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Doug Smith: Our veterans have earned our memory – our honor – our gratitude.

29 Sep

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It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.

Gaius Julius Caesar

No state has an inherent right to survive through conscript troops and, in the long run, no state ever has. Roman matrons used to say to their sons: Come back with your shield, or on it. Later on, this custom declined. So did Rome.

Robert Heinlein

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Doug Smith is a historian who proudly served our nation in the Navy aboard the submarine “USS Gato”.  He is also Free State Patriot associate editor.

September 29, 2019

 

All of us who wore the uniform have a place in our hearts, a quick tear, easily brought forth, by the memory of the guys who never made it home. We remember the guys trapped below decks on the Arizona, the 1st wave on Omaha Beach, the B-17 crews blown to bits high over a target, boys whose last sight was a dirty rice paddy in Vietnam. Yes, we remember our fallen.

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But on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, in the year of grace 1918, as the guns fell silent across the front in France, we began a tradition of remembrance of those who served, and suffered, and lived. We who lived to grow to silver hair and old age remember boys who did not, comrades, friends, youngsters, who served in some of the same places and ways that we did. Yet it is fitting that we remember those who came home now full of years, and full of memories of the things that they, and we, did.

Caesar was right: the things the veteran must endure are remarkable and much to ask. It is not easy to persuade people to endure them, even though Heinlein’s observation is equally correct: a society in which that small percentage refuses to stand to and endure will itself, not endure. We look around us and note that our numbers are small, indeed. In WW2, some 16 million served, about 12% of the population. Most numbers are far smaller, perhaps 7% at most serve. So vanishingly few know, from experience, what we know about the day to day realities that make a Veteran. Some have read, or seen movies, or heard Sea Stories, ( which of course, are never crippled by the constraints of truth or reality) but only a tiny handful know because we have seen and felt it.

But we know.

We know the loneliness. Ask any Vet, no matter where they served, and you will find nodding heads. Yes, we endured times of crushing loneliness. We spend Christmas Eve s surrounded by strangers, in places far from the familiar sounds and smells and sights that equal home. We often do mundane jobs far from parents, sweethearts, wives, husbands, and children. The jobs may demand much, or not, but they demand us; far from where we would rather be. So we trudge on and get the job done, get the mission accomplished, while feeling that aching emptiness from faces we can see, but not touch. All of us together, feeling that ache, sharing the place and the time, find that it is endurable, if just barely, because the people next to us know. They are there too. We may miss WV, while they miss Brooklyn, or Missouri, but together we form a new family: our brothers, and a new home town: the outfit, the company, the boat. The place where we endure loneliness together becomes our home, and the people, our brothers. That is how we survive. That is how we endure.

We know the fatigue. Sleep? What exactly is that? In the brief moments we try it, we perfect the art of sleeping anywhere, anytime, on anything. A torpedo skid, a gun mount, a tow motor, a stack of boxes, a hole, wet, cold, hard, hot, sandy, doesn’t matter. We get so tired that if 5 minutes comes our way to close our eyes, we sleep. Perhaps not well, or for long. From the 1st way too early morning we began our lifelong hatred of the word Reveille. This hatred was underscored by an entirely unreasonable Ape kicking a 30 gallon metal GI can and introducing us to our first bit of military poetry: grab your socks and drop your; well, you know the poem. You just finished it in your head. We began to get an inkling that an uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep was an entirely civilian phenomenon. We also began to understand that we were civilians no longer. We had no idea how poorly we would ever again fit that world. But sleep? Wake up, you got the watch. General Quarters, All Hands Man Your Battle Stations. All hand turn to, clean up ship. In the rack promptly at 2300. Up at 0200 for the dogwatch. Back in the rack at 0400. Back up at 0600 for cleanup. Chow at 0700. Muster for Quarters at 0800. Did I sleep? I can’t remember. 9 to 5 and a 40 hour week, again, were relics of that left behind world. We worked till it was done, or until we dropped. Sleep? That was a luxury, and there were few luxuries.

We should mention coffee. SSAM. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine: we all learned about coffee. Hot, if possible. Strong? We left strong behind a long time ago. Military coffee, Navy Coffee, as I came to love it, ranged from suitable for cleaning valves, to paint thinner, to the really strong stuff. Too old? Too strong? These are, again, strictly civilian concepts. If it was vaguely brown, and had at some point been above body temperature, and could still be poured, or cut into pieces and placed into a cup, we would drink it. Lots of it. It was at first, a poor substitute for the sleep we could never get enough of, and later, our buddy, our pal, our mate, Ambrosia and Nectar, Breakfast of Champions, Food of the Gods, The Water of Life. In cups, tin cups, steel pots, mess kits, whatever would hold it for us, we moved from coffee to coffee, working, cleaning, and functioning in between on the familiar acid warmth in the guts that is our Coffee. All praise to the Coffee.

We know the boredom. The old saw is that military life is hour after endless hour of sheer, mind numbing tedium and boredom, interrupted now and then by seconds or minutes of sheer terror. We can nod our heads in knowing agreement, because we fought a constant battle with boredom. We would do anything to break up the tedium once the work was done. For we could not leave, but must just hurry with our work, then wait. And wait. Pinochle, Cribbage, Euchre, Poker, Backgammon, Acey Duecy, Chess, Checkers, these were all our little friends in the battle. Long watches at night on the Bridge, 20 questions, discussions about baseball, food from back home (a very popular subject), wives, sweethearts, girls, ( also a very popular subject.) And then there were the jokes.

How much time to we have? We have gone for a bucket of steam, 6 feet of waterline, a bag of exhaust from a jeep, a frame for the sight picture, the mail buoy watch, a jar of relative bearing grease. If we were feeling extra bored we might treat a boot to the sight of a Sea Bat, or send him to wake the CO to ask for permission to retrieve the Mail Buoy. If we were extra brutal, we could always send for a Machinists Punch. Military folks develop a truly unique and somewhat morbid sense of humor; another reason Veterans never “quite” fit in with the true civilians.

Veterans learned these hardships, and pain. Pain was a constant companion. Short hours of sleep on a hard and oddly shaped surface left sore backs, butts, and necks. Odd eating habits, working in dim light, breathing fumes or low O2 often left headaches. Aspirins or APC tablets (remember those? Aspirin, Phenylthaline, and Caffeine, an ancient and sovereign cure for what ails ye) were carried in bulk containers by Medics and Corpsman. Hands skinned on the job, knees from crawling or kneeling, ankles from walking or marching. Head, neck, back, arms, hands, butt, legs, knees, ankles, feet, stomach: something always hurt.

Food. We learned to eat what we had. We had some odd loves. And odd language. The typical civilian, offered a plate of “expletive” on a Shingle, will back away from you as if you were mad. We would gobble it up. Meals were sometimes hot and plentiful, but often interrupted, sometimes out of a can, put away for your grandfather, but still good enough for you to survive. Ice cream took on an almost mystical importance. We could sail the world, and charge the gates of hell on Spam, Peanut Butter, Ice Cream, and Coffee. Another of those things civilians never quite get about us is finishing our meal in 3 minutes. We are not here to socialize, we are here to eat. Get it down, while you can.

We come away with strange reflexes. Some of us jump at sharp noises. Some of us can’t stand anyone behind us. Some of us have to have a fan on to sleep, and wake instantly if the power goes off and that background hum ceases.

We tend to speak a common, almost English, but still very foreign language. When we speak of shit cans, bulkheads, making a head call, FUBAR, SNAFU, REMF, Short Timers, Salts, civilians stare at us, but Veterans smile and nod in recognition: Brother. We find the Anglo Saxon monosyllable beginning with F to be a most useful and versatile noun, verb, adjective, adverb, exclamation, pronoun, and gerund. It amazes us as much that civilians do NOT use it with regularity, as it shocks them that we do. It is simply the most useful and descriptive word we know.

Yes, Veterans are an odd lot. We endured a life like few ever know. By and large we chose that life. Most will never understand why we did, or, upon hearing our stories, how we stayed and endured. We were not all wounded, and unlike our honored dead, we all came home. Yet if we came home alive, and if not unwounded, at least functioning, we did not come home unchanged. We left something of ourselves behind. We may believe that we brought home a great deal, but we never fool ourselves that it was without cost.

Yet, we echo the question of President Lincoln: Can any nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the premise that all men are created equal long endure? And for the Veteran, regardless the reasons to put on the uniform, adventure, boredom, escape, opportunity, patriotism; the idea gels before long that we have , at least, our answer to President Lincoln’s question. It will endure, if I have anything to say about it. I will take my oath seriously, and through loneliness, boredom, pain, and hardship, and if necessary, placing my life between “my loved home and war’s desolation”.

So we take this moment, born when the guns of August fell silent that November morning, and remember at this time, not those who died, but those who answered the call. We remember those who said, whatever it takes, nobody will get through me, and get to you. Kids can play in the park with their folks because we will stop any evil trying to reach them. We remember the ones, who, on that November morning, looked around and said, We’ve made it. We remember those who did not know, perhaps till much later, just what they had paid, and what it had cost for them to stand to and hold the line. We remember those who determined that they would pay the cost, whatever it was, even if it were a cost that they would be paying the rest of their lives. We remember those who say, decades later, full of years, softer, greyer, thinning on top, thickening in the middle, older but still proud, knowing it all, I would still do it again. We remember what they did, what they were, what they are, and what they meant to the country we live in, and what they mean still.

It has become a more common thing these days for civilians to greet Veterans they see with the words, Thank you for your service. Many of us are not sure just how to respond to that. We are grateful that they are not showing the disrespect are brothers faced after Vietnam coming home. But we are just a bit embarrassed and not sure how to respond to the civilians thanking us.

But not so with other Veterans. We remember how it was. We remember our comrades in arms. Our brothers. We give you respect.

We remember you.

 

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Mark Caserta: Make no mistake! This year’s mayoral election is the most important in Huntington’s history.

24 Sep

Conservative Christians must get engaged and vote – or we will lose our city.

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

May 14, 2020

 

 

In the city of Huntington, WV. we’ve allowed a minority of liberals to dictate the direction of our city. It’s time to draw the line in the sand. Progressives are rapidly converting our once, thriving community into the East coast hub for substance-abuse rehabilitation, crime and destitution.

Understand, this isn’t about compassion. Anyone with a heart cares about those bound by addiction, buried in poverty or impacted by crime. We are simply in deep disagreement as to how it should be addressed. And conservatives can certainly love people while not condoning their behavior.

This is in stark contrast to liberals, who have proven themselves incapable of this disciplined approach to life. They equate love with an unqualified acceptance of any lifestyle, regardless of the content. They prove it every time they lash out in disagreement immersed in hateful rhetoric.

I’m convinced the only way we are going to begin winning against the progressive movement is to do so at the local level. National change must begin with individual communities rising to the occasion and refusing to be overtaken by failing, enabling liberal policies.

So, are you ready to make a difference?

Several things must happen sequentially for our city to be returned to greatness. The first, arguably, is understanding the progressive movement and its modus operandi. It will be impossible to distinguish qualified leadership until we’re able to discern their heart and genuine intent. We must be able to hear beyond eloquent verbiage, which while “sweet to the ears”, is venomous to the body.

I’ve spent nearly two decades writing about the progressive movement and how it’s destroying our nation. And while it isn’t complicated, it is resilient. The progressive movement relies upon conservatives being either ignorant of the issues or disengaged from the solution. And frankly, they’ve been working diligently in the schools and in the media, to keep us that way.

And sadly, too often, we’ve accommodated them from the sidelines.

Liberals are in the business of creating controversy, very similar to how a pyromaniac starts a fire. First, they require some sort of accelerate to spark a flame. This is usually something by which they can trigger an emotional response by a segment of the population marinated in questionable behavior, usually outside of the Biblical values upon which our country was founded.

Once the flame of contention has been ignited, they are tenacious about “fanning the flame” by striving to be the voice heard above the fray. They understand that while many people in society lack engagement and knowledge about an issue, everyone has emotions. It’s the emotional response they seek to germinate in the soil of contrariety.

It’s a fact that people will respond more often to an emotional stimulation much more than to an intellectual one. Count on liberals to seize upon every opportunity to leverage “identity politics” to rally troops to the far left. They cannot win in the theater of ideas. Truth will never get in the way of a liberal.

Hence, the promulgation and success of the progressive movement.

There are timely examples of how liberals have used this technique. One example is how they’ve converted “illegal immigration” into an emotional issue about separating families at the border. Another would be how “abortion” is all about women’s health. Every time there is a shooting, liberals use emotions, rather than common sense, to suggest taking guns away from law abiding citizens will reduce gun crime. Still another would be how Christian conservatives “hate” the LGBTQ population simply because we don’t condone their behavior or give them additional “protected” status above and beyond the protections we are all allocated by the Constitution.

The list goes on and on.

Liberals have purchased and now “own” terms like “inclusion, acceptance or tolerance.” Sadly, with the complicity of the liberal media, Christian conservatives have allowed them to do so. With identity politics, they’ve also attempted to purchase African-Americans, woman, Hispanics, LGBTQ and illegal aliens.

The only segment of the population liberals have never been able to purchase is Christians.

The liberal infestation is never going to change on the national level, until states, cities and communities stand up against leaders hell-bent on inflicting their liberal policies at the local level.

I can’t think of a better city upon which to build this change than our own city of Huntington. We are better than this!

You may have noticed the recent recognition our city’s leadership has received because they are being portrayed at being at the “forefront” of the fight only against Opioid abuse, and now COVID 19.  Really???

It’s very troubling that anyone feels our administration deserves accolades for what they’ve done to the city of Huntington.  There has been zero accountability and an equal amount of transparency.

And while we keep doing the sames things over and over, and patting ourselves on the back about achieving different results; I submit the results we are achieving are intended.  Mayor Williams and his minions have accomplished everything on their bucket list.

Step outside your door and take off your blinders. Are things really getting better in the city of Huntington? Are their fewer drugs? Is there less crime? Are you making more money? Are you proud of your city? Anyone committed to intellectual honesty knows the answers.

Next steps? Turn the sound down on your television or be more discerning about what you hear. Use our local newspaper to line your bird cage. Begin relying on reliable sources for your information – but there aren’t many.

This upcoming mayoral election is arguably the most important election in our city’s history.  We are at a crossroads – one to further destruction – another to improvement.  You MUST do your homework and vote for the candidate who will be more concerned about our city than asserting and leveraging power over you.

And once you’ve gotten the facts, make sure your voice is heard above the fray. Be diligent, committed and then go to the polls!

Understand, if Christians don’t go to the polls this primary and general election, we will lose.  The progressive movement has been far too successful at indoctrinating a generation of voters who truly have no reference as to what our city or nation can be.

So, it’s up to those who do. We can make a difference, but it will take conservative Christians fulfilling what Christ has commissioned them to do.  Make a difference in this world!

Be resolute, be mindful and be engaged.

Then, go vote!

 

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Mark Caserta: Huntington, WV. must elect a Christian conservative for mayor in 2020

23 Sep

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Scott Caserta is the conservative candidate for mayor of Huntington, WV. in 2020

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

September 23, 2019

 

Recently, certain political “pundits” have suggested that the fight for John Mandt Jr. and Stewart’s, of which I’ve been a part, will cripple my brother Scott’s chances for winning the 2020 Huntington, WV. mayoral election.

Not a chance, unless we listen to the same political prognosticators who told you Hillary would win in a landslide!

I suppose 5000 signatures on a petition in a little over a week means nothing???

It’s like watching a Trump rally and afterward, saying his approval rating is dropping – right.

Let me ask you; Do you want a candidate who will allow the potential loss of a vote to govern their principles?  Do you want another politician more concerned about winning an election than living up to their promises?

Do you want a candidate who will vote based on which way the wind is blowing, or do you want a candidate who will adhere to principle and be dependable in representing your values and addressing your concerns?  Do you want a fighter, or another wimpy representative?

I’ve had enough of liberal, wimpy politicians.

Haven’t you?

I want a fighter with Christian values, willing to take the fight head on!

This battle isn’t about a “hot dog”, it’s about saving our city from scavenger politicians who want to compromise the heart of Huntington simply to propagate their liberal agenda.

Stop the deep state from prostituting our city for power and money.  Stop listening to people who tell you things are getting better, just to manipulate your vote, as well as get their government grant money.

Look around you…Is this the city you want for your children? Needles, drugs and crime are now common place. Do you feel safe when you walk down the streets of Huntington after dark?

We cannot go on living like this! We must vote for change!

You should get what you pay for! And you pay your hard-earned tax dollars for results, not words!

Don’t allow Huntington, WV. to die a slow, progressive death.

Do we really want rehab to be the #1 business in our region, or would you rather have real jobs, manufacturing and a future for your family, right here in the Tri-State?

Let’s make Huntington, once again, a great place to live and raise a family.

Vote for Scott Caserta for Mayor in 2020!

It’s the right thing to do.

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Mark Caserta: Stewart’s Wars: Should Marshall University President Gilbert resign?

21 Sep

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Marshall, celebrating over 55 years as a Huntington, WV. university

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

September 21, 2019

 

Just when you may think conditions couldn’t become worse in the city of Huntington, WV, it appears they may already be worse than any of us could have imagined.

Most people in our area are aware of the campaign to reinstate the 32-year contract between Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs and Marshall University to be able to sell their product during Thundering Herd sporting events. The contract was negated in August. Stewart’s, of course, is owned by Delegate John Mandt. Jr., of the 16th District. (R-WV)

Upon learning of the cessation of the contract, Steven J. Davis, founder of Concerned Citizens of Huntington, WV. and I began an offensive to return Stewart’s to Marshall’s sporting events. After all, Stewart’s and the Mandt family have been an integral part of the Marshall University family and its events for 32 years!

And frankly, Stewart’s is one of the few remaining long-term businesses still in our town, having proudly served our communities for over eight decades!

Our campaign has included several appearances on and with the support of the popular “Tom Roten Morning Show” on News Radio 800 WVHU. The Stewart’s cause has been featured on all of the local television affiliates, as well as in print. The heartfelt support throughout the region has been humbling and appreciated.

But what could possibly have caused the termination of such a viable, beneficial relationship between Marshall and John Mandt Jr.? Surely, it must have been something of critical consequence to institute the removal of the tradition of “slammin’ down” a Stewart’s Hot Dog as part of the game experience for Herd fans around the country.

The catalyst of this contractual “abortion” initially appeared to be a petition circulated by a liberal politician, Dakota Nelson, who shamelessly took credit for the cessation of the pact after receiving a “whopping” 750 signatures from unknown individuals, claiming dismay over comments made by Delegate Mandt, considered by progressives to be “Islamophobic” in nature.

On his Facebook page, Nelson calls himself a “community organizer”. Yep, that’s just what we need – another liberal community organizer representing us. That sure worked out well at the executive level!

The entire process was vague and opaque. It was, undoubtedly, retaliation birthed by his loss to John Mandt Jr. in the 2018 general election to House of Representatives.

Make no mistake, Nelson’s quest for squelching Rep. Mandt’s success had the support of several “deep state” players in our city.

Teresa Ball, Labor-Management Liason/LGBTQ and Diversity Liason to the Mayor, posted her “euphoric” support of Mandt’s demise on her social media page following the cancellation.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE GOT HIM!,” her post stated. “What a wonderful victory! Thanks to all who led this fight and thanks to Marshall Univeristy which is truly OPEN TO ALL!!. (BTW, I didn’t misspell University, Ball did)

We’re still waiting on our city’s mayor to distance himself from these comments by a member of his staff.

Isn’t it interesting how liberals apply the term, “inclusive” or “open to all” only to those who fall within their “club of progressive reform?”

Steven J. Davis ultimately decided to circulate a more transparent, legitimate petition on Change.org calling for the continuance of the 32-year contract. He received nearly 5000 signatures in just over 7 days! Last Tuesday, Steve and I proceeded to present the petition to the office of Marshall President Jerome Gilbert with a film crew on our heels.

In the “theater of irony” nothing is surprising. Following our interviews with two local news crews, we headed across campus, up the stairs of Old Main and down the “Kelly Green” carpeted hall to the office of the president at 10:30 am, September 17th.

But as we peered into the office window, no one was there and the door was locked!  So much for “Open to all” decals all over campus, supporting the mayor’s signature progressive policy of inclusion.

Thankfully, we were able to present the petition to an administrative assistant and received an email confirmation of receipt.

So, after weeks of peeling back the layers of this rancid onion, new information obtained via a FOIA request proves this wasn’t about a “hot dog” at all. It was about politics. One thing I’ve learned about liberals is there is absolutely nothing they aren’t willing to compromise to perpetuate their progressive agenda.

Even if it’s the heart of a city.

On February 20th, 2019, President Jerome Gilbert forwarded an email to Rep. John Mandt Jr. from a “concerned citizen” questioning his voting record regarding issues such as campus carry and his position on LGBTQ issues, requesting Stewart’s “lucrative” contract be discontinued at Marshall events.

One has to wonder if this individual even understands business, calling the contract lucrative.

As you carefully read the email, you decide whether Gilbert was threatening in his remarks to Delegate Mandt.

Frankly, it would be difficult to interpret otherwise.

Rep. Mandt had previously refused to support the mayor’s “open to all” campaign by not placing the decals promoting the policy on his place of business. His position was that Stewart’s and the Mandt family have “always” been open to all and a decal isn’t needed to prove his heart for the community.

Additionally, Mandt’s conservative voting record often represented the antithesis of our current administration’s liberal agenda.

The narrative that in prior years Huntington has been anything less than inclusive is insulting and inaccurate. We just don’t believe special recognition is needed, nor are we willing to condone behaviors contrary to our religious beliefs.

In my view, this was nothing short of bureaucratic innuendo commissioned by Marshall University’s most powerful state employee, suggesting political blackmail and a “quid pro quo” leveraging Rep. John Mandt. Jr’s votes in Charleston as “ransom.”

Losing Stewart’s contract with Marshall University’s primary vendor, Sodexo, represented the dark consequence if the Congressman refused to comply by voting in accordance with President Gilbert’s support of Mayor Williams’ “open to all” policy. I submit this had the full, unadulterated support of key members of our city’s administration and supportive liberal minions.

Simply put, “We are Marshall” but “We are Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs” only if Delegate John Mandt Jr.’s votes for our agenda in Charleston.

Currently, Steve Davis is awaiting a response from Marshall and Sodexo. While Sodexo admittedly subcontracted Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs to athletic events, the primary contractual agreement is between Marshall and Sodexo. That’s how business works. Why else would Sodexo have originally subcontracted even a portion of their business to a competitor??

Marshall can fix this. The people have spoken. We demand Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs return to Marshall sporting events – now.

But it’s much larger than that. Do we want a system of politics that’s not driven by the desires of the people? Do we want our policies and city controlled by a few far-left liberals willing to blackmail, using contracts as a ransom? Do we want the “quid pro quo” of Washington, DC. right here in Huntington, WV.?

If you’re a conservative, like most in our area, you don’t want our city heading down the road we’re on. Huntington is dying a slow death. What will it take for us to take our last breath? We must seize opportunities like this to return our city to greatness.

Given the facts, should Marshall President Jerome Gilbert submit his resignation? How can his decision-making process ever be trusted again? Has he compromised his ability to lead a university? This wasn’t a simple matter of “lobbying” a politician. This could very easily be equated with political blackmail.

One thing’s for sure. This matter isn’t going away. Exposing the progressive movement in our city is becoming a full-time job.

And we’ve only just begun.

Read the memo forwarded to Delegate John Mandt Jr. from M.U. President Jerome Gilbert:

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Teresa Ball’s social media post:

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Read the letter of petition calling for Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs to be reinstated at Marshall ballgames

17 Sep

This letter, along with a petition signed by over 4500 petitioners in less than 7 days, was delivered on 9.17.2019 to the office of Marshall University President Jerome Gilbert by Steven J. Davis of Concerned Citizens of Huntington, WV. and Mark Caserta, columnist and editor of Free State Patriot.

The event was covered by local television affiliates, WCHS, WOWK and WSAZ.

 

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Seth Caserta: What is “patriotism”?

4 Sep

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Seth Caserta is an aspiring columnist and a 17-year-old senior at Covenant School

September 4, 2019

 

If I were to choose a word that illustrates the importance of our flag – I would choose patriotism.

So, what exactly is patriotism? It is defined in the dictionary as “Devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.”  In other words, it’s the love of your country. Patriotism is the foundation on which our nation is built, the glue holding us together as a nation united.

It took patriotism to build this country, to fight for its right for existence and liberty and separate from the British dictatorship. It took loyalty, devotion, and bravery, for the veterans to defend our great Nation against Germany in World War 2 and in Vietnam.

The Love for one’s country is like gas in a car, it fuels it and helps it go and progress. We, as one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, are responsible for our future and what becomes of our nation.

Matthew 3:25 states that “If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.” If we, the American people, do not put forth what is best for our country, instead of our own political views, how can we progress?

Politics have escalated so much into what Republicans and Democrats believe is best that the question of “where does patriotism come into play” rises. It’s like a rivalry between 2 siblings, one trying to outdo the other by whatever means necessary.  

 Patriotism is the desire to help one’s country in times of need, “to make it great”, in simpler terms. It took one man to come forth, against the odds, to lead this country toward a brighter future. His name is Donald J Trump. 

Some may disagree with the president’s political views but they cannot deny that he has helped our economy grow more in 3 and a half years, than Obama did in his entire presidency! But if we focus on the mistakes our president makes, rather than the successes, where is Patriotism?

It is the job of “We the People” to stand beside our president and honor him, even if we don’t agree with him entirely. If we don’t, then pray for him rather than falsely accusing him of something just to impeach him.

So, once more, the question of “what is patriotism” comes into play. George Washington fighting the British for our right to be a nation, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, in attempt to unite the North and south, Veterans sacrificing everything to protect their country, a president persisting to make America great against the odds of both parties.

That is Patriotism. 

 

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Mark Caserta: Will “Antifa” target Huntington, WV. next?

2 Sep

Given our current problems, how will our mayor and his administration respond?

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

September 2, 2019

 

“Antifa”, short for “anti-fascist”, is the name of a left-leaning, anti-racist group that monitors and tracks the activities of local neo-Nazis, white supremacists or anyone who would be considered “supportive” of such racist activity.

In the political sense, the term “fascist” has been used in an anti-authoritarian sense to “emphasize the common ideology of governmental suppression of individual freedom. In recent years, liberals have endeared the notion of attaching the word fascist to the “far right” movement with the intent of portraying them as “oppressive, intolerant and racist.”

Up till now, Antifa has maintained a presence mostly on the West Coast, with activities designed to prevent organizations they’ve determined support any form of racist activity from gaining a platform or a foothold.

It’s come to my attention, that potentially as a result of our region’s enduring support of Donald Trump and the liberal media’s incorrect portrayal of the president as being sympathetic to the white supremacist movement, Antifa may be “testing the waters,” if you will, seeking to pursue growth to areas around the nation heavily supporting the Trump administration.

Recently, an Antifa Facebook page emerged from within our own city of Huntington, WV. and has already begun to share its propaganda using our own city newspaper.

The page is called, “Jewell City Antifa.” Huntington, as you may know, was given the nickname “Jewell City” by steamboat captains who passed through delivering lumber and coal to help fuel the growth of the railroad extension to the West.

It gives one pause to read the “about” section of the group’s page, since it is grammatically incorrect. Call me over-analytical, but I could make many assumptions as to the competencies of such an author. You be the judge. It reads:

“keeping the Fash out of HTown since 2019.”

Now, anti-fascist groups have been around for decades. In the postwar period, antifa groups resurged to fight neo-Nazi groups, particularly in Germany. They have, needless to say, evolved in our modern day, political battleground.

Understand, while Antifa operates on a platform of defeating racism, sexism and homophobia, the groups are also, by and large, socially left, anti-capitalist and against what they consider to be “extreme right-wing ideology.”

President Trump and his supporters would most likely fall into this Antifa profile.

Antifa protestors have typically donned an “all black” look, with black work or military boots, pants, ski masks, gloves and jackets. Gas masks, goggles and shields are sometimes added as accessories, but the look is basic black, no doubt, designed to intimidate.

And they don’t appear to be afraid of violence.

On June 29, violent riots between alt-right groups and Antifa broke out in Portland, Oregon, leaving several people with severe injuries. Portland has since become a hotbed for violent, left-wing groups per multiple reports.

In late August, a crowd of thousands cascaded down Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Berkeley, California, where Trump supporters were gathering under the mission to say “no to Marxism in America.” Reportedly, the march was led by about 100 people dressed in black.

Recently, President Trump reacted to the antics of Antifa.

“Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an ‘ORGANIZATION OF TERROR,’” Trump tweeted. “Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!”

Given the Huntington’s mayor’s inclusion policy of “open to all”, does Antifa fall under that category? Will he properly do his job?

I submit, this is simply part and parcel of this administration’s failing policies which have contributed to the city of Huntington becoming one of the most dangerous cities in the nation, per capita. Not only do we have transients from multiple zip codes coming to our city for drug rehab, free syringes and the benevolence of liberal Democrats seeking re-election, we now face the potential fostering of a group whose intent could easily be described as threatening to the citizens of Huntington.

Folks, I’m not trying to be an alarmist, but you must take note of what’s coming to fruition in what truly once was the “Jewell City.” Given the status of our infrastructure and the disengagement of our liberal, Democrat leaders, what else could our city possibly endure?

It’s time to stand firm, Huntington. We know this madness isn’t going to end with our mayor and his current administration. It’s up to the citizens of Huntington.

This liberal onslaught ends now.

 

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Mark Caserta – Cabell-Huntington Health Department Syringe Exchange program must be audited – now

24 Aug

cabell health

Cabell-Huntington Health Department building in Huntington, WV.

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor at Free State Patriot

August 24, 2019

 

Our country has arguably never been more divided. While progressives are content to blame it on Donald Trump, it began a long time ago. All President Trump did was force spineless liberals out of the closet, into the light and under God’s judgement.

Truthfully, I can distinguish three separate divisions among us. The informed, the uninformed, and the “apathetically” informed.

Informed citizens are able to reach logical conclusions for the betterment of our nation. The uninformed among us (for whatever reason) lack the ability to reach a logical conclusion or choose wisely. The apathetically informed are those who understand the consequences of their choices, but choose a path that best serves their selfish purpose, regardless of its impact on others.

Let me be perfectly clear as I unequivocally place most liberal Democrat politicians in the apathetically informed category!

They’re not stupid. Many are business people, lawyers, or administrators that understand the adverse impact of higher taxes, overreaching regulation and lawlessness, but choose to propagate these big government policies because it serves the purpose of creating a perpetual voter base dependent upon government or “the hand that feeds them”.

There couldn’t be a clearer case of high crimes and misdemeanors against one’s nation.

Among those liberal decisions proving to wear on the foundation of any city which adopts it, is the decision to implement a syringe exchange program despite its poor track record across the nation.

The syringe exchange program has been around to some degree for the past 20 years. Look around you. Has anything gotten better? Has the opioid epidemic improved? Are there fewer deaths? Are their less sexually transmitted cases of HIV? Certainly not!

Yet, by presenting it under the guise of “compassion” and “care” for our fellow man, liberals make an emotional connection with the “uninformed,” as well as the “apathetically informed”, potentially giving them support of a mob majority and enabling them to pursue their liberal tenets.

Since the beginning of 2018, there has been a dramatic uptick in reported HIV cases in our area. Reportedly, there been 55 new cases of HIV in Cabell county, which includes the city of Huntington. State health officials claim nearly all the infections were transmitted through injection drug use.

It’s my opinion there is no clear way to make the distinction between sexually transmitted and syringe transmitted HIV, since many partake of both. I believe officials often tell the public what best serves their agenda.

A March column on WSAZ’s website, by Nick Oliver, reports the Cabell County needle exchange program is seeing more needles coming in than they see going out. The Cabell County Health Department did add a disclaimer, saying “it is impossible to determine which needles were used to inject drugs, as many may be related to medical treatments such as diabetes”.

Really? So, it’s forensically impossible to test what was injected from the needle? Any “Columbo” fan knows that’s malarkey! And do you really expect us to believe people are just “showing up” to return needles without an even exchange? How is that even mathematically possible?

Perhaps it’s because we really don’t want the public to know the truth? It was interesting the assertion was also made in the column, regarding the HIV cluster, “mostly all avoidable with the use of clean needles.”

How about some intellectual honesty, folks – geez.

In the column, Health Department Director Dr. Michael Kilkenny stated his departmental goal was to help people stop drug use.

“If they are really wanting to stop, we can get them in a program today or even tomorrow,” said Kilkenny. “I hope this means there are less users. Our goal is for nobody to inject.”

Now, I’m just a small-town country boy, but how does providing them free needles accomplish that goal? Dr. Kilkenny added a positive spin by sharing, “There are a lot of things going on that are working here in Huntington and things are getting better generally.”

Really? Compared to what, Dr.?

We’ve seen how liberal policies, like the syringe exchange program have contributed to the demise of large cities like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, one of the earliest adopters of the needle exchange. But it isn’t confined to the large cities or states any longer.

Per the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, West Virginia has the highest rate of fatal opioid overdoses among all U.S. states, with 49.6 per 100,000 individuals. (For naysayers who don’t understand “per-capita” statistics, look it up. It’s how relative statistics are calculated)

Here are the “top ten” fatal opioid overdose states in the nation as ranked by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

  1. West Virginia – 49.6
  2. Ohio – 39.2
  3. District of Columbia – 34.7
  4. New Hampshire – 34
  5. Maryland 32.2
  6. Maine 29.9
  7. Massachusetts – 28.2
  8. Kentucky – 27.9
  9. Delaware – 27.8
  10. Connecticut – 27.7

Interested in how many of these states have at least one syringe exchange program? This may shock you, but there is no arguing the correlation. Look at the graphic I prepared below from Becker’s Hospital Review website.  All of them!

needle states

Folks, we cannot allow this program to continue without oversight. There must be an audit, preferably conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services who conducted a similar audit in Kanawha County and shut it down!

We have absolutely nothing by which to gauge this program’s success other than the Cabell County Health Department’s word. I’m not even claiming it should be discontinued, at this point. Let’s look at it, leverage its strengths, deal with its deficits and determine if there is any value in it at all!

Frankly, based on results, there has been no real value or success that can be measured.

Government without accountability is dangerous. People are dying and it’s getting worse. It’s time for the people to act. Contact your local representative and even the governor’s office. Demand accountability.

Our city is dying a slow death. It’s time for some leadership “by the people”. Choose not to be part of the “uninformed” among us. We need you in the “informed” category!

The apathetically informed will never change.

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Doug Smith: Liz Warren’s 2nd Amendment gaffe betrays true liberal agenda.

24 Aug

eliz warren

A “wild-eyed” Warren address group of supporters

 

DOUG FOR FSP

Doug Smith is an opinion columnist and associate editor at Free State Patriot

August 24, 2019

 

Accidental Truth

An interesting moment in politics occurred the other day when Elizabeth Warren touted her latest violation of the 2nd Amendment by noting that her massive increase of taxes on gun manufacturing and sales of guns and ammo would have the effect of diminishing the production of guns.

Pause to let that sink in. (THIS article is NOT about the desire of Leftists to disarm the folks so they cannot resist the enlightened leadership of Elizabeth Warren, by the way.)

She accidentally told a basic economic truth: That which you tax more, you get less of. That which you pay for, you get more of. She didn’t mean to, but she did.
Because when, in another pronouncement, she proposes to “modestly” tax the existing wealth of very successful individuals. Just a couple of percentage points. On accumulated wealth, on which they have already paid taxes. Sort of like the “death tax”, making sure that the government gets part of what you worked your whole life for, but without waiting till you die. This might also be a good point at which to mention that the income tax was originally a “modest tax” of only 2%, only on the top 1% of earners. Most of you will be just fine, and those greedy wealthy can afford it. (Before you read on, pop quiz. Are you in the top 1%? No? Did you pay more than 2% in taxes last year? Yes? Hmm. Pause to let that sink in.)

But let s consider this in light of her swerving into the guard rails of truth beside the road. When corporate taxes were quite high during the Obama Regime, where did corporations park their money, in the Trillions? Answer: not here. It would cost them enormously to bring that money to the US, so they didn’t. Nor did they invest it here. It was one of many anti-business factors of the anemic Obama years of low employment, low business startups, and sub 2% GPD growth for the first time since, oh, FDR and Wilson.  Because what you tax more, you get less.

Now, let’s say I’m smart enough and driven enough to be Bill Gates, or Warren Buffett, or Jeff Bezos. And I realize that a President Two Feathers Warren is going to go after my money. Where am I going to put my money? The Virgin Islands? Monaco? Someplace that will not tax it, confiscate it, or interfere with it, but let me spend it. I might build a nice estate and buy a bigger boat. But not in the United States. I won’t be spending my money there, because it will be worth less. So, who will Liz rob of their life savings? Anyone who has had enough thrift to accumulate something, but is not wealthy enough to escape.
You.

She didn’t mean to tell you this. It was an accident. She does mean to DO it. And to you, if you earn or have anything. But she doesn’t mean to TELL you so.
The other side of that coin is that what you pay for, you get more of. On that note, a few observations. For all you may hear about the end of welfare as we know it, the reality, if you look around, is that we have generations dependent on other people’s money to function. We have grandparents and great grandparents doing their best to raise children with money from the public dole.

And not that progressives are known for logic, but, try this one on. We have heard repeatedly how illegals do not receive public assistance, and how they are a net positive to the economy. Yet, as the Trump administration proposes to enforce rules that deny green cards or entry to anyone who cannot demonstrate self-sufficiency, and to anyone already hear currently receiving assistance from the public dole (SNAP, HUD, Medical Cards, etc.), the Left is outraged! (I note in passing that the Left is always outraged) That is cruel and heartless. But wait. If they cannot receive public assistance, as you tell us, and Trump proposes to enforce that law which you tell us governs, how it that heartless? Can it be that the Left is accidentally telling the truth once more?

If you have ever raised or cared for a child, here is a though experiment. Suppose you decide that you will never say no to a child. If they want a toy in the grocery store, they get it. If they want pudding for dinner at 10 pm, they get it. If they want to miss school, why they skip. You never deny them anything. What will you have? If you said a spoiled brat who screams and throws tantrums, you would be close to the mark.

There are limits and what we may get, and what we may do (many things may be worthwhile, but resources are finite. If you send money to every heartfelt appeal on TV, you will starve.) If there are no limits, and anything that seems worthy must be done, regardless of cost, you find generations of spoiled adults with no concept of the real world. Remember a young lady who did a video of herself after Trump was elected, in which she screamed and cried in hysterics at the thought that her side had lost an election? Her pull quote was “I am literally going to die”.

Had she been a child, raised when I was raised, some adult would have said “You stop that right now or I’ll give you something to cry about!” She is not a child. She is a ruined adult.

Truths. If you tax it, it will diminish. If you pay for it, it will grow. If you never make value judgements, you are incapable of deciding that a $ 50,000 car is less important than rent and food. And you expect “them” to give it to you. So, you get behind “them” when they promise it to you. And never realize the difference between what you earn, and what you are given, or between a privilege and a right.

And that what the government must give you, the government can deny you. You must trust both the intentions and the abilities of a person who says “I know what is best for 400,000,000 people, every day, and every moment. Trust me. “

Let that sink it. No one is that good, or benevolent, or smart. But 400,000,000 free citizens, left to pursue happiness in their own way, and to live in liberty, are that smart. They will choose for themselves better than any small cadre of progressives can. So our founders thought.
But not Elizabeth Warren. Except occasionally, by accident.

But trust her. Shell get over it.

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Mark Caserta: Liberal Democrats run “shamelessly” on a socialist platform.

13 Aug

dem cand.jpg

mark at wvhu

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

August 13, 2019

 

Democrats used to attempt to “hide” their socialist tendencies from potential voters.

Now they run presidential campaigns on them.

Folks, it’s high time you take note of exactly what liberal Democrats are willing to do to our country, simply to beat President Trump. There is nothing they wouldn’t do, legal or otherwise, to see him fail. If it means our country returns to high unemployment, a low labor participation rate, record food stamps and poverty, and international embarrassment, then so be it.

And they don’t plan to “earn” enough votes to beat him in the 2020 presidential election. They plan to buy them – with your tax dollars, of course.

 Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) proposes forgiving the student debt of 45 million Americans, roughly 1.6 trillion dollars, and that we pay for it by taxing the wealthy. Sanders is, of course, an unapologetic socialist.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), aka: Pocahontas), along with other Democrat presidential candidates are doubling down on opening our borders and essentially decriminalizing illegal immigration. Additionally, Warren believes those who illegally overstay student visas, should be allowed to stay in America indefinitely.

Could that be the definition of an “Indian giver?” (Sorry, couldn’t resist)

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) wants to end private health insurance and force everyone into a government-run, universal healthcare program. Harris told CNN, “I’m a progressive Democrat. I am a Democrat, I’m a proud Democrat. I’m not a socialist.”

Uh…what’s the difference, Ms. Harris.  Oh, and by the way, the government can’t run what it’s got now, much less an additional twenty percent of the economy. Putting the government in charge of healthcare would be like putting film maker, Michael Moore, in charge of the buffet at Golden Corral.

“Sleepy” Joe Biden vows to raise the corporate tax rates back to the Obama era, per the New York Post. Yes, Mr. Biden, that’s exactly what Americans are looking for – a return to the inept policies of a community organizer who set a new “low” standard for the U.S. presidency.

Oh, and it’s time for your afternoon “gaffe”.

Why, pray tell, do you suppose these Democrat (not Democratic) candidates offer “freebies” to students, illegals and the economically-deprived? If you believe it’s out of compassion, I’ve got some beach front property in Harlan, KY. to sell! It’s about garnering a sustainable voter base for years to come!

Frankly, Democrats believe Americans are just ignorant enough to fall for their ploy to “purchase” enough votes to beat Donald Trump. And they’re not doing a very good job at hiding it – for those watching.

Ask yourself, “What has the Democrat Party done for me since re-gaining the House of Representatives?” Instead of doing their job and working for the American people, they’re using your hard-earned money to continue a witch hunt against President Trump!

Afterward, ask yourself what President Trump has done for this country in just over 30 months? The “wins” are unprecedented! And he’s done it, despite the leftist Democrats, the media, and some Republicans!

One may be compelled to ask the question, “Do liberal Democrats hate Trump more than they love their country?”

Well, does Hillary Clinton wear pant suits? Unequivocally, (and thank goodness) YES!

Destroying Trump simply outweighs serving our country for liberal Democrats. If this doesn’t meet the definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors”, I’m not sure what does. Isn’t it ironic these criminals seek to impeach President Trump! Talk about diversion tactics!

It’s time these dysfunctional, pseudo representatives be ousted. If their employment was contingent upon their performance, like the rest of Americans, they would be unemployed.

If these Democrat presidential candidates think America is such a bad place, let’s give them a productive use for our tax dollars and purchase them “one-way’ tickets to Venezuela. Let them run for office there.

They’ll also gain some perspective on the truths of socialism, where everyone is, indeed, equal.

Equally poor.

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