Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Pharaoh's Army

Oleg: This is, in my opinion, the best Civil War film.
=======

Need to check it out.

Pharaoh's Army Poster

During the American Civil War, a Union Army captain leads his rag-tag cavalry troop up a misty creek to a remote farm to steal enemy (Confederate) livestock. The farm is wroked by Sarah Anders, whose husband is away fighting for the Confederate Army. Far from the great armies and battlefields, a very private civil war erupts. The Captain and Sarah are pulled apart by the war's undertow into choices they can not fully control or understand. Each character in this drama must decide whether loyalty will be paid in blood.

This story has a relevance to current partisan conflicts. Armies are not filled with murdering psychopaths. Good people can be driven to do bad things. The story chronicles the pathology of war, how escalating events can trigger unasked-for tragedy. Based on a true story about a southern child who shot and killed a union soldier during the Civil War.

Pharaoh's Army Full Movie





If you can’t trust your government . . . who can you trust?

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Dr. Dan's Freedom Forum

VERBATIM POST

Like most of us, I mourn for the victims of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Life is a divine gift with the intention that the recipient enjoy it until natural death. I am greatly saddened by the thought that those killed last Friday morning had yet to fulfill the hopes, dreams, and expectations that are the substance of lives not yet fully lived.

This incident, along with so many others that preceded it, portends the demise of our nation, and I mourn for her as well.

Within hours of the tragedy, Internet articles and opinion pieces began circulating, suggesting government involvement with equipping and training this diabolical murderer as well as helping to plan his deadly attack. These claims insinuate that the government, in partnership with the biased national media, needed a tragic shooting incident that would create a public outcry against gun ownership in anticipation of Senate consideration of the UN Small Arms Treaty.

There has been much speculation as inconsistencies surfaced, such as the educational achievements of the shooter, the cost of the equipment and knowledge of its use, his calm surrender and warning to the police that his apartment was booby-trapped, and similarities to previous government stings in which would-be terrorists were captured before the raid could be carried out.None of us yet know whether the shooter will be proven to be an insane psychopath acting alone or part of a government conspiracy to promote the anti-gun agenda. Personally, I refuse to join in the speculation game.

It is, however, incredible to me that a significant number of Americans are willing to believe without hesitation that the federal government could be complicit in the murder of its citizens to promote a political agenda.

At what point did we first begin to doubt, then to impugn, the honesty and integrity of a government whose number one objective is to protect its citizenry? Perhaps one answer to this question comes with the realization that our government’s operating principle has become “The Ends Justify the Means”.

Departing so far from its constitutional and moral foundation, Washington (as well as many state and local governments) makes decisions based on political expediency, lust for power and personal gain. We are now suspicious of nearly every governmental decision and action, and any lapse in morality, even if totally inconceivable, has become conceivable.

How long can a representative republic survive when its government and its leaders have lost all credibility with the governed?

The foundation of America is a centuries-old moral code that pledges a respect for law and righteousness and denounces deceit and hypocrisy. As a nation, we have ignored the warnings of history by believing that we are somehow immune from the reality of its lessons.

The real question is how long can a rogue government that rejects the rule of law with impunity and ignores the Constitution survive the disdain and distrust of its citizens?

Violence begets violence



Oleg Volk

The connection was laden with static but the voice on the other end
came through steady and reassuring.
"Where are you?" it inquired.
"Highway 16 at Rooks Creek Bridge."
"Where do you need me?"

Tim Carpe looked out to the slight ridge two hundred meters in front
of him. Four menacing shapes were closing in steadily, leisurely.
His hands did not shake as they rose to shield his eyes from the
oblique rays of the afternoon sun.

"Bearing 210, range 200. Four in the open."
"Bearing 210, range 200, four, loud and clear."

The steady drone of the cicadas went on for another thirty second.
Another sound, faint at first but dopplering in steadily, filled the
air. He could see minute contrails which terminated in beautiful
black tulips growing just behind the four shapes on the ridges.
Split second later, the shock wave washed over him.
"Over by 50," he said into the phone "Bearing is good."
Another line of explosions dotted the landscape, this time exactly
on the ridge line. Then one more, for luck.

Tim's daydream gave way to reality as his cell phone connected to
home and then to the answering machine. Mom wasn't home and, had she
been home, what could she have done for him? The four bullies were
half-way down from the ridge by now, and would run him down before
he could retreat back to the school.

At age ten, Tim was a pretty good runner. But the four tormentors
were each thirteen and held a decisive advantage in speed and
endurance. His closest safe haven was the school, two clicks away.
His way home was blocked by those four. He stood at the far end of
the short stone bridge and tried to think fast.

Mom always insisted that he talk his way out of this kind of
trouble. Maybe that's how adults did it. Tim didn't think he'd talk
well with a mouth-full of broken teeth, which is what the older boys
promised him as they got within earshot. His mom would call their
parents after it was all over and ask them to reign in their
hooligans. Nothing would change.

The faces were distinct now, though he remembered them well enough
from the last beating he got. John, the ring-leader, was a few steps
ahead of the rest, his chiseled features reminding Tim of old
recruiting posters he saw at a museum once. John's nylon jacket
swished menacingly with the boy's every step. Jeff and Harry, twins,
were right behind, grinning with the pleasure of anticipation.
Romeo, the last of the bullies, was huffing from the exertion
required to keep up with his friends. Big but not very athletic, he
was the stomper, not a fighter. Once the victim was down, he'd jump
in and break ribs.

Tim did not want a beating. His stomach was all knots, and his mouth
was dry. His eyes squinted against the glare of the May sunlight. He
tried to think of something to say but his mind kept coming to the
line from some forgotten movie: "Rank one, volley fiiiiiire!" A fat
lot of good that did him now.

"Hi, guys," he said, trying and failing to keep his voice from
rising with betrayed fear. He put both of his hands into the pockets
of his sweatshirt. His left hand came out with a twenty, a
peace offering. "Won't you take this and not beat me today?" He
tried to sound confident.

The two twins looked at each other and smirked. John extended his
hand for the money and said genially, turning his head to his
entourage: "Can't buy us that cheap, can he, boys?" His friends
whooped agreement, and started to spread out.

It took Tim just four steps to cross the bridge over Rooks Creek,
his own Rubicon. As John's head began to turn front, Tim's right
hand came out of his pocket with a short piece of steel rebar.
Stepping forward, the boy put all of his slight weight into the gut
punch that folded his adversary in half. For a long, lucid moment,
Tim felt fear of the consequences wash over him: the gang would
surely kill him now. He saw the back John's close-cropped head waver
slightly just in front of his hands, heard sharp intake of breath as
the other began to recover. Whirling around to gain momentum, Tim
brought his weapon down on the base of his enemy's skull.

The three boys felt something change, as their erstwhile victim
walked steadily at them. The slight smile on Tim's face scared them
more than his weapon. Seconds later, the broke and ran. Tim
continued to walk towards home. Behind him, John's pulse ceased.

NC: STOP SUPPORT OF ANTI-GUN WRAL-TV



Except they are advertising with WRAL that is anti-gun, so that make Fred Anderson anti-family! Call!

URGE FRED ANDERSON TO STOP SUPPORT OF ANTI-GUN WRAL-TV


WRAL-TV’s unwarranted disclosure of handgun permit information persists despite losing advertiser Chris Leith Dodge. Last week we turned attention to major broadcast advertiser, Fred Anderson Toyota.

GRNC has been contacted by representatives of Fred Anderson Toyota about ending the pressure. You have effectively softened them up, let’s keep it coming.

Immediate Action Required
  • CONTACT WRAL ADVERTISER FRED ANDERSON
  • Call Wednesday morning, July 25, between the hours of 9 am – 12 pm.
  • If you cannot call during these hours, call when you can.
  • Tell him you do not appreciate his support of a media outlet bent on attacking gun rights, and that he should withdraw WRAL advertising immediately.

CONTACT INFO

WRAL advertiser FRED ANDERSON: Call him personally in his office at: 919-561-5441

TWITTER BLAST

Twitter users: send a message via this powerful social media by clicking the link below:

Whose Side Is Obama On? You Decide........

Via The Feral Irishman


I've never seen so many ducks and geese here before

They are always wandering around our neighborhood, but were out in force today, yum, yum......:)




Is it 'relevant' that James Holmes is white?

Via Matthew

To our Marxist press, yes!

James Holmes in court Monday

At the risk of being accused of having an obsession with references to race and ethnicity in journalism, I want to call attention to a controversy over the fact that some news reports identified James Holmes, the accused shooter in "The Dark Knight Rises" movie theater shootings, as a white man. (The L.A. Times story did not so describe him.)

This is from Richard Prince’s “Journalisms” feature on the website of the Maynard Institute:

"News consumers learned that the man suspected of shooting 70 people in Aurora, Colo., on Friday was white before they knew his name.

NPR described the man accused of killing 12 people and injuring at least 58 others as a ‘white male in his early 20s.' On Pacifica Radio's 'Democracy Now,' host Amy Goodman said the gunman was 'believed to be white, about 24 years old....

“Paul Colford, spokesman for the Associated Press, explained to Journalisms at midday, 'I'm told that 'white' was part of the original police description, though that element will be dropped. Race is included when a story contains a racial element, and so far this one apparently has no such element.'"

More @LA Times

Virginia Flaggers at the Hanover Tomato Festival, July 14, 2012



Link

On July 14, the Virginia Flaggers participated in the Hanover Tomato Festival, a long standing tradition in Hanover County and one of the biggest events of the year. We set up a booth and handed out Virginia Flagger literature and information, and gave away over 850 Confederate Battle Flag to festival participants. It was a beautiful sight to see the battle flags carried all over the festival grounds! We had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of people, and our information (and especially the free flags) were very well received! Most of you know that defending attacks on our Heritage and our flags is the main purpose of the Flaggers, but it is important to realize that education and forwarding the colors to the public is another part of what we do, and is something that is desperately needed at county festivals and fairs all across the South!

Susan Frise Hathaway

Day By Day

SecondThoughts:daybydaycartoon

Some goodies from O'l Remus


If I wish to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, I have the constitutionally-protected right to do so. Note that the Constitution doesn't give me that right, it protects it. I have that right as a consequence of the unalienable right to life and liberty, which are not the government's to give. If someone intends to take either from me by force I have the right to resist.
Karl Denninger at market-ticker.org

The modern Democratic party is the unholy issue of thirties gangsters and sixties Marxists, a criminal organization masquerading as a political party, composed of thugs, lawyers, layabouts, and guilt-ridden dupes, and motivated entirely by a lust for power disguised as the phony virtue of "compassion." And I mean that in the nicest possible way. [Saul Alinsky was one of Al Capone's top lieutenants] Michael Walsh at pjmedia.com

Mayor Bloomberg can pontificate on whether Constitutional Carry should be prohibited and the Second Amendment amended, which is the only lawful means to alter it, if and when, and only if and when, he dismisses all of his own armed security and turns over his own firearms—all of them.
Karl Denninger at market-ticker.org

Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.
Gov. Mitt Romney, at signing ceremony for state Assault Weapons Ban in 2004, via market-ticker.org
art-link-symbol-small.jpg A constitution merely prolongs the pretense that a political government can be limited by laws that it will interpret. Eventually, every constitutional government will embrace Lenin's ruling formula—"Power without limit, resting directly on force," says William Grigg in this article, Obamacare and the Revenge of the "Secret Constitution" at Pro Libertate.
art-link-symbol-small.jpg Psyop and circuses - We are to believe that the paltry price shaving performed by LIBOR banks is an expression of ultimate criminality while central bank price-fixing on a day-to-day and sometimes hour-to-hour basis is beneficial? ... Why does the world need a predetermined interest rate anyway? ... The world is run by this criminal cartel and, as we have long observed, they have no compunction about sacrificing their own, says this staff article at The Daily Bell.
art-link-symbol-small.jpg Few ancient sites in the Holy Land have ignited the imagination like the lost tombs of the Maccabees, described in contemporary sources as a magnificent Hellenistic monument that could be seen by sailors on the Mediterranean Sea, 18 miles away. Now a team has detected massive walls and subterranean chambers at a site matching the ancient writings, says Matti Friedman in this article, Is the Maccabees’ ancient mystery close to solution?, at the Times of Israel.

If United Nations gun control treaty is signed - When another Columbine-like, Aurora-like, or Fort Hood-like atrocity occurs, we will be told—in tones of deepest regret, of course—that private firearms possession has become just too dangerous to permit it to continue.
Francis Porretto at bastionofliberty.blogspot.com

(It doesn't mean a thing if it's signed as legally 2/3rd's of the Senate has to confirm this; however even if Hussein tries a sleight of hand, good luck on enforcing it.)

There is only one way to lower the violent crime rate and put the power back into the hands of peaceful people who intend to live their lives to the fullest and in a manner consistent with the rule of law. It's simple, really. One moviegoer with a gun could have prevented 70 innocent people from being shot today.
Mac Slavo at shtfplan.com

Can you ban guns? Of course not: firearms and gunpowder have been manufactured for centuries and any half-decent machine shop could manufacture semi- or fully-automatic weapons. Can you ban mass-murder? Of course not: the Aurora murderer could have detonated a gasoline bomb in the crowded theater.
Doug Ross at directorblue.blogspot.com

Up until 1968 a 12-year-old could order a gun out of the Sears Roebuck catalog and it would be delivered to his door. Yet the incidence of juvenile mass murder was non-existant. What has changed?
At The Rubicon, comment at directorblue.blogspot.com

A lot of people are going to figure out that a mattress is safer than a deposit account that is backed by nothing, pays nothing, is insured by nothing and is threatened with investment risk and state capital controls.. and they will all figure it out at the same time.
Manthong, comment at zerohedge.com

TSA: Unaware of Security Precautions & Allows No-Fly List to Obtain Pilot’s License

I guess they pick government employees these days by how stupid they are as it's the only explanation I can come up with.

Previously it was reported that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had allowed twenty-five illegals to train at a flight school owned by an illegal alien. Of those twenty-five, six were actually able to get their pilot’s licenses. Now TSA is on the host seat again. Last week one of their officials testified that Americans who are on the no-fly list because they are allegedly linked to terrorism are still permitted by the U.S. government to attend flight school and receive a pilot’s license.

On July 18 in a hearing before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) asked Kerwin Wilson, the general manager for General Aviation at TSA’s Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement, “Would a U.S. citizen on a no-fly list be able to obtain flight training without undergoing a security threat assessment?”

“Mr. Thompson that is correct, but keep in mind the way the program is set up there is layered security put in place,” Wilson responded. “You’re right, initially a U.S. citizen who is on the no-fly list could commence flight training. *But once the individual receives a flight certificate, an FAA certificate, that individual is bounced against various databases as well [and] perpetually vetted, meaning that individual is vetted once a day, once a week.”

*A terrorist only wants the training, not the flight certificate, moron.

More @ Freedom Outpost

Bloomberg: Police Shouldn’t Protect Americans Until There Is More Gun Control

They aren't required to anyway, ignoramus.



Well New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has done it again and demonstrated how stupid he really is. On CNN’s Big Story with Piers Morgan, Bloomberg made an utterly ridiculous comment that is almost on par with his views on Big Gulp drinks.

“Well I would take it one step further. I don’t understand why the police officers of this country don’t stand up collectively and say, ‘We’re gonna go on strike. We’re not going to protect you unless you, the public, through your legislature do what’s required to keep us safe (ie. more gun control). After all police officers want to go home to their families.”

This comment came in response to Morgans question, “Why do so many Americans not feel angry enough to demand further gun control?”

Bloomberg went on to say,

“We’re doing everything we can to make their job more difficult, but more importantly more dangerous by leaving guns in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them and letting people who have those guns buy things like armor piercing bullets. The only reason to have armor piercing bullets is to go through bullet resistant vests. The only people who wear bullet resistant vest are our police officers and that’s true across this whole country. So, we should at some point, we have to understand that this is our children or grandchildren or us, but for the police officers it’s much more immediate because when you and I hear shots we run away. They run towards it.”

When I heard this I turned to my wife and asked rhetorically, “How do morons like Mr. Bloomberg get in office? Let’s deal with his argument here.

More @ Freedom Outpost

'Gone With The Wind' Projection Instructions: Rules To Screening The 1939 Classic

Via Daughter Bonnie



Today's big-budget blockbusters may make bank at the box office, but they don't come close to the true king of movie grosses, "Gone With the Wind." More than seven decades after its release, the Oscar-winning film owns the top spot for highest box office when adjusted for inflation. (According to BoxOfficeMojo, the film sold more than 200 million tickets, with its closest competition being "Star Wars" at 178 million.)

So what made "Wind" so successful? Most moviegoers would tell you it was its talented performances or breathtaking storyline. However, perhaps it was something a little different, like, uh...the projection?

One Redditor recently posted what's supposedly a set of projection instructions for the 1939 classic (the user states that she's a projectionist and that her "job used to be art, now [she] just push[es] buttons"). Entitled "Concerning the Presentation of 'Gone With the Wind,'" the four-page report lays out a set of guidelines that makes sure each screening of the film is as good as it can be.

"No time, effort or money has been spared to make 'Gone With the Wind' as perfect as possible," says producer David O. Selznick, in the introduction letter. "But all of the time, money and effort, and all of the new [technology used on the film] will have been in vain if we do not have the complete cooperation of the exhibitor, without whose showmanship and presentation abilities a perfect show is impossible."

Hammering home the importance of the presentation, Selznick ends his letter by stating "I shall be personally grateful if you will take the time to read this booklet carefully; and to abide by as many of the suggestions as you will find practicable in your particular theatre."

So what "suggestions" did the booklet include? From the looks of it, a very specific set of them:

More @ Moviefone

Reporting Colorado-style shooting unlikely in Philippines belies brutal reality


Today's Gun Rights Examiner report provides another exhibit in the self-inflicted indictment against mainstream reporting of the Colorado shooting.

“Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., said the Philippines has stringent measures regulating the sale of firearms,” the story reports. “He added that it is unusual in Filipino culture to engage in such violent activity.”

More @ Examiner

Some new ones I haven't seen: The Time Machine | USA | The Forties


More @ Podakuni

Peanuts

Via The Feral Irishman

Petition: Va Flaggers Update 7-24-12

Greetings! We apologize for the lack of updates recently, as we have been making changes to our email account and website. Please note that all updates and information will now come from this new account, info@vaflaggers.com.

July has been another busy month for the Va Flaggers at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. As has been the case since October 1, we have had a presence on the Boulevard at least twice a week, every week. The weather has presented a challenge, as temperatures soared as high as 105 degrees on some days, but shade, lots of water, and the determination to see this battle through and honor our ancestors kept the Flaggers forwarding the colors in spite of the severe weather.

Saturday June 30th was HOT FOLKS! The temperature was over 100 degrees but 12 Flaggers made their way to the boulevard to continue to protest the VMFA illegal actions! The intense heat did not stop very special guest SCV National Lt Commander In Chief Kelly Barrow from joining the Flaggers on the boulevard to stand and flag! We were honored to have Kelly join us, and appreciated his taking the time out of a family vacation to forward the colors!

Traffic was light but we did get a few good conversations in. One involved some folks from the middle east who pulled up in a car out in front of the VMFA . They were curious why we were out there with our flags. We had a nice conversation with them, and the VMFA security must have been interested, too, because they came out and video taped the whole thing!

Thursday, July 5th: 10 Flaggers in extreme heat! On this evening, a Jewish man, who said our flags were equivalent to the Nazi flag, felt compelled to call the Richmond Police and report us for "hate speech". When the officer arrived, he spoke with us for a few brief moments, then proceeded to tell us that we are well known among the Richmond Police and the city administration for our outstanding record of being polite, courteous, and respectful to others and that they considered us, by far, the most considerate and well respected protestors in the city. He thanked us and went on his way.

Saturday, July 7th: 10 Flaggers on the Boulevard on a balmy July in Richmond. Museum Security decided the new rule this week would be that we could no longer place our flags in the hedges for a few minutes, as we had been doing since October if we needed to use the facilities, or just take a few minutes' break.

Thursday, July 12th, saw 12 Flaggers on the Blvd. The temperature was a bit cooler then the previous week. We had a lot of good convos with people walking by the museum. We had a really good conversation with some Japanese students visiting Richmond. They were definitely on our side! Laura, a teacher from Lynchburg and visiting the VMFA, chatted with us and wanted to see the Chapel. She teaches the War with a CSA flag & USA flag in the classroom. She chatted with us for an hour. She told us she was coming back Friday to visit the Chapel & tell the VMFA she wants the Flags back on Our Chapel.

Saturday, July 14th saw 10 Flaggers on the Boulevard. They stood in inclement weather, until lightning forced them off the Boulevard early, for safety's sake!

Wednesday, July 18th: 11 Flaggers on the Boulevard. Very interesting evening with an especially good conversation with a group of South Africans who had been talking with the museum about having an exhibit there. They were very sympathetic to our position and were eager to hear more about the removal of the flags and why we wanted them returned.

Saturday, July 21st: Weather was overcast which kept the temps down! 6 flaggers made their way to the boulevard to protest the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. We had a lot of traffic with a lot of good conversations. One individual said that they would come back next Saturday to flag with us. Car traffic was heavier than usual, with people pulling up wanting to know what was going on. One young lady said she had seen us out here for a really long time and wanted to finally stop and ask why. A good conversation led to her promising to call the museum to tell them to return the flags! More positives then negatives kind of day!

NEW PETITION! We now have an online petition, asking the VMFA to return the flags. PLEASE sign the petition and forward to ANYONE who might be interested in taking a few minutes to help us honor our ancestors. The petition is available here...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/918/949/849/?cid=FB_Share

Join us on the Boulevard! Our next flagging will be THIS THURSDAY, July 26th, 3:00 p.m. - Dusk. If you cannot be there, please call or email the VMFA and tell them to honor our ancestors and return the Battle Flags to the Confederate War Memorial. Call 804.340.1500 and ask to speak to the Director, Alex Nyerges, or email him at alex.nyerges@vmfa.museum. Be polite, be courteous, but be firm! Tell them to RETURN the flags and RESTORE the honor!

Upcoming Events!

August 3-5: Sesquicentennial of the Battle of 2nd Manassas. Va Flaggers will attend the activities on Saturday, August 4th, and forward the colors at the National Park and re-enactment events in Manassas.

September 15: 9th Annual Richard "Dick" Poplar Day at 11:30 a.m. Memorial Hill, Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia

September 22: 10TH Alabama Marker Dedication Ceremony, 10:00 a.m. Bristoe Station

Look for more details soon on these and many other Confederate events planned in the coming months!


More info. can also be found on our public FaceBook page, "Confederate Flaggers: Stand, Fight, and Never Back Down".
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfederataeFlaggers/

RETURN the flags!
RESTORE the honor!

Contact: info@vaflaggers.com

=========

Hanover Tomato Festival


On July 14, the Virginia Flaggers participated in the Hanover Tomato Festival, a long standing tradition in Hanover County and one of the biggest events of the year.

We set up a booth and handed out Va Flagger literature and information, and gave away over 850 Confederate Battle Flag to festival participants.

It was a beautiful sight to see the battle flags carried all over the festival grounds! We had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of people, and our information (and especially the free flags) were very well received!

Most of you know that defending attacks on our Heritage and our flags is the main purpose of the Flaggers, but it is important to realize that education and forwarding the colors to the public is another part of what we do, and is something that is desperately needed at county festivals and fairs all across the South!

At the same time the Flaggers were at the Hanover Tomato Festival AND Flagging the VMFA, the Sons of Confederate Veterans were holding their National Reunion in Murfreesboro, TN. We were thrilled to learn that many of our own Va Flaggers received recognition for their work over the past year, including:

Commander-in-Chief's Award: Everette Ellis

Commendation Award: Jamie Funkhouser

Heritage Defense Medal: Billy Bearden, Jamie Funkhouser

Meritorious Service Medal: Everette Ellis, Bob Harris, Ashleigh Moody, Mike Pullen, and Tracy Wright

Distinguished Service Medal: Billy Bearden, Matthew Heimbach, Grayson Jennings, Tommy Thomas, Capt. Tucker, Willie Wells

Commander-In-Chief's Ladies Appreciation Award: Susan Hathaway

Upcoming Events!

August 3-5: Sesquicentennial of the Battle of 2nd Manassas. Va Flaggers will attend the activities on Saturday, August 4th, and forward the colors at the National Park and re-enactment events in Manassas.

September 15: 9th Annual Richard "Dick" Poplar Day at 11:30 a.m. Memorial Hill, Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia

September 22: 10TH Alabama Marker Dedication Ceremony, 10:00 a.m. Bristoe Station

Watch for more details soon on these and many other Confederate events planned in the coming months!


More info. can also be found on our public FaceBook page, "Confederate Flaggers: Stand, Fight, and Never Back Down".
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfederataeFlaggers/

Contact: info@vaflaggers.com

Virginia Invaded by Foreign Mercenaries


one-third (1/3) of all troops were non-natives distributed approximately as follows:
  • German c. 200,000
  • Irish c. 150,000
  • British c. 150,000
  • Canadians c. 50,000
  • others c. 75,000 (mostly European)
Englishman Edward Dicey reported for the London Spectator and MacMillan’s Magazine, arriving here in 1862. He fell in with Nathaniel Hawthorne and his abolitionist friends, only touring the North. Dicey noted the large presence of German and other social revolutionaries in Northern ranks, underscoring Granny Clampett’s assertion that the war as one “betwixt Yankees and the Americans.” The Americans in Virginia were fighting for their homes and country, the foreigners fought for abstract principles.

Bernhard Thuersam, Chairman
North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial Commission
www.ncwbts150.com
"The Official Website of the North Carolina WBTS Sesquicentennial"

Virginia Invaded by Foreign Mercenaries

“Our road [to Virginia] lay through Arlington Park, the residence of Confederate General [Robert E.] Lee. It certainly must have required a good deal of patriotism to induce any man to leave such a pleasant residence for the hardships of a camp. But then it must be remembered that when the General with his family left his mansion at the outbreak of Secession, he was confident of returning in triumph within a few weeks.

When the Federals took possession of the house, and turned it into the headquarters of General [Irvin] McDowell’s division, they found the whole place just in the state in which it would have been left if the owners had only intended to go away for a week’s holiday.

The greatest difficulty was experienced in hindering the soldiers from cutting down [Lee’s] trees; and when at last Western regiments were stationed at Arlington Heights, it was found impossible to protect the timber. Hence, by this time the park had been sadly devastated. The ground was so covered with stumps of trees and broken fences that it was with great difficulty we could pilot our horses through the brushwood.

Of all the camps I have seen, this of [Col. Ludwig] Blenker’s seems to me the most comfortable. Blenker’s division were the enfans perdus of the Federal army. In the Potomac army commanded by McClellan….almost all [foreign regiments] were attached to Blenker’s division. The camp I visited was filled with the black sheep of every nation under the sun. The word of command had to be given in four languages, and the officers were foreigners almost without exception.

In a party with whom we spent the afternoon, there were officers who had served in the Papal brigade, the army of Francis II, the Garibaldian expedition, the British and Spanish Legions, the wars of Baden, the Morocco campaign, and I know not where else beside.

It seems to me even now incredible at times, that that grand army, which I watched for days and weeks defiling through Washington, should not have swept all before it; and I confess, that I still believe its failure was due to a want of generalship. The sacred soil of Virginia seemed as imperfectly known to them as Ireland is known to myself; and they looked upon the excursion [to Second Manassas] with much the same sort of interest as I should do on a trip across St. George’s Channel.”

(Spectator of America, Edward Dicey, (originally published in 1863, “Six Months in the Federal States”), University of Georgia Press, 1989, pp. 146-151)


Virginia Invaded by Foreign Mercenaries

“Greater love hath no one than this…......

Robert J. Laplander

Continuing the 20th Century Recipients theme, this month featuring those of the US Army, we move on to Vietnam and a fellow who gave his absolute all for the benefit of his comrades.

Make the most of your day!

RJL

http://www.agifusa.org/files/agif/DANIEL%20FERNANDEZ.jpg

DANIEL FERNANDEZ

Rank and organization:

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized) 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Cu Chi, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 February 1966. Entered service at: Albuquerque, N. Mex. Born: 30 June 1944, Albuquerque, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 21, 26 April 1967.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fernandez demonstrated indomitable courage when the patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle company and driven back by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire before it could evacuate an American soldier who had been wounded in the Viet Cong attack. Sp4c. Fernandez, a sergeant and 2 other volunteers immediately fought their way through devastating fire and exploding grenades to reach the fallen soldier. Upon reaching their fallen comrade the sergeant was struck in the knee by machinegun fire and immobilized.

Sp4c. Fernandez took charge, rallied the left flank of his patrol and began to assist in the recovery of the wounded sergeant. While first aid was being administered to the wounded man, a sudden increase in the accuracy and intensity of enemy fire forced the volunteer group to take cover. As they did, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group, although some men did not see it. Realizing there was no time for the wounded sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade blast, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and threw himself on the grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of his 4 comrades at the sacrifice of his life. Sp4c. Fernandez’ profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Medal of Honor citation: Daniel Fernandez

Gun laws state-by-state: Colorado



Looks like one of Oleg's, but it wasn't identified.

After the tragic shooting at an Aurora, Colorado theater, gun laws in the state have come under intense scrutiny and many have called for stricter gun laws. However, Colorado gun laws are mixed, and Aurora actually had some of the strictest restrictions in the state.

What must be cleared up first is that there was a difference between the state and municipal laws and the rules set by the Century 16 movie theater where the grisly shooting took place. The theater had a ban on walking in with firearms, and also on concealed carry permit holders from bringing their guns on the premises. The theater’s rules were quite restrictive, but did not prevent the shooter from committing the crime anyway.

The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a law center that advocates for tighter gun restrictions, rated Colorado 27th in terms of strictness of gun laws.

Colorado does not have an assault weapons ban, magazine restrictions and does not require a permit to purchase a handgun. However, there are fairly strict laws regarding gun use at a municipal level.

Aurora’s municipal laws disallow having a concealed carry “dangerous weapon”, discharging a firearm if not an official member of law enforcement, of having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. While the shooter broke all of these laws, they also prevented law abiding citizens from shooting back and stopping him.

More @ Human Events

Following the Science? Not in Sex Ed

How would it look if the federal government took the same approach to reducing teenage drinking that it takes to reducing teenage pregnancies?

Instead of telling them to wait, the focus would shift to making teen alcohol consumption “less risky.” Then, strategies would be employed to make teen alcohol consumption “less risky.” School programs would teach teens how to drink, but also encourage them to use good judgment through messages like: “Wait until you know you are ready before you have your first drink.” They would be encouraged to drink alone before deciding to drink with each other. They would be told: “The only one who can decide when you are ready to drink is you.”

Knowing what we know about teenagers and their ability to assess risk and act accordingly, this sort of approach sounds ludicrous. Nevertheless, that’s precisely the approach we’ve been taking to sex ed for decades. It’s been a miserable failure, of course.

Nevertheless, the Department of Health and Human Services directs millions of dollars every year to programs like these that are based not on science but on the dated assumptions of the sexual revolution.

More @ The Foundry

The Obama Administration Violated the Constitution but Won't Reveal How

Via Charlie

nsa full.png

The transgression occurred at the National Security Agency and involved illegal spying on Americans. The details? They're scandalously classified.

For months, Senator Ron Wyden has been giving American citizens an extraordinary warning: The federal government is spying on us in ways that violate our privacy and would alarm us if we knew more, he insists, adding that he can't tell us any more because the details are classified.

Now Wyden has won a small victory. Thanks to his persistent efforts, he was granted permission to share with the public a small amount of previously classified information about the NSA's domestic spying. The most consequential revelation: "National Security Agency spy activities on at least one occasion have violated the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure, according to a ruling by the U.S.'s secret national security court."

Put more succinctly, the Obama Administration violated the constitution. How did the NSA transgress against our Fourth Amendment rights? Incredibly, that bit of information remains classified. Citizens aren't permitted to know the details of their government's confirmed misbehavior.

Julian Sanchez explains why secrecy is particularly problematic in this case:

CRPD Back on the Schedule: Keep It Up! Final 2 Weeks of Pressing Need

We have entered the last two weeks before Congress starts its Summer Work Period, and the need for your calls remains great!

First, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has re-scheduled its mark-up (including the committee’s vote) on the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for this Thursday, July 26. While we defeated Senator Kerry’s goal of seeing the whole Senate pass the CRPD by Thursday, our goal of stopping this treaty completely to protect the parental rights of those with disabled children is still to be attained.

Your calls have been working; several senators now consider this treaty a threat to parental rights and national sovereignty who did not see it that way before. But more senators need to be convinced. So please call – or call again – and urge your senators to stand for American sovereignty and parental rights by refusing to consent to this treaty. Tell them we do not need to take an area of domestic law in which our nation has done so well, and hand it off to an international body with a terrible track record, no experience in protecting the disabled, and no accountability to the American people.

Click on your state at ParentalRights.org/States to find your senators’ contact information.

Parental Rights Amendment Summer Push

Second, the Parental Rights Amendment enjoyed a great hearing in the Constitution Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee last Thursday, but time is short to take advantage of this opportunity in two ways:

1. Several of our former cosponsors and pledge signers have been confused because HJRes110 is the third draft of the Parental Rights Amendment (PRA) introduced this Congress. That means some who would support it have not yet come to realize that HJRes110 is the real deal. But this subcommittee hearing should serve convincingly to dispel any remaining doubts. They just need to hear about it!

2. As mentioned above, the Summer Work Period is about to start. That’s when members of the House and Senate return to their district and state for the month of August, where they can be closer and more accessible to you. Committees won’t be meeting and votes won’t be taken – a blessing regarding CRPD if we can hold it off long enough. Instead, you have an opportunity to meet with them and talk about what matters most to you – including parental rights.

So, please take a moment to call your Congressman - twice. First, call their Washington, D.C., office and tell them that HJRes110, the Parental Rights Amendment, had a great hearing in the Constitution Subcommittee last week. Urge them to sign on as a cosponsor before the August Work Period. Then, call their local office nearest you and ask to set up an appointment in August when you can go and talk to them about your parental rights. Ask for 10-15 minutes, and enlist a few friends to go with you!

Your congressman’s contact information is available at ParentalRights.org/States – just click on your state. (If their local office number is not listed, you can click on their Website link and find it there, usually under “Contact Us.”)

I know we’ve been asking you for weeks to keep calling, but don’t give up now. For better or worse a break is coming in August – but until then, there are two great victories within our reach. Together, we can win this war against our families.

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Direct of Communications & Research

Parental Rights Amend. House Cosponsors
77

Includes HJRes110 lead sponsor, Rep. Trent Franks.
Latest addition July 24, 2012.

Parental Rights Amendment Senate Cosponsors
13

Includes SJRes42 lead sponsor, Sen. Jim DeMint.
Latest addition July 23, 2012.

Senators Opposing CRC Ratification
38

Includes SR99 lead sponsor, Sen. Jim DeMint.
Latest addition Feb. 6, 2012.

The Aurora Shootings

The horrendous and calculated killings in Aurora Thursday evening are a great tragedy not just for the victims and their families but for everyone who can clearly see the utter evil of such acts and the helplessness we all feel as a result.

However this massacre might have been far less likely for there are a number of key problems that have gotten virtually no attention in the media and the political demagoguing that has resulted.

1. The patrons of the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises had entered a zone in which there existed no real protection of any kind against acts of violence. The theater chain owned by Cinemark maintains a strict no-gun position, not just for customers but for all employees, including security personnel. Of course, the theater has full right to ban guns for its customers not just for safety purposes but to keep insurance costs to a minimum, but I draw the line when it also includes security personnel, deferring the only security to the local government police.

In addition and while Colorado has a liberal policy of issuing concealed carry permits for adults over 21 years of age, most of the theater goers were under-age for such permits. Furthermore, at midnight the rest of the shopping center area was closed and deserted of employees and patrons, so that aid from others was not possible. Nevertheless, film critic Roger Ebert has predictably and ignorantly made wild claims that the incident proves the failure of concealed carry permits and that America’s gun laws as “insane.”

More @ The Independent Institute

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Remember when the projected additional cost of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka “ObamaCare”) to U.S. taxpayers over a ten year period of time was going to be less than 1 trillion dollars?

Let’s just say that once it’s fully implemented, it’s going to be a bit over budget. By about 190%:

Cost of President's Health Law Rises with Each New Estimate - Source: Weekly Standard

More @ My Gov Cost