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Howard Dean’s approach is to sound like he gives a damn while pushing the liberal agenda. That is clear throughout this vid.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Two stories demonstrate some of the problems of public education in the United States. One is from March of 2010 and one from this month.

Singapore Math is a curriculum modeled on the way math is taught in Singapore.

“It’s a curriculum that helped Singapore math students skyrocket to number one by the 1990s and that’s where they’ve stayed ever since,” says Scott Baldridge, an expert on this approach.

Baldridge has designed a training program for elementary school math teachers who want to use it.

He says Singapore used to import all of its mathematics textbooks from other nations. But in 1980, they started to develop their own math curriculum. Baldridge explains that they prioritized the concepts they wanted their students to learn.

Note this ‘curriculum’ has Singapore on top in math. Also note if you follow the link that this process was introduced through the ‘home school market’. And people scoff at the idea of eliminating the Dept of Education. Speaking of the fine Dept of Education, what have they been doing?

The US Department of Education has announced an investigation into the teaching of English-language learners in Los Angeles public schools. These students, who are immigrants or the children of immigrants, make up one-third of the LA school population. The investigation is the first of a number of civil rights actions planned for local school systems around the United States.

The first story suggests why students taught at home are successful. The second story suggests why public education in America fails the student. The liberal agenda strikes again.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances,” he said.

Another piece from Voice of America had this to say.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s support for an Islamic center to be built near the scene of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has done little to mollify critics of the plan. However, it has strengthened the argument that it should be allowed in because of America’s tradition of religious freedom.

And this is what the Bill of Rights has to say about freedom of religion.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

No one is demanding a law about religion nor requesting that anyone not be allowed to practice their religion. But at the very least it is in bad taste to place a mosque in close proximity to the location where more than a dozen Muslims carried out the vicious murder of thousands of innocent victims.

Mr President, the flaw in your appeal to the Bill of Rights to defend what has been called an intentional provocation by certain Muslim individuals or groups obviously avoids the other side of the ‘rights’ equation. That is responsibility. When the rights of two or more persons clash a reasonable approach is needed to solve the problem.

Rather than pander to a special interest in direct opposition to the American traditions you cite as part of your argument you might consider calling them out on how they justify the description of a ‘religion of peace’?

Better yet, name one other religion that calls for the death of non-believers or infidels who do not convert to their religion. Name one other religion who has been responsible for as many deaths as Islam in the last 235 years. Name one other religion that calls for the destruction of an entire nation. Name one other religion having members who claim to denounce the radical elements within and do nothing to change it.

Could it be the quiet ones privately condone the violence of the religion of peace? Could it be their Jihad has its sights set on world domination? Could it be you will deny the threat of Islam until it is too late to respond?

Or are some of your critics right? You are just a Muslim at heart willing to aid the Jihad.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For those unaware of Rasmussen Reports here is the link to the site (click here). For everyone here is an excerpt from the American Spectator about Rasmussen’s current view on voting in America. For some it will be an uplifting bit of news.

“If you look at polls of generic congressional preference, Democrats do well in polls of all adults, Republicans do better in polls of registered voters, and better still among likely voters,” Rasmussen said. “Groups most supportive of Democrats, young and minority voters, are less likely to be registered and less likely to go to the polls.”

Rasmussen said the youth turnout wasn’t even that impressive in 2008, with a rock star at the top of the ticket. He said he’d be “shocked” if the youth vote turned out this year. He pointed out that in 2008 McCain won among voters who were 40 or older. Rain or shine, these folks show up to the polls, and they lean Republican.

Being forty or older is a good place to be. We show up at the polls and we lean Republican. Lean being the key. Bob Bennett is a recent example of how important that distinction is. Those who vote party all the time whether left or right will be wrong some of the time. Those who vote principle will be right all the time.

In the last presidential election a vote for Obama was a vote not on principle but some other measure. Hope, change or pick the other party this time. That is not voting on principle. That is wasting a vote.

While voting for McCain required holding one’s nose a principle was nonetheless involved. A president cannot ignore the party in which they hold membership. John McCain would have been required to alter his own agenda in order to maintain support from his own party. Much the same as Obama has had to do much to the detriment of our nation. But the chance of a common sense conservative approach was a possibility with McCain and the GOP as opposed to the left and Barack Obama.

The baby boom generation is old enough to remember the work of what has been referred to as the greatest generation. (by Tom Brokaw) Understanding the greatness of America through their eyes and that of those before them will vanish if our nation does not return to those principles in the near future. Few of the newer generations are willing or able to carry that torch.

We have let them down by not passing on this information or allowing them to understand the necessity for protecting the founding of this nation by the way we live.

For the first time in many years there is reason to believe a reawakening has begun. Call it voter anger (or sour voters as Chuck U Schumer said) or outrage, the Tea Party phenomenon or whatever you like. But polls like those of Scott Rasmussen and others have been suggesting for months on end something big will happen in November 2010.

It is this blogger’s expectation that the GOP, conservatives and like-minded Americans will have a rare opportunity to put our nation back on its proper course and correct the problems for which we are all responsible. That requires supporting candidates who oppose the liberal agenda with your vote this time around.

It also requires a similar approach to each and every election. If a person in elected office has not lived up to their oath or affirmation they need to be replaced. You get the time between elections to prove your self. If you fail you should be voted out. It is that simple.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

In the meanwhile, we will breast with them, rather than separate from them, every misfortune, save that only of living under a government of unlimited powers. We owe every other sacrifice to ourselves, to our federal brethren, and to the world at large, to pursue with temper and perseverance the great experiment which shall prove that man is capable of living in society, governing itself by laws self-imposed, and securing to its members the enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and peace; and further to show, that even when the government of its choice shall manifest a tendency to degeneracy, we are not at once to despair but that the will and the watchfulness of its sounder parts will reform its aberrations, recall it to original and legitimate principles, and restrain it within the rightful limits of self-government.

Thomas Jefferson, December 1825

Draft Declaration and Protest of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the Principles of the Constitution of the United States of America, and on the Violations of Them

from Rights and Responsibilities in America: Civics Literacy (14)

Michael Barone writes about President Obama’s immigration speech in a piece at the Washington Examiner. It includes errors and political rhetoric of Mr Obama and what this blogger views as more problematic. Crafting additional immigration legislation is fraught with political considerations of elected representatives or appointed officials.

To link to Mr Barone’s piece the opening two sentences are provided here.

“Years before the statue was built,” Barack Obama began the peroration of his June 30 speech on immigration, Emma Lazarus “imagined what it could mean.”

Actually, the French sculptor Bartholdi was at work on the Statue of Liberty before Lazarus published her famous “give me your tired” poem in 1883.

Those political considerations mentioned earlier are demonstrated in Obama’s speech with a reference to Ted Kennedy.

…‘his legacy of civil rights and health care and worker protections is still with us.’ That’s the problem. Legislation that becomes law based on political considerations rarely if ever produces a truly positive result as it will be mired with the influence of special interests. Those efforts benefit the well-connected few rather than the public overall. At best the situation simply shuffles the deck on who gains and who loses. That in turn setting up the next agenda that finds favor with politicians. Nothing is solved.

As it affects the immigration issue there is no shortage of special interests at work. Business interests feature prominently. Michael Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch have recently replaced Bill Gates and others in the headlines shining a spotlight on their advocacy for shamnesty. This transparent scam to increase market size for their products and services as well as an unlimited supply of cheap labor at taxpayer’s expense is well known.

With the flood of illegals largely defined as Latino or Hispanic there is no shortage of organizations favoring shamnesty that have one of those words in the name of those special interests. Even in government, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is hard at work fighting for shamnesty.

We’re supposed to be Americans. Why do so many find it necessary to advocate based on their racial or ethnic heritage? If they see themselves defined by their cultural heritage rather than allowing that to flow into the melting pot and assimilate as Americans it exposes the real problem.

And for all those who claim to come to the US seeking a better life this blogger has one queston. Many citizens in the US work hard to defend this nation, sustain what is right and correct what is wrong. Since Mexico is a focal point for the immigraion issue I cannot help but wonder why Mexican citizens prefer to come to the US rather than correct what is wrong with their country of origin?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There is no real need to publish a post encouraging Americans to celebrate the birth of our nation. As is the case with this and other official holidays in this country the public interest in exploiting ‘free’ time for leisure activities is self-sustaining. What does need to be addressed and encouraged is the underlying importance of the Fourth of July in the United States.

The passing of time and the fading memories of current events and issues in the public mindset serves to demonstrate that much older historical facts and events regardless of their importance are lost in our daily lives. This condition poses a danger that we may find ourselves at risk of losing what is represented by this very day. Freedom, independence and all the other benefits of living in this great country were of course provided by the discipline, commitment and sacrifice of those who came before us as well as many who currently carry on that tradition on our behalf.

This is still a very young nation. That most of us have enjoyed the liberty we celebrate does not guarantee its survival. The words used above, discipline, commitment and sacrifice describe what is required to protect this nation. Just as we all share in the benefit of being Americans we all have a responsibility to honor those who gave us this legacy by sharing the burden and adhering to the principles that have guided this nation for more than two centuries.

We are by no means perfect. We have differences which cause disagreement and have been responsible for some of the darker moments in our history. It is the founding of this nation, the wisdom of the founding fathers, the documents that provide our road map and the ability to return to these principles when we stray that have allowed our survival as a free people. No matter the circumstance let us all do our part for this great country.

God bless America.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

(this is a repost from 2009)

It is long overdue that this blog features a post on ‘Rights and Responsibilities in America: Civics Literacy.’ That this is the point on the calendar in which patriotic Americans turn their attention nationwide to the founding of our nation is certainly an opportunity to correct this oversight. This blog is dedicated to America and preserving our nation but this one post series has been recently neglected and for that the blog author, Stanford Matthews, apologizes.

The content featured for this installment of ‘Rights and Responsibilities in America: Civics Literacy’ will not be accompanied by any point, opinion or argument from the blog author. The item from Thomas Jefferson obviously stands on its own. And it is for you to decide what special significance, if any, it holds for you this Independence Day weekend, 2010.

There are additional copies of other founding documents in the ‘pages’ portion of the sidebar. Feel free to browse.

God bless America.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Public Papers

Draft Declaration and Protest of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the Principles of the Constitution of the United States of America, and on the Violations of Them

December 1825

We, the General Assembly of Virginia, on behalf, and in the name of the people thereof, do declare as follows:

The States in North America which confederated to establish their independence of the government of Great Britain, of which Virginia was one, became, on that acquisition, free and independent States, and as such, authorized to constitute governments, each for itself, in such form as it thought best.

They entered into a compact, (which is called the Constitution of the United States of America,) by which they agreed to unite in a single government as to their relations with each other, and with foreign nations, and as to certain other articles particularly specified. They retained at the same time, each to itself, the other rights of independent government, comprehending mainly their domestic interests.

For the administration of their federal branch, they agreed to appoint, in conjunction, a distinct set of functionaries, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the manner settled in that compact: while to each, severally, and of course, remained its original right of appointing, each for itself, a separate set of functionaries, legislative, executive, and judiciary, also, for administering the domestic branch of their respective governments.

These two sets of officers, each independent of the other, constitute thus a whole of government, for each State separately; the powers ascribed to the one, as specifically made federal, exercised over the whole, the residuary powers, retained to the other, exercisable exclusively over its particular State, foreign herein, each to the others, as they were before the original compact.

To this construction of government and distribution of its powers, the Commonwealth of Virginia does religiously and affectionately adhere, opposing, with equal fidelity and firmness, the usurpation of either set of functionaries on the rightful powers of the other.

But the federal branch has assumed in some cases, and claimed in others, a right of enlarging its own powers by constructions, inferences, and indefinite deductions from those directly given, which this assembly does declare to be usurpations of the powers retained to the independent branches, mere interpolations into the compact, and direct infractions of it.

They claim, for example, and have commenced the exercise of a right to construct roads, open canals, and effect other internal improvements within the territories and jurisdictions exclusively belonging to the several States, which this assembly does declare has not been given to that branch by the constitutional compact, but remains to each State among its domestic and unalienated powers, exercisable within itself and by its domestic authorities alone.

This assembly does further disavow and declare to be most false and unfounded, the doctrine that the compact, in authorizing its federal branch to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States, has given them thereby a power to do whatever they may think, or pretend, would promote the general welfare, which construction would make that, of itself, a complete government, without limitation of powers; but that the plain sense and obvious meaning were, that they might levy the taxes necessary to provide for the general welfare, by the various acts of power therein specified and delegated to them, and by no others.

Nor is it admitted, as has been said, that the people of these States, by not investing their federal branch with all the means of bettering their condition, have denied to themselves any which may effect that purpose; since, in the distribution of these means they have given to that branch those which belong to its department, and to the States have reserved separately the residue which belong to them separately. And thus by the organization of the two branches taken together, have completely secured the first object of human association, the full improvement of their condition, and reserved to themselves all the faculties of multiplying their own blessings.

Whilst the General Assembly thus declares the rights retained by the States, rights which they have never yielded, and which this State will never voluntarily yield, they do not mean to raise the banner of disaffection, or of separation from their sister States, co-parties with themselves to this compact. They know and value too highly the blessings of their Union as to foreign nations and questions arising among themselves, to consider every infraction as to be met by actual resistance. They respect too affectionately the opinions of those possessing the same rights under the same instrument, to make every difference of construction a ground of immediate rupture. They would, indeed, consider such a rupture as among the greatest calamities which could befall them; but not the greatest. There is yet one greater, submission to a government of unlimited powers. It is only when the hope of avoiding this shall become absolutely desperate, that further forebearance could not be indulged. Should a majority of the co-parties, therefore, contrary to the expectation and hope of this assembly, prefer, at this time, acquiescence in these assumptions of power by the federal member of the government, we will be patient and suffer much, under the confidence that time, ere it be too late, will prove to them also the bitter consequences in which that usurpation will involve us all. In the meanwhile, we will breast with them, rather than separate from them, every misfortune, save that only of living under a government of unlimited powers. We owe every other sacrifice to ourselves, to our federal brethren, and to the world at large, to pursue with temper and perseverance the great experiment which shall prove that man is capable of living in society, governing itself by laws self-imposed, and securing to its members the enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and peace; and further to show, that even when the government of its choice shall manifest a tendency to degeneracy, we are not at once to despair but that the will and the watchfulness of its sounder parts will reform its aberrations, recall it to original and legitimate principles, and restrain it within the rightful limits of self-government. And these are the objects of this Declaration and Protest.

Supposing then, that it might be for the good of the whole, as some of its co-States seem to think, that the power of making roads and canals should be added to those directly given to the federal branch, as more likely to be systematically and beneficially directed, than by the independent action of the several States, this commonwealth, from respect to these opinions, and a desire of conciliation with its co-States, will consent, in concurrence with them, to make this addition, provided it be done regularly by an amendment of the compact, in the way established by that instrument, and provided also, it be sufficiently guarded against abuses, compromises, and corrupt practices, not only of possible, but of probable occurrence.

And as a further pledge of the sincere and cordial attachment of this commonwealth to the union of the whole, so far as has been consented to by the compact called “The Constitution of the United States of America,” (constructed according to the plain and ordinary meaning of its language, to the common intendment of the time, and of those who framed it;) to give also to all parties and authorities, time for reflection and for consideration, whether, under a temperate view of the possible consequences, and especially of the constant obstructions which an equivocal majority must ever expect to meet, they will still prefer the assumption of this power rather than its acceptance from the free will of their constituents; and to preserve peace in the meanwhile, we proceed to make it the duty of our citizens, until the legislature shall otherwise and ultimately decide, to acquiesce under those acts of the federal branch of our government which we have declared to be usurpations, and against which, in point of right, we do protest as null and void, and never to be quoted as precedents of right.

We therefore do enact, and be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, that all citizens of this commonwealth, and persons and authorities within the same, shall pay full obedience at all times to the acts which may be passed by the Congress of the United States, the object of which shall be the construction of post roads, making canals of navigation, and maintaining the same in any part of the United States, in like manner as if said acts were, totidem verbis, passed by the legislature of this commonwealth.

source

For one who is as willing as the next person to criticize the mainstream media for their biased reporting I am just as willing to credit those presenting a fair representation of the facts. The first obligation for this post is to give credit where credit is due.

Pauline Arrillaga is a national writer for The Associated Press, based in Phoenix.

Arrillaga has the byline for the report quoted and linked to in this post. It is the best article this blogger has seen to date in the MSM dealing with the tea party phenomenon and the underlying cause and widespread reason for its development as well as the growing voice of ordinary Americans not associated with any tea party organization.

For those expressing opposition to the liberal agenda in this country whether tea party members or not a single quote from the article sums up the general flavor of patriotic concerns.

Its stated purpose is “to promote, educate and advance conservative principles of fiscal responsibility, small limited government, free enterprise, the rule of law, private property rights, and the preservation and protection of individual liberty.”

That Arrillaga’s report goes out of its way to disspell the notion there is something wrong with tea parties or angry voters is the single most refreshing MSM account to come along in years. Discussing what some of the people chronicled face while engaging the process gets to the heart of the matter.

These four were all in Searchlight that Saturday in March. They’ve heard, time and again, the characterizations in the news media, from some Democrats and, in certain cases, from their own friends and relatives — about how “those tea party-ers” are just angry voters venting about economic hard times, or they’re confused, uneducated and easily influenced, or they’re extremists, or, worst of all, they’re racists.

Months after Searchlight and other rallies, plenty of questions remain about just what the tea party is, whether it can endure and how much influence it will have on elections this year and in years to come. Part of the answer is this: In communities across the land, citizens-turned-activists are digging in in different ways to wield whatever power and influence they’re able to muster over this thing called democracy.

To hear what motivates them is to begin to understand what’s going on in American politics in 2010.

Really, in America itself.

That’s what I’m talking about! What’s going on in America? Those who are represented by elected officials have finally had enough of politics as usual. It has been time for change for many years. But the ‘hope and change’ offered by the liberal agenda is not what most of us had in mind.

The brief list offered near the top of this post more accurately describes what is needed. ‘fiscal responsibility, small limited government, free enterprise, the rule of law, private property rights, and the preservation and protection of individual liberty.’

Let’s not forget to emphasize the US Constitution and our nation’s founding principles.

Thanks to Pauline Arrillaga at AP. Thanks to the folks described in the report. And thanks to all Americans who echo the sentiment presented here. Carry on and repair our nation. Protect her from those who would do her harm. Stand up. Stand on principle.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A press release dated May 6 from Comedy Central network describes their 2010-2011 development slate.

Puppet cops, 80’s hair bands, Jesus Christ, a modern day take on “The Odd Couple,” race relations, office politics in Deep Space and a live sex show. These ideas and many, many more make up COMEDY CENTRAL’s 2010-2011 development slate announced today by Kent Alterman, head of original programming and production, COMEDY CENTRAL.

Described below is one of the projects.

“JC”

A half-hour animated show about JC (Jesus Christ) wanting to escape his father’s enormous shadow and to live life in NYC as a regular guy. A lot has changed in 2000 years and he is the ultimate fish out of water. Meanwhile his all-powerful yet apathetic father would rather be playing video games than listening to JC recount his life in the city. JC is a playful take on religion and society with a sprinkle of dumb. Executive produced by Reveille (”The Office”), Henrik Basin, Brian Boyle (”American Dad”), Jonathan Sjoberg and Andreas Ohman.

So far, news of this one particular program has resulted in this.

Comedy Central chided for proposed Jesus cartoon
AP Thu Jun 3, 6:46 pm ET

NEW YORK – A coalition of religious and conservative leaders is trying to stop a proposed Comedy Central cartoon that puts Jesus Christ in a modern-day context — before it even gets started.

The newly formed Citizens Against Religious Bigotry said Thursday that it believes the “JC” series would be offensive. They accuse Comedy Central of a double standard in mocking Christian figures and beliefs while recently refusing to let “South Park” depict the Prophet Muhammad for fear of offending Muslims.

The second paragraph above certainly appears to be a fair criticism.

Like it or not, if you believe in freedom of speech and expression you will not always be in agreement with the speech or expressions of others. At any point in time the restriction or expansion of freedom is an endless process. The difficulty in preserving freedom and liberty will always generate disagreement. How we deal with that will determine whether or not we remain free.

The view from this blog finds a more troubling concept than Comedy Central’s contrast in positions with regard to Christians and Muslims. That concept is hate speech and the development of criminal penalties for someone’s idea of what that is. There’s a slippery slope.

Here’s something worse than the slippery slope.

Groups want FCC to police hate speech on talk radio, cable news networks
06/01/10

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is being urged to monitor “hate speech” on talk radio and cable broadcast networks.

A coalition of more than 30 organizations argue in a letter to the FCC that the Internet has made it harder for the public to separate the facts from bigotry masquerading as news.

The groups also charge that syndicated radio and cable television programs “masquerading as news” use hate as a profit model.

Liberals have frequently referred to President George W Bush as a Nazi yet contend that ’syndicated radio and cable television programs’…. ‘use hate’.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There are those who support President Barack Obama. There are those who do not support President Barack Obama. Most of us are familiar with the arguments for either choice. And there are certain instances where Americans are accustomed to and expect an American President to respond in a particular fashion. Especially when that response deals with honoring core values and principles that are the bedrock of our nation’s founding.

One such core value and principle is honoring fallen heroes and those who serve. Each year Memorial Day of course is one such instance where a particular presidential response is expected. The President’s attendance at Memorial Day ceremonies is a ‘given’ for most people.

Absent-in-Chief: Obama MIA for Memorial Day, Vacationing as Spill Worsens
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 12:58 PM

Already under increasing fire for his handling of an oil spill that many experts now say will be the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, President Barack Obama is riling conservatives and veterans with his decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

Instead, he will vacation in Chicago.

The decision not only has angered conservative pundits such as Glenn Beck but also has riled military families and others who expect the president to follow tradition on the day reserved for honoring the sacrifice of America’s soldiers.

The following information is presented for all those willing to give President Obama a pass on this one and especially for all the Bush bashers including the current White House and liberals in general.

President George W Bush was in office for eight years. President George W Bush honored Memorial Day each of those eight years as Presidents should.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

(above)
President George W. Bush, accompanied by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., commander of the Military District of Washington, foreground left, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns Monday, May 26, 2008, during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
May 2008
President Bush Attends Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration

caption:
President George W. Bush is joined by Major General Guy Swan III, left, commander of the Military District of Washington, during the Memorial Day commemoration wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns Monday, May 28, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

caption:
President George W. Bush delivers remarks on Memorial Day at the amphitheatre in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 29, 2006. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

May 2005
President Commemorates Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery

caption
President George W. Bush stands at attention during Wreath Laying ceremonies in commemoration of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia Monday May 31, 2004.

President Bush Honors the Brave and Fallen Defenders of Freedom
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
May 2003

President Bush Commemorates Memorial Day at Normandy
May 2002

Home > News & Policies > May 2001
caption:
The President and Laura Bush pause before the laying of the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY SUSAN STERNER

This post is dedicated to those who serve.

The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Reunion was held Friday through Saturday, April 16-18, at the U.S. Air Force Museum abeam Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. There are eight surviving crew members of the 80 who flew on the mission and four attended the reunion, including 88-year-old MSgt. David Thatcher (engineer/gunner - aircraft #7); 90-year-old Lt. Col. Robert Hite (co-pilot of aircraft #16 - the last one off the USS Hornet); 92-year-old Maj. Thomas Griffin (navigator and mission planner - aircraft #9); and 94-year-old Lt. Col. Richard Cole (co-pilot of aircraft #1 - Jimmy Doolittle’s plane).

All four men had numerous public autograph sessions, with hundreds of people in a line snaking through the museum, waiting for every two-hour session. We attended a 45-minute media conference to ask questions and hear their stories on Friday afternoon.

Sixteen B-25B Mitchell bombers were launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet deep within enemy waters. The plan called for them to hit military targets in Japan, and land in China. All of the aircraft involved in the bombing were lost and 11 crewmen were either killed or captured. One of these B-25s landed in Soviet territory where its crew remained interned for more than a year. The entire crews of 13 of the 16 aircraft, and all but one of a 14th, returned to the United States or to Allied control. The raid caused little material damage to Japan, but succeeded in its goal of helping American morale. It also caused Japan to withdraw a carrier group from the Indian Ocean to defend their homeland and contributed to Japan’s decision to attack Midway. Up to 250,000 Chinese were killed by Japanese retaliatory measures.

related:

The Official Website of The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders

from the site:
This web site is dedicated to my father, Richard O. Joyce and the other 79 Brave Men whom were in the Doolittle Tokyo Raid.

It’s a busy day for many Americans. Yup, it’s tax day 2010. Tea Parties are in full bloom like other natural events. Natural because Americans can only take an abusive government for so long before rebelling. The consequence for politicians will be on display in November at the ballot box.

Unfortunately for those in the fine state of Wisconsin a small setback may have been presented today with reports Tommy Thompson will not oppose Russ Feingold in a US Senate election this fall. Thompson’s reason for not entering the race is understandable.

Yes, the Democratic party majority is unrestrained in their quest to force an agenda on our nation. One upbeat note on the topic features a rising interest in repealing Obamacare. Other news indicates liberal incumbents are in trouble if up for re-election this year. Americans in ever increasing numbers oppose the liberal agenda. We’re a patient group but enough is enough. And it is near time for POLS to pay with a career change. That would mean new faces in the White House and Congress over the next few years with most probably moving to work as lobbyists.

This was just a brief post on thoughts for today prior to completing the tax day obligation. More items may be published later in the day.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For one who agrees that appearance matters it was necessary to defend a column by George F Will last April indicting the demise of proper attire. Though there may have been those who responded similarly a scan of reactions in the media were dominated by objections to Mr Will’s opinion. Perhaps those offended only noticed the central villain of the piece - denim. The discussion is worth repeating if that was in fact the case. And if others do not understand these points a recent article also supports Mr Will’s assertions as well as the opinion held here.

At almost precisely the same time these companies were declaring their allegiance to chinos and loafers, the dot-com bubble burst—and amidst layoffs, Chapter 11 filings, and tumbling stock prices, the alleged virtues of business casual were called into question. “As America’s economy slows, business casual is proving rather too casual,” the Economist declared. Jackson Lewis, a law firm specializing in employment issues, polled human resource executives and found that substantial numbers of them believed that business casual encouraged absenteeism, tardiness, and flirtatious behavior. If you weren’t dressed like a serious, hard-working professional, the reasoning now went, you wouldn’t act like one.

Granted, the reference above deals with different but related aspects of the importance of one’s appearance but the conclusion drawn is the same. There is nothing wrong with codes including dress codes. They are part and parcel to a worthy mindset that guides our behavior and reinforces what is valued and that we respect those notions.

And this post or repost offers an opportunity to highlight another excerpt from George F Will’s column found to be both humorous and true.

Denim is the clerical vestment for the priesthood of all believers in democracy’s catechism of leveling — thou shalt not dress better than society’s most slovenly. To do so would be to commit the sin of lookism — of believing that appearance matters. That heresy leads to denying the universal appropriateness of everything, and then to the elitist assertion that there is good and bad taste.

Once again, in summary, this topic is not to suggest spending a fortune on clothing to outdress everyone around you. But appearance does matter. We are more productive, successful and are more likely to adhere to those values that advance society to higher levels of competence and sanity when we dress the part. And that depends on what you are doing at the time. In other words, dress for the occasion. Have some rules. Have some respect for yourself and others. Have a code. Have a clue. It matters.

Stanford Matthews
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