tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121855182024-03-26T02:08:56.684-07:00Sons of Irv"A change of opinions is almost unknown in an elderly military man." - G.K. ChestertonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1153157085831945772006-07-17T10:18:00.000-07:002006-07-17T10:24:45.903-07:00Headlines from the Year 2029!Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world,<br /><br />Mexifornia , formerly known as California. White minorities still trying to have English recognized as Mexifornia's third language.<br /><br />Spotted Owl plague threatens northwestern United States crops and livestock.<br /><br />Baby conceived naturally. Scientists stumped.<br /><br />Couple petitions court to reinstate heterosexual marriage.<br /><br />Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Lebanon).<br /><br />Iran still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.<br /><br />France pleads for global help after being taken over by Jamaica.<br /><br />Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.<br /><br />George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.<br /><br />Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.<br /><br />85-years, $75.8 billion study: Diet and Exercise is the key to weight loss.<br /><br />Average weight of Americans drops to 250 lbs.<br /><br />Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.<br /><br />Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals, violates their civil rights.<br /><br />Average height of NBA players now nine feet, seven inches.<br /><br />New federal law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, fly swatters and rolled-up newspapers must be registered by January 2036.<br /><br />Congress authorizes direct deposit of formerly illegal political contributions to campaign accounts.<br /><br />IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75 percent.<br /><br />Florida voters still having trouble with voting machinesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1149022325246891032006-05-30T13:43:00.000-07:002006-05-30T13:52:05.283-07:00A True Patriot!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4108/1025/1600/2193774_01232006_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4108/1025/320/2193774_01232006_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />We respect the passing of a great shipmate and friend . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chester "Chet" Cholewinski, 50</span><br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />He was most recently employed at Barber Food in Portland and also served on the Bowdoin Board of Selectmen.<br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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.<br /> 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. <br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our dear friend and shipmate -- Chester "Chet" CholewinskiUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1148936481872114712006-05-29T13:59:00.000-07:002006-05-29T14:03:56.536-07:00First You Need an ArmyRobert J. sends . . .<br /><br />First You Need an Army<br /><br />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. <br /><br />On Memorial Day that is something to be thankful about.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Christopher Chantrill 5 29 06Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1135040552955349562005-12-19T17:01:00.000-08:002005-12-19T17:02:33.006-08:00Silver Wings Upon Their Chests...<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=121605E">The Original Green Beret </a><br /><br />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<sup>th</sup> century, the onset of the Second World War.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134933043582122912005-12-18T11:08:00.000-08:002005-12-18T19:30:00.926-08:00Thoughts on the "Christ" in Christmas DebateBrothers,<br />Thoughts I wanted to share. Merry Christmas all. I hope the Lord gives you everything you need not necessarily what you want. :)<br /><br />____________________________________________________________<br /><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:Helvetica;color:black;" >“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 <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">David</st1:city></st1:place> 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</span></b><br /><o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This year there has been much conversation in the media regarding Christmas and how it is celebrated.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>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”.<span style=""> </span><o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But such quarrel truly misses the real challenge.<span style=""> </span>For the task at hand for Christians is not ensuring Christ is within Christmas but rather one of ensuring we have Christ within us.<span style=""> </span>The gift of the Christ child is the greatest gift from a Father above who loves us all.<span style=""> </span>A gift we are not worthy of but one he freely gives because of His undying love for all of mankind.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>There are so many ways that we can do this and we don’t have to limit ourselves to just one.<span style=""> </span>Start with yourself.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>Then Help others.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>While you won’t have immediate success that may be the seed he needed to move in the right direction.<span style=""> </span>Be more understanding of the hardship of others.<span style=""> </span>Don’t judge but instead be grateful the Father hasn’t put that burden upon you.<span style=""> </span>Love your spouse more.<span style=""> </span>Submit yourselves to their well being.<span style=""> </span>Men especially, care for your wives like Christ cared for his Apostles.<span style=""> </span>Remember how He washed their feet? Be vocal about your love of the Lord.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then flatter our Savior with conduct which he would approve.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span><o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Of course we are all men and women and are prone to fail.<span style=""> </span>He understands that.<span style=""> </span>But even so, we are called to continue.<span style=""> </span>We get back up after we stumble, wipe ourselves off and start again.<span style=""> </span>My purpose is only as a reminder for all of my fellow brethren as writing is a reminder for me.<span style=""> </span>If we truly have Christ in ourselves, we won’t have to worry about keeping Him in Christmas.<span style=""> </span>He’ll take care of that. <span style=""> </span></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134927184507489032005-12-18T09:23:00.000-08:002005-12-18T09:34:13.040-08:00Democratic VeteransI believe this to be the left's new darling. I am watching her on <span style="font-style: italic;">This Week</span> 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. <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><h2></h2></span><blockquote><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sweet17.html"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></a><h2><a><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Wounded vet says war was 'mistake'</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></h2><p><span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><i>December 17, 2005</i></span></p><span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>BY LYNN SWEET SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST<br /></b></span><p> <span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" > 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.</span></p><p> <span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" > 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.''</span></p></blockquote>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134856911394244752005-12-17T13:58:00.000-08:002005-12-17T14:01:51.396-08:00Democrats Thy Name Is Willow TreeYGTBSM! 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.<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/15/AR2005121501814_pf.html"><span style="font-size:+2;"><b></b></span></a><blockquote><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/15/AR2005121501814_pf.html"><span style="font-size:+2;"><b>Pelosi Hails Democrats' Diverse War Stances</b></span></a><br /><p><span style="font-size:-1;">By Dan Balz<br />Washington Post Staff Writer<br />Friday, December 16, 2005; A23<br /></span></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>"<span style="font-weight: bold;">There is no one Democratic voice . . . and there is no one Democratic position</span>," Pelosi said in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors.</p></blockquote><p></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134793394575498272005-12-16T20:16:00.000-08:002005-12-16T20:23:14.613-08:00It's A People ThingI 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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134609941205775422005-12-14T17:24:00.000-08:002005-12-14T17:25:41.206-08:00See What Happens When You Question The Liberal MindthinkAmazing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=225x591">http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=225x591<br /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134602806958428262005-12-14T15:23:00.000-08:002005-12-14T15:32:35.160-08:00Ten Simple Rules For Dating My DaughterI found the source of this document online but have customized it to my tastes. It will be framed and hanging in my foyer. Enjoy.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ></span></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >Rule One</span></b><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up. <span style=""> </span>I have a front door. <span style=""> </span>Knock and state your purpose.<span style=""> </span>Furthermore, you should not be getting phone calls in my house. <span style=""> </span>Turn your cell phone off before you come in the door.<span style=""> </span><br /><br /><b style="">Rule Two</b>: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. <span style=""> </span>You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. <span style=""> </span>If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off my daughter's body, I will remove them.<br /><br /><b style="">Rule Three</b>: 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.<span style=""> </span>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. <span style=""> </span>Additionally, while I am pleased at your choice to wear underwear I had better not see it in any way. <span style=""> </span>Anything less is unacceptable.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><br /><b style="">Rule Four</b>: I'm sure you've been told that nowadays, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind will kill you. <span style=""> </span>Let me elaborate: when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.<span style=""> </span><br /><br /><b style="">Rule Five</b>: In order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. <span style=""> </span>Please do not do this unless asked. <span style=""> </span>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".<span style=""> </span>When addressing me or my wife I expect to hear the words “sir” and “ma’am” accordingly and often.<br /><br /><b style="">Rule Six</b>: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. <span style=""> </span>Once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date her ONLY until she is finished with you. <span style=""> </span>When together I expect you to open doors for her, carry her books, and in general treat her like a lady.<span style=""> </span>If you make her cry, I will make you cry.<br /><br /><b style="">Rule Seven</b>: 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. <span style=""> </span>If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating.<br /><br /><b style="">Rule Eight</b>: 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. <span style=""> </span>Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. <span style=""> </span>Places where there is darkness. <span style=""> </span>Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. <span style=""> </span>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. <span style=""> </span>Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided. <span style=""> </span>Hockey games are okay. <span style=""> </span>Old folks homes are better.<span style=""> </span>I think you get the point.<br /><br /><b style="">Rule Nine</b>: Do not lie to me. <span style=""> </span>I may appear to be a middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. <span style=""> </span>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. <span style=""> </span>If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have ONE chance to tell me the truth. <span style=""> </span>Do not trifle with me.<br /><br /><b style="">Rule Ten</b>: Be afraid. Be very afraid.<span style=""> </span>However also relax.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>But in the end, one “ah shit” will erase twenty “atta-boys”.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134507018588759392005-12-13T12:45:00.000-08:002005-12-13T12:50:18.590-08:00Europeans OutragedDo you think these folks will ever realize that there was a reason that most of our forefathers left Europe to begin with?<br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/12/13/D8EFJ1Q84.html"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Europeans Outraged at Schwarzenegger</span></span></a><br /><br />By VANESSA GERA<br />Associated Press Writer<br />Dec 13 3:36 PM US/Eastern<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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."</blockquote>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134506310338303282005-12-13T12:34:00.000-08:002005-12-13T12:38:30.383-08:00US Navy considers Global Hawk deploymentUS Navy leaders are considering proposals to deploy two Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flightinternational.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=10687"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.flightinternational.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=10687" alt="" border="0" /></a>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. <p>“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.”</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134444862714714882005-12-12T19:31:00.000-08:002005-12-12T19:35:33.490-08:00Raise A Purple Finger For Freedom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.purplefingerforfreedom.org/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.purplefingerforfreedom.org//images/Index/iraq_election_7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>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. <p class="style26" align="left"> <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/2005/01/30/build/local/35-ten-year-old.inc">Shelby Dangerfield</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.purplefingerforfreedom.org/howtoink.html">inking our index finger purple</a>. 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. </p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134432883226573442005-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:002005-12-12T16:14:43.226-08:00Chinese J-10 & AWACs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/J10_escorting_AWAC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 650px;" src="http://www.centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/J10_escorting_AWAC.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134233607308283842005-12-10T08:43:00.000-08:002005-12-10T14:23:34.780-08:00Less Is More<blockquote><h3><font><a href="http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=20&issue=20051209"><font><span style="font-size:100%;">Supply-Side Boom</span></span></a></span></h3><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><font><font>osted 12/9/2005</span></span></span></span><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font><b>Fiscal Policy:</b> 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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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. </span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><table align="left"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.investors.com/images/editimg/issues1212.gif" /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p><font><font> </span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font>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.</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><font><font> </span></span></span></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1134160585359774492005-12-09T12:31:00.000-08:002005-12-09T12:36:25.413-08:00Four 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."<br />- Senator John Kerry (D)<br /> Massachusetts<br /><br />"The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring them home."<br />- Representative John Murtha (D)<br /> Pennsylvania<br /><br />"The idea that we are going to win this war is an idea that unfortunately is just plain wrong."<br />- Chairman Howard Dean<br /> Democratic National Committee<br /><br />"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."<br />- Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri<br /> Al-QuaedaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1133928188463047892005-12-06T20:00:00.000-08:002005-12-06T20:07:53.223-08:00Where Is The MSM?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsbusters.org/gaggle/2005-12-06.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 600px;" src="http://newsbusters.org/gaggle/2005-12-06.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Looks like the fruits of fighting back. Seems like I heard the low number almost hourly a few weeks ago from the MSM. <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><!--webbot bot="Timestamp" i-checksum="57673" endspan --><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm"></a></span><blockquote><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm">Tuesday December 06, 2005--Forty-six percent (46%) of American adults approve of the way George W. Bush is performing his role as President. The President's ratings have been at this level or above for five straight days and seven of the last nine.</a></span><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm"> </a></blockquote><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm"></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1133625391260390052005-12-03T07:48:00.001-08:002005-12-03T18:49:16.023-08:00Vatican's Stand On HomosexualityEllen Goodman's piece, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/02/AR2005120201511.html">A Vatican Retreat on Homosexuality</a>, is exactly what I expected from the Left in commenting on the recent pronouncement from Rome. I don't know if she is Catholic, (if she is then she isn't a very learned or informed one) but I can say her analysis is both simplistic and lazy. Rather than comment on her piece point by point I thought it better (and easier) to link to someone who has already done a good job. <h3 class="title"><a href="http://www.penraker.com/archives/002732.html"></a></h3><blockquote><h3 class="title"><a href="http://www.penraker.com/archives/002732.html">It's An Easy Policy to Attack - If Don't Put It In Context</a></h3> <p>I was wondering how long it would take the Mainstream Media to start mis-stating the new policy of the Catholic Churches regarding gays. When you try hard to misunderstand the new policy, it is easy to start attacking it. </p> Ellen Goodman did not take long. Today <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/02/AR2005120201511.html">in the Washington Post</a>, she blythely skips over parts, and misstates others <a href="http://www.penraker.com/archives/002732.html">Continue Reading Here...</a><br /></blockquote>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1133493215637108002005-12-01T19:11:00.000-08:002005-12-01T19:13:35.670-08:00Unsteady Path of Constitutional DemocracyPerspective is everything. If only the Left were to get it's history from the books vice Hollywood.<br /><a href="http://www.intellectualconservative.com/article4771.html"><b><span style="color:#8080c0;"><span style="font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif;font-size:+1;"><span style="font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica;color:#666666;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif;font-size:+1;"><span style="color:#8080c0;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></a><blockquote><a href="http://www.intellectualconservative.com/article4771.html"><b><span style="color:#8080c0;"><span style="font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif;font-size:+1;"><span style="font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica;color:#666666;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif;font-size:+1;"><span style="color:#8080c0;">Were a foreign viewer to witness the debacle of American democratization and constitution-building during the late 18th century, surely our fate would have seemed no less imperiled and worthy of derision than the efforts now underway in the Middle East.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></a></blockquote>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1133396584457969452005-11-30T16:20:00.000-08:002005-11-30T16:23:04.513-08:00Army Strikes!Rather weak in my opinion for the losers to steal the trophy they failed to win on the field.<br /><h1><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/30/AR2005113000841.html"></a></h1><blockquote><h1><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/30/AR2005113000841.html">Navy's Commander-In-Chief Trophy Stolen</a></h1><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><div id="byline">By Jon Gallo</div>Washington Post Staff Writer<br />Wednesday, November 30, 2005; 12:06 PM</span></p><p><nitf>The Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the football competition between the three major service academies, was stolen Monday night from the Midshipmen's locker room inside Ricketts Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy, Navy spokesman Scott Strasemeier confirmed this morning.</nitf></p><p><nitf>The Midshipmen face the U.S. Military Academy this weekend and though Navy athletic officials are unsure who took the trophy, it is common for Army and Navy to pull pranks on each other in the week leading up to the game.</nitf></p> <p><nitf>The three-sided, 2 1/2 -feet tall trophy that weighs 170 pounds was taken after it was moved to the team's locker room for motivation Monday afternoon. The Commander-In-Chief's Trophy is normally kept in a locked, glass case in the Rotunda area of Bancroft Hall, the school's dormitory.</nitf></p><p><nitf>The Midshipmen face Army on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Because both teams defeated Air Force this season, the winner of the teams' 106th meeting will win the trophy. Navy has won the award the past two seasons, and Army has not won the trophy since 1996.</nitf></p><p><nitf>Navy school officials discovered the theft along with a note that read: "Before we win the football game on Saturday, we thought we would take the trophy. By the time you read this, it will be halfway to West Point," home to the U.S. Military Academy.</nitf></p><p><nitf>Phone calls to Army sports information director Bob Beretta were not immediately returned.</nitf></p><p><nitf>"Navy has launched an investigation," Strasemeier said. "We don't know who did it. Someone broke into a building and stole it."</nitf></p></blockquote><p><nitf> </nitf></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1132961245975878112005-11-25T15:24:00.000-08:002005-11-25T15:27:26.010-08:00Will Senator Kerry Stand Up For Anything?From the article: <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/11/25/truth_lies_and_intelligence/">Truth, lies, and intelligence </a><br /><blockquote>''The flaws in the intelligence are plain enough in hindsight, but any<br />suggestion that prewar information was distorted, hyped, or fabricated by the<br />leader of the nation is utterly false," Cheney said in a Monday speech.<br />''Senator McCain put it best: 'It is a lie to say that the president lied to the<br />American people.' "<br /><br /><strong>At a press availability later that day, US Senator John Kerry shied away<br />from the term lie. ''I've never used that word," Kerry said. ''I've said they misled America. . . . They are still misleading America."</strong></blockquote><br />This guy is a flexible as a willow tree. I wonder if there is anything he really does stand for?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1132800027926085092005-11-23T18:35:00.000-08:002005-11-23T18:44:40.853-08:00On The Lighter Side Of Thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/images_tv/wkrp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px;" src="http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/images_tv/wkrp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Les:</span> It's a helicopter, and it's coming this way. It's flying something behind it, I can't quite make it out, it's a large banner and it says, uh - Happy... Thaaaaanksss... giving! ... From... W.... ... K... ... R... ... P!!<p> </p><p><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Les:</span> No parachutes yet. Can't be skydivers... I can't tell just yet what they are, but - Oh my God, Johnny, <strong>they're turkeys!!</strong> Johnny, can you get this? Oh, they're plunging to the earth right in front of our eyes! One just went through the windshield of a parked car! Oh, the humanity! The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement! Not since the Hindenberg tragedy has there been anything like this! </p><p><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Johnny:</span> Les? Are you there? Les isn't there. <span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">(composing himself)</span> Thanks for that on-the-spot report, Les, and for those of you who just tuned in, the Pinedale Shopping Mall has just been bombed with live turkeys. Film at eleven.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bugaloos.com/fark/misc/WKRP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px;" src="http://www.bugaloos.com/fark/misc/WKRP.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Venus:</span> Les! Are you okay?<br /></div><p><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Les:</span> I don't know. A man and his two children tried to kill me. After the turkeys hit the pavement, the crowd kind of scattered, but some of them tried to attack <em>me!</em> I had to jam myself into a phone booth! Then Mr Carlson had the helicopter land in the middle of the parking lot. I guess he thought he could save the day by turning the rest of the turkeys loose. It gets pretty strange after that.<br /><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Andy:</span> Les, c'mon now, tell us the rest.<br /><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Les:</span> I really don't know how to describe it. It was like the turkeys mounted a counterattack! It was almost as if they were ...<em>organized!!</em><br /><span style="color: rgb(205, 133, 63);">Mr Carlson:</span> As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly. </p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1132793432869725992005-11-23T16:45:00.000-08:002005-11-23T16:50:32.916-08:00President's Thanksgiving Message<span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a Blessed Thanksgiving everyone. Here are some words from, in my opinion, our finest patriot and best President ever.</span><br /><p></p><blockquote><p> Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.historyplace.com/specials/portraits/presidents/port-washington.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.historyplace.com/specials/portraits/presidents/port-washington.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>ee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" </p><p> Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. </p><p> And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. </p><p> Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d dy of October, A.D. 1789. </p><p> <b><i>--G. Washington</i></b></p></blockquote><p><b><i> </i></b> </p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1132779573390054602005-11-23T12:58:00.000-08:002005-11-23T12:59:33.423-08:00McCain Sings StreisandThe Naval Aviator shows in this one. Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://m90.org/gallery/video/john%20mccain%20sings%20the%20hits0-4819.wmv">McCain Sings Streisand </a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12185518.post-1132776533648283232005-11-23T12:05:00.000-08:002005-11-23T12:08:53.653-08:00Al Franken: OWNEDCouldn't happen to a better fellow. Kind of reminds me of the Polish using their cavalry against German tanks.<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span class="article_title"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ></span></span><blockquote><span class="article_title"><a href="http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27261784.shtml"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Al Franken Schooled by Antonin Scalia at New York Event</span><br /></a><br /></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="57%"><span class="article_text">By CK Rairden<br />Nov 23, 2005</span></td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="43%"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <span class="article_text"> <p>Al Franken stepped out of his comfortable echo-chamber of Air America on Monday night and was given more than one lesson by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The C-List political commentator attempted to rip off a sophomoric shot at Justice Scalia, but was quickly embarrassed, according to a report in the NY Post.</p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="200"> <tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/uploads/al_franken.jpg" alt="Clueless in New York" border="1" height="164" width="200" /></td></tr> <tr><td><span class="image_caption">Clueless in New York</span></td></tr> </tbody></table> </span></span></p> <p>Franken, apparently unaware of exactly how far he was stepping up in class, was chided "as if he were a delinquent schoolboy at Time Warner Center on Monday night, " Richard Johnson of Page Six writes.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix.htm" target="_blank">Johnson reports:</a></u></strong></p> <p>When (Time Inc. editor-in-chief Norman) Pearlstine opened the floor for Q&A, Franken stood up in the back row and started talking about "judicial demeanor" and asking "hypothetically" about whether a judge should recuse himself if he had gone duck-hunting or flown in a private jet with a party in a case before his court. </p> <p>Franken was clumsily referring to the fact that Scalia had gone hunting and flying with Dick Cheney before the 2000 election. </p> <p>First, Scalia lectured Franken, "Demeanor is the wrong word. You mean ethics." Then he explained, "Ethics is governed by tradition. It has never been the case where you recuse because of friendship." </p> <p>Time Warner chairman Dick Parsons later told PAGE SIX: "Al was not quite ready for prime time." Franken was a "Not Ready for Prime Time Player" on "Saturday Night Live" long before he began hosting a radio show on Air America.</p> <p align="center"><u>***</u></p> <p>Ouch! If Franken had any shame it should have kicked in. But proving that he truly is clueless Al told the Post, "I think I got under his skin a little."</p> <p>It sounds more as if he never laid a glove on Scalia.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">--CK Rairden</span></strong></p></span></blockquote><span class="article_text"><p><strong><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></strong></p></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0