Ask the Children... They Understand

By: K L Marsala
http://www.blogger.com/www.right2think.8m.com
cnuseeme@cox.net


Paraphrased excerpts from a journal entry by Sgt. Brent N. Bretz dated: Dec. 19th, 2005-
Just a little over a year ago a brave young soldier, like many other brave young soldiers, was riding in a truck 20 miles somewhere outside Mosul, Iraq. While traveling down the well known course, a bomb went off under his vehicle- changing his life forever.
As the present company traveling with this soldier, tried to untwist the seemingly lifeless body from around the steering wheel of the truck he was driving, his bloody lifeless body showed no signs of life.
…A phone call came in to his family saying, "It doesn’t look good-uncertain whether he will live, or that he will even have his left arm and his legs are already gone."

It was just this last year that I received an email from a friend about Sgt. Brent Bretz and the incident that had befallen him. After reading the email, I thought this might be an opportunity to share a story of attitudes with some students I work with; I contacted the friend to garner more information about this soldier, his situation and progress. Quickly he connected me with the young soldier’s mother and she began to share with me the rest of her son’s story.
The following statement is why I wanted to share his story with my students and why I am compelled to impart it to you.
"... I want you all to know that life is not to be taken as an edge of your seat ride but with safety and comfort that you get from being with real friends and family. Not a day goes by that I wish I would have done more with my life, and been more willing to try some of the things I was a little scared to do.
There are so many men and woman out there right now that are willing to put there life on the line so you can enjoy this holiday season in comfort, and the biggest thing you have to deal with is that Wal-Mart wont use "Merry Christmas" in their advertising.
Many wonder how I can be so up-beat with what has happened to me and I tell you this- if Sgt. Stephen R Sherman, and many others can give their life then my blood, sweat, tears, and my legs are NOTHING in comparison.
Nothing is forever, not even life, take it and do all you want with it don't be afraid to fall because getting back up is so much sweeter than walking past the dreams you have! I want to thank you for all the support, your words and actions have made what I have done worth it, and I really mean that. Even if I have changed the life of one, that means that all I have done has been worth what I have given... One last note I know some people don't think so, but I'm no hero I was doing my job like so many others, and if you really want to see some heroes look at those that gave their lives so that you may live yours."

This is what being a person of honor really is.
As I shared Sgt. Brent N. Bretz story with the young students they immediately felt compelled to put their thoughts and gratitude into action. These young people, all 26 of them, sat down and wrote letters to Sgt. Bretz that very afternoon. Some of the letters were one sheet in length, but many of them were several pages long.
This is what I found so amazing about our young people, each letter contained within it a big thank you to Sgt. Bretz’s dedication to keeping not only them safe from terrorists, but for helping other kids like them. They thanked Sgt. Bretz for helping liberate the Iraqi children and granting them the hope and privilege of being able to go to school. The student’s letters were filled with compassion, gratitude and admiration for their new hero. Many of the students added in their letters- they would whine over homework or a paper cut, but here was a soldier persevering under the most strenuous circumstances in life- a life with no legs, little use of a left arm and countless surgeries- all because Sgt. Bretz believed in something bigger than just himself. Sgt. Bretz spirit of optimism impressed these young people.
As discussions continued to take place over the ensuing days many students shared how they understood the WMD’s did not just consist of nuclear warfare or the garnering of nuclear technology. The students on their own researched and stated they understood weapons of mass destruction can come in forms of ruthless dictatorships. As they realized the former Iraqi leader had gassed his own people and planned with other likeminded mass murders to carry out the destruction of all who do not fall in line with their jihadist’s beliefs. They young students understood the logic and simplicity of why we are doing what we are doing. The study of the radical "Holy War" of hatred towards western ideals, that threads itself over fifty years ago with a man named Sayyid Qutb, was not necessary for the students to grasp the grave seriousness of this jihadist’s determined promise. They understood- that you cannot reason with that level of fanaticism.
Out of the mouth babes countless times lessons can be learned. The comprehension level of the children I work with is higher than most highly educated adults and our elected officials. They firmly grasped the importance of our coalition forces going into Iraq, but they could not understand the political divisiveness of our elected officials.
As fellow beings co-existing on this planet we may have differing views points on our war on terror, but never should we turn this war on terror into a political game. Those who have spun this war on terror for their own political gain are nothing better than the murderous terrorist’s thugs that are trying to dominate by any means our very existence.
We have politicians sitting comfortably in their Italian leather chairs with hot and cold running water, heating and A/C, private jet planes, gourmet delicacies and the ability to bellow their pontificating nonsense from our nation’s headquarters. All while our men and women in the forces march on to fight for freedom. How sad it truly is that many of our youth understand the simplest of things, but our nations politicians will not acquiesce long enough to see beyond their own agendas.
The war on terror is not about political name calling, game playing or scoring voters points- it’s about our survival as a race and living under the freedom to choose.
Thank you Sgt. Brent Bretz for all you have given, thank you for having a positive outlook upon life and thank you for your willingness to share. Our prayers continue to go up for you, as we know your road to recovery is long.
Thank you wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers for being a part of all who serve so bravely and unselfishly without agenda, but for the love of freedom.
Out of the mouth of babes… at times comes insight and appreciation- let us learn and follow their lead.
Death Before Dishonor
Take a man and put him alone,
Put him twelve-thousand miles from home, Empty his heart of all but blood, Make him live in sweat and mud, This is the life I have to live.
You have your parties and drink your beer, While young men are dying over here, Plant your signs and have your fun, When you refuse to use a gun, There is nothing else for you to do, Then I'm supposed to die for you.
There is one thing that you don't know,
And that is where I think you should go, I am already here and it is too late, I have traded my love for hate, You made me hear my Buddy cry, I saw his leg and bloodshed, Then I heard them say "This one is dead."
It was a large price for him to pay,
To let you live another day,
He had the guts to fight and die,
To keep the freedom you live by,
By dying, your life he buys,
But who gives a *darn if a soldier dies.
Found in the pocket of a dead Marine at Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, June 6, 1969

(*original word edited)

Blast From the Past!

Ray Ramono--Stand Up For Your Rights!
Kerry L Marsala (reprinted by permission)
It's time for men to stand up and take back their rights as men. Men have been pushed around, put down, made fun of, and ridiculed far too long. Men are portrayed in sit-coms, movies, and commercials as being nothing but stupid most of the time. Where are the men's rights groups? Where is their version of NOW? Where are their advocates? We women have them, why can't the men?
In the beginning God created male and female. The male was to be the decisive and logically thinking side and the female was created to be the emotional and nurturing side. Both perfect counter balances to each other-both sides are representative of the Creator.
There are crossovers of strength and character between the sexes. Men by nature are physically stronger and able to endure impossible tasks of strenuous proportions. Men can lift and carry more weight than women; their percentage of muscle mass is higher. Women are naturally strong as well; we can carry a growing child within our bodies for nine months and still drive, work and live our daily lives. Men at times are extremely emotional, watch what happens when their favorite team looses the play-offs. Women at times can be extremely logical, did you ever hear a mother act as judge and jury between two fighting children? She uses great logic in settling major battles on the home front.
Each sex has remarkable gifts and abilities unique to their own, and when they are used properly they work beautifully.
For sometime now, women have been contributing to a slow degeneration of what needs to find balance, if we are to survive as men and women. Due to an over zealous pendulum swing men have been under constant attack and it needs to stop.
Watch the comedy show Raymond for a few episodes and you will witness how Raymond's TV wife and mother treat him. Sure it's comedy, but it seems to be the reflection of an overall prevailing attitude from American women in general--- personified in a half-hour sitcom. Men are looked at as being louses, who are insensitive, dumb, clueless, cave men. Just because men think differently and buy tickets to the Superbowl instead of the ballet for our anniversary present doesn't make them bad guys. Just because men don't have female hormonal fluctuations every fifteen seconds, doesn't mean they can't be helped to understand how PMS and Menopause affects womankind. Even after full explanation is given, they will need reminders constantly because they don't live in our bodies-give them a break!
We as women have hurt men tremendously by the way we treat them as mere sperm donors and not expect them to be real dads. Yes, there are lousy guys who go around impregnating women and leave, so does this give women the right to use men for their sperm and then walk away? Why is it okay for women not to allow men any contact or perhaps desired responsibility for a child? And yes, I even question why men don't have any say on aborting their babies. I know you're screaming, "IT'S MY BODY, HANDS OFF!" But what about the men who don't desire doing away with their child? What if they wanted to take their child and raise it after birth? Why do men have absolutely no rights in pregnancy? Is it all based on because we women carry the child in our wombs--- so we have full say?
Too often the Hollywood types have now bought into just wanting the sperm donation all to fulfill their need to have a kid. How selfish we women have become, we leave the most important part out of the miracle of creation-it's called love between a man and a woman. Love so powerful that it protects and nurtures each other from all outside forces, it shelters those whom they have created from all elements that may want to harm it. Men have a choice to be more than just sperm donors; they can actually be real dads. Just as women have a choice as to whether they want to be more than just a depository for the other half of the chromosomal make up of a human being.
Men are wonderful---they're unique, they're our counter-balances. Men are worth more than the treatment and abuse they've been receiving. Men are not all crummy; most desire an equal relationship with a woman they love.
Men, you need to decide for yourselves, because it's only the individuals who can change how others are treating them. Do you continue to let women treat you like you haven't an IQ higher than a six pack of Bud, a bowl full of Nachos and Monday Football with the guys? Do you continue to let women poke fun at you over the fact that you process information differently? No, you don't need to tolerate it any longer. And women we need to treat our men with the same R-E-S-P-E-C-T we demand of them.
Can you imagine if a sitcom was created to make fun of women who suffer from hot flashes? We could portray men ridiculing women for their irrational behavior, their inability to cool down, their propensity not to remember things (like wear she put the checkbook), their burning of the food, their zero sex drive, their constant crying and in general their acting and looking like something the cat drug in. I don't think women in general would allow that style of sitcom, movie or commercial to play more than once and they shouldn't either--and men--neither should you.
So the real question is: Are you A Man or just a male sperm with fecundating fluid that enjoys being kicked in the groin?

New at Over the Edge

Copyright Mike Calderon
mike_calderon@yahoo.com

Over the Edge

To view more of Mike Calderon's Comic work called "Over the Edge" visit: www.right2think.8m.com

Right 2 Think welcomes cartoon works by Mike Calderon. Mike's occupation lies within the I.T. industry, but in his spare time he creates single-panel comics called "Over the Edge".

His works range from silly to bizaar, as you will see when examining, it follows neither guideline nor category regarding subject matter.

Mike feels that this diversity aids in his works longevity as a strip and provides laughter without a large investment of time.

For more information on Mike Calderon's outstanding and a bit outlandish comic work contact him at: mike_calderon@yahoo.com

Bidding Adieu

K Marsala

Everyone has their personal lists of things they would like to bid adieu too at the end of each year

Not that my list will be any better or hold more truth than yours. Nevertheless, it is my list as a commentator on cultural, political and society that I pronounce mine forward- feel free to disagree, agree or add on if you desire.

Things I would definitely like to say adios permanently to- for they I feel have been of no benefit:


Media/TV:

Dan Rather, Mary Mapes, Bill O Reilly, CBS, Reality Shows.

Dan Rather, Mary Mapes, and CBS all fall together into one big event that really I believe told the story of how the media has an agenda. The biased opinions being sold as truth were laid before the American public open and bare. Dan has now retired, Mapes is still defending her bad choice and peddling her book on CNN, and CBS perhaps has learned a thing or two.

I can hear the scratching of heads over me adding in Bill O’Reilly to a list of those I would like to see gone with 2005. I think Mr. O’Reilly had at one time truly a “No Spin Zone,” but as I have watched his show regularly, he appears to be caught up into too much of “Bill’s spin.” The bloviating at times is all O’Reilly’s opinion and little else. As a viewer of the show, I believe he has gotten away from his original formula. If he goes back to being the “No Spin Zone” then great… we need him and his talents.

Reality shows… come on do I really need to explain this one? Do we not already live in reality? Why do we need to watch loser unemployed actors who are drunk, having sex with anything that moves and spilling their emotional baggage on us? As well, why do we need to watch anyone do any of these things? Wasn't TV created to be an escape from it all or are our own lives so pathetic that we need to watch the suffering of others to make ourselves feel better?

Politicians:

John Kerry, Howard Dean

To the vacillator, Sen. Kerry, I would like to say au revoir forever. He cannot make up his mind or maybe he can- before he changed it. Lest we forget too, his comments on CBS’s Face the Nation I believe were inexcusable; “And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the--of--the historical customs, religious customs. Whether you like it or not...” Sen. John Kerry.

Howard “HeeeeYaaaaWWW!!!” Dean- you gotta love the guy for his candor, honesty and ability to open mouth and insert foot. Honestly, at least you do know where he stands politically, but his speaking of mind before thinking has placed him on the list of those who need to go- bye, bye. His declaration that, "the idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong” has landed this Democratic National Committee Chairman flat faced in the mud. Along with Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha and many of the other cohorts have done little to help our military force win, their comments have only aided and abetted the enemy.


Entertainment:

Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, Kayne West, Britany Spears, Tom Cruise

Do these entertainers really need explanation? Paris Hilton- girl put away the camera and get a real job and a life. M. J., whatever really happened to his brilliant talent? I hope he never returns to sharing his bed anyone. Kayne West- just a loud mouth looking to sell his wares. Britany Spears- someone get her into therapy- she needs to find out who she really is. Tom Cruise- used to be Top Gun on my list of hunks, but his whole persona has becoming disturbingly troubled.

Anti-War Ranters:

Howard Dean, John Kerry, Cindy Sheehan, most of the entertainment industry.

It will take more than 9-11; the beheading of Nicholas Berg; terrorism in Bali; the London terrorist bombing (July 7th) to help these imbeciles get a clue.

Religious Leaders:

Jerry Falwell and Jesse Jackson

These two men may feel they walk with God, but it appears to me they live to walk in front of a camera.

Civil Liberty Action Organizations:

The American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU

This organization continues to baffle me. The ACLU states they are defenders of free speech:
“The mission of the ACLU is to preserve all of these protections and guarantees:
Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association, and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.
Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.”
Seems the ACLU has selective speech choices as they continually attack anything with a religious tone or flavor.
As Americans, we need our civil liberties protected not silenced by those who want to stomp out freedom of speech when it comes to Christianity.
It would appear the ACLU has forgotten this statement: “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.” – First Amendment, U.S. Constitution
Fashion:

Baggy Pants, short tops with bellies hanging out, and the “Toni and Guy” cookie cutter haircuts.

Education:

No Child Left Behind

This has become nothing more than a nightmare. Teaching to the test, mounds of paperwork, twelve-hour days, no weekends, and substandard pay. What insane person would pay for years of college to join? Yes, our educational system must be held to a higher standard, but we are killing our educators and limiting the education of our children by utilizing a very flawed idea.

Lawyers:

Ramsey Clark

He makes me scratch my head and say, a few extra prayers at night… frankly he scares me to death. His line up that he defends makes him a mad man. He has advised Bernard Coard, the murderer of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, Radovan Karadzic, the indicted Bosnian Serbian war criminal, and the Rwandan pastor who is accused of telling Tutsis to hide in his church and then summoning Hutus to massacre them, and then leading killing squads. His latest client- Saddam.

Natural Disasters:

Katrina

Hurricane Katrina was the topic of concern for most of the year ending 2005. There remains much to do in the rebuilding, but the human spirit will not be quenched until all damaged areas are restored.

Medicine:

I’d like to leave behind those who have forgotten their Hippocratic oath- and killed slowly and deliberately Terri Schiavo. Add to this list all the murders of babies for 2005

Economy:

High gas prices- "As you know, the government takes 40 percent of what you make. The other 60 percent, of course, taken by the gas stations." - Jay Leno

Petrol prices took an enormous jump this last year and everything from hurricanes to the war was blamed for it… interesting how oil companies’ profits surged isn’t it?


Sports:

Illegal drug enhancing use.

On March 17th, 2005, Palmeiro testified during a hearing on Capitol Hill to examine the use of steroids in professional baseball. Hearing of the rampant use of steroids saddens many fans, but evidently, steroid use has long been a problem not only in baseball, but within the sports world at large.

I do suppose, just as McGwire stated, “he was not here to talk about the past, but to be positive and talk about the present and the future,” that that was a wise saying. As we move forward in 2006 and beyond, may all sports players put behind them the use of illegal drugs.

Looking forward:

These mentioned are but just a tip of the iceberg that I would like to bid adieu too, the true list of "forgettables" would be too long to mention.

Alas, though as 2006 has taken her debut we have John Kerry threatening to run in ’08, and we already have natural disasters occurring in Oklahoma, Texas, and California. All proving that overall things do not really change. We have our problems and dilemmas in this country and with this world. Whether the angst is caused by a thoughtless political gainer, or a natural disaster there are many things we all would like to leave at the ending of each year.

Perhaps though, as we bid certain irritants adieu, we first need to recall and study why these things occurred and honestly ask ourselves how we can do better next time around so at the year ending in 2006 our lists will all be shorter.