Veteran's Day

The price of freedom. It’s a tough thing to calculate. It isn’t something you’re entitled to. It can’t be purchased, or traded, or gifted. It’s something men and women from all walks of life have fought for since the birth of this great nation. And not just ours, but the freedom of millions of other people around this globe who couldn’t fight for themselves.

How many? Take a look:

War of Independence	25,000
Quasi-War	20
Barbary Wars	35
War of 1812	20,000
Mexican-American War	13,283
Civil War	623,026
Spanish-American War	2,446
Philippine War	4,196
Mexican Revolution	35
Haiti Occupation	146
World War 1	116,708
World War 2	407,316
Korean War	36,914
Vietnam War	58,169
El Salvador	20
Beirut	266
Persian Gulf Support	39
Invasion of Grenada	19
Invasion of Panama	40
Gulf War	269
Somalia	43
Bosnia	12
Afghanistan	609
Iraqi	4,507

That’s right: one million, three hundred thirteen thousand, one hundred and eighteen people have given their lives so that you could stop on your way to work today and buy that Starbuck’s coffee.

Freedom isn’t free.

Take a moment today to remember those who have gone before us and fought for freedom. Some are still here, but too many never came home.

They deserve to be remembered.

“God, I pray for those who are in harms way today. Wrap your loving arms around them and keep them safe. Amen.”

YYZ

I was flipping through the channels tonight and found a RUSH concert in progress. I’m old enough to remember RUSH when they were still 3 young men making innovative, original music. Not that they aren’t now, they’re just older and Geddy Lee can’t hit the high notes.

Being a musician I really appreciate well made music. And I love watching accomplished players. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. Pound for pound three of the best musicians around. It’s amazing the amount of music these three guys can produce on stage. It’s full, perfectly played, and oh yeah… their songs are great!

I sat in awe as Neil Peart launched into one of his famous solos and I was mesmerized for the next 10 minutes watching this guy play. It’s like his hands and feet have different brains! They play independently of each other, and it just blows me away.

Of course I have to say something about the other two members of RUSH. Geddy Lee is pretty amazing. Just his Bass playing alone is note-worthy for the speed and accuracy he can play while singing at the same time. And then to raise the bar he plays pedal organ with his feet!

And then there’s Alex Lifeson. He’s an incredible, charismatic guitar player who is tremendously creative and fun to watch. I love listening to the complicated tones and chords he comes up with. And one of the best things I like about this guy is that he's one of the few guitar players that really takes the time to reproduce his solos on stage. I hate when I go to a concert and I'm expecting to hear a great guitar solo I heard on a studio album, only to hear just the first few notes of it before the musician ad libs a bunch of junk. Alex doesn't do that. He plays his solos almost note for note with the studio version. It really shows a great attention to detail, and a love for the original song.

Music today just isn’t the same as when these 3 gentlemen started. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s definitely not as good, or thought out, or produced, or played.

Here's one of their best tunes. No words, just hard playing rock-n-roll!

And away we go…

I’m really happy the election is finally over. I think we should pass a law limiting campaigns to 6 months, because 2 years of campaigning really wore out the entire country!

I’m excited about the historical marker set by this election, and although I didn’t vote for Barack, I think it’s great that we have our first African America President.

I’ve listened to a lot of radio talk show hosts complain about the GOP loss, and say that this is a “war” and they have only lost this battle. I was disappointed to hear talk like that, because in the end we’re all in this together and should work towards a common goal of being one nation.

Whether I like Barack’s politics or not, the fact is he is the next President of the United States of America, and I’m an American. So I will support my new President to the best of my ability without compromising my values, morals, or beliefs. I hope the rest of the country will join me in this view so we can make this country better.

Congratulations President Obama. Now do something to live up to your new title and bring this country together, fix the economy, and keep your hands out of my pocket!

“God, bless our new President and his family. Please give strength and wisdom to the incoming administration and help guide them as they make the decisions that will affect everyone in this country. Amen.”

Election Results!

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I read something interesting today that I thought was worthy of posting. Mike Myers (Austin Powers) was asked during an event what he thought about the current economic crisis. His response was:

“I have made some comedies and that’s how you know me, so … I don’t know what the etiquette is about one’s political beliefs. I am very concerned for people that the economy turn around. … The strength of democracy is not how well we agree but how well we disagree. The strength of a society is how well we take care of our most disenfranchised.”

At last, a famous person who understands their relevancy in this world.

He didn’t pick a target and try to pin the current economic crisis on them, and he didn’t take a political side. He simply pointed out that he made comedies so his political beliefs are of no consequence, but that he is a concerned citizen. And what we need to do is work together to help those who aren’t able to help themselves.

It’s a shame the rest of Hollywood doesn’t share Mike’s humbleness. For that matter, a great many of us would benefit from this mindset also. Me included.

I don’t know if Mike is saved, only God knows his heart. But he seems to have a heart akin to how Christ wants us all to be. In Jesus’ day the world was in a lot of turmoil. Israel and many other countries were being occupied by Rome, and the political scene was one of such sensitivity that being on the wrong side could get you killed.

Jesus didn’t bother with any of that. He stayed on task. Focused on what really mattered. He preached love, and salvation. He said help each other, especially those who have little. Give generously, and don’t believe everything you hear.

Don’t get me wrong, when it came time for Jesus to answer the tough questions, he didn’t back down. Not from the religious leaders or the Roman leaders. When he was told to go against his teachings or die, he valiantly stepped towards the cross.

This is our lesson from Mr. Myers. Stop spouting your political rhetoric and help people. Work together and find an answer because people are suffering.

Thanks Mike, not just for the laughs, but for a simple statement that puts things in perspective this political season.

Yeah Baby!