Tag: American Exceptionalism

Reflections

A Shimmer of Hope

This evening I was walking back from taking out the trash when a group of 4 young boys (probably ages 10 to 14) came by riding their bicycles. They stopped, and one yelled at me, “Hey, mister.”

Here we go, I thought.

Then he just asked me, “Do you like bikes?”

I told him at one time I loved bikes and used to ride all over town on my Royce Union 10-speed with no hands … and I could ride a wheelie for forever! Then I laughed and told him, “But, that was long ago, though.”

Then another one of them asked, “How about skateboards?”

I laughed again and replied, “Do I look like I should be on a skateboard?” They all laughed at that. One said he was going to be the next Tony Hawk!

The one boy proceeded to tell me he did all kinds of tricks on his BMX bike and showed me how well he could ride a wheelie. It was pretty impressive, I must say.

We joked around for a few more minutes. Finally, one of the boys said that they needed to get going. So, I told them all to have a great evening. They waved and started off. Then one stopped and turned back to me.

“Are you a veteran?” he asked.

“I am,” I replied. I was wearing an R.E.D. T-shirt.

“Thank you for your service,” he stated. Then went on after his friends. I must admit I was surprised. He was maybe 13 …

But I smiled inside. There may still be hope!

Book Reviews

FORTITUDE: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage

Jordan Peterson’s Twelve Rules for Life meets Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s Extreme Ownership in this tough-love leadership book from a Navy SEAL and rising star in Republican politics.

In 2012, on his third tour of duty, an improvised explosive device left Dan Crenshaw’s right eye destroyed and his left blinded. Only through the careful hand of his surgeons, and what doctors called a miracle, did Crenshaw’s left eye recover partial vision. And yet, he persevered, completing two more deployments. Why? There are certain stories we tell ourselves about the hardships we face — we can become paralyzed by adversity or we can adapt and overcome. We can be fragile or we can find our fortitude. Crenshaw delivers a set of lessons to help you do just that.

Most people’s everyday challenges aren’t as extreme as surviving combat, and yet our society is more fragile than ever: exploding with outrage, drowning in microaggressions, and devolving into divisive mob politics. The American spirit — long characterized by grit and fortitude — is unraveling. We must fix it.

That’s exactly what Crenshaw accomplishes with FORTITUDE. This book isn’t about the problem, it’s about the solution. And that solution begins with each and every one of us. We must all lighten up, toughen up, and begin treating our fellow Americans with respect and grace.

FORTITUDE is a no-nonsense advice book for finding the strength to deal with everything from menial daily frustrations to truly difficult challenges. More than that, it is a roadmap for a more resilient American culture. With meditations on perseverance, failure, and finding much-needed heroes, the book is the antidote for a prevailing “safety culture” of trigger warnings and safe spaces. Interspersed with lessons from history and psychology is Crenshaw’s own story of how an average American kid from the Houston suburbs went from war zones to the halls of Congress — and managed to navigate his path with a sense of humor and an even greater sense that, no matter what anyone else around us says or does, we are in control of our own destiny.

About the author …

Dan Crenshaw served as a Navy SEAL for a decade, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After being wounded in Helmand Province in 2012, he lost his right eye and required surgery to save the vision in his left. He earned two Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor, the Purple Heart, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor. Retiring from the military in 2016, Crenshaw earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 2017. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2018, where he represents the Second Congressional District of Texas. He lives with his wife, Tara, and two dogs, Joey and Luna, in Houston.

My thoughts …

Dan Crenshaw is clearly a man with a mission. His book, Fortitude: Resilience in the Age of Outrage, is a call to action for all Americans who love this country to make a stand against the destructive culture of outrage and the ‘cancel culture’ that has permeated our society. Crenshaw approaches this problem with the same professionalism and attention to detail that makes the US Navy SEALs the highly effective elite military force they are.

Crenshaw clearly illustrates what it means to be a thinking American. His perspectives, while they will certainly be shocking and abhorrent to those bent on ‘fundamentally transforming’ this country into the next Venezuela, are rooted in common sense and the preservation of the United States of America as a sovereign nation.

Like Crenshaw, I believe that in this great country, you certainly have the right to live your life as you choose within the social contract provided by the rule of law. However, your rights end where they infringe on the rights of others. And, you do not have the right to never be offended. Being offended is a personal choice, controlled by the individual. You also do not have the right to erase history, destroy public or private property, or destroy the very country that protects the freedoms you choose to exercise.

There is nothing new in his ideas. Crenshaw’s book is a concise and practical restatement of things most Americans already know and believe. Unfortunately, a few too many have forgotten, being raised in a setting of unearned affluence and elitist attitudes. This has created a generation with skewed views of ungratefulness, arrogance, ignorance, shamelessness, and egocentrism.

As a former US Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander, decorated war veteran, and congressman for the state of Texas, Crenshaw brings the full prowess of his training as a SEAL to bear in his research and viewpoints. His mental toughness, worldly experience, and practical insight offer real insight into combating the subjective softness and perpetual state of outrage so many people in America suffer from today .

I rate this book 5 stars and recommend highly to anyone who might be just a bit concerned at the direction some are trying to take this country in.

I hope you will take a few minutes and check out some of my other blog posts by clicking here! And check out my new novel, Montagnard, on Amazon.com!

Patriotism

American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free

Is this a good read?

Well, let me just say that I started with the audiobook, but two-thirds of the way through it, I had to go to Barnes and Noble to get a hardcover edition. Not only is this book a great read, but it is also an excellent reference.

Book Description

Join the political and cultural fight for America’s freedom — and learn how to protect our nation from the leftist agenda — with this essential guide from Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth.

In American Crusade, Pete Hegseth explores whether the election of President Donald J. Trump was a sign of a national rebirth, instead of the final act of a nation that has surrendered to Leftists who demand socialism, globalism, secularism, and politically-correct elitism. Can real America still win? And how?

Hegseth is an old-school patriot who is on a mission to do his part to save our Republic. This book celebrates all that America stands for while motivating and mustering fellow patriots to stand ready to defend — and keep — our great country. As he travels around the country talking to American citizens from all walks of life, Hegseth reveals the shared wisdom of average Americans — and how ready they are to join the cultural battlefield. Now is that time, and Hegseth has written the playbook.

American Crusade is written with the same insight, politically incorrect candor, and humor that has made his television show one of the most highly-rated in America.

About the Author

Pete Hegseth is the co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, a Fox News senior political analyst, and frequent commentator across Fox News and Fox Business platforms. He is also the author of the highly-acclaimed 2016 book In the Arena. Pete served in the U.S. Army for twelve years, doing tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, earning two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He lives in New York, NY.

My thoughts …

Let me start by saying that 91% of the reviews of this book are 5 Star. I did look at a few of the negative reviews, and I have to say that I suspect many of them never read the book.

For example, one review starts off with, “As a liberal, I was not aware that my ultimate goal was to erase ‘America’s soul, culture, and institutions.'” This reviewer, a Disney denizen, goes on to state the book is “very negative, bitter, insulting, and offensive.” However, Pete Hegseth goes way out of his way to distinguish between classical liberals and liberalism (as in Libertarian) and the Leftists that have hijacked the term ‘liberal’ for their own use.

I found that American Crusade provides an extraordinarily balanced, and insightful view of the current situation in our country. But then I am a proud and patriot American and a veteran. I understand that, despite the failings of human beings, the ideals behind our founding are unique and worth keeping, and yes, fighting for. I have read quite a few books by conservative writers and found this one to be much less reactionary and polarizing, and more uniting and explanatory. But I can certainly see that if it was your goal to “fundamentally transform” the United States of America into just another European-modeled socialist nanny state, that this would be a book, you would seriously dislike.

Hegseth makes the point, and I have said this myself in the past, that real Americans have much more in common with the Brexit crowd in the UK, the protestors in Hong Kong, and the freedom fighters in Poland than the rank-in-file of today’s Europeans.

Americanism, like nationalism, is not a dirty word. In fact, it is the only practical way for peace to occur on a global scale. Each nation’s citizens must love their own country enough to not want to see it destroyed in senseless wars, corrupt political gamesmanship, or disastrous goals such as world-domination, i.e., Russia and China.

Hegseth spends a lot of time outlining why America is unique, what beliefs and concerns motivated the Founding Fathers, and why it is worth fighting and yes, even dying for. He draws contrasts between Liberals and Leftists (as I mentioned earlier). Pete compares globalization (good) and globalism (bad). He examines the difference between Freedom of Religion and Freedom from Religion as well as the actual and measurable differences (real science) between man and woman that the new radical Leftist feminists all want us to either ignore or forget.

So yeah, if you’re a Leftist, you are truly going to hate this book. If you are an American, concerned about the future of this county and preserving the greatest experiment in self-government the world has ever seen, you will want to read this book. You may not agree with everything Pete Hegseth says, but I am betting you will nod your head at most of it.

We really are in dire need of more 100% Americans, and less of these squishy Americans who love the benefits of being American but just can’t seem to stand up and be counted when needed. Before I am a member of any political party (which I actually am not), I am an American. I love my country and will defend her, despite her shortcomings, until my last breath. Because, despite, those same shortcomings, she is still the greatest country on this planet.

I hope you will take a few minutes and check out some of my other blog posts by clicking here! And check out my new novel, Montagnard, on Amazon.com!

Patriotism

The Soul of American Exceptionalism

Yes, I agree. America is not perfect!

I try hard not to get political on my blog. But lately, I am really bothered by things I see happening in this great country, the country I love, and volunteered to defend. I see us heading down a road to a fork. And we can only go in one direction or the other. There is no compromise between Americanism and the radical Leftwing ideology that has been gaining strength in our country.

Let me begin by admitting that America is not perfect. Yes, America has problems. But I challenge you to show me another country without problems, or that has done so much good in so little time.

American is a country and thus is comprised of people. It is the human condition that people are not perfect. So yes, people make mistakes. Some people are ambitious, some are lazy, some are easy-going, some are intense, many are good, and unfortunately, some are evil. Any country made up of people will be flawed because people are flawed. But that has nothing to do with the idea of America, the grand experiment in individual freedom that we in serious danger of losing to the radical Leftists in this country.

However, the ideals behind Americanism are perfect.

Are you a Constitutionalist? An originalist? Do you believe that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land? That is great. However, that is not enough.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This phrase from the Declaration Of Independence, written thirteen years earlier, is the soul of Americanism. It is the basis for two key elements that define Americanism: 1) Individual Freedom, and 2) Equal Treatment Under the Law.

This phrase in the Declaration of Independence is the foundation on which the U.S. Constitution stands. The two documents are codependent and inseparable. It is the belief that all mankind is created equal and that all mankind inherits from their creator the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that makes the U.S. Constitution the tremendous and timeless document that it is.

This is what defines Americanism. It is the belief in these fundamental principles that made our Founding Fathers, flawed humans though they were, great. It’s the fact that this country was founded on these principles that make this country a shining beacon on the hill, even though it is inhabited by flawed people who do sometimes make mistakes, occasionally even terrible ones.

It is these ideals that the flag represent, and to equate that flag to the flaws of a few human beings show a real lack of understanding. That is why I will always stand for the flag, I believe in those ideals even as I understand the flawed nature of the human condition.

Election 2016

One result of the 2016 election is that this division, this war, in American has been brought out into the open. The two sides have stepped out into the light. Most Americans believe in the principles this country was founded on; some don’t. Most Americans believe in individual freedom, while others want to create another “Marxist” nanny state. I guess they all feel that the uber-rich Left-wing elites will make room for them all in the “ruling class.” Of course, you’d have to pretty much be a moron to think that would ever actually happen.

What do you believe in?

It is time for those who believe in Americanism to step up. Those words from the Declaration of Independence are the soul of Americanism. The U.S. Constitution is the body. If you believe in the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence, then you understand that the U.S. Constitution can never be a “living document” that changes with the times. That is because, my friends, those core beliefs that define Americanism, do not change with the times.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Which part of this phrase changes with the passing of years. Explain that to me. Defend that position. The only way you can do that is if you do not believe in Americanism.

How far do you go in defense of your country?

I had a friend say to me once, “But, you wouldn’t take up arms against your government, would you?”

My answer was, “I certainly would not want to. I certainly hope it would never come to that.” I hope that my government would never back me into that corner. However, it has happened before. And, history has shown us time and time again that the first step in instituting an authoritarian regime is to disarm the populace. Just ask Venesualans!

Sadly though, I see that possibility grow more real over time as the Left becomes more relentless in dismantling the fundamental structure of this great nation, and especially if Trump loses the 2020 election. For all Trump’s brashness, unfiltered statements, lack of perfected talking points, obsessive tweeting, and refusal to not punch back when attacked, it is clear he loves this country and Americanism. Trump doesn’t fight for this party or that party. He fights for the country he loves. He fights for Americans … all Americans. That is the core of America First. You don’t have to like him or his manner. But he is a fighter. And, at this moment in time, he is what America needs. Once the radical left is no longer a threat, we can go back to squabbling over minor details. ‘

Do you think for one minute that Putin doesn’t put Russia first, or Xi doesn’t put China first? Some of you “woke” people need to wake the hell up!

I am certainly not advocating violence. I hope and pray with all my heart and soul that more Americans will wake up, and it will not come to that. But I will not live under a Left-wing authoritarian dictatorship with its thought police, equal misery for all, the erasing of American history and culture, and total disregard for the rule of law. I will not live in a country where I have no freedom and cannot protect those I love from criminal elements. And, I also swore an oath to protect the U.S. Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. That oath had no expiration date on it.

Historically, that is the reason for the Second Amendment. It was not about muskets or assault rifles, and it was not about hunting. To argue those points, you have to willfully ignore a ton of written and documented evidence to the contrary. No, it was to ensure another fundamental ideal stated in the Declaration of Independence.

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

It is time for Americans who believe in Americanism, who believe that all men are created equal and have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to hold their noses if necessary and make sure that the radical Left does not gain power in the 2020 election. I predict that, if they do, we will see a heck of a lot more blood in our streets.

Again, I am not advocating violence. I am just stating what I see happening in the future if the radical Left gains more power in this country.

Or, maybe you want to live in a country where the police are defunded and the streets are patrolled by Antifa?

Patriotism

Remembering Today: 9/11 and Hurricane Irma

Remembering Today

Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma & 9/11My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the path of Hurricane Irma. I have relatives in both Orlando and Tampa, Florida … and so far, they seem to be okay. I must say I have never seen such an outpouring of support and help being offered to victims of this Hurricane like what is being offered via Facebook. It is amazing to me.

I also think the communication between Federal, State and Local governments helped lessen the catrostophic impact of this hurricane. While certainly still bad, the planning pre-positioning of equipment and supplies was amazing to see and well thought out. President Trump, his administration, FEMA, Governors, State Police, Local Law Enforcement and First Responders, the U.S. Military and volunteers … all showing why America is such a great country. You are all owed an immense debt of gratitude!

 

September 11, 2001

Hurricane Irma & 9/11

September 11, 2001 … a day we, in America, must never forget. I remember hearing a description of the first jet hitting the twin towers on the way to work at the University of Tennessee that morning. I thought, at the time, it had to be a hoax. When I got to campus however, crowds were standing around TV screens in the University Center watching events unfold. I learned it was not a hoax. And, I watched the second plane hit the tower. There are not words to express the way I felt at that moment in time.

 

We must never forget and we must remain forever vigilant. Freedom is never free! I have had ancestors and family members fight in every American conflict since the American Revolution. To squander away what our ancestors purchased for us with their own blood would be unforgivable. Think about that as you rush to deprive another American of their God-given rights … whether it be the right to free speech, or to protect themselves from danger, to worship in the way they choose, or to pursue life in a land of equal opportunity.

Common Sense, Political

The newest rage … “Pseudo Intellectualism”

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Dan Gilbert commented that:

“Intellectuals” these days are an interesting breed. Historically intellectuals enjoyed exploring all aspects of a given situation. They compared facts, sought out further study if the research wasn’t clear. They enjoyed defending their opponent’s position to strengthen their own case. Intellectuals valued the intellect and constructive debate. They were very concerned with the preservation of the concept of free speech, valuing opinions different from their own.

Today, so-called intellectuals seek to limit speech, ideas, and opinions other than ideologically approved ones. We hear – case closed, the science is settled, alternative opinions are due to ignorance and other statements that no true intellectual in history would be comfortable with. This is dogma masquerading as intelligence and is dominant in today’s academic environment.

Politicians have latched on to this approach because it protects ideas with no depth or factual foundation, it helps to panic people and create a feeling of powerlessness, leading to more control over every aspect of our lives. A true intellectual will welcome debate, not criminalize those that hold different positions. We live in an age of deep ignorance lauded as the height of intellect, fantasy heralded as reality, and inflexible dogma held up as liberalism.

I have personally experienced this phenomena several time in discussion with liberal friends.  I have been in conversations where my more liberal friends are espousing some view on some topic be it the economy, fracking, healthcare, Global Warming, War of Terror, or whatever.  And in the course of the conversation, should you provide any evidence in support of a view contrary to their held views, it is summarily dismissed without discussion or further investigation.  Hardly an “intellectual” response.

A prime example of this is the issue of gun control.  Members of the anti-Second Amendment crowd, such  as Michael Bloomberg’s newly-repackaged “Every Town for Gun Safety” have repeatedly been caught red-handed lying and creating false narratives about gun violence.  And while tragic gun violence should be addressed, as a nation we never want to address the real issues  involved and instead simple want to ban a tool which the U.S. Constitution affirms and guarantees the American people the right to use.  Unfortunately like any tool, a gun can be used for both good and bad.

The truth is that the recent shooting at the Church in South Caroline is a prime example of why stricter gun laws do not work.  Especially if, as Vice-President Joe Biden admitted on national television in the last election, the federal government doesn’t have time to enforce the gun laws already on the books.  The shooter in this case already could not legally own or buy a gun because of a previous felony drug conviction and the family has already admitted, and then later recanted the statement, that the boy’s father bought the gun for him on his 21st birthday.  This would already be a felony under federal law and punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment (perhaps this is why they recanted the earlier statement).  How would a stricter gun lay have prevented this?  Explain it to me please.

Also the church was a “gun free” zone, so the shooter knew he was safe to carry out his plan with little chance of anyone stopping him.  There is another recent and rather similar case in which a woman with a concealed carry permit and a hand gun stopped a shooter in his tracks in her church and saved the lives of many of her fellow parishioners.  Bet you won’t hear about that in the left-wing news.

More to the point, however, is that if you bring up the facts that statistics clearly prove states and cities that allow concealed carry permits all see measurable and significant reductions in violent crime, liberals summarily dismiss that as NRA propaganda that bears no further discussion.  They totally ignore the fact that the NRA gets its statistics from the FBI and, dare I say it, the former Attorney General Eric Holder’s Department of Justice.  That is because their “pseudo intellectualism” is driven by blind ideology and it can suffer no dissent.  It is a victimization-based, revenge-driven ideology that plays well to people with bumper slogan mentalities and it is an ideology that does not bode well for the success of Freedom, Liberty, Prosperity, and American Exceptionalism!