THE EMASCULATION OF THE AMERICAN MALE

Has anyone noticed how many commercials appear on television lately touting cures for men suffering from “erectile dysfunction….commonly known as ED”? I mean, if a person were to judge our culture and society just by watching our television broadcasts, they would think you would not be able to find one American male who can perform sexually. It’s as if half the population is on Viagra or Cialis. I love how they invariably insert that warning, in that deep, important voice; “If you suffer an event of priapism (an erection lasting over four hours), call your doctor immediately”, as if they really care. That’s not a warning, it’s a selling point, and I believe it’s aimed more at women. I can just picture women all over America right now saying, “you’re going on that stuff tomorrow honey”. “But baby, I don’t have ED?” “I don’t care, you’re going on it”.

Also, when did American men become so dumb? Watching commercials, you would think the American male could not perform the most simple of tasks. How about that one where the guy is trying for like 15 minutes to put the stroller in the mini-van, then the mom walks around and zip, bam, the seats folded down, the strollers laying flat and the guy is standing there looking like an idiot. Then there are the men at home commercials. You will almost always see a woman hustling through a busy airport, dressed in a business power suit on the cell phone to her husband. The guy will always be holding a crying baby, while toddlers are wreaking havoc around him, the food is boiling over, and bubbles are coming out of the washer. When did this switcheroo take place? Remember the old commercials that always showed moms with mops and floors that shined like diamond, while Mr. Clean stood behind her (as if she really needed the help of a man to achieve such a simple task).

The commercials have changed just as society has. I suppose the influx of so many women into the workplace makes them a perfect target for marketers. If you want someone to buy your product you have to make them feel good about themselves. Did it have to be at the expense of American men though? I mean, there are still sinks to be fixed, flat tires to be changed and furniture to be moved. We must still be good for something? Oh yeah, four hour erections.

By James J. Calautti

ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE

Right now we have American men and women in uniform serving all over the world in all capacities. Some bear the brunt of our war on terror, while others provide humanitarian aid to people in the most God-awful places you could imagine. For many of those who serve, that desire does not stop after they are discharged. A while back I was fortunate enough to speak with a group of men who I was proud just to stand next to. These fellows were very congenial but also very humble when talking of their own deeds. The only time they became animated was when they spoke of the deeds of their comrades.

Kearny is lucky to have a detachment of the Marine Corps League stationed right here in town. They lease a house from the town located on Veterans Row and have turned it into a veritable museum of memorabilia and photographs. Commandant James J. Kelly, a combat veteran of the Battle of Hue City in Viet Nam and current leader of the local detachment was on hand during a recent weekend to answer some questions. When asked why men who have already served their country, many in combat missions overseas, wish to continue that service stateside, he responded typically with "Once a Marine, always a Marine". Asked about community service, Kelly stated "We award two scholarships annually of $500 apiece to Kearny High School seniors who have excelled scholastically and who usually have some connection to one of our members". He also explained their holiday season charity drive. "Members collect money outside of Shop-Rite and Stop-n-Shop and the money is given to local under-privileged families in the form of gift certificates for food or for toys for the children, this is different from the Marine Reserves Toys for Tots program, we are a separate entity, and we also feel that families need a decent meal as well as toys to enjoy the holidays". He also mentioned that "We are sending care packages to the troops in Iraq". These contain food items, toiletries, drinks, phone cards, sunglasses and anything else that may make the life of front line troops more comfortable.

In a cozy bar located in the building's basement, two other members, Sal Marotti and Ed Pflugi, both combat veterans of WWII, were excited to show off the many memorabilia items on the walls. Sal Marotti, the leagues "historian", pointed to a rifle on the wall. "That was taken during the Battle of Iwo Jima" he said. He was also adamant about pointing out that his friend, Ed Pflugi, "Is a winner of four battle stars, having fought on both Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and latter serving in China". Indeed, Ed's picture was on the wall in a faded page of a newspaper from 1942. Ed pointed out a Lebanese flag on the wall and said "That one is from the Marines who served there just before the barracks bombing".

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923, though the Kearny Detachment was formed in April of 1976. It is a recognized veterans/military service organization and promotes the interests of the United States Marine Corps. They also assist veterans in a wide range of matters. Member William McDonogh explained "We work with local recruiters, talking to young men and women interested in joining the Marines". "We also run a bingo program for the Veterans Home in Menlo Park". They preserve the traditions of the Corps, and to that end are always interested in new members. Robert Gast, a longtime member, stated "We have recently singed up several members who are veterans of the Iraqi conflict". This should help insure their continuing survival.

In a time of millionaire ball players, filthy rich musicians, and spoiled actors with an ax to grind, it’s nice to know that one only has to look to our armed services to find men and women of honor and integrity.

By James J. Calautti

"PEACE ACTIVISTS" NOT VERY PEACEFUL

I thought peace activists were supposed to advocate….well, peace. Obviously, that must be the old version of the term, because what we have now are peace activists calling for, well, violence.

The 1976 Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams confessed she has a problem with non-violence. Why? It seems if she could she would "kill" President Bush. Not that the Nobel peace prize means much anymore, since it handed one out to PLO Terrorist Yasser Arafat in 1994. Addressing teens in Australia, the kids cheered as Williams stated "Right now, I would love to kill George Bush." The Australian media chalked it up to her "feisty Irish spirit". I myself would call it the behavior of a sociopath.

Meanwhile, America Online had some real doozies when it came to the report of an American soldier whose wife; sister-in-law and two sons were murdered in Eugene Oregon. I certainly hope Sergeant Leonid Milkin did not have to read these. Here are samples of what the "peace activists" wrote:

"Too bad the paid assasin [sic] wasn't home also…got what he deserved for serving an illegal government in an illegal war."

"Maybe he signed up for the wrong profession because who in their right mind would want to be an arm man? He should have studied harder in school and found a real job instead of joining the army. Be all you can be? Don't patronize me! People who join the army either have no education or come form small towns….he should blame himself for his family dying due to his lack of education."

This is the support our troops overseas are getting? I think Viet Nam vets had it better.

Then there is the entrepreneurial peacenick, Dan Frazier, who sells T-shirts with the names of soldiers killed in the war. One was Marine Corporal Scott Vincent, killed by a fanatical suicide bomber. The Marine's mother pleaded with Frazier to remove her sons name. But Frazier stayed true to his "pacifist feelings" and kept the name on.

Also in Boston, at a rally run by the Muslim American Society, a Jewish man who showed up with a video recorder was threatened and physically by the demonstrators from the "Religion of Peace". Seva Brodsky was accosted by pro-Hezbollah thugs who cursed him, tried to prevent him from filming, and grabbed at him. A rally marshal who was supposed to keep the peace told Brodsky "We can not guarantee your safety."

So these are the people who advocate peace, but peace for who?

James J. Calautti