Earn the Right To be an American

Who deserves the right to become a United States Citizen? How about the men and women currently serving in our military forces who were born in countries other than the United States?


NEW AMERICANS ALL - Two hundred fifty-nine foreign-born US Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen serving throughout Iraq become American citizens at Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory, in the largest U.S. naturalization ceremony to date in-country.
- US Army photo by SGT Jasmine Chopra

Welcome, and thank you for your service!

A Lesson For Life

The story is true.

The text of the eRumor is taken from a speech given by former Arkansas governor and potential presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 2, 2007. It describes events in Cothren's Military History class in 2005.



Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom.


The kids came into first period, they walked in, there were no desks. They obviously looked around and said, "Ms. Cothren, where's our desk?" And she said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."


They thought, "Well, maybe it's our grades."


"No," she said. "Maybe it's our behavior."


And she told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."


And so they came and went in the first period, still no desks in the classroom. Second period, same thing. Third period. By early afternoon television news crews had gathered in Ms. Cothren's class to find out about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of the classroom.


The last period of the day, Martha Cothren gathered her class. They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room. And she says, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily." She said, "Now I'm going to tell you."


Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it, and as she did 27 U.S. veterans , wearing their uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. And they placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall. And by the time they had finished placing those desks, those kids for the first time I think perhaps in their lives understood how they earned those desks.


Martha said, "You don't have to earn those desks. These guys did it for you. They put them out there for you, but it's up to you to sit here responsibly to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a price for you to have that desk, and don't ever forget it."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars chose Cothren as a Teacher of the Year in Arkansas for 2005-2006.

Special Thanks to my friends Art and Debbie. Art is a retired U.S. Air Force Flight Engineer, and Debbie is a middle school teacher.

Cowboys and Iranians anyone?

Navy-Contracted Vessel Fires Warning Shots on Iranian Boats
Friday, April 25, 2008


A vessel contracted by the Navy in the Persian Gulf fired warning shots Thursday on two Iranian fast boats, FOX News has learned.

The Westward Venture, a ship contracted by the U.S. Military Sealift Command to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats Thursday after attempts to get Iranian boats' attention failed.

A Navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and .50-caliber machine guns, was onboard at the time the warning shots were fired.

The ship was about 50 miles off the coast of Iran when the fast boats approached. The Westward Venture attempted to make bridge-to-bridge contact to warn the fast boats that they were too close.

The Military Sealift Command vessel then blew its whistle and fired flares before finally firing warning shots with the machine gun when the boats came within 100 yards of the vessel.

Bridge-to-bridge communication was established after the shots were fired, with someone claiming to be the Iranian Coast Guard contacting the Westward Venture.

RelatedStories
Navy Releases Video of Strait of Hormuz Incident; Bush Calls Iranian Action 'Provocative' The Iranian Revolutionary Guard is suspected of being involved in this incident, officials told FOX News.

Defense officials said that typically the guard behaves in a very unprofessional and aggressive manner, using unmarked boats and uniforms, unlike the Iranian Navy.

Evidently, the Iranians are unaware of the results the last time we played Cowboys and Indians. Their tenacity (stupidity) is becoming more evident as the days go by, and challenging a US Naval Vessel (contract or otherwise) is probably not the most health conducive behavior individuals can engage in. Noticeably, with each engagement, the level of intensity has increased and our responses havealso increased. I believe it is safe to assume the next engagement will result in a new reef being established by the broken hull of the submerged Iranian gunboat, and the carcasses of the crew feeding the fishes.

My only question is do they really believe they can mount a formidable challenge to the U.S. Fleet??? Wait until we fire a real Tomahawk into their Tee-Pee. They’d better hope we didn’t ‘Hot-tip’ it with a ‘glow in the dark’ warhead.

Peace Demonstrators Attack Iraqi War Veteran and Family

Iraq War Veteran and Family Assaulted!

April 22, 2008

Peace Fascists, College Professors and Hillary Supporters assault Iraqi War Veteran and Family while citizens do nothing to intervene.
Edinboro, PA, Apr. 22

For the second time in as many weeks, an Iraq War Veteran and his family held a Support the Troops rally across the street from the weekly “peace” protest in this college town. This week the true nature of the ‘peace’ activists was revealed for all to see. When the veteran’s 14 year old son crossed the street to videotape the protesters and their signs, the protesters became agitated and began harassing the boy. The right to record video in any public venue is long established in law and any attempt to interfere with that right is a violation of civil rights.

Seeing the escalating tension across the street, the veteran and his wife crossed over, leaving their three youngest children on the other side for safety while they went to retrieve their eldest son. Two of the female ‘peace’ protesters then attacked the veteran’s wife. When the veteran pulled one of those attackers off his wife he was jumped by four or five of the ‘peace’ people and knocked to the ground where they held him while beating him and smashing his eyeglasses.

The son pulled the remaining attacker off his mother, but the attacker managed to get in one last kick to his mother’s head with her boot. She then punched the son in his face while his mother called the police.


So, what we have here is the liberal left, who has mostly gone unchecked for the last few decades spouting their anti-American communist hatred, retaliate with physical violence when called into question. Why doesn't this ever happen when I'm around?!

Tip-o-the-hat to my dear friend Wit, the Typical White Person.

Bill Clinton- Obama did/Didn't Play the race Card?

LOL! not another lie from the Clintons-




H/T to Crush Liberalism for this find... I'm just a day late.

Happy Anniversary

Today, my wife and I celebrate 18 years of marriage.

Our marriage has not always been peaches and cream, but because we put our faith in God, I believe He has blessed us far beyond anything our finite minds can comprehend. As typical, selfish temptations will continue to distract us, but a disciplined prayer life from our parents, godly advice from good friends, and a personal relationship with the Creator has kept us from harm's way.

To the wife of my youth:

I love you.

G

Military Abuse-Freedom Abuse

A second disgrace in as many days!

BusinessMedia

Once again, I am deeply offended by the insensitivity of a generation who has lost all respect for our military, and the freedom we enjoy.

Global Warming is a hoax, and the men who died on the island of Iwo Jima as well as every active duty and Veteran of the armed forces have been insulted by a major publication. Time Magazine should be held accountable for their jack-ass implications.

Shame on Time Magazine and the morons who proliferate their adgenda of hate!

Flag Abuse, Freedom Abuse

The First Amendment: 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.

ART- produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes



This is neither. This is adolescent and childish behavior run amuck. A complete disrespect for the Men and Women of our military who served and fought for the freedom this symbol holds, and everyone who holds the flag close to our hearts.

I'd like to take this opportunity to direct your attention on the adjacent link in my side bar called The Greatest Play in Baseball. Watch it and be filled with pride.

SEAL Falls on Grenade to Save Comrades

2nd UPDATE: 4 APR 2008








Congressional Medal of Honor


The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Master At Arms Second Class, Sea, Air and Land, Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006.

As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.




UPDATE:

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor to posthumously receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Navy SEAL to Receive Medal of Honor
Stars and Stripes Jeff Schogol March 19, 2008

A Navy SEAL who died smothering a grenade with his body to save other servicemembers will be given the Medal of Honor, congressional staffers said Tuesday.

The Navy Times first reported Monday that Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, who has already received the Silver Star for his service in Iraq, would also be awarded the nation's highest military honor.


(Originally posted October 13, 2006)
You won't hear about this in the MSM.
MyWay.com
CORONADO, Calif. (AP) - A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret.

"He never took his eye off the grenade, his only movement was down toward it," said a 28-year-old lieutenant who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him."

Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. Finish the article Here.

There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

On this the 231st birthday of the United States Navy, we celebrate the Honor, Integrity and Esprit de Corps displayed by Petty Officer Monsoor. He is an example of what our Military is all about. My Prayers go out to his family and friends.

Westboro Baptist Church on the Ropes

A federal judge in Maryland on Thursday ordered liens on the Westboro Baptist Church building and the Phelps-Chartered Law office.

Mike Burley / The Capital-Journal
Westboro Baptist Church could be sold to satisfy a $5 million court judgment. A lien has been ordered on it.

If the case presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett is upheld by an appeals court, the church, at 3701 S.W. 12th, and the office building, at 1414 S.W. Topeka Blvd., could be obtained by the court and sold, with the proceeds being applied toward $5 million in damages Bennett imposed on church members for picketing a military funeral.


In February, a judge ordered Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebekah Phelps-Davis to produce information to determine what assets that could be used to pay toward a $5 million penalty against them for picketing the funeral of a Marine. He issued Thursday's ruling after reviewing:

• A certified financial statement prepared by an independent accountant reflecting all assets and liabilities.

• Bank statements.

• Copies of deeds for real estate.

• A list of all of the shareholders of the church corporation.

• Personal tax returns for Pastor Fred W. Phelps Sr., Phelps-Roper and Phelps-Davis.
A lien is a legal hold on property, making it collateral against money owed to a person or entity. It can keep the owner from selling the property or transferring title to the property.

The $5 million penalty is the result of a lawsuit filed against three of the church's principals by Albert Snyder, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, whose funeral was picketed by church members.

I feel very strongly about this topic. As an American and veteran, I chose to affiliate and ride with the Patriot Guard because of these lunatics. Personally, I hope they are bankrupted, and thrown in jail for their personal attacks on the families of our fallen heros, but that's just my opinion.

The Alabama Judge

I received an email this morning from a dear friend that was interesing enough to post. Have a look:

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote. It's below his picture.

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama. Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray

We've kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core, Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not
angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.
~~Judge Roy Moore~~

Jon Stewart and Code Pink

I swiped this from Amy. This garners the same type of attention that a car or train wreck would. You know it's a bad thing, but you just can't stop looking.