BlackFive

...Blackfive Prediction: That even in an election year, the liberal radio network will be either (1) off the air entirely or (2) be reduced to a tenth tier radio network before the election in November....

Here's more from the New York Times (it's long - I wanted to pull out the relevant parts because NYT has a logon req.):

This is sad news. Four contractors (3 were U.S. citizens) were killed while travelling through Fallujah. Among celebratory Baathist Iraqis, their bodies were beaten, mutilated, and then hung from a bridge before being dragged for miles behind donkey carts. The Iraqi police arrived at the scene 30 minutes after the incident and have, as yet, no suspects.

...for returning Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Be sure to pass this on to anyone you know who might be eligible (especially, from Ft. Carson).

Operation Freedom Lodging Offers 1,000 Nights to Returning Troops From North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (NNS) -- Vail Resorts in Colorado is offering 1,000 free nights to service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as part of “Operation Freedom Lodging."

Members from any branch of service who served for 30 or more days in these countries are eligible for up to three consecutive nights of lodging at Vail Resorts-owned and -operated hotels in Breckenridge and Keystone.

“Operation Freedom Lodging is a gesture of our appreciation for the courageous men and women who have been serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Tony Piringer, vice president of hospitality for Vail Resorts.

Qualified service members wishing to make reservations for Operation Freedom Lodging can call: Breckenridge at 1-800 832-3694, and Keystone at 1-800 270-4690. After making reservations, service members must verify their status by faxing a copy of their orders or a letter from their commander or senior enlisted supervisor to Fort Carson Morale, Welfare and Recreation at DSN 691-9453 or (719) 526-9453. Documents may be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

For more information on the verification process, call Fort Carson Morale, Welfare and Recreation at DSN 691-2083 or (719) 526-2083.

...This is the result of Wesley Clark and Bill Clintons' excellent policy. Unbelievable.

Serbs Award Salary, Perks to Milosevic
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC, Associated Press Writer

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro - Serbian lawmakers on Tuesday awarded salaries, legal fees and other financial perks to former President Slobodan Milosevic and fellow Serbian war crimes suspects being tried by a U.N. tribunal in the Netherlands.

The new law also would cover travel and mailing expenses incurred by families of the two dozen Serb war crimes suspects currently imprisoned in The Hague.

It was adopted by a 141-35 vote in parliament and illustrates the surge of nationalism in the Balkan republic.
<...>
Since Milosevic is defending himself, the law will pay the fees of his numerous legal advisers. Prison visits by his neo-communist wife, one of the toughest critics of the previous Democratic-led government, and his two children will be paid for by Serbia taxpayers...

"NATO's core mission remains the same: the defense of its members against any aggression. Today, our alliance faces a new enemy, which has brought death to innocent people from New York to Madrid. Terrorists hate everything this alliance stands for. They despise our freedom, they fear our unity, they seek to divide us. They will fail. We will not be divided. We will never bow to the violence of a few ... we will face the mortal danger of terrorism, and we will overcome it together." - President George W. Bush

A big WELCOME to Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. More than 75 years ago, my grandfather left Lithuania after watching the Communists murder his family. He fled to Scotland (where he married a Scottish lass), then America. He's very happy about this - probably drinking krupnik right now.

More about the expansion of NATO here and Pravda's take on it is here.

1. The Commissar has a new map of Africa up at the Politburo Diktat.

2. GeorgeWBush.com has the Kerry Gas Calculator that will give you the cost of a Kerry $.50/gallon tax increase.

3. John Hawkins at Right Wing News has more on the Benedict Arnold issue for John Kerry.

More to follow...

4. Harvey of Bad Money takes a look at the benefits of appeasement.

5. Bill Whittle has Chapter Two up at EjectEjectEject.

All of you Special Operations soldiers out there, listen up. Scott sent me an email on the status of Colonel Aaron Bank. The 104 year old soldier's health is deteriorating. The leader of the OSS in WWII and founder of the Special Forces, Col. Bank is being moved to hospice care. Keep the Colonel and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Smash went to his Congresswoman to talk about enacting legislation to protect Reservists returning to their civilian jobs. Looks like the idea is catching on...

And, he's organizing a Support the Troops rally for April 3rd. If you have experience in organizing rallies, send him some advice.

James Taranto posts the infamous Frenchman letter with responses from his readers. Check it out.

Milt's File points the way to a Washington Times article about traditional French foods that are more un-healthy than a Big Mac.

As if this news wasn't bad enough for Herr Chirac, his party is getting its collective butt kicked. He's going to have to make cabinet changes based on the losses his party incurred. Not that it would make much of difference, but I wouldn't mind seeing de Villepin given his walking papers.

Some of you have read about the Carrasquillo family on this blog (must read link) and have seen the photo blog I put together for them. Bobby Sr. has a web site to honor his two sons - both paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Specialist Bobby Carrasquillo, a medic with the 2/325, was wounded in Iraq.

Private First Class Alex Carrasquillo, a Scout with the 3/505th, hit the Green Ramp at Pope AFB at 9:30AM on Saturday. Safe and sound.

It's 10AM and I am going to have a drink (hey, I'm on vacation) in honor of the Carrasquillo family.

To a great American family,

All the way, boys, ALL THE WAY!