The last straw. UPDATED, again, on April 2nd!

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- You know I rarely stray from military related topics, this was close enough and I was able to bind it to the Commander-in-Chief. I have just viewed a photo that has forever made me determine that the kids out in California are not only stupid, but worse, disrespectful. And what they did was in gross violation of the Federal Flag Code.

SEC. 4 That no disrespect should be shown to the flag the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

I have little to no emotion in "my cold republican military mindset heart" for those students that did this to the flag.

Simple... The US Flag is always the largest or same in size to any other flag on display, it shall always be flown at higher or equal height, and not upside down. I suggest the President deem this action a capital offense and have these students executed. Is that too far? Yes, do I mean it in my heart? I am not sure, but I cannot answer no. You lefties have nothing to worry about, you think!

SEC. 8 Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in proclamation.

It is ok, since the Flag Code is never enforced in a law enforcement manner. Maybe it is time. Yes in this case, I have thrown the 1st Amendment out the damn window. Am I coming off psycho, I am very sure of that. But they were not in distress, they were slacker students that wanted to be in the sun not the classroom.
(pardon my French)
Go fuck yourselves and move the hell out of the country you so distaste!

-md

[UPDATED ON 20060401]

Colorado’s Skyline High School has banned the display of the US flag on school property!

You are no longer allowed to have the flag on campus!!! I think the apocalypse has arrived. Courts find it legal to burn the flag as freedom of speech, but now treating it with respect is not allowed. Who are these jackasses that come up with this? Well, if you like... copy and paste to your email and give them a piece of your mind (this is the administration, found on the site but email ready here):

stumpf_thomas@stvrain.k12.co.us, lundquist_judy@stvrain.k12.co.us, dillow_patrick@stvrain.k12.co.us, bakel_diane @stvrain.k12.co.us, mckie_randy@stvrain.k12.co.us

-md

[UPDATED ON 20060402]

"The ban includes T-shirts and other clothing that have replicas of the flags. At least for now, it also includes Mexican or American flags flown from the antennas of cars parked on school property." (Link to article)

You must be joking! Nothing that looks like the flag? That school should be burnt to the ground and any administration that was involved in this decision should be jailed. I mean this is actually insane, I call many things "insane", but this really is insane!

I wish I was back in highschool for a bit. I would march my patriotic ass in there dressed as Uncle Sam and waving the largest flag I could. If they wanted me gone, they would have to arrest me. The next day I would do the same exact thing.

I would have a GIGANTIC flag pole on my car. I'd park on the closest public street and run a flag up for all to see.

I actually find it offensive for him to continue to fly the US flag in front of the school! Why? If it is not allowed anywhere else on the property by students, even on t-shirts... flying the flag is a sham to make sure he doesn't get in trouble. With his logic isn't that "offensive" to the Hispanics? He is flying a flag that represents the opposite of what he is allowing, or should I say prohibiting, behind it.

Does the church down the street run an abortion clinic in their baptistery?

Kudos to the students that walked out, they should do so until the ban is ended. He is a horrible principle if he is unable to find some other way to prevent "the violence" than to blame an inanimate object and some patriotic kids. I hate to give him a history lesson but this country is what it is because we "waved our flag in the faces" of others. Francis Scott Key did a little thing talking about how "the flag was still there." Why? For us and the British to see!

I went to a private school, but we had "minority students." Guess what, when there was a problem related to race: every class was canceled and we had meetings in the auditorium. We actually figured out what was behind the issues. If he doesn't do that, the violence he speaks of will still continue. If it is a racism problem, taking flags and shirts away doesn't change anyone’s actual skin color.

You are in America, fly the flag and fly it with pride and accept its meaning. If the students want to wave the flag let them. It is not your flag. The Stars and Stripes belong to every single American, and by taking away the right for students to show the flag you are stealing from them! (Sometimes I wish McCarthy was around. I would love to get his opinion on this.)

-md

I'm pointing my fingers, all of them.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Once again the Communist News Network has done it again. I seem to catch these things on the subtle notes, and just like with Christiane Amanpour it was made while interviewing a journalist (Lara Logan, who seemed un-prepped and seemed unaware that Laura Ingraham had been to Iraq). Her response with her grinning face:

I mean, we just can’t win. I think it’s an outrage to point the finger at journalists and say that this is our fault. I really do. And I think it shows an abject lack of respect for any journalist that’s prepared to come to this country and risk their lives.

I think the REAL Laura said it best when she mentioned that she was there the entire time, and never in a hotel room. Once again like my previous post on CNN this woman spoke about the journalists being safe. If that is all you are worried about stay home!

You are covering the military, during a war. Who at CNN or CBS didn't do the math to figure out that it is not like covering a party. Dangerous yes, however, if you are unwilling to risk that... to give people at home accurate reports, then you are shirking your journalistic responsibility!

Also, you are "covering" a war zone. Maybe it would be harder to criticize you if say for example you were not being interviewed from Baghdad while wearing a pressed pants-suit and pearl necklace.

-md

The almighty comes in camouflage these days.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Three Western peace workers who were held hostage in Iraq for four months were freed in a military operation today, two weeks after their American colleague was killed in captivity." (NYT)

Our coalition forces once again did work they will never be thanked for, it disgusts me. People place themselves in danger and complain when they are kidnapped. This is a very different thing than Jill Carroll. These people did not go to Iraq to report back to the world on events, or to help in some other way. They went there to protest the war.

They did and they spent much time up close and personal with the enemy, I suppose it wasn't the Club-Med they thought it would be. For future morons: It is not like a march in Toronto or Washington, the people (enemy) that you are attempting to protect and aid actually don't give a s--t about you. They will use, torture, and kill you faster than they can praise Allah. You may not want to tell them they are Christians, by the way.

It worked, MOST of you came out of it alive! The world bitched and moaned over the war and the loss of you. God came in and saved you. WAIT! No it was coalition forces that saved you, the same people you most likely would call murderers.

"With God’s abiding kindness, we will love even our enemies. With the love of Christ, we will resist all evil. With God’s unending faithfulness, we will work to build the beloved community." (Jim Loney)

As a catholic I understand that is the way of faith, and it is terrific on paper. In reality, F--K YOU. “Love the enemies.” If that quote is true, I would press to have him executed should he ever set foot in the US. I have no respect for you. I have no problem praying for our enemies, for God to have mercy on their soul. To "love" them?

Really Jim, you "love" them? You "love" the people that kidnapped the 4 of you? You "love" the people that tortured your friend Tom Fox? You "love" the people that dragged him out and shot him time after time in the head?

-md

Liberals using the military and press?

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. --No it is more like trying to abuse the press. I suppose it can't be considered abuse when the press is a willing participant. There is a new plan that came out from high up the liberal ladder, Senator Reid. The plan is what you would expect. Have town meetings, hang out with the National Guard, go to military hospitals, etc. You know what, I am fine with that. I don't think they will get the responses they desire, and they will cherry-pick the one out of a million that wants to make it appear like the military as a whole is about to desert. But “A” for effort if you are sincere.

Let the liberals march about speaking on their Homeland Security and Veterans affairs. The overwhelming majority know where they really stand.

It was evident throughout the whole document but it really stood out with this line:

"When selecting a location and the military installation for the event, make sure to select a space that allows easy press access and clearly conveys the message in the shot."

All along it would almost make you think the real reason was to get the opinions, the opinions of the young men and women serving. We know that not to be the case from liberals. Well, only if you are going to bash your Commander-in-Chief in the press, and be quoted. It is really pathetic. Now I am sure that many will say that Republicans do the same thing. Possibly, but I know of no manual for it! And there is the fact that in my heart I would trust almost every Republican over the Democrats on this issue. Oh, and the small fact that Republicans do it to raise morale, not sink it.

And NO Senator Kerry or Representative Murtha, we don't trust you just because you are a "Veteran." Senator McCain is more of a veteran than both of you, and I don't trust him! A real Veteran would never let the phrase "our military is broken" come from his lips Rep. Murtha.

-md

Emergency Action Message 20060316

C.I.R. -- E.A.M. link

"Don't you have a higher duty as an American citizen to do all you can to save the lives of soldiers rather than this journalistic ethic of reporting fact?" Ogletree asked. Without hesitating Wallace responded: "No, you don't have higher duty...you're a reporter." (1987)

[UPDATED 20060318]

Chris Malloy:This is not a war. There is nothing honorable. Do you agree with me on that? There is nothing honorable about what we’re doing. There is no honor here. There is no honor for the United States, there is no honor for our troops, there is no honor for the military leadership, there is no honor here in what we’re doing in Iraq. None. None.

Just had to go there didn't he, couldn't stick to the leaders. Had to go down to even bashing the boots on the ground. Nice. (Granted not like you would expect anything else.)

-md

"I didn't become a journalist to serve my country; I became a journalist to serve the story. Dying for my country was not as noble as dying for the truth."

-Jackie Spinner

(Washington Post Journalist -- Cited from her book.)

-While speaking to journalism students at UCBerkeley-

C.I.R. Press Editorial

Just curious, which Country gives you the "freedom of the press"?

Last time I checked it was the Country with the Constitution of the United States of America that gives us the freedoms we love. I think it would be great if she and all journalists took a look at the oath to become an American Citizen:

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when
required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

Huh, for the damn liberal journalists that declare, sue, and hide behind the Constitution... they seem to forget that this document makes the country great when the people stand behind it. Should she feel that is not her duty I would like her thrown on her ass out of this country.

Some of us in this great country even go a step further:

"I, _____, 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; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

Replace her with an immigrant that is pleading to become a U.S. citizen. It is those that LEGALLY immigrate to the U.S. that actually understand how great this country truly is. They are willing to spend years on a waiting list, learn more US History than most history professors know, and declare their allegiance. I have seen friends go through the process… watching it, especially as she said the oath in Federal Court with tears running down her face. A real American! Jackie not so much.

-md

Iran is mad. UN Security Council... Who knows.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- How many times in history must we go through this joke of a process? Wait, plead, beg. What purpose does the U.N. serve? I always get the feeling that I am more likely to “understand the meaning of life” before I get the answer to the UN question.

Iran buys time for months/years, on & off inspections. This has become a gigantic joke. In 2002 we have Russia constructing a nuclear reactor for Iran, one of the biggest suppliers of oil. (For only a moment I jump out on a limb and say that it isn’t because they have become huge environmentalists.) If you have no nuclear reactor and yet are found to be making fissile type material, that leaves only one reason for your creation of this material. However, build a nuclear reactor and it works as a great misdirection tool. A year later IAEA demands to inspect, does so later in the year and contests public opinion and says Iran has no nuclear weapons program. Yet years later in 2004 Iran will not fully comply with the IAEA.

Why?

Maybe they have a nuclear program? Could it be? As more and more evidence comes to light it shows that Iran was doing just what Saddam did (regardless of the weapon type). Hurry to one location, clean it up for inspections and then move everything back post-inspection. That is if ALL locations are reported by the State. Could it be that Iran kept a location or two a secret from the IAEA? But they only had these secret locations to manufacture nuclear material for peaceful reasons. Please do the math in your head on that one and let me know if that makes any sense.

The world watched as Saddam moved the military to the border with Kuwait. The U.S. warns not to attack, while the UN is content on leaning back and watching. As it continues for about a month, an Iraqi “diplomatic” delegation ends discussions and war is commenced by Iraq the following day. It was at that point that the UN threw together Resolution 660, saying Iraq is wrong. That is the problem, the UN and the rest of the world is willing to be “reactive” to events (even that is a stretch) and adamantly condemns the US when we are proactive. After war, we all know the story of spending 10 years playing with the UNSCOM garbage.

ONCE AGAIN, we are in the position of watching the international community stand by. Excuses are made as to why Iran is breaking seals to do research. That is a violation, why did the UN not jump on them right away? Now that we have sat through the no options, ok for nuclear power but you can’t make it yourself, ok Russia will make the material, we have got a dea--, Iran demands to do what it wants, no they are ok with the Russia deal since the community actually stood up.

Finally a solution, but wait once again we have Iran turning its back on the Russia deal and Russia defending Iran saying they need more time it will all work out. We now find ourselves with Russia having been turned on, kicked in the groin, used, and spat on.. with Russia saying they might just agree that Iran cannot be defended and they may change their view.

Once we work through all of that we hear from every circle that there is no point in talking about a military action. We have no troops to spare, no resources. I have heard it from bloggers, politicians, the media, friends, family, and the international community. Great way to make the country look strong folks, talk about how we have no power and are weak. Countries like this will not do anything without the military threat on the table. Considering Iran expects to bring the oncoming of Armageddon, it is a wonder if they would even fear nuclear weapons. They desire to have them so badly; they obviously have respect for them. We can stop it BEFORE it happens or maybe be lucky enough live long enough to clean it up.

I count 9 targets on the map, yes obviously there are far more than that. But let's say those are the only ones. For reference we have 21 B-2 Spirits. Then there are cruise missiles. F-117's, conventional aircraft, to top it off ICBMs/SLBMs.

Excuse me, where is our lack of military power and options?

-md

Why?

"Simply Put"

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush,"Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"
Another mother asked President Kennedy,"Why did my son have to die in VietNam?"
Another mother asked President Truman,"Why did my son have to die in Korea?
Another mother asked President F.D Roosevelt,"Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"
Another mother asked President W. Wilson,"Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"
Yet another mother asked President Lincoln,"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"
And yet another mother asked President G. Washington,"Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked,"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar--that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom.

I am so glad for email, granted I spend half my week cursing and trying to figure out why the DSCC is sending me emails along with Pelosi and Reid telling me how much they appreciate my support. But then out of all the garbage there is always that diamond in the rough that shines through. And that was this email today!

Israel: Ally or little brother?

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. --Israel is a great ally and I think that if the time comes I would fully back a bombing campaign against Iran. When I say bombing campaign, I mean campaign... not just a one day thing. It may come down to this, and if needed for stability in the world I have no problem using our power to prevent a regime to gain a nuclear weapon. This weapon may be used by them or transferred to a terrorist organization. To my original point I don't mind using our power to protect Israel, or any ally.

At the same time I do not appreciate statements like this:

"America needs to get its act together," the official said. "Until now the US administration has just been talking tough but the time has come for the Americans to begin to take tough action." (An unnamed senior Israeli defense official.)

and it makes me really look at Israel as less of an ally and more of a little brother or the person that always asks for more! Incase they didn't notice we are taking great concern of Iran. But it does not help in the world OR U.S. if bombing starts in a short time. The entire world and the citizens of the U.S. will say that we just did it because Israel demanded us to.

I think the world should protect itself first, should we decide you need help it is our choice. Israel you disappoint me. If you are worried of a bomb on your heads soon, there are better ways to communicate it to us. Look, if Israel decides to bomb Iran tonight, you really think they would not have our support? We would back them 100%. Israel is an ally, one we are careful to lookout for, and that is good.

But it is not the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces. DO NOT GIVE ORDERS TO OUR MILITARY.

-md

Na na na na, hey hey hey..GOODBYE!

C.I.R. PRESS ALERT

Richard Grenell, the spokesman for the U.S. Mission, said in response to Sheehan's arrest: "We invited her in to discuss her concerns with a U.S. Mission employee. She chose not to come in but to lay down in front of the building and block the entrance. It was clearly designed to be a media stunt, not aimed at rational discussion," Grenell said.

Is this a surprise? Her numbers have fallen from hundreds of followers that one magical summer, to a dozen supporters with her.

All bad things come to an end. She is as supportive of the military as Saddam is.

-md

The $35 billion question!

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Currently the bastions of free speech, otherwise known as colleges and universities, have lost. They demand the right to debate anything and everything in class. They debate outside of class. They are so smart as to know the world better than all. Except for one minor thing... They assume some of their classmates might be "dumb enough" to enlist. They just cannot have such a thing! So they protest, that is America! But when the administration of the school decides to ban military recruiters from campus, there lies the line that should not be crossed.

I am sure the furor shall commence, but I am so glad to let them know you can either give the military and government their "free speech" on campus, or HIKE tuition rates. What will the choice be? I thought colleges were supposed to provide a vast amount of opportunities, allowing young minds a chance to decide for themselves what they want in life.

"The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that colleges that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on campus, despite university objections to the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays...

The federal law, known as the Solomon Amendment after its first congressional sponsor, mandates that universities give the military the same access as other recruiters or forfeit federal money...

College leaders have said they could not afford to lose federal help, some $35 billion a year."

Liberals lose. The military wins. The country moves forward. I still have yet to understand why it is so bad to have a recruiting booth on campus. The only conclusion that I can arrive at, is that colleges and the students are anti-military. If that is the case, they are not patriotic. Have your protests, there is no draft so no one is forcing you into the military...so you hate a group of society that is willing to fight for you.

Do they protest a Greenpeace recruiting table? FBI?

The court has ruled, federal money means you have to go out of your way to allow a bit of recruiting on campus. Those that want the money and not the recruiters, I kindly say "shove it."

-md

'Dem be fightin' words.

vs.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The US military is an evil power set to dominate the world and destroy it all, right? When the United States decides to exert force on its own will, the international community condemns us. Tells us we need to disarm, but then every few years the “911” line in the Pentagon rings. Caller ID: United Nations, NYC.

The request, in a confidential letter to John R. Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, shows that the world body is pressing for a more aggressive military approach in dealing with armed groups in Darfur, and that it wants the United States and other Western powers to participate in that effort. (Entire article...)

I assume now the U.N. is glad that they have a superpower to call, not too many countries have vast air power. Why are they not calling Russia or China? Two reasons, they would be incapable of doing the job and it is a great way for the U.N. to try and make us divert resources from our current battles in order to stop the war in Iraq. The bonus is if we say "no" they can go about the normal "tar and feathering" of this great country.

I wonder if they realize we can most likely fight in Afghanistan, Iraq, and provide CAS. With all this talk about “civil wars”… I know one we should support, fight in, and win. That would be a civil war in the United Nations building. I am tired of holding back, I want to go country to country and find out our real friends. As for the other ones I want to plant some metaphorical “stars and stripes” throughout.

Our tanks and APCs are not white, our guns are loaded, and our helmets are not blue! We do not stand below a blue and white flag, we stand below a red, white, and blue flag.

-md

[Edited on request]

In honor of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. I would greatly appreciate a prayer or moment of silence in respect.

(Photo is (c) DoD)