BDM's blog
Posted at 6:06pm on Apr. 6, 2007 "I assumed we were all going to be executed. We were all standing there waiting for it to happen."
By BDM
Those are the words of one of the British sailors captured by Iran. The article link below gives the account by a number of them when they told their side of the story as to what had happened during their 13 days in Iran.
Each reader can make up their mind based off of this article, but one can't help but wonder how "truthful" Iran was when President Ahmadinejad told Great Britain not to ask their own people about what really happened to them.
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Posted at 3:16am on Jul. 16, 2006 The Distasteful State Of Our Nation's Capital
By BDM
Thus far there have been 15 deaths in 15 days in DC. As a result, I cannot help but wonder how far this kind of violence will escalate. It is interesting to note that NONE of the other bloggers that I have checked out have made light of this. The reasons why I think this is important are as follows:
- The citizens of DC have no fear of the police of the repercussions of their crime.
- The fact that it has gone on for two weeks indicates each additional crime might get bolder as each passing day goes by.
- How long will it be before these crimes find their way across the river into Virginia, in which case the Democratic strongholds of Reston and Alexandria will be struck first.
I post these reasons namely because they are very relevant. It doesn't take a genius to figure out there is a problem. In fact, my own father has often commented that one of the driving influences on a person's voting decision can be based off of your current lifestyle. For instance, a smart politician only needs to ask the electorate if they feel safe while there is a crime epidemic going on around them with the current political leader. It is a simple question that requires very little logic.
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Posted at 7:18pm on Jul. 3, 2006 Wanted: A Hero...
By BDM
Job Description: A person who must stand up for those who cannot speak. A person who defends those that need defending. A person who will fight against insurmountable odds in order to do the right thing.
Salary: The admiration of some and the scorn of many.
Job Location: United States
Nemesis: Anyone who will say you should not be a hero.
Start date: Immediately
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Posted at 9:05pm on Jun. 28, 2006 The LEft and Right Jabs on Freedom fo Speech
By BDM
I received this story last night and thought it was interesting.
Well, what do we have here. Looks like a small case of some people being able to dish it out, but not take it. Let's start at the top. The story begins at Michigan State University with a mechanical engineering professor named Indrek Wichman. Wichman sent an e-mail to the Muslim Student's Association. The e-mail was in response to the students' protest of the Danish cartoons that portrayed the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist. The group had complained the cartoons were "hate speech." Enter Professor Wichman. In his e-mail, he said the following:
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Posted at 11:04pm on Jun. 27, 2006 Foundations of our Country
By BDM
A note to all readers, this is going to be a post of just my opinions. Most of the expression are being made off emotion and not necessarily used with logic.
Today, the Senate voted 66-34 on the proposed amendment to making burning the flag not protected by the First Amendment. The measure needed only one more vote to pass and go to the states for ratification.
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Posted at 4:42pm on Jun. 26, 2006 Freedom of Speech and Responsibility
By BDM
In a story released by the Associated Press, Representative Peter King (R. NY) is calling for the Bush Administration to press criminal charges against newspapers which release national security information to the public. Citing the New York Times specifically and their article about the CIA tracking terrorist funds. King plans to write to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and recommend "an investigation and prosecution of the New York Times-the reporters, the editors, and the publishers. We`re at war, and for the Times to release information about secret operations and methods is treasonous." King would also go on to say that he felt the Times was, "more concerned about a left wing elitist agenda than it is about the security of the American people."
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Posted at 4:34pm on May 29, 2006 Memorial Day
By BDM
Today is Memorial Day. On this date we remember our fallen dead who died in the service of our country and honor them. While I know there are those who will say different things about our soldiers, I cannot help but remember that there was a specific cause for what these men died for.
They died for America. Throughout it all, we have had well over a million men and women who died to ensure that our nation is as strong as our nation is today. Critics of our current conflict can say what they will, but the fact still remains it is these soldiers who gave up their lives which allows these critics to voice their opinions. Our freedom is based on the greatest sacrifce made for our country.
So for these people, these fallen few, these heroes who still live today, I believe the best quote to remember at times like these is to think about what it is all of us are working towards.
"We know there are dangers ahead, as we know there are evils to fight and overcome, but we feel to the full the pulse of the prosperity we enjoy. Stout of heart, we see across the dangers the great future that lies beyond, and we rejoice as a giant refreshed, as a strong man girt for the race; and we go down into the arena where nations strive for mastery, our hearts lifted to the faith that to us and our children and our children's children it shall be given to make this Republic the mightiest among the peoples of mankind." -Theodore Roosevelt
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Posted at 11:22pm on May 14, 2006 Eight Ways to Destroy America?
By BDM
Note to readers: The following came to me from an email sent by a friend. I would advise all to read, think, reflect, and discuss this in as open a forum as possible
We know Dick Lamm as the former Democratic Governor of Colorado. In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington, DC, filled to capacity by many of American's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, Mexifornia," explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal - was destroying the entire state of California. He said it would march across the country until it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.
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Posted at 8:42pm on May 7, 2006 A Trip to the Past
By BDM
During this weekend, the City of Fairfax had its 9th Annual Civil War weekend at the Blenheim House. Featured at this event were re-enactors who portrayed the roles of General Robert E. Lee, General James Longstreet, General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, and General Lewis Armistead. As it is known, recently the blog world had a debate pertaining to the issue of Southern history. Considering how the current trend was, I decided to take advantage of this weekend and ask questions to these men in order to understand some of the view points of those who lived at the time. Note: I am aware that re-enactors are not the actual individuals that they portray. However, since these men have studied the lives of the people they portray so thoroughly, it is about the next best thing.
There were three questions that were very specifically asked to these gentleman,
- What are your views on state's rights?
- Is secession constitutionally legal?
- What are your views on slavery?
For the first question, all four men cited the book View on the Constitution by William Rawle. The text, which was used by all cadets at West Point, discussed the issue of secession and details that it was legal for any state to leave the United States. In effect, the nation was a republic built on smaller republics. If one of those said smaller republics wished to leave the bigger one, then it was allowed to do that. Bringing things into a contemporary light, the gentleman played General Longstreet pointed out that the United States could, therefore, leave the United Nations and not be told that it had to remain in the organization.
Therefore, the answer to the second question was rather obvious. All four men believed beyond any doubt that secession was legal. In fact, if one were to think of it to today's standards, you could still argue that a state could secede from the Union, but that is another debate for another day.
The final question dealing with slavery was an interesting. Both Generals Longstreet and Armistead did not own slaves. In their opinion, the war was fought heavily over the issue of state's rights and that, while slavery was an issue, it was this one which was central to fighting the war. Now, Generals Lee and Jackson did own slaves. However, both men did acknowledge that slavery, while not moral, was a legal institution.
Now, granted, these questions are broad based, but it does give a sight insight into the thinking of some people who lived at the time. If ever there is an opportunity to go to an event like this, by all means go. It is actually a lot of fun, but more importantly, the people who work at these events LOVE to talk about it. They enjoy teaching and educating the public on their interests and want to make sure that all aspects of history are explored.
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