Stay Focused on Iran. Head of OPEC.

In his newsletter, last week, former marine Illario Pantano, who is making his second run at the 7th Congressional District seat, has some not-so-kind remarks for the White Hourse and what he describes as their "garbled and ineffectual foreign policy" with regards to the ongoing Middle East boondoggle.

Most of us are aware of the mess in Libya. A mess that should have been corrected many years ago. We tried, but we didn't go far enough. Pretty much the same way we tried with the first Gulf War. We stopped just short of taking care of business.

The focus, these days, in on Libya. A lot of sword rattling from everywhere, including the White House. Lots of noise, not a lot of action. Come on, guys. Khadaffi is a pimple. Pinch him, and he'll go away. No reason to use a lot of bombs. One round, at 1500 meters, will do the job nicely.

It won't solve the problem. But, it will, hopefully, get us back on track. We must concentrate our attention in areas that pose a LOT of potential...strike that...a lot of guaranteed threats to the United States.

From Pantano:

I feel for the Libyan freedom fighters and for the Egyptians, Omanis, Yemenis and Tunisians. I fought a war to liberate Kuwaitis and then another to liberate Iraqis.  And while I believe in compassion, this is not the time for bleeding hearts but rather steely resolve and focus.
American national interest demands that the distractions be put aside and the real threat be brought front and center which is why I call on the President and the congress to use every instrument of our national power to topple the Iranian regime, today.  This is our last best chance to stop Iran with only limited military intervention. Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain are afterthoughts compared to the menace of the Iranian regime on the verge of going nuclear.

Sure seems that the White House folks...the ones with absolutely not one bit of experience in any area save "fund raising" and "community affairs"...see the Libyan skirmish as a chance to take a stand that will give them what they hope will be international credibility.

It would be a welcome change to see them take some action where it's needed. It might not be popular, but we really, really need to devote some attention to Iran. Pre-emptive attention, if you will.

Pantano continues:

The facts of the case are simple.  Iran is dangerously close to becoming a nuclear power and as such will threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond. The Stuxnet virus, which has temporarily slowed Iran's centrifuge progress and delayed uranium enrichment is a blessing, but it only offers a brief pause.
Furthermore, what little is left of Iranian credibility is damaged by the recent revelation that a 62-year old American citizen has been held in secret captivity for the past three years.  What leader could possibly trust a government that publicly and privately conspires to kill our citizens as Iran has done in both Iraq and Afghanistan?Sanctions did not work with Korea and will not work with Iran, especially not with $100-a-barrel crude. Holding the presidency of OPEC, Iran has once again put a gun to western temples as evidenced by Iranian OPEC governor Mohammad Ali Khatibi telling Reuters: "There is no need for OPEC to boost oil production because consumer worries over supply are mostly "psychological." With the threat of $120-crude the mullahs hold the global economic recovery hostage.Think abot this when you're pumping gas. Not just about your pocketbook while you're at the filling station (that's what we used to call them), but at the supermarket and restaurants. Those folks have their supplies trucked in. Trucks use fuel. Someone's gotta pay for the increased costs. Everyone's got to maintain a profit margin, or they go out of business.

Yeah. Think about it. Encourage your duly-elected represenatives to start representing us. Otherwise, as it was more than 200-years ago, we have taxation without representation. Most of us know what happened next. England does.

Just a wee bit of fun with Terror Alert Levels

Our good friends and allies, the Brits, have a great sense of humor.
Some of them, anyway.
From the BBC, with tongue in cheek, comes this announcement from John Cleese. And, according to the source, there may be a few modifications from the original report.
We really need to learn how to laugh at ourselves.

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and  have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved."  Soon,  though, security levels may be raised yet again to either "Irritated" or even "A Bit  Cross."

The English have not been "A BitCross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea  supplies nearly ran out.

Terrorists themselves have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to  "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the England issued a "Bloody Nuisance"  warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots (a separate race and culture) have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the  Bastards." They don't have any other levels.  This is the reason they have been  used on the front line of the UK's armed forces for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert  level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are  "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that  destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's  military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to  "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat  Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to  "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels:  "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they  are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These  beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a  really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to  "She'll be alright, Mate." Three more escalation levels remain:  "Crikey!", "I  think we'll need to cancel the barbey this weekend," and "The barbey is  cancelled."

I wonder why the U.S. terror levels weren't examined. Let's see.
Pink. For Pelosi and her constituents. All is well in la-la land.
Bright orange. They took her plane away.
Beige. Obama's idea of  running a country.
Red. The color of oh, so many states in November 2012.

NC Spanish Mackerel Tournament

Breaking News Update

Well, not exactly. But, about as accurate as so much of the so-called breaking news we see on all those cable news channels.

Some have asked about the payout of prize money for the NC State Spanish Mackerel Championship.

The total prize money will depend on the number of boats entered. But, as an example, this will be the split if 40 or 50 boats are enterd:

                        First             Second       Third     Fourth

40 entries        975               585             390         (only after 50 entries)

50 entries        1219             609             366         244

With each additional 10 entries, we add another "place".

The committee continues to work on getting additional prizes. Stay tuned for updates.

You see, it's a fun tournament, but there is a chance that you can win some decent money. And, as stated before, anyone can catch spanish, and the anglers on a 13 foot Boston Whaler stand as good a chance of placing in the money as anglers fishing on a 31 foot Contender. 

Rules

North Carolina State Spanish Mackerel Championship

Sponsored by Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club

Date: 11 June 2011

Rain date: 12 June 2011

Time: 5:30 am-3:00 pm

Where: North Carolina Coast

The Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club is sponsoring the 2011 North Carolina State Spanish Mackerel Championship, hereafter referred to as NCSSMC, tournament, or tourney. Fishing enthusiasts are invited and encouraged to participate in what we anticipate will be a family-oriented tournament, one in which everyone has an equal chance of winning.

The purpose of this tournament is to promote fishing, good fellowship, and sportsmanship.

·        Vessels may fish any NC coastal waters, but no lines may be in the water prior to 5:30 am on tournament day.

·        There is no check-out, but all anglers must enter coastal waters from a North Carolina inlet.

·        All anglers must abide by all North Carolina fishing regulations. Captains are responsible for the safe operation of their vessels.

·        The official weigh station will be at Casper’s Dry Stack Marina, 301 Water Street, Swansboro;  34° 41.17' N   77° 7.21' W .The scales will open at 12:30 pm, and all anglers must be checked in at that location no later than 3:00 pm.

·        All times are Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

·        Due to changing conditions at Bogue Inlet, as well as unforeseen and often unscheduled closings of the ICW in the area of Camp Lejeune and Onslow

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Beach, anglers should take those conditions into consideration in planning fishing schedules.

·        Live bait, artificial lures, or a combination of the baits may be used. Fish must be taken with rod and reel. Fish must be caught on Tournament Day.

·        Competing vessels may not congregate or meet with any other vessel during the tournament. Competing vessels may not receive or exchange any supplies, including bait, during tournament hours. The only exception is in the event of an emergency. Tournament officials should be notified via telephone (919-923-9723) or VHF radio (channel  72 or 16) in the event of any emergency.

·        The top three fish from each vessel will be weighed, and prizes will be awarded for the largest aggregate weights. The number of winning places will be determined by the number of entries.

·        In the event of a tie in any place, the first boat checked in will be the winner.

·        Boaters may drop off no more than ONE person at a dock or landing prior to checking in at Casper’s, in order to move a vehicle and trailer to a more convenient location. Nothing may be removed from, or added to, the boat, and no one else may board the vessel.

·        A check-in boat will log your entry number and the official time as you’re approaching the weigh-in location. You must display your assigned number to the persons on the check-in boat. It will be anchored within sight of Casper’s Dry Stack Marina.

·        At the weigh in location, one person 18 or older must exit the boat with only fish to be weighed. There will be no courtesy weigh-ins. We encourage anglers to equip their boats with an accurate digital scale to allow them to select the three largest fish, by weight. If entering the Junior division, those anglers must also be present at the weigh-in.  Junior anglers may be asked for proof of age. For the purpose of this tournament, Juniors are those who are under 16 on 11 June 2011.

·        In addition to the Grand Prize, there will be a Tournament Within a Tournament (TWT) for those wishing to participate. The single heaviest fish                                 

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entered will win the TWT prize, which will be based on the number of participants. The TWT entry is $25 per participating vessel.                        

·        The Grand Prizes for aggregate weight are Primary Prizes;  the TWT Prize is the Secondary Prize.

·        No more than three fish may be weighed for the aggregate category.  

·        In the event of a challenge to the weigh-ins, whether it’s a rules challenge or a weight challenge, the decision of the OBSFC Committee will be final. Protest challenges must be accompanied by $100 deposit. If the challenge is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If the challenge is denied, the deposit will be forfeited.

·        All fish entered must have been caught by anglers on boats entered in the NCSSMC during the tournament hours, 5:30 am - 3:00 pm, on the day of the tournament, and according to all NCSSMC rules.

·        A University of North Carolina Wilmington marine biologist will examine the entries to verify eligibility. All fish are subject to a complete examination.

·        Fish entered for prizes will be returned to the anglers once all fish have been weighed, and any challenges have been resolved.

·        All anglers and crew are subject to a polygraph examination. Refusing to submit to an exam will result in disqualification.

·        The entry fee is $65 per boat for OBSFC members, and $75 for non-members.  The club will retain the $10.00 non-member fee, plus 25% of the base entry fees for all entries.

The club will monitor VHF channel 72 during the tournament should you should have questions.  You may also call 919-923-9723 on Tournament Day ONLY.

 After you are instructed to drop your representative(s) via VHF channel 72, please back away from the docks. If you do not have a working VHF radio, notify

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the check-in boat when you first check in. You can pick him/her up after the fish are weighed. A pick-up point will be designated. Your representative(s) will be given the weigh slip, and must sign the official form(s).

In the unlikely event that no fish are weighed in, the collected prize money will be used for future Spanish mackerel tournaments sponsored by the OBSFC. TWT entry fees will be refunded if no fish are weighed. Sponsor contributions will be returned if no fish are weighed.

Sponsors for Junior Angler will provide prizes for the heaviest fish weighed in each category. Fish entered in the Aggregate Weight or TWT categories WILL be eligible for these divisions, if caught by a Junior Angler. One or more Junior Anglers on each competing vessel may enter fish separate from those entered in the aggregate category.

Depending on participating sponsors, other divisions may be added.

The North Carolina State Spanish Mackerel Championship rules, as adopted, will not be changed prior to or after the tournament.

         Entry Form

North Carolina State Spanish Mackerel Championship

Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club

Registration Fee: OBSFC members, $65.00. Non Members, $75.00

Total Amount: $_______________________

Make All Checks Payable and mail to: Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club, PO Box 1522, Swansboro, NC 28584

OBSFC Member ___Y  /  N__________

Boat Name:__________________________

Registration #: _______________________

Boat Owner's Name: __________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________________________

State: ______________________ Zip code:_______________

Phone: ____________________

Email: _____________________________________________________

Crew/Phone____________________________________________

Crew/Phone ____________________________________________

Crew/Phone ____________________________________________

Crew/Phone ____________________________________________

Junior Angler/Phone ______________________________________________

This entry form is for the Onslow bay Saltwater Fishing Club North Carolina State Spanish Mackerel Championship (NCSSMC).  I understand that I, as Registrant/ Captain/Boat Owner, am fully responsible for my boat and its occupants at all times. By signing this form and submitting registration documentation and Entry Fees, I herby certify and attest that I have read and understand all Rules and Regulations of the Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club NCSSMC and will abide with any and all decisions of the Tournament Committee. By signing this waiver of liability I hereby agree to release and absolve any and all Tournament Committees, Casper’s Dry Stack Marina and Employees or Agents of these entities of any and all damages or liabilities growing out of the contest after entering the Tournament. By the use of this entry form the entrant acknowledges that he/ she has authority to contract for and

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represent his/ her crew. Release of advertising information, including photographic likenesses, is also hereby granted.

RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

I, the boat’s owner or operator, my team, and guests aboard agree and understand that the Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club, its members, directors, officers, employees, agents and sponsors (hereinafter referred to as the OBSFC) shall not be liable under any circumstances for any circumstances for any injuries or damages to person(s) or property resulting from or in any way connected with our participation in this tournament whether caused by, or contributed to, by any negligent act or negligent omission of the OBSFC or by any other reason or cause whatsoever. We hereby remise, release, and forever discharge the OBSFC from all claims, suits, obligations, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses which we may have against the OBSFC, arising out of, resulting from, or in any way connected with our participation in this tournament. We understand this release includes claims based upon any negligent omission of the OBSFC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we hereby agree to indemnify, to defend with counsel acceptable to the OBSFC, and to hold the OBSFC harmless from and against any and all claims, suits, obligation, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees regardless of whether it is caused by, or in part by, a party indemnified and held harmless hereunder, arising out of, resulting from, or and any way connected with our participation in this tournament.

WEATHER - All boats, owners, operators, masters, crews, guests and anglers will operate their vessels and / or fish at their own discretion and solely at their own risk.

INSURANCE - Participants in all tournaments are advised to obtain insurance covering themselves and their vessels’ participation.

Signature required_________________________________________Date________________

Last four of SSN/FED.ID.#______________________________

Gahafi, Khadaffi. Whatever. Jerk. Responsible for Flight 103?

And, I thought, for years, that the U.S. attack on Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi sent this nutcase into seclusion. Well, not so. At least, not according to a now retired CIA spook.

Two years after we nailed some of his relatives in a bombing raid, Gadhafi...who was tipped off by another country and took cover...ordered the attack on Pan Am Flight 103.

The former CIA operative, Frank Anderson, discussed this with NBC News:

"There are two things that you can take to the bank," Anderson said. "The first one is, Pan Am 103 was perpetrated by agents of the Libyan government. And the second thing is, that could not have happened without Moammar Gadhafi's knowledge and consent. There is no question in my mind that Moammar Gadhafi authorized the bombing of Pan Am 103." 

To refresh your memory, 270 people, including 190 Americans, were killed when Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland. The terrorist attack has remained somewhat of a mystery, though we "seem certain" that some of the low level bad guys have been nailed.

What still puzzles me is that, according to Anderson and others, we knew then that Libya was behind the attack. And, we did nothing about it. Let's face reality for a moment. In this country, the good old US of A, we need absolute proof to convict one of our own. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt. But, in the world of terrorism, I would think that "reasonable suspicion" (I like that) should be enough. Given our history with Gadhafi, I would think that a combination of punitive and preventative strikes against him would have been in order. Punish the bum for what he did, and prevent him from ever wanting...or being able...to do it again. Collateral damage, you say? Yep, there would be some. I think that the deaths of 270 innocent people is justification enough to warrant surgical strikes inside Libya.

If anyone thinks that this country doesn't have the wherewithall to reach out and touch pretty much any leader we want to remove, you should think again. What must be decided is how much collateral damage is acceptable. I can only think that the old philosphy that it was much better to take out one to save a thousand was a good one. We'll never know how many thousands we could have saved had we made an example of this one scum back in 1986.

Too bad we stopped short.

Too bad we haven't corrected that mistake. As of yet, anyway.

War Casualties

Americans Killed In Action are tragic figures. A father, a son, a mother, a daughter---anyone killed is a loss. Unfortunately, it is the cost of doing war. Regardless of the desires of Miss Americas over the decades, World Peace is not a reality.

Most all of us know that more than 50,000 U .S. service personnel died in Vietnam. Ten years of fighting that no-win war (at least, fighting it the way our troops were ordered to fight).

Some of you know that more than 400-thousand were killed in another war that lasted a little more than three years. At least, three years that the United States was involved. That was World War II.

The attached video link is a good one. It looks at yet another American war. One that claimed about the same number of American lives than both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam combined.

http://biggeekdad.com/2011/01/gettysburg/

Regardless of your North-South heritage, you should find this piece of history educational and interesting. When you think about the number of Americans who died during the American Civil War, consider the population at that time. The sheer percentage of those killed would be staggering. 31-million in 1860 compared to 200-plus million during Vietnam. Two percent of the entire population was wiped out during the Civil War. That's two killed for every 100 men, women and children in the United States. By comparision,  three out of every 10-thousand Americans were killed in combat during the Viet Nam era. And, the Civil War lasted one-third as long as the Vietnam War. Think how devastating it would have been had General Lee not surrendered when he did.

Campaign Promises vs The Truth, the WHOLE Truth, so help me GOD

So, we're about a dozen months out before the next batch of campaign lies begins . Yes, I know, some local and state elections are closer. But, compared to the Big Boys, those wannabees are little more than mere amateurs when it comes to telling tall tales. Not that I mean to demean Amateur Radio operators, aka "hams". Those are some fine folks, some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Whenever the professionals make it round to your communities, looking for votes, making promises that even the dumb among us know they can't keep, why not arm yourself with a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Just for giggles. And, every chance you get, quiz each and every one of the politicians on one part or another of our most important document. Challenge them. Put them on the hot seat. Make them squirm.

There are parts of our Constitution that we should all review from time to time. Particularly, the Bill of Rights. In 1789, 12 original amendments to the Constitution were presented for discussion. Of those, 10 were adopted, and became known as the Bill of Rights. Others have been added since then, 17 others all total. Think about it for a moment. In a tad over 200 years, only 17 additional amendments have been added to our Constitution, that document that some much smarter guys than we have today put together. Our elected officials, and the wannabees, should pay close attention to these rights. They should not tread on them.

At the top, the First Amendment, was obviously important to our Founding Fathers:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

This First Amendment guarantees me that I can say what I want, as I'm doing now; it protects our journalists; it allows me to worship as I please.

Immediately following is the Second Amendment. Those smarter guys I mentioned knew something about the consequences of having an unarmed society. Such a society can never be free.

"No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
-Thomas Jefferson

"The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun."
-Patrick Henry
So, what part of this is hard to understand? Even for the loophole-lawyers of today, I cannot see why there is any argument one could raise. But, they do.

Less than a hundred years after the Constitution was drafted, the great Sam Adams...known for his debating skills...addressed the first and second amendments in, of all places, Massachusetts (Ted Kennedy should have read up on this): 

"The Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
- Sam Adams, Debates & Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1886-1887

Please take note that Adams said "people". But, there are still folks who argue that "people" are not  average "people", like you and me. They argue that our Founding  Fathers meant to say "militia". I think that if those smart guys had meant to say "militia", they would have said it. And, they would not have been wishy-washy about it, and say something brilliant like, "...depends on what is is".

I keep saying Our Constitution. Well, folks, that's what it is. Our Constitution was adopted to provide these rights to the citizens of the United States. An illegal alien is not a citizen. A confined suspected terrorist is not a citizen. Our Constitution does not offer them ANY rights. How clear is that? If you want to enjoy the rights of Our Constution, then you must be a citizen of the United States.

Those rights, by the way, are courtesy of our forefathers. The ones who originally adopted them, and those who have fought for more than 200 years to make sure that no foreign government treads on them. I think our military can handle that part quite nicely. But it's up to the rest of us need to make sure that our own government does not tread on them, either.

As I stated, the campaign lies get underway in a year.   

Oil Shortage is caused by our Dipsticks

My favorite cat (next to my little EvinRude) understands.

But, the rest of us don't seem to understand why we have an oil shortage.
It's simple, really, according to Garfield.
Nobody bothered to check the oil.
It's a matter of Geography.
Our oil is located in Alaska, Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Wyoming, Kalifornia, Colorado, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and off the coasts of Florida and Louisiana.
Our DIPSTICKS are located in Washington.

Gas prices, while we sleep, are not creeping up anymore. That stopped a week ago.
We sat by while they sneaked up. 
Usually in the middle of the night, while we slept.
A penny here, a penny there.
We said nothing when they inched towards $3/gallon.
Now, without a single apology, the gas dictators add a nickel today, another one while we sleep...there's no end. Of course, along comes an excuse in the form of "un-rest" in a country far, far away.
Have you even looked at a map to see where Libya is?
Why, I ask, does anything happening in Libya have anything to do with the price I spend at the pump in North Carolina?
Our "media", at first, threatened us with predictions of $4/gallon gas by summer. Too late. Some places, it's already there. Latest threats are that it will top out at $5/gallon.
Garfield has this one right.
What are we going to do about it?
We did a lttle. Last November.
But, there remains an overabundance of dipsticks in D.C. When is "enough--ENOUGH"? Aren't you tired of being subjected to the gas dictators? It seems that we're just plain scared to say anything. Too many hide under the sheets when we hear someone kicking in our front doors. Like that's going to help.  
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. It's time for a real change. Not one of those camapaign Bravo Sierra promises for a change. It's time that those we elect to represent us to give us a workable solution to this most current crisis. .
Today.
No more reprieves.
We are being taxed, but I fail to see where we are being represented.
Therefore, as it was more than 200 years ago, we have
"Taxation Without Representation".
That was the political battlecry then.
And, we had a revolution.
Perhaps it is high time that we have another one.
Not on the battlefield, but at the ballot box.
Please remember this as we head towards 2012.
That's our next opportunity to remove another batch of dipsticks.