AVERAGE JOE AMERICAN: war

Showing posts with label war. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thank You, Veterans!

To the brave men and women who have served this great nation, risking or giving their lives for the cause of Liberty:

Thank You for your Service!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Remember Me, by Lizzie Palmer

No commentary needed.

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Contact #Indiana Congressman Now About HR 2014

Indiana voters, ask your Congressman (mine, is 7th District Representative Andre Carson) to join in supporting House Resolution 2014. Click here for more on the bill.

Contact Representative Carson now!

A suggested form letter follows:

Congressman Carson:

I am an Indiana voter in the 7th District, writing to ask you to join as a co-sponser of House Resolution 2014, recognizing the service of the Womens Airforce Service Pilots with a Congressional Gold Medal. These brave women were pioneers in the this country, as they blew the doors wide open for women to serve in the military in all aspects.

Women today would not have the freedom to proudly serve their country if not for the courage and spirit of women such as America's WASPs. It is the very pioneering attitude of these brave women that made America a free country 233 years ago.

These women deserve much, much more than a mere Congressional Gold Medal, but this is a simple first step that you can take to thank these brave American patriots for their service to our country.

Your comments?

Joe

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Support Senate Bill 614 for WASPs

I received a question today on Twitter I feel compelled to share. The question was what does an Average Joe think about Senate Bill 614, a proposal to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War Two. These women flew all types of planes in every non-combat mission one can imagine in support of our fighting troops in WWII, and have gone essentially unrecognized for their bravery and their pioneering spirit.

Having reviewed the bill, to include a list of past recipients of Congressional Gold Medals, I find it hard to imagine how there could be much debate about whether these brave women are deserving of this special recognition (in fact, so much more, really). I encourage you to speak out in support of recognizing these women by supporting Senate Bill 614.

See WASP members speak out:

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Lift Them Up In Prayer -- UPDATE with Link

A nice, relaxing, enjoyable second day of vacation today took a somber turn, when what was an otherwise enjoyable church service ended with the announcement that four young children lost a father in Afghanistan today.

UPDATE: From Chicago Sun Times

I haven't seen anything about it in the news online yet, so I don't know the details of what happened, but two of the members of our old church, which we attended tonight because we spent the day visiting the in-laws, lost their son-in-law today in Afghanistan. He left behind a widow and four young children.

Your prayers, please, for the family.

Your comments?

Joe

Friday, October 17, 2008

America Needs A Hero

Then one evening in late August, several guards came and announced that the camp commander, the rough customer we called Slopehead, wanted to see me. They took me to a large room, a theater that had been used for Christmas services the year before.

Speaking through an interpreter, Slopehead accused me of committing "black crimes against the people" and violating all of the camp's regulations. He told me the time had come for me to show gratitude to the Vietnamese people and sorrow for my war crimes. Knowing that I was in serious trouble and that nothing I did or said would make matters any worse, I replied:

"F*** you."

"Why do you treat your guards disrespectfully?"

"Because they treat me like an animal."

Hearing this, Slopehead gave an order, and the guards lit into me. Shouting and laughing, they bashed me around the room, slamming their fists into my face and body, kicking and stomping me when I fell. Lying on the floor, bleeding, I heard Slopehead speak to the interpreter.

"Are you ready to confess your crimes?"

"No."  With that, the guards hauled me up and set me on the stool. They cinched rope around my biceps, anchored it behind my back, and then left the room. The rope hurt and restricted my circulation, but, again, they had not tied it as tightly as they had on others, and I knew I could tolerate it. I remained there for the rest of the night.

In the morning, three guards came in, removed the rope, and took me to an interrogation room, where the deputy camp commander, a dull-witted man we called "Frankenstein" for his bulging forehead and numerous facial warts, waited for me. When I refused his order to confess, I was dragged to the room behind my cell where some time later Ernie Brace would be held.

The room was empty of any furnishings save a waste bucket. I had no bedding or personal belongings. The room didn't have a door, only a louvered window large enough to pass through. I was kept there for four days.

At two-to-three hour intervals, the guards returned to administer beatings. The intensity of the punishment varied from visit to visit depending on the enthusiasm and energy of the guards. Still, I felt they were being careful not to kill or permanently injure me. One guard would hold me while the others pounded away. Most blows were directed at my shoulders, chest, and stomach. Occasionally, when I had fallen to the floor, they kicked me in the head. They cracked several of my ribs and broke a couple of teeth. My bad right leg was swollen and hurt the most of any of my injuries. Weakened by beatings and dysentery, and with my right leg again nearly useless, I found it almost impossible to stand.

On the third night, I lay in my own blood and waste, so tired and hurt that I could not move. The Prick came in with two other guards, lifted me to my feet, and gave me the worst beating I had yet experienced. At one point he slammed his fist into my face and knocked me across the room toward the waste bucket. I fell on the bucket, hitting it with my left arm, and breaking it again. They left me lying on the floor, moaning from the stabbing pain in my refractured arm.

Despairing of any relief from pain and further torture, and fearing the close approach of my moment of dishonor, I tried to take my life. I doubt I really intended to kill myself. But I couldn't fight anymore, and I remember deciding that the last thing I could do to make them believe I was still resisting, that I wouldn't break, was to attempt suicide. Obviously, it wasn't an ideal plan, but it struck me at the time as reasonable.

Slowly, after several unsuccessful attempts, I managed to stand. I removed my shirt, upended the waste bucket, and stepped onto it, bracing myself against the wall with my good arm. With my right arm, I pushed my shirt through one of the upper shutters and back through a bottom shutter. As I looped it around my neck, the Prick saw the shirt through the window. He pulled me off the bucket and beat me. He called for an officer, who instructed the guards to post a constant watch on me. Later I made a second, even feebler attempt, but a guard saw me fumbling with the shutter, hauled me down, and beat me again.

On the fourth day, I gave up.

"I'm a black criminal," the interrogator wrote, "and I have performed the deeds of an air pirate. I almost died and the Vietnamese people saved my life. The doctors gave me an operation that I did not deserve."

I had been taken back to the theater after telling my guards I was ready to confess. For twelve hours I had written out many drafts of the confession. I used words that I hoped would discredit its authenticity, and I tried to keep it in stilted generalities and Communist jargon so that it would be apparent that I had signed it under duress.

An interrogator had edited my last draft and decided to rewrite most of it himself. He then handed it to me and told me to copy it out in my own hand. I started to print it in block letters, and he ordered me to write in script. He demanded that I add an admission that I had bombed a school. I refused, and we argued back and forth about the confession's contents for a time before I gave in to his demand. Finally, they had me sign the document.

They took me back to my room and let me sleep through the night. The next morning, they brought me back to the theater and ordered me to record my confession on tape. I refused, and was beaten until I consented.

I was returned to my cell and left alone for the next two weeks.

They were the worst two weeks of my life. I couldn't rationalize away my confession. I was ashamed. I felt faithless, and couldn't control my despair. I shook, as if my disgrace were a fever. I kept imagining that they would release my confession to embarrass my father. All my pride was lost, and I doubted I would ever stand up to any man again. Nothing could save me. No one would ever look upon me again with anything but pity or contempt.

Bob Craner tried to reassure me that I had resisted all that I was expected to resist. But I couldn't shake it off. One night I either heard or dreamed I heard myself confessing over the loudspeakers, thanking the Vietnamese for receiving medical treatment I did not deserve.

Many guys broke at one time or another. I doubt anyone ever gets over it entirely. There is never enough time and distance between the past and the present to allow one to forget his shame. I am recovered now from that period of intense despair. But I can summon up its feeling in an instant whenever I let myself remember the day. And I still wince when I recall wondering if my father had heard of my disgrace. The Vietnamese had broken the prisoner they called the "Crown Prince," and I knew they had done it to hurt the man they believed to be a king.

I served in the United States Army for eight years. The above is an account from Senator John McCain's book Faith of My Fathers. The picture is of the Vietnamese pulling him out of the lake after his plane was shot down over Hanoi.

It has been reported by some, including the most liberal, disillusioned podcaster I have ever heard, that Senator McCain violated the Code of Conduct for American Prisoners of War. I include the full Code of Conduct here, followed by my explanation why this accusation against Senator McCain is an outright lie.

I

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

II

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

III

If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

IV

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

V

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

VI

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in God and in the United States of America.

Say what you will, but I would venture a bet that there are very, very few people in America who can claim to have been subjected to such torture. Senator McCain was, and he bears the scars today to prove it. And this Great American was true to the Code.

First, he refused early release when offered to him by his captors, saying that prisoners were to be released in their order of capture. He was beaten for refusing early release. Severely beaten.

He made every attempt during interrogations to withhold information from his captors, or to give them misleading information that would throw them off track. When asked for the names of people in his Squadron, the Senator gave the names of sports figures. When asked to draw a diagram of a ship, he included a pool and several other embellishments to resist the enemy. He was severely beaten for both.

When he had reached his breaking point, rather than dishonor himself, his father, and his country, Senator McCain attempted to commit suicide -- twice. He was again severely beaten -- twice.

After finally agreeing, he attempted to word the confession in such a way as to render it ungenuine. He attempted to print it in block letters rather than his own true handwriting. And when ordered to record his confession, he refused, and was again beaten.

Clearly, I think Senator McCain resisted to the utmost of his ability. I would venture a wager that his resistance was far beyond the capability of most who will read this.

During my time serving in the Army, I had a run in with the Polizei -- German Police. It was a case of mistaken identity. I was picked up in Nuremberg and taken to the station. I was placed into a holding cell with bars. I spent several hours there, held captive by armed officials who did not speak any English to me. My German was limited to basic conversational use. I was in nowhere near the situation that Senator McCain endured, but I was terrified! Twelve of the Sixteen German states have a shoot-to-kill policy that allows them the freedom to arbitrarily determine when deadly force is required.

My experience was nothing. I consider myself a die-hard patriot. I served my country, willing to give my life for what my country (and I) stands for. I am not sure if I could have endured the torture that Senator McCain did. Even after four solid days of physical abuse and torture, resulting in several broken bones and a broken spirit, Senator McCain describes the two weeks after his confession as the worst two weeks of his life. It was harder on him to deal with his own shame than it was to be beaten within inches of his life.

Throughout this campaign, we see people on television every day defending the character of the Democrat candidate. No one has had to stand up in defense of Senator McCain's character, because Senator McCain's character defends itself! This man is one of the greatest heroes in our country today. I can't imagine a person more qualified -- in every way -- to lead this country into the next decade.

Your comments?

Joe

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Joe Show 85 - 9/11

Average Joe Radio
presents

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The Joe Show
featuring
Average Joe American

Episode Eighty-Five: 9/11

Open Window by Robert Rich

Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Dear Mr. Obama

Direct video link.

Found at Hoosier Access.

Your comments?

Joe

Friday, August 22, 2008

The Joe Show 84 - FIRE by STRIVE

Average Joe Radio
presents

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The Joe Show
featuring
Average Joe American

Episode Eighty-Four: FIRE by STRIVE

STRIVE's newest album, FIRE, hits the streets on August 26, 2008. The record label has asked me to review the album, and given me permission to use the music on the show. I've featured tunes from STRIVE in past episodes of The Joe Show, and for the last week my iPod has been playing nothing but FIRE over and over. In episode 84, I share with you my favorite tunes from the album, and some thoughts on those tunes and the album as a whole.

Sit back and relax. You're about to enjoy a half hour of some awesome music!

DOWNLOAD FREE STRIVE RING TONE:

by audiko.net — ringtones. [used with permission]

SMALLEST THINGS

STRIVE's latest album, FIRE, opens with an uptempo ditty about sharing the simplest, most beautiful things in life with others, rather than falling into the temptation to take such beauties for granted. With an infectious rhythm and memorable lyrics, SMALLEST THINGS -- receiving radio airplay in 55 countires -- will quickly get you up and moving to the beat.

ON OUR WAY

We're on our way
we can help each other all the way

A catchy tune inspired by Africa's struggle with the effects of Imperialism. An enjoyable listen.

JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME NOW [NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE]

Just a little more time now
and all of heavens stars will align. ...
So many work their whole lives
for this one moment in time. ...

"Nothing is impossible if I hold onto hope, faith, love & patience." That's the theme behind STRIVE's tune, JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME NOW. We spend our lives waiting for our ship to come in, hoping for our big break. It's become, for some, what life is all about. And it can be so hard sometimes to wait that we see people every day turning to some kind of get rich quick scheme, whether it's the lottery, crime, or such silliness as American Idol. But with just a little hard work, determination, and patience, we can achieve our goals and see our dreams fulfilled. STRIVE has learned that personally as the band has toured extensively, both in the Midwest around their Chicago home base and internationally with extended tours in Brazil and Russia, long before recently being signed to their first record deal with GoDigital records. With music like that on the album FIRE, the band is sure to continue riding their hard won success.

BELLS TOLL

Listen as the bells toll on.
Can you hear them sing their songs.
This dirge of sadness.
All the ones who passed before,
Gave it all to hear no more,
This dirge of sadness.

One of the most heated topics in the Presidential campaign this year is the involvement of American troops in Iraq. War happens. Throughout American history, war has reared it's ugly head from time to time, as if the very process of engaging in the act of trying to kill one another is inevitable. Whatever your view on war -- and more specifically the war in Iraq -- it is not a happy occasion worthy of celebration. People fight. People die. And they do it in hopes that more people will live -- and live a better life -- for their sacrifice. No matter what you think of war, "no argument erases the horror which leaves mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children mourning for all that they have lost. Peace can only come if everyone lays their burdens of fear down to embrace love and forgiveness." BELLS TOLL is STRIVE's attempt to "ring out with this truth in an effort to hasten the day when it is our reality."

AWAY FROM HERE

With a little time away from here
Can we find a way through the tears
To come back with some more love
Than we left with?
Life's too short to waste on love
that keeps a record of wrongs.

STRIVE's mission of putting out upbeat, positive, inspiring music is played out beautifully in this tune about a couple that, after some heated arguing and a time of unwanted separation, chose to look for a way to grow their love into something greater rather than to give up on it. The band describes the song as "a plea for everyone to guard their tongues and liberate their love for one another."

STRIVE bills themselves as a piano-driven rock pop band aimed at inspiring people across all walks of life. Much of the album FIRE was inspired by front man Derick Thompson's relationship with his wife. Thompson began playing piano and writing songs at the age of eleven, and played in a number of bands both in the US and during his five years living in Russia. Thompson formed the band STRIVE after moving to Chicago to attend Wheaton College.

With band members Will Puth on Guitars and Rick Kluckow on Bass, Thompson and STRIVE create a sound and a message that is much greater than the sum of it's parts. This album is a must-own for every independent music fan as well as anyone with a passion for music you can feel. The more I listen, the more I want to hear.

FIRE

We've been waiting.
Turn the lights down low
It's time to let yourself go
I promise we'll take it nice and slow now
Let yourself be known
Share the secrets of your soul with me
Fire blazing from your skin
How overwhelming it is to love you.

Lead singer / songwriter Derick Thompson describes the title track as the most controversial song he's ever written, while at the same time the purest and most romantic love song he's ever written. "It's a celebration of the love, pleasure and intimacy a man and wife were created to share. Our culture paints great sex as happening with strangers, boyfriends & girlfriends. ... [C]ulture needs the opposite message which says great sex takes place in the context of a committed marriage. ... FIRE is meant to inspire young people to wait and first taste sex in marriage. FIRE is meant to remind married couples that sex keeps a marriage alive and strong. FIRE is meant to glorify the Creator who lovingly gave the human race such an intimate language of love."

I could not be more enthusiastic in my recommendation of this album. Music like this comes along only once in a very great while. Miss out on this one, and who knows when your next chance will come!

Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

My Thoughts on Saddleback and Why Obama Isn't Ready To Lead

Watching CNN's webcast of Senators McCain and Obama during the Saddleback Civil Forum, and a subsequent volley on Twitter with an inflamed Obama supporter, made me start thinking about what's really at stake in this Presidential election cycle. What really matters, and what is just hot air? I have been asked by some to elaborate on my thinking, and I will also share with you that Twitter volley I mentioned. This is likely to amuse some and enrage others, but I hope it will make just a few people give some serious thought to the issues that lie beneath the rhetoric.

Let me start by clearly explaining my position. I am a Christian Conservative, registered as a Republican. I do not vote the party line, and have actually voted for Democrat candidates in the past (not for President, but for other national, state, and local offices). I have always cast my vote for the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation. I believe firmly in the sanctity of human life and the institution of marriage (though I don't believe they should carry the weight that they do in deciding how to cast our vote in November). I believe that we pay too much for gasoline (regardless of what they pay elsewhere in the world) and that we pay too much in taxes. I believe that our political election process is the best in the country, but still far from perfect and in need of an overhaul. I believe that families should have the right to educate their children in whatever way they choose, so long as they meet a standard of education (which, unfortunately, dictates some form of testing for verification purposes). I do not believe that the constitution says anything about the separation of church and state (in fact, it dictates only that there will be no establishment of a national religion) and that if money is allowed to play such a major role in politics, so then should religion be allowed to assert it's influence. Our nation was established on Christian principles, and if we lose touch with those principles, we are no longer the nation that we once were. I believe that, as the longest enduring democracy in the world, we have a duty to foster freedom throughout the world. I don't believe we should do so by force, unless force is required to free a nation's people from an oppressive dictator who denies them of their freedoms and other basic rights. I believe that we must finish what we start, and that living with the freedoms that our nation provides requires from each of us a price to be paid in defense of that freedom.

All of that being said, I will now elaborate.

I am firmly pro-life. I believe that life begins the instant that fertilization occurs. At that point, it is not up to us to determine whether a person should be given a chance to live or not. At Saddleback, Senator Obama spoke of the need to find a way to reduce unwanted pregnancies. He spoke of this as if it is more important than protecting the live of unwanted babies. I find it very difficult to place a higher value on the lifestyle of someone who has become pregnant by accident than on the value of that life she carries inside her. It is my belief that we can reduce both unwanted pregnancies and abortions by taking responsibility for our actions and not getting pregnant in the first place. It's a simple task, really. Don't commit the act if you aren't prepared to live with all possible consequences, including unwanted pregnancy, and to deal with them in a manner that causes no harm to anyone of any age, including the unborn. There will always be a number of women who become pregnant because they are victimized in one or another. These women are not personally responsible for committing the act that created the unwanted pregnancy, and shouldn't be forced to suffer the consequences. The unborn baby is also not personally responsible for committing the act that created the unwanted pregnancy, and shouldn't be forced to suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, people are victimized in hundreds of ways every day and must suffer the consequences. If you burn down my home, I must suffer the consequences (and so might you, if you are caught). If shot in a drive -by shooting, I must suffer the consequences. If faced with the unwanted pregnancy of a loved one, regardless of how it was created, I must suffer the consequences. That's just a fact of life, and it's something we should learn to live with and quit expecting a quick fix to solve the problem for us. I suggest adoption be considered as an alternative to abortion.

Though being firmly pro-life, I do not believe that abortion should be such a hot topic in choosing our next President. Our system of government prevents the President from taking any personal action that would either make abortion legal or illegal on his own. He must work with the 535 members of Congress to pass such legislation, and frankly, it's never going to happen. Let's face it, as long as our political system is based upon constantly running for the next election, we're never going to see 536 people agree on such a hot topic as abortion. Granted, the President can nominate his pro-life or pro-choice candidates to the Supreme Court, but they, too, must be confirmed by the 100-member Senate before being seated on the bench. Though possible, it is not likely that we would see an all-liberal or all-conservative Supreme Court. And let's be honest, liberals really don't have much to worry about from a Conservative bench. The Conservatives are historically strict constitutionalists and less likely to legislate from the bench than are liberal justices, and therefore less likely to write a sweeping decision outlawing abortion. So while the topic of abortion is of critical importance when selecting our Senators and Representatives, it's nothing but hot air in the Presidential debate.

Which brings me to the topic of marriage. I believe that marriage was established by God (we only created the ceremony and legal documentation) as the union of one man (originally Adam) and one woman (originally Eve), and that we do not have the authority as God's creation to modify this institution. God's first commandment to the first couple was to "be fruitful and multiply." As that is only possible with the involvement of a man and a woman, I do not feel that there is any need for further debate on this topic. Adam and Eve can be fruitful and multiply, Adam and Steve can only multiple with a pen and paper, or calculator, or some other such instrument that does not result in the continuation of the species.

Again, I do not believe that marriage should be such a hot topic in choosing our next President, and again for the same reasons as I stated earlier on abortion. Should a rogue Judicial Branch decide that same-gender marriage should be legal, we as a nation have the tools at our disposal to rise up and take action. The legislative process provides for us to petition each other for the passing of a law to eliminate the legalization of same-gender marriage. Our 535 representatives -- whom we can choose or unchoose with our votes -- can pass such legislation to overturn any such Supreme Court decision. Utopia, right? Maybe, but I believe that if we focus our efforts on what really matters and what can best be affected by whom, then maybe it isn't so unrealistic to expect such supposedly utopian results. Marriage is not an issue for the President to be overly concerned with, as he has the least impact of all elected officials on the definition of marriage. This, like abortion, should be a major factor in determining how we vote for the Senate and Congress, not the President.

So where does that leave the President? Can he influence education? Clearly President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act is evidence that he can. Can he affect the price of gasoline? Yes, and more easily so if we allow him to tap our own natural resources and not rely so heavily on foreign oil. Can he reduce (or raise) our taxes? Well, if you're an American reading this, you probably received at least one of President Bush's tax rebates or so-called economic stimulus checks over the past eight years.

Most importantly, the President is (or should be) our chief foreign policy expert. No one can be expected to have more knowledge or more expertise of world affairs than the recognized leader of the free world. And while all of the issues I've discussed so far can have an impact on the way we live our lives from day to day, nothing can have a greater impact on life as we know it than living our lives in fear of invasion, attack, or the downfall of our democracy. No single issue is as important to the furtherance of liberty as foreign policy. We must elect a President who is familiar with world affairs, who knows and has worked with world leaders, who has life experience to suggest that he can make strong, sound judgment calls, and who has the courage to stand upon his convictions and the humility to admit when he is wrong and to amend course as needed. If our President cannot be the leader in world affairs, there is nothing he can do domestically to compensate for the damage he might cause.

As I stated at the beginning of this article, I am a Christian Conservative. I registered to vote as a Republican because the Republican platform most consistently aligns with my values and my beliefs. I am not so closed-minded as to believe everything the Republican party says, however. I vote my values, my beliefs, my convictions. When this Presidential campaign cycle began so many months and so many candidates ago, I was a Fred Thompson supporter. When he dropped from the race, after much consideration and study, I fell in behind Rudy Guiliani (who, by the way, does not share my stance on abortion). When John McCain became the last Republican candidate standing, and the only Democrat choices remaining were Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, I reluctantly threw my support to the candidate who would achieve the greater good on the world front and do the least damage here at home: John McCain (actually, upon researching tonight, I realize that in January 2007, before Guiliani and Thompson were in the race, I had chosen McCain). Now that we are down to two major party candidates (and Bob Barr for the Libertarians), and I have seen those two candidates speak in the unique setting provided at the Saddleback Civil Forum, I no longer stand behind John McCain because he's all that's left. I support him now because I think that going forward, America needs a man like John McCain to preserve all that our founding fathers had in mind some 2000+ years ago.

I share with you now the volley that took place in 140 character snippets on Twitter as I watched the Saddleback forums. The debate was between myself and one petersantilli (his Twitter handle and, presumably, his name). For clarity, I have arranged the "tweets" as a thread, with replies falling in the appropriate place. I have also colored my tweets in Red and his tweets in Blue. Any additional editorializing I've added will appear in black italicized text.

Enjoy.

Watching the Saddleback Civil Forum with Obama and McCain. Wow, this should make the choice clear for anyone! http://is.gd/1Dky

No kidding. The choice is clearly OBAMA!

I don't know what you've been watching to come up with that choice.

Been studying Obama since Dec 2007, didn't change my opinion @ Saddleback

You've been studying, what, nearly his entire career in the Senate then?

Senator Obama has not yet completed his first four-year term in the Senate. Merely pointing out this lack of national experience to petersantilli.

Exactly what people are looking for, less tenure in DC.

In the middle of watching the Saddleback forums, CNN seems to have pulled the video. That's MSM corruption if ever it existed!

MSM conspiracy. Corrupt because they won't let you spin it to your liking

Not looking to spin it in any way. Just looking to watch it, and the video suddenly became unavailable. It's up again now.

But no spin is needed from me. The candidates give it all the spin that it needs.

Got the video going again, but the embed code points to a dead URL. Was going to post it for others to find easily.

Obama's a kind heart. Warm, sincere, thoughtful, and not-so-hot-headed-and-quick-on-the- "AT CONCEPTION"-trigger to get ur Christianity vote

When asked at what point an unborn baby has human rights, Senator McCain replied immediately, "At conception." Senator Obama shuffled and stalled while he came up with the following response: "that's above my pay-grade," suggesting that it is for God to decide. It is, of course, for God to decide, and we must either choose to interpret what God's decision is, or to accept that God's decision is that life begins at conception. Kudos to Senator McCain for having the conviction to take a stance and make a decision on what he believes. It concerns me that a Presidential candidate might be hesitant to make some kind of decision on the topic. This is also the first point at which the Obama supporter engages in attack mode. To suggest that McCain's stance is only given for the purpose of wooing Christian voters, and that Christian voters are so easily swayed into how to vote.

If you knew me at all, you'd know mine is not a "Christianity" vote, just a "Patriotic American" vote.

I'm not a McCain man, so much. But given the current choices, there is no other choice to make.

I don't believe it really matters where POTUS stands on marriage, abortion, etc., regardless what my own views are....

...don't think he can really effect change there. Most importantly is, will he lead us to our downfall....

...by making poor decisions on the world front? Or will he stand up for American principles and democracy?

Meaning: to lead us to the downfall of American society as we have known it for over two centuries by being unable to form a thought, decision, or strategy without first weighing the political ramifications. Like him or not, President Bush has always done what he thought was best, regardless of what the polls might say about him afterward. Senator McCain has had many unpopular positions on the issues, but has always had the courage to stand upon his convictions whether people agree with him or not. I challenge anyone to describe where Senator Obama stands on any issue that is not fully in toe with the party line. When push comes to shove, there may not be time to consider political ramifications before making a decision. Our President has to be able to act swiftly and intelligently, and can only do so based upon experience and upon wanting to do what's right, not just what's right today.

...at whose expense? Standing up for principles & democracies costs $10 billion per month. I really want OURS to be a priority

Establishing our principles and democracy cost our founders their lives. Defend that at any financial cost!

If concerned about our downfall, current trends set by years of GOP war & reck-onomy are not upward towards prosperity

I'm not concerned about financial prosperity. Defending our values has never come cheap, but always been money well spent.

If we allow ourselves to become ruled by money, we are doomed to failure. We cannot fail to achieve our goals because of the price tag. During World War II, the entire country sacrificed for the cause of defeating evil abroad. Food products and petroleum products were rationed. Women went to work in factories while their husbands went to war. Everyone did their part. We once again face a great evil. Regardless of why this war started, or where you think it should be fought, we are at war against an evil force that believes it's God-given purpose is to eliminate us. What have you sacrificed for your country in support of this cause? Why is it that sixty years after World War II we suddenly don't have to sacrifice when our nation is at war?

We'll put all you big spenders on an island off the coast, shoot missiles & yell at Jihaddies. Let us know how that goes

It goes like this: we establish a new great democracy while the one you're so careless about crumbles.

All the money in the world cannot defeat the determination of the passionate defenders of freedom.

Democracy will survive and thrive where liberty is defended. It will fail when we let our guard down and take our sites off the prize.

Well then. Try it out. I think it's worth descovering (sic) if your new island gets attacked, or if we fair better by minding our own

See you in the history books, then. Thanks for the interesting chatter. GOODNIGHT TO ALL.

It is at this point that this debate was over for me. It was midnight here in Indiana, and an early morning ahead. Past experience has taught me that people such as petersantilli will go on forever, sounding less coherent and making less sense, just for the sake of the argument. Read on as he proves my point.

People who say that typically have a sub-prime loan, credit card bills, and let other people balance the war check-book

Shall we blame your stupidity & ignorance on failure of education, Patriot Act, or solely on governmental control of our media?

Again, more attacks and insults. I'll only address the "governmental control of our media" by saying, tune into CNN or MSNBC or CBS or ABC and you'll see that not only does the government not control our media, but if anything the media controls our government. The mainstream media has overlooked so much real news this election cycle in favor of spinning the latest rumor or hearsay in favor of the candidate(s) that they favor that I don't think anyone with a working knowledge of the English language can say that the government controls American media.

A quote for the history books "I'm not concerned about financial prosperity." - Average Joe

It's voters like @AverageJoe that frighten me & my family

Interesting, to say the least. It's sad that some people can't have an informed political debate without resorting to smear tactics, insults, lies, and innuendo. I guess I shouldn't have expected much more given the situation.

Your comments?

Joe

Read more at Redstate.com.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Whatever Politics Demand

Ever wonder where Barack Obama really stands on the issue of Iraq? Barack says he'll go to Iraq to meet with the troops and General Petraeus (and several leaders of terrorists nations, if we're to believe everything he has said over the past few months). Need a refresher course on the Barack Obama Guide to Iraq? Enjoy....

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

John McCain: Don't Hope for A Better Life, Vote for One

So, while we're trying to figure out just where Barack Obama stands (today) on the military and the Iraq war, have we ever had any doubt about the position of Senator McCain?

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

Saturday, July 5, 2008

5,500 more VOLUNTARY Years of American Military Service in Baghdad!

Judging by these people -- the men and women fighting in Iraq -- the war is worth fighting to victory. These 1,215 men and women voluntarily reenlisted into their respective branches of the military for a collective 5,500 years of additional service in the United States military. You can see them here being sworn in yesterday in one of Saddam Hussein's palaces.

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Soapy Joe 4

Average Joe Radio
presents

Amazon.com Widgets

Soapy Joe
featuring
Average Joe American

Episode Four:

Direct Video Link.

Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

SUBSCRIBE |

Saturday, June 7, 2008

A Quick Pre-Voting Test for November

I was talking with someone at work today who said he had no intention of voting in November. I, of course, pounced on that one. He said he thinks that we should not be in Iraq, and that was part of the reason he wouldn't be voting.

This, my friend, is exactly why you must vote in the Presidential election this November. In fact, if you're having a hard time figuring out how to vote, I suggest you ask yourself the following question:

Which is worse, American troops in Iraq, or radical Islamic troops in America?

Go ahead, I think the answer is clear, which is why there is clearly only one way to vote in November: John McCain will not leave Iraq without victory. It is my personal belief that we should quickly end the war in Iraq, but that we can only end it in victory.

Go ahead, ask yourself the question. If you can honestly answer that you would rather have radical Islamic troops in America, then maybe you shouldn't vote in November. Maybe you should just voluntarily deport yourself.

Read more at RedState.com or Redstate Beta.

Joe

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Need Another Reason?

In a time when America has been under attack, and continues to be under the threat of attack, I find the contents of this video to be very disturbing.

Follow the link HERE.

Joe

Sunday, May 25, 2008

The Joe Show 73 - Memorial Day

New this week on

Amazon.com Widgets

The Joe Show
featuring Average Joe American

Episode Seventy-Three: Memorial Day

carbon leaf | the war was in color | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

chris demarco | unknown soldier | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

joe colledge | american dream | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

kevin burdick | america | myspace
courtesy of ioda promonet

neil brian goldberg | born in america
courtesy of the podsafe music network

neil brian goldberg | remember america
courtesy of the podsafe music network

nico & the known | the cost of freedom | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

phil ayoub | white feather | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

ray younkin | america's sky | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

rick roark | remember me | myspace
courtesy of airplay direct

shawn cole | in the middle of nowhere | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

sweet crystal | in god we trust | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

taps

USED AS BACKGROUND MUSIC:

amazing grace

gary | american the beautiful | www
courtesy of the podsafe music network

when the army goes rolling along aka the army song

the halls of montezuma aka the marine corps hymn

Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

SUBSCRIBE |

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