John Donovan of Castle Argghhh! prepares to escort home an old sailor.

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Chuck and Carren Z got the star treatment in Vega$.  Courtesy of Mr. Wayne Newton.  A class act if there ever was one.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:36 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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According to news reports, Zarqawi lived 52 minutes after the bombing.

So I'm wondering, what were the commercials like?  And what took him so long to croak?

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:29 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Life's a bitch, War is Hell, and commitments are hard to keep.  We all know this, yet so many people believe that if we simply ignore these  truths, they might just go away.

As if

Cassandra of Villainous Company also nails it:

"If only we could go back to the good old days, when there was no news coming out of Iraq and we didn't have to confront the horror. When we could tell ourselves, even if it wasn't true, that our hands were clean.

I hope one of these smart people, who are so disturbed over our "failures" in Iraq and Afghanistan can tell me what they propose to do when we pull out? What do they think will happen? Why do they think a small minority of Iraqis are planting bombs and practicing terrorism against their fellow Muslims - innocent civilians - in order to prevent a democratic government from being formed?

The insurgents, too, long for the good old days. And right now, we are the only thing standing between them and their heart's desire. And that's an Inconvenient Truth we all too often forget when the media is parading an endless stream of sensationalized stories about Abu Ghuraib and Haditha before our eyes."

Posted by: caltechgirl at 07:28 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Everyone discharged since 1975 (including my husband) has had their personal data compromised because some IDIOT took it home on a laptop without authorization.

Full story here.  Mike Hampton has more, including a letter that will be sent to affected veterans(h/t Jawa Howie)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 02:13 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 I also have links that won't expire in 30 days. Seriously though, this is a horribly serious security breach, and everyone who might be affected should take steps now to ensure they're protected against identity theft.

Posted by: Michael Hampton at May 22, 2006 02:25 PM (vhWf1)

2 Pehaps he was just trying to get more work done to help the Veterans(including me) and provide better service to us. The fact that he made an error of judgement in doing this does not make him an IDIOT.

Posted by: David John Flynn at May 23, 2006 07:52 AM (2R9dO)

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Even though the Hilton asshats threw them out, it's not over for Fran O'Briens.

Chuck had a great idea of how we can get the word out about how heartless the Hilton people have been.

Go to Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com, etc. and leave a review of the Capital Hilton on each page.  Tell the story of the dinners at Fran's, and what you think of Hilton's corporate decision.  Be sure to tell them that you will never patronize any of their establishments again.  Believe me, their PR people DO read the reviews at these sites since thier customers utilize these sites!

Crossposted at the Cotillion!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:08 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Are you a Conservative blogger?
Support the War on Terror?
Support the Troops but are unable to serve in the Armed Forces?
Tired of being called a Chickenhawk?

Embrace your talons, and join the 101st Fighting Keyboardists!


The Chickenhawks are here, and we're ready to chew up all the Liberal Chickens!

For more information see IMAO, Captain's Quarters, and Freedom Dogs

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:04 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 I was just reading through that comments thread and saw your name.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 30, 2006 02:35 AM (QddTL)

2 Very cool!

Posted by: Richmond at April 30, 2006 09:26 AM (e8QFP)

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Senor Fariñas has rejected food and water for 57 days to protest the lack of freely available, uncensored internet access to the people of Cuba.

57 days.  The latest updates indicate that he will die soon.

Join the Blogburst.  Spread the word.  Read More.  Speak Out.  Sign the Petition.

You can.  You're reading this now, after all.

(technorati tag Guillermo Fariñas, Internet, )

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:34 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Matty O'BlackFive and Sgt. Hook (and others) weigh in on this proposal from Maj. Gen. Vernon Lewis (ret.):

I gathered some 16 of my old military friends who agreed to sponsor a movement for Veterans to salute rather than place their hands over their heart when honoring the flag, fallen comrades, and/or the country. I have some from each of the four principal services. Three of them were former Vice Chiefs or Assistant Commandants of their services, and several were former CINCÂ’s.

We refer to saluting when we do the pledge to the flag, when the National Colors pass or are presented, when the National Anthem or honors are played, or when taps are played and firing squads or guns render honors.

At first glance, it seems ludicrous, but the discussion has gotten pretty interesting. I myself am not sure where I stand. Traditionally, the salute is reserved for uniformed soldiers, but as a mark of respect from the duty-bound, a salute seems appropriate from a veteran who has taken an oath for life.

And I admit, I would love to see this:

Just imagine thousands of fans salutiing at NFL, MBA, and Major League Baseball games when the National Anthem is plalyed. It will telegraph a message to all others of how many have served this country in the Armed Forces—it will be a positive and patroitic message.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:08 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Carolina WINS!!!!!

83-76

Love those Tar Heels! This pretty much says it all:

Bobby Frasor dominates Duke's Sean Dockery
AP courtesy tarheelblue.com

In honor of our victory, Our Alma Mater:

Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and True
Singing Carolina's praises
Shouting N.C.U.

Hail to the brightest Star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem,
Receive all praises thine.

I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's RAH, RAH, Car'lina 'lina
RAH, RAH, Car'lina 'lina
RAH, RAH, Car'lina
RAH! RAH! RAH!

'Neath the oaks the sons true hearted
Homage pay to thee
Time worn walls give back their echo
Hail to U.N.C.

Though the storms of life assail us
Still our hearts beat true
Naught can break the friendships formed at
Dear old N.C.U.

Click the link to hear the music and words by the UNC Band and Choir, and sing along!
Don't forget to stomp.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:50 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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We, the undersigned, agree that:

Liberty to express and discuss any issue including religion is a basic principle of a free society and human dignity.

Accepting free speech is an essential quality of free people.

Fear of free speech is the mark of one whose beliefs are weak or based on force.

...Because we so despise those who would use violence to silence others, and because we laugh at the thought that their voices speak for any power beyond their own weakness and fear of open talk, we hereby:

Request, invite, and laugh at the issue of a FATWA, CURSE, SPELL, or any other fancied ignominy that any enemy of human liberty may choose to place upon us.

h/t the original Fatwa-worthy one, and while you're there, read this too.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 03:09 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Chuck Z. posts his account of the Sooper Bowl here.  Thanks indeed to the wonderful folks from Soldiers Angels who made it possible for Chuck to watch his beloved "Stillers" beat the Seahawks!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:59 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Journalist and Blogger Michael Yon has consistently been one of the most strident voices in support of our Troops and the marvelous things they do in Iraq that don't get reported elsewhere.

You know the old saying don't sh*t where you eat?  Well, it looks like the Army is doing just that.

Since last fall, Michael has been trying to claim the rights to his own photograph, including any compensation the Army recieved for its publication, and has been denied.

According to the Boston Herald, the Army is denying his claim based on their assertion that the

""hold harmless" waiver that [he signed at the ouset of his trip] absolved the government of responsibility for any "injury" Yon might suffer as an embedded blogger.
    The army also said that Yon uploaded his photo onto government computer servers, creating an "implied license" agreement for the Army to distribute the photo.
     Yon, who's become something of an online celebrity because of his vivid battle dispatches from Iraq, said the Army's arguments are "preposterous". The injury waiver applies to physical wounds, not copyright infringements, he said.
    He added he gave the Army permission to use the photo for purely internal purposes."

If you support Michael and his mission, link this post or these posts, and tell his story.  Write your congresspeople and senators, too.  Especially if you are a Massachussetts resident, like Michael.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:55 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Samuel A. Alito, Jr. was confirmed as the 110th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States this morning by a vote of 58-42.

He was subsequently sworn in and will make his debut as Associate Justice at tonight's State of the Union Address.

It's nice when good things happen in spite of a**holes, don't you think?

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:37 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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One more before I go try to take a nap, Ben Stein takes on Joel Stein.

I knew there was a reason I liked this guy.

h/t Greyhawk

PS Watching C-SPAN 2 right now, and for the record, John Kerry is a blowhard who has ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what the fuck he is talking about. Flip Flop alert!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:04 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Our friends at the Jawa Report have actually helped nab a terrorist!

A dumb terrorist, but a terrorist nonetheless.

Excellent Job Rusty!

BTW, it's also the Jawa's 2nd Bloggyversary!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 02:50 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Sweeet.  Score one for the snipers!

h/t Master of None

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:18 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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From Ha'aretz:

Say a prayer for the prime minister.
Say a prayer for the man who could not be broken.
Say a prayer for our shattered present. Say a prayer for our shuttered common future.
Pray for the man who could not be stilled. Pray for the man who could not be swayed.
Say a prayer for the future only he knew.
Say a prayer for the people he has left behind. The Jewish People, the people he loved, at times despite himself, despite them. The people who could not bring themselves to love him.
Pray for those of us who once embraced him, and came to curse him.
Pray for those of us who once cursed him, and could not bring ourselves to forgive him.
Pray for those who call themselves religious and see in this, the hand of God.
Pray for those who call themselves non-religious and need now to pray.
Pray for the leaders who, unable to replace him, will now succeed him.
Pray for a miracle. Pray for all of us. Pray that we may know to heal each other.
Pray for this land. That it may know the peace that he never will.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Prompted by an assholish conversation we were forced to listen to at the next table during breakfast this morning, and a post over at Smash's place, my DH presents his long awaited rant on Mama Moonbat and the prostitution of her son's death.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 07:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I received this email today from CPT. Chuck Ziegenfuss, who as many of you know was wounded in OIF and was the inspiration for Project Valour-IT. If you know someone who qualifies, PLEASE pass this info on to them!

Hi there. My name is Captain Chuck Ziegenfuss, and for those of you who
don't know me, I was wounded during OIF. And, for the last six months have
struggled to regain my health. During that time, I helped to found Project
Valour -- IT... I was the test bed/guinea pig. You can read more about me
and a long strange trip it's been from Iraq to my living room at
http://tcoverride.blogspot.com/ .

But that's not why I'm writing you today. I am begging you to please post
about an organization called Salute America's Heroes. They are donating
$500 to every wounded Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine who registers with
them in the next few days. I don't know when the end date is on this, but
they did extend it beyond the date listed on their web site. This has been
approved by and coordinated through the Department of Defense office of
General Counsel Standards of Conduct office.

I'm simply trying to get the word out about this project. Please help me
by writing something about it in your blog, and telling any wounded veterans
that you know about this. If you prefer, you can simply link to my post on
it:
http://tcoverride.blogspot.com/2005/12/flash-traffic-immediate-attention.html

You can check out the organization at:

http://www.saluteheroes.org/redesign/

And our veterans can register for the $500 award at

http://www.saluteheroes.org/redesign/contents/registry/gift_cards.shtml

I was called this morning by a representative from the Veterans
Administration, who pointed me to this site so I myself could register. I
felt that I would be doing a disservice to my fellow wounded veterans if I
did not do everything that I could to spread the word about this program.

Thank you very much for your time,

Chuck

Go over to Chuchk's blog and check it out for yourself!

Update from Chuck: Supposedly the VA is contacting all the servicepeople who qualify. HOWEVER, given the fact that this is the VA, if you know someone who might qualify, it doesn't hurt to make a phone call.....

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