Abortions Decreasing

Despite claims by Sen. Clinton (D-NY), John Kerry, and Howard Dean, abortions in the United States have actually decreased since 2001. The statistics the Dems used are from only 16 states. When factoring in the whole country, you can see abortion is not on the rise. Way to go Libs. You tried to count only part of Florida, now you're only counting part of the nation.

Diamonds Used To Fund Terrorism

I've known about this problem for a while, but never investigated it in depth. Buying diamonds and tanzanite support terrorist organizations and militias that practice slave-labor. Here's more:

Here's what the State Department said in 2002:

Several media reports made the claim that the al-Qaida network has made millions of dollars from diamonds mined by rebels in Sierra Leone, either by trading them or using them to launder money. Revolutionary United Front (RUF) officials were alleged to have sold millions of dollars in diamonds to Usama Bin Ladin’s al-Qaida terrorist network.

Similarly, allegations were made linking the sale of tanzanite to al-Qaida financing. Press reports claimed that a former personal secretary to Bin Ladin kept a diary detailing al-Qaida’s use of tanzanite to help finance its operations for the past several years.

A subsequent claim was made that other radical Islamic groups (including the Lebanon-based Hizballah) transferred millions of dollars made from Congolese diamond sales to their organizations back home.

We continue to investigate these claims. The US Government also is cooperating with the United Nations, diamond-producing countries, and diamond-importing countries to develop a certification system for diamonds to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering the international trading system."

Amnesty International has the gruesome details:

"Illicit diamonds make fabulous profits for terrorists and corporarations alike."

"Arms merchants, feeding on the diamond trade, bankrolled local armies and made fortunes for transnational corporations. The profits also filled the coffers of Al Qaeda, and possibly Hezbollah–terrorist organizations notorious for committing human rights violations, including crimes against humanity."

"Nigerian soldiers serving a regional West African peacekeeping force killed civilians suspected of aiding RUF, tortured children suspected of being RUF, and slaughtered hospital patients in their efforts to rid Freetown of rebels. It is no stretch to say that Sierra Leone disintegrated during the 1990s into a murderous sinkhole of death and torture, all of it fueled by the sale of diamonds to respectable merchants throughout the world."

The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security says:

"Africa’s diamonds provide a large part of al-Qaeda's funding. There are many links between al-Qaeda and the illicit trade in so-called "conflict diamonds" or "blood diamonds" bought from rebel groups in Africa, primarily in Sierra Leone."

The Washington Institute has more:

"...the former Sierra Leonean ambassador to the US, John Leigh, confirmed that diamonds mined in Sierra Leone finance the activities of terrorist groups such as Hizbullah and al-Qaeda."

More sites can be found on the web with even scarrier examples of diamonds being used to fund terrorist organizations and crimes against humanity. The next time you buy a diamond, think of the possible consequences.

In response to this and this, I've posted this.
Enjoy.

For Camera Enthusiasts

I am looking to buy a 4-5 mega-pixel camera with a 4+ optical zoom. I really like cannon or olympus, but will settle for a lesser brand. If you have any good suggestions or find any good deals, please reply.

Running On Immigration

Both ends of the nation have politicians running on immigration. However, opposite views are expressed in order to gain votes in the upcoming elections.

Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-NY) is hoping to voters in her direction for the 2006 Senate race and some are saying the 2008 Presidential race by denouncing illegal immigration. "I am, you know, adamantly against illegal immigrants," Clinton told WABC Radio’s John Gambling. "People have to stop employing illegal immigrants," she told WABC… "I mean, come up to Westchester, go to Suffolk and Nassau Counties, stand in the street corners in Brooklyn or the Bronx (and) you’re going to see loads of people waiting to get picked up to go do yard work and construction work and domestic work…"

In California, Los Angeles Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa (Dem.) tells that we need to embrace immigration, illegal or legal. He says "We are starting a new era. Instead of closing the borders, as stated by Schwarzenegger, we should look at our border as an opportunity," and "I support Special Order 40 [prohibiting police from making migration-related arrests]."

I guess I now have one reason to support Sen. Clinton.

Let's End Racism Now!

A man attempted to attend a conference of social workers in New Orleans, LA and was denied entry due to his race. The thing is, he was white. The conference was held by the National Association of Black Social Workers.

“I approached the registration table and was greeted by a very friendly fellow who looked me in the eye and said, ‘Are you black?’” said Parnell. “I told him that I'm not and he told me that the conference was only for people who were black and so I wasn't able to register to attend the conference.”

Here's more to make your blood boil.

Life Comes At You Fast...

Thought this was amusing...

Cincy Enquirer Posts Lachey

The Cincinnati Enquirer has posted an article by Nick Lachey that gives commentary on the current situations of Danny Graves and Bob Huggins. Apparently, the newspaper seems to think that because of his hollywood notoriety, his words carry more weight and meaning than the run-of-the-mill sports fan. His opinion I have no objection to. Every person has the right to express it. I find it absurd to post a letter to a newspaper that is strictly commentary as "The View From The West" on the front page of their website. It is not every western sports fan's opinion and the Enquirer is subjecting readers to one man's opinion for the sake of the almighty dollar.

Fast Food Nation

Next time you're thinking about stoppin' by McDonalds for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner... consider the numbers.

Fast Facts About George Washington

1. The famous tale about Washington chopping down the cherry tree ("Father, I cannot tell a lie") is a complete fabrication.
2. George Washington never threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River--in fact, to do so from the shore of his Mount Vernon home would have been physically impossible.
3. George Washington did not wear wooden teeth. His poorly fitting false teeth were in fact made of cow's teeth, human teeth, and elephant ivory set in a lead base.
4. Early in his life, Washington was himself a slave owner. His opinions changed after he commanded a multiracial army in the Revolutionary War. He eventually came to recognize slavery as "a massive American anomaly."
5. In 1759, having resigned as Virginia's military commander to become a planter, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis. Washington’s marriage to the colony's wealthiest widow dramatically changed his life, catapulting him into Virginia aristocracy.
6. Scholars have discredited suggestions that Washington's marriage to Martha lacked passion, as well as the provocative implications of the well-worn phrase "George Washington slept here."
7. Washington held his first public office when he was 17 years old, as surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia.
8. At age 20, despite no prior military experience, Washington was appointed an adjutant in the Virginia militia, in which he oversaw several militia companies, and was assigned the rank of major.
9. As a Virginia aristocrat, Washington ordered all his coats, shirts, pants, and shoes from London. However, most likely due to the misleading instructions he gave his tailor, the suits almost never fit. Perhaps this is why he appears in an old military uniform in his 1772 portrait.
10. In 1751, during a trip to Barbados with his half-brother Lawrence, Washington was stricken with smallpox and permanently scarred. Fortunately, this early exposure made him immune to the disease that would wipe out colonial troops during the Revolutionary War.

Here's the source.

Memorial Day Salute

For my Memorial Day salute, I turn your eyes to a soldier in my batallion who showed that being reserve doen't just mean one weekend a month and two weeks of vacation a year. Soldiers CONUS and OCONUS, Reserve and Active, and Male and Female deserve our most honored salute.

Side note on the silver star awardee. PFC Church was nominated for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross but was turned down for both because "he was a reservist."

All gave some, some gave all.

Weekend Review

I finished up my intersession PSC 394 class on Friday and I can tally another A to my transcript. Go Me!. I started packing for PLDC last night and am leaving on Friday for Fort McCoy, WI. Visited my parents yesterday and went to my in-laws last night. Went on a 4 mile run today and included some 800 meter sprints. I will continue to post more nonsense few will read.

Connecticut School Nutrition Bill Passed

Hopefully, other states follow suit with public schools.

The law would ban most sodas and many snacks in school cafeterias, school stores and vending machines. Schools could not sell snacks deemed unhealthy by the state Education Department.

Hell Makes Way For New Ice Skating Rink

Apparently, someone in the parole or foster offices are neglecting to do their job. Nicholas Chaney was finally caught in Watertown, New York after somebody realized a convicted sex offender had slipped through the cracks and was allowed to be a foster parent to more than 50 children in the last 4 years. I hope someone is held responsible and Chaney is placed back in prison for life.

Fox News has more.

iGuy

If I had a 4th Gen. iPod (I have a 3rd), this would be mine.

Sex Offender Idea

I know I'm not the first to think of this. For the sex offenders that have been unfortunately released from prison/jail, how about making it law that a 2 foot by 3 foot sign be placed in their front yard that says:

"Keep Out Of Reach Of Children.
A Sex Offender Lives Here."

Just a thought.

HNZ Is Up

It's good to see that the same guy who attacked President Bush for outsourcing jobs can add another wing to his mansion. Possibly another $500 haircut is in order for celebration.

DNC & Jesse Jackson Fined

Rev. Jesse Jackson and the DNC have each been fined $100,000 each for "money [that] was used for a partisan get-out-the-vote effort and voter registration speaking tour that was coordinated with the Democratic National Committee and included appearances by Jackson and Democratic House and Senate candidates."

I'm sure (sarcasm implied) that this will make front page news like the ethics violations of Sen. Delay. At least when Republicans "steal" an election, "lie" their way into a war, or "reveal" information about a CIA operative, they keep it legal. USA Today has more.

Headlines From The Year 2029

Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world, Mexifornia, formally known as California. White minorities still trying to have English recognized as Mexifornia's third language.

Spotted Owl plague threatens northwestern United States' crops and livestock.

Baby conceived naturally. Scientists stumped.

Couple petitions court to reinstate heterosexual marriage.

Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon).

Iraq still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.

France pleads for global help after being taken over by Jamaica.

Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.

George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.

Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.

85-year, $75.8 billion study: Diet and Exercise are the keys to weight loss.

Average weight of Americans drops to 250 lbs.

Japanese scientists have created a camera with such a fast shutter speed, they now can photograph a woman with her mouth shut.

Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.

Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals violates their civil rights.

Average height of NBA players now nine feet, seven inches.

New federal law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, fly swatters, and rolled-up newspapers must be registered by January 2036.

Congress authorizes direct deposit of formerly illegal political contributions to campaign accounts.

Capitol Hill intern indicted for refusing to have sex with congressman.

IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75 percent.

Florida voters still having trouble with voting machines.

Compromising... not Buckling

Contrary to my right-wing affiliates, I don't see the end of the fillibuster and nuclear option as a buckle on the part of Republicans. The fillibuster is there for a reason. However it was being abused by the Democrats for an obscene amount of time. I'm really glad with the money we pay these representatives they can finally quit acting like children and come together to give a little and lose a little. Sometimes you can't have your cake and eat it too. I hope the coming together of parties for compromise and dealmaking will carry onto further decisions and votes in the future.

Lunch & A Movie

Got up and ran another 3 miles, ate breakfast, and went to school to watch Team America: World Police in my PSC 394 class. What a great movie. The unrated version is incredible. Golden showers and face-dumping performed by puppets couldn't be any funnier. I am confused though as to why the MPAA thought the extra 20 seconds of puppet-sex was deserving of an NC-17 rating. Either way, it's a great movie and worth the watch. It was followed by a trip to Roly Poly sandwich shop with my wife, Amy. Great wraps at a great bargain. Is this what my life has come to...documenting my daily activities on the web for all to see? I've reached a new level on the nerd hierarchy.

Women in combat...

In something similar to black and japanese segregation sixty years ago, Rep. Duncan Hunter offered an ammendment that allowed the services to open or close any jobs to women 60 consecutive legislative days after notifying Congress of their plans. The point of this amendment was to gradually axe women from combat zones and continue the rejection of women into combat specialties.
Fox News has more.
Hopefully one day the armed services will come to realize that women (and gays for that matter) that can perform to the same standard as men can perform combat tasks. I disagree with the notion that gays and females are weaker than men and can serve a better purpose in the kitchen (cook) or at the desk (administrative specialist). If they can meet the standards put forth physically, mentally, and emotionally on the same scale as men, they should not be denied to give to their country in the most honorable way.

The article also mentions the approval for a 3.1% pay increase for the military. Appropriations for the bill have not yet been addressed.

Reds give Graves the boot...

It's about time somebody did something about the terrible shape the Reds are in. Our pitching right now is worse than horrible. There are two good reasons for getting rid of Danny Graves. His ERA and attitude. He left the team with a 7.76 ERA and gave fans in the diamond seats the finger. Childish behavior and poor performance should be punished. He is, however, not the reason Cincinnati is not performing to standard. Eric Milton seems to be another problem along with bad luck. Hopefully, this season of losses will be over soon and we can begin anew with more training and luck...and possibly better pitchers.

SI reports here.

Defining my stand on illegal immigration...

Not to say that every illegal immigrant is harmful, but doing nothing about the situation of illegals in America is.
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The 17-year-old boy who buried alive an 8-year-old girl in Florida has prior vandalism and burglary records. Milagro Cunningham is an illegal immigrant from the Bahamas and our officials did nothing to deport him following illegal activities on top of the immigration crime. Palm Beach Post has more.

A good run

Went running last night and was in the groove. I just wanted to keep running, but my iPod battery was dying and I had to get some sleep. Ran about 3 miles. I am also 6-0 playing as the Reds in Ken Griffey's MLB '99 on my N64.

Liberal bias in secondary education

I found this link on Michelle Malkin's blog and thought it was worth the read. If that doesn't show a liberal bias in college, this or this might.

Oh, and no thanks to teachers like racist professor Jennifer Webster that make it a point to destroy our American way of life.

As if recruiters don't have a hard enough job...

This story was aired last week on Channel 5 as a lead story. As if no other news in the world was more important than the fabrications of recruiters to enlist young men and women into the armed services. A "thank you" is deserved to all men and women who serve...that includes recruiters.

It has to start somewhere...

And thus begins my blogging experience. Actually, this isn't my first experience with blogs, but my first time creating and maintaining one. On a daily basis I skim through blogs such as Swanky Conservative and Michelle Malkin. Well, a little about me. I'm a political science major at Northern Kentucky University, am big into baseball (Go Reds!) and am happily married. I am also a veteran of OIF and hopefully will return to the sandbox in the next few months for another yearlong tour. As I realize no one but I will read this blog, I will end here.