Posts by Chisum

The Ghost Soldiers is an excellent book. It gives the true perspective of what was going on. Unfortunately we are losing over one thousand WWII Vets per day. Many came home and never told their families about what happened and what they went through. We are losing a large portion of untold history with each passing.

If you have a dad or a grandfather and you haven't taken the time to ask them about the war, do it before its too late.

I would also have to say that the Shootist is my pick. I really wonder how much was acting and how much was the reality of the day. I believe that if he had a choice it would have been to leave life as JB Books chose to do so.

The only thing that died in the bed was his Tombstone. He died in a blaze of gunfire ridding the town of the undesirables.

I would have to say that without a doubt the theme to the High and the Mighty is the one. Talk about a song that easily recognizable even today many years after the original. The High and the Mighty and John Wayne are synonymous.

Our country has made it through another year. We may stumble once in awhile but I can think of no other place I would like to live.

Proud to be the Country of John Wayne.

God Bless America and all of our friends throughout the world who have stood beside us.

Thought I would add a little local weather:

Forecast for Parker, Arizona:
307 AM MST MON JUL 4 2005

Hight Temp for today and tomorrow 113 degrees.
Low Temp for tonight and tomorrow night 76

OK, its been awhile since I visited with you but let me add my choice. I would say that Bob Hope ranks right up there. He supported our men and women in uniform giving his time to them to take their minds off the problems and give them pleasure. A man who celebrated Christmas with his family during the summer because he was was out with the troops at Christmas. He gave unconditional support to our men and women in uniform. He was careful to never criticize.

By not teaching this the U.S. has lost many small businesses. This would include family farms. Everything begins to be a corporation. Communication skills need to be taught from the start. Also the basics of business. Ask a child to stand in front of a class to give a report and their is vapor lock. Many kids cannot even give change for a purchase.

A Girl Named Jen. I agree with you. What I did was try to get Robbie away from the typecasting of someone. I think the answer from Robbie did that.

There are some flashbacks during the film but since it was the last twelve hours it was more about those that denied him, even Mary who initially denied him but then turned and went to him. Graphic, yes, horrific yes, unbelievable brutal yes. But that was what it was like. I think that some would rather watch the film within their church and others at home. I could never buy the film because I could not stand to watch it over and over.

I believe that by showing the brutality we best depict the reality. It continues today. If we clean it up we take away the impact of the lesson to be learned. I don't think it was gratuitous violence.

And yes it does leave you with hope.

The biggest thing is don't let others make the decision for you as to whether to watch it or not. We have the ability to make that decision for ourselves.

Robbie, In the U.S. I would say that this would have been a true statement in the 1950 and 1960s. However in todays schools it is no longer taught. The only way to get it is through trade schools. 'Entrepreneurship and enterprise' seems to have dropped to the side in education. It used to be we taught or at least exposed the kids to classes that taught woodworking, electronics, metal fabrication, and auto shop. All of these would give a good basis for one going into business at a later time. Schools are no longer interested in this and it is few and far between to locate a school that teaches 'Entrepreneurship and enterprise'. Many of our students upon graduation are borderline illiterates. Hand in hand with this is not teaching ethics and values. This is demonstrated weekly in the States as various Corporations are caught with their hands in the till. There used to be clubs in our schools in which the kids would design, survey, build, and market a product. I haven't seen this in a long time.

Gee Robbie, being an American has its benefits. Everyone loves us and always portrays us as a positive role model for the rest of the world to look up to and love. Having no enemies just spoils us to death. Besides Gibson can you think of anyone else who has an axe to grind against the British? Maybe Mr. Bean?

I totally disagree with that critics assessment of what its about. First let me say that I watched this at the local theater. It was a sell out. The youngest person in the theater was fifty years old.

The movie is graphic yes, it shows what we did to Christ. When I say we I mean all of us. I did not hear one single person place blame on the Jews or anyone else in particular. I did see a group of several hundred people who were so affected by the movie that they sat there and didn't get up. No one was telling jokes or poking fun. Some were praying, most were crying. I too grew up with the old movies of the cleaned up version of what Christ went through. But it in no way conveyed the actual horror of what took place. Like you, I have a much longer version of what took place and it does much better explaining the movie and the introspection that comes from it. Its not a fun movie, I didn't enjoy it. I couldn't watch it over and over again. It did cause me to think about my place in things and have I led a life that was what it should have been. The movie is not demeaning, it tells a true story of a true event. If this event were played out today would the outcome be any different? I don't think so. Remember a blind eye was turned during WWII and the extermination of millions. Even now you don't hear an outcry over the million people that Iraq eradicated over the past ten years.

The movie depicts a violent graphic hideous time in our worlds history. Should we sweeten it up so it doesn't offend. No. Do we gloss over Buchenwald, Auschwitz, Treblinka or Iraq. No we show what happened and mans inhumanity to man in hopes that we will change and make this world a better place to live.

My suggestion is that if anyone doubts the movie watch it for yourself. Don't let someone else fill your head with a bunch of stuff with no proof. It will cost you a couple of dollars and two hours and twenty minutes of your time.

My personal opinion is that John Wayne outshines most actors.

It seems that most actors feel it is in vogue to be a doper, drinker who cannot handle it, wife beater, served time in prison and hates the United States of America.

He also did not turn his back on his country. I would put John Wayne up against any of those types that many seem to think are heroes and great actors.

He also was not a follower of Jane Fonda even though he had known her since she was born. But neither did he turn away from her, he felt she had a right to her own agenda.

John Waynes characters carried that old thing called truth, justice and the American Way.

Banish you no, disagree you bet.

Hey Stumpy, you only saw part of our Arizona. You have a lot more to see. There is what is called the Outback of Arizona or the West Coast of Arizona. La Paz County. Some of the most beautiful desert area and Colorado River area you will ever see. Being that you are retired military we have Fort Huachuca Arizona about seventy miles South East of Tucson. I would imagine that you have full privileges and the Fort has a lot to offer. Land isn't really that expensive. That area is known for Cochise and the Buffalo Soldier. Its altitude is about 5000 feet so the weather is fairly mild.

If you want to punish yourself come over by me in Parker where it is not unusual that we hit 120 degrees during the summer. No exaggeration about the heat, it really does get that hot. Thats when we head towards Chilli Bill. We just go a little bit higher up like Flagstaff because it gets pretty darn warm in the Verde Valley.

Well its not my fault, the deoderant said it lasted all day!

Hondo, you are right. We would have an even greater country.

Perhaps if we had lived by the Cowboy Code, we would be a better person today?

Here is Gene Autry's Cowboy Code:

1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man or take unfair advantage.
2. He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
3. He must always tell the truth.
4. He must be gentle with children, the elderly and animals.
5. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
6. He must help people in distress.
7. He must be a good worker.
8. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.
9. He must respect women, parents and his nation's laws.
10. The Cowboy is a patriot.

His gravestone reads:
"A believer in our Western heritage."

At last gentleman, a civilized way to fight a war. Who ever wins the game wins the war. No more destruction and killing. How many years and how many lives has it taken to get to this point.