McCain chooses well

Senator John McCain, the presumptive Presidential nominee for the Republican Party has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his VP running mate, a choice that in my opinion was the wisest choice he could have made due to her conservative credentials, and what she has been able to accomplish in Alaska as Governor.

As Governor Palin says in her acceptance speech, if you want real change in Washington, D.C., come join our cause.

H/T for the video link goes to hollie-is-right.

Gunman kills Arkansas Democratic Party chairman

As reported here, [a] man barged into the Arkansas Democratic headquarters and opened fire Wednesday, fatally shooting the state party chairman before speeding off in his pickup. Police later shot and killed the suspect after a 30-mile chase.

Police said they don't know the motive of the suspect, who they described as about 50 years old but whose name has not been released. However, they said that moments after the shooting he pointed a handgun at the building manager at the nearby the Arkansas Baptist headquarters. He told the manager "I lost my job," said Dan Jordan, a Baptist convention official.

Chairman Bill Gwatney died four hours after the shooting. The 48-year-old former state senator had been planning to travel to the Democratic National Convention later this month as a superdelegate.

I just want to say that this is a tragedy that didn't need to happen. I mean, is this what politics in this country has come to? If you're unemployed, and believe that it's the fault of someone of one political party or the other, the solution to your problem is to shoot them? Certainly not!

In our political system, you can disagree with someone on the opposing side, and those disagreements can become quite heated. Republicans have some major issues with the Democrats, and Democrats have some major issues with Republicans as well. But you know something? That's actually ok - as long as we discuss and/or debate those major differences, and do NOT resort to violence.

I never knew, or even heard of Bill Gwatney before today, but he didn't deserve to die because someone else felt he was at fault for some perceived injustice. My heart goes out to the Gwatney family, and those who were also involved in this tragedy.

Five-star hotel planned for Baghdad

As reported here, Iraqi officials say they have approved plans to build a five-star hotel in the Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone.

In another forum, a friend of mine stated that Fox News was reporting this, and wondered - because this really does show how much the situation in Iraq has improved, an improvement you don't hear about from the MSM - whether any other news organizations had also reported about this. I had just finished reading the above linked article when I saw my friends question, and this is what I replied to him when he expressed surprise:

"The reason this is getting the attention it is, is not because of the positive outlook for conditions on the ground in Iraq. No, it's because the MSM is shocked, shocked I tell you, that anyone would be so foolish as to build something like that when there's a "civil war" going on. The MSM is so focused on the negative in Iraq (of which there is less and less) that they find it inconceivable that something like this would even be contemplated, let alone discussed seriously as something that is going to happen."

Yes, the hotel is being built in the heavily fortified Green Zone, and no, the article does not specify a ground breaking date for the commencement of construction which could be (and probably will be) construed as potential misgivings on the part of the contractor building such a grand project in the heart of a war zone. But the reality is that, just like anywhere else a construction project is built, there is a process that needs to be gone through before the first shovel hits the dirt - plans must be drawn, permits obtained, subcontractors lined up, the work force hired, materials pirchased, and in this case specifically, security measures must be formulated and adopted

But think about this for a minute, folks. Despite what the MSM and the majority members of Congress would have you believe, things on the ground in Iraq have improved, and have improved to such an extent that the Iraqi's are making positive plans for the future that doesn't involve constant conflict.

Iraq needs to rebuild, and not just infrastructure and schools, necessary as those are, but for the future as well. A future where they expect people to travel to Iraq, not to take up arms, but to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Iraq, and to engage in investing in, and building businesses. Those people need to stay somewhere, right? I expect more hotels to come, and in the very near future, in spite of the incredulity of the MSM and members of the current majority in Congress.

H/T to conservative67 for the idea for this post.

D-Day

Today marks the 64th anniversary of probably the most momentous day in modern history, the day the Allied Powers invaded Nazi occupied territory at the beaches of Normandy, France. Among those Allied Powers were Americans, British, and Canadians, all determined to free Europe from the horror of Nazism. To land those troops on those Normandy beaches that day took the largest Naval armada in history, while overhead planes of the various Allied Powers flew in a seemingly never ending stream of bombers and fighters.

Of the hundreds of thousands of men who landed on that beach that day now so long ago, many never made it off the beach, giving their lives in the fight to liberate an enslaved continent, as the Germans fought fiercely to prevent the Allies from gaining a foothold. But this day belonged to those who fought for freedom, as the Allies did gain a foothold, and from that foothold, eventually pushed the Germans all the way back to Germany in defeat.

Most of those men who landed that day at Normandy were in their early twenties, many even still in their teens. They are now in their eighties and nineties, and we are losing more and more of those gallant warriors - yes, warriors! - as each day passes.

Because of what they accomplished, and the fact that we are losing them at an ever increasing pace, we must never forget their sacrifices in the fight for freedom. For without them, it is highly unlikely we would be enjoying the blessings of freedom as we know them today, and I will be forever grateful to them for what they did.

To those members of the "Greatest Generation" that are still with us, I say thank you.

To those who perished on that fateful day, and those who have passed since, a toast - To Absent Comrades!

Memorial Day

Today we are observing Memorial Day, the national holiday to honor America's war dead. As you go about your day today, please stop for a moment, and think about the freedoms that we all enjoy, that were bought and paid for by the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

For a brief history of Memorial Day, go here (courtesy of The History Channel).

Obesity adds to global warming, study finds

As reported here, [o]besity contributes to global warming, too.

Bwahahahahahaha! How ludicrous!

Looks like the followers of the Church of Global Warming are having to reach to continue to justify their false beliefs.

What's next on the list? Chewing gum? Blowing bubbles? Breathing?!?! The list just keeps getting longer and longer, and more ridiculous.

Sharpton owes nearly $1.5 million in back taxes

As reported here, ... Government records obtained by The Associated Press indicate that Sharpton and his business entities owe nearly $1.5 million in overdue taxes and associated penalties.

To both the Feds and New York State.

Hey, Al! Render unto Caesar, eh?

Man charged over Golders Green stabbings

As reported here, [a] man has been charged following a double knife attack on two Orthodox Jews in Golders Green.

Mohamed Jama Ahmed, 37, of North Circular Road, Cricklewood, was arrested after two stabbings which happened just meters apart in roads off Golders Green Road on Friday.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the attacks, which happened at around 6pm, appear to have been random and unprovoked, but were not being treated as faith hate crimes.

Hmmmm. Let me see if I get this right here ... Mohamed Jama Ahmed (I'm presuming from his name that this is a Muslim man) attacked two Orthodox Jews in seperate incidents on the same day in basically the same neighborhood, and this is not being treated as faith hate crimes?

How much you wanna bet that if the perpetrator had been a Jew or a Christian, and the victims Muslim, that the perpetrator would be facing the full weight of Her Majesties Courts through being charged with a faith hate crime?

The bending over backwards of the Europeans/English to not offend in any way, shape, or form, "Muslim sensibilities", is getting to the disgusting stage now, perhaps even beyond.

I'm not an advocate for special "hate crime" legislation - I feel that most of the laws on the books against crimes like this are perfectly adequate without getting all emo about it and throwing in the term "hate" - but this seems to me to be exactly that - a hate crime based on the fact that the two victims were Orthodox Jews. Orthodox Jews are very obvious from their appearance, so it's also obvious - at least to me - that the two victims were targeted for their faith.

Here's hoping that ol' Mohamed gets the book thrown at him - the book of "non-hate crimes" law that is.

H/T kc-anathema

ELF at it again

As reported here, [a]rsonists set fires in a development of multimillion-dollar show homes in a suburb north of Seattle Monday, destroying three and causing at least $7 million in damage.

I heard about this on the radio this morning while I was on my way to work, and my first thought was "ELF!". This is a pattern with those wacko's. Fortunately no one was in the homes when they erupted in flames.

My next thought? What morons! Apparently they don't realize that, in burning these homes down, they are creating more environmental damage than they are purportedly trying to prevent.

How so?

Well, fire produces smoke. Smoke has toxins in it which pollutes the air. Next is the run off from the firemen's hoses, causing erosion to the ground. There is also all of the diesel used by the trucks to get to the fire, adding more pollution to the air. Then there's going to be a lot of gasoline burned by those who will be involved in the clean up, and eventual rebuilding of the homes.

Last but not least is the rebuilding of the homes. Think of how many more trees will be cut down to provide the lumber for those 4,000 + square foot homes, and the fuel burned to bring the trees to the mills, and the fuel burned to turn those additional trees into lumber.

Oh, yeah. I almost forgot! How about the fuel these idiots burned to get to these homes in the first place (you don't think they walked, do you? Pffft!), plus whatever accelerant they used in their little incendiary devices.

Yeah, ELF. Way to "protect" the environment. Morons.

He's baaaaaaaack!

Nader announces new bid for White House.

Ralph Nader said Sunday he will run for president as a third-party candidate, criticizing the top White House contenders as too close to big business and pledging to repeat a bid that will "shift the power from the few to the many."

Nader, 73, said most people are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties due to a prolonged Iraq war and a shaky economy. The consumer advocate also blamed tax and other corporate-friendly policies under the Bush administration that he said have left many lower- and middle-class people in debt.

"You take that framework of people feeling locked out, shut out, marginalized and disrespected," he said. "You go from Iraq, to Palestine to Israel, from Enron to Wall Street, from Katrina to the bumbling of the Bush administration, to the complicity of the Democrats in not stopping him on the war, stopping him on the tax cuts."

"In that context, I have decided to run for president," Nader told NBC's "Meet the Press."

You know, there are still some folks out there who blame Ralph for Algore losing in 2000, claiming he siphoned off votes, and they may be looking at this with more than slightly jaundiced eyes.

Clinton called Nader's announcement a "passing fancy" and said she hoped his candidacy wouldn't hurt the Democratic nominee.

"Obviously, it's not helpful to whomever our Democratic nominee is. But it's a free country," she told reporters as she flew to Rhode Island for campaign events.

If Ralph can get himself on enough state ballots this November (and that might be a big "if"), things could turn out to be just a bit more interesting.

Pelosi calls Iraq a 'failure'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said twice Sunday that Iraq "is a failure," adding that President Bush's troop surge has "not produced the desired effect."

I'd like to know what alternate reality universe Ms. Pelosi is inhabiting, because she sure isn't anywhere near inhabiting the same universe I'm in!

H/T specialrpt posting in Quicknews

Fake bomb defendant cites 1st Amendment

As reported here, [a] computer science student who unwittingly created an airport bomb scare by wearing a blinking circuit board attached to her shirt had a First Amendment right to express herself in that manner, her lawyer argued Friday.

Attorney Thomas Dwyer Jr. asked a judge to throw out the charge against Star Simpson, 19, who is accused of possessing a hoax device. East Boston District Court Judge Paul Mahoney took the motion to dismiss under advisement and said he would issue a ruling March 21.

Simpson, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology student from Lahaina, Hawaii, had gone to Logan International Airport last September to pick up her boyfriend.

She was held at gunpoint and arrested by state troopers after an alarm was raised over the battery-powered device on her shirt, which had flashing lights and the words "Socket to me" and "Course VI" (a major at MIT) written on the back.

Dwyer said his client, who is studying electrical engineering and computer science, didn't think her shirt would scare anyone. He said she had worn it on campus without alarming anyone.

"People make these objects part of their identity. It's a part of their personal expression," he said. "They are legitimate forms of First Amendment expression."

First of all, wearing an electronic device that resembled a bomb - even if it was only benign - to Boston's Logan Airport, where 9/11 planes flew from, shows a total lack of elementary thought processes of what others might perceive the device to be, as Simpson found out. This from an MIT student, no less!

Secondly, this act to me, is tantamount to yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theater. You don't have the right to do that in that location, even if you do have the right to stand out in your yard and yell "FIRE!". As a matter of fact, if you do yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theater, and it is discovered that there wasn't a fire, you'll be arrested. If you stand in your yard and yell "FIRE!", the worst that would probably happen is that your neighbors will look at you and think you're a nutcase.

Simpson should have known better.

McDermott pays damages to Boehner in 1996 phone-tape case

As reported here, Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott has paid more than $64,000 in damages to House Republican leader John Boehner -- the first payment in a decadelong dispute over an illegally taped telephone call involving Boehner and other GOP leaders.

Well, well. It's about time Jim started paying up! The delicious irony of this? McDermott is paying into Boehner's campaign fund!

Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Boehner, called it ironic that the payment from McDermott will go to Boehner's campaign account.

"Mr. McDermott is the biggest contributor" to the account, Smith said Thursday.

The money "will be used to defeat fellow Democrats of Mr. McDermott," he said.

Just a thought

Last night, after President Bush gave his final State of the Union Address, NBC's Brian Williams and Tim Russert made the comment that George sounded a little, well, peeved (not their word) as he spoke, and they seemed slightly mystified as to why that was.

Well, Brian and Tim, here's my thinking on that. If you had been blocked, seemingly at every turn, from doing what you thought was in the best interests of the nation; if those you had felt were well qualified to do specific jobs, had their nominations to those jobs filibustered; if you had been mocked, jeered, derided, and called a thief and a liar from day one, etc. ... don't you think you'd be a little frustrated and peeved about how things turned out?

Just a thought.

I'm disappointed

Fred Thompson has decided to withdraw from the race for the Republican nomination.

I'm very disappointed by this news. I will have to think long and hard about who I will back.

Illegal immigrants packing up and leaving Arizona

As reported here, [I]llegal immigrants in Arizona, frustrated with a flagging economy and tough new legislation cracking down on their employers, are returning to their home countries or trying their luck in other states.

For months, [illegal] immigrants have taken a wait-and-see attitude toward the state's new employer-sanctions law, which takes effect January 1. The voter-approved legislation is an attempt to lessen the economic incentive for illegal immigrants in Arizona, the busiest crossing point along the U.S.-Mexico border.

And by all appearances, it's starting to work.

This is extremely good news for the legal citizens of Arizona, as their tax burden to support the illegal's living in their midst will be lessened. Lower costs to cover fewer emergency room visits due to fewer illegal's using the emergency rooms for their medical needs. Lower costs for education due to fewer children of illegal's taking up classroom space. Lower costs for traffic enforcement due to fewer people on the roads, which in turn lessens congestion, which in turn means goods and people are able to travel more efficiently, cutting down on fuel consumption and pollution.

Note to the author of this AP story - when writing a story about illegal's, don't forget to include that word, as you did above. I fixed that for you. By dropping the word illegal, you have implied that ALL immigrants are being affected, which is patently false. Just wanted to point that out, just in case anyone got confused.

"People are calling me telling me about their friend, their cousin, their neighbors -- they're moving back to Mexico," said Magdalena Schwartz, an immigrant-rights activist and pastor at a Mesa church. "They don't want to live in fear, in terror."

In terror?! In terror of what, exactly? That if they get arrested for being here illegally, they'll be treated with dignity and respect by law enforcement officials and the courts? That when incarcerated they'll be housed in a fairly clean and warm environment and fed three times a day, and won't be harassed or beaten, or possibly killed, unlike in their home countries, where people being in their country illegally is taken a little more seriously? If they hadn't come here illegally, they wouldn't have to worry about all that, now would they?

Martin Herrera, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant and masonry worker who lives in Camp Verde, 70 miles north of Phoenix, said he is planning to return to Mexico as soon as he ties up loose ends after living here for four years.

"I don't want to live here because of the new law and the oppressive environment," he said. "I'll be better in my country."

Good! See ya! Have a nice life - in your own country! Oh, and if you want to return, try doing it the right way, and ask permission first, ok?

He called the employer-sanctions law "absurd."

Actually, what is absurd is the fact that you've been here illegally for the past four years, and nothing has been done up to this point to get you to leave!

"Everybody here, legally or illegally, we are part of a motor that makes this country run," Herrera said. "Once we leave, the motor is going to start to slow down."

That's a false assertion, saying that the "motor is going to slow down". As stated above, without the illegal's tapping the cash cow provided by the law abiding citizens of Arizona, the state legislature will be able to cut taxes (if they're smart), which will translate into more money in people's pockets, which will lead to them being able to spend more, which will lead to a growth in the local state economy - not a slow down.

There's no way to know how many illegal immigrants are leaving Arizona, especially now with many returning home for normal holiday visits. But economists, immigration lawyers and people who work in the immigrant community agree it's happening.

State Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, the author of the employer sanctions law, said his intent was to drive illegal immigrants out of Arizona.

"I'm hoping they will self-deport," Pearce said. "They broke the law. They're criminals."

Rep. Pearce is correct in stating that they broke the law. Hopefully, most if not all of those returning home for the holidays will decide to stay home.

Under the employer sanctions law, businesses found to have knowingly hired illegal workers will be subject to sanctions from probation to a 10-day suspension of their business licenses. A second violation would bring permanent revocation of the license.

Nancy-Jo Merritt, an immigration lawyer who primarily represents employers, said her clients already have started to fire workers who can't prove they are in the country legally.
"Workers are being fired, of course," she said. "Nobody wants to find out later on that they've got somebody working for them who's not here legally."

Good! Outstanding! More jobs for legal citizens!

When immigrants don't have jobs, they don't stick around, said Dawn McLaren, a research economist at Arizona State University who specializes in illegal immigration.

She said the flagging economy, particularly in the construction industry, also is contributing to an immigrant exodus.

"As the jobs dwindle and the environment becomes more unpleasant in more ways than one, you then decide what to do, and perhaps leaving looks like a good idea," she said. "And certainly that creates a problem, because as people leave, they take the jobs they created with them."

When I read the last part of the above paragraph, it made me have a "Geico Caveman" moment, as in, what?! Since when do workers create jobs? Employers create jobs, workers fill jobs. Oh, and when workers leave, they don't take the jobs they filled. They create job openings which others, who are here legally, can fill. What an asinine statement, especially coming from someone who works at a university!

Pearce disagreed that the Arizona economy will suffer after illegal immigrants leave, saying there will be less crime, lower taxes, less congestion, smaller classroom sizes and shorter lines in emergency rooms.

"We have a free market. It'll adjust," he said. "Americans will be much better off."
He said he's not surprised illegal immigrants are leaving the state and predicts that more will go once the employer-sanctions law takes effect next month.

"It's attrition by enforcement," he said. "As you make this an unfriendly state for lawbreakers, I'm hoping they will pick up and leave."

I want everyone to know that I am not against immigrants. This country was established and built by immigrants. This country is populated by recent immigrants, and the children and grandchildren of immigrants who came here in years past. Heck, even the so-called "Native Americans" are the children of immigrants! I'm the grandchild of immigrants, who came here legally. If you want to immigrate to this country, by all means do so, but do it legally.

What I am against, is those who come here illegally, without proper permission. Illegal immigrant's are not a "boon" to our economy by filling "jobs Americans don't want". Rather, they are a drain on our economy. By working "under the table", they allow employers to pay them below living wages, which in turn forces them to use public resources in disproportionate numbers. By coming here illegally they have committed a crime, and oftentimes (but not always, I will grant) commit further crimes, and when they are incarcerated for those other crimes, use up more public resources.

It is hoped here that with the example Arizona is showing with this law and the resultant self-deportation that is occurring, that the other border states will also enact similar laws, which will go a long, long way to, if not solving, then at least mitigating the problems with people being here illegally.

H/T Pistos.

Christmas is coming...

Once again we are rapidly approaching a holiday that holds many types of memories for us. I find that my memories have become more muddled as I have accumulated more memories, sigh, aging is a crummy thing to have happen to you. For the most part, my early memories were of visiting both sets of grandparents and trying to be excited about the practical gifts I received, pants and shirts and sweaters or a jacket. These were usually good things for me since living in the central part of the country as a kid, we needed as many layers of clothes as we could put on to keep us warm in the winter. (No, I am NOT going to talk about how cold it was or how much snow was on the ground in the winter, just to let you know that some fun was had walking out onto the crusty snow and breaking through it or watching it fall from the roofs when the temperatures would warm somewhat.) As I have gotten older and my kids have moved away and gotten married and had kids I find that the memories that I have the most joy about concern the younger ones and not my own stuff. My wife heard about a question, "What was your favorite present that you received last Christmas?" and finding out how many people didn't even remember what it was... I don't remember, but I do remember how my family came over and how we had good food and conversation, a little TV and a little reflection on life and how much those things make me anticipate Christmas every year. When we think about the most important parts of Christmas or Hanachah's past, we can put it all into perspective by what we share with the important people in our lives. How sad it is for those whose remembrances are not of happy times and so therefore cringe at the coming of Christmas. One of the best parts of Christmas is trying to find ways to do for others and that can change someones viewpoint when Christmas is coming.

Subtle ways for increasing tax revenues...

A time ago, I don't know how long, Seattle started putting out the "pay at the parking kiosk" for time to park on the city streets in many areas. This was to replace the parking meters, ostensibly to reduce costs to the city. I think that it was a subtle way (maybe not too subtle) to increase the revenue the city collects. "How?", you might ask, or you might not care but, I'm going to tell you my idea anyway. When the parking meter was fed, one might use all the time on the meter or leave a little early or late (and get a ticket), those that left early didn't get a refund on their time but the next person to park in that spot didn't have to pay as much for their time. I liked it both ways, leaving early and giving someone else some free time and getting a little free time from someone else. (What? You say that that was unfair to those who never found those few minutes... Life is unfair.) Now, if you use the kiosk, you not only do not get a refund for paying for more time than you used, the next person to use that spot doesn't get any benefit from someone else's early leaving. Hummmmmmmm..... If you purchase two hours worth of time and use 90 minutes you have just increased the city's coffers by 30 minutes rental of the parking space that you didn't use and no one else could use it either. The next person to use the spot had to pay for their estimate of how long they would stay and if they were incorrect in their estimate and stayed less time... ka-ching!!!!! I wonder how often this happens at the controlled parking spots around the city... A double whammy for the city, lower costs for collections of parking fees and higher income from inaccurate estimations of duration. Don't you just love it?

McDermott loses appeal, and must pay lawmaker

As reported here, [t]he U.S. Supreme Court Monday ended Rep. Jim McDermott's long-running legal battle with a leading House Republican, when it let stand a lower court ruling that could cost McDermott more than $600,000 in damages and attorneys' fees.

The high court declined to review a federal appeals court ruling from May that McDermott, D-Wash., was liable for civil damages for leaking to reporters a tape recording of a cell-phone call between Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, and other Republican leaders discussing a House Ethics Committee investigation of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

How ironic that one of the Democrats most cherished so-called "Constitutional rights" - the "right to privacy", which is not written anywhere in the Constitution - comes back to bite one of their own!

Hey, Jim! Pay the man, and be thankful you aren't going to prison for breaking the law.

Belated wishes

Due to circumstances beyond my control (otherwise called "Life"), I was not able to make a couple of posts this weekend that I wanted to.

First of all, November 10th was the birthday of the United States Marine Corps, and I want to wish all Marines a (belated) Happy Birthday! I'm a Navy vet, and although I've indulged in the usual teasing of the Navy's sister service - and got back as good as I gave (and sometimes better, I'll admit) - I have the deepest respect for the men and women of our Corps. Many times they are the first to go into harm's way, and they do so unhesitatingly, to protect the freedoms we hold so dear, as well as to put themselves between innocents of other nations and those who wish to do them harm. If you ask them why they do that, more often than not you'll get the response back of, "It's what we do!". For that, I will always be deeply grateful.

To the men and women of the United States Marine Corps - Semper Fi! May we who you protect be as faithful to you, as you are to us.

Secondly, November 11th was Veteran's Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, to commemorate the ending - on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month - of the "War to end all wars", now known to us as WWI. We all know that it wasn't "the war to end all wars", and because of that, the name was changed to Veteran's Day, in order to honor those who served in the military.

As I stated above, I'm a Navy vet, and my brother (Dither) is an Army vet. Neither of us run around yelling out that fact, demanding that people kowtow to us because of our "status". We aren't like that. We go about our daily lives trying to do the right thing while keeping a "low profile", lending a hand when we see a need without asking for, or expecting, "public adulation". Nope, not gonna happen.

Most other vets (there are always the attention hogs in every group) I know of are the same way. Quiet, humble, normal people, who just happened to have put on our nation's uniform for a spell, and then went back to civilian life, trying to be good citizens. If you happen to know any veteran's, surprise them by saying thanks, and watch their reaction. Some will get all flustered by the attention. Some will quietly say, "You're welcome.", while others will get contemplative, thinking back on the time they spent in the service and what that truly means.

And just what does that mean? It means sacrifice (something that a vast majority just don't get anymore, unfortunately).

The sacrifice of time away from family and friends, often in another country.
The sacrifice of being able to earn more money working in a civilian job.
The sacrifice of comfort, spending time in "the field", away from warm beds, hot showers, and hot meals. No Starbucks latte's, no Nintendo or Xbox360, no internet, no McDonalds, etc.
The sacrifice of not being in a place where you aren't scared that you're going to get hurt - badly - or worse.
Which brings us to the Ultimate Sacrifice - the giving of your life to protect an ideal, a cause, or simply just your buddies.

That's what sacrifice means, and those men and women who willingly put on the various uniforms of our nations Armed Forces know what they are sacrificing, and that they may be called upon to make the Ultimate Sacrifice, so that we may live in freedom and enjoy all those things they give up.

To all the men and women who have ever worn the uniforms of our nations Armed Forces, I say a very humble THANK YOU! Your sacrifices mean more to me than you will ever know.