John McCain and the Pledge of Allegiance

Back in early 2008, when we knew who the candidates would be for the Presidency, I received an email from a friend that was supposed to be stated or written by John McCain. I checked it on snopes.com, and it turned out to be legit, so am posting it here. The election is over, so just read it...not as something to sway your vote, but as something to consider the next time you take The Pledge of Allegiance for granted...I'm not accusing you of taking it for granted, I sometimes do myself, and need to be reminded.

The Pledge of Allegiance - by Senator John McCain.

As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room.

This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POWs 10,000 miles from home. One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian.

Mike came from a small town near Selma, Alabama. He didn't have a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17 , he enlisted in the US Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succeed.

As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing. Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed on the inside of his shirt. Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was indeed the most important and meaningful event. One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically, and discovered Mike's shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it.

That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours. Then, they opened the door of the cell and threw him in. We cleaned him up as well as we could.

The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which we slept. Four naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room.

As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room, and sitting there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making another American flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how important it was to us to be able to Pledge our allegiance to our flag and country.

So the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world. You must remember our duty, our honor, and our country

'I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God , indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'"

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Spoiled Americans, What Are We Complaining About?

During the 2nd week in January of 2008, I came across an article that was attributed to Jay Leno by many, but actually written by Craig Smith of WorldNetDaily. I love the article, and don't want to loose it, so am posting it here, a reminder of just how blessed we are. The article follows, or you can click the article title to go directly to the article. It was written around Thanksgiving time a few years back, but is a good reminder any time of year.

Made in the USA: Spoiled Brats

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am.

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments that Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did … insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:

''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''

I suggest this Thanksgiving [ or any day...right now] we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.

A Disaster Like Haiti Can Bring Out Our Best

Why does it take a disaster to bring people together in a common force for good? Yes, disasters are capable of bringing out the worst in people, but more often I think they bring out the best. People and Nations pull together to help. We have many examples of this, for our Nation times like the attack at The World Trade Center, and now not far from our shores, the earthquake in the nation of Haiti centered in Port-au-Prince.

Are you at a loss as to what to do?

• Pray..are you at a loss for words? Visit Natural Disaster Relief - What Can I Do? for a prayer guide that will help you focus your thoughts and prayers.
• Give, even if it is just a little. Many giving a little can go a long way. Visit the above link for organizations where you can give.
• Hands on - if your life circumstances and physical abilities allow it, you may want to go to Haiti and do hands-on work to help.
  

We all can do something, this is America at it's best, my dream is that we could be this way day in and day out, not just during crisis...and many are.

Mike Huckabee in 2007 and Now

I was looking through some of my older writings, and found something I had forgotten about...some thoughts on Mike Huckabee and his boldness in sharing his faith and feelings about Christmas, 2007, when he was hoping to be President. Now, two years later, we see how blessed Mike Huckabee has been, he has a wonderful show on FOX News...is gracious to all of his guests, no matter what their view or background, yet honest and bold when needed. And he has been promoting a new book for Christmas 2009.

At the time that I wrote the following, he was a Presidential wanna-be, originally posted December 19, 2007:

Christmas never went anywhere, and neither has Christ, people have moved away from Christmas and Christ until up from Iowa there arose so much chatter, and everyone listened to see what was the matter! Mike Huckabee decided to boldly proclaim his feelings about Christmas, saying Merry Christmas, and much more!

As a result, some of the other Candidates are SUDDENLY saying
Merry Christmas! For me, this is just wonderful. By being bold and unashamed of what he believes, Mike Huckabee has moved WAY over to the right, and is pulling some of those hanging out in the center over with him, at least when it comes to saying Merry Christmas. Why? Because it's obvious that people are LISTENING, and like what they HEAR, including this blogger.

Now, lest we get caught up in the political aspect of this alone, let me just say that you can say "Merry Christmas" all you want, what is really important is knowing what is so special about the One who's birth we celebrate on Christmas...and that isn't politics, it's Truth.

Soldier Shares What Is Worth Dying For

It's been a couple of years since I received this story from a friend of mine, Norma, who was keeping in touch with a soldier in Iraq. As we think of sending more soldiers to Afghanistan under a different Commander in Chief, and as the holidays approach, it seems good to remember our military, to get into the minds of some of them...this young man is Greg. At the time of this writing, my friend shared that she had not heard from him in a long while, and was not sure if something had happened to him, or if he was just very busy. His words are appropriate even now, 2 years later.

The following is one of 3 writings he calls "Essays" that he has been sending to my friend, dated August of 2007:

My sister has said that she will be deployed to Iraq instead of Afghanistan. That would make seven out of the eight members in my family that have served. We will know for sure in October, 2007.

The American Troops

This subject is the basis for nearly all debates concerning the war. What is the role of the American soldier in Iraq? Is it worth staying in Iraq in order to continue the fight with our soldiers dying? Are they dying for anything? How should we (citizens and politicians) support them? I intend to answer these questions in the 3^rd of 9 essays.

What do our soldiers do in Iraq? Most people wouldn’t give you a correct answer if you asked them. Most people’s responses would probably consist of “They kill people and get killed by car bombs.” While they are there to destroy our enemies there are many other major operations that our soldiers carry out. One of the main roles of our soldiers is to train Iraqi security forces, both army and police. They train them on a daily basis in order to help the Iraqis be able to sustain their own security. Our soldiers also do a lot of humanitarian aid. Giving out candy, medical supplies, school supplies and clothes is a daily occurrence in Iraq. We are building new infrastructure and rebuilding old or damaged infrastructure.

While our soldiers do die in Iraq they aren’t dying for “nothing”. Along with giving their lives for our country they are also giving it for the battled Iraqi citizens who have endured more than most of us could ever imagine.

Talking about the lives of our soldiers is a very sensitive issue. I in no way mean to demean or trivialize our soldiers lives. I have served in Iraq and so has most of my family. I have put myself in the situation in which many soldiers have. I understand what they are feeling and facing. In my opinion the freedom and security of our country and of the Iraqis is worth the risk of losing more American lives in Iraq. Does an American soldiers life trump that of a Shi’ite, Sunni, or Kurd? I don’t believe so. I am a God fearing man and believe the Iraqis are children of God as are all our soldiers. Every soldier took an oath to follow the Commander in Chief (The President) and is obligated to follow orders. Joining the military comes with an inherent knowledge that you may be called to war and you may not come home. While no one wants our soldiers to be killed in war, it is the situation we are in. It is the risk they face everyday. In order to remember the sacrifices of those who haven’t come home we must stay and fight. We must stay and help the Iraqis win the freedom and security that they long for. We must protect freedom.

Are they dying for anything? Absolutely. Our freedom, our kids freedom and the freedom of all people, especially the Iraqis. Osama Bin Laden himself said that Iraq is the central front to the war between freedom loving people and Islamic extremism. Make no mistake, freedom is on the line. With all the effort our soldiers have put into the country of Iraq we must finish the job. If we leave Iraq prematurely and retreat from our enemies then we will have disgraced all that our soldiers have fought for.

How can we help? As normal citizens, there are dozens of websites that allow you to help soldiers in some way or another. By sending food, candy or other necessities you can help our men and women over seas. You can also help the Iraqis by organizing drives for school supplies, medical supplies and clothes and sending them to an army unit for distribution.

You can also help by not letting the media fool you. They are oblivious to the reality in Iraq. I will explain more on the media and Iraq in another essay. Politicians can help by staying out of the way. Let the generals on the ground manage the war.

Our soldiers are the greatest in the world. They may not be perfect but they do their duty and they have made the ultimate sacrifices. The true heroes are the ones that haven’t come home to us. God bless them and their families. Pray for our troops as they watch over you.

Greg