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The Colonel
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I have been asked what I thought of Governor Palin's VP debate this week. Frankly, I was not impressed very much. Like George Bush, she says "nuculer" instead of the correct pronunciation of "nuclear". She also winked too much, trying to look cute, and her smile seemed phoney. She also stressed several times that she is a hockey mom who is like all the others. I'm sorry, Ms. Palin, but I really don't believe a hockey mom anywhere can be considered as someone capable of leading the United States and dealing with world affairs on a daily basis. Hockey moms pay more attention to hockey than they do anything else. Maybe she's a good woman, but she does not need to be the VP of the United States.
Hmmm,........well, the accusations against one another continue amongst those running for the White House. I'm sure we all remember who started it all. I'm not sure what his name is, but his initials are Bill Clinton. Remember North Carolina? Or was it South Carolina? My memory is as bad as those of the candidates who keep saying one of two things. Either, "I didn't say that", or "My words were taken out of context. What I meant was.......". I'l have to give Obama some credit. He never started backbiting and accusing others of anything until they started it with him. He's the only one who seems interested in discussing the needs of America more than digging up dirt on his opponents. But a man has to defend himself, right? It seems those who continuously find fault with others eventually have to air their laundry as well. According to the news this week, it has now become Sarah Palin's washday. It's a bit hilarious watching and listening to these people and seeing them stick their foot in their mouth. It's better than watching Monty Python.
Lets face it. Barack Obama won the last Presidential debate hands down! McCain was too stiff, too cynical, too nervous, and too worried. It showed on his face and in his actions. Barack remained calm, cool, and less accusing. His statement about Americans being more interested in how their probems are going to be solved than they are in the friction between Obama and McCain thjeir accudsations against each other is true! McCain needs to go back to Arizona and get lost in the Superstition Mountains outside of Apache Junction. And like my son said recently, "Sarah Palin needs to take her Barbie dolls and go home". I agree.
The article below was written by my son Marc Collier of Melbourne, Florida.
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IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY...??
I was informed in an email this morning that my only son, PFC. Marcus Anthony Collier, 101st Air Assault, 1-506 Infantry, had been wounded in Afghanistan in a battle against the Taliban. I can't be completely certain, but it seems that the Taliban are upset that their number one ally against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the United States, has decided that, after many years of covert military cooperation and resource trading, they would not only secure the freedom of the Afghan people, but also try to teach them to be tolerant and respectful of other cultures and ideals.
Let us examine the Taliban for a moment. The Taliban attempt to adhere to a code of ancient laws that intend to keep the masses ignorant of any knowledge that may lead them to question authority. They achieve their goal by quoting particular verses of their Holy Book which lend credence to their ideology, while at the same time denying education to their people so that they cannot read the book themselves. God forbid that the people came to understand that the writings do not say the same thing as those who interpret it do.
The Taliban are not the first to learn this method of controlling the populace. The Romans, after many years of fighting against Christianity, finally came to understand that the fear of hell and the promise of heaven were profound tools that could be used to coerce the masses into behaving themselves.
Spirituality has been embraced by many cultures for thousands of years. Only now, with modern technology, are scientists able to uncover the magic behind the tricks used by the early priests to bewilder, stupify, and control the average citizen. To gain true knowledge and wisdom of the ancient writings, one must read them from front to back and apply the teachings to their own experiences. The truly great Holy men and prophets were special only because they had read the writings, understood them, and were able to teach their merits to others. Somewhere along the line, those same teachings of understanding and enlightment came to be used to instill fear of angering the all powerful.......the government.
Back to the issue at hand. My son, a young man of average education and modest upbringing, joined the US Army as a means of seeing the world, getting an education, and obtaining the confidence and skills that could lead him to a decent life in the future. He watched as his older friends joined the service and went to theater and survived, and that gave him hope that he too would survive it all. Now, serving in Afghanistan, facing enemies whose loyalties are not to their country, their family, or their religion, but to the highest bidder, can I feel good about the fight he is waging? Is he there to protect the interests of my country........??
In one sense, yes, he is. The United States is an industrial nation, and for many years, our largest industry has been ensuring our ability to wage war. A good majority of the technology that runs our businesses, our communications, our entire infrastucture, is a direct result of research intended to guarantee military superiority.
Am I in fear that an army of barefooted, illiterate, desperate, and unorganized people are somehow going to find a way to militarily invade the United States and strip me of my individual freedom? No. I am in fear that my son will be killed trying to fight a battle to bring a people out of the stone age who do not want to come, while losing my personal privacies in the name of national security.
The Cold War is over. I understand that there are still many peoples on the Earth who would like to see the United States destroyed....and I am sure they have their reasons......but these are peoples who cannot even get along with themselves.....with each other.....how can we expect them to get along with us? Or to respect our teachings? They were killing each other before we got there. Now they are aligning against a common enemy.
I respect our men and women in the military for their sacrifice and their code of honor. I will do everything I can to support our soldiers. Ours is an all volunteer service, and it takes a special breed of person to be a US soldier. However, I do not agree with the way the people controlling our "interests" are using our soldiers. National defense is one thing, but invading a soveriegn nation and imposing our will on others is not good use of our abilities. Our resources would be better spent improving our own standard of living than those of the rest of the world. It is a pity that people are suffering, but that is not necessarily our fault any more than it is our duty to ensure their survival.
So - is it worth it? Did my son take a bullet for a noble cause...?? Perhaps. But more likely, he took a bullet in the name of a smoke and mirrors policy that seeks to bring a culture to our way of thinking so that we may take advantage of their resources without having to take them by force. If this were truly war for the sake of humanity.....if this enemy was such a danger to global stability...... we would adopt a scorched earth strategy as we did in both World Wars, and defeat the enemy quickly and without prejudice. My son was wounded over politics, resources, and revenge, not to protect the American people from a looming threat of extinction.
Wars are fought for superiority. The winner is superior. We have the technology to win this war in a matter of days.....why are we still there?? Write your Congressman...you know.....the guy that owns all the stock in munitions, electronics, and aircraft manufacturing.....and ask......is this really necessary?
As any grandfather would be, I've been highly concerned lately over my grandson who was recently wounded in battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan. One of the hardest things to bear is knowing he is injured and not knowing exactly where he is, or how seriously he is wounded. The military has not contacted his father (my son), or anyone else that I know of. The only word we've had was from the grandson, himself, who apparently is not allowed to state his true condition or location. What does help to a certain degree is him saying he has been given the Purple Heart, and also been nominated by his commander for a Bronze Star. I talked with a retired Navy Seal this week and after mentioning my grandson to him, his words were, "the Purple Heart is a highly respected award. But the Bronze Star is awesome! Write that boy down as being a hero"! Needless to say, I was pleased to hear that. But I now wonder what the grandson did to be awarded the Bronze Star? No one is saying, including him. He's due to come home for a couple of weeks in December. The first thing I'll do after seeing and giving him a big hug is ask, "what would I have to do to be like you and get a Bronze Star? I'm jealous, buddy"! Maybe then I'll learn the answers to all my questions.
Hmmmmm......well, I just learned more about my grandson I have been worried about. I'm still worried, but at least I know more now than I did, thanks to him phoning from Afghanistan and talking with his dad. The following is what my son told me about the grandson's experiences lately in the war with the Taliban......
......"He was manning a grenade launcher turret on an armored vehicle during one of the largest fire fights his unit has seen, when the enemy hit his vehicle with a rocket propelled grenade and continued advancing on foot. After being hit with shrapnel and wounded, Marcus continued to engage the enemy at close range, pausing only to reload, firing a total of 387 rounds into the advancing enemy forces, decimating their lead element. He was also part of the rescue team that secured the crash site of the Blackhawk Helicopter that was shot down a few days ago".
God bless the young man. I now know what I'll have to do to receive a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. I think I'll leave such things up to him and thousands more like him who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our freedom. Hooah!!
Well, the presidential election is over now, and I'm sure everyone else is as tired as I am. It's been highly exciting, but tiring. Although I'm sure both men, Obama and McCain, are good men, but it's my personal opinion that America got the President it needs. Time will tell whether or not Obama lives up to all the promises he made during the campaign. I do think he will need to work harder than anyone else at trying to do so, because if he doesn't I strongly doubt if America ever votes in another black President. The man has a lot of work ahead for him. I don't envy any man sitting in the President's chair these days. There are too many things to consider, and hopefully fix. Like most everyone else, I just called Barack Obama "Black". The man is as white as he is black. He's mixed, remember? He is also more of an African-American than anyone else I know of. Blacks today call themselves African-American, but how many have ever even been to Africa? How many have been born there, or actually have a mother or father who was born there? I'm a little tired of the "African-American" thing. No one being called such wants to be called Black anymore. I think it's only fair if they don't want to be called Black, they should stop calling me White. I prefer being called "Scottish-American". Lets get rid of the color thing, folks. I'm sure it won't be easy. But it's hard for me to call a Black man African-American with him being born and raised in America. But I'll be happy to call them that if they'll start calling me Scottish-American and not using the "W" word!.
Congratulations, Mr. Obama! It doesn't bother me at all to see a person of mixed race being my President. I'm mixed too.....Scottish and American. In my opinion, that makes us equal.
If anyone is having any problem posting on this blog please contact me through the email address on MMG. -- Mark
Um.....Your blog would work a LOT better, I think, if you'd post your posts where the posts go...on the front page! This page is for commentary folks want to leave on your main post. I'm just sayin'!
Hmmm...I guess we all have our preferences. In any case, you found us, Buttonhole, and your message is appreciated. You're welcome anytime.
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