Mustang Sally

We were greeted by the sight of the snow capped McDowell Mountains as we drove towards the Mustanger’s remount station in Rio Verde. After hooking up the stock trailer, we headed toward the Bush Highway on our way to the BLM Adoption center set up in Apache Junction. When we got there,in one of the stalls, we found the object of our quest, Mustang #3176, a 14h, grey mare, with black mane and tail.

We got the paper work processed and K. C. Fair backed the trailer up to the loading chute. The BLM associate haltered the mare while she was confined in the chute. Mustang #3176 loaded easily with the wave of the flag. On the drive back to Rio Verde, the mare was named Mustang Sally. Back at the Remount Station, it was time to initiate Sally’s training program.

The long lead attached to the halter and was tied to a catch rope and dallied to Travis Ericsson’s saddle horse. With steady pressure applied, Sally soon dismounted the trailer. A dance commenced, three steps forward, three steps back, move to the right, then to the left. Who leads, who follows? Numerous changes in direction over the next thirty minutes. Within an hour, Travis had led Sally around the station and into a stall in the barn. With the three of them, Sally, Travis and the saddle horse in the pipe pen, Travis began the gentling and handling process, using techniques that are at the heart of the “Ericsson Method”. After an hour or so, Sally was standing in the pen, saddled, ready for phase 2.

Seth Mertzweiller slipped into the saddle and Sally was off on her first ride. It was a short ride within the mare motel, less than eight hours after leaving Apache Junction.

On day 2, Sally was reintroduced to the halter, another session of the Ericsson Method, a repeat of ‘sacking out’ and saddling, another ride in the pen, lifting her feet and settling her mind. Days 3 and 4, Sally is ridden about the station, working in the arena, big circles left and right, introduced to cattle and the tools of the cowboy trade.

We ride to train,

and train to ride.

Money, Islam and Political Correctness

NYC rally planned against hearing on US Muslims

NEW YORK – A coalition of over 100 interfaith, nonprofit and governmental organizations plans to rally in New York City against a planned congressional hearing on Muslims' role in homegrown terrorism.

The coalition says Thursday's hearing will send the wrong message to U.S. Muslims by "demonizing" them.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, entertainment promoter Russell Simmons and the imam who was an initial key supporter of plans to develop a mosque near ground zero are expected to speak at Sunday's rally in Times Square.

A group calling itself the Liberty Alliance plans to hold a counter-rally in support of the hearing.
The hearing was scheduled by U.S. Rep. Peter J. King of New York, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security. It's the first in a series of hearings on "radicalization" among U.S. Muslims.

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Judge to Obama Administration: "You've got seven days"

From National Review Online:

Judge Vinson’s Master Stroke March 4, 2011 2:22 P.M. By Grace-Marie Turner   U.S. district judge Roger Vinson is a no-nonsense judge who clearly is annoyed with the Obama administration for ignoring his January 31 decision declaring Obamacare unconstitutional and saying its implementation must be halted. His latest decision yesterday is being widely mis-reported in the major media as a victory for the administration. The Washington Post, for example, wrote, “Judge clears way for implementation of health-law in states that are challenging it.”

In fact, in a master stroke of jujitsu, Judge Vinson leapfrogged over the administration and said he was going to interpret the administration’s request for him to “clarify” his ruling as a request for a temporary stay of his order. And he gave the administration seven days to appeal his ruling or stop all action to implement the law.

The judge said his January 31 ruling was “plain and unambiguous” in its intent to bar the administration from moving forward with the law.

If the administration didn’t think it could comply, it should have immediately filed a motion for a stay rather than choosing to “effectively ignore the order” for two and a half weeks “and only then file a belated motion to clarify,” Judge Vinson said. 

"An outrageous Act" of what Mr.President? A "tragic event?", "perpetrators brought to justice"?

Obama can't quite say the words "terrorism" or "Islamist" or "Jihad." Being an unlikely American President it is no surprise. Remember Clinton's War to Help Noble Kosovars from Nasty Serbs? The Islamic trash that killed the two young airman comes from Muslim parents from Kosovo, the real trash dump of Europe.

By the way, why do we still have troops at Lakenheath in England? I was last assigned there in 1968, twenty three years after WWII and forty three years ago! We need troops in England for 68 years?


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Prosecutors in Germany say they suspect Islamic militancy as the motive for a gun attack on US airmen at Frankfurt Airport, in which two died.

The suspected gunman, who is in police custody, is of Kosovo Albanian origin.

He allegedly fired on an air force bus, killing the driver and another man, and injuring two others.

The dead men, who were based at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England, were not identified, pending notification to their families.

They had just flown in from Britain and were about to travel to the nearby US air base at Ramstein, a hub for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One airman with a gunshot wound to the head remained in critical condition at the Frankfurt University clinic on Thursday while the other injured man was not in a life-threatening condition, police said.

US President Barack Obama has condemned the shooting as an "outrageous act", and pledged to "ensure that all the perpetrators are brought to justice".

'Engaged in Holy War'

The suspect has been named as Arid Uka, 21, who is said to have been born in Germany to parents who moved there from Kosovo about 40 years ago.

He grew up in Germany and was apparently working at the airport.

Relatives in Kosovo were quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying that he was a "devout Muslim".

According to German newspapers, he portrayed himself as an Islamist on the internet.

He saw "himself engaged in Holy War with infidels", according to Die Welt, while Frankfurter Allgemeine reports that there were rumours he had planned to embark on a "killing spree".

German police said the shooting appeared to have occurred inside the bus, and the attacker seemed to be acting alone.

The attack took place at roughly 1520 local time (1420 GMT) on Wednesday, just outside Terminal 2 in a bus lane open to the public.

Police believe the gunman used a pistol or revolver.

Four Islamic militants were convicted in March last year in Germany for plotting to bomb targets including Ramstein air base.

In One Generation the World Population goes from 7 Billion to 10 Billion. Guess What?

Today we have four hot time bombs, tick-ticking, soon to make history; any one can easily accelerate the revolution that’s already killing Wall Street from within.

1. Wealth gap: Super-Rich vs class wars, death of democracy

The gap: In one generation, America’s wealthiest 1% has exploded from 9% to 23% of America’s income, while middle-class income has stagnated. Even Buffett admits: “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and winning.”

But my rich friend tells the real story, of their social disconnect. The rich just don’t care. They live in a different world, live by a self-centered code lacking a moral compass. The public welfare is honored only if supported by tax benefits.

The wealth gap is widening and soon something unpredictable will ignite a Wall Street revolution.

2. Wall Street’s doomsday capitalism vs rule by anarchy

A key Supreme Court decision accelerated and codified Wall Street’s ability to use billions stolen from taxpayers to lobby Washington and solidify its power, all for its own self-interest, through campaign payola, senators’ votes, presidential access, manipulation of regulators, grabbing tax benefits, etc. And it’s every man and woman for themselves.

Don’t believe it? Know this, democracy is dead and you’re in denial. Wall Street CEOs and Forbes 400 billionaires are either engaged in a secret conspiracy, or a classic anarchy picking apart America, oblivious of the fact they are setting up the next big revolution.

3. Pentagon’s perpetual war machine vs America’s budget time bomb

The mathematics of our $75 trillion Social Security and Medicare deficits often seem insurmountable, but can be recalibrated. However, the war-loving mindset of America’s neocons — fueled by China’s military actions, the insatiable expansion of our military spending and a Pentagon prediction that global population growth — is putting more and more pressure on the world’s scarce resources, and will, in turn, increase global wars and the demand for more war spending, increasing the risk of sudden revolutions everywhere.

4. Global population explosion vs resources, jobs, better lifestyles

As the world population explodes from 7 billion to 10 billion in the next generation, the demand for more jobs and the pressure on scarce resources will increase, while expectations will fall as the ratio of haves to have-nots increases, making the world all around Wall Street a burning powder keg setting up a revolution.

Bottom line: Forget jailing Wall Street’s dictators. It’s naïve and too late. We missed that opportunity. But a revolution will do the trick, give us a second chance to jail the crooks.

Until then, remember, these four factors are building to a head, merging into a critical mass that will accelerate into a revolution and destroy Wall Street from within: The widening wealth gap, capitalism’s new rule-by-anarchy, the high cost of feeding the Pentagon’s costly war machine, and the huge global population explosion.

PAUL B. FARRELL

March 1, 2011, 12:01 a.m. EST

Pakistan, vengeance for "blasphemy."

Pakistan's only Christian minister assassinated over blasphemy row

Telegraph

Pakistan's only Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti was shot dead today after pushing for the reform of harsh blasphemy laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam.

Shahbaz Bhatti Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

7:06AM GMT 02 Mar 2011

The assisination comes just a fortnight after Mr Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, said he was prepared to die for his beliefs following a series of death threats.

He claimed his faith gave him strength during a recent visit to Canada.

The member of Muslim-majority Pakistan's Christian community, was on his way to work in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, when unknown gunmen riddled his car with bullets, police officer Mohmmad Iqbal said.

He was taken to Shifa Hospital with his driver who was also badly wounded.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but private Pakistani TV channels showed pamphlets at the scene of the killing that were attributed to the Pakistani Taliban warning of the same fate for anyone opposing the blasphemy laws.

Earlier this year, Punjab province Gov. Salman Taseer was killed by a bodyguard who said he was angry that the politician opposed the blasphemy laws.

The Taseer killing terrified those in Pakistan who are secular-minded or liberal, but it also drew wide praise among many ordinary Pakistani. Analysts said the reaction was a sign of the growing radicalization of the Muslim public.

Mr Bhatti had been campaigning to reform the Pakistan's notoriously strict blasphemy laws, which most recently were used against Asia Bibi, the Christian woman sentenced to death for “insulting” Islam.

Mrs Bibi says the allegation was invented by a neighbour to settle a score, a common complaint about the blasphemy law, and she is now in hiding. Although no one has ever been executed under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, as many as 10 people are thought to have been murdered while on trial.

In February Mr Bhatti said death threats would not stop him speaking out against the country’s blasphemy law.

He said during a trip to Canada: “I have been told by pro-Taliban religious extremists that if I will continue to speak against the blasphemy law, I will be beheaded.” But he said his faith gave him strength.

“As a Christian, I believe Jesus is my strength. He has given me a power and wisdom and motivation to serve suffering humanity. I follow the principles of my conscience, and I am ready to die and sacrifice my life for the principles I believe,” he said.

Battle for Az Zawiyah

Government opponents in the Libyan city of Az Zawiyah have repulsed an attempt by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi to retake the city closest to the capital, Tripoli, in six hours of fighting overnight, witnesses say. Tursday's claims follow reports that government forces attacked the city from the west and the east, and that fighter jets bombed an ammunition depot in the eastern city of Ajdabiya. There was no word on casualties in Az Zawiyah, which is 50km west of  Tripoli. "We will not give up Az Zawiyah at any price,'' one witness said on Tuesday. "We know it is significant strategically. They will fight to get it, but we will not give up. We managed to defeat them because our spirits are high and their spirits are zero." The rebels, who include army forces who defected from the government, are armed with tanks, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns. They fought back pro-Gaddafi troops using the same weapons who attacked from six directions. Battle for Az Zawiyah A resident of Az Zawiyah told the Associated Press news agency by telephone on Monday that fighting started in the evening and intensified after dusk when troops loyal to Gaddafi attacked the city. "We were able to repulse the attack. We damaged a tank with an RPG. The mercenaries fled after that," said the resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisals. He said Gaddafi called the city's influential tribal leader, Mohammed al-Maktouf, and warned him that if the rebels did not leave the main square by early Tuesday, they would be hit by fighter jets. "We are expecting a major battle," the resident said, adding that the rebels killed eight soldiers and mercenaries on Monday. Another resident of Az Zawiyah said he heard gunfire well into the night on the outskirts of town. AP said its reporter saw a large, pro-Gaddafi force massed on the western edge of Az Zawiyah. There were also about a dozen armoured vehicles along with tanks and jeeps mounted with anti-aircraft guns. An officer said the troops were from the elite Khamis Brigade, named after one of Gaddafi's sons who commands it and said by US diplomats to be the best-equipped force in Libya. Gaddafi, Libya's ruler of 41 years, has already lost control of the eastern half of the country since protests demanding his resignation began two weeks ago. He still holds Tripoli.

That Long, Long Road Ends for Jane Russell

Jane Russell: your memories

One of the most popular sex symbols of the 1940s and 50s, Jane Russell, has
died in California.

BBC

She starred in Hollywood films such as The Paleface and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, alongside luminaries Bob Hope and Marilyn Monroe.

She was also heavily involved in charity work and through her organisation, World Adoption International Fund (WAIF), helped thousands of children find adoptive homes.

BBC News website readers have been sending their tributes and memories of the formidable pin-up.

Lou Slocum, Vista, US

I got to see Jane Russell last year for the first and only time when she appeared as a special guest at the Coronado Arts Ball in San Diego.

She was funny and feisty and even sang a tune. She had been performing regularly in a dinner show at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria, California where she lived.

She said the most common question asked of her was who was the best kisser in Hollywood. Her response? "Bob Hope - those blubbery lips - oh my God!"

At this year's Coronado Arts Ball, my lady friend bid on and won a personally signed photograph of Jane Russell from Howard Hughes' infamous movie, The Outlaw, which she gave to me.

I cherish it all the more now that Ms Russell has permanently left the stage.

Alan Walsh, Vancouver, Canada

I remember meeting Jane as a very young, very junior and very temporary bar assistant at the Broadway Club, Failsworth, Manchester where she appeared for one night only.

It was so long ago (I'm guessing approximately 1969) it should have disappeared into history but for the way she treated me - at the time an extremely callow youth.

She did, however, and most graciously, save my blushes when I was given the task of serving her refreshments backstage - twice.

She was appearing in a backwater compared to Hollywood but her professional attitude and demeanour varied not a jot from what I had seen on the big screen.

I'm sure she will be missed by those privileged enough to have known her.

B.D. Compton, Johannesburg, South Africa

I saw the The Outlaw in 1949 and I immediately had a crush on her at the ripe old age of eight.

However, her greatest role was in Gentleman Prefer Blondes, where she gave an outstanding performance with Marilyn Monroe.

She was a good singer and actress and certainly not the American equivalent to Jane Russell of England - she was far more talented in all departments.

Emma Fitzgerald, Surbiton, UK

I saw Jane Russell for the first time on the big screen at the British Film Institute in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, during its Howard Hughes season.

Any woman who can hold her own and perhaps shine even brighter in a film than Marilyn Monroe is one talented and sexy screen siren.

Her rendition of Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend as Lorelei Lee is superb. Her comedy timing and quick witted delivery makes her a star.

Is There Anyone Here for Love? is a song made for Jane Russell's talents, very tongue in cheek.

Another Golden Hollywood icon gone.