Honoring Soldiers this Memorial Day

As we take our time off work to enjoy the freedoms we have, let us not forget those that have come before us and given their lives in pursuit of that freedom. Let us also remember those serving right now in Iraq and across the world. As Lincoln said in his famous Gettysburg Address, "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." I would like to personally thank all the soldiers I know for their sacrifices.

Think-Tank gives Props to Bush

The London-based think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies is saying that Bush's policies of promoting democracy in Iraq and elsewhere look "increasingly effective. They even say the threat from terrorism abated slightly in 2004. Now don't expect this to get much press time from the MSM, but it's nice to hear some good news occasionally.

"Even though the Bush policy was bold, controversial and
sometimes divisive, his aggressive global agenda of promoting freedom, and
democracy appeared increasingly effective," the IISS said in its 384-page
"Strategic Survey 2004-05".

The Unrest in the Mid-West

IowaHawk is having a little fun with the Newsweek article and subsequent retraction. Read the whole thing, it's worth it!

Decorah, IA - The debris-strewn streets of this remote Midwestern hamlet
remain under a tense 24-hour curfew tonight, following weekend demonstrations by
rock- and figurine-throwing Lutheran farm wives that left over 200 people
injured and leveled the Whippy Dip dairy freeze. The rioting appeared to be
prompted, in part, by a report in Newsweek magazine claiming military guards at
Spirit Lake’s notorious Okoboji internment center had flushed lutefisk down
prison toilets. Newsweek’s late announcement of a retraction seems to have done
little to quell the inflamed passions of Lutheran insurgents in the region, as
outbreaks of violent mailbox bashings and cow tippings have been reported from
Bowbells, North Dakota to Pekin, Illinois.
Whether the violence was triggered
by Newsweek’s report of lutefisk desecration or frustration over chronic
shortages of Beanie Babies and Old Style, one thing seems certain – occupying
U.S. troops face a steep road to reestablish trust in this tinderbox of ancient
hatreds and delicious dairy products. Some analysts say the latest outbreak
represents the most vexing challenge to US strategy since its invasion the
region three years ago.
“It could be months before we get the area back
under control,” said Brigadier Gen. Glen Hastings of the US Army’s Southern
Minnesota Command. “We’re hoping the tractor pull and swap meet seasons will
help calm down some of the violent elements.”

Uchenna and Joyce Win!

After a season of cocky millionaires (Rob and Amber) and a bickering POW/Beauty Queen pair (Ron and Kelly), it was nice to see a really good couple receive such a deserving prize. If you're not a women you wouldn't understand, but after Joyce cut off all of her real hair (and cried like a baby) I was in their cheering sections for the rest of the show. Fighting back from loosing all their money and having to beg (humiliating) for money for the last leg of the race, Uchenna and Joyce overcame great odds to win. I've never been happier with the ending of a reality show since Trista picked Ryan in the "Bachelor". I am so hooked on the "Amazing Race".

Rise Up!

Who says college students only care about beer and frat parties. Students from several college campuses across the country are standing up for Bush's social security reforms. It seems that those who will be affected the most from reform (or lack there of) are getting off their futons and doing something. They're taking their marches to the doorsteps of the biggest lobbying group against reform of social security, the AARP.