To My Old and Dear Warrior Friend

My Friend, you and I are old, and we’re going to die relatively soon. You, a retired military warrior and I, a soon to be retired civil warrior, fought different battles, but really the same. As old warriors, it is our purview to wallow in the cynicism resultant of too many fights over too many years. I reject that temptation because I can’t allow myself to live in a state of self-indulgence. There is still a fire in my belly, other than the one caused by good whisky. Joining you soon off the field of battle, I’ll be sheathing my sword for the exclusive use of a pen while continuing to subject my words to the abuse and critique of whomever happens upon my missives.

You, the world traveler and educated observer, reject my entreaties to expand your writing beyond a closed circle of confidants and former colleagues. Don’t you agree that you are essentially talking to yourself? I contend that you have a continuing warrior mission to speak to and hopefully be understood by those who fail to perceive the danger amongst us and the threatening hordes just over the horizon.

During our discussion on Islamo-fascism, you stated that you are not about to again risk “getting your tail shot-off for Mom’s apple pie.” I understand, but in truth, considering our age and unsuitability for the field of battle, neither of us is likely to live long enough to get our tails shot off, as you say, for “Mom’s apple pie.” I might still take a bullet from some damn doper, but probably not from an Islamist.

While you married and enjoy many years with your bride, you made a conscious decision to not have children. You had good reason to seriously doubt whether you would survive to raise the next generation. I made the same choice only to have it undone when I married a woman with adult daughters, who subsequently gave us grandchildren. The girls adamantly dubbed me “Dad” and then “Grandpa” when that time arrived. The grandchildren call me “Papa.” Go figure, I never thought I’d be here.

In response to my comments on the burgeoning Muslim threat, you wrote back and I subsequently accused you of throwing the baby out with the bath water. That was not intended to be just an old metaphor. You did not have a five year old granddaughter asleep on your lap just prior to writing your piece. I did, and the fact that I do have grandchildren shapes my perspective in a manner in which I doubt that you can empathize.

You were a great warrior and made many sacrifices for your country while slogging in the jungles and soaring high in the cockpit. And, yes the politicians and brass lied to you. But, consider this: what is our country if not the future of our children and their children? I don’t think that you understand the bigger reason why you, as a warrior, played such an important role. And, that’s because it never slept on your lap.

You said that you never run from a fight. So, pick up your pen and step back into the fray. Pick up the most powerful weapon that you’ve ever held in your hands. A gun can dissipate an immediate threat, but it can’t kill an evil idea. The pen is the only weapon that can change minds.

The fire, my Friend! The fire is still in my belly, more so than ever before.

Uu-ah Sheepdog! Hunt the Wolf and the Jackal!

Will an Obama Presidency Destroy the Country?

Should Obama attain the presidency, he will accelerate the Democrat Party’s de facto destruction of traditional American values.

The current credit and liquidity problems hurting all Americans are a direct result of the Democrat Party’s socialistic demands forcing the mortgage industry to fund mortgages for people who could neither afford nor previously qualify for a home mortgage. And of course, the mortgage industry took advantage of the situation.

With an Obama presidency, he and the Democrat Party will again decrease military and intelligence capabilities and once again increase the probability of lost American lives and property.

Obama is the philosophical leading edge of a populous slide away from traditional American Judeo-Christian values and the capitalist system toward a socialistic European system where equality is valued over liberty. How do we know that Obama is not a supporter of traditional American values? Let’s count the ways.

Obama is closely linked to William Ayers despite Obama’s protestations that he was only eight years old when, unrepentant to this day, Ayers and wife Bernadette Dorn, as members of the terrorist Weather Underground organization, were trying their best to destroy the United States of America with bombs. Ayers is still trying to subvert America with his current programs to brainwash and radicalize young students. The first association between Obama and Ayers, of which we know, was in Ayers’ home kicking off Obama’s political career.

Obama actively supported ACORN with funding and training. As shown by recent federal indictments and FBI investigations, ACORN is actively engaged in fraudulent voter registration in support of the Democrat Party’s quest for potential voters living off, or hoping to live off, the Federal dole and beholding to the Democratic Party.

Obama spent twenty years in a “Christian” Chicago church best known for its black liberation theology under the tutelage of his good friend Rev. Jeremiah Wright. From the pulpit Wright spewed racist hatred and Anti-Americanism. Obama publically supported Wright until forced by political considerations of the presidential campaign.

Obama is a supporter of black separatist and racist Louis Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam. There are well documented triangulated links among Obama, Wright and Farrakhan.

Obama’s political left philosophies are well documented in his legislative voting record as an Illinois state representative and a U.S. Senator. Obama confirmed his leftism by his recent assertion that he wants to spread the wealth around. Anyone with half a mind can figure out that means confiscating money lawfully earned by someone and giving it to someone who did nothing to earn the money. For those without a half a mind, that is socialism.

Obama’s character may be judged by the company that he keeps: Ayers; Wright; and Farrakhan. Obama’s character is judged by others who endorse or support him: Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela; Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua; various European socialists; and Ahmed Yousef of the Hamas terrorist organization. There is a reason why these anti-American people like Obama. They believe him to be a kindred spirit.

As evidenced above, there are common themes accompanying Obama’s leftist philosophy: anti-Americanism; and black racism. Of course, it is possible that Obama is nothing more than an intellectual fraud and political opportunist exploiting the left and black racism for his personal gain. I don’t think so.

Since Obama is the most leftist potential President in history, given the chance he would probably damage America more than Democrat Jimmy Carter, the worst American President in history. Did you like the disastrous Carter economy and the significant part he played in loosing Islamo-fascism on the world? Obama and the Democrat Party controlled Congress will continue the relentless path to total socialism and the death of the values that created the greatest country the world has ever seen. Lose our traditional values and we are headed to the dust bin of history as a second rate nation. We have no one to blame but ourselves if we elect Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Kerry and others of their ilk.

If your values correspond with those evidenced as Obama’s, you are morally obliged to cast your vote for him. What then does that make you? You would not be a traitor, but you are discarding the freedoms won by the blood and sweat of others. I maintain that you are an ingrate and your actions are contemptuous. But hey, that’s just my opinion.

Here’s the opinion of Samuel Adams:

"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?' ... If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"

Capture a Terrorist and Release Him in the U.S.

Seven years ago the U.S. captured 17 ethnic Uighurs in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Uighurs are Chinese Muslims, originating from Xinjiang, a remote Chinese area bordering Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries. The Uighur people want to succeed from China, and they have been stirring the Chinese pot with terrorist attacks. These are the people who made all the terrorist noise during the recent Olympics in Bejing.

China has long said that insurgents are leading an Islamic separatist movement in Xinjiang. (1)

The U.S. captured these characters in 2001 and held them in Guantanamo Bay.

The government said the detainees at the U.S. naval base in Cuba had admitted receiving weapons training in Afghanistan and were a national security
risk. (1)

Now, U.S. courts have ordered the release of the Uighurs.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina on Tuesday made a dramatic decision ordering the government to free the detainees by Friday. Urbina said it would be wrong for the Bush administration to continue holding the detainees, known as Uighurs (pronounced WEE'gurz), since they are no longer considered enemy combatants. (1)

But, release them to where? No country seems to want the Uighurs except China, and some people fear that repatriating them to China will result in their torture.

The Bush administration also said it was continuing "heightened" efforts to find another country to accept the Uighurs, since the detainees might be tortured if they are turned over to China. (1)

The Beijing government has repeatedly urged the U.S. to turn the Uighurs over to Chinese authorities. (1)

Let’s see no one except China wants them because why? Could it be that they are trained Muslim radicals? Certainly China wants to get their hands on them for interrogation, and I suspect they’d never again ply their terrorist trade. But, wait! There are plans to release them into the U.S.

The detainees were scheduled to arrive in Washington early Friday and appear in Urbina's courtroom for release to local Uighur families who have agreed to help them settle into the United States. (1)

Judge Urbina was appointed to the U.S. District Court in July 1994. Does it surprise you that he is a Bill Clinton appointee? With judges like this, who needs any more enemies?

If you agree with Judge Urbina, undoubtedly you will be voting Democrat in November and you really are stuck on stupid.

Let’s repatriate the Uighurs to their homeland with parachutes from 30,000 feet, and the Chinese government can look for them, if they wish.

Link in the Blog:
Chinese Muslims' release into US blocked for now

Character Expressed For Good or Bad

I’ve written previously about when all else fails, look at a person’s character to judge whether or not to support a political candidate. It has been my experience since George H. Bush that the Republican candidates for President and Vice President are respected by their security details because those details are treated with kindness and consideration by the Republican candidates. The same cannot be said for the Democratic candidates. Far from it. For the most part the Democrats are detested. I translate this to positive character traits or the lack there of respectively.

I have not been in touch with Secret Service personnel during this Presidential campaign so I have no idea what the agents think of Obama and Biden. But, judging from the comments made by a member of the press corps, I’m guessing that Obama may be continuing the Democratic elitist attitude.

…I would love to have someone from Obama's campaign explain why the entire press corps, the Secret Service, and the local police idled for two hours in a Miami hotel parking lot recently because there was nothing to do and nowhere to go. It was not an isolated case. (1)

That’s shades of the arrogant Clintons and Kerrys.

Speaking about Obama,

The national headquarters in Chicago airily dismisses complaints from journalists wondering why a schedule cannot be printed up or at least e-ailed in time to make coverage plans. Nor is there much sympathy for those of us who report for a newscast that airs in the early evening hours. Our shows place a premium on live reporting from the scene of campaign events. But this campaign can often be found in the air and flying around at the time the "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric" is broadcast. I suspect there is a feeling within the Obama campaign that the broadcast networks are less influential in the age of the internet and thus needn't be accomodated as in the days of yore. Even if it's true, they are only hurting themselves by dissing audiences that run in the tens of millions every night. (1)

Read the article and see for yourself the contrast with the McCain campaign.

Positive character counts and McCain/Palin have it while Obama does not. I don’t know yet about Biden.

Update 10/9/2008: Apparently Biden is a scofflaw. Read how he failed to pay his bills. (2)

Link in this Blog:
(1.) Reporter's Notebook: Seeing How The Other Half Lives
(2.) CPA Got Stiffed by Joe Biden

Jackal In Sheepdog Clothing

Most people are Sheep mercilessly fed upon by Wolves. Sheepdogs live to protect the Sheep and confront the Wolf. (1) There is one more creature.

Raise your right hand and repeat after me. “I, (name is stated), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

By honoring the oath of office, the U.S. evolves toward a corruption-free law enforcement model, unlike many parts of the world. Nevertheless, police corruption does exist within individual U.S. officers and occasionally entire police units. In the last 17 years or so, the Chicago Police Department (2), the Los Angeles Police Department (3), and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office (4) have suffered the effects of corrupt special police units.

In the old days, police corruption expressed itself as pay-offs from organized crime or the extortion of individuals and businesses. Today, those endeavors pale in comparison with the massive amounts of cash and drugs that can be stolen from drug dealers. Former Police Chief Joseph McNamara wrote in his piece entitled, “Gangsta Cops,” (5)

The Drug War is not only ruining society, it is corrupting police forces across the country and it will continue to do so as long as our current policies are in place. (5)

McNamara states,

In my research I've been horrified to uncover a pattern of thousands of
predatory crimes committed by police officers in the past 30 years that are all connected to the Drug War. In studying these crimes, I've discovered two things: (5)

First, the nature of the Drug War encourages, almost demands, corruption. (5)

Second, the corruption bred by the Drug War is happening across the country, from police officer to police chief or sheriff. (5)

This corruption exists not just among a few individuals scattered across the country, but among corrupt gangs of cops. These gangs have surfaced in big cities and small towns as well as rural areas across America. We cannot end cop gangsterism by merely plucking a few bad apples from the barrel. We can only end it by ending the Drug War policies that breed it. (5)

Now, that’s a damning indictment on the part of Chief McNamara.

The Chief is an out-spoken opponent to the “War on Drugs” and as such he seems to overstate the pervasiveness of drug related police corruption. He qualifies his statements with,

It is true that it's only a small percentage of the total number of police officers that ever commit these crimes. But they do enormous damage-not only to their victims and the community, but to honest cops. (5)

There is a minority of officers operating as rogue cops. But, police corruption does not appear suddenly and fully developed. It is a progressive developing cancer.

An entry level scenario for officers just stepping onto the slippery slope of corruption might go something like this. An officer detains a person known to be a drug user without advising his Dispatch personnel. The person is either legally or illegally searched and a minor amount of drugs or drug paraphernalia is discovered. Confiscating the contraband, the officer does not arrest the individual, but instead gives him a personal cell phone number. The subject now “owes” the officer and is expected to call when he gets some information about someone selling narcotics. When the officer receives the information, the subject is directed to arrange for the purchase of illegal drugs. After learning where and when the drug transaction is to take place, the officer miraculously happens upon the prearranged location and arrests a narcotics seller for the possession of illegal drugs.

The above scenario is pretty good police work, don’t you think? However, there are those nasty details about: unlawful detention; illegal search; destruction of evidence; inducing criminal acts; entrapment of individuals; false police reports; and perjury.

What was it that Chief McNamara said? “…the corruption bred by the Drug War is happening across the country, from police officer to police chief or sheriff.”

So how does a police chief or sheriff become corrupt? It could be dirty money in the form of campaign contributions for a sheriff and perhaps kickbacks to both for influencing who may or may not be targeted in the Drug War. I doubt that there is too much of that, but law enforcement managers are playing into the corruption in another way; it is called “stats,” short for statistics.

It is incontestable that illegal drug usage drives the crime rate, for which law enforcement is judged. Too high a crime rate causes police administrators to come under pressure from their political bosses. Often times, the police manager’s simplistic answer is to demand an increase in the number of arrests (stats.) Today’s preferred term is “productivity,” which is a polite way to say arrest anyone for anything. The officer failing to meet the expected “productivity” is judged negatively. Conversely, the highly productive officer is lionized, regardless of whether or not he makes disguised, unlawful and unethical arrests.

McNamara stated,

Corruption among our narcotics officers will go on no matter what. So long as cops are pressured to fulfill a drug arrest quota, they'll feel justified in making illegal searches and committing perjury concerning the circumstances of the arrest. They'll commit these felonies as long as they produce the kind of statistics that the brass wants. And many will follow the road of temptation, from theft right on down to murder. (5)

That holds true for all officers, not just narcotics officers.

Potential corruption issues are magnified when a law enforcement agency establishes a special unit to specifically increase agency “productivity” if the unit is staffed in part with unethical officers and supervisors. In such cases, it won’t be long until the foot on the slippery slope of corruption degenerates into a full-blown scandal. Rogue units are a direct result of inept management, at best. Rather than inept, if a manager knowingly sets the stage leading to unlawful police activity, he is corrupt. The corrupting factor may not be money, but it could be the desire for personal power or to protect his job.

Early stage police corruption violates civil rights, destroys the public confidence and undermines respect for the law.

I’m grieved that some officers raised their hands, gave the oath of office, were accepted into the Sheepdog fraternity, and eventually abandoned and abused the sacred trust. Inept and/or corrupt managers and officers no longer support and defend the Constitution. They no longer qualify for the honorable “Sheepdog” appellation. These people are now “Jackals,” a close and vile relative of the “Wolf.”

Uu-ah Sheepdog! (6)
Hunt the Wolf and the Jackal!

Links in the Blog:
(1) Sheepdog Barking header

(2) Chicago Police Corruption Probe Under Way

(3) City Will Pay $810,000 in Rampart Lawsuit

(4) Deputies Portrayed as Criminals Trial

(5) Gangsta Cops

(6) Uu-ah to All You Civilian Sheepdogs