I guess I watch to much TV. But whether or not we are aware, the world is the way it is. Sunday a race car driver died in a crash in Las Vegas. Last week Steve Jobs died of cancer and some movie made many millions in its first week.

What do we value the most? In the last week and a half I have listened to many hours of commentary on the deaths of Steve Jobs and the race car driver and many hours of commentary about professional sports and what's happening in the entertainment industry.

I haven't heard more than a brief mention of the service men and women that are giving their lives, temporarily or permanently for the ideal of freedom and liberty. There are many other ways to be involved in good causes besides the military. Donating to or serving in aid activities that help people with basic needs are of great value in a "helping the needy" way.

I don't know much about Steve Jobs' life other than his work with computers. I think that if he wouldn't have done what he did, someone else would have done something kinda similar. In either case, I don't see where his work has been of great benefit to those in the world that don't have enough to eat or who live in oppressed societies. I do believe he has had a great impact on American and world society. I do think that his impact has been mostly economic, and mostly effects people that don't really have immediate needs like hunger, shelter and protection from war or evil government.

When looking at professional sports figures its hard for me to think that there is a great amount of good (idealistic good) that comes from sports. Many professional sports personalities give to many good causes. I think that the vast majority of the money earned in the sports world is earned, spent or used in a selfish way.

When looking at Hollywood and that part of the entertainment world, selfish pride or greed seems to be the overriding priority.

In 2011 there have been 49 US servicemen and women killed. They do what they do for many reasons and for much less money. I served because my father and grandfather did. I wanted to be as good a man as they were. There are a few other reasons also.

When I was growing up "men that fought for freedom" were honored as heroes. I wanted to be a hero to someone. I wanted to be tough. I wanted my life to have value to myself and others. I wonder what will be on my headstone in a few years. I hope someone puts something on there that is true and that has real meaning for people that had real needs. For those that read this, why do you do what you do? What are the motivations that you keep inside?

This boils down to "am I mostly selfish or selfless"?

I welcome all honest, heart felt comment.

Its an interesting world we live in. This morning I was feeling kinda beat up by things. The VA didn't get my prescription shipped so I have to change my appointment, Steve Jobs passed away of the same kind of cancer I have, (mine is mid gut not pancreatic though, but if his billions can't make him live more than 7 years what chance have I got), I found out I've been paying way to much for propane for years, I read the county paper and there were a bunch of letters to the editor about our county commission's recent decision to give themselves a big raise while everyone else around here is struggling to make wage in this difficult economy, I didn't draw out for the Deer Hunt again, and a whole bunch of other small but very irritating things. I felt more put upon as the morning passed.

This post is a venting of emotion and belief. Please read on.

I have a person/account I follow on Facebook called "March of Honor". In the March of Honor's postings there are the names of all American Soldiers that are Killed in Action, and other reminders of the cost of Liberty. The cost of Liberty is high and that burden is so great to those that carry it actively, the service men and women (and their families in a different way). I thought back a few years to when I was flying east to basic training to begin my opportunity to "Defend Liberty". I wish I could do that again. While in the first Gulf War I knew that my efforts and time were spent for a great cause. (I was there to defend Liberty, I'm not saying my government sent me there for a pure, good, purpose). I knew that there was value in my life. I felt alive. Each time I directed my driver to pull our tank up to the next observation or battle position and looked through my tank's sights for enemies of freedom I felt that my life had a great purpose, that burden of Freedom and Liberty was very light and was a joy to carry. I remember landing at Hunter Army Airfield when returning from that first Gulf War. I watched men happily greet their families, my family couldn't be there because plane tickets were to much. I was filled with happiness and sorrow. Happiness because all that men that went over there with me came back home more or less in one piece. Sorrow because I no longer felt an urgent threat and purpose. A great innocence was lost, I missed the rush I got every time I watched tracers moving in my direction, or felt the concussion of tank fire or explosions, or the intense concentration I felt when putting my tank or machine gun sights on an enemy target. I don't believe people that haven't felt that intense life purpose can completely understand. I no longer have a clear magnified target.

I finally understand (symbolically) why the cowboy rides off into the sunset. He does that because it's hard to be confined with people that don't understand his intense love of the open trail ahead. (freedom) When a person goes through all that soldiers do and then wake up in a place where the most important thing to people is a new blouse, car, the newest cell phone or gadget or being around people that live for leisure-pleasure, these attitudes make a big hole in that soldier's soul. It causes real pain.

Worse yet I find myself getting sucked up in trivial things. Shame on me.

I ask everyone of you that read this blog to start thinking about the the value of your life. I ask you to look at your life and evaluate whether or not your life and efforts are worthy of the heavy burden that has been placed upon the backs of service men and women throughout the history of our nation. Please consider making your life count for more than a bank balance, nice cloths, car and house. Please find a way to make the sacrifice of life, the loneliness, and all the other things that these brave men and women have gone through and are still going through, worthwhile. If you recognize a veteran tell them thanks. If you have the means, donate to activities that help veterans feel whole again. Please avoid making any soldier's sacrifice worthless. Please support the cause of liberty. By the way there is only one political party that does this. I ask you to become Libertarian. This isn't a political blog. Screw politics and politicians. Support real Liberty.

Real Liberty has few mantras. For me they are:

1. The United States Constitution and the Bill if Rights. (everything since then is an effort to take rights away) This document is based upon Liberty's principals.

2. My rights can't take yours away, nor can your rights take mine away. (I don't have to take down my flag or cross if it's not on your lawn)

3. No victim, no crime, for example, speeding tickets, who is the victim?

4. People, business, all entities are responsible for their own actions only.

5. You cannot help someone by doing for them what they should do for themselves.

6. If you want something get a job and earn money to get it.

7. Rights come to people from God, anything that takes rights away is evil.

8. You only deserve what you earn.

9. Government is the peoples servant, it's not the other way around.

10. No level of government should exist that doesn't work directly with or for the private sector.

For example a federal level that governs a regional level that governs a state level that governs a county level that tells me I can't drive on that road.

11. Federal-National governments should only ensure national defense and foreign treaties and keep one state from abusing another states citizens.

We shouldn't think of these statements as political, They are the basis of life. They are eternal truths.

12. Tax dollars collect in Utah or any other state shouldn't pay for thing outside the state they are collected in, except for National Defense and a small federal government that protects United States treaty interests.

13. People violating other peoples rights have no rights.

Last but not least

14. No United States Soldier should die in a foreign land unless he is defending Liberty.

One last vent. What real human being really care's who wins a sporting event, people are dying, starving, suffering and being abused by others in so many, ways how can you think the world is over when a sports team or "Hero" looses a game? I repeat GAME. I never want to hear another word of sorrow expressed about some poor souls team or favorite "hero" loosing a GAME!!!!!! If you need a distraction or some relief from life, you won't find it being selfish.

A Spade is a Spade, A game is a game.

A PS vent. It takes real courage to overcome an addiction. It shows greater real courage to never be addicted to something.