Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day



9 comments:

Forrest Gump said...

This editorial cartoon was in our local paper yesterday. The comment says it all.

Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...

A very nice sentiment but a very naive viewpoint.
In the working out of a democratic form of government, in the presence of tyrannical forms it is true that there will be times when toes will have to be stepped on in the preservation of freedom.
For the record, students, freedom does not come without cost and the cost always includes blood.
MOst of you--if not all of you are content to play the role of sunshine patriot whilst a small minority of you will take up the call and join the armed services in your nation's defense. This group of youngsters who don the uniform have my utmost respect. They remind me of my generation when the vast majority of my brehteren joined the service with the idea that it was not also an obligation but a privelige. Gone are those days as we are fastly going the route of the Roman empire.
Instead of a leftist peacnik cartoon, it would have been appropriate to post the flag raising at Iwo JIma. That at least is how I see America on Memorial Day.
As you yourselves were busy swilling beer and getting fat on hot dogs yesterday, I was pondering the sacfrices of those who went before.
Students, it will never come from your lips, but may I say God Bless our Troops, for they are the ultimate protectors of our freedom---even your freedom to make idiots of yourselves.
Class Dismissed!!!!!

Forrest Gump said...

One question Professor, must everything you comment on be left or right? What ever happened to just being right or wrong! There is nothing in this cartoon to suggest a "leftist peacenik". The only thing I gather from reading the comment is that we should look for other ways to resolve conflict rather than put troops in harm's way.

No one is going to argue that sometimes armed conflict is necessary.

The Iraq war was manufactured by people with ulterior motives. It had nothing to do with protecting the United States.

The Afghanistan war was initially a worthwhile campaign, but now we must leave that country and let the different factions decide what path they want to take. Democracy or otherwise.

We should not impose our way of life on any other country or it's people.

Class back in session!

Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...

Re: Forrest....
"We should not impose our way of life on any other country or its people"...
Thankfully, young man, we did not have that attitude in 1941 following Pearl Harbor.
Otherwise, the swastika or the flag or the rising sun would be adorning the White House this very minute, and you, young man, would be a very different man; if alive at all.
Idealism is a charming attribute amongst youngsters, but like a sweet fragance, can become stale after time....
Class dismissed!!!!

Forrest Gump said...

That was a world war my friend and if you would have actually read my response, you would know that I stated "armed conflict is sometimes necessary". In that case we were fighting to stop a maniacal dictator, we were not imposing our way of life on anybody.

Try again.

Class is in session.

PoorRichard said...

Excuse me but we were dragged into both wars, Atlantic and Pacific Fronts. We were not forcing our culture on other nations, we were trying to survive.

I have a real problem with Milburn pointing fingers at others and what they do or don't do but he never comments on what he does. Which branch of the armed services were you privileged to join? How long did you serve and will you please tell the class what type of health coverage you have and who pays for it? Are you now or do you plan to take advantage of the Medicare program? Some into the sunshine Milburn, you might find it refreshing.

Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...

RE: Poor Richard:
May I suggest, young man that you read up on your history--true history not the homogenized tripe that is passing for it today.
For the record, we were not "dragged in" to war--we were attacked, plain and simple.
From what I hear from some of my more "liberal" students, we should not have even attempted to go into Afghanistan after the horrific attacks of 9/11.
This is my point: If a country holds no military backbone, then it is most certainly doomed to be subjected to tyranny.
I ask you, young man, how many lives would have been saved if we went to war with Germany in 1939???
As the Holocaust was underway it most certainly would have been averted to a major degree and there would be millions of lives spared. Does the young student realize that in nations such as Poland, for example, there is hardly a Jewish populace anymore??
Does the student agree that had we gone into WW2 earlier than late 1941 that the sphere would be diffrent today as it relates to the Jewish populace???
Do I make my point, young man??
Class Dismissed!!!!!

PoorRichard said...

My point was simple ... we didn't opt to go to war for the hell of it, Germany and Japan forced us into it. You continue to pontificate on everything under the sun and point an accusatory finger at all who read these posts and all that is asked of you is to put up or shut up. What have you done for God and country? How did you serve our great nations. How did you thank those who gave all so that you would have the opportunity to insult all who read the Gort42 blog? How ashamed of yourself are you? You won't even admit as to what kind of health care coverage you have and who pays for it. You even refuse to admit you receive Medicare or will apply for it when eligible. Class need not be dismissed, students are walking out in the middle of your ranting.

Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...

Re Richard:
I have not leveled a single insult in any of my posts. Most young people are over sensitive at best, so I surmise you take my statements of truth as an insult. Relax, son; as Harry Truman once said, "I never gave anybody hell, I just told they truth and they thought it was hell!"
Now, students, one of the major problems with the your generation is that you strike before you think. I urge all of you to read Richard's postings and then compare them to my own. I am confident that you shall find that he "glosses" over my teachings and derives areas of fantasy of which he uses as a foundation for his retortations.
This may be all well and good in your youthful world of rose colored glasses, where the bar is always open before, during and after class; where there's always a frat party or a loose young girl to chase. But in the real world it will not get you anywhere.
You youngsters need to understand that your parents may have told you you were special but most people know you are NOT.
As a great man once stated: It's a tough world out there, and you're not going to get by on your good looks or because you have the latest Abercrombie and Fitch tee shirt on. Hit the books!"
Have I made my point students????
CLASS DISMISSED!!!!!!!