A melting pot, a nation of immigrants, a diversive country. These are just some of the terms used for years to describe the United States. This is what has made it great.
Oh yes, there has always been some form of segregation. China town, the Irish, Italian, Jewish and black neighborhoods. In sociology, an ethnic enclave is a geographic area with high ethnic concentration, characteristic cultural identity, and economic activity. But for the most part, this has not been forced, it is the result of new immigrants feeling comfortable in a strange but welcoming land.
Now, one cannot read or watch the news without a story based on being prejudiced. A man shot by law enforcement for being different. A law enforcement officer shot just for wearing a uniform. A woman wearing a head covering being told she is not welcomed in a store. A man with distinct Muslim sounding name being looked at as suspect. Someone with a Hispanic name associated with drug-dealers.
It seems, at times, we no longer view our diversity as our strength. Many years ago the term WASP was used to describe the majority here. WASP, an acronym for White Anglo Saxon Protestant. Today, I don't recall hearing that term. Maybe its not politically correct. A term I loath by the way.
As long as our leaders continue to foster these ideas for their own agendas our diversity will remain fractured by divisiveness. In the past months I recall seeing stories on the news about "Black Lives Matter" and "White Lives Matter". What if we just agreed that "All Lives Matter."
In combat, our men and women don't care who is next to them. They will always "have their back." When someone is wounded or is in surgery the color of the blood is the same. There is no difference. We need to join together for our own common good. To reach the potential of greatness we all aspire to achieve.
The United States is a great nation. Our citizens make it great not our politicians. It is great because of our work force, because of our teachers, our military, our health care workers. It is great because of the diversity not the division.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Our Immigrants May Save The United States
Care for a challange this election year? See if you are smart enough to pass the U.S. Citizenship Test as required for immigrants aspiring to become a citizen. A scary statistic is only 65% of Americans can do this now.
The Washington Times has an example of 100 civics questions on the naturalization test. The link is: http://www.washingtontimes.com/quiz/2015/feb/11/us-citizenship-test-could-you-pass/
Perhaps this is why the presidential candidates can charge their rhetoric with such statements regarding things they say they will do.
Abolishing or changing a Constitutional Amendment is outlined in Article V of the Constitution and is a long and involved process. In our nation's 240 year history it has only been done twenty-seven times and the fact that the first ten (and the twenty-seventh) amendments were proposed during the First Congress.
For a nominee to state they will change or abolish a specific law is an impossibility without Congressional action. This is one reason our founding fathers designed our government to have three seperate and distinct branches: The Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. A method of checks and balances.
Yet, the electorate always seems to believe their nominee can do all they say or promise. Our newly sworn in citizens know better and hopefully this gives them an edge in casting their first ballot. They know what can and cannot be done by the individual seeking the office of President of the United States.
This election year I have given some thought to throwing my hat in the ring for our nation's highest office. I have even figured out how I could win and just spend a few thousand dollars. First, I would go to court and legally change my name to "None of the Above." The, get put on each state's ballot.
Maybe I could find a running mate with the name "Who Cares."
If you don't vote you shouldn't be allowed to bitch!
The Washington Times has an example of 100 civics questions on the naturalization test. The link is: http://www.washingtontimes.com/quiz/2015/feb/11/us-citizenship-test-could-you-pass/
Perhaps this is why the presidential candidates can charge their rhetoric with such statements regarding things they say they will do.
Abolishing or changing a Constitutional Amendment is outlined in Article V of the Constitution and is a long and involved process. In our nation's 240 year history it has only been done twenty-seven times and the fact that the first ten (and the twenty-seventh) amendments were proposed during the First Congress.
For a nominee to state they will change or abolish a specific law is an impossibility without Congressional action. This is one reason our founding fathers designed our government to have three seperate and distinct branches: The Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. A method of checks and balances.
Yet, the electorate always seems to believe their nominee can do all they say or promise. Our newly sworn in citizens know better and hopefully this gives them an edge in casting their first ballot. They know what can and cannot be done by the individual seeking the office of President of the United States.
This election year I have given some thought to throwing my hat in the ring for our nation's highest office. I have even figured out how I could win and just spend a few thousand dollars. First, I would go to court and legally change my name to "None of the Above." The, get put on each state's ballot.
Maybe I could find a running mate with the name "Who Cares."
If you don't vote you shouldn't be allowed to bitch!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Duty, Honor and Integrity
Duty, honor and integrity are three qualities we all admire and respect. But how many of us know the common thread that binds all three?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary here are the definitions of each:
1. Duty: Something that you must do because it is morally right.
2. Honor: High moral standards of behavior.
3. Integrity: Firm adherence to a code especially moral.
The common thread is simple it is concerning or relating to what is right and wrong. It is a common thread that all those who have or currently wear the uniform of the United States military share. They are mandatory qualities of every officer and without question the Commander-in-Chief.
Recent comments from a presidential nominee show a total lack of any of these qualities. Although, I must say some of Donald Trump's comments I have agreed with. To see a candidate that wasn't concerned with being politically correct is refreshing. But, when he demonstrates a total lack of duty, honor and integrity as he did last Thursday, that is inexcusable.
To defame a man who made the ultimate sacrifice and his family is abhorrent. Captain
Humayun Khan gave his life to protect the men under his command. Khizr and Ghazalla Khan, his parents were targets of Trump's ignorance, prejudice and total lack of respect.
Here were the parents of a fallen U.S. Army captain, still deep in mourning and palpably proud to be Americans; and here were Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, keenly aware of their uncomfortable place at the center of this year’s presidential campaign; and here was a pocket Constitution, in recent years a popular giveaway for conservative and evangelical groups; and here was a hijab, the Muslim head covering that has become a shorthand for the debate over Islam’s place in the Western world.
The overwhelming response to the appearance by the Khans reflected the cultural and political divide that has dominated American discourse since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Many people took Khizr Khan’s lecture to Donald Trump about liberty and xenophobia as a statement about what patriotism and American identity really mean. Many others took the speech as a partisan blast but nonetheless a powerful plea from parents mourning the death of an American soldier.
Trump took it as a personal affront.
Senator John McCain was another target for the presidential nominee when he rejected Sen. McCain's heroism. As a young Navy officer John McCain spent more than five harrowing years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese. The injuries he suffered then are still apparent today.
Yet, this man believes he is qualified to be Commander-in-Chief. That thought terrifies me.
As a veteran, a decorated Army officer who served as a combat commander in Vietnam and Afghanistan the very idea that churns my stomach. While all of us who have worn or currently wear the uniform of the United States will defend freedom of speech, I will not defend anyone who shows such disregard and disrepect for our military and the families who sacrifice so much.
Think twice and very seriously about your vote this November.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary here are the definitions of each:
1. Duty: Something that you must do because it is morally right.
2. Honor: High moral standards of behavior.
3. Integrity: Firm adherence to a code especially moral.
The common thread is simple it is concerning or relating to what is right and wrong. It is a common thread that all those who have or currently wear the uniform of the United States military share. They are mandatory qualities of every officer and without question the Commander-in-Chief.
Recent comments from a presidential nominee show a total lack of any of these qualities. Although, I must say some of Donald Trump's comments I have agreed with. To see a candidate that wasn't concerned with being politically correct is refreshing. But, when he demonstrates a total lack of duty, honor and integrity as he did last Thursday, that is inexcusable.
To defame a man who made the ultimate sacrifice and his family is abhorrent. Captain
Humayun Khan gave his life to protect the men under his command. Khizr and Ghazalla Khan, his parents were targets of Trump's ignorance, prejudice and total lack of respect.
Here were the parents of a fallen U.S. Army captain, still deep in mourning and palpably proud to be Americans; and here were Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, keenly aware of their uncomfortable place at the center of this year’s presidential campaign; and here was a pocket Constitution, in recent years a popular giveaway for conservative and evangelical groups; and here was a hijab, the Muslim head covering that has become a shorthand for the debate over Islam’s place in the Western world.
The overwhelming response to the appearance by the Khans reflected the cultural and political divide that has dominated American discourse since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Many people took Khizr Khan’s lecture to Donald Trump about liberty and xenophobia as a statement about what patriotism and American identity really mean. Many others took the speech as a partisan blast but nonetheless a powerful plea from parents mourning the death of an American soldier.
Trump took it as a personal affront.
Senator John McCain was another target for the presidential nominee when he rejected Sen. McCain's heroism. As a young Navy officer John McCain spent more than five harrowing years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese. The injuries he suffered then are still apparent today.
Yet, this man believes he is qualified to be Commander-in-Chief. That thought terrifies me.
As a veteran, a decorated Army officer who served as a combat commander in Vietnam and Afghanistan the very idea that churns my stomach. While all of us who have worn or currently wear the uniform of the United States will defend freedom of speech, I will not defend anyone who shows such disregard and disrepect for our military and the families who sacrifice so much.
Think twice and very seriously about your vote this November.
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