From Clark County Conservative

To All My Liberal Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of all others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.

Wishing Southwest Washington a Happy Thanksgiving

I hope each and everyone of you enjoy a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving with family and loved ones.

For a Thanksgiving message, I can think of none better than that expressed by one of America’s greatest Comedians and a true Patriot back in 1952, Red Skelton.

“My Employer Makes More Off My Labor Than I Do”

It seems that at just about any “progressive” protest rally, union unrest or occupy tantrums, it doesn’t take long before someone either in the crowd or on a speakers platform will state words to the effect of, “my employer make more off my labor than I do,” trying to build sympathy that they don’t receive proper wages for whatever their labor may be and whip up emotions to support demands of more.

In those crowds of envious and jealous malcontents, it is just what many desire to hear and speakers know it all too well. In the case of unions, demands follow for even more with no realization that any increases in business costs to employers must be passed along to consumers in order for their employer to remain in business and afford to pay them what they demand.

In a vicious circle, even those making the demand end up with less value for their dollar as consumer prices continue to climb.

Invariably, comparisons will be made that the laborer works hard, an undeniable fact and that while they may earn a decent wage, the employer is “raking in the dough” and enjoying large profits.

Some even claim that they end up investing in the “tools of the trade.” Mechanics, machinists, mill workers and more may end up owning over $30,000 worth of tools needed to perform their jobs and believe that to be a major investment, even though spread out over 30 or 40 years.

Teacher Reprimands Students For ‘Bless You’

It is objectionable that a teacher would even think it a disciplinary matter for a student to say “bless you.” That is not teaching, it is imparting personal prejudices on young students.

Teacher Reprimands Students For ‘Bless You’, posted with vodpod

Just another example of the intolerance of the “oh so tolerant” always demeaning others.

UPDATE: School Superintendent John Niederkorn spoke on the incident saying the teacher, Steve Cuckovich “thought the students were sneezing in dramatic fashion with the intent of disrupting class”

Niederkorn said, “It was brought to the District’s attention a few days ago that students were disciplined for being disruptive in class. The teacher believed that students were dramatically sneezing and responding in repetitive fashion “Bless You”. One of the concerns is the social convention of saying “Gesundheit”, “God Bless You”, or “Bless You” after someone sneezes. Of question is whether a series of these repeated remarks by several students constitutes freedom of speech or a classroom disruption and merits student discipline. Vacaville Unified’s Administration is continuing its investigation of this reported classroom disruption. We are reviewing the impact of this disruption and the student grading policy. Certainly a blessing by one individual to another after a sneeze is a welcomed acknowledgement of a social norm. Hopefully it is not abused as a disruption of classroom instructional activities.”

CYA anybody?

NASA Satellite Falls On Car

Wonder what happened with the recent NASA Satellite that returned to earth?

Relax, it’s just humor

“Underdogma: How America’s Enemies Use Our Love for the Underdog to Trash American Power” [Review]

I was recently privileged to receive a copy of the book “Underdogma: How America’s Enemies Use Our Love for the Underdog to Trash American Power” for my review. My thoughts are below.

Our innate sympathy for routing for the underdog is so ingrained in us that we easily miss when those opposed to us twist that regard to strip us of our power and standing in the world. Michael Prell expertly guides us step by step through how those jealous of US Power gently at first, then with more force did just that, twisted our senses to make America the terrorists instead of the radical extremists.

From early news releases shortly after September 11, 2001 to politicians’ claims in campaigns, Prell shows how Americans have been misled to believe that somehow, we are the oppressor instead of the target of terrorism.

Gay activists have remade themselves into an oppressed class crying victim to suppress our natural makeup and legitimize their lifestyle.

Liberals desiring to impose socialism on us and bring us under the authority of a “central command” (the United Nations) have ridiculed our wealth building ability, marginalized our might and twisted the meaning of the words of our constitution.

With ease and the use of several documented quotes, Michael Prell shows us how we have been made out to be the greedy gobblers of energy, ruining the earth’s atmosphere instead of the nation striving the most to curb pollution and purchase goods from other nations, supporting their economies in the process.

Happy Independence Day

There will be no political postings today. Instead, I will share a message received from Florida’s 14th District Congressman Connie Mack.

As many Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, fireworks, and family, we remember the significance of the holiday and our troops fighting to maintain our freedom and independence. Our forefathers built the foundation of a democracy allowing every voice to be heard, and a chance at a better life. This Independence Day I hope you will join me in remembering our country and our freedom, and those fighting for America.

Enjoy your 4th of July all.

Please, be careful with your fireworks, especially around small children or if drinking.

Obama: QUITTING in 2012

Oh please, please, please.

Requiem For the Dead…….. Trees???

Who was that loon in Portland crying about trees have rights too?

FREE SELF-DEFENSE SEMINAR AT TEAM QUEST A SUCCESS

Matt Lindland’s “SportFight” Promotion At Spirit Mountain Casino (1/28/11)

By REES LLOYD

If you missed the free self-defense seminar held by Team Quest MMA and Fitness in Portland on Saturday (Jan. 22, 2011), you missed something good – good for you, good for your family and good for the community.

But the success of the effort may lead to more opportunities, according to Matt Lindland, Oregon’s Olympic Silver Medalist and Mixed Martial Arts Super-Star who co-founded Team Quest in Portland along with MMA legends Dan Henderson and Randy Couture.

“We are pleased at the response to our offer of a free self-defense seminar for the community, which we put on as a way of giving back to the community, and to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital,” Lindland said. “People who participated are asking for more. We may now schedule more free seminars like this, or maybe shorter, focused self-defense training in half-hour sessions, maybe weekly.”

MMA is the fastest growing sport in America, and Team Quest has earned a national and international reputation as one of the best, most famed mixed martial arts training centers in the world. Created in the Gresham area of Portland, Team Quest now has training centers in Portland, Tualatin, and West Linn in Oregon; and, in California, Redding, Oceanside, and Temecula, CA, which is led by Team Quest co-founder Dan Henderson. [For more details, log on to www.teamquestmma.net.]

Passing of the Gavel — An Alternate Ending

Tip of the hat to Michelle Malkin and Jimmy Kimmel

2011 TSA Pin Up Calender

Liberty Milestones: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Authored and submitted by attorney Rees Lloyd

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln, amidst the ongoing internecine carnage of the Civil War, delivered his most famed speech, the now revered Gettysburg Address, at the dedication of the Soldier’s National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The Battle of Gettysburg had raged July 1 through 3, 1863. It involved more than 170,000 Americans. Troops of the Union Army of the Potomac and of the Confederate Northern Army of Virginia fought one another there. More than 7,500 Americans died there. More Americans would die in the Civil War, some 650,000, than in any war in our history.

The Union victory at Gettysburg, after so many defeats, was seen as a turning point in the war. But both the war and Lincoln’s future were in grave doubt. Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. He had instituted the Draft, leading to “Draft Riots” in New York and other northern cities. Anti-war Democrats, called “Copperheads,” were calling for appeasement of the secessionist states, and for Lincoln’s defeat in the 1864 elections. Lincoln himself expressed his belief he would not remain in office long enough to preserve the American union.

Barbara Boxer Worked So Hard For That Name

H/T Right Change and Vimeo

Fire Pelosi Bus Tour

Waiting on the bus to arrive, the growing crowd stood along NE Airport Way waving Fire Pelosi signs. We received many more waves, thumbs up and honks than we did single finger salutes.

The Tee Shirt says, “My daughter wears combat boots. She’s a U.S. marine.”

Michael Steele gave a very inspiring but short speech as did Delia Lopez. Jim Huffman made an appearance too.

Protest Car Free Day, Sep 22. Take a Drive

September 22 is designated as “World Car Free Day” by foreign leftists, the World Carfree Network, who desire to

“showcase just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars…365 days a year.”

Sam Kazman, general counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute counters by calling for people to “Protest World Car-Free Day — Take a Drive (Just for the Hell of It)!“
Kazman says,

“The automobile has improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people in remarkable ways. It has taken the mobility once reserved for aristocrats and democratized it, immensely expanding the choices that average people have regarding where to live and work. Instead of pushing a misguided political agenda to reduce car use, we should be celebrating automobility.”

Loren Lomasky, University of Virginia philosophy professor noted in a study on the automobile, Autonomy and Automobility that

“the car is one of the three most liberating technologies ever developed.”

The left has successfully manipulated government and public opinion into denying many of our freedoms by protest. It’s our turn to stage protests to reinstate our freedoms that have been infringed upon by restrictive government policies.

So, some time during the day, just hop in your car September 22 and take a little drive. See the scenery, enjoy the view and celebrate the freedom we have to go where we wish, when we wish, while we still can.

With a multi-Billion dollar bridge including light rail being shoved down our throats in Clark County and Portland’s Mayor stating he would force us out of our cars, we must fight back if we wish to maintain our free movement.

GOP Candidate Melt Down

Fortunately, Phil Davison, candidate for Treasurer of Stark County, Ohio isn’t running for any office locally. I have to admit, this is the most bizarre speech I can recall by any candidate of any party.

For some reason, he also lost the nomination he was seeking.

Hmmm, imagine that.

Gone Camping!

Ya’ll have fun this weekend, I’ll be in Southern Oregon camping with some fellow Viet Nam Vets that served in sister units and my unit, C Troop 7/17th Air Cav after I rotated out.

Comments left will be moderated Sunday evening or Monday morning, when I return.

Play nice and pray for our state and nation.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July

I hope everyone enjoys our Independence Day celebrations in your community. But please, remember, stay safe so you can enjoy next years as well.

Alcohol and driving do not mix nor does Alcohol and fireworks. Be sure before you set any off that they are a safe distance away from your home and people, especially small children.

It only takes a split second for an accident that will forever alter your or someone else’s life to happen.

Please be respectful of others after the public ceremonies this evening. You may be feeling good after you get home from the ceremony and public display of fireworks, but do we really need to hear them still going off at midnight and at 1 A.M.?

Not everybody has Monday off from work.

Above all, remember why we even celebrate the day and let’s hold our freedoms and liberties our forefathers fought and died for in higher regard. They are precious and unprecedented and we should not allow any politician to threaten them “for the collective good.”

Have a safe and happy 4th.

New Year 1971 – Will I Ever Get Out Of Viet Nam?

Since I told the story of my first Christmas in Viet Nam, I also add that New years 1970 was once again spent with me sitting on the same perimeter bunker I sat on just the week before on Christmas. It was another uneventful night, though.

New Years 1971 was one of those memories no one wants, but laughs at today.

By late December 1970, I was eager to go home, since I had been in Vietnam since July of 1969. All in all, I have to say it was probably the worst trip of my entire life. It should have been the best.

To start with, when I went over to Camp Holloway, in Pleiku, to pick up my manifest ticket, some weird nut came running up to me and threw his arm around my shoulders. Unlike today, that was frowned upon back then. He was wearing fatigues with a Warrant Officer insignia and Captains Bars. Even after our best Jungle Juice party, we didn’t get that weird. His aide snapped a Polaroid of us and while he was treating it, I found out that it was Rick Jason, none other than the star of the TV Show, Combat. After realizing this, I thought to myself, “Whoopee, I just want out of this country.”

Since then, I have come to appreciate what Mr. Jason was doing there and visiting the Troops of such an unpopular war.

Later that same day, I hitched a ride on a ‘Huey’ to Nha Trang to sign in at the replacement center. To my amazement, I was scheduled to leave the next day, leaving me to believe I would be home on New Years day. I grabbed some chow and settled in to a bunk in the transient hooch to grab some shuteye.

Waking up the next day, I took my last in country cold shower, threw away my faded and worn Jungle Fatigues and put on my Dress Green Uniform, which I had brought back over with me after my extension leave in July.

All of us scheduled on the flight huddled together under a shed to await the planes arrival to fly us home. It turned out to be on Flying Tigers, a cargo line no less. We waited and waited and after a few hours a Sergeant let us know that the plane was having engine trouble in Japan and that Flying Tigers had sent another one from the states. I sat there losing count of how many flights left before our plane arrived, still in full Class A Uniform, sweating in the heat.

Finally, as the sun was setting on New Years Eve, we were told that the plane had arrived at nearby Cam Rhan. We boarded a bus, drove to the Airbase and headed up the gangplank to the beautiful DC-8. Some one had a radio on and AFVN played Peter, Paul & Mary’s, Leaving On A Jet Plane. The sight of that plane was one of the most welcome sights I ever saw. I entered it and no sooner found my seat, than four other Army guys and I were bumped from the flight in favor of some Air Force dudes.

Of course, our duffle bags with clean clothes, shaving equipment and such remained on the plane, now heading to the world. We were promised seats on the next flight out. I spent New Years watching two Vietnamese women fighting over an inflated balloon at the terminal, until one of them popped it. Unable to contain my excitement, I drifted off to sleep on the wooden bench.

The next morning, we were placed on another Flying Tigers plane. Personally, by this time, I couldn’t care if it were a Cessna Bird Dog, I just wanted out of that country. As was normal, when the airplane lifted off and the wheels left Vietnamese soil, we all went nuts cheering, clapping and just being guys. We were served a breakfast and I settled back until a few hours later, we landed at Yakota Airbase, Japan, for refueling.

Unbeknownst to me, this turned out to be the very same plane that was experiencing engine trouble at the beginning of my little odyssey. As it turned out, it was again having engine trouble and we were told there would be a yet another slight delay. You know, there just isn’t much to do at the Yakota Air Force terminal for hours on end all day!

By the time they said the plane was fixed, another Flying Tigers plane, with the exact flight number as ours, had recently landed. Not wanting the flights to get mixed up, they roped off a corridor for us to follow to our flight. Of course, we all stayed within that corridor, right?

The Flight Attendants did a quick headcount, to insure none of the guys from the other flight had snuck on to our plane. It turned up two extra people than the manifest showed. So, we spent another two hours while they checked our tickets and I.D. To say tempers where flaring would be a gross understatement. Even the flight attendants, usually calm, good natured and friendly, were sounding like sailors over the planes intercom as they too were becoming irritated.

Come to find out, the head attendant had grabbed the wrong manifest in the first place and was counting for the other flight. A full Colonel onboard, also going home, stood up and informed the flight crew that if they wished to live a peaceful life, it would behoove them to get that plane off the ground and headed eastwardly, quickly.

Fortunately for the flight crew, liquor was not served to GIs on MAC flights.

We landed at McCord Air Force Base late afternoon, but still New Years Day. We found our gear waiting for us, just outside the U.S. Customs. Since it had been there so long, they all but strip-searched us, probing tubes of toothpaste, cutting open containers of talcum powder and such. Finding no contraband, we cleared Customs.

Since I had taken my dress greens back to Vietnam with me and wore them home on this flight, I was put on a bus to SeaTac airport to get a connecting flight home. With all the delays, I must have looked and smelled a sight. I did, at least, get a shave at the barbershop at Yakota Air Base, so I wasn’t as bad as I could have been.

Not knowing much about what airlines went where on the West Coast, I stopped at the first counter I ran in to for a ticket to Redding, California, where I was to meet a young lady I had been writing to and who would became my first wife. United Airlines booked me on a flight to San Francisco to make a connection to Hughes Airwest, then back up to Redding that evening.

Arriving in San Francisco, I ran to the other terminal to make my connection, only to discover, that since it was New Years Day, flight crews had been given the evening off and the flight to Redding had been canceled. The next flight was at 6 A.M. the next morning. Little did I know that I could have made a direct flight from SeaTac to Redding by Hughes Airwest, as the ticket agent then explained. Thanks a lot, United.

Realizing I was to enjoy yet another evening in an airport, I headed for the nearest bar in the airport for a couple beers and then went looking for a comfortable bench to fall asleep on. No sooner had I leaned back and closed my eyes than a Security Guard came along and informed me I wasn’t allowed to sleep in the airport. The entire night was spent with me catching catnaps between his rounds.

I got on the flight at 6 the next morning and headed to Redding, smelly, sticky and just grungy as all get out. No one said anything around me, which surprised me, looking back today. I was met in Redding by the young lady and being as grungy as I was, not to mention sleepy from playing cat & mouse with San Francisco Airports finest, acted like a complete dork.

We headed to the peoples house she was staying with, where they held a little delayed Christmas for me complete with a few gifts and all. First, I took a shower, threw away my underwear, and shopped for a set of civvies.

Relaxing and enjoying being back in the USA, I began nodding off on their couch, until the Christmas tree they decided to burn started popping. The man was a WW2 vet and seemed to understand why I all but did a back flip over the couch and told the girl to show me to the room I was staying in, where I fell asleep again, on top of the electric blanket.