August 14, 2008 - "This is For America"

‘This Is For America’:

Russian Bombs Dropped on Georgia Carried Anti-US, Anti-NATO Inscriptions
Watch this. It will help you understand what's really going on, and how significant this situation is.

George Bush squares up to Vladimir Putin over Georgia

Video of President Bush's speech

Text of the ceasefire agreement

Full Text of Speech......

“I’m sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France, where she will
confer with President Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi, where she
will personally convey America’s unwavering support for Georgia’s democratic
government. On this trip, she will continue our efforts to rally the free
world in the defense of a free Georgia.
“I’ve also directed Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing.
“A US C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the
days ahead, we will use US aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver
humanitarian and medical supplies.
“We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit.
“We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia, and we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country.
“As I have made clear, Russia’s ongoing action raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region.
“In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions.
“To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and
other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must
keep its word and act to end this crisis.
Thank you."

In case we've you've lost sight of what's happening with al Qaeda .....

stratfor.com has an interesting update.

The Jihadist Threat and Grassroots Defense

It has been a rough couple of weeks for the Egyptian al Qaeda contingent in
Pakistan. On Aug. 12, Pakistani security sources confirmed that an Aug. 8
operation in Bajaur resulted in the death of al Qaeda leader Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, aka Sheikh Said al-Masri. Some posters on jihadist message boards have denied the reports, but al Qaeda itself has yet to release a statement on the issue. Al-Yazid was reportedly al Qaeda’s operational commander for Afghanistan, and some reports also claim he was responsible for planning attacks within Pakistan, such as the June 2 attack on the Danish Embassy.

If confirmed, al-Yazid’s death came just 11 days after the July 28 missile strike in South Waziristan that resulted in the death of al Qaeda’s lead chemical and biological weapons expert, Midhat Mursi al-Sayid Umar, also known as Abu Khabab al-Masri. The strike against al-Sayid also killed three other Egyptian al Qaeda commanders. In an ironic twist, the official al Qaeda eulogy for al-Sayid and his companions was given by al-Yazid.

Unconfirmed rumors also have swirled since the July 28 attack that al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri was either killed or seriously wounded in the same operation. Obviously, al-Zawahiri’s loss would be another serious blow to the organization. More........

News: Only Al-Qaeda female in FBI's 100 Most Wanted list captured. Scary: Had plans of NYC, subways, an animal disease plant and was planning assassinations of former presidents.

See Video.....

Pelosi, Pickens plan to pick your pocket

House Speaker, billionaire behind 'going green' racket

TV commercials touting a new clean energy strategy and an environmental ballot measure in California have one thing in common: If they succeed, they'll make investors – from "big oil" to the U.S. Capitol – a lot of money.

While Pickens touts a plan in the name of environmentalism that will also line his company's pockets, a #dontgo investigation has revealed that another environmental champion and backer of Proposition 10 has also invested in CLNE: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.
According to the investigation, Pelosi purchased $50,000-$100,000 in CLNE stock on May 25, 2007, apparently on its initial public offering.

Now the House speaker stands to make a large profit on her reported 22,000 shares of CLNE if she and other public figures can persuade the people of California to vote for Proposition 10 in the name of renewable energy and clean, alternative fuels.

Whose ‘Special Interests’?

Democrats don’t have any, the way they tell it.

By Thomas Sowell

We take it for granted that a vote means a secret ballot, but it was not
always that way. Moreover, it will not remain that way for workers who vote on
whether or not they want a labor union, if legislation sponsored by
congressional Democrats and endorsed by Senator Barack Obama becomes law.Before
there were secret ballots, voters dared not express their true preferences if
those who watched them vote could retaliate — whether by firing them, beating
them up, or in other ways.Anyone who is serious about people being free to
express themselves with their votes wants a secret ballot. Read
more......

But before we lose sight of the good things that are happening, here's a real winner for you......





US swimmer Michael Phelps celebrates after winning the 200m butterfly final at the Beijing Olympic Games


Made in China......


China's impressive haul of gold medals at the Beijing Olympics was tarnished somewhat today when it was revealed that "abnormally high levels of lead" were found in the first-place medallions.
The medals, which were supposed to be made entirely of gold, were instead found to be composed of 99% lead alloy and coated with a gold-colored lead-based paint.

Lighter stuff......

Statement from Vladimir Putin

Obama Takes a Break from the Hawaii Sun to Apologize to Russia

Chicago Tribune: Past Decade Had Fewest 90-Degree Days Since the '30s


Lemonade out of Lemons....


Prolific Los Angeles thief who confessed to over 1,000 burglaries finds a creative way to get his sentence reduced...he makes a police training video showing how he did it

What happens when you put a Nike golf ball through a watermelon?


Johnny Cash and Oscar...
According to legend, Cash attacked Big Bird with a broken whiskey bottle backstage.


An Animators' War......
(with himself)


Tree Trimmer....the new way


Bet you can't do this anymore.....well that was 1947...this is now

August 13, 2008 - BACK IN THE USSR

Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my
mind.
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the USSR
- John Lennon & Paul McCartney

JOHN O'SULLIVAN has a great piece in the NY Post that neatly details the situation

Continued media analysis of the Russian war with Georgia headlines the news, and rightly so. This is big news with dark implications for not only the former Soviet Republics on its border, but for Europe, the U.S. and the world at large.

Putin’s Russia has been allowed to engage in significant bad behavior like providing assistance to Iran, curtailing freedom of speech, and stealing the investments of western companies in partnerships like Yukos with not one voice raised. Like any delinquent child, why should it think anyone would raise a protest now, especially when it has its hand squeezing Europe’s energy artery.

George Friedman of stratfor.com has an excellent perspective on the events of the past few days, and an excellent explanation of the why and how.

The Russian invasion of Georgia has not changed the balance of power in Eurasia.
It simply announced that the balance of power had already shifted. The United States has been absorbed in its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as potential conflict with Iran and a destabilizing situation in Pakistan. It has no strategic ground forces in reserve and is in no position to intervene on the Russian periphery. This, as we have argued, has opened a window of opportunity for the Russians to reassert their influence in the former Soviet sphere. Moscow did not have to concern itself with the potential response of the United States or Europe; hence, the invasion did not shift the balance of power. The balance of power had already shifted, and it was up to the Russians when to make this public. They did that Aug. 8.

Meylik Kaylan in today's Wall Street Journal add's another historical perspective to the story, and it's implications:

Between Russia and Iran, in the lower Caucasus, sits a small wedge of independent soil -- namely, the soil of Azerbaijan and Georgia combined. Through those two countries runs the immensely important Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which delivers precious oil circuitously from Azerbaijan to Turkey and out to the world. This is important not just because of the actual oil being delivered free of interference from Russia and Iran and the Middle East, but also for symbolic reasons. It says to the world that if any former Moscow colonies wish to sell their wares to the West directly, they have a right to do so, and the West will support that right. According to Georgian authorities, Russian warplanes have tried to demolish the Georgian leg of that pipeline several times in the last days. Their message cannot be clearer.

Besides their own pipeline, Georgia and Azerbaijan offer a fragile strategic conduit between the West and the "stans" of Central Asia -- including Afghanistan -- an area that the Soviets once controlled in toto. We should remember that an isolated Central Asia means an isolated Afghanistan. Look at the countries surrounding Afghanistan -- all former Soviet colonies, then Iran, then Pakistan.

The natural resources of Central Asia, from Turkmenistan's natural gas to Kazakhstan's abundant oil, cannot reach the West free of Russia and Iran except
through that narrow conduit in the Caucasus. Moscow's former colonies in Central
Asia are Afghanistan's most desirable trading partners. They are watching the
strife in Georgia closely. It will tell them whether or not they will enter the world's free markets without a Russian chokehold on their future -- or, whether they, and their economies, are doomed for the foreseeable future to remain colonies in all but name. And it won't be long before Moscow dictates to them exactly how to isolate Kabul. Moscow is perfectly aware, even if we are not, that choking off the bottleneck in the Caucasus gives Iran and Russia much say over our efforts in Afghanistan.

In Iraq too, the Kremlin's projection of power down through Georgia will soon be felt. Take another look at the map. If Russia is allowed to extend its reach southwards, as in Soviet times, down the Caucasus to Iran's borders, Moscow can support Iran in any showdown with the West. Iran, thus emboldened, will likely attempt to reassert itself in Iraq, Syria and, via Hezbollah, in Lebanon.

James Lewis Has some insight into the Democrat's Nemisis; it's Savioritis Pestis

Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad, said the sly old Greeks. The madness they were thinking of was hubris, of course, "overweening pride," which was destined to bring forth the divine revenge of Nemesis. The Greeks believed in hubris and Nemesis because they saw a lot of egomania in their world.
American politicians are trying to catch up with the ancients. The Democrats are infested with hubris like lice on a mangy dog. It's not just one swelled-head politician; it's a whole parade of them.

Orwell's children are now grown up. John Edwards situation is being treated as a sex scandle by the media......it's not. It's a truth scandle. Bruce Walker has an interesting perspective on Orwell's prediction of an "Oceania" where "Freedom is Slavery" and "Ignorance is Strength." It seems that we may be it's citizens

Orwell gave us the slogans "Freedom is Slavery" and "Ignorance is Strength." These days the chic Left takes these two slogans of Oceania very seriously. They will always tell you what eternal and unchangeable truths you must accept this week, this day, this hour. Any ear attuned to the constant buzz of its propaganda machine can listen to today's version of history or the hourly report on transcendent values by just staying very close to Academia, Hollywood, mainstream media, Democrat leaders, or any other interchangeable parts of the chic Left. So, in John Edward's mind, he probably was not lying about an affair.

Who would you want to spend time with

Bookworm examines a press account of the personal offices created by Barack Obama and John McCain, and sees telling evidence of their respective characters.

One is a mensch, the other a product. Obama's office is immaculate and
beautiful. It is also devoid of substance, showy, self-involved and
cold....If Obama’s office speaks the truth about the man, he is truly the
post-modern candidate: all style and almost no substance. McCain is everyman
— smart, loyal, deeply connected to people, and honorable.