Maggie's Farm

Ann Althouse, a prominent law professor, teenager in the ‘60’s, dismisses Andy Williams as too “square” even back in the ‘60’s to be taken seriously now, when he says President Obama is “following Marxist theory.”

I tested Williams’ squareness on my sons, now 4 and 9, this morning by showing them a YouTube of Andy Williams singing the theme song from Exodus, “This Land Is Mine.”  Both loved it.  But, are they biased because we’re Jewish?  No.  Both’s favorite TV show when younger, after the usual run of kiddie shows, was reruns on PBS of Lawrence Welk’s show.  They both loved the melodious and understandable lyrics along with the lively and friendly performances.

So, are my sons square?  Or, does Ann Althouse’s comment reflect a deprived upbringing, lacking personal connection  to the emotions and tastes of an earlier generation?  I choose the latter but what is important about this minor brouhaha is what it reflects about us.

Ann Althouse is known for her scholarship on federalism and the Constitution, so she is concerned with past debates and their effect on and application to current events.  In this, she may be cognizant of philosopher George Santayana’s famous comment about “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” but may have missed his other comment, “the equality of unequals is inequality” while arguing for equality of opportunity.

Most people are not scholars of the myriad origins, forms and history of Marxism or Socialism.  These terms are usually short-hand for categorizing redistribution of results among unequals, from those who earned the results to those who haven’t.  That’s a sticky argument, as others argue unless those who haven’t are provided means to opportunities then they are less likely to obtain results commensurate with their skills and efforts.

The problem lies in discerning the boundaries, and aside from legislative and court determinations each individual must choose.  I say “must” because the extent to which government decides the boundaries is inescapable upon each individual.

Most liberals tend to come down on a more expansive view of redistribution.  Hence the epithet of “Marxist” or “Socialist” from some of those more conservative.

Many investigators who have studied President Obama’s past associations, to the limited extent they have been discovered, document his closest formative influences and choices to be among those quite radical and even avowedly “socialist” or “Marxist.”  The major media has essentially ignored this pattern, or restrained coverage when they no longer could.

Does this matter?

To me, not as much as some of the investigators among my friends. I tend to be something of a behaviorist, believing that what one sees now is most important, and recognize all's ability to change.  Others whom are friends are less concerned with the observable and the now. As one I respect says, “My hope is that he will get real very soon on lots of fronts as he experiences the push back and the immovable objects….Personally, I will give it more time to see how his presidency develops.”

Fair enough.  And, while recognizing the observable and the now, incomplete when one considers the actual actions of President Obama that irremediably affect our and other nations’ inhabitants futures.

That's the sub-title of today's front-page article in the San Diego Union-Tribune by Steve Liewer "A Matter of Honor."

If you haven't yet read our exclusive reporting on the broader problem of the Defense Department not even having a list of valor honors, or seeming to care, then see our post below: "Hollywood cares more for its' vets honors than the Defense Department."  Two of the key congressmen involved are from my neck of the woods, so my piece is also picked up by the San Diego Jewish World: "Are service medals so unimportant that Pentagon can't be bothered to remember the awardees?: U.S. Rep Bob Filner supports new legislation; Susan Davis's subcommittee should hold hearing."

Hollywood cares more about its stars than the Defense Department about its own.  One can go online and find every Academy Award winner on its database.  Not only does the Defense Department not have a comprehensive or complete database of all those awarded medals of valor but the Defense Department is opposed to proposed legislation to create one.  What’s wrong with an Honor Roll for those we have honored?

The title of B.G. Burkett’s book Stolen Valor became the title of the Congressional billsigned in 2006 that provided civil penalties for falsely claiming military medals. Congress officially found: “Fraudulent claims surrounding the receipt of the [medals]…damage the reputation and meaning of such decorations and medals…. Legislative action is necessary to permit law enforcement officers to protect the reputation and meaning of military decorations and medals.”  It’s not just a matter of honor involved, however, as many frauds involve claims of government benefits or of status to advance careers or political positions.

Enforcement has been spotty, depending largely upon private individuals to investigate and then US Attorneys to decide whether to prosecute. In late 2007, The US Attorney in Washington state concluded a year-long investigation resulting in eight prosecutions of frauds that cost taxpayers $1.4-million.  One of the defendants had been widely touted by anti-war groups, and accepted at face value by some in the major media, as being an elite Ranger who witnessed commission of atrocities upon Iraqis, and claimed veterans PTSD benefits, but had actually been discharged from the Army about a month after joining the Army. In 2008, there were more than 40 prosecutions in the US, which barely scratches the surface.  Other well-documented cases of fraud were not prosecuted by US Attorneys.

The private citizen whose diligent work led to the Stolen Valor Act, Doug Sterner (website HomeOfHeroes.com), tells me that, “I can show you literally hundreds of slam-dunk/open-and-shut cases of individuals we have photos of wearing unearned awards who have never been touched. The FBI is swamped, and the problem is further generated by a lack of understanding.”

To appreciate the scope of fraud, a Chicago Tribune reporter found that a third of those in Who’s Who who claimed medals of valor had falsely declared themselves recipients of medals for bravery, including prominent lawyers, clergy, businessmen.  The publication has now tightened its rules for citation.

4^th in a series

Kristi Yamaguchi has shared her early lesson in life, to overcome physical limitations through hard work and the spirit to “Always Dream.”

Yamaguchi was born with club feet.  Watching her older sister ice skate, she was determined to try, her mother physically supporting her on the ice.  Yamaguchi recalls, “I just remember that feeling of freedom.”  Ice skating, also, provided an enjoyable exercise to strengthen her feet and ankles.  By junior high school, she began competing, her parents agreeing “as long as you keep your grades up and you’re giving it 100 percent.”

She excelled at both singles and pairs, a rare achievement, winning multiple world junior and national championships with partner Rudy Galindo. She followed with individual victories at the 1991 and 1992 World Figure Skating Championships and the 1992 U.S. Nationals. Her 1992 Olympic gold-medal performance—in which she became the first Asian American woman to win a gold medal in any sport—crowned her amateur career.

Following Albertville, Yamaguchi took the professional skating world by storm, winning the World Professional Figure Skating Championship four times between 1992 and 1997, and toured with Stars on Ice for over a decade.

Yamaguchi’s sport and financial successes were not enough to satisfy her childhood dream.  In 1996, inspired by the Make-A-Wish foundation, she founded the Always Dream foundation.  “All the athletic glory and honors are wonderful but sometimes I come face to face with a disadvantaged child or with a struggling mother or father and I am grateful for my gifts.  And I rededicate myself to doing whatever I can to help someone in need.  The good feeling I get from contributing rivals anything I felt on the Olympic stand in Albertsville.”  Always Dream has focused on building playgrounds which can be accessed and enjoyed by children of all abilities.

To borrow a phrase, the British Empire was built on the playing fields of Eton.  This site better explains the central importance of participation in sports to a child’s development as an energetic, constructive citizen. Kristi Yamaguchi says, “Through my Always Dream Foundation, I simply hope to help children fulfill their dreams.”  Her example and giving exemplifies more than she gives herself credit.  

From Ability, American History (Smithsonian), Always Dream foundation

3rd in a series

Althea Gibson, born in 1927 the child of sharecroppers, was named by the Associated Press as Female Athlete of the Year in 1957 and 1958.  Living in Harlem, her early training was nurtured by fellow Blacks, such as prizefighting great Sugar Rae Robinson, who recognized her natural talents. Gibson was considered the female Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier in tennis. The 5-foot-11 right-hander had a strong serve and preferred to play an attacking game. An athletic woman, she had good foot speed, which allowed her to cover the court. As the years went on, she became more consistent from the baseline.

However, that wasn’t enough to break through the color barrier, until the leading female tennis player in the US spoke out on her behalf, and behalf of the sport.  Forced to play in what was basically a segregated sport, at age 23 Gibson was finally given the opportunity to participate in the 1950 US Championships after the World #1 champion from 1936-1940, Alice Marble wrote an editorial for the July 1, 1950 edition of American Lawn Tennis Magazine. Marble said, "Miss Gibson is over a very cunningly wrought barrel, and I can only hope to loosen a few of its staves with one lone opinion. If tennis is a game for ladies and gentlemen, it's also time we acted a little more like gentlepeople and less like sanctimonious hypocrites.... If Althea Gibson represents a challenge to the present crop of women players, it's only fair that they should meet that challenge on the courts." Marble said that if Gibson were not given the opportunity to compete, "then there is an uneradicable mark against a game to which I have devoted most of my life, and I would be bitterly ashamed."

Gibson was now able to compete against the best players from around the world because the color barrier had been broken. Gibson's game improved to where she won the 1955 Italian Championships. The following year, she won her first Grand Slam titles, capturing the French Championships in singles and in doubles with her partner, Jewish Englishwoman Angela Buxton. Buxton had run into discrimination from other players and the tennis establishment along the same lines as those experienced by Gibson, so the two joined forces and achieved great success. Buxton was the first Jewish champion at Wimbledon, and Gibson was the first champion of African descent. An English newspaper reported their victory at Wimbledon under the headline "Minorities Win."

Gibson reached the top of her game in 1957 and 1958 in winning at Wimbleton and the US championship.  It wasn’t until 1999 that another Black woman won the US national tennis title, Serena Williams, or 2000 at Wimbleton, Venus Williams.  Venus Williams paid tribute: “For players like myself and a lot of other African-American players on the tour, Althea Gibson paved the way for us.”

Tennis players made no money in the 1950s, and Gibson’s finances worsened over the years. In 1992, she suffered a stroke. A few years later, Gibson called Buxton and told her she was on the brink of suicide. Gibson was living on welfare and unable to pay for rent or medication. Buxton arranged for a letter to appear in a tennis magazine. Buxton told Gibson nothing about the letter, but Gibson figured it out when her mailbox started to bulge with envelopes full of checks from around the world. In total, nearly $1 million came in.

In 2003, at the age of 76, Gibson died in New Jersey due to respiratory failure.

"If it hadn't been for her," says Billie Jean King, winner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles, "it wouldn't have been so easy for Arthur (Ashe) [the first Black man to win the U.S. Open (1968), Australian Open (1970) and Wimbledon (1975)] or the ones who followed."  If it hadn’t been for those who challenged discrimination, Althea Gibson would not have had the chance to pave the way for others and for sport.

From: Wikipedia, ESPN, Washington Post, Sports Encyclopedia