On the NBC Evening News, 28 July 2007, in a report concerning a home invasion the reporter interviewed a gun store salesman. The salesman, holding a shotgun made the statement "You just point, you don't aim."
In the state of Florida, anyone who uses a firearm against another human is responsible for every projectile that is discharged from the firearm.
"You just point, but don't aim" advice is one of the most truly statements I have ever heard; particularly from a person who makes their living selling firearms.
Statements like that just antagonize those who dislike firearms and make it much harder for the person who makes a conscientious decision to become proficient in and use firearms as a defensive tool.
Persons who are interested in firearms, regardless of how they arrived at that interest should be encouraged to learn how to properly and legally use firearms. In Florida, there is no difference in the accountability of use of a defensive firearm for a police officer or a private citizen.
The police officer is taught self defense, the use of firearms and state law during their police academy. Any private citizen needs to seek out and gain the same knowledge prior to incorporating defensive firearms into their toolbox.
Thanks a pant load for your input Mr Gunstore. Friends like you continue to play right into the anti-gunners sentiments.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Barack Obama, Closer To Madame Clinton Than He Is To Lieberman
Or if you're looking for a Democrat with scruples, he or she is probably not in the race:
Barack Obama, has been running, against Madame Clinton, as a candidate for change. Lets look at his changing positions on Iraq.
On July 18, 2007, Obama supported legislation requiring most U.S. troops to be out of Iraq by April 30, 2008.
But in 2004, Obama said that a quick withdrawal from Iraq would be "a slap in the face" to the troops.
In 2006, he said that he did "not believe that setting a date certain for the total withdrawal of U.S. troops [was] the best approach to achieving" our goals.
In May of this year, Obama promised to provide critical funding for the troops. His exact words:
"[W]hat you don't want to do is to play chicken with the President, and create a situation in which, potentially, you don't have body armor, you don't have reinforced Humvees, you don't have night-vision goggles."
Then, just weeks later, he voted against the emergency Iraq spending bill that would have provided critical funds for body armor, mine resistant vehicles, and to help combat IEDs.
By his own admission, Obama understands that our enemies will wait us out in Iraq.
But as his position shifts it seems clear that he's more concerned with pandering to the left wing of the party than standing by his previous statements.
Barack Obama, has been running, against Madame Clinton, as a candidate for change. Lets look at his changing positions on Iraq.
On July 18, 2007, Obama supported legislation requiring most U.S. troops to be out of Iraq by April 30, 2008.
But in 2004, Obama said that a quick withdrawal from Iraq would be "a slap in the face" to the troops.
In 2006, he said that he did "not believe that setting a date certain for the total withdrawal of U.S. troops [was] the best approach to achieving" our goals.
In May of this year, Obama promised to provide critical funding for the troops. His exact words:
"[W]hat you don't want to do is to play chicken with the President, and create a situation in which, potentially, you don't have body armor, you don't have reinforced Humvees, you don't have night-vision goggles."
Then, just weeks later, he voted against the emergency Iraq spending bill that would have provided critical funds for body armor, mine resistant vehicles, and to help combat IEDs.
By his own admission, Obama understands that our enemies will wait us out in Iraq.
But as his position shifts it seems clear that he's more concerned with pandering to the left wing of the party than standing by his previous statements.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
European Terrorist Alert Levels
We have long used colors to describe perceived terror level. Other countries use different systems:
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from"Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to"Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to"Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
Not only the English and French are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain, "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
And Finally the Germans have also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher Levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
Last, but not least, the Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish Navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish Navy.
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from"Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to"Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to"Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
Not only the English and French are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain, "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
And Finally the Germans have also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher Levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
Last, but not least, the Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish Navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish Navy.
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Shame Of It
On the 4th of July, 2007 Senior Airman Matthew J. Marren was shot in the chest by an anti-war zealot who specifically targeted the victim
The 4th of July, is celebrated as the most patriotic day of the entire year. This is the day when those in, or those who have served in, the military are honored by their countryman for their present and past service.
On this special day, a military person is targeted and shot by an anti-war zealot and the media barely manages to report the incident.
Soap Box Ravings can't help but wonder how much news coverage would be available if any military person, mentally unstable or not, targeted and shot an anti-war protestor.
The 4th of July, is celebrated as the most patriotic day of the entire year. This is the day when those in, or those who have served in, the military are honored by their countryman for their present and past service.
On this special day, a military person is targeted and shot by an anti-war zealot and the media barely manages to report the incident.
Soap Box Ravings can't help but wonder how much news coverage would be available if any military person, mentally unstable or not, targeted and shot an anti-war protestor.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Karzai Pardons Teen Trained as Bomber
A fourteen-year-old boy, Rafiqullah, said men at a Pakistani madrassa (religious school) showed him and two of his classmates videos of suicide attackers and taught them to drive a car and motorcycles.
Then they gave Rafiqullah his mission: kill an Afghan governor.
Rafiqullah said he walked eight hours from Pakistan to the Afghan city of Khost, where a militant named Abdul Aziz tried to pump up his courage. Aziz provided him with an explosives-laden vest whereupon the teenager confessed his fears.
When he said he was afraid to carry out the suicide attack, Abdul Aziz pointed a gun at him and told him that he would be killed if he did not carry out the attack.
President Hamid Karzai declared Rafiqullah an innocent pawn manipulated by terrorist militants and on Sunday freed the teen, who appears to be at least the third child co-opted by Taliban fighters to carry out attacks since April.
Karzai said, "Today we are faced with a fearful and terrifying truth, and that truth is the sending of a Muslim child to carry out a suicide attack."
Last month, a 6-year-old boy in Ghazni province said the Taliban forced him to put on a suicide vest and walk up to American soldiers, a potential attack was foiled when the boy asked Afghan soldiers for help.
In a gory Taliban video that surfaced in April militants are shown instructing a boy of about 12 as he beheaded an alleged traitor with a knife.
Rafiqullah said at least two other teenage boys his age had been indoctrinated to carry out suicide attacks at his madrassa.
The United Nations considers the use of such young combatants as constituting a war crime.
Soap Box Ravings says while the United Nations says using children as soldiers is a war crime, they do nothing about it in the many countries, particularly in Africa where it occurs often. I would also like to point out that this teen was sent to kill another Muslim, because that Muslim was not a Taliban believer.
Soap Box Ravings also wonders if the United Nations has an official position on cutting another humans head off with a knife to make a propaganda video.
Then they gave Rafiqullah his mission: kill an Afghan governor.
Rafiqullah said he walked eight hours from Pakistan to the Afghan city of Khost, where a militant named Abdul Aziz tried to pump up his courage. Aziz provided him with an explosives-laden vest whereupon the teenager confessed his fears.
When he said he was afraid to carry out the suicide attack, Abdul Aziz pointed a gun at him and told him that he would be killed if he did not carry out the attack.
President Hamid Karzai declared Rafiqullah an innocent pawn manipulated by terrorist militants and on Sunday freed the teen, who appears to be at least the third child co-opted by Taliban fighters to carry out attacks since April.
Karzai said, "Today we are faced with a fearful and terrifying truth, and that truth is the sending of a Muslim child to carry out a suicide attack."
Last month, a 6-year-old boy in Ghazni province said the Taliban forced him to put on a suicide vest and walk up to American soldiers, a potential attack was foiled when the boy asked Afghan soldiers for help.
In a gory Taliban video that surfaced in April militants are shown instructing a boy of about 12 as he beheaded an alleged traitor with a knife.
Rafiqullah said at least two other teenage boys his age had been indoctrinated to carry out suicide attacks at his madrassa.
The United Nations considers the use of such young combatants as constituting a war crime.
Soap Box Ravings says while the United Nations says using children as soldiers is a war crime, they do nothing about it in the many countries, particularly in Africa where it occurs often. I would also like to point out that this teen was sent to kill another Muslim, because that Muslim was not a Taliban believer.
Soap Box Ravings also wonders if the United Nations has an official position on cutting another humans head off with a knife to make a propaganda video.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
History Repeats Itself, While Government Does Nothing
Today, a man has appeared in court in Sydney, Australia after causing thousands of dollars worth of damage during a 90-minute rampage.
Soap Box Ravings wonders how many more times this must happen in the world before our liberal friends start screaming for the government to seize all tanks and armored vehicles in the hands of the public. In fact bulldozers, which closely resemble armored vehicles, also should be seized because they are so similar. I mean after all, they are to noisy to use for deer hunting and nobody really needs one. They should all be in the hands of the military or police.
Soap Box Ravings wonders how many more times this must happen in the world before our liberal friends start screaming for the government to seize all tanks and armored vehicles in the hands of the public. In fact bulldozers, which closely resemble armored vehicles, also should be seized because they are so similar. I mean after all, they are to noisy to use for deer hunting and nobody really needs one. They should all be in the hands of the military or police.
Just ONE Example In The News
Suspect In Girl's Slaying Investigated In Other Cases
In Tacoma, Washington police named the suspect, Terapon Adhahn, in the abduction and slaying of a 12-year-old Tacoma girl. They also said the 42-year-old man is being investigated in connection with other crimes -- locally and in other parts of the country.
Police said Terapon Adhahn is being charged with failing to register as a sex offender and that he would be charged in the girl's death.
Adhahn, a Thai immigrant who was convicted of incest in 1990, is being held at a federal detention center because he could face deportation for his 1990 incest conviction, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said earlier this week.
He also has been charged in Pierce County with failing to register as a sex offender, and would face that charge before being deported.
Court records show Adhahn was charged in 1990 with raping a 16-year-old relative. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of first-degree incest in exchange for completing 60 months of sexual-deviancy counseling.
Soap Box Ravings says 1990 plus 60 months of counseling and maybe a year of court translates to "This subject has been running loose since approximately 1996 and it is only now that he is locked up for possible deportation for a crime he pleaded guilty for in 1990. 2007 minus 1990 is basically 17 years this pus bucket has been loose and possibly causing harm.
Furthermore Soap Box Ravings would like to extend a "Hearty Well Done" to those public officials as well as those elected officials that have and continue to allow these illegals to remain in this country. And for the record, in my opinion, he became an illegal when he committed a crime and was not deported.
In Tacoma, Washington police named the suspect, Terapon Adhahn, in the abduction and slaying of a 12-year-old Tacoma girl. They also said the 42-year-old man is being investigated in connection with other crimes -- locally and in other parts of the country.
Police said Terapon Adhahn is being charged with failing to register as a sex offender and that he would be charged in the girl's death.
Adhahn, a Thai immigrant who was convicted of incest in 1990, is being held at a federal detention center because he could face deportation for his 1990 incest conviction, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said earlier this week.
He also has been charged in Pierce County with failing to register as a sex offender, and would face that charge before being deported.
Court records show Adhahn was charged in 1990 with raping a 16-year-old relative. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of first-degree incest in exchange for completing 60 months of sexual-deviancy counseling.
Soap Box Ravings says 1990 plus 60 months of counseling and maybe a year of court translates to "This subject has been running loose since approximately 1996 and it is only now that he is locked up for possible deportation for a crime he pleaded guilty for in 1990. 2007 minus 1990 is basically 17 years this pus bucket has been loose and possibly causing harm.
Furthermore Soap Box Ravings would like to extend a "Hearty Well Done" to those public officials as well as those elected officials that have and continue to allow these illegals to remain in this country. And for the record, in my opinion, he became an illegal when he committed a crime and was not deported.
Friday, July 13, 2007
The Urine Test
I did not write this, I got this in my e-mail. I am retired and I no longer have to take urine tests for employment, but I was subjected to them for most of my working life and if I was seeking part-time employment, I would probably still be told to contribute.
The following is the e-mail I received:
Like a lot of folks in this state I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test, with which I have no problem.
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ass.
Could you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
Soap Box Ravings says he will pass this on to his elected Florida Representatives, with their proposed changes in real estate taxes they may want to reduce the costs of welfare, especially that paid to those using illegal substances.
The following is the e-mail I received:
Like a lot of folks in this state I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test, with which I have no problem.
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ass.
Could you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
Soap Box Ravings says he will pass this on to his elected Florida Representatives, with their proposed changes in real estate taxes they may want to reduce the costs of welfare, especially that paid to those using illegal substances.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Virginia County To Do Feds Job
Virginia County Requires Police Officers to Check Immigration Status
In Prince William County, the Board of County Supervisors passed a resolution that requires police officers to ask about immigration status in all arrests if there is probable cause to believe that a suspect has violated federal immigration law.
The resolution also requires county staff to verify a person's legal status before providing certain public services provided by county offices.
According to Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart, "We know this is a federal issue, but I think the citizens have a right to expect that their local government and the state government are going to do whatever they can to address the problem."
(Soap Box Ravings wishes that Florida elected officials would follow this initiative. If enough states start passing realistic laws that affect illegal immigrants then the federal officials who are derelict in their duties may be forced to follow. Perhaps the County should bill their services to the Federal Government for each check they make.)
In Prince William County, the Board of County Supervisors passed a resolution that requires police officers to ask about immigration status in all arrests if there is probable cause to believe that a suspect has violated federal immigration law.
The resolution also requires county staff to verify a person's legal status before providing certain public services provided by county offices.
According to Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart, "We know this is a federal issue, but I think the citizens have a right to expect that their local government and the state government are going to do whatever they can to address the problem."
(Soap Box Ravings wishes that Florida elected officials would follow this initiative. If enough states start passing realistic laws that affect illegal immigrants then the federal officials who are derelict in their duties may be forced to follow. Perhaps the County should bill their services to the Federal Government for each check they make.)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
My Comments Regarding My Senator's Response
Below is a response to the recent comments I received from you:
Dear Soap Box Ravings:
Thank you for contacting me regarding immigration reform. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.
As you may know, on June 28, 2007, the Senate voted to set aside debate once again on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (S.1639).
(Soap Box Ravings says both Florida Senators, Martinez (Republican) and Nelson (Democrat) voted identically with Yeas for this vote.)
I firmly believe addressing this issue in a comprehensive manner is critical to our nation’s security and continued prosperity.
(Soap Box Ravings Feels that this is a BS position to ramrod a bill through the system and to garner votes while Senator Martinez tries to retain his position while pandering votes.)
While securing our borders is top priority,
(Soap Box Ravings feels that "top priority means first priority and needs to be taken care of before any other step, NOT in conjunction with any other step.)
we must also address the economic and law enforcement realities of having millions of illegal immigrants already living and working in the United States. Any solution to this problem must be practical to be effective.
(Soap Box Ravings feels that once you identify and remove the known criminals, sex offenders, and possible foriegn agents from the mix; the rest can then be processed to become accepted by this culture if that is what they want or they can be carded to be farm workers if that is what they desire.)
Efforts to secure our borders should be coupled with necessary changes to our current ambiguous and ineffective immigration policies to maximize security for our country.
(Soap Box Ravings believes that if our borders are secured, we will no longer have our "current ambiguous and ineffective immigration policies.")
Additionally, gaining operational control of the border will not cease the problem if we do not gain control of our employment system.
(Soap Box Ravings did not know that a goal of our government was to gain control of our nations employment system.)
Please know that, I will continue to work
(Soap Box Ravings sees not so much work as a stampede to give US Citizenship to a large number of people who have and continue to break our laws with the assistance of our duly elected representatives who have sworn to uphold our laws.)
with President Bush and my colleagues in Congress to develop a plan that will halt the flow of illegal immigrants crossing our border while implementing needed changes to our immigration laws.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or comments. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Mel Martinez
United States Senator
Dear Soap Box Ravings:
Thank you for contacting me regarding immigration reform. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.
As you may know, on June 28, 2007, the Senate voted to set aside debate once again on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (S.1639).
(Soap Box Ravings says both Florida Senators, Martinez (Republican) and Nelson (Democrat) voted identically with Yeas for this vote.)
I firmly believe addressing this issue in a comprehensive manner is critical to our nation’s security and continued prosperity.
(Soap Box Ravings Feels that this is a BS position to ramrod a bill through the system and to garner votes while Senator Martinez tries to retain his position while pandering votes.)
While securing our borders is top priority,
(Soap Box Ravings feels that "top priority means first priority and needs to be taken care of before any other step, NOT in conjunction with any other step.)
we must also address the economic and law enforcement realities of having millions of illegal immigrants already living and working in the United States. Any solution to this problem must be practical to be effective.
(Soap Box Ravings feels that once you identify and remove the known criminals, sex offenders, and possible foriegn agents from the mix; the rest can then be processed to become accepted by this culture if that is what they want or they can be carded to be farm workers if that is what they desire.)
Efforts to secure our borders should be coupled with necessary changes to our current ambiguous and ineffective immigration policies to maximize security for our country.
(Soap Box Ravings believes that if our borders are secured, we will no longer have our "current ambiguous and ineffective immigration policies.")
Additionally, gaining operational control of the border will not cease the problem if we do not gain control of our employment system.
(Soap Box Ravings did not know that a goal of our government was to gain control of our nations employment system.)
Please know that, I will continue to work
(Soap Box Ravings sees not so much work as a stampede to give US Citizenship to a large number of people who have and continue to break our laws with the assistance of our duly elected representatives who have sworn to uphold our laws.)
with President Bush and my colleagues in Congress to develop a plan that will halt the flow of illegal immigrants crossing our border while implementing needed changes to our immigration laws.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or comments. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Mel Martinez
United States Senator
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Wishful Thinking
This is an e-mail that I received from my little brother titled:
"Some Serious Considerations About Wishful Thinking"
A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.
"Very few people were true Nazis, " he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.
Now, we are told again and again by "experts" and "talking heads" that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace.
Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of fifty shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals.
The hard quantifiable fact is that the "peaceful majority," the "silent majority" is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia included Russians who just wanted to live in peace. Yet according to Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 66 millio! n people . The peaceful majority was irrelevant.
China 's huge population -- it was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda , which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany , they will awake one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts - the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Soap Box Ravings says: "Thanks Brother, I only wish I had thought to write this myself. I am in complete agreement with whoever put this together."
"Some Serious Considerations About Wishful Thinking"
A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.
"Very few people were true Nazis, " he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.
Now, we are told again and again by "experts" and "talking heads" that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace.
Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of fifty shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals.
The hard quantifiable fact is that the "peaceful majority," the "silent majority" is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia included Russians who just wanted to live in peace. Yet according to Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 66 millio! n people . The peaceful majority was irrelevant.
China 's huge population -- it was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda , which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany , they will awake one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts - the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Soap Box Ravings says: "Thanks Brother, I only wish I had thought to write this myself. I am in complete agreement with whoever put this together."
Monday, July 02, 2007
It Is About Time
Commentary on a USA TODAY report by Tom Vanden Brook:
The Pentagon approved a 600% increase in production of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to protect soldiers from makeshift bombs in Iraq. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has made the vehicle the Pentagon's top priority. The MRAP's V-shaped hull and raised chassis are up to four times safer against the top threat to U.S. troops in Iraq — improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
Gates said Friday he was pushing industry and the military to build MRAPs faster: "For every month we delay, scores of young Americans are going to die."
Soap Box Ravings notes that it took a change in the Secretary of Defense to get the equipment our troops need in Iraq
That recommendation followed a visit to Iraq by a high-level Army team to assess soldiers' needs and which vehicles would best fill them.
Soap Box Ravings wonders why there isn't a "high level team" on site in Iraq 24/7 to continuously ascertain troop needs.
"We're going to aggressively pursue maxing out production, definitely for '08," Sliwa said. "We're extensively testing the vehicle to ensure the soldier's very well protected."
FLASHBACK: Corps refused 2005 plea for MRAP vehicles
The Pentagon's move boosts the Army's MRAP total from the 2,500 the service had originally sought and the Pentagon's total commitment to almost 23,000 vehicles. That includes 3,700 for the Marines and 1,500 for other branches of the military.
The Pentagon's decision to build more MRAPs may encounter opposition from Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who leads the committee that writes the defense budget.
Murtha said he wouldn't support more than $6 billion in MRAP spending for next year because contractors can't build the vehicles fast enough.
Soap Box Ravings notes that Representative Murtha is the "Marine" in Congress who wants the US out of Iraq. Basically, he is just another Democrat looking for ways to not support our troops in their mission.
The Army's bill for MRAPs next year would be $8.1 billion, according to a memo from Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.
MORE: Army seeks $20B for protected vehicles
To meet the increased demand, the Pentagon awarded contracts to nine companies in January to develop and build vehicles for consideration for its MRAP program.
Since April 23, the Pentagon has awarded contracts worth about $1.6 billion to three companies to build 3,130 MRAPs, records show.
Last week, Australian television reported that Thales Australia would make 1,500 MRAPs for the Pentagon, although that has not been confirmed by the Defense Department.
Soap Box Ravings does not give a damn about what country manufactures these pieces of equipment as long as they are made to function in accordance with their specifications. These units are needed now, more troops will be killed or injured while these are being manufactured and tested. If any manufacturers have them "on the shelf" then they need to be procured from the shelf. The troops needs must come first.
The Pentagon approved a 600% increase in production of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to protect soldiers from makeshift bombs in Iraq. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has made the vehicle the Pentagon's top priority. The MRAP's V-shaped hull and raised chassis are up to four times safer against the top threat to U.S. troops in Iraq — improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
Gates said Friday he was pushing industry and the military to build MRAPs faster: "For every month we delay, scores of young Americans are going to die."
Soap Box Ravings notes that it took a change in the Secretary of Defense to get the equipment our troops need in Iraq
That recommendation followed a visit to Iraq by a high-level Army team to assess soldiers' needs and which vehicles would best fill them.
Soap Box Ravings wonders why there isn't a "high level team" on site in Iraq 24/7 to continuously ascertain troop needs.
"We're going to aggressively pursue maxing out production, definitely for '08," Sliwa said. "We're extensively testing the vehicle to ensure the soldier's very well protected."
FLASHBACK: Corps refused 2005 plea for MRAP vehicles
The Pentagon's move boosts the Army's MRAP total from the 2,500 the service had originally sought and the Pentagon's total commitment to almost 23,000 vehicles. That includes 3,700 for the Marines and 1,500 for other branches of the military.
The Pentagon's decision to build more MRAPs may encounter opposition from Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who leads the committee that writes the defense budget.
Murtha said he wouldn't support more than $6 billion in MRAP spending for next year because contractors can't build the vehicles fast enough.
Soap Box Ravings notes that Representative Murtha is the "Marine" in Congress who wants the US out of Iraq. Basically, he is just another Democrat looking for ways to not support our troops in their mission.
The Army's bill for MRAPs next year would be $8.1 billion, according to a memo from Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.
MORE: Army seeks $20B for protected vehicles
To meet the increased demand, the Pentagon awarded contracts to nine companies in January to develop and build vehicles for consideration for its MRAP program.
Since April 23, the Pentagon has awarded contracts worth about $1.6 billion to three companies to build 3,130 MRAPs, records show.
Last week, Australian television reported that Thales Australia would make 1,500 MRAPs for the Pentagon, although that has not been confirmed by the Defense Department.
Soap Box Ravings does not give a damn about what country manufactures these pieces of equipment as long as they are made to function in accordance with their specifications. These units are needed now, more troops will be killed or injured while these are being manufactured and tested. If any manufacturers have them "on the shelf" then they need to be procured from the shelf. The troops needs must come first.
Secret, What's A Secret
Reported on Monday, July 02, 2007, ABC News Reports:
Secret Document: U.S. Fears Terror 'Spectacular' Planned
A "secret" U.S. law enforcement report, prepared for the Department of Homeland Security, warns that al Qaeda is planning a terror "spectacular" this summer, according to a senior official with access to the document.
Soap Box Ravings asks: If the report is "Secret," why is an un-named official even discussing it?
U.S. officials have kept the information secret, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said today on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that the United States did not have "have any specific credible evidence that there's an attack focused on the United States at this point."
As ABCNews.com reported, U.S. law enforcement officials received intelligence reports two weeks ago warning of terror attacks in Glasgow and Prague, the Czech Republic, against "airport infrastructure and aircraft."
The warnings apparently never reached officials in Scotland, who said this weekend they had received "no advance intelligence" that Glasgow might be a target.
Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff declined to comment specifically on on the report today, but said "everything that we get is shared virtually instantaneously with our counterparts in Britain and vice versa."
Soap Box Ravings asks: What kind of comment would you expect a responsible public official make about an official report?
Soap Box Ravings says: Any idiot could figure out that Al Qaeda is going to attack their targets any where and at any time. Al Qaeda has publicly stated this in the past. The "secret" report can not say anything but "there will be attempts in the future." And every country on the receiving end knows damn well that the attacks are coming. The only people that are always surprised are those with their heads buried in the sand, of which we have many in this country as does the rest of the free world.
Secret Document: U.S. Fears Terror 'Spectacular' Planned
A "secret" U.S. law enforcement report, prepared for the Department of Homeland Security, warns that al Qaeda is planning a terror "spectacular" this summer, according to a senior official with access to the document.
Soap Box Ravings asks: If the report is "Secret," why is an un-named official even discussing it?
U.S. officials have kept the information secret, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said today on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that the United States did not have "have any specific credible evidence that there's an attack focused on the United States at this point."
As ABCNews.com reported, U.S. law enforcement officials received intelligence reports two weeks ago warning of terror attacks in Glasgow and Prague, the Czech Republic, against "airport infrastructure and aircraft."
The warnings apparently never reached officials in Scotland, who said this weekend they had received "no advance intelligence" that Glasgow might be a target.
Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff declined to comment specifically on on the report today, but said "everything that we get is shared virtually instantaneously with our counterparts in Britain and vice versa."
Soap Box Ravings asks: What kind of comment would you expect a responsible public official make about an official report?
Soap Box Ravings says: Any idiot could figure out that Al Qaeda is going to attack their targets any where and at any time. Al Qaeda has publicly stated this in the past. The "secret" report can not say anything but "there will be attempts in the future." And every country on the receiving end knows damn well that the attacks are coming. The only people that are always surprised are those with their heads buried in the sand, of which we have many in this country as does the rest of the free world.
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