Red State Update: Iran

Jackie Broyles and Dunlap discuss the Iranian government, and how elections in Iran measure up against those in the U.S.

"People. WAKE UP! IRAN IS OUR ENEMY. One of our many enemies" - Dunlap

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

A clip from "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" with John Wayne and Ben Johnson.

"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is a 1949 western film directed by John Ford and was the second of Ford's trilogy of films focusing on the US Cavalry, the other two films being Fort Apache (1948) and Rio Grande (1950).

With a budget of $1.6 million, the film was one of the most expensive westerns of the time, but became a major hit for RKO and remains a popular classic today.

"That ain't my department." - Ben Johnson as Sgt. Tyree

An Educational Method That GOT Results

Noted speech therapist John Wayne uses an unorthodox, yet effective method to cure a young man of a speech impediment.

It would be great if we, as educators, were allowed to use such methods to get the job done in the classroom. Sometimes using PC methods only results in further problems. After all, most of MY generation was raised like this, and we didn't turn out half bad.

"Trying don't get it done." - John Wayne in the movie "The Cowboys"

Red State Update: Governor Mark Sanford's Affair With Argentinian Mistress

Jackie Broyles is mad at Republican Governor Mark Sanford and his cheatin' ways. But Dunlap understands. Will Argentina, after they see this? Hopefully. If not, it's Mark Sanford's fault.

"You know what sort of dirty, perveted, unspeakable things they do in Argentina, don't ya?...SEX!" - Jackie Broyles

Obamamania and the Houston Mayoral Race

Today My Lovely Bride and I were driving around Houston, seeing the sites. We were stopped at a light at the corner of Alabama and Travis and I spied the following painted on the side of a building.


















To the right of the previous sign was this:



















Below shows how the were together on the same external wall of the building.


















We made the block to see what the building was. It turned out to be a campaign headquarters for Gene Locke for Mayor. He is running for mayor of Houston. The thing that caught my eye was the the signs did not have the weather beaten look of signs that had been up since before the election. In fact, they looked almost new.


















I wondered about how Obamamania has overtaken the country and people using him and his image for every imaginable thing. As I have stated numerous times in the past, Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) is a rock star, not a POTUS. Could you imagine if a poster of either President Bush or Ronald Reagan was on the side of a building such as the above photos? They would have been defaced within hours.

People have been caught up in Obamamania since way before the election and it is taking this country right down the toilet and I have not even addressed Tony Hawk skateboarding in down a hall of the White House.

"...a person with the indisputable intellect necessary to comprehend the complexities of the international crisis . . . a person with the persuasive prowess to be able to engender the symbiosis between the masses and the classes." - Democrat Congressman Gene Green talking about Gene Locke

Obama: "Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself"

Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) says the biblical command to "love thy neighbor as thyself" is as pertinent now as it has ever has been in remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference in Washington.

The Boy Wonder stated Friday that an entire community suffers when some members cannot pay their mortgages or find jobs.

Again the hypocritical mantra of BO amazes me. I believe The Big Zero has mentioned God and religion more than George W. Bush even did. Where are the liberals complaining about religion and politics?

I guess Little Barry Soetoro feel whatever help his agenda is fair game.

"Any excuse will serve a tyrant." - Aesop

Houston Area Homeowner KILLS Teen Crackhead

A 69-year old Houston homeowner shot and killed a 17-year-old teen crackhead in his yard on Wednesday (yesterday).

Read the article in the Houston Chronicle here.

Much has been posted on the Chronicle's forums in the past two days. The majority view the situation as it was a justifiable shooting. The police have referred the case to the grand jury without charges.

I will post updates as they occur.

"He feared for his life.” said Harris County sheriff office's Lt. Rolf Nelson

Red State Update: Holocaust Museum, Abortion Doctor, Army Recruiter

Jackie Broyles' has had enough of gun violence in America.

"I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" - Howard Beale as played by Peter Finch in the movie "Network"

Is American Fast Slipping Into A Third World Country?

There was an article today in the Houston Chronicle concerning the launch of space shuttle Endeavour.
The story gave the pros and cons of a Wednesday launch and as usual, sparked various comments on the story.

A poster, JewelryArnold, wrote the following comment on the article.

And without NASA America slips into 3rd world status where it is teetering on already. Wake up people, America will soon if it has not been passed up by smart brains in China and India. The way I see it, America is finished! All this bickering of where to spend money. Technology is the name of the game for the upcoming century and if you are not on board then you are left in the ashes. Children in countries such as China and India want to succeed and make something good out of their lives, in America all they can think to be is a Rap star or a basketball player, a far cry from a technical mind which they need to put them back on top of the world as far as education goes. All you people do is blame either the democrats or the republicans, how stupid!! Do you remember when America first went to the moon, America was looked up to, well not any more. Now America is looked to for starting wars it is a war mongering nation only and that is where all your tax dollars are being spent. WAKE UP STUPID AMERICANS!!

I found myself both agreeing and disagreeing with JewelryArnold. However he did made one point that I did completely agree with. It was "Wake up people, America will soon if it has not been passed up by smart brains in China and India. The way I see it, America is finished! All this bickering of where to spend money. Technology is the name of the game for the upcoming century and if you are not on board then you are left in the ashes."

I posted the following response:

JewelryArnold: I must agree with one of your points. America is INDEED slipping into third world status. Technology IS the name of the game for the current (21st) and upcoming (22nd) centuries. Education in this country is being dumbed down to allow everyone to succeed and in doing so, lowers the achievement level of everyone. People NEED to fail if they cannot cut the mustard. I am in education and see it every day. The level at which I am forced to teach today is so much lower than 30 years ago. We are forced to think about the students' "feelings" more than educating them. China and India have passed us in the level of success when it comes to education. This may offend some (and I really don't care if it does), but the culture of many of our students is driven by the ME...ME...ME attitude. What is in it for me? How is this going to profit me? How hard is this going to be on me? When these students' parents and families do not value education, they why should they? They expect that have a property right to everything, and in order to appease them, politicians from both parties are more than happy to provide all their needs in order to secure their support and insure their desire to remain in power. I could go on for hours on this topic, but for now I will close with a quote from the movie "Caddyshack." To quote Judge Smails, "The world needs ditch diggers, too." IMHO, if people are too stupid, too lazy, or by any other personal choice are unwilling to make something of their lives, then they can dig those ditches, shovel crap, flip burgers, or do whatever menial tasks they can find to survive. I really do not care. If they do not care about their lives, then why should the self motivated, educated people of the world care? I worked hard to get what I have and they can do the same or they can starve.

I think my response says it all. Please let me know what YOU think about it. I post on the Houston Chronicle boards as "texasquestion."

The DEATH of Analog Television

Today is the last day for free antenna viewing television. I still have a few TVs in my home that receive signals from an antenna.

One is my RCA battery powered handheld TV (which I use while travelling and during power outages). The other is in our master bathroom, so we can listen to the news, weather, etc. while getting ready for work.

In addition, I have two more battery powered portable TVs which we bought over the years.

As of 6:45 CDT tomorrow, they will all be obsolete. I will eventually go out and buy a small handheld digital TV, but that will come at a later time

However, we am now in possession of four units of which we cannot use.

America is a country of thinkers. We have overcome adversity and found solutions for problems for generations.

I would like to see is an in depth, very detailed article, based on extensive research on what to do with old analog, handheld, pocket televisions. I hate to see things sit around and gather dust when there has to be uses for said items.

Other than becoming a paperweight or a doorstop, are there any ideas of how they can be adapted or used? There has to be some old time tinkerers out there that have some ideas.

"Necessity, who is the mother of invention." - Plato

Miss California Is FIRED

Less than a month after being told by Donald Trump that she can keep her Miss California crown, Carrie Prejean was fired today.

Read more on FoxNews.com.

I guess freedom of speech and expression is not something that the left can tolerate.

"They don't agree with the stance that I took (on Proposition 8). They don't like me. From day one they wanted me out and they got what they wanted." - Carrie Prejean

Jacqueline Bisset in "The Deep" (Repost)

"The Deep" was on again last night. I had to delete my previous post on the movie due to some glitches with my post.

As I stated in that post, Jacqueline Bisset was an absolute beauty when she was in the movie. There are two shots from the movie that made a great number of men rush out to get certified to scuba dive.

To the right is one of those photos. I will post the other later.

"After filming The Deep, all they talked about was my tits for the next four years. God, if I was going to do a picture like that, I'd have done it a lot sexier. That looked like two fried eggs on a platter." - Jacqueline Bisset

Danica Patrick's Commerical for Boost Mobile

It is amazing to me that some people are so damn thinned skinned when it comes to life.

Danica Patrick, who happens to be not only a damn good race car driver, but a damn good-looking woman. She is currently in a commercial for telecom company Boost Mobile, showing Patrick getting her car serviced by a pit crew wearing skimpy tops, miniskirts and high heels. "What? You think this is wrong?" asks Patrick. "I'll tell you what's wrong. Paying extra to use all your phone's basic features."

The transgender community have gone ballistic. Monica Helms, an employee of Boost Mobile's parent company, Sprint Nextel, and activist for the transgender community was quote in the national media saying:

"Even though the commercial does not specifically make fun of trans people, out of the 300 million Americans, many will use this as another excuse to discriminate and hold back equality for Transgender Americans."

WHAT?????? LET ME REPEATE THAT AGAIN.

"Even though the commercial does not specifically make fun of trans people, out of the 300 million Americans, many will use this as another excuse to discriminate and hold back equality for Transgender Americans."

Is this woman a total idiot? I think so. View the commercial below and let me know what you think.



My quote for the day says it all:

"Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke." - Colonel John R. Elting in his book "A Dictionary of Solider Talk"

Red State Update: Sotomayor To Overturn Roe v. Wade?

Jackie Broyles and Dunlap reflect on Rush Limbaugh's latest comments about Sotomayor, Catholicism and abortion.

"If you want to talk to God himself, you are more than welcome." - Jackie Broyles

D Day-June 6, 1944: Then and Now

Sixty-five years ago today, my uncle (my father's brother) jumped off a landing craft and waded ashore at Normandy Beach to begin the D Day invasion of France. He was in his 20s and must have been filled with so much fear and terror. I cannot imagine how he felt; his emotions; his feelings

Growing up the son of a veteran of World War 2, Korea, and Vietnam, I was schooled from a young age the importance of honoring those who picked up a weapon and fought to defend our country.

Today, Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader, The Current Temporary Resident of the White House) will visit the Normandy area of France to commemorate the Invasion.

I cannot express my disgust for his audacity to visit an honored place in our history with his visible hatred of the military. I have poised the question before. "How can he give orders to a military person when he never wore a uniform and stood a post in defense of the United States?"


I understand as the POTUS, he is expected by tradition to honor those who served our country. It is the right thing to do. It is the proper thing to do.

What I cannot accept is the fact that he says one thing and believes another. He will very eloquently deliver the words and phrases that make people believe he cares. He spoke during the election about his great uncle liberated concentration camps during World War 2.

It was later learned that the facts he gave as to his relative's involvement were inaccurate. In fact, his great-uncle states recently that Little Barry Soetoro was never interested in the his involvement until the election.

He further stated that The Boy Wonder's visit to Buchenwald was a political move. I could not agree more.

The lenghts to which BO will go to further his rock star status is unparallelled in modern history. The Big Zero is only interested in his own agenda. He is only interested in the revision of America in the model of his mother's socialist-Marxist beliefs.

So today, as true red-blooded Americans honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who landed at Normandy Beach, I will reflect on the veterans; their stories and exploits.

The actions of The Big Zero today will be seen by some as moral, truthful, and heartfelt. Others will view P Bo's performance as self serving. The readers of this forum know how I view it.

As in everything The Cult Leader does; it is for HIS benefit. It is not for the benefit of those he is sworn to serve or those who served long ago.

To cheapen the memory of my uncle and those who stormed the beaches of France and faced heavy Nazi gunfire on that day sixty-five years ago by giving The Current Temporary Resident of the White House any mileage from the exploits his wrong.

"The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or the next. It was the deep knowledge -- and pray to God we have not lost it -- that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest." - Ronald Reagan

Red State Update: Obama Gives Speech To Fellow Muslims

Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) gave his big Muslim speech in Cairo. How did Muslims react? What about Israel? Most importantly, what about Jackie Broyles and Dunlap?

"Letters are for word talking. Numbers are for telling race cars apart." - Dunlap

BHO Leaves His Wife at Home

Did anyone else notice that Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) didn't take his better half with him on this trip? I wonder why?

Could it be he was concerned that his Muslim hosts would be offended that his wife is not Muslim?

The public will figure this fraud's game out soon. He cannot use doublespeak much longer.

"This place is full of vultures, vultures everywhere!" - The Dark European from the movie "Casablanca"

Insomnia and Obama

I could not sleep last night and while I was stilling in my living room, thinking about the problems of the world. I turned on the television and the POTUS was giving his speech in Cairo. I watched and listened and learned a great deal more about his and his views.

Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) will do and say ANYTHING he can to get and remain in power. How on GOD'S GREEN EARTH can he give orders to a person in the military when he NEVER picked up a weapon to defend this country?

I listened to him on TV LIVE from Cairo this morning, and to the talking heads' analysis his speech this evening. He is playing to an audience of which he is so desperately trying to be accepted.

Oprah's Love Child virtually put down the Israelis and gave all kinds of praise to the Palestinians. He will play anyone and everyone to further his agenda, which happens to be in HIS best interest. The Boy Wonder talks a good game but has no substance, no experience, and no interest in helping the masses.

BO only wants to further the socialist democrat agenda. He will go down in history as the absolute worst POTUS in history. You think Carter was bad? Carter was a great President compared to this guy!!!

People were labeled as racist when they brought up his middle name (HUSSEIN) and now he uses is to his benefit. When the next terror attack comes against American interests and push come to shove, he will be getting shoved quite a bit by countries that know he will not shove back.

It will be like that little wimp boy in the schoolyard who everyone picks on and runs to the teacher from protection. The only different is that there is no teacher to protect him. We need a person in the White House who is not afraid to stand up and take aggressive action.

Has Little Barry Soetoro ever done anything manly and aggressive in his life? I sure would like to know.

"If you want the president, Barack Obama, to succeed, then you want the government taking over more and more of the average daily life of the American people. I don’t want that. I define America succeeding by virtue of Obama failing. I love America. I want everybody to succeed. He’s making it harder for that to happen, particularly the middle class." - Rush Limbaugh

School Is Almost Out!

"Three days with students and graduation to go." - Texas Truth

BHO Misses the "Rhytum of Life"

Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) claims, in an article in the New York Post, that he misses the "rhythm of life" that he enjoyed with his family before he was president.
I say:

"If you don't like the "rhythm of your life as POTUS, then resign. I am sure we can find a more qualified person to hold the office. - Texas Truth

Red State Update: Cheney Seeks Multimillion Book Deal

Jackie Broyles and Dunlap plead with publishers to cough up the two million for Dick Cheney while considering other must-reads from the Bush administration.

"I love a happy ending" - Dunlap

Janeane Garofalo Labeling Tea Party Protesters "Racist"

Here is a clip about IDIOT liberal Janeane Garofalo's comments concerning the people who attended the recent Tea Party protests.

She is being added to my list of "PEOPLE WHO NEED TO SHUT THE HELL UP!"

"This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up." -Janeane Garofalo

"Hellfighters" Is on TV Today

At 2:15pm today. "Hellfighters" will be on American Movie Classics. I will have the DVR running and be seated comfortably in my Lazy-Boy. This is one of my favorite John Wayne movies. I love watching the scenes around Houston, where it was filmed.



This following summery is by Dan Pavlides of All Movie Guide:

"Chance Buckman (John Wayne) heads a team of international trouble shooters who travel around the world to put out oil fires. The dangerous profession has taken a toll on the marriage between Chance and Madelyn (Vera Miles), who leaves when she can no longer endure the stress of saying goodbye and fearing she will never see him again. With his faithful assistant Greg (Jim Hutton), the team is ready at a moments notice to race anywhere to extinguish the flames of oil fires raging out of control. Greg eventually falls for Chance's daughter, Tish (Katherine Ross), who shares her mother's concern over the dangers the men endure. Hellfighters received technical advising from famed oil-well fighter Red Adair and his assistants who provided excellent and credible information for the film and the pyrotechnic team headed by legendary special-effects expert Fred Knoth."

Charges Against 'New Black Panthers' Thrown Out by Obama Administration

This really concerns me. I remember when this happened on Election Day, 2008. Is this the type of actions we, as citizens of the United States, are to expect in the future?

Barack HUSSEIN Obama's (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) Justice Department appointees overruled career lawyers on the case, ordering all charges be dropped.



This is a travesty. Everyone should agree. I do not care if it was the KKK. Voter intimidation is wrong. It is against the law.

These guys were given a free pass and walked away virtually scot-free.

I am worried about the way this country is headed. I am not a lawyer, but someone in the Justice Department is pulling strings to achieve an agenda.

I think the change that was pushed for in the last election has arrived and that change will be the death of this fine country.

"The Justice Department was successful in obtaining an injunction that prohibits the defendant who brandished a weapon outside a Philadelphia polling place from doing so again. Claims were dismissed against the other defendants based on a careful assessment of the facts and the law. The department is committed to the vigorous prosecution of those who intimidate, threaten or coerce anyone exercising his or her sacred right to vote."- A spokesman for the Obama Justice Department

Rush Limbaugh Nailed Sotomayor's Selection On The Head

I just found the below piece on rushlimbaugh.com. It is an interesting read. It seems El Rushbo predicted Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the Supreme Court 12 years ago.

Go get 'em Rush.

"'Limbaugh Foresaw Sotomayor Pick in '97.' -- Rush Limbaugh all but predicted 12 years ago that Sonia Sotomayor was headed to the Supreme Court. In 1997, when President Bill Clinton nominated Sotomayor to become a US Circuit Court judge, Limbaugh urged Senate Republicans to block her confirmation. The conservative radio host said, on the day of Sotomayor's confirmation hearing, Sept. 30, 1997, that she was extremely liberal and was on a 'rocket ship' to the high court, according to a 1998 New York Times story on GOP efforts to stop her confirmation. The Times suggested that Limbaugh's Supreme Court warning was a key reason why GOP senators delayed a floor vote on her nomination for months even after several Republicans on the Judiciary Committee supported her." - from the rushlimbaugh.com website.

Red State Update: Obama's Supreme Court Pick A Racist?

Barack HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) picks Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Newt Gingrich say she's a racist-- but what do Jackie Broyles and Dunlap think?

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life." - Sonia Sotomayor

Today is John Wayne's Birthday

Today is John Wayne's birthday. He would have been 102-years old today. I have been a fan of The Duke since I can remember. Even at my advanced age of 55, I still look at him as an icon; a true American; a man to which every red-blooded American male should strive to be. I have pictures of him up in my classroom along with quotes from some of his movies. Everyone who knows me knows how I feel about John Wayne.

The Duke was a conservative Republican and was not shy of expressing his conservative views and ideals. Below are some of the views, ideals, and causes he supported:

1. He took part in creating the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in 1943 and was elected president of that organization in 1947.

2. He was an ardent anti-communist, and vocal supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee.

3. He was a supporter of then Vice President Richard Nixon's bid for the White House, he famously expressed his vision of patriotism when John F. Kennedy won the election: "I didn't vote for him but he's my president, and I hope he does a good job."

4. Wayne used his iconic status to support conservative causes, including rallying support for the Vietnam War by producing, co-directing, and starring in the critically panned The Green Berets (1968).

5. Due to his enormous popularity, and his status as the most famous Republican star in Hollywood, wealthy Texas Republican Party backers asked Wayne to run for national office in 1968, as had his friend and fellow actor, Senator George Murphy. He declined, joking that he did not believe the public would seriously consider an actor in the White House.

6. He supported his friend Ronald Reagan's runs for Governor of California in 1966 and 1970.

7. Wayne was asked to be the running mate for Democratic Alabama Governor George Wallace in 1968. Wayne vehemently rejected the offer.

8. He actively campaigned for Richard Nixon and addressed the Republican National Convention on its opening day in August 1968.

9. He was a member of the conservative and anti-communist John Birch Society.

Today, John Wayne is on my mind. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in my lifetime, but I was fortunate to visit his birthplace in Winterset, Iowa (photo left). It is a quaint little home and museum; a must see for any fan of The Duke. Thirty years after his death, he is still an icon of the American cinema. There is even a website dedicated to him. You can view it by clicking here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN WAYNE...WE SURE MISS YOU!!!

"Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be. I was proud when President Nixon ordered the mining of Haiphong Harbor, which we should have done long ago, because I think we're helping a brave little country defend herself against Communist invasion. That's what I tried to show in The Green Berets and I took plenty of abuse from the critics." - John Wayne quote from Playboy Magazine, Volume 18, issue #5 entitled "John Wayne: The Playboy Interview" by Richard Warren Lewis p. 77, May 1971.

BHO Condemns North Korea Nuclear Test

Today on the front page of the Houston Chronicle, is an article entitled "North Korea Claims Underground Nuclear Bomb Test."

It describes how Baback HUSSEIN Obama (aka Little Barry Soetoro, Oprah's Love Child, The Boy Wonder, BO, The Big ZERO, P Bo. The Cult Leader) is trying to condemn the act and enlist support for the condemation of North Korea.

The N KorComs are doing this because they know Little Barry Soetoro can and will do nothing except stand up...make a speech...throw in some big words...pull the wool over the masses' eyes...then go home to the sweetest job he has ever had. They are not afraid of him.

In fact, these recent evens are tests...throw-downs to see how he will react. Except WE already know how he will react. He can and will do nothing except stand up...make a speech...throw in some big words...pull the wool over the masses' eyes...then go home to the sweetest job he has ever had.

The wussification of Amercia has begun. Brought to you courtesy of the liberal democrats and the great unwashed, uneducated masses who put this unqualified person in office.

"North Korea will not find security and respect through threats and illegal weapons. We will work with our friends and allies to stand up to this behavior. The United States will never waver from our determination to protect our people and the peace and security of the world." - Barack HUSSEIN Obama

Memorial Day 2009

Today is Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.

First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

As many of my readers known, Texas Truth is an Army Brat. I grew up the proud son of a First Sargent in the U.S. Army.

My father did not die in a war. He passed away in his sleep in 1988 after 73 years of fruitful life. He did see action in three of America's conflicts; World War 2, Korea and Vietnam.

As I sit here writing this piece, I cannot help having thoughts and memories of my father. We battled when I was growing up. I got to be a teenager and as I progressed into manhood, we had conflicts; just like many other fathers and sons.

I guess I though I was a man and all he saw was this little punk who though he knew it all and that his Old Man didn't know anything.

Now, at 55-years-of-age, I understand what he was going through. He fought in three wars and always came home physically unscathed, but mentally, he must have been going through Hell.

His heart was his undoing and to have been such an active man; never taking crap from no one; and having his life so curtailed due to his heart condition must have been tough. Perhaps tougher than seeing combat.

I never served in the military but feel I am serving my country as a teacher. I remember once, before my father died, him telling me he could have never been a teacher. He said the first one of his student who pooped of to him would get a kick in the ass. He said he did not understand why I became a teacher. I guess that was his way of telling me was proud of my choice.

I found out when he was alive that he never graduated from high school. He dropped out when his father died, to take care of the family. That is what people did back then. What I did not find out until after he died was that his father (my grandfaeehr) had been a superintendent of schools. I find that interesting. I got a whole new respect for my father and grandfather when I learned that.

I sometimes feel like my life and my job could not be any harder. But I think back to what I know about my father and I understand I do not know what hard is.

After all he went through, he never seemed to mind or care how hard things were. He just got up every day and did the job he was suppose to do; the job he had to do; the job that was needed; being the best man he could be by taking care of his responsibilities.

So on this Memorial Day 2009, I rememeber what my father said to me shortly before he died. We were having a talk and somehow it came up about how to raise children. He said you must be tough on them so when they go out on their own, they will be able to take care of themselves. He added that when a man goes out into the real world, there will be no one to take care of himself except himself.

He further stated the world was a very hard place to live and a man must be tough to survive.

I do hope my life has turned out the way he would have liked. The best memorial to him would be how he raised me and how I turned out. That is the kind of memorial I what to befit him. I will never know if he approved of the way turned out; at least not until I meet him in the afterlife. I sincerely hope he is and was proud of me.

So, that is how I will spend Memorial Day 2009; thinking about my father and his life. How it molded me and my beliefs. I will also think about the many men and women who served with him in the defense and service of our country.

My father and all all the men and women who served and/or died for this country should never be forgotten, and they won't; at least not while me and mind are alive.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
-Lee Greenwood

Red State Update: The Rush Limbaugh/Rick Sanchez Challenge

Jackie Broyles and Dunlap take on the mainstream media and find a way to bond with their favorite anchor. And don't forget to give Rick a call at 1.877.692.6609. Be sure and tell him Jackie said hey!

"Oh Hell, why you going to be mad at something (MSNBC) nobody even watches." - Jackie Broyles