Busy Week - Saddam Sentenced, Election Day is Tuesday, & Veteran's Day is Saturday - I Need Coffee.... Now...

Partly Cloudy - Hi 86 Lo 59 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Cloudy - Hi 57 Lo 44 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: 8th of November, Big & Rich

Ramble:

on Saddam

First thing I read this morning... Saddam sentenced to death by hanging for crimes against humanity. A verdict of this kind doesn't cause me to cheer. I'm not sad--- or even upset. I guess uneasy is the best word to describe how I feel. DON'T MISUNDERSTAND!!! I am grateful that justice is being served. Saddam Hussein massacred countless people. This is justice. This is his punishment. Watching the tape of him being defiant in the courtroom, well, it simply causes me to feel unsettled. Does this man have no soul? Are there others like him?

on Election Day, Tuesday November 7

Next, are the Republicans really going to stay at home on election day? Gosh- I certainly hope not. Do you suppose this is something that the Left is using as a tactic? Being the radio talk show junkie that I am, some of these so called Republicans that are calling in saying they are not going to vote on Tuesday simply do not sound like Republicans. Maybe it's just me, but I believe these folks are "seminar" callers... they just sound too shrill to be of the Right.

Second, are the Republicans doing as badly as the polls reflect? This is a complete mystery to me. I suppose it's because of the circle I am in, but I just don't get it. I mean double digits- bad... I did take one phone call about a week ago... could'nt believe it... I was being polled by the RNC.... First time ever-- I have been voting for 23 years... 1st poll... Maybe I'll be asked to jury duty too.... who knows?!

Regardless, don't know about you but I'm done with all the radio commericials, local tv spots, freakin' email, mailers, flyers stuck on my car and in our door jamb, not to mention the recorded voice messages left on our phone from politicians hoping to sway me to their way of thinking. Last night when Michael and I got home we had a voice message from Trisha. "Cathy and Michael, like I just wanted to make sure you were going to vote this Tuesday and like you know where to go and vote and like vote for Geoff Davis. uhkay?" Didn't know we had valley girls in Kentucky-- furthermore, didn't know valley girls in Kentucky were Republicans. Since we live in Northern Kentucky we get the double whammy-- Ohio and Kentucky political ads!! AAAACCCCKKKKKK!!! Tuesday simply can not get here soon enough.

So with that said, time to push the crap ads aside... push up my sleeves and do some homework and find out who these folks are and what they stand for... Quite frankly both parties are shameful.... "Vote for me, cause the other guy is a slime".... Ya know... that very well may be, but what do you stand for???

If you are in Ohio...the governor's race is probably one of the most critical in the nation. Ken Blackwell is a man of integrity. I can say I knew him back in the day when he was mayor of Cincinnati. This man has never strayed from his core beliefs and convictions. He is a good man. He has been the lone wolf in Ohio and stood in defiance against the corruption of the other men in his party. I hope and pray Ohioans are wise and elect this man.


Ken Blackwell

The senatorial race in Pennsylvania is also critical. I don't believe there is anyone more passionate more committed to his state or this nation than Rick Santorum. Here is a man that has not lost sight of what really matters. He is a family man and has high moral convictions. There is no question what he stands for. Pennsylvania, please keep this man in office.


Rick Santorum


in Kentucky

The 4th District has a race for United States Congress- Incumbent Geoff Davis running against Ken Lucas. I'll cut to the chase. Davis is a Republican, Lucas a Democrat. They are pretty much the same on paper---Pro Life, Pro 2nd Amendment--- but the difference comes to Homeland Security, immigration and our military, and spending. I'm going with Davis. He is a good man- despite what the media is reporting. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Davis. I was able to ask him detailed questions about our military. Davis has stayed true to his word and his voting record is clear. His opponent's voting record provides a more concise picture of the man and his philosophy- one that I will not support.

Geoff Davis for Congress - 4th District
Davis' Voting Record
Lucas' Voting Record

Everything else in Kentucky is at the county level, so I won't bore you with that. Know this. I am voting Republican.

Over at Townhall.com Dennis Prager wrote precisely how I think on this matter.

[...]Any Republican, let alone conservative, who votes Democrat or stays home out of pique with the Republican Congress or the president has chosen emotion over reason.[...]

[...]And what about the single most important reason to elect Republicans -- the appointment of judges, especially justices to the Supreme Court? What sort of reasoning would lead a conservative to conclude that it is more important to express anger at Republicans than to prevent Democrats from appointing Supreme Court justices and other judges?[...]
Read the rest here.

Color Me Purple and remember it is our responsibility to vote. I think of those brave souls last year that risked death to cast their vote. I think of all those lives lost protecting our freedom and liberty. I think of our fighting men and women past and present. I think of my nieces and nephews and the country I will hand over to them. Getting up an extra half an hour to go to the polls is the least I can do.

Check voting records of your Senators and Representatives

on Veteran's Day, November 11
on National Veterans Awareness Week, November 5 through November 11, 2006

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Through the generations, America's men and women in uniform have defeated tyrants, liberated continents, and set a standard of courage and idealism for the entire world. On Veterans Day, our Nation pays tribute to those who have proudly served in our Armed Forces.

To protect the Nation they love, our veterans stepped forward when America needed them most. In conflicts around the world, their sacrifice and resolve helped destroy the enemies of freedom and saved millions from oppression. In answering history's call with honor, decency, and resolve, our veterans have shown the power of liberty and earned the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation.

All of America's veterans have placed our Nation's security before their own lives, creating a debt that we can never fully repay. Our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best America can give them.

As we recall the service of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, we are reminded that the defense of freedom comes with great loss and sacrifice. This Veterans Day, we give thanks to those who have served freedom's cause; we salute the members of our Armed Forces who are confronting our adversaries abroad; and we honor the men and women who left America's shores but did not live to be thanked as veterans. They will always be remembered by our country.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2006, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 5 through November 11, 2006, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Take time to thank our Veterans. They have done so much for this great nation.







More on Veterans Day here




D ZONE

Beneath the canopy of green,
Flitting shadows make their way,
In silent files they furtively steal,
Looking, searching for their prey,
Muffled footfalls barely heard above
other muted sounds,
Of an armed band moving, through the
heart of "Cong's" home grounds.
Back again in the D Zone and it's been
said and heard,

"Charlie" shares exclusive rights with
the One-Seventy-Third.
Of course it's hotly contested,
And real estate's on a rising cost,
With payment made on either side,
In blood and sweat long lost.
But now it's push on and on,
Through swamp and tough terrain,
With salty sweat searing your eyes,
And a roaring in your brain,
A burning feeling in your chest,
And each breath a gasp of air.
But it's move and push and drive,
Until you've found "Charlies" lair.
Maybe soon they'll call a halt,
And you'll slip to the mucky ground,
Grateful to pick the leeches off,
And pass the smokes around.
But now it's bamboo thicket,
And lurking, snagging vine,
While up ahead the point man,
Searching for some sign
Of elusive, wily "Charlie,"
The guy we're looking for.
And back in line some joker quips,
"Hell of a way to fight a war."
A rifle shot cracks out.

Like the rap of a conductor's baton
That start's an overture,

And willing or not it's on.

Fire is answered with fire,
A crescendo quickly reached,
And "Charlie" breaks and runs,
As his line of defense is breached.
The ensuing silence is unearthly,
Still there's ringing in your ears,
And guys are tending the wounded,
Soothing their unspoken fears.
Here and there's a still, still shape,
Who'll never walk D Zone again.
Their names to be struck from the rolls,
With one stroke of a shaking pen.
The call comes down to saddle up,
We'll soon be on our way,
For we've a goodly stretch to cover,
Before the end of day.
The guys no longer look tired,
They've a determined look of eye
As they scan the shrouded flanks
And treetops that hide the sky.
Now as I write I feel pride,
Proud that I have served
With the "Sky Soldiers" of Company B,
First of the Five-0-Third.

by Joseph M. Kenny, the B Company, lst Battalion 503D Infantry artillery team radio operator (RTO) from Battery C, 3D Battalion, 319th Artillery, 173D Airborne Brigade

Learn about Operation Hump:
Wikipedia - Operation Hump
173rd Brigade Association - Operation Hump

Have a great week everyone!