Dear Lena.

When I sent that card last night I had no idea that we would get this lay off today. I thought (yes, and I hoped) that we would push on and get this job over with, for I am feeling in the pink of condition now.

Say that was some tough hike yesterday and it came pretty tough on me for this reason. I was left guide and when in column of squads the left guide of a company is in the rear of the company. It was all right for a while but after the water began to give up the men wanted to fall out to get some or lay down. Now I being in the rear had to see that no one fell out, and if any one did for any reason I was to wait and see that he or they got back to the company. Now it is hard enough to keep walking ones self, but when youve got to keep howling “Close up.” etc all the time when your mouth is as dry as a fish bone. Not only this but see that men get back to there company as soon as possible and act like a dirty dog by preventing them to drink any water or fill there dry canteens with water from wells or houses along the road. Yes we non comps get our orders and we have to carry them out but with a very unwilling spirit.

One poor fellow in the company some how or other got his canteen filled with water and was about to wet his parched lips when it was snatched from him by our captain (who was under orders.) and emptied. One canteen a day is the order and that from the army barrel.

Toward the end of this long and tiersome march one fellow fell out and as usual I had to see that he got back to the company. He lagged and stalled off until the whole column got by (and although I didnt tell him I didnt blame him. When we did get started it was away back with the ambulance train and if you could see the men on both sides of the roads and in the hospital teams you would agree that it was a tough old hike. It was mainly the scarcity of water. We came to a house where we just sat by a well and drank drank drank. It was the best water we had since leaving Cotton and oh it did taste good. If we never appreciate any thing else when we get home we will, that good old N.E. water.

I just found out that the reason we are being held up today is on account of the sore feet of the mules. We are supposed to be ready to move on at 2.30 and I suppose they will push us to make up for lost time. I should Worry. Im ready for Mexico if need be. This is the last letter you will get until we get to Fort Sheldon I guess. In the mean time rest assured that Sam is there and will stand up with the best of them.

Sam

© Copyright 2008 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.

In writing a history of the 56th Battalion, we feel blessed that at least one its members published his story, providing us with much valuable information and insights not found in the official papers.  Lieutenant Harold Williams is our saviour in this respect, as he produced two books in fact; The Gallant Company (1933) and Comrades of the Great Adventure (1935).  Both are well-written works being very informative and descriptive (particularly of people and landscapes), and not at all dull to read.  Early reviews of the books seemed very good.  5th Division commander, Lt. Gen. Sir John Joseph Talbot Hobbs in writing the foreword called it 'the best soldier's story I have yet read in Australia.'

From the two books we have learned quite a bit about Williams himself, but not enough.  We would very much like to find any of his descendants to learn more.  We know basically what he looked like, yet have no photo of him.  We know some of his thoughts through his books, but nothing more; nothing about his life after the war for example.  We know he kept letters and a diary, so what became of them? Surely they must have survived.  At the beginning of The Gallant Company, Williams noted:

‘On active service I kept a diary.  On my return to Australia many letters which I had written during the war came again into my possession.  From these resources I have compiled this story of war-time life in the Australian Imperial Force.’

From his books and various service records, the following is what we currently know about him:

Harold Roy Williams was born in 1889 in Cooma, NSW to parents Frederick and Mary.  By 1914 he was living in Croydon, Sydney and was working as a warehouseman.  He joined the AIF on 4 August 1915 as a 26 year old, originally part of the 5th reinforcement for 20th Battalion.  However in February 1916, before joining the 20th, he and many other reinforcements for that battalion were transferred to the newly raised 56th, then forming in Egypt.  Known to his mates as ‘Dick’, Williams was a Roman Catholic, stood 5' 6" tall, weighed 152 lbs (70 kgs), and had a dark complexion, with brown eyes and black hair.  He had enlisted with several mates, namely Jimmy Sowter, Harry Lucas and Fred Fyall, all of whom went with him to the 56th.

He rose from private though the NCO ranks during 1916-17 and by December 1917 had gained his commission as a lieutenant.  He was away from the front for long periods in 1917 on leave, and later attending various courses including officer training back in England. He returned to the field in January 1918, undertook further specialist training and was appointed gas officer.  Ironically, not long after, he was put out of action for several weeks; being gassed in early April 1918.  He was again wounded in action at Peronne on 2 September 1918 and his recovery from this wound (to the buttock) saw out the remainder of the war.

He departed England in  January 1919, arriving home in February.  In 1935 The Gallant Company was published and two years later the follow-up/supplementary volume, Comrades of the Great Adventure. 

Williams died on 13 May 1955.

In their corner:

Smelly fucking hippies, union thugs, MoveOn.org, snobs, terrorist sympathizers, PETA, elitists, Olbermann, jackasses, Kos Kids, soymilk drinkers, Chris Matthews, crybabies, whiners, America haters, pussies, The New York Times, lazy fuckers, fake tits, scolds, militant drag queens, atheists, John Kerry, victims, liars, baby killers, thieves, Code Pink, douche bags, tree huggers, felons, scumbags and general fucking assholes, crackheads and losers.

In our corner:

Entrepreneurs, rugged individualists, soldiers, mothers, God-fearing church goers, small-town folk, gun toters, ass kickers, George W. Bush, Fox News, CEO’s, business owners, baby lovers, hot chicks, Hank Williams, Jr, Swift Boat vets, beer drinkers, hard workers, the well-mannered, real boobs, the charitable, Dick Cheney, a fucking shitload of bombs, Ace of Spades, cowboys, hard workers, the friggin’ Jooos, patriots, the brave, Pat Buchanan, strippers, winners and Kid fucking Rock....

Also hot triplets with an American Flag painted on their hot triplet bodies....

Let’s roll.

Articles should be written in English and of 5 – 6000 words in length. They should be sent to Helena Scott (H.Scott@westminster.ac.uk) at the University of Westminster by the 1st February 2009. Articles should be submitted in accordance with Intellect’s guidelines to be found at http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/auth/links/StyleGuide.pdf.

Helena Scott
University of Westminster
Email: h.scott@westminster.ac.uk

"Army leaders are fully aware that repeated deployments have led to increased distress and anxiety for both soldiers and their families," Army Secretary Pete Geren said. Maybe Palin should remind them we're really, really close to victory. I don't mean to joke, I only mean to show the disconnect illustrated by this new "star" VP candidate.

"If the overall numbers continue through December as they have been, Col. Eddie Stephens said, they would eclipse the 115 of 2007, 102 in 2006, 87 in 2005 and 67 in 2004."

WENT into a public 'ouse to get a pint o'beer,

The publican 'e up an' sez, ``We serve no red-coats here.''

The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,

I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:

O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' ``Tommy, go away'';

But it's ``Thank you, Mister Atkins,'' when the band begins to play,

The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,

O it's ``Thank you, Mr. Atkins,'' when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,

They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;

They sent me to the gallery or round the music 'alls,

But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' ``Tommy, wait outside'';

But it's ``Special train for Atkins'' when the trooper's on the tide,

The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,

O it's ``Special train for Atkins'' when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep

Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;

An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit

Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.

Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' ``Tommy how's yer soul?''

But it's ``Thin red line of 'eroes'' when the drums begin to roll,

The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,

O it's ``Thin red line of 'eroes'' when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,

But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;

An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints:

Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;

While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an ``Tommy, fall be'ind,''

But it's ``Please to walk in front, sir,'' when there's trouble in the wind,

There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,

O it's ``Please to walk in front, sir,'' when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an'schools, an' fires an' all:

We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.

Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face

The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' ``Chuck him out, the brute!''

But it's ``Saviour of 'is country,'' when the guns begin to shoot;

Yes it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;

But Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool--you bet that Tommy sees!

Rudyard Kipling (learn about him.)

        Lantas, apa makna esensial dari SOG itu sendiri? SOG adalah singkatan dari Soldiers of God, yang berarti prajurit-prajurit Allah. Ketika anda sekalian mendengar atau membaca kata-kata "Soldiers" disini, anda pasti mengira bahwa gerakan Kristen ini adalah gerakan Kristen yang "Radikal" yang program kerjanya adalah program-program kerja kekacauan. Benarkah demikian? Jelas tidak! Lantas mengapa kami memakai nama "Soldiers of God"? Perlu anda ketahui bahwasanya dalam Kekristenan, orang-orang Kristen sedang ada di dalam peperangan. Tetapi peperangan yang kami jalani bukan dengan darah dan daging, tetapi dengan roh-roh jahat di udara. Karena komitmen kami dari awal adalah "menyatakan perang terhadap iblis" maka kami secara ternuka dan defacto akan terus berjuang untuk menjadi terang bagi bangsa Indonesia tercinta.

By: Robin Riwanda Mandagie, Student of International Relations of Airlangga University

One of the unique and fascinating features of Israeli society is that, for the most part, we have not forgotten the sacredness of every individual life, despite our decades-long battle for survival and the more than 22,000 victims - soldiers and civilians alike - who have died to build this country. The efforts made to bring Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev home, and the focus on saving Gilad Shalit are powerful examples of how this value is rooted in Israel's Jewish national consciousness. It is as the rabbis in Mishnah Tractate Sanhedrin have taught: the saving of one life is equal to the saving of a whole world, and the taking of one life is the equivalent of the taking of a whole world.

However, one of the great paradoxes and peculiarities of the State of Israel is that we often have a higher level of sensitivity to military casualties than we have to civilians'. We have a much higher level of outrage when dealing with victims of terror than with victims of everyday evil. Ten to 12 people can be killed a week in car accidents with nary an eyebrow raised, while two victims of a terror attack can bring the country to a standstill for days.

This last week three Israeli children were murdered by their families. The media gave to these tragedies their proper due. The murders of every one of these children received page-one coverage and opened the nightly news.

Now, I have no desire to exaggerate this phenomenon, or portray these deaths as a symptom of Israel's moral decay. Tragedies of these proportions will not continue week in and week out. Overall, relative to other countries, the murder rate here in Israel is still proportionally low.

This will comfort some. After all, one of the core foundations of Zionism was a desire to bring the Jewish people back to a normal existence entailing our susceptibility to the "normal evils" that befall all people who live in the real world.

Despite embracing normalcy, however, Israel was never formed to be a country like all others, and the Jewish people never saw the larger world as our moral barometer. One of the core features of the Jewish people is that we have always defined our own standards and fought for our right to live by them. The State of Israel is the product of this history and this people can afford to do no less.

In this week's Torah portion, Shofetim, we are taught that when somebody is found dead in or near a city, the political, religious and judicial leaders must present a sin offering – the egla arufa – and declare: "Our hands did not shed this blood nor did our eyes see this done. Absolve, O Lord, your people who you redeemed, and let not blood of the innocent remain among your people Israel."

A Jewish society is one that recognizes indirect responsibility and culpability for that which we allowed to happen, not merely for that which we directly caused. When somebody is killed in a society, it is not simply the moral decay or depravity of the individual murder that needs to be investigated, but the possible complacency and complicity, even if indirect, of others as well. Were there signs, calls for assistance from either the murderer or victim that could have avoided and prevented the tragedy if given proper attention? Did we do all that we could to create a society where such a tragedy would not occur?

I don’t think the horrific deaths of the three babies this week reflect a moral callousness and decay in our society at large, nor a larger crisis of values. They do, however, reflect a dulling of our senses, and a diminution of our ability to hear the cries of others. We find out again and again that there were signs on the wall when children are abused or murdered and when husbands beat or murder their wives, voices that called forth for help that were ignored. Car accidents, which take hundreds of Israeli lives each year, occur again and again on roads with clearly deficient safety features. We are experts at hearing the calls for help when it is too late. We are always ready to appoint national commissions to investigate after the fact. We have become a society that excels at post-mortem morality.

The law of egla arufa challenges us to recognize this is not sufficient. A Jewish society is one in which every individual feels responsible not merely to give financial assistance to the needy, to bring criminals to justice, but to pay attention to our neighbors. We don’t need a commission to investigate what is happening in an Israeli society that has allowed the tragedies of this week to occur. These commissions absolve us of our individual responsibilities. What we need is to remind every one of us of our duty to recommit ourselves to being better listeners.

There are tragedies we cannot prevent, but there are many that we can. If there is any crisis of values in this society it is not because, as Binyamin Netanyahu has stated, we must bring people back to studying Jabotinsky instead of teaching the "Nakba." The crisis in values is that we don’t fully accept our individual responsibilities to love our neighbors as ourselves, or as in the words of Hillel the Elder: What is hateful unto you do not do unto others.

Let us all individually commit ourselves not merely to honor and mourn the dead and bemoan the tragedies, but to prevent them. It is in our power as individuals to save a single life, and whoever saves a single life has saved a whole world. The Jewishness of Israel will ultimately be measured not by our kashrut policies during the shmitta year, on whether hametz can be sold on Pesach, nor by whom we allow to convert, but by whether we allow this Jewish value, the responsibility to listen to the cries and needs of others, to permeate our individual and collective lives.

Pakistan fury over 'US assault'

Tension in Pakistan's north-west has increased in recent months

Pakistan has summoned the US ambassador to protest at an alleged cross-border raid which officials say killed at least 15 villagers in the north-west.

A number of civilians were reported killed in the raid, which Pakistan says was a violation of its sovereignty.

Correspondents say the raid appears to have been the first ever ground assault by foreign forces based in Afghanistan.

US-led and Nato forces said they had no reports of any such incursion. Border tensions have risen in recent weeks.

US aircraft have carried out air strikes in the region, but a ground assault would be unprecedented.

It is not clear who the target of any attack might have been.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan would not allow any foreign power to carry out attacks on its territory.

He was speaking hours after his motorcade was hit by sniper fire near the capital, Islamabad. Senior government officials say he was not in the car at the time.

'Act of aggression'

Pakistani military and political officials say ground troops brought in by US-led coalition helicopters launched the attack in the South Waziristan tribal area near the Afghan border early on Wednesday morning.

Locals say soldiers attacked with gunfire and bombs. Women and children were among those reported killed.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said a "very strong protest" had been delivered to the ambassador, Anne Paterson.

"The ambassador said that she would convey it to her government," he said.

The army called the attack an act of aggression which undermined the fight against militancy.

North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, who is in administrative charge of the tribal areas, called the attack "cowardly".

"At least 20 innocent citizens of Pakistan, including women and children, were martyred," he said in a statement.

There is mounting US pressure on Pakistan - a key ally in the "war on terror" - to crack down on militants, who use the border region to launch raids into Afghanistan.

The Afghan government and Nato say the border region is a haven for al-Qaeda and the Taleban. Pakistan says it is doing all it can to curb militancy.

On Monday, Pakistan's military suspended its operations against Taleban militants in the neighboring Bajaur tribal area.

The government said this suspension of fighting was to respect the fasting month of Ramadan.

Taleban spokesman Maulvi Omar welcomed the announcement, but he said militants would not lay down their arms.

Keep in thought this moment of breath,
And remember this eve, Countrymen, my brothers I implore,
For morrow’s dawn shall offer freedom or death,
As on this eve’s twilight, all shall hear Glory’s roar.

Together we stand from shore to shore,
United by the threads of Her cause,
And I call to you as in times of yore,
When our fathers’ fathers did so without pause.

Her red is in the blood of our laws,
And Her white is in the sweat born of our fight,
Her blue is in the tears of our flaws,
And the beacon of Her liberty shall shine e’er bright.

Tonight these words I do recite,
To remember those fallen who have answered the call,
And now I offer this invite,
For each of us to follow, a nation together, one and all.

It is time for us to stand tall,
And take back this country we hold dear,
To pick up Old Glory if she should fall,
To defend our democracy without fear.

Careful not to spoil Her character with violence or tear,
But ‘stead to offer a symbol of hope for all to see, no matter how far,
For if our actions are sincere,
Our truth and liberty shall burn as bright as a shining star.

So I ask you tonight no matter where you are,
To light the wick of freedom’s flame,
To heal the rifts that caused wound and scar,
And let it burn through the night in Glory’s name.

For under her cloth we are all one in the same,
And the fires of our freedom shall light the way,
And the world ‘round shall hear all America proclaim,
‘Neath Old Glory, our strength and verve shall ne’er sway.

Multinational Division – North PAO 

MOSUL, Iraq — On his last day of duty at Forward Operating Base Marez, Sgt.1st Class Zzarr seemed excited with the Soldiers hovering around him at the 3d Armored Cavalry 

Regimental headquarters June 5. 

Zzarr was about to receive and Army Achievement Medal, a reward for his service to the Army during his deployment. Zzarr was responsible for discovering about 6,000 pounds of explosives in hidden caches around Mosul. 

Staff Sgt. Kevin Dee, Zzarr's handler, puts the K-9 through his paces at Fort Eustis.(Photo by Keith Whitteaker)

As the Soldiers stood at attention and the orders were posted, Col. Michael Bills, commander of the 3d ACR, bent down and pinned the AAM on Zzarr‟s collar. Instead of a salute, Zzarr enthusiastically offered a paw, wagged his tail, and wanted to play. 

Zzarr, a three-year old Dutch Sheppard, is a military working dog assigned to the 221st 

Military Police Detachment stationed at Fort Eustis, Va.  

The dog‟s trainer, Staff Sgt. Kevin Dee, said Zzarr specializes in searching for explosives. During the past year in Mosul, the dog was credited with finding three major caches, one of which included 1,200 pounds of explosives that was going to be used in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. 

The dog‟s discoveries have saved countless lives by “finding things the (human) eye can‟t find,” he said.  

“The military working dogs are extremely well trained and adept at discovering these caches. The „finds‟ remove these weapons from the hands of the enemy and decrease the resources they have to use against us,” said Maj. Parker Frawley, planning officer for the 3d ACR. Frawley‟s mother, Starline Nunley, and the Gem City Dog Club in Dayton, Ohio, also recognized the value of the dogs on the battlefield and have been sending a variety of items for the working dogs to ensure they have all the necessities and some creature comforts while deployed. 

Zzarr was one of 15 military working dogs in 3d ACR‟s area of operations that work daily with the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces to find hidden explosives and other weapons and keep them from making it to the streets. 

 “These MWDs have been extremely useful in our daily combat operations,” said Capt. William Nance, commander of Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d ACR. Nance worked with Zzarr and other MWDs regularly as the Heavy Company, 3rd Squadron, 3d ACR commander during the first six months of the regiment‟s deployment to Iraq. “They can cover more ground, faster than human search teams and have been instrumental in clearing sites for COP builds, as well as quickly clearing a building during a raid. This speed allows us to spend less time on the objective, keeping everyone safer.  

“That and they‟re a lot of fun to have around the CP before and after missions,” Nance added.  

With the award pinned on his collar, Zzarr received a multitude of congratulatory pats on the head from the Soldiers. This attention is well-deserved for the dog. After all, Zzarr is the one digging around in the dirt and roaming through buildings looking for explosives, said Dee. 

“He does all the work. I have all the fun,” Dee said.  

Again, like Bush's speech, I was in a meeting when Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) spoke, so here's my late analysis:

Lieberman is now talking about Hurricane Gustav, and saying that it hurts all of us, because we're one family.  "The last thing we think about is whether one of the victims was a Democrat, or a Republican, because we're  all Americans."  Good quote.

"You know, the sad truth is--it shouldn't take a hurricane to bring us together like this."  I'm guessing that his moderate speech may not make a lot of Republicans happy.

He's now talking about gas prices and  threats from abroad.  He's talking about Americans seeing politicians "fighting each other rather than fighting for the American people."  Good quote, and he's playing up unity a LOT, something that may not go over well with the Republicans, but something that's definitely going to help McCain with the moderates.  Now he's going on to talk about George Washington warning future Americans about getting caught up in partisan fights.

"And that brings me directly to why I'm here to night.  What after all, is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican convention like this?"  And that one got a huge roar from the crowd - they really like him.  "Well, I'll tell you what, I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party."  A GREAT quote, and the crowd really liked that one.  And he's now swaying his message a little more to the conservative side, something that'll please the Republicans, but also still attract a lot of moderate voters who are watching his speech now.

"I am here tonight for a simple reason.  John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead America forward.  And dear friends, I am here tonight because John McCain's whole life testifies to a great truth: Being a Democrat or a Republican is important, but it is nowhere near as important as being an American."  Again, a great unity quote, but one that still doesn't anger the Republican base.

Now he's talking about both candidates ending partisan gridlock in Washington, and saying that only John McCain has actually shown that he will do this.

He's saying that John McCain thinks that it shouldn't take a natural disaster to teach politicians that people don't care about what party you're from, but that people just want their every-day problems solved.

John McCain will "put our country first" - and he said that that's something that John McCain has done every day.

He's talking about McCain doing campaign finance laws, and the 9/11 Commission, and national security reforms, all of these working across the aisle, as well as working across the aisle to get support for nominations of Supreme Court justices as well as other federal judges.

"My Democratic friends know all about John's record of independence and accomplishment.  And you see, that's why I think some of them are spending so much time and so much money trying to convince the American people that John McCain is someone else.  I am here to tell you what I think you know.  But I want to speak to the people out there--don't be fooled by some of these political statements and advertisements.  God only made one John McCain, and he is his own man."  And that got a HUGE response from the crowd.  And like I've been saying all throughout his speech, this  is  Lieberman trying to make John McCain look appealing to independents and undecideds.  Lieberman isn't at this convention to speak to Republicans.  He's at this convention to get media attention hoping that it'll catch the eyes and ears of people OUTSIDE of the convention hall.

"If John McCain was just another go-along partisan politician, he never would've taken on corrupt Republican lobyists, or big corporations that were cheating the American people or powerful colleagues in Congress who were wasting taxpayer money, but he did.  If John McCain was another go-along politician, he never would've led the fight to fix our broken immigration system or acutally do something about global warming, but he did.  As a matter of fact friends, if John McCain is just another partisan Republican, then I'm Michael Moore's favorite Democrat, and I'm not!"  That was a pretty good quote at the end.  And overall, it was good to consistently push McCain as a moderate and a reformer, although that point is getting a little old now.  The speech is seeming very redundant to me.

"And I think you know that I'm not.  Senator Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man" who can do great things for us in the future, but eloquence isn't a substitute for a good record, especially not during these tough times for America.  It was good for a Democratic caucuser to say that Obama is not experienced, especially since it came from one of his Senat colleagues.

"In the Senate [Obama] has not reached across party lines to accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic party to get something done."  That's good.  Not only is he showing what McCain has done to be a moderate, he's showing how Obama has NOT been a moderate.

Talking about contrasting Obam with Bill Clinton.  Saying at least Clinton accomplished welfare reform (I bet that wasn't too popular at the convention) and a balanced budget.

Now he's on to talking about Governor Palin, talking about her being a reformer and taking on special interest groups and reaching across party lines.  "She is a leader we can count on to help John shake up Washingotn."

"I sincerely believe that the real ticket for change this year is the McCain/Palin ticket."  And that's great - he's taking Obama's main point and saying that it shouldn't be Obama's point, but McCain's.

"The Washington beaurocrats and the power brokers are not going to be able to build a pen that will hold in these 2 mavericks.  It's just not possible.  Together, I think we can count on John and Sarah to fight for American and to fight for you, the American people, and that's what our country needs most right now."  It's good for him to use the maverick description, especially after so many people have said that McCain isn't really a maverick.

Talking about dangerous enemies in the world.  "What America needs now ... is not more party unity [but] more national unity."  A good quote that again appeals to the moderates.

He's talking about this being true because we're a country at war.  He's talking about McCain having "the guts and the judgment to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq" and about Obama wanting to cut funding from troops on the battlefield.  He's talking about McCain supporting the surge, and the surge was successful.  He's talking about troops coming home and coming home in honor, all because of the surge, and attributing a lot of that to McCain.  And that's someting that appeals to everybody.  Nobody (well almost nobody) dislikes the troops.

He's talking about McCain being liked and respected by leaders across the globe.  "John McCain will be a President our allies will trust and our enemies will fear, and that's the kind of President we need in today's world."  A great quote, again one that will appeal to everybod, since we've been seen as a country who's hurt our relationships with our allies.

"I want to speak directly to my fellow Democrats and independents ... I know many of you are angry and frustrated by our government and our politics today, and for good reason.  You may be thinking about voting for John McCain but you're not sure yet.  Some of you may never have voted for a Republican before, and frankly in an ordinary election, you probably never would.  But I want you to believe with me that this is no ordinary election ... because these are not ordinary times.  And trust me, John McCain is no ordinary candidate."  Good.  He's appealing to (and talking directly to) independents and Democrats, and doing a good job of trying to sway them over.

"You may not agree with John McCain on every issue, but you can always count on him to be straight with you on where he stands, and to stand for what he thinks is right for our country regardless of the politics. ... You can count on John McCain to be what he is naturally--a restless reformer who will clean up Washington and get our government working again for all of the American people."  Appealing to everybody as a whole, which in itself appeals to moderates - he's doing a good job, a bit redundant, but a good job.

"So tonight, I want to ask you, whether you are an independent, a Reagan Democrat, a Clinton Democrat, or just a plain old Democrat, this year, when you vote for President, vote for the person you believe is best for our country, not for the party you happen to belong to."  A great quote again - and that appeals to almost every Lieberman fan out there.  And that's something that EVERYBODY should do in EVERY election - dont' vote for the party!  Vote for the PERSON!

He's saying, vote for McCain, because he's always put America first.  "My friends, I appeal to Democrats, independents, and Republicans.  Let's come together this November to make a great Ameraican patriot, John McCain, our next great President.  Thank you.  God bless you, and God bless America."

And there you have it.  Joe Lieberman's speech, mainly targetted at Democrats and Independents, since, obviously, he's not going to sway many Republicans who haven't already been swayed.

Overall, I liked it, but it was kinda redundant.  Like President Bush's, I'll give this one an 8/10.

Done Analyzing,

Ranting Republican
:: :: :: :: ::

We've got Laura Bush talking right now, introducing her husband, President Bush.

President Bush comes on screen, from the White House.  He's talking about Hurricane Gustav, saying that it's good that the damage wasn't as bad as we feared it could be, and thanked the Governors of the states in  that region, and thanked volunteers.

"I want to share some thoughts about our nominee--a great American, and the next President of the United States, John McCain."

Now he's saying hello to his parents, who are at the convention.

He's talking about knowing what it takes to be President and detailing stuff he's done in and out of the Oval Office, from viewing reports to going overseas.

"John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices.  He is ready to lead this nation."  Good quote - showing the contrast between McCain and Obama, who the McCain camp is painting as not ready to lead.

You can tell he must be in a hurry.  He's cutting the audience off as they cheer, and they seem to be getting the hint that this speech can't go too long.

Now he's detailing McCain being looked up to in the Navy, and him making good choices there.

"As an elected public servant, he earned the respect of colleagues of both parties, as a man to follow when there's a tough call to make.  John McCain's life is a story of service above self.  40 years ago in an enemy prison camp, Lt. Commander McCain was offered release ahead of others who had been held longer.  His wounds were so severe, that anyone would've understood if he had accepted.  John refused.  For that selfless decision, he suffered nearly 5 more beatings and isolation.  When he was released, his arms had been broken, but not his honor."  And that got a huge response from the crowd.

"Fellow citizens, if the Hanoi Hilton could not break John McCain's resolve to do what is best for his country, you can be sure the angry left never will."  That's a great quote.  And Cindy McCain looks both so happy and so proud.

"John has the heart of a protector."  And that's a good contrast from showing him as a tough war hero to also a loving dad (he had been talking about the McCains as parents).

"John is a leader who knows that human life is fragile--that human life is precious--that human life must be defended."  And again, Cindy looks so proud.

"John is a steadfast opponent of wasteful spending."  And that one of the things I love about McCain, is his completely anti-pork stance.

Now he's talking about keeping tax relief permanent, and investing in energy technologies and lifting the ban off of offshore drilling.

"John is an independent man, who thinks for himself.  He's not afraid to tell you when he disagrees--believe me, I know!"  President Bush's face and mannerismsthere were pretty funny, and that got a pretty good laugh out of the crowd, but he makes a good point.  McCain has been willing to stand up for what he believes, something that's not seen too often in politics, especially when standing up for what you believe means disagreeing with a President who's a member of your own party.

"No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart."  Basically saying what I just said.

Now he's talking about the Democrats cutting funding for Iraq, Bush talking about using a surge of troops and McCain backing that decision.  And Cindy, again, looks so happy and proud.  And McCain was right, the surge worked!

"Some told him that his early and consistent call for more troops would put his presidential campaign at risk.  He told them that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war--that is the kind of courage and vision we need in our next commander and chief."  A great quote from McCain, and great use of it by Bush.

Talking about needing a President who will "stay on the offense" after September 11th.  "The man we need is John McCain."  Talking about terrorism, and keeping terrorist attacks from happening again.

"When he takes office next January, John will have an outstanding leader at his side.  America will have a strong and principled Vice President in the Governor of the great state of Alaska, Sarah Palin."  And it's good to show that Bush supports Palin as well.

"Americans have always lived on the sunrise side of the mountain.  We are a nation that looks to the new day with confidence and optimism.  And I'm optimistic about our future, because I believe in the goodness and wisdom of the American people.  I'm optimistic becauseI have faith in freedom's power to lift up all of God's children and lead this world to a future of peace.  And I am optimistic about something else.  When the debates have ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans will look closely at the judgment, the experience, and the policies of the candidates, and they will cast their ballots for the McCain/Palin ticket."  A lot of good quotes there.  It's basically taking the complete opposite imagery of what the Democrats have been painting - that Bush has lead us into this dark and gloomy time of American history.  Bush then comes and says that we're liek a sunrise, and that things are going to get better with McCain.  He's not trying to defend his Presidency, his focus is on McCain and that McCain is going to lead us through the hard times.

"Though I'm not with you in the Twin Cities on this wonderful night for our party, with Laura Bush speaking, you have clearly traded up."  Talking about Laura.  "Laura has been a fantastic First Lady.  Thank you Laura, and thanksto all of you in the hall tonight.  God bless you, and God bless America."

And there you have it - George Bush's speech.  It wasn't a GREAT speech, but it was a pretty good speech (actually better than what I figured it'd be for a Bush speech).  He got the party energized, and took people from being in this sad mood of the Hurricane into a happier mood.  He emphasized that McCain is our nominee and that he's proud that he's our nominee.  He's said that Sarah Palin is a great running mate, and he seems genuinly optimistic about November.

Overall, I'd give that speech an 8/10.

Done Analyzing,

Ranting Republican
:: :: :: :: ::

Sarah Palin has opened up more than a can of worms. The things she has said, done, or are continuing to do are akin to eruptions--not the "bimbo" eruptions that Bill Clinton's former chief of staff described--but personal and eruptions of questionable behavior and official actions while in office. Sarah Palin seems to be able to eviscerate her enemies and not draw blood. She double crosses long-time allies, lies, fires those with whom she disagrees, or who will not carry her water.

Palin's bubbly upbeat personality can easily distract the voters who might think she is an overly friendly self-described hockey Mom. But do not be fooled. If we don't defeat her and John McCain in November, our country will be in very serious trouble.

She has a simple-minded view of the world where black and white are the only colors she sees or that matter. Nuance is not a part of her vocabulary. Her fundamentalist Assemblies of God sanctified, holiness church has helped to shape her views of the world. She really believes the War in Iraq is guided by God. She actually said that in a speech she gave in her church earlier this year when she spoke to a group of soldiers on their way to Iraq.

She and her husband were once members of a group that advocates Alaskan independence from the U. S. Her husband was involved in the group for longer than the record shows she was involved. Of course, the McCain sweepers have attempted to sanitize her record, and deny her involvement for they now saw she was never a member. It is hard to stay one step ahead of this street sweeping crew as they remove everything they can find in her background on the Internet that would be embarrassing to John McCain.

It is still unclear to many as to whether she is a Babymama or a Baby grandmama. A lot of things about her story don't add up. For one, how could her water break while she was in Texas, then she said she hopped a plane, didn't tell the flight crew, flew for eight hours with a change of planes in Seattle, arrived back in Alaska, drove past two hospitals with neonatal units, and settled on one in her tiny hometown of Wasillu, population 8,000 or so that, by the way, does not have a neonatal unit.

Then, she went back to work three days later--after she gave birth to a little boy with Down Syndrome. If your mind is in a dizzying state, mine is too. This is the explanation she gave to the doubters back in Alaska months ago, who questioned why she waited until she was seven months pregnant to tell anyone including her office staff. Add to that the fact that she didn't look pregnant. This was a news story long before she was nominated by John McCain.

Her mother in law ran for mayor when Palin was stepping down as mayor of Wasillu. The one problem: she supported a woman's right to choose. Palin supported her mother-in-law's opponent who is anti-choice. Maybe that's why her mother-in-law told US magazine that she will probably vote for Barack Obama.

Sarah Palin is milking her daughter Bristol's pregnancy for all its worth. What self-respecting mother who loves her daughter would expose her vulnerabilities to the world? Why isn't she more concerned about the impact this is having, and will have on her child? She can't possibly think that a "shotgun" wedding for her seventeen year old with her eighteen year old boyfriend is the best option.

She is also milking her Down Syndrome infant son for all its worth as well. The far-right wing Republicans see her bringing this baby to term, and her daughter's out of wedlock pregnancy as a "message from God." I wouldn't hazard to guess what God thinks about this. Also, why is her pregnant daughter schlepping this infant around everyplace the family goes? Most people would have kept the baby in a hotel room where he could get his nap, eat, etc. This is no environment for an infant, and Sarah Palin knows it isn't. Ditto for parading her pregnant daughter everyplace.

Today, Levi Johnston, the sperm donor who impregnated Bristol Palin arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stay tuned folks for I am sure the media will put its spotlight on this high school senior who has a shotgun stuck to his head to ensure he marries poor Bristol. There should be a law against people like Sarah Palin.

And, I haven't even gotten to her firing the head of the state police because he wouldn't fire her ex-brother-in-law. Or, her being for the bridge to nowhere until
she was against it more recently. I must also write about how she once headed Senator Stevens' campaign committee until she fell out with him. The lady takes no prisoners.

This sordid mess is something to behold. Stay tuned because there's a lot more. Wagers are being taken on how long she will last in the campaign. What do you think?

]]> http://2lesbosgoinatit.wordpress.com/?p=1653 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:38:39 +0000 2lesbosgoinatit http://2lesbosgoinatit.wordpress.com/?p=1653 BREAKING NEWS!  3 Stories:

1.  GOP Pundits live MIC - Palin is Bullsh--

2.  Palin tried to force daughter to marry and she said no

3.  National Enquirer is investigating extramarital affair

Go to www.2lesbosgoinatit.wordpress.com to see all three stories.

Click below to watch a video of Sarah Palin speaking at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church on June 8, 2008.   Find the date June 8, 2008, under:   All Archived Services
 

Government and religion seem to mix well in the eyes and speeches of Sarah Palin.  

On June 8, 2008, Gov. Sarah Palin gave a speech to the graduating class of at her former church, the Wasilla Assembly of God.  These quotes should paint the picture of her leadership abilities much better than do photos of a baby bump.

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God."  

"That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

That's not all, Palin also asked the audience to pray for a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in Alaska.

"I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that."

Click here for another video of Pastor Kalnins directly talking about Palin as the VP

_____________________________________

Please visit us early and often at www.2lesbosgoinatit.wordpress.com

]]> http://riseuprochester.wordpress.com/?p=591 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:44:04 +0000 Andrew Slominski http://riseuprochester.wordpress.com/?p=591 [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Flickr user: Gala Iglesias Brickles "][/caption]

More evidence against lowering the drinking age

Even 21-year-olds struggle with alcohol consumption

Democrat and Chonicle Editorial - September 2, 2008

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More arguments continue to pour in against the push to lower the legal drinking age from 21 to 18.

A new study has confirmed what many already know — young people often binge drink or worse on their 21st birthdays. On average, men consume 12 drinks on their 21st birthday while women consume nine.

Sadly, it doesn't stop there. At the University of Texas-Austin, 12 of 152 students reported drinking 21 drinks on their birthdays. That's outrageous. And the dangerous habits extend beyond that one "celebratory" night. The study found that drinking and driving increased 6 percent in the two weeks after turning 21.

But going all out once a young person is finally "legal" has become an expected ritual. Drinking in today's culture is pervasive.

Take, for example, the Iowa community college president who resigned last week after a photo surfaced of him appearing to pour beer into a young woman's mouth.

Such stats and stories make the push to lower the drinking age by 129 college presidents so disturbing. Luckily, others, such as New York's Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, head of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, are speaking out.

College presidents such as Joel Seligman, too, are fighting the change. But such officials, and parents too, need to offer solutions. Even at 21, young people are struggling with the responsibility that comes with alcohol consumption. That's where the focus should be, not on lowering the legal age.

Again, this article is laughable because its 'evidence' is actually being championed by those on my side of the issue as proof that the age needs to be lowered! This paternalism by the Democrat and Chronicle makes me sick. The best responses that I hear on a regular basis to this type of argument are usually along the lines of this comment by appoggiatura:

How do you people have the nerve to say that anyone 18 years old is Mature enough to Serve - and possibly Die for their Country - and then turn around and state that the same individual is NOT Mature enough to drink alcohol??!! Preposterous!!

You people like to talk out of both sides of your mouths!! Its time you came down on one side of this issue of the other; you CAN'T have it BOTH WAYS!!

ANYONE OLD ENOUGH TO SERVE & DIE IS OLD ENOUGH TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL. PERIOD.

I certainly didn't serve my country in uniform while I was studying abroad, but I did act as an ambassidor for my country. I can empathize with how these servicemen and servicewomen must feel because I felt like a second-class citizen after returning to the US. I had been able to drink legally for four months, only to return and be treated like a criminal in my own country. Outrageous!

Dear Em

Here we are after a 13 or 14 mile hike. I am feeling fine. We are sertainly roughing it now. Expect to hit Las Crusas Friday. We didn’t have hardly any thing to eat all day yesterday but tonight at about 8 oclock we got some bacon and coffee and say it was great. Don’t think Im crying for it isnt going to last forever, but beleive me I will be glad when we hit Fort Sheldon. This is a funny little town.

Sam

© Copyright 2008 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.

To continue reading this article from the New York Times click here

The Tigers have been waging a decades-old war against Colombo

Forty two Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in fresh fighting with security forces in Sri Lanka, the military says.

Five soldiers were also killed in battles which took place on frontlines in the north of the island on Sunday.

The military has advanced rapidly into rebel-controlled territory to crush the rebels and end their fight for a separate state for the Tamil minority.

The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east for 25 years.

More than 70,000 people have died in the fighting.

Sunday was a heavy day of fighting in northern Sri Lanka, according to the military's spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara.

He said soldiers were trying to inflict the maximum number of casualties on the Tamil Tigers.

Surge in fighting

The bloodiest battle of the day was in Vavuniya, he said, where 18 rebels were killed as well as one soldier.

In Kilinochchi district, troops captured 500 metres of the Tigers' defences and killed another seven rebels. Three soldiers died there.

And in government-controlled Anuradhapura special forces troops killed what Brig Nanayakkara described as 10 rebels who were trying to infiltrate, with the loss of one soldier.

There were more confrontations in Mullaitivu, and Jaffna, also in the north.

The Tamil Tigers have not commented on the military's claims - with journalists barred from the conflict zone they cannot be independently verified.

Fighting has intensified in Sri Lanka in recent months as soldiers have advanced, aiming to crush the rebels and win the war which began a generation ago.

Tens of thousands of people have fled further in Tiger-controlled areas.

Over the weekend the rebels said the military had fired a shell which killed five civilians in a makeshift camp, including two small children.

The military denied the accusation.

The DMZ is the "border" between South and North Korea, which are actually still at a state of war, and only have a cease fire to stop the fighting that started with the Korean War. So while I was at the DMZ it would have been possible for the war to resume, which would have been dangerous. There have been several incidents where fighting between the ROK army (Republic of Korea/South) and the KPA (Korean People's Army/North) has actually occured. These were explained to us by the soldiers that guided us around the DMZ. I won't go into those, but I will say that being at the DMZ was a very strange experience.

For many years it seems like North Korea has been such a dire enemy and it was a bit odd to see some of the KPA soldiers in person. Wasn't so much frightening as just unsettling. I even went onto North Korean soil, in the conference room where the UN flag is flown. We also saw 'Propaganda Village', where the world's biggest flag is. It is called 'Propaganda Village' because no one actually lives there, even though there are buildings and every night propaganda is played over speakers to tell the South Koreans to defect to the North. Soldier of Fortune magazine also put a $1,000,000 bounty on a square meter piece of that flag, which the American soldier guiding us told us, and we all laughed and tried to figure how to do it, but unfortunately it is pretty difficult.

Anyways, I think this is a good time to show off the pictures as they are pretty interesting themselves.

The large building in the back is the main North Korean building and the blue ones are conference rooms

A KPA soldier watching us (we weren't allowed to point or make any gestures towards them)

The cement thing going across in the middle is the exact location of the border, and those are two ROK soldiers

That is our American soldier that guided us around the DMZ... he was pretty cool

This is the main conference table and a U.N. flag on the right. All the soldiers there are actually working for the U.N. but the Americans are in charge of them. I was also technically in North Korea when I took this picture.

All the ROK/US soldiers at the DMZ wear these armbands. I just thought they looked pretty cool and thats the only real significance of that.

Here is 'Propaganda Village'. That is the big flag, and the nice looking town that nobody lives in.

These now rusty signs mark the border between the countries, and they are positioned about every 50 meters along the entire border.

Here is a picture of North Korea, taken from a vantage point.

Kremlin critic shot in Ingushetia

Yevloyev's website is said to be one of the most visited for Ingush news

The owner of an internet site critical of the Russian authorities in the volatile region of Ingushetia has been shot dead in police custody.

Magomed Yevloyev, owner of the ingushetiya.ru site, was a vocal critic of the region's administration.

The Russian prosecutor's office said an investigation into the death had been launched, Russia media report.

A post on Yevloyev's site says he was detained by police after landing at the airport of the main town, Nazran.

The website owner was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

Reports quoting local police said Yevloyev had tried to seize a policeman's gun when he was being led to a vehicle. A shot was fired and Yevloyev was injured in the head.

Fierce critic

Yevloyev was a thorn in the side of Ingush President Murat Zyazikov, a former KGB general.

His website reported on alleged Russian security force brutality in Ingushetia, an impoverished province of some half a million people, mostly Muslims, which is now more turbulent than neighboring Chechnya.

President Zyazikov had been on the same flight as Yevloyev.

Ingushetia borders Chechnya and has suffered from overflowing unrest.

There is a low-level insurgency, with regular small-scale ambushes against police and soldiers.

In June 2008, the Human Rights Watch group accused Russian security forces there of carrying out widespread human rights abuses.

HRW said it had documented dozens of arbitrary detentions, disappearances, acts of torture and extra-judicial executions.

Indian floods cut off thousands

Half a million people in the Indian state of Bihar remain stranded in villages which have been devastated by massive flooding, officials say.

Correspondent reports chaotic scenes as soldiers try to reach those cut off and people attempt to scramble from rooftops into rescue boats.

With 1.2 million people homeless, India is struggling to cope with the crisis.

The flood waters are spreading to new areas, and conditions in relief camps are overcrowded and unsanitary.

The floods are known to have killed at least 75 people in Bihar but the death toll could climb once the situation in remote areas emerges.

Tens of thousands of people have also been displaced in neighboring Nepal where some of those who have lost their homes are camping under plastic sheets.

Disorganization

Visiting the Bageecha relief camp in Purnea, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder could find no camp co-ordinator or government official in charge of distributing aid.

Trucks and vans carrying relief material stood parked on the highway as volunteers waited to be organised.

Several tonnes of aid had arrived but the volunteers were not quite sure how to distribute it.

The situation was symptomatic of what was happening across Bihar's flood-affected areas, our correspondent says.

The disaster began on 18 August when a dam burst on the Saptakoshi river in Nepal.

The Saptakoshi, which becomes the Kosi when it enters India, subsequently broke its banks in Bihar.

Officials in Nepal say hundreds of people there have been hit by illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia and an estimated 50,000 are homeless.

They say nearly 1,000 houses have been completely destroyed. Power supplies and transport have been severely affected.

The costs to the economy are now estimated at one billion Nepalese rupees ($14.25m).