Charles Kettles, heroic Vietnam veteran from Ypsilanti, Michigan, awarded the Medal of Honor | Eclectablog

The dashing young man in the photo above is Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Charles S. Kettles. LTC Kettles, who lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was awarded the Medal of Honor yesterday at a White House ceremony. His story is extraordinary. Here’s an excerpt from President Obama’s remarks: May 15, 1967, started as a hot Monday morning. Soldiers from the 101st Airborne were battling hundreds of heavily armed North Vietnamese in a rural riverbed. Our men were outnumbered. They needed support fast –- helicopters to get the wounded out and bring more soldiers into the fight. Chuck Kettles was a helo pilot. And just as he’d volunteered for active duty, on this morning he volunteered his Hueys –- even though he knew the danger. They called this place “Chump Valley” for a reason: Above the riverbed rose a 1,500-foot-tall hill, and the enemy was dug into an extensive series of tunnels and bunkers — the ideal spot for an ambush. But Chuck jumped into the cockpit and took off. Around 9 a.m., his compa

Source: Charles Kettles, heroic Vietnam veteran from Ypsilanti, Michigan, awarded the Medal of Honor | Eclectablog

My Stuttering Mind | Eclectablog

I have not posted in about a month. The reason escaped me for the weeks since, but I think I have finally figured it out. My mind is stuttering. I have been deeply involved in politics for 25 years now. Most of that time on the radio, but certainly as an activist, a surrogate for many candidates, and a guest speaker at many groups and Union meetings. I have spoken to literally thousands of people over those 25 years and mostly to great success. That was until this year. This year my prognostication skills have been not just tested or bent, but shattered into small pieces. I have been so wrong about national politics and the events that surround them that it has made me a little gun-shy, and please excuse that pun. My ability to clearly see paths for success or troubles for passage have been so clouded by Donald Trump’s candidacy that I began to question my leadership as a pundit and as a Progressive. And, I repeat, I finally figured that my mind was stuttering, badly. What I mean by t

Source: My Stuttering Mind | Eclectablog

Add your name if you agree: Democrats are fighting to make voting easier

Source: Add your name if you agree: Democrats are fighting to make voting easier

DWS will not gavel in the DNC. She’s gone. Meanwhile, there’s a fascist to defeat—so focus!

Source: DWS will not gavel in the DNC. She’s gone. Meanwhile, there’s a fascist to defeat—so focus!

Unity! Bernie will turn over all his delegates tomorrow night during roll call. All states to vote.

Source: Unity! Bernie will turn over all his delegates tomorrow night during roll call. All states to vote.

Elizabeth Warren: Donald Trump’s Divisive Tactics Empower Those At The Top

Source: Elizabeth Warren: Donald Trump’s Divisive Tactics Empower Those At The Top

Bernie Sanders To Supporters: It’s Hillary Or Bust

Source: Bernie Sanders To Supporters: It’s Hillary Or Bust

Bernie Sanders Says Back Clinton Despite Supporters’ ‘Disappointment’ During DNC Speech – ABC News

Source: Bernie Sanders Says Back Clinton Despite Supporters’ ‘Disappointment’ During DNC Speech – ABC News

Democratic convention: Bernie Sanders says ‘I’m proud’ to support Clinton – live | US news | The Guardian

Follow live updates from the opening night of the Democratic national convention, with Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama set to speak

Source: Democratic convention: Bernie Sanders says ‘I’m proud’ to support Clinton – live | US news | The Guardian