Acrimonious Comment? You bet it is…

Well, Folks… I received a comment about my open letter to my darling daughter, Kristin. Of the many comments I’ve received, this is the first really scary one, the first bad one. Actually, as a rule I don’t even respond to this type of attack especially when it comes from Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous. But, in this case, I must make some general comments because so many of you are reading my blog and closely following my new posts. And, since Kristin may read it, I believe it would be unfair to her to create such a debate dilemma. Talk about confusion…gosh, I’m a bit worried now what she may be going through because of me. But, I do have a lot of faith in her so all will work out like it should. Clearly, there are two sides to every story and she is old enough to make up her own mind.

Still, I’m not impressed with “Anonymous.” At least, and to some people’s chagrin, I’ve always had enough grit to stand up and look someone straight in the eyes and say what I wanted to say. I’ve always thought that if an individual was going to say something…they should not be afraid to put their name on it. After all, if one is afraid to include their name, then doesn’t it indicate that they are so insecure, so paranoid, so unsure that the validity of what they say comes into question. By the way, I’ll surely respond and discuss any subject, but I’ll no longer accept anonymous comments, so you’ll need to just sign in then all will be well.

So, to the first statement from Mr/Mrs Anonymous that comes from “A Letter To Dad.”: This is a quote: "You taught me well. I will do the same for my children." I pray you're not claiming you followed through on this. I knew your father, and he was a much better man than I know you have been. I respect your father very much, and wish that his influence on you had been a bit more indicative of what you would really become.” Makes me think that maybe I should join a “religious cult” so I could be prayed for and be more submissive and lose my freedom of thought. First, I seriously doubt that Mr/Mrs Anonymous really “knew” my father. They certainly don’t know him now…since he died a hard death in 1991. Yes, he was a fine man and a truly hard act to follow--nearly impossible I think. I never thought it was smart to try and compete with him…and, I never even tried because I would have lost. He, of course, had his weak points and his strong points—as we all do. But, I seriously doubt anyone other than my mother (deceased) and my sister could have respected him as much as I did. He will not be forgotten. And, followed through on what…? Teaching…? Oh, I taught the children and touched their lives. Unfortunately, I was “jerked” from their lives because of a divorce and an incredibly acrimonious woman that would say anything to hurt me and improve her position—a story of her life actually. Yes, that is quite sad to me as well. It’ll serve no purpose now to go into what happened.

And, the next comment from Mr/Mrs Anonymous. (Sounds like Mr/Mrs Anonymous has a personal interest in this.): I read your letter to your daughter and found it quite contradictory. You say your son (I'm assuming he's adopted as you certainly favor your daughter over her "half brothers.") told your daughter that you were trying to buy her love, and you deny it in the letter. And yet the last paragraph(of your letter to your daughter) is PURE BRIBERY. You seem like an intelligent man, but at the same time, you spout rhetoric that seems like a shell concealing something much more disquieting. You need to learn that you cannot manipulate your daughter. Let her make her own decision, or she'll see you as exactly what you're coming across as. Contradictory…? I don’t think so, but this is a rambling letter to my daughter, an attempt on my part to let her see my heart, to know her Dad so that when she is my age (old), she won’t have quite so many regrets as she thinks back on her life. Yes, sometimes I’m not as good as I should be in telling someone that I love them, or that I even care. I am trying to improve on that… Still, nothing is now more important than conveying the truth to Kristin. I believe my faith and trust in her abilities are clearly stated in my letter to her.

Favor my daughter over my sons…? Adopted…? Mr/Mrs Anonymous must live in Brainerd or Baxter, Minnesota (Crow Wing County). And, yes, they are adopted. Fine boys I think. It’s truly unfortunate that I was unable to get them the counseling they needed when they were 10 years old–this again goes back to the nasty divorce. I was terribly misled about the first 5 years of the boy’s lives. Actually, I understand that their true father has come back into their lives. And, he is a fine man. I am still proud of them and watch from the sidelines…but, I backed out of their lives in favor of their ‘real” father since I believe it’s in their best interests. Isn’t preparing our children to go into the world as hard working, responsible adults what it’s all about. Besides, these young men are married and raising their own children now…they are full grown and pretty much on their own. And, it wasn’t their Dad that caused the boys problems early in their life as I was told…

And, the next comment from Mr/Mrs Anonymous: …told your daughter that you were trying to buy her love, and you deny it in the letter. Not much explanation needed here. Anyone with any reasonable intelligence knows you can’t buy love… Well, maybe friendship. At least until the money goes away and then the friend goes away.

And finally, the most disturbing part of the comment from Mr/Mrs Anonymous: And yet the last paragraph(of your letter to your daughter) is PURE BRIBERY. You seem like an intelligent man, but at the same time, you spout rhetoric that seems like a shell concealing something much more disquieting. You need to learn that you cannot manipulate your daughter. Let her make her own decision, or she'll see you as exactly what you're coming across as. First, I must say that this writing sounds much like what a “leader” in a religious cult might say to attack me, to convince me to join their cult so I would see the world only like they wanted me to see it. Certainly chock full of anger. You know, like the anger a paranoid schizophrenic demonstrates with their “enemy.” Maybe even sociopathic I think. This does concern me greatly too. Obviously, Kristin has been manipulated since the divorce. Just think, I am her father…why, is it so unattainable for me to see her? To even talk to her on the phone, or email messages? Why do you believe I have to resort to “open letters” to even try to communicate with her? Clearly, someone doesn’t want her to know me. Has she been sucked into a religious cult…? Have they taken her freedom to think…? This is the kind of horror stuff we see all to often…you know, children shut in basements, kept from watching TV, hidden from the trials and tribulations of the real world that one day they’ll have to deal with…all in the name of “protecting” them from the world. Good grief! What chance of success is there for these children. How do they learn to cope with the real world, the world where we all must live.

Okay, and finally: PURE BRIBERY… This is likely just a case of standards that we as individuals are used to... But, just because I can easily afford these things, and Mr/Mrs Anonymous can’t…doesn’t make me wrong. Actually, I see nothing wrong with providing my daughter with nice things that I can afford…stuff that many of her peers enjoy. My parents bought me a car during high school and one for my graduation—and taught me responsibility. They bought me a 4X5 Speed Graphic Camera and a complete darkroom when I was a high school junior, forever opening my eyes to the world of light and imagination. There was a lot more too.

Mr/Mrs Anonymous why are you attacking me—I mean, the real reason…?

America WAKE UP!

That's what we think we heard on the 11th of September 2001 and maybe it was, but I think it should have been "Get Out of Bed!" In fact, I think the alarm clock has been buzzing since 1979 and we have continued to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more minutes of peaceful sleep since then.

It was a cool fall day in November 1979 in a country going through a religious and political upheaval when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran. This seizure was an outright attack on American soil; it was an attack that held the world's most powerful country hostage and paralyzed a Presidency. The attack on this sovereign US embassy set the stage for the events to follow for the next 23 years.

America was still reeling from the aftermath of the Viet Nam experience and had a serious threat from the Soviet Union when then, President Carter, had to do something. He chose to conduct a clandestine raid in the desert. The ill-fated mission ended in ruin, but stood as a symbol of America's inability to deal with terrorism. America's military had been decimated and downsized / right sized since the end of the Viet Nam war. A poorly trained, poorly equipped and poorly organized military was called on to execute a complex mission that was doomed from the start.

Shortly after the Tehran experience, Americans began to be kidnapped and killed throughout the Middle East. America could do little to protect her citizens living and working abroad. The attacks against US soil continued.

In April of 1983 a large vehicle packed with high explosives was driven into the US Embassy compound in Beirut. When it explodes, it kills 63 people. The alarm went off again and America hit the Snooze Button once more. Then just six short months later a large truck heavily laden down with over 2500 pounds of TNT smashed through the main gate of the US Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut. 241 US servicemen are killed. America mourns her dead and hit the Snooze Button once more. Two months later in December 1983, another truck loaded with explosives is driven into the US Embassy in Kuwait, and America continues her slumber. The following year, in September 1984, another van was driven into the gates of the US Embassy in Beirut and America slept.

Soon the terrorism spreads to Europe. In April 1985 a bomb explodes in a restaurant frequented by US soldiers in Madrid. Then in August a Volkswagen loaded with explosives is driven into the main gate of the US Air Force Base at Rhein-Main, 22 are killed and the Snooze Alarm is buzzing louder and louder as US soil is continually attacked. Fifty-nine days later a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro is hijacked and we watched as an American in a wheelchair is singled out of the passenger list and executed. The terrorists then shift their tactics to bombing civilian airliners when they bomb TWA Flight 840 in April of 1986 that killed 4 and the most tragic bombing, Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 259. America wants to treat these terrorist acts as crimes; in fact we are still trying to bring these people to trial. These are acts of war...the Wake Up alarm is louder and louder.

The terrorists decide to bring the fight to America. In January 1993, two CIA agents are shot and killed as they enter CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. The following month, February 1993, a group of terrorists are arrested after a rented van packed with explosives is driven into the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six people are killed and over 1000 are injured. Still this is a crime and not an act of war? The Snooze alarm is depressed again.

Then in November 1995 a car bomb explodes at a US military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia killing seven service men and women. A few months later in June of 1996, another truck bomb explodes only 35 yards from the US military compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It destroys the Khobar Towers, a US Air Force barracks, killing 19 and injuring over 500.

The terrorists are getting braver and smarter as they see that America does not respond decisively. They move to coordinate their attacks in a simultaneous attack on two US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. These attacks were planned with precision, they kill 224. America responds with cruise missile attacks and goes back to sleep.

The USS Cole was docked in the port of Aden, Yemen for refueling on 12 October 2000, when a small craft pulled along side the ship and exploded killing 17 US Navy Sailors. Attacking a US War Ship is an act of war, but we sent the FBI to investigate the crime and went back to sleep.

And of course you know the events of 11 September 2001. Most Americans think this was the first attack against US soil or in America. How wrong they are. America has been under a constant attack since 1979 and we chose to hit the snooze alarm and roll over and go back to sleep.

In the news lately we have seen lots of finger pointing from every high official in government over what they knew and what they didn't know. But if you've read the papers and paid a little attention I think you can see exactly what they knew. You don't have to be in the FBI or CIA or on the National Security Council to see the pattern that has been developing since 1979. The President is right on when he says we are engaged in a war. I think we have been in a war for the past 23 years and it will continue until we as a people decide enough is enough.

America has to "Get out of Bed" and act decisively now. America has changed forever. We have to be ready to pay the price and make the sacrifice to ensure our way of life continues. We cannot afford to hit the Snooze Button again and roll over and go back to sleep. We have to make the terrorists know that in the words of Admiral Yamamoto after the attack on Pearl Harbor "that all they have done is to awaken a sleeping giant."Dan Ouimette

What I Am! A great read...

The below ad appeared in the Washington Post on 10/20/04. It was written and paid for by George J. Esseff, Sr. Reprints are offered at the web site http://www.whatiam.net/ where there is also a link to email the author.

What I Am!
$104,655.60 Ad in the Washington Post
Here is someone with the money to fund a rebuttal to what Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee Chairman, said recently that many Republican have never done an honest day's work in their life. The following full page ad was placed in the Washington Post by a businessman named George J. Esseff, Sr. He paid $104,655.60 to run the ad and only did it because he is sick and tired of the way that "the rich" are portrayed by liberals these days. It is a great read.


Maybe you're a Republican?
In today's America ask a growing number of high school and college students, their teachers and professors, the self-anointed media elite and/or hard working men and women of all ethnicities, the question, "What is a Republican?" and you'll be told ".. a rich, greedy, egotistical individual, motivated only by money and the desire to accumulate more and more of it, at the expense of the environment, the working poor....and all whom they exploit..." I am a Republican - And I am none of those things....and I don't know any Republicans who are!

WHAT I AM first and foremost, is a loving husband of some 52 plus years, the father of four and an American who's proud of his country...and his country's heritage.

WHAT I AM is the grandson of immigrants who risked every-thing, including their lives and those of their children, to escape tyranny in search of freedom.

WHAT I AM is a man who grew up during the Depression and witnessed first hand the effects of the Stock Market crash and the soup lines that followed. I watched as both my parents and grand parents, who had very little themselves, share what food they had with a half dozen other families, who had even less.

WHAT I AM is someone who worked his way through college by holding down three and four jobs at a time and then used that education to build a better life.

WHAT I AM is a husband who at age 24 started his own business for the "privilege" of working 60, 70 and 80 hours a week, risking everything I had including my health, in search of a better life for myself and my loved ones.

WHAT I AM is a businessman whose blood, sweat and tears....and plenty of them..., made it possible for me to provide a secure living not only for my family and myself, but also for literally hundreds of my employees throughout the years. Employees who in turn were able to buy their own homes, raise their own families and give back to their communities and their country.

WHAT I AM is a man who believes in God; a God who has blessed this country... and all for which it stands.

WHAT I AM is someone who knows, if you doubt miracles exist in today's world, you need only to look into the face of those who received them....and the eyes of those who give them.

WHAT I AM is an American who's proud that his President embraces a belief in God; proud of a President who understands, as "politically incorrect" as it may be, there is evil in this world and for the security and safety of all freedom loving people everywhere, it must be confronted...and it must be defeated.

WHAT I AM is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that our President refuses to allow decisions concerning the very safety and security of this nation, to be governed by the political whims of foreign governments.

WHAT I AM is tired of hearing from leading Democrats who see only negativity in America; racism in her people; class warfare in her society and "political incorrectness" in her character.

WHAT I AM is a former democrat who now understands that it is the soldier and not the reporter that guarantees us our freedoms of press, speech and dissent.

WHAT I AM is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who is repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the expense of the unborn.

WHAT I AM is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family unit.

WHAT I AM is a ex-movie goer who is repulsed by those insecure, socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated "entertainers" who have appointed themselves "experts" in the fields of national security and geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its leaders and its actions....much to the delight and encouragement of our enemies.

WHAT I AM is an American who understands the difference between "censorship" and "choice." Evidently, these individuals do not, because when these same "celebrities" receive public ridicule for their offensive actions, the first thing they yell is "censorship." What they seem incapable of understanding is...the right of free speech and dissent is shared equally by those offended...as well as those who offend. I support and will continue to support those films and performers whom I choose to and refuse to support those I don't. It is my right as an American a right I will continue to enthusiastically exercise.

WHAT I AM is a voter, tired of politicians who ever time their voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert attention from their political and legislative failures by accusing their opponents of "attack ads" and "negative campaigning"....and the news media who allow them to get away with it.

WHAT I AM is a Catholic who loves his God and his Faith....and who's been taught to respect all religions whose teachings are based in love, peace and charity. As such, I am embarrassed and ashamed of those individuals in both private and public life whose decisions and actions are devoid of any sense of character or morals; individuals who are only driven by what's best for them....rather than what's right... often times at the expense of many....including our national security.
WHAT I AM is a realist who understands that the terrorist attack that murdered hundreds of innocent Russian children could have occurred here, in our heartland. That's why I sincerely believe America needs now, more than ever, a President who sees with a clear and focused vision and who speaks with a voice when heard by both friend and foe alike is understood, respected and believed.

WHAT I AM is eternally grateful to Ronald Reagan for having the bravery to speak out against Communism and the courage of his convictions in leading the fight to defeat it; and George W. Bush for the vision, courage, conviction and leadership he has shown in America's war on terrorism amidst both the constant and vicious, personal and political attacks both he and his family are made to endure.

WHAT I AM is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, but a man nonetheless who though not always successful has continually strived to do "what's right" instead of "what's easy." A man who is challenging the religious leaders of all faiths, to not only preach to their congregations the fundamentals of "what's right" and "what's wrong," but to also then hold them accountable for their actions in both the public and private sectors.

WHAT I AM is disgusted with the Courts who on one hand call the murder of a pregnant woman a "double homicide," but then refer to the abortion of her baby as "pro-choice".

WHAT I AM is someone deeply troubled by a political party which embraces a candidate whose primary "leadership" qualities center around his protesting of the Vietnam war and his labeling the honorable men and women who fought in it, (50,000 of whom gave their lives in that action), as rapists, and war criminals (John Kerry). That same political party then stepped forward this year to block the appearance of a true Vietnam war hero, retired Admiral and former United States Senator, Jeremiah Denton, (a man who spent seven years and seven torturous months in a North Vietnam prison), from speaking before an open session of the California legislature as part of that state's 4th of July celebration. The reason Democrats gave for refusing to allow this American hero to speak before their state legislature was because of the "conservative" nature of his views. As an American, that troubles me deeply....as well it should you. (Are you listening Mr. D?)

WHAT I AM is a man who feels the need to spend, ONE HUNDRED & FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED & FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($104, 655.60, tax paid) of his own money, to purchase this advertisement, in order to set the story straight. Some may say this money would have been better spent feeding the world's poor. At the risk of sounding self-serving, as an American and as a Republican, for the last six decades of my life, I have done exactly that...and more. Following the examples of my parents and grand parents, I have used my earnings to feed the poor, shelter the homeless, provide housing for the elderly and medical care for the sick.....and continue to do so...and I'm not alone in that work.

WHAT I AM is someone who is paying for this announcement at my sole expense in hopes of opening the eyes of those led blindly by ill-informed elements of our great nation, who, through either ignorance, or malicious intent, repeatedly attack and belittle those of us who belong to a political party that holds true to the belief, "The rights of the governed, exceed the power of the government." For those interested, I am speaking only as a tax-paying individual who is in no way associated with the Republican National Committee, nor with any of its directors, or delegates.

WHAT I AM is a man who understands, "the American way of life" is a message of self-empowerment for all.

WHAT I AM is an American who is grateful that our nation gives each of us the opportunity of self-determination and the right to benefit from the fruits of self achievement.

WHAT I AM is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for all who seek it.
WHAT I AM is blessed to be an American.... and proud to be a Republican.

David's country meatloat and barbeque sauce recipes...

A country meatloaf with bacon that’s a real rib sticker and particularly good with mash potatoes and gravy.

INGREDIENTS:
2 ½ pounds lean ground beef
2 teaspoons salt
2 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup soft bread crumbs ( I like fresh sough dough bread)
½ cup milk
½ cup prune juice (yep, it is great)
2 cans tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 finely chopped yellow onion
5 cloves finely chopped fresh garlic
½ teaspoon dried leaf thyme, crumbled
½ teaspoon ground celery seed
2 tablespoons celery flakes
3 slices bacon, halved crosswise

PREPARATION:
Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, eggs, bread crumbs, milk, Worcestershire, onion, and other stuff. Pack into a lightly greased loaf pan or form into a loaf pan or form into a loaf and place on a lightly greased baking sheet with sides. Top meatloaf with sliced bacon and bake at 350° for 1 hour. If desired, serve meatloaf with heated tomato sauce or gravy.

David’s Coca-Cola Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients:

1 can (12 oz.) Classic Coke

2 cups ketchup

1 cup finely chopped onion

5 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 cup Prune Juice
2 Tablespoons paprika

2 Tablespoons chili powder

2 Tablespoons dry mustard
1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon salt

Hot pepper sauce to taste. (I use Tabasco and Louisiana Hot Sauce.)

Preparation:
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered for 30-45 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally. Strain if desired.

David’s Stew and Bread Recipes

This is a deliciously nutritious blend of tender beef and vegetables with just the right amount of thick, flavorful broth to tie everything together. Eat with buttered bread—see below, and you have a perfect meal for on the run (microwaves great) or for sitting down together and sharing the day’s events. The original recipe is from my grandmother and was a family favorite during the depression days. The only changes I’ve made is to use frozen vegetables in place of fresh since today’s frozen vegetables are more nutritious than fresh vegetables. (Fresh vegetables are harvested early prior to proper ripening so they ripen in the supermarket. Frozen vegetables are harvested after ripening.)

1 (3 ½ pound) Beef chuck roast. Trim off fat and cut into ¾“ cubes.
¾ cup barley
1 bay leaf (remove after cooking)
3 Carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 yellow onion, minced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen green beans
1 cup frozen peas
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (10.5 ounce) cans beef consommé
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
Salt to taste…I also add more black pepper and a bit of cayenne pepper.

In a (large) slow cooker, combine all ingredients and stir. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours. Stir periodically. Then cook on low for an additional 5 to 6 hours. Stir periodically. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Really great bread...
Both of these bread recipes can also be cooked in the oven—my preference. Let the bread machine do the kneading, then place the dough on a cookie sheet for a round loaf--my favorite, or in 2 bread pans for normal shaped loaf. Let rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size. I cover the bread with a towel while it's rising. Pre heat oven at 325 degrees then cook for 45 minutes to an hour--until golden brown and thumping on the crust sounds hollow.

David’s Favorite Sourdough Bread (Machine)
1 Cup Warm Milk
1 ½ Cups Sourdough Starter
1 Whole Egg
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Butter
½ Cup Dry Potatoes
½ Cup Dry Buttermilk
3 ½ Cups Bread Flour
(1 ½ Teaspoon Active Dry Yeast) – Use only with new starter to help rise.
Put all ingredients into bread machine in order listed.

David’s Favorite Sponge Bread (Machine)
1 ¼ Cup warm Milk
½ Cup dry buttermilk
1 whole egg
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs butter
1 Tbs sugar
3 Cups bread flour
1 ½ tsp yeast
Put all ingredients into bread machine in order listed.

Is this “quote” relevant to today’s time…? What do you think?

Hermann Goering's Quote On War And The People

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY."
--Goering at the Nuremberg Trials

Super Bowl Party... Did we have fun or what?

Well, this is a beginning… Believe I was the only one there that was under control. I drank so much tonic and double lime that I had to take a Zantac when I got home. Think I might ought to go back to alcohol, you know, beer or scotch--easier on the stomach. It was fun though...and, the food was especially good.

I've known most of these people for years...neat people too, imagine? Great friends, but crazy I think. We really did have fun...isn't that what life is all about...fun memories and love? And, without exception...everyone had a designated driver. Of course, we're Alaskans, so we know how to do things right, tough too.

Important Stuff...

Families must continue to be the foundation of our nation. Families—not government programs—are the best way to make sure our children are properly nurtured, our elderly are cared for, our cultural and spiritual heritages are perpetuated, our laws are observed and our values are preserved. Thus it is imperative that our government's programs, actions, officials and social welfare institutions never be allowed to jeopardize the family. We fear the government may be powerful enough to destroy our families; we know that it is not powerful enough to replace them.


The character that takes command in moments of crucial choices has already been determined by a thousand other choices made earlier in seemingly unimportant moments. It has been determined by all the "little" choices of years past—by all those times when the voice of conscience was at war with the voice of temptation, which was whispering the lie that "it really doesn't matter." It has been determined by all the day-to-day decisions made when life seemed easy and crises seemed far away—the decision that, piece by piece, bit by bit, developed habits of discipline or of laziness; habits of self-sacrifice or self-indulgence; habits of duty and honor and integrity—or dishonor and shame.


"We've got to teach history based not on what's in fashion but what's important—why the Pilgrims came here, who Jimmy Doolittle was, and what those 30 seconds over Tokyo meant. You know...on the 40th anniversary of D-day, I read a letter from a young woman writing to her late father, who'd fought on Omaha Beach. Her name was Lisa Zanatta Henn, and she said, 'we will always remember, we will never forget what the boys of Normandy did.' Well, let's help her keep her word. If we forget what we did, we won't know who we are. I'm warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit. Let's start with some basics: more attention to American history and a greater emphasis on civic ritual. And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let 'em know and nail 'em on it. That would be a very American thing to do." —Ronald Reagan