Iranian F-4 Crashes into Persian Gulf

According to the Associated Press, an Iranian F-4 Phantom crashed into the Persian Gulf this morning, killing both crew members.

These are aircraft purchased from the US during the 1970's and due to the various embargo's against Iran, they have not been able to purchase spare parts from the US. However, the F-4 has been sold around the world and it is possible that parts could be purchased from other vendors.

There are a few questions though that cause me some concern.

First, why did Iran report this so quickly after it happened? They are not known for openness of the press. I have done a quick google search and only found a couple other references to Iranian military aircraft crashing.

Second, the Iranian military refers to the pilot and his back seat person as "martyrs." I find that wording to be interesting.

Third, this crash is in an area full of US ships, including a couple of Battle-Carrier Groups. But there has been nothing released from US Central Command. The US Navy MUST have seen the aircraft go down.

This is one of those events that makes me wonder if there is more to the story.

Iranian F-4 Crashes into Persian Gulf

Brothel Endorses Ron Paul

PLEASE-- Insert your own joke here!!!

From FoxNews.Com

RENO, Nevada — Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, an underdog Texas congressman with a libertarian streak, has picked up an endorsement from a Nevada brothel owner.

Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite BunnyRanch near Carson City, says he was so impressed after hearing Paul at a campaign stop in Reno last week that he decided to raise money for him.

Hof and two of his prostitutes, Brooke Taylor and a woman who goes by Air Force Amy, attended a Paul news conference.

Also Covering:
The Jawa Report

Brothel Endorses Ron Paul

Thompson on Gun Control, Giuliani and NYC

One of the reasons I like Fred Thompson is his ability to talk straight and speak his mind. At the same time by biggest complaint about Rudy Giuliani is his Second Amendment stance. Both of these things came together today in a New Hampshire gun shop according to FoxNews.com.

BRISTOL, N.H. — Fred Thompson said Friday while visiting a New Hampshire gun store that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani should stop bringing up the Big Apple on the campaign trail and criticized him for consistently supporting gun control legislation.

Thompson's popularity in early-voting New Hampshire has sunk rapidly in recent weeks, but his visit to Skip's Gun and Sport Shop to trumpet second-amendment rights could be geared toward libertarian-leaning primary voters in the state.

And the usually laid-back Thompson aimed his tough talk straight at the Republican frontrunner.

"(Giuliani) simply supported just about every gun control legislation that came down the pike. And I just disagree with him on that.... over the years and he's been very outspoken about it. Of course he's not outspoken about it anymore," Thompson told reporters with a smile. "It's a major differentiation. He relates everything to New York City ... Well, New York City is not emblematic of the rest of the country.

"And the sentiments of those people in the rest of the country are in support of the second amendment. This is where I've always been ... and I don't think he's ever been," he said.

Senator Thompson also makes an important point about New York City. It does seem from time to time that Giuliani forgets that there is more to the country than just New York City, but to be fair, most people from New York City seem to forget that there is more to the country than just New York City.

Thompson on Gun Control, Giuliani and NYC

The Un-heard Thanksgiving Day Political Statements

With less than a year now from the presidential election, and less than 7 weeks until New Hampshire's Primary, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that every move, action or word from any of the major candidates will be "spun" in an attempt to gather even one more "point."

In this spirit, I have searched the web, made phone calls, investigated, called in favors, and even bribed a member of a campaign staff or two, to find out what the Candidates are "REALLY" thinking about or doing this Thanksgiving 2007.

Senator Clinton-

Today Hillary Clinton will be having Turkey- although there was a huge debate among the Senior Staff regarding whether this Turkey should be a Tom or a Hen? Would the sex of the bird she chose send the wrong message to voters? Would choosing a Hen alienate male voters?

Later today, the Senator will be releasing a statement- "Turkey's like this will live longer, once we approve my Universal Health Care Plan."

Meanwhile, the Secret Service will be standing guard as Bill Clinton eats a young chick.

Senator Obama-

Senator Obama will be having "soul food" today in a subtle attempt to remind voters that he is.....

Senator McCain-

Senator McCain will be having turkey. As he prepares to carve it, he will look up at the table of guests and remind them that he was "trussed up just like this bird" during Vietnam.

Rudy Giuliani-

Mayor Giuliani's campaign will be releasing a statement today that the Mayor is on his third turkey, and that no Turkey Farm has been destroyed by terrorists because of his leadership after 9/11.

Mit Romney-

Gov. Romney's campaign staff has spent the last several weeks searching for just the right bird. First he has a problem, because the Turkey is the Massachusetts State Bird.

The bigger issue though for the Campaign staff was to find a bird that only had one mate-- after all, a polygamist bird might just remind voters that he is a Mormon.

Senator Thompson-

Senator Thompson will be having traditional southern deep fat fried Turkey. The Senator went hunting for it himself. He came upon an entire flock, and they all dropped dead from the force of the Senator's stare.

Mike Huckabee

Gov. Huckabee will also eat a bird this year. He will release a statement saying that this bird reminded him of how many baby chick's never make their first peep, because of the untold number that are turned into omlette's while still eggs.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and remember to say a prayer of Thanks for the Men and Women serving our country in harms way this year.

The Un-heard Thanksgiving Day Political Statements

Fred Thompson on DC v. Heller

Senator Thompson's view of the Second Amendment is Perfect:

"The Second Amendment does more than guarantee to all Americans an unalienable right to defend one’s self. William Blackstone, the 18th century English legal commentator whose works were well-read and relied on by the Framers of our Constitution, observed that the right to keep and bear firearms arises from “the natural right of resistance and self-preservation.” This view, reflected in the Second Amendment, promotes both self-defense and liberty. It is not surprising then that the generation that had thrown off the yoke of British tyranny less than a decade earlier included the Second Amendment in the Constitution and meant for it to enable the people to protect themselves and their liberties.
You can’t always predict what the Supreme Court will do, but in the case of Heller and Washington, DC’s gun ban, officials in the District of Columbia would have been better off expending their efforts and resources in pursuit of those who commit crimes against innocent people rather than in seeking to keep guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens who would use them only to protect themselves and their families. And that is why appointing judges who apply the text of the Constitution and not their own policy preferences is so important."

Also Covering:
The Jawa Report
Ray Robison: Pointing Out the Obvious

Fred Thompson on DC v. Heller

Supreme Court to Hear Second Amendment Case

The Supreme Court granted a petition yesterday to hear District of Columbia, et. al. v. Dick Anthony Heller.

The court will decide the following question: Does DC's ban on the ownership of handguns violate the Second Amendment rights of those that are not part of a state-regulate militia but want to have handguns or other firearms for private use?

In My Humble Opinion-
YES

Supreme Court to Hear Second Amendment Case

School Political Correctness Gone Too Far

This came to my attention this morning thanks to a person I work with. KMBZ Morning Talk Show Host Darla Jaye's sho this morning spent time discussing the suspension of Travis Grigsby from Lee's Summit West High School. Travis is Boy Scout just shy of Eagle, drummer in the marching band, and honor roll student, who was suspended from school, originally for ten days, because he said he knew how to tie a noose.

According to Fox-4 in Kansas City, this occurred after a football game as the band was packing up equipment. There was a discussion of what knots were best to use to tie up the band equipment.

Fox-4 reports:

Someone asked if anybody knew how to tie a noose and Travis did admit he knew how to tie a noose," Kim Grigsby said.

Travis' mom said her son is almost an Eagle Scout, he knew how to tie it, but told his friends he wouldn't because you could get in trouble for that. Later, a black student on the drum line told the teacher he was offended.

"Travis was accused of using a racial slur for saying the word 'noose.' Then he was suspended for 10 days," Kim said.

She said the school district accused the boys of having a racially charged conversation about nooses, but Travis and Alex insist that's not what happened.

The school reduced the suspension to five days.

This is a complete travesty of justice and I personally question whether this student's civil rights- namely free speech- have been violated.

YES, I KNOW, Bethel School District v. Fraser puts limits on Freedom of Speech for students; however, Tinker v. Des Moines clearly states that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate" and provides boundaries for the School as well in determining when a student's speech may be restricted. The District in this case punished a student for saying he knew how to tie knot. It does not appear from the press accounts that this was disruptive. It only appears that a single student was offended. Why this student was offended though remains unclear to me.

To me, this is a case where a School's attempt to be "politically correct" is trampling all over a student's limited right to Freedom of Speech.

And yes, I know how to tie a noose. I also know how to tie a slip-knot, a sheepshank, a half-hitch, a square-knot and MY SHOES— I guess I should get suspended too.

School Political Correctness Gone Too Far

NY Times: Things Getting Better in Iraq- Hell Freezes Over

Yesterday, it was 72F in Kansas City, today the high will be 37F with Snow. I believe I have found the cause.

The New York Times printed an article (which I hear is on the front page) saying things were GETTING BETTER IN IRAQ and THE SURGE WORKED!!!! Please pull out your winter coats and send them to Hell--- it has frozen over!

I am amazed that I am actually writing this, but I am going to say this is a must read article.

Some highlights:

The surge appears to have worked
People are returning to homes
Liquor stores are open (proving that the Islamic Extremist are not running everything)
People are returning to work
People are staying out past dark

NY Times: Things Getting Better in Iraq- Hell Freezes Over

Saudi Court Defends Sentence of Rape Victim

This is one of those mornings that I am motivated by OUTRAGE to write.

The Saudi Courts are defending their action of increasing the sentence of a 19 year-old VICTIM of Gang Rape. Originally the girl was sentenced to just 90 lashes with a whip for being in a car with a man that was not a relative. However, on appeal the courts increased her sentence to 200 lashes and 6 months in jail.
I was outraged when I first wrote on this. However, my outrage has now increased.

According to reports from FoxNews.Com the Saudi Courts are saying that the victim should have appealed without "resorting to the media."

Of course the State Department response is weak and despicable. "State Department spokesman Sean McCormack avoided directly criticizing the Saudi judiciary over the case, but said the verdict 'causes a fair degree of surprise and astonishment.'" Our response should be one of OUTRAGE. But of course, we cannot offend our Partner for Peace in the Middle East.

How can a nation call itself civilized when it participates in activity of this sort. This is precisely the reason why the Founding Fathers of the US did not want a State Religion. This activity is being done in the name of God; the name of the same God of Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Further this is a nation that WE send BILLIONS of DOLLARS to, in the form of defense funding and OIL purchases. If there was anything that could push me to wanting to mandate getting rid of gasoline in this country, this is it.

This should also be a wake up call to the Religious Right of MY party (yes, I am a card carrying member of the GOP). This is what happens when Politics, Law and Religion are mixed. This may be an extreme example, but it is a slippery slope that leads to this.

Saudi Court Defends Sentence of Rape Victim

Christmas List: Flight Simulator X: Acceleration

It's the time of year to start compiling a Christmas list. Generally, every year, when I asked what I want, I always say, "I don't know." This year I can definitely say Acceleration for Flight Sim X. This package looks awesome—especially head to head internet aircraft races… Of course, the new throttle quadrant from Saitek would be good too, but I don't wish to appear greedy.

From FSInsider.com:

Developed by ACES Studio, "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration" adds a wealth of new content and features, allowing gamers to race against each other in amazing, highly-detailed locations around the world. Aviators are able to test their skills and heroism in many new missions while enjoying three exciting new aircraft and the ability to share rewards, photos and videos with friends and the broader flight simulator community.

Christmas List: Flight Simulator X: Acceleration

Clinton Campaigning 101- Have Dirt- Novak Sticks by Story

Welcome to Clinton Campaigning 101- "Have Dirt on Your Opponents." This type of thing is quitesential Clinton campaigining. We all saw this type of thing in 1992, so why are we surprised now and why shouldn't we believe Bob Novak. This is par for the course. Even the fictionalized Clinton Campaign – Portrayed in the movie, "Primary Colors"- held this type of tactic. Have dirt, or say you have dirt, leak to the press that you have the dirt, and force your openent to quit or slam him with what you have. This is the Clinton Campaign machine in action. We saw it before, so why shouldn't we see it again?

From Foxnews.com:

WASHINGTON — Columnist Robert Novak stood by his story Monday that the Clinton campaign is spreading the word that it's holding back on dishing dirt on Barack Obama, and charged the Democratic frontrunner with playing "Nixon tricks."

Novak, a FOX News contributor, added that he did not believe there were any Republicans behind the effort — as some have alleged since his column was published Saturday — to force Democrats to fight against each other.

Novak's initial report said: "Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous information" about Obama, "but has decided not to use it. The nature of the alleged scandal was not disclosed."

UPDATE: IMAO has published a list of possible Obama Scandals. I think my favorite possible Obama scandal is "He's never actually done drugs. He just said he did so the other politicians would think he's cool."

Clinton Campaigning 101- Have Dirt- Novak Sticks by Story

Sen. McCain Gets Something Right

Yes, I am from Arizona- and very proud of it. And yes, Sen. McCain is from Arizona as well…but I have serious issues with Sen. McCain and I will not support him in the primaries. However, it is nice to see him land some punches on Sen. Clinton. The good Senator is certainly right in his statement about Hillary. She does everything she can to follow the polls and try to be on everyone's side-at least for now. She will however show her true liberal colors if, God forbid, she gets elected.

From FoxNews.com:

RINDGE, N.H. — Making people mad is a good thing, presidential hopeful John McCain said Sunday in a speech aimed at playing up the Arizona senator's outsider reputation.

"I didn't seek public office to go along, to get along," McCain said, trying to remind voters of the "maverick" label that helped him defeat then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in New Hampshire in 2000. "I went to Washington to get something done for the people who sent me there. And since then, I know I've made some people angry."

McCain said Democratic candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has done everything she can to land on the popular side of most issues.

"On the one hand, Senator Clinton says we can't abandon Iraq to Al Qaeda and the influence of Iran. On the other, she wants a firm deadline for withdrawal that would do just that," McCain said. "Senator Clinton rejected unconditional talks with Iran, but now says she would negotiate with no preconditions."

Sen. McCain Gets Something Right

Smuggler Given Immunity by US in Shooting Case, Arrested

Under the topic of Illegal Immigration - And YES I do support freeing Ramos and Compean.

From Digger at Digger's Realm:

Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, the drug smuggler who was given immunity by US Attorney Johnny Sutton to testify against Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean, was arrested on drug charges at the Zaragoza Bridge along our southern border yesterday, Nov 15, 2007. He will appear in court this afternoon and faces a total of 5-40 years and $2 million dollars in fines for drug smuggling.

Smuggler Given Immunity by US in Shooting Case, Arrested

Huckabee Rejects States Deciding About Abortions—What Happened to the 10th Amendment?

Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee came out Sunday stating that abortion is a federal issue. I personally would like Gov. Huckabee to show me in the Constitution where the abortion issue is specifically assigned to the purview of the Federal Government. Abortion has NOTHING to do with interstate commerce; it has NOTHING to do with free speech or freedom of religion; and has NOTHING to do with anything Federal. Abortion is a State issue. Gov. Huckabee and those like him are destroying the Republican Party and TRUE conservatism. Conservatism is supposed to be about keeping true to the Constitution- not about currying favor to the Religious Right.

Gov. Huckabee needs a lesson in history at minimum based on his comparison of Abortion to Slavery. The constitution SPECIFICALLY spoke about and allowed for slavery. This issue was therefore a federal issue. The issue of Abortion should NEVER have been a Federal issue. Roe v. Wade should not have ever been heard in any Federal Court and the Supreme's should have
referred the case to the States.

On this issue, I must agree with the comments of Senator Thompson.

From FoxNews.com-

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee rejects letting states decide whether to allow abortions, claiming the right to life is a moral issue not subject to multiple interpretations.

"It's the logic of the Civil War," Huckabee said Sunday, comparing abortion rights to slavery. "If morality is the point here, and if it's right or wrong, not just a political question, then you can't have 50 different versions of what's right and what's wrong."

....In a separate interview aired Sunday, Thompson said Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision allowing legal abortion, should be overturned, with states allowed to decide whether to permit abortions. "We need to remember what the status was before Roe v. Wade," he said.

Huckabee Rejects States Deciding About Abortions—What Happened to the 10th Amendment?

Dem Debate Stacked for Clinton?

Hmmm--- so CNN is being accused of dictating "random" audience questions, stacking the deck and going soft on Sen. Clinton...

Original Story:
Marc Ambinder (November 16, 2007) - "Diamonds v. Pearls" Student Blasts CNN (Updated With CNN Response)

Also Covering:
The Jawa Report

Dem Debate Stacked for Clinton?

Iran calls for US nuclear apology?

Iran wants the US to APOLOGIZE???? For what? The response from the US should be a very carefully considered, thoughtful and well worded, "Go to HELL!" First, why should any of us trust anything from the IAEA. Second, why should anyone think that Iran is actually being truthful? I am more inclined to believe that Iran learned from the mistakes of its next door neighbor (Iran) and does a better job of hiding things. Further the report says that Iran" had clarified 'some' of its nuclear history, but questions" remain about its current activities. This is the understatement of the year. There are big questions, like, what is Iran enriching uranium for? If not for their own bomb, perhaps it is for one for Syria or Hamas?

From the BBC:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the US and its allies should apologise for their treatment of Iran over its nuclear programme.

Mr Ahmadinejad said the latest report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed Iran had been truthful about its nuclear activities.

The IAEA found Iran had clarified some of its nuclear history but questions remained over present activities.

The US has vowed to push for further UN sanctions in the light of the report.

The IAEA report praised Tehran for making progress in responding to questions about past activities but warned that the agency's knowledge about Tehran's current nuclear programme was diminishing.

It said that Iran was continuing to enrich uranium in defiance of demands by the UN Security Council.

Iran calls for US nuclear apology?

I'm Back

After a two year break, I am back to writing.

I'm Back

In Allah’s Name- Victim of Rape Gets Jail & Lashing

Is there any reason for me to comment about this ruling from our Middle-East Peace Partner? Does this type of outrage really suprise anyone?
From the International Herald Tribune-

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: A Saudi court sentenced a 19-year-old woman victim of gang rape to six months in jail and 200 lashes —more than double than in her initial sentence for being in the car of a man who was not her relative, a newspaper reported Thursday.

The decision Wednesday was a shocking move by the General Court in the Saudi city of Qatif, in a case that had sparked debate about the kingdom's justice system when it surfaced over a year ago.

In Allah’s Name- Victim of Rape Gets Jail & Lashing