Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Help Us Free Sergeant Jermaine Nelson

Here we go again! Yet another member of the United States military being thrown under the bus, and justice denied. From The Warrior Legacy Foundation comes this:

Sgt Jermaine Nelson is the last of three decorated combat Marines charged with killing jihadists during the 2004 battle for Fallujah, Iraq.

Sgt Nelson was a member of the 3/1 Marines from Camp Pendleton, a storied and highly decorated ground-fighting unit. A brand new Corporal at that time, Cpl Nelson's job was to search house to house, on foot, in a 'seek and destroy' mission against jihadists who had flooded the city specifically to kill and conduct a holy war against the Marines. During the battle on 9 November 2004, four military-aged jihadist males were found barricaded in a house, shooting at Cpl Nelson and his team...

Please read and sign the petition to drop the charges against Sergeant Nelson:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sgtnelson/index.html

More information at BlackFive:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/06/free-sergeant-nelson.html

Also, you can join the Free Sergeant Nelson page on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FREE-SGT-NELSON/121649335305?ref=ts

Thank you!

You all know what needs to be done here. Let's all demand justice - again!


SEMPER FI.

Monday, June 29, 2009

For Paul Edward Boston, Sr

Rest in peace:



With faith and love.

Stand by me: For Iran


A supporter of defeated presidential candidate Mousavi is beaten by government security men as fellow supporters come to his aid during riots in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo) - via The Big Picture - Boston.com

From American Digest:

The Furies of Iran

Out of the tsunami of images, videos, rumors and reports that wash over the web during these days of Iranian resistance, this single image of a fleeting moment arrested my attention. Clicking on it will make it larger and allow you to see the expressions of the women closing in on the ayatollah's thugs. And in that flickering instant you will see what all injustice and repression fears from the people it oppresses, the emergence of The Furies.

Always female and dating back to the Age of Myth, the Furies were the agents of Nemesis:

The [Furies] Erinyes often stood for the rightness of things within the standard order.... Predominantly, they were understood as the persecutors of mortal men and women who broke natural laws. In particular, those who broke ties of kinship through murdering a mother (matricide), murdering a father (patricide), murdering a brother (fratricide), or other such familial killings brought special attention from the Furies.
Here three goons beat a man on the ground with long truncheons. A fourth man turns from the beating as he hears the shrieks close on him from the hijab-draped women. We don't know what is being said, but we can infer from the expressions and the gestures that these women have determined not to let this particular fratricide go forward.

The woman directly confronting the turning thug is especially revealing. She wears glasses and is certainly not the sort that one would think capable of bravery or violence. And yet she raises a bare hand high as if to strike this man who outweighs her and is certainly schooled in torture and murder by the regime. Behind this courageous woman come others also determined, also outraged, also, in a word, furious.

What happened after this moment? We cannot know unless the rooftop photographer can be found and we can see the other frames that came after. The goons could have turned on the women and beaten them. The goons, seeing themselves outnumbered and others arriving in the background, could have retreated to beat and kill another days. All we have now is this instant and the history that will ripple outward from it, for better or worse, in Iran over the coming days and months.... (This really IS a must read - and to see the BIG picture, which I had trouble downsizing - go here)





From American Digest:
"On June 24, Iranian Superstar Andy Madadian went into an LA recording studio with Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and American record producers Don Was and John Shanks to record a musical message of worldwide solidarity with the people of Iran. This version of the old Ben E. King classic is NOT FOR SALE. It was not meant to be on the Billboard charts or even manufactured as a CD. It's intended to be downloaded and shared by the Iranian people to give voice to the sentiment that all people of the world stand together. The handwritten Farsi sign in the video translates to 'We Are One". If you know someone in Iran - or someone who knows someone in Iran - please share this link."

Share it even if you don't. Reblog it if you can. Push the view count. (here)

We ARE ONE!

H/T to Sylvia.

Sounds of Silence


The most recent statement that I could find from the UN on the atrocities in Iran:

New York, 22 June 2009 - Statement attributable to the Secretary-General on Iran

The Secretary-General has been following with growing concern the situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and is dismayed by the post-election violence, particularly the use of force against civilians, which has led to the loss of life and injuries. He calls on the authorities to respect fundamental civil and political rights, especially the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of information. The situation in Iran is of concern to the international community, and the Secretary-General calls on the Government and the opposition to resolve peacefully their differences through dialogue and legal means. He urges an immediate stop to the arrests, threats and use of force. The Secretary-General reiterates his hope that the democratic will of the people of Iran will be fully respected. (here)

From the EU:

The EU's swift support for Britain over the embassy arrests raised the stakes as the regime continues to pin the blame for the unrest on foreign meddling.

"Harassment and intimidation would meet a strong and collective EU response," foreign ministers said in Corfu.

"Obviously the regime is trying to preserve its position by very harsh repression," said Carl Bildt, Sweden's foreign minister, whose country takes over the EU's rotating presidency on 1 July. "But that cannot hide the fact that this is a weakened regime. It has lost legitimacy both internally and externally."

From the Guardian in London (England):

Iran warned by EU after British embassy workers arrested

Iran was warned of a "strong and collective" EU response to the arrest of local staff working at Britain's embassy in Tehran, which was also condemned by the foreign secretary in the latest spat over post-election unrest.

David Miliband denied allegations that Iranian employees of the embassy had played a "significant role" in clashes between security forces and demonstrators complaining about the "theft" of the presidential poll.

"We have protested in strong terms, directly to the Iranian authorities, about the arrests," Miliband said. "The idea that the British embassy is somehow behind the demonstrations and protests that have been taking place in Tehran … is wholly without foundation." (here)

The Canadian Prime Minister on Iran:

22 June 2009
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following statement today on the situation in Iran:

“The reaction of the Iranian authorities to the demonstrations in Iran is wholly unacceptable. The regime has chosen to use brute force and intimidation in responding to peaceful opposition regarding legitimate and serious allegations of electoral fraud.

“Basic human rights, including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, are being ignored. Demonstrations have been banned and demonstrators beaten. Injured protestors have been arrested when they arrive at hospitals for treatment. Journalists have been prevented from covering protests and subjected to arbitrary detention and arrest. Foreign press credentials have been revoked.

“Canada calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately cease the use of violence against their own people, to release all political prisoners and journalists – including Canadians – who have been unjustly detained, to allow Iranian and foreign media to report freely on these historic events, and to conduct a full and transparent investigation into allegations of fraud in the presidential election. The voices of all Iranians must be heard. I have directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure that Canada’s views are conveyed to Iran’s top representative in Canada.” (and there is more here)

The White House on Iran:

SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH, 2009 AT 4:18 PM

The President's Statement on Iran

Posted by Macon Phillips

Today, President Obama made the following statement concerning Iran:

The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights....(and yes, that is the most recent I could find, here)

And I found excerpts of an interview BO did on CBS on the 19th:

CBS News Harry Smith sat down with President Barack Obama in an exclusive interview. This is a partial transcript of the President's remarks on Iran. More of the interview will air Monday morning on the CBS Early Show.

Q: Let's move on to news of the day. The Ayatollah Khamenei gave his - speech today and gave his sermon. He said that the election in Iran was, in fact, legitimate. He said, quote/unquote, "the street - street demonstrations are unacceptable." Do you have a message for those people in the street?

A: I absolutely do. Well, first of all, let's understand that this notion that somehow these hundreds of thousands of people who are pouring into the streets in Iran are somehow responding to the West or the United States. that's an old distraction that I think has been trotted out periodically. And that's just not gonna fly.

What you're seeing in Iran are hundreds of thousands of people who believe their voices were not heard and who are peacefully protesting and - and seeking justice. And the world is watching. And we stand behind those who are seeking justice in a peaceful way....

And I'm very concerned based on some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made that the government of Iran recognize that the world is watching. And how they approach and deal with people who are, through peaceful means, trying to be heard will, I think, send a pretty clear signal to the international community about what Iran is - and is not.

But the last point I want to make on this - this is not an issue of the United States or the West versus Iran. This is an issue of the Iranian people....

And, you know, we respect Iran's sovereignty. And we respect the fact that ultimately the Iranian people have to make these decisions. But I hope that the world understands that this is not something that has to do with the outside world. This has to do with what's happening in Iran. And, I think ultimately the Iranian people, will obtain justice... (here - and yes, the emphasis is mine, and yes, you know there is more. )

Oh, and of COURSE, the msm is complicit in this silence. From Canada Free Press I found this piece:

Pantywaist liberals were caterwauling about toning down the rhetoric so as not to pique oppressive dictators

Sorry Neda, We Have a Pedophile to Worship

By Joy Tiz Friday, June 26, 2009

For previous generations, the question: “Where were you when Kennedy was shot” has served as a conversation starter as well as a catalyst for exploration of a shared history. It would seem that the quintessential question will soon be: “where were you when you found out Michael Jackson was dead?”? For the record, I was at the gym. Credulous, I trusted that the Jackson story would get a few minutes of coverage before Bret Baier returned. My jejune confidence that Charles Krauthammer would momentarily be providing commentary about actual news was hastily crushed. Abstrusely, Fox News brought Shepard Smith in to cover this astounding turn of events.... Americans know far more about Michael Jackson than they do about the history of Iran and its relationship to the United States. Most of what America knows is wrong, having been subjected to pertinacious propaganda in Ayers’ based public education. Which is why the interest in the life and death of Neda Agah-Soltan was so facilely dwarfed by the opulent freak show that surrounds Michael Jackson. Neda was the beautiful young Iranian woman who was gunned down in the streets of Tehran for the crime of showing up. She showed up to take a stand for freedom and took a bullet in the neck for her aspirations. A relative in the United States had cautioned Neda not to attend any demonstrations, telling her “They’re killing people.” To which the lionhearted and prescient Neda replied: “Don’t worry, it’s just one bullet and its over.”...(more here - go read!)

As the Iranians who bravely tried to keep the news coming out of Iran via twitter etc, have been rounded up and brutally silenced, the international community is also deafening in their silence. Just given the excerpts of BO's speech above, it is OBVIOUS to me that he and his minions have no clue what is at stake here, both for the Iranian people, nor the international community.

As BO began his campaign for the Presidency (you know, the campaign that never ends...) much was made of who was more qualified to answer the 3AM call when it came. Seems to me that no-one in the WH is minding the store, or answering the phone.

Meanwhile, some are doing more than yeoman efforts to "bear witness." Be sure to check out Atlas Shrugs for ongoing updates, here.

I don't have either the military or diplomatic answers to this state of affairs. I am not suggesting for one minute that anyone in the west go flying in there guns blazing, BUT when the terrorised citizens of Iran plead with us for help, is silence going to be our answer? Maybe the UN needs to hold a few more "debates" on the morality of it all. Pfffffffft!

The madmen who are the public face of the brutality are laughing at the rest of the world, up-ing the ante every time they open their mouths. First attempting to deflect responsibility by asserting that it is the Brits and the Americans who are leading the Iranian "protestors", to now arresting British embassy employees, all the while murdering their own people.

It is said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. From where I sit, watching the agony of the murder and mayhem going on in Iran, the human race - the international community - have learned NOTHING!

Silence (or worse, meaningless bafflegab) is NOT an option.

Good question: Should you trust a government....?

From Canada Free Press comes this one:

The Government Can’t Even Spell ‘Health’ Right

By Matthew Vadum Sunday, June 28, 2009

It appears the U.S. government can’t even spell health correctly, as shown in the below screen grab from government propaganda website HealthReform.gov. ("The Heallth Care Status Quo: Why America Needs Health Reform")

Should you trust the government to properly manage something it --with literally trillions of dollars at its disposal to hire writers and editors-- can’t even spell right?

Go over and check it out here. My answer, of course, is NO! You should not trust this government. Mind boggling.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Every Day Hero

Marcus Luttrell

Surrounded and severely outnumbered in combat, you can either give up or fight to the death. Petty Officer Luttrell and three other SEALs faced that decision in the hills of Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. A SEAL never gives up.

The team, which included Lt. Michael Murphy and Petty Officers Matt Axelson and Danny Dietz, had been sent on a covert mission to find and kill a Taliban leader. As the SEALs scoured the area, they encountered three civilians who Luttrell believes alerted Taliban fighters. About an hour later, approximately 80-100 Taliban fighters appeared and began a ferocious assault. As the small team fought back, a Chinook helicopter arrived in support – but was shot down by the enemy, killing all 16 men on board.

The SEALs realized that their odds of survival were slim – but their training and sense of honor told them to take out as many enemies as they could. By the end of a two-hour gunfight that careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Axelson, and Dietz had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead. Luttrell managed to escape the carnage – badly injured – and slowly crawl away down the side of a cliff.

Dehydrated, with a bullet wound to one leg, shrapnel embedded in both legs, three vertebrae cracked; the situation for Luttrell was grim. Rescue helicopters were sent in, but he was too weak and injured to make contact. Traveling seven miles on foot, he eventually reached a village where he was put under “lokhay warkawal,” is Pashtun-walai tribal law for the protection of the villagers, who fed him and cleaned his wounds. In short order, one of the villagers made his way to a Marine outpost with a note from Luttrell, and U.S. forces launched a massive rescue operation that pulled him from enemy territory. To this day, Luttrell remains indebted to the villagers who risked their lives in his defense. As he told The Washington Post, “In the middle of everything evil, in an evil place, you can find goodness. Goodness. I’d even call it godliness.”

Luttrell was the “Lone Survivor” of the events of June 28, 2005. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. (Go here for links to more of this amazing story. And be sure to check out Soldiers' Angels Germany for names you should NEVER forget..)


I know he has heard it before - many times - but: Thank YOU for your service, Sir!




Matthew G. Axelson; Daniel R. Healy, James Suh, Marcus Luttrell, Shane E. Patton, and Lt. Michael P. Murphy prior to the battle. (H/T Haole on FB..)

Music and Me

Saturday, June 27, 2009

"...light – for truth, hope and celebration..."








Found a great story, I must share:

New candlesticks to illuminate Armed Forces Day in Iraq

22 June 2009

Metal smiths deployed to Iraq to repair armoured vehicles have crafted a set of candlesticks for the camp church especially for an Armed Forces Day church service.

Padre John Durant chaplain to the Joint Force Logistic Component based in Kuwait commissioned the set of four candlesticks for St John the Baptist’s Chapel in the British base.

The dedication will coincide with a special service for the morning of Armed Forces Day on 27 June.

Padre John said:

The theme for the service is going to be light – for truth, hope and celebration. The chapel doesn’t have a set of candlesticks so I thought it would be appropriate to have some made....


Go read the rest here.

Armed Forces Day 2009





(and yes, if you really listen, you'll hear ME singing along...lol)

England is STILL the "Land of Hope and Glory", thanks to our brave military!


THANK YOU! You are all my heroes!

Friday, June 26, 2009

"There is no turning back,"








From Israel National News:

Iranian Dissident: Dear Israeli Brothers and Sisters - Help Us!


by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz

(IsraelNN.com)
Iranian anti-regime activists are hoping for an Israeli technological hand to help them fight the Islamic Republic. As of now, hundreds of protesters have been killed by the regime, which is evidently using Arabic-speaking armed thugs from Hizbullah to help perpetrate the violence.

"Dear Israeli Brothers and Sisters," writes Iranian dissident Arash Irandoost, "Iran needs your help more than ever now. And we will be eternally grateful. Please help opposition television and radio stations which are blocked and being jammed by the Islamic Republic (Nokia and Siemens) resume broadcast to Iran.

There is a total media blackout and Iranians inside Iran for the most part are not aware of their brave brothers and sisters fighting and losing their lives daily. And the unjust treatment and brutal massacre of the brave Iranians in the hands of the mullah's paid terrorist Hamas and Hizbullah gangs are not seen by the majority of the Iranians. Please help in any way you can to allow these stations resume broadcasting to Iran....



Read more here.

*Be sure to check Atlas Shrugs here for updates*

"She died on the streets to say something."











The header is part of an interview Dr Arash Hejazi gave about the death of Neda on the bloody streets of Iran. He is the man who tried to save her, as her blood ran through his fingers:

Iran doctor tells of Neda's death

"We heard a gunshot. Neda was standing a metre away from me... I saw blood gushing out of her chest"

The doctor who tried to save an Iranian protester as she bled to death on a street in Tehran has told the BBC of her final moments.

Dr Arash Hejazi, who is studying at a university in the south of England, said he ran to Neda Agha-Soltan's aid after seeing she had been shot in the chest.

Despite his attempts to stop the bleeding she died in less than a minute, he said.

Video of Ms Soltan's death was posted on the internet and images of her have become a rallying point for Iranian opposition supporters around the world.

Dr Hejazi also told how passers-by then seized an armed Basij militia volunteer who appeared to admit shooting Ms Soltan.

Dr Hejazi said he had not slept for three nights following the incident, but he wanted to speak out so that her death was not in vain.

He doubted that he would be able to return to Iran after talking openly about Ms Soltan's killing....

Dr Hejazi is a brave man for breaking the deafening silence that the regime is trying to impose on the people of Iran. Go watch a video of his interview, and read text excerpts, on the BBC here.

Stay tuned. TRUTH will not be silenced.

H/T Blake

Thursday, June 25, 2009

3 years is too long!

*Cross-posted from Monkey in the Middle*

3 Years Is Too Long!



June 25, 2009 will be the 3rd anniversary of the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit. 3 years of being a POW. Yet in his case the International Red Cross is not allowed to visit, the world's media (excluding the media in Israel) is silent, and the leaders of the world are more concerned with recognizing Hamas (the kidnappers) and not one lone Israeli soldier.

It was Yelena Bonner, the widow of Andrei Sakharov who brought up Gilad's plight to the public forum in a speech given at the Oslo Freedom Forum:
Why doesn’t the fate of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit trouble you in the same way as the fate of the Guantanamo prisoners?

You fought for and won the opportunity for the International Committee of the Red Cross, journalists, and lawyers to visit Guantanamo. You know prison conditions, the prisoners’ everyday routine, their food. You have met with prisoners subjected to torture. The result of your efforts has been a ban on torture and a law to close this prison. President Obama signed it in the first days of his coming to the White House…

But during the two years Shalit has been held by terrorists, the world human rights community has done nothing for his release. Why? He is a wounded soldier, and fully falls under the protection of the Geneva Conventions. The Conventions say clearly that hostage-taking is prohibited, that representatives of the Red Cross must be allowed to see prisoners of war, especially wounded prisoners, and there is much else written in the Geneva Conventions about Shalit’s rights.

The fact that representatives of the Quartet conduct negotiations with the people who are holding Shalit in an unknown location, in unknown conditions, vividly demonstrates their scorn of international rights documents and their total legal nihilism. Do human rights activists also fail to recall the fundamental international rights documents?

And yet I still think (and some will find this naive) that the first tiny, but real step toward peace must become the release of Shalit. Release - and not his exchange for 1,000 or 1,500 prisoners who are in Israeli prisons serving court sentences for real crimes.

Returning to my question of why human rights activists are silent, I can find no answer except that Shalit is an Israeli soldier, Shalit is a Jew. So again, it is conscious or unconscious anti-Semitism. Again, it is fascism.
Gilad Shalit is a Jew. That is why the world accepts Hamas' continued captivity of Sgt. Shalit. Dr. Bonner saw the truth, when will the rest of the world see it.

Dhimmi Carter has suggested to President Obama that Hamas be taken off the terror group list. Perhaps President Obama do so when and if Hamas releases Sgt. Shalit first. It would be a gesture on Hamas' part that they are willing to become civilized and follow international law. Until that they must be kept on the terror group list.

Not once during President Obama speech to Muslims that he gave in Egypt did he mention Gilad Shalit. Not once. Isn't it about time that he did.

And isn't it about time you did too. You can. For the next 24 hours go onto Twitter, Facebook and other networking sites and shout out about this injustice. A Soldier's Mother has done just that with:
We MUST get #Gilad to the top on Thursday! Spread it using RT Facebook, LinkedIn – email. Please Thursday remember #Gilad!"
Let us all make Thursday Gilad Shalit Day.

It is time to bring Sgt. Shalit home. Let it be soon!

There are also links to other related stories at Monkey in the Middle here.

"Honor Their Service" Troopathon TODAY!


“Honor Their Service” 2nd Annual Troopathon



Last Year, on June 26th 2008, Move America Forward held our first ever 'Troopathon' titled “From the Front Lines.” Altogether, our first troopathon raised over$ 1.5 million dollars in a single night to send care packages to the troops and it was the largest single care package shipment to troops in history.

This year Move America Forward hopes to shatter that record and send an even bigger message of support to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. This, our second annual troopathon is titled "Honor Their Service" check it out at http://www.troopathon.org



Move America Forward has also just added "Honor Their Service" 2009 Troopathon care packages to the Campaign Store! The push starts now! Order care packages for the troops and be part of the new record for largest shipment ever! (here)

From a recent FB release:

MAF is currently putting together a sequel to last year's spectacularly successful webathon which raised over $1.5 million for care packages for our troops. This year we will again feature many of the biggest names in the pro-troop community and the conservative movement as well as members of our military so we can get the story straight from the people who know it best. Andrew Breitbart, and Melanie Morgan will be hosts and we'll broadcast live from the Reagan Presidential Library. See all the details and get into the studio audience at http://www.troopathon.org/

***

As always, it's fast and easy to sponsor a care package online. (Troopathon packs here: http://tinyurl.com/n87hzb ) Pick the size you'd like to sponsor and we will ship packages full of great products on your behalf to service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please include a personal message and your address so the troops can write back.




Let's get 'er done!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Unimaginable Horror in Tehran Today


Remember I told you how worried I was when it became clear that all foreign media had been booted out of Iran? That is ALWAYS a classic gambit - prelude - when brutal regimes intend/plan to massacre their own. We have all seen that too many times throughout even recent history. NOW, I find this about Tehran TODAY. From ThreatsWatch comes this. Read and watch.:
Unimaginable Horror in Tehran Today

Iran has executed its Tiananmen Square. Baharestan Square has become synonymous with barbarity, cruelty, massacre and inhumanity.

An Iranian blogger (whose URL I will not publish) live blogging from Baharestan Square in central Tehran today captures but brief glimpses of the unimaginable horror that took place today. Bus loads of protesters were stopped and unloaded from their buses by "black-clad police" and literally herded. When the massing was sufficient, as the barely controllably distraught Tehran caller to CNN described first hand, hundreds of the regime's Basij thugs poured out of an adjoining mosque and commenced a massacre with axes, clubs, guns and gas.

From the live blogger's eyewitness account:

>More than 10.000 Bassij Milittias get position in Central Tehran, including Baharestan Sq.
>Army Helycopters flying over Baharestan and Vali Asr Sq.
>The streets, squares and around BAHARESTAN (Approx. South-eastern of Tehran) is swarming with military forces, civilian forces, the security motorists
>The croud have moved to the south of baharestan, the situation is bad, the shooting has started
>In Baharestan Sq. in the Police shooting, A girl is shot and the police is not allowing to let them help
>In Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping people like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher

This is the Iranian regime, wading into its own unarmed people and axing them to death, bludgeoning women (seen as the greatest threat to the regime) and throwing them to their deaths from pedestrian bridges. The same Iranian regime whose embassy officials are invited to American embassies around the world to celebrate on July 4th, of all things, a successful revolution.

This frantic phone call from a Tehran woman will break your heart as you consider our standard response has been "that there are sets of international norms and principles about violence" and that "the international community is watching." Part of yesterday's response by President Obama in a press conferences included "that there is a peaceful path that will lead to stability and legitimacy (of the Iranian regime) and prosperity for the Iranian people. We hope they take it." The Iranian theocratic regime clearly is not interested.



There is much more, and absolute proof of what Iran is really capable of. Go to ThreatsWatch NOW and read the rest here.

I am speechless right now, (and the words I COULD say are not fit for print) but I HOPE that BO has more than mealy mouthed platitudes to say about this. As the woman in the phone call says:

"You must help us. You should stop this. Help the people of Iran."

Are you listening BO? Are you?


"Then they came for me..." God help the Iranians.

For more go over to Atlas Shrugs here and read ALL the updates. Unfrigginbelievable.

H/T Blake.

Turn OFF the TV: Yes, you can!

As the All Barack Channel prepares to give BO yet another looooong (freebie, no doubt) commercial tonight, Canada Free Press has some thoughts:

Obama Reality Show coincides with the Death of Journalism, starring ABC

Those Dufus Television Commercials


By Judi McLeod Wednesday, June 24, 2009

imageThe best thing about President Barack Obama and the First Lady starring in their own political coup in tonight’ first state-run television presentation from the White House is you don’t have to watch it.

In a broadcast that could easily be entitled “Street Organizers Out of the Windy City Make Good”, Obama will do his made-for-TV savior of America’s health system gig with or without his Teleprompter.

Scheduled for 10 p.m., the Obama Reality Show coincides with the Death of Journalism, starring ABC. At least it wasn’t kept for the witching hour.

If you think there is something wrong with a national television network giving Obama an unchallenged infomercial, you are probably right wing, or an advocate of conspiracy theories with far too much imagination.

ABC News President David Westin, is here to tell you that it’s all above board and journalism’s finest hour.

You think that ABC moving its equipment right into the White House is not fair journalism?

Westin promises the exclusive will be “a thoughtful, respectful, and probing discussion of some of the issues raised by the calls for health-care reform”.

We will include a variety of perspectives coming from private individuals asking the President questions and taking issue with him, as they see fit,” Westin said.

“Sadly, some inside government and within the private sector see every issue as material for a sort of political high theatre, to be used to gain votes or energize political bases or simply to raise funds. I would have thought that a subject as important as the health care received by the American people would rise above this sorry spectacle. Our citizens need and deserve more. We are proud to be making a serious effort to go beyond mere punditry or stylized, bipolar debate; we are proud to work for a network and a company willing to devote valuable airtime to serious consideration of a subject so worthy.”...

Uhuh, I am not kidding! Your "Prime Time President" is still campaigning, but you CAN turn the television off. Yes, you can! The on/off switch on your tv is probably the cheapest healthcare measure Americans can take today.

Go read the rest of this piece at Canada Free Press here.

Wednesday Hero

Band Of Brothers
Band Of Brothers
U.S. Army

Something a little different this week. Instead of profiling a service member, Wednesday Hero will be profiling a movie. Band Of Brothers. It was a miniseries that aired on HBO in 2001. It follows Maj. Richard Winters, Cpt. Lewis Nixon and the men of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, aka E-Company or Easy Company on their march to Germany. From their training to their battles at Normandy and Bastogne, their liberation of the Kaufering IV concentration camp to their taking of Hitler's Eagle Nest. A great cast and great writing make this one of the best war movies ever made. But it is graphic in visuals and language. And parts of it may be hard to watch, but it is worth it.

What the men of E-Company did will never be forgotten. They are the heroes that helped the cause of freedom.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday Hero Logo

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Twitter for Gilad











I am NOT on twitter, but I know a lot of people are. Found a post over at A Soldier's Mother that asks all twitterers to do something very simple to show support for Gilad.



(picture courtesy of A Soldier's Mother)



We all want what Gilad's family wants; what all of Israel wants: let Gilad go home. It is now three years - 3 years - since Gilad was kidnapped.

PLEASE, go now, read Soldier's Mother's very important post..here. If you need more convincing to do this small thing for Gilad, read A Soldier's Mother's preceding post:
Sunday, June 21, 2009

1093 Days and Counting

Today is the 1093rd day that Gilad Shalit has been in captivity, denied even the most basic rights of any soldier - to be in contact with his family, to hear from them and to let them know he is alive and well.

This Thursday, it will be 3 years. If you are on Twitter, please post using the hashtag #Gilad. Our goal is to push Gilad's name to the top of the trend tracker, which tracks the most talked about topics on Twitter. The pressue must mount, the world must demand that Gilad comes home.

On Thursday - Israel should close all the Gaza crossings in protest.

On Thursday - every Israeli ambassador in every country where we have an embassy, should pass a letter to the leaders of that country demanding that they do all they can to bring Gilad home.

On Thursday - everyone should call their government leaders, send an email or a fax.

On Thursday - say a prayer for Gilad, send a tweet with the hashtag #Gilad....


If you have forgotten who Gilad is, read the rest of this post here.


THEN this Thursday, please, twitter for Gilad. This we can do...

Are you a terrorist?


Came across a questionnaire you might take a look at:

Go here to take the test.

H/T MBVD

From the archives!


Those were the days, my friend?????

Because I am on "Brat-lite" posting these days..

Monday, June 22, 2009

LOVE our troops!

Troops currently based at KSF (Kuwait Support Facility) showed their support for the upcoming Armed Forces Day 2009.


Troops currently based at KSF (Kuwait Support Facility) showed their support for the upcoming Armed Forces Day 2009

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Buddy, can you spare












$5?
Yes, the resident of 1600 is STILL hot on the campaign trail; still with his hand out for a hand out from YOUR purse/wallet. This is the latest from my inbox :



We've seen a tremendous response to President Obama's email this week and, as of today, an important milestone is within reach -- 100,000 donors to OFA's health care campaign.

Many are new supporters who did not donate to last year's campaign but know how critical it is to end the broken status quo on health care.

Reaching 100,000 donors will send an unmistakable signal to the opponents of reform: the movement you built is prepared to knock on as many doors, call as many neighbors, and sacrifice as much time and energy as necessary to make health care reform a reality.

Please donate $5 or more today and put us over the top.

Thank you,

David Plouffe

---------Original Message---------
From: President Barack Obama
Subject: This is why

David --

Last year, millions of Americans came together for a great purpose.

Folks like you assembled a grassroots movement that shocked the political establishment and changed the course of our nation. When Washington insiders counted us out, we put it all on the line and changed our democracy from the bottom up. But that's not why we did it.

The pundits told us it was impossible -- that the donations working people could afford and the hours volunteers could give would never loosen the vise grip of big money and powerful special interests. We proved them wrong. But as important as that was, that's not why we did it.

Today, spiraling health care costs are pushing our families and businesses to the brink of ruin, while millions of Americans go without the care they desperately need. Fixing this broken system will be enormously difficult. But we can succeed. The chance to make fundamental change like this in people's daily lives -- that is why we did it.

The campaign to pass real health care reform in 2009 is the biggest test of our movement since the election. Once again, victory is far from certain. Our opposition will be fierce, and they have been down this road before. To prevail, we must once more build a coast-to-coast operation ready to knock on doors, deploy volunteers, get out the facts, and show the world how real change happens in America.

And just like before, I cannot do it without your support.

So I'm asking you to remember all that you gave over the last two years to get us here -- all the time, resources, and faith you invested as a down payment to earn us our place at this crossroads in history. All that you've done has led up to this -- and whether or not our country takes the next crucial step depends on what you do right now.

Please donate whatever you can afford to support the campaign for real health care reform in 2009.

It doesn't matter how much you can give, as long as you give what you can. Millions of families on the brink are counting on us to do just that. I know we can deliver.

Thank you, so much, for getting us this far. And thank you for standing up once again to take us the rest of the way.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

Donate





Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Monetary contributions to the Democratic National Committee are not tax-deductible.


Isn't this the man who crowed: "We won"?????? Notice the very small print at the end there?

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee

I am an alien, but seems to be me this constant begging for $5 "donations", is unprecedented in US political history? Am I wrong? Maybe they need all these $5 to pay for your "free" healthcare? And yes, I may be an alien, and NO, I am NOT Mickey (or Minnie) Mouse, but not one Bratville cent will I EVER donate to this bunch.

Pay attention, America.

Music and Me

For all the fathers who loved to dance with their children, and for those children who miss dancing with their daddies.


If I could get another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
How I'd love, love, love to dance with my father again...

If I could steal one final glance
One final step, one final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
'Cause I'd love, love, love to dance with my father again

And.........go over to Stars and Stripes here to see some of this year's Father's Day messages from the homefront to our military dads. Warning: take kleenex.

Voices of Iran : Neda



I really don't know where to begin with commentary about all that is going on in Iran today. Some would say I don't need to say anything, since the video above that I found on YouTube yesterday speaks far more forcefully than I ever could. THIS is what the face of Iran looks like today.

And the rest of us? Well, reports say that the Canadian Embassy in Tehran is closed for the weekend, and therefore not taking in the injured from Tehran streets as other embassies are reportedly doing. I don't know if this is true, but if it is I have to ask "why?":... Yes, embassies typically offer assistance to their own nationals abroad, BUT since when did non-political compassion need mandating for ANY embassy for ANY in need?

Of course, I am old enough to remember 1979 when our Ken Taylor quietly took in US citizens to the Canadian embassy. This was as Iranian "students" took over the US embassy. There was no public announcement of what Mr Taylor was doing, or the role of Canadian helping our allies. Only later did the world get to hear the harrowing details about what Canada had actually done to help. I hope and pray the Canadian embassy in Tehran IS stepping forward - even discreetly - to help the Iranian population. Compassion needs no national flag.

Then we come to the CBC. Yes, again. Turned on my radio to check out the content of the Sunday Morning national current affairs programme. Not one mention of Tehran or what is going on there. This may be a good thing, given the fuzzy commentary that comes from the CBC some days, but hello? Not even a five second acknowledgement, on a three hour programme, that blood is running in the streets of Tehran? My tax dollars at work.

Meanwhile, Neda becomes the human face of the brutality of the Iranian regime. As you all probably know by now, Neda means "voice" in Farsi, and these pictures of Neda gunned down in the streets will - I suspect - resonate as the "voice" of freedom for many Iranians.

Today, "they" came for the Iranians, and the president of the USA went for ice cream. Tomorrow? The insanity continues.

[Addendum: Be sure and check out FaultlineUSA's post here.]

Neda

And then there is this from today:

protests in tehran 21 june


Saturday, June 20, 2009

Voices of Iran: We are not afraid ...pray for us

Despite the regime's best efforts in Iran, to keep the world from seeing what is happening in Iraq, some brave souls ARE getting word out. Go here for a few pictures, (the BBC, ) and then read some first-hand accounts:

I was part of the protest in Valiasr Square....There were lots of female protestors - I saw a guard attack one women and then she went back up to him and grabbed him by the collar and said 'why are you doing this? Are you not an Iranian?' - he was totally disarmed and didn't know what to do but her actions stopped him....

***

Today is a different day. I and my friends may never return home. We want the world to at least picture our being killed on streets to help democracy in iran and save the world. Pray for us....

***

In Sattar Khan I saw with my own eyes two ordinary 40-year-old women being beaten severely with electric batons, for nothing but raising their voice in protest....

***

We will continue to protest and we have several reasons to do so. First because we demand our rights. Second because were not afraid. Third - we will not be fooled. And fourth - in this way, the true face of this regime will be revealed to the whole world....


Go read more here. And pray for the courageous people of Iran.

How to properly rig an election

Another GREAT piece from Monkey in the Middle:


This simple primer is being written for the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i and other despots. These are 6 very simple rules to follow, and in following them you are assured of continued power in your nation:

1. Invite any person, male or female, to run for the Presidency.

In doing this you signal to the world that your elections are fair and open to all viewpoints. You, the kind despot, know in advanced that these other candidates don't have a snowballs chance in Hell of winning, but to the world and your people, they will see you as a vehicle for change.

2. Hold open debates.

Let the candidates promise the people everything under the sky. You know that once the election is over, and your candidate has won the day, you can crack down hard on these reformers and dissents. That is why you have your penal system for. This is also a good way to discover those citizens of yours that are working behind the scenes to bring down your regime. ...


The rest IS a must-read, and you'll find it here.

Iran: Then and Now

As the world watches what is happening in Iran these days, it is hard to get a full picture. With foreign journalists either kicked out, or ordered to stay home - always a bad sign in any country who has things to hide from public view - a BBC journalist who was in Tehran in 1979, draws some interesting parallels/conclusions:

Iran police disperse protests


holds a pA supporter of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi holds up a picture during protests June 16, 2009
Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi have worn green ribbons in protest

After a week of unprecedented mass protests in Iran over the presidential election results, the BBC's John Simpson reflects on the parallels between the 1979 revolution and current events.

The last time I found myself in Valy Asr avenue in Tehran, shouldering my way through a shouting, sweating, half-excited, half-frightened crowd - in order to get television pictures of a fire that was sending up a column of choking black smoke into the sky - it was 1979 and I was 30 years younger.

Things have changed a bit now, of course.

Back then, people did not have mobile phones to hold up in the air and take snapshots or videos of what was going on and send them round the world.

There were not nearly so many young women among the demonstrators....


There is more at the Beeb here. In their sidebar, there are also many links to other relevant aspects of this latest 'revolution'. Last week I was reading a profile on Mousavi. Can't find it now (but am sure it was in the BBC) but what was interesting to me is a couple of comments that asserted that Mr Mousavi was not only heavily supportive of the 1979 taking of the US Embassy in 1979, but is also no 'softie', friend of the west, as some here would like to believe. An interesting man, his history deserves close scrutiny before we all jump on the Mousavi band-wagon.

I do not support the "victor" of this latest obviously rigged election. Ahmadinejad IS a crazy, anti-semitic lunatic; of this there can be no denial. He IS dangerous, but the alternative is not quite as benign, (or favourable to the west) as some commentators would have us believe.

I DO believe that there is a thirst for change within Iran, just as I also fervently believe that this change has to come from within Iran itself. This is - for now, at least - Iran's future to decide.

Dangerous times we live in. Stay tuned.

British WW1 vet the world's oldest man

UK man is world's oldest at 113

Henry Allingham with his great-great grandson Erik Carlson aged 3

World War I veteran Henry Allingham is the world's oldest man following the death of a 113-year-old in Japan, Guinness World Records has confirmed.

Mr Allingham, one of only two surviving WWI veterans in the UK and the last surviving founder member of the RAF, was born on 6 June 1896.

He was born in Clapton, London, and now lives at St Dunstan's Centre for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton.

Tomoji Tanabe died in his sleep at his home in southern Japan, aged 113.

Mr Tanabe was named as the world's oldest man in June 2007 and credited his longevity to drinking a daily glass of milk.

'Take in stride'

Mr Allingham's friend and chaperone, Dennis Goodwin, said: "It's staggering. [Henry] is philosophical.

"He will take it in his stride, like he does everything else.

"He withdraws in himself and he chews it over like he does all the things he has done in his life.

"That's his secret I think."...

There are some great pictures of Mr Allingham's life, starting with one when he was a little boy. One of my favourites, though, was this one:

Friday, June 19, 2009

A slice of home

I know, I know. I AM on sabbatical, with my foot up shrouded in an ice pack. The B*N*S*N service is working on a very light schedule these days, BUT I found something on Soldiers' Angels Germany that IS a must- read. Have I ever steered you wrong?

Get over there now and read A Slice of Home here.

And if you don't know already, that letter from a soldier will tell you WHY so many of us support our troops.

Get going and read. I am back to the couch.

Random Fact

In case you haven't noticed, over on my sidebar >>>>>>>>>> is a little embedded box that automatically generates many Random Obama Facts. Ever-changing (*gasp*), today's is a gem that I had to point out:


FACT: When Obama speaks about universal healthcare, the risk of cardiovascular diseases decreases by 58%, and the risk of cancer decreases by 60%.


Timely, yes?

On with regular programming...

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A MUST READ!

Nick, at Ranger Up, has a post up that everybody should read. I am not even going to excerpt it. Just go here and read it all.

Maybe one day I shall tell the story of a little English girl whose first meeting with American soldiers stayed with her until she was an (almost) old lady. A meeting that shaped and drove her future actions for our troops. The British and American troops are most certainly forces for GOOD in a dangerous world.

Bless them all.

H/T to Damon of Knee Deep in the Hooah.

The military Princes

Interesting article out of London (The England London, of course!):

Prince William and Prince Harry
Prince William has spoken of his desire to follow his brother Harry and fight on the front line

Prince William wants frontline duty

Sri Carmichael
18.06.09

Princes William and Harry spoke passionately today about their desire to serve their country in the armed forces - with the older royal hinting he would like to follow in his sibling's footsteps and fight on the front line.

The royal brothers made their comments as they held a photocall for the world's media to update them on the progress of their training to become military flyers.

William, 26, is well on the way to becoming an RAF search and rescue pilot while Harry, 24, is six months into a course to become an Army helicopter pilot.

Harry served for 10 weeks in Afghanistan last year and his elder brother hinted that he wished to emulate his achievement.

When asked if he thought an operational role was an impossibility, he replied: "In my mind, of course, you talk to everyone else and it's impossible. I still remain hopeful there's a chance."

William discussed his thoughts about serving in the Armed Forces, saying that he did not want to be mollycoddled.

He added: "I think as a future leader of the Armed Forces, it's really important you at least get the opportunity to be credible and to do the job I signed up for, as best I can. That's all I want to do.... [emphasis mine]


Read the rest here at the Evening Standard.

"I vowed ... to protect you."

That header is just a snippet of a speech President Bush gave in Michigan. Tried to find this on YouTube and couldn't, so instead am going to use CNN. Their story is dated 29 May, but it is still relevant. It is also - in my opinion - a welcome respite from the constant prime time all BO, all the time. Read on:
Bush defends interrogation program in Michigan speech
updated 2:22 a.m. EDT, Fri May 29, 2009
By Peter Hamby
CNN

BENTON HARBOR, Michigan (CNN)-- Former President George W. Bush on Thursday repeated Dick Cheney's assertion that the administration's enhanced interrogation program, which included controversial techniques such as waterboarding, was legal and garnered valuable information that prevented terrorist attacks.
Former President George W. Bush defended his administration in speech Thursday in Michigan.

Former President George W. Bush defended his administration in speech Thursday in Michigan.

Bush told a southwestern Michigan audience of nearly 2,500 -- the largest he has addressed in the United States since leaving the White House in January -- that, after the September 11 attacks, "I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you."

In his speech, Bush did not specifically refer to the high-profile debate over President Obama's decision to halt the use of harsh interrogation techniques. Bush also didn't mention Cheney, his former vice president, by name.

Instead, he described how he proceeded after the capture of terrorism suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in March 2003.

"The first thing you do is ask what's legal?" Bush said. "What do the lawyers say is possible? I made the decision, within the law, to get information so I can say to myself, 'I've done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."

Bush avoided the sharp tone favored by Cheney in recent weeks and stressed he does not want to disparage Obama.

"Nothing I am saying is meant to criticize my successor," Bush said. "There are plenty of people who have weighed in. Trust me, having seen it first-hand. I didn't like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor. I wish him all the best."

The former president was speaking to the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. In a change in format, he agreed to answer questions directly from the audience instead of responding to pre-submitted questions provided to a moderator....


Go read the rest here. It IS a must read, even for the detractors..

To me, it is a refreshing change from the current 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue resident, who is spending most of his time disparaging, criticising, his predecessor. I also believe that history WILL vindicate President Bush, no matter how many times BO blames President Bush for all that is wrong with America.

President Bush kept his promise. He DID protect America while he was in office. THAT is indisputable.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Hannah Garman: Mother and Child Reunion

Little Hannah - who I wrote about last year here and here - has now joined her mother "in the arms of the Angels..."


One of my favourite pictures of this precious little Angel..

Find more on Michelle Malkin here. [Addendum: Go to Hannah's Caring Bridge page here to read what her dad has to say in his latest posting]

Soar through the heavens, Hannah. Keeping all who love Hannah in my heart and prayers.

Wednesday Hero

Pvt. William Long
Pvt. William Long
23 years old from Conway, Arkansas
D Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry
June 1, 2009
U.S. Army

"My brother taught me valuable lessons and made me the man I am today," said Pfc. Triston Long, brother of Pvt. William Long. "My commander said, 'Make your brother one of us.' I will miss my brother with all that I am, and I serve in honor of him."

Pvt. William Long had just completed basic training and was set to ship out on June 8 to his first duty station in Korea when he and Private Second Class Quinton Ezeagwula were shot outside a Little Rock, Arkansas Army-Navy Recruiting Center by Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad. They were in Little Rock to speak to with potential recruits about their experiences.

Pvt. Long's father, Daris Long, a former Marine, wrote a letter to give to him when he shipped out for South Korea. In that letter he wrote, "Your day only ends when you’ve done your duty. You and your brother … are both heroes for having the moral courage to stand up when your country needs you most. You are in my hopes and my thoughts and my prayers. You are my son, you are my hero. I love you. Semper fidelis."

Along with his father and brother, Pvt. William Long is survived by his mother, Janet, who had served in the Navy herself.


All Information Was Found On And Copied From RedState, Sipsey Street Irregulars & Army Times with help from Kathi

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday Hero Logo

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Full Text of Netanyahu’s Speech










From Monkey in the Middle comes the full text of Netanyahu's major speech:



Honored guests, citizens of Israel.

Peace has always been our people’s most ardent desire. Our prophets gave the world the vision of peace, we greet one another with wishes of peace, and our prayers conclude with the word peace.

We are gathered this evening in an institution named for two pioneers of peace, Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, and we share in their vision.

Two and half months ago, I took the oath of office as the Prime Minister of Israel. I pledged to establish a national unity government – and I did. I believed and I still believe that unity was essential for us now more than ever as we face three immense challenges – the Iranian threat, the economic crisis, and the advancement of peace.

The Iranian threat looms large before us, as was further demonstrated yesterday. The greatest danger confronting Israel, the Middle East, the entire world and human race, is the nexus between radical Islam and nuclear weapons. I discussed this issue with President Obama during my recent visit to Washington, and I will raise it again in my meetings next week with European leaders. For years, I have been working tirelessly to forge an international alliance to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Confronting a global economic crisis, the government acted swiftly to stabilize Israel’s economy. We passed a two year budget in the government – and the Knesset will soon approve it.

And the third challenge, so exceedingly important, is the advancement of peace. I also spoke about this with President Obama, and I fully support the idea of a regional peace that he is leading.

I share the President’s desire to bring about a new era of reconciliation in our region. To this end, I met with President Mubarak in Egypt, and King Abdullah in Jordan, to elicit the support of these leaders in expanding the circle of peace in our region.

I turn to all Arab leaders tonight and I say: “Let us meet. Let us speak of peace and let us make peace. I am ready to meet with you at any time. I am willing to go to Damascus, to Riyadh, to Beirut, to any place- including Jerusalem.
I call on the Arab countries to cooperate with the Palestinians and with us to advance an economic peace. An economic peace is not a substitute for a political peace, but an important element to achieving it. Together, we can undertake projects to overcome the scarcities of our region, like water desalination or to maximize its advantages, like developing solar energy, or laying gas and petroleum lines, and transportation links between Asia, Africa and Europe...


To read the rest of what I think is a masterful response to BO demands of Israel, go to Monkey in the Middle here.

And stay tuned. I am thinking it is going to be interesting to see how BO (and HC) respond to this one.