Rich's Random Thoughts

Rich's Random Thoughts

By Rich Briggs
The Weekly Recorder
March 28, 2008

*This week, the Iraq war hit another important milestone, 4000 U.S. soldiers now dead. I know that number seems extremely high to the public, but it pales in comparison to those who were lost at Pearl Harbor, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and 9/11. First, let me state that losing our men and women in uniform is never cause for any kind of celebration. Yet, we must not allow those who have given their lives for this cause to have died in vain. This is why this war must continue to be fought for the ultimate victory for our soldiers, the Iraqis, and the United States of America.

I want to take this one step further. In the cries from all of those who want this war to end and for our soldiers to come home, most of those people have never stepped foot into Iraq and the war zone. Yet, they want this war to end for self-fulfilling purposes. Most of them do not have the courage or the bravery of our young men and women in uniform who, without hesitation and without fail, continue to fight this war against extremists, insurgents, and terrorism. The very same groups who would do us harm on U.S. soil. Our service people even fight to allow those who protest this war to continue their cause. Talk about the ultimate oxymoron.

This war is an unpopular war for its duration and for the numbers of those lost in battle and attacks. But, I have never heard of a war that was popular with the people. No one wants to see our young people die in battle. But, war was necessary in the aforementioned conflicts due to dictators and the advance of communism in selected states. Since America is the ultimate example of freedom, independence, and liberty, these countries asked for our help. In some cases we won, in others we failed. But none was without the utmost effort of our troops in the field. In those instances where we lost, it was because of a government that would not allow our troops to succeed in the field. Power and politics won over common sense.

In the case of this Iraq war, two issues come to mind that I find cause for concern. First, why is it that the media always seems to report the bad, or negative, news and never reports anything positive out of Iraq? Why do we never hear about the good the troops are doing and the positive strides they are making? Electricity is being hooked up, water is being run again, schools are being built and Iraqi children are being taught. Iraqi women are now being allowed to vote, go to work, or start their own businesses. Why is this never being reported? The media only reports the negative because negativity sells. That’s the bottom line.

Here is the other issue I have a problem with – why don’t those who want this war to end and our troops to come home, job unfinished, ask the troops, themselves, about the work they are doing in Iraq? Several troops are re-enlisting because they believe in the cause and do not want to the leave the job undone, and they do not want their comrades in arms to have died in vain. Why don’t we ask the troops, without fear of repercussion, what they think about being in Iraq and if the work they are doing is worth the effort? Based on what I have heard so far, the troops believe in their cause and want to finish the job before they are brought home to the heroes’ welcome they will richly deserve. Before we get all bent out of shape about the number of soldiers who have given their lives for the cause, let’s remember those who are still alive and are fighting the good fight. They still need our support.

Yes, the Iraqis need to step up and show more control over their own country. That point cannot be debated. But we must allow our soldiers to complete the job they were sent over to do, then we can bring them home and show them how much we appreciate their efforts. If any of us did not complete our work, we would get fired. Let’s give the troops the support, and all resources necessary, to complete their work in Iraq.

*I have written a number of times recently about the lack of manners displayed by my fellow adults in public. Apparently, the message is getting lost in the clouds. Where the attitudes are coming from, I don’t know, but it bears repeating what I have stated in the past. We need to get over ourselves and how important we think we are and start to exercise some manners that have been lost over the years due to some attitudes where we feel we are entitled.

I paid another visit to Borders Express bookstore on Good Friday to make a purchase and was, again, subjected to some incredible behavior.

Why is it that when one is standing in the aisles of the bookstore, which are pretty narrow to begin with, another patron feels obligated to start walking in your direction, straight towards you, and there isn’t even the least amount of courtesy extended to you for just standing there and browsing? If I didn’t move at least twice during my visit, I would have gotten run over. Mind you, again, that I am a tall individual, and it would take an effort to move me. But these people just didn’t care. I made my purchase and I left. People, the next time you want to scold a child for acting out of line, look at the adult the child is with. There, ladies and gentlemen, will be the problem. Until adults start showing some courtesy and respect, the child will not know what example to follow.

*Our editor and publisher, Cody Knotts, was mentioned in the Sunday Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on March 16 in their Whispers section of Opinion and Commentary (the sister equivalent to the Recorder’s Secrets section). It talked about Cody (naming himself) being the 12th most powerful person in Washington County because of his status as this paper’s editor and because of his efforts in getting some of our new people (new District Attorney Steve Toprani) elected to office. It was also stated how Cody is a shameless self-promoter.

Cody called me after I brought this to his attention via an e-mail. He got a chuckle out of it and welcomed the publicity. I have no problem with where Cody ranked himself. This is his publication, serving the people of Washington County, and he has the guts to try and put an end to the corruption in this county. He and I have lived here all of our lives, save for the four years each of us spent in college, and we want to live the rest of our lives here, but without the prospect of government corruption. Our young people deserve to live and raise their families in a region without the fear of something occurring because a public person was bought and corrupted by a powerful faction. This county belongs to us, not the politicians. They need to be made to realize that their service to the public is a privilege, not a right. Whether you like him or not, give Cody his due. He helped make a statement back in November when no one else would. Now we have a new D.A. in Mr. Toprani. Maybe next year Cody will be in the Top 10!

*It’s hard to believe that March is nearly over and April is upon us. With the end of the month comes the quarter mark of the year. That is even harder to believe. It seems like we just rang in the new year, and now it is a quarter over. With the arrival of April means the change in the weather, the arrival of spring, and those wonderful spring traditions of spring cleaning (I can’t wait for that), getting mowers ready for our lawns, and general household maintenance after a harsh winter, more so by the cold temperatures than the snow.

I only hope that when the warm weather finally arrives that those who bemoaned the cold winter do not say one word about it being too hot. Honestly, I can’t wait until fall and football season, but I’ll grit my teeth through the next five months so those who worship the heat and suntan lotion can have their days. Enjoy it, people. I will keep my mouth shut while you do, but don’t you dare ask me if it’s hot enough for me. I’ll give you a look that will burn through lead!