Memorial Day has a special meaning for me, because I find my emotions are over flowing

My wife and I learned yesterday evening that our thirty year old nephew, the son of my wife’s sister, was found dead in his apartment by his father earlier in the afternoon. There were no signs of foul play and the death appears to be of natural causes.

Obviously it is a shock to learn that someone so young, and for no apparent logical reason, has passed away. A death such as this quickly brings to mind our own mortality, but I believe that it also brings about the realization that none of us will get out of this life alive. However, for those left behind, especially those close to the person who has died so young, we wonder why, but alas there is no answer.

I have heard comments from time to time that seem to reflect the frustration some folks have over a young person dying, i.e., “Why did he have to die so young, he had his whole life ahead of him”, or “It isn’t fair, he didn’t have a chance to really live”. Yet, those comments really provide no answers, nor do they provide comfort or solace to those who feel the loss. I am writing about this subject because it allows me some catharsis, because I too wonder why.

After receiving notification of our nephew’s death, I set about making notifications to my sons and daughters. Since my son Jason is currently serving in Afghanistan, I was unable to call him, so I called his wife Susan and ask that she pass along the information to Jason, since he calls her as frequently as he can. She indicated that he would probably call her in the morning – Sunday – as he often does.

At around 11:30 a.m. this morning, I received a telephone call from Jason. He had spoken with his wife and was calling to check on his mom and I, and to pass along his heartfelt condolences. Unfortunately the telephone connection was very bad, so the call was of relatively short duration, which was disappointing, but at least my wife, daughter Kate and I all had a chance to speak with him and to know that he was okay.

After having talked with Jason, I felt conflicted in a strange way. Because I worry about him serving in harm’s way in Afghanistan, I was overjoyed to hear from him and that he was okay; however, my feelings of sorrow over my young nephew, as well as trying to reconcile the grief that my sister-in-law was suffering over the loss of her son were a strange combination of emotions I found that I was experiencing. This was further compounded by the follow up email I received from Jason a short while after the telephone call from him. I would like to share the part of his email which exacerbated my conflict of emotion. Jason wrote, “Just wanted to talk to someone. I'm just heart broken about Dax. We lost four Team guys to an IED today and then I heard about Dax. I still can't believe it, I just want to be home and put my hands on everyone that I love. I'm really tired from thinking about death…”. Once again I felt great relief that my son was okay but in my joy, I felt such anguish for the families who had lost their sons today. And then I found that I was asking why…Why do these brave young me have to die when their whole lives lie ahead of them? Alas I do not know the answers, but my thoughts and prayers are with their families, as they are with my sister-in-law and her family.

This Memorial Day is truly a day that I will remember, because it has a special meaning for me. The events that have occurred involving our family, have left an indelible mark that cannot be forgotten. These events have caused me to take inventory of the blessings and freedom I enjoy, and to say thank you to all of the men and women who have served and are serving in our Military. I am truly astonished and amazed that for over two centuries, men and women of our Military have been willing to serve, to fight and to die to preserve our freedom as a nation. I pray that God will bless and protect the members of our Military, their families and continue his blessings on our Great Nation.

Philosophically and theologically, there is difference between Islam and Christianity, but what are the differences in reality?

Islamic terrorists kill in the name of their god. Islam is not the religion of love and peace that many people purport it to be! In this world of ecumenicalism, Christians have become more concerned about 'political correctness', rather than morality and righteousness, thus we see religious leaders willing to accept, adapt or ignore the evils perpetrated by the Muslim faith in order to avoid unwanted criticism from the secular world. Or might it be because Christians have something in common with Muslims…a dark and unspeakable past?

Unfortunately the religious community frequently invokes the rationale that Islam and the Muslim faith does not promote violence, only the extreme radicals within the faith are responsible for the death and destruction. Is this attitude a means of covering up or justifying the horrors perpetrated by Christians against non-believers of the faith, both past and present?

An examination of the Holy Qur'an sheds light on the focus of the Muslim faith, which is either the conversion of the unbeliever or their ultimate destruction. But wait, scriptures of the Old Testament invoke similar requirements by the faithful upon the unbelievers. Is this because the Qur’an and the Old Testament share much of the same writings of the first five books?

In order to understand more completely the role of religion and ‘religiosity’ in controlling the destiny of mankind, I believe the history of the Christian faith, and the role of both the Catholic and Protestant Churches cannot be excluded in the discussion.

The Catholic Church authorized several inquisitions. The first began around 1184 and lasted into the mid 1200’s and became known as the Medieval Inquisition. The Spanish Inquisition began in the latter part of the 1400’s and continued through much of the 19th Century throughout Central and South America. The Portuguese Inquisition spanned a similar time frame as did the Spanish Inquisition, running from the early 16th Century through the early 19th Century. The Roman Inquisition occurred simultaneously to the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions. Various popes, using the authority of Mother Church, authorized agents of the Church to seek out, locate, arrest and try individuals accused of heresy. Those individuals accused of heresy were tortured into confessing to crimes against God and the Church. They were generally executed and their property was confiscated by the Church. The accused's executions were not humane, but very cruel, i.e. death by burning.

Then you have the Crusades to consider. The Crusades spanned a three century period from the 11th to the 13th, and should be considered religiously sanctioned military campaigns authorized by the Catholic Church. The Crusades massacred Muslims, Jews, Pagans and other non-Catholic believers. The Crusades were focused on eradicating the non-believers in order to spread Christianity. Mother Church even turned on its own purveyors of death, the Knights Templar, and on October 13, 1307 scores of them were tortured and murdered. Their riches and wealth were confiscated by the King of France and the Catholic Church. Seems the Church was fonder of the riches and wealth than loyalty to its defenders.

Let us not forget the witch hunts. There were Colonial religious zealots, i.e. the Puritans responsible for killing witches in America. Over several centuries throughout England and Europe, both the Catholic Church and the Church of England were responsible for hunting down and murdering, mostly women, accused of being witches. There is evidence that even the female children of accused witches were killed to ensure that the seed of witchcraft would be destroyed.

Whether it was the Crusades, the Inquisitions or the Witch Hunts religion appears to be behind the efforts to either convert or kill the non-believer. Literally millions of people were murdered in the name of God, and for the proliferation of Christianity. The Church accumulated untold wealth through the seizure of the property and possessions of those whom they murdered. Now then, should we dare compare the Muslims, the religion of Islam and the Prophet Muhammed’s Holy Qur’an against what has been done by Christians? The Muslim religion and the Holy Qur’an require the conversion of all non-believers, and if the non-believer fails to convert, then he is an infidel and must be put to death. Doesn’t seem too different from what the Catholic and Protestant Churches have done does it?

I am not defending or condoning the Muslims, but I will not be accused of being the pot that called the kettle black. Evil is as evil does…and any religion that has murdered in the name of God cannot claim legitimacy, for if you claim that Mother Church was righteous in her acts of murder for the sake of conversion, then how can God be a loving god? But if it was man using the name of God and Mother Church committing these heinous acts, then should we not condemn what they did? And if man makes up the Church, what credibility can the Church possess?

Patriotism...Do the politicians in Washington D.C. know what it is?

After reading recent commentaries and text on President Obama’s speeches concerning the Middle East, terrorism and what Israel must do to achieve peace certainly raise the specter of his patriotism, or his understanding of it, as well as that of the other politicians running our government.

“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” ~ Adlai Stevenson

“... ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” ~ John F. Kennedy

I am not a Democrat, but I thought it very interesting that Democrats of the past understood, at least through an expression of words the ideal of "patriotism". American patriotism is not just about words, but it involves a demonstration of loyalty to one’s country through thoughts, words and deeds. Patriotism is oft explained or described as “love of country”, and indeed any good patriot will love this country, but true patriotism penetrates the veneer of love and goes deeper and grows more complex.

Patriotism is not about being a hero, but it is about the willingness to defend this country…and if need be, to die for it. It is not about being a Republican, Democrat or Independent, because it does not recognize “party lines”. It is not about just me, but more about us, the “society of citizens”, and includes the belief in unalienable rights; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that justice for all should prevail. It is about exercising one’s right to vote by voting one’s conscience, as opposed to not voting at all. It is about understanding that there is a difference between right and wrong, as well as good and evil; and that right and good must triumph. It is about wanting this country to lead, succeed and prosper, because setting an example for the other countries to follow, may foster positive change and freedom for others. It is about believing righteousness cannot be divested from this country, and the basic principles of morality, integrity, honesty, decency and honor are the foundation stones of our continued existence.

For some in this wonderful country, patriotism seems to be a fleeting thought, only to be brought to the forefront when giving speeches, but not lived as a solemn commitment. Too many politicians, who often use their eloquent manner of speech, frequently invoke, through words, their alleged patriotism, but words alone do not make them patriots. Their actions speak volumes regarding love of country. If love of country were the only prerequisite for patriotism, the Liberal would still fail miserably, because their pursuit of liberalism destroys the very tenets this country was founded upon.

Patriotism does not seek change from the founding principles as described in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, or the “rule of law” which protects them, but instead seeks to guard, protect and defend those principles and documents to the death. A true patriot bleeds red, white and blue.

Have we gone too far or not far enough...Senate Bill 5?

The elections of November 2010 certainly demonstrated that a majority of Americans, as well as a majority of Ohioans voted for change in government. It seemed that voters frustrated with the direction government had taken used the ballot to make changes. Ohio reversed its course voting out many Democrats holding office in favor of Republican representatives. Republicans swept all of the elected state offices, as well as retaking the House of Representatives and increasing their majority in the Senate.

Did the voters send a mandate to government demanding that conservative ideals be established? Yes, I believe that to a significant degree voters were demanding a more conservative approach to governance. However, as much as it seems that a conservative mandate was demanded, I believe the stronger message sent was that voters wanted government to become less complex, more approachable, more transparent and more accountable to the people.

Now that the Republicans are in office – even though they have held office for only a few short weeks – has government really changed or does it remain the same…business as usual? Let’s look at Governor John Kasich. He brings discredit to himself and the office of governor by demeaning a police officer. He calls the officer an idiot and rails against him telling a large audience how rude the officer treated him. However, the actual evidence unequivocally demonstrates that Governor Kasich lied about the entire event, and for what purpose? Obviously, he was trying to make a political point before the audience he was addressing at the expense of a police officer, who did his job professionally and appropriately. Thus, Governor Kasich is a liar and has shown that he cannot be trusted.

Governor Kasich, before officially taking office, declares that he will not move to the Governor’s Mansion. Why? His reason involves the educational situation involving his daughters. He doesn’t want to remove his daughters from the private school they are attending. His decision has cost the tax payers thousands of dollars, because tax payer dollars must be used to install security systems at the Governor’s private residence in Genoa Township. Even more tax dollars are being spent maintaining the security force staffed by Ohio Highway Patrol officers guarding the private residence, as well as the cost associated with maintaining the Governor’s Mansion in Bexley, Ohio. No savings there for the citizens paying taxes and no reduction of the 8 billion dollar budget deficit. His decision clearly demonstrates his lack of confidence in the public education system, as well as his penchant for elitism.

The next debacle involving Governor Kasich concerns his staff and the appointment of department directors. He has raised the salaries significantly of his personal staff, well exceeding the salaries paid to the staff employed by the previous administration. He drones on about how he must pay higher wages to attract better qualified people to take appointed positions in government. He appoints Tom Charles the director of public safety. Mr. Charles has been in state government his entire working career, going from the Ohio Highway Patrol to appointed offices as inspector general and now director of public safety. Governor Kasich declared that Mr. Charles was the best man for the job, even after he was challenged over the fact that the appointment may create a conflict of interest involving Mr. Charles’ wife and son who are with the Ohio Highway Patrol. Again, his response demonstrated a dictatorial attitude and elitism…I am the governor and I will do what I want to do.

Now the issue of Senate Bill 5 rears its ugly head. This bill addresses the collective bargaining law for pubic employees…mind you not just state public employees, but all public employees working for any public entity in the state. Governor Kasich wants to abolish collective bargaining, not just modify or change aspects of the current law. He wants to pass legislation that would effectively remove the employment rights of the public employee and increase the power of government in this arena. He has set a course to accomplish this endeavor without regard to the impact it will have, both short and long term not only on the public employee, but on the state, the citizens and the economy. He refuses to listen, to negotiate and demands quick action by the state legislature. His approach is dictatorial and mean spirited. He has demonized the public employee by placing partial blame for the economic woes in the state on them. He is using, what he perceives as a mandate of those who elected him, to hammer through SB5.

As a former public employee, as a retiree, as an employee in the private sector, as a person with conservative ideals and as a tax payer I am appalled by the actions of Governor Kasich. I am embarrassed to admit that I supported his candidacy and that I voted for him, not because I thought he was such a great guy, but because I thought that he would bring about the kind of change in state government that was needed. I was wrong and I freely admit my mistake.

If the conservative ideals I cherish are to be sustained by government, the citizens must hold our elected officials accountable. Fellow conservatives must cling to the idea of smaller less intrusive government; one that is completely transparent; one that is completely accountable; one that governs with compassion and understanding; one that continually demonstrates fiscal responsibility; one that is willing to sacrifice itself for the sake of the citizen; and one that demonstrates the principles of honesty, integrity and morality. Since Governor Kasich has failed miserably, it is now up to the other Republican officer holders to redeem state government and march to the drum beat pounded out by the citizens of Ohio, and not to march locked step with the Governor.