Stars and Stripes Forever

Law and order are not the only casualties in this immigration debate. American flags have been taken down and replaced with Mexican ones, and students have been banned from wearing red, white, and blue.

But on this little corner of the web, the flag still flies high. Michelle Malkin has a great collection of favorite flag photos. And the New York Post has a great editorial, written with that classic New York attitude.

And let's not forget where else Old Glory has flown...

On the frontiers of discovery...

On the frontlines of history...

Where lesser men would dare not go...

Final Four!

Good luck to the George Mason Patriots!!

Michigan Mania

I'll be in Michigan until Sunday. Here's an interesting new look at the changing political dynamics of this all-important electoral state after years of liberal rule in the Statehouse.

Mark Noonan at GOPBloggers says:
"There is no better advertisement for Republican government than a Democratic government..."

True.

Immigration Outrage

What's the immigration debate all about?
The students of Montebello High School in California - a public, American tax-payer funded school - showed their appreciation during protests this week.

So, whose rights matter more? Those of legal, working, voting, American citizens - or those of illegals ungrateful for their freedoms and unwilling to assimilate to this nation?

(H/T Michelle Malkin)

The Mettle of a Marine

Read it. Our military men aren't just brave on the battlefield - their pride and dedication define their lives.

"I AM A MARINE — a lieutenant colonel. I know about war. I have studied it for more than 20 years. I have been deployed overseas six times. Three times since 9/11. Recently, I learned all about another part of war. I was badly wounded during a mortar attack in Iraq in October 2004... And the goofy part? Marines do not whine. Therefore, I shall not whine. I agree with it all. I think it is good for us wounded Marines to whip it — the injury, the sadness and confusion... We can do it. Deal with it. But it is a heck of a lot easier when you are with a teammate. That, my friends, is why the Marine Corps built the Wounded Warrior barracks at Camp Lejeune, N.C. You can see other wounded warriors, talk about your situation. With someone who gets it. Who knows why you are pissed. You aren't whining, complaining. You are pissed! I get that. So am I..."

Remembering Reagan's Revolutionaries

Two giants of the conservative movement passed away today.

Caspar Weinberger, former Secretary of Defense under President Reagan, died at the age of 88.

Lyn Nofziger, long-time Reagan spokesman and campaign guru, died at the age of 81.

Thanks for guarding the gates of the city on the hill.

TGIF!

It's the weekend, so we're taking a break from the serious news. Enjoy!!

It's cherry blossom time here in D.C.!! Probably the most beautiful time to be in the city, next to the 4th of July.

Of Mice and Men

The Washington Post had an interesting (and misguided) piece of commentary today, attacking President Bush and the White House for being too "manly." The writer, Ruth Marcus, even went so far as to say, "Manliness does exist. The problem is that it's overemployed -- nowhere more than in this administration."

Really? Nowhere in the world is the supposed problem of manliness more prevalent than in this administration?

Leaving aside the toxically feminist view than men, and all things manly, are inherently evil, let's think about Ruth's statement. We'll even use her negative connotations of masculinity.

I would say a country whose males assert their power over women by keeping females bound behind veils of black is too "manly." I would say a group whose males train for war against innocents and violence against all is too "manly." I would say an ideology which teaches males acts of terror as the only form of international influence is too "manly."

And I would say that America needs her men - real men, who are protectors and warriors - to stand up to these threats against mankind and exert the true forces of independence and justice.

For too long, the United States sent boys to do a man's job. Ruth says, "The undisputed manliness of the Bush White House stands in contrast to its predecessors and wannabes." Well, thank God for that. The president's wannabes (Gore and Kerry) couldn't figure out who they were, let alone where they wanted to lead the country. And the president's predecessors (Bush senior and Clinton) were so defined by the womanly qualities of "restraint, introspection, a desire for consensus, maybe even a touch of self-doubt," that they left the nation vulnerable to, and victims of, terrorist attacks.

Regardless of whether we are at war or peace, strong men - yes, men, as in natural leaders - must guide this nation with conviction and resolve.

We need a few more cowboys, a few more hunters, a few more unapologetically manly men. We need to stop telling boys be quite, be nice, be gentle, be feminine, and start teaching them how to be both strong men and gentlemen.

We need men willing to take up the fight, stare down the threat, and protect the lives and legacy of the American people.

"Good people sleep peaceabliy in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." ~ George Orwell

Coming Soon...

'05's Big Five Inspirational Leaders

Honorable Mention: Condoleezza Rice
For taking the reigns as Secretary of State, for representing the strength of the United States to the world, and for successfully confronting the most difficult aspects of international diplomacy with grace and honor.

#5. The Iraqi People
For claiming two historic elections as their own, for changing the outlook of a newly-freed Iraq, and for maintianing optimism during the troubled days of a young democracy.

#4. President George W. Bush
For beginning his second term with ambition and hope, for appointing a U.N. ambassador who can actually change the U.N., for helping strengthen the economy, for placing a true judicial scholar as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and continuing his commitment to protecting the nation and persecuting terrorists abroad and at home.

#3. The American Troops
For acting as both fighters and diplomats, for bringing freedom to the oppressed, for representing the best the United States has to offer, for soldiering on in the face of criticism at home and attacks in the field, and for continuing the great traditions of the American military

#2. Tony Blair
For leading the British people through two terrorist attacks with resolve and mettle, for standing up to misguided environmental policies, and for remaining a steadfast ally in the War on Terror.


#1. Pope John Paul II
For committing his life to the path of the Lord, for fighting and surviving the Nazi regime, for helping end the scourge of Communism in the Soviet Union, for reaching out to the youth of a centuries-old institution, for leading the Catholic Church in good times and bad, for being an example of true forgiveness and humility, for extending the hand of understanding to other religions and for bringing the good news of God to the farthest corners of the globe.