Book Review - Lone Survivor

This was the first book I've read about the war in Afghanistan, and it has definitely set the bar high for my future selections. Luttrell does a great job of helping us comprehend why SEALs have such a tight bond with each other. He accomplishes this by giving us a glimpse into the rigorous training required to earn the right to be called a Navy SEAL. Soldiers always believe their unit/branch is the best there ever was, and the best there ever will be - Luttrell is no different. He's very boastful about his skills and those of his team, however, at times he is also self-deprecating. These reality checks that Luttrell exposes himself to, further illustrate the importance that SEALs place on teamwork. It's those bonds and a unified, teamwork-mentality that allowed Marcus to return home.

 

When Operation Redwing is put into motion and the bullets start flying, so do the pages. While Luttrell and his team are in deep cover, three goat herders stumble on to their position. They are faced with an extremely difficult decision - let them go, eliminate the threat or hold them prisoner. Instead of eliminating the threat, and facing possible prosecution at home, the four SEALs vote to let them go free. Soon after, Luttrell's team is encircled by 100-150 Taliban fighters. He provides a gripping narrative of their lopsided battle that ultimately took the lives of his three teammates, and sixteen of their would be rescuers. Once the realization sets in that he is alone on an Afghan mountain, Marcus sets off on an emotional roller coaster encountering bouts of fear, grief, self-pity, helplessness, anger and determination - all of which play a role in keeping him alive.

 

Throughout the book Luttrell voices his opinions about the "liberal media." I'm a Republican, and even I could have done without his political rants. With that said however, it does not take away from his story. I would strongly suggest that you not let his political views deter you from enjoying this book and just enjoy the ride. After all, I think he's earned the right to vent a little frustration.

 

AE

Deviant Protesters Deserve the Blame - Essay

This is an essay that I wrote way back during the Republican National Convention protests during the Obama V. McCain elections.  I got into a little debate about the topic at work the other day so I decided to post my essay here.

AE

The Holocaust and Our Youth

In class today a fellow student made this comment, "If the new generations are brought up with love, peace and respect for life, the hope of unity between all mankind will mean a bright future free from prejudice and strife." I totally agree, it all starts with children and how they are raised and what they are taught. As crazy as Adolph Hitler was, he was smart enough to know that as well, hence the formation of Hitler's Youth and the implementation of teaching practices that taught German kids that Jewish people were bad.

This fact really made me think about the current events of today. With the population of this planet approaching 7 billion people it is impossible to rid Earth of all political or religious extremists such as Hitler, Hussein, Bin Laden or Ahmadinejad, but we have to try. Sometimes by force, yes, but also by education. If we can teach as many youths as we can to embrace other's cultural, religious, political and personal beliefs we can say we attempted to make a difference. We have to teach them that you don't always have to agree with a person, but you should respect the fact that they might have a different opinion than you. If we don't try to educate young people, extremists will continue to pass down their extreme beliefs to the youths of their current followers.

Hitler

Saddam

Can the next one be prevented?

John Adams

Good afternoon everyone. I cannot just simply read a book; one of my many faults. I'll read a passage and earmark it for a later date so that I can copy some of my favorite quotes into a Word document that I have started. I also have to log any important dates/events into a timeline spreadsheet that I have. I think I'm subconsciously preparing myself for my future position as a history teacher. I will also become inspired rather easily and attempt to pass on said inspiration to my, most-often-disinterested, wife (love her to death though :)). Now that I have a blog I have a secondary outlet to voice some of my thoughts. Most of the inspiration I'm talking about comes from real life characters from America's past. I'm a firm believer that there should be an increasing amount of emphasis put on history in the classroom. Not just the "learn-the-facts-and-dates history" but, an emphasis should be put on how we can use history to our advantage. Learning from our mistakes as well as other's, and being able to provide factual evidence to back up an argument. Not to mention simply having the knowledge of where we came from and who got us here.

With that rant I suppose I'll finally get into the subject of this post. It has to do with John Adams. I'm currently reading Rise To Rebellion by Jeff Shaara. A diamond in the rough if you ask me. It is based on actual events but written like a novel. I'm about 25% of the way through it and have already developed a new gratification for John Adams' place in history. A farmer and a lawyer who daringly took on the case to defend Thomas Preston and his men after The Boston Massacre. He knew that his cousin, Sam Adams, and the other Sons of Liberty might peg him as a loyalist to the King. But his dedication to the principles of law, American law, motivated him to do what he thought was right. In the end Preston was acquitted. Adams not only saved the life of an innocent man, he also demonstrated the ability of the colonies to conduct a fair and proper trial. He used that case as ammunition when England took away America's power to appoint it's own judges after the burning of the Gaspee. Jeff Shaara as John Adams, "Whether you agreed or disagreed with the acquittal of Captain Thomas Preston, the most important message that came out of that courtroom is that we are a people who rely on the law. We have proven that we can judge ourselves. There is justice in our courts" (106).

Events and stories like this are worth telling. These are stories that help explain why America is the way it is. Why defendants are innocent until proven guilty. What taxation without representation means. Why power in politics will be given back to the Iraqi people. Why America will always prosper.

Works Cited
Shaara, Jeff. Rise To Rebellion. New York: Ballantine Publishing Group, 2001.