I think our strength as 9~12ers and/or Tea Partiers is that there is NO leader. We are a people with a mindset of conservative values and principles, and any greatness is to be realized by our own individual actions. What kind of a neighbor are we? How do we interact within our community, within our workplace, within our church, within our circle of friends?

To think that 600,000 people (supposedly free-thinking freedom loving people) would follow in lock-step behind any leader, Glenn Beck, or anyone else, is simply ridiculous. Glenn tried to tell us it was up to us as individuals, many times and in many ways. If we have failed to hear that message, it is not the fault of Glenn Beck. When his original site shut down, what happened? Lots of smaller sites sprang up, like this one - some larger, some smaller, some grew some didn't. Some members even went into their own communities and began making a difference there - google Pinellas County 9~12 group as only one example. Yeah, I know, many can scoff and say 'yeah, big deal, one little jerkwater town.' But you know what? That's where it's at. One little jerkwater town at a time. One little 'far right' neighborhood at a time. If we had all done something like that, we wouldn't be here wondering why Glenn Beck 'let us down.' It is up to us to determine what we can do to effect change. And sometimes, that is as simple as learning the issues and casting a vote accordingly!

Too many people have this expectation of someone else taking up the banner and leading us. And as soon as someone does that, or tries that, we decide that we don't want to go there, and someone starts spouting off that the person is in for the fame, the money, the ego, whatever! Why is that? The answer is that we are conservatives. 'Nuf said. Anyway, nobody wants to herd cats just like Glenn Beck doesn't want to herd cats.

This site has been a gathering place for friends (and sometimes not-so-friends), a resource for news that is often glossed over by the MSM, a place for ideas to be shared and friendships to be formed, a place where information on a variety of topics could be shared with others who wanted to know. There have been bumps along the road, there have been drops in readership, there have been egos running amok. There have also been smooth rides, with spikes in readership and activity, and amok egos at a minimum. In moving forward, I will focus on the smooth rides, the fun and fast paced activity enjoyed at times, and ignore the egos issue, remembering this site with fondness and gratefulness for the friendships that have grown as a result.

God bless,

JG

Folks, especially veterans, please take a moment and check out Armor Down.
http://armordown.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Patriots! God bless

Take a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQC6YvJ_Cac

Babyboomer, welcome back! Hope things are going well for you! God bless, JG

C_L, I didn't read anything into Mo's comment that was not there. Mo asks (without the traditional 'question mark' at the end of his question) if 'you or anyone else on vent found evidence.....' I was not aware that it was incumbent upon me or anyone else on vent to secure evidence to support or dismantle Mo's position on this (or did you and Mo mean to 'copy/paste/provide a link to another person's work which is then presented as evidence?). His statement (question?) was both accusatory and confrontational. If he wants to support Joe Paterno, so be it, it's his choice. My initial comment had nothing to do with supporting or not supporting Paterno. I find a decade of silence on this to be inexcusable, no matter WHO zipped lips!

I can't help but note that everyone in this thread failed to comment on the 'food for thought' paragraph in my previous comment. In addition to that, try this....substitute Joe Paterno's name with anyone from the Obama administration, then try and honestly evaluate all your comments and opinions on this.

Don't assume that I am 'against' L1 and Mo simply because I do not fawn at the feet of their comments (or anyone else's for that matter). We do have a common enemy, and that is the left, not each other. You're right about that. There is no need to walk on eggshells, and there is no need to play the victim. Comment however you wish. Maybe you will get called on it, maybe you won't.

l1m89, evidently, you missed something as well. I was not part of any witch hunt, so your defense of Mo is a bit lame. since he accused me of a rush to judgement. I already said that likely Paterno did not break any laws, and a 'graduate assistant' (a subordinate of his, or perhaps still a student?) tells him what he witnessed (in one account, this after McQueary first called daddy to find out what he should do - uh, he needed parental guidance on this????), and Paterno reports what he was told by a third party to a superior and campus police. And it ends there? ANYONE's 'rush to judgement' was far less atrocious than what Sandusky is alleged to have done to young boys! There a lot of unanswered questions on this...like after this happened, is there footage of, photos of, or witnesses to Sandusky and Paterno partying or being friendly, like before he was told of this? Were they friends at all, at any time? Were Paterno and McQueary interviewed on this afterward? And how soon afterward?

Here is some food for thought...if it were McQueary's kid brother, or Paterno's grandson, or your own kid, in that locker room with Sandusky, do you think they (or you) would have remained silent after telling a superior?

The conversation was not private and you well know it -again a lame arguement/defense/whatever you want to call it. I would welcome discussion from any member. Attacks and picking fights like school children is another matter.

Mo_Phine, you pose the question directly under my response to you, so what you said here is likely directed at me: " Have you or anyone on vent found evidence that The Coach was part of any cover up or was otherwise found culpable. " Show me where I said Paterno was part of cover-up of any kind! I did not, so in the future, direct you sanctimonious vitriole where it belongs. You have interjected yourself into a conversation I began with another member, and at this point, BUTT OUT...you make no sense whatsoever.

Mo_Phine, there was no rush to judgement on my part, any more than your assumption as to how Paterno's conversation with his superiors went, or any conversation with McQueary, for that matter.

I DID acknowledge that Paterno appears to have followed the law of reporting, which (evidently) is not necessarily moral in nature. If legislating moral behavior were possible, then things like cuss words, abortion, or premarital sex would be illegal. If Paterno was told what we are led to believe he was told, and Sandusky was still around for a few more years, he likely failed in a moral duty. IMO
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OMG, Patriot! I just started the rewind of Mark Levin's show from last night! It is as sad as it is hilarious - that this dumbo (ears and all) is actually POTUS.

nor the great apology tour.......