A Fallen Hero

In the small south east Texas town where I live it has a very tarnished past. A past that by no means is anything to be proud of, through the years following desegregation and then a failed attempt by the government to move blacks into the towns housing projects. The people in this town have worked hard at trying to clear the past by creating a more positive future. But often times, with every step we take forward, either the news media or an individual who has no real knowledge of the people in this town knocks us ten steps back. There are great people in this town. People that to many in one way or another are personal heroes. There are doctors, lawyers, policeman and fire fighters. There are even a few country music recording artists whose names are Clay Walker, Tracy Byrd and George Jones. But there is another kind of hero and they are the men and women who are serving in the armed forces. These Heroes give us much to be proud of. Sadly on August 16, 2007 SPC. Kamisha Jane Block 20 died while serving her country north of Baghdad in a non-combat-related incident. The incident is still under investigation by the U.S. Army. Quoting the website www.militarycity.com article: "Block, a Vidor native, joined the military in July 2005 as a military police officer and was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, since January 2007. She was deployed to Iraq in May. Block’s military awards and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal and the Army Service Ribbon". Kamisha is loved by many people and it showed with the attendance of her funeral and a funeral procession that was nearly a mile long. Kamisha defines the word HERO. She selflessly joined the military to server her country just as she was know to help her commuity. On a personal note; Thank you Kamisha for your service. You have made America proud. Your death has touched a nation. You are in our hearts. Our prayers go out to your family. You have given Vidor something to be proud of. God Bless You Kamisha and God Bless America.
If you would like to view and sign Kamisha's Guest Book, click the link to the left.

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Harboring terrorist, sanctuary cities, what's the difference?

When President George W. Bush sent American forces in to Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power one main reason was to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of terrorist and states that harbored terrorist. Syria, Lybia and Iran are known safe-houses for providing a gateway for terrorist to easily slip into Iraq. Here in the United States we are faced with a similar threat of safe-houses known as "Sanctuary Cities". These sanctuaries allow illegal immigrants to walk freely and does not allow for any local or federal officials to investigate their immigration status. August 4, 2007, in Newark, New Jersey, three college students were shot and killed execution style by Jose Carranza an illegal immigrant from Peru. Carranza was already freed on bail for 31 counts of sexual assault to a kindergarten aged child and also for an assault in a bar fight. These are terrorist that are on American soil. They cross the border, just as the terrorist crossing through Iran into Iraq, with intentions to kill, traffic drugs and bring with them various forms of weapons of mass destruction. How can a country, such as the U.S., allow this type of terrorist activity happen to occur on its on soil while fighting against terrorism on another countries soil. Is it solely for the votes that a presidential candidate is afraid that they will lose? Why is President Bush offering amnesty to the millions of illegals here? The majority of them do not contribute to the economy but rather send most of what they make to their families outside of America and never pay state or federal income taxes. They utilize our hospitals and never pay the bills they incur. Through the no child left behind act, they send their children to school and take away from positions that could be filled with children of U.S. families. They are destroying this country economically causing us to pay for the debts that they create and when these cities protect them they are harboring law breaking illegal immigrants. They have more rights than you and I and are protected by governing laws that do not protect you in their countries. The local government officials in these cities should be removed, just as Saddam Hussein was removed, for harboring illegals. So I ask you, "What is the difference between countries that harbor terrorist and cities in our own country that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants"?

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Putting a Face on the War

No matter what side of the political fence you stand on with the war in Iraq the harsh reality is that our men and women are dieing. We hear about it on nearly a weekly, some times on a daily basis that members of our armed forces are losing their lives from either a road side bombing or hostile attacks from Al Qiada or other radical faction. In the latest count, as of August 19, 2007, according to the A.P. is 3706 members of the U.S. military deaths., 3046 had been results of hostile actions. Regardless of how they died the facts speak for themselves. In the "Faces of the Fallen" which is an exhibit in the gateway of the Arlington National Cemetary, is a gallery exhibition of 1319 military service members that have died in Afghanistan and Iraq since the open of the war in March 2003. Most of the portraits are of paintings of over 200 artists from across the country. 45000 people visit the memorial each month and of to date over 650,000 people have visited the exhibit. There is a very emotional picture gallery. Please visit the gallery.
I have never been in favor of the conflict in Iraq. I have never been convinced that our occupation in Iraq has been for the attacks on 9/11 with Osama Bin Ladin staking claim to them. Most of the propaganda spewed from the Bush administration has been proven to be poor intelligence which relates to udder lies, lies which have brought us, the U.S. and other countries into war. Appaerntly I share this same opinion with Vice President Dick Chaney. He too did not agree with our occupation of Iraq. In the video he talks about America avoiding going into Baghdad during Operation Desert Storm. I wonder what caused him to change his mind. He seems to know what was good for the country back in 1994. Take a moment to watch this short video and also take a moment to say a prayer for all of the service men and women for their safety and that a troop withdrawal will happen soon. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS.

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