Sex in Advertising

For all you connoisseurs of advertising...





I may not be exactly sure what she's selling, but, I'm pretty sure I'm in the market!

Quote du jour

“As Harry Reid leaves government, we wish him good health and long life. It will give him the opportunity to reflect on his career in politics and, perhaps, to find a way to atone for it.”

-Editors, NRO

Quote du jour

Recognizing that (Harry) Reid is not the first to live comfortably off corruption, and recognizing also that he will not be the last, is it not still an indictment of Washington that so filthy a character can live such a long, happy, and successful political life?

-Ian Tuttle

The Blog Genesis: Frequently Asked and Unasked Questions

Portrait of John Cox under the benevolent eye of his new editor.
I have told parts of this story before. The seven year blogiversary got me to thinking how it all started, how I ended up here. If you came for politically relevant commentary, move along! Nothing to see here!

My earliest brush with blogging came from The Corner of National Review Online (NRO). This new Internet thingy was great, and I would come to The Corner and read it cover to cover every day. I would read everything posted and then I would scroll down page after page to see if I had missed anything. I credit Jonah Goldberg as being the Blogfather of this blog. He was editor of The Corner, and as I recall, one night Jonah was giving a shout out to some other conservative blogs. One he mentioned in particular was Say Anything, a blog primarily in and about North Dakota.

Say Anything at the time, was running a feature called "Friday Night Babe". It was a single picture of a comely lass published regularly on Friday night. No big. You clicked over there, looked at it briefly and then...what's next? Moving on. Again, as I recall, the next Friday night, I finished up my paperwork from the job, and was just sitting around kind of bored. (Some of you may infer that I was not the high living bon vivant you have come to know and love!) So, just out of curiosity, mind you, I wondered if Rob Port, the erstwhile editor of SA, had posted another picture?

So I clicked over, and sure enough, there it was. But, as I said, once you've gazed upon it briefly, that was it. What's next? So I began to look around the site to see what else was going on. There were snippets of comments - some by sane people and others by mind numbingly stupid liberals! Well, this bore investigation! I started reading some of the comment threads and the articles that spawned them, and before long, shy unassuming me decided to actually voice an opinion on what I was reading.

This next part is critical to the story. I noticed that some people used a Nom de Cyber while others used their real names. This was back in 2005-2006. I noticed that a lot of guys commenting on the site were named "Mike". There was a Mike from Canada and a Mike from No. Dakota, and at least one Mike who was a commie-lib, and since some of the stupidest things were being said by liberals who had flunked out of English grammar somewhere around the second grade, I chose an outlandish Nom de Cyber, because, after all, it was just to make a few comments on a blog!

I chose the name "Proofreader Emeritus", so that when I expressed my POV, no one would mistake me for anyone else. I corrected the grammar and spelling of many a liberal who was pretending intelligence greater than his education. This became a bit unwieldy, so later I shortened it to "Proof". After a while, more people knew me online as "Proof" than my given name. I figured one day I would remedy that, and so far, I'm halfway there.

It was never something to "hide behind", but as something to distinguish my writing, my thoughts, my POV from everyone else's. After a while it became sort of a "brand name". My admiration, but not slavish following of Samuel Clemens, who presented himself to the world as "Mark Twain", became my avatar. I admire his wit and his writing, and coincidentally, prior to my excursions on the public Internet, I participated in some discussion on an inter-company BBS, and since all the really cool icons were taken, I settled on one of a young Mark Twain. Destiny. Go figure!

Now you know where I got my handle, let me tell you about the set up at Say Anything at the time. The proprietor, Rob, was very generous about letting people with similar or opposing viewpoints share the bandwidth of his blog. He invited his readers to start "Reader blogs". My earliest efforts, around 2006, were anemic to be charitable. I think my first posts may have more closely resemble what I now call "The Best of the Web*": I would post a link or a video with some profound commentary like "Wow! Check this out!"

As time went by, I felt more comfortable in expressing myself, and after winning a couple of writing contests Rob sponsored onsite, he invited me to become a front page contributor. Since Say Anything was, and I gather still is, one of the top 100 conservative blogs in the US, this was kind of a big deal.

Rob had since stopped posting a "Friday Night Babe", perhaps due to marital bliss, so I took up the mantle, among my other opinion pieces and I started to hit my stride as a blogger. I spent several years there, enjoying the experience, the exposure, the camaraderie, and even the conflict with the inevitable liberal trolls.

But there was a limit to what I could say there, despite the irony of the name, but the blog owner had guidelines, and he was my boss, so whatever he said goes! The way it should be. I didn't have a problem with that, however, there were modes of expression I wanted to use, fettered only by my own editorial judgement, so, on March 28th, 2008, I launched my own blog, Proof Positive, cross posting much of the material between the two, but if there was any doubt as to whether or not the material might meet Rob's standards or the vision he had for his blog, I posted them here alone.

Along the way Rob (or his wife) decided that the Friday Night Babe was not in keeping with the image he wished to project, so the feature migrated here and has been here ever since. I was experimenting with Photoshop satire, which Rob was not too keen on, and there came a point where we decided, amicably, to go our separate ways. Rob wanted to make the blog more North Dakota centric, whereas I was more a national politics kinda guy.

At one time I was cross posting here, Say Anything, Left Coast Rebel and Lady Cincinnatus. Now, it's here, Left Coast Rebel and occasionally at Political Clown Parade. Along the way, I welcomed Andrew Roman, who once had his own excellent blog, to stop by here and post whenever his muse strikes him. John Cox, who cross posts his 'toons and art over at his blog, the eponymously named John Cox Art, joined us in 2013, with the inaugural 'toon posted above.

And here we are. I don't think I left anything out. Well, there was the CPAC Stripper Fiasco of 2014, but those documents were all sealed! If you can think of anything I didn't cover, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Quote du jour

A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.

- Charles H. Spurgeon

A Little Saturday Night Music

Kathy Mattea - 455 Rocket

Happy Seventh Blogiversary!

As the swallows return to Capistrano, so comes the seventh blogiversary of Proof Positive. It kinda crept up on me this year. By the numbers: This time last year, 8000+ posts, over 700,000 hits from 210 countries. Nine days after I started, I added the widget from Sitemeter, which started off at about three hits a day (and one of them was me!).

Today, nearly 9200 posts, 875,000+ hits and over 2.6 Million page views from 214* countries. My "Teads" ranking (formerly ebuzz, née Wikio) among American political blogs is 112, up from 165 last March.

This is not a solo effort. On Team Proof we find artist and cartoonist extraordinaire John Cox . His cartoons, some stand alone and some in collaboration with yours truly, add a great look and create perhaps a little more bite to some of the commentary.  Andrew Roman's commentary and contributions are always thought provoking and well done. Give yourselves a hand guys!

For those of you who visit on a regular basis, again, I thank you kindly for the time you spend here, whether contemplating the deep mysteries of life or just laughing as we poke fun at the foibles of fools. For those of you who were just suckered in, er, enticed by a headline or photograph, I am grateful to you, too, and hope that once you stumble in here, you stay a while and take a look around.

As Editor-in-chief, el Jefe Grande, and all around cook and bottle washer, I ultimately take credit and/or blame for everything that appears here. To make this something you enjoy reading, I first make it something I would. Not everything here is meant to be earth shattering or profound, sometimes it's just funny, or interesting to me. And there's at least some new content everyday for non subscribers. (Subscribers sit with me on the beach, sipping rum drinks at Hanauma Bay. Subscription price To Be Determined.)

It's been a great seven years. Most days are more fun than work. I have been joined by some outstanding talents, to entertain, enlighten and inform you. I appreciate every one who visits here, even the ones who disagree with me. (And you know who you are!) I'm trying to educate you just as fast as I can! (And, get some higher quality trolls just as soon as I can afford them!)

- Mike,  a.k.a. Proof



Find me on Twitter @ProofBlog and Facebook

(BTW, There should always be cake! )

*Every year I think we've been viewed in every country in the world and every year a couple more seem to show up!

Best of the Web*

*…that I’ve seen all week!
Political/SocioEconomic


Judge to DOJ: “Like an Idiot,” I believed you

Questions to ask about Hillary Clinton’s emails

Obama Administration Declassifies Report on Israel's Nuclear Program

Breaking Down the Walls: The Fight for Open Government -Sharyl Attkisson

Golden Oldie: GAO: Bergdahl Exchange Violated Law


Ted Cruz, Previous Experience, and Predictors of Success



Videos
Ghetto Hip Hop Obama



Culture

The Race-Baiting Hypocrisy Of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin

Who does the UN declare the top violator of women's rights? Israel

Durbin’s ‘Racism’ Smear Infuriates Republicans


Another Delivery Driver For Pizza Chain With No-Gun Policy Is Murdered In New Orleans

Irony:
A fire extinguisher factory burns down in a massive fire.



Technology
Google To Launch New Doorway Page Penalty Algorithm

Boeing Patents Plasma Force Field Technology

New Ford car automatically obeys speed limits

"Imagine leather that’s as lightweight and transparent as a butterfly wing..."






Photoshops/Cartoons/Graphics

Cartoon of the Day – NRO

Flopping Aces -Sunday Funnies


John Cox- KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD



Reaganite's Sunday Funnies

Humpday Humor





Linkfests:

In The Mailbox: Pre-Death March Edition



Rule Five Roundup:
(While all Rule Five posts may be NSFW, I generally only flag the ones that are certainly NSFW)

90 Miles From Tyranny - Girls with guns, hot pick, girls with guns, hot pick

American Power- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Intimates: Lily Aldridge

French propose ban on skinny models

Let's go fishing


Average Bubba - Rule Five

By Other Means - Cosplay

The Daley Gator – Daley Babes - Zoe Kravitz , Julia Kelly, Tamia Hill, Melanie Riley, Talisa Soto,

Daily Mail – Britney Spears bikini , Topless Amber Rose

E.B.L. - Game of Thrones Rule Five

Good Monday Morning, Fishnet Friday

Feral Irishman - NSFW Fun At The Friday Lunch Buffet...

Friday Night Babe -Bregje Heinen

Good Stuff's Cyber World #183


It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World -The Friday Pin Up


Knuckledraggin' My Life Away - Good Morning girl, Strip Monopoly

My Muse Shanked Me - Lucinda Williams

Pirates Cove -Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup, If all you see..., If all you see...

Pitsnipes Gripes -Eyes

Flowing Curves of Beauty


Randy's Roundtable - Thursday Nite Tart

Sex in Advertising - Blush

The Last Tradition - Nadya Loren

The Right Way - Friday Babe

Theo Spark – Teatime Totty, Teatime Totty, Bath Night, Rosie Jones Reveals All in Her Nudest, Oiliest, Sexiest Photoshoot Ever!, Bedtime Totty, Bedtime Totty, Bedtime totty, Bedtime totty

The Other McCain- Rule Five Sunday

Vintage Babe of the Week – Alice White

Women of PETA XLII

Rule 5 Woodsterman Style

Your Crazy Uncle Bubba - Friday Nite Tite Dresses


Use the comments as an open thread on any of these topics. Please send links of news, commentary, choice humor or Rule Fivage to: Proof.Positive@Hotmail.com

Quote du jour

The only things that's "clear" in a speech by Obama where he says that something is clear, is that he is unclear on the concept.

-Proof

Friday Night Babe

Tonight's FNB* is Bregje Heinen!

(*a.k.a. Rule Five Friday)

Quote du jour

If he (Obama)were working for the other side, what exactly would he be doing differently?

-Mark Steyn

Vintage Babe of the Week

Tonight's Vintage Babe* this week is Alice White!
(*a.k.a. Rule Five)

Hat in the Ring or Neck in the Noose?

Original art by John Cox. More at John Cox Art

Quote du jour

"The State Department people in the end of January, early February, expedited visas for (Israeli) Arab leaders to come to the United States to learn how to vote.

There were people in the United States that were organizing them to vote in one party so they would help the left-of-center candidate, (Yitzhak) Herzog, that the Obama administration favored."

-John McLaughlin

Medal of Honor

Specialist Fourth Class John P. Baca

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Baca, Company D, distinguished himself while serving on a recoilless rifle team during a night ambush mission A platoon from his company was sent to investigate the detonation of an automatic ambush device forward of his unit's main position and soon came under intense enemy fire from concealed positions along the trail. Hearing the heavy firing from the platoon position and realizing that his recoilless rifle team could assist the members of the besieged patrol, Sp4c. Baca led his team through the hail of enemy fire to a firing position within the patrol's defensive perimeter. As they prepared to engage the enemy, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the midst of the patrol. Fully aware of the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Baca unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, covered the grenade with his steel helmet and fell on it as the grenade exploded, thereby absorbing the lethal fragments and concussion with his body. His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being directly saved 8 men from certain serious injury or death. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sp4c. Baca, at the risk of his life, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Sp4c. Baca: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.



Hat tip Home of Heroes

There are seventy nine living MoH recipients today. Their names and their stories should not be forgotten. My mission is to honor one of those heroes here each week, and salute them for their courage and sacrifice. In the words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy:

“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors; the men it remembers.”

Quote du jour

I understand the crushing disappointment of the Obama administration and its media poodles at the spectacular success of the foreign leader they loathe more than any other on the planet. The consequent seething and sputtering are understandable, if unseemly. Blaming Netanyahu for banishing peace, however, is mindless.

-Charles Krauthammer

Sex in Advertising

For all you connoisseurs of advertising...





I may not be exactly sure what she's selling, but, I'm pretty sure I'm in the market!

The Monuments Men, ISIS and Empire

Full disclosure: I am NOT on the cutting edge of cultural evolution. I do my best to keep pace with its rear echelons. Nevertheless, I finally watched The Monuments Men on Blu-Ray. Based on a true story, it's a buddy movie of sorts, set in WWII Europe. The Nazis are stealing art all over Europe, in all their occupied lands, particularly from the Jews. Every work of art, painting or statuary, gold brick or gold filling that they can lay their hands on is ending up in the homes of SS officers or being shipped by truck or train to large, makeshift warehouses, until it can be gathered at war's end to fill the planned Fuehrer Museum.

Not all art is equally valued, though. Modernist artists, like Picasso, were not deemed worthy, and many of their works were destroyed. Here we have a small band of Americans, along with one Frenchman and one Brit, tasked with trying to save as many of these irreplaceable works of art as possible.

Along the way, they discover that there exists a directive from Hitler, that if he were to be killed, all of the art was to be destroyed. Apparently, he thought that if he couldn't have it, no one could! Part of the tension in the movie is the race against the clock to save these art treasures, compounded by an invading army of Russians from the East, looting stolen art from the Germans, to take back to Russia as reparations for the damage Germany had caused to the USSR.

The movie works well for the most part. Good acting, a solid story line and a few scenes to make you laugh and tug at your heart, ending with what I consider to be a minor ripoff of Saving Private Ryan. If you haven't seen the movie, I would recommend it, not just for an interesting slice of history, but perhaps the chance not to be doomed to repeating it.

Watching the movie, seeing the Nazis destroy works of art that they did not deem worthy, made me think of ISIS with their total disregard for the historical treasures they destroy, because they find them contrary to their religious beliefs. There are a number of parallels between the Nazis and ISIS in their blatant disregard for human life, killing men, women and children for their ideological ends. This was just one more.

There was a second theme I noticed that ran through the movie (to me anyway), and that was empire. The Third Reich plundered every country they conquered, taking art, natural resources, slaves...whatever they wanted. It is the way of empire. The Soviet Union was a competing empire. As they conquer eastern Germany, they looted it of everything they could get their hands on. The satellite countries of the U.S.S.R. paid tribute of whatever they had to Mother Russia, because, that is the way of empire.

And then, you had a handful of men, commissioned by the US government to lay their hands on every piece of art they could find...and return them to their rightful owners. I believe they said that over five million pieces of art were retrieved, Rembrandts, Monets, a sculpture by Michelangelo, each worth millions by themselves, returned to the private owners whenever possible, the churches, the museums from whence they had been taken. This is NOT the way of empire.

We conquered Kuwait without taking their oil and gave the country back to the Kuwatis. We conquered Iraq, but did not loot it for either its national treasures or its oil. And apparently, conquered Europe without looting their art. As I said above. Just one more thing.

The looney Left likes to hurl the epithet "empire" at us, as did their Neoisolationist fellow traveler Ron Paul, as I detailed in "We Can't Afford the Empire".

Even under the sloppiest thinking short of downright dishonesty, it is impossible to define the United States of America as an "empire". We have many military bases around the world, much as our blue water navy, to project American power and to respond to events anywhere in the world, that might threaten our freedom. At least, that was true up until the last decade. Without the will to use that power, they may as well sit on their hands as our embassies are attacked and American citizens are tortured and killed.

Should we realistically evaluate our military bases, both foreign and domestic, so that we can maintain those and perhaps only those that are vital to our security and defense? Certainly. We have seen the disaster caused by the precipitous withdrawal of troops from Iraq and the far greater threat that was allowed to blossom in the absence of our military strength or a correspondingly strong Iraqi national defense.

Are we the "cops of the world"? Under Barack Obama we are scarcely the "Neighborhood Watch" of the world. China is building a blue water navy, Putin is running roughshod over the Ukraine, in spite of our written agreement with Britain, Russia and the Ukraine to defend their sovereignty. Our word was apparently no good under the current president. The same man who told us Iraq was stable enough for us to depart completely, who lied to us and told us "if you like your doctor, you can keep him", told the Ukraine that if you like your borders, you can keep them". Why should our allies believe anything he says? After drawing red lines and accusing the Syrian president of war crimes, Obama did nothing and the tyrant still sits in the seat of power. He brings toothless sanctions against Russia, all the while reducing sanctions against Iran because "they're not working".

Why should our enemies believe anything he says? Our military is steadily shrinking, our space program has been all but gutted. The preeminence of American power has been diluted, diminished or destroyed by this president.

To paraphrase Bill Buckley, I will not insult your intelligence by saying that you actually believe the argument you make when you say that the US is an "empire"

Quote du jour

"Instead of raising us up by acting like exemplary, sterling people, you bring us down to your own level, a place of blurred lines and fungible ethics and sleazy associates."

-Maureen Dowd, on Hillary Clinton

Quote du jour

“Clinton said she didn’t delete any official emails, but won’t turn over the server to prove it. She said she emailed no classified information (presumably even to her husband), but won’t cough up the server to prove it. She said there were no security breaches, but won’t produce the server to prove it.”

-Ron Fournier

Women of PETA XLII

To the delight of some and the chagrin of others, we continue with yet one more tribute to those lovely lasses who would bare their assets to further the cause of PETA.

Because the world needs more naked, nearly naked and vegetable clad vegetarians!

Quote du jour

I haven’t seen a Democratic presidential candidate this enthusiastic about camps since FDR.

-Jim Geraghty, on Hillary's "Fun camps"

A Little Saturday Night Music

Jimmy Buffett - Boat Drinks

Best of the Web*

*…that I’ve seen all week!
Political/SocioEconomic

At the White House, There’s Nobody Home -The absence of leadership created chaos @ home & abroad -Victor Davis Hanson

Obama Federalizes Police Forces in Six US Cities

Administration sets record for withholding government files Transparency, baby!

Russia sends nuclear capable 'Iskander' missile system to Kaliningrad

Golden Oldie: White House Scraps Missile Shield in Poland 9/17/2009

Obama vs. the generals

Haitians Protest Outside Hillary Clinton’s Office Over ‘Billions Stolen’ by Clinton Foundation



Videos
DC Matic: The Hillary-Approved Email Server!


Ron Fournier on Dems and Hillary’s Email: Don’t buy the spin, they are scared to death

The Criminal Arrogance of Hillary Clinton

Zonation on Hillary




Culture
14 Shot In Chicago Since Friday Including a 14 Year Old With Gang Ties…

Cop Shooter Jeffrey Williams Is Friends With Mike Brown’s Buddy Dorian Johnson

The 2015 Obama Scandal Bracket

Hillary Clinton’s Top Five Clashes Over Secrecy -Sharyl Attkisson

Ben Carson Interview Shows He Is Not Even Close To Being Close To Ready For Prime Time

‘Justified’ Actor Looks to Avoid Repeating Hollywood’s ‘Mistakes’ as Director of New ‘Gosnell’ Film



Technology

Flying car closer to reality




Photoshops/Cartoons/Graphics

Cartoon of the Day – NRO

Flopping Aces -Sunday Funnies

Crapuccino

John Cox- KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD, KiRKWOOD

Earl of Taint - Hillary's Fun camps

Reaganite's Sunday Funnies

Humpday Humor




Linkfests:
It's a MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD World...

In The Mailbox, 03.17.15

Linkarama




Rule Five Roundup:
(While all Rule Five posts may be NSFW, I generally only flag the ones that are certainly NSFW)

90 Miles From Tyranny - Girls with guns,  Blogs With Rule 5 Links, girls with guns, Girls with guns, Hot pick


American Power- Kate Upton Bikini pics, Charlotte McKinney in Denim


Spring is almost here

Average Bubba Rule Five

By Other Means - Cosplay

The Daley Gator – Daley Babes - Julia Kelly , Laila Odom, Alana De la Garza, Stephanie Rao

Daily Mail – Asifa Mirza, Suki Waterhouse smoulders in next to nothing, Gisele Bundchen in a white string bikini

Hotties, Happy Humpday!, Lingerie Thursday


E.B.L. -Sexy Cosplayers and Trade Show Booth Babes Rule 5 , Vintage Hollywood St. Patrick's day, Kate Upton zero gravity, Sophia Loren

Good Monday Morning

Feral Irishman - Sunday afternoon coffee

Friday Night Babe -Lily Aldridge

Good Stuff's Cyber World #182, St Patty's Day

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World -The Friday Pin Up

Knuckledraggin' My Life Away - Good Morning girl

Aria Giovanni

Pirates Cove -Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup, If all you see..., If all you see...

Flowing Curves of Beauty

Sex in Advertising - In the paint...

The Last Tradition - Trista T

The Right Way -Friday Babe

Theo Spark – Teatime Totty, Teatime Totty, Saturday is bath night, Charlotte McKinney Big and Busty Racktastic for Denim

The Other McCain- Rule Five Sunday

Vintage Babe of the Week – Kay Aldridge

Woman Cooks Naked To Get More Men Into Cooking, Succeeds

Rule 5 Woodsterman Style



Use the comments as an open thread on any of these topics. Please send links of news, commentary, choice humor or Rule Fivage to: Proof.Positive@Hotmail.com

Quote(s) du jour

"...this nation's racial history still casts its shadow upon us."

-Barack Obama

The Great Society of LBJ still casts its long shadow upon us. Black illegitimacy soared and children without fathers gravitate to gangs and poverty.

-Proof

Friday Night Babe

Tonight's FNB* is Lily Aldridge!

(*a.k.a. Rule Five Friday)

Quote du jour

"If the American president isn't careful, his two most important foreign policy achievements will be a nuclear Iran and the restoration of the Islamic caliphate."

-Ari Shamron, The English Girl, 2013

Vintage Babe of the Week

Tonight's Vintage Babe* this week is Kay Aldridge!
(*a.k.a. Rule Five)

Quote du jour

The other week Gov. Scott Walker said he didn’t know whether or not I was a Christian. And I was taken aback, but fortunately my faith teaches us forgiveness. So, Governor Walker, as-salamu alaykum.

-Barack Obama, at the Gridiron Dinner

Separated at Birth??

What's the difference between Barack Obama and Joffrey Baratheon, from Game of Thrones?

One is a childish, arrogant, petty tyrant, not respected for any accomplishment, but only for the position he holds.

The other is a character by George R. R. Martin.

The Race, to Starbucks, Pt. II

Our friends at Starbucks want to start a new dialogue on race.

Barrista: "Would you like a shot of espresso?

Me: "Hands up, no shot!"

Medal of Honor

Private First Class Ernest E. West

Citation:

Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He voluntarily accompanied a contingent to locate and destroy a reported enemy outpost. Nearing the objective, the patrol was ambushed and suffered numerous casualties. Observing his wounded leader Iying in an exposed position, Pfc. West ordered the troops to withdraw, then braved intense fire to reach and assist him. While attempting evacuation, he was attacked by 3 hostile soldiers employing grenades and small-arms fire. Quickly shifting his body to shelter the officer, he killed the assailants with his rifle, then carried the helpless man to safety. He was critically wounded and lost an eye in this action. but courageously returned through withering fire and bursting shells to assist the wounded. While evacuating 2 comrades, he closed with and killed 3 more of the foe. Pfc. West's indomitable spirit, consummate valor, and intrepid actions inspired all who observed him, reflect the highest credit on himself, and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.

Pfc. West: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.



Hat tip Home of Heroes

There are seventy nine living MoH recipients today. Their names and their stories should not be forgotten. My mission is to honor one of those heroes here each week, and salute them for their courage and sacrifice. In the words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy:

“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors; the men it remembers.”

Better Living Through Chemistry

When Bashar met Nancy 2007