The New Rifle

As the sun was coming up and the morning mist began to clear, Paul leaves his home and starts toward town. The air had a sweet smell from the honeydew bushes, and squirrels were busy with their daily gathering of nuts.

Paul had business to attend to, or he would have climbed from his horse to pop a couple squirrels for dinner. He gripped his long gun, wishing he had the time to take such pleasures.

But the business of the day, was a serious one, and Paul knew well the risks. Paul was to meet with friends at a barn outside town. Such a meeting, was forbidden by the British authorities. Arrests, or worse, could happen if caught.

As Paul arrived, he was let into the barn and his horse was stalled with the others. A number of local men were assembled, and some rousing debates were already being exchanged. While they shared similar views about the future of the New World, the "how" to get there was sometimes a continuous point.

When all were assembled, including those calling themselves, the Sons of Liberty, John called everyone over to a crate, that he was opening. "Gentlemen, these are the best rifles to ever come along", he said as he took a rifle out. The group was in awe, as well as inquisitive of the rifle's features.

Henry spoke up. "John, that's a fierce looking gun, and I bet it'll shoot a long way. I fear it will be misused by some."

"Henry, our very existence depends on our ability to match gun for gun, that of our enemies, our enemies of freedom. They will be well armed, and in greater numbers."

"But shouldn't such rifles be reserved for the Army Regulars?"

"I can understand your reservations Henry, but they already have the best. We need to have our own, to grab in a minutes notice, and be able to repel our enemies. I've loved my ol' musket, but this will give me the edge to match what my enemies will come at me with."

Paul spoke up, "Henry, I'm with John. Why should I have have less of a weapon than my foe? Why should I have to stick to my bird gun, when my enemies will come at us with better weapons? Any threat of abuse by the corrupt, pales in the face of the threat that may be coming from our enemies. Besides, just last week, the Brits raided the weapons stores in Worcester, and the local men who didn't keep their own rifles, were left without any. Then the Brits had no trouble rounding up the list of so-called "rabble rousers"! Those Brits took their only means to resist such force."

The new rifle was passed around for everyone to look at. Such a long slim rifle, that had fine rifling for longer and far more accurate shots. Such a rifle had never been used before, but these men knew if the alarm was sounded, there would be no time to get to the storehouse, and they better be ready in a minutes notice. Each of the men were to take one with them when they left.
.................................

While the above is a fictional account of otherwise historically significant events, I wish to make a point. The "military" styles of rifles today, or "assault weapons" by the Clinton and Obama standards, are nothing more than a far more modern weapon of today, than those of 236 years ago. Keeping in mind that the 2nd amendment is about keeping men free from enemies and tyrants, and not about hunting, how could anyone not think Paul Revere and other such men would NOT have chosen such a rifle if they had a choice?

Today, Obama is in favor of the United Nations Small Arms Treaty, as well as an "Assault Weapons Ban". Tragic mass shootings cause a flinched reaction to ban the weapons used by such bad people. But in fact, such murders have happened throughout history, and such bans, ONLY ban "law abiding" citizens from owning what is otherwise legal to own.

I'd add this - The average "non-shooting" citizen doesn't know much about firearms, and easily buys into the "assault weapon ban", because those who promote such most often make it sound like such "militaristic" style weapons, have a "machine gun" capability. They do not. Machine guns, those firing many rounds at a time - with one pull of the trigger - are NOT legal by average citizens, and have been heavily regulated since 1934. Yet, the proponents of such new laws, report the weapons they target, as machine guns and "automatic" weapons.

No matter the "look" of a weapon, if it is used to kill people, it is an ASSAULT weapon . As for many people being shot, most any weapon can do such harm. I can promise anyone, that with a little practice, a 5-shot pump shotgun, fired rapidly and reloaded rapidly, can kill and wound a LOT of people before most law enforcement would ever get to the scene. Would those wounded, feel better about being shot by a  bad guy who didn't use an "assault weapon"?

As a nation, we have failed to properly deal with those who commit crimes, and those who have expressed such intents. As for the others, there will ALWAYS be evil in the land, and no amount of laws will stop evil. All we can do then, is stop evil when it raises its ugly head. And for that, I'd prefer the best firearm or other tool of defense, as I can afford!

I fully expect that had our Forefathers had a choice, their statued depiction would have included an AR-15!

Secession?

The election for President is over. And for many, including myself, it's all so surreal that we could be in such a position as to feel our constitution slipping away. With that said, as many as 22 states have citizen petitions to The White House, requesting separation from the Union, by way of "secession".

I would bet most of them do NOT want to secede. What I suspect they want, is for Washington to take notice, and REPRESENT ALL THE PEOPLE. Because, Obama does NOT, in the minds of many, including me. Plus, I feel strongly, that he fully intends to (as he stated) "fundamentally change America".

I personally DO NOT want to see any state secede from the Union. I LOVE my country and fought under our Flag. I love Old Glory. I would not want to ever fight against her.

But, IF my country ceases to be the America she was designed to be; if she becomes something closer to a socialist state; if she no longer represents American FREEDOM; and no longer attempts to maintain our Founding principles, then maybe America is no more. Maybe, the flag no longer stands for us. If I ever feel that way, just as our Founders did about the Union Jack, then I will have to live under another flag. That is one of the saddest things I can imagine. But I will NOT live in a country, where socialism is the acceptable governing method. THAT is not freedom.

I am inviting comments. Please keep it clean when making your points. No threats to any persons or groups of people. I will ONLY take a comment off, if I deem it as threatening, vile, or name calling of a racist manner. Otherwise, I'll monitor. I will not "edit". Under my few rules, if you comment, it goes up.

Tell us,
Do you want to secede from the Union?
If so, why?

Mr. Obama, Lead By Example!

Now that we are past the national election, and Mr. Obama won for a second term, I offer the following challenge to him.

Obama pounded the "tax the rich" drum ... a LOT ... during the whole campaign. He said that people like him, could pay a little more, and should be taxed more. I have no doubt, they can handle a "little more" in taxes. If it were as simple as that, I'd agree.

But a couple things still strike me as, BULL SHIT!

To start with, I don't recall (please correct me if I'm wrong!) EVER Obama presenting a proposed new and simplified tax code. Let's face it, the tax code LEGALLY provides for a LOT of tax deductions and deferments, most of which only the wealthier people can legally exploit.

And if the deductions are there, why wouldn't anyone use them? Why wouldn't they want to keep more of their own money? I know we do in our house. Even Obama does!

In fact, in the Obama's released tax return for 2011, they earned a combined income of $789,674. But they took advantage of the lawful deductions, and paid $162,074 in federal taxes. Had they just filed a short form, the tax rate for such an income would have been 35%, or $276,385 in taxes. But the Obama's paid just 20.5%, which by the way, was LESS than the President's own secretary's tax rate! (And he pounded Romney for paying a smaller tax rate than his staff!)

I do NOT fault the President for taking all the deductions he was legally entitled to. I DO fault him, for talking as though the rich are somehow evil for not paying more. He's rich ($10 million and counting) and he DIDN'T pay more! And if he thinks he should have, then I'd say, HE COULD HAVE! He could have paid the full 35%, to put HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH WAS!!

Why didn't he? Because, he TOO wanted to keep as much of HIS money as he could! Simple. Reasonable. Lawful. And paying only 20%, compared to a rate of 28% his own secretary was tagged with, is his own example of a tax system that DOES favor the more wealthy among us.

So, simplify the tax code! Simplify the tax system, so it is more fair. So why haven't they? Two reasons that I see.

1. They, those WE vote into offices, want to keep all the money they can. Both parties do it. And they can even vote themselves raises, and provide additional benefits to themselves. We can't do that!

2. A truly FAIR tax system, in MY view, would have EVERYBODY paying something. Everybody would have some investment into the services and protections the federal government provides to ALL of us. But they, Democrats more than Republicans, do NOT want to piss of the lower income American voters, those who make less than $200,000 per year. And those who pay NO federal taxes, will forever be in the debt of the Dems for never requiring them to chip in!

But, back to my "challenge" -
President Obama, until a new tax code is written and passed, PAY the full 35% for 2012 and on! In fact, be a martyr and make it publicized, and in turn, CHALLENGE all politicians to do the same! LEAD in a new wave of "Patriotic" tax responsibility, and pay the 35%. Or, for those in the other brackets (28 & 33%), pay the full amounts and not take deductions.

Otherwise, I am sick and tired hearing about "taxing the rich"! If Obama wants to do that, then FIX the BS Tax Code, wich is at over 71,000 pages (at 2010 count), and which grew (from both parties) from nearly 17,000 pages in 2006!

Seriously, there is NO way to know how to take advantage of every possible deduction, without paying expensive and knowledgeable accountants! And who can do that, except wealthier people?

Obama, accept my challenge! Stand before the public, and announce that for your 2012 taxes, you will file the short form, and pay your 35%. Then, YOU challenge ALL politicians to follow your LEAD! (Meanwhile, pass a simplified tax code!)

So Lead, or SHUT UP already! (If I were President, and to make a point, I'd wave that 35% paid in front of ALL Congressmen and women, as well as Senators, and by public support and pressure, cause them all to PAY UP!)

BTW - I searched, and of the top 10 Congress persons, 7 were Democrats!    http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html  (To be fair, of the top 50, 31 are Republicans.) Yet, none of them that I know of, have supported a Fair Tax or Flat Tax plan!

I Cry

    Ever have a day, that for what ever reason, an old memory slips in? Maybe of a passed relative, or close friend. Silly as it may be to some, I still have thoughts of our Irish Setter of nearly 14 years, who passed a couple years ago. And have any of those memories brought a tear, when those around you don't understand?

    I miss our dog Cali. I miss my Uncle Charley, who seemed to know more about fixin' "stuff" than anyone I knew. I miss other family members, who have long passed. I miss friends too.

    But some days, for no real reason, I think about a couple guys in particular, that I knew from days gone by. A couple guys, just red-blooded Americans, doing their jobs, and doing it with honor. I miss them. And some days, I can't help but get a bit teary eyed, and maybe a lump in my throat. But today, Veteran's Day, I know why.

    While I still miss them, I have to remind myself, to celebrate their lives. Celebrate, that I knew them for a short time, knew their smiles, as I knew their anguish. I knew Foreman's laugh, but it was a quiet laugh, unlike Brock's, who was so "kid like", and sometimes loud. Brock smiled ... a lot. It's hard to even imagine, either of them being soldiers, "warriors". Wishing they didn't have to, I know, but warriors who each and every day, did their jobs, as the military expected them to do. Every day, they would dredge through rice paddies, or sweat the jungles, and do everything they could to take care of each other, as well as taking care of all those who walked with them.

    Yet, I can't seem to recall a day that I didn't see a smile, or hear a laugh, from either of them. They were good guys. Guys you'd be proud to know. They were good American "boys", doing a man's job in the battle fields of Vietnam. They shouldn't have been taken. They should have seen their date of departure come at their scheduled times. But they left for home early. Far too early. And they laugh no more. That is sad, and worthy of a tear.

    KIA's, SSG Terry William Foreman and CPL Robert Lee Brock, are not forgotten. Ever. I can't say, "Happy Veteran's Day". I can only say to Foreman and Brock, and to all Veterans, You Are Remembered on this day we set aside, as Veteran's Day.

    Remembering their faces, their smiles, and their laughs. And I cry.

Note: SSG Terry Foreman and CPL Robert Brock were killed by hostile fire on May 24, 1970. Both were fellow unit members of Co. C, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf., 101st Airborne Airmobile Div., I Corp, Vietnam

Old, White, Male, Christian, Conservative - Obsolete?

Well, with the national election over, I've been reading tweets and blogs about each sides perspective of it all. Some of what I've read, is rather amusing. Some of it, rather vile. And while I've seen it from both sides, it has been my observation that the "left" is a lot more vile.

To read some of their postings, one could surmise that Old White Male Christian Conservatives, are obsolete and should just go away. Many have taken Obama's re-election, as some mandate to shove some of us aside, and make room for the new citizen. Pot smokers can toke themselves out of their minds in a few states now. Women can feel more secure to murder their unborn right up until their baby crowns. (Yeah, the RIGHT to murder your unborn. And you're proud of that "choice"?) And don't hurt yourselves standing in ideological line to pick up your free shit.

Well, I ain't going anywhere. Between now and 2014 and 2016, I'll still blog, watch, and push for accountability by ALL those who hold office (that means BOTH sides).

This Retired Middle-class Old While Male Christian Conservative Tea Party supporter, who is a Life Member of the NRA, a father of highly successful children, a crusty ol' Combat Veteran, Ex-Cop, Taxpayer, Republican, and Patriot, WILL be watching ALL those in office, and look for opportunities to take back America. I'll wave The American Flag (not some Obamanation of a flag), stand at attention when she's raised or passes, show reverence to God, respect my elders, treat the women in my life with respect, support the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and will keep my powder dry. We may have lost the recent election, but we ain't done, and we ain't obsolete!

For those who say I should STFU. Well, unless they take free speech away, that won't be happening any time soon. F--k with me all you dare, but know that I DO cling to my free speech AND my guns. So suck it up butt-wipes. I'm here to stay!

Veterans Day - 2012

This coming Sunday, November 11th, is Veteran's Day. At the time of this writing, our nation is consumed with the national election, the tragedy of deaths and destruction from Hurricane Sandy in the New England states, continued high unemployment, and just trying to live life as free as we can.

But in far off lands, we still have men and women in uniform, keeping the peace, guarding against aggressors, maintaining combat readiness, and engaged in combat actions. And with those duties, we lose men and women to direct combat assaults. Such is the way of "war", and in the wars of the past.

This Veteran's Day, as with all those years in the past, please take time to acknowledge those who have passed, in service of OUR country. No matter one's opinion on the war of today, or any past war, OUR men and women in uniform, deserve such respect and acknowledgement.

Flag the Flag, say Thanks to those you see in uniform, and be thankful to those who have given ALL, for what we sometimes take for granted - Our Freedom.

To those in uniform today, Thank You for making such a commitment. To those who have served in the past, Thank You for your service.

To those who we have lost in the service of OUR country, my deepest Thanks, and God Bless those surviving families of those lost. We owe so much.

God Bless Our Troops, and God Bless America
Respectfully - Eagle3187, Vietnam Vet 69-70

Acolades?

Sometimes, I just scratch my head and wonder, What The Hell????

Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast HARD. Billions of dollars of damage, unknown what economic cost, and most of all - lost lives. A horrible natural disaster, and honestly, just how prepared can we be for such events that are beyond our imagination?

But in this case, I feel people have gone overboard with the accolades, for the President, NJ Gov. Christie, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and whomever else. I have seen press events, where such notable people were glad-handing each other on doing such a good job in the response.

But ....... there are STILL so many people (hundreds of thousands?) without power; no gasoline, or very limited; no heating fuel (it's November!); limited or no food; limited or no fresh water; streets still covered in sand and mud and debris; homes destroyed, businesses destroyed, and NYC was going ahead with a Marathon! The JOB is far from being done. Yet, so quick with the accolades.

With this method of giving praise, along with this President being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize before he ever did anything (and now has his own "kill list"!), should we just go ahead and give out of Heisman Trophy, before the season is even over? How about handing out the Academy Awards, before the new releases are even out? Doctors, God Bless those who want to be, don't need to wait until they are through with their residencies, just give them their MD certificates now!

Those still hurting, hungry, cold, stranded, moneyless, without changes of clothes, will someday get help and straightened out. But NOW is no time for the political uppity-ups to be glad-handing each other on a job well done. You might want to look around, talk to those buried in debris, because -
IT AIN'T DONE ... YET!

Just sayin'.

It's Okay to NOT Vote for Obama

Well, we're down to just a few days until the election. The so-called fact checkers are busy trying to keep up with every word spoken by either candidate. The pundits have drawn lines in the sand. Purely partisan voters stand firmly, no matter what is said or shown. And the average voter, middle of the line Democrats and Republicans, as well as Independents, are just trying to cautiously decipher fact from fiction, and prepare to cast their vote on Nov. 6th.

I know a few people, even friends, who voted for Obama last time. I even know a couple Republicans who did. I know there are those who did vote for Obama, for purely historical reasons, maybe coupled with the idea that such a charismatic, if not mysterious, mixed race man might just give us a jolt. Someone who WOULD be different, bring "change", bring renewed "hope", who might be the way to go.

There are those of us, who because of our disdain for Obama's policies and actions, and even such shadowy personal history, have been called "racists" because we dared speak against Obama. There are those who may be thinking of voting against Obama, but don't want to be labeled "racist". There are even those Blacks, who have been vocal about not supporting Obama, who have been called "racists" (or Uncle Toms, etc.)!

But, anyone.... ANYONE .... who would look, with open and objective eyes, at where we are today, with 16.2 Trillion in debt, 13+ MILLION completely unemployed, some 6-9 MILLION more, severely under-employed, 30% increase on food-stamp assistance, a true lack of an energy policy, and the undermining of Congress, then those who voted for Obama before may very well see that it hasn't worked. And I know some people just like that, and they will NOT be voting for Obama again.

There are some of those, who WILL NOT speak out against Obama, or even say they will not for vote for Obama, because of verbal retribution for doing so. Being called a "racist" or turn-coat, or what ever, is keeping them mute. I've read comments from prior Obama supporters, who have implied that they would even SAY they are voting for Obama, but they will not be voting that way. They are trying to just get along in their own world of friends, family, co-workers, and party affiliations.

To all those types, I'd say this. It is OKAY to not vote for Obama. IF your vote is cast, based on what YOU feel is right for the country, and is NOT based on color or party loyalty, then  it will be the right vote. It's OKAY to vote for Romney, IF you feel he will do a better job. You thought Obama would do a better job, but it didn't pan out. It's okay. It is time for a chance to change that.

Voting against Obama IS NOT racist, unless it is because, and only because, of his mixed race. It's okay, if you don't tell anyone you didn't vote for Obama. That is YOUR decision, YOUR vote. Vote with your mind, not any social or party expectation.

For my Republican friends, welcome back. I appreciate your private notes that you will be voting FOR Romney!

To my Tea Party affiliated friends, WE will keep an eye on ALL elected persons, to keep them in line with the "constitution". Not in line with the "right" or the "left", but in line with upholding our constitutional framework. That goes for President Romney too. We EXPECT, we should expect, ALL elected officials to follow the laws, uphold their oath to protect the Constitution, and above all else, BE AMERICANS first!

42 years and counting

Hard to believe at times, that it has been over been 42 years since I came home from my tour in Vietnam. On some days, it seems like such a distant thing, and on others, not so long ago.

I still have issues from those times. And for those who weren't there, or any other such place, they can not know. They may want to know, but they can't. Some may think they know, but they don't. They can't know, any more so than a man can really appreciate the birth of a child like a mother can.

There are those Vets, who's torments come from the horror and killing of our enemies. For others, it's the remembering those who had fallen around us, some of those we had grown close to. In other cases, it may be reoccurring dreams of their own near death combat actions, and the lasting physical wounds they still bare.

Speaking ONLY for myself, it was never about some enemy I had a hand in killing. Never was. Not that I never gave it a thought, but that was never something I have remorse or regrets about. To me, it was not just what I was there for, it was them, or us. There are still things that still stir my emotions.

Back then, I'd have lingering thoughts and fears of what might happen to me, when others around me, or near our unit, were killed. Those fears were almost be crippling at times. But, for most everyone I knew, and in spite of those fears, we did what we had to do anyway. Somehow, some way, putting one foot in front of the other, we went about and doing what had to be done.

Seeing fellow soldiers go down, wounded or killed, and feeling of helplessness to change that outcome, will still come back to the back of my head.

Upon our return home ... MY return home ... we were greeted with a less than a welcoming experience. In fact, the anti-war movement of that day often targeted the returning soldier, as much as the government. Some of the things that were said about us, some directly to us, pained me to hear, and the memory of that still does today. There are those, who I can never forgive.

Not long ago (early 2012), I read a post from a self-professed liberal, that she has "always supported our wonderful troops", even though she "was against the war". Bull-shit. People like this one, who I know, say those things now so they won't come off as un-patriotic. In truth, they WERE against us, the returning soldiers of those days. We WERE the target of their anger (and her vile words) about the war. We WERE chastised for our involvement. I WAS chastised for my participation. So her words, are BULL SHIT!

I've also heard expressed, that for those who stood against the war, and held to their principles, that they were somehow perceived as having a LOT of personal strength and integrity to stand up for their beliefs. But in those days, we, returning Vets, were NOT respected for OUR personal strength and integrity? We were thought of as having given in to "the government", because we answered the call. BULL-SHIT again.

In fact, I suspect it was easy to stay at home at such times, and profess some inner belief to oppose serving. The REAL brave part, is being scared absolutely shitless, and doing what you've been called to do anyway. Scared shitless to even move, to breath, that your own heart-beat might give your position away, but still do what you had to do. Keep moving forward, keep advancing on an enemy intent on killing you and your buddies. Scared shitless of the dark, of the sounds, the movements of the grass, the snapping of a twig, a smell, a thought that you might fail your buddy, all while doing your job anyway.

For some peace-nics, what was THEIR fear? Jail? Maybe, but unlikely for most. Where to live in Canada? Getting killed in their sleep? Tripping a booby-trap on the way to class? Having their next step, be their last one on earth? Seeing their buddy get blown away, having their blood splatter on you?

I volunteered to go in. I asked for my number to be moved up, to get called up sooner than later. I knew where I was likely going. That wasn't bravery. That was my DUTY as a American citizen, as I saw it. It was the DUTY of those in government, to do what they could to protect us, to support us, to permit us to win, and offer some kind of peace to the millions of South Vietnamese. People protesting against the government's lack of doing those things, would have been appropriate. The BULL SHIT the peace-nics put upon us? ..... Well, you get my drift.

Just recently, I again awoke in a sweat from dreams of those days. (Some of them have just been weird!) Other days, some smell will be familiar enough, to make my hair stand on my neck. Just my ramblings, but some days, I just get a rush of old emotions, and that old anger comes back to the surface. So I write, whether anyone reads or not, just to let it out ... a little.

I THANK GOD that today the majority of Americans,treat our Soldiers with respect and gratitude. Agree with our war involvement or not, what they do, and what they are willing to do, for all of us, is worthy of that.