Another Vietnam?
In 1887 French Indo-China, which consisted of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, was established. On March 9, 1945 Japanese forces over-threw the French and restored independence to Vietnam. Shortly thereafter the "Army of the Republic of Vietnam" (ARVN) was organized. At the time of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961 there was 600 military advisers (to the ARVN) in Vietnam, which indicates that President Eisenhower was partly responsible for the debacle which was to follow, but that number grew rapidly and at the time of President Kennedy's assassination it was about 16,000. The situation detoriorated rapidly during this period, with Ho Chi Minh leading a communist insurgency against the newly independent nation.
"Gulf of Tonkin Incident" - The first Gulf of Tonkin Incident which took place on August 2,1964, less than a year after President Johnson replaced the assassinated President Kennedy, was the sea battle between the North Vietnamese Navy's Torpedo Squadron 135 and the destroyer "USS Maddox" but from most all later accounts the second attack on August 4, 1964 never happened. Whether it was abnormal weather conditions which caused a radar malfunction, a figment of someone's imagination or a hoax perpetrated by our own navy is still not clear but the mere report of a second attack was enough to convince President Johnson to go on television and request authority to undertake a military response. On August 7, 1964 congress passed a Joint Resolution which granted President Johnson authority to conduct military operations in Southeast Asia without the benefit of a declaration of war. In 1965 President Johnson commented privately; "For all I know, our Navy was shooting at whales out there."
"The Tonkin Gulf Resolution" was the resolution by both houses of congress in response to the North Vietnamese attack on the USS Maddox on August 2, and the phantom attack on the night of August 4, 1964. The vote in the House of Representatives was 416 to 0 and in the Senate it was 98 to 2. (opposed by Senator Morse (D-Oregon) and Senator Grueing (D - Alaska) - Senator Morse on constitutional grounds) At the time this resolution was passed the Democrats held a total of 66 seats in the Senate and picked up two more in the November election. In the House of Representatives the Democrats held a 259 to 176 lead and picked up 36 more in the November election.
During the next 8 years things got progressively worse in a very unpopular war in Vietnam where it seemed that the only news was bad news. Demonstrators marched on Washington demanding that we withdraw from that "unjust and unwinnable war". As a result of what was fast becoming the "voice of America" President Nixon was left with little choice.
In a nationally televised address on January 23, 1973, President Richard Nixon announced that the United States had reached an agreement to end the war in Vietnam. The agreement established a cease fire throughout Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), stipulated that the U.S. would withdraw its remaining troops from Vietnam, and that the American prisoners of war would be returned. It also recognized that the South Vietnamese Government under President Thieu would remain in power but permitted North Vietnamese troops to remain in the south.
The fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the North Vietnamese Army on April 30, 1975. The capture of the city was preceded by the evacuation of almost all American Civilian and Military Personnel remaining in Saigon. (Note)Remember in President Nixon's address (above) he stated "It also recognized that the South Vietnamese Government under President Thieu would remain in power." Also while the United States was withdrawing from one side of Saigon the North Vietnamese were attacking from the other sides. Almost immediately Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. That's why many people still remember it as a "cut and run" or "the last one out turn out the lights."
Again, some of this information came from the internet but part of it (I am old enough to remember the war) came from my memory. Yes, I know the title of this posting is "Afghanistan War" and nothing in this posting even mentions Afghanistan but in my next posting I will try to point out many similarities between Vietnam and Afghanistan. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A New Pacemaker
I traded in a clunker
My posting today, out of necessity, will be shorter than usual due to tenderness in my right shoulder muscles which, in turn, hampers my typing and my limited expertise in that field does not need any hampering. This story should begin shortly before December 6, 2002 when my doctors decided I needed a pacemaker to keep my heart rate above 60 beats a minute. On that December 6, 2002 I went, as an outpatient, into the hospital and had a pacemaker installed, if that be the right phrase. My "Owners Manual" stated that it was guaranteed for five years but it lasted almost 8 years.
On the morning of September 24, 2010 Norma and I got up early, didn't eat any breakfast (not even coffee), and drove the 20-25 miles to the hospital. We checked into the outpatient waiting room about 6:30 AM. I got all my pre-op work done and was ready for surgery about 8:00 AM but an emergency held things up for a while. About 10:00 AM, or a little before, I was taken into the operating room and about 30 minutes later I had traded in my old 2002 model for a brand new shiny, I guess, 2010 model pacemaker. All that's left to show for it is about a 3 inch incision held together with what looks and feels like 10 to 15 staples. I'll know more about that when I go back to the EKG Department at the hospital in 2 weeks to get those staples out. Maybe that won't be too bad.
Now, as I work on this posting, it has been about two days since the surgery and there is still some swelling and some pain if I move my arm very much but there has never been enough pain that a tylenol wouldn't take care of it.
That should take care of today and give me a little more time to get well and think of something to write about. Sometimes, while watching the news, I think of many things that needs to be wrote about but I've already written about some of them and anyone reading this blog wouldn't want to hear it again so until later, thanks and stay tuned. - William
My posting today, out of necessity, will be shorter than usual due to tenderness in my right shoulder muscles which, in turn, hampers my typing and my limited expertise in that field does not need any hampering. This story should begin shortly before December 6, 2002 when my doctors decided I needed a pacemaker to keep my heart rate above 60 beats a minute. On that December 6, 2002 I went, as an outpatient, into the hospital and had a pacemaker installed, if that be the right phrase. My "Owners Manual" stated that it was guaranteed for five years but it lasted almost 8 years.
On the morning of September 24, 2010 Norma and I got up early, didn't eat any breakfast (not even coffee), and drove the 20-25 miles to the hospital. We checked into the outpatient waiting room about 6:30 AM. I got all my pre-op work done and was ready for surgery about 8:00 AM but an emergency held things up for a while. About 10:00 AM, or a little before, I was taken into the operating room and about 30 minutes later I had traded in my old 2002 model for a brand new shiny, I guess, 2010 model pacemaker. All that's left to show for it is about a 3 inch incision held together with what looks and feels like 10 to 15 staples. I'll know more about that when I go back to the EKG Department at the hospital in 2 weeks to get those staples out. Maybe that won't be too bad.
Now, as I work on this posting, it has been about two days since the surgery and there is still some swelling and some pain if I move my arm very much but there has never been enough pain that a tylenol wouldn't take care of it.
That should take care of today and give me a little more time to get well and think of something to write about. Sometimes, while watching the news, I think of many things that needs to be wrote about but I've already written about some of them and anyone reading this blog wouldn't want to hear it again so until later, thanks and stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A New Hero
After 42 Years
On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, President Obama was on television (now that's a real news flash) and this time I watched him (I usually don't) because he was presenting, posthumously, our nation's highest award, the "Medal of Honor," to our latest "true American Hero" only 42 years after the fact. The recipiant was Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger who lost his life, while on a top secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War, more than 40 years ago.
Even though he had little or no combat training he, not only, held the enemy at bay throughout the night but called in airstrikes on their positions. After daylight, when the rescue helicopters arrived, while under fire from the enemy, helped his three wounded comrads to and into the sling which lifted them to safety. After his wounded comrads were aboard the helicopter he was lifted aboard but was hit by enemy fire and died before they reached the necessary medical help.
Because it was not legal for the United States to cross the border into Laos (we were not officially at war with Laos) this mission remained secret for all these years but finally this true hero was recognized. Better late than never!
In no way is this an attempt to diminish or to take anything away from Sergeant Etchberger but there is a very large group of ex-service men who have been forgotten for fifty years and more. They are the so-called "Atomic Warriors" of the 1940s through the 1950s and into the 1960s when they were subjected to large doses of radiation, without their knowledge, during our early atomic bomb test, at first in naval test and then at the Atomic Proving Grounds in Nevada.
When soldiers arrived at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada to participate in "Operation Buster-Jangle" in Autumn of 1951, they knew little about what they were in for. The army booklet handed to the first nuclear (atomic) soldiers at the Nevada test site did not discuss atomic bomb radiation hazards. It did discuss possible hazards from indigenous reptiles and poisonous insects.
Introduction to the bare facilities at the Nevada test site came partly from an "Information and Guide" booklet distributed to incoming GIs. "The officers and men of this operation share with you the hope that your visit to Camp Desert Rock will prove an informative and revealing experience which you will always remember," read a sign by U.S. Army Major General W.B. Kean. (That it did) Every page bore the inscpiption "Restricted", and the booklet was replete with injunctions against talking too much.
"To assist in maintaining security of "Exercise Desert Rock" it is desired that you maintain secrecy discipline regarding classified information observed here. Everyone will want to know what you have seen" ---- don't even write home about it.
These GIs participated in the series of atomic test over a period of several weeks, with the largest nuclear explosions coming from bombs dropped by aircraft. Several thousand men watched from about seven miles away as a brilliant atomic light flashed across the desert; some were marched to within a half mile of ground zero where they inspected vehicles and gun emplacements for damage from the blast.
The Pentagon eagerly assessed behavior of GIs as they responded to orders soon after the half dozen nuclear detonations, which totaled 72 kilotons. The more intimate and more lasting consequences, apparently, were not of great concern to the military brass.
Former Army Sergeant Cecil G. Dunn, an "Operation Upshot-Knothole" veteran, recounted from his home in Pensacola, Fl., "After the blast, they marched us to ground zero. I will never forget the smell after that shot. I have no idea how much radiation was there. I know of no film badges. I don't remember seeing any of the men wearing any. I know I never had one." Recalling subsequent chronic headaches lasting for years, followed by nosebleeds, a nervous breakdown, festering spots on his legs and dizzy spells, Dunn said; "I feel like I am drunk all the time, but I don't drink. I tire very easily now --- all I have ever ask is to live like other people. But I cannot help blaming the Government for subjecting me to nuclear testing without warning me of the potential consequences and I will always wonder why it happened."
Part of the above information on the "Atomic Warriors" came from the inter-net and part from memory. An earlier posting recounts part of my experience. Many of those "Warriors" have already departed this life and for far too many of them the cause was cancer. Pray for all of us and also the ones who made the decisions to use us as "human guinea pigs." Until next time, thanks for your time and stay tuned. -William
On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, President Obama was on television (now that's a real news flash) and this time I watched him (I usually don't) because he was presenting, posthumously, our nation's highest award, the "Medal of Honor," to our latest "true American Hero" only 42 years after the fact. The recipiant was Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger who lost his life, while on a top secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War, more than 40 years ago.
Even though he had little or no combat training he, not only, held the enemy at bay throughout the night but called in airstrikes on their positions. After daylight, when the rescue helicopters arrived, while under fire from the enemy, helped his three wounded comrads to and into the sling which lifted them to safety. After his wounded comrads were aboard the helicopter he was lifted aboard but was hit by enemy fire and died before they reached the necessary medical help.
Because it was not legal for the United States to cross the border into Laos (we were not officially at war with Laos) this mission remained secret for all these years but finally this true hero was recognized. Better late than never!
In no way is this an attempt to diminish or to take anything away from Sergeant Etchberger but there is a very large group of ex-service men who have been forgotten for fifty years and more. They are the so-called "Atomic Warriors" of the 1940s through the 1950s and into the 1960s when they were subjected to large doses of radiation, without their knowledge, during our early atomic bomb test, at first in naval test and then at the Atomic Proving Grounds in Nevada.
When soldiers arrived at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada to participate in "Operation Buster-Jangle" in Autumn of 1951, they knew little about what they were in for. The army booklet handed to the first nuclear (atomic) soldiers at the Nevada test site did not discuss atomic bomb radiation hazards. It did discuss possible hazards from indigenous reptiles and poisonous insects.
Introduction to the bare facilities at the Nevada test site came partly from an "Information and Guide" booklet distributed to incoming GIs. "The officers and men of this operation share with you the hope that your visit to Camp Desert Rock will prove an informative and revealing experience which you will always remember," read a sign by U.S. Army Major General W.B. Kean. (That it did) Every page bore the inscpiption "Restricted", and the booklet was replete with injunctions against talking too much.
"To assist in maintaining security of "Exercise Desert Rock" it is desired that you maintain secrecy discipline regarding classified information observed here. Everyone will want to know what you have seen" ---- don't even write home about it.
These GIs participated in the series of atomic test over a period of several weeks, with the largest nuclear explosions coming from bombs dropped by aircraft. Several thousand men watched from about seven miles away as a brilliant atomic light flashed across the desert; some were marched to within a half mile of ground zero where they inspected vehicles and gun emplacements for damage from the blast.
The Pentagon eagerly assessed behavior of GIs as they responded to orders soon after the half dozen nuclear detonations, which totaled 72 kilotons. The more intimate and more lasting consequences, apparently, were not of great concern to the military brass.
Former Army Sergeant Cecil G. Dunn, an "Operation Upshot-Knothole" veteran, recounted from his home in Pensacola, Fl., "After the blast, they marched us to ground zero. I will never forget the smell after that shot. I have no idea how much radiation was there. I know of no film badges. I don't remember seeing any of the men wearing any. I know I never had one." Recalling subsequent chronic headaches lasting for years, followed by nosebleeds, a nervous breakdown, festering spots on his legs and dizzy spells, Dunn said; "I feel like I am drunk all the time, but I don't drink. I tire very easily now --- all I have ever ask is to live like other people. But I cannot help blaming the Government for subjecting me to nuclear testing without warning me of the potential consequences and I will always wonder why it happened."
Part of the above information on the "Atomic Warriors" came from the inter-net and part from memory. An earlier posting recounts part of my experience. Many of those "Warriors" have already departed this life and for far too many of them the cause was cancer. Pray for all of us and also the ones who made the decisions to use us as "human guinea pigs." Until next time, thanks for your time and stay tuned. -William
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Poets & Poetry
nothing modern
I believe I left my last posting with a, somewhat less than subtle, hint that I really didn't much care for our, so-called, modern poetry. Continuing on in that vein, today's writing will be about poets and their poetry from an era before you had to be educated to understand the meaning of the written word. As a case-in-point, several years ago there was an article in a newspaper (Probably The Commercial Appeal) pertaining to the winner of a poetry contest which was sponsored by some Federal Agency. The author's name has slipped my mind but that winning poem will stay with me forever. The entire poem consisted of seven letters which were; "LIGHGHT". If you missed it, here it is again; "LIGHGHT". Surely there is someone, somewhere who can compete with that writer but the biggest problem would probably be with the judges.
With that out of the way, let's move on to a few of the better known and therefore more famous of our, mostly 19th century, poets. Below I will list a few of my favorites along with a short excerpt (2 or 3 verses) from one or more of their poems.
When we think, if we even think, about Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849) we usually remember him as the writer of "The Raven" but my favorite of all his writings is "Annabel Lee". Two verses below;
"It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea, / That a maiden there lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee; / And this maiden she lived with no other thought / Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child, /In this kingdom by the sea; / But we loved with a love that was more than love. / I and my Annabel Lee. -------."
John Greenleaf Whittier, born December 17, 1807 - died September 7, 1892, was an influential American Quaker poet.One of my favorite Whittier poems is "In School Days"; and I'm including the last three verses here;
"I'm sorry that I spelt the word, / I hate to go above you / "Because" - the brown eyes lower fell - / "Because, you see I love you"
Still memories to a gray-haired man / That sweet child-face is showing / Dear girl! The grasses on her grave / have forty years been growing.
He lived to learn, in life's hard school / how few who pass above him / Lament their triumph and his loss / Like her - because they love him."
Another Whittier poem that really needs to be mentioned here is "The Barefoof Boy". The first 10 lines are;
"Blessings on thee, little man / Barefoot boy with cheek of tan! / With thy turned up pantaloons, / And thy merry whistled tunes; / With thy red lips redder still / Kissed by strawberries on the hill; / With the sunshine on thy face, / Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace; / From my heart I give thee joy, - / I was once a barefoot boy."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in 1807 - died 1882, taught French, Italian, Spanish and German at Harvard but preferred to write poetry. Probably his most famous poem was "Evangeline", written in 1847, a fictional, epical saga which chronicles Evangeline's search for her lover Gaberiel(from whom she had been seperated) after the Acadians were exiled from Canada in 1755. Since that poem has hundreds of verses and is much too long to get any sense of its meaning in a few verses, I picked an alternate named "The Village Blacksmith". The first two verses are:
"Under a spreading chestnut tree / The village smithy stands; / The smith, a mighty man is he, / With large and sinewy hands; / And the muscles of his brawny arms / Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long, / His face is like the tan; / His brow is wet with honest sweat, / He earns whate'er he can, / And looks the whole world in the face, / For he owes not any man."
Sam Walter Foss, born June 19, 1858 and died Februry 26, 1911, was a librarian and poet whose work included one of my all time favorites, especially in my senior years, "The House by the Side of the Road" along with "The Coming America" and "Toil's Sweet Content". The first two verses of "The House by the Side of the Road",written in 1897, are quoted here;
"There are hermit / souls that live withdrawn / In the peace of their self-content / There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart, / In a fellowless firmament; / There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths / Where highways never ran; - / But let me live by the side of the road / And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house / By the side of the road, / Where the race of men go by - / The men who are good and the men who are bad, / As good and as bad as I. / I would not sit in the scorner's seat, / Or hurl the cynic's ban;- / Let me live in a house by the side of the road / And be a friend to man."
It is my hope that someone who might accidentally stumble on this blog would be curious enough to seek out these old poets and their poetry. You'll be glad you did. I may revisit this subject in the future with more of our female poets from yesteryear. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
I believe I left my last posting with a, somewhat less than subtle, hint that I really didn't much care for our, so-called, modern poetry. Continuing on in that vein, today's writing will be about poets and their poetry from an era before you had to be educated to understand the meaning of the written word. As a case-in-point, several years ago there was an article in a newspaper (Probably The Commercial Appeal) pertaining to the winner of a poetry contest which was sponsored by some Federal Agency. The author's name has slipped my mind but that winning poem will stay with me forever. The entire poem consisted of seven letters which were; "LIGHGHT". If you missed it, here it is again; "LIGHGHT". Surely there is someone, somewhere who can compete with that writer but the biggest problem would probably be with the judges.
With that out of the way, let's move on to a few of the better known and therefore more famous of our, mostly 19th century, poets. Below I will list a few of my favorites along with a short excerpt (2 or 3 verses) from one or more of their poems.
When we think, if we even think, about Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849) we usually remember him as the writer of "The Raven" but my favorite of all his writings is "Annabel Lee". Two verses below;
"It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea, / That a maiden there lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee; / And this maiden she lived with no other thought / Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child, /In this kingdom by the sea; / But we loved with a love that was more than love. / I and my Annabel Lee. -------."
John Greenleaf Whittier, born December 17, 1807 - died September 7, 1892, was an influential American Quaker poet.One of my favorite Whittier poems is "In School Days"; and I'm including the last three verses here;
"I'm sorry that I spelt the word, / I hate to go above you / "Because" - the brown eyes lower fell - / "Because, you see I love you"
Still memories to a gray-haired man / That sweet child-face is showing / Dear girl! The grasses on her grave / have forty years been growing.
He lived to learn, in life's hard school / how few who pass above him / Lament their triumph and his loss / Like her - because they love him."
Another Whittier poem that really needs to be mentioned here is "The Barefoof Boy". The first 10 lines are;
"Blessings on thee, little man / Barefoot boy with cheek of tan! / With thy turned up pantaloons, / And thy merry whistled tunes; / With thy red lips redder still / Kissed by strawberries on the hill; / With the sunshine on thy face, / Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace; / From my heart I give thee joy, - / I was once a barefoot boy."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in 1807 - died 1882, taught French, Italian, Spanish and German at Harvard but preferred to write poetry. Probably his most famous poem was "Evangeline", written in 1847, a fictional, epical saga which chronicles Evangeline's search for her lover Gaberiel(from whom she had been seperated) after the Acadians were exiled from Canada in 1755. Since that poem has hundreds of verses and is much too long to get any sense of its meaning in a few verses, I picked an alternate named "The Village Blacksmith". The first two verses are:
"Under a spreading chestnut tree / The village smithy stands; / The smith, a mighty man is he, / With large and sinewy hands; / And the muscles of his brawny arms / Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long, / His face is like the tan; / His brow is wet with honest sweat, / He earns whate'er he can, / And looks the whole world in the face, / For he owes not any man."
Sam Walter Foss, born June 19, 1858 and died Februry 26, 1911, was a librarian and poet whose work included one of my all time favorites, especially in my senior years, "The House by the Side of the Road" along with "The Coming America" and "Toil's Sweet Content". The first two verses of "The House by the Side of the Road",written in 1897, are quoted here;
"There are hermit / souls that live withdrawn / In the peace of their self-content / There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart, / In a fellowless firmament; / There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths / Where highways never ran; - / But let me live by the side of the road / And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house / By the side of the road, / Where the race of men go by - / The men who are good and the men who are bad, / As good and as bad as I. / I would not sit in the scorner's seat, / Or hurl the cynic's ban;- / Let me live in a house by the side of the road / And be a friend to man."
It is my hope that someone who might accidentally stumble on this blog would be curious enough to seek out these old poets and their poetry. You'll be glad you did. I may revisit this subject in the future with more of our female poets from yesteryear. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Heroines of Yesteryears
to be remembered
Oliver Cromwell was born in England in 1599 and died there in 1658. After a long and bloody civil war the newly crowned king "Charles II", in 1651, named Cromwell "The Great Protector or Lord Protector" of England and he remained in that position until his death.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe was born in Indiana on July 18, 1850, she was raised in Michigan and died in San Diego on July 19, 1939. In 1867 she wrote the poem "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" which was set in England during the time that Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector. It in turn was based on an article, "Love and Loyalty" written by "Lydia Sigourney" and published in "Peterson's Magazine" in 1865. The story, in this poem, involves Bessie a young woman whose lover, Basil Underwood, has been arrested, thrown in prison by the Puritans and sentenced to die that night when the curfew bell rings. Knowing that Lord Cromwell will be late in arriving, the young woman begs the old sexton to not ring the curfew bell . When he refuses, she climbs to the top of the bell tower and heroically risk her life by stopping the bell from ringing. The first two verses of that poem follows:
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight
"Slowly England's sun was setting over the hilltops far away, / Filling all the land with beauty at the close of one sad day; / And its last rays kissed the forhead of a man and maiden fair, / He with steps so slow and weary; she with sunny, floating hair; / He with bowed head, sad and thoughtful, she with lips all cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the mumur, curfew must not ring tonight!"
"Sexton", Bessie's white lips faltered, pointing to the prison old, / With its walls tall and gloomy, moss-grown walls dark, damp and cold, / I've a lover in the prison, doomed this very night to die, / At the ringing of the curfew, and no earthly help is nigh. / Cromwell will not come till sunset; and her lips grew strangely white, / As she spoke in husky whispers, curfew must not ring tonight!"
Some untold years later an unknown poet, apparently with too much time on his, or her, hands wrote the following parody of Ms. Thorpe's poem and titled it:
"Towser Shall Be Tied Tonight"
"Slow the Kansas sun was setting o'er the wheat fields far away, / Streaking all the air with cobwebs, at the close of one hot day; / And its last rays kissed the forheads of a man and maiden fair, / He with whiskers short and flowzy, she with red and glistening hair; / He with jaws shut stern and silent, she with lips cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the murmur, "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Papa, slowly spoke the maiden, "I am almost seventeen, / And I've got a real lover, though he's rather young and green; / But he has a horse and buggy, and a cow and thirty hens, / Boys that start out poor, dear Papa, make the best of honest men; / But if Towser sees and bites him, fills his heart with sudden fright, / He will never come again, Pa; Towser must be tied tonight"
"Daughter," firmly spoke the farmer (every word pierced her young heart / Like a carving knife through chicken, as it hunts a tender part). / I've a patch of early melons, two of them are ripe today, / Towser must be loose to watch them, or they'll all be stole away. / I have hoed them late and early, (in dim morn and evening light), / Now they're grown I must not lose them, Towser won't be tied tonight."
"Then the old man ambled forward, opened wide the kennel door; / Towser bounded forth to meet him, as he oft had done before. / And the farmer stooped and loosed him from the dog chain short and stout; / To himself he softly chuckled: "Bessie's fellow must look out." / But the maiden at the window saw the cruel teeth show white; / In an undertone she murmured, "Towser must be tied tonight."
"Then the maiden's brow grew thoughtful, and her breath came short and thick, / Till she spied the family clothesline, and she whispered, "That's the trick." / From the kitchen door she glided with a plate of meat and bread; / Towser wagged his tail in greeting, knowing well he would be fed. / In his well worn leather collar tied she then the clothesline tight, / All the time her white lips saying; "Towser must be tied tonight."
"There, old doggie," spoke the maiden. "You can watch the melon patch, / But the front gate's free and open when John Henry lifts the latch, / For the clothesline tight is fastened to the harvest-apple tree. / You can run and watch the melons, but the front gate you can't see." / Then her glad ears heard a buggy, and her eyes grew big and bright, / While her young heart said in gladness; "Towser, dog is tied tonight."
"Up the path the young man saunters, with eyes and cheeks aglow, / For he loves the red haired maiden, and he aims to tell her so. / "But Bessie's roguish little brother, in a fit of boyish glee, / Had untied the slender clothline from the harvest-apple tree; / Then old Towser heard the footsteps, raised his bristle, fixed for fight. / "Bark away," the maiden whispers. "Towser, you are tied tonight."
"Then old Towser bounded forward, past the open kitchen door; / Bessie screamed and quickly followed, but John Henry's gone before. / Down the path he speeds most quickly, for old Towser sets the pace, / And the maiden, close behind them, shows them she is in the race. / Then the clothesline-can she get it? And her eyes grow big and bright, / As she springs and grasps it firmly. "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Oftentimes a little minute, forms the destiny of men. / You can change the fate of nations by the stroke of one small pen. / Towser made one last long effort, caught John Henry by his pants, / But John Henry kept on running, for he thought that his last chance; / But the maiden held on firmly, and the rope was drawn up tight -- / But old Towser kept the garments, for he was not tied tonight."
"Then the old man hears the racket, with long strides he soon is there, / While John Henry and the maiden, crouching, for the worst prepare. / At his feet John tells his story, shows his clothing soiled and torn; / And his face, so sad and pleading, yet so white and scared and worn, / Touched the old man's heart with pity, filled his eyes with misty light, / "Take her, boy, and make her happy. Towser shall be tied tonight." "
As far as I know the writer is still unknown and if still living probably wishes to remain "Anon." but I would have loved to meet him or her because it is the kind of poetry I like. I don't understand this so-called modern writing but who am I to say anything except what I like and don't like. Thanks, stay tuned - William
Oliver Cromwell was born in England in 1599 and died there in 1658. After a long and bloody civil war the newly crowned king "Charles II", in 1651, named Cromwell "The Great Protector or Lord Protector" of England and he remained in that position until his death.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe was born in Indiana on July 18, 1850, she was raised in Michigan and died in San Diego on July 19, 1939. In 1867 she wrote the poem "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" which was set in England during the time that Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector. It in turn was based on an article, "Love and Loyalty" written by "Lydia Sigourney" and published in "Peterson's Magazine" in 1865. The story, in this poem, involves Bessie a young woman whose lover, Basil Underwood, has been arrested, thrown in prison by the Puritans and sentenced to die that night when the curfew bell rings. Knowing that Lord Cromwell will be late in arriving, the young woman begs the old sexton to not ring the curfew bell . When he refuses, she climbs to the top of the bell tower and heroically risk her life by stopping the bell from ringing. The first two verses of that poem follows:
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight
"Slowly England's sun was setting over the hilltops far away, / Filling all the land with beauty at the close of one sad day; / And its last rays kissed the forhead of a man and maiden fair, / He with steps so slow and weary; she with sunny, floating hair; / He with bowed head, sad and thoughtful, she with lips all cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the mumur, curfew must not ring tonight!"
"Sexton", Bessie's white lips faltered, pointing to the prison old, / With its walls tall and gloomy, moss-grown walls dark, damp and cold, / I've a lover in the prison, doomed this very night to die, / At the ringing of the curfew, and no earthly help is nigh. / Cromwell will not come till sunset; and her lips grew strangely white, / As she spoke in husky whispers, curfew must not ring tonight!"
Some untold years later an unknown poet, apparently with too much time on his, or her, hands wrote the following parody of Ms. Thorpe's poem and titled it:
"Towser Shall Be Tied Tonight"
"Slow the Kansas sun was setting o'er the wheat fields far away, / Streaking all the air with cobwebs, at the close of one hot day; / And its last rays kissed the forheads of a man and maiden fair, / He with whiskers short and flowzy, she with red and glistening hair; / He with jaws shut stern and silent, she with lips cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the murmur, "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Papa, slowly spoke the maiden, "I am almost seventeen, / And I've got a real lover, though he's rather young and green; / But he has a horse and buggy, and a cow and thirty hens, / Boys that start out poor, dear Papa, make the best of honest men; / But if Towser sees and bites him, fills his heart with sudden fright, / He will never come again, Pa; Towser must be tied tonight"
"Daughter," firmly spoke the farmer (every word pierced her young heart / Like a carving knife through chicken, as it hunts a tender part). / I've a patch of early melons, two of them are ripe today, / Towser must be loose to watch them, or they'll all be stole away. / I have hoed them late and early, (in dim morn and evening light), / Now they're grown I must not lose them, Towser won't be tied tonight."
"Then the old man ambled forward, opened wide the kennel door; / Towser bounded forth to meet him, as he oft had done before. / And the farmer stooped and loosed him from the dog chain short and stout; / To himself he softly chuckled: "Bessie's fellow must look out." / But the maiden at the window saw the cruel teeth show white; / In an undertone she murmured, "Towser must be tied tonight."
"Then the maiden's brow grew thoughtful, and her breath came short and thick, / Till she spied the family clothesline, and she whispered, "That's the trick." / From the kitchen door she glided with a plate of meat and bread; / Towser wagged his tail in greeting, knowing well he would be fed. / In his well worn leather collar tied she then the clothesline tight, / All the time her white lips saying; "Towser must be tied tonight."
"There, old doggie," spoke the maiden. "You can watch the melon patch, / But the front gate's free and open when John Henry lifts the latch, / For the clothesline tight is fastened to the harvest-apple tree. / You can run and watch the melons, but the front gate you can't see." / Then her glad ears heard a buggy, and her eyes grew big and bright, / While her young heart said in gladness; "Towser, dog is tied tonight."
"Up the path the young man saunters, with eyes and cheeks aglow, / For he loves the red haired maiden, and he aims to tell her so. / "But Bessie's roguish little brother, in a fit of boyish glee, / Had untied the slender clothline from the harvest-apple tree; / Then old Towser heard the footsteps, raised his bristle, fixed for fight. / "Bark away," the maiden whispers. "Towser, you are tied tonight."
"Then old Towser bounded forward, past the open kitchen door; / Bessie screamed and quickly followed, but John Henry's gone before. / Down the path he speeds most quickly, for old Towser sets the pace, / And the maiden, close behind them, shows them she is in the race. / Then the clothesline-can she get it? And her eyes grow big and bright, / As she springs and grasps it firmly. "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Oftentimes a little minute, forms the destiny of men. / You can change the fate of nations by the stroke of one small pen. / Towser made one last long effort, caught John Henry by his pants, / But John Henry kept on running, for he thought that his last chance; / But the maiden held on firmly, and the rope was drawn up tight -- / But old Towser kept the garments, for he was not tied tonight."
"Then the old man hears the racket, with long strides he soon is there, / While John Henry and the maiden, crouching, for the worst prepare. / At his feet John tells his story, shows his clothing soiled and torn; / And his face, so sad and pleading, yet so white and scared and worn, / Touched the old man's heart with pity, filled his eyes with misty light, / "Take her, boy, and make her happy. Towser shall be tied tonight." "
As far as I know the writer is still unknown and if still living probably wishes to remain "Anon." but I would have loved to meet him or her because it is the kind of poetry I like. I don't understand this so-called modern writing but who am I to say anything except what I like and don't like. Thanks, stay tuned - William
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Real Heroes
or goats
Medal of Honor Recipient David C. Dolby Passes Away at 64 -- Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during Vietnam.
Mount Pleasant, S.C., Aug. 6/PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced that Sergeant David C. Dolby, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away this morning in Spirit Lake, Idaho at age 64.
Sergeant Dolby was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.
President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Staff Sergeant David Dolby with the Medal of Honor -- the highest award given to those who acted with uncommon, selfless courage --- on Sept 28, 1967 for his action on May 21, 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam.
His action of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspriation to his entire company contributing significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army. (note; at that time funeral services were pending)
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
A few days ago I got an e-mail, decrying the fact that the liberal press did not even recognize him (Sgt. Dolby) enough to say "an old man died today", along with this information:
"On Aug 6, David C. Dolby passed away suddenly in Spirit Lake, Idaho at the age of 64. Childless, Mr. Dolby had lived in virtual seclusion in the town of Barto, Pa. since the passing of his wife in 1987. Barto is so small and insignificant the Rand McNally Atlas doesn't even list it in its appendix. Mr Dolby's passing went so unnoticed that even his hometown paper didn't acknowledge it. His passing was announced by an organization to which he belonged. Evidently most felt Mr. Dolby's death didn't merit any notice at all and almost nobody gave it a thought. He apparently hadn't done anything to merit any special attention.
Three days later, on Monday, August 9, Steven Slater, a childish, immature loser who up until that day had pretty much gone as unnoticed as David Dolby, threw a temper tantrum on a Jet Blue airplane at John F. Kennedy airport because his personal pet peeve is luggage that shifts during flight (or maybe it was tray tables not being in their upright and locked position).
Since acting like a spoiled 16 year old, he has been featured on every major news network in the country, his face is on the front page of numerous publications, Facebook pages have been established to "honor" him, and Mr. Slater has been called a hero by people we are supposed to believe know what that term means. Only in today's America, Mr Slater will in all likeihood, stretch his 15 minutes of infamy into 30 and end up making an obsene amount of money from, and revered by, some folks in our great nation who believe that Mr Slaters parents actually DIDN'T pollute the gene pool. He will be interviewed by Today, the Early Show, Good Morning America. He'll appear on Leno, Conan, Letterman. He'll become what we in America these days view as "somebody". He'll be given praise he doesn't deserve and labels he never earned. He apparently has done something that merits special attention."
Medal of Honor Citation -- Sgt David Dolbys offical citation reads:
"For conspicuous gallentry and intrepedity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, when his platoon, while advancing tactically, suddenly came under intense fire from the enemy located on a ridge immediately to the front. Six members of the platoon were killed instantly and a number were wounded, including the platoon leader. Sgt. Dolby's every move brough fire from the enemy. However, aware that the platoon leader was critically wounded, and that the platoon was in a precarious situation, Sgt. Dolby moved the wounded men to safety and deployed the remainder of the platoon to engage the enemy.
Subsequently, his dying platoon leader ordered Sgt Dolby to withdraw the forward elements to rejoin the platoon. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Dolby positioned able-bodied men to cover the withdrawel of the forward elements, assisted the wounded to the new position, and he alone, attacked enemy positions until his ammunition was expended. Replenishing his ammunition, he returned to the area of most intense action, single-handedly killed 3 enemy machine gunners and neutralized the enemy fire, thus enabling friendly elements on the flank to advance on the enemy redoubt. He defied the enemy fire to personally carry a seriously wounded soldier to safety where he could be treated and, returning to the forward area, he crawled to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers and threw smoke grenades to mark them for air strikes. Although repeatedly under fire at close range from snipers and automatic weapons, Sgt. Dolby directed artillery fire on the enemy and succeded in silencing several enemy weapons. He remained in his exposed location until his comrads had displaced to more secure positions. His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributing significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army."
Today we have a new Medal of Honor "recipient", Sgt Salvatore Guinta. Will he suffer the same fate? Thanks, Stay Tuned, - William
Medal of Honor Recipient David C. Dolby Passes Away at 64 -- Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during Vietnam.
Mount Pleasant, S.C., Aug. 6/PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced that Sergeant David C. Dolby, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away this morning in Spirit Lake, Idaho at age 64.
Sergeant Dolby was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.
President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Staff Sergeant David Dolby with the Medal of Honor -- the highest award given to those who acted with uncommon, selfless courage --- on Sept 28, 1967 for his action on May 21, 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam.
His action of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspriation to his entire company contributing significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army. (note; at that time funeral services were pending)
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
A few days ago I got an e-mail, decrying the fact that the liberal press did not even recognize him (Sgt. Dolby) enough to say "an old man died today", along with this information:
"On Aug 6, David C. Dolby passed away suddenly in Spirit Lake, Idaho at the age of 64. Childless, Mr. Dolby had lived in virtual seclusion in the town of Barto, Pa. since the passing of his wife in 1987. Barto is so small and insignificant the Rand McNally Atlas doesn't even list it in its appendix. Mr Dolby's passing went so unnoticed that even his hometown paper didn't acknowledge it. His passing was announced by an organization to which he belonged. Evidently most felt Mr. Dolby's death didn't merit any notice at all and almost nobody gave it a thought. He apparently hadn't done anything to merit any special attention.
Three days later, on Monday, August 9, Steven Slater, a childish, immature loser who up until that day had pretty much gone as unnoticed as David Dolby, threw a temper tantrum on a Jet Blue airplane at John F. Kennedy airport because his personal pet peeve is luggage that shifts during flight (or maybe it was tray tables not being in their upright and locked position).
Since acting like a spoiled 16 year old, he has been featured on every major news network in the country, his face is on the front page of numerous publications, Facebook pages have been established to "honor" him, and Mr. Slater has been called a hero by people we are supposed to believe know what that term means. Only in today's America, Mr Slater will in all likeihood, stretch his 15 minutes of infamy into 30 and end up making an obsene amount of money from, and revered by, some folks in our great nation who believe that Mr Slaters parents actually DIDN'T pollute the gene pool. He will be interviewed by Today, the Early Show, Good Morning America. He'll appear on Leno, Conan, Letterman. He'll become what we in America these days view as "somebody". He'll be given praise he doesn't deserve and labels he never earned. He apparently has done something that merits special attention."
Medal of Honor Citation -- Sgt David Dolbys offical citation reads:
"For conspicuous gallentry and intrepedity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, when his platoon, while advancing tactically, suddenly came under intense fire from the enemy located on a ridge immediately to the front. Six members of the platoon were killed instantly and a number were wounded, including the platoon leader. Sgt. Dolby's every move brough fire from the enemy. However, aware that the platoon leader was critically wounded, and that the platoon was in a precarious situation, Sgt. Dolby moved the wounded men to safety and deployed the remainder of the platoon to engage the enemy.
Subsequently, his dying platoon leader ordered Sgt Dolby to withdraw the forward elements to rejoin the platoon. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Dolby positioned able-bodied men to cover the withdrawel of the forward elements, assisted the wounded to the new position, and he alone, attacked enemy positions until his ammunition was expended. Replenishing his ammunition, he returned to the area of most intense action, single-handedly killed 3 enemy machine gunners and neutralized the enemy fire, thus enabling friendly elements on the flank to advance on the enemy redoubt. He defied the enemy fire to personally carry a seriously wounded soldier to safety where he could be treated and, returning to the forward area, he crawled to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers and threw smoke grenades to mark them for air strikes. Although repeatedly under fire at close range from snipers and automatic weapons, Sgt. Dolby directed artillery fire on the enemy and succeded in silencing several enemy weapons. He remained in his exposed location until his comrads had displaced to more secure positions. His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributing significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army."
Today we have a new Medal of Honor "recipient", Sgt Salvatore Guinta. Will he suffer the same fate? Thanks, Stay Tuned, - William
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Mission Accomplished
Whose Idea Was That?
May 1, 2003 - Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The following has been excerpted from the unedited transcript of President George W. Bush's historic speech made from the deck of this super-carrier,during which he declared an end to major combat in Iraq. (Note); I have the complete speech and nowhere in it does he say or infer that the mission in Iraq has been accomplished. Excerpts from that speech:
"Thank you, thank you very much. Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, Officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed, and now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
In this battle we have fought for the cause of liberty and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment, yet it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other made this day possible.
Because of you our nation is more secure. Because of you the tyrant has fallen and Iraq is free.- You have shown the world the skill and the might of the American armed forces. This nation thanks all the members of our coalition who joined in a noble cause. We thank the armed forces of the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland who shared in the hardships of war. We thank all of the citizens of Iraq who welcomed our troops and joined in the liberation of their own country.
When Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of our service men and women, they saw strength and kindness and good will. When I look at the members of the United States military, I see the best of our country and I am honored to be your commander in chief. In the images of celebrating Iraqis we have also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom. Decades of lies and intimidation could not make the Iraqi people love their oppressors or desire their own enslavement. Men and women in every culture need liberty like they need food and water and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices and everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.
We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We're bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We're pursuing and findind leaders of the old regime who will be held to account for their crimes. We've begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons, and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated. We are helping to rebuild Iraq where the dictator built palaces for himself instead of hospitals and schools. And we stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by and for the Iraqi people. The transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our coalition will stay until our work is done and then we will leave and we will leave behind a free Iraq. The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war that began on September the 11th, 2001 and still goes on.
Nineteen months ago I pledged that the terrorists would not escape the patient justice of the United States. And as of tonight nearly one half of Al Qaida's senior operatives have been captured or killed. The liberation of Iraq is a crucial advance in the campaign against terror. We have removed an ally of Al Qaida and cut off a source of terror funding. Our war against terror is proceeding according to the principles that I made clear to all."
The USS Abraham Lincoln, a supercarrier whose home base was at Everett, Washington was due back in her home port on May 6, 2003.
The carrier's fifth deployment began in August of 2000 by sailing to the Persian Gulf in support of "Southern Watch." On September 11, 2001 she was back in her home port but was ordered bact to sea on July 20, 2002 to support "Operation Enduring Freedom", once again taking up a station in support of "Southern Watch". The ship and her crew of men and women were originally scheduled to return to Everett, Washington on January 20, 2003 but while in port at Perth, Australia they received orders to return to the Persian Gulf and their time was extended to May 6, 2003.
On May 1, 2003, President George W. Bush, landed by helicopter on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln while it was still several days out of port. At that precise time there was a banner displayed near the very top of the ship which read; "Mission Accomplished". This banner, while being made by the White House, was the ship's idea, the idea of the men and women who were serving on it at the time. It was those brave men and women who requested that the White House make that banner for them and that banner was to signified the successful completion of the ship's deployment, according to Commander Chun, noting that the Abraham Lincoln was deployed 290 days, longer than any nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history. That banner, or sign, had absolutely nothing to do with the speech being made that day by President Bush.
The news media made a big deal out of that banner but to me it was much ado about nothing. Thanks and stay tuned - William
May 1, 2003 - Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The following has been excerpted from the unedited transcript of President George W. Bush's historic speech made from the deck of this super-carrier,during which he declared an end to major combat in Iraq. (Note); I have the complete speech and nowhere in it does he say or infer that the mission in Iraq has been accomplished. Excerpts from that speech:
"Thank you, thank you very much. Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, Officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed, and now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
In this battle we have fought for the cause of liberty and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment, yet it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other made this day possible.
Because of you our nation is more secure. Because of you the tyrant has fallen and Iraq is free.- You have shown the world the skill and the might of the American armed forces. This nation thanks all the members of our coalition who joined in a noble cause. We thank the armed forces of the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland who shared in the hardships of war. We thank all of the citizens of Iraq who welcomed our troops and joined in the liberation of their own country.
When Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of our service men and women, they saw strength and kindness and good will. When I look at the members of the United States military, I see the best of our country and I am honored to be your commander in chief. In the images of celebrating Iraqis we have also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom. Decades of lies and intimidation could not make the Iraqi people love their oppressors or desire their own enslavement. Men and women in every culture need liberty like they need food and water and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices and everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.
We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We're bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We're pursuing and findind leaders of the old regime who will be held to account for their crimes. We've begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons, and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated. We are helping to rebuild Iraq where the dictator built palaces for himself instead of hospitals and schools. And we stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by and for the Iraqi people. The transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our coalition will stay until our work is done and then we will leave and we will leave behind a free Iraq. The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war that began on September the 11th, 2001 and still goes on.
Nineteen months ago I pledged that the terrorists would not escape the patient justice of the United States. And as of tonight nearly one half of Al Qaida's senior operatives have been captured or killed. The liberation of Iraq is a crucial advance in the campaign against terror. We have removed an ally of Al Qaida and cut off a source of terror funding. Our war against terror is proceeding according to the principles that I made clear to all."
The USS Abraham Lincoln, a supercarrier whose home base was at Everett, Washington was due back in her home port on May 6, 2003.
The carrier's fifth deployment began in August of 2000 by sailing to the Persian Gulf in support of "Southern Watch." On September 11, 2001 she was back in her home port but was ordered bact to sea on July 20, 2002 to support "Operation Enduring Freedom", once again taking up a station in support of "Southern Watch". The ship and her crew of men and women were originally scheduled to return to Everett, Washington on January 20, 2003 but while in port at Perth, Australia they received orders to return to the Persian Gulf and their time was extended to May 6, 2003.
On May 1, 2003, President George W. Bush, landed by helicopter on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln while it was still several days out of port. At that precise time there was a banner displayed near the very top of the ship which read; "Mission Accomplished". This banner, while being made by the White House, was the ship's idea, the idea of the men and women who were serving on it at the time. It was those brave men and women who requested that the White House make that banner for them and that banner was to signified the successful completion of the ship's deployment, according to Commander Chun, noting that the Abraham Lincoln was deployed 290 days, longer than any nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history. That banner, or sign, had absolutely nothing to do with the speech being made that day by President Bush.
The news media made a big deal out of that banner but to me it was much ado about nothing. Thanks and stay tuned - William
Sunday, September 5, 2010
War in Iraq - 2003
Legal or illegal
President Bush first presented his argument for pre-emptive self-defense in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 12, 2002 when he said, "The first time we may be completely certain that Saddam Hussein has a nuclear weapon is when, God forbid, he uses one. We owe it to all our citizens to do everything in our power to prevent that day from coming."
Five days later he presented his case for pre-emptive self-defense with even more force in his "National Security Strategy", now known as the "Bush Doctrine", in which he vowed to defend: "The United States, the American people, and our interest at home and abroad by identifying and destroying the threat before it reaches our borders. While the United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the international community, we will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting pre-emptively against such terrorist, to prevent them from doing harm against our people and our country ---"
When President Bush pressed his case at the United Nations on September 12, 2002, he made it clear that the organization's continued relevance was being put to the test. "Are Security Council resolutions to be honored and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant?" he asked.
An authorization by congress was sought by President Bush soon after his September 12, 2002 statement before the United Nations General Assembly asking for quick action by the Security Council in enforcing the Resolution against Iraq.
Of the legislation introduced by congress in response to President Bush's request, the Hastert-Gephardt proposal became the primary focus of legislative attention. The House of Representatives, on Thursday afternoon, passed the Resolution 296 to 133 and the Senate passed it early Friday morning, 77 to 23. It was signed into law as "Public Law 107-243" by President Bush on October 16, 2002. A total of 86 Democratic Representatives voted for this law and 29 Democratic Senators did likewise. Note; At the time of that vote the Democrats held a 50 to 49 edge over Republicans with 1 Independent.
On February 5, 2003, after weeks of sorting through Intelligence reports (facts and fiction) United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, went before the United Nations Security Council and laid out the Bush Administration's case against Iraq. His argument could be divided into two main topics. The first centered on the premise that Iraq had to face the penelties for having ignored numerous Security Council Resolutions. "Last November 8, this council passed Resolution 1441 by an unanimous vote," the Secretary said, "The purpose of that resolution was to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction. Iraq has already been found guilty of material breach of its obligations, stretching back over 16 previous resolutions and 12 years." After asserting that Iraq still maintained a banned weapons program and had not complied with inspectors as required, Powell noted: "Iraq has now placed itself in danger of the serious consequences called for in United Nations Resolution 1441. And this body places itself in danger of irrelevance if it allows Iraq to continue to defy its will without responding effectively and immediately."
On March 20, 2003 - 43 days after Secretary of State, Colin Powell, presented the United State's case to the United Nations Security Council and there being no apparent effort by that Council to rectify the situation -- the war in Iraq began by coalation troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland.
Some of the same politicians who spoke for and voted for the resolution for the taking out of Saddam Hussein's Regime are now saying "The Bush Administration" lied about the need to carry it out but if that is true then why was former President Clinton and members of his administration, also congressmen and women, saying basically the same thing in the years 1998 through 2002? Example; "Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapon inspection process." - (Nancy Pelosi, D.Ca.), "He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has done ten times since 1983." (Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser. 2/18/98), "One way or another, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is the bottom line." (President Clinton, 2/17/98)
In January of 2003 a CBS poll found that 64 percent of U.S. Citizens had approved of military action against Iraq.
On September 4, 2010 a Fox News Opinion Dynamics poll found that 58 percent of us think the United States did the right thing in taking out Saddam Hussein's Regime while only about one third think we were wrong. Also, in that same poll, 54 percent think President Bush deserves the credit for the success in that war while only 19 percent think President Obama should get the credit.
Right or wrong, I don't know because I don't pretend to have all the facts, but with what little I do know at this time I would vote with the majority in those polls. Until the next time, thanks and stay tuned. - William
President Bush first presented his argument for pre-emptive self-defense in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 12, 2002 when he said, "The first time we may be completely certain that Saddam Hussein has a nuclear weapon is when, God forbid, he uses one. We owe it to all our citizens to do everything in our power to prevent that day from coming."
Five days later he presented his case for pre-emptive self-defense with even more force in his "National Security Strategy", now known as the "Bush Doctrine", in which he vowed to defend: "The United States, the American people, and our interest at home and abroad by identifying and destroying the threat before it reaches our borders. While the United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the international community, we will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting pre-emptively against such terrorist, to prevent them from doing harm against our people and our country ---"
When President Bush pressed his case at the United Nations on September 12, 2002, he made it clear that the organization's continued relevance was being put to the test. "Are Security Council resolutions to be honored and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant?" he asked.
An authorization by congress was sought by President Bush soon after his September 12, 2002 statement before the United Nations General Assembly asking for quick action by the Security Council in enforcing the Resolution against Iraq.
Of the legislation introduced by congress in response to President Bush's request, the Hastert-Gephardt proposal became the primary focus of legislative attention. The House of Representatives, on Thursday afternoon, passed the Resolution 296 to 133 and the Senate passed it early Friday morning, 77 to 23. It was signed into law as "Public Law 107-243" by President Bush on October 16, 2002. A total of 86 Democratic Representatives voted for this law and 29 Democratic Senators did likewise. Note; At the time of that vote the Democrats held a 50 to 49 edge over Republicans with 1 Independent.
On February 5, 2003, after weeks of sorting through Intelligence reports (facts and fiction) United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, went before the United Nations Security Council and laid out the Bush Administration's case against Iraq. His argument could be divided into two main topics. The first centered on the premise that Iraq had to face the penelties for having ignored numerous Security Council Resolutions. "Last November 8, this council passed Resolution 1441 by an unanimous vote," the Secretary said, "The purpose of that resolution was to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction. Iraq has already been found guilty of material breach of its obligations, stretching back over 16 previous resolutions and 12 years." After asserting that Iraq still maintained a banned weapons program and had not complied with inspectors as required, Powell noted: "Iraq has now placed itself in danger of the serious consequences called for in United Nations Resolution 1441. And this body places itself in danger of irrelevance if it allows Iraq to continue to defy its will without responding effectively and immediately."
On March 20, 2003 - 43 days after Secretary of State, Colin Powell, presented the United State's case to the United Nations Security Council and there being no apparent effort by that Council to rectify the situation -- the war in Iraq began by coalation troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland.
Some of the same politicians who spoke for and voted for the resolution for the taking out of Saddam Hussein's Regime are now saying "The Bush Administration" lied about the need to carry it out but if that is true then why was former President Clinton and members of his administration, also congressmen and women, saying basically the same thing in the years 1998 through 2002? Example; "Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapon inspection process." - (Nancy Pelosi, D.Ca.), "He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has done ten times since 1983." (Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser. 2/18/98), "One way or another, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is the bottom line." (President Clinton, 2/17/98)
In January of 2003 a CBS poll found that 64 percent of U.S. Citizens had approved of military action against Iraq.
On September 4, 2010 a Fox News Opinion Dynamics poll found that 58 percent of us think the United States did the right thing in taking out Saddam Hussein's Regime while only about one third think we were wrong. Also, in that same poll, 54 percent think President Bush deserves the credit for the success in that war while only 19 percent think President Obama should get the credit.
Right or wrong, I don't know because I don't pretend to have all the facts, but with what little I do know at this time I would vote with the majority in those polls. Until the next time, thanks and stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Homelessness - U.S.A.
Or A Homeless World
"A Homeless Person" - An Individual who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence - not counting a shelter or institution that provide temporary residence.
"Homelessness in the United States increased significantly in the late 1970s and became an important political topic. The number of homeless people further grew in the 1980s, as housing and social service cuts increased and the economy deteriorated. The United States government determined that somewhere between 200,000 and 500,000 Americans were homeless. The number of homeless is reported to have risen since that time".
"According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 664,414 sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons nationwide on a single night in January 2008. Additionally, about 1.6 million persons used emergency shelter or a transitional housing program during the 12 month period between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. This number suggest that 1 in every 190 persons in the United States used the shelter system at some point in that period". (From Wikipedia)
To be sure, the economy has deteriorated even further in the last 4 years, caused by or coupled with the bursting of the housing bubble. There is much lamenting about the lack of good paying job left here in the U.S. while at the same time we all run out to so-called discount stores and buy imported (mostly from China) merchandise. We can't have it both ways. I will agree that we must have some imports, if for no other reason, to keep American merchants honest but we should all make an effort to buy American whenever possible. You may think I have drifted away from the homeless theme but that is not necessarily true since the more we buy "American made", the more good jobs we will have and the less homelessness. A poem in the Safari book looks at that subject. It is being included here.
The Homeless World
The little boy looked up at me and said "hey there mister / can you tell me where I can find something to eat / the last good meal that I had was sometime yesterday morning / and a boy sure gets hungry living out on the street" / I looked at him and thought "Oh Lord what's this world coming to / when even little children have no home" / sad brown eyes stared back at me and I knew without even thinking / that I couldn't go and leave him there alone.
For too many times I've heard it said, "I'm not my brother's keeper / and I don't have the time to worry about the lost / but what would this world be like today if Jesus said "I'm busy / you'll have to find somebody else to help you with your cross".
On the streets of New York City, Chicago or L.A. / the world is full of poor and hopeless souls / lives filled with no ambition, left with old and faded dreams / with just a bare existance left of their goals / their cry goes out to all the world, a cry for understanding / that leaves me with the feeling that we're wrong / for we don't really know them, pretend they're not even there / and we're hoping that tomorrow they'll be gone.
For too many times I've heard it said, "I'm not my brother's keeper ---
If we all make an effort, work together for the good of all and pray that "God Bless America Again" we can return to our rightful place, whatever that is, in this world. Until the next time, thanks and stay tuned. - William
"A Homeless Person" - An Individual who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence - not counting a shelter or institution that provide temporary residence.
"Homelessness in the United States increased significantly in the late 1970s and became an important political topic. The number of homeless people further grew in the 1980s, as housing and social service cuts increased and the economy deteriorated. The United States government determined that somewhere between 200,000 and 500,000 Americans were homeless. The number of homeless is reported to have risen since that time".
"According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 664,414 sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons nationwide on a single night in January 2008. Additionally, about 1.6 million persons used emergency shelter or a transitional housing program during the 12 month period between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. This number suggest that 1 in every 190 persons in the United States used the shelter system at some point in that period". (From Wikipedia)
To be sure, the economy has deteriorated even further in the last 4 years, caused by or coupled with the bursting of the housing bubble. There is much lamenting about the lack of good paying job left here in the U.S. while at the same time we all run out to so-called discount stores and buy imported (mostly from China) merchandise. We can't have it both ways. I will agree that we must have some imports, if for no other reason, to keep American merchants honest but we should all make an effort to buy American whenever possible. You may think I have drifted away from the homeless theme but that is not necessarily true since the more we buy "American made", the more good jobs we will have and the less homelessness. A poem in the Safari book looks at that subject. It is being included here.
The Homeless World
The little boy looked up at me and said "hey there mister / can you tell me where I can find something to eat / the last good meal that I had was sometime yesterday morning / and a boy sure gets hungry living out on the street" / I looked at him and thought "Oh Lord what's this world coming to / when even little children have no home" / sad brown eyes stared back at me and I knew without even thinking / that I couldn't go and leave him there alone.
For too many times I've heard it said, "I'm not my brother's keeper / and I don't have the time to worry about the lost / but what would this world be like today if Jesus said "I'm busy / you'll have to find somebody else to help you with your cross".
On the streets of New York City, Chicago or L.A. / the world is full of poor and hopeless souls / lives filled with no ambition, left with old and faded dreams / with just a bare existance left of their goals / their cry goes out to all the world, a cry for understanding / that leaves me with the feeling that we're wrong / for we don't really know them, pretend they're not even there / and we're hoping that tomorrow they'll be gone.
For too many times I've heard it said, "I'm not my brother's keeper ---
If we all make an effort, work together for the good of all and pray that "God Bless America Again" we can return to our rightful place, whatever that is, in this world. Until the next time, thanks and stay tuned. - William
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