By Tony Vega for AmericanAngle.blogspot.com

Sunday 11 November 2007

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “the War to end all wars,” November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.

The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized "National Veterans Day," which included a parade and other festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on November 11, then designated Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide. -source VA

Present day 2007, our military are engaged in an unprecedented military action across the globe in a war against terror. As in most conflicts past or present, Americans express their views pro or con in a variety of ways. You may do so in a boisterous, mild, or indifferent manner, just remember it is our veterans that are valiantly protecting your right to do just that.

Perhaps on Veterans Day, we can cease the rhetoric long enough to take pause and honor the men and women in uniform that are serving and have served, not only those that died- but the living soldiers as well. That’s what Veterans Day is about, to thank our veterans, to show our gratitude without prejudice for their honorable service in keeping America free.

Happy Birthday to the United States Marines

By Tony Vega
Saturday, 10 November 2007

Today is the 232nd birthday of the United States Marines. Formal commemoration of the birthday of the Marine Corps began on 10 November 1921. That particular date was chosen because on that day the Second Continental Congressional resolved in 1775 to raise two continental battallions of Marines. On 01 November 1921, General Lejune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, issued Marine Corps Order NO. 47, series 1921. The order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps, and directed that it be read to every command on 10 November each subsequent year in honor of the birthday of the Marine Corps. This order has been duly carried out. - source U.S. Marines

The Marines’ Hymn is the oldest official song in the United States Armed Forces, and probably the most recognized the world ‘round. The third verse is also used as a toast during events important to the Corps such as the Marine Corps birthday. Note the line "Here's health to you and to our Corps.” Traditionally the hymn is sung while at attention as a gesture of respect. The lyrics are included for your enjoyment. So maggots stand at ATTENTION and sound off !

Marines’ Hymn
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze
From the dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And have never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

--------
Semper Fi!
 To see an American Soldier tribute check out: www.americanangle.blogspot.com

Hillary's Slip Shows

By Tony Vega for AmericanAngle.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 04, 2007

The latest Democratic Debate took place on October, 30, 2007 at Drexel U., Philadelphia. This was so close to Halloween, I was going to offer some common comparisons to witches, ghouls, but I decided against that because there is nothing scarier than a Liberal from New York.

A peek under Shrillary's mask did not reveal a pretty sight. Ladies, and gentlemen you're gonna need a lot of syrup for this waffle. The illustrious Senator from NY was quoted, while in New Hampshire, as claiming Eliot Spitzer’s absurd plan to allow illegal immigrants to have a driver’s license as “making sense.” Fast forward to Philadelphia’s Drexel University where Tim Russert one of the debate’s moderators asked her “why does it make sense”? Let the waffling begin. Hillary Clinton blamed the Bush Administration for the reason Spitzer drafted this plan, explaining he is “trying to fill the vacuum left by the failure of this administration.” Huh? Is it possible for the Democrats to sincerely answer a question? It appears that whenever the going gets tough the Liberals cop out with the all too familiar lament of “it’s President Bush’s fault.” Enough already. Answer a question on the merits, take a stand, you are endeavoring to be the leader of the free world, show some courage, and stop trying to play it safe by hovering the politically safe middle ground. You know, the only thing in the middle of the road is yellow stripes and dead animals.

embedded Hillary video at www.americanangle.blogspot.com
 
She refers to illegal immigrants as “undocumented workers.” Well Hillary, what do you call an “undocumented worker” that doesn’t work? Man, the elite left are so out of touch. That’s how she got into hot water in the first place; Slowly coming to the realization that most New Yorkers, including the Democrats in her own party, aren’t in favor of the NY Governor’s plan to issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, whether they “work” or not. Tim Russert addressed the entire panel of seven Democrats and asked, “Does anyone here believe that illegal immigrants should not have a driver’s license”? Chris Dodd from Connecticut immediately raised his hand. I believe there was one stall tactic where a Dem. partially repeated the question, feigning misunderstanding. Obama and Richardson glanced over at Dodd and with a weak wrist gesture joined him by raising their own hand. Chris Dodd made a sensible comment, reminding the panelists and viewers that having a driver’s license is a privilege not a right, and without equivocation he made his position clear that he is not in favor if Spitzer’s plan. Hillary, obviously rattled, attempted to save herself after Dodd’s remarks. She pretty much sputtered and claimed her comments didn’t mean she was for the plan, and then she was for the plan, the plan made sense, and just in case there were a few viewers that did not catch her earlier finger pointing, she blamed George Bush again. Right, I was confused typing that. Hillary, here’s some advise from: A closed mouth gathers no foot.

By Tony Vega for AmericanAngle.blogspot.com
Monday October 22, 2007

There are children that qualify for Medicaid and those that receive health care from their parents insurance plans, typically in conjunction with their employment. There are poor American children that fall in between this gap and receive no health insurance. The State Children’s Health Insurance Plan(SCHIP) was to bridge that gap.

In 1997 the Republican Congress enacted SCHIP as the largest expansion to health care since the 60’s. This health plan was designed to reach those that earned too much to qualify for Medicaid and those that were unable to afford private insurance. Ten years down the line today’s Democratic Congress was in charge of extending and continuing this coverage for the children. What we saw instead was political wrangling of an unprecedented magnitude. The House Speaker, the third highest ranking governmental official in the land, Nancy Pelosi makes the claim that her Congress passed a bipartisan bill before it was sent to the President’s desk. I’ll start there. A few Republicans signed onto the bill, true, but that didn’t make it a bipartisan effort. If the Legislative Branch keyed the Executive Branch in during the draft as per request then a bipartisan bill may have been possible. President Bush forewarned Congress that a veto would be forthcoming if the bill was not designed according to its intended purpose.

On October, 03rd A forwarded bill not adhering to SCHIP’s original mandate looked something like this: An inclusion of hundreds of thousands of adults, folks, that should ring some bells right there. Hey, it’s all in the title of Children’s Health Insurance. This bill also included upper income children already covered under private plans. Families in some states, specifically NY, earning upwards of 83,000 dollars per annum would have been allowed to continue to solicit for inclusion. I know, ridiculous to say the least. President Bush vetoed the measure as warned.

Next, a campaign by the left was launched. Poor, disabled children were exploited. Children in wheelchairs, children in hospitals were paraded in front of the cameras to tug on the heartstrings of America. By putting a face to those that would be most affected by a failed measure would have given credibility to the left when they blame the President for the failed measure. Shrewd indeed. The inaccuracies of such claims are tantamount to propaganda. Nancy Pelosi continued the exploitation. She began to stoke our feelings of disgust over the war in Iraq. During an interview, she consistently claimed how 40 days in Iraq would equate to 10 million children covered under the proposed bill. More bells should start ringing. It’s not about the amount of children that should be paramount here, I mean we can load up the numbers and really make it seem like we’re doing something. Why don’t we bloat the numbers and include Donald Trump’s children, or hey why not just create universal coverage for anyone under 30? It should be about the amount of children in need. Another Democratic plan that should go up in smoke is the desired manner to fund the program. A 61-cent tax hike on cigarettes is the proposed method. It’s flawed in the ideology. The prevailing theory is that an increase in tobacco prices will reduce the sale and use of cigarettes. So, is this a case of the liberals trying to have their cake and eat it too? Under this taxation plan and tobacco formula, how can the SCHIP extension sustain adequate funding? It is obviously flawed and disingenuous at best.

President Bush appears to be willing to compromise and reach a bipartisan effort to reach the children of our working poor, and the forgotten middle class. I haven’t been able to say this much as of late but, I am proud of the President’s efforts here. He has 15 months left to his term and it is obvious he is not going out as a lame duck President. Perhaps, that’s what the Democratic majority in Congress was counting on.

It appears the elite left knew no bounds during their attempt to smear the President while endeavoring to garner enough votes for an override attempt in the House. On October 18 the override attempt failed. There was one House Democrat in particular that followed Madam Speakers lead and took up the antiwar mantra. Rep. Pete Spark accused the President and the rest of the "chicken hawks" in Congress of funding the war in Iraq while not funding the children’s health plan. The self described atheist, earlier decried how the Republicans were "going to spend it(funds) to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement." This kind of rhetoric is from a senior member in his 18th term of the House, representing the East Bay near San Francisco. This is just a small sampling of the extreme and duplicitous nature of the elite left. They would rather throw these incendiary comments on the floor than face the legitimate issue at hand, the millions of uninsured children in America.

It should be obvious to anyone witnessing this debacle that the true agenda of the left is not to insure our children via the bill that was introduced. I will pull short of a Hillary Clintonesque cry of conspiracy. The true agenda was to backdoor their coveted universal health plan. Listen, we have a process. If there is merit to such a plan, debate it on the floor. Draft legislation, and introduce it as a stand-alone bill. This, of course, is a complex, hot button issue. The left is aware that most Americans don’t want Cuba, or Canada’s health care system despite Michael Moore’s movie. The alternative should not be to disguise it in SCHIP. Shame on Madam Speaker and the Democratic majority in Congress.

By Tony Vega for AmericanAngle.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

California is in a state of emergency due to the wildfires plaguing seven counties. Billions of dollars in property damage will result and more lives will be lost before the fires are extinguished. This is a tragedy of epic proportions to say the least. California is evacuating people in record numbers, an amount of evacuees this country has never seen, not even during the Katrina crisis.

California has implemented NIMS (National Incident Management System) as a result of a multi agency response to combat the wildfires. This system is a mandate put in place by President Bush post 9/11. Geraldo Rivera on the ground has reported communications between the varying agencies are in place and working very well under this universal system.

Now enter the elite left, such as Senator Boxer. It is amazing how the left loves to wallow in negativity. It is shameless that Senator Boxer will exploit the California situation in an attempt to embarrass President Bush. In a hearing, today, Boxer claims that most of our National Guard troops and machinery were in Iraq, therefore unavailable to assist with fighting the fires. Senator Reid made similar comments. California’s Lt. Governor Garamandi states a visit by the President will serve only as a distraction. He commented on MSNBC, referring to the Presidents planned visit, “we’ll be polite, but frankly that’s not the solution.” He claims the fire is worse because of the war in Iraq. The Democratic Lt. Governor poses this question, apparently to the President: “how about sending our National Guard back from Iraq so that we have those people available here to help us”? There were also complaints from certain sectors claiming federal air response was inadequate.

The comments made by these politicians are simply dishonest. It’s an attempt to mislead the American people. According to the Pentagon there are more than enough resources available to rapidly mobilize and provide assistance, Major General William Wade of the California National Guard mirrored these comments. Further reports claim that there are 17,000 National Guard troops available in the states awaiting word from California Governor Shwarzenegger to mobilize. It appears that there are only 2,000 National Guard members assigned in Iraq and Afghanistan. In regards to the air federal response, Californian local authorities, themselves, held up that response for pragmatic reasons. A common method to combat wildfires is a technique called “backfires” this is when fire fighters intentionally and strategically set fires to eliminate the fuel and contain or redirect the fires marching in a certain direction. Local authorities, such as CalFire know where the back burn fires are located. The fear was that the federal air response would spot these isolated fires and douse them. Therefore, California authorities were endeavoring to have a local air vessel armed with this information to lead any federal response.

There is no need for partisan politics during a time of crisis. It appears that it’s chic amongst the left to exploit the war in Iraq during trying times in our nation. Whether it’s an attempt at insuring our children, as the SCHIP post points out, or fighting fires in California, the Democrats embark on this antiwar campaign of misinformation. Americans should resent this blatant attempt by these politicians to manipulate us.

The FBI and ATF have confirmed arson in the Santiago area. Santiago is in Orange County, one of the designated counties in the emergency zone. Evidence was recovered in three different distinct areas.

The Orange County Tip Line is open and a $ 70,000 Reward leading to an arrest is offered. 1-800-540-8282