FROM THE FRONTLINES--hosted by Melanie Morgan and Michelle Malkin
An 8 hour internet telethon for the troops! Here are the details:
A team of patriotic leaders are working together in a historic undertaking with the goal of sending the largest single shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in American history. The care package drive will result in the shipment of not just 1,000 care packages—a feat accomplished by the Grand Ole Opry in October 2007. Organizers similarly won’t settle for just the 10,000 packages shipped as part of an impressive effort undertaken by the Nevada Girl Scouts. And they plan to surpass the efforts of the terrific organization, Operation Gratitude, which undertook a multi-day effort to pack and ship 50,000 care packages last year.
Move America Forward, the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, has launched this historic drive to rally Americans to show our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan just how much support they have from the American people back home.
The grand finale for the push will take place on June 26th when a Jerry Lewis style 8-hour Internet Telethon ("From the Frontlines") will take place. This cutting edge production “From The Frontlines” will be broadcast live online by UStream.tv and hosted by Melanie Morgan & Michelle Malkin. Live and taped reports will be broadcast from our troops serving in Iraq & Afghanistan during the historic 8-hour event.
Americans can sponsor the care packages from Move America Forward’s by ordering via this link from MAF’s online webstore partner: TheCampaignStore.com
You will be able to watch it LIVE here from 4 to Midnight EST.
1) The Marines Vs. Haditha Smear Merchants--While Malkin ticks me off occasionally she writes an excellent blog and often nails issues in her columns. She does just that in her recent column on the latest with the Haditha Marines. It is unconscionable what has been done to these Marines by Murtha, Keith Olbermann, the NY Times and many others.
The Marines were declared guilty until proven innocent. Their names and reputations were drug through the mud along with the image of our Marines while all along there was no case against them. Eight of the Marines had charges pressed against them and seven of them have now been cleared or had case dismissals. As is often said where do they go to get their reputations back? I also would like to see Murtha personally apologize to these Marines and their families for his slanderous comments against them when he didn't know the facts. That will probably happen when hell freezes over but one can always hope ;-).
4) Why is Obama talking about the Bible when he is clueless? Normally, theology discussions don't belong in presidential campaigns but Obama opened the door and someone had to walk through it. Obama clearly is clueless about the Bible and yet gives a speech and references several passages. Why on earth did he do this? His advisers have to be banging their heads against the wall right now.
Dobson called him on to the carpet for taking scripture out of context and he's right. Shocker!! As usual Obama didn't know what he was talking about and should've left the theology discussions to the theologians. There was no reason to bring this subject up the way he did and as a result he stepped in it. Obama's response is that Dobson is making stuff up. Now, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. The problem with that is that anyone who knows the Bible will know Dobson isn't making stuff up and that it was Obama who was clueless. Yet, Obama is banking on the fact that, really, how many liberals actually read their Bibles ;-)???
Yesterday, on the radio show I talked at length once again about how Democrats are the ones standing in the way of lowering gas prices. We have all the oil we need right here in the U.S. but Democrats have blocked us from drilling for it time and time again. And their talking points against drilling are getting to the point of absurdity. In the above video clip, George Will does an awesome job of pointing out how ridiculous it is not to drill in ANWR, where unfortunately, John McCain is in agreement with the Democrats.
The sad part is as this Freedoms Watch ad points out, Nancy Pelosi isn't even aware how much the average American is paying for gas. And as George Will says, liberals want people to pay high gas prices for numerous reasons, so much for caring for the "little guy".
President Bush gave a wonderful Energy speech last week that I think every American needs to call their U.S. Representatives and Senators and urge them to adopt. Mike did an excellent post on it and outlined Bush's 4 points which I couldn't agree with more. Here is what we all need to urge Congress to act on:
"First, we should expand American oil production by increasing access to the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. Experts believe that the OCS could produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match America's current oil production for almost ten years. The problem is that Congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980s. Since then, advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills. With these advances -- and a dramatic increase in oil prices -- congressional restrictions on OCS exploration have become outdated and counterproductive. ... Second, we should expand oil production by tapping into the extraordinary potential of oil shale. Oil shale is a type of rock that can produce oil when exposed to heat or other process[es]. In one major deposit -- the Green River Basin of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming -- there lies the equivalent of about 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That's more than three times larger than the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. And it can be fully recovered -- and if it can be fully recovered it would be equal to more than a century's worth of currently projected oil imports. ... Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress are standing in the way of further development. In last year's omnibus spending bill, Democratic leaders inserted a provision blocking oil shale leasing on federal lands. That provision can be taken out as easily as it was slipped in -- and Congress should do so immediately.
Third, we should expand American oil production by permitting exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR. When ANWR was created in 1980, Congress specifically reserved a portion for energy development. In 1995, Congress passed legislation allowing oil production in this small fraction of ANWR's 19 million acres. With a drilling footprint of less than 2,000 acres -- less than one-tenth of 1 percent of this distant Alaskan terrain -- America could produce an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil. That is roughly the equivalent of two decades of imported oil from Saudi Arabia. Yet my predecessor vetoed this bill.
In the years since, the price of oil has increased seven-fold, and the price of American gasoline has more than tripled. Meanwhile, scientists have developed innovative techniques to reach ANWR's oil with virtually no impact on the land or local wildlife. I urge members of Congress to allow this remote region to bring enormous benefits to the American people.
And finally, we need to expand and enhance our refining capacity. Refineries are the critical link between crude oil and the gasoline and diesel fuel that drivers put in their tanks. With recent changes in the makeup of our fuel supply, upgrades in our refining capacity are urgently needed. Yet it has been nearly 30 years since our nation built a new refinery, and lawsuits and red tape have made it extremely costly to expand or modify existing refineries. The result is that America now imports millions of barrels of fully-refined gasoline from abroad. This imposes needless costs on American consumers. It deprives American workers of good jobs. And it needs to change. ... I know the Democratic leaders have opposed some of these policies in the past. Now that their opposition has helped drive gas prices to record levels, I ask them to reconsider their positions. If congressional leaders leave for the 4th of July recess without taking action, they will need to explain why $4-a-gallon gasoline is not enough incentive for them to act. And Americans will rightly ask how high oil -- how high gas prices have to rise before the Democratic-controlled Congress will do something about it."
Democrats have been the party of obstruction for too long. Now is the time to rise up and tell them no more!! Senator Claire McCaskill will be hearing from me today!
Mike also pointed out as have I that this will be a huge campaign issue. McCain was smart to change his stance on offshore drilling. He would be wise to take this issue and run with it this election season. It would not only be good for his campaign but it would be in the best interest for the pocketbooks of the American people and their safety.
I've mentioned Dave Barton and his organization Wall Builders many times. I can't say enough good things about Barton and Wall Builders. Barton has done an astounding amount of research on the founding fathers and their original writings and other events in history. He has written many books and has given many lectures that are on tape and DVD.
The above video is just a short clip of Barton giving the history of the Star Spangled Banner. It is a great example of what his work is like. If you'd like to learn more, go to his site. Above all, take the time to watch the above video on the history of the Star Spangled Banner.
1) If you read no other book this year, Mistaken Identity is a must read. I can't speak highly enough about it. It is a powerful, gripping, true story. I saw both the Dateline and the Oprah interviews about it and didn't think I could learn much more from the book but I read it anyway. I learned a lot and was moved to tears and inspired beyond measure. I will do a a full book review when I have time.
I also just finished listening to Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough about Teddy Roosevelt. McCullough is by far and away my favorite historian. He does such a wonderful job. I fell in love with the Roosevelt family through listening to it and it reinforced my view of him as one of my favorite presidents. I will also do a review on this as well. It was an unabridged version so it was 19 1/2 hours of listening. I listened to a lot of it while cleaning out the garage while my kids were at Sports Camp.
2) J.C. Watts and Armstrong Williams were both on Sean Hannity's radio show to explain their comments in this article. I am still kicking myself because I even emailed Sean Hannity asking him to have Watts on and then I forgot to listen on Monday and Hannity had him on and I MISSED IT. If anyone heard it or knows how to access the show from this past Monday let me know.
All that to say, the article I found basically says that Watts says he isn't saying he would vote for Obama just that he isn't a lock for McCain. Which is a lot different, I'm not even a lock for McCain but there is no way I'm voting for Obama.
I did hear Armstrong Williams and he says something similar. He wishes he could vote for Obama in that its a historical moment for an African American man but that because of his policies there is probably no way. Bottom line: although both men are torn (probably because McCain is such a dismal candidate) they aren't likely to vote for Obama.
3) NBC looking at Chris Matthews, David Gregory or Joe Scarborough to replace Russert. Are they on drugs? Matthews and Gregory are two of the most bitter, partisan, hateful men I've ever seen. They are nothing like Tim Russert and would be horrible replacements. Scarborough isn't bitter or hateful but he is a far cry from Russert. NBC needs to go looking somewhere else, none of those men are going to cut it.
"The sheer repetition of lies about Bush is wearing people down. There is not a liberal in this country worthy of kissing Bush's rear end, but the weakest members of the herd run from Bush.
Compared to the lickspittles denying and attacking him, Bush is a moral giant -- if that's not damning with faint praise. John McCain should be so lucky as to be running for Bush's third term. Then he might have a chance."--Ann Coulter
"In a conversation recently, I mentioned as an aside what a great president George Bush has been and my friend was surprised. I was surprised that he was surprised.
I generally don't write columns about the manifestly obvious, but, yes, the man responsible for keeping Americans safe from another terrorist attack on American soil for nearly seven years now will go down in history as one of America's greatest presidents."
Take the time to read the rest of it, by going here!
I couldn't have said it any better, I agree 110% and its what I've been saying for years to the disbelief of many. Let all the naysayers and doom and gloomers pile on now but history will prove that George W. Bush kept this country safe and was one of America's greatest presidents.
Phil Collins of the Illinois Center-Right Coalition and I will both be guests on the Grizzly Groundswell Blog Network Radio Show tonight from 7:30-9:00 pm. Make sure to tune in with the show's other 3500 listeners!
LIVE TODAY at 9:00-10:00 am CST!! To listen, go here!! It will be a special show devoted to discussing the Oil/Gas issue and what can be done to ease our pain at the pump:
I've posted this pic in a previous Father's Day post because Sydney's relationship with her Dad on Alias reminds me in some ways of me and my Father. As I plan and do all kinds of things with my kids you always wonder what things they will most remember.
One of my favorite memories of spending time with my Dad was fishing with him on a camping trip. We were allowed to each catch 50 perch according to the law so we kept fishing until we had 100 perch between the 2 of us. I don't remember how long it took to clean all those perch but I'm sure it was considerable.
So, on this Father's Day I want to wish my Dad, my Father-in-law, my husband and all my readers who are fathers a Happy Father's Day!!
I Will Not Be Moved Sung By Natalie Grant Chorus: I will stumble I will fall down But I will not be moved I will make mistakes I will face heartache But I will not be moved On Christ the Solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand I will not be moved
"If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much."--Donald Rumsfeld
What is it they say about opinions? Everyone has one! If you have principles and beliefs and opinions and they aren't swayed by the wind and opinion polls you are going to take heat for them.
I've taken a lot of heat over the past 4 years for refusing to join the 70% of the country that dislikes Bush. I still love him and I am not ashamed to admit that to anyone and will proudly confess it. I am part of the 30% who love Bush and still support him.
Now I find myself on the opposite side and taking heat for not liking McCain. They said on Fox News today that McCain has 22% less of the Conservative Evangelical base than Bush had so I guess I'm a part of that 22%.
I'm an optimist by nature and I try to be positive whenever I can. I don't relish having to bring up issues that I'm not happy with McCain about but I can't not bring them up and be true to myself. I'm not going to sit silently by and pretend I'm not frustrated when I am. Blogging about politics is all about passion. You blog about what you are passionate about. So, I blog about what gets me excited and I blog about what ticks me off. McCain happens to tick me off a lot and has for the past 10+ years.
I understand that some can't handle "their guy" being criticized. I get that. Thats why I had to stop reading blogs that bashed Bush. If you love McCain and can't handle my criticism of him I will miss you as a reader but I will understand if you have to go. I can't stop being myself, I can't stop being true to what I believe and I won't change what I blog about to appease some that are upset.
I'm more than aware about whats at stake this year. I could claim I have a lot of powerful people that side with me and so could the people who support McCain. It all comes down to, this is where I'm at. I will wait and see who McCain picks for VP. In the meantime, I will praise him for his good decisions, I will hold his feet to the fire for the bad ones and I will point out Obama's multitude of sins as well. In the end I'm sure I will most likely be holding my nose and voting, we shall see.
Shock is probably the best word to describe how most of us felt when we heard the news yesterday that Tim Russert had died of a heart attack. I had just turned on Hannity's radio show when I heard him carefully saying that he had some very sad news. It caught my attention by the graveness of his voice. When he announced the news it seemed hard to believe because Russert was only 58. Once again, we are reminded of how fragile life is and how we need to treasure our loved ones.
Russert reminded me of O'Reilly in that he equally gave those on both sides of the aisle a hard time. He didn't give people soft ball interviews, he made them answer the tough questions. The only time he really upset me was when I felt like he was being a little too tough on the President. I felt like he wasn't being respectful enough of the office of the Presidency. Yet, for someone who was a member of the Main Stream Media thats pretty good.
My prayers are with his family and loved ones. May God comfort them during this difficult time of loss.
A friend lent me the movie, North and South. It is excellent. It is based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell. It is very similar to a Jane Austen type novel and movie. I am looking forward to reading the book as well. I highly recommend it to any of you that are Jane Austen fans. You will love it!!
The fascinating thing about the movie is that besides the love story woven throughout you learn a lot about what life was like in rural and urban England in the 1850's. You also learn what it was like to be poor and in a union and what it was like to be rich and to run a company. It is a compelling way to learn about literature and history and be entertained at the same time.
I couldn't resist posting this. Its your dose of humor for the day. Its a little brutal but definitely funny. Also, keep in mind that my friend who sent this to me is 9 months pregnant, never mess with a woman who is in the final stages of her pregnancy ;-).
Sean Hannity was on fire the other day, concerned about how McCain was being "too nice" to Obama in his speech and how Obama just lit into McCain. He talked about how Obama will be attacking McCain day and night and McCain is going to be "above it all" while continuing to snub his own base. This is exactly why McCain is going to have an extremely hard time winning. He seems to be very confused as to which side he's on and is nice to the people who attack him mercilessly while spitting in the face of those in his own party.
As I was listening to a passionate Hannity, it hit me how he and Rush and others have already done so much of the heavy lifting exposing Obama and McCain has just been able to sit on the sidelines as the "nice guy". Its pretty frustrating, especially when you are extremely aware that McCain will never show them the appreciation they deserve.
Yesterday, continuing on the same theme, Hannity was honest about his extreme frustration with McCain over numerous issues but acknowledged how dangerous Obama would be for our country. He echoed what many of us have been saying that it is CRUCIAL for McCain to pick a VP that the base will be happy with. Whether that will happen or not is anyone's guess. I sure wouldn't bet any money on it.
My top 2 choices are still J.C. Watts and Governor Sarah Palin but they are both long shots for numerous reasons. That said, we shouldn't lose heart and we shouldn't give up on the Republican party.
Below is an email that I have sent to 2 blogging friends who have declared they are leaving the Republican party because of McCain and the direction he is trying to take the party:
I saw your post about leaving the Republican party. I want to urge you to re-consider. I, of all people understand your anger. As you know, I literally despise John McCain and I am livid that we are stuck with him this time around, but I still have a lot of hope for our party. McCain and Schwarzenegger want to take over the party but they won't be able to when there are people like you and me involved.
I refuse to give any money to the party in general (I will give to specific candidates) or to John McCain because of him. But believe me, I've looked at the alternatives and they are frightening. The Constitution Party held their convention right here in KC and a friend of mine who is a libertarian interviewed all of the candidates who were running for President, and they were ALL nut jobs, without exception.
What you have to remember is that before we got Reagan, Republicans were DUMB ENOUGH to vote for Ford OVER Reagan in the primaries. It took us Jimmy Carter to get Reagan and unfortunately it may take Obama to get our next great Republican president. This year sucks, its a lot like the Ford and the Dole years and we lost both of those times. I keep going back to Tammy Bruce's statement. If we are going to be driven into a wall at 80 miles an hour, I'd rather it be done by a real liberal than a fake conservative.
I totally get how hard this time is. I am a cheerleader who is obsessed with politics and I have ABSOLUTELY no one to cheer for right now, its hard. But don't lose heart.
That is indeed the message I want to convey, don't lose heart. I'm not concerned with whether you vote for McCain in the fall or not. I, myself still haven't decided. What I am concerned about is that conservatives still get out and vote for local Republicans and for their U.S. Senators and Representatives. Don't punish good Republicans for what some of the bad ones have done. And don't give up on a party that has some bad members.
On the anniversary of D-Day, nothing is more fitting than posting Reagan's speech that he made on the 40th anniversary! Here is just an excerpt from that great speech:
"Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here. You were young the day you took these cliffs; some of you were hardly more than boys, with the deepest joys of life before you. Yet, you risked everything here. Why? Why did you do it? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer. It was faith and belief; it was loyalty and love.
The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge--and pray God we have not lost it--that there is a profound, moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.
You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you." "Today, as 40 years ago, our armies are here for only one purpose--to protect and defend democracy. The only territories we hold are memorials like this one and graveyards where our heroes rest."
LIVE TODAY at 9:00-10:00 am CST!! To listen, go here!!
