Dear, Marines, Friends and Family,
In honor of Veteran's day I submit the following:
A VETERAN
I was, what others did not want to be.
I went, where others did not want to go
and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those
who gave nothing,
and reluctantly accepted
the thought of eternal
loneliness should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror.
I have felt the sting of fear
and have enjoyed the sweet
taste of a moments love.
But most of all, I have lived
times best forgotten.
At least today I will be able to say
that I was proud of what I am
A VETERAN
(Author Anonymous)
May God bless our Veterans and God speed to our Active Duty Service Members.
Randy Voepel
Mayor, Santee, CA, Marine Town USA

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A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
 
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
 
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
 
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
 
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "It's really all right,
I'm out here by choice; I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures; he's sure got her smile.
 
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue--an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house, and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
 
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
 
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

As of September of 2007...

Did you know that 47 countries' have reestablished their embassies in  Iraq?
Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?
Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq?
Did you know that Iraq's higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?
Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?
Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational?  They have 5 - 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.
Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?
Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?
Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?
Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?
Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq?  They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.
Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?
Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?
Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%?
Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?
Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?
Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?
OF COURSE WE DIDN'T KNOW!

WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW?  OUR  MEDIA WOULDN'T TELL US!
 
Instead of reflecting our love for our country, we get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib and people throwing snowballs at the presidential motorcades.

Tragically, the lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves two purposes:
It is intended to undermine the world's perception of the United States thus minimizing consequent support, and it is intended to discourage American citizens.
---- Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.
http://www.defenselink.mil/

Every day there are news reports of more deaths.     
Why are we still there?
We see images of death and destruction on TV every night.     
Why are we still there?

We took this land by force. We occupied it. It causes us nothing but trouble.   
Why are we still there?

Many of our children go there but never come back.     
Why are we still there?

Murderers, Rapists, and gangs of Thugs enjoy celebrity status.   
Why are we still there?

Their government is unstable.   
Why are we still there?

Many of their people are uncivilized.     
Why are we still there?

Their land is subject to natural disasters and we are obliged   to come to their aid.   
Why are we still there?

They have more than 1000 religious sects which we do not   understand.   
Why are we still there?
 
Their cultures, foods and diverse ways of life are   unfathomable to most ordinary Americans.   
Why are we still there?
 
They cannot secure their borders.   
Why are we still there?

They are billions of dollars in debt and it will cost billions   more to rebuild.   
Why are we still there?

It is now quite clear -

WE MUST PULL OUT OF   CALIFORNIA   NOW!!!

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Someone should SNOPES this but I would LOVE for it to be true.

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at County High School , Kingston , Tennessee , by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex."   If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control."   If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best and, at worst, diabolical .
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree.  For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best and, at worst, hypocritical.  I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally.  I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.  As far as I know, that's not against the law...yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands.  They prayed in the team huddles.  They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."

Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten.  We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER."
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This is attributed to Jay Leno.  Don't know if that's true but I'd love to hear the points answered by one of the millions of leftist loons on the internet

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe.  It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?  Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic
Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.  Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments
and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer
equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.  How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? 

Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.  There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.  They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!  Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your
bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country.  There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative."  "With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
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Donald Wildmon's satirical commentary here makes a good point.  Let me know if you agree.  What else can we avoid responsibility for by "being born that way"?

Also, if kleptomaniacs are born that way does that mean socialist/collectivist political outlooks are inherent from birth?  Seems to me the "progressives" are (often if not always) synonymous with kleptomaniacs

John Edwards says, as part of his marxist/socialist vision for the land of the free that "I do not believe it is okay for the United States of America to have 37 million people living in poverty,".

What exactly is "living in poverty" in the United States?  How many of his 37 million have cell phones?  Nice cars?  Cable or Satellite TV?  Microwave ovens?  DVD/VCR Players?  Gold or other precious jewelry?

He states that his vision will require many Americans to "make sacrifices".  In a free country isn't "sacrifice" a choice that people make?  Not to Mr. Edwards.  "Sacrifice" is something he will order OTHERS to do from the comfort of his luxurious villa while enjoying his private hundred(s) dollar haircuts and channeling miraculously the anguish of the impoverished in his "Two Americas" fantasy.

As our politicos wrangle about SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) it is amazing how virtually no one reports, comments on or notices on the real problem with it.

The Statist sheople herders argue about "how to fund it" and what taxes to raise and the "proper amount of funding" for it.  The news media dutifully report on these disagreements.  This insidious approach is to keep the sheople ignorant of the true problem.

SCHIP is a grossly unconstitutional exercise.  The program is unconstitutional.  The Federal behemoth "funding it" (your tax dollars) is unconstitutional.  Applying tax dollars to it is unconstitutional.

Who will object?  When?  We will and we do.  We need a serious consitutional revolution in our country before ALL of our rights and our constitutional federalism are destroyed by the statist power grubbers in Washington.

Dear Sheople and Nazis of Belmont California (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300658,00.html)

I was so pleased to read of your city/town government's latest infringement on the individual and personal liberties of the citizenry.  Banning smoking on private property and in public parks that those so prohibited have their money confiscated to support.

The Collectivist/national socialist city government would and will defend itself as "protecting non-smokers".  Bogus crap.  The scary and hysterical anti-smoking crowd doesn't care about the truth (http://www.davehitt.com/facts/epa.html) except in concealing it from the sheople they wish to control.

THAT is the driving factor for the collectivist has nothing to do with *protecting* you.  It is about *CONTROLLING* you.  Desensitize you to such controls by targeting supposed (mythical) *dangers* that are acceptable to *hate*.

So nice to live in a country of sheep.  I'll believe that until and unless I see a town throw out such big nosed, busybody, nanny-elitist collectivists in an election.

Do your homework.  "Second hand smoke" is about as dangerous to you and your neighbors as "global warming" is.  Educate yourself and resist by political activism our slide down the slope to the collectivist/communist/nazi *utopia* our political masters wish for us to become.  Be a FREE AMERICAN.

Unfortunately, if the mall is open and the HBO is working most of our sheople residing in the U.S. don't care AT ALL about the politicians gradual usupation of liberty.

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I like Michael and agree with him on many cultural issues.  He is pretty consistently wrong (incorrect facts) when he writes or speaks based on his knowledge of history.  Or rather, apparent lack thereof.

In a recent article on Townhall  Michael is trying to assert that the U.S. has always had an outward looking foriegn policy.  To support this position he claims that; "virtually all our major wars began without some clear-cut attack by the enemy on American soil: the French-and-Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War, World War I, Korea, Vietnam and the First Gulf War claimed a total of tens of thousands of American lives based on incidents or interests, but without any undeniable mass assault."

This is pretty patently false in most of the examples given.  I'd agree in the cases of Vietnam and the Gulf War however the other examples are demostrably false or significantly debatable.

The French and Indian War began as a result of the French and their Indian allies' repeated attacks on English settlers.  The Revolutionary War was sparked by the British Army's attacks on Lexington and Concord in Massachussetts.  The War of 1812 was the result of both British incitement of Indian attacks on U.S. settlements and YEARS of assaults on American shipping (and warships) to impress sailors into their Navy and enforce their blockade of Napoleonic controlled Europe.  The Mexican War was secondary to the Mexican/US dispute of the border of Texas but was ignited when Mexican troops attacked U.S. Dragoons.  The Spanish American War is certainly debatable in hindsight but was sparked at the time by the sinking of an U.S. Battleship in a Spanish controlled harbor.  World War I was joined as a direct result of German attacks on American shipping and Germans plotting war against the U.S. with other countries.  The sinking of American ships sure seems to be an attack on the U.S.

Michael seems to think a "mass assault" is some requirement for this argument.  All that is required is an attack on Americans and their property or territories.  Fort Sumpter hardly qualifies as a "mass assault" and also doesn't fit his argument as it started and entirely internal CIVIL war.  Pearl Harbor, while a heinous suprise attack, also hardly qualifies as a "mass assault".  Hitler's invasion of Poland, now THERE is a "mass assault".  All of Germany's attacks on France in the 19th and 20th centuries were mass assaults as was Japan's attacks on Manchuria and later China proper.

It does conservatism a great disservice when a public spokesman misrepresents purposefully or through ignorance the facts of history.  Of course, this is from a man who calls freedom loving Americans (not LP members only) "losertarians".  That point of view shows Medved as the Statist that he is.  What else could one expect from a former progressive.  Statists only change their approach to gaining power of those who love freedom, they remain statists.

Hillary Clinton sure shows her socialist stripes in calling for a collectivist society rather than an individualist one.

Some real hoots are included.  Such asher lament that we are a, "society that has widened the gap between rich and poor."  I suppose that depends on your definition of "poor".  Do our (the U.S.) "poor" include those who have cars, cellphones, cable, microwave ovens, playstations and go to "the club" on the weekend?  In no society in history have the "poor" been so well off and had so much.

Further Ms. Rodham neglects to notice that in our lamentable individualist "ownership" society that the "poor" don't remain that way.  The demographic of "poor" people isn't and aren't made up of the same people from decade to decade.  She doesn't note that they are predominately young people, single parents and under-educated (often illegal) immigrants.  Despite those hindrances, they don't STAY POOR.  She amazingly overlooks such facts in favor of her collectivist fantasies drawn up in her million dollar house in an exclusive NY neighborhood.

Another side busting laugher is, "Fairness doesn't just happen. It requires the right government policies."....

Now that the tears have stopped streaming from my eyes.  Ronald Reagan said it best, "Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem."  This simple dichotomy shows the difference between collectivist/socialist philosophies of statist government bureaucrat/office holders and someone who actually believed in our founding principles and the American Dream.

The upcoming election may well determined if the entitlement addicted sheople outnumber the patriotic Americans who believe in individual liberty, accountability and responsibility.  

NO ONE's success is dependent upon government definitions of "fairness", upon collectivist "programs" or government "support".  Success is specific to each individual's ambition, drive and effort.

Posted Weekly on The American Freedom Net Web Log and the Amfree Townhall Blog

 We always recommend these sites to keep up to date on issues: One source, you OWE it to yourself to *not be ignorant*

Townhall.com (The columnist link is frequently referenced), Breitbart News , RealClearPolitics.com , Salon.com (careful its lefty ;-), Dailykos.com (farther lefty), The Powerline Blog, One Source for Milblogs (Read These!) , WorldNetDaily (for your spin in the black helicopter), Complete Campaign Coverage (WAY too early).

Feel free to suggest other sites.

Check our links to sites and blogs in both of our locations. 

---

This week's articles of note:
Diversity doesn't Matter
Islam not Freedom
"Hate" isn't a "Crime"
"Rules" for Murderous Barbarism
World War IV?
Why liberals spread poverty
Healthcare Reality
No Grand Schemes on Immigration
LOL when Liberals Analyze Elephants (more projection)
After the Bomb - Media wants Panic
What have Dems in Power accomplished?
Rudy's "12 Commitments"
Religious Left is wrong Part 1 and Part Two
Mexification
Remember the victims of tyranny

Recommended Blogs This Week:
The Bull Speaks | Professor TopKat | Fred Thompson Blog Network | The Western Confucian

Hits the nail right on the head.  Why are so many in denial?  Iraq isn't the *WAR* but only PART of the *war*.

The real enemy has to be looked at honestly and realistically by our citizens.

"As Americans we must always remember that we all have a common enemy, an enemy that is dangerous, powerful and relentless. I refer, of course, to the federal government." - Dave Barry