William Barret Travis - Alamo Letters (February 25th)

To Major-General Sam Houston
February 25, 1836

HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO: Sir; On the 23rd of Feb., the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Bartes, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o'clock a.m. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded.

During the action, the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded -- while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled. I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of the artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire. Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty. Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!

W. Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Com

William Barret Travis - Alamo Letters (February 24th)

To The People of Texas and
All Americans In The World --
February 24, 1836

Fellow citizens & compatriots --

I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves -- Travis

William Barret Travis - Alamo Letters (February 23rd)

To Andrew Ponton, Judge and Citizens of Gonzales
February 23, 1836

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR, 3 o'clock p.m.: The enemy in large force are in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance.

P.S. Send an express to San Felipe with news night and day.

From W.B. Travis and James Bowie
To James W. Fannin (at Goliad)
February 23, 1836

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR: We have removed all the men to the Alamo where we make such resistance as is due our honor, and that of a country, until we can get assistance from you, which we expect you to forward immediately. In this extremity, we hope you will send us all the men you can spare promptly. We have one hundred and forty six men, who are determined never to retreat. We have but little provisions, but enough to serve us till you and your men arrive. We deem it unnecessary to repeat to a brave officer, who knows his duty, that we call on him for assistance.

Thank you No-Neck for suggesting this great addition that will now be yearly.

WP

Today, February 23rd.

The man who made it possible, for we the masses to strip the Church of it's monopoly, Johnnas Guttenberg died in 1468.

In 1847, General Zachary Taylor defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista.

A flag was raised in 1945, by the United States Marines who took the crest of Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.

However, the most important of all occurred in 1836 as Texans gathered in the Alamo, Travis dispatched a hastily scribbled missive to Gonzales:

"The enemy in large force is in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the garrison to the last."

WP

7 Dead In N. Illinois University Massacre

This "news" article was sent to me along with several others, and the liberal retired journalist on the list made a comment about the statement made by the original sender of the article.

"I understand your argument about election year. But what's your point when you write, 'Of course the students were sitting ducks in a no-gun zone in a state that doesn't allow concealed carry.'"

I called him on it thusly:

His point is obvious and all of us have read, over MANY years, these types of articles, and exactly what pabulum most journalists will print.

Example:

"A gunman opened fire on a geology class at Northern Illinois University Thursday afternoon, killing six people before taking his own life on stage as panicked students ran and ducked for cover."

Honest print would have read:

"A madman shot several students and killed six at a Northern Illinois University geology class Thursday afternoon. Many students wisely sought any cover for protection instead of shooting him dead as it is illegal for them to carry a firearm on campus, or in this state, without having a badge or other special government permission. This is due to the professional Victim Disarmament groups such as the Violence Policy Center and the Brady Campaign along with willing journalists who did not honestly report the facts. They were further assisted by many who make their living off of the public trough and swore an oath to "Serve and Protect" by willingly trotting themselves out for photo and video-ops. Now, on top of those mentioned so far are the power hungry politicians who have legislated each citizen into a subject in direct contravention to our political and social charter, the Constitution and Bill of Rights- specifically, the Second Amendment.

Though he took his own life, we know the madman's family will ever feel the disgrace and shame brought upon them by his crime. And though not quite as culpable, each individual who worked to create these victims slaughtered by this criminal madman (whose name we refuse to immortalize) turned them into sitting ducks to be picked off at his will. The question that screams for an answer is, just how long will we continue to absolve them? Those who actively created these and so many other disarmed victims."

I was further informed by him that the above "is too wordy with too many adjectives" and he further stated, "Take that off the op-ed page, put it on page one and likely get your ass sued off for a couple of opinions posing as news."

I say horse-shit. His attitude is why "journalism" today is such a load of crap, and has been for more than forty years. Speak the truth, as I did above, quit "writing" for idiots and demand that they learn, but then again, from what profession am I asking this of?

WP

Good! Gurgled your last Lantos!

U.S. Rep. Lantos, Holocaust survivor, dies

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rep. Tom Lantos, the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to the U.S. Congress and who became an expert in foreign affairs and champion of human rights, died on Monday after recently being diagnosed with cancer.

I can only hope that it was an utterly painful death you rotten bastard as YOU being the only member of the thieving bastards to understand EXACTLY what Jack-Booted Thuggery is, you sat on that committee and attacked the Davidians.

May YOU burn in Hell you RAT BASTARD!

WP

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I burst out laughing after reading the following:

"After that, I was on my stomach under the chairs," she said. "I laid on my stomach waiting to get shot. Oh God, it was a horror."

Sheep! Sheep! Sheep!

By the way, does anyone remember Carl Drega?

WP

Fuel for Round Three

The following can be confirmed here (and here in case it is changed):

100 year wars require more soldiers

Increasing the Size of the American Military

The most important weapons in the U.S. arsenal are the men and women of American armed forces. John McCain believes we must enlarge the size of our armed forces to meet new challenges to our security. For too long, we have asked too much of too few –(sic) with the result that many service personnel are on their second, third and even fourth tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. There can be no higher defense priority than the proper compensation, training, and equipping of our troops.

Our existing force is overstretched by the combination of military operations in the broader Middle East and the need to maintain our security commitments in Europe and Asia. Recruitment and retention suffer from extended overseas deployments that keep service personnel away from their homes and families for long periods of time.

John McCain believes that the answer to these challenges is not to roll back our overseas commitments. The size and composition of our armed forces must be matched to our nation’s defense requirements. As requirements expand in the global war on terrorism so must our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard be reconfigured to meet these new challenges. John McCain thinks it is especially important to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps to defend against the threats we face today.

John McCain knows that the most difficult and solemn decision a president must make is sending young Americans into harm’s way. Having experienced firsthand the brutality of war, as president, John McCain would never make the decision to use force lightly, only when the cause is just, and our nation’s values and interests absolutely demand it.

Does anyone else see the writing on the wall for the draft in this statement?

Yep.

WP

What Have YOU Done for Heller?

From David Codrea's War On Guns:

I've made a few appeals now about supporting Academics for the Second Amendment in their work to draft an amicus brief on behalf of the Heller case.

These good people have devoted much labor that will benefit us all, yet their costs are far from being covered. Who thinks it's fair that, in addition to doing all the research, writing, and production work, costs such as additional attorney fees, printing expenses, filing fees, travel and lodging expenses, etc., ought to come out of their pockets as well?

David is right and my money just headed out the door. Where is yours? Hit the TITLE link and go and donate.

WP

Four, Five & More Undersea Cables Cut

Are we ready for round three in the Middle East?

Connecting The Many Undersea Cut Cable Dots
by Richard Sauder
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
4 February 2008

The last week has seen a spate of unexplained, cut, undersea communications cables that has severely disrupted communications in many countries in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. As I shall show, the total numbers of cut cables remain in question, but likely number as many as eight, and maybe nine or more.

My first thought was taping into for data interception, but when it hit four, then five and now more, I think it just may be on.

WP

Is Ron Paul a Regan Conservative?

We have heard the bleatings' from the Limbaughs, Hannity, Coulter, Malkin, O'Reilly, Beck, CATO, Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee, McCain, the MSM, Rupert Murdoch and your MySpace, as well as all of the rest of you so snug and smug who work towards keeping your little fiefdoms in and for the swamp.

The house of cards you support, which you know full well destroys the freedom and liberty of the peoples of this nation will fall, no matter how you scramble to protect it.

So I say to you, NO, Ron Paul is NOT a Regan Conservative- he is better.

WP