Mario Rubio, teabagger wannabe from south Florida said that we should not count legal or illegal aliens in the upcoming census. His obvious ignorance of what the census does if overwhelming. We’ve had a census in this country since before we back a nation.
Rubio still favors excluding illegal immigrants from the formulas that dole out $400 billion in federal aid and seats in Congress. His position puts him at odds with his opponent, Gov. Charlie Crist, and many other elected officials who say leaving out illegal immigrants would keep the state from getting its fair share.
“It would be pretty damaging to Florida,” Republican U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said at a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday promoting a thorough count. “The reality is, whether you like it or not, there are undocumented, illegal people in the state. Pretending they’re not there, not counting them, doesn’t make them go away.”
State Rep. Esteban Bovo of Hialeah, chairman of the Hispanic caucus in the Florida House and a Rubio supporter, said, “So much funding is tied to the census, and to be undercounted could have devastating effects down the line. … I really don’t want our community to get shortchanged.” (Source: St. Petersburg Times)
Instead of pretending they are not here, we should seek them out. Gather the numbers and get our share of federal tax dollars to cover some of the expenses they cost the state. If the federal government was doing their job we would have far less of these illegals sucking our resources dry. They overwhelm our health care, schools and public services. If we don’t have the tax dollars to help offset this problem then it all falls on the citizens of the state to carry the burden.
It is a shame that the Republicans in the State of Florida have no one better to run for senator. Rubio is clueless and would just perpetuate the “Party of No” agenda in Washington. And Charlies Crist is just an empty suit who has done absolutely nothing as governor, except campaign for the brass ring in congress.
America lost a true hero, living legend and great warrior. Col. Robert L. Howard passed away in Waco, Texas Wednesday, December 23, 2009. He was the most highly decorated soldier living at the time of his death. Colonel Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in a thirteen month period, but due to the highly classified nature of his work in the Army Special Forces he was awarded the honor only once. His citation reads:
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 30 December 1968. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 11 July 1939, Opelika, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then Sfc .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer’s equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant’s belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard’s small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard’s gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army. (Source: U.S. Army Center of Military History)
During the 54 months Col. Howard served in Vietnam he was wounded fourteen times. He received eight Purple Hearts. Colonel Howard was awarded many additional medals and honors during his 33 years of service, including the Distinguished Service Cross and multiple Silver and Bronze Star. He was more highly decorated than the legendary Audie Murphy.
The 70-year-old Howard died in a hospice in Waco, according to a report in the San Antonio Express News today. The paper, quoting a longtime friend of Howard’s, retired Sgt. Maj. Benito Guerrero, said Howard had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Howard began his Army career as an enlisted man. During one 13-month tour in Vietnam he was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times, but in the first instance the award was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. Several biographies say that downgrade, as well as another — to the Silver Star — was to avoid the problem of noting in the Medal of Honor citation specifics of the combat operations, which were covert. (Source: Military.Com)
Rest in Peace Colonel Howard, this nation owes you a debt that can never be repaid.
Sergeant Thomas Lavin served his country for eight years in the Marine Corps. He saw duty in the Dominican Republic during the revolution and later in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division. After he left the military he returned home to St. Petersburg where he again served his community as a police officer. Tom died the other day at age 63. He was a lifelong friend.
I first met Tom in the early 1950s. We attended classes together from junior high to high school. As a team we got in a lot of trouble and enjoyed every minute of it. We were even suspended together a couple times. To get back into class we had to submit to ten whacks each for our infractions. The whipping we got in school couldn’t compare to what we got at home. Yes, back in the day whipping was the norm. There was none of this psycho-babble about the harm it did. We took our licks and turned out pretty good. We had a lot less problems in school back then. After the assistant principle, Cherokee Charlie, got through with Tom the boy turned around and asked, “is that the best you can do?” That was just the way Tom was, he could take whatever anyone wanted to dish out.
During high school the war in Vietnam escalated. Tom’s dad, Tom Senior, was a Marine who had served in the Pacific theater. Senior saw action in Guadalcanal and was a tough son of a bitch. Tom idolized him and joined the Marines himself right out of high school. He was the perfect Marine. Tom stood about 6 foot 4 inches and weighed nearly 300 pounds when he was a senior in high school. Every bit of it was hard muscle and determination.
After eight years and a purple heart Tom found he had too many bullet holes in him to continue life as a Marine. He wanted to stay, but by time he was in his mid twenties he was released with a disability. He struggled with the VA for a long time and finally got a 100% disability after years in and out of VA hospitals. He had wounds you could see and some you couldn’t. Tom battled PTSD most of his life. He never fully returned to civilian life and had little patience with those who had not served. He was one of those guys who would tell you that if you hadn’t been in combat you didn’t know shit.
Tom and I camped and fished all across the state of Florida for years after he returned. He loved Florida and especially the Ocala and Gainesville area. He was a Gator.
More than twenty years ago I asked Tom to be my best man. I was getting married, again. Tom refused. He said he didn’t want to be held responsible if it didn’t work out. I’m still sorry he didn’t accept. Jane and I are still married and it worked out well this time. Tom did not have a lot of luck in relationships. It was not until eight years ago that he found someone who would share his life with him and accept him for what he was, not what they wanted him to become. He left behind a family who thought the world of him. I am glad he was able to find someone to share his last years with.
Tom was laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Now he is surrounded by all those heroes who went before him. I know he is in good company. Tom was always a communicator. I’m sure he is catching up for lost time with all his fallen comrades.
Farewell brother. You will be missed by all who knew you. It was an honor and privilege to be your friend.
A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation. The Manager responded: “Good luck with that one, pal.”
So he posted a retaliatory video on YouTube. The video has since received over 5.5 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal.”
Taylor Guitars sent the musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has lead to a sharp increase in orders.
In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didn’t deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say “no” to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise. (Source: Dave Carroll’s webpage)
Obviously United, after nine months of runaround and bullshit, finally agreed to take responsibility. Dave said thanks but no thanks. Meanwhile the incident has introduced a lot of us to one very talented musician. For that we can be grateful to United.
Lewis L. Millet was born December 15, 1920 in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He grew up in South Dartmouth, Mass. Colonel Millett died November 14, 2009 in Loma Linda, California. During the colonel’s colorful life he distinguished himself many times over.
When war broke out in Europe Millett joined the Army in 1940. He was determined to help in the fight against fascism. But when it looked like the United States was not going to enter the war he deserted, joined the Canadian army and was stationed in England. After America joined the war he turned himself into the American Embassy and rejoined the United States Army.
In 1942, while Millet was serving in London, the United States entered the war. Millet turned himself into the U.S. Embassy there. He was eventually assigned to the 1st Armored Division. As an antitank gunner in Tunisia, Millet earned the Silver Star after he jumped into a burning halftrack filled with ammunition, drove it away from allied soldiers and jumped to safety just before the vehicle exploded. He later shot down a German fighter plane with a vehicle-mounted machine gun.
As a sergeant serving in Italy during the war, his desertion to join the Canadian forces caught up to him. He was court-martialed, fined $52 and denied leave. A few weeks later he was awarded a battlefield commission. After the war, he joined the 103rd Infantry of the Maine National Guard, and attended college, until he was called back to active duty in 1949. (Source: Military.com)
While he was a company commander in Korea he read some captured documents that stated the communist feared cold steel. He was determined to become their worse nightmare.
“We had acquired some Chinese documents stating that Americans were afraid of hand-to-hand fighting and cold steel,” he told Military History. “When I read that, I thought, ‘I’ll show you, you sons of bitches!’ ” (Source: Washington Post)
It was during the Korean war that he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was credited with leading the last full fledged bayonet charge in American history. The first since Cold Harbor 1864.
Citation
Capt. Millett, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While personally leading his company in an attack against a strongly held position he noted that the 1st Platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire. Capt. Millett ordered the 3d Platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the 2 platoons, and, with fixed bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind hand-to-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder. During this fierce onslaught Capt. Millett was wounded by grenade fragments but refused evacuation until the objective was taken and firmly secured. The superb leadership, conspicuous courage, and consummate devotion to duty demonstrated by Capt. Millett were directly responsible for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service. (Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Organization)
Colonel Millett served for 35 years. During Vietnam he was a part of the Phoenix operation. He would later found the Royal Thai Army Ranger School with help of the 46th Special Forces Company. Millett also earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit and four Purple Hearts during his military career.
Corporate shills who call themselves patriots heckle Midge Hough. Mrs. Hough lost her uninsured daughter and granddaughter needlessly.
Her daughter, Jennifer, ended up in an emergency room with double pneumonia that developed into septic shock, had a heart attack, a brain bleed and a stroke. The baby died and Jennifer died a few weeks later.
The Chicago Douche Bags heckled Mrs Hough and accused her of lying. It makes you ashamed to be an American when you witness this kind of display. These people do everything they can to stifle the democratic process as they do the dirty work of the health care industrial complex.
The Baggers are nothing more than today’s equivalent to the Brownshirts that plagued Germany in the 1930s. Hateful, disgusting cretins.
In my hometown, St. Petersburg, FL, we had a full field of candidates running for mayor this year. It was hard to make a choice because our local politicians all run on a non-partisan ballot. Personally I think this is a cowardly way to run for office and it made it difficult to make a choice. Finally the field was narrowed to two candidates, Bill Foster and Kathleen Ford.
Now the runoff election will determine who becomes our next mayor. Yet, even though both of these names are familiar with St. Petersburg voters, not a lot is know about where they really stand. But with a little research and some information from our local newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times, we’ve learned a few things about Mr. Foster.
St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Bill Foster believes, contrary to the overwhelming majority of scientists, that dinosaurs and humans co-existed. He believes the world was created in six literal days, and he once complained to school officials when his son was taught about Darwin’s theory of evolution in fifth grade.
Is that relevant to the campaign for mayor of Florida’s fourth-largest city?
“This city is trying to increase its employment base with respect to scientific organizations and trying to recruit scientific concerns to come here,” said St. Petersburg architect Michael Dailey, who supports Kathleen Ford, Foster’s opponent. “If our mayor has a belief system that basically rejects science, how can people take him seriously?” (Source: St. Petersburg Times)
This was enough information for me to make up my mind. I am sick and tired of these religious fundamentalist, lunatic fringe, creationist destroying our credibility in the eyes of the world’s scientific community. Their medieval ideas about the origins of man and the world around them quite frankly scares me.
Normally, candidates in the Tampa Bay area are not asked about dinosaurs or whether they believe the world is billions of years old or thousands, as some creationists maintain. (Ford said billions, Foster declined to answer.)
But in this election Foster has been dogged by questions about his religious beliefs after he sent a controversial letter to the Pinellas School Board, urging members to allow discussion about alternatives to the theory of evolution, such as the Genesis account. His letter suggested that Darwin contributed to the rise of Hitler and the Columbine massacre
Foster insists he was merely promoting free speech for students. (Source: St. Petersburg Times)
I simply can’t vote for anyone who believes the Flintstones were real people. I’m fed up with these loonies running our country. And though he failed to reveal his true party affiliation during this race, I think everyone can pretty much figure it out. Our youth deserve better. I’m tired of us sending a bunch of dumbbells into the job market that are not equipped to survive in the world today. Bill Foster would like to take us all back to the dark ages.
In the early 1970s I was serving in Germany. At that time we had two dog handlers and their partners patrolling and protecting our missile site at all times. Everyone loved these wonderful animals and their devotion to the troops they protected was unsurpassed. But even though he was every troop’s friend, those he didn’t know approached at their own peril. Then one day a group of Bader-Meinhof gang members probed our tactical site and in the process shot one of our dogs. To this day I’ll never forget Rex and his warm nature. I also remember the tears we all shed when he died in the snow by our guard shack.
There is a movement here in the United States to finally recognize the contributions of man’s best friend.
These have always been the virtues against which soldiers are measured. For these distinguishing qualities, a soldier is given medals and the recognition of his country. Military working dogs also possess these qualities. They have served without compensation or recognition, nor been honored for their sacrifice. These gallant dogs have more than earned the right to be fully recognized for their service to this country. That recognition will be the National War Dogs Monument.
For nearly a century, an estimated 100,000 dogs have served in the United States military, doing jobs in explosive and mine detection, tracking, and scouting. Dogs have carried messages and stood watch as sentries. Early on, dogs were donated by the civilian population in order to fill military needs. Later they were specially bred for the job. Dogs have served all over Europe, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, and today, are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Source: National War Dogs Monument)
Not only have these courageous animals protected and served along side our soldiers in combat, they have also been instrumental in helping our wounded heal. Therapy dogs have been visiting and comforting our returning wounded quietly across the nation.
VA hospitals nationwide are integrating service dogs into treatment plans for disabled vets, said Will Baldwin, a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the VA in Denver. The program was formed after Freedom Service Dogs, a Denver-based nonprofit, recently partnered with the VA.
Training takes up to nine months and costs $23,000. Service Dogs doesn’t charge its clients but relies on private donations and foundation grants.
“The population is growing exponentially down in Fort Carson with the Wounded Warriors program,” said Freedom Service Dogs’ Diane Vertovec, referring to the Army unit that prepares wounded Soldiers for civilian life. “We feel like a dog can help a vet meet physical challenges but, more importantly, can really, really help them overcome a lot of the mental instability that they’re feeling.” (Source: Military.Com)
At a VA hospital in Maine Petty Officer 2nd Class Johnson and his partner, Sierra, a Great Dane, visit and help wounded veterans recover. Not only do they bring joy to the wounded they visit, they also help heal.
“The interaction between the dogs and patients encourages healing, lowers blood pressure, and helps develop emotional relationships,” said Alice Workman, the administrator of Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Center in Maine. “Not only is this beneficial to patients, it is also a great way to strengthen the bond between the dogs and their owners.”
There are two types of animal-assisted interactions. Animal-assisted therapy, where the dog or other animal works with a patient to achieve set goals, and animal-assisted activities, such as visitation, in which the dog visits with the patient, stands quietly and allows the patient to pet it.
“Animals bring unconditional love and caring to the bedside,” Johnson said. “And patients, if they are animal lovers, truly respond.” (Source: Military.Com)
But it doesn’t stop there. These wonderful creatures help preserve the sanity of our men and women serving. Recently we’ve heard many tales of our troops befriending indigenous canines in Iraq. Sometimes they have managed to bring their faithful friends home with them. And then sometimes their beloved friends have come home without their masters. And they have helped the families of those who lost loved ones cope with the pain of that loss.
Over 100,000 dogs have served our country in war. They have saved thousands of lives and given comfort and friendship to many. If you, like I, believe that is time we honor these wonderful creatures then visit the National War Dogs Memorial and lets give them the recognition they deserve.
And to my old friend Rex, who sacrificed his life for us in Germany, you are not forgotten.
