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USS York

August 13, 2008 By Godfadr Leave a Comment

Was the USS York built with scrap steel from the World Trade Center’s twin towers? The answer is yes. 

I have received this one from several Slow Bleed readers. Most of them are wondering if this is indeed real so here you go. 

The ship was commissioned March 1, 2008. Here are a few stats as well as photos. 

  • Bow stem includes seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center’s twin towers
  • Construction with World Trade Center steel was encouraged by Governor George Pataki of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City
  • Name given by then Secretary of the Navy Gordon England
  • Keel was laid on August 2004
  • 1,200 Louisiana workers stayed to keep building the ship after Hurricane Katrina hit the shipyard in August 2005
  • Ship was christened at Northrop Grumman’s Avondale shipyard on March 1, 2008
  • Motto: “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.”

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Filed Under Inspirational, Pride Tagged With Ship from World Trade Center, USS York, World Trade Center

Red Cross Emblem Used in Colombian Rescue? I Hope Not!

August 11, 2008 By Godfadr Leave a Comment

The Colombian rescue was incredible but it may have also severely undermined the neutrality of the Red Cross. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced grave concern over Colombia’s apparent deliberate misuse of their symbol. 

If you recall, the rescuers tricked the rebels into releasing the French-Colombian hostages by posing as international aid workers. The Columbian President Alvaro Uribe acknowledged that a Red Cross symbol was worn by a member of the military taking part in the July 2 rescue. 

Mr. Uribe says it was an “error made by a nervous soldier.” 

Not to take anything away from the rescue, but if they intentionally used the Red Cross symbol for a military action it will certainly jeopardize the lives of legitimate peacekeepers moving forward. 

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Filed Under Culture, Pride Tagged With Colombian Hostage rescue, Columbian Hostage Rescue, Red Cross, Red Cross Symbol misused

Obama vs. McCain: Where do They Stand on Key Issues?

August 7, 2008 By Godfadr 7 Comments

Still trying to get past all the crud regarding who has the larger flag on their plane or the latest “celebrity” videos and get to the real issues? Here are some cliff notes you can share with friends that may help you decide on the best choice for your vote… 

The Economy 

McCain – Would cut taxes on middle-class families by abolishing the Alternative Minimum Tax. Wants to decrease government spending. Wants to reform Social Security. 

Obama – Wants to help middle-class struggling with rising cost but stagnant pay. Wants to reform healthcare and education. Wants to renegotiate free trade agreements.

War in Iraq

McCain – Voted for the 2003 invasion. Believes we should remain in Iraq. Says withdrawal could trigger genocide in the region.

Obama – Opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. Wants phased removel of troops. Says there is “no military solution” in Iraq.

 

Iran

McCain – Would try to escalate economic sanctions. Won’t rule out military solution if necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.  

Obama – Would meet with Iranian leaders without preconditions. He says they may change behavior if they were given incentives. 

National Security

McCain – Has been a leading voice in efforts to prevent the CIA from resorting to “cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment of prisoners.” 

Obama – He has criticized the Patriot Act, but voted to re-authorize it in 2006. 

Illegal Immigration 

McCain – Co-Sponsor of bill, which offered amnesty to illegal immigrants as well as tougher border controls. Says undocumented workers already in US should be given citizenship. 

Obama – Wants US-Mexico border to be better policed and impose stiffer penalties for employers that hire illegal immigrants. Believes that allowing illegal immigrants to gain citizenship is not amnesty if they pay a fine. 

Abortion Rights

McCain – Says that the 1973 Supreme Court ruling (Roe v Wade) should be overturned. Would appoint sympathetic new judges and aid state efforts to boost adoption. 

Obama – Says he trusts women to make their own choices in conjunction with their doctors or clergy. 

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Filed Under Culture, Economy, Pride Tagged With Abortion Rights, Candidates Key Issues, McCain, National Security, Obama, Obama and McCain, Politics, War in Iraq

Obama and McCain: Come Fly with Me…

July 31, 2008 By Godfadr 13 Comments

Ok, there are ten million emails going around regarding Obama’s plane and the relocation of the US Flag* versus John McCain’s plane not even having the US flag. Well, here you go. 

Obama’s plane was repainted once he was the last “man” standing in the Democratic race. The North American Airlines flag* was removed from the tail of the plane (which now sports Obama’s logo). The US flag remains next to the aircrafts call letters. 

 

McCain’s airplane (below) was not repainted nor does it have a large US Flag (there is one located just below the tail).

In the end, you get to choose which act of narcissism you like best. Paint your own logo on the plane or make your name really big?! 

*Godfather added: To further clarify…Obama’s plane is from North American Airlines. The logo (flag) that was on the tail was North American’s logo (not an actual US flag). Obama relocated (or retained) the US flag as mentioned above (adjacent to the plane’s registration number) and replaced NA’s logo on the tail with his own campaign logo.

Got something to say? Click “Comments” below…

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Filed Under Pride Tagged With McCain, McCain Plane, Obama, Obama Plane, Obama Plane US Flag, Politics

McCain Pegs Obama as Just Another Britney…

July 31, 2008 By Godfadr Leave a Comment

Separated at Birth? 

Ok, now McCain is just getting weird. 

McCain’s camp will be releasing a new advertisement entitled “Celeb,” in which the ad compares Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. The advertisement suggests Obama is little more than a widely recognized media concoction. 

The ad intercuts images of Obama’s Europe visit with video of 20-something pop stars. 

As far as I know, Obama doesn’t sing and although he does have fairly short hair which is reminiscent of Britney, not sure why McCain is going this far. But than again, this is politics – never let the truth get in the way of a good campaign slam.

Update: Here is the video and the response video from Paris Hilton. 

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Filed Under Humor, Pride Tagged With Britney Spears, McCain compares Obama to Britney, McCain's New Ad, Obama, Obama pop icon, Politics

Off the Grid…

July 10, 2008 By Godfadr Leave a Comment

Just quick notes to let you all know I am off the grid and on vacation. What does a vacation mean for the Godfather? 

Well for me, it means I will be in a very remote location. In this particular case, somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

I, of course, will have my laptop and my Harley. The downside is that I also have no cell service and very limited Internet connections – or is that the upside? 

In any case, there will be only a few posts over the next few weeks. 

All the best! 

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Filed Under Pride

Something was Missing this Fourth of July…

July 6, 2008 By Godfadr 2 Comments

As I wondered around the neighborhood this Fourth of July weekend something was missing. 

When I was young it was overly apparent that July 4th was on everyone’s mind. There were flags everywhere. And not just flags, but various banners and sometimes even lights. 

People do forget. 

After 911 I noticed an increase in patriotism. Flags could not be kept on the shelf at your local hardware store. I saw flags everywhere – not just on the outside of homes but on cars as well. 

Fast forward a couple years and even though we have a multitude of soldiers still around the world fighting, the effects of 911 have worn away and general apathy has once again set it. 

I almost forgot my flag this year – caught up with packing for a much needed vacation – I thought to myself, “what I hassle it would be to go up into the attic, get the flag, and fix the mount that had broken the previous year.” 

Those thoughts, however fleeting they may have been, bothered me. Somewhere there are soldiers just wishing they could be home and fly the flag in their own yard. Needless to say I, of course, put up the flag and actually purchased a second one to put out front as well. 

It is easy to get caught up with life’s inertia. With everyone looking at an upcoming election, the economy, and raising fuel and food prices, we forget to show our appreciation for the basic freedoms we enjoy everyday. 

I think I will have to fly the flag extra days this year – seems we need to remember now, more than ever, how good we have it. 

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Filed Under Culture, Pride Tagged With Celebrating Fourth of July, Fourth of July, US Flag
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