Rep. John Murtha, (D-PA) a former Marine, has died today from complications after gall bladder surgery. He was 77.
I realize that it is appropriate to keep quiet, to be “respectful” during the mourning period of the recently dead. No criticisms, no jabs, etc. However, if one chooses to live a rather questionable life, then one should expect memories of himself to reflect that lifestyle.
From my perspective, I am glad that Murtha has passed. Murtha was a man who had lost his moral compass and was, in fact, doing more harm than good in his position as a United States Congressman.
While there will be those who miss his presence, there will also be those who miss his exorbitant earmarks for Pennsylvania. If one is judged by what you can do for your neighbors, then possibly, Murtha is to be praised for his mastery of delivering the pork. His penchant for disproportionately allocating Federal funds to his home state put Murtha in the midst of scandal after scandal – but the money kept flowing in to Pennsylvania. His back-door dealings kept the money rolling into the pockets of friends, partners and campaign contributors. These deals led to several investigations by ethics committees in Washington, D.C.
Lastly, he proved the weight of his clout and the moral fiber of his character by managing to be the only person NOT charged with a criminal offense following a long FBI investigation into a widespread Congressional bribery scandal. In his deal-making way, Murtha was named as an unindicted co-conspirator and testified against his colleagues. Six congressmen and one senator were convicted in that case.
The final straw for redemption in the mind of this columnist came with Murtha’s outrageous accusations of malfeasance and, even murder, against our military personnel. In 2006, he accused fellow Marines – brothers in arms - of “murdering Iraqi civilians in cold blood” at Haditha. Murtha’s bald statements came long before any conclusive summary or findings of the investigation of the incident. The investigation found that the Marines in question were defending themselves and NO MURDER OF INNOCENTS had been perpetrated. Typical of Murtha’s self-serving attitude, no apology was rendered to his fellow Marines.
This was not a man I’d trust to have my back in combat. Murtha exhibited no honor worthy of his Marine commission during his years in Congress.
Instead, I would put forth an argument that he was either treasonous or slipping into a medically induced mental state (Alzheimer’s perhaps? or brain malfunction?) that caused his thoughts and words to become venemous and rife with treason.
Let us hope that in death, John Murtha will finally see the error of his ways and will be able to rest in peace. For the families of the Marines he slandered, the families of the people he took down to save himself, little can be said except that now God will judge him.
Talk about nerve…after taking apart the Marines over rumors of alleged abuse and murder during an Iraq war special op, then actually accusing several Marines of murder during a firefight, and finally voting against funding for the troops, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has the gall to use the U.S. Naval Hospital! [Note: Subsequent investigations proved Murtha's accusations completely wrong, however, Murtha never apologized. What a sad show of patriotism and Esprit de Corps!]
According to AP reports, Rep. Murtha was admitted to the US Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD due to “complications” after gall bladder surgery.
Granted Murtha is a veteran – an Marine who fought in Vietnam; but given his vicious attacks on our military, one was shocked to learn that he is using a military facility, as he obviously has low opinions of the capabilities of our military personnel. He should count his blessings that this columnist was not one of his caregivers!
President Obama’s first address to the nation on the State of the Union was a disappointment if you were looking for information. Moreover, the speech carried the tone of a sermon; a sermon meant for the uneducated masses of people that the “intellectual elite” consider us regular Americans. Pathetic attempt. More later.
The man you would NOT want to sit beside on a flight from New Zealand has to be Hans Kurt Kubus.
Gecko
According to the AP, this 58-year-old German was caught boarding a plane at Christchurch International Airport with 44 geckos and skinks ( lizards)…in his underwear!!!
Skink
He has been charged with hunting and deporting endangered species and will spend 14 months in prison and pay a fine of 5,000 NZ dollars (about $3,540 USD).
Republican Scott Brown wins Senate seat in Massachusetts!
In the ongoing debates about a national Health Care program, I though it would be extremely important and appropriate to specify the powers granted to our federal government by our Constitution; and, moreover, to expose “perceived powers” that are not provided at the federal level.
Constitution of
United States of America
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
- The Constitution does NOT GUARANTEE “general Welfare”, nor does it call for provision of health care for all citizens. It simply advises that the federal government should promote “general Welfare”.
- The word “Welfare” in this context and specifically in this document, does not refer to the welfare/government assistance programs that were devised in the 20th century.
- Rather the context of “general Welfare” in our Constitution refers to our ability to live free and pursue own our course in life; the national government’s role according to the Preamble is to provide defense, so that America’s citizens are safe and can prosper given their own hard work and determination.
- The “Welfare” reference does NOT imply that the citizens of the United States are guaranteed health care; NOR does the Constitution provide for national taxation (of any group) to fund a health care program for all citizens.
- Health Care, the access to health care, the affordability of health care is NOT A RIGHT, NOR A GUARANTEE for American citizens. Moreover, our Constitution certainly does not provide nor imply the right to health care/coverage for legal aliens, illegal aliens, prisoners of war, etc.
I encourage you to read the Constitution and its Amendments so that you will know your rights, and be able to recognize the freedoms being taken from you, the unconstitutional taxations imposed upon you and the purposeful manipulation of the Constitution’s text that has been “re-interpreted by elite, socialist scholars and legal minds” in order to validate their end goals.
You may find the full text of the Constitution and Amendments at this link.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A1Sec8
It’s our freedom at stake. And that is…Why It Matters.
xxx
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and the many rescue workers, military personnel, and human aid and assistance helpers in the tiny nation to help in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster.
Haiti in Ruins
Let us hope and pray that Haiti can rise from this catastrophe and become stronger as a people; that they can come together to rebuild their country with a stronger more stable government; and that they can begin to build a society that is free of corruption and crime, so that Haitians can live in peace and safety.
Rescuing People Buried Alive by Rubble
Please contact the charity or relief fund of your choice to donate money for the purchase of water, food, medicine, etc. for the people of Haiti.
The Huffington Post (yes, I do read the opposing side’s views) has compiled a great list of relief organizations for donations. From their website:
The U.S. State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747
•The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund.
•UNICEF has issued a statement that “Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them.” UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.
•Donate through Wyclef Jean’s foundation, Yele Haiti. Text “Yele” to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.
•Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles. Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.
•Save The Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to their fund to provide medical attention and clean water to children and families.
•International Medical Corps is assembling a team of first responders and resources to provide lifesaving medical care and other emergency services to survivors of the earthquake. The IMC previously helped recovery efforts after September 2009’s earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia, and the massive 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Donate to the International Medical Corps through their 24-hour hotline at 800-481-4462
•Ben Stiller’s Stillerstrong campaign will be temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.
•Partners In Health reports its Port-au-Prince clinical director , Louise Ivers, has appealed for assistance: “Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS… Temporary field hospital by us at UNDP needs supplies, pain meds, bandages. Please help us.” Donate to their Haiti earthquake fund.
•As a UN Special Envoy to Haiti, Bill Clinton appeared on CNN on Wednesday to ask for further assistance in bringing relief to populations on the ground. You can donate through the Clinton Foundation or text HAITI to 20222 to donate $10.
•Mercy Corps is sending a team of emergency responders to assess damage, and seek to fulfill immediate needs of quake survivors. The agency aided families after earthquakes in Peru in 2007, China and Pakistan in 2008, and Indonesia last year. Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR; PO Box 2669; Portland, OR 97208.
•Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres is now asking donors to give to their general unrestricted fund, to ensure that any surplus donations they receive can be put to good use anywhere in the world.
•Direct Relief is committing up to $1 million in aid for the response and is coordinating with its other in-country partners and colleague organizations. Their partners in Haiti include Partners in Health, St. Damien Children’s Hospital, and the Visitation Hospital, which are particularly active in emergency response. Donate to Direct Relief online.
•Oxfam is rushing in teams from around the region to respond to the situation to provide clean water, shelter, sanitation and help people recover. Donate to Oxfam America online.
•The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donate now to help bring food to those affected as quickly and efficiently as possible.
•The Baptist Haiti Mission is operating an 82-bed hospital that is “overflowing with injured.” Donate online to BHM and 100% of your donation will go to the relief effort.
•International Medical Corps is assembling a team of first responders and resources to provide lifesaving medical care and other emergency services to survivors of the earthquake. Donate online.
•Following the earthquake, Catholic Relief Services made an immediate commitment of $5 million for emergency supplies. They are distributing food and relief supplies, and importing plastic sheeting, mosquito nets and water purification tablets from the Domincan Republic. Donate to Catholic Relief Services to assist in these efforts.
•Give to the American Jewish World Service’s Earthquake Relief Fund.
•CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. They’re focusing their efforts on the health of children, distributing water sanitation tablets, food, hygiene kits and emergency healthcare. Donate to CARE.
•Make your donation count double through Razoo.com. The online fundraising site has offered to match all donations made to organizations, up to a pre-set, un-posted amount.
•Orphans International America reports that they have been able to make contact with their program director in the town of Jacmel, a city about 20 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince that houses OI’s hospitals and schools. Orphans International America is attempting to gather food, clean water and emergency medical supplies to Jacmel. You can contribute to them through PayPal.
•The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti to deliver urgent assistance to earthquake survivors and to help overwhelmed local aid groups struggling to meet the immense emergency needs. They will focus on critical medical, water and sanitation assistance. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.
•NetHope is coordinating its response with its NGO member agencies and with the UN’s Emergency Telecom Cluster to establish connectivity in Haiti. Seventeen of NetHope’s members are already providing aid and deploying resources on the ground. Donate online.
•The Haitian Health Foundation is still assessing the situation of their full-time facilities and staff in Haiti. They regularly provide health care, development and relief to rural mountain villages in Haiti. Donate to the Haitian Health Foundation.
•World Vision has more 370 staff in the country. Staff members from less-affected regions of Haiti are mobilizing, and World Vision’s global experts are expected to arrive in the disaster zone as soon as possible. Donate to World Vision.
•The Jewish Federations of North America is partnering with the American Jewish Joint Distribution committee and have created a dedicated Haiti Relief page for online donations.
•United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is the UN’s humanitarian fund responding to emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.
•Friends of the Orphans will use donations to meet the needs of first responders such as first aid supplies, shipping of necessary materials to assist in efforts, and treating the injured. Those interested in helping the relief effort can visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org, or call 888-201-8880 to make a donation.
•World Concern’s staff is almost entirely composed of Haitian nationals and will be tapping into private as well as U.S. government supplies to help in the relief effort it hopes will soon be supplemented by cargo ships. Donate to World Concern.
•Merlin USA is sending an emergency response team out to the region and have subsequently launched an emergency appeal to bring urgent medical aid and assistance to those affected. Donate to Merlin USA.
•The Salvation Army has staff on the ground and already the organization has set aside $50,000 in direct aid to the country but the organization is in need of additional donations. Donations can be made online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
•The American Refugee Committee is sending a response team to provide water, sanitation, and shelter for earthquake survivors. Donate online or read about their volunteer opportunities.
•AmeriCares has pledged $5 million in aid in the wake of the catastrophe and is sending an emergency shipment with $3 million worth of medicines and supplies for earthquake survivors. Donate online or call 1-800-486-HELP.
•Handicap International will provide care to those injured by the earthquake and its aftershocks, including support to hospitals for essential post-surgery and rehabilitation care, as well as emergency shelter, emergency basic needs and food distribution for at least 5,000 people initially. Donate online.
•Episcopal Relief & Development has committed to providing Haiti both long and short-term support in the wake of the disaster. Donate to the Haiti Fund or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
The Associated Press reports that Delta Airlines has experienced a problem with passengers onboard that was serious enough to request authorities meet the plane as it landed in Detroit, MI. The Northwest Flight #243 originated in Amsterdam and landed around 1:30 p.m. today. (Note that Northwest merged with Delta last year).
AP is awaiting further information from airlines regarding the nature of the disturbance and identity of the passengers.
Tuesday’s disturbance comes less than a week after a Nigerian man pleaded not guilty to trying to blow up a packed Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam as it was preparing to land in Detroit on Christmas. – AP
It is interesting to this columnist that The Netherlands is the heart of Islamic “takeover” of Western countries – AND – Michigan, specifically the Detroit area, has one of the largest Islamic communities in the U.S.A.
Let us hope that these passengers were simply drunk…and not Islamic terrorists.
Speaking of Islamic population centers, here are some Statistics to Know:
- Paris, France holds the title of the city with the largest Arab community outside of the Middle East.
- The state of Michigan (USA) has the second-largest Arab community outside of the Middle East.
- Of the 300,000 people in southern Michigan who are of Arab descent, there are significant percentages of Iraqi, Lebanese, Yemeni, and Palestinians.
- About 300,000 people of Arab descent live in southeast Michigan, including significant numbers of Iraqi, Lebanese, Yemeni, and Palestinians.
- Almost two-thirds of the population were born in the United States, and 40 percent of those born outside of the country have moved here since 1980.
- Two-thirds of Arab Americans in the United States speak fluent English, and three-quarters use Arabic language media to keep informed.
- More than 90 percent of Arab Americans have close friends or family in the Middle East
- almost 65 percent have traveled there
- Demographers estimate that more than 8 million Muslims live in the United States, making them the second-largest religious community in the country.
- About half of Arab Americans are Muslim, while the other half identify themselves as Christian.
- In the past few decades, Islam has become the fastest-growing religion in the United States.
*Stats provided by American Psychiatric Association, according to data from the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services and the Detroit News.
- According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), a Dutch governmental institution, in 2007, Muslims made up 5-6% of the total Dutch population at over 1 Million Muslims.
- Muslims number about 920,000 in a total Dutch population of approximately 16 million.
- Fifty percent of the Muslim population holds Dutch citizenship.
- The Dutch, who are famous for their open and tolerant society, have faced challenges in recent years as the dynamics of their population change. A recent government report projected that foreigners soon will outnumber native Dutch in Holland’s four major cities.
- On Nov. 2, 2004, Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh was shot and stabbed to death in Amsterdam. Mohammed Bouyeri, a Moroccan immigrant, was arrested after a gun battle with police.
*Stats provided by PBS from various sources.
The Tea Party Movement is planning its first national convention. It will be held February 4-6 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
Here is the latest press release from conservative talk show host, author and columnist, Phil Valentine regarding the event:
If there were ever a chance for you to become part of the solution, this is it. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will headline the first National Tea Party Convention in Nashville Feb. 4-6, 2010. Phil Valentine has been tapped as the master of ceremonies. This is a great opportunity to become part of the most exciting movement since the Revolution.
Tickets are limited so get yours today by going to http://www.teapartynation.com/
Phil will also take part in a panel discussion and there will be break-out groups with loads of information and great connections to arm ourselves for the Conservative Revolution of 2010!Do NOT miss it!
This event is proudly sponsored by The Phil Valentine Show.
The Phil Valentine Show
Westwood One
http://PhilValentine.com
After a lenthy Christmas break, it is time to get back to the grind. 
Politics, politicians and outrage.
Let us know if there is a particular issue or subject that you are following. In 2010 we want to join with other journalists, columnists and bloggers who are also watching government and finding it lacking.
So, to all of you….I bid you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
God Bless,
April
