“On Monday, May 25 we honor the men and women who gave their all so that we might receive the promises of our democracy – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In difficult times like these, we should remind ourselves that this nation is still the greatest on Earth, and the greatest in history. There is no better or more solemn reminder of that greatness than when we consider the supreme sacrifice made by so many Americans in the conflicts that have marked our history.“While I believe that America at its heart is a peaceful nation, we often find it necessary to take up arms to protect our noblest ideals. All of what makes America great today was bought with the high price paid by brave Americans from all walks of life. For every marker that today bears the flag of service, we must also remember the families, friends and communities who bore the grief of this sacrifice. And equal to this sadness, let us always express our pride gratitude for the better world their sacrifice helped forge.”
25 comments:
I love my country and I appreciate Dent's patriotic message but I can't believe he's still using the line "best nation in the world and best nation in history." We're 37th in healthcare systems of the world and 72nd in overall healthcare of our people, 48th in infant mortality, 44th in Freedom of Press, 55th in literacy and 37% of Americans are unable to find the U.S. on a world map. We are #1 in the world for debt, depression, cocaine use and obesity though. A BBC poll given to 28,000 people in 27 countries asking them to rate all countries as to positive or negative influence on the world put the U.S. 8th right after China and India. #1 was Canada. The US was rated with a 51% negative and 30% positive influence by the poll. We only beat two countries for negative influence: Israel and Iran, our negative numbers having sharply increased during the last few years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6421597.stm
I just don't think we'll ever get back to #1 if we keep closing our eyes and covering our ears and repeating that we're still #1, not admitting what's happened. Bill Maher said it best here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcz_NHAFGS0
explain again why world opinion is important? and by the way, polls yied what the pollsters want them to yield.
results like these are thrown up to support the ever damgerous spiral into socialism
We almost got #1 for expenditures on health care but came in #2 after Marshall Islands. Healthcare is still our #1 cause of bankruptcy. We're still #37 for overall healthcare rankings right after Costa Rica.
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
http://www.photius.com/rankings/total_health_expenditure_as_pecent_of_gdp_2000_to_2005.html
Bernie, do you agree with Dent's foreign policy positions. Specifically, his support of the continuation without end of the Iraq War and his view that it is acceptable for America to torture.
Dont b!tch on this topic! This is a good topic for the vets! Who cares about his foreign policy. JUST REMEMBER THE VETS TODAY!!!
BBC does that survery every year. Canada is not the current winner, Germany is. US is still around 15th.
We are #1 for online porn. We have 244,000 pages of online porn compared to the #2 country Germany at 10,000 pages. We are also #1 for Porn video sales in the world and the highest porn usage in the US is in 10 red states that had the highest responses in identification with "traditional family values" when asked. The lesser the support for gay marriage and the higher the agreement that AIDS is God's punishment for immoral sexual behavior, the higher the porn usage per state. Utah is the #1 state for porn usage in the whole country.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16680-porn-in-the-usa-conservatives-are-biggest-consumers.html
I agree. The measure of a country's greatness is how it sees itself not how others see it. We are the most benevolant, kind country out there so %$#@ those countries.
My family has paid the sacrifice, but that's beside the point. Nobody asks Charlie the tough questions. Where is he on torture ?
It is disappointing that so many have chosen to use this post to slam their country. Ironically, today is a day to remember those who died defending the freedom to do so.
I know Bernie has shared some of his father's WW II experiences in Dresden. Last summer I went through an old family scrap book of letters my great uncle had written home, and put them on CD. In the honor of what today is about I share part of the introduction I wrote:
"These serve as a permanent record of our family’s personal connection to one of the important battles of World War II. As his letter of April 16, 1944 says, he did not have to go, as he could have opted out because he was over age 26. However, he chose to serve his country. In his final letter dated February 4, 1945, he writes “I’m on board ship going into combat. Don’t worry if I don’t write for some time. I suppose the newspapers will give more news than I can, so follow up on the operations of the 4th Division.” He was killed in action on Iwo Jima eleven days later, February 15th."
I, also remember my grandfather who served in the Navy during Korea, and my father, who was drafted during the Vietnam war when I was a child (he was divorced, so "draftable"). They did not die in war, but are both since gone.
wow ... a lot of you are really sick. I'll bet there are a lot of vets out there that would love to kick you in your ass. Monday morning armchair Americans. Henry Schaadt.
I agree lighthouse. My Grandfather was in the Spanish-American war, my father was in WWII and my brother was in Vietnam. Thank you, Henry
God Bless the men and women who have served, do serve and will serve. God Bless the leadership of our country and give them the strength, courage and wisdom to understand the sacrifices our servicemen and servicewomen make for our country when they leave their homes, families and loved ones. God Bless the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice.
These are words that should come from everybody's hearts today (or some variation).
Geoff
WHy can't Dent focus on the vets and not inject this crap about us being the best in World history. Our vets fought to keep us free not to get the biggest textbook chapter.
Not a fan of Charlie on other issues, well most issues. Actually politically, I don't think there is a single issue we will ever agree with him on.
However, in the spirit of the day
I will say this, his constituent outreach people at his office are very good with Veteran issues and helping Vets maneuver the Bureaucracy that is the Veterans Administration.
I may disagree with how he votes, on pretty much everything, however he has hired good people in his office to help Veterans.
Men in my family have died for the U.S. from the Civil War until WWII, but I respectfully disagree with Mr. Dent about the greatest in the world. I think the Romans or Greeks might be remembered before us unfortunately, maybe the Egyptians too.
12:13, we can not live for 3000 years from now. We have to live in todays world. Henry Schaadt
We may agree to disagree on certain topics, beliefs, and political agendas, but thank a Veteran fror the FREEDOM to do this.
- J. BLACK
www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com
Dent knows the current political fashion is to deny American exceptionalism and long for a Facebook world of geopolitics where we're popular and do lots of "friending."
Sadly, those he honored today knew a different reality. May all those who gave their lives for my freedom rest in peace. I am grateful for their sacrifice.
"Bernie, do you agree with Dent's foreign policy positions. Specifically, his support of the continuation without end of the Iraq War and his view that it is acceptable for America to torture."I do not view this post as the time or place to be discussing my views on our involvement in Iraq or torture. I would prefer just to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I have discusssed these other topics before and will do so again.
Many are ashamed of America in today's contemporary society. They do not want to celebrate American soliders.
I do not happen to be one of them.
I pay homage today to American soldiers of the American Revolution (and War of 1812) over at my place today.
I pay homage to all American soldiers today who made the supreme sacrifice so that I did not have to.
I never served, for those who are curious and, hopefully, will never have to. Thank you to the people who have.
Dent will do anything for some press.
No one is beter at helping veterans than CHarlie Dent. No one in government does more to help military families than CHarlie Dent. When he travels to the middle East he makes sure that he gets to our deployed, and that he brings personal messages home to some of the families. He gives of his PERONAL time and resources to help the fmilies at home and the troops who are deployed.
ON MEMORIAL DAY THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS FOR HIM AND IT SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE IN HIS DISTRICT
WHILE YOU ARE BITCHING AND MOANING WE HAVE THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO DIE FOR YOUR RIGHT TO DO SO.
FOR ONE DAY PLEASE HONOR THEM AND STOP THE POLITCAL BS
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS AND OUR VETERANS
If you do not like the U.S., move to another country!
God bless America and all of its men and women in the armed forces.
Thank you to all who have served for presrving my freedom.
The reason that the other countries have better numbers than we do is becasue they do not count the mortalities of the people who they refuse to treat. THey also do not count the infant deaths of those born outside of the hospitals which is a very much higher rate than we have here in our country. ANYONE who has been in a position to use the healthcare in other countries prefers our system. Their statistics come from the treatment of a fraction of the cases that we take on. Tey just let the older and sicker people die they do not try to treat them. You will love it when it hapen to your Mom and Dad.
If we have national health care, where will the Canadians go for treatment?
Anon 5:06 good job insulting our country on the eve of Memorial Day. Most of the nations who fare better than us on social issues have far more restrictive immigration policies and do not spend significant resources on national defence. Why? Because they know we will save their butts if threatened! There is no debate that we are the #1 military force on the planet. The best weapons and technology, the best trained service men and women, and the the will to commit those resources to freedom and protection of the innocent. You seem glibly euphoric over every poll that slams the U.S. Just like your hero that little snot Bill Maher. The two of you should pack your bags and head to Canada where you can live your miserable lives in the frozen tundra.
God Bless America!
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