Men of War

A retrospective glance at a century of wars . . .

While I applaud the use of the internet and related technologies to generate accurate and relevant information, I condemn those “web-sites and media” that wilfully inseminate susceptible, uninformed people with incendiary disinformation. It might surprise many of those who now engage in unrelenting Bush bashing, to see that our “more innocent than thou” Democratic party, has had a remarkable proclivity for immersing itself in violent, multi-casualty producing conflicts.

WWI ~ (1914 ~ 1918) We entered this war in 1917 under the direction of President Wilson, a Democrat. How many of us know that during that conflict, our 1917 Espionage Act effectively made free speech illegal and many people served long prison sentences for statements of fact that were deemed unpatriotic? The Sedition Act of 1918 ordered that publications critical of the government were to be removed from circulation by postal censors. This war was ended on Nov 11, 1918, a date we continue to celebrate annually as “Veterans Day.”

WWII ~ (1939 ~ !945) Immediately following the bombing at Pearl Harbor by Japan, on Dec 7, 1941, President Roosevelt, a Democrat, led us into the war that was raging in Europe. Here at home he hastened to place 120,000 Japanese Americans in concentration camps. Although the magnitude of that war was global, one major facet of the conflict was the Holocaust, during which millions of Jews were gassed to death in Germany. Those who escaped execution fled to neighboring Eastern countries and beyond. In 1948, the United Nations sanctioned the establishment of a small Jewish State in the Holy Land, and Jews who had been emigrating there were permitted to re-start their lives.

WWII ~ (Aug 1945) With the war in Europe ended, the war with Japan was approaching a victorious conclusion, when President Truman, a Democrat, ordered our forces to drop atom bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. In an instant, more than a quarter of a million Japanese men, women and children were incinerated and the genetic structure of those few who survived, forever changed. Nagasaki, it will be recalled, was the venue for Puccini's unforgettable Madame Butterfly. (Imagine the brouhaha, then and now, had this unforgiveable atrocity been committed by President George Bush!)

The Korean War ~ (1950 ~ 1953) When North Korea attacked and invaded South Korea, the United Nations responded and the U.S., still under the direction of President Truman, a Democrat, entered the conflict. After many thousands of casualties, this war remains suspended by an armistice, and we are still there with substantial numbers of our military forces.

The Vietnam Indochina War ~ (1959 ~ 1975) Our longest war thus far. We entered into it under the direction of President Kennedy, a Democrat, who was emerging from a disastrous “Bay of Pigs” invasion of Cuba. More than 58,000 U.S. soldiers were killed and 304,000 were wounded. Millions of Vietnamese and people of neighboring countries were killed. Why this war was fought has never been clearly understood. Nevertheless, it remained for President Nixon, a Republican, to bring it to an indecisive conclusion.

The Gulf War ~ (1991) King Fahd of Saudi Arabia pleaded with the U.S. to intervene in the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait. Saddam Hussein of Iraq had destabilized the entire region. With Congressional approval, the first President Bush, a Republican, responded. Our intervention very quickly succeeded in defeating Iraq, liberating Kuwait and re-stabilizing that area. Our casualties were minimal. But it needs to be noted that Iraq and Iran had just concluded their own enormously violent, multi-casualty war (1980 ~1988) in which Hussein used poison gas against his foe. Fortunately, his nuclear weapon program had been interrupted by Israeli bombing in 1981. (Ironically, history does not record that Iran ever expressed its gratitude to Israel.)

Iraq War ~ (2003~ ~) This war began in 2003. With the support of Congress and the United Nations, President George Bush, a Republican, invaded Iraq. Our forces were already in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban and pursuing Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Misleading intelligence reports had attested to charges that war mongering Iraq was manufacturing and amassing additional weapons of mass destruction. But also factored into our decision were the many attacks on U.S. positions and people all over the world, culminating in the savage attack on NYC and Washington on 9/11/2001 by Islamic jihadists.

Iraq’s military forces were quickly defeated and Saddam Hussein was captured, tried and executed. Contrary to the oft stated, naive assertions by opponents of the war, it has been a few years since this war was actually terminated. The turmoil that continues is attributed to militants and insurgents who are doing everything possible to keep that country destabilized. But fortunately, with more enlightened military direction and support, we are slowly succeeding in reconstructing and breathing new life into that desperate, long suffering nation. Indeed, we are helping it to establish a genuine and viable democracy in the very heart of Islam and when that goal is ultimately attained, the whole world will be the better for it. But right now, our military establishment is urgently needed by Iraq’s slowly developing government and it is expected, that only with its expressed consent will our forces continue to be stationed there.

Although a single casualty is to be deplored, in contrast with all of the above wars, our casualties in Iraq have been relatively small. But we are still much too close to this situation to have a totally accurate perspective. Yet, it is already conceivable that retrospective history will view the Bush Administration as having done Islam, the U.S. and the rest of the world a vitally necessary humanitarian service.

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Persian Pest?

Ugh . . .

The other night, while reaching for an Almond Biscuit from a plastic jar on my kitchen shelf, I noticed some small insects flying around in an adjacent jar, which contained about a handful of pistachio nuts. Though quite disconcerting at first sight, I was immensely relieved to see that the non-airtight fitting cover on the jar was keeping all the winged insects securely contained.

It flashed through my mind that as recent as the mid 1800's people still believed that the maggots they saw on decaying food were spontaneously generated. But that mistaken thought was proved wrong by Spallanzani, an Italian biologist. He showed that the maggots actually grew from eggs deposited by domestic flies.

And then my thoughts switched to Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president. I recalled that pistachios have long been a major Iranian export (though whether ours still come from there is doubtful). Nevertheless, some sardonic whimsy carried my thinking a bit further. What with his incessantly voiced threats to wipe out Israel, might he not be intrigued by the idea of exporting large quantities of infested Pistachios to Israel, where he would wish them to hatch and spread like a pestilence through the entire country? While I must admit this whole kooky idea was hatched in my head, if it were to generate in his, I’m sure he would seize on it and find some way to pursue it malevolently. But please, don’t any of you readers tell him you read this in The Horn!

Note: I did get rid of those insects, and in a way as to not risk their taking root here on this continent. I’ll leave it to you, to guess how I did it.

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Am I A Racist?

Let's see now . . .

Here is a simple way to determine whether or not (and to what degree) we are racists.

Pretend that you are asking 100 white adults this question: “Have you ever seriously wished that you had been born black?” Now do the same hypothesizing for 100 black adults by asking: “Have you ever seriously wished that you had been born white?” We use the figure 100 so that the conjectured numbers will be expressed as meaningful percentages.

This test is not in any scientific manual. It is a speculative form of self-interrogation that I dreamed up during the recent political campaign, while we were being barraged by so many polls. I have not yet tried to translate the two numbers that emerge, but their relative racist significance will be immediately apparent. However, in order to sharpen your interpretation, you might consider comparing your results with those obtained by your friends or family, who you can induce to also do the test.

Racism is an ugly and destructive force. Its effects are being felt all over the world. But as we endeavor to learn more about it, we will almost certainly learn more about ourselves. And if we can do this together we will surely find ways to stop harming each other.

An integral part of every human sub-group’s survival mechanism is its awareness of potential threats from every other group with which it relates. Only when a particular sub-group exists totally by itself in a remote region or territory, can it safely lower its guard. But when inter-relationship between groups is unavoidable, groupism (a less incendiary synonym for racism) keeps it alert to potential danger. Unfortunately however, the indiscriminate use of “racist” defenses will inevitably exacerbate, not mitigate, the danger on both sides of the conflict.

“Birds of a feather flock together” has been an old adage we never had any problem understanding or accepting. But haven’t you ever wondered what Robins really think about Blue Jays? Or, vice versa! And think about what the poor little sparrows are thinking!

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Hail to Obama !

Straws in the Wind . . .

Whereas until now, most black leaders, with the singular exception of Reverend Martin Luther King, preached mainly about black victim-hood, Barack Obama has firmly seized the torch and is now lighting up a more fertile and less ambiguous path for our young blacks to follow.

The Sharptons, the Jacksons, the Wrights, and so many others of that mindset, have succeeded only in keeping the black community deeply mired in a miasma of anger, hatred, and self-loathing. From their incendiary pulpits, they spawned only hostility and dismay. But in utter contrast, Obama, having no ancestral ties to slavery, is demonstrating by his zeal and example that America will exultantly respond to the sincerity of its citizenry and will dependably provide the resources to help each of us to find our way.

As my readers already know, I am a 95 year old, conservative, white male who has navigated on all sides of our political fences and I do not hesitate to admit that I did not cast my ballot for Obama. Leaving the ambivalence of his wife aside, I strongly disagree with many of his and the current Democratic Party’s expressed points of view. More importantly, I especially cannot condone his woefully injudicious choices of soul-mates and his adamant reluctance to denounce them, before he is publicly compelled to do so. But nevertheless, I can clearly see that with his victory, a brand new day may have dawned for many of our downtrodden, cruelly misled blacks. The question now is, will they continue to allow him and others like him (Bill Cosby, for instance) to lead them out of the wilderness? With my dampened forefinger extended upwards, I can strongly sense a catalyzing, affirmative response in the air! Don't you?

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Enter the Jackass!

I only regret that . . .

I must confess, I am deep in the throes of a post election depression. At my age, with the terminal exit door squarely in my path, I now feel like Socrates taking his last few sips of hemlock. From its inception to its unhappy conclusion, this presidential campaign has been an unmitigated travesty. That our country, which has more than 300 million people, and many of them supremely gifted, had presidential aspirants of such blatant mediocrity, is beyond my limited tolerance to understand.

That an ingrate like Michelle Obama, who has loudly and frequently voiced her hatred of America is now its First Lady, defies reason. Is it possible her position came to her more as an ironic rebuke by fate than a deserved honor? And like Clinton declaring he never had sex with that woman, has Barack Obama ever seriously repudiated his own treasonably motivated associations with so many American enemies? And would he have ever done so, had he not been subjected to a crescendo of compelling criticism? Has he ever shown that he can work cooperatively with political forces at variance to his? And on the Republican side, hasn’t the problem with McCain been that notwithstanding his heroism and patriotism, he lacked the insight and maturity to see that he and we are of another “age.”

So, with Obama, Reid and Pelosi taking turns at the helm, what lies ahead, here and abroad? It depends on how far and how honestly we are willing to look. Are we about to see Iraq totally unravel because of their impetuosity? Is Al Qaedda preparing to reinvigorate itself? Is Iran happily looking to dispossess us and establish itself as the major force in Islamic Asia and the Middle East? Is Israel’s sleep now being punctuated by fear of an Iranian directed nuclear attack? And as our helmsmen strive to keep all of America’s jobs within its borders, are we hearing the death knell of a global economy and a planetary political infrastructure?

Ostensibly a purveyor of succor to everyone (except those corporate geese that keep laying the golden eggs which create our country’s industry and jobs) the Democratic party succeeds in kindling only hapless despair and confusion. And tragically, we who are now descending from our tired old Elephant’s back have no current option but to re-enter the age of the Jackass?

Note: If bipartisanship is better than partisanship, wouldn't multipartisanship be superior to both? I propose that we get rid of all the political aisles in both houses of congress! Let's stop locking ourselves into only two points of view!

Comment: mailto:domgab1914@comcast.net

Well said! I’m ready, like the woman announced at the celebration of Obama’s victory that he’s going to pay my mortgage and buy my gas, my hand is also outstretched and open to receiving my free piece of the pie. America has reached the point where we no longer need to work hard, but merely accept our largesse from the government. Rome’s record of longevity is once again safe ~ Tom G.

Dom ~ I must express my dismay with your attack on our new president before even giving him a chance....We were just down in Florida and I didn't like the racial hatred we saw at election time. I really believe he will bring the US the old respect we used to enjoy. Remember the excitement when JFK was elected? Please keep an open mind. What happened to the honeymoon every new administration gets? Besides, he can't screw up the country any worse than the Bush crooks have been doing for the past 8 years! I'm sure we'll kick this around more over turkey dinner, maybe by then you'll be more optimistic ~ Bruce K.

Beautifully stated! In America we are indeed blessed with so many natural resources. If an energy expert such as Sarah Palin would consent to serve us in a leadership roll to properly harvest these resources, we will be well on our way to energy independence, with safety and security for our nation and the world. And as she has so often informed us, the labor forces involved in that effort would surely ameliorate our unemployment problem ~ John L.

Who is this guy Bruce? I think he has a good point. But my problem is that I have as difficult a time giving Obama a pass as he has cutting Bush a break. I think I even heard him say that Bush is causing his 3 iron to slice hard right. When an America's Cup team loses a race we all blame the Captain. He will always be the fall guy but in this case his entire team, both port and starboard were grinding to a different tune ~ their own. Perhaps Obama could get Warren Buffett to pick up my tab too. I’m not feeling very patriotic these days ~ Fred G.

I think that you and Fred are racists. I have worked in many different places in this country with blacks and hispanics and I have even worked with KKK’s and white supremacist groups and listened to their talk. I am really disappointed that you and other lily-white existants, think this way ~ Jim S.

I was reading the string to this posting, and felt compelled to write to you, even though I don't generally comment on political issues publicly. Why are the people who question Obama's political ideology, judgment and his questionable associations, being labeled as racist? Why don't the voters who preferred Obama, think that his extreme liberal voting record and questionable associations were issues relevant in this election? Are we no longer allowed to discuss our concerns without being considered racist? Why is it that the same Obama supporters didn't seem to have any problems criticizing Sarah Palin (who had more executive experience than the presidential candidate) at the drop of a hat? And the same people find it very easy to criticize, demonize and disrespect President Bush for his judgment, but somehow that is different than questioning Obama's judgment. President Clinton received the same scrutiny regarding his judgment and ideology, but no one was called a racist, because he is white. People wanted a "change" and change is indeed headed our way ~ Elaine C.

Dom ~ I just talked with Fred and he suggested I visit your blog as he was passionate about some of the opinions expressed. As you know he and I have similar points of view. We are both conservative Republicans who believe in the basic premise of smaller government (meaning less intervention in our lives and freedoms). That said, in scanning some of your family discussions it is very similar to what goes on with my family and close circle of friends. We too are divided with Anne’s family and one of my sisters far to the left and my side (the minority) far to the right. When I have more time I may want to make my comments, if I may, to keep the scale balanced, OK, I really mean tip it to the right! ~ For now, Happy Thanksgiving to the Gabriele’s. We have much to be thankful for as a country in that we are free enough that we could elect someone like Obama (I assume many will start filling in presumed blanks about what I mean, i.e. race, etc. but they own their presumptions, not me). Our history is filled with up and down cycles (the ups and downs may be opposite for some of us) but we seem to move forward. My biggest fear is that we could take a hard turn (read ‘left turn’) and start going down a path that is contrary to a free society (meaning individual freedoms). There are enough examples in history where this has happened ~ All the best, CDR Bill Steger USN (Ret)

It is indisputable, we all are racists to a greater or lesser degree. To the extent we practice it depends on our understanding of ourselves and our group. I do not know if this adds anything valuable to your blog’s ongoing debate ~ Anthony Correoso, MD (Born on the Island of Jamaica)

Black or White ?

A cogent election reflection

Do not construe this as an effort to stir the racist pot. I simply want to point out something that may be intrinsically important. Unlike most of his Afro-American supporters, Barack Obama, son of a black Kenyan man and a white American woman, has no ancestral ties to America's slaves.

By tomorrow, black voters will have cast their ballots and their monolithic vote for Obama is expected to be quasi unanimous. Embedded in this projection is the likelihood that the black electorate sees the black Obama as a latter day emancipator of the entire black community. But the sober reality is, that in contrast to that of Michelle's, Barack's blackness is as totally disconnected from his supporters’ long history of trial and bondage, as is his whiteness.

Ergo: if the anticipated size of the black vote does indeed materially assist Obama in his quest for the presidency, it may ultimately reflect demeaningly on the traditional political perspectives of the black electorate. It could confirm that the major issues of this campaign were not nearly as important to the current black voter as the darker pigments of Obama’s skin. That has the makings of a somber, self deluding charade!

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It is Americans who have referred to Obama as Afro-American instead of just American. It is not surprising therefore, that Afro-Americans would vote for him. Many "Afro-Americans" also voted for Senator McCain so in fairness to those other Afro-Americans, one can posit that they were intrigued with Obama's intelligence, erudition, and his apparent calmness under stress. Such qualities should serve him well with the horrid future that awaits him as President. It is worthy of note, that this is a moment that has already brought respect for America worldwide. We as a people must unite and see Barack Obama as just another American ~ Tony C.

Dad ~ I think I heard that 96% of the Blacks voted for Obama. Numbers that high throw any intelligent selection considerations out the window. I doubt very many blacks know that he was half white. They voted for Obama simply because he was the democrat and being Black was icing on the cake. For him to unite this country he has to listen and accept the views of the other 50%. He has never done that to this date and I see no reason why that will CHANGE. He will however gladly take their money as they are mean, selfish and unpatriotic. I never simply wanted a white or black president...... I just wanted a GOOD ONE ~ Fred

Opus Caritas !

This Post was submitted by my daughter Lorna
sans her brother's awareness or consent
~ ~ ~

Do for others . . .

On Thursday, October 23, our church in West Harrison, NY, was host to the Glee Club of Notre Dame University. As that world famous choir sang, the parish and its friends rhapsodized with a glee they will not soon forget. But behind that happy scene a poignant drama, in which my brother Tom Gabriele played a role, also took place. (Incidentally, Tom was a student at Notre Dame).

On the Sunday before the Glee Club’s arrival a request was made by St Anthony’s Pastor, Father Chris, for members of the parish to offer space in their homes for some of the Notre Dame singers. Happily, all of the Glee Club’s members were provided housing for the duration of their stay. Two were assigned to stay at Tom’s house.

On the morning following the program, Tim, one of the singers staying with Tom, awoke with considerable discomfort in one eye. Inadvertently, he had slept without removing his contact lenses. Tom called Father Chris and then quickly took Tim to our local ER. The examining physician referred him to an ophthalmologist who immediately arranged for Tim to be seen by a corneal specialist in New York City. (To expedite the therapeutic process, the specialist’s up front fee was paid by Tom).

Tim’s cornea was severely ulcerated. A strong antibiotic eye drop was prescribed. It was administered at the clinic and subsequently on an almost hourly basis at Tom’s home. Tim was also strongly urged to seek follow-up care by his own ophthalmologist in Buffalo, NY, immediately after his scheduled arrival home. Tom stayed with Tim continuously until Saturday, when he drove him to the airport for his return flight home. In retrospect, whereas Tom might have transferred Tim to Father Chris right at the start, he opted to stay with the ailing lad all through this entire critical period.

At the close of mass, this past Sunday, Father Chris asked Tom to join him at the altar. He then related to the assembled worshipers, how Tom and Evelyn had rendered such extraordinary commitment to this seriously afflicted Notre Dame singer. But even though every listener was profoundly moved and Evelyn kept dabbing away at her tears, Tom kept a calm and stoic perspective on what Evelyn and he had spontaneously done for a severely distressed, fellow human being in their care.

May God respond to our prayers and see to it that Tim’s vision is quickly and fully restored. May He also note that the Gabriele family is not looking for kudos. Our family was where it needed to be to render the kind of help we all should be prepared to offer, wherever and whenever the need arises. May our family continue to receive solace and guidance from the Archangel Gabriel, whose name we so proudly bear!

Comment: mailto:domgab1914@comcast.net

Papa ~ As I mentioned to you after reading this post, I truly believe that there was a very special reason why those events unfolded as they did. My mother thought it would be nice to put up some of the boys during their stay, and offer them a friendly home. I feel it was truly a blessing that Tim was chosen to stay with my parents, who, as it turned out, could offer the support and care that he needed. Not everyone would have gone to the lengths that my parents did for a total stranger. They could have brought him back to Father Chris the next morning, but they would never abandon someone in need. They are the most caring people I know and I am so lucky they are my parents. They are a great team! I feel so blessed to be a part of this truly wonderful family ~ Love, Elaine

Shades of St. Exupery’s Little Prince - when you make a commitment, you dare not go only half way! I just read the letters that my son Tom received from Tim Schumer and his parents. They are effusive with profoundly felt gratitude. We are discovering now, that without Tom and Evelyn being there to help him, Tim would have lost that eye. How happy we are for Tim and how truly proud we feel about our Good Samaritan family! ~ Dom Gabriele