Paranoia. What me worry? – updated

Is it really paranoia if they truly are out to get you?  Or something else?

This ad from AARP touches the boundry.  Government conspiracy, martial law, the whole bit.  I’m beginning to feel like we’ve moved into the Twilight Zone.

Just see for yourself.

We report – you decide.

Update: Ann Barnhardt is batting .700

Breaking: US Ship Seized by Iranian Warships-updated

Al-Arabia reported that the Iranian Navy has confiscated the American trade vessel with all its 34 crew.

Other reports said the vessel has been seized for trespassing on Iran’s territorial waters in the Persian Gulf.

An Iranian warship is now taking the American vessel to Iran’s Southern port city of Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf.

Iranian officials have not confirmed the development yet, but Reuters said Pentagon officials have confirmed the report.

source

UPDATE: The ship is the MAERSK TIGRIS, Container Ship flagged in the Marshall Islands. Freeper tcrlaf is providing updates here
Also reported by Drudge,
Also reporting on Fox News.
Also at BBC
And, at American Military News

Speaking with former navy personnel, the Blog has learned that US flagged ships that would be operating over there (since Panamanian and Bahamian registry is so much easier) would be a civilian US Navy supply ship.

USNS ships, manned by civilian crews, would supply the CVN-70 with fuel and cargo when at sea. A US Navy civilian ship in custody would be huge news, and an opportunity for Obama to bow and scrape. He is no doubt, very busy practicing right now.

Update: Pentagon spokesman said the vessel involved was flagged to the Marshall Islands and that no Americans were on board.

Cat Owners Survival Guide

The Cat Owners Guide to Caring for your Rugs and Carpets by The Rug Seller

“Dead Man Walking” An Enlightened Perspective

Since the 23 Apr scheduled Texas execution for Richard Vasquez was stayed, I thought instead I would post a fascinating article by John Nantz at Townhall.

To preface the article, I have found it fascinating and troubling over the past decade to encounter the various arguments opposed to the death penalty. I concluded many years ago that whether they were people with uninformed good intentions or intentionally determined to destroy society, the result is still the same.

The anti-DP arguers often make reference to Christianity and that we should be forgiving, or mock those of us who are Christian and fully support execution. Many won’t refer to the Old Testament and instead focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, while ignoring or never realizing Christ himself stated clearly that he did not abrogate God’s laws that came before him.

That said, there are some fascinating Biblical references in the Nantz article, which can be found HERE.

For me, this quote by a man that has had to deal with his sister’s murder is worthy of recognition:

“But I believe the gift of life and freedom he took from my sister precludes him from ever being allowed to enjoy that gift for himself,”

Wisconsin Burning

If you follow current events, the John Doe investigations in Wisconsin may ring a familiar note, and likely it is something that you are familiar with by name and vague generalities only.  I was aware that that Governor Scott Walker had been investigated for campaign illegalities and had been exonerated, and that the investigation was given the name “John Doe” because the names of possible co-conspirators were unknown.

But, reading David French’s excellent reporting at National Review left me completely stunned.  And now, I am left with a feeling of anger and disillusion, as well as an uncomfortable sense of familiarity with times and events long ago.  French describes this activity by the Democrat Party as “lawfare.”

a process whereby rogue regimes or organizations abuse legal doctrines and processes to accomplish through sheer harassment and attrition what can’t be accomplished through legitimate diplomatic means.

It is hardly a new concept.  The very same Democrat Party used these tactics over 50 years ago in my home state of Mississippi.  The primary enforcers of Party doctrine in those days was the Ku Klux Klan.  The victims were Black Americans who wanted nothing more than to exercise their First Amendment rights, and to participate in the political process and vote.  In turn, they were subjected to harassment, intimidation, and much, much worse.  It didn’t end with a kumbaya moment of clarity on the part of the Democrats-In-Charge.  No, it ended with the exposure of the criminal activity, arousal of public opinion, and by the direct intervention of the FBI.

In Wisconsin, the victims were Tea Party conservatives who wanted nothing more than to exercise their first Amendment rights, and to participate in the political process.  In turn, they were harassed, intimidated, and threatened with jail if they even spoke about the investigation.  Personal property was illegally seized.  Raids on conservative families were conducted by local Police in the dead of night.  The enforcer of Party doctrine was the Wisconsin Judiciary, who rubber-stamped every subpoena and warrant requested by a Democrat District Attorney in this modern day witch hunt.

Until this moment, there has been no exposure of the criminal partisan activity in Wisconsin.  There has been no opportunity to arouse public opinion.  The secrecy surrounding the John Doe Investigations has been all-encompassing, allowing for only the barest of details to emerge – selectively leaked by the DA.  Appeals are currently pending in both the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the US Supreme Court.  The Department of Justice is absent, complicit by its silence.  No intervention by the FBI is forthcoming.

Now, we are awake.  And we are watching.

Also at hot air, Instapundit, Watchdog

Line of the Minutemen

April 19, 1775.
Stand your ground.

Don’t fire unless fired upon.

But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.     Captain Parker

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Execution Watch: Manuel Fernando Garza, Jr. (TX)*Updated*

 

 

 

 

 

 
*UPDATES*
Last Meal: For his last meal, Garza had a grilled pork chop, sweet potatoes, green beans, black beans, cornbread, and peach cake, with a choice of water, tea, or punch to drink.(per Last Suppers Book)
Last Words: Garza said he was sorry for causing pain to his family, friends and “especially police officers.”
“Y’all probably hate me,” he said, looking at three friends of his victim, dressed in their navy blue San Antonio police uniforms. He wished them “peace and love and hope y’all find God like I have and I’ll see you on the other side.”

*Thug: Manuel Garza, Jr(20 at time of offense)
*Date of Execution: April 15, 2015
*Date of Crime: February 2, 2001
*Victim: John “Rocky” Riojas, 37 (San Antonio police officer)
*Last Meal and Last Words TBA

Some time after 6p.m. CDT this cop killer will cease to exist. Unfortunately for the family of Officer Riojas they have received a life sentence of sorrow due to the murder. It has been fourteen years since Officer Riojas was murdered, his daughter was two years old and his son eight weeks at the time. Mrs. Riojas has not married again.

HERE is a nice piece on Officer Riojas and the effect it has had on so many.

HERE is the Texas Attorney General’s media advisory for Garza’s execution. Make note of the lengthy criminal history for such a young man, the future looked bleak for the citizens of Texas had this cretin not been stopped.

At this time there are no known last minute appeals, the procedural process seems to have reached its conclusion and Garza will become the sixth murderer to be executed in Texas this year.

My sincerest best wishes for the Riojas family and the SAPD. May this service of justice assuage some of the agony they have endured for the past fourteen years.

Execution Watch: Kent Sprouse (TX)*Updated*

 

 

 

 

 

*UPDATES*
*Last Meal: Since death row inmates there are no longer allowed to order special last meals, Sprouse was given the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Sprouse had beef noodle casserole, peas & carrots, black beans, and cornbread, with a choice of punch, tea, or water to drink.(per Last Suppers Book)
*Last Words: He apologized to the families of slain Ferris police officer Marty Steinfieldt and Pedro Moreno, an innocent bystander who was also killed in the 2002 shooting spree, “for all the trouble I have caused them.” He also apologized to his own family.

“I guess that’s it,” he said. (per WFAA)

*Thug: Kent William Sprouse
*Date of Execution: 9 Apr 2015
*Date of Crimes: 6 Oct 2002
*Victims: Police Officer Harry Marvin “Marty” Steinfeldt III, 28 / Pedro Moreno, 38
*Last Words and Last Meal TBA.

Sometime after 6p.m.Central, this murderer will be given final justice. It hasn’t taken as long as too many others on death row to reach this point. All his appeals to the various courts have been denied and with the Supreme Court refusing to even hear his plea it seems certain Sprouse will soon be no more.

His conviction and sentence can be summed up in this statement he made shortly after he murdered Officer Steinfeldt:

Court records indicate that Sprouse told an officer who accompanied him to a hospital that he believed Moreno was an undercover officer, so he shot him.

“And I shot the other officer that was in uniform,” Sprouse said, according to the records.(Source)

There was some gum-flapping that he was insane after using methamphetamine, but he took responsibility for his actions to follow before he used illicit drugs and clearly understood what he had done afterward.

HERE is another article that addresses his use of meth.

As for the pentobarbital supply, the TDCJ received a fresh batch on 25 Mar 15 and should be an adequate supply for the next three executions set for this month.

My sincerest best wishes for the family of Officer Steinfeldt and his fellow officers.

April 1 Open thread

Just the facts, Ma’am.