ConservaChick

David Horowitz's Frontpage Magazine has named Swiftboat veteran, author and spokesman, John O'Neill, Man of the Year . This man and his brothers in arms dramatically altered the dynamic of the 2004 election. Not only did O'Neill impact the election overall, his appearances, book ( Unfit for Command ), and commercials helped to provided a forum for other Vietnam vets to reclaim their rightful places in history... as the good people who found themselves in an ugly war far from home, who did their duty honorably and, with any luck, returned home. O'Neill's actions stimulated a national conversation that helped a number of Vietnam veterans purge their own dismay and anger over the treason committed against them by John Kerry. Thank you, John O'Neill! Well done, Frontpage Magazine!

The more I think about the UN, its inability to do anything meaningful, its constant demand for money from wealthy countries, and the Liberal mindset that we "owe" the world more because we are a wealthy nation, the angrier I get. I hope and pray that the movie version of "Atlas Shrugged" is actually produced and brought to the big screen. The book itself is a massive, preachy tome but worth a read for anyone who has the time and perserverance. For the general population though, if this is properly produced as a movie for the big screen, the impact could be resounding, not only in the US but worldwide. This idea that wealth is endless and those who produce it never tire of giving it up to every government/country who refuses to help itself needs to be answered. Not only answered but answered in an easily understandable, pop culture way. Mind you, I'm not talking about natural disasters and our generosity towards countries in need. I would personally buy Mr. Ja...

I have had it. UN official, Jan Egeland's comments (that he has recently been backpedaling on) were the straw that broke this camel's back. At what point do we finally admit that the U.N. has been an exercise in futility? We are funding and supporting a complete and utter failure of an organization. At what point do Americans finally say, "Enough!"? The U.N. has a longer record of failures in its mission than it has successes . The League of Nations had the good grace to disband when they failed to stop Nazi aggression through diplomatic means. It's clear to most intelligent life forms that the UN group of thugs will never disband. The Oil for Food scandal alone should be enough for the U.N. to bite the bullet and pull its own plug. Maybe it's time for a little revolution? It's time for a new organization, the "Democratic Nations League" possibly? In this new organization, only democratic countries who have relatively free economies an...

Merry Christmas to all, and God bless and keep you safe this holiday season!! We received about a foot of snow here in Louisville, KY on Wednesday and Thursday. That shouldn't have been a big problem except for the sleet and ice that poured down on top of the snow later in the evening. While the folks up North may think we're sissies... this is pretty darned unusual this time of year for Kentucky! Check out some local pictures from the snow storm and its aftermath. Many folks are still trying to dig their cars out of the drifts. The picture above is the view from my balcony on Wednesday evening after the nice, dry snow had been falling for a while.

"For sticking to his guns (literally and figuratively), for reshaping the rules of politics to fit his ten-gallon-hat leadership style and for persuading a majority of voters that he deserved to be in the White House for another four years, George W. Bush is TIME's 2004 Person of the Year." I would like to personally welcome Time Magazine to America! I am pleased to see Time buck the Liberal media trend toward villifying President Bush by naming him Person of the Year for 2004. Even though most Americans understand his strengths and have all ready given him an honored place in history, Time has now shown us that they "get it" too. On a side note, take the poll on the lefthand side of the webpage -- you'll notice the polling on agreement with Time's choice trends toward disagreement. So typical...

I was recently informed by my doc that I had an "abnormal mammogram" result. I prefer to think that my films got mixed up with Abby Normal's films. ;-) However, that's not the case. So, being the annoying analytic that I am, I googled the bejeezus out of "abnormal mammogram" last night and tonight. If you know someone who has been given the same news, please pass on some statistics that I am currently finding some comfort in: * Approximately 90% of women with abnormal results do not have breast cancer. * Approximately one in 10 patients with abnormal mammogram results or a breast lump will have breast cancer. I've never had much luck gambling so I'm a bit worried. I am 41-years-old, an ex-smoker, don't get regular exercise, take oral contraceptives, and have never given birth. Those facts didn't provide much comfort to me as many of them are considered risk factors . I don't think of myself as a worry wart but I'm sure tha...

I can't find an authentic source for this story. It's circulating around the internet with no verifiable source given so it's very likely a joke or an urban legend. Nevertheless, it's still an entertaining story so I thought I'd share it. A college professor, an avowed Atheist, was teaching his class. He shocked several of his students when he flatly stated that there is no God. He declared that the expression, "One Nation under God," was unconstitutional, and further, he was going to prove there is no God. Addressing the ceiling he shouted, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you 15 minutes!" The lecture room fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop. Ten minutes went by. Again he taunted God, saying, "Here I am, God. I'm still waiting." His countdown got to the last few minutes, when a Marine, just released from active duty and newly registered in the class, walked up...

In the words of one of our most gracious First Ladies, " Just say no! " (Caution: This may take a little while to load; it's an .swf file link)

"If the loving heart of the Great Emancipator found its natural amorous passions overwhelmingly directed toward those of his own sex, it would certainly be a stunning rebuke to the Republican Party’s scapegoating of same-sex love for electoral purposes. " The basic premise of Doug Ireland's column is faulty at best. The Republican Party has not "scapegoated same-sex love for electoral purposes." As I recall, it is the Democrat Party that scapegoated the gay community for their losses on Election Day. Abraham Lincoln was a great president regardless of his sexuality. Sexuality wasn't a topic to be entertained by polite society in Lincoln's day so there was certainly a "don't ask; don't tell" policy at work. And, frankly, who cares? As a Libertarian-leaning Conservative, I certainly don't give a darn what Lincoln did in his famous bedroom ! What matters to me is what he did in the Oval Office . Democrats seem to want to...

I'll bet Rumsfeld couldn't have said it better himself... Thanks for the laugh, Scott -- you rule! Buy Scott Ott's book for an even longer and heartier chucklefest of your very own.

With all the hew and cry over Secretary Rumsfeld's answer to a soldier who asked a reporter's question about up-armoring humvees at a meeting with soldiers in Kuwait recently, with McCain loudly expressing his lack of confidence in Rumsfeld, how about some perspective? Enter nationally syndicated columnist, Paul Greenberg, to do just that! "The passage of time erodes memory, and we tend to forget the pain, the sacrifices, the mercurial swings of public opinion, the alternating hopes and fears, the daily uncertainty of war — and the necessity of endurance. " Greenberg has done a masterful job of revisiting the frightening scenario we faced in the Ardenne forest and the Battle of the Bulge 60 years ago today. He puts it in perspective -- it's about "cussedness" and endurance. Read the full column here . Well done, Mr. Greenberg! Thank you for reminding the American public that we are a society of people determined to win for the good of all ...

In honor of Scott Peterson's sentence... Vivere commune est, sed non commune mereri.

Monday's big story? The Scott Peterson sentence. Have the media lost their collective marbles? Why the heck is the Scott Peterson sentence being treated as such a big story? I don't mean to be callous about it but, hey, in California, life in prison is about the same as getting the death penalty. Let's put this in perspective, shall we? There are currently 635 inmates on death row in California. California's first execution of an inmate sentenced to death was in 1992. Since then, California has executed only 10 death row inmates. Scott Peterson is more likely to die of old age than he is to actually receive the lethal injection. Sheeesh.

I have a confession to make... I am now officially a Colts fan for life. When I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was a huge 49ers fan. Although, I must admit that I lived out there during the heyday of the 49ers (mid-80s) when Montana & Rice ran riot over other teams. Too bad the 49ers are laughable these days. Evidently the whole Bay Area has taken a turn for the worse these days because even the Raiders are more like the "panty raiders" -- did they slap a second eye patch on that pirate in their logo, or what? Sure wish Louisville had the fan base to bring an NFL team here... *sigh* I guess I should learn to like basketball, eh? I can't get enough of the Colts though. Look, I just finished watching them clinch the AFC South by beating the Texans -- my condolences to El Jefe -- and I'm chomping at the bit already for their win against the Ravens next Sunday. The game against the Texans was a good one especially since the Colts' quarterback ex...

Okay, a diversion from the usual politcal rants. I just had a lovely evening -- dinner with the folks, babysitting my two nieces with their grandparents, then an evening of great conversation with a very clever fellow to whom I've taken quite a shining. Does life get much better? Tonight my prayers will be a little more enthusiastic in the Thanks department... In my 40... okay... 41 years of living, I've never quite understood how people can grow so far from their families. My Dad and I had years of squabbling but now that we're both fairly responsible adults, we are best buddies. My Mom's such a sweetie. Oh, and she's pretty much always right and it took this long to figure that out. ;-) There's just nothing better than living back here in Louisville so I can be a mere 10 minute drive to be with them. Excuse me for waxing nostalgic but, when I lived 3,000 miles from them, I missed them a lot. Didn't get to be around for the day-to-day moments of l...

Fidem nemo umquam perdit nisi qui non habet. ...about men and honour. For some of we females, having the words "men" and "honour" so close together would be considered laughable. However, being the seasoned vet that I am, I know this phrase to be true. I'm not bitter. ;-)

LtCol David Couvillon of the Marines says, "They say there aren't any 'silver bullets' for improving things in Iraq. I don't know. Spirit of America just might be a silver bullet." The mission of Spirit of America is to extend the goodwill of the American people to assist those advancing freedom and peace abroad. What a great idea for the holidays! A gift that is given to advance democracy in the Middle East and helps our troops and coalition troops show Iraqis and Afghanis the goodwill that is in the heart of every American all year long? Call me Ms. Claus! I'm about to join and donate. I hope you all will give it your consideration as well.

In my hot little hands is a treasure trove of Latin quips. I intend to use it to amuse myself and hopefully a few of you in the process. So many of these are quite pertinent to Conservatives and our foils on the Left. Feel free to cast your own interpretations! Sermo datur cunctis; animi sapientia paucis.

Willie Bright, D-4th Metro District has pledged to reintroduce a proposal after Jan. 1 to allow package liquor sales on Sunday . It's rare that I find myself aligned with a Democrat but, I must say, way to go, Willie! I moved back to Louisville in 2001 after 17 years on the Left coast and was shocked back into a century I thought had long passed when I wandered out on one of my first Sundays back in town to procure a bottle of Chardonnay to have with dinner. I was stumped when confronted with a store that had everything cordoned off but the beer section. After the brief and chuckle-ridden explanation from the clerk that I was "back in the Bible belt," I realized that my a glass of wine on Sunday now required planning ahead. However, if I'd like to buy a truckload of beer, then I could just get my little party started! This attitude that beer is okay but everything else is off limits on Sunday has always baffled me. Especially when you can plop your sorry arse d...

Remember the video that hit the airwaves in mid-November about the shooting of a wounded insurgent at a mosque in Fallujah by a Marine? I thought, at the time the story aired, that it must be a bad situation for all involved. I mean, this journalist had been living among the Marines and following them through Fallujah, relying on them for his own safety. Then, he happens to catch a questionable situation on video... where do his loyalties lie in that situation? Tough spot to be in! So, I was browsing the internet tonight looking for any updates. When I checked Kevin Sites's blog , I had my thoughts validated. Apparently he has been having a conflict of conscience as this paragraph from an entry on November 21st makes clear: "To Devil Dogs of the 3.1: Since the shooting in the Mosque, I've been haunted that I have not been able to tell you directly what I saw or explain the process by which the world came to see it as well. As you know, I'm not some war zone tour...

I am sooooo very tired of hearing the elitist (read "Liberal") verdict that moving forward with elections in Iraq as planned will make the elections illegitimate. If political parties in Iraq boycott the election, how can Iraq possibly go forward with a legal election? *gasp!* A BBC article quotes an Iraqi politician on this very thing: "It is unthinkable that a large and important section of Iraqi society be left out of the political process," said Adnan Pachachi, a senior secular politician at the head of the drive to postpone elections, on Saturday." Mr. Pachachi would do well to study US history. It is thinkable... heck, the not-so-United States of America in 1864 certainly managed to do it. Anyone, other than Foghorn Leghorn , want to claim that the re-election of President Lincoln during the Civil War was illegitimate? I suggest that Mr. Pachachi and any other Iraqi party leaders who would like to better understand democracy actually part...

I would like to take a moment, on the occasion of the inauguration of Hamid Karzai as the first President of Afghanistan, to personally welcome the people of Afghanistan to the free world. You did it! Congratulations! You braved the threats of violence (in some cases, actual violence) to travel to your polling place simply to express your support for your candidate. You stood down the naysayers and the pessimists. Those arrogant elitists who thought you were too uncivilized to participate in a civilized form of government have now been shown otherwise. And, as if your first election wasn't enough, you even braved a controversy over the results. Gee, after over 200 years of presidential elections here in the United States, we just recently ran into that one ! Well done and congratulations!

Google the name "Fanny Scott" and you'll turn up about five pages of links. None of the links, however will get you to the red-haired, firecracker of a woman who is my grandmother. Fanny Scott is 84-years-old today and is spending her birthday in the hospital with pneumonia. I'm sure she'll be fine though. She's survived much worse in her life and come through with a hearty chuckle and a slice of cake at the end. Happy birthday, Mammaw, and get well soon! Here's to many more birthdays in more comfy surroundings in the years to come! By the way, the hospital staff has asked that you keep the wild parties to a minimum during your stay... you're disturbing the old folks. ;-)

Okay, this is getting to be a problem. I should be out Christmas shopping with the rest of the females on the planet. Instead, I'm glued to the Colts and Titans game. Is there a 12-Step program for football addiction? Please tell me this won't cause hair to grow on my chest...

And so it goes. It should be interesting to see how this gets decided. I'm yet another interested observer in a political world. I'm all for letting the Senate decide this one. Special election, anyone?

Okay. I confess. I am guilty of premeditated murder. Of a Frazier Fir . I confess! Okay? I confess! I'm not happy about this... it hurts to admit that I just purchased a live tree, had it delivered, and am watching it slowly die. Yes, I picked it out as it hung from a noose at the outdoor tree-butcher stand. It wasn't a pretty sight but I knew I would eventually end up there, sniffling and looking rather dazed -- eyes glazed over, nose red -- strolling the trees that twisted in the wind from their nooses. Until, undeniably, I was drawn to just one. Just one tree that was destined to die in my livingroom. And so, here I sit. Dreading the work ahead... lights, ornaments, bows, a star. The funeral dress of a Frazier Fir for the Christmas holiday. I even drooled over the cute 20-something hunk/pall-bearer who delivered the doomed evergreen. Oh God, what have I become?! In case you're a little tired of my melodrama, here's some fun info on this heinous tradition along...

Hugh suggested that the blogosphere entertain the question of novels that are worth a re-read... Well, to be quite frank about it, I stay a bit too busy to re-read many books. Most of those I re-read are really more for reference (non-fiction) than for pleasure (fiction). There was a time in my life when I was a stay-at-home stepmother and had more time -- back then, not only did I re-read a novel, I re-read it aloud to my husband. Actually we took turns. We both liked to read at bedtime so we decided to take turns each night reading the novel aloud to each other. It was not only a pleasurable exercise in reading but it was a great time to just enjoy each other's company. What novel could inspire such an exercise in togetherness? Believe it or not, it was Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ! ...it didn't keep that marriage together but it certainly kept us entertained while we were growing apart... ;-) The only other novels that I've re-read at any...

Since my last entry to the blog, I realized that it really is more important than ever to do what we can for the troops overseas and their families here at home this holiday season. I did a little research on what we can do this holiday season for the troops. Here's a great start on ways you can send your holiday cheer to our service members overseas fighting the good fight. I highly recommend Operation Uplink -- there is nothing more special to a soldier than a free phone time to hear the voices of those he/she loves and misses the most. I remember when I was a Navy wife (years ago), my husband was stationed in Japan for six months and our phone bill the first month he was there rang in at over $600! The phone company and I worked out a deal to pay that off but it sure was an eye-opener for us... we had no idea what it would cost to stay close while he was gone. The Operation Uplink cards will help some couple avoid that conversation with the phone company, I'm sure! I...