POLITICAL OBSERVATION

It's 3:30PM Friday and I took Sigh, Douglas, Happy and Shade down to the ruins for some fresh air. A really bad cold with flu like symptoms hit me yesterday at work and I awakened this morning at 3:00AM feeling terrible. Couldn't get back to sleep. I talked to Douglas for a little while and he seemed to think I should just put him in the truck and get out in the woods. He always has that opinion. But I feel better today, especially since I'm here at the ruins site with my friends. The sky is blue and not a breeze is stirring. I can hear where the dogs are by listening to the crunching leaves. Gorgeous day! I am not usually very vocal about political thoughts but there is something that has me wondering and a bit concerned. I'm not sure anyone has thought about it. Our Southern border is wide open. Everyone knows that. We have all heard the rhetoric directed to higher health care, escalating education costs, fewer jobs, social security depletion, and much more due to the influx of "millions" of Mexican illegals. I use the term illegals purposely. They are not immigrants. They are not migrants. They are not second class citizens. They are not even any kind of citizens. They are illegal persons who have crept across the border of our United States of America. Anyway; Picture this. Envision a clear gallon container filled with water. That's 128 ounces. Then empty an eye dropper of blue dye into the water. Not much difference. Now, empty half a pint of blue dye into the gallon of water. The water becomes stained. It is tainted. Pretend the blue dye is Mexicans and the gallon of water the United States. This exercise is not about money or border lines on a map. This has to do with our way of life. You see, the more Mexicans who infiltrate our population, the more influential they're customs and traditions will be upon the American traditions and customs and OUR heritage. The problem will materialize, I believe, when the American government will institute changes in our systems in order to compensate for the foreign influx of aliens. For instance; already there is talk of creating a Mexican Independence Day in the U.S. New Mexico and Colorado Mexican residence's are already suing government for the right to hang their Mexican flag along side of Old Glory. A little bit at a time and a piece at a time; a melding of heritages will occur until the purity of the heritage that our nation is built upon will be eroded and be reconstructed into a new blend of Mexamerican tradition. The greater the Mexican population (blue dye) the greater the influence on our heritage. Our politicians are already changing the tone of this country as when addressing the immigrant situation. Listen to them. I'm hearing "let them stay" and "grant them amnesty." Why? Why? Theodore Roosevelt stood on a table in a square in New York one chilly day and addressed the crowd about him. He said "our door is open to any honest man or woman who wants to come in, but they will do it legally." "There is but one flag; the American Flag in this country." "The spoken word in the United States of America is English; learn it." "There are not French Americans, Russian Americans, Polish Americans or any foreign Americans of any kind." "The United States citizens are Americans period." Now, think of what has happened since Teddy's speech. Any problems using the word Christmas to describe that holiday? How about Thanksgiving? Oh, where have all the Christian murals gone in front of government buildings? When have you heard the pledge of allegiance lately. How about wishing everyone Happy Holidays. This all goes beyond political correctness. Political correctness can never be exacted in a perfectly uniform fashion. Never ever! The term political correctness, I believe, is a cop out for politicians who do not want to stand their ground and demand the term American be accepted by all who live here. African American, Polish American etc. That something to be proud of personally. But this is America. Not Poland and not Africa. Those people are Americans period. Nothing else. Our politicians have sold all Americans short on that topic. What's wrong with pledging allegiance to the American Flag? If your an American you should be proud to. So who are all these people who don't want to? If anyone wishes to enter this country, I feel exactly as Teddy Roosevelt did when he made that speech. I feel they should accept the social and traditional environment as it exists in OUR country. Or stay out. But there is a slow process going on that is undermining our traditions and heritage and it has reached our education processes and that plants the seed of change in our children; the future of this country. You can take that to the bank....

TO ANONYMOUS

I DISCOVERED YOUR COMMENT ABOUT LIKING MY STORIES. THE COMMENT WAS MADE A LONG TIME AGO. AS I SAID, I ONLY DISCOVERED IT JUST NOW. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LEAVE THAT MESSAGE. I APPRECIATE YOU FOR LOVING NATURE. I APPRECIATE YOU CARING ABOUT THE IMPORTANT THINGS ON THIS PLANET. I APPRECIATE YOU. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE NICE COMMENT. GARY

Outdoor Wanderings: THE STORM a TWRA story

Outdoor Wanderings: THE STORM a TWRA story

Outdoor Wanderings: NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

Outdoor Wanderings: NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

Outdoor Wanderings: THE LAST RUN

Outdoor Wanderings: THE LAST RUN

BEAUTIFUL CHILHOWEE LAKE & EAST TENNESSEE

don't forget to click on the photo to enlarge The photo above is a rare shot of me at my favorite place to take the dogs and to write. I love the ruins. Its quiet and peaceful. Well, it is until Happy starts chasing Douglas and Shade. I just got back today from a motorcycle ride that took me over toward Chilhowie Lake. Chilhowie is a favorite lake of mine because it is pristine and the water is cold. Very cold. It is one of the premier lakes for trout habitat in Tennessee. The shoreline and scenery is unblemished. It seems free from the trash of mankind. Of course, when I beach my boat I can find trash that has been washed up onto the shore. But the volume of trash on Chilhowie is very minor compared to the other more popular lakes near by. Late this afternoon, when the sun was setting, I was compelled to stop and shoot the pictures below. I don't know why, but I value the simple things in life more and more. A beautiful sunset is something I try to engrave into my mind. My eyes scan every corner of the lake and shoreline. I attempt to memorize the colors of the trees and the shade of blue and green of the water. Must be getting old I guess. The pictures at the end are of a little dog that is staying here with my guys for a little while. The Spay Neuter Clinic is in charge of him. They are out of beds over there and this little guy will be here only for this weekend during the day. He has been shot with a shotgun. I guess there aren't enough deer out there. Or maybe he posed a threat to the lives of peace loving villagers. Sarcasm! No animal deserves that. He will be alright. The Spay Neuter Clinic operated on him and removed all the led shotgun pellets. Chilhowie Lake as seen from Route 129 Yes, that is snow on top of those mountains This little dog was shot with a shot gun. He had some pretty serious surgery to remove the pellets. I didn't get a good picture of his injury, but it looks like white fur where the incisions were made to remove the lead pellets. He could have been hit in the eyes just as easily. If you absolutely must shoot a dog, please be certain you kill it. Don't think you are "dusting his hide" to teach him a lesson. Those pellets become infected and fester. It is a very slow, painful death. No animal deserves that. Or just call me and I'll come and get him.

THANKSGIVING

The word Thanksgiving congers up visions of Plymouth Rock, American Native Indians, venison and Turkey. One might think about people long, long ago dressed in black and white clothing with bonnets and tall black hats with wide brims and a buckle in the center of a hat band. Out in the bay float three ships, sails furled, silently rocking with the incoming tide. My mind's eye reverts back to my childhood on the farm where Thanksgiving promised every conceivable food known to farm folks at that time. The food was all grown at home and prepared by people who were close to the earth. Those were good days. But tonight my thoughts are of our soldiers who are in harms way, holding the line against tierney. We sit here enjoying laughter and friends, thankful for the day off, getting ready for the game on TV and awaiting the second call for food. But there are sons and daughters out there in the sand, their heads constantly moving right and left; looking everywhere, on edge, contemplating fate, each wondering how he or she will react in that moment when action is called for. Even though temperatures are cold; beads of sweat run from just under the hair line and trickle down between the shoulder blades causing the body to shiver and shake uncontrollably for a brief moment. The unknown is out there. To know the unknown is unthinkable. It can not be comprehended. To comprehend the peril is to meet it. The unknown will become reality for many of our warriors. They are the seed of our nation. They are in harm's way. Many have gone and will go. But "all" never, in any war, return. Tonight I remember another time and place. Another continent and another war. It was a vicious little skirmish that proved unpopular at the time and I doubt gained any additional justification from Americans in present times. Vietnam was my war. It was my unknown. My first view of Vietnam was from a jet plane attempting to land at Tann Sun Neut Air Base in South Vietnam. When the plane banked, I saw nothing but enormous craters in the ground. They were so many that each touched the edge of another beside it. I thought, "Good God". Where am I? My first thoughts were that nothing could stay alive on that crater pocked ground. I guess that was the whole idea. The holes went on for a mile in all directions. The results of mortors, bombs and rockets. I'll never forget it. I guess Vietnam was similar to the present day war. The folks sent cookies, and an attempt was made to feed the guys turkey at Thanksgiving. Friends were made. Friends were lost. A deep comradery was existed between the guys who came "in country together." Rice paddy's and mud was the rule of thumb. I guess sand is the terrain of choice today. There wasn't any imaginary line seperating the good from the evil. No enemy territory. The evil ones would appear from nowhere and dissappear as quickly after they did their damage. I suppose it is the same for our warriers today. There is one thing very, very different. And I give thanks for it more than anything else I may have to be thankful for. America is behind our fighters in this war. America is proud of our sons and daughters. America has chosen to stand united behind every soldier. America has sent her best to defend her principles. There was another war where returning soldiers were chastised. Americans in airports yelled "baby killer" directly at our returning men. Eggs were sometimes thrown at them. Folks passing by would turn their faces away as if in shame when nearing a returning GI. Soldiers would shed their uniforms at the airport if they had civilian clothing with them so not to be identified as military. But that was a different time. Blood is still red and it flows just as freely now as it did then. Our nation has sent the best it has; our son's, daughter's and friends in harm's way. They are the barrier against evil. They are putting it on the line. Think about it just a little before that next mouthful of stuffing. Give thanks and appreciation to all those who have served this great country. And remember those who have sacrificed their very lives in wars gone by so that we can enjoy what and who we are today. Happy Thanksgiving...