Don't Ask - Don't Tell

In last Sunday's Parade Magazine in the newspaper there was a question on the status of the "Don't ask, Don't Tell" policy change. It quoted a Senator who stated something to the effect that he was brought up Catholic, was an Alter Boy and Straight but was for the change in policy as we needed more to serve in the war.

I believe it goes further than that and his remark should not be why we must allow gays in the Military. One's sexual makeup as being straight or gay does not determine the quality of the person or their abilities. I know many straight men who would do awful as a soldier and would tell you so. I also no many gay men who would make a great soldier and there are a large number of them serving today. I also had the honor of knowing some of them. And take a look at some of the officers who were discharged recently and huge support from there fellow service men but then again they were gay so they were apparently incompetent and unacceptable.

What are the determining factors that a person is solid and capable person? Why does being gay mean you are not capable to serve your Country. I served for over two three years and never once did that issue really become a factor as far as I was aware only only once did I hear a fellow soldier say it in a negative way towards another soldier. And this was in 1970-1973. Did I serve with gay men, along with married men, divorced men, men who got their girlfriend pregnant and need that job in their service for benefits an support of his new family, etc.? Yes. As in public life there are many, many types of people. I believe that I and most everyone else, do not have the right to judge and determine who is good and who is bad.

I myself believe those who commit crimes especially murder, rape, theft, abductions, taking advantage of minors, etc. are not good people and their are laws that have been broken and those people must be held accountable for their actions.

Who are we to say that two people who are attracted to someone of their own sex is unsuitable, bad, deranged, etc. When in the service, especially in a war zone one wants his fellow soldier to be qualified, watch his back, dependable and on and on.

When one is in the service, especially in a war zone that seems a zillion miles from home his fellow soldiers are his family. You depend on them. You eat together, shower together, go to church together, fight together, drink and party together, comfort each other, share your inner most thoughts and upbringing with. You will share a bond that those who never served will ever understand or know.

I believe that when in a foreign land and fighting a war for a people who have a different language, religion, history, etc. it brings even more loneliness, isolation and frustration. Many of those who served have made their best and most memorable friend they will have have in this situation and many times will never see again once they get back to the World. And for many of those soldiers that friendship will become more of a physical, hugging, horsing around friendship. At some time it may become a sexual relationship. They will reach out to comfort each other and to feel another warm body against theirs. Someone who will understand them, where they came from and how they feel.

Will this become a sexual romp just to get off? Probably not. It will be just two soldiers, two friends, two lonely and caring men who have formed a bond only other's in their same situation would understand. Is one or the other or both gay, bisexual or straight? Perhaps. But what I believe they are are just two men serving their country who in the midst of all the madness, death and destruction around them formed this incredible bond and at this moment in time share that bond and love for each other. They know they may not make it through this tough fight and may not see each other again after this is over but for that brief time know that tenderness, compassion, the warmth of another body and love exists.

Regardless if these soldiers just share that horseplay, headlocks, and just spending as much time together or take that it to the next level, Love is Love and I believe in this case more pure than most.
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After posting this I came across a website about soldiers who served in WWII, Vietnam who have died. One headstone carries the message:

"When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."

A dad and his son in Afganistan.

There were two stories today, one on Fox's website and one on CNN's that caught my interest. Fox had a story and a video clip of a school children singing a song that praised President Obama. The other was a story that covered a father and son serving in Afghanistan. To me, the most important was the father and son story.

The story told of the "lifer" father and his family and how he raised his son and daughter. It contained information about the son wanting to go into the Army with the dad suggesting that he at least give college a try, which he did for a year. But he wanted to go into their service.

They are both paratroopers and part of the same command, but different units. This article spoke not only how close the family is but the closeness of father and son. When I looked at the picture it was clear to me the love the family has for each other. You know there are those pictures that don't seem really genuine and those tat are. The pictures were wonderful. One could immediately tell just how close and loving this family is and no doubt the love that is shared. And there was no doubt in my mind that both the father and son are true characters full of joy, excitement, adventure, mischievous, etc.

I believe it is time for our government to require that all representative of congress the senate and the president serve in the Armed Forces and receive an honorable discourage. Yes, there are some who could not serve because of physical issues that an alternative may have to be devloped, but still in service to our Country.

As for the praise for President Obama in the song, to me it's nothing more that some school children singing a song for an elected official who, as far as I'm concerned, has not yet proven his value to our Country and it's citizens - and I do wish him success and pray he will have all United States Citizens in his best interest. .

So instead of singing aobut him, let's sing a song of praise to the men and women who have served, are serving or will be serving our country. They are the true heroes that make our Country the land of the free.

May God look after you tonight and all nights and keep you safe.

When do you Fire?

Seven ex-CIA chiefs singed a letter to President Obama regarding opening up the criminal investigation of the CIA terrorist interrogations and the damage that it will cause.

When do you Fire at the enemy?

One night in Nam the radio crackled to life. A chopper had been shot up and the co-pilot was at the stick. He was directed to our hospital. Shortly thereafter, he radioed that he went down. Wide Minnow (the group that directed choppers to hospitals) wanted a fix and would try to get help to them. The co-pilot said "No" and he got the chopper back up in the air.

I was on the helipad that night watching the bird swaying all over the place as he tried to land which he finally did. The skids were bent from going down earlier and it wobbled on the helipad. We got off the pilot, crew chief, door gunner and the co-pilot walked in. All had been wounded with the pilot being injured the worst. As I remember it, his heel was pretty much torn off.

After everything settled down, the wounded taken care of and the pilot in surgery, we heard the tale from the crew. They were over the Saigon River hovering over a Sampan. There were two South Vietnamese Advisers on-board. The crew kept asking for the ok to fire. That approval never came. But the NVA on the Sampan didn't need approval and shot up the helicopter. It was a miracle that the GI's were not killed . And how were the Advisers injured? They weren't. I was on the helipad again as the co-pilot started up the bird and hopped over a small road to the small helipad that choppers used to load up on herbicides to spray the foliage to kill it. (Do you believe that? And taht close to the hospital) Again, with much difficulty he got it over to the pad and shut down.

In a time of war the emphasis should be on keeping our country, citizens and especially those in the direct line of fire safe. What happened to the rights of soldiers, this country and it's citizens? When do we fire? Do we become so immersed in the rights of the enemy that we risk the lives of our citizens and make them less important? Right now we are facing an enemy that places no value on the country, and men, women and children of their country. When do we fire? Human life must be valued but I do not believe that the enemies lives should be valued before out own citizens.

When do we fire?

Gov. Blagojevich & Obama

Today news broke regarding the ongoing investigation of the Illinois Governor and his apparent attempt to sell, or put up for bid, Obama's Senate seat. And of course we are now hearing more and more about the Governor's wife and her role as well.

This could pose a very interesting situation for President Elect Obama who states he was not involved, never discussed this with the Governor and has nothing to say since it is an ongoing investigation. Yet, Axelrod stated that Obama had spoken with the Governor and Obama had some special thoughts for several people who could be considered. Axelrod now states he misspoke.

It will be interesting as this moves forward as to the extent of all of this and who all was involved. Perhaps Obama wasn't aware of this or perhaps he was and his bowing out is caused the Governor some of the heartburn where he is saying he wasn't getting anything.

Let's see where this will lead but I don't have any warm or fuzzy feelings for the Democrats. This could really become quite an issue for them, Obama, etc.

What do I think? I'll share those thoughts as the story unfolds.

President Bush Prepares to Leave

President Bush is getting ready to leave office and is putting aside an hour a day for photo's, etc. with Executive Office Staffers and their families. He is starting to say his goodbyes. However, it seems all one hears at this point in time is how he was the worst President ever. Please take this into consideration:

• No other President in American History has had to deal with such a massive attack against Americans, on American soil and the United States of America. It is unimaginable to think that almost 3,000 people lost their lives, not counting those who severely injured or who will suffer lung problems, etc.
• Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of five deadliest hurricanes and that happened on President Bush's watch as well.
• That President Bush had two wars going on at the same time in history.
• A failing Economy.

Just think about it for a minute to two. Try to remember seeing the planes crash into the World Trade Center. Do you remember the Pentagon in flames and Flight 93 that crashed while passengers averted what could have been a huge catastrophy if the terrorists had succeeded.

During that time, everyone looked up to President Bush and now it seems no one can say anything good about him. I find it odd that this country can blame a President for any and all things that is wrong even if it is totally unreasonable. And the hatred seems so rampant as he leaves office.

What it really comes down to is this. We live in a free country and elect leaders that we believe will lead our city, state, country, etc. Shouldn't all our leaders be held accountable? Weren't our Mayor's, Congress, Senators elected by the people of this great Country and isn't it their job to serve the people? I guess when I look at it, it is my opinion that most of our leaders failed. They all have big promises and state what they are going to do, but one must remember there is not one person in Congress and one person in the Senate, etc. If they don't work together we all fail and that the finger pointing needs to stop and our elected official need to look at themselves and why they are where they are. I believe this is lost as many politicians make this their lifelong job forgetting about why they were elected.

I truly believe that as time goes on History will be kind to President Bush, what he faced during his time in office and how he lead this country.