When I went to visit the replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, I was reminded of our military and the brave men and women who have served in all the wars and conflicts our nation has engaged in.

The United States Military is the best military in the modern world no doubt. But the Roman Army was the best military force in the Ancient World.

The Roman Empire at its peak, ruled over 43 countries. An outstanding feat in its day and to this day. The Roman Empire lasted over 2,000 years. The United States is 231 years old!!

I hope you are enjoying the video I put on the Roman Army. Now here are some interesting facts.

 Despite what you see on TV or in the movies (most recently, the Gladiator), Roman soldiers were NOT allowed to marry until they left the military service, which lasted AT LEAST 25 years!! Here is the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans/army.shtml

Now it looks like another “discussion” may be brewing with the New Haven Register over their comments about moi (me). (Remember the last one was about the “sign” on the telephone poll.

 Apparently Mr. Turmille, the Register reporter who covers Cheshire, was at the Candidates Debate night on Oct. 25th. And, he heard me give my answer about the Cheshire Community Pool issue.

 Now look, I am not trying to take anything away from anyone. I don’t bash anyone, I state my platform and move forward. But, nowhere in the Nov. 3rd article on the Cheshire Town Council Debates does he even mention anything that I said about the pool. I have been saying for years, at least since 2005 when I aired my public access show “Dangerous Intersections and THE POOL” about putting in a snack bar, putting up a sign on Rt. 10, getting sponsors.

But because the Register considers me to be a “gadfly” which is an irritating person (well, I guess I am a persistent irritant to many), I guess my opinions don’t count. I just got a small mention at the bottom of the article about my gadflyness.

You know, I don’t understand people. I remember when I covered Orange, there was a man named Dan Presnick, who passed away not long ago, that would go to EVERY meeting. Sometimes he would make a scene. Sometimes he would get arrested. I used to bring a camera to the Selectman meetings because one never knew whether he would be escorted out of the meeting in handcuffs.

I remember he would always come into the room yelling. But you know, deep down, I saw what he was trying to do. I NEVER EVER called this man a gadfly or a troublemaker. I saw him as someone who cared about his community. He cared so deeply that he became emotional about it. Many people tuned him out, right or wrong. But it was funny, when he died I remember people praising him in the media. Some of the same people who looked down on him.

Oh, but in reality in Cheshire, the powers that be have to admit that some of the troublemakers suggestions are not off base. For example, this overtaxing issue. My HUSBAND figured that one out. Now everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon.

I am not saying the other candidates don’t care about our community. They do. I have nothing against anyone. But it seems these days when people try to speak out and they are not in the status quo, we are “troublemakers” or “gadflys” or “not credible.”

Well you know what, I have been getting a ton of phone calls about what I said at the Candidates debate about the pool, i.e. putting up a sign for starters. And the Register may be right. This pool may be what does decide who gets on the Town Council. Maybe not.

There is also the issue of  who should take credit for the senior tax freeze. It is a popular topic now, but a few years ago, you might as well have been talking about crabs, (and I don’t mean the crustaceans), that is how popular that topic was then.

I am going to tell you who got the freeze: who had the courage to step up and initiate this: Tom Ruocco-Steve Carroll-Dave Orsini-Mrs. Ellen Carson-Mr. Phil Coppetto-Mr. Bob Korten-Mr. Derf Kleist and Ms. Gadfly Irritant. Are names missing–hell yeah!!

I might get 10 votes, but you know what, I am glad I did what I did. Even though the Herald says I am too assertive for Cheshire and the Register calls me an irritant!! Whatever.

When you went to the Wall, do you want to know why it was not longer with more names? Because the irritants and the troublemakers went out in the streets and stopped it. They stopped the war!! Now, I am supporting all military personnel. I love all of the veterans with my heart and that part of the Vietnam era  where some people spit on our veterans was shameful and disgusting.

These men were drafted and did their duty for their country. If anyone should be getting a lifetime tax exemption it should be the Veterans. Our government should be giving Veterans free housing also. Our government does not do nearly enough for them. No one in their right minds would begrudge paying more to honor them.

But there is a place for in our society for watchdogs and people who speak out. As I have said in the past on this and my older Undergroundtownhall website, women have the right to work, have bank accounts, own property and vote because of the irritant gadflys and the troublemakers who took the time to speak out. We have unions that many of you town employees are members of, because of the same gadfly troublemakers OK??

We do not have involuntary servitude in this nation because of the same troublemakers. And um, the name of our country–the United States–was formed by the following people who in their day, as I said before, were considered wanted men in England, troublemakers and gadflys–George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, Ethan Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Payne, etc. OK??

Thank you and you know I will be calling Luther Turmille on Monday.