America Matters
About America Matters
Thanks for stopping by America Matters. My goal at America Matters is to cover all facets of America. From politics, current events, entertainment,our great military,history and also our culture and way of life in this great and beautiful country. You will find that I will now and then blather about family and friends and our "own little America" here in America's heartland. In hopes that you will find something familiar. A bit of thought and some humor as well. We have a great country and we are very fortunate to wake up in this country each morning. America has made incredible strides and accomplishments in our young existence. Our vision and ambition and drive is something to talk about. Our history is rich and legendary. I am proud to be an American.
America Matters
Memorial Day...Voices
What better way than to revive a blog in moth balls, and what a better and more poignant day to do so. Memorial Day, Veteran's Day? Armed Forces Day. It doesn't matter. I think about my two grandpas. Both Marines in the Pacific. Both strong men who made my life all the clearer. They made my life all the better just because of their experience. What they held in to shield me when I was young and what they told me when I got older to make me stronger.
I am former Army. In my mind I am always Army. It is a comradery that I have been unable to duplicate in the years since I left the Army. I miss it, I long for it. I seek it. Nothing like it. Nothing. The only place since I have left service was in my two grandfathers. Both Marines in the Pacific. Both a combination of strength and sweetness. Memorial Day I certainly realize is a day for those fallen in war, my middle name is from one that fell in Vietnam. Yet because my grandfathers' served in WWII..and because it is what I remember them for? I honor them. I miss them...I long to hear their voice of strength in my ear. I need that...I need that.
My wife and I got married on my three day pass between Basic Training and AIT. Our parents through a little quick party for us. I remember talking to somebody and hearing my two Marine grandfathers talking behind me. My ears perked up like a hound dogs'. As many a Marine knows, the Navy totes them around. My grandfather told the other that "There were 265 Navy Men and 85 Marines on the ship and I can't undersand what in the hell these Navy guys were doing on our ship?" I chuckled hearing this all going on behind my head. My tow favorite people, talking. My two favorite heroes.
For several years in a row on Veteran's Day I would stop and visit grandpa.He would always be dressed in his red blazer and Marine cap. We would look through photo albums. He was a Vet of Tarawa. Google the horrors. He told me that we misjudged the tides and they had to wade through a few hundred yard in armpit deep water, across coral...either cut down by Jap fire like sitting ducks or sliced up by the sharp coral reef. Grandpa said, by the time he reached the beach and saw his buddies mowed down he was ready to roll under a truck and die...except he had a war to fight.
So, I didn't lose my grandfathers in WWII. Their heroism took on a new meaning in the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren they would go on to raise. The war was not something they that would go onto talk about. Maybe if you'd catch them on a good day? They'd talk a bit. Mostly? Their herosim was just a branch of what they did in the war. Their heroism in that war was so far back in the past, yet resonated unsaid in how we all turned out in our family.
So, on this Memorial Day, I remember many things, most of all... I remember my super heroes my super troops. My Grandfathers. How I miss their voices. How I need that strong reassuring voice. How I miss that. How I love that... How I respect that. I can only hope that my children will understand as I in knowing these heroes and hear their voices.
I love you Grandpa.
"Nazi" Infiltrator StLouis Tea Party
It was an unbelievable week in regards to TEA is St. Louis. Above is a clip of one joker that infiltrated the TEA party in Clayton Mo. I was there the whole time. I saw this ass waltzing through the crowd ever so slowly, ever so "toughly" never standing still and wanting to be noticed. I went to Bill Hennessy to tell him about this clown in Nazi garb. He said " We need to get Sharp on that" and before he finished that sentence Adam Sharp was all over it, followed this clown around. Many say that this dude is for real, a real racist and not a Dem shill or plant. I for one have a different theory in that he may be a real racist but still a plant or shill. I watched his facial expressions and body language the whole time. He wasn't eternally pissed like most skinheads or racists. His shirt and hat were crisp and brand spankin' new like he just stopped at "Nazi-Mart" before the rally. Also, These types of idiots NEVER travel alone. They struggle to show any kind of numbers anywhere.
It was a fantastic night, made me proud. I was there. I soaked in all the coolness and patriotism that night, I was ever so calm and felt a sense of promise.
St Louis TEA Party is best, real......and promising. Read it from those that bring it.
http://thedanashow.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/a-year-later/
Tom Hanks, Pacific, And Racism
No one more than me was so excited for the new movie The Pacific being released. Unfortunately, I do not have HBO and will have to catch somewhere else or ....maybe I won't.
One of my all time favorite movies is Band Of Brothers, a fantastic move and well done by Hanks and Spielberg. Pacific is different.... I can't say that I was shocked with the recent opinions being spun around the media today in that "Pacific" according to Hanks, is going to show the racism and how the Americans treated the Japanese. Much of this was started on MSNBC's "Morning Joe. It should be of no surprise he was welcomed with open arms.
Here is PT1
Many of you have seen this interview, if not. Part2 and Part3 are available on Youtube, you get the jist of it.
Here is another video interview that Hanks did with in regards to his comments.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/62716
As disgusted as I am on many levels, there is SOME truth to what Tom Hanks says. My grandpa was a Vet at Tarawa. His friend, that fought and served with him was a military photographer. One of the pictures in his album was of a dead Japanese soldier. I asked him what they did with the prisoners. He smiled and said, we let them escape to the beach......and then we shot them. He then looked at me and said "You've got to understand something, we had no food to share, many were crazy and were wanting to commit suicide and we had a war to fight, it was a war.... We had been through hell, they brought us there"
I never faulted my grandfather for his actions. I'd never known him to have a racist bone in his body, yet these things did happen for whatever reason and reasons were many, and racism exists everywhere. It exists in war absolutely, but it's not the cause for EVERY action taken. Not the motive of the American's war. It's much deeper than that... It's called survival.
Sooooo.......
For Hanks to make racism his talking points view about this movie is ridiculous. Of course there was racism! See Adolf Hitler, see the stories and quotes from the Japanese in regards to our soldiers and many being forced to work in the Japanese mines until they fell over dead! If THIS is Hanks big revelation than sweet Tom Hanks is a moron. Hell, racism was present in our cartoons back then for cryin' out loud! See Looney Tunes history Tom! You know a lot about that kind of history!
YES the Japanese were included, they attacked Pearl Harbor and were portrayed as the monsters they were, and by they way.....they attacked us first Tom. Remember Pearl Harbor Bosom Buddy Tom???
Now wait a minute, Hanks is trying to tie this racism "plot" into our war against terror. His thoughts are in his "Kill em' All" comment in the interview. Well, Tom there is a something very similar between our war on terror and our war against the Japanese, you're right buddy!
Let's play match game shall we? Dec 7th 1941, and Sept 11th 2001! Now there IS something similar! Let's see,the Japanese were radical and viewed us as dogs and wanted to take over the world, and, hey about that, the radical Jihadists view us as dogs and want all non-muslims dead! Oh and also the fact that, like the Japanese, the muslims are willing to commit suicide for honor. The Japanese had a desire to fly planes into ships and kill us and the Jihadists decided on the big buildings!
So yeah Tommy! you're right! THERE really are comparisons! Where would we be without evil America Tom! Despite what the lefty a55 kissers said in the clip "You are a history teacher"? Idiots!
How about Tom not REWRITE history and paint such a complex time of the Greatest Generation and our current generation's wars under the broad brush of racism. It's shameful and disgusting and quite frankly naive or maybe intentional, who knows. Hanks has the right to his opinions as do I, and mine is that Tom Hanks is just another America bashing lefty that just so happens to have the gall to use our great history to display his ignorant tripe.
Our enemies, then and our enemies now, started the war and I am not so sure now that smilin' Tom believes that in his heart of bleeding hearts either.
One of my all time favorite movies is Band Of Brothers, a fantastic move and well done by Hanks and Spielberg. Pacific is different.... I can't say that I was shocked with the recent opinions being spun around the media today in that "Pacific" according to Hanks, is going to show the racism and how the Americans treated the Japanese. Much of this was started on MSNBC's "Morning Joe. It should be of no surprise he was welcomed with open arms.
Here is PT1
Many of you have seen this interview, if not. Part2 and Part3 are available on Youtube, you get the jist of it.
Here is another video interview that Hanks did with in regards to his comments.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/62716
As disgusted as I am on many levels, there is SOME truth to what Tom Hanks says. My grandpa was a Vet at Tarawa. His friend, that fought and served with him was a military photographer. One of the pictures in his album was of a dead Japanese soldier. I asked him what they did with the prisoners. He smiled and said, we let them escape to the beach......and then we shot them. He then looked at me and said "You've got to understand something, we had no food to share, many were crazy and were wanting to commit suicide and we had a war to fight, it was a war.... We had been through hell, they brought us there"
I never faulted my grandfather for his actions. I'd never known him to have a racist bone in his body, yet these things did happen for whatever reason and reasons were many, and racism exists everywhere. It exists in war absolutely, but it's not the cause for EVERY action taken. Not the motive of the American's war. It's much deeper than that... It's called survival.
Sooooo.......
For Hanks to make racism his talking points view about this movie is ridiculous. Of course there was racism! See Adolf Hitler, see the stories and quotes from the Japanese in regards to our soldiers and many being forced to work in the Japanese mines until they fell over dead! If THIS is Hanks big revelation than sweet Tom Hanks is a moron. Hell, racism was present in our cartoons back then for cryin' out loud! See Looney Tunes history Tom! You know a lot about that kind of history!
YES the Japanese were included, they attacked Pearl Harbor and were portrayed as the monsters they were, and by they way.....they attacked us first Tom. Remember Pearl Harbor Bosom Buddy Tom???
Now wait a minute, Hanks is trying to tie this racism "plot" into our war against terror. His thoughts are in his "Kill em' All" comment in the interview. Well, Tom there is a something very similar between our war on terror and our war against the Japanese, you're right buddy!
Let's play match game shall we? Dec 7th 1941, and Sept 11th 2001! Now there IS something similar! Let's see,the Japanese were radical and viewed us as dogs and wanted to take over the world, and, hey about that, the radical Jihadists view us as dogs and want all non-muslims dead! Oh and also the fact that, like the Japanese, the muslims are willing to commit suicide for honor. The Japanese had a desire to fly planes into ships and kill us and the Jihadists decided on the big buildings!
So yeah Tommy! you're right! THERE really are comparisons! Where would we be without evil America Tom! Despite what the lefty a55 kissers said in the clip "You are a history teacher"? Idiots!
How about Tom not REWRITE history and paint such a complex time of the Greatest Generation and our current generation's wars under the broad brush of racism. It's shameful and disgusting and quite frankly naive or maybe intentional, who knows. Hanks has the right to his opinions as do I, and mine is that Tom Hanks is just another America bashing lefty that just so happens to have the gall to use our great history to display his ignorant tripe.
Our enemies, then and our enemies now, started the war and I am not so sure now that smilin' Tom believes that in his heart of bleeding hearts either.
St.Louis Tea Party Anniversary 2010
It was the one year anniversary of the St.Louis Tea Party founded by Bill Hennessy and Dana Loesch
a down home movement from a big city with a small town feel. THAT is what St.louis is and the Tea Party here has taken off like no other. This Tea Party is one of the most active and promising in the nation because of people like Bill Hennessy and Dana Loesch, because of the motivation and pride. This years gathering under the Arch in honor of it's anniversary was awesome. Under the supreme symbol of American expansion and ingenuity, under the Arch gathered 1500 people waving Old Glory and Gadsen flags. Power of people not government. Hear that? POWER OF PEOPLE NOT GOVERNMENT!
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon A hint of spring on the high steps under the Arch.A bright sun gleemed, cold wind whipped. Perfect combo. I brought along my step-dad who is my favorite Vet and all was cool provided I could keep him from putting the word cock-s**ker in front of "Democrat". Yet it was to be expected , tongue in cheek, and gathering which a Vietnam Vet had wished for. This Saturday he was able to stop and talk to several Vets of Nam and all welcomed each other home...after all these years....home.
Rousing speeches from Gina Loudon who is funny and adorable. Let us not forget Jim Hoft who gave the most rousing speech on the steps of the Arch that day. A great time and celebration and just another milestone from one of the most active Tea Parties in the country. Proud to be connected to it and my brothers and sisters who help protect the fundementals of this great great country and its Constitution.
Vitriol, Dissent, and Extremists
This week we had the President's State Of The Union Address. Earlier last week we had the one year anniversary of the President's inauguration to office. The victory of Scott Brown in Massachusetts. All these things put yet another 3ft flame under each and every American ass. The talking heads rear their head of the ugly variety. The networks were in full form. Talk radio had fodder and off we go!.... More dissent and more vitriol. Two words. One, vitriol which I had never heard until a few years ago when I became a blog geek. Two. Dissent?...Well, I am not so sure that's a bad word at all.
Vitriol is used to broad brush and to make all comments sound hateful and shoot down a logical disagreement. Dissent is used as if it's evil or un-patriotic all depending on the person's view point.
Either way, both words and the actions from them are healthy and good if they are put into perspective.
In today's political spectrum these words are used along with their companion word "extremist". Seems this word is being thrown around like a Nerf football at a tailgate party these days. Extremist is tagged on anyone these days, that disagrees with the someone on ANYTHING. An "extremists" is anyone that fights against "their" side. Anyone that is vocal and visible and has a "take no 5hit attitude" or holds their values, is.....an extremist.
There are people out there that call the Tea Party "right wing extremists". Calling the folks that overcrowded the Town Hall meetings across the country, with lines more waiting outside, "right wing extremists"? Really? Politicians whining that they were being shouted down etc. Really? There are people that call anti-war activists "un-American" or "un-patriotic".Really?
..Each side always trying to define and peg "patriotic" as their own. Fact is? It's all of ours..both sides. Both sides are right in their thoughts, but not always in their actions and words.
All said.... We as a people need to take a breath from the clowns and jesters across the media spectrum and understand that vitriol and dissent are cornerstones of our country's founding. Think the Tea Party folks are nuts? See and Google "The American Revolution" and read. We were "nuts" and took no 5hit from anyone. Hard fought and steadfast skirmishes.....then battles...and then war...WON. Radical and militia like tactics defeated a mega-force in Britain. We wore them out. Little people defeated an EMPIRE!
So what of dissent and vitriol?
We as a people have come so far so fast. The longest living Constitution on the planet, has given birth to one of the youngest countries on Earth, that just so happens to be the most powerful. Why should we not defend that Constitution? Why should we sit back and let politicians demean it? They WILL given the chance. Whether on purpose, or simply by ignorance. It's ours to keep and defend.
Some speak of "bi-partisanship" within our government? Well, I am not going to sit here and tell you that it does not work. What I will tell you is that it works for the politicians for political reasons. To make them feel good and a deal done for a fellow pol. When you get "bi-partisanship"? You get a diluted result for both sides and no one is truly pleased. The politicians nor their constituents. What do WE then have? A barrel of pork to pay for.
Bi-partisanship, other than declaring war? at least in our current political state? Well it's good for naming an airport, funding a memorial, or opening a library or school etc... Not much more clarity and accomplishment in bi-partisanship. Just sayin'.
It is American to fight for what you believe in and what you expect from your government. It is American to voice your opinion and be seen in regards. Dissent is patriotic. Patriotic no matter your views and vitriol is just a word to make all seem ridiculous. Anger is not vitriol...It's normal.
There is more political activity and people mobilizing and being heard and using the net and writing and calling their Congressman/woman. More people putting politicians on the spot than I can remember in my 20yrs of paying attention. I would be willing to bet that the last two or three years have been the most active years in politics since the 60s.
Stand your ground, be heard. Disagreement, and anger (not vitriol) within that disagreement? Dissent? Are all American and our right. There is no shame in that as long as we treat each other as fellow Americans.
Haiti, The Poor and Giving Pt.2
.....No, I will never forget that little Somalian boy. So poor and yet so sure of himself. More than likely wise beyond his years given everything that he had experienced and so small and so young but trying to find himself some food or money to get himself through the day......
That was something I will never forget. Yet the moment that sticks with me so vividly is when I was stationed in Korea. Korea is not as poverty ridden as a Haiti or Somalia, but poverty..is most certainly there and visible. Still very much third world in many aspects. Especially when you get out into the rural areas.
I was a part of the 6/37th Field Artillery Unit at Camp Essayons. MLRS. Multiple Launch Rocket System. We were in the field a lot and constantly on the move. One mission brought us through the most rural and mountainous region of Korea that I had ever seen. It was when we traveled these narrow and winding roads through the mountains and valleys that I realized why they call Korea "The Land Of The Morning Calm". The mornings were quiet and peaceful and fog hovered over the plush green valleys like a light blanket. It was beautiful. Our unit arrived in the most beautiful valley I had seen. The valley floor was vivid green with rice patties with small shanties sprinkled around the dirt road that circled the valley floor. The mountainsides all around the valley were terraced with more rice patties and looked like a green stair case going up the mountains as far as you could see.
Our convoy made it's way to the far side of the valley floor, breaking the early morning calm with the noise of rumbling and noisy diesel engines. The 1st Sergeant asked for a volunteer to stay and watch for the rest of the units to arrive and point them in the right direction as we were far ahead of the rest. So I volunteered. Time by myself was more than welcome and the peace away from the bumpy convoy ride was also a relief. I leaned up against a wooden guard rail as dawn was still breaking and the sun was burning off the fog from the valley. Not long after, out of one of the shanties about a hundred yards away walked an old woman and two little kids. The old woman pointed at the kids and yelled to me "GI It's Okay?...It's Okay?" I said "Yes Ma, It's okay!" The kids came running down the dirt road. It was amazing to me in that either the kids wanted to talk to an American soldier or their grandmother wanted them to or both. Never the less, there they were. A little girl probably eight years old and her baby brother no more than four.
Neither one of these kids new much English other than chocolate, okay, or number one. I knew very little Korean at that time and not words that should be said in front of kids. The little boy (I can't remember the little guy's name) first pointed at my M16 and kept saying "bang!" "bang!", I flipped my strap over and put the M16 on my back to keep that off their minds. The little girl who's name was Hea Jin, was an adorable little sprite and she had no problem poking around and wanting to hold and drink from my canteen or help tie my boot laces better. Both of these little guys had dirty faces and being so early in the AM, probably went to bed this way.
After they had emptied me of chocolate, crackers, and kool aid mix. We played little games. Guess what hand the rock is in, I found a coin in your ear tricks, patty cake, on and on. I would sing an American song and they would sing a Korean song. A couple of hours had gone by and I got out my wallet and showed them my library card, my driver's license and pictures of my family. I showed them a picture of my little sister and they were cracking up and pointing at her hair (big 80s hair). I showed them a picture of my baby brother and they said "Aww eggya" (eggya means "baby"). Every now and then their grandmother would yell out down the road "It's Okay GI?!!" "Yes Ma It's Okay!". It was time well spent with these kids.
Soon once again the rumble of trucks and the noisy diesel engines could be heard making their way down the valley and I knew it was my unit and time to go, and so did these two little kids. Hea Jin grabbed onto me tightly in a hug and didn't want me to go and the little boy was holding my hand. The convoy arrived and my buddies were yelling "Come on man! Let's GO!" I hugged the kids and hopped on the truck, they ran behind the truck "GI! GI! GI!"....I was fighting back tears and of course my buddies were making fun of me, but I will never ever ever forget those hours with those little kids and their valley. Separated by language but so much to talk about....
So, what does this all have to do with Haiti and their horrible tragedy? What does this all have to do with the pain and suffering taking place there? It's very simple. From the greatest wars, the greatest tragedies and catastrophes, the hungry,needy, and poor? America is always there, will ALWAYS be there. From the largest operations to the smallest moments of reaching out. America is always going to be there and proudly. America will be there for Haiti and like it has for generations for the world. America will make a difference and set an example once again. The presence of the American uniform always brings promise and security and another chance.
Haiti, The Poor and Giving Pt.1
Coming home from work tonight I was pumped that it's Friday and planned on cranking the stereo up and being cheerful and in party mode. Instead when I walked through the door, it was rather quiet for a Friday night. Even quiet with a nine and seven year old running around. My wife was planted on the couch watching television and I couldn't help but hear the somber music coming from it. It was the Hope For Haiti Telethon. She was visibly upset and deep into what was on the screen.
I got into some idle chat with her, but it was obvious she wanted to watch and wanted silence. I knew where this was going. I've seen my wife like this before. Such a caring and lovely lady. She is a Kindergarten teacher and has a soft spot for children and especially those that are less fortunate or mistreated. I predicted in thought what was coming next.......about a half an hour later she came to me and said "Honey, I would really like to bring one of those orphaned Haitian babies home" I just told her that they are in good hands now and the world spot light is on Haiti now and many of those problems will be lessened over time. What a kind heart she has, she was really serious about this.
I love that about her.
As I am getting older? I am getting softer in many aspects of my life and there is a part of me that would like to "fix" things for everybody. To adopt that poor kid, or to donate more money, to bring in all the strays, etc. etc. If I had the financial backing? I do believe that my family and I could jet off to another country and help in a hands on manner. I really wish that we could. We donate at Church and last week for Haiti and certainly more to come for them... Still one wonders "Are we doing enough"?
I did not post a heartbreaking photo above of the heartbreaking destruction in Haiti in that we have seen so much of that already. In the news for the last ten days and given the somber but necessary telethon tonight. Even given all the horrible events in Haiti? There is truly hope and Americans always come to call to make that hope a reality.
The events in Haiti, although in much different circumstances, remind me of my time in Somalia and Korea. They remind me of this because two of the most poignant memories that I will ever have involve poor children and being a young American growing up fast....seeing a world I never knew and will never forget.
I spent a few months in Somalia...in Mogadishu. We were "stationed" at what seemed to once be a beautiful resort. "The Indian Ocean Resort" It had a beautiful main building in the center, riddled with bullet holes and was a shell of it's former self. The entire resort was surrounded by an eight foot white concrete wall. The whole city of Mogadishu was riddled in bullet holes. Much of the architecture was something like you would see in those old Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves movies with Sabu...ya know?
Except it was all "shot up". Decades of occupation and "tribal" fighting. Sand blowing in your face, hot and desolate. No food or drink was ate or drank without the grit of sand in it. Yet. even in the midst of this atmosphere, there is good. Leave it to a child and a soldier to make each other happy. A tired homesick troop and a poor kid trying to make his way.
One day while posting guard duty on one of the side wrought iron gates of the "resort", a little kid no more than eight years old wearing a fedora came walking up to the gate asking me for chocolate. This little guy in his fedora was a stern faced little man, and I got a kick out of it... So I pointed to myself. As if "What do you have for me?" He pulled from his pocket a roll of Somalia cash (which was worth nothing in that country) and I faked a surprised look. He handed the roll of cash through the wrought iron fence. I picked out the most color full bills and gave him all the chocolate I had, my MRE, and about $2 in change from my pocket. He was elated. This stern faced little mean wheeler and dealer was a sweet little kid again for a moment. He hung out with me on the other side of the gate until my guard duty was over. That gate was between us, but if allowed, I know I could have opened that gate and held that little boy and he wouldn't have minded at all......... I'll never forget him.
Continued Tomorrow.... Pt.2
Scott Brown Wins Massachusetts' Senate Race!!
Scott Brown has pulled off something amazing and telling. He has won the U.S. Senate seat once held by
Ted Kennedy for decades in his defeat of Democrat Martha Coakley and turned the tide on the Democrats super majority and the ability to quell Republican fillibusters and possibly bring the unpopular Obama, Reid, and Pelosi healthcare bill to a screeching halt. The AP is reporting a Scott Brown victory
Martha Coakley (who once was leading this race) was a victim of apparent "elitism" and disconnect with the voters. One can certainly give these reasons of her demise good creedence, yet there is something more going on here. Scott Brown connected with grassroots Americans. The Tea Party was there with him the whole time and played their cards just right in how they handled this lifting up of Brown and the Brown campaign ran a brilliant campaign on top of this welcome boost.
This also is a shot across the bow for the Dems that America is not going to sit back and have a bogus healthcare bill crammed down their throats. The mainstream media will tell us in the coming days that this is not a reflection on President Obama and his performance. Oh no not JUST the President but a reflection on Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi as well. This is certainly a reflection on all three and then some.
Congratulations to Scott Brown and also kudos to those that helped in his campaign! American voters have spoken and will be heard even louder in November.
Rush Just Please Shut Up!
When I went to Somalia, I took two books with me. The Bible and Rush Limbaugh's "The Way Things Ought To Be". I tried to balance my reading of both. One for solid truth and the other for some truth with a bit of comic and sarcastic slant. At one time in my political junkie life there was no one more profound and no more of a spot on voice that Rush Limbaugh. He was the one that could nail the next move of the Democrats and proudly state his prediction as correct. Still can and still does.
A brilliant political mind and more so, a radio genius. If it weren't for Rush I can honestly say that there would be no FoxNews, or any network with a political bend with any holding at all. Politics mean more now to folks because of the mass information highway and mostly because of Limbaugh. It's obvious and media fact. Just ask them. Even the left side of the spectrum in media will tell you they respect his accomplishments.
Yet, another thing that is obvious is that because of Limbaughs' long run as king of conservative talk is also the fact that he has more "competition" in Hannity, Ingraham, Levin, Beck, and Savage. It is also seems evident to me that his controversial statements have came more frequent than in the past. Rush at one time avoided these type of statements given that his regular talk each day is controversial to many libs and others in the first place. Yet, lately it seems a bit more abrasive and common.
In regards to the horrible tragedy in Haiti. Rush said that "This plays into Obama's hands".....He said....
Limbaugh said.....
“This will play right into Obama’s hands. He’s humanitarian, compassionate. They’ll use this to burnish their, shall we say, ‘credibility’ with the black community – in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country. It’s made-to-order for them.”
I don't even know what the hell the above statement from Limbaugh means! I understand that Limbaugh believes that this is "made to order" for President Obama and I understand that he believes that this is a politcal treasure chest for the President etc. Obama is using this event from political reasons. Yet, is Rush not doing the same thing but on the opposite side of the political coin?
I defended Limbaugh right here on America Matters when he had his heart ailment a couple weeks ago. I fired off at those that wished him dead while in the hospital. I find the same disgusting disdain for those that said "Why can't he be under the rubble of Haiti's earthquake?"... Sickening. Yet in the case of this disaster I wish that Rush Limbaugh shut his damned mouth and rise above his agenda.
It seems that our last three Presidents are in unison and standing together in support of Haiti...as it should be.
Mark McGwire,Steroids, And Why I'm Pissed!
It was just a matter of time... There had been talk for that last few seasons of Mark McGwire coming back to St.Louis in some capacity. Helping out in spring training etc. etc. St.Louis waited and wondered when McGwire would talk about the steroid issue. He is not known as a media friendly individual, yet he had to speak on it and get things out in the open one way the other didn't he? More time dragged on and finally when Mark realized that he wanted to get back into baseball and increase his chances for the Hall Of Fame? He released a letter to the media. Read McGwire's Words Here
Myself, living in the St.Louis area and working in the city that I love and enjoying Cardinals baseball as much as I do, I am still pissed! Can't help it. Not that I am not a forgiving person, I hope that McGwire can help our team, and find comfort in his return. Yet I am suspicious...a bit cynical about all of this apology stuff. The timing most of all. Convenient timing? I'm just sayin' and I HATE sayin', I'm just sayin'!
I want McGwire to know something coming from a traditional baseball fan. Coming from someone that loves the sport's history as much as the game itself. I want him to know that there is an almost incurable problem in regards to the steroid era and the coveted records that were certainly tarnished. Tarnished by...YES...Cheaters!
I come from a family of baseball enthusiasts going back to the 30s and 40s. I've listened to my uncles tell me stories of Stan "The Man" Musial, and Jimmie Foxx, and how they would save their money to see these legends who made almost nothing. Stories of players who had to have second jobs in the off season. Players like Ted Williams who would come to town now and then. A player who went off to war as a fighter pilot in WWII. A player like Mickey Mantle who could barely walk because of his crippled knees, and yet you couldn't keep him off of the diamond. Stories about my uncle as a kid who would roll up balls of bread on Saturday mornings and stick them in his pocket so he could play ball all day and not have to go home for lunch. Whether they rooted for the St.Louis Browns or the Cardinals?...St.louis was and IS baseball through and through. A strong and deep baseball tradition, the most loyal and baseball smart fans in America. Right here in St.Louis.
The 1998 season was a season that I (like many who read here)... will never forget. I found a hero in Mark McGwire. A newfound childlike fun in our nation's past time. It was the most fun I've had in sports in a long long time.
I and my wife and the in-laws attended a couple batting practices before games to watch Big Mac. I was like a kid because at one time I was standing ten feet away from a baseball hero, I was giddy.
I bought McGwire memorabilia> I spent $300 bucks on his 50-50-50 bat beautifully set in glass. It was once on my wall. Now? Well.. it's in my basement in storage. I wonder how many of those hits were "cheats"....all of them maybe? I get pissed just thinking about the let down.
I have a nine year old boy that I've talked with a little in regards to McGwire. He has a poster in his room with Stan Musial, McGwire, and Albert Pujols, I cringe because McGwire does not deserve to be pictured with those two ball players.
The one sport that for the most part isn't damaged with domestic violence, shootings, and general thuggery, like we read about nearly daily in the NFL and NBA? The one sport that has been known as the national past time was "slutted" up and "dirtied" by steroids! Records that stood for decades are smashed with cheating! Cheating is okay now? People like Babe Ruth and Roger Maris's records are falsely broken by selfishness!
I wish no ill will toward Mark, I hope that he can make a difference and come to grips with what he did. Yet, the records are still unjustly broken and no one knows what the hell to do about it! THAT is why I am pissed! I am not concerned about McGwire or Bonds' and so on's plight to get to the Hall Of Fame, I am concerned about legendary records that were broken by cheats! Pretty simple.
