Dicken Medal

I thought this was rather interesting, so I thought I’d share it.

A bit of trivia:

The only cat to win a Dicken Medal (Animals’ Victoria Cross) in World War II served upon the HMS Amethyst. What was his name?

May 30th was designated as the day to remember our soldiers. We often forget about the soldiers of the flying variety, that saved many of those soldiers lives.

The Victoria Cross for animals

The Dickin Medal, instituted by Mrs Maria Dickin, founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals in England, was popularly referred to as “the animals’ VC”. It was awarded to any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty associated with, or under the control of, any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units during World War II and its aftermath.

World War II

British and American museums are full of memories of our flying heroes. Pigeons were decorated and buried with military honour. Visitors can admire military pigeons with names as Lord Adelaide, President Wilson, Julius Caesar, Lady Astor, Jungle Joe and Burma Queen. They were brave soldiers holding the rank of captain. There were more then 3000 soldiers and 150 officers of the United States Pigeon Service to take care of 54.000 military pigeons. Some of those pigeons were trained to fly at night; they went together with the field-post, paratroopers and submarines and made pictures of the enemy’s fleet, troops and targets for air attacks. One of the most well-known military pigeons was GI Joe. He accomplished his missions in Italy. GI Joe was honored in London by Lord Mayor with the Dickin Medal of Gallantry. The Royal Canadian Air Force had two successfully military pigeons, the “10601” and the “120”. The 10601 was born in 1928 and flew its missions mostly from submarines. He accomplished all his missions but was killed by a bird of prey. The “120” flew from Sasaginigek Lakes in very bad circumstances and got struck by a radio wire. Snow-White had a successful flight in Berlin during heavy bombardments. She flew from Hamburg to different lofts. Later on, she flew missions in Italy. Snow-White was honored with the “Military Cross”. Ruhr-Express was dropped behind German lines and had to race for about 300 miles (480 km) to its loft. Ruhr-Express brought important information. Scotch-Lass was dropped with a secret agent in the Netherlands on the early morning of September 12, 1944. He reached England with 38 micro-photos although he was wounded. One of the most famous English military pigeons was Mary, she was 22 times wounded. She flew during 5 years for the Allied Powers and was killed in action. Later on the body was found, covered with wounds.

And more:

When WWII broke out in the early 40’s the homing pigeon was brought back into service on both sides of the war. Many people do not realize that the head of the SS, Hemlic Hemmler, was also head of the national pigeon organization at one time and felt that the Nazis would benefit by taking over the national pigeon organization and the use of its members and birds. The Germans had 50,000 birds ready for use when the war had broken out. Unfortunately for America, the US Army Signal Corp did not maintain its pigeon program and to rebuild it from scratch. The Corp solicited birds from fanciers that were willing to donate them, and looked for new draftees that had a poultry or pigeon background to work as pigeoneers.

As we honor those who have served, let’s not forget about the animals who gave ‘it’ their all.

A Slimeball on the Lose

Achille Lauro hijacker plays a new game

A Palestinian who absconded from Italy while on parole for the 1985 hijacking of cruise ship Achille Lauro is holed up in the Lebanon refugee camp where the army is besieging Islamist militants. Bassam al-Ashker, now 39, told AFP by telephone that he is now a militiaman for the mainstream Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and saw it as his duty to brave the fighting to help the thousands of trapped civilians.

Ok, somebody explain to me why a convicted terrorist is running around free? If he skipped, shouldn’t he be apprehended and put back behind bars? Or shot, or something?

He told AFP he had retained his radical anti-Western politics and, after fleeing Italy in 1991 following his release on parole from nearly six years in jail, spent 14 years in Iraq before moving to Lebanon’s Nahr al-Bared refugee camp.

Now there’s a surprise….Iraq harboring criminals. And this was BEFORE we were even in that country.

“I organize the training of young Palestinian recruits who we send to fight the Americans alongside the Iraqi resistance,” Ashker told AFP. “I have even fought them myself in Fallujah and Ramadi,” two rebel bastions west of Baghdad.

So, there aren’t any terrorists in Iraq? There is no war on terror? And this is just one guy. How many more were there before we entered the country, planning attacks on Western interests…..and US?

Despite his anti-Western views, Ashker insisted he had no truck with the Islamist fighters of fringe militant group Fatah al-Islam.

“They have certainly proved their military prowess,” he said.

“If they had used it to fight Israel, I would have been the first to join them, but they are fanatics who believe only in religion and have no regard of the consequences of their actions on civilians,” he said.

What is it with these people? Have they ever contributed anything positive to the world recently? Death and destruction provides no food on the table for their children.

Despite his disdain for the Fatah al-Islam fighters, Ashker insisted he had no intention of leaving the Nahr al-Bared camp, where living conditions have been deteriorating amid chronic shortages of water, food and power.

Do they work, produce, grow food, dig trenches or wells? Or is this a ‘welfare’ camp.  Do they become part of the solution, or do they prefer to be part of the problem?  If the people living in this camp, on land provided by the Lebanese people, would have turned over the bad guys to start with, this whole problem would have been solved, and innocents would be injured and killed.  But that’s just me.

Evening Snack (5/27)

Ala. terror Web site angers activists

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security has taken down a Web site it operated that included gay rights and anti-war organizations in a list of groups that could include terrorists.

I don’t suppose it matters if a group has been known to use terror tactics, as long as no one is offended. Sheesh! And yes, that would include any pro-life bunch that advocats shooting doctors and bombing so called clinics.

Rockies give Bonds No. 746

Barry Bonds broke out of a lengthy home run slump today, hitting his 746th career homer in the sixth inning against Colorado to pull within nine of Hank Aaron’s career record 755.

As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t count. He’s not even going to deserve an asterisk!

Williamson County’s Franchitti wins Indy 500

Williamson County resident Dario Franchitti won Sunday’s rain-shortened Indianapolis 500.

The race, which had been delayed earlier by rain, was called on lap 166 when another storm struck, cutting it short by 34 laps with Franchitti in front of Scott Dixon.

Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?

Smoking ban hangs like unhealthy cloud outside

Indoor smoking bans intended to reduce the public’s exposure to cigarettes may merely be moving the problem outside, new research shows.

In New York, how can they even tell? Granted, it’s been many years since I’ve been there, but it stunk to high heaven then, with a lot few people. I can’t even imagine it now, and don’t want to. HEY, y’all leave us alone! We pay taxes! BIG taxes.

Serial arsonist on the loose?

Four Dumpster fires downtown in a short period of time have officials wondering if they have a serial arsonist on their hands.

The fires have occurred in the last week, said Fond du Lac Fire Department Capt. Nick Sphatt. They are under investigation by the Police and Fire Departments.

“There are similarities in the fires,” Sphatt said, declining to provide more details.

Do they mean other than the fact there were fires in the dumpsters?

Jackson Family Auction to Begin Wed.

The items are to go on sale following a protracted court battle that ended two weeks ago when Michael Jackson’s lawyers reached a confidential settlement and dropped an effort to block the auction.

Richard Altomare, chief executive of Universal Express Inc., the Boca Raton, Fla., luggage transportation company that owns the items, said Jackson’s lawyers settled when they were convinced they had no legal claim to the goods.

Gee, I guess I best rush to bid on an item or two…………LMAO I don’t think so!

Beirut wants Palestinians to settle Nahr al-Bared crisis

The Lebanese government deferred to Palestinians factions on Sunday in brokering a “political” solution to the standoff here between the army and Fatah al-Islam militants, although it was unclear to what extent Palestinian leaders had accepted the role. “We are waiting for the Palestinians factions to reach a final decision on how to deal with the issue of Fatah al-Islam,” Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Fatfat told The Daily Star Sunday. “The army continues to maintain security on the ground.”

Are they kidding? The Palestinians can’t even solve their own problems, and the Lebanese gubmint expects them to solve theirs?

Shucks

I had thought about going to the world famous Buford Pussor Festival a few miles down the road…..then thought better of it. The traffic was bad enough on the roads during the day, I can’t imagine what it would have been like on a the teeny road up to the park, not to mention, there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot of parking places.  Maybe I just didn’t look hard enough.  🙂

Pusser event draws fans

Gathered in a museum that was once a house, more than 70 men and women, some sitting and some standing, listened intently Saturday afternoon as historian Steve Sweat, 51, told the legend of lawman Buford Pusser, a man who was known for “walking tall.”

A story teller eh? Sounds fairly interesting actually, but I wonder how much is legend, and how much is based in fact.

Those people were among the hundreds of other fans who attended the 19th annual Buford Pusser Festival, held Wednesday through Saturday at Buford Pusser Park in Adamsville. Fans showed up to honor the late former McNairy County sheriff, who has been the subject of many movies, books, songs and television shows throughout the years.

I’ve seen one movie.  I don’t recall it as being very good.  Entertaining, sure, but ….. I didn’t know there were songs and books and such too.

Pusser became famous after he was elected in 1964, according to a Web site devoted to his life. People around the world know him as the “Unkillable Lawman” and the man who cleaned up various types of crime on the Tennessee-Mississippi state line. Those crimes ranged from gambling and prostitution to moonshine operations.

Honestly, I’ve never heard him called the “unkillable lawman”. Worldwide, ya say?

“(The storytelling) was the best part,” Shewmake said. “We also met Dwana (Pusser’s daughter) and took pictures with her.”

I’ve had a couple of people in the area tell me that Dwana is milking the town of Adamsville with her daddy’s name. I don’t know if it’s true, I’ve never met the woman.

Pusser was shot eight times and knifed seven times during his confrontations with organized crime, according to The Jackson Sun’s files.

He survived those attacks, but violence took a toll on his family in 1967 when he and his wife, Pauline, were ambushed by gunmen near New Hope Church in McNairy County. Pauline was killed, and Buford was seriously wounded.

The man was definitely a tough ol’ bird, that’s for sure.

Pusser left the sheriff’s office in 1970. He died in a car crash on Aug. 21, 1974, on the way home from stopping at the McNairy County Fair, after a press conference where he had announced a third “Walking Tall” movie.

There were 3 of ’em? Hmmm….

Amnesty Bill

NewsMax.com had a poll on the so called immigration bill Congress and the President are trying to shove down our throats. I got an email this morning with the results. I can’t link to to it because, well, it was an email and they didn’t provide a link to the site.

NewsMax Poll: Just 4 Percent Favor Immigration Plan

By a margin of more than 23 to 1, Americans overwhelmingly oppose the Senate’s plan for immigration reform, an Internet poll sponsored by NewsMax reveals.

Respondents in the poll – which drew more than 100,000 participants – also said they would oppose any 2008 presidential candidate who supports the Kennedy-McCain plan.

23 to 1. Don’t you think Congress would figure out they are NOT speaking for the American people on this issue?

Here are the poll questions and results:

1. What is your overall opinion of the Senate immigration deal?

Favorable: 4 percent
Unfavorable: 95 percent
No opinion: 1 percent

I’d say 95% is a pretty overwhelming majority, wouldn’t you?

2. What should be done with the 12 million illegals in the U.S.?

Deport them: 85 percent
Offer them citizenship eventually: 11 percent
Do nothing with them: 4 percent

They keep telling us that deporting those who break the law is impossible. Are they telling us there aren’t enough buses in this country to take them to the borders? Or to the airport, or bus station, or whatever?

3. Would you vote for any presidential candidate who supported this deal?

Vote for: 5 percent
Vote against: 95 percent

I’m fairly sure that not all who took this poll were Republicans.

4. GOP candidates Rudy Giuliani and John McCain have expressed support for the immigration deal. Are you:

More likely to vote for them: 4 percent
Less likely: 93 percent
No opinion: 3 percent

This makes me question the overall poll numbers for Giuliani.

5. GOP candidates Mitt Romney and Tom Tancredo oppose the Senate immigration deal. Are You:

More likely to vote for them: 89 percent
Less likely: 5 percent
No opinion: 6 percent

I notice they didn’t add Fred, but since he hasn’t declared, I guess that’s ok.

6. Rate President Bush’s handling of the border and immigration issues.

Excellent: 1 percent
Good: 3 percent
OK: 8 percent
Bad: 29 percent
Very poor: 59 percent

I’m in that 59% who thinks his border control policies leave a GREAT deal to be desired.

I question people who take polls, yet have no opinion. Why bother?

Question

U.S. Military Rescues 41 Iraqis From Al Qaeda Prison

U.S. forces rescued 41 Iraqi civilians Sunday from an Al Qaeda hide-out northeast of Baghdad, including some who showed signs of torture and broken bones, a senior U.S. official said.
(…)
Details were incomplete, but Caldwell said some of the freed Iraqis were being transported to medical facilities for treatment of their injuries. There were no indications that Americans had been held at the hide-out, he said. It was not immediately clear whether any Al Qaeda figures were captured.
(…)
U.S. forces previously have found a number of houses used by Al Qaeda for detention, including some where prisoners showed signs of torture. But the hide-out raided Sunday in Diyala province was the largest, Caldwell said in a telephone interview. He declined to be more specific about the location, citing security reasons.

So, here’s the question: Do the Dhimmis think if we leave Iraq, al Qaeda will leave as well?

I don’t bloody well think so!

We are there, no matter if you agree with the reason or not.  Start fighting the war, and stop the policing BS.  There will be collateral damage, which does suck, but has been part of any, and every, war through out history.  It happens.  Do we prefer to roll over and ‘play dead’, or do we want victory?  Time to sh*t, or get off the pot!

Cool Planes

Into the sunset: Planes give show new spin

On Saturday, just before the Memphis in May International Festival concluded its month-long celebration in Tom Lee Park, Hoover bid his own farewell to the 31st annual event, as part of a new air show added to the entertainment.

Before the Sunset Symphony, featuring the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, launched into a concert with the ’60s singing group The Temptations, a group of mostly local and regional pilots gathered their vintage warbirds and experimental aircraft at Gen. DeWitt Spain municipal airport just north of Mud Island.

If I didn’t dislike large crowds so much, it might have been fun to go to this shindig, but only if Mr. Ol’ Broad went too, and he doesn’t like large crowds even more than me. 🙂

Morning Coffee 5/27/07

Woman, 25, accused of sending explicit messages to nephew

A 25-year-old Fond du Lac woman faces a felony charge for allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages to her teenage nephew.

The NOW bunch want women treated equally to men? Then how ’bout we remove these bitches genitals? I cannot, for the life of me figure out how our society has moved so deep into the pits. Well, yes, I do know.

Episcopal rift spreads to Colorado

Members of the dissident Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church have voted overwhelmingly to split from the Episcopal Church and join the conservative Anglican convocation, church officials announced yesterday.

American Christians, smacking back at the liberals. Gotta love it! This is a real interesting read. 🙂

Order to halt rental ban frustrates FB residents

Farmers Branch residents already outraged over the flood of illegal immigrants into the country were further angered by a federal judge’s decision last week to temporarily halt a ban on apartments renting to most illegal immigrants.

The Federal gubmint won’t do it’s job, but when people in the towns try to uphold the law, they get slapped down for it, by the law? Something is seriously out of balance here.

U.S. deaths near grim Memorial Day mark

Americans have opened nearly 1,000 new graves to bury U.S. troops killed in Iraq since Memorial Day a year ago. The figure is telling – and expected to rise in coming months.

Just once, I’d love to see a headline that read “American soldiers die saving lives of others”, or something to that effect. But instead, the media acts like the grim reaper. They are not numbers! They are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They are heroes!

Thousands protest Chavez over TV takeover

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets Saturday chanting ”Freedom, Freedom!” to protest President Hugo Chavez’s decision not to renew the broadcast license of the country’s most-watched TV station, an outlet for the opposition.

I wonder if Cindy Sheehan and Danny Glover think their hero Hugo is still such a great guy? Probably. One thing you do not get with the “isms” (socialism, communism) is freedom.

Cabbie says drunken Ophelia Ford grabbed his collar

A Nashville cab driver has accused state Sen. Ophelia Ford of tearing off his shirt button during a drunken altercation in his taxi — the latest in a string of bizarre incidents involving the Memphis Democrat that have led some to publicly question her health and sobriety.

That is one strange family.

North braces for next round at Nahr al-Bared

A spokesman for the Fatah al-Islam militant group said that members of the group were “ready to die” as the Lebanese Army resumed shelling of militant positions Thursday evening, ending a truce that had largely held since Tuesday afternoon. “We are ready to die,” Abu Salim Taha told The Daily Star in a telephone interview.

I wonder if these type of people are afraid to actually live, since they all seem so ready to die. Dying is easy, it’s the living, and doing the right thing, that’s hard. If they want to die, one bullet, in the head, should solve the problem. Sad they insist on taking innocents with them.

Strip clubs could go dry

An ordinance that would dry out Memphis strip clubs — ending the sale and consumption of alcohol inside the smoky, dimly lit businesses — is set to hit the Shelby County Commission’s agenda next month.

I get the impression they want to shut these places down. 🙂

News Flash: Peacocks are DUMB

The third thing I did this morning after getting out of bed, was to go check to see if there had been evidence of a peacock visitation. I’ll be damned if all six of ’em were in the flower bed. It was obvious they had also been on the front porch as well, thanks to the extremely LARGE pile of poop, right in the middle of the steps. I opened the door, and off they ran. I don’t see any serious damage, so no problem. I go about my business, making coffee and such. I turned around…….

All six of them were on the deck. No, you can’t see the other two, but trust me, they were there. I would have loved to have gotten the shot of a couple of them butting heads…with themselves. Evidently, they aren’t aware that the bird they see reflected in the glass is them. Dumb birds. At one point, I had all six of ’em staring in the window at me. It’s a little disconcerting after a while.

I was kidding Mr. Ol’ Broad that now the yard is starting to look so nice, we might need a white picket fence. I don’t think I’m kidding anymore. The birds were a novelty at the beginning, but this might turn out to be war! The landscape guy suggested a BB gun. I wouldn’t want to hurt them, but I’m starting to rethink that.

I can hear them jumping up and down from the railing to the deck, an hour later, after shooing them off 4 times. They aren’t getting the message. I get the impression they expect me to cook them breakfast.

I just went out to shoo them off again, and only saw five of them.  Looking around for the sixth, I see him on the bloomin’ roof.  Maybe a fence won’t work after all.