For Those Who Have Fallen

                                                     Pvt. Dale Hummel, US Army

Last Wednesday the rain and breezy weather set a somber mood for the LBCC Memorial Day Vigil. It rained enough to move the event from the courtyard to the Eastern entrance of the campus. The event was sponsored by the LBCC Veteran’s Club and featured the members of the American Legion Post 10 in Albany and their color guard, Vets Helping Vets HQ, and Local vets from different wars and different branches of the service made appearances at the ceremony.

Derek Smith, the LBCC Vets Club president, presided over the ceremony which included the LBCC choir honoring the ceremony with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful, and the Color Guard posted the colors,(the US and Oregon State flag). Before Smith began the proceedings he requested a moment of silence for those suffering in Oklahoma during the recent storm.

The main speaker, Victor Kuhns, President of Vets Helping Vets HQ, first gave a history of Memorial Day, then explained to the crowd of about 30 to 40 students, staff and guests what Memorial Day meant to him. Kuhns explained, “Because to them [Veterans] we are able to live in a free society with liberties that even our most desperate and reviled enemies admire”.

As he spoke, tears were dapped around the vigil. Kuhns continued with, “The price was paid for each one of us here today. As my hear weeps and the tears flow”, he said while choking back his own emotions, “the voice says you will never be forgotten”.  Kuhns also said, “The ones that have come home have settled into my heart, the ones that didn’t come home have settled deeper into my heart”.

After Mr. Kuhns completed his thoughts in words, Derek Smith introduced Eriq Thompson of the Boy Scout Troop 99 in Albany. The young Mr. Thompson played a heart wrenching presentation of Taps in honor of all the fallen from the past and present.

Derek Smith explained that before the ending of the vigil, there were some very special guests, Robin and Mecenna Davis, which needed to be recognized. Smith, struggling with his own emotions, announced the presentation of a memorial flag to Robin in honor of her father, Staff Sargent Kevin Davis, US Army. Tears streamed down Mecenna’s face as Robin was presented a folded flag by a color guard member who handed it to her on bended knee.

Smith continued after the presentation with, “We would like to extend our sincere condolences to your entire family”, again Smith battled with his emotions, “The loss of Kevin was not in vain and we are truly in dept to you”, Smith said as he spoke directly to the Davis Family members who were there.

Derek Smith concluded the vigil by thanking all those groups and people who were responsible in making the event successful, including the LBCC Vets Club, LBCC Student Leadership Council, campus staff and administration, LBCC Choral Group, American Legion, Post 10 and Color Guard in Albany, American Legion, Post 51 in Lebanon, Victor Kuhns, President, Vets Helping Vets HQ, and Eriq Thompson of the Boy Scout Troop 99 in Albany. After the colors were retired, everyone was thanked and dismissed.

One of the things that made this event special was the presence of Dave Adams of KGAL Radio. The entire ceremony was being broadcasted on KGAL during their Valley Talk radio show and was also being streamed live on operationeagleswing.com and vetshelpingvetshq.us. The entire vigil can be seen on YouTube at youtu.be/8hyFNA51JyE

One of the people in attendance was LBCC’s own theater instructor and director Dan Stone, who said, “I want thank the Veteran's Club for a memorable heart felt service today. As a veteran myself who has experienced the loss of friends and family in the line of duty I am greatly appreciative.”

Even with the vigil being moved to a less than high traffic area on campus, and with less than perfect weather, it seems to be very success full. Even though the attendance was a little less than expected, it seemed to be a wonderful and emotional event in showing respect to those armed services that have fallen.

Conservative Corner: The Price for Freedom

America is a wonderful place. The freedom to speak and gather without concern of punishment from government or royalty, the freedom for us to keep and bear arms without confiscation from an overbearing authority, and the freedom to worship(or not) any deity you wish without fear persecution.

However, even though in the eyes of some conservative groups these freedoms seem to be threatened, there is a group of exceptional people who tirelessly and selflessly put their lives at risk every day and are prepared to pay the ultimate price to defend the freedom of Americans. These incredible individuals are the defenders of our country and our liberties; they are the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and US Marines, They are the United States Armed Forces.

The beginning of our armed forces goes back to 1747 as www.u-s-history.com tells us. This unit was commanded under the British Crown at that time, but it was manned by American colonists. It was the first all-American armed unit. The American Army continued to be small groups of men using ambush and guerilla techniques; however the military we know today got its start on June 14 1775 with the establishment of the Continental Army. The very next day George Washington was chosen as Commander in Chief and commanded ten rifle companies.

The Navy’s history is almost as old as the Army’s. The Navy sees its original birthday as October 13 1775 when The Continental Congress approved the Continental Navy, but when the war for independence ended the ships were sold and Continental Navy was disbanded, however, eleven years later American merchant ships were trying to deal with pirates in the Mediterranean Sea which created the Navel Act of 1794. For the next twenty years the Navy used just 6 frigates in battles.

The Air Force, according to www.hill.af.mi, is the youngest of the US Armed Forces. It was originally called The Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Army Signal Corps when in was formed on August 1st 1907. For the next several years’ service men test flew planes and even delivered the US mail. But then on June 4^th, 1920 The Army Reorganization Bill was approved. This created an Air Service with its own servicemen. On June 20^th 1941 The United States Army Air Forces was created, then on the 18^th of September, 1947 the Air Force we know today was born and all air actives that the Army was doing at that time was transferred to the Air Force.

The Marines have also been around for a while. The Marine Corps celebrates its birthday on November 10, 1775 when a committee of the Continental Congress met at a tavern in Philadelphia and wrote up a draft calling for 2 battalions of Marines to fight on ships and on the shores during the fight for independence. In 1800 there were 368 Marines, 343 Enlisted; 25 Officers. Today the Marines total more than 204,153. The Marines have been known to be a special force in the US military with specialized and more intense tactical training than most other branches. According to www.marines.com/history-heritage, “Our purpose, by congressional mandate, is to be this nation's rapid response force; we are thus called to be "most ready when the nation is least ready."

No matter what your opinion is of the US Military, they are defenders of our freedoms, and guaranty our rights. Like anywhere else, not all military people serve their country proudly, but all military people have taken an oath, “I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Some milestones do exist in the military. On July 26, 1948, an executive order was signed that forbid discriminating against military personnel because of race, color, religion, or national origin. The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law by President Truman on June 12, 1948 allowing women to join the regular Army.  In December 2010 President Obama signed the bill lifting restrictions on gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel.

Regardless of what you think the US Military does one thing for sure, they protect you and your rights as an American. So the next time you protest or rally in support of anything, just remember, you have that right because it was paid for with the blood of American men and women in the armed service. So please so respect our men and women in uniform and the next time you see one thank them for their service to our country. If you see a disabled vet, thank them for their sacrifice.  God bless our military and God bless America!

                      dkhummel.blogspot.com, dkhummel.com

 

Conservative Corner: Then and Now

Some of us many remember those times as kids when we would sit down and listen with interest to Grandpa or Grandma talk about “the good ‘ol days”, or even the “not-so-good days” and how things were for them when they were younger. Of course experiences were different depending upon what part of the country you lived in and, (unfortunately), what you looked like, however, one thing is for certain; we as a country have changed.

It seems back when I was young there was a lot more pride and honor in the cities, states and in the country. No matter where the neighbors came from, the adults would go out and share business or war stories, cups of sugar, and beers during Barbeques or after mowing the lawn. All the kids would play together without the worry of being taken or bullying. The families were of course, different. This did not frighten us. In fact, it was quite interesting. We all took turns playing in each other’s house and cherished how the houses were decorated and the environments that we had become a part of.

 All of the fathers in the neighborhood were decent men. They took care of their families and weren’t afraid to inform all us kids when we were doing something we shouldn’t be. Even though the economy was different then, no one was on welfare, or would have been ashamed of it. I remember when it was shameful to be on welfare, now it seems like a badge of honor for some people. Even in the 1970’s sitcom, “All in The Family”, Archie and Edith Bunker sat at their piano and sang “didn’t need no welfare state, everybody pulled his weight.” The Obama Administration hasn’t helped to bring honor back to man’s traditional role in the family, or pride back to the family unit.

From 2008 to 2012 the food stamp problem has gone from 1.45 million users in 2008 to 3.35 million, according to heritage.org. To make matters work, heritage also tells us that in 2009 the president suspended work requirements for food stamp users. I seems as though Americans have just given up. Even though the U.S. unemployment rate has fallen to 7.5, examiner.com says it is not from an increase of jobs, but rather from people just giving up and dropping out of the labor force.

I have also noticed how unfriendly people seem to be today. It seems you will more likely see a scowl on the face of a passerby instead of a smile, or at least a friendly nod. I recall my father driving his vehicle and flipping his hand up every time a car would pass by. I one day I asked him if he knew those people he waved to. “Nope” he replied, “It’s just a nice thing to do”. Granted, we did live in a smaller town, however, I do miss the close feeling of connection with the people in the small towns.

Speaking of human contact, that is something that is also missing in today’s world. Technology is a wonderful thing, unfortunately, the more we are connected to everyone through the internet, the more we avoid the ones who are not connected. When I was young the internet was use for the public. We would actually talk, to each other, face to face.

The world has definitely changed. Some say for the better, others say not so much. But, like anything else, everything in moderation. So, no matter if you’re a young person who enjoys life today or an older person who longs for human contact, pride and honor of yesterday, the world is not the same. That is not a bad thing, just different. We need to change with the world as long as we keep our pride, and honor and values intact, and, above all, don’t let technology push you away from actual human contact.

 

                         dkhummel.blogspot.com, dkhummel.com

Conservative Corner: The Death of True Journalism

There was a time in America when anyone could turn on a TV, radio or open a newspaper and be informed on the real news and not some talking head, corporate yes-man, or government approved idea of what was happening in the United States or the world.

What has happened to real journalism? The days of true journalism legends like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, I fear, are long gone. I long for the days when an anchor person would sit in front of the camera or a reporter would sit at his desk in a newspaper and simply give the public the staples of true journalism, the truth. All we really need to know is who, what, when, where, why and how and not all this other nonsense.

Today, no matter what network news broadcast you get your information from, you will probably see a “face man”,(or woman) sitting behind a desk reading the teleprompter and just smiling. Almost like they are just telling a fairy tale that they don’t believe in. On the next set you will see a collection of people who call themselves “experts” sit around a table surrounded by cameras and try to convince the public and each other that what they are saying, (whatever it is) is true. It is closer to The Jerry Springer Show than it is to real news.

Most of the cable TV news programs are extremely bad at this. No matter what political or social side they are on, the lack of real news and media bias is staggering. To those young people or liberals who think Fox is the only bias news source out there, think again. Yes, there are some definite biases in Fox News however; what Fox says is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to the liberal media agenda of CNN, MSNBC and even the network news broadcasts like NBC, CBS, and ABC. Besides, to my count, 5 against 1 hardly seems fair.

Some of the worst offenders in the liberal cable TV “news” seem to go out of their way to show how bias they really are, despite the praise from their wayward, brainwashed viewers.

According to huffingtonpost.com, Chris Matthews of MSNBC is infamous for his quote, “when they hear Barack Obama's speech, I felt this thrill going up my leg.” Ed Shultz and Rachel Maddow have shown the same affection toward the president in their broadcasts.  That’s a little too bias for me.

Piers Morgan is a talk show host on CNN and avidly is in support of strict gun control. He is British and has said, “If you don’t change your gun laws you don’t have to worry about deporting me, I would seriously consider deporting myself”, according to www.inquisitr.com. Once again, too much bias for real journalism.

The examiner.com tells us of the bias for Obama and Muslims at the Fort Hood terrorist attack. I recall the day it happened. I remember it took at least 3 days for even Fox News to admit it was an attack from a Muslim American soldier. Before Nidal Hasan shot and killed 13 people he shouted the Muslim expression "Allahu Akbar." In an outrageous attempt at political correctness, many media reports failed to mention the killer’s religion.

I am not saying that Fox News is not without issues. From what sourcewatch.org tells us, the news channel is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation and co-owned by Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. To many critics it is a “quasi-arm of the Republican Party” and possibly the right-wing conservative movement. It is, however, well known that Fox News broadcasts are right-leaning and has no love affair with Democrats, liberals, or Obama.

It boggles the mind that many young people will watch fake news shows to get their information. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is one of these kinds of “news” broadcasts. According to the Pew Research Center, 80% of people from 18 to 49 enjoy The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. I am assuming they do not realize it is not real news, but watch is just for the comedic value. These two shows are as real as Saturday Night Lives’ Weekend Report. However, many of these same people will watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report thinking it is real while convinced that Fox News is fake. They even go as far as calling the Fox News broadcast the “Faux” news.

No matter what kind of  news source you choose, unfortunately most news is bias and deceives the American public in one way or another. Weather you get your news from cable TV, the internet,  radio, or the newspaper, the secret for the news junkies; do not believe what TV cable news tells you. What kind of news are you to subscribe to make sure you are properly informed? That is something only you will know. That will depend on your system of values. When you do find news that looks inviting, look for the key elements; who, what, when, where, why and how. As Fox News radio infers, let them report and you decide.

 

 

Conservative Corner: Sins of the GOP

There was a time when being a part of the Grand old Party, (Republican Party) was respectable, after all, it was the party of Lincoln. This was the man who led the country through a bloody civil war and helped to end slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation. This was also the party of what many call the father of the modern conservative movement, Ronald Reagan, and his vision of a country of limited government and maximum freedom.

 So what the heck has happened to the Republican Party to allow such dismal failures within the last 5 to 8 years? What happened to the party that had the leadership, foresight and the will bring the country together and set us on the path of healing?  No matter what your party affiliation is or if you don’t care about either one, there are several reasons why a political group can fail its constituents. Here are some of the sins the Republican Party have committed. I will recruit the help of news.yahoo.com to list a few “sins” that the Republican Party should change, (in my most humble opinion) to attract more independent and conservative voters.

Do more to attract the minority members and candidates into the party. It is common knowledge that many people think of the Republicans to be the party of the “rich, old, white, guys”, even though there are many who are not. The party needs to put more Hispanics, women and blacks in the spot light and in their ranks. That has happened in the past with Sarah Palin, Herman Cain and Marco Rubio, however, the party did not give these people the political and media support they needed to survive in the cut-throat political world and they sufferd for it.

Next, do more to attract the youth vote. Most of the young people get there information from certain cable TV shows and the internet. The party needs to invest heavily into young people and prove to them that the next generations of Republicans aren’t just bunch of out-of-touch, rich, white guys. There are some smart, young people in the ranks of the Republican Party and the old guys need to step aside and let the young people get some of the spotlight and show a fresher side of the party.

A big sin that most politians commit is the act of being a Politian.  Politics breeds corruption and feeds on power, and as it has been said, absolute power corrupts absolutely. As I understand it, our founding fathers never meant for a legislator or congressman to use his office as a career. The job of being a legislator or congressman was meant to be a part-time gig and not a life-long activity. Unfortunately, too many people think of this kind of work as “job security” and have never had a real product job. Simply put, they are out of touch with the “average American”.

One of the biggest issues the Republicans have been facing for a while is not using the internet and social media to its fullest potential. As I understand, the tweet, “four more years” that was sent after Obama realized he had won his second term was the most re-tweeted phrase in twitter history. The Republicans need to embrace the internet in the same way and use it to their advantage. John McCain was persecuted not sending emails during the 2008 election. You see where that got him.

And finally, and probably one of the biggest sins of the Republican Party today, they are cowardly, yellow-bellied, wussies!! When Republican congressmen get to Washington D.C. they find a deep dark evil covers the land much like the evil that covers the land of Mordor and the evil seduces them in a way that would make even Senator Palpatine jealous. No matter what letter is ahead of the name of the inhabitant of the Whitehouse, the evil will flow.  Even the congressmen who were sent by Tea Party members and enthusiasts will almost always fall under the spell of the evil that dwells there and turn the good intentions of a conservative into a RINO, (Republican In Name Only) and act like something else.

John Boehner is one of those people who changed when they got to Washington.  So is John McCain and Lisa Murkowski just to name a few. Too many people who have good conservative values go to Washington and get seduced by the money, power, and fame and turn into pushovers and support anything that they think will make them look good to the power in the oval office and the will of a bias media group.

When the Republican Party wakes, pulls their head out of the warm, dark place between their legs, and realizes that what they are doing is not the will of the people of Lincoln, Reagan and the people who put them into office we may have a Republican Party with conservative values worthy of combating a very powerful group of people that has kept the country in an economic, social, and spending choke hold and has made America the laughing stock of the world.

                       Dkhummel.com and dkhummel.blogspot.com

 

 

Conservative Corner: The Land of Milk and Honey

The United States of America is truly a wondrous country. Where else on this planet can a person climb over a fence or crawl through a ditch, enter into a country illegally, but still get free health care, food stamps, free money, free car, and a free house and still get treated like a loyal citizen even though  many still claim loyalty and allegiance to their home country? Why, in America, of course!

As if giving away “free” stuff to illegal aliens isn’t bad enough, on April 2nd Oregon’s Governor John Kitzhaber was proud to sign House Bill 2787 into law, according to oregon.gov.

HB 2787 is also labeled the Tuition Equity Bill which now gives the children of illegal aliens the same tuition in Oregon’s colleges and universities as its citizens. An oregonlive.com article states House Bill 2787 would grant in-state tuition for undocumented students who have attended school in the country for at least five years; studied at an Oregon high school for at least three years, and graduated; and show intention to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Undocumented, however, seems to be the key word. A few days ago The Associated Press, the largest press collecting group on the planet, has announced that it will no longer use the term “illegal alien” when it comes to people in the United States who have come into the country without proper documentation, as reported by time.com. The announcement, it seems, is political correctness and media malpractice at its finest. Why should a person who is in the country without proper documents be given so much, while there are those who have been trying for years to integrate successfully into our country the right way and continually find road blocks on their path to American citizenship.

It is understood that everyone deserves a chance at a better life for his or her self and their families, however, why should only certain people be exempt from certain laws and why should certain people obtain special privileges while others have to work hard to maybe get a small chance at happiness.

It has been said that many people come here and stay for many years “undocumented”, but never break any “laws” or do anything bad like robbery or murder, however, imagine this scenario. Little Johnnie steals a pick-up truck at the age of 18 and does not have it registered or licensed, but he drives it for years without “hurting” anyone. He spends the years driving the truck to help people, the elderly, children, and the poor.  If the pick-up lasts for many years of good service to the community, does that make is less stolen? Does that make Johnnie less illegal for not having the vehicle properly registered and licensed?

The idea of illegal immigrants getting away with so many perks only reserved for the citizens of this great county is an insult to the residents and a brisk slap in the face to the hard working people who come into America the way our system was designed, as documented immigrants.

To the people, citizens or not, who support these “criminals” who claim to be “undocumented people” or illegal aliens, I say, “Shame on you!”  If I have to have “papers” as a citizen and veteran to legally be in my own country, so should the undocumented immigrants from any country, no matter if they came from France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Mexico or even Canada. If the illegal immigrants want to be legal, leave and come back the right way and stop trying to take advantage of “The Land of Milk and Honey”.

                         dkhummel.com or dkhummel.blogspot.com

 

Conservative Corner: Fiscal Responsibility The Hard Way

As you may have heard by now, there will be some very noticeable cutbacks on campus that will affect us all in an attempt to battle a gapping $2.9 million hole in the LBCC budget. The Oregon and U.S. economy has been struggling for years and, as we have seen, the effects have been noticeable. With the decline of employed people paying taxes comes the short fall of the state, federal budget. A 5% drop in LBCC enrollment is also a part of the reason for the budget cutbacks.

 Republicans and conservatives blame The Obama Administration and the Democrats for a badly floundering economy, while the Democrats and progressives point their accusing fingers at the Republicans for stifling what they call “economic growth”. No matter who may be at fault, one thing for certain is our government’s lack of fiscal responsibility.

Since LBCC does get money from the state government, and the State of Oregon has a higher than average unemployment numbers, it stands to reason that there would be consequences for the lack of tax income from working people. According to www.deptofnumbers.com/unemployment/oregon, Oregon has been suffering with 8.4% unemployment since last January. The national unemployment rate at that same time was 7.9%. Could this be the consequences of a democratic and progressive run state?  Who knows?

The Albany Democrat-Herald has reported that Linn-Benton Community College President Greg Hamann has said that 23 positions will be eliminated, the baseball and women’s basketball programs will go, and there will be a $3 raise in tuition to $94. Whether you’re partial to a person of the layoff list, a baseball or basketball fan, or a student on a tight budget, the cuts will affect us all and many will feel the pain. The tuition hike is pending the vote from the LBCC Board of Education and will likely take effect July 1^st.

At the risk of sounding like a heartless, animal, perhaps the cutbacks might be a good thing. Although the idea of losing important and extremely qualified people and very worthy programs will definitely hurt the institution, however, this could be the long pain-full treatment we need for our financial ailments.

When the typical family experiences economic hard ships, what would be the logical thing to do? Borrow money from family members, take out another credit card, take out an additional mortgage on the family house, or ask the government for a bail-out? Of course not! The family will use common sense. If the family members cannot find additional income they will eliminate unnecessary expenses, luxuries and would stop spending beyond their means and perhaps even financially downgrade their lifestyle. Maybe if the current presidential administration tried more of this tactic we wouldn’t be where we are today financially as a country.

Perhaps if LBCC didn’t try to rely too heavily upon the finances from an  already burdened tax payer and a state in a recession and found ways to be more efficient with tuition and tax payer money, things may be different. It is well know how tough the economy is here in Oregon, but looking toward a balanced budget as a butcher with a block full of meat isn’t quite the way most of us would like to see it.

No one on campus wants to see faculty and staff leave or programs get cut, but if we all look at it in a fiscally conservative way, we might see the cut backs may be for the better. After all, we all need the school to have a balanced budget to operate effectively. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”.  It is very unlikely that Greg Mamann’s choice to eliminate positions and programs will  kill the school, but perhaps it will makes us a little more aware of our financial choices when economic times get better.

 

                               dkhummel.blogspot.com, dkhummel.com