Jeremy Daniel Cockerham of Bremerton, Washington is accused of 1st-degree rape and impregnating his 10-year old step-daughter. The evidence against him is solid.
Here in Washington, if the attacker were a female teacher with her pupil for a victim - they would be cheered by the liberal establishment (including the media, naturally) while being showered with flowers and gifts as ladies daintily covered their mouths while gossiping about the sweetness of true "love."
Scuse me. That's "true love" expressed as CHILD RAPE. Who doesn't get this other than the liberal MSM?!
Clearly, enough people don't get it that judges feel comfortable gifting Cockerham with a bail amount of $250,000. Someone explain to me why in the hell this guy has ANY amount set for bail?! If that SOB gets out of jail, I pray for the judges family.
While I think it's funny as hell that Justice Souter is facing the outcome of his decisions and a private organization is trying to take his home away, I do not think it would be very funny if this judge's child were to be attacked by someone he went so easy on. Clearly, the kid wouldn't deserve anything like that - but the judge would have no right to bury his head in shame crying "Why me?"
Why the hell NOT?! Our little corner of the world would be much better off if Justices and Legislators... and especially Justices who legislate from the bench... had to live with the effects of the decisions they made!
And in case you're wondering, DNA tests were done on the 10-year old's born child and the lab indicates a 99.99% probability that Cockerham is the father. Innocent until proven guilty, but with evidence like that - there is NO excuse for offering bail.
God forbid the same judge hears the case.
Cockerham deserves something significantly worse than the Clockwork Orange treatment, but here is the SPRS - it's going to be milk and cookies, baby!
KIRO TV (Seattle) didn't have the sack to print the judges name.
Bastards.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Souter Served Own Medicine
Following the decision allowing private industry to capitalize on private land, it looks like we get to find out whether Justice Souter is willing to live up to the very decision he was part of making.
God, if this only happened more often to judges who misinterpret the Constitution!
Press Release
For Release Monday, June 27 to New Hampshire media
For Release Tuesday, June 28 to all other media
Weare, New Hampshire (PRWEB) Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.
Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.
On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home.
Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.
The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."
Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans.
"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development.
"Clements' plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise investment capital for the project. Clements hopes that regular customers of the hotel might include supporters of the Institute For Justice and participants in the Free State Project among others.
God, if this only happened more often to judges who misinterpret the Constitution!
Press Release
For Release Monday, June 27 to New Hampshire media
For Release Tuesday, June 28 to all other media
Weare, New Hampshire (PRWEB) Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.
Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.
On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home.
Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.
The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."
Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans.
"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development.
"Clements' plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise investment capital for the project. Clements hopes that regular customers of the hotel might include supporters of the Institute For Justice and participants in the Free State Project among others.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
International Day In Support of Victims of Torture
June 26 is the International Day In Support of Victims of Torture.
Amnesty International has a complete organizing guide loaded with media guidance, pointers on how to take action, key messages and talking points, petitions - including one to the President, legal references and their "12 Point Program for the Prevention of Torture by Agents of the State."
It's a strong and valid message they are putting out, but they completely failed to mention anything about the torture perpetrated by our prisoners of war against their own women, children, and "infidels." Those found to be criminals and "infidels" have enjoyed the rite of qata al-raas for the past 14 years - but, today, you wont hear Amnesty International saying jack about that.
Qata al-raas, by the way, is the act of cutting someone's head off.
Our prisoners are choking down chicken almondine this weekend... and their heads are still attached to suffer through it.
President Bush had the following to say this day in 2003:
Amnesty International has a complete organizing guide loaded with media guidance, pointers on how to take action, key messages and talking points, petitions - including one to the President, legal references and their "12 Point Program for the Prevention of Torture by Agents of the State."
It's a strong and valid message they are putting out, but they completely failed to mention anything about the torture perpetrated by our prisoners of war against their own women, children, and "infidels." Those found to be criminals and "infidels" have enjoyed the rite of qata al-raas for the past 14 years - but, today, you wont hear Amnesty International saying jack about that.
Qata al-raas, by the way, is the act of cutting someone's head off.
Our prisoners are choking down chicken almondine this weekend... and their heads are still attached to suffer through it.
President Bush had the following to say this day in 2003:
Today, on the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the United States declares its strong solidarity with torture victims across the world. Torture anywhere is an affront to human dignity everywhere. We are committed to building a world where human rights are respected and protected by the rule of law.
Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right. The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, ratified by the United States and more than 130 other countries since 1984, forbids governments from deliberately inflicting severe physical or mental pain or suffering on those within their custody or control. Yet torture continues to be practiced around the world by rogue regimes whose cruel methods match their determination to crush the human spirit. Beating, burning, rape, and electric shock are some of the grisly tools such regimes use to terrorize their own citizens. These despicable crimes cannot be tolerated by a world committed to justice.
Notorious human rights abusers, including, among others, Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Zimbabwe, have long sought to shield their abuses from the eyes of the world by staging elaborate deceptions and denying access to international human rights monitors. Until recently, Saddam Hussein used similar means to hide the crimes of his regime. With Iraq's liberation, the world is only now learning the enormity of the dictator's three decades of victimization of the Iraqi people. Across the country, evidence of Baathist atrocities is mounting, including scores of mass graves containing the remains of thousands of men, women, and children and torture chambers hidden inside palaces and ministries. The most compelling evidence of all lies in the stories told by torture survivors, who are recounting a vast array of sadistic acts perpetrated against the innocent. Their testimony reminds us of their great courage in outlasting one of history's most brutal regimes, and it reminds us that similar cruelties are taking place behind the closed doors of other prison states.
The United States is committed to the world-wide elimination of torture and we are leading this fight by example. I call on all governments to join with the United States and the community of law-abiding nations in prohibiting, investigating, and prosecuting all acts of torture and in undertaking to prevent other cruel and unusual punishment. I call on all nations to speak out against torture in all its forms and to make ending torture an essential part of their diplomacy. I further urge governments to join America and others in supporting torture victims' treatment centers, contributing to the UN Fund for the Victims of Torture, and supporting the efforts of non-governmental organizations to end torture and assist its victims.
No people, no matter where they reside, should have to live in fear of their own government. Nowhere should the midnight knock foreshadow a nightmare of state-commissioned crime. The suffering of torture victims must end, and the United States calls on all governments to assume this great mission.
With all that said -
Let's not pretend the military or administration are accepting of the comparatively few abuses that have taken place in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo - and let's not pretend that nearly every one of those prisoners would happily cut your head off given half the chance.
Looks to me like AI's interest is anti-administration politics... else they likely would not have missed the forest for a few of the trees.
Let's not pretend the military or administration are accepting of the comparatively few abuses that have taken place in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo - and let's not pretend that nearly every one of those prisoners would happily cut your head off given half the chance.
Looks to me like AI's interest is anti-administration politics... else they likely would not have missed the forest for a few of the trees.
Backtrack: Purple Goddess - Body and Soul
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Pot Smokers Overloading Our Prisons?
Marijuana sympathizers want you to believe our prison system is over-loaded with otherwise law-abiding drug abusers simply on the account of their 'recreational' pot use. Those illicit-drug advocates are not telling you the truth.
The fact is that the majority of our drug prisoners are violent criminals, drug traffickers, repeat offenders or some combination of the three - in addition to their other crimes. These people belong in prisons. The true recreational user, in fact, rarely goes to prison anymore. Intervention, drug treatment and the drug courts are in place to offer these recreational users a chance to put an end to their destructive and illegal behavior.
The majority of those in prison for marijuana offenses were nailed for more than simple possession. They come with additional drug trafficking charges, additional offenses or have pled-down to possession in order to avoid prosecution on more serious charges. The latter, I personally see on a routine basis. In the judicial system, it's "death, taxes, and plea deals."
In State Prisons during 1997 (the most recent year with complete available data):- 1.6% of state inmate population was held for sole-marijuana offenses- 0.7% of state inmate population were incarcerated with a sole charge of marijuana possession, and- 0.3% of state inmate population consisted of first-time possession only offenders
In Federal Prisons during 2001, the story is similar:- The overwhelming majority of drug-convictions were for drug trafficking- 2.3% of federal prisoners (186 total) were sentenced for simple possession. Only 63 of those 186 (with 174 whose sentencing information is known), actually served time behind bars
Drug laws exist because drug users, pushers and abusers hurt our communities, our friends, and our families. Persistent violators face increasingly harsh penalties. The mischarachterization that our prisons are overloaded with casual users is simply false.
Seth Michael Ferranti told Rolling Stone magazine that he was a prisoner in the war on drugs... from the suburbs... and basically a law-abiding citizen with a possession rap. In fact, Ferranti ran a drug-trafficking network that distributed over 100,000 doses of LSD to high school and college students in Fairfax Co, Virginia.
Somehow, he was released on his own recognizance pending trial. Taking up one-third of the "death, taxes and plea deals" offer, Ferranti agreed to roll on one of his fellow gang members for a lighter sentence. Surprise, surprise, however, when Ferranti faked his own suicide, skipped out on his own plea deal, and vanished. While on the run, Ferranti returned to his drug trafficking ways and was finally arrested under a complete alternate I.D. (credit, I.D. cards, birth certificate, voter registration, checks, etc..) in St. Louis on a simple possession charge. Unaware of his true identity, Ferranti was released. US Marshalls tracked Ferranti a month later - still in St. Louis - and nailed him with multiple sets of alternate identify info and 18 pounds of marijuana.
When he was returned to Virginia, Ferranti was sentenced to 12 months for failure to appear at his original sentencing and mail fraud. He also received his original 24 year-plus sentence without the possibility of parole - NOT for marijuana, but for selling LSD.
Ferranti's story is no different than countless others whose stories are repeated by drug advocates in their persistent misinformation campaign. People must look deeper than the Rolling Stone article or the headline on tomorrow's front page.
The truth is that drug abusers are, on the whole, receiving fair and equitable treatment by our judicial system and the overwhelming majority of them who are enjoying milk and cookies in our prisons have more than earned their stay.
See Also:
- An Interview with Seth Ferranti: Prisoner #18205083, by Michelle Daugherty. Spank Magazine, Summer 2000, as posted on Prisonerlife.com.
- The American Dream: Free Enterprise, Seth M. Ferranti, #18205083. Web site for the November Coalition.
- United States of America v. Seth Michael Ferranti, Case #’s 1:91CR00337001 and 9400122A, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. (PACER, fee)
- I’m a Prisoner in the War on Drugs, By John Colapinto. Rolling Stone, May 28, 1998.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Steve Bell
I don't know who this guy thinks he is - but you can write to him at this address.
steve.bell@guardian.co.uk
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The Flag Burning Amendment
Reading the title, if you haven't already screamed "It's not a 'Flag Burning' Amendment," then you have a lot of homework to do - and I'd recommend cancelling your talking points subscriptions.
Catch the rest at - The Red Voice
See also: Les Enfants Terrible - Mark in Mexico
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Club Gitmo Prisoner Treatment
The inordinate and calculated shock, disdain and horror over the "gulag-esque" conditions at Gitmo are little more than irresponsible partisanship resulting in the mockery of the real travesties of soviet gulags, Nazi death camps, and Pol Pot's near-decimation of his own people.
Having already lost their credibility, the broken-wing of the überleft isn't going to like this little bit either. Granted, polls can be tooled to say anything one wants - but the überleft doesn't get to cry about this since their only President in the past 22-plus years made most of his public policy decisions from the polls - and his private policy decisions from his pants.
But I digress.
So, back to the poll.
A Rasmussen Reports poll of 1,000 likely voters (conducted on June 20-21, 2005 with a +/- 3% sampling error and 95% level of confidence) showed that 20% of Americans believe that Gitmo prisoners have been treated unfairly.
I side with that 20%. Gitmo prisoners have been treated unfairly... too-fairly... to orange-glazed chicken, rice pilaf, prayer rugs and free religious materials (at U.S. taxpayer expense), honey and dates to break their fasting, etc... You name it. If you were treated this well on your last flight across the country, then let me know!
Meanwhile, 7 of 10 Americans believe these prisoners are being treated "better than they deserve" (34%) or "about right" (34%). Come to think of it, throw me in that "better than they deserve" crowd.
Only 7% of Republican respondents believe prisoners were being treated unfairly, while 30% of Democrats and 22% of Independents believed the same. Someone lookup disparity in Websters, then let's compare notes about how our American prisoners are being treated by the same people our prisoners represent.
Better yet, let's send Amnesty International to visit American prisoners in the Middle East.
Good luck talking to a lopped-off head or a woman who was so brutally gang raped, that the government simply will not tell you the extent of her physical and emotional damages because Americans can't handle that little truth. Then compare that to honey and dates - and then tell me who's got their perspective F'd up beyond all recognition.
Backtrack to: Three Bad Fingers § The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Having already lost their credibility, the broken-wing of the überleft isn't going to like this little bit either. Granted, polls can be tooled to say anything one wants - but the überleft doesn't get to cry about this since their only President in the past 22-plus years made most of his public policy decisions from the polls - and his private policy decisions from his pants.
But I digress.
So, back to the poll.
A Rasmussen Reports poll of 1,000 likely voters (conducted on June 20-21, 2005 with a +/- 3% sampling error and 95% level of confidence) showed that 20% of Americans believe that Gitmo prisoners have been treated unfairly.
I side with that 20%. Gitmo prisoners have been treated unfairly... too-fairly... to orange-glazed chicken, rice pilaf, prayer rugs and free religious materials (at U.S. taxpayer expense), honey and dates to break their fasting, etc... You name it. If you were treated this well on your last flight across the country, then let me know!
Meanwhile, 7 of 10 Americans believe these prisoners are being treated "better than they deserve" (34%) or "about right" (34%). Come to think of it, throw me in that "better than they deserve" crowd.
Only 7% of Republican respondents believe prisoners were being treated unfairly, while 30% of Democrats and 22% of Independents believed the same. Someone lookup disparity in Websters, then let's compare notes about how our American prisoners are being treated by the same people our prisoners represent.
Better yet, let's send Amnesty International to visit American prisoners in the Middle East.
Good luck talking to a lopped-off head or a woman who was so brutally gang raped, that the government simply will not tell you the extent of her physical and emotional damages because Americans can't handle that little truth. Then compare that to honey and dates - and then tell me who's got their perspective F'd up beyond all recognition.
Backtrack to: Three Bad Fingers § The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Michael Crook, Anti-American
Michael Crook of forsakethetroops.info is an anti-American piece of shit.
See his interview with Hannity, here.
See his interview with Hannity, here.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Durbin Apologizes
"More than most people, a senator lives by his words ... occasionally words fail us, occasionally we will fail words"
"I am sorry if anything I said caused any offense or pain to those who have such bitter memories of the Holocaust, the greatest moral tragedy of our time. Nothing, nothing should ever be said to demean or diminish that moral tragedy."
"I am also sorry if anything I said cast a negative light on our fine men and women in the military ... I never ever intended any disrespect for them. Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line to them I extend my heartfelt apology."
"After reading the horrible details in that memo which characterized the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo, I then, on my own, my own words, made some characterizations about that memo ... I have come to understand that was a very poor choice of words." (FNC)
I'm not accepting any apologies from a guy who compares me and my comrades to Soviets in their gulags, Nazis, or Pol Pot - but at least he has the courage to apologize, which is more than I can say for those that jumped on his bandwagon.
Maybe some of that courage will rub-off on his subversive band of "patriotic" anti-military hate merchants who neither appreciate nor understand who paid for their Freedoms.
Backtrack to: Wizbang! § Captain's Quarters
"I am sorry if anything I said caused any offense or pain to those who have such bitter memories of the Holocaust, the greatest moral tragedy of our time. Nothing, nothing should ever be said to demean or diminish that moral tragedy."
"I am also sorry if anything I said cast a negative light on our fine men and women in the military ... I never ever intended any disrespect for them. Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line to them I extend my heartfelt apology."
"After reading the horrible details in that memo which characterized the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo, I then, on my own, my own words, made some characterizations about that memo ... I have come to understand that was a very poor choice of words." (FNC)
I'm not accepting any apologies from a guy who compares me and my comrades to Soviets in their gulags, Nazis, or Pol Pot - but at least he has the courage to apologize, which is more than I can say for those that jumped on his bandwagon.
Maybe some of that courage will rub-off on his subversive band of "patriotic" anti-military hate merchants who neither appreciate nor understand who paid for their Freedoms.
Backtrack to: Wizbang! § Captain's Quarters
Turning Red States Blue
During an off-election year, grassroots "Progressives" recently met in Austin, Texas with 900-some other Democrat activists from 36 states, D.C., Japan and - well, France to discuss how to make themselves more electable. They called their meeting Democracy Fest 2005. They delivered Democrat Fest 2005.
Galveston County Democrat, Sandra Brown insists "We've got to establish the message of the Democrat(ic) Party: that we're not against America, that we're not immoral people," and "We've been relying on Republicans to define us."
Buttons with a striken-out DeLay were seen far and wide.
The article implies Screamin' Howie was slated to address the festival at Stubb's BBQ.
A Precinct Chair, Carolyn Moon kicks in with "We've got to quit having such good manners." And, right in the middle of Texas, she says "If it wasn't for those damn Yankees, this state is Democratic."
She clarifies that anyone North of the Nueces River is a Yankee.
Them's mighty Progressive words if y'ask me...
"We're not against America" or "immoral people." Is this the message "Progressives" want to get out? Really? Wouldn't it behoove the Party to simply let their actions speak louder than their words - and is that the extent of their message? Or is it so important to regain power, that doing the right thing is secondary to gaining political prowess - at any cost?
And what's with the striken-out DeLay buttons? Are they planning, again, on winning elections by really really hating the other guy... but just more than they did the last time around?
Meanwhile, who invited Howie? If the party wants to reestablish credibility, shouldn't they rely on those who are credible? Why no Obama?! :: stomp, stomp ::
Then there's "good manners." She must have meant "start" ... they've got to start having good manners. Start, not stop. I refer back to my question about Obama. Right, Wrong or Indifferent - Obama takes Dean and his ilk any day, simply on the account of his Dignity, Integrity and Character. :: stomp, stomp, stomp ::
Nah. I guess I was wrong... Moon knew exactly what she meant. Drawing on selectively ignorant generalizations, she blames the fact that Texas isn't "Democratic" ... she meant "Democrat," not "Democratic" ... on "those damn Yankees."
Certainly, there's room for Yankees in a Democratic state... perhaps not a Democrat sate... but is Moon's goal truly to turn Texas blue by outcasting those damn Yankees?! Like I've been saying all along, it would be better to include a slightly-to-much larger percentage of those damned moderate-Yankees, at least, thus increasing the "Progressive's" fold... as opposed to focusing on bitching about the success of the other party and hoping that does the trick.
These are your average grass roots Blue-staters, and it seems the wrong ideas have trickled way down to their roots...
Now, someone tell me why Barack Obama isn't head-lining for the Democrat Party... all the way into 2008? He at least hasn't lept off the cliff yet... has he?
Galveston County Democrat, Sandra Brown insists "We've got to establish the message of the Democrat(ic) Party: that we're not against America, that we're not immoral people," and "We've been relying on Republicans to define us."
Buttons with a striken-out DeLay were seen far and wide.
The article implies Screamin' Howie was slated to address the festival at Stubb's BBQ.
A Precinct Chair, Carolyn Moon kicks in with "We've got to quit having such good manners." And, right in the middle of Texas, she says "If it wasn't for those damn Yankees, this state is Democratic."
She clarifies that anyone North of the Nueces River is a Yankee.
Them's mighty Progressive words if y'ask me...
"We're not against America" or "immoral people." Is this the message "Progressives" want to get out? Really? Wouldn't it behoove the Party to simply let their actions speak louder than their words - and is that the extent of their message? Or is it so important to regain power, that doing the right thing is secondary to gaining political prowess - at any cost?
And what's with the striken-out DeLay buttons? Are they planning, again, on winning elections by really really hating the other guy... but just more than they did the last time around?
Meanwhile, who invited Howie? If the party wants to reestablish credibility, shouldn't they rely on those who are credible? Why no Obama?! :: stomp, stomp ::
Then there's "good manners." She must have meant "start" ... they've got to start having good manners. Start, not stop. I refer back to my question about Obama. Right, Wrong or Indifferent - Obama takes Dean and his ilk any day, simply on the account of his Dignity, Integrity and Character. :: stomp, stomp, stomp ::
Nah. I guess I was wrong... Moon knew exactly what she meant. Drawing on selectively ignorant generalizations, she blames the fact that Texas isn't "Democratic" ... she meant "Democrat," not "Democratic" ... on "those damn Yankees."
Certainly, there's room for Yankees in a Democratic state... perhaps not a Democrat sate... but is Moon's goal truly to turn Texas blue by outcasting those damn Yankees?! Like I've been saying all along, it would be better to include a slightly-to-much larger percentage of those damned moderate-Yankees, at least, thus increasing the "Progressive's" fold... as opposed to focusing on bitching about the success of the other party and hoping that does the trick.
These are your average grass roots Blue-staters, and it seems the wrong ideas have trickled way down to their roots...
Now, someone tell me why Barack Obama isn't head-lining for the Democrat Party... all the way into 2008? He at least hasn't lept off the cliff yet... has he?
Monday, June 20, 2005
Geneva Convention
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
- Adopted on 12 August 1949 by the Diplomatic Conference for the Establishment of
International Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War, held in Geneva
from 21 April to 12 August, 1949; entry into force 21 October 1950
PART I... Article 4
Persons protected by the Convention are those who, at a given moment and in any manner whatsoever, find themselves, in case of a conflict or occupation, in the hands of a Party to the conflict or Occupying Power of which they are not nationals.
Nationals of a State which is not bound by the Convention are not protected by it. Nationals of a neutral State who find themselves in the territory of a belligerent State, and nationals of a co-belligerent State, shall not be regarded as protected persons while the State of which they are nationals has normal diplomatic representation in the State in whose hands they are.
The provisions of Part II are, however, wider in application, as defined in Article 13.
Persons protected by the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949, or by the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea of August 12, 1949, or by the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949, shall not be considered as protected persons within the meaning of the present Convention.
__________
As you might imagine, Mohammed al-Qahtani, a Saudi national who would like to cut your head off on international television, is NOT covered by the Geneva Conventions. For those of you who have tried to make that point with me - and promised to bring your evidence, I'm still waiting...
If Dick Durbin wants to put terrorists on the same level as law-abiding citizens, then why doesn't he simply come out and say it? He has already put me and my comrades on the same level as Nazis, gulag guards, and Pol Pot followers.
I suspect the only way the Democrat's #2 Senator could possibly be more subversive would be to go after the President, himself, instead of the troops!
What's Durbin waiting for... a poll from Air America or the word from Screamin' Howie to authorize the move?
- Adopted on 12 August 1949 by the Diplomatic Conference for the Establishment of
International Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War, held in Geneva
from 21 April to 12 August, 1949; entry into force 21 October 1950
PART I... Article 4
Persons protected by the Convention are those who, at a given moment and in any manner whatsoever, find themselves, in case of a conflict or occupation, in the hands of a Party to the conflict or Occupying Power of which they are not nationals.
Nationals of a State which is not bound by the Convention are not protected by it. Nationals of a neutral State who find themselves in the territory of a belligerent State, and nationals of a co-belligerent State, shall not be regarded as protected persons while the State of which they are nationals has normal diplomatic representation in the State in whose hands they are.
The provisions of Part II are, however, wider in application, as defined in Article 13.
Persons protected by the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949, or by the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea of August 12, 1949, or by the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949, shall not be considered as protected persons within the meaning of the present Convention.
__________
As you might imagine, Mohammed al-Qahtani, a Saudi national who would like to cut your head off on international television, is NOT covered by the Geneva Conventions. For those of you who have tried to make that point with me - and promised to bring your evidence, I'm still waiting...
If Dick Durbin wants to put terrorists on the same level as law-abiding citizens, then why doesn't he simply come out and say it? He has already put me and my comrades on the same level as Nazis, gulag guards, and Pol Pot followers.
I suspect the only way the Democrat's #2 Senator could possibly be more subversive would be to go after the President, himself, instead of the troops!
What's Durbin waiting for... a poll from Air America or the word from Screamin' Howie to authorize the move?
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Don't Be A Dick
See Dick Durbin.
See Dick say,
See Dick throw his integrity under the bus.
See Dick make it exponentially more-difficult for the military to do our job.
See Dick virtually call us Nazis.
Don't be a Dick.
See Dick say,
See Dick resort to extremely irresponsible hyperbole in a partisan effort to embarass the administration.When you read some of the graphic descriptions of what has occurred here [at Guantanamo Bay]--I almost hesitate to put them in the [Congressional] Record, and yet they have to be added to this debate. Let me read to you what one FBI agent saw. And I quote from his report:
On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18-24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold. . . . On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor.
If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.
See Dick throw his integrity under the bus.
See Dick make it exponentially more-difficult for the military to do our job.
See Dick virtually call us Nazis.
Don't be a Dick.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Perspective on Prisoner Treatment
Some people want to pretend that the handful of abuses, including having to suffer through eating the same Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) that we soldiers have the opportunity to enjoy, in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib are somehow on the scale of Saddam's rape rooms - and that, somehow, these abuses were ordered from on-high.
This, while they ignore the fact that - if these abuses were ordered from on high, we would have a 99-plus percent majority of service members disregarding those imaginary orders.
People who "think" like this clearly have no concept of the Chain of Command.
For their perspective, and yours, I offer this AFP story from Jakarta -
I don't suppose Amnesty International has time for this one... not that I think death, or at least banishment to Boston for drug smugglers is such a bad idea.
This, while they ignore the fact that - if these abuses were ordered from on high, we would have a 99-plus percent majority of service members disregarding those imaginary orders.
People who "think" like this clearly have no concept of the Chain of Command.
For their perspective, and yours, I offer this AFP story from Jakarta -
Pakistani sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking
14 June 2005
JAKARTA - An Indonesian court on Tuesday sentenced a Pakistani to death
for drug trafficking, the latest in a series of death sentences against
foreigners.
Judges at a district court in Tangerang, southwest of Jakarta, ruled
that Zulfikar Ali was guilty of trafficking 300 grams (10.5 ounces) of
heroin.
Ali was arrested along with his Indonesian girlfriend last
August.
Indonesian courts have passed death sentences on at least 32 people,
mostly foreigners, for drug offences since the year 2000. None of those death
sentences have been carried out so far.
Two Thai nationals and an Indian
convicted for drug trafficking in 1994 were executed by firing squads last
year.
Indonesia has pledged to get tough on a growing drug abuse
problem.
Last month a court in the resort island of Bali jailed an Australian
woman for 20 years for smuggling 4.1 kilograms (nine pounds) of marijuana.
The conviction triggered an uproar in Australia, where many believe she
is innocent.
I don't suppose Amnesty International has time for this one... not that I think death, or at least banishment to Boston for drug smugglers is such a bad idea.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Abuse in Guantanamo?
No one doubts the handful of abuses that have taken place at the prison in Guantanamo.
There are those who will go out of their way to tell you how these abuses are ordered from on-high, without explaining why only a few are following these imaginary orders. They'll also selectively ignore the fact that the military is a microcosm of the U.S. population and - just as there are Americans who will not follow the rules, there are service members who do not follow the rules as well.
While these same people are (intentionally?) misleading you about the prisoner abuses, they're also conveniently leaving-out the rest of the story.
Duncan Hunter, House Armed Service Cmte Chairman, recently sent for the menu at Guantanamo - so the average American could fully grasp the extent to which we are brutalizing these prisoners. On the menu for last Sunday:
Want to know what one of these abuses these prisoners had to endure was?
That's torture?
Want to know what one of these abuses these prisoners had to endure was?
So, while the prisoners are eating better than they ever have, they're also receiving copies of their holy book - the Quran - at U.S. taxpayer expense. Additionally, their five-times-per-day prayer schedule is reinforced by their American torturers.
How's about these critics tell you that we're not even permitted to carry our religious books in many of the countries our captives call home... and God save us should we be so brazen as to pray in front of them just once - forget five times a day!
Granted, many of the critics would just assume defecate on American service members than deliver the complete truth about the prisons, but let's remove me and my comrades from the picture for just a second. These critics are cut from the same cloth that has brought milk and cookies to the American prison system. How do you suppose the critics are going to reconcile that the military feeds its prisoners better than the prison system feeds its prisoners?
It's things like the menu and religious freedom that are reinforced from our leadership, not torture. Anyone who wants to pretend otherwise knows better - and will stop at nothing to regain partisan power. Their goal is not to provide leadership, but to weild power... and that goal is no different than the goal of terrorists worldwide.
Is it any wonder the critics aren't telling the truth about the abuses in Guantanamo? The true abuses lie in the critics' abuse of the whole truth. Had any of them the courage to serve - and find out for themselves firsthand - they might realize that truth.
There are those who will go out of their way to tell you how these abuses are ordered from on-high, without explaining why only a few are following these imaginary orders. They'll also selectively ignore the fact that the military is a microcosm of the U.S. population and - just as there are Americans who will not follow the rules, there are service members who do not follow the rules as well.
While these same people are (intentionally?) misleading you about the prisoner abuses, they're also conveniently leaving-out the rest of the story.
Duncan Hunter, House Armed Service Cmte Chairman, recently sent for the menu at Guantanamo - so the average American could fully grasp the extent to which we are brutalizing these prisoners. On the menu for last Sunday:
- Orange glazed chicken
- Fresh fruit
- Steamed peas and mushrooms, and
- Rice pilaf
Want to know what one of these abuses these prisoners had to endure was?
- Eating the same Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) that American Soldiers eat on a regular basis.
That's torture?
Want to know what one of these abuses these prisoners had to endure was?
So, while the prisoners are eating better than they ever have, they're also receiving copies of their holy book - the Quran - at U.S. taxpayer expense. Additionally, their five-times-per-day prayer schedule is reinforced by their American torturers.
How's about these critics tell you that we're not even permitted to carry our religious books in many of the countries our captives call home... and God save us should we be so brazen as to pray in front of them just once - forget five times a day!
Granted, many of the critics would just assume defecate on American service members than deliver the complete truth about the prisons, but let's remove me and my comrades from the picture for just a second. These critics are cut from the same cloth that has brought milk and cookies to the American prison system. How do you suppose the critics are going to reconcile that the military feeds its prisoners better than the prison system feeds its prisoners?
It's things like the menu and religious freedom that are reinforced from our leadership, not torture. Anyone who wants to pretend otherwise knows better - and will stop at nothing to regain partisan power. Their goal is not to provide leadership, but to weild power... and that goal is no different than the goal of terrorists worldwide.
Is it any wonder the critics aren't telling the truth about the abuses in Guantanamo? The true abuses lie in the critics' abuse of the whole truth. Had any of them the courage to serve - and find out for themselves firsthand - they might realize that truth.
The Truth About Hillary
John Kerry never did go after The SwiftBoat Vets for the claims they were making against Kerry. You'd think if Kerry knew those claims were false, he'd have taken them to the cleaners.
That Kerry chose to not do so, speaks volumes.
Enter Edward Klein, who pretty much lays it on the line in his new book The Truth About Hillary: What She Knew, When She Knew It, and How Far She'll Go To Become President.
Klein makes some pretty crude accusations about the night Chelsea was conceived - and the Clinton camp is, well... pissed. Drudge reports a close aide of Hillary's was quoted as saying, "Mrs. Clinton told me she would considering suing him for outright libel," and "This is the right wing attack machine on crack!"
We shall see...
Klein either is telling the truth - and ought to be able to prove his claims, or he is lying - and Hillary ought to be able to nail him for libel.
Klein, however, is an unlikely member of the "right wing attack machine." He is the former editor of Newsweek, former editor-in-chief of The New York Times Magazine, and is a frequent contributor to Vanity Fair and Parade magazines. These aren't exactly bastions of right-wing attack media..
It's going to get interesting...
That Kerry chose to not do so, speaks volumes.
Enter Edward Klein, who pretty much lays it on the line in his new book The Truth About Hillary: What She Knew, When She Knew It, and How Far She'll Go To Become President.
Klein makes some pretty crude accusations about the night Chelsea was conceived - and the Clinton camp is, well... pissed. Drudge reports a close aide of Hillary's was quoted as saying, "Mrs. Clinton told me she would considering suing him for outright libel," and "This is the right wing attack machine on crack!"
We shall see...
Klein either is telling the truth - and ought to be able to prove his claims, or he is lying - and Hillary ought to be able to nail him for libel.
Klein, however, is an unlikely member of the "right wing attack machine." He is the former editor of Newsweek, former editor-in-chief of The New York Times Magazine, and is a frequent contributor to Vanity Fair and Parade magazines. These aren't exactly bastions of right-wing attack media..
It's going to get interesting...
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Thanks Howie
Howard Dean says the Republicans are "pretty much a white, Christian party."
Thanks Howie! Thanks for making it that much more likely that moderates and conservatives will maintain and likely increase their influence in politics. Lucky me... a birthday present a day early!
Democrats, Socialists, etc... If you don't like this, I'd recommend doing something about Howie and the rhetoric of the far-left, but I wouldn't blame the right for putting Howie in power. That was the product of your collective decisions, not someone else's.
With that - I dunno how many times I've gotta remind you that you simply can not win national elections by hating the other guy... not even by really hating the other guy. It didn't work in '04 - and driving the party further to the left on the way to '08 will only weaken the party even more.
I stand by my prediction that our generation will see the rise of a legitimate third party... and Howie's my ace in the hole.
Update: Meanwhile, back at the ranch... RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman is Jewish, not Christian. How much more "Ready. Fire. Aim!" does the left truly want to TOLERATE from their DNC Chair?!
Thanks Howie! Thanks for making it that much more likely that moderates and conservatives will maintain and likely increase their influence in politics. Lucky me... a birthday present a day early!
Democrats, Socialists, etc... If you don't like this, I'd recommend doing something about Howie and the rhetoric of the far-left, but I wouldn't blame the right for putting Howie in power. That was the product of your collective decisions, not someone else's.
With that - I dunno how many times I've gotta remind you that you simply can not win national elections by hating the other guy... not even by really hating the other guy. It didn't work in '04 - and driving the party further to the left on the way to '08 will only weaken the party even more.
I stand by my prediction that our generation will see the rise of a legitimate third party... and Howie's my ace in the hole.
Update: Meanwhile, back at the ranch... RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman is Jewish, not Christian. How much more "Ready. Fire. Aim!" does the left truly want to TOLERATE from their DNC Chair?!
Monday, June 06, 2005
Supreme Court Backs Marijuana Laws
Dealing a well-deserved blow to those who prefer that our justices legislate from the bench, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that state's "medical" marijuana laws do not trump the federal ban on the drug.
Writing the 6-3 decision, Justice John Paul Stevens realized the necessity in offering-up a civics lesson to those who don't know how the law works. He reminded them that Congress may change the law to allow medical use of marijuana.
The ruling allows Federal authorities to prosecute "medical" marijuana users under the Controlled Substances Act.
What I don't get is why "medical" marijuana users would choose uncontrolled delivery of a drug containing over 400 chemicals, of which, less than 10% have been studied - especially when perfectly legal and viable alternatives, with controlled delivery rates, exist.
That's right, true Medical Marijuana already exists. It's called Marinol, only it's controlled - and you don't load a bunch into a bowl and smoke away. If someone truly needs medical marijuana, they should truly talk to their doctor about the legal alternatives.
Writing the 6-3 decision, Justice John Paul Stevens realized the necessity in offering-up a civics lesson to those who don't know how the law works. He reminded them that Congress may change the law to allow medical use of marijuana.
The ruling allows Federal authorities to prosecute "medical" marijuana users under the Controlled Substances Act.
What I don't get is why "medical" marijuana users would choose uncontrolled delivery of a drug containing over 400 chemicals, of which, less than 10% have been studied - especially when perfectly legal and viable alternatives, with controlled delivery rates, exist.
That's right, true Medical Marijuana already exists. It's called Marinol, only it's controlled - and you don't load a bunch into a bowl and smoke away. If someone truly needs medical marijuana, they should truly talk to their doctor about the legal alternatives.
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