tag:www.thedonovan.com,2012://1/tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075- 2012-03-24T15:25:10Z Comments for Something for a Saturday We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 Movable Type 4.12 tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075 2008-11-29T11:25:30Z 2008-11-29T11:58:10Z Something for a Saturday Bill http://www.thedonovan.com
Arthur is 90 years old. He's played golf every day since his retirement 25 years ago. One afternoon, he returns home looking exceedingly dejected.

"That's it, Gwen," he tells his wife. "I'm giving up golf. My eyesight has gotten so bad that, once I've hit the ball, I can't see where it went."

Gwen sympathizes and makes him a cup of tea. As they sit down she says, "Why don't you take my brother with you and give it one more try?"

"That's no good," sighs Arthur. "Your brother's a hundred and three. He can't help."

"He may be a hundred and three," replies his wife, "but his eyesight is perfect."

So the next day, Arthur heads off to the golf course with his brother-in-law. He tees up, takes an almighty swing and squints down the fairway. He turns to his brother-in-law. "Did you see the ball?"

"Of course, I did!" replies his brother-in-law. "I have *perfect* eyesight!"

"Where did it go?" says Arthur.

"I don't remember."

And a tip of the dented steel pot to Short Bus.

Heh. Us old guys may be coming apart at the seams, but at least we're -- ummmmmm -- errrrrrr -- dadgummitt -- Oh!

*checks watch*

It's a quarter 'til. Why?

]]> tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075-comment:80938 Comment from BillT on 2008-11-29 BillT http://www.thedonovan.com
I don't know which post or comment you got the quote from, but I'll try to answer from my perspective.

If, by "bite the hand that feeds them" you're referring to the recent demonstrations in Baghdad, that's an example of people exercising their freedom to dissent and protest. Under the present government, they have that right -- they *didn't* under the previous one. We don't want Iraq to be the first Arabic-speaking state in the US, we want Iraq to be its own country, run by its own people -- we may not what some choose to demonstrate for or against, but in the end, it is *their* choice and *their* right.

They may not have grown up with freedom as a frame of reference, but the past five years have enabled them to take a good look at one. Iraq isn't the collection of closed societies it once was, and it's a bit chaotic, but the Iraqis are learning. They are making political alliances on the basis of common interests, rather than a  common religious or common ethnic background -- something quite a few countries could learn a lesson from.

Last point -- It is a fact that we are winning, but, who would put up with killing and maiming of their countrymen and not resent it? If you're referring to us by that, and by context, I believe you are, you're a few years late. The killing and maiming is now indiscriminate, but it's not the US that's doing it -- it's the members of al-Qaeda In Iraq, who are mostly Yemenis, Saudis, Syrians, Tadjiks, Chechens and a few Lebanese (who are not Iraqi by any measurement) and some Ba'athist elements who are doing the killing, and the Iraqis know it.

But, as I said, welcome to the Castle. Look around and enjoy your visit.

]]> 2008-11-29T20:37:58Z 2008-11-29T20:37:58Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075-comment:80936 Comment from iBear on 2008-11-29 iBear http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comments That's something I always wonder too, why do the Iraqis have the audacity to "bite the hand that feeds them"?

ANSWER: Because they lost friends and family members, killed by American Bombs and American Troops! They don’t look at the long term because the pain of losing loved ones is fresh and foremost in their minds. It is a lot to expect that someone could look past the more immediate pain and suffering they endured.

Many Iraqi people don’t look down the rode at the future and realize the freedom of Democracy and the many benefits of trade with the USA! WHY? Because they have nothing to compare it to but killing and war! How can a people appreciate freedom that have never had freedom? They have no point of reference!

Iraqis could look at the fact that American Armed Forces have bent over backwards to use Smart Bombs and selective bombing and aggressive intelligence, to reduce casualties and shorten the war. It is a fact that we are winning, but, who would put up with killing and maiming of their countrymen and not resent it?
]]> 2008-11-29T19:44:48Z 2008-11-29T19:44:48Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075-comment:80932 Comment from DL Sly on 2008-11-29 DL Sly "Heh. Us old guys may be coming apart at the seams, but at least we're -- ummmmmm -- errrrrrr -- dadgummitt -- Oh! "

Time to up your ginko dosage.
0>;~}]]> 2008-11-29T19:00:00Z 2008-11-29T19:00:00Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075-comment:80929 Comment from BillT on 2008-11-29 BillT http://www.thedonovan.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, Mrs. G, but it's not really a sacrifice for me. Over here's the only place I can have lunch with a female half my age and *not* have to worry about getting clobbered by my wife.
]]> 2008-11-29T16:41:31Z 2008-11-29T16:41:31Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075-comment:80923 Comment from Mrs G on 2008-11-29 Mrs G
Just to let you know they're some out here thinking of you, Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Hang in there, stay safe.

Happy Thanksgiving.]]> 2008-11-29T13:02:57Z 2008-11-29T13:02:57Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.10075-comment:80920 Comment from Alan Briley, RN on 2008-11-29 Alan Briley, RN I resemble that comment! (Thanks for the humor.!)]]> 2008-11-29T12:05:39Z 2008-11-29T12:05:39Z