May 2007

Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, began in 1868 when General John A. Logan requested that members of his command, the Grand Army of the Republic, decorate the graves of their fallen comrades. Since then it has become the day on which the United States honors the dead of all its wars and is observed as a legal holiday in most states. Most states conform to the federal practice of observing it on the last Monday in May, but some retain the traditional day of celebration, May 30. Today, President Bush will preside over national services and place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. In local cemeteries all across America, people will hold services and place flags, flowers and insignia on gravestones of our fallen service members.

In 2000 President Clinton asked the nation to endorse a humanitarian organization’s addition of a moment of silence to the holiday, designating 3 P.M. local time for a minute of quiet reflection on the meaning of America’s war dead.

This afternoon, remember to pause and reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country…and are making it still. Think about those in Bethesda Naval Hospital and others who are recuperating from wounds and rebuilding lives due to the loss of a limb. Think about those service men and women who are separated from their families in faraway places. Think about those patrolling the streets of Baghdad and similar cities who are literally shaking in their boots as they turn each corner.

Think about those men and women as you watch “Sergeant York” on Turner Classic Movies or catch a baseball game. Think about them as you drink your beer or sip your lemonade, while enjoying a cookout with family and friends. Think about them and say a silent prayer. Be grateful for their service…and their sacrifice.

Our freedom is their sacrifice.

Shyspeak.net has a new look. I found this theme on Alex King’s WordPress Themes page. The theme is called ‘LetterHead’ and was designed by Robin Hastings. I like the cleaner look of this theme.

Airman: “Chief, can I ask you a question?”

Me: “Shoot.”

Airman: “What do I need to do to get a ‘Medal of Honor’?”

Me: “Die.”

Airman: “Really?”

Last week the Senate republicans and democrats reached a compromise on a bill to overhaul our immigration policy. What a joke! The proposed law would do nothing but reward the criminal behavior of illegal aliens and those in this country who enable them. Here’s what’s in the bill:

• Amnesty for illegals (let’s just call it what it is): Basically this is the granting of a “Z visa” and a work authorization for any illegal who entered the country prior to 1 Jan 07. Of course, these applicants would have to pass a background check (mind you, there are an estimated 12 million illegals in this country), pay to $5,000 in fines and fees and pass an English proficiency test. The illegal could renew the “Z visa” every four years for $500. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that 15-20% of illegals would be ineligible due to criminal records.
• Provision for Guest Workers: In addition to the “Z visa,” the bill creates a new, temporary “Y visa” for as many as 400,000 “guest workers.” This is roughly the number of illegals who enter our country each year. I suppose the thought behind this is, “oh, well, since they’re going to do it anyway…” This visa would be good for two years and could be renewed twice (for a total of six years). Both the “Z visa” and “Y visa” provide a path to citizenship for the illegal.
• Increased Border Security (Ha!): Supposedly, the government wouldn’t be able to issue any visa unit it meets certain “triggers,” such as the addition of 6,000 new border-security officers, 370 miles of new border fence, 200 miles of vehicle barriers and 70 surveillance towers. Also, employers would have to verify if applicants were eligible to work in the country using a new electronic worker registry (where in the world is this going to come from and has anyone considered the ACLU opposition?? I don’t think so!).
• Economic Preference to Illegals with Skills: U.S. immigration policy has always given preference to applicants with families living in the States. The new policy would limit family visa to just young children and spouses of illegals, while substantially increasing the number of immigrants admitted on “economic merits” using an as-yet-to-be-determined point system. Supposedly this will help bring people into the country with higher education levels and proficiencies in science, match and technology (funny, I would think these folk wouldn’t have to hard a time immigrating legally!)

So, this is the bill in a nutshell. The potential for failure is huge! In 1986, we granted about 2.7 million illegals “legal status” under Reagan’s “Immigration Reform and Control Act.” It’s estimated that 37% (about 999,000) of those illegals eventually chose citizenship…what about the remaining 1.7 million? Where are they?

My recommendation: Enforce our immigration laws! Send the illegals back to their own countries and hold the U.S. enablers (including political leaders) accountable! It certainly wouldn’t cost as much as this new bill and it would be what most Americans want!! I’m fed-up with illegal aliens in this country and according to an ’05 Zogby poll, 81% of Americans are too. Think this is biased? Consider the following results from a ’03 RoperASW poll that indicates the majority of Americans see illegal immigration as a “serious problem” and favor reductions in immigration levels, severe penalties for using false identification, and more involvement at the state and local level to help locate and deport illegal aliens.