The Cesspool of Knowledge

Violence on Peoria Streets

2011-06-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

My friend, the Peoria Anti-pundit, has an excellent blog that speaks of the Violence in Peoriaread ut here.
The fact is he is dead on with this post. Peoria is indeed losing convention business to other cities. I heard on the radio today that the LWML, an organization of Lutheran Women, is holding its convention here. It was stated that this is the largest convention to date held at the PCC. The report also stated the economic impact for this convention is over $2 million.
That makes me wonder just how much outsider money Peoria doesn't get because of the fear of getting shot at a convention. I know for a fact that a major state convention that was tentatively set for Peoria in 2012 will NOT be in Peoria. The reason..... VIOLENCE!
I suggest Peoria civic leaders, The Horseshoe, the occupants of the old Damon's on the riverfront, The PD and the CVB in their luxury office in the twin towers mall get their heads together and find out what can be done to stop the violence before the civic center loses all its convention business!

Birthers vs Obama

2011-05-18T12:37:00.001-07:00

This is the only time you will see me post or say anything about President Obama's Birth Certificate.

I never thought his birth certificate was an issue so I have not touched the issue. ....

UNTIL NOW!

I did have one lingering question that was finally answered today. The question why not just release the document when the question first came out? Why wait two years?

The question was answered today in an email I received from "Julianna Smoot, BarrackObama.com" <>

the email states in small print on the bottom "paid for by Obama for America"

This is the deal. Make a contribution to the Obama campaign and get a free mug WITH THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE ON IT! Yep, donate $15 or more and they will send you mug. What? A mug not your thing? $25 or more will get you a tee shirt with Obama's picture on the front and his birth certificate on the back.

So my friends here you have it. The "Birthers" fell into the Obama machine's trap! They made such an issue out of a non-issue that now the Obama campaign is using it as a fundraiser! Ingenious on their part wouldn't you say?

All their Kool-aid drinking followers will be walking around wearing these $3 tee-shirts that they willingly gave $25 for while drinking their Kool-aid out of $1 mugs they paid $15 for. Question is who are the real I-D ten-Ts? The birthers or the people buying these mugs and shirts?

College Student Demonstrations

2011-05-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

I watched in awe the night that Usama Bin Laden was killed. Almost immediately the area in fromt of the White House was filled with people waving American Flags and shouting USA! USA!
Shortly after that the scene shifted to New York City Times Square and Ground zero mimiced the pictures in DC. Reports came in of the same thing happening in locations across this great county.

What was most interesting was the demographic make up of these demonstrators. Racially they were mixed. There were about as many males as females. what was unusual is that most of the demonstrators appeared to be college aged.

While watching the coverage I pointed this out to my wife. Her reaction was, "They are just looking for a reason to party."

"I hope it is more than that" I replied.

In the past week I was speaking to a co-worker who is 26. I said something to him about the age of the demonstrators and that most probably don't even remember 9-11

He quickly corrected me and reminded me that a college student would be 19 to 24 today. These kids would have been 9-14 in 2001. using simple math the average age would be 12 or 13 in 01.

I remember being 12 I remember things that happened to me at 12. I can remember political events back to age 10 when JFK shook my hand while in Peoria in 1960. I was 13 when JFK was killed. Like most Americans who were alive that day, I can tell you where I was when I heard the news. I mean exactly where I was take me to the classroom and I will point you to the exact spot in the room! That was at 13.

So I assume these college demonstrators do remember 9/11. not only do they remember... They hold a grudge!

Today I was sent some news footage from the campus of LSU. It seems as though a hippie born 40 years too late was attempting to burn a flag. Believing that his fellow students would support him, he made his intentions know well in advance.

The videos that I have seen of the event show hundreds of Pro America anti flag burning students. The potential flag burner was hit by water balloons while the other students shouted USA! USA! He was finally driven off by police for his own safety. His flag never saw a flame.

It appears as though today's college student is more patriotic that the college students of the late 1960s. Agree or Disagree? Answer the poll question above.

I know that today's volunteer military is the Smartest best trained and best equipped of any time in history. Perhaps the kids who opt out of military service for college are doing their part on the campus across the country.

Bloggers note: I joined they Army in 1969 after one year of technical school. I had the rare honor of being a soldier in Vietnam while enrolled at Cal State Berkley. The Army was paying for me to take a correspondence course from Berkley while I was in Vietnam. Cal Berkley was at the time the heart of the antiwar movement. To be a student there while in Vietnam put the moron in oxymoron. When I came home the choice was simple back my fellow soldiers or back the anti-war movement. I could not betray my brothers in arms. Nor can I do so today! right or wrong, how the military got involved, doesn't matter we must support our troops! They do what they have to do so we can do what we want to do.

Bin Ladin photo to show or not to show

2011-05-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

OMG! I can't believe I am going to say this:

President Obama is RIGHT!!!

Releasing a photo of a dead Bin Ladin would serve no real purpose!

Anyone who want to see a photo as proof.... is an idiot. Almost anyone with a good computer and a good photo editor can create a photo of a dead Bin Ladin. In fact, I have had several emailed to me all ready! Therefore a release of a photo of Bin Ladin with a hole in his forehead will not prove anything to conspiracy theorists.

Those who followed and or worshipped Bin Ladin would use a photo for propoganda. The same way a Bin Ladin burial on land in any country on this planet would become a shrine, a piece of hallowed ground for terrorists world wide.

So where are we in the Usama Bin Ladin story? I would hope near the end. He is dead. Fish food buried at sea! To those who do not trust the US government nothing will convince them. TO those who would like to make him a martyr with no pictures and no burial site martyrdom is a bit harded to establish.

In my humble opinion, Obama is right in not releasing the photos af a dead Bin Laden.
I think I am having a heart attack. Grabbing my chest... you hear that Elizabeth? I'm coming to join you honey. This is the big one!

Ding Dong the witch is dead

2011-05-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

The President is speaking as I am typing this. He has just announced that Usama Bin Laden has been killed.
Congratulations to the military for their persistence in finding and eliminating him.
We as American have seemed to forget the objective of finding Bin Laden, while the military continued its intelligence gathering and carrying out the operation to kill him.
He ran and hid but he could not evade the revenge for 9-11.
Let the death of Bin Laden show that any terrorist may be able to run and hide but in the end he will meet his 72 virgins in Hell.
All praise and thanks to the brave members of our armed forces for their success and their sacrifice on a daily basis.

Libya

2011-04-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

What is going on in Libya? Last week we heard that some movie producer was killed in Libya. their were all sorts of people on face book morning his loss. Yet few said anything about the US soldiers who were killed the same week in Afghanistan.
Now today the news is saying that their were air strikes against the compound of Gadhafi...
The Libyans are complaining that this was an attempt to kill Gahafi.
Now that would be a terrific Idea as far as I am concerned but the US is not in the business of political assassination.
My question is this... If they are really SMART BOMBS, why did they have to go into the library?... instead shouldn't we be using conventional stupid bombs and just level the entire compound and call the collateral damage an "accident"?

PRIORITIES IN THE BUDGET

2011-04-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

I am a NASCAR fan. I have enjoyed stock car racing since the old Mount Hawley speedway in Peoria. I have been to Nascar races and enjoy them very much. That said .... Racing is a business. A private business. each race team is comprised of an owner, a driver, a car, a support team and sponsors. Sponsors pay a pretty penny to have a name or logo on a car and a drivers uniform. The Army pays over $7 million to advertise on the Ryan Newman car. The National guard pays over $20 million for its spot on the Casey Mears car and the car driven by Dale Earnhart Jr. At thesame time that these expenses were approve by Congress in the most recent budget battles, $75 million was not approved that was earmarked for homeless veterans. Where the hell are our priorities??? Over $27 Million for race car sponsorships and nothing for a homeless veteran program??? You can't tell me that this advertising results in more kids in the military. There are reasons that young people join the military but just because the guard has its name on the 88 car isn't one of them! I can get by without having Newman, Mears or even Earnhardt sporting the logo of our military. But none of us should be able to sleep at night knowing that men and women who have served this nation in the Armed Forces are homeless. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2064039,00.html

Purple Star Veterans and Families

2011-04-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

I attended a fundraiser last night for Purple Star Veterans and Families. The event went off without a hitch and a lot of money was raise. There was another purpose for the fundraiser..... to expand public awareness for the problem facing our military personnel when they come home from Afghanistan and Iraq. The military takes several weeks of intense training to take a citizen and tun him into a soldier, but there is almost no time taken to turn that soldier into a citizen. When I came home from Vietnam, guys who were in a firefight in the rice paddies in Nam could find themselves walking the streets in San Francisco as a civilian less than 72 hours later. It isn't much different now! I greeted a group of Air Guard Members back in December when they returned, They got off the plane, met their loved ones and went home. They did have to return the next day to "debrief". One day of decompression adjustment is not enough! We need to do more to make sure these heroes are properly trained to be citizens again. We need to make sure the families are told about PTSD and what to look for and what to do! Winston Churchill once said, " nothing is so exhilarating as being shot at and missed." Our returning troops have had an adrenaline rush like no other. Often they come home and feel the need to feel that rush. They look for a fast car or motorcycle. They live life on the edge. We need to find a way to substitute productivity and accomplishment to get a "rush". Check out this video for some very interesting information http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=embedded&v=6VmUuPab4M Now if you have been moved to help our returning troops, go to http://www.veteransandfamilies.org/home.html

EVERY ONE PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

2011-04-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

I SPENT OVER AN HOUR TONIGHT WITH A BROTHER. MY BROTHER MIKE. MIKE AND I HAD NOT MET UNTIL TONIGHT. YET MIKE IS MY BROTHER. WE BOTH SERVED IN VIETNAM. THAT MAKES HIM MY BROTHER. MIKE IS DIEING. HE HAS CANCER; STAGE FOUR CANCER I WAS ASKED TO GO TALK TO MIKE BY HIS HOSPICE NURSE WHO IS A FRIEND FROM LONG LONG AGO. IT SEEMS THAT MIKE JUST WANTED SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT HIS TIME IN NAM. IT WASN'T MUCH OF A CONVERSATION AS MIKE HAD JUST BEEN GIVEN A DOSE OF MORPHINE JUST BEFORE I GOT TO HIS PLACE. YET WE DID TALK AND I LEARNED THAT MIKE AND I WERE CLOSER THAN COMPLETE STRANGERS. MIKE'S COUSIN AND I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER. MIKE'S UNCLE TRAINED ME ON MY FIRST DAY AS A LETTER CARRIER. HIS DAUGHTER USED TO GET PIZZAS FROM A PIZZA JOINT LESS THAN 100 FEET FROM MY HOME. MIKE GREW UP IN THE SAME AREA AS HIS HOSPICE NURSE'S PARENTS SKATING RINK WHERE I HUNG OUT AS A TEEN. (I TOLD YOU WE WERE FRIENDS LONG LONG AGO) LIKE I SAID MIKE IS DIEING OF CANCER. I AM PROBABLY TOO LATE TO HELP MIKE AND HIS DAUGHTER. HOPEFULLY I CAN HELP OTHERS, BUT I NEED YOUR HELP TO HELP THEM. MIKE'S CANCER IS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO AGENT ORANGE AND HIS SERVICE IN VIETNAM. NEITHER MIKE NOR HIS DAUGHTER WERE AWARE OF THIS UNTIL TONIGHT. HAD THEY KNOWN, MIKE'S CARE TREATMENT MEDICATIONS AND HOSPICE WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY THE VA. PLUS MIKE WOULD BE RECEIVING COMPENSATION FROM THE VA FOR A SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT MIKE WILL SURVIVE LONG ENOUGH TO RECEIVE ANY BENEFIT FROM THE VA AND THAT HURTS. IT HURTS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO LET MIKE KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFIT THAT HE HAS EARNED. I REALIZE THAT INFORMING ALL VETERANS IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY NOR IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ONE PERSON TO LET EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT EARNED OR DESERVED BENEFITS. BUT AS A VETERANS' ADVOCATE I FEEL THAT MAYBE I HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH. THAT IS WHERE EACH OF YOU WHO READ THIS BLOG CAN HELP. PLEASE ASK EVERY VETERAN YOU KNOW ONE SIMPLE QUESTION.... HOW IS YOUR HEALTH? ONCE THE HAVE ANSWERED DIRECT THEM TO VIETNAM VETS www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp GULF WAR VETS www.veteranprograms.com/id1099.html Or you can have them contact me larry@nam-vet.net PLEASE HELP ME HELP THEM.

Suicide is painless

2011-04-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

Suicide is Painless it brings on many changes and I can take or leave it if I please. So says the lyrics of the theme song to the movie and television show M*A*S*H* Ironic that this show was about the Korean War and a Mobil Army Surgical Hospital. Yet the song and the words still have relevance today. Today's men and women in the military are having trouble adapting to life outside the war zones. This is nothing new It has long been reported that in the first few years after returning from Vietnam, More American soldiers killed themselves than were killed in the war. The same can be said of today's soldiers. There have been somewhere near 6000 American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. and some 5800 veterans of those two wars have committed suicide. The reason for this can be explained by four letters...........PTSD Today's troops are always in harms way no matter where they are stationed in the war zone or in a safe location in Europe or the States. There is no truly safe location. as evidence of that i point to the recent shooting in Germany and the Fort Hood shootings. In addition the high level of alert that our soldiers are required to maintain to secure their own safety contributes to the inability to readjust to civilian life. Troops come home. Their friends and families notice changes in them. They themselves begin to isolate themselves from others. Thus is the way of a war veteran. What happens next depends on the individual and his/her mindset. Some are able to adjust adapt and overcome. Some self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. And some resort to the suicide route. We as American taxpayers who have sent these young men and women of to war and to be changed forever must do whatever it takes to help them adapt. As a PTSD victim, I can tell you that it isn't easy, Not for me nor any other PTSD victim I know. Nor is it easy for the family of a PTSD victim. I went through 3 wives and a liquor store before I realized my problems and sought help. My third (current and last) wife has been trough hell just living with me. My kids have be subjected to temper outbursts that are unprovoked and unwarranted. We must make it easier for our troops to adapt. Today in our VA hospitals nationwide 8 veterans commit suicide. EIGHT VETERANS A DAY COMMIT SUICIDE IN OUR VA HOSPITALS!

EIGHT VETERANS A DAY!!

Through the early morning fog I see

visions of things to be

the pains that are withheld for me

I realize and I can see...

suicide is painless

it brings on many changes

and I can take or leave it if I please

I try to find a way to make

all our little joys relate

without the ever present hate

but now I know that it;s too late and

Suicide is painless

it brings on many changes

and I can take or leave it if I please

The game of life is hard to play

I'm gonna lose it anyway

the losing card Ill someday lay

so this is all I have to say

Suicide is painless

it brings on many changes

and I can take or leave it if I please

The only way to win is cheat

and lay it down before I'm beat

and to another give my seat

for that's the only painless feat

Suicide is painless

it brings on many changes

and I can take or leave it if I please

The sword of time will pierce our skins

it doesn't hurt when it begins

but as it works its way on in

the pain grows stronger... watch it grin

Suicide is painless

it brings on many changes

and I can take or leave it if I please

A brave man once requested me

to answer questions that are key

is it to be or not to be

and I replied"oh why ask me?"

cause suicide is painless

it brings on many changes

and I can take or leave it if I please

and you can do the same thing if you please.

www.veteransandfamilies.org

Freedom of speech

2011-03-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Supreme Court today upheld the right of Westboro Baptist Church to Protest at the funerals of deceased military members. Well, actually, what the court decided was to uphold a lower court ruling overturning a multi-million dollar award to the family of a Marine who died in service to our country. But in doing so, The 8-1 decision gives the Westboro Baptist Church family the ammunition they need to again travel the country to garner their 15 minutes of fame.

Almost no one likes the decision but they law as interpreted by the Court is the law. The freedom established in the Bill of Rights is the Freedom that this every American fighting man and woman has fought to defend and preserve.

Personally, Westboro Baptist Church is not a church. It is a family of religious fanatics who are pushing the envelope of free expression. Similar to yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater. Shouting "Thank God for IEDs" is not free speech it is incitement.

Those who attend funerals of deceased military members that are there to protect and shield the grieving family from hearing these words of incitement should be commended. They are needed more now than ever.

To the Patriot Guard and Legion Riders nationwide I salute you with a huge OORAH and CARRY ON!

The right of those who have lost loved ones to grieve must be preserved by you since the courts will not assist you. Remember you have the right to peaceably assemble between the grieving family and the Westboro family

A VETERAN DIED .... MORE TO FOLLOW

2011-03-01T17:44:00.001-08:00

February 27, 2011 Frank Buckles, America's last World War One veteran died. Frank joined the military at age 16. Spent WWI in Europe. He spent most of WWII in a Japanese POW camp even though he was a civilian.

America has no more WWI veterans to salute.

WWII veterans were dying at a rate of over 1025/ day in 2005 I am sure that the rate has increased since then. Meaning that by 2020 there may not be any WWII veterans left to salute.

I have not been able to find any estimate on how rapidly Korean war veterans are dying other than the 2000 census which indicated Korean War Veterans were Dying at a rate of 383/day.
By 2027 we may not have any Korean War Veterans to salute.

Next are the numbers that are hard for me to put on paper. According to the Department of Veteran ASffairs, Vietnam Veterans are dying at a rate of 295/day. Numbers vary but the most consistent number of living Veterans who serve in Vietnam is approximately 850,000. Those numbers mean that Vietnam veterans may well all be gone BEFORE the last WWII veteran dies.

The average WWII veteran today is well over 80. If the statistics on Vietnam Veterans is correct, I will not live to see 70.

Given these numbers, I think I will chose to live each day to the fullest. I will be writing my bucket list immediately. If you have any suggestions on what I should include on my bucket list, I am open to anything.

WISCONSIN PROTESTS AND ME

2011-02-26T19:05:00.000-08:00

I DO NOT LIVE IN WISCONSIN.
I DO NOT PAY TAXES IN WISCONSIN.
I DO NOT KNOW ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN WISCONSIN.

SIMPLY PUT I REALLY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE PROTESTS IN WISCONSIN........

UNTIL TODAY !

Today is the day I saw a video taken inside the Capitol Building in Madison. The video shows a memorial dedicated to those who died in war from the state of Wisconsin. It is in a prominent location inside the capitol Building. Flanked by flags on either side, it is obvious that this is a special location.
The video the shows the back side of the memorial. Paper notes and messages are taped to the back of this memorial. Now, to me, a war memorial is a very special place, a sacred place, a hallowed space. A memorial is there for one purpose only.... to remember those who have sacrificed all in service to our country.
It is not there to hold a bunch of notes and messages like a giant refrigerator holding pictures drawn by your grand kids.
I don't care how you feel about the rights of public employees to bargain for their wages and benefits. I have belonged to unions and I have worked in places without unions. I can see the pros and cons of each side of the union debate. That is not the issue here. The issue here is

RESPECT

Respect is a simple act that means so much. Disrespect shows exactly how an individual feels. These young people have no idea that the right that they have for the freedom to assemble is directly a result of the men and women they are disrespecting. Perhaps some of the teachers who were in the capitol should have taken a moment or two to teach these people about the constitution and the bill of rights and where and how these rights were won and preserved.... ON THE BATTLE FIELD !!!

If you can read this .... THANK A teacher
If you can read it in English...... THANK A VETERAN!

View the video and you decide. CLICK HERE

TYSON FOODS TRUTH OR FICTION

2011-02-21T21:05:00.000-08:00

The headline reads, "Tyson replaces Labor Day with Muslim Holiday"

SAY WHAT????

That was the headline but the story is something else.

It seems the UNION at the Tyson plant in Shelbyville Tennessee voted to replace their paid day off from Labor Day to a Muslim Holiday. Still sounds ludicrous to me. Yet that is the way it is. The local branch of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) voted in 2008 to replace Labor Day with EID AL-FITR a Muslim Holiday at the end of Ramadan.

Emails and posts to facebook are all over this almost two-year-old story. Most are blaming Tyson Foods. Some are suggesting a boycot hoping that the company will go out of business thereby punishing the Union for such a contract.

But as usual with Email and facebook stories the rest of the story is the real story. Tyson and the RWDSU renegotiated their contract and Labor Day IS one of the employees 8 paid Holidays. in 2008 EID-AL FITR could be taken as a paid holiday or the employees could choose to take their birthday as a holiday. I wish that people would do a bit of investigation BEFORE sending out this type of email or social network post. Once it is out there, it is impossible to take back!!!.

If you see something that infuriates you regarding a Business check it out before you spread the rumor!!! Remember even if it says it has been checked out on snopes it probably was not!

DALE WHO?????

2011-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

I spent a lot of time in front of the television this past weekend. Not by design but by necessity as my disability had gotten the best of me and I couldn't work. There seemed to be a lot of talk about some race car driver who died ten years ago at a race in Daytona. Dale somebody.... His name is not important. What is important is that his death was remembered by so many in all aspects of the media. Not just the racing world or the sports world but almost every outlet of news and information had something about his death.

I have some other names that I would like to remember:
Staff Sergeant Bradley Hart, 25 died Feb 15, 2011
A1C Christoffer Johnson, 20 died Feb 17, 2011
Sgt Matthew DeYoung, 26 Died Feb 18, 2011
Specialist Johnathan Pilgeram, 22 Died Feb 17, 2011
A1C Corey Owens, 26, Died Feb 17, 2011
Specialist LaShawn Evans, 24 Died Feb 15, 2011
Specialist Nathan Carse, 32 Died Feb 8, 2011

I could go on listing over 7000 men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have died in service to our country since January 2001, but I am sure you got the message.

They say no man is truly dead until he is forgotten. The men and women of our military who have given their all in service to US must never be forgotten! That is US as a collective of individuals not U.S. as in the United States. Since the collective of individuals IS the United States.

What ever Dale what's-his-name did for our country is nothing compared to the sacrifice of our Military personnel. These brave men and women voluntarily go into harms way. each has written a blank check to this country that reads "Pay to the order of The United States of America any amount up to and including my life". They don't ask for admiration public recognition or respect..... They should not have to ask! They have earned it !!! They deserve it. Yet for so many of us the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are so far from home with little sacrifice required by those of us who do not have family or friends in theater that we don't notice the news when a soldier dies.

Yet we can remember the day a race car driver dies. We can remember when Lilo has her next court date. We can even remember what we were doing when Elvis died but can we remember one, just one, name of a soldier who died in service to our country?
www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/war.casualties/index.html has a complete list of all the allied forces killed in the current war efforts. Pick a name any name and remember the story of that name. It is the least we can do.

Egypt's Future

2011-02-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

I am a conservative !

That said, I am tired of hearing the Limbaughs, Hannitys and Becks in the media blasting President Obama for his actions (or lack of actions) during the civil uprisings in Egypt. To listen to these guys Egypt is going down like the Titanic. and it is all Obama's fault.

Egypt is going to be in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood and Israel will be destroyed.

Obama deserted his ally and in doing so will harm Israel and the western world.

These are the kinds of comments I have been hearing over the past few days.

I have a problem here. Obama and the US had no business intervening in the civil affairs of Egypt. Just as we stood on the side and watched the Berlin Wall fall to civil uprising in Eastern Europe, we should have and did watch the heavy-handed, never elected "President" (read that dictator) be removed from power. His ouster was accomplished not by violence or guns but by peaceful protests and a conviction of the people of Egypt. Civil uprising is by definition an internal affair that should not be guided or assisted by outsiders no matter what their interests in the country may be.

What happens next in Egypt? Any answer to this question is, at this point pure speculation. No one can be certain. I am optimistic that the Egyptian people will be able to assure themselves continued freedom and democracy. That, after all, was the purpose of their demonstrations. It is quite possible that if Egypt secures itself as a true democracy with the freedoms similar to those we enjoy, many other countries in that region will follow suit.

That is my hope, my dream. It is in no way a prediction or a prophesy. Unlike the talk show hosts of the conservative persuasion it is not a prediction of forecast of things to come. I am not laying blame on the President or the United States. All I am saying is give Egypt a chance!

Ramblings from a big box store cashier

2011-02-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

Since May of 2005, I have been employeed by a big box store. Most of that time has been as a cashier. I have some simple observations and suggestions that if heeded would make your experience and my job a lot easier.

Stay off the cell phone when checking out!!! As a cashier, there are certain things my employer wants me to ask you. I don't want to be rude and interrupt your conversation but I don't want to lose my job by not asking you. Make it easy on us both. If you are on the phone when it is time to check out, hang up! If your phone rings while you are checking out, don't answer it!

If you are buying alcohol or tobacco products expect to be carded. Many area employers require everyone who buys alcohol or tobacco show a picture ID. My facility also insists that the ID be out of the wallet. I assure you if you come through my lane you will be asked to, "Take out your ID for me, please." Don't think you are helping by telling me your age or your birthdate. I have several dates to look at and you may just confuse me. Laughing or telling me you haven't been carded in a long time isn't necessary. All you have to do is hand me your ID.

By the way, how can you come into a store to buy something without your wallet? If you write a check or use a credit card you may be asked to show your ID. Every day more and more items have age restrictions put on them. Save time bring in your ID.

Planning on using the self check stations? Here are a couple tips. You can't write a check at a self check. You can't buy age restricted items at a self check without having the attendent come over. Buying gift cards or phone cards can't be done at a self check. My company matches competitors prices but this shouldn't be done at a self check. It is pretty simple really if you are going to need assistance don't use the self check.
Keep your kids from climbing, leaning or hanging on the bagging area at the self check. It has a scale in it that verifies the weight of what you are buying.

Even at a regular checkout lane kids should be told to stand back away from the bagging area so they don't get hit in the head by the bag holders!

Going though an express lane? Know the limit for your lane and don't exceed that number!!! There may not be anyone in line when you get there but sure as heck by the time your order is rang up there will be 5 people behind you. Most express lanes are not set up for lage volume purchases nor are they made for purchases of LARGE items A 24 pake of bottled water a multipack of toilet tissue a loaf of bread and a couple of bananas is really all the checkout can handle. If your items are large go to a regular lane.

Remember, the person checking you out is only a cashier. He/she cannot explain why the store doesn't carry your favorite brand of canned artichokes or why your milk just went up $.25 a gallon.

I feel better now that I have gotten that off my chest. If you come through my lane please remember to say yes when I ask if you would like to apply for a credit card.

blogging time

2009-08-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

I appologize for my not keeping up to date with information on this blog.
I have been given a position as a staff writer for Veteranstoday.com
If you want to keep up with my writings you can view them at
http://veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=VT_Authors&author=stimeling
I will continue to post here when I have the time and an issue.

Dignity in Portland

2009-08-11T09:54:00.001-07:00

Back in mid May, I heard that the Oregon Airshow would be hosting a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. That was well and good until it was pointed out that in order to see the wall you would be required to pay a $15 admission fee, unless you were a veteran or active duty military. It took veterans less than 48 hours to convince the Dignity / Airshow people that this was unacceptable!
see the article at
http://oregonlive.com/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/124241343580330.xml&coll=6

Now comes the strange part. Today I receive in the mail a letter from JC Aubry of Dignity Memorial in Portland. the letter included two VIP passes for the Sunday August 30 Performance of the Oregon Airshow. Included in the VIP passes :

Admission
Reserved seating
Food and Drink
VIP Parking

Quite a deal for someone who was so hard on them only months ago don't you think?
Unfortunately I cannot use the tickets but they will not go to wast I am sending them to a veteran in the Portland area to enjoy.
Ain't America wonderful you can stir the shit and still get something for your effort.

Most "trusted"man in America?

2009-07-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

Friday July 17, Walter Cronkite died at age 92. Headlines and broadcasters everywhere were using the phrase "most trusted man in America" to describe Mr Cronkite. This trust was misplaced. Walter Cronkite did not deserve to be trusted by America. Sure he was the anchor for CBS News but that job in itself does not Immediately bring the trust of America. Just ask Katie Couric .

February 27,1968 Cronkite made an editorial broadcast concerning the Vietnam War that changed much of the public perception of the way the war was going.

Fro my perspective of his broadcast please visit http://nam-vet.net/cronkite.htm

remembering the fallen

2009-07-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I complained about Jackson Mania. I must admit it made me feel good...... for about 2 seconds. Then it hit me what was I doing to honor the fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan on a daily basis? I must admit that on a daily basis I wasn't doing much. I would look at Department of Defence Press releases stating who was killed and say a prayer for the casualties. then delete the press release.
That just doesn't cut it as far as I am concerned. So today I started a labor of love that I can share with the world. I have created a web page that will list the names of all American Military killed as a result of the war in Iraq of Afghanistan. The page will list the casualties for a specific date (day and month) on that day of the month. All the casualties for July 14th no matter what the year will be listed on the 14th of July. On the 15th of July the names of those Killed on the 15th will be displayed.

I hope you will come to the page on a daily basis and share the URL with your address book so all can see just how many Americans have given their all for our country.

http://nam-vet.net/thisdate.htm

Just when I thought...................

2009-07-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought America had totally lost her priorities, I ran across a website that shows the crouds lining the road in Georgia where a fallen soldiers funeral procession was traveling.
Through three counties the road with people holding Old Glory and saluting as the hearse went by.
Just when I thought American had no pride, I ran across a video that will make you fell proud. Proud to know that there are still real heros in our midst. Proud to know these heros are real not made up because of making millions of dollars.

I urge you to tak a couple of minutes and watch this video. Then tell me who are the real heros; Hollywoods elite or the men and women who are in the video!

http://www.usmra.com/download/farewellmarine_final.swf

Ed, Farah, Micheal & Billy

2009-07-05T19:36:00.001-07:00

I have had enough! I have seen too many tributes to these "stars". Their deaths mean nothing to me. They have done little to earn my respect!

Micheal ? Talented ? I guess that depends on your viewpoint of what talent is. I personal have not cared for him and his "talent" since the breakup of the Jackson 5. As a child he made the group but once he developed into a solo act he went down hill talent wise.

Farah ? Looked good on Charlie's Angels but fell from that pedestal long ago.

Billy ? Loud Mouth that made his millions being arrogant. He lent his name to products people wouldn't buy without his pitch.

Ed ? Ed is the only one who has the slightest bit of respect from me and even that is diminished by his endorsements of Publisher's Clearing House. Although they are legal, they are certainly a major contributor to unwanted mail and email. Their promotions generated millions in subscriptions to magazines in the false hopes of enhancing chances of winning.

I submit to you that during the period of June 23 - June 29, there were 4 other Americans who died that deserve more of a tribute and more remembrance that these four listed above.

1) SGT Terry Lynch, 22, of Shephard Montana, died June 29 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan,of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

2) PFC Peter K Cross, 20, of Saginaw, Texas, died June 26 at combat outpost Carwile, Afghanistan of injuries sustained in a vehicle rollover. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

3) PFC Steven T Drees, 19, of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, died June 28 of injuries sustained June 24 in Konar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and RPGs. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

4) 1LT Brian Bradshaw,24, of Steilacoom, Washington, died June 25 in Kheyl, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion,501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

At this point I ask you to take a moment and thank your God that we have men like this willing to sacrifice their lives in your name.

These men deserve your remembrance, yet I am willing to bet that unless you live near one of them you have not heard of them. They have given to this country more than the celebrities listed above ever could. They did not get millions and millions of dollars doing what they did. They did it because it was the right thing to do. It was what they wanted to do. Yet, what thanks do we give them?

We put a yellow ribbon magnet on our cars and say "I support the troops". A magnet and a phrase just isn't enough!!!

We each and every one of us should be showing how we support our troops; sending care packages, walking up to a stranger in uniform and saying thank you, making sure they are taken care of once they leave the military.

They need to be able to go to a VA Health Care facility that doesn't have to worry about the bottom line in determining the level of service given our veterans. We need to have the VA fully funded. You can help make this happen. Call and email your elected officials in Washington. They can make this happen and they will if we all show we support our troops.

4th of JULY

2009-07-02T19:50:00.001-07:00

The 4th will soon be upon us. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and beer have been flying out of Wal-Marts all over our great land. Plans have been made to attend a picnic, concert or fireworks display by most Americans. That is terrific, BUT......

If it weren't for the people on the radio saying that this is a time to remember those who are serving our country, how many of us would actually take a moment to think about them?
How many Americans will take a minute, JUST ONE MINUTE and saya prayer for the safety of our troops all over the world? Will you????

My father served in WWII in Europe. He fought for the Bridge at Remagen and was awarded a Bronze star with "V" for his actions. I served in Vietnam and am a service connected disabled veteran due to Post traumatic Stress Disorder and the effects of being exposed to Agent Orange. My step-son who I have raised since he was 3 (read that son), Served in Kuwait with flights into Bagdad every three days and in Afghanistan. He is also a service connected disabled veteran. My youngest son plans to also join the military when he gets out of High School in three years. My family is proud to have served. Both my son and I would do it all again even knowing what the outcome would be.

We love the United States an know that even with her flaws she is the best country on this planet. We will be praying for our servicemen and women on the 4th like we do everyday.
We will be praying for our veterans. I will be here on the Internet trying to help any veteran who needs help getting a claim through the maze known as the VA.

I will continue my fight to convince the President, The House and The Senate that the VA should be fully funded so that all veterans can get the health care they deserve. Our veterans went into the military and wrote a blank check to our government it said

Pay to the order of the US Government
any amount up to and including my life

Would you write that check??? Don't you think that the men and women we have serving today who have written that check deserve more than a magnet on your car?
Please consider joining me in getting the VA Fully Funded.

39 years ago today continued

2009-06-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

June 23, 1970........ Up at dawn chow and Company formation. Details assigned I am to repair commo lines running into the ROK (Republic Of Korea) compound. Not a tough job at all probably be done by 2pm I thought to myself.

Sgt Pede was again on the road with Phillips and the Company armorer Jim Rozo. They left the motor pool in a deuce and a half at the same time I pulled my truck out to head to the ROC compound on the other side of the base.

Just as I thought I was done repairing the ROK commo lines before 2 pm. By 3 I was sucking down a cold PBR a real taste of home since my civilian job prior to entering the Army was working at Pabst in the Heights. Somewhere around the same time I got to the EM Club the buzz in the club was that Sgt Pede's detail had not made it to Phouc Vinh. Yes, they had left Lai Khe around 11am. Around 4:30 word came in that the truck had been found by a patrol from the 1st Cav., but there was no sign of the occupants.
Sgt. "Pineapple" (no one could pronounce his name) from the motor pool dispatched the wrecker with PFC Long to retrieve the vehicle. When Long got back to base everyone wanted to look at the truck. The front windshield was shattered. The left front tire was flat. We were told that Demolition experts were called to detonate an unexploded RPG round in the tire.
Inside the cab were a lot of shell casings for the m-16 rounds. The interior of the cab showed no signs of blood stains.
Sgt Joe Pederson, Specialist Jim Rozo and PFC Robert Phillips were missing. They remain unaccounted for today 3 of about 70 cases where the Vietnamese should know the status of the MIA.
Fast forward to June 7 this year. I received an email from a cousin of Sgt Pede. We have been in contact for the last few years. Sgt Pede's cousin, Al, had just been to a briefing for family members of those who are still unaccounted for. Al gave me the details of his briefing. According to DoD, The ambush was done by four Viet Cong. Sgt Pede was injured in the leg during the ambush. One of the VC was killed in the ambush. My friends were led west towards Cambodia.

On the fourth day Sgt Pede died probably due to a loss of blood from his injury. He was buried and the others were led further west. At some point both Rozo and Phillips were killed trying to escape.

This was the news that I got from Al. All of it according to DoD. News I didn't want to know yet news I hoped for decades was what happened. I would hate to think that these three men were still alive and in captivity after 39 years.

Yet even though I wanted it to be true and had hoped that it was true for decades, hearing it hurt. I cried. I cried all night and most of the next day. I slept for a total of 5 hours over the next three nights. In my head I kept replaying June 22 and June 23.

Was there something I did that caused us not to be ambushed on the 22nd? No, nothing special happened on the 22nd.
Would the outcome have been different had I been there on the 23rd? I believe it would have been different. With my 20 grenades I am certain we could have repelled an attack by four VC.
Why didn't I go on the 23rd? Wasn't my time to go.
Survivors guilt..... why them and not me? I know why not me but it doesn't erase the pain or the guilt.

So that is the story. That is the major wound I brought back from Nam. No one can see it. no doctor can heal it. Time heals all wounds????? Time has done nothing but make the hurt harder to bear.

Think my friends about the men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. What kinds of hidden wounds are they carrying. What do we really know about what they have been through? I can tell you my wife knows nothing of what her son went through in Afghanistan. He won't tell her of the firefights he was in guarding Kabul Airport.

These young men and women deserve the best of medical and mental health care. Instead we give the a VA system full of problems and underfunded 9 of the past 11 years. It is time to support our troops with a fully funded VA health care system. Write your Representative in Congress and demand that Congress pass a full funding bill for the VA!

39 years ago today

2009-06-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

June 22, 1970, one day in my life. An ordinary day, really. But yet a day that plays back in my mind almost daily.
It bagan as a routine day just like every other day of the previous 113 days. Wake up at dawn, go to the mess hall for breakfast, then morning company formation. Like most other days the cable platoon was given a list of jobs that needed to be completed by the end of the day. And like several other days a volunteer was needed to travel to Lai Khe and Phouc Vinh to check communication equiptment inventories.

I volunteered. It got me out of the work or repairing commo lines and gave me an opportunity to see more of Vietnam. I had done this before. It was a Walk in the park", a no sweat detail.

I reported to SFC Pederson we waited for our third man spcialist Phillips. Once he joined us we went to the armoror, Specialist Rozo to draw weapons. Sgt Pede took his 45 and an m-16, Phillips drew his m-16 and I took my m-79 grenade launcher and an m-16. I was the only man in the 595th Signal Company authorized to carry the m-79. For each weapon we were allowed to draw 20 rounds of ammo.
Sgt Pede went to the motor pool and checked out a deuce and a half for the ride. We were off to Lai Khe. Lai Khe was located in a rubber plantation and was the frequent target of rockets. The platoon from the 595th that was stationed there referred to Lai Khe as Rocket City. We finished our business in Lai Khe and headed to Phouc Vinh. As we left Lai Khe we were reminded that the Ben Cat cutoff was in Charlies hands and we should not use it. The Ben Cat cut off had been in Charlies hands every time I made this trip. But we always used the cutoff. nothing ever happened there. We were more likely to get sniper fire on highway 9 or 13 on the way to Lai Khe than on the Ben Cat cutoff.
This day was no different we arrived in Phouc Vinh without incident. We did what we had to do and headed back to Di An. We got back to Di An in time for chow and then went to the EM Club for a couple beers.
Like I said just another day in the life of a soldier in Vietnam.
Tomorrow I will explain why this day and the day after have stayed with me for 39 years.

Oh No Not Again

2009-06-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

Here we go again the PHA is wanting to upgrade Taft Homes. How dare they. First we hear from a 54 year-old who has lived in the project for over 40 years. Then we hear it used to be better there. Was that when the occupants were required to maintain there own piece of the project?
I grew up not far from Harrison Homes. I remember seeing the occupants planting flowers and mowing their little piece of "yard". Some where in the past that all changed the PHA began all upkeep inside and out of the project. Personal pride was lifted. The occupants did not have to do anything to better their community.

There have been several changes to the PHA projects since I was a kid. Each time they have tried to better the project or relocate occupants there has been a load voice proclaiming this is my home I don't want to go anywhere. There are families that have lived in Taft for five even six generations. Long enough to find a way out.

Now OMG they want Taft residents to pay for utilities and have a job!!! What is up with that?
I realize many reading this will consider my words racist. Not so Joe. I have not mentioned race I am talking about a lifestyle of non-achieving non-striving living off the taxpayer individuals who do not want to pull themselves up when given a helping hand they would rather sit at the gates of the city crying "Alms,Alms for the Poor."

Sorry folks, if this describes you, get a job and work your way out of the situation you are in.
I lived on the South Side for 35 years I worked my way out. It wasn't easy even for a white male. But I has been done by many and can be done by many more. All it takes if effort and determination.

I will gladly give anyone who asks a helping hand up but I won't give anyone a handout.

The OBAMA/CONGRESS BAIT AND SWITCH

2009-06-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

During the Presidential Campaign, President Obama addressed the Veterans of Foriegn Wars. During his speech he made several statements concerning the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Statement 1: We need to close the shortfalls - It's time to fully fund the VA Health Care.

Statement 2: We need to get rid of means testing - every veteran should be allowed into the VA system.

Statement 3: This is not a partisan issue. It is a moral issue.

While funding in the new budget has increased, IT DOES NOT FULLY FUND THE VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

Means testing is being phased out over 5 years. In his previous remarks President Obama had said he would immediately reverse the 2003 Presidential Order banning admission of new priority 8 veterans.

Both the President and Congress (Democrats and Republicans alike) have given veterans a Bait and Switch product. It is a bipartisan switch.

Healt care has been advanced funded not fully funded. The problems with this are that unforseen circumstance could cause the appropriated funds to be used up before the end of the fiscal year. meaning that VA facilities will have to cut back on health care or the quality of said care.

Means testing will continue allowing hundreds of thousands of veterans who should be receiving veteran health care to be barred from VA facilities.

The Congress both parties have not co-sponsored a bill that calls for full funding instead they point to a bill that calls for advanced funding. The president has not worked to keep his campaing promises. The House Committee on Veterans affairs has stalled a bill calling for full funding.
IT IS TIME THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DEMAND OF THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO KEEP THE PROMISES TO OUR VETERANS!

The Peoria AntiPundit 2.0: Blogs, Posting, and Dickheads….

2009-06-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

The Peoria AntiPundit 2.0: Blogs, Posting, and Dickheads….

Randy
Don't let it get to you. As we used to say in Nam, "It don't mean nuttin!'

Thanks Peoria Anti Pundit

2009-05-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well, Now I have to look sharp. The PAP has added me to his must read list. I am Honored. Randy and I go back to his first day as an employee of the Federal Government not the Navy. I have known his wife since she was in high school.
My blogs this one and mortonorbiterdictum.blogspot.com cover different areas
This blog will focus on Veteran issues and veteran rights. Orbiter dictum is primarily based on happenings in Morton Il with an occasional drift to Peoria or other central Illinois locations.

To those of you who have drifted to my blog via the PAP welcome. Please feel free to leave comments as long as they are constructive and without violating common decency.

"Happy" Memorial Day???

2009-05-24T07:50:00.001-07:00

Friday I met Jack. Jack was wearing a tee-shirt that had the name USS Liscombe Bay on it.
Not knowing much more than the Liscombe Bay was a US Navy ship and that Jack was in his eighties, I asked Jack when he served on the Liscombe Bay.
He looked at me and said I was aboard her when she went down. November of 1943.
Jack looked pained as he spoke of the fate of his ship. Yet he spoke with pride of his shipmates who did not make it out of the fiery hell.
The Liscombe Bay was on her first battle mission in the Pacific. She was hit by two enemy torpedoes almost simultaniously. The torpedoes hit in the bomb storage of the ship. 200,000 pounds of bombs exploded disintegrating that part of the ship. Twenty-three minutes after being hit the Liscombe Bay was completle submerged. When she went down, 644 brave American sailors went with her. Only 272 of her compliment were rescued. Galently they served and galently they died. Preserving our future.
Jack was one of the 272. I didn't know what to say to Jack but I knew what not to say.
I did not wish Jack a "happy" Memorial Day. I am sure his Memorial Day will be full of somber rememberance of friends and shipmate long gone from the minds of most of us.
Happy doesn't seem to fit into any Memorial day I have had since Vietnam. Perhaps when you see me on Memorial Day you can say that you REMEBER them, too.
EVERY DAY IS MEMORIAL DAY TO A VETERAN!

What is Memorial Day

2009-05-18T19:05:00.001-07:00

This is not my work. I found it on a website by Country Joe McDonald. For thosse who don't know the name, Country Joe is famous for the song WAR WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR. The author of this work is a decorated Vietnam Veteran who is a friend of mine. He has given me permission to post it here. Just remember that for me and veterans throughout the county EVERY DAY IS MEMORIAL DAY!

What Is Memorial Day

by Lt Bobby Ross

My years whirl past me. Swirling. Dry, broken grass hovering in a spring breeze. Can I remember my experiences in war? Hardly. Fighting for my country, my youth invested, seems such a long time ago, and so unimportant. The calendar this year marks Memorial Day on the 25th of May, 2009. Have I lost something? The traditional Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, is on the 30th of May. This observed Memorial Day on May 25th not so coincidentally allows for a national three day holiday. Such is commercialism's capitalistic American display. But why do I feel so stricken, like I have abandoned old friends from long ago? Their ghosts consort with my floating years, and their spirits coast around my presence.

Another three day holiday! Memorial Day! Maybe me and the kids can go camping? Or, to the beach? Memorial Day is fun! This is the inconsiderate, thoughtless approach to this meaningful, and consecrated moment representing one three hundred and sixty-fifth of our year. What is the meaning of Memorial Day? Is it merely a three day escape from our worldly duties? Or, is it the official beginning of summer? Is selling more hot dogs at the ballpark the overriding clarification?

Many souls, sacrificed in war, in duty to America, are wandering. They drift in a heavenly place, minus their future here upon earth. Tomorrows were forfeited. Given up so our nation would invigorate free souls, aspire them to freedom, and justly allow their lives lived as they prefer. Raising offspring above restrictions, as they desire. Those lost lives giving we, the living, what we want freely. Those are the souls we respect on Memorial Day. This means it is a sacred day.

Without retrospect, sacrifice is mute. Old Glory does not wave by accident. It flutters in the spring air revealing honor. The color red represents the blood bloom from those who fell, those who clawed, those who cried in horrible pain. Those who died fast. And, those who died ever so slowly. They did their duty. When I see Old Glory waving on a sunny, end of May day, the pigment red gushes from millions of souls, floating, not with us, anymore. They are amongst our heroes, cajoling with angels with their champions, conquerors and commanders. Friends and loved ones gather, over the grave, witness to those who gave more than anyone should be required to relinquish. They did not want to yield. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and when the moment harshly struck them their fatal blow, they cried for their mother, or their friend. Then there were those, many of those, who knew exactly what they were giving. They moved forward knowingly. They lost their lives so their mission would be accomplished.

Fools! Some intellects can say that. One would have to be an imbecile to give up life, no matter what the cause. For a flag? Futile! For a country! More pointless! For freedom! What freedom is there in mortality? Yes, fools they may have been, but their numbers add up in an awesome display of American loss! Veterans' Cemeteries, white badges sailing row after row after row upon green grass, almost never ending, creeping onto the horizon. Constant reminders of the devastation of our human treasure. Mothers' tears, enough to fill an ocean to overflow. Sweethearts, broken hearted, reading telegrams. Sons and daughters, many unborn, wakening at birth to a devastated family suffering from a victim of war there no more. And what does all this macabre math equal? Memorial Day is the correct answer.

Few Americans know a person who died in war. Their family trees have lost some leaves, falling as they fought in one of America's wars, or discarded in the peacetime military. We are a busy people. We have business to capture. Our kids are in school. We have chores. Mundane, or surrealistic. We are a spirited society, seeking applications to improve ourselves and our communities. We are a helpful populace, always there when the going gets tough to help those who have suffered the tragedies of nature, whether a hurricane or a famine. Americans are always the first on the scene worldwide bearing their gifts of human spirit and abundance. This is why it is so puzzling that the meaning of Memorial Day seems to lack substance to many of our own people. Even with the day itself. Put back to accommodate a holiday schedule fixed by some organism no one knows, yet powerful enough to do so, the day itself lacks consequence to too many. Many who never knew a person who died in service to America are wrought with the invisible pain of not feeling for those who do.

Americans take things for granted. We have so much. So very much. Endless choices. These options are not available worldwide. Our shelves are full. Unlike many in other nations of the world. So many are empty or offer very limited selections. Those American fighting men and women killed in battle whose souls are floating actually made available these wondrous choices we have every day of our American lives. Yet, most of our youngsters have no idea whatsoever what this means. They don't learn this in school. We must teach them. For without knowledge, they may end up thinking, or believing, all these marvelous selections came without circumstance. Minus anything. Equaling no meaning.

Our nation needs to halt and perceive the flags and flowers on our Veterans graves on this consecrated holiday. We need to lift a common voice of adoration to those floating spirits of our onetime American Warriors, and extol them with a salutation. We have not come that far with our technological miracles of this millennium to become crass. We still need respect. Our backs can not turn from formality. Our eyes can not look away from custom. Our voices must not resonate in silence against honor and glory. To do so will leave us hollow, only to fill us with that which is desolate and lacking potential. This is not the true meaning of Memorial Day. The heartfelt significance requires reminding. Story telling. Wisdom being passed on from our Veterans to our younger generations. An interpretation certified by those who remember the horrors of war. Without this core, our society can not remain genuine. It becomes contemptible. It rots from within. These floating souls of our lost American Warriors are a powerful force, for they live within our hearts. They constantly seek justification for their contributions, and they are real within us. Such is what our American substance stands for, where character is developed, individually is guaranteed, and a community, a nation, survives.

America enters the 21th Century as the most powerful entity humankind has ever experienced. America permeates this next century with vast responsibilities. Our children must bear this promise. We can not turn our backs on these bygone descendants, nor can we do so upon ourselves. Memorial Day offers us the opportunity to express a moment of solitude where each of us can personify in our own way what we feel. I only speak for my myself, as one who has bared his soul to the dread of war. So my father did, and his father's father before him, and their souls float amongst the multitudes. My mother and her mother held their Veterans after they returned from war, tears streaming down their cheeks in gratitude for their safe return. And there were those in my ancestry who did not return from war. And their mothers' tears soaked the pillows on beds for generations to sleep upon. Their souls are the dreams that drift amongst the floating, gathering at the end of May in the breeze of summer's coming, in the cool glass of lemonade at the child's street side stand, in the cheers at the ball game from the crowd rooting their team to victory and enjoying the best hot dogs in the world. Let us all stop for a moment, whether it is on the traditional day, or the observed Memorial Day, or even at the end of May, and reach for those floating souls. Let us reveal to them how much we cherish their sacrifice for our free people. Let these memories harvest our recognition of the meaning of Memorial Day in a very simple word. And let that word, simply stated be: Thanks.

(copyrighted 2000)

(Permission to reproduce granted freely and unconditionally)

PEACE, LT Bobby Ross

The power of UNITY

2009-05-16T07:14:00.001-07:00

WOW!
What we accomplished in less than 48 hours.From the time I started my email campaign until the decision was made to disassociate the Dinity Wall from the Oregon Airshow was less than 48 hours. That is fast.... very fast. I did not get this done alone. The unity of every veteran who sent in an email or made a phone call got this done!

It is truely amazing that all it took was less than 48 hours.

What is even more amazing is something I learned earlier this month when I met several Illinois State Senators in Springfield, Illinois. During the conversations it came out that it only takes 23 constituents to contact them to get them to change their mind and vote on an issue.

23 less than two dozen.

Now here is my problem: why can't we as veterans get everything we want passed through the House and Senate? Certainly each of us knows 23 vets in our own area. Certainly we each know 23 vets living in our state.

That is all it takes to contact a Representative and two Senators to get them to vote our way on an issue.

We can turn around Corporate America plans in less than 48 hours why can't we change the minds of the 535 in DC?

The answer....... I don't give a damn.....or It ain't worth doing....or I cna't make a difference..... or I don't trust politicians...... or It don't mean nuttin'........ or any one of a thousand similar excuses.

I hope you all through away your excuses and get your lazy buts off the couch and send an email and make a phone call to your Representative in the House and your Senators. Tell them you want them to back HR1004 for full funding of the VA.

Send emails to every vet you have on your contact list.

ALL IT TAKES IS UNITY AND EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER

We have the power all we have to do is use it!

Whilwind week

2009-05-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

This has been a whilwind week. It all started Monday with an emaik telling me that the Portland Airshow was teaming with the Dignity Vietnam Wall. While this sounds harmless, it marks the first time that an admission would be required to view the wall. For those who don't know the Dignity Vietnam Wall is one of several replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This particular version is owned by Service Corp. International, a group of Funeral Homes and cemetaries. I have been involved in numerous displays of the Dignity wall in the midwest. Never since its inception in 1990 has there been a charge to see the wall. In fact the website for the Dignity wall states the wall is always free and open 24 hours at every venue. Well That wasn't the case in Portland. Because the was was to be displayed inside the gates of the Airshow, anyone who wanted to see the wall would have to pay $15 to get into the airshow. Airshow officials thought that allowing current and former military into the show free would be enough to make up for charging others.
After spending some time Monday getting all the facts I could on the airshow/Dignity team, I went to work Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon I had sent 1000 emails to veterans, Contacted the site manager for Dignity by phone, Sent emails to media in Portland, and sent emails to the corporate big wigs for SCI in Huston. The responce from the veteran community was great.
Wednesday afternoon, I was checking the Dignity site for the schedule of other cities the wall was going to be at. To my amazement, the portland appearance was deleted. Not sure what this meant, I went to the Portland Airshow site. All mention of the Dignity wall had been taken off that site also. This was a ggod sign but I was not sure if the wall was being taken off the airshow or if they had decided not to advertise it any more. So I was going to continue my campaign. My plans included notifying veteran organizations in Portland to boycott the airshow and not use Dignity facilities in their final resting plans.
Then came Thursday. I had Appointments at the VA in the morning . When I got home, there it was. An email from the site manager of Dignity. The wall will not be a part of the Portland Airshow. It was official. Dignity had listened to the mass communications of veterans from all over the country. WOW in three days we had taken Corporate America head on and we had won. This shows to me we, as veterans, have a power that we don't use. When joined together for a cause, we can get things accomplished! Now let's work to change the VA.

HR 1004

2009-05-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

I created this blog in order to promote the passage of legislation to provide for full funding for the Veterans Administration Health Care system. This was sparked by tales of mistreatment, poor treatment and refused treatment of veterans from across the country.

I have discovered that HR1004 the Veterans Health Care Full Funding Act was introduced into the House in February. Strange as it may seem the bill was not touted or announced with any hoopla by any of the major veterans organizations. I really don't understand how any organization concerned with the treatment of veterans would not be pushing for the passage of such a bill. Yet that is where we stand HR 1004 is in Committee where it has been since February. With 1 sponsor and no cosponsors that is likely where it will die.

UNLESS

We, as American Citizens put the pressure on Congress that the Veteran Organizations have failed to apply. I am asking everyone who reads this to call and write your Representaive in Congress and demand they sign on to and push for passage HR 1004.
Our countries veterans deserve no less. Our current soldiers (read that FUTURE VETERANS) deserve no less. please help me in getting HR1004 the Veterans Health Care Full Funding Act
passed.

Advanced Vs Full

2009-04-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Once again I must address the issue of Advanced funding Versus Full funding.
Advanced funding does not fix the problems of the VA
What it does is give the VA advance notice by one year of how much money they are going to get.
say for example you are told that next year you are going to receive $45,000 dollars. You plan your expenses to be $45,000 now something unexpected comes up in the Month of March that shows you are going to need $50,000 to make it to the end of the year if you don't change your spending habits.
You have no choice. something has to happen or you will tun out of money before the end of the year. So you change what you eat you change how much you spend for food. You raise the thermostate and make the house a bit more uncomfortable in the summer and lower it in the winter to make it a bit colder inside in the winter. You do everything you can to make sure you dont go over the $45,000 allocated for the year.
This is what the VA would have to do if it forsaw a deficit. They would cut the Quality of care the would cut the number of patients they would spread appointments out instead of seeing a primary care on a monthly basis you may only see them quarterly.
This is the result of advanced funding

Fully funding says the VA will receive what ever $ amount they spend on health care thus allowing for better treatment and no refusal of treatment due to a forseen shortfall in funding.

Now you tell me which is better for our veterans?

Please visit and act http://nam-vet.net/promise.htm

Finish Strong

2009-04-13T16:05:00.001-07:00

I have been very busy the past few days networking around the Wide World Web. I want to make my presence on the internet as large as I possibly can. I can't succeed in my mission of getting the Whitehouse and the Congress to provide full funding for VA Health Care without help. Many I have reached have told me to give it up as the VA will never be fully funded, especially in these hard economic times. I won't give up. It has been reported that Edison failed over 6,000 times before perfecting the first electric light bulb.
On one occasion a young journalist challenged Edison saying to him, "Mr. Edison, why do you keep trying to make light by using electricity when you have failed so many times? Don't you know that gas lights are with us to stay?"
To this Edison replied, "Young man, don't you realize that I have not failed but have successfully discovered six thousand ways that won't work!"
Because Edison believed an electric light was possible, he refused to give up. He tried countless types of material in his search for a filament that would work.
And so it is with me and VA funding. I will continue to try different means to the end. I just watched a video of a man named Nick Vujicic. Nick was born without arms and legs and is a very inspirational speaker. You can view the video below. Now you see why I am so determined. If I quit I am certain I will not succeed. If I keep trying, I have a chance at succeeding. So like Edison I will keep trying and finding ways that don't work until I find the way that works.

A Great Day for Veterans

2009-04-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

I just got an email with the title "A Great Day for Veterans" from "Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA". The IAVA is the Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America. The letter could have been from any of the major veteran organizations in the country as they are all calling today a great day.
What is making them so dang happy? President Obama, VA Secretary Shinseki, and Defense Secretary Gates as they announced their support for two major initiatives that will have an enormous impact on the lives of our nation's veterans. The first is a new program called the "Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record Initiative." It's a complicated name for a critical change that is long over-due, and it will help bring the VA and DOD health care systems into the 21st century. Now this is good news and I have no problem with admitting that it is a step in the right direction.
The second major initiative is advance funding for VA health care. For nineteen of the last twenty-two years, the VA budget has been passed late, forcing the nation's largest health care provider to ration care. Imagine trying to plan for next month's bills without knowing the size of your next paycheck. That's what veterans hospitals do almost every year. Today's announcement is a major step towards ending that cycle.

Now I have a problem. Advanced funding is not the answer to VA funding. during his campaign the president promised to fully fund the VA. Secretary Shinseki has also professed to be in favor of full funding. Full funding means giving the VA ALL the money it needs to provide quality health care to all eligible veterans. Advanced funding means Giving the VA a specific amount of money and saying this is all you get, you know how much you have ahead of time so if you are not going to have enough to provide the quality care to all; you have to cut either quality or service offered to stay within budget.

I am running a poll at this time to see how people answer the question "Do our veterans deserve to receive the best care at VA facilities without regard for cost." 95% strongly agree and 100% agree with that statement. If that is the case then why is Washington afraid to fully fund the VA? Why can't all veterans with honorable discharges receive quality care at the VA? Why do vets have to travel 2 hours to a VA facility when there is a hospital in their home town that can provide the service they get from the VA? Why can't they just have the VA billed for services?
I am mad. I AM VERY MAD. I am mad at the veteran organizations for not demanding full funding for VA health care. I am mad at the president for not keeping his promise. I am mad at Secretary Shinseki for not following through with his statements on full funding. I am mad at Congress for not fully funding VA health care. And I am mad at the American People who sit in their homes and drive their nice cars because men and women were and are willing to sacrifice their lives to keep these people free to enjoy what they have. The American People who won't write send an email or phone their elected officials and tell them that the VA must be fully funded for health care. If this includes you then get up off your backsides and make the effort to help those who have sacrificed to keep you free. I have made it easy just go to
http://nam-vet.net/promise.htm on that page are sample letters and information on how to contact your elected officials. once you have let your elected officials know that VA health care should be fully funded, please let me know email me at larry@nam-vet.net

why the poll?

2009-04-07T18:33:00.001-07:00

In the top right hand corner of this page is a poll concerning veteran health care. Some may wonder what is the point in that. I am just wanting numbers to confirm what I already believe. I can't tell you what I believe until the poll closes as I don't want to influence anyone. Please answer the question honestly. The entire exercise is pointless without each of you reading the question and answering it with the way you really feel. After you have read the poll and left your answer please feel free to send this blog address to any or all of your friends. This is a new blog and the only way I can get new readers is for everyone who visits to recommend the site to others. Word of mouth advertising for a blog; if you will. At any rate thanks for stoppping by and reading take the poll. and if the site interests you click on the follow this blog button. look for more to come real soon....

Welcome

2009-04-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

This is an experiment in communication for me. I am not sure how this is going to work out but it is worth a try on my part. For those who don't know me, I am just what my name says a "nam vet". I was in Vietnam for most of 1970 and part of 1971. Since then I spent another 33 years in Federal service and have retired. My life experiences are many and varied. Before retiring there were those among my co-workers who referred to me as the "Cesspool of knowledge" thus the name for this blog.
My blog will tend to focus on veterans' issues but may hit on other topics as the times dictate.
Please sit back and enjoy what is posted here and feel free to comment My only hope is that those commenting will refrain from name calling and vulgarity.