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June 16th, 2005

Our American Hero

Now here’s a story of a TRUE red, white and blue American hero:

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2005 – For the first time since World War II, a woman soldier was awarded the Silver Star Medal today in Iraq.

Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester of the 617th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit out of Richmond, Ky., received the Silver Star, along with two other members of her unit, Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein and Spc. Jason Mike, for their actions during an enemy ambush on their convoy. Other members of the unit also received awards.

Hester’s squad was shadowing a supply convoy March 20 when anti-Iraqi fighters ambushed the convoy. The squad moved to the side of the road, flanking the insurgents and cutting off their escape route. Hester led her team through the "kill zone" and into a flanking position, where she assaulted a trench line with grenades and M203 grenade-launcher rounds. She and Nein, her squad leader, then cleared two trenches, at which time she killed three insurgents with her rifle.

When the fight was over, 27 insurgents were dead, six were wounded, and one was captured.

Just reading this story, you can get a sense of the person behind the uniform.  Sgt. Hester says it best:

"Your training kicks in and the soldier kicks in," she said. "It’s your life or theirs. … You’ve got a job to do — protecting yourself and your fellow comrades."

People like Sgt. Hester - brave, heroic, yet humble - have put their lives on the line to build America and have protected America from evil that has lurked throughout history.  I am so greatful to have people like Sgt. Hester protecting me.

Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines sums it up nicely:

My heroes don’t play in the (National Basketball Association) and don’t play in the U.S. Open (golf tournament) at Pinehurst," Vines said. "They’re standing in front of me today. These are American heroes."

I’ll second that!

Update:  Mr. Kurtz’s Neighborhood has a great post that also has some history - a woman who won the Silver Star in WW II - Lt. Mary Louise Roberts.  A great story!

punta del capello: CitzCom

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So said Merri | Life's Musings | Comments & Trackbacks (3) | Link

June 16th, 2005

Stop the ACLU! Blogburst - Teens and Abortion

From the ACLU’s website:

BOISE, ID — The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood Federation of America argued in court today that Idaho’s third attempt at enforcing a dangerous measure restricting teenagers’ access to abortion should be enjoined.

"The safety of Idaho’s most vulnerable teens should be our first concern," said Rebecca Poedy, President of Planned Parenthood of Idaho. "Putting politics before health care, the state persists in its efforts to enforce a law that would harm teenagers, especially those in need of emergency abortions."

How about putting life before death?  How about allowing parents to be responsible for their children versus enabling children to go behind their backs for medical procedures?  More from the ACLU’s website:

The law in question prevents teens under 18 from having an abortion unless they receive the written consent of a parent or a court waiver of that requirement. Although slightly modified from two earlier versions already struck down by the courts, the law at issue in today’s case suffers from two flaws previously declared unconstitutional: It compromises the confidentiality of teens who need emergency abortions, and of teens seeking waiver of the parental consent requirement.

I’m sorry, but as a parent, I am responsible for my child’s welfare until they are an adult - age 18.  If my child had a problem with their appendix, a physician and the hospital would require my consent for surgery.  While significant moral issues exist around abortion, let’s take them out of the equation for a moment.  Abortion is a medical procedure.  Why should a parent not be allowed to give consent and be informed?  If a parent isn’t allowed to know that their daughter went and got an abortion, how will they know to make sure she is okay?  How will they be able to respond effectively if something goes wrong medically? 

Okay, now I have to put the moral issues back into the equation.  I should be able to help my child work through life-altering events such as pregnancy - it is my obligation and responsibility as a parent to teach my children right from wrong, to share my beliefs and other life lessons and to help them weigh all sides when making decisions that will impact them the rest of their lives.  If I am not given an opportunity to know about a pregnancy, and my daughter elected to have an abortion, how can I possibly support her emotional needs and speak to the guilt that typically accompanies the decision to kill an unborn child?  Why am I, the parent of this minor, the excluded party here?  Should my daughter make the mistake of getting into the situation of an unplanned pregnancy, my involvement is invaluable - I have raised her and should know how to reach her and help her come to a decision on what to do next. 

There’s more to "solving" an unplanned pregnancy than medical equipment.  I truly do not believe A-C-L-U spells Mom or Dad…or God, for that matter.

Please visit Stop the ACLU! and also visit other sites participating in the Stop the ACLU! Blogburst - you’ll see rather quickly that the ACLU truly doesn’t care about the welfare of children and minors - they only care about their sick, twisted agenda.

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So said Merri | ACLU Musings | Comments & Trackbacks (9) | Link

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