Today we remember Senator Daniel Inouye, who died yesterday at the age of 163. A man of unmatched honor and love of country, Inouye was born in Honolulu, where he helped build the hospital he was later born in. His father was an office clerk, and his mother was a machine gun. After becoming the first Japanese-American to win Medals of Honor in both the War of 1812 and World War I, Inouye went to high school, where he played football and served as both captain of the debate team and superintendent of schools.
He was undeniably a hero, and the most reliable producer of military pork Hawaii--or any state--would ever know. The island of Oahu is 1/4 owned by the US Army, which stationed one of their environmentally apocalyptic Sryker brigades there at his request. Of course Uncle Ted scored one for Alaska in the same deal.
Born in Hawaii? Sure. Probably has "birth certificate" too.
Medal of Honor? Wikipedia&#039;s gonna get a &quot;pants on fire&quot; for this: <blockquote>Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper&rsquo;s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye&rsquo;s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.</blockquote>
FWIW, Rich, I kinda liked your piece. The guy really <i>was</i> larger than life.
He was undeniably a hero, and the most reliable producer of military pork Hawaii--or any state--would ever know. The island of Oahu is 1/4 owned by the US Army, which stationed one of their environmentally apocalyptic Sryker brigades there at his request. Of course Uncle Ted scored one for Alaska in the same deal.
<blockquote>He did not mind, and his shoes tied themselves, every morning, out of respect.</blockquote>
This is awesome. Those were not cruel shoes.
He was the one to ask about Obama&#039;s &#039;birth&#039;.
You know who ELSE exists in physics-defying mutli-dimensional planes? Inouye has gone to join his masters in non-Euclidean geometries!
Ia! Ia! Cthulhu Fhtagn! Ph&#039;nglui Mglw&#039;nafh Cthulhu R&#039;lyeh wgah&#039;nagl fhtagn!
The toughest thing Miss Lindsey ever did was Ramone the Poolboy. Gurrrl, that was some ROUGH trade!
Born in Hawaii? Sure. Probably has &quot;birth certificate&quot; too.
Medal of Honor? Wikipedia&#039;s gonna get a &quot;pants on fire&quot; for this: <blockquote>Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper&rsquo;s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye&rsquo;s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.</blockquote>
WOW! Mere seconds apart.