Mark Bossingham

State of grace

IN A story that might have been written by the terrorists themselves, Associated Press hack Paul Garwood pens a paragraph that tortures the truth and belongs in the museum of the Big Lie. It speaks clearly to the AP's support for terror and the Sunnis responsibility for it. Garwood invokes the mantra "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" in his description of the tribe that is killing and maiming Iraqi citizens and U.S. troops. Do I need to spell out who Garwood's enemy is? You will find them in Arlington Cemetery. Garwood says:
    Many believe the Sunni fall from grace, and parallel rise to power of Iraq's majority Shiite population, is spurring the raging insurgency, driving many disenchanted Sunnis to launch attacks that have killed more than 760 people since the April 28 announcement of the Shiite-dominated new government. Bringing Sunnis back into the political fold could soothe some tensions.
    Please explain to me at what point in time the Sunnis and their tribal chieftain Saddam were in a "state of grace?" Was it when they gassed 5,000 Kurds--women and children--or was it when they invaded Iran or Kuwait? God, forbid writers like Garwood drive the U.S. out and the Sunnis return to this former state.

Present and future warriors

GEORGE BUSH, one of the most effective Commander-in-Chiefs over the past century, again addressed a graduating class at the Naval Academy. Bush last spoke at Annapolis in 2001. During the course of the speech he lauded the men and women who were sitting in the crowd on his first visit and are now on the front lines. One sailor he couldn't even address by name.
    Sitting in the crowd that day was a Midshipman whose name I cannot mention, because he went on to join the secret world of Navy special operations. He would soon deploy to Afghanistan with his Navy SEAL team, where he conducted lightning raids that captured dozens of Taliban and al Qaeda fighters. He even helped protect a very distinguished visitor to Afghanistan: the First Lady of the United States. (Applause.) And if he's out there listening, I've got a message for that courageous Navy Frogman: thanks for defending America, and thanks for taking such good care of my bride.
    Which brings us to some very good news unless you are a member of the hypocritcal "We support but hate the troops'' cadre.
            Navy SEAL Acquitted of Abusing Iraqi
    SAN DIEGO (AP) - A military jury acquitted a Navy SEAL lieutenant Friday of beating an Iraqi prisoner who later died. Jurors deliberated about three hours before finding Lt. Andrew K. Ledford not guilty of all charges.
    The 32-year-old SEAL had faced up to 11 years in military prison if he had been convicted of assault, dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and making false statements.
    Ledford, who had stood at attention for the verdict's reading, burst into a huge smile and embraced his attorney upon hearing he was acquitted. He later brushed away tears and shook hands with the prosecutors.
    "I think that's what makes this country great is that there is a system in place and it works," he said outside court.
    "I hope that someone receives a message from this outcome," Ledford's civilian attorney, Frank Spinner, told reporters. "That we have valiant warriors, brave SEALs, who put their lives on the line and they're human."
    "This case represents nothing more than prosecutorial excess as a result of the pictures and abuses that occurred at Abu Ghraib," Spinner told the jury during his closing argument.
    And it pleases me no end to rub a little salt into the ACLU and its fellow traveler's wounds with this denouement.
    Through his attorney, Ledford said he plans to continue serving as a SEAL. He has been selected for the rank of lieutenant commander, a promotion that was placed on hold pending the trial's outcome.

Memorial Day

IT'S MEMORIAL Day weekend in the States. Been a while since I was back during this time of the year, but my image is of backyard food fests and bargain sales. Monday is the holiday itself. Good time to take a minute or more remembering those that have fallen bringing the United States into being and keeping it safe. I guess we all must know someone who gave their life for the country.
    The Federalist Patriot gives us a little information on what is required to be a guard at the tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery
    For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

Out of touch

THIS IS the kind of story you get when a Democratic journalist at the Christian Science Monitor tries to interpret Republican politics. We, of course are talking about The Maverick. Linda Feldman and her analysts think he's a great guy, so naturally Republicans must, too.
    Sorry, but the sheer fury exhibited on the Net is a pretty good indication of the Maverick's fate and his complicit 6 dwarfs. Regardless, here is an excerpt from the Monitor's delusional article, hat tip James Taranto, Best of the Web:
    WASHINGTON – By the time the 2008 presidential elections roll around, the 2005 nuclear-tinged battle over judicial nominees may be but a distant memory. But for now, that battle - and the 11th-hour compromise that averted the ultimate showdown - holds implications for the nascent presidential race, particularly on the Republican side.
    Among those who appear to be actively considering a run, Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona emerges a winner, analysts say. Senator McCain played a significant role in crafting the compromise announced Monday evening by a bipartisan group of 14 senators. And he is no stranger to the spotlight - or the public. In the 2000 presidential race, he nearly knocked off heir-apparent George W. Bush for the GOP nomination.

Beast returns to normal

THE BEAST is back to normal. She ate her dinner. But notice the 1000-yard stare? She may be suffering from PPD, the hellish Post Pastry Disorder. Her next assignment? She's volunteered to ankle-bite the world's most pompous politico--John "The Maverick" McCain. He could be John "Rebel Sans Cause" McCain but he does have a cause--himself. Albeit a fruitless one--you ain't goin' nowhere dude.
    Just wondering, but as a Navy vet myself, what is it about the USN that creates such unimpressive presidential candidates? Carter was a simpering fool that couldn't make a decision when the chips were down. Kerry looked like a nut job in his camo duck suit and "The Maverick" couldn't find the word "loyalty" in a dictionary printed in 72 point type. As I said, just wondering.

Good news – maybe

THIS LIKE most reports may come to nothing, but even the thought that the No. 1 terrorist in Iraq may have even stubbed his toe pleases me.
    BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A Web site that acts as the clearinghouse for messages from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said Tuesday that Iraq's most-wanted militant had been wounded "for the sake of God" and asked Muslims to pray for his recovery.
    The statement - unusual in that it seemed to seek sympathy for the Jordanian-born militant and possibly may even be preparing supporters for coming bad news - roughly coincided with hints that U.S. and Iraqi officials have recent, solid tips about al-Zarqawi's movements.

Readers respond

GOT MY first irate letter from a reader this morning. As far as the Internet goes, this site is "the road less traveled" so I was a bit surprised. That the missive was incoherent was less surprising. Being called "anti american" a "commie," and a "conservative'' all in the space of two sentences was bewildering. I had no idea I was so politically flexible. So bizarre, I suspect it was from from somebody I know pulling my leg.
UPDATE: The Beast is still off her chow. I think she is suffering from the dreaded excess pastry-sugar syndrome. A few days of fasting will do her good. At 1.4 kilos she was well above her true "fighting weight."

UPDATE–The Beast and The Pastry

WELL, HERE we are more than 12 hours (19:45) later and the Beast won't eat her dinner. Still not hungry. That was a big pastry. Reminds me of the dining habits of a boa. The Beast probably won't eat for a week. She's wandering around the house with a bedraggled look. I bet her stomach hurts. Serves her right. Did I mention we took her with us to Ameyoko to shop on Saturday? After having my wallet drop out of my pocket twice within a month--pockets seem to be getting smaller on jeans these days--I decided to buy a chain wallet. Took some doing but managed to find a wallet that didn't have 30 snaps and a Harley or AC/DC logo. I digress, we also went to the vet to buy vitamins for the Beast and her heart meds. I admit I was paying a lot of attention to a cute Maltese puppy. Me thinks this irritated the Beast as she peed on my lap on the ride home.
    IT COULD have been worse I suppose. Led by "Maverick" John McCain, The Magnificent Seven Republicans shit on their party and peed on their base today. I am puzzled. Does "Maverick" think he has a prayer of ever being president by dumping on Republicans? Sure he might attract a few Democrats, but I would vote for Hillary "The only Man In the Democratic Party" Clinton before I would vote for Snake McCain. Moderate my ass. He's the best friend the Democrats and the MSM have ever had. He must know he committed political seppuku today. Let's sneak into the hallowed Senate chamber and move his desk across the aisle where it belongs. Yo, Beast, go pee on McCain!
    Do I blame the Democrats? Hell no. The Republicans had their foot on their throats and let up. Have we heard the end of the issue? I give the "deal" about three weeks before all hell breaks loose.

Bad dog!

MYSTERY SOLVED. Beast is not ill. A relief. But the Beast is a very bad doggie. Last night Kiyomi brought home a yummy apple custard blueberry pastry for my breakfast. How thoughtful! I bet it was pretty tasty, too. I will never know. During the burglar hours of the night, the Beast dragged it (in a plastic bag), out of her purse and consumed it. No big deal for a Lab. A very big deal for a dog not much bigger than the pastry itself. That was at least three days rations for the Beast. No wonder she didn't want her breakfast (she has subsequently managed to snort it down)! And no wonder her belly felt tight. Here we have a picture of her post-theft. See the guilty look on her face? See the messy pastry stuck to her fur. Bad dog!

News from the East

SOME THINGS never change. I wrote about a nearly identical scenario in my novel. It was at that time simply an observation on the Japanese school system and its difficulty in dealing with kids that are different. Even I didn't have the teachers spray the girl's brown hair black. That seemed beyond the pale and not believable.
    But here's the story from the Mainichi Daily Online.
    SENDAI -- A high school girl has launched a damages suit demanding the Miyagi Prefectural Government pay 5.5 million yen after a public school teacher forced her to dye her naturally reddish hair black.
    The 16-year-old girl, whose name is being withheld, entered the Miyagi Prefecture-run Zao High School in April last year, where the teacher in charge of her class and another teacher often commented on her red hair and told her to dye it black.
    She initially refused to comply on the grounds that her hair would be damaged, adding that it would grow back even redder every time she dyed it black.
    One of the teachers sprayed her hair with black dye, according to the suit.
    The girl and her parents discussed the matter with teachers. She then quit the school because the teachers continued to insist that she dye her hair black, and enrolled herself in another, privately-run high school in April outside Miyagi Prefecture.