panda ponders

To show Sawa after a terribly bad timed jump from her kitty cat that nearly ripped her face off … kitties can still be cute!

I know you still luv TL! Well maybe after the swelling goes down…

If you are a regular here (Thanks!) … you should remember my cousin, “Sawa” who comments here regularly. She just e-mailed me –

One of their contributors had a great article yesterday about the connections between Iraq and al Qaeda. I fired off an e-mail to him, which was part praise for him, and part rant about the war. He posted it!

Wow! Go Sawa!!

The “great article” was “It’s All About 9/11” by Andy McCarthy at NRO.

It was good to hear the commander-in-chief remind people that this is still the war against terror. Specifically, against Islamo-fascists who slaughtered 3000 Americans on September 11, 2001. Who spent the eight years before those atrocities murdering and promising to murder Americans — as their leader put it in 1998, all Americans, including civilians, anywhere in the world where they could be found.

When he posted portions of her e-mail, he withheld her name. Well you are privileged to not only read the great e-mail, but know who it is from, well sorta !

From The Corner at National Review

HOW THE LEFT DOESN’T GET RED STATE AMERICA [Andy McCarthy]
Regarding Iraq and the war on terror, I got this email from a patriot who describes herself as “a military wife”:

… I like to see facts presented in a simple, straightforward manner. I have long been baffled as to why some people still do not understand why we are in Iraq. I am “just” a homemaker, most of my time being spent taking care of my husband and my home. But I read, and I listen, and even I have been aware of many of the Iraqi terrorist connections mentioned in your article. So it has been puzzling to me that self-sharpened pointy-headed liberals, like Reid and Gergen and those at the New York Times, so stridently deny any connections between Iraq and al Qaeda. What is the motive? Is it that ignoring or denying the connections frees them from the responsibility of taking or supporting action? Could it be that simple?

Things are pretty simple in my world.

You recognize the connections, you support the action (or take it, if you are able). You don’t recognize the connections, you don’t support the action.

Men and women rotate in and out of Iraq. We call it “The Sandbox.” When they leave, we cry. When they get home, we cry some more. They go off to fight, we hold the fort. Everybody does their job.

The terrorists are bent on attacking Americans. The Americans are going to be either highly trained, heavily armed professionals over there, or happily oblivious, defenseless civilians over here. You choose.

Some say the above is only valid until we are attacked on U.S. soil again. Oh, I don’t know. I’ve kind of enjoyed the last four years of being able to go to Wal-Mart without fear of being blown to smithereens by a suicide bomber.

The media lament the influx of “insurgents” into Iraq. So…the terrorists flooding into the waiting arms of the most lethal military around is a bad thing?

Many want a “timetable” for the end of the war. Me too. As soon as the terrorists announce their timetable for implementing a “Be Sweet to Infidels” policy, we should reciprocate by announcing our timetable for ending the war.

Too many troops killed, they say. Now if the troops are the ones fighting and dying in the war (and they are), and the President enjoys overwhelming support among the troops (and he does), then there must be something the media are missing. Hmmmm…

Too much money spent, they say. There is always a price to be paid. You pay in taxes, the troops pay in blood. You choose. (Also, see above.)

So what is my point? Simply this: The politicians, the pundits and the media need to get out of the military’s way and let them do their job. Reid and Gergen and their ilk don’t have to worry that they’ll be asked to do anything scary if they acknowledge the obvious connections between Iraq and al Qaeda. Lots of people have already recognized them and have volunteered for the scary stuff. It’s 9/11, stupid.

[Name withheld]

Posted at 06:56 PM

My cousin is a military wife. She is addicted to news and her opinions are always informed, accurate, and passionate. Her husband has served almost 3 years in the Air Force.

I am sure if any of you have ever been to an Air Show where there was a fighter fly-over … you have seen the Missing Man Formation. Four jets fly in close formation and one suddenly flies straight up and the three remaining continue to fly strong, but clearly missing someone.

A tradition lesser-known is the Missing Man Table Ceremony. My cousin, Sara (Sawa), sent me this article from the Washington Times: Empty table honors all U.S. MIAs, POWs.

The table is set with a white tablecloth, a black napkin and white candle, and a plate with only a slice of lemon and salt. An empty chair leans against the table.

The tradition, little known to the general public, of setting an empty table with a white tablecloth in remembrance of prisoners of war and those missing in action had its beginnings with a group of fighter pilots who flew in Vietnam.

I found the significance of each detail at a website for Korea-Cold War Families of the Missing.

The Missing Man Table Ceremony

Set for six, the empty places represent Americans still [our men] missing from each of the five services — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard – and civilians. This Honors Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit.

The table is round — to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.

The tablecloth is white — symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted — to symbolize their inability to share this evening’s [morning’s/day’s] toast.

The chairs are empty — they are missing.

There is also a special table ceremony for POW’s and MIA’s. The following is the slight variation observed for all those who are considered prisoners of war or listed as missing in action.

This Table set for one is small — Symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors. Remember!

The Tablecloth is white — Symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. Remember!

The single Red Rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting their return. Remember!

The Red Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing. Remember!

The Candle, the candle is lit — Symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit. Remember!

A Slice of Lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate. Remember!

There is Salt upon the bread plate — Symbolic of the families tears as they wait. Remember!

The Glass is inverted — They cannot toast with us this night. Remember!

The Chair — The chair is empty. They are not here. Remember!

The Washington Times article also refers to a new book, “America’s White Table,” written by Margot Theis Raven who “would like to see the tradition of the white table spread to homes and restaurants across the nation.” The book describes how a young girl helps her mother prepare the table for a special dinner while her mother explains the significance of each object. I have not seen this book but I am going to buy it when I see it next. If it is as good as I think it will be, every house in America should have one.

The table is “the most important image we can ever have, and it’s not political,” she [Raven] said. “Even the flag can get politicized. This has no party and no agenda except that a person said ‘yes’ to duty, and that is always to be honored.”

I am getting all choked up just writing this. To make it even more real … I have this page which has the lyrics and music to “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus playing in the background.

I remember I was in 6th grade when Desert Storm started. One of the boys in my class had been visiting his grandmother for the summer. Nothing unusual about that … except that he was from Kuwait … and he was in my class because he could not go home after Iraq invaded his country. He and I were in the same high school and we graduated together in 1997 … as far as I know he never was able to go back home. He was (and I am sure still is) a really nice guy. We talked our senior year about that 6th grade class and everything that occurred since.

I listened to KSCS 96.3, the local country station then (and still do sometimes) and the song Some Gave All always gave me chills … even in 6th grade and all the way to now. I am sure it always will.

Love your country and live with pride
And don’t forget those who died
America can’t you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall

Some gave all

Several years ago I spent two weeks in Austin/San Antonio with my cousin, Sara. We had a lot of fun and watched tons of movies and such .. one that we both still refer to was a special on Snipers and Special Forces in the military. One of the men interviewed said the motto he used was “One shot, one kill.” The interviewer asked one of the commanders how his men handled the stress of the situations they were put in and he replied “Move through the target.” They just move through the target!

Saturday when all the girls had gathered for what Sara’s mom calls a “hen party,” we were sitting around the living room just talking and catching up. Well, since the three sisters talk almost daily … really just Sara and I were catching up. Sparing all details … we heard the story of how my aunt (the one that lives with my grandmother), two weeks previous, made a Charlton Hestonesk stand reminiscent of The Naked Jungle, and soundly defeated the termite swarm attacking her house. That is where the “Move throught the target” quote came back to Sara and me.

Then today, I am searching for an interesting topic and I find that there is a new “addition to the arsenal of the U.S. Navy SEALS.” Called the AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle, it looks awesome! Sleek, clean lines and its lighter and accurate with a MOA of 1.5 inches. Which I discovered is a Minute of Angle and means it is “accurate within that 1.5 inches per every 100 yards of distance.” (!!!) I really have no clue how accurate other rifles are so I can’t offer comparisons, obviously I need to do more research when I get off work today!