By Dave Buhlman
"Don't tase me, bro", screamed the student who was being dragged out of that Kerry speech last month. As it turns out he was looking for some publicity in this show he set up, and tase him they did. Ouch! He survived. Tasers were supposed to be used by police in lieu of the deadly force of a firearm, but lately it seems as though it's used for ease of capture when a little trained muscle would do the job.
There was another tasing incident at Vancouver Airport where the recipient of the taser from Vancouver police did not survive. This Polish fellow was exercised over something real or imagined and two airport security guys were keeping an eye on him. They called in the real police, those trained to handle incidents such as this, and a lot more. Four male officers, who all looked to be in good shape, approached this guy, who had his back to a glass separator. After a minute or two, one of them hit him with the taser, the guy collapsed, and died on the spot.
I have top-level respect for police officers and in no way am I just tossing that out. They perform feats of bravery that would make many men cower in fear. And even in their slow times, their presence creates a significant deterrent to the activities of the criminal element. But I wonder why four trained officers could not take down an unarmed man who, although agitated, presented no apparent immediate threat. I believe that, as part of their training, police officers learn to handle people, with various holds and pressure points, etc., so it seems they could have easily subdued this guy. Instead they tased him and he died. Before tasers, police seemed to able to do these take downs rather easily, as easily as we did as completely untrained teenagers when dealing with other untrained, unarmed teenagers in various situations.
I suppose tasing is a lot easier than getting the hands on a guy, getting him to the ground and handcuffing him, even for four trained officers. There have been hundreds of tasing incidents in recent months, some of which resulted in death. Of course, it's not possible for police officers to know who will die when they tase them, but when someone does die from a tasing, a death penalty has been administered by government agents on the spot, even if unwttingly.
If tasing has become, or will soon become, the default position for police officers in non life-threatening situations, in lieu of wrestling to the ground, then we might have to consider outlawing tasers, or at least clearly defining when they can be used. On-the-spot executions are not the American way.
Dave Buhlman is a former two-term New Hampshire State Representative, published author, and dedicated supporter of our Constitutional Republic.
11.28.2007
11.27.2007
Who promised steady temperatures?
---by Micheal
I can't turn on a radio or a TV these days without being harangued about global warming. Scientists on both sides of the issue argue back and forth. That's not unusual. Scientists are always doing that. What sends up scam-warning flags for ME is all the non-scientist hype trying to stampede me into paying for just about anything the scammers can think of.
Remember back in 1998 and 99? The world was doomed because of Y2K. Everybody and his uncle told us to throw our money at the problem. Only massive spending would stave off the collapse of civilization. Buy a generator. Buy gold coins. Buy guns. Fund this. Fund that. Quick, they said. Spend spend spend. Only YOU parting with your cash will save the world!
Remember all that hype? This global warming hype has very much the same sound to it.
My latest scam flag went up when listening the (Democrat) mayor of Austin Texas lecturing people about global warming. As an ersatz Al Gore, he does power point presentations. During it, he says, "It's not supposed to be 120 degrees in Fargo North Dakota."
Huh? Who mandated what temperatures towns are "supposed" to have? Even the scientists who argue about global warming agree that the earth has been warmer and cooler in its past. Why do people so automatically assume that whatever temperatures a city had in 1940 are what it's "supposed" to have -- forever? The world was warmer than it is now, during the Medieval Warm Period. I'll bet that spot along the Red River, which would someday become Fargo, had lots of days over 120 degrees.
Michael Griffin, NASA Administrator, caught a load of flack last May when he questioned this unspoken orthodoxy of global stasis. "I guess I would ask which human beings -- where and when -- are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right there today, right now, is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that's a rather arrogant position for people to take."
Who said Fargo is "not supposed" to have a summer day reach 120 degrees? Why is the 100 degree day the ideal? Fargoians might not like 120, but who granted them (or anyone) the right to whatever climate they prefer? This allusion to some phantom standard which NO ONE actually made, is a major scam flag.
Anyone who is rushing you to spend money so that this place or that can be guaranteed a changeless climate is scamming you. Watch your wallet.
I can't turn on a radio or a TV these days without being harangued about global warming. Scientists on both sides of the issue argue back and forth. That's not unusual. Scientists are always doing that. What sends up scam-warning flags for ME is all the non-scientist hype trying to stampede me into paying for just about anything the scammers can think of.
Remember back in 1998 and 99? The world was doomed because of Y2K. Everybody and his uncle told us to throw our money at the problem. Only massive spending would stave off the collapse of civilization. Buy a generator. Buy gold coins. Buy guns. Fund this. Fund that. Quick, they said. Spend spend spend. Only YOU parting with your cash will save the world!
Remember all that hype? This global warming hype has very much the same sound to it.
My latest scam flag went up when listening the (Democrat) mayor of Austin Texas lecturing people about global warming. As an ersatz Al Gore, he does power point presentations. During it, he says, "It's not supposed to be 120 degrees in Fargo North Dakota."
Huh? Who mandated what temperatures towns are "supposed" to have? Even the scientists who argue about global warming agree that the earth has been warmer and cooler in its past. Why do people so automatically assume that whatever temperatures a city had in 1940 are what it's "supposed" to have -- forever? The world was warmer than it is now, during the Medieval Warm Period. I'll bet that spot along the Red River, which would someday become Fargo, had lots of days over 120 degrees.
Michael Griffin, NASA Administrator, caught a load of flack last May when he questioned this unspoken orthodoxy of global stasis. "I guess I would ask which human beings -- where and when -- are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right there today, right now, is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that's a rather arrogant position for people to take."
Who said Fargo is "not supposed" to have a summer day reach 120 degrees? Why is the 100 degree day the ideal? Fargoians might not like 120, but who granted them (or anyone) the right to whatever climate they prefer? This allusion to some phantom standard which NO ONE actually made, is a major scam flag.
Anyone who is rushing you to spend money so that this place or that can be guaranteed a changeless climate is scamming you. Watch your wallet.
HOLIDAY MEMORIES
By Ron Dupuis
Thanksgiving will always have a special meaning in my heart.
Whether during good or difficult times, the Dupuis family has always managed to reflect on how happy we were to have each other.
In the fifties, my Moms large Irish family of twelve brothers and sisters would take turns hosting the holiday festivities. Traditional turkey with sage and onion stuffing, fresh hand mashed potatoes, squash, peas, and an abundance of vegetable side dishes that would satisfy the most discerning of diners, would be the standard fare at any of the Dupuis, Lovett, Gould, Birmingham, Cameron, or O’Day, households. After dinner, while the coffee and pies were being warmed up, someone almost always began to sing. It was usually Uncle John, who thought he was a tenor, but was instead, in all sincerity, a bad baritone. The songs started out as some Irish ditties such as “The Iceman”, continued about the “troubles” back in the “Old Sod”, and eventually became a clan collaboration of Christmas carols. After an emotional version of Silent Night by all, the coats were gathered and good-by’s were said among developing plans for Christmas when we would be reunited all over again.
The sixties and seventies held both low and high points for me and my family. The lowest being one particular Thanksgiving eating a cold plate of turkey inside a hooch on the outskirts of DaNang Viet Nam. Despite being separated from my immediate family, there was a company of battle tested Marines, my extended family at that particular time, that were determined not to allow anything or anyone interfere with our meager celebration.
Since the early eighties there has been nothing but happiness for the Dupuis family during the holiday season. It was when I courted and eventually married my beautiful and understanding wife Dorene (she reads everything I write and I need the brownie points). There have been Thanksgivings in Florida where a twenty pound turkey was barbecued on a backyard grill. A disaster by most standards since it looked great on the outside, however, was pink throughout. There was the Thanksgiving when we invited all of Dorene’s family to our new home and I forgot to remove the giblets package from the bird before cooking. There was the Thanksgiving at a sister in-laws home where unbeknown to everyone except my wife, Patches the cat had died sometime during the night. The entire day was spent preventing our four year old lovely daughter Casey (she reads everything I write and I need the brownie points) from patting the “sleeping” cat in the corner. Finally, there was the Thanksgiving when Mom and Dad closed the family restaurant, invited the entire clan, along with all the help and a few regular customers, to a catered traditional dinner with all the trimmings. Being the lone hard core Republican among a family of Irish Catholic Democrats, I was regulated to the role of water boy when the Kennedy-esque football game developed in the parking lot.
Thanksgiving, to me and my family is a period of both reflection and anticipation. We discuss what has made us stronger and healthier in past years. We don’t dwell on the mistakes, and there have been many, but instead on the events that have made our family into a lasting, loving unit that will continue to grow.
We look forward to the Christmas season and beyond, no matter what it may have in store. More that that, we look forward to being with each other and sharing a life that for the last twenty five years seems, to us at least, second to none.
Because of these memories and because of my families’ values; Thanksgiving will always have a special meaning in my heart.
Ron Dupuis is a New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net. His web site may be viewed at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com
Thanksgiving will always have a special meaning in my heart.
Whether during good or difficult times, the Dupuis family has always managed to reflect on how happy we were to have each other.
In the fifties, my Moms large Irish family of twelve brothers and sisters would take turns hosting the holiday festivities. Traditional turkey with sage and onion stuffing, fresh hand mashed potatoes, squash, peas, and an abundance of vegetable side dishes that would satisfy the most discerning of diners, would be the standard fare at any of the Dupuis, Lovett, Gould, Birmingham, Cameron, or O’Day, households. After dinner, while the coffee and pies were being warmed up, someone almost always began to sing. It was usually Uncle John, who thought he was a tenor, but was instead, in all sincerity, a bad baritone. The songs started out as some Irish ditties such as “The Iceman”, continued about the “troubles” back in the “Old Sod”, and eventually became a clan collaboration of Christmas carols. After an emotional version of Silent Night by all, the coats were gathered and good-by’s were said among developing plans for Christmas when we would be reunited all over again.
The sixties and seventies held both low and high points for me and my family. The lowest being one particular Thanksgiving eating a cold plate of turkey inside a hooch on the outskirts of DaNang Viet Nam. Despite being separated from my immediate family, there was a company of battle tested Marines, my extended family at that particular time, that were determined not to allow anything or anyone interfere with our meager celebration.
Since the early eighties there has been nothing but happiness for the Dupuis family during the holiday season. It was when I courted and eventually married my beautiful and understanding wife Dorene (she reads everything I write and I need the brownie points). There have been Thanksgivings in Florida where a twenty pound turkey was barbecued on a backyard grill. A disaster by most standards since it looked great on the outside, however, was pink throughout. There was the Thanksgiving when we invited all of Dorene’s family to our new home and I forgot to remove the giblets package from the bird before cooking. There was the Thanksgiving at a sister in-laws home where unbeknown to everyone except my wife, Patches the cat had died sometime during the night. The entire day was spent preventing our four year old lovely daughter Casey (she reads everything I write and I need the brownie points) from patting the “sleeping” cat in the corner. Finally, there was the Thanksgiving when Mom and Dad closed the family restaurant, invited the entire clan, along with all the help and a few regular customers, to a catered traditional dinner with all the trimmings. Being the lone hard core Republican among a family of Irish Catholic Democrats, I was regulated to the role of water boy when the Kennedy-esque football game developed in the parking lot.
Thanksgiving, to me and my family is a period of both reflection and anticipation. We discuss what has made us stronger and healthier in past years. We don’t dwell on the mistakes, and there have been many, but instead on the events that have made our family into a lasting, loving unit that will continue to grow.
We look forward to the Christmas season and beyond, no matter what it may have in store. More that that, we look forward to being with each other and sharing a life that for the last twenty five years seems, to us at least, second to none.
Because of these memories and because of my families’ values; Thanksgiving will always have a special meaning in my heart.
Ron Dupuis is a New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net. His web site may be viewed at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com
11.21.2007
FALSE ADVERTISING
By Dave Buhlman
Last year, Governor Lynch and legislative leaders got together to reinstate the state’s motto on the highway signs at the entrances to New Hampshire. Previous to the change, the signs read, “You’re Going to Love It Here”, or “It’s Better Here Than There”, or it’s “Neither Here Nor There”, or something like that.
They changed the signs to read, “Live Free or Die”, clearly the best, most moving motto among the fifty states. But these signs, and the state motto itself, need to change because it’s clearly false advertising. New Hampshire does not abide by this motto anymore. This is especially true after the Legislature and Executive Council were taken over by the Democrats in the 2006 elections.
Previous to the Democrats taking over, the Republicans ran the show and were able to keep a light lid on the infinite spending desires of the bureaucrats and their numerous supporters, most of whom are those saddled with masters degrees in social work that are useless outside of government bureaucracies. No realistic budget cutting could happen under the Republicans, because they too were beholden to the established spending patterns. They raised the cigarette tax and felt pretty good about it. But that was about it for increased taxes and fees during my four years there as a backbencher Representative.
The Democrats have raised the cigarette tax again, increased motor vehicle registration fees, increased tolls, and added another fee on all real estate transactions to support the CowChip (aka, LCHIP) program of using public money to buy property from wealthy landowners so the property can be set aside for squirrels, birdies and opossums. The Democrats also pulled a Mussolini by eliminating smoking in private bars and restaurants in order to protect the health of the employees who freely choose to work in these establishments. Then they turned their know-it-all guns on the social arena and eliminated the very sensible Parental Notification bill, and created a category of civil unions. It all just feels so good to intrude fascistically into the operations of private businesses, come between parents and children in what could become life-or-death abortion decisions, and toss away centuries of bedrock tradition to declare that men and men and women and women unions are acceptable in New Hampshire.
The second year of this session begins next month and one has to shudder at what could be on the Democrat agenda. Perhaps a broad based tax to support and “adequate” education which includes instructions in Yoga, a cornerstone prayer/meditation procedure in polytheistic Eastern religions. Or maybe there will be some more restrictions on gun ownership and hunting. Then there’s the trans fat threat to deal with, and the obesity “epidemic”, especially involving the heart rending Fat Kids aspect. If there are so many Fat Kids, does that mean that the “Healthy Kids” program is failing? It must need more money. The Healthy Kids budget needs to be fattened up.
In the sacred name of truth in advertising, it’s time to change the state motto. How about, “We’re Blue Here Now Too”.
Dave Buhlman is a former two-term New Hampshire State Representative, a published author, and a supporter of our Constitutional Republic.
Copyright 2007
Last year, Governor Lynch and legislative leaders got together to reinstate the state’s motto on the highway signs at the entrances to New Hampshire. Previous to the change, the signs read, “You’re Going to Love It Here”, or “It’s Better Here Than There”, or it’s “Neither Here Nor There”, or something like that.
They changed the signs to read, “Live Free or Die”, clearly the best, most moving motto among the fifty states. But these signs, and the state motto itself, need to change because it’s clearly false advertising. New Hampshire does not abide by this motto anymore. This is especially true after the Legislature and Executive Council were taken over by the Democrats in the 2006 elections.
Previous to the Democrats taking over, the Republicans ran the show and were able to keep a light lid on the infinite spending desires of the bureaucrats and their numerous supporters, most of whom are those saddled with masters degrees in social work that are useless outside of government bureaucracies. No realistic budget cutting could happen under the Republicans, because they too were beholden to the established spending patterns. They raised the cigarette tax and felt pretty good about it. But that was about it for increased taxes and fees during my four years there as a backbencher Representative.
The Democrats have raised the cigarette tax again, increased motor vehicle registration fees, increased tolls, and added another fee on all real estate transactions to support the CowChip (aka, LCHIP) program of using public money to buy property from wealthy landowners so the property can be set aside for squirrels, birdies and opossums. The Democrats also pulled a Mussolini by eliminating smoking in private bars and restaurants in order to protect the health of the employees who freely choose to work in these establishments. Then they turned their know-it-all guns on the social arena and eliminated the very sensible Parental Notification bill, and created a category of civil unions. It all just feels so good to intrude fascistically into the operations of private businesses, come between parents and children in what could become life-or-death abortion decisions, and toss away centuries of bedrock tradition to declare that men and men and women and women unions are acceptable in New Hampshire.
The second year of this session begins next month and one has to shudder at what could be on the Democrat agenda. Perhaps a broad based tax to support and “adequate” education which includes instructions in Yoga, a cornerstone prayer/meditation procedure in polytheistic Eastern religions. Or maybe there will be some more restrictions on gun ownership and hunting. Then there’s the trans fat threat to deal with, and the obesity “epidemic”, especially involving the heart rending Fat Kids aspect. If there are so many Fat Kids, does that mean that the “Healthy Kids” program is failing? It must need more money. The Healthy Kids budget needs to be fattened up.
In the sacred name of truth in advertising, it’s time to change the state motto. How about, “We’re Blue Here Now Too”.
Dave Buhlman is a former two-term New Hampshire State Representative, a published author, and a supporter of our Constitutional Republic.
Copyright 2007
11.19.2007
Oxymoronisms
---by Micheal
Sometimes it's the littlest things that stop you in your tracks. A couple weeks ago, I had one of those moments. I went down to the laundry room to get some bleach to try on some vinyl siding stains. I picked up the bottle, but stood staring at the label. I was stuck.
My wife's maternal instinct for things being too quiet must have kicked in. She called downstairs, "Did you find the bleach?"
"Yes," I said. "But what's with this label? It says this is ULTRA Regular Bleach? How can something be both Ultra AND Regular?"
I could hear her eyes roll. "Don't let it send you into another one of your end-of-civilization-as-we-klnow-it rants," she said. "It's just bleach. Go clean the siding."
I was still stuck. Ultra, from the Latin, means "beyond." An Ultra-liberal is beyond ordinary liberal. Ultra-light, is beyond ordinary lightness. That's what Ultra means. "Regular" also comes from the Latin, in this case the root regula, meaning "a rule." Things are regular if they meet some regulation (There's another english word built on regula, by the way.) Something "regular" has met some benchmark or standard.
So, does something Ultra Regular no longer meet the regulation? Or is it supposed to mean it's very very regular? Whatever the heck that means. Is that like saying someone spelled a word Super Correctly? Huh? It was either correct or it wasn't. Or, can you spell "cat" with a more excellent "c" than someone else? Guess I never did.
"But this is oxymoronic!" I finally said out loud. "This is like saying something can be Extremely Average. Hyper Plain, or Super Ordinary. It doesn't make any sense."
"You're not going into another rant about how 'words don't mean anything anymore', are you?" She said with a sigh. "It's just a stupid label. Go outside."
She was right, as usual. I was going into one of my word rants. "Ultra Regular" was meaningless marketing fluff. It pretended to mean something, but was meaningless. Marketing hacks are corrupting our language, replacing the original meanings of words with generic fluff. These new fluff words get strung together like beads, having no real meaning beyond "Buy me! Buy me NOW!" When we, the consumer-lemmings, no longer jump at plain products in sufficient numbers, the marketing hacks tack on another fluff word to pique our interest. The marketeers must imagine a shopper saying, "Ultra Regular must be better than plain regular. I'll buy it."
Sadly, the marketeers are probably right. Many of us fall for it. No doubt, in time we'll see Super Ultra Regular bleach when Ultra Regular isn't exciting enough anymore. Eventually, our children will see Extreme Maxima Super Ultra Plus Regular Bleach, and decide to buy it because it simply must be better than boring old-fashioned Maxima Super Ultra Plus Regular Bleach. (of course, it will be just plain ol' bleach)
As it turned out, Ultra Regular bleach didn't get the stain off my siding. (Probably paint spatters, not mildew) The scary part is that with my failure, I could hear my inner consumer-lemming whispering, "Maybe you should get Super Ultra Regular next time. Maybe that will work...."
Sometimes it's the littlest things that stop you in your tracks. A couple weeks ago, I had one of those moments. I went down to the laundry room to get some bleach to try on some vinyl siding stains. I picked up the bottle, but stood staring at the label. I was stuck.
My wife's maternal instinct for things being too quiet must have kicked in. She called downstairs, "Did you find the bleach?"
"Yes," I said. "But what's with this label? It says this is ULTRA Regular Bleach? How can something be both Ultra AND Regular?"
I could hear her eyes roll. "Don't let it send you into another one of your end-of-civilization-as-we-klnow-it rants," she said. "It's just bleach. Go clean the siding."
I was still stuck. Ultra, from the Latin, means "beyond." An Ultra-liberal is beyond ordinary liberal. Ultra-light, is beyond ordinary lightness. That's what Ultra means. "Regular" also comes from the Latin, in this case the root regula, meaning "a rule." Things are regular if they meet some regulation (There's another english word built on regula, by the way.) Something "regular" has met some benchmark or standard.
So, does something Ultra Regular no longer meet the regulation? Or is it supposed to mean it's very very regular? Whatever the heck that means. Is that like saying someone spelled a word Super Correctly? Huh? It was either correct or it wasn't. Or, can you spell "cat" with a more excellent "c" than someone else? Guess I never did.
"But this is oxymoronic!" I finally said out loud. "This is like saying something can be Extremely Average. Hyper Plain, or Super Ordinary. It doesn't make any sense."
"You're not going into another rant about how 'words don't mean anything anymore', are you?" She said with a sigh. "It's just a stupid label. Go outside."
She was right, as usual. I was going into one of my word rants. "Ultra Regular" was meaningless marketing fluff. It pretended to mean something, but was meaningless. Marketing hacks are corrupting our language, replacing the original meanings of words with generic fluff. These new fluff words get strung together like beads, having no real meaning beyond "Buy me! Buy me NOW!" When we, the consumer-lemmings, no longer jump at plain products in sufficient numbers, the marketing hacks tack on another fluff word to pique our interest. The marketeers must imagine a shopper saying, "Ultra Regular must be better than plain regular. I'll buy it."
Sadly, the marketeers are probably right. Many of us fall for it. No doubt, in time we'll see Super Ultra Regular bleach when Ultra Regular isn't exciting enough anymore. Eventually, our children will see Extreme Maxima Super Ultra Plus Regular Bleach, and decide to buy it because it simply must be better than boring old-fashioned Maxima Super Ultra Plus Regular Bleach. (of course, it will be just plain ol' bleach)
As it turned out, Ultra Regular bleach didn't get the stain off my siding. (Probably paint spatters, not mildew) The scary part is that with my failure, I could hear my inner consumer-lemming whispering, "Maybe you should get Super Ultra Regular next time. Maybe that will work...."
11.17.2007
Can You Handle the Truth
By Ron Dupuis
Old business:
There has never been a reaction, good or bad, to anything I've ever written for any publication, as large and diversified as what has been received concerning last weeks "23 Undeniable Truths" column. The e-mails and calls are still coming in. Here is my response to a few of the criticisms and compliments.
Undeniable truth #2: "Despite what Al Gore says, the Earth as we know it is not coming to an end."
Response to the gentleman who walked up to me while I was buying chainsaw oil to help a friend harvest some trees: Get a life. It is physically impossible for me to put my saw there, and besides it would probably hurt.
Undeniable truth #5: "The photo of Barack Obama refusing to place his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance will hurt his chances in the general election."
Response to local resident Brendan Kelly who correctly pointed out it was the national anthem that was playing, not the pledge and how Obama was standing was perfectly acceptable.
Response: You are right, Mr. Kelly and I was wrong. However, that photo created a powerful image and for those undecided who do not learn the truth the perception will be the truth.
Undeniable truth #15: "Hillary Clinton will continue to play the gender card as long as there are "dumb" women who will for that reason vote for her."
Response to the lady who chastised me for calling women "dumb": Anyone, female, male, cross gendered, trans-gendered, or gender bender, who votes for a woman simply because of her gender is dumb. I stand by that.
Undeniable truth # 16: "No matter how much money he raises, Congressman Ron Paul will never become president."
Response to Mr. Louis Rose of Jacksonville, Fla.: Ron Paul has an important message concerning fiscal policy and our monetary system and he should be listened to. Unfortunately, this does not qualify him to be president and most voters realize that.
Undeniable truth #23: "The assault on God and Christmas has already begun."
Response to the angry person who wrote me and told me what to do with a Christmas tree: As with the chainsaw, it is physically impossible for me to put it there and besides it would still hurt. Merry Christmas to you, sir.
New business:
Last weekend was spent renewing old acquaintances with Gov. Mike Huckabee and his campaign staff. The governor spoke at two events and was, "In My Humble Opinion," at his absolute best. This man does not speak in platitudes as many of the candidates, but instead he speaks of solid, cognizant ideas for solutions facing the next president of the United States.
"Our health-care system is just that, "health care" not a "health" system. The cost of treating chronic disease under the present system is at 80 percent. If we had a "health" system that encourages and treats good health in the early years, the cost of treating chronic disease would be drastically reduced. We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through higher taxes. We need to get serious about preventive health care in the early years."
The governor continued. "I'd like you to join me at the best 'Going Out of Business' sale I can imagine — one held by the Internal Revenue Service. Am I running for president to shut down the federal government? Not exactly. But I am running to completely eliminate all federal income and payroll taxes. And I do mean all — personal federal, corporate federal, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment."
Mike Huckabee does not have the funding other candidates have, yet he is in the top tier of presidential contenders because of his ideas, sincerity, and hard work. When asked who this columnist endorsees, I simply refer to the sign on my lawn, the bumper sticker on my car or the button on my lapel. I like Mike Huckabee for president.
For more information go to www.mikehuckabee.com.
Ron Dupuis is a New Hampshire resident, former state representative and a freelance writer. E-mail him at drcdupuis@comcast.net or visit his Web site at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com.
Old business:
There has never been a reaction, good or bad, to anything I've ever written for any publication, as large and diversified as what has been received concerning last weeks "23 Undeniable Truths" column. The e-mails and calls are still coming in. Here is my response to a few of the criticisms and compliments.
Undeniable truth #2: "Despite what Al Gore says, the Earth as we know it is not coming to an end."
Response to the gentleman who walked up to me while I was buying chainsaw oil to help a friend harvest some trees: Get a life. It is physically impossible for me to put my saw there, and besides it would probably hurt.
Undeniable truth #5: "The photo of Barack Obama refusing to place his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance will hurt his chances in the general election."
Response to local resident Brendan Kelly who correctly pointed out it was the national anthem that was playing, not the pledge and how Obama was standing was perfectly acceptable.
Response: You are right, Mr. Kelly and I was wrong. However, that photo created a powerful image and for those undecided who do not learn the truth the perception will be the truth.
Undeniable truth #15: "Hillary Clinton will continue to play the gender card as long as there are "dumb" women who will for that reason vote for her."
Response to the lady who chastised me for calling women "dumb": Anyone, female, male, cross gendered, trans-gendered, or gender bender, who votes for a woman simply because of her gender is dumb. I stand by that.
Undeniable truth # 16: "No matter how much money he raises, Congressman Ron Paul will never become president."
Response to Mr. Louis Rose of Jacksonville, Fla.: Ron Paul has an important message concerning fiscal policy and our monetary system and he should be listened to. Unfortunately, this does not qualify him to be president and most voters realize that.
Undeniable truth #23: "The assault on God and Christmas has already begun."
Response to the angry person who wrote me and told me what to do with a Christmas tree: As with the chainsaw, it is physically impossible for me to put it there and besides it would still hurt. Merry Christmas to you, sir.
New business:
Last weekend was spent renewing old acquaintances with Gov. Mike Huckabee and his campaign staff. The governor spoke at two events and was, "In My Humble Opinion," at his absolute best. This man does not speak in platitudes as many of the candidates, but instead he speaks of solid, cognizant ideas for solutions facing the next president of the United States.
"Our health-care system is just that, "health care" not a "health" system. The cost of treating chronic disease under the present system is at 80 percent. If we had a "health" system that encourages and treats good health in the early years, the cost of treating chronic disease would be drastically reduced. We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through higher taxes. We need to get serious about preventive health care in the early years."
The governor continued. "I'd like you to join me at the best 'Going Out of Business' sale I can imagine — one held by the Internal Revenue Service. Am I running for president to shut down the federal government? Not exactly. But I am running to completely eliminate all federal income and payroll taxes. And I do mean all — personal federal, corporate federal, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment."
Mike Huckabee does not have the funding other candidates have, yet he is in the top tier of presidential contenders because of his ideas, sincerity, and hard work. When asked who this columnist endorsees, I simply refer to the sign on my lawn, the bumper sticker on my car or the button on my lapel. I like Mike Huckabee for president.
For more information go to www.mikehuckabee.com.
Ron Dupuis is a New Hampshire resident, former state representative and a freelance writer. E-mail him at drcdupuis@comcast.net or visit his Web site at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com.
11.09.2007
UNDENIABLE TRUTHS
By Ron Dupuis
If you type in "Undeniable truths" on your computer, the results may vary from biblical studies to bio-tech foods. Here are 23 not listed by importance, succinct, yet mildly amusing, political, undeniable truths authored by your right-winged, radical columnist and prognosticator extraordinaire. Comments are always welcome only if complimentary.
1. Republicans can't wait to run against Hillary Clinton. Any Republican candidate will crush her in the general election.
2. Despite what Al Gore says, the Earth as we know it is not coming to an end. His "Chicken Little" doctrine is one THEORY and nothing more.
3. Theory; a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact. (From the dictionary)
4. Question any foreign visitor to this country and you will learn that America has the best health care system in the world.
5. The photo of Barack Obama refusing to place his hand over his heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a recent ceremony will hurt his chances in the general election, if indeed he receives the Democratic nomination.
6. Republicans are terrified of running against Gov. Bill Richardson for the presidency.
7. Most clear-thinking Americans don't want to read, listen to, or watch any more news stories about Britney Spears or Rosie O'Donnell.
8. The federal government should shutdown the U.S. Department of Education and pink slip Secretary Margaret Spellings. Individual states and parents should hold the responsibility of educating our children.
9. Bill Richardson, John McCain, and Mike Huckabee, in that order, are the three candidates in the presidential race with the best sense of humor. Only two have a chance of being president.
10. New Hampshire Democrats feel that John Lynch is unbeatable in seeking a third term as governor. He's not.
11. Our young men and women of the all volunteer military are heroes of the highest caliber and nothing less.
12. We are quickly reaching the point where the Iraqi government should be told "Get it together or else€¦"
13. "Or else.." will happen during the next administration.
14. Gas prices will hit $4 a gallon during the next administration.
15. Hillary Clinton will continue to play the "gender" card as long as there are dumb women out there who will vote for her for that exact reason.
16. No matter how much money he raises ($3 million in one day last week)Congressman Ron Paul has absolutely no chance of ever becoming president of the United States.
17. Same sex marriage and abortion WILL NOT be an issue during the 2008 election for president.
18. Most card-carrying members of the A.C.L.U. refuse to recognize that their founder was bent on destroying all Christian-Judeo principles that America was founded on.
19. Many Americans feel that abortion is simply a tool that allows single women to have sex with men who they wish not to bear children with. (Original thought; Ann Coulter).
20. Despite all the Republican candidates for president invoking the name of Ronald Reagan, only one truly emulates him.
21. In 1979, the federal government promised to pay 40 percent of the states special education cost. It has reneged on that promise and will continue to do so.
22. No matter how many flying saucers he sees, Dennis Kucinich has absolutely no chance of ever becoming president of the United States.
23. The assault on God and Christmas by liberal, pinheaded grinches has already begun and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.
Ron Dupuis is a longtime New Hampshire resident, a former state representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net. His Web site may be viewed at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com.
If you type in "Undeniable truths" on your computer, the results may vary from biblical studies to bio-tech foods. Here are 23 not listed by importance, succinct, yet mildly amusing, political, undeniable truths authored by your right-winged, radical columnist and prognosticator extraordinaire. Comments are always welcome only if complimentary.
1. Republicans can't wait to run against Hillary Clinton. Any Republican candidate will crush her in the general election.
2. Despite what Al Gore says, the Earth as we know it is not coming to an end. His "Chicken Little" doctrine is one THEORY and nothing more.
3. Theory; a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact. (From the dictionary)
4. Question any foreign visitor to this country and you will learn that America has the best health care system in the world.
5. The photo of Barack Obama refusing to place his hand over his heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a recent ceremony will hurt his chances in the general election, if indeed he receives the Democratic nomination.
6. Republicans are terrified of running against Gov. Bill Richardson for the presidency.
7. Most clear-thinking Americans don't want to read, listen to, or watch any more news stories about Britney Spears or Rosie O'Donnell.
8. The federal government should shutdown the U.S. Department of Education and pink slip Secretary Margaret Spellings. Individual states and parents should hold the responsibility of educating our children.
9. Bill Richardson, John McCain, and Mike Huckabee, in that order, are the three candidates in the presidential race with the best sense of humor. Only two have a chance of being president.
10. New Hampshire Democrats feel that John Lynch is unbeatable in seeking a third term as governor. He's not.
11. Our young men and women of the all volunteer military are heroes of the highest caliber and nothing less.
12. We are quickly reaching the point where the Iraqi government should be told "Get it together or else€¦"
13. "Or else.." will happen during the next administration.
14. Gas prices will hit $4 a gallon during the next administration.
15. Hillary Clinton will continue to play the "gender" card as long as there are dumb women out there who will vote for her for that exact reason.
16. No matter how much money he raises ($3 million in one day last week)Congressman Ron Paul has absolutely no chance of ever becoming president of the United States.
17. Same sex marriage and abortion WILL NOT be an issue during the 2008 election for president.
18. Most card-carrying members of the A.C.L.U. refuse to recognize that their founder was bent on destroying all Christian-Judeo principles that America was founded on.
19. Many Americans feel that abortion is simply a tool that allows single women to have sex with men who they wish not to bear children with. (Original thought; Ann Coulter).
20. Despite all the Republican candidates for president invoking the name of Ronald Reagan, only one truly emulates him.
21. In 1979, the federal government promised to pay 40 percent of the states special education cost. It has reneged on that promise and will continue to do so.
22. No matter how many flying saucers he sees, Dennis Kucinich has absolutely no chance of ever becoming president of the United States.
23. The assault on God and Christmas by liberal, pinheaded grinches has already begun and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.
Ron Dupuis is a longtime New Hampshire resident, a former state representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net. His Web site may be viewed at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com.
NO WORRIES
By Dave Buhlman
There is one thing that most of those making laws in America have in common – few, if any, have to worry about paying the mortgage and other bills.
This wealth gives them the luxury of dictating to the rest of us, while needing to have no concern about any negative impacts on themselves. They have carefully insulated themselves from the ill effects of larger and more intrusive government, devalued dollars, victim disarmament, public schools that have become indoctrination centers for secular humanism and the “rightness” of homosexuality, and trade agreements that send more and more good American jobs to other countries. Some of these directors of society inherited their wealth (Bush, Kennedy), while others earned it. Those who earned it break down into two groups – the ones who worked hard and smart building a business (Romney, although he inherited decently also), and those who latched on to the largesse of government, either through lucrative contracts or good government jobs at good wages (Hillary, Cheney, Guiliani). For the latter group, were it not for good government connections (right, Neil Bush?) or jobs (right, Larry Potts, formerly of the FBI) they would be consumed in various depths of worry about the future of their families, like many of the rest of us. But they’re all set, thanks.
Things are going so right financially for this monied nobility, that they have the time and resources to plague the rest of us with their offensive schemes and laws. Some want to give amnesty and more benefits to illegal immigrants who broke our laws to get here. Others want to reach in deep to private businesses and dictate to them that they have to treat certain classes of people better than other classes of people in workplace decisions. Still others thinks its just swell to take jobs from Americans and send them to other countries, or have those from other countries come here to take American jobs through visa programs that benefit corporations here and abroad. The Clintons are particularly big on this and have the donations from foreigners to prove it. Then another group wants to attack Iran, thereby shedding more American blood, increasing our debt load, and causing even more hatred of the American empire. The war-lovers, of course, rarely if ever put their own kids in harms way. That’s the role of regular Americans. For them, the idea of war is not to personally sacrifice anything in the battles, but to make sure that some other poor s.o.b. does, while those who plan the wars make even more money. For many of them, more war means even less worries as their bank accounts fill to overflowing.
The creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and similar protection rackets, has created more jobs for regular Americans, but the purpose of these jobs is to police and control other Americans. The purported target – the terrorists – continue to go about their business, while we are forced to de-shoe in airport lines and even have our private parts displayed via special cameras. Many of us also have to battle bureaucratic red tape to get our names off of terrorist watch lists. These lists are so long and therefore useless that they were it’s entirely possible that they were created by choosing people at random from telephone directories. All this we have to go through to go visit sick Aunt Rita in Amarillo.
Other than laws that create more useless jobs for Americans, such as der Homeland Security bill, the only law passed that I can think of that actually benefited regular Americans was the tax change about ten years ago that resulted in our not having to pay capital gains on the sale of a primary residence within, of course, strict upper limits. As long as we’re on tax laws, there may come a day when the federal government will actually show us the law that requires Americans who earn all of their money in one of the 50 states to pay taxes on that “taxable income”. Producing this requirement and liability for this tax in the tax code has taken awhile so far, but we continue to hope against hope that they’ll come clean.
The best thing the elites could do is to put their well-coiffed heads together and begin to repeal the laws that hurt regular Americans and waste big money. It’s a big job, but nobody has to do it. Too bad.
Dave Buhlman is a former two-term State Representative from the sovereign State of New Hampshire, a published author, and a strong supporter of abiding by the Constitution.
There is one thing that most of those making laws in America have in common – few, if any, have to worry about paying the mortgage and other bills.
This wealth gives them the luxury of dictating to the rest of us, while needing to have no concern about any negative impacts on themselves. They have carefully insulated themselves from the ill effects of larger and more intrusive government, devalued dollars, victim disarmament, public schools that have become indoctrination centers for secular humanism and the “rightness” of homosexuality, and trade agreements that send more and more good American jobs to other countries. Some of these directors of society inherited their wealth (Bush, Kennedy), while others earned it. Those who earned it break down into two groups – the ones who worked hard and smart building a business (Romney, although he inherited decently also), and those who latched on to the largesse of government, either through lucrative contracts or good government jobs at good wages (Hillary, Cheney, Guiliani). For the latter group, were it not for good government connections (right, Neil Bush?) or jobs (right, Larry Potts, formerly of the FBI) they would be consumed in various depths of worry about the future of their families, like many of the rest of us. But they’re all set, thanks.
Things are going so right financially for this monied nobility, that they have the time and resources to plague the rest of us with their offensive schemes and laws. Some want to give amnesty and more benefits to illegal immigrants who broke our laws to get here. Others want to reach in deep to private businesses and dictate to them that they have to treat certain classes of people better than other classes of people in workplace decisions. Still others thinks its just swell to take jobs from Americans and send them to other countries, or have those from other countries come here to take American jobs through visa programs that benefit corporations here and abroad. The Clintons are particularly big on this and have the donations from foreigners to prove it. Then another group wants to attack Iran, thereby shedding more American blood, increasing our debt load, and causing even more hatred of the American empire. The war-lovers, of course, rarely if ever put their own kids in harms way. That’s the role of regular Americans. For them, the idea of war is not to personally sacrifice anything in the battles, but to make sure that some other poor s.o.b. does, while those who plan the wars make even more money. For many of them, more war means even less worries as their bank accounts fill to overflowing.
The creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and similar protection rackets, has created more jobs for regular Americans, but the purpose of these jobs is to police and control other Americans. The purported target – the terrorists – continue to go about their business, while we are forced to de-shoe in airport lines and even have our private parts displayed via special cameras. Many of us also have to battle bureaucratic red tape to get our names off of terrorist watch lists. These lists are so long and therefore useless that they were it’s entirely possible that they were created by choosing people at random from telephone directories. All this we have to go through to go visit sick Aunt Rita in Amarillo.
Other than laws that create more useless jobs for Americans, such as der Homeland Security bill, the only law passed that I can think of that actually benefited regular Americans was the tax change about ten years ago that resulted in our not having to pay capital gains on the sale of a primary residence within, of course, strict upper limits. As long as we’re on tax laws, there may come a day when the federal government will actually show us the law that requires Americans who earn all of their money in one of the 50 states to pay taxes on that “taxable income”. Producing this requirement and liability for this tax in the tax code has taken awhile so far, but we continue to hope against hope that they’ll come clean.
The best thing the elites could do is to put their well-coiffed heads together and begin to repeal the laws that hurt regular Americans and waste big money. It’s a big job, but nobody has to do it. Too bad.
Dave Buhlman is a former two-term State Representative from the sovereign State of New Hampshire, a published author, and a strong supporter of abiding by the Constitution.
11.07.2007
INTERGENERATIONAL CANNIBALISM
By Dave Buhlman
So you’re a member in good standing of AARP, the leading proponent of socking it to your children and grandchildren, and you’ve just attended a nice birthday party for your seven year old grandson. Your social security and/or pension checks are rolling in, the house you bought in 1966 is all paid for, and you’re planning the next vacation to some faraway destination.
Life is good.
You paid about 40 percent of your income over those forty years to the various government protection racketeers, and yet were able to end up all right financially. That’s due in large part to being born at the right time and starting married life/buying a house when the dollar was relatively stable. That stability continued long enough for you to get settled in comfortably with a monthly principle, interest and property tax bill of just over two hundred dollars for a house that cost $15,500 in 1966. You were even able to buy a vacation home on Cape Cod, bending elbows at the local gin mill with some of the slickest politicians in the world – Massachusetts legislators.
And you love your children and grandchildren, and will leave them all that you have upon your passing. Your houses, bank accounts, IRAs, 401ks, and jewelry will all be theirs, at least what’s left of them. But the other item you and your friends who run the Abominable Association of Reprobate Pretenders will leave these innocents is a mountain of debt.
So, as you hug that precious seven year old grandson, tell him how social security must never be tampered with, and that we need endless war and troops in 130 countries in order to be safe. Tell him that you put the cost of the sheiks, shirkers, charlatans and shysters on the big credit card issued by the privately-owned Federal Reserve Bank to the federal government. Add that when he starts his working career, with about two hundred grand of college debt on his back, he will be forced to pay the government fifty to sixty percent of his income to support social security, military adventuring, welfare bums on Wall Street and Main Street, and medical and dental care for illegal immigrants and congressmen. Tell him the truth, but without actually gnawing on a piece of his arm flesh. That would be too obvious.
The acknowledged debt is about nine trillion dollars. When the unfunded liabilities, such as social security and Medicare are factored in, this debt balloons to about sixty trillion. His share will be…a lot. As this debt grows and the Fed intervenes, the value of the dollar continues to drop meaning that all purchases cost more. For those who can pass off these increased costs, things are manageable. But for those who cannot, including the vast majority of Americans who work to survive, things get real tight. So they borrow, and borrow some more, emulating the solons in Washington City. The solons, however, have the taxes of about a hundred twenty million people as collateral for the debt they put on our backs, while too many Americans have only a dwindling paycheck to back up their borrowing.
But it’s important for you to support a safe candidate for president in 2008, one that won’t rock this Titanic load of funny money and irresponsibility. Neat Romney, Julie-Annie (thanks, Devvy), and Queen Hillary have given the necessary assurances to the money power that things will roll right along, even if they have to roll over your precious grandson.
You will be sure to scoff when you’re with your friends, at presidential candidate Ron Paul, who wants to bring America back to our core values – sound money via the abolition of the Fed Bank, no empire and its associated bloodletting, a severely reduced federal government, no income tax, and the reestablishment of the freedoms we had in 1912, the year before the twin monsters of the income tax and the Fed bank were created by Washington City. But when you’re alone and you see a Ron Paul ad, and think about where we are as a country, compared to when you were growing up, you will know that he’s right. Please follow that through with a vote for him in the Republican primary, even if you have to switch your registration to do so. Give that grandson a chance, and maybe even prevent him from having his guts blown out as a brave grunt in a 2020 UN assault on Uzbeckapoo.
So you’re a member in good standing of AARP, the leading proponent of socking it to your children and grandchildren, and you’ve just attended a nice birthday party for your seven year old grandson. Your social security and/or pension checks are rolling in, the house you bought in 1966 is all paid for, and you’re planning the next vacation to some faraway destination.
Life is good.
You paid about 40 percent of your income over those forty years to the various government protection racketeers, and yet were able to end up all right financially. That’s due in large part to being born at the right time and starting married life/buying a house when the dollar was relatively stable. That stability continued long enough for you to get settled in comfortably with a monthly principle, interest and property tax bill of just over two hundred dollars for a house that cost $15,500 in 1966. You were even able to buy a vacation home on Cape Cod, bending elbows at the local gin mill with some of the slickest politicians in the world – Massachusetts legislators.
And you love your children and grandchildren, and will leave them all that you have upon your passing. Your houses, bank accounts, IRAs, 401ks, and jewelry will all be theirs, at least what’s left of them. But the other item you and your friends who run the Abominable Association of Reprobate Pretenders will leave these innocents is a mountain of debt.
So, as you hug that precious seven year old grandson, tell him how social security must never be tampered with, and that we need endless war and troops in 130 countries in order to be safe. Tell him that you put the cost of the sheiks, shirkers, charlatans and shysters on the big credit card issued by the privately-owned Federal Reserve Bank to the federal government. Add that when he starts his working career, with about two hundred grand of college debt on his back, he will be forced to pay the government fifty to sixty percent of his income to support social security, military adventuring, welfare bums on Wall Street and Main Street, and medical and dental care for illegal immigrants and congressmen. Tell him the truth, but without actually gnawing on a piece of his arm flesh. That would be too obvious.
The acknowledged debt is about nine trillion dollars. When the unfunded liabilities, such as social security and Medicare are factored in, this debt balloons to about sixty trillion. His share will be…a lot. As this debt grows and the Fed intervenes, the value of the dollar continues to drop meaning that all purchases cost more. For those who can pass off these increased costs, things are manageable. But for those who cannot, including the vast majority of Americans who work to survive, things get real tight. So they borrow, and borrow some more, emulating the solons in Washington City. The solons, however, have the taxes of about a hundred twenty million people as collateral for the debt they put on our backs, while too many Americans have only a dwindling paycheck to back up their borrowing.
But it’s important for you to support a safe candidate for president in 2008, one that won’t rock this Titanic load of funny money and irresponsibility. Neat Romney, Julie-Annie (thanks, Devvy), and Queen Hillary have given the necessary assurances to the money power that things will roll right along, even if they have to roll over your precious grandson.
You will be sure to scoff when you’re with your friends, at presidential candidate Ron Paul, who wants to bring America back to our core values – sound money via the abolition of the Fed Bank, no empire and its associated bloodletting, a severely reduced federal government, no income tax, and the reestablishment of the freedoms we had in 1912, the year before the twin monsters of the income tax and the Fed bank were created by Washington City. But when you’re alone and you see a Ron Paul ad, and think about where we are as a country, compared to when you were growing up, you will know that he’s right. Please follow that through with a vote for him in the Republican primary, even if you have to switch your registration to do so. Give that grandson a chance, and maybe even prevent him from having his guts blown out as a brave grunt in a 2020 UN assault on Uzbeckapoo.
11.06.2007
Admiration, Respect, Dignity
By Ron Dupuis
Here are some names you should read out loud. Read them with admiration, respect, and dignity. John Sanders of Las Vegas Nevada, Geoff Miller of Cleveland Ohio, John Rosenlund of Vermont, S Franklin of San Antoine Texas, Angela Johnson of Texas, and Sheri Williams of Oregon. These are just a few of ninety eight military men and women that touched U.S. soil for the first time in over a year at Pease Airport, 6:30 a.m. last Tuesday morning. They are heroes, each and every one of them. They are heroes because all are volunteers that were willing to leave their families, their Mothers and Fathers, wives, children and sweethearts, in order to serve and fight an increasingly unpopular war. They are heroes because they are willing to do what is asked of them by politicians who sit safely behind a desk in Washington D.C... Finely they are heroes because they are willing to serve, work, and at times fight, for a people who are struggling to achieve freedom. A freedom similar to what we enjoy here in America.
Here are some other names you should also read out loud, and again, with admiration, respect, and dignity. Bud Owens of Stratham, Frank Kervin of Kensington, Roger Dirck of Dover, Jack Brodie of New Market, Ed Johnson of Rye, Cherie Monnell of Cape Neddick, and Nancy Jones of Berwick Maine. More heroes. The difference is that instead of going to a far off land of unfamiliar culture and traditions to help a struggling population achieve freedom, these heroes walk silently among us here at home. They install our carpets, attend to our sick, care for our children, and work in our banks. They range from high priced executives to stay at home Moms. They also give up their time and sleep, three, four and sometimes five and six times a month in order that a show of support and a smiling face is the first and last thing our military personnel will see in the U.S. when going off to, or returning from Iraq.
“We’re Republicans, we’re Democrats, we’re Independents” one seasoned “Pease Greeter” remarked. “We are Veterans, from all branches of the service, Army Air Force Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.” “We have men and women who served and fought during WWII, we have men and women who served and fought during Korea.” “We have men and women who served and fought during Viet Nam, and we have men and women who served and fought during the first gulf war.” “And, believe it or not,” he continued “we have men and women with no military connection at all.”
There is one last “hero” that needs to be mentioned here. She was an elderly lady sitting most of the time, some feel because of her age. She had what best can be described as a “care worn” half smile on her face. When asked as to why she attended these greetings she said that she had two sons in the service and did not want anything to happen to either one of them or “these young people leaving for Iraq this morning.” “One of my boys is in Iraq now and the other will be there next month.” “I’m scared for my boys and for these young heroes here.” When I tried to reassure her that everything will be alright., she simply smiled and said “Thank you, however I’m really scared.” “You see I lost my husband in Viet Nam .”
I was left speechless. Here is a woman who lost her husband in the prime of his life and yet was willing to support her two son’s military careers. And still have time to get out at 6:30 in the morning in order to support other sons and daughters.
God bless you Nancy Jones of South Berwick Maine. And may he keep your two sons safe.
For further information concerning the “Pease Greeters” pleas call Ed Johnson at 603-766-0502 or visit there web site at www.peasegreeters.org
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net. His web site may be viewed at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com.
Here are some names you should read out loud. Read them with admiration, respect, and dignity. John Sanders of Las Vegas Nevada, Geoff Miller of Cleveland Ohio, John Rosenlund of Vermont, S Franklin of San Antoine Texas, Angela Johnson of Texas, and Sheri Williams of Oregon. These are just a few of ninety eight military men and women that touched U.S. soil for the first time in over a year at Pease Airport, 6:30 a.m. last Tuesday morning. They are heroes, each and every one of them. They are heroes because all are volunteers that were willing to leave their families, their Mothers and Fathers, wives, children and sweethearts, in order to serve and fight an increasingly unpopular war. They are heroes because they are willing to do what is asked of them by politicians who sit safely behind a desk in Washington D.C... Finely they are heroes because they are willing to serve, work, and at times fight, for a people who are struggling to achieve freedom. A freedom similar to what we enjoy here in America.
Here are some other names you should also read out loud, and again, with admiration, respect, and dignity. Bud Owens of Stratham, Frank Kervin of Kensington, Roger Dirck of Dover, Jack Brodie of New Market, Ed Johnson of Rye, Cherie Monnell of Cape Neddick, and Nancy Jones of Berwick Maine. More heroes. The difference is that instead of going to a far off land of unfamiliar culture and traditions to help a struggling population achieve freedom, these heroes walk silently among us here at home. They install our carpets, attend to our sick, care for our children, and work in our banks. They range from high priced executives to stay at home Moms. They also give up their time and sleep, three, four and sometimes five and six times a month in order that a show of support and a smiling face is the first and last thing our military personnel will see in the U.S. when going off to, or returning from Iraq.
“We’re Republicans, we’re Democrats, we’re Independents” one seasoned “Pease Greeter” remarked. “We are Veterans, from all branches of the service, Army Air Force Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.” “We have men and women who served and fought during WWII, we have men and women who served and fought during Korea.” “We have men and women who served and fought during Viet Nam, and we have men and women who served and fought during the first gulf war.” “And, believe it or not,” he continued “we have men and women with no military connection at all.”
There is one last “hero” that needs to be mentioned here. She was an elderly lady sitting most of the time, some feel because of her age. She had what best can be described as a “care worn” half smile on her face. When asked as to why she attended these greetings she said that she had two sons in the service and did not want anything to happen to either one of them or “these young people leaving for Iraq this morning.” “One of my boys is in Iraq now and the other will be there next month.” “I’m scared for my boys and for these young heroes here.” When I tried to reassure her that everything will be alright., she simply smiled and said “Thank you, however I’m really scared.” “You see I lost my husband in Viet Nam .”
I was left speechless. Here is a woman who lost her husband in the prime of his life and yet was willing to support her two son’s military careers. And still have time to get out at 6:30 in the morning in order to support other sons and daughters.
God bless you Nancy Jones of South Berwick Maine. And may he keep your two sons safe.
For further information concerning the “Pease Greeters” pleas call Ed Johnson at 603-766-0502 or visit there web site at www.peasegreeters.org
Ron Dupuis is a long time New Hampshire resident, a former State Representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net. His web site may be viewed at www.imho-nh.blogspot.com.
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