[...] reader post at Flopping Aces by Gary G. Swenchonis, Sr, father of Gary G. Swenchonis, Jr who was killed along with 16 of his [...]

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I too was brought up by the Depression/WWII era generation, Rocky B. We are now living thru the leadership of the 60′s generation, or what I love to call the “love the one you’re with – why don’t we do it in the road?” generation. It is some of my own peers, as is yours.

And of this generation… the Woodstock escapees… all I can say is we made some truly memorable and great music in our time.

But we sure suck at governing…. I am embarrassed to be a part of this generation.

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Agreed much of America has lost their way. I’m glad I was brought up by those of the Depression and World War II eras. Unfortunately many of them have all but died off. We are now under the leadership of 1960′s nutcases and much of our population is dominated by “me” generation types, slackers, and would-be gangsta’s.

The wholesomeness of the 50′s are little more than nostalgia and everywhere we look we see corruption. Divorce is on the upswing with 30-40 year olds throwing lifes and families to the side to go out to try to reclaim their party-all-the-time days of their youth.

And Lady Liberty looked over her shoulder at what her country has become and sighed heavily.

Can it be saved? Or has this land passed beyond the hopes envisioned by our forefathers. Will we see the equivalent of anyother “Tea Party”? Is there anything that can be done by the Nathan Hales of today to stop the insanity?

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Mr. Swenchonis, you again hit the ball out of the park.

I think that we got started too late. For way too many years people were fearful to stand up for their beliefs if those beleifs ran counter to the liberal beliefs. People were afraid of being called a religious nut, a homophobia, a racist, a sexist, etc… Anytime someone disagreed with the liberals they were tagged as such.

~~~

In the end it comes down to two old american values that have just about disappeared. Individuality and Responsibilty. Will Americans be responsible enough to educate themselves on which of the two is more responsible to run the country? Will Americans go with the herd?

Or be individuals who think and act for themselves? And too realize that the road ahead maybe even much tougher than the road we have just traveled?

Or will they be as sheep, and fall into lockstep with the man who promises them a mordern utopia if only they give up their freedom, responsibilty and individuality.

What can I add? You have put what I feel daily so eloquently, that it just plain bears repeating. So “repeat”, I did.

Please, Gary Sr. Do *not* be a stranger here with your posts.

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Gary G. Swenchonis,

You are so right. The problem with this generation is that everybody wants to be “cool” or at least look “cool”. Abortion is cool, divorce is cool, drug is cool, pro-choice is cool, atheism is cool, terrorism is cool, etc. Just the word “conservative” is not cool, but “liberal” is cool. Obama is cool. McCain is not cool.

They have lost their sense of direction. For the past 30 years they where educated by leftist teachers and leftist MSM. They have been brainwashed. This must change!

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MataHarley thank you and Flopping Aces again for posting the letter, and your kind words about our son.

Criag maybe this is what it will take. A Liberal American President, and a Liberal Prime Minister in Canada to wake up our people in both countries. I hate to say that but many times people can only truly value and really love something when they have lost it.

I get so frustarted with some people who say they cannot see the “undeclared civil war” in this country. And some really do not see it. For many reasons. Others tell me they do not have the time to follow politics, and or fight back. We have always had disagreements and different beliefs in our democracy. And healthy debate has always been a corner stone of our society. But debates have now turned into arguements and name calling, outright lies and propaganda. A majority of the press and media backs the liberal lefts propaganda, and lies.

I think that we got started to late. For way to many years people were fearful to stand up for their beliefs if those beleifs ran counter to the liberal beliefs. People were afraid of being called a religious nut, a homophobia, a racist, a sexist, etc… Anytime someone disagreed with the liberals they were tagged as such. And then even the republicans who were supposed to stand for traditional values began to sell out just to keep their jobs.

And here we are now. A man like Obama who has never really done anything of worth beating the pants off Mac. And why? Because he is an excellent speaker, he can talk for hours and say nothing. But what is important is that he makes people feel good. And even more important they believe him.

In the end it comes down to two old american values that have just about disappeared. Individuality and Responsibilty. Will Americans be responsible enough to educate themselves on which of the two is more responsible to run the country. Will Americans go with the herd. Or be individuals who think and act for themselves. And too realize that the road ahead maybe even much tougher than the road we have just traveled. Or will they be as sheep, and fall into lockstep with the man who promises them a mordern utopia if only they give up their freedom, responsibilty and individuality.

One other comment. After Hitler won the election people were asked why they voted for him. Especially with his checkered past. The common answer was: “He sounded so good! I really believed him and his vision of a new society with everything for everyone.” So maybe some Americans will just need to be reminded that if its too good to be true. Thats because it is.

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“I just pray to God that Obama is not elected. America is at the edge of an abyss, too many Americans only want good news, not the truth.” (Gary G. Swenchonis)

Here in Canada our election campaign is very short… only 30 days. At the beginning, polls showed a majority government for Conservative Stephen Harper. Tomorrow will be Election Day. Our leftists MSM did such a terrific job in lying during these past 29 days, that now polls says that it will probably be a Liberal minority government with Stéphane Dion.

Oh boy! Imagine a Canadian liberal Prime Minister with a Democrat US President? North America will be wiped off the map… I’m not kidding.

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What I fear the most from my personal experience with the press. Is how it will affect America in the very near future. A democracy without an impartial press cannot last.

Truer words have never been spoken, Mr. Swenchonis.

And I find it very offensive that that same media refuses to print your letter. We here at Flopping Aces know how to call a spade a spade…. which we do often.

As a Navy wife in the Vietnam area, I feel inordinately blessed to have had your son serve in the branch I am so familiar with. His loss is felt by us as a nation, but that does not compare with the burial of a child. He is truly representative of those in the service of our armed forces that are “the best of us”.

And by your letters and posts, I can see from where he got that admirable perspective on life.

My condolences, and prayers are with you both. And I hope the pride you must feel in Gary Jr. helps, even if but a little, fill the empty void you both must feel every day.

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To all who have wrote my family. Thank-you so much. And thanks to Flopping Aces for printing our letter. They are one of the few who will print it. I have been told by other sites that it offends Muslims. I have been told by Major newspapers that they will print what i write about the Cole attack, as long as it is not negative towards Clinton, or the democrats. I have been told by other newspapers that they not print anything as long as it is negative towards Bush or the republicans.

It sickens me to see how divided our press has become. How the truth is put aside for politics. That has always been a problem in our democracy, but never on the scale that it is today. And it appears to only worsen.

Rock-B I hear you loud and clear. We were called the same thing in another very unpopular war.
Even worse. What surprised me is when decades later I could not find one of those politicians who called us soldiers evil at that time. They all had changed their tunes to supporting the troops. My wife and I new their new found patriotism would not last when the bodg bags begin to come home. Again.

Am I angry at Bush for deciding to ignore the Cole. Yes. But can I still admire him and his conviction for carry on the fight with so much opposition here at home. Yes. Its rare to see a politician to stick by his guns today when an issue is not popular. With fighting terrorism Bush has done just that.

But the Cole attack was so political, and still is that it will take decades for the truth to emerge. Long after all the politicians from both parties are free from any negative consequences that some of them should have had. Republicans and Democrats alike. Look how long it took for the truth to be told about the USS Indie at the end of WWII. And how ironic that Clinton would be the one to restore the Captians good name and service to this country in a officical order. And in the same month, and year he took corrective action to correct history with the USS Indie, he began his lies to cover up another naval tragedy, the USS Cole.

What I fear the most from my personal experience with the press. Is how it will affect America in the very near future. A democracy without an impartial press cannot last. A country can only exicst on lies for so long. Lies tend to catch up with people and nations. Americans were lied to during the Clinton years and told not to worry about the attacks on his watch. And to an extent Bush carried on that “Don’t worry be happy!”. And we the American people paid for our politicians lies and refusal to do the right thing at the right time. And we are still paying for their mistakes. But now we have no choice, we must fight if America is to exist.
I just pray to God that Obama is not elected. America is at the edge of an abyss, too many Americans only want good news, not the truth. And the truth is when one can put aside their political beliefs, and open their eyes to what is happening outside America and inside America is that our continued existence is very much in doubt.

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Thanks Gary;

To the Swenchonis family and others who lost loved ones, may God bless you and heal the heartbreak you feel every day.

In memory of those lost then and through-out this WWIII, this Holy War On Terrorism, and to those still out there fighting the good fight. A hearty Semper Fi! and a salute from this ol’ vet.

I was in Tent City, Incerlik AFB, Turkey OPERATION: SOUTHERN WATCH, when we heard the news of the Cole. We went on full alert and the base went to lock-down. You never know when something like that happens whether your location might be targeted next. It gives justification and incentive after pausing to pay respect, to shuff it off to do your damndest to get back to the job at hand and give it your all. The media thinks that by giving daily body counts, maybe they can make war so distasteful that perhaps Americans will rise as one and decide this country, our allies, and others are not worth protecting from evil. They will never understand.

Media types go out and interview the troops, but most of them don’t really listen to or can even comprehend what they are told. McCain understands. Chuck Norris went, actually listened to us, and now he understands. The others? They will never understand.

So they embellish stories told them by terrorist sympathizers that our troops are out there killing innocent civilians, targetting children, burning villiages, raping women and report it as if it were the truth, in hopes that maybe that will convince Americans how wrong it is to support sovereign security. They will never understand.

Now they annoint a nobody for the highest office of the land. They declare him the messiah. They say we might as well give up because he’s already won. They will never understand.

Nobody understands until they don the uniforms for themselves. We don’t fight because we love war and carnage. We do it because we love this country, it’s people, and our fellow man. Many of us may come from the lowliest of social class, yet in our hearts we hold the most valuable of riches. Those you can’t place a price tag on or calculate on a tax sheet.

Yes some of us have been embarassed at times by the very few members in our midst who when war comes cry out, “I didn’t join up for this! I joined for the college bonuses (or other benefits).” or by those who commit criminal acts while in uniform in wartime or in peace. Even though they wore the uniforms, they were never truly of our order, because they didn’t understand.

Parents who scream obscenities at our military chain of command, accusing them of murdering their sons and daughters who perished doing their military duty, insult the very honor and memory of their children. Because they don’t understand.

God sets a special place at his table for those who sacrificed themselves for the benefit of others. No military member’s death is in vain. Most of us signed up with full knowledge that a time might come when we would never see our loved ones again. Whenever we would come home on leave, we treasured every second in full knowledge that it could well be our last reunion. Leaving always came too soon, yet we knew we had to set our lives aside for maybe a bit longer, or perhaps eternity.

If only the detractors and ingrates of our society would take a moment to think on that before spitting on us and calling us pigs or baby killers. When the Clinton administration took office, their members did this. They didn’t understand.

And McCain spoke the truth in the debates when he said Obama didn’t understand. But for those of us that DO understand, the message between the words came loud and clear. And we secretly told that which dwells within, “John’s right you know? Barrack doesn’t understand. And he never will.”

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