E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSAnother GOP debate, this one on foreign policy, President Obama heads to Hawaii and Australia, Rick Perry tries to recharge his campaign, Herman Cain marches on.
Video edited by Andrew Gross and Domenico Montanaro
- Recommended: Immigration negotiators eye border security compromise
- Recommended: After CBO report gives backers a boost, foes of immigration bill push back
- Recommended: First Read Minute: It's easier to be a candidate than president
- Recommended: Alaska's Murkowski becomes third GOP senator to back same-sex marriage
Discuss this post
Leave a Comment:You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
Most popular posts
older
The Supreme Court and health reform: A guide
newer
Obama phones supercommittee leaders ahead of weekend talks
The current crop of crazies more closely resemble the extras in Night of the Living Dead!
Lucky for us - there will be another
comedy showdebate tomorrow evening prior to SNL!Speaking of SNL they should send thank you cards to the candidates for the plethora of material they have to work with!
In honor of Veteran's Day the Dew Drop Inn will be offering free libations to all those who have served!
Buzz - you have jukebox duty this evening - I would like to request Ray Charles rendition of America!
Enjoy y
Dang it - I got cut off!
Edit; Ray Charles - "America the Beautiful"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xk1P1913y0&feature=player_detailpage
Shout out to Mark & Domenico for continuing to keep First Read thee best political blog on the web! Much appreciated by most of those who visit here! ;o)
Enjoy your weekends!
Cool-Ray it is, Feisty.
Say- these 'debates' should be called the 'job-killing' debates. I mean, how many writers did SNL have to lay off, because the skits write themselves lately??
Go back, and take a look at the Perry photo on this thread. The guy doesn't even look like he's all there.
No wonder the 'baggers like(ed) him so danged much!
I had to go back and look again. I think he looks more like Goober Pyle. Just imagine him 'doing a take off on Cary Grant': "Jooody Joooody Joooody", and then the good-time girls go nuts....
They removed that requirement from the Texas governor job description in 1995.
Cary Grant? Impossible. By the third Joooody, he'd forget what he was going to say.
Drinking the moonshine from those rednecks in South Carolina can produce a permanent brain freeze
Love the music! Hope everyone has a terrific weekend and if you don't have any plans see you back here for the debate. Feisty's bringing popcorn and you might want to have a drink or two while you watch! Whatever floats your boat...
Dom, Andrew, Mark and the whole First Read gang thanks for all you do and put up with! LOL Sometimes you have your hands full that's for sure. Dom....love the tie...it looks cardinal red!? Maybe??? Cheers everyone have a great weekend!
3 reasons why Governor Perry's snafu this week isn't so bad:
1. If it kills his campaign for President at least he can still be Governor of Texas.
2. Maybe they can use it for a Southwest Airlines ad. "Wanna get away?"
3. Uh...um...er...oops.
In the fervor that surrounds holidays like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day we throw around grandiose words and concepts with abandon. Hero. Sacrifice. Defender of Freedom. Patriot. And well we should, for these worthy holidays were established to both honor and remember. It is easy to adulate the soldier and the
ideals he represents but perhaps the finest expression of Veteran’s Day is recognition of the individual behind the uniform.
My son is one of many “Lost Boys” who join the army simply because they have no place else to go. He had dropped out of high school and his lifestyle eventually rendered him no longer welcome in my home. After
a series of unsavory events and the perceived freedom of living in his car got tiresome he decided to join the army. A recruiter arranged for him to finish high school, and earn his diploma. He ended up at Fort Benning, Georgia for basic training in the heat of the summer. I visited him during his off-base times, and for graduation, and began to meet other Lost Boys.
The army was good for my son. He needed someone other than me to be a disciplinarian and his drill sergeant filled that role very well. Basic training was a harsh start for him to get a grip on his life – he still had a long way to go. But at least he was doing something honorable.
After basic he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. I had the opportunity to visit him on a number of occasions. It was fun, as I ended up being a dad for not only him but a rag-tag collection of Lost Boys who either
didn’t know their dad, or did not care to. Got to know a few of them. One didn’t make it back from Iraq.
After two years my son was honorably discharged (a long and interesting story), he never deployed overseas. After leaving the army he made some bad choices, but he was not the Lost Boy he was before he joined up and, taking responsibility for himself, used his GI Bill to go to school and chase his desire to be a diesel mechanic.
He graduated three months ago to immediate job offers, one of which he took and is on a good career path. He is living in my house until he finds his own place, and is a pleasure to have around. I wish the best for
other Lost Boys. The military works for some of them, others stay lost.
My son never faced combat (though his unit suffered more injuries in training – particularly in the Alaska winter – than they did during subsequent deployment) and never shot at anyone. Too easy, you might say. But he wore the uniform of an American soldier, and behind every one of those uniforms there is a story. This one was his.
Mark,
Congratulations to your son and please send him a thank you. Though he may not have ever seen combat he stood ready. That counts in my book.
You tell the exact truth about our all volunteer army, for many it is simply a choice of last resort and not a patriotic fervor so serve the nation. Your post took a lot of honesty and guts Mark, best of luck to you and your son. Thank You.
What a nice post, Mark. Congrats to your son; sounds as if he is doing quite well. We owe a thank you to all those who serve.
Mark--thanks for sharing your and your son's story. And please say thanks to your son for his service----as Da Noid says, he stood up for us and that is what counts.
Lovely story, Mark, thanks for writing it! My best to you and your son.
Great post, Mark. Thank you and best wishes to you and your son. It sounds like he's on his way, and probably not least because he had your love and support.
Mark in SoCal
I spent my 20's waitressing, kudos to your son for taking a harder road.
I have heard Medal of Honor winners reject being called "heroes." Sometimes this adulation of soldiers brings them more pain than pride. I heard a Veteran's Day speaker say once, that all these guys want is to hear is a simple "thank you." So, "thank you" to your son, for stepping up, and "thank you" to his Dad for reminding us of the families behind the troops.
Great story Mark - thanks for sharing!
Good luck to him!
Mark -
Thanks for a great story - I'm sure many who read it will see themselves or their own sons and daughters through your eyes. I'm glad that the army helped your son find his way and especially that the two of you seem to have found each other again. There is no much negativity on these boards every day; it's nice to end the week on such a positive note. And I echo both DaNoid and Forrest's sentiments exactly.
Speaking of positive notes, I decided to play hooky for a while from work this morning to attend our local Veterans Day parade and speeches. While it was a thrill for a lifelong Democrat like me to hear a rousing speech from Vice-President Biden and a heartfelt one from his lovely wife Jill - both of whom I admire a lot - the real pleasure of the day was seeing so many diverse Americans coming together to honor all those who served - in combat or any other role. No protests, no politics, just a bright blue sky and a chilly breeze and a lot of flags snapping in the wind as well as a lot proud veterans snapping to attention whenever the flag went by. My eyes welled up as the Vice-President spoke of meeting so many amputees at Bethesda last night and when asked what he could do for them, getting answers like "Sir! Can you help me get back to my unit? I think I can still help them out!" As he put it - some call this Generation X, but for so many, it's really Generation Excellent. The tradition goes on.
Again, Mark, thanks for sharing your family's part in it. You and your son are now woven into that tradition and both have every right to be proud of where you are today.
P.S. - One of my best vacations ever was to Fairbanks in the winter. I absolutely loved it - even the 45 degrees below zero days - but I can't imagine going through training in that. Tell your son he has my utmost respect!
Mark,
The personal sharing of your family's veteran story is testament to the meaning of this Veteran Day holiday.
Driving home from work, I heard a piece on MPR about the bonus army and the encampment in DC in the l930's.
It was a picture into the harsh reality for those veterans of WWI. But their struggle helped produce the G.I.Bill passed by Congress in the 1940s. It enabled veterans from WWII , your son and many others to pursue their dreams with this program. It is a gift given from a grateful nation.
Everyone have a great weekend.
Mark, what a great story! Thanks so much for sharing it. We need to hear more like it.
Congratulations to both son and Dad.
Mark -- Somehow you reached him through love and in turn you gave him something to reach for. What a great reminder to us all; never give up. Thanks for sharing that sometimes heartbreaking and heartwarming story. Your son sounds like he is on the right path now. Congratulations to you both for having the courage and strength to fight the battle and win. Life is not always easy but it can be really good too. ; )
That said enjoy some great football this weekend....I'm thinking cardinal red and a little "Luck" will make my weekend! Take care and give your son an extra hug for me!
Mark in SoCal:
Your son made a wise decision, but it was only after you made an even more important decision. As a parent, YOU had the courage to tell your son there truly is a line you cannot cross.
I hope others reading here noted that your son has chosen a line of work that virtually guarantees him solid employment. Not everyone belongs behind a computer monitor.
Both you and your son should be proud - of yourselves and of each other. Great story.
Thanks, all. Have a good weekend.
Dont_carry, I will most certainly enjoy the football. It is going to be raining tomorrow in LA - perfect day to hunker down and watch some great games!
Hey Mark,
Great story!!! I salute your son for serving. It does not matter that he did not go to Iraq. His joining the military period, was a brave thing to do. It is great to hear that he learned a skill and he is pursuing his goals/education/career. I would say that he made the transition from boyhood to manhood. Still growing perhaps, but it is all good. Hats off to you as well for hanging in there with him and supporting his buddies. He is not a "lost boy" anymore. I would say rather, a man in pursue of his dreams.
Semper Fidelis
Mark the army gave me that same discipline that in itself made my enlistment golden good luck with your son...I think mine is on the same path...Glad to hear it worked for you guys..I hope it works for our family too..
We're thankful for those who serve - in any capacity. We're as thankful for the Lost Boys who find their way. You are rightfully proud of your son. So are we.
"A man who is good enough to shed blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled, and less than that no man shall have." Theodore Roosevelt in a speech to vets, July 4, 1903.
I was out at some Veteran Day activities with some neighbors today, and a nicer day could not be had! It is a good reminder what we owe those who fought. My own favorite veteran, my dad in law, took his 4 grandchildren to Europe to visit the sites he had fought at, and my cherubs came back with a great understanding of the difficulties of war and a greater respect and love for their grandfather, a man truly deserving of that.
To all of you who served, our thanks. But something to think about: there are 850,000 unemployed veterans, (Dylan Ratigan, MSNBC) who want and need jobs. We need to reflect on what Theodore Roosevelt said to those veterans on that day, and honor our obligation. It is JOBS, Republicans, not social issues, and if you consider yourselves patriots, I am sure we are going to see you concentrate solely on forming a partnership with our President to make jobs available to those veterans.
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address in 1865 is specific and a beautifully written reminder of what we owe those who serve:
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan...." this is the very least we owe them.
IR: I am thinking C26 on the jukebox. A little Bette Midler with Boogy Woogy Bugle Boy! That will get the party rocking. Feisty, meet you there, bringing some artichoke spinach dip...and I think a white wine would taste good today!
My thanks to my hosts, it has been a week and you guys are putting in an awful lot of overtime! We appreciate your work.
See you at the Dew Drop Inn, and first round on me, the toast to our vets.
Have a good weekend! Slainte!
NDD, great way to end the week.
Thanks to our excellent FR hosts for giving us a place to talk politics; and this week a special thanks to the GOP presidential candidates who, despite their intent to be serious, gave us a 3-ring circus.
Headed over to the Dew Drop Inn for the toast to our veterans.
Have a terrific weekend everyone.
Just read your wrap up of the week, Jody, a don't miss for me and others. You never disappoint!
And for my friend no jo, who appreciates candor and accuracy. I have been curious this week about your unhappiness with Domenico, who I consider to be a careful reporter who is prudent before he reports. I finally had the time to cast about the web a bit, and hecky darn, what did I find? An article about President Obama using the "rising tides" analogy as he is apparently wont to do. In the article on Huffington Post, Trymane Lee writes in Presidents on Black Unemployment: Reagan, Carter, Obama, 8/26/11; he is referring to a Presidential Press conference on April 29, 2009:
Quoting: The "rising tide" metaphor first used by John Kennedy, has been a central theme in how Obama has discussed his approach to healing the country's economic and employment troubles."
So I know you will want to make nice with Domenico, and I am certain this will alleviate your mind.
NewDay---thanks for getting the party started! And thanks to Mark, Domenico and crew for providing this forum and for all your hard work keeping it going.
Looking forward to the Veterans Day party at the Dew Drop Inn-----all veterans and their family are our guests for the evening. In honor of our veterans from D-Day, I'll buy the champagne!
NDD, hard to understand why NJ goes after both Domenico and Mark who do an excellent job and are top-notch journalists--jealousy and petty vindictiveness shows through her every word.
Meaner than a junk yard dog comes to mind!
Then again, I don't remember any poster who has been corrected more by the moderators then NJNB! lol
NDD - will you pass your artichoke spinach dip please?
I sure hope Gingerbread Mamma is bringing some of her awesome guacamole & garden fresh salsa! ;o)
@Jody - you should repost your weekly wrap up here for those who might of missed it!
It's well worth it!
PS: I noticed the NJ nut job steered clear of your porch this morning! ;o)
Newday-- What a beautiful day you had! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, all, and Feisty, how's that dip?
Oh, please,ndd.
Domenico attributed a phrase to Obama that was coined by Kennedy. I don't care if Obama used it- to give him attribution simply revealed the level of idolatry from a supposedly "professional" journalist.
Funny, is it not, that HE had nothing to say about it?
That snark feat during the debate shed any and all camouflage -none of the "reporters" tweeting did anything at all to hide their contempt for everyone on that stage. Once again, incontrovertible proof that Jody was right.
On another note- will somebody please fix the Ignore Author feature?
Sorry, no jo, as usual I must say, you are wrong. The evidence is clear, Obama makes a habit of using the phrase, and by the way: Kennedy did not coin the phrase. That is according to Ted Sorenson, and is an easy fact to check out. It came from a New England Regional Council, and Kennedy never gave attribution for it.
I am sure that you will do the right thing, and apologize to Domenico. After all, honesty is important, is it not?
It was delicious NDD!
But your smack down on the nut job from NJ was even better! ;o)
Twist and shout
As they say on my own Cape Cod, a rising tide lifts all the boats. And a partnership, by definition, serves both partners, without domination or unfair advantage.
[1963 J. F. Kennedy Address 25 June in Public Papers of Presidents of U.S. (1964) 519]
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/a-rising-tide-lifts-all-boats-1#ixzz1dV3Wx4VJ
Funny even Domenico has nothing to say about his Mia-attribution- but YOU seem determined to convince me he was right.
He was wrong, you are failing in your attempts to prove me wrong- and I'm done talking to you.
Facts, as they say, is facts.
I just don't want no jo to worry any further about this. Domenico was accurate, and I am sure she is relieved to find that out. I know I would be. Have to be able to trust those who report on the issues of the day!
Oops, guess I am wrong. I have misunderstood no jo entirely.
Do you notice no jo, that the attribution to the New England Council is missing...as well as the context?
But, maybe it was Domenico you wanted to hear from. If so, I apologize for stepping in! ; )
LMAO!
As you can see, the nut job from NJ has taken her usual low road & is now in hiding!
Mission Accomplished NDD!
LOL NJNB blew in from very own Cape Cod......and a rising tide! ; ) Us peasants will go about our day now. BTW you can drop the bone now...no one wants to play tug-o-war NJNB maybe another day.
shh, don't carry
we're not supposed to notice she failed to use the citation marks,...from that perch next G-d Almighty, SHE is not expected to follow the rules,...only everyone else.
The citations are there. The block quote didn't work.
Considering the issues this site is having. (like the ignore author feature being disabled),
Whose fault do you suppose it is?
Jeez. Get a life.
By the way- watch out for the special carpal tunnel Blackberry users get-Buzz.
post #5.13 didn't seem to have an issue with the block quote,...
damn that iPad,...gotta' blame someone, eh?
Good to see the Dew Drop filling up with laughter , great jokes, and conversation.
I will just pass my ramaki around while it is still hot. (Bacon wrapped water chestnuts with a brown sugar glaze.
Bartender: I will have a nice glass of merlot.
cheers to all of you , your posts make FR the best political blog around!!!
I have always felt the most courageous veterans were those who fought in World War II. A very dear friend of mine was a WWII veteran and he died this year.
Like most of the veterans of WWII, Bud didn't talk much about the war. One thing he did say, with my prompting, was that they never knew whether they were going to come back. Still, they went.
The one reminder and iconic thought I will carry with me until my dying day, is footage of the landings on D-Day. The Landing Craft carried G.I.'s to the shore. As they approached they could hear enemy fire hitting the craft. They HAD TO KNOW when that gate dropped, they and their fellow soldiers would stop those rounds with their bodies. Still, they went.
The horrifying and awesome footage will always be in my mind. Countless soldiers floating face down - never to enjoy the fabulous life they left for us.
Honestly, search your hearts and souls. Can we not come together as a nation to save the country they left behind?
Well done, David, those photos are haunting. You have a way with words. Dad in law was at the Heurtgen Forest, that was the longest battle and the most costly. He was wounded there. He doesn't talk about it much, and we didn't know much until he made that trip with the kids, he at the ripe age of 87 years old. They got the stories down as he told them.
Soooooooooooo....the ones after WW2 were not quite as courageous?
My father was a WW2 veteran. His mother and father were immigrants from Italy. He joined the air force and was part of a bombing crew who flew missions over Italy.Essentially, possibly, bombing relatives. I can appreciate "the greatest generation". He gave for his country.
But most Americans who selflessly serve(d) in our military are courageous. They never know if they are going to come back.
If you wish to save the country.....help in destroying the left.
Thank a veteran.
David -- You come and drop another gem! We are indeed lucky to have you here. Have a great weekend and a great big hug to you for your kindness and service.
I wonder if we'll get anything on this
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-11/occupy-deaths/51164980/1
Seems lots of regular posters of the liberal stripe on this board just LOVE OWS. Peace. Love, understanding, shootings, drug overdose,rapes, murders, and all.
Wait until they embrace a liberal third party contender for president, and take votes from their idol. That will be a sight to see.
sounds like a job interview with herman cain...ha...by the way i've got big money that when romney wins palin will appear as the savior for a teaparty run.....wanta bet on that....no joe no
blah blah blah wake up romney cain perry newt you got a chance okay see you on this blog next nov...boring boring boring.......yes the base is voting for a black a mormom or newt and his three wifes yes i see how pumped they are...
do you guys really believe that the south is voting black or nonchristain....i lived there...aint happening boys....and the religous right oh newt okay have another drink guys...