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Bill Faith - "Aim High" My Friend
*** Update Sunday January 18, 2009 *** I should have added this link to Also to. Here are a whole bunch more:
Also, Bill's sister has requested donations be made to in lieu of flowers. Finally, I am unable to approve any comments left for Bill at other posts. Some of you already have posted elsewhere. If you wish to leave a comment for Bill please do so at this article, for which I am able to approve comments for. Thank You. ********************************************** It is with a saddened heart that I just heard from another Old War Dog, Zero Ponsdorf, that Michelle Malkin reported the death of Old War Dog founder and webmaster Bill Faith. I missed a couple of opportunities this year as I traveled through Southern Illinois, to stop and meet Bill in person. This is a mistake I will regret for the rest of my life. Through an electronic introduction from another Old War Dog, Jim Bartimus, I was introduced to Bill in July of 2005. It was then that Bill extended the invitation to join the Old War Dogs Blog, and it was the first type of anything in my adult lifetime I had ever joined. Bill could be cantankerous at times, often causing a bit of dissent among the ranks. But, I know that Bill’s life centered around two things: Old War Dogs and his Grandson. His Blogging and love of America, I can speak to. His abundant love for his daughter and grandson I will leave for others. Many years later, Bill and I discovered that I had preceded him into the Air Force by a mere week back in the summer of 1970, and that most of our time at Lackland AFB and afterward at Sheppard AFB, had overlapped. That’s where the similarity ended. Bill went on to serve in Vietnam, while I defended America from the frozen moonscapes of Alaska. I think it was our same age, military branch, and the fact that we were both Illinoisans, that caused Bill to always favor my writing and give it a little boost in the Blog position each day. In fact I was often embarrassed by the favoritism. Others, such as Russ Vaughn, JD Pendry, George “Rurik” Mellinger, William “1st Cav” Page and Zero Ponsdorf knew Bill longer and perhaps better than I, although most of us have been strangers to Old War Dogs for a couple of years now. A couple of years ago, Bill had entrusted the “keys” to the Old War Dogs Site with me and Russ Vaughn. I haven’t been in contact with Russ for some time, and I’m not sure how to proceed. Old War Dogs and Small Town Veteran were 100% Bill Faith. There is a part of me that says we should keep OWD going as a tribute to Bill, yet another that says it would only be a cheap imitation. As mentioned before, Russ and JD and perhaps a few others will have more to say on the topic. In closing, I simply want to say that Bill was a patriot, a loving father and grandfather, and a clear voice for veteran’s causes throughout the blogosphere. And for me personally, he was a friend and fellow Old War Dog. I will miss him. Mike Connelly |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 17, 2009 at 07:12 PM in , , , , , | | | |
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He's What?
I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you just how damn smart I am. I mean, if you ignore most of the blog articles I have ever written, and omit my predictions of John McCain being dead in the water for the 2008 presidential nomination, I would like to point back to my December 2006 article, . That is where, months before a majority of the country had ever heard the name Barack Obama and well before this witless shoe shine and a smile declared for the presidency, I, The Gray Dog, spelled out exactly how and why Obama would ascend not only to the Democrat nomination but to the presidency itself. I even accurately foretold of the influence and role the Oprah would play. Fast forward to today. What brilliance, what prescience, what clairvoyance! But, now my position as Oracle of the dogoshphere is being challenged. With memories of Jeremiah Wright still lingering, Obama flip-flopping as he stretches his scrawny pencil neck toward the center, Michelle snarling and snapping at everyone, a trait quadrupeds such as myself find very attractive and now, the Reverend Jesse Jackson accusing Obama of talking down to black people and threatening to cut his … well you’ve probably watched the tape by now, conventional wisdom tells us this could be a close race and McCain might pull this out in a squeaker. Now, personally, I like to buck conventional wisdom, (which may play a small part with why I live in a dog house,) and would have been willing to bet on Obama’s ability to overcome these minor distractions. But when you add to all of this, the threat that Hillary’s supporters may break ranks and flock to McCain coupled with the fact that the Oprah has cooled her overt support of Obama due to the backlash of angry female fans who felt betrayed by the daytime Queen of Estrogen, and Obama’s presumed November miracle seems less certain. But, I believe in the Oprah. Or should I say, I believe in the power of the Oprah. She hasn’t backed a loser since Dr. Phil, and she’s not gong to make that mistake again. She also has powerful friends. In fact it is a very powerful and close friend of Oprah, one who may have provided Bill Clinton with the only thread of a legacy that has nothing to do with a blue dress, who could be called upon to resuscitate Obama’s faltering campaign. What will it take to make large West Virginian women in sensible shoes switch allegiance from Hillary to Obama? Who can influence the Stepford Wives of Oprahland to become adoring Obama-nuts? Perhaps a bad choice of terms if the secret service doesn’t apprehend Jesse pretty soon. None other than the Oprah’s close friend, author Toni Morrison. For those who are unaware, Ms. Morrison is very powerful. She won a Pulitzer Prize. But her real powers, just like the powers possessed by the Oprah, are derived from being both black and female. So, just as Toni salvaged Bill Clinton’s image by declaring him to be America’s First Black President, I predict that this very influential FOO (Friend of Oprah) will appear on the Oprah’s show before the end of this month to declare Obama, when elected, shall become America’s First Woman President! Think of the exquisite ironies. Will Michelle be shocked or surprised. I don’t think so, as she has all of the testosterone in the Obama family to begin with. On the other hand, the double slap in the face to Hillary has to leave her wondering why Toni Morrison has it in for her, again. (Clue: Toni’s just like the rest of us; she hates you too.) Finally, on this last point I’m torn. While it might have been entertaining to watch, Ms. Morrison’s declaration is certainly going to thwart any of Reverend Jackson’s recent plans. Although, I've heard rumors this has already been handled. Is this prescience or just another dog dream? |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on July 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM in , , , , , | | | |
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Code Pink Valentine
The Gray Dog emails:
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Contributed by Bill Faith on February 14, 2008 at 10:24 PM in , | | | |
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The Conservative’s Quick Curative Coup
I’ve been thinking back to October 2006. It already seems like a lifetime ago. The Democrat’s October Surprise, Mark Foley, was dominating every twenty-four hour news cycle. Republicans recoiled in horror, Democrats drooled with insidious delight, Independents…. well Independents do what they always do and jumped onto what they perceived to be the winning bandwagon. In the end, the conservatives stayed home on Election Day and taught those pesky RINOs a lesson. And the lesson was… I’m not sure, but there was a lesson somewhere. Now, I’m hearing much the same rhetoric from conservatives; that perhaps America hasn’t learned its lesson yet. That lesson being… I’m still not sure, but even fellow VAV contributor, Zero Ponsdorf, recently posited in his post a concern America was in the beginning stages of an unavoidable collapse. Zero sets up his thesis with:
Whew! Don’t get me started. C’mon, Bush v. Gore? Bush v. Kerry? Where was the choice? I did what I felt had to be done: I voted for Bush twice, yet now all I have for my effort is this strange dichotomy of emotions known by almost anyone who has ever experienced a divorce. You know - one moment a wistful melancholy that pervades your senses allowing you to remember your ex (or president) with fondness, then after you sober up, you can’t for the life of you remember what you ever saw in that bitch (sonofabitch or president.) In fact you can’t believe you were ever married and spent evenings propagating the species with this subhuman slime. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on July 9, 2007 at 10:00 AM in , , , , , | | | |
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Independence Day Comes Early for Scooter
On a day when President Bush was otherwise busy gazing into Putin’s eyes still searching for a soul, he delivered a commutation of Scooter Libby’s prison sentence with the same boldness and passion as a kiss from your sister. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Mr. Bush said in a statement. “But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive.” Wow George! How about the entire The president had an opportunity to take bold action and give Libby the full pardon he deserved. Instead, Bush gave the very least he could, to a patriot who has given total dedication and loyalty to the president and his administration. In an article from March 8, 2007 at Ann Coulter wrote, “Criminal prosecution is a surrogate for political warfare, but in this war, Republicans are gutless appeasers. Bush has got to pardon Libby.”
Perhaps Bush is just weary from being such an easy punching bag for the Democrats for six and a half years. He looks as tired and worn down as his old man did near the end of just one term. I fear the president is punch drunk, and as such, is no longer capable of coherent thought. I know I am weary of this president. I have an answer to this problem in my next post; till then. |
In this case, not only does the President appear to be a gutless appeaser, I would have to amend that to stupid gutless appeaser. With approval ratings below freezing, Bush still appears to be afraid of losing some political capital that has been squandered and disbursed long ago. Even if there were a dime’s worth of this mystery capital left, did the President believe the Democrats would be any less excessive in their criticism of his commutation of sentence than they might have been over a full pardon? I don’t think so. John Conyers, Harry Reid and special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald wasted no time in vilifying the president’s decision to thwart their persecution of Libby. I’m sure the piling on will continue today. So, if you know you’re going to be pummeled, why not fire your best shot? Why this half-hearted effort?|
Contributed by The Gray Dog on July 3, 2007 at 11:21 AM in , , | | | |
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Independence Day
This year, as the death throes of the Shamnesty Bill still rattle, I would like for everyone to simply consider a phrase that has become as trite as “thank you for your service.” It’s a phrase I had come to detest until I considered it in a more appropriate context. Like Rurik’s brilliant recasting of hyphenated citizenship which allowed us to proudly proclaim ourselves Proud Veteran-Americans, I now lay claim on behalf of all Veteran-Americans, that phrase which is rightfully ours:
'Nuff said! |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on June 30, 2007 at 11:41 AM in , , , | | | |
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CH!CKEN SH!T
The Gray Dog’s Note: The following is inspired by a flurry of links I found in my email today, courtesy of Rurik, and today’s post, at one of my favorite BLOGS, I am not pretentious enough to believe I am an authority on all matters military. I certainly have no expertise or specific knowledge which would allow me to formulate judgments about our top command structure as it pertains to such characteristics as leadership, strategic thinking or performance. I can only offer my less than expert opinions based upon anecdotal reporting and my less than perfect ability to gauge character based upon observing someone on a television screen. Having never let personal limitations prevent me from opining in the past, I am loathe to begin now, so here goes: FIRE ROBERT GATES NOW!! How in the hell can we expect this man to prosecute a global war on terror if he doesn’t have the stomach to mix it up with Carl Levin. Of course I’m referring to Gate’s feckless decision to withdraw Peter Pace’s re-nomination for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs last week because Sen. Levin, D-MI, threatened that the confirmation process for Pace would be contentious. What an absolute crock. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Gates asked Levin for his pick to replace Pace. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on June 20, 2007 at 07:03 PM in , , , , , , , | | | |
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RE: "Death by a Thousand..."
I know I haven’t contributed as prolifically in the past few months to the BLOGS I am a member of, as is my normal wont to do. Not only was I suffering from a serious case of the mopes (otherwise known in the Gray Dog household as the “poor me(s)”,) but I also fell victim to a severe bout of writer’s block, a malady for which I’m sure more than a few visitors to any of these otherwise respectable sites would like to be revisited upon me soon. Yeah, I know, I haven’t exactly been a beacon of optimism and positive thinking since returning to the saddle in the past week or two. No, instead I’ve been whining and taking a lot of pot shots at Bush. (BTW, y’all ought to give it a try. I’ve found that thumpin’ ole ‘W’ is easier than swatting a watermelon with an ironing board. No wonder the Dhimmiwits have been piling on for so long.) But, I digress. The point I’m trying to get around to is that I feel for and empathize with zero ponsdorf in his latest missive, where he takes the position that we could and should hurry the inevitable demise of the U.S. by voting for Democrats next year. What is the aim of his strategy? *** Webmaster's note: The above link doesn't seem to be working right now, possibly due to some sort of technical glitch. If it doesn't work for you please instead. Gray Dog's Note: Some times my paws just hit the wrong keys. Thanks Bill! All links are now AOK. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on June 19, 2007 at 02:06 PM in , , , , | | | |
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A Charlie Brown President
“From the AP: SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Friday warned it may strengthen its "self-defense deterrent," a term it usually uses to refer to its nuclear program, despite news that millions in frozen funds the country had sought as a condition to disarm was en route to its accounts.” Kim Jong-il is just the latest in a long succession of World leaders and Domestic Democrats to play the role of Lucy Van Pelt opposite the hapless, but lovable Charlie Brown as portrayed by a real-life hapless president. It really doesn’t matter who does it or how many times it occurs, it’s just natural to laugh each time someone snatches the football up at the last second. Poor After donning my “Sore/Loserman 2000” t-shirt this morning, I poured a steaming cup ‘o’ Joe into my mug and spent an hour or so, ruminating and pondering just why I had voted for Bush on two occasions. I’m sorry, but the only conclusion I could arrive at was, “if God had wanted man to vote, He would have given us candidates.” |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on June 17, 2007 at 05:31 PM in , , , | | | |
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Evil Requires No Master; Just a Few Willing Accomplices.
The Gray Dog’s Note: I’m writing this to follow up on issues raised and responded to from my last post, My discussion of evil is strictly confined to mere mortal men. I will leave any spiritual discussion of evil to theologians and others more competent than I to offer judgments. In my last article I discussed a couple of loosely defined demographic groups I hastily labeled “them” and “us.” Even without a detailed description, I don’t think anyone was mislead or mistaken as to the fact that I was simply identifying two groups of mere mortals whose major differences were rooted in moral, political and philosophical opposition. I, The Gray Dog and most of my cohorts, both bipeds and quadrupeds, are part of the group referred to as “us.” Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary and all other crustaceans and slithering reptiles belong to the group known as “them.” However, a number of respondents to my article in private emails and phone calls, referred to a more mystical group known simply as “They.” Unlike “us” and “them,” “They” appear to possess prescience and omnipotence close to a ten rating on the TDS (True Deity Scale,) therefore affording “They” the honor of capitalization. In my article, I expressed anguish over feelings of frustration, helplessness and betrayal. Responses to my rant ranged from “So, you’re having a bad day?” to “’They’, have been planning and plotting this for years! ‘We’ are so glad you have finally awakened.” I think “we” may be the subject of yet another post, but back to “They” for now. Now, as a BLOGGER, Forum Administrator and all around well heeled eDog, I find myself on a lot of strange email lists. One of the real odd-balls is a tax-evading, self-proclaimed Libertarian of a Conservative persuasion, who agrees with Rosie O’Donnell that Bush blew up the World Trade Center. Hat-Tip to my buddy Bill Faith for getting me on that list. How ya’ doin’ Harry? Continue reading "" |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on June 11, 2007 at 10:15 PM in , , , , , , | | | |
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There Is No Us in U.S.
The Gray Dog’s Note: At least one or two people have noticed I have not written much in the past few months. I have tried to. I have started and stopped dozens of times. I’m not sure there is a point in it any longer. I’m not sure how often I will continue to post at my BLOG or any other. I feel the need to take some form of direct action instead of writing to a handful of readers. I’m just not sure what that activity may be. Any suggestions? I thought that participating in GOE in March would provide a much needed outlet. In that regard, I was both wrong and disappointed. But, that’s another story. No, what follows is a bedtime story for the 21st Century. Sweet Dreams. Did you ever have nightmares as a child? You know, perhaps some beastly nocturnal visage that would scare the bejeebers out of you? Or perhaps you were simply falling helplessly through air waiting for the inevitable impact. Awakening with a scream that prompted a late night bedside visit from your mom, sleep would not come easy for the rest of the night. Between the ages of three and six, I was plagued by a recurring nightmare in which I was being abducted by a stranger I never saw. This nameless, faceless creature would always approach from behind, whisking me into the air, away from the comfort and security of my bed and begin walking through my family’s small basement apartment toward the front door. As we passed by my parents I would cry out but the sound would stick in my throat. The more I tried unsuccessfully to scream the more panicked I became. My mother would look in my direction and smile. The dream always ended with our passing through the front door as my parents seemingly unaware or unconcerned that I was gone, went about their business. Then I would awaken with a start. Sweaty, rapid pulse, panicked. After a short while, the panic would subside, but the feelings of despair, frustration and hopelessness would linger throughout the day. Nearly five decades have passed since that disturbing nighttime phantasm was conjuring unimaginable horror in a six year old boy. It was merely a childhood apparition to simply outgrow and be forgotten. Yet, fifty years later, it has returned. No longer content to simply manifest itself as an occasional nocturnal disturbance, that old familiar sense of despair has crept back into my life to become my constant companion. Hopelessness has replaced optimism as a way of life and a pervasive sense of dread enshrouds me as I wander aimlessly through a surreality that finds me rapidly vacillating between morbid despondency and irrational rage. Remnants of that childhood nightmare began to resurface last October, as Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos were convicted and sentenced to prison for simply doing their job as border patrol agents. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on June 9, 2007 at 11:43 AM in , , , , , , | | | |
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An Inconvenient Ass
Al Gore has spoken: The world must embrace a “calorie-neutral lifestyle.” To do otherwise, he says, will result in a cataclysmic catastrophe. “Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb,” warns the website for his film, An Inconvenient Ass. “We have just 10 years to avert a major catastrophe that could send my entire ass into a tailspin.” Graciously, Gore tells consumers how to change their calorie-gobbling ways: “Take that incandescent bulb out of your refrigerator. Don’t replace it. You don’t need to be going there in the middle of the night. Drive your hybrid car. Drive it right on past the McDonald’s drive-thru. Cut back on consumption.” In the meantime, scientists at the U.N. have documented the steady rise in girth of Gore’s derriere over the past two decades. For someone who says the sky is falling, he does very little. He says he eats tofu with soy milk at lunch, when in reality he purchases renewable calorie-credits to offset the three sausage pizzas consumed while traveling on his private jet to promote his film. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on March 27, 2007 at 09:04 PM in , , , | | | |
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The Silenced Majority
Gray Dog’s Note: This article is a continuation of thoughts inspired by Rurik’s essay titled originally posted at Old War Dogs in September 2006, and more recently holding its own page of honor at Veteran-American Voices. Actually, this article might be more appropriately deemed a variation on a theme or themes, as it also addresses Rurik’s sentiments in his post titled, In either case, I hope that Rurik’s inspiration has been duly noted and appropriately attributed. If history is written by the victors, then image is assigned by the vocal. On February 22, 2007, Richard "Dick" Becker attended a press conference for "A Gathering of Eagles." Becker, the brother of Brian Becker, National Coordinator for the ANSWER Coalition, characterized past Conservative and veteran’s counter-protests of ANSWER rallies, as "pathetic." On March 17, 2007 we have both the opportunity and the obligation to dispel that charge. It is the moment to rise above the damning legacy of a “Silenced Majority.” In so doing, we will fulfill the obligation to ourselves and our fallen brothers and sisters to reclaim the honor the “Beckers” of this world would take from us. For too long, our silence has allowed our foes to establish a national agenda without opposition. We have ceded control of the media and allowed the socialist liberal enemies of America to mold an image of her defenders as the ignoble and ignorant peasantry of our society. We allow them to deny us the respect we deserve, because they tell us it is their right as Americans to do so. And, when a few of us speak or act in opposition to these pretend Americans, whose grandiose marches and displays of hatred and disdain for the very beliefs and institutions for which we have shed our blood, they call us pathetic. [Original timestamp 2007.03.01.13:20] |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on March 1, 2007 at 01:20 PM in , , , , , , , , | | | |
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Facing the Wall
When we band together on March 17, 2007, we will turn our back on those that have turned their backs on America. We will face the Wall. I have a new project that I hope will also “face” the Wall. Please read what has been posted at the original GOE forum, and hopefully will be posted in many locations this weekend: Fellow GOE Participants: Many of you have seen the Flash Video I literally threw together on a Saturday afternoon almost two weeks ago. If you have not, please click on . Your response has been both kind and overwhelming. I now have had an idea for a tribute video that would represent the ‘WHY” we are meeting this March 17, 2007. For me this could be the largest project I have taken on to date. What I am asking you for is help. This is perhaps the last time I will have such an opportunity to be able to communicate directly with such a large group of vets that would be required to pull off this project. So, here is the idea
If you are a fellow service member that does not have a picture of the person you wish to honor, I will include a separate section for just names. I cannot accept physical paper pictures. If you do not have a digital version, you can have your photos scanned at any business or office supply store such as Kinkos, Office Max, Office Depot or Staples. Either .jpg or .gif formats preferred. Please, nothing larger than 800 X 600 pixels. What I am trying to produce is a tasteful tribute that puts faces on the wall and will serve as a reminder of why we are going to be there on the 17th to defend and protect it. The actual length and scope of the project will largely depend upon your interest and response. If possible I will strive to have a product available prior to that weekend. What will the product be?
Please include your real name, address and if you feel comfortable a phone number. The initial video run time is scheduled to be 10 minutes. It will contain content on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested and wish to participate please send digital pictures and other requested info to: Forum Administrators: Please broadcast email/pm to your forum members so that they can see this quickly and respond. Thank you. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on February 22, 2007 at 08:25 PM in , , , , , , , , | | | |
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Google Your Tube
Last week, I put together a to help draw attention to “A Gathering of Eagles.” It has had an exceptional response at my site since it was first announced last weekend, and I have since made it available for others to use at their BLOGs and web sites with the request that no one post it at YouTube. I continue to read from people new to the Gathering of Eagles forum(s) and BLOG site asking, “Why don’t we post it at YouTube?” The answer is simple. YouTube and its corporate parent Google have become part of the Far Left fringe of the MSM. This fact has been evidenced to me by the numerous requests I receive from my colleagues and friends to “capture” a YouTube video for posterity’s sake, before it is removed for “objectionable” content. Of course “objectionable” usually means anything that is conservative, anti-jihad, anti-illegal immigration or anti-liberal. Google takes the same approach when approving “ad-sense” accounts. Someone I have been associated with for a very long time has just decided to get back to blogging after a year hiatus. If you believe Google and YouTube are not anti-conservative please read at . |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on February 18, 2007 at 04:53 PM in , , | | | |
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If Not Now, When?
Can a debt ever be repaid to those not here to collect? Can any act or deed we may do, be enough to mark that debt “Paid in Full?” The simple answer is no. The simple truth is that we must never quit trying. “A Gathering of Eagles” has become a clarion call that rings in my ears and pounds in my chest. For many, March 17, 2007 will be just one more time they have answered this call, for others this has become the last-best chance to stand with their brothers and sisters and place a down payment on that debt. That is why I ask the question, “If not now, when?” I began to write this post last Monday. I have re-written it several times in the past few days. That happens sometimes. I get hung up on a title I like, and then I can’t write something appropriate to match. The working title has always been “If not now, when?” It was this morning while browsing through the forum for “A Gathering of Eagles” that I saw this response to a troll by the name of “Patrick Henry.” Patrick had been goading forum members for several days with the statement “But, I still don’t understand your mission,” or referring to the Vietnam Memorial as a “black wall in a hole.” There were several well reasoned responses worthy of mention, but the following one stuck with me. It was written by a vet who professed to me “…writing has never been one of my strong skills…” My response is, “Your English teacher may have given you a ‘C’ for this response, but your Civics, History and Ethics teachers would have given this an A+. I did.” The following is reprinted with full permission from the author, John Cut. At his request I have modified minor typos.
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on February 15, 2007 at 07:44 PM in , , , , , , | | | |
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A Gathering of Eagles
You may notice that for this particular post that there are a lot of 'categories' selected. The problem with BLOGs in general is there are often not enough categories. For this one, I need to click over 58,000 more. By now, you have all heard about the veteran movement to defend the memorials in Washington D.C. on March 17, 2007. If you are still undecided about making the effort to go, please watch the following:
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on February 11, 2007 at 02:58 PM in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | | | |
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Of Pragmatism and Principles
The Gray Dog’s Note: Some of my friends are for this candidate, while some of my friends are not. I am for my friends! Can one be pragmatic without abandoning one’s principles? Pragmatism versus Principles: In politics, must one always supersede the other? In recent days I’ve begun to see a number of vets, including friends and colleagues, forming up to support a candidate based upon shared beliefs and principles. Their support is going to a former Vietnam veteran who is a strong conservative, pro troops, pro vets, pro gun, and pro life, with a strong record against illegal immigration. The movement is on, the game is afoot, and my fellow vets, my friends, my colleagues are advocating for Duncan Hunter. Duncan who? |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on February 7, 2007 at 10:04 PM in , , | | | |
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Move Over Hugo!
“The other day, the oil companies reported the highest profits in the history of the world. I want to take those profits and I want to put them into a strategic energy fund that will begin to fund alternative smart energy… alternative and technologies that will begin to actually move us toward the direction of independence.” If I had heard those words pour out of the mouth of Exxon/Mobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson, I might have applauded the sentiment as an exciting new venture by the Oil Giant with the intention of breaking new profit records for years to come. But, when I discovered that this remark was attributed to the bilious bitch that just happens to be a United States Senator, ex-First Lady and current Presidential Candidate, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh, because it has taken less than a week into her official campaign to shed the centrist façade she has carefully fashioned over the past several years. Cry, because there were far too many in attendance with blood-lust in their eyes, gleefully nodding assent instead of shivering with fear from such an outrageous statement. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on February 3, 2007 at 11:55 AM in , , , , , , | | | |
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Someplace new you'll want to visit often
Click the image, bookmark the site. You may have noticed already that the pack has gotten a little smaller. There have been some "philosophical differences" behind the scenes for a while now but since and have been decent enough not to air them publicly I'll follow suit. The Gray Dog will be contributing to the new site and to Old War Dogs, some of the Dogs who left the pack will be posting only at the new site, and you may have heard the last of some of the others altogether for all I know. I'll be linking to the new site on occasion and I hope they'll link back to OWD now and then. I'll allude to "philosophical differences" just enough to say I think and are aimed at ecosystem niches sufficiently different to allow both sites to prosper and I wish the new group well. *** Rurik's comment captures my sentiments toward the new site far better than I was able to express them myself:
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Contributed by Bill Faith on January 27, 2007 at 09:19 PM in , , , , , | | | |
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Dear Nancy’s ReBUTTal.
Dear Nancy’s ReBUTTal. Dear Nancy’s Note: While the Gray Dog has been kept busy doing the necessary techie work he does, whatever, I have been asked to fill in. Unfortunately, as soon as I leave for my important mission to Iraq, I learn that this mongrel has been working behind my back to create another website for some upstart Conservative It seems America’s most powerful woman just can’t leave the country for a couple of days without a lot of miscreant Conservatives taking advantage of my absence to savagely attack the constituents of my district for their own particular political agenda. It started almost as soon as I boarded Congress One for my flight to Baghdad, with the unfair attacks over San Francisco’s progressive sick leave ordinance. C’mon Rurik! Progressive lifestyles call for progressive benefits. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 27, 2007 at 09:18 PM in , , | | | |
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A Loss for America is a Win for Democrats.
A few years ago, I mentioned to a friend, that I was concerned about a recent visit to my doctor. I explained to him that I was a bit unhappy over what I viewed as the doctor’s overly aggressive suggestions for changing my unhealthy lifestyle. After listening a few moments, my friend just smiled and said, “If you don’t like what your quack has to say, its time to find another quack!” It would appear that President Bush has received the same sage advice, prompting him to make more fourth quarter substitutions in Iraq than Bobby Ross made during Army’s loss to Navy last month. After sitting on a substantial first half lead, the jeers of restless fans on Capitol Hill became deafening as Dubya’s team continued a failed “stay the course” strategy of running the ball straight up the middle. Responding to fan pressure, Bush has now benched Casey and Abizaid and sent in Fallon and Petraeus with hopes that a last minute “Hail Mary” might swing momentum back in favor of the good guys. But, before the substitutes could even take the field, the Congressional officiating crew was blowing whistles and throwing yellow flags while screaming, “Too many players on the field!” |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 23, 2007 at 07:46 AM in , , | | | |
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American Idol Debuts
I am not a wizard or a pundit. But, as a former Illinois resident, I had the opportunity, missed by most of the country, to watch Barak Obama rise out of nowhere to become another lightweight ultra-liberal U.S. Senator from the state that gave us Carol Mosley Braun and Dick Durbin. Because of that experience, I was quick to point out his undeniable star quality when I wrote on December 3rd 2006. I now find it incredibly amusing if not prescient, that Obama should announce the formation of his “Presidential Exploratory Committee” on the same day that the newest season of “American Idol” debuts. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 16, 2007 at 09:43 PM in , , , , | | | |
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Wicked
The true story of what happened in Oz before Dorothy landed. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 14, 2007 at 08:47 AM in , , , , | | | |
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Pelosi Power: Dear Nancy Sets Sights on Record
Buoyed by the overwhelming mandate afforded to Democrats in the recent midterm elections, Dear Nancy has taken aim at Moses, as she undertakes the daunting task of rewriting the Ten Commandments during the first 100 hours of the current legislative session. Citing that Moses remained on Mt. Sinai for an indeterminable time, the newly crowned “most powerful woman” believes that her rewriting of the commandments will shatter the previous Guinness Book record on two counts. When asked about this two pronged attack, Dear Nancy shared her strategy: “Personally, I think that not only rewriting the commandments in the first 100 legislative hours will break the record for time, but perhaps more importantly, the fact that I will personally rewrite them without benefit of divine intervention merits style points as well.” Because of The Gray Dog’s unique relationship with Madam Speaker, whose advice column is syndicated exclusively to the Gray Dog and Old War Dogs, we have received an advance draft of Dear Nancy’s Ten Commandments: |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 12, 2007 at 09:21 PM in , , | | | |
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Dear Nancy and the Burka Babes
After President Bush consulted with members of Congress yesterday prior to delivering his “Iraqi Splurge” speech, Dear Nancy met with reporters outside of the White House to offer her support to Iraqi and Afghani women, once again stating, “While I don’t support the war, I do support the women who have suffered during our occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.” |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 11, 2007 at 08:26 PM in , , , , , | | | |
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Dear Nancy and the Three Fatheads.
[Webmaster's note: The Gray Dog mentioned in the comments on another post that he had a post at his personal site that he had decided was too "over the edge" for Old War Dogs. The Gray Dog and I need to talk. Dang it, Dog, just what kind of place do you think we're running here? Note to our readers: The latte bar's down the road. How 'bout some rotgut?]
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Contributed by Bill Faith on January 11, 2007 at 10:17 AM in , , , , | | | |
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Little Giants
It is a rare day that I am consumed pondering amendments to the U.S. Constitution. But, events of the past few weeks have given me pause to appreciate the Twenty-fifth Amendment. After Minnesota and Nevada became the 37th and 38th states to ratify on February 10, 1967, it was certified as part of the U.S. Constitution on February 23, 1967. For the first time in almost two hundred years, there was a constitutional provision for filling a Vice Presidential vacancy, thus ensuring that the Speaker of the House would remain two heartbeats from the presidency or given Dick Cheney’s medical history, make that a heartbeat and a half. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 6, 2007 at 01:14 PM in , , , | | | |
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The Ascension
After six days of national mourning, our long national nightmare is about to begin. Nancy Pelosi plans to ascend to the speaker’s throne with a 100 hour flurry of liberal legislative initiatives, while Republicans are faced with the task of determining how they will limit her tenure to the 100 weeks that follow. In another time, I would applaud what appears to be a perfect opportunity for beltway gridlock. The “libertarian” that lives inside me believes that the best laws are the ones that stay in committee. Unfortunately, I see too much opportunity and willingness on the part of Senate Republicans and the President to either compromise or, in some cases, gladly join the Democrats on issues that did not gain a satisfactory resolution under House Republican control. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on January 4, 2007 at 02:20 PM in , , , | | | |
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2006 Quadruped of the Year
You can’t imagine the exhilaration and delight this old dog felt when I was recently named Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year.” Finally, after waiting my turn behind other “Men/Persons of the Year,” such as Hitler, Stalin, Carter and Clinton (sounds like a law firm, eh?), the “Year of The Gray Dog” had arrived. Actually, this is not my first time to win this honor, albeit I had to share it with a few million others back in 1966 when “Twenty-five and Under” gained the distinction. But this year is so much more gratifying to have been singled out. At first, I was suspicious of a hoax. I mean, why underneath the word “YOU,” was “The Gray Dog” in such small print on a white label? But hey, they even printed my address, so there could be no mistaking who they meant. Then I thought: how could a dog be the “person” of the year? But, after a quick check on the internet, I was reminded that back in 1982 “The Computer” was that year’s honoree and it wasn’t even a mammal. So, after a bad year for humans, it seemed only fitting that the editorial staff at Time extended its consideration to quadrupeds. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on December 31, 2006 at 12:38 PM in , , , | | | |