Tag Archives: American

The Politics of Chicken 3

Constitution, Election 2012, Freedom, Gay marriage and the military, White House • Tags: , ,

We left the house earlier this afternoon in an attempt to beat the dinner rush. So did a lot of other apparently very hungry people. Truthfully, I did not know where the restaurant was located other than some very vague description on the company website. We drove around for twenty minutes once we got in the general area and finally figured out that the location was in a mall we kept passing.

There were tons of cars outside. When we got into the mall, the line stretched all the way around the corner. It never slowed down and as we were leaving at the end of our meal, it was almost twice as long as when we first arrived. The people in the line were nice, polite and engaging. Many were anxious to talk about what brought them there. The common theme: Freedom. Freedom from elected officials condemning other people’s right to freely express their beliefs and convictions. Freedom from being bullied by an incredibly small minority with an incredibly big voice in the main stream media.

Some interesting observations:

  • It seemed pretty spontaneous and unorganized, yet everybody came for the same reasons. Why else would you stand for an hour or more in line for a sandwich?
  • There was no main stream media press present. I wonder how many will come to the planned protest on Friday to record the “Kiss In” meant to be disruptive to people’s livelihoods.
  • Everybody was polite and patient. Some were heard to say that even if they ran out of chicken, they would buy napkins to show their support.
  • At our location, there were signs and security guards that refused people permission to take pictures. If you got caught, you would first be asked to stop and second be escorted out. After a few hours, more security guards showed up to help.
  • The food was good and even on a day when I think we surprised the heck out of them, they did a great job keeping up. No short cuts, no smaller portions, just good plain honest food.

I already liked Chick-fil-A for the great comfort food they offer at a nice price. When I travel, I always keep an eye out for them. I will make it a point to use their website now when I do. Nice people with a great product. It doesn’t get much more American than that.

Back in the dark days of the first Depression, politicians that wanted people’s votes used to promise a chicken in every pot. I suppose the idea was that people were so hungry for a decent meal, they would vote for someone who gave them something to eat. Obama and his folks have been promising the equivalent gesture for three and a half years without telling you that it was your neighbor’s chicken you were being promised.

My vote this year involves chicken too.

I will vote for anyone who ensures that people who make a decent chicken sandwich have the freedom to openly compete for my business with honest food at a reasonable price without fear of some government hack threatening their ability to do so. In some ways, it seems sort of queer that in a time where jobs are scarce and the economy is barely holding on by a thread anyone would threaten a business owner for having a personal belief. We live near the country where large chicken farms provide food for some and work for others. On very hot summer days when we ride through the country near those farms, the smell reminds me of politicians that do that as I roll my window up as fast as I am able.

As we left the mall, I yelled out “God Bless America”. Lots of folks clapped.

Mister Mac

Note to the White House: There were a lot of people waiting to exercise their rights without government interference… I would suggest ya’ll sharpen up your resumes. Not a single person there had a good thing to say about the current administration.

Elizabeth Home-coming Centennial Celebration ~ July 1, 1934 Reply

American History, Change • Tags: , ,

The first day of the Elizabeth Centennial Celebration in 1934 started the same way as the previous days had … hot. The entire country had been sweltering in an unseasonable hot weather pattern and the people in Elizabeth were not exempt.

The four day program began on July 1 with an 8:00PM Union religious service at the High School Athletic Field. The program denotes that all events will be held using Daylight Savings Time. I thought it rather odd that the program would need to identify the use of daylight savings time until I did a little research.

DSTActPassageThumb           DSTEnd1918Thumb

Daylight Savings Time on a national basis had been passed in 1918 during the First World War but was rejected by the American Congress due to its unpopularity (1919).

http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/DST.html

President Wilson’s veto was overridden and apparently it became a local option to use that method for adjusting time. Reinstatement did not occur until World War 2 so the importance of telling people which time standard you were using was a necessity. (Note: the uncertainty returned after 1946. States and local areas were once again able to make local decisions for years to come).

The temperature leading up to the 1st of July included a few spikes into the 100’s. Of course air conditioning back then was not as available as it is now. The heat wave extended all across the area for the entire week of celebrations. Knowing the formality of fashions in that day, can you even imagine being dressed in a full wool suit, hat and spats for men and long length dresses for the proper women of Elizabeth. Now add 93 degree sweltering heat (even at 8PM DST) and you can imagine how daunting it must have been.

Sabbath services were held by: Rev. Dr. R.H. Kirk (Presiding Minister), Rev H.G. Howell, Rev. R.C. Rogers, Rev. M. C. Brubaker, Rev. M.A. Leen, Rev. J Jordan

An address was given by Dr. Gaius G. Slosser Professor of History, Western Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh. Music led by a community chorus, directed by Thomas Grenfell Sr.

Note: In case of unfavorable weather the services will be held in High School Auditorium.

Today’s entry is courtesy of:

The Elizabeth Printing Company

“Printing Worth While”

formerly “The Herald” Job rooms, established 1871…

F.C. McGinley and P.R. Ashton

See Alex Paxton for “Good things to eat” and George A. Lewis for all of your REAL ESTATE ~ INSURANCE ~ AND NOTARY PUBLIC NEEDS (Second floor Masonic Bldg.)

The heat wave of 1934 was the hottest on record up to that time. Continued dry weather and heat would contribute to the hottest North American heat wave ever which was recorded in 1936 and coincided with the Great Dust Bowl.

I can’t find a record of how many people actually attended services. In my heart, I want to believe it is anyone who was physically able to come. The times almost demanded extraordinary behaviors and I am sure the good people of Elizabeth Borough heeded the calls from their various Ministers and Priests.

As we close out today’s program, here are some interesting facts about what it costs in 1934:

  • Bottle of Pepsi 10c
  • Average income $1,601.00
  • New car $625.00
  • New House $5,972.00
  • Loaf of Bread 8c
  • Gallon of Gas 10c
  • Gallon of milk 45c
  • Gold per ounce $20.67
  • Silver per ounce .38
  • Dow Jones Average .98

Tomorrow will be day two of the Elizabeth Home-coming Centennial Celebration. Don’t forget, quoit matches and mush ball elimination begin promptly at 9:00 A.M. at the Rockwell Garage and the Safe Factory ground respectively.

I had no idea what a quoit was but apparently these folks are quite familiar with them: http://www.usqa.org/

Steamboat inspection at the docks is also available from 9:00 A.M. but all visitors must be clear before the 1:00 P.M. Parade.

See you at the river!

Mister Mac

A more complete history of the event is contained here:

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jmohney/1934_centennial.htm

On Wisconsin (bring on the fall!) Reply

Congress, Constitution, Election 2012, Freedom, White House • Tags: , , , , ,

Just a short message this week to the

Followers of the New Freedom Underground

Deep disappointment for the dirty dogs of war… David Ax-man denied

In the dying days of democracy dozens of devious democrats demanded debilitating deals while denying the details of its descendant direction. Decadency caused by deleterious debutants disguised as “lawyers” who sought to divide the denizens of a once proud land. First they denied the Deity. Then they destroyed decency. Finally they declared dictatorship by unilaterally demanding a strict denial of self-determination.

Let the dirge begin…

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Or let the flags of freedom once more fly.

With fealty to no man or party, let us frame our freedom and fan the fires of liberty. Fill your lungs with the first breath of emancipation and liberate those who would have been forced into modern day slavery. Fall approaches… Rise up and be counted.

Freedom first, Freedom last, Freedom always

Denial to the dividers and their debasing decisions and direction

Mister Mac

Okay, I know I scare some people but this guy does a way better job: 3

Congress, Election 2012, Environmental, Uncategorized, White House • Tags: , , , , ,

Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that “no one knows” if gasoline prices in the United States will reach $9 per gallon, and acknowledged that the possibility is outside his control.

Okay seriously, I filled up my tank today and really had to consider if I could afford to keep driving. Or eating. Or paying any of my other bills.

How much more do you need to see?????????

The Crucifixion of American Exceptionalism… where does it end?

Stop the madness …

Seriously… please don’t tell me that Ken and ALL OF HIS STAFF have been collecting a paycheck for the past three years (not counting benefits, future pensions and book deals) just to tell us he hasn’t got a clue??? Hello Obama?

3800 of the best and brightest 3

Leadership, Submarine, Uncategorized, US Navy • Tags: , , , ,

Yesterday was Pennsylvania’s annual FBLA conference. The three training sessions were great! The young people who attended were very engaged and challenged me on some very good points. The subject was leadership but covered three areas that I feel from my education and experience are important to developing yourself and others. Those three things are Tenacity, Competence and Communication. I had some very special moments mixed in among an otherwise outstanding morning.

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My favorite moment was when a very sharp young lady came up to me after the third session. In my bio, they had included my role as a Naval officer. She walked up to me and said, Mr. Mac, I wanted to thank you for your service. Then she hit me with the second shot: she had already been notified that she was accepted to the Naval Academy later this year and she was excited about continuing the legacy.

I looked at this young woman and saw my country’s future. She already carries herself well and has the “right stuff” so I know she will do well. All of the young people we worked with yesterday had poise and were respectful. Then she hit me with the best part. “Mr. Mac, I have already decided that since I like science and math, I want to be on submarines.” I am proud that we have Americans that still see the value of serving this great land.

Seeing so many young people wearing respectable suits and competing in programs like business plans, finances, public speaking, responsibility and so on reminded me that this is still a great country. I know its not perfect and I know there are probably as many kids who would just as soon play Angry Birds than put themselves out there. But for two days in Central Pennsylvania, I got a personal reminder that we still have a fighting chance.

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God Bless those kids and God Bless America

Trainer Mac

A tribute to our national symbol… you don’t want to miss this Reply

American History, Freedom • Tags: , ,

Despite the fact that I use the computer every day, I am still a bit of a novice when it comes to linking things.

But I wanted to share something that is absolutely amazing. This site has gained worldwide recognition so you may have to be a bit patient.

It is worth the wait.

From their site:

“A pair of bald eagles joined the Alcoa Davenport community in Iowa in 2009. They built their 7-foot nest on our 400-acre facility in a tree near the Mississippi River. In the spring of 2010 they fledged a pair of eaglets and later that year we installed our first Eaglecam. We recently launched a new camera with improved video streaming. Employees and the community helped name the eagle pair Liberty and Justice. In April 2011, an online poll named the single eaglet they fledged this year “Freedom”.”

http://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp

Make sure you have your sound up!

Mister Mac

 

So you want to be a Submariner? (circa 1943) Reply

American History, Submarine, Uncategorized, US Navy • Tags: , , , ,

Every American Bluejacket from the early 1900’s to today receives a copy of the Bluejacket’s Manual. I have been collecting various editions over the years but they seem to be getting harder and harder to find. One of my favorites is the Eleventh Edition from 1943.

Blue Jackest Manual eleventh edition

The war had been going on for over a year by the time this one was released and I am pretty certain it would have been very similar to the one my Dad was issued.

seabag inspection final

This wartime issue was illustrated and it is obvious that the Navy was in a transition phase from its sleepy pre-war battleship mentality to the phase where it realized that fighting a war at sea had fundamentally changed. The old rules were no longer applicable and the days of two heavy behemoths slugging it our were already drawing to a close. The advent of airpower and the stealth of the submarine force forced tacticians to go back to the drawing board and re-assess what had previously been gospel.

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Just as in any weapons system, the person behind the weapon would play an instrumental role in its success. Leaders who understand how to operate the systems were critical. But followers were even more important. You needed to have men who could be trusted to do what they said they did.

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Submarining had been around since 1900 in one form or another in the US Fleet. Special training in New London had evolved for the fledgling non-qual and the rapid growth after the Japanese attack required men to volunteer. Imagine if you were a boy from rural Kansas who had never been to sea before and you volunteered for duty on one of these boats. For those of us who served on any boat or ship, that first visit can be a real shock. The smells, the close quarters, the lack of a real place to sleep. In New London, you probably found out how cold cold was. In the South Pacific, you found out how hot hot was. The boats were designed for killing, not comfort.

That Bluejackets Manual you were issued in Boot Camp curiously seemed to skip a lot of details. Chapter 41 starts on page 1132 (one of the longest BJM’s in my collection by the way).

Submarine Service

“The modern type submarines, which are named after fishes, are about 310 feet in length, displace 1,500 tons when on the surface, and carry a crew of 5 officers and 55 men. They are equipped with torpedo tubes in both the bow and stern and mount a 3” gun which may be used against either surface targets or aircraft. Their maximum speed on the surface is about 21 knots, using Diesel engine electric drive, and about 8 knots submerged, using storage batteries and motors.”

When you first look at that description, it doesn’t seem so bad. Even a boy from Kansas knows that 310 feet is about as long as a football field. Heck, you could practically get lost in that much space. I would love to see the look on some of the boys faces when someone showed them that you have to subtract ballast tanks, torpedoes, food, and somehow still have to have room for diesel fuel. That 310 feet of space become pretty small pretty quickly.

But what about the money?

This was an actual attraction for the volunteers.

“Enlisted men assigned to duty aboard receive pay in addition to the pay and allowances of their rating and service as follows:

a) When regularly attached to submarines in commissioned based on shore submarine bases:

(1) Unqualified men, $5.00 per month

(2) Qualified men, $20.00 per month

(3) Chief Petty Officers and First Class after one year from qualification, $25.00 per month

b) When regularly attached to submarines in commission, not based at shore submarine bases and when attached to submarines under construction for the Navy from the time the builders trials commence:

(1) Unqualified men, $10.00 per month

(2) Qualified men, $25.00 per month

(3) Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers first class, after one year from date of qualification, $30.00 per month”

Holy cow, that’s a lot of money! Well, it actually was back in 1943. The rest of the article goes on to talk in glowing terms about the highly technical nature of the boats. Each man might be eligible for valuable technical training and electrically operated equipment. The final lines talk about the diesels being used that is fast becoming “very common in the merchant marine service and at many shore installations.”

By now the boot has to be pretty excited. Extra money, state of the art equipment, travel and adventure. who could ask for anything more?

He volunteered

What the BJM fails to talk about is the danger and sacrifices these boys are about to make. It says nothing about depth charge attacks, seasickness, crowded and foul smelling quarters, and long days and nights at sea dodging one enemy in order to sink another. In 1943 alone, we lost 17 boats. No amount of extra pay could ultimately wash away that sacrifice.

300px-USS_Amberjack_(SS-219)

The loss of the Amberjack is indicative of that sacrifice, From Wikipedia:

“The last radio transmission received from Amberjack was made on 14 February. She related having been forced down the night before by two destroyers, and that she had recovered from the water and taken prisoner an enemy aviator on 13 February. She was ordered north of latitude 6°30′S, and told to keep hunting for Rabaul traffic.

All further messages to Amberjack remained unanswered, and when, by 10 March, she had failed to make her routine report estimating the time of her arrival at base, she was ordered to do so. No reply was received, and she was reported as presumed lost on 22 March 1943.

Reports received from the enemy after the war record an attack which probably sank Amberjack. On 16 February 1943, Hiyodori and Sub Chaser Number 18 attacked a U.S. submarine with nine depth charges at about 5°05′S 152°37′E Coordinates: 5°05′S 152°37′E. An escorting patrol plane had previously attacked the submarine. A large amount of heavy oil and “parts of the hull” came to the surface. This attack is believed to have sunk Amberjack. However, no final conclusions can be drawn, since Grampus was lost in the same area at about the same time. From the evidence available, it is considered most likely that the attack of 16 February sank Amberjack, but if she did survive this attack, any one of the attacks and sightings thought to have been made on Grampus might have been made on Amberjack.”

One particular sacrifice from her last patrol left a lasting legacy for any submarine sailor ever stationed in Pearl Harbor after her loss. The Submarine Enlisted Men’s Recreation Center was named after Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Arthur C. Beeman, who was killed in the gun battle of 4 February 1943.

The men of the submarine force in World War 2 will always stand as giants as far as I am concerned. They earned every cent of every dollar. But as we all know, it wasn’t about the money after all. It was a grand display of courage in the face of real danger. We can never repay them enough.

Amberjack

Mister Mac

Freedom on the other side Reply

American History, Freedom • Tags: , ,

I have lived my life with a firm conviction that being a free man is more important than any other thing.

I gave up part of my freedom to protect it (US Navy) and I give up a part of my freedom each time I pay my taxes to support the structures that try and maintain those freedoms. I would willingly do it all again and am willing to give the ultimate if called upon to preserve it. Its easier to say that since I am closer to the end of my allotted years. I have looked at freedom from every angle and even at its worst, it is still the most desirable thing. But the word seems to have lost its meaning. To some people, freedom is a right that requires nothing on their part to acquire or maintain.

US Army Heritage Center Fall 2011 058

Freedom… such an innocent word.

Unencumbered, without bonds, without chains (whether physical, spiritual, or mental). It’s a concept that men and women have willingly given everything for over the years rather than live in perpetual slavery. Or have they?

US Army Heritage Center Fall 2011 052

One of the oldest stories about freedom comes from the Book of Exodus

According to the stories, the people of Israel had been held in bondage for four hundred years and Moses had been sent to gain their freedom. The illustration I am going to make is not designed to prove or disprove any of the historical accuracy of the story. What it does show though is the possible affects of suddenly freeing a people who had been held in captivity for over four hundred years.

Assuming the four hundred years is correct, that would mean that many generations of people had been born and had died within the bounds of slavery. The biblical account and some historical accounts do recognize the hardships the Hebrews went through at various times during their slavery. They were forced to help build some of the structures that would be a part of the Egyptian landscape. In exchange for this, we would have to assume there was a method for feeding and housing such a large number of people. Even the cruelest master realizes that people must have food and energy in order to provide labor. Human relationships will grow and develop even in the most horrible of circumstances and the physical desires and emotional longings of a people cannot be held in check forever. Besides, allowing the slaves to hold on to the hope of freedom someday kept them from merely sitting down and waiting to die.

1988 pictures 013

Over the generations though, freedom becomes more and more of an oblique term.

The basic needs, however meager, are the new reality and as long as those needs are met, it can be easy to adapt to the circumstances. Government becomes the provider and people become more and more conditioned to accept the “gifts” as providential and acceptable. The food may not be good but it is filling. The storms may come and go but the sustenance provided seems to remain and continue.

Then one day, a new wave of “hope” is ignited when a man shows up and says they will be free men again

They will be led to a “Promised Land”, the land that they had been told in story and song all of their years in captivity. The very words created a spirit of excitement that stirs men’s souls. Freedom. After four hundred years of oppression and slavery, they would be free.

The day finally comes and the people find themselves on the other side of the Red Sea. Their enemies and former masters have been vanquished and they find themselves standing on dry land surrounded by all of their people and possessions. Shouts of joy and hallelujah rise up over the assembled masses and reach a loud roar. Freedom has been gained.

Except… something is not quite right.

Once the euphoria of freedom starts to run its course, the stomachs start to growl. The tongues dry in the desert air and water becomes a real need, not just a desire. Parched throats have trouble crying out shouts of joy. The air is just as dry and the smell of so many animals is just as overpowering in the noon day sun. There are no shelters, even the modest huts that were provided for those many years by their masters. Within a short period of time, people revert to survival mode.

“Why have you brought us to this place only to die? At least in Egypt we had food and water and a place to lay our heads… what is to become of us now?”

US Army Heritage Center Fall 2011 047

Fast forward to today.

We live in a land of freedom which has been bought and paid for with the blood and sacrifices of many generations. We chose freedom over comfort. Our ancestors came on unsteady boats across vast oceans to a wilderness in order to carve out a place where men could breathe freedom and worship the way they felt they should. In this new land, new ways of governing were born and new ways of trading with each other were developed. A man could become as well to do as his hard work afforded him the ability to do.

US Army Heritage Center Fall 2011 050

Not all had freedom but eventually, hope came for those without that precious commodity. Wars were fought, riots came and went and gradually the blessing of freedom became the reality for many.

Only to be replaced by a new type of slavery.

The further we get from those days where we built and sacrificed, the more compassionate we become. Compassion leads to another in-born emotion on most people’s parts: the need to help those who seem to need help. We wrap ourselves with the final emotion that becomes an almost self-fulfilling prophesy: Guilt. If we are not compassionate and are not helping people, we feel guilty. If we don’t feel guilty, there are others around us that will remind us of our need to feel guilty.

US Army Heritage Center Fall 2011 008

Like the people in old Egypt, the people here want freedom.

They want to have the control and power to make determinations. They want to right old wrongs, fix what is thought to be broken and change the things that have kept them from feeling free. Fair enough. Perhaps there are better ways to live than accumulating 17 trillion dollars in debt. There may be ways to shake the money tree and empty the bank accounts of those who have accumulated so much more. If you have enough votes in this land of democracy, you can finally break free of all the things that have held you back.

Then what?

You find yourself on the other side. Government, that government that protected the rights of those who had the money and possessions is gone. So are the support checks, so are the medical programs, so are the houses that others paid for, so are the schools that were propped up, so are the pensions of those who expected them for life. You are free. You can unionize to your heart’s content. The bitter truth is that there is no one left to organize against. The people who came to “Occupy” now have nothing left to occupy since they have it all. All except the money they need to support themselves.

Break up the farms and you will find the lessons of Zimbabwe.

Break up the banks and you will find the lessons of Greece.

Break up the government and big businesses and you will learn the lessons of the failed socialist experiment that was the Soviet Union.

You don’t need to go that far to see the results of unfettered freedom that is not supported by other’s sacrifices: look around your own community, state and region.

Masonic Village 2011 Veterans Day 041

What will you do when you find yourself on the other side?

What will you do with all that freedom?

Mister Mac

The Submariner 6

Leadership, Motivation, Submarine, Teamwork, Uncategorized, US Navy • Tags: , , , , ,

Looking back over the last forty years, my thoughts of what a good submariner looks like have become much clearer. I have not been on a boat for over twenty years but there are some things that still stand out even through the haze of the years. I should tell you that I greatly admire many people who have served in different services. For instance, I can barely even imagine jumping out of a plane with a hundred pounds of stuff tied to my legs. It might just be me, but it would seem that all that junk just might make a landing a bit more complicated.

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A submariner has to have a series of personal traits that are absolutely essential. Some may be more important than others but the one that seems to be most important is “trustworthy”.

Don’t get me wrong, many bubbleheads I know are the best stretchers of the truth when it comes to women, past personal achievements and liberty ports. But when it comes to the operation and integrity of the boat, they all suddenly become a cross between George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in regards to truth. It is a sincere bond that is drilled into us from our earliest training. When I open the main vents fore and aft from the Ballast Control Panel, I have to be absolutely certain that all of the checks have been done and all of the repairs have been completed in accordance with the procedure.

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The second trait that seems to have a lot of importance is assertiveness.

Every set of eyes and ears are important at all times on a submarine. Whether submerged or surfaced, the submarine is a million different opportunities for something to go wrong. You always have to remember that the builders had to come up with just the right design in order for the boat to succeed in its mission. We have had many different styles of boats built in the 112 year history of American submarines, hopefully with a succession of improvements during that time. New technologies have been developed and added but they have not always been successful. The ability for the average submariner to step out and let the bosses know is a hallmark tradition.

The third trait is that each submariner must be a problem solver.

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When an alarm goes off, he must immediately make decisions on his next actions whether he was fast asleep or elbow deep in a pump repair in a remote part of the boat. You immediately have to think about where you are and where you are supposed to be. It may be dark or smoke engaged. How will you find the connection for the life sustaining EAB (emergency air breathing) that you only have seconds to put on. What equipment will you need? How big is the casualty? Is anyone injured? Every second counts. Whether it’s a drill on not, most of us treated the alarm as a real one. It was just the right thing to do. Its no wonder that years after they left the boat, many guys have dreams (or worse) that often wake them up.

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The fourth trait that is important is that of patience.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am not talking about the patience that disappears in the chow line on holiday meals or steak night. Keeping calm as you transit into home port (or what substitutes for that) also does not fall into that kind of patience. Channel fever is one very real indicator of an extreme lack of this precious commodity.

No, the patience I am speaking of is a cultural patience that is needed when the mission is hot. Tracking  a “bad guy” for multiple weeks requires absolute patience and absolute discipline. One wrong move, one unsteady hand, one unplanned activity could spell the difference between success and failure. I can imagine the same was true of my forefathers on the World War 2 patrols as they stalked an enemy. A submariner has to have it within him to be able to handle a living stress that few others can imagine.

There are many more traits that I am sure I will hear about

Winking smile

But the last one I want to talk about is
courage beyond measure.

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The story of the USS Swordfish (SS-193) is an example of that type of courage. She was credited with the first wartime submarine kill not long after Pearl Harbor.

USS Swordfish SS-193

Her entire history is filled with incidences that would challenge the courage of any person alive. During her tenure, she conducted 13 war patrols resulting in eight battle stars. Her special missions took her into the heart of the Japanese empire and she participated in many of the major events of the Pacific war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Swordfish_(SS-193)

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Her last mission took her to Okinawa where she was supposed to conduct reconnaissance. It is presumed that action resulted in her loss on January 12th 1945. To her credit, she served during the most desperate days of the war and went to hell and back on each patrol. These men had to have known that every patrol was a risk to their safety and their lives. Yet they went. Along with all of their brothers. Their sacrifices freed millions of people from tyranny and oppression. We can never repay them enough.

The heart and soul of a submariner is their ability to suspend their disbelief for just the right amount of time to complete the mission. They absolutely have to believe that their boat was built well enough, the crew was trained to the right level, and the sea will not be powerful enough to overcome both. I guess in a way, it’s the ultimate form of faith that comes from those willing to give their all for an idea: Freedom. Eighty-nine men were lost with the veteran submarine.

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Thanks to the men of the Swordfish for their sacrifices. Your legacy still lives.

USS Swordfish (SS –193) Still on eternal patrol.

Mister Mac

What will you tell your grandchildren? 3

Congress, Leadership, Uncategorized, White House • Tags: , ,

All of us will leave a legacy when we pass to the next world. Some will be lengthy and some will be rather modest. I am at the age where I read the obituaries in the local paper. Its kind of ghoulish in a way since I am not from here and really don’t know any of the names or families. But I like to see the written stories of people who lived a full life as well as those who have been tragically taken before their time.

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I especially like to read the stories with American Flags printed right above their names. For the last few years, there have been more and more and their stories could fill whole books. They served in the European Theater, the Pacific campaign, D-day, the Battle of the Bulge, the Philippines and on and on. They wore Army or Air Corps green, Navy or Coast Guard Blue, and Marine Cammies. The obituaries often have as little to say about their service as they themselves have shared since they came home. Most just quietly went back to work raising a family and helping to build the greatest nation on the face of the earth.

The Korean and Viet Nam age folks are starting to appear more and more. I assume that at some point in the not too distant future I will join the list. No complaints. I have had a really terrific life and will be glad for the next opportunity. The time is coming where even my generation will completely turn over the reins to the next group.

The question is, what will we tell our grandchildren?

The millions of men and women who went off to save the world for democracy left a significant mark. They temporarily stopped the march of aggression from one enemy only to see another rise in its place. But the people who kept the faith throughout the entire cold war were rewarded when the Soviet Union was finally laid bare and its lies and distortions came crumbling down around them.

We have made so many advances in America that we can rightly be proud. Equality has taken great strides forward. We no longer blindly accept prejudice against people as we once did and our ability to speak freely has increased a thousand fold even from our early beginnings where that right mainly resided on a piece of untested paper signed by the founders.

Many people took tremendous pride in the 2008 elections to see a man of color raised to the highest office in the land. He and his followers offered a new day, new hope, and proof that even a man with his humble backgrounds could become the leader of this nation.

Well, we have that out of our system now so lets consider what else we got for the bargain. We are more in debt now than at any point in our history. We spread money around like chicken feed and found out the chickens were actually vultures. We decided to break up the oil monopolies in the middle of the worst recession we have ever seen in order to force the country to adopt progressive green policies. Most of the companies we threw money at have either gone bankrupt or are being supported by further government money. The printing presses are spinning faster than a centrifuge and it is all being backed up by people who don’t like us.

Have you taken the time to explain to your grandchildren the cost of this noble experiment? I think the occupy movement may have just been the tip of the spear. Unless there is a change that returns us to what we were before this fundamental change, our grandchildren will inherit a slavery which may be impossible to overcome in their lifetimes.

Its not just our president either. Earmarks and pork are destroying our legacy. Our own greed and graft in what we expect from our congressmen and senators has added fuel to the fire. It is time to stop and take measure.

America has been great because of the freedom and undying spirit of being a part of this republic has always overcome obstacles in the past. We did the hard work because we pulled together and used our collective strength to beat back the things that would destroy us. That is not possible with the group that have been in Washington the past few years. Giving them another term in office will be worse that putting a collective gun to our heads.

You have two things you can tell your grandchildren. The first is “I am terribly sorry, but we have sold you and your future into slavery”. The second is that you were part of the next great generation that finally woke up to the dangers created by having neophytes and amateurs in charge of the people’s business. You fought every day for a future that would be safe, secure and provide a mechanism for individuals to become as successful as they want without worrying about someone coming along and taking most of their gains for redistribution.

The difference is clear. But you can’t wait until November to get engaged. You are already late.

Mister Mac

Oh, yeah… Happy New Year