US Politics

America’s Favourite Community Organiser

John McCain you are a clear and present danger to the United States. The Republican convention was conducted in an atmosphere more reminiscent of Germany’s Nuremburg SS & SA rallies of the 1930’s under Adolf Hitler. It was an ominous spectacle. We must not forget the gawking, mocking performance of Mr ”Rude”Guiliani and the new sop aimed at the women of America, Ms Predator Palin. Apart from her aggressive body language and snide remarks when denouncing the achievements of Barack Obama, Palin managed to read words from the teleprompter so well, anyone would think they were her own.

When Guiliani and Sarah Palin also derided Barack Obama for working as a community organiser to help the poor and unemployed in Chicago after leaving Harvard University, magna cum laude, they succeeded in showing every American that they had no idea of how communities actually function, what they need to do to survive, and the vital role community organisers play in the scheme of things. No wonder Katrina was a disaster on a different scale. Ignorance of such fundamental but important matters could prove to be the Republicans undoing on November 4th. By attempting to denigrate Barack Obama’s work in the Chicago community, Republicans unwittingly display both ignorance and arrogance. John McCain your convention was all talk – But not straight talk!

As a Community organiser, Barack is in pretty good company!                

 

Jimmy Stewart at war / A brief snapshot of a great American

Stewart successfully enlisted in the Army in March 1941. He became the first major American movie star to wear a military uniform in World War II.

Since the United States had not entered the conflict and the Army was unwilling to put celebrities on the front lines, Stewart was initially held back from combat duty. Although he enlisted as a private, he earned a commission as a second lieutenant and completed pilot training. During training, his previous experience as a pilot was downplayed by him as he was concerned that his expertise would relegate him to instructor duties “behind the lines.”^[31] His fears were confirmed when he was subsequently stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, becoming an instructor pilot for the B-17 Flying Fortress.

“Still, the war was moving on. For the 36-year-old Stewart, combat duty seemed far away and unreachable and he had no clear plans for the future. But then a rumor that Stewart would be taken off flying status and assigned to making training films or selling bonds called for his immediate and decisive action, because what he dreaded most was the hope-shattering spectre of a dead end.”^[33] So he appealed to his commander, a pre-war aviator, who understood the situation and reassigned him to a unit going overseas.

In August 1943 he was finally assigned to the 445th Bombardment Group in Sioux City, Iowa, first as Operations Officer of the 703rd Bombardment Squadron and then its commander. In December, the 445th Bombardment Group flew its B-24 Liberator bombers to RAF Tibenham, England and immediately began combat operations. While flying missions over Germany, Stewart was promoted to Major.

In March 1944, he was transferred as group operations officer to the 453rd Bombardment Group, a new B-24 unit that had been experiencing difficulties. As a means to inspire his new group, Stewart flew as command pilot in the lead B-24 on numerous missions deep into Nazi-occupied Europe. These missions went uncounted at Stewart’s orders. His “official” total is listed as 20 and is limited to those with the 445th. In 1944, he twice received the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in combat and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. He also received the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. In July 1944, after flying 20 combat missions, Stewart was made Chief of Staff of the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing of the Eighth Air Force. Before the war ended, he was promoted to colonel, one of only a few Americans to rise from private to colonel in four years.

Stewart continued to play an active role in the United States Air Force Reserve after the war, achieving the rank of Brigadier General on 23 July 1959. Stewart did not often talk of his wartime service, perhaps due to his desire to be seen as a regular soldier doing his duty instead of as a celebrity.

Brig. Gen. James Maitland StewartUnited States Air Force
Col. James M. Stewart
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force Reserve United States Army Air Corps
Years of service	1941–1968
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	World War II Vietnam War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal (4) Army Commendation Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal Presidential Medal of Freedom French Croix de Guerre with Palm

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