Just say'in...

[jasmine621]

Interesting....

In 1961, a young African-American man, after hearing President John F. Kennedy's challenge to, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," gave up his student deferment, left college in Virginia and voluntarily joined the Marines.

In 1963, this man, having completed his two years of service in the Marines, volunteered again to become a Navy corpsman. (They provide medical assistance to the Marines as well as to Navy personnel.)

The man did so well in corpsman school that he was the valedictorian and became a cardiopulmonary technician. Not surprisingly, he was assigned to the Navy's premier medical facility, Bethesda Naval Hospital , as a member of the commander in chief's medical team, and helped care for President Lyndon B. Johnson after his 1966 surgery.

For his service on the team, which he left in 1967, the White House awarded him three letters of commendation.

What is even more remarkable is that this man entered the Marines and Navy not many years after the two branches began to become integrated.

While this young man was serving six years on active duty, Vice President Dick Cheney, who was born the same year as the Marine/ sailor, received five deferments, four for being an undergraduate and graduate student and one for being a prospective father.

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both five years younger than the African-American youth, used their student deferments to stay in college until 1968. Both then avoided going on active duty through family connections.

Who is the real patriot? The young man who interrupted his studies to serve his country for six years or our three political leaders who beat the system? Are the patriots the people who actually sacrifice something or those who merely talk about their love of the country?

After leaving the service of his country, the young African-American finished his final year of college, entered the seminary, was ordained as a minister, and eventually became pastor of a large church in one of America 's biggest cities.

This man is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the retiring pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

[ClayZ]

1. Yeah! Bravo! Woooooo Hoooooo!

K and R :applause:

[cliffordu]

2. Excellent post!!! K&R!!!

:kick:




:headbang:




:patriot:

[GarbagemanLB]

3. WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQkHBJS19F8

[parasim]

4. Excellent Post. Thank you.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

- Thomas Jefferson

[Danger Mouse]

5. Thank you for an absolutely FANTASTIC post.

People can spit in Wright's face all they want...he has served his country admirably, and done a hell of a lot for people...he has probably touched the lives of more people in a positive way than likely 95% of the people who dump all over him.

[Melissa G]

6. Excellent post! n/t

[AllentownJake]

7. Just Words

Except when we can use those words to make it look like you hate white people and America.

[JI7]

8. one good thing to come out of this Wright controversy

i actually like the guy now. before i just viewed him as one of many religious guys that i usually didn't care much for since i'm not religious.

but i actually learned about him and his background and he is someone to respect. a far better person than most people.

[jasmine621]

12. He is a great teacher. Hell'uva preacher nt

[ourbluenation]

9. Here's the pic of him assisting Pres Johnson in the hospital

thats the rev standing behind lyndons head

[FlyingSquirrel]

10. Very nice.

I had a feeling right away who you were talking about.

[Prophet 451]

11. He's one of the good guys

Personally, I never saw the problem with what he said (or Michelle Obama's statement that she'd never been really proud of her country before). I'm a Euro (Brit, as it happens), we say shit like this all the time! Only in America is it expected to be inordinatly proud of your country simply for existing.