Germany supports their troops in Afghanistan

Germany won't be cutting back on their commitment to the Afghan mission, despite pledging to cut 11 billion euros of their public spending next year.

That's good news for the 3rd largest contingent of forces fighting the Taliban, after the U.S. and Britain.

Good news also is the appointment of Marine Corp Gen. James Mattis to CentCom of 'stan, 'stan, Iraq, and the Mid East.

His most famous quote? "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years, because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said. "You know guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot 'em." What's not to love about this guy? Video at the link above.

Hey, and there's more good news from France! Yes, France!

The Fabulous French have denied citizenship to a Muslim Moroccan man who refused to shake hands with the female official at the state prefecture, while his wife stood beside him . ... wait for it . . ... wearing a full veil. - - Smooth move, Abdulla!

This comes just days before the ('Vive la'!!) French National Assembly is to vote on a bill banning the full-face Islamic veil as part of what the government has described as an effort to assert French values.

Finally, bad news from North Carolina, the birthplace of NASCAR.
Ahhh, stock car racing! Real American Competition, 'Everything Else Is Just A Game'.
Runnin' and Bumpin', The 'All Star Checker or Wreck 'er Racing'!

Where they qualify for starting position in the absolute fairest way possible, fastest cars first - and the drivers are treated like Rock Stars. Where they honor their serving armed forces, veterans, and sing the national anthem at the beginning of every race, with the local air wing of F-16's flying overhead at the conclusion! - - Awesome!!

Where they have a local pastor say a prayer at the beginning of every race, and they always close with, "In Jesus name, Amen".

However in the NC House of Representatives, mentioning 'Jesus' in the opening invocation gets you banned for life.

Pastor Rob Baity said, "I got fired for mentioning Jesus".

A clerk told him ‘We would prefer that you not use the name Jesus. We have some people here that can be offended’. Pastor Baity was 'relieved of his duties' permanently by N.C. House Speaker Joe Hackney.

Maybe the drivers could park a few of the Stock Cars on the lawn of the legislature next session, and rev 'em up loud . . . .... that'd make their point clear.