The  FEC complaint against Hillary has been up for most of the day, yet no mention yet on the MSM sites.  However, is anybody surprised by any of this?  Or is this why Hillary was so bad last night?

First, if you are surprised that she took money from illegal sources I to could use some fast cash at this time.  In fact when the last quarters fundraising numbers came out I was impressed.  Yet, I still smelled a rat, heck if couldn't smell, it still would be there.  What was the rat?  The Clintons, remember no legal controlling authority that brought us McCain-Feingold, the Indonesian banks, Frank Rich, and Johnny Chung.  In fact I told Jeff Cobb of the Fetzer Files that I would not be surprised if it came out that half her $25 million came from China itself.  That was said half heartedly, yet there was a grain of truth in the matter.  It seems to have come from sources which were illegal, and it looks to be that Hillary went after Chinese immigrants who may or may not have been of legal status.  Hillary could be in big trouble over this, as this is already the second scandal in her campaign and we are not even to 2008 yet, but I still have faith that the MSM will not cover this at all. 

One of the biggest issues against Hillary is how close she is to Bill.  While that issue from a marriage standpoint maybe debatable, politically it is not.  This campaign has Bill Clinton written all over it, and now we are once again brought right back to why we despised the Clinton Administration.  The corruption.  Remember, what Christ said, "Before you pull the splinter out of your Brothers eye, take the plank out of yours."  Yes, the Clintons who are calling the GW administration the most corrupt in the history of the United States, forget the cabinet Members who were convicted of serious crimes:  Henry Ciseneros and Mike Espy.  They forget about the Fred Thompson hearings about the funding of Clinton/Gore 96, when Johnny Chung said that this administration was similar to a subway turnstile put your money in and go.  The same administration who stole the "W's", yes that was a practical joke, but childish nonetheless.  And how can we forget the Lewinsky.  She has been in this race less than one year, and Hillary is already being connected to convicted Felons, improper donations, and illegal immigrants.  It was all of this that ultimately saved us from a Gore presidency in 2000, not the five black robes in D.C.

I now know why she is for giving illegals driving licenses.  It is simple they can come out of the shadows so that they can give her money.  She does not care about them hitting your car with no identification, she wants to hit them up while making it easier to find them.  Could one imagine what Bill would have done with these people if he had their ability to license them in 96? 

I wonder if Hillary was preoccupied last night?  When you listen to the clips again, she was all over the ballpark.  More so than any of her previous appearances.  Could it be that she got wind this was coming and she was swinging for the fences, however she swung and missed like an Adam Dunn strikeout.  After watching last nights debate Hillary was stretching. 

Have we finally seen the real Hillary Clinton after last night?  I think the answer to that question is absolutely yes.  However, it was not in the double speak last night that Obama and Edwards were hammering home.  In fact anybody who has ever followed the Clintons since their earliest campaigns know they are the master of I never said that. 

Last night we saw the Hillary whom the MSM has told us was non existent.  Clinton last night was cold, and even her fake laugh when she is criticized looked venomous.  Her unlikability was more prevalent last night than any other event those far.  She never had the ability to show the new Hillary, who is a fun loving mother who is primed to be President.  Yet, she  looked weak last night.  When the camera pinned to her when another candidate was speaking showed a fewe things:  angry, frustrated, nervous, and weakness.

You could see her anger after the debate last night in a few means.  I think the most telling, and a major difference from the Republicans, was that the top tier did not speak to Chris Matthews afterwards.  All the Republican candidates last Sunday went on the air after the debate with Hannity and Colmbs.  While Obama and Edwards did not go on, Hillary was shown storming of the stage and went directly to the vaunted Clinton war room.  And now Drudge has this on his front page:  "CLINTON INNER-CIRCLE BLAME 'UNFAIR' MODERATOR TIM RUSSERT. 'HE BORDERED ON THE UNPROFESSIONAL,' TOP HILLARY ADVISER CHARGES. 'HE BROKE DEBATE RULES AND WAS BELLIGERENT'..." The MSM has protected her, and now her campaign attack one of their patriarchs in Russert.  He is not a Fox "hack", but rather the king of NBC and it will be interesting to see if the press circles the wagons around Russert and begin to run spots that do not put the Clintons in the best light.

Her frustration was shown in the immigration question.  For the first time she was asked a question she was not prepared for, and she bombed.   Her campaign has done a great job of protecting her from these questions, yet it was Dodd who exposed her.  She did not have the Cliff Notes on her podium to answer the question and she had no clue as to how to respond.  One could also see that she was tired of taking the jabs and body blows Edwards and Obama landed throughout the night.  She was tired of taking hits, and thought that engaging Dodd was a good idea.   She not only got knocked out by a knockout blow to a major 2008 issue, but showed she is not even close to being ready for primetime.   

She also looked like a weak candidate on two sperate occasions.  One of the occasions was heavily watched and has been greatly opined, the other not so much and maybe not noticed.  The latter one that I mention will not lose her the election, but to me it shows her inability to take a punch.  After being grilled by the boys, she took a huge drink of water.  Typically when you see a politician go for the water they do not bring the glass above their mouth to much, on this occasion she took it up near her eyes.  It looked like she was either nervous, or perhaps she felt like she was getting hammered and wanted to hide.  It made her look small and unprepared. 

The other instance, Matthews was questioning Richardson on why he went out to protect her.  I think it was actually good politics by him, not just to run as her VP.  Look what he did, he showed her as somebody who needs protection by a man from men.  Once again, nobody is going to talk about this but the image was put into everybody's head was her smiling and nodding in agreement with Bill.  It made her look like she could not stand up on her own, the anti-feminist candidate she became in that moment without realizing it. 

This is now a race again.  Hillary looked like Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas last night.  The heavy weight who was good enough for 9 rounds of a 15 round fight.  The debate lasted 30 minutes longer than it should have, but Hillary was not prepared for it, and the body blows ultimately tired her out and she opened her mouth. 

Thanks to Yoni the Blogger for posting this amazing cartoon.   I have not heard any outrage from the left.  Why has Al Sharpton not begun his march on Cairo along with NOW.  They are using racially derogatory words, and no response from the NAACP?  Why is there no calls on the Egyptian govt. to pull this cartoon for its unbelievable statements against two American Political Icons.  How can we let this stand? 

In all seriousness, this is only further proof that the radicals in the middle east have no respect for the Democrats.  They view them as weak, with no backbone.  Let's work to making them not see their grandest dream come true. 

There is no longer speculation that the 2008 presidential primary season will be the soonest in the History of the United States.  All the large states are clamoring for a February 5th primary date.  What does that do to the traditional primary states?  Are they going to just stand by and let there influence and power just be evaporated by the big 10? 

Of Course not.  New Hampshire is now prepared for a January 8th primary, since by State Law they are required to be the first primary, which explains why Nevada is calling their primary a caucus.  Apparently, New Hampshire is not buying it and are prepared for a primary following Wild Card weekend of the NFL playoff season.  I am positive you will see other states who were involved in the early primary season to do the same, namely South Carolina. 

If New Hampshire pulls this off it could completely change how the election is currently viewed.  First and foremost the national polls will become null and void.  Currently the press is focused on these national polls since the season will be so compressed.  Now the focus will be put back onto New Hampshire and how the state will vote, with a month to go for the big prize on the first Tuesday of February. 

This will also make the election more localized, rather than the national campaign that is currently being launched.  It will give more influence to guys like Dodd and Romney.  They are the hometown guys here and this gives them the opportunity to gain some clout in votes.  This means much more for Romney than Dodd, if Romney can pull off an early upset in New Hampshire he has a full month to fight to the big day in February. 

There are two issues is talking about with an early election cycle.  The phoneme called the NFL and winter weather.   In elections past the cycle has taken place after the Super Bowl.  Do not forget that when the Redskins crushed the Bills in 92, the game was followed by the infamous Bill Clinton interview with 60 minutes.  With the Super Bowl a week later and all the primaries the Tuesday prior to the SOB, who is going to be paying attention?  That is right not many, the political game will be pushed out of the way of the Super Bowl.  That will do something else.  The candidates who play to the base of their parties vs the center of the electorate will have higher numbers than usual.   

The weather is always a complaint of Democrats in November.  Traditionally, the worse the weather the better the chance of a Republican winning.  However, by the primaries being moved forward the Northern, Eastern, and Central states will also play to the base of the parties.  Those people who do not have a party affiliation, or would be willing to switch parties in an open primary are not just going to drive through a snow storm to vote for somebody.  This winter has come later than normal but the weather we are now seeing is generally seen in the months of December, January, and February.  Campaigning is going to be more focused on the Blogs and new media, rather than coffee shop to coffee shop.  That is going to hurt the center of the electorate as the center is not as focused on blogs or new media, and once again it will be the base who wins. 

The move to an earlier primary season to help force a more centered candidates, is going to backfire.  We are going to see the most liberal candidate in the history of the Democratic party emerge.  In fact the Dems may get so deep in their base that a replay of 2000 could occur.  Yes, after making all the liberal promises and then backing away a liberal third party may come into play. 

The funeral was held today for Broncos RB Damien Nash.  In an age of football which includes Terrence Keil, Packman Jones, and the Cincinnati Bengals a man like Damien Nash should be held very high.  His poor mother has suffered a tremendous loss which includes a younger brother to Cardiomyopathy, plus his older brother receiving a heart transplant last month.  My prayers go out to her, as well as my heart.   Rest In Peace Damien.   

The San Diego Padres have had a long history of positive public relations with the military.  However, this story goes beyond anything they have done to date.   While they gave him a tryout for public relations, his fastball has been clocked in the low to mid 90s.  While a good fastball does not mean a thing in baseball, I am sure that his work ethic will never be in question.  

The story of his discovery goes as follows:

Last fall the Scott and BR show on XX Sports Radio, were doing a show in which they had some wounded vets from Iraq on.  When Cooper Brannon came on all his buddies talked about how hard he threw, and they knew if given the opportunity he could play pro ball.  Later in the show CEO Sandy Alderson came on the air, and the two hosts told him of the kid, Mr. Alderson would go on to say that they would have a scout take a look at him.  In the tryout Brannon threw mid 80s without any training and the scout reported they could easily get him to throw in the 90s by the time camp came around.  He has also shown to be a Pitcher who has four pitches.  That led to this Marine Vet to have a minor league contract with the Padres.  If that were the only part of the story I would be impressed, however it is not. 

Cooper served two tours of duty in Iraq, which included a stay in Fallujah in 2005.  In that time flash grenade malfunctioned and blew up in his non pitching hand.  In his recuperation the doctors had to remove his pinky finger.  Yes, he is also a wounded Iraq warrior.  He is the type of individual that Hugh keeps talking about who needs to run for Republican offices country wide.  As somebody who has not served, I salute him on his courage and service to this great country.

He is not the first military hire for the Padres.  Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman was a Marine pilot in both WWII and Korea.  In his baseball life he played with both Joe DiMaggio and was the road roommate of Mickey Mantle.  While in Korea he was the wing man of who some call the greatest Marine pilot Ted Williams, yes that Ted Williams.  Current CEO Sandy Alderson is also a Marine Corp veteran.  The Padres also have division within their organization that does nothing more than military relations, which includes sending copies of their games to any deployed soldier who requests them at no charge.   The Padres should be saluted for their tremendous work with the military.  

If it were  

First and foremost I wish my condolences to the family ofDamien Nash.  It is always a sad story when you hear about somebody of his age who just collapses and dies.  I remember finding out the morning about Hank Gathers death the morning after, and how I have never have lost that image of his collapsing on the basketball court during the West Coast Conference Tournament in 1990.  However, for a football player who I have never heard of until today, there may never be another professional whom I have more of a connection with than this man. 

On January 15, 2007, my life has forever changed.  I had dropped of my kids at day care that day as normal, but since it was MLK day there was no traffic in getting to work.  As I arrived to the office, my phone rang and the daycare informed me that my son Aidan was in need of medical attention.  They asked if I would rather get him and take him to the ER or have them call 911.  I told them I would be there shortly since traffic was very light.  When I got to my car, I called the daycare to inform them I was on the road.  At that point they said they had already called 911.  A 30 minute drive took forever, and I arrived at the daycare ten minutes later to see Aidan having what was later described as Grand Maul Seizure. 

At the time the paramedics were concerned of a possible aneurism, menigitis, or some other infection.  The paramedics took us to the nearest hospital, where they quickly had at least twenty medical attendants in the room an hospice literally sitting on top of us.  After two hours of procedures they decided that he was stable enough to transfer him to San Diego Children's hospital. 

They were not sure what he had, but they were sure the seizure was due to some sort of infection.  However, the fever never came.  Yet, their was an x-ray indicating he had a severe case of pneumonia.  At that point the ICU doctor had a neurologists and pomologist to see him. 

Tuesday morning the ICU doctor came in to tell us that he was going to be released the following day, after his MRI, and the Neurologist observed him.  When the neurologist came in, Aidan was sleeping.  He said that Aidan did not need to be awaken as he was only going to check his vitals and some responses.  In listening to his heart, he started to put his focus on it.  He would casually move to his other quick tests that did not involve a machine.  He went to the ICU doctor and told him of a click in his heart.  The ICU doctor thought he was crazy as he never heard it.  However, when he came in to listen he said that I do hear a murmur.  Cardiology would come in later that day.

The cardiologist would come in later in the day, in fact it was after 8 pm.  I noticed that after he listened to Aidan he was immediately concerned.  He spent the next 45 minutes observing his actions through the glass wall, while he was reading.  Eventually, he would leave followed by an Army of Cardiologist the following day.  Within 48 hours Aidan had every heart test possible done on him ranging from an EKG to a Heart Cathador, including a biopsy. 

Friday came with the possibility of open heart surgery.  The concern was that he had a really bad valve that needed immediate attention.  We were being prepared by the entire medical team that he might need it by that night and they had an opening if needed.  That morning the lead Cardiologist came in the room and indicated that the valve was not that bad, but the heart was thicker than expected and that was creating the click in his heart.  We were told he was in no mortal danger, but that there were would be further follow-ups.  He also told us to be very careful of who he was around as he would not be able to get sick, due to the medication he would be put on.  The medication would not solve the thickening heart but that it would thin the blood and the spot which looked like pneumonia was actually built up blood in his lung. 

After discussing this with my wife Maggie for a few moments, I left to my work to tender my resignation since Aidan would need to be at home full time.  We are on my wife's insurance and I was working in a commission job for a company which was really struggling.  While I was at the office, I get a phone call.  Maggie was stone cold and said I needed to hurry up, I asked what was wrong.  The lead cardiologist came back in, and was asked by her how do you fix this issue.  He responded you do not, and that he will need a heart transplant at some point over the next twenty years. 

We were all in shock, as we did not know what the issue would lead to.  But the question always came back to how could our son who was in relatively good health need a transplant of his heart.  How do you react to that?  It was just shocking.  My son has a condition called Cardiomyopathy Restrictive.  It is the rarest of rarest heart conditions in kids.  In fact less than 5% of the 50,000 kids alive in America with any form of Cardiomyopathy are diagnosed with the restrictive version.   To be short, his heart does not slow down after activity, plus it is turning into scar tissue. There is no medicine or procedure short of a transplant to stop this.   While the doctor originally stated it could be 1 year or 20 years, the reality is closer to 1 than 20.  Close to 50% of all kids face mortality or a transplant within 2 years of diagnosis, as it can rapidly proceede.    

Damien Nash is now a hero of mine.  Apparently, this man knew he had a version of it, while not restrictive.  He did not let it stop him from fulfilling his dream.  He lived his life to the fullest, and even was at a fundraiser prior to his collapse at home in front of his wife and child.  I am not sure if the children were his wife's from a previous relationship, or they were his.  However, she has lost one child to this horrific disorder and another who has already received a transplant.  My prayers go out to her and their children. I wish them my condolences, and know what will be coming in my life.  

I only ask for one thing from people.  Their prayers as I can only qoute the words of King David "For some trust in Horses and chariots, but I must put my trust in God".  Doctors have done better with this disease, yet they are not God.  I pray that whatever happens to my son, that he will live life to his fullest and have an impact on the world that his father could only dream of having. 

That is why I have stayed away from writing, as it hit to close to home.  However, after the news of today, home meant writing of what this awful heart condition can due to kids and families.  As my son has a condition which is considered to be terminal, it is my heart which feels like it is failing. 


***update:  The two boys are not the offspring of Damien or his wife Judy, they were his brothers.  Up to 25% of all cases are known to be genetically caused, while the other 75% are not necissarily known, while there are possibibilities.  I feel for his parents, as I now know their pain to an extent.

I have been gone for blogging for a couple of reasons, one of which I am preparing myself to write about, however I thought I would reply to the Jim Webb response. 

Was it the thing of Star Building?
Of Course not, none of these are.  Perhaps the best may have been Fred Thompson in 1995, however this was not bad from a delivery stand point.  Plus, all the libs will make it into something it was not. 

Was their Sticky Ground?
Yes, most people are focusing in on the military majority not liking the war.  In my mind it was the use of Korea as a means of a positive for leaving  war to soon.  We are paying for this unfortunate reality in a number of ways.  First, we do not have the stomach to fight and we will give in very easily when it seems like things are down.  We did this in Vietnam, Lebanon, Desert Storm, Somalia, and now this one.

Second, we could see the first nuclear war due to this fruitcake.  Whether they use it or not, the odds of it coming from N. Korea or Iran, were they are collaborating, are very high.  If we stood our ground and finished the job, how different would history be today.  Could the cold war never have taken place?  Would there have been a Vietnam, and what would the United States look like today?  Great Questions, but better answered by Newt Gingrich in his next historical novel series.  

I think if the dems want to use this as a good thing, may have bitten into the hubris cake.  Iraq was number 4 amongst the issues of voters in November.  I still think Americans want to see us destroy the insurgency and win, if we do a Korea how will we be in 50 years?

Will this propel him any higher?
Nah.  Who watches the state of the Union anymore?  I am sure if you look at the cable ratings of non news stations they may have had an uptick in ratings.  Besides, he maybe the best bet for Hillary regardless of what happened tonight.  He could have not said a word on camera and stared into the camera and still would be the top choice for a VP position for Hillary.   

How bad is it that our legal system is now dealing with a Mariah Carey vs Mary Carey battle?  Put them in a WWE ring and have Vince McMahon figure it out!!! 

I like to read the kos boys and girls to see what is going on in the radical side of the left, however I did find an interesting post regarding the Bird Flu.  Hugh Hewitt was writing and talking about it alot early on, but has recently not been as active in following it as of late.  Also this was panned as Bush fear mongering early on by the left, and then accepted as a problem.  With the recent death of an Egyptian family recently, it is important we watch its progression.  Note that Tamaflu has been in the past reportedly been able to stop the virus, however in the latest deaths it was unable to control the symptoms. 

If 2007 shows more deaths, I think we are that much closer to an epidemic that will have been panned as fear mongering by most of the left early on.  Let's pray that this is nothing but a red hearing, but be prepared for this to be a world wide disaster, which must be addressed.

I like to read the kos boys and girls to see what is going on in the radical side of the left, however I did find an interesting post regarding the Bird Flu.  Hugh Hewitt was writing and talking about it alot early on, but has recently not been as active in following it as of late.  Also this was panned as Bush fear mongering early on by the left, and then accepted as a problem.  With the recent death of an Egyptian family recently, it is important we watch its progression.  Note that Tamaflu has been in the past reportedly been able to stop the virus, however in the latest deaths it was unable to control the symptoms. 

If 2007 shows more deaths, I think we are that much closer to an epidemic that will have been panned as fear mongering by most of the left early on.  Let's pray that this is nothing but a red hearing, but be prepared for this to be a world wide disaster, which must be addressed.

Bob Taft in Ohio I hope that you have a very successful private life, as you will never see the light of day in politics again.  Your corrupt administration cost the Republicans dearly in the Northeast, as three to four states were able to pickup on your corruption.   You also went back on your word for no new taxes, which allowed a future superstar in American Politics get thrown under the bus by you.   I hope that we will not hear from you again at anytime in the near or distant future.  

Mr. Taft needs to be the poster boy in all future Republican conventions on how not to conduct yourself in office, and to make sure your friends are clean.  He embarrassed us, and ultimately cost us far more than the Iraq war ever did in the past elections.  His scandals were far more destructive than Mark Folly or Jack Abramoff, in fact those two scandals only perpetuated the belief that Republicans were no worse than Democrats.  

While I do not drink, here is an Adult Beverage to you Mr. Taft, and please let the door kick you in the rear as you leave.  

It is sad but true.  The odds of the United States being shown how to fight the war on the Islamic Extremists may very well be taught to us from Ethiopia.  We have to hit them hard continually and do not fail to stop, and then not give back the land.  Ethiopia and Somalia are both discovering the horrific truths of this war, they are not nativists to their own country.  They are groups of people from other lands, who are trying to stir up trouble.  I doubt that this will change anything here in the United States, but it should be at the top of the list for why this war is important.   

Watch the supposed prey in this video.  If there is any wonder on how to protect ourselves from the IslamoFascists this is it.  Attack and kill them before they do the same to us.   

I doubt that there is any more to say on Ethiopia's attack on the Islamists in Somalia.  However, I think there are a few things that need to be addressed:

1)  There is a very good chance that the Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia.   Enter End Times story here. 

2)  The Ethiopian belief in Christianity goes back to when Philip met the Ethiopian prince who converted to Christianity, in the Book of Acts.

3)  Another parallel to World War II can be found here, as Mussolini tried to overrun them as well in Africa.  

4)  This is another country in Africa, in which the Islamists are trying to overrun and create a place of extremism.  First Sudan, as this country is host to a number of "Lost Boys", then Somalia, and now Ethiopia.   


We must learn from this example, the extremists will go one country at a time, until we in the United States and Europe become Islamized.