Watched the movie "Hacksaw Ridge", which took place on Okinawa in WWII. It was all about a Conscientious Objector named Desmond Doss and the Hell he went through just staying in the Army, let alone get trained as a Combat Medic. Even taking into account the hyperbole that sometimes takes place in movies, no one could debate his saving 75 wounded soldiers after his infantry unit was driven off that ridge. He was the first Conscientious Objector to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The same award our very own Woody Williams received for his service. Now those men are Heroes. Mr. Doss passed in 2006, but his courage is part of the U.S. Army/ Military Fabric that has made our Country what it was in the day.
As I have noted before, the Good Lord allowed me to serve with some men who were awarded the Silver Star. An award with great Honor in its own right. If you get a chance to see the movie, please do. It is on HBO at the moment or at least this past weekend.
The best I ever earned was a Meritorious Service Medal in my time which would have done nothing more than enable me to clean toilets compared to what Mr. Doss and Mr. Williams endured and earned in their times.
A few days back, one Mr. Boone, President of the McDonough Foundation spoke to the local Rotary Club. The Foundation is said to be one of the premiere organizations in the area. I read the article a couple of times and have no doubt that when Bernard and Alma McDonough initiated their efforts to help provide Financial Support to nonprofits whose mission is to assist with basic human needs including those that address basic Health and Social Welfare, it was from the decency in their Hearts and Souls.
Than we fast forward to giving Grants to the likes of the Rapp Administration under the guise of helping with a parking lot for the Senior Center Exercise Center followed by a $50k "Loan" for who knows what AFTER the parking lot and building are completed begins to show what a prudent person would question is nothing more than Politicizing its efforts? The needs of so very, very many in this area go beyond a short description. There is no way a parking lot for the use of maybe 30- 40 Seniors to meet a couple of times a month in the AARP/ Senior Luncheon could qualify as addressed above? And the 35-40 that attend exercise classes at a time are hardly going to qualify if reviewed in the truest sense of the mandate?
I have and will continue to be critical of the cup in hand approach as Mr. Rapp/ the City Administration goes around panhandling for funds when there is so much waste in the City Budget. Greed one might say is a terrible thing to waste when there is so much to be greedy about? I was talking with someone on Sunday and some numbers that the City has bandied about were discussed and bisected. The end result did not as usual pass the smell test for usage.
Mr. Boone noted he works with the board to review grant requests each year? It could be said he needs to review a bit closer any time Vienna shows its hand and cup?
It would be nice if Mr. Warner while protecting our privacy from the Federal Commission on what and who we are, would pay as much attention to the impropriety of State Law on Voting and how it disenfranchises voters through the Primary season to frustration and not going to the Polls in the General Election.
And one must chuckle at the "Our Opinion" column (19 July), in the Daily Blat as it took Mr. Justice to task to pay the taxes he owes. Is interesting how he managed to get (buy?), an Election and is said to owe so much to the State? Should these allegations be true and I would suggest each make their own calls, than why is the State Tax Department Agency not filing suit against him in State Court and if possible Federal Tax Court? Surely if he is in arrears to the State and the Feds, it should not be hard to prove and slap a whole lot of Liens on his properties? Those could bring his enterprises to a grinding halt? "Bubba" connections in play?
As for Mr. Justice AGAIN recalling the Legislature back into session? Why not, he is within his rights to imagine an emergency that requires instant attention? His rational on all kinds of dollars to help with our exploding drug war sounds good on the surface? But might I ask where is he going to find all these ready to go facilities, social workers and law enforcement personnel? They are not sitting out there like low hanging fruit.
And his plan to exempt Veterans Pensions from State Income Tax begs me to ask the question in how the State will prorate a Federal Pension wherein many of the years used are from Military Service?
And in yet another "Our Opinion" column (21 July), it is said the MOV should receive it fair share of spending. The numerous news articles in the media are already promising money for goodies to anybody that can be noted to use if for something? Even if possibly once the dust settles, there is not enough for all the projects to completion. It was noted that our local State Legislators should provide a list of highway and bridge projects for consideration? Those lists according to past media have been there for years as the State struggled for money to use to start and finish them. Only real change for many will be the cost today versus than? 'nuff said'.