McCain Calls Pentagon Study on Gays Flawed

Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank (especially Barney) and the rest of the left-wing, liberal-progressive, Marxist-socialists in the House and Senate have high hopes of repealing the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" act. They will support any effort to weaken our national security and self-defense efforts. They have been further emboldened by a recent "Pentagon Study", stating that 70% of those serving in our military believe that repealing the Act would have little noticeable impact upon the performance of our troops.

Senator John McCain, (R)AZ suggests that the study is flawed, and those of us who have served in the military can understand such a suggestion. McCain's statement was directly challenged by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the military's top uniformed officer who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

For those of you who haven't had the honor of serving in our military, understand this - the Chairman of the JCS is appointed by the president (with Senate confirmation) as a 4-star general or admiral, and serves at the pleasure of the president. One does not advance into the ranks of general officers - not even a 1-star) without some serious political connections. The Defense Secretary is also a presidential appointee who serves at the pleasure of the president.

My point is simple - unless one wishes to end their military career, or forfeit a cabinet position which pays almost $200,000 (plus perks) annually - they will support the agenda of he to whom they are indebted for their prestigious and prosperous position. As the Chairman of the JCS, Admiral Mullen is compensated at the rate of $216,734.40 (O-10 over 38 yrs service = $18,061.20 per month x12 [PLUS allowances and perks]). Granted, both these men were appointed by President George W. Bush, but they still serve at the pleasure of the current president, and technically, both Mullen and the Pentagon work for Gates... and Gates works for Obama. And Obama is the Head Lefty. Would a Pentagon Study dare be released if the results were other than supportive of the president' desires? If you believe it would, you'll be deeply disappointed on December 25th... while you're waiting up for the fat guy in the red suit to come down the chimney!

"In Hasan case, superiors ignored their own worries"

Thus reads today's AP online headline, referring to the infamous Fort Hood shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, United States Army. The article goes on to say - "The picture emerging from the review ordered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates is one of supervisors who failed to heed their own warnings about an officer ill-suited to be an Army psychiatrist, according to information gathered during the internal Pentagon investigation and obtained by The Associated Press. The review has not been publicly released."

The rest of this news item goes on to tell how poorly Hasan did in medical school, how weak a performer he was as a practicing Army psychiatrist, and how he was promoted on schedule regardless, carefully avoiding asking the question of "WHY?"

Why was he allowed to spend 6 years completing medical training that normally takes 4 years to complete?

Why, if he was a less-than-satisfactory practicing psychiatrist, did his officer efficiency reports fail to reflect that?

Why was he promoted on schedule throughout his 12 year stint in the Army?

Why did his superiors fail to report their suspicions about his radical and inappropriately expressed Islamic religious views?

The obvious answer to each and every question is the exact same answer...

He was allowed to spend 6 years completing his medical training because he is a member of an ethnic minority group in the US, and to treat him as others would be treated could possibly indicate a personal prejudice by a staff member at the school, or a systemic prejudice within the school itself. Political Correctness dictates that we must not criticize the actions or failures of any minority group member.

Because of his status as a member of the privileged "minority" class, none of Hasan's superiors would dare present an honest evaluation of Hasan's substandard performance without jeopardizing his own career aspirations. To write a performance evaluation that failed to praise a follower of Islam would be politically incorrect, and could quite possibly get that superior officer branded as a "racist" or an "Islamophobe".

He was promoted on-schedule for exactly the reasons explained above. Failure to recommend him at the earliest promotion points could be seen as "institutional racism" within our Army, or - again - personal prejudice on the part of evaluating/reviewing superior officers within his chain-of-command. We must, at all costs, be Politically Correct!

To indicate that one has suspicions about the demonstrated behaviors of a member of a minority group, is (within our military organizations) essentially saying, "I'm against Muslims progressing in our military." This is the accepted government mindset! It has nothing to do with his bogus "evaluation reports". The evaluators really had no choice, other than to end their own military career progression by giving Hasan an honest evaluation.

Hasan got a "pass" at every turn because of our social obsession with Political Correctness, and it is exactly that which allowed him to massacre 19 people at Fort Hood, Texas on November 5th, 2009. The radical religious fervor as demonstrated by his behavior, was a definite indicator that something was not quite as it should be within Hasan's mind. This fact does not make Hasan a victim. His actions were a conscious decision - as evidenced by his giving away his belongings in the hours immediately preceding his vicious, intentional execution of 19 unarmed persons. He did not expect to survive the incident, he was on jihad for the glory of allah (intentional lower-case "a"), and would have no further need for earthly belongings.

There are valid reasons for taking actions that are politically incorrect. There are valid reasons for "profiling" - if you are shopping for a baseball how much time would you waste looking in the
frozen foods section? So what if it makes somebody uncomfortable? It is both logical and efficient!

America's obsession with Political Correctness will bring about America's downfall!

Law Enforcement Warned Again About Right-Wing "Domestic Terrorists"

Remember a few months ago, when the Department of Homeland Security issued its now infamous report "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment" warning that returning veterans and people in a long list of other categories were potential terrorists?

It warned of potential terrorism threats from those who:

Oppose abortion (and why should we support abortion on demand?)

Are returning veterans (how many acts of domestic terrorism have they committed?)

Oppose same-sex marriage (as has more than 2,000 years of worldwide tradition)

Oppose restrictions on firearms (unreasonable restrictions must be opposed)

Oppose lax immigration laws (rigid enforcement of existing immigration laws would be good)

Oppose the policies of President Obama regarding immigration, citizenship, and the expansion of social programs (the Chief Domestic Terrorist's policies are socialistic, and therefore should be opposed)

Oppose continuation of free trade agreements (how are we benefiting from those agreements?)

Are suspect of foreign regimes (well, DUH! Many foreign regimes wish the USA harm in some fashion - economic, political or physical. Envy and jealousy come in many forms.)

Fear Communist regimes (again... DUH! We have spent decades defending against the deleterious effects of communism! We do not need communism in our government.)

Oppose a "one world" government (Give me ten objective, non-socialistic reasons why we should accept a "one world government". Sounds extremely Orwellian to me!

Bemoan the decline of U.S. stature in the world (and we should be joyful about that?)

Are upset with loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to China and India, and others (with 15 million unemployed workers in this country - who have been forced to transition from taxpayer to tax burden - why shouldn't we be upset with the outsourcing of U.S. jobs to foreign countries? Perhaps if we outsourced the jobs of the House of Representatives and Senate the legislative branch of our government might see the situation with the same seriousness that John Q. Public sees it!)

The list seems to include anyone whose memories of a better America are in direct conflict with the Chief Domestic Terrorist's vision of a "better America". Their definitions of what constitutes a "better America" could not be further apart, nor could they be less reconcilable.

Only the new warning, not issued by the DHS, was delivered recently to police officers, sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel across the country, and is now lumping those dedicated to the constitutional principles on which the nation was founded together with crazed killers.

The fall 2009 "Intelligence Report" was issued recently by the Southern Poverty Law Center - a politically-based, radical left-wing organization - where officials stated it was published specifically for and delivered to law enforcement personnel across the nation. The SPLC is a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), which has no more legitimate standing than any individual citizen to issue such a document warning law enforcement agencies about anything! But, the SPLC does fear the conservative silent majority... as do all left-wing organizations and movements. Their only hope for success in the destruction of the Republic is to demonize conservative thought - which is understandable coming from those who support the concept of "Thought Police".

Conservative actor Chuck Norris addressed the issue in a discussion of the 9/12 rally in Washington, where hundreds of thousands of people assembled to protest uncontrolled spending by government and its interference in individual lives.

"On Sept. 12, 2002, we sought to protect our nation against terrorists from without. Beginning on Sept. 12, 2009, we are seeking to protect our nation against enemies of our republic from within. Many of us are protesting the present political direction of Washington. Outrageous borrowing, excessive bailouts, massive spending, speedball stimulus plans … swings toward socialism are just a few of things that were protested that day. Of course, economics is far from America's only problem, as large as it appears to loom," Norris wrote.

"I want to emphasize: this revolutionary movement is not solely an independent, Republican or Democrat fight. It represents patriots fed up against modernists who seek to overturn almost every principle and tenet laid down by our country's founders at the inception of our republic. From the East Coast to the 'Left Coast,' America seems to be moving further and further from its founders' vision and government," he said.

"Conservative" and "actor" are terms that I usually find to be mutually exclusive, so Chuck stands within a relatively small circle within a very large group of otherwise radical, left-wing socialists. For that reason, and that reason alone, I generally take little note of anything emanating from the mouths of socialistic Hollywood (who, by the way, are the major beneficiaries of our capitalistic system as it now exists! Where, other than in a free-market, capitalist society could the likes of Sean Penn, Barbra Streisand and George Clooney demand - and get - millions of dollars for a few weeks of "work"?) Norris, on the other hand, has a good grasp of what our Constitution means to the freedoms we all enjoy - including those who wish so desperately to change it!

I can barely hear the fife and drums, and see the flag bearer of the "Spirit of '76"... they are still far in the distance. But, their cadence is steady and their march moves indefatigably forward. They call out to those who would resist being ruled by despots, rather than properly governed by those who would be elected as true representatives of "We the People". Their cry is "Join us and save the Republic!"... and many - who heretofore went unnoticed - will!

Although I cannot find any specific number for retired military and ex-military personnel, I feel safe in estimating their numbers to be several millions. Several millions who took the following "Oath of Office":
"I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

Nowhere in that oath is an expiration date, and those who took the oath are honor-bound to it. "Support and defend the Constitution" and to "bear true faith and allegiance to the same" makes no exceptions for a government gone astray. The oath is to "support and defend the Constitution,"... not the President, Congress, Judiciary or government-at-large! It is the Constitution which guarantees us our God-given rights and freedoms, NOT the government.

Keep your eyes and ears open for the arrival of the "Spirit of '76" in your city. They already made their presence peacefully known in Washington D.C. on September 12th, 2009. The question now is - "Did our present misdirected government even take notice?"

I do not possess the gift of prophecy, but I do possess the power of observation. That which I have recently been observing is very disturbing, and I am resolved that when the time for observation is supplanted by the call to action, others will find it even more disturbing.

U.S. war funding bill brims with unrelated extras - Reuters

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A $100 billion bill to fund U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is rapidly accumulating extra items such as money for military aircraft the Pentagon doesn't want and possibly a scheme to jump-start sagging auto sales.

The cars and planes are not directly linked to the U.S. war effort. But they are typical of Congress' penchant for loading bills with unrelated spending in hopes the funds will sail through on the strength of the main legislation...

Democratic Representative John Murtha, who heads the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, managed to get $3.1 billion for eight C-17 and 11 C-130 military transport planes included. However, that has been pared back by four C-130s.

The Pentagon did not request the aircraft but lawmakers want them to preserve jobs in their home states and Murtha disputes the military's contention that they are not needed."

OINK!! Talk about PORK! We're expected to pay for military aircraft that the military neither wants nor needs?? And "Murtha disputes the military's contention that they are not needed." How would Murtha know better than the end-user what they need or don't need? Murtha's military experience is limited to 3 years of active duty - at the end of which he was probably a 1st Lieutenant - and a career in the USMC Reserves (with one year of voluntary active duty during the Vietnam conflict) from which he retired as a Colonel in 1990. He's been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1974! How would he have any idea what the military needs? His practical military knowledge is 40 years old! What a DB! Murtha seems to have donned the mantle of Assistant Messiah.

If the military says they don't need something, take their word for it. Perhaps they would rather have more/better armor for their HumVees! Here's a revolutionary idea... ASK them what they need and give that to them instead of slicing off more bacon! This little piggy went to Congress...

I could be wrong about this... and Murtha could have a bit of common sense, but both assumptions are incorrect!

How Much Does It Pay, And Do You Need A Degree To Get The Job?

I was first introduced to Utah in 1975, courtesy of the United States Air Force. Hill AFB is in Davis County, Utah, and is surrounded by the towns of Clearfield, Layton, Sunset, Roy, Riverdale and South Ogden. The base occupies a rather large chunk of land - about 13 miles around Perimeter Road - atop a hill ... hence the name (isn't our government just SO creative?). In 1975, the main road linking Layton, Clearfield, Sunset and Roy was full of potholes, and (it seemed like) almost everybody had a Bear Front End Alignment machine. Every service station (this was back when they actually did something resembling "service"), tire shop, inspection station ... maybe even Rite Aid, and Sacco's Produce stand.

Well, I'm pleased to announce that those potholes on the main drag have, for the most part, been eliminated ... and replaced by man-made potholes on the intersecting side streets. Apparently some clever construction company got a contract to countersink all the manhole covers (and they average about 2 manholes per block, with each one being offset from the previous and following one)! Does someone not understand the concept of flush mounting? Or did the county hire a civil engineer from the Bubba's Skule Of Enjinearring? Who did they pay to set all their manholes 4" to 6" below the road surface?

Okay, now try to imagine navigating this asphalt slalom course on a motorcycle, on roads where the "speed limit" is apparently a suggestion, and if you aren't going at least 10mph over the speed limit, you will either have to move your tuchas into the slow lane, or find yourself discovering the joys of organ donation! I can remember the days of Sunset Officer "Ticket Tommy" Reynolds, the fastest pen in the west, so I'm a bit leary of exceeding the posted speed limit in this area, even if it is just a suggestion. And nobody would want my organs ... but that's a whole different story in itself. It's obvious that Davis County, Utah has spent the revenues from the gasoline road taxes, vehicle registrations, on anything but roads! Perhaps they had a giant Postum party at the State Capitol. And then, there's the exhorbitant and ridiculous (and quite possibly illegal) practice of charging new residents UTAH SALES TAX on vehicles brought into Utah by them if they come from a state without sales tax. And, they don't care how old the vehicle is, or how long you owned it before moving here! How does the Utah DMV figure that they have the right to tax something that somebody bought elsewhere prior to moving here?? Where IS the logic?

Complaining aside (and I've been told that I'd complain if I were hung with a gold rope) oddly enough, returning to Utah is always like coming home, and I've been gone for 10 years now. Sure, Utah has it's problems - like goofy rules, odd laws, and corrupt politicians, but so do most places. I was born in New Jersey, and have lived in 11 states and 4 foreign countries, but I have never felt more comfortable - more 'at home' - than I do when I return to Utah for a visit with my kids, and my numerically insignificant but absolutely wonderful (I consider each one a personal blessing in my life) friends! To borrow a line from The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home."

Gil

P.S. And, especially if you ride a motorcycle, there are some MAGNIFICENT rides in Utah!!

NObama Snubs America's Fighting Men and Women ... Is Innaccurate

If you have read any of my previous postings, you will know that I am not Barak NObama's #1 fan. However, I received the following email yesterday and felt it was worth bringing to your attention (whoever you may happen to be). Knowing the love affair the media has for NObama, it wouldn't surprise me to discover this was absolutely true. On the other hand, understanding the dirty tricks of politics, I would be equally unsurprised to find that it's nothing more than a believable lie.

So, after much soul-searching, I decided to post it only with the following disclaimer: I have not been able to ascertain/verify the origin(s) of this email, nor do I know it to be true and accurate reportage in any degree. If it is untrue then shame on those who prepared it, and I apologize in advance for being taken in by their chicanery. If it is true, then shame on our own media for not reporting it. (The press was not granted freedom by the 1st Amendment so they could lie to the American people, but rather to protect them from retribution when they were telling the truth ... rare as those occasions may be these days). The following is that email, in it's entirety and unedited by me - (I discovered on 30 August 2008 that the following is incorrect, and quite possibly designed to make NObama look worse than he really is - if that's humanly possible)

"Hello everyone,

As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to "The War Zone". I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plan and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram. As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service. So really he was just here to make a showing for the American's back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you. I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country.

If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake.

In service,
CPT Jeffrey S. Porter
Battle Captain
TF Wasatch
American Soldier"

Personally, I have some strong doubts about any statement which cannot be easily traced back to it's source - especially political statements. However, on the chance that there is any truth to the above email at all, I would rather "err on the side of caution", and attempt to bring it to the attention of the American people. Ultimately, as in all things, it's your call.

Gil