Goodbye Barry - Welcome Home AMERICA!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

MOVIE REVIEW - "LONE SURVIVOR" - 5 out of 5 stars

Our Navy SEALS receive the most punishing physical and psychological training in the world! It borders upon cruel and unusual punishment! They are highly focused individuals who, by nature, do not believe in quitting before the job is finished. They can go without food, drink or sleep for extended periods, they can be isolated on a mountain top or in a desert for days without moving, if that's what the mission requires. These brave, dedicated men perform almost superhuman feats of endurance at the direction of the "leaders" of our once-great nation, knowing full-well that the odds do not favor their return.

My comments above are not meant to diminish the performance or sacrifices of our other special military teams (Spec'l Forces, Delta Force, etc), as they are all MEN among men, head and shoulders above the crowd - but this thread is not about them. We should all be thankful that we have men of such fortitude and courage serving us, and respect and honor them!

The movie itself is exceptionally well-done. Based upon a true story, the story line, acting, cinematography, and special effects were all exceptional. The experience was "almost like being there" (without wagering my own life). I felt like these were men I knew and respected.  There were only two other movies in my life that I have left feeling "uneasy"... Black Hawk Down and We Were Soldiers. If you can afford the price of a ticket (and many can't at today's high prices) Lone Survivor is well-worth seeing!

Friday, January 10, 2014

HERE'S A BIT OF GOVERNMENT IRONY...

Regarding same-sex committed relationships. According to AG Eric Holder, "This ruling (the high court's June decision) marked a historic step toward equality for all American families," Holder said. "And since the day it was handed down, the Department of Justice has been working tirelessly to implement it in both letter and spirit."

Congress would not allow Utah to be annexed as a state unless the Utah state constitution would outlaw polygamy (one husband with multiple wives). Also, the US government began seizing church property; but gave it back once polygamy was outlawed. A "family" is not constituted of people of the same sex - "As the basic unit for raising children, anthropologists most generally classify family organization as matrifocal (a mother and her children); conjugal (a husband, his wife, and children; also called nuclear family); avuncular (for example a brother, his sister, and her children); or extended family in which parents and children co-reside with other members of one parent's family."

The polygamous family is as much - if not MORE - of a "family" than one headed by people of the same sex, who cannot produce children or continue a family bloodline. Perhaps polygamy should be legalized, if a state's right to not recognize same-sex marriages are unconstitutional. The legalization of same-sex "marriages" is (ostensibly) based upon "equal protection under the law". I'm sure there a sheep-lovers who would like to "marry" one of their flock also, so let's legalize that while we're at it. There are also those perverts who would enjoy having sex with their own children, so let's let them get "married" too! They are equally entitled to the protection of the law. Of course, NEITHER of those suggestions are made seriously, but rather to point out the wrong thinking behind same-sex "marriages".

The compromise solution to the resistance against same-sex relationships may simply be in the desired appellation itself. Reserve the definition of "marriage" in it's originally intended context, and use "Civil Union" to describe same-sex committed relationships. There is no harm in allowing them the same privileges as those of a "married" man-woman relationship, but the thrust of the argument by gays seems to be one of SEMANTICS, as opposed to something more practical! Legal recognition would provide gays with 100% of something, fighting over semantics may bring them 100% of nothing.

The "Log Cabin Republicans", composed of gays who vote Republican, are supporting same-sex "marriage". Which begs the question, how far do they wish to push the "log" into the "cabin"? Just my 2¢ worth.