Grandmother charged after child thrown from walkway | Washington Examiner

Jesus Wept by Eric Hollander.  Today He wept for Angelyn. 

Grandmother charged after child thrown from walkway | Washington Examiner

I spent a long time in law enforcement and most of it was good. One thing that always bothered me, though, was how people could abuse their own children. As I spent many years in DEA the abuse I saw usually had drugs at its core and the parents involved were often addicts. That doesn't apply here, however, because in this case the maternal grandmother, Carmela Dela Rosa, age 50, allegedly picked-up her 2-year old granddaughter, Angelyn Ogdoc, and tossed her over the edge of a 6th story walkway between the parking garage and the Tysons Corner Center Mall in Fairfax, Virginia. Angelyn died at Fairfax Inova Hospital in the wee hours of this morning and the grandmother is now in jail and charged with murder. No reason has been given for this heinous act.

My wife, daughter and I have often been to that mall and when we've gone there we use that parking garage. The walls on the sides of the walkway are high enough that it is beyond belief that such an act could be accidental which leads me to the same conclusion as the police: a deliberate act leading to the death of an innocent child. That being said, my heart goes out to the mother, father and siblings of Angelyn. She was far too young to die and to do so in such a sudden and horrifying manner almost brings me to tears. As the father of a young, precocious and beautiful 4-year old daughter, I can imagine the stabbing pain in my own heart should something happen to her. Seeing a child terribly injured is a traumatic experience. The pain of seeing your own child in such a condition is unimaginable. I can also palpably feel what the police officers who arrived on the scene felt when they saw what had happened. Those feelings are the kind that come back to haunt us in the quiet of our nights and we carry them until the Lord calls us Home. Some call it PTSD. I call it heart.

It appears from the surnames that the people involved are ethnic Filipino--my wife, a proud Filipina, was immediately certain of that when she read the story--and that makes the case even more unusual because family is the center of the Filipino culture. Family is so important that you don't see the nursing homes in the Philippines that are prevalent in America. Family is so important that if someone is in the hospital the medical staff and the hospital just assumes that family members will be camping out in or by the patient's room. Even the family pets are kept at home to die feeling loved rather than put down at the vet's office if they are ill. That is not to say that there is never murder within family units in the Philippines. Those crimes do, of course, happen but something like this is very rare there. But of course, these circumstances are rare in the United States as well. I cannot imagine anyone not shocked by what happened to Angelyn.

All I can say is that she will be in my prayers today and I am certain that she is now in Heaven. May she rest in peace.

Follow the link for the story.

The Federal Pay Freeze, In Context

A much bigger bus to handle all those government employees!

In the interests of full disclosure I spent 32 years in the service of my country, 25 of which were on the civilian side of the government.  I am now retired and subject to the whims of OPM and Congress when it comes to my retirement pay and I still must work to make ends meet.

I've listened for months to the chatter by fellow Conservatives about how the federal civilian work force was grossly overpaid and kept my silence not because I agreed but because I knew that there were cases where that was a true statement.  Unfortunately, for me and many in my government sector, the claim that we were "overpaid bureaucrats" was grossly misleading.  I say "unfortunately" because it would have been nice to have one of those cushy Washington jobs that paid SES salary and didn't require transfers every few years (sometimes to Third World countries), exposure to infectious diseases, gunfire and physical violence and irregular work hours that usually added up to well over 60 hours a week (for which I was paid at a rate of about 1/2 regular time).  Yes, a job like that would have been grand and I know those positions existed because I read about them on the internet where it said that those $100,000.00 a year jobs were all over the place in Washington, DC.  And they also said that those jobs gave you free health insurance when you retired.  I wish I had been able to get to one of those because I now pay 100% of my health insurance bill on my retirement salary...which is one of the reasons why I still work.

But I'm not complaining.  I enjoyed my time as a civil servant.  I do have a very bad back from a bit of a tussle with a criminal I was arresting back in the '80s but no regrets.  My last assignment was in Washington, DC, and I was able to finally buy my own home at age 58.  Quite a bit later than most of my civilian counterparts who didn't work for the government but still, thanks to Congress some aren't able to buy at all despite working hard and saving their money.  My house will be paid off when I'm 88 so then I can fully retire.

This morning I watched President Obama stand before reporters and announce that he was going to freeze the pay of civilian federal workers for the next two years.  He, reading from his teleprompter, of course, waxed eloquently about how there needed to be shared sacrifice and that the savings over the next two years would amount to a staggering $28 Billion (with a capital B, no less).  It was underwhelming speech so no wonder he took no questions.

Now this doesn't affect me monetarily because I'm retired..sort of.  The economic downturn--which is traceable more directly to Nancy "The Nanny" Pelosi's Democratic Congress under President Bush than to Bush himself (yes, I know he could have vetoed the spending but didn't)--has me underwater on my house and with no increase in my government pension this last year or in the foreseeable future.  But I started thinking about that savings of a whole $28 BILLION vs. the $1+ TRILLION debt that Obama and his minions have run up in the last 22 months and it occurred to me that it was really pretty small potatoes by comparison despite the build-up he gave it.  As a matter of fact, as I thought about it, it was clear that he'd just thrown the entire civilian side of government--minus Congress, of course--under his ever-present bus where they will join his grandmother and the Reverend Wright along with more than a few others that were necessary sacrifices in the name of his political ambition.  (The more I think about it the more it seems to me that he could have accomplished the same savings by just firing all those Czars.  Just sayin'.)

This from a man who just got 12 stitches in his lip from a wild elbow while playing basketball.  (Odd that, as I didn't think that he would play with TEA Party people.)  Despite the injury though he has returned to the court and, while heroically injured, played against his daughters.  I hope they were gentle on their daddy.

Now if like me you're actually wondering what the impact of his valiant effort to curb government spending is in comparison to his valiant effort to outspend every previous American President combined thus run-up an unconscionable debt, follow the link.  You'll be amazed.

Wikileaks: Time for Drastic and Decisive Action

Wikileaks: Time for Drastic and Decisive Action

It is past time for an espionage indictment of the weaselly chief and staff of Wikileaks for what they have done is clearly an attack on the United States.

Currently there is but one arrest in the leaks to Wikileaks. A low-level Army intelligence specialist, E-4 Bradley Manning, is in custody. He is being blamed, at least in the press, for the latest leak but that begs the question: How was such a low-level individual from the military able to download that much State Department information without warning bells and whistles going off all over the Intel community? Or was the release of the State Department documents from another source? Or could it have been and "approved" leak by the Obama Regime? One thing I do know is that it is entirely possible to monitor who-does-what on the government's computer systems. As early as the 1980's, when I was with DEA, if I accessed a name in the data base and there was an investigation on that individual in another office on the other side of the country--or the world--I could expect a call from that Case Agent asking why. So how could the low-level military traitor have gotten access to the State Department's classified info on such a massive scale without raising warning flags in 2010? Your guess is as good as mine.

We'll have to wait and see if the Obama Regime takes action against these people. Unless, of course, they tacitly approved of the release or liked that it damaged the United States (which does not seem beyond the pale given other actions and policies by the Regime). But given that they (the Regime) had no part in this abysmal event, action is needed and it is up to the President to direct his Attorney General to take that action. That should be doable because it does not appear that any members of the New Black Panther Party were involved.

Follow the link for the story.

Sunday Reflection: After his own loss, a general salutes two brave Marines | Washington Examiner

My Uncle, Lt. Ole Woods, served with Puller at Chosin.  It's good to know the Marines still produce leaders of this caliber.

Sunday Reflection: After his own loss, a general salutes two brave Marines | Washington Examiner

I was in the Army but I've always had the utmost respect for the United States Marine Corps. Like the Texas Rangers, the Marines have a reputation for being the bane of those who are the enemy. The Army, as good as it is, has strived to ensure continuity of leadership by developing leaders that appear to have come from the same bland mold. They are effective leaders, to be sure, but they lack the aura of leadership that fighting men, and women, crave. That unique, oft-times flamboyant style of individual leadership was purposely bred out of Army Generals after the death of George Patton. The Army clearly decided that it should only have Generals as adept in the art of Political Correctness as they were in the Art of War.

The Marines have not traveled that same path and they still produce leaders that would bring a smile to Chesty Puller's face. Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly is one such leader and he is clearly a warrior that understands war and how best to prosecute it. This is the type of leader that has made the Marines the organization that they are. May his hero son and the two heroic Marines he speaks of rest in peace and may God Bless them. Semper Fi!

Follow the link for an excellent read.

‘Blue Bloods’ rerun beats Barack Obama in the ratings

Blue Bloods: An excellent show that deserves to have a good time slot.

There is an explanation for this.

I've always liked, as do most people, Tom Selleck as an actor; but have never met Selleck the man.  Somehow, though, I don't think that Selleck the man is all that far removed from Selleck the actor.  Like many of the most enjoyable stars of the past, Selleck brings a lot of himself to his roles which makes his character not only believable but eminently likable.  His new project, Blue Bloods does not disappoint at all and while I usually avoid police dramas like a plague, I must admit:  I like Blue Bloods.  A lot.  It shows the human side of law enforcement without the asinine Hollywood-liberal moralizing that we're faced with in otherwise good shows like Law and Order.  The drama is good and balanced by the proper amount of good, cop-family humor.

Obama is likable enough in this public persona; but Obama, on the other hand, does not play himself.  After all this time we are still wondering just exactly who he is.  He shows us only what he thinks we want to see and fails miserably.  His acting is wooden although I will admit that he has a certain skill in reading a speech from a teleprompter.  What's even worse is that his story-line can only be followed if one is willing to completely suspend disbelief.

I do hope Blue Bloods is picked-up by the networks because it's an enjoyable show with a great cast led by a consummate actor.  On the other hand, I pray the American voters do not renew Obama's tele-novella because of it's tedious assault on the basic rights of We the People and the Constitution.  We the People, you see, love good fiction...just not from our politicians.

Follow the link for the story.

I've always liked Selleck in his Cowboy roles.  Obama, ehhhhh, not so much.

The First Thanksgiving Proclamation

At Valley Forge George Washington knelt in prayer to thank God and seek His guidance. 

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"


Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. 

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Omission Watch: Obama Nominated Chicago Agent for ATF Chief, Drawing Opposition from NRA

Because it's not really about the guns.  It's about control.

Omission Watch: Obama Nominated Chicago Agent for ATF Chief, Drawing Opposition from NRA

Normally these type of nominations sail through Congress with little or no opposition. In this case, however, the proposed Director of the BATF has demonstrated a strong antipathy towards the 2nd Amendment and this cannot be tolerated. We cannot give bureaucrats, even if they are professional law enforcement personnel, authority which they are wont to abuse. In the case of Andrew Traver, there is no doubt that he is not interested in just enforcing the law. He is clearly in favor of disarming all citizens and has assisted the liberal media--is there any other kind other than Fox?--in the demonization of guns.

Write your Senators now and oppose his confirmation. This man should not be given the reins of power.

Follow the link for the story.

Developers of Mosque Near Ground Zero Seek Federal Funds for Post-9/11 Rebuilding

We will never forget...

Let me get this straight.  First, over the objections of a clear majority of Americans, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his crowd want to build what amounts to an Islamist victory monument to the Jihad 19 in the shadows of Ground Zero.  In the raucous discussion about that proposal the apologist defenders of the Ground Zero Mosque stated emphatically time and again that the "...mosque is not at Ground Zero!"

Now the Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf wants the U.S. Government to give $5 million for the renovation from funds set aside to redevelop Lower Manhattan after 9/11.

This is further insult to injury.

Follow the link for more.

...and we aren't about to forgive.

Overreaching Food “Safety” Modernization Act Would Destroy Family Farmers

Necessary reading for anyone dealing with the Government.

Having been raised on a farm and ranch in Southern Idaho I have to say that more government does not equal safer food.  It does equal higher production costs.  It does equal less profit for the farmer and more expense for the consumer.  It does equal fewer farmers growing food and a move to large, corporate farms.  But it absolutely does not equal safer food.

As my mother used to say, if you don't properly clean and cook the food you might get sick.  I never got sick from food when I was growing up.  We had eggs for breakfast and never had to worry about salmonella poisoning.  We ate corn freshly picked from the field and never worried about contamination.

There wasn't a lot of government involvement back then and things were safer than today.  Maybe it's all an outgrowth of feminism when, to the great appreciation of all us teenage boys in high school, girls threw away their bras and stopped taking Home Economics in school because it was demeaning to them as independent women.  And as a result they never learned the "kitchen tricks of the trade" from either teachers or their mothers.

Anyone see a corollary there?

Follow the link for more.

Afghan Christian faces trial for alleged conversion from Islam

There are only two types of groups in the world that mandate death for those who want to leave: Criminal organizations like the Mafia and Islam.  It's no wonder that neither group has a problem with resorting to terror to achieve its ends.

Follow the link for more.