Smoke on the Water

Bordering On Insanity

And not only in regards to our neighbors to the South.

Moments ago, Drudge linked to this Fox News report which quotes Sr. Arturo Gonzalez Cruz, Mexico's newest El Grande Jefe in charge of "border relations"

Arturo Gonzalez Cruz (search), a 52-year-old Tijuana businessman, says many improvements are needed at the border to benefit trade, including creating more lanes and adding border crossings. Ultimately, Cruz says flat out, he wants to see the border disappear.

Frankly, I'm glad to see them lay their cards face-up on the table like this. Just like the Hildebeest did the other day in San Francisco:

"Many of you are well enough off that ... the tax cuts may have helped you," Sen. Clinton said. "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

Make no mistake about it, the left is shedding it's (less and less effective) camoflauge, and on an ever bolder basis is waging open warfare on the values of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

They're making no bones about it, which as far as I'm concerned about it is all for the good.

In my view, the more that the fringe left openly pushes their agenda, the easier it will be for sane and reasonable people to see them for what they are.

Communists.

A Most Excellent Rant

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today for your reading pleasure, I'm honored to offer to you as fine a piece of passionate writing as I've ever had the pleasure to peruse.

I'm sure you'll agree that my selection for you is bountiful, indeed bursting with Ranty Goodness.

On the plate which is your screens, you'll find a masterfully prepared rant by the Master Ranter himself, Mister Kim DuToit.

A small taste for you:

Out of this grew rage, and this blog. It's not called The Rant for nothing. Clearly, I was feeling rage because nowhere in the mainstream media was I seeing this same anger expressed -- anger at the terrorist scum, anger at those who took their side, and anger at those who simply ignored the War On Terror while they furthered their own petty agenda.

I'd like to add one reinforcing point to Kim's Most Excellent Rant. I believe that one of our best tactics in attracting the new shooter is for us to exhibit much of what'd embodied in Kim's writings.

A committed, enthusiastic Patriotism and Love of Country. A positive and unapologetic grasp and support of what the Second Ammendment stands for, followed by all the subsequent reasons such as goblin whacking and bambicide.

And maybe the best of 'em all, that shooting is fun!.

For those reasons and many more Kim's site is one of our best force-multipliers in existence.

Keep up the ranty goodness Kim, and we'll keep reading. And we'll keep shooting, too.

Insta-Surprise

Can't wait to see my bandwidth bill for June, it's gonna be a doozy!

With 269 posts (excluding this one) in the bag since October 2003, the one I'd think least likely to get attention has resulted in a coveted Instalanche.

Thanks, Glenn. I truly appreciate the link and the traffic.

And to all you visitors here aboard the Sloop New Dawn, a hearty Welcome Aboard, friends! I hope that many of you find this small site to your liking, and come back around, often.

More importantly though, thanks to Acidman, HogOnIce, Who Tends the Fires and blogoSFERICS, for your links to that post, too. With friends like y'all helping out, I'll get and keep the daily readers that we writers value more than any one day's (admittedly awesome) traffic stats.

The same applies to every single site linked on my blogroll. No matter how much or little y'all link to Smoke on the Water, it's my pleasure to have each of you on the Crew Roster!

Which brings the true thanks. For all you four hundred or so daily readers, thank YOU for making this a fun place for ME to come to.

You have my sincere, heartfelt thanks. All of you.

Now then, back to my daily grind.

Snubbie Smiths

Gun Porn from the Airboss' Collection, for your viewing pleasure.

"Sure I can stop anytime I want to!

Hi my name is Airboss and I am a S&W addict."

(click on image to enlarge)

On the right from the top:

M-49 38 special, M-640 Ported .357, M-649 .38 special, M-15 .38 special, M-24 3".44 Special,

In the Circle, from 12 Clockwise.

M-24 3".44Special, M-624 .44Special 3", M-19 .357 21/2", M-29 .44 Mag 3", M-625 .45ACP 3", M-66 .357 2-1/2", M-625 3" .45 LC, Pre M-21 5 Screw 3" .44 Special

I've had the pleasure and distinct honor of burning ammo at Airboss' ranch. Those Smiths are indeed in the care of a true gentleman and scholar of the gun world, and of many other classic fields as well.

Now if I can just horse-trade him out of that M-625 for this unfired Ruger Security-Six I've got layin' around.

m'heh!

Render Honors

Living in the company of cats, I know to the core of my being the unique bonds and relationships which our four-legged shipmates weave into our lives.

And hearts.

They become a part of us. If we start with but the faintest scrap of humanity, they find that part of us and grow it, and they help make us better people.

An old adage: May I one day become the Man that my dog thinks I am.

Captain Rivrdog, Master of M/V Lofoten Girl, regrets to announce the passing of a crew member, SFC Snowflake. Chief Snowflake was with the Captain and First Mate for the last 18 years. Chief Snowflake distinguished his Ship’s Feline rate by his steadfast service, unflappable even in the face of adverse shipboard environments, foreign ports, hostile creatures in other ports and the worst the sea could throw at him and his crew.

Snowflake; (click for full portrait)

Do render Proper Honors to this incredible cat, and to his intrepid Captain by reading this.

Eighteen years. Well done, sailor cat. Well done, indeed.

Secure from battle stations, Snowflake. You're off-watch, evermore.

Sovereign Lands

At this moment, I'm about as proud to be an American as I know how to be.

Truly, this is the kind of thing that Ronald Reagan spoke about when he described this great nation as "That Shining City on the Hill". And he knew what he was talking about. He was right then.

He is still right, today.

Earlier today, in a ceremony made possible by the readiness of a free and willing Iraqi government, L. Paul Bremmer, representing the United States of America, handed a blue folder to his honor, Midhat al-Mahmood, the Cheif Justice of the new Iraqi Supreme Court.

At the precise moment that folder left Mr. Bremer's hands, a Nation was reborn.

"Before us is a challenge and a burden and we ask God almighty to give us the patience and guide us to take this country whose people deserves all goodness," said President Ghazi al-Yawer after taking his oath. "May God protect Iraq and its citizens."

Name for me another nation in recorded history which does what the United States does. With the most overwhelming military capability that the world has ever known, we enforce the heretofore toothless mandates of the accursed U.N.

We remove from power one of the greater tyrants of the present day, along with his brutal and merciless regieme.

An unstoppable force, yet we do not pillage this land of it's oil or riches.

All we ask is for a small bit of land.

I think that the words of Gen. Colin Powell serve well here. You've heard them spoken, and you've read them before.

You need to read them again.

Fathead Family

I report. You deride.

But there does seem to be some uncanny resmblences here.

Hmm....and they both work in cinema.....

And here, from the shallow end of the gene poolChappaquidick Bridge.....

Damn, they make a herd of gap-toothed Appalachian cousins look downright well groomed and civilized!

Sage Advice

As only Baldilocks can give.

The butt of countless jokes and endless ridicule, Monica Lewinsky would be very well advised to listen to my blogsis, and to take heed of her wise counsel.

Dear Ms. Lewinsky:

As a woman who is ten years older than you, I will be presumptuous enough to give you a little advice. Any of these suggestions are optional but the last one.

Fair warning. This is a very serious and well considered letter. But, I must warn you, there's one line in there that just upped my dry-cleaning bill by one shirt's worth. No liquids while reading; you've been warned.

Now go and read this. And if you have kids who are at all aware of who Ms. Lewinsky is, take the time to make them read this, too.

That's my advice, for what it's worth.

Meltdown

How can we miss him if he won't go away?

The former Vice President of the United States speaks and sane people everywhere cringe, knowing just how close this weak, bitter and demented man came to grasping the reins of power.

One of the sanest examinations of the insane GoreBot I've ever read has just been posted by the Arterial Assasin himself, Mr. Steve H. over at Hog On Ice.

I've been telling people this since 2000. I wish I could link to a video of the debate where he showed up dressed like President Reagan, with his hair done up in the Reagan style, and with Reagan-mimicking rouge applied to his cheeks. You may not remember. He even did Reagan's signature head-bob while he talked. It was like a sketch from Saturday Night Live, only there was no punchline.

I simply cannot urge you strongly enough to go read Steve's post. It's not a fisking of a Gore speech. No, it's much, much better than that.

And if Hog On Ice isn't on your daily reading list, then update said list immediately.

It's Only Water Weight

Well, the thunderstorms I enjoy so much not only made their appearence, they've decided to stay and hang around for a few days.

As is the norm when guests overstay their welcome, bad things tend to occur.

"Other than tornadoes, I’ve never seen anything like this," said Bob Sheld.

He said it appeared that the building suffered a structural failure under the weight of the rain, which is supposed to drain to the back of the building.

Sacrifice

This is the price of freedom.

Some things come at a cost far more dear than money can buy.

Yet however painful it was, he knew he had done the right thing. He knew that in order to save his family he would have to sacrifice.

Mere talk cannot settle the debts of freedom.

Storm Serenade

Tonight, the rest of Houston bears down under the barrage of lightning, thunder, wind and rain. Local newscasts wax dramatic, reporting each downed tree, every swollen creek. And of course, the occassional voluntary Darwinist who stupidly pilots their car quite literally as the latest entrant in the local Submarine Races.

Weather reports lead the evening's broadcasts, tracking the storm cells on virtually a street by street basis. High theatre for the masses, what with the occassional torn shingle and such.

M.I.A., No Longer

Speaking of blogs gone silent, Donnie's was off the air for so damned long, he'd been listed as Missing In Action.

But he's back, and running strong, right out of the blogs.

Good to have you online again, blog-bruddah. And don't tell me you Ain't Done It......

.... cause you're doing it, and I've no doubt you'll continue to do it, and do it well indeed.

Welcome back, Airborne.

Why Bother

I guess that's the refrain of some folks out there in blogworld, anyway.

Yeah, it's summertime, and I'm sure that folks are busy with summertime things. I mean, who'd not prefer to be out doing cool stuff like waterskiing, motorcycling or just going out on a picnic?

And I'll be the first to agree, it's sometimes a bit mystifying, maybe even discouraging to see one's visits, comments and overall stats go down the tubes as it were. Especially when your writing is crisp, the topics are hot and it seems that all the other sites are getting all the action out there.

Weekend Update

Among life's more valuable and treasured gifts, surely one of the dearest is the comradarie of heartfelt friendships, both old and new.

Through our lives, we come to find but a few dear friends among the throngs who occupy our daily worlds. They come from anywhere and everywhere. Perhaps a co-worker or the waitress who brought your coffee this morning. Matters not, really. For it is the undefinable process wherein a person somehow transcends the normal boundaries of mere cordiality or amiable discourse and become that different, special sort of person in your life.

I was among such people this weekend.

Friends do more than just tell you that you're way cool, or a good shot, or graciously laugh at your drollness. They show you the best of their humanity, inspiring you to raise your own bar; to aim higher and to strive to be the person that they believe you are.

And amazingly, they sometimes even think the same of you. That's an awareness which is both humbling and gratifying, all in one intertwined thought.

Such friends are damned few and far between in this life. Such is not to be decried, but rather to be cherished, for then your energies remain focused and true.

So, to Yellowlegs and your lovely and gracious Mrs. Yellowlegs, thank you for the generousity of your most elegant home, your cozy hearth and your most enjoyable company.

Kim? It's one thing to meet'cha in the deep woods of East Texas just shootin' and swappin' lies with the Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight. Quite another sir, to be hosted in the comfort of your home and to enjoy being surrounded by all that which you hold dear.

Yes, I speak of the honor of meeting the Queen of all BlogWisdom; Connie DuToit. Of whom I would be remiss in failing to praise for her stunningly delicious fare and very, very impressive waitstaff. Kim, Connie.... I don't have kids, but if I did, I'd want them to be as yours are. Two gentlemen and lady indeed.

A while back, some blogs ran a quiz or a poll on "who'd you want to share your trench" should the S ever HTF. I didn't participate in that poll, but I can guarantee you that I'd want Doc Russia coverng my ass in said foxhole. Just remind me to pack double ammo and triple rations for the duration, sir!

Also in attendance was the Third Most Hateful Blogger himself, Emporer Misha of the Anti-Idiotorian Rottweiller. Who's decency, kindness, intellegence and humor is truly a match for his considerable bark. But make no mistake, the bite is there too. We did raise a toast to the memory of Rachel Corrie, but the conversation went a bit...um..... flat at that point. Speaking of flat, let me assure you his singing voice isn't flat at all. With Doc harmonizing, I've never heard Monty Python tunes rendered in such choirworthy, dulcet tones.

Lastly, but of course not least, I did get to meet the always pleasant, mild mannered Lord Spatula. Who was in fine form indeed. I pity the troll that takes him up on his offer to "say it to my face!". Well, okay. I'll pity said troll after I'm done laughing at it for a few hours.

Impossible would be the correct word which would describe the sheer, wonderful indescribablity of that evening. Except to say it was one of those rare times that'll linger as a cherished memory, evermore.

Thanks, Friends.

Checklist

Anticipating a great weekend to come, I've run more than a few personal errands and have stocked up on some very important consumables and other merchandise n' services.

Given that I usually work a six-day week ( &%#$!!! ), a full weekend off for me is damn near as exciting to look forward to as a kid going to Disneyland for the first time.

No, I'm not gonna spill the beans just yet, but maybe you can get an idea of the weekend's agenda if I clue y'all in on what all I've put into it by way of preparation.

Digital Inquiry

I have retired my Nikon F2-A system forever. Actually, I sold it off for a very fair price a while back, but at least I had the sanity to keep my 17mm lens. That'll go with the F-4 body I plan to get to move my 35mm photography into the autofocus world.

That said, I also need to get a good, but not incredibly expensive, digital camera.

What I'm asking for here is for your suggestions on which digital cameras give the best bang for the buck, in terms of image quality, ease-of-use and durabilty.

I think I can sort out the optics on my own. As a high-school punk, I took three years of occupational photograhy, and have stayed abreast of the craft since then. I know my lenses, it's the rest of the digital animal I'm seeking help with.

Let's keep the actual buying price to $250 or less. That is, unless you have one to suggest that's so damn incredible that I'd be nuts to not go to say, $300 max. That's with tax included, friends.

My base requirements? At least a 3x optical zoom and no less than three-megapixel imaging.

I sincerely request your suggestions and advice.

Acid Reflux

Well, the ol' Acidfart is back in his lair, having returned from his venture to Key West.

Whether or not he returned unscathed is another matter, but you can go read about it there. I'm not all that optimistic, having seen a photo of his alleged date.

Myself, I'm not a huge Key West fan, simply because the place is a bit too commercialized for my eclectic tastes. Marathon, Key Largo and such are a bit more boating oriented, which obviously is more in keeping with my sailing orientation.

But they're terribly cost-prohibitive for the average cruising sailor. Last I heard, it can cost upwards of $1,000 per month for a boat slip there. Compare that to the low $200s here in Galveston for a thirty-footer like mine.

Most the crisiers I know who've sailed the Keys just anchor out, and commute to shore via the boat's dinghy, just to avoid those rip-off rates.

Regardless, I'd still love to sail the Keys.

Blogging Savage-ly

What a great treat to have listened to La Shawn Barber live, on the Michael Savage radio talk-show

As in, five minutes ago. She and Michael were mostly discussing their chagrin with President Bush's fawning over the Clintons at yesterday's unveiling of the Slickster's Presidential portraits. But woven into her discource with Mr. Savage was prominent mention of her weblog.

Given the travesty of pseudo-blogs like Wonk-Pimpette, it's refreshing to see a legitimate conservative weblog get such great publicity.

I've enjoyed reading La Shawn's comments over on my blog-sis' site. I've enjoyed reading La Shawn's blog too, albeit less often than I should.

But La Shawn needs every bit of support we can give her. She's dedicated to her quest to become a syndicated columnist, and all I have to say to that is.

It just can't happen too soon.

Congratulations, La Shawn, on such a great performance on the air today.

The blogosphere owes you one.

What, Me Worry?

I'll just blame this for my sucky traffic stats today.

Of course, that doesn't explain yesterday or the day before or the day before, etc. etc.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Nuke Kids on the Block

The Nuclear Option is one which has existed since 1945, and has remained in the possession of a relatively small numbers of Nations. A few too many for my tastes, but such is the nature of the genie.

Being the only nation to have ever excercised the Nuclear Option, The United States has an insight equaled only by Japan's, the nation upon which we used two atomic bombs in order to end a war. While the Japanese claim right to the status of being the only people ever to suffer nuclear attack, America can in my view, claim the greater right of knowing the awesome responsibility of having invented, weilded and used these terrible weapons in war.

Michelle Malkin Immigrates

To the Nation of Blogs, if you will.

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you'll know that I don't hesitate to cite the writings of columnist Michelle Malkin.

While taking my daily stroll through the sites on my blogroll (and yes, I do try to read 'em all, daily), I found through Frank J. of IMAO that Michelle has launched her own blog.

This is indeed, good news. Welcome to the Blog World, ma'am!

Quite simply, there is no better or more effective opinionist out there on the subject of illegal immigration. Not that she takes a back seat to anyone on conservative issues in general, but I don't think she ever misses one iota of information regarding the assault on our borders.

I think the blog world will benefit from her presence. If anything, I'll try to pay more attention to the quality of my writing, lest she visit my site someday and blanch at all of my type-uh-ohs.

And yes, she is tons cuter than Misha!

Ghost Rider In The Sky

For me, Saturday is usually a day of work, and yesterday was no exception.

I arrived home tired. And still a bid sad, forlorn and empty. It had been a long and emotional week for me, as I'm sure it was for most all of you.

Scouting the net last night, I came across a few things that lifted my spirits, but I just didn't have it in me to take keyboard in hand. Switching gears sometimes isn't that easy.

This morning though, I found via Drudge, the perfect post-script. Medicine for the soul if you will. And here's the shocker.

I have to thank Time magazine for pubishing such a beautiful account of Ronnie's last flight.

So many old Reagan stories were told, so many laughs remembered, that the flight seemed far too short. The plane eased down into Simi Valley in a salute to the thousands waiting beside the highways to see Reagan come home. Flashes from the cameras of the people clustered below could be seen from the plane, a ritual of reaching out to one of their own who had climbed to the world stage and become a great star beyond the imaginations of even these California dreamers.

Ronnie's family really, was all of us. Let's go forward now and celebrate the life he lived, the legacy he leaves us and the future showed us.

It might be corny, but I'm gonna say it anyway.......

Let's win one for the Gipper.

A Warrior's Heart

This Marine will tell you more about how I feel right now, than I could in ten thousand words.

I cannot add to that.

Fiddling, While Rome Burns

How utterly droll.

Diane Feinstein (Ditz, CA) blithely and maliciously shoves her corrupt Assault Weapons Ban Ugly Guns that Scare Her Bill back onto the main Senate calendar.

Her bill, having been soundly defeated just a few short weeks ago by normal parlimentarian means, has been revived by ....well, never mind, the Senate rule invoked is obscure and rarely used.

Honor, Dignity and Respect

The current spin from the anti-American left is that President Reagan was just fortunate enough to be at the helm when the Soviet Union's house of cards began waver and fall.

Clearly, the record says otherwise.

But if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one is worth history itself.

The vanquished honors the fallen Victor, and does so with Honor, Dignity and Respect.

Mr. Gorbachev remains to this day an ardent, self-proclaimed Socialist. He once gambled on ways to keep at least Mother Russia a communist enclave, but the fall of the U.S.S.R. was so rapid and uncontrollable that he lost even that.

And he knows why. And he knows who.

Mr. Gorbachev might still and always be; a communist. But he is neither a fool nor a vapid, shallow man.

Here, he gives homage to his Victor, bearing all the class and dignity of the great people he once led.

The rest of the left would benefit to learn from his sterling example.

UPDATE: 23:58 hrs. To learn just how completely and totally President Reagan mastered the final, effective head of the USSR, go here and read Misha's totally unique and incredibly personal account of said Evil Empire's demise.

Ray Charles, 1930-2004

Last week, we lost a beloved leader.

This week, we've lost an icon of a different sort.

Ray Charles was one of the most listenable artists of our time. Covering an incredibly wide range of styles, yet with a style all his own, he appealed to just fans of just about every kind of music there is.

I'm going to listen to the (too few) Ray Charles CD's in my collecton tonight. And I'll raise a toast to him somewhere in the middle of it, I'm sure.

Yet in the midst of our losses this week, I've no doubt that the music will lift my spirits and bolster my heart.

It's a good night to sing the blues.

What's In Store

Who says guys don't like to shop?

You've just gotta take us to the right places.

I can spend hours in most any gun store, motorcycle shop, hardware store or fine cigar retailer. There's nothing like being surrounded by the best in guns, bikes, tools, stogies and the great men and women who share like interests.

And you'll never hear anyone in those places ask; "Honey, does this Glock make my ass look fat?"

Art, Painted with Words

With a screen for a canvass and a keyboard for a palate, Val Prieto gives us a small masterpiece of the writer's art.

My small words are shadowed by such brilliance. Thank you Val for your incredibly poigniant recollection. Thank you for taking us back in time with you and your Grandfather to such a place; such a day.......

We stood in the parking lot across the other street from the restaurant and waited for the President. There were alot of people there. Abuelo stood there calmly, smelling like a gentleman and wearing his finely pressed white long sleeve guayabera. He held his paragua - umbrella - open above him to block the sun while I clamored about the crowd in search of a better view. When the President's motorcade arrived Abuelo and I looked at each other as if to say He's here, are you paying attention? with our eyes.

The term required reading would be a vast understatement.

Now, go back in time.

Rally, Friends

Our friend (and I mean that in every best sense of the word), George could use your prayers, good vibes and well wishes.

If you aren't up to speed, Rivrdog has had quite the bout with his Curmudgeon 6.2 operating system. The technicians have opened up the cabinet and deleted several corrupted tracks and sectors.

The reboot is complete, and only a thorough round of testing and debugging remains before Curmudgeon ver. 7.0 is released to the market.

Or as George put it in his e-mails to me today:

BLOGging is temporarily out of service since I decided to have some of my guts removed (earlier than planned). But that doesn't mean I'm gutless!

Will return to Blogging as soon as I'm released from the hospital. Doing okay, but the hospital life is not for me.

Not to worry George. We've got your back. In fact, Acidman was even having sympathy pains for you.

But George, do get well soon and hurry home. You're missed out here, my friend.

Riding Off Into The Sunset

As only a true Cowboy can.

I rather like this idea of Gerard Van Der Leun's, author of American Digest.

How very, very fitting.

The Hero rides off into the sunset.........

.......... it is the cowboy way.

UPDATE 9 Jun 04. Our hopes are filled. President Reagan flies eastward aboard Air Force One to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

Thank you, President Bush.

June 6, 1944

I had intended to write a tribute to the brave men who fought for us on that day.

Others have done so. Masterfully. Here are but a handful, but I'd suggest you go read them all. When you do, click through and follow all the links which they've provided.

This could take you all day, but you'll learn a lot, and it will be worth it.

After all, for all those who died there, June 6th, 1944, wasn't just all day.

It was the rest of their lives.

Blackfive has a huge list of links. Go there first, because it's the best. Thank you, Matt for such a wonderful compilation. And thank you too sir, for your service. God bless you.

Kim DuToit gives us a unique perspective and a speech not to be missed. From a man who we already miss terribly. Thanks also Kim, for reminding us with photos, of how it was before the P.C. days of pussified men.

Lexxiblog has President Reagan's entire 40th anniversary speech. And more.

Serenity provides a roll-call of accounts from those who were there on that fateful day. Incredibly powerful and moving. Required reading for anyone lacking an appreciation for what those brave souls gave for our sakes.

When you read Sgt. Hook's tribute to the heroes of D-Day, take a moment also, and thank him for serving us all from the front lines in Afghanistan. God bless you, Sergeant.

It would be quite impossible for any of us, ever, to pay proper tribute to those who fought on those beaches. Thousands died, and many more thousands suffered all manner of injuries. Most came home, but none...absolutely none, came back the same.

We can never repay that debt, but we can honor it by ensuring that their sacrafices were not in vain.

And they will not be in vain, so long as we prevail over the evil of a seventh-century creed of ignorance, brutality and oppression, just as those incredible soldiers crushed the unspeakable evil of Nazisim.

Let us pray that we have but a fraction of their courage and resolve.

We Were There

It is quite simply, impossible for me to do justice to Ronald Wilson Reagan by way of eulogy. Perhaps I served that purpose already, when I posted this article back in February.

Please, take a moment and go read it. You'll have a sense of my heart, and perhaps an understanding of why I was quite unable to write any more than the simple acknowledgement of his passing in the previous post.

But The Gipper would not want us to grieve for more than is seemley. If President Reagan stood for anything, it was the confidence in the greatness of America. And in Americans.

Ronald W. Reagan

1911 - 2004

From President Reagan's Farewell Address.

We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for 8 years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.

And so, goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

Learn This Lesson, Libs

Then SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!

A few weeks ago, I published an article titled The Lessons of Enemies.

Subsequently, some pinheaded representatives of the worst of liberal America took exception to my description of the screaming, hand-wringing and farthest-left whackos as being largely indistinguishable in principle, if not in reality, from the terrorists who are our enemies.

The Narcissism of Liberals

It seems that I'm perceived in some quarters as quite a threatening sorta guy.

The lefties have been immersing themselves in their paranoia via a poll to determine just who is the most evil blogger linked by Instapundit. "THE VICIOUS INSTAPUNDIT BLOGROLL CONTEST"

Weather Girl

Rachel may just have a new career as Dallas' premiere weather reporter.

Film at eleven Impressive damaged tree photo there, too.

Flying Pig Alert

The disgraced former Executive Editor of New York Times has somehow tripped across a clue.

Here's what Howell Raines has to say about John Fucking Kerry, as reported in the media insider magazine Editor and Publisher.

NEW YORK Former New York Times Executive Editor Howell Raines, on the hot seat again as controversy over the newspaper's Iraq coverage during his tenure continues to swirl, has written a column for The Guardian in London today on John Kerry that concludes that he "has to get better as a candidate." One problem, according to Raines: Kerry is "pompous" and "ponderous."

WWII Vintage Smart Bomb

Sometimes, pictures really do tell the better tale. Let me set the stage for you first though:

The A-26 Invader was a late WWII design that was one of the only aircraft in which its service history stretched over three major wars. The A-26 was a medium bomber that was known for its speed and maneuverability. In Korean service, it saw duty as a close support bomber. In Vietnam, the type was redesignated the B-26K and was used as a ground attack and counter-insurgency aircraft.

This aircraft was perhaps the most effective, heavily armed and armored counterinsurgency aircraft of the propeller era. It served honorably in WWII, nobly in Korea and courageously in Vietnam.

Here's a good photo of one in flight:

(click on image to enlarge)

Now that is a truly a thing of beauty.

However, I have an image of an A-26 in action, on a live attack run.

In classic American tradition, a personal message to the target is often inscribed on the payload, as is the case here.

Seems the target was Andy Rooney...and, well.....just click to continue to see the Battle Damage Assessment.

(Brain)-Dead Man Talking

Regular readers here will have no problem recalling just how much I despise the former human known as Andy Rooney.

Athough his present form of existence is somewhere below the basest level of humanity, he still manages to steal oxygen, sadly, in front of a CBS camera and in the face of a brain-numbed nation.

But, the tides do turn, and ol' Andy is past ebb; unkowingly riding an outgoing tide to oblivion.