Most would recognize the theme song for the popular television series "Band Of Brothers" but many don't know the songs title is "Requiem For A Soldier" and it has very moving lyrics. Katherine Jenkins has a beautiful voice and sings the song in the following video.
Katherine Jenkins - Requiem for a Soldier
You never lived to see What you gave to me One shining dream of hope and love Life and liberty
With a host of brave unknown soldiers For your company, you will live forever Here in our memory
In fields of sacrifice Heroes paid the price Young men who died for old men's wars Gone to paradise
We are all one great band of brothers And one day you'll see we can live together When all the world is free
I wish you'd lived to see All you gave to me Your shining dream of hope and love Life and liberty
We are all one great band of brothers And one day you'll see - we can live together When all the world is free
Eric Holder told Congress he had all the confidence in the world with security for the trial of 9/11 terrorists in New York City. Lets hope the same people in charge of White House security are not involved!
Tareq and MichaeleSalahi crashed Tuesday's state dinner at the White House. They were cleared by security. One picture is worth a thousand words!
Holder might want to rethink his opinion that the 9/11 trials pose no security risk.
I want to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. May you, your family, and loved ones enjoy the holiday. Also I want to extend my profound gratitude and thanks to all those serving in our military, especially to those men and women serving away from home and to those in Afghanistan and Iraq. May the Lord bless and keep you safe.
Former Marine Nick Popaditch, aka the Cigar Marine, is running for the Republican nomination to challange the incumbent Democrat in the California 51st Congressional race for 2010. He needs your support. The district is heavily Democratic and he faces an uphill struggle but this Marine is one tough opponent. This man is a true war hero, not some "Swift Boat" wannabe. His slogan, "A Marines word is his bond", says it all.
He gained national popularity when he was photographed atop his tank turret smoking a cigar at the fall of Baghdad. Later in the war he was seriously wounded at the Battle of Fallujah, where he almost lost his life and ended up losing an eye.
He later published a book "Once A Marine" describing his experience. It is an inspiring story. He is a dynamic speaker and should have no problem in the political arena. If he makes it to Capitol Hill it could be the best thing to happen out on the 'Left Coast' in years. As for the hand ringing liberals in Congress, the words of George C. Scott from the movie "Patton" come to mind, "I pity the poor bastards, I really do."
Go to Popaditch For Congress and read about the man and make a donation in any amount to his campaign. Your support can help take back our country in 2010.
Here is a basic comparison on both bills from the House and Senate. The information was obtained from the AP. The Senate Democratic bill, (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), and The House bill, (Affordable Health Care for America Act). These are the versions that will be presented and debated and rolled into one huge cluster f--k to the American people. Pay attention to COST and HOW IT'S PAID FOR. These estimates will never hold true in real world application. NOTHING THE GOVERNMENT DOES PAYS FOR ITSELF! YOU THE TAXPAYER WILL BE STUCK WITH IT DOWN THE ROAD! THEIR MANAGEMENT RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF! ANY TRUE AMERICAN WILL OPPOSE THIS, ANY GOOD SOCIALIST WILL LOVE IT!
WHO'S COVERED SENATE: About 94 percent of legal residents under age 65 -- compared with 83 percent now. Government subsidies to help buy coverage start in 2014. Illegal immigrants would not receive assistance.
HOUSE: About 96 percent of legal residents under age 65 -- compared with 83 percent now. Government subsidies to help buy coverage start in 2013. About one-third of the remaining 18 million people under age 65 left uninsured would be illegal immigrants.
COST SENATE: Coverage provisions cost $849 billion over 10 years.
HOUSE: The Congressional Budget Office says the bill's cost of expanding insurance coverage over 10 years is $1.055 trillion. The net cost is $894 billion, factoring in penalties on individuals and employers who don't comply with new requirements. That's under President Barack Obama's $900 billion goal. However, those figures leave out a variety of new costs in the bill, including increased prescription drug coverage for seniors under Medicare, so the measure may be around $1.2 trillion.
HOW IT'S PAID FOR SENATE: Fees on insurance companies, drug makers, medical device manufacturers. Medicare payroll tax increased to 1.95 percent on income over $200,000 a year for individuals; $250,000 for couples. New 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Excise tax on insurance companies, keyed to premiums paid on health care plans costing more than $8,500 annually for individuals and $23,000 for families. Fees on employers whose workers receive government subsidies to help them pay premiums. Fines on people who fail to purchase coverage.
HOUSE: $460 billion over the next decade from new income taxes on single people making more than $500,000 a year and couples making more than $1 million. The original House bill taxed individuals making $280,000 a year and couples making more than $350,000, but the threshold was increased in response to lawmakers' concerns that the taxes would hit too many people and small businesses.
REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS SENATE: Almost everyone must get coverage through an employer, on their own or through a government plan. Exemptions for economic hardship. Those who are obligated to buy coverage and refuse to do so would pay a fine starting at $95 in 2014 and rising to $750
HOUSE: Individuals must have insurance, enforced through a tax penalty of 2.5 percent of income. People can apply for hardship waivers if coverage is unaffordable.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS SENATE: Not required to offer coverage, but medium and large companies would pay a fee if the government ends up subsidizing employees' coverage.
HOUSE: Employers must provide insurance to their employees or pay a penalty of 8 percent of payroll. Companies with payrolls under $500,000 annually are exempt -- a change from the original $250,000 level to accommodate concerns of moderate Democrats -- and the penalty is phased in for companies with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000. Small businesses -- those with 10 or fewer workers -- get tax credits to help them provide coverage.
SUBSIDIES SENATE: Tax credits for individuals and families likely making up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which computes to $88,200 for a family of four. Tax credits for small employers.
HOUSE: Individuals and families with annual income up to 400 percent of poverty level, or $88,000 for a family of four, would get sliding-scale subsidies to help them buy coverage. The subsidies would begin in 2013.
BENEFITS PACKAGE SENATE: All plans sold to individuals and small businesses would have to cover basic benefits. The government would set four levels of coverage: The least generous would pay an estimated 60 percent of health care costs per year; the most generous would cover an estimated 90 percent.
HOUSE: A committee would recommend a so-called essential benefits package including preventive services. Out-of pocket costs would be capped. The new benefit package would be the basic benefit package offered in the exchange.
HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE SENATE: Self-employed people, uninsured individuals and small businesses could pick a plan offered through new state-based purchasing pools. Employees would be generally encouraged to keep their work-provided coverage.
HOUSE: Beginning in 2013 through a new Health Insurance Exchange open to individuals and, initially, small employers. It could be expanded to large employers over time. States could opt to operate their own exchanges in place of the national exchange if they follow federal rules.
INSURANCE INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS SENATE: Starting in 2014: no denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions. No higher premiums allowed for pre-existing conditions or gender. Limits on higher premiums based on age and family size. Starting upon enactment of legislation: children up to age 26 can stay on parents insurance; no lifetime limits on coverage.
HOUSE: Starting in 2013, no denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions. No higher premiums allowed for pre-existing conditions or gender. Limits on higher premiums based on age.
GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN SENATE: A new federal insurance plan would be offered to compete against private carriers. The government would negotiate -- not dictate -- payment rates for medical providers. Unlike the House bill, states could opt out of the plan. It's not clear the proposal commands enough votes to survive, and it could be replaced by a standby system pushed by moderates that would not go into effect until it was clear individual states were experiencing a lack of competition among private companies.
HOUSE: A new public plan available through the insurance exchanges would be set up and run by the secretary of Health and Human Services. Democrats originally designed the plan to pay Medicare rates plus 5 percent to doctors. But the final version -- preferred by moderate lawmakers -- would let the HHS secretary negotiate rates with providers.
CHANGES TO MEDICAID SENATE: Income eligibility levels likely to be standardized to 133 percent of poverty, which is $29,327 a year for a family of four, for all parents, children and pregnant women. Federal government would pick up the full cost of the expansion during the first three years. States could negotiate with insurers to arrange coverage for people with incomes slightly higher than the cutoff for Medicaid.
HOUSE: The federal-state insurance program for the poor would be expanded to cover all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $33,075 per year for a family of four. The federal government would pick up the full cost of the expansion in 2013 and 2014; thereafter the federal government would pay 91 percent and states would pay 9 percent.
DRUGS SENATE: Grants 12 years of market protection to high-tech drugs used to combat cancer, Parkinson's and other deadly diseases. Drug companies contribute $80 billion over 10 years with the majority of the money used to limit the prescription coverage gap in Medicare.
HOUSE: Grants 12 years of market protection to high-tech drugs used to combat cancer, Parkinson's and other deadly diseases. Phases out the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage by 2019. Requires the HHS secretary to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
LONG-TERM CARE SENATE: New voluntary long-term care insurance program would provide a basic benefit designed to help seniors and disabled people avoid going into nursing homes.
HOUSE: New voluntary long-term care insurance program would provide a basic benefit designed to help seniors and disabled people avoid going into nursing homes.
ANTITRUST SENATE: Amendment expected to be offered on the Senate floor to strip the health insurance industry of its antitrust exemption.
HOUSE: Would strip the health insurance industry of a long-standing exemption from antitrust laws covering market allocation, price-fixing and bid rigging. The bill also would give the Federal Trade Commission authority to look into the health insurance industry at its own initiative.
The passage of this bill will set a dangerous precedent and lead us into financial ruin. The liberal stranglehold on this country may soon be broken but the aftermath will be similar to a nuclear blast. This is truly 'weapons grade stupidity'.
On October 19, 2008, Joe Biden, speaking in Seattle, Washington told us about Obama being tested in his first six months of office by some foreign power. According to Biden it would be a crisis and some very tough decisions would have to be made. It was obvious that Biden was trying to convince the public that Obama could hold his own in the arena of foreign affairs.
Well six months have come and gone and thank God we haven't had anything like the Cuban Missile Crisis from the JFK era. Given the inability of the President to reach a decision on troop levels and a continued course of action in Afghanistan; had he been confronted with the same situation as John Kennedy, you can bet that every Cuban would be using a missile in his front lawn as a yard ornament.
Delay and indecision only further endanger our troops and embolden our enemy. The worst course of action is no action. Mr. President, your concern about escalating the war in Afghanistan seems to have more to do with how the Nobel Peace Prize Committee would react than doing what's right for our troops and the country. Procrastination will only lead to disaster and then you will have a true crisis on your hands.
Just as in the Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, Obama has shot the albatross and it will be a curse upon the Democrats for 2010 and into the 2012 election.
The albatross is a bird of the sea that is accustomed to following sailing ships. Sailors consider them good luck. In the poem, the Mariner shoots the albatross with a cross bow and kills it. The sailors fearing a curse upon them force the mariner to wear the albatross around his neck in hopes of warding off a curse of impending disaster. It fails and they are doomed. They all perish at sea, all except the Mariner.
President Obama's decision to move the trial of captured terrorist suspects, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to civil court will become the albatross around his neck and will spell disaster for him and his Democratic Party. By granting the defendants the right to trial by jury in civil court he has afforded them all the rights and privileges of an American citizen. He is treating enemy combatants, war criminals to be more exact, that were caught on the field of battle, as law breaking individuals, deserving of due process of the law and their day in court. The logistics and preparation for such a trial alone are ridiculous when you consider they are already in a very secure prison at Guantanamo with a military court facility in place to proceed with a full military tribunal. Instead we bring them back to New York in some liberal, symbolic gesture to be tried. All so the ACLU and the liberal left can have their politically correct, televised court trial. Before this ill concived show is over they will be putting America on trial and giving terrorists a platform to spew their hatred of infidels across the airwaves. It is totally unnecessary and places a burden on the civilian court system along with additional work loads to those providing safety and security, not to mention the risks involving national security. This will go down as one of the most monumental Presidential blunders in history and just as the Mariner had to watch as each of his shipmates died, so to will Obama watch as his majority in Congress dwindles in 2010.
Obama speaks of the twisted logic ingrained in the Muslims that carry out these acts, (he won't call them terrorists), and yet this decision is a prime example of twisted logic...his own! He has managed to take the most devastating attack on American soil in recent times and turn it into a political circus. Welcome the new Barnum and Bailey of our time, Obama and Holder. Sadly this trial will linger in the spotlight for years, making closure impossible, bringing more heartbreak and sorrow to those who lost loved ones in the attacks. As for the Democrats, the public will remember who brought the circus to town.
Eventually the Mariner and his ship were engulfed by a huge whirlpool and the ship was lost. As for the Mariner and his fate? He alone was the lone survivor and it was he who was responsible for the deaths of so many when he shot the albatross. His curse was to spend the rest of his life wandering the land telling his sad tale of woe, and so it will be for Obama by the end of 2012. He will wander, telling his tale of woe, how he was cheated of greatness, and just like any hardened liberal, try to invoke compassion and tears among his listeners...then blame it all on conservatives.
Thank you and may God bless each and every one of you for your service to our country. May we also pray for those who did not return and trust that God is watching over them, knowing that they died for their country and in the name of freedom. Also we should pray for the brave men and women still serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, fighting to keep our country safe and secure.
There is absolutely no excuse for anyone enjoying the freedoms this country provides for not taking a moment from their busy day to pause and give thanks to those who have helped to provide all we enjoy in this great country, America.
The quote, "We love death more than you love life" was the last bullet point in a presentation given by Major Nidal Hasan entitled, "The Koranic World View As It Relates to Muslims in the U.S. Military."
According to The Washington Post, Major Nidal Malik Hasan was supposed to make a presentation on a medical topic during his senior year as a psychiatric resident at Walter Reed Medical Center. Instead, Hasan lectured his supervisors and two dozen mental health staff members on Islam, homicide bombings and threats the military could encounter from Muslims conflicted about fighting against other Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan.
That presentation alone should have been more than enough to question Major Hasan on fitness for duty in the military. Red flags were raised but apparently in the name of political correctness warnings were ignored. Major Hasan continued his radical Muslim rants at Fort Hood, Texas and last week we saw the results of what happens when political correctness takes precedence over common sense and logic.
Plain, pure, and simple, a terrorist attack occurred. One mans private jihad brought on by his radical teachings and beliefs. "Allahu Akbar" the signature cry of the homicidal Muslim terrorist was shouted by Major Hasan as he gunned down innocent soldiers and civilians on base and methodically reloaded to continue his killing spree.
Once the news was out the forces of political correctness began to go into operation. From the top, the White House warned against jumping to conclusions. The FBI hastily issued a statement that it was not an act of terrorism. All of this before the shooters name was released to the public. Once the name was released people began to draw their own conclusions and in light of all the information that is surfacing, their conclusions were correct. This is the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11 and it happened on President Obama's watch. They won't admit it or claim any responsibility and liberals can call it what they want, blame it on the war, pre-deployment stress, or even the ludicrous assumption as Chicago's Mayor Daley has asserted, lack of gun control. It is what it is! A terrorist act carried out by a crazed, radical, Muslim. Worst of all it happened on one of our military bases at home.
There should be a banner unfurled in both houses of Congress as well as on the White House lawn that says, "WE LOVE DEATH MORE THAN YOU LOVE LIFE", a constant reminder to the liberals in power of the consequences brought about by their political correctness and dilution of our resolve to prosecute the War On Terror. Their efforts at "sensitivity training" need to be redirected toward the survivors and relatives of those who lost loved ones in the attack. This administration has done nothing to strengthen our national security and everything to weaken it. The attack was successful and they have a hand in this tragedy.
We are now fighting an Overseas Contingency Operation, not a War on Terror. Terrorists are referred to as depraved individuals. Closing Guantanamo, investigating the CIA, allowing the the House Speaker to accuse the CIA of lying to her and Congress without basis. They are dismantling the Patriot Act and voted to allow the option of prosecuting 9/11 terrorists in civil court. While our enemies grow stronger and more emboldened we are becoming weaker. They sense a melting of our resolve and are using it to their advantage.
The administration says don't jump to conclusions, we need all the facts. They need time to formulate an excuse and to cover for an administration to weak to admit they are wrong. Will this to be blamed on President Bush? Perhaps after reviewing all the facts we will know. However, there's one fact they can't ignore. That would be the last bullet point in Major Hasan's presentation, "We Love Death More Than You Love Life"
If the Obama Administration has their way Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be headed to Federal Court and tried as a criminal in our judicial system, affording him all rights the Constitution allows. This would mean all information, including intelligence that was gathered would be turned over to his lawyers and made public. Terrorists do not deserve this right and should be tried by the military. The Graham Amendment will see to that. Since the Administration will not come out and say they support the position for a military tribunal then The Graham Amendment needs to be passed. Go to "Keep America Safe" and read the amendment and the letter signed by 9/11 family members that accompanies it. We cannot allow this to happen.
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the families of the victims in this terrible tragedy. The thoughts and prayers of many are with you. This senseless act leaves me at a loss for words which would offer any comfort. I can only say, may God be with you in your time of mourning and remembrance of the loved ones lost.
Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democrats in the House are about to pass possibly the worst piece of legislation ever to come out of Washington and force it on the general public of America. The 2009 House version of Health Care Reform for the country. Take note of the word reform, because it actually means takeover, as in government takeover of the health care industry.
This is the bill from Hell! Almost 2000 pages of legislative language that glosses over, covers up, and side steps every major issue and concern that has been brought out in the debate. Will illegals be covered, are abortions paid for with federal dollars, will our rates go up, will we loose our current coverage? Medicare, Medicaid, will we loose benefits we enjoy now? Will I be forced to buy coverage by mandate from the government, against my constitutional rights? According to Pelosi, NO, NO, NO, and NO! How can you be sure she's telling the truth? Nancy says so, that's how. Like all good sheep, follow the Shepard. Never mind that you're being led to slaughter. This is way beyond big government and way beyond the comprehension of anyone in Congress. Once unleashed it will never be put back in the cage. It will continue to grow and feed on the taxpayers for generations to come, long after the supporters and proponents have left office.
How do I know it will be a bad bill? Because I believe in the Joe Wilson Theory:
The current House health care legislation states that members of Congress "may enroll" in the public plan. Wilson wants that changed to "must enroll." "If the public option is good enough for the American people, then it's certainly good enough for Congress," Wilson said. "If this government-run plan is so good, why don't members of Congress take the plan?"
A bit simplistic? Yes, but it doesn't take 2000 pages of mumbo-jumbo to explain it!
According to White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, the President was busy with other matters last night and wasn't really concerned with election results. Although one would find that hard to believe, in Obama's case it might be true. He has shown a remarkable ability to ignore events that surround him, tea parties, town halls, Afghanistan, to name a few. It's amazing how the Administration can wave off important events affecting the country in the same manner that Obama swatted a fly during an interview. Nonchalantly dismissing anything that doesn't go their way as unimportant.
Truth be known, Obama's ego suffered a terrible blow last night. The GOP win in Virginia was to be expected, but the defeat in New Jersey shows his Divine intervention and star power don't cut it with the voters as they did a short 12 months ago. There is no way he wasn't glued to the tube waiting to see if he still had that magical draw power to win over the electorate. He didn't have to wait long for the answer. The blow was struck but the ego was only shaken. The real test will come when Blue Dog Democrats hit the campaign trail in 2010 and how closely they align themselves with the President and his policies. We may get a glimpse of what's to come in the battle over health care and the environmental bills in Congress.
As for the GOP? The Democrats will take their victory in the New York 23rd as a sign that they still connect with the people and portray the Republicans as a party in turmoil. While there can be no doubt the RNCC shoulders much of the blame for Hoffman's loss, the race clearly showed that conservative values are still alive and well with voters and can carry candidates to victory.
If that campaign had Hoffman as the Republican candidate from the start we could have been looking at 3-0 this morning. The fact that Hoffman almost pulled it off is a very encouraging sign for 2010 and the GOP needs to look long and hard on who they choose to back in the future.
Robert Gibbs can put his best spin on this to the press but the truth is out there. The President may still be a popular guy. The kind of fellow you could have a beer with on the White House lawn, but his policies leave much to be desired by the public and no matter how they spin it, the results at the polls prove them wrong.
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