From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II:
DOSS, DESMOND T.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Urasoe Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 29 April-21 May 1945. Entered service at: Lynchburg, Va. Birth: Lynchburg, Va. G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945. Citation: He was a company aid man when the 1st Battalion assaulted a jagged escarpment 400 feet high As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 casualties and driving the others back. Pfc. Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, carrying them 1 by 1 to the edge of the escarpment and there lowering them on a rope-supported litter down the face of a cliff to friendly hands. On 2 May, he exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in rescuing a wounded man 200 yards forward of the lines on the same escarpment; and 2 days later he treated 4 men who had been cut down while assaulting a strongly defended cave, advancing through a shower of grenades to within 8 yards of enemy forces in a cave's mouth, where he dressed his comrades' wounds before making 4 separate trips under fire to evacuate them to safety. On 5 May, he unhesitatingly braved enemy shelling and small arms fire to assist an artillery officer. He applied bandages, moved his patient to a spot that offered protection from small arms fire and, while artillery and mortar shells fell close by, painstakingly administered plasma. Later that day, when an American was severely wounded by fire from a cave, Pfc. Doss crawled to him where he had fallen 25 feet from the enemy position, rendered aid, and carried him 100 yards to safety while continually exposed to enemy fire. On 21 May, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy tank attack and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter; and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the other man. Awaiting the litter bearers' return, he was again struck, this time suffering a compound fracture of 1 arm. With magnificent fortitude he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station. Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.
Desmond Doss refused to take up arms for his Nation because of his Seventh-Day Adventist faith, but this in no way detracts from his heroism or dedication to our Nation's service. He is one of two conscientious objectors to recieve our country's highest honor for courage.
He passed away at age 87 on March 23, 2006.
Thank you so much for both your courage in the face of Freedom's enemies and the courage of your convictions; these are the traits that made America great.
April 29 - May 21, 1945 was your finest hour!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wisdom of the Day: W. Cleon Skousen
The Founders' Political Spectrum
Part of the genius of the Founding Fathers was their political spectrum or political frame of reference. It was a yardstick for the measuring of the political power in any particular system of government. They had a much better political yardstick than the one which is generally used today. If the Founders had used the modern yardstick of "Communism on the left" and "Fascism on the right," they never would have found the balanced center which they were seeking.
What is Left? What is Right?
It is extremely unfortunate that the writers on political philosophy today have undertaken to measure various issues in terms of political parties instead of political power. No doubt the American Founding Fathers would have considered this modern measuring stick most objectionable, even meaningless.
Today, as we mentioned, it is popular in the classroom as well as the press to refer to "Communism on the left," and "Fascism on the right." People and parties are often called "Leftist," or "Rightist." The public do not really understand what they are talking about.
These terms actually refer to the manner in which the various parties are seated in the parliaments of Europe. The radical revolutionaries (ususally the Communists) occupy the far left and the military dictatorships (such as the Fascists) are on the far right. Other parties are located in between.
Measuring people and issues in terms of political parties has turned out to be philosophically fallacious if not totally misleading. This is becase the platforms or positions of political parties are often superficial and structured on shifting sand. The platform of a political party of one generation can hardly be recognized by the next. Furthermore, Communism and Fascism turned out to be different names for approximately the same thing -- the police state. They are not opposite extremes but, for all practical purposes, are virtually identical.
The American Founding Fathers Used a More Accurate Yardstick
Government is defined in the dictionary as "a system of ruling or controlling," and therefore the American Founders measured political systems in terms of the amount of coercive power or systematic control which a particular system of government excercises over its people. In other words, the yardstick is not political parties, but political power.
Using this type of yardstick, the American Founders considered the two extremes to be ANARCHY on the one hand, and TYRRANY on the other. At the one extreme of anarchy, there is no government, no law, no systematic control and no government power, while at the other extreme there is too much control, too much political opression, too much government. Or, as the Founders called it, "tyrrany."
The object of the Founders was to discover the "balanced center" between these two extremes. They recognized that under the chaotic confusion of anarchy there is "no law," whereas at the other extreme the law is totally dominated by the ruling power and is therefore "Ruler's Law." What they wanted to establish was a system of "People's Law," where the government is kept under the control of the people and political power is maintained at the balanced center with enough government to maintain security, justice, and good order but not enough goverment to abuse the people.
The Founders' political spectrum might be graphically illustrated as follows:
Part of the genius of the Founding Fathers was their political spectrum or political frame of reference. It was a yardstick for the measuring of the political power in any particular system of government. They had a much better political yardstick than the one which is generally used today. If the Founders had used the modern yardstick of "Communism on the left" and "Fascism on the right," they never would have found the balanced center which they were seeking.
What is Left? What is Right?
It is extremely unfortunate that the writers on political philosophy today have undertaken to measure various issues in terms of political parties instead of political power. No doubt the American Founding Fathers would have considered this modern measuring stick most objectionable, even meaningless.
Today, as we mentioned, it is popular in the classroom as well as the press to refer to "Communism on the left," and "Fascism on the right." People and parties are often called "Leftist," or "Rightist." The public do not really understand what they are talking about.
These terms actually refer to the manner in which the various parties are seated in the parliaments of Europe. The radical revolutionaries (ususally the Communists) occupy the far left and the military dictatorships (such as the Fascists) are on the far right. Other parties are located in between.
Measuring people and issues in terms of political parties has turned out to be philosophically fallacious if not totally misleading. This is becase the platforms or positions of political parties are often superficial and structured on shifting sand. The platform of a political party of one generation can hardly be recognized by the next. Furthermore, Communism and Fascism turned out to be different names for approximately the same thing -- the police state. They are not opposite extremes but, for all practical purposes, are virtually identical.
The American Founding Fathers Used a More Accurate Yardstick
Government is defined in the dictionary as "a system of ruling or controlling," and therefore the American Founders measured political systems in terms of the amount of coercive power or systematic control which a particular system of government excercises over its people. In other words, the yardstick is not political parties, but political power.
Using this type of yardstick, the American Founders considered the two extremes to be ANARCHY on the one hand, and TYRRANY on the other. At the one extreme of anarchy, there is no government, no law, no systematic control and no government power, while at the other extreme there is too much control, too much political opression, too much government. Or, as the Founders called it, "tyrrany."
The object of the Founders was to discover the "balanced center" between these two extremes. They recognized that under the chaotic confusion of anarchy there is "no law," whereas at the other extreme the law is totally dominated by the ruling power and is therefore "Ruler's Law." What they wanted to establish was a system of "People's Law," where the government is kept under the control of the people and political power is maintained at the balanced center with enough government to maintain security, justice, and good order but not enough goverment to abuse the people.
The Founders' political spectrum might be graphically illustrated as follows:
Excerpted from The 5,000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World, pp. 9-11, by W. Cleon Skousen, (c) 1981 and renewed (c) 1991, 2006 by The National Center for Constitutional Studies
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
TFH 4/28: Private Nicholas Minue, USA
From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II:
*MINUE, NICHOLAS
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company A, 6th Armored Infantry, 1st Armored Division. Place and date: Near MedjezelBab, Tunisia, 28 April 1943. Entered service at: Carteret, N.J. Birth: Sedden, Poland. G.O. No.: 24, 25 March 1944. Citation: For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the loss of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 28 April 1943, in the vicinity of MedjezelBab, Tunisia. When the advance of the assault elements of Company A was held up by flanking fire from an enemy machinegun nest, Pvt. Minue voluntarily, alone, and unhesitatingly, with complete disregard of his own welfare, charged the enemy entrenched position with fixed bayonet. Pvt. Minue assaulted the enemy under a withering machinegun and rifle fire, killing approximately 10 enemy machinegunners and riflemen. After completely destroying this position, Pvt. Minue continued forward, routing enemy riflemen from dugout positions until he was fatally wounded. The courage, fearlessness and aggressiveness displayed by Pvt. Minue in the face of inevitable death was unquestionably the factor that gave his company the offensive spirit that was necessary for advancing and driving the enemy from the entire sector.
Nicholas Minue, thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice. All Freedom-loving peoples are forever in your debt.
April 28, 1943 was your finest hour!
*MINUE, NICHOLAS
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company A, 6th Armored Infantry, 1st Armored Division. Place and date: Near MedjezelBab, Tunisia, 28 April 1943. Entered service at: Carteret, N.J. Birth: Sedden, Poland. G.O. No.: 24, 25 March 1944. Citation: For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the loss of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 28 April 1943, in the vicinity of MedjezelBab, Tunisia. When the advance of the assault elements of Company A was held up by flanking fire from an enemy machinegun nest, Pvt. Minue voluntarily, alone, and unhesitatingly, with complete disregard of his own welfare, charged the enemy entrenched position with fixed bayonet. Pvt. Minue assaulted the enemy under a withering machinegun and rifle fire, killing approximately 10 enemy machinegunners and riflemen. After completely destroying this position, Pvt. Minue continued forward, routing enemy riflemen from dugout positions until he was fatally wounded. The courage, fearlessness and aggressiveness displayed by Pvt. Minue in the face of inevitable death was unquestionably the factor that gave his company the offensive spirit that was necessary for advancing and driving the enemy from the entire sector.
Nicholas Minue, thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice. All Freedom-loving peoples are forever in your debt.
April 28, 1943 was your finest hour!
Big Brother wants to know how much you drive...and tax you for it!
This proposed new tax would require you to have a GPS device embedded in your vehicle so the government can tax you on the miles you drive.
Be very clear on this - if enacted, the government will be not only tracking how much you drive, but where and on what roads, just so they can tax you accordingly. Yeah, right.
Also be very clear: the thought that this would "replace" current gasoline taxes is laughable.
Be very afraid.
Hat tip: Drudge
Good Riddance!
FINALLY, "Benedict Arlen's" true colors come out and give us a great start on recasting the Republican Party as the home for conservatives!
Hey Senator Specter, how about helping us out and taking Voinovich, Collins, and Snowe with you?
Former Representative and Club for Growth President Pat Toomey now has a free run to the general election and won't have to waste resources on the Republican primary.
Support Pat Toomey's candidacy here.
Hey Senator Specter, how about helping us out and taking Voinovich, Collins, and Snowe with you?
Former Representative and Club for Growth President Pat Toomey now has a free run to the general election and won't have to waste resources on the Republican primary.
Support Pat Toomey's candidacy here.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
More Government Efficiency - 141 Years Late
The borders between the then Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona territories were first surveyed in 1868.
Colorado was admitted to the Union in 1876. Utah in 1896. New Mexico and Arizona in 1912.
And today in 2009, the National Geodetic Survey, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the US Department of Commerce has determined that:
The Four Corners Monument is in the wrong place by two and a half miles!
Yet, Americans are still looking to the government to run the economy, run health care, run education...
Lord, help us.
Colorado was admitted to the Union in 1876. Utah in 1896. New Mexico and Arizona in 1912.
And today in 2009, the National Geodetic Survey, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the US Department of Commerce has determined that:
The Four Corners Monument is in the wrong place by two and a half miles!
Yet, Americans are still looking to the government to run the economy, run health care, run education...
Lord, help us.
TFH 4/20: Corporal Tibor Rubin, USA
From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:
RUBIN, TIBOR
Rank and Organization: Coproral, U.S. Army, Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Republic of Korea, 23 July 1950-20 April 1953.Corporal Tibor Rubin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period from July 23, 1950, to April 20, 1953, while serving as a rifleman with Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of Korea. While his unit was retreating to the Pusan Perimeter, Corporal Rubin was assigned to stay behind to keep open the vital Taegu-Pusan Road link used by his withdrawing unit. During the ensuing battle, overwhelming numbers of North Korean troops assaulted a hill defended solely by Corporal Rubin. He inflicted a staggering number of casualties on the attacking force during his personal 24-hour battle, single-handedly slowing the enemy advance and allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to complete its withdrawal successfully. Following the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the 8th Cavalry Regiment proceeded northward and advanced into North Korea. During the advance, he helped capture several hundred North Korean soldiers. On October 30, 1950, Chinese forces attacked his unit at Unsan, North Korea, during a massive nighttime assault. That night and throughout the next day, he manned a .30 caliber machine gun at the south end of the unit's line after three previous gunners became casualties. He continued to man his machine gun until his ammunition was exhausted. His determined stand slowed the pace of the enemy advance in his sector, permitting the remnants of his unit to retreat southward. As the battle raged, Corporal Rubin was severely wounded and captured by the Chinese. Choosing to remain in the prison camp despite offers from the Chinese to return him to his native Hungary, Corporal Rubin disregarded his own personal safety and immediately began sneaking out of the camp at night in search of food for his comrades. Breaking into enemy food storehouses and gardens, he risked certain torture or death if caught. Corporal Rubin provided not only food to the starving Soldiers, but also desperately needed medical care and moral support for the sick and wounded of the POW camp. His brave, selfless efforts were directly attributed to saving the lives of as many as forty of his fellow prisoners. Corporal Rubin's gallant actions in close contact with the enemy and unyielding courage and bravery while a prisoner of war are in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
There is another piece to Tibor "Ted" Rubin's heroism. Corporal Rubin was born in Hungary in 1929. At age 13, he was deported by the Nazis to Mathenhausen Concentration Camp. After surviving that horror, it's no surprise that he took the actions he did while a Communist Chinese POW.
Tibor Rubin, long the victim of deplorable anti-Semitism in our own Army, finally received recognition for his heroism when President George W. Bush presented him with the Medal of Honor at the White House on September 23, 2005 - 52 years delayed.
Read about this Great American at Wikipedia.
Corporal Rubin, thank you for your service, sacrifices, and courage in the face of the forces who would destroy freedom, both in our Nation's uniform and not.
This was your finest hour!
RUBIN, TIBOR
Rank and Organization: Coproral, U.S. Army, Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Republic of Korea, 23 July 1950-20 April 1953.Corporal Tibor Rubin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period from July 23, 1950, to April 20, 1953, while serving as a rifleman with Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of Korea. While his unit was retreating to the Pusan Perimeter, Corporal Rubin was assigned to stay behind to keep open the vital Taegu-Pusan Road link used by his withdrawing unit. During the ensuing battle, overwhelming numbers of North Korean troops assaulted a hill defended solely by Corporal Rubin. He inflicted a staggering number of casualties on the attacking force during his personal 24-hour battle, single-handedly slowing the enemy advance and allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to complete its withdrawal successfully. Following the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the 8th Cavalry Regiment proceeded northward and advanced into North Korea. During the advance, he helped capture several hundred North Korean soldiers. On October 30, 1950, Chinese forces attacked his unit at Unsan, North Korea, during a massive nighttime assault. That night and throughout the next day, he manned a .30 caliber machine gun at the south end of the unit's line after three previous gunners became casualties. He continued to man his machine gun until his ammunition was exhausted. His determined stand slowed the pace of the enemy advance in his sector, permitting the remnants of his unit to retreat southward. As the battle raged, Corporal Rubin was severely wounded and captured by the Chinese. Choosing to remain in the prison camp despite offers from the Chinese to return him to his native Hungary, Corporal Rubin disregarded his own personal safety and immediately began sneaking out of the camp at night in search of food for his comrades. Breaking into enemy food storehouses and gardens, he risked certain torture or death if caught. Corporal Rubin provided not only food to the starving Soldiers, but also desperately needed medical care and moral support for the sick and wounded of the POW camp. His brave, selfless efforts were directly attributed to saving the lives of as many as forty of his fellow prisoners. Corporal Rubin's gallant actions in close contact with the enemy and unyielding courage and bravery while a prisoner of war are in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
There is another piece to Tibor "Ted" Rubin's heroism. Corporal Rubin was born in Hungary in 1929. At age 13, he was deported by the Nazis to Mathenhausen Concentration Camp. After surviving that horror, it's no surprise that he took the actions he did while a Communist Chinese POW.
Tibor Rubin, long the victim of deplorable anti-Semitism in our own Army, finally received recognition for his heroism when President George W. Bush presented him with the Medal of Honor at the White House on September 23, 2005 - 52 years delayed.
Read about this Great American at Wikipedia.
Corporal Rubin, thank you for your service, sacrifices, and courage in the face of the forces who would destroy freedom, both in our Nation's uniform and not.
This was your finest hour!
Friday, April 10, 2009
How'd this story make it past a CNN editor?
Americans banding together to fix their situation without waiting for big, benevolent government? How can this happen? It's an outrage!
Explain to me again why we'd want to rely on government for health care?
Hat tip: Rush
Explain to me again why we'd want to rely on government for health care?
Hat tip: Rush