Heroes

Sunny - Hi 112 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Cloudy - Hi 90 Lo 72 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Heroes, David Bowie

Ramble:

Earlier this week I received my order from the United States Postal Service. Besides my Ronald Reagan and Benjamin Franklin stamps I received my Super Heroes stamps. (Wonder Woman... expect a letter from me!) The Super Heroes collection of stamps is very cool and I can't wait to use them. (Geeky moment #1)

(Geeky moment #2) Then on Thursday night, Michael and I were channel surfing and we came upon the SciFi Channel and a cute little "reality" show called "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" Michael and I were immediately drawn in primarily because Stan Lee was part of the show, and secondarily because of characters with names like Fat Momma, Cell Phone Girl (jury is still out on whether I like her or not), Monkey Woman (don't like this chick- self absorbed narcissistic thing), Feedback (don't like this guy either), The Iron Enforcer (this guy is on steroids- so no way is he a super hero), Creature, Lemuria (Michael likes her- watch the show... you'll see why), TYVeculus, and my personal favorite, Major Victory!

In last week's episode, Stan sends the superheroes to a public park and tells them that, when summoned by their communication devices, they must change into their costumes as quickly as possible without anyone seeing them. They must then race through a nearby archway, which is the finish line. The superhero who has the fastest time wins. Little do they know that the true test is to stop and help a crying child, who has been placed strategically near the finish line.

The great part is that the producers of the show are looking for someone that has the qualities of a super hero--
No one will be asked to perform feats of impossible strength; our superheroes will be tested for courage, integrity, self-sacrifice, compassion, and resourcefulness — all traits that every true superhero must possess.

In the end, only one aspiring superhero will have the inner strength and nobility to open the gates to comic-book immortality. The winner of this six-week competition will walk away with their character immortalized in a new comic book developed with Stan Lee. And that's not all — the winning character will also appear in an original SCI FI Channel movie!

If you get the Sci Fi Channel in your area- try and catch this gem of a show.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and come from all walks of life. They appear unexpectedly in everyday life. Heroes are the folks that show up on the side of the highway to change a flat tire or offer use of a cell phone. Heroes take on jobs that everyday mortals would never consider. Heroes walk through life not looking to help others, but when the situation arises the hero will step up and do the right thing without being asked. A hero doesn't ask for anything in return for their kindness or helpfulness. I believe they hope that the recipient will "pay it forward" and become someone else's hero. Yes, of course some are in uniform, but others can be found in jeans and a t-shirt and still others in business suits. Heroes are not concerned with anything but doing the right thing despite what public opinion may be or the latest polls reveal. Some heroes are well known and others are nameless... Heroes are willing to fight for their principles and something greater than themselves. Some heroes have even given the ultimate sacrifice to stand by those principles. Heroes are also flawed - they are not saints and never should be identified as such although many in their pursuit of doing the right thing may do saintly things.... Being flawed is what makes a hero human and not a god.

Last weekend Michael and I and our close friends Jedi Master Rob and JoAnna took a tour of various places in Frankfort, Kentucky - our state capital. (We stopped by the Governor's Mansion to see if Ernie would let us use the restroom but he was busy being indicted.) So anyway, while there, we visited Frankfort Cemetery. In our quest to find the gravesite of Daniel Boone we made an amazing discovery that Jedi Master Rob shared in his post from last Sunday. I still get chills thinking about it.

As we prepared to leave the cemetery and call it a day, a gentleman wearing a ring that identified him as a Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine) stepped up to our car and told us about the Kentucky Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. His discription had us all fascinated and although we were tired we all knew we had to go and see this memorial for ourselves. My only regret is that I did not thank this man - not for the tip - but for his service. I have no doubt that he was a veteran of Vietnam--- and a hero.

Michael and I have visited The Wall in Washington D.C. and no sculpture has moved me as much as that. Ever. Walking through you become consumed by all the names... overwhelmed when you realize that each name represents one person- one hero. Each hero had a family. At the height of the Vietnam War the black granite is well over your head and you realize the sacrifice that these men made. If you have never been... please make it a stop if you are ever in our nation's capital. I tell you this, because the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial is simply amazing...

So, the directions that the Marine gave us were perfect... The Memorial is in the middle of nowhere and we never would have found it on our own.

The design concept is in the form of a large sundial. The stainless steel gnomon casts its shadow upon a granite plaza. There are 1,100 names of Kentuckians on the memorial, including 23 missing in action. Each name is engraved into the plaza, and placed so that the tip of the shadow touches his name on the anniversary of his death, thus giving each fallen veteran a personal Memorial Day.
The location of each name is fixed mathematically by the date of casualty, the geographic location of the memorial, the height of the gnomon and the physics of solar movement. The stones were then designed and cut to avoid dividing any individual name. The resulting radial-concentric joint pattern suggests a "web", symbolic of the entangling nature of this war.


The time and effort taken to remember these fallen heroes is inspirational. Like The Wall in Washington D.C., this Memorial is interactive. The day we visited, the sky was overcast so we couldn't see where the gnomon was casting it's shadow. We will definitely go back.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1.To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2. A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck [what is] planted;
3. A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
7. A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
8. A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.









Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

She's back!!! Actually A North American Patriot has been back for a couple of weeks- I just wanted to welcome her officially- If you haven't been by her place yet, go welcome Wonder Woman back to the blogosphere... It hasn't been the same without her.

One of the reasons I decided to have my ramble this week on heroes is because of this guy. Genuine has one of the coolest blogs out there. It oozes superhero. He is a husband! He is a dad! He is Genuine!

In my quest to find super heroes for this week's post, I came across this blog. Go figure... more Texans... What is it with me and my fascination with everything TEXAS?? Go check Alamo Nation out. Two (or is it three?)proud TexAmericans fighting leftist jackassery one crunchy Moonbat hippie at a time. I don't like hippies either... I'm gonna like these guys.

One question-- Who are your heroes?

Have a great week everyone!

(click on all the images for a larger view)

The Therapist & The Lone Ranger

The Therapist surprised me with guest columnist, John Kerry. That's right... John Kerry.... Mr. Kerry offers insight into the events unfolding... somewhere................

OH MY GOSH!!! I am still laughing! Go visit MY Therapist. He is back and funnier than ever.






psst.... psst...by the way... if you've never visited Ron... he's a satirist...

Update: So then I head over to The Lone Ranger's place for a nightcap and I learn that Cindy Sheehan is starving to death... and he has a disturbing photograph to prove it.... in all her glorious Code Pink garb....





I'm never gonna be able to fall asleep tonight....

The Big Red Machine and Me

Sunny - Hi 118 Lo 90 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 80 Lo 62 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Summertime, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince

Ramble:

As a kid growing up in Cincinnati in the 70's, it was a requirement to be a baseball fan especially being the granddaughter of Helyn. Terry and I would spend our summers with our grandparents and my grandmother was a HUGE fan of baseball. When she was a girl growing up in Cincinnati, she lived across the street from the old Crosley Field... She would watch all the games from the roof of the tenement house she and her family lived and after the 7th inning they would open a gate out in left field and she would stand just inside the ballpark to watch the games. During our summers at our grandparents, I rarely remember the television being on except if a game was televised. (back then, all the games were not aired). But, what I do remember is sitting and listening to Marty and Joe on 700 WLW...

Growing up in Cincinnati, you knew who the Big Red Machine was... whether you followed baseball or not. It has been 30 years and I still know them... Johnny Bench- catcher, Tony Perez- 1st base, Joe Morgan-2nd base, Dave Concepcion- shortstop, Pete Rose- 3rd base, George Foster-left field, Cesar Geronimo- center field, and Ken Griffey- right field. The only pitcher I recall is Don Gullett (I could cheat and look them up, but that would be wrong) The bullpen for Cincinnati was unstoppable. The manager was Sparky Anderson. He placed expectations on his players... for instance, short(er) hair, no facial hair... you didn’t play for Sparky if you couldn’t behave like a gentlemen. The men on this team were accessible. I felt like I knew them- they were part of the family- every single one of them. They always seemed to be smiling and they would make appearances on local tv shows and Johnny Bench would sing and Tony Perez would tell stories (but no one could understand him because his accent was so thick) and Pete Rose would tell jokes... George Foster always seemed real shy in front of the camera, but Ken Griffey... wow... did I have a crush on Ken Griffey... I remember my grandmother would be in the kitchen and if Cesar Geronimo was up to bat, you would hear her yell, "Goooo Geronimooooooo!!!"

We went to a few games and that was always a thrill. I remember one time at Riverfront Stadium up in the wayyyyy high red seats... My brother brought his glove expecting to catch a fly ball… (it would have had to have been carried to him by a pigeon based on where we were sitting)... Sitting there in the park, there was so much of nothing to do. Time would be spent, ordering and getting and eating hotdogs, popcorn and a coke, looking through the program, looking through the binoculars at the other fans, keeping score on the back of the program, watching the grown ups around you talk and in between all of this non-activity was actually some game watching. Joe Morgan steps up to plate, does that elbow jerk thing and waits for the pitch... CRACK! -Line drive up center field for a single.

Baseball goes at its own pace and there is never any rush to finish the game. I miss that.

I don't watch or listen to baseball anymore... I lost interest in the game after the strike in the early 90's. When the game became more about the money rather than the love of the game... on both sides of the fence... the players and the owners... I didn't care anymore. I tried to start listening again this season, but it's different now. Players don't stick around anymore... trades are as much a part of the game as chewing tobacco (used to be)... I guess this is something Michael would refer to as "an old people moment". I yearn for the good ol days of summer and baseball...

I hear the minor league ball games have that feel... maybe we can go to a couple of those...

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

E-nough! - "What happens when two hot-blooded women, one American and one French, both living in a socialist paradise called France, meet in the middle of a transatlantic diplomatic crisis?" Provocative... go check these women out.

Sons of the Republic - "We are husbands, fathers, and sons. We are Americans - born, bred and proud to be so. We come from diverse backgrounds, a shared faith, and a mutual belief that the United States of America is the greatest nation ever to be placed on the face of God's Green Earth." Yeah! Enough said...no, go check these men out...

Chez Diva - "I happen to like celebrity gossip, haute couture, beauty, politics and current events among many other things. This is a well rounded blog for individuals who aren’t cardboard cut-outs." The wonderful thing about this lady is that she has been working to memorialize every single person that were victims of terrorism on 9/11. Pretty amazing undertaking if you ask me.

One last parting thought... go visit my friend, Jedi Master Rob at Beware the Dark Side. He has an absolutely fantastic history lesson to share... especially for all the Marines out there...

U.S. Marine Corps Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Semper Gratus!

Have a great week everyone!

Oh Meme! I almost forgot!

Nearly a month ago the fabulous Laura from Laura's Miscellaneous Musings tagged me with this cute meme... I told Laura that I'd do it and then of course, promptly forgot...

Well, when I'm not forgetful, I like to keep my promises.. so - here goes.


1. What's the last book you read? Back in Action: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude by David Rozelle

2. What did you eat for breakfast? Haven't had breakfast yet... working on a cup of tea... I know... don't tell anyone... I sometimes like a cup of tea...

3. What was your first pet and what was its name? A pekapoo named Romeo.

4. Do you know latitude from longitude? Yes.

5. If you could take your dream vacation, where would you go? Nationally - Washington D. C. (again)- There is so much to see there and in the surrounding area. Internationally - Okinawa (again) to visit my family and I'd also like to visit Hungary and Italy and New Zealand.

6. What's your favorite shower soap? Bath & Body Works Mango Mandarin
7. Mustard or mayo? both

8. Tell a knock-knock joke you know.

Knock- Knock!

Who's There?

Vera!

Vera who?

Vera few people think knock knock jokes are funny!

9. How old were you when you got your driver's license? 16.

10. If you cook or bake, what's your favorite thing to make? If you don't cook or bake, what's your favorite thing that your mom makes? I don't bake... my mom definitely doesn't bake... isn't that just pitiful?

11. From memory - who wrote Beowulf? Oh.... memories of Freshman High School Lit class and Mr. R. the hippy teacher.... yeah... Beowulf was one of his favorites, but I had forgotten that the author was unknown... Even then, I hated hippies...

That was fun! Thanks Laura! I won't ask anyone to play, but if you are so inclined, please let me know!

Our Italian Friends in Freedom & Liberty Ask for Assistance

Two of my friends from the Italian blogosphere, Otimaster and Bisqui sent a plea to me. I ask that you visit both of them.

If you can't read Italian (like me) please use Babelfish (also located on my sidebar) to interpret.

Graci!

"Give a little Help to your Italian friends

Our country has a new government which pretend itself democratic but is trying to move into a socialist dictatorship.

Violations of the rules of the democracy happens every day and the magistracy is used as an arm against the political opponents.
The Communists that are 60% of the coalition of left want to vote against the financing of the military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, sorry if we will not be able to respect the promises made to your country.
The commanders of our Internal Security Services who helped the CIA to capture a terrorist are now moved from their role and inquires because what they did has been considered illegal.
The government has moved the commanders of the financial police that were inquiring on the red cooperatives.
These are some of the things that happen in our country.
Please read our blog for further information, if you want publish our appeal, take it read to your politicians, help us to convince our politicians to respect the democracy."


And ask to your friend to publicize that post?

The American Dream

Sunny - Hi 113 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq (yeah, but it's a dry heat...)
Sunny - Hi 95 Lo 71 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Georgia On My Mind, Ray Charles

Ramble:

I've never been one to remember my dreams... in fact the few that I remember are usually bad dreams or in some instances would be considered nightmares... That might possibly be why I've never been one to dream about personal wants... Yes, of course, I've had goals and objectives and together with Michael we have worked towards those goals. We are pretty happy with what we have accomplished in life. I on the other hand take little satisfaction in the achievements we have made... But I digress... My focus is on dreams...

I suppose I find inspiration from those that can dream and make those dreams a reality and in turn make this world a better place.

I chose this Sunday's song because Ray Charles is one of my favorite musicians. His voice is so full of passion, always with a little bit of melancholy around the edges. If you haven't seen the movie, Ray, starring Jamie Fox, I urge you to rent it. The life and times of Ray Charles was a microcosm of the American Dream.

Just what is the American Dream? In an essay from 1973 (which I strongly urge you to read), John E. Nestler wrote:

"The American Dream. The term has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? At one time, people were proud to believe in it, Horatio Alger was a national hero, Europeans dreamed of the day when they could migrate to the land of opportunity. But now the American Dream is no longer a subject of admiration. Instead, the use of the term is confined to satiric remarks, those who believe in it are considered naive, and to be proud of it is proof of romantic sentimentality.

I believe this change to be due to a metamorphosis of the American Dream itself -this as a result of a change in the American mentality. [...]

Let us compare this view of the American Dream with that of today. Whereas the American Dream was once equated with certain principles of freedom, it is now equated with things. The American Dream has undergone a metamorphosis from principles to materialism.

[...] Decades ago, a man would have said he wanted a day's wages for a day's work. Wasn't that materialism? No, because what was being emphasized was that each man, as a free and individual agent, has the right to as much as the market will pay for his efforts. Today, a man would say merely that he has a right to live comfortably; the fact that comfort must be earned is ignored; the question of whether the person is deserving of comfort never arises."

Read the entire essay here. This essay, truly is a must read. Please, go...now...

Each of us privileged to call the United States home was given a great gift... We were given an opportunity to live a life in freedom and with liberty. We have been given the opportunity to work hard and be successful--- what ever your definition of success may be. We have been given the opportunity to live as we please, to worship as we please or to not worship at all.

In pursuing the American Dream, we must remember it comes with great responsibility. Our freedom and liberty came at the price of brave men willing to die to keep the dream alive.

All this is a reflection of what we are seeing throughout the world right now. There are those that want to see this country and those that stand beside us fall...

So, back to Ray Charles... He was born under the most difficult of circumstances... He was born into poverty, suffered great loss in his childhood, lost his eye sight at a young age. He was taught to be self sufficient despite his handicap and to never accept a hand out. Ray Charles endured prejudice, but kept on with his dream. Like America, Ray Charles was not perfect... He had his own personal demons to deal with... And despite all the obstacles he faced throughout his life... Ray Charles lived the American Dream- Ray Charles was the American Dream.

The state of Georgia which denied him as a son all those years finally recognized him... and in 1979, Georgia on My Mind became Georgia's State Song...

We live in an amazing country. NO... we aren't perfect... far from it... but the wonderful thing is that we always have the opportunity to correct our mistakes and we do!!

I stand and want to be counted... I love this country... I'm willing to defend her --imperfections and all... I love the American Dream...

*

Happy Anniversary Mom and Papaw!!
63 years!!
Sixty Three Years is a long time!! And they said it wouldn't last...
Words can not express how much I love you both.



For Michele:

Arigato, Grazie, Danke, Gracias, Dank u, and Thank you!!!!

Some of you may have noticed my blog looks a little different... some of you have noticed that my blog loads a lot faster... some of you have even noticed that my blog looks okie dokie not only in Internet Explorer, but in Firefox as well... One of you even commented, " I didn't realize how much I hated those polka dots." (Reeaalllll nice, Rob... :-))

Well... I wish I could say that it was me... I did it all... I made the changes.... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

But alas, it wasn't me... Michele from Blogging Chicks, Michele from Reformed Chicks Blabbing and Michele from Life Under the Sun took pity upon this poor girl and last Sunday...

Cath, who is this Michele person? Well, I'll tell ya... she is one nice chick... (or she just got tired of my whining)... ;-)

Sincerely-- Michele--- Thank you. So, very cool of you to do this until I get the other place set up. I don't feel I need to move anymore... ya know? Now once you have caught your breath, I'm going to need to ask you some questions... I want to rearrange a couple of things, but need a roadmap to understanding HTML.... ;-))

Anyway...please, go stop by one of Michele's places and send her thanks!!

Blogging Chicks
Reformed Chicks Blabbing
Life Under the Sun


Have a great week everyone!

Qui-Gon Jinn

I always like going over to Lem's place... He always has a fun quiz up... How can I resist a Star Wars quiz??

Is it just me?

With everything going on in the Middle East with Israel, is it just me or has anyone else pulled out their copy of Left Behind? Just curious...

Sunday Morning and I Got Nothin'...

Sunny- Hi 109 Lo 86 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Sunny - Hi 83 Lo 66 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Fire and Rain, James Taylor

Ramble:

This is the first time I've had to make myself sit down and post... go figure. I'm annoyed with how my blog looks to everyone but me... as you can see from the photo... the way I see it looks fine, but a dozen of you have been kind enough to point out that it looks like crap in Firefox and NOW Internet Explorer. [deep sigh] So, hopefully sooner rather than later, I will have a new look. I've purchased a domain... but I don't have the patience to set it all up myself. I'm shopping right now for someone to spruce this place up.... It has to be completed before 9/11 because of the project that I'm participating in... 2996... Don't forget.

So anyway, I'm completely unmotivated to write not to mention I have the attention span of a 3 year old, I thought I'd play some sweet baby James and offer up some snippits...

I hope Italy beats the stuffing out of France. Viva Italia!!!!

I don't watch much television, but I'm addicted to The Office. So much so, that I have five of the episodes downloaded to my iPod. There are going to be summer "webisodes" starting July 13... I can't wait. In my lifetime, I've had 2 managers just like Michael on the show...What is wrong with these people? Honestly! I also have the British version of The Office on DVD... love that one too. On the American version there is Jim and Pam... The Brits had Tim and Dawn... Love it!

A couple of weeks ago Michael and I for the second time visited Whitehall, the home of Cassius Marcellus Clay. This was one heck of a man. He and Henry Clay were cousins. Cassius served in the Mexican War, was ambassador to Russia under Abraham Lincoln, a newspaper publisher, and was a staunch abolitionist. After he got ticked off at the government, he quit paying taxes because the government was not serving the American people. As a publisher of The True American, his life as well as the lives of his family were constantly threatened because of the editorials strongly opposing slavery. Cassius was never a man to back down from a fight. So, the building in which his newspaper was published had a very skinny door by design to prevent a mob from coming through. In the event a group of men wanted to come in and kill him they would be forced to enter the building one at a time where they would be met by a couple of cannons mounted on either side of the doorway. Cassius was never a man to be trifled with. However, our favorite story about Cassius Clay was late in his life... He was 89 years old and three would be robbers crept up to his home and broke in. Well, Cassius shot the first guy - dead... took his Bowie knife (which was probably given to him by Jim Bowie) and stabbed the second would be robber to death. The third guy had enough sense to run away... Don't mess with a Kentuckian and his property.... Where is our Cassius Clay today?

More on Cassius Clay here.

I just finished the introduction to Bill Bennett's history book, America The Last Best Hope Volume I. I can't wait to dig in.


And finally, despite the mainstream media's efforts, we caught some more bad guys.

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

I didn't look at any "new" blogs this week. Too many things on my to do list...


Have a great week everyone!

A Hillbilly Moment

I had a hillbilly moment today that I had to share...

I was working, minding my own business when I overheard a conversation about a co-worker that left unexpectedly- never to return. I'm not into work gossip and typically the last person to know about folks when they leave... I just don't care... Let me do my work and get the heck outta there... ya know?

Anyway--- the conversation was between a Human Resource person and a manager... why the door wasn't closed... beyond me.. Anyway... the co-worker left the job and fled the country for something very serious (not murder, but it was bad and as a card carrying conservative it really ticked me off)...

If a local news reporter had put a microphone under my nose, it would have gone something like this:

Reporter: [standing with a serious, concerned look] So, what do you know about this person?

Cathy: Well, I gotta tell ya, I was shocked! I mean, he was a nice guy, he kept to himself and seemed to get along with everone. He didn't talk much, but he'd always say, "Hey, how ya doin'?" when you passt him in the hall. I'm just shocked that this happened. I mean, he always seemed friendly and I wouldv'e never guessed he woulda done somethin' like that. Wow. I'm shocked. I cain't believe he done this.

Reporter: [still concerned] Do you know anything about his family?

Cathy: I'm shocked. No, I mean, I don't know nothin' about his home life, but I heard it was all of 'em... wow. I'm shocked.


The end.

Happy 4th of July

Enjoy the day. Happy Independence Day.

Flags at Rockefeller Center, me
USMC War Memorial
Spirit of '76, Archibald Willard

Blue Angels

Heroes of the American Revolution - Have We Learned?

Sunny - Hi 110 Lo 89 for Baghdad, Iraq
Hazy - Hi 92 Lo 72 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Only in America, Brooks and Dunn

Ramble:

Michael and I love going on historic house tours. Sometimes we find that we have fallen in love with the home other times, if the tour guide is good (because there are lots of bad ones) we walk away with a great history lesson. A few weeks ago we went to Jack Jouett’s home in Versailles, Kentucky and walked away with a great history lesson.

Hey -Cath, who is Jack Jouett?

"Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of…"

Jack Jouett….

OK…OK… the poem by Longfellow was about Paul Revere not Jack Jouett but Jack was a really cool guy too. And his story in my humble opinion is much more intense than Revere’s midnight ride of 15 miles on good paved road... In June, 1781, Jouett was a captain in the Virginia Militia. He was sleeping on the lawn of the Cuckoo Tavern (I’m thinking one too many Sam Adams or Budweiser’s the night before)… In any event, he heard a bunch of guys on horses... It was the nasty White Coats led by the nasty and dreaded Colonel Tarleton. The White Coats objective was to break up the party that the Virginia General Assembly was having in Charlottesville, Virginia. Charlottesville was forty miles away from the Cuckoo Tavern… Who was at the Virginia General Assembly you ask? Well… guys like Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson (you know, insignificant folks like the author of the Declaration of Independence as well as signers of the Declaration of Independence, and other rebels and radicals. No one was available to protect our Founding Fathers… The first GW (General George Washington) was way north fighting, General LaFayette was simply too far away. There weren’t enough local soldiers to stand up to Tarleton. So, what does Jack do? What any other red blooded American does… He jumps on his horse, rides through 40 miles of wilderness… thick woods and crap all along the way. It was said that his face was scarred from all the tree branches and stuff hitting him in the face (poor horse too!). The road that would take Jouett to Jefferson and the others was blocked by some of Tarleton’s scouts, so Jouett couldn’t take the “easy road”. He continued on through the thick heavily wooded areas… all night. By dawn Captain Jouett arrived at Monticello to warn Jefferson and the other legislators that were staying there. Now, it also was said that Jefferson invited Jouett in for breakfast and if I remember our tour guide correctly gave our hero a nice bottle of port… but since Jack was on a mission he wanted to get back on his horse and warn the rest of the assembly in Charlottesville, besides he wanted to stop by his Dad’s place… the Swan Tavern & Inn (notice a trend with our fellow, Jack?), because other legislators were staying there, among them was General Stevens. Stevens had been wounded and was not in position to leave in a hurry. So Dad and son disguised General Stevens in ratty old clothes and gave him a crappy horse. Jack put on a brand new uniform with shiny buttons and pretty braids and took off on his father’s fastest horse. Tarleton and his cronies saw the red coat and assumed he was a high ranking officer and chased Jouett allowing General Stevens to sneak away. Because of Jack’s bravery, stamina and intestinal fortitude, there were only 7 assemblymen that were caught, among them - Daniel Boone, another personal favorite of mine...

Later in life, Jack Jouett married, had a bazillion kids (ok I consider 12 a bazillion of which one was famed portrait artist, Matthew Jouett), was close buds with Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay, worked towards getting Kentucky statehood in 1792 and served in state legislature for a number of terms.

How many other acts of bravery, stamina and intestinal fortitude took place during the many many years of the American Revolution? To secure our nation’s independence, it took people of every background to unify and stand together.

Going to Jack’s home reminded me of the fact that my favorite Founding Father was Patrick Henry. Wow… do we need someone like him today. Patrick Henry as a young man was a slacker… lazy, unmotivated, selfish, a “what’s in it for me” kind of guy. He was also a very bright man, but because he didn’t give a rat’s behind about anything, at one time his father even gave him a business, which he summarily ran it into the ground… He married young and pressure from the new wife and family forced his hand so he went to law school…

Fast forward… Henry was passionate… he didn’t care who he offended… he believed intrinsically, that what he said had to be heard… His words are just as powerful today as they were then… In our nation’s fight for independence, in my opinion, the most passionate speech given was Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death… Patrick Henry gave this speech on March 23, 1775…

I offer the entire speech (please note, emphasis added) Also, I urge you to go here and scroll to the bottom to listen to the speech—it is 7 minutes and well worth the time.
Patrick Henry’s words are just as true today- 231 years later…
I ask that you take the time to visit all the links… our history is pretty amazing…and remember, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

"No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

I will take time on Tuesday to reflect on the heroes from the American Revolution. I will think about the sacrifices they made.... the hardships they were willing to face... I will thank God for blessing me. Enjoy the holiday.

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Isn't It Rich - Rich is another one of these Texans I keep bumping into. I love Texans. There. I said it.

Peace Through Strength - Meet Drunken Samurai- I believe I found my way to DS's blog via Jarhead's Firing Range. Good stuff. Be sure to read the cross post, War Stories on the Beach... great stuff.

The Uncooperative Blogger - Brian Bonner…Truth, Justice and the American way! Superman in a cowboy hat? Why not!

Beware the Dark Side - I haven't been to Rob's place yet, but I have no doubt he has something special planned for Independence Day.

Jack Jouett's modest home in Kentucky...




resources:

Liberty on Line
American Revolution
History Happens
US History

Have a great week everyone!

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