Today, our country is losing it's greatest national resource at an alarming pace. I bet you are wondering to what I am referring? The answer isn't what - it's who. Today, so few of them are left and every day we lose more and more - our country's Greatest Generation.
65 years ago today, they faced insurmountable odds and an unlikely outcome, and they faced it as young men and women - most probably in their 20's or younger. They faced this challenge the way they faced all the other hardships in their lives - head on- with hard work, dedication, devotion and bravery. Their victory in the fielf of battle made our country synonomous with Freedom on the one hand and overwhelming military might on the other. Their sacrifices liberated an entire continent of oppressed people and saved a people from total annihilation. They were liberators.
Winston Churchill once said ( of the Battle of Briton but can certainly be said of Normandy) "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. " And yet, 65 years later, so mahy of us forget the contributions of the Greatest Generation.
My husband's grandfather, Addison Hogue Thomson, was one such a man. He was the kindest, gentlest man that it has ever been my privilege to know. He was slow to anger and quick to forgive. He loved his country - very much. When she called, Addison answered. He bravely served his country as a medic for the duration of the war. He would only talk occassionally about his experiences. He never thought of himself as a hero, and yet, believe me when I tell you that he was one.
Addison Thomson was one of six brothers, five of whom fought for their country as members of the Greatest Generation. His brother David was simply too young to serve. He was at D-day plus one. I can remember him telling me of his experiences there. The first thing he learned when he hit the beach with the 101st was to cover the Red Cross on his helmet with mud as the Germans used it for crosshairs so that the wounded could not be tended. He had horrible memories of the war and hated Patton with an intensity that it was difficult to believe considering his otherwise peaceful demeanor.
Addison Thomson epitomises the greatest generation. They were ordinary men and women who rose up to the challenges presented and accomplished extraordinary things, then quietly went back to lead their lives, never wanting or needing gratitude or accolades. Yet today, of all days, those men deserve both the accolades they are given and the undying gratitude of free men and women everywhere. I hope we never forget their contributions and their sacrifices. I hope that a new generation will look to those that have come before and aspire to be something more, to do something more, not just for ourselves, but for the betterment of the world.
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Doing It for the Sisterhood
It's been a while since I wrote here. My poor blog looks and feels sadly neglected. Sorry about that, life has been crazy lately and with all that has been going on with the Democratic primary, I have been at a loss for words honestly. That in itself is something of an anomoly for me.
So, if you read my blog, you know that I am NOT a Hillary Clinton fan. As I watched the days drag on, even I dispaired at Obama's inability to put her away. The Clintons, like a cat with 9x9 lives, they always find a way to land on their feet. (I'm desperately hoping that Hillary's next landing space is NOT next to Obama on the Democratic ticket! Don't do it Obama....)
All that said though, even I will admit that I found Hillary's "exit" speech to be powerful and stirring. In my minds eye, I was taken back to the days of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, when a woman was considered chattel - the property of her husband - and didn't even have the right to vote. I listened to Hillary talk about the glass ceilings that have been broken, and I realized that TODAY, I can tell my daughters that truly anything is possible. Where once their best hope was to be a teacher, now my daughters truly can dream as big as their abilities and imaginations will let them.
I was proud, as a woman, of her accomplishment and of her fortitude. How many had called for Hillary to quit? Many really... myself included. Now, looking back, I'm glad she stayed in the race as long as she did. I'm glad that she didn't just quit when the road was long and hard. What kind of message would that have sent to the men in our country?
I listened to Geraldine Ferraro and Gloria Steinem - neither of whom I hold in great regard - talk about the culture of misogyny in our country and I began to wonder if there wasn't something to what they were saying. Sure, some men came out and supported HIllary, but how many "good ole boys" are there still today? How many men out there truly believe that a woman is incapable of being President just because of her sex? A lack of a penis does not indicate lack of intelligence or lack of judgement. In fact, I would suggest that as mothers, WE understand the cost of life. We know what it is to want peace and strive for peace. I think those traits would make for an excellent President.
Yes, Hillary was not my choice for President, but I am grateful to her for lighting the way for all of our daughters - YES IT CAN BE DONE!
So, if you read my blog, you know that I am NOT a Hillary Clinton fan. As I watched the days drag on, even I dispaired at Obama's inability to put her away. The Clintons, like a cat with 9x9 lives, they always find a way to land on their feet. (I'm desperately hoping that Hillary's next landing space is NOT next to Obama on the Democratic ticket! Don't do it Obama....)
All that said though, even I will admit that I found Hillary's "exit" speech to be powerful and stirring. In my minds eye, I was taken back to the days of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, when a woman was considered chattel - the property of her husband - and didn't even have the right to vote. I listened to Hillary talk about the glass ceilings that have been broken, and I realized that TODAY, I can tell my daughters that truly anything is possible. Where once their best hope was to be a teacher, now my daughters truly can dream as big as their abilities and imaginations will let them.
I was proud, as a woman, of her accomplishment and of her fortitude. How many had called for Hillary to quit? Many really... myself included. Now, looking back, I'm glad she stayed in the race as long as she did. I'm glad that she didn't just quit when the road was long and hard. What kind of message would that have sent to the men in our country?
I listened to Geraldine Ferraro and Gloria Steinem - neither of whom I hold in great regard - talk about the culture of misogyny in our country and I began to wonder if there wasn't something to what they were saying. Sure, some men came out and supported HIllary, but how many "good ole boys" are there still today? How many men out there truly believe that a woman is incapable of being President just because of her sex? A lack of a penis does not indicate lack of intelligence or lack of judgement. In fact, I would suggest that as mothers, WE understand the cost of life. We know what it is to want peace and strive for peace. I think those traits would make for an excellent President.
Yes, Hillary was not my choice for President, but I am grateful to her for lighting the way for all of our daughters - YES IT CAN BE DONE!
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Battle for Michigan
Tomorrow, voters in our countries 8th largest state, will go out and vote in their state's primary. This really is a story about the Republican nomination, as the steam went out of the Democratic race in Michigan a long time ago. When the state decided to move up it's primary, the Democratic National Party removed all it's delegates from the State and both Barrack Obama and John Edwards took the extra step of removing their names from the ballot. In Michigan, a democratic voter has only two options - vote for HIllary Rodham Clinton or vote undecided. There is no write in option. This blogger is encouraging ALL voters in Michigan who may be reading this to vote your conscience tomorrow, whatever your ballot options my be, you can still vote uncommitted.
On the Republican side of things, Senator McCain and former Governor Romney are in a neck and neck race. McCain does have an advantage in Michigan, in that all voters can participate in the primary, and he won't have to compete with Obama for the votes of Independents. McCain won the state handily against George W. Bush in 2000 because of the Independent vote. Time will tell if history will repeat.
Michigan really is a must win state for Romney. He was born and raised in Michigan and his father was the one time Governor of the state. With two second places in the previous contest, the outcome in Michigan is of vital importance to Romney to keep his candidacy viable.
The battle between the two candidates really is an ideological one and no place demonstrates that better than Michigan. Senator McCain is famous for his "Straight Talk" express. He believes that he should tell the American people how he really sees it, even if it may be something that they don't want to hear. McCain believes that the economy in Michigan is undergoing a fundamental change as the American automakers lose ground to foreign competitors. McCain says that certain types of jobs are leaving Michigan ( and other parts of our country) and they won't be coming back. Reagan told the people of Michigan the same thing back in 1980 and won the state handily. So, the outcome of the primary there may well be determined by which point of view about the jobs in Michigan that the voters believe. After all, at 7.4%,Michigan has the dubious distinction of claiming the nation's worst unemployment rate. In fact, jobs were the number one concern for voters back in 2004, and with the loss of 451,000 jobs in that state since 2001, it's a good bet that unemployment continues to be the number one concern of voters there.
Former Governor Romney was also a very successful business man in the private sector. He says that not only are Michigan's manufacturing jobs worth fighting for, but that we must fight for them. Our country was once a powerhouse of manufacturing in the world, and unless we want to see our country decline further, we must reclaim that role. He suggests that innovation in the auto industry is the way to turn this situation around.
It is interesting to note though that Governor Romney does not support the legislation passed in December which require greater fuel economy, while Senator McCain not only supports this legislation, but voted for it. The Consumer Federation of America claims that this legislation will cut the import of foreign oil by 15% and reduce emissions by 1 billion tons. I fully support this legislation, and feel that our companies need to be more progressive and innovative to compete with foreign competitors, who as of right now, are simply doing it better.
Yes, the outcome in Michigan will have huge implications for our country. It will be interesting to see what the Obama effect will be, and where the chips will fall.
On the Republican side of things, Senator McCain and former Governor Romney are in a neck and neck race. McCain does have an advantage in Michigan, in that all voters can participate in the primary, and he won't have to compete with Obama for the votes of Independents. McCain won the state handily against George W. Bush in 2000 because of the Independent vote. Time will tell if history will repeat.
Michigan really is a must win state for Romney. He was born and raised in Michigan and his father was the one time Governor of the state. With two second places in the previous contest, the outcome in Michigan is of vital importance to Romney to keep his candidacy viable.
The battle between the two candidates really is an ideological one and no place demonstrates that better than Michigan. Senator McCain is famous for his "Straight Talk" express. He believes that he should tell the American people how he really sees it, even if it may be something that they don't want to hear. McCain believes that the economy in Michigan is undergoing a fundamental change as the American automakers lose ground to foreign competitors. McCain says that certain types of jobs are leaving Michigan ( and other parts of our country) and they won't be coming back. Reagan told the people of Michigan the same thing back in 1980 and won the state handily. So, the outcome of the primary there may well be determined by which point of view about the jobs in Michigan that the voters believe. After all, at 7.4%,Michigan has the dubious distinction of claiming the nation's worst unemployment rate. In fact, jobs were the number one concern for voters back in 2004, and with the loss of 451,000 jobs in that state since 2001, it's a good bet that unemployment continues to be the number one concern of voters there.
Former Governor Romney was also a very successful business man in the private sector. He says that not only are Michigan's manufacturing jobs worth fighting for, but that we must fight for them. Our country was once a powerhouse of manufacturing in the world, and unless we want to see our country decline further, we must reclaim that role. He suggests that innovation in the auto industry is the way to turn this situation around.
It is interesting to note though that Governor Romney does not support the legislation passed in December which require greater fuel economy, while Senator McCain not only supports this legislation, but voted for it. The Consumer Federation of America claims that this legislation will cut the import of foreign oil by 15% and reduce emissions by 1 billion tons. I fully support this legislation, and feel that our companies need to be more progressive and innovative to compete with foreign competitors, who as of right now, are simply doing it better.
Yes, the outcome in Michigan will have huge implications for our country. It will be interesting to see what the Obama effect will be, and where the chips will fall.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Title Says it All.....
I would say that I am an average American and I think that the adjective "angry" when applied to myself and many others is accurate. I am a stay at home mom to two little girls, but contrary to the opinions of Linda Hirschman, I am extremely active in politics and I would consider myself to be educated on the issues that face our country.
Once a week, I will be blogging here about the upcoming election, issues that face our country, the faux paus of the various candidates etc..... In this election year, the outcome is just too important to sit idly by. We all have to challenge one another to do more, say more, think more and most importantly, to get out there and exercise our civic duty to vote.
I don't know about you, but I am so bone weary of politics as usual. I'm tired of the status quo - politicians make promises for a better tomorrow and then blame the "other side" when they don't or can't deliver. I'm tired of our country being a country of "red" and "blue" states. When I look at our country from space, I don't see any "red" or "blue". Shouldn't every single American care more about what is best for their country than they do about political party?
I'm tired of individuals who drink the blue and red kool aid and do little more than regurgitate the talking points of their party. This blog is about ideas - evaluating honestly those put forth by both sides. I hope you will join me on this journey and maybe, this really is our moment to make a difference. Maybe together we really can make a real change for the betterment of our country, ourselves and our children.
Once a week, I will be blogging here about the upcoming election, issues that face our country, the faux paus of the various candidates etc..... In this election year, the outcome is just too important to sit idly by. We all have to challenge one another to do more, say more, think more and most importantly, to get out there and exercise our civic duty to vote.
I don't know about you, but I am so bone weary of politics as usual. I'm tired of the status quo - politicians make promises for a better tomorrow and then blame the "other side" when they don't or can't deliver. I'm tired of our country being a country of "red" and "blue" states. When I look at our country from space, I don't see any "red" or "blue". Shouldn't every single American care more about what is best for their country than they do about political party?
I'm tired of individuals who drink the blue and red kool aid and do little more than regurgitate the talking points of their party. This blog is about ideas - evaluating honestly those put forth by both sides. I hope you will join me on this journey and maybe, this really is our moment to make a difference. Maybe together we really can make a real change for the betterment of our country, ourselves and our children.
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