Are you a giving person? Do you have a soft spot for some people and/or causes? My wife and I do.
In many ways, I can be very hard hearted. I don't have a lot of patience for selfish, self-centered people. I have none for bad people and predators! But for some things/people/causes, we can be generous (when we are financially able), and that also means in labor when needed. My wife and I give to dog-related and Veterans causes mostly. We just feel compelled to help in those areas.
Recently, after local flooding, a young man who was recently discharged from the Marines, lost everything in the flood. His wife was in the hospital, being treated for large gash on her leg from flood debris. And, he lost his recently trained "service dog". The dog also had a backpack on, with this young Marine's wallet, keys, and cellphone in it. The dog had been swept away from him in the flood waters, and he needed help trying to find the dog, named "Stash". ("Stash" was named because of the dark band of hair above it lip.) He had gone to the local Red Cross for some temporary help, when another Vet friend of mine called me and asked if I was available to help.
So I drove up to Austin and met with the young Marine, named Kelly. After some exchanges, I drove him to the animal shelter in hopes the dog had been turned in. He hadn't been, yet. The dog was "chipped", but the info on the chip would direct any calls to Kelly's cellphone, which was with the dog, and likely ruined by flood waters. Kelly couldn't even get back to his house, as the flood water was keeping people out, and the Police were keeping everyone away from the hardest hit homes. To make matters worse, Kelly and his wife, had spend their last $6,700 of their savings, to have the house remodeled before they moved in. Kelly wouldn't get his last government check for another week or so. No money, no phone, no family nearby, and little solace from the limited help of the Red Cross.
This young man was in real need, so I then took him to buy a pre-paid cellphone, so he could at least make calls and receive calls about the dog, if it was found. I then took him to the hospital to check on his wife. Kelly told me that the hospital had already told him he could sleep there on a sofa until his wife's released.
By then, I had already talked to my wife, and we decided to make this case our donation for the month, so I handed Kelly some cash, telling him it was a "gift" to help him and his wife out a little, until the Red Cross and his homeowners insurance could pick thing up for him. Kelly thanked me profusely, and went into the hospital to check on his wife. As I was leaving, I told him that I hoped his wife was okay, and to call me if he found his dog.
There's more to this whole story, but here's the thing. Kelly, as I learned a few days later from another source, was a complete fraud. He was NO Marine, had NO flooded home, had NO wife in the hospital, and had NO dog either. It was all an elaborate ruse to fraud the Red Cross, while 100's of people were flooded out and really needed help. It just happened that one of my Veteran buddies was there to help the Red Cross, and after talking to "Kelly", this guy developed more of his ruse to fit out veterans association's motto, Vets Helping Vets.
We were taken in by this fraud. Ex-cop and all, I was taken in by the elaborate story, and the belief that he was a recently discharged Marine. No ID to verify anything, and no family in the area to help. It just didn't seem right to turn another "Veteran" away in a time of need, and there was no way under the circumstances to verify anything.
So this month, our usual "donation" to a worthy cause, was sidelined by that con-artist. As my wife and discussed the whole thing, we had "given from the heart", with no expectation of anything in return. The way we saw it, its on that kid and God to work out what ever happens to him next. We gave, more as being the "right thing to do", and not for anything else, so we just can't look back with regret. Regret, that could cause us to not "give" again. On this time, we got burned. But we will not be thwarted from doing what we feel is right the next time.
To us, "giving" is just the right thing for us to do for those in need, or to those entities who care for "service dogs" and/or Veterans. As for people like Kelly? We will do what we can to better screen for such fraudulent people. We'll let God work things out with "Kelly". Who knows, as wrong as it was for him to con the Red Cross and us, he may just have bigger problems than we know.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Heroes
Have you ever know of a true hero? To ME, a "hero" is one who has displayed great acts of bravery in the face of overwhelming danger to self. And with that, I have known some real heroes.
In my many writings (and rants), I get very reflective, wave the red, white & blue, and refer to my past military service in one way or another. Yes, I served in the U.S. Army, and I am a Combat Veteran. I was an Infantry Soldier, served in the rice paddies and jungles of Vietnam, and I served with honor.
But I want to be very clear. I was NO hero. Like I said, I have known heroes, and I am NOT one. I served in a combat unit, but that does not make me a "hero". Hundreds of thousands of other soldiers did too. In all honesty, I was an average soldier in many respects. I did what I was assigned to do. I did it to the best of my ability. And I advanced in rank in what I felt was at an appropriate rise as I would have expected under our conditions.
But "heroes" went beyond that. In the face of danger to "themselves", and that of the unit, they did things that would make most shutter. There were times when I would be almost frozen with fear, and it took the willingness of my "brothers" to watch over this "Friggin New Guy" (FNG), and help me gain the courage to move forward, when that was the last thing I wanted to do. (Frankly, much of my time those the early weeks, was spent trying to not let any of my buddies down while staying alive!)
Today though, I feel that our society has used that title of "hero" too loosely, and such people as movie stars, pop singers, and sports figures, have had that title thrust upon them. In fact, a very few of them have ever placed themselves in actual danger of great bodily harm or death for their fellow man. I worry that our kids will see false heroes, and fail to see and appreciate the real heroes out there.
But "hero worshiping" someone who has never placed themselves in harms way for his fellow man, just seems very wrong to me. I guess "worshiping" anyone is wrong, and a true hero would never want "worship". Most of them are very humble, even denying, of their contribution. We can learn a lot from them.
We find that in most cases, such heroes NEVER felt like a hero themselves, nor ever planned on being a hero. Most of them, for commitment to duty, or personal sudden emotions of the moment, stepped out to help their buddy, ignoring the obvious danger to themselves. Most of them, had they really thought it through, might not have done what they did. Or so they'd tell you. In most cases, I'd reject that. The need for such heroic action would not have changed, really, and the character of such a person would still have risen up. And that too, is the mark of a hero.
In today's world, heroes walk among us, unbeknown to most, and they aren't sports figures, actors, or even a President. They are otherwise average people, like our neighbors, or the man or woman working beside us. They don't boast, and they'd deny they didn't do anything "heroic", and that what ever they did ... "Anyone would have done the same thing."
I have known such people. And likely, there are others around me that I don't know. Maybe its the aging WWII Vet from down the street, helped to and from the car by a family member. Or maybe the young quiet grandpa a few doors down, who served bravely in Korea, or the young woman who recently came home from a tour in Afghanistan, and of whom may be a true "unsung" heroes. And yet, there are no TV Awards Special, no ESPN interviews, and no White House ceremonies in their honor. But there are those soldiers who only came home, because someone else went above and beyond to help make that possible.
To such everyday heroes .... while I might or might not know you, Thank You! I expect I am only here to say that, because some of those around me in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam, did things that made it possible for me to come home.
Most humbly yours,
Dan
In my many writings (and rants), I get very reflective, wave the red, white & blue, and refer to my past military service in one way or another. Yes, I served in the U.S. Army, and I am a Combat Veteran. I was an Infantry Soldier, served in the rice paddies and jungles of Vietnam, and I served with honor.
But I want to be very clear. I was NO hero. Like I said, I have known heroes, and I am NOT one. I served in a combat unit, but that does not make me a "hero". Hundreds of thousands of other soldiers did too. In all honesty, I was an average soldier in many respects. I did what I was assigned to do. I did it to the best of my ability. And I advanced in rank in what I felt was at an appropriate rise as I would have expected under our conditions.
But "heroes" went beyond that. In the face of danger to "themselves", and that of the unit, they did things that would make most shutter. There were times when I would be almost frozen with fear, and it took the willingness of my "brothers" to watch over this "Friggin New Guy" (FNG), and help me gain the courage to move forward, when that was the last thing I wanted to do. (Frankly, much of my time those the early weeks, was spent trying to not let any of my buddies down while staying alive!)
Today though, I feel that our society has used that title of "hero" too loosely, and such people as movie stars, pop singers, and sports figures, have had that title thrust upon them. In fact, a very few of them have ever placed themselves in actual danger of great bodily harm or death for their fellow man. I worry that our kids will see false heroes, and fail to see and appreciate the real heroes out there.
But "hero worshiping" someone who has never placed themselves in harms way for his fellow man, just seems very wrong to me. I guess "worshiping" anyone is wrong, and a true hero would never want "worship". Most of them are very humble, even denying, of their contribution. We can learn a lot from them.
We find that in most cases, such heroes NEVER felt like a hero themselves, nor ever planned on being a hero. Most of them, for commitment to duty, or personal sudden emotions of the moment, stepped out to help their buddy, ignoring the obvious danger to themselves. Most of them, had they really thought it through, might not have done what they did. Or so they'd tell you. In most cases, I'd reject that. The need for such heroic action would not have changed, really, and the character of such a person would still have risen up. And that too, is the mark of a hero.
In today's world, heroes walk among us, unbeknown to most, and they aren't sports figures, actors, or even a President. They are otherwise average people, like our neighbors, or the man or woman working beside us. They don't boast, and they'd deny they didn't do anything "heroic", and that what ever they did ... "Anyone would have done the same thing."
I have known such people. And likely, there are others around me that I don't know. Maybe its the aging WWII Vet from down the street, helped to and from the car by a family member. Or maybe the young quiet grandpa a few doors down, who served bravely in Korea, or the young woman who recently came home from a tour in Afghanistan, and of whom may be a true "unsung" heroes. And yet, there are no TV Awards Special, no ESPN interviews, and no White House ceremonies in their honor. But there are those soldiers who only came home, because someone else went above and beyond to help make that possible.
To such everyday heroes .... while I might or might not know you, Thank You! I expect I am only here to say that, because some of those around me in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam, did things that made it possible for me to come home.
Most humbly yours,
Dan
Monday, September 9, 2013
Benghazi, and one man's view
On Sept. 11, 2012, an outpost of our Libyan Embassy was attacked, along with a Central Intelligence Agency annex, four of our guys were killed.
After a year, and Obama's promise to hold those who did that responsible, NO arrests and NO counter actions have taken place. NONE! (Even though one of those terrorists involved has been identified and even interviewed by 2-3 news agencies.)
I won't go into all the things that precluded at the attacks, but will take a look at the attack time-line, and the lack of response to save any of our four guys.
Sept. 11th, 2012
9:40 pm, Benghazi, Libya time (3:40 pm Washington DC time) - The first sounds of gun fire and explosions occurred at the Benghazi compound perimeter.
10 pm (4 pm DC time) - [20 minutes - Tic Toc]
Those inside, to include U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, along with Sean Smith, had come under on-going direct fire from armed terrorists who had breeched the compound walls and gates.
An alert is sent to the CIA security team at an annex about a mile away, the State Department, and to the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, that the compound was under attack.
11 pm (5 pm DC time) - [1 hr 20 mins - Tic Toc]
A U.S. surveillance drone arrives over Benghazi. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey meet with President Barack Obama. According to testimony from Panetta, at a 5 o’clock prescheduled gathering, the president left operational details, including knowledge of what resources were available to help the Americans under siege, “up to us.”
12:07 am (6:07 pm DC time) - [2 hrs 27 mins - Tic Toc]
The State Department sends an e-mail to the White House, the Pentagon and the FBI indicating the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia claimed credit for the attack.
2 am (8 pm DC time) - [4 hrs 20 mins - Tic Toc]
Embassy Station Assistant Chief Hicks informs Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that they need to evacuate all Americans from Benghazi. At about the same time, an eyewitness captures on video Stevens being pulled from the smoke-filled building.
4 am (10 pm DC time) - [6 hrs 20 mins - Tic Toc]
The attackers launch a full-on assault against the CIA annex, dropping mortars on the roof. Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods are killed in the attack. (An unknown number of U.S. personnel were also wounded, and those identities and details have been kept from the Oversight Committee on Benghazi.)
10 am (4 am DC time) - [12 hrs 20 mins] The four dead had been recovered, and along with all the survivors, departed on the last plane out of Benghazi.
So - from the time the gun fire started and the Embassy compound was stormed, to the last man killed on the rooftop at the CIA Annex building, over 6 hours of gun battles and mortar attacks took place .... and NOT A SINGLE Military Response Team was put into the air. NO Gunships, NO armed drones, NO Airpower, NO Special Ops, NOTHING was even put into motion.
Some in DC, stated that they didn't "think" such assets could get there on time. HOW COULD THEY KNOW how long the assaults would take? What IF Doherty and Woods were able to hold off the assault on the CIA Annex for several more hours? WHO was coming? WHO was already in the air, while assault plans were made and finalized? NO ONE!
For the life of me, I can not wrap my head around the fact that THIS Administration DID NOTHING to even get a Military Response team into motion, from very the start of the Embassy attack. And then, for the on-going attacks, spread over a mile away to the CIA Annex, for over 6 hours....and still NO Assets put into motion?
Even IF they would be too late to save anyone....to NOT have them in-route and even circling off the coast while mission plans were made, is UNBELIEVABLE to me.
But Obama went to bed at some point that night, and then went to Las Vegas for a "political fund raiser" that next day of Sept. 12th!
Imagine this - Your home is being broken into by several armed men ... you call 9-1-1 ... gun shots ring out while you're on the phone ... the Police Dispatcher radios the Police Officers of the call and gun shots ..... the Police Officers are told by their Patrol Supervisors to hold off heading toward the scene until they know more ... and the Dispatcher tells you, "Sorry sir, but until we know what we're up against, we're not sending anyone!" THAT is essentially what Obama and Staff did to those in Benghazi!
THAT, to me, should have been enough reason to Impeach Obama, and charge Leon Panetta with dereliction of duty! And if anyone reading this is not disgusted and pissed off ... they ain't paying attention and only see their beloved "Black President"!
By the way - Just MY view - But for ANY Military Commander to sit in silence while this goes unchallenged, is also committing a dereliction of duty to those under their command. Silence, is condoning!
After a year, and Obama's promise to hold those who did that responsible, NO arrests and NO counter actions have taken place. NONE! (Even though one of those terrorists involved has been identified and even interviewed by 2-3 news agencies.)
I won't go into all the things that precluded at the attacks, but will take a look at the attack time-line, and the lack of response to save any of our four guys.
Sept. 11th, 2012
9:40 pm, Benghazi, Libya time (3:40 pm Washington DC time) - The first sounds of gun fire and explosions occurred at the Benghazi compound perimeter.
10 pm (4 pm DC time) - [20 minutes - Tic Toc]
Those inside, to include U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, along with Sean Smith, had come under on-going direct fire from armed terrorists who had breeched the compound walls and gates.
An alert is sent to the CIA security team at an annex about a mile away, the State Department, and to the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, that the compound was under attack.
11 pm (5 pm DC time) - [1 hr 20 mins - Tic Toc]
A U.S. surveillance drone arrives over Benghazi. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey meet with President Barack Obama. According to testimony from Panetta, at a 5 o’clock prescheduled gathering, the president left operational details, including knowledge of what resources were available to help the Americans under siege, “up to us.”
12:07 am (6:07 pm DC time) - [2 hrs 27 mins - Tic Toc]
The State Department sends an e-mail to the White House, the Pentagon and the FBI indicating the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia claimed credit for the attack.
2 am (8 pm DC time) - [4 hrs 20 mins - Tic Toc]
Embassy Station Assistant Chief Hicks informs Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that they need to evacuate all Americans from Benghazi. At about the same time, an eyewitness captures on video Stevens being pulled from the smoke-filled building.
4 am (10 pm DC time) - [6 hrs 20 mins - Tic Toc]
The attackers launch a full-on assault against the CIA annex, dropping mortars on the roof. Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods are killed in the attack. (An unknown number of U.S. personnel were also wounded, and those identities and details have been kept from the Oversight Committee on Benghazi.)
10 am (4 am DC time) - [12 hrs 20 mins] The four dead had been recovered, and along with all the survivors, departed on the last plane out of Benghazi.
So - from the time the gun fire started and the Embassy compound was stormed, to the last man killed on the rooftop at the CIA Annex building, over 6 hours of gun battles and mortar attacks took place .... and NOT A SINGLE Military Response Team was put into the air. NO Gunships, NO armed drones, NO Airpower, NO Special Ops, NOTHING was even put into motion.
Some in DC, stated that they didn't "think" such assets could get there on time. HOW COULD THEY KNOW how long the assaults would take? What IF Doherty and Woods were able to hold off the assault on the CIA Annex for several more hours? WHO was coming? WHO was already in the air, while assault plans were made and finalized? NO ONE!
For the life of me, I can not wrap my head around the fact that THIS Administration DID NOTHING to even get a Military Response team into motion, from very the start of the Embassy attack. And then, for the on-going attacks, spread over a mile away to the CIA Annex, for over 6 hours....and still NO Assets put into motion?
Even IF they would be too late to save anyone....to NOT have them in-route and even circling off the coast while mission plans were made, is UNBELIEVABLE to me.
But Obama went to bed at some point that night, and then went to Las Vegas for a "political fund raiser" that next day of Sept. 12th!
Imagine this - Your home is being broken into by several armed men ... you call 9-1-1 ... gun shots ring out while you're on the phone ... the Police Dispatcher radios the Police Officers of the call and gun shots ..... the Police Officers are told by their Patrol Supervisors to hold off heading toward the scene until they know more ... and the Dispatcher tells you, "Sorry sir, but until we know what we're up against, we're not sending anyone!" THAT is essentially what Obama and Staff did to those in Benghazi!
THAT, to me, should have been enough reason to Impeach Obama, and charge Leon Panetta with dereliction of duty! And if anyone reading this is not disgusted and pissed off ... they ain't paying attention and only see their beloved "Black President"!
By the way - Just MY view - But for ANY Military Commander to sit in silence while this goes unchallenged, is also committing a dereliction of duty to those under their command. Silence, is condoning!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Using Deadly Force, On An Unarmed Person
Well, the criminal trial against "John Smith" is over. JS was accused of killing an unarmed 17 year old during a fight. While there is likely more we may never know, what we do know suggests to me that the Not Guilty verdict was the correct one.
In a very short version, and in MY evaluation of the information known to the public, here is what I believed to have happened:
JS's neighborhood has had a number of residential burglaries and thefts. JS's wife was even a witness to one neighbor's such "home invasion". JS became a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, to try help prevent such crimes, or to help get suspects arrested. And, for his personal protection, JS was legally armed with a licensed handgun.
One night, JS saw someone he did not know or recognize as a neighbor, who was walking in the rain, and seemed to be looking around. To JS, this person seemed suspicious and out of place, so he called the Police while he continued to observe the person.
The person, learned to be little "Jimmy Jones", a 6 ft+ black 17 year old, drew JS's attention. While JS was continuing to observe JJ, and talking to the Police on his cell-phone, JJ came back around to meet JS. JJ confronted JS, asking what his problem was, and quickly thereafter, JJ punched JS in the nose, knocking JS down, then got on top of JS, hitting JS in the face and slamming JS's head onto the concrete.
At some point, in what JS described as a fear for his life and/or serious bodily injury, and completely unable to stop the beating, JS pulled his gun and shot JJ, to death.
The jury found for the defense, as Not Guilty.
Now a few things come to my mind about this, and such matters.
1. I have personally known a man, who loved fighting. He was strong as a bull, a tough fighter, and he loved beating people unconscious. He admitted to enjoying the feeling his victim's facial bones break under his fists. This man, MAIMED people. In the course of an interview with him, I told him I'd never fight him, and that if confronted by him, I'd just shoot him, because he's already told me he has maimed his victims in the past. Make no mistake, if confronted by this animal, I'd shoot him.
2. I was reading some FBI statistics about Police Officers killed. In 2010, about 8% of those killed, were killed with their own guns. This means that in some way, they were overcome, and their gun was then available to the assailant. When a Police Officer goes down and is beaten in a confrontation, his gun is then open to be taken and used against him (or anyone else!). At some point, if a Police Officer feels he is losing a confrontation, thus losing control of his own weapon, he can, and should, shoot such an assailant.
3. The above, should also apply to any legally armed civilian. And in the case of JS and JJ, once JS was down, and in his case, feeling he was in real trouble of serious bodily injury or death, he used his firearm to end the battle.
4. Aside from the first guy I spoke of, I have also know, and such things have been reported all over the nation, that some people, when their victim is down and defenseless, will continue to beat them to the point of very serious injury or death. Last year, a returning Marine was beaten to death that way.
In the NY Bronx, as just one example, a 61 year old man was mugged, and beaten to death by two people. Also in the Bronx, a 59 year old man was robbed of $20, and beaten to death. In neither case, was a weapon used.
At what point in such an confrontation, does one then fear serious injury or death? Such a beating, even without a weapon, is a felony in most (or all) states, and one CAN use deadly force to stop a felony assault. Unarmed, is not the same as being non-deadly. In about 5-6% of murders in the US, the reported weapons were hands and feet.
I expect some to recall observing a school or neighborhood fight, where one of the "fighters" went down, and the fight was over. One person won, and one loses. However, I know of fights (as well as read about such fights) where one person was down-and-out, and the other person just kept pummeling them. At that point, it ceased to be "mutual combat", and became a felony assault. If engaged in a fight with anyone vicious enough to beat you when you're down and no longer able to defend yourself, you become completely subject to the other person's will. And if that will is seriously injures you, or beats you to death, what could you do about it?
"Fair fights", can no longer be depended on. Too many incidents of "beat-downs" occur, and anyone finding themselves in a situation where they are no longer able to defend against a stronger opponent, one who continues to beat them, has every expectation and fear of death or serious bodily injury.
So you've been rendered defenseless, what can you do? In many cases, nothing but pray you will live through it. In the case of JS and JJ, JS resorted to his legally carried handgun. It could be, that JJ would have stopped the beating at some point. When? At what point, would JS have never been able to defend against a vicious or deadly beat-down? How long should JS have waited? Would he soon have been rendered totally defenseless or unconscious? Would he have further head injuries, causing brain injury? Would anyone is such a position, pinned down, having their head battered against the sidewalk and unable to defend against the stronger person, resort to a weapon? Unless you're there, you can't be sure. But I can tell you that I would. I would NOT allow anyone to put me into a hospital, or a coffin.
Side-note: "Profiling" IS appropriate in may cases. IF those home-invasions and thefts were committed mostly by young males of a particular group, then anyone of that group would be observed long enough to see if they were a possible offender. "Racial" profiling - that is profiling only because of a persons race, may be wrong. But profiling a person of a race, when that "race" is predominately involved in crime, is NOT "racial profiling". That is just profiling, in which race plays a part of the descriptors of offenders.
In a very short version, and in MY evaluation of the information known to the public, here is what I believed to have happened:
JS's neighborhood has had a number of residential burglaries and thefts. JS's wife was even a witness to one neighbor's such "home invasion". JS became a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, to try help prevent such crimes, or to help get suspects arrested. And, for his personal protection, JS was legally armed with a licensed handgun.
One night, JS saw someone he did not know or recognize as a neighbor, who was walking in the rain, and seemed to be looking around. To JS, this person seemed suspicious and out of place, so he called the Police while he continued to observe the person.
The person, learned to be little "Jimmy Jones", a 6 ft+ black 17 year old, drew JS's attention. While JS was continuing to observe JJ, and talking to the Police on his cell-phone, JJ came back around to meet JS. JJ confronted JS, asking what his problem was, and quickly thereafter, JJ punched JS in the nose, knocking JS down, then got on top of JS, hitting JS in the face and slamming JS's head onto the concrete.
At some point, in what JS described as a fear for his life and/or serious bodily injury, and completely unable to stop the beating, JS pulled his gun and shot JJ, to death.
The jury found for the defense, as Not Guilty.
Now a few things come to my mind about this, and such matters.
1. I have personally known a man, who loved fighting. He was strong as a bull, a tough fighter, and he loved beating people unconscious. He admitted to enjoying the feeling his victim's facial bones break under his fists. This man, MAIMED people. In the course of an interview with him, I told him I'd never fight him, and that if confronted by him, I'd just shoot him, because he's already told me he has maimed his victims in the past. Make no mistake, if confronted by this animal, I'd shoot him.
2. I was reading some FBI statistics about Police Officers killed. In 2010, about 8% of those killed, were killed with their own guns. This means that in some way, they were overcome, and their gun was then available to the assailant. When a Police Officer goes down and is beaten in a confrontation, his gun is then open to be taken and used against him (or anyone else!). At some point, if a Police Officer feels he is losing a confrontation, thus losing control of his own weapon, he can, and should, shoot such an assailant.
3. The above, should also apply to any legally armed civilian. And in the case of JS and JJ, once JS was down, and in his case, feeling he was in real trouble of serious bodily injury or death, he used his firearm to end the battle.
4. Aside from the first guy I spoke of, I have also know, and such things have been reported all over the nation, that some people, when their victim is down and defenseless, will continue to beat them to the point of very serious injury or death. Last year, a returning Marine was beaten to death that way.
In the NY Bronx, as just one example, a 61 year old man was mugged, and beaten to death by two people. Also in the Bronx, a 59 year old man was robbed of $20, and beaten to death. In neither case, was a weapon used.
At what point in such an confrontation, does one then fear serious injury or death? Such a beating, even without a weapon, is a felony in most (or all) states, and one CAN use deadly force to stop a felony assault. Unarmed, is not the same as being non-deadly. In about 5-6% of murders in the US, the reported weapons were hands and feet.
I expect some to recall observing a school or neighborhood fight, where one of the "fighters" went down, and the fight was over. One person won, and one loses. However, I know of fights (as well as read about such fights) where one person was down-and-out, and the other person just kept pummeling them. At that point, it ceased to be "mutual combat", and became a felony assault. If engaged in a fight with anyone vicious enough to beat you when you're down and no longer able to defend yourself, you become completely subject to the other person's will. And if that will is seriously injures you, or beats you to death, what could you do about it?
"Fair fights", can no longer be depended on. Too many incidents of "beat-downs" occur, and anyone finding themselves in a situation where they are no longer able to defend against a stronger opponent, one who continues to beat them, has every expectation and fear of death or serious bodily injury.
So you've been rendered defenseless, what can you do? In many cases, nothing but pray you will live through it. In the case of JS and JJ, JS resorted to his legally carried handgun. It could be, that JJ would have stopped the beating at some point. When? At what point, would JS have never been able to defend against a vicious or deadly beat-down? How long should JS have waited? Would he soon have been rendered totally defenseless or unconscious? Would he have further head injuries, causing brain injury? Would anyone is such a position, pinned down, having their head battered against the sidewalk and unable to defend against the stronger person, resort to a weapon? Unless you're there, you can't be sure. But I can tell you that I would. I would NOT allow anyone to put me into a hospital, or a coffin.
Side-note: "Profiling" IS appropriate in may cases. IF those home-invasions and thefts were committed mostly by young males of a particular group, then anyone of that group would be observed long enough to see if they were a possible offender. "Racial" profiling - that is profiling only because of a persons race, may be wrong. But profiling a person of a race, when that "race" is predominately involved in crime, is NOT "racial profiling". That is just profiling, in which race plays a part of the descriptors of offenders.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Rushing To Judgement
We ALL do it. Something happens that in some way touches us emotionally or some other sense of identifying with the situation, and we take a position before we know all the details.
I know I have done that, only to later back away from my first perspective after learning more details. Even as a Law Enforcement Officer, I have found myself in a position to assess a situation one way, only to reverse it later as more facts are learned. (Victims, are not always "victims".)
But I have a real problem with President Obama, and his rush to judgment. If anything, HE should never rush to judgment. His judgment affects the lives and welfare of all our nation's citizens, in one way or another.
Take the case with the Cambridge (MA) Police Officer (who is white) and the Harvard College Professor Louis Gates (who is black). While opinions vary of what the Police should or should not have done, Obama came out of the gate pretty early on, stating, "...the Cambridge police acted stupidly." Obama took a side, and ... sorry ... it APPEARS that Obama took the side of a Black man, over a White Cop, and all before the investigation was fully completed. In my view, Obama had NO business stepping into that situation, and choosing a side. Particularly in a "local" police matter.
(see: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/07/obama_cambridge.html )
Then, we have the death of a 17 year old unarmed Black kid (Trayvon Martin), who was shot by a Hispanic (George Zimmerman) "neighborhood watchman" during a scuffle. This happened on Feb. 26, 2012. On Mar. 23, 2012, while commenting about the case, Obama said, "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon." Obama, in some attempt to identify with the Black community, says such thing, and takes a side before all the facts are known ... and even before the trial (which, by the way, is going on as I type this, on July 12, 2013!). Obama had NO business commenting to such a degree, and to choose a side in a pending criminal investigation. NONE!
(see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/obama-trayvon-martin_n_1375083.html )
Fact is, and while NOT a reason to shoot anyone, Trayvon Martin is suspected of being a burglar, a pot-smoker by his own photos, and may have been in procession (illegal, as he was 17?) of a handgun in the past. Really President Obama? THIS is the type son you would have had? Really?
Furthermore, from THIS former Law Enforcement Officer's viewpoint, while George Zimmerman will be judged by a jury for his use-of-force, had Martin kept walking, the police would have arrived to check on him. But he didn't. He went back and confronted Zimmerman. Zimmerman had a right and a purpose for being in that apartment complex. Martin was passing through. Zimmerman may have been following Martin, but Martin was not "likely" in fear, or he would never have come back around to confront Zimmerman. A person in fear, unless there is no exit, will head for an exit from the danger, real or perceived. All that is for the court case to unravel, but point is .. Obama should never have commented in any way to take a side.
As for Professor Gates, had he simply stayed calm, and provided the identification and verification the Officer requested, that matter would never escalated. But instead, the Professor took immediate offense to being questioned, and referred to the Officer with "your mama", which jumped to the racial right away. The Professor was wrong. But Obama took a side.
In any case, Obama had NO business, as THE President of the United States, to make such comments on the Cambridge or Martin matter! In both cases, he rushed to judgment. Hardly presidential. And to me .... to ME .... it smacks more of taking a racial side, than an objective one.
Obama, to my dismay, IS our President, and with that, should be the President to ALL Americans, and should hold his tongue until all the facts are out. Even then, local matter should be left to local people, and for any President to comment in a way that takes one side over another, is just wrong.
The rest of us may well keep jumping to early conclusions, but for the most part, such rushing to judgments do not impact a nation.
I know I have done that, only to later back away from my first perspective after learning more details. Even as a Law Enforcement Officer, I have found myself in a position to assess a situation one way, only to reverse it later as more facts are learned. (Victims, are not always "victims".)
But I have a real problem with President Obama, and his rush to judgment. If anything, HE should never rush to judgment. His judgment affects the lives and welfare of all our nation's citizens, in one way or another.
Take the case with the Cambridge (MA) Police Officer (who is white) and the Harvard College Professor Louis Gates (who is black). While opinions vary of what the Police should or should not have done, Obama came out of the gate pretty early on, stating, "...the Cambridge police acted stupidly." Obama took a side, and ... sorry ... it APPEARS that Obama took the side of a Black man, over a White Cop, and all before the investigation was fully completed. In my view, Obama had NO business stepping into that situation, and choosing a side. Particularly in a "local" police matter.
(see: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/07/obama_cambridge.html )
Then, we have the death of a 17 year old unarmed Black kid (Trayvon Martin), who was shot by a Hispanic (George Zimmerman) "neighborhood watchman" during a scuffle. This happened on Feb. 26, 2012. On Mar. 23, 2012, while commenting about the case, Obama said, "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon." Obama, in some attempt to identify with the Black community, says such thing, and takes a side before all the facts are known ... and even before the trial (which, by the way, is going on as I type this, on July 12, 2013!). Obama had NO business commenting to such a degree, and to choose a side in a pending criminal investigation. NONE!
(see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/obama-trayvon-martin_n_1375083.html )
Fact is, and while NOT a reason to shoot anyone, Trayvon Martin is suspected of being a burglar, a pot-smoker by his own photos, and may have been in procession (illegal, as he was 17?) of a handgun in the past. Really President Obama? THIS is the type son you would have had? Really?
Furthermore, from THIS former Law Enforcement Officer's viewpoint, while George Zimmerman will be judged by a jury for his use-of-force, had Martin kept walking, the police would have arrived to check on him. But he didn't. He went back and confronted Zimmerman. Zimmerman had a right and a purpose for being in that apartment complex. Martin was passing through. Zimmerman may have been following Martin, but Martin was not "likely" in fear, or he would never have come back around to confront Zimmerman. A person in fear, unless there is no exit, will head for an exit from the danger, real or perceived. All that is for the court case to unravel, but point is .. Obama should never have commented in any way to take a side.
As for Professor Gates, had he simply stayed calm, and provided the identification and verification the Officer requested, that matter would never escalated. But instead, the Professor took immediate offense to being questioned, and referred to the Officer with "your mama", which jumped to the racial right away. The Professor was wrong. But Obama took a side.
In any case, Obama had NO business, as THE President of the United States, to make such comments on the Cambridge or Martin matter! In both cases, he rushed to judgment. Hardly presidential. And to me .... to ME .... it smacks more of taking a racial side, than an objective one.
Obama, to my dismay, IS our President, and with that, should be the President to ALL Americans, and should hold his tongue until all the facts are out. Even then, local matter should be left to local people, and for any President to comment in a way that takes one side over another, is just wrong.
The rest of us may well keep jumping to early conclusions, but for the most part, such rushing to judgments do not impact a nation.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Our 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". And our Pledge of Allegiance is TO 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 didn't believe 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 any one'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. We're not perfect by any measure, but our Pledge, should be looked at as the constant drive to be better, and to be all the Pledge implies. While 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, and proudly fly our Red, White & Blue Star Spangled Banner.
I pledge MY allegiance to MY country, America. I hate the politics, but I love my country. Land of the free. Home of the brave.
Happy 4th of July!
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". And our Pledge of Allegiance is TO 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 didn't believe 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 any one'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. We're not perfect by any measure, but our Pledge, should be looked at as the constant drive to be better, and to be all the Pledge implies. While 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, and proudly fly our Red, White & Blue Star Spangled Banner.
I pledge MY allegiance to MY country, America. I hate the politics, but I love my country. Land of the free. Home of the brave.
Happy 4th of July!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Life Goes On
Summer time is just made for families, friends, and various outings. A breeze keeps the heat down, as a pair of young adults picnic by a river bank. Children laugh, as they play on the mega-gym in the playground. Older adults can be seen playing shuffle-board, while others pitch horseshoes. Not far away, there's a old-fashioned drive-in burger joint, and you almost make out the loud speaker as orders are called out. Making their way to a big parking lot, several custom cars, adorned with custom paint and shinny wheels, began arriving for their own car show.
Life goes on for most people in America. When it's not work, it's time with family and friends. Yep, life goes on, in seeming immunity from the cost paid each day by those who put on our nation's military uniforms. In some manner or other, our folks in the military stand at the ready to defend our freedoms. And to those families who suffer the greatest loss for such freedoms, life will never be the same. To those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, life will not go on.
Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and to those who connect the dots, July 4th, are dates which we acknowledge the costs of freedom. To the families of our military losses, it may not seem fair that life goes on ... without their loved one here to go on too.
Even in the hearts and minds of those who do come home, there's an emptiness for those who can't come home again ... ever. I remember vividly, coming home from my own war time experiences, and seeing "life going on". I would see everyday, people doing everyday things, and thought to myself (although near boiling to the surface), "What's wrong with you people? Don't you know that today, someone died so you can do what you're doing? Can't you stop and acknowledge that?"
Some do. Too few, I feel. Even flying our Flag, isn't done as much as it was right after 9-11-2001. It seemed that every house had a Flag out. Today, its maybe one in thirty. Or even less.
It's not that people don't care. I think some just get so wrapped up in their own lives, that it simply doesn't occur to them. Then there are those, with whom it's just too much trouble to even consider our Troops, our Veterans, or anyone else for that matter. And, there are those few who actually are anti-war, and they don't want anything to do with the Military, and that means even to acknowledge them in any way. Powerful freedom they have, isn't it. Agree or not with any military action, the fact such people can choose to be against those who actually help preserve those very freedoms, is actually puzzling to me. From the days at Concord and Lexington, there have been those who decry such acts of violence, yet live under the benefit of it. If they really believed what they protest against, they'd remove themselves from their freedoms, paid for in blood.
To those families with family and friends serving, and dying, for our freedoms, life does go on. Forgive us, as it just does, as it should. But along our way, we OWE it to remember those who have given so much, so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. And we MUST to our part politically, to see that those who stand at the ready with arms, are supported, and that WE will not let our freedoms slip away through the fingers of loose dealing politicians.
God Bless our Troops, their families, and God Bless America.
Life goes on for most people in America. When it's not work, it's time with family and friends. Yep, life goes on, in seeming immunity from the cost paid each day by those who put on our nation's military uniforms. In some manner or other, our folks in the military stand at the ready to defend our freedoms. And to those families who suffer the greatest loss for such freedoms, life will never be the same. To those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, life will not go on.
Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and to those who connect the dots, July 4th, are dates which we acknowledge the costs of freedom. To the families of our military losses, it may not seem fair that life goes on ... without their loved one here to go on too.
Even in the hearts and minds of those who do come home, there's an emptiness for those who can't come home again ... ever. I remember vividly, coming home from my own war time experiences, and seeing "life going on". I would see everyday, people doing everyday things, and thought to myself (although near boiling to the surface), "What's wrong with you people? Don't you know that today, someone died so you can do what you're doing? Can't you stop and acknowledge that?"
Some do. Too few, I feel. Even flying our Flag, isn't done as much as it was right after 9-11-2001. It seemed that every house had a Flag out. Today, its maybe one in thirty. Or even less.
It's not that people don't care. I think some just get so wrapped up in their own lives, that it simply doesn't occur to them. Then there are those, with whom it's just too much trouble to even consider our Troops, our Veterans, or anyone else for that matter. And, there are those few who actually are anti-war, and they don't want anything to do with the Military, and that means even to acknowledge them in any way. Powerful freedom they have, isn't it. Agree or not with any military action, the fact such people can choose to be against those who actually help preserve those very freedoms, is actually puzzling to me. From the days at Concord and Lexington, there have been those who decry such acts of violence, yet live under the benefit of it. If they really believed what they protest against, they'd remove themselves from their freedoms, paid for in blood.
To those families with family and friends serving, and dying, for our freedoms, life does go on. Forgive us, as it just does, as it should. But along our way, we OWE it to remember those who have given so much, so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. And we MUST to our part politically, to see that those who stand at the ready with arms, are supported, and that WE will not let our freedoms slip away through the fingers of loose dealing politicians.
God Bless our Troops, their families, and God Bless America.
Monday, June 24, 2013
My Visit to an IRS Office
I am SURE there are many hard working people within the IRS. But "The IRS" just stirs images of a big bad boogie-men coming to take our money.
Lately, we've learned that the IRS, or at least some within it, have used their positions to stop people and organizations from obtaining tax exempt status, because someone in the IRS doesn't agree them or their cause. So the fear many have had of the IRS, seems to have been born out.
Now, add in two things. It has come to light, that in just one of the many conferences held for some IRS employees, cost the American Taxpayers 4 MILLION DOLLARS. Some of those expenses, were for $3,500 a night motel rooms! And that was just part of some 50 MILLION DOLLARS spent on many conferences.
And the Obama sequester, that has our local Austin office, closed 2 days per month, as part of those cut-backs.
But, I owed the IRS money. We filed our taxes on time, but could only send a partial payment. We have been waiting for a notice of the remainder so we could send it in. This past Friday (the21st), we got our notice of the balance, and a due date of Monday (24th). Wow, not enough time to mail it, so I drove to the only IRS Taxpayer Assistance Office listed for Austin. I "assumed" (bad on me) that they would open at 9 am. I arrived at 8:50, and there was already a line outside. The office had opened at 8:30 am, so I was later than I thought. I soon learned that the inside waiting area was already full, and the outside line was waiting for chairs to open inside, to wait further.
In my case, I just wanted to pay my taxes, in full, and leave. I had the check ready, as well as the form the IRS had provided, so easy enough. Wrong! But I was told there was no way I could do that, without waiting in line.
At about 10:25 am, I finally made it to the inside. And inside, was a line just get to a counter, where I would have to get a number to wait further. So, I waiting in that line. That line was shorter than the outside line, and I reached the receptionist desk after only about 15 minutes, and I asked if they accepted payments. They did. GREAT! But she couldn't. The receptionist said that I'd have to take a number, and see an IRS Customer Service (?) person. "How long?", I asked. I was told it would be another 2-1/2 hrs, at least.
I hate lines. I won't even wait in much of a line for restaurants and movies, and I LIKE those! So I looked at the full waiting area, and then looked at the numbered IRS customer service cubicles. There were 16 cubicles, numbered with a digital light by each. But only 4 had their little numbers lit up. Only 4 people were working, out of the 16 cubicles that could have been serving taxpayers. Now I saw why it would be another 2-1/2 hrs, or so.
No thanks. I'll pay what ever penalty for the payment to be late, but this was just ... stupid. I didn't like "The IRS" before this year. But with the IRS scandals, wasteful spending of OUR money, and now a local office ill equipped to ever serve the taxpayers properly, and I really don't like "The IRS"!
And I suspect, this is just one small example of how our government takes care of us.
With all that's going on - that is, the Benghazi cover-up; the Fast and Furious cover-up; the IRS scandals; the Dept. of (In)Justice and their targeting of a Fox News reporter; the National Security Agency's spying on ALL of our phone calls, texts, emails, and who know what else; Dept. of Homeland Security buying an unexplainable huge amount of ammunition, Armored vehicles, and Assault Rifles; and who knows what else .... let's not allow any of that keep Obama from taking an estimated 100 MILLION DOLLAR vacation trip to Africa!
Lately, we've learned that the IRS, or at least some within it, have used their positions to stop people and organizations from obtaining tax exempt status, because someone in the IRS doesn't agree them or their cause. So the fear many have had of the IRS, seems to have been born out.
Now, add in two things. It has come to light, that in just one of the many conferences held for some IRS employees, cost the American Taxpayers 4 MILLION DOLLARS. Some of those expenses, were for $3,500 a night motel rooms! And that was just part of some 50 MILLION DOLLARS spent on many conferences.
And the Obama sequester, that has our local Austin office, closed 2 days per month, as part of those cut-backs.
But, I owed the IRS money. We filed our taxes on time, but could only send a partial payment. We have been waiting for a notice of the remainder so we could send it in. This past Friday (the21st), we got our notice of the balance, and a due date of Monday (24th). Wow, not enough time to mail it, so I drove to the only IRS Taxpayer Assistance Office listed for Austin. I "assumed" (bad on me) that they would open at 9 am. I arrived at 8:50, and there was already a line outside. The office had opened at 8:30 am, so I was later than I thought. I soon learned that the inside waiting area was already full, and the outside line was waiting for chairs to open inside, to wait further.
In my case, I just wanted to pay my taxes, in full, and leave. I had the check ready, as well as the form the IRS had provided, so easy enough. Wrong! But I was told there was no way I could do that, without waiting in line.
At about 10:25 am, I finally made it to the inside. And inside, was a line just get to a counter, where I would have to get a number to wait further. So, I waiting in that line. That line was shorter than the outside line, and I reached the receptionist desk after only about 15 minutes, and I asked if they accepted payments. They did. GREAT! But she couldn't. The receptionist said that I'd have to take a number, and see an IRS Customer Service (?) person. "How long?", I asked. I was told it would be another 2-1/2 hrs, at least.
I hate lines. I won't even wait in much of a line for restaurants and movies, and I LIKE those! So I looked at the full waiting area, and then looked at the numbered IRS customer service cubicles. There were 16 cubicles, numbered with a digital light by each. But only 4 had their little numbers lit up. Only 4 people were working, out of the 16 cubicles that could have been serving taxpayers. Now I saw why it would be another 2-1/2 hrs, or so.
No thanks. I'll pay what ever penalty for the payment to be late, but this was just ... stupid. I didn't like "The IRS" before this year. But with the IRS scandals, wasteful spending of OUR money, and now a local office ill equipped to ever serve the taxpayers properly, and I really don't like "The IRS"!
And I suspect, this is just one small example of how our government takes care of us.
With all that's going on - that is, the Benghazi cover-up; the Fast and Furious cover-up; the IRS scandals; the Dept. of (In)Justice and their targeting of a Fox News reporter; the National Security Agency's spying on ALL of our phone calls, texts, emails, and who know what else; Dept. of Homeland Security buying an unexplainable huge amount of ammunition, Armored vehicles, and Assault Rifles; and who knows what else .... let's not allow any of that keep Obama from taking an estimated 100 MILLION DOLLAR vacation trip to Africa!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Man's best friend
My wife and I love dogs. Both of us have had a canine pet around most our lives. We have two today, and they live indoors with us, sit with us on the couch, sleep on the bed, and are treated like one of our kids. And non-dog owners, would likely not understand any of that. (I would NEVER just keep a dog outside on a chain!)
DO you get a dog video sent to you? Maybe one of those Soldier comes home to dog" videos? Or a bunch of puppy pictures? I'm a sucker for all of those, and except for those that pull at the heart-strings, bring a smile, even in todays often depressing news.
There are dog rescue groups, many are even breed specific. We've bought puppies (not from a puppy-mill), as well as rescued some from a humane society or animal control. My daughter's dog, was rescued from what was to be euthanasia. he rescued dogs, seem to know they were truly "rescued". They seem to be more lovable, staying close all the time.
Our dogs miss us if we've been gone all day. But if either of us is gone for several days, they just go crazy when we come home. We know we are missed. But I've never been gone a year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0zMzfegs5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysKAVyXi0J4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD3cgDRsDck
Have you ever felt this loved? There are loads of videos out their like these.
I also follow this Blogger - http://khanrahan.com/ (check him out)
This guy is an Army Veteran, and his blog has true heart warming stories, as well as the sad ones of "man's best friend" giving their all for their Soldier handlers and those around them. Great Job Kevin!
Service Dogs are proving to be a great asset for returning Soldiers dealing with physical disabilities, and growing help to those suffering with PTSD. Any web-search can yield service dogs for most any purpose.
http://www.hero-dogs.org/veterans.html
http://4pawsforability.org/paws-for-veterans/
Last year, we lost our Irish Setter of 13 years. Age got to her, and letting her go was one of the hardest things I could ever go through. I can barely type this, without getting a little teary eyed at seeing her in my mind's eye, and this picture.
I am not a cat lover, but I've been around cats. I know they can be loving (so I've heard), but I've never seen a pet that loves, unconditionally, like a dog does. I've often joked, "If Timmy fell down the well, a cat would just look down at him." Lassie, always ran for help!
I grew up with indoor dogs around. And I loved the TV shows about dogs, like "Rin Tin Tin", or my first puppy love with "Lassie", and then there was Yukon "King". And a great many movies about dogs, like the movies "Hachi" and "Eight Below" (have tissues handy) and "Turner and Hooch" or "Snow Dogs", and my first tear-jerker movie, "Old Yeller".
Our two girls today, greet us every time with wagging tails. They are ALWAYS glad to see us. And we're always glad to see them. Both are great and loving companions. And each has their own personality. Hannah has mellowed over the years. And Sadie .... well, even at 3 years old, she bounces off the walls with greetings and antics!
"Man's best friend" is very true, as far as we are concerned. If WE could be as unconditional as our dogs, we'd have a better world. Somehow, I can't imagine our girls not being in Heaven when I get there, greeting me with wagging tails, and slobbering dog-kisses.
(Adopt a rescue dog today. It just might be YOU who gets rescued!)
DO you get a dog video sent to you? Maybe one of those Soldier comes home to dog" videos? Or a bunch of puppy pictures? I'm a sucker for all of those, and except for those that pull at the heart-strings, bring a smile, even in todays often depressing news.
There are dog rescue groups, many are even breed specific. We've bought puppies (not from a puppy-mill), as well as rescued some from a humane society or animal control. My daughter's dog, was rescued from what was to be euthanasia. he rescued dogs, seem to know they were truly "rescued". They seem to be more lovable, staying close all the time.
Our dogs miss us if we've been gone all day. But if either of us is gone for several days, they just go crazy when we come home. We know we are missed. But I've never been gone a year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0zMzfegs5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysKAVyXi0J4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD3cgDRsDck
Have you ever felt this loved? There are loads of videos out their like these.
I also follow this Blogger - http://khanrahan.com/ (check him out)
This guy is an Army Veteran, and his blog has true heart warming stories, as well as the sad ones of "man's best friend" giving their all for their Soldier handlers and those around them. Great Job Kevin!
Service Dogs are proving to be a great asset for returning Soldiers dealing with physical disabilities, and growing help to those suffering with PTSD. Any web-search can yield service dogs for most any purpose.
http://www.hero-dogs.org/veterans.html
http://4pawsforability.org/paws-for-veterans/
Last year, we lost our Irish Setter of 13 years. Age got to her, and letting her go was one of the hardest things I could ever go through. I can barely type this, without getting a little teary eyed at seeing her in my mind's eye, and this picture.
I am not a cat lover, but I've been around cats. I know they can be loving (so I've heard), but I've never seen a pet that loves, unconditionally, like a dog does. I've often joked, "If Timmy fell down the well, a cat would just look down at him." Lassie, always ran for help!
I grew up with indoor dogs around. And I loved the TV shows about dogs, like "Rin Tin Tin", or my first puppy love with "Lassie", and then there was Yukon "King". And a great many movies about dogs, like the movies "Hachi" and "Eight Below" (have tissues handy) and "Turner and Hooch" or "Snow Dogs", and my first tear-jerker movie, "Old Yeller".
Our two girls today, greet us every time with wagging tails. They are ALWAYS glad to see us. And we're always glad to see them. Both are great and loving companions. And each has their own personality. Hannah has mellowed over the years. And Sadie .... well, even at 3 years old, she bounces off the walls with greetings and antics!
"Man's best friend" is very true, as far as we are concerned. If WE could be as unconditional as our dogs, we'd have a better world. Somehow, I can't imagine our girls not being in Heaven when I get there, greeting me with wagging tails, and slobbering dog-kisses.
(Adopt a rescue dog today. It just might be YOU who gets rescued!)
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Obama wants us to TRUST government
On June 7th
(2013), in response to the wide-spread complaints about the National Security
Agency’s (NSA) domestic surveillance program, Obama sated: "If people
can't trust not only the executive branch but also don't trust Congress, and
don't trust federal judges, to make sure that we're abiding by the Constitution
with due process and rule of law, then we're going to have some problems
here."
As Lord Acton said in 1887, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Well, I DO
have a problem Mr. President!
We have a
Bill of Rights. Some of those rights, may seem to protect “guilty” people. That
is to say, WHY would anyone need to protect themselves from speaking against
themselves, if they didn’t do anything wrong; or, be protected from unlawful
searches and seizures, if you’ve nothing to hide; or, own firearms, if the
government can protect you from any “enemies, foreign and domestic”?
The Bill of
Rights, aren’t there to protect “guilty” people. The Bill of Rights, are there
to protect ALL people, against a powerful government doing whatever they
wanted. The Bill of Rights are there to
protect us from a government that could use such powers to for all kinds of
nefarious reasons.
Obama
mentioned the trust of “federal judges”. What IF, like in the case of US
Attorney General Eric Holder, law enforcement went judge shopping for a judge that
would allow them to do most anything they wanted. After all, they’re Cops,
right? In the case of the Department of Justice, they went to three judges,
before they found one that would rubber-stamp a really pathetic warrant to search
the records of a reporter’s phone and emails, as well as those of his parents!
Second to
that example, what IF the government, through the massive power to get
information from personal files, phones, emails, etc., found something very
embarrassing against a federal judge or other official? Could THAT be used to
sway someone to go along with things he or she wouldn’t otherwise do? So
there’s my take on federal judges, and unbridled trust.
Trust
Congress? I don’t think so. They are elected to “represent” us. But how many
times have we seen an elected official do things in their own best interest?
How many find themselves getting very rich, while “serving the people”? And WHO
in their right mind, would dare trust an attorney who would recommend a client sign an unread
contract, yet that is exactly what they did on our behalf, with the Obamacare
crap! (and how many more unread bills?) An attorney would be fired, if not brought up before the Bar for malpractice!
And then
there’s Obama. There is NO WAY in hell I trust him. He lied about the
circumstances around the failed DOJ/ATF Fast and Furious gun running operation,
where a couple thousand guns went across to Mexico, and they lost track of them. Then to have at least two show up at a murder scene, where Border Agent Brian
Terry was killed! Obama said he wasn’t involved in that, but ended up saving
Eric Holder’s ass with an “Executive Privedge” order, which if there was no
involvement by Obama, then there shouldn’t have been any communication between
him and Holder for an EP to apply! He abused his power and authority, and/or HE LIED!
He LIED
about the cause of the attack on our Embassy in Benghazi, and what lead to the
deaths of four of our people. He had a
re-election coming up, and he lied to protect his imagine. He’s a lying
bastard in my opinion!
As for the 2nd
amendment - It isn’t about hunting. It’s about protection, and that protection
includes protection from a tyrannical government, which is what our Founding
Fathers experienced with King George. It was added because King George, in
order to avert the growing dissention, tried to take the weapons from “the
people”. Our Founders included, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,
shall not be infringed”, just because of the actions the British army tried to
take against the Colonials. No sir, I
will NOT surrender my arms. I firmly believe that a government that would disregard
our other “rights” (currently, the 4th amendment), is more than capable of being the tyrannical government our
Founders warned against, and try to disarm us of our means to stop an out-of-control government.
Lastly, the
Bill of Rights are in place to protect all of us from such a government that
would stretch any law they choose, to get the end result they may want, even if
they felt that result was in the best interest of the country. We should NEVER
blindly trust this, or any, government. “Rights” given up, may be impossible to
regain.
As Lord Acton said in 1887, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)