I have mentioned several times the purpose of my blogging. It’s a record of my thoughts, opinions and everyday events. The hope being others will read them in the future, not only to remember me but to see a different view of history. History will surely be written differently than what I’m living. This morning is going to be a good example of that. Israel and the United States attacked Iran. No war has been declared by the United States, just fulfilling a promise to our friends and allies. We said we would help.
Now I don’t make any claims to being in the know about world politics. I don’t place much faith in anything I read on social media and unfortunately my confidence in the main stream media is sorely lacking as well. I do know that Irans’ supreme leader has ordered the execution and murder of thousands of his own people. I know that Iran has been and continues to be a huge supporter of terrorists and their terrorist attacks. There has been an ongoing concern about Iran gaining nuclear capabilities. There is no doubt that if they could achieve that those weapons would be deployed! Remember the “cold war” and what the issue there was? Atomic bombs. Those bombs are like firecrackers compared to todays weapons.
Regardless of what you read on social media, regardless of what history records, the common people don’t really have a clue about any of this. War, in any form is an emotional response. That is what makes people go to war in defense of their nations, their home, or their friends. It is what is required in order to sustain the attack as well. Governments can engage in any number of actions, police actions, conflicts or any number of other names. It is always the justification of emotions that lies at the heart.
As a retired member of the Navy I do have mixed emotions about all of this. As I said, I don’t really know the deal, what’s going on behind the scenes, I’m not privy to all of that, nor am I deeply concerned with it. I just want to live my life peacefully. I am ready to answer the call to duty should that become necessary. That is the emotion I experience. Call it by whatever name you like, patriotism, loyalty or a sense of obligation. I don’t want war but if it comes to that, I’m ready.
My second great grandfather served in the civil war. What were his reasons for doing so? I can’t say. I have thought about that a great deal. Did he volunteer or did he just answer that call to duty. They really are different actions. I discovered my father was drafted into the service. He answered that call. He did so because that was his duty, his obligation, to himself. That was the emotion that motivated him. It is a response to something that is bigger than yourself. People often want to label that as patriotism, or a religious thing, but it is to fulfill an obligation.
During my time in the service I was in harms way a few times. Never on the front lines, or in any immediate danger but the possibility existed. I can tell you the emotions are different when the time comes. I had been training for years before I was in that situation but when the “general quarters” alarm was sounded followed by, “this is not a drill” it is an emotional response. Personally I grew a bit silent, while others began talking. Only lasted a short time, that emotion, as the danger passed. Still, I remember it well, an emotional response, not a political one. No long term effect however, perhaps because it didn’t last a long time. I’m lucky to be able to say, I’ll never know.
How long will this last? I suspect it won’t be for long. That regime will be replaced. All of that is beyond me, I have no clue about that stuff. My guess is it the same as always, at the root of it will be power and control. And what is it that requires power and control? Wealth is the short answer, it is always about the money in the end. Nothing gets people more emotional than money! Taxation without representation is tyranny!
In order for people to engage in warfare you must first arouse their emotions. The shortest route is a direct attack on them personally. It becomes far more difficult when it isn’t a direct attack however, when it happens over there. Then it is far easier to come up with all the excuses for not responding. Twenty four years ago I remember well the attacks on 9/11. Emotions were running high! It was the biggest resurgence in American patriotism I have witnessed. But it didn’t last despite all the promises of, we will never forget! Today many have indeed forgotten all about it. Don’t think so, ask some young people what year was 9/11?
To anyone reading this in the future I want you to know, I am not advocating for war. I also want you to know I would go and do my duty if that became a necessity. I didn’t join the Navy back in 1971 with any great surge of patriotism, as any emotional response. No, I needed a job. It was a choice. I took that oath freely . Sure, I knew I could go to war and all of that, but I was 18 years old and invincible. Turned out to be a career. A job that needed doing and I did it. I would do it again. I admit I wouldn’t be as eager, so anxious to go, not so confident in that invincibility, but it is a duty, an obligation to myself.
In the end, our emotions are what we will live with for the rest of our lives. That’s because it is our emotional response that create our actions. Can you live with yourself? Conversations begin with just a whisper, but battles begin with a cry! Emotions can cripple, as well as motivate.
An aging man living in a confusing world. I was born and raised in East Hampton, yes “the Hamptons” but not rich, not famous and definitely not woke. These are my thoughts, my memories and my opinions. Just the stuff of the regular Joe.
I have mentioned several times the purpose of my blogging. It’s a record of my thoughts, opinions and everyday events. The hope being others will read them in the future, not only to remember me but to see a different view of history. History will surely be written differently than what I’m living. This morning is going to be a good example of that. Israel and the United States attacked Iran. No war has been declared by the United States, just fulfilling a promise to our friends and allies. We said we would help.
Now I don’t make any claims to being in the know about world politics. I don’t place much faith in anything I read on social media and unfortunately my confidence in the main stream media is sorely lacking as well. I do know that Irans’ supreme leader has ordered the execution and murder of thousands of his own people. I know that Iran has been and continues to be a huge supporter of terrorists and their terrorist attacks. There has been an ongoing concern about Iran gaining nuclear capabilities. There is no doubt that if they could achieve that those weapons would be deployed! Remember the “cold war” and what the issue there was? Atomic bombs. Those bombs are like firecrackers compared to todays weapons.
Regardless of what you read on social media, regardless of what history records, the common people don’t really have a clue about any of this. War, in any form is an emotional response. That is what makes people go to war in defense of their nations, their home, or their friends. It is what is required in order to sustain the attack as well. Governments can engage in any number of actions, police actions, conflicts or any number of other names. It is always the justification of emotions that lies at the heart.
As a retired member of the Navy I do have mixed emotions about all of this. As I said, I don’t really know the deal, what’s going on behind the scenes, I’m not privy to all of that, nor am I deeply concerned with it. I just want to live my life peacefully. I am ready to answer the call to duty should that become necessary. That is the emotion I experience. Call it by whatever name you like, patriotism, loyalty or a sense of obligation. I don’t want war but if it comes to that, I’m ready.
My second great grandfather served in the civil war. What were his reasons for doing so? I can’t say. I have thought about that a great deal. Did he volunteer or did he just answer that call to duty. They really are different actions. I discovered my father was drafted into the service. He answered that call. He did so because that was his duty, his obligation, to himself. That was the emotion that motivated him. It is a response to something that is bigger than yourself. People often want to label that as patriotism, or a religious thing, but it is to fulfill an obligation.
During my time in the service I was in harms way a few times. Never on the front lines, or in any immediate danger but the possibility existed. I can tell you the emotions are different when the time comes. I had been training for years before I was in that situation but when the “general quarters” alarm was sounded followed by, “this is not a drill” it is an emotional response. Personally I grew a bit silent, while others began talking. Only lasted a short time, that emotion, as the danger passed. Still, I remember it well, an emotional response, not a political one. No long term effect however, perhaps because it didn’t last a long time. I’m lucky to be able to say, I’ll never know.
How long will this last? I suspect it won’t be for long. That regime will be replaced. All of that is beyond me, I have no clue about that stuff. My guess is it the same as always, at the root of it will be power and control. And what is it that requires power and control? Wealth is the short answer, it is always about the money in the end. Nothing gets people more emotional than money! Taxation without representation is tyranny!
In order for people to engage in warfare you must first arouse their emotions. The shortest route is a direct attack on them personally. It becomes far more difficult when it isn’t a direct attack however, when it happens over there. Then it is far easier to come up with all the excuses for not responding. Twenty four years ago I remember well the attacks on 9/11. Emotions were running high! It was the biggest resurgence in American patriotism I have witnessed. But it didn’t last despite all the promises of, we will never forget! Today many have indeed forgotten all about it. Don’t think so, ask some young people what year was 9/11?
To anyone reading this in the future I want you to know, I am not advocating for war. I also want you to know I would go and do my duty if that became a necessity. I didn’t join the Navy back in 1971 with any great surge of patriotism, as any emotional response. No, I needed a job. It was a choice. I took that oath freely . Sure, I knew I could go to war and all of that, but I was 18 years old and invincible. Turned out to be a career. A job that needed doing and I did it. I would do it again. I admit I wouldn’t be as eager, so anxious to go, not so confident in that invincibility, but it is a duty, an obligation to myself.
In the end, our emotions are what we will live with for the rest of our lives. That’s because it is our emotional response that create our actions. Can you live with yourself? Conversations begin with just a whisper, but battles begin with a cry! Emotions can cripple, as well as motivate.
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I have mentioned several times the purpose of my blogging. It’s a record of my thoughts, opinions and everyday events. The hope being others will read them in the future, not only to remember me but to see a different view of history. History will surely be written differently than what I’m living. This morning is going to be a good example of that. Israel and the United States attacked Iran. No war has been declared by the United States, just fulfilling a promise to our friends and allies. We said we would help.
Now I don’t make any claims to being in the know about world politics. I don’t place much faith in anything I read on social media and unfortunately my confidence in the main stream media is sorely lacking as well. I do know that Irans’ supreme leader has ordered the execution and murder of thousands of his own people. I know that Iran has been and continues to be a huge supporter of terrorists and their terrorist attacks. There has been an ongoing concern about Iran gaining nuclear capabilities. There is no doubt that if they could achieve that those weapons would be deployed! Remember the “cold war” and what the issue there was? Atomic bombs. Those bombs are like firecrackers compared to todays weapons.
Regardless of what you read on social media, regardless of what history records, the common people don’t really have a clue about any of this. War, in any form is an emotional response. That is what makes people go to war in defense of their nations, their home, or their friends. It is what is required in order to sustain the attack as well. Governments can engage in any number of actions, police actions, conflicts or any number of other names. It is always the justification of emotions that lies at the heart.
As a retired member of the Navy I do have mixed emotions about all of this. As I said, I don’t really know the deal, what’s going on behind the scenes, I’m not privy to all of that, nor am I deeply concerned with it. I just want to live my life peacefully. I am ready to answer the call to duty should that become necessary. That is the emotion I experience. Call it by whatever name you like, patriotism, loyalty or a sense of obligation. I don’t want war but if it comes to that, I’m ready.
My second great grandfather served in the civil war. What were his reasons for doing so? I can’t say. I have thought about that a great deal. Did he volunteer or did he just answer that call to duty. They really are different actions. I discovered my father was drafted into the service. He answered that call. He did so because that was his duty, his obligation, to himself. That was the emotion that motivated him. It is a response to something that is bigger than yourself. People often want to label that as patriotism, or a religious thing, but it is to fulfill an obligation.
During my time in the service I was in harms way a few times. Never on the front lines, or in any immediate danger but the possibility existed. I can tell you the emotions are different when the time comes. I had been training for years before I was in that situation but when the “general quarters” alarm was sounded followed by, “this is not a drill” it is an emotional response. Personally I grew a bit silent, while others began talking. Only lasted a short time, that emotion, as the danger passed. Still, I remember it well, an emotional response, not a political one. No long term effect however, perhaps because it didn’t last a long time. I’m lucky to be able to say, I’ll never know.
How long will this last? I suspect it won’t be for long. That regime will be replaced. All of that is beyond me, I have no clue about that stuff. My guess is it the same as always, at the root of it will be power and control. And what is it that requires power and control? Wealth is the short answer, it is always about the money in the end. Nothing gets people more emotional than money! Taxation without representation is tyranny!
In order for people to engage in warfare you must first arouse their emotions. The shortest route is a direct attack on them personally. It becomes far more difficult when it isn’t a direct attack however, when it happens over there. Then it is far easier to come up with all the excuses for not responding. Twenty four years ago I remember well the attacks on 9/11. Emotions were running high! It was the biggest resurgence in American patriotism I have witnessed. But it didn’t last despite all the promises of, we will never forget! Today many have indeed forgotten all about it. Don’t think so, ask some young people what year was 9/11?
To anyone reading this in the future I want you to know, I am not advocating for war. I also want you to know I would go and do my duty if that became a necessity. I didn’t join the Navy back in 1971 with any great surge of patriotism, as any emotional response. No, I needed a job. It was a choice. I took that oath freely . Sure, I knew I could go to war and all of that, but I was 18 years old and invincible. Turned out to be a career. A job that needed doing and I did it. I would do it again. I admit I wouldn’t be as eager, so anxious to go, not so confident in that invincibility, but it is a duty, an obligation to myself.
In the end, our emotions are what we will live with for the rest of our lives. That’s because it is our emotional response that create our actions. Can you live with yourself? Conversations begin with just a whisper, but battles begin with a cry! Emotions can cripple, as well as motivate.
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