Banter in Atlanter

Friday Firepower - Democrat Tie Breaker Edition

Destroyer Named After Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Newsday
"A U.S. Navy destroyer will be named after Lt. Michael P. Murphy, the Patchogue native who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005 while seeking help for his platoon members who had come under intense fire from the Taliban, officials said Wednesday.

At a ceremony on the eastern shore of Lake Ronkonkoma -- in a Brookhaven Town beach previously named after Murphy, who was awarded the Medal of Honor last September -- Navy Secretary Donald Winter said the keel of the destroyer would be laid in June 2009 at a shipyard in Maine. He said the ship would be commissioned in 2011..."

R U Cmg 2 Cnfshun?

Reuters
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict will text message thousands of young Catholics on their mobile phones during World Youth Day in Sydney in July, hoping going digital will help him connect better with a younger audience...

I never thought about it until now, but does it qualify as blasphemy when you text "OMG"?

I'm not sayin'.....I'm just sayin'

Ouch

Dow Jones Newswires

"An oil price "super-spike" to $150-$200 a barrel is increasingly likely within the next six to 24 months, Goldman Sachs says.

"We believe the current energy crisis may be coming to a head, as a lack of adequate supply growth is becoming apparent and resulting in needed demand rationing in the OECD areas in particular the United States," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a research note Monday..."

I'm seriously considering the bike commute if gas reaches $5/gallon or so. It's only 10 miles each way with mostly rolling hills.
There is one steep mofo.

Yeah, that should be fun in the summer time. Just call me Mr. Stinky.

When is Congress going to tell the environmentalists to shove it. We need to be drilling in the Dakotas, Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and any other place that will help us to ween ourselves while we explore new technologies.

And while we're at it, tell the Saudis to shove it too.

Trailer: The Spirit of the Marathon

Vote for Patti!

NBC is holding a poll to see who is America's Favorite Military Mom.

Patti Patton-Bader is the founder of Soldiers Angels and definitely deserves to win. She's shown so much love, caring, and gratitude to the men and women protecting our nation.

In my view, her efforts are unmatched when it comes to pitching in to support our heroes.

So VOTE FOR PATTI !!!

Cuba Gets PCs

The oppressive, communist Cuban government decided to finally allow Cuban citizens have access to PCs a few days ago. However, they still do not have access to the internet.

The state disallows it.

AP
"...Except for some trusted officials and state journalists, most Cubans are banned from accessing the Internet at home. So many of these new computers may never be connected to the Web.

Some people buy limited e-mail access on the black market, usually sharing an account with the authorized holder, who usually works for the state. Even if they could access the Web, Cubans can't shop on line because they don't have credit cards..."

Hooyah Mike Monsoor

Master Sgt. Brendan O’Connor Awarded Distinguished Service Cross

USASOC News Service
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 30, 2008) – A 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldier was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during a ceremony at Bank Hall, Fort Bragg, N.C., April 30 for valorous actions during Operation Enduring Freedom.

On his 20th year of military service, Master Sgt. Brendan O’Connor, formerly a senior medic on a 2nd Battalion, 7th SFG (A) Operational Detachment Alpha, was presented the award while he stood before family, friends, and fellow Soldiers...

Note: Sgt. O'Connor's story was recently featured on an episode of CBS News' 60 Minutes

It's Not Rocket Science

All you have to do is not even talk to anyone about any sort of "deal" who is from Nigeria or any of it's neighboring countries.

Computerworld
May 1, 2008 (Computerworld) A Nigerian man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for wooing a NASA employee so he could sneak malware onto her work computer and steal passwords, banking information and 25,000 screenshots...

IED Cell Leader Captured in Iraq

USASOC News Service
RELEASE NUMBER: 080429-03
DATE POSTED: APRIL 29, 2008

Tikrit Special Weapons and Tactics unit capture leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device cell

BALAD, Iraq (Courtesy of CJSOTF-AP Public Affairs, April 29, 2008) – The Tikrit Special Weapons and Tactics unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader during an operation in the Qadasiyah neighborhood of Tirkrit, approximately 96 miles north of Baghdad, April 28.

Tikrit SWAT conducted the raid to detain the leader of an improvised explosive device cell known for conducting attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces between Tikrit and Coalition Operating Base Speicher. The suspect is believed to be responsible for all IED attacks in the Qadasiyah neighborhood and bribery of Iraqi Security Forces in Tikrit. He is also reported to finance other terrorist cells in the area.

The detention of this cell leader will likely affect the ability of AQI to conduct IED attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces Tikrit and will possibly lead to the detention of additional AQI terrorists in the area.

--usasoc--

Bullsh!t

Today Obama says that he's outraged by J-Wright's bigoted blather?

He sits in J-Wright's pew for 20 or so years and NOW he's taking a stand against this Jesse Jackson retread?
The campaign ad practically writes itself.

Ahhhhhhh, True Love

Hell hath no fury like a foursome of plastered newlyweds, an elevator, and some metal planters. So when exactly was James Brown released from the clink anyway?

AP
PITTSBURGH - A newlywed couple spent the night in separate jail cells — she in her wedding gown — after police said they brawled with each other, then members of another wedding party, at a suburban Pittsburgh hotel.

The fight started Saturday night after a reception when he knocked her to the floor with a karate kick in the seventh-floor hallway of a Holiday Inn, according to police. It escalated when she attacked two guests from another wedding party who came to her aid, police said...

We're Over Here!

Loose lips Dumbasses sink ships.

BBC
"Israel has sentenced a soldier to 19 days in jail for uploading a photograph taken on his military base to the social networking website, Facebook.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the nature of the image, but said the soldier was serving with an elite intelligence unit..."

Innovation in Atlanta

AP
ATLANTA - Cars passing O'Terrill's pub screech to a halt at the sight of a 300-pound, waist-high robot marked "SECURITY" rolling through downtown long after dark.

The regulars hardly glance outside. They've seen bar owner Rufus Terrill's invention on patrol before — its bright red lights and even brighter spotlight blazing, infrared video camera filming and water cannon at the ready in the spinning turret on top...

Toasting the Heroes

Tonight I will offer a toast of remembrance and reverence to the heroes who died 3 years ago during Operation Red Wing - and to the one who still lives.
Then we'll celebrate this dead taliban bastard's swift journey to meet his mullahs.

CBS
"A senior Taliban commander who became a hero to Islamic militants for his role in shooting down a U.S. helicopter in 2005, killing all 16 special forces troops aboard, has been killed by Pakistani security forces, officials and Taliban militants tell CBS News..."

h/t Blackfive

Savages !!!

In fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan Mother Teresa...

USASOC
Retired 20th Special Forces Group Soldiers Send Aid to Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Courtesy of CJTF-101 Public Affairs, April 14, 2008) – Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, distributed aid donated by the retired 20th Special Forces Group Soldiers to the Tarin Kowt Hospital in Oruzgan province, April 6.

The donation was made possible with the help of $11,750 in funding, clothing donations, school supplies, the help of National Guard trucks, 20th Special Forces Group retirees and the coordination of current Special Forces Soldiers.

According to one of the event organizers, the money and supplies were mainly donated by U.S. citizens.

Retired 20th SFG Soldiers used the money to purchase blankets, school supplies, socks and winter clothing. Private companies also donated clothing and additional school supplies...

Technorati Tags: U.S. Army, Special Forces

Bring Home the Bakken

RIGZONE - Bakken Area The New Saudi Arabia?
"While recent advances in heavy oil recovery have proven useful in bringing the highly viscous liquid to surface, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates of Bakken Formation hydrocarbons released April 10 are being met with a ticker-tape parade, as well as a tad bit of skepticism..."

Great Falls Tribune - Bakken Formation oil field has up to 4.3 billion barrels
"A new federal study estimates the Bakken Formation in Montana and North Dakota contains from 3 billion to 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil, a figure 25 times greater than the 151 million barrels originally estimated in 1999..."

Technorati Tags: Bakken

Friday Firepower - Aw Jeez Edition

Technorati Tags: McCain, Friday Firepower, Hillary, Obama

Vets on The Hill

This Ain't Hell has all of the coverage you need.

Pics, vids, and detailed narrative...
Looks like Pete and his men did it up right.

Navy SEAL Hero Awarded MOH

Monsoor's full citation and a memorial tribute can be found here.

MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR
UNITED STATES NAVY

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUNNER FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP ARABIAN PENINSULA, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2006. AS A MEMBER OF A COMBINED SEAL AND IRAQI ARMY SNIPER OVERWATCH ELEMENT, TASKED WITH PROVIDING EARLY WARNING AND STAND-OFF PROTECTION FROM A ROOFTOP IN AN INSURGENT HELD SECTOR OF AR RAMADI, IRAQ, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY HIS EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT’S POSITION. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY’S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. WHILE THE SEALS VIGILANTLY WATCHED FOR ENEMY ACTIVITY, AN INSURGENT THREW A HAND GRENADE FROM AN UNSEEN LOCATION, WHICH BOUNCED OFF PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR’S CHEST AND LANDED IN FRONT OF HIM. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE THREW HIMSELF ONTO THE GRENADE TO ABSORB THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS TWO TEAMMATES. BY HIS UNDAUNTED COURAGE, FIGHTING SPIRIT, AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY, THEREBY REFLECTING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

SIGNED GEORGE W. BUSH

Bakken Report Delivered Today

Could this hold us over until we develop a new technology?
Drill in Bakken while kicking off a Manhattan Project style initiative?

I think Rudy had a great idea. Perhaps we could perfect the hydrogen fuel cell or develop biodiesel.

With biodiesel we could make our national obesity problem work for us. Lots of used french fry oil out there.

I'm not sayin'... I'm just sayin'...

The Kansas City Star
"...A long-anticipated federal report to be released today will examine just how much might be squeezed out of a vast blanket of rock called the Bakken Formation.

Geologists have known about “the Bakken” for more than half a century. So the question isn’t whether high-quality crude really exists in a region not commonly associated with drilling rigs: North Dakota, eastern Montana and the southern parts of two Canadian provinces..."

Technorati Tags: Bakken

Court Disallows San Fran Ban on Handguns

Good news for the citizens of San Fran.
Apparently someone out there understands the Second Amendment.

SFGate.com
"...The ordinance, Proposition H, would have forbidden San Francisco residents to possess handguns, exempting only law enforcement officers and others who needed guns for professional purposes. It would have also prohibited the manufacture, sale or distribution of any type of firearms or ammunition in San Francisco.

Lower courts ruled that the measure interfered with a statewide system of gun regulation, which bars certain types of weapons and allows others. The rulings did not address the scope of the constitutional right to bear arms under the Second Amendment, the focus of a pending U.S. Supreme Court case involving a handgun ban in Washington, D.C..."

Navy SEAL Hero Awarded MOH

Monsoor's full citation and a memorial tribute can be found here.

MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR
UNITED STATES NAVY

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUNNER FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP ARABIAN PENINSULA, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2006. AS A MEMBER OF A COMBINED SEAL AND IRAQI ARMY SNIPER OVERWATCH ELEMENT, TASKED WITH PROVIDING EARLY WARNING AND STAND-OFF PROTECTION FROM A ROOFTOP IN AN INSURGENT HELD SECTOR OF AR RAMADI, IRAQ, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY HIS EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT’S POSITION. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY’S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. WHILE THE SEALS VIGILANTLY WATCHED FOR ENEMY ACTIVITY, AN INSURGENT THREW A HAND GRENADE FROM AN UNSEEN LOCATION, WHICH BOUNCED OFF PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR’S CHEST AND LANDED IN FRONT OF HIM. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE THREW HIMSELF ONTO THE GRENADE TO ABSORB THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS TWO TEAMMATES. BY HIS UNDAUNTED COURAGE, FIGHTING SPIRIT, AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY, THEREBY REFLECTING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

SIGNED GEORGE W. BUSH

Be Heard

Georgia HB 89 is being hindered by the state senate despite an easy passage through the house.

Our friends at sammytaylor.net have all the information you need to be educated about the bill and to make your voice heard so that this bill becomes a law.

GET TO IT !!!

Post Race Recap

The race went well yesterday. I beat my PR (2:11) for a half marathon, but not by much. Yesterday's time was 2:10:16, a shade faster. The weather was nice and cool, but it was also very cloudy.

We raised a total of $685 in donations which is short of the goal amount, but we'll just have to do better next time. Perhaps we can get some more people involved, more runners.

For those interested in running stats, my splits and other info:

Download 2008_0330_ING_Half_Mar_kg.pdf

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED OUT AND/OR DONATED!!!

WXIA Story Posted

WXIA has posted the story by Julie Wolfe here.

Warrior Runner

Posted By: Julie Wolfe

 

Last Modified: 3/27/2008 2:11:11 PM

Kenny Gordon and Glenn Harris will never meet.  In a strange twist of fate, their daughters will tie them together at the ING Georgia Marathon this weekend.

"He was just so far, you know, everything was a joke. He was like a big kid actually," Tara Harris says about her dad.

She wa just a kids herself, 12 years old, when her Army dad was killed in a training parachute jump.

"Three guys landed in the Chattahoochee and one of them was my dad," she remembers.  "It swept him under and they didn't actually find him until the next day."

Kenny Gordon has never served in the Army, but he has watched and worried as friends are sent to war again and again.

"With the nature of the conflicts that we're engaged in right now, special operations are deployed much more often than they were in the past. That means my friends are leaving."

Kenny wanted to do something to help.  His new baby daughter helped him define what that "something" would be.

"It's an enormous responsibility," Kenny says about having a child.  "It's an amazing experience, but you feel a great responsibility to take care of them no matter what."

For those serving our country, that "no matter what" might come after the ultimate sacrifice: dying in the line of duty.

Kenny is now using this marathon to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.  It was established to help the kids left behind when a service parent dies.

Tara HArris was one of those kids.  The foundation helped her pay for college.  In the years since, the group has helped thousands of others.

Kenny and Glenn were AVID runners that will never meet.  One daughter inspired her dad to raise money.  The other daughter sends a message of thanks.

"It's like a little remembrance of somebody you love," Tara says.

For more information about Kenny's fundraiser: visit his webpage.

You can see Kenny's story Thursday night on 11 Alive's Evening News at 7:00 PM.

Five For Fighting - Freedom Never Cries

Technorati Tags: Five for Fighting, Freedom Never Cries

Update on SOWF Interview with WXIA

As an update to this post, here.

The interview has been moved to this Thursday night at 7pm and Friday morning at 6:25am. Julie Wolfe of WXIA has found another compelling aspect of the SOWF that will also be included.

Technorati Tags: WXIA, ING, Georgia Marathon, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Julie Wolfe, Atlanta

Hey Cuz

AP
"...Obama has a prolific presidential lineage that features Democrats and Republicans. His distant cousins include President George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison. Other Obama cousins include Vice President Dick Cheney, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee..."

Technorati Tags: obama, cousins, brad pitt, jolie, clinton

Step Away from the Turnip

AP
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — A raw turnip was at the root of a bomb scare that last for hours at a law office. An employee at Haller & Colvin Attorneys at Law called 911 Thursday after opening a U.S. Postal Service box and finding a suspicious gift bag inside, police said....

FairTax Criticism Rebutted

Pajamas Media has the full story.

Technorati Tags: Fairtax

Local Exposure for SOWF

I'm glad to report that the fund raising work we're doing is getting a little press coverage here in Atlanta. Julie Wolfe (also a runner) of 11Alive interviewed me yesterday for a short piece about raising money for the SOWF and what that effort means to me. It is supposed air next Monday, 3/24/08, at 6:25am and 7:00pm. They should also post a copy of the interview on their ING Marathon page.

Despite my best efforts to My beautiful five month old daughter stole the show. In fact, that seem to happen quite often.
What can I say?

Thanks again to all those who have donated. And if you haven't donated.....DON'T BE SHY!
Click on the DONATE button above and make a contribution to the fine people at SOWF who take such good care of our Special Operations personnel.

Technorati Tags: ING Georgia Marathon, Special Operations Warrior Foundation

WE NEED DONATIONS!!!!!!!!

Months ago I told you all that I've decided to run the ING Georgia Half Marathon.

Well I've also decided to have some fun with this and contribute to a good cause. I'm going to run the race the for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation so please help me raise money for this fantastic organization.

Click on the donate button below to make a secure online donation via my fund raising page.

All contributions will go directly to the SOWF, an organization that has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Par for The Course

ynetnews.com
"...Hizbullah arch-terrorist Imad Mugniyah becomes immortalized in form of new Iranian stamp issued as 'cultural message of support' from Iran to Lebanon..."

Geography Lesson

The highly educated staff of ABC News enlightens us this morning with a geography lesson while covering the tragic murders of two college students (UNC & Auburn) from metro Atlanta.

Perhaps renaming this blog is in order.

Technorati Tags: Auburn, Atlanta, UNC

Heroes

AP - Atlanta Girl Gets Kidney From Stranger

AP - Dog Saved by Marine Gets Permanent Home

Sayonara Sucka!

BBC
"Toshiba has said it will stop making its high definition DVDs, ending a battle with rival format Blu-ray over which would be the industry standard.

Following a review of its business, Toshiba said it would stop production of HD DVD players and recorders..."

Obama Tied to Socialists

AIM
"Campaign workers for Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama are under fire for displaying a flag featuring communist hero Che Guevara. But Obama has his own controversial socialist connections. He is, in fact, an associate of a Chicago-based Marxist group with access to millions of labor union dollars and connections to expert political consultants, including a convicted swindler..."

Technorati Tags: Obama, socialist, che guevara, Bernie Sanders, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Party of European Socialists, The Global Poverty Act, Socialist International

Friday Firepower - Indian Thriller Edition

Technorati Tags: thriller, Nancy Pelosi, Go Dale Junior!