Health premiums could rise 17 pct for young adults

Health premiums could rise 17 pct for young adults
By CARLA K. JOHNSON (AP) – 1 day ago
CHICAGO — Under the health care overhaul, young adults who buy their own insurance will carry a heavier burden of the medical costs of older Americans — a shift expected to raise insurance premiums for young people when the plan takes full effect.
Beginning in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty. That's when premiums for young adults seeking coverage on the individual market would likely climb by 17 percent on average, or roughly $42 a month, according to an analysis of the plan conducted for The Associated Press. The analysis did not factor in tax credits to help offset the increase.
The higher costs will pinch many people in their 20s and early 30s who are struggling to start or advance their careers with the highest unemployment rate in 26 years.
Consider 24-year-old Nils Higdon. The self-employed percussionist and part-time teacher in Chicago pays $140 each month for health insurance. But he's healthy and so far hasn't needed it.
The law relies on Higdon and other young adults to shoulder more of the financial load in new health insurance risk pools. So under the new system, Higdon could expect to pay $300 to $500 a year more. Depending on his income, he might also qualify for tax credits.
At issue is the insurance industry's practice of charging more for older customers, who are the costliest to insure. The new law restricts how much insurers can raise premium costs based on age alone.
Insurers typically charge six or seven times as much to older customers as to younger ones in states with no restrictions. The new law limits the ratio to 3-to-1, meaning a 50-year-old could be charged only three times as much as a 20-year-old.
The rest will be shouldered by young people in the form of higher premiums.
Higdon wonders how his peers, already scrambling to start careers during a recession, will react to paying more so older people can get cheaper coverage.
"I suppose it all depends on how much more people in my situation, who are already struggling for coverage, are expected to pay," Higdon says. He'd prefer a single-payer health care system and calls age-based premiums part of the "broken morality" of for-profit health care.
To be sure, there are benefits that balance some of the downsides for young people:
_ In roughly six months, many young adults up to age 26 should be eligible for coverage under their parents' insurance — if their parents have insurance that provides dependent coverage.
_ Tax credits will be available for individuals making up to four times the federal poverty level, $43,320 for a single person. The credits will vary based on income and premiums costs.
_ Low-income singles without children will be covered for the first time by Medicaid, which some estimate will insure 9 million more young adults.
But on average, people younger than 35 who are buying their own insurance on the individual market would pay $42 a month more, according to an analysis by Rand Health, a research division of the nonpartisan Rand Corp.
The analysis, conducted for The Associated Press, examined the effect of the law's limits on age-based pricing, not other ways the legislation might affect premiums, said Elizabeth McGlynn of Rand Health.
Jim O'Connor, an actuary with the independent consulting firm Milliman Inc., came up with similar estimates of 10 to 30 percent increases for young males, averaging about 15 percent.
"Young males will be hit the hardest," O'Connor says, because they have lower health care costs than young females and older people who go to doctors more often and use more medical services.
Predicting exactly how much any individual's insurance premium would rise or fall is impossible, experts say, because so much is changing at once. But it is possible to isolate the effect of the law's limits on age-based pricing.
Some groups predict even higher increases in premiums for younger individuals — as much as 50 percent, says Landon Gibbs of ShoutAmerica, a Tennessee-based nonprofit aimed at mobilizing young people on health care issues, particularly rising costs.
Gibbs, 27, a former White House aide under President George W. Bush, founded the bipartisan group with former hospital chain executive Clayton McWhorter, now chairman of a private equity firm. McWhorter finances the organization. The group did not oppose health care reform, but stressed issues like how health care inflation threatens the future of Medicare.
"We don't want to make this a generational war, but we want to make sure young adults are informed," Gibbs says.
Young people who supported Barack Obama in 2008 may come to resent how health care reform will affect them, Gibbs and others say. Recent polls show support among young voters eroding since they helped elect Obama president.
Jim Schreiber, 24, was once an Obama supporter but now isn't so sure. The Chicagoan works in a law firm and has his own tea importing business.
He pays $120 a month for health insurance, "probably pure profit for my insurance company," he says. Without a powerhouse lobbying group, like AARP for older adults, young adults' voices have been muted, he says. He's been discouraged by the health care debate.
"It has made me disillusioned with the Democrats," he said.
Ari Matusiak, 33, a Georgetown University law student, founded Young Invincibles with other Obama campaign volunteers to rally youth support for health care overhaul.
Age rating fails as a wedge issue because the pluses of the new law outweigh the minuses for young adults, Matusiak says.
"And we're not going to be 26, 27, 33 forever," Matusiak says. "Guess what? We're going to be in a different demographic soon enough."
Nationally representative surveys for the Kaiser Family Foundation have consistently found that young adults are more likely than senior citizens to say they would be willing to pay more so that more Americans could be insured. But whether that generosity will endure isn't clear.
"The government approach of — we'll just make someone get health care and pay for someone else — definitely NOT what I want," says Melissa Kaupke, 28, who is uninsured and works from her Nashville home.
In Chicago, Higdon says he supports the principles of the health care overhaul, even if it means he will pay more as a young man to smooth out premium costs for everyone.
"Hopefully I'll be old someday, barring some catastrophic event. And the likelihood of me being old is less if I don't have a good health plan."

Boehner: ObamaCare includes hiring 16,000 new IRS officers to track everyone's bank accounts

Boehner: ObamaCare includes hiring 16,000 new IRS officers to track everyone's bank accounts Boehner on Fox. ObabaCare includes an additional $10 billion to hire 16,000 new IRS agents to track your bank accounts to ensure you are paying for mandated health insurance and paying what the government deems sufficient. Just what we need. Wonder what else they'll be tracking in your bank accounts. Apparently, the $ 828 billion bailout of 2009 already gives the IRS the power to track your private accounts.

OOPS ! WHAT WAS I THINKING?

FIRE PELOSI

THE COW AND THE ICE CREAM

THE COW AND THE ICE CREAM

ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS OF WHY OBAMA WON THE ELECTION --From a teacher in the Nashville area "We are worried about 'the cow' when it is all about the 'Ice Cream.'
The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year...
The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president.
We would choose our nominees.. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote.
To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members.
We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have.
We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot.
The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids.
I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support.
I had never seen Olivia's mother.
The day arrived when they were to make their speeches. Jamie went first.
He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best.
Everyone applauded and he sat down.
Now is was Olivia's turn to speak.
Her speech was concise. She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream." She sat down.
The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream."
She surely would say more. She did not have to.
A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure.
Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it... She didn't know.
The class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream..
Jamie was forgotten.. Olivia won by a landslide.
Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and 52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds.
They want ice cream.
The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess."
This is the ice cream Obama promised us!
Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone -- that they have not first taken away from someone else.
Did you vote for the ice cream?

Letter from Roy Blunt

Last night I voted with Missourians for our health care and our freedom, voting against the more than $2 trillion government takeover of health care. You told me you opposed ObamaCare and I fought for you.
The bill the Nancy Pelosi Democrats crammed down our throats cuts Medicare for seniors by $523.5 billion; raises job-killing taxes by $569.2 billion; fails to protect TRICARE for veterans, military retirees and their families; forces the IRS to hire 16,500 new government employees to enforce the new taxes; and includes the scandalous deal-making used to pass the bill including the Louisiana Purchase, Cornhusker Kickback and Gator-Aid.
My expected Democrat opponent Robin Carnahan rubberstamped the ObamaCare bill saying she would have voted "Yes" for this government takeover of health care. Today Carnahan endorsed the worst tactics of pressure and persuasion that were used to pass the bill.
This fight is far from over. I'll keep working to repeal this colossal government takeover of health care and replace it with real solutions like putting insurance into a more competitive and pro-consumer market, across state lines; medical liability reform; and cooperative purchasing plans to cut insurance costs that are hurting small businesses.
I can't win this fight without your help, your support and your resources. Last year when I voted against the job-killing cap and trade national energy tax, Robin Carnahan's liberal special interests spent more than $1.3 million in negative and false ads attacking me for standing up for Missourians. Those same liberal extremists will likely spend millions more attacking me for opposing the government takeover of health care.

Now a word from me

Democrats your on notice, You shoved Obama Care down our throats in March, and now year going to brake it off in you ass November 2010. Dem's YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kevin Bennett

Department of Military Correctness: No Flag for You

Department of Military Correctness: No Flag for You

U.S. troops storm Haiti; raise Old Glory to mark their triumphant occupation! This is, apparently, the twisted view of the Obama administration, which has now banned flying the American flag at U.S. military relief compounds in Haiti. When asked for an explanation, the U.S. government's Haiti Joint Information Center said, "We are not here as an occupation force, but as an international partner committed to supporting the government of Haiti on the road to recovery." Never a truer statement was spoken.

However, that merely obscures the real reasons for the flag ban. Every other military compound in Haiti flies the flag of its nation, as it should. So why is the flag of the United States of America, a nation which has donated far more in money and man-hours to assist Haiti in earthquake recovery than any other nation on earth, the only flag banned from flying in Haiti? The answer, of course, is that our Apologist-in-Chief is ashamed of America, its history, its exceptionalism, and especially its military. November 2012 can't arrive fast enough.

Income Redistribution: IRS Agents Pursue Payment of 4 Cents

Income Redistribution: IRS Agents Pursue Payment of 4 CentsAs the government in Washington rushes to spend trillions of dollars it doesn't have, the IRS is doing its part to pinch every last penny from American taxpayers. In Sacramento, California, two suit-clad IRS agents recently showed up at Harv's Metro Car Wash to demand payment of 4 cents in back taxes from 2006. Well, 4 cents before taxes and penalties, that is. All told, the pennies debt had accrued an additional $202.31, leaving the owner with $202.35 in payment due.

Ironically, the federal business call came after the IRS issued a letter last October stating Harv's "has filed all required returns and addressed any balances due." Not surprisingly, the IRS refused to comment on the issue, citing "privacy and disclosure laws.

"Although he complained that the IRS agents "didn't even get a car wash" during their visit, the owner nonetheless noted the humor in the situation. "It's hilarious that two people hopped in a car and came down here for just 4 cents. I think [the IRS] may have a problem with priorities." We think so, too.

UN Complains About New HIV Infections Among the 'Persecuted'

UN Complains About New HIV Infections Among the 'Persecuted'
According to UNAIDS, the recent rise in new HIV infections among homosexuals, prostitutes and intravenous drug users is a result of the "archaic" laws in 85 countries that make these acts illegal. These laws force homosexuals in particular to live in fear of persecution, allegedly without access to services that would allow them to prevent the disease. The head of UNAIDS, Michael Sidibe, is now asking for funds, of course, to start a "prevention revolution," a costly campaign similar to those against smoking.
However, Sidibe himself exposes the flaw in his argument. In the United States, where homosexuals are free to live their lives and have the same access to information, medicine and services as heterosexuals, 50 percent of new HIV infections last year were among homosexuals, despite the fact that they make up less than 5 percent of the population. This, Sidibe acknowledges, is due to the complacency of individuals who choose to ignore safe-sex options, such as, well, not engaging in homosexual behavior.
Another question is whether such a campaign would have a significant -- if any -- impact in countries where homosexuality, drug use or prostitution is illegal. For example, would an ad on AIDS prevention even be run in one of the seven countries where homosexuality is punishable by death? Perhaps the UN should continue to campaign for these countries to address problem laws within their own borders, rather than asking the rest of the world to foot the bill for the consequences.
Meanwhile, 18 U.S. senators have called for an end to the ban on homosexuals donating blood. In other words, despite their claims of flawless testing, John Kerry and his ilk would put innocent American lives at risk for the sake of political correctness.

To Keep and Bear Arms

Senewa Kahle broke into the house of Charles and Maureen Cassidy one night last weekend in Stuart, Florida. Upon hearing noise, Maureen got out of her bed to investigate. When she saw Kahle, she alerted her husband, who grabbed his 9 mm pistol and readied himself by their door. Charles warned the intruder to stop, but Kahle approached their bedroom anyway. Charles fired several shots, hitting Kahle in the hip. The suspect, who had a knife, then attempted to flee but was found by police in a nearby yard. They also found an accomplice waiting in a getaway car.The Cassidys are part of a retirement community. One of the neighbors supported Charles, saying, "If I couldn't take him out with my hands, I'd have to do something. We're getting up in age around here. We have to protect ourselves." Kahle has had previous trouble with the law, including an arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

States to Delay Tax Refunds

States to Delay Tax Refunds
In place of their state tax refund, many Americans may find themselves holding a government IOU as states struggle to meet budget shortfall. USA Today reports http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-11-tax-refunds_N.htm?csp=34, "The recession has tied up cash and caused officials in half a dozen states to consider freezing refunds, in one case for as long as five months," thus forcing citizens into providing de facto zero-interest loans to their states. New York, for example, may delay $500 million in taxpayer refunds as it faces a $9 billion deficit. In the Aloha State, Hawaiians may have to wait until the end of August to see their refunds.
According to Scott Pattison, executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers, the prospect of delayed refunds is "an indicator of how bad [the economy] is. You know things are bad when you have to do that."
Of course, the luxury to postpone payments doesn't apply equally. For taxpayers, late tax payments mean penalties, interest and potentially even wage garnishment, property confiscation and visits to car washes. But when the IRS is late refunding to Americans the money they overpaid, repercussions might include interest on the late refunds -- interest paid with taxpayer dollars. Something is very wrong with this picture.

Clunker Math

Clunker Math

A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year.

A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons a year.

So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce an individual's gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.

They claim the program turned 700,000 vehicles so that's 224 million gallons saved per year.

That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil. 5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption.

More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars.

So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350 million.

Which means they spent $8.57 for every dollar saved.

I'm pretty sure they are gonna do a great job with health care though...Aren't you?

Troubling lines that I have read in the bill

Troubling lines that I have read in the bill
Unlike our congress people, here's someone who actually read the proposed bill. This is outrageous. Take the time to read the points below. How does this affect you personally, or your business?

This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Star (which is owned by the same people who own the Arizona Republic) and was sent to a very popular Indiana Senator. This just goes to show everyone what pressure these Democrats are currently under, so continue to let them know how you feel about the healthcare bill. Bill Stough---Shock to NBC This morning.

An Indianapolis doctor's letter to Sen. Bayh about the Bill (Note: Dr. Stephen E. Frazer, MD practices as an anesthesiologist in Indianapolis, IN ) Here is a letter I sent to Senator Bayh.. Feel free to copy it and send it around to all other representatives. -- Stephen Fraser

Senator Bayh,

As a practicing physician I have major concerns with the health care bill before Congress. I actually have read the bill and am shocked by the brazenness of the government's proposed involvement in the patient-physician relationship. The very idea that the government will dictate and ration patient care is dangerous and certainly not helpful in designing a health care system that works for all. Every physician I work with agrees that we need to fix our health care system, but the proposed bills currently making their way through congress will be a disaster if passed.

I ask you respectfully and as a patriotic American to look at the following troubling lines that I have read in the bill. You cannot possibly believe that these proposals are in the best interests of the country and our fellow citizens.

Page 22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit books of all employers that self-insure!!

Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill: THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.

Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!

Page 42 of HC Bill: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no choice!

Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill: HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.

Page 58 HC Bill: Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a 'National ID Health card' will be issued! (Papers please!)

Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer. (Time for more cash and carry)

Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).

Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the 'Exchange.'

Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans -- The Govt will ration your health care!

Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)

Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.

Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans. (AARP members - your health care WILL be rationed!)

Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)

Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.

Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/ American Medical Association - The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.

Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)

Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees ANDtheir families. (Employees shouldn't get excited about this as employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)

Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll! (See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13: A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn't provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.

Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.) (Like always)

Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans' finances and personal records. (I guess so they can 'deduct' their fees)

Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says that!) ( a 'fee' instead)

Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)

Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)

Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor's time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally-- the value of humans.)

Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for "private" HC industries.

Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.

Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e...re-admissions).

Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.

Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)

Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)

Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)

Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want -- rationing.)

Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)

Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!' Unbelievable!

Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)

Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)

Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it's mandatory!)

Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')(Sounds like Soylent Green to me.)

Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)

Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.

Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)

Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.. (I wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)

Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)

Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)

Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)

Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.


Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything possible to inform patients and my fellow physicians about the dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are debating.

Furthermore, if you vote for a bill that enforces socialized medicine on the country and destroys the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything in my power to make sure you lose your job in the next election.

Respectfully,

Stephen E. Fraser, MD

Dear Reader,

I urge you to use the power that you were born with (and the power that may soon be taken away) and circulate this email to as many people as you can reach. The Power of the People can stop this from happening to us, our parents, our grandparents, our children, and to following generations

Billboard on I-70 in Missouri

Billboard I-70 in Missouri!

Ya think maybe somebody is disgruntled with the government ?

The "Show Me's" are getting ready!!!! Thunder

DON'T MESS WITH MISSOURI

The natives are getting restless...

And it all starts?..this is just the beginning

Billboard on I-70 in Missouri

I would imagine that it's strategically located between Columbia and St. Louis and/or Columbia and Kansas City ?

Hi Folks... how's this for a neat billboard on I-70!!!! looks like things are heating up across this country... the 'sleeping giant' has started to awake!! LOOK OUT!!! the party on THE HILL is just about over!!!!!

Thanks for passing this on...

now all you folks do the same...

Billboard on I-70 in Missouri

The Unparalleled Power of Omega-3s

The Unparalleled Power of Omega-3s
Not all fats are created equal, and fatty acids have a laundry list of benefits to prove it!
Although the words “fatty” and “acid” may not immediately prompt a pleasant connotation, a-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic compounds are types of fatty acids with wonderful – and endless – health benefits. Commonly referred to as simply omega-3s, these polyunsaturated chemicals assist the human body in warding off cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain ailments and more. And the good news is that omega-3 fatty acids can be found in all types of food, from fish to flax.
For just a moment, take a good look at yourself: is your skin dry or itchy? Are your nails and hair brittle? Do you regularly experience joint pain, fatigue or depression? No, this isn’t a pharmaceutical commercial, and you don’t necessarily need any medicine to make yourself better. Simply by upping your intake of foods rich in omega-3s, general health can immediately and rapidly improve; doctors and scientists alike are finding that every day issues, from Type 2 diabetes to concentration problems, can be significantly resolved with high omega-3 foods.

Not sure where to begin at the grocery store? If you like seafood, you’re in luck; fish like salmon and halibut are packed with healthy oils. Researchers have also found that the body absorbs omega-3s especially well from fish because the fats are in the form of triglycerides. Walnuts, flaxseed, tofu, soybeans and winter squash are also great picks for loading up on fatty acids.

The list of cardiovascular health benefits from omega-3 goes on and on. High fatty acid foods keep blood from excessively clotting, decrease the risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) and lower blood pressure. In addition, these acids reduce inflammation by blocking the production of messenger chemicals known as cytokines. By stimulating the secretion of leptin, the hormone that regulates appetite, omega-3s also help the body respond to insulin and maintain a healthy metabolism and weight.

In the human body, healthy cell membranes are vital to overall well-being. Cells that cannot adequately hold water and important nutrients are believed to lose communication with other cells and often promote tumor growth. Therefore, maintaining the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes is key; while saturated and hydrogenated fats produce subpar membranes, omega-3 fats create membranes with high levels of fluidity. Furthermore, fatty acids affect cell growth by activating the release of ceramide – a compound that contains the human tumor suppressor gene p21. Several studies have shown that omega-3s play an active role in preventing cancer, particularly breast cancer, in both humans and animals.

Still not convinced? Researchers have also found that fatty acids may relieve some symptoms of several types of mental and behavioral problems such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s and bipolar disorder. Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and Huntington’s disease also top the list of omega-3 targets.

If you’re looking for a quick way to get your daily dose of omega-3s, then consider supplements like softgel vitamins (always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements). Even small amounts of fatty acids have been shown to boost overall health, so take an extra helping of cauliflower or scallops with dinner tonight. Your body and your brain will thank you!

Arab Festival 2009: Sharia in the US

Arab Festival 2009: Sharia in the US. Right here in Dearborn Michigan!!!
http://www.answeringmuslims.com/
This is a video of Nabeel Qureshi and David Wood asking questions at Arabfest, Dearborn. The date is June 21st, 2009. There was a booth at the festival which had a banner titled "Islam: Got Questions? Get Answers." From their table, we picked up a pamphlet claiming that Islam promotes peace. We noticed that it was full of poor logic and errors, so we decided to make a video refuting it. We went to the booth that gave us the pamphlet to give them the opportunity to defend their claims. Security, however, stepped in and forced us to turn off our camera.

We left the booth, received advice from police, and found out that the actions of the security guards were illegal. We went back to the booth to record a potential answer again. Realizing that the Muslims present had no answer, we left.

When we came outside, we were asked some questions by two young men, who had been sent by security to entrap us. While we responded to them, festival security started assaulting us, as you will see in this video. The conclusion of this video is a mob of festival security attacking our cameras, pushing us back, kicking our legs, and lying to the police.

We ask you, is it a coincidence that the city with the highest percentage of Muslims in the United States is the city where Christianity is not allowed to be represented (let alone preached) on a public sidewalk? Is it coincidence that in this city, people will say "No way!" when we say "This is the United States of America"?

Is this what will happen when Islam takes over the United States?

Concealed Carry for Women

Concealed Carry for Women
...Do you think that carrying a concealed handgun will stop you from going out wearing your form-fitting Versace dress, or your stretch Lycra pants? Better think again...
by Tony Walker
Leaving aside for one moment the ridiculous bra-mounted pistols that Ursula Andress wore in a deservedly-forgotten spy movie of the 1970's, there are real problems for women who want to carry a concealed firearm. Do you think that carrying a concealed handgun will stop you from going out wearing your form-fitting Versace dress, or your stretch Lycra pants? Better think again, because there has never been a wider selection of concealment items designed especially for women.

Up to a very short time ago, women who wanted to carry a concealed gun were poorly served when looking for a suitable concealment holster. The vast majority of available designs were made for men, and women were generally ignored. Holster makers also seemed unaware of the fact that women have a different body shape, and curve in at the waist, and out again at the hip. Men, on the other hand, generally go straight up and down, with little discernible waist.
The consequence of this was that a woman wearing a holster on the strong side would find that the butt of the gun would be digging into her ribs, as her shape forced the gun's barrel outwards. Drawing the gun was not an easy task, and as an instructor, I coined the term 'the Quasimodo lurch', after watching female students bend sideways to try and get the gun out smoothly. Nowadays, some companies have recognized this, and build holsters that are built up to conform to the natural curvature of the hips, yet still give an easy draw. Any strong-side holster with an FBI rake (muzzle to the rear), can be made to work quite easily for women. Simply move the holster further to the rear, so that it is not riding directly on the hip. By moving it further back, it will place the holster over the flatter portion of the Gluteus Maximus, (no, he wasn't a character in 'Gladiator') yet can still be accessed quickly in an emergency situation. Experiment with the holster to find the best position for yourself. The holster can then be concealed from view by wearing a jacket, or hanging your shirt outside.
Crossdraw holsters also work well for women, as the holster is placed on the weak side of the body, where usually there is no curvature that can force the gun's grip into the body. The strong hand can simply sweep down and across to grasp the gun for a smooth draw.
Another holster design that works very well for women is one developed by Andy Arratoonian, the owner of Horseshoe Leather in England. His 'SOB' holster is carried in the small of the back, with the grip facing upwards at an oblique angle. This design is very comfortable for extended wear, and concealment is easily achieved if a short jacket is worn, or if the shirt is worn outside the pants. My wife regularly wears one of these when teaching her firearms classes for women, and tells her students that in addition to being extremely secure, the holster is good for the posture, as sitting in a car seat or a chair mandates that an upright body position is needed to avoid the gun digging into the small of her back!

Then, of course, there's the old stand-by, the fanny pack. Nowadays, with so many different materials and fabrics available, no woman should be seen wearing the all-black, "shoot me, I've got a concealed weapon," fanny pack. You can now buy them in various colored leathers or fabric, and I always recommend to my students that you utilize your imagination to give them some form of urban camouflage.
This can range from something as simple as sewing a patch of your favorite ball team on the front, or using the front zipper pocket to half-conceal a set of Walkman or Ipod earphones. The impression you should be trying to make is that your fanny pack is just an extension of your purse, if you are carrying one, and is just a normal container for your personal items.
Another point that should be mentioned about fanny packs is that you should always make sure that it's the right size for your personal defense handgun. It's better to buy one a size larger than one that is a tight squeeze for the gun.
Also, don't try and carry heavy artillery, such as a snubby .44 Magnum, or a full-sized 1911-style .45 Auto pistol. Instead, you should opt for a smaller, lightweight revolver or semi-auto pistol. Yes, we've all read about the heavier recoil associated with weapons like these, but you are carrying your gun for defensive purposes, not to a day at the practice range. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an interpersonal conflictive situation, (see - I can talk psychobabble, too!) the fact that your gun is kicking hard won't even be noticed, as you'll be totally focused on the threat, and dealing with it.

Women's concealment purses and handbags are also big sellers these days, with a vast number of manufacturers producing them, in a wide range of styles and materials to suit every taste and/or occasion. Nearly all of them have a hidden compartment for the gun, which is accessed from the side, through a Velcro or a zipper pocket. Excellent concealed carry purses are made by The Concealment Shop, www.theconcealmentshop.com, and other makers like Galco, www.usgalco.com also have a good range of more upmarket purse designs. Accessing the gun is by way of a two-handed movement. With the purse slung over the shoulder, the weak hand firmly grabs the bottom or side. The strong hand then snakes into the hidden compartment and grabs the gun, then pulls it out. At the same time, the weak hand moves the gun away from the gun, which allows a fast and smooth presentation. With practice, quite fast draws can be made.
As can be seen from the above, women who opt to carry a concealed firearm these days are much better served by the makers of holsters and other concealment items. Whether you decide to carry your gun in a holster, a fanny pack, or a designer concealment purse, there's one thing you have to remember: You have to practice!
Practice drawing your gun - do it at home first, with an unloaded weapon. Then, when your speed has built up, go to the range and do some live firing. Once you are confident that you can access your gun in a hurry, you'll find that your self-confidence has been given a great boost, and furthermore, your shooting skills could one day save your life.
Tony Walker is the President of SAS Training, Inc., based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He and his wife, Vannessa, teach advanced, self-defensive shooting classes, as well as Arizona Concealed Carry classes. He is the author of How to Win a Gunfight, a manual of real life shooting techniques, and has also written Snides, an action thriller featuring ex-SAS trooper, John Pilgrim. His next book, Pilgrim's Banner, will be available later this year. Check out his website at: www.johnpilgrimbooks.com

New Political Party.

New Political Party.

Not Democrat, Not Republican, Not Independent.

It's called the "PISSED OFF PARTY" (or POP).

This party is dedicated to vote every incumbent out of office in the next elections.
If you're Democrat, vote Democrat. Just don't vote for the incumbent.
If you're Republican, vote Republican. Just don't vote for the incumbent.

We need to send a message to all politicians, that we're tired of their B.S.
If the country votes out all the incumbents, the new incoming politicians will get the message..

It's pretty simple. Nobody needs to change parties and lets face it, there's plenty of blame to spread around.
A few good politicians will lose their job but they probably have better retirement and insurance then 95% of the American public.
You've had to struggle for the last 5 years. Some of you have lost your job and may be working in some other sector just to feed your family.
I guarantee you, none of them will suffer like this country has.

If you like whats going on and think this is a bad idea, delete this.
But if you're fed up and think this is a good idea, then pass this E-mail on.
If you really think this has legs, then a website and a blog could help get the word out.

To All 535 voting members of the Legislature; it is now official you are ALL corrupt morons:

a.. The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.
b.. Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.
c.. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.
d.. War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more.
e.. Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.
f.. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.
g.. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.

You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars.

AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOOD HEALTH CARE, IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN IT!

Folks, keep this circulating. It is very well stated.

Craigslist seller returns fire after being led into trap

Craigslist seller returns fire after being led into trap

Submitted by cbaus on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 15:11. Guns in the News
An Ohio man is recovering from a gunshot wound after being attacked in an ambush by people who told had lured him to Dayton on the promise of buying his car, which he had advertised on Craigslist.com.

As it turns out, however, the car thieves weren't the only ones carrying guns.

From Cincinnati's ABC affiliate, WCPO.com:

The victim named "Chris" – who didn't want to give his last name – traveled to Dayton, Ohio to sell his 1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 after listing the car for sale on craigslist. After meeting the buyer to pay for the car, someone ambushed and shot him, then stole the car.

Chris says the buyer first contacted him and told him he would pay cash for his car.

"My girlfriend's dad told me not to come up here [Dayton]. He said. 'Don't do it, make him come down to Cincinnati to get it.' I should have listened," said Chris, from his Dayton area hospital bed.

Chris had surgery Monday to insert a rod to repair his leg. He continues to recover.

Chris says that he, the prospective buyer and his girlfriend, all met in Dayton then traveled down to Cincinnati to notarize the title.

"I go to ask him for the money and he says 'I forgot the money in Dayton', so I said 'Okay'. That's when it started getting a little bit fishy," said Chris.

He said the buyer kept telling him different locations to meet to get the money. Chris said they ended up meeting on a dead-end street.

He said his girlfriend texted him, warning him she saw a gun in someone's pocket just before a man appeared and shot him in the leg.

According to the story, that's when Chris' girlfriend, who drove in a second car, pulled out a gun and opened fire.

Chris also had a gun and fired back.

"Never once did it cross my mind that I would have to use my gun," said Chris.

Both Chris and his girlfriend got about four blocks away before calling police for help.

Cincinnati Police say if you're selling on craigslist, always meet in public and tell a friend.

"You don't want someone tricking you to go down a small street where you can easily be robbed," said Sergeant Eric Franz, with Cincinnati Police. "You want to meet them in a public place, a Bob Evans, a gas station, somewhere with a lot of people and surveillance equipment."

As for Chris, he wants others to learn from his mistake.

"Don't ever take anything to them. Make them come to you," said Chris.

According to the story, Dayton police have arrested 20-year-old Terrill Garret in the case. He's charged with felonious assault and aggravated assault.

The stolen Camaro still hasn't been recovered.

In England

"In England, if you commit a crime, the police don't have a gun and you don't have a gun. If you commit a crime, the police will say 'Stop, or I'll say stop again.' - Robin Williams

Sheriff Richard Mack

THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT

My Prayers have finally been answered! I must express my gratitude!

That is right - I will say it THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT

WHY?

1. He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine - Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary's Presidential aspirations - something no Republican was ever able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!

2. He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty - No more Kennedy's trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight!

3. He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes!

Dennis Moore had never lost a race - quit

Evan Bayh had never lost a race - quit

Byron Dorgan - had never lost a race - quit

Harry Reid - Soon to be GONE

These are just a handful of the Democrats that whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010 dozens more will be!

In December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. In just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the house, if not the senate back to the Republicans.

4. He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to relearn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well!

Liberals tax, borrow and spend - check

Liberals won't bring themselves to protect America - check

Liberals want to take over the economy - check

Liberals think they know what is best for everyone - check

Liberals aren't happy till they are running YOUR life -check

5. He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In One year he rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans. Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America!

6. His amazing leadership has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law-abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a "stimulus" to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded or moved offshore!

7. In all honesty, one year ago I was more afraid than I had ever been in my life. Not of the economy but of the direction our country was going.. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends, strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat out wrong.

8. When the American People wake up no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them!

Barak Obama woke up these Great Americans! Again I want say, thank you Barak Obama!

A Short Spelling Lesson.....

Take Back America In 2010! incumbents that vote for the Obama care bill....vote them OUT !!!
A Short Spelling Lesson.....


The last four letters in American.........I Can

The last four letters in Republican.......I Can

The last four letters in Democrats........Rats


End of Lesson!

Strange American Bats.

Strange American Bats.

Our planet is populated with plenty
of bizarre and astonishing
creatures. Here are three from the
Bat Family ..... without the need for resorting to fiction.

Sucker-footed Bat

Red-Winged Fruit Bat


Left-Winged Ding Bat

Lindsey Vonn's Medal taken back!

We The People...

We The People...

This video just came out....
"Americans" will love it....
America haters will hate it!!! ....I LOVE IT...........and forwarded it

Important Bar Code Info

Important Bar Code Info

Bar Code Info - How to recognize where your products are produced.
Please share this info with your friends and family..... they may also find this useful.

This may be useful to know when grocery shopping, if it's a concern to you.


The whole world is afraid of China-made "black hearted goods."

Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China?

If the first 3 digits of the barcode are 690, 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA.

471 is Made in Taiwan.

This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educate the public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves.

Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA ," so they don't show from which country it is made.

However, you may now refer to the barcode, remember if the first 3 digits are:

690 - 692 … then it is MADE IN CHINA
00 - 09 … USA & CANADA
30 - 37 … FRANCE
40 - 44 … GERMANY
47 ... Taiwan
49 … JAPAN
50 … UK

BUY USA by watching for "0" at the beginning of the number. We need every boost we can get!

Bush Was Asked to Leave Ft. Hood , TX

GOD BLESS THE USA

So, who told the White House?
Why Bush Was Asked to Leave Ft. Hood , TX

I sent my cousin in Fayetteville , N.C. (retired from Special Forces) that picture of Geo. W. visiting the wounded at Ft. Hood ... I got this reply:

What is even better is the fact George W. Bush heard about Fort Hood, got in his car without any escort, apparently they did not have time to react, and drove to Fort Hood. He was stopped at the gate and the guard could not believe who he had just stopped. Bush only ask for directions to the hospital then drove on. The gate guard called that "The president Is on Fort Hood and driving to the hospital." The base went bananas looking for Obama. When they found it was Bush they immediately offered escort and Bush simply told them to shut up and let him visit the wounded and the dependents of the dead. He stayed at Fort Hood for over six hours and was finally asked to leave by a message from the White House. Obama flew in days later and held a "photo " session in a gym and did not even go to the hospital. All this I picked up from two soldiers here who happened to be at Fort Hood when it happened.

This Bush/Obama/Ft.Hood story is something that should be sent to every voter in the US .

Class shows up...

The doctor had his TV on in his office when the news of the military base shootings came on. The husband of one of his employees was stationed there.
He called her into his office and as he told her what had happened, she got a text message from her husband saying, "I am okay." Her cell phone rang right after she read the message. It was an ER nurse,"I'm the one who just sent you a text, not your husband. I thought it would be comforting but I was mistaken in doing so. I am sorry to tell you this, but your husband has been shot 4 times and he is in surgery."

The soldier's wife left Southern Clinic in Dothan and drove all night to Ft.Hood. When she arrived, she found out her husband was out of surgery and would be OK. She rushed to his room and found that he already had visitors there to comfort him. He was just waking up and found his wife and the visitors by his side
The nurse took this picture.

What? No news crews and cameras? This is how people with class respond and pay respect to those in uniform.
This still hasn't made it in the main stream media.

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 - 2005

Letter from Dr. Randy Tobler!

I had a chance to think about the President’s healthcare summit and have concluded that it accomplished one unintended purpose: My opinions of the President and his liberal liege were unequivocally validated. It is increasingly clear that Barack Obama refuses to stand down from his radical public policy agenda; worse, his narcissistic, disingenuous and condescending displays of contempt for anyone who disagrees continue to paint a true picture of America’s Big Mistake.

Last week’s Healthcare Yawner gave us more insight into the man and his narcissism. It was really nothing new, though. A truly ‘deliberative’ leader would have admonished Harry Reid for denying he or his deputies had raised the issue of reconciliating into law an overhaul of 1/6 of our economy. Instead we heard silence from the Moderator-in-Chief. A true bipartisan would have eaten humble pie when challenged by Senator Lamar Alexander. It would have served him, and the Democratic cause, well to take a bite. Americans embrace humility.

Apparently Mr. Obama has never developed that virtue. The exchange came early in the forum, when he stated that the CBO predicted premium declines after the Senate bill becomes law. Alexander, who was brilliant all day, challenged, stating the fact that premiums in the individual market would go up, as CBO stated. Obama wouldn’t back down, until making a weak concession of the point an hour later, after most of us had returned to real productivity trying to make a living for our families (another calling he has never had to answer).

Later, when reminded by his ’08 campaign opponent that Obama and the Dems had indulged in the very sordid cloaked and unsavory politics that each candidate had chided, the President arrogantly rebuked McCain--“We’re not campaigning any more, the election’s over”. McCain wryly responded that he’s reminded of that everyday, focusing observers on Obama’s inability to resist his holier-than –thou constitution.

Finally, in a déjà vu all over again moment, Obama closed the sleeper summit by channeling a remark from his first weeks in office when in a closed door meeting with GOP leaders he reminded that it was his way or the highway, because “we won the election”. After allowing a window of up to six weeks to close a compromise deal, and expressing sincere doubts that would actually happen, he said that he and the Dems will ram through a bill anyway, because “elections have consequences”. What was that about a one term presidency, Mr. Obama?

All said, the battle lines were finally drawn. The GOP successfully stated their opposition and case for a philosophically and fundamentally different type of reform. Obama and the Dems continued the delusion that just a little more effective rhetoric will sway a growing opposition in the electorate.

While Republicans Alexander, Coburn and Ryan were particularly effective, I wasn’t wholly satisfied either. Tom Coburn actually endorsed “secret shopper” patients! Paid moles feigning illness to potentially trap unsuspecting doctors acting on good faith to diagnose false complaints. Whoa! I thought the GOP was the party who opposed Big Brother. There are already whistle blower laws to expose fraud and abuse, Dr. Coburn, thank you very much. Hey, here’s a better idea: When patients are paying for healthcare with their own bucks (tax protected, of course), they’ll be the most rabid watch dogs you’d ever want. Think about returning control to the folks, Senators.

Then there were the slimy and shiny appeals to this or that phone call or letter from an unfortunate constituent that the insurance companies had mistreated. Ok, insurers can be heavy handed, but our side should have used the moment to illustrate how markets, not government intrusion, objectively divine value. And the worst transgression? Maybe I missed it, but Medicare recipients were the damsels and knights in distress throughout the day. This failed, broke and unconstitutional entitlement needs phasing out, and a courageous exposition of why and how to do so would have been a refreshing bit of authenticity. But then again, I’m not sure even so-called originalists are ready for that political shot over the bow.

It will be fascinating to follow the Democratic tactics and our counterinsurgency over the next few weeks. Yes, I said “our”, because I fervently believe it is you, me and every other talk radio junkie that will lead the opposition. Congress (both sides), and the President must be brought to submission. To our lead, to our American instincts, and not to that of their political egos. Remember our mantra: THEY are the problem, YOU are the solution.


Randy

Jeff Cooper

"Hoplophobia is a mental disturbance characterized by irrational aversion to weapons, as opposed to justified apprehension about those who may wield them." - Jeff Cooper

He gets it. Toby Keith Registering as Independent Voter

Toby Keith Registering as Independent Voter
Longtime Democrat Says Left Wing's Attacks On Sarah Palin Could Ensure Republican Victory
October 2, 2008; Written by Calvin Gilbert Toby KeithLongtime Democrat Toby Keith is registering to vote as an independent and says the left wing's verbal attacks against Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin could lead to a win for John McCain in November, the singer-songwriter said Thursday (Oct. 2) in an interview with CMT.com.

Keith also cited erroneous headlines and reports in the media indicating that he supports Democrat Barack Obama.

"I said that he had a chance to win it as the [party's] best candidate since Bill Clinton," Keith said. "I said McCain is very able to run this country, too. Very qualified. ... They didn't put anything about McCain and Palin. They just put that Toby Keith supports Obama."

Keith said the Democratic party no longer represents his views.

"I've been a lifetime Democrat, and I'm re-registering this year as an independent," he said. "It's strictly [because] my party, that I've been affiliated with all these years, doesn't stand for anything that I stand for anymore. They've lost any sensibility that they had, and they've allowed all the kooks in, so I'm going independent."

He's convinced the attacks on Palin are likely to backfire on the Democrats.

"It's just like this: If I was a strong supporter of Obama and Biden ... the kooks in the Democratic party -- this extreme left -- are hammering Palin so bad, that they're gonna cause John McCain to win this thing," he said.

Keith said he will probably vote for McCain because Palin is his running mate.

"I've never been a huge John McCain fan," he said. "I appreciate everything he did for this country. But at the same time, the wackos are hammering her so hard, that they're gonna make that ticket win. They can't get out of their own way. They've got a chance to win it ... and they're gonna blow it by hammering her."

Keith predicts that Palin is going to do well in Thursday night's debate with Biden.

"Palin's about the least political-looking, acting, resembling person that's ever run for office," he said. "You look at her: All the housewives are gonna love her. All the women in America can relate to everything she's done. She's real normal. Her kid is pregnant, she hunts, she snowmobiles, she's backwoods. I just think a lot of women are going to appreciate her and feel that they have to vote for her.

"If the Democrats ever had a chance, after that Democratic convention, to win it, they blew everything they had by attacking her. The extreme nuts on the right side aren't going after Biden. There are right wing magazines out there. Not as many as the lefties, but all the right wing magazines aren't going after Biden."

As for watching the vice presidential debate, Keith has set his priorities for the day.

"I'm working until 7:30, and the Dodgers and the Cubs are on," he said. "I'll probably watch the game and go back and watch the debate on the Internet."

Tila Tequila Strips on Cam and PETA does its thing

Report from one of our Marines in Iraq

Gentlemen,

Interesting report from one of our Marines in Iraq. Author reports - no politics. I'll add mine - The worlds best
fighting force with the worst government and media we've ever had.

This email from a Marine who's in Iraq . No politics here; just a Marine with a bird's eye view opinion:
US Weapons:
1) The M-16 rifle:
Thumbs down. Chronic jamming problems with the talcum powder like sand over there. The sand is everywhere. Jordan says you feel filthy 2 minutes after coming out of the shower. The M-4 carbine version is more popular because it's lighter and shorter, but it has jamming problems also. They lack the ability to mount the various optical gunsights and weapons lights on the picatinny rails, but the weapon itself is not great in a desert environment. They all hate the 5.56mm (.223) round. Poor penetration on the cinderblock structure common over there and even torso hits can't be reliably counted on to put the enemy down.
Fun fact: Random autopsies on dead insurgents show a high level of opiate use.

2) The M243 SAW (squad assault weapon):
.223 cal. Drum fed light machine gun. Big thumbs down. Universally considered a piece of shit. Chronic jamming problems, most of which require partial disassembly (that's fun in the middle of a firefight).

3) The M9 Beretta 9mm:
Mixed bag. Good gun, performs well in desert environment; but they all hate the 9mm cartridge. The use of handguns for self-defense is actually fairly common. Same old story on the 9mm: Bad guys hit multiple times and still in the fight.

4) Mossberg 12ga. Military shotgun:
Works well, used frequently for clearing houses to good effect.

5) The M240 Machine Gun:
7.62 NATO (.308) cal. belt fed machine gun, developed to replace the old M-60 (what a beautiful weapon that was!!) Thumbs up. Accurate, reliable, and the 7.62 round puts 'em down.

Originally developed as a vehicle mounted weapon, more and more are being dismounted and taken into the field by infantry. The 7..62 round chews up the structure over there.

6) The M2 50 cal heavy machine gun:
Thumbs way, way up. "Ma Deuce" is still worth her considerable weight in gold. The ultimate fight stopper - puts their dicks in the dirt very time. The most coveted weapon in-theater.

7) The .45 pistol:
Thumbs up. Still the best pistol around out there. Everybody authorized to carry a sidearm is trying to get their hands on one. With few exceptions, can reliably be expected to put 'em down with a torso hit. The special ops guys (who are doing most of the pistol work) use the HK military model
and supposedly love it. The old government model .45's are being re-issued en masse.

8) The M-14:
Thumbs up. They are being re-issued in bulk, mostly in a modified version to special ops guys. Modifications include lightweight Kevlar stocks and low power red dot or ACOG sights. Very reliable in the sandy environment, and they love the 7.62 round.

9) The Barrett .50 cal sniper rifle:
Thumbs way up. Spectacular range and accuracy and hits like a freight train. Used frequently to take out vehicle suicide bombers (we actually stop a lot of them) and barricaded enemy. It is definitely here to stay.

10) The M24 sniper rifle:
Thumbs up. Mostly in .308 but some in 300 win mag. Heavily modified Remington 700's. Great performance. Snipers have been used heavily to great effect. Rumor has it a marine sniper on his third tour in Anbar province has actually exceeded Carlos Hathcock's record for confirmed kills with OVER 100.

11) The new body armor:
Thumbs up. Relatively light at approx. 6 lbs.and can reliably be expected to soak up small shrapnel and even will stop an AK-47 round. The bad news: Hot as shit to wear, almost unbearable in the summer heat (which averages over 120 degrees). Also, the enemy now goes for head shots whenever possible. All the bullshit about the "old" body armor making our guys vulnerable to the IED's was a non-starter. The IED explosions are enormous and body armor doesn't make any difference at all in most cases.

12) Night Vision and Infrared Equipment:
Thumbs way up. Spectacular performance. Our guys see in the dark and own the night, period. Very little enemy action after evening prayers. More and more enemy being whacked at night during movement by our hunter-killer teams. We've all seen the videos.

13) Lights:
Thumbs up. Most of the weapon mounted and personal lights are Surefire's, and the troops love 'em. Invaluable for night urban operations. Jordan carried a $34 Surefire G2 on a neck lanyard and loved it. I cant help but notice that most of the good fighting weapons and ordnance are 50 or more years old!! With all our technology, it's the WWII and Vietnam era weapons that everybody wants!! The infantry fighting is frequent, up close and brutal. No quarter is given or shown.

Bad guy weapons:
1) Mostly AK47's. The entire country is an arsenal. Works better in the desert than the M16 and the .308 Russian round kills reliably. PKM belt fed light machine guns are also common and effective. Luckily, the enemy mostly shoots like shit. Undisciplined "spray and pray" type fire. However, they are seeing more and more precision weapons, especially sniper rifles. ( Iran , again)

2) The RPG:
Probably the infantry weapon most feared by our guys. Simple, reliable and as common as dogshit. The enemy responded to our up-armored Humvees by aiming at the windshields, often at point blank range. Still killing a lot of our guys.

3) The IED:
The biggest killer of all. Can be anything from old Soviet anti-armor mines to jury rigged artillery shells. A lot found in Jordan 's area were in abandoned cars. The enemy would take 2 or 3 155 mm artillery shells and wire them together. Most were detonated by cell phone and the explosions are enormous. You're not safe in any vehicle, even an M1 tank. Driving is by far the most dangerous thing our guys do over there. Lately, they are much more sophisticated "shape charges" (Iranian) specifically designed to penetrate armor. Fact: Most of the ready made IED's are supplied by Iran , who is also providing terrorists (Hezbollah types) to train the insurgents in their use and tactics. That's why the attacks have been so deadly lately. Their concealment methods are ingenious, the latest being shape charges, in Styrofoam containers spray painted to look like the cinderblocks that litter all Iraqi roads. We find about 40% before they detonate, and the bomb disposal guys are unsung heroes of this war.

4) Mortars and rockets:
Very prevalent. The soviet era 122mm rockets (with an 18km range) are becoming more prevalent. One of Jordan 's NCO's lost a leg to one. These weapons cause a lot of damage "inside the wire". Jordan 's base was hit almost daily his entire time there by mortar and rocket fire, often at night to disrupt sleep patterns and cause fatigue (It did). More of a psychological weapon than anything else. The enemy mortar teams would jump out of vehicles, fire a few rounds, and then haul ass in a matter of seconds.

Fun fact:
Captured enemy have apparently marveled at the marksmanship of our guys and how hard they fight. They are apparently told in Jihad school that the Americans rely solely on technology, and can be easily beaten in close quarters combat for their lack of toughness. Let's just say they know better now.

Bad guy technology:
Simple yet effective. Most communication is by cell and satellite phones and also by email on laptops. They use handheld GPS units for navigation and "Google Earth" for overhead views of our positions. Their weapons are good, if not fancy, and prevalent. Their explosives and bomb technology is TOP OF THE LINE. Night vision is rare. They are very careless with their equipment and the captured GPS units and laptops are treasure troves of Intel when captured.

Who are the bad guys? Most of the carnage is caused by the Zarqawi Al Qaeda group. They operate mostly in Anbar province (Fallujah and Ramadi). These are mostly "foreigners", non-Iraqi Sunni Arab Jihadists from all over the Muslim world (and Europe ). Most enter Iraq through Syria (with, of course, the knowledge and complicity of the Syrian govt.), and then travel down the "rat line" which is the trail of towns along the Euphrates River that we've been hitting hard for the last few months.

Some are virtually untrained young Jihadists that often end up as suicide bombers or in various "sacrifice squads". Most, however, are hard core terrorists from all the usual suspects (Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas etc.). These are the guys running around murdering civilians an masse and cutting heads off.
The Chechens (many of whom are Caucasian) are supposedly the most ruthless and the best fighters. They have been fighting the Russians for years. In the Baghdad area and south, most of the insurgents are Iranian inspired (and led) Iraqi Shiites. The Iranian Shiia have been very adept at infiltrating the Iraqi local govt.'s, the police forces and the Army. They have had a massive spy and agitator network there since the Iran-Iraq war in the early 80's. Most of the Saddam loyalists were killed, captured, or gave up long ago.
Bad Guy Tactics: When they are engaged on an infantry level they get their asses kicked every time! Brave, but stupid. Suicidal Banzai-type charges were very common earlier in the war and still occur. They will literally sacrifice 8-10 man teams in suicide squads by sending them screaming and firing AK's and RPG's directly at our bases just to probe the defenses. They get mowed down like grass every time (see the M2 and M240 above). Jordan 's base was hit like this often.

When engaged, they have a tendency to flee to the same building, probably for what they think will be a glorious last stand. Instead, we call in air and that's the end of that more often than not. These hole-ups are referred to as Alpha Whiskey Romeo's (Allah's Waiting Room). We have the laser guided ground-air thing down to a science. The fast mover's, mostly Marine F-18's, are taking an ever increasing toll on the enemy. When caught out in the open, the helicopter gunships and AC-130 Spectre Gunships cut them to ribbons with cannon and rocket fire, especially at night. Interestingly, artillery is hardly used at all.

Fun facts:
The enemy death toll is supposedly between 45-50 thousand. That is why we're seeing less and less infantry attacks and more IED, suicide bomber shit. The new strategy is just simple: attrition.

The insurgent tactic most frustrating is their use of civilian non-combatants as cover. They know we do all we can to avoid civilian casualties and therefore schools, hospitals and especially Mosques are locations where they meet, stage for attacks, cache weapons, and ammo and flee to when engaged. They have absolutely no regard whatsoever for inflicting civilian casualties. They will terrorize locals and murder without hesitation anyone believed to be sympathetic to the Americans or the new Iraqi govt. Kidnapping of family members, especially children, is common to influence people they are trying to influence but can't reach, such as local govt. officials, clerics, tribal leaders, etc..
The first thing our guys are told is "don't get captured". They know that if captured they will be tortured and beheaded on the internet. Zarqawi openly offers bounties for anyone who brings him a live American serviceman. This motivates the criminal element who otherwise don't give a shit about the war. A lot of the beheading victims were actually kidnapped by common criminals and sold to Zarqawi.

As such, for our guys, every fight is to the death. Surrender is not an option. The Iraqi's are a mixed bag.. Some fight well; others aren't worth a damn. Most do okay with American support. Finding leaders is hard, but they are getting better.

It is widely viewed that Zarqawi's use of suicide bombers, en masse, against the civilian population was a serious tactical mistake. Many Iraqi's were galvanized and the caliber of recruits in the Army and the police forces went right up, along with their motivation. It also led to an exponential increase in good intel because the Iraqi's are sick of the insurgent attacks against civilians. The Kurds are solidly pro-American and fearless fighters.

Morale:
According to Jordan , morale among our guys is very high.They not only believe that they are winning, but that they are winning decisively. They are stunned and dismayed by what they see in the American press, whom they almost universally view as against them. The embedded reporters are despised and distrusted. They are inflicting casualties at a rate of 20-1 and then see shit like "Are we losing in Iraq " on TV and the print media.
For the most part, they are satisfied with their equipment, food, and leadership. Bottom line though, and they all say this, is that there are not enough guys there to drive the final stake through the heart of the insurgency, primarily because there aren't enough troops in-theater to shut down the borders with Iran and Syria. The Iranians and the Syrians just can't stand the thought of Iraq being an American ally (with, of course, permanent US bases there).
Anyway, that's it, hope you found it interesting.