Did The Earth Move For You Too??

In the wee hours of the morning, mother nature gave us folks in the midwest an earth shaking experience. Though not as uncommon as people might think, we do get em out here, they are seldom as noticeable as it was early this am.

I heard a loud *boom* which seemed to come from the apartment downstairs. This was followed by a slight but noticeable vibration, much like someone moving a piece of furniture or appliance across a tiled floor. The apartment building was also making creaking sounds (now *that* was disturbing). I was beginning to think maybe there had been an explosion downstairs and the creaking was the beginnings of our little home, upstairs, moving one flight down.

Now I have been in quakes while stationed in California. Most notably just a 45 minute drive north of where the Nordstrom quake of '91 (I think that was the year) topped the Richter scale at 7.2, causing us to rock and roll at 7:30 in the morning. Not being in a "consistently major quake area" here, just made it more of a surprise.

Anyone out there in the midwest feel mother natures love muscles spasm this morning?

The Final Essay

We all rant and rave about the quality of education our children are receiving at the hands of the public school system. We say, "It's the teachers fault!". This is countered by the schools and teachers, "It's the parents fault". And the teacher's union just wants more money.

One of the unfortunate "unintended consequences" of this ongoing battle, is we forget about the good teachers out there, quietly doing their job. And, more often than not, doing a lot more than that.

We all had one of the "good teachers", at one time or another. She (or he), was always demanding we reach beyond what was expected, by the school, our parents, ourselves. There were strict guidelines, in what was permissible in her class, not only in the given area of learning, but in our deportment while under her tutelage. She was not usually liked by all. Though for many, the passing of time would change their view. Others, more quick on the uptake, were fond of her from day one. They realized she was as much a builder of character as she was a teacher of history, science, english, or math.

Mine, was an acquaintance of my parents. In fact, her daughter brought Shakespeare and science fiction in to my life, igniting my love of books and reading. I carry that flame to this day. I didn't realize five years after interacting with her daughter, I would have her mother, Mrs. Saltzer, as my journalism teacher, during my senior year of high school.

Mrs. Florence Saltzer started by teaching the history of working on a newspaper. She had personal experience as a one time editor of a paper in South Dakota. She then gave instruction in setting up a galley proof (page) ready for printing. It was type, cut, and paste on to the proof sheet. There were no computers back then. We made it fit by hand.

We had any number of stories which needed to be in by a given deadline. She would base her grade on content, grammatical errors, adherence to our "style sheet". She also took points off if she felt we were not working up to what she felt was our (individual) potential. She wasn't concerned about our self esteem, we earned our grade whether F or A.

That was over 30 years ago. I think I still have some of my work from that class spirited away, most likely in my parents attic. She was a task master, but she did care. I still think of her from time to time, especially when bemoaning the current sorry state many of the nations papers are in. Good Lord, that woman must be spinning at a high enough rpm to provide most of Chicago with all the electrical power it could ever need.

What brought all this to mind was an article in the Chicago Tribune yesterday. My better half asked what high school I attended and forwarded this to me. (Yes, it needs you to register, but it is painless.) The story was bout a teacher and an event which happened at our rival school across town. But the story brought back memories. It was about just such a teacher. Read it and remember.

Who was *that* teacher for you?

Lies

Watched a movie Sunday night with my wife. Yes, it was one of those films, the dreaded chic flick. Twas a little ditty called "Love Letters". It was a play and had been brought to the screen, as any number of Broadway productions have been. The acting was good. There was chemistry between the two leads, and they convincingly conveyed the romantic feelings both felt for each other.

The story goes these two, for lack of a better phrase, were "soulmates". They met in the second grade, and the movie through the vehicle of letters sent to each other, shows how their feelings grew toward one another over the course of their lives. This is not a bad thing in and of itself, in fact it would be great if everyone was matched up with their respective soulmates (would drive the lawyers batty if nothing else). But there is a fly in the ointment. They never do marry each other. For various reasons (brought out in the film) they, after college and in his case the Vietnam war, get on with their lives. The letters though, continue, a lifeline that continually draws each of them back to the other as they grow older and experience various turns in life.

She gets married, at least once, and is battling demons, most notably an over fondness for that ol' devil alcohol. He gets married, only once, but has roadblocks of his own. Toward the end of the film they come to the realization (especially on his part) they are meant for each other and for a short time all is well with the world. But, he has to deal with the constraints of his position in life (he is the more straight laced/stuffed shirt of the two, she is the artsy "free spirit") and when it comes time to make a choice between his "one true love" and his responsibilities/obligations, well she gets the short shrift.

This ends up being too much for her to bear, and she goes over the edge, eventually taking her life.

Not too long after that, the story ends.

But that nasty sub conscience was at work while the film was trying to hijack the heart strings. And after the DVD was done digitally assaulting the senses, all I could think of was "Why?"

The better half and I discussed this.

Now I can understand two people who want to maintain a friendship started when they were just kids. And when you get married you bring them into the new unit of husband and wife, as a dear childhood friend, and go from there.

I would have even accepted him giving up all he was politically and socially to be with his one true love, as the movie seemed to imply his marriage was more of convenience and political/social status, than one of love. (It should also be noted his children were well into adulthood/college when he finally realized what was going on. So there would be no leaving the youngsters stranded wondering where/why their daddy left ect). And his lame excuse they would have been like oil and vinegar, after a week together, seems rather self serving. That being the case why continue to correspond all those many years?

But what in the end was this film trying to say?

That we should carry on clandestine relationships? Regardless of who gets hurt or marginalized in the process?
That after caring for another who you know is emotionally unstable you should in the end marginalize *that* person and not feel any remorse for doing so?
That all people who follow their muse are inherently substance abusers, mental defective or both? Oh, and have liberal leanings?
That all people who wish to follow careers in law/politics are only going to marry to get ahead?

The obvious message seemed to be we do what we can to make ourselves feel good, even at the expense of others. If you have a relationship (on going or otherwise) you *can* continue it regardless of how it impacts others (including the other person in said relationship). Especially if it is *True Love ™*.

In reality, the movie was filled with lies. People lying to each other, to themselves, to their families. In the end it was lies that brought about the death of one, and seemed to emotionally wound the other. But I wonder how many people who watched it (in either version, movie or stageplay) were honest enough with themselves to figure that out.

All in all, I would have rather watched "The Three Stooges".

An Urbane Gentleman

While reading the latest at Veloclworld, I came across this. I decided to take a quick peek at the gents site which was highlighted. It looks clean, neat, he looks like a nice urbane fella. But where does he come up with (and that goes for some of his commenter's) if ya hate the Islamists ya must be a fundamentalist, thang? (I am *really* trying not to get snarky here). I will note here up front I was raised Catholic...but have long since stopped practicing. There were too many things the church and I did not see eye to eye on...and if you can't abide by the rules of the club....well it's time to move on. So there is no fundamentalist here.

Now I have to wonder. Has he been to any other parts of the world for any extensive period of time? It isn't like the US throughout the world (despite what they show on TV). That doesn't make em bad or evil just different.
I have (thank you Uncle Sam), and not just talking about the bars and the dregs of society. I have seen and visited churches in many of the countries visited. I have been to mosques. Worked for those who practice the faith of Allah.

The Islamic faith is different than what is practiced by just about every other Christian and non christian sect. There are a couple of different flavors ,if you will, one is more hard line than the other. But BOTH seek total control of the world as their goal. (It's in their playbook, go read it). That the more moderate version would use more accepted ways to gain control,does not lessen the fact it wants this to take place. The other more strident version will support violence. If not directly, then through financing of those who will. We saw examples of this support yesterday.

I agree with Velociman, if this is a true religion of peace...START ACTING LIKE ONE. Condemn, in your houses of worship, the violence carried out in Allah's name. Keep doing it, not because of pressure from those you would call "infidel", but because it is right and proper...if you are, in fact, a religion of peace. They can't. Their own teachings prevent them from doing so. Those who would raise their voice in the mid-east risk death. Those in the US, knowing what is written, WILL NOT (at least not yet).

Second I would ask you put your monies where your mouth is. Stop sending it to groups that would take all or part of it and use it to support terror in the middle east. Stop sending it to groups that seek to control and / or eliminate all opposing political and religious views...AND THAT INCLUDES THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK TO ELIMINATE ISRAEL.

The gentleman who made the comments seemed to think we all hate the arabs. That is not true. Those who would seek a path of peace and fellowship with their neighbors, and do not want to take their neighbor over, be it overtly or covertly, will find no greater friend then the US.

Those residing in this country Please speak out...your lack of a strong voice in a land that does not want to repeat the same situation as happened during the last world war needs to hear it. And I believe if the terror and war continues, we may see people placed, at the very least, under surveillance. To hear your voice condemning those of your faith who are using violent and or subversive means to advance their personal agenda. Is the only way that can be prevented from eventually happening.

This is the second column in a row on this topic.....but it needs to be said if the Islamists are truly what they claim to be then the wickedness which resides through out the world, claiming Allah as their own, needs to be condemd....or all of that faith will become but a memory.

It may not happen tomorrow or even a year from now...but it will happen. There are those of the west who will not let their country, culture, or history be destroyed...especially by a faith locked in the twilight zone of the 11th century. And as for the urbane gentlemen of the world, you would do well to thank God we are there to prevent you from that which you are so blind that you can not or do not want tosee.

Like Sands Through an Hourglass....

My better half has been saying this for some time. Perhaps it is time for us to simplify our foreign policy, to something like ....

"We of the great nation of the United States, effective immediately, are carrying out a new policy in regards to those who seek to destroy us and our friends and allies throughout the world.

If you are truly a religion of peace, you have 24 hours to come forward and expose any and all that would seek to promote or carry out acts of violence upon any member of the United States armed forces, American citizens, or our allies. IF you fail to come forward and provide evidence and also denounce the continuation of these acts of terrorism, not only here but abroad, which are carried out in the name of your God, you will leave us no choice.

At the end of 24 hours from NOW, if the above is not acted upon, You, your country, culture, and all others be they terrorist or any nation or state which supports you, will exist no more.

We have gone out of our way to wager a war minimalizing the casualties of civilian populace in areas of conflict. We sought the higher ground in our dealings with you, your holy sites, and those who would seek to destroy our allies.

It appears you respect nothing but strength and an iron fist. In 24 hours, the velvet glove comes off, and the iron fist falls. Your existence will be remembered for what it was, memories being all that will be left.

You have been given notice. The choice is yours. May your god have mercy on your heathen souls, we will not. You now have 23 hours and 20 minutes left."

Tick....Tick....Tick

A Really Big Shoe...

We all have troubles. We all have low spots and times in our lives and the lives of those we love. Very rare is there a time when we have no shoes. There are children in Afghanistan who don't. Sgt. Hook wants to change that. He has started "Operation Shoe Fly". They are asking for any shoes in good or better conditon, new or used, for children 14 years or younger, to be sent to the following address.

Operation Shoe Fly
B Co, 214th Aviation Regiment
Bagram, Afghanistan
APO AE 09354-9998

We have much to be thankfull for. The kids there, well, living day by day is normal. While we trudge to work and cuss in rush hour, many of them are happy to see the dawn of another day. The least we can do is make their day a little better. Come on people, we are talking shoes here. Even this old Navy seadog will admit when the Army is right it is right. The Sgt needs your help, now fall out and carry out the plan of the day.

International Red Crass???

It seems the Guardian is up to its usual fine standards of journalistic excellence, shall we have a look see??

Red Cross ultimatum to US on Saddam
Release him, charge him or break international law, Bush told

Jonathan Steele in Baghdad
Monday June 14, 2004
The Guardian

Saddam Hussein must either be released from custody by June 30 or charged if the US and the new Iraqi government are to conform to international law, the International Committee of the Red Cross said last night.

Nada Doumani, a spokeswoman for the ICRC, told the Guardian: "The United States defines Saddam Hussein as a prisoner of war. At the end of an occupation PoWs have to be released provided they have no penal charges against them."

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGggggggg!!!!! There, that is outta my system. I wonder if Ms Doumani would be better off if she took some memory enhance? Hey laaaaaadddy!! Remember those couple of HUNDRED thousands your fair haired boy Saddam polished off before the US came knocking on his septic tank hide out? Ya think that may be just a tad good enough to hold him?

Her comments came as the international body, the only independent group with access to detainees in US custody, becomes increasingly concerned over the legal limbo in which thousands of people are being held in the run-up to the transfer of power at the end of the month.

That any number of them were being held because they were either directly participating in or aiding in the current terrorist acts we are fighting are of little concern to the folks at the Red Cross? Perhaps they should stick to handing out coffee and doughnuts to American troops. (if they must be over seas)

The occupation officially ends on June 30 and US forces will be in Iraq at the invitation of its sovereign government.

"There are all these people kept in a legal vacuum. No one should be left not knowing their legal status. Their judicial rights must be assured," Ms Doumani said.

Hmmm here is a clue......They aren't subject to the constitution!!!!! They have no rights, at least not by American jurisprudence.

Saddam and other senior officials of the old regime are the only Iraqi detainees to have been given PoW status. Hundreds of other Iraqis have been seized since the war often, according to critics, on flimsy suspicion and held for long periods without charge, usually without their families knowing for weeks where they are.

The ICRC visited the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in early June and found 3,291 detainees, including three women and 22 boys under 18. This was less than half the 6,527 it found in March.

Now, they couldn't have been RELEASED could they? Sheesh, and here I thought this would be hard.

President George Bush has promised to close the prison where US guards indulged in pornographic abuse of prisoners and several groups of releases have taken place since. But many prisoners have been transferred to other prisons.

The ICRC is angry that it has not been given exact figures for releases or the whereabouts of those who are moved from Abu Ghraib and it is hoping the end of the occupation will put pressure on the authorities to clean up their act. "If we consider the occupation ends on June 30, that would mean it's the end of the international armed conflict. This is the legal situation.

"When the conflict ends the prisoners of war should be released according to the Geneva conventions," Ms Doumani said.

Again, this is not a declared war, and the Geneva convention is not applicable....tho many of its guidelines have been followed. And it should be noted the events at AbuGhraib were being addressed at the beginning of the year long before the press was plastering photos of the less than honorable actions of a few US service members.

She accepted that US and other foreign forces would remain in Iraq.

Whether that meant an occupation continued would be "determined by the situation on the ground". The presence of foreign forces ought to be governed by a legal agreement with the host government.

The ICRC is a legal body able to dispense international law and enforce it? Is Clara Barton spinning at a high enough rpm yet??

The ICRC has made at least two visits to the former Iraqi president who is believed to be in a special prison at Baghdad airport.

Around 40 other members of the so-called "pack of cards", Washington's list of high-level members of the former regime, are also there, most in solitary confinement.

Interrogation has been sporadic and none has been charged or allowed visits by their lawyers. A few have had family visits.

They include scientists who were never members of the Ba'ath party, like Dr Amer al Saadi, who was the Iraqi government's liaison with the United Nations' weapons inspectors.

Family members claim they are being deliberately held without trial so as to be punished even in the absence of evidence of wrongdoing.

Do these alleged "family members" have proof?? Or is this just some of that "colorful filler" the Guardian has come to be known for?

US lawyers have been helping Iraqis prepare charges against Saddam but officials say they do not expect a trial until next year at the earliest. The US and the Iraqi authorities hope other defendants will first testify against him.

But none has been willing to do so. Whether it is out of loyalty or fear of retribution by Saddam's sympathisers is not clear.

Once charged the former president will be entitled to judicial guarantees including access to a lawyer and the right to prepare a defence.

Who's, judicial guarantees? The new Iraqi government? If so, bet it's a short and quick trial.....and an equally short an quick hanging.

The US has made clear it will continue to detain some Iraqis after the transfer of sovereignty as part of its security operations.

Now *that* kinda makes all your whining a rather moot point doesn't it?

Look, I am glad there is an International Red Cross, and that they are looking out for the general welfare of folks who have been or are currently in a POW status. But a couple of things come to mind. Where was all their bitching during VietNam? I don't remember reading or hearing anything about the *spit*high quality*spit* treatment our POWs got while guests of the North VC. Second thing hey, get a spell checker or better proofreader. I am the worlds worst speller, and the spell check on this came up with at least two that were errors. I didn't change em.

Finally, I think they need to fold up their political agenda tent an steal quietly into the night. Oh, and get some fresher doughnuts for the troops, I seem to recall the ones I was able to sample overseas were rather stale, much like their rhetoric.

Update #1:
Hey, ya don't like my rant? Think I carry a grudge against stale doughnuts a tad too far? Well, it seems I am not alone, check out what Misha has to say.

Reunited?

Michelle Malkin has a wonderful blog up and running. And she notes, even in his passing, the President was able to bring people together. Go check it out.

Shared Dreams

My wife and I sat on the couch watching my Commander in Chief reach his final resting place. And a thought started taking form while listening to his sons and daughter share their memories of the great man with all of us. We held hands, watching, listening. And at the moment of Nancy Reagan's heartfelt good-bye to her husband and friend, I know my wife shared in her pain, I felt the tears on my shoulder. It is hard to watch a final good-bye when you are trying to focus through tears.

I had another post in the works. Perhaps on another day it will see a page. But the idea forming earlier had reached fruition. There has never been the national outpouring of respect, memories, and singular national good will toward a departed President in over 40 years.

Nixon, in time grew to be the republican "elder statesman", but did not receive the outpouring even from his own party , that President Reagan was showered with this last week. Johnson's passing was about on par with Nixon's. Hoover was hardly a blip in the national consciousness. Eisenhower was honored both as President and war hero, but the national passion was not there.

No, the last time the country united in genuine outpouring of grief, loss, and national morning, was November 22, 1963.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the first President I ever remembered. He was the only one I ever met...if only for a moment back in 1960. I never forgot the brightness of his eyes....he reminded me of my dad. And three short years later, an assassin's bullet took him and his dreams for this country away.

Now others can debate his greatness or lack there of, that is not the issue here tonight. Rather it was the great sense of loss a country felt. He was part of my parents generation at that point when they were most vital. When he was taken, we collectively lost, the man, the passion, the dream, and his potential for greatness. A nation mourned while a 3 year old boy saluted his daddy as the President's caisson passed heading toward an eternal flame.

And now, almost 41 year later, we are a nation united in mourning again. This time our Commander in Chief lead a full robust life. He accomplished more in the last half of his life then most in their entirety. We will no longer see his smiling face or hear the cheerful optimism of that most noble of "Happy warriors".

There is at least one parallel between these two Presidents, both shared a dream of and for America. And it was that we are capable of greatness. Not by increasing the chains and shackles of an all inclusive all controlling government. But in the realization that either as individuals or united in a common cause there is nothing the American spirit or it's people can not accomplish.

We owe it to the memory of both men and to their dreams of America, the land who's people dared to follow ones dream. Enough to reach out and lasso the moon. And believed in the optimism, the faith of another. And in so doing allowed a great evil to be vanquished,and a wall to be torn down, in so doing bringing freedom to millions, freedoms we've enjoyed for so long.

To John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a true hero, tempered in a great World War, who dared to dream of his country reaching ever greater heights. Driven by the goodness and civic pride he believed to be in all his fellow countrymen, may God have blessed you for the good you did during your time on earth.

To Ronald Wilson Reagan, a true hero, tempered in a great Cold War, may your deeds and your character and faith in the goodness of men bring you blessings a thousand fold as you enter Heaven's gates to finally touch the face of God.

Wake Up

We have been living under a curse. One I am sure has been bantered about, but becomes truer with each passing day.

"May you live in interesting times."

If the current climate is not interesting enough for you either politically or militarily, you might want to get someone to check you pulse.

I have been reading a number of different posts about the current state of affairs both here and abroad. We are in deep horse pucky folks.

The government (on both sides of the aisle as evidenced by the voting records) seeks to take away YOUR RIGHTS on any number of things.

The right to bear arms ==== Well, there is "assault weapons" ban. S.2498 just for starters and that is at the federal level. Your own Peoples Repub....err state may be working to erode your right to bear arms, even more than the feds.

Freedom of Speech === That little gem called the CFR
just for starters.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof === This gets a little dicey, as by a generic definition I would be prone to place what passes for atheism as falling into "a religion". There is, to be sure, a "dogma" followed and heretics are shunned as surely as if they were lapsed Catholic or Jew. Who is at the vanguard of this promotion of a "godless state"? Why our "friends" at the ACLU as evidenced,here,andhere, and here, just to name a few areas they have sought fit to impose a secular dominance. This flat disregards or ignores the religious underpinnings that were part an parcel to our rules of law and societal morals and mores. What the constitution says was exactly as stated above. To put it in even simpler language, The government shall not impose one religion on its citizens above all others. Or prevent you from practicing your faith (or lack of same). Unless my eyes are worse than I thought that does not mean we ignore our history and the part religion has played in our legal and moral heritage.

This should be enough for today.

There are many of us riding "through every Middlesex village and farm", trying to wake up the citizenry.
My fear is no one, or far too few, is waking from their sleep.

We still have a chance to start bringing this nation back on course. Back to one that more faithfully follows the constitution. No more no less. That is this November. We need to get folks out to the poling places. (And if you know of any who have not registered, who believe in following the constitution as it was intended, get them registered.) We are not burning as Rome of old. But the pyres are being stacked with mad abandon and torches are at the ready. If not this upcoming election, then perhaps the next we will have lost our ability as citizens to protect and defend the constitution. It will have quite literally be lost without a shot being fired.

I took an oath, first time many years ago, and repeated many times since. "To defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies foreign and domestic." Though out of uniform, I am still technically, in an inactive reserve status an thus honorbound to that oath. I shall always hold myself to that oath. I wonder when the time will come to defend her against those who seek to rape her and bastardize all this grand experiment has stood for?

Wake up!

The Real War

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Allied Powers invasion of a Nazi controlled European continent. D-Day saw freedom and liberty return to European shores at the cost of thousands. These Solders, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen recognized these ideals, and having lived under them, were morally compelled to remove from the world those who would seek to grind all we held dear under their totalitarian heel.

My Uncle Ed and Great Uncle Bill, saw service in the Army and fought in Europe. I never had the honor of hearing Uncle Ed talk about his experiences, but did with my Great Uncle. He served under Patton, and was a part of the march towards Germany. He saw the concentration camps, but he never talked much about that (at least to me). My mother remembers him mentioning it. I can only imagine the horror reflected in his eyes as he spoke about what he witnessed. To both these men, Thank You. (As an aside, to my Uncle Les, who wore the Globe, Anchor, and Eagle of the United States Marines, and saw service in the Pacific, the other theater of WWII, Thank You sir. You were one of the main inspirations for me joining the Navy at 17, many years ago.)

It has been noted,President Reagan, helped to continue freedoms fight. Under his tenure, Communism fell. The wall, dividing freemen from those enslaved under yet another authoritarian regime, crumbled. Reagan was the principle player in making that happen. He believed in freedom, God, and the inherent right of all men to be afforded the chance to experience both.

I was overseas in Japan when the wall fell. At an all night food joint which had televisions set up with CNN on. It was broadcasting this event live (quite the feat at that time). As my fellow shipmates and I ate and watched history happening before our eyes, on member of our group piped up about "all the folks running around and acting like maniacs" (or words to that effect). He had placed his foot in his mouth and was about to find out I was quite capable of helping him remove it.

You see, I am only second generation American. Both sides of my family came from what was just prior to that day, communist controlled countries (Hungary and Czechoslovakia) and even mother Russia itself. Now, they had all arrived over here well before the "hammer and sickle" was in place, but our families felt the repercussions of that action. This fellow Sailor, had pushed a hot button.

I let my fellow Sailor with the bad case of diarrhea of the mouth know, in no uncertain terms, my feelings about the wall coming down. "Hey asshole, you don't know what you are talking about." "I have relatives that are free to speak their minds now, that the wall has come down." "I had cousins that wanted to come to this country (the USA) and live but were 'required' to return to their country because of what might happen to their families had they chosen to stay." "And now that freedom is there, YOU think they are acting foolish and like mobs because they are tearing down the one thing representing the evil they had to live under?" It was about that time both of us were pulled away from each other. A few moments later, he came over and apologized. And the moment passed.

Now, the fight for freedom continues. We find ourselves fighting what is almost a shadow war now. And there are others who have written in much better prose about the current battles. Will we have, as a country of freemen, the courage to see this phase of the war for freedom to its successful completion?

The actions of September 11th, 2001 and the number of terrorist acts brought against us before and since, should have been a strong enough wake up call. They brought the evil which festered overseas, to our shores. The men and women in the service of their country who gave their blood or very lives in the advance of freedom through out the world are the vanguard. We owe them and the memory of those military and civilian, gone before, to continue the fight.

It will not be easy. For the agents of the enemy have taken root in this country and seek to weaken our resolve daily.

The party once considered "the honorable opposition", who through Franklin D. Roosevelt,and Harry Truman, lead this country to victory in WWII, now spews little but hate, and misinformation. It's senior statesmen, hollowed shells, of the great men who came before. They seek nothing but greater power and control for themselves and their party at the expense of the fight for freedom and those who are fighting it.

There are those who would see it placed in other, less capable, hands. So if the battle fails in the end, the blame would be placed elsewhere. They and their ilk are cowards and misguided fools. There are still others who would see us retreat back to our shores. Renouncing friend and foe alike to their own fate. They are in the same camp as the others. These, and other "Useful idiots" are but a channel away on television or radio. They are but a page away in many of our newspapers. They give aid and comfort, perhaps unknowingly, to the very forces which seek our end.

If this view is simplistic so be it. The real war continues, it never really stopped. Its modern form started at the beginnings of WWII, re-ignited at Korea, continued burning with an icy flame during The Cold War. And now those in the shadows, cloaked in religious fanaticism, sponsored quietly by countries who would see us and the dream of freemen everywhere die, carry the banner of the darkest side of humanity.

We must not weaken our resolve. Or forget the sacrifices of those gone before. Perhaps the greatest President of the twentieth century wagered his future and that of his country to bring freedom to millions. Now is not the time to be less than bold in the waging of battle. For this is war. A war tearing, and clawing, at the fabric of freedoms enjoyed daily, here and around the world. It is the real war.

Rest In Peace

I was alerted to this by my wife, who in turn read it at Rob's.
President Reaganpassed on today. We lost one of the great leaders of our age. He was 93. May we be worthy of carrying on your hopes and vison of what America is and can strive to become. Rest in Peace.

I Fall Short

Anniversary Gifts To My Wife

Pardon our dust

Seems springtime has arrived at the Harbor. Just moving a few things 'round. Watch this space.

Passing of the Torch

The following was inspired by a post at ,Straight White Guy. It's a great site, check it out.

Another literary great left this mortal coil. William Manchester was 82. Perhaps gaining his greatest notoriety for his works about John F. Kennedy and Winston Churchill.

He was part of my parents generation. The one many are now calling "The Greatest Generation", and rightly so.

They faced the hardships of world wide depression while growing up. It was the crucible in which their collective character was forged. When the reached young adulthood, their mettle was tested by the onslaught of WWII. Returning home, they proceeded to realize their dreams.

They married, raised children, bought homes, and for the most part quietly lived their lives. They applied the traditional American work ethic, being the muscle which turned America's war machine back into what became the free market giant it is today.

They sought to give their children most everything they felt had been lacking (or hard to reach) in their lives. A lifestyle that was free from want, and allowed the next generation the opportunities most of them could have only dreamed of.

They were willing to recognize errors in the collective consciousness of America. And sought to correct them, the major changes in civil rights came about due to this. And recognizing they had so much, they sought to help those less fortunate. The great society movement was of their doing or at least was tacitly supported. (That it may have failed in the long run, does not diminish the intent of wanting to address the concerns of poverty that many had personally experienced in their youth.)

They reached for the stars. Seeing a greater destiny not only for themselves, but all of mankind. At the same time while trying to curb communist aggression in Southeast Asia (again at great personal and emotional cost). They brought us ultimately, to the moon.

The gave our generation more then any past generation ever had, in any number of ways. We were better fed, housed, and healed. Ours was a generation, for the greater part, without want. And although we, faced the specter of nuclear war, for the most part it was our parents generation that greatly reduced that threat. We had the opportunity to attend college in greater numbers than any previous generation.

Then, starting about twenty years ago, the Greatest Generation, began to "pass the torch" to us.

Over the course of those twenty years, fathers passed on the family business to their sons (and now daughters as well). Seats of political power saw men and women who grew up during VietNam replacing those who fought the Axis powers. Captains of industry, changed hands with younger corporate climbers. Stars of tv, music, stage, and screen, we grew up with (most from our parents generation),were replace with talent from our peer group.

Our parents, in turn, sought retirement. Staying more active then past generations, in pursuing hobbies and picking up on past dreams they had put aside. Traveling to see their country and the world in greater numbers and better health then any generation past.
Looking at the obituary notices in the local paper (small town, three notices a week on average) it becomes obvious, in ever increasing numbers, their journey is coming to an end. Our generation, in many cases, are assuming the patriarchal duties of our respective clans.

The torch really has been passed to the next generation.

When, in the next twenty years, I pass the flame to my sons, what shape will this country (and the world) be in? Will we be able to give up stewardship of this country knowing there is something to build upon? Or will it be beyond repair? Will the world still be in the state of flux it is in today? Or will we have addressed the evils and stagnant intellectual morass a large part of western civilization finds itself in (today). What about the rampant poverty and sickness that exists?

I hope we solve many of these. Or at least are progressing toward solutions. We owe it out of respect, to our parents generation. Our children and future generations deserve no less from us.

Answering The Call

I was reading around the blogsphere, when a couple words triggered the following. And I know it is "past Memorial Day", but upon reflection this seems to go here.

There are those out there who wonder if they warrant the "thank yous" given for service to their country, especially on Memorial Day (but I imagine the same is true for Veteran's Day). Upon reflection, I would count myself among them. After all, what did we do that was so special, we came home. Or, we served in other parts of the world, while our brothers in arms lay wounded or dying. It doesn't matter the wartime scenario, whither WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, or the two major conflicts in the Gulf. It doesn't matter the age, be it grizzled vet, or a young troop just back from a tour in "the sandbox". I feel I can say, for those who were not directly in a field of battle or heard a shot fired in anger, we feel to some degree or another guilty.....perhaps that is too strong a word...not worthy of the thanks given for service rendered. Though always polite when in receipt of such praise, you'll notice a reddening of the ears. (It should be noted most if not all who have seen action will have the same reddening of the ears when told thank you.) We were just doing our job.

And perhaps that is part of it too. When you know the same fella who sat in your advance training class was sent and ultimately wounded in country (or Normandy, or Iraq) and you were in Dallas TX in a Naval Reserve Unit fixing radios (or New Jersey as a supply clerk, or instructing at Army Ranger school). We know we were just doing our respective jobs...but why dear Lord couldn't it have been me instead of him. And so we wonder are we worthy of carrying the torch, the responsibility of being a better citizen, employee, boss, husband, father. Because of those who gave so much of themselves, up to, and including that last full measure of devotion.

I won't argue that we shouldn't try to reach for the best which is in all of us. And if in some way it honors those who have paid the price for the freedoms we have today (as well as those who are doing that even as this is being written) that is so much the better. I would humbly suggest we don't beat ourselves up, if because we are human, we sometimes fall short. Perhaps it is better we honor them by never giving up....on ourselves, on our marriages, on our kids, on our dreams. Cause isn't that what they really left us? The chance to keep fighting , improving , and loving those who matter most to us?

We all answered the call. Whither it was our country calling us to arms in times of war, or via selective service. Or we answered a call deep inside. Be it patriotic duty, a sense that we owe this great country of ours something in return for all that is available to us, or perhaps a family history rich in the tradition of "duty, honor, country".

We all answered the call. Some saw but one battle and entered the rolls of the Supreme Commander. Others bear the scars, physical and mental, reliving battles long gone, each and every day. Then there are those of us who, through chance or happenstance, served our two, four, twenty, or more and were "just doing our job".....

Gentlemen and Ladies, we all answered the call. We were all willing to do what was asked. The optimist in me believes had we been tasked with the orders to go in harms way, none would have refused. And THAT makes all the difference.....you see

WE ANSWERED THE CALL