I've lived in Mtn Home since 1989, so that's...hold on...I'm thinking...WOW! Exactly 25 years! Boy, I think I can almost declare myself an Idahoan. But my family is British and I grew up in Louisiana around lots of other Brits so I still think I'm a little bit of a mutt. Those of you who have been around awhile may remember when I used to blog all the time. My opinions weren't very accepted and there was always an issue because I work for the county. That really wasn't fair because I NEVER blog at work! And I am still entitled to my opinions and thoughts about city and county issues, right? However, it stirred a lot of pots and those pots certainly can make a lot of noise! Since I'm a writer, I took what I wrote in my blog seriously so I spent a lot of time researching things which got exhausting to do when you're not even get a paycheck for it. So I stopped. That was a blessing to many! However, to this day, I still have people stop me and ask me why I wasn't blogging and t! hey missed it. I've missed it. Mainly because there are so many issues that come up and I have no voice except around my friends and I'm sure they are tired of it.

Another case for Apathy.

Posted Sunday, February 22, 2009, at 4:44 PM

Photo of funeral procession in Lebanon, Missouri.

Today, I'm going to talk about the military. I am a military-brat. My father was a career Air Force man. I married a military man who brought me here to Idaho when he got out. That marriage ended after 17 years and about 2 years later, I married Ken, my retired Air Force military knight-in-shining-armor hero. My oldest son, Doug was in the Army National Guard. Though his grades could have taken him to any college or university that he wanted, he chose to serve his country in the Guard. He did his time in Iraq and came home a much-older mature man. He left the Army and continues to serve as armed security at the front gate. I am proud of the military men in my life. I am honored by their sacrifice. When this current war became bigger than we thought it would be, my Ken would have gladly returned to his post the moment the request was made. Actually, I think that there is a little part of him that hoped that they would call him. I would have been concerned and sad to be separated from him so soon in our marriage but I would have supported him. I would have been calm and collective on the outside though worried sick inside. Military, firefighters and police wives understand what I mean. Men and women of the armed forces give their lives daily to uphold the moral and ethical values of our nation. I would never be a part of any group that didn't support them. So I am appalled at the few things I read today. I will share it with you and you can go read more about it for yourself. There are too many people in this country who want to insult and defame the military to our youth.

There is a group called, Code Pink. Look them up and see what damage they do. In Berkeley, there has been regular protest against the ROTC on campus. Then they protest a Marine Corps Recruiting Center at 64 Shattuck Avenue by standing in front of the office holding banners and placing signs. The recruiting center had been located in Berkeley since January 2007. The protesting has continued to the present.

"On January 29, 2008, the Berkeley City Council passed a series of motions concerning the recruiting center. The most controversial motions ordered the city clerk to draft a letter calling the Berkeley Marines "unwelcome intruders" and another motion gave Code Pink a parking permit on Wednesdays and a noise permit. The motions drew national media coverage. Some veterans groups and conservatives were angered by the motions. National and state laws were drafted to remove funding for Berkeley. The Berkeley City Council changed the wording in the letter February 13, 2008 to remove the most controversial wording and communicate support for the troops but opposition to the war. On the previous day, 2000 protesters at its peak gathered outside city hall to protest against and in support of the motion. The national media coverage of the matter significantly declined following Berkeley's amended language. Legislation backed by Republican members of Congress concerning removing earmarks continued through the legislative process, though with little chance of passing, and Move America Forward launched a new advertisement criticizing the Berkeley City Council. Code Pink continues to collect signatures to put a measure on the ballot to remove the recruiting center."

Then there's this:

A group calling themselves Project on Youth and Non-Military Opportunities (YANO) has their collective panties in a bunch over the JROTC program in San Diego schools. Apparently they are offended about lessons in safe and responsible gun handling.

YANO website reads:

"MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE FOR YOUR FUTURE"

"Demilitarize our schools"

and "YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO JOIN THE MILITARY TO LEARN VALUABLE SKILLS, FIND ADVENTURE, PAY FOR COLLEGE AND SERVE OTHERS."

Contrast that information with this letter I heard on the radio. This letter made me cry with pride. I am so blessed that my military men came home to me alive.

Lebanon, Missouri, June 2008

"I'm the proud 2-year resident of Lebanon, Missouri. Today, our city buried a hero, Army Specialist James Finley, who was killed in Afghanistan.

In Sunday's local paper, the Mayor asked everyone to line the route the funeral procession would take to Specialist Finley's final resting place. Local businessmen purchased flags for people to hold, and gave them away by the hundreds. Even though it was lightly raining, several THOUSAND people lined Jefferson Street to express their condolences and respect for the service of one of America's true heroes. Hundreds of Patriot Guard riders, fire trucks from several departments and hundreds of mourners made up the several mile-long funeral procession. All business in town (including Wal-Mart) closed for an hour to allow their employees to pay their respects. Bankers in suits stood next to men in work clothes, all silently holding their hands over their hearts and displaying flags as the procession passed. I did my best to capture the procession and the number of people with my small camera, but the images don't do the scene justice. I hope the Finley family took some small comfort from seeing thousands of their fellow citizens paying respect for their son's sacrifice.

I'm proud and honored to be living in a community where duty, honor and patriotism still mean something. On July 4th, a 3-story tall flag is hung from the County Courthouse. On July 12, we have our annual "God and Country" fireworks celebration, and on September 11, we will have a formal ceremony with a military fly-over to recognize everyone who has given the ultimate in keeping us free from terrorism."

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Great blog Kim. It is nice to see that there is still mass support for the people that give their lives for our freedoms (even if some of us may not "believe" in the war). Sometimes where you go and who you protect is not a choice but a job---a duty. We can only hope that it will end soon and everyone will get to come home.

Thanks Kim.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sun, Feb 22, 2009, at 5:15 PM
NO NO NO Bazooka..let's hold an even there that will draw HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of left-wing liberal zealots...them nuke the place....remember the one hand grenade principle

-- Posted by mhbouncer on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 7:04 PM
Come on guys, I know that you are just joking. Please tell me that you wouldn't want to "nuke" anyone. Free speech does swing to all sides. I don't begrudge people for protesting something. I just don't think it should be an all or nothing mentality. Those who oppose the war, have a right to do so. Some take it too far with their "demilitarize" dreams. Reality is hard for some people to accept and they would like to live in a fantasy world where "we just all get along". God knows that peace is not in our future. Those who join and serve in the military should be respected. That is what I protest against. We must have the military or the nation will fall. Many students are in a state of immaturity (I don't mean that in a bad way)being young and inexperienced, that they desire a "fight" to bring purpose to their life or to give an excuse for their anger. When there is no real cause to fight for, then they will find something! Please chose your battles well. Save your energy for the real fights that matter. That's all I'm saying. I don't wish to "nuke" anyone for their opinions.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 10:04 PM
So how would you feel about the Buddhist recruiting students during school, or at other places teenagers hangout? How would you feel if the Mormons were allowed to send missionaries onto school property and preach to your children? I ask this because, children are already confused and angsty about the screwed up way the world works and don't need some outside organization confusing them with promises of a better future if they JOIN this or that group. All types of recruiters should stay out of schools and area's that kids hangout. Recruiters should stay in their offices and wait for the willing volunteers to come to them. The kids should not be pressured to join any group because they are still too young to make an informed decision. The recruiters jobs is to entice and seduce, or sell their product to the target audience without concern for the outcome. I have often watched these recruiters hang out at the local Maverick for the lunch time rush, because that's where some of the kids go to get away at lunchtime. And these recruiters swarm in like vultures with smiles and golden promises and harass the youth.

They've even come at me because I look pretty young and acted like holy salesmen, promising sign on bonuses, which they hardly ever give out. Free training, the G.I. bill which is basically useless now days. They promise everything except the truth. They are mearly salesmen looking for more bodies to fight a corporate war. Hired thugs for the oil and gas giants. THEY SHOULD NOT be allowed in public schools or allowed to troll the local hangouts. If a kid wants militarism they should join a military school or in-case of religion they should join a catholic school or what have you. Public Schools should be strictly for learning and the gaining of knowledge about the world, without the outside distraction of military or religious, salesmen preaching to them.

The whole statement about gun safety (in school) is idiotic. What purpose is gun safety in school when there aren't supposed to be guns there anyway. Is it so the crazy kids don't shoot themselves in the foot before they go on their rampage? I mean come on...they can go to hunter safety courses outside of school for that.

mhbouncer:

"Zealots" use violence and fear to change peoples opinions. It statements like what you wrote that helped define the word terrorism.

-- Posted by censored on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 10:31 PM
Kim you're right, I was joking when I used the word nuke.

You said it Censored...."Zealots" use violence and fear to change peoples opinions"...isn't that what Obamassiah has been doing for over a month now? Using fear to push through legislation? Using fear tactics in his speeches to scare the hell out of the populace so he can come in like the shining knight to rescue us. Listening to Obama makes me worried that tomorrow the sun may not come up unless we give him permission to spend another trillion dollars.

Censored you're an idiot. The Mormons DO come onto school grounds and try to recruit new members. They're called STUDENTS. I remember my days in school when I was asked over and over again to attend church with "friends" who were Mormon. I don't remember once being asked to go to the Lutheran or Catholic church. I can't remember the last time I had a catholic missionary come to my house looking for a new recruit. There is a defined line between church and state in this country...it's truly sad to say that. But there is no line when it comes to the armed forces. Where religion, good or bad, offers the salvation of ones soul, the military can offer the salvation of the person themselves. Kids with no money and no future can be given at least 4 years to learn a trade and make decent money. They then can determine whether they stay in or use what they've learned in the real world. If they choose to waste 4 years and learn nothing then it's back on them. I've seen alot of kids go into the service and come out well trained, well behaved young men and women. I've also seen alot of kids go to college for 4 years and come out worse then when they went in. Not alot of structure in colleges now days.

The issue of gun safety at school and the comment that they aren't supposed to be there are two different issues. When I was a kid I had a shotgun in the trunk of my car to hunt birds on my way home. I carried a pocket knife to cut strings on bales of hay after school when we fed calves. Now days either of those offenses would have me expelled for good. Sad, Sad day when we criminalize things that we took for granted growing up. But that seems to be the way of the world now, to make laws that create new criminals than to enforce the laws we have in a reasonable and sensible way.

-- Posted by mhbouncer on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 11:19 PM
for every redneck patriot there has to be someone to call it into question. Blindly going to war is not the answer as we have found out. I applaud those who have fought for us. But I am 100% against Iraqinam and any other intervention. Losing lives for no good reason is not acceptable.

-- Posted by twilcox1978 on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, at 11:30 AM

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