In February 2007, then-Petty Officer James Hamill of the United States Navy was the command photographer assigned by the Provincial Reconstruction Team to document the opening of the Khost Provincial Hospital Emergency Room in Khost, Afghanistan. The hospital was a sign of progress in the dangerous Afghan province, and, therefore, a natural target for the enemy. Intelligence provided some warning of a possible suicide attack, but the event continued as planned. At the event, a suicide bomber dressed as a doctor did indeed sneak through the Afghan police’s outer security perimeter. An American soldier became suspicious, however, and stopped the supposed doctor. When he saw the explosive vest, he tackled the bomber. As the two wrestled, the alarm was sounded. It was then that Hamill dropped his camera in favor of his rifle. And not a moment too soon. The bomber was able to free himself and charged ahead, but Hamill stood his ground. He opened fire less than 10 feet away, hitting the bomber repeatedly, though as he fell, the bomber detonated himself. Hamill took shrapnel to the abdomen. Six other Americans were also injured, but no one was killed. Hamill ignored his wounds and helped perform life-saving aid on the other injured soldiers, as well as securing the area to prevent a follow-up attack. Hamill’s actions that day helped save many lives. For his “extraordinary heroism” and “total dedication to duty” he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor.
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Profiles of valor: USN Petty Officer Hamill
August 15, 2008Ken Salazar and Town hall Meetings
August 15, 2008Ken Salazar needs more than a cowboy hat. He needs to listen to what we, the people of Colorado want done in Washington. Not his masters in the Democrat party.
This new meeting request has been posted in your Action Buffet based on your answers to the Interest Survey.
You can find this meeting request by proceeding to
http://www.numbersusa.com/meetings?ID= 10433
Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) will meet with constituents on August 14 & 15. Please attend an event near you!
These events can be a wonderful opportunity to speak with your Member of Congress and/or their staff and raise your immigration concerns with them directly. The more Members hear from constituents who want lower immigration numbers while they are at home, the more likely they will be to vote the right way when they’re in Washington, D.C.
September is the SAVE Act’s last chance to reach the House floor for a vote. Please use these opportunities to encourage your Members to do whatever they can to enact the SAVE Act in September.
Click here for information on the SAVE Act and discharge petition.
Click here for our Attrition Through Enforcement Page.
Click here for information about the connection between immigration and U.S. population growth.
Click here to watch NumbersUSA videos.
Click here to find bills currently introduced in the 110th Congress, report cards and voting records.
WHERE TO GO SMALL GAME HUNTING IN EASTERN COLORADO
August 15, 2008oin the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) for a free evening seminar to explain the Walk-in Access program that provides small game hunters with places to hunt in Eastern Colorado. Learn about places to hunt in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state, with a particular focus on dove season. Biologists and wildlife managers will provide information on dove hunting, how to best use the walk-in access program, and a short update on new regulations. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
What: Small Game Hunting Access Program and Dove Hunting Seminar
When: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Where: Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect, Fort Collins – directly west of the DOW office
How: To register, please email the Division of Wildlife at Julie.kallenberger@state.co.us or call 970-472-4447.
Or
When: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Where: DOW Hunter Education Building, 6060 Broadway, Denver
How: To register, please email the Division of Wildlife at Meaghan.doyle@state.co.us or call 303-291-7386.
For more information about the Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
TSA Deciding On Whether To Ban Guns In Airports
August 15, 2008Looks like more of the same arrogance from elected, and appointed officials to me.
TSA Deciding On Whether To Ban Guns In Airports Gun Owners of America 8001 Forbes Place Suite 102 Springfield VA 22151 Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408 http://www.gunowners.org Wednesday, August 13, 2008 You may not have been watching the battle that is brewing over concealed carry in the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, Georgia, but it may end up affecting you where you live. Because of what's happening in Atlanta, the Transportation Security Agency could decide to allow airports across the country to ban firearms in areas that currently allow for self-defense. It all began when Georgia passed a new law allowing permit holders to carry guns onto state parks, into restaurants that serve alcohol, and onto mass transit (such as the non-surveillance areas in airports). The Hartsfield-Jackson airport responded by defying the state law and banning firearms throughout the entire airport, including areas where drivers pick up passengers. This has resulted in a court battle, where presently, a federal judge ruled in favor of the airport's ban. Now, the TSA may step into the fray by permitting airports across the entire country to ban firearms in those locations that are outside of the boarding areas. Federal law prevents passengers from bringing firearms past airport checkpoints. But in many states, passengers are allowed to bring guns and knives into areas such as the pick-up points and the main terminal. This is what could change very soon. "Any decisions we make that affect (Atlanta) could affect every other airport in the country," said TSA spokesman Christopher White to USA Today (8/7/08). What's at stake here is not the ability to take guns past surveillance points. What's at stake is the right of self-defense outside of these areas -- especially where drivers are either dropping off or picking up passengers. In other words, drivers who have permits are the ones who would be affected the most because they would now have to leave their guns at home -- thus contradicting the very reason they got a concealed carry permit in the first place... the fact that they wanted to carry their guns outside of the house. ACTION: Please urge President Bush to put the squeeze on the TSA. This president should certainly understand the bad-politics of imposing a gun ban right before an election. You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send Pres. Bush the pre-written e-mail message below. ----- Pre-written letter ----- Dear Mr. President: The August 7 issue of USA Today reports that the TSA is considering letting airports across the country ban firearms in areas that currently allow for self-defense. What's at stake here is not the ability to take guns past surveillance points. What's at stake is the right of self-defense outside of these areas -- especially where drivers are either dropping off or picking up passengers. In other words, drivers who have permits are the ones who would be affected the most because they would now have to leave their guns at home -- thus contradicting the very reason they got a concealed carry permit in the first place... the fact that they wanted to carry their guns outside of the house. I hope that you will rein in the rogue TSA and prevent them from making such a foolish decision -- if not for the Second Amendment, then for the sake of your own administration and party. You must understand how harmful it would be to impose a brand new gun ban in an election year, when the campaigns of people like Al Gore and John Kerry have amply demonstrated that the gun rights issue can cost a party dearly. Sincerely,
Energy, and sheeps clothing
August 12, 2008Isn’t it interesting to watch the current political show? Green dyed liberals are seemingly jumping all over each other to ave the wishes of the people. That said, this is about energy. Be it electrical, gas, or petroleum based. Those that were oh so “green” appear to really be green now, as in the nausea induced by sea sickness. I mean, it’s the economy stupid! Or don’t you remember that Congressperson? After all is said and done the “Soccer Moms” are more concerned about getting their kids to the Soccer game, and feeding the curtain climbers than about this new religion where endangered Owls just are not in any danger of extinction, and Polar Bear numbers are at all time highs. Heck? They even have figured out that there was tar on beaches before humans drilled for oil for goodness’s sakes!
The hypocracisy is simply asstounding. I mean, really, the only thing that I can remember that even comes close to the current political debauchery, was when I watched our President say on television “I am not a crook!” Yeah, right…
Look folks, Steve over at Stiff Right Jab can certainly explain International Economics better than I can. After all, he teaches it. I am a specialist in Management Economics having to do with Pre- Hospital Emergency Medical Services. That’s right, I am one of those guys that are well educated but chose to make a difference rather than stand around and spout things that would get me on television. I mean heck?Anyone that actually knew me knows that I used to tell the kids “Stay off the news!”
Anyways… The following is from the PATRIOT POST. As usual, someone else (more than one!) can explain things much better than my personal skills allow for, enjoy.
“Politics has its puzzling moments. John McCain and most of the GOP experienced one late last week. That was when five of their own set about dismantling the best issue Republicans have in the upcoming election. It’s taken time, but Sen. McCain and his party have finally found—in energy—an issue that’s working for them. Riding voter discontent over high gas prices, the GOP has made antidrilling Democrats this summer’s headlines. Their enthusiasm has given conservative candidates a boost in tough races. And Mr. McCain has pressured Barack Obama into an energy debate, where the Democrat has struggled to explain shifting and confused policy proposals. Still, it was probably too much to assume every Republican would work out that their side was winning this issue. And so, [on 1 August], in stumbled Sens. Lindsey Graham, John Thune, Saxby Chambliss, Bob Corker and Johnny Isakson—alongside five Senate Democrats. This ‘Gang of 10’ announced a ‘sweeping’ and ‘bipartisan’ energy plan to break Washington’s energy ‘stalemate.’ What they did was throw every vulnerable Democrat, and Mr. Obama, a life preserver. That’s because the plan is a Democratic giveaway. New production on offshore federal lands is left to state legislatures, and then in only four coastal states. The regulatory hurdles are huge. And the bill bars drilling within 50 miles of the coast—putting off limits some of the most productive areas. Alaska’s oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is still a no-go. The highlight is instead $84 billion in tax credits, subsidies and federal handouts for alternative fuels and renewables. The Gang of 10 intends to pay for all this in part by raising taxes on… oil companies! The Sierra Club couldn’t have penned it better. And so the Republican Five has potentially given antidrilling Democrats the political cover they need to neutralize energy through November.” —Kimberley Strassel
And then there is…
“It’s always good to take a break from the madding crowd, but especially now that American politics has surpassed itself in self-mockery. After four days avoiding television, blogs, YouTube, and cell phones, it is possible to wonder how we get so exercised about the insignificant. Not that politics isn’t important. The debate about what role government should play in our lives is no small thing. And while we can’t all kick back at once and hope that our enemies work out their anger issues, a little perspective is salutary and productive in a fallow field kind of way… The family is what gives our life meaning and makes our nation strong. The family is also what keeps government at a respectful distance—working for us and not the other way around. All our political choices should be made in the service of that understanding. That’s all. And we’ve got work to do.” —Kathleen Parker
I ask you, is there not more important things to be considering? Well, no, not really, but this blatant assault on the intelligence of the American people needs to stop.
MARC, there are three mis-spells, find them, and complain! 😀
COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE HONORS RANCH OWNERS FOR CONSERVATION WORK
August 10, 2008Former media magnate Malcolm Forbes was not only a leading innovator in magazine publishing; he also helped to pioneer private-land wildlife management practices in Colorado. To honor the Forbes family’s efforts in wildlife conservation, the Colorado Division of Wildlife recently thanked the Forbes Family for its nearly 40 years of work at the 173,000-acre Forbes-Trinchera and Forbes-Blanca Ranches in the San Luis Valley.
In the fall of 2007 the Forbes family sold the ranch to Louis Bacon, an East Coast resident who owns numerous other parcels of land throughout the United States which are managed for conservation and wildlife purposes. In Colorado, Bacon also owns the 20,000-acre Tercio Ranch that is located southwest of Trinidad.
Bacon has announced that his new property, located in the San Luis Valley, will now be called the Trinchera Ranch and the Blanca Ranch. It will continue to be managed for wildlife, natural resource and environmental values. The ranch will continue to work cooperatively with the Division of Wildlife on various conservation projects and participate in the DOW’s Ranching for Wildlife program.
“The Colorado Division of Wildlife is grateful to the Forbes family for their wildlife conservation philosophy,” said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the DOW.
“Not only did the family bring great ideas, but they hired an outstanding staff to do the work to make this one of the premier wildlife habitat areas in Colorado.” Spezze made the remarks at a reception held at the Trinchera Ranch in late July.
Tom Remington, director of the DOW, praised the Forbes ranch for its work on a variety of projects that have helped conservation efforts throughout Colorado. These include: establishing a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, re-introduction of Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and numerous habitat improvement projects aimed at helping big game populations.
“The ranch is a leader in wildlife conservation work,” Remington said. “The people here proved what can be done. Today, the division of wildlife uses many of the management techniques developed here in projects all over the state.”
Malcolm Forbes purchased the property in 1969 and decided quickly that wildlife should be a priority. Former DOW biologist Errol Ryland was hired to manage the property. Ryland and DOW staff developed the Ranching for Wildlife concept at the ranch. Today, 16 ranches that comprise more than 1 million acres of prime big game habitat participate in the Ranching for Wildlife program.
In the late 1980s, 3,000 domestic sheep were removed from the ranch and 34 Rocky Mountain bighorns were transplanted from British Columbia. Now the herd on the ranch numbers more than 300. Over the years, the ranch has allowed the DOW to trap sheep and move them to other parts of the state.
After Ryland retired in the early 1990s his son, Ty Ryland, took over as ranch manager. In Dec. 2004, the Forbes family placed approximately 81,400 acres of the Trinchera Ranch under a permanent conservation easement. None of that land will ever be developed. Bacon is now considering placing a conservation easement on the 90,000-acre Blanca Ranch. This portion of the property contains three of Colorado’s 54 famed 14,000-foot mountains – Blanca Peak, Little Bear Peak and Mount Lindsey.
“Mr. Bacon believes that the Blanca Ranch is an unique property and it ought to be protected for future generations,” a spokesperson said.
Christopher Forbes, Malcolm Forbes son, said the family was pleased to find a new owner who was also conservation-minded. “We couldn’t have found a better conservation steward in America than Louis Bacon,” Forbes said.
Bacon explained that continuing resource conservation on the property is his top priority for the ranch.
“I feel a duty to continue the conservation legacy established by the Forbes Family; and to help us we’ll continue working with the DOW,” Bacon said.
Bacon also said that staffing at the ranch won’t change. The ranch employs about 30 people in Costilla County.
Under the Ranching for Wildlife program, participating owners work to improve habitat, develop wildlife management plans with the DOW, and allow a limited number of public hunters at no charge. In exchange, ranch owners are allowed to set special seasons for private hunters.
Public licenses on the Trinchera Ranch include: 10 bull elk and 75 cow elk; 10 mule deer bucks and 75 does; two big horn rams and nine ewes. The ranch leads about 50 private hunters each year.
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The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
Mule Deer Study
August 10, 2008DOW BIOLOGISTS STUDYING MULE DEER AGING
Early results of a mule deer aging study being conducted by the Colorado Division of Wildlife are helping provide insight into the trade-offs between hunt quality and hunting opportunity in southwest Colorado.
The DOW asked hunters to submit teeth from bucks harvested in Game Management Units 54, 61, 62, 80 and 81 during the 2007 big game season. Biologists determine the exact age of a mule deer by counting the annual growth rings present within an animal’s incisors. The DOW sent mailings to 2,065 hunters in 2007 explaining the project and asking them to send teeth from harvested bucks. Last year, 375 teeth were returned.
Biologists plan to continue this research for the next two hunting seasons.
“The return rate in 2007 gave us an excellent sample to start with,” said Brandon Diamond, a terrestrial biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife in Gunnison. “There are three management units involved in this project that have contrasting buck-to-doe ratio objectives. GMU 54 has the highest ratio followed by GMUs 61 and 62, and finally GMUs 80 and 81.”
The results show that the age structure of bucks harvested varies between the GMUs, as biologists anticipated. “The purpose of this study is to determine that in units where we manage for high buck-to-doe ratios that hunters actually are taking more older-age-class bucks,” Diamond said.
Biologists are interested in evaluating whether there is an optimum buck-to-doe ratio to which they can manage that maximizes both hunt quality and opportunity. “Hunters across the west love to see big mule deer bucks. But they also want the chance to hunt them on a regular basis. We are trying to find the best middle ground,” Diamond said.
GMU 54, just north of Gunnison, has in recent years become renowned for its mule deer. It is managed for a high buck-to-doe ratio of 40-45 bucks per 100 does; the 2007 post-hunt population estimate was approximately 7,500. Despite the tougher hunting conditions during the 2007 seasons due to unseasonably warm and dry weather, the first-year results of this project are really interesting, Diamond explained.
“In unit 54, the majority of hunters submitted teeth from bucks that were between 3-6 years old. It appears we have a lot of bucks that are 4 years or older, which should be the case due to our management prescriptions. Because of current management, hunters can be selective and they are seeing greater numbers of older bucks,” Diamond said.
In GMU 54, bucks up to 9 years old were harvested.
“Maintaining so many older-aged bucks, however, doesn’t come without sacrifice,” Diamond explains. “In many southwest Colorado deer units, deer hunters will have to sit on the sidelines for several years between hunts.
Many hunters would like to hunt deer every year and have the opportunity to harvest a buck four years old or older. The reality is that you can’t have it both ways.”
GMUs 61 and 62 are located on the Uncompahgre Plateau, west of Montrose. This area provides excellent deer habitat. The estimated population is 32,000, and the sex ratio is estimated at 35 bucks per 100 does. Teeth submitted from hunters in 2007 were predominately between 1 and 4 years old; however, some bucks as old as 9 years were harvested.
In GMUs 80 and 81 in the San Luis Valley the deer population is estimated at 5,900 with a buck-to-doe ratio of approximately 24 to 100. Most of the bucks harvested in the area were from 1 to 3 years old, with a few bucks as old as 7 years.
The DOW is urging hunters in these units to send in teeth from the harvested animals, particularly in GMUs 62 and 61 which had the lowest overall response in 2007. Overall, Diamond hopes to collect about 1,000 teeth as the study continues for the next two years. This project will also help managers evaluate the changes in mule deer populations following the severe winter of 2007-2008.
“We have made it as easy as possible to participate in this project, so hopefully hunters will take a few minutes to send in their tooth,” Diamond said. “The bigger the sample size, the more we’ll learn about how our deer management prescriptions are working.”
The DOW hopes to continue this project through the fall of 2009 so that three years of data are available for comparison. For the 2008 season, hunters can expect age results by May or June of 2009. Results will be posted on the Division of Wildlife’s website as soon as possible so that hunters may check the age of their individual deer on-line.
Hunters who have drawn tags in these units may receive an envelope and a letter of explanation before the start of the 2008 season. In some units, a sub-sample of hunters was selected to participate in the project, so not everyone will receive a mailing. Only those who harvest bucks are asked to send in teeth.
Thanks to a generous donation, hunters who send in teeth in 2008 will have a chance to win a rifle donated by the Mule Deer Foundation.
if you hunted in any of the units last year and you sent in teeth, you can check the age of your animal on the DOW web site. Go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame.
Hunters with questions can call Diamond at (970) 641-7071.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
Georgia is on my mind
August 8, 2008Georgia is on my mind, no not our southern state. The former Soviet state has been invaded, and American Special Operations personnel are in that nation. They just might be trading fire with the Russians as you read this.
Do we, as in the United States really want to throw down with Russia?
Sad to say, it makes one hell of a lot more sense than this Iraq adventure does. But? We are bogged down in Iraq, and the Taliban are staging a resurgence in Afghanistan. Is that Putin’s thinking? That he can just swarm over a smaller and weaker opponent and take the place as spoils of war?
This could easily lead to a World War…
Profiles of valor: USA Sgt. Claude
August 8, 2008In September 2007, United States Army Sergeant Charles Claude Jr. was on patrol in Mosul, Iraq, as the turret gunner in an M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV). Claude’s convoy noticed an IED ahead and sent forward troops to neutralize it as quickly as possible. As soon as it was disabled, however, insurgents attacked from all directions with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Sgt. Claude fired back, taking out two insurgent vehicles—known as “technicals” —before being hit himself by a barrage of fire. His vehicle commander was also wounded. But Claude fought on despite his wound, and despite the fact that the sights of his machine gun were destroyed by enemy fire. Then, in close-quarters fighting, an insurgent jumped onto Claude’s vehicle. While the driver tried to throw the insurgent off, Claude spun his turret toward the enemy and ended the threat. As the area was secured, Claude continued to ignore his wound while providing defensive cover. Later it was discovered that the two disabled enemy “technicals” were mobile weapons caches, and they were no longer in the hands of terrorists. Sgt. Claude’s courageous actions that day saved numerous American lives and turned the tables on an enemy ambush. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor.
source: Patriot Post
Conservative Libertarian Outpost 