By Ron Dupuis
I met a young Marine and didn’t know just what to say.
The event was a social function that my wife had been looking forward too for some time. Ever the diplomat, and aware of my disdain for such events, I was first approached in a thinly veiled, patronizing sort of way.
“Honey, would you come with me?’
“You’re so good at these things and I want to show you off to all my friends from work.”
My response was such that I knew I was in trouble the minute I said it.
“I painted the basement today and I have to stay home to make sure it dries right.”
Except for the uncomfortable silence, the drive to the affair was un-eventful.
Arriving a little late, we entered the hall as unobtrusively as possible. Playing the role of a supportive, doting husband, I followed my wife’s lead through the maze of tables and chairs leading to our seats, all the while enduring both the formal, polite, handshaking introductions of upper level management, to the girlish squeals of some co-workers who she had not seen in some time.
I dutifully held the chair for my wife and was about to park myself down ready to endure a long boring evening when I saw him.
“My God” I said to no one in particular. “He’s just a baby.”
There he was, standing ramrod straight in the middle of the room among a hundred or so guest. Dressed in Marine Corp “dress blues” complete with white barracks cap, gold buckled duty belt, and white gloves, he was all of 5 feet 2 inches tall and could not have weighed more than 160 lbs. His insignia of rank indicated he was a Lance Corporal and there were three “theater” medals on his chest. To me, he looked all of 15 years old.
“Who’s just a baby” my wife asked? Before I was able to respond she was deep into introductions of the other table guest. I tried being the supportive spouse and show an interest in my wife’s coworkers and friends. I really did. There was even a spark of enthusiasm when the subject turned to politics. That is until one individual declared Ted Kennedy one of the most effective legislators he had ever met. “He’s not afraid to reach across the aisle.”
I made a smart aleck comment under my breath and quickly changed the subject.
“How bout them Sox?”
The memories of another era started to return, first slowly, then at a pace that I had no control over. Chu Lai, Da Nang, Hue and about a dozen other palaces that I chosen long ago to bury in the dark recesses of my mind. Captain Reynolds, Corporal’s Williams and Smith and Sgt Fey names that had not passed my lips in at least four decades. For a reason I still fail to understand, I had to speak with this young Lance Corporal.
As I approached I gave the unofficial signal Marines give each other under such circumstances.
“URAHH!”
The young man snapped to attention and responded with a sincere “How do you do Sir”, “When were you in?” After talking briefly of my experience’s I asked how old he was. He told me he was almost 21 and that he will be returning to Iraq for his second tour next month. I wanted to give some sage advice or at the very least assure him that he will be safe. I couldn’t find the words. He seemed to sense that.
Don’t worry too much about me Sir” “I’ll do what ever is necessary to get the job done and stay alive.” “Kind of like what you probably did in Viet Nam.” He ended with “After all, we’re Marines.”
I’ve been a Republican my entire life. I supported the first Gulf war and I supported the current involvement. I’ve even spoken with two Presidential candidates about my concerns. Both of them advised me to continue my support until the results of the current build up could be evaluated. I promised that I would. I can’t keep that promise. Iraq has had its opportunity for a democratic society. Twice. That young Marine who told me that he would do whatever is necessary to “get the job done” struck a nerve with me. Our leaders in Washington failed miserably in doing “whatever is necessary” and we should stop sending our children in harms way, immediately.
“All this because “I met a young Marine and didn’t know just what to say.”
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail address is drcdupuis@comcast.net.
His blog may be viewed by linking to www.imho-nh.blogspot.com
5.30.2007
5.22.2007
Back in Print
---By Ron Dupuis
This column was published in the Hampton Union on May 16th. Ron’s column “In My Humble Opinion New Hampshire will appear in that Newspaper every other week from this date on.
Hampton Union, May 16th...Since the Hampton Union is graciously allowing me to write a column from time to time, I thought perhaps some biographical information would be in order.
My name is Ron Dupuis, I’m 62 years old, and, have been married to the lovely Dorene Dupuis for almost twenty five years. (Hope you enjoy the vacuum cleaner you got for Mother’s day sweetheart). A little over twelve years ago God blessed our marriage when my wife gave birth to our only child Casey, who, by the way, recently informed me that as an adult she intends to be a famous rock star, a lawyer, AND a bartender. This proves that God certainly has a sense of humor. Imagine, my daughter, A LAWYER! Where have I gone wrong?
A few years ago someone described me as a “dull minded, red necked, gun toting, opinionated, right winged radical Republican.”
My response was immediate. “Guilty on all counts.”
“Dull minded”; although I never graduated, I did attend four different colleges in six years. Or was it six different colleges in four years? I forget. It was the 60’s.
“Red necked”; most people think the term red neck was derived from farmers who worked the fields all day in the hot sun. Not true in this part of the country. In my world the term comes from misspent college youths who spent all their spare time sitting at bars, staring up at the T.V., watching sports while consuming adult beverages. Since this is how I spent most of my early academic career, a degree for me was just not in the cards.
“Gun toting”; from the Red Ryder BB gun of my youth, the m-16 I carried as a Marine in Viet Nam, or the Smith and Wesson 38 revolver used when I was a police officer, guns have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and feel that any American who is of sound mind and not a convicted felon should be allowed to buy any gun they desire.
“Opinionated”; of course I am. The free market place of opinions and ideas to be discussed is the only way our problems are going to be resolved. In order for it to work, opinions must be voiced. Otherwise we face the dangers of apathy and that leads to stagnant growth both personally and as a culture.
“Right winged radical Republican”; this is my favorite and I plead guilty, guilty, and guilty. One of our founding Fathers once said that the job of government should be to “protect our borders and represent us to foreign governments.” Neither of which is happening adequately. Our borders are so pores that it is estimated one hundred thousand illegals cross over each year placing a strain on our economy and national identity. The job as “Ambassador” to foreign countries was, at one time, a position for career Statesman, has generated simply as a payoff for political hacks. If these thoughts make me a right wing radical than so be it.
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a freelance writer, and former State Representative. He can be reached by e-mail at (drcdupuis@comcast.net)
This column was published in the Hampton Union on May 16th. Ron’s column “In My Humble Opinion New Hampshire will appear in that Newspaper every other week from this date on.
Hampton Union, May 16th...Since the Hampton Union is graciously allowing me to write a column from time to time, I thought perhaps some biographical information would be in order.
My name is Ron Dupuis, I’m 62 years old, and, have been married to the lovely Dorene Dupuis for almost twenty five years. (Hope you enjoy the vacuum cleaner you got for Mother’s day sweetheart). A little over twelve years ago God blessed our marriage when my wife gave birth to our only child Casey, who, by the way, recently informed me that as an adult she intends to be a famous rock star, a lawyer, AND a bartender. This proves that God certainly has a sense of humor. Imagine, my daughter, A LAWYER! Where have I gone wrong?
A few years ago someone described me as a “dull minded, red necked, gun toting, opinionated, right winged radical Republican.”
My response was immediate. “Guilty on all counts.”
“Dull minded”; although I never graduated, I did attend four different colleges in six years. Or was it six different colleges in four years? I forget. It was the 60’s.
“Red necked”; most people think the term red neck was derived from farmers who worked the fields all day in the hot sun. Not true in this part of the country. In my world the term comes from misspent college youths who spent all their spare time sitting at bars, staring up at the T.V., watching sports while consuming adult beverages. Since this is how I spent most of my early academic career, a degree for me was just not in the cards.
“Gun toting”; from the Red Ryder BB gun of my youth, the m-16 I carried as a Marine in Viet Nam, or the Smith and Wesson 38 revolver used when I was a police officer, guns have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and feel that any American who is of sound mind and not a convicted felon should be allowed to buy any gun they desire.
“Opinionated”; of course I am. The free market place of opinions and ideas to be discussed is the only way our problems are going to be resolved. In order for it to work, opinions must be voiced. Otherwise we face the dangers of apathy and that leads to stagnant growth both personally and as a culture.
“Right winged radical Republican”; this is my favorite and I plead guilty, guilty, and guilty. One of our founding Fathers once said that the job of government should be to “protect our borders and represent us to foreign governments.” Neither of which is happening adequately. Our borders are so pores that it is estimated one hundred thousand illegals cross over each year placing a strain on our economy and national identity. The job as “Ambassador” to foreign countries was, at one time, a position for career Statesman, has generated simply as a payoff for political hacks. If these thoughts make me a right wing radical than so be it.
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a freelance writer, and former State Representative. He can be reached by e-mail at (drcdupuis@comcast.net)
Environment Angst: having it both ways
---by Micheal
It seems like popular environmental Politically Correct thinking is contradictory. It can't decide if change should be abhorred or worshipped. So, it does both.
An example of first, is the rending of garments over climate change. For now, let's set aside debate over whether the globe is warming or not and say it is. So what? This change is bewailed as mega-terrible. But why? From the temperature record, it appears the globe has always been warming up or cooling off. Climate change appears to be normal.
From 800 to 1300 AD, the world was warmer. What we consider a balmy mediterranean climate nowadays extended as far north as foggy ol' England. Sea ice diminished, so Vikings were able explore Greenland (which was green back then.)
After the Medieval Warm Period, the world cooled off several degrees to experience what they call the Little Ice Age. From 1500 to about 1850, ice advanced and summers shortened. Rivers froze which hadn't before. Britain wasn't good for growing grapes anymore. After the mid 1800s, the world changed again. It started to warm up.
A world in which the climate patterns never change would be the freak. But isn't that what climate change alarmists are proposing we spend billions to accomplish? Nature-without-change is the goal.
Yet, on the other hand, natural change is held as sacred.
I know a landowner who has a wetland between his house and the road. Over the past 15 years, the cattails and rushes have been overrun by maple, poplar and alder saplings, becoming a thick scrub woods. This has become a problem. Since his house is now hidden from the road, he's had repeated trouble with trespassers and vandals.
To make his property safer, he wanted to go into his swamp and cut back the brush. It's not like he wanted to bulldoze, fill and pave the swamp. He wanted to restore it to the cattails, rushes and patchy open water which used to attract ducks. (and which allowed the police to see his house.)
His town's enviro-monitors, however, said no. It's "natural," they said, for grassy wetlands to evolve into wet scrub woods. Since it's a natural change, he is not permitted to tamper with it. Nature-in-change is sacred.
Enviromentalism wants to have it both ways. Change is bad. Change is good. A sure sign of confusion or a scheme to get into our pockets.
It seems like popular environmental Politically Correct thinking is contradictory. It can't decide if change should be abhorred or worshipped. So, it does both.
An example of first, is the rending of garments over climate change. For now, let's set aside debate over whether the globe is warming or not and say it is. So what? This change is bewailed as mega-terrible. But why? From the temperature record, it appears the globe has always been warming up or cooling off. Climate change appears to be normal.
From 800 to 1300 AD, the world was warmer. What we consider a balmy mediterranean climate nowadays extended as far north as foggy ol' England. Sea ice diminished, so Vikings were able explore Greenland (which was green back then.)
After the Medieval Warm Period, the world cooled off several degrees to experience what they call the Little Ice Age. From 1500 to about 1850, ice advanced and summers shortened. Rivers froze which hadn't before. Britain wasn't good for growing grapes anymore. After the mid 1800s, the world changed again. It started to warm up.
A world in which the climate patterns never change would be the freak. But isn't that what climate change alarmists are proposing we spend billions to accomplish? Nature-without-change is the goal.
Yet, on the other hand, natural change is held as sacred.
I know a landowner who has a wetland between his house and the road. Over the past 15 years, the cattails and rushes have been overrun by maple, poplar and alder saplings, becoming a thick scrub woods. This has become a problem. Since his house is now hidden from the road, he's had repeated trouble with trespassers and vandals.
To make his property safer, he wanted to go into his swamp and cut back the brush. It's not like he wanted to bulldoze, fill and pave the swamp. He wanted to restore it to the cattails, rushes and patchy open water which used to attract ducks. (and which allowed the police to see his house.)
His town's enviro-monitors, however, said no. It's "natural," they said, for grassy wetlands to evolve into wet scrub woods. Since it's a natural change, he is not permitted to tamper with it. Nature-in-change is sacred.
Enviromentalism wants to have it both ways. Change is bad. Change is good. A sure sign of confusion or a scheme to get into our pockets.
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