"It is not the critic who counts"

Blogpal Teresa's precious "young son" sends her snapshots from the front -- like this one out of a Chinook helicopter flying over somewhere in Afghanistan -- that knock your socks off. The closest we ever came, scary enough for a non-military type like ourselves, was when we went up in a two-person helicopter out of Norwood, MA with the door on our side removed to facilitate our taking photographs for an Urban Design studio with Robert Yaro at the Design School in our "final throes" as a productive member of society.  There was no thought of hostile fire, just the fear we might fall out the door -- or perhaps a film cartridge might fly out the door and get caught in the propeller -- but even so we've never quite recovered.  Now we only do eyes, just do eyes.

Fourth of July weekend last year we quoted Teddy Roosevelt, and the Rough Rider's rousing rhetoric resonates even louder today when we think of the morale-crushing reportage -- with its anti-Bush, anti-military, agenda-driven commissions and omissions -- being churned out daily by our "fake but accurate" mainstream press:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better . The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

"Let those who have lost the most, know that we are there to help," writes our dear blogfriend Teresa of Technicalities -- the stalwart mom of a brave son who's at the front in Afghanistan helping spread freedom 'round the world:

This week has seen great loss in Afghanistan -- the downing of a Chinook and loss of Special Forces. In their memory -- celebrate this weekend -- lift a glass in their honor. And maybe help out a family . . . a wife who has lost her husband, kids who have lost their father. It would be an excellent present for this July 4th weekend . . . There is no way to ever repay what we have gotten in return for their sacrifice, the best we can do is let them know we will honor them and never ever forget.

Thank you Teresa for keeping the homefires burning.  You are an inspiration. If our readers are so inclined, "head over to Blackfive and read about the various ways you can support the troops," she advises.  We've always supported Spirit of America, but there are dozens of other ways you can make a difference as well. As Samuel Adams advised, "It does not take a majority to prevail . . . but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men."

Comments

[goomp]

High and noble sentiments most appropriate for the day honoring those who created and those who preserved this free Nation.

[Teresa]

Thank you for the links! I tried to comment yesterday and typepad stuck it's tongue out at me *grin*

[goomp]

They had some big realignment thing, and I couldn't do a thing either.