News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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The arrival of Coast Guard Day this week set me to reminiscing about my years in the U.S. Coast Guard. My personal connection with the Coast Guard actually began early in World War II, before I was even born. In the weeks following the Pearl Harbor attack, my father joined the Coast Guard under what I like to call the “BYOB” program — that’s Bring Your Own Boat. At that time, the Coast Guard had no resources for maritime security patrols; and a program was created for p... Full story
Because of my background, people sometimes ask what I think about the prospect of war in Iraq. Some are surprised when I say that I'm not very enthusiastic; as a rule, most military people don't "want" war any more than firefighters want fires or police want shootouts. I tend to look askance at people who answer polls as undecided; and, while I don't want a war, if I were asked "should" we be going to war, well, I guess I'd have to answer that I really don't know -- and there I'd be, filed away among those dreaded... Full story
We have a host of people with environmental interests telling us what is green. When one of my four children was a toddler and learning his colors, he tried to do the same thing. "Green!" he'd proclaim, when asked about a color. Any color. I guess he figured that if he stuck with that answer, eventually, he'd get it right. With many of today's "environmentalists," we're seeing about the same level of scientific understanding. The term "environmentalist" has come to have a special connotation. Sort of like the word "gay," it... Full story
As the horror of September 11 eases into history, an increasing cadre of Americans entertain themselves trying to find fault with America. This phenomenon of self-flagellation is more than a bit curious. Americans are far from perfect; but, all things considered, we're not that bad. Sure, we're an arrogant and provincial bunch, but our hearts are usually in the right place. Those who are "ashamed to be an American" would be hard pressed to find a better alternative; but, if railing against our society serves to assuage some... Full story
The blame game Several weeks ago the Bend Chapter of Amnesty International sponsored a program entitled "Why Do They Hate Us?" The speaker was Homer Hepworth, who spent time in Afghanistan some 40 years ago. After his talk, it became obvious that many in the crowd were there to play the "blame game." These were people who weren't there to listen. They were there to fix blame, and they'd already decided where the blame belonged. These were members of the blame-America-first cabal. Their declarations-disguised-as-questions went... Full story
