HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

 

There seems to be a lot of young people demonstrating these days. Some are pro-Israel and some are pro-Hamas. Most, I suspect, are just along for the ride and don't really know what side they are on. What puzzles me is where do they get the time to demonstrate? Do they not work? Go to school? Who is paying their way?

 

I remember when I was a youngster I didn't have time for any such nonsense. First of all, when I was seventeen years old I joined the Army. I don't think they would have allowed too much demonstration. As I have said before, my joining the Army wasn't necessarily a patriotic thing, it was an either join or be drafted. This brings me to the point of this column. 

 

Those of you in my age bracket will remember the draft. It was simply a fact of our lives at the time. I just read where the various branches of service are having difficulty getting enough new recruits. Maybe it's time to re-institute the draft.

 

Another problem though is that over seventy percent of 17 to 24 year olds couldn't even qualify to enter the service. When I was that age all you had to do was make fog on a mirror and you were in. Things have definitely changed. I also have read that the services don't really want draftees. They much prefer volunteers. I understand that but, maybe for the good of  everybody, we should just draft them and then train them. It works. I have seen it work. I was stationed with a number of draftees and most of them became good soldiers. Some didn't like it, but eventually they came around. 

 

It turns out that my joining was the best thing I did. I have continually received so much more than I gave. I was a seventeen year old hillbilly and the Army turned me into a grown man. I traveled the world and saw things most will never have the opportunity to see. Today as an 83 year old, the VA sees to my health care and my medications. I have a VA loan on my home. Contrary to what you may have heard about the VA, they take excellent care of me.

 

On Memorial Day we honor those who gave their all so that we can be free. Let us never forget. Freedom is not free.

Ron Scarbro May 22, 2024

 

ISRAEL IS OUR ALLY

 

Without a doubt Joe Biden has a dilemma. He is trying to make it look like he's stopping Israel from protecting themselves and at the same time trying to calm those in this country, the so-called pro-Palestinians especially on some college campuses, who object. I have decided to help Biden with his issue. 

 

Number one, Israel is going to protect themselves regardless of what Biden thinks or says. For them it's a matter of survival. Number two, eventually the youngsters on campuses who are so upset will someday grow up and come to understand how things work in the real world. 

 

I thought colleges were supposed to be teaching. It looks like some of the students aren't learning. I would recommend some world history classes. 

 

Netanyahu has said repeatedly that if Hamas quits attacking Israel, the shooting stops. But if Israel stops defending themselves, they will cease to exist. Pretty easy to understand, isn't it? This isn't the first time in history that Israel has had to defend themselves. They have been under attack since they began as God's chosen people. Their land was given to them by God. 

 

This other point. There is no Palestine. There are some itinerant Arabs traveling around looking for a place to call home. They appear to have chosen some of Israel's land to be that home. That would be the Gaza Strip.

 

On that small piece of land they have set up munition storage and firing stations. They have chosen hospitals and schools for that activity. They hide behind women and children. They invited Hamas into their new home. Their objective is clear. The total destruction of Israel. 

 

Well, I've got some bad news for them. That ain't gonna happen. It's been tried before and it has never worked. There are two primary reasons why it can't work. One, the Israelis are strong resilient people. The second reason is crystal clear. They are God's chosen people and as such, are under His protection. Many times in their history other countries have tried to destroy them, all to no avail. 

 

Israel is our ally. We have a commitment to come to their aid and help protect them, and we shall. Netanyahu intends to eliminate Hamas. I for one hope he pulls it off. 

 

Ron Scarbro May 8, 2024

 

PRAY FOR ISRAEL

 

Heaven forbid. Israel has retaliated against Iran for their cowardly attack. The Biden Administration is very unhappy. Don't be so hasty to go after Iran. You might upset them. You might offend them. A more proper response would be maybe a nasty note. But not too nasty, they are very sensitive. The world doesn't need an Iran who is mad.

 

As you might imagine, I have a different idea of a response. You see, I don't care if that bunch of thugs hiding behind their religion get upset. It is widely reported that the Iranian people actually dislike their government but won't do anything to change it. One problem, of course, is that their government has disarmed its people. That is the way they stay in power. 

 

Eventually, we and the free world are going to have to bring Iran into the real world. Their renegade government cannot seem to behave. They sponsor terrorism all around the world and they will until we stop them. Most of their terrorism is directed at us or our allies. They finance the Houthis who regularly fire on ships in free waterways. One or two well placed missiles from one of our ships nearby would bring that to an end immediately. You have to wonder why we haven't done that already. If you think the reason might be our feckless liberal government, you are probably onto something. 

 

Freedom is not free. It sometimes requires action. Thomas Jefferson once said, loosely quoted, the tree of freedom must occasionally be watered by the blood of patriots. Now I'm not advocating war with Iran or anybody. But I do believe they see us as weak and unconcerned. We need to change that perception. That probably would require a different president though. One with masculine tendencies and masculine body parts, if you know what I mean.

 

A cursory reading of Genesis, chapter 12 clearly shows where Israel got its beginnings. God granted most of northern Africa to Abraham to be the homeland of the Jews. He laid out the boundaries and then offered this admonition. Again, loosely quoted, he that blesses Israel, I will bless, he that curses Israel, I will curse. Sounds pretty serious to me. 

 

If I were Iran or any other would-be enemy of Israel, I might want to take heed. On the other hand, if you don't accept the Bible as God's Word, you have more problems than I can help you with.

 

We will continue to pray for Israel and all Jews. I ask you to do the same.

 

Ron Scarbro April 24, 2024