In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
by John McCrae, May 1915
Thank you to all those who have served in our military, living, wounded, or fallen. We can never do enough to recognize you and thank you.
Bravo Zulu
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
A beginning
This blog is to give me an opportunity to say what I think in a separate venue than my art blog.
I am astounded by the things I have read about the Ft Hood massacre. This was not an isolated incident that doesn't relate to the killer's faith. It is in fact precisely because of his faith that he killed. To deny this is to close your eyes and thrust your head firmly into the sand. We as Americans like to believe that all people are peaceful, no matter what the actual facts are. We want to be the gentle, tolerant, politically correct nation... so we ignore inconvenient demonstated facts. Not all cultures are peaceful, not all thelogies and ethic systems are equivalent. From its inception the spread of Islam has been a violent process, and after nearly 1300 years, that hasn't changed.
So why are we surprised by MAJ Hasan's murderous rampage in Texas? He spoke openly of his radical violent thoughts and recently followed the steps several of the 9/11 terrorists made, giving away his things, saying goodbye to people, visiting strip bars and drinking alcohol. He then put on Islamic clothing, armed himself and entered a crowded building. Some are actually painting him as a victim... he had PTSD (but hadn't been in combat), he was "harrassed" for his beliefs (rather he had heated arguments with others advocating violence, that is NOT harrassment), and somehow that excuses his murder of 13 unarmed people.
Well, it doesn't excuse anything. He never saw combat, lots of people have and haven't gone on a killing spree. Lots of people deal with true harrassment and don't murder. We have seen other instances of Islamic violence in the military... the murder at the recruiting center, the grenade throwing soldier in Kuwait, how many more do we allow to happen before we stop ignoring real signs of disaster? We need to change our focus from "diversity" to security. Political correctness should not trump truth and intelligence. Open your eyes people, the emperor HAS NO CLOTHES!
I am astounded by the things I have read about the Ft Hood massacre. This was not an isolated incident that doesn't relate to the killer's faith. It is in fact precisely because of his faith that he killed. To deny this is to close your eyes and thrust your head firmly into the sand. We as Americans like to believe that all people are peaceful, no matter what the actual facts are. We want to be the gentle, tolerant, politically correct nation... so we ignore inconvenient demonstated facts. Not all cultures are peaceful, not all thelogies and ethic systems are equivalent. From its inception the spread of Islam has been a violent process, and after nearly 1300 years, that hasn't changed.
So why are we surprised by MAJ Hasan's murderous rampage in Texas? He spoke openly of his radical violent thoughts and recently followed the steps several of the 9/11 terrorists made, giving away his things, saying goodbye to people, visiting strip bars and drinking alcohol. He then put on Islamic clothing, armed himself and entered a crowded building. Some are actually painting him as a victim... he had PTSD (but hadn't been in combat), he was "harrassed" for his beliefs (rather he had heated arguments with others advocating violence, that is NOT harrassment), and somehow that excuses his murder of 13 unarmed people.
Well, it doesn't excuse anything. He never saw combat, lots of people have and haven't gone on a killing spree. Lots of people deal with true harrassment and don't murder. We have seen other instances of Islamic violence in the military... the murder at the recruiting center, the grenade throwing soldier in Kuwait, how many more do we allow to happen before we stop ignoring real signs of disaster? We need to change our focus from "diversity" to security. Political correctness should not trump truth and intelligence. Open your eyes people, the emperor HAS NO CLOTHES!
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