The Cost of Freedom
“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
Thomas Paine published those words on December 19, 1776. Twelve months later, those words must surely have crossed the mind of George Washington and his soldiers, struggling to survive so that our nation might also.
For in December, 1777, George Washington and the Continental Army began their Winter encampment at Valley Forge. They had arrived just in time to celebrate a Day of Thanksgiving, which Congress had set for December 18th to commemorate the victory over Burgoyne at Saratoga.
As they encamped at Valley Forge they were quickly surrounded by two implacable enemies: Cold & Starvation. Washington wrote to Congress in York, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia had fallen to the British) describing the deplorable conditions, the lack of shelter, the tattered clothing and nearly non-existent rations. Congress provided a Thanksgiving “feast” consisting of “a few handfuls of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar”.
At this point Martha Washington made the decision to literally stand by her man…and his men. She showed up at Valley Forge with as much food and supplies from Mt. Vernon as her carriages could hold (and made the made the final leg of the trip in a sleigh!). She also brought wool, sewing materials and home medicines. Camp morale was low, but her presence was to lift not only her husband’s spirits, but the overall morale of the encampment as well. When she arrived she was greeted with shouts of: “God Bless Lady Washington!”
She remained at Valley Forge the entire winter, caring for soldiers, sewing shirts and providing comfort wherever she could. She and the other women of the camp, including and especially an Oneida Indian woman named Polly Cooper, were some of the unsung heroes of Valley Forge.
The winter of 1777/1778 was, I believe, America’s darkest hour…until now. I mean that. Whatever deprivation they endured, whatever enemy they faced, Washington’s “Winter Soldiers” knew one fact…and it was that ONE FACT that sustained them: George Washington had their back! Their Commander in Chief (for he already had that title) was there for them, and would support them as they prosecuted the war.
Our military today does not enjoy such support from our current Commander in Chief. In fact, he has set stifling Rules of Engagement (ROEs) coupled with aggressive prosecution of our best and bravest that has many (and me) wondering whose side he’s on. Three Navy SEALs are receiving Courts Martial for capturing the most wanted terrorist in Iraq…and allegedly giving him a fat-lip in the process. The men & women of our military are beginning to fear the lawyers of JAG more than the enemy…even as the distinction between the two continues to blur.
Our men & women in uniform need our support more than ever, for they’ll get none from their feckless CinC. If you can, consider a donation to one of the organizations shown below…even $10 will go a long way with these organizations. But the Cost of Freedom doesn’t have to be paid with money, it can also be “paid” in the form General Washington is displaying at the top of this post…a simple prayer. Happy Thanksgiving. May God truly bless you and yours…and, of course, may He especially watch over and bless our splendid military!
[1]
What do you guys think of Glenn Beck basically encouraging people not to re-enlist?
[2]
Beck is absolutely right in this case. Now that we have to treat the enemy as subjects of law enforcement, not only do the kids have to put their lives on the line every second of every day but the thanks they get is to be subjected to arrest and imprisonment if they don’t handle terrorists in the PC way. Further, now that our ability to gain intel is pretty much finished, more and more of our brave and finest will be at risk.
Obama and the left clearly have no regard for the military. I would highly discourage anyone I know from enlisting and agree with Beck 100% on this issue.
[3]
Can you blame him? The Communists politicize wars, they think of the soldiers as cannon fodder, they tried relentlessly to lose the Iraq War with no concern at all as to how many American soldiers were killed or maimed for nothing
Captain Bullshit has dithered on the Afghanistan situation purely for political reasons
Who wants to feel their son’s or daughter’s life is a pawn so some assholes can win an election?
[4]
OMG-This site is into the history lately. I love it!
[5]
Brandon -
Through WWII our nation went to war with specific objectives (one of which was to win and get the hell out), Since 1945, goals have been sketchy and winning has a priority. Military actions have been longer in duration, safety of the military has not been as winning minds and hearts. When you are politically correct (in Afghanistan or Ft. Hood) casualties increase.
[6]
With the current CIC doing everything in his power to destroy the military, only an idiot would sign up or re enlist. The next shoe to drop will be to force the the troops to co habitate with they of the homo gender. You will see a mass exodus from the ranks when that happens.
[7]
Beck raises an interesting point that he probably does not realize he did. Beck points out that one should not consider enlisting since the current administration cannot be entrusted with their lives. But it goes deeper than that and spans many more administrations than this one.
When the military must mirandize captured terrorits then it truly has become a police matter and NOT a military one. When that occurs then the JCS should be recommending a withdrawal of DoD assets and the DoJ be assigned the task. The FBI can put on the flack jackets, pick up the M-16 and call for air support as required to capture ’suspects’.
If one follows that logic then the FBI should also be inserted into Kosovo, Iraq, Philippines where we have been active in WOT efforts.
But then I don’t think the WH listens to me.
[8]
Son of the Republic’ said the same mysterious voice as before, `look and learn,’ At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.
H/T “george washington’s visions and prophecies”
vision
[9]
I can just see 12/08/1941 with these assholes in charge
Issuing subpoenas to the Japanese government and indicting the Japanese pilots
How did we ever get to this…???
[10]
Way OT. If anyone is looking for winter scene wallpaper for the computer Lifehacker has posted some nice ones here.
[11]
I am a strong supporter of not politicizing the military and keeping enlistments high.
But I must agree with Beck.
It is entirely plausible that if my son were to enlist, he would capture or kill a terrorist, and be court martialed for doing so under the Obama regime.
Nobody can deny that simple fact.
And therefore nobody can justify enlistment under Obama.
How far we have fallen.
[12]
If my kids wanted to join the military, at this time I would ask them to dither for another three years.
[13]
Also OT but everyone must read this and forward to their email lists. Many of you have seen this but it goes beyond the UK story and shows how systemic the infection is. This story must be kept on the front burner.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/11/25/uh-oh-raw-data-in-new-zealand-tells-a-different-story-than-the-official-one/
Money quote–
“We have discovered that the warming in New Zealand over the past 156 years was indeed man-made, but it had nothing to do with emissions of CO2—it was created by man-made adjustments of the temperature.”
[14]
ct– I would as well.
[15]
Everyone also needs to see the New Zealand scientists’ attempted explanation, just released today:
http://briefingroom.typepad.com/the_briefing_room/2009/11/niwas-explanation-raises-major-new-questions.html
[16]
aurel,
The sad fact is recruitment is up across all services—out of necessity for a paycheck.
By Obama’s total ruination of the economy, in a roundabout way he has restarted the draft.
[17]
They have released a weak explanation for one adjustment. But of course the key question relates to this point:
“About half the adjustments actually created a warming trend where none existed; the other half greatly exaggerated existing warming. All the adjustments increased or even created a warming trend, with only one (Dunedin) going the other way and slightly reducing the original trend.”
Virtually every adjustment supporting a warming trend? That’s a huge red flag. Some weather stations probably increased altitude, other probably decreased.
If the data are not being massaged to fit the desired outcome, there should be a roughly even distribution of up and down adjustments.
Yes you can come up with a weak explanation for one upward adjustment. But I look forward to a detailed explanation for why virtually EVERY adjustment was upward.
And they have not released the explanation for that.
[18]
MFG -
Didn;t you hear? Pearl Harbor was OUR fault.
[19]
Its becoming quite clear that the climatologists don’t have a clear set of data points. Or not wanting to provide them as it does not fit their theory.
[20]
The pro GW “scientists” seeking gubmint grants know full well where their bread is buttered. Whores receiving money from other whores.
[21]
They wont be able to ignore this:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100018003/climategate-five-aussie-mps-lead-the-way-by-resigning-in-disgust-over-carbon-tax/
Nope, Hoaxenhagen is gonna be interesting.
[22]
OBAMMER, THE BAG MAN OF COPENHAGEN
H/T Reuters
EXTORTION
[23]
#22
How much would Obama love that? Funnel $100 billion a year to Mugabe and Khadafi and friends.
Well wipe that smile off your face Barack.
EXTORTION–> REBELLION
[24]
So much wrong with that.
“The Geneva-based Global Humanitarian Forum says poor nations bear more than nine-tenths of the human and economic burden of climate change. The 50 poorest countries, however, contribute less than 1 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions that scientists say are threatening the planet, it says.”
“nine-tenths of the human and economic burden of climate change”
let me rewrite that for you
“because of their exploding populations and corrupt dictatorships, poor nations have larger populations and corrupt political systems that make them proportionally more populous and corrupt. This is of course irrelevant to nonexistent climate trends”
[25]
Esteemed Mr. Meles, I am entertained to see you describe large cash payments from us to you, below which you “will not go”.
Here is somewhere your numbers can go. Please add up all the foreign aid the developed world has pumped into Africa over the past 50 years, both governmental and NGO.
Subtract that from your fraudulent $100 billion dollar figure (after first subtracting $100 billion from that, since it is based on climate effects which do not exist), then take the resulting negative number, and shove it into the same hole where your birth control and anticorruption efforts have gone.
See ya.
[26]
This is an international shakedown of epic proportions. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be proud. And the marxist liar will gladly participate–anything to weaken the U.S. and gratify his own ego.
Fortunately, no matter what the idiot signs, it will have to be ratified by the Senate, and that is NEVER going to happen right now.
[27]
Back to this thread….
I found Thomas Paine’s descriptive words of Summer Soldiers and Sunshine Patriots so clarifying and aptly put. Thanks for digging that excerpt out, Justrand, for your current commentary.
Also, it was interesting to note this: They had arrived just in time to celebrate a Day of Thanksgiving, which Congress had set for December 18th… This is my son’t birthday! I think I will forward this reference to him on what significance this day had in the past.
Another outstanding piece of history tied to the present!
I also might add that Martha Washington once again proved there is usually a strong woman behind every great man’s deeds and accomplishments (cough, cough)!
[28]
IMHO the best, commen-sense comment on this thread goes to drdog:
Its becoming quite clear that the climatologists don’t have a clear set of data points.
[29]
No, I think it is quite clear that they DO have a clear set of data points.
They just don’t like them.
[30]
O/T —> HC notation.
I found this comment posted on HHR to be interesting and worth sharing here!
[31]
Breaking–Tiger Woods seriously injured in car wreck.
[32]
Seems like deja-vu all over again–didn’t this happen to Ben Hogan?
[33]
They just don’t like them.
Or they made them up.
[34]
Sorry to hear that
Hope he recovers soon
[35]
With injuries listed as serious, and golf as delicate a game as it is, he may recover but his game may not.
[36]
Yikes
[37]
That’s sad. I just read there may have been a female passenger in the car as well who was not his wife. Ick. Hope he’s ok and that what I read was just some nasty speculation and not fact.
[38]
Ok, now the story says confirmed no one else in the car, alcohol not a factor, but charges being filed?
Anyway, accidents are no fun and I wish him a speedy recovery.
[39]
Thank you for this post, Justrand. At our own dark hour, we need to be reminded of their hardship and deprivation. The presence and care of Martha Washington and the other women must have meant so much to the men.
I put this up late last night: engraved on William Bradford’s gravestone at Plymouth:
qua patres difficillime adepti sunt nolite turpiter relinquere
What our forefathers with so much difficulty secured,
do not basely relinquish.
[40]
Tiger has already been released so the injuries must not have been too bad.
phineas:
No, I think it is quite clear that they DO have a clear set of data points.
They just don’t like them.
[41]
Dear friends, remember also today and this holiday season.
Do not spend.
Save your resources.
Spend quiet time with friends and family.
Do not feed Obama.
Do not spend.
[42]
Agreed
Starve the beast
[43]
Justrand mentioned the Day of Thanksgiving after the Battle of Saratoga (the turning point in the War of Independence).
I wanted to say something about Obama’s Thanksgiving official proclamation and his turkey pardon. I avoided it yesterday because I had no desire to mention it on the holiday.
First of all, Justrand has it right and Obama has it wrong (is anyone surprised?). December 18th was the first national proclamation for Thanksgiving.
In Obama’s official declaration he stated that George Washington proclaimed the first national day in 1789. This may seem trivial, but this is the President we’re talking about. Even if he doesn’t know better, the WH speechwriters should. It shows you their sloppiness. You can find this info quickly on the web!
[44]
In Obama’s comments while pardoning the turkey he said this:
I guess he doesn’t even read the official WH proclamations!
Or else he conveniently skipped over the American Revolution, not wanting anyone to be reminded too much of the Founders and why we fought.
[45]
It would be asking a lot to expect a kenyan muslim to know or care much about U.S. history.
[46]
And look at Lincoln’s actual words, and those which Obama conveniently omitted:
I’d like to see Obama mention some of those words and phrases!
[47]
You got it, ip!
[48]
If you look at what Lincoln said and what Obama said that Lincoln said, they bear little resemblance!
When times were darkest, President Lincoln understood that our American blessings shined brighter than ever.
Not quite what Lincoln was getting at!
[49]
Finally (at least for now!
), notice this hackneyed phrase:
So think about that.
Again, who writes these speeches, anyway?
That is not worthy to be put into a WH speech, but perhaps it was off the cuff.
When you want someone to think and reflect seriously, there are ways to do it more effectively than just saying: so think about that. The force of well-written and words can cause reflection as can the cadence and timbre of voice as well as pauses.
This just seems so superficial and artificial to me.
[50]
aureliusx, MFG,
Starving the wrong beast. Shopping, last I checked was free enterprise. Starve the beast? –
* Get out of debt. Then –
* Move as much money as you can into IRA/401k. Then move that money into overseas investment vehicles.
* Over 55? Take advantage of catch up provisions in savings.
* Dump money into HSA’s.
* Do whatever you can to get your AGI below $70k.
[51]
INC – before your last few posts, I was going to say that Lincoln knew that our blessings came from God.
“zero” and the left try every way possible to avoid and ignore God whenever possible.
As you posted, ‘zero’ was being himself (dishonest) and not acknowledging the place of God.
To ‘zero’ and the left – fine, dis God. But when you need God, see if he is there to save you.
[52]
It is entirely plausible that if my son were to enlist, he would capture or kill a terrorist, and be court martialed for doing so under the Obama regime.
Nobody can deny that simple fact.
And therefore nobody can justify enlistment under Obama.
That’s right. Tragic, but I agree with Beck, and I didn’t care for the way Bush treated the soldiers, either. He thought of them as pawns in game too, but nearly so cynically as Obama nevertheless.
[53]
dog– favorite means for overseas vehicles? which ones?
[54]
Bush did not hate the troops. Obama does hate them. I know that is a harsh thing to type but I believe it is true.
[55]
Dog,
If you mean “offshore investments” be careful. If you are talking about US domiciled funds that invest in international stocks and bonds, then that is good advice.
The government is seriously cracking down on anyone trying to avoid taxes by moving $ offshore. The swiss are actually breaking their secrecy regarding their account holders. I NEVER thought I would see that day.
I agree with everything you typed. Also, if you tap out 401(k)’S and IRA’s, consider putting a substantial sum into an annuity. That is good tax shield as well. Also, gifting appreciated assets to kids and grandkids in lower tax brackets can help a family keep more of their money. These things were sort of forgotten about but are going to be much more important in the years ahead.
[56]
Yes, MD, I agree.
But according to some accounts of meetings with families of the fallen, Bush sometimes acted like it was just something these men were destined for.
I don’t care for that attitude either. You go to war, yes you are absolutely going to lose people. And the USmil had been gutted and neglected under Clinton, and they were not really ready for asymmetric warfare.
Still, every one of them is precious, and we can’t spare any of them. The roadside bombs nearly drove me nuts, will all those patrols in exposed vehicles. It’s like you’re inviting the enemy to kill you on their terms.
So yeah, Bush was by some accounts, not too worried about it, at times.
But yeah, Obama and the left in general, doesn’t give a damn about any of them at all.
But then again, he doesn’t give a damn about any of us, either.
[57]
I forgot another good tool to preserve wealth – education savings accounts and 529’s for your kids or grandkids. There are a lot of rules around these vehicles but they are great ways to defer taxation for a very long time and shield it from the gov. The beauty is that generally any money not used by the kid or grandkid by age 30 can be transferred to another relative.
Again, consult with a qualified advisor because there are caveats to everything.
[58]
RWY,
I agree with you on the IED’s. It was unacceptable that we were not prepared for that and did not have the right equipment. I was highly critical of the way the war was fought for it’s first 3 years and was pissed that Bush, Cheney and Rummy stuck to a failed strategy which costs more of our kids their lives. I grieve for everyone of them.
Still, I won’t accuse Bush of hating the troops or not taking their deaths seriously. Hussein, that is another story.
[59]
Right on, MD….
[60]
Tomorrow, my Socialist sister (yes, Socialist) is coming over for lunch. Oh, the joy. We have learned to stay clear of politics but she was gloating a year ago when Hussein pulled the wool over 60 million idiots in this country.
I can’t wait until next November. Providing, of course, that we have elections.
[61]
MDefl – maybe after the year “zero” and the demon-rats have had, she might not be so happy.
[62]
GN,
She is in total denial believe me.
[63]
MDefl….have a sister in law like that, thankfully they moved away.
Unload all your weapons. We will need you later.
[64]
Another historical look at Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations.
Giving thanks in troubled times Ashbrook Link
[65]
Bruce,
LOL! I have had my moments believe me. I did send her a copy of Palin’s book.
The funny thing is I have a step sister in FL, a latino, who is a Republican.
[66]
In my immediate family, there ar over 100 years of military service.
While I normally agree with Beck, It is now more than ever that we need competent military men to over come “Zero” and his pals.
My son is entering his 13th year of service.
[67]
May God bless your boy, RP. Is he in harm’s way?
[68]
aureliusx,
Lazard Emerging Market Portfolio was one I have invested in though I have reduced holdings over the last year. YMMV. Downside is a $5k minimum is required.
Another option is a currency ETF that holds a bundle of currencies. link. Don’t have any suggestion as I am only now looking at it. Downside in my mind is your holdings are pretty dependent on the funds manager prowess.
MDefl,
The folks getting in hot water were attempting fog up the existence of the asset holdings. Noting it appropriately on your return should avoid any issues in that regard. Profits held out of country would be treated as nonUS earnings. Though that would not be the reason I would consider it (I don’t have Gate’s $$.) The main reason would be some diversity in location of assets.
[69]
MDefl,
You could hit her now. Just ask her how that Global Warming effort is working out. That should get her started.
[70]
I love this thread and the history I was never taught.
Anybody have and favorite books to recommend?
[71]
Dog,
If I said anything to her, I guarantee that would be the first she had heard of it and she wouldn’t believe it.
[72]
I like the book 1776 written by David McCullough.
[73]
Thanks. I am going to make a list for the new year.