The Opinionator

Wireless Blogging

Glenn Reynolds, the ever-present blogger known as Instapundit, often mentions that he is blogging from such and such site wirelessly using Wi-Fi. Well Glenn, that is cool, but blogging wirelessly where there is no Wi-Fi is cooler. I am writing this from the local Caribou Coffee and "Look ma, no wires and no Wi-Fi!" I am connected to the internet via a Novatel Merlin wireless Connection Card and the Sprint PCS network (Obligatory conflict of interest note, I am a Sprint PCS employee. However, Verizon offers similar cards and other carriers offer slower wireless aircards). No, it is not free and yes, it is slower than Wi-Fi. However, I can connect virtually anywhere I can get a phone call. Now that is cool and it is a harbinger of things to come. In the near future, these cards will become faster, with "broadband anywhere" being possible. Additionally, one Connection Card will also be able to connect to Wi-Fi and wireless WAN. The ability to check e-mail, access company data, get work done, and even blog on the road is awesome!

"Anti-War Militants"

The BBC (Affectionately known here as the Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation) is reporting that an Italian "Anti-War" organization is actively raising money to send to the insurgents in Iraq. This is just days after the killing of 19 of their countryman by a homicide bomber. In nice terms, this is treasonous. However, since the West is so enlightened, it is likely nothing will come of any investigation. I have often wondered what it is that causes people to turn against their own country. Perhaps it is the naiveté of youth. But what explains those that carry this hatred of their homeland into their later years? It is beyond my comprehension. I can tell it is getting late or I would get my rant on. The hell I won't, what a bunch of complete assholes! My hope is that a group of police officers that lost a friend in Iraq will administer a Rodney King-like beat down to any of these creeps that show themselves in public.

By the way, an Instapundit reader Raymond Sauer asks, "How can a BBC reporter say 'anti-war militants' with a straight face?"

Excellent point.

AIRBORNE!

Ah, you gotta love the American soldier. In this picture, look closely as one of these paratroopers from the 82d Airborne Division gives the photographer a piece of his mind, HA! (Hat Tip, Little Green Footballs).

AIRBORNE!

Welcome Back Rush!

Rush Limbaugh returned today to his rightful place behind the "Golden EIB Microphone" after a five-week absence. It was a long time without "The Godfather" of talk radio. Agree with him or not, he puts on the best show in radio.

Welcome Back!

Hitting the Mark

In an essay that speaks volumes about men in The West, Kim du Toit hits the nail on the head with this post from November 5th, "The Pussification of the Western Male," (tip of the hat to Watcher of Weasels). What happened to being a man, with all that involves and requires. Where did we lose our masculinity? Hell what happened to the backbone of our nation? Yes, we have lost a bit over 400 lives in Iraq since this all began. Yes, each one is a tragedy. Now we are hearing of timetables being moved up to turn it all over to the embryonic "government" of the Iraqi's and the United Nations. Let's get this straight, our enemies are counting on us being weak, unable to go the distance. They base all their strategies upon us not being the equal of the WWII generation. And damn it, we are doing nothing to dissuade them! And a major reason for this weakness, as du Toit and others point out, is that our men have become pussies! Yeah, you may be able to bench press a Yugo or win a bar fight. But what about real toughness and fortitude. While I do not buy everything duToit is selling, it is high time Western Males took some Viagra for the spine because God knows we need to stiffen up!

Ted Rall, Idiotarian

Ted Rall, to quote the ubiquitous Glenn Reynolds, "is a loathsome human being." Read this and see if you do not agree. There is a special seat near the fire for Ted when he finally takes the eternal dirt nap.

Hat tip, Instapundit.

Heroes; Real and Created

Last night, in the midst of the madness surrounding the release of the new book and movie about Jessica Lynch and her experiences as a POW, PBS broadcast “American Valor,” a documentary about the Medal of Honor and the stories of those that were awarded it. The documentary was terrific, one of the things that PBS can do so well when it is not acting as a mouthpiece for the Left in this country. It also provided an amazing contrast to the Jessica Lynch story and all it’s twists and turns; Was the rescue staged, should it have been videotaped, was she raped by her captors, is she a bit ungrateful towards the very rescuers that videotaped her rescue, did she cavort topless with a group of soldiers before shipping out, and on and on and on. Not that PFC Lynch does not deserve credit for surviving a brutal ambush, multiple injuries, captivity, and possible mistreatment, but listening to the stories and citations of the Medal of Honor recipients provides a better understanding of what makes a hero. PFC Lynch is a hero because society and the media wanted her to be a hero, a feel-good creation. The hero’s of American Valor need no such creation; they did it themselves through their deeds of courage.

Looking at the haunted eyes of Clarence Sasser tells you all you need to know about what he has seen and done. Even before he mentions it, the viewer knows that Mr. Sasser does not sleep much or well. The hero’s interviewed were, to a man, modest about their accomplishments and touched by the experience. The stories told about and by these men are incredibly moving. To quote Admiral Tarrant at the end of Michener's “The Bridges at Toko-Ri," "Where do we get such men?”

When you hit your knees tonight, say a little prayer of thanks for real heroes. And, if you have an extra moment, how about another one asking for a little peace for Clarence Sasser and those like him that are haunted by the memories each night.

Veteran's Day

I would like to personally thank our nation's veterans on this Veterans' day. That thanks is extended to those that stood watch during the Cold War and throughout our nation’s history. A special thanks goes out to those spending today in Iraq, Afghanistan and other lonely outposts.

I would also like to thank my father, PO1 Joe Pompeo USN Retired, who served two tours in Vietnam and my brother, Commander Martin Pompeo USN, for his service the last 15 years including ferrying and supporting the initial Marines in Afghanistan.

Last, some gave all. There are not words to express the gratitude I have for your sacrifice. May you rest in peace.

The Surge in Attacks in Iraq; Media Manipulation or Election Ploy?

As anyone with a pulse is aware, there has been a surge in the number of attacks on our troops in Iraq. This has been accompanied by a similar rise in the number of casualties, especially those related to the downing of our helicopters. These new attacks occurred just as the message that all was not lost in Iraq was finally taking hold in the media. Certainly the attacks have once again overtaken any good news coming out of Iraq and put the Bush administration in the role of having to justify our actions in Iraq. One wonders if this is really a coincidence. Insurgents, terrorists and holdouts can watch CNN as well as anyone else.

Another thought is that this is part of a strategy to affect the results of the 2004 elections and throw victory to the democratic candidate. Certainly it would be in the favor of the Iraqi holdouts to see President Bush replaced with a more amenable democrat as president. Though the sane candidates have all acknowledged to a degree that we need to finish the job in Iraq, one does not need to be a Mensa member to know that a President Dean, (or Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Gephardt), would cut and run as soon as he could get away with it. Only Lieberman could be counted upon to stay the course.

So what is going on? It is probably a little of both, in addition to the normal ebb and flow of conflict. However, it will be interesting to see how the pattern of attacks play out as we get nearer to the election.

New To TypePad

Welcome to The Opinionator. It is said that opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Well, here is my backside for the world to see! I am not totally new to blogging as I have a site on Blogger. I will say that I have heard this is a better way to blog. Well, so far it has not been as user friendly, I hope it improves.

My focus will be on the political with some personal and general opinions and observations thrown in. It will only be a matter of time before I offend some, if not all, so be prepared.