Mike Yon, The Modern Day Ernie Pyle; updated

I have been devouring Mike Yon's dispatches since I chanced on his "Gates of Fire" post a couple years ago, he really deserves a Pulitzer Prize for independant journalism. His latest,"The Final Option", is typical of his style of being the fly on the wall while putting himself at enormous risk of being swatted in order to get out the truth, good, bad and ugly, this one is on some amazing progress being made on the ground and in the hearts and minds of the people of the Al-Anbar and the city of Hit. This is one of his best as it details the pacification of an overly zealous and powerful police chief that had crossed the line with the people and they requested our help to solve the problem. We did without a shot or a bruise to anybody. We are winning this war in a big way if only our MSM had the guts to cover it fairly. We get headlines that read"Ten Killed in Suicide-bomb Attack" instead of "30 Al Qaeda killed and 60 captured" , numbers are retorical but close.
There is so much information at Bill Roggio's Fourth Rail you can get lost in the high grass, especially if you explore his highlites and sidebars where I found this great piece from The Telegraph in the UK, by David Blair, good reporting with a lefty twinge, it is worth the read.

Update: Barnyard friend Amy from Bottom Line Upfront has some great posts up, check them out.

Must Read Words From a Founder

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!
March 23, 1775
By Patrick Henry
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?
Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlement assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Editors note substitute Iran for Britain and read it again

Enter Fred Thompson; Updated

Today's must read is by Ramesh Ponurru at NRO, another look at the GOP debate. long but worth the read.

Fred Thompson has officially launched his "exploratory" committee so he can can start collecting money, so important today. I like him and welcome him into the race and believe he should be Mitt Romney's running mate. I have zero intentions of leaving the Romney camp through the primary season but have little problem voting for any of the others in the general should they win nomination, McCain, would require a strong nose clip to cover the stench. The race will be between Mitt, Fred and Rudy so that nose clip won't be needed except in Rudy's case to cover his lack of respect for the prolife position. I don't see Fred, Mitt or Rudy attacking a person for their ideas, just discussing them as ideas not as a platform for personal attacks. I look forward to a strong campaign by all parties involved and welcome it, I know, I am a wierdo political junky.
I saw the term "common sense" conservative used to describe Fred and I like it as my conservatism is not born from ideology but from Barnyard horse sense. I have not read the great tomes on conservative ideology nor desire to. I like a common sense approach to politics not a nuanced frenchied version, at least they woke up. My ticket through the primary season will be Romney F. Thompson .

Don't miss Mark Steyn's "Song of the Week" , my favorite hymn,
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning
Of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watchfires
Of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar
In the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence
By the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ
In burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with My contemners,
So with you My grace shall deal":
Let the Hero born of woman
Crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.

Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet
That shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men
Before His judgement seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him;
Be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.

Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom
That transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy,
Let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.

Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

As today is the true Memorial Day, my prayers and thanks go out. Read those words close, that is America!

Tuesday Trails: Updated With Video

Another view, white peaches, naval oranges, grapes, and apricots in the background

I have seen several hits by those searching my real name on sitemeter over the last couple months, for their information, I am the author of this blog but I am not the ones that come up otherwise on a google search. We are probably related since my surname is old and distinctly rare, the main reason I hide it. I have researched this well, ID protection is clearly very important this day and age.

For new readers, an explanation of 'Goat' and "The Barnyard", and how I came about the names.

Goat: Given by friends at Bill O'reilly's forum yeasr ago for standing up to loonbat trolls, short for Goat Gruff, from "Aesop's Fables", such valuable morals are tought in those child's tales.

The Barnyard: It grew from a record setting thread at BOR's site till I was booted. It was in the 'Politics" section titled " Care to Enter the Barnyard?", it grew from there after the staff kicked me out for starting The Barnyard blog. I am coming up on two years now and I have met some wonderful folks and some scum and its been fun! Many thanks to those that stop by for a visit and some polite conversation.

Tonights must read is by Peter Berkowitz at the OPJ Online, which has more on lefty pathology, it appears to be contagious as in zombie like while debate on the right is as usual, bountiful and informative.

From my favorite Congressman John Cambell of the Green Eye Shade blog an endorsement for Mitt Romney.

Weekend Roundup: Updated

Goat's veggie garden

I plant perrenial wildflowers aound the border

My princess lily is going nuts

One of my very favorite flowers, I take alot of flower pictures to aid in stained glass design so why not share them.

In response to/inspired by David Plotz'z Slate piece "Blogging the Bible", Dr.Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch in coordination with Michelle Malkin and HotAir has started a weelky Sunday forum called "Blogging the Qu'ran" and the first installment is up. This will be a must read series as Dr. Spencer cuts right to the thick of it and is one of our top scholars on radical jihadi Islam. The commentary should be very interesting as well. He knows the Qu'ran and its acompanying books as well as if not better than most Islamic scholars and will go toe to toe in debate with them as they try to explain away jihad, dhimmitude, and the other corruptions within the religion. Thanks to his work and others like Serge Trifkovic we can understand why they don't just hate us they are commanded to convert us force us to submit as basically slaves or be killed as a takfir, infidel. Islam is not a very old religion so it's history is well documented. Trifkovic's book " The Sword of the Prophet" is a great look at the history of the early life of Islam and its prophet, Mohammed, a desert pirate by all accounts outside of Islam. Another couple good books to read are "A Concise History of the Crusades" by Thomas F. Madden and "The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Crusades" from Regnery.

The Goat understands fully what we are facing, I may be a redneck country boy but I ain't dumb nor ignorant. I have been a news junky for a long time, and avid reader of history, especially war and America. My addiction to politics is more recent as I saw history being rewritten by the socialist left that has invaded the DNC. I am a September 11 Republican and sought to know our enemy and I chose to fight. I fully honor and remember those that have carried the fight forward on behalf of this great Nation and watered the Tree of Liberty with their blood and that of tyrants.
God Bless Them and God Bless the USA

Update: Dang I am going to miss Tony Blair and David Cameron going nose to nose on Cspan when Tony steps down, these guys are real political lions when it comes to retorical oratory. I know only us wierdos watch "Questions for the Prime Minister" but the Brits are much more fun than our guys to watch and I wish them well with their coming leadership. Tony has been a good friend of the US and a is brilliant man, I have heard rumors of him being asked to lead the World Bank. It would be a good move, he is not a bureaucrat, and very reform minded.

Update: Ouch, a Hillary speech, on Road to the Whitehouse, this woman is a horrible speaker, no wonder Barack and Edwards have over taken her. her vote no on the Senate war funding bill is a direct result of that. Ouch, ouch, I can at least listen to the other two. Hillary Clinton will never be POTUS. All of the GOP nominees could destroy her in National debate, even our favorite punching bags, McCain and Paul. Mitt Romney, or Fred Thompson would totally annilate her as could Duncan Hunter or Mike Huckabee. Fred and Mike's slapdowns would probably be the most amusing for sure. I am proud of the GOP field as most are very capable of leading America, none of the Democrats are except maybe Bill Richardson as actually their most qualified candidate. I might add she got almost zero polite applause. Edwards/Obama or Richardson will be the DNC ticket. Hillary is done.

Update: I regained contact with an old friend of the Barnyard, Stan over at Free Constitution, he runs a good site. I lost contact when my blogroll was deleted changing over to blogger2. I am glad to have bumbed into him again on the internet speedway, friends of the Barnyard add him to your blogroll, Stan and his brother are right on the level, give them some blogger support.

Weekend Rambler

Ruh roh, the Goat has figgered out how to post video and he has a vidcam

This article at The American Thinker caught my eye as I rambled around the internet today, by Vasko Kohlmayer, attempting to explain the lunacy of the left, it seems those that turn their backs on God go mad according to Scripture and he makes a fine case for it I must say.

The other day we were once again warned about that dire danger to our existence - cow flatulence. It just so turns out that the gaseous emissions of the bovine digestive tract account for more greenhouse gasses than all the SUVs, airplanes, trucks and cars combined. In other words, as far as global warming is concerned cows pose a greater threat to our survival than transport. And this according to the UN no less.
All those worried about the future of our planet should be asked whether they really believe that cow flatulence can lead to an atmospheric meltdown.
If you are even remotely tempted to answer in the affirmative you have a serious problem. And don't think that citing Al Gore will get you off the hook; hiding behind the foolhardiness of others is a poor way of concealing your own. The truth is that Al Gore is an unbalanced man which should be obvious to everyone with the eyes to see. That he still enjoys any credibility is evidence of just how confused we have become.

I also was reminded of this great HotAir Vent by the lovely and talented Michelle Malkin while she was in Iraq and it underscores last nights Frolic, (hattip: a commenter at The Fourth Rail).



It is worth watching!

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend and don't forget to thank those that made this day special, to paraphrase Gen. Patton " We should not mourn that these men have died, we should be thankful that such men have lived!" Those that die to set people free are the greatest Patriots of all and my prayers and joyful thanks goes out to those that serve in our Patriot Armed Forces and another special thanks to our folks in Law Enforcement here in America as they are also frontline defenders of the American Way.

Barnyard straw poll

Anti-Amnesty

As I am, here are a couple hotlines to the Senate, sponsored by moveon.org, hee,hee, for amnesty supporters to call. We can call too, Heh!?!
1-800-882-2005. (Spanish number)
1-800-417-7666. (English number)

From We Win/They Lose a petition:

Friday Frolic

Well this frolic lead me to a Smoking Gun report on an Al Qaeda torture room and torture manual (hattip: Dean Barnett) showing using drills, vises, electrocution and other just as gruesome techniques that was found this week. These are the folks the surrendercrats want to abandon the Iraqi people to by running away like a yellow dog. Do you think those Iraqis we rescued when we found this torture chamber were grateful? I could hazard a positive guess. The people beg our soldiers not to leave them in the hands of those brutal thugs once they aren't coerced by force and their brainwashing. Our soldiers are actually becoming the best propaganda force in Iraq with their exemplary and honorable demeanor and kindness towards the Iraqi people, they demonstrate all the traits admired in Arab culture and it is slowly winning the battle for the hearts and minds of the street. All of the street cred we have worked so hard to build will be lost in an instant the second we abandon the people we freed and promised to protect till they could protect themselves from the terrorists. James Taranto reports that the MSM is ominously silent on this as are other critics of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.

Update: Frederick Kagen has a great piece at The Weekly Standard in this same vein, an absolute must read, a couple key 'graphs:

From time to time, nations face fundamental tests of character. Forced to choose between painful but wise options, and irresponsible ones that offer only temporary relief from pain, a people must decide what price they are willing to pay to safeguard themselves and their children and to do the right thing. America has faced such tests before. Guided by Abraham Lincoln, we met our greatest challenge during the Civil War and overcame it, despite agonizing doubts about the possibility of success even into 1864. The Greatest Generation recovered from the shock of Pearl Harbor and refused to stop fighting until both Germany and Japan had surrendered unconditionally. A similar moment is upon us in Iraq. What will we do?

And

What will happen if we abandon these children? Death will stalk them and their families. Al Qaeda will attempt to subjugate them. Shia militias will drive them from their homes or kill them. And they and their neighbors, and everyone in the Middle East, will know we left them to their fate. Everyone will know, "Never trust the Americans." Everyone will warn their children, "The Americans will only betray you." We will cement our reputation as untrustworthy. We will lose this generation not only in Iraq, but throughout the Middle East. And we will have lost more than our reputation and our ability to protect our interests. We will have lost part of our soul.

Read The Whole Thing!
He is a much better wordsmith than I and just returned from a tour of Iraq. There is lots of good news between the bombs and the blood that feeds our MSM consumed by BDS and determined to bring down an administration they loath. ABC recently ran an article about secret covert operations in Iran and Pres. Bush signing off on them. Everybody with a brain knows we are doing that so its a non-story to begin with and I would bet most Americans would support such measures. I read it and Brian Ross doesn't have a clue, weak reporting so he had to tag "secret" into it and give some vague sources to make it interesting enough to look at. Heck I know more about what we are doing than that piece of "news" let out. I know there are huge cracks in the mad Mullahs' foundation and millions of tiny hammers are chipping away, so what if we supply those hammers.
Dang, Pres. Bush is having to clean up problems left by three proceeding administrations in the Middle-East, that seemed to come to a head all at once then throw a couple hurricanes into the mix. I would say he has done an admirable job in the face of a highly negative press and truly vicious opposition. He is dealing with the results of Reagan's amnesty, His father's Iraq and Clinton's Afghanistan, not to mention the entitlement dilemma and taxation. The economy is booming, records in home ownwership, very low unemployment, if we would just tap our own oil and gas reserves, we have far more than the loonbats want us to believe, this country is doing well.

I take the much cited poll question "Is America headed in the right direction?" with a grain of salt as A conservative could cite the breakdown of the family, runaway spending and the assault on the Constitution and God, and loonbats could cite that we are not becoming gender-bender, limp-wristed socialists, devoid of God fast enough. I always ask the polster to what category they are referring to as there are many to consider. I say stagnate compared to what we could be once we get the government reduced and kick the Euro-socialists out once and for all.

Update: Mike Totten has another great piece up about Israel and Lebanon.

Base camp for most pictures, a paint and repair trip is scheduled, the park service wants us to paint it green. My buddy will comply as he wants another 99yr lease, besides it is an historic spot as the bakery/diner for the miners and shepherds in the area at the turn of the last century. Preserving history, I love it! I am glad I have so much enthusiasm for my make shift photojournalism, a passion of mine.
All I can say is stay tuned, and I hope my rambling commentary and lucky photography makes it so. I will be honest, upfront and real, as good as I am at my trade, I would love to break into the journalism market.

Base camp, yes it is a wood burner and who bakes the best loaf or chicken gets an extra shot.

View from the porch

Getting there ain't easy. (In route to Mt. Winchell)

Yosemite High Country (on the other side of that view from the porch)

A little later in the year, again Yosemite in the back ground, I am sitting on the border between NFS,NPS and BLM management.

Thank You!

Lone Pine peak,I know some great camping in that valley to the left, an old temple/nudist colony, a roof and big fireplace, in a perfect spot.
Busy,busy, life ain't all fun and games, many, many thanks to new friends and old for your support of the Barnyard! I ask for no money, just links, blogroll or otherwise. Conservatives in the GOP need to stick together so we can ride this storm on top of the waves, not crushed below them.

Tuesday Twitterings

The birth of a giant

You have seen the in betweens, no time lapse just different plants, the bloom is sort of time lapse. I checked and snapped a pic.

Today, fully open!

To keep a watchful eye on what the democrats are up to under the storm clouds of the immigration debate, including the largest tax hike in history along with uncontrolled socialist like spending in the latest budget, the Green Eye Shade and the RSC Blog are where to look. Take your heart medication before viewing. We can't let them use the immigration debate as cover to slip through even worse measures than that monstrosity. The Democrats are using every trick in the book to confuse voters this cycle and from the poll numbers, it ain't workin', heck even the Prez is doing better than the Dim congress elites.

>Don't miss the blurps and comments from the lefty base regarding the Rev. Falwell. I wonder what they think they will gain by insulting a majority of Americans?

Give the moonbats a piece of your mind as well, blast away with all barrels, visit the idiots and give them what they deserve , a serious smackdown. We can't be shy any longer, we must respond and in force, and make the moonbats play their hand as weak as it is, so the American people can see the difference in intolerant socialism and the free market of ideas that is America.

Monday Meanderings

Amaryllis watch: This morning

This afternoon

A larger view, front row suggestions are welcome?!?

Meanwhile a not quite so pretty 'Amnesty' blossom is trying to bloom in the "Swamp" we call Congress. I would more compare it to a trumpet vine, pretty to some and destructive as a whole.

Hugh Hewitt has read the initial proposal and has offered analysis as well as his cronies at Townhall. Hugh, teaches Constitutional law at a prestigious university and he has serious legal problems with the initial proposal, good enough for me. I have zero problems with my mexican neighbors, good folk and we manage to communicate at the base level by sharing our crops freely.

I am about border and National Security not treating decent folks harshly that only want a better life.

We need to help Mexico and others develope an economic policy built on private ownership and the free market so their citizens have a better chance at success at home than illegally coming here.

We need a border security initiative that does take into account sensitive ecological regions and migration patterns of the wild.

We can do this, just like we can win the GWOT, with patient thought and cool analysis.

My Senators are useless moonbats, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, my Congressman, (R)Wally Herger is on the right side in this debate and located in the heart of rural Ca.

In the Barnyard's humble opinion the Goat hopes the moonbats keep up the lunacy.

You would think two Jewish Senators would support a war against the islamo-fascists that want to wipe out Israel and the West in general, not so with those, Sen.'s mentioned above,(D)Boxer and (D) Feinstien.

SoCal universities, anti-semitism, jihad and a small taste can be found here.

The Garden Page

My amarylli are starting to bloom! This one is the most advanced and they seem very happy

About six hours later, mine are doing very well this year, tallest stalks ever with several doubles.These blossoms will be 8 inches across and last for weeks, a great find actually planted in what I was mowing as yard, dug up and transplanted a half dozen large bulbs and this is the third Spring bloom. I put them in my North side garden and they love it.

My gladiolus are going gang busters as well though to early for flowers with lots of dividing work coming, I have 10-20 differ rent colors so it should be dazzling. All my begonias are coming back strong as well, they are perennial here, even one left dry and stuck in the woodshed came back from bone dry dirt. I do need to set up a cacti garden as well, cacti have some awesome color and beauty when they bloom.

I am blessed with being in one of the best growing zones in the US

Weekend Rambler

A Salute to our Patriot Armed Forces!

A Barnyard welcome to a new blog friend, Woman Honor Thyself and her readers! The irony is I was pointed to a great new circle of friends by a lefty hate post aimed at one of them, the moonbat hates me as well. She brought up an interesting point in her last post about male flattery towards the ladies, as a contractor that does a bulk of my work with women in their most intimate of quarters , the deepest reaches of their home.
I must maintain the highest standards of civility and sincerity in all my contacts. Heck, I am a Southern country boy and Ma'am and Sir are just part of my vocabulary. I find that if you treat someone with polite respect it goes far. I will find something to compliment the lady and the man of the house about.
When I have desired a more social contact, I simply ask permission to court her. I have always been very complimentary of those around me that deserve it for whatever reason and delivered with a sincere smile. I believe if you are honest and forth coming the compliment will be taken as such, a man's own reputation lends itself to that perception. There is a huge difference in" Oooh, cute dress" and a"Wow! You look great today" for being exceptionally stylish. The turds are obvious and on occasion the good guys get a break.
I grew up in a time and place where handshakes and flowery compliments were just going out of date, and this Goat ain't that old yet.
Is it to late to salvage civility and a polite society? I don't know, I do know it cannot comw from the "Swamp" that is DC, it has to come from us, the regular decent folks of America that are increasingly fed up with the garbage.
It must be through example not law, message and idea not bumper sticker sloganeering.
This is another reason I like Mitt Romney for POTUS. Heck, I don't scold the man for joining the NRA or moving to the right on pro-life issues, I welcome a gifted and brilliant spokesman to the cause. Rudy and McCain are done, Huckabee, Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich will replace them. The Goat likes a Romney/F Thompson ticket with Duncan Hunter as head of DHS, Rudy at AG, and Newt as top policy advisor. I don't see a single democrat that can debate them at any level, McCain and Giulliani, just concede to the left and act tough for the camera. I will vote for them over any DNC candidate though in the general should the make it out of a gruelling primary vote.

Go GOP! Roll Mitt Roll!

Sidenote: I am going to have a bumber crop of apricots, grapes, nectarines, plums(4 varieties) and cling peachs this year, some preservings tips and hints would be welcome, if secret mail them and they will be kept so, if not post away. I'll get some Barnyard garden photos up tommorrow, the fresh peas, english and asian are a wonderful compliment to my diet and coming in strong.
Again a call for readers with some jam, jelly and preserve making skills to contact me with tips, I am a rookie!?!

Yeah, life is steep, (having a good time in the SoCal sun at Suicide rocks)

and craggy, (unnamed peak in the Green creek region)

The hard work is well worth it! (From the Summit of Mt. Winchell in the Palisades region of the Sierra looking into the heart of the high country)

I know! ( Atop Mt. Dunderburgh with the Yosemite high country in the background, beer in hand)

Much can be written about faith in ourselves and the Lord, it is up to us to show it.

PS: A great list of must reads can be found at Benador.

PSS: I have to ask my Hill Billy friend how we can organize on online BBQ for Armed Forces day tomorrow. A post your menu challenge, the Goat is deciding between tin cans and a pork or a goat slow smoke. Yeah , I know, dang , I am tasty smoked over a peach wood fire. Shoot, goat is great on the smoker and I highly recommend it.

Thursday Thinking

Mesa country, yeah, I get around and see America in all Her Glory.

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."-- Patrick Henry (speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention,5 June 1778)

Hugh Hewitt, Michelle Malkin, and others have all been covering the Amnesty wreck in the 'Swamp' in extremis so I won't add to the furor. I will repeat the five things conservatives want and why.

#1 Win The War: If we don't the next four don't matter much anymore as we will be over run by crazed jihadi islamo-fascists that rejoice in our blood.

#2 Control Our Borders: This is not only related to those poor Mexicans fleeing their country's repression but also the post above, if the Mexican can walk across with drugs a terrorist can walk across with bombs and/or bio/chemical agents and set up cells. The Fort Dix Six is a perfect example. We need to know who is in this country, so after the border is secure, American jobs are protected and IDs secured, then we can deal with the millions already here.

#3 Confirm Constitutional Judges: Again not much Conservative agenda would matter if this were not the first step, the left is determined to use the courts to legislate what they can't get approved through democratic means. The left knows this better than conservatives know they need Constitutional Justices on the bench. All the social concerns of the conservative movement need to realize that all their grievances have to go through the courts to win, no Congressman or President can overturn Roe or other flawed decisions by the SCOTUS except by Amendment and that ain't easy and pols don't like hard work.

#4 Cut The Taxes: The Dems want to allow the Bush taxcuts to expire thus adding a 400 Billion tax increase on the economy. I am a firm spporter of the Fair tax, a national sales tax, and the complete removal of all income related taxes. Tax me on what I spend and use not what I earn. I don't like a flat tax but it would be better than the monster we have now.

#5 Stop The Spending: As Reagan said the gov't doesn't have an income problem it has a spending problem. The bureaucracy in the Swamp wastes so much money it would cover the deficit plus some. This is one of the reasons I am in the Mitt Romney camp, he can fix this problem and has the credentials to prove it.

I don't see the GOP in any decline or fractured state, we have our healthy squabbles of course and that is a good thing. I see a half dozen plus outstanding candidates on the GOP side versus the Pink Saphire Silky Pony John Edwards, Madame 'The Shriek' Hillary, and Platitude Man Obama. Can you picture any of these folks besting Mitt in a debate? Or even Mike Huckabee or Duncan Hunter, both quality folks and great VEEP candidates.
Heck, I am a redneck as they come and my buddies know more about what is going on in the world than most folks I meet. It is called "Horse Sense" and the common folk of America are loaded with it, good old fashioned common sense. We may get fooled once, Jimmy Carter, we won't get fooled again.
The power of America is its people not our government, we would do well to remember that.

Wednesday Wonderings

Stained glass dome I built and designed for someone on the opposite end of my political spectrum

I am in the process of launching a new business in California despite its oppressive regulations and taxes on small businesses, it is a legalistic nightmare. Well I have awoken from the bureaucratic nightmare as a fully licensed contractor while locking down some of the state's top custom home builders as clients.

Yes, the Lord does provide for those that help themselves as He has for me in every step of this process, from my former employer closing to now, and I am sure He will in the future as long as I hold to His Word. I am upfront and honest with my clients, I will not lie or mislead them into a contract. I tell them what I am capable of achieving and explain why. I am a serious student of the Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar school of thought on taking care of your clients, my direct competition isn't. They display ego, I display humility and a desire to give my clients what they want not what I want them to have, legalities addressed of course. My desire is to make my clients happy, give them what they want as best I can, not to sell them something they may not want.

One thing I have learned from being a blogger is how to network and win supporters and make friends beyond the normal personal reach. I understand how to do that as the Barnyard has moved up the technorati scale by 300,000 in just a couple weeks. I am very close to my goals and extremely grateful for the overwhelming support I have received from the right blogosphere. Y'all are the best and many thanks to you.

Like I have said we need to stick together and we can make a difference as conservatives!

PS: I strongly oppose the Immigration bill being snuck through the DNC controlled congress, contact your senator to block this insane bill especially Mtch McConnel, the Senate Minority Leader. We need a fence and we need it yesterday! We need to know who is here by grant or illegal immigration a decade ago!

The Debate

Mitt was the man, of course, I am biased by the way, Rudy and John are getting stale, Mike Huckabee and Duncan Hunter again gained a little ground as did Tancredo. In the Barnyard's view, I would love to see a debate between just Mitt, Rudy, Fred and Newt besides them the rest are running for VEEP, cabinet positions or just lucrative speaking contracts that pay more than being POTUS. Those four have the most to lose by running and yet their love for America overrides that fact. Mitt could challenge Warren Buffet if that was the direction he chose, but no, he chooses to put that expertise to work for his country, not for his personal gain.
I supported Ross Perot for many of the same traits I see in Mitt Romney, the bottom line fiscally. Mitt answers the questions before his segue to another topic better than the rest by far. In the Barnyard opinion Mitt can be himself and let the others play catch up. He is definately the man I want to preside over the budget and what the future holds. I believe fiscal and security concerns far out weigh social concerns at this time though that is a crucial element.

Monday Meander

For Trader Rick, my buddy's team Volcano, Shasta and Lassen.

Sheep and wine grapes in California's Shenandoah valley, zinfadel country
Oh well, like the TV drill the panoramic view is black boxed, didn't want to take the time to clip the wings.

Where do you go for your first dose of daily news? I use MSNBC as my MSN homepage and Salem Radio/Townhall as my main source and expand from there as the web allows.

What is your favorite blog?My favorite blog is Townhall's run by Hugh Hewitt and Dean Barnett, The Corner is a close second from NRO.

Who is the best war/mil blogger? Best war blogger is Mike Yon , without a question. Best Milblogger is tough, OpFor, Black Five and Mudville Gazzette are tied.

Best talk radio host? I like Hugh the best, he's more fun than Rush, I like Rush and agree with him but he gets stale real quick in my mind.

How often do you read the local daily paper or watch the network news? I love newspapers, I wish the producers would wake up and produce clean news. I watch little TV.

Why am I a conservative? I believe in America and it's folks and their ability to acheive success without the government getting in the way. I believe in Constitutional Federalism and our founding rights and I believe these Rights need to be protected. I hate socialism and will fight every malignent fibre of its being.

Who do you support for POTUS and why? I am a Romneyite because he is the most qualified candidate put forth by either party in decades, this is the man to put America on the right path in the new century before us. We need to get behind Mitt Romney and push hard for his election as POTUS.

A few questions, answer as you will a short meme for friends of the Barnyard, Cap'n Tug, Right is Right, Dragon Lady, Pearls Before Swine, a Big White Hat ,Freedom Eden, Bottom Line Up Front , Trader Rick, Violetrix and Hillbilly Politics among many others.

Happy Mothers Day

Mothers are the rain that begats the flowers of life,

The warmth on those frigid nights,

The soothers and healers of strife.

They bring forth a child to eternal light.

Mothers are the warm spring breeze,

The maker of koolades and treats,

They tender to scraped knees,

While insuring the warmth of our feet.

Mothers are the initial truss upon we rest,

The very foundation for which we live,

Mothers Day is to salute the best,

So I offer the smartest salute I can give,

To Mom

Ps: Yeah, I know , keep my day job.

Update: A few must reads from Max Boot, Mike Yon and Patrick Lasswell .

A Big White Hat has been spotted roaming the Barnyard and a full welcome to him and his friends, folks like that are always welcome in the Barnyard, bring out the steaks, beer and beans, Dragon Lady has brought her friends from My Republican Blog to the party as well joining the Right is Right and myself in manning the BBQ of the lefty socialist's ideas. The intent is to burn the loonbat ideas beyond recognition, as if they ever had any.

Roll Mitt Roll!

PSS: This moonbat supports amnesty for illegal immigrants in order to increase DNC power. The agenda is right there for you to read, moonbattery at its finest and once again from the 'christian' professor delivers.

Weekend Rambler

It was a pretty day so I went to visit some friends of mine, a wild herd of domestic goats living in gold country, real party animals this group.

Miles of piles, tailings from the dredging operations that took place here, one of the richest gold productions in the world, this is downstream from the famous Grass Valley/Nevada City mines and the destructive hydrolic mining being done in the area of the Malakoff Diggins . The TV show, "The Big Valley" depicted the region where I live.

The Yuba river and some interesting pine roots, the part coming out of the ground is as big as a man. The 'hills' in the background are those piles of rock dredged from the river looking for gold. I talked to a threesome doing just that and they had some positive ore to show me so I started poking around a bit.

I didn't find any gold but I did almost step on this buzz worm, a young northern pacific rattlesnake about 18 inches long, it is looking right into the camera, click picture for an enlarged view. A sign entering the park warns of them very plainly and about a half hour later, here you go.

It was sunning on the rock under the flowers on the right and is barely visble in the center at the base of the rock.

Meanwhile if you want to see what those snakes in the Swamp majority are doing with our tax dollars, visit The Green Eye Shade blog and the Republican Study Committee's for a stomach churning eye-opener of what the Democrats have in store for us. I swear the left wants to drive us over a financial cliff and they don't have clue nor care about the US. To them it is all about political power, dang if we don't need term limits more than ever. Add them both to you favorites list and blogroll if you are a blogger.

Many thanks to fellow Western Coalition blogger Pero at the Right is Right in his help in my link campaign. If you are a conservative blogger and want to crosslink, let me know, help spread the awareness. Welcome new readers from Freedom Eden, Trader Rick's and Magic Valley Mormon and many thanks for their help as well.

We all need to work together to get the conservative message out to as many folks as possible and to educate them on the dual attack on the US from the socialist left and the islamo-fascists from the far right, both in antithesis to freedom and liberty. They are rooting for each other's victory in the hopes it will bring themselves to power.

Friday Frolic

I'll tell you what, launching a new small contracting company in California is a royal pain in the butt, even with no employees. Three and a half months later I am up and running and legal, with some serious dirt on my direct competition. A question for my readers: should I report them for violating workers comp laws? They are former friends and I know the employee they are using on a part time basis. Would I just be being vindictive in reporting them or am I being a good guy by reporting the lawbreakers? I could seriously hurt these folks and their business', they also have families that I know. I got a dilemma in the Barnyard my friends and your feedback will be appreciated. You can comment here or send an email( in profile) if you want privacy, I am very interested in what the Barnyard denizens and flybys have to say here.
My instinct is to report them, WSY?!?

Thursday Thoughts

The Democrats are at it again, trying to force far left agenda through, such as giving special protected rights to homosexual and gender disoriented individuals in recent "Hate Crimes" legislation, HR1592. Matt Barber lays it open for all too see at Townhall. I have always said, the gender-benders don't want equal rights , which they have, they want 'special rights" to be hedonistic and not be criticized or shunned. It is blatantly unconstitutional and will meet the President's Veto pen if it gets that far. The Dems are pushing a very hot button within the conservative base and the American public in general.

Watch for Mitt Romney to be the first one hit with the question in next week's debate in lieu of his past statements, I will expect a Federalist answer as it should be left open to the voters at the local level to decide. It would never pass anywhere except maybe a couple hovens like San Francisco. In fact that would be an excellent question:"Would you veto the Hate Crimes Bill and why?", and give each a minute and a half to respond followed by a one minute rebuttal.

Anyway, Mitt Romney is my choice, I am looking for the VEEP, Rudy is out, replaced by former Govs, Gilmore and Huckabee, Fred Thompson is a real choice as is Duncan Hunter. I really believe Newt wants a policy position as the 'Idea Man" , heck, the man wakes up with more than the Dem leadership has in their lives. Personally, I would appoint Tom Tancredo to head Immigration.

Update: Another Must Read from Daniel Henninger

I just enjoy it and hope you do to.

California away from the congestion,it is hard to omit God with vistas like this

For Springtime's sake, rocks and wild flowerswith some hidden rapids

A Green Heron chick visits the shop, we have a family clan nesting overhead, noisy cranks. I wonder what they taste like, kidding.

Today's Must Read

From Andrew McCarthy at NRO, US Prosecuter of the '93 Trade Tower bombings.( Hattip: Hugh)

Al Qaeda is a powerful force. It is a sprawling, atomized, international network of cells. It has proved quite adept at orchestrating savage attacks. But the main danger it poses has never been the orders its generals give to its colonels and on down some regimented chain-of-command. If we had only to worry about members of al Qaeda carrying out orders of al Qaeda, the war on terror would be neither as uphill nor as infinite as it seems to be. The principal challenge posed by al Qaeda is that it spearheads the spread of a strong, though noxious, ideology.

Indeed, al Qaeda does not purport to give direction only to its own members, or even that the directions it does impart are al Qaeda’s own directions. The network presumes to be guiding all Muslims toward what Islam compels. This is abundantly clear from Osama bin Laden’s infamous 1998 fatwa — “infamous” in the sense that it is often mentioned in press, although, to judge from today’s coverage and “expert” commentary, not much attention has been given to what it actually says. Here’s bin Laden (italics mine):

The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies — civilians and military — is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it[.] … This is in accordance with the words of Almighty God, “and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together,” and “fight them until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God.”

The direction is to everyone. And he is not ordering that it be done because Osama says so, like the mafia does something because the don says so, or the army does something because the commanding officer says so. In bin Laden’s mind, he is merely the medium; the direction, he insists, comes from Allah. In fact, bin Laden plainly knows he is not enough of an authority figure to command terrorist attacks. He needs to cite scripture to convince Muslims that it is the ideology itself which announces these commands. Commands which this ideology compels every Muslim, not just every al Qaeda operative, to perform.

Hot Air asks if it will take a "mushroom cloud" on US soil, and then what? Who do We drop the Hammer on in the Shadow War?!?

Terrorist Tuesday

Kudos to the FBI !!!

Michelle Malkin has the roundup at her sight and Hot Air on the six terrorists planning to attack Fort Dix. They are here and not "home grown" as the MSM is saying, three were illegal immigrants.

Umm, Congress, where are you !?! Will this make those idiots in The Swamp wake up ?!? We need to get a handle on this immigration issue and yesterday ! I don't support draconian laws just enforce the laws as they stand. I am a small 'l' libertarian and I support a counterfeit proof social security card for citizens and a biometric id for all new immigrants. We gotta find out who is here folks. I won't object to an earned passage to citizenship for those that want to come forward and be registered into the system. A clean record being the first step, pay some fines and fees and then spend a few years learning English and American History, ahem, Mexico lost,US won in our several conflicts, and what an honor it is to gain that priviledge, it is not a 'right'.

I have heard lefty buzz in the blogosphere already blaming President Bush for not having the National Guard in place to stop the killer tornado before it hit Greensburg,Kansas. I know one thing about living with these storms, having been through a couple of them. The locals know what has to be done and everybody pulls together, chainsaws and generators are humming, crews are rolling from all over the area, before the storm hit as crews tracking radar would do, that is why there is so few dead, Thank God! Those that choose to live in "tornado ally" know what must be done and how to do it in this day and age. After the tornados I have been through, I was out and about checking on neighbors within minutes after the passing.

Private industry will have the town up and running far quicker than the government, observe New Orleans and its government solutions, Dem leadership as opposed to the leadersship next door in Miss., seems things are humming along there under GOP leadership as well as Alabama, Florida, and Texas. It is the reason Bobby Jindal, a staunch conservatiave Republican, will be the next Governor of Louisiana.

As a sportsman, you win if you care and you lose if you don't, I like to win and will practice hard to bring that desire to an end. I know winners and losers by the instinct learned by years of playing sports, hunting and fishing. You get tired, you miss, or the line breaks. You regroup your thoughts and resume the hunt. The GOP needs to do that, I know the latent energy within the American people and we can retake our government.
Since I began following politics as a nutty side disorder to my news addiction,. I have not seen a more demonstrative field of candidates to choose from. From Dennis Kucinich to Tank Tancredo. Two candidates can fix the muddle we are in, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, I know Newt ain't in yet, but they are the only ones running ideas before the base via the new media.

Time for another round and no time to go rubber legged ... Time to Win!

Weekend Roundup

Cspan just played Fred Thompson's recent speech and he made many good points but there was nothing special, he is a solid conservative and has a good delivery of the message. Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, and Mitt Romney also deliver the message well and Fred said nothing to distinguish himself from them. I believe these are the five things the base wants, I believe Hugh Hewitt listed them first.
Win The War
Secure the Borders
Confirm Constitutional Judges
Lower The Taxes
Stop The Spending
Conservatives understand what these five pillars mean and the left does not even know they are there. It you listened to Chris Matthew's questions the other night, typical of the loonbats, the inane disdain was apparent. All the candidates but one caught his "Hardball" barehanded and threw it right back, Rudy really fell flat on several issues.
The pro-life movement is a vital and important part of the conservative movement as a whole, and they know very well the hurdles that are in the law. They want a President that will support judges that will uphold the Constitution as written and voted on by the people. Roe is bad law and should be overturned in my opinion because it is bad law. I don't believe abortion should be illegal in the rare instance it would be the better outcome. I believe women/girls shouldn't let men "sleep" with them outside of marriage. Sex-ed should take place in a Marine bootcamp atmosphere not a permissive one led by the gender-bender groups. Young men need to be informed that they can be tagged as a sex offender and the young ladies need to know that if it goes in it turns into a kid. It will come back to haunt you in one way or another, male or female. I support making the right choice type advocacy, teach life, teach the kids that there are consequences for their actions, Lord knows I have paid them.
Trader Rick's comment the other day about Rudy and his abortion position of course led me to Mitt coming to our side very much mirrored my own move to the right. Mitt is known for extensive research, maybe this is one of the sites he ventured to, Useless Eaters. I encourage my friends to visit here, you have to click around since it is interactive, it is from Regent University.

Weekend Rambler

A good spot for a homestead? It once was.

A nice spot to take a break.

There used to be a town here, I believe, and no trees a hundred years ago,

The well is all that is left, filled and capped.

The old bridge

Today was one of those special days in the north valley, after a couple days with some rain and a brisk breeze out of the north, to scrub the air, that has a special spring tinge to it so I headed for the closest trails. I am blessed to live in an incredible location, maybe I should start a tour guide business as a side, hmm...
I came to California to explore, not the streets of Hollywood and the bars on 'The Strip" his band had rocked, but the High Sierra and what ever else was along the way. My best friend, his boss owns the 'cabin', was already out here and had the bug as well, so here I am today a decade later and I know California better than most of its own. I have lived in the north San Fernando Valley, LA, San Jose, Sacramento and now own a house and business in a small town about about a half hour from Sac'to. I can find an average American's dream vacation on a weekend drive and I am blessed for it, that is why I like to share my surroundings, it is the least I can do.
I do not mind if a reader wishes to share a picture just give due credit.

Prayers

Archive picture, not taken by me, for illustration only of the size these storms can be.

My prayers to those whose lives have been wrecked in Kansas.