Gary:

If what you fought for was to keep citizens out of honoring your brothers. Who else don't you want there. She was invited to ride not to talk. Her son is serving out nation. Why isn't she welcomed?

If you have to ask why she isn't welcomed, then you have no idea what this organisation is about.

It's not about a wanna be politician trying to use it to kick off a "look at me" bus tour so she can learn the names of the states in this nation.

The emcee invited her without consent of the organisation. Keep on supporting a person that would detract from the meaning of this ride just so she can get that spotlight placed upopn her.

She's not welcomed because this is about our disabled veterans and not someone who is starving for the spotlight.

Now stay true to form and deflect to something about Liberals or Obama as you have done in almost every one of your replies.

I think that I should share some of my thoughts with you about our nation today, its condition and its relationship with the antagonists of western civilization particularly in the middle east.I believe that you and I live in the finest nation with the finest government (civil servant class) that has ever been designed by collective human thought. We are a young nation with its own unique problems but we have the resources, human and otherwise, to solve all of them in time. The two key behaviors that the American people must permit one another at this time in our history are civility and patience. Sooner or later these behaviors always lend themselves to understanding and convention.

In my estimation there are a number of reasons for the unfortunate decline in the overall quality of life in our country over the last 50 years. The conflict in Vietnam deeply divided and unsettled the American people. We were simply on the wrong side of a nationalist uprising regardless of the involvement by the communists. If Chiang Kai Shek had been a little less of a nationalist, if Ho Chi Minh had been a little less of a communist, if the wealthy and the powerful in the western world had been a little less inclined and eager to meddle in the internal affairs of another nation the entire fiasco in Vietnam likely would never have come about.

Conflict and conformity both will always inflict hardship on the growth and prosperity of a nation such as ours. Conflict destroys lives and when people are taught only to conform (as in our collective workplaces today) they do not create. They procreate but they do not create. At best conformity lends itself to apathy among a people. They become cogs in what seems a mindless purposeless machine. Input and output and from output input again. Conventional wisdom, you see, is not always the best wisdom.

Speaking from a domestic point of view Ronald Reagan was one of the most destructive forces to arrive on the scene in this country since the wealthy anarchists of the 1920s and the 1930s. Reagan assumed that because men and women in this country had become captains of industry they must be all knowing, all wise and capable of collective leadership in fulfilling the needs of our entire nation. This was an erroneous assumption on his part as history has shown us now that his notion of trickle down economics has not worked. It has not worked principally because it was never a reflection of the way that the American people have been led to believe over the generations. The American people have been tacitly lead (taught) to believe that if a person has more they should want more and it should be the other person who gives and not them. This is the way of wealth in this country even today. Furthermore the wealthy families in this country have shown time and again that they can hardly agree on the time of day. The only two things they do agree on are the taking of profit and the control of the thoughts and actions of their own minions. So much for this idea of collective leadership by the wealthy families of this nation. Collectively they want to rule but they are incapable of leading collectively.

It is a curiosity at this time in our history that so many of the republican mouth-pieces for the wealthy families seem to be desperately trying to legislate religious morality for our entire diverse nation of people. Morality belongs to the individual and each person develops their own sense of what is good and bad for them from the time they are born. No two persons are alike because the past of no two persons is the same. In most cultures somewhere along the line of a persons moral development religious values and convention become embedded. This is a good thing and usually leads to general convention in a society but for any one person or group to try to legislate religious morality to an entire diverse nation such as ours is foolishness at the outset. Personally I believe that the root of this argument is the maintenance of the status quo by maintaining division in the sentiments of the people and avoiding the real issues of the day. In short it is a profit making distraction for some among us on the grandest of scales.

Again, speaking from a domestic point of view George Bush Jr. was truly the bane of our nation. He did his best to bring Reagans deranged fantasy to life. He deregulated virtually everything and this put us all on the road to national suicide if we do not turn away soon enough. The very same thing happened in Vietnam in the 1940s and 1950s. A small handful of wealthy families were raping the Vietnamese people until the people decided they had had enough. The fantasy of the wealthy man all too often is the establishment of a "merchant class paradise" where the only laws that matter are those of a would be wealthy ruling class. The translation of this is feudalism for you and I. Feudalism demands the maintenance of private mercenary armies, associated peasantries and eternal conflict. The descent into feudalism always signals the death of any modern nation. Just looking at the Republican party itself today I do not see them as a separate party. Because the democratic ideal in this country is the ideological “mother tongue” I see the Republican party as an excrescence of the Democratic party. I see the constituents of this party as the self-serving anarchists among us. Still they are forced by popular will to accept the Democratic ideal even though I am sure that many of them would rather reject the concept altogether. Even a child understands the concept of Democracy: One man, one vote. One woman , one vote and our Republic is meant to reflect this idea even though historically it has not always done so thanks for the most part to the self-serving anarchists who have always been among us.

Capitalism and commerce in general at this point in history are good things as long as they are regulated for the good of all the people. Personally I would prefer Nationalism over Feudalism because I refuse to be someone elses peasant. For nearly a century now all too many of our wealthy ruling class in this country have done their best to dismantle our unions (believing it is their God given right to ignore the health and well being of their employees), destroy our middle class and of late neglect our educational systems as much as possible. These tactics are not new ones but very old in their origin. They are all based around the idea of feudalism. Too many of these families reason thusly: “Why should we defer to the worker in our employment when we enjoy God given good fortune and should not be compelled to share this with anyone else even with respect to the health and longevity of the workers in our workplace?” Many of these persons and families feel that unions are in defiance of their authority with this line of reasoning. “Why do we need a middle class to protect us from the peasantry we have been cultivating and abusing all along the way when we now have the worlds largest and most heavily armed police and armed forces to protect us from any uprising on the part of the peasantry in this country?.” This line of reasoning on the part of many of our wealthy families stems from guilt and fear over the sure knowledge that they have taken liberty with the poor and working of this country often beyond any reasonable boundary. “Why do we need a progressive educational system with integrity in this nation when an educated peasantry would be a danger to us?” This last line of thought lies at the very root of feudalism: ignorance of the masses.

All of these lines of query and reasoning lie at the very heart of the feudal mentality and this is a mentality that the American people must overcome if we are to survive and progress as a nation. For the last 30 years we have seen that the wealth of this nation have had the best of both worlds. They have pursued a program of less and less pay for the American worker and investment in low paying sweat shops in other nations with whatever profits they generate here. This has been not only a betrayal of the American people but the peoples of other nations as well. This will all lead to a severe decline in the quality of life in our country for the people as a whole and will only keep the peoples of other nations in despair. The term “wealthy ruling class” is not without meaning especially in these times. Especially it is a clear statement of many of these families intentions. These are people who have wedged themselves between the American citizen and their government. This is a most unfortunate circumstance which should be remedied as soon as possible. I am not concerned with the products of human conception such as “private property”. I am concerned with the human condition. Most of all with the condition of my own citizens.

I am a Nationalist. I am most closely an FDR Democrat. I believe in the collective voice of the citizen. I do not subscribe to the paradigm of left wing or right wing seeing this as only another means of dividing the people. Why divide and conquer when you can divide and control? I believe only in fair and just order to a society and that anything less is only dissarray and anarchy. I am one who believes in limited but effective government.This seperates me from the anarchist on Wall Street who in reality believes in no national government at all. I believe in a strong but compact and specialized military and intelligence community. I believe that in these times we need more of an intelligence community and less of an armed forces. I believe in strong unions in this country though I question the need for unions in the government workplace (because I assume the basic goodness of government to begin with). Unions should and must exist in the private sector of this country to guard against the excesses and opportunistic inclinations and behavior of the merchant class as a whole. I believe in strong and healthy religious institutions in this country. These institutions do a great service to the collective spirit of the American people. I believe that too many of our representatives today lie in bed with our captains of industry and too many of our wealthy armaments families presently lie in bed with any number of our generals and this must all end as soon as possible. President Eisenhower himself warned us about these things decades ago. We do not need communism in this country because unlike the Russia and China of old our religious institutions are not wrapped around the finger of our government. Our religious institutions serve the people more than they serve the government. The sum of all of this then is that I believe in a dynamic society whose internal institutions have integrity and are balanced for the good of all of its citizens.

The reemergence of Islam and its extremist elements on the world scene today will likely continue to be a problem for the civilized world for some good time to come (perhaps as much as 50 to 100 years into the future). Surely between Judeo-Christianity and Islam there is a conflict of culture which has already shown itself as persistent. Lately we are witnessing the birth of nations in the cradle of Islam though.We are witnessing millions of young Muslims demanding societies based on Democratic ideals and this is a wonderful thing. We must be vigilant though. We must guard ourselves internally, hold to our own beliefs and maintain an iron clad intelligence gathering capacity around the middle-east particularly. These things can be done cost effectively with very little military intervention. I believe in more eyes and ears and fewer boots on the ground. We need to tend to our own internal affairs as a nation. I myself am a Democratic Republican in the strictest sense. I believe in the ideal of Democracy first and then the Republic I believe that a Republic can be as any people would have it so long as the ideal of Democracy is held as its precursor. I am Judeo-Christian because these modern times demand it and really the times always have. One without the other in these times would be weakened and without context knowing that too many of the opponents of western civilization perceive the Jew and the Christian as one and the same anyway. Now more than at any other time in history the Jew and the Christian must stand together as one. Most of all though I say these things because the great dynamics between Judaism and Christianity are what have given us the wonderful effects of western civilization that we have today. To be sure the Oriental mind, the Persian, Arab and many, many others have contributed along the way but for the most part it has been the Jew and the Christian who have brought everything together and given us the wonderful western civilization we understand today. There is hope but more than this we must have determination in our efforts. We must be vigilant, without promiscuity in our thoughts and willing to work together side by side at all times to see to the needs of our collective future in western civilization.

These are some of my thoughts today about our nation, its people and the problems we face.Thank you for considering them.

---Yoda

That she is out for herself should have become evident long ago, I hope you were being a little sarcastic more or less :)

Michelle Obama actually works with military families as well as publicizing the fight against childhood obesity, and she is only the President's wife. Palin is running for President and does less than the First Lady to actually solve our nation's challenges.

Michelle clung on to the military families for political reasons Obama and her had no love for our military until it benifited them. Again Obama wouldn't even place his hand over his heart at the Pleage of Alligence until people started noting it. He made no vote to support our military while he was a senator. It was just the opposite. And didn't you see the list of foods served at the White House during the super bowl. What hypocrisy. Again. Without double standards you wouldn't have any standards at all.

Fire Krotch: The moderators aren't sending Steve anywhere. Feisty and Beverly get away with a lot worse and they're still around, albeit they get collapsed more often than a folding chair at a chimpanzee convention. BTW, now that I have your attention, if you have a reference to back up the statement you made about the cable companies manipulating MSNBC's position on cable please publish it. If it's credible I'll acknowledge you. If you're quoting someone and can't prove it say so. If you're making it up, say so. I'll be here till midnight.

I witnessed it myself! I work for Comcast.

As for the girls, their a little "fiesty", but pale in comparison to steve. The same diatribe over and over and over again. He needs a breathalizer to operate his keyboard, as he sure seems to be drunk-(or whatever else)blogging. Also, he seems to be 3 darts short of a hat-trick!

OK

fire Krotch: I accept your answer. Even about Steve. Even I as a conservative I couldn't stand in the company of someone who talks that talk all day. My gripe with Feisty & Beverly and their "group", so often they hit and run. You see them on page one of a 10 or 12 page forum, and they're gone. The add nothing usually to the dialogue, just snide remarks. I have them on "ignore" most of the time. That way I feel better after I read all the other authors.

ICKYM: I take it then that you find Fixed News to be a ray of light, as well as truth, beauty and the very ideal of competent journalism???

I watch CNN when I watch news as I like TJ - the rest stink. I am not a robot like too many who voice their political thoughts. In MI, where we live with rain and more rain, the UAW tells the masses of their union members, like my parents, to vote for all democrats on the ticket, even if they are convicted criminals, and we keep electing the biggest dumbbell idiots in congress.

Most the time, I just read books. Can't stand most commentators.

ICKYM: Please, spare us wrapping yourself up in the flag.

Were you half as outraged when a genuine war hero, John Kerry, was slandered by the Right, especially given the fact that at the time he was running against a pair of draft dodgers???

And FYI, VP Biden's son Bo, served in Iraq. Guess you like him a whole lot better now, huh???

Ossie, have you served this country? That is all I ask. Kerry can and did defend himself as can Biden's son. At least they were in the conflict, and that is more than most Americans can say.

icky, I grew up in the military. My father was in the missile silos during the end of the Vietnam War (after I was born) and he retired when I was 19 after 24 years of service. I may not have been sworn in, but in a way I was just as much "in service" as my father was. As the proud daughter of a veteran, I may be slightly more entitled to say what I'd like since I spent 18 years of my life in the Military culture. Just because you have a CHILD who CHOOSES to go into the military doesn't make YOU a member of the military or enable you to understand Military culture and thought processes. My entire FAMILY was in the service of our country since my mother willingly gave up her husband (in terms of time) in service to our country. I gave up time with my father so he could serve our country.

So ... I HATE Palin. She is several fries short of a happy meal and if she were running our country it would be FUBAR. SHE IS A QUITTER. She couldn't even serve out her OBLIGATION that she VOLUNTEERED FOR as a Governor of Alaska. She thinks that quitting her position as Governor qualifies her to be President? She thinks being the mother of a service member qualifies her more than Obama to be Commander In Chief? I am more qualified to be Commander In Chief than she is because I at least understand military culture (and it IS different than Civilian culture). And I have more intelligence than she shows ... partly because I realize that if I WHORE myself out to the media then I look like a WHORE.

So is Obama a Whore? No President in history has had the media at his beckoned call. I can triple the OOPS! that Obama has made in comparison to Sarah. She was fightin false allagations brought on by the Alaska News. Ether way you wouldn't have supported her if she stayed. And Isn't her son serving in the military? At this point is your sacrafice today as great as hers.

I am a disabled Vet myself, and I think that Palin is an atrocious tragedy in action. Further, I fully support our President Obama, almost everything that the Repubs/TPers have tried to pin the blame on him for has actually been done by the Repubs instead, most of the things that he has tried to do for America has been blocked by the Repubs because they just CANNOT allow him to be seen as succeeding. The TPers did not appear until his inauguration and then they complained and lied loudly, blaming him for the things that the Bush Admin actually did and they are still at it. They Still cannot believe that an intelligent, well-spoken Black Democrat beat them so soundly even with the billions of dollars that the right wing spent on their blatant misinformation campaign.

The fact that Palin is trying to hijack the Patriotic Event of Rolling Thunder, who are giving their respect to those who have paid the ultimate price and those who bought a piece of the farm in their doing their duty for America, for her own, selfish political aims is just plain sickening. I would not care, and in fact would have a shred more respect for the woman, if she were to just join the ride and not try to turn it into a political advertisement for herself. She has NO scruples and her hatred has NO place in an event such as this.

May God have mercy on her soul!

ickym

Are you a Veteran?

"have any of you peronally served in our military? Palin had a son who served in Iraq,"

Retired Army here, but here's a better question, 535 members of Congress, your assignment, find out how many have sons/daughters in our Military?

BILL: I see, only Righties love their country, eh? Only Righties fight for their country as well, I assume???'

How bout you and I compare lists of politicians from both parties who have served in the military. Wanna bet that you'll lose?

I lean left more than I do right and I proudly served for 23 years and left part of myself on the field of battle. I would do so again if given the chance.

It's people like you that we do not want at these events. It's about the disabled veterans, not people that want to play the hate game. Do us a favor and please don't attend any event by your closest chapter. Thank you.

I don't understand why liberals are America hating???

Just because we want ALL Americans to have the benifit of the advances in Medicine without foreclosing on a home or being in debt the rest of their lives.

Just because we want ALL Americans to have the ability to achieve higher education so that other country's don't become more advanced than us so that America can stay the technological leader and continue to grow economically.

My little brother is on his 3rd tour in Afghanistan and your right I do not deserve to be in a Rolling Thunder event because they are the real hero's of this country.

To All Those Who Are Serving, To All Those Who Have Served, And For All Those Who Have Passed. This Country and Its People Will Never Be Able to Put Into Words The Gratitude We Have For Your Sacrifice. We Will Never Be Able to Build Enough Statues nor Enough Monuments To Ever Honor Your Bravery, Your Dedication, and Your Determination That You All Have Shown This Great Country.

Thank You,

Aaron White

Aaron, Please get a grip more Dems fight and die for this country ask Bush, Cheney etc etc etc. We love this country but not just for the chosen few for all! Please stop getting all your infomation from faux noise!

NY Mike:

Did you forget who spit on you guys after the viet nam war. And who were spitting on our boys after 9/11 to join. Why are you embracing those same people. Do you really believe the Democrats are the ones that are your support?

WTF are you talking about Phil? You have done nothing but deflect in all your replies. Who the F do you think I am embracing? Someone slams Liberals and you salivate to defend them.

I support all our disabled veterans, as I am one, regardless of party affiliation. Maybe if you took your political blinders off, you wouldn't be so biased. I am not here to debate party affiliation like you are. Your agenda this whole vine is to bash Liberals and Obama. I wouldn't be able to hold my head up if I hijacked a vine about our war wounded just to get political jabs in. Sure, others are doing it too, but you seem to be king this vine.

Why do you feel the need to bring up something 40 years in the past to justify what you are saying now?

BTW, I didn't enter the Army until 1978. I wasn't a part of Vietnam.

Memorial day is for the fallen soldier. You can't be a fallen soldier unless you are dead. Soldiers who have lost their lives have paid the ultimate price, they deserve a day solely for them. As a vet, I have absolutely no problem with that.