Headlines from the Year 2029!

Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world,

Mexifornia , formerly known as California. White minorities still trying to have English recognized as Mexifornia's third language.

Spotted Owl plague threatens northwestern United States crops and livestock.

Baby conceived naturally. Scientists stumped.

Couple petitions court to reinstate heterosexual marriage.

Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Lebanon).

Iran still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.

France pleads for global help after being taken over by Jamaica.

Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.

George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.

Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.

85-years, $75.8 billion study: Diet and Exercise is the key to weight loss.

Average weight of Americans drops to 250 lbs.

Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.

Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals, violates their civil rights.

Average height of NBA players now nine feet, seven inches.

New federal law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, fly swatters and rolled-up newspapers must be registered by January 2036.

Congress authorizes direct deposit of formerly illegal political contributions to campaign accounts.

IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75 percent.

Florida voters still having trouble with voting machines

A True Patriot!

We respect the passing of a great shipmate and friend . . .

Chester "Chet" Cholewinski, 50

BOWDOIN-- Chester Chet Cholewinski, 50, of Lewis Hill Road, died following a courageous battle against cancer Friday, Jan. 20, 2006 at his home with his wife and sons at his side.

He was born in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 19, 1955, a son of Chester and Mary Lou Lewandowski Cholewinski. He attended Chicago schools and earned a bachelor's of science degree from Southern New Hampshire College. He married Nancy Thelen Oct. 19, 1982. Chet served 20 years in the U.S. Navy.

He was most recently employed at Barber Food in Portland and also served on the Bowdoin Board of Selectmen.

Chet was a Patriots fanatic and an avid hunter and carpenter. He was a patient and supportive father to his sons and had a special bond with each.

His family will especially remember and admire the courage and resilience he showed throughout his illness. Until he could no longer physically manage, Chet worked diligently towards completing his home. Even fatigued from his treatments, he was always willing to lend a hand or offer loving advice.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; and three sons, Joseph, Nicholas, and Michael Cholewinski; a stepson, Nathan Wittmayer of California; his father Chester Cholewinski of Wisconsin; his mother, Mary Lou Cholewinski of Illinois; six sisters, Maria Kozial, Sandy Wawczak, Susan Weigert, Laura Cholewinski, Mary Colletti, and Sharon Driggers, all of Illinois; and a brother Thomas Cholewinski of Illinois.

The family would like to thank Barber Food and Nappi Distributors for their support through Chet's illness. Special thanks are offered to Dave, Darrin, John, Braden, and Big Mikey.
Friends and family are invited to visit the Cholewinski home, 34 Lewis Hill Road, Bowdoin beginning 12 noon Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 to celebrate Chet's Life.

Arrangements are in the care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, any help towards finishing Chet's final project, his home, would be deeply and forever appreciated.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our dear friend and shipmate -- Chester "Chet" Cholewinski

First You Need an Army

Robert J. sends . . .

First You Need an Army

One thing the situation in Iraq is demonstrating rather clearly. If you don’t have an army, you don’t have a country. Fortunately, the United States has always had an army, right from the start when George Washington first set siege to the British in Boston in 1775.

On Memorial Day that is something to be thankful about.

Not that the US Army was much good at first. The Revolutionary War was mostly spent in retreat. The Civil War was a bloody mess, the first instance of the modern lethal battlefield. In World War I the doughboys had too much money. In World War II the GIs were overpaid, over sexed, and over there. But in Iraq, a British general has said, the US Army is showing that it is the best in the world.

You need an army to found a nation. The modern French Army was born as the nation in arms defending the Revolution from the crowned heads of Europe. The British Army is descended from Cromwell’s New Model Army. The Soviet Union was founded upon a bloody civil war won by its Red Army. Chairman Mao, whether or not he spent the Long March reclining in a litter, founded modern China on the power of his Red Army. And the Germans achieved their unification on the back of the most popular institution in the North German Federation: The German Army.

Why then do our liberals insist that war never solves anything? It is because, uniquely in all history, our liberals came to power without having to fight for it. In their first outing, during the Progressive Era, they staged a wrestling match with the evil robber barons. But the contest was as fake as a professional wrestling match, because the robber barons really weren’t interested in political power.

Rockefeller was too busy founding the University of Chicago and funding medical research into hookworm; Carnegie was too busy building libraries and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and J. Pierpont Morgan was too busy serving as unofficial central banker to the nation during the Crash of 1907. Liberals came to power in 1932 after the Progressive Era Federal Reserve System had failed to act as the lender of last resort after the Crash of 1929. So they blamed the disaster on Progressive politician Herbert Hoover. Who needed an army when you could get political power the easy way?

Even so, it is curious that even as liberals have reviled and marginalized the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces they have lionized the lefty thugs who never appeared except in army fatigues: Mao and Castro. Then there was that chap in the beret. What was his name?

Whatever may be the truth about wars and violence, liberals don’t like our army and they don’t like our soldiers. They understand that this does not win elections so they direct their distaste not at the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguard directly , but obliquely at the “Pentagon.” In liberal books and liberal cartoons the armed forces of the United States are represented by the scheming Pentagon general with his chest of medals and his square, flat face.

The liberal war against the armed forces is part of their war against the nation state. The thinking goes something like this. The nation state equals aggressive nationalism, aggressive nationalism equals Nazism, therefore the national army is the instrument of fascism.

If you strip out the hyperbole, they have a point. The nation state is supported by the national idea. And if the national idea gets a little too enthusiastic it can be rather aggressive. When the nation state gets into a bad patch then the people of the nation look for strong leadership to lead them back from disaster to triumph. The chaps auditioning for “strong leader” may turn out to be Roosevelts and Churchills, or they may not.

But is the nation state such a terrible idea? On the contrary, far from being an atavism, the nation state is an advanced idea, the one political idea thus far that has persuaded ordinary people to loosen their loyalty to tribe and clan—that is, the instinctive tie to blood kin—and replace it with loyalty to a larger unity, to the abstract nation unified by the artificial and abstract idea of a national culture and a national language.

As we remember the fallen this Memorial Day let us all be proud of the advanced and civilized concept that they died to defend. They died in the name of a nation state that has been mixed together out every race and tribe in the world, a mongrel nation that is the prototype of the world society. Our nation state is defended and secured by the armed forces in which they served and fell. It can be no other way.

Every soldier who fell to defend the United States and its city on a hill is owed a debt by the nation that can never be repaid. The least we can do is to keep alive the memory of their service and their sacrifice. It is the only way to honor the loss that their families feel every day of their lives.

Christopher Chantrill 5 29 06

Who is this Handsome Commodore?

Canadian Liberals doing what they do best...

First it was "Bush's Fault" ... Now our lack of US gun control is the root of the Canadians surge in gun violence.... Blah Blah....

I get lectured weekly by my Canadian workmates who love to recite all the stats on why Canada is safer. Nothing like a sophomoric Apples to Oranges comparison.

In one instance, I was lectured on how dangerous the states are, yet this holier than thou liberal in Ottawa told me she carries a screwdriver with her when she walks her dog because she feels unsafe! How silly is that! Nothing like a craftsman to save the day!

The hoighty-totiy attitude rings hollow to me lately - the abject blindness of liberals to acknowledge the real source of problems is scary - scapegoating from politicians only leads to more horrible things long term.....

(insert a Wagner tune here).

Silver Wings Upon Their Chests...

The Original Green Beret

America lost a good one this month. Retired US Army Lieutenant General William Yarborough, 93, passed away. Bill Yarborough was a veteran of three wars: WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was a highly decorated paratrooper and is considered by many one of the most imaginative, innovative combat leaders that America has ever produced. Yarborough came of age at the defining moment of the 20^th century, the onset of the Second World War.

Thoughts on the "Christ" in Christmas Debate

Brothers,
Thoughts I wanted to share. Merry Christmas all. I hope the Lord gives you everything you need not necessarily what you want. :)

____________________________________________________________

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." The Gospel of Saint Luke – Chapter 2

This year there has been much conversation in the media regarding Christmas and how it is celebrated. Stories abound of conflict (real or perceived) between those who want to emphasize the “Christ” in Christmas and those who would rather dwell on the more secular aspects of the “holiday” season. Some organizations, apparently afraid of offending, are directing their employees to greet others with benign expressions such as “Season’s Greetings” with some Christians finding victory in responding with “Merry Christmas”.

But such quarrel truly misses the real challenge. For the task at hand for Christians is not ensuring Christ is within Christmas but rather one of ensuring we have Christ within us. The gift of the Christ child is the greatest gift from a Father above who loves us all. A gift we are not worthy of but one he freely gives because of His undying love for all of mankind. As Christians, as we reflect upon that gift this Christmas let us also reflect on what gift we can give back to Him to show our love in return. There are so many ways that we can do this and we don’t have to limit ourselves to just one. Start with yourself. Pray more, be more patient of His will for you, make an effort to go to church regularly, read the Bible and stay away from things that will lead you astray. Then Help others. For that panhandler on the street perhaps buy him something to eat and use that opportunity to expose him to the Gospel and encourage him to find help. While you won’t have immediate success that may be the seed he needed to move in the right direction. Be more understanding of the hardship of others. Don’t judge but instead be grateful the Father hasn’t put that burden upon you. Love your spouse more. Submit yourselves to their well being. Men especially, care for your wives like Christ cared for his Apostles. Remember how He washed their feet? Be vocal about your love of the Lord. Nothing showy, but never be afraid to let others know of your happiness in life and why that is so. Simply try to act like Christ would. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then flatter our Savior with conduct which he would approve. In short, give him your heart, your mind and your will and you will become an instrument for Him to spread the Good New to others.

Of course we are all men and women and are prone to fail. He understands that. But even so, we are called to continue. We get back up after we stumble, wipe ourselves off and start again. My purpose is only as a reminder for all of my fellow brethren as writing is a reminder for me. If we truly have Christ in ourselves, we won’t have to worry about keeping Him in Christmas. He’ll take care of that.

Democratic Veterans

I believe this to be the left's new darling. I am watching her on This Week right now and while impressed with her sacrifice and physical comeback she comes across to me as a bit simplistic for a former Major in not being able to see the strategic value of the war in Iraq while being overally consumed with the tactical concerns. Stephanopoulos also heralded the fact that all of the former Iraq War vets who are running for Congress are Democrats. While I cannot say for sure, I suspect the Republicans are still over there wearing the cloth.

Wounded vet says war was 'mistake'

December 17, 2005

BY LYNN SWEET SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Wounded Iraq war vet L. Tammy Duckworth, who launches her Democratic campaign for Congress on Sunday, said she would have not voted to authorize the war that cost her both her legs and mangled her arm.

Though President Bush's decision was a "bad one,'' the Army helicopter pilot said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times that she was "proud to serve.''

Democrats Thy Name Is Willow Tree

YGTBSM! I continue to be amazed that the only thing the leftists seem to stand for is, well, nothing. Best line: "there is no one Democratic position". Well she got that right.

Pelosi Hails Democrats' Diverse War Stances

By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2005; A23

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said yesterday that Democrats should not seek a unified position on an exit strategy in Iraq, calling the war a matter of individual conscience and saying differing positions within the caucus are a source of strength for the party.

Pelosi said Democrats will produce an issue agenda for the 2006 elections but it will not include a position on Iraq. There is consensus within the party that President Bush has mismanaged the war and that a new course is needed, but House Democrats should be free to take individual positions, she sad.

"There is no one Democratic voice . . . and there is no one Democratic position," Pelosi said in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors.

It's A People Thing

I have been posting at some different boards lately. You have seen some of my comments about debating with left, the tactics they use and my impression that they (the ones I have talked to) are not interested in honest, civil debate. I just recently had a debate on religion (touchy subject I know) on a right wing forum. And while I expected more from that crowd I leave that site disappointed that the tactics employed were the same. It's not like I expect to change a mind but rather hope to have someone on the other side honestly articulate an opposing viewpoint. Not only did I not get that but I got some rather uncivil behavior as well. It's a people thing.

See What Happens When You Question The Liberal Mindthink

Amazing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=225x591

Ten Simple Rules For Dating My Daughter

I found the source of this document online but have customized it to my tastes. It will be framed and hanging in my foyer. Enjoy.

Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up. I have a front door. Knock and state your purpose. Furthermore, you should not be getting phone calls in my house. Turn your cell phone off before you come in the door.

Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. If you really want to date my daughter, you will first overcome the mental challenge of figuring out how to pull your pants up like a man and put on a belt. Additionally, while I am pleased at your choice to wear underwear I had better not see it in any way. Anything less is unacceptable.

Rule Four: I'm sure you've been told that nowadays, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind will kill you. Let me elaborate: when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five: In order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this unless asked. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early". When addressing me or my wife I expect to hear the words “sir” and “ma’am” accordingly and often.

Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. Once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date her ONLY until she is finished with you. When together I expect you to open doors for her, carry her books, and in general treat her like a lady. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating.

Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better. I think you get the point.

Rule Nine: Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. Looks however can be deceiving and when it comes to issues relating to my daughter I am the all-knowing, merciless god of YOUR universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have ONE chance to tell me the truth. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten: Be afraid. Be very afraid. However also relax. Because if you act like a responsible gentleman, follow my rules and conduct yourself like an upstanding member of society then all will go well. But in the end, one “ah shit” will erase twenty “atta-boys”.

Europe – Thy Name is Cowardice

I have always wondered what % of Europeans "get it".

Europeans Outraged

Do you think these folks will ever realize that there was a reason that most of our forefathers left Europe to begin with?

Europeans Outraged at Schwarzenegger

By VANESSA GERA
Associated Press Writer
Dec 13 3:36 PM US/Eastern

VIENNA, Austria - The execution of convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams sparked outrage Tuesday throughout Europe, which has a deep aversion to capital punishment sustained by the painful memory of state-organized murder during the Nazi era. The disappointment was particularly strong in Austria, native country of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, where many had hoped the former bodybuilder and film star would spare the 51-year-old Williams.

Leaders of Austria's opposition Green Party even called for Schwarzenegger to be stripped of his Austrian citizenship _ a demand rejected by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel as "absurd" despite his government's opposition to the death penalty.

Capital punishment is illegal throughout the European Union, and the issue was amplified in Williams' case due to the remorse supporters believe the Crips gang co-founder showed by writing children's books about the dangers of gangs and violence.

Schwarzenegger rejected that argument and allowed the execution to go ahead Tuesday, saying "without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption."

US Navy considers Global Hawk deployment

US Navy leaders are considering proposals to deploy two Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned air vehicles originally purchased only to perform high-altitude surveillance demonstrations. The manufacturer says the Global Hawk’s impressive showing in the two-week Trident Warrior ’05 exercise, which concluded in early December, and pressing operational needs have helped to remove lingering doubts about the vehicle’s utility.

“The naysayers were saying they didn’t think the [USN’s maritime mode] radar was going to work and you couldn’t do surveillance from 60,000ft [18,300m],” says Tom Twomey, Northrop’s Global Hawk maritime demonstration business development manager. “The last two weeks have been a huge success story. We saw that not only does it work, it works really darn good.”

Raise A Purple Finger For Freedom

Twice this year, Iraqis have shown their courage, defying the terrorists -- risking their lives to exercise their right to vote. They will vote again on December 15.

Shelby Dangerfield, a 10-year-old Montana girl, demonstrated Americans' solidarity with freedom-loving Iraqis by inking her finger purple last January. From December 12 - 15, let's follow her example by inking our index finger purple. For more things you can do to support free Iraqis, follow the directions to the right. Let's show the world that freedom loving peoples are united.

Chinese J-10 & AWACs

Retreat and Defeat

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Less Is More

Supply-Side Boom

osted 12/9/2005

Fiscal Policy: A picture is worth a thousand words, and nowhere is that truer than in the debate over supply-side claims that tax cuts lead to higher revenues.

We were struck by a chart that Treasury Secretary John Snow used last week when he presented the administration's case for making the 2003 tax cuts permanent.

For Democrats opposed to the cuts, no argument has been more potent than that tax cuts somehow "cost" the government money — and thus make deficits worse. Snow's chart, shown below, puts the lie to that argument.

In fact, the supply-siders are right: Revenues rise after tax rates are reduced. Federal revenues bottomed at $1.8 trillion just as Bush signed his bill; since then, they've risen 19.4% to $2.15 trillion, an all-time high.

A big reason is that tax avoidance recedes along with rates. When top personal rates are high, the rich find ways to pay less. That's why our tax code is 55,000 pages thick. When rates are lower and flatter, such behavior disappears.

This also explains why the richest Americans' share of all income taxes paid has soared to 34.27% from 19.05% in 1980 even though their average income-tax rate has fallen by roughly a third — from 34.47% to 24.31% in 2003.

More important, however, is the impact tax cuts have on the economy. Since May 2003, when Bush's major plan of tax cuts on both capital and income took effect, the economy has been on a tear. It's virtually impossible to argue the two aren't linked.

In the nine quarters before the tax cuts, GDP grew at an average rate of 1.1%. In the nine quarters since, it's averaged 4.5% — even in the face of punishingly higher interest rates and oil prices.

We also hear how all the tax cuts are going to the "rich." Again, not true. A surge in entrepreneurship, jobs, income and wealth has made all of us richer and more secure.

As Snow noted in his speech Thursday, 57 million Americans now own stocks — or about half of all households. Yet, the median income for shareholders is a very un-Rockefeller-like $65,000.

Many of those investors are retired, and have seen their incomes go up along with dividends. This year, shareholders will deposit or reinvest $201 billion in payouts — up 36% from 2002, the year dividend tax cuts went into effect.

Entrepreneurs are doing well, too. Fed data out Friday showed Americans' net worth is now $51 trillion — about 4.6 times real GDP. What's most impressive is that includes $6.6 trillion of equity in "noncorporate" — or small, entrepreneurial — businesses, up 32% since the start of 2003.

The House passed legislation last week that will trim growth in federal spending by $50 billion but keep most of the 2003 tax cuts intact. The Senate has identified $36 billion in spending cuts but wants to let the tax cuts expire.

The House version must prevail. The economy is surging, and the budget deficit is now shrinking as a share of GDP. Getting rid of the tax cuts that made all this possible would be the height of folly.

Four Out Of Four Surveyed Agree

"And there is no reason… that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the — of — the historical customs, religious customs."
- Senator John Kerry (D)
Massachusetts

"The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring them home."
- Representative John Murtha (D)
Pennsylvania

"The idea that we are going to win this war is an idea that unfortunately is just plain wrong."
- Chairman Howard Dean
Democratic National Committee

"I say to Bush, you entered Iraq with lies; you will lose Iraq and lie about it, and you will leave with the pretext that you have completed your mission. America only has to decide on the number of troops it wishes to lose before withdrawing."
- Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri
Al-Quaeda