Anti-War Left Warns Obama About Escalating Afghanistan

It seems that Obama may be upsetting the anti-war leftists in his party with his expected announcement of sending an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Interestingly enough, these same people all complained that Bush was ignoring Afghanistan in favor or Iraq, indeed Obama himself said:

“His plan comes up short. There’s not enough troops, not enough resources and not enough urgency. What President Bush and Senator McCain don’t understand is that the central front in the War on Terror is not in Iraq and never was. The central front is in Afghanistan and Pakistan where the terrorists who hit us on 9-11 are still plotting attacks seven years later.”

Barack Obama
Campaign Speech
September 9, 2008

This was only one short year ago. Obama would still be delaying any decision if he hadn't had so much pressure put on him by Republicans and the media. Unfortunately, the radical left doesn't approve of Obama's expected surge:

Anti-War Left Protests Obama's Afghanistan War Strategy

Activist groups are joining liberal members of Congress in condemning the president's expected announcement on Tuesday that he will order roughly 30,000 more troops to the war zone as part of an overhauled strategy to finish what President Bush started eight years ago.

I don't understand. Isn't THIS the war the left said we should be fighting? Isn't THIS the war the left said Bush was ignoring? Isn't THIS the just cause we should have been pursuing? Now that they are in charge, we are to abandon it?

"I simply can't believe you're about to do what they say you are going to do," documentary filmmaker Michael Moore said in an open letter to Obama posted on his Web site. Moore warned that Obama would tarnish his legacy, turn away his supporters and effectively crown himself the new "war president" by escalating the war in Afghanistan.

"With just one speech tomorrow night you will turn a multitude of young people who were the backbone of your campaign into disillusioned cynics," Moore wrote. "Your potential decision to expand the war ... will do more to set your legacy in stone than any of the great things you've said and done in your first year.

"For the sake of your presidency, hope, and the future of our nation, stop. For God's sake, stop," Moore wrote.

Gosh, let's hope that Obama doesn't care what a fat, left wing, proven liar thinks.

MoveOn.org had this to say:

"President Obama is poised to make a critical decision about the Afghanistan war in the next few weeks. He needs to hear that we need an exit strategy -- not tens of thousands more troops stuck in a quagmire," the group's Web site says.

Any of this sound familiar? Quagmire? Exit strategy? Well, it should because it was exactly what all the dems were screaming about with Iraq. They claimed that the 20,000 troop surge that Bush ordered was going to be useless and futile. In fact, Obama had this to say about the troop surge in Iraq.

"I don’t think the president’s strategy is going to work. We went through two weeks of hearings on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; experts from across the spectrum–military and civilian, conservative and liberal–expressed great skepticism about it. My suggestion to the president has been that the only way we’re going to change the dynamic in Iraq and start seeing political commendation is actually if we create a system of phased redeployment. And, frankly, the president, I think, has not been willing to consider that option, not because it’s not militarily sound but because he continues to cling to the belief that somehow military solutions are going to lead to victory in Iraq."

Very eloquent, Obama, except you were wrong. The surge did work and Iraq has had some of the lowest violence levels since the war started. Now, apparently, the left is convinced that a surge won't work in Afghanistan. Picking up a trend here?

Peter Wehner at the Weekly Standard wrote up a great article about the success of the surge and how it made the dems look pretty incompetent.

Obama, then, was not only wrong about the surge; he was spectacularly wrong. And he continued to remain wrong even as mounting evidence of its success gave way to overwhelming evidence of its success.

Ouch!! It's just sad that the dems have not learned from recent history.

4 Police Officers Gunned Down In Washington

Four police officers were murdered today in Lakewood, Washington when a gunman entered a coffee shop where the officers were working with their laptops and opened fire.

FoxNews has the story:
4 Police Officers Shot Dead Near Washington State Air Force Base

Troyer said investigators believe two of the officers were shot dead while sitting in the shop, and a third was killed after standing up. The fourth apparently struggled with the gunman out the doorway and "gave up a good fight," getting off a few shots before he was either shot there or succumbed to earlier wounds.

Absolutely tragic. Everyone knows that police work is dangerous, but to specifically target these men and women for execution, as these officers were, is simply cowardly.

Troyer said investigators determined that a hoax call from a person in nearby Tacoma led officers to believe the gunman was on foot and still near the coffee shop. A number of officers spent part of the afternoon carefully searching buildings close by.

How nice. It's not bad enough that 4 cops were shot dead for absolutely no reason, some loser with nothing better to do calls in a hoax as a joke. Despicable.

As I said, police work is dangerous. THIS is the reason why cops act "paranoid" when dealing with someone they don't know. THIS is the reason the cop has his hand on his gun when he walks up to the side of your car on a dark night. THIS is the reason cops may come off as "assholes" when dealing with people. We don't know who we are dealing with and with morons like this one running around gunning down cops it is going to make us even more careful.

So please, the next time you think the cop was being too paranoid or seemed jittery when dealing with you or a loved one, remember the four dead police officers who won't be around for Christmas.

God bless these men and women and may God be with their families at this difficult time.

Navy Seals Capture One Of Most Wanted In Iraq..........Now Face Criminal Charges

So this is what this nation has come to. This is what America is turning into. I do not think that I have ever been so stunned in my life.

Apparently, U.S. Navy SEALS capture one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq. The terrorist, Ahmed Hashim Abed, claims that one of the SEALS punched him in the face so the Navy has charged the SEALS with assault. Fox has the story:

Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist

Navy SEALs have secretly captured one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq — the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004. And three of the SEALs who captured him are now facing criminal charges, sources told FoxNews.com.

Unbelievable. How, you may ask, was the poor terrorist assaulted?

Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military code-named "Objective Amber," told investigators he was punched by his captors — and he had the bloody lip to prove it.

Awww, the poor terrorist got a bloody lip. Just so you know, this was the terrorist mastermind who coordinated the ambush, murder, and mutilation of the bodies of 4 Blackwater security agents. The bodies were burned and then strung up on a nearby bridge.


Now we are punishing the heroes who have captured this piece of trash. Absolutely deplorable.

May God forgive us.

Yankees Fantasy Camp Approaches!!!

I have been trying not to think about it, but I can't help it. I am heading to Tampa, Fla. in January 2010 for the Yankees Fantasy Camp!!!! It's drawing nearer and I am getting excited!!

I've been going to the batting cages at the High Point Batting Center for about 2 months already and getting some hitting instruction from a former MLB player. His name is Scott Smith and he runs the place. The staff there is aboslutely top notch. Having two prosthetic legs is certainly a challenge and they have been working with me on ways to compensate for my inability to use my legs when I swing.

I've been having a blast and am already thinking about my time in Florida. If you don't know what the camp is all about, here it is in a nutshell. Basically, you pay to attend a week long camp where you are coached by former Yankee players. They occasionally have some big names show up, (Just last week was their first camp and Reggie Jackson was there for two days!) our camp has David Wells the entire week!!

You play games against the other campers, two double headers a day, and then on the final day of the camp you play AGAINST all the former Yankee players. From all the testimonials I have read, it should be a lot of fun. My brother is also attending and my father is going to travel with us and attend the games. It will be a boys WEEK out in Florida!!

Anyway, I'll write something up about it afterwards and let you know how it goes!!

Obama's Approval Rating Hits Lowest Point Yet

Apparenlty the country isn't feeling so hopey-changey lately. Obama has hit his lowest approval rating yet:

Poll: Obama's Performance Rating Hits Lowest Mark Yet

President Obama's approval ratings hit their lowest ranking yet in the Rasmussen Reports daily tracking poll out Tuesday, with 27 percent strongly approving of the president's job performance and 42 percent strongly disapproving, an index rating of -15.

Perhaps its the $3 trillion deficit that we're approaching or maybe the fact that Obama has played more rounds of golf in 11 months than Bush did in two terms while our troops in Afghanistan wait for reinforcements?

Could it be the government health care that is about to be rammed down the country's throat even though the majority of the people are against it?

However, Obama appears to be losing the critical independent vote with 16 percent of unaffiliated voters strongly approving and 33 percent of independent voters approving overall. Fifty-one percent of independents strongly disapprove.

Ouch!

Whatever it is, I think Obama and the dems realize that Obama is done in 2012 and they are trying to cram in their liberal aganeda before the 2010 elections. We can only hope and pray that enough people come to their senses and put the GOP back in power in the Senate and Congress to counter Obama's disastrous policies.

South Carolina Writers Workshop

Last month I attended the South Carolina Writers Workshop in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was the second year in a row that I have gone and I absolutely loved it!! It is very well organized and I have been impressed with both years that I have gone. I hope to make it a yearly trip. If you're wondering what exactly it is, let me explain.

The writing conference brings together authors, publishers, and literary agents as well as all those who are aspiring authors, like me!! It is three days of classes taught be successful people in the literary business. The classes cover all types of topics pertaining to the writing industry.

You can also sign up for a 10 minute "pitch session" in which you meet with an author, agent, or editor and tell them about the book you have been working on. They give you advice and tell you how you should proceed.

This year I spoke with an author named Steve Berry. Here's a little bit about him:

Steve Berry

Steve has been writing since 1990, and though his undergraduate degree is in political science it was Steve's long time interest in history that led to him writing international suspense thrillers. Stories with a little bit of history, secrets, conspiracies, international settings, action and adventure were the kind of books Steve liked to read, so naturally they became the kind of books he liked to write.

It was a lot of fun to meet with him and he had some great insights. He seemed to like my book and encouraged me with some great advice.

I also won a couple of things during a raffle, this is huge news because anyone who knows me knows that I NEVER WIN ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!

I won a basket full of books by authors like Tom Clancy, David Baldacci, etc. some of my favorites!!! I also won a critique of my first three chapters of my book from an actual literary agent. Her name is Barbara Poelle and I attended one of her classes at the workshop, she seemed very professional and is interested in thrillers, the kind of book I am working on.

I'm certainly not expecting her to swoon over it and want to publish my book right away, but I am hoping for some insights on what I can do to make it that good. I'll keep you posted!!

New York Giants Win In Overtime!!!

The New York Giants pulled off a win in overtime on a Lawrence Tynes kick. After being up 31-17 with just over 6 minutes and in typical New York Giants defense fashion, allowed the Atlanta Falcons to score two touchdowns to tie it up.

After winning the coin toss the Giants drove down the field on their first possession and Tynes kicked the field goal that won the game. Eli Manning had a career day going 25/39 with 384 yards and 3 touchdowns.

It was a very strange game. I have known the Giants to have good and bad games, but they were different teams and various DRIVES during the same game. During the 2nd and 3rd quarters they looked like the same team that won the Super Bowl 2 years ago. The rest of the time they looked horrible. Their next game is in only 4 days and the G-men go up against the Broncos on Thanksgiving Day!!!

It's The Economy Stupid

Yahoo! News recently did a story on the financial burdens that small business are having to face lately.

Rising unemployment taxes could hinder hiring

WASHINGTON – As if small businesses needed another reason not to hire, consider their latest financial burden: The cost of rising unemployment itself.

Employers already are squeezed by tight credit, rising health care costs, wary consumers and a higher minimum wage. Now, the surging jobless rate is imposing another cost. It's forcing higher state taxes on companies to pay for unemployment insurance claims.

Now I am certainly not excusing anyone from their fair share of the blame. As far as the tight credit problems, both political parties can shoulder the blame for that, not that our drive by media would ever notice. Rising health care costs? You ain't seen nothing yet! Just wait until it's "free".

Interestingly enough, the hike in the minimum wage is also affecting the success of small businesses. This one you can chalk up to the dems. Despite the warnings from Republicans, the first act the dems took in 2007 was to hike the minimum wage, you can see the results. However, if you noticed the article spoke about RAISING state taxes in order to make up for the rise in unemployment claims. Does anyone see the problem here?

This is one of the fundamental differences between the Republicans and democrats. The Republicans would have been CUTTING taxes in order to ease part of the burden on these businesses who, in turn, hire more people. Get it? Jacking up the taxes only puts everyone in a hole. It's not rocket science, people.

Yankees Win The World Series!!!!!!!!!

Behind a stellar performance from Andy Pettite the Yankees won Game 6 of the World Series securing their 27th title!! CNNSI.com has the story.

Yankees win 27th World Series title

NEW YORK -- The Yankees christened the first season in their new ballpark the same way they opened their old stadium in 1923: with a World Series championship.

Hideki Matsui's record night powered the offense, Andy Pettitte held Philadelphia's offense in check and Derek Jeter started a pair of key rallies with base hits, as the Yankees beat the Phillies 7-3 to win their 27th title and first since 2000, a relatively long drought by this storied franchise's standards.

Hideki Matsui was absolutely on his game last night, blasting in 6 RBI's in the Yankees 7-3 win. A struggling Texeira knocked in the other run. The Yankees had the number of Pedro Martinez, again, as he struggled against the Bronx Bombers.

Many people, and I was one of them, criticized many of the decisions that Joe Girardi, the Yanks manager, made during the year as well as the playoffs. I thought pitching Andy on short rest was a mistake and the Yankees would surely pay for it, but Pettite really played his heart out.

On a cold November evening, matching the latest date a World Series game had ever been played, Pettitte allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings to extend his postseason records for career wins (18) and series-clinching wins (six). Pettitte also won the final game of all three playoff rounds, matching Boston's Derek Lowe in 2004 as the only pitchers to do so.

Congratulations to the New York Yankees, 2009 World Series Champions!!!!!!!!!!

Farewell To A Genuine Hero

A read a very sad story today. Staff Sergeant Olaf "Oz" Schmid, a British Army explosives expert, died only a few days before he was set to go home for 2 weeks on leave. Fox News has the story:

Bomb Disposal Hero Killed in Afghanistan Just Days Before Leave

A British Army explosives specialist who became a legend by risking his life to defuse more than 60 Taliban roadside bombs was killed in Afghanistan during his final mission before he took leave, the Times of London reported Tuesday.

Very disheartening. Yet, we are so lucky that men such as Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid existed.

It never ceases to amaze me to the types of people that the military of not only the United States, but as in this case our allies can produce. I cannot imagine the nerves of steel required to do a job such as Sgt. Schmid. How many soldiers and civilians lives has he saved by disarming multiple bombs?

“Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day before two weeks off after a relentless five-month tour," she said.

Please keep his family in your prayers. As the holiday season approaches, remember those who defend our way of life on a daily basis so that we can enjoy them with our loved ones.

God Bless them all.