Theodore's World

MILFORD, N.H. — A teddy bear has been implicated in 2,500 deaths. Of trout, that is. State officials say a teddy bear dropped into a pool at a Fish and Game Department hatchery earlier this month clogged a drain. The clog blocked the flow of oxygen to the pool and suffocated the fish.
Hatcheries supervisor Robert Fawcett said the bear – who was dressed in yellow raincoat and hat – is believed to be the first stuffed bear to cause fatalities at the facility.

“We’ve had pipes get clogged, but it’s usually with more naturally occurring things like a frog or even a dead muskrat,” he said. “This one turned out to be a teddy bear and we don’t know how it got there.”

The deaths prompted Fawcett to release a written warning:
“RELEASE OF ANY TEDDY BEARS into the fish hatchery water IS NOT PERMITTED.”

He said it’s not known who dropped the bear, but urged anyone whose bear ends up in a hatchery pool to find a worker to remove it. “They might save your teddy bear, and keep it from becoming a killer,” he said.

“It’s kind of a cute little teddy bear and people wouldn’t think that a cute little teddy bear would be able to kill fish.”

Wild Thing’s comment per Fletcher bear ……
Where is the sympathy for the teddy bear, he died in this horrible accident. Where is the ACLU fighting for the rights of teddy bears around the world and the prejudice that will come forth against them from this incident?
And why isn’t the person that dropped and mistreated the implicated teddy bear given a talking to and taught like our troops had to go through…”training in battlefield ethics and values.” Where is the outrage!
Thank you Linda for the email on this.

Democrats failed Tuesday to push the House into an unusual secret session to discuss a classified intelligence analysis on global terrorism that says the Iraq war is nourishing a new generation of extremist operatives.
The proposal from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was denied by a vote of 171-217. Such a session hasn’t happened in the House since July 1983, when the chamber went into a closed session to discuss the United States’ support for paramilitary operations in Nicaragua.
Democrats: We need full disclosure of these documents to show the Bush Administration lied about terrorism
Bush: OK we’ll release them
Democrats: We need a closed session to discuss limiting the full disclosure of these documents.

Pelosi asks for closed House session
WASHINGTON – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi asked her colleagues Tuesday to close the House’s doors for a highly unusual secret session to discuss a classified intelligence analysis on global terrorism.
Such a session hasn’t happened in the House since July 1983, when the chamber went into a closed session to discuss the United States’ support for paramilitary operations in Nicaragua.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Pelosi, D-Calif., said the secret session is necessary to allow members to better understand the intelligence community’s most recent assessment on global terrorism.
She said she hoped House Republicans would recognize the need for such an internal debate on the document, some of which leaked to the news media over the weekend.
According to the media reports, the intelligence estimate “is the administration’s worst nightmare. It is not a corroboration of what the president is saying. It is a contradiction of what the president is saying,” she said.
Pelosi’s move followed President Bush’s announcement that he will declassify the key findings of the intelligence assessment, which he and his top advisers have portrayed as a broad look at trends in terrorism rather than focusing on the impact of Iraq on U.S. national security.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the Republican-controlled House would allow the Democratic effort to shift the chamber’s attention to one of the most controversial political issues of the November elections: the Bush administration’s policies in the war on terror and its handling of the situation in Iraq.
Pelosi’s maneuver required a simple majority of the House to approve.
The National Intelligence Estimate on terrorism is the most recent analysis of the nation’s top intelligence analysts who work in 16 different spy agencies. Since its disclosure, the Bush administration has been rebutting suggestions that the analysis finds the U.S. is at greater risk of attack because of the Iraq invasion.

Speaking at a Washington dinner Monday night, National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said the report broadly addressed the global terrorist threat, not just the impact of Iraq. He acknowledged that U.S. analysts believe “the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives.”

But he said the war in Iraq remains important to the outcome. “Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight,” he said.

The House has only had five closed sessions since 1812, according to the Congressional Research Service.
In the Senate, any single member can take the chamber into closed session. As a result, the chamber has held several dozen secret sessions since 1929, including one last November called by Democrats who wanted to discuss the intelligence used by President Bush in the run-up to the Iraq war.
Pelosi surprised even most of her fellow Democrats in offering the motion. She said she was not trying to use the closed session for political purposes, but rather to discuss a serious assessment that is relevant to Iraq and U.S. national security. She wants to see the administration declassify the document — without using a selective lens.

“Quite frankly, my view is that any responsible declassification will change the course of this debate on Iraq,” she said.

Wild Thing’s comment……
Maybe they wanted a closed session so they could spout the most outrageous Bush Lied/Kids Died nonsense and then selectively leak portions of the “classified” transcript to the New York Times. After all, the Times can’t be expected to write a balanced story if they only get selective leaks.
They felt Bush were never declassify the transcript but…………..he just shocked them. He’s declassifying the document, which will expose them as liars. The motion has been denied.
This ploy is all about Pelosi demonstrating that she is a “leader”. The rats understand that the general public (the normal family part of the public, at least) is VERY nervous about Pelosi and the rest of the Democrat jack-in-the-box clowns taking over the chairs in congress. So Pelosi (along with Emmanuel, no doubt) came up with this grandstand operation in order to pump herself up and try to look like a serious legislator – – you know, “Be calm, there’s nothing to worry about, peoples”.
Do the liberal fools ever miss an opportunity to step in it? LOL Dems are in full panic mode! Image what they would do if they had control of the house! Very scary!

Englsih.Chosun.com
Ted Turner is pushing for private meetings with the leaders of North and South Korea. Turner visited both Koreas last year. Now he is reportedly seeking meetings with President Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Jong-il. First visiting North Korea, Turner may carry a message when he subsequently travels south.
Last year, Tuner visited with Donald Gregg, a former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Curt Weldon, vice chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, on a charted plane to both Koreas. At the time, Turner gave US$150,000 to North Korea to aid in the development of farming technology.
The Korean Embassy in the U.S. said, “We understand that Turner is pushing ahead plans to meet President Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Jong-il to ask for the dispatch of a pan-Korean delegation to a peace park project in South Africa.”
The former chairman of CNN established the Turner Foundation to support environmental preservation in 1990 and launched a campaign to protect plants and animals. Since 1997, he has been engaged in the global denuclearization movement. Turner is a member of Responsible Wealth, a group that speaks up for preserving the estate tax, advocates fair taxes, proposes minimum wage hikes and pushes for decreases in the salaries of CEOs.

Wild Thing’s comment……
The north cannot feed it’s own people so they should invest in a ‘peace park’ project thousands of miles away? Crazy!

Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commanding general, 25th Infantry Division, greets the Iraqi Army division commanders for the first time as he takes charge of Multi-National Division – North at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. Department of Defense photo by Army Spc. Michael Pfaff, 133rd MPAD.
TIKRIT –Following a year marked by noteworthy successes in growing the size and capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, rebuilding Iraq and providing security for a vast region of the country, the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division on Wednesday transferred control of Multi-National Division North to the Army’s 25th Infantry Division.

“Our mission here is clear,” said Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of the 25th Infantry Division and Task Force Lightning, during a ceremony to mark the assumption of control. “To provide our Iraqi friends and counterparts the assistance they need to take over their own security and create a safe and secure environment so the Iraqi people can live a free, prosperous and terror-free life.”

The 25th Infantry Division and Task Force Lightning – which include elements from the 82nd Airborne Division, 4th Infantry Division and 2nd Infantry Division – will continue the mission of transitioning areas of operation to the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and other Iraqi security forces in the region.

Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, and Gen. George Casey, commanding general, Multi National Force – Iraq, attend a Mission Assumption Day ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. Department of Defense photo by Army Spc. Michael Pfaff, 133rd MPAD.
While Soldiers uncased the Division’s colors, Mixon deviated from his prepared speech to speak “from the heart” to attending Iraqi dignitaries and Iraqi security forces officers. He focused on maintaining the relationship between Coalition forces and continuing efforts to secure the region and its people.
Attending the event were Gen. George Casey, commanding general of Multi-National Force – Iraq, Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, commanding general of Multi-National Corps Iraq, and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq.
During their year-long tour in Iraq, the 101st Airborne and the Task Force Band of Brothers assisted two Iraqi Army divisions in assuming responsibility for security in their provinces. Two other Iraqi divisions in the region are projected to assume responsibility for security in their provinces over the next three months.
In addition to transitioning security, the 25th Infantry Division will focus on continuing the efforts of the 101st Airborne Division to help rebuild Iraq’s infrastructure and further the democratic process.
Celebrating a job well done, Soldiers of the 101st Airborne will return to Fort Campbell, Ky., in order to prepare for their next “rendezvous with destiny.”

Wild Thing’s comment…….
God bless and keep all of our troops safe! A big thank you to all our troops!!

On September 28, 2005, Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson was providing convoy security near Camp Bucca, Iraq, when the vehicle she was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device.
“We’re only on earth for a little while, so live life to the fullest and carry a smile.”
— Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson

Airman Jacobson was raised in California, but lived here in South Florida before joining the Air Force. The Palm Beach Post tells us:

In Iraq, she was a security guard, surveying military perimeters from elevated guard towers. But relatives say the 21-year-old volunteered for a more risky assignment guarding convoys, a job that would ultimately kill her.
On Wednesday she died outside the Iraqi city of Safwan when a bomb exploded near her convoy, making her the ninth Iraq casualty from Palm Beach County or the Treasure Coast. Her death hit hard with relatives, even as they spoke with pride about her decision to leave behind the relative safety of guard towers for perilous duty on the open Iraqi roads.

“She could have stayed there, but she was trained to do convoy duty and asked to do that,” said her stepmother, Alison Jacobson. “I think it speaks to her bravery.”

Airman First Class Jacobson was the first female Airman killed in the line of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I didn’t know Elizabeth, but I wish that I had. Elizabeth sounds like the kind of person I would have liked to be my friend and I feel the loss of this bright and beautiful young woman who gave her all for her Country, and for my personal freedom.

Her resting place shall be in the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, the Master of mercy will care for her
under the protection of His wings for all time
And bind her soul in the bond of everlasting life.
God is her inheritance and she will rest in peace
and let us say Amen.

Linda at Something…..and Half of Something, received an email from Elizabeth’s Grandmother telling me there will be a Memorial for A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens on Copans Road in Pompano Beach, FL at 5:30 on Thursday the 28th, 2006. Please attend if you can and if you can’t attend, please leave a note for the family at the Elizabeth N. Jacobson Online Memorial. And please, spread the word!

Wild Thing’s comment…..
This was a previous post about Elizabeth Jacobson when she was killed.
ONE MORE ROLL
We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God’s own hand to be with him on High.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they’ve known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven’s very door.
As we fly among them there, we’re sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
— Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968

* Something……and Half of Something

Wild Thing’s comment…….
Al Gore better be careful or he is going to have more chins than a Chinese phone book. Weird how they both do this.

Helen Thomas!!! Live and in person. ONE NIGHT ONLY–TONIGHT, at Ford’s Theatre!!

And you thought it was too much to hope for, but you were wrong! That’s right, tonight and tonight only, you can spend time in the company of the sassy and inimitable doyenne of the White House press corps.
Here are the details:
Presidential Politics: Pundits, Personalities, and the People
Monday September 25 at 7:00 pm
A Free Panel Discussion offered in conjunction with our fall production STATE OF THE UNION moderated by Bob Schieffer, Host, CBS, Face the Nation with Helen Thomas, White House Correspondent, Hearst Newspaper and other panelists to be announced
Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Panel is free, Please RSVP to (202) 347-6262
doors open at 6:30 pm, Discussion at 7:00 pm
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to get “up close and personal” with The Great One herself.
“It’s a dream come true! She’s HOT!” ( heh heh)

This week’s Blogburst was written by Toni at Bear Creek Ledger.

All of these stories were found in the last couple days posted to Lucianne.

‘Border Baby’ boom strains S. Texas – There’s a picture with the story of an illegal alien who’s given birth to her fourth child on American soil at American taxpayer expense who thinks it’s owed to her!

Of course the real story is how ‘anchor babies’ are breaking the backs of South Texas hospitals.

Continue reading Guard the Borders Blogburst

One of the three bombers wanting to be beheaded.

Bali bombers ask for beheading
The three Bali bombers on death row have requested that they are beheaded rather than shot, one of their lawyers has said.
Amrozi, Ali Ghufron alias Mukhlas and Imam Samudra narrowly avoided execution last month when their lawyers announced they would file an appeal over their death sentences, meted out for the 2002 attacks which left 202 people dead.
Lawyer Mahendradatta said the appeal, known formally as a demand for a case review, would be submitted to authorities within the next two weeks.
But he told reporters that another demand would be filed to the constitutional court, asking that they review the procedure of execution used for the men if their sentences are fulfilled.
Executions in Indonesia are carried out by firing squad, typically at a secret time and location.
Mahendradatta said his clients believed execution by gunshot was “torture” and they “asked to be executed the Muslim way, by being beheaded”.
The lawyer also distributed copies of a handwritten letter from Imam Samudra, denying reported accusations that he has been coordinating terrorist networks from his cell.
In his letter, Samudra said that “the police are looking for a sensation because they failed to catch Noordin M Top”.
Police have said that Samudra had been communicating via a smuggled laptop to other people while in jail. The laptop had been bought with money sent to one of the suspects in separate attacks in Bali in 2005.
But police have said there is no evidence he was involved in planning the 2005 triple suicide bombings, which left 20 bystanders dead.
Noordin, one of the top suspects for both sets of bombings, has repeatedly given Indonesian police the slip, but his partner-in-crime and compatriot Azahari Husin was killed by police at his hideout in November last year.

Wild Thing’s comment…..
I am just wondering if beheading would allow them to retain some honor related to their jihadist attack. The government must do its utmost to refuse them any honor and to send a message to anyone tempted to murder in the name of jihad.

Rules of dating a Drill Instructors daughter
Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you’d better be delivering a package, because you’re sure not picking anything up.
Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter’s body, I will remove them.
Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don’t take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose his compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.
Rule Four: I’m sure you’ve been told that in today’s world, sex without utilizing a “barrier method” of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.
Rule Five: It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is “early.”
Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.
Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don’t you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?
Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka – zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.
Rule Nine: Do not lie to me. On issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.
Rule Ten: Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car – there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine!