Cop The Truth

A Day of Thanks

Today, and every day, I am thankful for my family and friends, for their continued support and love, for their continued health and happiness.

I am also thankful that there continue to be men and women in this country who are willing to set aside their own lives and comforts to take an oath to protect and defend the rest of us. Whether soldier, sailor, Airman, Marine or Coastie, whether cop or firefighter, I thank God for your sense of honor and duty, for your courage, for your love of country. May God keep you and see you home safely.

On this day, I am thankful that one full of Obama's administration is nearly over and that we, thus far, have been able to limit the damage he's done to our great nation. He has all but destroyed the morale of our troops, done everything possible to sell us out to foreign governments, placed us more deeply in debt than ever before, angered our allies, widened the divide between Conservative and Liberal, made race relations worse, ignored both North Korea and Iran and earned himself the distinction of being the weakest president ever. That's a Hell of a first year. Hopefully, his poor policies, and those of his ilk in Congress, will see to it that many of these clowns are voted out od office by this time next year.

Finally, I am thankful to you, dear reader, for spending a little of your time here every so often to listen to me rant about the state of our great nation. She was once great - and will be again - if we refuse to allow the rich and powerful to exploit her - and us - for their own money-making purposes. Keep up the good fight. Never sit idly by while these fools lie and steal and cheat us all. Never give up. Never surrender.

Happy Thanksgiving. May God bless you.

Special Forces Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, of Cockeysville, Maryland, was killed near Pashay Kala, Afghanistan, when an IED hit his vehicle during a mounted patrol. He was assigned as an Intelligence Sergeant to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Maryland Army National Guard.

From his USASOC Special Forces bio.

Pucino a native of Hudson, Boston, Mass., and enlisted into the U.S. Army 2002 as a Special Forces candidate. He then went on to complete the Special Forces Qualification Course and earn the coveted "Green Beret" as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. He was assigned to 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Kentucky before leaving active duty to become an Army National Guard Soldier assigned to 2nd Bn., 20th SFG.

Pucino’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, non-commissioned officer professional development ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

SSgt Pucino is survived by his wife Crystal of Clarksville, Tenn., Mother Katherine and Albert of Orlando Fla. and Sister Lisa Haglof, Sagamore, Mass.

Godspeed, Sergeant.

Army Ranger to Receive Silver Star

More incredible tales of heroism coming out of Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton is being awarded the Silver Star medal for extraordinary heroism during an assault on a heavily armed fighter camp in the mountains of Afghanistan Aug. 4 and 5, 2009. Ambushed at close range, Norton ordered his squad to break contact. At great risk to his own life, he then braved multiple rocket-propelled grenades and withering machine gun fire and returned to recover two of his Rangers who lay unconscious in the beaten zone of enemy fire, saving their lives. He then rallied his squad and continued the attack, eliminating two more enemy combatants in the course of the mission. His actions saved the lives of his squad and resulted in the destruction of an enemy headquarters camp.

Norton, 27, serves with 3rd Battalion, 75th Rgr. Regmt., and has been a Ranger for five years.  He has deployed five times in support of the war on terror.

The award ceremony will take place at 1300, Nov. 24 at the Ranger Memorial.

Congratulations and well-earned, SSgt Norton. RLTW!

American Hero: Seattle PD Ofcr. Britt Sweeney

Having served as an FTO for many years, I found this story especially poignant.

Rookie Seattle police officer Britt Sweeney admits she is anxious about returning to duty after watching the fatal shooting of her partner, Timothy Brenton, three weeks ago.

"There is some anxiety, I can't lie," she said Wednesday in a television interview, breaking her silence about the horrific Halloween night in which she and Brenton were ambushed as they sat in their patrol car in the Leschi neighborhood.

[...]

Sweeney, 33, just two months out of the police academy, was on her second night of training with Brenton, 39, a field training officer, when the shooting occurred as they were discussing a traffic stop they had just completed.

Something tells me that Seattle has the makings of an outstanding young officer on their hands. Here's hoping that she has a long and rewarding career.

We salute the courage and professionalism of Ofcr. Sweeney as we continue to mourn the loss of her partner, Ofcr. Timothy Brenton.

Friday Funnies - Homeland inSecurity

Congressman Jefferson Gets Prison

At least one member of Congress is finally getting what he deserves:

Former U.S. Congressman William J. Jefferson, 62, of New Orleans, La., was sentenced today to 13 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for using his office to corruptly solicit bribes. Jefferson was also ordered to forfeit more than $470,000.

"The court’s sentence today reaffirms the principle that all people—no matter what their title or position—are equal before the law," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman. "In a stunning betrayal of the public’s trust, former Congressman Jefferson repeatedly used his public office for private gain. The lengthy prison sentence imposed on Mr. Jefferson today is a stark reminder to all public officials that the consequences of accepting bribes can and will be severe."

Who knew that taking and soliciting bribes was improper conduct for a member of Congress? I mean, since they all do it, I thought it was OK. Frankly, I am stunned. It's a good thing that POTUS isn't bribing members of Congress with little pet perks - using taxpayer money, no less - to get them to vote his way on this piece of crap Obamacare bill, right? Some people might call that wrong. Immoral, even.

Closing question: what do you think the odds are that the FBI will start going after some of the other crooks "leading" our country?

Veteran's Day

May God bless you all. You are not forgotten.

Happy Birthday Jarheads!

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Marines were born. 

234 years later, they have evolved into one of the finest fighting forces on the face of the Earth. They aren't Army Paratroopers, mind you, but they sure try hard! Their contribution to our freedom can never be fully measured.

So happy birthday, Marines. Thank God for you. And thank you for your service to our great nation.

Impeach Congress

Ah, what a refreshing look into the inner workings of the United States Government yesterday was! It's astounding to me that our elected "leaders" would ignore the will of the majority of Americans, completely disregard what's best for the future of this nation and  make backroom deals with one another - late at night and on the weekend, no less - in order to pass legislation that will utterly, if passed, bankrupt this nation. Thankfully, the entire episode was a colossal waste of time. The Senate will never act as poorly.

If you think this bill is about improving healthcare in America, you're sadly mistaken. It is about one thing, and one thing only: power. Specifically, the power of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. With no bill, their political clout is gone, and it's likely the end for Pelosi and Reid. Passing one, however, means that they can continue to pursue their Liberal agenda for a few more months, with the support of the other Liberal nuts who are funding them.

I wonder what it takes to buy another politician? What do you bribe them with, Mr. President? More power? More taxpayer money? Do you promise to make their friends rich, as you have made your friends rich? Offer support for some pet project that might help them get re-elected? A few rounds of golf or a stay in the White House? And can any of them look you in the eye when they accept your bribes?

Looking at these people makes me sick. Many of them are facing ethics investigations that will be quietly swept under the rug by their friends in the "Ethics Committee." An astounding number of them are millionaires, and add millions more to their bankrolls every year. They all are liars, more concerned with staying in office than in serving the people of this nation. They are snobs and crooks, drunks and drug addicts, opportunists and con men, totally disconnected with the average citizen that they are supposed to be speaking for. And I, for one, am tired of it.

To suggest that one party is better than the other is absurd. Clearly, any of them can be purchased for the right price. And more just like them are infesting the upper echelons of agencies like the FBI, the CIA, DHS, etc. When the heads of these agencies place political positioning over their professional responsibilities, as is clearly happening now, we are doomed. The one-time monitors of such corruption, the media, have now gone the same way.

It's a scary day when the government - and those who run it - can do anything they want without fear of repercussion or challenge. When they deny us the truth, when they lie, when they threaten those who speak out against them, when they ignore the demands of our citizens, when they spend our money without a care, we must be the ones to hold them responsible.

Be informed. Speak out. Fight back. Speak the truth. Vote your conscious. Never give up. If you don't, our children will know a nation radically different from the one we grew up in.

Support Our Troops this Christmas

The USPS has posted their annual guidelines for delivery by Christmas of packages being sent to troops overseas. Get those packages in the mail and let our troops know that they aren't forgotten this Christmas.

If you don't know any deployed servicemembers but would still like to share your love with them this holiday season, here are some other options:

The USO accepts donations and provides a variety of services to our troops overseas. Love those guys!

Operation Gratitude-Support Our Troops sends CARE packages to our troops and is another great organization.

AnySoldier.com also sends packages overseas.

You can also donate to my favorites: the Wounded Warrior Project or the Special Operations Warrior Foundation or the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Finally, the Project Valour IT Fundraiser continues through Veteran's Day. Visit the website and make a donation to TEAM ARMY! Remember, every little bit helps.

Give 'til it hurts, people!