Sheep dog to Shepherd

[dennisw]

Whenever one of my sons is deployed, I find my emotional state becomes altered. Not so much that I wander around talking to myself in public, but my reaction to an article or movie that is patriotic is instantaneous and the degree is surprising. In dealing with business matters I constantly have to check myself to make sure I don’t overreact. This occurred the other day when one of the companies who we rent equipment from stated their delivery charges. On the phone with their representative I expressed my dissatisfaction with their pricing in pretty strong terms. Later I realized I probably overreacted and called them back and told the representative I was sorry and explained to him my son is currently in Afghanistan and I had not heard from him in a while which always puts me a little on edge.

Later his boss called and we talked for a while. I got the impression he wanted to talk about things other then business. He went on to tell me he had spent 16 years in the Marines and was medically retired. He had three deployments to Iraq. We talked for a while about the disconnect between our routine life in the U.S. which seems little affected by the fact that many Americans are in a life and death battle in the Middle East. He said he missed the Marine Corp, but felt comforted in that he had done his duty. It was with these words that I mentioned that unfortunately his duty was probably not finished.

It was in 1994 when some young and influential republicans formed the concept of the Contract With America; the effort to take back the government and truly start representing the best interests of the governed. Many experts may downplay the significance of this group, but I personally believe their impact on our nation was very significant. However these folks were politicians, and I cannot see in the current environment of bank failings, bailouts, and mistrust of corporate greed, Americans putting much faith in politicians, businessmen, attorneys, etc.

However, there is one group that I believe many Americans trust implicitly – combat veterans. As I told the young man on the phone, the next duty required of our combat veterans may be to lead us again, not as sheep dogs, but as shepherds. I for one have a large degree of trust in someone who has been willing to lay it all on the line in faraway places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and I am more willing to put the Country’s future in the hands of those who have sacrificed so much in the face of so much adversity. Is this a unique viewpoint, or do others see it the same way?

[CoLawman]

Dennis I think you need counselling and meds!

Let me give you my for instance. I was reading a story about two young men that grew up with my son. They made front page of the Adventure section, complete with color photos. All this print was due to their hiking for five days in Moab. They had pre-cached water along their intended route. It got dicey when they discovered one of their water bottles was losing water at a rapid rate and miles from their next cache.........

I am sure those boys parents are proud of them and probably had some sleepless nights during the recreational trip.

But we family members know what PROUD really is and what SLEEPLESS nights really are. And I would have it no other way.

[mcarey]

Originally Posted by dennisw

Is this a unique viewpoint, or do others see it the same way?

It may or not be a unique viewpoint, but thank you for your sacrifice and the trust and confidence you place on active and veteran serice members.

I agree with your premise, but would add, our elected officials got there because of us and our fellow citizens lack of judgement or picking the best of two (or more) bad choices. I would expand that we need Citizens that are talented, honest and honorable to step up and run the bums out of running our country. We need term limits and leaders of character and common sense.

All the best to you and I will pray for your sons and his units safe deployment / redeployment home.

[dennisw]

CoLawman said:

Dennis I think you need counselling and meds!

Officer what type of meds are you recommending ?

[Box]

I cant begin to imagine the size of the mud slinging that a financially corrupt, well connected, seated politician would use against a veteran attempting to unseat him from his cash cow... a combat veteran would face a dirtier attack by ANY of our current politicians than anything seen in theater. Sadly I have no confidence in the recovery of our system.
just look at the attack on Joe the plumber...

just my 2 cents

[TOMAHAWK9521]

Originally Posted by Billy L-bach

I cant begin to imagine the size of the mud slinging that a financially corrupt, well connected, seated politician would use against a veteran attempting to unseat him from his cash cow... a combat veteran would face a dirtier attack by ANY of our current politicians than anything seen in theater. Sadly I have no confidence in the recovery of our system.
just look at the attack on Joe the plumber...

just my 2 cents

You bring up some very points. However, if politicians want to make it a dirty fight, I think a few QPs with some respectable skills could make the lives of most politicians such a veritable hell they'd suck-start a Glock. I know, it probably wouldn't be considered honorable to those of us who truly understand the meaning of the word, but as you say, we are beyond that in our political system. Politicians get their information via political blackmail, union leg-breakers, etc. QPs don't have to go that low. I'd love to see the private dealings of the Franks, Murthas, Feinsteins, and such wind up on the open net or else have said evidence be dropped on them in the middle of a debate. Of course it might not be considered legal evidence, but what is legal in the realm of politics? However, if the evidence gets out , the damage would be done and the fickle mind of the sheep would made up before any spin could be put into play.

[dennisw]

If you were to run for office, what would the top three points of your platform? If the information below which I received in email is true, I believe illegal immigration has to be in the top three.


From the L. A. Times:

1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County ( L. A. County has 10.2 million people)are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.
2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal , whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A. are Spanish speaking.
10. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish.
(There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County . )