I don't know when he said this... but regardless... good words... well put...

 

 

WAKE UP AMERICANS
David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see:

 

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not
about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating
in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more
food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that
can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the
world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide
services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of
trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you
and your family against attack or loss.
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and
pillaging the residents… neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are
the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?  Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go… They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig. So, why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts… How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when
criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day or at least be thankful and appreciative. With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

David Letterman

Like it or not…

 

We have a new President of the United States... A new Commander In Chief.

The elections over folks... and Obama won hands down.

I wasn't happy about the candidates on either side that we ended up with... I voted for McCain because of issues that are dear to my heart... Issues that I think trump others in how potentially dangerous their outcomes could be for this country, and in knowing that, realize how easily they could teeter either way. But McCain's still a snake. He's a politician's politician... The problem with presidential candidates is that they're all politicians... It takes a certain type of person to wanna be in that position to begin with.


But like I said... it is what it is... and whether you voted for him or not... you owe him your respect. We all do. We are the greatest nation on the planet and democracy's one of our strongest attributes. This is it at work and it's a beautiful thing... You can't only love it when it works out in your favor. Men and women have died to keep us great... died to preserve that democracy... To be that bratty little kid who pouts because you didn't get what you wanted, is a slap in the face to all of those patriots that have gone before us. We in the military have a new boss... McCain had the majority of the military vote by far... but Obama's the man that will lead us wherever we may go in the next four years and we owe him our loyalty. I wish all Americans would adopt the same attitude...

 

Soooooooooo....

I've meant to do this for a while now... I don't get to call and catch up with my friends/family nearly as much as I'd like to. I'm constantly on the go, working a lot, and to make things harder, my hours are backwards and if I have free time, it's usually after midnight... Here's life as of now though:

Things are great. Rod and I bought a house this summer so that feels really good and is one more thing checked off the 'things to do' list... It's in South Austin off of Manchaca, South of Slaughter. I really like it down here. South Austin's great. Close to all the rivers and nature, but not to far from downtown.  Ryan, Danielle, and Christian are living with us at the moment... Ryan's working at getting into the Navy and he's gonna do it this time. It's awesome having Christian around... He's the coolest little kid in the world. I'm still in the Navy but I'm not sure how much longer that will be the case. My contract's up in March and I'm on the fence about getting out or not. My battalion deploys in May either way... The cool thing is, things have gotten so much better in Iraq since the surge that they're talking about not even sending us there but rather Afghanistan or even Africa this time... That's all in bigger hands than mine though so we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

The record's coming along slowly but surely... I'd planned on releasing this summer but that obviously didn't happen. We're dealing with a lot of circumstantial stuff... Scott's in Lubbock so it makes it hard getting things lined up where he can be down here or where we're able to spend time up there. And Blake and the guys just moved into the new permanent studio down here in Austin... It won't be up and running for a while so that puts us on hold down here. It's gonna be awesome though. It's this huge house that was built in 1914. It's been really well taken care. Now it's getting gutted and turned into a top notch recording studio... And I'm stoked about finishing this record and even starting on the second one there. So... that leads us to this... The final verdict is... We'll release next summer... We could probably speed through things and release earlier but we're not cutting any corners. A lot of good things keep happening with both this studio and with Scott's... I've also finished and added songs to the album that weren't there originally. Things are going really well for me with the live scene here in Austin... Growth's happening everywhere so that makes patience a little easier to come by and I really believe in things happening in their own right time. It's gonna be good though y'all... Everyone involved is great at what they're doing and I'm really blessed to have such talented friends. It's been an awesome team effort for sure.

ACL's gonna be great this weekend... It'd be awesome to play it in the next year or two... I'm still working at Texas Roadhouse. I'm still single. Still no kids. Still have a truck, a guitar, and an amp for sale. I guess that's about it for now. Hope everyone's well... If I've left something out... I'll update this later.

 

I didn’t know this guy at all... never met him before in my life... Yet, anyone who reads this and has ever listened to me talk on the subject will see our obvious shared opinions pretty quickly. This guy’s experiences were his own. We were in some of the same places but at different times (even in different years...) Still we have a shared opinion... Such is the case with all of our troops... We all go and do our jobs and each of us experiences something different, but somehow end up coming home (or not) with strangely similar ideas and views, regardless of what we went over there thinking... Still, inconvenient perspective is ignored by so many here in ’the bubble’... More troops need to be speaking out. Sadly, this one’s no longer with us. But read his letter.

SGT. Edmund John Jeffers was a strong soldier and talented writer. He died in Iraq on September 19, 2007. He was a loving husband, brother and son. His service was more than this country could ever grasp - but the least you can do for the man who sacrificed his life for you is listen to what he had to say.



Hope Rides Alone
By Eddie Jeffers
I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.
I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again... and yet, I too, am just a boy.... my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid... because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.
There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I’ve made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets... who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.
And to think, I volunteered for this...
And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.
But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn’t fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And t hen, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.
I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that’s what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.
People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don’t realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy’s brutality because it’s against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward’s war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation’s news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes... only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it.
But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society... and they are becoming our enemy.
Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam. In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.
Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the Internet... and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job.
It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we’ve done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It’s all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.
America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It’s not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual... the war doesn’t affect you.
But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what’s left of them after their service... where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can’t touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.
We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It’s supporting our President, our troops and our cause.
Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn’t.
Let’s stop all the political nonsense, let’s stop all the bickering, let’s stop all the bad news, and let’s stand and fight!

Eddie’s father, David Jeffers, writes:
I’m not sure how many letters or articles you’ve ever read from the genre of "News from the Front," but this is one of the best I’ve ever read, including all of America ’s wars. As I was reading this, I forgot that it was my son who had written it. My emotions range from great pride to great sorrow, knowing that my little boy (22 years old) has become this man.
He is my hero. Thank all of you for your prayers for him; he needs them now more than ever. God bless.

So I've meant to write like 50 blogs but things have been crazy busy. So in summary: 

First. As some of you know, I went to the Angels and Airwaves concert a few weeks ago with my good friends Karen and Steve. I know most of my musician friends probably won't care for these guys much... (Tom DeLonge of Blink 182's newest band) But I can't say enough good things about them or their music. It's not very often that I get this excited about a band. The first album was amazing. The second album was amazing... And I can't wait for the third. You could call these concept albums since there's one fluid theme running through them both... and that theme is 'goodness'. I've never encountered another album, much less, band, so committed to pouring out so much positive emotion. It's not something that grabs you right off in full force and I think I prefer it that way. Music that does, often also quickly wears out on me and nothing these guys have done is 'tired' to me yet. If you're going to give them a chance, get their music, put it on your ipod and go for a run... at night. And be open to it... think about the world. Think about all that is good in your life and more importantly, all that can be good... The message isn't even as much in the lyrics as it is in just the music itself. I've used this analogy before but it's like breathing in too much air at once... all of your senses waking up and coming to life all at the same time... And that Saturday night at Stubb's in Austin was the perfect night for it. The show was outside and the air was perfect. We were at kind of a higher point on the ground and had a great view of the stage. The temp. outside was perfect and there was a great breeze that seemed to compliment the energy coming off the stage and from the audience itself. The entire audience sang back every chant and we all 'soared'. ha ha.

Second. I'm going to D.C. again with Vets For Freedom on April 8th to speak with members of Congress and the Senate on Capitol Hill about the war in Iraq and why pulling out would be foolish. We went in Sept. and definitely had a voice and we're hoping to have a greater impact this time especially with elections coming up. Although I have to say that I'm not excited about anyone running. It's definitely gonna be a vote for the lesser evil. For those of you who don't know, VFF is a non partisan group made up of veterans and active duty personnel who have all served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Each of us believe whole heartedly in the efforts being made in those countries and each can testify to witnessing a substantial improvement in the overall situation over there. To all of my friends who question this war... from a civilian perspective, take a look at the scenario. Do you think members of your military enjoy being over there... away from their friends and family... living in shitty conditions... working ridiculous hours and at high risk of injury or death?? Now, when those same people are saying to you 'we need to be here...', 'we have reason to believe this can work...', 'let us finish this the right way... things are getting better...' and are willing to go back time and time again, doesn't that make you think?? These aren't politicians. They're people just like you who went over there, not sure of what they'd see, not sure of what they believed, but after having served there have concrete faith in what they're doing... And the thing is... the vast majority of the military feels this way. Do you really have grounds to question it? And in fact, shouldn't you be supporting their efforts??

Aside from that stuff... Things here in Austin are going well. I love this place and summer's almost here which is great. I'm more and more broke as each day goes by but I count it a blessing that we live in a place where we can go into debt chasing dreams and can there by, have dreams to begin with... The album's coming along nicely and I'm lucky to have so many awesome friends who are also great musicians, to help me out with it. I'm still at Roadhouse, but I was just able to slip in and catch the hiring window with the Austin Fire Dept. They accepted my application and I take the test March 30th so I'm stoked about that. If I get that job, I'll have a lot more free time to work on my music and a lot more financial freedom. Freedom's great. 

Just Friends

probably spoken over a bass groove as intro for a song...

Written by: Robert G. Bookout

ã 2006 Wintergarden Productions

 

This is only the second time

While we sit I drift off in thought as your thigh grazes mine

 

How Id love to see us naked, our legs interwoven

Our tongues entwined

While the taste of sweet wine 

Reminds us weve dulled our minds... judgment

 

But judge now or judge not

Cause things are getting too hot

And Im mentally over run with these obscene infectious thoughts

 

Me on you, no space between

But what a slow rhythmic pulse brings

When mine briefly leaves your skin

While an almost visible energy momentarily

Lingers in the ether til it's breached again

 

My left hand collapses, full of your hair

My right thumb kisses the crest of your hips

Anchoring there... control

 

Sheets damp with sweat

My mouth traces the tenderness of your lips

I breathe you in and my back yields to the will of your southern traveling finger tips

 

I just bite my bottom lip and grin when you ask whats up

Bringing me back to reality, nice... but not where Id rather be

 

Unless the authentic advanced towards this dream of mine

A state of divine, no words can define

But -as is- would mean that this just cant be...

 

Analyze, antagonize, the truth rarely bends

View through any micro or telescopic lens

See the cards have been dealt and Ive folded my hand

Because we my dear... here and now, are just friends

 

Last Words

Written and Composed by: Robert G. Bookout

ã 2007 Wintergarden Music

 

These are the last words, my last goodbye

Can't let the last one go

I wish you the best

I'll never regret, you and me

 

One more goodbye

Last happy hello

Was said long ago

Now we'll never know, what we could be

 

So throw on that… that clarity

And let it be… and don't let

Any feelings show

Cause for all I know

You've let them go

For me

 

Just one more last word, to say the things I should've said before

Guess we finally really shut the door

You're a light

Don't lose that shine… for anybody

 

So now I let go… in peace

With peace because I know

We were real…

If to live is to feel… my heart beats for sure…

           

So when you hear this song

Remember me… but let me let these feelings go

Done all I can do

And there's no more me

And you

 

Last words to the Only girl I've ever Really loved, another, Last chance

Don't walk away from Real love for some Painful bullshit romance

Do You remember how Sweet it was last Kiss at Reagan then our Last glance

Or has it faded away… Did it all fade away… Does it all fade away?

Ha Ha Ha... so I've taken on a project and teamed up with Mr. John Speed Viesca out of Dallas. A lot of you may not be into House Music or even know what it is for that matter. I'm pretty new to it myself. It wasn't until I got back from Iraq that I got into any kind of Dance/Trance/Techno stuff at all... and that was only because Tom played it all the time. Anyway, long story short... John and I met through our mutual friends, Tom and Tony, when they all came down to Austin this summer. We listened to each other's stuff and decided to try and put something together. So... this is the first of many to come. It's not my typical wordy singer/songwriter stuff... not at all... He sent me the words he wanted sung I and sat in my bedroom, tracked four different harmonized melodies, and sent them back to him... After hearing what he did, I was way impressed and look forward to doing more and putting more effort/time into it. No worries... nothing's changed... my album's coming along great... I'm still doin' my thing and John's still doing his... but collaboration's awesome. If you are into this kind of stuff (and I know many of you that are...) go to John's profile. He's in my top list. Dude's talented and he's got some really nice stuff.