I'm probably the very last of the conservative bloggers to blog on the incident involving the US Marine who shot a wounded Iraqi in Fallujah. In part this was becaue I wanted to see where the story went. Well, it's pretty well documented now, and as equally well blogged upon, so I think I'll just make a couple of observations, then refer you to other blogger who, I believe, have answered the salient points in a manner that I find both eloquent and akin to my own opinion.
First of all, my observatiuon is that if this Marine's actions violated either the Geneva Convention, the UCMJ or the ROE's for Iraq, he deserves any disciplinary action coming to him. But if he didn't, he should not have his good name dragged through the mud.
So did he? Well, with regards to Geneva, Smallholder over at Naked Villainy has that covered.
The UCMJ or the ROE's? Well, I don't know enough about them, and we won't know until the investigation is complete, but Mean Mr. Mustard has a few thoughts on the investigation.
There's also the question of basic civility, and what a reasonable human being should have been expected to do. In that regard, none of us who have not been in combat has any point of reference from which to judge this Marine's actions. But Ace of Spades relays the thoughts of those who have been there -- and are even now.
All three are worth reading.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Fundamentalist Atheists
Thanks for the Memory to Jacques Vader.
Jacques, a right ballsy fellow himself, links to an article by one of our northern neighbors who has the temerity to defend the rights of the Right.
The best quote in the Coren article is this one:
After U.S. President George Bush's re-election last week, one rather glib Canadian pundit opined: "Half of the United States wants to be like Canada, the other half like Iran."
How awfully clever. Yes that's right, 150 million Americans want to amputate limbs as a form of punishment and sponsor international terrorism.
Remind you of anything?
Coren also makes this observation:
But in Canada this is accepted as intelligent analysis. [Don't be too hard on your country, sir, we have plenty of that going around down here too] It is what we have come to expect from the influential minority group known as The Secular Left. They dominate political parties, are well organized and are vehemently intolerant. They are also incapable of listening to the inherent contradictions in their own arguments.
Sounds like an ideal description of Fundamentalism, doesn't it? The irony is, that's what many on the left have become -- Fundamentalist Atheists -- but can't see that the comparison they make between different religions might just apply to their anti-religion.
Jacques, a right ballsy fellow himself, links to an article by one of our northern neighbors who has the temerity to defend the rights of the Right.
The best quote in the Coren article is this one:
After U.S. President George Bush's re-election last week, one rather glib Canadian pundit opined: "Half of the United States wants to be like Canada, the other half like Iran."
How awfully clever. Yes that's right, 150 million Americans want to amputate limbs as a form of punishment and sponsor international terrorism.
Remind you of anything?
Coren also makes this observation:
But in Canada this is accepted as intelligent analysis. [Don't be too hard on your country, sir, we have plenty of that going around down here too] It is what we have come to expect from the influential minority group known as The Secular Left. They dominate political parties, are well organized and are vehemently intolerant. They are also incapable of listening to the inherent contradictions in their own arguments.
Sounds like an ideal description of Fundamentalism, doesn't it? The irony is, that's what many on the left have become -- Fundamentalist Atheists -- but can't see that the comparison they make between different religions might just apply to their anti-religion.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
My Mother Has a Flag.
It was presented to her "on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation".
My grandmother has one like it.
My sister will some day receive one too.
My wife never will. And I cannot express to you sufficiently how much I regret that. I would dearly have loved to serve in the Navy just like my father and my grandfather and my brother-in-Law. But God in His infinite wisdom saw fit to let me be born with a body that disqualified me. To borrow from St. Paul, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." How ironic that one who has such admiration for the military would not be allowed to join its ranks. How glad for all of us that we have had so many over the years whose ability and willingness were present in equally sufficient proportion.
I probably should have written these words on Veteran's Day, but it was not that holiday that inspired these thoughts. To be honest, they're thoughts that have haunted me my entire adult life. But what brought them to the fore was the opportunity I had last night to watch perhaps the year's finest hour of television: a PBS documentary called Arlington: Field of Honor. The show chronicled a day in the operations of Arlington National Cemetary, interspersed with a report on the history of the place. They focused on the honor guard and the pains they take to honor our dead, in their uniforms, conduct, and demeanor, as well as showing several funerals conducted that day, ending with a funeral of a soldier killed in Iraq. Many have called this the most moving scene in the documentary, but for me, it was the funeral of a Navy veteran whose only attendees were his widow and the "Arlington Lady" who was there to assist her. It was during this funeral that the words of the flag presentation were aired. That's where I lost it. The rest of the documentary was beautiful, and poignant, but that moment was the most personal for me.
When thinking of phrases spoken throughout our history to honor our war dead, several spring to mind. "Last full measure of devotion." "Above and beyond the call of duty." I could go on. But for me, forever, the ones that will mean the most are, "on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation."
May they be eternally true.
My grandmother has one like it.
My sister will some day receive one too.
My wife never will. And I cannot express to you sufficiently how much I regret that. I would dearly have loved to serve in the Navy just like my father and my grandfather and my brother-in-Law. But God in His infinite wisdom saw fit to let me be born with a body that disqualified me. To borrow from St. Paul, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." How ironic that one who has such admiration for the military would not be allowed to join its ranks. How glad for all of us that we have had so many over the years whose ability and willingness were present in equally sufficient proportion.
I probably should have written these words on Veteran's Day, but it was not that holiday that inspired these thoughts. To be honest, they're thoughts that have haunted me my entire adult life. But what brought them to the fore was the opportunity I had last night to watch perhaps the year's finest hour of television: a PBS documentary called Arlington: Field of Honor. The show chronicled a day in the operations of Arlington National Cemetary, interspersed with a report on the history of the place. They focused on the honor guard and the pains they take to honor our dead, in their uniforms, conduct, and demeanor, as well as showing several funerals conducted that day, ending with a funeral of a soldier killed in Iraq. Many have called this the most moving scene in the documentary, but for me, it was the funeral of a Navy veteran whose only attendees were his widow and the "Arlington Lady" who was there to assist her. It was during this funeral that the words of the flag presentation were aired. That's where I lost it. The rest of the documentary was beautiful, and poignant, but that moment was the most personal for me.
When thinking of phrases spoken throughout our history to honor our war dead, several spring to mind. "Last full measure of devotion." "Above and beyond the call of duty." I could go on. But for me, forever, the ones that will mean the most are, "on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation."
May they be eternally true.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
At Least Let the Body Cool, for Pete's Sake!
I just received the following spam:
YASSER ARAFAT, REPLY NOW..
P.O. BOX 223
SECRETARIATE DISTRICT RAMALLAH,
RAMALLAH WESTBANK PALESTINE.
ATTN:
You may be surprise to receive such an offer from somebody you does not know before or have even met face to face with, but do not take because of this an underestimate the potentials of the business that I am about to reveal to you.
Let me start by introducing my humble self; My name is Barrister Hossian Bin Sharif, I am Barrister and the Attorney to the Late President of Palestine {YASSER ARAFAT} who peacefully passed away on Thursday 11th Nov. 2004 at French military hospital, where he had been treated for illness since Oct. 29. He died at 3:30 am in the hospital. MY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Before the death of this great Man, he held a property with a Prime financial firm in Indonesia, which I have all the deposit documents in my possession and this company does not know the content of this property, except the director of the firm. This property is a sealed consignment containing the sum of $ 5,500,000 Million USD{Five Million Five Hundred Thousand USD}
I will not disclose the whole information to you now, because of some security measure, but if you are willing to assist me and act as the heir to the deceased President Arafat and to claim the money from the Financial company management, I will intimate you on what to do and will provide you with all the documentations, proving that you are the rightful beneficiary to this property. I have discussed everything with the Director of the security company and he has personally advice that I should not participate as supposed in this business, to avoid suspicion and monitoring my interactions because of the unfortunate incident that occurred to our president and that i should look for a reliable, trustworthy and honest person who can assist and i prayed over this before i send you this mail.
I will like to make it clear for you and to your notice that this money is not in connection with terrorism, money laundering/drug money or any illegal act. The fund is 100% legal and trouble free. So you should not entertain any fear or what so ever, as I have all the comprehensive documents that will prove to you my words, everything have been planned concretely before involving you.
I will tell you more about this, upon your acceptance message agreeing to assist to carry out this venture.
I AM WAITING FOR YOUR SOONEST MESSAGE. REPLY TO THIS SECURE EMAIL ADDRESS: barristersharif@yahoo.com
Sincerely Yours,
Barrister Hossian Bin Sharif. {ESQ}
At some point, I may actually update this with some snarky comments. For now, I think its amusement value is self-evident.
YASSER ARAFAT, REPLY NOW..
P.O. BOX 223
SECRETARIATE DISTRICT RAMALLAH,
RAMALLAH WESTBANK PALESTINE.
ATTN:
You may be surprise to receive such an offer from somebody you does not know before or have even met face to face with, but do not take because of this an underestimate the potentials of the business that I am about to reveal to you.
Let me start by introducing my humble self; My name is Barrister Hossian Bin Sharif, I am Barrister and the Attorney to the Late President of Palestine {YASSER ARAFAT} who peacefully passed away on Thursday 11th Nov. 2004 at French military hospital, where he had been treated for illness since Oct. 29. He died at 3:30 am in the hospital. MY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Before the death of this great Man, he held a property with a Prime financial firm in Indonesia, which I have all the deposit documents in my possession and this company does not know the content of this property, except the director of the firm. This property is a sealed consignment containing the sum of $ 5,500,000 Million USD{Five Million Five Hundred Thousand USD}
I will not disclose the whole information to you now, because of some security measure, but if you are willing to assist me and act as the heir to the deceased President Arafat and to claim the money from the Financial company management, I will intimate you on what to do and will provide you with all the documentations, proving that you are the rightful beneficiary to this property. I have discussed everything with the Director of the security company and he has personally advice that I should not participate as supposed in this business, to avoid suspicion and monitoring my interactions because of the unfortunate incident that occurred to our president and that i should look for a reliable, trustworthy and honest person who can assist and i prayed over this before i send you this mail.
I will like to make it clear for you and to your notice that this money is not in connection with terrorism, money laundering/drug money or any illegal act. The fund is 100% legal and trouble free. So you should not entertain any fear or what so ever, as I have all the comprehensive documents that will prove to you my words, everything have been planned concretely before involving you.
I will tell you more about this, upon your acceptance message agreeing to assist to carry out this venture.
I AM WAITING FOR YOUR SOONEST MESSAGE. REPLY TO THIS SECURE EMAIL ADDRESS: barristersharif@yahoo.com
Sincerely Yours,
Barrister Hossian Bin Sharif. {ESQ}
At some point, I may actually update this with some snarky comments. For now, I think its amusement value is self-evident.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Happily Wrong
Yesterday the Feared Redhead and I went to a "Holiday Craft Faire" after church at the Lane County Fairgrounds. All your typical holiday craftsy stuff. Most of it was disappointing in that it wasn't handcrafted, but prefab stuff being resold by local merchants. Unlike most guys, I don't mind homespun, simple, corny holiday craftsiness, but mass-produced kitzch makes me break out.
Fortunately there were a few exceptions, including a couple of local wineries. One of them, Chateau Bianca (outside Dallas, OR), was offering tastings, including one of their port. I don't like port, and said as much. Port reminds me too much of raisin juice. The winery owner assured me that this port was different. But since he charged a $2 Dollar tasting fee for his port ( the other wines were free to taste), I decided to just believe him and leave it at that.
However, over the course of the conversation, I said somehting he liked, and he decided that teaching me a lesson was more inportant than his two dollars. He comped the port sample.
I stand corrected.
Most of the ports I'd tried had been tawny. This was a ruby port. It was sweet, but it didn't have that raisiny aftertaste I usually associate with port. It still tasted like wine, though much sweeter.
I think I shall be buying a bottle soon.
Fortunately there were a few exceptions, including a couple of local wineries. One of them, Chateau Bianca (outside Dallas, OR), was offering tastings, including one of their port. I don't like port, and said as much. Port reminds me too much of raisin juice. The winery owner assured me that this port was different. But since he charged a $2 Dollar tasting fee for his port ( the other wines were free to taste), I decided to just believe him and leave it at that.
However, over the course of the conversation, I said somehting he liked, and he decided that teaching me a lesson was more inportant than his two dollars. He comped the port sample.
I stand corrected.
Most of the ports I'd tried had been tawny. This was a ruby port. It was sweet, but it didn't have that raisiny aftertaste I usually associate with port. It still tasted like wine, though much sweeter.
I think I shall be buying a bottle soon.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Less Moore
Thanks for the Memory to The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler.
Apparently, at least one mother of a Marine killed in Iraq resents Michael Moore's comments regarding the election.
Eva Savage of Livingston, Tenn., has a message for filmmaker Michael Moore: You don't speak for me.
Nor for us, Mrs. Savage. But I think I do speak for many of us when I say:
Thank you for raising the kind of man your son grew up to be. His sacrifice makes the world better for the rest of us, and will not go unremembered nor unappreciated. He was Semper Fidelis, we're Semper Memoris -- Eternally grateful.
Apparently, at least one mother of a Marine killed in Iraq resents Michael Moore's comments regarding the election.
Eva Savage of Livingston, Tenn., has a message for filmmaker Michael Moore: You don't speak for me.
Nor for us, Mrs. Savage. But I think I do speak for many of us when I say:
Thank you for raising the kind of man your son grew up to be. His sacrifice makes the world better for the rest of us, and will not go unremembered nor unappreciated. He was Semper Fidelis, we're Semper Memoris -- Eternally grateful.
When Is A Vanity Plate Not Just A Vanity Plate?
When it Looks like this:
UPDATE:
This post was originally published on Nov. 5th. I wanted to say somehting for Veteran's Day, but couldn't think of anyhting else that said it any better.
The Feared Redhead and I were sitting in Burrito Boy last night, having Carne Asada tacos, when I looked out and noticed that the car parked next to ours had a plate just like this one. There was only one other table with customers at it, so I asked the gentleman at the table if it was his, and it was.
He earned it while serving in the airborne in Vietnam. I didn't ask what kind of wound or how, but he did offer the information that it still hurts.
So I went to the trouble of thanking him for his service and his sacrifice. I let him know that I understand that "Freedom isn't free" is more than a cliche slogan, that I understand the price of freedom, and the huge debt of gratitude and honor that we owe to all veterans, especially those who are wounded or killed in the service of the Republic.
I asked him how often anyone acknowledges his service because of his plate, and he told me it isn't often. I found that, quite frankly, not just sad but downright wrong.
How much time and trouble would it be, really, for someone to pause in a grocery store parking lot, or with the window rolled down at a stop sign, and just utter two simple, single-syllable words: Thank you. Hell, you have to exhale anyway, why not take the miniscule extra effort to use that breath to form a simple phrase that, quite frankly, people like the gentleman in Burrito Boy have coming to them? And how much better would you feel about yourself, and your country, if you bothered to do it? Is it just possible you might actually think about the words you're speaking, and the reason for them, and the significance of that reason, and might just be a little more thankful that you live on free soil, freedom purchased by those who offered their "Last Full Measure of Devotion"?
That's not much to ask for, is it folks? So when you see a plate like the one above, remember that it cost its owner something more than just the registration fees. And remember that they paid that cost on all our behalf.
UPDATE:
This post was originally published on Nov. 5th. I wanted to say somehting for Veteran's Day, but couldn't think of anyhting else that said it any better.
The Feared Redhead and I were sitting in Burrito Boy last night, having Carne Asada tacos, when I looked out and noticed that the car parked next to ours had a plate just like this one. There was only one other table with customers at it, so I asked the gentleman at the table if it was his, and it was.
He earned it while serving in the airborne in Vietnam. I didn't ask what kind of wound or how, but he did offer the information that it still hurts.
So I went to the trouble of thanking him for his service and his sacrifice. I let him know that I understand that "Freedom isn't free" is more than a cliche slogan, that I understand the price of freedom, and the huge debt of gratitude and honor that we owe to all veterans, especially those who are wounded or killed in the service of the Republic.
I asked him how often anyone acknowledges his service because of his plate, and he told me it isn't often. I found that, quite frankly, not just sad but downright wrong.
How much time and trouble would it be, really, for someone to pause in a grocery store parking lot, or with the window rolled down at a stop sign, and just utter two simple, single-syllable words: Thank you. Hell, you have to exhale anyway, why not take the miniscule extra effort to use that breath to form a simple phrase that, quite frankly, people like the gentleman in Burrito Boy have coming to them? And how much better would you feel about yourself, and your country, if you bothered to do it? Is it just possible you might actually think about the words you're speaking, and the reason for them, and the significance of that reason, and might just be a little more thankful that you live on free soil, freedom purchased by those who offered their "Last Full Measure of Devotion"?
That's not much to ask for, is it folks? So when you see a plate like the one above, remember that it cost its owner something more than just the registration fees. And remember that they paid that cost on all our behalf.
Win-Win Situation
Thanks for the Memory to Ace of Spades HQ.
A worthy cause indeed:
Hey! Conservatives! Tired of listening to liberals whine about how apocalyptic Bush's reelection is? Hey! Liberals! Convinced that Bush is going to ruin America?
Now there's an organization for both of you!
HELP THEM LEAVE!
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR "DISENFRANCHISED" CITIZENS
I don't think it's real, but darnit, don't I wish!
A worthy cause indeed:
Hey! Conservatives! Tired of listening to liberals whine about how apocalyptic Bush's reelection is? Hey! Liberals! Convinced that Bush is going to ruin America?
Now there's an organization for both of you!
HELP THEM LEAVE!
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR "DISENFRANCHISED" CITIZENS
I don't think it's real, but darnit, don't I wish!
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Minor Distinctions
Thanks for the Memory to Mean Mr. Mustard.
"The Christian right in America is the mirror image of the Islamic fundamentalists," according to Anti-Christian British fantasy author Philip Pullman.
Except, as Beautiful Atrocities, its readers, and Russell at MMM point out, "for jihad, suicide bombers, beheadings-of-the-week, honor killings, child-murders, Sharia law, genocide, comparison-shopping the best deal for exploding your kids, slavery, fatwas, polygamy, female circumcision, attitudes toward the Jews in general and Israel in particular (Thanks BA reader Neal), the subjugation of women, tribalism, genital mutilation, and dhimmitude."
Thanks, Mr. Pullman, thanks for reminding me that I, I'm the disciple of hate, and you, you're the champion of tolerance.
"The Christian right in America is the mirror image of the Islamic fundamentalists," according to Anti-Christian British fantasy author Philip Pullman.
Except, as Beautiful Atrocities, its readers, and Russell at MMM point out, "for jihad, suicide bombers, beheadings-of-the-week, honor killings, child-murders, Sharia law, genocide, comparison-shopping the best deal for exploding your kids, slavery, fatwas, polygamy, female circumcision, attitudes toward the Jews in general and Israel in particular (Thanks BA reader Neal), the subjugation of women, tribalism, genital mutilation, and dhimmitude."
Thanks, Mr. Pullman, thanks for reminding me that I, I'm the disciple of hate, and you, you're the champion of tolerance.
Limbo Ain't Just a Dance, You Know...
This is the week at the new job where we're supposed to be transitioning from training to actually doing the job. We were supposed to be taking calls in a training room yesterday and today, with tomorrow being our first day at our desk taking calls on a regular schedule. Unfortunately, they have not set up our phone extensions or our access to our account tracking tools, so things have been kind of weird. It's a bit distracting, so I apologize if the blog gets the short shrift for a couple of days.
In better news, I handled my first irate customer on the phone during a mentoring session yesterday. And the best part was, it wasn't my fault -- the customer was angry about a company policy. So I arranged for a call-back and sent him on his way. You may think it odd that I call this good news, but that kind of call is inevitable in the Tech Support industry, and now I feel like I have that under the bridge, so I feel more relaxed about the job in general.
In better news, I handled my first irate customer on the phone during a mentoring session yesterday. And the best part was, it wasn't my fault -- the customer was angry about a company policy. So I arranged for a call-back and sent him on his way. You may think it odd that I call this good news, but that kind of call is inevitable in the Tech Support industry, and now I feel like I have that under the bridge, so I feel more relaxed about the job in general.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Well Said
Lee B. has posted an excellent essay on freedom over at Merc's Place. His writing style is a bit rough around the edges, but it's not in the least bit prosaic -- there's a poetry to the words and phrases he uses to conjure images.
The essay starts with some sobering numbers, and puts forward an argument I've made for some time -- anyone who tries to use the number of US casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan as justification for our withdrawal is ignorant of our history. While even one death is tragic, there are sometimes even greater tragedies, such as tyranny and oppression and holocaust, that can only be averted by the sacrifices of brave soldiers. While we cannot discount those deaths, we must put them in perspective. The quickest and easiest way to dishonor those dead is to veer from the course of winning for freedom, thus rendering those deaths in vain.
Lee's best comment is this:
"liberty is precious. the right to keep that liberty is precious.
so precious, blood is more worthy than gold to pay its demanded price."
Well said. Let us never squander that which was purchased for us so dearly.
The essay starts with some sobering numbers, and puts forward an argument I've made for some time -- anyone who tries to use the number of US casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan as justification for our withdrawal is ignorant of our history. While even one death is tragic, there are sometimes even greater tragedies, such as tyranny and oppression and holocaust, that can only be averted by the sacrifices of brave soldiers. While we cannot discount those deaths, we must put them in perspective. The quickest and easiest way to dishonor those dead is to veer from the course of winning for freedom, thus rendering those deaths in vain.
Lee's best comment is this:
"liberty is precious. the right to keep that liberty is precious.
so precious, blood is more worthy than gold to pay its demanded price."
Well said. Let us never squander that which was purchased for us so dearly.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Loyal Opposition My @$$!!!!!
Thanks for the Memory to Sir George at The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler.
After I posted the quote of the day yesterday, I received a sarcastic comment about hate and fear, coupled with a straw-man remark about "Those do-gooder Democrats".
Well, as evidenced by Zombietime, those "Do-gooder" Democrats know a bit about generating Hate and Fear.
Go look at the pictures. Be disgusted and saddened and angered and frightened. But don't dare question their patriotism.
After I posted the quote of the day yesterday, I received a sarcastic comment about hate and fear, coupled with a straw-man remark about "Those do-gooder Democrats".
Well, as evidenced by Zombietime, those "Do-gooder" Democrats know a bit about generating Hate and Fear.
Go look at the pictures. Be disgusted and saddened and angered and frightened. But don't dare question their patriotism.
Winning the War on Error
Thanks for the Memory to Ace of Spades HQ.
Apparently See-BS is planning to axe 60 Minutes II, and rumor has it they're placing the blame squarely at Dan Rathers' feet.
No one to blame but yourself, Danny.
Apparently See-BS is planning to axe 60 Minutes II, and rumor has it they're placing the blame squarely at Dan Rathers' feet.
No one to blame but yourself, Danny.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Thank You
A hearty thank you to Brian for inviting me to guest author here. I have invited him to post on mine as well and we are working the details out on a group project with our friend Vic at Darth Apathy. We will provide details as soon as we have the wrinkles out.
Also thanks to Brian for his encouragement in my journey of faith.
Vulture 6
Also thanks to Brian for his encouragement in my journey of faith.
Vulture 6
This, Dr. Jones, this IS History.
Last night my feelings were mostly of relief as I watched a tight race finally come out in my candidate's favor.
This morning, as you may have read into my last post, came the giddiness. Not just giddiness. Elation. Joy. Exultation. Unmitigated happiness, excitement, and yes, a bit of gloating.
Blogfather Rusty thinks I may have engaged in hyperbole when I uttered the comment "The Republic was saved by itself." Maybe. He may be right that it would have taken more than a Kerry presidency to destroy the country. Probably so.
But I can't help getting a sense that I was just a part of something very big, and very good. The sense of pride, of accomplishment, and of weight off my shoulders is also enhanced by a feeling, an intuition, that history was made.
Ace of Spades agrees. He calls it the most important election in fifty years. And while I'd argue that Reagan's election might arguably give it a run for its money, I do think that this election, as a follow-up to the 2000 election, definitely sets a great tone for the century.
There's a tired old cliche that there are three kinds of people in this world -- those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask, "what happened?"
Today I feel like I was in the first group.
This morning, as you may have read into my last post, came the giddiness. Not just giddiness. Elation. Joy. Exultation. Unmitigated happiness, excitement, and yes, a bit of gloating.
Blogfather Rusty thinks I may have engaged in hyperbole when I uttered the comment "The Republic was saved by itself." Maybe. He may be right that it would have taken more than a Kerry presidency to destroy the country. Probably so.
But I can't help getting a sense that I was just a part of something very big, and very good. The sense of pride, of accomplishment, and of weight off my shoulders is also enhanced by a feeling, an intuition, that history was made.
Ace of Spades agrees. He calls it the most important election in fifty years. And while I'd argue that Reagan's election might arguably give it a run for its money, I do think that this election, as a follow-up to the 2000 election, definitely sets a great tone for the century.
There's a tired old cliche that there are three kinds of people in this world -- those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask, "what happened?"
Today I feel like I was in the first group.
Great Day in the Morning
I arose this morning to the sound of birds singing, to sunshine and clean air. I arose rested and smiling, and I awoke to the sweet smell of victory.
The Republic has been saved by itself.
To be honest, there were some disappointments. Here in Oregon, Feldkamp failed to DeFuze DeFazio. Al King lost to Ron Wyden, but that was more to be expected. Measures 35 and 38 failed.
But none of that can do anything to more than temporarily dampen my joy over President Bush's victory. Hallelujah!
I believe I shall smoke my cigar this evening.
Update:
My friend David mentioned this to me, thanks for the Memory to Blogfather Rusty for the actual link:
That Mighty Rushing Wind you hear? It's a giant sigh of relief. The DOW, the S&P, the NYSE, and Nasdaq were all up on the news that President Bush won.
The Republic has been saved by itself.
To be honest, there were some disappointments. Here in Oregon, Feldkamp failed to DeFuze DeFazio. Al King lost to Ron Wyden, but that was more to be expected. Measures 35 and 38 failed.
But none of that can do anything to more than temporarily dampen my joy over President Bush's victory. Hallelujah!
I believe I shall smoke my cigar this evening.
Update:
My friend David mentioned this to me, thanks for the Memory to Blogfather Rusty for the actual link:
That Mighty Rushing Wind you hear? It's a giant sigh of relief. The DOW, the S&P, the NYSE, and Nasdaq were all up on the news that President Bush won.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
VOTE!!!!!!!!
For God's sake, VOTE!
If you support President Bush, VOTE!
If you support John F Kerry, VOTE!
If you support Ralph Nader, VOTE!
If you care about this country and believe in the system we call American Democracy, the single most important thing you can do is VOTE!
If you vote for the winner, you have a right to complain if you feel betrayed.
If you vote for the loser, you have a right to complain because you warned us.
If you don't vote and complain, your mouth should be sewn shut with a guitar string.
VOTE!!!!!!!!
If you support President Bush, VOTE!
If you support John F Kerry, VOTE!
If you support Ralph Nader, VOTE!
If you care about this country and believe in the system we call American Democracy, the single most important thing you can do is VOTE!
If you vote for the winner, you have a right to complain if you feel betrayed.
If you vote for the loser, you have a right to complain because you warned us.
If you don't vote and complain, your mouth should be sewn shut with a guitar string.
VOTE!!!!!!!!
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