In the weeks since the Benghazi incident exploded on the pages of America’s newspapers and cable news networks, I have been trying to understand why this event generates so much heat. It should be understood that, like members of the military, foreign service personnel sign on with the understanding that “shit” happens in and around ambassadorial posts around the world from time to time.
Yes, it is unfortunate that 4 lives were lost in the attack on the Benghazi CONSULATE (not embassy) but no more so than the lives of America’s fighting men in Afghanistan and
other places around the world. A consulate is not manned to the extent that an embassy might be. I have seen consulates in various places around the world that were housed in a residential area in large houses. If one did not know where they were, he/she would be hard pressed to find them. Yes, shit happens and things go awry. If you think this is bad, try a military operation. But the politicos and pundits do not find such death and dying of little interest. It sickens me that there are those who would attempt to politicize this issue for political gain. For example, go to C-Span and locate the Issa committee inquisition; witness the frothing Republicans drooling and slobbering all over themselves claiming to get to the root of the problem. Why the witnesses allow themselves to be disrespected as they are before this inquisition is beyond me.
What is amusing is the fact that two weeks from now this event will be water under the dam, and the records of the Issa hearings will be archived in the bowels of the Library of Congress.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
On America’s Future as a “Democracy????”
At this point in time America is preoccupied with the upcoming presidential election. The campaigns are fraught with the rhetoric of everything from jingoist nationalism to rights that are "God given," American exceptionalism" and the notion that America's democracy has produced the greatest government in the history of mankind.
Upon a critical examination of America's version of democracy it is my view that before considering the efficacy of that noted above, that it be understood that democracy, American style, has reached a point where it has risen from the depths of authoritarian Monarchy to a level where it has leveled off (plateau) and moved into a self-destructive phase.
Witness, for example, the affects of the Citizens decision on the electoral process. When discussing this with my students, they overwhelmingly conclude that America is headed for plutocratic governance. Moreover; consider the influence of ALEC on state legislative policy outcomes. Witness the machinations of Republican State Legislative bodies who, through "democratic processes" have emasculated the rights of working class Americans to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. And, in a direct assault on one of the most cherished "rights" i.e., the right to vote, witness the attempts at voter suppression of large segments of the American population.
In short, it seems that "democracy" (left alone) will rise to a level wherein the freedoms provided therein and utilized within the framework of the Constitution, will self-destruct if some of the curbs provided by Socialism are not exacted in terms of curbing the excessive use of "democratic rights and liberties, the unregulated practices of Capitalism notwithstanding.
The right to "keep and bear arms" the right to "organize" has come together to witness the rise of seriously demented, seriously armed hate groups who are preparing for the great (inevitable) race war. These are but a few examples of how the freedoms guaranteed under America's system of governance will lead to her self-destruction. Enough for now. Hope this will provide those who might read the above commentary food for thought.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Arkansas State Rep: ‘If Slavery Were So God-Awful, Why Didn’t Jesus Or Paul Condemn It?’
After Arkansas Republicans disavowed a book by state representative Jon Hubbard (R-AK) claiming slavery was “a blessing in disguise” for African Americans, Hubbard’s colleague, state Rep. Loy Mauch (R-AK) has been outed by the Arkansas Times for his pro-slavery, pro-Confederacy letters to the editor over the past decade. Mauch’s run for reelection this year is [...]/p
The above article illustrates just how sick America has become. And if you think I am over-generalizing, think again. After all this individual did not just pop up in the Arkansas state legislature, someone elected him. His sick references to "Jesus" and the Constitution should be enough to turn the stomachs of anyone who would claim to be a "Christian." Think about this creeps logic, I wonder what his thoughts are in terms of the "Holocaust" Jesus didn't make some sort of proclamation regarding the killing of some six million plus Jews. And how about the murders of Bosnian and Serbian Muslims just 20 odd years ago. And of course, given this creeps views toward Americans of African descent, he would no doubt find the wholesale slaughter in Ruwanda was prophetic.
It is sorry that a review of reported racially charged commentary since the election of America's first Black President reveals an ever-increasing boldness in the racially tinged language of those who have heretofore been residing under the slimiest of rocks in America's swamps. Where is this country going? This at a time when Republicans and its party leadership are running about the country proclaiming "American exceptionalism" and the " inalienable, God given rights" that gives the Arkansas creeps license to "go public" with their beliefs.
The future hangs in the balance but, one thing is certain; if Barack Obama is re-elected president of the United States, things will get worse. Good Luck America!!!!!!!
The above article illustrates just how sick America has become. And if you think I am over-generalizing, think again. After all this individual did not just pop up in the Arkansas state legislature, someone elected him. His sick references to "Jesus" and the Constitution should be enough to turn the stomachs of anyone who would claim to be a "Christian." Think about this creeps logic, I wonder what his thoughts are in terms of the "Holocaust" Jesus didn't make some sort of proclamation regarding the killing of some six million plus Jews. And how about the murders of Bosnian and Serbian Muslims just 20 odd years ago. And of course, given this creeps views toward Americans of African descent, he would no doubt find the wholesale slaughter in Ruwanda was prophetic.
It is sorry that a review of reported racially charged commentary since the election of America's first Black President reveals an ever-increasing boldness in the racially tinged language of those who have heretofore been residing under the slimiest of rocks in America's swamps. Where is this country going? This at a time when Republicans and its party leadership are running about the country proclaiming "American exceptionalism" and the " inalienable, God given rights" that gives the Arkansas creeps license to "go public" with their beliefs.
The future hangs in the balance but, one thing is certain; if Barack Obama is re-elected president of the United States, things will get worse. Good Luck America!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Founder Of Obama Swift Boating Group: ‘I’m A Birther’
Founder Of Obama Swift Boating Group: ‘I’m A Birther’: pOn Wednesday, a group of former intelligence and Special Forces operatives released a 22-minute video accusing President Obama of jeopardizing sensitive information in order to take credit for the killing of Osama bin Laden. OPSEC, as they call themselves, is one of several new groups dedicated to attacking Obama on military issues, specifically on the [...]/p My question is this: Where are the cracks from which these worms emerge?
Friday, March 2, 2012
Huckabee and Rational Actors
Just finished reading an article posted in the Washington Times by former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. In his article, he claims to have touched base with members of the Israeli Knesset, Israeli Rabbis, Arab Israelis, Christian Israelis, and Muslim merchants. He claims that the Israeli population take the Iranian development of nuclear weapons and their threat to wipe Israel off the map with greater seriousness than does the Obama administration. Well, duh!!!!
He has a problem with U.S. General Martin Dempsey’s characterization of Iran as a “rational actor.” Of course Huckabee has little to no idea what “rational actor” is within the context of the Dempsey statement. After a long discourse on the claims made by the Iranian government, i.e., denying the Holocaust, hanging some Christian pastor, phony elections, and shooting civilians in the streets during protest, Huckabee cites this behavior as evidence of the Iranians being not rational; such a country is “recklessly dangerous” according to this foreign policy specialist.:-
Of course from Mr. Huckabee’s description, it is clear that he has little to no idea what the term “rational actor” means. In the realm of international politics and affairs, a “rational actor” is a state that behaves in its own best interest. That is; a state will not do something that is not in its best interest, and that includes decisions to go to war, instigate a nuclear war if the results may mean its own self destruction. A nation may threaten such behavior if it is likely to gain some strategic point. Consider the North Korean behavior where they will acquire food from the U.S. for cessation of its nuclear development. For Iran, at some point, their threats wiill have little effect especially as the sanctions continue to tighen.
What Huckabee fails to understand is the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons, especially if two states have nuclear weapons and are confronting one another. The U.S. – USSR history of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) should inform this would-be foreign policy expert. He and his ilk should get off of the “scare” box and get real about what is going on in that part of the world. Mr. Huckabee might want to be concerned by reports that the Israeli government will not warn the U.S. in event it should strike Iranian nuclear cites. Why does this clown fail to address this possibility. It is about time that American spokespersons begin to consider these possibilities and the implications that fall from Israeli behavior.
He has a problem with U.S. General Martin Dempsey’s characterization of Iran as a “rational actor.” Of course Huckabee has little to no idea what “rational actor” is within the context of the Dempsey statement. After a long discourse on the claims made by the Iranian government, i.e., denying the Holocaust, hanging some Christian pastor, phony elections, and shooting civilians in the streets during protest, Huckabee cites this behavior as evidence of the Iranians being not rational; such a country is “recklessly dangerous” according to this foreign policy specialist.:-
Of course from Mr. Huckabee’s description, it is clear that he has little to no idea what the term “rational actor” means. In the realm of international politics and affairs, a “rational actor” is a state that behaves in its own best interest. That is; a state will not do something that is not in its best interest, and that includes decisions to go to war, instigate a nuclear war if the results may mean its own self destruction. A nation may threaten such behavior if it is likely to gain some strategic point. Consider the North Korean behavior where they will acquire food from the U.S. for cessation of its nuclear development. For Iran, at some point, their threats wiill have little effect especially as the sanctions continue to tighen.
What Huckabee fails to understand is the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons, especially if two states have nuclear weapons and are confronting one another. The U.S. – USSR history of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) should inform this would-be foreign policy expert. He and his ilk should get off of the “scare” box and get real about what is going on in that part of the world. Mr. Huckabee might want to be concerned by reports that the Israeli government will not warn the U.S. in event it should strike Iranian nuclear cites. Why does this clown fail to address this possibility. It is about time that American spokespersons begin to consider these possibilities and the implications that fall from Israeli behavior.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sack Lunch: A Human Interest Story
Sack Lunches: A Human Interest Story
Posted on December 5, 2010. Filed under: Blogroll | Edit This
Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned
seat. It was going to be a long flight.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and
filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
“We’re being deployed to Afghanistan,” they said.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached our destination. I decided a lunch would help pass the time.
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if
he planned to buy lunch. “No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.
It probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait until we get to base.”
His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked
to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. “Take a lunch to all of those soldiers.” She grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly, her eyes wet with tears. “My son was a soldier in Iraq and it’s almost like you are doing this for him.”
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, “Which do you like best – beef or chicken?”
“Chicken,” I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.
“This is your thanks.”
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. “I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.” He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the seat numbers. When he got to my row, he stopped, smiled, and held out his hand. ”I
want to shake your hand.” Quickly unfastening my seatbelt, I stood and took the Captain’s hand.
With a booming voice he said, “I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.” I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He
left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed, I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them, handed them seventy-five dollars and said “It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.”
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of up to and including my life.’
Honor Our Soldiers!
As a retired U.S. Army veteran I found this story particularly touching in view of my return from Viet Nam experience.
Posted on December 5, 2010. Filed under: Blogroll | Edit This
Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned
seat. It was going to be a long flight.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and
filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
“We’re being deployed to Afghanistan,” they said.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached our destination. I decided a lunch would help pass the time.
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if
he planned to buy lunch. “No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.
It probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait until we get to base.”
His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked
to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. “Take a lunch to all of those soldiers.” She grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly, her eyes wet with tears. “My son was a soldier in Iraq and it’s almost like you are doing this for him.”
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, “Which do you like best – beef or chicken?”
“Chicken,” I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.
“This is your thanks.”
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. “I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.” He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the seat numbers. When he got to my row, he stopped, smiled, and held out his hand. ”I
want to shake your hand.” Quickly unfastening my seatbelt, I stood and took the Captain’s hand.
With a booming voice he said, “I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.” I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He
left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed, I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them, handed them seventy-five dollars and said “It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.”
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of up to and including my life.’
Honor Our Soldiers!
As a retired U.S. Army veteran I found this story particularly touching in view of my return from Viet Nam experience.
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