Iraq.
A single Humvee with 10 soldiers aboard was making its way along a stretch of highway performing some sort of routine operation, but it didn't stay routine. A small IED detonated under the vehicle, instantly destroying three tires, bringing the heavy truck to a stop and seriously injuring the roof gunner. The vehicle then came under small arms fire from 10 enemy fighters. In their youth and inexperience, and the shock of the explosion, all the fighters were disoriented, some frozen in shock - except for one. This one climbed to the roof gunner and pulled him behind the vehicle where he had directed the rest of the troops to seek protection from the assault. This done, he climbed back into the turret while dodging fire, turned the M2 .50 caliber automatic rifle into the fight and engaged the enemy, killing all 10.
This same young man went on to earn a number of awards as a result of his service.
Perhaps the most significant event during his time in country occurred on December 22, 2004.
The son of a woman who has known a great deal of suffering, and a woman of faith in Jesus Christ, he was the object of regular prayer from this mother who treasured her children above all else. This she did regularly, but on one day in this December, she was particularly moved to avail herself to the Holy Spirit. She had no idea why . . .
A day, maybe a week later, her son was on his way to the mess tent when he experienced a flat tire on his vehicle. Experienced, it only took him 15 minutes to change the tire and finish his journey. What he couldn't know was that this flat tire saved his life, for had he reached the chow line on time, he would have been sitting with two buddies when a filthy terrorist in an allied uniform detonated an explosive he was wearing, killing 20 soldiers, including his two friends. Undoubtedly, he would have been among the dead. Proof of answered prayer? There is no such thing, but I know what I believe.
I could go on with another example or two, but what I've related so far says enough.
So what's the point here?
This same young man experienced a great deal of learning difficulties as a young fellow in school. Dyslexia was a serious impediment, but in general he was the kind of kid who was tagged as "learning disabled". He hated school, and no wonder - he wasn't made for it, nor it him. But he suffered through it, eventually being released from the torment of being required to do something that he wasn't created for, as well as something that wasn't necessary.
So here's what I want you to do: I want you to be very careful to never say in my presence anything that would suggest that just because a young boy or girl doesn't do well in school it is automatically an indication that there is some deficiency in the child. I realize there are some children who have genuine problems brought on by serious health issues. But that is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the stupidity that expects all children to meet some arbitrary definition of normalcy, of "not being left behind". This young man can read and write just fine, thank you, as well as do anything else he needs to do, and all without meeting virtually any of the standard goals of government education.
So again, be careful what you say around me about kids being "learning disabled" just because they can't satisfy some moronic standard of learning - I don't want you getting upset if I decide to backhand you across the mouth for your ignorance. I'm sick of our kids being forced into cookie-cutters just to satisfy some worthless bureaucrat's definition of what is normal for a child to learn, and I'm sick of people going along with it.
If you have a kid who's lousy at school. take him or her out. Find out what he or she is good at - and you can count on the fact that they are good at any number of things - and make a way for them to do that.
I believe Buckminster Fuller was exactly right - "Every child is born a genius, but is swiftly degeniused by unwitting humans . . . "
Enough of this lunacy. We've already done enough damage.
Oh, and for what it's worth, there is nothing fictional about the young man I described. He is the son of a woman I know well, and she told me his story.
