Reports: Saddam Hussein executed

As reported here, [t]hree years after he was hauled from a hole in the ground by pursuing U.S. forces, Saddam Hussein was hanged Saturday under a sentence imposed by an Iraqi court, al-Hurra TV, al-Arabiya and Sky News TV reported.

The deposed president was found guilty over the killing of 148 members of the Shiite population of the town of Dujail after militants tried to assassinate him there in 1982, during Iraq's war with Shiite Iran.

Hopefully, this will put to rest calls by some fools to re-instate the murderer to power, and also hopefully, those who still backed Saddam by committing acts of terror against the Iraqi people and Coalition forces, will see that to continue is really not in their best interests, and they will lay down their arms (a long shot at best, I know).

Saddam to be hanged by Sunday

As reported here, [f]ormer Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday.

The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.

The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days.

Of course, his defense lawyers immediately started crying out to world leaders asking that they intervene, and prevent his hand over to Iraqi authorities, on the grounds that he is a prisoner of war. Now, don't get me wrong, but they are just doing their job for their client, and I wouldn't expect them to do anything less. But the thing is, Saddam was tried by the Iraqi courts, for crimes against Iraqi's. He was not tried at the International Tribune court in The Hague. He was tried right there in Iraq, found guilty by the Iraqi justice system, and had his sentence handed down by the Iraqi justice system.

The trial was under the proverbial microscope, and no one outside of his defense lawyers and some on the lunatic fringe had any complaints about how the process went. The verdict and sentence are well within legal bounds, and the Iraqi's are well within their rights to ask the US government to hand him over, so that the sentence can be carried out according to Iraqi law.

That sentence needs to be carried out as soon as it can be arranged.

Saddam sentenced to hang within 30 days

As reported here, Iraq's highest court rejected Saddam Hussein's appeal Tuesday and said the former dictator must be hanged within 30 days for ordering the killing of scores of Shiite Muslims in 1982.

"From tomorrow, any day could be the day" Saddam is sent to the gallows, the chief judge said. Saddam was condemned to death for his role in the execution of 148 Shiite Muslims from the small northern town of Dujail, after a 1982 assassination attempt.

In upholding the sentence, imposed Nov. 5, the Supreme Court of Appeals also affirmed death sentences for two of his co-defendants, including his half brother. And it said life imprisonment for a third was too lenient and demanded he be given the death penalty, too.

The sooner the better, to rid Iraq and the world of this beast once and for all.

Former President Gerald Ford dies at 93

Former President Gerald R. Ford has died.

Rest in Peace, Mr. President.

A Soldiers Silent Night

As we all celebrate the birth of Christ this day with family and friends, we would be well advised to remember those who cannot be home this day with their family and friends. These are the people who are far from home this day, serving our nation by protecting our freedom. This poem is a moving tribute to those who serve.

I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all those serving in our armed forces, and to wish all of you a Merry (and safe) Christmas.

What did the Iraq Study Group tell us?

According to Charles Krauthammer, not much, as he points out its instant irrelevance.

Election setback for Iran's president boosts Rafsanjani

As reported here, [e]lder statesman Hashemi Rafsanjani, a mercurial cleric who has played both sides of Iran's reformist-conservative divide, is rising again as a key challenger to Iran's president after local elections show deep discontent with the president's hard line.

Last week's elections for local councils in towns and cities were seen as a referendum on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 18 months in office, and final results showed widespread victories for his opponents.

Since taking power, Ahmadinejad has escalated Iran's confrontation with the United States and the West on multiple fronts, in particular drawing the threat of U.N. sanctions for pushing ahead with uranium enrichment in Iran's nuclear program. He has also sparked widespread international outrage for his comments against Israel and casting doubt on the Holocaust.

On Wednesday, a leading newspaper that usually reflects the thinking of many in Iran's conservative clerical leadership said in a blistering editorial that the election results showed it was time for Ahmadinejad to moderate his tone and concentrate on improving the ailing economy.

"The election could be very instructive to those who have been in power," the Jomhuri Eslami editorial said. "Arrogance, disregarding people's economic situation, insulting respected people and high-flying policies were among the elements of the failure of those who could not imagine such a failure."

Let's just hope that the newly elected individuals will be able to exercise their new found political power, and rein in the lunatic, and turn Iran away from the dangerous path he has been leading it down.

I'll be keeping a close watch to see how things develop.

Judge: Iran Partly Responsible for 1996 Terrorist Attack

As reported here, [t]he Iranian government is partly to blame for a 1996 terrorist attack that killed 19 Americans in Saudi Arabia, a federal judge ruled Friday.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth allows the families of the victims of the Khobar Towers bombing to seek $254 million in compensation from the Islamic regime in Tehran.

Though intelligence officials have suspected a link between the Tehran government and the Saudi wing of Hezbollah, which the FBI has accused of carrying out the bombing, Friday's ruling is the first time a branch of the U.S. government has officially blamed Iran for the deaths of Americans in the bombings.

This court takes note of plaintiffs' courage and steadfastness in pursuing this litigation and their efforts to take action to deter more tragic suffering of innocent Americans at the hands of terrorists," Judge Lamberth wrote. "Their efforts are to be commended."

Since this is sure to enrage who Michelle Malkin calls the perpetually outraged, Judge Lamberth is to be commended on having made this ruling, as I'm sure he is fully aware that by doing so (and if he isn't, he should be), he is putting his life at risk at the hands of the perpetually outraged.

U.N. panel OKs curbs on Iran trade

As reported here, [t]he U.N. Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to sanction Iran until it halts efforts to make nuclear fuel, drawing a quick rejection from the Islamist nation and threats of further penalties from the United States.

The resolution calls on governments to "prevent the supply, sale or transfer ... of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology" related to Iran's suspect nuclear efforts or missiles.

The four-page resolution also includes an addendum of people, corporations and government bodies whose assets are to be frozen.

In addition, it provides a list of individuals whose international travel is to be "monitored," a concession to Russia, which had objected to a proposed travel ban on officials connected to Iran's nuclear program.

The Bush administration said it would seek further measures against Iran.

"We don't think this resolution is enough in itself. We want the international community to take further action," R. Nicholas Burns, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, said in Washington.

Although this is a good first step in an attempt to get Iran to stop their nuclear enrichment program, which in turn would halt their efforts to develop nuclear weapons, as Mr. Burns stated, it doesn't go far enough thanks to both China and Russia which both have strong economic ties to Iran, and don't want to lose the billions of trade dollars from fully isolating Iran.

Of course, the Iranians pitched a hissy fit over this, saying that it "has not delegated its destiny to the invalid decisions of the U.N. Security Council."

The true effectiveness of this resolution won't be known immediately, of course, as it remains to be seen whether the rest of the world will buy into what the resolution calls for. Hopefully, this won't turn into another "Oil-for-food" situation where countries, corporations, and individuals - with full complicity on the part of several people in the UN - came up with work-arounds to line their pockets with cash in their dealings with Saddam.

I'll be keeping a close eye on this situation.

British Lord Stings Senators Rockefeller and Snowe: 'Uphold Free Speech or Resign'

This is a follow up to my earlier post.

As reported here, Lord Monckton, Viscount of Brenchley, has sent an open letter to Senators Rockefeller (D-WV) and Snowe (R-Maine) in response to their recent open letter telling the CEO of ExxonMobil to cease funding climate-skeptic scientists.

Lord Monckton, former policy adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, writes: "You defy every tenet of democracy when you invite ExxonMobil to deny itself the right to provide information to "senior elected and appointed government officials" who disagree with your opinion."

Lord Monckton then calls upon our two Senators to either withdraw their letter, or resign their Senate seats, and I wholeheartedly agree with his demand. You can read Lord Monckton's letter here (It is a .pdf file, which requires Adobe Reader to view. Get Adobe reader here.)

H/T kc anethema

Annan lobs parting shot at Bush foreign policy

As reported here, outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan took his criticism of the Bush administration to the nation's heartland Monday, saying America must not sacrifice its democratic ideals while waging war against terrorism.

In the hometown of President Truman, who helped found the United Nations, Annan said "human rights and the rule of law are vital to global security and prosperity."

When the U.S. "appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused," Annan told a packed audience at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.

You want to talk about ideals, Kofi? The editors at the OpinionJournal have something to say about the ideals espoused by you, and your inept or ineffective actions regarding the massacres in Rwanda, Darfur, and Iraq, not to mention the Oil for Food scandal, Tsunami relief, etc., during your tenure at the UN.

Don't be coming here to talk trash about what we do, especially since you tried to oppose what we have been doing nearly every step of the way, ok?

Top Ten Junk Science Moments for 2006

Steven Milloy of JunkScience has come out with his Top 10 Junk Science Moments for 2006.

H/T Reality Hammer

Gregoire: Voters should decide on Viaduct

As reported here, after mulling over the various options for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Governor Gregoire has decided to ... punt.

Gov. Chris Gregoire said [Friday] that the residents of Seattle should decide how to replace the aging and earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Gregoire was expected to announce her decision about what should be done - either replace it with a tunnel or rebuild it. Instead, she called for a city vote between rebuilding the structure or replacing it with a tunnel.

Note to Chris: This is a State highway, not a city highway, which means that the State is responsible for this highway, not the City of Seattle, and that responsibility includes making the decision about whether to replace it with another elevated structure (which would be the wrong decision), or with a tunnel (the right decision). We put you in office to make these kinds of decisions, and this is one of the toughest you would have made to be sure, not to cede your leadership back to the voters.

"I don't believe that, without a vote, either option will move forward," Gregoire said. "We need to hear directly from the people for whom this decision has the most impact."

The earliest a vote will take place will be in April of 2007, which will be over six years since the Nisqually earthquake happened. Now, we will have to wait some more, before something is decided, and due to the shortsightedness of many in Seattle, that will probably be a new Viaduct, rather than a tunnel, simply due to the construction cost difference. The existing Viaduct is a major eyesore - not to mention a disaster waiting to happen - blocking views of one of our biggest tourist attractions - the Seattle waterfront - from most of downtown, and that won't change with a rebuild.

If the tunnel is built, however, this will give us the chance to enhance the waterfront with parks and pedestrian promenades, as well as allow new businesses to be developed to take advantage of the tourists coming to visit the waterfront. The number of tourists visiting a revitalized waterfront would only increase, which would translate into more dollars being pumped into the Seattle economy, and the creation of more jobs.

But, Gregoire wants the citizens to vote on this, instead of showing leadership and making the decision herself.

Note to Chris: In the future, when you decide to punt, make sure we're not having a major storm blow through, ok? You badly shanked this one into the wind.

Holocaust Denial Is No Joke

Anne Applebaum, a columnist for the Washington Post and Slate, and a fellow at the American Academy in Berlin, has written an excellent piece regarding the "conference", which began yesterday, dealing with the "validity" of the Holocaust being held in Tehran, Iran. The lunatic running that asylum had his Foreign Ministry set up this "conference", so they could invite Holocaust deniers from around the globe, to enable these despicable people the opportunity to put forth their vile views, and pat each other on the back as they nod their heads in agreement with each other.

Of course, beyond the head nodding and back patting, lies the real underlying reason for this "conference", and that is to de-legitimize the nation of Israel. Israel was established in 1948 by the UN as a direct result of the Holocaust, an event in our world's history that has been documented with billions of words, photographs, eye witness accounts, and by other means, all of which prove beyond a shadow of a doubt - to reasonable thinking people, that is - that the Holocaust really did happen. If they can persuade themselves that the Holocaust did not happen, that will justify to their minds that their ultimate goal of the total annihilation of the Nation of Israel, along with the rest of the Jews in the world is ok. Don't forget that the lunatic running that asylum has called for Israel to be wiped off the map.

Ms. Applebaum states, [T]he near-destruction of the European Jews in a very brief span of time by a sophisticated European nation using the best technology available was, it seems, an event that requires constant re-explanation, not least because it really did shape subsequent European and world history in untold ways. For that reason alone, the archives, the photographs, and the endless rebuttals will go on being necessary, long beyond the lifetime of the last survivor.

Sadly enough, she's correct.

Update

Iranian leader says Israel will be 'wiped out'

As reported here, the lunatic running the asylum said the following, "The Zionist regime will disappear soon, the same way the Soviet Union disappeared," Ahmadinejad said, according to ISNA, a government-financed news agency. Thus, "humanity will achieve freedom."

Achieve "freedom"? Freedom from what, exactly? Oh, I get it. Freedom from the "Zionist oppressors". Freedom from religious diversity in the elimination of the Jews, which would make one less group you'll have to deal with in your planned take over of the world, in which you plan to make everyone submit to your will or die as you re-establish the "Caliphate".

Well, I think you better guess again.

Although the UN probably won't do anything to stop you from trying to wipe Israel off the map, considering the anti-Israel bias prevalent in that useless entity, Israel certainly won't stand idle when you decide to act on the rhetoric you've been spewing for months now, and the hope here is that the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel.

Update

Iran Says Pressure From Western Governments Caused Boycott of Holocaust Conference Hosts

As reported here, Iran on Sunday blamed pressure from Western governments and media for the decision by nearly 40 think-tanks to boycott the Iranian institute that hosted last week's Holocaust conference.

The head of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Francois Heisbourg, said Saturday that the European and North American research institutes had decided to suspend contact with the Institute for Political and International Studies, a Tehran institute affiliated to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Last week the IPIS convened a conference that questioned the existence of the Holocaust, provoking an international outcry. The United States, European Union and Israel denounced the conference, whose delegates included well-known Holocaust deniers and David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan.

Heisbourg issued a statement saying that "through its complicity with the deniers of the absolute evil that was the Holocaust, IPIS has now forfeited its status as an acceptable partner."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini cast doubt on the sincerity of the Western institutes' move on Sunday, telling reporters: "Probably this was decided under pressure from governments and Western media propaganda."

Um, no. The reason your little conference was boycotted - which I applaud - is the simple fact that your conference attempted to "prove" that the Holocaust is a "myth", and not the established fact that it is, so that you could somehow justify your aspirations to "wipe Israel off the map", not because of pressure from Western governments or the media.

Senatorial Blackmail?

From the editors of the OpinionJournal we learn that two Senators, Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have sent a letter to ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson. Its message: Start toeing the Senators' line on climate change, or else. As is stated in the OpinionJournal commentary, [a] windfall profits tax is in the air, and we've seen what happens to other companies that dare to resist Congressional intimidation. The letter can be found in its' entirety here, courtesy of the editors of OpinionJournal. It's an eye opener, folks.

Basically what it boils down to is this. Rockefeller and Snowe believe that "global warming" is an indisputable fact, and they are calling on ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerman to discontinue funding organizations that don't hold that view - the "deniers" - as it is hurting the credilbility of the United States in its' foreign affairs. They also go on to state that the tactics ExxonMobil is promoting is similar to that used by "big tobacco".

After reading the letter myself, and getting over my feeling of astonishment, I realized something. Neither of the two Senators really knows what they are talking about, as they continuously use the phrase "climate change", when in reality they mean "global warming (which can be directly attributed to human activity)".

As those of you who have read my blog before, you'll know that I've posted on "global warming" and climate change before. Where climate change is definitely a fact of life here on Earth, "global warming" is an as yet proven theory, espoused mainly by extremist environmentalists, and the scientists who derive the majority of their funding from the extreme environmental organizations.

The climate of the Earth is a constantly changing force of nature. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Our climate is not, and never has been, static. It has always changed, and it always will, and man has no control, or direct influence, over that. So-called "global warming", however, is another thing altogether, has yet to be proven to anyone's satisfaction (including those scientists who advocate for it!), and thus, remains a theory (The easiest way to rebut the fallacy that "global warming" is a "fact", is to ask why your local weatherman can't accurately predict the weather more than a few days in advance. It's because they don't know enough - yet - and our climate is so unpredictable!). So much for "consensus" within the scientific community.

With the two Senators attempting to censor the activities of ExxonMobil in regard to who they can fund, and for what purpose, I think I like this paragraph the best. Every dogma has its day, and we've lived long enough to see more than one "consensus" blown apart within a few years of "everyone knowing" it was true. In recent decades environmentalists have been wrong about almost every other apocalyptic claim they've made: global famine, overpopulation, natural resource exhaustion, the evils of pesticides, global cooling, and so on. Perhaps it's useful to have a few folks outside the "consensus" asking questions before we commit several trillion dollars to any problem. [Emphasis mine]

The environmentalist extremists are wrong on this subject as well, in my opinion, and so are Senators Rockefeller and Snowe in their blatant attempt to blackmail ExxonMobil into doing something they don't feel is right, which is to stop debate.

H/T - specialrpt, posting in quicknews

Illegal immigrant sentenced to 5 years for fatal crash

This is why we need effective immigration reform, now.

An illegal immigrant with a history of drug arrests has been sentenced to five years and a month behind bars for the traffic death of a popular community college educator.

The prison term for Marcos Ramos Medina, 35, a twice-deported Mexican national who most recently lived in Portland, was the maximum under state guidelines for vehicular homicide. His criminal record in Portland included possession of cocaine and the sale of heroin for profit, and he also had a federal firearms conviction.

Imagine that. Deported twice before, yet this guy somehow manages to come back into our country, gets high on meth, kills a popular community college educator, and gets sentenced to five years and a month behind bars. And of course, Defense lawyer Jeff West said the verdict would be appealed.

Just another victim of poor economics who acted negligently and/or recklessly in pursuit of economic freedom, or a twice deported illegal engaging in criminal acts that cost a life?

And to think that there are some out there who want to give people like Medina amnesty?

Viaduct repair is ruled out

As reported here, [r]epairing Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct would cost $2.3 billion and extend the structure's life about 25 years -- maybe -- according to new estimates released Tuesday by the state.

And though some disagree, state officials say it just isn't worth it.

Sanity prevailing? One would hope so, but we are talking about the State, after all, so you'll forgive me when I say that this won't be the last word on this.

The repair cost estimate, the state maintains, is more than 80 percent of the estimated cost of building a new viaduct, though repairs would not have the same longevity. Cost inflation and risks account for more than 43 percent of the retrofit cost.

"Retrofitting" the 53-year-old viaduct "is possible," but the new study shows the work, while cheaper, might have one-fourth the longevity of a new structure, said the state's viaduct project manager, Ron Paananen. A replacement elevated structure or a tunnel would last 75 to 100 years.

"What this shows is we've appropriately screened (the repair option) out and are narrowing down the alternatives, and basically, we're down to a new elevated structure or a tunnel," Paananen said.

Also Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation released another report from an 11-member panel of engineers that concluded the "relatively narrow difference in costs between ... retrofit and rebuilding weighs heavily in favor of rebuilding."

The new studies continue escalating arguments about the viaduct, which carries about 100,000 vehicles a day on state Route 99 along downtown's west shore. The viaduct sustained minor damage during the 2001 Nisqually Quake, and state engineers maintain it could collapse in another major earthquake.

But retrofit advocates said Tuesday that they'll demand more answers about the latest conclusions. They questioned the earthquake standards that drive up part of the costs and argue that repairs won't require long shutdowns of the highway like a replacement would. They also said the new cost doesn't account for up to $3.4 billion in estimated annual losses to nearby businesses caused by a viaduct shutdown.

So, let me get this straight. Retrofitting the viaduct will cost 80% of the cost of replacing it with either a new viaduct or tunnel, but will only last - maybe - 25 years, while either of the replacement options will last between 75 to 100 years, and the retrofit advocates are concerned about the economic impact to businesses while construction is happening? What about 25 years later, if the viaduct is retrofitted? What then? Do we do it again, at a higher cost than replacing it now? And what if the retrofit doesn't last as long as projected? What then? What if a really big earthquake hits the city, collapsing the viaduct, making your retrofit moot? What then?

We need to replace the viaduct, sooner rather than later, both from the cost and business economic concerns, and for the safety of the people who use the viaduct.

And let me make one thing perfectly clear here. Contrary to what a recent reader thought I was saying when I posted this, I am adamantly opposed to either a retrofit of the existing viaduct or a rebuild of the viaduct, and fully support the tunnel option as the best course of action that we can take.

Sorry, David S., but you obviously haven't been paying attention to what I have said repeatedly here.

Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, 1926-2006

As reported here, America has lost a leading light and advocate for freedom, as the former UN Ambassador for the US under President Reagan, has passed away.

Rest in Peace, Jeane. Your voice will be sorely missed.

One last roll call for the survivors of Pearl Harbor attack

December 7th, 1941, a day that will live in infamy, as President Roosevelt characterized it, plunged the United States fully into WWII. On this day, 65 years later, the surviving members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association are making their final trip back to Pearl Harbor, to remember and honor their fallen comrades.

This, they say, will be their final farewell.

With their number quickly dwindling, survivors of Pearl Harbor will gather today one last time to honor those killed by the Japanese 65 years ago ...

The Association has met every five years since its' inception, and all of the members of the group are now in their 80's and 90's, and most don't expect to live to see the seventieth anniversary. That's the way life is, but I fear that as these brave men pass, the memory of that fateful day will also pass into the pages of history, and out of our consciousness.

That would be a shame, as remembering what happened on December 7th, 1941 reminds us all to be alert to the dangers in this world, and to always be ready to defend the nation, and stand for freedom over tyranny.

Nearly 500 survivors from across the nation were expected to make the trip to Hawaii, bringing with them 1,300 family members, numerous wheelchairs and too many haunting memories.

Memories were vivid of the shocking, two-hour aerial raid that destroyed or heavily damaged 21 ships and 320 aircraft, that killed 2,390 people and wounded 1,178 others, that plunged the United States into World War II and that set in motion the events that led to atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"I suspect not many people have thought about this, but we're witnessing history," said Daniel Martinez, chief historian at the USS Arizona Memorial. "We are seeing the passing of a generation."

The survivors say they have more than horrific memories to offer. "Remember Pearl Harbor" is just the first half of the association's motto; the rest is "Keep America alert."

Tom Brokaw called those who came of age during WWII "The Greatest Generation", which I agree with, and what Mr. Martinez said is also true. We are seeing the passing of this generation. I just hope we don't forget the lessons learned on that fateful day of infamy. As a veteran of the US Navy who was stationed on a ship home ported in Pearl Harbor, this day, and this story especially, is particularly poignant for me.

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Speaker Chopp fights viaduct tunnel plan

As reported here, [t]he most powerful lawmaker in Olympia, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, has again put his might behind an effort to sink any plans to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a waterfront tunnel.

"The tunnel is a luxury the taxpayers of Washington cannot afford," Chopp and 29 members of the House Democratic Caucus said in a recent letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

So, Frank, I suppose that we can afford the measly few who will be killed when this disaster-waiting-to-happen finally does collapse, either from another earthquake or from the supports just giving way due to the rain we get here washing them away? I also suppose that we who actually live in the area around the viaduct can afford the extra added traffic to the surface streets on a permanent basis that is equivalent to the amount of fans a Mariners and Seahawks game being played every day, would bring in? Let's not forget that the current Viaduct carries approximately 110,000 vehicles per day, ok?

So, Frank, what do you propose? That we simply stick our heads in the sand and hope this problem goes away on its' own? Well, I have news for you, Frank. This problem will go away on its' own, if we don't do something about it now, when the next earthquake happens, and I have some advice for you Frank. You better not be on it when that happens, or you'll end up in the "measly few" category.

The question that just won't die, Part II

Charles Rangel is at it again, speaking about something that he obviously doesn't have any real knowledge about, in calling for the reinstitution of a military draft, as we had during the Vietnam era. I posted about this previously, here. Mr. Rangel's remarks shows that he has not done any real research as to the true demographics of who does enlist in the military.

Mr. Rangel's remarks that only people who have no prospects for a "meaningful career" enlist is outrageously off the mark, and shows exactly what he and his fellow Dems really feel about our military - contempt - and the American Legion wants an apology.

Mr. Rangel tries to show that he has done some research into this by stating that, "[W]e also have done some research with the Department of Defense. And we have found that 26 percent of those killed in action are either African-American or Hispanics.", implying that only poor, uneducated folks are becoming casualties. What Mr. Rangel fails to mention is that only 26% of those killed in action are African-American or Hispanics, meaning that a whopping seventy four per cent of those killed in action are white and other ethnicities.

Mr. Rangel also conveniently ignores data that shows that those who enlist in our all-volunteer military are better educated and better off economically than their peers, instead of what he and Jessie Jackson continue to claim. As Tim Kane states in his article, "According to military data analyzed by the Heritage Foundation, U.S. troops come from wealthier neighborhoods than their civilian peers. In fact, the only underrepresented neighborhoods are those with the lowest incomes.".

Fortunately for our military, and hence our nation's security, there are adults in charge - even in the Democrat camp, amazingly enough - who say that a military draft is both unnecessary, and not even on the agenda. "We did not include that" in legislative plans for early next year, said Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record) of Maryland, who will be House majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January.

N.D. tribe barring church protesters

As reported here, [a] church group that protests at military funerals around the country will be barred from services for an American Indian soldier on a reservation, tribal officials say.

That "group" would be from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., Fred Phelps' bunch of nutjobs who have been going around the country, demonstrating at funeral services of those killed in the war on terror, claiming that the deaths are "God's punishment" for our "evil ways". These "people" are despicable in the extreme.

Tribal leaders passed a resolution Friday that prohibits the group from protesting on the reservation, said Marcus Wells Jr., chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes.

"We will not tolerate any harassment that is intended to provoke ill feelings and violence," he said.

Kudo's to the Three Affiliated Tribes for making this stand.

Rest in Peace Young Eagle.

Ahmadinejad writes a letter to the American people

As reported here, the lunatic running the asylum called Iran has decided to reach out to the American people in an open letter. Although not as long or flowery as the 18 page ramble he sent to President Bush earlier this year, it is basically empty of anything substantive, merely calling on the US to disengage from Iraq, and stop "meddling" in the Middle East.

If you want to read the letter for yourself, you can find it here. But, if you would prefer not to read it, I'll give you a brief synopsis of what he wrote. In a nutshell, it pretty much boils down to Democrat talking points:

- Pull out of Iraq (the consequences to the Iraqi people of such an action are of no import, of course);
- Spend the money currently being spent in Iraq on the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and on the homeless (as if we aren't addressing those issues already);
- Stop meddling in the Middle East (we'll stop "meddling" in the Middle East when you stop trying to kill us through your surrogates Hamas and Hezbollah, and when you allow your people to have real representative government instead of the sham you and your predecessors have forced upon the Iranian people for nearly 40 years);
- Recognize a Palestinian State (never mind that we have been trying to get the Palestinians to embrace a state of their own, once they lay down their arms and recognize that Israel is not going away, no matter how much they want it to).

It's as if he has a direct line to Pelosi, Reid and Murtha (the latter of which would not surprise me one bit), and they dictated to him what to put in the letter.

A personal note

Regular visitors to this blog will have noticed that I've been absent the past two weeks, and that is due to some things that were going on in real life (and no, I'm not going into details). Suffice it to say that I'll be posting here again on at least a semi-regular basis, as time allows. Thanks for your patience, folks.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and if you live anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, that you are staying warm while we put up with this lovely little cold snap - which is very unusual for here! - and the snow and ice.

After the mid-terms - now what?

Democrats won a majority in both Houses this past Tuesday, and will take over majority leadership roles in January. To my Republican readers, I want to assure you that this is not the end of the world, although it was not the outcome we had hoped for. This is still a multi-party nation, and that was evidenced at the polls.

But now what? What will the Democrat Party do that will be better for our nation than what the Republican party was doing? Is there anything they can do that will actually be better? That remains to be seen, really, as I have yet to hear any Democrat put voice to anything remotely resembling a coherent plan, so I really have my doubts there. But, like I said, we’ll see in the coming months.

One thing I would like to see the Democrats not do is gloat. As Daniel Ortega, the recently re-elected President of Nicaragua said, "Don't let one criticism slip from your lips against those who didn't vote for us," he warned his supporters. "We have to be humble." That is wise advice indeed, and the Democrats would be wise to heed that. Why? It wasn’t the leadership of the Democrat Party that elected them, it was the voters of America that did, and that’s something they need to be mindful of.

On that note, another thing I would like to see the Democrats do, in cooperation with the Republicans, is get back to doing the people’s business. To do that, the partisan bickering on both sides needs to stop. It is counter-productive at best, and shows a measure of condescension towards the American people at worst. We put you there – Republicans and Democrats – to do a job, and that is to represent US, not to advance your own little petty agenda’s. You’ve been voted in to do a job. Fail to do that job, and you can find yourself voted right back out. If you can’t concentrate on doing the people’s business in an honest, ethical way, you have no business being in office. Something else you need to be mindful of.

So far, the Democrats have been “playing nice”, but how long will that last? The ball is now in your court Democrats – now what?

General approves court martial for Watada

As briefly reported here, First Lt. Ehren Watada, who challenged the Bush administration's reasons for going to war in Iraq and then refused to deploy to that country, will face a military trial, the Army said Thursday.

The Fort Lewis commander, Lt. Gen. James Dubik, recommended a general court-martial of Watada. No date has been set for the trial.

Watada was charged with missing troop movement, conduct unbecoming an officer and contempt toward officials for comments he made about President Bush.

If convicted on all charges, Watada could serve six years of confinement and be dismissed from the service.

The 28-year-old officer from Honolulu has said he believes the war is illegal and was first charged after he refused to deploy to Iraq on June 22 with his Fort Lewis Stryker unit.

As I've posted on this individual before, what he believes, and what are facts are two different things, in that the war in Iraq is, in fact, legal, according to all of the UN Resolutions passed at the end of the Gulf War and later, regarding the activities of the regime of Saddam, who chose to violate each and every one of them in the mistaken belief that they wouldn't be enforced.

In making the statements that he did, Lt. Watada was also mistaken in the belief that the military regulations prohibiting such statements would not be enforced, and now he will face a general court martial to face the charges levied against him.

You took an oath, Watada, when you raised your right hand, an oath that you broke, disregarding the potential consequences of doing so, bringing the whirlwind upon yourself.

Race is on for the biggest prize -- the White House in 2008

The dust hasn't even settled yet on the mid-term elections, and people are already looking at 2008. This is an interesting article giving an early preview of who might be running for President in 2008.

United States Marine Corps - 231 Years and counting

November 10th is the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

As a veteran of the US Navy, I have sometimes given in to my impulses to occasionally needle my "cousins" in the Marines, but I have always done so in a fun way, never in a demeaning or denigrating way.

I want to state - again - for the record, that I have the utmost respect and admiration for the US Marine Corps, and for the men and women who have served, and are now serving, our country as members of one of our nations most elite fighting forces, who are "First to fight for right and freedom ...".

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Semper Fi!

[Edit - As originally posted, I had the date incorrect. My apologies to my "cousins" in the USMC.]

In Flanders Fields

On this Veteran's Day, Nov. 11th, 2006, I just want to bring you the poem "In Flanders Fields", written by Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD, Canadian Army, as presented on the web site of the Arlington National Cemetery, as a way to remember all those who have given their life in the service of their country.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Saddam sentenced to death by hanging

As reported here, Iraq's High Tribunal on Sunday found Saddam Hussein guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to hang for the 1982 killing of 148 Shiites in the city of Dujail. The visibly shaken former leader shouted "God is great!"

Saddam's half brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Ibrahim, and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, head of the former Revolutionary Court, were sentenced to join Saddam on the gallows for the Dujail killings after an unsuccessful assassination attempt during a Saddam visit to the city 35 miles north of Baghdad.

So, what happens now? The death sentences automatically go to a nine-judge appeals panel which has unlimited time to review the case. If the verdicts and sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days.

Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi told reporters that the Anfal trial now in progress for Saddam and others alleged role in gassing and killing Kurds would continue while the appeals process is underway. But if the appellate judges uphold the death sentence, the Anfal proceedings and other cases would be halted and Saddam hanged.

Al-Moussawi said Saddam would be hanged if the sentence were upheld, despite his demand that he be shot by a firing squad.

A court official told The Associated Press that the appeals process was likely to take three to four weeks once the formal paperwork was submitted.

I would e very surprised if this verdict was overturned in the appeals process, and I expect that Saddam will hang. Whether you believe in the death penalty or not, I think you'll agree that Saddam is a monster in human form, and deserves whatever justice the Iraqi courts mete out.

Get out and vote!

This coming Tuesday, Nov. 7th, is an important day. This is the day that you get to participate in the democratic process by voting, so get out there and do it. If you vote absentee, and haven't sent in your vote, do it.

Vote your conscience, even if that means "crossing party lines". I don't care if you call yourself a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or "Other/Unaffiliated/Undecided", if a candidate on your ballot is speaking to those issues that are important to you, vote for him or her, even if they are in a different political party than you are.

Republicans! Do you want the House and Senate to remain in Republican hands? Then get out and cast your ballot. If you stay home, and the Republicans lose the majority in either House (or both), do not cry and bellyache about it! You won't have anything to say if you stay home.

Democrats! Tired of the policies of the current majority party? Want to see some changes? Then get out and vote! If you stay home, and the Republicans retain the majority in either House (or both), do not cry and bellyache about it! You won't have anything to say if you stay home.

Libertarians! Want your party to become a viable third choice to the Republican or Democrat parties? Then get out and vote! Show the American people that you're serious about having your voice heard, so your party isn't looked upon with condescending tolerance by the "big boys", as it is now.

The rest of you that fall in the category of "Other/Unaffiliated/Undecided"! Make up your mind, and get out and vote! Voting Green? Fine, as long as you get out and actually vote! Unaffiliated? Get affiliated with someone, and vote! Undecided? Quit straddling the fence, make a decision you can live with, and vote!

Anyone who sits at home this coming Tuesday (or fails to send in their absentee ballot on time), and defaults on their civic duty of participating in the American democratic process, automatically gives up their right to cry and bellyache about the results!

No one at the National level appeal to you? Then don't vote for any of them. But! There are still local issues that will have a direct impact on you, that you should vote for (or against, as the case may be). Don't let National candidates that you don't care for be the excuse for you not making the effort to get out and cast your ballot.

Oh, and one last thing. Don't let bad weather be your excuse to not get out and vote, whether it is at the polling place, or via the US Post Office. Bad weather is what they make coats and unbrella's for!

Get out and vote, people! You can be sure I am!

Cuba's Dissident Movement Grows Stronger as Castro Weakens

Information you won't see in the MSM regarding the democracy movements efforts in Cuba, via Stefania Lapenna of Town Hall.

If you want to know what real freedom fighters are all about, read the article.

A few simple rules on how to be a good Liberal

A good friend of mine from an on-line community posted the following list, and I thought I'd share it with all of you.

A few simple rules on how to be a good Liberal

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUVs.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial, but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th-graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but PETA activists do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make "The Passion of the Christ" for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Thomas Edison.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

17. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag queens and transvestites should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

18. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right-wing conspiracy.

GOD BLESS AMERICA oops, can't do that either.


H/T Conservative67

Blabbermouths in play

Still undecided about who you're going to vote for in November? Want some clear, honest advice? Then, read this piece by Michelle Malkin.

Bush rallies base to 'just say no'

As reported here, President Bush yesterday yelled himself hoarse in his first public political rally of the 2006 election campaign, whipping thousands of supporters into chants of "USA!" as he criticized Democrats for being weak on national security and anxious to increase taxes.

Swooping into a Republican stronghold that on Election Day will be an early harbinger of whether Republicans hold control of Congress, Mr. Bush led the crowd in a chant that gave new meaning to an old Reagan-era slogan.

"The Democrats in Washington follow a simple philosophy: Just say no," the president said. "When it comes to listening in on the terrorists, what's the Democratic answer? Just say no. When it comes to detaining terrorists, what's the Democrat answer?" Mr. Bush asked.

"Just say no!" the crowd shouted.

"So when the Democrats ask for your vote on Nov. 7, what are you going to say?"
"Just say no!" the audience replied.
With just nine days to go before the midterm elections, the White House has settled on a simple strategy: Turn out the base.

This is good, and I support the President's efforts. The base of the Republican Party does need to turn out, if we want to retain a majority in Congress.

Obama has one eye on White House

As reported here, Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday that he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

In recent weeks, Obama's political stock has been rising as a potentially viable centrist candidate for president in 2008 after former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced earlier this month that he was bowing out of the race.

Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster who has done extensive focus-group research on all the Democrats and Republicans considering a White House race in 2008, said of Obama: "I saw how he lit up a crowd in Iowa with barely a B-plus speech -- and that's the worst I've seen him all year. Imagine how politically potent he is when he's on his game. He's got all the best qualities of John and Bobby Kennedy combined, and none of the worst."

Sen. Obama, who is relatively young at 45, is a rising star of the Democrat Party, and if he does decide to run, it could be problematic for Hillary. However, if he does decide to run, I don't think he'll get the nomination over Hillary, but you could see him paired with Hillary as the VP candidate, instead of at the head of the ticket.

I'll be keeping an eye on this.

Anti-abortion posters infuriate some students

As reported here, [a] small group of anti-abortion activists stood in the cold at the avowedly liberal University of Washington on Wednesday, bearing signs of dismembered, bloody fetuses. But despite the university's commitment to free speech, Show The Truth Washington had a hard time making its point.

Several dozen students supporting abortion rights encircled the sign-bearers, shouting pro-choice slogans into a bullhorn. Some tried to bar a photographer from access to the gruesome pictures.

The images were so gory and disturbing that campus officials had alerted students a week in advance. Because the university is a public institution, groups do not need formal permission to gather on its grounds, said Gus Kravas, who chairs the school's Use of Facilities Committee.

But students were incensed, nonetheless.

"I think it's absurd that they're here," said Grant Mandarino, 25, who is working on a graduate degree in comparative literature. "These people are not wanted. This is a pro-choice campus, and there isn't a place for them here."

So, Mr. Mandarino, you speak for everyone on campus? I think not. As for your statement that there isn't a place for them on campus, could you kindly show me in the US Constitution where it says that free speech is allowed everywhere except where you don't want to see or hear a view that is different from your own? I'm waiting ... oh, wait! You can't show me where that particular clause in the Constitution is, because there isn't one!

Let me remind you of something there, Sunshine. Free speech is guaranteed to every American citizen by the US Constitution, whether you agree with someone's point of view or not.

I don't happen to agree with your point of view regarding abortion (and possibly a whole range of other things as well). I also don't agree with the point of view espoused by that nutjob Fred Phelps, either. But you know what? Just because I don't happen to agree with either of the cited points of view does NOT give me the right to tell you, or Phelps, that you can't express those points of view.

Just as you, and your liberal PC adhering cohorts have no right to tell anyone, whether it's the "Show The Truth Washington" group, or me, what we can or cannot say, just because you disagree with what they, or I, are saying.

Let me say this one more time. Free speech is guaranteed to every American citizen by the US Constitution, whether you agree with someone's point of view or not.

Deal with it!

State high court stands by gay marriage ban; Justices' decision is the final word in the case

As reported here, [t]he [Washington] state Supreme Court will stand by its endorsement of Washington's gay marriage ban, justices said Wednesday.

Gay and lesbian couples had asked the justices to reconsider their 5-4 ruling upholding the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1998 law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

The court's denial, signed by Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, is the final word in the case. Further appeal is not possible because no federal legal issues were raised.

The high court rarely reconsiders its rulings. Few observers expected it to revisit a ruling that took nearly 18 months to craft.

"Having taken as long as they took to make up their minds, I thought it was unlikely that they would change them," said Assistant Attorney General Bill Collins, who defended the gay-marriage ban in court.

Gay marriage supporters said the ruling was particularly disheartening because it came on the same day New Jersey's Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to benefits heterosexual couples have.

Over 40 states have some sort of variation of our law on their books, with 20 states having amended their state constitutions, specifically defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, with the rational being to promote stable families. I'm glad that we can count Washington State among that group.

Listen. If you are a gay or lesbian that wants to see changes made to the laws, your best recourse for doing so is by going through your state legislature, and stop trying to get the courts to legislate from the bench, ok? Depending on where you live, you can either simply lobby your legislative representatives to ask them to either change current laws, or write new laws, or try to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot, and let the voters decide. That's how the process works.

We are biased, admit the stars of BBC News

What bias? Oh, that bias!

Just as the BBC is full of liberals, so too is the majority of US newspapers and network news, which they steadfastly deny. Read the article. It's an eye opener.

H/T: Reality Hammer

China sides with U.S. against North Korea

As reported here, [a]n exasperated China took a newly tough approach to communist ally North Korea on Friday, siding with the United States in saying the North must back away from nuclear confrontation, and moving to cut Pyongyang's vital supply of hard currency.

Chinese banks have stopped financial transfers to North Korea under government orders, bank employees said Friday. And at an appearance with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, China's foreign minister nudged the North to resume negotiations over its nuclear program and assured Washington that China would carry out United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang.

China losing patience with N. Korea and finally siding with the US is a start; cutting off money transfers with N. Korea will definitely hurt them, and may impel Kim to agree to return to the six nation talks, but what I think may really hurt is the cutting off of luxury goods, which go exclusively to the elites in the North, who won't like that at all, and I'm sure they will put pressure on Kim that will actually accomplish something.

Bush signs law on terror suspects

As reported here, [s]ome of the most notorious names in the war on terror are headed toward prosecution after President Bush signed a law Tuesday authorizing military trials of terrorism suspects.

The legislation also eliminates some of the rights defendants are usually guaranteed under U.S. law, and it authorizes continued harsh interrogations of terror suspects.

"With the bill I'm about to sign, the men our intelligence officials believe orchestrated the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people will face justice," Bush said in a White House ceremony.

This is a good thing in the fight against Islamofascist terrorists, yet there are some - most notably the ACLU, and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis) - who would have us give more rights to those who perpetrate acts of terror, over the victims of their acts of terror.

Civil libertarians and leading Democrats decried the law as a violation of American values. The American Civil Liberties Union said it was "one of the worst civil liberties measures ever enacted in American history." Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin said, "We will look back on this day as a stain on our nation's history."

What about the civil rights of those who died in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a lonely field in Shanksville, PA? What about the civil rights of those who died on the USS Cole? What about the civil rights of those who died in the bombings of our two embassies in Africa? What about the civil rights of those who died in the Khobar Towers in Saudia Arabia? Don't their civil rights count? Oh, wait - they're dead, so they don't have any civil rights any more. Silly me.

As for this being "a stain on our nation's history.", this law goes hand in hand with the Patriot Act in giving us tools to bring those who commit acts of terror to justice, whether that justice is through military tribunes (which FDR also used during WWII, I'd like to point out), or the death of other terrorists from the information obtained from those terrorists already held. This law is far from being a stain. Rather, it is a welcome bright spot in this war we must win at all costs!

I'd like to ask the ACLU, and most Democrats one question, and that is - what part of they want to kill us all don't you understand?

Democrat Staffer Linked to National Security Leaks

As briefly reported here, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Rep. Peter Hoekstra, announced last week that the committee has suspended a Democrat staffer for leaking classified information documents. The leaks involved an NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) report that was given to the New York Times.

On Sunday Fox News’ Weekend Live, Rep. Hoekstra told Bret Baier that there is “sufficient evidence to suspend the person’s access to classified documents. We can’t politicize this. We’re still a nation at risk.”

The staffer, Larry Hanauer, is employed by Rep Jane Harman (D-CA). Harman is also a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

It really doesn't matter to me what political party affiliation Mr. Hanauer claims. What does matter to me is that he is alleged to have leaked classified information, specifically cherry picked portions of the NIE, to a newspaper, which in this case just happens to be the New York Times.

What Mr. Hanauer allegedly did is a crime. The fact that he now no longer has access to classified information is good. However, an investigation - if there isn't one already - needs to be made into this incident, and all of the relevant facts must be made known to the American public. If the allegations prove to be true, then Mr. Hanauer needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and sent to prison. I would say the same thing if it was a Republican staffer.

The New York Post is equally outraged at this as I am, and gives a few more details here.

Election 2006: McGavick returns to politics after Safeco save

Nice write up on Republican Senatorial candidate Mike McGavik here.

New urgency on viaduct repairs

As reported here, [a] chunk of Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct is sinking -- again.

One section has settled deeper into the waterfront fill it sits on, the state said Wednesday, perhaps adding more pressure to begin much-debated repairs on the 53-year-old structure.

Vertical supports between Columbia Street and Yesler Way sank another quarter-inch into the ground since March, according to measurements taken during a semi-annual inspection last weekend, state officials said.

The structure, built in the 1950s, remains safe to drive on with current restrictions on trucks and buses, but will need repairs if the same supports sink another 1.25 inches.

"It continues to reinforce our assessment that this structure is at risk and that we need to really move ahead with (a) replacement," said state project manager Ron Paananen.

State officials think the settling was at least partly caused by the Nisqually Quake in February 2001. [This is misleading, in that State officials know that the settling was caused by the Nisqually earthquake. Apparently, Larry Lange hasn't been reading his own articles!]

Seattle city officials agree the structure needs to go and think a waterfront tunnel should replace it, but many others disagree. Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to decide next month which option should be pursued.

The latest news prompted Mayor Greg Nickels to repeat that "time is running out on this deteriorating structure. ... The latest settling highlights the need to get moving on replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with the preferred option of the city -- a cut-and-cover tunnel."

This is one issue where I am in agreement with Mayor Nichols. The Alaskan Way Viaduct is a disaster waiting to happen, and we need to do something about it now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month - NOW! We've had enough studies on this; we know it is going to fail, whether that failure is caused by another earthquake, or just heavy rains which we get here from time to time, does not matter. IT IS GOING TO FAIL. PERIOD!

I just hope that we do something about this before an untold number of the approximately 110,000 vehicles with people in them, have to suffer the consequences of our inaction, if it fails before we "get around to it."

Christine, you need to move up your timetable for making a decision.

U.N. imposes trade embargo on N. Korea

As reported here, [t]he U.N. Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to impose punishing sanctions on North Korea for reportedly carrying out a nuclear test, declaring that the test posed "a clear threat to international peace and security."

Of course, North Korea immediately rejected the resolution, and its U.N. ambassador walked out of the council chamber after accusing its members of a "gangsterlike" action that neglects the nuclear threat posed by the United States.

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is ready for talks, dialogue and confrontation," Ambassador Pak Gil-yon said, using the conventional long form of his country's name.

"If the United States increases pressure upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea persistently, the DPRK will continue to take physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration of war."

Walking out sure shows that you're willing for talks, doesn't it? Refusing to return to the six nation talks also sure shows that you're ready for dialogue, doesn't it?

As for declaring war against the US if the US continues to apply pressure goes ... well, that would be downright silly, considering that the US is the sole remaining super power, and with what forces we have in South Korea, Japan, and Okinawa, it wouldn't take much to overwhelm your little country's armed forces.

Am I advocating for war against North Korea? No, I am not. All I'm trying to point out is that if you are a 98 pound weakling, you don't go up to the biggest guy on the block and scuff his shoes, and not expect to suffer the consequences.

Meanwhile, in this related article, people in South Korea are fed up with their governments policy toward the North, as 78 percent of respondents thought South Korea should revise its policy, and 65 percent said South Korea should develop nuclear weapons to protect itself, from a poll taken recently by a JoongAng newspaper.

North Korea needs to get back to the six nation talks, and shut down their nuclear program to forestall the UN sanctions from going into effect, so the people of North Korea don't suffer even more hardships than they do now at the hands of their own government.

Sadly, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Students in Texas taught to fight gunman

As reported here, in the wake of school shootings from Colombine to the recent Amish incident [y]oungsters in a suburban Fort Worth school district are being taught not to sit there like good boys and girls with their hands folded if a gunman invades the classroom, but to rush him and hit him with everything they got -- books, pencils, legs and arms.

"Getting under desks and praying for rescue from professionals is not a recipe for success," said Robin Browne, a major in the British army reserve and an instructor for Response Options, the company providing the training to the Burleson schools.

That kind of fight-back advice is all but unheard of among schools, and some fear it will get children killed.

Well, it seems that getting under desks, and praying for rescue by professionals gets children killed. These "concerns" are being voiced by the same people who have advocated that women and girls scream, kick and scratch in attempted rape or child abduction situations, and yet, they want kids in school confronted by someone with a gun to just sit there passively? That makes absolutely no sense!

If I had a child in school, and someone came in with a gun, I certainly wouldn't want my child to just sit there passively, hoping that the gunman wouldn't decide that my child was a target!

I for one think that this is an entirely appropriate program, and should be expanded to every school in the country. Why?

It stands to reason that if someone who was planning to go to a school with a gun just might think twice about that if they knew that they would be confronted by those in the school, and that they may be the one who gets injured, and not their intended targets.

Road taxes could drive voters over the edge

As reported here, as we get closer to November, some politicians are beginning to worry that local voters will be 'fatigued' with all of the road tax proposals on this years ballot, with two other massive tax proposals coming in 2007. These are some of the things we face:

Traffic jams, crumbling streets, bridges so vulnerable they must be closed to cars during fairly routine windstorms, along with trying to find the resources to replace both the SR-99 Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, both of which are critical transportation conduits for the Metropolitan Seattle area.

Seattle got into this mess, politicians acknowledge, because those in charge gave the region's transportation network short shrift for decades.

Over those decades, it has been more about process and paralysis through over analysis, rather than actually doing anything about our road infrastructure, coupled with imprudent spending. Add to that the dot com bust of the late 1990's and the events of 9/11 with the resultant recession, resulting in jobs losses and reduced tax revenue, forcing cuts to most spending programs except entitlements, and you wind up with the mess we have today.

Now officials have a plan for breaking the logjam. More precisely, they have at least four proposals -- each with its own price tag, each headed to a ballot soon.

The projects could cost a typical Seattle household nearly $450 annually in coming years, plus any tolls, localized property tax surcharges, business taxes and developer fees official[s] tack on.

It's got some asking whether voters are being pushed too far. Some political insiders worry government is asking for too much, too late -- and all at once.

Let's see now ... a $1.6 billion dollar tax proposal from the Mayor of Seattle, and a sales tax increase proposal to "improve" transit from King County Executive Ron Sims for this years ballot at the tune of about $570 million dollars, and then two more massive regional tax proposals for 2007 costing close to an additional $17 billion dollars more, and "some" are asking if this is too much, too late, at all at once? You THINK?

Oh, and then there are others who think that the voters in both the city of Seattle and in the region will just give a blanket ok to all of these tax proposals without batting an eye, which smacks of arrogance to me.

Yes, our roads are a mess and do need to be fixed. The Viaduct is a disaster waiting to happen, as is the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Transit does need to be improved (I should know, since I take the bus to commute to work and back right now). All of these issues will take massive amounts of money to fix, but these issues should, and could, have been addressed in the previous decades, but weren't because of a lack of political back bone and vision.

Everything here is more about the process, rather than actually doing anything, so now we are faced with massive tax proposals in this years, and next years, elections.

To the tune of about $20 billion dollars.

Too much, too late, and all at once pretty much sums it up I think. I think it's time the voters in both the region and the city of Seattle take a very long, very hard look at our politicians, and make some needed changes to bring in some people who will actually get things done, and not just study something to death.