June 10 - Personal Thoughts

town Hall ^ | June 09, 2012 | William D. Dannenmaier

[kathsua]

I had a bad night last night, one filled with dreams and memories of my time in combat – six months of front line duty with the 15th Infantry Regiment, four of them as a scout for which I foolishly volunteered. Tomorrow is the 10th of June. Sixty years ago, on the 10th, I was on a daytime patrol. I never enjoyed those, you always got shot at by someone and if you have once heard a bullet go past your head from a sniper, you would just as soon not have another one. Anyway, after returning safely, I was looking forward to a night of sleep but that didn’t work out either. After dark all hell broke loose with a mass attack by the Chinese, which didn’t let up until mid-morning. It was the start of an eight day battle which featured five nights of mass attacks. I was there for all of the mass attacks and came out of it alive as a result of luck on one occasion and "combat smarts" on two other occasions.

It may interest family and friends that my lowest moments occurred at the time of the truce, which took event at 10:00 O’clock Korean time, I was on the front line in the mountains east of the Chowan valley. The artillery fire was heavy that night – going both ways. I and those around me stuck deep in our holes, not wishing to be the last ones killed in the Korean conflict. Towards 9:00 our artillery tapered off, stopping completely at 9, but the Chinese artillery continued to be heavy, then as 10:00 approached it also tapered off, stopping completely at 10. I remember climbing out of my hole and looking down in the valley behind us, surprised by the heavy traffic on the road, as one vehicle after another turned on it’s lights – I had had no idea as to the amount of traffic on the road in the valley. I simply sat and watched it. The reader who has never been in such a situation might be surprised by the emptiness I felt. My life no longer had any purpose, any meaning. I felt completely alone. Others must have felt the same as they climbed from their holes, as there was no talk among us, simply a silence, an emptiness.

When morning light came, I was equally surprised by the Chinese traffic in front of us – not vehicles but donkeys or similar animals carrying heavy packs on their backs in the trenches in front of us. Those trenches had to be much deeper than we had suspected, be caused we had never had any suspicion of that traffic. I remember lying there and sighting in my rifle and wondering how many I could shoot before they got into cover, but deciding I didn’t want to restart the war. Anyway, that is what I woke up remembering – sixty years later. It was an unpleasant awakening. I think I’ll stop writing this and begin re-reading an old Nero Wolf mystery; perhaps it will take my mind away from those thoughts.

One of the cats must have attacked the wren nest that was on the shelf on the back porch. I’m sorry about that, but not completely sorry that it is empty – one featherless infant body lying on the shelf next to the nest. Because of its proximity to where I sat, I had quit having my morning coffee and pipe on the back porch before getting dressed and moved to the front porch. That didn’t bother me when Joyce visited, as she is practically a member of the family and has caught me in my underwear before, but it was a shade embarrassing to be sitting there and wave to members of the church as they arrived on Sunday morning.

I see that retired professional football players are suing the league for injuries they suffered while playing football. Reading it, I wondered if they suffered those injuries while playing professional football or while playing little league, junior high school, high school and college football, of course professional football has more money than little league parents. Sorry, but football is a violent sport. A former student, fishing partner and current friend was a successful football coach at the junior high school level. When he quit, I asked "Why?" He said every year he had coached, he had at least one child with a serious injury and that he could not continue doing that to children. Parents should be asked, "Is the risk worth it?"

[kathsua]

Interesting account.

[TexasTransplant]

Personally Boxing (then later MMA) was my thing. Giving the other guy a Concussion was the whole point.. (or later trying to twist an arm or a leg off)

Limping into my Senior years I wouldn’t trade a minute of it... and the most I ever got paid was $500 (One Time) the rest of the time I PAID for the opportunity.

If I could Bribe the Doc I’d go back in there again ... cause it is so much fun.

Never even think about sueing anyone (other than maybe for Age Discrimination)

TT

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

He said every year he had coached, he had at least one child with a serious injury and that he could not continue doing that to children. Parents should be asked, "Is the risk worth it?"

Football is part of American culture. Is American culture worth it?

I dunno. Because I haven’t paid that bill - but you may be sure I know someone who has . . .

I also don’t know how you justify boxing if you can’t justify football.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

He said every year he had coached, he had at least one child with a serious injury and that he could not continue doing that to children. Parents should be asked, "Is the risk worth it?"

Football is part of American culture. Is American culture worth it?

I dunno. Because I haven’t paid that bill - but you may be sure I know someone who has . . .

I also don’t know how you justify boxing if you can’t justify football.

[noodler]

DEAR kathsua, It is rememberences, it is what You conveyed that others decades after have to spend years to put in print. I was Born about the time you left with all these unanswered questions. It’s the same thing all over again or it isn’t. That is why you prefer music. It was up to generations that followed to either win or leave. I can tell you that your spirit resides in many that you would be proud of as they were your sons.They wrestle with similar, yet different, incongruities. We are born into these things and live with them as adults visiting the graves. I’m not going graves here. It is the Intell which was always lacking or COMPROMISED which caused the scars in our mind.
We have now a Presidebnt making backdoor deals with Russia.
Don’t have a stroke. You passed the batons to other generations. It is time for our stroke or get things right.

[ETL]

DEAR kathsua, It is rememberences, it is what You conveyed that others decades after have to spend years to put in print. ..."

This piece wasn't written by kathsua. It is someone else's story. Have to admit, I thought the same thing at first.

[noodler]

I must respond as always to a previous post. The “intel” may or may have not been done by agents.The compromisers are always those riding high and selling out our National security. Do they give one whit about what they have done to those who may be in the field?
That is the question and the answer is obvious. The media and leakers have again destroyed families and anyone associated with anything. Heads in a bag(how about child’s heads) as a clue to how it’s now to deal with the U.S. No? Okay. Tell me it never happened when it’s also in our face with these huge bombs that blow every civilian away. Tell me we are not at war with the devil itself. AND the very people who help us protect ourselves are named and called out

[ETL]

We have now a President making backdoor deals with Russia.

______________________________________________________________

Russia's Medvedev hails "comrade" Obama

Associated Foreign Press (AFP) ^ | April 2, 2009 | Anna Smolchenko

"Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hailed Barack Obama as "my new comrade" Thursday after their first face-to-face talks"

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gEo4B1heuBvO6KK7EiBHKigO1UrA

April 1, 2009:
"Obama, Medvedev pledge new era of relations":
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/419496_88/1/.html

[ETL]

Open Mic Catches Obama Asking Medvedev for Space on Missile Defense
March 26, 2012

"In a private conversation about the planned U.S.-led NATO missile defense system in Europe, President Barack Obama asked outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for space on the issue.

“This is my last election,” Obama told Medvedev. “After my election I have more flexibility.”

“I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir,” Medvedev said, referring to incoming President Vladimir Putin."

http://fox8.com/2012/03/26/open-mic-catches-obama-asking-medvedev-for-space-on-missile-defense/
__________________________________________________

Obama was talking with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev when neither of them realized that their conversation was being picked up by microphones. Here is what they said:

Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space.”

Medvedev: “Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you ...”

Obama: “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.”

Medvedev: “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.”

“This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” That statement tells us much about the president’s mindset.

The specific mention of missile defense is worrisome enough. Mr. Obama has retreated from the missile defense plan that was negotiated with European allies during the George W. Bush administration. Apparently, he is signaling Moscow that he intends to retreat further. The clear implication from the president’s comments is that he cannot tell the American people before the election what he plans to do after the election.

In addition, there is the phrase “on all these issues,” implying more is at stake than just missile defense.”

Article: Obama plans double cross on missile defense
When it comes to keeping America safe, we shouldn’t be too flexible:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/29/obama-plans-double-cross-on-missile-defense/print/

[noodler]

So then this was a ruse. To inspire what?

[noodler]

To inspire us to be more aware. I thank you all for this platform. Having spilled my guts,... it doesn’t matter. This guy thinks he can deal with chess masters. They eat those burgers and go to the room,men’s room, unlike other things. It isn’t what they ingested but what they expelled and that may respect for the OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY. They have the perfect now. They Bought it by being friendly and admiring, like in community organising.We can think about the moves that have already happened.Well, not. Yet that would be well for infrastucture as an occupying force may use. In Federal buildings and associated gov’t works that would be union jobs. All works together.

[StonyBurk]

IMO Boxing is more personal—there is No team effort.And I add
to the question is it worth it? my response— the moment it ceases to be worth it is the moment we have chosen as a people to accept the Hemlock and die by suicide. I have lived with the option of suicide for over 40 yrs.And if the Lord God gives me another 40 I will hunker down and live it. A former
Golden Gloves champion in Nebraska tried teaching me to box.
He said I had habit of turning my back on my opponent and letting them wear themselves out until I got mad-and then I did not try to box— I tried to kill them. So I never took it up as a profession.

[noodler]

I perhaps put myself at harm arriving to conclusions these days. Evidence would be my absence for we are not too far from that. Let it be known I have no animosity toward the President and would defend Him and his family with my life. I’m only inferring that he doesn’t know chess or maybe he does.
That is the problem. When the answer becomes evident,it’s too late.

[noodler]

THEN i receive a reply as yours which at first a boxing thing but isn’t. We lost 27 SEAL TEAM brothers right after obl was killed. There is simmering rage about that as if it was some “offering”, some “sacrifice” required to a larger mission. This will remain troubling. Everyone of these patriots, honed and true, should be remembered every day.