I can't remember the exat quotation, or who is suposed to have originated it, but whenever I think of veterans of foreign wars I never fail to remember
"We owe our peaceful, comfortable lifestyle, our prosperity, and the beauty of our land to rough men who stand ready willing to do violence on our behalf."
That's not an exact quote, but I believe the sense of it is right.
I would have put it this way, however, "willing to do violence –– and put their lives, their health, and their strength in mortal peril –– on our behalf.
At any rate God bless them all –– the dead and the living.
I've never gotten over my initial shock at the revelation that Orwell considered himself a Socialist –– a Man of the Left – when in truth what he defined and described with chilling eloquence and brutal clarity was the hideous, abysmally depressing effects of a world under the totalitarianism implicit in Marxian Dialectics.
What the Powers seem to have missed in the great bloody conflicts of the twentieth century was the understanding that FASCISM and COMMUNISM are IDENTICAL TWINS ––. two sides of the SAME coin.
Tyranny is Tyranny no matter what "banner" it uses for its insignia as it goose steps across ignorant, naive, vulnerable societies seeking to enslave them as they hope to find a Savior who could lead them to Heaven on Earth.
Our blessed veterans, –– whether they fully realized it or not ––, fought, bled, and died to save us from being enslaved by tyrants of any and all stripes.
The important thing, Ducky, is not WHO said it, or WHERE, or WHEN or even WHY. All that matters –– to me at least –– is that it got SAID.
That is why I have not time to contemplate whether or nogt Wull Shakespeare actually wrote "Shakespeare." I don't care if was Christopher Marlowe, Anne Hathaway, the Earle of Essex, Ben Jonson, or QUEEN ELIZABETH.
The only IMPORTANT thing about the great literary treasure we call the Works of Shakespeare is that we are fortnate to HAVE them to study, enjoy, and learn from.
A salient section from President Wilson's turgid Armistice Day declaration:
"Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert.
The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.
To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with - solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.
Lofty ideals, to the point of being Pollyannish some might say, but it was the end of the War to End All Wars.
Armistice Day celebrated our victory with humility and gratitude, but looked to the bright new future the victory promised.
Today, we have devolved into celebrating militarism for militarism's sake.
Congress and President Coolidge declared Armistice Day to be...
"...a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day."
I believe we owe every person maimed, blinded, wounded or driven mad while fighting in our armed services ALL of the FOLLOWING:
1. A generous tax-free income for life
2. A good, generousky proportioned house in the town of the veteran's choice
3. Free Medical Care for Life –– at the BEST, and most CONVENIENT medical facility –– OR at one the very BEST Hospitals in the nation in extreme cases..
4. Free Domestic Assistance on a Daily Basis for the wives and other family members who nurse and tend to the needs of veterans damaged in the line of duty.
As I've said before, I believe Public Moneys ought to be focused more on RESTITUTION to VICTIMS instead of on PUNISHMENT of PERPETRATORS.
There is no doubt in my mind that you are a person with a good heart, and I also think that because of your military service, you have a particular fondness for wounded veterans.
1973 was the year in which the DoD adopted the “all-volunteer military.” No military person killed or injured in recent wars was forced to serve in the military. Overall, I think the US military is better with an all-volunteer force, but I do lament the fact that Americans are no longer required to serve their nation in some capacity. However, as to our wounded veterans, combat related disability includes a very wide range of problems —physical to mental issues.
Administration of these matters is no less complex today than it was 42-years ago. A flesh wound may entitle a soldier to a Purple Heart, but it does not entitle him/her to disability compensation. The fact is that people rated above a certain percentage of combat disability are “medically retired” from the service. There are two such retirement programs: Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) and Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).
Disability retirees draw the percentage of their active duty pay consistent with their percentage of disability. Both TDRL and PDRL persons are seen by either military or VA doctors, and they are regularly reevaluated. For TDRL folks, the goal is to have them returned to normal life within a period of five years, and if that happens, then they are no longer “retired” for pay purposes, but continue to rate medical treatment at the VA. PDRL means just that ... there is no “reevaluation” ... and they remain on the retired list permanently until deceased.
Aside: I deplore the military’s refusal to retain on active duty those who suffer PTSD, or even make the effort to evaluate them and treat them prior to their being released from active duty. The VA is also doing a terrible job in this regard. It is a national disgrace.
Where I agree with you is in cases involving PDRL-80/100 retirees. They do draw an appropriate percentage of their active duty pay, tax-free. They are entitled to military or VA medical for the balance of their lives. What I do not want to see is for combat disability compensation to become just another form of social welfare. I have seen men with only half a body engaged in wheel-chair racing, competitive rowing, and sky-diving. This sort of thing is what we should want to see from all disabled veterans —which is to say, their refusal to give up the fight.
I personally know former service men and women who are engaged in “community programs” that do raise money and help to construct homes for disabled veterans; homes suitable for those confined to wheel chairs, and presented to disabled veterans at no cost to them. This “community” involvement should be encouraged, not discouraged by more federal “do nothing” programs. I don’t know any disabled veterans who are looking for a handout. They want to be self-sufficient, and helping to get to that point is what we should be working toward. I should also note that today, the wives of disabled veterans and the widows of those KIA are entitled to apply to the VA for a home loan guarantee.
Fair enough, Mustang, although I did stipulate that the benefits I outlined should be awarded only to "every person maimed, blinded, wounded or driven mad while fighting in our armed services."
I hasten to tell you I did NOT serve in the armed forces, but that in no way lessens the degree of empathy I have for veterans –– or anyone –– who is clearly the victim of dire circumstances completely beyond their control.
I am too well acquainted with the consequences of having a parent stricken with a serious disability at an early age. My father had a paralytic STROKE when I was 12.
When a father or a mother's health fails for any reason, the entire family is adversely affected.
Of course, it's possible to develop coping skills out of necessity, we proved that in my family, but it would have been much better if my mother had had some material assistance when my father became incapacitated.
I'm much in favor of letting veterans have FREE ACCESS to LOCAL doctors and hospitals. The VA may have its good points, bu again –– from the personal experience of two or three I've known very well –– traveling a hundred miles only to be forced to spend an entire day waiting on line to be seen by a highly overworked physician equipped only to give a hurried, perfunctory examination is hardly a definition of good, thorough medical care by any of gthe standards by which I was raised.
As to your suggestion that participation in the military might lead to yet-another social welfare program if my suggrestiins were followed, I can only say that is certainly not what I have in mind. It seems absurd to me that anyone would volunteer to serve his country in the hope of getting his legs shot off or his eyes minded JUST so he could claim all the wonderful benefits I've outlined above.
I was thinking as much or more of the SPOUSE and CHILDREN involved in these terrible events than of the wounded veteran, himself, anyway.
I hate "welfare" for any who are able-bodied, and not clinically insane, –– I think they should be given JOBS and made to WORK for whatever they get –– but when anyone is rendered helpless by serious illness, or from having been disabled physically for whatever reason ––, I am more than willing to give them as generous a share of public moneys as we could muster.
This should be done simply, cleanly, and directly without the involvement of any bureaucratic red tape.
Mustang, I had no idea that the matter of military disability is so complicated!
I'm sure that, over the years, you have seen some of my comments about my dear Uncle Bill, who served on the front lines of WW1. He was grievously wounded -- so badly that he could never work again. He was also illiterate. Somehow, he unwittingly signed away his right to a military pension; in fact, he was tricked into the signing away of his disability pension. Yet, I have never known a more Godly or a more patriotic person.
Of COURSE, AOW! But MY whole point in nearly everything I post, is that the FEDERAL GOVEMENT, as it stands now, is not only in DESPERATE need of a MAJOR overhaul –– a TITANIC amount of REFORM –– possibly even a REVOLUTION –– the Federal Government, as it now stands, is –– or should be considered –– UNACCEPTABLE to any person with an IQ above room temperature.
It just STUNS meto see how willing most are to roll over and play dead for the Powers that Be –- no mtter how outrageously venal, stupid, mendacious and incompetent they are.
We welcome civil dialogue at Always on Watch. Comments that include any of the following are subject to deletion: 1. Any use of profanity or abusive language 2. Off topic comments and spam 3. Use of personal invective
I can't remember the exat quotation, or who is suposed to have originated it, but whenever I think of veterans of foreign wars I never fail to remember
ReplyDelete"We owe our peaceful, comfortable lifestyle, our prosperity, and the beauty of our land to rough men who stand ready willing to do violence on our behalf."
That's not an exact quote, but I believe the sense of it is right.
I would have put it this way, however, "willing to do violence –– and put their lives, their health, and their strength in mortal peril –– on our behalf.
At any rate God bless them all –– the dead and the living.
George Orwell
DeleteThank you. Do you remember which of his writings contained the sentiment?
DeleteI've never gotten over my initial shock at the revelation that Orwell considered himself a Socialist –– a Man of the Left – when in truth what he defined and described with chilling eloquence and brutal clarity was the hideous, abysmally depressing effects of a world under the totalitarianism implicit in Marxian Dialectics.
DeleteWhat the Powers seem to have missed in the great bloody conflicts of the twentieth century was the understanding that FASCISM and COMMUNISM are IDENTICAL TWINS ––. two sides of the SAME coin.
Tyranny is Tyranny no matter what "banner" it uses for its insignia as it goose steps across ignorant, naive, vulnerable societies seeking to enslave them as they hope to find a Savior who could lead them to Heaven on Earth.
Our blessed veterans, –– whether they fully realized it or not ––, fought, bled, and died to save us from being enslaved by tyrants of any and all stripes.
There's confusion about the origin of the quote
DeleteThe important thing, Ducky, is not WHO said it, or WHERE, or WHEN or even WHY. All that matters –– to me at least –– is that it got SAID.
DeleteThat is why I have not time to contemplate whether or nogt Wull Shakespeare actually wrote "Shakespeare." I don't care if was Christopher Marlowe, Anne Hathaway, the Earle of Essex, Ben Jonson, or QUEEN ELIZABETH.
The only IMPORTANT thing about the great literary treasure we call the Works of Shakespeare is that we are fortnate to HAVE them to study, enjoy, and learn from.
Thank you Veterans, for your Service!
ReplyDeleteA salient section from President Wilson's turgid Armistice Day declaration:
ReplyDelete"Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert.
The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.
To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with - solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.
Lofty ideals, to the point of being Pollyannish some might say, but it was the end of the War to End All Wars.
Armistice Day celebrated our victory with humility and gratitude, but looked to the bright new future the victory promised.
Today, we have devolved into celebrating militarism for militarism's sake.
Congress and President Coolidge declared Armistice Day to be...
"...a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day."
We lost that somewhere along the way.
Serving this country has paid me back in so many ways, I don't even know how to count them.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I believe we owe every person maimed, blinded, wounded or driven mad while fighting in our armed services ALL of the FOLLOWING:
ReplyDelete1. A generous tax-free income for life
2. A good, generousky proportioned house in the town of the veteran's choice
3. Free Medical Care for Life –– at the BEST, and most CONVENIENT medical facility –– OR at one the very BEST Hospitals in the nation in extreme cases..
4. Free Domestic Assistance on a Daily Basis for the wives and other family members who nurse and tend to the needs of veterans damaged in the line of duty.
As I've said before, I believe Public Moneys ought to be focused more on RESTITUTION to VICTIMS instead of on PUNISHMENT of PERPETRATORS.
@ FT
DeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that you are a person with a good heart, and I also think that because of your military service, you have a particular fondness for wounded veterans.
1973 was the year in which the DoD adopted the “all-volunteer military.” No military person killed or injured in recent wars was forced to serve in the military. Overall, I think the US military is better with an all-volunteer force, but I do lament the fact that Americans are no longer required to serve their nation in some capacity. However, as to our wounded veterans, combat related disability includes a very wide range of problems —physical to mental issues.
Administration of these matters is no less complex today than it was 42-years ago. A flesh wound may entitle a soldier to a Purple Heart, but it does not entitle him/her to disability compensation. The fact is that people rated above a certain percentage of combat disability are “medically retired” from the service. There are two such retirement programs: Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) and Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).
Disability retirees draw the percentage of their active duty pay consistent with their percentage of disability. Both TDRL and PDRL persons are seen by either military or VA doctors, and they are regularly reevaluated. For TDRL folks, the goal is to have them returned to normal life within a period of five years, and if that happens, then they are no longer “retired” for pay purposes, but continue to rate medical treatment at the VA. PDRL means just that ... there is no “reevaluation” ... and they remain on the retired list permanently until deceased.
Aside: I deplore the military’s refusal to retain on active duty those who suffer PTSD, or even make the effort to evaluate them and treat them prior to their being released from active duty. The VA is also doing a terrible job in this regard. It is a national disgrace.
Where I agree with you is in cases involving PDRL-80/100 retirees. They do draw an appropriate percentage of their active duty pay, tax-free. They are entitled to military or VA medical for the balance of their lives. What I do not want to see is for combat disability compensation to become just another form of social welfare. I have seen men with only half a body engaged in wheel-chair racing, competitive rowing, and sky-diving. This sort of thing is what we should want to see from all disabled veterans —which is to say, their refusal to give up the fight.
I personally know former service men and women who are engaged in “community programs” that do raise money and help to construct homes for disabled veterans; homes suitable for those confined to wheel chairs, and presented to disabled veterans at no cost to them. This “community” involvement should be encouraged, not discouraged by more federal “do nothing” programs. I don’t know any disabled veterans who are looking for a handout. They want to be self-sufficient, and helping to get to that point is what we should be working toward. I should also note that today, the wives of disabled veterans and the widows of those KIA are entitled to apply to the VA for a home loan guarantee.
Fair enough, Mustang, although I did stipulate that the benefits I outlined should be awarded only to "every person maimed, blinded, wounded or driven mad while fighting in our armed services."
DeleteI hasten to tell you I did NOT serve in the armed forces, but that in no way lessens the degree of empathy I have for veterans –– or anyone –– who is clearly the victim of dire circumstances completely beyond their control.
I am too well acquainted with the consequences of having a parent stricken with a serious disability at an early age. My father had a paralytic STROKE when I was 12.
When a father or a mother's health fails for any reason, the entire family is adversely affected.
Of course, it's possible to develop coping skills out of necessity, we proved that in my family, but it would have been much better if my mother had had some material assistance when my father became incapacitated.
I'm much in favor of letting veterans have FREE ACCESS to LOCAL doctors and hospitals. The VA may have its good points, bu again –– from the personal experience of two or three I've known very well –– traveling a hundred miles only to be forced to spend an entire day waiting on line to be seen by a highly overworked physician equipped only to give a hurried, perfunctory examination is hardly a definition of good, thorough medical care by any of gthe standards by which I was raised.
As to your suggestion that participation in the military might lead to yet-another social welfare program if my suggrestiins were followed, I can only say that is certainly not what I have in mind. It seems absurd to me that anyone would volunteer to serve his country in the hope of getting his legs shot off or his eyes minded JUST so he could claim all the wonderful benefits I've outlined above.
I was thinking as much or more of the SPOUSE and CHILDREN involved in these terrible events than of the wounded veteran, himself, anyway.
I hate "welfare" for any who are able-bodied, and not clinically insane, –– I think they should be given JOBS and made to WORK for whatever they get –– but when anyone is rendered helpless by serious illness, or from having been disabled physically for whatever reason ––, I am more than willing to give them as generous a share of public moneys as we could muster.
This should be done simply, cleanly, and directly without the involvement of any bureaucratic red tape.
FT,
DeleteI understand all your points. But because of the nature of military service, I see no way to keep the federal government from being involved.
Mustang,
DeleteI had no idea that the matter of military disability is so complicated!
I'm sure that, over the years, you have seen some of my comments about my dear Uncle Bill, who served on the front lines of WW1. He was grievously wounded -- so badly that he could never work again. He was also illiterate. Somehow, he unwittingly signed away his right to a military pension; in fact, he was tricked into the signing away of his disability pension. Yet, I have never known a more Godly or a more patriotic person.
Of COURSE, AOW! But MY whole point in nearly everything I post, is that the FEDERAL GOVEMENT, as it stands now, is not only in DESPERATE need of a MAJOR overhaul –– a TITANIC amount of REFORM –– possibly even a REVOLUTION –– the Federal Government, as it now stands, is –– or should be considered –– UNACCEPTABLE to any person with an IQ above room temperature.
DeleteIt just STUNS meto see how willing most are to roll over and play dead for the Powers that Be –- no mtter how outrageously venal, stupid, mendacious and incompetent they are.
Less than 1% defending our nation.
ReplyDeleteand I think I remember reading that the percentage of elected officials who never served keeps increasing.
DeleteI don't think lack of military service should disqualify anyone from anything, but we do need veterans represented in congress
President Trump honors Vietnam vets with speech from Da Nang
ReplyDelete