War and the tragedies of it.

 

WWI – 1913/1921 Woodrow Wilson – Democrat –116,708 Combat Deaths
WWll – 1941/1945 Franklin Roosevelt / Harry Truman -Democrats – 291,557 Combat Deaths
Korean War – 1950/1953 Harry Truman – Democrat - 33,686 Combat Deaths
Vietnam – 1955/1975 (1955 to 59 Advisory Personnel – first American Military deaths were July 8,1959) Dwight Eisenhower – Republican / 1961-1963 John Kennedy – Democrat / 1963/1969 Lyndon Johnson – Democrat / 1969/1974 Richard Nixon – Republican 1974/Highest American Military in country, differs by source…American War Library indicates 586,100 in 1969 under Lyndon Johnson. Combat Deaths, depending on source, more than 47,000. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists all deaths attributed to those confirmed to qualify established by DOD criteria and initially researched by Robert Doubek that accounts for the 58,318 as reported by the National Park Service.
Gulf War – 1990/1991 George H.W. Bush Republican – 288 Combat Deaths
Afghanistan – 2001/2021 George W. Bush- Republican/ Barack Obama – Democrat/ Donald J Trump - Republican – Combat Deaths 1922 Military, 18 CIA and 1822 Civilian Contractors. There were 73 combat deaths from January 2017 through 2020. Four of those were in 2020. “…All four combat deaths occurred before Feb. 29, when the Taliban agreed under a deal signed with the U.S. not to attack international troops and the Americans pledged to fully withdraw from the country…” (Stars and Stripes 12/30/2020).
Iraq War – 2003/2011 George W. Bush – Republican / Barack Obama – Democrat - 4569 Combat Deaths.

War seems to be one of the only bi-partisan initiatives that crosses the aisle. Although when it comes to most of those wars or conflicts the Democrats hold a very strong lead in the lives lost in combat. I have no confidence that the current Democrat Party choice for 2024 is even on its best day, capable of keeping us out of another war. But very capable of adding to the combat death toll of Americans. I have no recall of ever witnessing a weaker party ticket since I was eligible to vote. Jimmy was close, but no cigar. This is one of those cases where two fictional characters have better credentials. Dumb and Dumber.

I bring this up because the next election will determine not only the direction the President will lead the Republic in economy, inflation, energy production, foreign policy, crime reduction and restoring the rule of law, but will also be the Commander in Chief. With this administration bringing us to the brink of a possible WWIII, and an escalation bringing us closer to a nuclear exchange and not destroying the most terroristic nation’s nuclear program and calling for the most restrictive sanctions ever imposed to stop the terror that surrounds our greatest ally in the Middle East. Our government should be bankrupting Iran’s funding to end their ability to rain terror upon anyone.

I have a grandson, 14, I would love to see a generation that doesn’t have to go to war. But in the direction we are going, the lack of men and women choosing the military as a steppingstone to maturity, an avenue to help fund a better education or a career, the next step we will be taking will be restoring the draft…my guess…men and women over the age of 18. My Grandfather served in WWI, My Father in WWII, a cousin in Korea, a brother that spent 3 very long years on the Korean DMZ, I served in Vietnam and my son in Iraq. We need a Commander in Chief capable, knowledgeable, committed, experienced with successful policies and foreign relations abilities to lead us beyond the brink of war, the escalation of nuclear conflict. A President that will reestablish America as the exemplary example of democracy, personal freedoms, the ability to pursue life and liberty and happiness.

We don’t need a vibe, or joy or silly laughter and gaiety. We need someone serious as a heartbeat, to put the heartbeat back in We the People. We’ve had enough of the lies, the flip-flops the studders and stammers, the gaffes and the absolute incompetence and poor choices that has taken us to this “passage of time” that makes you want to vomit.

I’m for sure in my last quarter of life. I hope I live long enough to see at least our nation return to closed borders, accountability for one’s actions at all levels, a National Holiday for elections, paper ballots and Voter ID. I hope to see our college campuses return to teaching instead of indoctrination and camp outs destruction of property and kidnapping. Our K-12 parents are given choices as to whom and how their children are taught. A return to a much higher moral ground. Calling destruction of others property and burning down public and private property what it is…it is not a peaceful protest. I would love to see laws that carried severe punishment for burning our flag and displaying a flag of a foreign enemy or terrorist group. Not to mention another season of Mandalorian and a return of the Road Runner and Wiley Coyote.