August 20, 2004

Frontlash? No.

Kausfiles would just say it's the Feiler Faster Thesis spreading into all walks of life.

August 19, 2004

Keep out, or this angry amoeba will force you to breakdance.

From the Hall of Technical Documentation Weirdness.

Full Hall here.

Jesus Loves You

His Church May Not.

Fire Eric Schmidt Now

The guy with an unimpressive background hired to be the adult supervision at Goofle cost his shareholders $13 billion (while getting a payout of $1.2 billion himself regardless).

Leaders have to be accountable. Schmidt is responsible, then, for this morning's headline in the Wall Street Journal:

WSJ.com: How Miscalculations and Hubris Hobbled Celebrated Google IPO.

It's his watch; it's his time to go.

August 17, 2004

In the WSJ!

My article on TheLadders.com's "Top 10 Blunders Of Online Job Hunters" made the Wall Street Journal!

Many thanks to New York's best PR firm!

Site link policy

Gold medal in Obtusity.

August 16, 2004

The Ginger Files

Oy! Ginger git!

Addictive Trash Can Paper Shot Game

I like it.

August 15, 2004

Happy Birthday Frank!

A happy birthday wish to our Upper West Side correspondent, Frank Murtha!!

August 13, 2004

My Favorite Ad Ever

FedEx.com, so easy an MBA can use it!

Goofle

And they begin the auction on Friday the 13th?????

Googling 'Schadenfreude' can't happen alone.

August 12, 2004

Cheney for Veep!

Here are Dick Cheney's Remarks in Dayton, Ohio:

Senator Kerry has also said that if he were in charge he would fight a "more sensitive" war on terror. (Laughter.) America has been in too many wars for any of our wishes, but not a one of them was won by being sensitive. President Lincoln and General Grant did not wage sensitive warfare -- nor did President Roosevelt, nor Generals Eisenhower and MacArthur. A "sensitive war" will not destroy the evil men who killed 3,000 Americans and who seek the chemical, nuclear and biological weapons to kill hundreds of thousands more. The men who beheaded Daniel Pearl and Paul Johnson will not be impressed by our sensitivity. As our opponents see it, the problem isn't the thugs and murderers that we face, but our attitude. Well, the American people know better. They know that we are in a fight to preserve our freedom and our way of life, and that we are on the side of rights and justice in this battle. Those who threaten us and kill innocents around the world do not need to be treated more sensitively. They need to be destroyed. (Applause.)

Now those are the type of fighting words I'd love to hear from ALL of our leaders.

And to their credit, Democratic Senators Lieberman and Miller want to win too.

August 11, 2004

Clinton Claims Bush Plagiarized '98 Speech

Will the sniping ever stop???

Seriously though, royalties for foreseeing that Saddam must be stopped?

EuroBad Caption contest

We have a winner for our EuroBad caption contest!

From Frank in Maryland:

"Even in the gaudiest of interior designs, it is still important to make sure the rug matches the drapes"

OK, that's pretty off-color... good work sicko.

Swift Vets Respond

Dear Station Manager:

The purpose of this letter is to present some of the factual support for the advertisement "Any Questions?" produced and used by Swift Boat Veterans For Truth ("Swiftvets"), an organization properly registered under Internal Revenue Code § 527, and which has filed all required reports. Swiftvets is an organization led by Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann, USN (retired), Commander of all Swift boats in Vietnam during the period of John Kerry's four-month abbreviated tour in Swift boats between late November 1968 and mid-March 1969. A list of the 254 members may be found on www.swiftvets.com. A large majority of those who served with John Kerry in Swift boats in Vietnam and whose location is known have joined the organization. Thus, for example, sixteen of the twenty-three surviving officers who served in Coastal Division 11 with Kerry (the place where Kerry spent most of his time) have joined the organization, together with most of Kerry's Vietnam commanders and 254 sailors from Coastal Squadron One, ranging from Vice-Admirals to Seamen.

Read the whole letter.

Why is Kerry's staff geting him so mucked down in this? (Also, why has the New York Times not had a single story on this item? 200 veterans bear witness to the wartime capability of a presidential candidate and its not newsworthy?)

August 10, 2004

Wow!

Quite an open window into the life of the The Queen of All Evil.

Mazeltov!

Oh, Those Verizon Guys! Lowell McAdam is a Bad Executive, Part III

Why can't Lowell McAdam go away and just leave the service in its place? He leads an organization that sends customers into despair:

I came across your blog because I was thinking of adding a "Verizon Sucks" thread to my own blog -- http://strangewomenlyinginponds.typepad.com -- and ran a google search on the topic. I recently had a very malevolent experience with Verizon which, to my knowledge, is still ongoing. In February, 2002, I signed on for a one-year contract in exchange for the reduced price on a new Motorola phone. In June, 2003, I upgraded my calling plan. I don't recall anyone saying anything to me at that time about agreeing to another one-year contract, nor would I have agreed had I been asked. In May, 2004, the phone I bought in 2002 was ruined in a boating "incident." I called Verizon, and was told that I was eligible for an upgrade. I went to the local Verizon store, and found that I was not going to be cut any deal based on my time as a devoted customer, and would have to pay the same entry level price for a new phone as any new customer would. In early June, 2004, I decided to switch my service to AT&T, which offered better options for international service, and a great deal on phones for me and my wife. In July, I received a bill from Verizon that included a $175 early termination charge. I called and told them that there must be some mistake, because my one-year contract expired in February, 2003. They insisted that I fax them a copy of the contract, which I did. I subsequently got a series of rude calls demanding payment of the $175 early termination fee. When I protested that I had sent in a copy of my contract, I was informed for the first time that I had agreed to a one-year contract in mid-June, 2004, when I upgraded my calling plan. When I demanded that Verizon produce evidence of this agreement, I was told that the agreement was oral, and that they had sent a confirmation package to me in the mail. When I demanded proof of the confirmation package, I was told that it was not available but that I was liable for the one-year oral agreement. I then started to receive a series of threatening letters, informing me that if I didn't pay the matter would be referred to a collection agency, and that my credit rating might be affected. When I called to protest, I was treated very rudely. I finally got fed up and sent a letter demanding that they cease and desist, or else face a lawsuit for extortion, slander of credit, and/or deceptive and unfair trade practices under Florida law. I got one more note from them after that, acknowledging receipt of my "written correspondence" and asking that I call to discuss. I have thus far refused to call them back and am still contemplating a lawsuit against them. If they slime my credit, I will go after them with all dispatch. I think that they have engaged in an unfair and deceptive trade practice. Apparently, someone in their legal department has advised them to take advantage of a loophole in the statute of frauds that makes oral contracts for services of up to one year enforceable. However, they have failed to explain how they are able to refer such a matter for collection without first proving the contract's existence in a court of law, but less sophisticated consumers might relent to the pressure and pay Verizon money that is not owed. Verizon has, in short, earned my undying enmity. Sincerely, Brant C. Hadaway, Esq. Miam, FL

That sad part is the coverage and the phone plans are so nice, it's tough to leave them. But their customer-facing practices are S-L-I-M-Y.

Not Just Bad....

Eurobad '74!!

A free Gmail account to the best caption for this URL:

http://www.omodern.com/Eurobad/euro11.html

So.... what's the difference?

On John Kerry's war position:

Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry said on Monday he would have voted for the congressional resolution authorizing force against Iraq even if he had known then no weapons of mass destruction would be found.

Taking up a challenge from President Bush, whom he will face in the Nov. 2 election, the Massachusetts senator said: "I'll answer it directly. Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it is the right authority for a president to have but I would have used that authority effectively."

So, what does that mean? Should Hoawrd Dean anti-war supporters vote for Kerry now?

August 09, 2004

What if we win?

Asks the ever-unfolding Belmont Club:

Hit hard in Baghdad, Najaf and Basra, the normally combative Sadr has been reduced to pleading for a ceasefire. With Iran yet untamed, and strong pockets of resistance in Lebanon, North Africa and Southeast Asia, no one should think that the War on Terror is going to be over soon. But the enemy is clearly and palpably losing ground.

I'd forgotten how deeply read the man is.

The Straight Scoop From Najaf

I like my journalism unfiltered please:

Also his statement that most of the thugs were from outside Najaf rule out all the claims that this is an uprising, as if it was so then we would’ve seen the people of the city themselves revolting in large numbers but the fact is that Muqtada has gathered his criminals from many cities and focused on Najaf and Baghdad only because he knew he wouldn’t find enough people to support him had he depended on the people of Najaf alone. While the fights in other cities were small compared to Baghdad and Najaf and there was absolutely no fights in the rural areas which shows that the distribution of fighters was planned to focus on important areas only, and this ensures more media coverage which in my mind is one of the main goals of such movement, as it’s clearly supported and planned by outside parties which are dying to show Iraq as an unstable and hopeless place. Besides we all saw how the people of Najaf were delighted to see the IP control the city again in the previous revolt after many days of fighting. Also an uprising is a reaction rather than a planned action and here the percentage of the fighters from outside the city show clearly that this is closer to a planned revolt.

And if you like to read Iraqis who are more opposed to the occupation, you can find the most eloquent one here:

Last week churches were bombed- everyone heard about that. We were all horrified with it. For decades- no centuries- churches and mosques have stood side by side in Iraq. We celebrate Christmas and Easter with our Christian friends and they celebrate our Eids with us. We never categorized eachother as "Christian" and "Muslim"... It never really mattered. We were neighbors and friends and we respected eachother's religious customs and holidays. We have many differing beliefs- some of them fundamental- but it never mattered.

It makes me miserable to think that Christians no longer feel safe. I know we're all feeling insecure right now, but there was always that sense of security between differing religions. Many Iraqis have been inside churches to attend weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Christians have been suffering since the end of the war. Some of them are being driven out of their homes in the south and even in some areas in Baghdad and the north. Others are being pressured to dress a certain way or not attend church, etc. So many of them are thinking of leaving abroad and it's such a huge loss. We have famous Christain surgeons, professors, artists, and musicians. It has always been an Iraqi quality in the region- we're famous for the fact that we all get along so well.

I'm convinced the people who set up these explosions are people who are trying to give Islam the worst possible image. It has nothing to do with Islam- just as this war and occupation has nothing to do with Christianity and Jesus- no matter how much Bush tries to pretend it does. That's a part of the problem- many people feel this war and the current situation is a crusade of sorts. 'Islam' is the new communism. It's the new Cold War to frighten Americans into arming themselves to the teeth and attacking other nations in 'self-defense'. It's the best way to set up 'Terror Alerts' and frighten people into discrimination against Arabs, in general, and Muslims specifically... just as this war is helping to breed anger and hate towards westerners in general, and Americans specifically. A person who lost their parent, child or home to this war and occupation will take it very personally and will probably want revenge- it won't matter if they are Muslim or Christian.

Either way, isn't that so much better than what you read in the allegedly objective press?

What Does This Mean?

According to this article about Daschle's Bishop saying "Don't Vote for Pro-Abortion Politicians", the good Father wrote:

Within the past few weeks at least two people proclaiming membership in the Catholic Church wrote letters to the editor to daily newspapers presenting flawed thinking on the Catholic teaching of abortion and their particular political beliefs. As their bishop, I have no choice but to respond to their public action.

As people of faith, we are called to be in an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting him as Lord and Savior. Only then will our hearts and minds, our words and actions be truly formed by Jesus Christ.

As Catholics, we learn about our faith through the reading of the Sacred Scriptures and the teaching of the Magisterium. This teaching is found in doctrinal instruction, encyclicals like the Gospel of Life, and other official documents like the General Instruction on the Roman Missal. Much of this material is collected into handy resources like the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The church, in our ever-changing world, always turns in faith to the Lord. As the Bible reminds us, the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. The teaching of the church is in opposition to the culture of death and therefore the church is attacked by agents of the culture. Actually, if we follow Jesus, we should expect to carry the cross of misunderstanding, attack and even hate. As St. Peter said to the sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than men.”

What the hell does that mean? So if the Church says the sun revolves around the earth, we have to believe that too?

I love Wikipedia

Where else can you get a front page story on Djenné, Mail and the Great Mosque, the world's largest mud brick building?

By the way, Mali is also home to Ali Farka Toure, who rocks.

August 08, 2004

Personal Photo per Day

Each day since 1998.

Man, he likes that red shirt, don't he?

E-vil T-shirts

Nasty, naughty t-shirts that will land you in jail, for sure.

After WTC was hit, Kerry sat in a daze for 40 minutes

AMNation providesa concise analysis of John Kerry's own reaction time to the events of September 11:

I was in the Capitol. We’d just had a meeting—we’d just come into a leadership meeting in Tom Daschle’s office, looking out at the Capitol. And as I came in, Barbara Boxer and Harry Reid were standing there, and we watched the second plane come in to the building. And we shortly thereafter sat down at the table and then we just realized nobody could think, and then boom, right behind us, we saw the cloud of explosion at the Pentagon. And then word came from the White House, they were evacuating, and we were to evacuate, and so we immediately began the evacuation.

Hmmm, where the hell is the Kerry senior staff on these message points? They seem to be falling down on the job -- from the ludicrous "NASA is out to get Kerry" argument to failing to chess-game out their Bush attacks -- they are leaving their candidate open to ridicule, the sure way to lose a election.

Could it be that they are so convinced of Bush's evilness that they're doing the equivalent of the one-handed catch? That's not the way to beat this guy.

Primary Research

Thirty years after Watergate, Instapundit breaks into, er... card-keys his way into, the law library and provides further support for, at the very least, the first half of this voter's assertion.

August 07, 2004

Not Really Censorship

I think the Democrats have a right to have their messge heard the way they want to when they're footing the bill.

It's not really surprising they'd want to suppress these messages, and when it's on their dime, they have a right to.

Not So Bright

This fella here argues that Bush issues terrorist threats for partisan gain, and that this detalied graph supports the contention that these terror alerts are politically motivated.

Um, dude, there's just one problem with this.

The more terror threats issued, the lower Bush's poll numbers go!

So if political expediency were the rule of the day, wouldn't Karl Rove be arguing for FEWER terror alerts?

You know, if Bush were trying to win the election and all?

UPDATE: Hi Instapundit Readers! While you're here, make sure to check out Worst Album Covers Ever and my $100K+ jobs site.

Giuliani sez...

"I urge Ed to show to every American because I think every American should see this..." -- Fmr. NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Censorship

This is mind-boggling.

This article, posted on the website of the Chief Deputy Whip in Congress, and signed by her and 37 others, not so subtly threatens Fox News:

"The responsibility of the media is to report the news in an unbiased, impartial and objective manner," the letter reads.

"It seems clear that Fox News network has a deliberate bias in favor of, and often serves as an extension of, the Republican Party's policies and ideology." ...

A spokesman for Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said there were legislative avenues that the group could pursue as a secondary measure but declined to speculate on what those might be.

THAT is censorship, THAT is government suprression of free speech. Wholly unbelievable.

Stifling Dissent?

Censorship. What we have to look forward to in a Kerry administration.

August 06, 2004

The Ad

Wow.

No wonder somebody is trying to suppress it.

August 05, 2004

Cornholio

Time for some immature, juvenile, scatalogical humor.

Cornholio Soundboard

Thanks to C'Ville!

Stone Welcomes A New Blogger!

Pass the Eye will be your source for incisive commentary from a hick-turned-socialite right here in Manhattan! Check it out now!

The New Soldier: For Sale

Hey everybody --

Buy the John Kerry book "The New Soldier" here:

First book written by a Presidential nominee on which the American flag is flown upside down on the cover!

The Definitive Cousin Treatment

Both C'Ville and Apartment South correspondents forwarded this
definitive link on the matters of cousins by order and removed.

August 04, 2004

Children

Could Google have goofled their IPO any more than they have?

King Kerry

I don't know about you, but I'd sure like a 15th century ski chalet in Idaho.

Tip of the Guinness to our C'ville correspondent.

Religious War

To the many fools and fanatics out there who insist this is a religous war, I bring you these "President's Quotes on Islam":

In the President’s Words: Respecting Islam

The United States is a nation dedicated to religious tolerance and freedom, and President Bush has acted to ensure that the world's Muslims know that America appreciates and celebrates the traditions of Islam.

"Here in the United States our Muslim citizens are making many contributions in business, science and law, medicine and education, and in other fields. Muslim members of our Armed Forces and of my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at peace."

Remarks by the President on Eid Al-Fitr

The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

December 5, 2002

"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity. Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need. Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance. Muslims often invite members of other families to their evening iftar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance."

Remarks by the President on Eid Al-Fitr

The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

December 5, 2002

"America treasures the relationship we have with our many Muslim friends, and we respect the vibrant faith of Islam which inspires countless individuals to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and morality. This year, may Eid also be a time in which we recognize the values of progress, pluralism, and acceptance that bind us together as a Nation and a global community. By working together to advance mutual understanding, we point the way to a brighter future for all."

Presidential Message Eid al-Fitr

December 5, 2002

"Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind."

President's Eid al-Fitr Greeting to Muslims around the World

December 4, 2002

"Ours is a war not against a religion, not against the Muslim faith. But ours is a war against individuals who absolutely hate what America stands for, and hate the freedom of the Czech Republic. And therefore, we must work together to defend ourselves. And by remaining strong and united and tough, we'll prevail."

Press Conference by President Bush and President Havel of Czech Republic

Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic

November 20, 2002

"Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others. Ours is a country based upon tolerance and we welcome people of all faiths in America."

Remarks by President George W. Bush in a statement to reporters during a meeting with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan

The Oval Office, Washington, DC

November 13, 2002

"We see in Islam a religion that traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. We share your belief in God's justice, and your insistence on man's moral responsibility. We thank the many Muslim nations who stand with us against terror. Nations that are often victims of terror, themselves."

President Hosts Iftaar Dinner

Remarks by the President at Iftaar Dinner

State Dining Room

"Islam is a vibrant faith. Millions of our fellow citizens are Muslim. We respect the faith. We honor its traditions. Our enemy does not. Our enemy doesn't follow the great traditions of Islam. They've hijacked a great religion."

Remarks by President George W. Bush on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

Presidential Hall, Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.

October 11, 2002

"Islam is a faith that brings comfort to people. It inspires them to lead lives based on honesty, and justice, and compassion."

Remarks by President George W. Bush on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

Presidential Hall, Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.

October 11, 2002

"All Americans must recognize that the face of terror is not the true faith -- face of Islam. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate."

President George W. Bush Holds Roundtable with Arab and Muslim-American Leaders

Afghanistan Embassy, Washington, D.C.

September 10, 2002

"If liberty can blossom in the rocky soil of the West Bank and Gaza, it will inspire millions of men and women around the globe who are equally weary of poverty and oppression, equally entitled to the benefits of democratic government. I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements. And those values are alive in the Islamic world today. You have a rich culture, and you share the aspirations of men and women in every culture. Prosperity and freedom and dignity are not just American hopes, or Western hopes. They are universal, human hopes. And even in the violence and turmoil of the Middle East, America believes those hopes have the power to transform lives and nations."

President George W. Bush Calls for New Palestinian Leadership

The Rose Garden, Washington, D.C.

June 24, 2002

"When it comes to the common rights and needs of men and women, there is no clash of civilizations. The requirements of freedom apply fully to Africa and Latin America and the entire Islamic world. The peoples of the Islamic nations want and deserve the same freedoms and opportunities as people in every nation. And their governments should listen to their hopes."

Remarks by the President George W. Bush at the 2002 Graduation Exercise of the United States Military Academy

West Point, New York

June 1, 2002

"America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country. Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country."

President George W. Bush Promotes Compassionate Conservatism

Parkside Hall, San Jose, California

April 30, 2002

"We're taking action against evil people. Because this great nation of many religions understands, our war is not against Islam, or against faith practiced by the Muslim people. Our war is a war against evil. This is clearly a case of good versus evil, and make no mistake about it -- good will prevail."

Remarks by the President George W. Bush at a Town Hall Meeting with Citizens of Ontario

Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, California

January 5, 2002

"Eid is a time of joy, after a season of fasting and prayer and reflection. Each year, the end of Ramadan means celebration and thanksgiving for millions of Americans. And your joy during this season enriches the life of our great country. This year, Eid is celebrated at the same time as Hanukkah and Advent. So it's a good time for people of these great faiths, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, to remember how much we have in common: devotion to family, a commitment to care for those in need, a belief in God and His justice, and the hope for peace on earth."

Remarks by the President in Honor of Eid Al-Fitr

The Diplomatic Reception Room

December 17, 2001

"The teachings of many faiths share much in common. And people of many faiths are united in our commitments to love our families, to protect our children, and to build a more peaceful world. In the coming year, let us resolve to seize opportunities to work together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. Through our combined efforts, we can end terrorism and rid our civilization of the damaging effects of hatred and intolerance, ultimately achieving a brighter future for all."

President's Message for Eid al-Fitr

December 13, 2001

"According to Muslim teachings, God first revealed His word in the Holy Qur'an to the prophet, Muhammad, during the month of Ramadan. That word has guided billions of believers across the centuries, and those believers built a culture of learning and literature and science. All the world continues to benefit from this faith and its achievements."

Remarks by the President George W. Bush At Iftaar Dinner

The State Dining Room, Washington, D.C.

November 19, 2001

"The Islam that we know is a faith devoted to the worship of one God, as revealed through The Holy Qur'an. It teaches the value and the importance of charity, mercy, and peace."

President George W. Bush's Message for Ramadan

November 15, 2001

"This new enemy seeks to destroy our freedom and impose its views. We value life; the terrorists ruthlessly destroy it. We value education; the terrorists do not believe women should be educated or should have health care, or should leave their homes. We value the right to speak our minds; for the terrorists, free expression can be grounds for execution. We respect people of all faiths and welcome the free practice of religion; our enemy wants to dictate how to think and how to worship even to their fellow Muslims."

President George W. Bush Addresses the Nation

World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia

November 8, 2001

"All of us here today understand this: We do not fight Islam, we fight against evil."

Remarks by President George W. Bush to the Warsaw Conference on Combating Terrorism

November 6, 2001

"I have assured His Majesty that our war is against evil, not against Islam. There are thousands of Muslims who proudly call themselves Americans, and they know what I know -- that the Muslim faith is based upon peace and love and compassion. The exact opposite of the teachings of the al Qaeda organization, which is based upon evil and hate and destruction."

Remarks by President George W. Bush and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan

The Oval Office, Washington, D.C.

September 28, 2001

"Americans understand we fight not a religion; ours is not a campaign against the Muslim faith. Ours is a campaign against evil."

President George W. Bush Remarks by the President to Airline Employees

O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois

September 27, 2001

"The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends; it is not our many Arab friends. Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them."

President George W. Bush's Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People

United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.

September 20, 2001

"I've made it clear, Madam President, that the war against terrorism is not a war against Muslims, nor is it a war against Arabs. It's a war against evil people who conduct crimes against innocent people."

Remarks by President George W. Bush and President Megawati of Indonesia

The Oval Office, Washington, D.C.

September 19, 2001

"The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war."

Remarks by the President at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

September 17, 2001

Is that sufficiently exhaustive?

August 02, 2004

New York City Daily Newspapers

From 1900 - 1967. Very cool.

Swift Vets for Truth

The group of Swift boat veterans pictured below have a website here:

http://www.swiftvets.com/

Pretty distrubing that the vote of people who actually worked with Kerry in his 4-month stay are 12 to 1 against him.

John Kerry's shipmates speak out

Thanks to NewsMax.com:

Vietnam Vets Speak Out on John Kerry
Although John Kerry accumulated a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts in a relatively brief 4-month tour in Vietnam as a Swift Boat skipper, many of those who served on the combat patrol vessels in that era have come out swinging against the Democratic presidential candidate.

Last May about 25 of the vets -- organized into a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- went to the order on Kerry at a special press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

"We resent very deeply the false war crimes charges he made coming back from

Vietnam in 1971 and repeated in the book "Tour of Duty." We think those cast an

aspersion on all those living and dead, from our unit and other units in

Vietnam. We think that he knew he was lying when he made the charges, and we

think that they're unsupportable. We intend to bring the truth about that to the

American people.

We believe, based on our experience with him, that he is totally unfit to be the

Commander-in-Chief."

– John O'Neill, spokesman, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

"I do not believe John Kerry is fit to be Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces

of the United States. This is not a political issue. It is a matter of his

judgment, truthfulness, reliability, loyalty and trust -- all absolute tenets of

command. His biography, 'Tour of Duty,' by Douglas Brinkley, is replete with

gross exaggerations, distortions of fact, contradictions and slanderous lies.

His contempt for the military and authority is evident by even a most casual

review of this biography. He arrived in-country with a strong anti-Vietnam War

bias and a self-serving determination to build a foundation for his political

future. He was aggressive, but vain and prone to impulsive judgment, often with

disregard for specific tactical assignments. He was a 'loose cannon.' In an

abbreviated tour of four months and 12 days, and with his specious medals

secure, Lt.(jg) Kerry bugged out and began his infamous betrayal of all United

States forces in the Vietnam War. That included our soldiers, our marines, our

sailors, our coast guardsmen, our airmen, and our POWs. His leadership within

the so-called Vietnam Veterans Against the War and testimony before Congress in

1971 charging us with unspeakable atrocities remain an undocumented but

nevertheless meticulous stain on the men and women who honorably stayed the

course. Senator Kerry is not fit for command."

– Rear Admiral Roy Hoffman, USN (retired), chairman, Swift Boat Veterans for

Truth

"During Lt.(jg) Kerry's tour, he was under my command for two or three specific

operations, before his rapid exit. Trust, loyalty and judgment are the key,

operative words. His turncoat performance in 1971 in his grubby shirt and his

medal-tossing escapade, coupled with his slanderous lines in the recent book

portraying us that served, including all POWs and MIAs, as murderous war

criminals, I believe, will have a lasting effect on all military veterans and

their families.

Kerry would be described as devious, self-absorbing, manipulative, disdain for

authority, disruptive, but the most common phrase that you'd hear is 'requires

constant supervision.'"

– Captain Charles Plumly, USN (retired)

"Thirty-five years ago, many of us fell silent when we came back to the stain of

sewage that Mr. Kerry had thrown on us, and all of our colleagues who served

over there. I don't intend to be silent today or ever again. Our young men and

women who are serving deserve no less."

– Andrew Horne

"In my specific, personal experience in both coastal and river patrols over a

12-month period, I never once saw or heard anything remotely resembling the

atrocities described by Senator Kerry. If I had, it would have been my

obligation to report them in writing to a higher authority, and I would

certainly have done that. If Senator Kerry actually witnessed or participated in

these atrocities or, as he described them, 'war crimes,' he was obligated to

report them. That he did not until later when it suited his political purposes

strikes me as opportunism of the worst kind. That he would malign my service and

that of his fellow sailors with no regard for the truth makes him totally

unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief."

– Jeffrey Wainscott

"I signed that letter because I, too felt a deep sense of betrayal that someone

who took the same oath of loyalty as I did as an officer in the United States

Navy would abandon his group here (points to group photo) to join this group

here (points to VVAW protest photo), and come home and attempt to rally the

American public against the effort that this group was so valiantly pursuing.

It is a fact that in the entire Vietnam War we did not lose one major battle. We

lost the war at home... and at home, John Kerry was the Field General."

– Robert Elder

"My daughters and my wife have read portions of the book 'Tour of Duty.' They

wanted to know if I took part in the atrocities described. I do not believe the

things that are described happened.

Let me give you an example. In Brinkley's book, on pages 170 to 171, about

something called the 'Bo De massacre' on November 24th of 1968... In Kerry's

description of the engagement, first he claimed there were 17 servicemen that

were wounded. Three of us were wounded. I was the first..."

– Joseph Ponder

"While in Cam Rahn Bay, he trained on several 24-hour indoctrination missions,

and one special skimmer operation with my most senior and trusted Lieutenant.

The briefing from some members of that crew the morning after revealed that they

had not received any enemy fire, and yet Lt.(jg) Kerry informed me of a wound --

he showed me a scratch on his arm and a piece of shrapnel in his hand that

appeared to be from one of our own M-79s. It was later reported to me that

Lt.(jg) Kerry had fired an M-79, and it had exploded off the adjacent shoreline.

I do not recall being advised of any medical treatment, and probably said

something like 'Forget it.' He later received a Purple Heart for that scratch,

and I have no information as to how or whom.

Lt.(jg) Kerry was allowed to return to the good old USA after 4 months and a few

days in-country, and then he proceeded to betray his former shipmates, calling

them criminals who were committing atrocities. Today we are here to tell you

that just the opposite is true. Our rules of engagement were quite strict, and

the officers and men of Swift often did not even return fire when they were

under fire if there was a possibility that innocent people -- fishermen, in a

lot of cases -- might be hurt or injured. The rules and the good intentions of

the men increased the possibility that we might take friendly casualties."

– Commander Grant Hibbard, USN (retired)

"Lt. Kerry returned home from the war to make some outrageous statements and

allegations... of numerous criminal acts in violation of the law of war were

cited by Kerry, disparaging those who had fought with honor in that conflict.

Had war crimes been committed by US forces in Vietnam? Yes, but such acts were

few and far between. Yet Lt. Kerry have numerous speeches and testimony before

Congress inappropriately leading his audiences to believe that what was only an

anomaly in the conduct of America's fighting men was an epidemic. Furthermore,

he suggested that they were being encouraged to violated the law of war by those

within the chain of command.

Very specific orders, on file at the Vietnam archives at Texas Tech University,

were issued by my father [Admiral Elmo Zumwalt] and others in his chain of

command instructing subordinates to act responsibly in preserving the life and

property of Vietnamese civilians."

– Lt. Col. James Zumwalt, USMC (retired)

"We look at Vietnam... after all these years it is still languishing in isolated

poverty and helplessness and tyranny. This is John Kerry's legacy. I deeply

resent John Kerry's using his Swift boat experience, and his betrayal of those

who fought there as a stepping-stone to his political ambitions."

– Barnard Wolff

"In a whole year that I spent patrolling, I didn't see anything like a war

crime, an atrocity, anything like that. Time and again I saw American fighting

men put themselves in graver danger trying to avoid... collateral damage.

When John Kerry returned to the country, he was sworn in front of Congress. And

then he told my family -- my parents, my sister, my brother, my neighbors -- he

told everyone I knew and everyone I'd ever know that I and my comrades had

committed unspeakable atrocities."

– David Wallace

"I served with these guys. I went on missions with them, and these men served

honorably. Up and down the chain of command there was no acquiescence to

atrocities. It was not condoned, it did not happen, and it was not reported to

me verbally or in writing by any of these men including Lt.(jg) Kerry.

In 1971, '72, for almost 18 months, he stood before the television audiences and

claimed that the 500,000 men and women in Vietnam, and in combat, were all

villains -- there were no heroes. In 2004, one hero from the Vietnam War has

appeared, running for President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief. It

just galls one to think about it."

– Captain George Elliott, USN (retired)

"During the Vietnam War I was Task Force Commander at An Thoi, and my tour of

duty was 13 months, from the end of Tet to the beginning of the Vietnamization

of the Navy units.

Now when I went there right after Tet, I was restricted in my movements. I

couldn't go much of anyplace because the Vietcong controlled most of the area.

When I left, I could go anywhere I wanted, just about. Commerce was booming, the

buses were running, trucks were going, the waterways were filled with sampans

with goods going to market, but yet in Kerry's biography he says that our

operations were a complete failure. He also mentions a formal conference with

me, to try to get more air cover and so on. That conference never happened..."

– Captain Adrian Lonsdale, USCG (retired)

"I was in An Thoi from June of '68 to June of '69, covering the whole period

that John Kerry was there. I operated in every river, in every canal, and every

off-shore patrol area in the 4th Corps area, from Cambodia all the way around to

the Bo De River. I never saw, even heard of all of these so-called atrocities

and things that we were supposed to have done.

This is not true. We're not standing for it. We want to set the record

straight."

– William Shumadine

"In 1971, when John Kerry spoke out to America, labeling all Vietnam veterans as

thugs and murderers, I was shocked and almost brought to my knees, because even

though I had served at the same time and same unit, I had never witnessed or

participated in any of the events that the Senator had accused us of. I strongly

believe that the statements made by the Senator were not only false and

inaccurate, but extremely harmful to the United States' efforts in Southeast

Asia and the rest of the world. Tragically, some veterans, scorned by the

antiwar movement and their allies, retreated to a life of despair and suicide.

Two of my crewmates were among them. For that there is no forgiveness. "

– Richard O'Meara

"My name is Steve Gardner. I served in 1966 and 1967 on my first tour of duty in

Vietnam on Swift boats, and I did my second tour in '68 and '69, involved with

John Kerry in the last 2 1/2 months of my tour. The John Kerry that I know is

not the John Kerry that everybody else is portraying. I served alongside him and

behind him, five feet away from him in a gun tub, and watched as he made

indecisive moves with our boat, put our boats in jeopardy, put our crews in

jeopardy... if a man like that can't handle that 6-man crew boat, how can you

expect him to be our Commander-in-Chief?"

– Steven Gardner

"I served in Vietnam as a boat officer from June of 1968 to July of 1969. My

service was three months in Coastal Division 13 out of Cat Lo, and nine months

with Coastal Division 11 based in An Thoi. John Kerry was in An Thoi the same

time I was. I'm here today to express the anger I have harbored for over 33

years, about being accused with my fellow shipmates of war atrocities.

All I can say is when I leave here today, I'm going down to the Wall to tell my

two crew members it's not true, and that they and the other 49 Swiftees who are

on the Wall were then and are still now the best."

– Robert Brant

"I never saw, heard of, or participated in any Swift boat crews killing cattle,

poisoning crops, or raping and killing civilians as charged by John Kerry, both

in his book and in public statements. Since we both operated at the same time,

in the same general area, and on the same missions under the same commanders, it

is hard to believe his claims of atrocities and poor planning of Sea Lord

missions.

I signed this letter because I feel that he used Swift boat sailors to proclaim

his antiwar statements after the war, and now he uses the same Swift boat

sailors to support his claims of being a war hero. He cannot have it both ways,

and we are here to ask for full disclosure of the proof of his claims."

– James Steffes

August 01, 2004

Kerry Photo Captions

Wait a minute while I get my camcorder so we can reenact our meeting...

...was my favorite.