Headline of the Day

You just gotta love this headline:

Warmist polar expedition cancelled due to extreme cold

Be sure to check out the accompanying story. These people need to realize that God has an awesome sense of humor and He doesn't even have to lift His finger to turn them into a global laughing stock. Heh heh!


PS

Thanks to El Rushbo for this: Everything is Caused by Global Warming (600+ links).

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

If you don't read anything else in remembrance of the origin of Thanksgiving, by all means read George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789.

Die Another Day

Hat tip to Lucianne.com for this.

MoDo: Not Just Another Pretty Face

I can't remember the last time I actually read a Maureen Dowd column. I just assumed she was a Hillary man like everyone else at the NYTimes. Go figure! Modo's most recent column doesn't speak too kindly of Hillary or Obama. Who does that leave?

10 Good Thanksgiving Day Quotes!

Here's a good site for some memorable Thanksgiving Day quotes. Here's a sample:

#1) As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

#2) Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.

Edward Sandford Martin

#3) Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.

Erma Bombeck

(photo taken at Becker Vineyards by Rich Glasgow)

The First Thanksgiving Wasn't in Plymouth

Maybe I forgot; maybe I was uninformed, but tonight I learned that The First Thanksgiving was celebrated, sans Pilgrims, at the historical Berkeley Plantation in Virginia a full year and 17 days before the Pilgrims even set sail from Plymouth, England.

Of course, the historical Berkeley Plantation was neither historical nor a plantation (can you still use that word?) on that fateful first Thanksgiving:

The first Thanksgiving celebration wasn't a feast at all—no turkey, no harvest and no Pilgrims. That's right: Contrary to popular belief, the first Thanksgiving in the New World was actually held one year and 17 days before the Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth, England, and not a single morsel of food was involved.

Capt. John Woodlief and 37 other settlers held a short religious service on Dec. 4, 1619, the day they arrived at Berkeley Plantation in present-day Charles City, Virginia, after a two-and-a-half-month voyage. The group of young men, which included a shoemaker, cook, sawyer and gun maker, had set sail from Bristol, England, aboard the ship Margaret.

And here's the really politically incorrect part:

On the first Thanksgiving Day, they knelt down and gave thanks for their safe arrival in accordance with their charter, which stated, "Wee ordaine that the Day of our ship arrivall at the place assigned for Thanksgiving to Almighty God." President Kennedy officially recognized Berkeley Plantation as the site of the first Thanksgiving in 1963.

A lot of other historical firsts happened there as well. Be sure to visit the above linked Berkeley Plantation site. This would be a great place to visit if you're ever in the Williamsburg area.

(Photo of Berkeley Plantation courtesy of NIAHD Journals)

Mark Steyn: A Splendid Way to Kick Off Thanksgiving Week!

You just gotta love Mark Steyn. He's right, you know...the world should be giving thanks for America. He enumerates why, as only he can, in this piece:

"But on this Thanksgiving the rest of the world ought to give thanks to American national sovereignty, too. When something terrible and destructive happens – a tsunami hits Indonesia, an earthquake devastates Pakistan – the United States can project itself anywhere on the planet within hours and start saving lives, setting up hospitals and restoring the water supply.

Aside from Britain and France, the Europeans cannot project power in any meaningful way anywhere. When they sign on to an enterprise they claim to believe in – shoring up Afghanistan's fledgling post-Taliban democracy – most of them send token forces under constrained rules of engagement that prevent them doing anything more than manning the photocopier back at the base.

If America were to follow the Europeans and maintain only shriveled attenuated residual military capacity, the world would very quickly be nastier and bloodier, and far more unstable. It's not just Americans and Iraqis and Afghans who owe a debt of thanks to the U.S. soldier but all the Europeans grown plump and prosperous in a globalized economy guaranteed by the most benign hegemon in history."

Be sure to read the entire piece, then sit back and wait for the international thank you cards to roll in.

I Had a Dog Like This One!

Rosie was a great dog...an inimitable Golden Retriever and quintessential best friend of the canine kind. I think she may have had this conversation with Little Joe, our common gray tabby. Now that Rosie is gone, Little Joe rules the roost and once in awhile you can even detect a wagging tail. Maybe those "talkings to" made an impression on Little Joe!

Thanks to my sis for passing this cartoon along. She found it at New Yorker Magazine.

While we're talking cats and dogs and how much they mean to us, why don't you consider buying Mark Levin's new book, Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish.

Here's a picture of Rosie doing her best to take my attention away from the Internet. She died 3 years ago this January. She was the best!

And here's Little Joe, kicking back after dinner one Friday night. He's pretty demanding, but he has a very attentive staff.

This Girl needs our Prayers

God help anyone who exposes the Clintons for what they are. This YouTube piece shows how the Clinton Machine plants questions at town meetings.

Clarence Thomas: 'I don't hire women law clerks'

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is sure to get a rise out of the media elites and anyone else who doesn't read the article with the headline: Clarence Thomas: 'I don't hire women law clerks'.

For those of you who won't read the above linked piece, he's saying that his hirings are based on merit. A meritocracy? Imagine that...hiring someone because they are the best available person at the time you need them as opposed to hiring someone on the basis of their looks, their sex, their color, their inabilities, or even their sexual vulnerabilities (surely that has never happened!).

I guess what he's saying is he would never vote for a president on account of their genitalia. Makes sense to me. Doesn't make sense to some.

Why would any thinking person hire or vote for anyone just because of their sex, color or sexual orientation...and why or how the hell are we even supposed to know someone's sexual orientation unless they tell us...and why must they feel the need to tell us?

Veteran's Day 2007

Got this beautiful image from Veteran Texas Fred who did his duty reconnoitering for the troops in Viet Nam and continues to reconnoiter today for anyone who cares to pay attention. Thanks, Fred for your service to the country!

Our Favorite Surviving Veteran

Pictured above is my father-in-law, William A Norrod, of San Antonio, TX., who was born on July 10,1924, and joined the Army at age 18, in 1942. He became an adroit telegraph operator and was assigned to a post serving under an officer in the China, Burma, India Theater. Bill's job was to transmit and receive classified information.

Bill was with his best friend, "D" DiStefano, on November 24th, the day before Thanksgiving in 1943, when they boarded the HMT Rohna to head eastward on the Mediterranean from Algeria.

Shortly thereafter, disaster struck. The Rohna Survivors Memorial Association gives a background of what occurred that afternoon:

On November 26, 1943, during WWII, one thousand, one hundred and thirty eight men perished when a British troopship, the HMT Rohna, was attacked from the air and destroyed in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algeria. Two important but virtually unknown historical events occurred at that time.

It was the first successful "hit" of a merchant vessel at-sea carrying US troops by a German remote-controlled, rocket-boosted bomb, thus giving birth to the "Missile Age", and it resulted in the greatest loss of troops (1015) at sea in U.S. history. Combined with the loss of ship's crew and officers, and three Red Cross workers, more lives were lost than on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

The "hit" was so devastating that the U.S. Government placed a veil of secrecy upon it. The events which followed were so shameful that the secrecy continued for decades until recently, when documents were grudgingly released under pressure of the Freedom of Information Act. The government still does not acknowledge this tragedy, thus most families of the casualties still do not know the fate of their loved ones.

In 1995, over fifty years later, a group of survivors, next-of-kin and rescuers, informally came together for the sole purpose of enabling the creation and dedication of a Rohna Memorial.

On Memorial Day, 1996, a monument was dedicated to the memory of the 1015 men who lost their lives in this incident, at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Seales, Alabama.

Bill witnessed the remote controlled bomb from launch to the moment of impact on the Rohna. He and DiStefano were able to scramble to the deck and jump overboard while the ship was burning, taking on water, and listing severely. They were able to swim to another ship in the convoy about a mile away as they watched the Rohna burn and eventually sink.

Sadly, the ship on which Bill and his friend were able to board, was ordered to leave while leaving dozens, if not hundreds, of men in the water desperate to board the ship but unable to be rescued. The order to leave was made because they feared another attack from German bombers.

Bill still has difficulty relating this story to us. More information on the Rohna disaster can be found at the Rohna Memories website.

Having married in to the Norrod family some 33 years ago, I can't tell you how many times I've heard him relate his war stories to the family. We, of course, treasure them. Years ago, however, I would go to the library to search out the historical account of the Rohna's demise (this was before the Internet). I could never understand why nothing was recorded about this historical disaster. I even began to wonder if it really took place. (Sorry, Bill!)

Eventually, the information of the Rohna began to surface. Broadcaster Charles Osgood was first to talk about the Rohna and then Tom Brokaw picked up on it, but to this day the tragedy hasn't been given the coverage the victims and survivors alike deserve.

Bill, now 83, and his wife, Mary, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last April 4th in San Antonio, along with their five kids, six grandchildren, and families. We thank God that Bill was able to survive the horrific ordeal in the cold waters of the Mediterranean that fateful night.

Thank you, Bill, for your sacrifice and service to this country. We honor you always, but especially on Veterans Day.

Wanna Say Thanks to the Vets?

Here's a great way to express your thanks to the good people in uniform. Just go to Let's Say Thanks and follow some easy instructions...very easy!

This is an excellent site and they're doing a terrific work. Please go there and send some cards. These dedicated people are making it very easy to thank the even MORE dedicated people in uniform who are putting themselves in harms way so that we won't have to. The very least we can do is thank them for their incredible service.

Oh, and thanks to the good folks at Let's Say Thanks!

Veterans Day 2007

There are two life forces that have offered to die for you;
Jesus Christ and the American G.I.

Thanks to good folks at Lucianne.com for this Veteran's Day Tribute.

She defends him for defending her...on and on it goes

They're always having to be defended! Ever notice that? Do we really need offensive people in office who constantly need to be defended?

Noonan: "Mrs. Clinton is no Iron Lady"

I think there are vast numbers of people in the heart of this great country who are finally waking up to the realization that the Clintons are disingenuous opportunists whose last grab for power may be slipping through their fingers. Let's hope so, anyway. The last two weeks have been illuminating; not so much to those of us who know what the Clintons are all about, but possibly for those on the left who held them to near god-like status. Neither of the Clintons have made any points this week. They are probably retooling the campaign this very moment.

Mrs. Clinton isn't looking or acting presidential.

See how Peggy Noonan sums up Mrs. Clinton:

...the big ones, the real ones, the Thatchers and Indira Gandhis and Golda Meirs and Angela Merkels, never play the boo-hoo game. They are what they are, but they don't use what they are. They don't hold up their sex as a feint: Why, he's not criticizing me, he's criticizing all women! Let us rise and fight the sexist cur.

When Hillary Clinton suggested that debate criticism of her came under the heading of men bullying a defenseless lass, an interesting thing happened. First Kate Michelman, the former head of NARAL and an Edwards supporter, hit her hard. "When unchallenged, in a comfortable, controlled situation, Sen. Clinton embraces her elevation into the 'boys club.' " But when "legitimate questions" are asked, "she is quick to raise the white flag and look for a change in the rules."

I haven't read Noonan's column for awhile, but I'm glad I caught this one. Be sure to check it out.

"Hurry, before we win!"

Hat tip to Michelle Malkin for this telling editorial cartoon. Telling, indeed!

Welcome to Homeschool U, the 97th Carnival of Homeschooling

Are you a parent (or grandparent) at your wit's end over the tragic fact that your kids are being subjected to the daily infusions of politically correct nonsense in government schools while being discouraged from learning about our founding fathers? Oh, and there's that reading, writing and arithmetic thing they used to teach way back when.

Sick and tired of government schools? What's it going to take for you to come to the realization that you are responsible for the education of your precious little kiddos? You can complain all you want about ineptitude gone wild in government schools, but then, what do you expect? It's the government, after all!

It boils down to one thing; parents are responsible for educating their kids. No one can do it better because no one loves them more. Yes, there are always exceptions to the rule; it may be impossible for working single mothers to home school their kids. Everyone has different circumstances that determine what they are able or unable to do. Life isn't fair and we all have to work things out according to our life's situations, but that does not negate the fact that we are all responsible for our kid's education. We're responsible for feeding and caring for them; why is educating them any less important?

Here's another good example of what is available to Home School parents: Homeschool U, the 97th Carnival of Homeschooling.

We home schooled our kids back in the "olden days" in the '80's and 90's before so many online opportunities existed. By necessity, we were almost "underground" by today's standards because it wasn't nearly as acceptable back then. We really didn't care what people thought. We knew what was best for them. Our kids excelled big time and they continue to excel in their fields of endeavor.

It's unbelievable what is available for home schoolers in this age of the Internet. In fact, more is available to home educated kids than those who are subjected to public schools.

Parents...it's time to step up to the plate and take responsibility for the education of your children! The public system has been failing for more than a generation and it is getting worse by the year. Your kids deserve better.

Be sure to visit this week's edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling for a vast array of informative links.

One of the Upsides of the Writer's Strike

A gracious thumbs up to Lucianne.com for this cartoon!

Global Warming: "Greatest Scam in History"

This is the must read of the day and unless you listen to Rush and/or Mark Levin , you missed this newsbreaking story that will go completely unnoticed by the mainstream media. When you see it you'll know why. Go there now!

That's right, John Coleman, founder of The Weather Channel has declared to the world, after much study and consideration, that the faith based belief that man caused global warming is nothing more than a shameful scam:

It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming; It is a SCAM. Some dastardly scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long term scientific data to create in [sic] allusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental whacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the "research" to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus.

Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild "scientific" scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda. Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmental conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15 minutes documentary segment.

It would really be great if the weather people on his channel would pick up his message and back off of the "all global warming catastrophe all the time" message they convey 24/7.

If you haven't already, go to the above linked piece, read it and pass it on to others. We literally cannot afford to be taken in by this massive money grab.

More here.

More Zero Tolerance Nonsense: Detention for hugging!

Megan Coulter, a thirteen year old eighth grader in Mascoutah, Ill. got two days detention for hugging two of her friends:

The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.

Miss Coulter explained:

“I feel it is crazy,” said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School. 'I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend,' she said.

Here's what Sam McGowen, the District Superintendent (truly an over educated ignoramous) had to say about this ridiculous display of poor judgement:

District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.

It states: 'Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved.'

Which reminds me of a brilliant and most applicable quote by H.L. Mencken, who once observed:

Nature abhors a moron.

As Charles J. Sykes recently observed in his American Thinker piece:

The same obviously cannot be said of school boards, who often hire them as principals.

...or in this case, District Superintendent. Did I mention that this particular District Superintendent's name is Sam McGowen and the name of the school is Mascoutah Middle School in Mascoutah, Ill.? I bet they would love to hear from you regarding this splendid example of the state of public education.

I'm dumbfounded that parents continue to put up with these nonsensical school policies. It's way past time to yank your kiddos out of these inane government indoctrination centers.

Save Energy, Just say NO to NBC and Universal Studios

From what I hear on the radio and read on the internet, I understand that NBC is feigning to be going "green", whatever that means. I guess it means using fewer lights when they tape their shows, or at least giving the impression they are burning fewer lights. Whatever their charade is, The Investors Business Daily has an excellent editorial on the faux green event. Be sure to give it some attention.

But even more important, save energy and turn off NBC.

Iraq veteran, wife lose 3rd child from crash

Please continue to pray for Army Spc. John Austin Johnson and his wife as they have just lost their third child as a result of the car crash that took the lives of their two other children last month:

Still grieving over the deaths of two of their children, Army Spc. John Austin Johnson and his wife this week have to bury a third child.

Tyler Johnson, 9, died Saturday at Children's Medical Center Dallas from injuries he suffered in a crash on Oct. 13.

Tyler, his mother and his siblings were on their way to visit Spc. Johnson, who was hospitalized in San Antonio with a traumatic brain injury suffered in Iraq.

Their sport utility vehicle crashed on their way from El Paso, flipping at least four times.

Two-year-old Logan and 5-year-old Ashley died at the scene. Tyler, who suffered many internal injuries, was taken by helicopter to Children's and had been on life support for most of the past month.

Be sure to read the rest of the Dallas Morning News piece for the full story and please keep the Johnsons in your prayers.

Iran plans 8 new oil refineries

UPI is reporting that Iran is planning 8 new oil refineries.

Why the hell aren't we?

And why the hell aren't we punching holes wherever we are certain there is oil and/or gas?

Why is it we're not building nuclear power plants in the vast wastelands of the west? Why haven't we started building refineries at every possible port?

Why is it that the left decry our dependence on foreign oil but refuse to allow us to explore and produce domestic energy sources?

Why, indeed?

Could it be that they don't want us to be energy independent?

Law of the Sea Treaty Sails Ahead

While America sleeps and occasionally wakes up for another snort of hedonism, the Law of the Sea Treaty sails ahead. Today it triumphed in committee in a 17 to 4 vote. Now it goes to the Senate floor for a vote.

The only ones I hear talking about this mind boggling treaty is Glenn Beck and Mark Levin. What's with that, anyway? The Senate is about to ratify a treaty that would give the U.N. control over the oceans, the ocean floors, the airspace over the oceans and authorize the U.N. to tax all revenues that come from the oceans. HUH?

Hello! Is anyone out there? Why the hell is no one asking each one of the presidential candidates where they stand on this outrageous treaty? If it becomes a ratified treaty it becomes constitutional law and we will have kissed our sovereignty and our maritime rights of way good-bye...forever!

WAKE UP AMERICA...WHAT'S THE FRICKIN' DEAL??????

While we relish Hillary's meltdown in the meaningless debates, we're being distracted while really important stuff is taking place underground and behind closed doors. The MSM sure as hell isn't going to cover the Law of the Sea Treaty or anything else of any import.

And while we're talking distractions, what's going on on the border? There isn't much discussion going on while thousands continue to come over on a weekly basis.

Why aren't people paying attention?