Fallen Soldiers Funerals

Patriot Guard Riders

I saw a story about protestors of killed soldiers in the war tonight on CNN. Protesting a funeral of a soldier popped a nueron or two in my head that told my brain something isn't right here. Who in thier right mind would do that to a family in mourning? It just didn't make sense to me.

I buried my own father who was a decorated purple heart Veteran of WWII that went on to serve again for Korea and that was a tough day for me. My Dad was seventy three when Alzhiemers finally took him away but he had lived a good life, raised seven kids and buried our Mom the love of his life. He was one of the lucky ones that survived and lived his life to the fullest that he could. Would someone of protested my fathers service to his country? Would someone see this man that was a medic in the United States Navy and attached to the Marines that he saved on Iwo Jima as a war monger? Never thought that it could have happened. Dad's service was blessed with a tribute from the local Veterans Post, the Navy sent a crew to pass the flag of our country to me and I was thankful for that.

So here comes this religious group that wants to desecrate and spread hate at a families worst moment in life. Burying a loved one, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a husband, a wife, a father, or even a mother. They pretty much say that God hates them or us or our military because of one reason or the other but it all pretty much comes down that God apparently hates homosexual people? CNN actually quoted him as saying this "You can't preach the bible without preaching the hatred of God.". So they show up at these families funerals with a message of hate to do exactly what? Spread hate? Wait it gets better, the leader is a Pastor of a church. Tell me that this is a military oxymoron? So I wonder if this guy has God on speed dial or has his 1-800 number because I would like to get hold of it and ask a few questions myself. He must because he is pretty sure what he is doing is the right thing. I'm not mentioning his name for a reason. I don't want his name found on my blog through any search engine.

This clown of a Pastor is not a man of God in my interpertation of what someone that chooses that vocation in life is or should be practicing. He is a hypocrite in the worst sense. He is a coward and a person that should be rightfully shunned by all. Be you Democrat or Republican, Catholic or Protestant, Hindu or Atheist, Baptist or Lutheran, Jew or Islam, Conservative or Liberal, Green or Libertarian, Independant or who gives a damn? This kind of hate has no place in The United States of America. That is what these funerals are all about and what these brave souls died for in all of our service. And yet they also died for the right of this idiot and his clan of muggers to be able to do what he is doing. Showing up with signs that read "God hates your tears". Freedom of speech.

So along comes a group of folks I absolutely love. The Patriot Guard Riders. This is a class act that nobody could ever take anything from them. They are a group of bikers that are invited by the families of our fallen soldiers to run interference of the protestors during the funeral. Non-Violent mind you. Nobody gets hurt from what I know and have read. They travel hundreds of miles and some of them thousands of miles to be there for a fallen soldier's family. I don't know if they do it at their own expense but I would imagine most of them do. Whatever reason they do it for I thank them for it and wish them many blessings and my prayers for the continued work they all do. What do you know, maybe God has his own messengers and they ride a hog. If you really think about it, how would God send his own soldiers in todays world? Interesting philisophical thought there.

Let me know what you think?

Papamoka

This is a re-post from March of 2006

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Political Diversity in the 2008 Race for President

Sitting here looking at all the news accounts of the race for President in 2008 it struck me that one party is inclusive of all and the other is strictly limited to the color of your skin and your males only country club membership status. Over at the Republican side of the race we have a bunch of rich white guys or political elitist including my own former Governor Mitt “I’m stinking rich” Romney and the honorable Senator John “I’m a water boy for Bush” Mccain.

Looking at the field of candidates from the Democrat’s it looks like the Rainbow coalition from all corners and all possibilities of the American experiment. Reverend Jesse Jackson should be proud of this group. There is of course a woman, an African American, a Hispanic American, and of course a true blue blood Southerner all racing for the top of the heap that is the Democratic Party.

With America being the melting pot of people from all over the world I tend to prefer the politics of the Democrats. It makes me feel worthy as a member when I see a political party that takes all kinds of people and accepts all people just for the simple fact that they are a person of value no matter what your lot in life is. Any race, creed, sexual orientation, or not having a country club membership is okay with them and that works for me. Which brings me to the point of this piece. America is a melting pot and in that pot is a huge Hispanic community that is assimilating itself to the ways of America. Just being Hispanic does not automatically make you an illegal alien to this nation which I am finding that more and more political opinion writers assume which is very wrong in my humble opinion.

Richardson looks to mobilize Hispanics
By Associated Press
Saturday, February 24, 2007

WESTON, Fla. - For the Broward County Democratic chairman, Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign has meaning far beyond how well the New Mexico governor fares against better known 2008 rivals.

Richardson represents two important growth targets for the party, said Mitch Caesar: He is Hispanic and from a Western state once considered solidly Republican.

”The challenge will be for him to show not just that he’s the Hispanic candidate, but that he can mobilize that base,” Ceasar said. ”His ability to do that will be measured and considered by all candidates in the future.”

Richardson planned to speak at a Broward Democrats’ dinner Saturday night.

Joe Garcia, executive vice president of the nonprofit NDN Network, formerly known as the New Democratic Network, said Richardson is ”what the new Democratic Party will look like” as it works to attract Hispanics and make inroads in the West.

”I think he offers tremendous opportunity for the growth of the party in areas where the party needs to grow,” the Miami activist said. - Boston Herald

Much like the Irish did when they first came to this country in great numbers and assimilated and worked the system politically till they were the dominant forces in local, state and federal politics the Hispanic community is doing the same and I applaud them for it. My reason for this opinion is that they are not only tackling the racial attitude against them but they are using the system that the negative attitude is coming from and changing it one seat by one seat at a time.

What is more impressive is that it is not just immigrants or citizens with ancestors in just one nation making this change possible but a community of people from many nations such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Panama, Columbia and the list goes on and on.

Along comes this Governor of New Mexico that thinks he has a chance in the race and where the so called leaders of the race cast him aside he has more to offer than any of them combined. I’m speaking of none other than Governor Bill Richardson. If you want to know what he thinks about the war in Iraq and the problems we as a nation face with Iran or North Korea when it comes to developing nuclear technology all you have to do is read his amazing position in the Washington Post titled Diplomacy not war with Iran…

A better approach would be for the United States to engage directly with the Iranians and to lead a global diplomatic offensive to prevent them from building nuclear weapons. We need tough, direct negotiations, not just with Iran but also with our allies, especially Russia, to get them to support us in presenting Iran with credible carrots and sticks. - Washington Post

Governor Richardson has peaked my interest in his candidacy for President in the Democrat filled field of possible suitors for the White House. Granted Barack Obama has that rock star appeal and Hillary has the party machine behind her but for this voter it comes down to substance and not just mouthing the words that people want to hear.

Papamoka

*****America for Richardson.Org has linked to this post

Other folks talking about this issue...

No Quarter

American Street

Liberal Values

The Burned Over District

Of course my own piece on this issue at The Gun Toting Liberal

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USMC Captain Jennifer Harris

Swampscott, MA

With all the political arguments over the war in Iraq from both sides of the isle milestones in the war are building. Regardless of who is right and who is wrong is irrelevant when it comes time to yet one more “First” when it comes to being recorded in the history books. Today, Massachusetts buried its first woman victim of the war in Iraq. A very brave young woman serving her country with honor and dignity. She was on her third tour of duty and was killed in battle flying her helicopter in Iraq. She was within days from coming home.

United States Marine Captain Jennifer Harris was buried today in the small town of Swampscott with a full military honors Marine Funeral including a United States Marine Corps helicopter fly over. The elegant and respectful ceremony brought her to her final resting place in a white horse drawn, glass enclosed funeral carriage reminding you of days long gone and the respect of an entire community for one of thier own.

Local television aired it with this video on WHDH Channel 7 of Boston...

WHDH-TV Video

My personal condolences to the family she left behind. They have my personal appreciation for the service that she gave for her nation. Thoughts and prayers are with all of the family and the very small community of Swampscott.

Papamoka

Respectful links to this day...

Patriot Guard Riders

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Ante Up and Count Your Cards…

Link and graphic provided by Poker.com

This is a first installment for Papamoka Straight Talk of what folks I enjoy reading are saying around the web. Some of them link here and some may not. Let's just deal out the cards that are politics and see what everyone has to offer this week? Each one a very well written piece from the authors perspective…

My new friend Lefty over at A View From Battleship Cove has this to say about Durffe High School in Fall River, MA and the manipulation of graduation numbers. Statistics may not be what you read in the papers when you really look at the numbers. Great piece Lefty!


The Gun Toting Liberal has a very amazing piece on the abusive treatment of our troops that are injured and cared for at Walter Reed far out of the view of cameras, politicians, and the MSM. Based on a Washington Post article on Walter Reed Veterans Hospital. Must read in my honest opinion!

There is a follow up piece on The Gun Toting Liberal by another good friend Michael Linn Jones that is and amazing contributor at the Gun Toting Liberal.

The Moderate Voice and Michael van der Galien has an indepth piece on Iraqi insurgents focusing on our Air Force in Iraq and downing more aircraft to date this year than in all of 2006. Focusing efforts on ambushing the rescuers from the US Military afterward.

My friends over at The Left Coaster has a long running investigation into what is going on with the I. Scooter Libby trial. He’s the guy on trial taking the heat for the President and Vice President for outing Valerie Plame, an undercover CIA agent. Interesting read on all the posts they have covered on it. Great Job!

Crooks and Liars has this interesting opinion on the nations new leaning toward the Left of the political spectrum. I’m not sure if I agree with the piece but understand the fact that the media is more left now than even a year ago. Something to think about.

4&20Blackbirds has anything going on in Montana politics covered. State politics pretty much but some of the stuff Jay writes is national and amazing. Teen licensing of provided programs is a great piece

My friend Jesse over at the Idea Critic has local Boston, MA issues and life in the big city covered. We both covered the last governors race and my candidate won this time. See you in the next race Jesse! Blog on my friend!

I’ve got nothing in my hand this round of the card game but I will be back for another hand my friends. Ante up...

Papamoka

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Attack’s on Governor Deval Patrick for Things He Takes Advisors Advice?

What the hell do the people of Massachusetts want from their Governor? Someone to do the job or someone to be bitched at if he sneezes or looks at you wrong. This political coverage reminds me of the Boston bussing scenario where all sights were focused on the negative aspects of the situation. The more drama the better for the six o-clock news coverage. Racism is alive and well in Boston Journalism. Let's pull the elected Governor by the people of the state over and strip search the bastard at every towns boarder? NOT! That is what the Herald would have you do...

Cadillac Deval: When not heli-commuting gov rides in style
By Casey Ross and Dave Wedge
Friday, February 16, 2007 - Updated: 02:03 AM EST
Boston Herald

Already facing heat for flying to events in a state police helicopter, Gov. Deval Patrick is now cruising in a pricey, tricked-out Cadillac DeVille at taxpayer expense.

The governor’s new luxury Cadillac DTS sedan is a lease that puts a $1,166-a-month strain on the state budget and replaces the much more modest Crown Victoria that former Gov. Mitt Romney was driven around in.

“Maybe it would be cheaper if he kept using the helicopter,” state Republican Party chairman Peter Torkildsen said last night of Patrick.

Patrick came under fire this week after the Herald reported that he has already taken two taxpayer-funded chopper rides to public events and plans to continue to use the helicopter as he sees fit. Republicans have said he is getting a pass on his helicopter use while former Acting Gov. Jane Swift was lambasted for her infamous 2000 chopper commute. - The Boston Herald

This is not Mitt Romney that hides the facts as Governor. This is a Governor that wants your feedback and has opened himself up to one hour a month on talk radio on 96.9 FM the first Thursday of every month. Governor Deval Patrick has nothing to hide and you have full access to his office as a citizen of the state.

If a white man followed the advice of the State Police in charge of our Governors security and safety this would not be a story to report. If the press checked the facts then they would know that Ford no longer offers the Crown Victoria as a car model. Matter of fact according to 96.9 FM and Eagan and Braude, the Crown Vic was built in Mexico and the Governor was just in his choice for a vehicle built in the USA by GM! Look for any retraction on this story or more bashing of a new governor to follow. Yellow journalism is back and alive and well.

What is next on the to do list of attacking Deval Patrick? Care to put a heads up list on the front page of the paper so the Governor can honestly answer you before you call him an American abomination? He is our states Governor and I will be in his corner. Feel free to throw all you have. Make sure you check your facts first. Then again, isn’t every reporters responsibility to supposed to do just that first and the Editor reviews the facts for the story after that?

Hell no! Run the presses at full speed! Dirt even if it isn’t true sells papers doesn’t it?

You are good to go Governor Patrick. Do your job and do it well my friend. We the people hve your back.

Papamoka

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Governor Deval Patrick of Mass. Goes 21st Century

There is a ton of attack media going after our new governor here in Mass simply because he commandeers a State Police helicopter for events he attends across the state. Last time I checked he is the Governor of the entire state and the events he is attending are public state wide events that the Governor should be at.

All the confusion of the Governors use of choppers is over our previous Governor Jane Swift who used the service for personal use and not state government business use. Taking a chopper ride back home for Thanksgiving Day she was called on the carpet for it and rightfully so.

If Governor Patrick wants to use a chopper to attend public events where his presence is needed in any part of the state of Massachusetts then I do not have a problem with that.

Flying off the handle: Patrick vehemently defends copter use
By Dave Wedge
The Boston Herald

Gov. Deval Patrick angrily defended his use of a state police helicopter yesterday, vowing to continue taking the taxpayer-funded sky shuttle whenever he sees fit.

“My policy is to use all the resources at my disposal to be the governor of the whole state,” Patrick huffed at the State House. - Boston Herald

Then we have this poor excuse for journalism from another political opinion writer at the same paper… (You have to pretend he isn’t a right winger while you read it.)

Air Deval’s take on using (or abusing) job perks? Just do it
By Howie Carr
Boston Herald Columnist
http://news.bostonherald.com/columnists/view.bg?articleid=182889

Gov. Deval Patrick is accustomed to getting a free ride, and so he was shocked yesterday when someone asked him about his latest free rides, in a state police helicopter that once was used for public safety.

“My policy,” Air Deval sniffed, “is to use all the resources at my disposal to be governor of the whole state.”

Translation: “The job don’t mean a thing if you can’t wear the bling.”

Then he said, “Next question,” which should have been this:

“But . . . but . . . what about the carbon footprint, governor?”

Deval, obviously, was taken aback by this lese majeste by a reporter. He’s not used to being questioned, about anything. He’s the king, and he was surrounded by his vassals, the Local Government Advisory Commission - municipal mendicants with their hands out for more local aid. - Boston Herald

Does the opinion writer of this piece think that the state ends at route 128? Obviously. Having read his work for years it is very well known that citizens of this state do not belong or deserve to belong to the state outside of the beltway of Boston when it comes to anything he writes about.

Let’s get to the real issue Rush… I mean Howie, how much do you just really hate all politicians? How much of your writing work do you do just bitching about what is wrong with the government and how much do you write about what is good about our state? Let’s see some percentages on those questions.

My opinion, if the Governor of the state wants to take a chopper to Worcester or North Adams to be the Governor of all the people then it is within his power and right to do so. If he takes it to Worcester to just get a Coney Island hot dog then I too will have an issue with his use of the State Police choppers.

Who was paying for good old Governor Mitt Romney to be traveling all over the country in his run up to be a candidate for President of the United States of America while supposedly being the Governor of Mass? Could it be the taxpayers as well footing that bill too?

Papamoka

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United States Trust of Government Military Information

Looking back in time we had a distinguished career and member of our United States military tell us before Congress and the United Nations that Iraq was more than capable of weapons of mass destruction and that was none other than the former Secretary of State Collin Powell. He isn’t on the political scene anymore because in his own heart he knew that the lie he was given to tell was propaganda and he left to spend more time with his family. Smart move General.

How can we trust the President and any staged events to present any source of information when it comes to the war in Iraq? If the administration lied us into the war and lied about the weapons of mass destruction that never existed are we to believe that Iran is now the enemy of America too? Give me an independent investigation from a non government legitimate news organization that verifies the facts and I just might buy the fact that Iran is looking to kill our kids in Iraq. I can not discredit this source of information but the trust I personally have for this administration is less than zero.

U.S. Presents Evidence of Iranian Weapons in Iraq

By JAMES GLANZ
Published: February 11, 2007
The New York Times

BAGHDAD, Feb. 11 — After weeks of internal debate, senior United States military officials today literally put on the table their first public evidence for the contentious assertion that Iran is supplying Shiite extremist groups in Iraq with deadly weaponry, including a roadside bomb that pierces American armor.

Those officials spread out on two small tables during a news briefing an array of mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades with visible serial numbers that the officials said link the weapons directly to Iranian arms factories. But by far the most potent item on display was a squat canister designed to explode and spit out a molten ball of copper that cuts through armor. That bomb is perhaps the most feared weapon faced by American and Iraqi troops here. - The New York Times

By no means is this a slap against my military friends. You serve at the orders of our President and I appreciate your service. I am just questioning the people in charge as to why you are in Iraq. Common sense needs to come back to the war on terror.

Papamoka

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Former Mayor of NY Giuliani Faces the Abortion Demon

Rudi Giuliani the former Mayor of New York City is running for President and I give him some credit for being a stand up guy and leader. He has his faults as all of us do but he was in fact the mayor of the Big Apple when 9/11 happened. Rudi did right by his city during the nightmare that 9/11 was for the city of New York and for the nation. He lead his people and his city where chaos was everywhere and let the people of New York City know that he was on the job.

So now he is running for President. Doing the tours of all the media outlets he can like all of the other candidates for the highest office in the land. Rudi has a tough field to plow simply because he is a Catholic. Abortion and Catholicism do not mix. Oil and water so to speak. Having the religious right of the Republican Party demand a firm stance against abortion the candidate from New York City has a problem. Having run in the past as mayor and somewhat being Pro Choice is a thorn in this candidates side. The New York Times has this great piece on it by Ray Rivera

Giuliani Shifts Abortion Speech Gently to Right

By RAY RIVERA
Published: February 10, 2007
The New York Times

As he prepares for a possible run for president — a road that goes deep into the heart of conservative America — Rudolph W. Giuliani takes with him a belief in abortion rights that many think could derail his bid to capture the Republican nomination.

But in recent weeks, as he has courted voters in South Carolina and talked to conservative media outlets, Mr. Giuliani has highlighted a different element of his thinking on the abortion debate. He has talked about how he would appoint “strict constructionist” judges to the Supreme Court — what abortion rights advocates say is code among conservatives for those who seek to overturn or limit Roe v. Wade, the 1973 court ruling declaring a constitutional right to abortion.

The effect has been to distance himself from a position favoring abortion rights that he espoused when he ran for mayor of New York City, where most voters favor abortion rights.

Rudi Giulani is flip flopping like a pancake at IHOP. What do you want to hear audience A? I have another opinion for audience B. Audience C, yes he has another opinion on the same issue. Where the hell does he stand on abortion? Where does he stand on a woman’s right of choice? Pick a day and you might get a different answer from this candidate for President.

Once we get past the abortion issue we need to discuss the Mayors treatment of the homeless in his city. That is another topic for another post. Rudi is Catholic?

Papamoka

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MSNBC Breaks Fire Fighter Death Investigation Problem

MSNBC has this great piece on the investigation of Firefighters Deaths while on the job where the government is dropping the importance of this issue. On the main page of MSNBC they had the Worcester Cold Storage building fire where we lost six very brave men to the fire. That was a day and a week and month that I never want to see repeated anywhere else in America.

These guys and gals that rush in when everyone else is rushing out are trained professionals that we should all be thankful for every single day. We lost six brave men to the fire in Worcester because they believed that homeless people were occupying this abandoned building. Not a one of them thought about themselves when they ran into the inferno. They were thinking about saving lives that some people would argue are not worth the risk. In a firefighters eye, every life is worth the risk and they paid the ultimate price for it. In God's eyes the Worcester Six will forever be loved and blessed.

President Clinton ordered the CDC to investigate all firefighter deaths on the job. The CDC apparently is fluffing it off as not important and that my friends is wrong on so many levels. The future lives of other firefighters down the road from quick investigations as to what went wrong when a firefighter is killed in the line of duty are critical and should be top priority! Any parties found responsible through serious negligence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.


CDC Fire Fighting Team the No Go Team - MSNBC

Agency that examines firefighter deaths typically arrives 33 days later

Even in Worcester, Mass., where six firefighters died on Dec. 3, 1999, the CDC managers didn't want to send anyone immediately to investigate, said Schmidt, the former CDC fire prevention engineer. He said he called a CDC manager at home.

"And his comment to me was, ‘Well, that's not what we do. We'll get up there in a couple of weeks,’” Schmidt said. “But the next day, I see that they'd all left to go up there."

Castillo confirmed that the CDC went to Worcester immediately, only because the firefighter union called. Duffy, the union official, says he had the home number of Linda Rosenstock, the director of NIOSH.

"We called and said, ‘You guys have to be here,’” he said. “… I believed it was important for them to be there. There's a brand new branch to investigate firefighter fatalities, and we have six firefighters down.”

The CDC sent three people to Worcester the next day. Castillo, the manager of the program, said she wasn't sure whom Duffy called but confirmed his basic account. Rosenstock, who has since left the CDC, declined a request for an interview.

Then the CDC went right back to taking a month or longer to visit fire scenes, according to the CDC records reviewed by MSNBC.com. - MSNBC

Senator John Kerry (D) Mass Fires Back! Thank God and thank you Senator Kerry on behalf of my fire department here in Worcester and all the firefighters across our nation…

BOSTON - Sen. John Kerry on Monday asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to investigate “deeply troubling” information in an MSNBC.com special report indicating that the federal unit charged with probing firefighter deaths ignored a warning in 2000 that personal alarms used at fire scenes might be failing.

“It is completely unacceptable that our first responders don’t have the proper safety equipment, and if these allegations prove true, it’s unfathomable that the CDC would cover up something so detrimental to our firefighters’ safety,” Kerry told MSNBC.com. “I have asked the Department of Health and Human Services to launch a full investigation into these allegations. Nearly 1 million brave men and women risk their lives every day; we owe it to them and to the families of the deceased firefighters to get answers and hold the negligent parties accountable.” - MSNBC

MSNBC did a great job with this in-depth investigation and mega Kudos to them for it. I'm looking forward to seeing the fall out from it.

Papamoka

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Mass Attorney General Squeezes TBS for Terrorist Cash

I’m with Jim Braude of 96.9 FM Talk radio in Boston being pissed off given the fact that the fat cat CEO of TBS is going to walk away clean by simply signing a check for two million dollars without fear of legal retribution. He’s good to go, the network he runs is good to go and yet the two men arrested for the incident are still going to trial? CEO… good! Flunky employee… bad, very, very bad! Then again even on the NBC Evening News tonight they reported that the Flunkies might just walk too!

How about we do a comparison of paychecks percentage wise and let the two guys arrested write a couple of checks too. That ought to be worth a couple of bucks to the city of Boston. Enough to buy the Mayor of Boston a coffee and a doughnut to shut his yap up for ten minutes while the serious folks figure out what is really going on during the next crisis.

Boston Reaches Settlement in Bomb Scare

By KATIE ZEZIMA
Published: February 5, 2007
The New York Times

BOSTON, Feb. 5 — Turner Broadcasting System and a Manhattan marketing agency have agreed to pay $2 million in restitution and other costs for a Cartoon Network advertising campaign that set off fears of terrorism, the state attorney general, Martha Coakley, said today.

The agency, Interference, Inc., carried out the campaign, which placed electronic advertisements for the show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” in public places, including a Boston overpass where it was mistaken for a bomb last Wednesday.

The companies will pay $1 million to reimburse federal, state and local agencies for their response to the incident, which led officials to close a highway, bridges, subway stations and part of the Charles River for hours after dozens of the devices, which resemble Lite-Brite toys, were found in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.
The companies will pay an additional $1 million in “goodwill funds” that will be divided among the agencies for emergency response training and equipment and public outreach. - The New York Times

This was nothing but a stupid marketing scam and the State Attorney General should have nailed all parties involved! Prosecuted their asses to the fullest extent of the law. Then she should have sought financial payment for the trial and all the law enforcement agencies that were put on high alert. TBS and the punks that pulled this crap should have been made an example of what you don't want to do while your nation is at war with TERRORISTS! We are at war because some nut jobs crashed a couple of jets into The World Trade Center. Those nut jobs took off from Boston. Anyone else bothered by that?

With the acceptance of that check from TBS the state of Massachusetts is opening the flood gates for dozens of stupid marketing stunts. Just think about all the free air time on all the networks across the country that are talking about this “Attack” and pointing the finger at TBS and its new programs coming out. That kind of marketing would have cost TBS hundreds of millions of dollars. Cost to TBS without spending more than a couple of hundred bucks on some Lite Brite sets chucking the bird, a measley low advertising budget of just two million dollars.

That is how Madison Ave takes a twisted idea and makes it an overly successful launch that many folks will actually tune in to TBS just because they are curious about what the people of Boston supposedly overreacted to.

Papamoka

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Orange Jump Suit for Vice President Cheney

One thing that keeps coming back to the front of my mind is the speech that President Bush made regarding the outing of Valerie Plame and how he stated as a fact that the person responsible for this leak would not be working in his administration. Do you think that he is a man of his word or he was just lying to the American people once more.

This president and his credibility with the American people is in the toilet and he has not one soul other than himself to blame. Surrounding yourself with people that think that America is the enemy when you are the President of the United States says it all. We the people are the enemy to our government in their eyes because we have the right and the authority to question their actions on our behalf.

With the court case for Scooter Libby, the Vice Presidents Chief of Staff coming out in all the headlines all the testimony is pointing up the chain of command. All the way up to the Vice President.

Vice President's Shadow Hangs Over Trial

Testimony Points Out Cheney's Role in Trying to Dampen Joseph Wilson's Criticism
By R. Jeffrey Smith and Carol D. Leonnig - Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, February 4, 2007

Vice President Cheney's press officer, Cathie Martin, approached his chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, on Air Force Two on July 12, 2003, to ask how she should respond to journalists' questions about Joseph C. Wilson IV. Libby looked over one of the reporters' questions and told Martin: "Well, let me go talk to the boss and I'll be back."

On Libby's return, Martin testified in federal court last week, he brought a card with detailed replies dictated by Cheney, including a highly partisan, incomplete summary of Wilson's investigation into Iraq's suspected weapons of mass destruction program.

Libby subsequently called a reporter, read him the statement, and said -- according to the reporter -- he had "heard" that Wilson's investigation was instigated by his wife, an employee at the CIA, later identified as Valerie Plame. The reporter, Matthew Cooper of Time magazine, was one of five people with whom Libby discussed Plame's CIA status during those critical weeks that summer.

Snip

Under questioning from FBI agent Deborah S. Bond, Libby acknowledged that he and Cheney "may have talked" aboard the plane from Norfolk that day about whether to make public Plame's CIA employment, Bond testified Thursday.

Her testimony brought Cheney closer than ever to the heart of the controversy surrounding the Bush administration's efforts to discredit Wilson, who had accused the White House of twisting intelligence he had gathered as it sought to justify the invasion of Iraq. - Washington Post

It comes as no surprise that the cowardly Vice President is pointing the finger everywhere but at himself. This from a man that must have the final say on how to “Blunt” the Wilson article in The New York Times by the Ambassador. Let’s just call a spade a spade and the office of Vice President his held by a man with a Nixon mentality where everyone is out to screw you. Sad but true.

Thank God above that the ever so incompetent President Bush is in good health and the fact that the Secret Service is the best political persona protection in the world. I hope and pray that nothing ever happens to the President because his would be successor is just totally nuts with power and control.

2008 elections can not happen soon enough for this political opinion writer.

Papamoka

***** News Trust has linked to this post

Other folks talking about this issue…

Middle Earth Journal… I have been saying for several years that "it's all about Cheney". George W. Bush is simply Cheney's front man - his puppet.

The Lantern… That's a big-ass shadow.

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It’s Official, Bush has a Religious War On His Hands

In the press the other day we have more signs that the war in Iraq is nothing more than a religious war of sectarian nature and decent. A war where men of religion and status are military targets of other religions and personal belief. Men of God are targets for attack and selected to be assassinated because they preach the theology of their God.

Interesting point to make here is that the “Terrorists” that launched this attack were in fact religious zealots. My God is better than your God and so on and so forth. Where does it end? This is in fact a religious war now and our troops have no business being in the middle of that never ending scenario. One thousand years from now they will still be killing one another over who’s God is true and who the infidels are that must die. Pick any side and it is the same opinion. The New York Times had this piece on it today…

Shiite Cult Aimed to Kill Clerics in Iraq

By DAMIEN CAVE and JOHN O’NEIL
Published: January 29, 2007 - The New York Times

BAGHDAD, Jan. 29 — The gunmen who battled Iraqi and American forces near Najaf on Sunday were members of a Shiite cult that planned to storm the city during a religious festival and kill the nation’s top Shiite clerics, Iraqi officials said today.

About 200 members of the group, which called itself “Soldiers From Heaven,” died in the fighting, which lasted until about 4 a.m. today. Iraqi officials said that 60 others were wounded and as many as 120 were captured.

Two American soldiers died in the fighting when their helicopter was shot down, and about 10 Iraqi soldiers and police officers were killed.

Abdul Hussein Abtan, the deputy governor of Najaf province, gave an interview to Iraqi television from the battlefield, saying he was standing next to the dead body of the group’s leader. Mr. Abtan said the dead man had claimed to be the Imam Mahdi — the missing spiritual leader whom many Shiites believe will return someday to restore justice.

Snip

Iraq’s national security minister, Sherwan al-Waeli, told reporters that the group’s followers were told that the killing of the clerics would be a sign that the Imam Mahdi was returning.

“No sane person could believe it,” Mr. Waeli said. - The New York Times

Same day and same storyline and you have to wonder what the President is thinking. Iran is offering Iraq an olive branch and yet the President finds the fact of opening up an Iranian owned bank in Baghdad a very bad thing.

Something about the Presidents position and the Iranian position isn’t sitting well with me? I don’t know what it is but there is something there. Granted the Iranians are seeking out nuclear technology but if it is for power generation that President Bush is pro on and the Iranian government has no problem with outside inspectors then what is he really talking about? Is he died in the wool that Iran is a perpetual axis of evil card carrying member? If Iran is actively participating in sending in forces into Iraq against our troops let the people of America know the facts and not the rhetoric. Mr. President, your word is no longer trustworthy of your people and you brought this on yourself.

This is what the Washington Post had to say about this…

Bush Warns Iran Against Action in Iraq
By William Branigin
Monday, January 29, 2007; 3:46 PM - Washington Post

President Bush said today he has no intention of sending U.S. forces into Iran, but he vowed to "respond firmly" if Iran steps up a campaign that the United States charges is aimed at killing U.S. troops and derailing democracy in Iraq.

Bush told National Public Radio that he is willing to do "whatever it takes" to protect U.S. troops in Iraq from what the White House says have been attacks with weapons supplied by Iran.

White House spokesman Tony Snow later said the administration was taking a wait-and-see approach to a statement by Iran's ambassador to Baghdad that his country was prepared to offer the Iraqi government economic and military help to promote reconstruction and security. The ambassador, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, told the New York Times Sunday that the plans include establishing an Iranian national bank branch in Baghdad, the newspaper reported today. - The Washington Post

Things that make you go Hmmmm?

Papamoka

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