Sad news for the nation today. We lost a true hero, John Ripley. He was 69.

Some may be wondering who was this man, what did he do you might be asking. He did more than what anyone could have been expected to do under circumstances that would cause many to fail.

John Ripley was a Retired Marine Colonel during Viet Nam. In 1972, under heavy enemy fire he blew up a bridge stopping the advance of 200 enemy tanks. Don’t underestimate what that means.

When I say under heavy fire, Col. Ripley had a mere 600 men that were tasked with stopping 20,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and the 200 tanks with them. The odds they were under were considered such that the orders given to them were hold and die.

Hold and die. Think about that. How many people today could ever consider living up to an order like that? How many could accept such an order?

I have an answer that many people today don’t want you to recognize. Virtually every single man and woman in our Armed Forces today. I would say that every Marine would and I have no doubt in all the other military forces of the nation, but I make exception of the brother Marines out there.

With all the noise of groups like MoveOn.org and Code Pink, and idiots like those in Berkley and San Francisco that want to hide our soldiers return home at their airports or refuse to let them perform their actions in their cities, you might miss the fact that America still has heroes. Some are older like Senator McCain, some have passed like Col. Ripley, but have no doubt that many are alive and serving our nation today.

I did not know Col. Ripley, but I am proud to know that my father and I have worn the same uniform as he once did. I am proud to know that there are others that love our nation enough to potentially receive orders as severe as hold and die.

It is because of men and women like that who allow me and all Americans the luxury of writing our blogs without fear of death or torture from Government secret police or worse. It is because of those in uniform today that on Tuesday we will elect a new leader of the nation for the next 4 years in peace.

I ask you all to honor the memory and actions of men like Col. Ripley, and the men and women serving our nation today, on Tuesday. Go out and vote. Exercise the Right they bleed and die for.

Because supporting our troops is not about just polispeak to get votes in my eyes. It’s an obligation we owe those that have held and died; and will do so tomorrow while the rest of us sit at home and gripe about cable television costing so much.

Labels: Berkley, Code Pink, John Ripley, Marines, moveon.org, Polispeak, San Francisco, That's why I vote, USMC, Viet Nam war

It would seem that for some in the American ultra-liberal far left wing, otherwise defined as fanatics, it is not enough that Senator Obama stands a solid chance at winning the American Presidency. It is not enough that the major news media are fawning over Senator Obama – treating his recent trip overseas as if he were a sitting President, and refusing his opponent the opportunities they give him (ie. New York Times editorial). Even the fact that a movie highlighting the very liberal Democratic Presidential candidate is in post-production is not enough (and the film will be out just before the election – nice timing).

No for those like Oliver Stone something more must be done. Something over the top. Something insulting. Something that has never happened to a sitting President in any medium. Oliver Stone feels that now is the time to make up a movie about President Bush, while he is in office.

Why can’t Oliver Stone give up his citizenship, move to France (or Russia, or Iran), and make whatever slanted version of history he wants. I’m sure the Taliban, Al Quida and a few other “see an American, kill an American” hate groups will be more than happy to pack theaters for his biased derogatory slime on film.

Obviously I have a problem with the upcoming film W. My problem is not so much political as it is decency. I don’t care that Oliver Stone has a political agenda the size of the Empire State Building. I don’t care, as much, that he is seeking to portray historical fact in a manner more akin to a scifi movie about they year 300,000 A.D. I don’t care that he is going to get about as many people in the audience (stateside) as there are members of Moveon.org – I’m sure they will all go see it 2x.

What I care about is the power and prestige of the American Presidency and thus America. America is the President on an international level, whether we love or hate any particular President. And Oliver Stone is so obsessed with his personal hate that he doesn’t seem to care what damage he does. He seems willing to do anything to place a(nother) blemish on President Bush, even if it means hurting every American and every American President to come.

This film, a supposed biography of President Bush – that seems to be focused squarely on the past according to the trailer - looks dumb. What may be even more dumb is that it was greenlighted by a Hollywood studio, and that actors of ability have taken several prominent roles.

Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Ioann Gruffudd, Ellen, Burstyn, should all be embarrassed that they would do this to an American President. I really thing that James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, and Scott Glenn should have known better. I mean they couldn’t wait until President Bush finished his term of office?

And as for Jeffery Wright and Thandie Newton I am at a loss. Do they believe that a movie built upon diminishing the office of the President of the United States is going to help their careers or in any way highlight African Americans (who are routinely seen and expected to be Democrats only) in a positive light? Colin Powell and Condelezza Rice have succeeded in becoming exceptional political figures, a fact that did not exist in any other Presidency before President Bush. And Wright and Newton believe that a film that insults America is the best way to immortalize these 2 accomplished, educated, Black figures? I think they deserve far better.

I will show this movie trailer clip. Because I do believe in Freedom of Speech and artistic expression. But I in no way suggest that anyone should see this film. I in no way support any actor’s portrayal in this film. I denounce what Oliver Stone has done, and am angry at Thandie Newton and Jeffery Wright.



Could I be wrong about the film? Until it is released sure, and it is mathematically probable that I can fly, piss on the sun and put it out, and/or suddenly have a stroke and thus believe that Code Pink and San Francisco know what they are doing. But back in the real world, Oliver Stone is doing a wretched thing.

Imagine if someone did a hatchet job on President Clinton and Hillary back when he was in office while doing Ms. Lewinsky with a cigar; the Democrats and Hollywood would be raging and the nation embarrassed. How is this different?

Labels: al quida, Code Pink, Democratic Party, Freedom of Speech, moveon.org, movie preview, New York Times, Oliver Stone, Polispeak, President Clinton, San Francisco, Senator Barack Obama

Let’s assume that the price of gasoline has been rising every year for the past 6 years. Let’s say that you live in a major metropolitan city. Let’s say that the number of obese people in your nation has grown almost as much as the waistlines. What do you do?

In America you blame the other political party, offer a tax break or threaten to tax the oil companies (depending on your party affiliation), mandate an alternative fuel source that drives up the price of food and that 98% of the population can’t use, and then sit back as unprecedented numbers of people go out and buy scooters or motorcycles. In America its drive or die you know.

But if you happen to be in England, well then it’s another story completely.

In a nation where gas gulping Hummers never took hold the obvious choice was to ride a bicycle. And that is something they have been doing in droves.

Since 2000 there has been an increase of 90% in the number of cyclists hitting the roads. In fact the government there has just created a ~$250 million incentive package for 12 cities, including Bristol, to become modern cycling cities. Not that does not match up much against the ~$10 billion spent on transportation in London alone (of which approx $110 million will be going to cycling) but it’s an impressive number.

Considering the huge numbers of eco-fanatical people in America concerned about green house gases and global warming, the food police demanding that every meal be an organic mix of veggies and nuts, and the ping pong battle over drilling for domestic oil anywhere I have to admit I’m shocked that not even San Francisco has made similar moves if not to lead the world with cycling.

Cycling is not just the sport of France, or an event in the Olympics. It’s a real solution to rising oil prices, obesity, and global health. No matter how the politicians spin the polispeak the fact is that there is something that can be done, and England is doing it.

Labels: alternative fuel, Bristol, cycling, England, France, global health, global warming, London, obesity, oil prices, Olympics, Polispeak, San Francisco, tax break

I have tried for days to be calm. I’ve tried to accept the fact that freedom of speech allows people to be stupid and vile. And yet I am still upset.

The reason for my anger is simple. In California, the city of Berkley believes that the very U.S. Marines that ensure their right to freedom of speech and the right to assemble, among other rights, are “unwelcome invaders.” The insanity of such a statement escapes me.

How dare they. What do they think is going on? They insult America with such comments and actions. And trust that this has taken me 4 days to write this in a non-verbally abusive form.

I’m tired of hearing the crap that says “I support the troops, but I don’t support the war.” It’s bull****. Simply put you cannot support the troops while attacking what they are doing. You cannot attack the Commander-and-Chief and not think it affects the troops. You cannot attack our servicemen and not think it is a blow to the freedoms that they ensure.

Code Pink should be arrested. They insult the very servicemen and women they supposedly wish to help. They abuse the rights that those in the military bleed to provide them. And if they are so angry, I suggest they give up their American citizenship and go to whatever country they think is better than America.

The City of Berkley and San Francisco can go and join them too. They feel that our military is an invasion force. They believe that our military is evil. They would spit upon our soldiers and the sacrifices they make for us all. Such people can kiss my A**.

These are the same people that spit upon our soldiers returning from Viet Nam. They were the ones that could not appreciate the sacrifices made then or now. They insult America, and every American. They can take Hanoi Jane Fonda and leave the nation. Maybe they can kiss Osama Bin Laden’s a** before he cuts off their heads.

These people forget that there are nations that want them dead, for no reason beyond the fact they live in the most free nation in the world. They forget that were it not for the Marines and our other servicemen and women they could not speak in public. That there are nations that would have all the women covered head to toe and pink is not an option. That in other nation’s women cannot speak, and insulting the nation results in death.

I feel these people are un-American. They despise our nation, and their hate is palpable. I would personally go into debt to pay for each and every one of them to leave this nation and never return.

There are many things I would like to say. Many points I’d like to make. But none can be said beyond my anger. Even 4 days later.

America may not be perfect, and the public should voice their concerns. It is our right and God bless us for that. But there is a line where respect and understanding lie. Code Pink, Moveon.org, San Francisco and Berkley have all crossed that line. They are hypocrites and morally corrupt in my opinion. I have no respect for them or what they are doing.

Berkley and San Francisco should have all their Federal funding revoked. No federal support should be given to them, no matter the natural disaster or economic downturn. IF they do not wish to be part of the nation, my money should not support them in any manner. If any of them worked for me, I’d fire them. I’m happy to say none of my work or clients involve either city or group. Nor would I ever knowingly accept anything from them. Were it possible I would not even allow my blogs to appear in those cities.

I spit upon Code Pink, Moveon.org, San Francisco and Berkley. They hate Marines, and thus me, my father and millions over the centuries that Marines have existed.

They can all go to Hell.

Labels: Berkley, Code Pink, Hanoi Jane, moveon.org, San Francisco

**This can be found at All American Blog, where I am a contributing author.**

For those that are unaware, November 10th was the 232nd birthday of the Marine Corps.



As they have since the inception of the Marines, today Marines are protecting the lives of citizens and the ideals of America across the world. The Marine Corp birthday was not a day off, or even time off for many of our brave sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers. 24 hours a day, every day, they protect us and give their lives for the privileges we enjoy without thought.

Like all Veterans of all the Armed Forces, I salute what they have done, and continue to do.

Perhaps people in places like San Francisco forget this. Perhaps organizations like MoveOn.org choose not to recognize this. I for one will never forget nor fail to recognize.

America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth, with all of our flaws included. That is directly tied to those who stand up and defend those freedoms, rights and choices. Never forget

“The cost of Freedom is never free.”

Semper Fidelis

Labels: Marine Corps, moveon.org, San Francisco, Semper Fi