The Carden Chronicles

Swine Flu in MA

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:48:00 +0000

The CDC is about to put Massachusetts on the list of States with Swine Flu. I do not know why it is taking the CDC so long-- Barney Frank has lived there for years!

As far as Swine Flu in Kansas goes-- Kansas should be off the list soon-- Sebelius was confirmed as HHS Secretary yesterday. Therefore she should be moving to Washington D.C soon

Yesterday, the first case of Swine Flu in Pennsylvania was reported-- Arlen Spectre -- or perhaps he is just a swine.

Then there is the issue of Swine Flu Washington, D.C.-- perhaps the CDC thinks everyone already knows about the number of swine already there?
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Moves to Stop Iranian Arms Smuggling to Hamas

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

US Navy Combined Task Force 151 has been ordered to stop ships that are smuggling arms to Hamas, according to reports in the London Times, Haaretz and yNet. Additionally, a French Frigate has been ordered to the area to stop arms smuggling. French President Sarkozy ordered the French Foreign Minister to work with the US and Europe to find methods to stop the arms smuggling to Hamas.

Israeli military intelligence has been circulating documents that suggest that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has a large program in place to re-arm Hamas after the recent fighting with Israel in Gaza.

Last week, the crew from the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) boarded a Cypriot flagged ship owned by Iran, and it is believed that weapons were found. These weapons were heading from Iran to Hamas. This event occurred on January 19-20. Some reports suggest that this was originally a covert op that was initiated because of the "memorandum of understanding" between the US and Israel that was signed on January 16.

There is some discussion as to the legal basis for the boarding and any future boarding in international waters as the ship was flying the flag of a nation.

The concern of course is what happens next? If the US Navy moves to stop Iranian shipping of weapons--which I believe it should-- and an Iranian ship decides it is not going to "heave to" then what? What are the rules of engagement in this situation? Does the Navy fire a shot across the bow? Does the Navy disable a rudder with a shot or small torpedo? How does Iran respond, if the US fires on an Iranian ship that refuses to stop? How do we react, should an Iranian vessel fire upon us, or members of a boarding party are killed? Are we looking at the opening moves of the next war? Or will Iran back down like the Soviets did with Cuba in 1962?

Iran is determined to re-arm Hamas, just as they are determined to acquire nukes. All of this is for one purpose-- to annihilate Israel. The US should of course stop Iran. Hamas is a terrorist organization and is responsible for the deaths of Israeli's as well as Americans and people of other countries. They, like the Taliban, are not a legitimate government. They are terrorists.

The US used to believe in stopping terrorist threats. I hope we still do.

Iran Running Out of Yellow Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:04:00 +0000

Iran is apparently running out of yellow cake uranium, which is used to process nuclear weapons. The British are lobbying major uranium producing nations, asking them not to sell uranium to Iran. The idea is that if Iran runs out of uranium, it could help contain their nuclear ambitions.

However, according to reports, Mossad believes that Iran will produce its first nuclear weapon this year or next. Israeli military intelligence agrees with this assessment.

Iran of course claims their nuclear program is peaceful and they would never even think of the idea of harming Israel. Maybe they are thinking they need a nuclear program because of the concern of all the green-house gas that all their oil and natural gas would produce if they used that to produce electricity.

Maybe Iran was listening to the Inaugural address. After all, President Barak Hussien Obama said, "know that your people will judge you on what you can build."

Well Mr. President, it looks like Iran can build a nuke or two, and now something needs to be done before it is too late.

Iran must be stopped. If we do not stop them, Israel will. Regardless, there must never be an Iranian bomb.

Two Former Gitmo Detainee's In Al-Qaeda Video

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:46:00 +0000

Two terrorist, released from Gitmo have appeared in a video posted on a terrorist website according to Agence France Presse.

Abu Sufyan al-Azdi al-Shahri, prisoner number 372 at Gitmo and Abu al Hareth Muhammad al-Oufi, prisoner number 333 both appeared in the Al-Qaeda video.

In the video, al-Shahri admits to having done "jihad" and talks about his stay at Gitmo.

According to the Penatogon, 61 of the 520 released inmates have returned to fighting.

So, obviously it is time to stop the trials, close Gitmo and release them all. Right, Mr. President?

(al-Shahri is the scum-bag on the left)

I Won- Now Shut-Up and Obey Me

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:17:00 +0000

I believe I am now beginning to understand about this "change" thing that liberals have been talking about for the last year or so.

Change- from a government that believes in free speech and free press to one that does not.

Earlier this week, President Obama got irritated and decided to have a stare down with a reporter. The reporter asked what the deal was with the President's promise of no lobbyist in his administration even though he appointed a lobbyist from Raytheon to work at the pentagon. The President never answered the question.

Then we have the issue of photographers in the White House. The White House is not allowing still cameras and video in situations where they have always been allowed in previous administrations. Instead, the White House is distributing "official" photos of events.

And then we have the meeting with the GOP yesterday. The President is quoted as saying "I won" in a effort to explain why he will get his way with the stimulus package.

Of course, the best way to get along with the new Administration is to stop listening to anyone who questions them. The President is quoted as saying "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done." Is that the "Fairness Doctrine" I see coming next?

So much for the new age of openness.

Helping Two for the Price Of One

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:54:00 +0000

This year, when it comes time to spend that tax return, may I recommend a way to both help a US company and support Israel at the same time?

Purchase a Baby Desert Eagle Pistol!!!

Support your local gun store, the American company that imports them and Israel Weapons Industries who manufactures them. I am proud to say they resently received my support!!!

Israel Declares Cease-Fire, Hamas Attacks

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:35:00 +0000

According to ynet News, two people were injured today (Sunday) when terrorist fired fifteen rockets and three mortars into Israel. The attacks were in Ashdod and Sedrot. In addition to the people that were injured, there was property damage from the attacks including damage to a kibbutz with a chicken farm (apparently there are 160,000 chickens so I am calling that a farm). Reports are that a couple hundred chickens were killed.

The Israeli Defense Forces fired back and took out the launchers of the rockets.

No country should constantly have to put up with this type of activity. If rockets were being fired from Juarez into El Paso every day, or across the border into Douglas, Arizona, I am quite sure the US Military would have responded with all the rage this nation can muster.

Of course, there are those out there that seem to think that Israel should have to just "put-up with it" or "deal with it." Why? Why should Israel not be entitled to protect their citizens, visitors and those within their borders?

Work Place Shooting Stopped By Concealed Carry

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:24:00 +0000

This is a story that will not be talked about on the left-wing media. Why? Because it proves two things. First, it proves that Concealed Carry works. Second, it proves that "gun control" will NOT stop a bad guy who wants to commit a crime.

This comes to us from the Houston Chronicle, via "Of Arms and the Law."

A woman, who is allegedly mentally unbalanced, walked into a Houston business with a bow and shot an employee in the chest. She then pulls what appears to a pistol (it turned out later to be fake) and points it at other employees. Two employees, who are concealed carry permit holders, fire at her, wounding her. The woman retreats to another room. Police arrive. The woman draws the bow and points it at police officers who also fire at her. The woman, and the man she shot with the arrow are both hospitalized.

First, this story proves that concealed carry works in the workplace. I cannot help but wonder how many more people would have been hurt if the employees had not stopped the woman with the bow. Obviously, she was willing to take more lives. This is evidenced by her drawing on police.

Second, the woman used a bow. Reports are that she was mentally unbalanced. When a person REALLY wants to kill, not having a gun will not stop them. If "Gun Control" had been involved in this story, the woman with the bow would have been the victor, she would not have been stopped, and neither of the concealed carry holders would have been armed.

The ONLY thing that gun control does is disarm law-abiding citizens.

Or perhaps we need tighter bow control?

For a list of other interesting weekend "reads" see here.

The White House Gun-Ban Agenda

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:44:00 +0000

The White House website has posted the President's agenda-- including his intent to ban ownership of certain firearms by law-abiding citizens.

This is planned, despite a reported drop in violent crime by 23% between 1990 and 2008.

Bottom line, stock up on firearms now, before the current administration decides that law-abiding citizens, who have passed criminal background checks, cannot be trusted with gun's that shoot a single shot when you pull the trigger.

Stock up now, before the administration decides how many rounds of ammunition law-abiding, background cleared, fingerprinted, citizens are allowed to carry in a concealed carry weapon- or ANY weapon for that matter.

The Second Amendment says, "...the right of the people…shall not be infringed." What part of SHALL NOT be infringed does the administration not understand?

The Other Change of Command on Inauguration Day

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:15:00 +0000

One other change of command that took place with the inauguration should be noted. Col. Mark Tillman, USAF, flew his last mission of the VC-25 known as Air Force One. His last mission, from Andrews Air Force Base to Midland, Texas and back was not flown with the callsign Air Force One, however. This flight was known as Special Air Mission 28000 (SAM28000).

Col. Tillman, a veteran of 30 years is retiring from the Air Force and passed his command to Col. Scott Turner.

Col. Tillman was in command of Air Force One on 9/11 and also flew President Bush to Iraq on Thanksgiving 2003. The Thanksgiving mission was so secret, according to Col. Tillman, that the crew was not told until just prior to take-off and the crews in Baghdad did not know the President was arriving until he landed.

Thoughts on the Inauguration

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:49:00 +0000

At noon Eastern, a new age began in this country. I am not speaking of the "first's" that occurred today, although I will agree that it is remarkable and wonderful, that just over 45 years since Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech, an African-American family is the First Family. We should not forget, that President Obama is not the first African-American to hold high government office. The first African-American Secretary of State was appointed by President George W. Bush, and the first African-American Woman appointed Secretary of State, was also appointed by President George W. Bush.

The new age that I speak of is an age of liberalism with little to no method to object. President Obama is a liberal. The liberals control the House by a large majority. The liberals control the Senate by almost a veto and filibuster proof majority. The Cabinet, with the exception of Defense Secretary Gates, are all liberal ideologues.

I am NOT looking forward to this new age.

The President was correct in his speech, when he stated that we faced challenges ahead.

We face an economy with serious issues. Unfortunately, the "Market" reacted to the inauguration today with a drop of 332 points. The "Market " dropped 50 of those points during the President's speech. Does that tell us what "the Street" really thinks of the new President?

We continue to face a war on terror. It is ridiculous to think we should treat terrorist we capture as criminals. They are enemy combatants, captured in a combat zone, out of uniform. They should be treated as such, and not treated as an American citizen subject to all the rights and privileges' of our court system. They should be treated as what they are, and I do NOT believe this contradicts any of the ideals our country was founded on.

We face a possible climate shift. I am NOT speaking of global warming. On the contrary, I am speaking of global cooling. What we need for this is SCIENCE. REAL SCIENCE- not the voodoo and false science of Global Warming. We need real scientists doing real research so we can prepare for what is to come. I do not say or believe that we need scientist to tell us how to radically change the climate, for I do not believe that man has very much influence on planetary climate change. We are in a period of sunspot lapse that exceeds 95% of normal, and only during the Dalton Minimum has a lapse time been longer. Fortunately real science is finally starting to "leak out." Now even the liberal CNN is starting to see that, just maybe, cooling is happening and "Global Warming" may be a myth.

We face a time when the rights of the individual are constantly eroded. We live in a time when, although the Court has ruled in Heller that the Second Amendment applies to the individual, the new President has appointed an Attorney General who has, throughout his career, worked to weaken the Second Amendment.

Yes, I agree with our new President, we face many challenges. What those challenges are, and how we should address them are where the President and I disagree.

Although I wish the President and his family good health and safety, and I want to see a safe, secure, peace in the Middle-East, especially for Israel, I do not wish the President success. I do not want him to succeed. The success of this President and Congress will be disaster for this country.

As such I will write. I will write my Congressman. I will write here. I will make calls. I will donate to organizations such as the NRA who are there to ensure that Freedom is protected. I encourage all my readers to do the same.

It is 650 days until mid-term elections. 650 days until we can change the polarity of the Congress. We have 650 days of hard work ahead of us.

I encourage all my readers to join me, working over the next 650 days, so that we can bring about REAL change.

Psoriatic Arthritis Update

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:13:00 +0000

Lately, I have received several emails and comments regarding how my Psoriatic Arthritis is doing. I wish I could say that things are great and there are no issues, but that is not entirely true.

I am doing better and fortunately I am off the Methotrexate (MTX). The MTX was not fun at all for me. I could usually count on 24 hours of being nauseous and queasy after taking it, but it would eventually pass.

These days I am taking Relefin and Humira, as well as a narcotic pain med. Originally, I had been taking Embril, which was a twice a week injection, but taking Humira, which is every 10 days for me, is much more convenient with traveling for work.

As far as how it is working, I am not sure. I have good days and bad days. New Years week had several bad days, and for some reason, the last 48 hours has been bad as well. The Humira is supposed to work on my skin psoriasis, but for some reason it has not. I am not sure if that means it is not working well on the arthritis portion of the psoriasis.

At any rate, I am thankful for the good days, and I make sure that when I am having one I take full advantage of it.

The BIGGEST Game of the Year (Repost)

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:06:00 +0000

It is the biggest event of the year for the two colleges involved. Their entire season has been about the three hours today when the schools meet. For them, every other game has been practice. For the coaches and players, their previous record has not mattered, this game, is it. Even if the teams have lost every other game of the year, winning THIS game, makes it a winning season.

For years to come, the players will be asked the outcome of this game. Millions of fans around the world will watch this game. All other activity will stop or be delayed. The play by play will be broadcast to every spot on the globe, by video, by audio, by text; some by clear transmission and in other cases by broadcast so secure, no other nation on earth can break the code. The game will be followed at homes, in tents, trucks, on ships, in the air, in mountain and desert camps, and under the oceans.

This game will be played until the very last second. If one side is down by more than a touchdown with less than a minute to play, the stands will NOT start to empty. Anyone who has followed this game through the years knows that lead of this game can change at any moment, and has, in the past, been decided with mere seconds remaining. The players will give their all and never give up hope, despite what the scoreboard reads.

Yet professional Football careers will likely not be in the future of any player. Unlike other games played today, their will be no thoughts of next years NFL draft or about an NFL signing bonus. This game is being played by young men who are playing only for their teams and not for personal glory. This game is likely the only game today where the game is being played only for love of the game.

When this game ends, there will be tears, of joy and sadness, but there will be no ill will toward the other side. Immediately, both teams will gather, side by side, and sing their Alma Matter's and become brothers once again.

This game is about more than just Football. THIS game is about Duty; about Honor; about Country.

This game is the 109th meeting of Army and Navy.

Other games played today may receive more hype, and they will receive more coverage by print, by bloggers, and by the media in general, but no other game will be played with more emotion. No other game will be played with more spirit. No other game will be played with more honor.

Soldiers and Sailors around the globe will stop for this game. Televisions and radios on bases, on ships and in the Pentagon will be tuned to this game. Soldiers hidden in valley's and mountains running secret missions will radio to ask the score. For the time this game is played they will be rivals, but when this game ends, again they will be brothers in arms.

Next year, at this time, the seniors that play this game today will be serving our country, for every player today is a Soldier, Sailor or Marine.

In the years to come, each of these players will serve our country with honor and distinction, and some may be called upon to give The Last Full Measure of Devotion. But for them, and for us, no matter what the future holds, and no matter what success and sacrifices...

...there will always be this game.

The 109th Army-Navy Game-- Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM CST (noon eastern) on CBS.

A New Nightmare Scenario

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:30:00 +0000

According to reports Senator McCain will be meeting with Former Senator Obama (soon to be, but NOT YET President-Elect) today, November 17, 2008 about cooperation.

Rumor has it that Former Senator Obama may offer Senator McCain the post of Secretary of Defense. The idea of a Republican SecDef, with a Democratic President is not that far-fetched- after all, Sec. McNamara was a Republican.

However, this appointment would be an INCREDIBLE VICTORY for the Democrats, and a NIGHTMARE for the GOP.

If Senator McCain leaves the Senate, his seat will be fill by appointment by the DEMOCRAT Governor of Arizona. This would, as things now appear to be standing, put the Democrats at, or over the 60 seat Super Majority.

It appears that Stevens' seat is gone. The "recount" in Minnesota is a joke and appears to be headed for a Franken win-- especially if they keep finding "missing" ballots. The GOP could hold 41 seats if Saxby Chamblis wins in Georgia.

However, if Senator McCain leaves the Senate-- the Democrats have total control...

By the way-- is this Obama plagiarizing the "Seventh Season of West Wing"-- the "Maverick Republican Senator" gets appointed to the "First Minority President's cabinet."

Later today I am flying to Minneapolis-- anyone want to bet whether I am asked to fill out a Democratic Absentee Ballot for Franken when I land????

Own A Gun? Don't Apply to Work for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:50:00 +0000

The President-Elect and the Former Clintonista's and Kool-Aid Drinkers who are in his transition team, are making it clear that restricting gun ownership will be a big part of the agenda.

The new administration's "vetting" questionnaire, asks about gun ownership. Question 59- "Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage."

Either the President-Elect does not want gun-owners in his administration, or more likely, he wants to make sure there are as few as possible, and that none have ever been involved in a self-defense situation that those of us on the "evil right" could point to.

He does not ask about violation of firearms laws. He asks about ownership. He asks about registration (which is only required in five states). He asks about registration lapsing (you only have to renew a registration in New York and a couple of it's surrounding counties).

He also asks how, and by whom it is used. Why would this matter? Is this so that he can say, "No one in my administration has a concealed carry permit" when he and his liberal Congress attempt to pass a federal ban on Concealed Carry, or pass a federal ban on "shall issue" laws.

His website (this link is provided as proof of source material only. I personally discourage people from reading lies and unconstitutional promises) makes it clear that he wants to create a "permanent" "assault weapon's ban" -- in other words, a permanent ban on all firearms that are not single shot.

His website states he wishes to make sure all gun's are child-proof-- In other words, he wants to create legislation so restrictive as to eliminate all guns currently owned by law-abiding citizens in the United States.

The President-Elect LIED out-right on his website, by saying the Tiahart amendment keeps law-enforcement from accessing gun-trace information. The Tiahart amendment actually RESTRICTS trace information to ONLY law-enforcement for bona-fide investigations, rather than allowing anyone and everyone from accessing the database. The President-Elect states he will repeal the Tiahart amendment.

Bottom-line- this President-Elect is the most Anti-Gun liberal we have ever elected. With the liberal majority in the House and a possible super-majority in the Senate, soon there may be nothing to stop him.

Our only hope, is to Save Saxby Chamblis and prevent the liberal super-majority in the Senate.

Attacking Ammunition

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:17:00 +0000

Since The Court has said gun ownership is a RIGHT, the Left has decided to go after our ammunition.

In the last couple of days, a report has surface from the CDC and North Dakota Department of Health regarding eating wild game that was shot with lead projectiles. North Dakota has issued cautions on wild game, but the state of Wyoming said they find nothing significant in the study.

Some in the MSM(and on left-wing anti-gun sites which I have a policy that I will not link to) are claiming that the report says that eating game causes increase lead in the blood.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation disagrees with what the MSM is saying. This is from their press release on this study:

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study on human lead levels of hunters in North Dakota has confirmed what hunters throughout the world have known for hundreds of years, that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition poses absolutely no health risk to people, including children, and that the call to ban lead ammunition was and remains a scare tactic being pushed by anti-hunting groups to forward their political agenda.

Fortunately, the facts seem to get in the way of what the MSM and Anti-gun crowd would like us to believe. The MSM and Left are playing with numbers to make the numbers show what they want.

The report states that a lead level (Pb) higher than 10.0 micrograms/deciliter is not healthy. The geometric mean lead level of the entire population of the US is 1.67.

According to this study the geometric mean Pb (lead) in micrograms/deciliter for those adults who consumed venison was 1.27. HOWEVER, the Pb for those who lived in houses built before 1977 was 1.31, house before 1946 was 1.39. Therefore, can't we say that living in a house built before 1977 is a greater risk for increase Serum Pb than eating game?

Further, the Pb of those who only had a High School Education was 1.57 and High School drop-outs (those who did NOT have education higher than high-school) was 1.95!!! So, can we conclude that College prevents elevated Pb in the Blood? Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

The study also appears to show that those who had been eating venison for 10 years or more, had lower Pb levels than those eating for only a year or less (-0.114 decrease from those who had only eaten venison for one year) I wonder how that works? The more venison you eat, the lower your Pb levels are?

It does not appear that his study has been peer reviewed, and it certainly seems as though Wyoming is right, there is nothing significant related to eating of game. It IS likely that other factors are causing the increases that are seen and eating wild game is just coincidental. It should be noted that there was ONE person in the study with lead levels at about 9.86, which is about 9 times higher than the group mean. In other words, this one person could certainly affect the study.

Just because one thing follows another, it does necessarily mean that the one thing is caused by the other. The author of the study seems to have forgotten that.

Click HERE for the full text of the report.

Save Saxby!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:55:00 +0000

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS, REPUBLICAN FROM GEORGIA WHO FACES A RUN OFF ON DEC. 2

It appears that Senator Saxby Chambliss, Republican from the State of Georgia will be heading to a run-off election because he has not gotten a majority (50% +1) of votes in his re-election bid.

This is a seat that Republicans MUST save.
Currently the Senate make up is 57 Democrat (or Democratic Caucus) and 40 Republican with 3 seats, including Chambliss', outstanding. The three seats are Sen. Stevens of Alaska, who was recently convicted of corruption (although he plans to appeal), Sen. Coleman of Minnesota, who is barely ahead of Al Franken and headed for a recount, and Sen. Chambliss.

In Alaska, they are still counting, and victory is not certain. In Minnesota, the recount could go either way. In both these situations, there is nothing that anyone can do. The votes have been cast.

But Georgia is another story. This run-off elections gives us a last chance to STOP a Democrat Super-Majority. Currently, the ONLY thing that can be done to stop Democrat extreme leftist laws, is a Republican filibuster. However, if the Democrats gain 60 seats, the game is up. There will be NOTHING that anyone can do to stop them.

I challenge ALL my readers and Fellow Bloggers to contribute just $10 to the Chambliss Campaign. That is a small amount-- less than what you would pay at Starbucks for two venti mocha's and a danish! Please remember that ANY size contribution will help!

The Democrats are going to pull out all stops. The "Obama Machine," Unions and every liberal special interest group will be doing everything possible to defeat Sen. Chambliss. The country just went from 470 Congressional races to 1. The Democrats will not just ignore this race. This may be the last chance we have to save our Republic from a leftist onslaught.

Save Saxby!!!

UPDATE: Hot Air gives another reason why Saving Saxby may be our only hope!

South Park and My First Good Laugh Post Election

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:49:00 +0000

Wednesday, November 5, Comedy Central aired the South Park episode, "About Last Night..." It is probably the best South Park of this season. It was hilarious, and gave me my first laugh since election night. It was definately topical, and definately timely.

I especially enjoyed the Obama supports getting carried away. Keep in mind that the creators of South Park are equal opportunity offenders. However, the show definately has a right-wing slant.

This episode is a must see. Below is a short clip from the show. The full episode can be watched here

Warning: Some Language May be Offensive

First Moves by President-Elect

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:07:00 +0000

President-elect Obama tapped Rep. Rahm Emanuel to serve as his White House Chief of Staff today. Rep. Emanuel also served under President Clinton.

Rep. Emanuel is certainly a "die-hard" partisan and is a hard-core liberal based on his voting record.

We will just have to wait and see if President-Elect Obama's other choices are as partisan, or if he is really going to reach across the aisle like he has said he would.

Wall Street did react today, though, to the election, and the reaction was not good. The drop was the largest post election drop in history. Is "the Street" betting on economic failure by the new President? Are they anticipating future economic disasters?

The good news is that gas prices are down. But, back in March, the Iranian government said that oil prices would be down in advance of the US Elections.

I guess we will just have to wait to see what tomorrow brings.

What Now?

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:08:00 +0000

So the results are in. It is 10:01 CST and California has just been called for Sen. Obama, making him the next President-Elect of the United States. Next month, the Electoral College will vote, and the House will validate the results, making Sen. Obama the President-Elect. On January 20, 2009, Sen. Obama will become the 44th President of the United States.

I did not vote for Senator Obama. I do not believe in his political views. I believe he is too liberal. I believe his views border on socialism. I do not believe he is remotely qualified to be President of the United States. However, the electorate has spoken. Perhaps we can put away the thinking that this is a racist country.

Now the question becomes what now for the Republican Party?

It is time for the Republican Party to reflect on who we are, where we have come from and where we must go from here.

It was a Republican President who signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a Republican Congress that passed the "Freedman's Bureau" and the first protections for African Americans. It was a Republican President that broke the back of the original "klan." It was a Republican President who was the first President to ask an African American to dinner in the White House. It was a Republican President who started the Conservation movement. It was a Republican President who pushed through legislation that guaranteed clean water and safe food. It was a Republican President who taught us that it was o.k. to be a patriot and wave the Red, White and Blue and that America is the "Shining City on a Hill". It was a Republican President who made the final, great stand against the Soviets, and told them to "tear down this wall." It was a Republican President who told us from ground zero in New York, "I hear you... and the people that tore these buildings down are going to hear all of us soon."

But, these things are our past. Now we must look to our future and where we must go.

We have lost our way as a party, and in losing our way, we have lost not only the White House, but we have lost additional seats in the House and the Senate. We must somehow find our way again. We must return to being the party of responsible reform. We must return to being the party of small government. We must return to being the party of fiscal responsibility.

For now, though, the ball is in the court of the Democrats. The Democrats have control, in the House, the Senate and the White House. They can no longer blame the Republican Party for their failures. Now we will see who and what they really are.

God save the President of the United States. God save the United States of America.

.

More Military Moves By Iran

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:30:00 +0000

Iran has decided to perform a bit of a "show of force" starting today (Monday in Iran). They have announced they are going to be running joint military exercises, maneuvers and performing "domestic" weapons testing. The location of the maneuvers was not announced.

Iran also stated their navy has developed new submarine technology to prevent their subs from being picked up on "radar" (personally I thought sonar was the bigger concern).

Iran stated that their air forces and revolutionary guard will be involved in the maneuvers. From PressTV.ir (Iranian Media)-

The Islamic Republic Air Force will test Iran's domestic-made warfare in a joint military exercise with the IRGC, the Defense Ministry says.
The joint aerial maneuver will be held on Monday and is aimed at boosting Iran's defensive capabilities and operational tactics, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said.
The military exercise, which involves The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), comes in the wake of escalating US and Israeli threats to strike the country's nuclear facilities...
...Tehran has warned that Israel and 32 US bases in the region will be targeted should the country come under attack. (Emphasis Added)

This is right along with my earlier statement--1+1=3. Something is not adding up in Iran.

Houston: Help is On the Way

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:38:00 +0000

I was out this afternoon doing some shopping. While crossing over I-35, I noticed a convoy of utility trucks headed south-bound. All total there were 20 to 30 trucks in this convoy. I pulled to the side of the road and got a quick photo with my cell phone. Unfortunately, I could not get a picture of all of them without causing a major traffic issue.

Now, we have not had any type of event in the Kansas City Metro that would necessitate that large of a convoy of utility vehicles heading south on I-35. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is they are headed to Texas.

Houston, help is on the way!

Readers, please remember to make a donation if you are able to the American Red Cross or your favorite relief organization. A link to the Red Cross is at the top of this page.

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Russia: I Love the 70's (or 80's)

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:42:00 +0000

Russia has made some interesting moves lately, making me wonder personally if they are trying to resurrect some of the "good ole' days" of the Soviet Union.

Several months ago, Russian bombers decided to "play games" with US Forces, including "playing chicken" with the USS Nimitz- something that was a bit unusual at the time.

Last week, Russia decided to send Tu-160 strategic bombers into Venezuela. Then they ran exercises with those bombers, and Russian naval assets in the Caribbean. (Is it just me or does the Tu-160 look almost exactly like a B-1B, down to the four engines and sweepable wings? -- I wonder if they "borrowed" the plans. Pictures Below.)

Russia has struck a deal with Syria to renovate and re-equip a Syrian port for use by the Russian Navy. The port is in Tartus, Syria. From the DEBKAfile:

Russian naval contingent, led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, left Murmansk on the Barents Sea Aug. 18 to dock at the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus Saturday, Aug. 23. It includes the Russian Navy’s biggest missile cruiser Moskva and at least four nuclear missile submarines.

Israel is expressing "concern" about Russian sales of arms to Iran.

Replace the word Russia, with "Soviet Union" and this reads like something from the 1970's or 80's.

US Selling Bunker Busters to Israel

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:53:00 +0000

The Department of Defense announced that the US will be selling "Bunker Buster" bombs to the Israeli Air Force. The Pentagon will be selling Israel 1000 of the "Guided Bomb Unit-39" (GBU-39) for a total of $77 million. The weapons are GPS guided. According to the report, the bombs can penetrate over 1.8 meters of concrete with an accuracy of 5-8 meters.

The bombs each way about 250 pounds and can be carried by smaller aircraft, such as the F-16 or F-15. The light weight of the bombs allows for longer range missions. The bomb is built by Boeing, who refers to it as a "Small Diameter Bomb" (SDB).

The US will also be upgrading Israel's "Patriot" systems and provide additional LAW rockets. Now the DOD just needs to include some F-22 Raptors to complete the package!

Even though the US is providing precision guided bunker busting bombs, I am sure Israel was likely told to only use them for "practice."

The video below is a demo of the GBU-39.

Updated Information from Houston

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carden) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:39:00 +0000

UPDATE: I have not yet heard from Mark in Houston, but with the power down, it may be a while until I hear anything. John Little appears to have come out the storm ok, but has some damage to his home.

I received this from Mark in Houston:

I was just looking at the track and it looks like it is heading straight for my house! I still don’t think the winds will be any worse here so far inland, than it was for Rita three years ago. However, it does appear that the storm surge, like a tsunami, will inundate our low-lying coastal areas. Predicting a 20 foot surge for Galveston island, which would completely cover the island. Homeland security actually issued a warning to the people left on the island of “certain death” if they stayed. Pretty much says it all.
NASA is in the Friendswood / Clear Lake area here and is also in a low lying area and is threatened as well. Apparently, they have protected all of their buildings and will continue operation during the storm and don’t expect much damage from wind or water. It will be hitting late tonight and blow until midday tomorrow.
Connectivity permitting, I will update you then

Also- John Little is Live Blogging the Storm from Houston- His site is http://www.blogsofwar.com/