register |  login
› ARVADA
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
Blog
Blog Entry 17 of 22 Arvada: The way it was, the way it is, the way it could be.
I moved to Arvada in 1975, getting to spend my formative years growing up here, watching it change, breaking several municipal codes, and seeing how much trouble I could get in without my parents actually finding out. I moved back to Arvada a year ago, and while my contacts with the local authorites have drastically gone down hill, my fond memories of growing up here havent. My writings will be about the times I spent growing up here, the friends I grew up with, the trouble we got in, the stuff we got away with, and basically anything else that spews forth from my brain. I graduated from Arvada High School in 1985 (Go Redski...oops, go Reds...oops....go Bulldogs, or Wombats, or Tibetan Spitting Lamas, or whatever they are called these days). I spent 10 years on the Comedy circuit, but these days prefer to spend time with my wife, my dog, and whatever poor souls end up on a poker table with me. When I post a story, please feel free to write me back with your memories. I would like to know if I was the only one who remembers seeing Young Frankenstien at the Wadsworth drive in, or tried desperately to lose his virginity on a carpeted mushroom at US on Wheels.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~MrSnugglePants

It should have been ...
Contributed by: Patrick Bunn   on 1/8/2008

a time for good wishes and prayers. Bill Prather, a better man than myself, let us know that he was deploying to Iraq to help with a fight that he believes strongly in. He is going to be away from his family, dealing with horrors that most of us couldn't, and wouldn't, dream of. As I read his story, I felt pride that while I have never met the man, I am part of a community with him. After I was finished with his column, I read the reviews. There were the typical 5-star replies, wishing him well, sending prayers to him and his family. I joined in, wishing him my best. But there was one reply that stuck out. No stars, no best wishes.

I read the reply, and then logged out. I was going to forget about it, and move on with my day. Except something happened on my way to the gym. I thought about it. And I got mad.

I wasn't mad about what was written by the gentleman. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you don't believe in the war, that is your choice. If you don't believe that you or your family needs protecting from terrorist organizations, that is also your choice. Massively short-sighted, but your choice. If the person who wrote the reply doesn't think they are in harm's way, I can introduce you to my good friend Beth, whose sister was killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York City. I guarantee when she went to work in the upper recesses of the World Trade Center that morning, she didn't think she was in danger either.

This isn't a political argument. I wasn't mad at the gentleman's views on the war. I was mad that he chose that time to interject them in a place they didn't need to be. That column wasn't about him, it was about a man who has made a decision that I wouldn't have the guts to make. Right or wrong, it's something he believes in. He deserves our support, not people passing judgment on what he is doing.

I'm probably going to get lit up for this. Bill, I hope you don't mind me expressing myself in this way.


SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog



Current Rating
Based on 8 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the blog

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-9 of 9 comments
Submitted By: Sarah Paige
posted on 1/10/2008 @ 12:26:26 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Patrick - thank you for speaking up and defending a fellow blogger. I was at a sporting event with a friend and her husband two years ago. The husband refused to stand for the Nat'l Anthem and sat stoic in his chair while others stood with pride. He said it was his "right" to sit through it (didn't agree with the war and our nation's direction). I asked, "And, who died to give you that 'right'?" He didn't have an answer, and I haven't seen him since. Bill, I'm a proud American and thank you (and your fellow men/women) for your sacrifice so we can all have the right to think and speak freely.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Mike Keleman
posted on 1/9/2008 @ 10:14:53 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Bill and a whole bunch of other men and women do what I and a whole bunch of other men and women don't want to do or even think about. I like Bill's blogs and sometime agree, other times think that he's a flipping wierdo. That's the best part about it, the world would be pretty lame if we all agreed.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: William Boucher
posted on 1/9/2008 @ 9:49:18 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Way to go Pat. Some people just don't get that freedom isn't free.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 11:50:02 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Darn! Forgot the rating!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 11:41:04 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Oops! Premature submission! Continued from below: Today, I watched my friend hug his wife, seven-month-old son and his not quite two-year-old boy before heading to Iraq. As you read this, 140 Soldiers from Colorado's 220th MP Company are on their way to the fight. That said, I must say, Patrick, though we've chosen different paths, not any one of us is "better" than another. We're just different. Keep fighting the good fight friend. On behalf of my friends in uniform, "Thank you." P.S. Send my best to your friend, Beth. -- I'm sure I can't understand the pain of her loss. Good stuff, Patrick.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 11:29:12 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Patrick, thanks. I don't think I can find the words to adequately describe what I feel. The comment you refer to only strengthens my resolve. It proves that our struggle is not in vain. Admittedly, while I find the comment somewhat hurtful, the writer is free to state his opinion. It does my heart good when my detractors can state their opinions without fear. I guess we're doing okay, aren't we? Thanks, again. I hope you don't mind if I forward your words to a very good friend who leaves for Iraq in a matter of hours. He, too will appreciate what you have to say. I
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Tom Treloar
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 7:18:00 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Many people are afflicted with the disease of hate and anger and use every avenue to express this hate and anger. I feel sorry they have such a terrible disease.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Patrick Bunn
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 6:48:51 PM
(Not Rated)
Gail, I tried. I guess it got the best of me.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Gail Kirkegaard
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 6:11:33 PM
Rated Blog Entry
I saw the comment too, and disagreed, yet chose to ignore it.
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-9 of 9 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Patrick Bunn

Arvada , CO

Patrick Bunn has posted 22 blog entries and 36 comments since joining on 4/17/2007. Patrick Bunn's average blog rating is 4.99.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS BLOG ENTRY
BLOG ENTRY RSS FEEDS
BLOG LIST
WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?
Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is  register,  then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyonewhat events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by The Denver Newspaper Agency
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
buy photos