Comments on: A WORD ABOUT COURAGE

By: Bob Reed

Bob Reed — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:28:15 +0000

I’ve had the good fortune to visit Normandy, France, and to see many of the important battlefields and landing beaches. And, I must admit that I became a bit overwhelmed when I visited the US cemetery overlooking Omaha beach.

I was traveling with a couple of Flemish ladies, both history teachers, who had accompanied me to the American cemetery that day. It was a beautiful day in late July, 1996, and there were many US tour groups there.

As we stood in front of a large monument, I was lost in the moment; looking out over the seemingly endless rows of crosses. It was a sobering and moving sight.

One of the ladies remarked; “There are sure a lot of Americans here today”.

As I cleared the knot from my throat I replied; “Yes Lisa, there certainly are”.

Lost in the language barrier was my more subtle meaning; a double entendre. The approximately 10,000 fallen warriors there were all Americans, and they were there every day. They had paid the ultimate price for freedom; an act at once both unfortunate and necessary. This ugly fact of humanity is lost on many in our modern world; where the lines of good and evil are blurred by multi-culturalism, moral relativism, and our good fortune at having been spared such a cataclysmic, all encompassing, struggle over the last half century. It is a matter of fact that those soldier came to fight there so that the shooting war would never progress to their home front and directly threaten their loved ones; very much like in Iraq (a reality that seems to be lost on many Americans today). These heroes of freedom gave all of there tomorrows, so that I could enjoy fond memories of my many yesterdays; and so that their loved ones could live free, from danger, fear, and oppression, for all their days to come.

I don’t pretend to speak for all, but I personally salute their service, revere their sacrifice, honor their memory, and will NEVER forget the principles they fought for!

God bless all of those who were part of that heroic operation 64 years ago.
God bless the United States.
Semper Fidelis

By: HE HATE ME

HE HATE ME — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:33:32 +0000

#7 The Obamamassiah is only 1/16 black and he’s deemed a black man? What is it with the left’s obsession over face. Obama is 1/2 white and about 7/16 Arab. So I’m a racist because I don’t buy into your really stupid logic? There should be a special place in hell for your ilk and that other cretin who takes this opportunity to spew the DNC’s talking points about Iraq. Love how the previous administration and much of the world’s intelligence agencies were down with Hussein having WMD. Besides Iraq was in violation of all those UN “resolutions” and constantly firing at US Air Force patrol planes. I guess libs just think repeating the same mantras over and over makes something true? No doubt you are another kool-aide drinker who is in ecstacy worshipping your false idol Barack Hussein. Many of your twerps would be interchangeable with the Hitler drones who idolized der Fuehrer.
Hope! Change! The seas are now receding! The Planet is healing with Urkel’s imminent nomination and election victory!
Maybe you deadenders shouldn’t count your chickens until they hatch? How come your boy did really horrible nearly all the closed primaries after the Rev. Wright scandal broke? Oh, those racist ridgerunners? Now, go back to the fever swamps of Kos, DU, moron.org, Huff or whichever other hellhole you usually infest.

By: jambrowski

jambrowski — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:51:59 +0000

rick,
i have been thinking the same thought for awhile now, what happens if he gets beat (throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get your way”)? really, haven’t we all. we have seen race riots, we have seen L.A. burn down because of a court case, we have seen CBD’s burn down when athletic teams get beat. what happens when the first black man running for president gets beat? wow… you opened pandora’s friggin trunk with that one.
oh and as for courage, i saw it when i was in the Corp’s in Desert Storm, i have seen it in my grandfather’s eyes when he talked about the battle of the bulge, i have seen it in my uncle’s eyes when he talked about his tour in Korea, i have seen it in my father’s eyes when he talks about his tour in the Suck, and I have seen it in my friends eyes that are still serving our country. To a T, when we hear of people protesting complaining etc… we say that we did what we did to protect peoples right to dissent.
nice article rick, keep’em coming.

By: fusil

fusil — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:33:34 +0000

how about the courage to admit that you are wrong and have been wrong all along?

How about an apology to American people that we are in a war over something we could not prove…WMDs?

How about the courage to admit that torture is wrong and that “24″ is a TV script but the Constitution is real.
Used to be anyway.

George W Bush needs to have the courage to admit that he is a liar. He would do that of course if he were also a Christian.

But that sort of self reflection is hard to find today in a Republican.

That’s what I think is wrong with your approach. Courage does nopt just come on a battlefield.

It happens on a bus, or in a stateroom, or even once in a while, In the White House.

President Obama will save this country.

Thank you for Barack, Jesus. Thank you God Almighty for finally bringing a Black man in America this far. Finally.

Your sickness of mind is truly frightening - Hitleresque in your devotion to this fakir.

What is really incredible is that there are millions of you out there who, if McCain wins, will riot in the streets if Obama loses; stupid, petulant children throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get your way. It will be a sight to see.

ed.

By: Norm

Norm — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:31:53 +0000

Courage…that’s a good thing. Too bad there’s no Democrat candidates running for the highest office in the land that has any…

By: DrKrbyLuv

DrKrbyLuv — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:39:53 +0000

It is hard for me to imagine the bravery that was required of men to storm the heavily defended beaches of Normandy. I stand in awe and appreciation of what those soldiers endured and the unselfish sacrifices they made to protect our freedom and liberty. The horrific scenes of the landing and the huge forest of grave markers nearby, should serve as a lesson and reminder of the deadly and serious consequences of war.

After WW2, the Nazi war criminals were tried at Nuremberg. During the trial, in conversation with Gustave Gilbert, Hermann Göring explained how Hitler was able to launch war with the full support of the German citizenry:

“Naturally the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

There is no doubt in my mind that WW2 was a just, legal and honorable war. And, there is little doubt in my mind that the war in Iraq was waged on bogus claims by politicians that have no courage or honor.

By: Increase Mather

Increase Mather — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:37:48 +0000

Yes. We, as a society and a culture have fallen far, far, down the “courage” scale. It began about 1963 when the media and university elites told us we needed not to think, but to feel.

What do you feel?…became a mantra. Tell us your feelings…thinking as a form for decision making became devalued, until today it’s ALL about feelings.

If one responds only to their feelings there’s not much room for courage….because courage calls for overcoming fear…and fear is a feeling…You can and will be celebrated today if you follow your feelings, but an individual’s courage is devalued because it does not often serve the group dynamic…which feeds off of feelings.

Besides, courage calls for a person to choose right over wrong…in a world where relativity rules there’s no such thing.

By: jambrowski

jambrowski — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:10:26 +0000

Hooooraaahhhh!

By: Michael B.

Michael B. — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:01:24 +0000

Thank you, Rick. That was a beautiful tribute to true Americans and to true courage. And I will forever forth try to not trivialize the meaning of that word.

By: Gayle Miller

Gayle Miller — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:10:40 +0000

There are all kinds of courage. There is the courage required to be who you are - even when it isn’t trendy or fashionable. There is the courage required to take responsibility for your actions, rather than permitting someone else to shoulder the blame. There is the courage required to live your life in a moral fashion, even if nobody else recognizes that fact. Not taking the easy path is one of the hardest things we humans can do, and one that actually garners us the best reward in terms of self-esteem (which is something nobody can GIVE you, but which has to be earned).