Raising Kaine - Recommended Diaries

Jim Webb, 39 Years later...

cycle12 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:11:33 GMT

Good morning and happy Independence Day, RK!

It's a beautiful day here in southwest Virginia, and on such occasions as the Fourth of July I am even more strongly reminded of how much I love this United States of America and so deeply appreciate all that has been accomplished in order to make life so good for a sizeable majority of our citizens.

Yes, much is left to be done to make the American dream a reality for everyone, but by electing people like Jim Webb to important leadership positions, I still believe that we can accomplish anything.

As we all know so well, Jim Webb exhibited strong leadership skills at an early age. Please take a moment to read Webb's Navy Cross citation below, keeping in mind that Webb was 23 years old when he earned this honor in the hell of war-torn Vietnam nearly 39 years ago on July 10, 1969:
From the "Home of Heroes" website available at this address/link: http://www.homeofheroes.com/va...
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"WEBB, JAMES H., JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to James H. Webb, Jr. (106180), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 July 1969, while participating in a company-sized search and destroy operation deep in hostile territory, First Lieutenant Webb's platoon discovered a well-camouflaged bunker complex which appeared to be unoccupied. Deploying his men into defensive positions, First Lieutenant Webb was advancing to the first bunker when three enemy soldiers armed with hand grenades jumped out. Reacting instantly, he grabbed the closest man and, brandishing his .45 caliber pistol at the others, apprehended all three of the soldiers. Accompanied by one of his men, he then approached the second bunker and called for the enemy to surrender. When the hostile soldiers failed to answer him and threw a grenade which detonated dangerously close to him, First Lieutenant Webb detonated a claymore mine in the bunker aperture, accounting for two enemy casualties and disclosing the entrance to a tunnel. Despite the smoke and debris from the explosion and the possibility of enemy soldiers hiding in the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search which yielded several items of equipment and numerous documents containing valuable intelligence data. Continuing the assault, he approached a third bunker and was preparing to fire into it when the enemy threw another grenade. Observing the grenade land dangerously close to his companion, First Lieutenant Webb simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy, pushed the Marine away from the grenade, and shielded him from the explosion with his own body. Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds from the explosion, he managed to throw a grenade into the aperture and completely destroy the remaining bunker. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
Born: February 9, 1946 at St. Joseph, Missouri
Home Town: St. Joseph, Missouri"
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I hope you all have a real firecracker of a Fourth of July, and thanks!

Steve

More HOT Lane Corruption

Matt H — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:51:21 GMT

Below is a link to the WaPo's article today about the illegal Va. campaign contributions made to our elected officials from the Australian company that has gained from our high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.

None of this should come as a surprise to anyone (especially anyone who reads this Site), as many have spoken about the sheer secrecy surrounding the construction of these so-called Lexus lanes. Ask ANY politician his or her views on the subject and they will quickly go silent.

This is a nearly perfect example of our politicians being bought, and greedy companies claiming a mistake on their part (well maybe they should truly pay for their mistake by losing out on the public's money??? - oops, that's too logical - let the public be damned.). Instead they just announce the mistake the day before a long holiday weekend.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

Dominion Protestors Facing Jail Time?

hilarycoleen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:05:39 GMT

Following an arraignment yesterday, it was announced that the 12 students arrested in Monday's protest against Dominion could face jail time for their actions. See the Times-Dispatch article below- this is crazy!!

Protest may lead to time in jail
The 'Tredegar 12' face trial July 29 but maybe not repayment
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008 - 12:08 AM
MICHAEL MARTZ
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
First came the cause.
Now come the consequences.
Twelve political activists could face time in jail for their parts in a protest that blockaded the entrance to Dominion Resources' corporate headquarters in downtown Richmond on Monday...

Read the rest of the article here.

The Girl Effect

The Grey Havens — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:03:23 GMT

No big deal. It's just the future of humanity.

Find out more, take action:

The Girl Effect Site
ONE
Global Child Survival Act
GROWTH Act

More, or More, or More