No matter what some people say...We lost a hero

Not many times in your life do you really get the opportunity to meet a REAL hero. I was fortunate to do that twice. Both times with the same man, and I had my doubts at the time, until I had the time to talk to him. Senator John McCain was who I was seated next to a two different ceremonial dinners by two different organizations I was involved with. We met and shook hands. I was a little taken that he was fairly tall after all the hell he went through while a POW in Vietnam. And he's grip was pretty strong. he had to raise his shoulder to shake, probably from the injuries he endured during that time. We sat down and he quizzed me about my life, since his was so publicized. I told him about my fire department career and then he asked if I had served my country. I told I had in 1966 through 1972 in the Air Force. I then asked what did I do and when I told the whole story, we REALLY connected. He asked me what he always asked other vets who were in Vietnam, "Why didn't you come rescue me?" I was at a lose of words. Yes I would have if I could, and knew where to come. On our second meeting he remembered me as if we had never left each other. We picked up where we left off. But this is not about our meetings. this about a lose to me, our state, and mostly to our country. John McCain was an American hero, no matter what some stupid President says. John love this country and would DIE to save it and our save our rights as Americans. He almost did. He fought for three decades to do the right things for us. You know, DO THE RIGHT THING? He did. Him and I did not always agree, but in many ways he said what I would have said to the Senate and to that stupid president. Arizona is known for the mavericks and rebels in politics. I don't know if that is a good thing, but it has stuck to us like a cholla cactus. One other one you may remember was the late Senator Barry Goldwater. I never met him, but followed him a lecture rotation. What an honor. I did not really agree with him all the time either. Both ran for president and neither made it. I believe they both did more as a torn in the side than as a president. They both made changes and changed the way people think. John McCain was a very honorable man with high standards that willed the people to be better than what the present government foresaw them to be. He believed if you did not like government the way it was, than you should tell your representatives and take it to the ballot box, not just in anger and along the party lines, but in good common sense. I love this statement by him, “Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.” ... John McCain, I will miss you. My love, prayers and many thoughts are with you and your family during these tough times. I will try to be somewhat like you in your efforts encouraging the ideas of doing the right things for everyone, not matter what your color, religion, sex or party. Hope everyone can do the same.

Occasionally I have to blow off steam about our society and my observations

Yes, I am human, and I have view that MAY not meet yours, but are MY views and you as friends/family or acquaintances should just accept. Now this article may offend you, but just hear me out. I totally dislike the present presidency and his vice president. I REALLY respect the Office of the President and all its responsibilities, but this guy is a total JERK. He is a bigot, he is bias to to anyone who has a disability, anyone of color, or anyone that disagrees with him. Then he just says, "You're fired." Like the TV show he was such a jerk in. How can ANYONE believe this man can help our country be great again. He has killed friendships with countries that have been loyal to us for decades, and has begun to wreck the world economy which will cause lose of jobs in the USA. He believes building a wall between Mexico and America will stop the bad guys from coming here? Hey, Mr. president, bad guys fly into our airports daily without climbing over a wall or cutting border barbwire. People come here for work that white folks will never do. And God bless them for that. I picked cotton as a kid and it is NO fun, believe me. Those people just want to make money for their family like every white family in the USA. And that fact, every family of color too. We ALL want to have a descent life, and that means work that is not always sitting behind a desk and not sweating in the hot sun. You may think they are sucking the benefits and not giving back. Well, how about rent they pay for apartments, and food they buy to feed their families, and gas and insurance for the cars and trucks they drive. We as Americans, are SO lucky to have been born here. You really don't realize how lucky you are until you travel to third world countries and see their reality. Children walking 3 miles to school barefooted, carrying water on your head for 2 miles...4 times a day, swinging a pike chipping out coal in a mine 12 hours a day 7 days a week for $10 a month. So picking cotton and fruit from a tree, or hoeing vegetables from a field sound bad? NO! But would you do it? Hell NO! Yes, we have large industries to foreign countries because Americans want to make the big bucks and some Unions have gotten greedy. Steel, textures, electronics, automotive parts, health caregivers, clothing and so on. Trump has made that worse putting tariffs on goods coming into the US, when he should be giving tax breaks to industries trying to build a business within the USA. Cheap labor is why industries move overseas. Get a clue Trump! You're a business man (living off your Dad's money). Before any company can make a profit, there are hard times. Cutting back labor costs is part of the struggle with workers. Either you cut wages somewhat or lose your job to another country. This a big pill to swallow, and a tough one to endure but that is what we need to do to MADE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN Mr. President. Of course he'll never read this, but you did. So let your representatives know it at election time. Make them well aware that you care about our country and this president, or any other president that has no common sense of economies, can see they are killing our great country should not be in office, nor should any representatives, or senators. Use your power as a citizen and vote OUT the bad folks and get good folks in office. Look at yourself as a citizen and utilize your constitutional power and VOTE!