I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,
Trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

Perhaps before Fouad Ajami likens Scooter Libby to an American Soldier, he should actually review the Soldiers Creed.

LFW Pt I
LFW Pt II
LFW Pt III
LFW Pt IV
LFW Pt V
LFW Pt VI

So these things are called diaries, right? Being as such, I felt like writing a traditional diary.  No analysis.  No statistics, no breaking stories. Just a description of what is going on with me, right now. You probably don’t care. But I need to get some things out.

Not sure if this is proper dkos ediquite, but I wrote this diary a month or so ago. I'm reposting it because I feel like it has certain significance today.

Cross posted at The Word Smiths

LFW Pt I
LFW Pt II
LFW Pt III

This is a diary about loss.  This is not a diary about war or politics. Please, whatever your political beliefs are, remember this is someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s husband.  Also, remember neither you nor I know what the political leanings of this person were, nor do we know if he would have wanted his death be a topic for politicization. Therefore, please don’t politicize it.  With your comments, pay your respects or move on. Thank you.

I am an American Soldier.  I am a Noncommissioned Officer in one of the most prestigious and storied units in the American Armed Forces.  I am in combat, as I write this.  I have lost brothers in arms.  I have carried a fallen warrior to his grave.  I am proud of who I am and what I do.

Cross-posted at The Word Smiths

Today the Senate passed amendment 1010 to Senate bill 1082, Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007. Some background information:  

The maneuvering occurred on broader legislation to renew the FDA's ability to collect fees from the drug industry to defray the cost of reviewing new drugs.

Cross-posted at The Word Smiths

Every few days, I lurk on Drudge, Free Republic and conservative noise sites to get an idea of what the enemy is talking about.  Lately, I've noticed a good handful of the FReepers have began to lose faith in their President, their Administration, their Party, and their Issues.  I've compiled a list of quotes from down in the dumps FReepers. Enjoy!

Cross-posted at The Words Smiths

Mention Ronnie to a Republican and you’ll get a nostalgic monologue on times past; how much better things were back then.  Maybe that’s why the GOP has a hard-on for an aging, ill, B-list actor who hasn’t even declared yet.  

Cross posted at The Word Smiths

LFW Pt I
LFW Pt II
LFW Pt III

This is a diary about loss.  This is not a diary about war or politics. Please, whatever your political beliefs are, remember this is someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s husband.  Also, remember neither you nor I know what the political leanings of this person were, nor do we know if he would have wanted his death be a topic for politicization. Therefore, please don’t politicize it.  With your comments, pay your respects or move on. Thank you.

Cross-posted from The Word Smiths:

Earlier, my brother wrote this:

I’m calling on Congressional Democrats to send this same bill to the president’s desk over and over and over and over. Make him know this is the only option. The Congress must not stand idly by and allow a failed policy to continue. And it is time that Congressional Republicans and the administration go on record, repeatedly, as taking responsibility for their war.

However, I believe there is another option. More on that later.

Every once in a while, there is a democrat we don’t even want to claim. Such is the case with Michael Byron "Mike" Nifong, District Attorney for Durham County, North Carolina.

My first child, Kennedy, was born on groundhog day, February 2, 2007.  On February 9, I got on a plain for Afghanistan where I THOUGHT I'd be spending the next year. More after the fold.

I don’t think the jury is out on climate change anymore.  No one who is sane denies that it is occurring.  You’d think our "liberal media" would be driving a Prius to the nearest national park to hug a tree in their organic Birkenstocks, especially the cable news channel owned by that Jane Fonda/Kim Jung Il loving Ted Turner. You know, the "Communist News Network" (aka Clinton News network).  Of course I’m talking about CNN. More after the fold.

Yes it’s a hard pill to swallow, I know. Unfortunately, we will not win the 2008 Presidential Election.  You don’t want to hear it, but it’s true. I’ll tell you why.  The Democrats have me on their side.  Yes, I assure you, that is why.  You may be confused, but allow me to explain.  I don’t pick winners.  In fact I have not picked a winner in 14 years.  I have not picked a winner in ANYTHING in 14 years. To be more specific, I have only picked a winner one time since October 27, 1991.

Plenty of stock is being put into these reports. By us, by the media, and even the candidates themselves, who told us in their fundraising e-mails that the future of America depended on whether or not you, YES YOU, donate as little as $20 before midnight, March 31st. But how much does first quarter fundraising really matter in a year preceding a presidential election? Stay tuned.

While going behind enemy lines (read: Drudge) I found some interesting quotes from our favorite senator from Arizona.

UPDATE:

O.k. I was asked to clarify some things, and other things I will clarify even though I wasn't asked.