Short and sweet, so as to keep my time with my family at a maximum…
Happy 4th of July America!
Celebrate the holiday safely, enjoy any time off you have and cherish the freedoms we, as Americans, are entitled to everyday.
Today marks a very special day to the United States of America. Today is the day we remember and honor those men and women that gave their lives in the service and protection of our great country.
Of course when the country is at war it becomes all too easy to look past the fact that every year men and women die serving our country. Some die in battle. Some die in transport. Some die in training. But the sad fact is that lives are lost every year in the service of our country.
I personally stand to honor all men and women that have given of themselves for my freedoms and liberties. It is not easy putting your life in danger. It is especially unfathomable to put your life on the line for folks that you do not know, like people all over the country that depend on our armed forces to maintain our freedoms (no folks, congress, voting and our legal system do NOT do this for us) or people in other countries that have been set free by our military activities on their soil. We should get this straight right here and now: American soldiers are heros - plain and simple.
They do things that most normal people would not even imagine doing. They face risks and dangers that we will never ever have to face. They stand in the face of certain death and stare it down so that fellow Americans can live to tell their stories. Our soldiers kick butt and take names.
So today try to spend a moment or two thinking about the liberties and freedoms you get to experience daily. Think of the all the things you get to do today that other folks in other countries don’t get to do because of where they live. And as you consider these things, try, for a second, to think of a man or woman laying in the field of battle, not breathing, not fighting anymore, not moving but still serving.
We are free to live because others fought for it. I thank those that have kept me free. God bless you.
Do you remember that day? The day our country’s perception of national security, public safety, heroism and sacrifice changed forever? Do you remember?
I am not one to dwell on the past and it is not my intention to do so here. I am one, however, that likes to remember those moments that have become an everlasting moment etched into the minds of those that experienced it. The September 11, 2001 terrorist hijackings and subsequent attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon (as well as the crash of flight 93 in Pennsylvania) left America scarred and hurting. It made a lot of people afraid, even more people concerned for their own souls and almost every American angrier than hell that anyone would ever conceive such a notion as to carry out such a deliberate and coordinated plan of attack on a predominantly civilian group of people. It was a dark day in the United States on that September 11. Maybe the darkest of days.
The things I remember most about that morning was how shocked I was to see what was happening. I had just gotten out of the shower and had sat down on the couch to put my socks and shoes on. There is nothing memorable about that… I do it almost everyday. But as I sat down and turned on ESPN to catch highlights of the Monday Night Football game between the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants from the night before I was taken to another place. Every channel had CNN’s coverage of a large fire burning at the top of the World Trade Center North Tower. The reporter was stating that there had been talks of an airplane accident or perhaps some form of explosion at the tower. At the time, about 5:58 AM in California, it was still unknown as to what was going on. A few minutes later, after fumbling through several channels on the TV only to find CNN on all of them, I realized this was a bigger story than a burning building in New York.
Then I saw it. The second plane blasted its way into the South face of the World Trade Center South Tower. I stopped dead in my tracks. Did I really just see what I thought I saw? Did a huge jet airplane really crash into the World Trade Center, at an angle, low on the face of the building taking out a huge section of the building’s floors and a major support section of the South corner? I was horrified. I was saddened. I was shocked.
I sat still on the couch watching the story unfold. Reports started coming in of firefighters being dispatched. More reports came in. There was a report that the Pentagon had been bombed. Another report said the White House had been attacked. The US Air Force was reported to have been deployed to the air space above Washington DC and New York with attack orders to bring down any suspect aircraft. The FAA grounded all flights immediately.
I watched the news until I had to leave for work. In my boss’s office there was a TV on which we watched more of the story unfold. We learned that this was more than likely a terrorist attack. We learned that there were people trapped in the upper floors of the towers and that rescue efforts were being stymied by heat and smoke. Images were being broadcast of people waving their hands outside of their windows from the floors above the crash sites as the smoke got heavier and heavier. Then it happened. The South Tower collapsed. I remember thinking about how many people were still in that building and how many rescue personnel must have been in that building, running up stairs to get to the victims on the higher floors. And I remember thinking that if this tower has just come down there is a strong likelihood that other one will. And it did.
There are really no words to describe how I felt that morning as I watched, helplessly, from the other side of the nation. Part of me wanted to reach out and start kicking some terrorist butt. Part of me wanted to reach out to the children that had just been orphaned. Part of me wanted to reach out to the families of the rescue teams that surely lost loved ones just a few minutes earlier. I remember too, going outside, and not seeing a single airplane in the sky. And I remember thinking that the face of American security will be changing from that point on.
I went home that day and hugged my wife and my kids stronger and longer that I had ever done. Sometimes I am saddened at the thought that because of this tragedy I felt the need to be closer to my family when I should be feeling that need daily. And I began to consider how much I have taken for granted in my life, and how the poor men, women and children that lost their lives that day would never be able to, face to face, reconcile what was happening in their lives that morning.
The rest of the evening was spent with my wife and children talking about what had happened, how they felt and what we could learn from it. We also prayed as a family. We prayed for the families of those directly affected by the tragedy, the rescue teams that would not leave the site no matter what, the news media and reporting staff, our President George W. Bush, our military personnel and everyone else that was affected or could be affected by the incident. Then we prayed for the terrorists. I know that may sound weird, but the Bible tells us to do this. We also prayed for justice to be swift and effective, and we prayed that those involved in the planning, plotting and carrying out of the plans be captured.
I know much of what we prayed for has yet to materialize. But I would encourage you, on this day of remembrance, as you remember where you were the day America was terrorized, that you pray for these things as well. There are still people responsible for these attacks at large. They need to be brought to justice. There are still people hurting from these attacks. They need to be healed. We all need to be healed. Please, in your prayers, remember this day, those who were most greatly affected by it, those that still hold that day very close to heart.
231 years old and kicking.
I know that just the term ‘America’ raises controversy and that there are probably an equal number of US Haters and US Patriots. Regardless of all that stuff, the fact of the matter is America is still a strong and thriving country. Men and women have fought hard, given their lives and saved others’ for the sake of this country, and this Fourth of July, I would ask that whatever your thoughts are about this great nation in which we live (for those of us that live here) you would still celebrate this country and the freedom we enjoy just be called citizens of the United States of America.
God bless you and God bless America.
So I couldn’t keep my hands off this one. Louisiana congressman William Jefferson is being investigated for allegedly accepting bribes and soliciting money to broker deals between governments. Is this not classic politician BS?
How many times do we hear and read about politicians that decide to use their position of authority granted to them by the people for malfeasance? Exactly where in a persons mind does it ever become clear that they can abuse power given to them so that it becomes to their own benefit? I just don’t understand it. I mean, I do, but honestly, in this day and age, when everything that politicians do becomes so public, how can any person in office think that they are exempt from the law?
That said, this guy is going to need some serious help. According to the stories, he has been underinvestigation for almost two years now, and with the discovery of $90,000 in cash (of $100,000 given to him by an undercover operative) it will be a long road to hoe for Mr. Jefferson and his legal defense team.
But I supposed that is why there are lawyers that specialize in laws of this type. How else would politicians be able to violate every law they swear to protect and not go to jail for doing so?
FTR: 1/5
This morning, while watching the news, I saw that a small group of protestors had gathered outside the home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Apparently Ms. Speaker was not happy about the protest outside of her home, as she muttered a comment to the tune of ‘Not here.’ to the protesting group as she left her SF home to the airport for a flight to Washington DC.
As I watched the report, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Where was this attitude when Cindy Sheehan was outside of President Bush’s Texas ranch?”. Amazing, isn’t it? When you want to be in the public eye, anything that gets attention for you is good media. But when that same exact activity hits you square on the nose, it isn’t so popular anymore. You gotta love the hypocrisy of politicians.
The funniest thing about all this is that the group protesting Ms. Speaker is actually requesting an audience with her Speakership to promote their push for the elimination of funding for the troops in Iraq. Ms. Speaker is totally against the way. She has made no bones about that. But she won’t even give this group time to speak with her. When they tried to schedule an appointment to meet with her, her office scheduled them for three months from now.
Ouch.
Anyway, enjoy your trip to DC Ms. Speaker. I am sure your welcome wagon will still be waiting for your when you return.
Veteran’s Day is one of my favorite recognized holidays. I like it so much because it is a time to honor and celebrate the men and women that have served our country in the Armed Forces. Regardless of your political affiliation, religious affiliation, ethnic background or financial position, one thing we, as a community, can all do is honor those people that have offered to give their all in the service of this country.
As I write this I am reminded that there are several men that I personally of that have served in the military. My father served in the US Army in Korea in the 1950’s. My father-in-law served in the US Navy in Vietnam in the early 1970’s. Two of my very best friends served in the US Navy right out of high school. The bravery, commitment and service that these
men showed is indicative of a great many soldiers serving the country in the Armed Forces.
So today, if you by chance happen up a man or woman in uniform, ask to shake their hand and tell them thanks for being a hero and being willing to risk all so the rest of us don’t have to.
I was reading the news today and found an article that talks about Cindy Sheehan, a woman from Berkeley, California who had a son in the military. Her son was deployed to Iraq where he was killed in action supporting the military efforts of our country. Some time later she set up a small camp outside of President Bush’s vacation home in Crawford, Texas as a way to protest the war in Iraq. She garnered national media attention for her durability during her protest.
The article I stumbled on mentioned that someone set up a memorial monument carved out of sandstone to honor this woman for her efforts in trying to have our troops removed from Iraq. If I understand it correctly they want an end to the killing overseas.
Quick question
If there is to be an end to any killings, how is that going to be achieved? There are two possibilities. The first is to just let the zealots that are murdering innocent men, women and children to continue to do their deed. As this activity progresses they will run out of people to kill and will either kill themselves, start killing others outside their country or stop killing. Problem solved, right? That is until they start stealing our airplanes and flying them into our skyscrapers. Or until they start bombing our embassies in other countries. No wait, that is acceptable because it doesn’t involve anyone’s son.
The next possibility is to actually assist those people that are being slaughtered by defending them with the same amount of force that is being used against them. Call me silly, but when the United States of America liberated Afghanistan, women were allowed to walk outside, with their faces uncovered even, people were not taken to the soccer stadium and shot in front of their families “because it is too late to stop it, they are expecting an execution”, children were not murdered in front of their parents to show them a lesson. Defending that country was a good thing for their country. It looked awful when we saw it on TV and when we heard about all the US soldiers that were dying over there. But the pain we inflicted on those murderous savages that imprisoned that entire country was enough to bring freedom to that country. Our troops did a good thing over there.
An army of one
Another thing I find appalling with those that protest against the conflicts in the Middle East is that they have lost sight of the fact that our armed forces are essentially staffed with volunteers. These men and women were not forced to join the military. They chose to take up arms in the defense of our country and what our country defends. They chose to protect freedom at the cost of their very lives. They knew what they were getting into when they signed up. Why does this shock so many people?
Police officers know that when they become officers of the law that there is a potential for them to have to offer their life in the enforcement of the law. Firefighters know that there is a chance that they may have to risk their life in order to save another life. That is why they are heroes. That is why our US soldiers are heroes. Because even though they know that they face a good possibility of pending death, they perform their duties without regard to self. That speaks a lot louder to me than some protest.
It is my opinion that this country should rally around our troops, our government and our country. Am I saying that everyone should be happy that our troops are dying? No. Am I saying that everyone should approve of what is going on or who is leading the charge? No. What I am saying is that regardless of our differences in opinion, spiritual beliefs, political ideals or sociological positions, we as a group of States, United, should do everything we can to bring encouragement and support to our troops. What they are experiencing right now is being overshadowed by a group of people that don’t like the fact that our president chose to utilize our defense resources.
I will pray for Cindy Sheehan, for the loss of her son and the many other men and women that sacrificed their all for the defense of this country and countries abroad. What our troops and government need right now is to know that we love them and want them to be safe in handling their business.