Reflections on Public Service
Dear Editor,
As I read about the Nov. 3 decision in Bowe Bergdahl’s court martial, I was painfully reminded that my youngest brother was killed in November 1969, at 20 years of age, serving in the Army in Vietnam. My first thoughts were bitter.
My brother died because he chose to serve rather than to evade the draft by lying, cheating or even by escaping to Canada, as approximately 60,000 American citizens chose to do.
Ultimately, the Vietnam War draft dodgers and even deserters were given amnesty and, in some cases, pardons. These amnesties and pardons were meant to reunite the country, as President Lincoln sought to do after the Civil War.
But, in my case, it did not help me to heal. Instead, I felt that it made a mockery of the life my brother lost because he chose to honor his citizenship by serving when called to serve. Amnesties told those that ran away from service, or subsequently deserted while in service, and those that would choose to do likewise in the future, that one would likely be forgiven. I was concerned about the precedent set.
When someone is given a thing of significant value for free, without having to work for it, scrimp and save for it and put in blood, sweat and tears for it, that thing can never be as cherished by the recipient as it is cherished by someone who worked to earn it.
I think that the same holds true for citizenship. Those who have never performed military service (or other forms of public service) for their country can never fully appreciate the extent to which veterans cherish our country, our freedoms and values, and the flag and national anthem that serve as its symbols. That is why, when the camera pans the crowd at an event that is preceded by the pledge of allegiance and the playing of our national anthem, you can be pretty sure that the ones with their hands over their hearts, standing in respect, sometimes with tears welling in their eyes, are the ones who have a vested interest in this country, bought by sacrifice.
Now, some weeks after the Bergdahl decision, I am able to be a bit more analytical – albeit a bit more cynical – about that decision, the past amnesties and recent behavior that appears to show little respect for our flag. There will always be those who work for the best interests of others with self-sacrifice, and others who put self-interests above all else. There will always be those who take for granted the gift of freedom purchased by the sacrifice of others.
Greg Benoit
Who’s Serving Whom
Dear Editor,
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who will guard the guardians? Who will watch the watchers?
With all the news coming out about the FBI investigators involved in the Mueller vigilante lynch mob, the average American should be screaming this from the rooftops. If even half of what is coming out is true, there is a very, very, very dangerous level of rot within the top law enforcement organization in the country.
People should be extremely concerned with this outside of the context of the current ongoing investigation. The resources, assets and raw power that this part of the federal government has at their disposal present a grave danger to every American if the corruption that is being reported begins to spread.
Keep in mind that the people at the center of all this were put there by our “elected officials.” They are supposed to be “the people’s servants,” but one has to wonder who is serving whom.
From where I see it there is no real desire by the powers that be to shut this thing down. They get into these committee meetings and talk at each other but never go directly to the point. Information is legitimately demanded but then refused based on obscure reasons. A committee that is supposed to be the overseers of everything and everyone involved is being told they don’t have authorization to see the information being used to drive all this?
I don’t know which is worse, watching them being told that or watching them sitting there saying, “Oh, OK.”
I’m only a lowly local politician but I want to give them a little advice. Grow a pair and tell these Obama/Clinton sycophants to either give up the information or be perp walked in 3…2…1. Unless of course you aren’t really serious about getting to the bottom of this and are only engaging in kabuki theater in order to attempt to appease the masses.
And there is still the big question of why hasn’t the Hildabeast been placed back under the microscope, given what has come out about the involvement of the DNC and her campaign. Uranium One is a whole other crime and will probably fall into place once things start, if it ever does.
It’s time to cut off Mueller at the knees and purge all the Obama holdovers before more damage is done.
Go Galt and save the republic
Alan Marshall
Like a Too Quick Trip
Dear Editor,
Because of their liberal bias, we dropped cable TV and Hollywood two or three years ago. We have broadcast TV and internet.
Our favorite show is Blue Bloods. We discovered that our pay internet provider includes Blue Bloods. Same show, no ads. So we have been able to watch every episode from season 1 on, with about 12 minutes of commercials per episode deleted – what a relief.
We are almost finished with season 7 and have noticed that sometime during this season the programming has been reduced to 42 minutes. The last few episodes are now 41 minutes. That’s right, almost one third of the hour is now one giant commercial-a-thon. See for yourself.
I guess the network figured that season 7 could have been the last, so the decided to milk it for all they could.
Another thing, watching three different plot lines conclude in 41 minutes (less one or two dinners) is like taking a really quick trip – all of a sudden you are there. Did I miss something?
Anyone watching the entire 60 minute broadcast show must be pretty much fed up with it. Most of us pay a big cable bill to watch TV and yet have to pay even more in order to endure this mind-numbing onslaught of disingenuous babble.
I posted some of this info on a video social network – it was immediately deleted by the same. Anything you see on this network has been censored.
E.R. Harris
Not a Cam Fan
Dear Editor,
I know that Rhino is not focused on sports but I hope you will allow me to comment on the pitiful Carolina Panthers.
Quarterback Cameron Newton is a superb athlete and good guy but does not have the skills to ever again put the Carolina Panthers into the Super Bowl or even the playoffs – goals which they once reached via a great defense, record defensive takeaways and, yes, using Cam’s legs. But NFL defensive coordinators now know that although Cam can achieve random running success he can no longer beat them with it or his erratic passing.
Cam is in his sixth year and has yet to master the fundamentals of a competent NFL pocket passer. As one Sunday analyst, a former quarterback, stated, “He only throws in the vicinity of his receivers.” And from a former NFL coach, “He doesn’t appear to see the field.” This is a shortcoming that causes him to pose in the pocket for extra seconds, giving the defense time to react and take away open reception space the receiver has achieved.
Without question, Cam has suffered a weak offensive line at times, including currently, but no NFL O-line can hold their pass blocks for the extra time Cam poses in the pocket.
Carolina’s offensive coordinator is not helping Cam. Mike Shula appears to have the tactical imagination of a brick as regards his play calls. His philosophy seems to follow former Clemson Coach Frank Howard’s practice of “three yards, a cloud of dust and a punt.” Except Shula’s variation offers two running attempts into the center of the opponent’s sausage grinder, a pass attempt and far too often a punt – three and out.
Our Panther head coach views the activity with an abundance of stoicism and we are left to wonder and wish. “Keep pounding” is a great motto but not every series of downs, coach. I hope the “chief pounder” of the franchise is whispering into someone’s ear.
Anonymous
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