jimsweb.net

Jim - One of the problems with the RSS feeds is that the RSS reader web part can not read an authenticated feed.

It gets kind of weird when a site can't even access its own information, but that's the case with the reader.

Shweet!  I will keep watching this space!  :)

Here is an interesting point of view from some of the people who will be directly impacted by the building of the Black Rock Reservoir. www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Blackrock.aspx

Dom Jr. was a good man with a good sense of humor always with a bright smile,and a good son growing up.His father Dom Sr. and mother Millie,are close friends and together we shared many happy memories with my sons.It's such a tragedy for him to leave us at such early time in his life.My heart goes out to Dominic and Millie.

Dom,

It was so sad to hear that Jr. was dying of cancer. I asked Dad often how he was doing and sent Jr. a card a first of the year and told him to hang in their and be strong. Then the news came and I knew that Dom Jr. had passed away and would be joined with Nona in Heaven and that he would not have to suffer anymore. I will always cherish the great memories of camping with Nicky when he was a little boy with James and all of us at Berlin Game State Park in Rhode Island. Jenn and I are sorry we were not able to get down for the wake but know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and Millie in this time of deep pain and sorrow.

Love,

Mike & Jenn

I agree - from the little bit that I saw of the film, Billy Boy was rude and very ungrateful that people actually 30 plus years later are still following his sorry Ass. As for Steve he was nice considerate obsessed a little with his hobby but still a true competitor. My parents use to say and now I say it as well: "It is not wether you win or lose, but how you play the game" also "when you think you are better than the rest and you are too good to be challeged you are a loser" I hope Steve continues to beat his score and Billy Bad Boy's also. See Steve sets a goal and tries to achieve it. The only time Billy sets a goal when he has been beaten and it bugs the @!# out of him so he has nothing better to do than to get back on top.  It is sad that with all of his so called followers that he can't be a proper roll model.

It is amazing to me that people find individuals who spend their days playing video fascinating.  These are not people to be admired or to have a film made about them.  They are, from what I can tell, people who need to re-think their life path.  

I respectfully disagree.  I think amazing accomplishments are things like discovering DNA, mapping the human genenome, having the guts to declare that the world is round rather than flat, finding the medicine cocktail that allows AIDS patients to live, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.  These are amazing accomplishments; getting a top score in a video game is not an amazing accomplishment.  

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Don't listen to all the naysayers - like Barack Obama - who try to convince you that drilling for

It was a pleasure meeting you, too.  I'm humbled by all the intelligent people I meet at these conferences.  My job seldom allows me to express an opinion.  I can share my ideas and thoughts and bring home new fresh ideas, too.  I began attending because my Councilmembers and Mayor would not.  They are really missing something valuable.

PUBLISHED ON Wednesday, June 25, 2008 AT 12:06AM Yakima Herald-Republic The U.S. House Appropriations

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Hi James,  That was some speech, well done. You should be proud of yourself. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Love, Maria

Has she been covered by the Yakima County Media?  I haven't seen anything on the news or in the paper.

So while I was gone...that makes sense.  

My son is a Currahee 1/506 He is currently serving in Ghazni Afghanistan he is apart of the New Band Of Brothers a great group of people ( I miss )I am very proud of

James,

Glad to hear you had a great time. Look foward to the next part in the series.

Love,

Mike & Jenn

All three of the debates have been boring.  None of the candidates have addressed a single issue of importance to the American people in them, nor will they in the next debate. Dontcha know!

That is too Cool! It is great that our kids listen to the same thing we did... I guess it is good timing. As for me, the next day I had Black Ice above my head playing and Black Ice below my feet playing. Now If I could get them to play the same songs at the same time... HMMM .. I am so glad you two had this memory and good Tunes as well - Frankly supprise one was not opened and in the CD player on the way home you might have been able to play one song. Love you both.

This is an interesting topic with wide implications.  Philosophically I support Net Neutrality, and am generally opposed to government regulation.  However, in this case, I do think Congress needs to make strong regulations so the FCC will not be challenged when enforcing this ideal.  It is ironic that Google and Yahoo support this too, since they happily accept censorship for their customers in China.  The Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is calling for increased regulation to support Net Neutrality as well.

Great blog Jim.  I couldn't agree more with your thoughts on this matter.

I wish I had the buying power of The Defense Department when someone told Microsoft's head GSA liason (or what ever the title is) XP Pro or Linux, you choose.

Without government regulation, I suppose it would be up to the courts to enforce contract language for internet service.  This is probably why Comcast changed their contract language after getting caught slowing down service for some customers without telling them.  We don't yet know who the new FCC head will be, but here is a link to an article about who it might be: newsbusters.org/.../obamas-new-fcc-transition-head-talk-radios-executioner

Yes.

Soldiers have a duty pending....

Acknowledged and given to us long ago.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

yankeedoodled

Very nice.

As good as that sounds, there is no chance it will pass for several reasons.

-Congress would be giving up revenue. Revenue equals money and money equals power.

-President Obama would never sign it unless there was a upper end cap on the income level. (God forbid the rich get a tax break.)

-There is no way that anyone in congress is going to allow a two month hiatus in income to the FICA accounts.

But I like the way he thinks.

No problem. Don't export to China.

I agree that passing something like this is unlikely with a Democrat Congress and President.  However, why stop at just two months?  Why not get rid of Federal withholding altogether and let people see what their tax bill is once a year?!  I'm thinking a taxpayer revolt would bring DC to its knees if that happened.  No way the current crowd would ever give up the control they now enjoy over our regular paychecks.

It is a shame to see him go. But he is doing the right thing. You have to take care of yourself first.

That is too funny. And sadly typical of the rhetoric she spews on a regular basis. May I cross post this?

This is incredible!  She already said this same thing in a Fox News interview, where Chris Wallace corrected her and said it was 500,000 per month.  The fact that she keeps repeating the same mistake over and over does not bode well.

Normally I don't cross post from other blogs. But this needs to be seen by as many people as possible

Mike Church (a radio host on Sirius Patriot) called the Democrat stimulus bill succubus.  After reading what a succubus was, I would have to agree that is a fair comparison! en.wikipedia.org/.../Succubus

This would get my goat; if I had one

The American people who voted for Ms. Pelosi, should be ashamed, they elected someone who can't be bothered to check her facts before she presents them.  This is not the first time she has screwed up the message.

As for the so-called Economic Stimulus Package (ESP); what a crock! - why exactly are they calling it a "stimulus" package?

The word Stimulas is Latin dating to 1684 meaning : something that rouses or incites to activity: as a: incentive b: stimulant 1 c: an agent (as an environmental change) that directly influences the activity of a living organism or one of its parts (as by exciting a sensory organ or evoking muscular contraction or glandular secretion.

I will admit, spending $1.5M on a golf course renovation does stimulate me, it makes my head hurt, and my stomach ache! - Why is it that those on the Left seem to think that I am going to believe them when they say that spending $100,000 on door bells is good for the economy!  Do they honestly think I am an idiot!?

I am so irritated with this proposed bill, but I am probably more upset with the people who are responsible for making it, like Jim said, "...what part of stop spending my money do the politicians in Washington not understand?"

In my personal opinion the Senators and Congressmen are not playing with a full deck.  Some of what they suggest just does not pass the common sense test in any sense of the word.

As the CFO of Axcess, I am the keeper of the finances, and as such approve capital purchases for the company.  Jim, like many CEO's has the dream, he sees the future and always has some new project or product that he wants to purchase for the company, and I say to him what someone should be telling those in Washington.  Show me how Axcess will get a positive return on our investment and you have my vote, it's that simple.

Why those people who we have elected to represent us can't grasp that concept is beyond me.

Agreed.

We cannot do as the media did and fail to challenge his stances simply because we want to give him a chance.

Very nice.

You should drop in on the forum, check out "Don't Flip the Switch Yet..." under general. It's getting pretty funny.

It is also sad that even those of in the broadcast industry are confused over the final date.

P.S.

You are behind the times. The official cut off date is now in June.

President Lincoln was an outstanding man. He was brought up on morals and standards that we see very little today. He worked hard for every penny, he took pride in what he was doing and if he felt he had done a wrong he would strive to make a right.

Here is a great website with quite a few links and research information that is no so political but more about President Lincoln the man himself.

www.lincolnportrait.com/index.asp

I do have to say there are few people that can look at you and make you feel the way Lincoln does - even in a memorial. When we were in Washington DC - the Lincoln Memorial was the most respected Memorials there - Hundreds of People were silent in his shadows. It was truely amazing.

You know like when you Parents, Grand-Parents, a highly admired person looks at you no matter if in times of good or bad doings.. you get this overall feeling that you MUST do the right thing.  

His words - are timeless and his character is true - I think he would be honored at how people still seek to be like him - however, I think he would also tell us today - as a Biblical Scholar say "to thy own self be true".

Jim,

Thanks for putting that up on your blog.  Glad you liked it as much as I did.

While the current state of affairs is not the most desirable, we have 2010 and 2012 to look forward to.  As the "opposition" party, I expect Republicans to turn the tide and make advances.  History is in our favor in regards to this.

Most of you already know that Leon Panetta has been confirmed by the Senate as the next Director of Central

About two thirds of the White House Press Corps are falling all over themselves to praise the new guy and thank God the old guy is gone.

We are so screwed!

Hahahahaha...

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That's my career you're abusing there... ;)

Thanks for the update Jim.  I am old enough to remember Windows 3.11, which in my circle of friends was regarded as the first "decent" version of Windows.  Ditto for Internet Explorer version 3.  (Wow, I am starting to feel old!)  Sometimes it takes Microsoft three versions to get the bugs out of a program.  Your feedback gives me hope that the next version of Windows will be an improvement over what we have available now.

I got it working with the Outlook 2007 February 2009 Cumulative Update.

This, I fear, is an omen for our intelligence community.  With Leon Panetta at CIA and no one in the West Wing that can vet nominees, I don't hold much hope of this administration finding hot sauce in Mexico, let alone being able to cope with Chinese industrial espionage.

Amen.

There are vetting problems to be sure. But don't forget that several nominees have dropped out once they found out where the rules of game lay.

Many of these people refuse to play party politics with the office they are charged with. That could have happened here too.

My guess that the President is going to defang our intelligence services in a manner that will make President Carter look like a hawk.

Perhaps Ambassador Freeman is too conscientious to accept a position where it is impossible to his job effectively.

Seventy-year-old Madoff facing up to 150 years reminds me of another judge (whose name escapes me at the moment) who sentanced another 70-year-old to a 25-to-life, whereupon the defendant looked surprised and said, "Your Honor, I can't do twenty-five ... I'm seventy years old!"  The judge looked down and told him, "Just give me what you can."

I also wonder how much of this "deal" has to do with, not saving the government the $3 to $4 million of a trial, but the embarrassment of having just how much the SEC missed spelled out in open court.

Just sayin'

I don't think that is enough. The fact of the matter is that people's lives are ruined. Their retirement that they saved for and lost through no fault of their own just turned into life sentences as the greeters at Wal-Mart.

I don't have the answer, but I suspect it lies in making sure that his family suffers the same fate as those he bilked.

Here you go: www.nasa.gov/.../index.html

I was supposed to do that one, but it got moved back and fell into conflict with the World Baseball Classic.

As a contemporary of High Tech (I can remember as a chlid watching Korean War coverage using a map of Korea on a flip-chart stand and a pointer), I hope I never lose the sense of marvel at the things we can do.  

Watching a live space launch on your cell phone is about as incredible as it gets!

They're going after the wife (Ruth) as I write, and I'm reasonably sure that his sons (securities traders who had no securities to trade) and brother (the compliance officer) will fall as well.

Good point!

Too cool. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Hi Jim,

Thank you for taking the time to post something on-line about this issue.  It has taken on a life of its own in our town, and like you say will be around forever.

Do you mind if I post your article on my blog also?  I would like to see as many people read it as possible.

Jim, I can't tell you how much I like this whole process.  

Posting a conversational description and analysis of the problem, and the filters you are going to use in helping decide the matter, is a magnificent demonstration of the democratizing of the Republic - of engaging those who hired you in the process itself.

When was the last time you got a note from Washington saying, "Hey guys, there's an important vote coming up, so here's a no-nonesense explanation of what we're going to vote on, what it will (and won't) do, and what I'm thinking and why.  What do you think and why?"

We need exponentially more of this attitude and transparency in government at all levels.  

Russ

You are doing part of what America thought it was electing.  We were promised bills would be online for at least 72 hours before they were signed.  Even though, at that point it's a fait accompli, its still more than we have seen so far.  You go one step further (to where the technology begs to be taken), and post a bill before its voted on.

I don't know what your collegues are telling you, but the only reason I can think of for resisting the idea would be if is a discontinuity between events and what (if) constituents are being told is happening.  Otherwise, why pass up a free polling service?  

I would begin trying to get each Councilman to open his own page for just this purpose (and as a platform from which to conduct first-tier constituent contact).  

As the citizens become aware that matters of significance are available on the web (and feedback is included), it could catch on.

Happy birthday indeed!  

We operated with Special Forces often, and they are the finest combat soldiers in the world.

Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, among the hills of Virginia, on this day in 1743.  By far

Also one of my favorites!  Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Franklin, in their everday conversatons, endlessly demonstrated their prescience.  It amazes me how easily their body of work is kicked to the curb by those who feign their ideals during campaigns.  

Thomas Jefferson was a great statesman.  He would surely freak if he saw how government was taking over banking and other industries.  He was, after all, opposed to a national bank on the grounds that it is not Constitutional.  More leaders should read up on his views of things.

www.civil-liberties.com/.../nat_bank1.html

Leonardo's "supreme misfortune" reminds me of the story about two economists walking on campus when they witnessed an unusual event.  One turned to the other and said, "that was interesting ... I wonder if it works in theory"

In fairness, it probably wasn't worth the hassle once the decision was made not to intercept the launch.  There was zero chance that the bird had a fission warhead on-board (they have yet to successfully test a fission explosive, as it is now widely accepted that the sub-KT explosion that shocked the world had a signature of a partial detonation), as they could not have mastered the miniaturization required to fabricate a fission warhead and its attendent guidence and sequencing electronics by this time.  The Aegis assets in the launch area (both Japanese and American) were more than capable of intercepting the boost-phase, should that decision have been made).  

I don't really read a great deal into this.

None of this is to say, of course, that DPRK isn't dangerous.  They're a bit like a speed freak with a chemistry set -- that they haven't yet discovered something disastrously irresponsible doesn't mean they won't tomorrow.  They've all the poles under the tent, the rest is just tinkering.  

At this point in time, they just haven't mastered either vector (delvery vehicle or warhead), but both are within sight.  

And nothing says naive like the old "what's the big deal ... France has the bomb" bromide.  Nothing paints the fallacy of sovereign equality (the lynch pin of the United Nations) more brilliantly than equating DPRK or Iran with France!

Thought you might like that.  Most people who have never dealt with economists don't get it.

Brought a warm, proud feeling to the heart, and a tear to the eye of this old Cold Warrior.

Thank you, Soldier Albrycht

Interesting new look.  I am wondering who the ugly guy is on the banner at the top - do you know him? :)

It made me look though.  Good job!

Hear! Hear! Or should I say "Hear Ye, Hear Ye"? Kudos to the Bard of Avon. And many thanks from me to Kenneth Branagh for making his plays intelligible to all of us mental midgets out here who found 16th century English incomprehensible!  

As many of you know, close personal friends of mine, David and Emily Golladay have a little girl named

May the Lord be with Laynee, her mother, and all their family and friends as they recover from the surgery!  What a great blessing, thanks for sharing the good news.

Porter Goss, who would go on to become DCI, has commented that Ms Pelosi was one who thought we weren't pressing hard enough.  

One aspect of this whole upcoming witch hunt that really rankles me is the people who take this "America doesn't torture" attitude, but can't point me to a definition of torture.  Part of those briefings that the Speaker has decided to forget included information from the office of the legal councel that explored these very techniques  and deemed them to be short of torture.  In fact, the steps taken to make sure that no lasting damage was done (to include a physician in the room), were extraordinary.  Indeed, we do not torture.

This whole "get Bush" circus, in addition to demoralizing some of the best warriors we have, are bound to cut down on the number of prisoners we take -- they will merely be KIAs when the smoke clears.

Jim,

I respectfully disagree with the logic behind this proposed bill.  Taxing the oil refineries for stormwater funds is not the solution.

This attempt to hammer the "evil" oil companies should be resisted.  While I don't agree with having unfunded mandates, I also don't agree with taxing business operations outside of Sunnyside, to pay for Sunnyside's local environmental issues.

Currahee! indeed.

We probably got more rides into and out of trouble from the 101st's Hueys than any other unit while I was in SE Asia, and to this day, whenever I run across a Screaming Eagle (past or present), I buy them a shot.

I could tell some of the pilots weren't too crazy about driving us spooks around (it almost always wound up being more "exciting" than your normal "drop-off", but they were they finest chopper pilots I ran across over there, and I found that quality of troop to be generic to the unit.  

Specialist Gullet (consuming a shot of vodka), I salute you!

I am very unhappy with this push to investigate the Bush Administration's tactics used to extract intelligence from terrorists. Whether or not you classify the methods as torture at this point is irrelavent. It fills me with consternation to see the Democratic "Congresspersons" pushing this matter to the forefront and adding this distraction to the business at hand. Let the historians parse this matter with their hundreds of books they will write on the subject. Let the media talking heads blather on ad nauseum about it. It is not going to effect anything that is done hereafter. It's a witch hunt and as Obama has cautioned can and will only serve to deepen the partisan chasm in Washington. Let it go, people. Move on and address more important issues. My opinion.

I think the majority agrees with you ... unfortunately, those that don't head committees.  We need to dart Pelosi and re-release her back in the wild.

I had trouble with it. It is not ready for prime time under Firefox as Microsoft wanted to install new software on my machine.

Screen shot: smg.photobucket.com/.../NotMine

Future President... unless he is smarter then that.

If I tried that sword trick it would take hours to clean up the broken glass and Champagne. Neat video though.

While I disagree with using water-boarding on prisoners in U.S. custody, I also disagree with prosecuting those who did so under the previous administration.  The policy should be changed, and we should, as was said in other comments: "move on".

Eagle Watch, perhaps you disagree with the framers of the Consitution that outlawed "cruel and unusual punishment" in the Bill of Rights.  There is not a specific definition of that, either.

A study of history shows we have court-martialed officers for waterboarding prisoners in the past. (Such as was done in the Philippines).  The change is that post 9-11, it has been done as OFFICIAL policy.  This policy is inconsistent with historical American values.

Having said that, Eagle Watch, your idea to dart Pelosi and re-release her to the wild sounds good to me!

Good call.

I think where the council went wrong was in the first and second bullet points.

<blockquote><ul><li>Consider the public’s acceptance of the user fee system.</li>

<li>The costs must be reasonable for the services provided, and any fees that are assessed through the program must be “fair and equitable”</li></ul></blockquote>

User fees are nothing more then another tax. Right or wrong, most people forced to pay user fees to a government body see this as just another way to get into their pockets. Right now, people resent paying the government even more then usual.

The second problem is that "fair and reasonable" is a very subjective term open to many different interpretations. In fact, I can't remember one time that any five people ever unanimously agreed on what constitutes "fair and reasonable." If we are talking numbers in four or more digits for larger (a/k/a wealthier) property owners, I'll bet they had lawyers all over your state sharpening their pencils in anticipation of the challenging their assessed fee.

You are right about one thing. Unfunded mandates are clearly out of line. What is the legal basis for the federal government to fine you for non-compliance?

That's funny...

I thought Al Gore invented the Internet.

I really like, “A memorandum is written not to inform the reader but to protect the writer.” In fact I'm writing that one down.

He was wise beyond his time. Don't be surprised if you see a couple of those quotes pop up in my posts.

I get it!

I agree

I witnessed a similar scene. But the tree lined street was the pile of rubble that used to be the World Trade Center. The soldiers were fire fighters and rescue workers from all over the country.

All work on the pile stopped leaving the scene relatively quiet, an eerie state for lower Manhattan. Those rescue and recovery personnel lined the path at attention, saluting as two of their brothers were carried to a waiting FDNY ambulance.

They remained in place until the ambulance drove out of sight. Then they went back to work.

The feelings are the same.

"While others ran out, they ran in."

- Unknown

That's interesting...

Looks good, Jim.

Heh... Taming of the Shrew. That got me hooked.

Good wishes to Laynee, Emily and family.

Jason,

You are confusing punishment with interrogation. You should dig a little deeper into US history around the time of the revolution. In particular, you might want to focus on what those very same framers did to captured British and British sympathizers that were reluctant to share their knowledge with their captors.

I disagree with the "fee" (a tax by any other name). The reason being is that end consumer (you and I) pay all taxes (and fees) up the line. Those up the line merely hold our money for the government until we purchase the product.

It generates a hidden tax disguised as a slight bump in price. The consumer gripes about the greedy oil company and the politicians responsible for it get off Scott free.

There is one new law I would like to see. It would be wonderful if every consumer item had to come with full disclosure as to how much of the price is going to pay taxes?

It is good that Stewart and Hallberg were finally recognized.

I like the quotes.

TVNews, my point was about the specific definition argument the Bush administration used to justify doing whatever it wanted to prisoners.  If you call it "interrogation" and try to say Geneva Conventions don't apply, you are legally off base.  That is why the Bush administration lost every case that made it to the Supreme Court involving the so-called interrogations of "detainees".

Reminds me of the old (and this will date me military wise) DF or Distribution Form.  At the bottom was the signature block, which was commonly referred to as the "Blame Line"

Jason,

Had we adhered strictly to the Geneva Convention, all those out-of-uniform combatants we picked up would be dead. So as far as I'm concerned they already caught a break in that they are alive and able to complain about their treatment.

However, that matters not. As Jim said, Al Queda and Co. never signed on to that agreement.

TVNews, Jim,

Do other countries and groups need to sign on to the Geneva Convention for us to honor the values that we agreed to when WE signed it?

Also, I think if we invade and occupy other countries we should at least have Congress pass a Declaration of War.  It would help clarify WTF we are doing.  (Oliver North and Ron Paul are two people who called for a Declaration of War after 9-11.  I agree with them; in that it would have been the proper thing to do, from a Constitutional standpoint.)

I am too young to have served in Vietnam, but when I was in training at Ft. Benning, I seem to recall some classes about officers being court-martialed for the way they treated the people there.  Just sayin'!...

Thanks for your reply comments.

Jason,

Allow me to quote you, "Do other countries and groups need to sign on to the Geneva Convention for us to honor the values that we agreed to when WE signed it?"

Yes.

If the other team is not playing by the Marquis of Queensbury rules then we should not handicap any branch of our forces. That comes under the heading of bringing a knife to a gun fight.

A big part of the convention was to limit injury and death among the civilian population. These people don't care who they kill. And they could not possibly care less about following the convention.

If we can get life saving information out of these whack jobs by making their lives temporarily uncomfortable, then I'm all for it. Once they sign on to the convention and then actually honor it, then we can talk about adjusting our policy.

Thanks for the reply TVNews,

If I understand you correctly then, if the "whack jobs" hijack airplanes and send them into office buildings, then we should consider doing the same thing to them because we don't have a treaty with them that says not to?

I don't think that's the values system that most Americans have.

If we disregard values as a rationale for our actions, then perhaps you would take another argument: a strategic or tactical view.

If we treat prisoners humanely, then the enemy will be more likely to surrender on the battlefield, than to fight to the death.

Sun Tzu said something similar, in regards to how to treat prisoners, in "The Art of War".  It's been awhile since I read it, so I am paraphrasing.

For me, the reason I can't support torture of prisoners, comes down to my belief that we are better than they are.  We can demonstrate this through our actions, and humane treatment of those in our custody.  Members of our military that find themselves captured, will hopefully be treated better, because of the way we treat our own prisoners.

If we mistreat ours, they will almost certainly mistreat theirs.

Besides Sun Tzu, I would also recommend John McCain's book: "Faith of Our Fathers".  While he does not go into graphic detail of his experience as a POW in Vietnam, he does devote significant attention to his years held captive there.  Whether you agree with his politics or not, it is still a good read.

Waterboarding is not torture.  No permanent damage is done, and there is no real danger of drowning (only the perception).  A physician is in the room.  It was legal when practiced.  The leadership of both Intel Committees (House and Senate) knew about the practice.  Congress did give its blessings to the use of force in Iraq.  Other than nations in Western Europe and America, no one has observed the Geneva Conventions in their handling of POWs, regardless of their signatory status.

Those are the facts.

Jason, you may be against using torture, and you may be against using waterboarding, but that combination doesn't make waterboarding torture.  Other examples cited include placing a caterpiller in a room with a prisoner, sleep deprivation and insults.  If these are seriously assumed to be torture, we might as well begin teaching Arabic to our children now.  

Jason,

Of course I would not fly planes into the offending country's office buildings. That is what Cruise Missiles are for.

I disagree with you most Americans do not hold stressing prisoners and values in the same sentence. If you talk to enough people outside of your political circle, you will find that most Americans do understand the need to protect our country and way of life.

Let me ask you something. If you had a bad actor in your custody and you knew that they knew there was a ticking suitcase nuke planted in your city, where would you stop at getting that information?

Are the lives of (depending on the city) upwards of two and a half million people worth upholding a personal moral choice? Perhaps you would should put that to a vote among the population about to be flash-cremated.

Your belief that we are better then "them" is still well founded. This is clearly evident by looking at the score card when it comes to prisoner treatment.

Number of web-cast beheadings:

Al Queda and Co. - 8 (or more)

United States and Allies - 0

I fear the bad actors we are dealing with never studied "The Art of War."

If this really bothers you that much, then my suggestion is to go back to my original solution. Treat them as the Geneva Convention dictates and shoot them right then, right there and be done with it.

One thing is more then evident here. Clearly you are not cut out for the cloak and dagger business. Gathering intelligence never has and never will be an operation akin to a gentleman's duel. However the results are very similar, but on a nationwide scale.

TVNews,

I don't believe most Americans think citizens should be arrested in the middle of the night, without a warrant, sent away to a secret location without legal representation, and tortured.  Call me crazy, I just don't think the majority of Americans would vote for that.

Now if you rephrase that to be "terrorists", they may vote for that.  However, that opens the door for tyranny.  Political opponents could be labeled "terrorists" and simply disposed of.

It's not very "cloak and dagger" of me to believe in a free and open society, with the rule of law.  Nor is it "cloak and dagger" of me to oppose secret police.  Maybe you are right, maybe I am out of touch with most Americans that are voting away their Liberty.

Perhaps that is why the Department of Homeland Security thinks I am a "right wing extremist"!

Jim,

The detention policies have been applied to everyone, citizen or not.  In the instances where non-citizens are being held prisoner, or "detained", the Supreme Court has ruled that Geneva Convention minimum standards shall apply. (They specifically went in this direction, rather than Article 4 which addresses spies.)  Both citizens and non-citizens have been held in off-shore secret prisons for allegedly being "enemy combatants".  These prisoners are not accused of being spies.  Or anything else, for that matter.

While I disagree with the policies of the previous administration on this; I also disagree with Obama considering prosecution of Bush Administration officials for these policies. (The Nuremberg Trials set a dangerous precedent for overzealous prosecution of military men trying to be loyal to their country, in my opinion.)  It's time to simply change the policies and move on.

Just for clarification, I voted for George W. Bush both times.  I disagreed with his pursuit of undeclared war, and exercising of extra-constitutional powers; but felt the alternatives would have been worse for the nation.  Of course, I am not giving W. a free pass, for what I perceive to be his shortcomings, either.

Regrettably, I have not seen the TV show 24, so I shall refrain from commenting on that.

I suspect that we all may agree on a great many other issues, and respect our differing views on treatment of detainees.  Thank you for your thought provoking post and all the great comments from Eagle Watch and TVNews.

The sad part of this whole debate is that our Apologist in Chief and the Democrap Party would rather see Los Angeles hit by another spectacular terrorist attack than to force a committed jihadist like KSM to sit in an uncomfortable position or be denied a good night's sleep.  

There was a great blog post on RedState.com not long ago, maybe last week, entitled "Barack Obama's Inverted Morality".  It started out with a provocative premise.  Next time we capture some Al Qaeda types we should tell the president that we caught some unborn fetuses.  Then he would have no objection to what is done to them.

This is just another (and predicted) straw on the camel's back of President Obama's being over his head in the realm of foreign affairs.  He just doesn't know what he's doing, and when you appoint ideologues as underlings, you don't get sage advice in those areas of personal ignoance.  

When non-Arab/Persian, non-Jewish commentators try to compare Israeli and Iranian nuclear programs, they are bestowing moral equivilency to the two governments, and that is unsupportable.  

Many forget (or never knew) that the very first comments on jus in bellum (morality in the conduct of war) are found in Deuteronomy 20, and have been followed by the Israelites since.  I find no similar tradition nor behavior in the Arab/Persian cultures.  To the contrary.

By emascuating the United States, Mr Obama has left Israel as the world's only assertive democracy, and now he's trying neuter them.  One can only guess at what he thinks he's doing.

The French President's evaluation of then Sen. Obama's foreign policy proposals is proving to be frightfully accurate. That good news is that the Israelis will simply tell President Obama and Company to go pound sand, hunker down and pray for a change in four years.

A tip of the hat to the man that gave us the term "Freudian slip."

Can't watch it. M$ is demanding that I install something. See screen shot of dialog box: img.photobucket.com/.../screenshot-5.jpg

Alas, I don't want anymore software on the machine right now. Especially is it is going to be one more service running in the background. The speed and response issues I've got now are getting on my nerves.

I am really getting to HATE Adobe and their never to be sufficiently damned license service thing. It's like a cockroach. No matter how many times I delete that from the start up list, it keeps showing up again. This is almost to the point that serious consideration is being given to dumping my bought and paid for Acrobat in favor of Foxit.

I've never allowed the Media Player to update. My current version works fine. Microsoft has a really bad reputation for breaking things and/or adding DRM hooks with many of these updates. It is a shame I can't trust my software provider to leave my machine fully functional and under my control, but it is what it is.

How about some open source codec that everyone can see? Even Linux users?

I'm with Jason. No surprise there. But then I'm also in agreement with the rest of you about darting Pelosi and releasing her back to the wilds. That "lady" is messing up "my" administration's plans for just about everything! Forget "You Can't Have It Both Ways, Madam Speaker". I'd like her to remember that there can only be on President at a time--And she's NOT IT!

What a shock: Pelosi lied!

Looks like we need an ethics investigation, and to possibly remove Pelosi from office.  According to newly released documents, she knew from the beginning about the EITs (Enhanced Interrogation Techniques).

Check out Jed Babbins' article on Human Events:

www.humanevents.com/article.php

My older brother is a very proud ex-member of the 101st Airborne, and he would enjoy seeing this very much. Of course he knows all about CURRAHEE and it's meaning. I'd love to send him this but don't know how [DUH!]. I'll ask a friend to help me. Thanks for the posting. Very inspiring.

Hear Hear! And Yeah...no doubt in my mind she lied. She's only making things worse with her current lame excuses!"They described the procedure to me, but they didn't inform me that they were actually going to use it." OH PLEASE! How I wish the House would vote to remove her from the office of Speaker! She's becoming an embarrassment and/or a sad joke!

Nice. Very cool indeed.

I love the dog quote.

I would love to see Nancy sent back to California to stay. However, if we do that then better then half the House is going home.

I'll get it when I get home. However, I want to think you for the blag fodder.

Libby, just send your friend this link, axcess.me/.../7027.aspx

Yeah, I love the "get a dog" quote too. I would point out that Obama has taken that very sage advice as his "friends in Washington" are dropping like flies.

"Despite how the conflict has been portrayed by our glorious media, if you gave any U.S. soldier a gun with two bullets in it, and he found himself in an elevator with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Osama bin Laden, there's a good chance that Nancy Pelosi would get shot twice, and Harry Reid and bin Laden would be strangled to death."

--CBS Sports golf analyst David Feherty

I would hope some of the thousands of our own special operators could testify about their preparation, which included being subjected to these very techniques (including waterboarding) as part of their resistence training.  

I would also hope that President Obama can bring Senator Reid to his senses in time to put a stop to this.  What about "Banana Republic" appeals to these people?

I too watched part of the hearings on C-Span. Did you happen to see the testimony of the lawyer who was appointed by Condeleeza Rice to evaluate and advise her as to whether she should go along with the Enhanced Interrogations Techniques? He advised her that he thought the methods would be illegal. She didn't take the advice, of course.

And did you happen to hear the testimony of the FBI agent who's identity was hidden behind a screen because he is covert? That was interesting I thought.

And a word to Eagle Watch, if I may. You keep insisting that waterboarding is not torture making the point that our own military have been subjected to it as part of their training in order to be able to resist any extreme methods that an enemy might use upon them in order to extract information...This evidently is the proof that it isn't torture. Do you think perhaps that the fact that the soldiers who were subjected to the process were probably aware that they would not be drowned by their own military, and therefore this might alleviate their level of "stress"? The "terrorists" who were subjected to the process had no such reassurance. Just trying to make a point.

The only time we have true bipartisan cooperation in the legislative branch is when someone flies airplanes into US Buildings. The President is not going to end the debate and saber rattling at former Bush administration officials. All that noise makes the former President and Republicans look bad and hurts their chances of getting elected in 2010.

Based on his surprisingly wise decision to fight the release of interrogation photos to the ACLU, it is obvious now that he will milk the political cows for all they are worth stopping the process just short of an actual court case. And he will allow this in spite of the damage it is doing to the country.

With this President, the leftist agenda comes first. The country, our troops and the general welfare of the state all take a back seat the agenda.

We get what we vote for...

Eagle Watch,

While some of our special ops guys go through the motions of experiencing waterboarding, it is not the same treatment given to the "terrorists".

As a comparison, most everyone that has been in the service has been through CS exposure, when training with gas masks.  Does this mean troops know what it is like to have tear gas fill their homes?  At Waco, the government flooded tear gas into the Branch Davidian compound for HOURS before the place burned up.  Most troops spend 30 seconds to a couple of minutes being exposed to tear gas in training.  Does this mean no one is harmed from tear gas exposure?

Merely having water splashed on your face in training is not what is taking place in the real world application of these policies.

In the middle ages they didn't call it waterboarding.  They called it "Water Torture".  There is a reason for that.

I don't want hearings, or punishments handed out to the guys who implemented policies of the past.  However, defending torture will not help the situation any more than the loony lefties with their hearings.

The very reason that Europe (and most Americans) have the luxury of a warm-and-fuzzy view of the world is being dismantled by those so blessed.  

Naivete isn't bliss, it's dangerous in high places.

Jim,

I too have knowledge of SERE training.  While I agree it is no picnic for the guys going through it; it is also not the same treatment the detainees get.

I used the example of how tear gas was applied in Waco as compared to the training exposure level soldiers receive as an example of how different the training environment is to real world application.

Detainees' treatment is orders of magnitude different from what our military servicemen experience with regards to "waterboarding".

Humane treatment of prisoners is something I think would be universally accepted as the standard for our U.S. military forces.

If you are ever in south Georgia, it is worth the trip to visit Andersonville, and the National Prisoner of War Museum.  There was a movie made about the Civil War prison at Andersonville as well.

http://www.nps.gov/ande/

Jason, I won't insult you with the ticking timebomb question (you are confronted with an operative with knowledge of a WMD somewhere in the same city as your family) -- it's one of those "have you stopped beating your wife" questions.  I will, however ask you how you would handle intelligence gathering from prisoners?  Would I, as a non-DoD operator in the field, nontheless be bound by the Army Field Manual?  Or by my own agency's (vetted) procedures?  Is an enemy combatant held in-theater subject to the Constitutional protections of an American citizen safe at home?  Should we stop taking prisoners?  Is there no negotiable area between catch-and-release and all KIAs?  

We know what you're against ... what are you for?

Eagle Watch,

Although you were asking Jason, I'll tell you what I'm against and what I'm for...I'm against these hearings investigating the CIA. I believe I made that clear in another posting. I'm against discussing what is and what is not considered "torture" at this time. I'm for what Sen. Joe Leiberman iterated yesterday in an MSNBC interview: This is not the time to focus on what was done in the past. The Obama admin. has put an end to using EIT with a directive from the White House. So let's stop the "Witch Hunt" right now. Shame on the Dems. for convening these hearings in the first place. And shut up, *** Cheney. Let sleeping dogs lie. That's what I'm FOR.

My solution just keeps looking better and better all the time.

Did you know Corporal McGhee?

I'll bring it up and it is not an insult. This is what we call a reality check.  

Libby, Jason and any other anti-torture people that care to chime in,

You have a terrorist in your custody. You know he left a ticking nuke somewhere in the same large city with your spouse, children, parents, grand parents, etc.

How long are you going to play around with the polite conversation? Are you willing to sacrifice a city full of people along with your loved ones in the name of playing by the Marquis of Queensbury rules?

How do you think the residents of that city, your loved ones included, would vote on that question? Do the opinions held by those people even matter in the equation?

I really want to hear the your thoughts on these questions.

Eagle Watch,

You may have missed some comments I made on a prior post, but I am for the Constitution of the United States, and the rule of law.  In instances where the Constitution does not apply, the Geneva Convention treaties outline how we are to treat prisoners.  The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld these principles.

These principles apply to so-called "enemy combatants" in theater.  The Supreme Court has ruled on this issue, and I agree with their decision.

The Army Field Manual is an unclassified guideline whose application makes sense to many interragators.  As far as non-DOD personnel are concerned, whatever manual they use should be consistent with the principles I have already mentioned.

Should we stop taking prisoners?  Negotiable area between catch & release and all KIAs?  Let's get serious about this:

There are more effective measures to get actionable intelligence than engaging in torture.  I encourage you to Google "Matthew Alexander torture".

Torture has consequences.  When it becomes known what happened, it turns others against us.  Abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo are a major motivating factor for many foreign fighters in Iraq.

If you capture 100 people, and one of them is a terrorist, do you support the torture of all of them?  I think most Americans would say no.

Fair enough.  Enemy combatants in-theater (and therefore not subject to Constitutional considerations) default to Geneva Conventions -- out of uniform agents provocateur may be shot as spies.  

That answers part of it.    

Again, conflating EIT with torture because you consider them to be, doesn't make it so.  Have you read the CIA memos that President Obama released?  I have them (PDF files) if you would like to go over them.  These techniques were not considered to be torture by the United States government at the time they were used.  That is the inconvenient fact.  

There are no classified versions of FM 2-22.3 (HUMINT Collection) and FM 34-52 (HUMINT Collector Operations).  What you see is what you get, and they don't allow as much leeway as we do with our police departments, but there's a reason for that -- detainees with promise of actionable intelligence are handed off to intellignece officers for further processing (until President Obama reduced the whole exercise to booking and arraignment).  

Anyway, you have made your position clear, and I thank you for that.

I raise my glass in tribute and thanks to their sacrifice. May he find peace and happiness in what ever comes next.

Eagle Watch,

I haven't seen the CIA memos, but I have read some of the DoD, State Department, and White House Counsel memos (all formerly classified) regarding EIT.  The Supreme Court ruled detainees had to be afforded Geneva Convention protections despite the previous Administration's legal opinion otherwise.

It is an inconvenient fact that it was, and to some extent, still is our policy.  That does not mean it stands up in a court of law, or in Congress.

Watching the extreme lefties try to have people like John Yoo or Donald Rumsfeld arrested and tried for "crimes" is truly frightening.  I think they were doing their jobs the best way they knew how.  While I disagree with their positions on interrogations, I don't want to see anyone punished like a criminal for doing what their higher ups told them was legal.  (Yes, John Yoo should have known better, but he was telling his bosses what they wanted to hear.)

In this respect, what Jim rightfully calls a "Witch Hunt" should be called off immediately.

Jim, I want to thank you for the interest and honor you exhibit for our Shadow Warriors.  As you say, most of the successes, by necessity, go unannounced while most of the failures enjoy wide and senseless coverage.  

I raise a glass to Corporal McGhee and another to you, my friend.

So Jason, you are real good at arguing your theories on an academic level. Now it is time to move out of the lecture hall and into the lab. I want to see how you apply those theories in a practical real world scenario.

Let us get back to the up-til-now-ignored ticking nuke scenario outlined above. What would you have US Government interrogators do to someone in order to get the information that would stop the attack? Where would you draw the line when losing a city full of US citizens is a clear and present danger?  

I especially want to know how you reconcile your idea of right and wrong with the probable millions of overwhelmingly conflicting views held by those about to be incinerated. (If they had the chance to have a say in the matter.)

Do your high minded ideals over ride the wills to live of a couple million people?

TVNews,

I differ with you about your suggested "practical, real world scenario".  It does not seem like a realistic situation based on what I have read.  I would suggest reading "Inside the Wire: A Military Intelligence Soldier's Eyewitness Account of Life at Guantanamo".

Despite years of interrogations, the detainees have not provided us with the location of the weapons of mass destruction you mentioned in your hypothetical question.

However, some good intelligence has been gained from interrogations, as documented in this book.  However, not all techniques worked.  Torture tends to yield bad information, as the person will lie and say just about anything to make it stop.

The Army Field Manual does allow for deception and other techniques to be applied.  While I think the right thing to do is to tell the truth, if telling a lie will save peoples lives, it would have to be on the table.

There are plenty of tools in the kit bag, and a place for aggressive pursuit of information.  My concern is that we do it in an effective way, without compromising our values.

Jason,

Stop ducking the questions. It is a very plausible real world scenario. So tell us where you stand on the above outlined questions.

- Where would you have US government interrogators draw the line to save millions of lives including your family members?

- Does the will to live held by those about to be incinerated have any bearing on the limits you set?

- Do the survivors that may not even get a funeral have any say in the matter?

- Are you willing to trade an entire city and all the economic and social calamity that would ensue afterwords for your standards?

Believe me, this is a real world threat. The weapon was not a nuke, but the potential for damage was approaching that range. Wait another 20 - 30 years for things to start to come out.

If I'm still alive, I'll expect you to present yourself for an "I told you so" conversation.

In the mean time, tell us where you draw the line.

TVNews,

To be extremely blunt...torture is wrong in all circumstances.

Despite what climatic circumstance is contrived for "24" or a good Tom Clancy novel, it is not the situation we are facing.

Here is something else to think about: General David Petraeus, former commander in Iraq, is opposed to torture.  Many other military officers are as well.  Here is a link to a YouTube video of retired officers speaking on the issue:

www.youtube.com/watch

Only if the buttonwood tree has high speed internet access.

He and Tugwell and Roosevelt all had the same genetic roots.

Jason,

So let me get this straight. Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding.

You would trade a seven digit instant death toll, the city and all the pain, suffering, cancers and long drawn out deaths that come after rather then waterboard (or worse) a bad guy with the location and keys to the bomb?

Jason, your view of reality is horribly distorted. What I said earlier about you not being cut out for the cloak and dagger game is an understatement.

If you were, and a bomb went off while you were talking nice with the person that set it and could give us the information to stop it, I would be one of the millions calling for your head.

I damn sure don't want you in charge of my security. And now you can understand my concern about the current administration. According to all their press, they think just like you do.

Personally, I think you should sit down and reevaluate your priorities. One man's comfort during questioning does not balance with a city filled with people. I find it stunning that you would admit to believing that. How you can make that equation balance is beyond me.

There are no Marquis of Queensbury rules here. If the terrorist were caught in the act trying to set off the device, I would like to assume that you have no problem with shooting the terrorist to stop it.

If the weapon was being delivered on an incoming bomber I am willing to bet you would have no problem shooting it down and acting against the nation that sent it to ensure they don't send another one. And that step will kill thousands if we don't go nuclear.

But you would let one terrorist sit in complete comfort, holding a civilized conversation with interrogators while the timer runs out hundreds of thousands of lives. Including the lives of people you love.

Jason, that is one very warped view. What makes this really scary is that yours is not an isolated view.

One thing is absolutely sure. It will only take one attack for all your stunningly naive kinder, gentler rules to get tossed as the complete nonsense they are. A few horribly naive souls will hang on to their views, but the vast majority will see the light and do what needs to be done.

Next time I see David, I'll ask him about that and what he considers torture. But other then that I'm not interested in what other people would do or think. I can pick up a news paper to find that out.

Right now, this was all about you and your reality.

Oh yeah, it already was a real world world scenario. The only difference is the scale was not nuclear. Wait another 20 or 30 years and I'll tell you about it.

TVNews,

Your last comment sounds like you are coming unglued.  If torture was so absolutely necessary for our national existence, then why don't we do it in all of our prisons all across America?

The reason they chose Gitmo, Iraq, Egypt, Syria and other places to conduct the torture is to try to evade our laws and treaty obligations.

I also disagree with your assertion that our military leaders are naive in their belief that torture is wrong.  I suppose they just don't know all the information you do; or are not willing to take strong actions to defend the nation.

You are welcome to join me in "my reality" anytime.  Until then, keep watching your "TV reality" shows.

I'll pass on the TV show, I've been through the real thing.

I'm for them finding that buttonwood tree and moving back into the park.

Elementary my dear Watson.

Doyle's first quote reminds me of another of my favorites.  While at Princeton, Einstein was allowed a post-grad math student as an assistant.  One day, his assistant was talking to an associate who asked him about Einstein's legendary inability to balance a checkbook.  The assistant acknowledged it was true, and told of asking the professor if he could explain such a genius for mathematics and a paucity of arithmatic in the same person.  Einstein smiled and told him, "that's why God gives me math doctoral students!"

Well said, Jim.

And thank you and DeLeesa both for your service as well.

It is a good thing that service people are now being recognized for their service and their sacrifice. At least that part of our social order and respect did come back.

Wish I could have been there to show my respect.

The reason the last few generations of Americans have lost sight of what it means to serve and die is simple. We have not been under serious threat of losing our nation and way of life (from an outside threat) in their lifetimes.

Until the armed forces bail their bacon (and their assets and their right to blog, text, talk on the phone and gather freely) out of the fire they probably will not get it.

Thanks for your service.

Thank you for your post.  As a society we would all benefit from reflecting on why holiday observances were created, and why they should have just as much meaning for us today as in years past.

In high school, I was fortunate enough to have a retired Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army as a school teacher.  He had been held as a P.O.W. in Vietnam at one point during his service career.  His wisdom and teachings made a big impact on me.

One thing he said was that Americans do not appreciate their freedoms and material wealth because we have not had a war on our own soil for almost 150 years.

As TVNews pointed out, our nation and way of life have not been under a direct threat in several lifetimes.

Memorial Day is about more than grilling out, the start of summer, and car sales.  (Although I am glad Americans have the freedom to engage in these activities.)

Our schools should be teaching this to young Americans, but as you point out, there are fewer veterans today, as a percentage of population, than in years past.  We also do not have enough veterans teaching in school classrooms, to share their experiences either.

Hopefully, it will not take another war on our own soil for apathetic attitudes to be changed.

Many who met Dr Kissinger socially were surprised at his biting wit.  During a flight to Europe with then Secretary of State Alexander Haig (whom Dr Kissinger didn't like), the general mentioned the irony that "should the Soviets take over the plane, they have the President's National Security Advisor and Secretary of State in one place."  Without looking up from his briefing papers, Dr Kissinger replied, "Don't worry Mr Secretary, we'd never them take you alive."

She sounds like a good one.  I would like to see something of a background in counter-cyber activities, although in her position at DoD I assume she was involved in that.  

When I was running political campaigns, I set up an in-house secure intranet of machines that didn't even have modems; one stand-alone machine (also modem-free) whose only task was to scrub foreign files (coming in on disk or downloaded from the internet) of malware; and a series of internet machines.  Only then did I feel I had a trusted network ... God knows how to do it across an entity the size of a national government flung across the globe.  

Around this house, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his Sherlock Holmes stories are a fixture. We have read almost all of them and have the complete library of Sherlock Holmes movies starting with those movies made pre-Basil Rathbone, and including the very latest Sherlock Holmes movie made. In other words, we a VERY big fans. Up until the BBC released it's Sherlock Holmes series starring Jeremy Brett, Basil Rathbone was, to our way of thinking, the pen-ultimate Sherlock. But now he has been supplanted with the Jeremy Brett rendition for us. Anyway hardly a month goes by that we don't watch, read, or listen to an audiobook Sherlock Holmes mystery. Life without a good Conan Doyle story would be a much poorer place indeed.  

You will be pleased to know that here in Central Pa. where I live, Memorial Day is celebrated as one of the most important days of the year. That is because we live near Boalsburg, Pa. and they claim to be the "Birthplace of Memorial Day". They dispute Watertown N.Y.'s claim that the practice of honoring the fallen soldier's by visiting and decorating their graves started there. Perhaps you have heard about Boalsburg? They devote the whole weekend to ceremonies surrounding the event. Those include Civil War re-enactments, and this year a WWII re-enactment. Directly across the Main St. from the cemetery is the Pa. 28th Division Military Museum and Shrine. That's where the re-enactments take place. Literally thousands of people come from all over the state and beyond to be part of this little town's great outpouring of respect in honoring all of our country's soldiers from the Civil War on. So there still are some bastions around the country who observe Memorial Day as it should be observed..With dignity and respect.  Just FYI.  

Was that back in the old Novel Network days?

I have more quote material. Too cool.

Actually it was.  I got the "intranet" machines with the old Ethernet cards in place of modem cards, and the network was hard-wired together with no outside portals.  It was time consuming -- puting everything through the "scrubber" going from the outside world to the trusted net (and nothing from the trusted net going to the internet machines), but as I say, we were never breeched.  

The machines at the little news paper in Colorado were all networked together on a Novel network that ran on coaxial cable. And it crashed frequently.

I'll be darned. I was just in Boalsburg a couple weeks ago.

TV: While you were there, you didn't happen to notice the Pa.28th Division Military Museum and Shrine? It's right on the main drag and you can't miss it. It's a wonderful place to visit if you are in to "all things military" as I know you guys are. Lot's of WWII tanks, howitzers around the grounds. And inside the building a re-construction of a WWI battle trench with mannequins and sound effects, etc. Lots of Civil War cannons, uniforms, muskets and Springfield rifles used by Union soldiers...You get the idea. This year the big added attraction at the Memorial Day activities was the 28th's acquisition of two 14 inch guns removed from the battleship "Pennsylvania" before it was scrapped. Those babies weigh 66 tons each and are about 40 feet long. Impressive. If you are ever again in Boalsburg, I recommend you take some time and check it out.

I remember seeing something about a military museum on that road. Alas, with relatives near by time is something I rarely have when in that part of the world.

Thanks for the heads up Jim,

Fortunately our state legislature is out of session, so we don't have to worry about a panic in Olympia!  (Unless the governor's mansion gets some of this supsicious powder.)

Given the propensity for people to start hyper-ventilating over "suspicious" packages, this does not seem like the smartest marketing campaign a corporation has ever embarked on.

Perhaps, instead of mailing the samples, they could have distributed them at pharmacies instead?

When aspirin is outlawed, only outlaws will mail aspirin.

I have a problem with the whole idea of "Czars", of which we now have fourteen.  Where do these czars sit on seniority charts?  Above cabinet officers already responsible for these activities?  

I agree with you about the seriousness of the problem, just not the wisdom of the answer.  Shouldn't this be the purview of DHS, else what's DHS for (a whole other conversation)?  

These positions are created out of whole cloth, have portfloios undefined by law, are unaccountable to the people or their representatives, and lie outside the checks and balances between branches of government.  

Will this person be privy to FBI, CIA, DIA, IRS, etc databases?  Does Congress have oversight?  Does anyone outside the West Wing?  

Yes indeed, thanks for the heads-up.

I'm missing something here. Why in the world WOULD the Bayer aspirin people send aspirin to consumers in a crystalin or white powder form? What are you supposed to do with it? Dissolve it in water and ingest it? DUMB!!!!

Jimr,

I agree with you that a cyber-security Czar is a good idea, but then I also agree with EW in that Obama is naming "Czars" left and right to oversee and solve all of the nation's problems. If the "Czars" manage to accomplish their jobs successfully and efficiently, well GREAT! So I'm for it and against it. Hey! What do you expect from a wishy-washy-squishy liberal? LOL

TVNews,

Mailed aspirin doesn't kill people.  Disgruntled postal workers do. :)

You're probably right, but I can't help being uncomfortable with some unelected, unconfirmed, unaccountable political oppointee having a heavy policy hand in everything from energy and climate (pervasive cap-and-trade tax) to healthcare (nationalization) to car manufacturing (stipulating cars that we can't sell at a profit) and beyond.  

Senator Byrd, and it pains me to say this, is right when he says that Obama's czar-system is a flagrant evasion of the checks and balances set by the Constitution.  And, as Jim points out, Mr Obama's track record of appointees is somewhat wanting.  

When Eagle Watch said "Mr Obama's track record of appointees is somewhat wanting" he spoke in understatement of record breaking proportions.

One of the few images that almost brought me to public tears was the tribute poster Warner Brothers brought out shortly after his death:

Not many people know that he also voiced Barney Rubble in the Flintstones and the Robot Twiggy from the Buck Rogers television series. He was also in Vaudeville known as the Man With A Thousand Voices.

Up until today I thought Woody Woodpecker was voiced by a woman. However you are right. Grace Stafford was the red headed trouble maker's third voice.

Woody's first voice was in fact Mel Blanc. Way to go Mel!

Jason,

ROFL!!! <img src="img.photobucket.com/.../YahooLaughing.gif">

Libby,

Powdered meds dissolved in water hit the system a lot faster then a pill. The people at Bayer are trying to compete with likes of Goody's Headache Power. The best way to get consumers to try a product is to give them some.

P.S. Well, my rolling on the floor laughing smiley face didn't work... :(

The media is profoundly negligent in these matters. But rarely so negligent as they are in ignoring Ed Freeman's last flight. My respects and heart felt thanks to Ed and his family.

More of the same "forgotten Memorial Day" attitude we talked about last weekend, and part of the cause.  Don't worry about Ed, St Peter will salute him, even if NBC didn't.

But I wanted this one: img.photobucket.com/.../YahooLaughing.gif

I have always admired Henry Kissinger and to this day don't think the U.S. ever in my lifetime had a more brilliant and effective Sec. of State. The things he accomplished during the Nixon Admin. were remarkable. The most impressive of these IMO was his arranging the Nixon visit to China. Although at the time it was considered a very unpopular and risky move by most everyone. I think it was a stroke of genious. I'm glad he's still alive and to this day when he speaks, I listen.

Jim,

I read this post and have been letting it sink in for a little bit.  After kicking it around in my head, I went to my bookshelf to see why this story was so familiar: it is discussed in the book "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young", by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway.

The book was later made into a movie with Mel Gibson.

Ed's nickname was "Too Tall to Fly".  He was 6'6", a full six inches too tall by Army regulation to be a pilot.  He was a veteran of Pork Chop Hill in Korea, where he earned a battlefield commission.  He was a true hero before he ever set foot in Vietnam, where he earned the Medal of Honor.  It is an absolute shame his passing was not mentioned in the media.

Thanks for the good post.

Sit down Libby ... I agree with you.  Nixon's trip to China was the right thing to do, at the right time, by the right person.  This far removed, not many remember what a stroke it was for Richard Nixon, the nation's most effective anti-communist spokesman to go to China.  The sight of Air Force One rolling to a stop in the midst of Chinese military honor guards was an incredible sight.  And you're right, without Dr Kissinger's rapport with Cho En Lai, it probably wouldn't have happened.  

I'm an XP-user that dreads the day I have to give it up.  Does it appear that legacy apps will run on W7?  There is some difficulty with that on Vista.  

I have a couple questions...

- Have you tried ripping CDs or DVDs yet?

- Have you been able to tell whether or not the program is allowing vendors unauthorized holes in your firewall?

- Have you seen anything that indicates the software is acting as big brother when it comes to your software?

- Has the computer ever locked you out of any part of your own system, like your registry file?

These are the things that are important to me. It is my computer to command and Microsoft has no place in that decision making roll. If Microsoft screwed this one up, my next computer will either be an Apple or running on Linux.

Is there any chance Microsoft can turn those features on by remote control?

I enjoy the famous philosophical quotes at the end of each blog very much, Jimr. Nice touch. Keep 'em coming!

There is another thing Roosevelt screwed up.

Actually, Jim was right about warfare stretching an economy beyond the ability of backing to keep up.  The depression did the same thing for the same reasons, and, being compounded in-train by World War II, there was no hope of a backed currency to cover the costs involved, across the breadth of the economy.  During the war, defense spending ranged from 73% to 89.5% of government spending (and 17.8% to 37.5% of GDP) .  That amount of increase in that short a time-frame is impossible without deficit spending, and as the rest of the industrialized world was also at war, there was no one to borrow it from.  The only answer is fiat currency.  

When the war ended, we found ourselves with an industrial plant running at 112% of capacity (it’s one of those weird ways economists calculate things) and full employment.  And six million men in uniform coming home.  Going back to a convertible currency at that point would have contracted the economy by double digits and spiked unemployment – a return to the depression.  We sent as many of the returning veterans to college as we could and converted our factories to consumer goods, and the generation that went to Europe and the Pacific eventually went to the Moon, invented computers, communications satellites and revolutionized medicine.  

We never could have reached the degree of prosperity we have without a flexible currency (America’s 2000 GDP is equal to the world’s GDP of 1960), but it requires a disciplined government to sustain the blessings without overreaching and debasing the currency faster than it can generate new wealth.  We are about to experience the punishment for that overreach.

Very good points, EW. I think you hit the nail on the Head.

But our congress has repeatedly proved they are beyond redemption when it comes to that kind of discipline.

As I say, we about to pay the penalty.

Thanks so much Jimr for sharing your personal story with us. What a wonderful honor to have a grandfather who took part in and gave his life for that heroic endeavor!

Alas, I have no relatives who were involved, but my husband had an uncle who was in the Rangers that landed on Omaha Beach. Thankfully, he made it through that and the rest of the war unscathed.

For some reason this year I was particularly interested in the D-Day ceremonies, but I can't say why exactly. I watched all the coverage of the events in Normandy and was moved to tears I'm not ashamed to admit. The speeches by all four heads-of-state were wonderful, I thought. The 21 gun salute and the playing of "Taps" and the fly-over...awesome,inspiring, and perfectly fitting are the adjectives that come to mind.

I'd like to add my thanks to Hollywood also because if it were not for movies like "The Longest Day" and "Saving Private Ryan" I wouldn't be able to appreciate the full significance of the event.  

Nathan was a hero in every sense of the word.

It is interesting to note that had the Revolutionary War gone the other way, his name and his words (if they were even quoted) would have been a footnote in history detailing the capture and execution of a traitorous spy.

There was a time this nation had a sense of purpose and its citizens felt a duty to support and defend it.

Finest kind. There aren't many made these days that stack up to the old school.

P.S. I can see that video.

Indeed, some of my fondest memories of Las Vegas (back when "the Boys" ran it) involve sitting in the main lounge at the Sands and watching Dean Martin and/or Frank Sinatra walk on stage during a show billed as Sammy Davis or Joey Bishop.  If they were in LA and not booked, they would spontaneously just show up at each other's Sands shows ... you can't beat drinks, steak and that kind of talent for $30 or $40!  (Back in those days, they didn't charge premium for their main lounge shows - they wanted you spending money in the pit, not in the showrooms).

And I agree ... as much as I enjoy George Clooney, Ocean's Eleven is yet another picture they shouldn't have remade.  

Nice story, Jim ... thanks for sharing it!

I've been a Dick Winter fan for some time (I can't remember the first time I came across his story), and it's always good to see/hear from him.

Thanks again.

A bit off subject, but I can't let Knute Rockne go by without one my favorite halftime pep-talks (a skill at which Rockne excelled).

ESPN asked a Notre Dame player which of Lou Holtz's halftime talks was most motivating.  He laughed and said he'd never forget halftime during a game against USC in which the first half was a Notre Dame disaster.  The team filed into the locker room and sat around waiting for Holtz.  When the door opened and he stuck his head in, he said, "Oh, I'm sorry girls, I was looking for the Notre Dame football team," and closed the door as he left.  That was it.  They did't see him again until they went out on the field for the second half.

Needless to say, Notre Dame went on to make up for the first half and won the game.

Good read.

"Four stroke engine: Suck, squeeze, bang, blow."

- A mechanic working on an ambulance at the Denver city shops back in the 1970s.

Thanks for the post and the associated quotes.  

Here is a bit of gold trivia for you: China has now surpassed South Africa as the world's number one producer of gold.

I especially enoyed Herb Brody's comment. His car analogy can be applied to politics also. That's why I liked it. Also liked Cringeley's comparison and I love anything that Dave Barry writes. He and I think alike when it comes to SUVs...To funny!

I loved the original Ocean's Eleven with the Rat pack. The remake--I believe they have made three of them with Clooney continuing the saga--Are so bad I fell asleep about 20 minutes into the first remake and haven't and won't watch the other two. They don't make 'em like they used to!

Great news!  

I know DeLeesa is just as glad to get home ... as I told Michael, I quit going to hospitals as they kept finding bits of somebody else's manufacturing sector!  

Anyway, it's great have DeLeesa home (if only metaphorically for the rest of us).

DeLeesa? In the hospital? I didn't get a memo...

Glad she is home and safe. Get well soon.

She was very young and wide eyed. But we all have something in common in that we too live in "a crazy time."

HAPPY HAPPY!!!

Good news indeed!!!

Pls relay Hugsies!

Here's to a speedy recovery!

Now the current administration feels the need to give captured terrorists and enemy combatants the same warning...

You gotta love it.

That's great news Jim!

Thanks everyone for all your love, support and prayers for my recovery and our family. I am home - going alittle stir crazy but trying to find other ways of doing things. White blood cells are still going down and were down enough to come home from 1700 to start with - I never felt it coming on just hit me. If all goes well I will be back in surgery in 2 weeks (1 hour surgery - zapp the other kidney stone), and again in another 2 weeks for stint removal (10 minute procedure). Then hopefully I will find out what is causing the stones and avoid them. Sorry to put a scare in everyone.

I want to thank all of you for supporting Jim - We are family is like many rocks and when some are missing the quary is not the same. Best to all you and yours.. Chat with you all later.. Hmm alot of responsing to do. Love DeLeesa

I agree with TVNews on this one.  It is insane to think an Infantryman should be reading Miranda rights to anyone in a combat zone.

Hurray for your good news, Jimr! I assume DeLeesa is your wife? I can sympathize with your feelings of incomplete-ness while she was in hospital, being in a longtime marriage [47 years] myself. It feels like trying to ride a tricycle with one of the rear wheels missing. It can be done, but it's hard. Get well soon, DeLeesa!

Jim,

Just a point that might be a little bit nitpicky: the CIA overthrew a socialist leaning government in Guatamala.  They were more nationalist than communist.  The CIA's involvement helped push Che Guevera, and later Castro, towards the Soviet Union.

He was a "revolutionary", but he could have been working for capitalism if it were not for the corporatism exhibited by the Eisenhower Administration on behalf of the United Fruit Company.

We "won" in Guatamala, but "lost" in Cuba.  Perhaps Guatamala and Cuba would have been better off if we had not become militarily involved.

Libby,

If you want to see what happens when the United States drops the ball, check out Charlie Wilson's War.

Errr... Jason.

My bad.

TV: I haven't seen the movie.  Are you talking about the CIA funding Osama bin Laden?

Jim, TV,

I would suggest reading "Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatamala".

Here is a product description from Amazon:

Bitter Fruit is a comprehensive and insightful account of the CIA operation to overthrow the democratically elected government of Jacobo Arbenz of Guatemala in 1954. First published in 1982, this book has become a classic, a textbook case of the relationship between the United States and the Third World. The authors make extensive use of U.S. government documents and interviews with former CIA and other officials. It is a warning of what happens when the United States abuses its power.

Sometimes I wonder how much of the fountain of youth is chemical and how much of it is state of mind.

Yes. The CIA's private war that kicked the Russian's out of Afghanistan. We did a good job in accomplishing our goals, but we didn't follow up and finish the job.

That, along with the hard work of President Carter, was a contributing factor in the circumstances that led to September 11th.

Eagle Watch knows my favorite Churchill quote by heart. ;)

Here's a quote for you:

"My kids will probably grow up to write books about me."

- Me

Ah, the good old films.

Always.

I was discussing Stephen Hawking with someone yesterday, and we were remarking on his wonderfull productive life in the face of all the adversity he has faced. All the Helen Keller quotes could be applied to him also, don't you think?

Those quotes seem ironic based on what is happening in this country today.

How much to get it without all the big brother stuff?

Linux, here I come.

Then behind the eight ball I must be. Microsoft either drops the big brother act, or they don't get my business.

Microsoft products without a "big brother" module?  I guess it is too good to be true!

"You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence."

    - Charles A. Beard, 1874 - 1948

That was so good I had to post it again.

I regret the loss of every warrior in our present conflict. However the 75th Ranger Regiment is dear to my heart. My brother was with the 75th Ranger Airborne/LRRPs, Vietnam. He was KIA 12/6/67.

dave-dickinson.memory-of.com

God Bless America and those who defend our shores.

Thanks to All Veterans!  

I tried this July 5th, but it didn't post. Hope it works this time. As / per:

4TH OF JULY

  Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

  Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

  Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

  Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

  They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

  What kind of men were they?

  Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

  Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

  Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

  Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

  At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.

  He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

  Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.    The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

  John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

  So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.

  It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

  Remember: freedom is never free!

  I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball.

Thanks, Jeff Lee for setting the record straight. I really need to check snopes more often. It was an inspiring account and I assumed it was true. No one should assume that anything posted on the internet is true.

I always wondered where Barney Fife got "nip it in the bud."  Nice to know now where it came from.  Very informative.

Also, put quotes around quotes!!! Please!

In recent years it has been learned that Otto Frank edited his daughter's diaries, so the picture we, as readers, get of the holocaust through her eyes is a partial and often Otto influenced picture.  

The new versions of the Ocean's 11 movies are not meant to be a re-make of the original.  They are meant to be stand alone films and do, in fact, stand apart from the original.  Gone in the new version is the humor of the money going up in smoke as their comrade is cremated.  

I grew a new respect for him after seeing the way he dealt with the loss of his son and when he starting speaking out against ignorance and deliberate stupidity in the ghetto.

He's also a great man to work with. Did several of his appearances in Denver.

I didn't know he was the first to take up the family business. Good quotes.

Snopes is a bunch of spoil sports.

"Your command sergeant major is all alone in the parade ground!"

- James Garner playing Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Zack Carey in the movie Tank

Good for them.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.”

That is one of my all time favorites.

We're getting there in this country now.

I was furious when Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon. But time changes people's perspective...Well, some people's. Years later I could see the wisdom of the act. My favorite quote is number four.

Jim,

I agree with you that the pardon for Nixon was in the best interest of the country at the time.  If it had not  happened, Ford would have never been able to push any agenda for helping the country move forward due to legal battles that would have lasted for years.

Like you, I am too young to remember when the pardon occurred and this is the source of many arguments between my parents and me.  They have never forgiven Ford for his pardon of Nixon.

Many Americans that lived through those years still have bitter feelings about Nixon getting a pardon, but I believe history will show the wisdom of the decision; as it helped the country get beyond the big mess of Watergate much faster than would have otherwise been the case.

He was the one of the last of the real journalists.

Nixon resigned saving the country the trouble of an impeachment. At the time I too was a little put out that Ford let him off the hook. However, in retrospect, he was right in pardoning the President. It was time for the nation to move on.

With Edward R Morrow and Walter Cronkite gone, I can't think of a journalist that's left.  If Watergate ruined American journalistm (and I think it did), the passing of Mr Cronkite marks its extinction.

I don't even have a garage! You can call home and ask my wife.

:)

PBS = Publicly Broadcast Socialism.

For over two decades PBS and NPR repeatedly bashed anything even remotely conservative. They never missed a chance to ridicule, make fun of and condemn all forms of Capitalism. The on air talent made light of each and every Republican that showed up on their radar, speaking of them as if they were errant kindergarten students.

Then the Republicans got control of congress.

And the well meaning people at NPR and PBS had the nerve to act surprised when they found their budgets at the top of the chopping block. They sent out pleas to "save NPR" and "stop the looting of PBS."

Statistics show us if we play enough games the other team is going to win one once in a while. You would think the enlightened intellectuals at PBS and NPR would have considered that fact before gnawing to the bone the hand that eventually will be in charge of feeding them.

I have no sympathy for the boys and girls at either organization.

That was a very cool day indeed.

*sigh*

I admit I voted for George McGovern and not for Richard Nixon in 72. I loved his philosophy then and still do today and I love all his quotes, but my favorite of those you've cited is #1.

TV: Please explain your comment to me. I'm clueless.

Libby,

Don't lose hope. There is still the chance that you will improve the quality of candidate you vote for.

Thanks Jimr. I'm not familiar with the song. I don't follow country music. The only song the Charlie Daniels Band made that I'm familiar with and love is "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".

TV, if you would recommend a "quality candidate" to me, I assure you I wouldn't vote for them. I'd consider the source.

I just finished watching the DVDs of the HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon". It's 700+ minutes long and it took me 3 days to get through all the discs, but it was well worth the effort. In case you're not familiar with it [as I wasn't], it was produced by Tom Hanks and he made it shortly after he starred in "Apollo 13"--A great movie, IMO. As with most people, after the Apollo 11 mission I lost interest in the follow-up missions and didn't tune in to them. Except for Apollo 13. Only because that one came so close to disaster. Anyway, if you want a great inspirational over-view of the American man-in-space effort from the Mercury missions through Apollo 17, I highly recommend this series.

I recommend we all vote for Jim.

Well I'll be dipped in stuff. Of all the things I never thought would come out of this particular congress. Right on!

You know, I thought I felt a disturbance in the force...

I love that line. I've used similar lines on my underlings.

I rest my case.

I have a question about this. Although the Senate voted 58-39 to pass this legislation, I heard on FOX news radio that it needed a 60 vote super-majority to pass through the Senate. Is that right? Also, wouldn't the bill have to pass the House and be signed by the President before it could become a law? Help me out here, someone.  

How old is your son Dylan if you don't mind my asking?

We're all doomed... :(

Where is Capt. Picard when we need him?

*sighs* I new that had to be too good to be true. But what do you expect from any collection of people that would have Al Franken as a member.