Posted on 06/15/2004 4:18:33 PM PDT by Snoopers-868th
Subject: GOOD SPEECH
The best speech John Glenn ever made: short and to the point.
Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. The following exchange between Senator John Glenn (D -OH) and Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D - OH) is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive and impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the Armed Services do what they do for a living. This IS a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of the Military.
Senator Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: "How can you run for the Senate when you've never held a "real job?"
Senator Glenn: "I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the Space Program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard, it was my Life on the line. It was not a 9 to 5 job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me .... as I went the other day ... to a Veterans Hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee .... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job. You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this Nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job?
I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum... you should be on your knees every day of our life thanking God that there were some men - SOME MEN - who held a REAL job. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible. I HAVE held a job, Howard! --- What about you?"
For those who don't remember - During WW II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA. Now he is a Senator!
If you can read this, thank a teacher....
If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran.......
Been a few years since I last came across this.
Bookmarked, and thank you.
Snopes says it's true. http://www.snopes.com/quotes/glenn.htm
Thanks alot
Tagged. Great post.
Thanks!
Fortunately Metzenbaum either retired or was defeated. I think he was defeated. Now instead of two Democratic senators, we have to Republicans: Voinovich and DeWine; a huge improvement!! Even though they are too "moderate" in some areas, such as gun "violence." They both are pro-life; just too easily swayed by the "compassion" arguments of the left. I.E. they are both entirely decent men, but need a bit more conservative backbone.
But compared to Glenn and Metzenbaum?? (esp. the later) -- a breath of fresh air . . .
Fortunately Metzenbaum either retired or was defeated. I think he was defeated. Now instead of two Democratic senators, we have to Republicans: Voinovich and DeWine; a huge improvement!! Even though they are too "moderate" in some areas, such as gun "violence." They both are pro-life; just too easily swayed by the "compassion" arguments of the left. I.E. they are both entirely decent men, but need a bit more conservative backbone.
But compared to Glenn and Metzenbaum?? (esp. the later) -- a breath of fresh air . . .
Nice speech, but I will never forgive Glenn for his treasonous and obstructionist behavior during the Chinagate hearings chaired by Fred Thompson.
IMHO, he sold our country out for partisan gain, and for a last shot at personal glory for a ride in the space shuttle Discovery.
I grew up thinking Glenn was a great American, but now I understand that his great accomplishments were more about his personal ambition than his love of our nation.
I still think those hearings are what did Thompson in. Our Congress did not do their job or Clinton would have been impeached..AND thrown out of office.
They're both RINOs. They are poor Republicans and neither is a conservative. I can't wait for Ken Blackwell to arrive on the national scene.
You know, it is shocking but not surprising. Seems most of the politicians are opportunists. Could it be that the honorable (or more honorable) have quit?
I really dislike the military braggert. The military record speaks for itself and if the candidates have any type of military background the people will know it--they do not have to tout it.
He retired. DeWine beat Metzenbaum son-in-law, and TV lawyer Joel Hyatt for the seat. Metzenbaum was older than dirt when he retired.
He also got a NASA facility names after him.
Nasa Lewis Research Center in Cleveland was renamed Nasa Glenn in "honor" of the Kennedy Klan hanger-on.
He recieved a phone call from his family telling him his father had taken ill and was about to die.
He immediately booked a flight to the US and landed in New York City.
He discovered that he had lost his passport and frantically was searching for it.
He soon realised that he would never find it.
He went to the customs agent and told him..."Sir, I'm in a real hurry."
"I've lost my passport and I cannot find it anywhere.My father is ill and could die soon."
"I'm sorry sir." refplied the agent. "I cannot allow you to go through without some form of ID that would tell me you are indeed a US citizen. Is there anything that you have that can prove to me that you are a citizen?"
The man thought and then said..."Well yes there is!"
He then proceeded to pull down his pants and show the customs agent his buttox.
ON the right cheek he had a tattoo of BIll Clinton. On the Left cheek he had a tattoo of Al Gore.
"Oh my!" replied the agent....:"You are indeed an American citizen. Only a true american would have anything like that. Please go ahead and I hope everything is OK back in Ohio."
The man looked back at him and said..." How did you know I was from Ohio"
The customs agent then said..." Well isn't that Howard Metzembaum in the middle?"
BWA-HAHAHAH!!! GREAT post! Thanks for the good laugh!!
If they were Republicans, well, I could understand...
As I recall, this exchange did take place during a Senate democratic primary in the '70s when Glenn and Metzenbaum were running against each other. Glenn won the primary and the election, and Metzenbaum was then elected to the Senate a couple of years later.
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