Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
America's Forgotten Heroes
Andrea Shea King
© 2009
On Jan. 10, 1970, U.S. Army Capt. Herbert C. Crosby disappeared without a trace.
"Herby" Crosby was piloting "Firebird 91," a UH-1C Iroquois Huey helicopter combat gunship in Vietnam. He was leading three Hueys returning from Tien Phuoc to the unit's home base at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. On board were Warrant Officer George A. Howes, co-pilot; Spc. 5th Class Wayne C. Allen, crew chief; and Spc. 4th Class Francis G. Graziosi, door gunner.
The 22-year old Crosby's tour of duty was scheduled to end a few weeks later, and the young serviceman looked forward to returning home to Donalsonville, Ga.
But on that day, Capt. Crosby and his three-man crew got lost in bad weather over Quang Nam Province. Their helicopter disappeared.
For 36 years, Crosby's family awaited word on the fate of their son and brother. On Dec. 8, 2006, they learned the truth. Herby's remains had been recovered, and all that was left to do was bury him with a full military funeral. The following Memorial Day, Capt. Herbert C. Crosby was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Today, we remember Capt. Crosby and all who have served our country, defenders of our liberty and that of oppressed countries the world over.
On this Veterans Day, I watched "Forgotten Heroes," a film conceived in 1985 and produced by filmmaker Jack Marino, who wanted to tell the real story of those who fought in Vietnam.
"Forgotten Heroes" isn't a documentary. Rather, it's the story of brothers in arms who were drafted, fought, overcame incredible hardships and came home to the jeers of fellow Americans who hated this war.
As one Blue Star Mom described it, "'Forgotten Heroes' is the polar opposite of so many Hollywood movies of the Vietnam War. You know, the ones that show the soldiers and Marines as bloodthirsty murderers and depraved and crazed killers of women and babies."
The "Forgotten Heroes" website explains:
In 1986 after watching the film "Platoon," Jack Marino realized that since John Wayne's "Green Berets," Hollywood was increasingly reluctant to say anything positive or portray in a heroic sense anyone that fought in the Vietnam war. He felt he had to do something to counter all the negativism that seemed so pervasive within the city limits of Tinsel Town towards America's war vets. He had been kicking around this idea of a World War II style film in a Vietnam setting for some time.
Marino explains, "I wanted to portray on film that generation who answered JFK's call to defend freedom anywhere and anytime."
He continues, "Every Sunday possible during my childhood, my dad and I would spend a few hours watching all the great black-and-white World War II movies together. Still, decades later, when I came home for a visit, we would fight the war together again in front of the TV. John Wayne, Errol Flynn, Van Johnson, Audie Murphy and so many more are a major part of my childhood memories."
The Blue Star Mom adds, "My husband and I have pretty much stopped watching movies coming out of Hollywood. We're just plain sick and tired of sitting down to let go of our daily stuff and be entertained to find we're being lectured on the liberal's agenda of hating America and/or our military. There are so many wonderful and inspiring stories about our military out there, just waiting to be told. But the media can't even bring itself to report on our finest unless it's report after report about torture (mostly bogus), civilian deaths (so many found to be untrue) and how 'demoralized' and 'broken' our troops are.
"So, to think Hollywood (the bastion of liberalism and 'blame America first') would even consider making a movie that showed the truth of all the great things and personal sacrifice our troops are willing to stand up and carry out?" she asks. "Well, I'm not holding my breath on that!"
We remember our veterans today, Nov. 11, with hearts filled with gratitude for all they've given to make our nation and the world a safer place. And we say a prayer for our fighting men and women and their loved ones. May God bless every one of them.
© 2009
On Jan. 10, 1970, U.S. Army Capt. Herbert C. Crosby disappeared without a trace.
"Herby" Crosby was piloting "Firebird 91," a UH-1C Iroquois Huey helicopter combat gunship in Vietnam. He was leading three Hueys returning from Tien Phuoc to the unit's home base at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. On board were Warrant Officer George A. Howes, co-pilot; Spc. 5th Class Wayne C. Allen, crew chief; and Spc. 4th Class Francis G. Graziosi, door gunner.
The 22-year old Crosby's tour of duty was scheduled to end a few weeks later, and the young serviceman looked forward to returning home to Donalsonville, Ga.
But on that day, Capt. Crosby and his three-man crew got lost in bad weather over Quang Nam Province. Their helicopter disappeared.
For 36 years, Crosby's family awaited word on the fate of their son and brother. On Dec. 8, 2006, they learned the truth. Herby's remains had been recovered, and all that was left to do was bury him with a full military funeral. The following Memorial Day, Capt. Herbert C. Crosby was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Today, we remember Capt. Crosby and all who have served our country, defenders of our liberty and that of oppressed countries the world over.
On this Veterans Day, I watched "Forgotten Heroes," a film conceived in 1985 and produced by filmmaker Jack Marino, who wanted to tell the real story of those who fought in Vietnam.
"Forgotten Heroes" isn't a documentary. Rather, it's the story of brothers in arms who were drafted, fought, overcame incredible hardships and came home to the jeers of fellow Americans who hated this war.
As one Blue Star Mom described it, "'Forgotten Heroes' is the polar opposite of so many Hollywood movies of the Vietnam War. You know, the ones that show the soldiers and Marines as bloodthirsty murderers and depraved and crazed killers of women and babies."
The "Forgotten Heroes" website explains:
In 1986 after watching the film "Platoon," Jack Marino realized that since John Wayne's "Green Berets," Hollywood was increasingly reluctant to say anything positive or portray in a heroic sense anyone that fought in the Vietnam war. He felt he had to do something to counter all the negativism that seemed so pervasive within the city limits of Tinsel Town towards America's war vets. He had been kicking around this idea of a World War II style film in a Vietnam setting for some time.
Marino explains, "I wanted to portray on film that generation who answered JFK's call to defend freedom anywhere and anytime."
He continues, "Every Sunday possible during my childhood, my dad and I would spend a few hours watching all the great black-and-white World War II movies together. Still, decades later, when I came home for a visit, we would fight the war together again in front of the TV. John Wayne, Errol Flynn, Van Johnson, Audie Murphy and so many more are a major part of my childhood memories."
The Blue Star Mom adds, "My husband and I have pretty much stopped watching movies coming out of Hollywood. We're just plain sick and tired of sitting down to let go of our daily stuff and be entertained to find we're being lectured on the liberal's agenda of hating America and/or our military. There are so many wonderful and inspiring stories about our military out there, just waiting to be told. But the media can't even bring itself to report on our finest unless it's report after report about torture (mostly bogus), civilian deaths (so many found to be untrue) and how 'demoralized' and 'broken' our troops are.
"So, to think Hollywood (the bastion of liberalism and 'blame America first') would even consider making a movie that showed the truth of all the great things and personal sacrifice our troops are willing to stand up and carry out?" she asks. "Well, I'm not holding my breath on that!"
We remember our veterans today, Nov. 11, with hearts filled with gratitude for all they've given to make our nation and the world a safer place. And we say a prayer for our fighting men and women and their loved ones. May God bless every one of them.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Constitutional Conflict of Conservatives
As a Conservative I have a certain set of beliefs that structure my life and actions within the context of my world. Such as it is.
And as a Conservative there are times when my conservative belief system comes into conflict with that of the established conservative community.
Sitting here this morning, drinking a cup a coffee I was reviewing the day’s news before getting my day started. As I was reading I came across an article from World Net Daily’s Chelsea Schilling, entitled “Perversion 101: Kids taught `gay’ sex, rape, bestiality, High School teacher keeps job after handing out pornographic `banned book’.
Admittedly the title tweaked my interest, which is what it was supposed to do, so I read it. Needless to say I was more than a little bit dismayed.
Essentially, the story was about a father who discovered that some how or other his son’s High School teacher had made available a book to the student entitled “The Perks of being a Wall flower” by Stephen Chbosky. And this book is apparently banned by the young man’s school system, and most certainly by the young man’s father.
While the subject matter is not something I would want one of my children to read, I am torn between my desire to keep the spread of an idea that I personally find repugnant and my desire to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.
The question becomes; how do I reach a balance between my belief in the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, and my desire to keep what I believe to be a piece of literary trash from public view? Or at least from the view of young minds that are still easily influenced.
The answer unfortunately is that you don’t. You can’t have both. As a conservative and supporter of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights the very essence of your belief in these two documents is the very thread that makes America what it is. The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of the Press and free speech. At the same time if you use the old liberal argument that it does not give you the right to yell “fire” in a crowded theater if there is no fire, you negate the very precepts of the First Amendment. A sticky situation to be sure.
To me personally, the very idea of banning a book, or for that matter burning a book, smacks too much of the Book Burnings of the Muslims at the library of Alexander and the resulting loss of thousands of years of human knowledge, and that of the Nazi Regime of World War Two.
Is there a happy medium? No!
Is there a solution? Yes and no!
As Conservatives and believers in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, it is incumbent upon us to defend the rights of those who write trash and spread ideas that are repugnant to us. In many cases over the past 234 years countless Americans have given their lives to support that belief.
At the same time we must also remember that we have the right to decide for ourselves what we will and won’t read. THAT is also a right and freedom we as Americans are, if not guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States, are inherently guaranteed by the simple fact that we are Americans.
As such we also have the obligation to ensure that the moral imperatives of our lives are set to a higher standard, and that those standards are ingrained into our children and into our society.
While we may disagree with the Liberal point of view we are also trapped into the ideological maze created by our fore fathers which obligates us to protect their right to free speech. No matter how repugnant it may be to us, and bearing in mind that this simple fact is what makes America the greatest nation on earth.
And as a Conservative there are times when my conservative belief system comes into conflict with that of the established conservative community.
Sitting here this morning, drinking a cup a coffee I was reviewing the day’s news before getting my day started. As I was reading I came across an article from World Net Daily’s Chelsea Schilling, entitled “Perversion 101: Kids taught `gay’ sex, rape, bestiality, High School teacher keeps job after handing out pornographic `banned book’.
Admittedly the title tweaked my interest, which is what it was supposed to do, so I read it. Needless to say I was more than a little bit dismayed.
Essentially, the story was about a father who discovered that some how or other his son’s High School teacher had made available a book to the student entitled “The Perks of being a Wall flower” by Stephen Chbosky. And this book is apparently banned by the young man’s school system, and most certainly by the young man’s father.
While the subject matter is not something I would want one of my children to read, I am torn between my desire to keep the spread of an idea that I personally find repugnant and my desire to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.
The question becomes; how do I reach a balance between my belief in the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, and my desire to keep what I believe to be a piece of literary trash from public view? Or at least from the view of young minds that are still easily influenced.
The answer unfortunately is that you don’t. You can’t have both. As a conservative and supporter of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights the very essence of your belief in these two documents is the very thread that makes America what it is. The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of the Press and free speech. At the same time if you use the old liberal argument that it does not give you the right to yell “fire” in a crowded theater if there is no fire, you negate the very precepts of the First Amendment. A sticky situation to be sure.
To me personally, the very idea of banning a book, or for that matter burning a book, smacks too much of the Book Burnings of the Muslims at the library of Alexander and the resulting loss of thousands of years of human knowledge, and that of the Nazi Regime of World War Two.
Is there a happy medium? No!
Is there a solution? Yes and no!
As Conservatives and believers in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, it is incumbent upon us to defend the rights of those who write trash and spread ideas that are repugnant to us. In many cases over the past 234 years countless Americans have given their lives to support that belief.
At the same time we must also remember that we have the right to decide for ourselves what we will and won’t read. THAT is also a right and freedom we as Americans are, if not guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States, are inherently guaranteed by the simple fact that we are Americans.
As such we also have the obligation to ensure that the moral imperatives of our lives are set to a higher standard, and that those standards are ingrained into our children and into our society.
While we may disagree with the Liberal point of view we are also trapped into the ideological maze created by our fore fathers which obligates us to protect their right to free speech. No matter how repugnant it may be to us, and bearing in mind that this simple fact is what makes America the greatest nation on earth.
@sharednews.com
Thursday, October 1, 2009
These are NOT Party Issues, but American Issues!!
One of the biggest problems I have these days is trying to find the time to do everything I need too. Between doing a Conservative Talk Radio Show on Blogtalkradio, preparing for a serious run for the United States Senate from New Mexico, and writing for this blog, it’s difficult to find enough hours in a week let alone a day.
Recently, I realized that I was suffering from major informational overload. Since I have to look at the news and then analyze it, I find that whether I want it or not, I have a somewhat better understanding of what is happening in the world around me. The revelations that come to me are at the very least frightening, and at the worst terrifying at times.
One of the questions that I am forced to look at carefully, both for my readers, and for my listeners is; What is going to happen to the United States and what is going to happen to the people of this great nation?
Normally, I try not to make to many predictions. This because I don’t want to give the impression that I am a fortune teller, and secondly because I don’t want to shoot my credibility in the butt. Which is something all columnist and Talk Show Host avoid like the plague.
I will however, say this much; we as a nation must now look to our own welfare. We must force our elected representatives to the understanding that they work for us and that the Federal Government is under the enumerate powers of the Constitution of the United States and an agent of the states. The states are not agents of the Federal Government.
We must also make clear to the Federal Government and those who represent it, i.e. Czars, the House of Representatives, and the Senate that when the American People speak, they had damned well better listen.
As a Conservative, my chief concern is the protection of the Constitution of the United States. The protection of my own State’s rights and Sovereignty , and finally the protection of all Americans.
It is time that the silliness and terminal lack of common sense taking place in Washington, D. C. come to a halt and that the political pundits there realize that the issues at hand are not party issues, but American issues. It is also time that those we elected start listening to those who elected them to office.
Most importantly they need to start living up to their oaths of office where it clearly states that they will “Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States”.
Recently, I realized that I was suffering from major informational overload. Since I have to look at the news and then analyze it, I find that whether I want it or not, I have a somewhat better understanding of what is happening in the world around me. The revelations that come to me are at the very least frightening, and at the worst terrifying at times.
One of the questions that I am forced to look at carefully, both for my readers, and for my listeners is; What is going to happen to the United States and what is going to happen to the people of this great nation?
Normally, I try not to make to many predictions. This because I don’t want to give the impression that I am a fortune teller, and secondly because I don’t want to shoot my credibility in the butt. Which is something all columnist and Talk Show Host avoid like the plague.
I will however, say this much; we as a nation must now look to our own welfare. We must force our elected representatives to the understanding that they work for us and that the Federal Government is under the enumerate powers of the Constitution of the United States and an agent of the states. The states are not agents of the Federal Government.
We must also make clear to the Federal Government and those who represent it, i.e. Czars, the House of Representatives, and the Senate that when the American People speak, they had damned well better listen.
As a Conservative, my chief concern is the protection of the Constitution of the United States. The protection of my own State’s rights and Sovereignty , and finally the protection of all Americans.
It is time that the silliness and terminal lack of common sense taking place in Washington, D. C. come to a halt and that the political pundits there realize that the issues at hand are not party issues, but American issues. It is also time that those we elected start listening to those who elected them to office.
Most importantly they need to start living up to their oaths of office where it clearly states that they will “Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States”.
@sharednews.com
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