Is Japan a Stronger Democracy Than America?
The BBC has just announced that Japan has issued an order to its ships to return to base, thus ending support of the U.S. in Afghanistan provided in the form of naval re-fueling assistance to vessels involved in ground missions there.
…Fukuda has been forced to make concessions because of strong resistance from the opposition bloc, fearful of public opinion, which controls one of parliament’s two chambers. (An ironic contrast to what is happening in the US Congress)
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:14 am
Poland, one of the more significant members of the so-called coalition of the willing, has a new government committed to pulling out their remaining troops from Iraq (about a thousand). And the British are all but gone– they are withdrawing to Kuwait.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
When I was young they used to call this getting “ditched”.
George is supposed to go home and cry because his friends have humiliated him, but of course, he doesn’t care. He’s a sociopath.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:31 am
I realize my comment does not relate to your post, but I wanted to catch your attention. Feel free to delete it once you’ve read it.
Do a good deed, cost Michelle Malkin some dough.
Project Valour-IT update: Where are the liberal blogs?
By Michelle Malkin • November 3, 2007 09:53 PM The yearly fund-raising drive for Project Valour-IT, which donates voice-activated laptops to disabled soldiers, kicked off earlier this week. I joined the Marine team, which is currently in second place–close behind the Army team. Reach into your pockets if you can and chip in often. The friendly blog competition to support Project Valour-IT runs through November 11. Soldiers’ Angels, which organizes and runs the drive, is one of my favorite military charities.
You may recall that on the second day of competition, I made a pledge:
In addition to my donation yesterday, I will chip in another $25 for each left-wing blogger, up to 10 total, who signs up today. Send me an e-mail and let me know which team you’ve joined.
You may be interested to learn that I haven’t received a single e-mail. Soldiers’ Angels webmaster Holly Aho says she has been on the lookout for any left-wing Project Valour-IT members and would give me a heads-up if any signed up. So far, to our knowledge, none have.
This is a non-partisan cause and a wonderful project. In addition to the fund-raiser:
Valour-IT accepts donations in any amount to support the purchase and distribution of laptops, but also offers a sponsorship option. An individual or organization may sponsor a wounded soldier by completely funding the cost of a laptop and continuing to provide that soldier with personal support and encouragement throughout recovery. This has proved to be an excellent project for churches, groups of coworkers or friends, and members of community organizations such Boy Scouts.
Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop. In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears†at several medical centers, identifying possible laptop recipients. Wounded military personnel can also directly request a laptop through the sign-up form or through the Valour-IT/Soldiers’ Angels representatives at the following medical centers:
* Balboa Naval Hospital
* Brooke Army Medical Center
* Madigan Regional Medical Center
* National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital)
* Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton
* Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms)
* Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Thanks to the efforts of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Valour-IT is also able to reach patients in VA hospitals who would benefit from a Valour-IT laptop.
Also check out the Project Valour-IT auctions!
I hereby raise my pledge to $50 for each left-wing blogger, up to 10 total, who joins one of the Project Valour-IT teams.
November 4th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Thank Maggie,
Despite the fact that Malkin provides no e-mail in her challenge, and no way to register and post on her blog, I took the trouble to find it.
You can e-mail the shrew at writemalkin@gmail.com. You can also try michelle@michellemalkin.com or bitch@michellemalkin.com
And despite the excellent reasoning NOT to donate the best one is the simple fact that Michelle is lying (big surprise).
I can personally account for 3 people who have sent her e-mails and I signed up OneUtah under Army (they are the ones getting blown up the most)
Conclusion: Michelle is a liar (no surprise).
Any review of the long and generous history of charity in America reflects the immutable fact that liberals are far more generous than republicans.
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November 4th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Think of all the soldiers who won’t get wounded or killed if we pull our forces out of Iraq now instead of sometime in 2009!
November 4th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Heh. Cliff, I admit I’m disappointed. Your response to Maggie here was polite if barbed.
The one you left at my place is just potty-mouth trash. Why did you feel compelled to come spew the ad hominems? You could have made your point just as well without the gratuitous insults to Malkin - while still saying nothing nice about Malkin.
Richard - your point is fine, if completely irrelevant to the issue at hand. We’re giving out 30 laptops a month *right now,* over 1600 thus far, and if you think that is factoring into anyone’s political decisions to keep the troops in Iraq… well, I know you don’t think that.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I followed the link for “excellent reasoning NOT to donate” and I thought it wasn’t even a plausible reason not to donate. You can say all day and night that the government should take care of this, but the fact is they don’t. If you want that to change, then change it. However, you know that would take years. In the meantime, this equipment is needed now.
NPH points out that Michelle doesn’t define “left”. He/she assumes Michelle knows one when she sees one. I guess that’s true, that’s how I picked you.
This is a very worthy charity run be people who work hard and care very much. All the funds donated go right into laptops (overhead is covered by soldier’s Angels).
John and I will be forwarding your information to the people who matter in this challenge. I am hard pressed to think Michelle Malkin would lie about this. I am not a big fan, but that aside, it would be foolish of her to renege and upset her core. Don’t you think? Agree with her or disagree with her, she is media savvy.
I’ve been all over the web pimping the Navy team, but any sign up for any team is good. I have met laptop recipients and I know how much this means. So, thank you Cliff for your donation and the donation you have effected by signing onto the Army Team (although you did it in disguise, lol).
Your remark about charity is debatable at best and Richard’s is (as John points out) irrelevant.
I’m headed back to read what you wrote at the Castle. How did you know that’s where I came from? If you read the post, you know I called you a name. But you stepped up, so I’ll take it back.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:34 am
BTW, the widget is supposed to go in your sidebar or a sticky that stays on top. Between that and “Utah Hates Bush” you are kinda skirting the terms of the challenge.
Just saying………
November 4th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Thanks Maggie,
This is a group blog. I can’t unilaterally advertise anything on the sidebar without a vote after some due diligence.
Are you familiar with this charity? I’d be interested to know who is on the board of directors.
re: “Utah Hates Bush”…Malkin is requiring we demostrate a liberal bent. What better way.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Maggie and John,
Since these soldiers have risked their lives and their families well-being for our country, I would insist the government pay for these laptops.
In the meantime, I WILL adopt a soldier here in Utah, and buy him/her a laptop myself and maybe even give him/her a good job.
But are these guys and you guys doing to convince Bush to fund this program and veterans in general?
My greatest fear is that when a real enemy comes along, no one will join the military after witnessing the abuse our vets are enduring from this administration.
BTW: You may trust Michelle, but I don’t. You must admit she’s been caught lying many times.
It would be very easy for her to allow us liberal bloggers to post on her site so that other bloggers can hold us to our promises.
Frankly, I think it would backfire because liberals are more generous and supportive of the troops than the flag wavers.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
A worthy charity this may be, I don’t know. One way to enhance credibility– disassociate completely from Michelle Malkin.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I just made a $250 donation, not that it will shut up the flag-wavers who can’t quite figure out how we can support the troops but not the occupation and the fucking idiot in the white house.
And I hereby proclaim I will contribute another $250 and raise another $1000 for laptops if Valour IT will publicly disassociate itself from Michelle Malkin.
Payment Details
# Name: Clifford Lyon
# Item: Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT - Army Team
# Amount: 250.00
Dear Clifford, On behalf of Soldiers’ Angels, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of 250.00. Your continued support is greatly appreciated for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airment, and Marines who are in harms way as they serve our country.
The goal of Soldiers’ Angels is to continually bring care and comfort to our Heroes in uniform who sacrifice so much for our freedom. Contributions such as yours are a critical part of our success.
The above information should serve as a receipt in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations regarding charitable contributions, and should be kept with your income tax records.
No goods or services were received for this donation.
Thank you again for your wonderful support!
With warmest regards,
Patti Patton-Bader
Founder
Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers’ Angels, 1792 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
Soldiers’ Angels is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization
Website: http://www.soldiersangels.org
Voice Phone: 615-676-0239
Email: soldiersangels@gmail.com
Tax Identification Number 20-0583415
November 4th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Cliff,
Why is the comment above so harsh? As I said over at PNH, the whole point of this is to raise money and maybe poke a little at each other. It isn’t about Bush bashing. Some of the bloggers write long serious posts about Valor-IT, some issue silly challenges. Over at my place and a few others “dinner with the blogger” is up for bid.
You’ve made this great donation to a worthy cause, why stick your tongue out afterwards with “not that it will shut up the flag-wavers who can’t quite figure out how we can support the troops but not the occupation and the fucking idiot in the white house.”
Richard - If we wanted to play the credibility game….we could start with “I’ll vote for a Democrat when the party publicly disassociates itself from Sean Penn.” See? That’s just silly. It takes focus away from the charity.
The rest of us view Michelle’s challenge as nothing more than “stirring the pot”. We all do it. On our blogs it’s Army vs. Navy vs. Marine and everybody piling on the Zoomies. The point is just to generate buzz and publicity for Valor-IT.
Also, I might be missing something, but why would Michelle need to let you post on her site? The challenge has nothing to do with her site. You have to sign up (as you did) and post the widget (which you kind of did - I read your explaination of why). The challenge isn’t about donating, although yours is very generous. The challenge is about getting bloggers to write about Valor-IT.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
You made Michelle Malkin the issue, I didn’t.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
No, Richard, and I’m sorry if you misunderstood. I made her *challenge* the issue. The more blogs that post about Valor-It, the better. She issued a challenge that left wing blogs post about the charity after signing onto a team and putting up the widget. As stated previously, I am not a fan of hers. I’m just trying to get the word out about Valor-IT. In the same vein, I emailed all the radio talk show hosts in Boston about this, not just the ones I liked. If someone is talking or writing about Valor-IT it increases the chances that readers/listeners will look into, find it worthy and donate.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Maggie,
I appreciate your concern about my attitude and language but it smacks of hypocrisy or bipolar disease. Your feigned naiveté vis-a-vis your equivocation of Sean Penn and Michelle Malkin, is remarkably dishonest.
Sean Penn has taken a strong stand at great risk to is career and certainly makes no money doing it, but rather spends his own money.
Malkin owes her career, notoriety and her personal financial success being a loud shrill, a liar and a racist.
There is no fair comparison. But you knew that.
What is true, is you referred to me as an “asshat” as a matter of course. That doesn’t make you a bad person (I AM an asshat).
But is does make you a hypocrite does it not?
So lets get off the politeness bullshit. You pro-war, flag-wavers are walking a very dangerous path in support of illegal occupation, detention, torture, death, murder, corruption, and despotism in America.
You may tell yourself all day long that your silence on this fact somehow insulates you from responsibility. But it doesn’t.
Until recently, you were a vocal advocate of everything Bush. Now as the clarity of our warnings become more than obvious, even to you, and certainly to a MAJORITY OF THE TROOPS (including officers and generals), you still choose not to speak out against ANY of the terrible things happening because of this president and this war.
Why? Why do you not speak out? What are YOU afraid of? Being right?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
**Until recently, you were a vocal advocate of everything Bush.**
Not exactly true. He peeves me on some issues, immigration for one.
I was being polite and I don’t think it’s bullshit. This is your place. Not mine. I wasn’t trying to hide my right-wing nature. Let me be clear, I was a Goldwater Girl. I came out here to ask for something. Of course I was polite.
Other bloggers have told me repeatedly today that this was a waste of time. That you wouldn’t be able to get past the petty right vs. left. Oh well. I took the shot.
I wasn’t being hypocritical. You believe what you believe. I believe what I believe. So what? Does it make the charity less deserving? No. Does it change the fact that putting these laptops in the hands of those who have been wounded in the service of their country less important? No
**Now as the clarity of our warnings become more than obvious, even to you, and certainly to a MAJORITY OF THE TROOPS (including officers and generals), you still choose not to speak out against ANY of the terrible things happening because of this president and this war.**
You might not make sense, but you do make me laugh. I do think the Penn/Malkin comparison is a good one except for the fact that her antics are somewhat calculated to garner personal fame and Penn’s just having a mental breakdown.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Great Maggie, You support everything Bush except immigration.
That would mean you support torture, secret CIA prisons, illegal detention (according to the Supreme Court), illegal wiretapping, the disclosure of a CIA operative, the suspension of Habeas, the wrongful firing of attorneys general, the misuse of executive privilege, and the manipulation of intelligence to mislead congress and the American people etc.?
And Sean Penn is having a mental breakdown? I’d say anyone who supports everything Bush except immigration is a danger to herself, her family, and society.
Where’s your donation sweetie?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
OK, one last time. This wasn’t supposed to be a referendum on George Bush. It was to garner publicity for a non-partisan charity that is better known in right-wing circles than left-wing circles.
Although you might want to work on the reading comprehension skills. I said “He peeves me on some issues, immigration for one.” That does not translate to “You support everything Bush except immigration.”
This is the last time I’ll be out here. It’s just too nasty and not worth it. The Castle has spoiled me for blogs like this. I like the Rulez.
As far as my donation it will be Tuesday, when I get paid. It won’t be $250.00. I wish it could be, but I can’t. That’s part of the reason I put in the effort to publicize the competition. The point was to blog it. I did blog it. I was trying to get you to blog it. But I can see now that wasn’t very realistic.
But thanks for the dig, Cliff! You wouldn’t want to miss any opportunity, would you, sweetie?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Maggie:
With all due respect, and you appear worthy of such, there is nothing non-partisan - not even a charity - when it comes to Michelle Malkin! I’ll leave it at that.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:45 am
My Dear Maggie,
Every day, every time a person discusses politics or war, it is a referendum on George Bush and that person.
For our own protection and the future of the free world, we must draw a line.
Either you’re with us, or you’re against us. If you DO NOT STAND AGAINST BUSH, you stand for him and for war, and against internationalism, freedom and liberty.
And unlike any other referendum, this is a choice you will live with for the rest of your life.
You see, if you do not stand against Bush, the man, the administration, and every person who still supports him, then you are a danger to the US.
And if we manage to emerge from this Bush regime and compliant Republican party and compliant Democrats (like our Congressman Jim Matheson) with a free democracy and elections and the Constitution intact, then we need to know who you are so we can issue your house to a deserving Mexican American who DOES understand the difference between freedom and despotism.
So Maggie, do you own or rent and what is your address?
Oh yeah, and please try to keep the house nice for the new occupants.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
[...] in the comments, “Maggie” made the mistake of mentioning the name of one Michelle Malkin. This post is [...]