Sunday Song, Angry American

Music Video:COURTESY OF THE RED, WHITE & BLUE (by Toby Keith)

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If you would like to comment on the song, please wait for the Sunday post, which will be up shortly. I would love to read your comments or email about the music selection and I am certainly willing to take requests.

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Rewind and Replay... Not Quite...

Sunny - Hi 73 Lo 52 for Baghdad, Iraq
Rain - Hi 50 Lo 33 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Angry American, Toby Keith

I started out on You Tube looking for a tribute with the backdrop of Toby's song, which I have used a couple of times as my Song of the Week, however, none suited my feelings...none suited where we are today. All of the videos I found had flags waving, visions of the towers falling, the American people united, and soldiers fighting. I wish we were united against this evil, but we are not. I am uncontrollably angry. I am livid.

Ramble:

On August 7, 2005 I wrote about my anger AND hope after Lima Company took a huge blow in a post titled, Anger and Hope. Not much has changed... except I'm not so hopeful these days. I have grown weary. Below is an excerpt from the original post, if you want the links listed in the post please go to my original post here.

I am angry.
Those Marines were battling men that hide behind masks, that do cruel things that are too vile to discuss in a polite society. Torture? Please, go ahead and drive me crazy about talk of Abu Ghraib (Yes, I have seen all the photos, including the ones they don't show on the news...) and Guantanamo... No heads were viciously cut off in front of cameras...DO you remember hearing the blood curdling screams of those poor souls? Yes, there are a few idiots in our midst... I am ashamed that they are Americans--Lynndie England and Charles Graner (the most photographed) and the others, but we find them, remove them, and punish them accordingly. I'm disgusted by Janis Karpinski AND with the military that did not send her to be court-martialed... She allowed Abu Ghraib to happen on her watch... I'm sure she wasn't court-martialed because the military has blame in this too. She was placed in a job that she had no business in. I bet she was promoted through the ranks because she is a woman. (How many of us know people at work that have been promoted that should have been fired? Show of hands?) She is incompetent... You know it, I know it... and I can write it because I'm of the same gender...(you know what I mean... that whole politically correct thing... another topic for another time) Now I hear she is on the speaker circuit, trying to make a buck. I guess she is professing how hard it is to be a Brigadier General (was demoted to Colonel) in the Army in Iraq... boo hoo hoo...

Look... We don't torture and murder innocent civilians like Leon Klinghoffer, or Italian hero Fabrizio Quatrocchi, or the crew and passengers of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland, or Daniel Pearl ****LINK NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN AND SOME ADULTS****. We don't kill our athletes when they don't perform. We don't treat women like cattle... worse than cattle... We don't rape women and young girls and then murder them because they are no longer pure... We don't send a car filled with explosives into Embassies (Tehran, Beirut, Kuwait) to maim and kill civilians... We don't boobeytrap our own CHILDREN with explosives to kill soldiers!! We don't fill a back pack with explosives, board trains and buses and blow people to bits... Oh, and we don't fly jetliners into skyscrapers and kill thousands either!!!

We are fighting evil and it is real. It is tangible...You can touch the face of a terrorist- he isn't the bogeyman... You know as well as I do who the bad guys are....I must remind those that will listen to the Michael Moores and Al Frankens and all the politicians that would prefer to sell our collective souls to the devil that we need to to remember who the enemy is.... The Jawa Report **** NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN AND SOME ADULTS*** does an excellent job of reminding everyone in his blog entry, Avenging Cpl. Jeffrey A. Boskovich. Every time we start to forget the reason why we are fighting these extremest cowards... we should reflect on those awful images and sounds of horror as a reminder....

After this part of the post, I had provided reasons as to why I was hopeful. Today I wonder to myself whether or not I'm being sucked into a vacuum... Where is our sense of priority? Where is our personal sense of duty? Where is our accountability and responsibility? Anna Nicole... why is she still news? She is dead... and I don't think she is going to wake up... if she does then it would be Night of the Living Dead and I WOULD want to know about that. Britney Spears? Why do we care about this sad unfortunate bit of white trash? Jet Blue? I was flipping through the cable channels early yesterday morning and the banter went something like this:

Talking head with boobs # 1: "So, this was really traumatic for the folks on board, probably one of the most traumatic events anyone flying could endure. This is probably the worst case scenario when we are flying. What will Jet Blue do to prevent this from happening ever again?"

Talking head with boobs # 2: "Well, Jan the CEO has taken all the right steps. Time will tell whether it is enough."

Folks--- let's get one thing clear. If sitting on an *expletive * expletive* jet for hours is the most traumatic event that occurs in one's life...then I'd say... SHUT UP!!!

OH... and the most traumatic event that can occur on a jet? Hmmmmmm.... let's see... How about being on board with a bunch of terrorists that decide... "Yeah... this jet... it will make a great bomb...so, let's slash the throats of the crew with box cutters and take over this jet and go blow up some buildings..." Me personally, I think THAT would be the most traumatic event on a plane- but that's just me.

Good Grief!! There are soldiers and Marines that are fighting and DYING for us... They are wondering whether or not they have our support. We have asked these young men and women to do things that we can not begin to imagine. They do it- they do it for the sake of us- unappreciative, lazy, complaining whiners. They are keeping the fight OVER THERE!!!

Oh and check this out... as I'm perusing blogs as I like to do... I found this post....

Cut'n'run...............sounds like a plan

"If the U.S. leaves before the job is done, the enemy could follow us here." Quoted from a speech the president gave recently.

F*** You, Mr. President................................let them follow us.........

They've kicked our ass to a stalemate on their turf long enough. They control most of the battlefield. They pick away at our young service members with relative impunity. They die martyrs..........deluded, but happy to do so. We die for our "cause". A far less fulfilling fate.

So...................f*** you Dubya. Bring 'em home. Let's defend the Homeland from home. Let them be the strangers in a strange land.

Ankh

OH - MY - GOD!!! This guy thinks it's a great idea to fight 'em here... Fighting on our streets? Where our children play? Where our loved ones and homes can be blown up? With the exceptions of the so called occasional "Hate Crimes" or Teenage Angst Issues gone awry.... have we not prevented attacks on our soil? Why does this guy think it's a great idea to bring the battle here? To fill our streets with terrorists? Why? Am I missing something? Please help me out! Again... Am I living in some sort of vacuum??? What is this???

We have a bunch of whiney *expletive* politicians maneuvering and saying what they will to get our vote.... I am so sick and freaking tired of them!!! Which candidate is going to have the *expletive* to stand up and say,

"NO MORE! SHUT UP NANCY PELOSI! SHUT UP HARRY REID! TED KENNEDY SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP- HOW DARE YOU TELL ME ABOUT MORALITY! SHUT UP YOU BLEEDING HEART HOLLYWOOD DIMWITS! SHUT UP YOU COMMUNISTS! YOU SOCIALISTS! CODE PINK AND CINDY SHEEHAN! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH- I LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DESTROY IT. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE TERRORISTS! WE WILL DESTROY THOSE THAT WOULD DESTROY US"

I don't see anyone on the horizon that looks like that, do you? Where is our next hero? It certainly isn't in the pack of Republicans I see... I want someone rabid- I want someone angry - someone that realizes what is at stake. I send off weekly notes to my representatives. Am I doing any good? Am I the only one?

So, I don't know what to do with my anger. I thank God everyday for our Marines and soldiers. I pray for them. I pray for our Commander in Chief. I support them and their mission, but I must ask,

What else am I to do? Am I all alone?

UPDATE 8:AM: Thanks Major Pain for posting this. Thanks for reminding me that there are good men in Washington fighting the good fight. Go watch Congressman Johnson speak.

Anger and Hope

Sunny Hi 112 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Sunny, Isolated thunderstorms Hi 87 Lo 69 for NKY, USA

Song of the week: American Soldier, Toby Keith

I was hoping to do a lighthearted blog this week , but I have to share my thoughts about those Marines that were slain by those cowardly slimeballs.

***Some of the links on this Sunday's blog are not appropriate for children and some adults.

I am angry.
Those Marines were battling men that hide behind masks, that do cruel things that are too vile to discuss in a polite society. Torture? Please, go ahead and drive me crazy about talk of Abu Ghraib (Yes, I have seen all the photos, including the ones they don't show on the news...) and Guantanamo... No heads were viciously cut off in front of cameras...DO you remember hearing the blood curdling screams of those poor souls? Yes, there are a few idiots in our midst... I am ashamed that they are Americans--Lynndie England and Charles Graner (the most photographed) and the others, but we find them, remove them, and punish them accordingly. I'm disgusted by Janis Karpinski AND with the military that did not send her to be court-martialed... She allowed Abu Ghraib to happen on her watch... I'm sure she wasn't court-martialed because the military has blame in this too. She was placed in a job that she had no business in. I bet she was promoted through the ranks because she is a woman. (How many of us know people at work that have been promoted that should have been fired? Show of hands?) She is incompetent... You know it, I know it... and I can write it because I'm of the same gender...(you know what I mean... that whole politically correct thing... another topic for another time) Now I hear she is on the speaker circuit, trying to make a buck. I guess she is professing how hard it is to be a Brigadier General (was demoted to Colonel) in the Army in Iraq... boo hoo hoo...

Look... We don't torture and murder innocent civilians like Leon Klinghoffer, or Italian hero Fabrizio Quatrocchi, or the crew and passengers of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland, or Daniel Pearl ****LINK NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN AND SOME ADULTS****. We don't kill our athletes when they don't perform. We don't treat women like cattle... worse than cattle... We don't rape women and young girls and then murder them because they are no longer pure... We don't send a car filled with explosives into Embassies (Tehran, Beirut, Kuwait) to maim and kill civilians... We don't boobeytrap our own CHILDREN with explosives to kill soldiers!! We don't fill a back pack with explosives, board trains and buses and blow people to bits... Oh, and we don't fly jetliners into skyscrapers and kill thousands either!!!

We are fighting evil and it is real. It is tangible...You can touch the face of a terrorist- he isn't the bogeyman... You know as well as I do who the bad guys are....I must remind those that will listen to the Michael Moores and Al Frankens and all the politicians that would prefer to sell our collective souls to the devil that we need to to remember who the enemy is.... The Jawa Report **** NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN AND SOME ADULTS*** does an excellent job of reminding everyone in his blog entry, Avenging Cpl. Jeffrey A. Boskovich.

Everytime we start to forget the reason why we are fighting these extremest cowards... we should reflect on those awful images and sounds of horror as a reminder....

I am hopeful.
On Saturday morning I was having my cargo organizer installed at Mall Chrysler Jeep and as I looked around the waiting room I took note of the folks sitting around-- a woman with a t-shirt with an American flag on it, a father and young daughter-the father had on a red t-shirt with an American flag on it, the daughter had on a camouflage t-shirt, another guy in the "quiet" waiting room had on a ball cap with an American flag on it... (I was wearing a t-shirt that was emblazoned with the Grim Reapers, F-14 Tomcat- yeah baby!) I was in the right place. I was surrounded by silent patriots... By happenstance, the woman with the American flag t-shirt, Elizabeth struck a conversation with me. Those that know me--- know that my shyness (aka anti-social tendencies) would never allow me to initiate a conversation with anyone I don't know, even someone with a friendly face. In any event, we both had left the waiting room... the young girl in camouflage was getting a little too zealous with the Legos... We both chuckled about it and somehow that transitioned to her talking about the HUGE beautiful American flag that stands in front of the dealership. She said that one day she was driving by and the wind was blowing ever so gently and the flag was billowing perfectly. She said she started to cry (I thought I was the only one). From there we talked about the flags in Ohio being at half staff and Monday being a day of mourning for the loss of our Marines. She mentioned that her son was a Marine. I stopped her and thanked her for her son's service. We can never thank these men, their mothers and their fathers and their wives enough. She told me that her son fought in Iraq in the first wave of Iraqi Freedom that began March 2003. Later, through an awards ceremony she learned that her son was one of the men that rescued Jessica Lynch. Not only are these men heroes, but they are humble and quiet about the good works they perform...

Michael McVey is currently at home with his wife and child. I want to thank you, Michael, for your devoted service to our nation. Your selfless sacrifice is more than most of us can begin to comprehend.

Michael McVey was/is a Tank Commander and it is my understanding that he may be going back but he hasn't yet decided. If that is the case, God Speed. I am honored to have met his mother. It was quite apparent that she is proud of her son and the man that he has become.

Do you remember the Iraqi elections? As I recall this was quickly spinned into something that didn't matter... Tell that to the 8,500,000 (about 60%) folks that risked their lives to get to the polls. We Americans have a hard time going to the polls if its raining outside. The purple fingers represented hope for a future of freedom and liberty.

Michael and I took a drive late Saturday. We drove down to Danville, KY. On our drive home we decided to take SR127. This is the weekend of the annual 3 state yard sale. Why is this relevant to my rant? It is relevant, because we go about our lives, virtually unaffected (and if we choose, unaware) by what is going on in Iraq, Afghanistan. We are relatively safe.

Monday will be a day of mourning in Ohio to Honor the Fallen. The only thing that I can offer as comfort to the family and friends is that you must realize your sons did not die in vain. "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire." -Schindler's List, 1993.

We will be watching the skies tomorrow morning, Discovery will be landing.

Here is an international website... Since the London Attacks, people have been submitting photos to show solidarity and that We Are Not Afraid. Thanks Sus for sending this one.

So, there are things to be hopeful about in regard to this war on terrorism. I'll leave you with the words of Elizabeth McVey...

"If President Bush did the things that Saddam Hussein had done... would'nt you want someone to come and help you?"

Yes, Elizabeth... I would.

I'm just trying to be a father, raise a daughter and a son

Be a lover to their mother, everything to everyone

Up and at 'em bright and early, I'm all business in my suit

Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots.

I don't do it for money, there's still bills that I can't pay

I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway

Providing for our future's my responsibility

Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be

And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been too strong

I just work straight through the holidays, and sometimes all night long

You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door

Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core

And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price

I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,

Oh, and I don't want to die for you,

But if dyin's asked of me,I'll bear that cross with honor

'Cause freedom don't come free...

I'm an American soldier, an American...

Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand

When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right

I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight...

American soldier, I'm an American, an American, an American Soldier...

For those that serve, thank you



Timothy Bell


Michael Cifuentes


William Wightman


David Kreuter


Christopher Dyer

crosslinked @ The Beacon-Informed Patriotism

Tomorrow is Independence Day

Last Updated 9/24/05

Sunny Hi 113 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny Hi 90 Lo 68 for NKY, USA

Song of the week: Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue -- Toby Keith
--- If the video doesn't start, just hit your refresh key... Now... turn up the volume and get everyone out of bed!!!! It is going to be a fantastic day!!


...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

As we reflect on our Nation's birthday, the words above were an oath that our Founding Fathers promised to each other. They were willing to give up everything. My question to you-- How many of us today would be willing to do the same thing-- give of our lives, loves, material possessions and something most of us don't even consider today... Our honor? I consider myself very fortunate because I have been surrounded by patriots- men and women of honor my entire life.

This weekend, as we celebrate the 4th of July, our Independence Day, please take a moment to remember all those that came before us that had a vision of liberty and freedom. Take a moment to remember and pray for our men and women in the armed forces today. Pray for their families and friends.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

- Father Dennis O'Brien, Chaplain, USMC


Learn about the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

You can find some of our local heroes here and here.

Kaziah the Goat Woman paints portraits of fallen heroes for free.

Celebrating Freedom

Our great nation was almost lost 142 years ago. For a very special remembrance and tribute, please visit The Beacon - Informed Patriotism.


This blog is dedicated to the following people:

*My Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather, Captain Israel Jones - Revolutionary War, served under General Washington -- how cool is that???

* My Great Great Great Grandfather, Robert Wilcox Jones - Civil War

*My Great Grandfather, Haven P - USN - WWI
*My Great Grandfather, Arthur S - Army National Guard - WWI, Alsace Lorraine Front and Argonne Forest, France
*My Great Great Uncle Earl Jones - USMC - WWI
*Rob C's Great Grandfather Fred Hutzel - USA - WWI, Rainbow Division

*My Grandfather, James R. P - USMC - WWII, Solomon Islands
*Michael's Grandfather, Louis Friedhof - USA - WWII
*My Great Uncle Calvin P - USA - WWII
*My Great Uncle Dick Davis - USA - WWII, Normandy
*My Great Uncle Dickie P - USA - WWII
*Rob C's Uncle Herbert Hall - USA - WWII, Darby's Rangers. POW - Escaped
*Rob C's Grandfather Robert L. C Sr. - USA - WWII, Battle of the Bulge
*Rawland Patrick "Pat Crosby - Retired USA - WWII, served under General Patton at the Battle of the Bulge, Korean War
*Robert Allen Johnson - USMC - WWII, Midway, Guadalcanal, Okinawa

*My Great Uncle Junior (Arthur) S - USMC - Korean War

*My dad, Ted M. P- USMC - Vietnam
*My Uncle Steve P- Retired USMC - Vietnam War
*My Great Uncle Charlie S - Retired USMC - Vietnam War
* My Great Uncle Tommy S - USMC - Vietnam War & Retired USAF
*My Great Uncle Denny S - USA - Vietnam War
*My Great Uncle Rex P - USA - Vietnam War
*Kyle S - USMC - Vietnam War
*Tom B - USN - Vietnam War
*Charlie D - USN - Vietnam War
*My Great Uncle Darrell C - USMC - Vietnam
*Rob C's father, Robert L. C Jr. - USMC - Vietnam War

*Anita I - USMC - Persian Gulf War
*My 2nd cousin - Darren C - USN - Persian Gulf


*Mike E - USA
*My cousin Jim P - USMC
*My brother in law Sam Y - USA
*Russell S - USA
*John K - USMC
*Michael D - USA
*James Kevin P - USMC
*John A - USA
*Mark B - USAF
*Murray R - USA

a humble prayer for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice:

*Pat Tillman, KIA - USA - Afghanistan

*Paul R. Smith - KIA - USA - Iraq, Medal of Honor Recipient

*Taylor B. Prazynski, KIA - USMC - Iraq

*Nick Erdy, KIA- USMC - Iraq

*Timothy J. Hines Jr., died from wounds sustained on 6/19, 7/14/05 - USA - Iraq

*Ronnie D. Williams, KIA 7/18/05 - USA - Iraq

*Timothy Michael Bell Jr., KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*Michael Cifuentes, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*William Brett Wightman, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*Christopher J. Dyer, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*David Kreuter, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*Casey Sheehan, KIA, 4/4/04 - USA - Iraq

*Ken Welch, KIA, 9/20/84 - USA - Lebanon



and a special prayer for those currently serving:

*Cpl Mitchell Neil "Mikey" Price - USMC
*Spc Keith Scott - USA
*Sgt Kris Petrosky - USA
*Tech Sgt Chris Ryan - USAF
*Lt. Cmdr Scott Boisvert - USN
*SSgt. Matt Maupin, MIA/POW - USA Iraq
*Our Commander in Chief George W. Bush
***and All military bloggers that are keeping us in touch...
*Samantha Colling's "little" brother, Cpl Francis Louis "Frank" Arnold - USMC
*SGT John Furman - USA - Mosul, Iraq
*SGT Michael O'Rourke - USA - Baghdad, Iraq
*Michael McVey - USMC - Baghdad, Iraq
*LCpl Stephen R. Thompson - USMC - Iraq, Purple Heart Recipient

To those currently serving: You need to know that I and countless others stand behind you and support you and your mission. I am deeply grateful and profoundly humbled by your courageous service to our great country. May God bless you and keep you safe.

If I have omitted anyone, I am truly sorry. If I have printed something erroneously or incorrectly, please let me know so I may correct it. One thing I have found out about these guys--- "Y'all don't talk about it..."

Lastly, I would like to add to this list and see it grow... so if you know someone that is serving in the military or has served in the military, please send me their information and I'll just keep adding to the list...


On Monday---Have a happy Independence Day and remember to fly the flag.

Have a great week!!!

**The link to the tribute for Pat Tillman is quite moving and I highly recommend you view it. However, it must be noted that I do not endorse the author's position on our stance on the war in Iraq. I respectfully disagree with Chris Valentine and as I have mentioned in this post, I support our armed forces and their mission.


My Papaw


Uncle Steve, 1970 in full gear, Vietnam


My Uncle Charlie is standing in the back on the left. 1961 in Patras, Greece.


My Grandfather watching as my Dad is being inducted into the Marines. 1963


My Uncle Calvin is on the right. On the back of the photo, it reads, "This is one of the boys with me. I am still dirty. I just got off from work so you will have to overlook the dirt and the silly grin I got on my face. Love Calvin"


Old Glory