Joel's Blogging AlongJoel Hendon (3,942)     Joel Hendon    A Boy Called “Puke”Posted Wednesday, June 18, 2008 (20 days 12 hours ago.) Viewed 302 times. After high school, I was registered for the military draft and was classified 1A. So there was not much chance of landing a career job, not much sense in enrolling in college since one normally did not stay in 1A classification very long in those days. So I had a friend who owned an Economy Auto Associate Store and was in need of a clerk, so he took me in, understanding that I might be called up anytime. In the course of several months, I met an enormous amount of locals as they came in for auto accessories , household goods, etc. During this time there were several young kids, maybe 10 to 12 years of age who were in and out for bicycle parts, etc. They were good kids, and one seemed to be more assertive and talked a lot more than the others. He almost seemed cocky and overly sure of himself, although a good kid anyway. I never learned their names. But one day this one kid came in alone and my employer greeted him with a ,"Hello Puke, what could I help you with?" After he left the store I asked my friend, what he called the boy? The then told me he called him "Puke" and explained that everyone did and that he did not know what his proper name was. It was the first time I had met anyone called that repulsive word, and thankfully I have not run into any other. I have found a couple who were called worse things, some I would not repeat. I learned that some of the kids were disrespectful to him and made fun of him. I could never figure out why. He seemed decent and the only thing I could detect that might be undesirable about him was his slight know-it-all attitude. And the more I was around him, the more I realized that he actually did know more than the average kid, especially things of a higher educational level than they were. They would pick at him and tell him he didn't know what he was talking about. I also learned that even some of his teachers felt he was a little off in the brain department. I could not detect any such but then, it was not my affair. It was long about this time when Uncle Sam sent my letter of Greeting! When my tour was nearly over and I had a weekend attached to a three-day pass, I flew to Atlanta and took a passenger train on home. Then when it was time to return, I was sitting in a café near the train station, drinking a cup of coffee when in comes the boy named Puke. Now looking about 14 or 15 years old I guess. "Hi, Mr. Joel, it's good to see you. I didn't even know you were in the Army." "Hey, friend, come on over and have a coke on me while I'm waiting for the train." After he was seated and had his coke delivered to him, I asked him plainly, "Why do they call you Puke?" He gave a slight smile and said, "Well, my real name is Euclid and I never liked it. The other kids made fun of it and started calling me ‘Puclid' until it just kindly got shortened up to Puke." So, I thought, that is the answer. But it still didn't explain why they seemed to make fun of him, but I didn't ask that. I did ask him if he minded if I just called him Euclid and he said not at all. As we talked, he asked me what my job was in the Army and I replied that the title of my job probably would not mean much to him but it was "Intelligence Aircraft Plotter". To which he blurted out, "Sure I know what that is!" and he began to explain it in detail. I thought that this kid must read an awful lot and asked him so, to which he replied that he did and especially concerning military matters. He said that he planned to make the military a career when he finished school. I was home to stay in a few more months and I only ran into him once or twice that I remember. But I did learn that he attended college and joined the local National Guard unit while in college. I also heard, (unverified) that he made the highest score on the general entrance exam, that had ever been made since the local unit was formed. I learned later that he was in the Regular Army and had attained the grade of Captain. I don't know what eventually became of Euclid, after he entered the Army. I'm pretty sure that he retired from the military but I heard in later years that he had died. I've never been able to find out if he was still in service or not, or if his death had anything to do with his military service. But I am glad that I knew him and I feel bad that some thought he was sort of stupid. Actually, he may have had the highest IQ of anyone I was ever acquainted with. And I'm glad I never called him "Puke". Not too many years ago, shortly before I was retired, I worked in a large facility and a very young man worked in the same department. When I was placed into that department, I was dismayed and even somewhat disgusted to find that just about the entire department called him T--d. And they would call him across the department…loud, and there were ladies working in the department. I went over to him and asked him what his real name was and what he wanted to be called. He told me his name was Randy but I could call him T--d if I wanted to. I told him, no, I'll call you Randy. No one enjoys a good laugh more than I. But to call someone a repulsive or vulgar name in mixed company is something to which I never became accustomed. I appreciate people such as Randy or Euclid who are sport enough to take such with kindness and no ill will. 
Permalink Comments (9) Which Exit Will Our Freedoms Take?Posted Thursday, June 12, 2008 (26 days 12 hours ago.) Viewed 79 times. The United States of America still enjoys more freedoms than any nation in the world. We have lost some of them already but our more treasured ones, freedom of speech and religion are partially intact although they are walking a slippery slope. The western nations are swiftly losing their right to call themselves "the free world". It is only a matter of minimal time until we will not enjoy our freedom as we've known it. Where are those freedoms going? There are a number of exits available and only the nations themselves can block those exits if they try. Liberal activist judges have been the primary force behind those freedoms we have lost and will continue to do their thing for years to come if something worse does not happen and indeed that may be the case. Lets recall some of the things that have occurred over the past couple of decades, here in the U.S. and even moreso in Canada and Europe. Our rights to keep and bear arms have been severely limited and continue to be in danger of elimination. Our elected officials continue to strive to circumvent our constitutional authority to own guns. They also continue their untiring efforts to enact "hate" laws that will severely restrict our right to speak out against anything or anyone which might give them another vote. Canada has had a law against "hate" speech for a number of years which covered color, race, religion or ethnic origin, but in 2004 enacted an amendment to it which also covers sexual orientation, heterosexuals, homosexuals and/or bisexuals. Even though there are certain restrictive exceptions for religious expression, the final decision is up to the court and any activist judge can infringe severely upon religious freedom. One of their judges has already made a decision that certain portions of the Holy Bible could be considered "hate speech". "Selective enforcement is one of the many problems with a law that can reach out to ensnare David Ahenakew, an elderly aboriginal leader in Saskatchewan, but seems to pass right over preachers of violent jihad. "But hate laws aren't really about hate. They're about abusing and stretching the criminal code to criminalize political dissidents." (Ezra Levant, "Abolish foolish law", Calgary Sun/Canoe June 12, 2006) Regardless of what one might hope, any such hate law enacted here in the U.S. would be subject to exactly the same judgement of activist judges as is found in Canada. And, with a super liberal president and congress this is exactly what you may watch for. Such interferences in national freedoms can be stopped and reversed if their people will only step up to the plate in time to redeem them, although with the current world opinion and outlook, it appears there is a very slim likelihood of such happening. However, the really ominous threat is the obtrusion of Islam, currently in Europe and soon to be spread world wide. Some nations in Europe are now held captive by their immigrant Muslims. Spain and France are afraid to make any move for fear of violence from their Muslim sector. Following closely behind are several others including Great Britain and the Netherlands. In November 2003 a Dutch filmmaker, Theo van Gogh, who was regarded as a "fierce critic of fundamentalist Islam", was found dead from a gunshot and his throat slit on a street in Amsterdam. A local agency serving those who seek to emigrate, has seen a large surge in those wanting to leave the country, many moving to Australia, New Zealand or Canada. It is particularly painful to watch a quiet and peace loving little nation such as the Netherlands, have to face such as they are now doing. They have welcomed immigrants into their midst until they now are10% migrants, only to have them causing fear and heartache. Gangs of foreign teenagers take to the streets at night and locals are afraid to have their own children out. Once they enjoyed strolls in the late evenings but no more. Some authorities state that the requests to move (immigrate) out of the country has risen by 20% within the past decade. The United States itself is experiencing a tremendous influx of immigrants, both legal and illegal. A large percentage of these are Hispanics but there is no way of knowing how many Muslims are also entering illegally. It is not the American way to be intolerant of a particular group, but the records being established by Islamists in Europe and around the world are a cause of grave concern. The train bombings in Madrid on March 11, 2004 killing 191, the train bombings in London on July 7, 2005 killing 52 commuters, rioting and violence around the world over the Danish publication of Muhammad cartoons, and on and on. It does not take a majority or overwhelming numbers to conquer a nation and enslave it if the majority are so complacent as to allow it to happen. The chips are down for the U.. S.. as it approaches self destruction. Infighting, political correctness, immorality, intolerance of Christian worship and lifestyle, obesity from lack of physical activity, large and irresponsible government. May the providence of God keep and sustain us.
Addendum: For those who would like to see the video documentary "Fitna" which explains some of the problems in the Netherlands.
Permalink Comments (2) A Solution For America’s Woes, That Would WorkPosted Tuesday, June 10, 2008 (28 days 10 hours ago.) Viewed 77 times. It seems to me that all Americans, or at least 95% of them, know that we are in one whale of a mess. The reasons are far too numerous to try and list, much less try to explain. But there does exist a way that this can all be straightened out if people would only listen. Remember Newt Gingrich? He has just published his new book, Real Change, and I believe every American should read it. Newt Gingrich is perhaps one of the most brilliant politicians of our time. Let's recall a bit of his background before you take issue with that statement. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1978 and was re-elected ten times. He served as minority whip for the Republicans from 1989 to 1994 and Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999. So, what happened to Newt? He was one of the most active and newsworthy conservative members of the house ever. He and six other members of the Republican house minority composed, and the party released, a document entitled Contract With America during the mid-term election campaign of 1994 which resulted in a Republican take-over of the house in that election. The first time Republicans had acquired control in 40 years. If my readers have never read this document, I urge you to do so and you can easily see the reason it was received so readily by the voters. http://www.house.gov/house/Contract/CONTRACT.html But this document and especially the results thereof, were met with anger and disdain by the opposition. Instead of cooperation of a publicly approved agenda, it was met with fightings and division across the aisle. The animosity that was created eventually was partially responsible for the impeachment of Bill Clinton by the House. Due to the lack of cooperation, and the lack of harmony in the house, much of the contract was unable to be passed. And from this, the Republicans lost 5 seats in the House in 1998. Shortly thereafter, Gingrich announced his resignation as Speaker of the House. Since that time, Newt has been actively working as a political analyst and consultant and has recently launched his website, American Solutions, a non-partisan, must see, website which is explained by this opening statement: "We recently launched American Solutions for Winning the Future, a unique non-partisan organization designed to rise above traditional gridlocked partisanship, to provide real, significant solutions to the most important issues facing our country." Be sure to visit this website as well as the document linked above. You will see that he has proposed solutions to issues, not partisan politics. http://www.americansolutions.com/About/ But concerning his new book. He is not running for president. He is not promoting anyone for president. He simply tells things as they are and, as was the Contract With America, it makes wonderful sense and names the issues and clearly shows the will of the American people. Let's just look at the percentages of what Americans think and then try and figure out why our politicians won't listen, and why we vote for those who have no intention of doing things according to the will of the people. Look at them and tell us why we cannot get together on these issues and not spread so much hatred. (1) 97% of the people have no problem with a moment of silence in the public school classroom to allow prayer by those who wish to do so. (2) 87% feel that English should be the official language of the United States. (3) 93% believe that al Qaeda poses a serious threat to our country. (4) 79% do not believe it is possible to negotiate peace with terrorist groups. (5) 80% know that the Social Security system is broken. (6) 71% support a flat tax. (7) 73% favor drilling for oil off America's coasts to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Now this is supposed to be a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Tell me why, when in most of the instances above, over three fourths of the people wish for something but we cannot over come a few special interests, partisan politics, and politically correct crud, to become a well managed country again? Why can we not, in cases of high dissention, allow the public to speak? What is ruining this nation is political division and hatred. Partisan politics where most politicians base their decisions on opposing the other party rather than the betterment of this country. Power, greed, money and hatred is destroying us. Read carefully the document, Contract With America, even if you decide not to buy his book. It is a rare approach for any politician. Unthinkable by most.
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