Tuesday, August 4, 2015

In Iraq, I raided insurgents. In Virginia, the police raided me.

Via avordvet

 

Dated. 

Alex Horton is a member of the Defense Council at the Truman National Security Project. He served as an infantryman in Iraq with the Army’s 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
 
I got home from the bar and fell into bed soon after Saturday night bled into Sunday morning. I didn’t wake up until three police officers barged into my apartment, barking their presence at my door. They sped down the hallway to my bedroom, their service pistols drawn and leveled at me.

It was just past 9 a.m., and I was still under the covers. The only visible target was my head.

In the shouting and commotion, I felt an instant familiarity. I’d been here before. This was a raid.

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13 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    I must drive my electric wheel-chair back to my state of adoption and emulate in my last days one of the greatest Virginians, John Randolph of Roanoke, who said,

    "Is it necessary for men at this time of day to make a declaration of the prin­ciples of the Republican party? Is it possible that such a declaration could be deemed orthodox when proceeding from lips so unholy as those of an ex-communicant from that church? It is not necessary. These principles are on record; they are engraved upon it indelibly by the press and will live as long as the art of printing is suffered to exist. It is not for any man at this day to undertake to change them; it is not for any men, who then professed them, by any guise or circumspection, to conceal apostasy from them, for they are there—there in the book…. What are they? Love of peace, hatred of offen­sive war, jealousy of the state governments toward the general government; a dread of standing armies; a loathing of public debt, taxes, and excises; ten­derness for the liberty of the citizen; jealousy, Argus-eyed jealousy, of the patronage of the President."

    I commend to your reading the article in the Abbeville Press "John Randolph of Roanoke.". No man ever spoke more clearly to the times we are struggling through.

    He speaks to me and for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brock TownsendAugust 4, 2015 at 2:24 PM

      Thanks and here's another from 2012. http://freenorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2012/08/john-randolph-of-roanoke.html

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    I must drive my electric wheel-chair back to my state of adoption and emulate in my last days one of the greatest Virginians, John Randolph of Roanoke, who said,

    "Is it necessary for men at this time of day to make a declaration of the prin­ciples of the Republican party? Is it possible that such a declaration could be deemed orthodox when proceeding from lips so unholy as those of an ex-communicant from that church? It is not necessary. These principles are on record; they are engraved upon it indelibly by the press and will live as long as the art of printing is suffered to exist. It is not for any man at this day to undertake to change them; it is not for any men, who then professed them, by any guise or circumspection, to conceal apostasy from them, for they are there—there in the book…. What are they? Love of peace, hatred of offen­sive war, jealousy of the state governments toward the general government; a dread of standing armies; a loathing of public debt, taxes, and excises; ten­derness for the liberty of the citizen; jealousy, Argus-eyed jealousy, of the patronage of the President."

    I commend to your reading the article in the Abbeville Press "John Randolph of Roanoke.". No man ever spoke more clearly to the times we are struggling through.

    He speaks to me and for me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 1:38 PM

    Great article! Thanks CH

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    http://www.abbevilleinstitute.org/review/randolph-of-roanoke/

    Forgot to include the link.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brock TownsendAugust 4, 2015 at 2:27 PM

      Thanks. I thought I had posted this before, but was evidently mistaken. Anything encouraging about you attending the PATCON.? :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 2:45 PM

      My intent is stronger than ever and that is encouraging to me.

      Delete
    3. Brock TownsendAugust 4, 2015 at 2:49 PM

      Shall I make reservations? :) Being disabled you get a great deal on the train and if someone is needed to accompany you, they get the same deal.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 3:00 PM

      Sounds good. I'll check it out. Looking for an accompanist.

      Delete
    5. Brock TownsendAugust 4, 2015 at 3:21 PM

      $389 round trip from Denver to Rocky Mount. That's with your disability fare and your own wheelchair.

      http://tickets.amtrak.com/i

      Delete
  5. AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 11:53 PM

    I'm sold. All I need now is a plus one. I think that's what they call a caregiver-nurses aide now accompanying one to a big affair. I'm 95% confident that I'll be there.

    Sorry about the double post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brock TownsendAugust 5, 2015 at 10:37 AM

      Quick, send me the money so I can buy you a non-refundable ticket............:)

      Delete

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