Michael Yon

For the last couple weeks, I've been catching praise from the bloggers for Michael Yon, but I didn't look into it. Thursday, driving home from work, the Hugh Hewitt guests were again talking about him, so I decided to seek him out.

Wow! What a story! Action, Suspense, Drama, Heroes and best of all it's true.

Gates of Fire

(/snip)And then help arrived in the form of one man: CSM Prosser.

Prosser ran around the corner, passed the two young soldiers who were crouched low, then by me and right to the shop, where he started firing at men inside.

A man came forward, trying to shoot Kurilla with a pistol, apparently realizing his only escape was by fighting his way out, or dying in the process. Kurilla was aiming at the doorway waiting for him to come out. Had Prosser not come at that precise moment, who knows what the outcome might have been.

Prosser shot the man at least four times with his M4 rifle. But the American M4 rifles are weak--after Prosser landed three nearly point blank shots in the man's abdomen, splattering a testicle with a fourth, the man just staggered back, regrouped and tried to shoot Prosser.

Then Prosser's M4 went "black" (no more bullets). A shooter inside was also having problems with his pistol, but there was no time to reload. Prosser threw down his empty M4, ran into the shop and tackled the man.

Keep Reading

I always thought it was a made-up movie devise when the hero would throw down his weapon because it jammed or was out of bullets. Shows what I know.

They're saying that Gates of Fire may be made into a movie.

Things You Should Do In California - Go to a Shag Show

My "world famous" list of Things You Should Do in California (soon to be housed on a fancy new website) includes #31. Be a Hip Chick at a Shag Show. I'm refering to an art exhibit of my favorite artist Josh "Shag" Agle. You'll probably recognize his work - He's been commissioned to do artwork for the Pink Panther, Disneyland and the Venetian Hotel in Vegas.

His next exhibition will feature 2 locations and the theme "L.A. By Day By Night". If you're in the neighborhood, I strongly recommend that you attend.


Here's a sampling of his work from prior shows.

This is my dream life. I live in an ultra cool pink and orange Palm Springs style house, drive a red convertible (that part is true) and am only Three Minutes Late.

My regular readers know how much I love The Piano Bar

And at my big birthday party in October, we'll be doing the boogaloo and twist with The Little Baron.

2005 Legislative All-Star Game

Thank you for this info copied from Eric Hogue's blog

The 2005 Legislative All-Star Game presented by Sutter Health is scheduled for August 24, 2005. Gates open at 6:00 PM with the first ever Legislative All-Game Home Run Derby is set to begin at 6:45 PM and shortly after that will be the 5th annual charity softball game between the Democrats and Republicans in the California State Legislature.

Team Republican leads the series 3-1.

Update...Sutter Health is a sponsor for the game. SEIU has had problems with Sutter at a few of their facilities. SEIU is now threatening to demonstrate/picket the softball game at Raley Field. If this happens, will the Democrats cross the picket line? If not, more evidence that they are beholden to the Public Employee Unions. (Vote 'Yes' on Prop 75, the Paycheck Protection Act)

Tickets are only $10 in advance and $12 the day of the game with 100% of the proceeds benefiting River Cats Independence Field.

Tickets can be purchased through the following outlets:

1. At the Raley Field Ticket Office

2. Online at Tickets.com

3. All Tickets.com outlets including select Raley's and Bel-Air

During the previous 4 years you have helped raise over $120,000 for several different charities. The mission of this year's designated charity, River Cats Independence Field, is to create a safe baseball complex where youth with disabilities can experience life without limitations. River Cats Independence Field is about potential, the potential unlocked inside children when they experience success and gain confidence in themselves. Athletic activities such as baseball connect children with this experience. But for children with disabilities - physical and mental - there is simply no place where they can go to hit a ball, play on a team or win a game. River Cats Independence Field will be that place where they can share in this wonderful part of growing up.

Kevin McCarthy takes his sports (particularly baseball) seriously. At one time, he owned a batting cage business in Bakersfield. I expect the Republicans to do well.

Vote Vote Vote - Early and Often

Patrick Ruffini is running a poll. Who do you support for President in 2008?

Rudy's in the lead.

Why not cruise over and cast your ballot.

trackback

The Great Raid is Great

Just got back from the movies, finally something I can enthusiastically support. This true story uses lots of genuine news reels to set the mood. Great story, very enjoyable. Two Thumbs Up.

In the scene prictured, the one soldier gives the other soldier a prayer card of the Virgin Mary.

Good Triumps Over Evil

My friend Marlene tells me that cutie Andrew Firestone was on a TV Poker show last night and he beat the evil Omorosa.

What Eric Hogue Says

Eric Hogue, morning host on KTKZ (Home of the Recall) says Doolittle is trying to purchase Kingdom Insurance and it is wrong.

Doolittle Campaigns Against Prop 77 and Governor

I thought it would come to something like this...

Let's just call this what it is, "Kingdom Insurance". Republicans should NOT be supporting gerrymandered districts, nor should they be working against the governor's reform initiatives.

The Federal Election Commission voted Thursday to let members of Congress raise unlimited "soft money" donations to fight Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's redistricting initiative.

The 6-0 decision by the commission came in response to a request from U.S. Reps. Howard Berman, D-North Hollywood, and John Doolittle, R-Rocklin, both of whom oppose the redistricting plan.

The decision will allow federal officeholders to raise unlimited sums from unions, corporations and other donors to support or oppose any measure on the Nov. 8 special election ballot.

In general, federal campaign finance law limits federal officeholders to raising $5,000 each from donors for nonfederal elections. Commissioners decided those limits should not apply in the case of the special election, in part because there are no federal officials on the ballot

How Wrong Can You Be?

According to this morning's FlashReport (author Jon Fleischman)

California Congressmen John Doolittle [for whom I used to work in the State Senate] and Henry Waxman are going before the FEC to try and get 'permission' to raise unlimited sums to battle Proposition 77.

The last time John Doolittle tried to sell us out on redistricting, the left - right and center of the California Republican Party joined together to amend the state party bylaws to allow a pre-primary endorsement of the opponent of any incumbent who joined with the Dems to protect his own safe district at the expense of the party. It passed overwhelmingly. I think it was Greg Martin of the California Young Republicans and Carl Davis, then Chair of the LA County GOP who led the floor fight assisted by Jon Fleischman and myself among many others.

I think it was called the Unity Amendment and the handouts used the slogan Hold Their Feet to the Fire. At the time, the rumor was that Congressman John Doolittle and then Assemblyman Bill Baker were the ones meeting with Willie Brown to carve themselves some safe seats. The threat of a pre-primary endorsement for their opponent was enough to scare them straight. Maybe we need to renew the amendment.

UPDATE: My pal Sherilee just sent me the following email. Apparently, the FEC ruled against the good guys.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE FEC: Calif. Lawmakers Can Exceed Limits In Remap Fight The
FEC ruled unanimously today that Reps. John Doolittle, R-Calif., and Howard
Berman, D-Calif., do not have to comply with federal campaign contribution
limits when raising money for ballot measures in November's special
election, including a measure that would change the way the state draws
congressional districts. But commissioners rejected, on a party-line 3-3
vote, a motion by Republican Michael Toner that would have exempted
campaigns connected with ballot initiatives from federal election law in all
cases. Toner argued that Congress never intended the law to extend to ballot
measures. He said in examining the legislative history of the Bipartisan
Campaign Reform Act of 2002, "I'm not aware of any floor discussion where
initiatives and referendums were mentioned." Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, a
Democrat, said she agreed in this case that federal officeholders would not
further their re-election efforts by raising money for the ballot
initiatives. But she noted, "I don't know if I'd be willing to say that
there are never any circumstances where [ballot initiatives] are connected
to a federal election." Commissioners compromised by issuing a narrowly
tailored opinion that would allow Doolittle and Berman to disregard federal
limits. In doing so, the panel rejected a draft staff recommendation to deny
Berman and Doolittle's request. The commissioners, including Toner,
indicated they might reconsider a sweeping exception for ballot initiatives
at a later date. A commission spokesman said several lawmakers, including
House Minority Leader Pelosi of California, called to urge the FEC to allow
Berman and Doolittle to raise funds without having to comply with federal
limits. In an interview, Toner explained that the FEC has always assumed
that redistricting is "so far removed from voting" that it would not be
covered by the law. But he also noted that as a state officeholder,
Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, could raise unlimited soft money to
support initiatives he sponsored, including the redistricting measure, while
his congressional opponents would be restricted to hard money. The FEC also
ruled unanimously that Andy Mayberry, a Republican running in the 2nd
District in Arkansas, can continue publishing two newspapers he co-owns
while running for office. The commissioners said Mayberry can print opinion
pieces on election issues, as long as he does not include his own name or
picture -- or his opponent's -- 120 days before the election. Although the
commissioners agreed that the decision was consistent with regulations, some
expressed misgivings about the rules governing candidates who also are media
owners. Weintraub noted the opinion pieces could "look like they're coming
from some neutral source who is in complete agreement with the candidate."
The FEC also voted unanimously to allow Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., to
use campaign funds for his children's travel expenses, as long as it is for
events connected with his status as a federal officeholder. -- by Alyson
Klein

As Sean Connery would say, "What are you prepared to do?"

Birthday Blogging

Here's One thing I want to do for my upcoming birthday ...

Listen To The Music
-Doobie Brothers
-written by Tom Johnston

Don't you feel it growin', day by day
People gettin' ready for the news
Some are happy, some are sad
Oh, we got to let the music play
What the people need
Is a way to make 'em smile
It ain't so hard to do if you know how
Gotta get a message
Get it on through
Oh now mama, don't you ask me why

Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
All the time

Well I know, you know better
Everything I say
Meet me in the country for a day
We'll be happy
And we'll dance
Oh, we're gonna dance our blues away
And if I'm feelin' good to you
And you're feelin' good to me
There ain't nothin' we can't do or say
Feelin' good, feeling fine
Oh, baby, let the music play

Tickets are on sale now for the 19th Annual B.R. Cohn Charity Fall Music Festival will be held Saturday, October 1st at the B.R. Cohn Winery Amphitheater featuring the Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, the Turtles, Lisa Loeb and other special surprise guests. This year, the annual B.R. Cohn Winery charity event is dedicated to the late Doobie Brother drummer Keith Knudsen, who passed away in February. The concert and golf tournament has raised nearly a million dollars over the years for youth related charities!

Tickets for the concert are $60.00 in advance (special VIP seats at $200 are only available through the winery tasting room) and $65.00 day of show. They are on-sale now at the winery and all Ticketmaster outlets. The winery ticket number is (707) 938-4064 ext. 24.

Cohn's annual celebrity golf tournament will be held this year on Friday, September 30 at the beautiful Chardonnay Club in Napa. This year's golf price is $275.00 and includes dinner. This is the tournament's third year at the popular course. Tee-off is at 10:00 am. >> CLICK HERE TO PRINT YOUR GOLF REGISTRATION FORM <<, fill it out and fax it to B.R. Cohn Winery at (707) 938-4585. You may also contact the Winery Tasting Room regarding invitations to the tournament and auction at (800) 330-4064 ext. 24 or email charityevents@brcohn.com.

The charity auction and dinner will be held following the golf tournament and will feature an auction of collectables, exciting trips, and hard-to-get wine. This year's main beneficiaries are the Valley of the Moon Children's Home, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance and new beneficiary for 2005, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.

"With VH1 Classic on board again this year as a sponsor, and very worthy charities in place and we are hoping to raise even more money than last year," commented Bruce Cohn. "This is an incredible line-up and promises to be a great day and it’s all in memory of Keith Knudsen."

Parking for this year's show will again be off-site at the Sonoma Developmental Center soccer field, with shuttles moving crowds in and out. The show will start at 12:00 noon with doors opening at 11:00 am. Please watch for and follow parking signs at the approach to the B.R. Cohn Winery on Highway 12. Parking and shuttle are included in the price of the ticket. No beverages, food, or lawn furniture will be allowed onto the grounds. Concessions and lawn seating are available.

The B.R. Cohn Winery is located at 15000 Sonoma Highway 12 in Glen Ellen. Founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn, the estate winery is known for its critically acclaimed, world-class, ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. For more concert information please call 1-800-330-4064 ext. 24 or other information www.brcohn.com.

Newsweek Gives the President a Fair Shake

Thanks to Irish Pennants, the Compassionate Conservative and the Anchoress for pointing me to this great Newsweek story.

President Bush was wearing “a huge smile,” but his eyes were red and he looked drained by the time he got to the last widow, Crystal Owen, a third-grade schoolteacher who had lost her husband in Iraq. “Tell me about Mike,” he said immediately. “I don’t want my husband’s death to be in vain,” she told him. The president apologized repeatedly for her husband’s death. When Owen began to cry, Bush grabbed her hands. “Don’t worry, don’t worry,” he said, though his choking voice suggested that he had worries of his own. The president and the widow hugged. “It felt like he could have been my dad,” Owen recalled to NEWSWEEK. “It was like we were old friends. It almost makes me sad. In a way, I wish he weren’t the president, just so I could talk to him all the time.”

Bush routinely asks to see the families of the fallen when he visits military bases, which he does about 10 times a year. It does not appear that the White House or the military makes any effort to screen out dissenters or embittered families, though some families decline the invitation to meet with Bush. Most families encourage the president to stay the course in Iraq. “To oppose something my husband lost his life for would be a betrayal,” says Inge Colton, whose husband, Shane, died in April 2004 when his Apache helicopter was shot down over Baghdad. Bush does, however, hear plenty of complaints. He has been asked about missng medals on the returned uniform of a loved one, about financial assistance for a child going to college and about how soldiers really died when the Pentagon claimed the details were classified.

At her meeting with the president at Fort Hood, Texas, last spring, Colton says she lit into Bush for “stingy” military benefits. Her complaints caught Bush “a little off guard,” she recalls. “He tried to argue with me a little bit, but he promised he would have someone look into it.” The next day she got a call from White House chief of staff Andrew Card, who said the White House would follow up. “My main goal was to have him look at my son, look him in the eyes and apologize,” says Colton. “I wanted him to know, to really understand who he has hurt.” She says Bush was “attentive, though not in a fake way,” and sometimes at a loss for words. “He didn’t try to overcompensate,” she says.