The 5,500

The 5,500

(by R.P.Edwards)

The 5,500

Fodder for fiends

Though less would seem best

To those with the dream

But evil is hungry

And cunning

And grows

And weakness perceived

Will embolden our foes

You could see it coming; if "seeing" did not involve the prism of ideology, that is. 

Anyway, in hindsight (again, for those whose sight was/is leftwardly skewed), the "force" should have been at least double what it was before the remnants were hastily withdrawn to avoid total annihilation. 

The factors had been many; massive numbers, traitors in the ranks (not "ours," but theirs, the "theirs" we were supposedly helping) some advanced weapons supplied by menacing foreign entities, and a unifying religious-born motivation that equated murder...with martyrdom. And, oh yes, a striking when the calendar said it's "not" the time for war.

Yes, numbers have a voice. And the few left on the wall (as well trained and capable as they were) spoke...weakness.

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The president, to his credit, has announced that there will be, eventually (more for now and the near future) a contingent of 5,500 American military folk left in Afghanistan to help the fledgling government. For those who are pleased (and there are many) their nearly universal desire is that the force...would be bigger. True, it's larger than the President's earlier intentions (and that's good!) but too little, is too little. Time will surely tell, and I dearly hope my opening "fantasy" is just that.

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Cubs vs Cardinals

Cubs vs Cardinals 2015

(by R.P.Edwards)

The bear and the bird

A battle absurd

Except in the realm of play

With bats and with balls

And with those who give all

The finest are on display

For the Cards it's old hat

The playoffs, all that

But the Cubbies are hungry and lean

So let the aces throw heat

As the champions meet

And the kids wear their jerseys...and dream

I grew up a Yankee fan. 

Born and raised in New England my allegiance was SUPPOSED to be to Bean Town's BoSox but, perhaps since we were closer to the Big Apple or, more likely, because I saw the ancient movies concerning the legends (Gehrig and Ruth) and we got a clearer signal from New York and I was therefore privy to the musings of long-time broadcaster and baseball Hall of Famer, Phil Rizzuto, well, anyway...I was a Yankee fan.

Four decades later I find myself in a similar situation. Living in lower Illinois (some say "southern" but I'm sure others from a certain CITY up north may think otherwise), Ahem, anyway, as a citizen of the Land of Lincoln I'm supposed to root for the Chicago Cubs but, like many in this region our natural inclination is to peer through the Arch to look favorably on the St Louis Cardinals. And, the Red Birds have not disappointed. Time after time they make the playoffs and, on occasion, they bring home the Flag-festooned World Series trophy.

However...HOWEVER, for this time only I'm going to wish the Windy City's Cubbies a tentative "I hope you make it" as they face the Cardinals on their way to hopefully end the "over a hundred year" World Series drought. Why? Well, sympathy of course, but its more for the local Cub fans that are in my circle. Oh, they are ever passionate and faithful! Year, after year, after disappointing year. And now, with a team that actually has the potential...they are ecstatic but, I perceive, also a little fearful of being hurt yet again.

So, Cardinals and Cubbies! play your hearts out! And, for the reasons mentioned above, I hope THIS time the boys in blue prevail. However, I'd like it to come down to the last inning of the last game in a tied series where winner takes all. And then, with the last out and with the exuberant realization that the dream is still alive let us all, friend and foe alike, stand to our feet and exclaim, using one of the catchphrases of BOTH Phil Rizzuto AND former long-time Cubs broadcaster, Harry Caray, ""HOLY COW!!!" 

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The Glare of Truth

The Glare

(by R.P.Edwards)

Forty-five seconds

A silent glare

At shameful nations

Who just don't care

They speak of peace

While inviting war

Just like their fathers

Did before

Forty-five seconds of silence. A long time for we who are so used to occupying every waking moment with some kind of outside stimuli; especially from our damnable devices. It was tough. But tough...is needed.

The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, was in the process of explaining how the Iranian deal (which many celebrate) is nothing more than a replay of the cowardly ignorance that led to the horrendous Nazi doings of 70 years past. A false peace. A baseless hope. But...it's worse than that. At least the Hitlerites pretended to cooperate. The Iranian leadership, on the other hand, continues to openly state as one of their goals...the annihilation of Israel. And the rest of the world (including WE, their supposed ally) do next to nothing. 

Honestly, this is disturbing beyond words. To see the coming events and to know that America could, AND SHOULD, lead the world in the dismantling of the threat that is Iran. But, our leadership seems oblivious and, shockingly, an EQUALLY oblivious populace may elect another of the same type, just a short time from now.

Let me conclude by saying, as before, I'm not worried about Israel. Ultimately the God of Abraham will see to their preservation. He is not obligated, however, to save the eagle. 

Following is the snippet from the Prime Minister's speech: 

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Dr Ben Carson and Fried Bologna

Fried Bologna

(by R.P.Edwards)

Fried bologna

In the pan

Forget your bacon!

Forget your spam!

Forget your sausage!

Patties! links!

Ignore their comments

And what they thinks!

It's comfort food!

A round delight!

The craving hit you

in the night

So grab the package!

Pull the slice!

It's fried bologna!

Really nice

:)

And so, Presidential candidate, Dr Ben Carson, said, in essence, that he didn't want a devout Muslim in the White House. Why? Because their allegiance to the Koran, the Hadith and Sharia law would supersede their allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. 

Not really that controversial (although some try and make it so). Look around. "See" for yourself the fruit born of those who closely adhere to the "prophet's" teaching. Observe the societal conditions of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, etc. And we want that here? Obviously not.

But, let's pause a moment for a minor study in perspective. Concerning Dr Carson; it is my understanding that he is a "devout" Christian. As one myself I take that to mean that his "faith" is hardly superficial. He, no doubt, is keenly aware of scripture's admonition to--love your enemies; pray for your persecutors, do good,  respect authority; defend the helpless; recognize the life in the womb and God's definition of marriage--and on and on. You see, the good doctor's "belief" molds HIS behavior, and he might naturally expect others who proclaim another faith to be as serious as he.

On the other hand: there are many (including quite a number in the media) who often view Christianity as a garnish; an add on; a placating name-drop. Thus, many who claim to follow the Savior, prove, by their actions, that they haven't a clue. And some, by their actions, prove that their hand placement on the Bible meant virtually nothing.

And as far as the "fried bologna" goes; my youngest wanted it for breakfast. Simple fare. And, might I add, Dr Carson's unpolished tendency to tell the truth; this too is another kind of comfort food.

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The Hug

The Hug

(by R.P.Edwards)

A gentle holding

Brief and sweet

When words and eyes

Are incomplete

To show the love

When loved ones meet

When paths are crossed

And paused to greet 

It was unsolicited, but oh so welcome. The beautiful child--an angelic face with long blond hair flowing behind--darted to my arms from a jumble of strangers and then...she was gone.

It was Saturday morning and, as I sometimes do, I went to our local abortion clinic to add my presence to the others already battling from the sidewalk for the lives of the children being carried to the government sanctioned slaughter. There was much going on this day: singing, praying, speaking, and some shouting; all in the hopes of opening a mother's eyes (father's too) to see the preciousness of the life they carried. Nevertheless, most marched in and surrendered their offspring to the cruelest destruction. 

But, midst the huddling on the edges (there were visitors from out of town this day) there was a young lady who, just a few years prior, was a passenger in the womb of a woman whose initial thought...was to remove this inconvenience. Long story short: the ministry present that day (and this) not only persuaded the birth-mother to NOT kill the child; but they also adopted the baby as their own. It was this child, years later, that gave this writer a hug. 

Oh, abortion is a monstrous act! Murder on its face, but so shrouded by the tempter's lies as to convince many that small humans...are not human at all. And, like the evil of slavery before it, there is an inevitable reaping that must attend a nation laden with the blood of the innocent millions. But, for now, at least one has survived the abortionist's claws. And, who knows, perhaps with her hopeful maturing this nation may yet come to the place of repentance and delay the justice that is so richly deserved.

www.smallvictoriesusa.com

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It's Personal this time

 It's Personal

(by R.P.Edwards)

It's personal

When our food is less

Because you fill your treasure chest

It's personal

When our health declines

Because your will is "more be mine"

It's personal

When my children cry

Because only YOURS can touch the sky

So when you say

"It's business, sir"

Please look behind

The calloused words

For the hurting blows

You proudly place

They hit MY family

Each child's face

And remind ME, sir

As you wage your war

That's it's business, yes

But it's so much more

Normally I would just watch the Labor Day parade (usually accompanied for the last two decades or so by a candy-hoping child) but this time I was actually in it.

You see, I am, among other things, a Steel Worker. And THIS year there's a genuine battle going on concerning the new "contract." In years past there would be some nominal give and take (mostly give on our part) but THIS year it seems like there is a concerted belief and effort to hurt the Union; bad.

Oh, in one sense I see the logic. The steel industry is suffering due to a variety of variables (currency devaluing, foreign steel, lower gas prices) and that would give the "owners" an advantage at the table. After all, if the company isn't making much money, neither should the employees expect to.

But, there's something different here. It's not just a body blow we're getting (using a boxing analogy); it actually feels like a knife has been smuggled into the ring and has been thrust into our side. Some of the demands are so outrageous, so over the top, so "I can't believe it;" as a result they have pushed us not simply into the ropes--into a defensive posture--but they've pushed us into a survival mode.

Listen, I won't drag this out. I'm a Union supporter, but I haven't surrendered my heart and mind to the USW. I'm actually quite conservative in many ways and there are times when I am genuinely grieved at the ever leftward leanings of the leadership. But, concerning the contract, we are in solidarity. And, it comes down to this: for whatever reason the high-priced strategists are giving for their actions; the result is that I feel my family is being directly...threatened. And that shared belief (by my Union brothers and sisters) means sacrifice--even great sacrifice--is the order of the day. I'm sure the "owners" would do the same if their families were threatened. But of course...that will never happen.

Following is a clip from the movie, "You've got mail," that seems appropriate.

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Professor Bob and Future Shock

Future Shock

(by R.P.Edwards)

Barbarians!

Savages!

The future will say

When they learn of the children

Destroyed in our day

Monsters!

Inhuman!

With tears and with shame

When they realize their Fathers

Were the villains to blame 

"Savages," whispered winsome Polly Porter, third row from the windows, third desk back from the front. 

Professor Bob, using a rather large stick of yellow chalk (usually found in industry but finding its way into the elders' "ditty bag" because, as he put it, "My fat fingers cannot tolerate the tiny white toothpicks") had been listing on the black-slate chalkboard, in chronological order, times and events of man's cruelty...to man. The gray maned octogenarian paused, turned and, peering over his half-framed horn-rimmed glasses he looked directly at the now-a-bit rosy cheeked freshman and responded, "What's that, Miss Porter? What did you say?"

"Savages, sir" was her fragile reply.

"Louder."

"Sir?"

"Louder, dear. You, all of you (giving a sweeping gaze to the entire class) have chosen to attend Veritas University. Veritas is Latin for...for..."

"Truth!" was the exuberant response (orientation by upperclassmen had prepared them for the inevitable question).

"Yes, truth. And, as we shall all be reminded in this class and throughout your tenure here at "True U," truth must be vigorously proclaimed and protected or error, as has been so often the case, will take hold once again and lead to yet another chapter of shameful doings." (The instructor, pausing a moment to gaze at the lazily turning overhead fan, leaned back against the Blackboards' ledge and then, pointing the yellow instrument towards the young lady, he continued) "Miss Porter, you were saying?"

"Savages, sir;" she said with manufactured vigor. "To consider the murder of pre-born children...a right. What...monsters." This last utterance was accompanied by a quivering lip and a watering eye and, seeing this the kindly professor offered a tissue before returning to the board to continue the listing.

--The time: the distant future. The effects of the Iranian-born nuclear war a distant memory. Many American cities had been incinerated in the conflict due to the piling on that took place. Ironically, it was Israel that ultimately saved the fallen eagle and now, also ironically, Higher Education has returned to its honorable roots.--

__________________________

Thank you for tolerating the above fantasy. It is somewhat birthed by the ongoing revelations of the despicable Planned Parenthood organization. However, and again, their liberty to let their (our) lower-nature do terrible things comes from the Supreme Court; and their wayward reasonings come from the once hallowed halls of higher education, and ultimately from hell itself.

Yes, BARBARIANS and SAVAGES are words that are making their way into the political discourse of this election cycle; and rightly so. However, one more word needs to be added...COWARDS. For that's what we have become to allow evil to take residence for so long when we have the civilized means...to remove it.

P.S.  I thought about putting one of those grisly, truthful pictures of an aborted (murdered) child atop the blog. But I am weary of them. So very weary.

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