My blog is born today. As an introduction, let me offer some insight into its author.
Born in 1949, my Father had just returned from World War II after serving 4 years on the hospital ship, U.S.A.H.S. Marigold. Responsible for picking up casualties in the Pacific Front, orders sent them into Tokyo Bay to save Allied POW's released by Japan at the end of the war. Days before the Missouri arrived to sign Japan's surrender, he helped rescue mostly naked, maimed and starving soldiers in overcrowded lifeboats, across the choppy waters between the shoreline and the ship. As an orderly in the psychiatric ward, this and other experiences allowed him to see the decimating price individuals pay to guard our Constitutional freedoms.
He shared these moments with my brother and me...the sites, sounds and smells of war. But most of all, he passed on his pride in our country and his willingness to fight for our freedoms. Growing up, as the TV stations shut down their transmissions every night, we stood side by side with our father, hearts crossed, singing the national anthem. The American flag triumphantly waved across our black and white TV screen as tears filled our Dad's eyes. Now my eyes water up, cheeks flush and a lump grows in my throat when I remember his passion for this country.
A lot of water has flowed under my bridge since those days. The Korean War, the 60’s, JFK’s Assassination, MLK’s impact, the Vietnam conflict, marriage, a growing family, children and all that encompasses, my Dad’s death, 9/11, terrorists, and today’s world and financial mess…That woman my Dad started molding all those years ago has changed looks many different times, but the belief in our Constitution and keeping it sound has never wavered.
Most of the posts readers see on this site will be explosions of frustration mirroring my belief this document, unique in the history of man, is being eroded along with America. Our inability, as constituents, to have an effective two-sided dialogue with elected officials during our country’s worst crisis is criminal. They have literally insulated themselves in a world influenced by their rich benefactors, lobbyists and their personal beliefs while excluding mainstream America. The media, assets in the wealthy’s private portfolios, have become no more than puppets hyping their personal agendas to an increasingly less educated American public. Sadly, this whittling technique used to control outbursts from the poor and middle class seems to be working. More and more people are becoming apathetic and simply sit on the sidelines, watching local, state and federal representatives flush this country down the toilet.
