Manns Medium

We understand that some of you wish nothing more than to help and reduce the burden this disorder has on those that they occupy but before you can help, you must first understand just what is happening to that person you love so much and would give anything to help but can’t.  First you must realize that it is not all about you and stop thinking that you are failing because you can’t help.  It is and always will be about the person suffering but when you switch it and make it all about you, the help that you could have given is no longer welcomed by the one who is doing the suffering.  If you wish to help, I mean truly want to help then listen closely as I tell you what you can do. First get over yourself and realize that only those who want help will take it and not everyone who asks for help really want it.  The best you can do in this situation is to listen without judging and without conversation.  Just listen as they talk because the more they talk the...

For all those wanna-be bad asses in America that think the only way to solve a problem is behind the butt of a gun, let me ask you a few questions.  The true meaning of ownership is that which you can take with you wherever you go even in death and since none of the material things you covet, you are able to do that with, what is it that you truly own.  In death, all you will be able to take with you is your soul so why is it not the most important possession to protect?  Why do we pretend that what we purchase is worth the life of another person when it is not something we can take with us where ever we go and why is it so important to pretend to care about the plight of man on one hand while pulling that trigger on another man from the other?  How many of you would be willing to be responsible for the taking of 10 lives simply because you were so set on ridding the world of all those who don’t think or act like you. I asked this because I ran into this article...

The Islamic State rose into power not because of what they did but because of the sudden and great interest shown by the public about them and what they were all about.  It’s troop levels grew because of the lack of richness in the country, the lack of advancement of its society, the lack of leadership within its ranks and most importantly because of a few who saw an opportunity to get rich quick by jumping on the “infidels bandwagon”.  They used the fear of the people to accept them and grant them overlords to the sparse freedoms that they had.  We made them larger than life by all the reporting and the touting of their power.  Countries trembled at the very mention of their name and citizens turned on one another to avoid their deadly rampage but what many forgot and only a few knew, the Islamic State is just like any other organization in the world.  You hit them hard and heavy with a consistency that only a country like the United States can.  You hit ...

The majority of American veterans do not wish a “hand-out” or to be dependent upon anyone except themselves but today’s “go-getters” seem determined to ignore the veteran’s need for dignity and think that just by throwing money at them, they will soon melt away.  Many “go-getters” seemed determined to not fix the problems faced by veterans because what would they have to run on if they do.  Much that could be done to restore a veteran’s dignity and possible reduce suicides, homelessness and high unemployment among the very group many claim to support, is not being done and one has got to wonder why.  This desire to just sit on your hands and complain instead of doing all that you can do to make real change has now infected many who served or are currently serving.  Consider these situations:  A Marine with over 9 years in Law Enforcement is seems not as an equal to a civilian with 3 years.  The civilian will be featured first for any top job within law e...

For years now veterans have been complaining that civilians does not get the mindset of a vet and some have went as far as to plug in former military members in certain section of their businesses hoping to put an end to that argument.  Still the issues of vets seem to survive and many even multiply and grow larger than they once were.  The newest crop of veteran’s organization has stepped up to solve one or more of the issues but still cannot seem to make a dent in the much larger issue.  The largest issue is the missing link between military life and the civilian world.  The largest issue is losing that “ Esprit  de Corps” that many feel when they serve with a group of others that they know will have their backs or watch their six.  The largest issue is hearing that there is support of the troops but failing to see this support in the area most needed and the key to their transition.  The veteran needs to see, touch and feel that support that has gu...

I understand that there are some politicians who fee that they must oppose anything that this administration does and even if they feel that advancing the mission is the most critical part of accomplishing it, they cannot show the spine or backbone and support anything this administration supports.  They do not fear the results and the consequences to their very souls but fear more not getting re-elected to office or being seen by other mortals as weak.  These same spineless people are those some of us call leaders but I ask how can one be closely considered a leader when all you do is pick up another’s personal flag and run with the pack? I asked this question based on a letter I received in my inbox from Congressman Seth Moulton of the U. S. House of Representatives concerning this same subject.  In it he states “ I was in the first company of Marines to enter Baghdad in 2003.  As a combat veteran, I know the cost of war. It is something I still carry with me ...

We could all see this day coming, at least those who were not so enamored with ISIL/ISIS.  We all knew that the bombings were going to eventually have the intended affect even if our own media would not admit or report it.  We knew that they day would come when Muslims would finally get tired of being associated with ISIL/ISIS and their way of damaging the religion.  We knew that eventually, those who truly have the power to rid this planet of ISIL/ISIS would finally step up and do so; all we needed to do is show and demonstrate a little faith.  We knew this and I think this article by Jacob Siegel titled “ The Real Target of ISIS’s Child-Soldier Execution Video ” proves it. The article reports “The latest ISIS shock tactic—using a young boy to shoot at point-blank range a ‘spy’ for Israel—is aimed at stifling internal dissent amid reported infighting and losses in Iraq.  In ISIS’s ongoing war in Iraq and Syria, the group regularly publicizes its killing of...

As a retired U.S. Marine who served from 1981 till 1991, I am amazed at how often those with thoughts of revisiting the Christian Crusades occupy our control centers when it comes to saber rattling, fear mongering and cowboy justice.  I am amazed because I wish to think that we have hired the best and the brightest to occupy the seats of government and therefore wonder how so many could be led by the nose by those who have little to no risk involved in the decisions that they push or make. In an article titled “Netanyahu Warns Congress Iran Deal Guarantees Nuclear Arms ” written by Jonathan Ferziger for Bloomberg News, Mr. Ferziger reports that “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, directly challenging President Barack Obama in a speech to U.S. lawmakers, said an emerging agreement with Iran would backfire and ensure the Islamic Republic gains a nuclear arsenal.  “That deal would not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons -- it would all but guarantee that Ira...

So many are frustrated and confused as to what we have to do to defeat ISIL and many are considering that all that is necessary is to cut off the head of the snake but today, it has occurred to me that this is and never will be the way ISIL will ever get defeated.  Some are correct that military force is necessary but it will never end them.  Some are correct that it will take a diplomatic answer to solve this issue but that alone is also not the case.  So with that, quite a few are confused and frustrated so they lash out at anyone or anything else that is marginally offensive to them in order to find a place for their frustrated-laced anger.  So what do we do?  First we need to understand the problem before we can find the solution. The first thing, I think we need to teach ourselves is ISIL is not one main operating group but a series of self-lead branches which follow their own brand of justice.  The overall message may be the same but the actions ...

According to the article titled “ Boehner invites Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran, after Obama veto threat ” by an Unknown Author for Fox News.com, “House Speaker John Boehner announced Wednesday he is inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress next month about the threat from Iran, in a sharp rebuke to President Obama. “Prime Minister Netanyahu is a great friend of our country, and this invitation carries with it our unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of his people,” Boehner said in a statement. “In this time of challenge, I am asking the prime minister to address Congress on the grave threats radical Islam and Iran pose to our security and way of life.” “Boehner told members of the GOP House Conference on Wednesday morning: “The president warned us not to move ahead with sanctions on Iran, a state sponsor of terror. His exact message to us was: 'Hold your fire.' He expects us to stand idly by and do nothing while he cuts a ...

I was wondering when big oil was going to launch their fight to convince people that they should demand higher gas prices so that they could get back to making record profits but I did not think a CIA Insider would be used to initiate that effort.  I would have thought some bought-off politician would have been the spark that started the fuse but I guess it goes to show, big oil is not afraid to use whatever and whomever they must to achieve their goals. I get this from reading and article titled “ CIA Insider: “Forget Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, and Syria this is where WWIII will start ” which appears on Keith Fitzgerald’s website Total Wealth Research.com which states “Should the rise of conflicts across the Middle East and Ukraine serve as a warning sign that something much more dangerous is approaching?  According to Jim Rickards, the CIA’s Asymmetric Warfare Advisor, the answer is yes.  In a startling interview he reveals that all 16 U.S. Intelligence Agencies have beg...

No matter how many times I say this, it appears to go unheard in our massive but small community of readers and seekers of knowledge.  One can only assume that those who need to read articles like this are not or are simply refusing to accept what is said. The question still remains the confusion of how a group that many call a group of rag-tag radicals can operate in such an efficient military manner.  There are those who still cannot fathom how this is possible.  Well once again, let us attempt to make it clear.  You can operate in an efficient military manner if you are able to secure and enlist the help of those with military proficiency in their background.  All you need to do is offer them enough money to sell you their very souls and even give up their lives.  See, many who fight for ISIL or other groups, do not truly care about their philosophy, they only care about the number of trips to the bank that they can make.  The old saying “eve...

For years, I have been advised not to speak on a subject that I have no knowledge in, no experience with or no idea of.  I heard these suggestions and for many things, they were right.  I would often find myself speaking about something that I did not educate myself about before opening that hole underneath my nose.  I've gotten much better at that now but this same truth should hold for those who are supposed to be much better informed that the public on these matters.  Should not this also apply to them and when they get it wrong, backwards or just plain flub the whole thing,  shouldn't  others correct that mistake? For you to make more sense about that to which I speak, I am talking about the constant armchair quarterbacking of the ISIL strategy.  Many are talking about what someone else is doing wrong but none of them pointing out the failing of the other person are making any effort to search for a solution themselves.  Th...

So many people have asked ad many more have searched.  The discussion among the public is joined and all except those of Congress who was hired to help run this country are buckling down and trying to help solve this problem.  The problem ISIS or ISIL whichever way you wish to say it. The situation seems far more daunting and complicated the more people you talk to.  It grows more serious with each passing day depending on the news outlet you favor.  It was made even more obvious by the killing of James Foley and would you believe that we have had the ultimate weapon against them waiting to be activated all this time and never knew it.  Would you also believe that this terrible group is also not truly led by the faces you see on television but covered faces of those you miss seeing? The ultimate weapon against ISIL is none other than the Islamic people.  Those who tire of westerners buying their way into their religion and totally re-writing their ...

Matthew Daly of the Associated Press penned an article about the Senate and House Committee finally reaching an agreement regarding the emergency bill to help relieve the very large number of veterans waiting on VA doctor’s appointments.  In it he reports “After more than six weeks of sometimes testy talks, House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a compromise plan to fix a veterans health program scandalized by long patient wait times and falsified records covering up delays. The chairmen of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees have scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon to unveil a plan expected to authorize billions in emergency spending to lease 27 new clinics, hire more doctors and nurses and make it easier for veterans who can't get prompt appointments with VA doctors to obtain outside care.  Louis Celli, legislative director for the American Legion, the nation's largest veterans group, said the deal would provide crucial help to veterans who have b...

You know that every once in a while, I think that Hollywood can make a very valid and thought provoking point with some of the shows it produces but most of the time I think that they just cobble ideas together and find more drama than substance.  I say that to make a point about something I had not thought about and am sure many others haven’t even considered. First a little background.  I was watching the show called “Criminal Minds” where the father of an abducted son was asked why he stopped going back to the place where his son was abducted after during so for several years like clockwork.  His response was because he felt that his son was no longer alive so he felt no need to continue to go there.  It got me to thinking about all those other times I had heard the similar statement coming from parents and loved ones of those who have gone missing and the result of them owning that feeling that they were still alive and never losing hope.  It made me be...

Patriotism is defined as the love that people feel for their country and while I truly cannot argue with that I do take offense at the extension added to this definition by some who claim the title but refuse to acknowledge that they do not have a clue to what they are talking about. I speak of those who say that they love this country yet will do all that they can to sell it out by forging ahead with bold, discriminatory and selfish ideas delivered to them on platter of money.  Look around and you will see exactly what I am talking about.  Politicians who claim that they love this country but will disallow anyone else different from them the chance to live their lives as they see fit.  I love this country but I am going to keep you from voting because you don’t vote like I want you to.  I love this country but I am going to deny you the same rights and freedoms that I wish to enjoy. Average Americans who dresses in camouflage outfits and gather millions of ...

As the world continues to revolve and the sun consistently rises, so does events which are becoming more and more clear that world peace may not be that far behind. When this president was running for office, he was viewed and mocked as naïve because he had promised that he would extend an open hand to our enemies instead of a tight fist.   He had promised to speak frankly but friendly to all those leaders who want to come in from the cold.   Many of us never really placed much stock in that statement until now. It can be assumed that after young Arabs saw the power of the American public bringing the first black man into office as president, they kicked off their Arab Spring.   Though they were not prepared for the results, they have begun their long hard journey to real democracy.   Next we see the shutting down of the Iraq War and the closing of the Afghanistan War.   These actions further showed world leaders that he might just be a man of his word...

When President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize, millions of people began to look at him as weak and many thought that their mantle of Keeping America Safe was safe.   That was until his first major test of the pirates taking over an American Ship and holding the captain hostage.   The normal workings of other countries were to negotiate with the pirates, give them what they wanted and get back their ship and personnel.   That was until Barack Obama stepped to the plate to take a swing at that ball. To many surprise, he ordered the killing of those holding that captain hostage and in the end not only got back the captain, crew, ship and cargo but made all those dreaming to one day become a pirate in that region quickly choose another line of work.   Somali Pirates used to be in the headlines almost daily until they picked the wrong ship and the wrong president to test. Next came the Osama bin Laden raid where many had spoken tough about getting him but ...

I was strongly compelled to share this letter from a dying veteran to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney because it says everything that I have been saying for so long.   The beauty of this letter written by one of my fellow military members, dying from injuries received while fighting an illegitimate war. It was taken from an article written by djchefron titled “A dying veteran’s letter to George W Bush and Dick Cheney for Politicususa.com.   The first paragraph I would like to call your attention to is the one that says “Your positions of authority, your millions of dollars of personal wealth, your public relations consultants, your privilege and your power cannot mask the hollowness of your character. You sent us to fight and die in Iraq after you, Mr. Cheney, dodged the draft in Vietnam, and you, Mr. Bush, went AWOL from your National Guard unit. Your cowardice and selfishness were established decades ago. You were not willing to risk yourselves for our nation but yo...