SPRING TRAINING T-MINUS 3 DAYS AND COUNTING!

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S HERO

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Capt. Lyle L. Gordon
Ellicia Stanley & her husband SPC Reid Stanley
I received and email from Wednesday Hero Blogroll member Mary Ann in which she suggested that I profile the spouse of a soldier. Seeing as I'd profiled one such spouse in the past, I though this was the perfect opportunity to do it again. I hadn't read the entire letter before I said yes, but after reading it I'm glad she sent it to me.

I think military families, especially the spouses, while they sign no contract, serve our country just as much as the service member. They give up familiar home ties and relocate all over the country, all over the world. They give up their civilian lives for something bigger than themselves. Ellicia was a military wife for only two and a half years. Before they married, but after 9/11, Reid came to her and told her of his desire to enlist. He wanted to do his part. He tells part of the story in his blog post http://kafstorm.blogspot.com/2005/07/why-i-joined-army.html She encouraged him, pushing him so he could meet his goal of serving his country. He did and took his oath in October 2002. By the time they were married in July 2004, Reid was already stationed in Germany. It was 3 months before she could join him there. In a move that, for someone who'd seldom left her hometown in South Carolina, must have come as quite an adjustment. But she did it, as do so many other military wives. Then came deployment to Afghanistan in May 2005. They spent their first anniversary apart. Reid writes about that anniversary in this post http://kafstorm.blogspot.com/2005/07/my-hero.html It was in the sixth month of deployment when Ellicia received the news — she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Devastating. However, in an email to me on the day she received her diagnosis, the phrase she used was, "not stellar news". Understated, calm, steady, no hysteria, it was another challenge to face. I came to admire her because, I too, had been away from home, (not to a foreign country), with a one small child (not three), and my husband traveling (not in a war zone). Knowing what my experience had been like, I was amazed at how she took it all in stride. Even when faced with a terminal diagnosis, she faced it all with grace, dignity and humor. All the while supporting her husband, the mission and the country. Reid was given compassionate leave back to Germany in November 2005. For the next thirteen months they fought their own personal war with cancer…breast, lung…and finally eleven tumors in her brain. In November 2006 the Stanley's took compassionate reassignment back to the U.S. to Ft. Eustis, Virginia. On 31 December 2006, Ellicia lost her battle. But her spirit lives on in her husband, her children, and the many people she inspired with her courage.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Speaking of Wednesday’s Hero, do you want to know what kind of soldiers we have fighting the good one in Iraq?  Ben of Mesopotamia’s posting today will leave tears in your eyes. 

DEFENDING TANCREDO - ugh!

First things first.  I am absolutely furious with MN Congressman Keith Ellison.  The man must be a total and complete (pardon the language) piss-ant!  Do you think I like being forced to defend the somewhat dubious reputation of Tom Tancredo?  Drat!  If Tom Tancredo wants to smoke a cigar in his office he should be able to smoke the blasted thing in his office and that twitty little piss-ant should keep his Islamic terrorist loving, anti-American nose out of Tancredo’s smoke filled office. 

 

Second, I made a few revisions to yesterday’s Pink Flamingo.  Now it looks like not only should I not be allowed in the kitchen, but need to blog under adult supervision.  But, what can you expect of a dyslexic kindergarten drop out?  I am sorry about the mistake.  I worked for about 8 hours on that post, and completely screwed it up, big time.  I am not going to say where I found the info about Ash Wed. but I should have known it was unreliable. 

 

Pssst:  Is it true Jack Murtha is the father of Anna Niccole’s baby?  My mother thinks it is a toss-up between #42 or #43. 

 

Yesterday afternoon we were gifted with a ‘surprise’ snow-storm.  The local rag (and that is being generous) says it was about 4 inches, but we had more where I am.  Outside my bedroom window it looked like there was close to a foot.  Then we picked up another inch this evening.  It started me thinking about Algore and Global Warming.  When is he going to figure out God doesn’t like him?

 

THE GREAT CAT SOAP OPERA

CUTE ALERT: Miss Piggy is well named.  She is so fat, short, and fuzzy her little tummy waddles when she walks.  Last night she beat up Rumsfeld!  She left him shredded and crying!  This little Piggy is a doll.  She was up on the desk with me for a few minutes this morning, exploring.  This morning she was playing with a piece of plastic, on the tile floor, doing back-flips.  Ultimate cuteness.  GeorgieW poked her head out of the batcave to beg for ham.  She could be preparing to return to feline society.

 

What will the deal by the reporters in the Bonds case do to or for Bonds?

 

IMMIGRATION

The perfect example of what happened in the 1930’s when the KKK forced immigration laws on the us – Anne Frank died in a Nazi concentration camp.

 

THE GIULIANI WIERDNESS FACTOR AND THE SOUTH

Once upon a time I was a big fan of Designing Women.  I think it was the predecessor of The View, which can’t possibly emulate it.  There was an episode where a brother showed up, having sprung himself from a private  hospital.  The comment was made, and I always remembered it because it is so true, “In the South, you don’t ask if there is insanity in the family, you ask which side.”  That’s the real, Old South.  There is a difference between the Old South, their take on conservative values and the GOP, and the Bible Belt.  It is a class distinction.  Let’s be honest here, the Bible Belt Baptist folk weren’t on the same social level as the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians.  (I’ve probably insulted everyone, but you know what, I don’t care, and to quote the ending of that epitome southern movie…frankly my dear…”).  It isn’t the Old South, as my sister put it is the new religious money that is uptight.   People in the South value 'quirkieness'.   And as far as the first marriage to the 2nd cousin, we're talking the South.  No problem there!

 

IRAN, TERROR, ISLAM

One can find any number of Casablanca references to the fact that France is rounding up the usual terror suspects and is shocked, shocked to find terror going on there!

The Captain’s Quarters

Counterterrorism Blog on Afghanistan and Somalia

An American Terrorist in Somalia  Malkin   Strata-Sphere

Al Qaeda in Algeria

Captain Ed speculates on the possibility that Osama is dead. 

 

Little Green Footballs has a huge story.  It seems the Salt Lake City killer was a Moslem convert.  Was it terror?

 

Al Qaeda is threatening Venezuela’s oil.  I thought they were ‘friends’ and we were the enemy. 

Blogs for Bush is picking up the same thing I am, there could be something going on in Iran.    Gateway Pundit has quite a bit on the subject. 

 

Ralph Peters excellent explanation of Islam, Sunni and Shia.

 

IRAQ

I’m trying to follow the logic here, so please pardon the fact that I am a dyslexic kindergarten drop-out and need to use one of those bouncing balls they had for cartoon sing-alongs.  If Mookie  al-Sadr has left Iraq like a rat deserting a sinking ship – oopse, wrong analogy – a roach fleeing the light of day, isn’t is possible the Bush troop surge just might be putting the fear of Allah in him?  If Mookie has jumped ship, then isn’t this a sign that maybe things are going to go against him?  If so, why the you-know-what are the Peace Dems and turn-coat Republicans protesting against the President’s plans? 

Wizbang  Blog Lizards Captain’s Quarters Flopping Aces 

 

Lindsey calls down Janis Karpinski, who shows her true colors.   As usual, Lindsey was right.

 “When the lights go up after most documentary screenings, you usually can expect a politely snoozy lovefest at the "panel discussion to follow." So the folks who turned out for the preview of HBO's "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" at the Ronald Reagan Building last night were unusually lucky. Among the VIPs on hand to discuss the Rory Kennedy project (set to air Feb. 22) were Uncle Ted Kennedy and Sen. Lindsey Graham. The latter livened things up in a big way when he denounced Army Col. Janis Karpinski, who was demoted from brigadier general after the prison torture scandal. "Karpinski should have been court-martialed," said the South Carolina Republican, who sits on the Armed Services Committee. "She was not a good commander." Awkward! For who was in the audience but Karpinski herself. "I consider you as cowardly as [Lt. Gen. Ricardo] Sanchez or [Donald] Rumsfeld or [former Guantanamo Bay commander Geoffrey] Miller," she shot back. "You're saying I should be court-martialed -- they didn't want me in a courtroom because I would tell" the truth. Graham sputtered clumsily until moderator Jeffrey Toobin jumped in. Afterward, Karpinski told our colleague Michael Cavna: "Ninety-nine percent of the story is still covered up. . . . Miller and Sanchez and Rumsfeld should be in those cells" with the Army guards who were found guilty.

 

Are the Copperhead Dems & Cowardly GOP’s hurting themselves by opposing the war now?

 

LIBERALS & DEMS GONE WILD

GOP Bloggers and the Dem plan for defeat in Iraq.  Let’s face it, it’s not about Iraq.  It’s all about the destruction of George W. Bush. Powerline  Strata-Sphere

 

Rightwing NutHouse on the rank cowardice of the Dems. 

 

Yet another Minnesota dimwit (will someone please find another word for me to use) enters politics, with Al Franken announcing a Senate run.

 

I am so glad someone (Gateway Pundit) has done a piece on the Copperhead Dems. 

 

 

REPUBLICANS

DJ Drummond has a fantastic piece today on the GOP loss.  Very very good.  thinks the candidates could face a back-lash for starting so early.  In many ways I agree with him.  They way this whole thing is so hopped up, are people going to be tired of it? 

 

I have been busy doing other things this week and did not put the latest GOP Bloggers Straw Poll up.  The results are starting to come in and Giuliani is looking good.  I guess I am right on the money because the other candidate I picked as acceptable is Gingrich, and he is running second.  If you want my humble opinion, and I am usually wrong, this is the GOP Dream Team!

 

Desperate Housewife Terri Hatcher’s career is shot.  She’s friends with the Bush family.  (41 & Barbara)

No wonder the GOP and GWB look so bad, with hit pieces like this.  I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sick and tired of it. 

PRMARIES 2008

Captain Ed is wondering if there is a spy in the Giuliani camp.  I think he might be on to something.  Read Captain Ed about Romney’s announcement.  Why did he not announce in Mass?  Is it possible that the GOP there was destroyed by him?  I just find the choice of Michigan for the Romney announcement quite revealing.   Giuliani and social conservatives.  Ted Olsen has endorsed Rudy.   I love what Malkin calls Edwards:  The Silky Pony.     Obama the Messiah.  Another big endorsement for Giuliani.   NY poll – Hillary would beat Rudy by 10 points.  USA national poll has Rudy beating Hillary and Obama.  Giuliani is leading in this poll.   Bushies for Rudy.    Is Obama the long awaited messiah? Or is he the reincarnation of Ole’ Abe himself?  If it’s flipping and flopping it’s gotta be Mitt Romney himself!  Now I know why Romney announced in Michigan and not the state where he was the governor.  Looks like the major GOP endorsements are going to Giuliani.   Now I don’t know about you, but this sure as heck ought to tell us something.

The Hedgehog on Romney’s rightward flip. Brownback says Romney is misleading voters.  What’s new about that?  The Romney-McCain Murder-Suicide continues. There is nothing new about the Boston Herald’s War Against Romney.  Ah, yes, Caucus Cooler sees the Kerry in Romney, the same way I do.  Glad someone else is noticing it.   Some interesting McCain hires. 

 

Thirteen Things I Do Not Like About Valentine’s Day

  1.  Cheep chocolate

  2.  Cards are so expensive now!

  3.  No one ever pays attention to me!

  4.  Flowers are grossly over-priced.

  5.  I’m not in South Florida this year (no more grandparents to visit).

  6.  My grandparents were married on Valentine’s Day – and I miss them so very much.

  7.  No one ever sends me a card!

  8.  You can’t get into a restaurant – the once a year folks are out like vampires on a moonless night.

  9.   If you are lucky enough to have a date, you gotta stop and shave your legs.

10.   Do I really want a balloon bouquet from Wal-Mart?  I don’t think so.

11.   I’m sick of the stupid, pandering commercials.

12.   It makes men think they only need remember that special woman maybe one more additional time of year!

13.  Those of us who are relationship challenged feel left out with all that romantic dodo.