You still think it’s beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it’s better not to die at all. — All Quiet on the Western Front

The tiny portion of our fellow citizens who stand up to defend home and hearth reflects a noble minority who are willing to walk away from comfort and easy living so that others might be safe.  All that they ask is that their lives be spent only on things that matter, and that they never be taken for granted.

We honor our dead.  We remember not only how they died, but also how they lived. We owe it to them to make sure that their sacrifices are few and are never in vain.

Patriotism swells in the heart of the American bear. — The Muppet Movie

Is it patriotic to question the authority of your government?  Is it chauvinistic to be proud of your country, warts and all?  Does love of country extend to being honest about times when we go wrong?  Are you a better citizen when you look at members of your own party or political leanings and say “Not just no, but hell no!”?

I was hiding under your porch because I love you. — Up

This morning, I was woken up by a cold nose on my cheek.  No, it wasn’t Irish Woman commencing the annual season of body warmth thievery.  It was Moonshine, who wanted me to know that he was happy I had survived the night.  He wasn’t hungry, nor did he need to go outside.  Girlie Bear takes care of that when she gets up to go to school.  He just wanted me to know that he loved me.

Try and get that from your goldfish.  Heck, even Koshka only checks to make sure I’m breathing when she’s either cold or hungry.

Be down at the old oak tree near Boot Hill at twelve o’clock sharp for your hanging. And bring your own rope. — The Apple Dumpling Gang

Well, we’re down to less than a month before this election cycle ends and the next one begins.  This November, we will decide whether John Jackson or Jack Johnson has control of the Senate.*  We are being asked whether we prefer rope or leather for our noose, and the powers that be are even being kind enough to ask us if the fit is comfortable.  Bless their hearts for being so considerate.

People, if you want things to change, maybe even for the better, you have to stop doing the same thing over and over again.  This cycle I pretty much have the choice of re-electing a Senator that has been in office since I was in the 7th grade, or replacing him with Abortion Midge (Abortion Barbie is running for governor of Texas).  Third party candidates never looked so good.

*Yes, I stole that from Futurama.

• Apparently I do not have the fashion sense it takes to tell a 16 year old girl that the dress she likes looks nice.
  • Apparently if she is not allowed to wear a dress with tank-top like straps to school, no matter how cute.
  • Apparently my suggestion that she put a white tee shirt under it to wear to school was incorrect.  Her reply was that a white tee shirt under a dress would make her look like an 8 year old.
  • She convinced me that Irish Woman should take her to buy underthings.  The look of shock and rapid blinking that ensued when I asked if she needed anything like that was quite comical.
• For all of you who came to the PGA tournament this weekend, you need to come back and pick up your trash.  There are beer cans and paper sacks blowing over a mile from the parking areas.
• Six year old math – One half gallon of orange juice, divided by one small cup, equals just enough juice for one day.
  • Mommy can go to the store again tomorrow, right?

“I was with him in Fallujah,” the Marine continued. “And if we had to go back in there, I’d follow him in with a spoon.”

— Washington Post, “Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the ‘Lion of Fallujah,’ died in the service of the CIA”

Happy Father’s Day to all the men out there that step up and do their part.

Tin Can Assassin is going through rough times and could use a little help.  I’ve been in a similar situation, and I’ll be giving him what I can.  If you’ve got a little extra, please consider giving a member of our tribe a hand up.

There’s gonna be one speed… mine. If you can’t keep up, don’t step up. — The Chronicles of Riddick

There have to be standards.  If you cater to the lowest common denominator, you take away a lot of opportunity for success.  Yes, that means that some people are going to have to pull themselves up to the standard, and for some it will be very difficult to do so.  But the alternative is to hold everyone back to make life easier for a few.  This doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk.  It means that you have to set a standard, talk with your people about what that means, both as a group and individually, and give them the tools, knowledge, and time to meet that standard.

It also means you will meet and exceed that standard on day number one.  Nothing kills motivation quicker than hypocracy, and if you can’t look yourself in the mirror and say “I ask nothing of my people that I don’t demand from myself”, then you’re doing it wrong.