AFN Freedom Radio 94.1--The Reality Zone w/SSgt Jeremy "The Motivator" Vought

We all live in the here and now, a reality. Hopefully your reality is positive, but if it's not, tune in to Marine Staff Sergeant Jeremy "The Motivator" Vought in The Reality Zone, every Sunday from 1230-1430. Staff Sergeant Vought, a 4341-Combat Correspondent and 4313-Broadcast Journalist, hails from Coudersport, Pennsylvania and has served his country since 2001 at Fort George Meade, MD; Camp Pendleton, California; Camp Smith, Hawaii; Syracuse University,NY; and Iraq. He is currently deployed from Washington D.C. where he serves as the Marine Corps News Broadcast Production Chief.

The Motivator brings a mix of uplifting, positive, alternative music to service members in Afghanistan. Spend two hours with The Motivator and enhance your reality.

Music includes: MercyMe, Skillet, U2, Kutless, DC Talk, Red, Newsboys, 3 Doors Down, Lifehouse, Third Day and Johnny Cash.

Video of The Motivator in action and highly caffeinated!

America’s Fourth Estate - The Press

America’s Fourth Estate 

Weapons of mass destruction, the semen stained blue dress, Watergate, Abu Ghraib, and the loss of public support for the Vietnam War – these are all situations where the Fourth Estate was an active participant. The Founding Fathers believed in the Fourth Estate. They set up protections within the Bill of Rights to shelter this estate. While they never used the term Forth Estate in the founding documents, they used another term – the Press. While it does have different meanings, the prominent definition in the United States is that the Fourth Estate is the institutionalized press or what we call today the mass media. 

In America, we have a three-branch system of government – the Executive branch (President), the Legislative branch (Congress), and the Judicial branch (Supreme Court). Each of these branches performs vital roles for our country. The term Fourth Estate, then, relates to the press being a bridge between the public and their three-branch government. While each of the three-branches is set up to act as a check and balance of power, the role of the press is to act as a fourth check on government. It is their job to be the people’s eyes and ears “over the Hill.” It often acts as the conduit between government and the public. The media encourage transparent accountability within democracy. Through their reporting of the actions of government officials, they can evoke strong public opinion, which in turn can force legal action for those who break the law or cause the officials under public pressure to change actions to better represent their constituents’ views. The Fourth Estate should not be confused with the Fourth Branch, though. While both can refer to the press, Fourth Estate means an independent estate while the Fourth Branch is known as an organization instep or even pulling strings in the background of government. Such examples of this Fourth Branch can include the public, the press, secret societies, special interest groups, lobbyists or other administrations within the government. For example, according to nonpartisan data from the Center for Responsive Politics, in 2010, organizations and industries spent more than three and a half billion dollars for lobby activities. This, in turn, certainly affected legislators to vote one way or another on particular bills. While both the Forth Estate and Forth Branch do invoke change, they go about it in different ways. 

Mass distribution of information and ideas are the bedrock to a civilized nation. The marketplace of ideas allows differing viewpoints to be heard. It allows false ideas and statements to be vetted and true ideas to be made stronger. The press is a vital tool to that marketplace of ideas. Take, for example,, the recent Trayvon Martin shooting by George Zimmerman. Because of the media reporting of this incident within the marketplace of ideas, people are talking about such things as self-defense, gun control, racial bias, gun freedom, Stand Your Ground laws, media bias, and racism in white and black communities. As we continue to discuss this incident, certain falsities and truths will be revealed through the discourse. 

While the term Fourth Estate does not have a clear origin, most history scholars note it coming from the late 1700s. Thomas Carlyle wrote of Edmund Burke using it in Great Britain in his 1841 book, On Heroes and Hero – Worship: 

Burke said that there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all. It is not a figure of speech, or witty saying; it is a literal fact, – very momentous to us in these times. (Carlyle 219) 

In one of the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, the British enacted the Stamp Act of 1765 on the Colonies. It required that all printed materials like books, newspapers, and other publications, be printed on special stamped paper bought from the British. It infuriated the colonists as it became a direct regulation on the distribution of ideas – many of which were critical of the British government. The newspapers took sides, and those loyal to the revolutionaries were crucial to mobilizing the people to rise up against the oppressive British rule. It allowed large-scale opinion to be heard by the masses. It was during this time that the American press realized and capitalized on the power that they possessed. 

Because of their great influence and assistance during the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers gave the press special protections within the Bill of Rights in the First Amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This especially protects the Fourth Estate from government regulation when it comes to content or opinion. 

The Fourth Estate has uncovered multitudes of government corruption, mismanagement, and crime throughout the country’s history. From the Washington Post uncovering the Watergate scandal and, in turn, forcing the resignation of President Richard Nixon to the media’s involvement during the Civil Rights Movement informing the public of the atrocities occurring to blacks in the South, the press performs a vital role to democracy and the marketplace of ideas. While not officially a part of the American government, the Fourth Estate is one of the foundations of American civilization. 

Works Cited 

Carlyle, Thomas. On Heroes and Hero - Worship. 1841. Web. 17 June 2012. <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1091/1091-h/1091-h.htm>

“Lobbying Database.” Center for Responsive Politics, 30 April 2012. Web. 23 June 2012. <http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/>

“The Benefits of Legal Gun Ownership in America”

“The Benefits of Legal Gun Ownership in America”

By:  Jeremy Vought

            

     She was beaten from behind and shoved inside her vehicle. Registered sex offender and escaped criminal Joe Covington wrestled and dominantly forced himself on top her. Today, Shirley Bennett is well. “I honestly believe I would not be here today if I didn’t have a gun,” Bennett told reporters with the Akron Beacon Journal last year (Trexler). George Washington once wrote, “The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” It was Bennett’s .38-caliber revolver that saved her last November in Ohio. The benefits of legal firearm ownership in America ensure the individual rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” from the United States Declaration of Independence are upheld and realized. 

     Personal gun ownership is key to the first inalienable right of “life.” Throughout history, humans have carried weapons for self-defense; they still do. In a U.S. Department of Justice study on guns in America, Cook and Ludwig (Pg. 8) show that in 1994 alone, over one million people used firearms to defend themselves, their families, or others from harm. Our founding fathers respected these important tools and placed a protection in the Bill of Rights, as the 2nd Amendment, so all people could protect their lives. Many who disagree with the personal carrying or ownership of firearms for self-defense often argue that it’s the police department’s job to protect citizens. Unfortunately, this line of thought is not probable. Attacks occur in seconds. In Atlanta alone, investigative news reports and standards from the Atlanta Police Department say that a 5-minute response is the standard for high priority 911 calls – a standard met only 9-percent of the time (Judd). Looking at police response times alone, any reasonable person should conclude that the police simply couldn’t be at all places preventing murder or assault on everyone. For that main reason, many people keep a firearm at home or carry a concealed weapon when away from their home in an effort to protect life. Opponents may argue against ownership saying, “What if these weapon-bearing individuals are careless with their firearms or may not be trained to use them?” First, there are laws on the books on the negligent or careless discharge of a firearm. Persons found negligent or careless should and are prosecuted. Owning a firearm comes the added responsibility to using it in accordance with the law of the land. It is much like the freedom of speech. There are still laws, which require speech to be responsible such as libel, slander, or screaming “fire” in a crowded movie theater. Secondly, nowhere in the Constitution does it say that a person must be trained to exercise a right. While most firearm owners will tell you training is imperative to the skill and safe deployment of a firearm for self-defense, very few will say that training should be a requirement. This train of thought in legalese is known as the “slippery slope.” Laws cannot prevent all unfortunate things from happening, which is why there are laws that can penalize an individual after committing a crime. 

     Gun ownership also plays into protecting the inalienable right of “liberty.” The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Having just fought against the forces of tyranny in the Revolutionary War, the founding fathers understood how important an armed population was to keeping their government from taking away their liberty. In a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Jefferson wrote that, “What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms” (“Quotes on the Second Amendment”). People may say that this is 2012, times have changed, and there is no longer a need for resistance. The Arab Spring in 2011 is a perfect example, though, of citizens sending very clear messages to their leaders about the direction of their country. The Civil War, in my opinion, was also resistance movement by both the Southern States and abolitionists. John Brown and his raid on Harper’s Ferry, for example, led the first armed resistance against slavery setting in motion the war to happen. Throughout history oppressive governments, as well as non-oppressive governments, have outlawed firearms for citizens. In turn, atrocities are nearly always carried out on the unarmed. After invading Russia, Hitler said, “The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so” (Browne). Liberties are nothing if they can’t be defended and fought for – arms allow that to happen. 

     Lastly, we come to the “pursuit of happiness” and how legal gun ownership can assist with this liberty. Plato once wrote, “The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily” (“Plato Quotes”). As Plato explains, self-reliance leads to happiness. Owning firearms can be one important aspect of self-reliance. A gun owner takes responsibility to protect himself, his family and his property. While studies like the 1993 New England Journal of Medicine “Gun Ownership as a Risk Factor for Homicide in the Home” paint a statistical picture of increased homicides by family members within a home with firearms, studies like this don’t go into the statistics of legal home-ownership of firearms. A majority of the cases in this study involve people with illicit drug use and past occurrences of physical abuse. Both of these factors would legally disqualify these felons from owning or being around firearms. Another part of the pursuit of happiness and self-reliance is that many gun owners are hunters. What then is more self-reliant than going into the forest, skillfully killing an animal to feed yourself and family? One deer can feed a small family for weeks or even a few months. Our founding fathers knew that self-reliant people who were free were a happy people, so they protected such things as speech, religion, and arms. 

     To Washington, "Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable.” From the founding of the United States to present, those indispensable traits of gun ownership still ring true. For Bennett, “I’m just glad I’m here today and not in the obituaries tomorrow.” 

Works Cited 

Browne, N.A. The Myth of Nazi Gun Control. Gun Cite, 21 July 2001. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcnazimyth.html>

Cook, Philip, and Jens Ludwig. Guns in America: National Survey on Private Ownership and Use of Firearms. U.S. Department of Justice. National Institute of Justice, May 1997. Web. 23 May 2012. <https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/165476.pdf>

Judd, Alan. “Calling 911, but where are the police?” Atlanta Journal Constitution 22 Nov 2009. Web. <http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/calling-911-but-where-208859.html>

Kellerman, Arthur, et al. “Gun Ownership as a Risk Factor for Homicide in the Home.” The New England Journal of Medicine 7 Oct 1993. Vol. 329 pg. 1804-91. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199310073291506>

“Plato Quotes.” Squidoo, n.d. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://www.squidoo.com/plato-quotes>

“Quotes on the Second Amendment.” Cap’n Ball’s Old West, n.d. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://cap-n-ball.com/fathers.htm>

Trexler, Phil. “Woman fires gun to ward off man trying to steal her car, Akron police say.” Akron Beacon Journal 12 Nov 2011. Web.
<http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/woman-fires-gun-to-ward-off-man-trying-to-steal-her-car-akron-police-say-1.244963>

Our SON is BORN!

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Off to Pakistan to help - August 3, 2010

3 August 2010

PAKISTAN FLOOD DEATH TOLL ‘PASSES 11000 - BBC

FOOD FEARS FOR PAKISTAN FLOOD SURVIVORS – AFP

FLOODS RAVAGE PAKISTAN VALLEY THAT ENDURED TALIBAN – AP

Hello from Afghanistan. I’m a Marine Corps broadcast journalist and I have the best job in the military: I get to report on what U.S. service members are doing night and day to answer those recent headlines above.

There’s a good chance I could be classified as the walking dead right now, but it’s completely worth it! I’ve been up three days straight with very little sleep. I got the awesome opportunity to report on a group of airmen in a C-17 that delivered relief, via food and shelter, to the people of Pakistan devastated by historic flooding.

At AFN (American Forces Network) Afghanistan, we cover everything from combat operations to humanitarian missions. I’m always amazed at how fast the American military can spin up to provide help to those most affected by natural disasters. The strength, determination and resolve of individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines make me proud to be a part of the brotherhood.

Always being ready is key to our job – you never know when news will break. It’s up to us to be there to cover and tell the public what happened. I was notified about a mission into Pakistan to deliver thousands of pounds of food, late one afternoon. After some scrambling and coordination, I had all my gear and was on the Bagram Air Field flight line covering U.S. soldiers taking boxes and boxes full of Halal (culturally sensitive) Meals Ready to Eat (or MRE’s) and creating huge pallets to load on to Air Force cargo aircraft.

I got to interview soldiers who had been working the last three nights to support the Pakistanis. Always

looking for the next best different shot, I climbed up a metal beam structure and shot some great angles. I even shot the stand-up for ABC Nightly News reporter, Nick Schifrin, for this video story that aired on ABC later that night. When he saw me hanging up there for a shot, he had to have the same. (Marines lead the way!!)

After some 75-thousand pounds of food was loaded into the Charleston, S.C. based C-17, we taxied down the Bagram flight line and started our trek. I was surprised the ride was so short. It only took us 45-minutes to get to Peshawar International Airport in Pakistan.

Tensions and excitement were high as none of us had ever stepped foot into Pakistan – but when we did, we felt it. Immediately the sweat started pouring; not from the 60 pounds of gear on me but the incredible humidity. I’ve been to the Philippines, and all around the Pacific, yet nothing compared

to the humidity in Pakistan. We definitely didn’t expect it, since we were so close to neighboring Afghanistan. What made things worse was the transition from a nice, cold, aircraft cargo bay to a ninety percent humidity, stuffy tarmac. My video camera lens fogged up so badly I couldn’t shoot any usable footage for nearly15-minutes until both myself and the camera got acclimated!

Once I did get ‘rolling’ again, it was great to see the interactions between the Pakistani reps and the Americans. No matter what language barriers exist, the thing I’ve always learned is that a smile can break down barriers and say it all. That’s what I saw a lot of this night.

After three hours on the ground we said our goodbyes, pulled up chalks and flew away. The magnitude of the disaster was great, but "hopefully" everyone thought this flight, our efforts, would help some. It was two in the morning by the time the plane even took off and I used the 45 minutes of travel time to execute a combat nap. I didn’t wake until we hit the 9-thousand feet of concrete back on Afghanistan on Bagram Air Field.

I must say, while the trip was short, it meant a lot to me to be able to go. Not only to say I’ve been to Pakistan, but to say I was involved in a humanitarian mission from the USA. While I didn’t fly the plane, load the supplies or unload the supplies – it was my mission to document and bring the great work of our troops back home. I was honored to be a part of it.

God Bless,

SSgt Jeremy Vought

Afghanistan Freedom Watch Update - July 16, 2010

Today's newscast hosted by Marine SSgt Jeremy Vought.

"HAPPY FATHERS DAY"

20 June 2010

It is Sunday here and I have much of the day off. I woke up late, went for my first run (felt like I haven't run in months) and here sitting on my rack. Today is my time to reflect as a father, son and grandson.

I thank God for my father. It was God who gave I him: God who gave he I; but he who introduced Jesus to I - the greatest gift a father can give his children. I didn't grow up in the richest family. He worked hard to provide for us and for that I'm grateful. Times may have been tough occasionally, but I always had food in my belly and a roof over my head. From an early age we knew the Bible stories and songs. I still have recordings of my father playing the guitar and me singing a Bible song - my mother helping me in the background. Memories like that stick. He gave me a love for music, the outdoors, family and sports.

Going through the rough adolescent years as I pushed away, I wish I would have learned more from him and stuck closer. For that I'm sorry Dad. He is the first person I call for advice and counsel. I would trust his word above just about everyone's. He has been a great Christian man in my life and I thank God for that gift. I recently heard a quote about the luck of a person: "Being lucky is being born in the United States to two loving, dedicated parents." I am lucky. Thank you Dad. I love you. Wish I could be there now to tell you in person.

As a father now, it is my duty to do all the things and provide for my daughter just like my father raised me. I have so much room to grow, but with God's (and my beautiful wife's) helpI will get there. To my, Alyssa. I love you and am so proud to be your father. Everything changed the day I first saw her. It is truly a transforming experience.

Also, to my Grandfathers. You men have both shaped me, guided me and loved me. The memories I have with each of you will stick for a lifetime. Thank you for those. You've both been an integral part of my life as well.

I love you all.