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December 31, 2007

Fred's Message to Iowa

Fred Thompson created a 17-minute video that details his conservative principles in general, his specific proposed policies, and his experience that he believes qualifies him for the office of president. If you are among those complaining that you don't know what Fred stands for, take a few minutes and watch this video.

A few quotes:

"The bigger the government gets, the less competent it is to run our lives."
"I know who I am, I know what I believe, and I'm ready to lead."
Regarding all the Democrat presidential candidates: "They're all NEA, MoveOn.org, ACLU, Michael Moore Democrats. they've allowed these radicals to take control of their party and dictate their course."

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Posted by Pam Meister at 10:39 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) | Fred!

December 28, 2007

Judicial Watch: Ten Most Corrupt Politicians

The list is out from this non-profit, bipartisan organization. A few highlights:

*6 out of the 10 are Democrats.
*4 are presidential candidates.
*2 are prominent leaders of their party.
*1 is a presidential candidate AND a prominent party member.

Click here for the details.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 02:13 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Politics

Top 6 National Security Bloopers of 2007

The top news of the day, of course, is about Benazir Bhutto today...as it should be. My first words after hearing about her assassination yesterday were, "The fat's in the fire now!" The next few days will be crucial ones in a situation where things have the potential to get very ugly indeed. All eyes are on Pakistan.

Still, my weekly article (written before this news broke) is running as scheduled over at FamilySecurityMatters.org and in it, I talk about what I think are the top national security bloopers of 2007. Here's a snippet:

#3: MEDIA BLASTS CIA FOR KEEPING INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES, WELL, SECRET

Why is the media having a fit that the CIA, whose every move is supposed to be cloaked in secrecy, is trying to keep its interrogation tactics a secret from the enemy? This makes even less sense when you think about how many MSM outlets were outraged about the “outing” of (non-covert) agent Valerie Plame. The CIA’s decision to destroy interrogation tapes of high-value al Qaeda captives makes sense in a time of war: you don’t tell your opponents your battle plans; nor do you tell them anything else that might give them an advantage. Besides, as Cliff Kincaid pointed out, the whole thing was blown out of proportion by a press salivating at the chance to place the White House in a cover-up scandal not seen since the days of Watergate.

Read it all here.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | FSM

Fox News More Balanced

Apparently "Fair and Balanced" is not just a slogan. According to a report by the non-partisan Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University:

Who’s Fair and Balanced?: Fox News Channel’s coverage was more balanced toward both parties than the broadcast networks were. On FOX, evaluations of all Democratic candidates combined were split almost evenly – 51% positive vs. 49% negative, as were all evaluations of GOP candidates – 49% positive vs. 51% negative, producing a perfectly balanced 50-50 split for all candidates of both parties.

On the three broadcast networks, opinion on Democratic candidates split 47% positive vs. 53% negative, while evaluations of Republicans were more negative – 40% positive vs. 60% negative. For both parties combined, network evaluations were almost 3 to 2 negative in tone, i.e. 41% positive vs. 59% negative.

Emphasis mine.

The report also indicates that not only has Hillary received the lion's share of the attention, most of it is negative...and Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee have received the most positive reporting.

So much for "just the facts, ma'am."

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | MSM

December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas!

Christmas.jpg

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas! See you on the flip side!

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Posted by Pam Meister at 10:03 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Holiday

December 22, 2007

Fred Thompson's Holiday Message

No phony "gifts," no "vote for me, I'm the most religious," no nothin' like that. It's classy AND it's a tearjerker: have your tissues ready.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 05:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Fred!

December 20, 2007

Harry Reid: Our Knight in Dingy Armor

My column about His Dinginess over at Family Security Matters:

One might be tempted to feel sorry for Reid. After all, the poor guy’s been “obstructed” by the Republicans who, as the minority party, aren’t being good boys and girls and allowing the big kids to take over the playground. But it wasn’t too long ago that the Democrats were in the minority, and obstruction was the word of the day. Reid seems to have forgotten one of the cardinal rules in Congress: stop the other party from getting their legislation through. It was okay when he was one of the Huns at the castle gate, but now that he’s sitting in the throne room, he doesn’t enjoy the sound of the battering ram.

Click here for the whole thing.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 07:46 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | FSM

December 18, 2007

I've Been CHRISTmas Tagged!

Aaron said, "Tag, you're it!" So here goes:

1. Wrapping or gift bags?

Depends on the gift; I like paper, but bags are better for some items.

2. Real or artificial tree?

As a kid, we had fake trees until my parents divorced and my mother remarried...my stepfather is a real tree fan. I now prefer a real tree, but a couple of years ago informed hubby that I was tired of the yearly arguments that would invariably break out when choosing, lugging home, and struggling to put up the real tree. This way I only have to nag him to get it down from the attic; the girls and I can handle it from there.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving, but no later than two weeks before.

4. When do you take the tree down?

New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?

A cup or two is fine, but I am not crazed about it. And no booze, please; I have a very low alcohol tolerance and don't like to make a fool of myself in front of the relatives.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

My Easy Bake Oven.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

No.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I can't remember...perhaps I blocked the terrible memory?

9. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?

Mail, but I have gotten worse and worse about getting them out in a timely fashion; as of this writing, none have gone out this year. Bad, Pam, bad!

10. Favorite Christmas movie?

A Christmas Story, followed closely by Trading Places (that Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy classic)

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

A couple of weeks before...and usually right before (but not including) Christmas Eve.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

I have to pick a favorite? I love everything (and my waistline proves it). Okay, um...turnips, because we usually only have them at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Colored.

14. Favorite Christmas song?

Gloria In Excelsis Deo

I TAG:

Wyatt Earp
Reverse Vampyr
Kris

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

christmas_markets.jpg

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:59 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0) | Holiday

December 14, 2007

CNN To Air New Youssif Documentary Christmas Eve

I am not always kind to CNN, but I like to give credit where it's due. As you know, the network brought public attention to little Youssif, an Iraqi boy who became horribly disfigured earlier this year when thugs doused him in gasoline and set him afire when he was playing outside his Baghdahd home.

Since then, Youssif and his family were flown to the United States so he could receive all-expenses paid medical treatment from the Children's Burn Foundation in Sherman Oaks, California. (My previous Youssif posts can be found here and here.)

Now, CNN is planning to air a documentary on Christmas Eve called "Impacting Your World -- Rescuing Youssif." From the press release I received today:

Born in Baghdad only seven months before the start of the war in Iraq, Youssif knew only a world of unpredictable violence. And yet, his family described him as happy and energetic with dreams of becoming a doctor. All that changed in January when three masked assailants doused Youssif in gasoline, set him on fire and left a scarred and traumatized boy.

Rescuing Youssif, the first television special related to CNN’s ongoing “Impact Your World” initiative, not only documents Youssif’s recovery but reveals how the network’s global audience embraced the story and offered money and support to speed his treatment. "Impact Your World – Rescuing Youssif" will premiere on Monday, Dec. 24, at 10 p.m., with replays on Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 1a.m. and 4 a.m. All times Eastern.

CNN’s Baghdad correspondent Arwa Damon first brought the story of Youssif’s plight to the world in August, reporting that treatment at a local hospital was second-rate and painful for Youssif. Youssif’s mother, Zaineb, movingly described how the dynamic personality of her son took a disheartening turn. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on Youssif’s medical progress and provides insight into his emotional and physical recovery.

Response from CNN’s global audience was immediate and overwhelming. Online, the story became the single most-visited non-breaking news story in CNN.com’s 12-year history, with nearly 4 million page views within two days.

News of Youssif’s plight surfaced two months after CNN developed its Impact Your World initiative, a multi-platform effort to empower its global audience to make a difference in response to the stories they see online and on air. Through Impact Your World, more than 13,000 people from around the world contributed more than $300,000 to the Children’s Burn Foundation, allowing Youssif and his family to fly to the United States for treatment.

In addition, plastic surgeon Peter Grossman donated his services for the half dozen or more surgeries Youssif required for recovery. For Rescuing Youssif, Damon and Gupta remained in close contact with Youssif’s family in order to monitor the boy’s medical progress at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles.

The documentary follows Youssif’s family as they experience a series of ‘firsts’ as they traveled and arrived in the United States, from learning how to use a toaster to seeing the ocean for the first time. It shows a Youssif breaking out of his shell and becoming, once again, a happy and energetic boy. And it reveals the generosity and concern of thousands of CNN viewers and online users.

The media using its force for good is something I am always happy to promote.

Youssif

On the road to recovery...

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Posted by Pam Meister at 03:15 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Good News

David Hazinski: 'Citizen Journalism' is a Bad Thing

David Hazinski, a former NBC correspondent and associate professor of telecommunications and head of broadcast news at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism, has a bone to pick: he believes "citizen journalism" is dangerous.

We must protect the children!

Using scare quotes all througout the Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed, Hazinski worries that without "education, skill and standards," everyday hacks will ruin all that has been achieved by "trusted professionals" and create gossip, not headlines.

So without any real standards, anyone has a right to declare himself or herself a journalist. Major media outlets also encourage it. Citizen journalism allows them to involve audiences, and it is a free source of information and video. But it is also ripe for abuse.

CNN's last YouTube Republican debate included a question from a retired general who is on Hillary Clinton's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender steering committee. False Internet rumors about Sen. Barack Obama attending a radical Muslim school became so widespread that CNN and other news agencies did stories debunking the rumors. There are literally hundreds of Internet hoaxes and false reports passed off as true stories, tracked by sites such as snopes.com.

Hoaxes and gullible people existed well before the Internet. Ever hear of Piltdown Man, the Loch Ness Monster, or receive a chain letter?

Hazinski obviously didn't get the memo that the professionals at CNN failed to vet General Keith Kerr to see if he had any political affiliations (or ignored the results of said vetting) not only before they used his YouTube question on air, but also before they paid to have him fly out, set him up in a hotel, and seated him strategically in the audience and gave him more microphone time than some of the candidates -- and for what? To make the Republican candidates look as though they hate gays? That was the impression I got. Seeing Bill Bennett inform Anderson Cooper of Kerr's Clinton campaign association live, on-air, was one of the sweetest moments in recent television history.

There are so many other "professional" journalism scandals I could list: CNN's Eason Jordan admitting they softened the news coming out of Iraq so Saddam Hussein wouldn't kick them out of Baghdad; Jayson Blair's fake reporting for the New York Times; Dan Rather's "fake but accurate" TANG documents; enhanced and/or fake photos by the likes of Reuters (dubbed "fauxtography" in the blogosphere)...need I go on?

Just as hoaxes and gullible people existed before the Internet, so did unscrupulous news reporters.

Glenn Reynolds, Bryan Preston, Chuck Simmins and Bill Quick have all given this topic the once over; head over to their sites to see what they have to say.

I would like to close with this:

Neither Thomas Paine nor Benjamin Franklin were "professional journalists." And they did a heck of a lot more for our country than people the likes of Walter Cronkite, Chris Matthews, Dan Rather -- or David Hazinksi ever will.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 07:47 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) | MSM

December 13, 2007

Fred Thompson Rocks at Des Moines Debate

Seeing as it was on during the day, I couldn't watch the Des Moines Register Republican debate yesterday, but I've seen the highlight clips and read the reviews, and from what I can see, Fred Thompson absolutely kicked butt. Will it be enough to give him a much-needed surge? I don't know, but I'm thrilled that he gave such a great performance. He was funny, engaging and specific about his stance on the issues.

His "no hand shows" quip about the global warming question has been compared to Ronald Reagan's "I'm paying for this micophone" comment during a debate in New Hampshire during the 1980 campaign. Reagan recollected: "I may have won the debate, the primary - and the nomination -- right there." True for Fred? Again, time will tell.

FRedStates.com created a video with audio clips and photo stills from yesterday, combined with commentary from such conservative luminaries as Rich Lowry, Dean Barnett and Mark Hemingway. Enjoy!


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Posted by Pam Meister at 04:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Fred!

Some Free Advice for Hillary Clinton's Campaign

As First Lady, Hillary! wasn't very popular. Compare opinion polls from the majority of her "first ladyship" with that of Laura Bush and you'll see what I mean.

But a funny thing happened: Monicagate.

Although he'd had numerous affairs before, the Monica Lewinsky scandal happened in the White House, and Hillary! was shamed by her husband enjoying the charms of a young 20-something. (At the time, Hillary was in her 50s.)

Suddenly, her poll numbers began to rise. People felt sorry for the poor, belaguered wife who had suffered so much at the hands of her philandering husband. Her meddling in federal affairs (i.e. Hillarycare) was forgotten, and Hillary! became everyone's favorite martyr. This trend carried into her Senate campaign: she trailed behind rival Rick Laszlo in the polls until he approached her podium during the debate and "menaced" her. Poor thing...another man treating her, the fragile flower, badly. That debate caused her to surge in the polls and the rest is history.

My free advice? Bill needs to get caught in flagrante delicto -- the younger the gal the better. I guarantee a bounce for the Clinton campaign.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 02:48 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) | 2008

Waterboarding: 'Surfing' For the Truth

My article about waterboarding should get the usual knickers in a twist:

Lest we forget, Saddam Hussein was one of the pioneers in the art of modern torture. His minions indulged in the quaint practices of cutting out tongues with razors, tossing dissidents into plastic shredders, public beheadings and the infamous rape rooms. Yet we were wrong to depose him because Iraq was, er, “more stable” under his brutal rule, right?

But let’s get back to waterboarding. As the confirmation hearings for Michael B. Mukasey as attorney general loomed back in October, Democrats and some Republicans indicated that unless he denounced “waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques” they would oppose him. (Despite his refusal to “categorically” define waterboarding as toture, Mukasey was confirmed by a 53-40 vote.)

The entire read is here.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 06:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | FSM

December 12, 2007

Quote of the Day

"Conservatives have a strong Libertarian branch and recognize the intrinsic value of a human being beyond image. This is why conservatives will always choose substance over silliness. Ronald Reagan over Ron Paul." ~ Matt Sanchez, in an interview with John Hawkins of Right Wing News.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 12:29 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Quote of the Day

Question of the Day

A loving couple, or a couple of conspirators?

Billary.bmp

This photo accompanies an article about Bill's concern over Hillary's derailing campaign, and the different ideas he's considering in order to revitalize it.

Alarmed by his wife's slide in the polls and disarray within her backbiting campaign, a beside-himself Bill Clinton has leaped atop the barricades and is furiously plotting a cure - or coup.

Obama has Oprah. Who does Hillary have besides Bill, someone who perhaps more than his "long-suffering" spouse wants desperately to get back behind the wheel.

Maybe the ladies of "The View" would oblige?

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Posted by Pam Meister at 11:36 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Politics

December 11, 2007

Which Came First: The Intellectual or the Leader?

My piece over at American Thinker today:

Now obviously George Bush is not running for office again, but I use him as an example because so much emphasis has been put on the "smart" vs. the "dumb" candidate -- "dumb" being equivalent to President Bush. When you realize that an entire industry has sprung up around Bush's "inferior" intellect, with numerous books, calendars, and other items for sale that impugn his IQ (and focusing largely on his propensity for mispronouncing words like "nuclear"), he's an obvious choice for discussion. (What will these entrepreneurs do when President Bush leaves office on January 20, 2009?)


If being smart was the only qualification for being a leader, one would assume from his treatment in the media that George Bush should never have gotten near the Oval Office...

The whole thing is here.

UPDATE: I received a lot of feedback from readers, most of it positive. However, I did get an indignant e-mail from a professor at the University of Wisconsin (in the engineering department). I will not reprint his name or e-mail here, since while he was condescending, he was not outright rude, nor was his message of a threatening nature (like some others I have read of). Here is the text of his message:

I see that you have joined the ranks of easy answers and offer more spoon fed ideology to the masses. Really schools produce anti-capitalist feelings among intellectuals? I teach at the University of Wisconsin, considered liberal, and we have more CEOs amongst our graduates than Harvard; and I believe and know some of them who qualify as intellectuals--how to explain that? Those verbal skills that you say shape entitlement are rarely graded; instead merit is usually determined through extensive writing, or testing and now more often in our college through product design and competitions.
But to some extent you are right, it is the intellectuals in IT who pointed out how the last elections were manipulated by touch screen voting, and it was the intellectuals in the pentagon who pointed out we needed more troops in Iraq, and it is the intellectuals in my class who I teach to be skeptical of all claims that are going on to lead us into a new and technically rich society.

My response:

Then by your implication, George W. Bush is an intellectual because he received his MBA at Harvard. Why didn't I see that before?

You seem to have missed the entire point of my article. I can't remember the last times CEOs, IT professionals and the like, as a group, were classified as intellectuals by the "great thinkers" of our time. That's not to say they are incapable of intelligent thought -- quite the contrary! Yet these thinkers, as you describe them, put a higher value on the end result than the "intellectual process." This is what distinguishes them from those who consider themselves to be intellectuals, i.e. philosphers, lecturers, and so on.

I do not mean to imply that there is no place for intellectuals in society. They provide a much-needed perspective on many things. I merely point out that "book smarts" alone do not necessarily make a great leader.

Thanks for writing.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 11:16 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0) | American Thinker

December 10, 2007

My Interview with Rep. Sue Myrick

Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) is the founder of the House Anti-Terrorism/Jihad Caucus. I had the opportunity to talk to her on the phone last week, and the transcript and audio of that conversation are both over at Family Security Matters. Click here.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 10:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | FSM

December 09, 2007

The Freedom's Watch Ads NBC Deems Too "Political"

"We support the troops but not the war." Leftists are full of it, especially those at NBC.

Although, according to MM, Drudge reports that they may be bowing to public pressure. We'll see. (MM also passes on the link reporting that the lawyer who said "no" to the ads is a major Democrat donor. You don't say?)

What leftwing media bias?

In the meantime, enjoy:

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Posted by Pam Meister at 10:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | MSM

Pelosi OK With Waterboarding in 2002

Just a few short years ago, Nancy Pelosi (among others) was briefed by the CIA on waterboarding, then a new technique designed to wrangle information out of terror suspects in custody.

With one known exception, no formal objections were raised by the lawmakers briefed about the harsh methods during the two years in which waterboarding was employed, from 2002 to 2003, said Democrats and Republicans with direct knowledge of the matter. The lawmakers who held oversight roles during the period included Pelosi and Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and Sens. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), as well as Rep. Porter J. Goss (R-Fla.) and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan).

Individual lawmakers' recollections of the early briefings varied dramatically, but officials present during the meetings described the reaction as mostly quiet acquiescence, if not outright support. "Among those being briefed, there was a pretty full understanding of what the CIA was doing," said Goss, who chaired the House intelligence committee from 1997 to 2004 and then served as CIA director from 2004 to 2006. "And the reaction in the room was not just approval, but encouragement."

As Glenn Reynolds says,

Lots of people who were talking tough back then subsequently changed their tunes -- out of either a sudden flowering of scruples or an unprincipled desire to go after the Bush Administration with any weapon that came to hand. But, you know, if you're going to say "it was different back then," it really has to be more than just an all-purpose excuse for politicians.

What a difference a majority (and a presidential election) makes...

Via Instapundit on a tip from husband-dude

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Politics

December 07, 2007

When Racism Isn't

A fireman in Boston was set upon by thugs -- beaten up and stabbed. Fortunately he's recovering. The fireman, who happens to be white, was attacked by Hispanics who said during the attack that they "don't want any gringo here."

(Of course, if gringos are the ones who are expected to put out the fire in that neighborhood, they'd better get there PDQ.)

That racism is alive and well doesn't surprise me, sadly. Neither does this:

...police are not classifying the incident as racially fueled...

The double standard that exists in our nation today is appalling. White perp, victim of color? Hate crime. Other way around? Just an ordinary crime, not worthy of special attention.

To me, the notion of "hate crimes" is preposterous, because the laws that exist cover assault, murder, etc., no matter what the color of your skin, where you came from, what religion you observe or, these days, who you sleep with. But when so-called "hate crime statutes" do exist and they are only enacted when a certain someone is the victim, well, that gets my blood boiling. It's obvious that they exist soley to "make whitey pay" for any and all past injustices. This is what's called "social justice," and it's rubbish.

h/t: Moonbattery

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Today is Pearl Harbor Day

It was 66 years ago today, on a peaceful Sunday morning, that a surprise Japanese airstrike decimated the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,400 Americans. It was this act that brought America into the raging battles of World War II. You can read more about that fateful day here.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, limousine liberal though he was, was a true American patriot and a strong leader when we needed it most. Here is the full text one of his most famous speeches, given the day after the attack, asking Congress to declare war on Japan:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

***

The Greatest Generation indeed. This generation could learn a thing or two from them: resourcefulness, pride and love of country, bravery and self-sacrifice.

Never forget.

Others marking the day: Charles, Wyatt, ThirdWaveDave, Andrea, Reverse Vampyr, Gayle, Jenn...

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The USS Arizona during the Pearl Harbor attack

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The USS Arizona Memorial today

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:00 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0) | History

December 06, 2007

An Important Message from Brad Pitt

It's an exclusive over at Support Your Local Gunfighter. Wyatt has the interview no one else got, not even Baba Wawa or Larry King.

My generous-ness also knows no bounds when it comes to being a father. Look at me while I buy, er, adopt, another less fortunate child. And everyone knows that less fortunate children are the best kind. We could have adopted an American kid, but it's fashionable to adopt one from one of those loser countries. Brad Pitt is nothing if not fashionable. I mean, look at this Jeff cap: it cost $5,000!

Read it all HERE!

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Posted by Pam Meister at 05:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Humor

Code Pink's Fun-Filled Pakistan Adventure

My column over at Family Security Matters today:

Let me get this straight: For decades now, not only has Medea Benjamin not only been embarrassed to be an American, but she has actively participated in events that one might term seditious, or even treasonous. Suddenly, when faced with a situation where her civil rights and her personal safety really were at stake, she reminds us that she didn’t come to serious harm because she has the protection of being a U.S. citizen and – gasp – imagine the horrors the citizens of the other country must be experiencing!

Read it all here...

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Posted by Pam Meister at 08:20 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | FSM

December 05, 2007

Billy Jeff: Media Shortchanging Hillary

That's the gist of his speech at a New Hampshire campaign stop yesterday:

During a campaign stop on behalf of his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former president said he can't understand why so much of the media coverage of the campaign ignores her experience—and, without naming him, the relative lack of experience of her closest Democratic rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

"One percent of the press coverage was devoted to their record in public life. No wonder people think experience is irrelevant. A lot of the people covering the race think it is (irrelevant)," Clinton said to students at Keene State College.

Clinton referenced a study from the Project for Excellence in Journalism that indicated much of the coverage of the race is dominated by daily horse race reporting rather than about policy issues.

Well, if Mrs. Clinton's campaign wouldn't hand deliver silly topics to cover like essays Barack Obama wrote in elementary school about wanting to be president -- like no young child has ever before wanted "to be president when I grow up" -- then maybe we could all focus on policy.

But then, policy is exactly what would scare voters away. Mrs. Clinton may say she's all about being a moderate, but anyone who takes a look at her record -- and I mean her entire record, not just the past six or seven years in the Senate -- would know that she's all about creating a socialist state where individual choice and personal responsibility (the cornerstone of our society) would go the way of the dodo.

And, as my friend Tim B. pointed out, if the media were to cover her record better, Mrs. Clinton might end up in jail!

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:20 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Say NO to Hillary!

December 03, 2007

'Twas the Month Before Christmas

Mark D. sent this poem along...it reflects my feelings quite adequately.

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas -- no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say,
December 25th is just a "Holiday."

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing other folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X-BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Target was hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears,
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say:

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(Related: a list of "important days in December" as per the Spokane public schools.)

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Posted by Pam Meister at 02:16 PM | Comments (29) | TrackBack (0) | Holiday

December 01, 2007

When Adults Regress: A Story of Childish Revenge

My commentary on a very sad case over at American Thinker today:

Like many girls that age, Megan ended a friendship with a girl who lived just four houses away from her. This is not unusual. During the teenage years, friendships often come and go. I remember being "best friends" with a girl during eighth grade, only to find in ninth grade that I had been replaced by someone else. I was hurt at the time but got over it, as most girls do.


But according to accounts in the St. Charles Journal and the New York Times, the mother of the former friend, Lori Drew, decided to "mess with Megan."

Read the rest here.

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Posted by Pam Meister at 09:19 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | American Thinker


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