What is Washboard Express?

Washboard Express is a way for me to express my own opinions, to be a provocative gadfly, by writing a "letter a day" to the President. I may miss a day here and there, because sometimes my family with be my first priority, but my goal is to write a total of 365 letters, representing one full year. To say I have opinions about most things would be to understate the obvious. Those of you that know me, know this is true, those who don't know me, will learn that it's true. The Washboard is a reference to going back to basics and "keeping it clean," so if you would like me to post your comments or opinions on this blog, I only ask that you be respectful. So go ahead, express yourself, and I look forward to an exchange of ideas and opinions.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Day 72...Dear Mr. President... The Headlines are titillating, but...


Day 72

Dear Mr. President,

Like everyone else across the country, I woke up wondering and excited to hear what would happen in the UK hearings regarding the Rupert Murdoch scandal. Of course all the headlines, news posts and political Facebook pages were buzzing about the shaving cream pie in Murdoch’s face episode, proving once again how collectively juvenile we all are.

People have such short memories and are always quick to lunge into the latest debate about the debt ceiling, what the tea baggers are doing now, what the comedians have to say about the candidates running for president, etc… etc… And I have to admit, I too get caught up in the brouhaha of the top stories and latest headline news.

But then I stopped to think about our men and women still fighting in two wars and wondered what happened to that news being on the front page where it belongs. Yes, the rest of us have short memories, but you can bet your bottom dollar that their families have not forgotten that they’re not home for graduations, summer vacations, births, weddings, and anniversaries. I’m quite sure that they really don’t care what happens to Murdoch, or what political candidate signs what hair-brained pledge. I think that they just want their husband, father, son, brother, or wife, mother, daughter, and sister to just come home.

Just so you know how far these men and women have slipped from our thoughts and our minds, these are the “Top Stories” in today’s news… sadly, the wars are not even mentioned.


While we are mesmerized by current events, and wonder what our midget-minded elected officials are going to do next, and whether or not you’re going to cut S.S. or Medicare, these men and women are still fighting for their very lives.

I know you have not forgotten these men and women Mr. President, but I think we all need to be reminded of a simple truth that deserves our attention each and every day… and that is, “War is Not a Game.”  My good friend and Vietnam Vet, Bill Durston, wrote this song… One cannot listen and not be moved… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oLdQIMaaUs

Please bring our troops home Mr. President… their families need them.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers
Your Gadfly Granny

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