Being a Dad

First, I want to apologize if some think I am beating this horse too much, but in my job, I see so many very poor examples of bad fathers, I just need to write and vent.

I've written before about fatherhood (you can see that post on this blog). And let me say that I am NOT a perfect dad, and have made plenty of mistakes myself. But this isn't about being a perfect dad, it's about being the best you CAN be, and know that what you do, will have some kind of effect on your children.

I work in a capacity, where every day, I see bad examples of fathers (mostly, but not exclusively). I see every day, where fathers are skirting their responsibilities to their children. In some cases (too damn many), I see fathers, fathering multiple children, with multiple mothers. And they are not taking care of ANY of them! These are not even MEN. These are sperm donors on legs.

By the way...those "moms", bare a great deal of responsibility too! Wanting the love of a man, who makes babies with multiple women, is NOT the love women need.

But to those men...those sperm donors on legs...YOU are NOT "men". Making babies is NOT manly. Mice can do that! But to help bring a baby into the world, then caring for that child, nurturing that child, providing for that child, financially and emotionally, IS what real men do.

There isn't a class on fatherhood that most men can take. Most men, learn their fathering from their own fathers, or someone else who has been something of a father figure to them. And that means good, and bad, fathering. If a man has had bad fathering, Lord hope they've had good mothering to help make up for it. Otherwise, that new father, will likely fall back on the only example they had to follow.

All that said, there are those, who consciously recognize the bad fathering they had, and work to overcome those examples and work hard at being good father. To those men, I applaud you.

We ALL make mistakes. We can ALL do, or have done, better. I am right there. But with all my mistakes, I have tried to be a good father. I think I have been a good father, and love my children more each day. Mine are grown and off on their own life adventures, but I miss them every day. I have some regrets though. And it is that I didn't spend as much time with them as I could have. I can not get that back.

Women - If you're looking for a "man", make sure he is a REAL man. Don't go for some flash in the pan dude with a good line and moves that move you. Look at "the man", and how he treats his mother, what he own father is like and treats his wife, and if that dude has multiple women and children.

Men - If you think being a man, is about bringing multiple kids into the world, with multiple women, and caring for none of them....then I have a deal for you! I am offering my services to help you have all the fun you want, and none of the long term responsibilities. .... Oh... My "services"? Castration. I have sharp knives and if you just can't help yourself because you have less control that a mouse, then I can arrange for a little cut here, and little tug there, and snip snip, and you're good to go!

REAL MEN - Stand up for your women and your children. Be counted, and be counted on. And enjoy that real gift of being a DAD! It the best title I've ever had!!

Car in the ditch?

The president has been on a campaign roll lately, using the analogy of the car (country/economy) driven (by the republicans) off in the ditch, and we can't give the keys back to the driver.

Well Obama, the driver (republicans) wasn't going in the best direction, no doubt. But, there was a drunk (democratic congress) in the car, who wanted to change direction in a drastic way. That drunk grabbed the wheel away and caused the driver to lose complete control!!!! And man, is it off in the ditch weeds now!

Look, in my view, BOTH parties have lost sight of what "the people" were wanting. BOTH parties, are GUILTY on thinking that once they were elected, that meant they had approval to do what ever THEY wanted. NO politician should thing that once elected, they didn't need to LISTEN to "the people" again. The whole point of elected representatives, is for them to be OUR voice. If they don't listen, then how can they be OUR voice?

But what we have experienced this past 2 years, is what would happen when ANY one party has complete control over house, senate, and white house. There is NO balance of power. None. That must change. And next week, Nov. 2nd, we MUST change that.

Even if you don't like some republicans, or like some 3rd party person (sorry, but can not win), vote Republican. Restore a balance to Washington.

Then, with EVERY election, "We, THE people", need to start rejecting ANY politician who ignores the voices of the people. EVERY election needs to be a reality check for anyone note doing the job FOR America.

For now...Vote Republican, and clean out the drunks!

Open Letter to My Wife

Open letter to my wife, Diann.


I bring this up today, because when I saw the Facebook post of Diann and young Trevor in the tagged photo, it reminded me of the distance we've come.

Over the years, I have seen, first hand, the love and level of commitment to your son. I've seen the highs and the lows. I've seen the heartache, and the pride. I've seen the "real" sacrifices you've made to help see your son through the stages of his life.
While much can be debated about the issues surrounding his bio-dad and you (and that's another story), NO ONE, not even close, has made the sacrifices you has, to stay close, to take part, to be involved, and to lovingly support Trevor. Today, Trevor is in college, majoring in his calling of music, and is enjoying his new experience. A bright future is on store for him, as he stays focused. While "someone" may want to take credit, the real credit goes to one person, Trevor's mom, YOU.
Sometimes, this needs to be said on more than just Mother's Day. For mothers everywhere, Mother's day, is every day. Diann, you have my love and respect for all you do.

Declaration of War?

Can we declare war? War, a REAL war, on the drug cartels? I don't mean a drug war, but a REAL, blow to hell WAR, on the very vermin who attacked the husband of Tiffany Hartley on Falcon Lake. And WAR upon those who killed Mexico's Commandant, Rolando Flores Villegas, who was investigating the murder. And WAR upon all those, who have carried out executions upon the other political, police, and innocent people of Mexico and the US?

These ARE terrorists. NO less so, than those killing our soldiers and innocents in Afghanistan. And we need to take the WAR to them, And if Mexico doesn't invite us in to join them in this effort, then they too are our enemy. So far, its gotten worse, and has bled over into our country.

And HEAR THIS - If anyone reading this, or anyone who is friends where this applies reads this - Cocaine users (and drug illegal drug users in general) ..... YOU are contributing to the financing of such violence. It is YOUR money they are killing over. YOU money ... Not mine, but YOUR drug money. YOU are the demand, and they are killing for YOUR business.

"Legalize" and it'll stop? B.S. - Just say no, and not commit the crime, and it will stop! But to suggest that we change the law, FOR YOUR STINKING HABIT, is BULL SHIT! If you so lack the self control to not start, tough crap! And if you stared and can't quit, get help, or go to jail!

Otherwise, pick a side. "cuz we need to take the WAR to them!

Remembering Pfc Cody Board

The following is a letter I wrote to the Editor of a local newspaper. I am posting here as well -

The flow of traffic hasn't changed this past week. Businesses have been open, just like the week before. Shoppers still shopped, and kids still went to school, just like each week since school started back up. Each day and week, we enjoy the freedoms to do most anything we want. For most of us, nothing much has changed this past week, from that of the week and weeks before.

But that isn't the case with everyone. This past week, for one of our McKinney families and their friends, their whole world changed. 

I didn't know Pfc. Cody Board, and don't know his family. But I've known many such Cody Boards. Men and women from all walks of life, have answered the call of duty, and committed themselves to the armed defense of our nation, and our nation's causes. They have done it, and still do it, for all of us. 

While the family and friends of Pfc. Board grieve their loss, let us all remember that every day, the families and friends of our men and women in the military pray that their loved ones comes home safe. But, as it has always been in armed conflict, many don't come home that way. And a little bit of all of us is missing each time.

Yes, the world goes on, as it must. And we will go about of daily work and activities, as we should. But let's stop from time to time, and just say a quiet prayer for those who serve, and their families. It's the least we can do. 

To the family and friends of Cody Board, my most sincere condolences. I am humbled by his service, and most thankful for it. Free people everywhere owe a great debt to those like Cody. Rest in peace Cody Board. God Bless and keep his family and friends.

And God Bless and Keep all those who serve us, and their families.

Respectfully,

Dan

PS. I recall very vividly, my coming home. It angered me that the world WAS going on, seemingly without notice that young men were fighting and dying in Vietnam. I thought then, "Don't they get it? Our guys are dying over there and don't they care?" I felt that way, because for most Americans, nothing changed for them. To those who fought, and their families, it would be changed forever.

To this day, this very day, I remember. Part of me still feels so guilty for NOT going back and re-joining my buddies. I don't expect that to ever leave me.

Sad for America

(This is a re-edit of an earlier post.)
It saddens me to see her so sick. She is down, and from the looks of her, she could be terminally ill. She's been through so much in her life. Many have attacked her, wounded her, trampled on her, tried so hard to make her disappear from the planet. Today, she is under such extreme attacks, and this time, from within her own family. If she goes, I just don't know what I'll do, and I am sad at the prospect.

America. Oh, how I love her name. America. Oh, how I love my country. America. Oh, how sad I am of what far too many are trying to do to her, make her become, make her into what she was never meant to be.

Why do I say all this? Because, today, it looks to me like the "government of the people, by the people, and for the people", has been plowed under by the swarm of hungry...power hungry... politicians and bureaucrats. The "government", has become the BIG manager in most all aspects of our lives and businesses. Now, with trillions of dollars of taxpayer money, BIG government has now decided what to do with OUR money...and our future money...and with our very lives.

And of late, we have seen a President, of Mexico, be permitting... encouraged and applauded...to address our congress and criticise one of our own states. Now add to that, our government may consider letting 11 other countries join in a law suit against Arizona. THIS government, has turned on one of our own. If they succeed, with the help of foreign countries, then who will be safe in challenging the "government" on the next issue?

I am absolutely convinced that our forefathers would be up-in-arms over what they see today. In fact, they WERE up-in-arms some 230+ years ago. And WHY were they up-in-arms? They were fed up with the strong arms tactics and imposition of unfair taxes upon the colonies and the citizens of the New World. Great Britain, at that time, WAS the government. And THAT government wanted to impose its will, and taxes, in every way it saw fit to do. Sound familiar?

Well, TRILLIONS of dollars promised by THIS government, on top of the .7 Trillion before Bush left office, WHO will pay for all that? WHO will be taxed to pay for the sins and mistakes by our own government and big business? And when it comes down to it - just how many, what percent, of our citizens really wanted this, or want to pay for it? The top ten polls were clear - a majority of Americans were against THIS bill. But it didn't matter to those who hold the power.

And now, with the majority of Americans supporting what Arizona is trying to do, THIS "government", supported by 11 foreign countries, is ignoring the will of the people.

THIS is NOT America. This is something else, but it is NOT America. Businesses grow. Businesses go under. The natural evolution of capitalism has been circumvented by the rich and powerful. Now, our government will decide who makes it, and who won't. The ever increasing government hand, has now grown to control the direction of business, and us...we, the people. That BIG government hand, is around the freedom neck of America.

I am sick at what we have become. And in November, we (I say we, because WE are all in this together.) voted in the biggest bunch of power hungry people in the history of our country. And with that, we are being sold out. I weep for my America. I weep for the country that spread freedom, helped other people and countries in times of natural disaster and pain. I weep for those who came before us, and died in an effort to keep America free, and keep America as a land of "for the people, by the people". The people we have in Washington today, are NOT "the people", but they are there...BECAUSE we let them be there. The personal agendas and greed for power, is limitless. And Americans put them there. Shame on us.

So, I sit by the death bed of the America I love and have believed in. I watch helplessly as she succumbs to the trampling on the long held belief's of a nation of free people and non-intrusive government. Before long, her colors could remain, but the stripes will be removed, the stars gone, and some new "Obama-like" symbol will replace her. Letters and emails have failed, and I know of no cure to help. Good men sit by, and other men want to turn off her life support machine. Freedom of her people is old fashioned, in the eyes of our new power mongers.

Pardon my ramblings, and perhaps lack of delivery in this addition, but my sadness almost over-takes me and the grief I am feeling for what I fear is coming, has a grip on me. I pray for HONEST change in November, or even more in 2012.

Am I alone? Are there any other voices that share in this feeling?

God Bless America, for as long as we still have her. - Dan

PS. While not exclusive to Veterans, the sound of her name, America, and the songs about her, America, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner, etc., bring goose bumps to us, as does the raising or passing of our Flag. What is happening to America, is hard to swallow for THIS Veteran.

Trojan Horse?

I was thinking (my wife would say I shouldn't do that), and it worries me that this whole 9/11 Ground Zero mosque thing, may be more than people have thought through.

I'm sure we all remember the story of the Trojan Horse. A gift to Troy by the Greeks, in which 30 men (by one story) lay in wait. After the Trojan horse was brought into the walls of Troy, those same men were able to over-take the guards and let in the Greek army, bringing an end to the Troy siege.

One of the Trojan priests, Virgil, has a famous line, "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes" (I fear Greeks even those bearing gifts). The "gift" of a "peaceful" place (mosque) to teach and promote understanding? Playgrounds and young activities?

It occurred to me, that it would not need to be "men" who are hidden in such a disguised structure, but it could be an ideological threat. I worry that IF the mosque is built on the currently proposed site, that one day, we will find that the spread of radical Islam, was permitted a foothold and a launching point, from within the walls of such a mosque. What battle could be waged from such a place?

To extend that worry even more - What IF, in the course of years (we all know our enemies will plan and wait for years), that mosque becomes a monstrous bomb, built up in the hollows of it's structure for years, and enough so to take down the new Freedom Tower and all around it? Look what zealot Timothy McVeigh did in Oklahoma City with fertilizer and diesel fuel, and in just a delivery truck!

What amounts of legal chemicals could be brought into such a structure, only to be mixed and exploded when they were ready? What could they do, under protection from law enforcement insight? It would be a religious building, and thus protected from many aspects of normal law enforcement investigations. And politically, any attempt to investigate, would surely cause an uproar from the ACLU, and the militant Muslims who would threaten violence if we didn't leave their mosque alone? (Remember, our military could not fire on a mosque in Iraq in a time of war!)

I think it needs to be explored, and watched. I do not trust those involved, and I am 100% against having that mosque anywhere near Ground Zero!

Give that a tink, and see what YOU think?

The Draft

While I'm not talking about the NFL, not to worry, the DRAFT has not been re-enacted.

But this subject came up with a young man I was talking to not long ago. During our discussion, he commented that he didn't like it that he had to register for the draft when he was 18. And, his dad had even told him that if they would re-enact the draft, he (daddy) would encourage this young man, his son, to leave the country. His dad did not believe in the draft, for ANY reason.

WHAT THE F...????

Okay...I'll take a breath here. 1.....2....3... If someone should have a true objection to war, for a legitimate religious reason, then our system allows for such claims and offers alternative forms of service.

But, this man has NO such religious views. In fact, this "man" (I use that term loosely), I dare say, would say such a thing because HE is a coward. I suspect if his family was in danger, he would be the first to turn tail and hide. I know the guy. He is a narcissist who lives off women, letting them take the jobs and bring home the bacon (so to speak). I don't care that his wife just makes more (mine does - thanks Honey!), but this guy has not taken a real job in all the years I've known him. - And he hasn't worked for a living - BY CHOICE!

If someone should choose to object to doing their duty, and stands on some personal principle, then I would EXPECT such a person to stand for their convictions and take what ever the law dished out. Not run from it, but stand for it! Aside from the previously mentioned religious conviction, the rest is just cowardice! And I have NO USE for such cowards.

Such cowards will let others defend them, let others stand in defense of their homes and families. They'll let others risk THEIR lives, while the coward will NOT risk ANYTHING, for ANY ONE. For such cowards, shark feeding time surely comes each day!

Over our history, men and women have given their ALL for the freedoms we ALL enjoy. The military isn't for everyone. But alternate service could be a very good option. But let me say this - To pick and choose what wars one might agree with, opens up a huge problem. Our nation can not defend itself, should such options be available to citizens.

I hope we never need to re-enact the draft. That said, I could see being open to EVERY young man being required to serve, at least for 6 months, to get basic training out of the way, and prepared for any national emergency. Just 6 months, and some training and structured discipline, before young men moved on to college or a chosen career.

Personally, while being very out-of-shape, this 60 year old would love to take the coward camping and hiking for a few days. Better yet, I'd gladly take him to SERVE meals and clean barracks for our men and women IN Iraq! As it is though, this coward SOB will continue to hide behind skirts, and run at the first sign of danger. Too bad the "draft" wasn't retroactive!

I AM A Tea Party Supporter

Yep, sure am. I have yet to make it to a rally, but hope to change that by Nov.

I know some that have. And I know their character. They, nor I, give a rats-ass what color anyone is. DO NOT CARE! I judge a man, or woman, by their acts.

For THIS American, Tea Party supporter or not, Obama has been all, or more, of the loser I feared for our country. He has exceeded all I was worried about, as the liberal his is. But he is an EXTREME liberal, and his agenda is the worse thing for America, than I had imagined.

For those who want to label Tea Party'ers as some sort of kook fringe group of racists, KISS MY BUTT! You don't know us. IF you even met one of us at all, any way you could possibly come away with such an idea, would be because you WANT to. Facts have never gotten in your way before, so I guess with this, facts don't matter either.

Otherwise - I CHALLENGE YOU, or any legitimate media outlet, to PROVE we are racists. PROVE IT! Talk to me. Ask me anything. Ask those who know me. Or ask more than one or two nuts you want to pick out of thousands in any rally.

While REAL racism has existed, and REAL wrongs have been perpetrated on minorities, the Tea Party does not ever support such acts. EVER! And to call any group, or person, racist, does a tremendous dis-service to those who have fallen victim to REAL racism.

I can't stand Obama. It has nothing to do with the fact he is half-white. If he were all white, I still wouldn't have voted for such a liberal. As for his race, what ever that is, the black community should be just as pissed off at squandering their money too! That half-black side sure hasn't help them either! He's hurting ALL OF US! He is killing the America we have known!!

Clean house in November. Then clean out the White House in 2012. The time to take back America is upon us. VOTE the man or woman who will strengthen America, and put the constitution ahead of their own desires for power.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance and the Flag, and what it means to me -

What do those things mean to you? What do they mean to those who come here, legally or not? I don't know those answers, but I can tell you what they mean to me.

Our Pledge of Allegiance is an interesting oath -

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

I see this oath, not one to take precedence over God, or a pledge to obey any "god", but as an oath to keep an allegiance to America over all other nations. "America" and the "Flag" represents ALL citizens of this great nation. It was never meant to me to be loyal to any one political party, President, or other entity. America - What a wonderful and beautiful word - is a word that, to me, stands for freedom. As too does the "Flag of The United State of America".

As for the "under God" part... I've never felt that meant I must believe in "God", or that I must be a Christian follower, but is a simple acknowledgment that America was founded on the Christian beliefs of conduct toward our fellow man. There are many, many quotes from texts and letters of our Founding Fathers that prove this out. It is a FACT that one of the guiding forces behind their drive toward a new nation of freedom, was their Christian beliefs. And, at no time in modern history, has any man, woman, or child, been denied justice and/or freedom, because he or she wasn't a Christian or believed in God, or was a follower of any other religion.

I pass my thoughts on- and forgive me for being so bold to do so and think you might value them - so that anyone, citizen, or wannabe citizen, might consider them. IF you choose to live here (excluding legal visitors), if you want to live here as a free citizen of The United States of America, as an American, then I suggest that you take an allegiance to America above ALL other countries. Otherwise, what ever country anyone wishes to hold some allegiance to, go there and live.

This IS America. The citizens of The United States of America have historically invited people from all over the world to come here and share in our freedoms and opportunities. But hear this, IF anyone's true allegiance is to ANY other country, don't come here, and if you are here already, don't stay. Forget politics. Forget foreign policy when it comes to my point here. Make those changes from within, as active and participating citizens. But to hold ANY allegiance to any other country, is UN-American, and such a person doesn't belong here.

As for flying the Flag - Untold hundreds of thousands of men and women fought, and died, for this country and the flag they fought under. Please, what ever your protest, don't burn our Flag or fly her upside down. Those who served before, those serving now, and those who will serve tomorrow, deserve to have the Flag of their country treated in a respectful way. Burn all the likenesses of elephants and donkeys you want, but not our Flag. Yes, a citizen would be free to do so. But having a "right" to do it, doesn't make it "right" thing to do. It isn't.

This is America, the United States of America. While I won't say, "Like it or leave it", I will say, "Pledge allegiance to the United States of America above all other nations, or leave it." There are things that may need changing. There may be things you don't agree with or don't like. I'm fine with that, so long as you get involved to help make it better. But if anyone holds ANY allegiance to another country over America, LEAVE NOW. If you want to be a free American citizen, then come on in and help us be better, and take the Pledge of Allegiance to The United States of America.

America. I hate the politics, but I love my country. Land of the free. Home of the brave.

Happy 4th of July America!