Parasite in Congress
I have just finished reading Laura Hillenbrands book “Unbroken.” I was moved to tears when I read what some World War II veterans went through for their country. It amazes me how these people gave up years of their lives and suffered immeasurably, to keep this country from falling into enemy hands.
Today, members of Congress play with the future of this country with total disregard of their sacrifice. I’m not talking about surrendering our sword to some other country. I’m talking about destroying the country from within and that carries far more shame then losing in battle to some other country.
Those people came home from war full of pride for what they accomplished. Some of them came home draped in the flag they fought for, after giving the ultimate sacrifice. There was nothing more left for them here but a plot of earth but they wanted their friends and family to be free. If they were here today, to talk about it they would say, “As long as this country stays strong it was worth it.”
We have members of Congress right now that are interested in one thing. Victory for their political party. All of the ideals our veterans fought for are being wasted on their own selfish political ambitions and this includes even some of those that have served. What makes a person sell their soul like this? Greed. Greed that is almost parasitical. Because in the end they may win their battle but we will all lose the war and maybe our country with it. We need to vote not for those who bring home the bacon but for those who figure out a way to pay for the bacon we already ate and charged to our kids.
Mike Holst
Crosslake
Comments (36)
Add commentI don't believe this nation
I don't believe this nation truly supports our troops.
If we did veterans would not have to fight for the benefits that they fought for and that they earned. They would be given as promised.
We would provide the medical care, including mental health care that we both agreed on.
We would not leave them in harms way when the obvious is right before our eyes.
We would send them in only as a last resort and we would pay for the it even if it meant a war tax.
Read Charles Coopers' obit today.
He was a hero. What a sacrifice he made for us.
Need to go higher
The parasites and downfall of this nation is starting in the white house, the senate and congress. Congress isnt the only place to look. Talking about destroying this country when you have a commander in chief refusing to be bipartasan, its road to downfall. When you have Nancy Pelosi saying, pass the bill we will find out whats in it later, theres a downfall. When you have John Boehner not standing up being a man and telling Obama and the senate lets work together, thats a downfall. The biggest downfall in this country is people are so blinded by their political party , whats best for America comes second, thats a downfall. You have democrats and republicans refusing to take off their blinders and standing up and saying, No More!!! I for one want this country to be great again, and it wont happen until we change the leadership starting in the white house, senate and congress. So please dont blame one branch of government. Put the blame where it belongs at the top and working its way down.
Troll alert above!
The majority of the people have spoken. We chose this President and Congress. We need them to work together.
Troll alert above!
That would be you southie.
Thank You Mr Holste
Great letter. It sounds like John Wards agenda right from the get-go. Do what you can to advance your political agenda and the real issue "Veterans", comes second. I hope Ward reads and heeds your letter over and over. On the local level, he is the biggest user/abuser of Veterans to advance his own political agenda that ever came out of Central Minnesota.
Charlie: On about twenty occasions (and maybe more)
you've made some strong charges about John Ward being anti-veteran. I'm not asking for a major tome here, but can you succinctly substantiate the claim, with 2 or 3 brief examples. That might help those of us who would like to be advocates for veterans, and who don't understand your strong feelings about a few personalities.
Veteran68, we, the people, have the gov't. we, the people, have elected. Out of curousity, which leaders pass your test of "post-partisanship"?
LOL Scribs
All I can say is thats a good one!!!!!!!!!!
Bubba-Here you are.
John Ward has been using the Veterans for years to advance his political career. He has been trying to get a Veterans home built at the old state hospital site. This would make his constituents happy because it would bring much work and employment to the area, and he would be Johnny the great at the polling booth. Never mind that the old state hospital was contaminated with mold, mildew and asbestos, and Ward knew that. Just shove the Vets in there. They'll die soon. And everybody vote for me. Need more? John Ward even tried joining the American Legion (not in the Brainerd area)so he could get Veterans support. He has never been a Veteran. Thankfully, someone in the American Legion caught it. So what did he do, he joined the "Sons of the American Legion" since his father was a Vet. Legit, yes, but a below the belt shot at his fathers honorable service. As you state, I have posted this many times and you want proof. Well, here it is. I have more recent proof also (last week)(twice) but that is ammo I will be using against him in the State House of Reps in the near future so I can't elaborate on that right now. It's all Johnnie first and Veterans second. How's that Bubba. Just ask Johnnie. Now you know why I am against the little abusive weasel. Pass the word. And he has a sidekick that promotes him also. A former state legislator from Brainerd. He's a has- been in politics so no need to name him. A lot of Johnnies supporters aren't even aware of his Veterans abuse. Bubba, the above statements are documented.s/s Charlie M.
It's hard to be positive about federal government
It used to be called "patriotic" to question the administration and congress and now you are a troll.
I think veteran may be saying that they all are just out for themselves and not the country or something along those lines.
It is not as cut and dry as some would think. Some states that voted for Obama also voted for Republican governors.
Not doing something together is still doing something.
I know people are sick of me yapping on the debt but,
to me they all just spend and few care about the debt we are leaving. They care about power and spending taxpayer money.
So Ward
attempted to get a veterans home built in the area and is a member of the Sons of the American Legion?
The horror! He obviously hates veterans! What a user!
I applaud your work on the behalf of veterans, but your sheer hatred for everything John Ward is just plain strange.
Hey Snackfu
Is your mentality so short that you can only read one line. Read the whole article before you comment, -----(filtered word).
Nice default mode
I hope you are not really this unhappy in your real life as you appear online.
The only evidence you gave that is anything beyond your opinion are the two things I listed. The rest of it is your feelings about Ward, who you obviously despise. Therefore, I take that with a grain of salt.
I have found no indication that the state hospital buildings were mold-infested. If you have some information other than your feelings, I would be more than willing to consider it. A lot of buildings, including schools, have had asbestos removed.
So the only thing you brought to the table as evidence is that Ward supported building a veteran's home in Brainerd and is a member of the Sons of the American Legion. Other than that, you allude to some sort of big secret you are going to unveil. Until you are ready to do that, sir, you really don't have much evidence and what you do have just makes you look like a crank.
Something
should be done with that property whether it be for veterans or whomever.
Well shut the front door!
Now if I see chey & mission I will fall outa my chair snack!!!
Agree with ya mav. I think a city owned casino would do well there. Is that bunker nice & warm the last couple of days??
Out of Confinement
Hey Snackfu, the MPCA condemned those state hospital buildings. Read the front page of the BDD last summer. They even had pictures for people like you. I know you are a former resident and I can understand you being upset because they tore down your old homestead but get over it. By the way,are you on a two day pass or are you actually on parole. You should take some literacy courses while you're sitting behind bars.
I haven't had
time to stay in the bunker. I've been fixing/starting everyone's cars the last few day's. Thank goodness hand warmers were on sale at fleet last week
Yes, but not for the city.
A casino sounds like a good idea but not by the city. Maybe state owned and they can hire local contractors and employees. That is state property and I don't think they will want to share the profits with the city. The Vets home can be built somewhere else. By the way, federal guidelines state that Vets Homes cannot be built within 60 miles of each other. Hey Johnny, how far is it to the nearest Vets Home. And that is about to change to 100 miles. The federal government is footing %80 of the cost of the new home, wherever it is built. So Ward is just spinning his wheels as the Brainerd site doesn't even qualify under federal guidelines. But at least he has the locals believing he's doing something in St Paul. I'm sure Mikey O at the BDD will have some kind of article eventually saying that at least Johnny tried. Vote for him again. For those of you that are interested, there are currently 5 cities competeing for the new Vets Home, and only 2 of them even qualify under the federal guidelines. And Brainerd is not one of the qualifiers. Since the feds are paying %80 of the costs, guess who's calling the final shot. Not Little Johnny.
charlie
Please provide a link. I searched the Dispatch Web site after your first diatribe looking for evidence of mold and mildew but found nothing. I searched the Dispatch archives again and still find no information.
As I said above, please provide some evidence and I will take it into consideration while forming my opinions.
And keep with the name-calling. It really helps your argument a lot and makes you look really smart.
Charlie
I thought I heard the state was giving that property to the city?? I agree on a new Vet home but that should be on the river somewhere. Some of the best fishing for the boy's/gal's within walking/scooter distance.
P.S. Mav. Let me guess. Youngsters???
Only one Vet Home
There is funding for only one new Vets home in Minnesota, at this time. What ever makes you think that means it belongs in Brainerd, I don't know. If you take the five current homes, Fergus Falls, Luverne, Hastings, Mpls. and Silver Bay, along with full service Vets Hospitals in Mpls and St. Cloud and mark them on a state map, you will see a great discrepancy in that the whole northwest corner of the state is not served by a veterans home or full service VA hospital. Now, those of you that think every person needs a Veterans home in your backyard, at this point in time, your wrong. The funding needs to go where the need is most. When our country has extra money, maybe you can all have a Vets home in your back yard. As it stands right now, the largest population of unserved Veterans in Minnesota lies in Northwest Minnesota. There are several thousand Veterans in this area that have limited to no access to a Veterans home/full service VA hospital. Granted, every family would like a home for their veteran as close as possible to where the family is but reallity is that that is not possible at this time. This is what is best for the Veterans of the State of Minnesota, not an economic development tool for communities to use to help expand their local economy and for politicians to use as a political re-election tool. Local economic benefits that come out of having a New Veterans Home in your community are not a prerequisite but rather a result of the need for a home. Communities and politicians that build there communities based on this are barking up the wrong tree. Bottom line, it's what is needed for the Veterans, not for economic development and political benefit, regardless of political affiliation. For those communities that have dollar signs rolling in your eyes, forget it. We have an excellent StateVeterans Commissioner, a commanders task force, consisting of State Commanders of the VFW, American Legion, Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, Viet Nam Veterans etc., and other opened minded people in our Veterans system that will make this decision. We need to respect their decision and stop trying to influence it. To all politicians in this state that can't leave your political stripes in the drawer when dealing with Veterans, then stay away. Veterans are "A" political, meaning they come from all political parties yet they must be treated as one when it comes to fighting for our great country. Remember: ALL GAVE SOME-SOME GAVE ALL. Please respect that. Thank You All and May God Bless.
mav777, it was so cold,,,,
that someone saw a bunch of teenagers and James Bond walking by the high school with their pants pulled up!!!
Southie
Southie, you do not know me, so I have no clue why you called me a troll. If you take the time and read my post above, all you did was paraphrase it. I was talking about Obama being Bipartisan, and Boehner being a man and telling Obama and the senate lets work together. I am proud to say that I try and always be courteous and respectful with others opinions and thoughts, whether I agree with them or not. I do not feel the need to call names or insult others.
God Bless America!!!
(True Heroes are the women and men serving in our armed forces keeping America safe. God Bless all our Soldiers)
SNACKFU
Brainerd Daily Dispatch
Sept. 26, 2011
WARD: State buildings face wrecking ball
by Mike O'Rourke
Mr.John Ward states that the costs of renovating the buildings as well as asbestos abatement issues made it difficult to find a suitable new tenant.
Hope this helps answer your question.
Thanks Sadie
He was just to lazy to look it up himself. He's a lib that's used to everyone doing everything for him for free. Thanks again. 2 thumbs up for being such a nice person.
Sadie
Thats going to hurt her. I know a few that worked there. Do ya suppose with a good eelpout they will have a case in 10-15 Yrs??? Now who would have to pickup that tab??
F&B=GOLD-STAR. Good golly miss molly I have to remember that one!!!!!
How about this Charlie. The red river is still good fishing. Just put it next to a river Sir. Our Vets deserve that & please dont put it in a place like a stadium. Please.
It's Telling....
Also read this book a couple years ago. It was very moving. My father served in WWII so I am compelled to learn as much as I can of the political and economics times at that time. I was born shortly after the war ended. Your comment Mike struck me as an insight into a time where Americans sacrificed greatly out of pride for their country. It took about 3 responses before your blog turned into a current political nasty ideological fight. Today's politicians deserve scrutiny but so do the citizens who can't take an opportunity to learn something but instead look for every opportunity to take a shot at their political counterparts. Spend more energy to understand that era of Americans and less expressing your opinions. Thanks Mike for your blog.
The story Sadie neglected to print
And it all came from the same article!
"Ward, describing the current situation as a last stand for the bulk of the buildings at the Brainerd Regional Treatment Center campus, called for Gov. Mark Dayton and Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson to take one last look at ways to save and use the buildings before they’re destroyed."
"Before the wrecking ball destroys the former state hospital buildings, Ward said he wants to be certain the buildings can’t be re-defined or re-purposed.
“It’s tough to watch this happen, especially in an area that is crying for economic development and job growth.” Ward said. "
Ward worked to find a suitable use and tenant for quite awhile.
Gazelka was willing to run the wrecking ball himself.
But god help anyone who suggests that ancient schools with asbestos problems should be closed!
Rino
I didn't neglect to print anything. I looked up the article that snack was looking for and simply typed the date and name of the article and a few lines to help explain the subject.
I expected that he/she was interested, they could look it up further. I don't have a ticket to this show. Only provided some wanted info.
I'm thinking that Charlie
Just doesn't like Ward, and will manufacture a reason if he needs to. Maybe it was because Ward isn't a vet? I bet if Ward had wanted to get in the service, they wouldn't have accepted him because of his arm.
Ward Derangement Syndrome? Or just simple discrimination?