MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

"BANNER-GATE"
5 YEARS LATER

5 years ago, today, our "fearless leader" arrived aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, via a S-3B Viking. Having flown aboard the navy aircraft because the carrier was too far for his Marine Corps Seahawk helicopter, "Marine-One", to fly the 30 miles from the coast to the carrier (say what?). He pranced around in a flightsuit and helmet and announced the end of the war in Iraq. Of course, we all know, 4,058+ deaths (3,920 since he spoke) of US GIs later, that wasn't exactly the case. The White House spin on the whole banner issue has been refuted by the facts multiple times. Mostly by blaming the sailors. But White House spokesman still try to tell us that we misunderstood.

Did anyone of you misconstrue the banner and his words:

"Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans:Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.

"In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment - yet it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage - your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other - made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.

"Tonight, I have a special word for Secretary Rumsfeld, for General Franks, and for all the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States: America is grateful for a job well done."

to mean the war was over? How silly, it was just meant to acknowledge the return of the sailors to their home port from the war zone after another "mission accomplished". I don't know how you would classify his meaning, when he said:

"America sent you on a mission to remove a grave threat and to liberate an oppressed people, and that mission has been accomplished."

to our troops at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar the following month.

I am sure you also remember his symbolic gesture of "spiking the ball" in a photo-op on board the carrier. Doing it on the 5-yard line, just a wee bit short of the goal, should have told everyone just how competent he was at doing anything.

ANYTHING.

We know that Dubya wouldn't want to besmirch his Vietnam War record. Most of which has been conveniently destroyed by the Defense Department. During his service with the Texas Air National Guard, we never were faced with a single aggressive invasion by Mexico. Due to his diligence. Thank you Mr. President.

Dubya has a long record of success in his life.

A stellar graduate of Harvard University.

A competent owner/manager of a sports team.

Multiple accomplishments in the world of business.

A true defender and protector of our Constitution.

A brilliant military leader.

An astute guide to the nation's economy.

A noteworthy proponent of human rights.

A national leader revered and admired by the people of the world.

A person of deep, contemplative thought about the future.

An environmentalist extraordinaire.

A person who listens to all the facts on any issue before forming an intelligent, sound decision.

A President of "the people" rather than big business.


• 
  

With all this going for him, its amazing the Pope didn't bestow Sainthood on GW during his recent visit.

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FISC (Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court) domestic wiretap warrants have doubled since 9/11. Are you one of those under surveillance? I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you.

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Is this a situation of letting the fox guard the henhouse? Sounds like it to me. NASA's Orion Project, the name designated for the next generation of manned space capsules to the Moon, has a review/oversight board. All NASA projects have these boards. Its required by law to insure that the contractors are meeting their responsibilities and obligations. Making sure that no one cheats on what they are suppose to produce. Quality, safety and reliability are the main goals. The 19 oversight board members include 6 individuals who work for the companies that are constructing the crew capsule. 4 of the 6 are also stockholders in companies doing the work.

The late Admiral Alan B. Shepard, America's first astronaut in space, was once asked what he thought about while waiting for the Redstone rocket to launch his Mercury capsule, Freedom 7, into space. He answered:

"That we are doing this on 'low-bid'."

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“very difficult times, very difficult.”
Thats how Dubya described the nation's, and the world's, current economic situation. His detailed analysis advised us that "There are no quick fixes" and blamed the Democratic controlled Congress for our current mess.

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Here is a very intelligent report on the cost of, and competition for, crude oil.

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Here is some video about the takeover, for 8 hours, of the Iolani Palace grounds in Honolulu yesterday.

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HAPPY MAY DAY!

Here in paradise, its called LEI DAY.

I'll be back later. Thanks for coming over.

Mahalo

Aloha

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

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