Click Here to Read the Commentary
As a fellow VN vet, you are no doubt familiar with “Free Fire Zones”. Whole villages were napalmed ahead of the defoliation formations where I was a navigator—in the lead aircraft where I could observe the Pre-Strike destruction. Our government always tried to cover up this stuff, unless exposed, as at My Lai. But now we openly brag about it! We almost got Gadhaffi and did managed to kill a couple of his grandchildren. The story on Osama frequently changes, but the brutality of it seems a cause for great celebrating and self-congratulating by politicians who directed or at least participated.
Ron
A powerful case for the horrors and inhumanity of war. I am profoundly anti-war. I see war as a failure, win or lose. And what it does to those who engage in it is beyond revulsion. I am so glad to meet others who feel much the same and have the ability to express it. You're depiction of the Vietnam war helicopter pilots was especially poignant, as was the Kuwait massacre. I'm old enough to remember Vietnam, Korea and even WW2. I remember few atrocities from WW2 except, perhaps by the enemy. Must have been a kinder, gentler time for the U.S.? Remove the profit from war and we will have fewer. Best.
John
Mr. Whitehead:
If there were a God, he/she would have absolutely NO reason to help any of those of us making war on the world. "God bless the USA" Not likely. "Made in His image!" Sure we were.
Jack
John.
While I tend to agree that war is ultimately about killing, it seems unlikely that we will escape war.
We produce war as we do anything else. We have all grown up with stories of war. Literature, film, education, etc. There is no reason for us to assume that we can live without it.
Also, there is no reason for us to assume otherwise that rich men make poor men go to war. The way it seems to work here in the west is that the elite beat the drums of war to which the middle class march and the poor are sent to fight. F---.
If you murder a man on the streets, you are a murderer. Locked up and the key thrown away. But you murder a hundred men in battle and you are a hero. Accidentally kill a man on the streets and it's manslaughter; in battle, collateral damage. It's so strange and beautiful how our perception manages our interactions.
So we must change our cognition of war.
But one would think it's so easy to change our mindset; turn off the war switch. First, we need to understand the hell of war. Let's all go to war or none of us.
M
Thank you, John...
...for so clearly pointing out that the greatest cost of war cannot be measured in dollars.
Frank
John, thanks for having the courage to speak the truth in love. While Bin Laudin has done much wrong we all have responsibility & culpability because of the attrocities our government & country has perpetrated on other nations & peoples of our world. Please keep the faith & keep speaking the truth John..... Our world so desperately needs men of YAHWEH who have counted the cost and chosen to follow YESHUA. I pray that YAHWEH's love & peace will surround & keep you and your family always.......
Loren
Brilliant and soul-filled, as always.
May God help us all, yes.
Thank you, John.
Mike
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
Bin Laden, Gaddafi and Modern Warfare is a wonderful piece. I only wish more people would see it. I read in the paper (or on a website) that while only 40% of older Americans approve of torture, 60% of younger Americans do. This is an ominous development. I believe it is in large part a response to the public discussion of torture in relation to the war on Terrorism. It is also a symptom of the declining prestige of Christianity. The moral authority has passed to Judaism, and in Israel torture is legal. That may be a prejudiced view, but I really do think the decline of Christianity is making us a more brutish nation. It is very sad. Such elements in the Arab world that believe in world domination are hopelessly far from having the tools to pursue their fantasy. This is in stark contrast with international Communism. The Red Army was the world's strongest for a time, and the Soviet nuclear arsenal rivaled our own. Soviet propagandists taught in every major university (and still do, sort of.) Compared to such physical and intellectual firepower what the Arab extremists can muster is pitiful, and with one glaring exception their fight against the west has been entirely on their own turf. It must certainly seem nightmarish and Satanic to the camel drivers to see drones overhead reigning down fire. I am no longer proud to be an American.
Peter
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Click Here to Read the Commentary
John,
Thanks very much for the informative article about drones. I live in Texas where these monsters are already patrolling the border areas. I figure it won’t be long before they’re cruising above the interstate highways and circling the largest cities, looking for evil doers. Your concern about “what a terrorist could do with a fully-armed, remote-controlled airplane” inspired this thought- Now there’s a movie waiting to be made!
Best wishes,
Roger
John,
Thanks very much for the informative article about drones. I live in Texas where these monsters are already patrolling the border areas. I figure it won’t be long before they’re cruising above the interstate highways and circling the largest cities, looking for evil doers. Your concern about “what a terrorist could do with a fully-armed, remote-controlled airplane” inspired this thought- Now there’s a movie waiting to be made!
Best wishes,
Roger
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Rutherford Institute Defends Christian Teacher Fired for Urging Public School Students to Think Critically About Evolution
Click Here to Read the Rutherford Press Release
Our forefathers set up the constitution under an allegiance to God as expressed by the philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth,
Our code of conduct for society's mutual well being rests within the wisdom found in the ten commandments and the teaching of Jesus. Remove or deny these standards of conduct, establish false ideologies, ignore the positive value that
religious sects provide to constrain the human foibles of lust and greed, there in, is cultural disaster. Anarchy ?
Mr. Freshwater might ask--- what code of conduct, philosophy, does the Board of Ed. advocate for themselves and the students? Are social tenets important for students regardless of their beliefs toward religion?
Historically science has made many mistakes and changes its' thinking when better information is forthcoming. Mr.Freshwater apparently is able to give his views in proper prospective and his students do well. If he takes the entire
bible literally, rather then a allegory, then he should keep it private
Charles F.
Our forefathers set up the constitution under an allegiance to God as expressed by the philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth,
Our code of conduct for society's mutual well being rests within the wisdom found in the ten commandments and the teaching of Jesus. Remove or deny these standards of conduct, establish false ideologies, ignore the positive value that
religious sects provide to constrain the human foibles of lust and greed, there in, is cultural disaster. Anarchy ?
Mr. Freshwater might ask--- what code of conduct, philosophy, does the Board of Ed. advocate for themselves and the students? Are social tenets important for students regardless of their beliefs toward religion?
Historically science has made many mistakes and changes its' thinking when better information is forthcoming. Mr.Freshwater apparently is able to give his views in proper prospective and his students do well. If he takes the entire
bible literally, rather then a allegory, then he should keep it private
Charles F.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Government by the Rich: Is This the American Dream?
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
Brilliant, and I am glad that a social conservative has said it. I believe George W. Bush catered and pandered to the rich. I also wonder what damage he did to the gospel for the millions who lost jobs and Wall Street got bailed out and people's perception of evangelical Christianity got ridiculed while he and his rich pals made off with the national treasure.
David V.
John,
Great job on this! Your commentaries are always on target. You really see things as they are and have the courage to say so. Keep up the great work. I admire your work.
Curtis
What took you so long to figure this out. We wrote about this 30-40 years ago. Whose names do you see on the credits of movies, news, and other television shows?
Several dozen families in the northeast own and/or control the banks, shipping, rails, air, steel, television, newspapers, radio, and probably the whore houses. They have been creating news since the Maine exploded in San Juan harbor. Hire you a dissertation studen to research this for a PhD.
G.S.
Brilliant, and I am glad that a social conservative has said it. I believe George W. Bush catered and pandered to the rich. I also wonder what damage he did to the gospel for the millions who lost jobs and Wall Street got bailed out and people's perception of evangelical Christianity got ridiculed while he and his rich pals made off with the national treasure.
David V.
John,
Great job on this! Your commentaries are always on target. You really see things as they are and have the courage to say so. Keep up the great work. I admire your work.
Curtis
What took you so long to figure this out. We wrote about this 30-40 years ago. Whose names do you see on the credits of movies, news, and other television shows?
Several dozen families in the northeast own and/or control the banks, shipping, rails, air, steel, television, newspapers, radio, and probably the whore houses. They have been creating news since the Maine exploded in San Juan harbor. Hire you a dissertation studen to research this for a PhD.
G.S.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Rutherford Institute Defends ‘Redneck Not Racist’ K-12 Bus Driver Fired for Displaying Confederate Flag on His Personal Vehicle
Click Here to Read Rutherford Press Release
The provocation of this flag incites an instant uproar that bears on scandal, where such proceedings have led to such a disreputable state of the aforesaid driver, as victim, to depart his tenure with his reputation in tatters, his fortune possibly forfeit, his life conceivably in peril.
And what was the extent of this stake, where such alarming reports of sporting a decal onto his truck would invite such an organized assault upon his very person?
Rather than humiliated, this man should express outrage over the proceedings that inviolate the mere tenets of our rights as enumerated under the articles that founded this nation. And what does this accomplish? Nothing but abuse and condemnation from an arrogant group maliciously led.
This gentleman has my untold support in his actions and may his disputation be upheld in a most reasonable manner, within the conduct of a civil matter on the high constitutional questions that holds our nation together and not sunder it apart.
Such a mocking of our nation cannot continue. The damage such individuals or groups that inflict such claims to person and property cannot be tolerated and must give way to inherent principles that govern reasoned discourse.
Let us dwell on the State of Oregon and the position that they have taken and understand that those liberties we have inherited be sustained by freedom from imprudent judgement.
Cordially,
AH
The provocation of this flag incites an instant uproar that bears on scandal, where such proceedings have led to such a disreputable state of the aforesaid driver, as victim, to depart his tenure with his reputation in tatters, his fortune possibly forfeit, his life conceivably in peril.
And what was the extent of this stake, where such alarming reports of sporting a decal onto his truck would invite such an organized assault upon his very person?
Rather than humiliated, this man should express outrage over the proceedings that inviolate the mere tenets of our rights as enumerated under the articles that founded this nation. And what does this accomplish? Nothing but abuse and condemnation from an arrogant group maliciously led.
This gentleman has my untold support in his actions and may his disputation be upheld in a most reasonable manner, within the conduct of a civil matter on the high constitutional questions that holds our nation together and not sunder it apart.
Such a mocking of our nation cannot continue. The damage such individuals or groups that inflict such claims to person and property cannot be tolerated and must give way to inherent principles that govern reasoned discourse.
Let us dwell on the State of Oregon and the position that they have taken and understand that those liberties we have inherited be sustained by freedom from imprudent judgement.
Cordially,
AH
Monday, February 21, 2011
Zero Tolerance Policies: Are the Schools Becoming Police States?
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
"Incredibly, local police also went to Michael’s home after midnight in order to question the fourth grader about the so-called “shooting” incident."
Mr. Whitehead:
Thirty or forty years ago, the police would have laughed the school authorities out of their precinct station. Unfortunately with their militarization of mind and practice after decades of the "war on drugs," the police are part of the problem. So this is NOT so "incredible." At least my children are out of the system and my grandchildren are home schooled.
I've always wondered what would happen if the parent of one of these victims showed up at the school and showed the "educators" what a real weapon was and what it could do. Well, not in this day and age of the sheeple.
John D.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
I just wanted to thank you for the illuminating article on the insanely stupid "zero tolerance" policies in public school. We have twin 12 year olds and see the awful result of police state management of schools every day. Not enough people know the insanity of this so your article summarizing some of the most obvious cases is much appreciated. And, certainly, not enough is being done to undo this moronic program. I intend to send others to read your article, which I found on Lew Rockwell's website.
Thank you again,
A parent for liberty,
--Joe B
"Incredibly, local police also went to Michael’s home after midnight in order to question the fourth grader about the so-called “shooting” incident."
Mr. Whitehead:
Thirty or forty years ago, the police would have laughed the school authorities out of their precinct station. Unfortunately with their militarization of mind and practice after decades of the "war on drugs," the police are part of the problem. So this is NOT so "incredible." At least my children are out of the system and my grandchildren are home schooled.
I've always wondered what would happen if the parent of one of these victims showed up at the school and showed the "educators" what a real weapon was and what it could do. Well, not in this day and age of the sheeple.
John D.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
I just wanted to thank you for the illuminating article on the insanely stupid "zero tolerance" policies in public school. We have twin 12 year olds and see the awful result of police state management of schools every day. Not enough people know the insanity of this so your article summarizing some of the most obvious cases is much appreciated. And, certainly, not enough is being done to undo this moronic program. I intend to send others to read your article, which I found on Lew Rockwell's website.
Thank you again,
A parent for liberty,
--Joe B
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sex Trafficking: There's More to the Super Bowl Than Sports
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
Dear Mr. Whitehead:
Thank you for your article of Monday, January 31st, 2011:
"Sex Trafficking: There's More to the Super Bowl Than Sports".
I found it informative and helpful in my understanding of the
connection between the sex trade and the entertainment industry
(the category in which I consider professional sports belongs).
After reading the article approvingly, however, a friend of mine
pointed out that you seem to have neglected to include the
trafficking of boys as sex slaves.
Such activities represent an issue often ignored in Canada and
the United States.
It falls into the same category of media neglect as the use of
underaged male sex slaves as part of the process of securing
business deals between Western companies and local firms
in such foreign countries as Afghanistan.
I do not condemn the article because it does not include both
genders in its examination of the situation; I would, however,
encourage you to consider both boy and girl victims in your
future writings on such matters.
Please keep up the good work in the cause of freedom.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
(Rev.) David C.
Much Aloha John,
I completely agree with your recent post, except for the last 1.5 paragraphs! I am sure you are expecting a volume of mail...
I too, believe that this is a horrendous, dirty secret in America and am thankful that I live "out in the country" on the Big Island of Hawaii--these sorts of acts are not on our spectrum (though my 14 yr old is online watching you tube vids). I sort of hope that the world will change enough that when 8 years grow on my beautiful 7 yr. old daughter, only horses will be around and the boys will have to ride up to our front gate!
I do think that the last paragraph or two that considers ME, and many of my upstanding friends, as COMPLICIT in this atrocity is a bit overboard! I have not watched a single NFL game this year; I will gather with some great, long-time friends, some of whom I rarely see, with their families, to have fun and sort of (if the game is good) watch a football game. Otherwise, we will play our own sports, talk, reminisce, eat wonderful food, and catch up on each others' lives. Most of us are educators, trying to instill the values that you espouse weekly in your columns--there are Buddhist, agnostics, Christians, Catholics, etc. and we all share the fellowship of gathering together. Yes, it does happen at other times, but...
I appreciate the strength of your convictions, and the power you continue to eloquently express regarding our Constitution. The last two paragraphs, however, seem to stretch a bit past those foundations--it's OK, it is your blog, but most often you are filled with facts, lay them out, and allow others to recognize or realize the validity of your writings. This article does the same, until the last two paragraphs...
Keep up the good work sir! I have caught myself recently allowing my emotions to impact the words I sent (to my vice-principal). A conversation or two later all was resolved...
Continue to Keep Us Informed (we all need it!)
Malama Pono,
Mike P.
Dear Mr. Whitehead:
Thank you for your article of Monday, January 31st, 2011:
"Sex Trafficking: There's More to the Super Bowl Than Sports".
I found it informative and helpful in my understanding of the
connection between the sex trade and the entertainment industry
(the category in which I consider professional sports belongs).
After reading the article approvingly, however, a friend of mine
pointed out that you seem to have neglected to include the
trafficking of boys as sex slaves.
Such activities represent an issue often ignored in Canada and
the United States.
It falls into the same category of media neglect as the use of
underaged male sex slaves as part of the process of securing
business deals between Western companies and local firms
in such foreign countries as Afghanistan.
I do not condemn the article because it does not include both
genders in its examination of the situation; I would, however,
encourage you to consider both boy and girl victims in your
future writings on such matters.
Please keep up the good work in the cause of freedom.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
(Rev.) David C.
Much Aloha John,
I completely agree with your recent post, except for the last 1.5 paragraphs! I am sure you are expecting a volume of mail...
I too, believe that this is a horrendous, dirty secret in America and am thankful that I live "out in the country" on the Big Island of Hawaii--these sorts of acts are not on our spectrum (though my 14 yr old is online watching you tube vids). I sort of hope that the world will change enough that when 8 years grow on my beautiful 7 yr. old daughter, only horses will be around and the boys will have to ride up to our front gate!
I do think that the last paragraph or two that considers ME, and many of my upstanding friends, as COMPLICIT in this atrocity is a bit overboard! I have not watched a single NFL game this year; I will gather with some great, long-time friends, some of whom I rarely see, with their families, to have fun and sort of (if the game is good) watch a football game. Otherwise, we will play our own sports, talk, reminisce, eat wonderful food, and catch up on each others' lives. Most of us are educators, trying to instill the values that you espouse weekly in your columns--there are Buddhist, agnostics, Christians, Catholics, etc. and we all share the fellowship of gathering together. Yes, it does happen at other times, but...
I appreciate the strength of your convictions, and the power you continue to eloquently express regarding our Constitution. The last two paragraphs, however, seem to stretch a bit past those foundations--it's OK, it is your blog, but most often you are filled with facts, lay them out, and allow others to recognize or realize the validity of your writings. This article does the same, until the last two paragraphs...
Keep up the good work sir! I have caught myself recently allowing my emotions to impact the words I sent (to my vice-principal). A conversation or two later all was resolved...
Continue to Keep Us Informed (we all need it!)
Malama Pono,
Mike P.
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