In a country that most would struggle to find on a map, in a compound that few possess the courage to enter, men from my previous life took the fight to our enemy.
In that compound, they found men that pray five times a day for your destruction. Those men don’t know me, they don’t know you, and they don’t know America. They don’t understand our compassion, our freedoms, and our tolerance. I know it may seem as if those things are currently missing, but they remain, and I know they will return. Our capacity for them is boundless, and is only dwarfed by their hatred for you. They don’t care about your religious beliefs; they don’t care about your political opinions. They don’t care if you sit on the left or the right, liberal or conservative, pacifist or a warrior. They don’t care how much you believe in diversity, equality, or freedom of speech.
I’m sorry that you have never smelled the breath of a man who wants to kill you. I am sorry that you have never felt the alarm bells ringing in your body, the combination of fear and adrenaline, as you move towards the fight, instead of running from it. I am sorry you have never heard someone cry out for help, or cried out for help yourself, relying on the courage of others to bring you home. I am sorry you have never tasted the salt from your own tears, as you stand at flag draped coffins, burying men you were humbled to call your friends. I don’t wish those experiences on you, but I wish you had them. It would change the way you act, it would change the way you value, it would change the way you appreciate. You become quick to open your eyes, and slow to open your mouth.
Most will never understand the sacrifice required to keep men from that compound away from our doorstep, but it would not hurt you to try. It would not hurt you to take a moment to respect the sacrifices that others make on your behalf, whether they share your opinions or not. It would not hurt you to take a moment to think of the relentless drain on family, friends, and loved ones that are left behind. Ideas are not protected by words. Paper may outline the foundation and principles of this nation, but it is blood that protects it.
In that compound, a man you have never met gave everything he had, so that YOU, have the freedom to think, speak, and act however you choose. He went there for all of us, whether you loved him, or hated what he stood for. He went there to preserve the opportunity and privilege to believe, to be, and to become what we want. This country, every single person living inside of its borders and under the banner of its flag, owe that man. We owe that man everything. We owe him the respect that his sacrifice deserves.
Saying thank you is not enough.
We send our best, and lose them, in the fight against the worst this world has to offer. If you want to respect and honor their sacrifice, it needs to be more than words. You have to live it.
Take a minute and look around. Soak it in, all of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. You have the choice, every day, as to which category you want to be in, and which direction you want to move. You have that choice, because the best among us, the best we have ever had to offer, fought, bled, and died for it.
Don’t ever forget it.
Confessions Of an Idiot 
You said it all. Nothing can be added. I can only thank you
for your eloquence in painting this picture of a Warrior’s heart.
As the widow of a Navy Vet and the grandma of a U.S. Marine,
I can only say thank you for your sacrifice and pray for God’s
peace and blessing in your heart and soul.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you from the heart of this Gold Star mother. Having lost my only child in defense of our freedoms I understand. Sending prayers of comfort for this hero’s family. God bless…
LikeLiked by 3 people
I don’t know your pain and selfishly pray I never do. Thank you for raising a son willing to answer the call to serve and give it all. My prayers for you both. God bless you, mama.
LikeLike
So sorry for your loss. But many of us in this great nation. Thank You for raising him right.
LikeLike
Powerfully stated and every word holds true. I wasn’t a soldier, but I know the taste of my own tears from crying over my cousin’s flag covered casket. Yesterday, 1/31/17, marked 13 years since her death in Operation Iraqi Freedom, a powerful day that I’ll never forget. Thank you for putting that deep emotion I feel into the best words possible.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: A Debt That Cannot Be Repaid | The Lexicans
God help us. We have strayed so far from you. Please bless those who have gone before us and sacrificed for us. Help us to never forget and to live in a way that is worthy of their sacrifices and that honors your name.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Beautifully written with a pathos that resides in the very soul of each member of the military who risks his or her life for the God-given privilege of being an American. God bless you for this and God bless the United States of America.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God Bless your family & God Bless America. Thank You
LikeLike
Having read this long ago have never forgotten it.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s Wartime Prayer
Dear Lord,
Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless all whom serve, Sailor, Solider, Marine and Airman. The fallen Navy Seal represents the true American Hero which gives us the freedom to do what we do..Good or Bad. I personally believe that the war on terror will be very long. In short we need to remove the head of the snake, but in doing so many, many Sailor, Solider, Marine and Airman will be lost due to a system of beliefs that are extreme with an intense hatred for our Christian ideology. I too am sorry that many thousands out there have not tasted the salt from their your own tears, when a comrad is lost. I have. May their scarfice never be forgotten.
Greg Smith
USN-DAV.
LikeLike
Thank you for your stirring and powerful words. My favorite line you wrote: “Ideas are not protected by words. Paper may outline the foundation and principles of this nation, but it is blood that protects it.”
LikeLike
We few … We Damn few …
LikeLike
Pingback: A Debt That Cannot Be Repaid – Jacquie Biggar- USA Today Best-selling author
Semper Fi to all of my brother’s and sister’s regardless of branch and era.
To all of us who have been down range and to those in the future….We few.
Nothing else could be added to this heart felt truth and no truer word’s could have been said any better.
LikeLike
Thank you for this honorable post filled with truth. I am a Vietnam vet who returned to find many of our country both apathetic and disrespectful to those who knew the experience of fighting an enemy in strange distant places. I can only hope that America will never again despise those who make such sacrifices.
RVN USN
LikeLike
May you find peace and healing during these difficult days…Your loved one made the ultimate sacrifice…for all that call themselves Americans…
LikeLike
earningday
LikeLike
My tears fall, my heart breaks for all our past, present and future protectors of our American freedoms. Their sacrifiices of body, soul and many times their lives, should never be forgotten.
God Bless America and God Bless all those who do battle to protect us and their families who suffer their loss. They serve with loyalty to all America and deserve respect and reverence always. Never forget. Thank you to all of them.
LikeLike
Pingback: Miscellaneous Ramblings’…
As a veteran myself I can’t agree more with paying homage to those that not only pay that ultimate price , but all those that serve. That choose to serve, we all volunteer that is honorable. But is there room to question the policies that put our bravest men and women in harm’s way? Can we ask why so few of our nationally elected officials have served or have sons and daughters that serve? These things are not mutually exclusive. As patriots we must remember and honor the fallen, but as citizens we must question why they were there to begin with. The military asks for and requires that blind faith, but as citizens we must question the authority that send our sins and daughters to war. No?
LikeLiked by 1 person
As an Irish Catholic Marine who served two tours in Vietnam as well as my two older brothers did before me as Marines, a Dad who fought in WWII, and my own Son would did two two tours in Irag(last one as a Scout Sniper),I totally get what our Flag, our Country and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice stand for. At the age of 69 I truly hope that one day I would be so lucky to come upon a flag burning protestor and would all the fight left in me I would kick their ass all the way to the nearest border of OUR USA, may God bless all of men and women in uniform past, present, and future.One last note for John Q. Public, there are no Former, X, or Retired Marines period, when Marines die they go to Heaven regroup and guard the streets, Semper Fi
LikeLike
God Bless all our servicemen from the revolution to the present time that have helped to make America free. Too many young Americans haven’t remembered their history lessons and I would hope they would step back and realize how lucky they are to be free! God Bless America!!!!
LikeLike
Has anybody thought about how that individual came to hate us so much? Was there something that was done to him or to his family or his friends and neighbors, or his country or the fellow followers of his religion that might cause him to act this way? Have we ever thought about where these hateful people come from, what drove them to become the pitiful people they are? I believe in cause and effect: this hatred doesn’t arise from nothing; there is always a cause. Maybe we need to find ways to stop people like this from becoming hate filled individuals.
LikeLike
Actually, yes. I spent the majority of my life asking myself that question, at the same time I was fighting them. Cause and effect sound great, but fail the litmus test of real life in this case. Speaking from personal experience, nothing we do will change the course of some. We can discuss and debate at length if you want, but if you cannot accept that there will always be those have who have beliefs counter to ours, and some will be willing to destroy you, it will be pointless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting points here. Perhaps it was America’s meddling in the Middle East for the last 50 years that caused people from that part of the world to loathe us so much that they would willingly sacrifice their families and lives to attack us. Islam is a religion that’s been around a good thousand years, and I don’t remember them coming over to the US to attack in the 1700s, 1800s or even until the 1980s, when we got involved in overthrowing the democratically elected government of Iran and replacing it with the tyrannical Shah. I wonder how we would react if a foreign power worked to install a tyrant as the leader of our country. Just saying.
LikeLike
Perhaps it is, and perhaps it is an ideology that is not commensurate with our own. In the time periods you mentioned, especially the 1700’s and 1800’s, we barely existed as a country. Research the spread of Islam, and where they were engaged in battle during those times, and why. I have a feeling you will respond with reasons they fought then as well, and it will have something to do with someone else oppressing, or doing something to them. Regardless of what we have done in the past, radical Islam will always be at odds with who we are. Any attempt to deny that requires effort to ignore reality.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They hate becasue they subscribe to a religion/belief system of death destruction and domination. If you want to find cause and effect, ask God what He has said about it. Hatred begins in the heart. Ask the question why Satan turned against God and went rampant. Maybe that will help you in your search. Otherwise it is what it is and we have children, families and a country to protect. Period. Next?
LikeLike
“Radical Islam” is no different from “Radical Christianity” or “Radical Sikhism” or “Radical Judaism” or radical insert-whatever-cause-you-like-here. They’re all advocate destruction in one way or another.
There are literally over a billion Muslims in the world who practice their religion peacefully and perform regular acts of loving kindness. I’m sure you met some pretty “bad hombres” during your tours of duty, but I want to remind you that perhaps this was not a representative sampling of all the Muslims in the world. That’s what happens when you work in the military in a country you’re occupying: you meet the worst of the worst.
What do you suppose would happen if a visitor came to the United States and the only place he/she visited was a maximum security prison? I’m sure they would come away with the impression that Americans are rapists and murderers.
Finally, the Muslims deserve our deepest respect: they gave us algebra, trousers and hummus!
LikeLike
Again, your assumptions and position of arrogance are pretty startling. You must cary a very low opinion of those that are in the military, or perhaps you have had some bad interactions. To say that you are undereducated on the community that I served with would apparently be a drastic understatement.
Do you think that I am not smart enough to realize that those I encountered were not the representative of the whole? Do you really think you are the only one who can grasp such a concept?
If you were ever to personally have an interaction with a radical Islamist, you would no longer make the comparison that you did. They are not all the same. Again, a good academic concept, that fails in real life.
Why do you think that I, or anyone else would not think that muslims deserve our deepest respect? Assumptions, yet again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tell me, what was the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades all about, anyway?
LikeLike
I have been looking for a way to respond to the main article.
I owe no Seal,Marine, Sailor,or Airman anything.
Especially a voluntary force that wanted to join a killing machine. He didn’t join the Navy to sail the world and visit beautiful and exotic lands. He joined to become a Naval warfare specialist.
Killing comes with that job 100.
We did step where we shouldn’t. The retaliation against us was foretold long before many of our military men in combat were born.
Islam does NOT preach murder or genocide. The clerics have taken the devotion of a percentage and brainwashed them into believing jihad is commanded by God.
What about the hundreds of thousands of Muslims our efforts have killed or displaced as collateral casualties?
How are we truly innocent?
How many lands have Christians invaded? How many of my uncles,cousins,friends were brainwashed into going and getting some payback?
Last I checked.The only invasion we face is from illegal immigration and drugs.
Why are we not in Mexico?
I served 8 yrs,traveled this world,met hundreds of Muslims.
The biggest problem they mentioned to a simple boy from Detroit.We impose our will and rape them of resources.
Yes our men and women are brave,but the vets we owe are the vets that had no choice.
I am a Patriot second only to being God’s son.
How arrogant for a soldier to demand a debt when he himself owes it to those who came before him.
You don’t serve out of obligation.You serve because of Dedication.
You don’t speak for all of us.
I contracted 4 th stage cancer from vhemicsl exposure in service.All I am owed is the attempt by my government to cure that which one of it’s departments carelessly caused.
My fellow Americans ,some Muslim, owe me nothing but my rights afforded me by the Constitution.
A warrior that is owed a debt is nothing but a Mercenary.
God’s peace.
Sorry for hijacking your reply.
LikeLike
I’ve been lucky. My Son was in “Desert Storm”…my grandson just did 2 tours and ready to go back if called. Willing to give the ultimate sacrifice…his life for his country! The price of freedom. We are the greatest country in the world.. but still don’t get it!!! Richard Az
LikeLike
Amen
LikeLike
Tell me, was Timothy McVeigh a “radical Islamist?”
LikeLike
Not that I am aware of.
That, to me, seems like a completely non sequitur question? I don’t understand the point of asking it.
I just realized, that this entire conversation is attached to a post I wrote with the intent of reminding people the cost that some pay to allow what we have, whether you think it is crap, great, or somewhere in between, to continue.
I am not going to continue to debate the who, what, why, and when of who we are on this thread. Your opinions are yours, and I respect that. Ryan had his opinions as well, but he surrendered any future opinions so you and I can have ours. In my opinion, it’s too bad that the only thing you have yet to be able to say, is thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I say Thank You for all of The the voices that won’t. For God and Country.
LikeLike
Andy, I think you need to examine some of the implicit biases of you and your other contributors to this blog – for example, some of your contributors have demeaned me because I used “big words,” or because I work in “academia.” This implies that somehow my experiences are not as “real” or “valid” as anybody who served in the military. I have family and friends and neighbors and former students who have served in the military in the past and do so currently, so although I have not done so myself, I think I know something about it. I probably know as much about it as you know about my profession.
Here’s the thing that really bothers many of us about some people who serve in the military: we don’t appreciate the sanctimony. We don’t appreciate hearing over and over again that you are serving to protect us or preserve our freedoms. I’ll assume outright that you have a reason (like we all do) for doing what you do – for all I know, some military personnel are just after “3 hots and a cot,” but that’s not for me to say. I’ll assume you have good intentions, and you can assume I do as well. Does that seem fair? So let’s tone that part down.
Now here’s a question to you; other than attempting to bomb them out of existence (which I know you are smart enough to know is hopeless), what would you think would be a first good step towards diminishing this threat, well knowing that no threat can be 100% eliminated?
LikeLike
I will start from the bottom up.
I think the question is a great one, and one that should be asked more often. We cannot bomb our way out of this problem, that is a fact. Having said that, we do need to take steps to protect ourselves, so taking action is part of a solution. The other part, and what I feel is the critical step, is that the vast majority of Muslims, who do not identify with the radical elements inside of their own religion, need to take action. The threat from Radical Muslims can only be completely removed by Muslims themselves. If they chose not to do so, we are left in a position where action will often have to be taken. Even though the radical elements are small, just like here in the US, they often can have more impact than their non vocal, no violent majorities.
Again, I don’t know you at all, but from what I can gather from what you have written, you are a religious, passionate, educated, compassionate person, who I would hazard to guess would avoid violence at all costs (not meant pejoratively at all). People I have encountered, interacted with, personally, not through second or third hand stories, would kill you for who you are, and what you believe. You did NOTHING to them, there is no cause and effect, your compassion would be used by them as a weakness. Should we allow those people to train others, to covert others, to maneuver uncheck until they are in a position to do extreme damage to all those who do not share their beliefs?
We all have implicit biases, perhaps you should begin by examining some of your own? I have said nothing to you about “big words” or “academia”. What others say I have no control over, and what they say has nothing to do with me.
I have yet to say your experiences are not real or valid. If I have, please show me where. I have said some concepts fail the litmus test of real life, but never once mentioned your experiences?
I have never said that you do not “know anything about the military”. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I have said anything even remotely close to that. I have never claimed to know a single thing about your profession, and have made zero comments about it. I may not know what it is like to be a teacher, but I was raised in an academic environment, as is everyone from K-12, so I would say that I have a high level of familiarity with the profession, or at least more than a decade of experiences with its professionals, in the environment that they work. You may know people that have, and are serving, and that is great, but it may not provide the insight into military service that you think it does.
This may surprise you, but I don’t like the sanctimony either, that is why I don’t subscribe to it. I often speak, and write about exactly that. Perhaps take the time to scroll three posts down to a post titled “why you should not listen to anything I say”. You proclaim to know much about me, but it doesn’t really seem like you have done your research.
I am no longer in the military, I was medically retired after 17 years of service. I have never deviated from my position, my service was a privilege, and no one owes me anything for it. I joined at the age of 17 because I wanted to stand for what I believe in, and do not expect anyone else, nor look down on anyone else, for making other choices with their lives.
What part would you like me to tone down? The one post I have made on this blog where I wanted to highlight the sacrifice of a man? You found my blog, and the one post, and now I am sanctimonious?
I truly don’t know you, but if I had to pick one word to describe you, it would be arrogant. Nearly every comment you have made begins with a statement of your superiority. You have no problem putting others down, and seem unwilling to examine your own beliefs, while at the same time telling others just how wrong theirs are. Maybe you realize it, maybe you don’t, it is offensive. Maybe I am completely wrong, I don’t know. I would say the difference between you and I is that I am willing to explore that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
boom. done. Nothing to see here folks keep it moving. No one gets it until they see and smell the evil that is not of this earth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a war between good and evil. It rages inside of us at times. It also rages in outward demonstrations within collective groups- all wearing different costumes and with various actors across history. But it is the same. And it will seek to destroy and dominate wherever it lives. This is why we kill it in its hole. And it’s not hard to identify what “it” looks like, nor is it hard to ID those who are deceived by it and wish to counteraccuse others seeking to stop it to protect their own people. Lie, deny distort and confuse with the heavy smoke of “intelligence” and “compassion” for the very thing that will in fact kill them in their weakness.
The snake told the old lady who rescued it from death, you knew I was a snake when you let me in. The snake still bit her. Wake up little sheep and recognize who the enemy is and who we are to honor here. Mr Stumpf has made it quite clear.
Lastly, you may wish to ask why the Isamic population is virtually silent unless they are being told they will not change our constitution nor will they be allowed to stay here if they hate this country. Where are the marches against their own who are in fact killing their own people and anything else in its path.
LikeLike
Andy – I think there are more Muslims that are against this than you believe, but they don’t/can’t speak up because they’re scared to death. Let’s do a thought experiment; suppose you were raising a family in Germany in 1940 and you saw the rise of the Nazis and wanted to speak out; however, you knew that if you did, your entire family would be dragged out into the street and shot in full view of your neighbors, or taken to a camp and gassed?
The fears we have of Islamic terrorism in the United States are minuscule compared to the fear that “regular” people who live in these countries deal with every moment of their lives – a slip of the tongue, an “unholy” haircut, a conversation with the wrong person, all can mean certain death. This is why so few people rose up in Nazi Germany, and why so few Muslims are doing so in those countries.
I don’t know where you are, but I live in a city where there are more than 700,000 Muslims who work in our businesses, live in our neighborhoods, attend our schools, teach our children, cook our food, take care of our children and are as patriotic as anyone I have ever met. What do you think they should be doing beyond living their daily lives in peace?
LikeLike
Again, you make a statement quantifying my beliefs. You have no idea what my beliefs are as to the number of, or ratio of those speaking, or acting against the extremist.
This is not Nazi Germany, and this is not the 1940’s. We are talking about over a billion people, globally. I have a question for you, what defeated Nazism?
Are you sure your statement concerning the “regular” people who live in these countries is accurate? Have you spent any time among them, in those countries? Is your statement based in experience and personal exposure, or just how you feel?
I live in a place with a high Muslim population as well. You have said previously that “those who put Trump into office support misogyny, xenophobia, and racism.” By not speaking out, by not condemning those things, you feel they are supportive of them. Would the same not be true of Muslims remaining quiet? You can’t have it both ways.
There will always be an excuse, there is always an out of you are looking for it.
LikeLike
This is beyond ridiculous. Islamic Mulism people live here in this country. They are silent. You think the people of this country would have a problem with them protesting and marching in the streets AGAINST what their own are doing to their fellow Muslims and others? My friend your credibility in thinking has just shot itself in the face. This is exactly why thank God there are rational people still living and moving in this world who act. Go read the book by Boehnhoeffer and become educated.
LikeLike
“but they don’t/can’t speak up because they’re scared to death”- not true- they don’t speak up because that would be a violation of the book they study; which you are free to read and study anytime you wish.
LikeLike
Andy, there is a great deal of fear that we are heading towards a period similar to Nazi Germany. Do you think the new A.G. is going to promote First Amendment rights? Do you think he’s going to make it harder or easier for the poor and disenfranchised to vote? Do you think he’s going to make it easier for non-Christians to live in the United States? The highest official in law enforcement has a long history of disregard for the basic principles of freedom and he’ll work to do whatever his boss tells him to do, the Constitution be damned.
To return to the issue of Muslims not “rising up” in sufficient numbers: what would you propose doing to help them become more vocal about their opposition to these radicals who are perverting their religion, without putting their lives and the lives of their families in danger?
All cultures and religions have struggled with this kind of issue during different periods: who spoke out against the Spanish Inquisition? Who rose up to denounce the barbarity of the Crusades? Why did slavery endure in America for 245 years before it was finally abolished? Tough questions, no? It seems like we’re delving into the realm of social psychology; tricky terrain at best.
LikeLike
I don’t know what the new A.G. will do, only time will tell.
I have done everything I possibly can to help Muslims maintain their voice, and also physically resist. They are critically aware of what is going on, the ball is in their court.
I read back every comment you have made. I find it interesting you have answers no questions that I have asked you, and conveniently change topics at will, to suit your needs. I am amazed at your ability to postulate while avoiding any investigation of your own ideas.
It is truly exhausting. Feel free to continue to read the blog, or not, comment, or not. Up to you, the endless questions of my beliefs with the non existent answering of them from you is not worth my time.
LikeLike
Andy, you really want me to dissemble point by point everything you have accused me of or every question you’ve asked me? Nobody’s got that kind of time, my phren. But I will cop to arrogance, which is seldom appreciated. I’ve encountered it in others and I know it in myself, and truthfully, I’m too old to do away with it, and I think I’ve actually earned it. To me, arrogance is okay if you’ve got the chops to prove it – that’s why everybody loved Mohammed Ali.
As a progressive educator, I’m not in the business of giving out answers, but of asking questions, which is an occupational hazard that has existed at least since Socrates. What do you think defeated Nazism? Do you really think this continued cycle of hating on an enemy is really going to change things? Is turning away doctors, old women and children from our country really going to protect it? Were the children who died in the Yemen raid any less precious than yours and mine?
I’m truly sorry I’m exhausting you – go about your daily business and stay woke.
LikeLike
I have accused you of ZERO things. Have I asked questions, yes. Have you responded to them, no. You simple change the topic. I think it is fair to expect someone who asks a lot of questions of others to answer an equitable amount themselves. But, that could be just me. Look back at all the questions you have asked me, please point out a single one I have not responded to, but again, “who has that kind of time.”
A teacher who is not in the business of answering questions. Really? That is one of the most pathetic responses I have we heard. From an educator??
I asked you the question about Nazism simply out of curiosity for your answer, which at the time, I did not realize that you were not in the business of giving.
The children who died in the raid in Yemen were a tragic loss, as is the loss of any child. First, don’t believe everything you hear reported in the mainstream media. Second, the adults, men and women who would love nothing more than to cut your head off on YouTube, chose to raise them there, in that compound, fully aware of their actions. I hold them responsible.
Yes, your arrogance is exhausting. And no, I have never said that I am woke. I can’t think of a single time in my life I have used that term.
I am glad you think you deserve your arrogance, because of your “chops”, again, shocking to me coming from a educator. Especially coupled with your own recognition of it, and position that you are “too old” to do away with it. I wonder how you would respond if that was someone’s reasoning to you in the form of a response.
I have no doubt you feel superior in your position, reasoning, education, chops, experience, and “tolerance”. It seeps from your words. I hope it comforts you. To me, it simply defines the worst traits of humanity.
LikeLike
Liberal deviancy is like a virus that keeps mutating. At some point it becomes unrecognizable. There is evil and there is good. And often evil will masquerade as good to reach its endpoint. Death and destruction. God explained this to us. He then gave us choice.
LikeLike
Andy, are you serious that you have “no idea” what the new A.G. will do? Are you aware of his record? Do you know his past? Do you know what state he comes from? You are being willfully ignorant; I’m no political scientist, but even I can make a pretty decent prediction that he’s not going to be fighting for expanding free speech or civil rights, and that he’s probably going to expand the rights of corporations to pollute our air, water and land, restrict people’s rights to vote, and persecute Mexicans and Muslims. As brother Bob Dylan said, you don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.
As for helping out, forget your support of Muslims; why don’t you do something about Christian support for radical groups like the KKK, the American Nazi Party and the “Alt-Right” movement, which is another name for rebranded white nationalism?
LikeLike
Seek God first above all else and it will be delivered. Matt 6:33. There’s your answer becasue most have not and refuse to do so. Moving on. Thank you for your service, commitment and sacrifices for this country and us and our families. We cannot pay this back to you. We can only say thank you and stand today, with heads down and whisper -Much respect. We love you.
LikeLike
No question. Only thanks for all you’ve personally done for our country.
LikeLike
Intolerance is a double edged sword- all depends on whose swinging it. Progressive/Liberal Deviancy will eventually cut its own head off. And still blame someone else.
LikeLike
I have to say it, and Mr Stumf as the moderator may remove it and I’m fine with that. Stupidified ass sheep that cannot critically think based on real time data and fact. That is the problem. That will always be the problem. Hence the reason why there are people who must protect them from the wolves waiting outside the fence as they go to eat nicer grass and tell themselves that it’s not really a wolf. Done here.
LikeLike
Pingback: A Debt That Cannot Be Repaid | GreenersGrainofSalt
May you all be blessed with not just only the proper tools to do the job, but always the proper RULES, as in Rules Of Engagement. For those who go in Harm’s Way, to ensure the Freedoms we enjoy in life, outside the wire and downrange, may God watch over you, keep you safe and bring you home in one piece.
Mauri Presser
USN Veteran, volunteer rescue worker in the aftermath of the Oct 23 1983 bombing of the 24th MAU in Beirut Lebanon.
LikeLike
This relates not to the initial post, but more to some of the comments that followed.
****
In late May, I was thinking there are too many terror groups in the world & that someone should break them into divisions like sports teams so that most of us could keep track.
Later that night, I began to do that.
60 terrorists groups are currently recognized by the USA as operating around the world. All but 8 of these are based in the Middle East, Africa or Asia.
*47 of these groups are Islamic
*6 are communist related & a couple of these haven’t been active for some time
*1 is Buddhist
*1 is Jewish
*1 is Hindu
*4 are Christian
While the terror committed by the Islamic groups has reached global proportions, the acts committed by the others tend to be regionally based.
For example, most of the Christian based terrorists groups had prior links to the IRA with their terror based primarily in Ireland & the UK, with one non-IRA group based in Spain. The Buddhist terror group is based in Japan. The Hindu group in India. The Jewish group in Israel. Even the communist terror groups tend to be regional, several in Columbia, one in Greece, one in the Philippines.
But the Islamic terrorists have launched their terror around the world. To me, this makes the 47 Islamic groups much more dangerous than the others.
If 47 out of 60 terrorists groups have roots in the Muslim faith, it makes me wonder if love & acceptance of all faiths & even the faithless is being preached from their pulpits. Or, is it hate of all non-Muslims that’s being shouted.
Islam will not cease to lead the world in terror as long as their culture embraces it, as long as those practicing the Muslim religion sit silent or spend their time trying to redirect attention to other problems elsewhere, or as long as their leaders continue to preach hate, rather than live & let live, love & let love.
Most terror taking place in the world is rooted in the Muslim faith, in Islam, & that’s where the change must begin. Even then, one doesn’t undo what’s been taught for generations overnight.
LikeLike
One more great article from fantastic article writer.
Thank you for you blogging site! It is always interesting to read you writings.
A bit of time ago I was considering about writing my own blogging
site but I don’t have any time even to create articles for university because of my part-time work.
In these cases I take a look at this web page Jessie
where I can discover good quality ratings and opt for the reputable authoring organization.
LikeLike
Thank you for this well-arranged blog post about %BT%!
This is exactly I was in need of. Not everybody can compose just like the writer of this blog site.
Many people have complications with penning. And I want to distribute the link to the web page Ardis which
helps me a lot with my composing complications. I hope it will be useful for those with same difficulty as mine.
LikeLike
Hard to read without tears, Andy.
Hope you’re doing well.
LikeLike
Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m
completely overwhelmed .. Any tips? Appreciate it! http://forums.tsl247.tv/member.php?action=viewpro&member=MireyaIrx7
LikeLike
Right here is the perfect website for anyone who wants to understand this topic.
You know so much its almost hard to argue with you
(not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for many years.
Wonderful stuff, just great! https://braindug.be/forum/can-bunk-bed-help-baby-want-underestimation-goodnight
LikeLike
Amen Tim!
LikeLike
This was a great post. Thank you for sharing it.
Andy, I don’t say this lightly….you seem like an articulate man. Keep telling your story and ignore the naysayers.
LikeLike
Pingback: A Debt That Cannot Be Repaid • The Havok Journal – Capital Combat