Well done
It is about time that the Montford Point Marines received the recognition that is due them ("House recognizes first black Marines," Oct. 26). Way overdue, in my opinion. It is time for them to take their rightful place in history alongside the Buffalo Soldiers, the Army Air Corps' Tuskegee Airmen and the "Triple Nickel" Soldiers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion ("Smoke Jumpers").
African-Americans have fought in every major war and a few minor conflicts as well since the Revolutionary War. They have served with honor, courage and distinction.
While the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy opened their ranks to black Americans, the U.S. Marines were the last military branch to do so. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, most of the officers in the U.S. Marine Corps resigned their commissions to fight with the Confederacy because most Marine officers were from the South. The USMC did not want to admit African-Americans into its ranks.
Black Marines proved themselves worthy of the title "United States Marine" during World War II, Korea, Vietnam and ever since then.
The Montford Point Marines went through a brutal basic training in the segregated South and hell in the Pacific alongside the rest of the Marines. To those first few black Marines, both living and dead, I would like to say thank you, well done and Semper Fi.
BILL MALONE
Winston-Salem
Thanks to all
With Veterans Day coming up soon, I wanted to take the time to thank all the current servicemen and -women who are now serving and have served this great country, some with their lives. And there should be another "thank you" for the citizens of Forsyth County for embracing these individuals upon their return home.
This was not the case in July 1968 upon my return home from Vietnam. It took me over 20 years to gather and prepare my photo album with pictures of my fellow soldiers, who look like strangers to me because I can't remember their names. On several occasions recently when I've been out in public wearing my Vietnam Veteran hat, total strangers have stopped and thanked me for my service.
It's amazing how the attitudes have changed, and I now can say that I'm a proud Vietnam veteran.
Thank you, and may everyone have a great Veterans Day.
JIM MOORE
Winston-Salem
Respect and admiration
I could not help but be moved by Joel M. Rogers' letter, "The first Americans" (Nov. 5). I (like many others, I am sure) was not aware that November is Native American Heritage Month. How sad.
It is also sad that the contributions of American Indians are not highlighted as are the contributions of others. In learning about American history, I can vividly remember how important expansion was to the country (at all cost — even to the extent of creating the "Trail of Tears"), and how it was somehow "right" to exercise the practice of Manifest Destiny. Why? I want Rogers to know that I celebrate and respect all American Indians, for they are in fact the true, first Americans. They have always had a reverence for the land and those creatures that inhabit it. They have a great respect for those who have gone on before them. This letter exemplifies this degree of respect and admiration for the land; not only for the land, but for ancestors. We could learn a great deal from them.
I want to thank Rogers for his letter and for the contributions of all Americans.
I feel that this letter was written from the heart and soul. I will keep it as a reminder of the sacrifices and contributions of the American Indian. Rogers, your ancestors are smiling down at you, to be sure. It is truly the contributions of everyone, working together, which will serve to carry all of us through difficult times.
DON A. HOLMES
Pfafftown
A political agenda
They call themselves members of the tea party, and they have overtaken the Republican Party. They now own it.
They are right-wing radicals with a political agenda, and they now have a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here is a partial list of the things they will do to our country if the American people let them:
WILLIAM VENABLE JR.
Rural Hall
It is about time that the Montford Point Marines received the recognition that is due them ("House recognizes first black Marines," Oct. 26). Way overdue, in my opinion. It is time for them to take their rightful place in history alongside the Buffalo Soldiers, the Army Air Corps' Tuskegee Airmen and the "Triple Nickel" Soldiers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion ("Smoke Jumpers").
African-Americans have fought in every major war and a few minor conflicts as well since the Revolutionary War. They have served with honor, courage and distinction.
While the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy opened their ranks to black Americans, the U.S. Marines were the last military branch to do so. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, most of the officers in the U.S. Marine Corps resigned their commissions to fight with the Confederacy because most Marine officers were from the South. The USMC did not want to admit African-Americans into its ranks.
Black Marines proved themselves worthy of the title "United States Marine" during World War II, Korea, Vietnam and ever since then.
The Montford Point Marines went through a brutal basic training in the segregated South and hell in the Pacific alongside the rest of the Marines. To those first few black Marines, both living and dead, I would like to say thank you, well done and Semper Fi.
BILL MALONE
Winston-Salem
Thanks to all
With Veterans Day coming up soon, I wanted to take the time to thank all the current servicemen and -women who are now serving and have served this great country, some with their lives. And there should be another "thank you" for the citizens of Forsyth County for embracing these individuals upon their return home.
This was not the case in July 1968 upon my return home from Vietnam. It took me over 20 years to gather and prepare my photo album with pictures of my fellow soldiers, who look like strangers to me because I can't remember their names. On several occasions recently when I've been out in public wearing my Vietnam Veteran hat, total strangers have stopped and thanked me for my service.
It's amazing how the attitudes have changed, and I now can say that I'm a proud Vietnam veteran.
Thank you, and may everyone have a great Veterans Day.
JIM MOORE
Winston-Salem
Respect and admiration
I could not help but be moved by Joel M. Rogers' letter, "The first Americans" (Nov. 5). I (like many others, I am sure) was not aware that November is Native American Heritage Month. How sad.
It is also sad that the contributions of American Indians are not highlighted as are the contributions of others. In learning about American history, I can vividly remember how important expansion was to the country (at all cost — even to the extent of creating the "Trail of Tears"), and how it was somehow "right" to exercise the practice of Manifest Destiny. Why? I want Rogers to know that I celebrate and respect all American Indians, for they are in fact the true, first Americans. They have always had a reverence for the land and those creatures that inhabit it. They have a great respect for those who have gone on before them. This letter exemplifies this degree of respect and admiration for the land; not only for the land, but for ancestors. We could learn a great deal from them.
I want to thank Rogers for his letter and for the contributions of all Americans.
I feel that this letter was written from the heart and soul. I will keep it as a reminder of the sacrifices and contributions of the American Indian. Rogers, your ancestors are smiling down at you, to be sure. It is truly the contributions of everyone, working together, which will serve to carry all of us through difficult times.
DON A. HOLMES
Pfafftown
A political agenda
They call themselves members of the tea party, and they have overtaken the Republican Party. They now own it.
They are right-wing radicals with a political agenda, and they now have a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here is a partial list of the things they will do to our country if the American people let them:
- Destroy Social Security.
- Destroy Medicare.
- Destroy public education by forcing taxpayers to pay for private religious schools.
- Repeal minimum-wage laws and all other laws that protect workers from exploitation and abuse.
- Repeal civil-rights laws that promote equality for women and minorities.
- Dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency, thereby allowing industry to poison the air we breathe and the water we drink.
WILLIAM VENABLE JR.
Rural Hall
"This is no disoriented, easily led citizenry. On the contrary. It is thoughtful and discriminating. For Republicans, this means there is no coasting to victory, 9 percent unemployment or not. They need substance. They need an articulate candidate with an agenda and command of the issues who is light on slogans and lighter still on baggage."
ReplyDeleteBuenos días, Bob. I see that the forum's postings for yesterday went missing, then re-appears today with a few comments missing. Just an observation, no response required.
ReplyDeleteBTW: whose quote did you post? (response requested)
Buenos dias, LaSombra. the quote is from Charles Krauthammer
ReplyDeletehmm, senator Demint(ed) was the only one to vote against jobs for vets.
ReplyDeleteBob: I feel the need to say that I hope Bucky hasn't been completely pushed out of the forum; I hope he understands that the deletion of his comments from yesterday is a not-so-subtle warning that his indulgence in intolerance is intolerable, and that respect for all who participate in this forum is expected. His principles of freedom of speech and expression are held by everyone on this forum, and SOMETIMES he makes sense.
ReplyDeleteno, bucky is welcome. I warned him to stop equating pedaphilia to homosexuality and that I was sincere about it. That's all.
ReplyDeleteWith his affiliation to FCSO, you would think he would know that.
ReplyDeleteI was a college athlete and worked with college athletes, men and women, and Jerry Sandusky is a disgusting monster.
ReplyDeleteMr Venable, your post is taken from an ignorant fear based narrative. The TEA Party has not overtaken the Republican Party...not by a long shot. Eventually it may have to as the current Republican Party is of little use in the face of the overwhelming threat this country faces. The threat is financial, economic and most dire-debt. No Democrat is a threat that can match this challenge to our future, they are only an obstacle along with too many insider Republicans in DC. That's what's wrong with Liberalism and collaborating Republicans. Constantly on the leading edge of every bad idea to roll out of the bowels of some liberal compound of higher learning. Political fads, as we are now experiencing, seem to start in Washington, New York, Boston...etc. Real political trends start in the heartland: Peoria, Nashville, Phoenix...etc.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with liberalism is that they have not had a new idea since FDR, they just keep repackaging the same $&1t, disguised as a new idea, or the current political fad and too many Republicans find a way to play "hard to get" long enough and then join in. That will stop one way or the other. It can be done while we as a nation still have a say in the matter, or it will be forced on us by the holders/buyers of our debt much like we see in Europe now.
Agreed.
ReplyDeleteToodle-ooo. Signing off for awhile; getting ready to get ready to go to work
Hasta luego.
ReplyDeleteLaSombra...enjoy your day. I am at Oak Island for a few days fishing. Weather is great, though windy today, but should improve by late today. Fishing is so-so.
ReplyDeleteWW, have a great time and may the fish start attacking your line before it even hits the water.
ReplyDelete¡Grácias a todos!
ReplyDeleteLTE's #1,2,3 great letters, thanks
ReplyDeleteLTE #4 a bit hyperbolic, but worry not, even if the Republicans should take the senate and the executive, there is always the filibuster which was used 490 times recently.
11/11/11 11:11am
ReplyDeleteNow somebody needs to hit 11/11/11 11:11 PM and we've got it covered.
ReplyDeleteWatched the Veteran's Day parade. One band had a bagpiper playing Scotland the Brave. Not bad.
Still had the old boot camp urge to yell "Get in step, cadet!" to some of the ROTC kids.
I was born 12/11/54 at 12:54 pm. I wonder if that has any significance other than I will soon be 57, lol.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: The very first colonist killed in the Revolutionary War was Crispus Attucks who was a man of color, so indeed African Americans have served from the very beginning. "The Montford Point Marines went through a brutal basic training in the segregated South and hell in the Pacific" - and when they returned, they weren't even allowed to order a freaking meal in a restaurant. Well done, Mr. Malone.
LTE 2: The whole Vietnam fiasco is another of the US's more shameful episodes, and tragically, the returning vets got caught in the middle. ~58,000 killed and another ~350,000 wounded, and no hero's welcome home. It is very good to see Viet vets finally receiving the recognition for their service under the most difficult cicumstances. Thank you for your service Mr. Moore.
LTE 3: Speaking of shameful US episodes...The natives had highly sophisticated societies and a tremendous understanding of nature. Now, native Americans suffer more than any other group in this country when it comes to poverty and all of its associated ills.
LTE 4: Just goes to show that fear mongering and paranoia aren't exclusive to those identify with the right. The R's are the majority in the House, but not all R's subscribe to the Tea Party. While Tea Partiers may continue to have some success in gerry mandered R districts, their fondness for offering up umm interesting characters in statewide elections strictly limits their appeal for the Senate.
I'll try this again today.
ReplyDeleteBob, glad you decided to subscribe to the Journal's online access.
Unfortunately advertising revenue is no longer sufficient to support online content. Without additional revenue, there may be no news.
Thanks so much for keeping this blog going since Stab took his new job.
The essence of this post crashed twice in the great "oops". I had also lamented that I don't post often because I still haven't gotten over my long lost disappeared post about "JohnG".
I guess I'm just a "lurker" in Chatroom parlance. That might get Bucky excited.
JohnG, now there's a post I would have loved to read.
ReplyDeleteand a big thanks, Wordly. I'm happy to do it.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
ReplyDeleteI do miss JohnG. He had a way of making you consider to think about something in a different way.
I didn't care for his Holocaust denial, personhood for eggs and disdain for public schools.
I appreciated his insights into the police and their desire to pursue illegal drugs cases over other type of crimes. He reasoning was because drug cases resulted in property forfeiture. From the sell of these items, the police can use the funds to purchase equipment (or high tech toys).
Staballoy said...
ReplyDeleteWell, we have 3 respectful LTE's and one stupid rant, which is a straw man waving a red herring. The R's have done none of the above, will do none. They haven't even done what I hoped, and end coerced union membership. No need to worry, between corporate ownership of the R's, and Wall Street and union ownership of the Dems, not that much will change. President Obama makes nice about the increasingly radical OWS protestors, but he raked in millions of Wall Street contributions.
Harking back to yesterday's posts and deletions, I own this site. Bob is its trustee, and I am grateful for his maintenance of it. I am sorry that he was compelled to remove some posts yesterday, but I agree with his reasoning. To write that a pedophile equates to a person like Bob is slanderous and shameful. It is the same as equating a poster on the FSCO Watch site to Ted Bundy. How does that sit?
All this carping about bad ends, buckaroos, and covering backsides ignores real problems and real history. Attend: the most massive slaughters in history were presided over by straight guys, you know, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, to name a few of the most murderous. The Wall St. failure was principally the shortcoming of straight guys. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Jesse Jackson, Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, David Duke, Newt Gringrich, are all straight guys. Al Capone was straight.
We've heard of the deaf guy who was allegedly raped at an OWS encampment. That is indeed bad. How many women are raped every day by straight guys?
This is not to recommend that folks change orientation. Mrs. Stab and I are happy with ours. The point is there is a lot that has gone wrong, and gay people in general aren't the prime movers.
The latest scandal involves the fiend at PSU. If just one of the macho men who were aware of this had done the right thing, many wrongs might have been averted. I cite especially the loser who witnessed an assault . . . and reported it the next day. Any real man, straight or gay, would have intervened to defend the victim. The fact is that most or all who ignored the actions of the fiend are probably straight. The PSU scandal is despicable. And I suspect there is more to come out about this.
Fixating on bathroom stalls and the YMCA fixes no wrong and does no good. So, what's the point of it?
One other thing: illegals aren't the problem, either. Alabama passed their anti-illegal law. Now, jobs are going begging because lazy "real Americans" won't do them.
Nighty night.
"I cite especially the loser who witnessed an assault . . . and reported it the next day. Any real man, straight or gay, would have intervened to defend the victim."
ReplyDeleteStab brings up a good point, one that initially slipped right past me. No real man, witnessing what the graduate assistant coach witnessed, would simply walk away.
Of course, the witness was a former Penn State football player, and football players are conditioned to yield to authority figures. The person committing the disgusting crime was one of his own former coaches. So he did, indeed, just walk away.
Note also that he did not even report the event immediately. Instead, he appealed to his father, another authority figure. Only when his father told him to report the incident did he do so. It might be noted that today he is a full time member of the Penn State coaching staff.
The really scary part, to me, is that there are tens of thousands of football teams in the USA, ranging from Pee Wee and Pop Warner to high school to college. All are a part of the football culture of discipline and unquestioning obedience.
And we know, through understanding of human nature, that this same sort of abuse, known and unknown, reported and unreported, is going on all over the nation.
Underlying the whole mess is the fact that football has attained the stature of a religion throughout the land. Like the christian god, the winning coach can do no wrong.
Witness the fact that the former graduate assistant coach has been receiving death threats, to the point that he will not be present at this week's game against Nebraska.
As the great American philosopher Vince Lombardi said "Winning isn't everything, it is the only thing." Lombardi may or may not have said that sometime around 1959. The original statement is from UCLA football coach Henry Russell ("Red") Sanders during a physical education conference in 1950.
It doesn't really matter who said it when. The fact is that way too many "football fans" believe it.