This is a re-posting from a few years ago, with minor updates and editing. It addresses all on this forum.....


I have been on OPP for close to nine years now, and continually question what powers it has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met about two dozen of them face-to-face in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true-blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that was something conceded to all citizens of this great nation: freedom of thought, expression and speech.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that crisscrossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its earliest documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have read numbers of exchanges between Veterans...some of whom shed blood for our country, yet disparaging and/or disrespecting another simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. I again ask: At what point has one paid enough to be allowed in voicing an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country without being denigrated? I doubt that any service member, in past firefights or foxholes, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.

"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."--Ronald Reagan

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and women. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."

"We should be too big to take offense, and too noble to give it."--Abraham Lincoln

This is a re-posting from a few years ago, with minor updates and editing. It addresses all on this forum.....


I have been on OPP for close to nine years now, and continually question what powers it has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met about two dozen of them face-to-face in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true-blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that was something conceded to all citizens of this great nation: freedom of thought, expression and speech.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that crisscrossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its earliest documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have read numbers of exchanges between Veterans...some of whom shed blood for our country, yet disparaging and/or disrespecting another simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. I again ask: At what point has one paid enough to be allowed in voicing an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country without being denigrated? I doubt that any service member, in past firefights or foxholes, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.

"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."--Ronald Reagan

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and women. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."

This is a re-posting from a few years ago, with minor updates and editing. It addresses all on this forum.....


I have been on OPP for close to nine years now, and continually question what powers it has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met about two dozen of them face-to-face in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true-blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that was something conceded to all citizens of this great nation: freedom of thought, expression and speech.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that crisscrossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its earliest documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have read numbers of exchanges between Veterans...some of whom shed blood for our country, yet disparaging and/or disrespecting another simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. I again ask: At what point has one paid enough to be allowed in voicing an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country without being denigrated? I doubt that any service member, in past firefights or foxholes, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.

"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."--Ronald Reagan

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and women. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."

This is a re-posting from a few years ago, with minor updates and editing. It addresses all on this forum.....


I have been on OPP for close to nine years now, and continually question what powers it has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met about two dozen of them face-to-face in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true-blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that was something conceded to all citizens of this great nation: freedom of thought, expression and speech.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that crisscrossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its earliest documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have read numbers of exchanges between Veterans...some of whom shed blood for our country, yet disparaging and/or disrespecting another simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. I again ask: At what point has one paid enough to be allowed in voicing an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country without being denigrated? I doubt that any service member, in past firefights or foxholes, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.

"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."--Ronald Reagan

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and women. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."