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Seven years have passed since nearly three thousand of our countrymen were killed on a bright clear September morning. It was the first time in our history that any enemy ever dared to attack us on our own soil.

This was not a navy base thousands of miles away. These victims were not soldiers. These victims were civilians, deliberately targeted by perhaps the greatest evil movement on the planet since the rise of Nazism.

What troubles me as much as the memories of men and women plunging to their deaths from windows eighty to ninety stories above lower Manhattan, is the cavalier way in which we soon dismissed the significance of what happened to this nation, and returned to a host of agendas, ignoring the threat that remains to this day.

Today, the media doesn’t show us the images of 9-11, because some actually claim to be offended. It stuns me that many Americans have become comfortable with the notion that the events of September 11th, 2001 were the result of American arrogance and flawed foreign policy decisions. We deserved it … we took our punishment, so let’s move on, they tell us.

That widely held sentiment is shocking.

Whether or not we choose to face it, our future was altered by the events of 9-11, and we must embrace what that means. We must accept that never again will warfare take the form it has taken for centuries. Never again will our enemies wear uniforms, and deploy from within the borders of a nation-state.

From 9-11 forward the enemy is a phantom. Only fools ignore the peril that brings. Only the ignorant or the arrogant dismiss the challenges to our constitutional republic that represents. This much remains the same. A nation divided is no match for this, or any enemy. Ours is a nation divided.

Last weekend I watched the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over Lake Washington as a part of the Seafair Air Show. It has been my privilege to see this sensational precision flight demonstration team perform almost yearly for many decades. Growing up in Seattle, I saw the Grumman Tigers flown by the Blue Angels in the late fifties. In the seventies, they were F-4 Phantoms from the Vietnam war era. Later the Blues performed their magic aboard McDonnell-Douglas Skyhawks, and today the aircraft of choice is the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.

Since 1946 the Navy Blue Angels have astonished and thrilled tens of millions who have witnessed their brilliantly choreographed aerial shows.

The Blue Angels exist to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts, serving as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors. The elite Blue Angel pilots exhibit what are actually just refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. This year, the Blue Angels will fly 66 air shows at 35 locations in the United States. Some fifteen million spectators will see their incredible performances. Beyond the oohs and ahs, and even the recruiting value of the Blues, there is an important message delivered by this amazing precision flight demonstration team….it is about the country you live in.

Somehow, when you experience the Blue Angels, you think about America. I have had that happen to me more than once, and many others who have seen the Blues have volunteered the same. Witnessing the beauty and precision of a Blue Angels demonstration, one marvels at the extraordinary technology our country possesses. You will feel a sense of relief that those planes belong to us and not our enemies, but most of all one cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride.

This precision flight team says all that is right and strong about our country. The pilots are our best and brightest. The jets are state of the art, and the epitome of American ingenuity. The precision and discipline with which the Blue Angels function is a tribute to American commitment and preparation.

Finally the remarkable maneuverability of these lightning-fast FA-18 Hornets sends an unmistakable message that our foes ought to think long and hard before they elect to take us on.

You can see what I mean this Saturday and Sunday when the U.S. Navy Blue Angels appear in the skies over Fairchild Air Force Base. Their rare visit is part of the Fairchild’s Sky Fest.

Spokane Police Department Media Release:

Last Saturday, July 26, 2008, just before midnight, a whilte male walked
into the Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 5520 North Division, and demanded oxycontin.
The suspect attempted to alter his appearance with the use of heavy/dark
eye makeup. He implied a weapon, and the victim belived the suspect had
a gun. The suspect received over 500 pills, a street value of over
$1000.00. The suspect ran out of the store, fled south through the
parking lot and then ran east.

Detectives believe this is the same subject who robbed the Rite-Aid on
June 4, 2008 just after midnight. The physcial descriptions are the
same. The suspect’s behavior and demeanor are similar in both robberies
as well.

The suspect is described as a white male, thin build (possibly 160
pounds), about 6′00″ tall. In the latest robbery, the suspect was
wearing a dark stocking cap pulled low on his forehead, a dark navy long
sleeve shirt with dark pants (possible workout clothing). See attached
photo. The second security photo is of the suspect during the June
robbery.

Rite-Aid is offering a $5000.00 reward for information that leads to the
arrest and conviction of this suspect. Citizens are urged to call
242-TIPS with any information!

I’m going to wade into this little flap between the Coeur d’Alene Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League.

Here are the qualifications for my two cents: I’m a former Marine. I’m a veteran of two foreign wars. I’m not a participant in either the VFW or the Marine Corps League.

This is my concern. The VFW and the Marine Corps League are organizations that foster support for veterans in our community. These are men and women who have served our country in war and peace. Now instead of fighting Germans or the Japanese or North Koreans or North Vietnamese or Iraqis they’re apparently fighting each other over who gets to carry the colors.

Carrying the colors is an honor. The color guard at the White House has a member of each branch of our armed forces represented. Everyone is equal because everyone contributes. If I’m a Marine grunt in the middle of a firefight I’m counting on getting airstrikes from the Air Force, artillery from the Army and I’m counting on my platoon’s Navy corpsman to make sure all the guys in my squad stay alive. Everyone contributes.

Here’s where I’m going to adjust fire. A VFW representative, Don Reigel, says that the CDA Parade committee slighted the VFW by not inviting them to participate. They also feel slighted because the Marine Corps League - not the VFW - was asked to carry the colors. Now, I would’ve maybe asked if they could rotate that responsibility every year so that this year the Marines carry and next year the VFW carries it that way no one feels left out. But nope, it didn’t go that direction. Nope, instead Reigel decided to take a potshot at the Marine Corps League’s participation when he said:

“That flag is important and it should be done right not haphazardly.”

Out of everything else said I could understand the frustration of the VFW not being able to carry the colors. But take it to the point where you insult the Marines’ ability to honor our nation’s colors in the Coeur d’Alene Parade? That’s when I have to say as a former Marine take a look at this picture below. This picture sums up the Marines’ qualifications to honor our country’s colors.

The word from former Army General Wesley Clark is that John McCain doesn’t have the chops to lead this country’s Armed Forces.

This, of course, coming from a former Army General who was once entrusted not with practicing democracy but protecting it. This, of course, coming from a man who was pretty much forced into retirement because of *cough* Kosovo *cough* differences of opinion with the National Command Authority. This, of course, also coming from a man who is now campaigning for Sen. Barack Obama, the heir apparent for his party’s presidential nomination.

This also coming from a man who, unlike Sen. McCain, was unable to secure his party’s nomination for president.

OK so lets compare Barack Obama and John McCain’s credentials. Lets look at their military service, shall we? Lets see who has the military experience that most qualifies them to command the Armed Forces.

First, which candidate attended a military academy or participated in any sort of military ROTC program? John McCain attended Annapolis. Barack Obama did not attend a military academy or participate in a military ROTC program.

Second, which candidate has served in the Armed Forces? John McCain served as a naval officer and was a qualified naval aviator. Barack Obama has not spent a single day in the Armed Forces unless you count overseas visits to U.S. servicemen in war zones.

Third, which candidate has actually served in combat? John McCain served as a naval aviator and flew combat missions during the Vietnam War. Barack Obama has traveled to war zones to visit U.S. servicemen.

Fourth, which candidate has led troops during their military service? Following his return from Vietnam John McCain was the executive officer and later commanding officer of U.S. Navy Attack Squadron 174. Barack Obama has never served in the military.

I’m sorry General Clark. Strictly from a position of military experience, how is Sen. Barack Obama more qualified to lead our nation’s armed forces over Sen. John McCain?

“Lone Survivor” is the story of a group of Navy SEALs against great odds.  A story of heroism, courage and brotherhood.  “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell is a moving and emotional account of one man’s will to survive and his fellow soldiers bravery under fire.

(Pro Triathlete, Jim Vance, Former Navy SEAL; Marcus Luttrell and Dave Erickson)

Friday, Luttrell stopped by the KXLY4 studio for a one on one interview about why he’s here in the Inland Northwest this weekend and why he wrote this #1 National Bestseller, “Lone Survivor”.

Jurassic Park comes true:

Deep inside the dusty university store room, three scientists struggle to lift a huge fossilised bone.

It is from the leg of a dinosaur.  For many years, this chunky specimen has languished cryptically on a shelf.  Interesting but useless — a forgotten relic of a lost age.   Now, with hammer and chisel poised, the academics from Montana State University in America gather round.

They are about to shatter this rare vestige of the past.  Why would they do such a thing? (continue reading)