Someone You Should Know: The men and women of the USS Kearsarge and Operation Continuing Promise

Bruce McQuain took a special trip last week and it inspired him to tell us the story of the men and women who make Operation Continuing Promise possible.

It is an operation that will continue in various forms in the future. It is a tremendous and praiseworthy effort that I think needs to be given the visibility it richly deserves.

But there is an irony here you can’t escape. And it has to do with a warship on a humanitarian mission. On the surface, it doesn’t seem to be a fit. But when you dig into it a little you realize that the Kearsarge is a perfect instrument for this sort of work, but not for the reason you might think.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she has the hospital facilities necessary to treat children and change their lives forever.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she has the equipment such as Landing Craft and heavy lift helicopters, to move construction materials and equipment to build instead of destroy.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she provides a platform for humanitarian non-governmental organizations to reach areas in need that they never previously were able to reach.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she is superbly capable of providing the humanitarian care so many in the developing world so badly need and perhaps, by doing so, she may not have to carry those Marines to war as often as they might otherwise have to go.

That is the hope of Operation Continuing Promise, and that is why it is both an important and worthwhile mission.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show.

There is more information on Bruce’s trip here . Danny Glover of Eyeblast.tv was rolling,

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

“Gay Marriage” Not Legal in Massachussetts or California-My Open Letter to the LA Times

Here is my letter to the editor submitted yesterday in response to their front page innacurate and misleading headline on the front page yesterday, “Massachusetts lives happily with same-sex marriage law.”

Your above the fold headline in today’s LA Times, “Massachusetts lives happily with same-sex marriage law,” by Elizabeth Mehren is totally inaccurate and misleading, and it is vital that you clarify this error for your readers.

The truth is that “same sex marriage” is not legal in Massachusetts which is why only about a month ago legislation was introduced to amend the current Massachusetts marriage statute (chapter 207) to legalize “same sex marriage.” (H1710 and S918) which were both defeated. This alone disproves your inaccurate headline!

Under the Massachusetts’ Constitution, the oldest functioning constitution in the world authored by John Adams, which served as the model for our Federal Constitution:

“[T]he people of this commonwealth are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional representative body have given their consent.” (PART THE FIRST, Article X.)

And “the people” via their elected representatives never “consented” to “same sex marriage.” The current marriage statute was never amended or suspended and to this day doesn’t include a provision for “same sex marriages.”
Many, including former Governor Romney, have claimed that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, “legalized same sex marriage” in issuing their Goodridge opinion in 2003, and that he was “ordered to enforce the law.” Both assertions are totally false.
Even the Goodridge Court admitted that their opinion in no way “legalized” same sex “marriage”:
“Here, no one argues that striking down the marriage laws is an appropriate form of relief.”
In fact, they admitted that under the statute, Chapter 207 of the Massachusetts General Laws, homosexual marriage is illegal:
“We conclude, as did the judge, that M.G.L. c. 207 may not be construed to permit same-sex couples to marry.”
The truth is that the Goodridge declaratory opinion should have been declared null and void since the court lacked the subject matter jurisdiction under Article V to even hear the case:

“All causes of marriage…shall be heard and determined by the governor and council, until the legislature shall, by law, make other provision.” (PART THE SECOND, Ch. III, Article V.)

Although many “conservative” lawyers and pundits have claimed that the “activist MSJC Court” legalized “same sex marriage,” it was the acting governor Mitt Romney, a “conservative” Republican who illegally ordered the Department of Public Health to change the marriage certificates from “husband” and “wife” to “partner A” and “partner B” and ordered Justices of the Peace and Town Clerks to solemnize and perform same sex marriage ceremonies or resign (which one did). Romney did this without an accompanying legal statute and in doing so violated his sworn oath to uphold and enforce the Constitution and the laws and statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

That being said, while it was Romney, not the court, who was solely responsible for installing “same sex marriage,” the certificates that Romney issued (over 150 of them he personally issued) are not worth the paper they are written on because they lack an accompanying enabling statute that recognizes “same sex marriage” and are therefore, according to the Massachusetts Constitution, null and void.

The truth is that according to the highest law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Constitution, “same sex marriage” is not “legal.”

Nor is “same sex marriage” “legal” in California. The citizens in California approved a voter initiative to define marriage as between one man and one woman in 2000. The judiciary lacks the requisite constitutional authority to overturn any statute passed by the voters. Only the voters themselves can reverse a statute they themselves voted in. While the court is free to interpret the constitution of California and issue opinions, they are not authorized to “strike down” any specific statutes. It is vital that you acknowledge that “same sex marriage” is not legal in California either or prove that it is. Neither the people nor their elected representatives voted to amend or suspend the current marriage statute that doesn’t allow for “same sex marriage.” Until they do, it remains illegal.

You have an solemn obligation to acknowledge these facts and run a retraction for your readers. Anything less is journalistic and legal malpractice.

Looking forward to seeing if you choose to run this letter.

Sincerely,

Gregg Jackson
Los Angeles, CA
Author of “Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies” and co-host of “Pundit Review Radio” on WRKO in Boston

For more information on how “same sex marriage” is not “legal” in Massachusetts go here: http://www.undergroundjournal.net/igroops/theunderground/adminpages/Letter-To-Romney-JAN-07

And here: http://www.robertpaine.blogspot.com/

A new low in cell phone etiquette

There have been many, many stories about inappropriate cell phone usage. They range from the inconsiderate to the tacky to the down right rude. I’m not sure what category this falls in.

Imagine the scene, a wake for a young mother who lost a courageous battle with cancer. Open casket, with her husband and young son standing to the right, while the receiving line formed to the left. I was five people from the casket, getting ready to pay my respects and trying to think of something meaningful to say the young boy who lost his mother.

Next thing I know, the women in front of me reaches into her pocket and puts her cell phone up to her ear. She had the phone on vibrate, but answered it anyway! This was not some nitwit teenage girl. This was a 60-year old woman. She whispered into the phone for what seemed like 5 minutes, but was probably closer to 20 seconds. I was astonished. I muttered to her, “Put that phone down” but I’m not sure if she heard me. When she hung up, she turned to look at me, and I gave her the nastiest sneer I possibly could and turned my back to her. I would have LOVED to have said a whole lot more, BUT I WAS FIVE FEET FROM THE OPEN CASKET!

I have never in my life seen such a rude, selfish, dishonorable act by an adult. It was truly despicable. I would not believe a story like this if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

Pay it forward

This commercial from Liberty Mutual has a simple message, pay it forward. Do the little things, like hold a door open, or say thank you, etc and you will be rewarded. I’d like to believe that is true. I love the message of this ad.

What’s the point? I have a pay it forward story that I’d like to share.

The other day I went to the mall to Best Buy. As I was walking in, I checked an email on my Blackberry and then entered the store. I shopped around a bit and left and drove home. When I got home I reached to take the case off my belt and my Blackberry was not in there. My heart sank. Oh no, where is my Blackberry? Like many others, I have an unhealthy relationship with my Blackberry. I use it extensively for work, and also use it as my phone. It contains several hundred personal and business contacts. I was in a panic.

I drove back to Best Buy, scoured the store, and asked if it was turned in, nothing. I went to the parking lot to re-trace my steps, nothing. At this point, the realization was setting in; I lost it and I have just created a major headache for myself. It was an awful feeling.

Depressed, I stopped to buy dinner. When I was leaving the restaurant, I noticed a check for $100 written to the local police department for their drug awareness program. I saw the check had a name and address, so I put it in my pocket and drove home to look this person up in the phone book and let them know.

When I pulled into the driveway, my wife was on the top step. She says, “You’re not going to believe this”. A young mother and her son were walking into Best Buy and the boy found my Blackberry. When they got home, they called my house to let me know. By that time, I had already left to return to Best Buy to look for it.

The young mother, her father and son drove the Blackberry to my house. I offered her a cash reward and she would not accept it. She said simply, “I know how panicked I’d be if I lost my cell phone.”

I was so relieved, and so grateful. I went inside and called the man whose check I had found in the parking lot. He was an older gentleman and he too was very very appreciative.

Pay it forward people, pay it forward.

A Stern Warning to the “Conservative Elites” about Mitt Romney

I helped author and was a signatory to the following letter entitled, “A Stern Warning to the ‘Conservative Elites ‘about Mitt Romney” that is a World Net Daily Exclusive today:

ELECTION 2008
Family leaders call Romney ‘disaster’
Letter criticizes ‘deceptive rhetoric’ around candidate

——————————————————————————–
Posted: January 3, 2008
© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com

Mitt Romney

A coalition of leaders on family issues has released a letter warning about what they describe as the deception being assembled around former Massachusetts governor and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

“Most of us are not allied with any presidential candidate,” the letter says. “But we are troubled by the unethical and Orwellian cover-up of Mitt Romney’s role in catastrophic events in Massachusetts, once the cradle of American liberty.

“Actions he took as governor were beyond the pale,” the letter continued.

Signers include William Greene of RightMarch.com, Ted Baehr of the Christian Film and Television Commission, Linda Harvey of Mission America, Gary Glenn of American Family Association of Michigan, Michael Heath of Christian Civic League of Maine, Ray Neary of Pro-Life Massachusetts and others.

The letter cites seven issues seen as problematic in the Romney campaign, including a “phony pro-life ‘conversion.’”

“Mitt Romney established abortion as a ‘healthcare benefit’ in his own government-run healthcare plan at $50 per abortion – after his supposed ‘pro-life conversion,’” the letter said. “He created a permanent, official government role for an unelected Planned Parenthood representative on the health care board.”

Second, according to the letter, “Romney told Catholic Charities’ adoption and foster agency they had to give children to homosexuals even when normal mother-father families were lined up to give them a home,” the letter said.

rest of World Net Daily Article here

And here is the actual letter:

A Stern Warning to the “Conservative Elites” about Mitt Romney

By silence about Romney’s illegal actions and toxic legacy, the elites are assisting a political cancer that has profound consequences for our children and grandchildren

We write the following because we must oppose the deception of the American people by powerful and influential conservatives. Many in the conservative grassroots no longer trust the “conservative” media, lawyers and leaders, whom they see as serving the GOP establishment regardless of the will of the conservative base, regardless of the truth.

Most of us are not allied with any presidential candidate. But we are troubled by the unethical and Orwellian cover-up of Mitt Romney’s role in catastrophic events in Massachusetts, once the cradle of American liberty. Actions he took as governor were beyond the pale. As Romney twice explained to the homosexual “Log Cabin” Republicans, it would take a Republican to enact their agenda ( www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2006/12/romneys_thought.html ). Attorneys, journalists and pundits must be fearless and selfless watchdogs of politicians and guardians of democracy. This is a sacred trust that is being defiled. Silence about ugly truths, such as the points enumerated below, is a betrayal of the lofty status we claim in a constitutional republic. Pay the price of courage. Tell America the truth.

Phony Pro-Life “Conversion”

Issue # 1. Mitt Romney established abortion as a “healthcare benefit” in his own government-run healthcare plan at $50 per abortion — after his supposed “pro-life conversion.” ( www.mass.gov/Qhic/docs/cc_benefits1220_pt234.pdf ) He created a permanent, official government role for an unelected Planned Parenthood representative on the health care board.

Issue #2. Romney’s well-timed “pro-life” conversion for the Republican primary pulled a “states’ rights” committment out of nowhere to hedge his political bets. His claim that states’ rights trump the unalienable right to life is inconsistent and unprincipled: he simultaneously opposes an amendment to protect human life, but claims to support one to preserve marriage! What happened to Romney’s committment to “states’ rights?”

Issue #3. Unforced by anyone, Romney overruled his own Commissioner of Public Health and lied about state law in order to compel Catholic hospitals to issue abortifacient pills — in violation of their freedom of religion enshrined in the United States and Massachusetts Constitutions. Using exactly the crafty political theatre he employed to cover his actions on same-sex “marriage” and homosexual adoption, Romney posed as defender of the very thing he was destroying, gallantly “asking” the legislature to create a special “religious exemption” for Catholic institutions. Even Democrat former governor Mike Dukakis publicly agreed with Romney’s commissioner of public health that state law already grants a “religious exemption.”

rest of letter here

The primaries are intended to vet the candidates to ensure that each party nominates the best qualified candidate. It has been clear to me and many others that Romney is by far the most liberal candidate and the most dishonest and the most unlikely to defeat Hillary or Obama in November. I am glad that voters are increasingly coming to this conclusion as well. Time will tell.

Team Thompson Busts Romney’s Claim That As Governor Romney “Came Down on the Side of Life.”

It’s about time. I and many others have been citing the same evidence for months.

Romney Fact Check on Preserving the Sanctity of Life

Romney’s Claim : “…every piece of legislation which came to my desk in the coming years as a Governor, I came down on the side of preserving the sanctity of life.”

- Mitt Romney, Meet the Press 12/16/07

Fact Check

Romney’s health care legislation provides taxpayer-funded abortions for a co-pay of just $50. Romney vetoed EIGHT provisions in his health care bill that he deemed objectionable, including the expansion of dental benefits to Medicaid recipients. He did not veto Planned Parenthoods’ guaranteed position on the Advisory Board or ensure that abortions were covered only in medically necessary situations (as required by MA court ruling). All abortions are covered in the Commonwealth Care program with no medically necessary limitation. Under the program, abortions are available for a copay of $50. (Menu of Health Care Services: http://www.mass. gov/Qhic/docs/cc_benefits1220_pt234.pdf; “Romney’s Health Care Vetoes,” Associated Press, 4/12/06)

Romney included in his health care legislation a guarantee that Planned Parenthood would have a representative on his MassHealth Payment Policy Advisory Board. No such provision was included for a pro-life representative . “You cannot be personally opposed to abortion and then contribute money to an organization whose purpose is to provide abortions,” said Jerry Zandstra. “Given the Romney family’s support of Planned Parenthood, it now makes sense why he mandated that a member of the RomneyCare Policy board be appointed by the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.” (RepealRomneyCare.com, “Pro-Life Leaders Denounce Romney’s Planned Parenthood Connections,” Press Release, 5/10/07)

Romney forced private Catholic hospitals to provide the morning-after-pill, a position applauded by Democrats and pro-abortions groups . “Governor Mitt Romney reversed course on the state’s new emergency contraception law yesterday, saying that all hospitals in the state will be obligated to provide the morning-after pill to rape victims. The decision overturns a ruling made public this week by the state Department of Public Health that privately run hospitals could opt out of the requirement if they objected on moral or religious grounds. Romney had initially supported that interpretation, but he said yesterday that he had changed direction after his legal counsel, Mark D. Nielsen, concluded Wednesday that the new law supersedes a preexisting statute that says private hospitals cannot be forced to provide abortions or contraception. ‘And on that basis, I have instructed the Department of Public Health to follow the conclusion of my own legal counsel and to adopt that sounder view,’ Romney said…” (Scott Helman, “Romney Says No Hospitals Are Exempt From Pill Law,” Boston Globe, 12/9/05)

· Catholic leaders urged hospitals to reject Romney’s mandate or risk “compromising their religious integrity and Catholic identity.” “C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, a conservative Catholic organization, said Catholic hospitals should refuse to abide by the law. ‘T he appropriate response for Catholic hospitals is noncompliance. Otherwise, they would be compromising their religious integrity and Catholic identity,’ he said.” (Steve LeBlanc, “Confusion Over New Emergency Contraception Law Deepens,” Associated Press, 12/9/05)

entire post here

All of these things transpired after Romney’s “pro-life conversion.”

No radio show tonight: BC basketball game is on