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
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.
Some Wished Rush Limbaugh Dead
The recent hospitalization of Rush Limbaugh once again put the talk radio king on front page news but not the kind he might want. He experienced severe chest pains and was taken to the hospital and some reported he was in serious condition and hours went by before any news was released on his condition.
This gave plenty of time for speculation and many news organizations were clambering for any bit of info. Most news organizations in their brief info lacking blurbs on the net and the radio, felt the need to throw in Rush's past battles with Oxycontin and pain killers. Which for the life of me I couldn't understand what the hell that had to do with his hospitalization anymore than any other controversial issue that might be attached to Limbaugh. Even Fox felt the need to throw this into their original blurb. Hinting that his chest pain was linked to that battle in his past? Make no mistake, that's what they were trying to do. Building up a potential story......on a story.
So while all the speculation was going on through the night? The Limbaugh haters were out in full force on the net and namely seen on Twitter streams. Wishing Rush Limbaugh dead by morning..... Like
HERE and there is more HERE. Some of the most sickening comments I have read on the net. Whatever one my think of Rush's political views or no matter what one might think of his delivery and personality. Wishing the man dead is unbelievable.
I suppose that taking some Twitters or Tweets as a sign of the times or a gauge on everyone that disagrees with Limbaugh as a broad stroke assumption of the left would be wrong. Yet there is an argument to be had about the hate that comes from the left. The left claims itself to be compassionate and caring and yet time after time we continue to see the exact opposite. I can tell you that I despise Michael Moore and what he believes, and I can also say that I would never wish death upon him. I can tell you that I can't stand the smarmy smart-allecky Bill Maher even though he himself has wished death on Limbaugh ? I still would never wish death on him. Or what of Wanda Sykes wishing kidney failure on Limbaugh?..It just doesn't stop.
So what is it with the hate from the left? Their argument is that Randi Rhodes got the same treatment when she was having health issues, yet I don't recall death wished on her. I rarely if ever hear, see, or read this sort of seething and frothing hate coming from conservatives.
Much of this vile banter comes from misinformed, uneducated youth that are on the Obama happy train and are just a result of their unfortunate upbringing. Much of this is also media coddling of the celebs that have free reign to say what they will with little or no consequence and fall back within the comforts of their "art" or "comedy". I for one find nothing funny or tongue in cheek in these "artsy" comments, and nor do I feel that they mean it that way.
1941 Christmas.. After Pearl Harbor
Christmas Eve 1941. Can you imagine what might have been going through the minds and hearts of the Greatest Generation? Still in shock of the attack on Pearl Harbor? What of the fathers and sons who would be sent off to war? What of loved ones who were already serving? Yet, it was Christmas and certainly that had to bring comfort and spirit in such a tragic time in American history.
The men and women who would pour their hearts into the war and it's efforts, surely watched over young children and babies playing with excitement next to the Christmas tree that morning. Children who had no clue of what a courageous and dangerous effort our country was about to embark on. A war that would change the world forever and give us the freedoms we have today. Whatever their thoughts and notions and wishes and wants were..... Their prayers and resolve and patriotism rang true. Thank God for that.... I am forever grateful to them. What an impact this generation has made on the world and on our America.
Thx
LT
December 7th Remembering Pearl Harbor
December 7th 1941, the day that would change our world forever. As each year passes by, we lose more and more of the "Greatest Generation". A generation I feel... aside from our founders and our revoilutionaries, were the most important and influential warriors ever. God bless them and their incredible feats and accomplishments. God bless their vigilance and strength in fighting two formidable enemies on two fronts. We could and should learn a lesson with this great generation.. Real heroes. Real impact and real change took place after this day...Real men, Real women, Real America responded. Resolve which carried us through this horrible time and dragged us into this great war. Resolve unseen and not brought to it's fruition in today's wars. Look to the past for victory not defeat.
Thx
LT
Is Glenn Beck Dividing Conservatives?
I have been a Glenn Beck fan before he dived headlong into politcs. I think he is the most vibrant and energizing figure in conservative talk radio right now no doubt. Yet the very audio above and then some disappointed me. Have we gotten to the point that we question a young man or woman's desire to serve? Have we gotten to the point that because of political differences that we hold them in higher regard than service to our country? Obviously, this is a very serious subject in regards to serving and how one's family feels. However Glenn Beck put his politics above all else here.
I shouldn't say you "cannot" but you certainly SHOULD NOT disuade anyone from serving because of political notions. It is because of those who have served that he has the right to voice his opinion, but because you CAN say something doesn't mean you SHOULD say something. What makes this view any different from that of Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi who are known defeatists? This war is not over Glenn, this war is not pretty. However, please name for me ONE war that this country has fought that was flawless that was free of mistakes and delay...Name me just one.
To pretend and broadcast that this war in Afgahanistan is done or to hint that it is over because of who is in office is irresponsible and wrong. It doesn't matter who is in office. Do you think that those that stormed the beaches of Normandy gave a rat's ass if their buddies were Democrats or Republicans? Do you think that all were in favor of FDR? No....No they weren't . This is a ridiculous and an irresponsible knee jerk approach, and is wrong and divisive. I expect better from Glenn Beck. I think Beck needs to rethink how his views resonate and to step down off of his cloud just for a minute.
There is change coming...Beck is a part of that change. However, to give up and fold on our troops now is preposterous. If you look into our country's history you will find that we have overcome much more difficult and broad situations. Our war today is easily won, if we don't fold within our own borders while our troops battle overseas.
God Bless Our Troops
Thx
LT
