The Opinionator

Another Dispatch From Behind The Lines In Blue State America

In November 2005 I visited Blue State America. In particular, SE Pennsylvania. I detailed my experiences with X in this post, "I Support the Troops, but..." Deep in the Heart of Darkness; Dispatches From Behind the Lines in Blue State America, Part I". This year for Thanksgiving we are back at Mrs Opinionator's ancestral home and tonight, X was a dinner guest. As you can imagine, a fine time was had by all.

X was a pleasant guest at first. However it was not long before she started railing about the "mess in Iraq" and how we should leave immediately. What about the disaster we might leave behind I asked? She did not care about it she said, it was none of our business. I them mentioned that we could see a Killing Field that would make Cambodia look tame. Once again, she said she did not care. Tactfully as possible, I mentioned that I would remember that when she wanted us to go into Darfur.

Then Charlie Rangel's proposal to reinstate the draft came up. This led to X mentioning that it was a good idea as it would ensure not just minorities and those without any other options were in the military. I called her on the canard about minorities serving and dying in numbers out of proportion in society and mentioned she could research the Census Data herself. Her response, she did not need to check the data, she knew what the facts were. She also said Republicans were off base in attacking Kerry over his "botched joke" as everyone knew he was joking and that he would never attack those serving as he served himself. I responded by mentioning that she had just said essentially the same thing. No reply. Remember now, last time she told me that, "we all know that the people that join the military are the type that want to kill people. It is not as if there are artists, writers or thinkers in the military." Then I detailed the times Kerry had defamed our troops in 2005 and 1971. I can forgive him a :botched joke" except that he has a history of this type of thing.

From here, the Bush Derangement Syndrome kicked in. Well at least Kerry is not an idiot like Bush. Reminding her that GWB had a higher GPA in college did no good. In her mind, President Bush will go down in history as the worst President ever. He joined the Guard to get out of going to Vietnam, and on and on. I mentioned that Lt. Bush had volunteered to go to Vietnam. She said I was wrong. I told her she needed to get away from DailyKos and Huffington Post and that I would send her the links to my proof. Again, she did not want to be bothered with facts. Did I mention that X is a retired teacher? I wonder if facts were important in the classroom?

What was bothersome about this whole affair was the lack of consideration shown by X. What ever happened to not discussion religion and politics? She later told my Mother in Law that she did not remember we were Republicans (she got very condescending when she asked my wife whether "she was a Republican too"). She kept saying that she could not believe I supported Bush, that she had never met anyone who supported him. Like many liberals, she lives in an echo chamber.But the worst part of all this is that X used to be an interesting person. Now she is bitter and angry all the time. She defines herself by her hatred of George W. Bush. Unfortunately, that makes her very poor company. BDS has claimed another victim.

Cross-posted at Redstate.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Opinionator Clan would like to wish all of you the happiest of Thanksgivings. We are with family in the Philly area and enjoying spending time with the family.

We are incredibly thankful to have our wonderful children, great family and friends, health and our freedoms.

We are especially thankful to be Americans today and every day. A special thanks goes out to those manning the line on our behalf. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

Open Letter To The President

Dear President Bush,

Last week was a blow to all of us in the Republican Party. However, it is time for you to pull out of the funk, get off the floor and get back in the game. The loss of Congress has demoralized the Party but frankly, I could care less. It has also demoralized the troops we have fighting in Iraq. As my brother, several of my friends neighbors are serving on active duty and in the Guard and Reserves, I care a about that a great deal. Since the election, you have appeared to be willing to acquiesce to demands of the liberal Democrats and to the Iraq Survey Group where the War is concerned. Enough!

You sir, need to remember that you are Commander in Chief and speak clearly to the troops and the American people that you are still in the War to achieve one thing, VICTORY! My brother is scheduled to deploy next year. The press is reporting that my friend in the 39th Brigade (Arkansas Army National Guard) and my neighbors in the 30th Brigade (North Carolina Army National Guard) will have to deploy to Iraq for a second time next year. In fact, one neighbor is currently in Iraq for the second time. They all believe in the mission and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to wage this War.  They willingly risk their lives and leave their families to serve in our name. In return they deserve our support. They deserve your unabashed support.  This past week, you have left them turning in the breeze. They need to know that you are committed to victory. The troops need to know that the Commander in Chief is in their corner and is as committed as they are to this cause.

If you are not committed to winning the War, then step up to the plate and bring them all home.....NOW! Not in 4-6 months. Not in a year. NOW! Do not let these fine men and women sacrifice for nothing. I am one of your supporters. I am a fervent supporter of the mission in Iraq and the Global War on Terror. It pains me to say this, but if you are not 100% committed to victory, then this is not worth the sacrifice of another of our brave men and women. Nor is it worth the time spent away from family and home. Do not sacrifice them for no reason!

Mr. President, if you remain committed to winning the War in Iraq, it is time for you to speak out and show the resolve that the troops have come to respect. The message needs to come from you, not a spokesperson and must be clear;  The United States remains committed to victory in Iraq and they are not sacrificing in vain.

If not, bring them home.

Regards,

The Opinionator

UPDATE: It appears the Dean Barnett at Hugh Hewitt's place is thinking the same way.

UPDATE II: Confederate Yankee as well.

UPDATE III: Tracked back at Blackfive.

 

Saluting Our Veterans

Today is the day we thanks our veterans for their service and sacrifice on our behalf. The Opinionator clan would like to thank those that have earned our freedom and protected it ever since. Men like George Washington, the tired, cold members of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, and the rest of our Continental Army; Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine, and the other men of the Civil War; the Buffalo Soldiers and the Rough Riders; Sgt. Alvin York, the Devil Dogs and the men of WWI;  Audie Murphy, Chesty Puller, Pappy Boyington, Richard Bong and the men of WWII; David Hackworth, the 23rd RCT and the men of Korea; John McCain and the other unappreciated men of Vietnam; the veterans of Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia; SFC Paul R. Smith, CPL Jason Dunham and the men and woman of the GWOT - Afghanistan, Iraq and the lesser know trouble spots around the world. And so many, many others. Thanks to the women that served as well. Some as spouses, mothers, lovers and nurses. And increasingly with each conflict, as warriors as well.

A special thank you to my father, a career sailor and veteran of two tours in Vietnam, my Uncle who served with the Marines in Vietnam and my brother who is currently on active duty and served in Afghanistan. Thank all of you for paying our share for the freedoms we enjoy.

The Election Is In The Air, Literally; Thoughts From 40,000 Feet

The Opinionator is spending Election Day traveling across this wonderful country of ours from Raleigh to Phoenix. As I stare out the window of a thankfully less than half full Southwest flight 40,000 feet above the ground I am struck by the natural beauty of our land. I am amazed at how much the scenery changes every few minutes; farmland to hills, prairie to mountains, then deserts. It is truly stunning.

I often look down and see the small towns below and wish I knew it’s name and location. I wish I knew abou the people that lived there and what their lives are like. What do they do for work, fun, traditions. I love this country. I am lucky to live here with my family.

So what does this have to do with the elections today? Just that regardless of outcome, this country will be fine. Conventional wisdom is that this one is close. The Senate may well stay with the Republicans and the Democrats will take over the House. I personally think the Republicans will pull it out and narrowly hold both. But who knows? However, it is hard to defeat your political opponents and the media at the same time. By the time I get to Phoenix and post this we may know. But my point is that our country is too great for any one party to screw up too badly. It is a fine day to be alive. It is an especially fine day to be an American.

The Troops Return Fire!

H/T: Free Republic and Hugh Hewitt.

Yes He Should......