I'm Inspired By...

[PrimeTimer]

Do not know much about this man (yet) but his story inspires me. I guess because I had briefly lived in Laos during the Secret War and understand that the Hmong deserve our gratitude. Steve Ly is the new mayor of Elk Grove, California and...the first Hmong in US history to become a mayor. Want to appreciate America? Go visit Laos sometime.


http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/politics-government/article120220533.html

[MooseMom]

This man and his father probably wouldn't be allowed into the US these days.

Do you know how he became a citizen, by any chance?

[PrimeTimer]

From the article:

“When me and my dad watched these great speeches by President Ronald Reagan on television, I was enthralled by politics but I didn’t see anyone similar to me,” Ly recalled. “Still, my my dad forced me to watch news all the time. I hated it. He said his greatest accomplishment was to become an American citizen in 1995, and he voted in every election until his death in 2011.”

Like many Hmong from Laos, Ly’s father, Youchao Ly, fought in the CIA’s secret war against the Lao and Vietnamese communists. He flew with the Ravens, U.S. Air Force pilots who spotted the North Vietnamese army in Laos and then directed bombing raids.


-I would say that is "extreme vetting" and if entering the US for the first time today, Mr. Ly would have no problem. 

[MooseMom]

I DID read the article, hence my questions.

I am assuming that Youchao Ly was given leave to enter the US and to establish residency legally because of his participation in the CIA's secret war, and that is certainly fair.  He earned it.  Again, I am only assuming this as the article was not clear.  We all know that there are US military personnel who relied heavily on Arab translators who risked their lives to assist our soldiers in dangerous areas in the Middle East and Afghanistan and are therefore understandably unhappy that these same translators have not been allowed to relocate to the US.  Mr. Ly risked his life to be of service to the US as did many of these translators.  Why did Mr. Ly get to come to the US and these translators did not?  If someone has risked their life, yep, I'd agree that was "extreme vetting".

Perhaps President-Elect Trump will address our soldiers' concerns in this regard.

I'm just wondering these things out loud.  I don't in some way disapprove of the Lys.  Quite the opposite.  This is the kind of story that reminds us that you don't have to be WASP to be American, that America is not about race or ethnicity but is, rather, about an ideal.  You don't have to be born here to be a "real American", and your article proves this, so thank you. 

[Simon Dog]

While Trump is at it., he should make sure the military repatriates war dogs instead of leaving that to private fund raisers.

[kickingandscreaming]

While Trump is at it., he should make sure the military repatriates war dogs instead of leaving that to private fund raisers.

I agree.  I think it's absolutely shameful how our military dogs are used and abandoned.  But I don't get that Trump is much of an animal person.  Actually living things of all stripes don't seem to be high on his list of things he values.

[nursey66]

I think that most people don't make his list. , unless they have made a billion dollars or more !

[kickingandscreaming]

While Trump is at it., he should make sure the military repatriates war dogs instead of leaving that to private fund raisers.

SD and anyone who loves dogs and animals will be sickened to note that Herr Trump has now selected for Sec. of Agriculture a mam who wants to bring back all manner of inhumane animal practices  INLUDING supporting puppy mills.  How low can you go?!

[PrimeTimer]

I'm inspired by....my husband. He hates dialysis but complains very little about it. He goes to treatment 3x a week then goes about the rest of his life as normal. It's not that he's holding it all in or trying to be stoic because we do talk and confide in one another about it. He just doesn't complain much. What a guy! He's awe-inspiring to me.   


What or who are you inspired by?

[Xplantdad]

I am inspired by my daughter...daily. With all that she's been through in her short life, she still has a positive attitude. She has shown me what is important in life...and what isn't.

I do everything in my power to keep her away from toxic people-as she doesn't need that on top of everything else she has to deal with. Also, my wife-for putting up with me for 30 years!

[PrimeTimer]

I'm inspired by fellow member Xplantdad and his wife and their daughter Holly for their courage to go through a kidney transplant. That takes guts! 

I am also inspired by new member bhgammon for his strength and stamina to be his wife's care partner to do home hemo-dialysis. That not only takes guts too but a whole lotta love and effort! 

[Simon Dog]

I am inspired by my wife who is constantly resisting her strong desire to defenestrate my NxStage System 1 and Pure Flo.   She tells me the only reason she doesn't is because it is too heavy; will wreck the window and destroy the garden below but I suspect purer motives.

[Charlie B53]

defenestrate    LOL    Love the word.

Reminds me of one the the cable TV commercials, the TV coming out the window and crashing to the sidewalk.

I about choked when I first saw that.

Have to admit, some of the ad people do come up with the greatest things to get their point across.

[kristina]

I am inspired by my wife who is constantly resisting her strong desire to defenestrate my NxStage System 1 and Pure Flo.   She tells me the only reason she doesn't is because it is too heavy; will wreck the window and destroy the garden below but I suspect purer motives.

Crikey ! (= British expression of mild surprise ...)
... I was just looking up the meaning of "defenestrate" and Mr. Google says "remove or dismiss (someone) from a position of power or authority"
or "throw (something of someone) out of a window ...