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Small Town Soap Box Friday
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 8/29/2008
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do
and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not
at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the
sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned:
*Share everything. *Play fair.
*Don't hit people. *Put things back where you found them.
*Clean up your own mess. *Don't take things that aren't yours.
*Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat.
*Flush.
*Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
*Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
*Take a nap every afternoon.
*When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
*Be aware of wonder.
*Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
*Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.
*So do we.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.
Take any of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.
Think what a better world it would be if all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap.
Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put thing back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
Robert Fulghum ©, 1990.
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 8/22/2008
Saving the Flag----
She was not the most popular girl in high school. She was in advanced studies, in a school system that idolized their honors program. My daughters thought the world of her, and with good reason. Aimee was a patriot. No apologies nor excuses. She was an officer in her high school JROTC program. She was disciplined. Courageous. And she loved her country.
You could always pick Aimee out in a field filled with young, military hopefuls marching in formation. She was sharp. She was proud. And, in spite of her petite form, she always looked tall. But Aimee did not have it easy. She was the butt of jokes and ridicule. Aimee worked her heart out in her classes, and she was about to graduate with a better than 5.0 average, which she had maintained for four straight years.
In a school system where the grade point average of the "honors" classes went up to 6.0, Aimee didn't stand a chance for valedictorian. Some unseen experts decided that Aimee would not become valedictorian, because it would be unfair to the honors students. Although she had never made less than an "A" in her entire high school career, some "A-B" student in the honors program outranked Aimee.
The high school principal fought his way up through the School Board on Aimee's behalf, to give her the honor she deserved. It was an outrage that such excellence would be ignored. It didn't make the papers, but on graduation day, Aimee received her victory, and she became co-valedictorian of her high school class, although many of us thought she had earned the honor to stand alone. Aimee did not sit with the other graduates. She stood, proudly, with her JROTC unit, as the assembly turned toward them to salute the flag. Aimee did not hold the flag, because she was graduating, but she was there, as always, proud to serve.
Graduation was held on the football field. It was sunny and windy, and it was wet, as it had rained torrents the night before. Suddenly, the wind kicked up, and the beautiful colors of the red, white, and blue tottered in the air, as the flag holder lost his footing, and the flag careened toward the ground. Without hesitation, breaking formation, Aimee launched herself through the air, catching the flag and landing in the mud, on her face.
Many in the crowd roared their laughter, but not all of us. Some of us were in tears, as Aimee, carefully steadied her country's flag, and came back into formation, her JROTC uniform covered in mud. But not the flag. It never touched the ground. Aimee had saved the flag.
Aimee graduated with honors, and she went on to college with an ROTC scholarship, and on into a military career. My daughters still speak of her as a hero, which she was, and in our hearts, still is. Aimee's story is what legends are made of. I have no doubt that Aimee is somewhere on the front lines today, still defending the American flag
-- Jaye Lewis
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 8/15/2008
The Difference
By Retired Lt. Gen. Edward J. Heinz
Over the years, I've talked a lot about military spouses...how special they are and the price they pay for freedom, too. The funny thing about it is most military spouses don't consider themselves different from other spouses.
They do what they have to do, bound together not by blood or merely friendship, but with a shared spirit whose origin is in the very essence of what love truly is.
Is there truly a difference? I think there is. You have to decide for yourself.
Other spouses get married and look forward to building equity in a home and putting down family roots. Military spouses get married and know they'll live in base housing or rent, and their roots must be short so they can be transplanted frequently.
Other spouses decorate a home with flair and personality that will last a lifetime. Military spouses decorate a home with flair tempered with the knowledge that no two base houses have the same size windows or same size rooms. Curtains have to be flexible and multiple sets are a plus. Furniture must fit like puzzle pieces.
Other spouses have living rooms that are immaculate and seldom used. Military spouses have immaculate living room-dining room combos. The coffee table got a scratch or two moving from Germany, but it still looks pretty good.
Other spouses say good-bye to their spouse for a business trip and know they won't see them for a week. They are lonely, but can survive. Military spouses say good-bye to their deploying spouse and know they won't see them for months, or for a remote, a year. They are lonely, but will survive.
Other spouses, when a washer hose blows off, call Maytag and then write a check out for getting the hose reconnected. Military spouses will cut the water off and fix it themselves.
Other spouses get used to saying "hello" to friends they see all the time. Military spouses get used to saying "good-bye" to friends made the last two years.
Other spouses worry about whether their child will be class president next year. Military spouses worry about whether their child will be accepted in yet another new school next year.
Other spouses can count on spouse participation in special events...birthdays, anniversaries, concerts, football games, graduation, and even the birth of a child. Military spouses only count on each other; because they realize that the Flag has to come first if freedom is to survive. It has to be that way.
Other spouses put up yellow ribbons when the troops are imperiled across the globe and take them down when the troops come home. Military spouses wear yellow ribbons around their hearts and they never go away.
Other spouses worry about being late for mom's Thanksgiving dinner.
Military spouses worry about getting back from Japan in time for dad's funeral.
And the television program showing an elderly lady putting a card down in front of a long, black wall that has names on it touches other spouses. The card simply says "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. You would have been 60 today."
A military spouse is the one with the card. And the wall is the Vietnam Memorial.
I would never say military spouses are better or worse than other spouses. But I will say there is a difference.
And I will say that our country asks more of military spouses than is asked of other spouses. And I will say, without hesitation, that military spouses pay just as high a price for freedom as do their active duty husbands or wives.
Perhaps the price they pay is even higher. Dying in service to our country isn't near as hard as loving someone who has died in service to our country, and having to live without them.
God bless our military spouses for all they freely give. And God bless America.
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 8/8/2008
Marine in Japan 8-8-8
Dear Moby,
First off I would like to thank you for your services you provide. I enjoy listening to you every night. You might be thinking NIGHT what is this guy talking about. I'm a United States Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. I work the night shift so when my shift starts your on the radio. I would also like to thank all of your crew. You always provide the best songs. I have been over here for 16 months and haven't been able to come home yet. The best time of the day is just listening to yall and thinking about when I use to drive to work and hear you and here I am know going to work and still listening to you. Thank you all.
LCpl Ty Howe USMC
Good morning Leatherneck,
Well, How about that, Marine. What a great email to begin my day with. I'm grateful to you & for you, Ty.
Where IS home?
Is there a girlfriend/wife (or both) back here that I could call and put on the radio one morning (night) to say hello to you on the air that you could listen to while you?re working?
Do you have a kid that might be able to recite the pledge for our radio family so their hero daddy could hear?
God bless you, young Marine, God bless your family for also serving as they patiently wait for you to return, and of course, God bless America.
Yeah baby,
MOBY
P.S. By the way, you've done me the honor of providing this morning's Small Town Soap Box. Be sure to be listening.
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 8/1/2008
The Fork
A young woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only a short time to live. She put her affairs in order and even contacted her minister to personally plan her own funeral, right down to the dress she would wear.
As they finished their discussion, she made a request that surprised him. "Pastor, when I am in my casket, I want a fork to be placed in my hand so everyone can see it."
Startled, the preacher repeated, "A fork? Why in the world would you want a fork in your casket?"
Smiling, she told him that when she was a little girl, she remembered going to church suppers, family reunions, and pot-luck dinners. After most everyone had eaten a first plateful, the tables would be cleared and desserts would be set out to share.
Inevitably, someone would lean over and remind the others to "Keep your fork - the best is yet to come!" Everyone would smack their lips and look forward to three-layer chocolate cake, apple pie, or blueberry cobbler, all the while holding onto that fork.
"Pastor," she continued, "when folks come to see me, they'll notice the fork first thing. I want you to remind them that while dinner and the main course and this life have been good, we should be looking to what is ahead - the sweet reward. The best is yet to come. Ask them to remember the fork."
Tammy Kniceley
Salem, WV
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 7/25/2008
The information contained from this Soapbox has been verified by
Moby to be untrue and has been permanently removed with sincere
apologizes to everyone.
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 7/18/2008
I'm A Bad American Too
I don't believe anyone has to be in any organization to be in touch with God.
I buy American products when I can but where are they? Too many businesses have shirked their duty to this nation and taken work elsewhere because of the almighty dollar.
I believe the money I make belongs to me, but understand that if I want a strong national defense and such, I have to pay my fair share of taxes although I might not always agree with how it is spent.
I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way, but that is not an excuse to refuse to see that there are two sides to every story. I thought people were supposed to learn this in kindergarten.
I think owning a gun is a constitutional right just like free speech, but no right is absolute or there would be no rights.
I think minorities play an important part in this "melting pot" we call America. All of us had ancestors that were once in the minority in this country. Think of all the contributions the different ethnic groups have made to this country.
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac and don't know English very well then you were like many of our forefathers who had to learn the English language.
My heroes are the everyday people who work their rear-ends off to make this country function, from the garbage man to the coal miner and beyond.
I believe the rich have a responsibility to put the good of the nation above their personal interests by investing in America and by not being materialistic and selfish.
I believe the poor sometimes need our help. Like my grandma said, "There but for the grace of God go I."
I never owned a slave, but am ashamed that such an institution existed in the "Land of the Free," and I remember it was not that long ago that some in this nation could not even vote. We all need to understand this part of our history so that such will never be repeated.
I believe if you don't like the way things are you have a civic responsibility to speak out when things need changed and to work to make our nation a better place.
There are some good things that go on in socialist countries that we could learn if we didn't have use all of our resources defending the world. One of those is the basic human right for everyone to receive adequate healthcare, particularly caring for our elderly.
I believe to tell people to "go back where you came from" is about as un-American as any statement that can be made. If everyone in this country went back to where they came from only the Native Americans would be left.
I don't care where Jesse Jackson preaches or gets his money but I do wonder what many tele-evangelists do with the millions people send them.
I believe the cops have a right to pull you over if you are breaking the law, but only if you are breaking the law.
I don' t really have time to worry about where the name "God" is written, but I do take time to try to practice his teachings. Words can be meaningless without action.
I believe many may have difficulty when there are changes in voting methods every time we hold an election. I believe that all votes should be counted and counted fairly.
I would never question the patriotism of an American President, or presidential candidate without getting ALL the facts before spreading falsehoods.
There is much more to being patriotic and showing respect for our country than wearing flag pins made in China. How many of you wear a flag pin everyday or place your hand over your heart when the national anthem is played?
If the volunteer fire department hands me a boot for a donation at the intersection I will probably donate some money. It is no big deal because we always have the choice to donate or not.
In an ideal world it does take two parents to raise a child, but two parent families are quickly disappearing and no children should be left to fend for themselves.
Someone has to care for the children of America and if not the parents, who?
I believe "illegal" means illegal, but how can any nation realistically deport 12 million illegal immigrants whose only crime was to want a better life? Even the most conservative leaders recognize that there has to be some path to citizenship for these people.
I believe the American flag should fly above all others, but I really don't think waving an Italian flag at an Italian Heritage Festival means I don't love the U.S.A.
If all of this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I am a BAD American.
I too want my country back....I want it to be a nation that is respected around the globe as the world leader and not hated and despised for sticking its nose in everyone?s business.
I want a nation that represents opportunity, or a chance, as it always has to so many.
And most of all I want an America where people work together and respect one another. Only when people respect one another will our nation be able to face the problems that lie ahead.
God has always been part of this country, maybe we need to follow his teachings!
By John Wolfe
As an answer to Lynn Shellnut's submitted "I'm A Bad American"
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 7/11/2008
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
submitted by Angel Duvall
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before, he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time the house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one is at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope.
Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack Thanks for your time! Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet thanks for your time!"
That's today's Soap Box..and I thank you for your time, too. You do know that don't you?
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 6/27/2008
Hello, world. I?ve heard a lot about you. It?s probably about as exaggerated as the stuff you?ve heard about me. So, please allow me to introduce myself.
You may have heard that I am spoiled and lazy from decades of prosperity. To be sure there are those among us who are like that. There are also those who, through no fault of their own, don?t know how to take full advantage of the opportunity that our country offers. You see, cynical people have convinced generations of them that the only way to do well is to take from others. It is a sad situation but it is not really who we are. Like most of my countrymen, I want to pay my own way. I am not a parasite?I am an American.
A lot of you call me arrogant. I can understand. My government can sometimes be pretty full of itself. It often oversteps it?s rights and then dares us to do anything about it. We often fail to do so. Some of our celebrities are downright insufferable in their self-awareness. Please understand that there are people in my country who surround themselves with sycophants who do nothing all day but say, ?Yes!? It makes it hard to learn when you think you know it all. Frankly, we find them pretty obnoxious, too. So please don?t judge us as weak because of what they say. I know I?m not perfect, I?m an American.
I may live in the most powerful country in the world. But, check with me on April 15th and you will see just how much of that power filters down to me. I don?t feel very powerful when I?m paying for gas and groceries. I know that there is a lot of suffering in the world. There are a lot of liars who say if we didn?t have so much, you wouldn?t have so little. We have liars in my country who try the same scam. But I want you to know that I get up in the morning and work all day for somebody else. I know what a lack of power feels like. I am an American.
When earthquakes hit China, when the tsunami hit Thailand, when disaster strikes anywhere in the world, I don?t think about the government involved. I think about the poor people affected. Truth be told, you probably do the same thing. I have no doubt that the world is a better place because of me. I am no saint?I am an American.
By the same token, no matter what some may try to say, I am not a demon. I am often told that you are evil. I find it hard to believe that everybody who doesn?t believe like me, vote like me, live like me is necessarily satanic. I would request the same courtesy from you. Give me the benefit of the doubt when my government has a conflict with your government. We are doing the best we can. I am not a devil?I am an American.
So, here we stand, face to face but not eye to eye. I am more like you than either of us has been told. I am proud but not arrogant, I try to do good but I know I?m not perfect, My country is powerful but I am often powerless. I am afraid and hopeful. I want the best for my children and their children. I?ll bet you do too. And, although we may call God by a different name, and we may pray to Him in different ways, I imagine our prayers are a lot alike. With that in mind?I bid you peace.
Written by: Mr. Jim Vann
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 6/20/2008
Submitted by Pat Allen
Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever.
There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did!
And because I did I'm going to celebrate!
Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the
accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they
have served to make me stronger.
I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart.
I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds,
the trees, the flowers and the birds.
Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice
Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people.
I'll make someone smile.
I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't
even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll
tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for
them and how much they mean to me.
Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for
all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is
just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything
will be just fine.
And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will
stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these
magnificent treasures.
As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow,
I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life.
And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I
know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 6/13/2008
School is out and for most teenagers, that means freedom from not only school, most supervision.
This is also a time when many teenagers succumb to pressures of things they?ll regret forever being the victim of.. .
Teenagers find it hard to say no to peer pressure. So, pick your friends carefully, and believe me when I tell you that everyone friendly isn?t your friend. .
Kids, listen to your Uncle Moby here. I?m not your dad, but like your daddy, I love you, and I?ll warn you, beware of the devil in disguise. .
I understand that I have no authority here, but I pray you?ll trust me when I tell you, the man that gave you his last name, is one of the most dedicated friends you?ll ever have. Will you believe me when I tell you that I?ve faced most all the pressures you?re facing as the young adults you are? I?d bet your daddy?s faced them too, and there?s a good chance that like your Uncle Moby, your dad?s made some terrible decisions in his past for the sake of appearing cool, that he feels lucky to have survived. .
In this world, and in this life, I?ve learned that most things that are unimaginably bad for you seem so good right at first. It?s only later, you?ll admit to yourself the fact you?ve allowed yourself to be the victim of pretty poison, and there?s nothing cool about it. .
Ask your dad. He wants to talk to you about it, and only God loves you more than he does. .
It?s Father?s day weekend, and I promise you there?s no greater gift you can give daddy than your ear, your undivided attention, and your open mind and heart. .
He loves you more than your very best friend, and he?ll still love you that much after your friend has gone in another direction and left you far behind. I understand at times it might not seem like it, but that man wants your life to be great more than anything, and would give his own life to make yours better. .
Help your dad help you. Let this be a safe & happy summer. Don?t let someone going down a deep dark well take you with them. .
We always hear that misery loves company, and believe me if you don?t see the misery in them, that doesn?t mean the misery isn?t there. It?s up to you to be smarter than they are. .
Me & your daddy both know you are just that. Now don?t you forget it. .
OK?
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 6/6/2008
Franklin D. Roosevelt
D-Day Prayer
This is the prayer written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as Allied troops were
invading German-occupied Europe during World War II. The prayer was read to
the nation on radio on the evening of D-Day, June 6, 1944, while American, British
and Canadian troops were fighting to establish beach heads on the coast of
Normandy in France.
The previous night, June 5, the President had also been on the radio to announce
that Allied troops had entered Rome. The spectacular news that Rome had been
liberated was quickly surpassed by news of the gigantic D-Day invasion which
began at 6:30 a.m. on June 6. By midnight about 57,000 American and 75,000
British and Canadian soldiers had gotten ashore. Allied losses on D-Day included
2,500 killed and 8,500 wounded.
____________________________________________________
My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I
knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our
Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater
operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. And so,
in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set
upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic,
our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering
humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms,
stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and
hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces.
Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall
return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and
by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest --
until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and
flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They
fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest.
They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and
tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but
for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.
Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive
them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters,
and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and
prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to
rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of
great sacrifice.
Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day
of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire
is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a
continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again
when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips,
invoking Thy help to our efforts.
Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail,
to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto
our sons wheresoever they may be.
And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our
sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not
the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of
temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment -
- let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of
our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and
racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and
with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure
peace -- a peace invulnerable to the scheming of unworthy
men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom,
reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done,
Almighty God. Amen.
Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 5/30/2008
Here we sit, nearly half of 2008 behind us, a multitude of giant question marks before us, and no one with answers to the question, how on earth did we get here?
Is there anyone that feels we?ll do what our parents and grandparents did for us, and leave a better life with greater opportunities for our children and grandchildren than we were raised with?
Look at us!! Our ship of state is sinking from the sieve we call a southern border.
We emulate Babble through our inability to speak to our neighbors with a common language. The liberal and sensitive argue that a common language isn?t even necessary.
If we remember what we learned as children in Sunday School, it didn?t take long for the tower of Babble to tumble only because the residents couldn?t understand each other.
We?re addicted to oil, and enslaved by foreign energy pimps that hate us, and dictate our future with a cold and greedy heart while they pay under a dollar a gallon, and enjoy the protection of the very nation they hold in such contempt.
We have more affordable oil on our own soil, but for some unexplainable reason politicians won?t let us gather it.
How far into the future do you really think it?ll be before we?ll see gas at five dollars a gallon?
Have you heard anyone say with confidence, ?Just hang on, it?ll get better soon??
Me neither!! And even if they did SAY it, would we comprende?
Terrorists want us violently dead. Illegal immigrants want the Alamo back.
Richly appointed offices secretly pamper the obscenely wealthy, who sip vintage wine, and laugh at our situation.
We look at our neighbors, and look in mirrors and realize we?re working harder than ever, realizing less for our efforts, and leaving less for our offspring than was left for us.
Then we look to our selection of potential leaders. Do you really see the solution in any of them?
One?s a junior senator who?s at best an unproven mystery. Have you ever heard him say how much he loves America? Have you heard him speak of his admiration of the founding fathers, or dedication to our constitution? Me neither.
One?s the wife of an unfaithful husband, that only remained in the marriage for the potential power that sham of a marriage might bring.
And one?s an aging warrior whose patriotism, sense of duty and love of country can?t be questioned, but we know he?s too long in tooth to lead us through this quagmire.
I only know this to be a fact. God loves us. He sent his Son to save us, and there?s a place for us beyond this cesspool we?ve allowed the world to become.
I believe I?ll see mama & daddy again. I believe I?ll see Nannie & Papaw again.
But I?m terrified of what our children will inherit in the wake of us.
My nannie used to whisper ?with the shape the world is in, how long can it be until the good lord comes for us all??
If she could see how far we?ve fallen, she?d be screaming it from rooftops.
Personally, I?m listening for trumpets everyday.
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 5/23/2008
From: Bert Godfrey
Re: Being a Trucker?s Wife
Moby,
I hear so many people talk about the price of fuel and the trucking industry. Some understand and some are just plain crazy with the remarks they make. Chevrolet is not the heartbeat of America. It is the truckers that keep us supplied in goods everyday. If you go to Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Kroger or even the Dollar Store; you have a Trucker to thank for the fact that what you are buying actually is sitting on that shelf.
So many people take this for granted. Well how else do you think it got there?
My husband is a Trucker. I have had so many people make the remark, ?How can you stand for your husband to be out on the road like that? ? That person should be thankful that a Trucker?s wife does understand.
As a wife of the trucker you need to understand many things:
You must be independent because you are going to be alone a lot
You must make decisions about the household (if you are lucky you might discuss it over the phone)
The children will be mostly your responsibility but you also have to try to help them understand and develop a relationship with their father.
You are Ms. Fix-it when something breaks.
You must manage money wisely. You probably never know what his check will be week to week. (And it just keeps getting smaller these days)
You must realize he has been on the road all week and only wants to sleep and rest when he is home.
Moby, there are so many more things but I guess the three most important things you have to remember are these:
You have to have trust. This works both ways.
This is what he/she has chosen to do and it must be respected. Most Truckers have a heart of gold and love what they do.
Most of all you have to love without questions and be strong because the person you love is very important not only to you but to everybody.
I want him to know I believe in him.
Thank you very much.
Yeah Baby
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 5/16/2008
Mr. Moby, I am a 19 year old college student and I'm studying to be an
elementary school teacher. I listen to you every morning, like so many others,
while I drive to work. I'm fortunate enough that I get to listen to you while I'm
at work in my warehouse too. I heard the soapbox Monday morning about
the disrespectful "punks" and I just want to say that I am not only ashamed to
share my beautiful country and great state with them, but I am also ashamed to share my generation with such people. For some reason, the people of my
generation seem to have lost respect in all different sorts of aspects in their
lives: self respect, respect for their elders, respect for this country and those
who defend Her. I am disappointed. But I want everyone to know there is
hope. I am the future, and the people with whom I surround myself are the
future. We can, and I will make a difference and be the change I wish to see in this world--not just this country--by helping to mold the next generation
through education. We need more teachers in this country, but the people who think they're doing it for the money are dead wrong. We need people who
want to make a difference in a child's life to see them make differences for the
future. I digress...but my point is, I don't want you to worry about those
disrespectful punks. They have the right--thanks to so many who have fought
and died--to be ignorant, disrespectful, unpatriotic punks...and I'm glad they
do. Having that right allows people like us to do things that matter and make a
difference to the men and women in this country who know how valuable that
is. Those men and women make it possible for you and I to feel as strongly as
we do. I'm so proud of them, and honored to be part of a country with so
many people who willing choose to serve the people for the greater good.
There is hope for the future.
God Bless and Yeah Baby!
Katy Stephens
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 5/9/2008
Why Women Cry
A little boy asked his mother, 'Why are you crying?' 'Because I'm a woman,' she told him.
'I don't understand,' he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, 'And you never will.'
Later the little boy asked his father, 'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?'
'All women cry for no reason,' was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, 'God, why do women cry so easily?'
God said:
'When I made the woman she had to be special.'
'I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,
yet gentle enough to give comfort.'
'I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.'
'I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.'
'I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.'
''I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
'I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.'
'And finally, I gave her a tear to shed.' 'This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.'
'That tear holds more then men could understand.'
If a man was to shed her tear it
would look enormous.'
'For a woman's tear is full of unconditional love, power,sacrifice,beauty,pain,and compassion.'
'All ten fold of what a Man is able to feel.'
'And that is my son, why I made her as close to being Supernatural.'
She's my gift to the world she's an Angel on Earth. '
'Love her and praise her for there will be no other here on Earth that will Love you like I do than your Mother.'
'You see my son,' said God, 'The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.'
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.'
Small Town Soapbox, Friday 5/2/2008
Dear Mr. Moby,
I listen to your small town soap box each morning on my way to work, unless I leave late that is. I have heard how you talk about our troops and how you show support. I am not sure if you have been notified about one of our fallen Hero?s, Ssgt. Shaun J. Whitehead, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assualt), Ft Campbell, KY. I support all our troops in what they do but this one hit closer to home as he was from a neighboring city within the county I live in (Jackson County, Georgia). First off, I would like to express my condolences to his entire family. I also would like for his mother to know how proud she should be, speaking from a mother?s prospective, of her son and the sacrifice not only he made but the sacrifice his entire family has made for all us. My son is 19 years old and when he spoke to me about joining the military I freaked out. I am in the law enforcement field as a child abuse investigator. All these years my worst fear has been someone harming my children as I see so many children each day with scars that are not always visibly shown. I also know the dangers and risk here regarding violence in general, not to mention over seas and was totally terrified of the thought of my son not returning home. Maybe the years of work have made me ?stingy? or overprotective, I guess. I would like to let her know how BRAVE she is as a Mother that her son chose to protect not just us but others in other countries. Moby if you could, I don?t know that she listens to your show, please tell her that this mother along with many others proudly honor her son as well as her and the rest of his family for what they have given. I know that at any time any of us could not wake to another day, including my son but I?m just not that brave of a mother and I know to some that may seem very bad of me. Please tell her also as these past few days have passed in thinking of her son, I have thought a lot about God giving his only SON so that we would not perish but have everlasting life. This thought didn?t come to mind when my son spoke with me about the military so Shaun and his family are far braver than me. With that thought in mind could you please announce that this hero will be returning home on Friday May 2nd and the entire communities within Jackson County, Georgia need and should show HONOR for this fine young soldier and his family to the highest and that will include myself. I know that the American Flag is generally lowered for ?prominent? people but I feel it would be a greater honor if any business, school or person that proudly flies the American Flag within this community to lower it to half staff on Friday on Shaun?s behalf because he was a very brave and prominent soldier to this mother. This fine young soldier will be laid to rest May 3rd and my thoughts and prayers will remain with his family as well as others either fallen or still active. Also in knowing you Mr. Moby, that you speak what?s on your mind (which I totally like about you), you may speak or think terrible about me as well as may others as you read this because I am not a BRAVE as a mother as Shaun?s, but I concede to that and HONOR her, her fine young soldier of a son, and his entire family anyway for there BRAVERY!!!
Yeah Baby!
?Overprotective Mom
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