So, You Know that Feeling...

That keeps bugging you and just won't go away?

Until you say or do or write something?
I have been bugged since the so-called King of Pop died.

So here's what I have to do!

Incredible stories, pictures, feeds, and videos have been coming to my in-box, so I decided to compile them in one place.

Here.We.Go!!

"We're hearing a lot lately about grandiose memorial services for entertainers.

How about a nationwide online memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers???

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry.

If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty.

His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time.

I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket.

I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving.

He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart skipped. At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy is and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem ."

I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day. I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip."

My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say. I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class.

I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach. He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy."

His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17, 2009 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade. No big event in Staples Center .

No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage. No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right!! Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way.

Rest in peace, Shifty."

I received the above-quoted story from a dear friend (SB) and followed the instruction to send it on.

I sent the above story to many of my friends in way of tribute. By the time I finished reading the story, I was in tears.

The next day, I received this awesome email from another dear friend:

"...I am friends with Buck Compton, who is also depicted on the “Band of Brothers.” He was a supporter of my judicial campaign. That meant a lot, partly because he was an American hero during World War II. (He won the silver star on D-Day.) But it also meant a lot because he was a respected lawyer, prosecuted Sirhan Sirhan for the assassination of Robert Kennedy, and served on the California Court of Appeals for 20 years. (He was appointed by Governor Reagan.) I could tell you more about him, but that’s all I have time for today. But I agree. We owe those people a lot. I think that they are much more important in the history of American life than pop celebrities. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson were not even possible without Buck Compton.

There is a photo of me with him attached."

Jeff Teichert and Buck Compton

Have I mentioned I am bugged?

Since Obama was named the Democratic Candidate for President.

Since he won the election.

Since the press have so effectively glorified who they think he is.

This is who I think he is.

Oppressive, racist, and the perfect mouthpiece for all of his special interest buddies.

Many of whom I am sure we aren't even aware of.

We know exactly what the leftist press wants us to know.

They try to keep us busy with all this "pop star garbage" while major policy changes are rolling through our legislatures without a peep to us!

It shows up in the very fine print on the back page of the most obscure sections of the paper.

How smug they are to think they can snowball the American People.

SB sent this to me this evening and it pushed the final button, bugged the final nerve.

"The attached file resulted from a Mom in Alabama asking her high school son to help with a commercial for the Tea Party she was involved inorganizing. Boy, does it slam the message home. Very impressive.


Here is her note: "I asked Justin if he could help me make a commercial for my group's Tea Party. He sat down at the laptop for about an hour, and then brought this to me and asked, 'is this okay, Mom?' After I finished watching it, my stomach was in my throat. Everyone that I have sent it to has really enjoyed it, so I wanted my friends to see it. I am so proud!"

I would call that historic...and it should be on every television station in the WORLD!

My stomach was not in my throat...My heart was full and burning...and my eyes were filled with tears! God has blessed America... and he continues to do so...every day."

All I can say is I hope my children will have the opportunity to voice their opinions in such a manner when they are my age. If all of these "social changes" continue at the rate they are, will they have a forum in their teens?

I am taking this opportunity to thank everyone who has dedicated themselves to this great country.

Who fight daily for our freedoms.

Who take responsibility for their actions.

I pray we will be blessed with those in higher offices who are not afraid of our country's peculiarities, our differences. They are what makes our nation great!

Not those who curtsy to kings of nations who repress their people or apologize for basically being "American".

Oh, and by the way, someone needs to put an amendment on the Health Care Reform that all of Congress be put on the same plan. They are our public servants, no?

Let me know what you think,
but please keep the conversation clean and courteous.
My kids will read this someday!

"A nation without heroes is nothing." Roberto Clemente