North Korea Missile Threat: Hawaii An Intended Target

I have long given up trying to understand the leadership of North Korea. They have committed to policies that have served only to starve and isolate their people. Now we have more “saber rattling” threats from Pyongyang:

North Korea may fire a missile toward Hawaii

I guess that is one way to end the “birth certificate” controversy. Notice they didn't threaten to aim it at Alaska. After the Palin slap down of Letterman, Kim Jong II would rather take his chances with President Obama.

John Kerry Jumps On The Nuclear Bandwagon…Then Falls Off

"Johnny Come Lately" Kerry isn't going to let the Iran's pull the wool over his eyes, a least not anymore.

Armed with the knowledge that Iran is researching missile trajectories and the optimum altitudes required for a nuclear warhead explosions (EMP Effects), and is now convinced that there is "little doubt that Iran has the technological and industrial capacity to eventually develop an atomic bomb," Kerry respondied by saying that he was glad we were not "in regime change mode" toward Iran. What??!!??

As if that statement did not express the naiveté of the Democrats callous position on this matter, Kerry also took it a step further by stating he "recognize a legitimate Iranian role in the region." Wonderful….I feeeeeeel so safe!

Playing Make-Believe On Nukes

Congressional Legislators Received Briefings Regarding Interrogation Techniques

In a Sgt. Schultz moment (“I see nothing, I hear nothing!”), we learn that Democratic members of Congress received over 30 known briefings from our intelligence agencies regarding the interrogation techniques they are now condemning:

Top legislators knew of interrogations

“Between 2002 and 2006, the top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees "each got complete, benchmark briefings on the program," said one of the intelligence sources who is familiar with the briefings.”

Do the Democrats really want to go forward with “show” hearing, which will not only harm America, but exposed the Democrats for the bankrupt party that they are.

Desperate American Torturers

The word torture, like that of racism, hate, truth (relative), and patriotic has been hijacked by those on the Left and redefined in their own image. Like the evil stepmother in Sleeping Beauty, when those of the Left do not like the image staring back at them, they change the mirror:

The Memos Prove We Didn't Torture

This story will hold no weight (other than contempt) by those on the Left that believe torture is defined by what the prison deems unpleasant and not what a reasonable person believes to be torture. As a former police officer, and major case interviewer, I know something about convincing a person that it is in their best interest to tell you the truth, even if it means they will be sent to jail.

Make no mistake about it, if you are the victim of a crime, the last thing you want is a liberal conducting the interview of the suspect. That is not to say that a non-liberal is going to do anything illegal to secure a confession. The issue at hand is that a liberal will always show more empathy for the suspect than for the victim, which immediate elevates the suspects deserving of more rights, even beyond those guaranteed in the Constitution. The truth is that if you are the parent of a kidnapped child you have to ask yourself one question, do you want Jack Bauer conducting the interview or Rachael Maddow?

We live in a dangerous world, with dangerous people. The last thing we need is liberals defining what is and is not torture. One only needs to look at how liberalism has redefined the words I listed at the beginning of this article to understand my apprehension to allow them to have their way with the word torture.

CIA Confirms: Waterboarding 9/11 Mastermind Led to Info that Aborted 9/11-Style Attack on Los Angeles

Iran Has Enough Fissile Materials To Make A Bomb……Fantastic!

Iran, the country President Obama once called no “threat”, has been very busy. First the managed to get a hold of the blueprints for Marine One, and now we learn that they have all the major components needed to complete their first nuclear weapon:

Fox News: Iran Has What It Needs To Build The Bomb

Mullen: Iran has fissile materials for bomb

Iran Amasses Enough Fissile Material for Bomb, Officials Say

"Iran, Cuba,Venezuela? These countries are tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don't pose any serious threat to us." How is that working out for you President Obama?

Iran Behind Security Breach: President’s Helicopter Fleet Compromised

A Pennsylvania company that participated in the preparation of Marine One, the designation for the Presidential helicopter fleet, discovered that blueprints for the helicopter design have been passed onto an IP address in Iran:

Fox News: Marine One Security Breach

America has enemies, and possession of theses plans by a terrorist nation such as Iran is a grieve menace to the leadership of our country. This incident is a grime reminder that regardless who our President is, there are those in the world whose continued existence will always be a threat to our security.

Given this recent intrusion, what should be America’s response?

Yemen Would “Gladly’ Take the Gitmo Prisoners Off our Hands

In a sign of international “cooperation,” the government of Yemen has graciously volunteered to take 101 prisoners confined at Gitmo off our hands:

CNS News: Let Our "People" Go

What the heck, it has worked out so well in the past:

Y-Net News: Ex-Gitmo detainee joins al-Qaeda in Yemen

Former Guantanamo Inmates Return To Terrorism

As President-elect Obama prepares to order the closing of Guantanamo Bay, the Pentagon released a report that indicates that at least 61 former inmates have returned to terrorism:

Reuters: Pentagon: 61 ex-Guantanamo inmates return to terrorism

One such terrorist, Abdullah Saleh al-Ajmi was held at Gitmo, was released , and then went on to engineer suicide bombings in Iraq.

At his board hearing, Abdullah said that he had gone to Pakistan to study Islam and had never been to Afghanistan. He also claimed he never participated in any acts of terror. Yet he crossed the border into Iraq almost immediately after being released to Kuwait in 2005, where he carried out terrorist attacks and set up suicide bombings until he “martyred” himself in 2008. He blew himself and seven innocent Iraqi security officers up in Mosul.

The World Should Be Applauding Israel’s Response Against Hamas

Hamas is up to its old tricks, and once again most of the world is calling on Israel to show restraint, or is looking to America to “intervene.” But what many in the world are forgetting is that Israel is not the aggressor, and it is simple defending itself against an enemy so vile that it would hide like cowards amongst women and children. Israel has stated that this battle will be to the “bitter end,” with the ultimate goal being the destruction of Hamas. Good riddance.

Hamas is not a group of freedom fighters. Hamas is a terror-based organization whose objective is two-fold: the total destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic republic. We are not dealing here with objections by Israel or the West; we are dealing with the fundamental approach and biased declarations of Hamas leaders.

Many news reports are depressingly familiar in that simple facts are twisted, holding Israel responsible for all of the ills of the Middle East while declining to hold Palestinians accountable for their own decisions, which consequential have lead to many of their misfortunes.

Washington Times: Israel Postures to Reshape "Truce"

Zionist Mass Murder: Break the Siege, Defend Gaza!

Reuters: Iran sets up court to try Israelis over Gaza

The Palestine’s have chosen terrorist as their leaders, and have willing accepted an evil alliance with Iran. America’s support of Israel is based on the fact that both Israel and the United States are freely elected democracies, both are fighting for human rights and both are fighting terrorism. The world would be a far better place if Hamas was wiped from the map, which in turn would help to diminish Iran's influence in region.

US Embassy In Yemen Attacked: A “Friendly” Reminder That America Is Still At War

The threat of Islamic terrorist has not been a major component of this year's election, especially as of late. Much of the focus has been on the economy and Governor Palin's lipstick, one more deserving than the other.

Probably feeling somewhat slighted that no one was paying attention to their "noble cause in the name of Allah," the US Embassy in Yemen (the ancestral home of Osama bin Laden) was hit:

Voice of America: US Embassy Attacked

This should be the lead story on the news, but it will not be. It is in the best interest of Democrat PR machine (ABC, CBS, NBC, and MSNBC) to downplay the continued attacks on the US, just as they did by under reporting America's success in Iraq. The simple truth is that the terrorist attacks on America continue, and some would prefer to "engage" America in conversations that promote class warfare and partisan politics.

Iran Blames America For The AIDS Virus

And the hits just keep on coming. Spewing more hatred and paranoia, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blamed the United States for the AIDS virus:

Winnipeg Sun: Big powers are going down

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought I was reading a quote from Reverend Wright.

Iran's "Nonpaper:" Nuclear Standoff Continues

The International Herald Tribune reported that many diplomats attending the recent international talks concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions deemed Iran’s presentation “laughable:”

Dealing with Iran is no laughing matter

Just a samll suggestion to Iran. Maybe you should invest in Microsoft Word before trying to build The Bomb! Grammar and spell check might have helped; but of course that would mean that Iran would have to join the 21^st Century!

What is distressing is that this is the third major meeting, and the first to include a representative from the United States, held with Iran in the past year and half. Each meeting ends with most of the Western diplomats using the word “disappointing” to describe Iran’s substance and style.

Iran continues with its diplomatic charade, insisting that the burden to achieving a nuclear treaty should lie with the rest of the World. With its track record, does anybody really believe we can honestly negotiate with Iran?

Poll Show That Most Americans Believe McCain Would Be a Stronger Commander In Chief

Two separate polls concerning American’s attitudes towards Iraq and Afghanistan were recently released. Both ABC News – Washington Post and Quinnipiac University Polling Institute conducted surveys that show support for the War on Terror is far greater than the mainstream media has been reporting:

Fox News: Americans Split On Military Action

The two interesting element of the ABC-Washing Post poll were that many American’s felt that John McCain has been clearer than Barack Obama on his intentions for withdrawal from Iraq, and that many considered McCain a stronger commander in chief by 72%, even capturing most Democrats’ support.

Obama was a one issue candidate when he entered the race. Obama and his supporters have spent the past months trying to convince the American people that Obama’s judgement regarding Iraq was better. It would appear that the American people aren’t buying what Team Obama is selling.

John McCain Criticizes Obama On Iran

Iran to EU: Stick Your Carrots Where The Sun Don’t Shine

Representatives for Iran did not mix words while discussing the recent EU (European Union) reaction to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The EU’s expansion of additional sanctions is in response to companies, such as the Bank Melli, for providing financial backing to companies involved in procuring goods for Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said in a statement that the "carrot and stick policy" by the EU won't stop Iran's "pursuit to realize its nuclear rights." Referring to the new sanctions as a "narrow-mindedness decision" by the EU, Hosseini was quoted as saying that "it will not help create a suitable atmosphere for a diplomatic solution" to the nuclear dispute. That sounds inviting.

Not to be outdone, fan favorite and all-around megalomaniac, President Ahmadinejad was quoted by the state IRNA news agency as saying that "a court should be formed to try and punish all world criminals who invade the rights of the Iranian nation."

The world sits by as Iran inches closer and closer to nuclear weapons. We all better pray that Israel does take action, because the EU and the United States “action of inaction” is empowering Iran to do as it pleases.

BBC Reports: New EU Sanctions

Obama To Appoint Piglet Secretary of Defense

Richard Danzig, former Under Secretary of the Navy under Bill Clinton (and the presumptive choice to serve as National Security Advisor under Obama) revealed during an interview that Obama’s security strategy would be based on the lessons learned from that noted diplomat, Winnie the Pooh:

The 100 Acres Diplomacy Plan

Brilliant! The fate of the Western World will rest in the hands of a security philosophy based on a factious bear, whose best friends are a stuttering pig, a depressed donkey, a mean-spirited rabbit, and a bouncing tiger (sorry…two g’s).

Danzig went on to compare European soccer hooligans with terrorist, and terrorist to Luke Skywalker. Obama wasn’t kidding when he said “Change,” I just don’t know if it is “Change We Can Believe In!”

Once again very little was mentioned about this story in the mainstream media in the United States. But the story is front page fonder all around the globe. Not sure Winnie the Pooh is going to help us “regain our place in the world.” Besides most Europeans prefer Paddington the Bear, who unfortunately is unavailable due to immigration “issues (Paddington the Illegal Immigrant Bear).”

Israel Sees Iran For What It Is: A Threat

An Israeli daily newspaper reported that Israeli Cabinet Minister Shaul Mofaz has said Israel should attack Iran if it continues with its nuclear program.

Attack On Iran May Be Unavoidable

It is important to remember that the Iranian born Mofaz was responding to calls from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that Israel to be wiped off the map.

Was Mofaz justified in his comments? What should the international response be, if any? Should the US take an official position on the comments?

Was The Iraq War Worth It?

Has the Iraq War been worth the price paid is the questioned asked by Jeff Lukens, over at American Thinker?

American Thinker: June 2, 2008

I was particularly intrigued with Lukens piece when he pointed out the similarities with President Lincoln and America's struggles during the Civil War, which was the theme of a piece I did in 2007 (American Reflections). If we have learned nothing about history it is that it cannot be judged by the headlines of the day, and that is even more true today because of the liberal bias in the media.

President Bush will not be the only one judged by history regarding Iraq. What about America as a whole? Or how about the actions of the liberals, or the nations who did not support this mission? History will judge all of our actions and inaction's. How do you think we will fare?

"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right."

Senator Obama Invited To Iraq

In two brilliant video's from the Vets for Freedom, Iraq veterans Specialist Kate Norley and Sgt. Garret Anderson inform Senator Obama that much progress has been made in Iraq since the Senator’s last visit in 2006. Ms. Norley and Mr. Anderson would like to know when Senator Obama would be "returning" to Iraq, and if he would be willing to meet “unconditionally" with General Peatrus.

Video Invite: Specialist Kate Norley:

Video Invite: Garrett Anderson:

Many of us are awaiting Senator Obama's answer.

President Bush Honors America’s Heroes

On Memorial Day President Bush attended a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to the American men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their fellow citizens.

During that speech President Bush called out several soldiers, including New Hampshire’s own Nathan Hardy. Nathan is a Navy Seal who was killed in action along side his brother Mike Koch. Although every fallen soldier’s account is unique, there are common threads that each of them share with their brothers in arms. Nathan’s and Mike’s story speaks to the unbreakable bond that soldiers in combat share. A bond that those that have never served could ever understand. A bond that only those that have served can appreciate.

When I read about soldiers such as Nathan and Mike, I could not help but to be reminded of the final paragraph of the Gettysburg Address:

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

“The last full measure of devotion to that cause…” Nathan and Mike believed in the mission for which they gave their life. We show our respect for their sacrifice by supporting, without condition, their brothers still serving in harms way.

I have included President Bush’s speech in its entirety, along with local stories about Nathan:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, thank you for the kind introduction. Members of my Cabinet, members of the administration, Admiral Mullen, members of the United States Congress, Senator Warner and Congressman Skelton, members of the military, our veterans, honored guests, families of the fallen: Laura and I are honored to be with you on Memorial Day and thank you for coming.

A few moments ago, I placed a wreath upon the tomb of three brave American[s] who gave their lives in service to our nation. The names of these honored are known only to the Creator who delivered them home from the anguish of war -- but their valor is known to us all. It's the same valor that endured the stinging cold of Valley Forge. It is the same valor that planted the proud colors of a great nation on a mountaintop on Iwo Jima. It is the same valor that charged fearlessly through the assault of enemy fire from the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts of Iraq. It is the valor that has defined the armed forces of the United States of America throughout our history.

Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty. From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies -- they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend.

It is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that the number of headstones in a place such as this grows with every new Memorial Day. In a world where freedom is constantly under attack and in a world where our security is challenged, the joys of liberty are often purchased by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than themselves. Today we mourn and remember all who have given their lives in the line of duty. Today we lift up our hearts especially those who've fallen in the past year.

We remember Army Specialist Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colorado. As a young man, Ronnie was known for having an infectious smile and a prankster's sense of humor. And then he joined the United States Army, which brought out a more mature side in him. Ronnie transformed from a lighthearted teenager into a devoted soldier and a dutiful son who called his mother every day from his post in Iraq. In his final act of duty, less than a month ago, he worked with other members of his unit to build a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, an enemy bomb robbed him of his life. And today our nation grieves for the loss of Ronnie Tucker.

We remember two Navy SEALS -- Nathan Hardy of Durham, New Hampshire, and Michael Koch of State College, Pennsylvania. Nate and Mike were partners in the field and they were close friends in the barracks. Through several missions together, they had developed the unique bond of brotherhood that comes from trusting another with your life. They even shared a battlefield tradition: They would often head into battle with American flags clutched to their chests underneath their uniform. Nate and Mike performed this ritual for the last time on February the 4th -- they both laid down their lives in Iraq after being ambushed by terrorists. These two friends spent their last few moments on earth together, doing what they loved most -- defending the United States of America. Today, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch lay at rest next to each other right here on the grounds of Arlington.

The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when liberty and justice are embattled. Ronald Tucker, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch make clear, they do not waver -- even in the face of danger.

And so today, here in Washington and across our country, we pay tribute to all who have fallen -- a tribute never equal to the debt they are owed. We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades, the POWs and MIAs. And we pledge -- we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought.
The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty's defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God's blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.

On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the Commander-in-Chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They're an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens.

I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. It only remains for us, the heirs of their legacy, to have the courage and the character to follow their lead -- and to preserve America as the greatest nation on earth and the last best hope for mankind.

May God bless you and may God bless America.


Additional local Stories of Nathan Hardy:

President Bush Mentions Fallen NH Navy Seal

Navy Seal Nathan Hardy of Durham, NH Remembered