Not everything is negative

Not everything is negative, although perusing (supposed) news Internet sites would have you conclude otherwise.

Apart from punditry replacing journalism, one should not let the so-called news set the tone for the day, because there really is a lot of good happening each and every day all across our fantastic nation.

An example of the good are the missions conducted by the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR).  Known primarily for supporting the funerals of active duty military members or veterans, these missions exemplify good.

Take this morning for example.  Eight folks, seven on motorcycles (including one married couple) came out to honor the passing of a veteran. His military resume was unique, by any standard.  He'd served in the U. S. Navy in WWII and the U. S. Army in Korea.  On this breezy, chilly (by San Diego standards) Monday morning, the PGR gathered to honor this veteran.  In the group of eight members of the all volunteer PGR were a retired Marine, Marine Corps veteran, Army veteran, three Navy veterans, the wife of a Navy veteran, and one gent who never served in the military.  

Each gave of their time this morning to stand for one who stood for us.  No public recognition would be forthcoming.  None of the PGR knew the veteran they were honoring, nor did any of them know any members of the veteran's family.  Yet they gave of their time to ensure he was honored.

At the cemetery, they stood a flag line as his coffin was moved from the hearse to the grave site.  They extended the flag line, standing behind the grave site, with flags flying as the final farewell was offered by a family member.  It was telling, as the two soldier Army Honor Guard presented the folder American Flag to the son of the deceased veteran, that the PGR presented arms, holding aloft the American flags.

This is an example of the good that happens all across our nation each and every day.  But you'd never know it, because the erstwhile media don't care.

That's OK, because the PGR doesn't support these missions several times per week in SoCal for media attention.  We do it because it is the right thing to do.

Not everything is negative.

It's official

If a UCLA scientific study says it's so, then it must be.

Coming as no surprise to us bikers, a UCLA study declares riding a motorcycle is actually good for us.  

Say what you may about motorcycling, and it's not for everyone, it is absolutely liberating.  With the good fortune of living in Southern California (it costs a good fortune to live here), we enjoy nearly year around weather conducive to riding.  Consequently, I get many miles in most weeks and can attest to the benefits of riding.

Yesterday, for example, a few hours on a mixture of side roads and freeways helped to create a positive mood and feeling.  It is as if the speed of the wind washing across my body cleans the spirit of all the negativity that surround us.  I swear drivers, mostly but not exclusively male, look longingly at me as we travel down the road.

Of course, riding a Harley-Davidson also provides no small amount of cache.  The iconic look, including my leathers, and distinctive sound are universally recognized, even if not universally admired.  The running of the big V-twin motor can actually be felt, adding tremendously to the experience.  

Maybe that look from the gent in the cage (biker-speak for a car or truck) adds to the therapeutic value.

Whatever, as UCLA now declares, riding a motorcycle is good for you.       

 

Here we go

Here we go, with 2019 two weeks old.  It will be a terrific and rewarding year.

Already in the planning stages for multiple vacations, with my bride, family, and friends.  Excitement and purpose for each are invigorating.  A baseball watching trip, road trip on the new Harley-Davidson, family get together for a grand daughter's birthday, and other adventures await.  Even considering Death Valley (during the cool months).

Keeping the spirits up is well aided by deciding not to watch the news.  I'd rather spend time listening to country music with my bride than watch supposed journalists simply offer their opinions.  Leaves one in a much better frame of mind too.  

Joining with fellow veterans supporting Patriot Guard Rider missions continues the valued camaraderie from the years on active duty.  Also maintains the essence of patriotism.

More time cycling and hitting the weights in order to continue a healthy life style are favored portions of the daily routine, as is eating a more balanced and nutritious diet.

Saluting our American flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance each morning reinforces my citizenship.

Regular video chats with my brother are uplifting.

Employing old school letter writing to maintain contract with the grand kids helps fulfill the joy of grand parenting.

Yeah, 2019 is starting out very positively.  

I am determined that it will be a grand year, with new adventures creating enduring memories, along with reinforcing core values and beliefs.  

  

The next two years

After the 2016 election, the GOP controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House.  Expectation was high on the right.  After two years and the disastrous midterm, what can be pointed to as major accomplishments?

Not much.

And now the Dems have the lower chamber, with media expectations running high for the left.  Sad to say, apart from all the ballyhoo, in two years' time the nation will most likely be no better off.

Politicians on both side make wide sweeping promises, then regularly fail to fulfill them.  All the claptrap uttered during campaigns plays to the party bases, drumming up excitement and expectations.  But no single member of the House or senator can wave a magic wand and make the campaign promises reality.  And collectively the members of Congress have but one common goal: reelection.  

As long as reelection is the primary goal of members of Congress, the country will suffer.

The elected use public monies as a slush fund, handing out benefits in order to buy votes.  So increases the unimaginable national debt.

State and local officials rig districts and voting to benefit the reelection frenzy.  So increases the division within the country.

Political party entities manipulate social media to skew self-serving messages and narratives for the perpetual election cycles.  So increases segments of our population that are inflamed by false stories.

The politically aligned media aid and abet the perpetual election cycles, pumping out opinion masquerading as journalism.  So increases the misinformation and disinformation bombarding the electorate.

Colleges and universities, pursuing naked political reelection objectives, indoctrinate young, new voters, camouflaging it as higher education.  So increases ignorance within the electorate.

Ignorant social activists, fueled by false stories, indoctrination, misinformation, disinformation, and inflamed and divided by manipulated social media and the general media, ardently push to reelect candidates, based solely on physical characteristics, ethnicity, or heritage.  So increases the number of wholly unqualified elected officials.

So increases, to levels of near certainty, that the next two years will be no more productive than the previous two.

An approach: change the Constitution so that every single member of Congress terms out at the end of his/her current term of office.  Include in the change foolproof, unassailable term limits for all future member of Congress.

It will be a start.

Maybe then the following two year will see major problems in our country attacked and resolved for the good of ALL of the people.     

          

As the year ends

Spent Christmas with our daughter and the grand children, and not long before the end of the year. In the little down time, between all activities and seemingly endless meals, I've been thinking about the greats and the grossly abysmal from 2018.

Greats

• Faith
• Wife, son, daughter, grand children
• Extended family
• Friends
• Health and fitness
• Our great nation
• American freedom
• Strong, unshakable values
• Patriotism
• Marine veteran status
• 2017 Toys for Tots event success
• Patriot Guard Rider missions
• Middle America
• Giving voice to veterans' stories 
• Motorcycling
• Freedom of the open road
• Baseball
• Cycling
• Rule of law
• Superb writing
• Biker lifestyle
• American military
• Service and sacrifice
• Police, fire/rescue, EMTs
• Traditional country music 
• Pick up trucks
• Beer
• Neighbors
• Our nation's natural beauty
• Watching sunsets with my bride
• Profound belief that 2019 will be better

Grossly abysmal

• Continuing attacks on my values
• Attacks on Christianity
• Politicians
• Elected officials
• Government dictates constraining freedoms
• Lack of ethics and integrity
• POTUS
• Financial markets
• Mainstream media
• Ignorance
• Demise of principled journalism
• Scurrilous social media 
• Democrat/progressive hypocrisy
• Public education
• Higher education
• Unions
• Activist judiciary
• Obscene pay for professional athletes
• Obscene pay for "entertainers"
• Professional athlete perpetual whining
• California
• Taxation and fees
• Congress
• National debt
• So called social justice warriors
• Identity politics
• Greed
• Narcissism
• Divided nation

 

When others slack off or moan and groan

 

When others slack off or moan and groan, three phenomenal Americans tirelessly worked in supporting the Marine Corps Reserves Program in San Diego.  From left to right, retired Marine Mike Harris, Sheryl Kerstiens of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and Staff Sergeant (now Gunnery Sergeant) Jeff Cantu of the USMCR 4th Medical Battalion.

Countless hours expended in absolute dedication from these three folks produced the largest Toys for Tots event in the San Diego region.  More than 1,000 toys and $17,500 were donated because of their superior efforts. 

Military funeral

On 20 November 2018, Sergeant Millard Odom, United States Marine Corps was laid to rest in Miramar National Cemetery.

Part of what made this mission extraordinary is that it was exactly 75 years ago to the day that he was killed in action during World War II in the battle for Tarawa.

Supporting the funeral were members of the Patriot Guard Riders.

I had the distinct and solemn honor of presenting mementos to Sergeant Odom's surviving sister.

Also extraordinary was that Medal of Honor recipient John Baca presented the folded flag.  Here is the citation accompanying the presentation of the Medal.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Baca, Company D, distinguished himself while serving on a recoilless rifle team during a night ambush mission A platoon from his company was sent to investigate the detonation of an automatic ambush device forward of his unit's main position and soon came under intense enemy fire from concealed positions along the trail. Hearing the heavy firing from the platoon position and realizing that his recoilless rifle team could assist the members of the besieged patrol, Sp4c. Baca led his team through the hail of enemy fire to a firing position within the patrol's defensive perimeter. As they prepared to engage the enemy, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the midst of the patrol. Fully aware of the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Baca unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, covered the grenade with his steel helmet and fell on it as the grenade exploded, thereby absorbing the lethal fragments and concussion with his body. His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being directly saved 8 men from certain serious injury or death. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sp4c. Baca, at the risk of his life, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Free speech

When individuals are held accountable by private entities for their comments, on social media and elsewhere, they scream loud and long about their right to free speech.  Assertions aplenty roil the landscape when words result in consequences.  One of the most common is the perpetrator has an absolute First Amendment right to free speech and can therefore say anything with immunity.

Such folks might first want to educate themselves on the right they are claiming.  There is no absolute immunity.

The First Amendment reads, "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."

Key in the above and subsequent precedence setting court decisions is that government can not make any law abridging free speech.  In other words, the government can not abridge the freedom of speech.  Private entities are not so encumbered.

A private company, for example, can dismiss an employee for speech the government can not abridge.  What, you ask?  Can't I just say whatever the hell I want to say, post, Tweet, or otherwise communicate with absolute immunity?  You are probably immune from arrest or other government consequence (libel and slander notwithstanding), but, yes, your boss can fire you for speech the business finds objectionable.  And you may be liable for civil action.

In today's hypercharged environment of uncivil discourse and rampant use of social media platforms, folks might do well to keep this in mind.  

Wednesday morning

Come Wednesday morning, it's pretty damn certain the sun will rise.  Nearly as certain is that one side or the other of the political spectrum will be apoplectic.

Yet the sun will still rise.  No apocalypse occurred overnight in the wake of the election.

Life will go on.

But if listening or reading only in the echo chambers of the (inaptly named) major political parties, left or right, liberal or conservative, roughly half of the average american citizens will hear doom and gloom.  It is also reasonable to predict an onslaught of associated claims and counterclaims about this or that injustice.  Just as during the lead up to the election, exaggeration, embellishment, overstatement, and hyperbole will fill the day.  Self-appointed pundits will flood (mainly in the aforementioned echo chambers) broadcasts, the airwaves, and Internet with their (anything but) sage views.  Absolutism will dominate.  Handwringing will be elevated to an art form.  Invective will be shouted.  Protests may be mounted.  

Sheesh!

Yet the sun will come up and life will go on.  

Those most impacted by the results, the average citizenry of the nation, will go about their daily lives, in spite of the election.  Some will grouse, some will smile.  But they will go about their lives, regardless of their views and feelings.  Because that is just the way it will be.

The winners may celebrate and the losers may complain, but neither will simply lay down and do nothing.  Momentary anger or joy will by necessity yield to the demands of the new day.  Breakfast will be consumed and off to work they will go, happy or not.  The activities of daily life will continue pretty much unabated.   

Perhaps only in the woefully unrealistic and insular bubbles called college/university campuses will activity momentarily cease.  Classes may be cancelled.  Marches may be organized.  Even as parents pay the bills, academia may raise its strident voice.

Everywhere else, life will go on.

That is an absolute certainty for Wednesday morning.

     

Saturday morning

A nearly ideal, weather wise, Saturday morning in the San Diego region saw 68 motorcyclists come together in the early morning hours.  While most folks were probably sleeping in or enjoying a leisurely breakfast and second cup of coffee, these bikers gathered at a funeral home in the town of La Mesa, just east of San Diego.

Funeral home on a Saturday morning you ask?  Some might assume, with disdain in mind, that it must be for the services for "one of those bikers."  Couldn't be farther from the truth.

These bikers came to honor a fallen sailor, Petty Officer Curtis Adams, U. S. Navy, who had been shot down after stopping for who he thought was a stranded motorist.  



To honor him, these bikers would escort him to the San Diego airport for the final flight home.

Arranged by the Patriot Guard Riders, this morning's mission included bikers representing several groups.  The prevailing themes across the groups were patriotism, military service, and honoring for our men and women in uniform.  In addition to the bikers, which included some younger active duty members of the military, there were roughly a dozen cars carrying Petty Officer Adams' fellow sailors, those who had served with him.  

The package, as it is referred to, ultimately grew to 68 motorcycles, 14 cars, and the hearse.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, a prayer offered, and mission briefing provided.

At the appointed time, a flag line was set, honors were rendered, the pall bearers transferred the remains into the hearse, and the package departed and headed to the airport.  Once there, they repeated the process, rendering honors as Petty Officer Adams was delivered to the airline cargo representatives.

A somber Saturday morning, with dozens of folks, the majority of whom had never met Petty Officer Adams, coming together as patriots.

In this hyper-intense period leading up to the mid-term elections, I noticed the absence of the media and elected officials.  Damn!  A young sailor dies, gunned down in the midst of trying to do the right thing, and not one member of the media or one elected official could spare even a few minutes out of their Saturday morning.   

Why is anyone surprised?

The oft times not so subtle exhortations by elected individuals, members of the media, and others from both sides of the major political, social, and cultural divides sow hatred.  Vitriolic and emotional commentary perhaps intended for political purposes in an election season (when are we not in some form of election season?) is wholly inappropriate.

Sadly, tragically, the country is reaping that hatred sown by these exhortations.  Violence, the threat of violence, and planning for violence is now commonplace.

Bomb makers.  Assassins.  Rioters.  Mobs.  

Sickening in any context in this wonderful nation.

And the sickening is magnified by attempts by the political cadre to employ tragedy and lawlessness for personal gain at the ballot box.  Either by feeble attempts to enhance their own status or by repugnant attempts to place direct responsibility at the feet of political opponents.

Nauseous abuse of the loudspeakers provided by the media.

All factions, from both major parties share the real blame.  They have led the country to this point in history.

Why is anyone surprised by the increasing reports of violence?

Each and every politician and member of the media who has slyly, directly, craftily, angrily, or otherwise called for or encouraged physical confrontation or violence should immediately be arrested.  Inciting violence is a crime and should be addressed as such.  

The election be damned.  Your strife ridden pursuit of identity politics is ruining the country.

One approach?

Vote out every single incumbent.  Start anew.         

The real America

On this Sunday afternoon, an Honor Flight returned to San Diego.  World War II and Korean veterans, including a Woman Marine and former POW, had been to our nation's capital, where they were recognized for their service to our nation.

On this Sunday afternoon, hundreds of real Americans turned out to welcome them.  American flags were enthusiastically and unashamedly waved.  Patriotic music was played.  Red, white, and blue were the dominant colors.

Looking around, what were not seen were football players (or any other professional athletes), elected officials, leftist media, political commentators, leftist pundits, television actors, movie stars, university professors, socialist democrats, social justice warriors, or any of the others working to destroy our nation.  Present were real Americans, proudly packing in to welcome these heroes home.

It is all too tempting to bemoan the state of the country.  And make no mistake, we have some serious problems.  But the real America represented at the San Diego airport today is large in number and strong of conviction.

The real America will stop those who seek to destroy our nation. 

Enough already

A young Marine, 21 years old, is currently being escorted to his home in New York.  His coffin was just hoisted by six volunteers Patriot Guard Riders into and out of the hearse that transported him to the San Diego airport for his final flight.

In view of the anguish of his wife and family, all of the hubbub created by the mainstream media and erstwhile elected "officials" and aspirants pales to insignificance.

Enough already.

I am sick and tired of the posturing, preening, prevaricating, misrepresenting, outright lying, and self-aggrandizing. 

Enough already.

A volunteer member of our military has died and idiots dominate the news.  A young man died and outlandish claims and counterclaims permeate the news.  A young (to me at least) Staff Sergeant is going to try to provide solace to the family of her Marine, and truth and honor are abandoned.

Enough already.

Pettiness, hyperbole, falsehoods, and political aspirations rise to the top.

Enough already.

Please, Lord, let honor, integrity, and humanity return as measures our society.  Please let activism, social justice, and perverted politics end.

Our nation deserves so much more.

The family of this young Marine deserves so much more.   

Not a routine Sunday

It was not a routine Sunday evening for the dozen or so  citizens who gathered at the funeral home.

While others were watching football, these patriots came together -- voluntarily -- to escort a fallen Marine to the San Diego Airport for his final airplane ride home to New York.  Shaking hands with the Staff Sergeant serving as Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), these patriots expressed their condolences at the death of her Marine.

For members of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), giving of their time, no matter when, no matter the day, is not at all uncommon.

As volunteers all, they proudly answer the call when missions are announced.  Most are veterans.  Most are bikers.  But not all.  But what each and every man and woman shares are patriotism, unbridled pride of country, and an abiding sense of duty.  Duty to the fallen, whether it is a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine who died on active duty or a deceased veteran who has honorably served our country.

This evening, six proudly volunteered to serve as pall bearers at the small funeral home in a quiet area of a small town adjacent to San Diego, while the others raised American flags and saluted.  Once they loaded the hearse, they formed up, with many motorcycles flying large American flags.  At the signal, they began their procession down the streets and onto the freeways for the relatively short ride to the airport, where they once again formed up and presented honors as the casket was removed from the hearse.  The pall bearers executed a slow salute, touched the casket, then placed their hands over their hearts in a final gesture of respect.

Even after the air cargo personnel had moved the casket into the warehouse, preparatory to loading it on the aircraft, it seemed the PGR were reluctant to leave their brother-in-arms.  They stood, many still holding their flags, in silent tribute.  Eventually they walked to their motorcycles and departed, one by one.

Not a routine Sunday by any means.  

Truth evaporates from politics and governance

Politicians and electeds alike avoid the truth in astounding ways.

A wannabe socialist easily wins a Democrat primary in New York, in spite of her wildly inflated (if not outrageously false) biography.

POTUS denied nearly 3,000 people died in hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico, even though one news report includes figures ranging from 64 to 4,600 (the exact number is still being disputed).

And this blog could go on and on, citing example after glaring example of candidates and electeds stating one falsehood after another.  Whether on the campaign trail, in day-to-day governance, or during Congressional hearings, the truth has evaporated.

And the electorate does not seem to care, because many of these purveyors of inflation and falsehoods are elected, then re-elected.  Astounding.

Can American citizens really be so dense?  Do not veracity, integrity, and ethics matter any longer?

This phenomenon is not limited to one political party, nor one locality, nor one gender, nor any other identifiable group.  It permeates and infects our entire political system.

As truth evaporates, the risk to our republic grows.