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Spacecraft flies by remote asteroid, camera stops
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Official Egypt rock slide toll rises to 31
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Philly school rekindles same-sex education debate
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Muslim separatist strike shuts down Indian Kashmir
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Troops, protesters clash in Indian Kashmir 1 dead
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Catholics assert themselves in Hanoi land dispute
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Myanmar says no sign of Suu Kyi hunger strike
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Landslides leave 27 dead or missing in Philippines
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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Returning lawmakers make Capitol a campaign stage
Southern Ledger - September 7, 2008
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A TRUE HERO GIVES HIS ALL FOR HIS COUNTRY
July 19, 2004 -
July 25, 2004
The words "hero" and "patriot" get bandied about a lot these days. Seldom are they applied to those who truly measure up to the words. Pat Tillman did not just measure up to those words, he defines them.
Two years ago Pat Tillman was a star football player for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. In 2000 he had 224 tackles, a team record. He had a $3.6 million dollar contract. He had fame. He had a new wife and a community that revered him as a "hero" on the football field. He was a "celebrity" in a country that often seems to value that above all else.
In the wake of the tragedy of September 11, those things were not enough for Pat Tillman. He felt he could do more than he was already doing. He decided to leave the Arizona Cardinals and the glitz, glamour and spotlight of the NFL to become a U.S. soldier and to try to join his brother as an Army Ranger. The Rangers are an elite bunch, but the pay scale is certainly less than that paid by the NFL. Most Rangers will never be asked for their autograph. Nobody collects their "rookie cards."
ESPN reported at the time he announced his decision that Tillman's "conscience simply would not allow him to tackle opposition fullbacks when there is still a bigger enemy that needs to be stopped in its tracks." It is unfortunate that so few who serve our nation in elective office understand the threat that the terrorists pose as well as Pat Tillman did. Pat Tillman went off to Afghanistan to do what his heart and soul told him was more important than playing football. He went off to serve his country on the frontlines of freedom.
Pat Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan, fighting the terrorist threat that he saw so clearly in the weeks and months following September 11 as a threat to all he held dear. He knew that there was something even more important than "financial security" and "celebrity." He knew that there is something even more important than his life. It is the freedom and security of his country, and the lives of those he loves. He gave his life as thousands of those who have given their lives in the defense of freedom and liberty in the past and present have done.
The death of Pat Tillman is no more or less tragic than the loss of life at Valley Forge, or Gettysburg, or Normandy, or Pearl Harbor, or in the rice paddies of Viet Nam, or the countless other places that American Soldiers have died protecting us. But the death of Pat Tillman underlines the type of people who serve, for in this age of an all volunteer force, everyone who serves and dies for their country is a Pat Tillman. Granted, most give up less fame and fortune than Pat Tillman, but ALL of them give of themselves so the rest of us can live in the freedom and prosperity that we so often take for granted. All who serve deserve the same debt of gratitude and the same respect that we will, and should, offer up to Pat Tillman.
My heart aches for the family of Pat Tillman, and for all of the other Pat Tillman's who have been lost and will be lost in this war on terrorism. But my heart also bursts with pride that our nation produces men like Pat Tillman. Men who should be honored and revered and remembered. Men who can truly be called "patriot" and "hero" with the knowledge that those words fall far short of who they are.
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WILL THE POLITICAL DOMINOES FALL? -
July 26, 2004 -
August 1, 2004
Many political analysts are concluding that Tennessee will not be competitive enough between Bush and Kery to place it amond the battleground states in the 2004 presidential race. Since Al Gore could not carry Tennessee in 2000 it is reasoned that a more liberal version from Massachusets will fare more poorly among the state's voters. And with no gubernatorial or senate elections to motivate voters, many politicians and pundits are beginning to look ahead to 2006 -- when Tennessee could see seve... |
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