Hi everyone! I realize I haven't posted in several months--again. I always tried to get back into a normal routine of posting during school but studying kept getting in the way. But, I am happy to say that I graduated from high school on the 28th (summa cum laude!) and now have the summer to get back to blogging. This fall I plan to attend Webster University and, hopefully, my class schedule will allow for some blogging time, too.
Yesterday was Memorial Day, and I hope everyone had a nice weekend. But while you were enjoying time with your family and friends, I hope you thought of the many chairs that are empty in other family's households during holiday gatherings--chairs that should hold those who serve our country currently or those who have paid the ultimate price in service to our nation.
I can't think of a better way to commemorate Memorial Day and to say thank you to those in uniform than by getting involved in Soldiers Angels (www.soldiersangels.com). There are countless opportunities to volunteer as much or as little time as one desires in order to directly or indirectly support our men and women deployed overseas, their families, and also those who have come home wounded. I encourage anyone to get involved...our soldiers really appreciate any support from home and it will truly make a difference in their lives!
I have been doing some thinking regarding the people of our nation, and though I've been out of the blogging loop for quite some time, I haven't stopped watching others and analyzing myself and my ideology. Let's face it--our country is in serious trouble, and it would be incredibly difficult for one to argue otherwise. The serious debt America faces is worrisome beyond words; people are unemployed; food costs and the general cost of living is going up; and the situation in the Middle East isn't going so well either. These problems, I believe, are not going to be solved by electing a new President (thought it might help...) nor will they be solved overnight. Resolving these issues, I think, starts right in our own homes, in our own mindsets and the way we live our lives.
Maybe I am the only one that has noticed, but it seems that morals are almost nonexistent in America anymore. People lie. Cheat. Steal. Stab others in the back. They're unfaithful, they're adulterers. They're materialistic, and selfish. That's people in general for you, but these vices seem to be running rampant in our country. These days, "anything goes." It seems we place value on iPods and iPads rather than reliability and trustworthiness, Cadillacs and Mercedes rather than honesty and fidelity. People care more about American Idol and Jersey Shore than the state of our economy, the heated situation in the Middle East, and the suffering in our cities such as Joplin, MO and Tuscaloosa, AL. Honor, and the desire to do things the RIGHT way are hard to find. We want convenience, and instant gratification. We don't want to work for anything, but want someone else to do the work for us, we want to elect others to think for us. Instead of taking responsibility, we make excuses and expect someone else to pay the consequences. (Please note that I'm definitely not pointing fingers at anyone, nor am I excluding myself from this.) We all have an area of our lives in which we lack strength.
I have always loved this quote by John Adams, and find it particularly meaningful now: "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Our nation cannot be revived unless we first examine our own lives. We cannot control government spending if we are irresponsible with our own money. We cannot expect others to take responsibility for their own actions unless we take responsibility for our own. We cannot expect the tension in the Middle East to simmer unless we stand our ground and stand with our true allies, at the same time eliminating prejudice. We cannot become offended at every whim and in turn we cannot allow political correctness to control our every move.
Another quote that comes to mind is perhaps one of the more well known quotations in history by Ghandi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Before we can solve the problems of the world, we must evaluate our own lives and make a change for the better. I try hard to do this every day... if we are going to revive our nation, the resolution starts small; resolve to make a change in an area of your life in which you are lacking. Remove anyone and anything from your life that causes you strife. Be positive, and be responsible for yourself. Get rid of anything untruthful in your life. Even those little white lies that don't seem to matter. If we are to restore truth to a society so ridden with lies and deceit, it starts with being truthful to ourselves. Ask yourself; at this point in time, is the way you live your life a model for a true and just society? Is it a model for the way we KNOW Americans can live and behave, with honor and responsibility, and concern for others?
I know I am capable of being better, and I know all Americans are capable of taking hold of their lives and instituting morality where it lacks. The question is whether they care enough to make a change in themselves. This is the one and only life we are given; are you making the most of it, and are you using it for personal gain or for the betterment of your family, your nation, and the world?
All of that may sound funny coming from an 18 year old soon-to-be-college student, but I'm just sharing my thoughts humbly. Take it with a grain of salt. Thanks for reading... soon I will post a satirical essay I wrote for school, and you won't want to miss that! If you'd like to be included in my email list to receive updates regarding new blog posts, send me an email at sarah.hinds515@yahoo.com.
I'll leave you with this quote to ponder...
"We have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us."
Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
A Possible Gov't Shutdown
As I scroll through a plethora of news websites, I really do not even know where to begin with another blog post after being absent from my site since January 25th. During the past three months, I have traveled to Belgium, New Orleans, San Diego, and registered for college classes; each event has even further solidified my belief that America is the most exceptional nation on the face of this Earth. School, also, has kept me from writing, but with the looming shut down of our national government, I felt compelled to get back to blogging. I have a lot to say and I hope you will share my site with as many of your friends as possible, regardless of their political views.
If Congress cannot agree on a budget by midnight tonight, the United States government will be shut down. Granted, operations such as the Post Office, TSA, and Social Security will still be operating and in effect; however hundreds of thousands of government employees will be without work and, sickeningly, the pay for our men and women in uniform will freeze. Directly from the Constitution, Article 1, Clause 9, Section 7: “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.” Redstate.com describes the process clearly, also: “The government only shuts down if the President vetoes the congressional appropriation bills. It is this presidential veto, which effectuates the government shutdown, not Congress. The President shuts down the government, not Congress.”
Literally thousands of families will be affected if this occurs. The Republicans and Democrats have butted heads constantly, trying and failing to come to a consensus on a budget for our nation, one that will cut spending in attempt to salvage what is left of our broken economy. The left shrieked in disgust over Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” budget plan to cut federal spending by $5.8 billion over the next ten years, though I have yet to see any real solutions to the problem from their side of the aisle. In seeing the events of the past few weeks regarding this, I have been waiting for a real leader to emerge from the White House, and predictably it has not happened.
The farce that is Barack Obama’s presidency has been revealed even further, though. Be it his self-proclaimed superiority showing through when he insisted that lawmakers need to “act like grown ups” or yet another planned “weekend getaway” while the entire country is in shambles (is anyone keeping a vacation count?) there has been nothing but frivolous talk and no action coming from the White House. Further, in budget discussions with Senator Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner, he and Reid have refused to cut nearly $300 million in funds for Planned Parenthood. Reid and Nancy Pelosi have already used the line that the Republicans are waging a “war against women” and the goal is to “prevent women from getting cancer screenings”. Really? I don’t buy it. Any defense for this organization I see as absolutely sick. Planned Parenthood is a federally funded organization that time and time again has been found to have covered up cases of rape, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking in girls/women of all ages. http://biggovernment.com/lrose/2011/02/01/shock-investigation-planned-parenthood-advises-pimp-on-underage-sex-trafficking-secret-abortions-for-minors/ Aside from the fact that this group is absolutely sickening in general, does the President and his cohorts realize that the United States is fighting THREE wars? Has he SEEN the National Debt Clock? http://www.usdebtclock.org/ At the time of this writing, the debt per citizen was at $45,899. I know I don’t have that much money, do you?
A primary ramification of the government shutdown is the fact that soldiers will have a freeze on their paychecks. Besides having a loved one overseas for a number of months to a year, military families will have to deal with the effects limited funds. Soldiers who are half a world away from their families, too, will have to worry about how bills will be paid back home. President Obama showed his disregard for those who serve by denouncing a bill that proposed to fund the Department of Defense through the end of the year. It’s unbelievably obvious that Obama ignores the fact that he was elected to represent the American people rather than adhere to his own agenda and that of his party.
WHEN in the history of American has the Commander in Chief blatantly turned his back on those who have volunteered to serve their nation? Obama’s concern for an organization known for covering up heinous crimes receives priority over the greatest fighting force in the entire world, the military he swore to command. Glenn Beck was ridiculed on Good Morning America just a few days ago for saying that “we are in deep and treacherous waters” but the man could not be more right.
Americans who are still complacently living in their own utopian worlds, wake up before you are rudely awakened from your ignorant slumber. Look at that debt clock again. Our nation is now involved in three wars in the Middle East. Unemployment is at 9.2%. The dollar is constantly dropping in value. The Middle East is literally on fire, and Japan is physically devastated. The entire world is in deep and treacherous waters and the tide is rising fast. And all the leader of the free world can do is battle for funding for a sick and twisted organization that functions harmfully and distrustfully in the name of women’s health, and blatantly disregard military families.
In the words of Thomas Paine:
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
Whether the government shuts down tonight or not, we are still amidst trying times that require real leadership, something we are not seeing in the White House. Paine’s words still apply over 200 years later—though he and his fellow founders are discredited by elitists more and more every single day. Are we sunshine patriots, only flying our flags when it is the popular thing to do? Or will we continue to stand by our country in times of strife and turmoil, when the unpopular—but right—thing to do is to seek the truth from our leaders, from each other? Do we still hold our America dear, and do we still value the truth? But more importantly, do our leaders?
http://www.redstate.com/timelyrenewed/2011/02/25/the-constitution-and-obamas-threat-to-shut-down-the-government/
http://www.newsmax.com/Murdock/paul-ryan/2011/04/08/id/392277
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-gop-budget-20110408,0,617540.story?track=rss
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52593.html
http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2011/04/07/news//doc4d9da89df0225539456348.txt
http://www.salon.com/news/budget_showdown/?story=/tech/htww/2011/04/08/planned_parenthood_budget_shutdown
If Congress cannot agree on a budget by midnight tonight, the United States government will be shut down. Granted, operations such as the Post Office, TSA, and Social Security will still be operating and in effect; however hundreds of thousands of government employees will be without work and, sickeningly, the pay for our men and women in uniform will freeze. Directly from the Constitution, Article 1, Clause 9, Section 7: “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.” Redstate.com describes the process clearly, also: “The government only shuts down if the President vetoes the congressional appropriation bills. It is this presidential veto, which effectuates the government shutdown, not Congress. The President shuts down the government, not Congress.”
Literally thousands of families will be affected if this occurs. The Republicans and Democrats have butted heads constantly, trying and failing to come to a consensus on a budget for our nation, one that will cut spending in attempt to salvage what is left of our broken economy. The left shrieked in disgust over Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” budget plan to cut federal spending by $5.8 billion over the next ten years, though I have yet to see any real solutions to the problem from their side of the aisle. In seeing the events of the past few weeks regarding this, I have been waiting for a real leader to emerge from the White House, and predictably it has not happened.
The farce that is Barack Obama’s presidency has been revealed even further, though. Be it his self-proclaimed superiority showing through when he insisted that lawmakers need to “act like grown ups” or yet another planned “weekend getaway” while the entire country is in shambles (is anyone keeping a vacation count?) there has been nothing but frivolous talk and no action coming from the White House. Further, in budget discussions with Senator Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner, he and Reid have refused to cut nearly $300 million in funds for Planned Parenthood. Reid and Nancy Pelosi have already used the line that the Republicans are waging a “war against women” and the goal is to “prevent women from getting cancer screenings”. Really? I don’t buy it. Any defense for this organization I see as absolutely sick. Planned Parenthood is a federally funded organization that time and time again has been found to have covered up cases of rape, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking in girls/women of all ages. http://biggovernment.com/lrose/2011/02/01/shock-investigation-planned-parenthood-advises-pimp-on-underage-sex-trafficking-secret-abortions-for-minors/ Aside from the fact that this group is absolutely sickening in general, does the President and his cohorts realize that the United States is fighting THREE wars? Has he SEEN the National Debt Clock? http://www.usdebtclock.org/ At the time of this writing, the debt per citizen was at $45,899. I know I don’t have that much money, do you?
A primary ramification of the government shutdown is the fact that soldiers will have a freeze on their paychecks. Besides having a loved one overseas for a number of months to a year, military families will have to deal with the effects limited funds. Soldiers who are half a world away from their families, too, will have to worry about how bills will be paid back home. President Obama showed his disregard for those who serve by denouncing a bill that proposed to fund the Department of Defense through the end of the year. It’s unbelievably obvious that Obama ignores the fact that he was elected to represent the American people rather than adhere to his own agenda and that of his party.
WHEN in the history of American has the Commander in Chief blatantly turned his back on those who have volunteered to serve their nation? Obama’s concern for an organization known for covering up heinous crimes receives priority over the greatest fighting force in the entire world, the military he swore to command. Glenn Beck was ridiculed on Good Morning America just a few days ago for saying that “we are in deep and treacherous waters” but the man could not be more right.
Americans who are still complacently living in their own utopian worlds, wake up before you are rudely awakened from your ignorant slumber. Look at that debt clock again. Our nation is now involved in three wars in the Middle East. Unemployment is at 9.2%. The dollar is constantly dropping in value. The Middle East is literally on fire, and Japan is physically devastated. The entire world is in deep and treacherous waters and the tide is rising fast. And all the leader of the free world can do is battle for funding for a sick and twisted organization that functions harmfully and distrustfully in the name of women’s health, and blatantly disregard military families.
In the words of Thomas Paine:
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
Whether the government shuts down tonight or not, we are still amidst trying times that require real leadership, something we are not seeing in the White House. Paine’s words still apply over 200 years later—though he and his fellow founders are discredited by elitists more and more every single day. Are we sunshine patriots, only flying our flags when it is the popular thing to do? Or will we continue to stand by our country in times of strife and turmoil, when the unpopular—but right—thing to do is to seek the truth from our leaders, from each other? Do we still hold our America dear, and do we still value the truth? But more importantly, do our leaders?
http://www.redstate.com/timelyrenewed/2011/02/25/the-constitution-and-obamas-threat-to-shut-down-the-government/
http://www.newsmax.com/Murdock/paul-ryan/2011/04/08/id/392277
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-gop-budget-20110408,0,617540.story?track=rss
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52593.html
http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2011/04/07/news//doc4d9da89df0225539456348.txt
http://www.salon.com/news/budget_showdown/?story=/tech/htww/2011/04/08/planned_parenthood_budget_shutdown
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Nonviolence...the weapon of the strong
Hi everyone! After an extended weekend due to snow days, I am happy to finally be back on Present Day Patriots. Quite a bit has transpired since my last post, and today I will discuss a few thoughts surrounding the shooting in Tucson, AZ on January 8, 2011. I have prayed a lot for the families of those who lost their lives and those injured in the shooting, and the continued reports of Representative Gabrielle Giffords’ road to recovery are particularly inspiring. I watched the news and internet headlines in the wake of the shooting, and was disappointed by the high level of politicizing this tragedy received beginning just a few hours after the news broke. I saw that many tried to pin the blame on a specific party or group, and attempted to paint the shooter as a victim himself of the “rhetoric” inflaming talk radio and TV today. This “blame game” played by the mainstream media and its followers made me think.
The shooting in Arizona brought out the best in some people, and the worst in others. I’ll start with the worst; needless to say, first and foremost, the shooter, Jared Loughner. He is obviously believed taking innocent lives was the best way to make his statement (whatever statement that may have been). Former classmates and “friends” have described him as extremely odd, a disturbing class disruption, and generally left-leaning…though it seems politics were not his sole motivation. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/10/national/main7229463.shtml) I’ll get back to him in a second. But also, I feel, the worst was brought out in Pima County Sherriff Clarence Dupnik. Shortly after the investigation into the massacre began, Dupnik began politicizing the whole thing: "There's reason to believe that this individual [Loughner] may have a mental issue. And I think people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol," he said during his televised remarks. "People tend to pooh-pooh this business about all the vitriol we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech, but it's not without consequences." First of all, isn’t a Sherriff’s duty to INVESTIGATE, not to SPECULATE? To me he appears to be making excuses for the shooter…just a poor, impressionable guy afflicted by those big bad guys (and gals) on talk radio and the “airwaves” in general speaking their minds. He insinuates that this “vitriol” is inciting violence in listeners. Megyn Kelly of Fox News confronted Dupnik about his opinion on such “vitriol” in a rather interesting interview… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeJNKXgAUto For Dupnik, in his position as a public servant, I feel this immediate speculation was highly inappropriate. And I’ll further digress on such supposed “vitriol” in a moment.
The best, though was also brought out in folks that Saturday morning in the Safeway parking lot. Rep. Giffords intern, Daniel Hernandez, ran to the congresswoman’s side immediately after she was shot and applied pressure to her wound, possibly helping save her life. He stayed with her until paramedics arrived, and until they arrived at the hospital. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47307.html Also, Patricia Maisch, a St. Louis native coincidentally, saved an unknown number of lives when she grabbed a magazine away from Loughner as he tried to reload. http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Local-woman-called-hero-in-AZ-shooting-113234379.html Judge John Roll, who was fatally shot, threw himself on top of one of Rep. Giffords’ staff members to shield them from the gunfire, saving their life. http://themoderatevoice.com/98794/tucson-shooting-video-reveals-a-hero-judge-john-m-roll/ Despite the unspeakable tragedy that occurred that day, the selflessness of several brave Americans was revealed and the risk of all and the sacrifice made by of Judge Roll will not soon be forgotten.
Back to Loughner and Sherriff Dupnik... free speech cannot be blamed for this tragedy, nor can the Second Amendment. To be blunt, there is no one to blame for the loss of life and injuries but the man who made the poor, murderous decision to pull the trigger. I strongly believe that stricter restrictions on firearms would not have prevented this...Loughner had his mind set to do what he did, and regardless, he would have found a means of carrying out this despicable act. He did have a record of unlawful activities (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/08/arizona-shooting-suspects-record-showed-minor-offenses/#) so perhaps more discretion in WHO purchases a gun would have made a difference...but this reminds me of a favorite saying...guns don’t kill people, PEOPLE kill people. The firearm Loughner used didn’t just go off by itself, it had help. I saw an interesting comment on Facebook regarding this recently...if guns kill people, pencils misspell words, and cars drive drunk. A gun is like a car; it can be used safely, correctly, and lawfully. But when taken advantage of, the consequences can be deadly. The wrong person can obtain a firearm. The wrong person can also get behind the wheel of a car, intoxicated, under the influence, and do just as much damage.
My last post discussed the controversial revisions of Huckleberry Finn and the omission of key parts of the Constitution in its congressional reading. And so the “language purification” continues... CNN anchor John King apologized on air for a comment a guest made, that comment being “in the cross hairs.” He says they are “trying” to get away from that sort of rhetoric. Now, really...in what language does the term “in the cross hairs” translate to “go shoot someone...NOW!” ?
It’s a phrase. It’s a phrase used every day. Critics without a lick of common sense tried to blame the shooting on Sarah Palin, who used crosshairs on a map of congressmen and women who voted in favor of Obamacare, Rep. Giffords being one of them. A horrible coincidence, yes, but how in the WORLD, based on WHAT logic and reasoning, does this map make Sarah Palin at fault for Jared Loughner’s shooting spree? A man who, as I stated before, has been described as left leaning, with no evidence to show he was a Glenn Beck or Bill O’Reilly (or similar) listener?
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/images/palin-crosshairs.jpg
If we’re going to continue scratching out words and phrases from our English language that could be taken as “offensive” or “violent”...society is going to have to get ready for some big changes. Kids, turn off the cartoons.
I mean look at that violence after just one minute of Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. And this is what I grew up on...I’m surprised I’m not locked up and prosecuted by now. And Target will need to be changing their name and logo...that’s insinuating violence if I’ve ever seen it...I mean, a target...wow. Watch out everyone. And my favorite restaurant here in St. Louis, Annie Gunn’s... (gasp!) Gunn’s! That will have to go, too.
Common sense, people. We know better than to believe that cartoons like the one above, phrases like “in the crosshairs” or “oh, shoot!” are the reasons for violence in this country today. We are each ultimately responsible for our own actions. Loughner slipped through the cracks—he was a disturbing disruption in his college classes, he had been caught numerous times with drugs, and accused of other infractions...and it just so happens that his mother worked for Pima County...hmm.
Just for fun, here are just a few examples of “rhetoric” that could be construed as violent from our own fearless leader, and the creepy Frances Fox Piven...
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun...” –President Barack Obama
President Obama encourages Latinos to “punish our enemies on election day”... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/audio-obama%E2%80%99s-on-gop-to-latinos-punish-your-enemies/
Violence is acceptable, as long as it’s a part of your strategy... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/a-guide-to-the-ideas-and-violent-rhetoric-of-frances-fox-piven/
As I just said, responsibility for our actions lies in no one’s hands but our own. Loughner made a sick decision, and sadly innocent lives were lost as a result. Had there been some parental or law enforcement interference sooner in this man’s life, perhaps this could have been avoided. But honestly, there is no use playing the “what if” game, because what happened has happened, and for those affected it only makes it all the more painful. What we can do, and what I plan to do, is reinforce our personal edicts of PEACEFUL opposition.
Violence is not the answer, ever. Pick up a pen, not a gun. Though we may disagree, both sides of our nation—which is becoming more polarized every day—must remember that we are ultimately all on the same team. It is an understatement to say that discussion and debate through words and writings are far better than mindless riots and blood shed. Though, in keeping our society a peaceful one, we have to keep our heads on straight, and not allow simple words and phrases to be ousted from our vocabulary simply for what they could insinuate or simply for whom they could offend. This is a step backwards in the progress time—we are a better nation that that. We are a better people; we have too much common sense to be offended or pushed to violence by words printed on paper or spoken by a talk show host. As Ghandi said, “Nonviolence is the weapon of the strong.” I’ll shamelessly say that Americans are, arguably, some of the strongest folks around. No matter the situation, we cannot weaken to the whims of the “word police” nor those who say the sword is mightier than the pen. Americans are better than that.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/10/national/main7229463.shtml
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/10/dupnik-friends-critics-remarks-arizona-shooting/
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/sheriff-dupniks-criticism-of-p.html
The shooting in Arizona brought out the best in some people, and the worst in others. I’ll start with the worst; needless to say, first and foremost, the shooter, Jared Loughner. He is obviously believed taking innocent lives was the best way to make his statement (whatever statement that may have been). Former classmates and “friends” have described him as extremely odd, a disturbing class disruption, and generally left-leaning…though it seems politics were not his sole motivation. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/10/national/main7229463.shtml) I’ll get back to him in a second. But also, I feel, the worst was brought out in Pima County Sherriff Clarence Dupnik. Shortly after the investigation into the massacre began, Dupnik began politicizing the whole thing: "There's reason to believe that this individual [Loughner] may have a mental issue. And I think people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol," he said during his televised remarks. "People tend to pooh-pooh this business about all the vitriol we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech, but it's not without consequences." First of all, isn’t a Sherriff’s duty to INVESTIGATE, not to SPECULATE? To me he appears to be making excuses for the shooter…just a poor, impressionable guy afflicted by those big bad guys (and gals) on talk radio and the “airwaves” in general speaking their minds. He insinuates that this “vitriol” is inciting violence in listeners. Megyn Kelly of Fox News confronted Dupnik about his opinion on such “vitriol” in a rather interesting interview… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeJNKXgAUto For Dupnik, in his position as a public servant, I feel this immediate speculation was highly inappropriate. And I’ll further digress on such supposed “vitriol” in a moment.
The best, though was also brought out in folks that Saturday morning in the Safeway parking lot. Rep. Giffords intern, Daniel Hernandez, ran to the congresswoman’s side immediately after she was shot and applied pressure to her wound, possibly helping save her life. He stayed with her until paramedics arrived, and until they arrived at the hospital. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47307.html Also, Patricia Maisch, a St. Louis native coincidentally, saved an unknown number of lives when she grabbed a magazine away from Loughner as he tried to reload. http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Local-woman-called-hero-in-AZ-shooting-113234379.html Judge John Roll, who was fatally shot, threw himself on top of one of Rep. Giffords’ staff members to shield them from the gunfire, saving their life. http://themoderatevoice.com/98794/tucson-shooting-video-reveals-a-hero-judge-john-m-roll/ Despite the unspeakable tragedy that occurred that day, the selflessness of several brave Americans was revealed and the risk of all and the sacrifice made by of Judge Roll will not soon be forgotten.
Back to Loughner and Sherriff Dupnik... free speech cannot be blamed for this tragedy, nor can the Second Amendment. To be blunt, there is no one to blame for the loss of life and injuries but the man who made the poor, murderous decision to pull the trigger. I strongly believe that stricter restrictions on firearms would not have prevented this...Loughner had his mind set to do what he did, and regardless, he would have found a means of carrying out this despicable act. He did have a record of unlawful activities (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/08/arizona-shooting-suspects-record-showed-minor-offenses/#) so perhaps more discretion in WHO purchases a gun would have made a difference...but this reminds me of a favorite saying...guns don’t kill people, PEOPLE kill people. The firearm Loughner used didn’t just go off by itself, it had help. I saw an interesting comment on Facebook regarding this recently...if guns kill people, pencils misspell words, and cars drive drunk. A gun is like a car; it can be used safely, correctly, and lawfully. But when taken advantage of, the consequences can be deadly. The wrong person can obtain a firearm. The wrong person can also get behind the wheel of a car, intoxicated, under the influence, and do just as much damage.
My last post discussed the controversial revisions of Huckleberry Finn and the omission of key parts of the Constitution in its congressional reading. And so the “language purification” continues... CNN anchor John King apologized on air for a comment a guest made, that comment being “in the cross hairs.” He says they are “trying” to get away from that sort of rhetoric. Now, really...in what language does the term “in the cross hairs” translate to “go shoot someone...NOW!” ?
It’s a phrase. It’s a phrase used every day. Critics without a lick of common sense tried to blame the shooting on Sarah Palin, who used crosshairs on a map of congressmen and women who voted in favor of Obamacare, Rep. Giffords being one of them. A horrible coincidence, yes, but how in the WORLD, based on WHAT logic and reasoning, does this map make Sarah Palin at fault for Jared Loughner’s shooting spree? A man who, as I stated before, has been described as left leaning, with no evidence to show he was a Glenn Beck or Bill O’Reilly (or similar) listener?
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/images/palin-crosshairs.jpg
If we’re going to continue scratching out words and phrases from our English language that could be taken as “offensive” or “violent”...society is going to have to get ready for some big changes. Kids, turn off the cartoons.
I mean look at that violence after just one minute of Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. And this is what I grew up on...I’m surprised I’m not locked up and prosecuted by now. And Target will need to be changing their name and logo...that’s insinuating violence if I’ve ever seen it...I mean, a target...wow. Watch out everyone. And my favorite restaurant here in St. Louis, Annie Gunn’s... (gasp!) Gunn’s! That will have to go, too.
Common sense, people. We know better than to believe that cartoons like the one above, phrases like “in the crosshairs” or “oh, shoot!” are the reasons for violence in this country today. We are each ultimately responsible for our own actions. Loughner slipped through the cracks—he was a disturbing disruption in his college classes, he had been caught numerous times with drugs, and accused of other infractions...and it just so happens that his mother worked for Pima County...hmm.
Just for fun, here are just a few examples of “rhetoric” that could be construed as violent from our own fearless leader, and the creepy Frances Fox Piven...
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun...” –President Barack Obama
President Obama encourages Latinos to “punish our enemies on election day”... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/audio-obama%E2%80%99s-on-gop-to-latinos-punish-your-enemies/
Violence is acceptable, as long as it’s a part of your strategy... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/a-guide-to-the-ideas-and-violent-rhetoric-of-frances-fox-piven/
As I just said, responsibility for our actions lies in no one’s hands but our own. Loughner made a sick decision, and sadly innocent lives were lost as a result. Had there been some parental or law enforcement interference sooner in this man’s life, perhaps this could have been avoided. But honestly, there is no use playing the “what if” game, because what happened has happened, and for those affected it only makes it all the more painful. What we can do, and what I plan to do, is reinforce our personal edicts of PEACEFUL opposition.
Violence is not the answer, ever. Pick up a pen, not a gun. Though we may disagree, both sides of our nation—which is becoming more polarized every day—must remember that we are ultimately all on the same team. It is an understatement to say that discussion and debate through words and writings are far better than mindless riots and blood shed. Though, in keeping our society a peaceful one, we have to keep our heads on straight, and not allow simple words and phrases to be ousted from our vocabulary simply for what they could insinuate or simply for whom they could offend. This is a step backwards in the progress time—we are a better nation that that. We are a better people; we have too much common sense to be offended or pushed to violence by words printed on paper or spoken by a talk show host. As Ghandi said, “Nonviolence is the weapon of the strong.” I’ll shamelessly say that Americans are, arguably, some of the strongest folks around. No matter the situation, we cannot weaken to the whims of the “word police” nor those who say the sword is mightier than the pen. Americans are better than that.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/10/national/main7229463.shtml
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/10/dupnik-friends-critics-remarks-arizona-shooting/
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/sheriff-dupniks-criticism-of-p.html
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Rewriting History?
Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years! Now that I am caught up (slightly) in school and life, I hope to post on Present Day Patriots as much as possible. I’ve been thinking a lot lately in light of a few things I’ve seen in the news, so I felt the need to post. A few days ago, the 112th US Congress was sworn in. We have reason to be hopeful, but trust is something that will have to be earned. On Drudge Report on Wednesday, I saw this classic picture that became my Facebook profile picture for a time…
…the end of Nancy Pelosi’s reign as speaker! Also in Congress, yesterday, they read the US Constitution. Or, part of it at least. The Constitution was read, without some major amendments, such as the 18th (Prohibition) and the 3/5 Compromise of 1787, declaring slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person for apportionment of Senators and Representatives and enumeration purposes. Here is a full list of some of the major statements left out of the Constitution’s reading; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/06/AR2011010603759_2.html?sid=ST2011010603624 (note: there are two pages). It surprised me to learn that this was the first time the Constitution had ever been read in Congress (ironic…if it weren’t for that document, there wouldn’t even BE a Congress).
Were these crucial pieces left out because they could be considered “offensive” or was it just incompetence already rearing its ugly head again? I’m personally offended that these parts of the document were left out in the first place. This document, in its entirety, is what gives congressmen and women their JOBS. They swear to uphold it’s every word. It is history, and I think that history is something that ALL Americans, especially those in CONGRESS, need to be reminded of. If the reading of the Three-fifths Clause was left out for fear it would offend someone…that clause is history. They were mistakes in our past that were righted; Prohibition was revoked, and slavery abolished. The Constitution is often called a “living document” as it is amended as time goes on…I would think that if you’re going to read the Constitution and gain something from it—and especially if you’re CONGRESS—the document in its entirety should be read to see these changes over time, and how far we as a nation have come. Are grade school kids not going to be taught of the darkest days of our nation’s history simply because they’re unpleasant? Are grade school kids even taught about the Constitution anymore? Now that I think of it I wasn’t subject to an “in-depth” study of the Constitution until sophomore year of high school…and even then the mandatory American Government class left MUCH to be desired in the way of learning about our nation’s governing bodies. Choosing not to remember is a good way to forget the lessons learned from such mistakes. Our nation has its scars—it’s horrible, horrible scars that counted a human being as only 3/5 of a person; it was not right, but it happened. It’s history. It was resolved, and our nation finally lived up to the phrase, “all men created equal” under God. Forgetting the lessons learned from our history is a sure way that such mistakes will be repeated in the future. If we do not learn from the past, our present will be turmoil and our future even more so. Essentially, if we forget what and where we came from, we forget WHO WE ARE.
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_17031461?source=rss
This brings me to another point, one that was briefly discussed in one of my AP classes at school…the censoring of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Alan Gribben, a professor at Auburn University is “revising” Twain’s classic by replacing the n-word (used 219 times in the text) with “slave”, “injun” with “Indian”, and “half-breed” with “half-blood.” I know a certain English teacher who was particularly outraged with this… it’s surprising how alterations to already published and copyrighted text are even legal. Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn; those are his words, his ideas, his message to society, who is Alan Gribben and others on the “politically correct” side to change that? In an interview, Gribben said, “Race matters in these books. It’s a matter of how you express it in the 21st century.” Well, that’s just fine…go write your own masterpiece, comparable in theme and literary richness to Huck Finn, and express race in a 21st century way, because it will be published IN the 21st century. Mark Twain’s Huck Finn was not published IN the 21st century but in the late 1800’s, so it would not express things such as race in the same way we do today. Like I said above about the reading of the Constitution, it’s HISTORY. Yes, using the n-word in such capacity was and is degrading and unspeakably disrespectful, but Twain wrote the novel using that word to convey WHY it was wrong. Without the language of the time, Huck Finn won’t cause kids to ask WHY. Cleaning up the language will not allow kids to see the mistakes of the past, how they were righted, and how Twain used his literary talent to satirize the practice of slavery.
Turn on the radio to any local rap station. Listen for ten, fifteen minutes, and count many times you hear the n-word or other words that could be considered offensive. Now how many kids who are not “allowed” to read Huck Finn, or who will end up with a censored version, listen to that sort of music or music with comparable lyrics after school? On the radio, it’s called “art.” But in the case of Huck Finn, it’s considered offensive and politically incorrect.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/censored-new-version-of-huckleberry-fin-erases-injun-and-n-word/
Two different but still similar situations with the Constitution and Huck Finn…important pieces being left out that carry irreplaceable meaning. Again, without the mistakes, the horrors, the scars of the past, what guide do we have to the future? If we forget what and where we came from, we forget WHO WE ARE.
This makes me think of a comment by Michelle Obama over two years ago… “[Barack knows that] we are going to have to make sacrifices; we are going to have to change our conversation; we're going to have to change our traditions, our history; we're going to have to move into a different place as a nation."
I have a big problem with everything stated in this sentence, but for now I just want to focus on one part; change our history? Just how, I ask, do you “change” history? You can’t rewind time and change how things happened, how things played out. But you can rewrite the history books as to how you see fit. You can twist and transform people’s perception of the past—that is, people who are too blind and gullible, or people who simply do not care, to not learn history on their own…I think that is what’s happening here. There are many, many unpleasant things that have occurred in our history, and the world’s. But that gives us all the more reason to learn everything we can about those events, so as to not let that mistake happen again.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580414,00.html
I have a few quotes that coincide quite well with the topic of this blog post...
"The happy union of these states is a wonder; their Constitution is a miracle; their example of the hope and liberty throughout the world. Woe to the ambition that would meditate the destruction of either!" -James Madison
“The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.” –Winston Churchill
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”-Ronald Reagan
As always, thanks for reading…comments are welcome. And lastly, two quotes I found that have great validity to the situation we find ourselves in today…
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” –Ronald Reagan
…the end of Nancy Pelosi’s reign as speaker! Also in Congress, yesterday, they read the US Constitution. Or, part of it at least. The Constitution was read, without some major amendments, such as the 18th (Prohibition) and the 3/5 Compromise of 1787, declaring slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person for apportionment of Senators and Representatives and enumeration purposes. Here is a full list of some of the major statements left out of the Constitution’s reading; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/06/AR2011010603759_2.html?sid=ST2011010603624 (note: there are two pages). It surprised me to learn that this was the first time the Constitution had ever been read in Congress (ironic…if it weren’t for that document, there wouldn’t even BE a Congress).
Were these crucial pieces left out because they could be considered “offensive” or was it just incompetence already rearing its ugly head again? I’m personally offended that these parts of the document were left out in the first place. This document, in its entirety, is what gives congressmen and women their JOBS. They swear to uphold it’s every word. It is history, and I think that history is something that ALL Americans, especially those in CONGRESS, need to be reminded of. If the reading of the Three-fifths Clause was left out for fear it would offend someone…that clause is history. They were mistakes in our past that were righted; Prohibition was revoked, and slavery abolished. The Constitution is often called a “living document” as it is amended as time goes on…I would think that if you’re going to read the Constitution and gain something from it—and especially if you’re CONGRESS—the document in its entirety should be read to see these changes over time, and how far we as a nation have come. Are grade school kids not going to be taught of the darkest days of our nation’s history simply because they’re unpleasant? Are grade school kids even taught about the Constitution anymore? Now that I think of it I wasn’t subject to an “in-depth” study of the Constitution until sophomore year of high school…and even then the mandatory American Government class left MUCH to be desired in the way of learning about our nation’s governing bodies. Choosing not to remember is a good way to forget the lessons learned from such mistakes. Our nation has its scars—it’s horrible, horrible scars that counted a human being as only 3/5 of a person; it was not right, but it happened. It’s history. It was resolved, and our nation finally lived up to the phrase, “all men created equal” under God. Forgetting the lessons learned from our history is a sure way that such mistakes will be repeated in the future. If we do not learn from the past, our present will be turmoil and our future even more so. Essentially, if we forget what and where we came from, we forget WHO WE ARE.
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_17031461?source=rss
This brings me to another point, one that was briefly discussed in one of my AP classes at school…the censoring of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Alan Gribben, a professor at Auburn University is “revising” Twain’s classic by replacing the n-word (used 219 times in the text) with “slave”, “injun” with “Indian”, and “half-breed” with “half-blood.” I know a certain English teacher who was particularly outraged with this… it’s surprising how alterations to already published and copyrighted text are even legal. Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn; those are his words, his ideas, his message to society, who is Alan Gribben and others on the “politically correct” side to change that? In an interview, Gribben said, “Race matters in these books. It’s a matter of how you express it in the 21st century.” Well, that’s just fine…go write your own masterpiece, comparable in theme and literary richness to Huck Finn, and express race in a 21st century way, because it will be published IN the 21st century. Mark Twain’s Huck Finn was not published IN the 21st century but in the late 1800’s, so it would not express things such as race in the same way we do today. Like I said above about the reading of the Constitution, it’s HISTORY. Yes, using the n-word in such capacity was and is degrading and unspeakably disrespectful, but Twain wrote the novel using that word to convey WHY it was wrong. Without the language of the time, Huck Finn won’t cause kids to ask WHY. Cleaning up the language will not allow kids to see the mistakes of the past, how they were righted, and how Twain used his literary talent to satirize the practice of slavery.
Turn on the radio to any local rap station. Listen for ten, fifteen minutes, and count many times you hear the n-word or other words that could be considered offensive. Now how many kids who are not “allowed” to read Huck Finn, or who will end up with a censored version, listen to that sort of music or music with comparable lyrics after school? On the radio, it’s called “art.” But in the case of Huck Finn, it’s considered offensive and politically incorrect.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/censored-new-version-of-huckleberry-fin-erases-injun-and-n-word/
Two different but still similar situations with the Constitution and Huck Finn…important pieces being left out that carry irreplaceable meaning. Again, without the mistakes, the horrors, the scars of the past, what guide do we have to the future? If we forget what and where we came from, we forget WHO WE ARE.
This makes me think of a comment by Michelle Obama over two years ago… “[Barack knows that] we are going to have to make sacrifices; we are going to have to change our conversation; we're going to have to change our traditions, our history; we're going to have to move into a different place as a nation."
I have a big problem with everything stated in this sentence, but for now I just want to focus on one part; change our history? Just how, I ask, do you “change” history? You can’t rewind time and change how things happened, how things played out. But you can rewrite the history books as to how you see fit. You can twist and transform people’s perception of the past—that is, people who are too blind and gullible, or people who simply do not care, to not learn history on their own…I think that is what’s happening here. There are many, many unpleasant things that have occurred in our history, and the world’s. But that gives us all the more reason to learn everything we can about those events, so as to not let that mistake happen again.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580414,00.html
I have a few quotes that coincide quite well with the topic of this blog post...
"The happy union of these states is a wonder; their Constitution is a miracle; their example of the hope and liberty throughout the world. Woe to the ambition that would meditate the destruction of either!" -James Madison
“The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.” –Winston Churchill
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”-Ronald Reagan
As always, thanks for reading…comments are welcome. And lastly, two quotes I found that have great validity to the situation we find ourselves in today…
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” –Ronald Reagan
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Hi again everyone! Ok, my long absences are starting to get ridiculous. But it's almost 2011 (my graduation year!) and my New Years Resolution will to try to post more often here (I'm making no guarantees though!). I hope you all had a great Christmas. I did, and I am enjoying a much needed break from school and all things requring mental activity...but I missed blogging!
Speaking of Christmas...I have been thinking quite a bit about how much I enjoyed spending it at home with my family, with our tree and lights, annual Christmas Eve crab cakes (yum!) and other fun stuff...and how many of America's greatest heroes are deprived of that cherished family time this holiday season because they are serving overseas. It makes me realize how lucky I am. I could ramble on all day of how their sacrifice and dedication has given every one of us so much, but there really are no words to express my gratitude to our armed forces. Remember that they have put their lives on hold to serve, and put their lives on the line daily, in defense of our nation. To any present or past soldiers reading this, thank you! :)
I've spoken of Soldiers Angels in a previous blog post, but I'd like to bring it up again. In 2011, make a difference in the life of someone who is fighting for your freedom. There are various ways to get involved at www.soldiersangels.com... you can either Adopt A Soldier, or if you are not wanting that commitment, join a team, such as the Letter Writing Team. It is rewarding to simply put my feelings down on paper and thank deployed soldiers for what they are doing, even though I may never hear back from them. Consider it in the coming year...you'll be glad you did. :)
Well that's all for now, I'll try to post again soon... until then, a few interesting quotes by 30th US president Calvin Coolidge!
"Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong."
"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."
"Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country."
"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."
Speaking of Christmas...I have been thinking quite a bit about how much I enjoyed spending it at home with my family, with our tree and lights, annual Christmas Eve crab cakes (yum!) and other fun stuff...and how many of America's greatest heroes are deprived of that cherished family time this holiday season because they are serving overseas. It makes me realize how lucky I am. I could ramble on all day of how their sacrifice and dedication has given every one of us so much, but there really are no words to express my gratitude to our armed forces. Remember that they have put their lives on hold to serve, and put their lives on the line daily, in defense of our nation. To any present or past soldiers reading this, thank you! :)
I've spoken of Soldiers Angels in a previous blog post, but I'd like to bring it up again. In 2011, make a difference in the life of someone who is fighting for your freedom. There are various ways to get involved at www.soldiersangels.com... you can either Adopt A Soldier, or if you are not wanting that commitment, join a team, such as the Letter Writing Team. It is rewarding to simply put my feelings down on paper and thank deployed soldiers for what they are doing, even though I may never hear back from them. Consider it in the coming year...you'll be glad you did. :)
Well that's all for now, I'll try to post again soon... until then, a few interesting quotes by 30th US president Calvin Coolidge!
"Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong."
"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."
"Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country."
"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
Sixty-nine years ago today, December 7, 1941 became “a date which will live in infamy”…when Japanese forces brutally attacked Pearl Harbor, as well as several islands in the South Pacific and Asian cities. I found a few pictures to share and excerpts from President Theodore Roosevelt’s speech to commemorate the day…it is depressing and sad, yes, but it’s history. It really happened. We must remember with respect and awe those who lived and fought through it, and with an equal or greater respect and honor remember those who laid down their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and those who perished in the war that followed.
I’m not a Theodore Roosevelt fan by any means, but one particular quote in his December 8, 1941 speech rings true still today, as it has for America’s 234 year history: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”
Some further excerpts I thought particularly meaningful…
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.”
Read the complete speech here: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/presidential-speeches/presidential-speech-franklin-roosevelt-pearl-harbour.htm
**NOTE: The pictures are so large they don't fit completely on the blog page, so if you want to see the entire image just click on it and it will come up. :)
Seattle Times pics: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/picturethis/2013606285_pt_pearl.html
If you’re wanting to watch a good movie on Pearl Harbor in honor of December 7 (maybe I’m the only one that plans my, though relatively sparse, movie watching schedule around historic holidays, but you never know!) I’d say the best one I’ve seen is Tora! Tora! Tora! (That’s really the name of it…means attack! In Japanese I think.) It is extremely detailed and gives the story from both the American side and the Japanese side leading up to the attack. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066473/
Oh, and how can I forget one of my most favorite quotes, said by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after the attack… "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
On a lighter note, I’m proud to announce that Present Day Patriots is now on the blog roll (a list of conservative blogs) on Smart Girl Politics.com. If you’re not a member of SGP, consider joining—it’s a free social network of like-minded patriots. Check it out at www.smartgirlpolitics.ning.com.!
Also, for my fellow Glenn Beck fans, in select theaters there will be an encore presentation of his “Broke” Town Hall meeting this Wednesday, December 8. There are quite a few participating theaters in the St. Louis area, so if you’re interested in buying tickets for Wednesday, click here to find a theater near you… http://www.glennbeck.com/content/events/?ibid=broke
Well, just wanted to drop in and post real quick since it is a very important day in our history...have a great rest of the week, I hope to post again soon! Until then...
Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in this beautiful country and give all Americans the strength to live and preserve American ideals so as to not let those who have died for our freedom have died in vain.
I’m not a Theodore Roosevelt fan by any means, but one particular quote in his December 8, 1941 speech rings true still today, as it has for America’s 234 year history: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”
Some further excerpts I thought particularly meaningful…
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.”
Read the complete speech here: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/presidential-speeches/presidential-speech-franklin-roosevelt-pearl-harbour.htm
**NOTE: The pictures are so large they don't fit completely on the blog page, so if you want to see the entire image just click on it and it will come up. :)
Seattle Times pics: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/picturethis/2013606285_pt_pearl.html
If you’re wanting to watch a good movie on Pearl Harbor in honor of December 7 (maybe I’m the only one that plans my, though relatively sparse, movie watching schedule around historic holidays, but you never know!) I’d say the best one I’ve seen is Tora! Tora! Tora! (That’s really the name of it…means attack! In Japanese I think.) It is extremely detailed and gives the story from both the American side and the Japanese side leading up to the attack. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066473/
Oh, and how can I forget one of my most favorite quotes, said by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after the attack… "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
On a lighter note, I’m proud to announce that Present Day Patriots is now on the blog roll (a list of conservative blogs) on Smart Girl Politics.com. If you’re not a member of SGP, consider joining—it’s a free social network of like-minded patriots. Check it out at www.smartgirlpolitics.ning.com.!
Also, for my fellow Glenn Beck fans, in select theaters there will be an encore presentation of his “Broke” Town Hall meeting this Wednesday, December 8. There are quite a few participating theaters in the St. Louis area, so if you’re interested in buying tickets for Wednesday, click here to find a theater near you… http://www.glennbeck.com/content/events/?ibid=broke
Well, just wanted to drop in and post real quick since it is a very important day in our history...have a great rest of the week, I hope to post again soon! Until then...
Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in this beautiful country and give all Americans the strength to live and preserve American ideals so as to not let those who have died for our freedom have died in vain.
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