A New Direction

If you've read any of the post from January 7, 2007, you know that I've discovered a truth that has eluded many hikers and backpackers who have become mesmerized by one dimensional E-Lists and E-Groups: We are not alone in our love of trails, the outdoors, wilderness and preserving our resources from total destruction by the invasion of housing projects, multi-lane highways, over-use and abuse.

Now that I have discovered this truth, I want to pass this information on to others so that they, too, can broaden their horizons and become involved in preserving our resources with like minded individuals who enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities.

The BlueRibbon Coalition Website is the venue. Who are they?

"We are recreationists of all types, working together to preserve our precious natural heritage." We campaign to replace "user conflict" with "user cooperation". All recreationists must learn to share trails and facilities. All must learn acceptance and good manners."

Unlike many groups who assume a code of ethics, the Blueribbon Coalition publishes theirs on their website.

Blueribbon Coalition Code of Ethics
1. I will respect the rights of all recreationists to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. I will respect public and private property.
2. I will park considerately, taking no more space than needed, without blocking other vehicles, and without impeding access to trails.
3. I will keep to the right when meeting another recreationist. I will yield the right-of-way to traffic moving uphill.
4. I will slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking another recreationist.
5. I will respect designated areas, trail-use signs and established trails.
6. When stopping I will not block the trail.
7. I will not disturb wildlife. I will avoid areas posted for the protection of feeding wildlife.
8. I will pack out everything I pack in, and will not litter.
9. I realize that my destination objective and travel speed should be determined by my equipment, ability, the terrain, weather, and the traffic on the trail. In case of an emergency, I will volunteer assistance.
10. I will not interfere with or harass others. I recognize that people judge all trail users by my actions.
11. As a motorized trail user, I will pull off the trail and stop my engine when encountering horse back riders (it is also a good idea to take off your helmet and greet the riders).

Right now, some of you are developing an attitude. You think that foot travel is the only approved method of "wilderness" or "backwoods" exploration. Before you dash off a comment, I want you to read the BLUERIBBON COALITION OFFICIAL ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES AND POSITIONS. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. And I think that some of you will want to become members and get involved.

Protecting our resources is serious business. Visit this website. I don't think anyone will be disappointed.

Prayer Request

Prayer card from the Guild of All Souls


I've just received information that an acquaintance "is having times when she can't move her hand and it's getting worse." I will be praying for her and I respectfully request prayers for her from everyone who reads my blog. God knows who she is as do a few of you. Let us pray that God's will be done in her life and for her health and healing. Please pray for her husband and for her family, also.

My style is a finger print to my soul.

The above was emailed to me by a close friend. It's an awesome statement as I mentioned I was going to have to find a new "Trail Name" and/or "reinvent" myself.

I've written what I deem a worthy article (see below) about people who hike on the Appalachian Trail and who congregate on the Internet. The percentage of the total number is small. I've also looked at the member lists of The American Hiker and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy. While there are some activists from AT E-Groups/E-Lists who are members of one or the other group, there are many members of both groups, the majority of paying members it would seem, who are not.

What does that really say? I contend it means that political and environmental activists have less time for E-Groups and E-Lists because they are busy studying and writing, attending meetings, seminars, and conventions and lobbying for their group(s).

Which is what I plan to become involved in during the remainder of this year.

What happened to the Thru Hike in 2007? I guess that's the $24 Million Question of the Day. Life took a detour. I'm adopting a second dog, a puppy, who needs to be trained, so I will be taking long pre-hikes of a week to four weeks on various parts of the Trail to prepare for next year's Thru Hike. The dogs will accompany me on shorter hikes, but the cat gracefully declined and will be kenneled. I will not be taking either dog on my Thru Hike as I have probably mentioned in past posts that it is unnatural for a dog to hike 2175 miles in six months or less. A long hike wears out a dog and my pets' Veterinarian discourages taking a dog on a long hike.

So that's settled. I will be able to visit family more often this year, too.

Politically, I hope to post more information here which will spark some discussion.

Strategy Page has a new Dead Men Walking article, posted in part:

January 10, 2007: Sunni Arab countries (everyone in the region but Iraq and Iran) are in an uproar over what is seen as an Iranian takeover of Iraq. The takeover actually occurred centuries ago, when the population became majority Shia Arab. But the Turkish empire delayed the inevitable, by submerging the Shia Arab majority in Basra province, in a Sunni sea called the Ottoman Empire. That empire disappeared in 1918, replaced by many new countries, or at least ones that had not been independent for hundreds of years.

I think the reader will find the remainder of the article historically educational and a wake up call to Europe and the Americas as the article ends with this paragraph:

Each month, 50-100,000 Iraqis, mostly Sunni Arabs, leave the country. There are nearly a million Iraqi refugees in Syria, about 700,000 in Jordan, nearly 100,000 in Egypt, about 40,000 in Lebanon, and about 20,000 in Turkey. Over a hundred thousand have fled further still, to Europe and the Americas. The U.S. is trying to keep Sunni Arab refugees out, as it is believed many of them would be inclined to support Sunni Arab terrorist groups like al Qaeda, and seek revenge against the United States.

A long and well written article by embedded blogger Bill Roggio at The Fourth Rail, entitled Iraq, the greatest enemy is the time, states:

The average life of an insurgency is about nine years. In Iraq, the insurgents and al-Qaeda hope to wear down the will of the American government and people, and precipitate a premature withdrawal.

The article also states:

Nationwide, the Iraqi Army and Police clearly are not ready to fight the insurgents and militias on their own. Baghdad and Ramadi are clearly two cities where the police and Army would collapse without U.S. backing. But the police and soldiers in Fallujah believe they can. Pride, courage and fighting spirit are certainly traits these soldiers do not lack. They will need time to develop the capacity to fight on their own, and time is the one commodity the West seems to be short of.

If you don't want to comment, please take the time to read the linked articles and educate yourself about Iraq and the war on terror.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Deeper Thoughts Part Deux

Although I am livid about the unwarranted emotional reaction by those on backpacking, AT, and hiking internet groups, I have calmed down somewhat.

I'm especially disappointed in hikers who cannot accept the fact that not everyone believes as they do. Years ago someone told me that I could not be a backpacker if I wasn't concerned with reducing the consumption of resources, zero population growth, and living "green." I contended then and now that the earth belongs to the Lord and He owns the fullness thereof and He gave it to man. Man is to be a steward of the resources, but he's definitely supposed to use them! Who are we saving them for? The USofA has a population growth around .94 to 1.7, depending on which statistician you use, which means we are not producing enough children to maintain the Nation. So, who are we "saving" our resources for if we are not producing enough children to enjoy them?

Do the leftists, liberals, socialists and communists think that the USofA is going to give our resources away to nations with larger birthrates? Or maybe they expect the nations who need the resources to over run the USofA and just take them, as some residents of New Orleans did after Hurricane Katrina.

And just which nations would be so inclined as to take what is not theirs? Look South and look to the Middle East and you have a two pronged answer.

Part of who I am is "political" although right now any political party is suspect because no one seems willing to take the bull by the horns and straighten out the USofA. I assume no one is willing to upset his or her money sources which are needed to be elected (back) into Congress. Even State and local elections cost a lot of money. It's not like you have to ride your horse into town, make a speech at the town square and then ride off to the next town. And since nominees today do not need all that much time to get their message out, I believe and advocate a shorter "Primary Election to National Election" time frame. With the advent of radio and then television, Congress should have had a little foresight to realize that the electoral process was much too long. Now that we have the internet and instant messaging and YouTube, it is not cost effective to have such a long time between the first Primary and the National Election. I also contend that a lot of productive time in businesses and homes is lost due to the extravagant length of time between the initial Primary and the November elections.

Part of who I am is also Catholic. I am a great admirer of Pope Benedict XVI, as some of you have already surmised. I believe that just as Pope John Paul II was God's Pope during his papacy, I am convinced that Pope Benedict XVI is God's Pope at the present time. Critics of religion always choose the Catholic Church as their target since the Church traces its history of existance back to the Upper Room in Jerusalem. In the first and subsequent century there have been heresies which tried to disprove what the apostles preached and wrote, but their lies failed to affect the Church negatively. In fact, the Church has always grown stronger when under oppression. If the media attacked one of the protestant churches, that church could disband, disappear and then reappear with a new name. But the Catholic Church as an institution can never do that, therefore it is a target for heresy and hate. I pray that the common enemy, the anti-christ/anti-jew Muhammadanism will be a catalyst for Catholic Christians, protestant Christians and Jews to bond together in prayer and action.

I found out yesterday that a dear friend had innocently responded to an email on a certain e-List with the Discovery of Constant, Sun Spot Induced, Harmless 1500 Years Global Warming Cycles website asking the Global-Warmist-ites what their take was on the article. She was immediately removed from the e-List. I know the backpacker and it was an innocent question with no malice aforethought. So, I invited her to join my new Yahoo Group Global Warming is a HOAX.

[Editorial Note: my dear friend has found freedom from the one-eyed-monitor now that she no longer has the certain e-List as part of her repertoire. What some meant for evil, Someone turns into good.]

And if you have a good sense of humor, I invite you to join the fun. I do moderate and have control of the Group and I can and will remove those who blaspheme as well as those who attack anyone else in the Group. I am very generous, even if I'm not a leftist or a liberal. Surprising to some of you, common knowledge to my friends.

And PS: That global warming thing is just a way for Al Gore to get another 15-minutes of "fame." And it makes him appear as a fool because he's not a scientist, he's a politician who tries to be an politician playing an actor playing a scientist in a poorly directed propaganda film.


Sunspot photo from Material in Terry Kucera's Presentation on the Solar Maximum by NASA/NSSTC/Hathaway.

For you doubters, click here to read the discussion of the book by S Fred Singer and Dennis Avery.

For more information about the sun, click here for The Solar Physics Group at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Some people thought they could blame it all on Bush, but this time, they have to blame it on the sun!

Deeper Thoughts

I'm still laughing about yesterday's totally un-generous (aka un-liberal) attack by a self-described 'tree hugging leftist' who has stood in front of the bulldozers as a card carrying member of the Sierra Club. Why am I laughing? Because I have been thinking about the "trail community" and what it is and is not and how it relates to backpacking the AT for some time now. How long? At least since Bill Bryson wrote his unkind tome he called "A Walk in the Woods" as the book was not about Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail but rather used the AT as a venue to sell his occasionally funny, mostly sarcastic and Southern-phobic story.

If you have also had some questions about the relationship of the "hiking community" to "the real world" read on. I monitor posts to this blog, but I am willing to read what you say and will post even the negative comments as long as there is A-no profanity and B-no personal attack on me. Even if you're cyber-stalking me, I'll post your comment if A and B requirements are met.

~~~~~An Appalachian Trail Hiker Overview by THFKA Coosa~~~~~~~~

According to the United States Forest Service, the Appalachian Trail is host to approximately 4 million visitors a year. This means that at least 4 million people put one foot on the (currently) 2,175 mile AT in a given 12 month period. Some are day hikers, some are Thru Hikers, some are just there for a photo opportunity, some are Trail Maintainers, and some visit more than once a year. For point of reference 4,000,000 will be used in my article.

According to The Appalachian Trail Conservancy a total of 9000 hikers have reported completing the AT since its completion in 1937. They also state that in any given year approximately 2000 to 3000 hikers set out to Thru Hike the AT (hike the entire Trail in one continuous hike in one 12 month period). Of these 70% to 90% do not complete their hikes. Reasons given for terminating their hike are found in Roland Messer's 1989 book, "Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail." They include injury and boredom. Additional information is on Mark Flagler's 2003 DVD "Appalachian Impressions: Hiking the A.T." It can readily be assumed that a certain number of the 2000 to 3000 Thru Hikers each year were also hiking in a previous year and either did not finish the AT when they initially started their hike, are officially Section Hiking (rather than Thru Hiking) the AT, or are repeat Thru Hikers.

Let's look at some numbers: Early on, in the 1930's through the 1950's the yearly number of hikers attempting a Thru Hike was much less than the 2000 to 3000 reported today. Even in the 1960's through the 1980's, these large numbers are suspect as interest in backpacking and completing a hike on the entire Appalachian Trail was in its infant stages during those years. For this dissertation, I will use 1000 hikers per year between 1960 through 1989 and starting with the year 1990 count 2500 Thru Hikers for each year through 2006. There was a surge in 1999 and 2000, but I believe that using 2500 attempts a year from 1990 to 2006 will be a fairly accurate yet conservative representation of the number of people (including repeaters) who set out to Thru Hike the Appalachian Trail in each of those years. 1000 x 29 years (counting 1960 as the first year and 1989 as the last) = 29000 hikers attempting a Thru Hike or officially hiking a Section Hike on the AT in the years from 1960 to 1989. 2500 x 17 years (counting 1990 as the first year and 2006 as the last) = 42500 Hikers on the AT in the years 1990 to 2006 attempting a Thru Hike or officially hiking a Section Hike. For my computation I will use the sum of these two numbers (71,500) as representative from 1937 to the present. Using the 9000 total completed Thru Hikes (aka 2000 Milers) reported to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, this means that 9000/71500 or approximately 13 percent complete a Thru Hike each year. This takes into account the 100% in 1937, assuming Earl Shaffer was the only person who attempted a Thru Hike that year, to the much lower numbers between 1938 and the surge in the 1990's. Since 2000, the ATC reports that approximately 20 percent of the hikers report completing the AT in a given year. (And they report that the majority of the 20% are women hikers.)

Now, let's look at the larger picture and put this all into perspective. The ATC reports that the AT has 4,000,000 visitors a year. Of those, approximately 2500 or 00.0625 percent are Thru Hikers or officially hiking a Section Hike. This is not to say that a Thru Hike or officially hiking a Section Hike is not an accomplishment, because I think that everyone will agree that hiking 2175 miles in one hike or over several (Section) hikes is an accomplishment to be proud of.

However, these statics are important when looking at the 'big picture' on the Appalachian Trail.

I've done some research and even with duplication and my innate generosity, the number of people who participate in online e-groups or e-lists related solely to the Appalachian Trail are approximately 4000 or 00.1 percent of all the people who put at least one foot on the Appalachian Trail each year. Where on the Internet are the rest of the 3,996,000 people?

Damascus, VA holds a Thru Hiker gathering called Trail Days each year on the Thursday to Sunday weekend after Mother's Day each May. According to one Trail Days website approximately 20,000 people attend the festivities. I've been there at least ten times and I think that it's generous to state that 10,000 attend Trail Days. Given the ATC's 4 million visitors to the AT and using the more than generous and highly speculative 20,000 Trail Days visitors, this indicates that 00.5 percent of those who set one foot on the AT attend Trail Days. Not everyone in attendance is a Thru Hiker or a Section Hiker. Many locals attend Trail Days as there are activities relating to alumni of the local schools and school activities as well as a community wide yard sale on the Saturday before Mother's Day. The "Hiker Parade" usually has approximately (and generously) 500 hikers (not counting the parade vehicles and floats). Of the 9000 reported Thru Hikers (2000 Milers) and the 2500 hikers on the AT each year working on completing their hike, 4.34 percent attend Trail Days.

I hope you can see where I'm going with this. If not, read on.

Let's assume for the sake of mathematics that the number of visitors to the AT during 1937 to 1959 totalled 10 million and the numbers from 1960 to 1989 at 2 million a year totalled 58 million and the total between 1990 and 2006 of 3 million a year in the 1990's and 4 million a year beginning 2000 totals 30 million plus 28 million or 58 million. Taken as a whole, this equals 126,000,000 over the same time frame that 9000 hikers reported completing the AT. Of 126 million who have visited the AT since its inception only 00.00007 have reported completing a Thru Hike to the ATC. And of the Thru Hikers on the AT during this same time period (71,500) they represent 00.00057 of the total number (126,000,000) who have visited the AT.

In the grand scheme of things, Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers and Official Section Hikers are in a minute minority. But again, let me emphasize that hiking the AT and completing the entire Trail is an accomplishment to be proud of.

My question is: Where are the rest of the AT Thru Hikers who have not reported their completed AT hikes to the ATC? Some, like a certain male ballet star, 'said' they Thru Hiked but failed to follow all the white blazes and yellow blazed about half of the Trail. A person can "say" anything, but eventually the truth will out. (Right, Mr. Gore?) But I have met former AT Thru Hikers who just "didn't" report to the ATC that they completed their hikes. Why? Good Question.

So this is where this is going: Not everyone who hikes on the Appalachian Trail is a member of any AT related e-group, e-List, attends Trail Days, or is a member of any AT related group such as the AT Conservancy, the local AT Maintaining Club, ALDHA, Trailplace or WhiteBlaze. Why? Good Question.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cycle of AT Hiker Life~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I see it. Recall, this is my blog and you have the right to comment.

1- Interest in the Appalachian Trail is sparked.
A- By Bill Bryson's "book"
B- By a high school or college backpacking class
C- By a family member or friend who completed a Thru Hike
D- By an article in a magazine or newspaper
2- Inquiries made regarding gear.
A- Through books about backpacking
B- With local outfitter
C- Borrowing from friends or family (this hand me down gear usually does not fit)
D- Checking on the Internet
3- Gear not borrowed is purchased
A- From local outfitter
B- From discount online outfitter
C- From backpacking equipment store
4- Money is saved for trip
5- Some "pre-hike" hikes are made
6- The Big Day Arrives and the AT Thru Hiker arrives at the Terminus of his/her hike
A- The Thru Hiker is fortunate and everything falls into place and he/she completes his/her Thru Hike
1- Hiker notifies ATC and may be active in local AT Maintaining Club and other AT related resources (including online e-groups and e-lists)
2- Hiker completes hike, tells few and resumes pre-hike life (often with a changed perception and life-style, but not always)
3- Hiker's entire life-style and outlook are changed and he/she becomes an active Trail advocate and politically active in an AT related area
B- Things go wrong or an injury occurs and the Thru Hiker has to get off the Trail
1- Injury or 'misery' is so great that Hiker sells gear and returns to "the real world"
2- Hiker vows to overcome injury/misery and returns to the AT as an Official Section Hiker or to attempt another Thru Hike
3- Injured Hiker doesn't wish to lose the camaraderie of the hiking community and joins one of the many e-groups or e-lists.
4- Injured hiker becomes actively involved as a Trail Advocate
C- Post Thru Hike, hiker decides to hike on other long (and short) Trails and becomes active in the Trail Community related to those Trails
D- Post Hike, hiker returns to College and obtains a degree in a field in which he can promote the AT and environmental causes
E- Post Hike, hiker realizes what's truly important and gets politically involved, working for local, State or Federal government

The above is not all inclusive, but the general observation is that a Thru Hiker is a changed person. Some change for the better, some go off the deep end and join forces with those organizations which would overthrow the US Government and destroy our current way of life, and some are changed spiritually with or without any external indication of the change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A person who wants to Thru Hike the Appalachian Trail can do so without any contact with any one who has Thru Hiked previously, without joining any e-group/e-list, without reading or writing a book (including Bill Bryson's) or a journal. A person can Thru Hike the AT and enjoy the hike, the moment and the community and then return to the "real world" and never look back or hang on to "what was then" because "this is now!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind: 24 And put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak; ye the truth every man with his neighbour; for we are members one of another.

2 Corinthians 5:17 If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away, behold all things are made new. 18 But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ; and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their sins; and he hath placed in us the word of reconciliation. 20 For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us. For Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God.

Mark 4:1 And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side. 2 And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine: 3 Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. 4 And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. 5 And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth.

6 And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. 9 And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable.

11 And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? and how shall you know all parables? 14 He that soweth, soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard, immediately Satan cometh and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these likewise are they that are sown on the stony ground: who when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but are only for a time: and then when tribulation and persecution ariseth for the word they are presently scandalized. 18 And others there are who are sown among thorns: these are they that hear the word, 19 And the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts after other things entering in choke the word, and it is made fruitless. 20 And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

These verses do relate, but I'll leave it up to you to discover how if it's not obvious to you.
Pace e Bene! ~~~~~~THFKA Auntie Coosa~~~~~~

Journaling

Yesterday, one of my friends commented to me over the phone that I'm not doing enough Journaling on this blog.

I guess that's correct. I hope I've journaled some today (see previous post).

And if not, then comment and I'll work harder at it.

A journal is a place to write one's thoughts. Well, sometimes I do and sometimes I find items of interest that I share.

My thoughts earlier tonight are below, along with some Bible verses from the Douay-Rheims version of the Bible. This version is the English translation of the Latin Vulgate and is a Complete Bible with all the Cannonical books, not just the ones the Protestants left in their shortened version they call the King James version.

A special prayer goes out to my sister-in-law and her family upon the passing away of her mother. May all the Saints and Angels of heaven comfort the family and may the God bless them during this time of loss.

Hail Mary, full of grace;
the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et
benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis
peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae.

For Everything There is a Season

I love life. Really, I do. I never know what's going to be around the next moment or the next hour.

I'm in Tennessee right now, visiting my son and his family. I got online just to check out what was going on in my little "e-group" world and wouldn't you know, someone from another e-List decided to get involved in a conversation which was really none of his business, other than that it was on that "e-group" and so was he.

About a year ago, an acquaintance decided to spread half-truths about the environment on an e-List. I countered with facts. And some tongue in cheek fun. If you haven't noticed, liberals and leftists and socialists and communists have a big problem with humor. They don't laugh much. Since there were no scientific FACTS to back up her statements, she started attacking me personally. Since I prefer the high road, I voluntarily removed myself from the group and later found out from the list-owner that my comments would be moderated. No prob, as the other person's were, too. For how long, I don't know. I wasn't getting the emails.

I found another hiking e-group and joined in 2006. THEN, someone recently read my blog but didn't want to respond to ME personally through the blog -- comments ARE monitored and only those with curse words have been refused -- this is a public forum after all -- but instead responded on the e-group.

What's the big problem? THIS IS MY BLOG AND MY THOUGHTS. And I'll back them up with proof. If you have a problem, contact the person who documents the proof, do NOT attack me as it gains you nothing. On this Blog, I have provided factual proof that Al Gore's "Global Warming" is an emotional HOAX. See the post below and check out the link. (Just scroll your pointer over the post and it'll show you where to click or double click.) These FACTS seem to be the bone of contention with the emotional leftist-liberal-socialist-communists.

So a few moments ago I wrote a BLISTERING (I hope) post on the e-group and removed myself, voluntarily, from said group.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE??? They want to believe a lie because it fits into their leftist, liberal, socialist, communist, EMOTIONAL agenda!!!

I don't hate anybody for their beliefs (other than Muhammadans, I will make that distinction. I know from study, that they can lie out of both sides of their mouths and still be considered 'good Muhammadans' as long as the lying promotes Islam/Submission of others to Muhammadanism). I don't think I have ever personally attacked anyone for the error of their beliefs. I don't have to defend what is correct. But I will speak up when someone uses emotional propaganda to promote a lie. And YES, if a Muhammadan promotes the lies of Islam in my presence, I will speak up.

So, what's it worth to you, angry person? Was it worth your energy to slam me? I guess you'll follow me over to my other groups and attack me personally there, too. Why are you cyber-stalking me? What have I ever done to you? Who made you the "backpacking police?" Not ALL backpackers are emotional leftist, liberal, socialist, communists. Or were you unaware of that FACT?

It seems that FACTS cannot find a foothold in some people's agenda. Logic and Reason fly out the door because emotional propaganda stirs up the masses and promotes your animist agenda.

Oh, for those of you who didn't know, those 'tree huggers' promote animism. This belief, that everything has an innate 'spirit' and that everything has the same value leads to euthanasia and abortion. WHAT? Oh, yes, dear reader, if everything has the same value as everything else, then a tree has as much value as a human. And if the killing of an unborn baby will save a tree, then the 'tree huggers' will demand abortion over cutting down a tree. And if an elderly person is breathing too much air and using too many resources, because the resources are worth the same as the elderly person, the 'tree hugger' will promote killing or euthanizing the elderly person to save the resources.

Sorry people, those are the FACTS. Logical and Reasonable. This is not emotional propaganda. Just follow the money, or the yellow brick road, or the yellow submarine. Leftist propaganda ultimately leads to animism.

And if you'll check out the 'new age' beliefs that some religions have added to their agendas, you will find that animism is alive and well in many main-stream religions.

Now, if you want to find a logical and reasonable religion . . . try here. Let me warn you that the cost is high. Perhaps higher than most 'tree hugging' followers of Al Gore are willing to make.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

1 All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

6 A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away. 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. 8 A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What hath man more of his labour? 10 I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end. 12 And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life. 13 For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God. 14 I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared. 15 That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.

Genesis 1:26-31

26 And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. 27 And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. 29 And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat: 30 And to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done.
31 And God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day.

"Dominion" and "increase and multiply" and "subdue" and "rule" and "it was so done" and "God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good."

John 3:16-21

16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. 18 He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. 20 For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. 21 But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.

Josue 24:15

15 But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your choice: choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you would rather serve, whether the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorrhites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Politics and Other Subjects

Politics is one of those topics that most people tell you not to discuss in polite society. Unfortunately, no one tells anyone else how "polite society" is defined. I am not an easy person to categorize (some will say "I'm not an easy person") because my interests are all over the globe. In fact, beyond the globe. I love to study photos of the Sun. It's the most interesting object to me. I want to go into a Sun spot to see what's in there. (And I assure the reader that it's not "hell" as the Sun is just the object that brings light to the Earth.) So who is or what is "polite society?" My definition is: Polite Society is people who do not bring up politics in any discussion unless they're willing to obtain a political response from all the hearers (or readers). My blog is set up for comments. If you have a comment, please do so. I will monitor it (to be sure it meets the "G" rating of the blog) and post it, misspellings and grammatical errors will not be altered.

Cyber-Stalkers are people who think that the Internet and an email address gives them liberty to harass others "anonymously" hidden behind a "user name." ISP addresses embedded in emails are not that hard to pull up. Anonymity only exists in the mind of the user. (That last sentence is mind boggling if you think about it.)

Death is often a subject most people try to ignore because they don't see it as part of the process of life. The cycle of life includes an end of life we call death. My great grandaunt died at age 103. My grandmother at age 96. My mother's first cousin has just died at age 101.5. Both my parents are alive (as has been mentioned before) and live in a Retirement Community. And I am ever grateful that my Dad had the foresight to plan for their retirement.

Thru Hiking. I had thought about posting my trail stories over on a website set up for same. But I've thought about it a lot and instead, I will be posting my journal as a blog whenever I can find a computer and time to do so. The Journal Blog will be referenced on this blog as soon as I start posting. So stay tuned.

What else is going on?

The Hanging: The camera-phone detail of Saddam Hussein's hanging, no matter which side of the death penalty you stand on, should not have been made public so soon after it occurred. I don't know exactly what the hanging accomplished other than the death of a man who still had lawsuits pending against him. It seems the "easy" way out. Some have suggested that the Iraqi leadership was afraid that Democrat leadership in the USofA would set Saddam free. Goes to show you how little they understand 'democracy' -- I think. Maybe John Kerry mentioned releasing Saddam when he went over there before Christmas.

Iraq: 3000 USofA Soldiers killed in Iraq as of the end of 2006. And how many people, Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis, did Saddam kill? The Media quickly forgets that the price of Freedom is high. Fortunatly, the USofA has men and women who are willing to volunteer for military service and who are willing to pay the price of freedom. They don't want to, but they will, for freedom's sake.

Freedom: We haven't had another "9-11" on President Bush's watch. I wonder if anyone is paying attention to this. It will be interesting to see if the Democrat controlled Congress can protect us as well as the Republican controlled Congress. If the USofA is attacked again, blame Pelosi.

Sleeper Cells: There is one here in North Georgia in Franklin and Stephens Counties. There's a locked (as of 09/09/01) gated community with a mosque. They are minutes from two Interstate highways. Scary.

Resolutions: I'm keeping them. How about you?

New Year's Eve

2006 is about to end and 2007 is about to begin.

Some random thoughts about 2006.
A- I still mourn the loss of Crockett and I still miss him terribly.
B- I have found lasting friendships since I moved to the North Georgia Mountains. It's nice to know there are people who would drop everything and come help me if I called requesting help. It's nice to have friends who call just to check on my well being.
C- My son was transferred to Tennessee by his employer. And they paid to move him. After only 11 months in the Florida store. I'm very proud of him. He's a very good manager but lacks the experience that only age can provide. I think in about eight to ten years he'll be promoted to an area supervisor/manager. My daughter and law and I get along great. We have an understanding: I'll buy the food if she'll fix it and clean up afterwards. And I do promise not to put my plate on the floor for the dog to lick. They don't have a dog. My 15 year old grandson was chosen for Student of the Week by one of his teachers who stated in her nomination that he is the type of student every teacher wishes for. (Good genetic material!) My 12 year old granddaughter was elected by all her teachers to spend one class period for the next grading term in the Middle School office learning office skills. It's quite an honor as only one student per grading term is elected. My littlest blonde brown eyed granddaughter isn't so 'little' as she's 8 years old, going to be 9 in January. She shows talent in designing clothing. Designs and color coordinates outfits.
D- I decided to retire the end of September and it was hard not to "quit" before I retired. I hope I didn't leave too bad a mess for my co-workers. I retired 9/30/06 and turned 62 three days later. And I don't miss work at all. It's a dim memory.
E- Since I knew I was retiring, I had planned to move into an apartment in Lower Alabama near my daughter. However, they changed plans and decided to buy a house closer to both jobs. I decided to stay where I am until I start my Thru Hike of the Appalachian Trail.
F- My daughter and her family have bought a 3400 square foot house close to both jobs. My 12 year old granddaughter and 6 year old grandson are trophy winning martial artists. Both are doing well in school and are happy to be in their new schools. The new neighborhood is a good match for the family. There are a lot of Auburn University graduates and they like to have "pre-game" barbecues when Auburn Football is on television in the Fall. My son in law will be a tenured teacher when school is out this summer. My daughter works for a furniture outlet. (I forget what her official title is.)
G- Casey the WonderDog has a new cat. Chester Cat is a tuxedo kitten and is now about six months old. They get along well. Chester is a talker, especially in the mornings. Casey is still food motivated. Chester was a quick study and now he is also food motivated.
H- When I decided to retire, I also decided to Thru Hike the Appalachian Trail in 2007. A friend, "Screaming M," also plans to Thru Hike at the same time, so we will start out together in March. We expect to complete the 2175 miles in five and a half months. I'll have a Trail Journal online and information will be posted here.

I- My Number One New Year's Resolution is to attend Mass more faithfully.
J- My Number Two New Year's Resolution is to re-develop self-discipline and lose weight.
K- My Number Three New Year's Resolution is to get my house cleaned up and packed up and possessions placed in a storage unit by the end of February. Which means, I need to get off the Computer and get to work!

Lots more happened in 2006 and I may add to this list later.

Best Wishes to you for a wonderful New Year.

01/01/07: I'm adding something else. It's not everyday that a person has the opportunity to forgive a cyber-stalker. Yes, it's true. There's someone who is allegedly mentally unbalanced and allegedly not taking prescription medications who has been emailing me with uncalled for comments. I have never actually met this person. I want her to know that as a Catholic Christian, I have forgiven her and turned her over to God. I can only hope that she will sign herself into a State Mental Health Hospital Program and stay until the doctors are ready to release her. I pray for her and her husband every day.

Conspicuous Consumption in the USofA

This is a subject dear to my heart. Why? Because it's a FALSE issue. And only left-wing socialists/communists and warlord or Sharia governments throw this issue into the media to cover up something they know is illegal or immoral that they've done or plan to do.

It is NOT the USofA's problem. WE do not have to change. WE are doing just fine. Why do you think illegal immigrants sneak into the USofA? It is not for our cooking. It is because WE have the resources available which their Country doesn't make available to their population. And does their Country have access to these resources? YES! Usually the leaders flaunt them, just like Saddam Hussein did and others like him do. The average Iraqi lives in seventh century squalor while the dictator lives in fine palaces with golden commodes in the bathroom.

The problem is that their leaders do not want to share! And the only way to force them to share is to insist on a democratic form of government and fight for it, if necessary.

ANY other Country or Nation in the world could be just as wealthy and decadent as the USofA if they'd exchange their socialist, communist, warlord or Sharia form of government for a democracy. It doesn't have to be just like the USofA democracy.

I am SICK and TIRED of hearing how the USA has only x% of the world's population but uses xx% of the resources. Well, so what? You want us to use less, then YOU change your Country's form of government and use the resources available to you. We're not keeping other Countries from using resources available to them. THEIR governments are!

I Told You So! Global Warming is HARMLESS!

Discovery of Constant, Sun Spot Induced, Harmless 1500 Years Global Warming Cycles

The Book: "Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1500 Years"

The Authors: Climate physicist S. Fred Singer, professor emeritus of environmental research at the University of Virginia and the former first director of the U.S. National Weather Satellite Service and Dennis Avery, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, an agricultural economist and former senior analyst in the Department of State

What they say: ". . . scientific analysis of ice cores from Greenland and the Antarctic found that there is a clear record of a moderate, abrupt 1500-year climate change cycle running all the way through all the major warmings and all the ice ages. Cores taken from the seabed of six oceans, including the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arabian Sea have also revealed the same unmistakable 1500-year cycle.

The authors relate that one seabed core from near Iceland that goes back a million years revealed that the 1500-year cycle runs through the whole million years.

. . . the degree of overall warming that can be expected will be relatively harmless and does not warrant the alarmism and extreme economic and political measures being proposed.

The highly influential scientific magazines, Science and Nature, are also called to account by the two climate experts for their serious omissions and misrepresentations on the entire global warming issue."

Not that I'll hold my breath and expect APOLOGIES from all of you who have previously attacked me in other forums. I was right and I am right. That alone makes my exile from "the List" worthwhile. Oh, "eat crow" - it tastes just like chicken. And "next time" if there is one, question my wisdom without attacking me personally.

Joel 2:28-32 in the Middle East

Quotes from article, please click on link in title of this post.

One of the most dramatic developments is that many Muslims -- including Shiites in Iran and Iraq -- are seeing dreams and visions of Jesus and thus coming into churches explaining that they have already converted and now need a Bible and guidance on how to follow Jesus. I describe a number of these stories in the book. Having just returned from three weeks in the Mideast, I have heard many more, and will be sharing some of them in the new year. This is in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. The Hebrew Prophet Joel told us that "in the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days....And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." (Joel 2:28-32)

snip


Bottom line: It's not being reported by the mainstream media, but the God of the Bible is moving powerfully and dramatically throughout the Muslim world. The number of Arab and Iranian Christians is surging despite wars, rumors of wars, and terrible persecution.

The author: Joel C. Rosenberg is the New York Times best-selling author of THE LAST JIHAD (2002), THE LAST DAYS (2003), THE EZEKIEL OPTION (2005), and THE COPPER SCROLL (2006) with more than one million copies in print. THE EZEKIEL OPTION was named by the ECPA as the Gold Medallion winner of the "Best Novel of 2006." EPICENTER: Why The Current Rumblings In The Middle East Will Change Your Future, was released September 18, 2006.

Fighting, Muhammadan-style

Qur’an:9:88 “The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah’s Cause.”



Qur’an:9:5 “Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war.”



Qur’an:9:112 “The Believers fight in Allah’s Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed.”



Qur’an:9:29 “Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission.”



Ishaq:325 “Muslims, fight in Allah’s Cause. Stand firm and you will prosper. Help the Prophet, obey him, give him your allegiance, and your religion will be victorious.”



Qur’an:8:39 “Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah.”



Qur’an:8:39 “So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims]) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world).”



Ishaq:324 “He said, ‘Fight them so that there is no more rebellion, and religion, all of it, is for Allah only. Allah must have no rivals.’”



Qur’an:9:14 “Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, lay them low, and cover them with shame. He will help you over them.”



Ishaq:300 “I am fighting in Allah’s service. This is piety and a good deed. In Allah’s war I do not fear as others should. For this fighting is righteous, true, and good.”



Ishaq:587 “Our onslaught will not be a weak faltering affair. We shall fight as long as we live. We will fight until you turn to Islam, humbly seeking refuge. We will fight not caring whom we meet. We will fight whether we destroy ancient holdings or newly gotten gains. We have mutilated every opponent. We have driven them violently before us at the command of Allah and Islam. We will fight until our religion is established. And we will plunder them, for they must suffer disgrace.”



Qur’an:8:65 “O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred; if there are a hundred then they will slaughter a thousand unbelievers, for the infidels are a people devoid of understanding.”



Ishaq:326 “Prophet exhort the believers to fight. If there are twenty good fighters they will defeat two hundred for they are a senseless people. They do not fight with good intentions nor for truth.”



Bukhari:V4B52N63 “A man whose face was covered with an iron mask came to the Prophet and said, ‘Allah’s Apostle! Shall I fight or embrace Islam first?’ The Prophet said, ‘Embrace Islam first and then fight.’ So he embraced Islam, and was martyred. Allah’s Apostle said, ‘A Little work, but a great reward.’”



Bukhari:V4B53N386 “Our Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah alone or pay us the Jizyah tribute tax in submission. Our Prophet has informed us that our Lord says: ‘Whoever amongst us is killed as a martyr shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, and whoever survives shall become your master.’”



Muslim:C34B20N4668 “The Messenger said: ‘Anybody who equips a warrior going to fight in the Way of Allah is like one who actually fights. And anybody who looks after his family in his absence is also like one who actually fights.”



Qur’an:9:38 “Believers, what is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth and fight in Allah’s Cause you cling to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? Unless you go forth, He will afflict and punish you with a painful doom, and put others in your place.”



Qur’an:9:123 “Fight the unbelievers around you, and let them find harshness in you.”



Qur’an:8:72 “Those who accepted Islam and left their homes to fight in Allah’s Cause with their possessions and persons, and those who gave (them) asylum, aid, and shelter, those who harbored them—these are allies of one another. You are not responsible for protecting those who embraced Islam but did not leave their homes [to fight] until they do so.” [Another translation reads:] “You are only called to protect Muslims who fight.”



Muslim:C9B1N31 “I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and believe in me (that) I am the Messenger and in all that I have brought.”



Bukhari:V9B84N59 “Whoever says this will save his property and life from me.’”



Qur’an:8:73 “The unbelieving infidels are allies. Unless you (Muslims) aid each other (fighting as one united block to make Allah’s religion victorious), there will be confusion and mischief. Those who accepted Islam, left their homes to fight in Allah’s Cause (al-Jihad), as well as those who give them asylum, shelter, and aid—these are (all) Believers: for them is pardon and bountiful provision (in Paradise).”



Tabari IX:69 “Arabs are the most noble people in lineage, the most prominent, and the best in deeds. We were the first to respond to the call of the Prophet. We are Allah’s helpers and the viziers of His Messenger. We fight people until they believe in Allah. He who believes in Allah and His Messenger has protected his life and possessions from us. As for one who disbelieves, we will fight him forever in the Cause of Allah. Killing him is a small matter to us.”



Qur’an:48:16 “Say (Muhammad) to the wandering desert Arabs who lagged behind: ‘You shall be invited to fight against a people given to war with mighty prowess. You shall fight them until they surrender and submit. If you obey, Allah will grant you a reward, but if you turn back, as you did before, He will punish you with a grievous torture.”



Qur’an:48:22 “If the unbelieving infidels fight against you, they will retreat. (Such has been) the practice (approved) of Allah in the past: no change will you find in the ways of Allah.”



Qur’an:47:4 “When you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah’s Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam.”



Qur’an:47:31 “And We shall try you until We know those among you who are the fighters.”



Tabari VI:138 “Those present at the oath of Aqabah had sworn an allegiance to Muhammad. It was a pledge of war against all men. Allah had permitted fighting.”



Tabari VI:139 “Allah had given his Messenger permission to fight by revealing the verse ‘And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah.’”



Qur’an:9:19 “Do you make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Mosque, equal to those who fight in the Cause of Allah? They are not comparable in the sight of Allah. Those who believe, and left their homes, striving with might, fighting in Allah’s Cause with their goods and their lives, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah.”



Ishaq:550 “The Muslims met them with their swords. They cut through many arms and skulls. Only confused cries and groans could be heard over our battle roars and snarling.”



Qur’an:5:94 “Believers, Allah will make a test for you in the form of a little game in which you reach out for your lances. Any who fails this test will have a grievous punishment.”



Ishaq:578 “Crushing the heads of the infidels and splitting their skulls with sharp swords, we continually thrust and cut at the enemy. Blood gushed from their deep wounds as the battle wore them down. We conquered bearing the Prophet’s fluttering war banner. Our cavalry was submerged in rising dust, and our spears quivered, but by us the Prophet gained victory.”



Tabari IX:22 “The Prophet continued to besiege the town, fighting them bitterly.”



Tabari IX:25 “By Allah, I did not come to fight for nothing. I wanted a victory over Ta’if so that I might obtain a slave girl from them and make her pregnant.”



Tabari IX:82 “The Messenger sent Khalid with an army of 400 to Harith [a South Arabian tribe] and ordered him to invite them to Islam for three days before he fought them. If they were to respond and submit, he was to teach them the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Prophet, and the requirements of Islam. If they should decline, then he was to fight them.”



Tabari IX:88 “Abdallah Azdi came to the Messenger, embraced Islam, and became a good Muslim. Allah’s Apostle invested Azdi with the authority over those who had surrendered and ordered him to fight the infidels from the tribes of Yemen. Azdi left with an army by the Messenger’s command. The Muslims besieged them for a month. Then they withdrew, setting a trap. When the Yemenites went in pursuit, Azdi was able to inflict a heavy loss on them.”



Ishaq:530 “Get out of his way, you infidel unbelievers. Every good thing goes with the Apostle. Lord, I believe in his word. We will fight you about its interpretations as we have fought you about its revelation with strokes that will remove heads from shoulders and make enemies of friends.”



Muslim:C9B1N29 “Command For Fighting Against People So Long As They Do Not Profess That There Is No Ilah (God) But Allah And Muhammad Is His Messenger: When the Messenger breathed his last and Bakr was appointed Caliph, many Arabs chose to become apostates [rejected Islam]. Abu Bakr said: ‘I will definitely fight against anyone who stops paying the Zakat tax, for it is an obligation. I will fight against them even to secure the cord used for hobbling the feet of a camel which they used to pay if they withhold it now.’ Allah had justified fighting against those who refused to pay Zakat.”



Muslim:C9B1N33 “The Prophet said: ‘I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prostration prayer, and pay Zakat. If they do it, their blood and property are protected.’”



Muslim:C10B1N176 “Muhammad (may peace be upon him) sent us in a raiding party. We raided Huraqat in the morning. I caught hold of a man and he said: ‘There is no god but Allah,’ but I attacked him with a spear anyway. It once occurred to me that I should ask the Apostle about this. The Messenger said: ‘Did he profess “There is no god but Allah,” and even then you killed him?’ I said: ‘He made a profession out of the fear of the weapon I was threatening him with.’ The Prophet said: ‘Did you tear out his heart in order to find out whether it had professed truly or not?’”



Muslim:C20B1N4597 “The Prophet said at the conquest of Mecca: ‘There is no migration now, but only Jihad, fighting for the Cause of Islam. When you are asked to set out on a Jihad expedition, you should readily do so.’”



Muslim:C28B20N4628 “Allah has undertaken to provide for one who leaves his home to fight for His Cause and to affirm the truth of His word; Allah will either admit him to Paradise or will bring him back home with his reward and booty.”



Muslim:C28B20N4629 “The Messenger said: ‘One who is wounded in the Way of Allah—and Allah knows best who is wounded in His Way—will appear on the Day of Judgment with his wound still bleeding. The color (of its discharge) will be blood, (but) its smell will be musk.’”



Muslim:C34B20N4652-3 “The Merit Of Jihad And Of Keeping Vigilance Over The Enemy: A man came to the Holy Prophet and said: ‘Who is the best of men?’ He replied: ‘A man who fights staking his life and spending his wealth in Allah’s Cause.’”



Muslim:C42B20N4684 “A desert Arab came to the Prophet and said: ‘Messenger, one man fights for the spoils of war; another fights that he may be remembered, and one fights that he may see his (high) position (achieved as a result of his valor in fighting). Which of these is fighting in the Cause of Allah?’ The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Who fights so that the word of Allah is exalted is fighting in the Way of Allah.’”



Muslim:C53B20N4717 “The Prophet said: ‘This religion will continue to exist, and a group of people from the Muslims will continue to fight for its protection until the Hour is established.’”



Bukhari:V5B59N288 “I witnessed a scene that was dearer to me than anything I had ever seen. Aswad came to the Prophet while Muhammad was urging the Muslims to fight the pagans. He said, ‘We shall fight on your right and on your left and in front of you and behind you.’ I saw the face of the Prophet getting bright with happiness, for that saying delighted him.”



Bukhari:V5B59N290 “The believers who did not join the Ghazwa [Islamic raid or invasion] and those who fought are not equal in reward.”



Qur’an:2:193 “Fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief) and religion is only for Allah. But if they cease/desist, let there be no hostility except against infidel disbelievers.”



Qur’an:2:217 “They question you concerning fighting in the sacred month. Say: ‘Fighting therein is a grave (matter); but to prevent access to Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, to expel its members, and polytheism are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they make you renegades from your religion. If any of you turn back and die in unbelief, your works will be lost and you will go to Hell. Surely those who believe and leave their homes to fight in Allah’s Cause have the hope of Allah’s mercy.”



Qur’an:2:244 “Fight in Allah’s Cause, and know that Allah hears and knows all.”



Qur’an:2:246 “He said: ‘Would you refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you?’ They said: ‘How could we refuse to fight in Allah’s Cause?’”



Ishaq:280 “The Apostle prepared for war in pursuance of Allah’s command to fight his enemies and to fight the infidels who Allah commanded him to fight.”



Qur’an:61:2 “O Muslims, why say one thing and do another? Grievously odious and hateful is it in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not. Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in a battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.”



Bukhari:V4B52N61 “Allah’s Apostle! We were absent from the first battle you fought against the pagans. If Allah gives us a chance to do battle, no doubt, He will see how bravely we fight.”



Ishaq:398 “Ask them for their help. Thereby make the religion of Islam agreeable to them. And when you are resolved in the matter of religion concerning fighting your enemy you will have the advantage.”



Qur’an:3:146 “How many prophets fought in Allah’s Cause? With them (fought) myriads of godly men who were slain. They never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah’s Cause, nor did they weaken nor give in. Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast [warriors].”



Ishaq:393 “How many prophets has death in battle befallen and how many multitudes with him? They did not show weakness toward their enemies and were not humiliated when they suffered in the fight for Allah and their religion. That is steadfastness. Allah loves the steadfast.”



Qur’an:3:153 “Behold! You ran off precipitately, climbing up the high hill without even casting a side glance at anyone, while the Messenger in your rear is calling you from your rear, urging you to fight. Allah gave you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for the booty that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you.”



Qur’an:3:154 “Say: ‘Even if you had remained in your houses, those ordained to be slaughtered would have gone forth to the places where they were to slain.”



Ishaq:440 “Helped by the Holy Spirit we smited Muhammad’s foes. The Apostle sent a message to them with a sharp cutting sword.”



Ishaq:470 “We attacked them fully armed, swords in hand, cutting through heads and skulls.”



Qur’an:61:4 “Surely Allah loves those who fight in His Cause.”



Qur’an:61:11 “Believers, shall I lead you to a bargain or trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive and fight in Allah’s Cause with your property and your lives: That will be best for you!” Qur’an 61:12 “He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Eden: that is indeed the Supreme Achievement. And another (favor) which you love: help from Allah for a speedy victory over your enemies.”



Qur’an:8:5 “Your Lord ordered you out of your homes to fight for the true cause, even though some Muslims disliked it, and were averse (to fighting).”


Qur’an:24:53 “They swear their strongest oaths saying that if only you would command them. They would leave their homes (and go forth fighting in Allah’s Cause). Say: ‘Swear not; Obedience is (more) reasonable.’”



Qur’an:4:74 “Let those who fight in Allah’s Cause sell this world’s life for the hereafter. To him who fights in Allah’s Cause, whether he is slain or victorious, We shall give him a reward.”



Qur’an:4:75 “What reason have you that you should not fight in Allah’s Cause?” [Another translation says:] “What is wrong with you that you do not fight for Allah?”



Qur’an:4:76 “Those who believe fight in the Cause of Allah.”



Qur’an:4:77 “Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold from fighting, perform the prayer and pay the zakat. But when orders for fighting were issued, a party of them feared men as they ought to have feared Allah. They say: ‘Our Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us, why have You made war compulsory?’”



Qur’an:4:78 “Wherever you are, death will find you, even if you are in towers strong and high! So what is wrong with these people, that they fail to understand these simple words?”



Qur’an:4:84 “Then fight (Muhammad) in Allah’s Cause. Incite the believers to fight with you.”



Qur’an:4:94 “Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah’s Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: ‘You are not a believer!’ Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty.”



Qur’an:4:95 “Not equal are believers who sit home and receive no hurt and those who fight in Allah’s Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a grade higher to those who fight with their possessions and bodies to those who sit home. Those who fight He has distinguished with a special reward.”



Qur’an:4:100 “He who leaves his home in Allah’s Cause finds abundant resources and many a refuge. Should he die as a refugee for Allah and His Messenger His reward becomes due and sure with Allah. When you travel through the earth there is no blame on you if you curtail your worship for fear unbelievers may attack you. In truth the disbelievers are your enemy.”



Qur’an:4:102 “When you (Prophet) lead them in prayer, let some stand with you, taking their arms with them. When they finish their prostrations, let them take positions in the rear. And let others who have not yet prayed come—taking all precaution, and bearing arms. The Infidels wish, if you were negligent of your arms, to assault you in a rush. But there is no blame on you if you put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because you are ill; but take precaution. For the Unbelieving Infidels Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment.”



Qur’an:4:104 “And do not relent in pursuing the enemy.”



{Special Thanks to Race Bannon}

Christmas 2006

Just a few thoughts for the day.

I took a look at Time Magazine's "People who mattered in 2006." What a crock of left-wing pablum. I won't denigrate this blog by listing all the "chosen people according to Time Magazine." Most were socialists, communists or Democrats -- oxymoron anyone? Then some obtuse writer (obviously not familiar with Catholicism) writes an unbalanced slam attempt to "praise" the good Pope Benedict XVI. Now, I will claim to be pro-Catholic (original) Scriptures and pro-Pope, Magisterium, and Tradition. So my 'slant' does color my objectivity. Someone writing for a national magazine might take a lesson from a "fair and balanced" school of opinions, however.

Although I am loathe to advertise for Time Magazine, the link is here. A few quotes: ". . . he precipitated a burst of controversy with a speech quoting derogatory language about Muhammad and suggesting that Islam was predisposed toward violence." Anyone with a computer can "google" and find the truth about Muhammadanism. All the Pope did was prove the point - but no one in the MSM seems to have gotten the obvious message! " . . . suddenly morph back into the aggressive Panzer Cardinal of his pre-election days and become a full-blown culture warrior?" No concept of the Catholic Faith. We who are not "cafeteria Catholics" praised Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's staunch support of the Faith. And if the writer had done more homework, he would understand that the man who is Pope Benedict XVI has not changed in any way. Pope Benedict XVI doesn't do or say anything without deep prayer and study of all the potentialities. But the writer doesn't really know who Pope Benedict XVI is. He only knows what others have reported. And that's so like non-Catholics. They base their opinions on what someone says about the Church instead of going directly to the Church for information.

". . . the man who had seemed one of the Roman Catholic Church's most inflexible prelates appeared to flip-flop . . . ." I nearly laughed out loud when I read this statement. Thankfully the reporter used the word "appeared" because Pope Benedict XVI has not flip-flopped at all. What he's done is maneuver the discussion to basic intellectual freedoms by using the quote from the 14th Century "Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both." And those intellectual freedoms are Reason and Logic to which Pope Benedict XVI added the reasonable logical conclusion of Reciprocation between "Christianity and Islam." As a Catholic, I can assure you that all of this was with the prayerful guidance of the Most High God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Father of Our Lord, Jesus Christ whose birthday we celebrate today, along with the Holy Spirit's intervention in the hearts and minds of the hearers. (Proof of this is in the renewed use of the word "reason" and "reasonable" in the English interpretations of statements by Muhammadanism's leaders.)

Regarding the visit to Turkey the reporter states ". . . a fine piece of popular diplomacy, a sign that this noncharismatic academic, if pressed, can pull off the stagecraft . . ." similar to Pope John Paul II. Who is this man speaking of? Pope Benedict XVI exhibiting "popular diplomacy?" What he was and is doing is being the Vicar of Christ's Church on Earth and doing "what Jesus would do" to use a worn phrase. And to state that Pope Benedict XVI is not a charismatic figure immediately verifies that this MSM reporter has never even met the man.

Then this writer sums up his attitude with these words: ". . . Benedict, perhaps better than his critics, understands the pious truism that taking the papal office can involve a subsuming, sometimes almost an erasure, of the man he thought he was before." How can this reporter even elevate himself to tell the public what the Pope thinks? But let's back up here. The writer addresses His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as "Benedict?" Now, if not before, one sees through the words to the MSM agenda. There is no proper reverence or regard for the leader of the Catholic Church in this reporter's terminology.

And all this on Christmas Day 2006.

In looking at the other Time Magazine photos and articles, the leftist, socialist, Marxist, communist agenda of every "reporter" is evident. The twists of words, the praise of genocidal leaders of various Countries, the slaps and slams at anyone and anything who does not support this agenda is so blatantly evident as to be laughable. The only problem is that it's not a joke.

My Christmas Request: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the United States. Pray "Maranatha" Come, Lord Jesus!

May 2007 bring God's Peace in the Middle East.

Just how big is your God?

Christmas Eve, 2006. Some of us are surprised we've lived this long. Others of us haven't given it much thought. Tomorrow, some of us will proclaim the birth of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living and Most High God. Others will ignore or tolerate or harass or kill anyone worshiping Jesus.

How do you describe your God? Can you really describe Him in mere words? If He's small enough for you to describe Him, then how big is He, really? You may be able to tell me his attributes. You may be able to describe an event in your life in which the majesty of the Almighty God became truth for you. Can you actually put into words the description of your God?

How do you know your God? Through His attributes? Through His grace? Through His salvific sacrifice? Through His love? Through His mother?

In times past, the mother of the king was "the queen mother" of the realm. Bathsheba was the queen mother when Solomon reigned. And the mother of Jesus was and is Jesus' queen mother. "Was" while He lived on earth. "Is" as He reigns from heaven. Another comparisons for contemplation: Mary, the mother of Jesus as the "second Eve."

Justin Martyr, who died around 165, repeated an older tradition when he stated:

"[The Son of God] became man through a Virgin, so that the disobedience caused by the serpent might be destroyed in the same way it had begun. For Eve, who was virgin and undefiled, gave birth to disobedience and death after listening to the serpent's words. But the Virgin Mary conceived faith and joy; for when the angel Gabriel brought her the glad tidings that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and that the power of the Most High would overshadow her, so that the Holy One born of her would be the Son of God, she answered, ‘Let it be done to me according to thy word' (Lk. 1:38). Thus was born of her the [Child] about whom so many Scriptures speak, as we have shown. Through Him, God crushed the serpent, along with those angels and men who had become like the serpent." (Dialogue with Trypho 100, quoted in Mary and the Fathers of the Church, by Luigi Gambero, Ignatius Press, 1999 pg. 47.)

Church Father Cyril of Jerusalem in the early fifth century compared the ArchAngel Gabriel to the ArchEnemy Satan. Saint Irenaeus of Lyons in the early third century preached that Mary is the "cause of salvation" just as Eve was the "cause of death." Both women were virgins when Eve encountered Satan and Mary encountered Gabriel. Eve was disobedient while Mary was obedient. The role of Eve was dependent on Adam as the role of Mary is dependent on Jesus.

God made salvation dependent on the action of a man. The original sin was Adam's sin, not Eve's. Had Adam not succumbed to Eve's temptation, he would have saved Eve and the entire human race from the punishment of God. 1 Corinthians 15:21a: "For by a man came death." It doesn't say "by a woman" but "by a man." The Fall of Man was the direct result of the sin of Adam. But, God made salvation dependent on the action of a Man! "For by a man came death; and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). The Salvation of All was the direct result of the obedience of Jesus.

Just as Eve had a causal role in the Fall of Adam, so also, Mary the Mother of Jesus has a causal role in the redemptive act of Jesus. As the one, so the other. As Eve was the undoing, so Mary was the restoration. The parallels are clear in Scripture, not to mention Tradition.

How did I get from asking you to describe God to an explanation of the attributes of Mary, Theotokos? I would suggest it's because one gets to know Someone by knowing His mother. And when one knows Jesus through His mother, one can better describe God.

Your Christmas Eve input? Pace e Bene. Auntie Coosa

"What is Truth?" - Pontius Pilate - St John 18:38

"What is Truth?" is the age old question. Some people spend a lifetime searching for something truthful to believe in. Some people try to analyze everything, every word, find every nuance, every angle of a word or a phrase. These people may say they have found truth, but rather than live it, they want to convert others to it or perhaps explain it over and over and over again, thinking that verbosity equals truth (or perhaps their continuous discussion is in an attempt to convince themselves of something their inner conscience [that 'gut feeling'] indicates is not quite Truth). But verbosity is just talk. Show me actions which provoke truth.

The Epistle of St. James is a good place to start looking for actions which will exhibit truth. Many former believers in an ordered universe and an ordered Church fail to take the words of St. James to heart. Rather than read, mark and inwardly learn this Epistle (aka form one's conscience based on Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Logic), they prefer to quote non-canonical works or something they read somewhere written by someone with an agenda against Scripture, Tradition, Reason and/or Logic.

God is All-Good in that He gives us many ways to form our conscience so as to draw us to Him and His Church. Western Civilization since the renaissance has attempted to separate the Church, Scripture and Tradition from Reason and Logic. Perhaps they think that separation will allow them to "prove" their agenda. But in the final analysis, Reason and Logic will point to the Church, Scripture and Tradition every time.

The world has been given an example in the person of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger who is now Pope Benedict XVI {La pace è su lui.}. His careful study and inspired writings are both Reasonable and Logical. Even his term "reasonable" is now being used by translators who interpret Shiite and Sunni discourses. Pope Benedict XVI {La pace è su lui.} has forced the public to examine dogma and doctrine using Logic and Reason.

And what is the final reward? More people in the 'West' are thinking more intimately about what they believe. And this translates into action based on belief. Although some, it appears, are still caught in a whirlpool of verbiage with little action. Muhammadan leaders are beginning to use the terms Reasonable and Logical in a more universal and open understanding of the term, not as strictly defined to their sect of Muhammadanisn. It's not much, but it is a change for the better for all concerned.

So, "What is Truth?" It's all found here.

12 December 2006

So much is going on in the world that it seems to me it's hard to keep up with it all.

One thing that really strikes me, in fact forcefully strikes me, is the FACT that the Middle East belonged to various and sundry pagan nations AND the Hebrew Nation long before Muhammad was born. Yet, Muhammadans falsely claim that the Middle East and in fact the entire world belongs to "Islam" aka Muhammadanism.

Now saying that is like saying that some outsider you never met claims that your home, your land, your very life belongs to him. How can THAT be? It's not logical. It's not REASONABLE.

That's one of the "R" words which Pope Benedict XVI sets at the forefront of any discussion with Muhammadans. (The other "R" word, you recall, is RECIPROCITY.)

Christians use logic and reason to win souls to Christ and the Church. Logic and Reason is not linked to violence. Yet, violence is a reasonable and logical DEFENSIVE tool which must be used occasionally in order to stop the plunder and killing of innocent people by those attacking them.

That sounds reasonable. In Muhammadanism, killing only other Muhammadans, and killing ONLY those Muhammadans of your particular sect, is considered "killing an innocent person." Explain how THAT is logical and reasonable.

What Pope Benedict XVI has proved beyond a reasonable doubt, without ever raising his voice, is that Muhammadanism is not reasonable or logical.

NOW it is up to the imams and mullahs and Muhammadans to examine their religion, their faith, their very life-style in a reasonable and logical manner.

The questions are: Can they do it? Will they do it? Has Pope Benedict XVI been the catalyst which will initiate an examination of the Muhammadan conscience?

Stay tuned.

A Letter Home from Afghanistan

{Chris Cavoli wrote a letter home to the families of his soldiers, due to the fact that they've lost a bunch of guys (about 15) and have had dozens of wounded. He was concerned that morale at home may be waning.....

He really wanted to highlight the good they're doing. The letter found its way to Hugh Hewitt (a nationally syndicated talk show host), who posted it to his website.

Chris Cavoli and his Battalion is in Kunar Province (northeastern part of country) and is the toughest area of the country (this is the area where the Taliban fled and where Al Qaida top brass is supposed to be operating). I think it is important for all of us to know this.}

Dear CHOSIN Family,

As you all make your way back from summer vacations and travels, I thought I would welcome you back with some great information about your loved ones' exploits over here in Operation Enduring Freedom.

It has been a long, hot summer here in AOR Chosin, but things are going very well. As you know, we have perhaps the most challenging area of responsibility in the division; the mountains are very high and very steep, the roads and the towns are very undeveloped, and the enemy is fighting hard to hold onto his most cherished safe haven. It is a tough fight. To win, we have to defend the population from the enemy's intimidation, and we have to hunt the enemy in his hiding places and homes. This is not easy: our soldiers, unlike in other theaters, have to live among the people we protect. Our soldiers have to spend enormous amounts of time in the field, living daily without the creature comforts most people consider necessities - running water, phones, hot meals, beds. Most of all, our soldiers have to spend enormous amounts of time in contact with the enemy, crowding him out of his normal stomping grounds and cornering him in places we can destroy him. And we are succeeding at this every day. This battalion has beaten more enemy in more places in six months than most brigades do in a whole year. We have forced the enemy out of his sanctuaries and we have run him out of his towns and we have closed off his escape routes.

Most of all, we have separated the enemy from the people. Every day, we fight to convince the people of Afghanistan that their best future lies with us and with the Government of Afghanistan. We have built roads and bridges and clinics and schools. We have conducted medical visits that have treated thousands and thousands of people. We have handed out eyeglasses and bookbags and more pens than we can count. We have built hydroelectric plants, we have trained policemen, we have conducted classes on governance. We have spoken at schools, started sports clubs, and spent countless hours on street corners teaching kids to do high-fives. We have saved drowned children and cared for kids who have fallen out of trees and have worked feverishly to save the lives of people hurt in accidents or wounded by the enemy. We have created an incredible sense of goodwill toward us and toward the Government of Afghanistan in this part of the world. When a 1-32 patrol comes by, people gather from all around to greet us and to interact. As we roll up in HMMWVs, we can see children running -sprinting-hundreds of meters across open fields just to wave at us or to ask for a Gatorade. It is impossible to visit AOR Chosin and not feel the affection of the people toward us. We are creating for them the first hope for a good future that they have had in more than thirty years.

All of this is possible first and foremost because we are protecting the people. The enemy preys on the local populace remorselessly, and intimidates and beats and kills those who don't go along with them. If we are to create hope for these people, the first step is to keep the enemy away from them. We can't roll out, do some good, and then head back to our bases, leaving the people to contend with the enemy for the rest of the night. If we were to do that, merely accepting our goodwill would bring people trouble, and believe me, these poor people can't afford any more trouble than they've already got in their lives. So, the most important thing we do is stay out among the people and protect them. We are there with them - we are out in the rain and the sun and the wind, and we are in their villages and on their roads keeping the enemy away from them. And they know it. Over time, as the people have realized that we are there for them, that we truly are committed to our mission, they have come to trust us. They bring us food, they bring us "chai," and -most of all- they bring us information about the enemy. By being among them in the good times and the bad, we have earned their trust, and given them the confidence to side with us against the enemy.

The enemy sees what we are doing. He knows the people are turning against him, and he senses that his time is slipping away. He will strike back when he can, and he will strike where he thinks we are absent. This is the time for us to press the fight.

The enemy will not just go away, he will need to be faced down and chased away - by your valiant loved ones, who will continue to show the people of Afghanistan and of America what it means to fight for right.

This doesn't come free. It takes incredible effort to remain as committed to the mission as we have. It takes sweat, and some tears, and -despite our best efforts- some blood. We have lost many soldiers here, fine young men and women whose patriotism and valor is exceeded only by the bravery they displayed in Always Placing the Mission First.

Their efforts and their sacrifice have been in the service of a just cause, and an important one. The enemy we fight is not some strange group of unknowns in a far-off land; this enemy is the direct enemy of the United States, the very groups and their associates who launched the attacks of 9/11, 2001. When we fight here, dear members of the Chosin Family, we are fighting America's fight. We are defending the way of life we cherish for each of you, and we are carving out the future that we want our children to have. We are truly doing the Nation's work in 1-32, and I very deeply believe that our sacrifice -even the Ultimate Sacrifice-is not in vain. We are winning.

But we aren't there yet. Day in, day out, the soldiers of 1-32 continue to face and overcome obstacles that would stop any other unit. They are led by wonderful sergeants and excellent lieutenants, who lead by example and by their own bravery: of the dozens of Purple Hearts earned so far in 1-32, the vast majority have been earned by Team Leaders and Squad Leaders and Platoon Leaders who put themselves in front, who put their own lives on the line, that they might accomplish the mission and their men might live. And what men, what soldiers!

They succeed wherever they go and whatever they do, no matter what the odds. Your loved ones have earned for themselves a reputation as the hardest-fighting battalion in this Division. It is impossible to take two steps in this country without hearing tales of the daring and valor of the soldiers of 1-32 Infantry. I hope you can understand even a small portion of the pride we feel for the job we are doing. Your loved ones are writing new pages in our Regiment's history, our Division's history, and, indeed, in the history of our Army.

If I sound proud, I am. I have never, in almost twenty years of military service, seen a battalion perform this brilliantly, for this long, under such harsh conditions. And it is clear where the credit is due: to the fine soldiers of this great unit, who daily display the finest qualities of military professionalism and American citizenship.

And the credit is due to our strong families, our rocks, who wait at home.

It is truly the deepest privilege of my life to serve among you all.

With Respect and Affection,

Chris Cavoli

CHOSIN

1-32 Battalion Commander

Scientists and their religious affiliations

Just how many influential scientists were Muhammedans?

From 100 Scientists Who Shaped World History (Bluewood Books: San Francisco, CA, © 2000), written by John Hudson Tiner.

Hakim Ibn-e-Sina A.D. 980-1037

From the book Science: 100 Scientists Who Changed the World (Enchanted Lion Books: New York, 2003), written by John Balchin.

Al-Khwarizmi A.D. 800-850

Two lists of 100 and one percent were Muhammedans.

From the book The Scientific 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Scientists, Past and Present, Citadel Press (2000), written by John Galbraith Simmons, there are NO Muhammedans listed.

Three lists of 100 and less than one percent are Muhammedans. Yet Muhammedans want us to believe that their culture should be the dominant one on earth?

Does anyone wonder why the civilized world rejects Muhammedanism? There's very little opportunity for imagination and invention in their culture.

The late Saudi theologian, Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Jubair, stated, "Only one ambition is worthy of Islam, to save the world from the curse of democracy: to teach men that they cannot rule themselves on the basis of man-made laws."

Well, for 200 years or so, we've done just that and democracy has produced a plethora of scientific knowledge. And for that we can all be thankful.

Pace e Bene.