Though He Hit the Jackpot, Sergeant Plans to Return to Iraq for a 3rd Tour

Crossposted at the Tennessean's Political Forum.

After completing two tours in Iraq, Sgt. Wayne Leyde won $1 million from a scratch-and-win lotto ticket on Tuesday.

Now that he's won, Leyde, a 26-year-old member of the Washington National Guard, says he's still going to volunteer to go back to Iraq for a third tour and won't spend any of the money in the meantime.

Leyde was driving near his home in Mead, Washington when he stopped at a store on the side of the road and bought a ticket.

"I decided to walk into a local Zip Trip. I got a Coke and beef jerky and walked up to the counter and thought I'd pick up a few scratch tickets and try my luck. I was on my way out when the lady said, 'Do you have a lucky scratch coin?'

"I said 'no, you gave me a dime and nickel back.'"

"She said 'no, try this,'" handing Leyde a penny. "On my way home I started scratching tickets. They were losers. I'm thinking, boy, that lady didn't know what she was talking about."

Leyde couldn't believe it when he scratched a winning ticket, but he still plans to return to Iraq.

"It was a commitment I made about three months ago. I'm going to stick to it," Leyde said about his decision...

Very cool, definitely representative of the high quality of our military members.

William F. Buckley, Jr., R.I.P.

Crossposted at the Tennessean's Political forum.

Our revered founder, William F. Buckley Jr., died in his study this morning.

If ever an institution were the lengthened shadow of one man, this publication is his. So we hope it will not be thought immodest for us to say that Buckley has had more of an impact on the political life of this country — and a better one — than some of our presidents. He created modern conservatism as an intellectual and then a political movement. He kept it from drifting into the fever swamps. And he gave it a wit, style, and intelligence that earned the respect and friendship even of his adversaries. (To know Buckley was to be reminded that certain people have a talent for friendship.)

He inspired and incited three generations of conservatives, and counting. He retained his intellectual and literary vitality to the end; even in his final years he was capable of the arresting formulation, the unpredictable insight. He presided over NR even in his “retirement,” which was more active than most people’s careers. It has been said that great men are rarely good men. Even more rarely are they sweet and merry, as Buckley was.

When Buckley started National Review — in 1955, at the age of 29 — it was not at all obvious that anti-Communists, traditionalists, constitutionalists, and enthusiasts for free markets would all be able to take shelter under the same tent. Nor was it obvious that all of these groups, even gathered together, would be able to prevail over what seemed at the time to be an inexorable collectivist tide. When Buckley wrote that the magazine would “stand athwart history yelling, ‘Stop!’” his point was to challenge the idea that history pointed left. Mounting that challenge was the first step toward changing history’s direction. Which would come in due course.

Before he was a conservative, Buckley was devoted to his family and his Church. He is survived by his son Christopher and brothers Reid and James and sisters Priscilla, Carol, and Patricia. Our sadness for them, and for us, at his passing is leavened by the hope that he is now with his beloved wife, Patricia, who died last year.

Whether one considers one's self a conservative, liberal or whatever - if one is politically astute one will know of Buckley. Incredible intellect who championed conservative libertarianism, individual liberty & economic freedom, & the expansion of nanny-state socialism/statism. Famous for his debates with Gore Vidal & Noam Chomsky, during which he systematically fileted their arguments with charm & wit.

Interview with Arthur Laffer

We've been "treated" to condemnations & vitriol regarding supply side or "trickle down" economics for almost 30 years. The Tennessean has an interview with recent Nashville transplant Arthur Laffer, a giant in conservative supply side economics. A very interesting interview, especially from a political perspective - if one looks at the presidential candidates he's voted for over the years. I'll pull out a few quotes, but take the time to read the entire interview.

But I love bashing Republicans more than anyone, cause they can be just as dumb as stumps. I voted for Clinton twice. I voted for Jimmy Carter, not when he ran against Reagan, but when he ran against Ford I voted for him. I did Jerry Brown's flat tax. I've worked with Democrats as much as … with Republicans. I mean Reagan was my favorite, as you might imagine. But it's not a partisan issue.

If you look at the top 1 percent of income earners in 1981 (Reagan's first year in office) … those people paid 17.5 percent of all the income taxes in the United States. As the years, have gone on that number has climbed up. Today, that group pays 39.6 percent of all income taxes. The percentage has more than doubled.

The highest taxpayers paid a lot more when Kennedy cut those tax rates, dramatically; and the lowest groups paid a lot less. In the lowest groups, if you cut tax rates, you will collect less money.

Laffer has some "interesting" choices in the presidential arena, especially given his economic bent. He is, however, 100% correct on how economics work and the effect of tax rates on those of varying income levels.

Almost 3 Months

Since I last posted here. I've posted "muchly" at tndeer, Redstate, & the Tennessean. Loads of "stuff" has gone on since my last post. Fred's out of the race, & I'm as bummed as any Fred Thompson supporter; however, I didn't go to the ledge. It looks like it's going to be between Mitt Romney & , with Huckabee & Guliani losing steam. On the democratic side, there's a race war brewing between Obama & Hillary, with Bill Clinton as the rabid attack dog. One my simply use Drudge to keep up with it. This has the potential to really split the democratic coalition.

Personally, we had a great loss at out church. Evette Allison, our pastor's wife, passed away unexpectedly. Talk about bad things happening to good - no, great - people. Anyone who reads this, please pass along prayers for the family.

Bill Hobbs, the "godfather" of Tenessee political blogging, recently lost his mother. Please keep that family in your prayers also.

My uncle Guy "Doc" Anglin is in the hospital, blood clot on the brain caused a stroke.

The grandson is getting bigger - almost 6 months old now. He was a little sick last weekend, with constipation, & you'll never guess who got suppository duty! He's better now & a joy to watch grow & develop.

Deer season was a bust for me; didn't get out much & was sick when I went. Actually, it wasn't a bust because hunting is not about the kill - it's the experience. It does look like we're losing the great lease we've had. I've been fortunate to have the time there & will cherish those memories & experiences.

Work is good. Staying busy is the watchword, & it's not hard to do!

I'll try to post for my reader(s) more often - with everything going on time is precious. Perhaps I'll post some of my better blogs & posts from my travels around the 'net?

Moving On Up in the World

I know, another 2 months have passed since I've updated my faithful reader...

Frank J @ IMAO featured me in his Ronin Profiles! If you've not gone to his site, it's wonderful satire & great postings. The Fred Thompson Facts, John Edwards Fabulous Facts, & Hiliary Clinton Terrible Truths are worth visiting by themselves, not to mention all the wonderful stuff he has on his site.

Deer hunting is reaching full swing. I didn't get out during muzzleloader this week as mine is still disassembled. We've been busy with the new wonderful grandson, & stuff has been moved around & out! We're still working on removing clutter, which is like a snowball rolling down the hill - hard to get started, but easier as you go. Regular gun season starts next Saturday, & I'm getting ready to bring some venison home!

All the political junk is still going on; we'll see how things shake out as the primaries actually start happening. Hiliary now has chinks in the armor, though I don't know how much difference that will make. The MSM has already written the obituary for Fred's campaign, though Fred has come out with some interesting things on the illegal alien issue & today with Social Security. I still think it's way too early for anyone to be "buying drapes" for the white house - still a lot of campaign to go. Overall, it looks like the illegal alien/border security issue may get its due as the main issue in this presidential campaign, & I hope as well for the congressional & senate races.

All for now, be safe & happy hunting!

Over Two Months

Yep, over 2 months since my last post. Been busy @ work & will quite likely be changing positions soon. Spent the last 2 weeks out of town training some great people in Morganfield KY. On August 28th I & my wife joined the select group called Grandparents!!! Healthy boy born after a quick & quite smooth labor, 7lb 7oz & 21 in. long. My lovely wife will also begin a new position with her employer, so we are blessed as always!

Deer season is about to get underway here in TN. I don't bowhunt, so it'll be November before I am a threat to the venison polulation in Stewart County. The recent cooler evenings have got my blood pumping, though my hunting "stuff" is in total disarray.

On the political front: Fred's in, the "Surge" is showing progress, many on the left are exorcised that it's working. The illegal alien issues are still there, though in smaller chunks - some good, some bad.

God has blessed me much more than I could ever deserve!

Michael Yon - Arrowhead Ripper: 2 weeks later

This guy is on the ground in Iraq, & better able to tell how things are going than I am & most others...

Take the time to actually read this. Baqubah Update: 05 July 2007. Good info.

The big news on the streets today is that the people of Baqubah are generally ecstatic, although many hold in reserve a serious concern that we will abandon them again. For many Iraqis, we have morphed from being invaders to occupiers to members of a tribe. I call it the “al Ameriki tribe,” or “tribe America.” I’ve seen this kind of progression in Mosul, out in Anbar and other places, and when I ask our military leaders if they have sensed any shift, many have said, yes, they too sense that Iraqis view us differently. In the context of sectarian and tribal strife, we are the tribe that people can—more or less and with giant caveats—rely on.

There's a whole heck of a lot more, but the above quote from the beginning is very telling to me...