UNITED NATIONS LAW OF THE SEA TREATY

The United Nations Law Of The Sea Treaty is waiting scheduling for a Senate floor vote to ratify the treaty. When first presented to President Reagan in 1982, he catigorically rejected the treaty stating that it was a threat to US soverignty. Follow this link to a site created to help defeat this treaty. The site contains detailed information about the treaty and the threat it poses as well as links explaining the dangers and articles concerning the treaty including President Reagan's view. UPDATE - 11/27 Sign a Grassroots petition calling for the Senate to defeat the Law of the Sea Treaty

Excellent National Ledger Article

LINK TO AN EXCELLENT INTERVIEW WITH ED MEESE FORMER REAGAN CABINET MEMBER FOUND AT THE WEBSITE OF SENATOR JIM DeMINT - Thanks to Mikes America

THE LIBERAL LIE CaRtOOn GaLLeRy AND YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

The Second Amendment was written BECAUSE King George denied the right to bear arms so now the lower courts in the DC case are taking Georgie's place. Here's rooting for SCOTUS !



YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - AIKEN, S.C. — A bank teller had a million reasons to deny this transaction.

Police say a man tried to open an account with a $1 million bill, which does not exist. The teller refused and called police while the man started to curse at bank workers, said Aiken County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Michael Frank.

Alexander D. Smith, 31, of Augusta, Ga., was charged with disorderly conduct and two counts of forgery, Frank said.

The second forgery charge came after investigators learned Smith bought several cartons of cigarettes from a nearby grocery store with a stolen check. They say an idiot is born every day and this guy is the King of 'em! - YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

Hapless Harry - remember Hussein's Minister for Information stating before the camera that, "the Americans were not in Baghdad, " as a US tank appeared behind him ? He and Reid must have gone to the same public relations school. Their motto, " tell it like you want , never tell it like it is! "

YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - ROYAL OAK, Mich. — A teenager worried about coming in past curfew did his best Santa Claus and headed down the chimney. Unfortunately, he didn't slide down quite as well as St. Nick.

The 17-year-old boy was trying to sneak back into his room at the Judson Center social services agency Thursday night when he got stuck. A worker at the Center heard moaning and followed the noise to the chimney, authorities said. Firefighters and police officers had to pull him out. I guess applying for the job of Santa's helper is out of the question now ! - YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

Ever notice that Democrats always see success and progress as a reason for change ?

YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - TOWN OF MENASHA, Wis. — Something unsavory is staining siding, sidewalks and patios here, and residents suspect it's something in the air.
Authorities got reports last week of many spots and clumps found along a flight path for the Outagamie County Regional Airport in nearby Greenville, said police Lt. Mike Krueger.

"It looks like somebody released the holding tank for their septic and that fluid was dropped through that section of neighborhood, and it stains," Krueger said. Resident Kate McQuillan said, "Something definitely got sprayed all over."

An airport official and an airline representative visited the scene but "denied it was one of their planes" that caused the problems, Krueger said. Kinda lends a new twist to Chicken Little's , "the sky is falling, " story! - YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

All I can say to the Hildabeast is, " if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen !"

Ken Taylor

DEMOCRAT DILEMMA ON IRAQ

Have you noticed that Democrats have been unusually quiet about Iraq lately ? The reason is simple. The success that has been well documented which has resulted in thousands of Iraqis returning home because of the decrease in violence combined with the lowest American death tolls since we entered Iraq which has placed the Democrats in a dilemma as to what to say and how to approach Iraq.

Even their staunches ally in promoting leftist propaganda, especially where Iraq is concerned, that being the New York Times, abandoned the Democrat agenda of Iraq failure and ran a full front page story detailing Iraq success.

So what are Democrats to do ? They have invested the last five years in a massive campaign lambasting the President, berating the troops, crying failure and pushing for an immediate pull out from Iraq. Now Iraq is a success and a very great success and Democrats are not only quiet but at a complete loss as to what to do.

Even their recent attempt to force a pull out by attaching a withdrawal measure to a war funding bill could not muster enough votes in a Democrat controlled Congress to pass. Yet the Dems still have to appease the anti - war left while straddling the fence post to satisfy the moderates in the party whose constituency is against their surrender agenda.

When most of the news out of Iraq was negative their agenda was easy to push because discontent over Iraq was high and even the moderates in their party sided with the surrender agenda. Now that success is real an undeniable even for a liberal rag like the Times, their silence proves they have no clue as to what to do next.

If they continue their surrender agenda to appease the far left they risk losing big in the polls during an election year. If they come out in favor of Iraq because of the success, they risk the anger of the far left and losing the base off their party and the source of the majority of their money.

So they remain quiet, secretly hoping that the death toll will rise once again and the success will slow so they can once again cry foul and scream failure thinking the American people will believe their lies and disinformation campaigns.

The trouble for Democrats is that the surge in Iraq has been so successful that it would seem the days of perceived failure are over and the Dems will not have anything on Iraq to cry and whine about to satisfy their base and twist into lies that they believe will garner votes at the polls. Their surrender agenda could very well be the Achilles Heal for the Democrats in the 2008 election.

Ken Taylor

FRED THOMPSON - IT AIN'T OVER YET

Most in the , "know, " have begun counting out Fred Thompson for the 2008 GOP Presidential nod. His numbers have dropped nationally, he is running second to Mitt Romney in South Carolina after being if first for several months and and there are continual reports about a lack of, "energy, " in his campaign.

Now lets look at a few factors that those in the, "know, " are NOT considering. First Fred stated when he first announced that he was not going to run what most consider a traditional campaign. He has been working at the grassroots level traveling the states and visiting with the people. His Internet campaign has received excellent response and he has spent far less money that any of the top tier candidates yet he still remains second when the national polls are averaged out.

He is moving up in Iowa and in South Carolina, where he had dropped to fourth. He has surged back to second behind Romney and still coming on strong. In Michigan Thompson has moved into third as well as Nevada and Florida. Each of these numbers are based on an average of all polling.

Thompson was on Fox News Sunday during the Holiday weekend and this is what he had to say in response to his standing in the polls.

"I'm running ahead of a guy who spent probably $50 million more than I have and been running for a year longer. If you look in South Carolina, I've either been leading or tied for the lead for a long, long time. I moved from fourth to third in Iowa, ahead of Rudy Giuliani, incidentally."

Fred ran a similar campaign when he ran for Senator in Tennessee. Going into election night he was down in the polls by nearly 20 points and when all the votes were counted he instead won be nearly 20 points.

Fred is not just presenting a laundry list of ideas like most of the candidates but presenting actual policy proposals dealing with immigration, taxes, social security, as well as promoting the appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court who will follow the Constitution and not legislate from the bench. This approach will continue to have a strong reception with voters.

The first primaries do not take place until January with the majority being held on February 5. Most of the pundits believe that after the fifth of February the nominee for both parties will be known because of the large amount of primaries being held so early in the year. While this may be the case there is one alternative that most have not considered.

With so many candidates running and the race in each state still fairly close, the break down of states after the primaries could very well send the choosing of a nominee to the National Convention because the states may go several directions when the actual vote is tallied. There may not be a clear nominee when all is said an done.

Counting out a candidate as many have Fred Thompson this early should make for quite a bit of eating crow by those in the , "know, " come election night as the primaries begin. Fred's grassroots campaign is having a greater impact with voters than the pundits believe and remember the polls do not an election make.

His down home approach and strong stand on important issues makes Fred not only a viable candidate but his conservative stance on these same issues gives him a distinct advantage with the base of the GOP when votes are actually cast. Rudy was Mayor of New York and did an excellent job in the aftermath of 9/11. Romney was a GOP Governor in a Democrat state. Neither candidate excites the conservative base of the GOP.

Fred on the other hand has strong conservative credentials and has a conservative stand on the issues. He is not just talking a conservative game like Rudy, Romney and McCain but proposing real conservative answers to today's pressing issues. That is what GOP voters are looking for and that is why, "it ain't over yet , " for Fred Thompson!

Ken Taylor

THE ANSWER TO HIGH GAS PRICES.....DRILL !

20.5 Million barrels each day. This is the total oil consumption for The United States. With a barrel of oil equating to 42 gallons of gas.....well you do the math and no matter how you add it up we as Americans use quite a lot of the infamous, "black gold." In fact in comparison to the second largest consumption nation , China, The United States is more than double in its consumption, though with the economic growth China is experiencing their consumption will be increasing.


Surprisingly , especially when taking into account the perception that the Middles East is the largest in oil production, The United States ranks third in that category behind the Saudis, who are number one and Russia who is number two. The US produces 8.69 million barrels each day, the Russians 9.27 and the Saudis 10.37. Yet the US imports 11. 8 million each day to meet the large demand.


With gas prices at or near record prices, how then can the US meet demand, ease the cost of fuel for the American people and not damage our oil based economy in the process ? Despite the cries of environmentalists and those who are pushing for alternative fuels to decrease our dependency on foreign oil, the only logical answer in the short and longer term to our energy problems is to drill for new oil.


While alternative sources like hydrogen are fine for the future, that technology is still years away and cannot help the current problem. Electric vehicles are still years away from being a viable source for the US driver and let's face it until they produce an SUV type vehicle that can travel several hundred miles without a charge, have the muscle to run 75 or more on the interstate and not bankrupt the buyer through the cost of the purchase, the American people as a whole are going to steer clear of electric.


Ethanol costs more per gallon to produce and purchase than oil so it too is not feasible. Adding to that the fact that the government is subsidizing the production of corn for the use of ethanol which is already beginning to effect the corn market and if this, "alternative, " fuel is pushed much more we could very well see a much greater economic impact .


Conservation is well and good and we each should do our part, but the American people prove with every passing holiday and vacation season that traveling and the use of vehicular traffic whether car or air only increases in this country and we are willing to pay whatever price is at the pumps in order to live the life style that we have chosen in our free society.


Yet the continual increase in gas and fuel prices are taking a toll on consumer pocket books. The latest estimates by retailers as we enter the all important holiday shopping season show that consumers are feeling the crunch and have indicated that shopping may be a little on the lean side this year.


So once again the only logical answer to the problem is to drill for new oil. Yet the left and the environmental whacos have controlled this issue for so long that their lobbying has begun to show results of the neglect in not only searching for oil in the US but in the dependency on foreign oil and our increasing consumption which has created the crises that we face today.


In Anwar, Alaska alone the capability to produce one million barrels each day with no environmental impact and the ability to get the oil out of the ground within one year after approval can begin easing the crises rather quickly but the left and the whacos fight logic everyday while complaining about our dependency.


Just off the coast of my home, Myrtle Beach, SC, the largest natural gas deposit in recent history and a sizable oil deposit wait to be tapped, but enviro whacos claim that it will disturb the pristine view from Grand Strand beaches and nothing has happened. This despite the fact that the deposits are more than 25 miles off the coast and if one stands at the top of the tallest hotel on the beach with a set of high powered binoculars it would STILL be next to impossible to see any well!


This is the logic of the whacos and the left about drilling to make this nation oil independent. The environmental impact that is used as a scare tactic by the left was also proven false after Katrina damaged three drilling platforms in the Gulf in 2005 and NOT ONE DROP of oil was spilled. The safety standards for wells has improved to the point that accidents are virtually non-existent. Yet the whacos cry foul and the drilling for new oil remains in limbo.


Finally the US is building one new oil refinery to help increase refining capability which has not changed since the last refinery was constructed more than thirty years ago despite a huge increase in consumption. And even this new construction met with protests from the illogical left and the whacos.


We have the capability to be completely independent of all foreign oil and reduce our gas prices by more than two dollars per gallon if someone would have the strength enough to stand up to the left and the whacos and force the issue over drilling for new oil. The left has had control of this issue long enough and the American people while environmentally conscience understand that drilling is safe and will answer the crises we face today, if Washington will get off their political duffs and move on drilling for new oil.

The whacos are in the minority but create fear in Washington because their lobby is so vocal and threaten politicians with false or highly exaggerated environmental impact reports and flash sizable sums of campaign dollars. Those of us who pay the price at the pumps are the majority and if we speak in one voice Washington will be forced to listen. We can force this issue and get America off the dependency wagon and onto a free society who control our own energy future and financial capacity through oil produced at home for home consumption!

Ken Taylor

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON

THANKSGIVING AND OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE

As I was anticipating what Thanksgiving would offer, great food, time with our families, football, Christmas decorating and reflecting on the goodness that God has bestowed, I was traveling on one of the main highways near my home. Spring like temperatures will soon usher in some much needed rain to the Southeast Coastal region bringing with it some releif from a long drout.

I began thinking about what I would write this Thanksgiving and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a 100 foot pole with what I believe is one of the most beautiful sights on earth waiving in the breeze. Old Glory was at full furl in the wind. As I took in this magnificent scene I began thinking about the marvelous heritage we as American's have that no one else on earth can claim.

A heritage that at times we take for granted which has brought us freedoms and liberties that have never been experienced before in human history except in this land we love, The United States of America. Freedoms that began as ideals then flourished into the gathering of some of the most brilliant minds the world has ever known who met in Philadelphia in 1776 and displayed the courage to commit treason against the British Crown in placing their names on a most precious document that brought their ideals into reality and gave birth to a nation.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

These are more than just words penned to paper but the birth of freedom and opportunity that began the heritage that on this Thanksgiving Day 231 years later we as Americans can look back with grateful hearts for all that God has given us throughout our short and prosperous history. This heritage though did not come free but with great sacrifice to insure that those freedoms expressed so many years ago and," endowed by our Creator," may continue for us and future generations.

I think of those bitter days at Valley Forge when the determination of George Washington held the fledgling Continental Army together to later become victorious baptizing this new nation with the precious blood of fallen hero's. Of those terrible years from 1860-1865 when this young country and her Constitution were put through the ultimate test when brother fought brother, both believing that they were fighting for the same ideals that the Founders intended and when the test was over this nation found a new birth of freedom that, "this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

I think of the Dough-Boys living in the filth of the trenches of WW I hundreds of miles from home yet still fighting for the same ideals that their brothers died for in the Revolution. Of the , "Greatest Generation, " who sacrificed and defeated fascism to ring liberties bell loud and long throughout the world as Old Glory flew proclaiming that all men can be free.

The men who landed at Inchon and climbed Pork Chop Hill in, "The Forgotten War, " Korea, but who fought for liberties flag with the same determination and sacrifice as their brothers of the past. Those who sacrificed and gave of themselves in the jungles of Vietnam standing true to liberties cause. The thousands of hero's of Desert Storm, Fallujah, and the mountains of Afghanistan who defended liberty and sacrificed for freedom.

Then I realized that this marvelous heritage that has grown through history is not just a heritage of the past but a living vibrant heritage that continues to grow and flourish each day that the Red, White and Blue flies, whether here at home, the Middle East, north or south, east or west or where ever the influence of," We the People," and the immortal words of the Declaration penned in 1776 and the Constitution penned in 1788 are expressed by our brave men and women in uniform or by travelers on business or pleasure both at home and abroad. For you see all of us are part of this historical and living heritage that is America.

As freedom rings in this land we love, General Washington still strides atop his white horse. Abraham Lincoln shares both his whit and his wisdom to us all. Orville and Wilbur Wright will always be flying at Kitty Hawk, NC. Thomas Edison is inventing the light bulb. Alexander Graham Bell still asks Watson, "can you hear me?" Both making earth changing discoveries.

David O Selznick forever directs Scarlett and Rhett. Souza waves his baton to the stiring fanfare of , "Stars and Stripes Forever." The battleship, Arizona and her brave crew still sail the seas. Lucy, Ricky, Barney, Andy and the Beaver always make us laugh. John F. Kennedy eternally proclaims, "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Neal Armstrong continues to, "take one small step for a man and one giant leap for mankind."

Ronald Reagan will always see, "the shining city on a hill, " and the World Trade Center will forever stand glistening in the sun. Today in distant lands our best and brightest are fighting to keep this heritage of freedom and liberty alive and vibrant so that future generations can forever sing, "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee I sing."

During this time set aside on the long calendar year to give thanks for all that we have and all that we are, let us not neglect to remember the bountiful blessing each of us have known as The United States of America. Giving thanks for our family, our hero's serving in distant lands and here at home. Thanksgiving for our freedoms and the living, breathing heritage that keeps us free. God bless you and yours through this holiday season and may God continue to bless The United States of America. Happy Thanksgiving.

Ken Taylor

ELECTION 08 - HISTORICALLY WHO IS MOST ELECTABLE

In less than one year this nation will have a new President Elect. For the first time since 1928 neither an incumbent President or Vice President is running in the primaries and since 1952 in the general election. So it has been at least fifty five years since an entire new crop of candidates has been seeking the office of POTUS.

For the 2008 election their are currently nine candidates seeking the Republican nomination and eight candidates seeking the Democrat nomination. Many of those will not survive the first primaries with a few most likely dropping out before the primaries begin as money dries up and the acceptance of the fact that they cannot win actually sinks in.

There are a few who will stick around no matter what despite the fact that they are either not showing up in the polls or their numbers are so low as to be almost non-existent. Political analysts and pundits continuously tout the, "qualifications, " of certain candidates while never mentioning several. They follow the money trail as a means of tracking the, "success, " of each campaign but not surprisingly, since voters decide by issues and not finances, the money is not and will not determine the winner.

There is one perspective that is not mentioned much by those who consider themselves, "in the know, " when it comes to Presidential elections and that is the historical evidence as to who the nation has voted into office since George Washington became the first President in 1789. After Washington only 42 men have held the office of President which make them one of the most exclusive group of executives in World history and especially in United States history.

In looking at the historical perspective of those that the American people voted into office there are four distinct historical qualifications that have remained true throughout our history.

FIRST - A sitting Senator is doomed. Of the 43 men who have had the high honor of serving as President of The United States only two sitting Senators have been elected to office. The first was Warren G. Harding and the last was John F. Kennedy. Thirteen Senators including Harding and Kennedy have served as President but with the exception of the two mentioned all served in another capacity before election to the Presidency.

Several were Vice President after the Senate and prior to the Presidency. Included in this number are Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, Harry Truman and Andrew Johnson. From a historical stand point unless a Senator leaves the Senate for more electionable pastures the Presidency looks beyond their reach.

Yet in the 08 mix four Democrats and one Republican are sitting Senators and running. Clinton, Biden, Dodd and Obama for the Democrats and McCain for the GOP. This is the majority of the candidates who have similar job titles running in 08 and historically this nation does not elect sitting Senators. Why ? The best explanation that I have heard and agree with is that bickering from the Senate floor and maneuvering to pass a bill does not make a leader nor qualify one for the highest office in the land and the most powerful position in the world. Senators are usually professional politicians who have either had no executive experience at all or very little and many have made the office of Senator their career.

SECOND - Governors are very electable. Seventeen Governors have been elected to the White House and of that number eleven went straight from State Chief Executive to the Presidency. Recent history also favors Governors for of the last five Presidents only Bush 41 was not a Governor and three of those four were Governors as they ran for President.

Only Reagan in recent history was eight years removed from his Governors chair in California before the Presidency and in that time he was running for President in 1976 and his election year of 1980. Several of the seventeen served as Vice President before the Presidency including Teddy Roosevelt and Martin Van Buren.

Three of the current crop of 08 , two Republicans, Romney and Huckabee and one Democrat , Richardson are or have recently been Governors. I include as the fourth in that number Giuliani because as Mayor of New York City he presided over a city government that is larger than many US states and as such offers similar executive experience.

If Giuliani is elected he will join Grover Cleveland as the only former Mayor elected to the Presidency. Cleveland served as New York City Mayor also but went from Governor of New York to the Presidency. Executive is the key word concerning the viability with the voter for Governors winning the Presidency. The nation historically views the executive experience of a Governor as a strong qualification to step into the Presidency since each has governed at the helm of a state government.

THIRD - House members fair poorly. Seventeen House members have been elected President but only two, Lincoln and Garfield served in the House as their last elected office before the Presidency with Garfield being the only sitting House member to ever be elected President.

One President, John Quincy Adams was elected to the House after his Presidency and John Tyler served in the Confederate House after serving as President of The United States. One Democrat , Kucinich and three Republicans, Hunter, Tancredo and Paul are sitting House members. All are showing poorly in the polls and considered unlikely to gain much if any standing with voters. It would seem historically that the same applies to House members as Senators, maneuvering and bickering on the House does not an executive make.

FOURTH - Vice President's do well. Fourteen Vice Presidents have been become President. With the exception of Richard Nixon each served as President immediately after their Vice Presidency. Four assumed office by Constitutional law after a Presidential assassination of which two were elected in their own right in the next election.

Four others assumed the Presidency after their predecessor died in office again two were later elected in their own right. One, Ford assumed the office after Presidential resignation and was not re-elected. As a whole though the office of Vice President of the United Sates receives a good deal of electability for President. Of the current crop that has shown serious aspirations for 2008 none are or have been Vice President.

Until the Truman Presidency the office of Vice President has been one that was more a Constitutional necessity than an active and involved member of the administration. The last fifty years has seen the emergence of a highly involved VP which has made the selection of a running mate a far more important issue than prior to Truman since the VP is now involved in policy and action taken on that policy.

Truman himself was a more or less ceremonial VP as FDR excluded him from everything including the war. Being the number two seems to give the electorate the confidence to allow the office of Vice President as strong contender for President. Once again this is the first time since 1952 that an incumbent VP or President has not been running.

Thompson and Edwards present situations that have little historical perspective since both are former Senators who have not served in another elected office since. Edwards has little experience from an executive stand point since he served one term in the Senate and prior as a trial attorney. Thompson served two Senate terms but has had some executive experience in serving on select committees as head and leading the nomination process of both Samuel Alito and John Roberts to the SCOTUS and as an assistant US attorney.

While none of the historical perspective ultimately will determine who of the 2008 candidates will survive the primaries and eventually become President, it does provide a record of the voting habits of the American people since the office of President began in 1789. Those with prior executive experience fair best while sitting Congressional candidates are, historically speaking, highly unlikely to find favor through the election process for President of The United States.

Ken Taylor

THE LIBERAL LIE CaRtOOn GaLLeRy AND YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

Planting questions, planting lies, planting massive entitlements....tell us Hillary how else does your Socialist garden grow ?









YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - For those who don't mind splurging a bit this holiday season, a Japanese department store is offering a Christmas tree with 400 diamonds for a cool 1.8 million dollars.


Takashimaya department store chain is selling the tree -- actually a small tower of preserved roses with a teddy bear -- for a symbolic 200.7 million yen from Wednesday to kick off its year-end sales campaign.


The tree, which stands 16 inches high, features about 100 carats of diamonds from southern Africa and Australia, the department store said.


The smaller diamond pieces "sparkle charmingly like morning dew on petals, while two-carat and three-carat pieces mesmerise admirers with their noble glow," the store said in a statement



Kind of puts a hole new meaning to the Burl Ives song from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, "Silver and Gold. " The 21st Century version is, "Diamonds and Dummies! " YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

"Mr. Reid...Tear Down This Wall." To paraphrase the immortal words of President Reagan!

YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - SOUTHWORTH, Wash. - A man trying to loosen a stubborn lug nut blasted the wheel with a 12-gauge shotgun, injuring himself badly in both legs, sheriff's deputies said.

The 66-year-old man had been repairing a Lincoln Continental for two weeks at his home in Kitsap County northwest of Southworth, about 10 miles southwest of Seattle, and had gotten all but one of the lug nuts off the right rear wheel by Saturday afternoon, Kitsap County Deputy Scott Wilson said.

"He's bound and determined to get that lug nut off," Wilson said. Who was the BIGGER nut the lug .....or the man. You decide! YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

Merry Christmas Usama from George and hie 300 million neighbors in the US of A. Hey at least there is SOME use for the Chicom toys!

YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - An Australian prison guard held hostage for two days was released after a ransom demand for pizzas was met. Up to 20 inmates at the Risdon Prison in Hobart, Tasmania, seized the guard in a protest over conditions in the maximum security jail.

Initially they made 24 demands to authorities, but eventually gave up their hostage after agreeing to 15 pizzas, Coke and garlic bread instead. "At midnight, the final sticking point with the inmates was that they were requiring pizzas to be delivered. Our staff member was negotiated out with the delivery of 15 pizzas," Graeme Barber, Tasmania's director of prisons, told The Advocate newspaper.

I wonder how long they negotiated over thick or thin crust. YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

Have you ever noticed that Democrats will sacrifice and throw anything to the dogs to follow their liberal agenda ?

WHATS THIS - Cynthia McKinney, former Congresswomen from Georgia best know for assaulting a Capitol Police Officer when he asked for her I.D. has moved to Marin County , California and is running for President on the Green Party Ticket.

I'll bet her campaign slogan will be, "Vote for me or I'll kick you butt, Succa! "

Ken Taylor

FRED THOMPSON VISITS MYRTLE BEACH GRAND STRAND

"Our rights come from God, not government." With statements like this Republican Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson made a stop in Myrtle Beach, my home turf, yesterday at the NASCAR Cafe in the heart of the Grand Strand.

With a crowd estimated at around 1000 squeezed into the theme restaurant which seats 500, Thompson spoke on issues ranging from the war to immigration. At each point in his more than 40 minute speech the crowd received what he had to say with great enthusiasm and several times Thompson found it necessary to pause his remarks while waiting for the applause to end.

Several of the issues that he covered are as follows:

The War - Thompson began by expressing his profound gratitude for the men and women who serve in our military , "especially those who are abroad and in harms way." He added in response to many who had thanked him for announcing his candidacy that, "running for President is easy, what they, (referring to the soldiers), do is hard and what their families and they sacrifice are what makes the difference in this country."

Thompson continued by saying that the war against Islamic Terrorism will go on long after our victories in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is global in nature and has an enemy that fights , "in ways that we have never faced before." He added that we must continue to be vigilant and strong in our pursuit of terrorism to protect our families and our country.

Illegal Immigration - Thompson hit the nail right on the head on this issue as he expressed with great conviction that it is, "unfair, " to our citizens and wrong to continue to allow illegal entry through our, " open border policy, " which allows thousands illegal entry into this country.

He stated that his policy as President will be to enforce all current laws and, "beef up, " the border both with a fence and increased border security. He added that he will have stiff penalties for any employer who knowingly hires illegal aliens and that the best way to stop the flow is to, "dry up the jobs." He also stated that he was against any form of amnesty!

He also stated that illegal immigration goes, " way beyond just illegal aliens, " but it is a national security issue. "How can we fight to protect our nation from terrorism while still allowing free access to our borders ?" He emphasised that a "small amount of fusion material in the wrong hands would cause havoc in any of our cities." The only way to prevent this is to , "secure our borders."

Taxes and limited government - Senator Thompson stated that he supports complete reform of the existing tax code and cutting taxes along with the size of government and government spending. He stated that he has not endorsed any specific plan that has been put together by, "anyone else, " because someone would come up to him and say, " you endorsed this but what about this sentence on page 132." He stated that he likes both the flat and fair tax ideas and that any tax reform would be, "his plan, " to make the tax code easier and fair to all Americans.

After the speech I had opportunity to ask this question along the lines of this particular issue. "Senator Thompson, as President will you use your VETO authority to reign in Congressional spending especially through earmarks regardless of the legislation it was tagged to ?"

He responded with a, " yes, " and stated that spending was out of control and that if we expect our country to continue economically, "we cannot keep spending like we do." He went on to state that we must cut taxes which will increase revenue but that spending should never exceed that revenue. He added that , "the only way to get this mess under control is to reduce spending, reduce government and regulation and limit the size of government in every area while still maintaining a strong defense."

Right to Life - Senator Thompson announced his endorsement from the National Right to Life Association and expressed his thanks for their support. He then added that as President he understood that to protect the sanctity of life it was necessary to nominate Judges who followed strong conservative values and the right to life as expressed by our Constitution.

The United Nations - During a brief Q & A session after the speech, the Senator was asked how he viewed the United Nations and the US involvement with the organization. His first response was a classic, "I stay mad at them about 3/4 of the time and the rest of the time I could care less." He then added that while it may be necessary for the US to continue to participate in the UN to keep us as a nation from having to do what little good work they do, that the US must no longer allow the UN to run, "ramrod over us and that we must use our status as the worlds strongest nation to reign in UN corruption and the allowance of petty dictators to run the UN.

DC Politics - Thompson said that we cannot continue with politics as usual in Washington. " Politicians seem to believe that the people are beholden to them rather than the politician being the servant of the people." He went on to say the he was , "amazed that a 20 year old in Iraq new more of responsibility to country than a 20 year politician in DC."

As President, Thompson stated that his, "accountability comes from telling the truth. Making a commitment to protecting our people which means that the buck stops here. He was not going to play politics or stand for politicians that play politics. The matters of this nation are to important for politics and especially politics as usual.

Ken Taylor

FRED THOMPSON COMING TO MYRTLE BEACH

Former Senator and 2008 GOP Presidential candidate Fred Thompson will be making a campaign appearance on my home turf in Myrtle Beach, SC today. I will be attending the appearance with questions and camera in hand to meet the GOP leader in SC polls.

On Wednesday pictures and a complete report of Thompson's visit to Myrtle Beach will be posted, so be sure to drop by tomorrow for the story.

Ken Taylor

NANCY PELOSI , "ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?"

Everyday the news from the front in the War on Terror that is called Iraq is getting better. US casualty rates are dropping each month as well as civilian casualties throughout Iraq. Eighteen Provinces have been turned over to the sole protection of the Iraqi Security Force and Al Qaeda in Iraq is on the run or no longer in existence in throughout the country.

Thousands of Iraqis who fled the country are returning home because violence is down and the country is prospering. The first Brigade of US troops will be on their way home by the end of November yet to hear Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Iraq is still a failure.

In a news conference that was held in Washington Pelosi stated that once again in this final week before the Thanksgiving break, the House would be pushing a resolution to pull out of Iraq and she actually stated that , "it is obvious that it, (referring to the surge), is not working, " and that because of this perceived failure, that it would seem only Pelosi and her liberal Democrat cronies see, the troops must come home now.

So what is her plan of action ? Once again a useless resolution will make its way through the legislative process in the House and then as before, Harry Reid will follow suite in the Senate both will pass along party lines meeting an eventual Presidential VETO, which will send it BACK to Congress for the inevitable defeat since there will not be enough support for a VETO over ride.

Why then do Pelosi, Reid and the liberal Democrats keep beating their political heads against the same resolution wall time and time again ? Each time these professional politicians know that their , "efforts, " will fall to defeat. This constant push by Democrats to , "force, " a pull out from Iraq, which will NOT happen, emphasises their obligation to the anti - war left and especially MOVEON.org.

This agenda of lies and deception concerning Iraq falls in line with the campaign that has been the center piece of MOVEON .org and Democrats will never admit, despite the evidence, that Iraq is working, The United States is winning and their agenda is failing BECAUSE of this obligation to the left.

This one issue, especially if the news from Iraq continues to shine as it has and the troops continue to come home as has been out lined, could very well be the falling Tower of Babel for Congressional Democrats in the 2008 election. This one issue and their obvious leftist agenda toward it is consuming their time and energies to the point that, combined with the endless investigations, has produced the most ineffective Congress in our nations history with the lowest approval ratings to match.

The approval ratings show that the American people see this ineffectiveness and the backlash at the polls come November of 2008 could very well see another shift in the majority or at least the number in the majority decreasing rather than the huge increases by Democrats that many analysts and pundits are predicting.

Ken Taylor

THANK A VET - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

They forged a nation by their sacrifice and blood at places like Lexington, Trenton, Camden and Yorktown. They defended the Capitol in 1812 and in that same century fought in unlikely places like Resaca de la Palmae , Rio San Gabriel Mexico, Gettysburg, Shilo, and Antietam.

They suffered in the muddy trenches of Europe in WWI and stormed the beaches of Normandy, Anzio, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa in WWII. Korea found them at Inchon and Pork Cop Hill and Vietnam sent them to Hamburger Hill, Song Be and the, " Hanoi Hilton."

They combed the seas and skies during the Cold War while in a state of readiness , watching the moves of , "the Big Red Dog." They liberated Kuwait and have fought in the Middle East once again at Fallujah, Bagdhad, and the mountains of Afghanistan.

They have served in Germany, Japan, and every nation in the free world as well as thousands of posts throughout The United States. While the Founding Fathers are the authors of our nation Veterans are the defenders and the protectors of our freedoms and liberties.

They never left home to be heroes, but in defending this nation that is what they became. Some sought excitement and just leaving home. While others left because of a sense of duty. Not one ever knowing what was in store nor whether they would return home but knowing that service to their country was something they had to do.

They said goodbye to sweethearts, wives, children, moms, dads, friends and neighbors not knowing when they would meet again but left everyone with the assurance that they were doing what they felt was right and necessary for them and the nation they loved.

Some never made it home , while others returned troubled by what they experienced or disabled because of wounds received. Many would not talk of what they had seen but all understood that the sacrifice they made was not in vain and helped to keep this nation and their loved ones free.

Each of us owe a dept of gratitude to these silent heroes that this nation and her people will never be able to repay. For it is through their sacrifice and commitment that we live and breath in the free air of liberty. With their lives these brave men and women have paid for our liberties by their blood, their sweat and the determination to fight for a country that they love and in principles they not only believed in but were willing to lay down their life to defend.

It is because of their sacrifice that we remain free. It is because of their willingness to serve that we are strong and a nation of greatness. It is because of their dedication to the cause of liberty that we bask in the light of that Statue in the Harbor that calls to the world, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

Each morning we wake in this nation of the free we owe thanks to a Vet! As we live and perform our daily tasks we owe a Vet ! When our children leave on the bus in the morning or we drop them off at school we owe their freedom to receive an education to a Vet! When we wake on Sunday mornings and leave for our place of worship we owe that freedom to a Vet !

When we play at Yosemite or in the waves that hit our shores we owe that liberty to a Vet ! When we turn on the tube and root for our favorite NFL or MLB team or join the fans in the stadiums we owe that enjoyment to a Vet ! When we cash that paycheck or make an investment for the future of our family we owe that financial freedom to a Vet !

When we stand in tribute to the flag that waves in the breeze we owe the very fact that that flag still waves to a Vet ! Our Veterans have served, sacrificed and yes many have died to insure that this nation will always be and that each of us who call America home can live free and never worry that those freedoms will be threatened by a foreign power, or military force without their intervention and protection.

While they never sought to be heroes each of them throughout our history have become heroes as they served this nation and her people throughout the world and here at home. From the beginning our Veterans have told us, " while I serve you will never need worry because I am on watch !" We owe each of them so much more than we can ever give.

They are among us wherever we go in this land and at every opportunity we should tell them how much we appreciate all that they have given for our nation and our people. Then watch the glimmer in the eye shine with pride just because we said, "thank you !" They never ask for that thanks but when it is given it causes a swell of pride for a job well done and a service that has kept us free.

Today and everyday where ever they may be and whenever we meet them be sure to thank a Vet because we owe them for our freedom, our liberty and the very existence of our nation!

Ken Taylor

RNC OUT RAISING DNC

For the pundits and the media who are making such a big deal concerning the amount of money that is being raised by Hillary and Obama in comparison to the GOP top candidates, Giuliani, Thompson and Romney, let's take a look at support for the respective parties.

The DNC currently has raised $40, 515, 398 and spent $40, 971, 526 with only $3, 254, 172 left in the coffers. The RNC on the other hand has raised, $63, 059, 613 and spent, $49, 624, 201 with $16, 534, 630 left in the coffers.

As a life long Republican, I know from experience that GOP members wait until after the primaries to start sending funds to the candidate and nominee in large numbers. Also the fact that the RNC has out raised the DNC by, $23, 000, 000 dollars with more than $13, 000, 000 more still on hand says quite a lot about which party is truly receiving the people's support.

Ken Taylor

THE LIBERAL LIE CaRtOOn GaLLeRy AND YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

The many faces of The Hildabeast. No matter how many faces she shows or how many flip - flops she does the conclusion remains the same.........Hillary 08 ? NO WAY!!!!!!



YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - 35-year-old Brian Poulin of Hebron was arrested Sunday after police said he called 911 several times and asked them to bring him beer. Poulin was charged with disorderly conduct.

Police said he called 911 numerous times and told the dispatcher he was out of beer and asked them to pick up more for him.Poulin was transported to Windham Community Memorial Hospital after officers arrested him at his home.

Police did not say what he was treated for, but I have a few suggestions, mental disorders, alcoholism and just plain old stupidity! - YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

While Congress is fussing over , "waterboarding, " one wonders just how much intelligence is slipping away. Maybe Intel gatherers can use Ted Kennedy and let him take detainees for a drive...now THAT would be torture!

YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - A man was arrested for drug possession after telling authorities that two masked gunmen had stolen 150 pounds of marijuana from his home.

Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies arrived at the home near Penitas in South Texas to find the door kicked in and nearly 15 pounds of pot lying on the floor, Sheriff Lupe Trevino said. Jose Guadalupe Flores, 35, escaped while the men ransacked the house but returned later and told the deputies he had been wrapping the drugs for shipment when the intruders arrived.

"The guy walked right up and said the drugs were his," Trevino said. "That's not the smartest move." Flores, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was charged with felony possession of marijuana. You notice he wasn't charged with BEING AN ILLEGAL ALIEN ?????? - YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

Buried on page A - 19 the New york Times has a story about Iraq success. Strange how Iraq has been OUT of the news now that things are going good. OOORAH General Patreaus and our tremendous men and women in uniform.

YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up - Bobby Lee Bolen, who lives in the southwestern Michigan community of Buchanan, was sentenced Monday to 54 days in jail with credit for 54 days served and one year of probation as well as restitution for third-offense home invasion.

According to police reports, Bolen broke into Jody Lee's home in Buchanan Aug. 20, got into an argument and threw two large pickles at friends Lee and J.W. Romanski III. Two counts involving Bolen's assaults were dismissed as was a charge of cutting or interfering with phone lines.

"If this is not the silliest case I've ever seen in this courtroom, it certainly is in the top 10," according to Berrien Trial Court Judge Scott Schofield. Wonder if they were dill or sweet pickles.....after all that does make a difference! - YoU CaN't MaKe tHiS StUff Up

OINK, OINK, OINK, OINK, OINK, Democrats pledged they would clean up pork spending. So what did they do ? Eliminated pork from being debated on the House and Senate floor and now only add it in secret conference sessions thus preventing ANYONE but conference members from knowing what is actually in the bill. "Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy, Harry, Nancy, Teddy, Johnny."

Ken Taylor

ELECTION 08 - FOLLOW THE MONEY AND THE MONEY IS NOT WINNING

NOTE - This Article Has Been Picked Up At The CNN Website Scan to the bottom of the page and click on, "From The Blogs."

There are many in politics and the media who believe, "he who has the money, wins the election." This idea is key to the fixation that many political pundits and media types have on following the spending and fund raising of especially Presidential candidates. Granted in today's high dollar campaigns it does take a considerable amount of money to mount a campaign. But the idea that the most money wins elections equates to the idea that elections can be bought.

Yet despite this idea if the money is followed for the 2008 election, the money is not winning. In both the Republican and Democrat races for the White House the money leaders are not the leaders in the polls. On the GOP side Mitt Romney is the clear money leader. Though he has not received the largest amount of money through fund raising, he has infused his campaign with millions from his personal fortune placing his war chest well above his GOP rivals.

On the Democrat side of the 08 coin, though coming in second by a small percentage in fund raising last quarter, Barak Obama has lead all other Democrat candidates in the total amount of money raised for his campaign. In both instances both Romney and Obama despite their massive amount of spending have not turned the dollars into a lead in the polls.

Romney is leading in New Hampshire but that is not a surprise since it was expected from a Northeastern former Republican Governor. In South Carolina Romney has purchased and is running a massive media blitz campaign that consists of television, radio and print yet he is in a virtual three way tie with Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani who have spent far less than Romney.

Add to that the fact that McCain is still hanging on even though his fund raising has been dismal at best and the clear picture here is that dollars still do not win elections. Additionally Ron Paul announced an unexpected 5 million dollars last quarter and in a Internet blitz on Monday November fifth in honor of Guy Fawkes day, (the Brit who tried to blow up Parliament and kill King James I in 1605), Paul who is spending large amounts in South Carolina and Florida is barley showing in the polls and then at about 1%.

In Florida, Romney is a a distant third as well as in California. He has a slight lead in Michigan and has a strong lead in Iowa where he has made more visits than any other GOP candidate. Nationally Romney is running a distant fourth behind Giuliani, Thompson and McCain. All of these figures are based on an average of all of the major polls as of November 4, 2007.

On the Democrat side of the coin Obama is double digits behind Hillary despite out raising her consistently since the beginning of the campaign. He does not hold a lead in any of the early primary states and in fact his numbers in each are similar to the national numbers which have him 23 points behind Hillary. Again this based on an average of all of the major polls.

The upside to all of this is that even in today's high dollar campaigns voters are not swayed by the amount of money a candidate raises or by the huge visibility that money brings as far as air time through political commercials. Voters still decide who they will vote for by what that candidate is saying and the issues. Voters base their backing of any candidate on how that candidate stands on issues that are important that voters family, daily living and on how the voter believes that the country should be.

Money helps but issues still decide elections and the candidate who has the best grasp of the issues with the answers that satisfy the mind of the American voter will be the candidate who emerges victorious through the primaries to receive either parties nomination. Once decided then whichever candidate convinces the American people that they can be the best leader in taking this nation the direction that most Americans wish the country to go will be the next President of The United States, regardless of the money!

Ken Taylor

SOUTH CAROLINA GOP PRIMARY PIVOTAL FOR NOMINATION

January 19, 2008 could be the first real clue concerning the GOP nominee for the 2008 Presidential race. South Carolina is holding the GOP primary on Saturday January 19th and if history is a benchmark for the GOP nomination no Republican has won the GOP nomination since 1980 without winning the South Carolina primary.

The top tier candidates are currently in a virtual dead heat with South Carolina voters. In recent polling Fred Thompson leads Rudy Giuliani by only 2% with Rudy only 2% in front of Mitt Romney and John McCain trailing Romney by about 4%. So with numbers like that the South Carolina primary is a toss up in the top tier.

Additionally Mike Huckabee and Duncan Hunter poll fair in the Palmetto State and a low voter turn out could work to their advantage but most state pundits see their chances in taking the state highly unlikely. Which then leaves South Carolina voters with the four in the top tier.

Living in South Carolina I have seen first hand through local news reports and newspapers of one of the top tier candidates visiting the state almost daily. This added to constant television and radio adds equates to a large push by candidates to win this key state in the primary process.

While South Carolina does not offer the winner a large number of delegates at the convention, (a number that has been cut in half because of the State moving the primary up to the 19th of January from the 29th to counter the move by Florida), South Carolina does give the winner a boost for the remaining primaries because of the massive news coverage that winning this state would provide due to the early standing in the primary season.

One thing that will effect the vote this year is the day that the primary falls on. In moving from the 29th which was a Tuesday the traditional voting day, South Carolina GOP leaders have chosen a Saturday which is usually a day the brings an extremely low voter turn out. Still despite this candidates are flooding the Palmetto state and that flood will increase as we approach January.

January 10th has also become an important day for the primary season and South Carolina as the last GOP debate before the primaries will be held on my home turf of Myrtle Beach by Fox News. This particular GOP debate will also receive a great deal more viewing since it is the last before the primaries begin.

Candidates have been centering their appearances here based on the strong conservative voter base which has equated to campaign stops that have covered the war, illegal immigration and strong fiscal policies that include tax reform, tax cuts and fiscal responsibility. The Fair Tax movement has been following the GOP candidates which has also sparked discussion about The Fair Tax as a viable tax reform with the GOP.

February 5, 2008 may be the Super Tuesday of the primary season but January 29th, may very well give voters the key indicator of the next Republican Presidential nominee for 2008. Over the next several weeks of 2007 and the first two weeks of 2008 those who watch politics regularly would do well to keep a close eye on what is taking place with the GOP in South Carolina.

Ken Taylor

IS A WOMAN PRESIDENT UNCONSTITUTIONAL ? - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

I am by no means a Constitutional scholar. But as a citizen of The United States I do believe it is our personal responsibility to know and understand the Constitution because it is the foundation of our country and the definer of our laws, rights and government. This post is intended to spark thoughts and comments based upon the readers view of the Constitution. It by no means is a interpretation of our Constitution but a thought for discussion only. To women readers, this is not a sexist thought but only a view for discussions sake.

For the first time in our history we are facing the possibility of a women becoming President of The United States. From a personal stand point the gender of the candidate for President is not something that troubles me. In fact if a women or a man stand for the values and have the same political ideology as I, it is upon that bases alone that I would consider them as worthy of my vote and not their gender.

I disagree with everything that the current female candidate for President believes, that is when she actually takes a stand and does no waffle according to the political winds, which is not very often. The question that I raise about the Constitutionality of a women becoming President is not based on my dislike of Senator Clinton but only in looking at the Constitution as an originalist who believes that the Constitution is THE foundational principle of our nation and as such does not bend or give to sociatal whims or liberal interpretation and can ONLY be adapted to the same through the ponderous process of amendments.

The Constitution as written, which is also how as an originalist I believe it should be interpreted, is gender neutral. Meaning that throughout this tremendous founding document when reference is made to people it is without reference to the gender, with one very distinctive exception. Article II which defines the Executive Branch or the office of the President is NOT gender neutral but in every instance throughout the definition of the responsibilities and powers of the President, the Constitution refers to the President as HE, HIM or HIS.

In the first Article which deals with the Legislative Branch all referals are either as Representative, Senator or the pronouns they and them. Never once is gender stated. Article III, the Judicial Branch is similar except that the title Judge is used along with the same pronouns.

In every definition of the office of President, the holder of that office is refered to as a HE. For example Section 1. " The Executive Power shall be vested in a President of The United States of America. HE shall hold HIS office during a term of four years....."

Concerning the oath of Office - " Before HE enter on the Execution of HIS office HE shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: - I do solemnly swear...."

These are but two of numerous examples from Article two where the President is referred to as HE or HIS. Now one may argue at this point that referring to the President as HE was a custom of the time since in the eighteenth century men were much more dominant than women who were not allowed to hold public office or responsibility. While this is true, if custom were the reason for the President referred to as HE then why were Judges, Representatives and Senators not written into the Constitution in like manner ?

Additionally if this were based on custom then why was it necessary to amend the Constitution to allow women to vote ? After all the same custom and domination of men is the reason women could not vote. I argue here that if the reference of HE was just a custom that the need to amend the Constitution for women to vote would not have been necessary since the change in society to allow better equality for women would have made voting possible as time and society allowed.

Therefore since an amendment was necessary to allow women to vote customs of the eighteenth century are NOT the criteria for referring to the President by the male gender. One may also argue that the XX Amendment which deals with the term and the inaugural of the President and the succession of Vice President refers to the office holder as , "person." But this argument is weak since the XX Amendment is not defining the power and responsibilities of the President only the succession of office were the President die while in office.

Could it then be that the Framers of the Constitution intended for the holder of the office of President of The United States to only be a man unless otherwise amended by a vote of the Senate and the States to change the Constitution in accordance to Constitutional law ?

While I am not in the remotest sense conceding the election to Senator Clinton, it does stand to reason that if she were elected there would be a very strong case in claiming that her election was not Constitutional based on an origionalist interpretation of the Constitution and understanding how Article II differs in reference and writing in reference to the male gender from any other Article, Amendment or definition found in the Constitution.

Ken Taylor

PAUL TIBBETS, ENOLA GAY COMMANDER DEAD AT 92

Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, the commander of the Enola Gay B29 that dropped the first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan passed away in his Columbus, Ohio home this morning at the age of 92.

Best know for his Command of the famous bomber that carried the first Atomic bomb, Tibbets was a dedicated officer whose detail and organization as a commanding officer in the Army Air Corps , promoted him to command of the ultra secret 509th Composite Group that was given the duty of training and delivering the bomb.

Tibbets was an experience bomber commander having flown B 17 Flying Fortresses in the European theatre during WWII as commander of the 340th Bomb Squadron and the 97th Heavy Bomb Group.

In September of 1944 Tibbets was transferred to Wendover Army Air Field in Utah where he took command of the 509th working with the Manhattan Projects, Project Alberta which trained the 509th to prepare for the eventual dropping of , "Little Boy, " the Hiroshima bomb and, "Fat Man, " which was dropped on Nagasaki.

Tibbits devotion to duty and detail prepared the 509th for the unknown since no one, even the scientists who developed the bomb were completely sure of how the device would respond during flight and the impact it would have both on the ground and in the air from the shock waves created by the explosion.

After the war Tibbets accomplishments included, technical advisor for nuclear weapons testing at the Bikini Atoll, overseeing the purchase of B - 47 six engine bombers for the Air Force and setting up the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. Tibbets retired from the Air Force in 1966 and for four years flew Lear Jets until he joined Executive Jet Aviation in Columbus, Ohio, in 1970, becoming chairman in 1982.

Brigadier General Paul Tibbets February 23, 1915 - November 1, 2007


Ken Taylor