John McCain

I usually write a response to a prompt on Sundays, but something happened that I feel more deeply about.

If you’ve followed my blog for long, you’ll know that one of my political heroes is John McCain.  On Friday, news came out that he was no longer accepting medical treatment, and about an hour before I set to writing this news had announced his death.

On both occasions that I read the news, my heart sank.  I’ve never felt so deeply about a political or celebrity death.  I didn’t agree with McCain on every point – something that I think he’d be ok with – but I found his character and willingness to stand for what he thought was right to be impressive.  He was a hero to me, just as I believe he was a hero to all of America.  I had hoped McCain would live longer, and I sent a prayer or two up for him.

Now that he’s no longer blazing his trail here on Earth, a little piece of me has to change and move on.  His influence molded our history, and the legacy he left will continue to have bearing on our future.

In October of last year, McCain gave a speech when he accepted the liberty medal.  This speech, in my little opinion, was one of my favorites.  I’ll leave you with words I think define how McCain looked at America, the quote that helps me put on rose colored glasses and secure myself in hope that everything will turn out fine if we seek to do what is right.

“We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil. We are the custodians of those ideals at home, and their champion abroad. We have done great good in the world. That leadership has had its costs, but we have become incomparably powerful and wealthy as we did. We have a moral obligation to continue in our just cause, and we would bring more than shame on ourselves if we don’t. We will not thrive in a world where our leadership and ideals are absent. We wouldn’t deserve to.”

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 3

Thanks to Marnie of the Marnie Writes blog, who led me to do this challenge.

Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Post a quote for three consecutive days (1 quote for each day) (I’m going to fail – I’m doing a Monday-Wednesday-Friday).
• Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
• Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day (Whaaaaat I must know more people now!)

My Quote:

“There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” — Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

Whenever I trip, I use the excuse that I’m learning to fly.  With a little anklebiter dog, I’ve come to need this quote more than I used to.

Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was also the first book I bought for my beloved.  You know you’re the best, dear, and I’m so glad you read my blog.  Our anniversary is soon, and I’m excited for the trip you’ve planned.  Also I bought a sword, and it’s coming in the mail.  I love you.

My Tags:

First off, please – if you’re tagged, don’t feel pressure to reply or participate.  If you’re reading, these are good blogs to follow.

I met Miriam Hurdle through Charli Mills’s Carrot Ranch and the Flash Fiction contests.  Whether she wants to participate or not, Miriam is a sweet lady who I want you to visit because she deserves your patronage.  Dude, I hope her blog takes over the world.  You want to feel good?  Visit her cute stories.

Shadoriverdaleharley doesn’t know me, but daaaaamn, she/he/they can read up a storm!  I’m always impressed at their ferocious speed.

Lastly, I’ll tag Joanne of geekgirlblog.  This is mostly for selfish purposes, because I want more Sky-Pirates, haha.

 

 

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 2

First off, HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

Secondly, I happened to follow the Marnie Writes blog, and I wanted to do this challenge.

Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Post a quote for three consecutive days (1 quote for each day) (I’m going to fail – I’m doing a Monday-Wednesday-Friday).
• Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
• Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day (Whatever we’ll see)

My Quote:

“In a life rich with national partying and spontaneous murder, Jackson’s only regret was that he didn’t kill quite enough people. People like John C. Calhoun, who was Jackson’s Vice President.” — Dan O’Brien

I’m a pretty big fan of Andrew Jackson.  Not his policies, but just in how interesting and filled with utter lunacy that guy was.  Daniel O’Brian, of old-school Cracked.com fame, wrote How to Fight Presidents and made the video above as a sort of teaser for it.  I thought he captured the exact spirit of why I liked learning about Jackson in high school, and why I think he’s still crazy interesting now.

Also, ‘MURICA!

My Tags:

First off, please – if you’re tagged, don’t feel pressure to reply or participate.  If you’re reading, these are good blogs to follow.

I’ll tag E. Kathryn, who has a book that’s NEARLY FINISHED!  She also likes some tag games, and maybe this is something she’d enjoy (for Twitter if not for blogging).

Next, I’ll mention the Random Blog.  As a book blogger, Hannah J. Russel probably knows a lot of good quotes.  She has a lot of manga reviews, too, and I hope to look at some of her suggestions!

Biswadeep of the Pretentious Panda’s Blog has a lot of quick stories that I really enjoy.  He also curates some interesting life stories and quotes, so I’ll tag him in case he wants to participate.

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 1

I happened to follow the Marnie Writes blog, and I wanted to do this challenge.  I’ve decided that my blog isn’t very personal, and perhaps this will be a way to be a little more accessible as a person.

Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Post a quote for three consecutive days (1 quote for each day) (I’m going to fail – I’m doing a Monday-Wednesday-Friday).
• Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
• Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day (Whatever we’ll see)

My Quote:

“Man, this time these crackers have gone too far!” — Bullhorn, from the movie Black Dynamite

The context of this quote matters.  If you look at the face of the guy on the left (Saheed), you’ll recognize that the main cast are considering putting Tiny Tim out of his misery for the pain inflicted by the white man.  This movie don’t never stop, it keeps going to the tippy tippy top!

I fucking love the movie Black Dynamite.  One of my best friends in college was the person who showed it to me, and somehow he managed to keep himself from spoiling the twist ending.  For my bajillionth viewing, we watched it at my pre-wedding party.  When I put the Black Dynamite DVD on my wedding registry (yeeeeahhhh, that went over well), my friend answered this desperate call and hooked me up with it.  My 6th anniversary comes up this month, so I had to do something in celebration of that.

My Tags:

First off, please – if you’re tagged, don’t feel pressure to reply or participate.  If you’re reading, these are good blogs to follow.

I remember talking with Carrie Ann Golden on her Captain Kirk quote.  I think she may enjoy this challenge, but most of all I hope you enjoy her blog!  Filled with memories and really intense feelings, I try to keep up with her pretty solidly.

I think the WebWeavers – a group of people who spin fantastic book reviews – may have a set of quotes they’d enjoy sharing.

Last but not least, there’s always my friend, Tom Darby, who you should check out.  I love his comedic flash fiction, and I thoroughly enjoyed his western mini-series.