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With all the events taking place here at home, I haven’t had time to post here as often I would like. As our troops fight to preserve our freedom, and the peace and freedom in Afghanistan, I have tried to help make a difference here at home in our ongoing battle against socialism/communism.

I did some checking on the current news about our military. I found some good links on various stories at Stars and Stripes:

• Panetta: Iraq has agreed to negotiate extended U.S. presence 17:14 August 19, 2011
• Are all military funerals created equal? Patriot Guard says no 21:43 August 19, 2011
• Army vet with PTSD sought the treatment he needed by taking hostages – but got jail instead 14:51 August 18, 2011
• Air conditioning on Japan bases could be nixed if power usage doesn’t decline 09:18 August 19, 2011
• House-sitter steals deployed soldier’s identity, belongings 02:20 August 19, 2011
• DOD identifies five U.S. troops killed in IED blast in Afghanistan 04:24 August 17, 2011
• Okinawan mayor urges probe into Agent Orange allegations 04:46 August 19, 2011
• USAFE: Airman’s ‘birther’ comments not reason for discharge 11:56 August 18, 2011
• DOD identifies two Germany-based soldiers killed in Afghanistan 04:59 August 19, 2011
• U.S. Navy given jurisdiction in deadly crash in Australia 18:21 August 18, 2011

Here are a few more from Military.com:

• Al-Qaida in Iraq: 100 Attacks to Avenge bin Laden
• Westboro to Protest SEAL Crash Victim’s Funeral
• Cop Gets 15 Years in Marine Vet’s Shooting Death
• Air Force Discharging ‘Birther’ Staff Sgt.
• War Hero Turned Mobster Sentenced to 35 Years
• Are Military Pensions Too ‘Generous’?
• Could 20-Year Retirement Be Casualty of Budget Fight?
• ‘My Whole Squad Is Gone’ – IED Victims ID’D
• In Death, Young Marine Gives Life to Comrade
• Navy: Sub Crew Was Encouraged to Cheat
• Jihadist Calls for Muslims to Kill David Letterman
• DoD Buzz: The Army’s GCV Fait Accompli
• Kit Up!: Desert Dune Pattern Hits Iraq
• DT: Boeing Testing Drone Swarming Tech
• UTR: More Details on Gears of War 3
• Wingie D: Husband’s Been Committing Adultery
• Rieckhoff: Face of the Next Greatest Generation
• Pet Corner: A Veteran Dog Gets Help
• Philpott: Don’t Fear Retirement Headlines

Both of the sites are excellent sources for news and information for about and for our Military personnel. Please consider visiting these sites. Often you will find information that will tell you how you can help a military family in need. You can also find some links to excellent sites that provide services for our military veterans in need, those deployed, and military families!

Related articles

• More than 1,000 attend funeral for Iowa-Born Navy SEAL (thegazette.com)
• Selling Our Vets Short… Again. (doesitallmatter2.wordpress.com)
• Iraq erupts: Bombings in a dozen cities kill at least 60 on Monday (theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com)
• Barack Obama’s wars without end | Mehdi Hasan (guardian.co.uk)
• Louisianans remember Navy SEAL killed in Afghan helicopter attack (cnn.com)
• Gathering to mourn the loss of an Army Ranger beloved in Pitman (philly.com)
• Navy to Cut Jobs Amid Recession-Driven Sailor Surplus (foxnews.com)
• Funeral set for Iowa Navy SEAL (thegazette.com)
• ‘Huge Afghan blast kills 27 US soldiers’ (destructionist.wordpress.com)
• Young, decorated soldier killed in Afghanistan (thegrio.com)
• Air Force Discharges Birther Sergeant (newser.com)
• Harnessing the military power of animal intelligence (cnn.com)
• Air Force discharging sergeant who doubts Obama (bubbabutt.wordpress.com)
• Louis A. Savino, age 86 of Philadelphia; U.S. Navy Veteran (gloucestercitynews.net)
• Mourning the loss of an Army Ranger beloved in Pitman (philly.com)
• Afghanistan, August 2011 (boston.com)
• It’s Official: Iraq Wants The U.S. To Stay (businessinsider.com)
• US troops may stay in Afghanistan until 2024 (futuredispatch.com)
• Reporter’s notebook: Covering Afghanistan (cbsnews.com)
• CBS News: Reporter’s Notebook: Seth Doane in Afghanistan (ukforcesafghanistan.wordpress.com)
• Cpl (Ret) Kenneth H. Young CD in Vietnam, Agent Orange, Aug 8th Report (homecomingvets.wordpress.com)
• What rhymes with (Agent) Orange? (howgoesthebattle.com)
• Vietnam Veterans, Survivors May be Eligible for Retroactive Agent Orange Awards, Florida Veterans’ Claims Representative Says (prweb.com)
• The 50 Years after Agent Orange was first used… (greenflbroker.com)
• Meanwhile, In Afghanistan (andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com)
• 13 August 2011. A Russian POV… The Face of Somali Hunger… (02varvara.wordpress.com)

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Former President George Bush will be 65 on July 6, 2011. As a birthday tribute to George, I wrote a poem. I am not great at this; but, I am sure the thoughts will come through!

George Bush

He came to town and spoke with a Texas drawl,
Spoke to us all with a big, “Hi, y’all!”

He had a good sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye,
Something about his manner said I’m a nice guy.

George was often the target of the liberal left,
yet he went about his business  pretending to be deaf.

No one knew what was about to come,
Terrorists in planes would block out our sun!

But, on that day of tragedy and sorrow,
George stood in the rubble and promised a better tomorrow!

He went after bin Laden and Saddam Hussein,
He made sire neither hurt us again!

Many of our soldiers fought and died,
For each one, George bush cried!

He left office with his head hung in shame,
The left at his heels shouting blame!

Hold your head high George, you loved our nation,
A leftist secret agenda was our real damnation!

Everyday as we slip closer to the left’s abyss,
I’ve harbored a wish to tell you this!

You see, you aren’t to blame for all that was done,
We, the nation, are for abdicating our duty solely to fun!

When I think of your service for eight trying years,
I  feel gratitude though my eyes are full of tears!

As the left tore our nation apart,
you continued to lead straight from the heart!

Thank you George, for leading  the U.S. of A.,
through one of its greatest tragedies to this very day!

Related articles

• “You are not going to see a great philosophical difference between Rick Perry and George Bush.” (shortformblog.tumblr.com)
• A birthday tribute to Bush 41 (cbsnews.com)
• Republicans Trying To Forget George W. Bush (alan.com)
• Obama’s Signature: Is It Real or is It Autopenned? (socyberty.com)

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I am concerned about the problems now facing our Military Families as a result of the frequent deployments in the Wars we are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now the Middle East. I have made a poll based on those issues I have encountered here on various posts. I also have set up the poll to allow responders to input a choice I may have missed.

Please take the poll and help me and others understand what Military Families must cope with during deployments.  If enough people respond, the information can let the country know how we might best help our Military Families.

Please add any comments below the poll. You comments are especially welcome.

Take Our Poll

POLL CANCELED DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST!

Related articles

• Deployment Week: Packing, Pictures and Prayers (offthebase.wordpress.com)
• Military reserves seize new role (politico.com)
• Deployment Week: A Mom’s Realities (offthebase.wordpress.com)
• Supporting Families Affected by Deployment: New Possibilities for Military Families (child-psych.org)
• Delta Airlines PR Gaffe Over Military Baggage (outsidethebeltway.com)
• U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Pays High Price For Afghan Surge Year (huffingtonpost.com)
• Memorial Day – A Day To Reflect On Those Who Died Serving This Country (But Should We Also Reflect On Our Current Troop Deployments?) (gesvol.wordpress.com)
• Army’s 101st pays high price for Afghan surge year (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Army’s 101st pays high price for Afghan surge year (sfgate.com)
• Love: She dreads military husband’s return (boston.com)
• Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (vabenefitblog.com)
• Marines learn to farm for Afghanistan deployment (cbsnews.com)
• The Dambusters play a key role in Afghanistan (ukforcesafghanistan.wordpress.com)
• Plan to slash Diggers’ danger money (heraldsun.com.au)
• Hill ‘deploys’ 700 grade school students ()
• Explaining War to Our Children (atwar.blogs.nytimes.com)

A Soldier‘s Prayer

“Hear My Prayer“

Please God, hear my prayer, I beg you on this day;
Look out for my little girls because I have to go away.

To a hot unfriendly land, I’m marching off to war;
The President says I’m needed on a distant shore.

Tell them dad’s got something important to do, our country‘s issued its call.
I’ve got to make sure our troops get what they need to keep it safe for all.

Tell them often I love them and I’ll be back before they know it.
That I don’t want to leave them, but I have to do my bit.

Tell them I don’t believe in war and I don’t like guns and knives.
But there’s these terrorists over there who have no value for human lives.

They’ve bombed our embassies, attacked our ships, and toppled the Twin Towers.
For over seventeen years they’ve waged their war; and tried to make us cower!

So tell my little girls be brave and say their daily prayers for me;
That before they know it, I’ll be home with them upon my knee.

So once again I beg you God, look kindly on your soldier;
Look after my little girls God, please, hear my prayer!

devildog6771

“Who am I?”

I left home to go to a far away land, now everything is different. I can’t explain to anyone how. Lately everything seems  so very confused. It all runs together and it won’t slow down. One minute I’m a normal eighteen year old kid without a care in the world. Next minute I’m a soldier, alone with my thoughts as I crouch behind a battered vehicle dodging enemy bullets that whiz past my head. Beside me are my brothers and sisters, my only source of strength and courage to go on when I feel myself start to slip away..

An enemy attacked our country. They killed thousands of our own. They threaten to destroy us, to make our country their own. So we came to this place to put an end to their goals. We freed another people these fanatics also terrorized. We taught them to be free. We gave them hope for a better future. We are helping rebuild their country. At the same time we now fight beside each other to defeat this common enemy.

Sadly, one day one of their eighteen year olds might be sent far away. They too may have to  fight an enemy who threatens to destroy their homeland. But I pray what we do here today will help prevent that far away day. Not because I am a coward or don’t want to do my job. I am just a soldier, who loves his/her country. And I’m proud to do my part.

Like many other soldiers before, I willingly volunteered for this honor. To me and my brothers and sisters there is no higher calling except the call of God. I live to serve and protect, to keep our enemies at bay. I trained hard for that day all the while hoping it would never come. But if the call came, I knew I would do what needed to be done. There was also the element of being tested, to know if I could I do my part if the need arose.

But I always hoped that my job would become obsolete. You see, no soldier really wants to kill another human being, be they enemy or innocent victims who are unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We hope our very training and presence will deter those who would do us harm. But, now, as in the past, there are those who have no love of country or even their fellow man.  They spread terror, hate and death anywhere that they can.

I was all pumped up my first day in this land. I was going to help stop this enemy who brazenly attacked us on our very shore. I was going to stop him, let him feel the Eagle at his door. The first time I had to kill one of them, I never felt any remorse. I didn’t look into his face as he died, so I felt no remorse. But that all changed one day as I watched the life flow slowly from my enemy’s face. Then I watched, for the first time, as the life’s blood of an innocent child drained slowly into the sand. I couldn’t help but feel there must be some other way! I felt a tear slide down my face!

Then I stood helplessly by and watched as one of my own brothers and sisters died. I felt the loss like a stabbing burning pain deep inside my heart. I stored it beside the images of all those innocent children. I felt an anger begin to grow inside me that at times threatened to consume me. I wanted to kill every single one of the enemy. I wanted to strangle them with my bare hands, watch as the recognition appeared in their eyes they were dying at my hands. I would savor that moment forever.

But a voice inside me, I don’t know if it was my own or that of God above, said do that and what will be the difference between you and those you judge. So I put aside my anger, or at least that which crossed the line from soldier defending the rights of others to madman killing just to kill. I tempered my rage, I swallowed my grief, I put aside my loneliness and fears, and became a soldier again.

Everyday, or at least once a week when I could, I talked to my loved one(s) back at home. I read the letters incessantly, opened their packages made with such love. These things were my salvation. They reminded me of who I was before I came to this far away land. I didn’t realize just how much of myself was lost day by day. We are too busy staying alive and doing our jobs to think about much of anything else.

But one day I began to notice a difference. It was a subtle something I couldn’t quite grasp. I started marking down the days as the end of my tour was coming to pass. I found there were more and more moments of reflection. Sometimes I couldn’t even remember what I reflected about. I just wanted to be home again, be normal again, be clean again, sleep in my own bed, not have to go out, hunt the enemy, kill him or be killed, see all the death, the violence. I missed my home. I missed my family. I missed my life.  But these thoughts confused me. I am a soldier after all. I have a duty. I answer the call.

I felt guilty about wanting to leave behind my fellow brothers and sisters. I felt guilty that some of them would never go home. I felt guilty because of the burdens my job placed on my family. I felt unclean.  Could they still love me though I am no longer that person who went away that day to protect and defend them from harms way? I felt so afraid! Then I felt a terrible fear begin to grow inside me that the horrors of what I had seen, had done, had lived with during my time here might some way touch them too. After months of living on guard to protect my very life, would I be able to relax these instincts?

As I lay in my bed at night reliving the horrors of war in my sleep, would my spouse be safe from me? Would I lose control in that moment of not being asleep anymore but not quite awake, and think he/she was the enemy? Can I control all the anger, rage, pain, and not let it spill over to my kids? But hardest of all, can I be with them, accept their love when inside even though some small part of me knows all that other garbage is there and all of what is left of my emotions is still inside me somewhere but I FEEL ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

A dark cloud of nothingness and darkness is wrapped around my heart. It stays with me night and day. Only the battle with the enemy or the fellowship of my brothers and sisters in arms comforts me because I see that same nothingness in their eyes too. I see their confusion too. I see that like me their training and professionalism as trained soldiers is all that allows them to go on each day. All that keeps us all on the right side of the line that separates us from the type of human being we are and the enemy we fight.

All those cards, letters, phone calls, emails, they too help keep us from crossing that line. They also keep us from losing ourselves completely. It is the support from home that keeps us going. It is the love from our country that makes the difference. That’s why when I read or hear the news from home my despair deepens. The news is all so negative. There is no news of the good we do. There is no news that we are winning this war. There is no news that says our country has not abandoned us. There is only the marching in the streets, the protests outside the hospitals where our brothers and sisters lay recovering from their wounds, the fighting in the Congress.

Were it not for our training, the love we brought with us of our loved ones, the love of our country, our own love in return, I/we couldn’t go on. We wouldn’t have had the strength to start checking out things for ourselves about the situation back at home. We wouldn’t have been able to figure out that all those spreading the hate, negativity, and lack of support are made of the same substance as the enemy we fight here, so far away from home. The only thing that keeps our fear at bay for our homeland is knowing and remembering that the same spirit that has allowed our country to exist this long will raise its collective arm and stop those at home who would destroy our country, its dreams, its hopes, all the good that exists in America.

So, “Who am I?” I am an American Soldier. I am an American Veteran. I am proud to be an American. I love my country. I am proud and feel privileged to have served my country. But I am one of many who need help. I am not a coward. I am not afraid to serve again. But, sometimes no matter how hard I try, the stain of war leaves an imprint on me that I can’t fight off by myself. I try. God knows I try. But, I need your help now. I need you to help me look after my family . I need you to help me find myself again. I need you to be strong and do your part as I recover. I need you to not let those in America who would try to destroy our country succeed. I need to know my sacrifices, given willingly, were not in vain. I need to know what I did mattered. I need to know again, “Who am I the person?”

[I feel I must make a clarification. I wrote this post on behalf of our troops. I did my best to try to present what I thought might be going through the mind of all/some of our deployed soldiers. If any soldier feels I have done them an injustice, please let me know. I hope I did a decent job. I hope you also realize that none of what I've written is intended as anything negative. I just wanted to try to say some things y'all might not feel comfortable or advisable to say.

(....edited by devildog6771 on Saturday 2/18/06....)

"The Measure of a Man"

You know Red, it's OK to be down. It's OK to want it all over and be at home where you belong.

It's OK to feel the weight of a leader. It's OK to want to have just a moment when you don't have to be so strong!

It's OK to be afraid all the time. It's OK to feel outside yourself when everything's too much.

It's OK to feel an overwhelming rage. It's OK to curse and spew about the war, the MSM, stupid orders and such.

It's OK to cry when you're over flowing inside. It's OK to pray to God it will all go away.

You are but a man, you see. No man should live and see what you do in a day!

You're like the man in Thoreau's "Different Drummer." You've found your own way to survive each and every miserable day!

Patton said, "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer." I read your words and hear your thoughts and know you too live that way!

(I could find no other way to say what I want to say to you by way of encouragement. So I wrote this poem. I hope it brings you (and your men) some measure of pride.

I know you beat yourself up for how you feel. But, I think the most courageous of men are those not afraid to say what is inside!)
(I wrote this for a soldier blogger.)

devildog6771

In Honor of Matt Maupin

"Remember My Face"

It's been so long now I can't help but feel,
my life is all over, is this all really real;

I've been a prisoner for such a long time,
no one left behind, was that just a line;

They beat and threaten my life with a shiv,
name, rank, and serial number, that's all I give;

Does anyone even remember my name,
or am I a soldier and prisoner of little fame;

How much longer will I be held in this place,
my name is Matt, do you remember my face;

I'm an American soldier who willingly served,
I can't help but think this is so undeserved;

Have I been abandoned in this horrible place,
will I die and disappear without leaving a trace;

What about my buddies, who fought at my side,
are they still fighting, has the war turned the tide;

Will they come for me and free me from this fate,
or will I die in this place a victim of fanatical hate;

The country I love and served with such pride,
has it turned its back on me now, has it lied;

Please don't leave me behind, it would be a disgrace,
my name is Matt Maupin, please, remember my face?
(I was honored the Maupin Family asked to copy this. As you all know, Matt was finally found and returned to his family with all the "honors" he deserved. So little for so much sacrifice!)

devildog6771

"Don't Heaven Sound Like a Beautiful Place"

As he looks across the huge field below,
off to the right he sees a bright rainbow;
Days of rain have washed clean the air,
and fed the grass and flowers growing there.

He gazes at row upon row of granite crosses,
a constant reminder of war's tragic losses;
in perfect alignment they stand in formation,
brave soldiers who once guarded our nation;

As they rest here peacefully in this holy place,
He hangs his head at the shame and disgrace;
They gave their lives in defense a nation,
that now stands divided by political oration;

Then he reflects on that day in September,
The Twin Towers in New York a burning ember;
The Pentagon in Washington partially ablaze,
A plane crash in Pennsylvania saw panic for days;

On that day of tragedy and foreign invasion,
he reviewed his options and rose to the occasion,
All across America young men and women stood,
All took the oath because they felt they should;

He knew he didn't have to join up but he did;
He felt God spoke to him and did as He bid;
Tall and proud he told his little girls goodbye,
With hugs and kisses he left with head held high;

Promise me you'll look after my girls he said,
Tell them I love them when they go to bed;
Make sure they know Daddy didn't want to go,
But, under the circumstances I couldn't say no;

Remind them of the promise I made to them,
I'll be ok and return home but don't know when;
To say their prayers and think of me often,
He didn't know that he'd return home in a coffin;

He wasn't killed by a terrorist bullet or deed,
instead his fellow companion failed to heed;
in a moment of carelessness a man lost his life,
and a moments panic and fear caused great strife;

He looked at the names in this sacred place,
He read each one to himself and saw a face;
Not here in this field where he could never lay,
But in the house of his Father every day;

Though he did not die on any field of combat,
He did die serving his country, you can believe that;
Though he wanted to be with his girls and friends,
He would still have made that same decision again;

After a few more moments of silent reflection,
he forgave the circumstances of his situation;
As he did this he heard the heavenly choir sing,
That was when he knew he had done the right thing;

And as he rose to heaven with a flutter of wing,
I heard him sing,

"*Doesn't Heaven sound like a beautiful place?
And I'm ready for the day I see his face.
Won't be no guns.
Won't be no knives.
Hear the best preaching that
you ever heard in your lives."
[*by: PO2 Michael J. Gray, killed in Kuwait, March 5,2004]
[I wrote this poem in memory of my nephew who was killed in Kuwait on March 5, 2004. I also wrote it to honor all our troops on this Memorial Day.]

devildog6771

A visit with Michael

I like to go to the cemetery at night
when the darkness spreads its eerie light.

I always drive down the road to the right
following the soft beam of the headlights.

As I drive slowly through the darkness I see
a carpet of beautiful trees scattered randomly.

The road quietly meanders around the outside
as I continue through where you now reside.

Inside the loop throughout the quiet little park
I see scattered here and there lanterns in the dark.

In every direction they cast a soft glow of light
like one big silky blanket of warmth each night.

They maintain their vigilance, the lanterns and trees
like the moon and stars nightly watch over the seas.

Finally I come to a stop and get out and walk a ways
down the little cement path I haven’t visited in days.

Then I look down at the marble plague on the ground
as all around me the crickets are the only sound.

I walk around to make sure nothing’s been disturbed
then I sit and talk to you for a while sure I am heard.

I talk about the good times we all used to share
and tell you how I feel and I lay my soul bare.

I talk about how proud we all are for what you did
and I think a lot about when you were just a kid.

I tell you what I know of your girls and you mom’s life
and then all about you grandma and your wife.

But most of all I just sit and talk about things
I didn’t talk about before as I wipe away the tears
that this always brings!

devildog6771

“Bubba and Michael”

One life lay suffering in his bed, waiting for his final journey home;
One life lay quietly sleeping in his bed, his journey just begun;

From the moment they both met, a bond was formed between them;
A bond that only they understood, a shared unspoken understanding;

Over the next few months that bond just grew, giving comfort to both;
The one derived a growing sense of peace, the other a warm feeling of love;

On that final day when the one slipped away, at home at last;
The other stayed behind, too young to comprehend what they had shared;

And as these two accompanied each other on their individual journeys;
We all watched in awe and respect the growth of unconditional love.

Over the next few years our grief for the one began to lessen;
Our hearts began to mend, our sadness replaced by many fond memories;

Over these same few years the other grew into an amazing young man;
He had shocking red hair, a face full of freckles, and an insatiable curiosity;

He was such an uncomplicated young man, so full of love;
With a contagious spirit and zest for life, he brought out the best in everyone near him;

There was such joy in everything he did, and we all loved him dearly;
Both our parents doted on him, it was hard not to;

And his Mom and him shared a loving bond that was beautiful to watch;
My brothers and sisters and I were crazy about him, we couldn’t help it;

He grew up in our home as one of us, and he was this pesky little boy that made us all feel so adored.
He had an astounding mind, even his teachers were amazed;

He put his heart and soul into everything he did, he had so much he wanted to do;
Like his uncle he went into law enforcement, “it was a family tradition;”

He married and had four little girls, he could change diapers better than any mom;
He never missed a chance to show them his love;

He was a Police Officer, a Mentor, a Rock Singer, a Song Writer, his talents were many;
But it was his role as a good Father and Husband that he most wanted to be known;

He took “his girls” everywhere he went, he was a father in every sense of the word;
He never was too tired or busy to take time with them, or read them a story;

He told them and showed them in every way, every moment of each day;
But with all he gave to his family, he still found time for his mom and grandmother;

He was a loving son and grandson, and a good friend to both;
He loved to spend time with each, letting them both know how much he loved them too.

After 9/11, he answered God’s call and joined the Navy, he wanted to be ready if needed;
He answered the call and again gave his all, only this time he too took the final journey, he is now at home;

Two lives are now at home, both sitting at the side of their Father;
One pathed the way many years before, saving a place for the other to come;

Now they are both looking down from above, both clothed in an aura of love;
Keeping watch over us all, from so very high up above
(In Memory of My Nephew, Michael,  and my brother, Bubba, who died from cancer one year after he left the Army during the Vietnam ERA.)

devildog6771

Related articles

• Soldier’s Prayer (azdesertdeni.wordpress.com)
• D. A. Graham: Remembrance and Thankfulness: A Memorial Day Prayer (huffingtonpost.com)
• Memorial Day; A Day to Remember The Heroes (socyberty.com)
• Praying For Freedom From Every Betrays Of The Enemies. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
• Praying For His Wheel Of Protection From The Enemies. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
• After Combat, the Unexpected Perils of Coming Home (empressoftheglobaluniverse.wordpress.com)
• Maurice Possley: ‘Greater Love Has No One Than This’: A Memorial Day Tribute (huffingtonpost.com)
• Memorial Day (melgibstein.wordpress.com)
• Dishonoring some of our war dead – Tea Party Nation (gds44.wordpress.com)
• Afghanistan: Another 8 US Soldiers Killed in Jihad Attacks (atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com)
• When the Taliban shot at our patrol, J-Company saved us… then I heard bomb blast that killed two of those brave Marines (thesun.co.uk)
• Memories and Memorials (conflicteddoomer.wordpress.com)
• John C. Osmolski – may his sacrifice, and the sacrifices of his brothers-in-arms, not be forgotten (Memorial Day 2011) (justaftersunrise.wordpress.com)
• Salute to the service men and women (prodigalturns.wordpress.com)
• “A soldier does not sacrifice alone” (michellemalkin.com)
• Memorial Day 2011: Honoring the fallen (michellemalkin.com)
• Remember to REMEMBER! (murraymsilveresq.wordpress.com)
• How America Screws Its Soldiers (elmsprogressivemedia.wordpress.com)
• Women’s group leads effort for NW Harris memorial to fallen (chron.com)
• Aloysius Boyle: A Call to Serve (huffingtonpost.com)

Image via Wikipedia

The following images are from my posts here. This is my tribute to our troops on this Memorial Day. These events have effected and shaped our lives, every American citizen, and citizens throughout the World. They only scratch the surface; but, they are a good start.

Related articles

• Parliamentary moves to prosecute Kuwait through the international courts to compensate the victims of terrorist acts carried out by a Kuwaiti citizen in Iraq (currencynewshound.wordpress.com)
• Iraq: Thousands Rally Against U.S. Troop Presence (time.com)
• Fallen troops, families honored at Statehouse (dispatch.com)
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About 10:30 p.m. East Coast time, local radio stations announced they were waiting for President Obama to speak to the nation. As we waited for Obama to make an appearance, speculation was rampant. Presidents don’t make Sunday public addresses. Among the theories put forth about the possible reason for this address was the possibility that Osama bin Laden was caught or killed.

In the forty-five minutes before Obama came on-line, reports started leaking out at home and abroad that bin Laden was killed last week and that DNA had been conducted and compared to bin Laden family members to make accurate  identification of bin Laden’s body.

What is puzzling to me is Obama said in his broadcast he was told where bin Laden was hiding last week. Obama then said he gave permission “TODAY” for a go ahead after verifying facts and details. He went on to say that bin Laden was killed today in that attack. No predator missiles were used in the attack at a very well protected, secure compound in Abbottabod, Pakistan.

I am glad bin Laden is no longer a threat. In a way I feel a sense of justice for 9/11/01 and my nephew’s death in Kuwait  3f/5/04. I am proud of the efforts of our troops and our intelligence people for their vigilant efforts and their sacrifices. God Bless our troops and our intelligence teams.

Subsequent reports indicate bin Laden was buried at sea??

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3MiBI9ZRBo&feature=player_embedded

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Frank W. Buckles passed away February 27, 2011 at the age of 110. Born in Bethany, Missouri, February 1, 1901, Frank was the last surviving service member from WWI, “the Great War.”  Frank spent his later life helping to honor his fellow WWI soldiers and their sacrifices.
Though his health was often bad and his hearing not so good, he remained as active as possible until his recent death. His stories and views on the war and past events were shared with acute awareness, a sharp wit, and deep affection with the thousands who have besieged him for visits, interviews, and requests for his attendance at events honoring him and his fellow WWI veterans. Frank will be remembered for his service  all he did to honor his fellow WWI soldiers.

Sadly Frank wasn’t able to lie in state in the Rotunda as he makes his final journey. But from all I have read since his death, I think he would have felt honored to lie close to the “Unknown” soldier! Enlisting at sixteen, Frank couldn’t wait to serve. Though his war experiences didn’t include the “Western Front” he tried so hard to reach, he served proudly. “I was a snappy soldier,” he said. “All gung-ho.”.  During WWII Frank was a civilian “prisoner of War for “three [3] years.

Frank will be buried today with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Once again he will join his fellow WWI buddies. May his final journey bring him peace and the companionship of his comrades in arms. May he take with him our profound love, respect, and gratitude.

Semper Fi, Frank!

For Faithfull Service from a Greatful Nation!

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I just got a review from WordPress.com with my stats for the past year. I was very surprised at the results. I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of you who visit my blog. You have made this all possible. I also offer my thanks to WordPress.com for providing not only great free blogs; but, great support!

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

About 3 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year. This blog was viewed about 28,000 times in 2010. If it were the Taj Mahal, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 22 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 1,035 posts. There were 3 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 6kb.

The busiest day of the year was December 10th with 266 views. The most popular post that day was Cheating Military spouses??.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were ipodtouchstore.tk, taikpalat.co.tv, google.com, en.wordpress.com, and facebook.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for communist symbol, brian kolfage, cheating military spouses, michael yon, and soviet union symbol.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Cheating Military spouses?? May 2005
305 comments

How America’s allies see us after Congress told the President to take a hike? March 2007
7 comments

June 28, 2005 – Part #2 – Sixteen soldiers die while on rescue mission! July 2007

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Image by moneebafghan via Flickr

I found a great post at Face Planet while tag surfing today, Restrepo: Afghanistan close and personal.

So Little real news coverage exists about the troops fighting in Afghanistan. That’s why I liked the post. I t gives a great review about a documentary written about our troops deployed to the Korangal valley in Afghanistan. This area experiences the most deadly fighting in Afghanistan! Here are a few excerpts:

My most recent interview was with a man returning from the Korangal valley…..

Due to the severity of fighting in the “valley,” it was recommended the interviewer watch a documentary written about the war effort there before the interview:

The commissioner ….recommended I watch Restrepo, a documentary about a platoon stationed in the valley for 15 months….

I wish I hadn’t…..

Go check out this post, Restrepo: Afghanistan close and personal.

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Image by IceNineJon via Flickr

The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription

Note: The following text is a transcription of the Constitution in its original form.
Items that are hyperlinked have since been amended or superseded.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I.

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 7.

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;–And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9.

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II.

Section. 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Section. 2.

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

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

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

Section. 3.

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

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III.

Section. 1.

The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;–to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;–to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;–to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;–to Controversies between two or more States;– between a State and Citizens of another State,–between Citizens of different States,–between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.

Section. 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, “the,” being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word “Thirty” being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words “is tried” being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word “the” being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

G°. Washington
Presidt and deputy from Virginia

Delaware
Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom

Maryland
James McHenry
Dan of St Thos. Jenifer
Danl. Carroll

Virginia
John Blair
James Madison Jr.

North Carolina
Wm. Blount
Richd. Dobbs Spaight
Hu Williamson

South Carolina
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler

Georgia
William Few
Abr Baldwin

New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King

Connecticut
Wm. Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman

New York
Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey
Wil: Livingston
David Brearley
Wm. Paterson
Jona: Dayton

Pennsylvania
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt. Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouv Morris

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
www.archives.gov August 20, 2010

The Bill of Rights: A Transcription

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the “Bill of Rights.”

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendments 11-27
Note: The capitalization and punctuation in this version is from the enrolled original of the Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the Bill of Rights, which is on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
Page URL: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
U.S. National Archives & Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001, • 1-86-NARA-NARA • 1-866-272-6272
456
@2008 Wilder Publications

Imagine my outrage when I found out about a new trend in published copies of our Constitution. This is a disclaimer now being placed into the front of many published versions of the United States Constitution!!

“This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before allowing them to read this classic work.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except for brief quotations for review purposes only.

First Edition”

Tell me, how many people in America, other than the “progressive, i.e.: socialist/communist/Marxist, consider this document to be obsolete? Since our inception, our nation and this document has been a model for “free” societies and nations worldwide!  So tell me, why do George Soros, Nancy Pelosi, President Obama, Harry Reid, and all the other members of of this administration and the present Congress try so hard to destroy our Constitution, our nation, and our way of life? Why do Van Jones and Bill Ayers and the others involved in the present movement want to destroy something, not perfect, but still good, in the eyes of free people worldwide?

Personally, I believe that if successful, these same mis-contents will continue to affect disharmony and discontent here at home and abroad!  As I see it, this is all about power and those who quest for power are never satisfied. They always want more. They always have an enemy or cause, real or imagined, to fight. They are never content. So, you tell me America, how long will we as a nation suffer the misguided delusions of fools??

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I was reading over some of my past posts and came across something I wrote that I would like to re-post now. We don’t hear as much in the media or elsewhere about those still fighting in Afghanistan lately. There is token coverage and limited token mention from the administration. Many of our troops come home ravaged by war to little or no public support. I ant to remind us all, our guys are still fighting the enemy in Afghanistan. Those returning need our help now, more than ever.

“Who am I?”

I left home to go to a far away land, now everything is different. I can’t explain to anyone how. Lately everything seems to be so very confused. It all runs together and it won’t slow down. One minute I’m a normal eighteen year old kid without a care in the world. Next minute I’m a soldier, alone with my thoughts as I crouch behind a battered vehicle dodging enemy bullets that whiz past my head. Beside me are my brothers and sisters, my only source of strength and courage to go on when I feel myself start to slip away..

An enemy attacked our country. They killed thousands of our own. They threaten to destroy us, to make our country their own. So we came to this place to put an end to their goals. We freed another people these fanatics also terrorized. We taught them how to be free. We gave them hope for a better future. We are helping rebuild their country. At the same time we now fight alongside each other to defeat this common enemy.

Sadly, one day one of their eighteen year olds might be sent far away. They too may have to  fight an enemy who threatens to destroy their homeland. But I pray what we do here today will help prevent that far away day. Not because I am a coward or don’t want to do my job. I am just a soldier, who loves his/her country. And I’m proud to do my part.

Like many other soldiers before, I willingly volunteered for this honor. To me and my brothers and sisters there is no higher calling except the call of God. I live to serve and protect, to keep our enemies at bay. I trained hard for that day all the while hoping it would never come. But if the call came, I knew I would do what needed to be done. There was also the element of being tested, to know if I could I do my part if the need arose.

But I always hoped that my job would become obsolete. You see, no soldier really wants to kill another human being, be they enemy or innocent victims who are unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We hope our very training and presence will deter those who would do us harm. But, now, as in the past, there are those who have no love of country or even their fellow man.  They spread terror, hate and death anywhere that they can.

I was all pumped up my first day in this land. I was going to help stop this enemy who brazenly attacked us on our very shore. I was going to stop him, let him feel the Eagle at his door. The first time I had to kill one of them, I never felt any remorse. I didn’t look into his face as he died, so I felt no remorse. But that all changed one day as I watched the life flow slowly from my enemy’s face. Then I watched, for the first time, as the life’s blood of an innocent child drained slowly into the sand. I couldn’t help but feel there must be some other way! I felt a tear slide down my face!

Then I stood helplessly by and watched as one of my own brothers and sisters died. I felt the loss like a stabbing burning pain deep inside my heart. I stored it beside the images of all those innocent children. I felt an anger begin to grow inside me that at times threatened to consume me. I wanted to kill every single one of the enemy. I wanted to strangle them with my bare hands, watch as the recognition appeared in their eyes they were dying at my hands. I would savor that moment forever.

But a voice inside me, I don’t know if it was my own or that of God above, said do that and what will be the difference between you and those you judge. So I put aside my anger, or at least that which crossed the line from soldier defending the rights of others to madman killing just to kill. I tempered my rage, I swallowed my grief, I put aside my loneliness and fears, and became a soldier again.

Everyday, or at least once a week when I could, I talked to my loved one(s) back at home. I read the letters incessantly, opened their packages made with such love. These things were my salvation. They reminded me of who I was before I came to this far away land. I didn’t realize just how much of myself was lost day by day. We are too busy staying alive and doing our jobs to think about much of anything else.

But one day I began to notice a difference. It was a subtle something I couldn’t quite grasp. I started marking down the days as the end of my tour was coming to pass. I found there were more and more moments of reflection. Sometimes I couldn’t even remember what I reflected about. I just wanted to be home again, be normal again, be clean again, sleep in my own bed, not have to go out, hunt the enemy, kill him or be killed, see all the death, the violence. I missed my home. I missed my family. I missed my life.  But these thoughts confused me. I am a soldier after all. I have a duty. I answer the call.

I felt guilty about wanting to leave behind my fellow brothers and sisters. I felt guilty that some of them would never go home. I felt guilty because of the burdens my job placed on my family. I felt unclean.  Could they still love me though I am no longer that person who went away that day to protect and defend them from harms way? I felt so afraid! Then I felt a terrible fear begin to grow inside me that the horrors of what I had seen, had done, had lived with during my time here might some way touch them too. After months of living on guard to protect my very life, would I be able to relax these instincts?

As I lay in my bed at night reliving the horrors of war in my sleep, would my spouse be safe from me? Would I lose control in that moment of not being asleep anymore but not quite awake, and think he/she was the enemy? Can I control all the anger, rage, pain, and not let it spill over to my kids? But hardest of all, can I be with them, accept their love when inside even though some small part of me knows all that other garbage is there and all of what is left of my emotions is still inside me somewhere but I FEEL ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

A dark cloud of nothingness and darkness is wrapped around my heart. It stays with me night and day. Only the battle with the enemy or the fellowship of my brothers and sisters in arms comforts me because I see that same nothingness in their eyes too. I see their confusion too. I see that like me their training and professionalism as trained soldiers is all that allows them to go on each day. All that keeps us all on the right side of the line that separates us from the type of human being we are and the enemy we fight.

All those cards, letters, phone calls, emails, they too help keep us from crossing that line. They also keep us from losing ourselves completely. It is the support from home that keeps us going. It is the love from our country that makes the difference. That’s why when I read or hear the news from home my despair deepens. The news is all so negative. There is no news of the good we do. There is no news that we are winning this war. There is no news that says our country has not abandoned us. There is only the marching in the streets, the protests outside the hospitals where our brothers and sisters lay recovering from their wounds, the fighting in the Congress.

Were it not for our training, the love we brought with us of our loved ones, the love of our country, our own love in return, I/we couldn’t go on. We wouldn’t have had the strength to start checking out things for ourselves about the situation back at home. We wouldn’t have been able to figure out that all those spreading the hate, negativity, and lack of support are made of the same substance as the enemy we fight here, so far away from home. The only thing that keeps our fear at bay for our homeland is knowing and remembering that the same spirit that has allowed our country to exist this long will raise its collective arm and stop those at home who would destroy our country, its dreams, its hopes, all the good that exists in America.

So, “Who am I?” I am an American Soldier. I am an American Veteran. I am proud to be an American. I love my country. I am proud and feel privileged to have served my country. But I am one of many who need help. I am not a coward. I am not afraid to serve again. But, sometimes no matter how hard I try, the stain of war leaves an imprint on me that I can’t fight off by myself. I try. God knows I try. But, I need your help now. I need you to help me look after my family . I need you to help me find myself again. I need you to be strong and do your part as I recover. I need you to not let those in America who would try to destroy our country succeed. I need to know my sacrifices, given willingly, were not in vain. I need to know what I did mattered. I need to know again, “Who am I the person?”

[I feel I must make a clarification. I wrote this post on behalf of our troops. I did my best to try to present what I thought might be going through the mind of all/some of our deployed soldiers. If any soldier feels I have done them an injustice, please let me know. I hope I did a decent job. I hope you also realize that none of what I've written is intended as anything negative. I just wanted to try to say some things y'all might not feel comfortable or advisable to say.



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I won’t try to give a synopsis. The article is  long due to the topic and the supporting information. I could not do justice to Monster’s hard work. But I suggest that this is a post we all should read. Then, let your friends know about Monster’s blog and this post. While you are on his site check out his other posts.

We need to keep up constant vigilance  and oversight to hold Congress and the President accountable. They need to know we will not “go quietly into the night” with our tails tucked between our legs as both attempt to “Nudge” us into supporting their destructive and unconstitutional legislation.

So, go read “The People Promoting Seizure of Your 401K” and see exactly who is behind this latest effort to take yet another chunk of our income for their socialist/Marxist agenda while they bankrupt us and our nation!

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Just browsing the Internet yesterday for another post on a new blog I just built I noticed a trend developing. There were many stories about American troops in Afghanistan indiscriminately killing Afghan civilians. What I found particularly interesting was then language used by several of the soldiers who were questioned. Racism and class distinction repeatedly used. One of the leading articles appeared in “Workers World!” On a local network Obama was quoted as saying he refused to let Afghanistan become “his” Vietnam. He refused to stay in an unpopular war the way Johnson did during his administration!

Well now we have it. Obama can’t get out of the war any other way without offending or causing public outrage. So straight out of Saul Alynsky’s “play book, “Rules for Radicals,” Obama has laid the ground work for stirring up popular opposition to the war without having to do a single thing himself politically to lay blame at him or his administration.But, he is also using another technique.  This technique  is called the “nudge”  which is right from the playbook of one of Obama’s leading advisors, Cass Sustein. The “nudge” is a book written which explains how one indirectly persuades or “nudges” the public or people to take a course of action which  they normally would never consider or commit to themselves.

Glenn Beck, 9.14.2010: “Nudge”, Progressives, & Cass Sunstein

Written on September 14, 2010 by LogisticsMonster in Beck, CRIME INC., New World Orde

Once we know that people are human and have some Homer Simpson in them, then there’s a lot that can be done to manipulate them. – Progressive Regulatory Czar, Cass Sunstein (husband of Samantha Power; yes, that chick.)

Glenn is having a James Burke moment today as he sketches out the time line and events between “Fries” and “Riots”. He highlights news of the days including Mishy’s “nudging” of menus in a speech to the National Restaurant Association, the new anti-beef/McDonald’s commercial, the FDA coming after over-the-counter cold medicine, and how Cass Sunstein’s 2008 book, “Nudge” is being used as a game plan to drive the herd. Today, TheBlaze.com has a three part story about our favorite fascist, (right behind Nancy Pelosi), Cass Sunstein. He also covers Sunstein’s co-author, Richard Thayler and his connection to British PM Cameron.  (Check out the related links after the post.)

• Glenn Beck, 9.27.2010: Fascism Is Alive In America
• Alex Jones, 9.24.2010: Is Beck Finally Getting It?
• Protecting Cyberspace As A National Asset Act (Updated With Text)
• Glenn Beck, 5.27.10: Progressives Want To Repeat History (Even Though Most Americans Don’t Want To)
• Fascist In Charge: Nancy Pelosi Quietly Slides DNA Collection Bill Past House
• ‘Big Brother’ Cybersecurity Law Clears First Hurdle
• Tea Party Patriots Vs. The Master Class
• Interesting Power Couples
• Today’s AYFKM? Award Goes To Cass Sunstein Again!
• Fascists Patrolling The Internet; Cass Sunstein and Jay Rockefeller
• Jay Rockefeller’s S773, S778 and Internet Cybersecurity
• Jay Rockefeller Is Coming For The Internet

Monster gives credit to: (H/T TheFoundingPatriots) .

As one who watches Glenn Beck’s program regularly, I am impressed by Beck’s research and sources. He has always made sure that he has adequate supporting information for his topics. Unlike his opponents, he carries his search for truth a step further, he regularly invites the “opposition” on his show and offer their opposing views, information, sources, whatever. Rarely do they appear. However, on occasion, Al Sharpton and a few others will appear on Glen’s show. Unlike other hosts, Glenn allows those of differing opinion or beliefs to freely speak their views. Still, Glenn is a frequent target of the “progressives.” Free speech and truth are not a valued commodity of the progressives in the Congress and the White House.

I was not at all surprised when I read  further down in the post these remarks:

The Monster has had numerous interesting visitors today including the Soros Fund Mgmt, the FBI and these guys.

So what does all this have to do with my original topic, the War in Afghanistan/ It is no secret to anyone in the country that progressives consider the war unjust and rampant with racism. They have repeatedly stated that only the lower “class” in America are being sent to war to die instead of the upper “classes.” Obviously progressives missed all the statistics and news stories proclaiming our present military as more educated than mainstream non=military, Americans. That would show that our military men and women “serving and protecting” our nation are anything but the lower crust of American society with regard to education and economic status except for “being the victims” of Bernie Sanders’ “magic pen” every time the bills on defense spending passes across his desk!

Are any of our troops killing innocent civilians. I would be stupid or naïve to believe there was no truth here. In every war there are a minute number of soldiers, [by that I mean a handful of the total military ranks] who do commit terrible deeds. At times, the reporting of such events doesn’t come forward immediately. There are many reasons for delayed reporting, from personal interest to obvious issues of mission security, and troop safety. These few men and women do not show the dedication to duty, honor, and self-respect ingrained in the majority of our troops that prohibits them from committing such atrocities.

When warfare is fought as it is in the present day, repercussions from the actions of those extreme few can have a devastating effect both on the war effort and as a tool for the enemy. We are fighting a radical ideology supported by terrorist actions. which are of paramount importance as a weapon of choice by this enemy. What troubles me as much as the actions of these few are those of the Congress and the White House. By publically saying that we need to hurry up and get out of Afghanistan we tell the enemy that all they have to do is wait out the Americans because they never
“follow through” when the fighting gets tough.In turn those Afghans we are trying to help are put in the precarious position of choosing to support our efforts to help them or to support the enemy because once we are gone, the enemy will rear up its ugly head!

While the American troop deaths are a source of great personal pain to me, I too have lost a loved one due to the war effort, I feel it would be a dishonor to the memory of those lost to make their sacrifices meaningless! While the war has gone on longer than the combined length of WWI and WWII, none can begin to claim the loss of troops lives are in any way comparable to the tolls of those two wars separately much less in combination of total lives lost. I would even feel justified in saying the loss of civilian lives would follow a like pattern. But, don’t construe my comments here as a callous belittlement of the impact to loved ones of past or present civilian and troop deaths!

Word of warning to progressives, we are on to your game plan! We won’t allow you to create a situation where again we pull out of an armed conflict without seeing it through to a specific goal or out come!! This type of flagrant and cowardly disregard for those military and civilian lives lost before a true resolution to major conflict have led to one continuous state of unresolved war since WWI. How much longer must nations and the world suffer this intolerable state of affairs?

Mr. Obama, be a true leader. Allow this conflict to follow through to a resolution that leads to some semblance of resolving issues and ends decades of a world at war and leads to real world of peace which respects the rights and freedom of all men and women world-wide. We don’t want socialism, communism, or Marxism. We don’t want one huge government controlled by mega corporations and financial institutions. We don’t want a George Soros, or any other rich billionaire telling us what kind of world and what kind of nation we “ought” to have. We want to use our own intellect, perseverance, and, yes, failures. We want to be self-determined and free. We want to feel the exhilaration of over coming our failures. We want to see the fruit of our labors. We don’t want redistribution or any of those other trappings which strip away our dignity and individuality! We are people not sheep.

Cass Sunstein and all those other radicals you surround yourself with live in vacuums of “utopias” created in the depths of their own minds. They are free to live as they please. Maybe it is time they stop reflecting their own personal intellectual ideology on others and start allowing people to live in the real world instead of their own world of unreality and unattainable failed utopian intellectual theory. Maybe instead of telling everyone else in the world how to live their lives these intellectual vacuums ought to “get a life!”

Prosecute those renegade troops, those killers, to the fullest extent of the law. Then let the rest of our troops do their jobs. Let them rid the insurgency from Afghanistan. I see little difference between the enemy in Afghanistan and our own “enemy within!” Both use fear, intimidation, and violence to force their will on others. Both are minorities willing to use force, manipulation, terror and any other means in their sociopathic need to control others.

I have added some links below of my own choice. Some are for and some are against my post. Read them all.  BY the way, look and see if you pick up on the “nudge!” My thanks to a great post over at LogisticsMonster.

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• The Traitor Betrays Himself (disquietreservations.blogspot.com)
• First Obama, now Cameron embraces ‘nudge theory’ (independent.co.uk)
• Waaaah! O’Reilly whines that mean liberals are blaming poor, innocent Fox News for warping people’s perceptions (crooksandliars.com)
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• Glenn Beck Is a Socialist (lewrockwell.com)
• Cass Sunstein’s “libertarian paternalism”: Czar is “crazy” without the “y” (riehlworldview.com)
• Glenn Beck (And Homer Simpson) Explain The Encroaching Nanny State (mediaite.com)

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