Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Hold your nose.
Monday, November 24, 2008
It was a good day for the Marine Corps.
I love stories like this. Semper Fi!
Marine Makes Insurgents Pay the Price
November 18, 2008Marine Corps Newsby Cpl. James M. Mercure
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FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In the city of Shewan, approximately 250 insurgents ambushed 30 Marines and paid a heavy price for it.
November 18, 2008Marine Corps Newsby Cpl. James M. Mercure
-->
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In the city of Shewan, approximately 250 insurgents ambushed 30 Marines and paid a heavy price for it.
Shewan has historically been a safe haven for insurgents, who used to plan and stage attacks against Coalition Forces in the Bala Baluk district.
The city is home to several major insurgent leaders. Reports indicate that more than 250 full time fighters reside in the city and in the surrounding villages.
Shewan had been a thorn in the side of Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Afghanistan throughout the Marines’ deployment here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, because it controls an important supply route into the Bala Baluk district. Opening the route was key to continuing combat operations in the area.
“The day started out with a 10-kilometer patrol with elements mounted and dismounted, so by the time we got to Shewan, we were pretty beat,” said a designated marksman who requested to remain unidentified. “Our vehicles came under a barrage of enemy RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) and machine gun fire. One of our ‘humvees’ was disabled from RPG fire, and the Marines inside dismounted and laid down suppression fire so they could evacuate a Marine who was knocked unconscious from the blast.”
The vicious attack that left the humvee destroyed and several of the Marines pinned down in the kill zone sparked an intense eight-hour battle as the platoon desperately fought to recover their comrades. After recovering the Marines trapped in the kill zone, another platoon sergeant personally led numerous attacks on enemy fortified positions while the platoon fought house to house and trench to trench in order to clear through the enemy ambush site..
“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone. What made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting position.
“I was in my own little world,” the young corporal said. “I wasn’t even aware of a lot of the rounds impacting near my position, because I was concentrating so hard on making sure my rounds were on target.”
After calling for close-air support, the small group of Marines pushed forward and broke the enemies’ spirit as many of them dropped their weapons and fled the battlefield. At the end of the battle, the Marines had reduced an enemy stronghold, killed more than 50 insurgents and wounded several more.
“I didn’t realize how many bad guys there were until we had broken through the enemies’ lines and forced them to retreat. It was roughly 250 insurgents against 30 of us,” the corporal said. “It was a good day for the Marine Corps. We killed a lot of bad guys, and none of our guys were seriously injured.”
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Email from Governor Mark Sanford
Got this in the email yesterday and thought I would share:
Dear Friends,
As we transition from a hectic election season to an equally hectic holiday season, I wanted to update you on a few things that could affect our nation, our state, and when it gets down to it, all of our individual wallets and pocketbooks.
Saying no to more federal bailouts
At the national level, the bailout train continues to be loaded up as car companies [2], various states [3], and even cities like Columbia [4], SC, slide up to the federal trough for their "fair share" of your tax dollars.
I've been vocal in my opposition to this daisy chain of bailouts because they're counterproductive for the effects that they'll have on the nation's, and ultimately your, bottom line.
Several questions need to be answered: Why would government borrow billions to fix a problem caused by too much borrowing? Why will another $100 billion to states or $25 billion to the auto industry help when the feds have already pumped nearly $5 trillion [5] into the system this year in the form of bailouts, stimulus checks and short-term loans? And looking internationally, how does $100 billion dropped here or there even begin to stem the flood of market forces that ebb and flow through our $67 trillion global economy? In fact, $100 billion would only represent less than one-sixth of one percent of the world economy. Most importantly, why are we adding to the national debt at all when our nation's liabilities already total over $52 trillion - or roughly $450,000 for each and every American household?
You can read my Wall Street Journal column on this topic here [6], my testimony before Congress here [7], and my letter to Congressional leaders just this week begging them not to approve another bailout here [8].
Statehouse Security
Closer to home, I've become increasingly frustrated with what I believe is a $6 million boondoggle project that has supposedly "enhanced" security here at the Statehouse. To recap: the General Assembly by law ordered the Budget and Control Board to install gates, electronic card readers, and guard booths at each entrance to the Statehouse garage. The Board then took officers off their Statehouse grounds patrols (where they protected schoolchildren and tourists) and assigned them to these guard shacks with often faulty technology and little flexibility in their mission. The irony is that when legislators returned for their special session in October, the security gates were raised and electronic ID cards were not checked - highlighting the absurdity of this entire security "enhancement."
With the exception of Sherman's march through Columbia, our Statehouse has stood fine for nearly the last 150 years - and I continue to believe the Statehouse is not a high priority target of those who seek to do us ill. With every threat out there, we need to carefully weigh any potential protective measures against other ways to use the same security-related dollars. I think this $6 million would be better spent combating South Carolina's violent crime problem, or spent on a whole host of other public safety needs given our state's dire financial condition at the moment.
WIS followed up on some of my concerns, and their investigative piece is here [9] for those interested. If you agree, I'd encourage you to contact your state senator and representative here [10] and tell them that $6 million to protect the Statehouse is unwise at a time when so many state services and citizens are suffering financially.
Gaming the System?
Earlier this month, I wrote a letter to US Treasury Secretary Paulsen [11] asking him to look into what could be a rather serious breach of trust on the part of a large bank here in South Carolina.
In September, the CEO of South Carolina-based South Financial Group, Mack Whittle, announced his pending retirement and the $18 million golden parachute that came with it. More recently, however, the bank moved up his retirement by two months, and many have surmised it was done so the bank could apply for federal money tied to the $700 billion bailout without disallowing Whittle's hefty retirement package.
This represents what I believe could be an alarming pattern of situations across the nation where taxpayers are seemingly being "gamed" by those who use the bailouts to both extract money from the federal government and pluck dollars from all our respective pockets. I will continue to press Secretary Paulsen to look into this, and I'm encouraged that the Treasury Department seems to be moving in that direction.
As an aside, I've seen reports that estimate President-elect Obama's Inauguration will attract up to four million people to Washington D.C. - that's akin to every South Carolinian congregating in one place at one time. It's simply an astounding number, and points to the power of technology in growing and mobilizing a movement. In that respect, I'd ask that if you know others who may be interested in receiving these periodic updates, forward them this email or have them sign up by emailing mark@governorsanford.com [11]. We likely won't hit four million anytime soon, but we can try. Thanks so much for all that you do.
Take care, Mark Governor Mark Sanford
(C) Copyright SanfordForGovernor.net All rights reserved.This email was sent by: sanfordforgovernor.net
To unsubscribe/change profile:click here [12]
----------------------------------------------------------------
References
[1] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-uc4wnV1O004FA%403779780-EdpYpMY2iWlZA[2] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-3dXQz0WymofLw%403779781-Lu2D9hxVnsX4w[3] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-CpS.F30H2por.%403779782-A//LGiuqJ5yYw[4] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-bhfSYecguXHjo%403779783-V3S6LXFZYY2XA[5] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-IBgLHTop3V8l6%403779784-yD31vCB2cY6Uc[6] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-ZGY/tjXoTKIGQ%403779785-Vm0hgHWJt7BM%2e[7] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-g8lDSNtIPFFmI%403779786-EDQ.Ppkb8JqCw[8] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-lVnrnzpX/b0as%403779787-g34PQ0/Rtt5qI[9] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-ELs1zpKZ8nSys%403779788-RYp7pjJXlInYw[10] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-TKZXbAD6F6o1M%403779789-rCeL6IJ15LLEw[11] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-J0/UU57KjjYkM%403779790-kujfWZU50Akng[12] http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=76749391c-45fede40
Dear Friends,
As we transition from a hectic election season to an equally hectic holiday season, I wanted to update you on a few things that could affect our nation, our state, and when it gets down to it, all of our individual wallets and pocketbooks.
Saying no to more federal bailouts
At the national level, the bailout train continues to be loaded up as car companies [2], various states [3], and even cities like Columbia [4], SC, slide up to the federal trough for their "fair share" of your tax dollars.
I've been vocal in my opposition to this daisy chain of bailouts because they're counterproductive for the effects that they'll have on the nation's, and ultimately your, bottom line.
Several questions need to be answered: Why would government borrow billions to fix a problem caused by too much borrowing? Why will another $100 billion to states or $25 billion to the auto industry help when the feds have already pumped nearly $5 trillion [5] into the system this year in the form of bailouts, stimulus checks and short-term loans? And looking internationally, how does $100 billion dropped here or there even begin to stem the flood of market forces that ebb and flow through our $67 trillion global economy? In fact, $100 billion would only represent less than one-sixth of one percent of the world economy. Most importantly, why are we adding to the national debt at all when our nation's liabilities already total over $52 trillion - or roughly $450,000 for each and every American household?
You can read my Wall Street Journal column on this topic here [6], my testimony before Congress here [7], and my letter to Congressional leaders just this week begging them not to approve another bailout here [8].
Statehouse Security
Closer to home, I've become increasingly frustrated with what I believe is a $6 million boondoggle project that has supposedly "enhanced" security here at the Statehouse. To recap: the General Assembly by law ordered the Budget and Control Board to install gates, electronic card readers, and guard booths at each entrance to the Statehouse garage. The Board then took officers off their Statehouse grounds patrols (where they protected schoolchildren and tourists) and assigned them to these guard shacks with often faulty technology and little flexibility in their mission. The irony is that when legislators returned for their special session in October, the security gates were raised and electronic ID cards were not checked - highlighting the absurdity of this entire security "enhancement."
With the exception of Sherman's march through Columbia, our Statehouse has stood fine for nearly the last 150 years - and I continue to believe the Statehouse is not a high priority target of those who seek to do us ill. With every threat out there, we need to carefully weigh any potential protective measures against other ways to use the same security-related dollars. I think this $6 million would be better spent combating South Carolina's violent crime problem, or spent on a whole host of other public safety needs given our state's dire financial condition at the moment.
WIS followed up on some of my concerns, and their investigative piece is here [9] for those interested. If you agree, I'd encourage you to contact your state senator and representative here [10] and tell them that $6 million to protect the Statehouse is unwise at a time when so many state services and citizens are suffering financially.
Gaming the System?
Earlier this month, I wrote a letter to US Treasury Secretary Paulsen [11] asking him to look into what could be a rather serious breach of trust on the part of a large bank here in South Carolina.
In September, the CEO of South Carolina-based South Financial Group, Mack Whittle, announced his pending retirement and the $18 million golden parachute that came with it. More recently, however, the bank moved up his retirement by two months, and many have surmised it was done so the bank could apply for federal money tied to the $700 billion bailout without disallowing Whittle's hefty retirement package.
This represents what I believe could be an alarming pattern of situations across the nation where taxpayers are seemingly being "gamed" by those who use the bailouts to both extract money from the federal government and pluck dollars from all our respective pockets. I will continue to press Secretary Paulsen to look into this, and I'm encouraged that the Treasury Department seems to be moving in that direction.
As an aside, I've seen reports that estimate President-elect Obama's Inauguration will attract up to four million people to Washington D.C. - that's akin to every South Carolinian congregating in one place at one time. It's simply an astounding number, and points to the power of technology in growing and mobilizing a movement. In that respect, I'd ask that if you know others who may be interested in receiving these periodic updates, forward them this email or have them sign up by emailing mark@governorsanford.com [11]. We likely won't hit four million anytime soon, but we can try. Thanks so much for all that you do.
Take care, Mark Governor Mark Sanford
(C) Copyright SanfordForGovernor.net All rights reserved.This email was sent by: sanfordforgovernor.net
To unsubscribe/change profile:click here [12]
----------------------------------------------------------------
References
[1] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-uc4wnV1O004FA%403779780-EdpYpMY2iWlZA[2] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-3dXQz0WymofLw%403779781-Lu2D9hxVnsX4w[3] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-CpS.F30H2por.%403779782-A//LGiuqJ5yYw[4] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-bhfSYecguXHjo%403779783-V3S6LXFZYY2XA[5] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-IBgLHTop3V8l6%403779784-yD31vCB2cY6Uc[6] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-ZGY/tjXoTKIGQ%403779785-Vm0hgHWJt7BM%2e[7] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-g8lDSNtIPFFmI%403779786-EDQ.Ppkb8JqCw[8] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-lVnrnzpX/b0as%403779787-g34PQ0/Rtt5qI[9] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-ELs1zpKZ8nSys%403779788-RYp7pjJXlInYw[10] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-TKZXbAD6F6o1M%403779789-rCeL6IJ15LLEw[11] http://m1e.net/c?76749391-J0/UU57KjjYkM%403779790-kujfWZU50Akng[12] http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=76749391c-45fede40
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Huckabee Interview with PJTV
Click here to view
It discusses the topics in my recent posts regarding SoCon vs FiCons.
It also talks about the FairTax. Give the man his due...he does a fantastic job selling the FairTax.
It discusses the topics in my recent posts regarding SoCon vs FiCons.
It also talks about the FairTax. Give the man his due...he does a fantastic job selling the FairTax.
Mike Huckabee and libertarians
I posted a couple of days ago regarding the early reviews for Huckabee's new book and his blaming of Fiscal Conservatives for all of the ills that are running rampant in the republican party right now.
Of course there are better writers out there tackling the same subject.
Take a peek at Jon Henke's blog over at TheNextRight.com
So, let me boil down my problems with Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee accepts the Democratic framing: Mike Huckabee seems to have far more complaints with Republicans than with Democrats. Worse, he embraces liberal or Democratic caricatures to attack Republicans. Whether it is his attacks on libertarians, business or the Club for Growth, Huckabee almost invariably misrepresents their views, portraying them in the same cartoon terms that Democrats like to use (see the examples quoted earlier in this post).
We do not have to sacrifice SoCon beliefs to bring the party back to the Fiscal conservative side of the things. For Huckabee to describe Fiscal conservatives as Faux-Cons, it is not better than Kathleen Parker's stupid little article the other day. Stupidness from both sides of the Republican party is not what we need right now. We need to redevelop or platform, scrub our ranks of crooks and RINOs, recruit from the local level up (new faces..not recycled ones), and develop a comprehensive tech strategy.
BTW here is an another review of Huckabee's book out today.
*UPDATE* at the Blog post featured above there is a fascinating discussion going on in the comments. Some very good points...some stupid ones as well but all in all worth the read.
Of course there are better writers out there tackling the same subject.
Take a peek at Jon Henke's blog over at TheNextRight.com
So, let me boil down my problems with Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee is a Rawlsian liberal + social conservative: Mike Huckabee describes his political philosophy as (a) the Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto to you", and (b) a passage from the Bible ("Inasmuch as you have done to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me"). This is not "conservatism"; it is basic Rawlsian liberalism.
Huckabee makes little distinction between religion and politics: It's not that he's religious. It's that Mike Huckabee appears to be incapable of drawing a meaningful distinction between religion and politics. For instance, in 1997, Governor Huckabee held up a disaster relief bill for weeks because he objected to its description of floods and tornadoes as "an act of God". He explained his position on another bill by saying "I drink a different kind of Jesus juice." He has asserted a Christian duty to support other policies. The Right desperately needs to remember that where the government intrudes, church recedes.Huckabee accepts the Democratic framing: Mike Huckabee seems to have far more complaints with Republicans than with Democrats. Worse, he embraces liberal or Democratic caricatures to attack Republicans. Whether it is his attacks on libertarians, business or the Club for Growth, Huckabee almost invariably misrepresents their views, portraying them in the same cartoon terms that Democrats like to use (see the examples quoted earlier in this post).
We do not have to sacrifice SoCon beliefs to bring the party back to the Fiscal conservative side of the things. For Huckabee to describe Fiscal conservatives as Faux-Cons, it is not better than Kathleen Parker's stupid little article the other day. Stupidness from both sides of the Republican party is not what we need right now. We need to redevelop or platform, scrub our ranks of crooks and RINOs, recruit from the local level up (new faces..not recycled ones), and develop a comprehensive tech strategy.
BTW here is an another review of Huckabee's book out today.
*UPDATE* at the Blog post featured above there is a fascinating discussion going on in the comments. Some very good points...some stupid ones as well but all in all worth the read.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Next Right
I have been enjoying reading The Next Right lately. You should check it out.
As the Republican infighting continues...we need to find common ground or the SoCon and FiCon sides of the party are going to tear each other apart. We must stop calling Fiscal Conservatives: Faux-Cons like Huckabee does and we have to stop blaming God for the Republicans parties troubles.
There is common ground.
BTW: Great article on my Governor..Mark Sanford.
As the Republican infighting continues...we need to find common ground or the SoCon and FiCon sides of the party are going to tear each other apart. We must stop calling Fiscal Conservatives: Faux-Cons like Huckabee does and we have to stop blaming God for the Republicans parties troubles.
There is common ground.
BTW: Great article on my Governor..Mark Sanford.
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