Ray takes time out to express his grattitude to the men and women in the armed forces who keep this country safe and strong.
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About Me
- Ray Richardson
- I live in Westbrook with my wonderful wife Dee Dee and our four children. We have been residents of Maine for a little over 22 years, moving here from Florida in 1985.
18 comments:
Thank you, Ray, for your kind words and your support of our troops. Me and my wife Mary would have loved to have been in attendance at Hadlock, but we were in Washington, D.C. for Rolling Thunder XXI. I always get a great deal of inspiration while attending that event. It reminds me that this country is great, but it is great and will endure only because of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in her defense. And that is something we should never forget.
Thanks Les, thanks for your kind words and for your service on behalf of our nation.
Without brave men like you, I would not have the privileges I do and I hope you know that thought is never far from my mind.
Les,
Yes we need a strong military, no question about it. It is not the "only " reason this country can endure.
This country will also endure as long as we have good civilian leaders who use the finest military in the world wisely.
Not blundering idiots like W who are misusing our military for his own agenda.
Before you ask, No, like Ray I have not served in the military.
Thanks, Bruce, for not surprising me. Somehow, for you and your ilk, it always comes down to Bush-bashing. Can't you guys get it through your heads that he's not running for re-election?!?! Get over it, already. But since you just had to bash our Commander-in-Chief, I'm more than happy to set the record straight. Having served in the greatest Military on earth for over 20 years, I can say with certain resolve, and the vast majority of my comrades-in-arms would agree, that President Bush is not "abusing" our armed forces for his own "agenda". Whether you like it or not, we face an evil, determined enemy who seeks nothing more than the total destruction of our country and way of life. I, and once again, the vast majority of my comrades-in-arms, would rather take the fight to our enemy than wait for more cowardly attacks on our homeland. I am glad that you agree that we need to maintain a strong military, the problem with the liberal approach to military strength is that liberal leaders wring their hands for far to long debating whether to use military force, and once they do get around to authorizing it, they hamstring our commanders in the field to such a degree that the whole event turns into a fiasco. For examples I use Jimmy Carter's butt kissing of the Iranian's during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and Bill Clinton's folly in Somalia and Bosnia. Perhaps Teddy Roosevelt said it best, and I quote, "The Pacifist is as surely a traitor to his country, and to the world, as is the most brutal wrongdoer." You guys need to stop beating the dead horse that this is "Bush's War" or the tired old mantra "no war for oil". It is neither. This is a war to protect our freedom, our democratic way of life and all the guarantees provided by our Constitution. But since you are a self-admited liberal, I suppose it would be just fine with you to learn Arabic and be forced to bow to Mecca 5 times a day. As for me, I'll fight to the death before I see that happen to our country, and I'll even do if for you, again.
what would you use the military for bruce...?..serving meals to the disadvantaged...?..we were attacked...we responded...enemies or friends of our enemies are our enemies...i have no idea why someone has never explained how easy it is to move wmd's...chem/bio/nuc...it's been 30+ years now...guess what bruce...those little mounds you see at bangor(dowafb)..housed nuc bombs/missles...no one ever knew...guess what my mso was for 6 yrs in the af...give me 10 men...6 trac/trailers and i can move enough wmds to destroy any country in the middle east..anywhere in 24 hrs...and guise all evidence...it still amazes me how libs can stand upright with no backbone...our brave men/women know exactly what is asked of them when they join the armed forces...their job is to destroy our enemy...yes that means killing and maming people..my experience...my fellow airman considered people like you the problem...not the solution...my family has friends serving in the middle east..it hurts not to have the support of all...they want to win...and we would have by now except they have to please the whine bags like your kind...take the time and truely think about it...socialism is the next step from capitalism to communism...we're at war....make no mistake about it.....what side you on...?...
Wow, W did a good selling job on you. I remember that all the 9-11 gang were from Saudi Arabia. Are you attacking them next? There are more terorists being trained in Iraq now than before we attacked our former "friend". But I don't expect you to believe that.
Well "Bully" for Teddy
Don't forget he is the one who was responsible for the great socialist program of setting up many national parks, removing the land from the eventual profit of our capitalists. I am surprised you would quote him.
I rest my case.I bash W, because evn if he is not up for re-election, we will be paying for his agenda for a long time.
I will quote Ike, a republican who said beware of the military industrial complex. War is good business for them. The GOP will spend billions on a new weapon, but when it comes to increasing your benefits for your years of service, don't look to them, We liberals are the ones who truly thank our returning service men and women.
i'd dare say not many libs are at the airports and military bases welcoming our troops home....yes of course the saudis are in the mix...a good portion of the war i believe we are in should be aimed at dc...not the group that wants to kill our enemies but the group that will not allow us energy independance...i have this burden...a great deal of common sense and resourcefulness..what took a billion years to create...all the little assembled carbon fuels that covered the entire earth at one time...we have used up...any one that believes that is a complete idiot...now to retrieve it is another story..we sit on 3 trillion converted barrels of oil from petroleum based rock(tarsands/shale/coal) right now..complete fuel independance from anyone...but as we speak... the eco-terrorists are deverting 1/3 of the waters needed for agriculture on the left coast...reason..to protect the delta fish while farmers are trying to grow food in dust...eco-terrorists are the enemy..and have influenced our sorry government in believing we cannot extract fuels and use them in a "clean" manner...enemy of my enemy is my friend...that is the only reason we had anything to do with iraq...you know that...the difference...was...he had the monies and proved he wasn't afraid of killing the masses...what made you become a socialist...in a socialist government and economy will i be able to fly to las vegas and stay at the bellagio(foundation view room)..spend a week flying over the grand canyon..eating well..enjoying fantastic shows..or fly to disney world and stay at the riverside for a week while enjoying good food and crazy rides..or drive to mohegan sun and spend a few days eating well again...enjoying shows and visiting historic sites in mystic/new haven/new london...or drive up thru upstate new york stopping at historic sites while staying at 3 and 5 diamond hotels...or enjoying my 23' power boat piloting penobscot bay..thinking of trading in my pop-up for a hardshell this camping season too...i do not believe in my heart of hearts that any of this is possible in your eutopia world..i will not share because i have earned every cent i enjoy and spend..my bulged dics..shattered feet..hands and pains are proof...i saw no one shoulder to shoulder with me as i put in my 100,000 hrs over the last 35 years...my socialist comrade..if you want to give your monies to people that don't work..go right ahead...58 is on the horizon and i hope to see 65...i'll probably run out of money by then...if so...i'll just go back to work again...that's how it's suppose to work...just think of the economy i've created playing for the last 3 months or so...God bless the usa....not sure...but i do believe the peoples of russia...poland...china...vietnam..hungary..the congo...etc..would love to had my opportunities...." YA THINK...!!"
Bruce,
First off, President Bush has done no selling job on me. I began wearing the uniform of my country in 1974, at age 17. I did this not, as some democrats believe, because it was the only job I could find, but rather because I felt the call to serve. An, in spite of what John Kerry would have you believe, I can actually read, write and think for myself. I can tell from your response that the real "selling" job has been done to you by the moveon.org gang and, maybe, even a little by that fine example of honesty in cinema, Michael Moore.
I do not blindly follow any politician nor do I jump on any bandwagaons just because the rest of the lemmings are doing it. As surprising as this may be to you, I strongly disagree with President Bush on many fronts, but the War on Terroism is not one of those. Yes, you are correct that the 9/11 cowards were from Saudi Arabia. But your question are we going to attack them next is pure folly. Saudi Arabia is not a state sponsor of terror, as was Iraq under Hussein and as Iran is now. My personnal belief is that we should have stayed the course in Afghanistan and totally annilated the Taliban and Bin Laden. Then we could have turned our attention to Hussein. And spare me the same tired mantra about how Iraq under Hussein was no threat to us, that's just having your head in the sand. Hussein was a de-stabilizing force for the entire region which made him a threat not just to us but to the entire western world. But, don't let the facts get in the way of the "sell" job that has been done on you. And, by the way, your quote about more terroists are being trained in Iraq now since we invaded and overthrew Hussein, AND FREED THE IRAQI PEOPLE FROM UNDER THE BOOT OF AN EVIL DICTATOR, is only partialy true. More terroists are being KILLED in Iraq than anywhere else. They're being trained by that madman in power in Iran and his surrogates in Lebonon and Sryia. Please try to get your facts straight.
Let me set you straight on something else that you're woefully wrong about. You say the Dems are the only ones who care about our active duty and veterans? When Jimmy Carter was President, the pay for most of us serving in the military was so far behind the civilian sector that many military families had to go on food stamps just to get by. Who fixed that embarassing discrepancy?? Why, it was Ronald Reagan, a REPUBLICAN!!! After the first Gulf War, who was it that just couldn't wait to start tearing our military apart with downsized defense budgets and idiotic base closures everywhere? Why, it was none other than your hero, Bill Clinton. Our armed forces still haven't recovered from that stupidity. Trust the Nancy Pelosi/Harry Reid led Democrats to protect my hard earned veteran benefits?? NEVER!!
You say the Democrats are the only ones who care about our military personnel and veterans? Really, now you are starting to annoy me.
Let's see, John Kerry called them "terroists in the dark of night". Joe Biden has compared our armed forces to Hitler's Storm Troopers. John Murtha, a disgrace to the US Marine uniform he once wore has labeled his fellow Marines in Iraq "cold blooded murderers." Yeah, Bruce, your buddies in Washington really care. You need to stop commenting on things having to do with national defense and our armed forces. You're really not qualified to do so.
a salute to you les gibson...wouldn't it be a great day if the media reported only the facts and nothing but the facts....not report what agenda driven reporters feel people should hear and see.......usually one side of the story...
Thank you, crsjonben. But don't salute me, save that honor for our men and women who are in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. I agree about the media, but as long as George Soros and Moveon.org has them in his back pocket, we'll have to be the voice of truth.
Les
74, What a great time to signup
When i was 17 in 1967 I was not looking forward to the service. Luckily I got a high draft number in the first lottery later.
If we had a draft now, people would not be as eager to have their sons and daughters fighting.
At least we agree that we should have finished the job in Afghanistan first, while the rest of the free world was with us. It just didn't have enough glamor for W I guess.
He is the commander in chief and he pushed his agenda on congress.
The ones who did not vote for his agenda were branded un american for awhile.
Now Obama is running and he can say he didn't vote for it.
Carter was a one term president . he never got congress to work with him on much. He was a nice guy backlash against the gop because Nixon and Ford were such stellar leaders.
Reagan built up the military to outspend the Soviets, but he never did much for the soldier.
I stand behind my claim that the dems care more about the soldier than the gop.
The recent vote on gi bill shows that.
Under Clinton, the military was downsized, because everyone wanted it, but the quality of life and benefits for the soldiers in our armed services got better.Perhaps you don't want them to have any more than you did in 74
George Soros is a great American who loves this country. His vision is just different from yours.
CRS hope you make it to 65.
I got you by a year. But I know I could not possibly have worked as hard as you. Sounds like no one could.
just hard work...bruce..no trust fund baby...no daddy giving me a business...you're lucky...my number was 51...but got my greetings in june of 69'...so joined...after kent state in 70'...no military type was welcomed on any campus...decided to simply use one of my other abilities...good work ethics...went into trades got my masters and started to rob from the rich in 73' and give to myself...all these years meeting so many people like yourself...followers of "it's not my fault..free transportation...free healthcare...free education...free food...free housing...free retirement"...while i have had to walk thur all the cry babies for the last 35 plus years..all along telling them all they have to do is work for what they want..what a joke...pretty hard to do anything when you're hand is stuck out.....you're right...most people that have met me and what i've gone thur and still standing...and what i have now are astonished..maybe i am unique...but i will never believe that..i don't quit...just the belief you have to work for what you get..and life is very unfair and cruel...tough...just keep going...make no mistake...all along i have donated generously to true non-profit organizations that benefit mankind...i believe you said you were a teacher...that's obvious by your beliefs...the old saying goes "those who can't do is teach"...or become inspectors...still waiting for you to name a socialist governed country that has the same opportunites you and i have..i believe ray mentioned you're from farmington...thought you said cumberland...my mistake...is fiddleheads still opened..?..played many times up there and strong..kingfield..industry.rangely..lots of nice folks...lots of scaries for sure..bruce how in the world could you possibly believe anything the government has anything to do with could possibly be good for this country...post office..motor vechicle regeristry...osha..inspectors..irs...maine revenue services...dhhs...dot ...i could go on forever...my agenda is simple...the best for my family and myself...i can only assume you're just getting your kicks out of this forum...if obma believes in history he knows that people with no voice nor can possess any weapons..are.. for lack of words..slaves..his voting record is clear on that...he is a threat as you are to our freedoms...you enjoy history...dig up john martin's ballot tampering in 93'-94'...or bob duran's lost in california by 11,000 illegal aliens voting...oh that's right...facts are not your friend...just figures and cnn...looks like a skunk...smells like a skunk...walks like a skunk...guess what bruce...it is a skunk..of course the libs might make it a felony to make such a racist remark or most likely put it on the endangered species list so you can't see it or smell it...will the light come on when you're hungry..cold..or can't go anywhere because of all the rules and regulations...that's how it happens...one slice at a time till you bleed to death...you said you're a plumber..have you ever worked in cumberland county and had one of the dozens of town inspectors tell you what to do...and they're wrong...doesn't that bother you...especially when they can't solder a joint..never had a license...or clueless about most of the trades..and you're still liable for everything and anything..don't you just want to bang your head against the wall...is there a connection yet...?...
Yes I started as an apprentice in S Portland actually. The inspectors were annoying most of the time, but I believe they have gotten better. At least now they have to have a certification from the state
I just don't let that stuff bother me. You shouldn't either.Life is too short. We live good here in the old U S and we should not feel threatened by someone getting free health ins. without working for it.
Fiddleheads is closed
I did meet Ray in Farmington,I do not live there though.
I have not lived in Cumberland, Yarmouth yes, then I escaped from the other Maine to move up to this neck of the woods.
just another headache..inspecting licensed tradesmen is a waste of money..and of course it's a threat to my financial future...yours too...giving benefits to people that won't work is a liability..the usa government corp is in chapter 9-11-13 bankruptcy..more liabilities than assets...government creates only an economy when it spends money on infrastructure and defense...that is it's only purpose...you read my little vaca trip and the economy it created..hate gas prices but...bought 2000 shares of exxon(xom) at $18...now it's $86...bought 1400 shares of sea containers at $17....now it's $.06...it's called investment..risk..win some lose some...but it created an economy...giving benefits to oxygen thieves is breaking the ole' camel's back...what is your weapon of choice...a musket or white flag...of course i've invested in defense contractors too.. so i'll go with the musket....
So You do not mind the state protecting you by issuing licenses for your trade. And no one should check on your work, because as we know all licensed plumbers and ellectricians do everything right all the time and never cut corners.
Milton Friedman who is a big conservative economist (one of you)you have probably heard of, thinks no trades should be licensed.
What do you think of that?
He thinks licensing trades is a form of socialism.
"Free to Choose" is his book on that subject cheeck it out.
Bruce, I'm not going to play this game any longer with you. You keep commenting on things that you can't possibly know about, and I do, because I was there, serving my country, and I DO KNOW who has served me best. So, take your toys and go home or find someone else to banter with, I have better things to do - like join the effort to defeat Obama in November.
bruce...maine is a "right to work" state ..at least for now...i know your union mentality hopes for even a more controlled state...licenses do not protect at all...anyone can wire or plumd their own property as look a it's not commercial...as far as inspections...i have yet to meet an inspector that is qualified to perform any of the work any trades are capable of doing...15 hr code class every 2 yrs is a joke...documented 10 yrs their trade should be required...what corners can one cut...?...a good percentage of code books are written for special interest groups...being licensed means your liable...not the town or state..if any homeowner or business hires someone from outside with no license with insurance...then he or she gets what they get...is it you your daddy gave the plumbing business...?...doesn't matter large or small...the doors have been opened for you...big difference than starting from scratch...yes i have a big problem with licensing...when i got mine in '73..there were men twice my age and on their 3rd attempt...and i know these guys could wire the empire state building blindfolded...put a test in front of them and they freeze...you should know that is you that as a teacher...i use the term educated beyond their intelligence all the time...the state voc schools send these kids out into the trades with no clue...ojt and class...mostly ojt...(any major)would cut secondary school costs in half...and by the way...electricians have to do it right...it doesn't work or even worse or people burn and die...pumps and boilers can't run without the electrics..water runs down hill and haven't heard of many people dying from a leaky pipe...God love your brotherhood...gota admit you stick together...how long did you work in cumberland county...?...you and i live in areas where good enough construction is the way of life...go up to the dover-foxcroft...moosehead area.....wow...!...people of means bring their own construction people with them to build their new camps/cottages/homes/estates...
anybody up there that thinks the status quo for construction is adequate for plumb creek's clients hads a rude awakening....
ps...sorry for "typo's"...don't spell check and heading out the door....
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