Happy Veteran's Day

I had the privilege of attending the Veteran’s Day parade in my town.  I was pleased with the number of people who attended the parade and the number of participants (the parade lasted nearly two hours).  There were veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  There were wounded warriors riding in Corvettes, Patriot Guard riders, and Rolling Thunder riders (POW/MIA advocates), high school and college marching bands, and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps contingents from every high school in the county. It’s nice to see the people show their appreciation for the veterans and their service.

An especially poignant moment for me occurred when a Vietnam veteran, riding on one of the floats, stood, saluted the elderly World War II veteran standing nearby, and thanked him for his service.  Many other veterans stopped by to shake the gentleman’s hand and thank him.  I was impressed at the humility of these veterans, gladly thanking others for the same type of service they themselves had rendered for their country.

After the parade, I overheard a conversation between two gentlemen wearing cavalry Stetsons. One had been in the 7^th Cavalry Regiment during Vietnam and the other had been in the 6^th Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm.  Although they were two strangers from different generations, these men were soon laughing and trading stories as if they were long lost friends.

As I thought about it afterwards, I came to the realization that the men and women who served our country were part of something much bigger than themselves and they have a kinship with others who have also served.  To them, race and religion don’t matter, only integrity and trustworthiness.

This month is the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination.  Many forgot his inaugural address, where he challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”  These veterans did for their country, just as Kennedy challenged.  But we live in a time where far too many are asking what the country can do for them.  It’s time we do as these veterans have done and do for our country.

I’m not suggesting that we all volunteer for military service.  But, we can all volunteer for community service.  Help out at a soup kitchen, deliver meals to shut-ins, or work with youth at a Boys or Girls Club or a scouting program.  Volunteer to help with after-school tutoring or be a story-time reader at the local library.  There are so many things we can and should do to give back to our country.  At the same time, you’ll become part of something much bigger than yourself.

I wish I could shake the hand of each and every veteran, those who have served and those still serving.  If we truly want to honor their service and sacrifice, follow their lead and do for our country.

Bullying

by John Galt

What have we become?  A young girl cannot escape bullying and kills herself and the bullies dance on her grave.  No remorse.  No conscience.  Although the bullies are barely teenagers, they should know better.  Right and wrong are something we were taught as children.  At least it used to be.  And, the sanctity of human life is the basis of our moral code.  It is what sets us apart from the animals.  At least it used to set us apart. 

When I hear of a heinous crime, I ask myself if this is a new fracture in our moral psyche or because of all of the available media venues, it is only more reported.  Is it new or is it as it has always been, but now reported 24/7?

Cruelty has forever been part of the human experience.  There has always been a human element in the spoils of war.  Historically, human life has been a traded commodity.  We call ourselves civilized now, yet cruelty remains.  Often it is the cruelly-applied power one person holds over another.  Today, social media is a venue used by uncivilized humans to reign terror over others.  It allows kids to stalk and attach others relentlessly.  They can attack in a most cowardly way, hiding behind a keyboard, never facing the victim.  Worse, it can become a virtual gang of hate and misinformation.  It is mob mentality at its worst.

So, maybe the level of cruelty remains constant over history and into our present day, but there are more and newer ways to propagate terror and hate.  The days of peaceful oblivion are over.  You cannot unplug yourself from the pipeline of information.  Asking for your email address is as common as asking for your phone number twenty years ago.  It is how we communicate.

My heart breaks for the kids that are victims of bullies.  We need to equip our kids with strategies to handle bullies, to speak up about bullying and safe, effective ways to report bullying.  At an age that appearance is everything, it is often hard for kids to seek help.  So often they hide behind a pained smile and “I’m fine” response.  They prefer not to make waves.  They suffer in silence until it is too late.

So, given that schools rely on the internet to relay information to kids, track their grades and make assignments, how do we make it safe for everyone?  I suggest that we instill a parental control.  I’m not talking about the software you can buy to manage your kids’ access to the internet; I’m talking about a parent in the room with eyes on their kid’s activities.  And, not just the parents of the terrorists.  Watch out for signs that your kids are being terrorized.  Be your child’s strongest advocate.

Remember when your dad said, “My house, my rules!”?  Be a parent.  Be accountable for the actions of your children.  Set rules and enforce them.  Make your kids aware of your expectations.  Correct inappropriate behavior.  Seek counseling if you or your child needs guidance or to correct behaviors.  Ask a parent that you trust to be your mentor.  Join a support group at your church.  No one is a failure as long as they keep trying!

How kids conduct themselves today have long-term impacts.  These are the kids that will be in charge of your life decisions when you get old.  Do you want someone that would bully a child to suicide to make decisions on your care when you cannot make the decisions for yourself?  You reap what you sow.  Parents, can you live with that?

Chicken Manure

Some our World War II veterans flew to Washington, DC, to view their memorial, When they arrived, they discovered that because of the furlough their memorial was barricaded.  These veterans stormed the beaches at Normandy and island hopped around the Pacific, participating in some horrific and bloody battles.  So, although these men are now in their 80’s and 90’s, a few metal barricades and the threat of arrest are no match for these men.  Thanks to the help of Representative Steve King (IA) and Steven Palazzo (MS), the veterans were able to view the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

What bothers me is that these memorials are open-air memorials, yet there were barricades around them.  Why?  Sure, the government is shut down, but it’s not like the Smithsonian or the National Gallery where someone has to be there to open the doors or provide directions to the restrooms or make sure the lights are on.  These are memorials on public property that anyone and everyone should be able to walk up and view them.

 

As it turns out, the Obama Administration knew these veterans were coming in advance of their arrival and refused to make accommodations even though Congressman Palazzo had made a request prior to the shutdown.  Seems to me that it cost money for the Park Police to place the barricades in the first place and it appears to be a petty attempt to exaggerate the consequences of the shutdown.

In the meantime, Senator Harry Reid is being a bit disingenuous.  Senator Harry Reid's contact website (http://www.reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm) states "We are unable to receive messages at this time due to the government shutdown."  Calls placed to his Washington office (202-224-3542) results in a voice message that states the Senator's staff is unable to take phone calls due to the government shutdown and does not allow the caller to leave a message.

In contrast, Senator Jeff Sessions', Senator Boxer's and Senator Tom Coburn's contact websites have no such message and constituents are able to email these Senators.  When calling these Senators' Washington offices, although there is a partisan message on the part of Senator Boxer, all three allow the caller to leave a message.

Senator Reid's website and voice message is misleading.  Congress is still funded to conduct official business and there is no reason that Senator Reid's website or voice message should state that he is unable to take calls or emails.  Perhaps he wishes to avoid his constituents.

The World War II veterans are probably familiar with a term that I would use to describe the actions of President Obama and Harry Reid.  I’ll use the euphemistic term, chicken “manure”, to describe their actions, although the veterans may recognize the more profane version.  Esteemed military historian Paul Fussel wrote in his book "Wartime," that the term “refers to behavior that makes military life worse than it need be: petty harassment of the weak by the strong; open scrimmage for power and authority and prestige; sadism thinly disguised as necessary discipline; a constant 'paying off of old scores'; and insistence on the letter rather than the spirit of ordinances.”

Obama and Reid’s action are ignoble and contemptible.  Their actions are emblematic of their contempt of the American public and the American voter. We cannot continue to allow them to do as they wish, then turn a deaf ear to the American people.   It is time to stop with the manure and do what is best for the United States.

Will of the People

There is a lot of finger pointing over who is to blame for the government shutdown.  President Obama has accused the House Republicans of using extortion and Senator Harry Reid has called the Tea Party “anarchists” and “obstructionists.”  In a recent speech, President Obama said the Speaker of the House, John Boehner is to blame for the shutdown.  “There will be no negotiations over this. The American people are not pawns in some political game. You don’t get to demand some ransom in exchange for keeping the government running,” Obama said. 

Doesn’t the President understand the situation the government is in?  According to Wikipedia, President Obama taught Constitutional Law for 12 years.  How could someone teach Constitutional Law and not understand the Constitution?

Article 1, Section 7 of the US Constitution reads, “All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.”  It further states, “If he (the President) approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it.”  So, not only is the House part of the process, but also the Senate and the President.

The House of Representatives, according to James Madison, is the immediate representatives of the people (until 1913 and the passage of the 17^th Amendment, members of the House were the only directly elected officials).  Accordingly, all revenue bills must originate in the House.    The House has continuously submitted appropriations bills, but the Senate Majority Leader has refused to allow a Senate vote on such bills.  In 2011, Senator Reid declared it would be "foolish for us to do a budget" (Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2012).  That implies that the Senate, not the House is the source of the problem.

The House has sent four different appropriations bills to the Senate, which has voted against every one of them.  Just because these spending bills do not match what the President or the Senate want them to be does not mean that the House should be characterized as obstinate or obstructionist.  There is nothing in the Constitution that requires the House to pass legislation that makes either the Senate or the President happy.  It’s not about what they like; it is all about what is good for the people of this country. 

The House, whose representation is apportioned based on population, is the instrument of the people.  To prevent one branch from becoming supreme, to protect the "opulent minority" from the majority, and to induce the branches to cooperate, government systems that employ a separation of powers need a way to balance each of the branches.  That’s the beauty of the US Constitution, its insistence on a separation of powers.  And our Founding Fathers gave the power of the purse to the House because it is the only body that is directly answerable to the people.

James Madison wrote in Federalist Papers, 58, “This power over the purse may, in fact, be regarded as the most complete and effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people, for obtaining redress of every grievance, and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure.”  If the House decides it wants to defund or delay Obamacare, that’s its prerogative.  The Senate may reject or approve the House measures. But, it cannot deride the House as being obstructionists if they are effectively representing the will of the people, regardless of the will of the Senate or the President.  The President can veto any legislation coming from Congress, but there is nothing in the Constitution that requires the Congress to be complacent or compliant with the desires of the President.

Obama seems to forget that the will of people, not the desires of the President, is what governs the country.  In the media, you will hear a lot of debates about who is responsible for the shutdown.  Since 2004, the Senate has repeatedly failed to pass any appropriation measures.  The roadblock is not the House, but the Senate and the President, whose will they deem more important than the will of the people.

Remember, it is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, not a government of the parties.  It’s time that Obama and the Senate realize they work for us, and not the other way around.

Are You All That?

by John Galt

Are you really all that?  When did we stop being humble?  When did we stop looking at ourselves through the eyes of another?  Just imagine how different you would act if you could see yourself as others see you. 

Do you really drive as well as you think you do?  I bet you don’t.  Put the cell phone down and stop texting when you drive and look around at the drivers near you.  I used to love driving, but now, it is down-right scary.  Someone is either following too close, running red lights or stop signs, swerving into my lane, pulling out in front of me, or making erratic movements.  When I get a look at the driver, they are usually preoccupied with something other than driving and act as if no one can see them inside their car.  If I called them out on their driving errors, would they be humble?  Unlikely.  I bet there would be an ugly altercation and they would be defensive of their actions and unlikely to take my observations to heart and drive more courteously.   

And don’t get me started on my snap-judgment of you when you flick your cigarette butt out the window or dump your ashtray in the street at a stop light.  It’s trash.  It’s littering.  It is a sign of self-centered disregard for people and the environment.  Would you want that trash on your yard?

One simple act of courtesy is sadly lacking in today’s drivers and that is the wave.  You know, when you let someone into traffic they are supposed to give you the wave that acknowledges that you courteously gave them an opening in traffic when you didn’t have to?  More often than not, people fail to give a wave of appreciation and don’t acknowledge a courteous act.  Gives me hope that there are still good people out there when I get the wave.

Are we humble when we enter a room or do we take a seat at the head of the table?  When I was a kid, only the head of the household would sit at the head of the table.  It was a place of honor and respect.  When I was invited by a friend to meet his family for dinner at a restaurant, I made a conscious decision on where to sit.  I knew that his dad should sit at the head of the table and it would be presumptuous to sit there.  So, I sat last, in the open seat.  I knew better.  I knew my place and how I would be perceived.  It was a courteous act.  I was humble.  I had a fantastic time at dinner.  By the way, humble is often a good first impression.

When you talk on a cell phone in a public place, how do you appear to those around you?  Confident and tech savvy?  Not likely.  People probably think you are loud, rude and have no class.  We don’t want to hear the juicy bits of your love life or what you think of everyone.  It doesn’t make you popular, it makes you annoying and self-centered.

When you don’t practice good hygiene, wear clothes that don’t fit or your undergarments are exposed, people make unfavorable judgments.  The same is true when you speak in slang or profanity, demonstrate poor manners, or act pushy or self-centered.  You cannot blame others for how they perceive you, right or wrong, it is something that you must own.  Is your appearance the real you or do you hide behind a facade to get attention?  Think about the message you are sending.

Be the person you want others to see in you; the one that can stand the test of time.  Don’t try to be the center of the universe all the time.  Fame and notoriety are fleeting, and seldom have positive outcomes.  Good, honest, and humble gets noticed for all the right reasons and that attention lasts more than the theoretical “15 minutes of fame.”  Look at yourself through the eyes of someone you care about and see yourself as they see you.  Make changes to be the person you really want to be.

 

Care about other people.  Thank someone when they do something nice for you.  Keep your private life private.  Be courteous of the people around you.  Be a supporting character in the life of someone you care about, not the center of attention.  Life isn’t a sprint, it is a journey.  Sometimes, maybe, just maybe, nice guys and gals finish first.  See you in traffic; I’ll be the one giving you the five-fingered wave.

Guilt-free Diet

by John Galt

I need to lose weight.  I’ve been adding on a few pounds here and there and now it is affecting my health.  Although I could lose a few pounds, I’m not talking about body weight.  I’m talking about the baggage that I carry around that keeps me from sleeping, adds stress to my life, and leaves me frustrated. 

We all have baggage.  Whether it is the failings of our kids, the guilt from our parents, unfulfilled dreams or the uncertainty of our economy, we tote it all along with us and it wears us down.  Eventually, we wear down and wear out.  My baggage has been growing for years.  I lug guilt and frustration like a draft horse.

 

Remember when you were a kid and your biggest constraint was not tracking mud in the house?  The world was yours.  The outdoors was a magical place to roam without a care.  At night, you slept soundly while dreaming of spacemen and cowboys, princesses and spacewomen.  Everything was possible.  No worries were carried from day to day.

What happened?  When did we become the ones responsible for our kids, out parents, our community, our employment, and our world?  When we became adults, we took on worrying as a competitive sport.  We wring our hands and relay our latest burden to all that will listen.  Our load gets bigger until we cannot sleep, we eat to comfort ourselves, and we suffer from the burden of it all.

Well, I’m on a diet.  I have a workout plan in place.  I’m going to stop worrying and whining about my responsibilities and take action.  I might have to do some heavy lifting.  I hear it is good for the heart. 

There are things that matter and there is everything else.  As part of my diet, I’m cutting out all the things that don’t matter to me.  They don’t affect my daily life and I really don’t have an opinion on the matter, so I am not giving them another thought.  Your diet may be different.  I know that time changes our priorities, but I’ll move them to the back burner for now.  Feeling lighter already.

Next, of the things that matter, I can affect some by my actions and over others, I have no influence.  Of those that I cannot affect the outcome, I will give those to God and put them on my daily prayer list.  An example of one thing on the list is my children’s safety while driving.  They have a safe, well-maintained car and years of instruction.  I’ve done all I can except remind them of the weather conditions and caution them about construction on their route.  I put them in God’s hands.  To think I can do otherwise is folly.

Of those things I can affect, those are my new workout routine.  I am working out a routine that takes action to resolve the weight I carry around, weight contributed by each and every worry in my life.  I’m changing the way I eat and adding exercise rather than complaining about my weight.  I’m going to prioritize what I need to accomplish at work today and this week, set realistic goals, and get moving on my plan.  For the people in my life, I will work to teach them strategies to help them to be more independent.  I cannot keep trying to do so much for others.  It is killing me and how will they survive without me?  How about they learn how to survive without me and I am still here?  Self-reliance is a good thing.  I will still be here to champion, guide, mentor, and coach.  That will free up time to enjoy my time with family and friends, not the harried rush in and out of each other’s lives, torn between to-do lists and errands.

I’ll still have plenty to do.  I’d love to have more time to volunteer at the organizations that benefit my community.  I’d love to spend time with family sharing the accounts of our days and not worrying about how I am going to fix their challenges.  I’d like to spend my time helping to find solutions, not fixing their problems.  Oh, the possibilities!

The area that is still undecided is my country.  For that, I don’t have a plan for action, yet.  Although I am only one voice, I still believe I can affect change.  The condition of this country is probably half the extra weight that I carry and the majority of my frustration.  It affects every aspect of my life and all of my relationships.  I want so many aspects of the country to be different.  I want less crime, less government entitlements, fewer taxes, better national and cyber security, and an economy that stimulates better jobs, especially in research and technology. 

I have a long list of worries about the country because they affect my daily life.  Has the poor state of the economy increased crime such that it is unsafe for my parents to live alone?  Can they continue to afford their bills?  Will the divisive nature of race issues in this country put my children at risk simply by the color of their skin?  Are they safe from conflicts between the perceived “haves” versus “have nots” about which that politicians rant as the root of evil in our society?  Will my kids be able to get a job commiserate with their education when they graduate from college?  Am I safe in my neighborhood?  Will I have a job tomorrow?  Will this country be the best it can be again?

If I didn’t have hope for the future of this country, I’d toss my concerns in the “don’t care” pile and walk away.  But, I still believe that the US can return to her glory.  For that, I have carried my concerns as worries for the future.  Now, I’m going to put together a plan and trade my worries for actions.  Worrying about the state of the country isn’t doing anyone any good.  But talking and writing about it just might.  I’ve looked up the contact information for my government officials.  I’m drafting some letters, not to complain, but to explain.  We can do better and if they aren’t willing to act, we can do better in the next election.  I’ll tell them what is important to me and those around me.  Maybe I’ll incite others to speak up and to write about their concerns.   It’s our country and it is time that we take it back.

The extra weight of my worries about this country that I have carried around is affecting my health and the health of those I love.  I’ve earned gold medals in the worried triathlon for years.  This isn’t going to be easy.  I’m going to start slow by lifting my pen and doing a few reps.  I’ll speak clearly so my representatives don’t get confused.  TAKE THIS COUNTRY BACK from the entitlements, the crime and the hate that divides us.  

Anarchist or Patriot?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently referred to the Tea Party as “anarchists” and “obstructionists.”  I find it humorous that Reid would refer to anyone as obstructionist, since he has prevented the Senate from passing a budget since April, 2009.  In 2011, Senator Reid declared it would be "foolish for us to do a budget." (Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2012)

The current government shutdown and debt crisis will likely be blamed on the Republicans because they have voted for legislation that would delay or defund the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but I don’t think they are the real culprits.  After the US House of Representatives passed continuing resolution legislation, Harry Reid announced that “We are not going to negotiate” on this legislation and stressed that the Democrats and President Obama “are not going to be bullied.” (CNSnews.com, September 30, 2013).

Harry is an obstructionist, but that’s only part of the story.  Harry also stated in his speech in the Senate that “Today, the Republican Party has been infected by a small but destructive faction that would rather tear down the House our Founders built than govern from it.”   I find it interesting that Harry would invoke the memory of the Founding Fathers, when Harry and his party act more like those that the Founding Fathers rebelled against.

The Democrats forced Obamacare through both the House and Senate. Then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stated, “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.”  Once it was passed, Obama proceeded to waive compliance with the ACA law for certain groups.  In other words, Obama decided who must comply with the law and who is exempt from the law.

Additionally, when the state of Arizona passed legislation to curtail illegal immigration, Obama’s Department of Justice sued the state in federal court.  Furthermore, Obama issued a directive to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials not to enforce immigration laws in cases where an illegal alien is the primary provider for any minor child—regardless of the child’s immigration status—or the parent or guardian of a child who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. (WashingtonExaminer.com, September 16, 2013).  Failing to uphold or enforce the laws of the United States is a violation of the Presidential Oath of Office as mandated by Article two, Section one, Clause eight of the US Constitution.

When our Founding Fathers broke ties with Great Britain, they wrote the Declaration of Independence to enumerate their grievances against the Crown and legitimize their rebellion in the eyes of the world. Many of their grievances against King George hold true today against Obama and his Democratic party.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

Our Founding Fathers wrote, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

I checked my dictionary and the definition of anarchist is “a person who seeks to overturn by violence all constituted forms and institutions of society and government, with no purpose of establishing any other system of order in the place of that destroyed.”  Those of us who want a smaller government, fewer taxes, less debt, and a more responsive government that abides by the US Constitution aren’t advocating an overthrow of the government.  We aren’t anarchists, we are patriots.  All we want is what our Founding Fathers fought for 237 years ago, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Through Harry Reid, some members of the Democratic Party and our President, we are enduring “a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism”.  It is time to throw off such government by voting Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Obama and their cronies out of office.  It’s time to make it a government of the people, by the people, and for the people again.