Going Just A Little Bit Too Far!

I love perusing foreign news outlets on the blog. You find so many interesting and absolutely outrageous news items only a Conservative nut like myself can appreciate. There is a new one @ The Telegraph.co.uk that you must read. It seems a gentlemen, Stephen Hockman, is proposing a World Environmental Court to insure all the countries on our GREEN PLANET, Earth, obey rules on green houses gases, pollution, and such. Hopefully this so called World Court will force counties to obey the rules by imposing fines, embarrassing the countries that pollute, and mobilizing the population to force the government to OBEY THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORLD RULES, or else!

Or else what! Besides, I thought that's what the UN did. Make countries obey the rules. Remember Iraq and how Saddam Hussein cowered under the pressure of 14 sanctions by the impotent United Nations. See how Iran is opening the doors to their nuclear centrifuges for the international inspectors. Embarrassments works. Paying fines is perfect punishment. If you don't believe me just look at the millions of dollars NOT collected from the countries that illegally park around the United Nations in New York. Yes, my friends just what the ol' planet Earth needs is another world body, supported by the United States with no power and and a bunch of deadbeat, has been politicians sucking your and my tax dollars right out of our pockets.

My final thought on this Conservative Outrage is, I know it's not a good idea when British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown supports it! Clik here for the complete article.

Moving on. I want to thank JM, MM, Elizabeth and FJ for their thought provoking and substantive discussion this past week. As I have said before the flu bug jumped up and bit me hard. I have read all the comments and I personally have learned much. I don't agree or disagree with all that is posted. As I said I have learned much and hope readers have also. A free exchange of different ideas with civility.

I have posted a new topic (?) on the Environment. I know that Elizabeth lives in New York, New York and JM lives in Paraguay. I am a country boy from the Midwest, MM is a Texan, and I am not sure about FJ. Which reminds me, FJ. Cliked on your initials and no blog for you was listed if you come back leave us your blog address.

Brother Al, where are you when we need you? That's right. You're driving your SUV to the airport to pick up your Gulfstream to fly to your house that uses 30 times more energy than the average American home. Since Bill O'Reilly was mentioned in the comments on my last post I will leave you with this thought.

Globla Warming? What say you?

Right or Wrong the Right to Expression

I am not quite sure what history book Elizabeth has been educated with however, the books and news articles posted on the web definitely indicates collaboration between North Vietnam and China. I agree North Vietnam may not have wanted to be under the thumb of China. It is undeniable that Communist China supported North Vietnam with material and men.

Again we are trying to judge decisions made in 1960's by today's standards. This not only unfair to the decision makers but energy that could be better spent trying to learn from the history of decisions. Now whether our government has improved in it's decision making process is definitely open for discussion. As to the time leading up to the Vietnam War and during it decisions were made on the best available intelligence and what was determined to be best for our county. This process holds true today.

I agree it is always best to gather information from those that are actually there. Living, seeing and hearing what is happening is much better than deciphering news article and broadcasts. But, how does one obtain such sources? It's not like you can pack up and live in Cairo, Baghdad, Tehran for a couple years. You must develop trusted sources that have been proven true beyond a shadow of a doubt. They must have a history of credibility. These types of sources are very hard to come by.

Everybody overseas cares about the United States. We are the police of the world and when in times of war, pestilence, dictatorship, and piracy on the high seas foreign countries request and accept our help. I firmly believe the United States has given freedom to more people on earth than any other country in the world. Foreigners come for free medical help, (Canada's birth boom at the US/Canada border), thousands of foreign college students a year are educated here and then go back to their counties and the United States is the most generous country on earth when it comes to disaster.

Most certainly other counties care about what the United States says and does. My son who is preparing for his second tour of duty, most likely in Iraq cites numerous occasions where citizen after citizen thanked him and his unit for coming to Iraq. Of course they would much rather be totally in charge. That will come some day in the future however, the vast majority of the populace is quite happy to accept American help.

I fear Elizabeth has been listening and believing too many people that have not done the, been there, done that, own the T-shirt. I am aware there are always a few out of the many that are not able to comprehend the long term investment needed to preserve freedom for all. Utopia is not a reality.

I somewhat agree that in order to know a country and understand their people it is best if one knows the language. For it only in sitting down and conversing over many hours that one develops a real relationship and can begin to garner real feeling and emotions. I have had that opportunity when stationed overseas many years ago. I went to the University of Erlangen and learned to speak German. By doing this I was able to live among the German people, shop in German stores, travel most of Europe and hang out in Guesthouses. Being a ripe 44 years of age I would ask Elizabeth if she has had this opportunity. If not, I would challenge Elizabeth to learn a language and spend some time in the Peace Corp or other organization that would allow the opportunity to see other cultures for herself.

The old adage of "birds of a feather" is good for feeling comfortable but, every now and then it's fun if a hawk drops by just to get the adrenalin pumping. You have to get out sometimes and enter the danger zone to learn and expand your intellect.

I was reading over a couple of the old comments and came upon a comment from MM that said the invitation still stands, then Elizabeth ask what invitation. I am not sure what they are talking about. Can someone help me figure this out? Did I miss something? The only invitation I know is for Elizabeth to do a guest post. How about it Elizabeth?

The Discussion Goes On, Join In

We continue. No apologize needed from Elizabeth as I knew it was not intended as a diagnosis.

I am not sure how you would define "vague communist threat". When I was in school I remember doing Nuclear Bombs drills. At that time the Soviet Union and the United States had enough nuclear warheads to blow up the world about 100 time over. Communist China was working on nuclear warheads also. President John F. Kennedy nearly went to war over missiles that were based in Cuba. That is 90 miles away from Key West Florida. I believe that would constitute a pretty good threat.

Sometimes simplistic thinking is not all bad. In this case although not in a shooting war, The United States was in a war of weapons and nerves. It could have been a replay of World War II. With the United States being Germany fighting against two fronts. The Soviet Union and Communist China. They could very well divide a fallen America. I believe there was a threat.

I would relate it to the 14 Sanctions given Saddam Hussein. Where do you stop and draw a line in the sand. This last time it was the 14 sanctions. In the 60's it was Vietnam.

I totally agree the average American does not know the difference between Sunni and Shitte Muslims. I also agree very few in Congress know the difference either. I would ask the question, do we need to know the difference if they both want us dead? We both agree that Al Queada is a threat. Regarding Hezbollah I am deferring to Jungle Mom. This lady and her family have more time overseas than most Americans have in a chow line. Sort of a been there done that if you will. For support in this arena I would ask you to clik here for and MSNBC News story about Hezbollah.

I run a second blog under the name Mark 1:11. It is dedicated to my son Specialist Jacob. It was started as more of a diary of his military career. I am quite sure you have seen war veterans and they have problems. As you suggest I have feelings about losing two close friends during the Vietnam War. I may have been traumatized at the time but have accepted the "war is hell" and moved on. I don't hate the Vietnamese for doing what their government lead them into. No more than my father hated the Japanese for doing what their government led them into. Those who fight and die seldom start the conflict.

I invite you to read my post of March 3,2008, What soldiers Are Made Of, then scroll down and read my post of February 12, 2008, Kody, My G-d Bless. Clik to take you directly there. Soldiers have mental problems after fighting in a war. So do Doctors that lose patients and police officers that have to take a life. The people you deal with are seeking help, understanding and probably an answer as to why. That is where you come in. There are people in place within the military to help with those problems. Why your patients choose to come to you I really don't know. I do applaud you for reducing your fees. I am sure it is very much appreciated by your military patients.

I can only speak for myself and my son Specialist Jacob. We both agree we were not lied to when we enlisted and we both knew what we were getting into. He was aware he would be going overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan. I was very much aware I most likely would be going overseas for most of my four year enlistment and I didn't miss it by much.

We have so much in common. Why in the world we are bailing out any business that is so mismanaged as the auto industry is beyond my comprehension. Likewise for the banks and other financial institutions. I heard someone say the other day this is like rewarding bad behavior. Just out of curiosity what's the unleaded gas price in New York, New York? I'm looking at $1.60 to $1.70 here.

Guest blog always available. Would love to have it.

Pops

COMMON GROUND

Good morning fellow bloggers! While it is chilly here in the Midwest I detect a thaw in the political climent reporting at this blog. The right wing, Conservative, veteran and grandpa has struck common ground with Elizabeth, a somewhat left leaning, Liberal (?) from New York, New York. We agree the news media is mostly spin. Wonderful. Anyone wishing to comment needs to be nice. This is not a time for bashing one side or the other.

Exactly how we determine what is fact and how much is spin is an excellent question. I like my way of doing it the best. By virtue of my experience in the ARMY, I search for underlying meanings and patterns to the news reports. Secondly I just plain get on the web and start searching for other opinions. Apply the "fudge factor" FOX is right, MSNBC is left and go from there. Not very scientific but it does provide some sense of balance.

Sometimes little things mean a lot. For instance Elizabeth's use of the word regime, as in the "Bush regime". I have always associated the word "regime" with Socialism, Communism, Dictatorship and the like. After looking it up on Dictionary . Com I have learned it merely means an administration, a form of government. It has nothing to do with the type of government although I usually associate it with the aforementioned types of government.

To be quite frank Elizabeth, I do not believe you have quite enough information to diagnose whether I was traumatized by my friends death during the Vietnam War. We can discuss that at a later time if you wish. I put myself somewhere between Neandrathal and Cro Magnon. My wife of 31 years says I am "her" Alpha Male, whatever that means.

Hindsight is always 20/20 and knowing how the world is now does not reflect how the world was at the time of the war. It was called the "domino theory" in which one county would fall to the, at then world threat, Communism, and then the next and so on. That was the threat at that time.

Quite similar to the current war in Iraq now. (Oh boy here opens a can of worms!) The military had opportunities to take control of the situation, however the politicians would not allow it. Something I fear we continue to have today and will have in the future. Although we trade with Vietnam today it is not an anomaly as we trade with Japan, Germany and even Cuba, but no good Cuban cigars I am afraid.

I would ask you to re-think, is it the "same Communist Party" of today. I don't believe so. No more than the Republican and Democratic Party are the same parties they were 40 years ago. We also must take into consideration the 500,000 South-East Asians who were murdered after the fall of Saigon. You cannot judge yesterday's decisions by today's standards. Would you agree with that statement?

Thank you for coming back to Conservative Outrage. My invitation to do a guest blog still stands. I invite you to go to this blog and read some of the posts. theonepercenters.blogspot.com/

Reply to Elizabeth

For this post to make any sense to my readers you must review the post of November 4th and the comments. I am going out on a limb here and label my new blog buddy, Elizabeth, (comment section) a moderate liberal democrat. I do this because of her response to the November 4 post and her reply to my comments. If you choose to comment regarding our comments no sniping, spiting in the eyes, or gouging where it ain't proper, be civil. Thanks

On to Elizabeth, I have to call you that because you never said I could call you "Liz" which this tired, old, conservative, veteran finds easier to type. However, Elizabeth it is!

I will address your lead and then on to new stuff. Regarding the "Times" It just sounded to me like you had a bone to pick with them for publishing what they determined in their free speech right to print. I take it you would feel the same way about the New York Post, the Atlanta Beacon Journal and the Los Angles Times.. None of these papers are really reporting the news. Is that correct? My personal opinion, which you just may agree with is most of the print and television media attempt to make and "spin" the news.

To use a retired "CIA" officer as a source I find a little humorous. That is something I know a little about. I was in Military Intelligence my four years in the ARMY. My reported job to my friends and family was to fix vending machines in secured areas. That is what I was told to say and I say it to this day. Intelligence people become excellent liars, it's part of the job.

Regarding a college professor with no agenda is difficult to believe, I believe you, just maybe the fact that I believe 90% of college professors vote Democrat makes the odds a little long. I call this one a draw.

On to the Vietnam war. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear, I was in the ARMY during the Vietnam war. I was not in combat or the county. If my math serves me correctly you were born about 1964 and were at best a teenager when the Vietnam War was over. Correct? What part of it do you remember? You see I remember my high school buddy leaving and coming home in a pine box. I remember my "barracks buddy" going and coming home in a pine box. I can find 8 names on "The Black Granite Wall", all guys I personally knew. How many can you find that you personally knew?

Have you ever been to an American Legion Post or a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post? Before making making blanket statements regarding how veterans feel perhaps you should try to meet more than the circle you are currently in. My basic circle of friends is Conservative however, I also have Liberal friends and we have great discussions. In your field I do believe it would be beneficial to understanding those veteran patients you have. General William Tecumseh Sherman said, "war is hell". I think we both agree he was right. Unfortunately there has been and will always be wars. Unfortunately soldiers will always be emotionally damaged by it. That, Elizabeth, is where you can help. How about some pro bono work at a military installation. Ever consider that?

Finally, thank you for reading my posts. I am sure it gives you some insight to my Conservative leanings. I would like to respond to "believe whatever some right wing pundits say". No, I do not believe everything I see on Fox News, no more than I believe everything I see on CNN. I believe in facts as I have found them, often on the Internet.

Am I a Conservative? I am likely the most liberal Conservative and conservative Liberal you will ever meet. I do believe in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and the Bible, but let's save that for another day. I am not fearful of what I see on any news channel. I believe both the Left and the Right feel the other is full of hate. I hate no one nor am I angry with anyone. I believe what is best for the United States of America is best for us all in general.

As a psychotherapist I am certain you understand better than I the inter workings of the human psych(is that the right word?). Everyone is different and isn't that wonderful. What a boring world it would be if we were all alike.

Elizabeth, I invite you to go to this web site and just read the Soldiers Creed. Those are the qualities I believe all Americans young and old should hold true to their heart. It won't hurt, I promise. Clik here.

I have said before this Blog probably should have been named "Conservative Christian Outrage". Myself, my family and this country derive our basic principles from the Constitution of The United States. The learned gentlemen who wrote that document believed in God and the Holy Bible. That is quite apparent if one reads the Constitution as it was written, not as some left wing liberals choose to twist it to fit their morals and ideals.

I am very lucky as I have friends much more knowledgeable in scripture than I. I was lucky enough to have one of these friends give me some spiritual uplifting this past Monday morning. The uplifting came in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 4 and goes like this:

Daniel 4:32
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.*(my emphasis)

This reminded me of a conversation I had on line with a lady, name unknown but who lived in New York at the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade center. This lady was very upset and quite worried there were more to come. As I said I am not a Biblical scholar by any means. After quite a while of chatting with her and others on line it came to me. In the course of the conversations on line she had said she was a Christian. She said she just didn't know what to pray or what to do. I told her quite simply pray what Jesus prayed when in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested and taken away.

Mark 14:35
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.*(emphasis mine)

These two verses give me hope and solid grounding as we begin a new season in my beloved country. As I said in my November 4th post, it's over. My guy lost. I will support the new President until such time as he proves, like William Jefferson Clinton, he is unworthy of the trust and the position. It is not always what we want but, what He wants.

*Quotes taken from Bible.com

It's over!

As I sat there watching the election returns come in I felt the anger start to boil up inside me. I asked myself how could a majority of the citizens of the Greatest country in the world elect a man who has nothing, absolutely nothing, good to say about America. Who can take all the associations with terrorists, Acorn, Reverend Wright and toss them aside.Who can vote for a man who willing accepts and supports the murder of innocent unborn children. I am reminded of the bumper sticker I recently saw, "Choose life, your mother did". What makes a person vote this way.

The under 25 juveniles I understand. Most of them are still protected by their parents. Safely in the cocoon or nest and guided by parental influence. They have no experience in life. They want to belong and want instant gratification like their video games. Few have studied the issues. They fail to realize they will pay the price of their vote as older persons such as myself, already have our lives, lived, our future secured and our funeral arrangement made. We will not be affected by this decision nearly as much as them.

The 25 to 55 crowd seems to be caught up in "change" but change to what. They complain about the Global War on Terrorism but fail to acknowledge that without it their children will face even more threats and 9/11's. Their grandchildren will be subject to laws that are more restrictive in civil rights than anything this country has ever had. It will make Prohibition look like child's play. Your children will have nothing and your grandchildren even less. Again I am reminded of this blog's quote,

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." President Thomas Jefferson.

My generation is the generation of the beginning of the end I fear. With politicians like President Lyndon Johnson trying to run a war in Vietnam without following his military advisers advise. With no prosecution of the likes of Jane Fonda and now Senator John Kerry this country began the slippery slope of defeat in war and in the eyes of the world. Some protested because they were to chicken hearted to go and fight and die for the honor and privileges of this county. Some ran to Canada and were not punished for their crimes. Now you see what we have sown is what we have reaped. A country overrun with illegal aliens, a complacent population who is willing to do nothing until is affects them. A population that not only won't stand up for themselves but leave it up to the Onepercenters.

Those who will live and die for others to remain free from oppression, war, and dictatorship like Sadam Hussien, Hitler, and Castro. They carry the flag of the United States of America into battle and are willing to lay down their lives so that a lazy, thankless, complacent population can continue to exercise their right to vote for freedom. Those who have the guts and the love of the freedom so strongly they are willing to fight and die for it. Yes, I say it is a sad, sad state of affairs we have gotten ourselves in. We have only ourselves to blame.

We gave up prayer in school, we gave up spiritual belief for greed, we gave up common sense for laws made by left wing zealots, and we gave up our souls for the right of everybody and nobody. Marxism, Socialism, Communism all have been mentioned in the Presidential race but no matter what you call it, it is not the pride, integrity, hard work, and character that made this country the most powerful nation on earth.

I do not know what lies ahead for us, no one does. I do fear the "change" that many hope to be brought about does not continue to take this great country down the slippery slope that got us here. That is my hope. I hope it does not go unfulfilled not for my sake but for my grandchildren and their children.

No matter what happens in the future an election was held, the man with the most votes, electoral, and popular won. He will be installed as the President, not a king, not a dictator, not an emperor, but a President, one that will govern for approximately 4 years. Then it will be time to judge him on his accomplishments and the cycle will start again. That is the way it is. That is the way it was meant to be.

God Bless America, home of the brave and land of the free.

General Complaint Session

Today is Saturday, November 1, 2008. It has NOT been a good day. Some of you may know since my retirement I have been working part-time at the world's largest retailer. My Saturday shift is 0800 hrs to 1700hrs. It's usually a good little gig with no stress and the customers are 99% positive. So here goes:

1. Did you catch the November 1 part? As I arrive at 0800 hrs this morning the first thing I hear over the music system is Christmas carols! Christmas carols!! Did I mention it was the FIRST OF NOVEMBER! For the next 2 hours my 99% nice customers told me they were pleased with my bananas but were a little turned off by my music. Of course I can't write the CEO of the world's largest retailer but,.....if you go into THE WORLD'S LARGEST retailer hear Christmas carols BEFORE Thanksgiving and are annoyed please, please complain to management! I'm begging on bended knees. I can't take this for 2 months!

2. You all know I love this county almost more than the air I breathe however,.....I have had it with the political advertisments on the tube. I watched the local news tonight. They ran 6 commercials back to back. The funny part was two of the commercials were for and against Judge John Connor of Franklin County, Ohio. Judge Connor has more than 5 DUI convictions or reductions to reckless operation of a motor vehicle and a cocaine possession charge. You gotta be kidding me. Judge Connor has been on Bill O'Reilly's "The Factor" and labeled America's worst judge. How in the world can this guy show his face in public let alone plaster it over the tube and run again for the position of a judge.

I demand a law that bans all Presidential political ads on TV no more than 30 days before Election Day. Maybe that way the people we are paying 100K+ a year will stay in Washington and earn (?) some of our hard earned tax dollars. What do you think?

3. A kindergarten teacher has her students sign a pledge card to be an "ally" of Homosexuals and Transgenders, IN SCHOOL. I am not certain what the school is going to do with this teacher but I am sure what I would do as a parent. Does demand the teacher's resignation sound to far out of bounds. Not for me. HELLO! This kind of personal education should be taught by parents in the privacy of their own homes. Read the whole story by cliking here.

4. When I get home the first thing I see is my daughter's SUV (oh I love that big metal monster, it burns so much gas and pollutes the air, and causes the ice caps to melt, and the ozone layer to become thinner, sorry I just can't help my self sometimes) and my BIL's van. It doesn't burn nearly the gas and etc, etc, etc. I park in the grass because my driveway has been converted to a skateboard/bicycle race track. The first thing I hear after I get out of my car is HI GRANDPA! from my 5 year old grandson. The next thing I hear and see is my 3 year old, beautiful granddaughter running towards me, arms open and saying HI GRANDPA. Then a great big hug.

Gee, it's not such a bad day after all.