If I had a business, and was recieving just 1.4% return on my investment...I would go out of business. Think about it. Halliburton would make more money putting all that capital in a savings account.

    Miniter writes: "Would you stick with a mutual fund that invested for less than a 2% return?"

    Cindy Says:

    A new world is necessary, and it can only be possible if we decrease our dependency on oil and use some of the money that we are pouring into the desert sands and sewers of Iraq to expand research on renewable energy sources and expound and promote the renewable sources we already have, such as bio-diesel. I have talked to many citizens of Venezuela who are understandably nervous about a US invasion, and they know that it is not about the idea that President Chavez is a "dictator," which he is not, he is a democratically elected leader who is very popular in his country. The people of Venezuela are very savvy and they know that if the US invades their country that it won't be because we are spreading "freedom and democracy" to them. They know they already have it.

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    Money is already being dumped into alternative sources of energy. The IRS even offers Tax Credits to citizens who own and operate environmentally-friendly vehicles. But if you want to reduce the dependence on foreign oil, then you have to go all the way: Let the US drill in ANWR. Let the US build new nuclear reactors (probably the cleanest and most efficient power sources). Ask yourself: when was the last Nuclear Reactor built in the US?

    The citizens of Venenzuela have very little to worry about in terms of a US invasion. With a economically-challenged third world country, we can accomplish the same thing with sanctions. I happen to have dear friends in Germany that hail from Venenzuela, and immigrated to Europe (their father was Venenzuelan). Guess why they jumped ship?

    They left because there is no work in Venenzuela, and because the government is so socialized, there is absolutely no way to "move up". The natural state of Humanity is to always strive for "something better". If Venenzuela is such a perfect place, with such a benevolent leader, then why not renounce your US citizenship, Cindy? I'm sure that Hugo Chavez could appoint you minister of peace or something like that.

    Cindy Says:

    A new world is necessary but not possible, until we Americans get over the arrogant idea that we can solve the Iraq issue and the human rights violations problems alone. We have to reach out to fellow members of the human race all over the world to forge the bonds that are crucial to protecting innocent members of humankind who are impoverished or killed by our government and corporatism that has gone wild and is largely unchecked.


    Tanker Brothers Say:
    Hey...are you on some other planet or something? We can solve the Iraq issue. We're solving it every day. When is the last time Iraq invaded its neigbors? When was the last the the Iraqi government executed hundreds of its civilians? And Cindy: we're not doing it alone. As a former Coalition Soldier: let me remind you: we've got the Brits, the Australians, the Poles, the Japanese, the Koreans, and a host of other countries. Why do you and your Liberal Looney allies always say we "went at it alone"? To claim that is a slap in the face to our allies, and it dishonors the Soldiers from those countries who have sacrificed their lives to help the Iraqis stand up and take control of their future.

    Your claim that "We have to reach out to fellow members of the human race all over the world to forge the bonds that are crucial to protecting innocent members of humankind who are impoverished or killed by our government and corporatism that has gone wild and is largely unchecked" is exactly what we are doing by forging partnerships with countries to help us do exactly those things! Do you realize how much GDP in Iraq has gone up? Do you realize that Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath government is no longer raping and executing civilians?
    Cindy Says:

    Peace and justice are intimately connected, and the world can't have one without the other. True and lasting peace can only occur when we the people force our leadership that is dependent on the war machine for their jobs and for their lives and demand justice for the crimes against humanity that are perpetrated on the world on a daily basis by such "leaders."

    A new world is possible, and it is attainable. For this new world to become a reality, it is necessary for us to take into our beings what Martin Luther King Jr. said of his own eulogy, but more importantly, the way he lived his life:

    Tanker Brothers Say:
    We couldn't agree more with your first statement. We can't have peace without justice. And we won't have peace until we bring terrorists like Saddam Hussein and Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi to justice. And we can't do that, without being in Iraq and helping the Iraqis.

    A new world is possible. And we're on the verge of it. By changing the face of the Middle East by overthrowing oppressive regimes that violate civil rights on a daily basis (Syria, Iran, the former regime of Saddam Hussein) and introducing democracy, we invest in peace. The payoff? No tolerance for religious extremism, no more suicide bombers, no threats of mullahs with nuclear weapons, no government rape rooms, no mass executions, and no international terrorism.

    Peace.

    Through Superior Firepower.

    Hooah.
    Sleep well my brothers and sisters in Iraq. Real Americans have your backs.

    One Of The Newest Heroes In The War On Terror!

    I want you to take a good look at the young man in the photo.

    What you are looking at, Tanker Brothers and Sisters, is the future not only of the US Army, but of the United States.

    Young men and women are joining the Armed Forces to make a difference, and we owe them our support.

    Don't worry about Ol' Master Gunner or Cav Tanker. We're "Lifers". We can take care of ourselves, and have been doing so for years.

    It's guys like Chris that we have to look out for.

    See... the first enlistment will make or break someone's career. Whether or not you stay in depends, 99.9% of the time, on the experiences you have when you are "Lower Enlisted": between the ranks of Private and Specialist/Corporal. It's this crucial time when you "cut your teeth" learning your job, and putting your newfound skills to use for the first time. Every single day, you learn something new about the Army and your mission. It's an exciting time.

    I don't want Chris to have to deal with the Anti-War crowd. I don't want Chris to have to deal with some of the craziness that Tanker Dad had to deal with after Vietnam, and the Tanker Brothers have had to deal with (once or twice) since we got back from Iraq.

    I want Chris to know exactly how proud we are of him, all of us Tanker Brothers and Sisters.

    Chris: Congrats on your successful completion of Basic Training.

    Now "drop" and give the Tanker Brothers "10". ;-)

    (Just Kidding!)

    Melissa: You done good.

    Philologous: Opens His Rolling Victory Fast With A Theme Song!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: (18 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Angel! (19 July 2006)


    Do. Not. Mess. With. Greatness.

    Philologous, my good buddy, wingman, fellow tanker, SECDEF in 2016, and all-around witty genius, takes over the reigns for this leg of the 2006 Tanker Brothers Rolling Victory Fast!

    Being the genius that he is, however, Philologous decided that he's going to do something a little different to insipre us:

    He wrote us a theme song!

    The Great Rolling Victory Fast

    (sing to the tune of “The Magical Mystery Tour” by The Beatles)

    (Fall in,
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,
    step right this way),

    Fall in,
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,
    Fall in,
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,

    Fall in,
    (and that's an invitation),
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,
    Fall in,
    (to make a reservation),
    Fall in,
    for the Victory Fast

    The great Rolling Victory Fast
    is waiting to make Cindy pay,
    waiting to make Cindy pay

    Fall in,
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,
    Fall in,
    Fall in for the Victory Fast

    Fall in,
    (we've got everything you need),
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,
    Fall in,
    (satisfaction guaranteed),
    Fall in for the Victory Fast

    The great Rolling Victory Fast
    is hoping to make Cindy pay,
    hoping to make Cindy pay,
    the great rolling trip

    Ah, the great Rolling Victory Fast,
    Fall in,
    Fall in,
    for the Victory Fast

    Fall in,
    (and that's an invitation)
    Fall in for the Victory Fast ,
    Fall in,
    (to make a reservation)
    Fall in for the Victory Fast,

    The great Rolling Victory Fast
    is going to make Cindy pay,
    going to make Cindy pay.

    The great Rolling Victory Fast
    is starving to make Cindy pay,
    starving to make Cindy pay,
    make her today.

    I tell, you, Tanker Brothers and Sisters.... You just can't mess with greatness, can you?

    Next up? Your favorite German DJ for Hooah Radio, Tanker Sister Extrordinare, Fellow Author and Editor of our German Sister Blog, accomplished print Author, Soldiers Angel, and Watergirl in Progress: the incredible TANKER ANGEL!

    Let's give her some preliminary words of encourageent, people... She's up against a daunting task:

    OH MY GAWSH!!!!!!

    I AM SO.. SO... SO... FRIGHTENED !

    Tanker Brothers and Sisters, fellow Angels, I truly need standby and every support you can give!

    Four days, there are only four days left and I am frightened to death that I will not survive the 24 hour fast. I truly think that this is something I need to rethink, I mean think of it.

    24 FREAKING HOURS WITHOUT ANY FOOOOOOOOOOOOD!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

    How can I ever survive that?

    Jeeeeez I need counseling, please give me some novacine or counseling, I can't believe I am doing this for three different times and offered to fill in open slots, I must be insane!!!!!!

    And yes I am absolutely deadly serious, give me STANDBY AND SUPPORT!!!!! PLEAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEEE! LOL!

    LOL! Tanker Angel.... The Tanker Brothers have your back.

    Thursday, July 20, 2006

    JP Hands Off The Rolling Victory Fast Baton!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Aunt Meli at Meli's Junk Thoughts (20 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Philologous (21 July 2006)


    Congrats to JP at Milblogging.com for his successful completion of this leg of the Rolling Victory Fast!

    Good job, Battle Buddy! (Er...JP, you're still with us, right? You didn't starve to death, did you?)

    Aunt Meli: Good luck! Keep us posted by clicking the "Comments" section at the bottom of this post! Remember: if you get hungry... think of Cindy Sheehan. Just that mental picture would make a famished person lose their appetite!

    Wednesday, July 19, 2006

    JP at Milblogging.com: You're Up, Battle Buddy!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: JP at Milblogging.com (19 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Aunt Meli at Meli's Junk Thoughts (20 July 2006)


    Good luck to JP: one of our newest Battle Buddies and the Webmaster over at Milblogging.com! (You, ummm... HAVE put us on your "favorites" over there, haven't you? And Tanker Angel, too? Tanker Brothers broke the top 100, I think!)


    In all seriousness, Milblogging.com has really helped to bring the MilBlog community together, by promoting, categorizing, and linking to over 1400 Milblogs. You would be doing the Tanker Brothers a favor by going over and visiting some of the excellent writing of our fellow Soldiers. And these are guys with a GT score WAAAAAAAYYYYY over my measely "31".

    Funny, but my good buddy Philologous really thinks I'm joking about that, LOL! (If he only knew...)

    Once again, PLEASE keep us posted, so we can publish some AARs!

    Oh, Yeah, don't forget to buy a snazzy Milblogging.com Tee Shirt from JP's site!)

    Tuesday, July 18, 2006

    Uh Oh... Where's Donna From Los Osos, CA?!?!?


    6:12 AM - reporting for duty. Getting ready for work. What do you guys say...Locked and loaded?!

    Thanks for organizing this fast. God bless you, and God bless our troops! I'll check in later...

    Donna

    Everything started great at "Oh-Dark-Thirty" this morning...

    At Lunchtime, we got another message:

    Checking in - Lunch time (almost), and I'm still good to go! Got my Rolling Victory Fast poster taped to my computer monitor so I don't get distracted and munch!

    I'll keep attacking.
    God bless,
    Donna

    That was at 1433, California time...

    It's now 2143, Tanker Brothers time, and....

    WHERE'S DONNA?!?!?!?!

    Dear Tanker Sister... Have you succumbed to the ravages of mind-numbing hunger?

    We need to hear from our Tanker Sister! We're worried!

    Edit: Donna is A-OK!

    Nope, it's all good Tankers!! 8:01 PM and no worries. If you all can go to war for me, I can certainly fast for a day. I'm learing alot thru this, and will be honored to pass the batton to JP at mid-night. God bless our troops! I'm going to sign up for another day. I'm also VERY honored to be called a Tanker Sister! You guys are wonderful! Thanks for including us all.

    Donna

    Donna, you honor US with your patronage and your visits.

    You'll ALWAYS be a Tanker Sister! (Which gives me another idea for a Tee Shirt...)

    Rolling Victory Fast: Day Nine:

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: (18 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: JP at Milblogging.com (19 July 2006)


    Good luck to Donna!

    PLEASE keep us posted, so we can publish some AARs!

    Monday, July 17, 2006

    Well, Okay, If You Insist...


    H/T to Tanker Angel

    Iran: "I Know You Are, But What Am I?"


    Still more evidence that the Iranian Ahmadinejad Regime is too stupid for survival.

    According to IranFocus.com, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi made his remark Sunday, saying: "Today, the global axis of evil – the U.S., the Zionists, and Britain – are showing their true colors of world devouring and exploitation through their occupation and the killing of defenseless people."

    Is this guy serious?

    Quote Of The Day!

    "We are not looking for war or direct conflict, but if necessary we will not be frightened by it,"

    -Israeli
    Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

    The Info War in Israel/Lebanon


    In modern warfare, sometimes information is a more lethal weapon in combat than bullets or bombs...

    Air Force jets dropped tens of thousands of these fliers over Lebanon on Saturday: “To the Lebanese people: Know this!!! From the front a friend and from the back a snake!” (Photo: IDF.)

    Do you think the Lebanese are smart enough to understand what the Israelis are trying to tell them? (I'll give you a hint: the Lebanese are being stabbed in the back by the funding of Hizbollah by the Iranians and the Syrians.)

    H/T to IGF

    Philologous The Diplomat!

    My good budy and wingman Philologous has an excellent post up about Diplomacy and Strategy: Check it out!

    One of the things I like about Israel’s present course of action is that I like to see nations apply my first rule of diplomacy and defense policy: “Diplomacy ends when your opponent strikes. After that, the best course is to assume that your opponent intends to do to you the greatest harm possible and then beat him to it. This requires nothing more than beating him down and persisting in beating until he cannot or will not get back up. It also requires both the tools and the talent to give that beating.” –from Philologous Lector, “On Defense Policy”

    Well, it beats the lefts rule of diplomacy and defense policy: “Whatever wars are breaking out in the world are the fault of President Bush—somehow.” Anonymous, “The Left-Liberal Political Playbook”

    That's my Wingman!


    Why "It's Our War", Too...

    Bill Kristol, the editor of the Weekly Standard, has an excellent article that really breaks down, Tanker Brothers-style, why the recent conflict in Israel is so crucial to the outlook of the War on Terror.

    Think about it: Israel is fighting the exact same thing that we are - Radical Islamic Fundamentalism. The difference is that they have been fighting it for decades, and the stakes keep getting higher and higher. Hizbollah and Hamas will not stop until the nation of Israel is not only wiped off the map, but each and every citizen is murdered. Their crime? Existence.

    Sound familiar?

    Having researched Islam and the tenets of Islam, one subject continues to to bother me: the eternal struggle between Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Harb. Dar Al-Islam is the House of Islam, what Muslims consider themselves, holy, a force for Allah. Dar Al-Harb, translated into "The House Of War", is where Islamic Fundamentalists place the United States ("The Great Satan") and Israel ("The Little Satan").

    Mohammed, Muhammad, whatever you want to call their prophet, dictated that there were three ways to exist in Islam: Conversion, Subjugation, or Elimination.

    We all know that the United States will never completely convert to Islam (Too many of us Red-Staters, Tanker Brothers admit full guilt), nor will we ever subjugate ourselves to any Muslim Religion (too many Christians and Jews - Tanker Brothers are once again guilty, and proud of it!). So Conversion and Subjugation are out. Guess where that leaves us?

    Yep, targeted for Elimination, smack dab in the Master Bedroom of Dar Al-Harb: the House of War.

    Now, let me get off of my soap-box, and on to Mr. Kristol's article:

    WHY IS THIS ARAB-ISRAELI WAR different from all other Arab-Israeli wars? Because it's not an Arab-Israeli war. Most of Israel's traditional Arab enemies have checked out of the current conflict. The governments of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia are, to say the least, indifferent to the fate of Hamas and Hezbollah. The Palestine Liberation Organization (Fatah) isn't a player. The prime mover behind the terrorist groups who have started this war is a non-Arab state, Iran, which wasn't involved in any of Israel's previous wars.

    What's happening in the Middle East, then, isn't just another chapter in the Arab-Israeli conflict. What's happening is an Islamist-Israeli war. You might even say this is part of the Islamist war on the West--but is India part of the West? Better to say that what's under attack is liberal democratic civilization, whose leading representative right now happens to be the United States.

    An Islamist-Israeli conflict may or may not be more dangerous than the old Arab-Israeli conflict. Secular Arab nationalism was, after all, also capable of posing an existential threat to Israel. And the Islamist threat to liberal democracy may or may not turn out to be as dangerous as the threats posed in the last century by secular forms of irrationalism (fascism) and illiberalism (communism). But it is a new and different threat. One needs to keep this in mind when trying to draw useful lessons from our successes, and failures, in dealing with the threats of the 20th century.

    Here, however, is one lesson that does seem to hold: States matter. Regimes matter. Ideological movements become more dangerous when they become governing regimes of major nations. Communism became really dangerous when it seized control of Russia. National socialism became really dangerous when it seized control of Germany. Islamism became really dangerous when it seized control of Iran--which then became, as it has been for the last 27 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran.


    Think about it: the real threat from Radical Islamic Fundamentalism started, oh, right about the time of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, didn't it? Before that, Islam was a backwater religion that was antiquated, at best (and judging off of the subjugation of women and the beheading, among other things: I think it's safe to say it still is.)

    Now, recent reports are that Iranian Revolutionary Guards are actually assisting Hizbollah in recent rocket attacks on Israeli Warships and innocent Israeli Civilians. Coincidence?

    I may just have a 31 GT score, but I sure ain't stupid.

    Kristol continues:

    No Islamic Republic of Iran, no Hezbollah. No Islamic Republic of Iran, no one to prop up the Assad regime in Syria. No Iranian support for Syria (a secular government that has its own reasons for needing Iranian help and for supporting Hezbollah and Hamas), little state sponsorship of Hamas and Hezbollah. And no Shiite Iranian revolution, far less of an impetus for the Saudis to finance the export of the Wahhabi version of Sunni Islam as a competitor to Khomeini's claim for leadership of militant Islam--and thus no Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and perhaps no Hamas either.

    It's of course true that Hamas--an arm of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood--is at odds ideologically with Shia Iran, and that Shia and Sunni seem inclined to dislike, even slaughter, each other elsewhere in the Middle East. But temporary alliances of convenience are no less dangerous because they are temporary. Tell the Poles of 1939, and the French of 1940, that they really had little to worry about because the Nazi-Soviet pact was bound to fall apart.

    The war against radical Islamism is likely to be a long one. Radical Islamism isn't going away anytime soon. But it will make a big difference how strong the state sponsors, harborers, and financiers of radical Islamism are. Thus, our focus should be less on Hamas and Hezbollah, and more on their paymasters and real commanders--Syria and Iran. And our focus should be not only on the regional war in the Middle East, but also on the global struggle against radical Islamism.

    For while Syria and Iran are enemies of Israel, they are also enemies of the United States. We have done a poor job of standing up to them and weakening them. They are now testing us more boldly than one would have thought possible a few years ago. Weakness is provocative. We have been too weak, and have allowed ourselves to be perceived as weak.

    The right response is renewed strength--in supporting the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan, in standing with Israel, and in pursuing regime change in Syria and Iran. For that matter, we might consider countering this act of Iranian aggression with a military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. Why wait? Does anyone think a nuclear Iran can be contained? That the current regime will negotiate in good faith? It would be easier to act sooner rather than later. Yes, there would be repercussions--and they would be healthy ones, showing a strong America that has rejected further appeasement.

    But such a military strike would take a while to organize. In the meantime, perhaps President Bush can fly from the silly G8 summit in St. Petersburg--a summit that will most likely convey a message of moral confusion and political indecision--to Jerusalem, the capital of a nation that stands with us, and is willing to fight with us, against our common enemies. This is our war, too.


    Now, while it's true that regime change in Syria and Iran would go a long way towards peace in the region, it wouldn't completely solve all our problems. Radical Islamic Fundamentalism has to be fought where it starts: in the minds of the children studying at Madrasas (Islamic Schools); on the impoverished streets of Palestine, Pakistan, Beirut, Damascas, Tehran, and a host of other destitute urban areas in the Islamic world, where the ignorant are too eager to place the blame of their circumstances not on the corrupt leaders that live a life of luxury while their people starve, but place blame instead on "The Christian Crusaders", because their leaders tell them to.

    How do we combat Radical Islamic Fundamentalism? We show them that the United States isn't the bad guy. But we can't be the ones that tell them. The testimony must come from the Iraqi people; who we are bleeding, sweating, and crying right along with in our efforts to help them build a strong Democracy in the region. The testimony must come from the Kurds, who we shielded and protected in the decade-plus after the First Gulf War. The testimony must come from the Egyptians, after the billions of dollars we have dumped into the economy to help them improve their standards of living. The testimony must come from the Indonesian Muslims, who benefited from our massive aid in their darkest hour. The testimony must even come from the rural Iranians, who have seen billions of dollars of aid in the aftermath of earthquake after earthquake. The testimony must come from the Muslim world, not the Western one.

    Word needs to get out, Tanker Brothers and Sisters. But it can't come from us.

    Rolling Victory Fast: Chris Tanner's Turn!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Chris Tanner (17 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Donna (18 July 2006)


    Haven't been getting AARs, Tanker Brothers and Sisters!

    Once you complete your fast, please shoot us an email (the next morning) and let us know you're still with us!

    The Official Tanker Brothers Logo Tee Shirt

    Melinda's still working out the Rolling Victory Fast Tee Shirts, proceeds going to Soldiers' Angels.

    Cav Tanker and I decided to come up with an official Tanker Brothers tee shirt, too, to kind of test out the waters and see if there was any sort of demand. Clicking on the graphic will bring up the Cafe Press site.

    Also, I really like our new logo, and I'll be working on integrating it into the Banner within the next few days.

    What do y'all think? Like the new logo? Hate it? Want to suggest something different?

    Sunday, July 16, 2006

    "Keeps Rolling Along..."

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Concrete Bob @ Protest Warrior DC (16 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Chris Tanner (17 July 2006)



    Please remember, if you would like a link to your blog/web page when I make the daily post every morning, please send me an email with the URL to Dragon.Master.GunnerATgmailDOTcom

    Saturday, July 15, 2006

    Baby C Tempts Tanker Dad with Biscotti: Tanker Dad Holds Firm!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Gunn Nutt (14 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Dad (15 July 2006)


    In an obvious test of Tanker Dad's will, Baby C waved a biscotti in from of Tanker Dad's nose for a full five minutes. I am happy to report to you that Tanker Dad did not, even for a second, lose his composure. He held firm and explained to Baby C that he wasn't eating today because he was supporting the Tanker Brothers Rolling Victory Fast.


    If that isn't commitment, I sure as heck don't know what is...

    Baby C is a hard little kid to say "no" to.

    Hate To Keep Harping On This, But...

    If you haven't taken the opportunity yet, please click the "Sign Our Battle Roster" graphic under the Tanker Brothers banner and sign our guestbook. We appreciate you visiting our Blog!

    Master Gunner: No Jack Nicklaus!


    But it was for a good cause, so I played in a Golf Scramble yesterday.

    Let me be the first one to tell you, Golf really isn't "my thing", but I had FUN! After a six pack of Corona and some fun team mates, we actually shot a "middle of the road" 79.

    Not too bad, I guess there were worse golfers out there than us!

    (Please, no critiques of my horrible form. I was self-conscious as it is, already, so y'all would surely shatter my fragile self-image, LOL!)

    [@Gunn Nutt: And yeah, that IS a Corona baseball cap I'm wearing. Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, I wear my Brew on my head, LOL!]

    [Edit2: Do you think I should charge Corona some kind of Sponsorhip fee? LOL!]

    Friday, July 14, 2006

    Tanker Dad Starts His Fast; Concrete Bob Is On Deck!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Dad (15 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Concrete Bob (16 July 2006)


    Here's to Tanker Dad!

    Keep us posted, Pops!

    "Not everyone in Palestine, Iran or Syria is a terrorist..."

    As y'all know, I frequent several forums in the interest of 1) making myself smarter and more informed, and 2) trying to change the minds of some people who just plain don't know better!

    Today, one of the big discussions in one of the forums I belong to was the fighting in Israel/Lebanon. For your amusement, I'll reprint some of the more interesting comments:

    1)
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by XXXXX
    I think the greater problem is trying to force a nation into doing something that is none of your bussiness. Meaning that the world is trying to force Israel to bow to their wishes..
    Well, the same was done by the UN 1947 by dividing Palestine, as (xxxxx) I just want to state, too, that Israel has the right to exist where it is to prevent misunderstandings here, but the land was created (probably I should say recreated) and with it a lot of conflicts with the surounding arab states. Sadly peaceful coexistence still seems to be impossible and every western and eastern country once in a while seems to interfere with politics in the middle east with a different approach to get an advantage in the area and to either try to balance powers (e.g. Iraq vs. Iran 1980) or trying to stabilize the area with peace negotiations and so forth. All of course with the goal to somehow bring stability to that area... and all yet sadly unsuccessful....
    Quote:
    It surprised me that Europe sends millions of Euro to the Palestines for "humanitary" support and the money went to accounts to France. Do they care? I doubt it, since they still do it.
    I think they do and will try to diffuse the situation by holding it back to get some diplomatic pressure. Giving aid and negotiate is one of the approaches to try to achieve peace, it works sometimes, sometimes it doesn't - it's kind of "Zuckerbrot und Peitsche". Just to give another example where it did not work: North Korea, the US gave billions in aid and it didn't do anything good in this particular case.
    Quote:
    My solidary is with Israel.
    Mine, too, I hope the conflict is over soon and wont escalate.

    To which I, of course, replied with:

    2)

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by XXXXX
    Well, the same was done by the UN 1947 by dividing Palestine, as jimbomatic I just want to state, too, that Israel has the right to exist where it is to prevent misunderstandings here, but the land was created (probably I should say recreated) and with it a lot of conflicts with the surounding arab states.

    Not entirely true. Israel was created out of the western wastelands of what was once Transjordan. Most of the land that belings to Israeli Citizens was BOUGHT from Palestinians. Only after the Israelis introduced irrigation did the land become fertile and productive. Now the Palestinians want their "stolen" land back.

    Also remember (as I said before), that Jews have lived in that area for at least 2000 years, and even longer. So there was no real "displacement" of the Palestinians. Don't fall into the media trap.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by XXXXX
    Sadly peaceful coexistence still seems to be impossible and every western and eastern country once in a while seems to interfere with politics in the middle east with a different approach to get an advantage in the area and to either try to balance powers (e.g. Iraq vs. Iran 1980) or trying to stabilize the area with peace negotiations and so forth. All of course with the goal to somehow bring stability to that area... and all yet sadly unsuccessful....

    Also not entirely true. Peace for the vast majority of the West (with the possible exception of the US and Great Britain is always "Israel, give the Palestinians more land". I find it interesting that there are only TWO countries in the world that go into your country, kick your butt, and then RETURN your land to you in better shape than it was before: Israel and the United States.

    I think the world should just step back and let Israel do what it thinks is right in order to defend itself. I'm actually suprised that Israel gave back as much land as it did. Without the high ground in the Golan, for example, Israel is almost indefensible from artillery.

    As I have pointed out before, Israel will NEVER get a fair shake from the UN: evidenced by the number of UN resolutions passed AGAINsT Israel in the last 60 years. So I say we should get rid of the UN completely. Name ONE GOAL that the UN has accomplished since its creation: we still have wars, we still have hunger, we still have unrest in the Middle East, we still have third-world countries, etc... All they have accomplished is an increased corruption, but by virtue of being "The UN", it is completely legitimized. Another thing the UN has done: made every tin pot dictator of any beligerent country on the same level as SuperPowers like the US and... well, like the US. (I forgot, we're the best, last, and only SuperPower).

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by XXXXX
    I think they do and will try to diffuse the situation by holding it back to get some diplomatic pressure. Giving aid and negotiate is one of the approaches to try to achieve peace, it works sometimes, sometimes it doesn't - it's kind of "Zuckerbrot und Peitsche". Just to give another example where it did not work: North Korea, the US gave billions in aid and it didn't do anything good in this particular case.

    Mine, too, I hope the conflict is over soon and wont escalate.

    "Diplomatic Pressure" is a joke: the UN and the EU's definition of "Diplomatic Pressure" is defined by one word: Appeasement.

    It never works.

    The best thing the US ever did was impose sanctions on the Hamas Government of Palestine. Guess what happened? They started to choke. Then the crybabies (I won't mention who) started crying about the "poor women and children" in Palestine.

    Oh, frickin' well.

    Lesson: don't elect and follow terrorist thugs to run your country, and maybe you can get some help from "Uncle Sugar". Otherwise, starve, for all I care.

    Because after all the terrorist suicide bombers and homicide bombers that come from Palestine, IMHO, they all get what comes to them for electing a government like that.

    I have no pity for Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, or Syria.

    They made their beds, let them lie in them now.

    Doesn't that make sense? I mean, seriously, the first quote I posted to you sounds an awful like an apologist for the Bad Guys, doesn't it? I mean, without coming right out and saying it? You should have seen one of the responses:

    3)
    I understand you saying that you have no pity for Hamas or Hizbollah, but saying that for countries is just wrong. Not everyone in Palestine, Iran or Syria is a terrorist.


    Which was right about the time my frustration came to a boil:

    4)
    Very true.

    However, the people of Palestine, Syria, and Iran have "elected" (if you care to call it that) these terrorist regimes into power. The people of Palestine, Syria, and Iran support these mad regimes in their quest for power (and the case of Iran, to bring about the Last Caliphate - a Muslim doomsday prophecy).

    These people must not be very intelligent: they see how corrupt and crooked their governments are (as in the case of Palestine), how their government keeps them impoverished and destitute, yet where is the uprising? Where are the dissidents?

    They are cowards with no moral courage, cowards who are more driven by their hatred of Jews than by a sincere desire to make their lives better for themselves and their families.

    Ignorance is one thing, but plain stupidity garners no pity from me, sorry.

    So what do YOU think, Tanker Brothers and Sisters? Should Israel bring it back down a notch? Or should they go in like the Hammer of God, bringing their wrath and pain to the enemy until they get their boys back?

    Tanker Brothers and Sisters: if I ever get captured while I am back in Iraq, the US Army had better bring the pain to get me back.

    Day Six: Gunn Nutt!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Gunn Nutt (14 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Dad (15 July 2006)


    Here's to Gunn Nutt!

    Keep us posted, Buddy! We expect an After-Action Review after you have secured the objective!

    Thursday, July 13, 2006

    This Makes Me Sick!

    (To watch the video, it will ask you to enter your email address and Zip code. Don't. I typed in Screw_You_Democrats@FU.com and 10002 and it worked just fine. :-)

    But, thankfully, you don't have to watch the whole thing:


    If you look, within the first 30 seconds, you will see something that will cause Tanker Brothers and Sisters blood to boil: Democrats propagandizing our fallen comrades in the War on Terror, their flag-draped coffins strapped to the floor of a military transport aircraft.

    How dare they!

    If there was EVER a chance I would EVER vote for a Democrat (and there never was)...

    ...it's gone.

    Why Israelis Are Such Great Fighters

    Because they don't have a choice but to win...



    A short history of the UN and Israel:

    Of the 175 United Nations Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel. Of the 690 General Assembly resolutions voted on before 1990, 429 were directed against Israel. The U.N. was silent while 58 Jerusalem synagogues were destroyed by the Jordanians. The U.N. was silent while the Jordanians destroyed 58 Jerusalem Synagogues and systematically desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. The U.N. was silent while the Jordanians prevented Jews from visiting the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.

    This anti-Israel stance of the UN is a natural consequence of its membership structure. 21 members of the UN are Arab countries, and 52 members represent Islamic countries. Since the Arab Israeli conflict is represented as a religious conflict (see article) Israel as the only Jewish state has no chance for a fair hearing in the UN.

    Related articles



    Source: HERE

    Tanker Mom Update!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Mom (13 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Gunn Nutt (14 July 2006)


    Just spoke to Tanker Mom, and with 23 hours down in her leg of the Rolling Victory Fast, everything is good to go!

    As a matter of fact, Tanker Mom even called Cindy Sheehan a "punk"! Tanker Mom said she did it on straight water in the South Texas weather, and that Crazy Cindy Sheehan was a "wussy" for her "ice cream and protein juicy juice".

    Tanker Mom: "HOOAH!"

    War In The Middle East!

    I know this post is a little late, but I wanted to be very careful about what my position is on the recent war in Israel against Hezbollah.

    I have nothing but the deepest respect and regards for the nation of Israel. After spending a year in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I have experienced the frustrations that the Israeli Army must go through on a day-to-day basis.


    Imagine a game where the odds are stacked overwhelmingly against you: your enemy wears no uniform, is too cowardly to attack you face-to-face, and yet targets innocent women and children that want nothing more than to live thier lives in peace. Your enemy is not bound by decency or the accepted Rules of Land Warfare. Your enemy hates you for no other reason than the fact that 1) you believe in a different God than he does, 2) you have something that he foolishly squandered and sold to you at exhorbiant prices - and now he wants back what you have turned into something great and productive, and 3) his leadership is so crooked and greedy, that they have wasted the good will of the world in general - yet still enjoy millions and millions of dollars that disappear.

    That's what the Israeli Army has to go through.

    Here are some myths I would like to dispel up front:

    1. Israelis never invaded and occupied anything or anywhere. Jews have ALWAYS lived in what is now Israel/Palestine since the beginning of time. The difference is that now, instead of living and existing under someone else's flag, they exist under their own.

    2. The land that the Palestinians claim is theirs was wasteland sixty years ago. They shrewdly sold this land to many Israeli families at prices that were much higher than the land was worth. The Israelis, through hard work and irrigation and cultivation, have turned a wasteland into a productive area. The standard of living in Israel is much, much higher than in the Palestinian Authority.

    3. The Palestinians are a victim of a problem from their own creation. How do you explain that billions and billions of dollars from all over the world would constantly pour into the Palestinian Authority, yet many Palestinian homes in Palestine still have no running water or electricity?

    4. The Palestinian refugee problem is the biggest joke in the Middle East: why would countries sympathetic to the "Plight of the Palestinian People" still force them to live in refugee camps? Wouldn't you think that the Syrians, the Lebanese, and the Jordanians would embrace their Muslim brothers and help them get on ther own feet by integrating them into their respective societies? The honest truth is that the Palestinian Refugees are there for one reason and one reason only: to provide a "face" to the "menace of Israel". The plain truth is that they exist for the sole purpose of justifying the Anti-Semitism against the Israeli People.

    I think the Israelis finally reached the end of their rope and said "enough is enough".

    And you can take THAT to the motor pool.

    READ:

    Israel Intensifies Attacks Against Lebanon...
    Olmert orders more strikes...
    Has not ruled out sending in ground forces...
    Hizbullah TV station shows new rocket group says will hit 'strongholds of Zionist enemy'...

    H/T to the Drudge Report

    Moving On To Day Five: We Keep Rolling Along!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Mom (13 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Gunn Nutt (14 July 2006)

    Wednesday, July 12, 2006

    And This Idiot Could Have Been President...

    I know it's an old story, but it still boils my blood. Is John Kerry so incredibly "in the dark" about the nature of the War on Terror that he can actually make statements like this?

    But there is no excuse three and a half years later for American troops to be driving by IED's and getting blown up. Are you telling me that they can’t drive a truck?

    Y'know...

    I'm actually speechless on this one.

    H/T to Tony R's Blog.

    Let's Get One Thing Straight...

    You can never, ever trust a terrorist bastard.

    Seems that the Terrorist Council in Iraq has published a statement that the murder and mutilation of two of our Soldiers was in direct retaliation for the rape and murder of a female Iraqi in the immediate area.

    BAGHDAD, Iraq - An al-Qaida-linked group claims it killed three U.S. Soldiers last month and mutilated two of their bodies to avenge the rape-slaying of a young Iraqi woman by troops of the same unit, an institute which monitors extremists Web sites said Tuesday.

    The Mujahedeen Shura Council made the claim in a 4:39 minute video posted on the Internet which included the mutilated bodies of two of the Soldiers attacked June 16 near Youssifiyah southwest of Baghdad, according to a statement by the SITE Institute. Their remains were found three days later.

    The institute released still pictures from the video showing two of the American dead, one of whom had been decapitated.

    According to the institute, the statement by the insurgent group said the video was released as "revenge for our sister who was dishonored by a Soldier of the same brigade."


    #1: They didn't kill our Soldiers in retaliation for anything. They killed our Soldiers, they MUTILATED our Soldiers, because they hate you. They hate you, me, anything that isn't faithful to their twisted vision of a new Caliphate. They want to bring about what they think is the end of the world, as prophesised by their backwater beliefs.

    #2: Any crimes committed by any of our Soldiers will be prosecuted and punished, but only after investigations are complete and a trial is convened. Terrorist scumbags and the New York Times do not have the power to pass judgement or convict and execute ANYONE. They are not recognized by anyone as having any judicial powers whatsoever. Remember that.

    #3: Notice these scumbags only put this video out AFTER the left-wing media crazies reported that the accused and the victims were from the same Brigade? Am I the only one that finds that too incredibly coincidental? HELLO PEOPLE. The New York Times does the recon work for these thugs! Specifics of military investigations, terrorist tracking programs, eavesdropping programs... sometimes, it seems that the Terrorists get advanced copies of Progressive Movement Talking Points!

    We are in a war where information is king. Bullets kill terrorists, but the real power lies in perceptions and in the info war.

    Whose side is Time, Newsweek, and the New York Times on, anyway?

    Soldiers' Angels


    I know I've mentioned them before, but they do such great work, and they make such a huge positive impact in the morale of Soldiers deployed throughout the world in support of the Global War on Terror, or what is more recently been called "The Long War".

    The Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described "ordinary mother" of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

    In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two.

    Within a few short months, The Soldiers'Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide and growing stronger with the addition of new members daily. With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 c 3 non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible.

    Soldiers' Angels currently supports thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our Country's Flag and the number is growing daily. We also work tirelessly supporting our Wounded Soldiers, with transitional backpacks, personal visits, phone calls, etc. Additionally, we send our thanks via letters and email to the military of Great Britain, Poland and Australia who serve by our soldiers side in Iraq.

    Soldiers' Angels are dedicated to ensuring that our military know they are loved and supported during and after their deployment into harms way.

    Our very special Tanker Sister (C'mon, all y'all Tanker Sisters out there are special to us), Tanker Angel, is a huge advocate of this awesome program. I wouldn't be doing my job as the editor of this Blog if I didn't help get the word out.

    Wanna know how you can help? Visit their site! Also, coming soon, we will be selling Rolling Victory Fast Tee Shirts, with 100% of the profits going to the Soldiers' Angels!

    Don't Worry..He's Okay!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Debbie at Right Truth (12 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Mom (13 July 2006)



    Man, I'm gonna be honest: I thought my Wingman SFC Mac starved to death during his grueling 24-Hour Rolling Victory Fast.

    I mean, let's be honest, if Crazy Cindy and Saddam Hussein can't even make it 24 hours, it must be REALLY hard. (Though admittedly, I didn't have a huge problem, y'know with my brewski nourishment.)


    But, sick with worry, I called my Wingman, and he's doing A-OK! Seems that he closed on his Condo (Congrats, buddy!), and spent his whole fasting day moving his stuff from one place to the other.

    We all know what that means: moving=no internet.

    So don't worry, Tanker Brothers and Sisters: SFC Mac made it with no discomfort!

    (And if I may quote him, "Dude, I could do this sh1t for a week!")

    Quickest Way To Solve Detainee Abuse Problem?

    Ralph Peters has an excellent article up at the New York Post Online Edition.

    Violent Islamist extremists must be killed on the battlefield. Only in the rarest cases should they be taken prisoner. Few have serious intelligence value. And, once captured, there's no way to dispose of them.

    Killing terrorists during a conflict isn't barbaric or immoral - or even illegal. We've imposed rules upon ourselves that have no historical or judicial precedent. We haven't been stymied by others, but by ourselves.

    The oft-cited, seldom-read Geneva and Hague Conventions define legal combatants as those who visibly identify themselves by wearing uniforms or distinguishing insignia (the latter provision covers honorable partisans - but no badges or armbands, no protection). Those who wear civilian clothes to ambush soldiers or collect intelligence are assassins and spies - beyond the pale of law.

    Traditionally, those who masquerade as civilians in order to kill legal combatants have been executed promptly, without trial. Severity, not sloppy leftist pandering, kept warfare within some decent bounds at least part of the time. But we have reached a point at which the rules apply only to us, while our enemies are permitted unrestricted freedom.

    The present situation encourages our enemies to behave wantonly, while crippling our attempts to deal with terror.

    Consider today's norm: A terrorist in civilian clothes can explode an IED, killing and maiming American troops or innocent civilians, then demand humane treatment if captured - and the media will step in as his champion. A disguised insurgent can shoot his rockets, throw his grenades, empty his magazines, kill and wound our troops, then, out of ammo, raise his hands and demand three hots and a cot while he invents tales of abuse.

    Conferring unprecedented legal status upon these murderous transnational outlaws is unnecessary, unwise and ultimately suicidal. It exalts monsters. And it provides the anti-American pack with living vermin to anoint as victims, if not heroes.

    Isn't it time we gave our critics what they're asking for? Let's solve the "unjust" imprisonment problem, once and for all. No more Guantanamos! Every terrorist mission should be a suicide mission. With our help.


    Sounds great, doesn't it? Peters continues by elaborating on the common sense of such a proposal, and by pointing out the folly of our "touchy-feely" political correctness and it's impact on our ability to take the fight to the enemy in the Long War:

    We need to clarify the rules of conflict. But integrity and courage have fled Washington. Nobody will state bluntly that we're in a fight for our lives, that war is hell, and that we must do what it takes to win.

    Our enemies will remind us of what's necessary, though. When we've been punished horribly enough, we'll come to our senses and do what must be done.

    This isn't an argument for a murderous rampage, but its opposite. We must kill our enemies with discrimination. But we do need to kill them. A corpse is a corpse: The media's rage dissipates with the stench. But an imprisoned terrorist is a strategic liability.

    Nor should we ever mistreat captured soldiers or insurgents who adhere to standing conventions. On the contrary, we should enforce policies that encourage our enemies to identify themselves according to the laws of war. Ambiguity works to their advantage, never to ours.

    Our policy toward terrorists and insurgents in civilian clothing should be straightforward and public: Surrender before firing a shot or taking hostile action toward our troops, and we'll regard you as a legal prisoner. But once you've pulled a trigger, thrown a grenade or detonated a bomb, you will be killed. On the battlefield and on the spot.

    Isn't that common sense? It also happens to conform to the traditional conduct of war between civilized nations. Ignorant of history, we've talked ourselves into folly.

    And by the way: How have the terrorists treated the uniformed American soldiers they've captured? According to the Geneva Convention?

    Sadly, even our military has been infected by political correctness. Some of my former peers will wring their hands and babble about "winning hearts and minds." But we'll never win the hearts and minds of terrorists. And if we hope to win the minds, if not the hearts, of foreign populations, we must be willing to kill the violent, lawless fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population determined to terrorize the rest.

    Ravaged societies crave and need strict order. Soft policies may appear to work in the short term, but they fail overwhelmingly in the longer term. Wherever we've tried sweetness and light in Iraq, it has only worked as long as our troops were present - after which the terrorists returned and slaughtered the beneficiaries of our good intentions. If you wish to defend the many, you must be willing to kill the few.

    For now, we're stuck with a situation in which the hardcore terrorists in Guantanamo are "innocent victims" even to our fair-weather allies. In Iraq, our troops capture bomb-makers only to learn they've been dumped back on the block.

    It is not humane to spare fanatical murderers. It is not humane to play into our enemy's hands. And it is not humane to endanger our troops out of political correctness.

    Instead of worrying over trumped-up atrocities in Iraq (the media give credence to any claim made by terrorists), we should stop apologizing and take a stand. That means firm rules for the battlefield, not Gumby-speak intended to please critics who'll never be satisfied by anything America does.

    The ultimate act of humanity in the War on Terror is to win. To do so, we must kill our enemies wherever we encounter them. He who commits an act of terror forfeits every right he once possessed.


    What do you think, Tanker Brothers and Sisters? Do you think that:

    1. "Take No Prisoners" would undermine the moral authority we have in the Long War?
    2. Do you think the policy would strengthen the view of Time Magazine that the "Bush Diplomacy" era is over?
    3. Would you support such a stance if it meant fighting a more effective War on Terror, and secure a quicker victory?

    We really want to know how you feel about this!

    Update: Day 4 Of The Tanker Brothers Rolling Victory Fast!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Debbie at Right Truth (12 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Tanker Mom (13 July 2006)

    Tuesday, July 11, 2006

    Cav Tanker: Out Of The Net


    Cav Tanker will be out of the net for the next two weeks so he can go into the Fort Hood training area and kill him some "Plywoodians"!

    (In other words, he's going to Gunnery).

    Good luck, little bro!

    Question:

    Would y'all be interested in Rolling Victory Fast Tee Shirts?

    Proceeds to benefit Soldiers' Angels.

    Leave your thoughts in the Comments section.

    What Code Pink REALLY Thinks Of Soldiers In The Long War!


    GunnNut has a kickass post pointing back to the Rolling Victory Fast, and giving a pretty good description at just how the Code Pinkos "Support The Troops".

    Read it HERE.

    Thanks to Semper Gratus for the info.

    As seen at: Contact Right!

    Tanker Brothers favorite quote of the day:

    A few of you have asked what has upset me lately... well this is it. These Pinkos say that they "Support the Troops." I wouldn't let this pinko support my balls with his chin.

    -SGT Allen

    Fun Facts On "The Religion Of Peace"!

    Just joined a new forum down at Mightyrighty.com!

    One of the discussions revolves around one of my favorite Political Authors, Bernard Lewis (he wrote "The Crisis Of Islam", probably the best book you can read if you want any insight into exactly WHY we are fighting in the Middle East). Dr. Lewis is world-renowned expert on the Middle East and Islam. You can find a bio HERE.

    On to the Facts:

    Bernard Lewis: Window on Islam

    Dr. Lewis recently appeared at the Pew Forum in Washington, D.C., where he answered questions about the situation in Iraq, the prospects for democracy in the Muslim world and other vital topics. Here are edited excerpts of his presentation:
    • In the Islamic world, from the beginning, Islam was the primary basis of both identity and loyalty. We think of a nation subdivided into religions. They think, rather, of a religion subdivided into nations.
    • 1940 -The high commissioner of the French-mandated territory of Syria-Lebanon chose Vichy, so Syria-Lebanon was wide open to the Nazis, and they moved in on a large scale – not with troops, but with propaganda of every kind.
    • It was then that the roots of Ba'athism were laid and the first organizations were formed, which ultimately developed into the Ba'ath Party. It was then that the Nazi style of ideology and government became known, eagerly embraced simply because it was anti-Western rather than because of inherent attraction.
    • Wahhabism is about as central to Islam as, shall we say, the Ku Klux Klan to Christianity. It originated in Najd, what is now part of Saudi Arabia, in the 18th century.
    • The Wahhabi menace is particularly strong among the Muslim communities in Europe and America.
    The Pew Forum

    Event Transcript
    Islam and the West: A Conversation with Bernard Lewis
    Thursday, April 27, 2006
    Hay-Adams Hotel
    Washington, DC

    A very special H/T to Isis (one of the Moderators) at the Mighty Righty forum.

    Poor Cindy Sheehan: No Juicy Juice?

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: SFC McMurtrey (11 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Debbie at Right Truth (12 July 2006)


    My heart bleeds for Crazy Cindy Sheehan and her inability to secure "blended juice drinks" during her crazy fast.

    Awww...

    Troops Home Fast
    Day 6

    Cindy Sheehan

    I find traveling out of the country very challenging being on a fast. When I was on a layover in Madrid on my way to Venice, Italy yesterday, the closest thing I could find to a smoothie to get a little protein was a coffee with vanilla ice cream in it. Traveling for 22 hours is very taxing under normal circumstances--but then again, when have we had normal circumstances since the 2000 and 2004 successful coup attempts that have brought BushCo into power?

    I traveled from Venice to the frontier of Italy to the province of Udine which is right at the foot of the pre-Alps. I am here for a huge youth festival which includes many elements of social justice and peace work. It is beautiful and the air feels different from other places that I have travelled. It is strangely soft and gentle as is the natural light. However, there is not a Jamba Juice on every corner, so blended juice drinks with protein powder are impossible to find.

    I have also received so many emails from worried, wonderful, and well-meaning friends and supporters in the US who are concerned about me and all of the others who are fasting. I don't like being on this fast, trust me, but 3 Marines were killed in Iraq today---3 unsuspecting families are about to head into a tailspin of senseless grief and we won't ever get an accurate count of the Iraqis who were killed today. It is going to be 112 degrees in Baghdad tomorrow. The occupiers and the occupied are suffering terribly.

    It is important to keep our focus on saving the people of Iraq and our soldiers.

    It is important to keep our focus on ending the war crime in Iraq.

    The Troops Home Fast is a moral response to an immoral act. We can, and must be, morally strong so we can feast on the day that the last troop is brought home from the war crime in Iraq.

    Then our focus can change to holding BushCo responsible for the war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace and focus on never allowing this to happen again.

    Come to Camp Casey.
    August 16 to September 2nd


    Excuse me while I go throw up. She said , "I don't like being on this fast, trust me"...? Well trust ME, Crazy Cindy: I'm HONORED to be on MY fast, with my Tanker Brothers and Sisters right there with me!

    Shoot. You know where THIS Master Gunner got his nourishment!

    H/T to the Soldiers Angels!

    Protest Warrior: East Texas Pro-Victory Fest!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: SFC McMurtrey (11 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Debbie at Right Truth (12 July 2006)


    If you happen to be from Houston, or from the Houston area, Protest Warrior East Texas HQ is having a Pro-Victory Blowout!


    I have already submitted a mission request, but I want to give everyone a head's up. We are holding a rally to support the troops on Saturday, July 29 at 2:00pm. The event will take place at Jack's Road House across the road from Ellington Field. The website is Jacks Roadhouse. As of right now, we are looking for speakers, and those who can help decorate banners and the like. I am hoping to do an almost open forum so that as many people can voice support for the troops as possible. We are also looking for anyone who might be a DJ or know a DJ or someone who can provide music for the event. I will provide periodic updates as information becomes available. But right now, tell everyone you know and let's get a good crowd. Please call or email me if you would like to speak or can provide another service. Also please call or email any suggestions you might have.

    -Julie

    You can bet your bottom dollar that the Tanker Brothers will be there! I already RSVP'd, and Cav Tanker is on board to be there with me! C'mon out so we can shake ands and shoot the breeze! You can even meet Baby Tanker and Tanker Wife!

    Shoot me an email if you would like to come, and I will forward it to Julie. I don't want to publish her email address for the Anti-War crazies to spam her. True Tanker Brothers and Sisters have my email already (or know where to look - hint: the left side of this page).

    Lookin' Forward to seeing you there!

    Aunt Meli On Point For The Tanker Brothers!

    Link To Original Post: Here
    Link To Comments Section of Post (to sign up for a day): Here
    Current Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: SFC McMurtrey (11 July 2006)
    Next Rolling Victory Fast 2006 Participant: Debbie at Right Truth (12 July 2006)

    Just got this email from my Dear Aunt Meli:

    Hey, Guy asked me to send you a copy of an article in our newspaper regarding the marine who was photographed handing out candy to kids in Iraq. He was featured in the Michael Moore’s anti-war documentary, “Fahrenheit 9/11, and was killed on June 26th. His father says he was misled and believed he was being filmed for a documentary for the Discovery Channel. (Moore’s office didn’t return calls or e-mail messages for comment on the article.) Here’s the article:

    Marine ‘gung-ho’ until death…Plouhar featured in ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ documentary

    Lake Orion, Mich…(AP) He was a stern-faced sniper – and a soft-hearted Marine who handed out candy to kids in Iraq. He was also featured in Michael Moore’s anti-war documentary, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” portrayed as an overzealous recruiter who targeted poor kids.

    Staff Sgt. Raymond Plouhar died in Iraq in late June. He was a Marine for 10 of his 30 years.

    “He told me lots of times that he learned what could be accomplished…if you put your heart and soul in it – and he put his heart and soul in the marine Corps,” said his father, also named Raymond. “He was gung-ho from the time he signed his name until the day he died.’

    Plouhar was killed on June 26 by a roadside bomb in Anbar province in his second tour of duty in Iraq.

    He entered the Corps straight out of high school, was trained as a sniper and traveled the world. Plouhar stepped back from active duty for four years and worked as a recruiter in Flint so he could donate a kidney to his uncle.

    It was as a recruiter that he was seen in Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.” The segment shows Plouhar and another Marine in a mall parking lot in Flint; it suggests the two were hunting for poor teens to sign up.

    Plouhar’s father said his son told him he had been misled and believed he was being filmed for a documentary for the Discovery Channel. (Moore’s office didn’t return calls or e-mail message for comment.”

    “He cried when he found out what it really was. He never dreamed that it was going to be something to slam the country, which he dearly loved.”


    Read more about Staff Sgt. Raymond Plouhar HERE.

    I wonder if Michael Frickin' Moore ever apologized....

    This War Is For REAL!

    This is a long very post, but it is an excellent article written by the Former Commander of Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

    I thought the article was inspiring, and I wanted to share with my Tanker Brothers and Sisters.

    This WAR is for REAL!

    Dr. Vernon Chong
    Major General, USAF (Ret)
    Tuesday, July 12, 2005

    To get out of a difficulty, one usually must go through it. Our country is now facing the most serious threat to its existence as we know it that we have faced in your lifetime and mine, and that includes WWII!

    The deadly seriousness is greatly compounded by the fact that there are very few of us who think we can possibly lose this war and even fewer who realize what losing really means.

    First, let's examine a few basics:

    1. When did the threat to us start?
    Many will say September 11, 2001. The answer (as far as the United State is concerned) is 1979, 22 years prior to September 2001, and includes the following attacks on us:

    * Iran Embassy Hostages, 1979;
    * Beirut, Lebanon Embassy 1983;
    * Beirut, Lebanon Marine Barracks 1983;
    * Lockerbie, Scotland Pan-Am flight to New York 1988;
    * First New York World Trade Center attack 1993;
    * Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Khobar Towers Military complex 1996;
    * Nairobi, Kenya US Embassy 1998;
    * Dares Salaam, Tanzania US Embassy 1998;
    * Aden, Yemen USS Cole 2000;
    * New York World Trade Center 2001;
    * Pentagon 2001.
    (Also note that during the period from 1981 to 2001 there were another 7,581 terrorist attacks worldwide).

    2. Why were we attacked?
    Envy of our position, our success, and our freedoms. The attacks happened during the administrations of Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton and Bush 2. We cannot fault either the Republicans or Democrats as there were no provocations by any of the presidents or their immediate predecessors, Presidents Ford or Carter.

    3. Who were the attackers?
    In each case, the attacks on the US were carried out by Muslims.

    4. What is the Muslim population of the World? 25%.

    5. Isn't the Muslim Religion peaceful?
    Hopefully, but that is really not material. There is no doubt that the predominately Christian population of Germany was peaceful, but under the dictatorial leadership of Hitler (who was also Christian), that made no difference. You either went along with the administration or you were eliminated. There were 5 to 6 million Christians killed by the Nazis for political reasons (including 7,000 Polish priests).

    Thus, almost the same number of Christians were killed by the Nazis as the six million Jews during the Holocaust who were killed by them, and we seldom hear of anything other than the Jewish atrocities. Although Hitler kept the world focused on the Jews, he had no hesitancy about killing anyone who got in his way of exterminating the Jews or of taking over the world - German, Christian or any others.

    Same with the Muslim terrorists. They focus the world on the US, but kill all in the way -- their own people or the Spanish, French or anyone else. The point here is that just like the peaceful Germans were of no protection to anyone from the Nazis, no matter how many peaceful Muslims there may be, they are no protection for us from the terrorist Muslim leaders and what they are fanatically bent on doing -- by their own pronouncements -- killing all of us "infidels." I don't blame the peaceful Muslims. What would you do if the choice was shut up or die?

    6. So who are we at war with?
    There is no way we can honestly respond that it is anyone other than the Muslim terrorists. Trying to be politically correct and avoid verbalizing this conclusion can well be fatal. There is no way to win if you don't clearly recognize and articulate who you are fighting. So with that background, return now to the two major questions:

    First, can we lose this war?

    Second, what does losing really mean?

    If we are to win, we must clearly answer these two pivotal questions

    We can definitely lose this war, and as anomalous as it may sound, the major reason we can lose is that so many of us simply do not fathom the answer to the second question, what does losing mean?

    It would appear that a great many of us think that losing the war means hanging our heads, bringing the troops home and going on about our business, like post Vietnam. This is as far from the truth as one can get.

    What losing really means is:

    We would no longer be the premier country in the world. The attacks will not subside, but rather will steadily increase. Remember, they want us dead, not just quiet. If they had just wanted us quiet, they would not have produced an increasing series of attacks against us over the past 18 years. The plan was clearly for terrorists to attack us until we were neutered and submissive to them.

    We would, of course, have no future support from other nations for fear of reprisals and for the reason that they would see we are impotent and cannot help them. They will pick off the other non-Muslim nations, one at a time. It will be increasingly easier for them. They already hold Spain hostage. It doesn't matter whether it was right or wrong for Spain to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Spain did it because the Muslim terrorists bombed their train and told them to withdraw the troops. Anything else they want Spain to do will be done. Spain is finished.

    The next will probably be France. Our one hope on France is that they might see the light and realize that if we don't win, they are finished too, in that they can't resist the Muslim terrorists without us. However, it may already be too late for France. France is already 20% Muslim and fading fast!

    If we lose the war, our production, income, exports and way of life will all vanish as we know it. After losing, who would trade or deal with us if they were threatened by the Muslims. If we can't stop the Muslims, how could anyone else?

    The Muslims fully know what is riding on this war and are therefore completely committed to winning at any cost. We better know it too and be likewise committed to winning at any cost.

    Why do I go on at such lengths about the results of losing? Simple. Until we recognize the costs of losing, we cannot unite and really put 100% of our thoughts and efforts into winning. And it is going to take that 100% effort to win.

    So, how can we lose the war?

    Again, the answer is simple. We can lose the war by "imploding." That is, defeating ourselves by refusing to recognize the enemy and their purpose, and really digging in and lending full support to the war effort. If we are united, there is no way that we can lose. If we continue to be divided, there is no way that we can win!

    Let me give you a few examples of how we simply don't comprehend the life and death seriousness of this situation.

    President Bush selects Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transportation. Although all of the terrorist attacks were committed by Muslim men between 17 and 40 years of age, Secretary Mineta refuses to allow profiling. Does that sound like we are taking this thing seriously? This is war! For the duration, we are going to have to give up some of the civil rights we have become accustomed to. We had better be prepared to lose some of our civil rights temporarily or we will most certainly lose all of them permanently. And don't worry that it is a slippery slope. We gave up plenty of civil rights during WWII, and immediately restored them after the victory and in fact added many more since then.

    Do I blame President Bush or President Clinton before him?

    No, I blame us for blithely assuming we can maintain all of our Political Correctness and all of our civil rights during this conflict and have a clean, lawful, honorable war. None of those words apply to war. Get them out of your head.

    Some have gone so far in their criticism of the war and/or the Administration that it almost seems they would literally like to see us lose. I hasten to add that this isn't because they are disloyal. It is because they just don't recognize what losing means. Nevertheless, that conduct gives the impression to the enemy that we are divided and weakening. It concerns our friends, and it does great damage to our cause.

    Of more recent vintage, the uproar fueled by the politicians and media regarding the treatment of some prisoners of war, perhaps exemplifies best what I am saying. We have had issues involving the treatment of a few Muslim prisoners of war by a small group of our military police. These are the type prisoners who were throwing their own people off buildings, cutting off their hands, cutting out their tongues and otherwise murdering their own people just for disagreeing with Saddam Hussein.

    And just a few years ago these same type prisoners chemically killed 400,000 of their own people for the same reason. They are also the same type of enemy fighters who recently were burning Americans and dragging their charred corpses through the streets of Iraq. And still more recently, the same type of enemy that was and is providing videos to all news sources internationally of the beheading of American prisoners they held.

    Compare this with some of our press and politicians who for months thought and talked about nothing else but the "humiliating" of some Muslim prisoners -- not burning them, not dragging their charred corpses through the streets, not beheading them, but "humiliating" them.

    Can this be for real?

    The politicians and pundits even talked of impeachment of the Secretary of Defense. If this doesn't show the complete lack of comprehension and understanding of the seriousness of the enemy we are fighting, the life and death struggle we are in and the disastrous results of losing this war, nothing can.

    To bring our country to a virtual political standstill over this prisoner issue makes us look like Nero playing his fiddle as Rome burned -- totally oblivious to what is going on in the real world. Neither we, nor any other country, can survive this internal strife. Again I say, this does not mean that some of our politicians or media people are disloyal. It simply means that they are absolutely oblivious to the magnitude of the situation we are in and into which the Muslim terrorists have been pushing us, for many years. Remember, the Muslim terrorists stated goal is to kill all infidels! That translates into ALL non-Muslims -- not just in the United State, but throughout the world.

    We are the last bastion of defense.

    We have been criticized for many years as being 'arrogant.' That charge is valid in at least one respect. We are arrogant in that we believe that we are so good, powerful and smart that we can win the hearts and minds of all those who attack us and that with both hands tied behind our back, we can defeat anything bad in the world!

    We can't!

    If we don't recognize this, our nation as we know it will not survive, and no other free country in the world will survive if we are defeated.

    And finally, name any Muslim countries throughout the world that allow freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, equal rights for anyone -- let alone everyone, equal status or any status for women, or that have been productive in one single way that contributes to the good of the world.

    This has been a long way of saying that we must be united on this war or we will be equated in the history books to the self-inflicted fall of the Roman Empire…if, that is, the Muslim leaders will allow history books to be written or read.

    If we don't win this war now, keep a close eye on how the Muslims take over France in the next 5 years or less. They will continue to increase the Muslim population of France and continue to encroach little by little on the established French traditions. The French will be fighting among themselves over what should or should not be done, which will continue to weaken them and keep them from any united resolve. Doesn't that sound eerily familiar?

    Democracies don't have their freedoms taken away from them by some external military force. Instead, they give their freedoms away, politically correct piece by politically correct piece. And they are giving those freedoms away to those who have shown worldwide that they abhor freedom and will not apply it to you or even to themselves once they are in power.

    They have universally shown that when they have taken over, they then start brutally killing each other over who will be the few who control the masses. Will we ever stop hearing from the politically correct, about the "peaceful Muslims"?

    I close on a hopeful note, by repeating what I said above. If we are united, there is no way that we can lose. I hope the factions in our country will begin to focus on the critical situation we are in, and will unite to save our country. It is your future we are talking about! We must do whatever we can to preserve it not only for ourselves, but our children, our grandchildren, our country and the world.

    Doesn't that put it all in perspective?

    I know it was a very long essay, but I am interested in y'all's thoughts on the subject: do you agree with MG (Dr.) Chong?

    I know I sure as heck do.

    [Update: someone pointed out the MG Chong didn't write the actual article, but instead came across it and forwarded it to everyone he knew. Here's the link. The original aricle was written in 2004, by an unnamed, pretty-fricken' smart dude. Hooah.]