You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote the following to let everyone know what an American is, so they would know when they found one.

An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish,Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese,Japanese, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani, or Afghan. An American may also be a Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.
An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. in fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.
An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American is from the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each man and woman to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need. When Afghanistan was overrun by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country. As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.
Americans welcome the best, the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best athletes. But they also welcome the least. The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless,tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America. Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, earning a better life for their families. I've been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 other countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and every bloodthirsty tyrant in the history of the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place.
They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Well said!-Mag

I posted this in parts to Ricks Previous post (FROM A LETTER TO A FRIEND) I did not want to thread Jack.. I do have one Question to Rick tho.. Did you Serve in the arm forces of this country? I have read many of your posts.. and many times I see your posts as trying to Ruffle Feathers and stir up the Boards.. My hats off to you for your efforts.. but many other times I also see you make many posts (copy and Paste's and Boast about the comander and chief with Ironic Bull that someone else believes and obviously gets you believing also.. bottom line is We Americans Have a Man in Office who has served his country.. and again is serving it to the best of his ability.. only at a higher rank then previous...he is not going to lay down and allow this country nor any other country who asks for its aid.. to be pushed around.. he is upholding the Constitution of this Great Nation and for that my hat is off to him and the rest of the Government Officials who are doing the Same...I just hope that you and many americans like yourself.. if it be we do go to war with Iraq.. will back those people in Office and Especially the Military Members around the Globe...
"Keep the Leaf Burning"
Laterzzzz
Hog

Amen. I salute you.


Jason F. Klaes, Information Systems Technician First Class, United States Navy, Active

Amen to our brethren Down Under!

usahog

usaf 1953 to 1957 active duty, honorable (hard to believe) discharge (not from a body part) 1961 after reserve, from the military. was an e-2 at the time. that means over 90 days in the service and no stripes to ruin the sleeves of my silver-tans.

never awol as your president was. never failed or ducked a physical. had a lot of article 15's as you would expect, mostly for insubordination, as you would expect. got busted so many times, i stopped sewing on stripes. i did appear as a character witness for a buddy being court marshaled the day after i got busted at a time when i did sew on and remove stripes. i thought i looked good with thread hanging from my shirt sleeves.

when i checked in to mcguire afb after my overseas tour of guam, i was being assigned one of the new barracks 2 men rooms. the co asked me if i minded rooming with a "colored person", we jews are considered liberal. my respect for the military didn't change one bit, none is none.

spent all of my time in the orderly room. i shipped shot records and payroll records for officers that were ass holes, to the wrong base.

was ordered to appear before a board to sign a security clearance under direct order. when i didn't sign for my secret clearance, they thought little ricky was a commie spy. that was a big thing back then. i signed it with "under direct order" and when it circulated to my in basket for filing, i threw it away. the real reason i didn't want the secet clearance was i would have to ride the bus to the other end of the base every day to pick up the messages, and it was too damnd hot to ride the bus.

wasn't on flying status, but did volunteer for several search missions, couple of hundred feet above the ocean in a zig-zag until it got dark, when one of our planes disappeared with friends of mine on board. not a heroic gesture, just trying to help find some buddies, and what's a little vomit going to hurt.

i did have a lot of respect for officers who had commendations for their heroic actions during ww11. those officers were cool guys, not like the bunch fresh out of school. officer's records were open to me.

do you want some more "war stories"? there are guys on these boards who have some real one's they could tell, unlike my bs. ask them if they want their kids to go to iraq for street to street combat.

Rick it is funny how our two worlds are so much different but yet we live here in the same country and witness the same events every day... your military background you are so fond of (if it is True)is one I would not have had the Ego to post... just a few months back when I would get time off work I would sign out a bus or other Vehical and enjoy taking people off base for a little R&R I did not care that it was 130 degree's out, I did not care who it was who signed up to go on the trip...the thing that was on my mind was the anti Terrorizm Breifing I had to sit through to make sure the Riders in my company were going to be safe on there journey to and from... and my prayers to God to get us there and back safely...
because everytime we left an area that was security enforced and ventured out on our own.. we were at risk...but that doesn't mean we had to stop living or enjoying life because of some Fanatics... I was in a different generation from the Vietnam era Vets... but I have met and BS with allot of them...Men and Women who Gave there Best in a time this Country needed them same with many WW11 Vets, Korean Vets... and one's who have served in the little SH*thole Conflicks our previous Gov. stuffed the Military into.. just to keep the heat off him Back home...

it has takin me awhile to post back to this Tread because I really had to let your post sink in...along with many other posts you have put on the boards...
the only way to reply is with the truth as in any other reply to life...
I can see now why you liked Billy Boy so much... your both fairly Alike...the three C's Cunning,Coyote and Cowards... but thats what makes up America these Days... people like you and him and People Like myself and others on these boards...Until it is knocking on your Door or in your pocketbook you really couldn't Care Less
in your Living Will you Probably have your Wife sending all your personal belongings and your Money with you...if she is Wise she will Cremate all the Belongings with you and Write you a Check!!!!

Open the Windows and Enjoy Life Now Rick!!!!

Laterzzzz
Hog

Figures!

A total disgrace to the uniform and to the branch of service. A virtual schlep in a uniform that should've been a General, but the Army didn't see the brilliance behind all the string hanging off of his disheveled uniform!

What really surprises me is that he has the gall to walk down a hall in a VA hospital! All of those soldiers that did their duty for their country with honor and bravery. He gets to see some of them that perhaps live there and has the audacity to be in the same building!

Shame. Shame to the uniform and a shame for his country! It's a shame so many fell before him to give him what he believes he's "entitled" too without a single thought or feeling about WHAT the uniform stands for. It doesn't matter which branch. They're like fingers on a hand. Each performs a service, but collectively can pack a punch like no other.

I really hope there's no rick's running around Afghanistan or in any other hot spot. They're the types that don't get killed, they just cause casualties.

This is amazing Rick was one year old when her served, I have post from him stating he was born August 15, 1952. I remember so well, because I am not proud to say, I was born same month/year.

Will say it again Rick, same old crap different day.

^
Interesting topic for some of the newbies to get to know Our Rick....

Hog

Here is another perspective from one of my favorites:

What Democracy Means to Me"
by Johnny Carson

To me, democracy means placing trust in the little guy, giving the fruits of nationhood to those who built the nation. Democracy means anyone can grow up to be president, and anyone who doesn't grow up can be vice president.

Democracy is people of all races, colors, and creeds united by a single dream: to get rich and move to the suburbs away from people of all races, colors, and creeds. Democracy is having time set aside to worship — 18 years if you're Jim Bakker.

Democracy is buying a big house you can't afford with money you don't have to impress people you wish were dead. And, unlike communism, democracy does not mean having just one ineffective political party; it means having two ineffective political parties.

Democracy means freedom of sexual choice between any two consenting adults; Utopia means freedom of choice between three or more consenting adults. But I digress. Democracy is welcoming people from other lands, and giving them something to hold onto — usually a mop or a leaf blower. It means that with proper timing and scrupulous bookkeeping, anyone can die owing the government a huge amount of money.

Democracy means a thriving heartland with rolling fields of Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Spanky, and Wheezer. Democracy means our elected officials bow to the will of the people, but more often they bow to the big butts of campaign contributors.

Yes, democracy means fighting every day for what you deserve, and fighting even harder to keep other weaker people from getting what they deserve. Democracy means never having the Secret Police show up at your door. Of course, it also means never having the cable guy show up at your door. It's a tradeoff. Democracy means free television. Not good television, but free.

Democracy is being able to pick up the phone and, within a minute, be talking to anyone in the country, and, within two minutes, be interrupted by call waiting.

Democracy means no taxation without representation, and god knows, we've just about had the hell represented out of us. It means the freedom to bear arms so you can blow the "o" out of any rural stop sign you want.

And finally, democracy is the eagle on the back of a dollar bill, with 13 arrows in one claw, 13 leaves on a branch, 13 tail feathers, and 13 stars over its head. This signifies that when the white man came to this country, it was bad luck for the Indians, bad luck for the trees, bad luck for the wildlife, and lights out for the American eagle.

DMV, I can almost guarantee that there are no Ricks in Iraq or Afghanistan. Sounds like they would be too cowardly to go.
Que

(never awol as your president was.)

Prove that Rick?


(. ask them if they want their kids to go to iraq for street to street combat.)

Nope. I would prepfer terrorism ended. However, we don't live in a "made-to-order" society. We deal with what comes along.


William Johnson, honorable discharge, US Army

good thread Hog.
Always fun watching you and Rick go at it.