Well Meg, I didn't vote for you because the only issue we agree on is .... oh yeah, nothing. And frankly, I think your spending of over $88 million dollars to buy your way into the Governor's Mansion tells me that you have no problem "spending" money. I doubt you care where the money comes from, as long as you can spend it on whatever you want. Unfortunately for California, you might be the lesser of two evils in the upcoming battle for Governor of the great State of California, and I will probably cast my vote for you. Although I really question whether there is much difference in the political leaning of both you and Jerry Brown, I can only believe you support the Global Warming Fraud and Cap & Trade because you have investments that benefit from "dealing with the problem." Jerry Brown is just a nut case, while I think you're just an opportunist. A nut case will never change their mind, but an opportunist might listen to reason. However, I could actually vote for you in good conscience if you had a show of good faith. And here is my proposal:
I know the budget for your upcoming campaign must be at least several $100 million. So, you make ONE great commercial, and that's it. In this commercial, you tell the citizens of California that you're so committed to really fixing the State, that you spent $10 million dollars on the commercial and airtime (or whatever the cost would be) and the rest of your budgeted campaign money will be donated to the State's general fund to put toward the State's deficit. How about it Meg....do you really care about California? Prove it! Put your money where your mouth is!
This is a great plan that I'm sure would endear you to countless voters, and best of all, everyone wins.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
MY ENDORSEMENTS FOR JUNE 8TH
Well, only a little over a week until D-day, and am going to mail in my ballot today. I've done my homework and am spreading the word for everyone to do the same. That being said, IMHO here are the best candidates in my voting district to help "Take Our Country Back in 2010!"
Governor: LAWRENCE "LARRY" NARITELLI
Lt. Governor: SCOTT. L. LEVITT
Sec'y of State: ORLY TAITZ
Controller: TONY STRICKLAND
Attorney Gen'l: JOHN EASTMAN
Insurance Commissioner: BRIAN FITZGERALD
U.S. Senator: CHUCK DEVORE
U.S. Representative: LEE MCGROARTY (42nd District)
In the past, shame on me, I didn't really pay much attention to the Judicial races. I now realize they are VERY important and have an impact on our communities in a big way. So here are my choices:
Office #28: KIM SMITH
Office #35: SOUSSAN (SUZANNE) BRUGUERA
Office #73: LAURA A. MATZ
Office #107: TONY DE LOS REYES
Office #117: PATTRICIA M. VIENNA
Office #131: MAREN ELIZABETH NELSON
Moving on:
Superintendent of Public Instruction: DIANE A. LENNING
County Assessor: JOHN LEWIS DORTCH
And the Propositions:
#13 - YES
#14 - NO
#15 - NO
#16 - YES
#17 - YES
There you have it...that's all I get to vote on. If anyone needs more information on the candidates in your area, please go to http://www.icaucus.org and see if there is an endorsed candidate in your particular District. My advice, if you really can't decide on a candidate for an office, just don't vote in that particular race. That way, you at least won't be giving your vote to the "wrong" candidate! Your ballot counts whether or not you vote for every contest.
Governor: LAWRENCE "LARRY" NARITELLI
Lt. Governor: SCOTT. L. LEVITT
Sec'y of State: ORLY TAITZ
Controller: TONY STRICKLAND
Attorney Gen'l: JOHN EASTMAN
Insurance Commissioner: BRIAN FITZGERALD
U.S. Senator: CHUCK DEVORE
U.S. Representative: LEE MCGROARTY (42nd District)
In the past, shame on me, I didn't really pay much attention to the Judicial races. I now realize they are VERY important and have an impact on our communities in a big way. So here are my choices:
Office #28: KIM SMITH
Office #35: SOUSSAN (SUZANNE) BRUGUERA
Office #73: LAURA A. MATZ
Office #107: TONY DE LOS REYES
Office #117: PATTRICIA M. VIENNA
Office #131: MAREN ELIZABETH NELSON
Moving on:
Superintendent of Public Instruction: DIANE A. LENNING
County Assessor: JOHN LEWIS DORTCH
And the Propositions:
#13 - YES
#14 - NO
#15 - NO
#16 - YES
#17 - YES
There you have it...that's all I get to vote on. If anyone needs more information on the candidates in your area, please go to http://www.icaucus.org and see if there is an endorsed candidate in your particular District. My advice, if you really can't decide on a candidate for an office, just don't vote in that particular race. That way, you at least won't be giving your vote to the "wrong" candidate! Your ballot counts whether or not you vote for every contest.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
OMG - Why would anyone BELIEVE this man ?!
BELIEVE THIS BLOGGER...VOTE FOR JOE TEGERDINE, AN HONEST CANDIDATE WITH INTEGRITY!
A MAN WHO WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS, NOT JUST WALK AWAY MUMBLING "IT'S POLITICS!"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Col. Rick Powell seeks Republican nomination in the CA 78th Assembly District.
www.VoteRickPowell.com
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2010 Contact: Élise L. Dufresne
(619) 341-4435
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2010 Contact: Élise L. Dufresne
(619) 341-4435
Congressman Ron Packard Endorses
Col. Rick L. Powell for State Assembly
“Electing Col. Powell to the State Assembly will ensure that the 78th Assembly District is represented by a very strong and principled fiscal conservative.”
Col. Rick L. Powell for State Assembly
“Electing Col. Powell to the State Assembly will ensure that the 78th Assembly District is represented by a very strong and principled fiscal conservative.”
San Diego, CA – Former Congressman Ron Packard – a longtime respected voice within the San Diego Republican Party – announced today his support for Republican Col. Rick L. Powell, USA (ret.) for California’s 78th State Assembly seat.
“Col. Powell has my full support,” commented Packard. “The Colonel’s commitment to limited government spending and balanced budgets will bring some much needed fiscal sanity to Sacramento’s shortsighted tax-and-spend culture,” Packard continued. “Electing Col. Powell to the State Assembly will ensure that the 78th Assembly District is represented by a very strong and principled fiscal conservative,” concluded Packard.
A lifelong public servant with 18 years of Congressional experience, Packard remains a nationally recognized conservative voice. Packard’s many legislative accomplishments focused on reducing the federal deficit, curbing public benefits for illegal immigrants, and providing improved housing for members of the armed services.
“The Congressman’s impressive legislative record truly speaks for itself,” explained Powell. “I’m honored and humbled to have received Congressman Packard’s endorsement,” concluded Powell.
Col. Powell served 38 years in the military and received several decorations for his combat service in the Vietnam and Iraq Wars, including the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. In addition to a distinguished military career, Col. Powell worked in federal law enforcement for over 23 years as a Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and for US Customs.
Col. Powell currently provides national security consulting services to the Department of State.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Another Illegal Immigration Analogy
I received the following in a "forwarded" e-mail from a friend this morning...makes sense!
If you had tickets to a sports event, concert, Disneyland, or on an airplane, and when you got to your assigned seat, and someone else was in that seat, what would you do? You would call for a person in charge of ticket checking and have the person in your seat removed. You would be properly asked to show your ticket, and you would gladly and proudly do so, for you have bought and paid for that seat. The person in your seat would also be asked for a ticket, and they would not be able to produce one. They would be called “gate crashers” and they would be properly removed.
Now in this huge stadium called the USA we have had millions of gate crashers. We have been asking security to check for tickets and remove the gate crashers. We have been asking security to have better controls in checking at the door. We have asked security to lock the back doors. Security has failed us. They are still looking the other way. They are afraid to ask to see the tickets. Many people say there is unlimited seating, and whether there is or not, no one should be allowed in for free while the rest of us pay full price!
In section AZ, of Stadium USA, we have had enough of the failures of Security. We have decided to do our own ticket checking, and properly remove those who do not have tickets. Now it seems very strange to me that so many people in the other 49 sections, and even many in our own section do not want tickets checked, or even be asked to show their ticket! Even the head of Security is chastising us, while not doing his own job which he has sworn to do.
My own ticket has been bought and paid for so I am going to proudly show it when asked to do so. I have a right to my seat, and I want the gate crashers to be asked to show their tickets too. The only reason that I can imagine anyone objecting to being asked for their ticket is that they are in favor of gate crashing, and all of the illegal activities that go with it. Such as drug smuggling, gang wars, murder, human smuggling for profit, and many more illegal and inhumane acts that we are trying to prevent with our new legislation. Is that what I am hearing from all of the protestors such as Phoenix Mayor Gordon, US Rep. Grijalva, even President Obama? If you are not in favor of showing tickets, (proof of citizenship, passport, green card, or other legal document) when asked, as I would proudly do, then you must be condoning those illegal activities.
If you had tickets to a sports event, concert, Disneyland, or on an airplane, and when you got to your assigned seat, and someone else was in that seat, what would you do? You would call for a person in charge of ticket checking and have the person in your seat removed. You would be properly asked to show your ticket, and you would gladly and proudly do so, for you have bought and paid for that seat. The person in your seat would also be asked for a ticket, and they would not be able to produce one. They would be called “gate crashers” and they would be properly removed.
Now in this huge stadium called the USA we have had millions of gate crashers. We have been asking security to check for tickets and remove the gate crashers. We have been asking security to have better controls in checking at the door. We have asked security to lock the back doors. Security has failed us. They are still looking the other way. They are afraid to ask to see the tickets. Many people say there is unlimited seating, and whether there is or not, no one should be allowed in for free while the rest of us pay full price!
In section AZ, of Stadium USA, we have had enough of the failures of Security. We have decided to do our own ticket checking, and properly remove those who do not have tickets. Now it seems very strange to me that so many people in the other 49 sections, and even many in our own section do not want tickets checked, or even be asked to show their ticket! Even the head of Security is chastising us, while not doing his own job which he has sworn to do.
My own ticket has been bought and paid for so I am going to proudly show it when asked to do so. I have a right to my seat, and I want the gate crashers to be asked to show their tickets too. The only reason that I can imagine anyone objecting to being asked for their ticket is that they are in favor of gate crashing, and all of the illegal activities that go with it. Such as drug smuggling, gang wars, murder, human smuggling for profit, and many more illegal and inhumane acts that we are trying to prevent with our new legislation. Is that what I am hearing from all of the protestors such as Phoenix Mayor Gordon, US Rep. Grijalva, even President Obama? If you are not in favor of showing tickets, (proof of citizenship, passport, green card, or other legal document) when asked, as I would proudly do, then you must be condoning those illegal activities.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Vote for John Stammreich for Ca. Senate - District 28
Now here's a man that we can put our trust in to do the right thing in Sacramento!
CANDIDATE STATEMENT
We deserve a state senator who will fight record unemployment, unacceptably low graduation rates, excessive government pension contracts, tax dollars taken from local governments, and regulations forcing businesses to leave the
When elected, I will:
1) Fight “Job-Killer” legislation and regulations sending jobs and businesses out of California;
2) Fix California’s failing education system through increased accountability of spending; and
3) Protect local services and revenues from greedy Sacramento politicians.
In 2010, voters will have a choice to “Save the South Bay Dream”, fight legislative job-killers and hold
To learn more about my campaign, volunteer or contribute please visit my websites, http://www.stammreich4senate.org and http://www.john4jobs.com.
Party: Republican Website: http://www.stammreich4senate.org
INDIVIDUAL ENDORSEMENTS
Michelle Park Steel, Board of Equalization Member
Senator Tony Strickland
Senator George Runner
Assemblymember Chuck Devore
Assemblymember Audra Strickland
Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto
Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Steve Wolowicz
Manhattan Beach Mayor (former) Bob Holmes
Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher
Araceli Gonzalez – Co-Founder, National Latina
Hon. Phil Wyman - Former State Senator (State Senate author of "Three Strikes" law)
John Mavar – Vice-President, Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council
ORGANIZATION ENDORSEMENTS
Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association
Citizens for California
Republicans for Environmental Protection
Young Republican Federation of California
Tim Donnelly - California State Assembly, 59th District
TURKEY SHOOT
Please join us Thursday, May 20th at 6pm for a fundraiser for
~ Tim Donnelly ~
Candidate for the California State Assembly, 59th District
(Founder of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. of California)
We are putting the “fun” back in Fundraiser.
We will have a drawing with prizes to be announced.
Tim believes in the 2nd Amendment, and would like to share with you his passion for freedom and shooting.
As a shooter, you are aware of the importance of electing representatives who share your beliefs and will defend our values. Tim is the only candidate who has come out publicly in support of the AZ Law SB 1070, and vowed to introduce it here in California.
Nitty Gritty Details:
Price is $100 per shooter (Deli Plate, and fifty clays included, you can bring your own ammo, or buy ammo at the range)
For those who would like to support Tim without shooting,
Join us for delicious Deli Plate provided by Rocky’s Deli for $25
Event location:
Redland Shooting Park, 2125 N. Orange St. Redlands
Dinner starts coming off the grill at 6pm
Shooting starts at 6:30 pm
We’ll be there ‘til 10 pm, so come when you can!!
Space is limited so please RSVP as soon as possible.
or call Brenda at
909-286-3568
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
In a Nutshell this is what DeVore stands for
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
WHO CARES IF THE CRIMIGANTS GET AMNESTY?
Picture this: You're sitting in your livingroom with your family one Sunday night and the doorbell rings. You answer it only to find a scraggly looking man standing there. The man states, "Sorry to bother you, but you see, my kids and wife and I are hungry, and we have no place to go. We were staying with relatives, but they were very poor and live in a dangerous area. I saw through your open curtains that you have a spare bedroom. Could me and my family come stay with you"?
"Well", you tell him, "I'm pretty well broke and have a lot of extended family that I must take care of too, but if you fill out some paperwork, I'll consider it and let you know in about a year. And of course, you'd have to pay for your room and board and support yourself financially." The homeless man tells you, "Well I don't have any money and we really don't want to wait," and leaves.
The next evening, you return home from work only to find the homeless man and his family set up in your spare bedroom. You order them to leave, but they refuse, so you call the police. You explain to the responding officer what has happened and he says, "Well, they really aren't hurting anything and didn't do much damage when they broke in, so we have to let them stay. And oh yeah, you're now responsible for them. You need to feed them, clothe them, make sure they get an education and good healthcare, you know, just like they were your kids, you just can't claim them as dependents".
You tell the officer, "Wait a minute! This man and his family broke into my home, everyone knows it's illegal to break into someone's home"! The officer replies, "Well, technically yes, but we don't really enforce that law. Have a nice day!"
What do you think about amnesty now???
If you think this couldn't happen to you, think again. Amnesty is just the first step toward just that!
Fire all the politicians that support amnesty and vote only for those who strongly support the consititution and the rights of the AMERICAN people ! It's not just an Arizona problem, or a California problem or a Texas problem, It's AMERICA's problem. Check out: http://www.icaucus.org/ to find the best candidates for the job!!!
"Well", you tell him, "I'm pretty well broke and have a lot of extended family that I must take care of too, but if you fill out some paperwork, I'll consider it and let you know in about a year. And of course, you'd have to pay for your room and board and support yourself financially." The homeless man tells you, "Well I don't have any money and we really don't want to wait," and leaves.
The next evening, you return home from work only to find the homeless man and his family set up in your spare bedroom. You order them to leave, but they refuse, so you call the police. You explain to the responding officer what has happened and he says, "Well, they really aren't hurting anything and didn't do much damage when they broke in, so we have to let them stay. And oh yeah, you're now responsible for them. You need to feed them, clothe them, make sure they get an education and good healthcare, you know, just like they were your kids, you just can't claim them as dependents".
You tell the officer, "Wait a minute! This man and his family broke into my home, everyone knows it's illegal to break into someone's home"! The officer replies, "Well, technically yes, but we don't really enforce that law. Have a nice day!"
What do you think about amnesty now???
If you think this couldn't happen to you, think again. Amnesty is just the first step toward just that!
Fire all the politicians that support amnesty and vote only for those who strongly support the consititution and the rights of the AMERICAN people ! It's not just an Arizona problem, or a California problem or a Texas problem, It's AMERICA's problem. Check out: http://www.icaucus.org/ to find the best candidates for the job!!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
BE AFRAID...BE VERY AFRAID
So obviously, Arizona is now under the gun by left-wing do-gooders who would have the USA just welcome everyone that wants in with open arms, (and open checkbooks)! It's not just about being taxed to death people! It's about losing our COUNTRY!! There is more to the Mexican illegal immigrants agenda than meets the eye. They're not just here because of the need for jobs and mess in their own country that they refuse to deal with. They certainly get their people united and rebellious in our country! The radical groups believe that America is ALREADY their country and that they are entitled to whatever they want. When they finally have it their way the USA will still be the USA, but it will stand for the United States of Aztlan. Some of what these radicals are professing is happening....their population is growing and ours is not. They are having babies, and we are not. It's simply a numbers game. It's the same "plan" the muslims have to take over the world...and it's working. And they're being unwittingly helped by the self-righteous left-wing politicos and their "blind" followers. Little do they realize, that when the Mexicans (or Muslims) take over our homeland, they (the left wing politicians, etc) will be but dirt under their feet. Used, then abused (it's almost funny if it weren't so sad).
Those of us who care need to make sure we vote OUT all politicians who support amnesty! If you don't know who they are, get educated. A great place to start is: www.iCaucus.org
Sunday, April 11, 2010
JOIN ME IN THE FIGHT !
The following text in yellow is a forwarded email I received from a dear friend of mine. In researching its veracity, I found that the account is true and it started circulating via email in December of 2000. To me, it brought home how precious my freedom is, and that to let it fall by the wayside in my own country because I did not do my part to fight back as our politicians slowly chip away at what our founding fathers intended, I am disrespecting all the young men that willingly gave their all so that I could be free. Fight back with me by getting involved in disarming (voting OUT) the corrupt and selfish politicians whose only thought is to get re-elected. Get educated about the men and women seeking election or re-election. Complacency will take our country where we don't want her to go...socialism!
Each year I am hired to go to Washington, DC, with the eighth grade class from Clinton, WI where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable.
On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave soldiers raising the American Flag at the top of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during WW II.
Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial.. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer he asked, 'Where are you guys from?'
I told him that we were from Wisconsin. 'Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, Cheese heads, and I will tell you a story.'
(James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, DC, to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good night to his dad, who had passed away. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington, DC, but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night.)
When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words that night.)
'My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin. My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called 'Flags of Our Fathers' which is #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me.
Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player ... He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called 'War.' But it didn't turn out to be a game. Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out, I say that because there are people who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18, and 19 years old - and it was so hard that the ones who did make it home never even would talk to their families about it.
(He pointed to the statue) 'You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire. If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph.. a photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection because he was scared. He was 18 years old. It was just boys who won the battle of Iwo Jima .. Boys. Not old men.
The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys. They called him the 'old man' because he was so old. He was already 24 When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country.' He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers.'
Arizona .. Ira Hayes was one who walked off Iwo Jima .. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off alive?'
So you take your class at school, 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together .. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes carried the pain home with him and eventually died dead drunk, face down at the age of 32 (ten years after this picture was taken).
The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop,Kentucky. A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night.' Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of 19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store. A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. Those neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away.
The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley, from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Cronkite's producers or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back.' My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting there right at the table eating his Campbell Soup.
You see, like Ira Hayes, my dad didn't see himself as a hero.. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic.. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And when boys died in Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed, without any medication or help with the pain.
When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did NOT come back.'
So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time.'
Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero.. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless.
We need to remember that God created this vast and glorious world for us to live in, freely, but also at great sacrifice.
Let us never forget from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism and all the wars in-between that sacrifice was made for our freedom.
Remember to pray praises for this great country of ours and also pray for those still in murderous unrest around the world..
STOP and thank God for being alive and being free at someone else's sacrifice.
God Bless You and God Bless America ....
REMINDER: Everyday that you can wake up free, it's going to be a great day.
P.S. Be sure to click on my newest video post on the left side of the blog!
Each year I am hired to go to Washington, DC, with the eighth grade class from Clinton, WI where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable.
On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave soldiers raising the American Flag at the top of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during WW II.
Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial.. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer he asked, 'Where are you guys from?'
I told him that we were from Wisconsin. 'Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, Cheese heads, and I will tell you a story.'
(James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, DC, to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good night to his dad, who had passed away. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington, DC, but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night.)
When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words that night.)
'My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin. My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called 'Flags of Our Fathers' which is #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me.
Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player ... He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called 'War.' But it didn't turn out to be a game. Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out, I say that because there are people who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18, and 19 years old - and it was so hard that the ones who did make it home never even would talk to their families about it.
(He pointed to the statue) 'You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire. If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph.. a photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection because he was scared. He was 18 years old. It was just boys who won the battle of Iwo Jima .. Boys. Not old men.
The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys. They called him the 'old man' because he was so old. He was already 24 When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country.' He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers.'
Arizona .. Ira Hayes was one who walked off Iwo Jima .. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off alive?'
So you take your class at school, 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together .. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes carried the pain home with him and eventually died dead drunk, face down at the age of 32 (ten years after this picture was taken).
The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop,Kentucky. A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night.' Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of 19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store. A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. Those neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away.
The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley, from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Cronkite's producers or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back.' My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting there right at the table eating his Campbell Soup.
You see, like Ira Hayes, my dad didn't see himself as a hero.. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic.. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And when boys died in Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed, without any medication or help with the pain.
When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did NOT come back.'
So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time.'
Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero.. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless.
We need to remember that God created this vast and glorious world for us to live in, freely, but also at great sacrifice.
Let us never forget from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism and all the wars in-between that sacrifice was made for our freedom.
Remember to pray praises for this great country of ours and also pray for those still in murderous unrest around the world..
STOP and thank God for being alive and being free at someone else's sacrifice.
God Bless You and God Bless America ....
REMINDER: Everyday that you can wake up free, it's going to be a great day.
P.S. Be sure to click on my newest video post on the left side of the blog!
Monday, April 5, 2010
What is WRONG With This Picture???!!!!!
I decided my blog today would be about getting information out to my readers regarding voting districts, as not all primaries are held on the same date. Until I started getting involved, I didn't know my own districts, and thought that many people, well, probably most people, don't know what districts they belong to, or even their representatives names. We have to change that if we're going to change the "politics as usual" in this country.
I first googled "find your voting district by address" and found: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html You put in your address, click submit, and your district number and legislators information shows up. In fact, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/legsite.html has a plethora of information that is very useful and informative for all California voters.
So, then I googled "find California congressman by address" and the #1 hit was http://www.contactingthecongress.org/. When I clicked on it, here is what I see:
(It didn't copy too well, but you get the picture..LOL)
What the heck??? I don't know who sponsors the website, and it seems to be accurate in locating one's representatives, but what's with the huge red underlined sentence? We need to wake up and force our legislators to introduce and push legislation to allow English only when voting or filling out ANY government form (DMV, etc). This is crazy. You're going to vote, but can't read or write English?!!!
As California voters, we must spread the word...If we want to save our STATE and our COUNTRY, we have to stop being complacent about the power we really have. The idea that "my one little vote doesn't really ever count" attitude has to stop!! There is a movement going on in this country that can change all of that, but we need everyone to get involved. If you do nothing else, educate yourself and your family and friends about the power we have when we all support and promote the right candidate for the job!! Go to http://icaucus.org/ RIGHT NOW and read about the endorsed candidate(s).
Also, don't forget to view the latest educational video (regarding taxation) posted on the left side of my blog! Thanks for reading :)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I Changed My Mind...I'm Voting For Carly!
APRIL FOOLS !!
Now Chuck DeVore, there's a man who wants the best for this country. He can DEFEAT Barbara Boxer! He is truly a common sense conservative who believes in upholding the Constitution and Bill of Rights. He is ready, willing, and able to work for us. His Republican opponents are RINO's at best. Make sure you watch the above video and read a little bit about him below. Then go to his website to get the whole picture.
- Chuck DeVore believes government’s most important role is to secure our rights. This was the Founders’ view of government too. Bigger government encroaches on our liberty.
- Chuck opposed the bailouts, the stimulus package and the big government auto industry takeover.
- Chuck opposes Obamacare and has fought hard to see its defeat in the public arena.
- Chuck has a strong voting record fighting for increased domestic energy production and he has strongly opposes Barbara Boxer's Cap & Trade energy tax scheme.
- California faces an unprecedented challenge due to a drought made worse by arcane environmental laws.
- Chuck is a strong defender of family values and has the voting record to show for it.
- Assemblyman DeVore is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army retired Reserve. He also worked as a Reagan White House appointee in the Pentagon. Chuck supports a strong military and defense for our country.
- Chuck supports strong controls on our borders and considers this issue to be of vital national importance.
- Chuck has a proven voting record of fighting for our Constitutional rights.
On March 8, 2010, Chuck DeVore was, in the first round of voting, overwhelmingly endorsed by the California Republican Assembly's 75th annual convention. DeVore's endorsement, was a landslide margin of 194 votes to 89 for distant-second Carly Fiorina. All the money Carly Fiorina had invested to influence the vote was for naught. There is hope!! People are fed up with the status quo of big money in government. http://www.chuckdevore.com/
P.S. Don't forget to watch my 3rd video post on the left sidebar of this page.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Here's Your Chance to Meet California's Next Governor
When I first saw the campaign ad for one of the candidate's for governor in California, I thought "now here's a woman that knows how to run a business, she could be good for California." But then I got educated! Here is a woman who thinks she can buy her way into the Governor's mansion...she's spent over $45 million dollars so far toward that quest. Must be because she's so civic-minded! Oh wait, no...here's a woman who did not vote for 28 years that she was eligible...what??? Did she have an epiphany or what...I don't buy it.
And the insurance guy...uh no...in my humble opinion just too negative and can't seem to focus.
California's best choice for Governor is LARRY NARITELLI. He has the very important "iCaucus" endorsement too ! ( http://icaucus.org/ )
[here is an exerpt from his website]
Although he is a lifelong Republican, Larry became disenfranchised from the party in 2008 as it moved away from the conservative values of Ronald Reagan. In 2009 he joined the Tea Party movement as an American patriot to join others who believe in small limited government, low taxes, and free market capitalism. As he participated in Tea Party events it became apparent that there are millions of other Californians who believe in the same principles and values. Throughout the year he actively fought to stop the water restrictions on our farmers and the CARB regulations that are driving jobs and businesses out of state.
So now is your chance...
Meet Larry Naritelli
Date: Wednesday April 21, 2010
Agenda: Budget for California & schools How to fix education
Where: Aliso Viejo Country Club 33 Santa Barbara Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(X streets - Glennwood and Aliso Creek (please note the cross streets as GPS is sometimes wrong.)
For more information on Larry Naritelli and his views please go to www.larrynaritelli2010.com
RSVP to robertfordav@gmail.com
And don't forget to watch the video on my left sidebar, a "Tale of two Congressmen." Verrrry interesting and informative...just under 10 minutes too. You're gonna feel so smart afterward!
And the insurance guy...uh no...in my humble opinion just too negative and can't seem to focus.
California's best choice for Governor is LARRY NARITELLI. He has the very important "iCaucus" endorsement too ! ( http://icaucus.org/ )
[here is an exerpt from his website]
Although he is a lifelong Republican, Larry became disenfranchised from the party in 2008 as it moved away from the conservative values of Ronald Reagan. In 2009 he joined the Tea Party movement as an American patriot to join others who believe in small limited government, low taxes, and free market capitalism. As he participated in Tea Party events it became apparent that there are millions of other Californians who believe in the same principles and values. Throughout the year he actively fought to stop the water restrictions on our farmers and the CARB regulations that are driving jobs and businesses out of state.
So now is your chance...
Meet Larry Naritelli
Date: Wednesday April 21, 2010
Agenda: Budget for California & schools How to fix education
Where: Aliso Viejo Country Club 33 Santa Barbara Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(X streets - Glennwood and Aliso Creek (please note the cross streets as GPS is sometimes wrong.)
For more information on Larry Naritelli and his views please go to www.larrynaritelli2010.com
RSVP to robertfordav@gmail.com
And don't forget to watch the video on my left sidebar, a "Tale of two Congressmen." Verrrry interesting and informative...just under 10 minutes too. You're gonna feel so smart afterward!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I Bet You'll Enjoy This Video!
Well, yesterday I blogged about how I was educating myself about the way politics works in this country of ours, and how it's opened my eyes and spurned me on to get involved. So I decided that with my next 8 blog postings, I will also post a very informative video that a knowledgeable member/delegate of the Independence Caucus, aka iCaucus.org, produced. You will be able to access the video on the left side of my page. Most of them are around 12-15 minutes. Believe me, it is time well-spent. Additionally, when you click on the video, it takes you to a website that has the entire series of videos posted. So if you're inclined, go ahead and view them all at your pleasure!
I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I found out that 33, yes 33, candidates in California are endorsed by iCaucus so far. Holy cow...that can really make a difference in the makeup of our legislature here. And with that, it can actually impact our entire country! These candidates, along with all the rest of the iCaucus endorsed candidates, are going to go down in history as the politicians who stood up to "big money" and started taking this country back to greatness.
These men and women really care and love our country and what she stands for. They understand the importance of the Constitution and why it's imperative that they uphold it. They understand that they are in office to serve this country, not take advantage of her by accepting the status quo of today's politicians.
Following is a list of the iCaucus endorsed candidates in California, so far. I encourge you to go to their websites and see who they are and what they stand for. They need you to stand up for them and promote them. We don't have the money backing for our candidates like the incumbents and some of the others running for office. Many of our candidates are just good people who have the smarts and drive to do a great job for America, they don't have money for all the media-hype. Let's not let the media put even one more politician in office!!!! We all need to get the word out to friends, family, co-workers, baristas, etc. that this is OUR country and we're tired of being the silent majority!
Barich, Don
CD- 15
http://barichforcongress.com/
Barker, Allen
State Assembly 28
http://vote4allen.com/
Bogh, Russ
State Sen, Dist. 37
http://russbogh.com/
Chandler, Robert
State Assembly 24
http://www.district24.fatcow.com/Chandler2010
Day, Alvaro
State Assembly 44
http://www.alvaroday2010.com/
Dennis, John
Congressional 8th
http://www.johndennis2010.com/
DeVore, Chuck
U.S. Senate
http://www.chuckdevore.com/
Donnelly, Tim
State Assembly 59
www.donnellyforassembly.com/
Doug, LaMalfa
State Senate, 4th
http://douglamalfa.com/
Gentry, Doris
State Assembly 7
http://www.dorisgentry.com/
Hunt, Bill
Orange County Sheriff
http://billhuntforsheriff.com/
Hunter, Duncan
CD-52
http://hunterforcongress.com/
Judd, Jim
CD-6
http://www.jimjuddforcongress.com/
LaSuer, Jay
San Diego CO Sherriff
http://www.sheriffjay.org/
McGroarty, Lee
CD-42
http://mcgroartyforcongress.com/
Mellana, J.P.
State Assembly 50th
http://voteforpj.com/
Mettler, Ken
State Assem 32nd
http://www.kenmettler.com/
Morrell, Mike
State Assem 63rd
http://morrellforassembly.com/
Naritelli, Larry
governor
http://www.larrynaritelli.com/
Popaditch, Nick
Congressional 51st
http://www.popaditchforcongress.com/
Powell, Rick
State Assembly 78
http://colrickpowell.com/
Reed, Mark
CD- 27
http://www.markreedforcongress.com/
Rubin, Christine
State Assembly 77
http://christineforassembly.com/home
Shoemaker, Brandon
State Assembly 31
http://www.brandonshoemaker.com/
Smith, Chrystopher
CD-39
http://smithwin2010.com/
Stammreich, John
State Senate D28
http://www.stammreich4senate.org/
Stevens, Greg
State Senate D36
http://citizensforstephens.com/
Stockdale, David
CD- 23
http://stockdaleforcongress.com/
Stollaire, Michael
CD-28
http://stollaireforcongress.org/
Thibodeau, Clayton
Congressional 45th
http://www.clay4usa.com/
Tsakanikas, Jim
CD-13
http://www.tsakanikasforcongress.com/Home
Weaver, Mason
US House D53
http://www.cmasonweaver4congress.com/
Wiesner, Lawrence
St. Senate 2
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lawrence-R-Wiesner/100000751247166
CD- 15
http://barichforcongress.com/
Barker, Allen
State Assembly 28
http://vote4allen.com/
Bogh, Russ
State Sen, Dist. 37
http://russbogh.com/
Chandler, Robert
State Assembly 24
http://www.district24.fatcow.com/Chandler2010
Day, Alvaro
State Assembly 44
http://www.alvaroday2010.com/
Dennis, John
Congressional 8th
http://www.johndennis2010.com/
DeVore, Chuck
U.S. Senate
http://www.chuckdevore.com/
Donnelly, Tim
State Assembly 59
www.donnellyforassembly.com/
Doug, LaMalfa
State Senate, 4th
http://douglamalfa.com/
Gentry, Doris
State Assembly 7
http://www.dorisgentry.com/
Hunt, Bill
Orange County Sheriff
http://billhuntforsheriff.com/
Hunter, Duncan
CD-52
http://hunterforcongress.com/
Judd, Jim
CD-6
http://www.jimjuddforcongress.com/
LaSuer, Jay
San Diego CO Sherriff
http://www.sheriffjay.org/
McGroarty, Lee
CD-42
http://mcgroartyforcongress.com/
Mellana, J.P.
State Assembly 50th
http://voteforpj.com/
Mettler, Ken
State Assem 32nd
http://www.kenmettler.com/
Morrell, Mike
State Assem 63rd
http://morrellforassembly.com/
Naritelli, Larry
governor
http://www.larrynaritelli.com/
Popaditch, Nick
Congressional 51st
http://www.popaditchforcongress.com/
Powell, Rick
State Assembly 78
http://colrickpowell.com/
Reed, Mark
CD- 27
http://www.markreedforcongress.com/
Rubin, Christine
State Assembly 77
http://christineforassembly.com/home
Shoemaker, Brandon
State Assembly 31
http://www.brandonshoemaker.com/
Smith, Chrystopher
CD-39
http://smithwin2010.com/
Stammreich, John
State Senate D28
http://www.stammreich4senate.org/
Stevens, Greg
State Senate D36
http://citizensforstephens.com/
Stockdale, David
CD- 23
http://stockdaleforcongress.com/
Stollaire, Michael
CD-28
http://stollaireforcongress.org/
Thibodeau, Clayton
Congressional 45th
http://www.clay4usa.com/
Tsakanikas, Jim
CD-13
http://www.tsakanikasforcongress.com/Home
Weaver, Mason
US House D53
http://www.cmasonweaver4congress.com/
Wiesner, Lawrence
St. Senate 2
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lawrence-R-Wiesner/100000751247166
Monday, March 29, 2010
Here I go !
This is a brand new avenue for me, so please be gentle with your comments ! I think my friends and family probably think I've suddenly gone off the deep end, because this year it seems like all I do is bemoan the state of our country. Well, I'm going to stay on my soapbox, and subject even more people to my opinions by becoming a blogger !LOL.
To say that I was upset when our new President took office is a gross understatement. It seems like everything he stands for goes against my grain and the welfare of all the good hard-working people in America. When his campaign harped on "change" and "hope" little did I know that all I can do now is "hope" that I have a little pocketful of "change" at the end of the month. I'm blessed with a wonderful family and a job that I love. However, I'd like to be able to retire one of these days without having to rely on my "government" to support me. But the way that the President is redistributing my wealth it could happen. And don't get me started on the way the legislators in California are wreaking havoc on the state I've called home my entire life!
That being said, here I am. I started educating myself on how the government really works, and learned that "we the people" has really gotten lost, and that most legislators number one priority is just getting elected again! While searching the internet for a way to get involved and possibly turn this country around, I joined a couple of the tea party type groups. Then I came across "icaucus.org." The Independence Caucus A National Citizens Organization
Focused on Integrity over Big Money. Their mission statement: "To find/elect fiscally sound candidates; help organize locally; educate people on current affairs; research money trails to every rep we can."
iCaucus gives people the opportunity to join their "virtual campaign team." Well, I did, so here I am. I am blogging for a better America. I will post articles and links here to educate and inform voters (and voters-to-be) on candidates that have been vetted by iCaucus. Any candidate who wishes to obtain the endorsement of iCaucus (a VERY big deal) must go through the iCaucus vetting process, which includes an 80-question questionairre, and then a lengthy interview, and then a vote by iCaucus membership.
If you're reading this blog, then I bet you want a better America too. So go to http://www.icaucus.org/ to find out what you can do. Remember, God helps those who help themselves!
Also, Californians, if you're not sure if you're registered to vote, or if you want to register to vote click on this link: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm . Most states have the same services online, so if you're from out of state, just google or bing it!
To say that I was upset when our new President took office is a gross understatement. It seems like everything he stands for goes against my grain and the welfare of all the good hard-working people in America. When his campaign harped on "change" and "hope" little did I know that all I can do now is "hope" that I have a little pocketful of "change" at the end of the month. I'm blessed with a wonderful family and a job that I love. However, I'd like to be able to retire one of these days without having to rely on my "government" to support me. But the way that the President is redistributing my wealth it could happen. And don't get me started on the way the legislators in California are wreaking havoc on the state I've called home my entire life!
That being said, here I am. I started educating myself on how the government really works, and learned that "we the people" has really gotten lost, and that most legislators number one priority is just getting elected again! While searching the internet for a way to get involved and possibly turn this country around, I joined a couple of the tea party type groups. Then I came across "icaucus.org." The Independence Caucus A National Citizens Organization
Focused on Integrity over Big Money. Their mission statement: "To find/elect fiscally sound candidates; help organize locally; educate people on current affairs; research money trails to every rep we can."
iCaucus gives people the opportunity to join their "virtual campaign team." Well, I did, so here I am. I am blogging for a better America. I will post articles and links here to educate and inform voters (and voters-to-be) on candidates that have been vetted by iCaucus. Any candidate who wishes to obtain the endorsement of iCaucus (a VERY big deal) must go through the iCaucus vetting process, which includes an 80-question questionairre, and then a lengthy interview, and then a vote by iCaucus membership.
If you're reading this blog, then I bet you want a better America too. So go to http://www.icaucus.org/ to find out what you can do. Remember, God helps those who help themselves!
Also, Californians, if you're not sure if you're registered to vote, or if you want to register to vote click on this link: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm . Most states have the same services online, so if you're from out of state, just google or bing it!
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