Musings of a Real Texas Cowgirl

This blog contains the thoughts of a real Texas cowgirl. They may pertain to politics, religion, or life in general. If anything herein offends you, please go to another blog. If you disagree with anything herein, kindly use facts and intelligent argument. Anyone making personal attacks against Cowgirl or any commenter will be banned.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Common sense from Thomas Sowell

The esteemed Thomas Sowell has an excellent piece at Real Clear Politics, entitled "Guests or Gate Crashers."

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Its not just amnesty they want.......


I hadn't planned on another post, but didn't want anyone to miss this link to Michelle Malkin's take on the "immigration" protests. Be sure to look at the photos the MSM didn't want you to see. Here is an example.

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Monday, March 27, 2006

Illegal Aliens take to the streets and nobody does anything about it?!?!?

Well, Rush was on fire this afternoon on the illegal alien issues. Talk about deja vu. Listening to him, I almost wonder if he has read my previous musings. Hmmm....

As I have said previously on numerous occasions, if the Feds would just enforce the laws we already have, none of this would be necessary.

So, now this middle-aged cowgirl is headed south, spending my hard earned, non-tax deductible monies to watch and report hundreds of illegal aliens crossing through private property. In return, I get referred to as a vigilante by the President I admire greatly. However, I'm too old to join the Marines, and this is the only way I can serve my country, so this is what I'll do.

The people I will be working with are fantastic. They are just regular people, who love their country, and want it to be intact when the time comes to pass it off to children and grandchildren.

The protests by illegals today just amazed me. My first question, of course, was, "Where is DHS?" My second question was, "Why aren't they roundin' em up, and movin' em out?" How easy would that have been with so many in one place? Sheesh! As Rush pointed out, if there were really half a million in one place, that's about a year's worth of them. The governors in the respective states, could have easily called out the National Guard to contain them.

Then there were all those Mexican flags. If they love Mexico so much..... why don't they live there? What do they want? To take over America? So it can be just like Mexico? Then they'd be back to square one. What's next? Canada?

Bottom line is that this is the United States. Immigration is just fine and dandy, but illegal immigration is an invasion. And, it's illegal. Illegal immigration has wrecked health care in the border states. There is no way we are going to be able to lower health care costs with the population of Mexico using our hospitals as their primary health care facilities..... and without paying a dime. Wonder who pays for their health care? Oh yes, that's right. We do.

Then we have our education system, which for some reason, no matter how much money is thrown at it, fails to properly educate our children. Perhaps some of the problem is that our schools are trying to teach people who don't understand our language (that would be English) as well as people who do understand it. It ain't workin', and it ain't gonna. More money down the drain.

Of course, there is also that nasty little complication called the Greater War on Terror. God only knows who has crossed, is crossing at this very moment, or will cross tomorrow into our country, and what their intentions are.

This is all just so wrong, on so many different levels, it is mind-boggling. Now, is the time for baby steps. Bold baby steps.

Step One: Seal the border. Stop the illegals from coming in, and that will give us a little breathing room to figure out what to do about the 12 million plus illegals that are already here.

Step Two: Round em up and move em out. Illegal is illegal. Don't prosecute them, just send them home and make sure they cannot ever come back. They do not respect our national sovereignty or our laws, so they can't come in.

Step Three: Forget the whole guest worker thing. Most of the people in the world want to come to the United States and be citizens. They want to be Americans. Let's try something novel. Let's allow people to emigrate, and become citizens. None of this guest worker crap. It really isn't necessary.

I'll be blogging from Minuteman duty the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow will be a whirlwind of last minute errands and packing, so the first post will likely be on the 30th.

In the meantime, stay on your Senators and Congresscritters. Make sure they understand that we will not accept half-assed measures. Seal the borders! Worry about the other stuff later. Are we going to have to suffer through another 9/11 before the Beltway Bozos get their heads unwedged from their elite behinds? Write, fax, phone, email, and give 'em hell!

Remember, Homeland Security Begins At the Border!!

Cowgirl


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What is Palestinian Territory (occupied)???

On my site meter, the location given for one of the visitors to my site was listed as "Palestinian Territory (occupied)".

I must admit, I'm stumped on that one. Does that refer to Israel, from the Arab perspective?

Of course, this question is coming from the same person who once answered the question "state of birth?" as "legitimate", it never occuring to me that it meant, "State of birth", which would, of course, have been properly answered, "Texas."

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Sunday, March 26, 2006

Texas Fred's Plan on How the Bush Adm. can become heroes

Texas Fred at Ace in the Hole has a great post today entitled How Mr. Bush and the Republicans can be Heroes. Fred says:

I'm not a brilliant strategerist like Karl Rove, but I KNOW how GWB can get his poll numbers WAY UP, give the Repubs a hell of a run in '06 and make '08 a total CONSERVATIVE sweep... And it's just too simple... Here's the deal... Are you ready??


Read the whole thing. It's what we Texans call plain, old fashioned common sense.

And remember there is still time to volunteer for the Minuteman April operation. You can register online at: http://minutemanhq.com/

The Beltway Bunch is trying to ignore our voices, so let them see our numbers during April!

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Saturday, March 25, 2006

Send help to Soldiers' Angels

According to Blackfive, Soldiers' Angels need help to raise money for armour blankets needed by medics to enable safer use of ambulances. Read the plea here, and help if you can.

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Thursday, March 23, 2006

Thanx Texas Fred

Much thanx to Texas Fred for putting the Minuteman link on his blog.

I'll be posting from the border starting next week, so you will be getting a first hand account of the Texas operations.

We are doing another month long operation on both the Mexican and Canadian borders. It is not too late to volunteer, so if you want to see for yourself what is going on, and talk to the residents who are directly impacted by the invasion, you can register online, and head out to the border of your choice. Texas, of course, is the best. Most fun people. Best food. Prettiest girls. I'll be there, after all.


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Monday, March 20, 2006

Join the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps in April

Join the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps for the April operation. There is still time to register and spend whatever time you can, "watching and reporting" with us.

If you have any doubt about the mass invasion of illegal aliens across our borders, this is your chance to be a first-hand witness of the flood of humanity illegally entering our country.

For information on the Minuteman CDC, check out the website.

If you would like to read an account of what it is like to live in a heavily impacted area of South Texas, be sure to read Dr. Mike Vickers editorial.

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Donald Rumsfeld on our 3 years in Iraq

Great editorial written by Sec.Def. Donald Rumsfeld, and published in the Washington Post on the anniversary of our 3 years in Iraq.


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Good article on illegal immigration

Ken Taylor has a good article on illegal immigration at Right Wing Thinking, entitled, "The Illegal Immigrant Dilemma."

He has a step-by-step "how-to" guide for all those elected officials of ours, who don't seem to have a clue what to do about this critical issue.

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Sunday, March 19, 2006

Still Raining

Looks like we are going to get 6 months' worth of rain all in one shot. The lake is filling up nicely. It was lower than it had been for several years. The ducks and geese are swimming in the puddles in the pastures. Why they are not swimming in the lake, is beyond me.

The down side to all of this is that my high speed wireless is out. Which means I am on dial up with ancient phone lines. The pages actually time out before they can load. Very frustrating, which is why I am trying to stay off line today.

Actually, it is a good day for cooking (I made stew and cornbread), laundry, reading, napping (with earplugs, as The Cowboy is watching racing on tv...very noisy), and in general just puttering around.

There is some disaster show on the Discovery channel tonight, something about if a big, bad tornado hits Dallas. Then, I think it is followed by disaster scenarios in other cities around the world. Not sure if I'll watch the Dallas one. Big conflict with Desperate Housewives. And, whichever one comes on at 9:00, well for sure I won't watch it, because I simply won't miss Grey's Anatomy for some bogus "it could happen" show.

Well, this dial up is about to get on my last nerve, so....Cowgirl signing off.

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Saturday, March 18, 2006

Price of gas

How come nobody is commenting on the price of gas?

I paid $2.21 for regular on Monday, and saw yesterday that it was $2.50.

What is going on?

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Some Days I just get Disgusted

It's raining here on the ranch this morning. Good. Kinda fits my mood.

Although there is a whole lot of speculation and supposed insider tips being reported, apparently there is no decision on the immigration/border issue.

Why are our elected so-called "representatives" dithering over how many guest workers will be allowed in per year?

Why are they trying to decide how long illegal aliens must live here to become legal?

What the hell part of "illegal" do people cease to understand once they have been elected to office?

It is nice to know that the folks we have worked to get elected, contributed money to their campaigns, and sent an endless number of emails and faxes, not to mention phone calls, are just blatantly ignoring what we, regular folks, think is the number one issue domestically.

Get a clue Beltway Bozos! Either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way! You were elected to do certain things. If you aren't brave enough to do them yourself, then find yourself a leader and follow him. If you don't have the balls to either lead or follow, then just get the hell out of the way. It is better to do nothing, than to make matters worse by screwing something up even more.

Remember, McCain/Feingold? Remember, new education bill the Sen. Kennedy worked on? Add both of those fiascos together and what do you have? You have a new McCain/Kennedy Immigration Program.

God help us!

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Friday, March 17, 2006

What are the odds of this happening?

In an article entitled "Flying Cow Leaves Two Police Cars in Flames" from WOAI in San Antonio, is a hilarious story, involving a flying cow, high speed car chase, burned up poice cars, and illegal aliens.

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Thursday, March 16, 2006

Great article on Iraq

This is a great article on the current situation in Iraq. Tis a tad long, but well worth the good feeling you'll have after you have read it. (Hat tip: Power Line)


Myths of Iraq


By Ralph Peters

During a recent visit to Baghdad, I saw an enormous failure. On the
part of our media. The reality in the streets, day after day, bore
little resemblance to the sensational claims of civil war and disaster
in the headlines.


No one with first-hand experience of Iraq would claim the country's
in rosy condition, but the situation on the ground is considerably more
promising than the American public has been led to believe. Lurid
exaggerations and instant myths obscure real, if difficult, progress.


Read the rest here.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Spring Break

Cowchild is home for spring break, which is now halfway over, so Cowgirl is signing off for the rest of the day.

Cowchild and I have many fun things to do.

Have a nice day.

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Open Letter to Senators Cornyn and Hutchinson

Dear Senators,

I know that you are working very hard to deal with the very serious issues of border security and illegal immigration.

Please understand that your constituents are fed up with this issue. We want our borders sealed. We don't care if it is troops on the ground, a fence, a canyon, or claymores running the length of the border (well, the ranchers would be upset if their cattle started 'splodin', but you get the jist of what I'm saying).

This is the United States of America. We can afford to do anything we want to do. Personally, I want troops on the border as well as fences in high crossing areas, drone surveillance, cameras, and laser guided missiles would be fine as well.

Our country is being invaded by people who have no respect for either our national sovereignty or our laws. People desirous of legally immigrating to the country are frustrated by our legal immigration process. Those are the ones we actually want here. The ones who come in illegally, we don't want.

In this global war on terror, it is astounding to me that you folks inside the Beltway, don't seem to "get it" that your constituents want their borders secured. It seems like that would have been Step #1 after 9/11, and that the borders remain unsecured (as in "leaking like a sieve") five years later, is inexcusible.

Personally, I would rather you folks passed no immigration legislation than to waste money on studies, detention centers, and whatever worthless enterprises you might think up. If the Federal government would just enforce the laws we have now, and ensure that the borders are secure, that would solve the problem. It is simple, actually.

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NCIS Last Night

Did anyone notice that the terrorists on NCIS last night were speaking Spanish?

CBS whimps out again. Must not offend the Muslims, only the majority of the population in most of the border states.

I really despise CBS. I sure wish the Fox channels would buy out CSI and NCIS.

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Somebody please whop them with a cluebat!

Apparently, our Senators are still dithering around over what in the world to do about illegal immigration. In an article from azcentral.com, entitled "Senators debate U.S.-Mexico border fence", it appears that they still don't have a clue how many of their constituents are livid over this issue.

Please, please everyone, get busy with phone calls and faxes, telegrams, pony express, whatever it takes, and make sure your senators know where you stand on this issue.

It appears they are hoping to throw yet more money at a this huge and dangerous problem, with no intention of actually solving it. Aren't you just fed up with this?

Here we are, in a global war against terrorism, and anybody from anywhere, carrying anything, could just walk across our borders darn near anywhere.

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What if the counties along the US/Mexico border were the 51st state?

azcentral.com has a very enlightening article entitled "Growth, problems in border counties dramatic."

The first paragraph just reaches out and grabs you by the throat.

If the 24 counties along the nation's Southwest border were a 51st
state, it would rank first in federal crimes, second in tuberculosis
and near the bottom in education, per capita income and access to
health care.

Read the whole thing.

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

True Account of Recent Minuteman Duty in South Texas

The following is an excerpt from an account by a Minuteman about his recent weekend border watch in South Texas.

This past weekend we had a watch at the (name withheld) Ranch. An amazing event occurred that underscores the importance of a protected U. S. border. A group of some twelve individuals was spotted as they were sneaking over the fence from the (name withheld) ranch to the adjacent ranch to the north. When they realized they had been spotted they scattered, some three (estimated) running back to the south into the woods on (name withheld)'s property. BP was called, responded immediately, and apprehended nine -- ALL CHINESE, who only knew the English word "sorry" according to one BP agent. Don't know about the other three, as they were never caught. We assume there was a coyote among those three -- so he/she is free to break the law again. Remember, we are 70 miles inland from the border. How did they get here? Where were they going? What diseases might they be carrying (e.g., bird flu)? What was their goal?


Events such as this are exactly why I am a Minuteman, and why it is so terribly important for everyone to contact your senators and urge them to get real on actually solving the illegal immigration problems.

Forget guest workers. Forget amnesty. The most critical issue at present, is to get the borders sealed. We can sort out the rest of the mess once the flow of illegals is stopped.

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Syria in the hotseat?

Sometimes you have to go to another part of the world to get the news.

This morning, I've been perusing Haaretz, out of Israel.

There is a very interesting article, entitled "The U.S. didn't forget about Damascus." Be sure to read this short but very informative article. Just to give you a little snippet of the jist of the article,

A senior U.S. official told Haaretz last week that
"if the Syrians think they've managed to get off the hook because there
are other things on the agenda, they are mistaken. The Syrians have not
been punished yet for their actions and we are continuing to study
their conduct. Their luck will run out eventually."

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IDF say "Na-uh" to Palestinan Release of Terrorist Prisoners

Read this article from Haaretz
about the IDF holding seige to a Palestinian prison, after Palie Abbas announced he would release certain terrorist prisoners.

You just have got to love the way the Israelis kick ass and take names.

A very enjoyable read.

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Fences Work!

Construction will be completed on the fence around the West Bank in the next few months, according to acting Israeli P.M. Ehud Olmert.

Good for them!

I wanna fence too! A really long one a bit south of here.

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Now that he's had his 15 minutes of fame and looks like an idiot.....

According to AP report headline, "Feingold Draws Little Support for Censure", Wisconsin Sen. Russell Feingold has kept alive the Democratic banter of "Bush is Bad", while at the same time sending Democrats in Congress scurrying away from him. According to the AP reports, none of the other senators had even read Feingold's censure resolution. Wow! What do we pay these guys for anyway?

Is anyone besides me just sick and tired of this? You know, if the Democrats spent as much effort actually doing the jobs they were elected to do, as they spend wasting time bashing the President, the Congress might just actually get something accomplished.

One answer: Term limits!!!

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Monday, March 13, 2006

Iraqis Declare War on Terrorists (or We've Had Enough!)

Capt. Ed has also picked up on the article I referred to earlier in my post entitled "Iraqi Patriots." Be sure to read his analysis of the situation.

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Success of Socialism in France (only joking)

Capt. Ed has a great piece on the woes of the French over at Captains Quarters.

Don't ya just kinda wonder when people are going to realize that socialism just doesn't work?

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al-Quaida's 'last warning' to America

WorldNet Daily has a very interesting article posted on Islamic websites by an English convert to Islam, Rakan Ben Williams, in which a two-fold threat is made to bring America to her knees.

The threat suggests the attack will be far greater in magnitude than Sept. 11, 2001, because following this one, "there will be no one to analyze and investigate, because the mind and the heart will be unable to comprehend it. ... This will not be a single operation, but two; one bigger than the other, but we will begin with the big one and postpone the bigger one, in order to see [how] diligent the American people is [in preserving] its life.

Now you might wonder what we poor little scared Americans can do to prevent all this threatened apocalyptic destruction, especially since we are warned that these bad things will happen even if the plot is uncovered.

However, we are reassured that if we just do the following things, all will be well for us, and we will still have our worthless lives:

1. Stop killing Muslims in Pakistan, Iraq, and Palestine (Ed. note: I guess its ok if we nuke Iran).

2. Get rid of all the pro-war elected officials and throw them in jail (Ed. note: How 'bout we throw all the anti-war elected officials in jail?)

3. Get rid of the "Jewish pests" (Ed. Note: Let's see. That would be Barbra Streisand and Michael Douglas, wouldn't it? No problem.)

4. Boycott NBC and CBS "because of their Jewish owners". (Ed. Note: I already boycott NBC and CBS.... well maybe Fox can pick up CSI and NCIS??...., but not because of Jewish owners, because their programming and news sux)

5. "Rid yourselves of media crafters who deliberately kept you in the dark for so long and made a mockery of you before the rest of the world." (Ed. note: No problem with that, either.)

OK, so let me get this straight. In order to keep the Islamofascists from killing all of us, they want us to get rid of the only people in this country who are opposed to killing terrorists? Well, gee. Sounds like a great plan to me.

We can ignore demands numbered 1 and 2, but carry out the others with no problem. The rest of us will then be free to open up a can of whup ass on anyone and everyone who opposes us.

What do ya think the desert will look like when it is turned into glass?

Editor's Note: I have taken a facetious spin on this article, but in truth, the audacity of this just really pisses me off.

Hat Tip: Instapundit

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Sunday, March 12, 2006

Daisy Cutter's Feel-Good Article

One of my fave must-reads, The Discerning Texan linked to a great article, from Daisy Cutter entitled "You know I get asked this all the time....." It is an uplifting and common sensical read.


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Iraqi Patriots

Great news! There are apparently some Iraqi patriots. Apparently, in the once dangerous Ramadi, the people have had enough and are waging "war" against foreign al-Qaida members. Read the story, Fleeing Anbar, at Cool Blue Blog.

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Saturday, March 11, 2006

Senate In Charge of Foreign Affairs..... Oh Great!

In an article entitled Congress Mum on Iran Plans, Nick Danger reports that House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Frist may
announce as early as Sunday which allies will be permitted to assist
the United States in the event that action must be taken against the
growing threat from Iran. Congressional
Republicans recently announced
that the Congress will henceforth be managing relations with allies.


The newly-created Congressional Diplomacy Office will take over from
the State Department, fielding its own diplomats such as Senator
Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), who will work with foreign leaders to
maintain and strengthen alliances.
"Congress has long sought to
micro-manage foreign policy, and the looming confrontation with a
nuclear-armed Iran seems like a good place to start," said one source
close to Republicans.

Where did this come from? How does this jibe with Article II, Section 2, Paragraph 2 of the United States Constitution which says:

He (the President) shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;
and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls,
judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United
States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and
which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the
appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the
President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.

Also, according to the Constitution, which is supposed to be the law of the land, the legislative branch has nothing to do with foreign policy, other than the specifications set out above.


I tell ya, I can hardly wait for the self-serving, head-up-ass Sen. Schumer to start negotiating with our allies. What cha bet they won't be allies for long?

UPDATE: I think Nick Danger's story is fictitious and to make a point. Read and posted it last night as real news, albeit freaky, but woke up this morning obsessed by trying to verify the story. So, right now, I'm going with.... it ain't true, but Nick makes a good point. Read the comments in the original article.

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Money Not Wasted on Video Games

This article, Video Games Can Save Your Life, was brought to my attention by Instapundit, so hat tip Glenn Reynolds.

The article explains why American troops do so well with our increasingly high-tech weapons.

Glad to know all the money spent on Cowchild's video games was, in fact, not a waste.

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Michael Totten in Biara, Iraq

Michael Totten has a great post of his expedition (complete with 20 heavily armed guards) to the village of Biara in the mountains of Northern Iraq, right on the Iraq/Iran border. This is a great read, with photographs and interviews with the locals.

More great work from Michael Totten!!

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Friday, March 10, 2006

Minuteman April Operation

Just a note to anyone who might be interested, that the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps is holding a month-long operation on both the Northern and Southern borders in April.

If you are interested in joining the border watch operation, contact MCDC as soon as possible in order to have your background check and training in place before you head to the border.

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Socialist Disses Police State.....Huh?

Ya know.... sometimes it just gets too weird. Take this for instance:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a potential White House candidate in 2008, said Wednesday some Republicans are trying to create a "police state" to round up illegal immigrants.

My question is this: Since when did a Socialist have a problem with a police state? Isn't that kinda their goal?

And just an aside: It strikes me as very condescending that Sen. Clinton apparently compared descendants of legal Irish immigrants, to illegal aliens invading our country.

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Sunday, March 05, 2006

Someone Please Give Them a Cluebat!

Apparently, 14 Western governors have decided to endorse "reforms including a guest-worker program that would allow thousands more immigrants to receive visas each year", Mark K. Matthews of Stateline.org wrote in an article posted March 1st, entitled Western govs back Bush guest-worker plan".

In case you are wondering which 14 Western state governors are the culprits here, they are the "governors of: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

If you live in any of those states, you might want to pass the word along to anyone you know who might be interested.

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What It Would Take To Get The President Back In The Saddle Again

John Hawkins of Right Wing News has a great post entitled, "5 Things Bush Can Do To Get His Approval Going Back In The Right Direction."

I will not copy the post in its entirety, but will address the points John made.

These are the five things John Hawkins thinks the President should do now:

1. "Splitting His Illegal Immigration Plan In Two" - John advocates a two pronged plan, with phase one being to secure the border and round up illegal alliens, and phase two being the guest worker plan.

The Minutemen and other true advocates of border security have long espoused this sort of plan. Chris Simcox of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps has often used the analogy of first plugging the leak in the rowboat, and then bailing out the water. This approach only makes sense. There is no effective way to start at any other point besides sealing the borders to even begin to solve the problem.

Obviously the next step after securing the borders, is to start rounding up those people in this country illegally. Then deport them, after first identifying them by name, photograph, fingerprints, iris scan, DNA, every available means of identifying someone. They should never, ever be allowed to enter this country again, after ignoring our laws and national sovereignty, and in all likelihood, having taken advantage of our health care, schools, and probably social services.

As far as a guest worker program, that is simply unnecessary. I am not anti-immigration. I am simply anti-illegal immigration. Most of the people in the world would give anything to be able to become American citizens. There is just no need for a guest worker program when the list of people desiring to immigrate legally to the United States is endless.

2. "Showing That He's Serious About Cutting The Deficit" - Here John says that the President should really grab the headlines by announcing that his administration should get serious on reducing Federal spending, including using his first veto on a pork-laden bill.

That would be fine with me. I'm always at risk of blowing an artery when I actually read the list of pork in the bills passed by Congress and approved by the President. For example, I don't live in Alaska, and it really galls me to pay for a bridge to some island that I'll never go to, and that most people in Alaska don't really care about.

3. "Find A Way to Kill The Port Deal" - John basically says that while there are some things worth fighting for, this is not not one of them.

I am totally lukewarm on this, and could care less either way. I think the President was blindsided by this issue, as it was a routine administrative procedure, which apparently just slipped beneath the radar. It is unfortunate that the UAE will be embarassed should this deal not go through, and I can certainly understand the President not wanting to lose a strategically located ally in the Middle East, but I have to agree with Charles Krauthammer that this deal should have been killed in committee. To my mind, this is a lose/lose issue, not of his making, for the President, and he is basically screwed either way.

4. "Use The World's Biggest Microphone" - According to John, the President should seriously take the offensive, and blow the socks off the Democrats by emphasizing their lack of any sort of plan, and total lack of willingness to work with Republicans for the good of the country, while pointing out that the Republicans actually do have a plan, which has been in effect for 5 years, and that it is working well.

I am in complete agreement with this. Every time the President is truly fired up and gets back into Cowboy mode, his poll numbers jump up. We want our President to appear to be in control, and getting the job done. This is what we in Texas refer to as "kickin' ass and takin' names."

5. "Get More Specific On Iraq" - Here John suggest that the President call the Democrats' and medias' bluff. He has a great idea that the President should hold a prime time televised news conference and give the American people the true facts of the war, where we've been, where we are, and where we are going. Included in that press conference should be Iraqi generals, soldiers and citizens, as well as our own troops and generals who have served or are serving in Iraq, and let them tell their stories and answer questions. The point John is making is that the American people have been misled by the bias of the MSM, and the President must set the record straight.

I would love for this to happen! There are so many people who only watch the alphabet channels to get their news. They have absolutely no clue what is really going on. They have been intentionally misled and lied to by the Democrats and the MSM, and the American people have a right to know the truth, and the President holding this sort of a press conference would just blow the MSM and the Democrats right out of the water.

As usual, John was spot on with these fabulous ideas. As a citizen of a border state, I also appreciate that he put the border problems first. That certainly where it is on my list.

Send this and John's post to everyone you know. Maybe eventually it will get to Karl Rove or the President. Wouldn't it be cool if within the next couple of weeks our Cowboy President got back in the saddle and started kickin' ass and takin' names?

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Avian Flu & Pandemics

Recently I was visiting (Texan for "conversing") with a friend who happens to be in Epidemic Control. She really got onto me because I have never, ever had a flu shot. I rarely get the flu, so I saw no reason to inject flu virus into my body, because.... well..... it just didn't make sense. Anyway, after having thought over our conversation, I had a few more questions for her, and once I got her reply, it seemed like good information to share.

Pandemic flu will hit. When is anyone's guess. It could be a type like the 1918 flu or Bird flu. It is not impossible to think of the bird flu hitting the U.S. After all, birds migrate. The sick birds are moving around. It has been found in Europe and I heard a report about a possible outbreak in the Bahamas altho that has not been confirmed by lab report yet. (Note: according to the most recent reports I have seen, scientists have determined it was not bird flu in the Bahamas)

The problem as your report says - It's going to take time to produce a vaccine. They are studying it now and are getting closer. Right now the experts don't really know about the transmission. They feel that it is really from bird to bird as yet. The flu is a smart bug and adapts itself to what they call drift. So it is felt that this will at sometime be easily transmitted from bird to person to person. At this time those that have become infected have been living with the birds. In those Asian countries where it is more common to have the birds in the home. It takes six months to grow these vaccines due to the fact that they are grown in eggs. No way to speed up the process, so the first wave will be in trouble. The antivirals are already allowing the bug to become resistant, so don't always work. They are not recommended for children of young age either.

Best defense! Get a flu shot each year. It is not a live virus and does not make one ill. Even if there is drift it will afford some protection and one would not get as bad of case of flu. Wash hands frequently!!! This can not be said or done too much. Use alcohol gel when out. Avoid large crowds during flu season, stay away from ill folks if possible, and clean the surfaces in your home, don't forget the doorknobs and the phone. Those things that several folks in the home use. Of course the old drinking glass our moms always told us about.

(Names of local hospitals) and all the other hospitals are or have developed a plan. However the surg of a pandemic will wreak havoc on the system. No matter how much money we (throw) at this problem it won't solve the short supplies of machines, masks or manpower. Remember this will have so many sick that the mask manufacturer will have so many people out sick they won't be up to full production. The hospitals will be full and they will also have sick staff. So there will not be enough care givers. It can just go on and on. It will be a time to see what we are made of. Sometimes a scary thought. I always think of the greed. It's always driven by greed and fear. Then of course if there is a need for quarantine heaven help us. It will be said that we are infringing on a person's rights. No one can tell me I can't go to the mall. Good Grief the kids will be bored. Then we get to all those folks that are on steroids for asthma, anti rejection drugs for transplants, chemo patients with decreased immune systems well they won't have a lot of options. Sooo yes, it is a problem. All the plans, political talk or money are not able to prepare for reality. Katrina will all most look like a picnic. After all they didn't alway(s) react the best under pressure there either. We humans are a fickle bunch. So I guess prayer is also a very helpful thing. That and to keep our heads and do the best we can.

I think we organic folks have a pretty good edge. We are already thinking about the health of the planet and ourselves. We are common sense and can garden. So eat healthy and get our rest. Take the high road.

Didn't want to bum you out. Don't panic but be concerned.


OK, girlfriend. I'll get a flu shot, and be thankful I live in the country.

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Terrorism of a Fallen Soldier's Family

Texas Fred at And THAT is MY Opinion has asked that this post be picked up and posted by other bloggers. I am personally outraged by the sheer inhumanity on the part of these so-called protestors (read: "fiends"). How dare people protest the war in such a manner. Cowgirl

Army SGT Rickey Jones, 21, of Kokomo, killed Feb. 22 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations in Hawijah, Iraq



CJ at A Soldier’s Perspective has an article about a family who not only lost their son in service to our country, but they have had their home vandalized, horrible anonymous calls and threats of having their son’s funeral invaded by protesters.

Associated Press

KOKOMO, Ind. — Police posted an around-the-clock security watch at the home of an Indiana soldier killed last week in Iraq after it was vandalized and his family received disturbing phone calls.— Police posted an around-the-clock security watch at the home of an Indiana soldier killed last week in Iraq after it was vandalized and his family received disturbing phone calls.The home of Sgt. Rickey Jones was egged Saturday, three days after Jones’ family learned the 21-year-old and three other soldiers had been killed by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad. His family also received phone calls in which the caller said: “I’m glad your son is dead.”

“It is outrageous, appalling and indecent for an American citizen to commit crimes and perversions against a family grieving at the loss of their son,” Buyer said.

On Thursday, he spoke on the House floor asking his fellow lawmakers to stand and observe a moment of silence “to condemn these despicable acts.”

“A great virtue of the American character is our compassion. It is how we care for each other in good times and in difficult times,” he said. “It is our compassion and human decency that represents the very best of our nation.”

Jones’ relatives and police are bracing for the possibility that a Topeka, Kan.-based group will protest at his funeral Monday.

I don’t care if you hate George Bush. Don’t care if you hate the war. I don’t care if you can’t stand the military. You do not do this to other human beings out of just sheer common decency. CJ is trying to find out where cards and letters of support can be sent to show this family that they are appreciated and cared for and respected and that we grieve with them in the loss of their son. Here is CJ’s request:

“I am trying to help organize a letter writing campaign to the family of SGT Rickey Jones. As you may have read earlier, their home was vandalized by idiots who wouldn’t understand patriotism if it flew a plane through their bedroom window.

If you own a blog, please post this effort on your respective blogs and ask your readers to post it on their blogs. If you are as disgusted as I am and would like to write a letter to have delivered to this family, please email Lauren MyWay716@aol.com for more information.

The good people over at Operation Military Pride are helping facilitate the delivery of these letters.

This family recently lost a son and shouldn’t have to deal with people like Fred Phelps and the people responsible for the egging of their home and irreverent phone calls. If you feel the same way I do, please email her and write this family a letter of support and love. Let them know that we appreciate their son’s service and mourn their loss. Let’s show them what America is really made of. This isn’t about whether or not you support the war. This is about common decency for a family that has suffered the ultimate sacrifice…having to bury a child. Thank you in advance. When this is over, I want the post office to have to hire new postmen just to handle the volume. Yes, it’s a challenge, as LinkedinUSAF would say.”

So, please, send a note of encouragement, even if you don’t like Bush or the war, it’s the right thing to do!

Bloggers, PLEASE re-post this on your blogs, let folks see it and KNOW what the story is, and please, support this family with your words and prayers…

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Friday, March 03, 2006

Our Tax Dollars at Work: Paying for Health Care for Illegal Aliens

Guess who gets the privilege of paying for the health care of illegal aliens? That's right, it's us. Our tax dollars at work. Read more...

The Monitor
http://www.themonitor.com/

U.S. to help pay for care to undocumented immigrants

March 02, 2006
Jennifer C. Smith
The Monitor

Hospital officials pleased but wary about multimillion-dollar reimbursement for ER costs

MISSION — Local hospital officials expressed wary optimism Wednesday at news that Texas would receive up to $23 million from the federal government to offset costs of providing emergency care for undocumented immigrants.

"I’ll take whatever they can give," said Mission Regional Medical Center Chief Financial Officer Randy Slack. The hospital received a $100,000 payment this week to offset the costs of ER care between May and July 2005.The payment is only one-quarter of the amount requested, Slack said.

"It’s a Band-Aid on a big wound."

The payments are part of the 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act President Bush passed. The bill appropriates $250 million to hospitals, physicians and ambulance companies for emergency care from 2005 through 2008. Patients who are illegal often cannot or do not pay for their care. The multimillion-dollar costs are even worse along the Texas-Mexico border, hospital administration officials said. Texas is one of six states receiving additional funding for the costs of emergency care for undocumented immigrants.

"I’m happy they at least acknowledge the problem exists," said Dan McLean, CEO of South Texas Health Systems, which is comprised of seven medical facilities in the Rio Grande Valley.

Two of the system’s largest facilities, McAllen Medical Center and Edinburg Regional Medical Center, will receive slightly more than $3 million in quarterly payments by the end of 2006.

But the hospital network runs $140 million annually in uncompensated care and 60 to 70 percent of those costs are in the ER, McLean said.

About 1,500 hospitals nationwide applied for reimbursement, said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spokesman Peter Ashkenaz.

He could not say how many dollars the Rio Grande Valley would receive.

MedCare ambulance service president Candelario Ontiveros said he is still waiting for reimbursements.

"We transport on an ER basis a considerable amount of people who are undocumented," he said, estimating the amount to be 15 to 18 percent of the 45,000 people they serve each year areundocumented.

Each ambulance ride usually costs between $250 to $375, he added.

———

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Border Patrol Agent Fights Back

And, this time shots were fired by the Border Patrol, in the increasingly dangerous "border war."

Hot off the press from the El Paso Times is this story:

Local news Friday, March 3, 2006

Agent shoots at attackers

Daniel Borunda
El Paso Times
Friday, March 3, 2006

A U.S. Border Patrol agent opened fire when he was attacked by men with rocks shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday near the Rio Grande in the Lower Valley, an agency spokesman said.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which remained under investigation Thursday night. The attack, officials said, is part of an increase of assaults on agents in the El Paso region.

The unidentified agent was about five miles east of the Zaragoza Bridge when he was assaulted with rocks by a group of possible undocumented immigrants, who ran back into Mexico, said Agent Ramiro Cordero, a Border Patrol spokesman.

The assault took place on U.S. soil, but investigators were attempting to determine where the attackers were when the agent fired, officials said.

"Our agent was on U.S. soil, of course. They (attackers) were in the river. They were in the dry riverbed," Cordero said.

Mexican authorities, who were called for help, found no evidence that anyone was wounded, Border Patrol officials said.

Assaults on agents have been "growing significantly," Cordero said. "It depicts the pressure we are putting on the border because they are going to extreme measures."

In fiscal year 2005, the Border Patrol recorded 43 assaults against agents in the El Paso sector, compared with 21 in fiscal 2004.

Nationwide, agents were assaulted 687 times in fiscal year 2005, which ended in September, compared with 354 the previous year.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.

Copyright © 2004 El Paso Times.


So, my question remains.... when are the Feds going to get that border sealed? And, Gov. Perry, how 'bout calling in the Texas National Guard?

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US/India Nuclear Agreement

Uncle Jimbo at Black Five has a great post on the benefits of the agreement the President reached with the Indian government over nuclear energy. He points out that, ..."This is a very smart, very strategic move which we should follow up with concrete demonstrations of why it's good to be our friend. I think we have established definitively that it sucks to be our enemy, time to show we didn't really want to kick anyone's ass. Let's get some projects underway, and show we are sweetness & light, and the milk of human kindness really does flow through our veins. Can't hurt!"

Read the whole thing.

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Thursday, March 02, 2006

Rancher Testifies before Senate sub-committee

Congressional testimony of a South Texas rancher regarding the conditions he and other ranchers near the southern border must live with daily.

Click on the little camera beside the article to see the video.

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Texas Weather

Well, February was a pretty chilly month for us here in North Central Texas. And the winds blew like you cannot imagine. Even on the milder temperature days, the winds were so strong that doing outside chores, like caring for the animals, was miserable.

Yesterday, we also had strong winds. Plus, the temperature reached 90 degrees. While not unheard of, it was certainly a wild fluctation from a week or so ago.

Texas weather really does change from minute to minute.

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Transcript of Press Conference in India

Thought I would post the actual transcript from the Press Conference held today in India with President Bush and Prime Minister Singh. You know, just in case it gets misreported by the press.....

Office of the White House Press Secretary
Thursday, March 2, 2006; 6:20 AM

Mughal Garden Hyderabad House 12:26 p.m. (Local)

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: Shall I start?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Please.

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the press: President Bush and I have completed very cordial and productive discussions this morning. We reviewed the status of our cooperation, including the agenda that was set on July 18, 2005. The joint statement that will be shared with all of you today contains a number of announcements and initiatives that underline the significant progress in our relationship.

Many of the areas that our cooperation now covers are essential to India's national development. They include energy, agriculture, science and technology, trade and investment, high technology, health and a clean environment. This is a highly ambitious agenda, one that is befitting our growing strategic partnership. When implemented they will make a real difference to the lives of our people.

The President and I had an opportunity to review the global situation in our talks. As you're all aware, India and the United States are working together increasingly on global issues. This is not just good for our two countries, but also benefits the international community, as we can complement each others' capabilities and share responsibilities. President Bush is admired for his strong position on terrorism. And I was particularly pleased that we agreed on the need to root out terrorism, of which India has been a major victim.

I'm particularly pleased that we have reached an understanding on the implementation of our agreement on civil nuclear cooperation of July 18, 2005. I have conveyed to the President that India has finalized the identification of civilian facilities to which we had committed. I was also happy to hear from the President that he now intended to approach the U.S. Congress to amend U.S. laws and the Nuclear Supplier Group to adjust its guideline. We will discuss with the International Atomic Energy Agency in regard to fashioning an appropriate India-specific safeguards agreement. You will appreciate I cannot say more now, while our parliament is in session.

Before concluding, I would like to express my warm appreciation for the personal interest shown and the leadership role that President Bush has played in the transformation of our ties. I have met the President a number of times, and on each occasion, I have admired his vision, his resolve, and his commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations. Our discussion today make me confident that there are no limits to the Indo-U.S. partnerships.

May I invite you, Mr. President, now to make your remarks.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much. It's a joy to be here. Laura and I are really thankful for your hospitality, and I appreciate the lengthy and constructive dialogue we just had on a wide range of issues. I particularly thank the CEOs from both the United States and India who have worked hard to help develop a way forward to make sure our relationship is constructive and long-lasting.

India and America have built a strategic partnership based upon common values. Our two democracies respect religious pluralism and the rule of law. We seek to foster economic development through trade and advancing the entrepreneurial spirit in both countries.

We're working as partners to make the world safer. India and America both suffered from terrorist attacks on our home soil. Terrorists attacked New Delhi. We're sharing information to protect each other. We have a common desire to enhance the security of our peoples. We're cooperating on the military front. We worked as partners in responding to the tsunami. I was struck, and so were the American people, that the Indian Air Force delivered Hurricane Katrina aid to an air force base in Little Rock, Arkansas. And for that, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you.

We are committed to promoting democracy worldwide. We are leaders in the United Nations Democracy Fund, which provides grants to help young democracies develop civil institutions in a free society. I particularly want to thank the Indian people and the Indian government for supporting the new democracy in the neighborhood, and that being the democracy in Afghanistan, where you've pledged $565 million in reconstruction aid, plus $50 million for the new national assembly building.

On Burma, we agree on the deplorable state of human rights in Burma, and all nations to seek the release of Aung San Su Kyi. In Nepal, we agreed that the Maoists should abandon violence, and that the King should reach out to the political parties to restore democratic institutions. In other words, our discussions are more than just friendly handshakes. We discuss important international relations. We're partners in peace. And that's in the interests of our own people, as well as the interests of people around the world.

On trade and investment, ties are growing. We're partners in expanding global trade. The United States is India's largest trading partner, and India is one of the United States' fastest growing export markets. That's one of the reasons we met with the CEOs today, is to how to further trade and how to further commerce and how to further opportunities.

And, oh, by the way, Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is looking forward to eating Indian mangos. Part of liberalizing trade is to open up markets. And as a result of your leadership, and our hard work, we are opening up markets. Our agricultural knowledge initiative is an important initiative for both countries, where we'll fund joint agricultural research projects.

Prime Minister Singh and I established a trade policy forum to address bilateral trade issues. One of the areas we discussed today is how we can work together to make sure that the Doha negotiations end on a positive note. Trade is important. Trade is important for our peoples. Trade is important to help nations develop ways forward, help nations overcome poverty. And I appreciate your understanding of that, Mr. Prime Minister. I'm looking forward to working with you.

As the Prime Minister mentioned, we concluded an historic agreement today on nuclear power. It's not an easy job for the Prime Minister to achieve this agreement, I understand. It's not easy for the American President to achieve this agreement. But it's a necessary agreement. It's one that will help both our peoples.

Again, I applaud you for your courage and your leadership. I'm looking forward to working with our United States Congress to change decades of law that will enable us to move forward in this important initiative.

Also we talked about the advanced energy initiative that I'm proposing in my own country. Listen, the whole purpose of the advanced energy initiative is to end our dependence on oil, and as we develop technologies that will enable us to do so, we look forward to working with India so we can achieve the same objectives. Dependency upon fossil fuels causes, particularly during times of shortage, causes prices to rise in both our countries. And it's in our interests that we share technologies to move away from the era of fossil fuels.

India and Pakistan have an historic opportunity to work toward lasting peace. Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf have shown themselves to be leaders of courage and vision. And I encourage them to continue making progress on all issues, including Kashmir.

India and America are partners in addressing other global issues like HIV/AIDS and pandemic flu. In other words, this partnership of ours is substantive and it's important and it's strategic. And I thank the Prime Minister for working with me to advance this relationship in such a way that we can define our previous meetings and today's meeting as historic in nature. I'm confident that the relationship between India and the United States is good for the United States of America. I hope it's good for the people of India, and I know it's going to be good for laying the foundations of peace in this world of ours.

So, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much for having me.

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: It's a great honor, Mr. President, to have you.

Q Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you, Mr. President. Sir, since you have said that India-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement is on, what we would like to know from you that how are you going to ensure India's concerns and Indian scientific community's concerns regarding non-stop supply of fuel, and also protecting India's three-phased nuclear research program.

And excuse me, sir. Mr. President, I have a question for you, too, sir. Sir, you know, everybody is saying that India and the United States are natural allies. And you have also said many times that our strategic partnership is based on common values, shared values. Sir, then why the largest democracy of the world is reluctant or not forthcoming to support -- the oldest democracy of the world is not supporting the largest democracy of the world to have a permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council? This is an issue India would like to hear from you more, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: You have asked me about the nuclear agreement. As I mentioned, we have reached a mutually satisfactory understanding with regard to carrying forward the process that was outlined in the July 18 statement which I and President Bush signed.

An important step forward is the preparation of a separation plan, a separation plan which separates the civilian nuclear program from the military program. That phase has been successfully completed. Now it is for the United States to go to the Congress for necessary amendments in U.S. laws. Also, the U.S. will approach the members of the Nuclear Supplier Groups, and thereafter we'll also have to go to the International Atomic Energy Agency for India-specific safeguards.

So we have made very satisfactory progress. And I thank the President for his initiative. But for his leadership this day would probably have not come so soon.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you for your question on the U.N. Security Council. I'm not surprised you asked it. As a matter of fact, I gave an interview to a person from the India media in Washington, D.C., prior to my trip, and that was one of the questions asked.

My answer hasn't changed, by the way, which is this. One, we support United Nations Security Council reform, and we're interested in different ways to reform the United Nations Security Council. My concern all along, however, is that if we only stick to the United Nations Security Council reform, we miss an opportunity to reform the United Nations overall. And so our position is, let's make sure reform overall moves forward, as we think about the best way to reform the Security Council.

The United Nations is a very important international body. It's one that does, however, require better accountability and -- accountability on how we spend money and accountability on getting results. One such area, for example, is the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission needs to be reformed in a way that actually is able to achieve significant results on behalf of the world.

And so we're open-minded and we're listening. But what we don't want to do is have a Security Council reform measure that causes the other reforms not to go forward.

Suzanne. You probably need a microphone, unless you want to belt it out.

Q I'll try. Thank you, Mr. President. There are reports of multiple bombings out of Karachi, Pakistan, outside of the U.S. consulate, as well as the Marriott Hotel. What can you tell us about this? Will this impact your trip, your visit to that country? And how does this speak to Pakistan, or even Musharraf's ability to contain terrorists?

PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I've been briefed on the bombings. We have lost at least one U.S. citizen in a bombing, a foreign service officer, and I send our country's deepest condolences to that person's loved one and family. We also send the condolences to the people from Pakistan who lost their lives.

Terrorists and killers are not going to prevent me from going to Pakistan. My trip to Pakistan is an important trip. It's important to talk with President Musharraf about continuing our fight against terrorists. After all, he has had a direct stake in this fight -- four times the terrorists have tried to kill him.

The Prime Minister and I talked about the need to continue working together to fight the scourge of terrorism. People -- these terrorists will kill innocent life just like that. They have no conscience. You can't negotiate with them, you can't reason with them. They must be brought to justice. The bombing that took place prior to my trip is an indication that there are -- that the war on terror goes on, and that free nations must come together to fight terrorism.

The way to defeat terrorism in the short run is to share intelligence and to take action. The way to defeat terrorism in the long run is to defeat the ideology of hate with an ideology of hope. And that's democracy. The great thing about being here in India is it's a perfect opportunity to remind the world that it is possible for people of different religions to live peacefully together. That's precisely what this grand democracy has shown the world.

And my resolve has never been stronger about protecting our own people by working with other nations, to answer the call to history and the call to history now is to stand strong in the face of these terrorist attacks. And we will.

Q President Bush, two questions for you. First --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Only two? That's good.

Q First, on the nuclear deal, how do you plan to sell the agreement to a very powerful nonproliferation lobby in Washington which has opposed the deal? And second, on the issue of terrorism, in the context of today's bomb blasts in Karachi, how do you propose to work with India on terrorism, considering India considers that the epicenter of terrorism is in Pakistan?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, one way we work together on terrorism is to make sure intelligence services share information. The way you defeat terrorists is you -- in the short-term -- is you anticipate and react to their motives and their actions through good intelligence.

We're involved in a different kind of war. This is a war where people hide and plot and plan and then all of a sudden emerge and kill. And so it requires a different response. And part of the response is to commit our intelligence services to sharing information. We spent some time talking about that issue today.

As well, I will send -- bring the same message to President Musharraf that we will continue to work with the President to share information to bring terrorists to justice. Terrorism is not prevalent only in this part of the world. It's prevalent in the Middle East, as well. In the long run, terrorism will be defeated by giving people hope and opportunity, as opposed to systems of government which breed resentment and provide -- and as a result of that resentment, provide opportunity for these killers to recruit.

In terms of convincing the Congress, the first thing I will say to our Congress is that our relationship is changing to the better. You know, sometimes it's hard to get rid of history, and short-term history shows that the United States and India were divided. We didn't have much of a relationship. And as a result, there are laws on the books that reflect that. Now the relationship is changing dramatically. People in the United States have got to understand that trade with India is in our interests, that diplomatic relations with India is in our interests, that cultural exchanges with India are in our interest.

One of the things that helps make that case, of course, is the -- there's a lot of Indian Americans making important contributions to our country. And we welcome those contributions. I think there needs to be more student exchanges between our countries. I think we ought to expand H1B visas for Indian scientists and engineers and physicists and people in our country.

In other words, what I'm trying to explain to you is that it's a changing relationship, and part of that change is going to be how to deal with the nuclear issue. Now, proliferation is certainly a concern and a part of our discussions, and we've got a good faith gesture by the Indian government that I'll be able to take to the Congress. But the other thing that our Congress has got to understand, that it's in our economic interests that India have a civilian nuclear power industry to help take the pressure off of the global demand for energy.

Obviously, nuclear power is a renewable source of energy, and the less demand there is for non-renewable sources of energy, like fossil fuels, the better off it is for the American people. Increasing demand for oil from America, from India and China, relative to a supply that's not keeping up with demand, causes our fuel prices to go up. And so, to the extent that we can reduce demand for fossil fuels, it will help the American consumer.

And so there are several ways for me to make the case, which I'm kind of laying out for you now, so that -- but this is what I'll be telling our Congress.

Axelrod.

Q Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, following up on this just a touch, what kind of message, sir, does it send to the world that India, which has been testing as late as 1998, nuclear testing, and is not -- has not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty -- is this a reward for bad behavior, as some critics suggest? And what kind of message does it send to other countries that are in the process of developing nuclear technology? Why should they sign the NPT if India is getting a deal without doing so, sir?

PRESIDENT BUSH: What this agreement says is things change, times change, that leadership can make a difference, and telling the world -- sending the world a different message from that which is -- what used to exist in people's minds.

I -- listen, I've always said this was going to be a difficult deal for the Prime Minister to sell to his parliament, but he showed great courage and leadership. And it's difficult for the American President to sell to our Congress, because some people just don't want to change and change with the times. I understand that. But this agreement is in our interests, and therefore, Jim, I'm confident we can sell this to our Congress as in the interest of the United States, and at the same time make it clear that there's a way forward for other nations to participate in a -- in civilian nuclear power in such a way as to address nonproliferation concerns.

India has charted a way forward. You heard the Prime Minister talk about going to the IAEA. That group exists to help safeguard -- safeguard the world from proliferation.

Listen, I proposed reprocessing agreements -- that stands in stark contrast to current nuclear theology that we shouldn't reprocess for proliferation concerns. I don't see how you can advocate nuclear power, in order to take the pressure off of our own economy, for example, without advocating technological development of reprocessing, because reprocessing will not only -- reprocessing is going to help with the environmental concerns with nuclear power. It will make there -- to put it bluntly, there will be less material to dispose.

And so I'm trying to think differently, not to stay stuck in the past, and recognize that by thinking differently, particularly on nuclear power, we can achieve some important objectives, one of which is less reliance on fossil fuels; second is to work with our partners to help both our economies grow; and thirdly is to be strong on dealing with the proliferation issues.

Well, Mr. Prime Minister, it's been a joy.

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: Thank you very much, Mr. President. We have made history today, and I thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Thank you.

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More Big Talk but Still No Action

The Democratic governor of the State of Arizona has been quite vocal about the problems with illegal aliens (notice I said "aliens" not the more politically correct "immigrants"). She has stated publicly that she would use National Guard troops on the Arizona/Mexico border as a prevention.

However, to date, it is only big talk. There are no National Guard troops on the border.

Gov. Napolitano, as well as the other border-state governors better "get a clue." We border-state citizens are fed up with their inaction on what we consider an invasion of our country.




From the Salt Lake Tribune

Arizona may fund National Guard troops on border
The Associated Press

PHOENIX - Gov. Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that she is prepared to use state money to send National Guard troops to the Arizona-Mexico border to crack down on illegal immigration if the Pentagon declines to pick up the bill.
It was the first time the governor has said she would be willing to use state money. In December, Napolitano said her plan would be impossible without complete federal funding.
But Republicans have since charged that her position gave the Democratic governor an escape clause, allowing her to talk tough in an election year while not actually doing anything about the border problem.
Arizona is the nation's busiest illegal entry point, and the state feels the federal government is not doing enough to stop it. Napolitano has proposed expanding the National Guard's border presence.

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United Nations: A Worthless Organization

Mark Steyn has written a brilliant, albeit long, piece simply entitled, "America and the United Nations."

Steyn sets out in a logical fashion the arguments which a lot of us boil down to: "US out of the UN, and UN out of the US."

This is a great article, not to be missed. (Tip: Get fresh cup of coffee before beginning to read it.)

Hat tip: Instapundit

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Also from Instapundit:


A DOUBLE-BARRELLED APPROACH: "Bill Clinton, former US president, advised top officials from Dubai two weeks ago on how to address growing US concerns over the acquisition of five US container terminals by DP World. It came even as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was leading efforts to derail the deal."

Cowgirl here: I really don't think I could handle another Clinton presidency without blowing an artery.

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Big Surprise! al-Qaida in Palestine

From the Jerusalem Post,comes the not unexpected news that al-Qaida has infiltrated the terrorist territory of Palestine. Hardly a news flash, but at least they have come up with some evidence.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told the Arab daily el-Hayat on Thursday that he has proof that al-Qaida cells have infiltrated, and are operating in the West Bank and Gaza.

"We have intelligence information that al-Qaida is in the West Bank and Gaza. I am very concerned about this," said Abbas.

"If they succeeded in infiltrating in such a way, and if no one watches over them, the result could be disastrous for the entire region. The last piece of information I received on the subject was three days ago, but we still have not been able to lay our hands on the operatives," he said.

A Hamas spokesman responded to Abbass's claim by saying that his organization has no intelligence information regarding al-Qaida cells in the West Bank or Gaza.

"If the things Abu Mazen (Abbas) said are true, the matter must be handled immediately," he said.

Only last week OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh revealed that global Jihad and al-Qaida cells based in Jordan have stepped up their attempts to infiltrate Israel and are in close contact with Palestinian terror cells based in the West Bank.

'We recently caught several local terror cells that were in touch with the international Global Jihad based in Jordan,' Naveh told a closed meeting at the Jerusalem Center of Public Affairs. He would not say for certain that the al-Qaida camp in Jordan worked under the direction of the movement's Iraqi leader Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, but he said 'al-Qaida was working to tighten its grip on the ground' in Jordan and Israel.

Jordan, he said, should be particularly concerned with the Hamas takeover of the Palestinian Authority. Naveh predicted that Hamas would spread out to the other side of the Jordan River and might even succeed in toppling the Jordanian government.

'Hamas is gathering strength and a dangerous axis starting in Iran, continuing through Iraq and Jordan is in the process of conception,' Naveh told the audience, including former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Dore Gold and Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ya'acov Amidror, the former head of research at Military Intelligence. 'I don't want to be a prophet but I am not sure there will be another king after King Abdullah,' Naveh said.

While the IDF has reported attempts in the past by al- Qaida to infiltrate the Gaza Strip, this was the first time the IDF revealed that cells in the West Bank were also operating in conjunction with the international terror organization.


(Hat Tip: Powerline)

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Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Border Kidnappings

Texas Fred is really on a roll here on the increasingly dangerous border situation.

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Prescient Perhaps?



(Hat tip Drudge Report)

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Remedying Intelligence Gaps

Dafydd at Big Lizards has an excellent post entitled, "How Do You Close Intelligence Gaps?" Read his common sense analysis at: http://biglizards.net/blog/archives/2006/02/how_do_you_clos.html

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