Let's try an experiement...

Let's argue opposing viewpoints. You take a position you don't agree with and I'll do the same. We'll play devil's advocate. We'll learn from this experimentation and maybe better understand the opposite position better when we're done.

Except

Instead of calling it "opposing viewpoints" or "devil's advocate" let's call it left wing and right wing. And instead of actually doing our own research into why one or the other feels that way, let's just spout reguritated talking points from both sides, after all we know why they feel the way they do so why should we do any research? And since we lump them all together we don't have to tax our brains as to why there are variances and differences in party thinking. Saves time, right?

Now how much understanding do you think someone would actually gain from this ill thought out experiment?

Me too.

I'm so thoroughly sick of partisan bullshit from both sides of the political arena. I'm sick of the labels. Sick of the mindset that republicans and democrats will never come to terms on any issue. If that's so then go ahead and blow us off the map now.

I'm sick of college kids deciding that they have the keys to the political kingdom and of the arrogance that they have nothing to learn. They, as much as any other group, widen the chasm of division.

I will leave a forum before my objections are silenced. I will cut my ties and move on. There is NOTHING to be gained in charactures of radical political beliefs being presented as party stances. If someone can't grasp that concept they aren't worth my time.

Ed Schultz is a progressive talker who had gained popularity but seems to be fading. He has a message board that I had frequented since it's inception. That changed today. Lots of good people there but they really have no desire to hear or read any opinion other than their own and they certainly don't want to be questioned.

That's sad. When we question ourselves and our motives we often grow and learn more than we ever can with complacency.

But I'm done fighting the bull shit stereotypes.

RIP President Ford

I'm currently involved in a debate with someone who feels that Ford received a "kings salary" as a pension for a benign presidency.

Let's forget for a moment that Gerald Ford was president during one of the most difficult periods of our history. He followed Nixon and had the wise inclination to pardon him, thus taking away the possibility that the nation would become embroiled in bitter partisan hearings. We needed to heal, Ford realized this but admitted that pardoning Nixon was the hardest thing he had ever done. It did, however, allow us to move past Watergate and move forward instead of staying emmeshed in the deeds of a madman.

But Ford served 25 years in Congress and as Vice President before taking the fate of the US in his hands. 25 years. That's not a small amount of service.

For his efforts he received a pension of around 250,000 a year.

I doubt any "king" would survive on that.

Sometimes self centerness and self pity takes away our ability to be objective. Someone who wants so badly to be unique and out of the norm instead becomes bitter and greedy which is what I believe to have happened regarding this particuliar view.

Ford served the US wisely and for many years. The fact that we did not dissolve into a stalemate of partisanship says his term was not "benign" in any way.

Another Christmas away from home

Are you still angry?

I am.

I watch video's of the attack on 9-11 and anger still seethes just below the surface composure the world sees.

I am angry that the men who perpetrated this attack have not been found. I'm angry that we, through the ineptitude, arrogance or manipulations of our government officals, have allowed them to go free.

I want Osama Bin Laden captured and tried. I want him to have to face the wrath of each person who lost a loved one on that day.

I'm angry that Bush sent our troops into Iraq without a valid reason and I'm angry that he was so short sighted that he didn't see the problems removing Saddam would bring.

I'm angry at the people who want to use 9-11 conspiracy theories as a divisive political battering ram. I'm angry that the INSANE theories about holograms and demolition are EVEN given a SLIGHT BIT of credibility.

But mostly I'm angry that honorable men and women have been put in harms way for false reasons. They deserved the truth. They deserved to be honorably dispatched. They deserved to have their lives and their service honored.

Watch
And remember...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fH7c8H6SNw

A Soldier's Silent Night



[Adapted from the original U.S.M.C. Version]

The original version was written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987 under the title "Merry Christmas, My Friend."

The audio recording of this adapted version was recorded by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen Stout. Father Berndt was a priest at Bread of Life Charismatic Episcopal Church in Dousman, Wisconsin, a proud Marine, and a WWII Purple Heart recipient.

The poem was recorded in one take. The recording received a national A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) award from the March of Dimes and continues to be played in radio stations across the country.

Father Berndt passed away March 19th, 2004 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. According to his daughter, "All he ever wanted to do was touch lives...to make a difference. We are blessed to share "A Soldier's Silent Night" again with you this Christmas."



A Soldier's Silent Night

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.



http://www.friendshipsfire.com/untilyoureturn/index.html

A Prayer For Our Soldiers

May God walk beside you each day
May He protect you if harm comes your way.

May He give you wisdom in all that you do
and keep you safe with each task you pursue.

May He bring swift end to the world's troubled brow
and His most precious peace on us then endow.

May you know you stay in our thoughts
and our hearts
when your path and your duty keep us apart.

May the days pass quickly until you're part of
our home once again, surrounded by our love.