MY INTRODUCTORY RANT
THIS PAGE IS FOR PATRIOTS. It’s for those of you who are unapologetic about being American. Here you’ll find images, sounds and commentary about people, places and things that make me especially proud to be an American. Patriots will enjoy reading this page and I suspect you’ll look forward to returning to it as our Great American Adventure continues and unfolds. The rest of you will not enjoy this page. You won’t want to return. Sorry, I frankly don’t give a hoot.
I believe in our country, our Constitution, the rule of law and the opportunities afforded to our citizens. I support the First Amendment…our right to express beliefs and opinions unfettered by government authority. I honor and respect the Office of the President of the United States and the method by which one is elected to serve in that Office. Our country is the most civilized, the most self-representative, the most generous and the most orderly in the entire world. I’m proud to be an American citizen.
Signing the Declaration of Independence.
I RESENT AMERICAN APOLOGISTS. I don’t respect those who apologize for being American, for all that America represents. I vehemently disagree with those who apologize for our institutions and our “way of doing things” here. Especially when these apologies come from the our President, the leader of the free world, the one charged with protecting us as citizens and with protecting the homeland. For Barack Hussein Obama to apologize for “the mistakes of America” which have led to world problems disgusts me. It’s reprehensible for him to solicit international approval before making presidential decisions in our country’s best interest.
HERE’S THE PROBLEM: Barack Hussein Obama is a community activist. He’s a former short-time junior Senator. He’s a law school lecturer (even though he claims to have been a professor). He’s inexperienced about foreign affairs. In fact, foreign affairs don’t interest him. Worse yet, he doesn’t follow the advice of those he’s selected to advise him, such as the very well-qualified and experienced former Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta (whose new book chronicles the problem) or apparently that of our extraordinary hard-working and astute current Assistant Secretary of Defense…my friend Michael Lumpkin. Why in the world do we not only apologize for having allowed school prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom and for acknowledgment of God while at the same time encouraging those of other faiths to freely articulate and practice their religious rituals in our schools? Can someone explain this to me? Is there any logical reason for this? Come on…give it a try. I’ll respect your right to debate me, but you better “hold your hat” because I’ll throw my patriotic opinions at you so fast they’ll knock you down for the count! Your view makes no sense. (I used to advise my clients in appropriate situations, “Don’t try to make sense of [it.] It doesn’t make sense. It’ll never make sense. Don’t fret or waste your energy trying.”) The views of these apologists are the same…you can’t make any sense of them because they don’t make any sense.
Raising the flag on Iwo Jima. February 23, 1945.
LET’S RECALL OUR HISTORY. LET’S CALL A SPADE A SPADE. Let’s welcome those who come to America legally. Their commitment by definition demonstrates their subscription to American values and the way of life we cherish. These folks learn to speak our language and proudly sport American flag lapel pins. They don’t demand Spanish be spoken rather than English. They don’t fly the flag of Mexico in their yards and parks. Let’s keep those who don’t want to learn our ways, speak our language and assimilate out of here. Let’s not just strengthen our borders, let’s make them impossible to penetrate illegally. If we can put a man on the moon, we can certainly build a wall that will keep illegals on their side of it. Don’t tell me we can’t. Don’t tell me it would be too expensive. Look at the cost of our failure to do so!
One nation under God…
FORGET ABOUT BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT. JUST FORGET IT! Let’s forget about being politically correct. Let’s call a spade a spade. Mr. President, that tree on the front lawn of the White House is a Christmas tree, not a holiday tree. Jesus is the reason for the season, get it? This country was founded on a belief in God. Let’s not forget that. We can and should allow citizens to practice their religion without interference, but let’s not forget that a belief in God is what so many Americans sacrificed to protect. Let’s not get exercised about reasonable, logical, based-on-fact profiling. Not every Muslim is a terrorist…but so far every terrorist has been a Muslim. Why do we strip-search the Caucasian grandmother with the tightly permed blue hairdo while we wave Abdul and his camel right past the TSA inspection area at the airport? What? What? Use your head for a minute. Think…think, think! Honestly, I doesn’t hurt.
THAT’S MY VIEW. WHAT’S YOURS? IF YOU DISAGREE, HAVE YOU GOT THE COURAGE TO DEBATE? So for the rest of you, the patriots…the unapologetic patriots, sit back and enjoy this page. It will get better and better with the passage of time…as we continue our journey across America. Welcome!
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FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a federal military cemetery, located on the grounds of the former Army coastal Artillery Station Fort Rosecrans, and is administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s located in San Diego overlooking the Bay and the City from one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It’s named after William Rosecrans, a Union General in the American Civil War.
Although the cemetery was closed for new burials in the late 1960’s, the recent addition of concrete walls for cremated remains has allowed thousands of World War II Veterans to be interred since then. Once maximum cemetery occupancy has been reached, the cemetery will be transferred to the National Park System and the grounds will be maintained by park employees.
Fort Rosecrans is one of the most beautiful landmarks in San Diego. The Memorial Day celebration is the largest festivity in San Diego. If ever you have a chance to attend, do so. It will be an experience that you’ll never forget.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Having lived in San Diego for so many years, I had the privilege of visiting this spot and paying my respects dozens of times.
MEMORIAL DAY 2014 AT THE ELKS LODGE IN SILVERTON, OREGON.
American Flags on display at an Elks Lodge in Washington. Memorial Day, 2014
MEMORIAL DAY, 2016. BARRANCAS NATIONAL CEMETERY AT PENSACOLA NAVAL AIR STATION.
Each of the 3,500 graves was decorated with an American Flag, courtesy of local Boy Scouts of America.
Our Pensacola friend Jon gave us a tour of the national cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. Jon’s a former USMC Captain, who was a combat pilot during the Vietnam War.
