posted November 21, 2006 12:35 PM            

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the

sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child..

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand

at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

~Pidaua

posted November 22, 2006 02:16 PM            

Obviously Blue this wasn't written to "accidental Americans" or intended for their consumption.

posted November 22, 2006 03:33 PM            

"Subject: The Right to Leave

After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her drivers license with her face covered, I believe this is even more appropriate. Read on, please!

This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa Newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he?

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.

However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the
possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our
population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants.

However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.

As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.

Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.

We adopted this motto because men and women, on principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.

If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world
as your new home, because God is part of our culture.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.

We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.

This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle.

Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion, and we will allow you every opportunity to do so.
But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag,
our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, we highly encourage you to
take advantage of one other great American freedom,

THE RIGHT TO LEAVE."

posted November 22, 2006 04:15 PM            

Isn't it funny how some foul smelling moron just popped into this thread to deliver his usual sack of crap? The same idiot that claims to be going to med school but can't find proper medical studies online to either prove or disprove his outlandish statements. The same person that told me I needed to go down to my local University to learn statistics, yet he still cannot prove his false stats concerning either gays in the US, Military or how many in Congress have children in Iraq?

BR -You are a sad puppy. Nice to see your inability to contain your rudeness though. What a moron.. LMAO.... you're a total joke. I fear for those that call you Dr.. please tell me you are going into research- hopefully the kind that involves bullsh1t since you seem to be on an intimate level with it.

PS... another outlandish statement BR- you said I scream. I don't, I hardly ever yell. That is something a person of your ilk would be guilty of, not me. I may be joining my husband in Germany, but that doesn't mean I won't be here on LindaLand.

And make no mistake - no matter where I reside, I will ALWAYS be more American that you can ever be. Good luck with your degree... if you actually earn one.

posted November 22, 2006 04:24 PM            

Keep it up babe, I'm sure your hubby loves that big gaping mouth!

posted November 22, 2006 04:36 PM            

If you want to first start pointing fingers at me and discussing my underpants (or making the insinuation that I have too much of my private life out on the forum) you'd better go have a talk with all the women posting in SU or FFA on the "I want it so bad" forum. Then you could really give out "No personal information" tickets.

Last time I checked, you weren't one to keep your secrets - well secret....

Hypocrite. You made the room statment- my husband just corrected you on your immoral assumption.

posted November 22, 2006 04:41 PM            

Keep secrets eh? So are you implying that being gay is/should be a secret? I would expect that from someone who's as BIGOTED as you are. You're like an old white man in a portly young womans body.

posted November 22, 2006 04:43 PM            

Qoute
"This guy thinks he's upholding the flag by being over there? All that's being accomplished is tarnishing the flag in the world's eyes."-Blue Roamer

Well that should answer your question.

posted November 22, 2006 04:49 PM            

I made no reference to homosexuality being kept in the closet- that would just be dumb considering who my friends are. I meant, you, like most of us here, have made mention of our..... preferences (not meaning male or female) but sexual comments. How many times have we posted on the "what turns us on" threads in the past????? Hmmm.....

I am not an old man in a portly body. Portly would indicate I am short and the last time I checked I hit 5 foot 9 on the old Height chart and my body would never be considered portly LMAO.... That is too funny. - Hell, I'm not even white.

Stay out of my panties...

As for my husbands brain- it's fully intact. He didn't graduate with a degree in underwater basket-weaving, like some people....He didn't work as a Basic NonCommissioned Officer Instructor without a considerable amount of intellect.

Maybe you need to review the posts...

posted November 22, 2006 05:28 PM            

AS to the vastness of my panties.. I am sure any pair of panties bigger than what is needed to keep your gnat parts warm would seem rather large. Just as average condoms probable seem GINORMOUS to you.

posted November 22, 2006 05:30 PM              

Even if I agree (temporarily) with you on this issue, do you think that this will solve the resentments that the rest of the international populations harbor against the US, the populations of non-native English speakers that don't live here? The problem isn't just kicking out everyone who doesn't want to assimilate, and then being cozy in our fully English-speaking society. The question is, will this help us cope better with the hatred and miscommunications that we run into abroad whenever we set foot outside the US? How can we expect Americans to be treated so royally outside the US,even if they cant speak a word of French/Russian/Arabic/Spanish, but yet we have little tolerance for people who aren't willing to assimilate here?

It's not just the Middle East--actually people are quite enamored with the 'western ideal' in real life and tourism is rampant in countries like Egypt, Lebanon etc.--so the population is very friendly to Americans. In fact its moreso in Europe and particularly France that people will outright give you glares and resent Americans for assuming that everyone should speak English, when we don't speak French. Even if what that article suggests 'solves' the annoying issue of dealing with people who raise voice against the US (I just discussed the linguistic aspect here, but there's political/economic etc criticism), it wouldn't help solve international issues. How about working with other people to understand their culture and ideas, instead of kicking them out or telling them to leave (implying they are not welcome etc) simply because they are not "English speaking" or Caucasian enough?

Do you think that all the political/economic dissenters till date have been horrible people who should have not been living in the US in the first place? Only the people that absolutely adore the govt 100% and agree mindlessly with every single step, are the ones that should be here? If so, most politicians and economists, heck most professors and educated people, and most of the population would probably have to be deported. do you honestly think that the President in all his glory would nto make one single mistake in this entire war, in his national policy, or in his attitude? He is human afterall, and anyone can tell he is not immune to mistakes (um, he barely has grasp over proper English grammar and speaking skills himself...)

Love
SG

posted November 22, 2006 05:36 PM            

Bear has nothing against Immigration. I think most of us that live here on the border have a different feeling about immigration than those that live up North. We are tired of seeing our rights go out the door. We are tired of cow-towing to cultures that have no respect for this County or our Flag- We are tired of our hospitals closing down because they are over burdened by serving non-paying illegal immigrants.

While America is a free country, we are tired of people being here illegally, then stating WE OWE them something or they are ENTITLED to our provisions. People come to the US to make money, become citizens and then quickly bad-mouth us as though we shoudl change to accommodate THEIR needs only.

I'd like to see Paskistan be forced to rewrite their constitution to accommodate Americans that moved to that country. Or how about Mexico- do you think they take the suggestions of Americans that have moved to Mexico and become citizens? Hell no, new Mexican Citizens cannot vote in that country.

Everyone expects America to accommodate them, but they do little to contribute with the exception of a heavy amount of criticism.

Bear is only voicing what most of us feel. If you don't think that is true, just look at the immigration initiatives and how we voted this last election.

posted November 22, 2006 05:47 PM              

quote:

---

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture

---

quote:

---

"Iraqis are sick of foreign people coming in their country and trying to destabilize their country."- George W. Bush

---

posted November 22, 2006 05:54 PM            

Oh yeah BR... well.... did you know that in Sextrology Saggies are known as Girth queens... but I think it also states that Sag men are hung like mosquitos... didn't you know that the 5X on the microcope is NOT to be used to measure your mini-archer?

Somehow I think you resort to the "shake pepper on it...wait for it to sneeze and grab it with the tweezers" method... LMAO...

I am so kidding... I have tears in my eyes... at least we're having fun- but ain't that just like a pair of Archers?

My best friend- He's also an Archer- brags about being a Girth Queen.... I'll bet he'd be on his knees begging me to introduce you to him, if what you say is true..... LMAO....

as for me.. I have all I can handle with Bear.. what is it about needing two hands to hold the.... Whopper? hee hee

Now that we have sufficiently grossed people out....

posted November 22, 2006 06:01 PM            

Note the title "a soldier's christmas" poem, and it ends in a conversation about girth and panties. Yes, those topics are related.

Get down on his knees? Gloriosky woman you are OUT of control. God only knows what comes outta the mouth when you knock drinks a few back. Outrageous would be an understatement.

posted November 23, 2006 11:32 AM            

The Afghan defense minister also recognized the U.S. forces who have served in Afghanistan, noting the commitment they have shown and the sacrifices they have made.