Comments on: This Fourth of July http://travisthornton.net/2007/07/04/hello-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hello-world Documenting history as it happens. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:56:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bruce W http://travisthornton.net/2007/07/04/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Bruce W Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:06:25 +0000 #comment-5 Wow...now this is fun! You guys are obviously thinking alot on this idea. I got to spend the 4th in Washington DC with my wife, my daughter and my son-in-law who is in the Navy. Along with the other 500,000 people who rode the subway that day, and the possibly 500,000 who also attended, I have to say the fireworks were a blast! I also went to Mt. Vernon, Monticello and many other historical sites last week. I marvel at the guts these patriots had and the ideal that they decided was worth all of the trouble and hassle of fighting, and dying penniless for. It is just this kind of dialogue that I think honors their memory and is a fitting tribute to our great country. Jefferson was most proud of his involvement in the establishment of the University of Virginia - even more than that of a 2 term President of the US. As long as our nation continues to provide the fertile soil for the discussion of ideals, I think we are blessed indeed. Do I want the Government to butt out of my life ...sure and do I want to pay fewer taxes...of course, would I like for there to be less corruption in the government...who wouldn't! But I am most proud of a nation that tries to make a difference in the lives of even the most oppressed in the corners of the world that most don't even know exist. Knowing there are thinking men and women like you gives me hope in the future. I'm proud of you for your thoughts and for your service. I actually did think of you and the other former students in the service on the 4th as we sat in Freedom Park (cool place huh?) to enjoy the celebration with people we didn't even know. God Bless... Bruce Wright Wow…now this is fun! You guys are obviously thinking alot on this idea. I got to spend the 4th in Washington DC with my wife, my daughter and my son-in-law who is in the Navy. Along with the other 500,000 people who rode the subway that day, and the possibly 500,000 who also attended, I have to say the fireworks were a blast!

I also went to Mt. Vernon, Monticello and many other historical sites last week. I marvel at the guts these patriots had and the ideal that they decided was worth all of the trouble and hassle of fighting, and dying penniless for. It is just this kind of dialogue that I think honors their memory and is a fitting tribute to our great country.

Jefferson was most proud of his involvement in the establishment of the University of Virginia – even more than that of a 2 term President of the US. As long as our nation continues to provide the fertile soil for the discussion of ideals, I think we are blessed indeed. Do I want the Government to butt out of my life …sure and do I want to pay fewer taxes…of course, would I like for there to be less corruption in the government…who wouldn’t!

But I am most proud of a nation that tries to make a difference in the lives of even the most oppressed in the corners of the world that most don’t even know exist. Knowing there are thinking men and women like you gives me hope in the future. I’m proud of you for your thoughts and for your service. I actually did think of you and the other former students in the service on the 4th as we sat in Freedom Park (cool place huh?) to enjoy the celebration with people we didn’t even know.

God Bless… Bruce Wright

]]> By: Aunt Ann http://travisthornton.net/2007/07/04/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Aunt Ann Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:43:28 +0000 #comment-4 Travis, I agree with your mother that times have changed and just 30-40 years ago, no one ever questioned anyone in authority like our doctors or presidents. But, for the most part, we did not need to----they did their jobs and were honorable and trustworthy people. I, personally, have stressed over what I feel is a lack of respect-----as a former teacher, I certainly have seen this in the classroom. Parents do not teach it at home like they used to and thus, kids do not respect other's property, rights, people in authority, and even their own parents. I feel this also began to happen when the media started referring to Pres. Kennedy as "JFK" and not Mister President or THE President. I might not agree with Pres. Bush, but somewhat as your mother said, I still feel respect-------partly for the office he holds and partly because I cannot imagine what it would be like to walk in his shoes and carry the weight(s) he must have to carry. You are a special person, Travis, and I feel your parents get alot of the credit. But continue to share and explore your thoughts and stand strong. We are nothing if we never stand up for anything! I have been picked on and teased (even by my own family) because I do not believe in drinking, but.......it never fazed my belief and only made me sad that [family and] others felt the need to pick on me for my conviction. Yes, we (our country) are in a mess, but it's people like you who gives us hope. You have obviously been "up close and personal" with our military and government now and know the dark side, so to speak. So, turn that around and do some good by continuing to share your thoughts and hopefully, some day, YOU will run for president! :-) You have my vote!! Hope I did not ramble too much in sharing a few thoughts! Love, Aunt Ann Travis,
I agree with your mother that times have changed and just 30-40 years ago, no one ever questioned anyone in authority like our doctors or presidents. But, for the most part, we did not need to—-they did their jobs and were honorable and trustworthy people. I, personally, have stressed over what I feel is a lack of respect—–as a former teacher, I certainly have seen this in the classroom. Parents do not teach it at home like they used to and thus, kids do not respect other’s property, rights, people in authority, and even their own parents. I feel this also began to happen when the media started referring to Pres. Kennedy as “JFK” and not Mister President or THE President. I might not agree with Pres. Bush, but somewhat as your mother said, I still feel respect——-partly for the office he holds and partly because I cannot imagine what it would be like to walk in his shoes and carry the weight(s) he must have to carry.
You are a special person, Travis, and I feel your parents get alot of the credit. But continue to share and explore your thoughts and stand strong. We are nothing if we never stand up for anything! I have been picked on and teased (even by my own family) because I do not believe in drinking, but…….it never fazed my belief and only made me sad that [family and] others felt the need to pick on me for my conviction.
Yes, we (our country) are in a mess, but it’s people like you who gives us hope. You have obviously been “up close and personal” with our military and government now and know the dark side, so to speak. So, turn that around and do some good by continuing to share your thoughts and hopefully, some day, YOU will run for president! :-)
You have my vote!!
Hope I did not ramble too much in sharing a few thoughts! Love, Aunt Ann

]]> By: Dad http://travisthornton.net/2007/07/04/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Dad Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:08:40 +0000 #comment-3 <p>First of all, old geezers like me that are apt to respond to political diatribe are not techno-literate enough to find the place to respond on your website. If my wife hadn't happened up on it by accident, I'd still be lost! </p> <p>You have a similar malady (possibly genetic?) from which I and the majority of the electorate suffer. That is, we look for improvement in all matters pertaining to life; social, economic or political. We turn out en masse to support and elect candidates on the promise of improving systems and institutions. This is often called reform. Look at history for verification. The American Revolution, abolition of slavery, trust-busting, recovery from the Great Depression are prime examples. These reforms crossed party lines from Republican to Democrat and back again. This tells any student of the American politic that we, the electorate make decisions that we perceive will make things better. This is a basic American trait. We revere the improvement of performance in all things. We will always attempt to improve the status quo. </p> <p>As the newly elected politicians settle in to their positions and get comfortable, they BECOME the status quo and begin to fear anything or any movement that would suggest change because it would cost them the positions they fought and compromised their principles for. I have quoted Senator McCain to you before from a speech given to the Conservative Party in Great Brittain this past fall where he warned the Republican party that was elected as "the party to reform government" and citing them as "the party OF government." </p> <p>Those of us that belong to the centrist group that want things to get better do not realize how much power we have. This under-realization is not an accident. Both major political parties feed us their opinions by way of their media mouthpieces.We then parrot them back loudly toward each other as our own in order to stifle any consensus between ourselves. We must come to the realization that WE have the power and begin to utilize it for the improvement of performance of institutions and policies that affect us. This reform only costs us the jobs of established politicians and that is a price I am willing to pay.<br /> Dad</p> First of all, old geezers like me that are apt to respond to political diatribe are not techno-literate enough to find the place to respond on your website. If my wife hadn’t happened up on it by accident, I’d still be lost!

You have a similar malady (possibly genetic?) from which I and the majority of the electorate suffer. That is, we look for improvement in all matters pertaining to life; social, economic or political. We turn out en masse to support and elect candidates on the promise of improving systems and institutions. This is often called reform. Look at history for verification. The American Revolution, abolition of slavery, trust-busting, recovery from the Great Depression are prime examples. These reforms crossed party lines from Republican to Democrat and back again. This tells any student of the American politic that we, the electorate make decisions that we perceive will make things better. This is a basic American trait. We revere the improvement of performance in all things. We will always attempt to improve the status quo.

As the newly elected politicians settle in to their positions and get comfortable, they BECOME the status quo and begin to fear anything or any movement that would suggest change because it would cost them the positions they fought and compromised their principles for. I have quoted Senator McCain to you before from a speech given to the Conservative Party in Great Brittain this past fall where he warned the Republican party that was elected as “the party to reform government” and citing them as “the party OF government.”

Those of us that belong to the centrist group that want things to get better do not realize how much power we have. This under-realization is not an accident. Both major political parties feed us their opinions by way of their media mouthpieces.We then parrot them back loudly toward each other as our own in order to stifle any consensus between ourselves. We must come to the realization that WE have the power and begin to utilize it for the improvement of performance of institutions and policies that affect us. This reform only costs us the jobs of established politicians and that is a price I am willing to pay.
Dad

]]> By: Roberta http://travisthornton.net/2007/07/04/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Roberta Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:20:07 +0000 #comment-2 Our 4th is especially dreary, but very welcome. It is nice, at times, to have one of those days that forces you to hold up in the house. We went to a fun-run this morning, but seeing as it was an early wake up and I didn't run, I really didn't have any fun. I didn't eat anything either! More no fun. I have spent the day just hitting the top, bills, picking up, etc. as I have been working, even on my vacation. The absence of my kids is a feeling like abandonment, yet it is bound to happen with time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading what my son rambled/wrote. I don't always understand it all, but what scares me is that I probably understand more than most Americans do. I can not seem to seperate spin from fact. My husband seems to think he can, but I am not always sure of that. Can anyone really seperate them? The media makes it so difficult. I think I support parts of the war. I think I support the president although I wish he wouldn't make it so hard for me to. I tried to support Carter at a time no one would as I think it is the thing we need to do. I, however, could not support Clinton. Once "he" happened, I feel we are more likely not to support the actions of our president. I grew up thinking that people in authority were above question. I would never question a doctor! That was crazy! But now we do it all the time. I am not sure if this is good or bad, but it is how it has become. We would respect others opinions and disagree in private, but not now. I miss the respect we showed for others, for their differing thoughts and religions. Every one can't be like us, that would get boring, but we could show respect. Back to politics, I don't know much, I don't know what party I "belong" to, I like to think I am my own person, too. I am pretty darn sure I am not a Democrat, but I am not sure I am a Republican either. I don't like to vote for parties, I like to vote for people. Sometimes it causes problems for parties, but that is what we should do. Maybe we are seeing the demise of parties, but that is probably just wishful thinking. See, Travis, I can ramble as well. Our 4th is especially dreary, but very welcome. It is nice, at times, to have one of those days that forces you to hold up in the house. We went to a fun-run this morning, but seeing as it was an early wake up and I didn’t run, I really didn’t have any fun. I didn’t eat anything either! More no fun. I have spent the day just hitting the top, bills, picking up, etc. as I have been working, even on my vacation. The absence of my kids is a feeling like abandonment, yet it is bound to happen with time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading what my son rambled/wrote. I don’t always understand it all, but what scares me is that I probably understand more than most Americans do. I can not seem to seperate spin from fact. My husband seems to think he can, but I am not always sure of that. Can anyone really seperate them? The media makes it so difficult. I think I support parts of the war. I think I support the president although I wish he wouldn’t make it so hard for me to. I tried to support Carter at a time no one would as I think it is the thing we need to do. I, however, could not support Clinton. Once “he” happened, I feel we are more likely not to support the actions of our president. I grew up thinking that people in authority were above question. I would never question a doctor! That was crazy! But now we do it all the time. I am not sure if this is good or bad, but it is how it has become. We would respect others opinions and disagree in private, but not now. I miss the respect we showed for others, for their differing thoughts and religions. Every one can’t be like us, that would get boring, but we could show respect. Back to politics, I don’t know much, I don’t know what party I “belong” to, I like to think I am my own person, too. I am pretty darn sure I am not a Democrat, but I am not sure I am a Republican either. I don’t like to vote for parties, I like to vote for people. Sometimes it causes problems for parties, but that is what we should do. Maybe we are seeing the demise of parties, but that is probably just wishful thinking. See, Travis, I can ramble as well.

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