June 6, 2024, 80th anniversary of D-Day: Biden is no Reagan (published 6-10-2024; article #479)

Pointe du Hoc Shoreline, 5/10/2022, photograph by Spencer James Lucas on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

June 6, 2024, was the 80th anniversary (inclusive) of D-Day. The octogenary anniversary of Operation Overlord, on June 6, 1944, drew more media focus this year. Previous articles that remembered D-Day and mentioned scant media coverage were on June 6, 2020, and June 8, 2021.

On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the morning rain cleared into a sunny and humid afternoon. Late that morning, my friend and barber, at Tony's Best Clips, trimmed neatly away a mound of hair. I called our niece, who lives in Kingsport, and my youngest brother. That evening, a leaking copper water pipe, between the finished basement and upstairs at my nearby in-laws' house, brought down a section of basement ceiling plasterboard. That was a memorable experience, which will be funny in a few years!

This 41st entry under the freedom topic section explains, in the conclusion, why it is also the 69th entry under the "poly-tics" (Greek πολλά, many, plus "ticks," known blood suckers) section. President Biden is no President Reagan.

June 6, 1944

Honor is here given to all Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen, who were involved in Operation Overlord. Many gave the ultimate sacrifice. This section recommends two sources.

First, D-Day Overlord is an encyclopedic and historical memorial. The website states:

D-Day Overlord is the first website dedicated to the Battle of Normandy in terms of content and visits. It allows you to discover in detail the landing of Normandy as well as the entirety of the Battle of Normandy with its 90 days of fighting, from June 6 to the end of August 1944.

[It is] the most visited of the websites dedicated to the Battle of Normandy and is written entirely by Marc Laurenceau.

Having read several sections, I concur fully. Time will be well spent, reading and studying the website.

The other recommendation is from the National D-Day Memorial Foundation. Located in Bedford, Virginia, their “mission is to preserve the lessons and legacy of D-Day.” The section “About Operation Overlord: Why D-Day Matters” is where I focused my reading attention.

I wondered how I would have felt, if I had been an 18-year-old soldier and one of the first to step from a landing craft onto the beach. Would enemy fire have taken my life? Yesterday, my “adoptive” sister (mentioned most recently in the 5/5/2024 article) and I enjoyed another long phone conversation. She reminded me that one of her husband's uncles had died on the beaches of Normandy. I realized that I'd known but not recalled that profound memory.

President Reagan, June 6, 1984

During my initial online search, I found “‘The boys of Pointe du Hoc:’ Reagan’s tribute to D-Day heroes,” NewsNation, by Taylor Delandro, 6/7/2024. The article embeds President Reagan's June 6, 1984, speech at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France.

Later, I found and listened to the immortalized words of the great communicator, President Reagan: “President Ronald Reagan's Address at a Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France,” National Archives Catalog, 6/6/1984. He spoke for almost 13 minutes. His speech begins at the one-minute, 38-second mark. President Ronald Wilson Reagan (2/7/1911–6/5/2004) was 73 years old. His lifespan was 93 years.

Listening to President Reagan's eloquence was inspiring. Reading from notes, his words flowed eloquently and freely from the depths of his heart and soul. He cited Old Testament history and spoke about God. President Reagan spoke as a man who knew the Lord.

President Biden, June 6, 2024

On June 6, my wife listened to President Biden speaking live on television. I chose to focus on a more important task. Later, I watched his speech at “LIVE: Biden commemorates 80th anniversary of D-Day,” NBC News (YouTube), 6/6/2024. President Biden begins speaking at the one-hour and 35-minute mark. (The commercial interruptions can be skipped.) He spoke for just over 15 minutes. Born 11/20/1942, President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., is 81 years old.

Even though President Biden should be commended for honoring the just-cause sacrifices from 80 years ago, at times his enunciation was unclear, and his tone seemed to be somewhat combative. He lacks the gift of eloquence. Reading from a teleprompter, his words rang shallow, coming from his shallow heart and soul. President Biden did not come across as a man who knows the Lord.

Conclusion

Truly, freedom is not free. Annual D-Day anniversaries remind us. The brave patriots who fought and survived and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice are honored. We must live in honor of their service and sacrifice.

Did President Biden plagiarize President Reagan's speech from 40 years earlier? Similar settings often invoke similar thoughts and words. You be the judge, dear reader. The following two video segments are each just under two minutes: “VIDEO: Biden Plagiarizes Reagan at Normandy,” The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, 6/7/2024, and “What two US presidents said at D-Day, 40 years apart,” BBC, 6/8/2024.

Politics (opposite worldviews competing for power in government) is a necessary evil for a statesman (a moral, wise, and respected political leader). President Ronald Reagan, the great communicator, was a politician and a true statesman.

President Joseph Biden, Jr., is a politician (a person whose interest in political office is for selfish or other narrowly focused, short-sighted reasons). President Biden is a politician, not a statesman.

President Biden is no President Reagan.

May Day, National Day of Prayer, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and VE Day (published 5-8-2024; article #471)

Introduction

Today, on VE Day, the History Channel (A&E Television Networks, LLC) is scheduling multiple episodes of “Pawn Stars.” See today's schedule at history.com. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, their Monday schedule showed the same usual dribble. Come on, History Channel! Show relevant programs, especially on profound days in history!

Welcome and greetings, dear reader. The purpose of this article, the 40th under the Freedom topic section and the 20th under the heading Worldviews in Conflict, is to summarize and comment on:

• May Day (Wednesday, 5/1/2024),

• National Day of Prayer (Thursday, 5/2/2024),

• Holocaust Remembrance Day (Monday, 5/6/2024),

• and VE Day (today, Wednesday, 5/8/2024).

Concluding thoughts focus on freedom and worldviews in conflict. I hope that you and I agree. We need to be on the right side of history. You are welcome to state your case and comment, to begin a civil discussion, if you disagree.

May Day

In ancient times, May Day (May 1) was a Celtic celebration of spring. Similar May Day celebrations continue in the current era. For example, in grade school, we young'uns would sing as we circled around the maypole, weaving colorful ribbons around it. We boys would try to catch the eye of a cute girl!

Since May 1, 1886, May Day, or International Workers’ Day, has focused on labor rights and socialism. The May Day association with labor rights began in the United States and spread internationally. May Day is now an official holiday in 66 countries. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland moved the U.S. May Day celebration to the first Monday in September, Labor Day. The intention was to cut ties with International Workers' Day and its implicit support of communism and other radical causes.

Sources for the above include “May Day 2024: What Is May Day?” The Old Farmer’s Almanac, by Catherine Boeckmann, 5/1/2024; “May Day – May 1, 2024” on National Today; and “May Day,” on History.com, by Editors, 5/1/2017, updated 5/1/2024.

This year, for the Fearghail household, May Day involved the “magical mystery starter.” That was the focus of the humorous article from 5/4/2024. Our car's starter is still working!

National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, 2024, followed May Day. The annual observance is on the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer started in 1952 with a joint resolution of the United States Congress and President Harry S. Truman's signature. Source: “National Day of Prayer – May 2, 2024” on National Today.

Ten short years later, as is commonly known, the 1962 Supreme Court decision prohibited school-mandated prayers in public schools. Conflicting worldviews continue to battle for and against the fundamental right to lead public prayers in government schools and in government school gatherings, such as sporting events.

After King Solomon completed and consecrated the Jerusalem temple, the Lord came and spoke to him. The full context is in 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. Although the immediate application was to the Old Testament nation of Israel, the principles apply today. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) reads as follows:

. . . if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Contextually, the Lord's promise is conditioned by the people's faithfulness or by their humble repentance and return to Him. Obedience to God would bring national blessings to Israel. Rebellion against His will would lead to that nation's destruction.

Would to God that this once-great nation will humble itself, repent of its ungodliness, and seek His face! That is my daily prayer. What about you?

Holocaust Remembrance Day

The unprovoked and unspeakably cruel attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens on 10/7/2023 and the subsequent and ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict set the tone for Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday, May 6th. Recent and ongoing antisemitic protests, across college campuses throughout the United States, focused special attention on the day. Thankfully, Israel's Iron Dome protected the nation against the Iranian airstrikes on 4/13/2024. Israel retaliated on 4/19/2024.

Holocaust Remembrance Day is the 27th of Nisan (April/May) on the Hebrew calendar, unless the day is adjacent to the Sabbath, in which case the date shifts by one day. Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943. The Holocaust (1933 - 1945) was the state-sponsored Nazi German persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews and five million others. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of several excellent sources.

Slightly larger than the state of New Jersey in the United States, Israel is about 290 miles (470 km.) long and about 85 miles (135 km.) wide at its widest point. HISTORY of Israel: Timeline on Mission of Israel to the UN in Geneva chronicles Israel's history from the biblical patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 and up to the year 2010.

From Jewish Virtual Library: a Project of American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), the following facts are known: As of January 1, 2024, the population of Israel was 9,842,000. The Jewish proportion of the population in Israel continues to decline. At the end of 2023, the total Jewish population was 7,208,000 (73.2%). The Arab population was 2,080,000 (21.1%). “Others” (i.e., non-Arab Christians, Baha’i, Samaritans, Karaite Jews, Seventh-day Adventists, Messianic Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and former Soviet Union immigrants) made up 5.7% of the population. Worldwide, the Jewish population is about 15.2 million. Of that total, 47% reside in Israel.

Encyclopedia Britannica: Palestine (last updated 5/8/2024) is an 80-page printed document that provides the complete history of the geographical region known as Palestine. Palestine is a geographical area (as is Appalachia). The term “Palestinians,” which includes Jews, Arabs, and other ethnic groups, refers to the people who live in Palestine. There is no unique Palestinian race or ethnic group. Similarly, the term “Appalachians” refers to those who live in the geographic location of Appalachia. There is no unique Appalachian race or ethnic group. We Appalachians are a mixture of many races and ethnic groups.

Arabs and Jews have heritage and kinship through Noah and Abraham (Gen. 10:1-32; 11:10-32; 25:12-34). Ultimately, all humankind has kinship through Adam and Eve, the first humans (Gen. 1:27; 2:7,21-22; 3:20). In Athens, the apostle Paul's first-century speech before the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers included, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:26-27, NIV).

On October 7, 2023, who started the Israel-Hamas conflict? Who can end it? Israel would not need to defend itself, if every Palestinian (Arabs, Jews, and others) could live in peace as close relatives.

VE Day

Today is the annual observance of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces. World War II was over in Europe. My desk calendar shows the annual observances that were mentioned previously. The calendar, however, does not show May 8th as VE Day. I had to handwrite in the observance on my calendar.

Two recent articles on this website mark the day. On VE Day, 5/8/2021, I published “5/1/2021, Saturday, May Day: Tribute to a Fine Officer.” I reflected on the May Day and Victory Day celebrations that my wife and I remember, when we were Christian missionaries in Russia. I honored the young officer, whom I met on May Day. On VE Day, 5/8/2022, I published “Mother's Day on VE Day.” The conclusion states, “My Mom was a peacemaker. I have tried to be as well. On this Mother's Day, on VE DAY, 2022, may peace on earth come as millions of individuals around the globe get right with the Good Lord and change their ways!”

Perhaps one day future desk calendars will show VE Day on May 8th. Local and national media have given little, if any, attention to the day. I remember.

Conclusion

Concluding thoughts focus on freedom and worldviews in conflict. The saying “freedom is not free” is true. On this VE Day, thinking about the lives lost during the Holocaust and the entirety of World War II, not to mention more recent wars, overwhelms me. Thank you, veterans! Live in honor of veterans, who protected our freedom!

A Christian's freedom cost the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Live in honor of Jesus, who freed us from sin!

Only two people were indigenous, Adam and Eve. Since then, everyone else has been a colonizer. Adam and Eve's descendants migrated to and settled in new areas. Over the course of centuries, nations have taken and continue to take control of other groups and nations. At times, the cause is just, as in the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in World War II. Oftentimes, the cause is not just. Practically every race and nation have colonized less powerful races and nations. That has been the way of the world, since Adam and Eve's descendants began to settle new areas.

Conflicting worldviews often cause struggles that lead to war. A worldview that calls for the genocide of another race is nothing more than evil incarnate, and it should be stopped dead in its tracks before it escalates. World War II should have taught us that lesson. I hope that the world is not repeating Nazi Germany's history from the 1930s.

The right side of history is the biblical worldview. What is the biblical worldview? It is abiding by the law of God, as stated and properly understood in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus summarized, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12, NIV).

May all the ethnic groups and nations of the world follow the Golden Rule. If so, the world will then have peace. This is my prayer.

Tribute to KCSO Deputy Tucker Blakely (published 10-8-2023; article #433)

Introduction

The article of last Monday, on sports, was published, at 3:41 PM, before I'd learned of the sad news. This article, the 39th under the "freedom” topic section, honors an outstanding member of the thin blue line. The young man died, last Monday, due to injuries sustained, late the prior evening, while in service to Knox County, Tennessee, residents.

Late last Sunday evening, about 11:15 PM, Knox County Sheriff's Deputy, Tucker Blakely, age 29, was one of the deputies, who had responded to a domestic disturbance, in Knoxville. Shots were fired. The perpetrator died at the scene. Deputy Blakely, injured severely, was transported to a local hospital. He passed away the next day. Tucker Blakely was also a veteran of the United States Army.

Local television news stations conveyed the sad news, to my wife and me, at 6 PM, last Monday evening. We were saddened profoundly. The obituary for Deputy Blakely is found at: Tucker Carmichael Blakely (July 22, 1994 - October 2, 2023), Mynatt Funeral Home, Inc.

Tributes to Deputy Tucker Blakely

This section first shares the tribute to Deputy Tucker Blakely, by WBIR TV. My tribute follows.

WBIR TV Tribute

Several articles honor Deputy Sheriff Blakely. Of those, I wish to cite the following, for this section. Please read “KCSO Deputy Tucker Blakely honored during celebration of life: The deputy was revered at the sheriff's office for his passion for working as a law enforcement officer. He leaves behind a wife and a 5-year-old child.” On WBIR TV, by Madalyn Torres, published 10/4/2023, updated 10/6/2023. The first four paragraphs state:

East Tennessee honored and remembered the life and legacy of fallen Deputy Tucker Blakely during a memorial service on Friday.

The day of remembrance began at 8 a.m. as people lined the procession route and hundreds of officers from agencies across East Tennessee drove to Clear Springs Baptist Church along Emory Road.

A celebration of life was held for Blakely on Friday, Oct. 6, at Clear Springs Baptist Church. Doors opened at 10 a.m. for people to pay respects to Blakely as he lied in repose, and officers conducted a "Sea of Blue" at 11:00 a.m. by turning on their cruisers' lights.

The celebration of life began at 2 p.m. You can watch the full stream from that ceremony below or at this link.

About halfway, the article reads, “Blakely was responding to a domestic situation at a house in West Knox County when he was shot Sunday night. He died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Monday.”

The final paragraph states, “The last Knox County deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty was Detective James Kennedy, in March 1984.”

The church building, where Deputy Blakely's service was held last Friday, is only a few miles from our house. The article, cited above, includes the link to the service. The full service is viewable at “Watch: KCSO Deputy Tucker Blakely's Celebration of Life,” on WBIR Channel 10 (YouTube), 10/6/2023. The service was two hours and three minutes.

Tucker Blakely's wife, Katarina, spoke with sad eloquence. His father spoke, in honor of his son. Several others spoke also. I watched the celebration of life, last Friday.

My Tribute

I can't begin to comprehend how that I would have responded, if, in 1965, my father had passed away, at age 38, when I was age five. I wonder how my father, mother, brothers, wife, other family, and friends would have endured, if, in 1989, I had died, at age 29. (The driver, my guide and translator, and I could have died, in India, in 1989, if the roadside bomb had detonated.) I hope that my wife would have remained strong, if, in 1993, I had passed on, at age 33, in the seventh year of our marriage.

Tucker Blakely's young wife and five-year-old son honored him, by the strength that they showed, during his funeral service. His father epitomized strength and character.

The thin blue line separates the dark and wicked evil from the good, in this fallen world. Sadly, evil can and does, too often, violate that line. Officers, troopers, and sheriff's deputies, while protecting us, sacrifice themselves, while holding that thin blue line, when the wicked evil take them from us.

Deputy Sheriff Tucker Blakely died, at the hand of the wicked evil, while he was holding firmly the thin blue line. I did not have the honor of meeting brother Blakely, but I look forward to doing so, once I join him, at our everlasting Home. His eulogy affirmed that he is my brother in Christ.

The deep red ocean of Christ's shed blood separates unsaved sinners from saved sinners. The saved do not practice a life of sin, and we live out the grace of Christ, which indwells us. The unsaved are welcome to cross the deep red ocean, to join us, on the saved side.

At the final judgment, the gulf will separate everlastingly the saved from the unsaved. Heaven will be the permanent home of the saved. Everlasting torment will be the abode of the unrepentant dark and wicked evil.

The dark and wicked evil, who took Deputy Sheriff Tucker Blakely, is enduring everlasting torment, even now. Brother Blakely is, even now, comforted by everlasting joy, in paradise. We, who remain, will miss him. We will see him again. He awaits us. May his parents, wife, son, family, and friends be comforted by this thought. Final justice has been and will be served. Dear Lord, bless, by your grace, the family of Tucker Blakely, with these thoughts. In Christ, our Lord and Savior's name, amen.

The fifth article, of 12/9/2022, in the ongoing “Christian Evidences” series, under the heading “The So-Called 'Problem of Evil,'” contains a complete statement on the dark and wicked evil that is in this fallen world. Final justice will be served.

Conclusion

As I began writing this article, my mind drifted back to two articles, which I'd published in 2021, as tributes to two fine officers, whom I'd met. The first article published on 5/8/2021. The second article was on 6/12/2021. I also recalled the two articles, of 9/12/2021 and 3/20/2022, that mention and honor Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

This article honors the thin blue line. It also honors, loves, and cherishes the deep red ocean. I trust, dear reader, that you do also.

7-4-2022: “JULYTH” OR INDEPENDENCE DAY? (published 7-3-2022; article #338)

Introduction

Well, howdy, y'all! I trust that international readers are doing well. Further, I hope that national readers are also doing fine. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are getting along well enough. Life, “such as it is,” keeps on rollin'!

Earlier today at about 1:35 PM, views on this website for the last 30 days were from the following top 20 nations: the United States (or the USSA), 1.04K; Russia, 402; Germany, 176; China, 123; Canada, 84; France, 69; Sweden, 66; Netherlands, 60; Ukraine, 47; Indonesia, 41; India, 35; Poland, 33; United Kingdom, 30; Singapore, 8; Turkey, 8; Georgia, 7; Pakistan, 7; Austria, 6; Belgium, 6; and other (not specified), 119. Where are the views from Ireland? Come on, Ireland!

In June, the monthly view total was 2,395 with six articles published. Three are now in the new Worldviews in Conflict section. I created the new topic section today. Lord willing, I plan to write additional Worldviews in Conflict articles to expand that very important section.

Could July the Fourth be called “the Fourth of July,” “Independence Day,” or “Julyth”? This article is serious, includes satirical humor, and ends with a serious stand. To national readers, have a happy Independence Day for the right reasons tomorrow!

“June the Nineteenth” (6/19/1865)

The article from 6/21/2022 questioned satirically whether 6/19/2022 was Father's Day, “Juneteenth,” or both. I stated:

I have known and continue to respect the historical origin of “Juneteenth.”

I wish that the historical day could be called “the Nineteenth of June”— not “Juneteenth.” We call the Fourth of July “the Fourth of July”—not “Julyth.”

To hear or read “Juneteenth” still hurts my ears! The day, however, is honorable, as my 6/21/2022 article mentioned.

The Image by Wynn Pointaux from Pixabay in the 6/21/2022 article was a free picture of the Pan-African flag with “Juneteenth” written on it. The Pan-African flag is red, black, and green. Source: “On Flag Day, Remembering The Red, Black And Green,” by Leah Donnella, editor, NPR's Code Switch, 6/14/2017. The NPR article, which I read, explains the meaning of the colors. This note corrects my 6/21/2022 article about the flag used in the entry.

The official “Juneteenth” flag is blue and red with a star, a burst, an arc, and “June 19, 1865” in white letters. Source: “The Juneteenth flag is full of symbols. Here's what they mean.” (By Harmeet Kaur, CNN. Design by Will Mullery, CNN. Updated 6/17/2022). The CNN article describes the origin and meaning of the flag.

“Juneteenth” is, apparently, a word according to “Old Man Webster.” Source: Merriam-Webster, Definition of Juneteenth. To say “June the Nineteenth,” however, just sounds better to my ear!

“Fourth of July” (7/4/1776)

Searching “Old Man Webster” (Merriam-Webster) for “Julyth” returns, “The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary.” I wonder if I need to help the dictionary add “Julyth.” Sarcastically, I have been saying “Julyth” for a few weeks. I am trying to coin a new word!

I took the above photograph on Thursday, 10/28/2010. It was during my 72nd hike on House Mountain. I was at the upper-middle bluff and looking west. The hike was the first of four in four days, as mentioned in the article Four Hikes in Four Days! (published 11/14/2010). Eventually, the flag pole and the flag were taken down. I think the property owner removed them. I still miss seeing the flag.

U.S. History (Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium) includes sixty major sections from “Native American Society on the Eve of British Colonization” to “Toward a New Millennium.” The website is a compendium of American history. I read several sections.

No nation is perfect. The history of every nation includes immorality. This once-great nation is no exception. This nation has been wrong in its treatment of Native Americans, Irish immigrants, African American slaves, unborn children, and so forth. It has corrected or is correcting many of its evil actions. No person or nation will ever be perfect. (Jesus, the Christ, as God incarnate, was the only perfect man.) The founding fathers ensured that this nation was founded on moral principles, even when some of them were failing in aspects of morality. This imperfect nation does not always honor the moral principles upon which it was founded.

The agenda of the socialists is to destroy the good that our founding fathers did by ranting constantly about their imperfections. Imperfect people, however, can still accomplish good. Their good must not be rejected due to their imperfections. The socialists are not following the foundational moral principles of this nation.

The final subsection in U.S. History is “The End of the American Century.” The conclusion states:

Will the 21st century also be an American century? Or will the United States be eclipsed by new superpowers like China or the European Union? Only time will reveal the answers.

In the meanwhile, the United States will rely on its history of increasing democracy and respect for human rights, its dynamic diversity, and the innovative character of its people to seek new solutions to whatever problems may arise.

The Ununited Socialist States of America (USSA) is in its declining years as a nation, following a pattern similar to other once-great empires and nations. The decline can be reversed. I pray to God that the “new solutions” will be based on the biblical worldview. We will see.

The home page of The National Flag Foundation under “Let's Reunite America” states:

Our Flag was born in 1777 through the power of a revolution. Out of that revolution came its meaning – liberty and justice for all – as a birthright for every American.

“Liberty and justice for all” is from the Pledge of Allegiance. The foundation of this nation is “liberty and justice for all,” despite this nation's imperfections. The foundational principal still stands.

Conclusion

Will you rise while reading the following and pledging with me?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I call this once-great nation the USSA. The nation is falling, not standing. If this nation were as one, under God, then there would be “liberty and justice for all.”

Many national readers stand with me. Others need to stand on the moral foundation that our founding fathers created (despite their imperfections). So, let us all stand together on the founding principals; otherwise, we shall fall.

National readers, y'all have a safe and happy “Julyth” tomorrow, ya hear? Y'all are welcome to share this article on Independence Day!

5-9-2022 VE DAY, RUSSIA: MY THOUGHTS WITH REMARKS ON THE 2022 SLAVIC WAR: RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE (published 5-12-2022; article #323)

Introduction

My fourth and final article, of 5/8/2022, was “MOTHER'S DAY ON VE DAY (published 5-8-2022; article #321).” This article focuses my thoughts on VE Day in Russia, with remarks on the 2022 Slavic War: the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The inspiration for this article is “Откройте и закройте ящик и дверцу шкафа.” I will explain, in the conclusion.

VE Europe 5/8/1945 or 5/9/1945?

Some folks, in this once great nation, were aware that 5/8/2022 marked the seventy-sixth anniversary of the German surrender to the Allies (VE Day). Russia was an ally, despite some uneducated folks, who think that Russia was part of the enemy Axis nations.

My 5/8/2022 article (mentioned above) linked to the History.com article, “V-E Day is celebrated in America and Britain,” by History.com Editors, last updated May 3, 2022, original published date November 16, 2009.

Russians have continued to celebrate VE Day on May 9th, annually. I wonder why this once great nation does not celebrate on May 8th annually. The lack of celebration in this nation is regrettable.

Why do Russians celebrate VE in Europe Day a day late, on May 9th, not May 8th? The time zone was the difference. Germany surrendered on 5/8/1945, at 11:01 PM. Russia was already into the early hours of 5/9/1945. Historynet.com has a good article that explains. See "Why Does Russia Celebrate V-E Day on May 9? If the Nazis surrendered May 8, why do the Russians celebrate on May 9?” by Michael Y. Park, 4/29/2022.

5/9/2022

On Monday, 5/9/2022, I heard a few uneducated TV broadcasters state that 5/9/2022 marked the anniversary of “the Russian victory over Germany in World War II.” I had to laugh! First, Russians call World War II the Great Patriotic War. Second, Russia alone did not defeat Germany. The Allies (including Russia) defeated Germany.

By the way, World War II did not end completely until 8/14/1945, V-J (Victory in Japan) Day, when the Japanese surrendered. On 9/2/1945, Japan signed the surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri. The information is common knowledge. I learned it in grade school.

2022 Slavic War: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The articles of Tuesday, March 8, 2022, and Sunday, March 20, 2022, include my comments on the 2022 Slavic War (as I call it).

Since 2/24/2022, various legitimate media sources have continued to provide an abundance of details about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The tragic loss of life, injuries, damage, and chaos continue daily. The ongoing conflict is demoralizing, as an understatement.

Russians are divided. Some favor the war and side against Ukraine. Others despise the war and side with Ukraine. Other legitimate (not propaganda) media sources and friends (brothers and sisters in Christ) provide me with valid news.

No nation is without fault in many areas for many reasons. The demise of morality is global and has been ongoing for decades, if not centuries or millennia. Ukraine is not without its faults; neither is Russia.

I see media sources that fault Ukraine for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some media sources fault NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some media sources fault Russia, and Vladimir Putin particularly, for the invasion.

I know individuals, who fault Vladimir Putin. I know one individual, who has stated, “This time Putin is not the villain.” That individual has a reasoned opinion. I do not agree. I respect the intellect of the individual, not his opinion.

History of Ukraine

Britannica.com has an in-depth article on “History of Ukraine,” by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. The article contains links to many other website sources for additional reading.

Ukraine, for centuries, has had the unfortunate geographic location that has been ripe with various aspects of control. Since December 1, 1991, Ukraine has been an independent nation, with various difficulties and achievements that the article documents.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine (the 2022 Slavic War) may have been the fault of several. Vladimir Putin is the main villain.

The Moscow Times' Serendipitous 5/12/2022 Email

I had started this article yesterday. I'm glad that I waited to publish today. I am on The Moscow Times mailing list.

Today, at 12:49 PM, I was one of many, who received an email, “Letter by Michele A. Berdy, Arts Editor and Columnist.” While in Moscow (10/1/1994 - 9/30/1999), Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I especially enjoyed reading her columns on Russian language! They helped educate us in the rich nuances of Russian words, word use, and sentence structures.

The 5/12/2022 email letter linked to Michele Berdy's The Moscow Times article, "The Dots Were All There. We Just Couldn’t Connect Them.” By Michele A. Berdy. Updated April 6, 2022; reprinted by permission of POLITICO LLC, Copyright 2022 POLITICO LLC. The Politico article, by the same title, is by Michele A. Berdy, published 3/27/2022, 06:55 AM EDT. I suggest highly that you “sit and read a while, with a cup of coffee,” that article. I did, except I sipped on water.

Conclusion

How did “Откройте и закройте ящик и дверцу шкафа“ inspire this article, you ask? On Friday, 5/6/2022, my non-bionic right shoulder had started giving me fits. I suspect a crossover reaction (as the medical folks call it) from my “bionic” left shoulder. My middle back “fun” started on 4/25/2022. I've had chiropractic adjustments on 4/28/2022, 5/5/2022, and 5/9/2022, not the usual monthly “tune ups.”

When I opened a drawer or cabinet with my right arm, my right shoulder “talked to me” enough. The expression “open and close the drawer and cabinet door,” in Russian, came into my mind. I could say everything in Russian, except “drawer.” Somewhere in my brain, the Russian word for “drawer” was hiding. I had to find it! I did! It is “ящик!” I had to search online to find the word that was locked in the deep folds of memories. Check out the Language Drops' search for “drawer” in Russian at “What is the Russian word for 'Drawer'?” Other similar Russian words are listed. I knew the other Russian words. I remember “ящик” now! I found it, hiding under a fold of memory in my brain!

Russia needs to close the “drawer” it opened when it invaded Ukraine. That “drawer” should never have been opened. Vladimir Putin is the villain.

2022 SLAVIC WAR: RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE: DAY 25 (published 3-20-2022; article #309)

Introduction

On International Women's Day (3/8/2022), I published “2022 Slavic War: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine.” I wish that 300th article had not been a sad one. It was.

This article marks day 25 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Various media sources are filled with daily and sad information about the conflict.

The Moscow Times

When Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I lived in Moscow, Russia (10/1/1994-9/30/1999), we enjoyed picking up and reading free issues of The Moscow Times. We probably still have paper editions stored in the basement. Anyone may sign up for weekly emails from The Moscow Times to read articles. That source has not yet been shut down. Anyone wishing to do so may contribute to their work.

Among several informative articles, I will reference one. It is “‘My Father Said I’m a Traitor Who Should Be Shot First’: War in Ukraine Splits Russian Families.” The Moscow Times, by James Beardsworth, updated March 15, 2022. The internal conflict in Russia is often generational. The Russian media, which Putin dictates, are propagandists, not neutral commentators.

That article contains a link to a BBC News Russian website article titled “Поддерживают ли россияне войну в Украине? Смотря как спросить,” 8 марта 2022. The article has several very good informational details. The English translation is available. I read the original Russian, admittedly slower and with more difficulty than I could have in English.

That BBC Russia article links to the website, Do Russians Want War? (English version). The website contains volumes of excellent information. The “about” section contains the following:

The research project “Do Russians Want War?” has been designed by a Russian opposition politician, Alexei Miniailo, and the like-minded (sociologists, analytics, data-analysts). Our aim is to speak up on how the war with Ukraine is being perceived in Russia. To give reliable, truthful, verifiable information, we hold regular polls, focus groups, social media research. We analyze the results, discuss them with the best Russian independent researchers and share them with you. We plan to release updates every couple of weeks.

The website Do Russians Want War? links to a TAZEROS LLC online source that contains an information dashboard. The website includes information about several subjects, not only the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Conclusion

I pray that the 2022 Slavic War will end soon in peace. Brothers should not fight brothers. Vladimir Putin and his minions need to go directly to the Hadean Realm as quickly as possible before even more die. Ukraine was not without its faults; however, that nation does not deserve Putin's atrocities.

Dear Lord, I have the will, but not the power. Will you use your omnipotence to stop this Slavic war? This is my prayer in Christ's name. Amen.

SSG. RYAN KNAUSS: THE WHOLE IN THE WORLD RE-VISITED (published 3-20-2022; article #308)

Introduction

The first four articles today were either boring or very funny. This fifth article today, along with the next (or final) article, is serious. I hope that you are still with me!

This entry is a further commentary on my article “The Whole in the World (published 8/29/2021).” “Whole” in that article's title is intentional, not a misused word. I have seen the memorial before. Yesterday, I paused to take two photographs. The memorial is near the north entrance to Weigels Store #39, where we buy gasoline that costs a brick of gold.

The Two Photographs

No further commentary is needed.

The above photograph captures the American flag, almost fully extended. The wind was blowing from the west.

Conclusion

The previously cited 8/29/2021 article did not mention SSG. Ryan Knauss by name. I state his name now. Our small community was still in shock, when I wrote that article, almost seven months ago. Now, folks are getting along well enough, despite all the bad news that we keep seeing and hearing.

Yesterday, during an errand, I was near an older man. He was wearing a Vietnam veteran's cap. I stopped, looked at him, and said, “Cap.” He understood. Looking eye-to-eye, I said, “Thank you for your service. Welcome back.” He replied, “Thank you.” We parted and continued our separate errands.

SSG. Ryan Knauss, I did not know you. Thank you for your service and your ultimate sacrifice for this country. I wish that folks in this once-great nation would live in honor of your sacrifice.

Sunday, 11/21/2021: Has It Been a Year Already? (published 11/21/2021)

Introduction

At 5:33 PM, as I am typing this sentence, darkness has fallen over My Mountain (House Mountain) and here at the house. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman has finished dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming, which we couldn't do yesterday. (Sometimes, you have to “pull the ox out of the ditch” on a Sunday afternoon.) Before that, she returned from visiting with her folks and shopping at the Food “Crappy” grocery store. The eating-too-much-at-Thanksgiving insanity is starting. While she was with her side of the family, I called her to warn them and her about my youngest brother's call earlier this afternoon. Once again, the Ferrell clan may disrupt the upcoming Thanksgiving plans that the Gordon clan is arranging. We will see how it turns out this coming Thursday.

My Sunday, 11/22/2020, Article

Today, I reread my article from this time last year. It was November 21st Chronological Historical Notes: 1970: Papaw; 2015: Molly; 2016: Truck; 2020: House Mt. Hike #174 (published 11-22-2020).

Reading it again, I would not change one word. My current editorial self agrees with my previous editorial self. It's what I do.

Conclusion

I hope that y'all enjoy reading what I wrote about this time last year. The weather was cloudy today. The red sky yesterday morning indicated good hiking weather that day. Instead of hiking yesterday, I prioritized a haircut, a handwashing for my truck, and other tasks. Clouds settled in today. The rain will come either later today or early tomorrow. I predict it. Being a mountain man, I understand the weather signs.

Do you all understand the signs of the times? I do. In this temporal realm, the Ununited Socialist States of America (USSA) is about to be gone! Various other global powers have fallen throughout time. The USSA is about to fall. We are in its last days. Well, I hope this once-great nation can recover and become the United States of America (USA) again. We will find out in the election years next year and in 2024.

In the everlasting realm, I ask, “Are you returning soon, Lord?” I hope so! I may go heavenward before he returns. I may not. Either way, I am ready! Are you? I hope so. If you are not and if you would like to converse with me on this spiritual topic, please use the Contact Form on this website to email me. We can “talk” for a while. Just have your coffee ready!

At 5:50 PM as I type this sentence, I am getting hungry for supper. Y'all keep turnin' right and goin' straight out there! I am off for now to eat supper.

11/11/2021, VETERANS DAY (published 11/11/2021)

Introduction

Happy Veterans Day, Thursday, y'all! I hope that y'all are doing well enough out there! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are surviving life, such as it is.

We were both off work today. I had thought about getting House Mountain hike #179 today, but the crisp and clear days turned into cloudy and windy today. I decided to take it easy. My work insanity (at home Monday through Wednesday but at the office on Thursday and Friday) has become insanity gone wild! I am resuming my search for work-at-home editing and/or writing jobs, so that I can retire from my current job. We will see what happens.

Calls to Two Brothers, a First Cousin, and “Gator”

I am the eldest of four boys. My brother, who is next to the eldest, is a veteran. I always call him on Veterans Day. We last saw each other on 7/3/2021. My 7/5/2021 article wrote about it. I had left him voicemail, on 9/6/2021, Labor Day. Apparently, he was very busy. I reached him by phone today! We talked for almost an hour! He seems to be doing well enough. He was in Operation Desert Storm. Most likely, the various immunizations that he had to take caused his illness, which he has had for a few decades. The VA, in its slow and bureaucratic manner, seems to be doing right by him, well enough. He remains a Tennessee Vols fan. I follow the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia invades Tennessee, on Saturday, 11/13/2021, to spoil the Vols' homecoming college football game. If the Vols win, in a “miracle,” then I owe my brother and his folks a dinner or supper, at the location of his choosing. Sorry, Mom! I know that I should not bet, but this is a sure win! If my Bulldogs win, my brother doesn't have to do anything for me. We will see what happens on Saturday! Go DAWGS!

My next-to-youngest brother called me back, on our first cousin's phone. (I had left messages on both numbers.) He and I spoke for a few minutes. I had a good conversation with our first cousin. (He is 15 years older than me.) He is a veteran. We talked about the good, bad, and ugly in life. I'm glad to know that he is doing well enough. We talked about, eventually, how we would join the everlasting family reunion at Home! Come, dear Lord, come soon! Otherwise, we will get Home in time.

About 5 PM, I called my good friend and brother in Christ, “Gator.” (I have written about him before. Searching by “Gator” finds previous articles.) He is a veteran. We were grade school and high school friends. We graduated high school together. He is still my friend. We see and call each other every now and then. His family and he are doing well enough. He still works very hard to earn a living. I hope to see him around Thanksgiving week. We will see.

Conclusion

Veterans Day started as Armistice Day, on 11/11/1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The USA Congress passed a resolution in 1926, setting the annual observance. November 11 became a national holiday in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day honors all American veterans — living or dead — who served the USA honorably during war or peace.

Have you ever read War and Peace, by Tolstoy? I have, in English translation. I wonder if the January 6, 2021, beginning of the USSA (Ununited Socialist States of America) will end in war or peace. Either way, folks in the USSA need to honor American veterans today! I have. I feel better, for having done so.

That is all.

Sharing and Commentary: The Blackburn Report from October 22, 2021 (published 10/24/2021)

Introduction

This is the final article in today's Sunday afternoon trifecta. At about 7 AM yesterday, I saw the weekly email (sent at 2:11 AM on Saturday, 10/23/2021) for the Friday, 10/22/2021, issue of The Blackburn Report. As an aside, I wonder who stayed up until after two o'clock in the morning to send out that email.

Conservative folks from around here are proud to call Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn a native daughter. She is much better than the senators we have had before (e.g., Lamar Alexander and Al Gore).

This article links to Senator Blackburn's articles and comments. I started writing this piece close to suppertime on Saturday. Will I finish it this evening? <Pause.>

10/24/2021 update: I had to stop last evening. Yesterday evening after supper, I had to get Molly (our “old puppy”) inside with us, relax, and watch television. Yes, Alabama handed Tennessee a double-stomp loss. I also watched repeats of Gunsmoke and Star Trek. I am finishing this entry today.

The Blackburn Report: 10/22/2021

Blackburn, Marshall, Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Halt Viral Gain Of Function Research (10/19/2021 article). Well, good. Halloween is just around the corner. The Ununited Socialist States of America (USSA) should stop helping the Chinese manufacture more virus monsters in their laboratories!

Blackburn & Blumenthal To Hold Hearing With Snapchat, TikTok, & YouTube On Social Media’s Impact On Children (10/19/2021 article). Again, well, good. Parents and/or grandparents must keep those young'uns off the Internet unless supervised! Young'uns should be studying, doing chores, or playing outside as I did in childhood!

Blackburn, Cotton, Colleagues Fight For Free Speech On College Campuses (10/20/2021 article). When did this once-great nation become so socialistic that citizens have to fight for free speech? I stand, speak, and write without backing down. God gave me the right to free speech, not this once-great country.

Blackburn, Sullivan, Colleagues to President Biden: Stop the Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates (10/21/2021 article). Folks who, in grave moral error, affirm the right to murder unborn babies in their mothers' wombs argue that a woman has the right to her body. In so reasoning, they exclude the right that the unborn child has to his or her body. A pregnant woman, however, has the right and obligation to care for her body to nurture the unborn child she carries.

With the thought in mind that I have the right and obligation to care for my own body, neither the USSA nor President Biden will force a vaccine mandate on me that violates my God-given rights. I am still a free man in a once-free-and-great nation. In this sense, I have the right to choose. Employees whose employers demand either taking the new cold virus vaccine or being terminated need to stand! All employers (government included) need to be sued if they terminate employees who decide, as free people in a once-free-and-great nation, not to be vaccinated against the new cold virus. I never thought that I would see such a sad situation in this deteriorating nation.

News from TN Senator Marsha Blackburn

The following were not in the 10/22/2021 The Blackburn Report. They, however, are found in the News section.

Blackburn, Cruz, Lee, Raise Concerns Over Conflict Of Interest With AG Garland’s Son-In-Law Running Organization Promoting Critical Race Theory (10/23/2021 article). The following is a direct quote from the article:

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Mike Lee (R-Utah), all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Attorney General (AG) Merrick Garland raising serious concerns and questions over a possible conflict of interest between AG Garland, whose son-in-law reportedly runs an organization that works with schools to promote critical race theory, and Garland’s recent memorandum directing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to pursue parents who oppose critical race theory.

In the quote, “possible conflict of interest” should be “definite conflict of interest”! Critical race theory (CRT) is one of several known means by which the “Socialist Utopian” propagandists are “transforming America” into the USSA, a once-free-and-great nation. They are trying to finish the transformation. The FBI has no right to go after parents who stand against the propaganda of the so-called critical race theory.

ICYMI: Blackburn Exposes Border Crisis On Fox Business With Maria Bartiromo (10/12/2021 article). A few folks are trying to stick their fingers into the dike to stop the overwhelming flood of illegal aliens who continue to invade this once-great nation. I wish them well. I support their efforts. Nothing will change until a constitutional conservative is elected to be the next president and the House and Senate are under conservative control.

Conclusion

I cannot keep up with the warp-speed digression of this once-free-and-great nation into “Socialist Utopian Oblivion.” (I need to learn to speak Mandarin.) News segments about this digression are popping up so quickly that I cannot keep up with them. I have reached the point of not caring. I, however, will continue to stand on the Solid Rock as a free man in a once-free-and-great nation.

I came across a couple of interesting details to add in conclusion. First, the Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, has been on “paternity leave” since his “husband” and he adopted two newborn children. Two men cannot “marry.” One man cannot impregnate another man to have a child together. Two unmarried men who claim to be married should not be able to adopt children. I stand for biblical-based and conservative values. I will not change. The Solid Rock does not move or yield.

Second, the supply chain chaos is ongoing. (The news is everywhere. I will not cite sources here.) If this once-great nation did not need to import so many goods from other nations, then the supply chain would not be much of a problem.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I enjoyed picking up copies of The Moscow Times when we lived in Moscow, Russia (10/1/1994 to 9/30/1999). The Moscow Times had a 10/22/2021 article about Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent remarks. See Putin Rails Against ‘Monstrous’ West in Valdai Speech. (It is in English translation.) Putin was a KGB agent in the former Soviet Union. He should not be trusted without evidence to support what he says. I suggest, however, that you read what he said. Putin affirmed several common sense and moral values in a pithy manner. His other remarks were diatribe and propaganda. I found some of Putin's comments about the USSA (the former USA) to be rather humorous and correct.

As an aside, did you know that today is United Nations Day? Are you celebrating? I didn't think so. I happened to glance at my home office desk calendar and noticed.

This final article in my trifecta of articles today is done! I almost hiked House Mountain this afternoon, but I had to get these articles published. Further, I had to replace for the second time the passenger-side sun visor in our 2008 Honda Civic. My “favorite” sister-in-law uses the mirror on the sun visor to put on her makeup when it's my wife's turn to drive. (They commute to and from work together.) I need to get outside and enjoy this too warm but sunny weather. See you all later! I'm off of here for now!