Music lyrics and the political parties

While working on the monthly bills, I’ve been listening to country music.  As I heard once, a country song is a 2.5 minute soap opera.  In addition to the music, I’m partial to the lyrics, because of the values and/or activities they express.  On the other end of the spectrum is the R&B Hip Music, some of the lyrics I find objectionable.  While certainly not a scientific study, I searched lyrics for some of the current music, R&B Hip Hop and Country.  Here are some samples (please note a deliberate choice to avoid the exceptionally profane language in some of the R&B Hip Hop):

R&B Hip Hop lyrics:    

“I tell a bad bitch do whatever I say”

“Hit ya ass with that block-ow, dope enough to go in yo nostrils”

“…don’t try me, I’ll pull that trigga”

Country:

“til my last day I’ll be lovin you”

“Maybe God just kinda likes cowboys and angels”

“Friday night football, Saturday last call, Sunday hallelujah”

In one category is read disrespect for women, advocacy of drugs, and glorifying violence.  In the other, pursuit of love, recognition of a Christian belief, and middle class America.

Occurs to me that music is a reflection of society at the time.  Certainly recognizing some of it is manufactured and manipulated by recording companies, the artists nevertheless, in my view, write lyrics that reflect generally held views.  Otherwise, the songs wouldn’t sell and no one would make money.

There are at least two polar opposites in the current music, as illustrated above.  I suppose more folks listening to R&B Hip Hop will vote for candidates of the Democrat Party and Country fans are more likely to vote Republican. 

Can this supposition extrapolate to values embraced by the opposing groups, based on their music preference?  Makes me wonder.  

If so, which is best suited to lead the country? 

Time to turn up that Country music!

Basic respect

In autumn, large numbers of us enjoy the World Series, the NFL, and college football.  Grand entertainment in the form of athletic competition.  Many an hour is spent, in homes, bars, and man-caves, watching and cheering on favorite teams.  Quintessential Americana, some may offer.

At the beginning of these events, prior to the first pitch or opening kick-off, there is routinely a ceremony honoring our country, this great nation of ours.  These ceremonies involve the playing or singing of the National Anthem.  It is distressing to observe, whether attending the games in person or watching on TV, the failure of many to provide the most basic respect. 

Protocol provides that during the playing/singing of the National Anthem, all in attendance should stand at attention, men remove their head gear, and place our right hand over our hearts.  Those in uniform are to render a proper salute.  Recently, I'm proud that protocol was changed to permit veterans to also render the hand salute during these ceremonies.  However, proper protocol is not followed all too often...most of the time captured by the TV cameras.

Players and coaches are observed to wear headgear, including stretch caps over the hair/skulls.  Others are seen to be scratching various parts of their anatomies.  Still others are rocking back and forth, chatting with the players on their right and left.  Football coaches are seen continuing to wear headphones, chatting with someone in the booths.  Folks in the stands, bleachers, seating areas, etc. are observed failing to remove headgear; talking on their cell phones; texting; taking pictures; going for a beer; and otherwise failing to provide the basic respect.

While proud that our nation is once more honoring, justifiably, the men and women in uniform, it is shameful that so many fail in this basic responsibility as citizens.

If professional and collegiate athletes really want to be viewed as role models, if their coaches and managers truly want to be viewed as leaders, then lead by example.  I challenge all coaches and players to learn and strictly adhere to the proper protocols during the playing of the National Anthem, and to vocally and forcefully encourage their fans to follow suit.

It's not to much to expect this basic respect. 

One good thing

Watching the World Series Game 2 tonight, it was both surprising and uplifting to view the pre-game recognition of World War II veterans, who were also MLB baseball players.  True heroes like LtCol Jerry Coleman USMC Ret, the 1950 World Series MVP and a USMC pilot who fought in both World War II and Korea.  Then the MLB theme "Welcome Back Veterans" was commented upon.  As the large national flag was unfurled by members of our Armed Forces, the crowd stood and cheered.  (Quite remarkable, given the liberal bent of San Francisco.)  During the seventh inning stretch, God Bless America was sung by an Air Force Staff Sergeant.  Again, those in attendance stood, sang along, and cheered.

While as a nation we can debate the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least one good thing has come from these ten years of war.  The American people once again honor those who wear the cloth of our country.  No longer, as occurred during Viet Nam, do our people dishonor those who serve.  No longer are those who wear our uniforms subjected to mistreatment and disrespect from their fellow citizens, the very ones they serve to protect.

As a retired Marine, it is humbling and gratifying to observe at least one good thing come from the decade of war.  The American people again honor those who wear the cloth of our country, the men and women who volunteer to protect our great nation.

It would be terrific if the nation's President shared in honoring our men and women in the Armed Forces.

Children as parents

As one might surmise from the title "Graybeard views," one of the thrills of this time of life is being a grandparent.  Many, many sayings address this thrill.  You can undoubtedly remember some without prompting.  What isn't as broadly, at least in my view, addressed is the even greater thrill of observing one's children as parents.

What prompts this blog is the recent arrival of our third grandchild, the progeny of our daughter and son-in-law.  They have two older kids, ages nine and six, so we've been able to watch their parenting for some time now.  It never ceases to be a source of pride and admiration to observe their parenting.  One would like to think that we, as parents, influence our own children's approaching to parenting, if not the actual skills.  If this is indeed the case, then all credit is due my wife, the mother of our children.

She was ever present, as a stay-at-home mother.  I, on the other hand, was the absentee father.  It wasn't that I deserted the home.  It was a matter of the career I'd chosen as a Marine.  Overseas when our eldest was born, I didn't hold him for the first time until he was eight months old.  Even after returning from that overseas tour, I was away for days and weeks at a time, "in the field" training for our combat mission.  During that time frame, our second was born.  A year after she was born, we headed overseas as a family, hoping to have a more stable home environment, with far fewer absences.  While that was the case, I left the house in the dark and returned in the dark, seldom seeing the kids awake during the week.  And since I worked seven days a week, even the weekends were impacted.  After returning from that three year assignment, during which we had one family vacation of five days, it was nine months of schooling then I was off overseas again, without the family this time.  Such was the career pattern.  Consequently, my wife bore the brunt of the critical years of parenting, since I was literally seldom home.  She remained an "at home" mother until our eldest started college in the youngest was a junior in high school.

Whatever skills taught and lessons provided that would ultimately influence our youngsters parenting capability, they came most assuredly from my wife.  Her people centered approach to life and exceptional maternal instincts carried and buoyed our kids through countless moves and my frequent, if not seeming to be perpetual, absence.  These lessons and skills must have been indelible, as I now watch my daughter's exceptional success as a mother.  Together with her husband, they are raising two, now three, wonderful children.

So as we relish the roles as grandparents, there is equal if not greater pleasure gained from seeing our child as a parent.  Not yielding to much of the "modern" world, she ensures our grand kids are grounded in the important factors of life.  Courtesy is taught and expected.  School is viewed as important.  Laughter encouraged.  Ambition and achievement rewarded.  Love given and received.  TV limited.  Reading encouraged.  Creativity praised.  Discipline expected, but never cruelly or harshly.  Enjoyment through exploration provided.  Family, immediate and extended, the center of the home.

I could continue listing the positives for some time.  Suffice it to say the kids are happy, healthy, loving school, enjoying sports, respectful towards adults, articulate and creative, and simply "being" kids throughout.  These markers are the signs of the success of our daughter and son-in-law as parents.

The child as a parent.  

Most people smile, laugh, and are nice

It's awfully tempting to think poorly of our fellow citizens, particularly if one were to judge them by the newspapers, on-line reporting, and TV/cable news.  So much negative news, stories about crime, and the like.  And don't get me started about the political campaigns!

But, really, most people I encounter are truly nice.  They enjoy smiling and laughing.  Even though we all have troubles, large and small, with which to contend, I think it is human nature to smile and laugh.

Whether it is someone encountered while walking along the street in a very nice neighborhood, the server at the local coffee shop, the person next to you at the ball game, or those driving along the freeway along side of you, if you look for it, you'll see the smiles and humor.

I'm certainly not discounting the immense troubles that fulfill our lives and that of those around us.  I recently wrote about the death of the young female Marine who leaves behind four small children.  Smiles are likely in short supply in that home.  Additionally, a former colleague was bludgeoned to death last month, a terrible fate for a very nice lady.  No smiles for her friends and family either.  But this will not be a permanent situation.  Eventually the pain will recede, allowing the more positive and uplifting thoughts and activities to renew.

I remain convinced of the basics of our fellow citizens, including smiling and laughing.  Even in the face of the tragedies our families and friends contend with in the course of life.

So as I travel through our great nation, I'm taking notice of the smiles and laughter.  Makes it a far more positive trip!  

Tuesday night

As I walked off the tennis court this evening, I was asked if I was going home to watch the Debate between Obama and Romney.  Actually - NO!

I watched something far more American, an ALCS game between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees.  Close game all the way into the 9th inning.

Why would someone watch baseball rather than the Presidential Debate?  Because I can't stand to listen to Obama misrepresent who e his and what he claims to accomplish.  Our country is at a precipice and he's is tying to push us over the cliff.  So why listen?

On the other hand, the baseball game was trilling.  Men actually had to perform.  It was all out in the open for people to see.  No claiming someone else was at fault if one of the players booted the ball or struck out.  Not at all like Amb Rice trying to affix the blame on someone else.  No one blaming the 2004 Yankees for the abysmal performance today (Yankees are down 0-3 in the ALCS).  The players and managers took the heat and accepted responsibility for their performance or lack thereof.

In October, what is more quintessential than baseball?  Surely, politics comes no where close.

So, as a red blooded American, with 30 years of active duty in the Marine Corps, I found it imminently more preferrable to watch baseball than the debate.

A beer, a hot dog, salad, and baseball.  Free from the political rhetoric.  By God, a far better way to spend the evening.  The Tigers won, which helps bolster the spirits of Detroit, a city ruined, in part, by the policies of Obama.  Car makers pulled out of debt by the American tax payer, without our approval, and not having the courtesy of paying back the guaranteed money Obama and his acolytes provided.

Even your brother-in-law, the one with low self esteem, has better ethics than the above.

So let's hear it for a Tigers - St. Louis World Series.

Americana at its best.

Semper Fidelis.  

Paying respects

A tough, tough day, emotionally, as a parent, grandparent, and Marine.  

It was my first mission with the Patriot Guard Riders.  If you're unfamiliar with them, following is the mission statement:

"Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you.  We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all."

Today's mission was in support of the family of a Sergeant of Marines who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan.  SHE, that's right...she, leaves behind her husband, Staff Sergeant USMC, and four children, ages two-to-six.  

Together with dozens of others, we provided a motorcycle escort for the family to the church; provided a flag line for the family members as they entered the church; formed up behind the USMC Honor Guard during the rifle salute and Taps; and escorted the hearse and coffin from the church to the funeral home.  At the funeral home, I joined four other Marines and a Navy Master Chief as pall bearers.    

Each of us are volunteers.  Many have performed similar missions countless times.  Why?  Showing respect and supporting the family are my motivation.  Further, I'll not stand by if anyone would attempt to disrupt the funeral of a fallen warrior or demonstrate any disrespect to him/her or their family.  

As my first mission, this hit hard.  Looking at those kids, I couldn't imagine if they were my grandchildren.  Nor could I imagine the Staff Sergeant if her were my son.  And, most pointedly, as a Marine, I can only imagine what the family is facing.  

When attempting to describe today to my wife, a Marine wife of more than 30 years, my voice cracked and tears welled up.  She understands and gave me a moment.  

So, as today concludes, I'll remember more than other days, how precious life is and the absolutely importance of our warriors as they go in harm's way.  I'll also say a prayer, one of many, for this Marine family and those four young ones. 

This was my first, but not my last, mission.

Semper Fidelis

Teamwork

Teamwork.  So important and yet seeming to be lacking in general life.  But it is such a powerful force, a tremendous source of satisfaction, an essential element in success, and a profound force when properly constructed and employed.

When growing up, Little League baseball and Scouting were the norms.  Each taught teamwork and when the coaches were really good, we learned that there is no "I" in TEAM.  Striving for something greater than an individual.  Even in the public school system, prior to all the dumbing down of the system so currently prevalent, teamwork was used.  Small groups would work on a problem in math, each child bringing his/her knowledge and strength to the task at hand.  Certainly, some were better at math than others.  The math answer was just a small part of the lesson.  The real value was taken in working as a member of a team.  We'd carry this out to the playground, playing a variety of sports.  So, when it was time to step onto the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, I'd been trained and conditioned to value teamwork.  It was time, on that hot humid day in Virginia, to undertake a graduate course on teamwork.

During that summer and 30 years of active duty, I lived and breathed teamwork.  The Marines take it to a level most can't understand.  In trying to convey what it means, I want to share the following.

A primary element in boot camp and OCS is that the individual must earn the title MARINE.  Once that title is earned, we believe that "once a Marine, always a Marine."  That's why a Marine will challenge anyone who described him/her as a former Marine.  There ain't no former about it.  Another thing I learned were the informal rules about being a Marine.  There are only two.  Rule Number 1: Never let a fellow Marine down.  Rule Number 2:  Never forget Rule Number 2.  What, you may ask, does this have to do with teamwork?

Marines believe the team is everything.  Whether it is a squad, platoon, company battalion, squadron, whatever.  And above the individual military units is the fidelity to the Corps.  Being part of the best team ever to exist.  That driving force of teamwork guides everything...all things.  Doesn't matter what or where or when.  At every level, the Marine in charge is responsible for his team and its members.  We were taught, throughout our career, that there is only one way, the Marine way.  We're taught that "Marines don't do that" or "Marines do this."  A member of the team only does it one way, the Marine way.  This belief is invaluable and crucial to building the individual and unit discipline necessary to accomplish what Marines have been successfully accomplishing throughout history.  It is such as strong, central belief that even today, a decade after retiring, if I learn of a Marine dishonoring the team by his/actions, I react angrily.  I'm also certain, in my anger, that the team -- the Marine Corps -- will take the appropriate action to punish those responsible.  This self-policing function is essential to teamwork.  Normally, members of an elite team wouldn't think of taking any action that would discredit or besmirch the team -- the Marine Corps.  For those unthinking ones that do so, the team -- the Marine Corps -- will swiftly and certainly take action.  In this way, the team maintains its standards and members of the team take pride in that for which they stand.

Compare this to other institutions that can benefit from teamwork.  Just grabbing one out of the air, let's think about Congress.  If ever teamwork was needed in a public body, it is in the Congress.  Where better to pursue common values and a shared commitment to the pursuit of excellence?  Sadly, Congress all to well illustrates what happens in the absence of teamwork.

Where is this all heading?  Our society needs to teach more teamwork, demand more teamwork, encourage more teamwork, beginning in public school and continuing through all education and into the work place.  Unfortunately, the courts, media, and politicians are doing their best to eviscerate good old fashioned teamwork.  They pursue actions where teamwork isn't rewarded.  All too sad.

Take us back to the days of the kids playing sports to learn teamwork and finding that to exist at school and later in the workplace!         

Note: changed the tag from From my front porch" to Graybeard views," because there seemed to be so many others using "front porch views" in their blogs.

Neighbors

I wrote a while back about the wealth as defined by one or two close, life long friends.  In thinking of friends, I also want to highlight the terrific and important value of good neighbors. 

Of course, there is one fundamental difference between neighbors and friends.  At least it appears to me that NORMALLY there is a fundamental difference, in that we choose our friends, though seldom choose our neighbors.  True, neighbors can become friends, but it doesn't seem that many of us chose a house because of those who live in the neighborhood.  So when we have good-to-great neighbors, that is another aspect of personal wealth.

Accordingly, we are truly blessed to have some great neighbors.  These are folks that are ready to lend a hand, folks with whom we can and do have chats on a variety of topics, folks with whom we've shared picnics and BBQs, folks who begin an exchange with a smile, folks who don't intrude, folks who are polite and respectful, folks who make it a great place to return to after a long day at work.  Separately and importantly, these are also folks who help look out for the well-being of the neighborhood.

In our current neighborhood, on the day we moved in, the neighbors from across the street came over to say "hello" and brought chocolate cookies - homemade cookies.  I've received calls from a neighbor who saw something that didn't look right at the house, enabling me to take corrective action with a commercial concern.  I've called a neighbor to report that I'd seen four unknown individuals enter their property through a little used side gate (ends up this situation was the brother and friends of the neighbor). 

When I had a flat tire, one of the neighbors came over with an air tank to help fill the tire, so I could get to a repair shop.  When out on a morning run, I've had a neighbor wave from his truck as he headed down the hill.  I've stood in the front yard and bemoaned the state of the nation with a neighbor.  I've drank beer and thrown horseshoes with a neighbor on the 4th of July!  Plus watched fireworks.  The examples are endless.

As retired military who spent several years living on military bases, I was accustomed to tight neighborhoods, replete with spontaneous BBQs.  I also recall the sense of family in many of the military housing areas in which we lived, sometimes overseas.  When tragedy struck, as it all too often does in the military, people were there for each other.  When slammed by an unbelievable winter storm, we checked on each other to ensure everything was all right.  However, until this neighborhood, I'd not encountered anything close to the same feeling in "civilian" neighborhoods. 

Great neighbors, like life long friends, are blessings.  Blessings for which we are thankful. 

Crack of the bat

Ah, the sounds of fall are upon us.  Leaf blowers.  Rain (in some areas) hitting the window.  Kids yelling at youth soccer matches.  And this fall, the political commercials - dang, I'll be glad when they've ended.  But the best sound of the fall is the crack of the ball during the Major League Baseball playoff games.  Even when following a team that posted a lackluster record this season, I become excited about the playoffs.  After countless games, we get to see some of the best and worst of our national past-time.  It's just great.

A follower of the National League, I'll watch the games of those who beat up on my team this year.  I'll root for them over the American League.  Maybe we'll enjoy another World Series like the Red Sox - Yankees!

And I'll not care one iota about the plethora of incipient political commercials.

Adding my voice

The goal of this blog is to add my voice to the rising chorus of those concerned about the attacks by liberals/progressives on Christian values.  In particular, the numerous attacks against the placement of crosses on public lands in honor of those who have fallen in service to our nation.  For example, one on Mt. Soledad in San Diego and another recently erected at Camp Pendleton by the families and comrades of fallen Marines.  A contemporary example is a cross erected in Bladensberg, Maryland decades ago to honor dozens of the fallen from World War I.

Some self-appointed liberal/progressive group, American Humanist Association, states they want the cross removed  because it violates the Constitution.  On their website is "Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkers" and "good without a god."  In the face of criticism of dishonoring the fallen, a spokesman lamely states there should be a secular memorial, not a cross, because it is on public land.  What's next?  Removing the crosses from the markers, like the one of a close friend, at Arlington National Cemetery?  Since when does the demand of a a minority, an ill-informed one at that, dictate to the majority?  Since when does the demand of a liberal/progressive organization justify the denial of the exercise of my constitutional rights?

Enough!

The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Those who put up the crosses mentioned above, and others, to express respect for and to honor the fallen men and women who served int he Armed Forces of the United States of America were freely exercising their rights of religious belief.  They were and are not denying the rights of others to believe or not believe in another religion.   For centuries, Christians have used the cross as a solemn marker to commemorate loss of life and belief.  As such, where better to express such commemoration to the fallen members of our armed forces than on public land?  These men and women, including my fellow Marines, who died in service to our country - made the ultimate sacrifice for the public...their fellow citizens.  Just as the cross is engraved on markers at Arlington, so is the Star of David for the Jewish fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, and other symbols for other faiths. 

It distresses me greatly that the aforementioned self-appointed liberals/progressives want to deny me and my fellow Christians the free exercise of our religious beliefs.   When they claim it imposes our beliefs on others, they make a wholly spurious and unsupportable claim, particularly when attacking a memorial erected decades ago.  Others are equally free to exercise their beliefs, either by erecting secular memorials in addition to the crosses, memorials bearing other religious symbols, or none at all.  That is the real practice of freedom.

Ironically, it is the active duty and veteran populations who serve and have served  to protect the rights of these idiots to make such outlandish attacks.

Those who attack memorials erected to fallen members of our military are the same who demand that Christmas not be mentioned or celebrated.  Again, these vocal minorities levy demands that restrict the practice of my religious freedoms.  Unfortunately, the excessively liberal/progressive courts have sided all too often with those who attack Christians. 

Enough!


 

Civility - disappearing

I wonder why civility is disappearing.  At least it appears to be so.  Is this view based on living in a major urban area?  Do the histrionics prevalent on many of the cable commentary shows (left and right leaning) contribute to the opinion?  Could it be based on the hysterical proclamations - absent intelligent analysis of facts - of the political surrogates?  Are the "gotcha" type, so-called reporters the cause?  Can't help but also wonder if this situation is brought about, or at least facilitated, by oft called popular music.  The music of my youth told stories of surfing, cars, girls-and-guys, the "summer of love," and other positive themes.  Today's music belittles women, is laced with profanity, and is generally negative in tone.  Another thought is that the move towards suing everyone and everything indicates the disappearance of civility.  If so, are the courts complicit?

Or has our society simply devolved to the point that rancor, dishonesty, outlandish assertions, character assault, profanity, disrespectful language, and misrepresentation of fact are acceptable, if not expected.  Surely we can disagree, based upon the merits of the issue!  But is it necessary to take disagreement to the point of the lowest of low commentary, discussion, and acts?  Examples proliferate our daily lives, in every conceivable element, in some rather despicable ways.

I think it a sad observation that sectors of society are so immersed in this lack of civil discourse that they can actually be defined by it.  And since most of these sectors access the various means of vast, immediate electronic means of communication, the impact is wide ranging.  For example, after the near infamous bad call by the referees during a recent NFL game, one player Tweeted that they were "f#&%@#" by the refs.  Great role model of sportsmanship and civility.  (Actually, the losing quarterback was very civil in his on air comments.  In doing so, he better conveyed the disgust with the abysmal call than did his teammate.)

The motivation for writing this piece comes from utter disgust at what is spewed by much of the electronic mediums, whether it is TV (including cable), Internet, or radio.  Obviously inflamed by the political season, the commentary and rhetoric sadly reveal that civility is lost in many quarters.  The more outlandish the comments, again from the left and right, the more attention is gained.

Were that it could be that these self-proclaimed experts would be summarily discharged and more sensible, thoughtful, intelligent, and civil replacements be put into place.  

 

Speak to someone

While reminiscing about my youth, and particularly about my lifelong friend, an important thought prompted this posting.  During my upbringing, many of today's common items were absent: computers, video games, smart phones.  And TV had three stations.  Consequently, we spent a lot of time talking with one another.  And from those conversations, life long friendships grew.

Having worked on a middle school campus and those of two major universities, I marvel at today's lack of human verbal interaction, meaningful face-to-face interaction, by many.  Surely, communication (texts, tweets, etc.) continues, but the in depth discussions with each other seem to be a disappearing aspect of daily life.  I'd watch students sitting in long rows along the benches of one of the major walk ways, each either in the process of texting or plugged into music.  But not speaking with the person to their right or left. 

I've written about observations made while sipping a cup at a local coffee shop.  Broadening these observations, I've noticed that people have their heads focused on their smart phone or computer, not speaking with anyone.

Face-to-face conversation is a vastly superior and preferable means of communicating, because it requires both listening and speaking.  It also enables the communicator to augment the words with voice inflection, body motions, while simultaneously judging the non-verbal reactions of those with whom the conversation is being held.  This communication also enables exploration of views and feelings unlike any other form of communication.  With conversation, friendships develop.

Hope the young ones out there learn to speak to someone.