There have always been social and cultural issues within this nation. Whenever you construct a nation out of immigrants with distinct cultures, and historical bias you will always run into conflict. Perhaps in my wisdom gathering maturity I am becoming more attuned to the signs and symptoms of some of these issues. One of the things that is rolling through my head is, as this administration moves their socialist agenda forward how will society react?

Today we see this article in NYC.  A young man with a group of youths is discovered in a stairwell at 0230.  When confronted by authorities our young man  rabbits.   He is pursued, and he then draws a weapon and attempts to fire it a law enforcement. When the weapon malfunctions and he is being apprehended, his mother is heard encouraging him (or others) to shoot the cop.

In one camp you have the group like the above story mentions that is comfortable with social welfare, and the things that they need to do to survive. Let’s hypothetically expand that for a moment and include a broader population of those that “accept” social programs. What happens when authority steps in to say:

• “I am sorry Mrs. Jones, you will not be allowed to have the Chemo treatment that may extend your life for 5 more years. The government board has determined that we have to stop treatment”.

• After waiting in line for 10 hours and holding your little “number” in hand you hear: “The offices are closed now, please come back tomorrow and we might be able to help you with xyz”.  This happens today with Immigration services.

• You hear: “Well folks I have good news and bad news. The good news is we have found a liver transplant for you. The bad news, is that even with all of the expediting that we can do to get the organ here and all of the approvals in place, and bump the procedures that are already scheduled the liver will no longer be viable by the time we are able to transplant it. There just isn’t time to get the paperwork done”.

• You hear: “Mr. Smith, I am afraid that your appendectomy will have to wait a few more hours. Congressman X’s son broke his hand, and his procedure to put the pins in and set the bones is going to delay things”.

In the other camp you have the folks who oppose socialism. These have often been characterized as “the silent majority”. They include the folks who are attending “Tea Parties”, have an understanding of the US Constitution, and are becoming more vocal and visible.  These are the folks who understand the need for enforcing existing laws, and repealing those that should no longer be on the books.

Within each of these broad classifications you have subgroups and cultures that have their own opinions about courses of action.  Some of these take extreme points of views, and others take more moderate view points.   But, the real question rolling around my brain is: What happens when the majority of both groups reach the breaking point, and this administration continues to ignore them?

A corollary question. What happens when an event occurs that is the focus flash point for a group and that flash point ignites the nation? What is that event? A food shortage? A fuel shortage? A power failure? A Rodney King type of incident?  What happens when a percentage of law enforcement or the military see their “orders” as being in conflict with their oath?

I won’t even go down the road of what else might occur to either trigger an event, or compound the damage and duration of a flash point event.

The principles that founded this nation, and the way in which we have grown through the years leave us at a stage where there is no easy answer, and no silver bullet of a solution. There are however, courses of action that can steer us away from the dangers that our government seems to be steering us toward. But, those thoughts are food for another post.

Here’s one that got my blood simmering this morning.

It seems that some of the good folks at the University of California at San Diego have determined that the folks who cross our southern border without going through official channels need a bit of survival help.  To that end they have devised a toll to assist them in locating water stations.

Now this is all very humanitarian of these researchers and so forth, and having run across many bands of these folks wandering the deserts and the orange groves down in Yuma, it is a problem.  On the flip side, if these immigrants are to pursue the “American Dream” let them come through the appropriate border crossings.  If they are “political refugees” and are fleeing something specific then let’s put together the appropriate refugee care centers, and get them the care and protection that they need.  While the “crisis” is resolved.

However, the use of government funding to produce a device that aids in illegal border crossings is wrong.  Additionally, it is a symptom of what is failing in this great republic of ours.

Here’s one that I missed.

Merry Christmas From CAAT 1, WPNS CO, 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines. (filmed on site at Alpha 1)

A Soldier’s Christmas

-Michael Marks,
December 7, 2000

Deployed at Christmas?  It is tough.  Technology has improved things to some degree but, in general terms it is one of the tougher things to mentally deal with.

Don’t forget the guys that are out there at the tip of the spear.

Back when I was on active duty (way back when) one of my “co-workers” penned the poem below. As you might imagine it evokes an emotional reaction for many of us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

The back story of this piece can be found here

This really would have been a better Thanksgiving post but, I think it is appropriate any day of the year.  From one of my contemporary heroes…

Another Christmas Eve has arrived.  I trust that everyone has found their way to some time with family and friends.  Spending as much time on the road as I do, I find that as hectic as this time of year is it is critical to my sanity, and to breaking loose from the corporate grind.

This year is time in the ice and snow.  Time with family.  Time with friends.  Seeing, talking, catching up with many folks who I am not able to see or speak to as often as I like.

My advise to all; enjoy the coming few days.  Slow down, back off the throttle a bit.  Don’t stress over the gifts, or the meals.  Just make the best with what you have and what life throws at you.  The most important thing is the love and friendship of those people (and pets) that are what make you, you.

P.S.  – I have some scheduled posts coming up over the next couple of days.  Enjoy them if you like but, they will be here on Monday too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tam has a funny post up today in reference to the cover of this month’s American Rifleman.  I have to say, my response was similar but she has creatively taken it to a new extreme.

Apple iR-15: Only works with proprietary ammunition. Made of sleek, white plastic. Has to be sent to an authorized service center for field-stripping and cleaning. Owners soon sport glazed, zombielike expressions of loyalty familiar to posters at MacForums or GlockTalk.

Go read the whole post here.

Concluding our TR series of Motivators from the good folks over at The Art of Manliness.  I hope you have enjoyed it, and have added The Art of Manliness to your reading list.

Definitely something that we have lost as a culture in this nation.