STORMIN NORMAN

Stormin General Norman Schwartzkopf stormed into? He served two tours in Vietnam (earning three Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and three Distinguished Service Medals) To any Vietnam combat vet, the first thing we say, no disrespect intended, how the f..k can a Lieutenant Colonel be awarded three silver stars. He was a battalion commander, not a grunt who should have been awarded medals and who usually got s..t. Know why? Nobody was looking after the grunt. Somebody was looking after Stormin Norman.

The first time I had ever heard of him was when he was contacted by the mother of one of his troops in Vietnam. The mother was someway like Pat Tillman's mom (Remember, he was an NFL player who gave up a promising career to become an Army Ranger and go to Afghanistan) whose son was killed by friendly fire probably but reported as hostile fire. I hate to be the military's advocate, as I am better suited in an adversarial role; but often the military at war tries to do the right thing. Most casualties are reported as hostile fire. Their thinking: (nobody admits this. In Vietnam we always said, hostile fire! )Parents and loved ones surely will feel better about their incalculable loss knowing they were killed in the line of battle. What parent or sweetheart would want to know their soldier died at the hands of fellow soldier. Negligence, dereliction of duty at war is a different thing but an accident is an accident. Hostile fire! Apparently the mother as related to Schwartzkopf was not satisfied. A reporter, I think, wrote a book about the soldier, Friendly Fire. I first read the article I think at the Command and General staff College. The article was not favorable to the military and shouted, "cover-up." An apocrypha story which I'm not sure is true but the mother took the money from her insurance and had tiny crosses placed all around the City Hall of Davenport, Iowa. (not sure) This single act is credited with lighting a fire under the anti war movement.

All that aside and as we say in NC, never speak ill of the dead. If so, Stormin Norman, sorry and God bless you on your journey..

Movie Reviews

ARGO Suspenseful and based on a somewhat implausible story. So improbable that it was true. Ben Afflick playing the part of an CIA agent heading up a rescue attempt of six Americans who managed to escape Iran--remember the hostage crisis. The Six were hiled up in the Canadian Embassy. One of the few times my brother and I saw things differently. Could have been that Vietnam was pretty close to me. My brother, Raz, a big Jimmy Carter fan, felt that we should have forcefully gone after them. I think Carter did the best thing. I heard an interview with him recently talking about it when he said that he told Iran, "if you harm any of the hostages, I am sending in the 82d Airborne.

LINCOLN. I didn't care much for the movie. Daniel Day-Lewis looked like him for sure. I've read lots of Lincoln and I didn't think this movie cast him in a good light. Sure, those who see a dysfunctional Congress as we now have would say we need a Lincoln. Who can dispute that? But, I have always thought of Lincoln as bigger than life, making right decisions way above petty politics. This movie cut him down to human and I didn't like it.

Jango. Typical Terantino movie. Blood and guts everywhere. A kind of Western in the format of No Country For Old Men. Everybody killed but the Director. What made the movie worth it for me was to see how awful we treated slaves. I have to assume that it was historically accurate. It made me ashamed to be a Southerner. We should be paying "reparations" to African Americans. Watching the movie, I wanted to hide under a rock. There was one scene where some stereotypical Southern begot, fat, beaded is whipping a slave while carrying one of these old fashioned dog eared Bible, quoting the Old Testament.

Terantino is apparently taking a page from Hitchcock where he put himself in the movie. What the movie did for me and maybe the Director had this in mind: make us feel so bad that our whole attitude changes , if need be, toward our fellow AA Brothers.

The Generals

Time Magazine recently did an article which basically said, what is going on with the generals. I wrote a letter to the Editor. I do this all the time and they are rarely published. It is why I love blogging. Always published and for me personally, I don't give a f..k if it is read or not. Here it is. Oh, another thing. I like most Americans who care (and not all do) am in a day of mourning. My heart is broken over this senseless shooting in Conneticut. There are idiots like Huckabie who are f..king stupid MFers who will say anything to get some attention. What in the f..k does prayer in the classroom have to do with this national hurt (I love to cuss but seem to be worse today because I am angry). Anyway,

TO TIME MAGAZINE. Thank you for the excellent article about the Generals. It was good but didnot go nearly far enough. The blame for our debacles in Iraq and Afghanisyan can be directly laid at the feet of these assholes, I think. They gave these rosy reports and invented terms like the "surge" which the American people who care (and not all do) swallowed hook, line, and sinker because they didn't know any better. The surge worked, not because of more soldiers but because we separated the warring factions and paid off those that had been fighting us and let them join our side. It worked for awhile but over the long haul, I doubt it, based on the violence that still racks Iraq.

The President and most of Congress have no real military experience and can be led around by the nose which the generals have done. The first time I noticed this was when they had a Pat Tillman hearing before Congress (Part of a documentary about Tillman. Very good and I recommend). The Generals showed up with all their salad. That is what we call the decorations adorning their uniform. We know the Army loves badges and patches, Petraeus is a good example (Time showed his uniform, should have tipped us off early on as to his character, modesty surely on a holiday). A general can decide what patches and badges to wear or none. For instance, Petraeus (not from this hearing but other times) uniform has it all--at the hearing, the generals looked like preening peacocks. The Congressional hearing spent most of the time bowing and scraping. I have never felt so badly for a family.

We need serious military reform and I don't see it on the horizon. What a lame excuse that someone like Gates gave: didn't want to take them on. There are many things that we need to do and the first place to start is by culling the numbers of generals we have. Here are a few more reform ideas: provide more Inspector Generals to investigate questionable actions of any form. And, they need to be free of military influence. Get real about honest care of the soldier. There is a saying, "nothing is too good for the soldier and that is what he gets, nothing. The military talks a hell of a lot more about doing than they actually do for the soldier. Civilians don't really know anything about soldiers lives. Soldiers and families live on posts, often have their own schools for kids and in many ways are a sub culture. And, assholes like Rumsfelt makes major changes in the lives of soldiers and nobody even questions, much less notices. He consolidated several posts and took out of the communities any identification with the military as the communities never see a military uniform. This is the unintended consequences. There are some things where consolidation would be a good idea. Do we really need all three military academies: Air Force, Army, Navy. We would save billions by consolidating. Think that will ever happen? LOL! This is the last one: stay the hell out of wars. We cannot continue to do this. I am not talking isolation. We will continue to engage with the world but we need major retrenchment. For once in our lives, let's let experience teach us. The Arab Spring has done fine without us. Iraq is over and most Iraqis would prefer to have Saddam back. We got nothing but loss of young Andrican lives. We didn't even get a break on oil. Afghanistan. If we stay there a hundred years, we could not materially bring about change, much less democracy. We have poured in billions and seen those dollars disappear into the black holes of the country. God bless us.

GRIEF

Recently at the Kim Girls Barber Shop in North Beach, (San Francisco) to a person, the patrons sincerely lamented the National Tragedy of the school shooting. We all were grieving about the kids. Unspeakable.

How can parents handle grief. They can't. All they can do is get through it. And all, will handle their grief in different ways. And, the national media attention is a "given" for which I have mixed emotions. For some, it is OK, they will talk about their kids. The President speaks. But, maybe for some, the attention will be intrusive? If it were me, I could not stand the barrage of questions, the trying to make sense of the happenings. Some reporter, doing their job but still intrusive, asking, probing. I want to go off by myself, scream, curse and be left alone until I am ready which may be never. I can only relate the feeling to losing my best friend in Vietnam. I had gone on R&R (rest and relaxation. It was a seven day leave). When I left on the chow helicopter from the field to the Fire Support Base, then to the rear area and on to Hawaii, the last person I saw was Rollie who screamed an obscenity at me. It is what your best friend does and "bring me back a bottle of Jim Beam." I gave him the finger--it was what you did to your best friend. I had a great R&R. The helicopter landed me back at the Fire Support Base. Where the f..k was the reception. I laughed. Rollie, my best bud was going to meet me and we were going to drink the bottle of Jim Beam that I brought. "Sorry, Captain, Rollie was killed." I was not sure I was hearing it. I cannot relate at this point in my life, my exact emotions but they were so intense that to this day, I tear up. That day I wanted to scream, to be left alone, to suffer in silence. I did not want anybody trying to comfort me. I could not be comforted.

And, I would have to think that in this great tragedy, there are some with those emotions I felt long ago in Vietnam: Leave Me Alone! God bless them in their grief and God bless all of us in ours.

Uganda

Like most people in America, I have been heartbroken over the tragedy in Conneticut. On trying to think about it, my Mom gave me a new view. She is a doctor who delivers babies. Two times a year, she and several other doctors go to Uganda to teach doctors the best techniques and to help in saving lives. "Youngsters die every day, she said and told me about Sarah. She was married at the age of thirteen. By fourteen, she was pregnant and had AIDs. She went into labor with her baby and when she didn't deliver her baby in three days, her family walked her to the hospital ten hours away. When she got to the hospital, her baby was dead and three hours later Sarah died. This happens every day. It does not diminish the deaths of the 20 children who died in this senseless act. It makes me realize, however, the sadness known all around the world.
FLJ

GUNS

We need Gun control. Let's face it and it is going to happen. It should. F..k the NRA. Let's use common sense. What person in America needs an assault weapon? Nobody. And, we have these idiots out buying up weapons after 20 kids are slaughtered by an an "insane evil presence," using weapons that no American needs. Give me a break!

Are we a violent society. Yes we are. Do video games and TV and movie violence contribute to our cultural violence. Damn if I know but I do know that no American needs an assault rifle, Glocks, that sort of bullshit.

As Americans, witnessing a heinous act, we want to do something and we should and we will. Gun Laws. Will everybody be happy F..k NO. What we have a hard time accepting is that there is a percentage of Americans who don't give a flying fig as my Dad would say, about what is right or anything that trumps their idiocy. They are out for themselves and their own desires/ wants. They are stupid MFers and let's accept it--let the majority of Americans rule. We need gun control legislation as a tribute to those slain kids who will never get to live out their lives. We would like to say to the right wing nonthinking zealots: f..k you very much and get a life.

Just Interesting

Sometimes I go to Brooklyn to visit my sister. I have a 91 year old sister who is in a nursing home. She had a stroke like, fourteen years ago. She does not have the use of her right side. She's in a good frame of mind. And sometimes she would like Chinese food or rice and beans. There is a restaurant nearby and so I go and get it, and share it with her. Sometimes she wants ice cream or coffee. I take the train--I got to get the bus and two trains to get there. A lot of times I din't get a seat on the train because it is too crowded. Sometimes it is really exhausting but my sister would have done the same thing in my position. Out of nine kids, we are the only two left.

Christmas Sadness

In Vietnam, the saddest time of all were the holidays, being away from families, thinking about all the holiday activities back home. When we were back home, we might have thought the holiday season and all that comes with it was an enormous hassle; but in Vietnam, we would never admit such blasphemy.

40 plus years later, those Vietnam memories are cherished ones. I remember one very traumatic Christmas in Nam which made all of us sad and mad. The helicopter bringing the Christmas mail in a sling--a type of contraption that literally was swinging under the helicopter--hit some turbulence and the the mail was dropped. Help! Before the soldiers could get to the mail, the Vietnamese had gotten it and were nowhere to be found. Could have been the enemy, but more than likely, the friendlies, local villagers. Regardless, it was very tough to have our mail stolen at Christmas and had the troops been able to get to the ville another MyLai insanity would have been in the offing. More likely than not, the villagers innocently took our mail because it was a target of opportunity, goodies to sell on the black market.

Usually in Nam, there was a stand down, meaning that suddenly the fighting stopped. This always sounded a little crazy to me to stop the war for Christmas. If you can stop a war for Christmas, why don't you just stop

I also remember one very sad casualty during a Christmas stand down. Our FO, forward observer, stepped on a booby trap and was killed. Very sad. He was such a great guy and had a super sense of humor. Tall and handsome, 22, a graduate of St. Bonaventure University. Talk about a wasted life. As poet, Phil Woodall, says, "He may have died in vain, but he lived in honor."

This is such a difficult time for soldiers and their families. Soldiers are still in harm's way in Afghanistan. They, like in Vietnam, are in a misbegotten war.

We now celebrate the One who is the Prince of Peace, a difficult thing to think about during this time; we might use Jesus' words of peace--"peace, peace but there is no peace."

We have to see the bigger picture of Christmas, I believe: the realization that God can and does break through all the turmoil of our world. There is an enormous sadness that envelops those of us who care because of the unthinkable tragedy at Sandy Hook School in New Town, Connecticut. We can't put it down. The loss is too great. The grief is overpowering.

American soldiers who had their lives taken and the Sandy Hook youngsters and adults who had their lives "taken" are alike in this, "they may have died in vain but they lived in honor." And, for me, soldiers who died and the Sandy Hook victims will continue to live in my heart forever.

Fitzgerald Family Christmas

This is one of those Ed Burns movie, all about big Irish family, smaltzy but delightful. I liked it. Emotional drama is everywhere. A dad who took off for 20 years--abandonment issues with most everybody, especially a son who is a drug addict and just got out of rehab. The father shows back up for his last Christmas since he has pancreactic cancer. See what I mean, drama. One sister is banging the boy who cuts her lawn. Another sister is fixated on her child, nasty to husband. Another sister and brother are going after abusive husband. Ed Burns plays the role of patriarch who wants to fix everything. Main plot centered around mother who won't allow father to come home and to Christmas dinner. Like I said, pretty smaltzy.

In some ways the movie reminds me of my own family at a lower level. We were NC farmers and didn't have the same types of drama rather an amazing devotion to each other and our parents. What is the major difference in our drama and the Fitzgerald Family Christmas is the military. We were all in the military, all five of us, like stair steps, starting with our oldest brother who was a Marine on Guadalcanal. From then on with the four of us it was war and absence in some fashion: Korea and Vietnam. This factored in everything. When we gathered for Christmas, part of our drama was the absence probably of a brother gone to war or preparing to go. In the Fitzgerald Family Christmas, not even a mention of Military Service. Very interesting.

NRA

Listening to the National Rifle Association "ASS" made me think there are idiots and then there are maxed out idiots. This guy is unbelievable! What is absolutely disheartening is that there are actually Americans who go along with this stupid MFer's beliefs. Well, it is America and even this asshole can express his views.

DIPLOMATS

Bengazzi. Very sad and who kbows if anybody was asleep at the wheel? Here's a novel idea: let's cut back on all these diplomats, all over the world. Are they really needed? And, who is providing the security? A few Marines and thousands of private security forces and millions of dollars. Let's wake up and smell the roses.

GRIEF

Recently at the Kim Girls Barber Shop in North Beach, (San Francisco) to a person, the patrons sincerely lamented the National Tragedy of the school shooting. We all were grieving about the kids. Unspeakable.

How can parents handle grief. They can't. All they can do is get through it. And all, will handle their grief in different ways. And, the national media attention is a "given" for which I have mixed emotions. For some, it is OK, they will talk about their kids. The President speaks. But, maybe for some, the attention will be intrusive? If it were me, I could not stand the barrage of questions, the trying to make sense of the happenings. Some reporter, doing their job but still intrusive, asking, probing. I want to go off by myself, scream, curse and be left alone until I am ready which may be never. I can only relate the feeling to losing my best friend in Vietnam. I had gone on R&R (rest and relaxation. It was a seven day leave). When I left on the chow helicopter from the field to the Fire Support Base, then to the rear area and on to Hawaii, the last person I saw was Rollie who screamed an obscenity at me. It is what your best friend does and "bring me back a bottle of Jim Beam." I gave him the finger--it was what you did to your best friend. I had a great R&R. The helicopter landed me back at the Fire Support Base. Where the f..k was the reception. I laughed. Rollie, my best bud was going to meet me and we were going to drink the bottle of Jim Beam that I brought. "Sorry, Captain, Rollie was killed." I was not sure I was hearing it. I cannot relate at this point in my life, my exact emotions but they were so intense that to this day, I tear up. That day I wanted to scream, to be left alone, to suffer in silence. I did not want anybody trying to comfort me. I could not be comforted.

And, I would have to think that in this great tragedy, there are some with those emotions I felt long ago in Vietnam: Leave Me Alone! God bless them in their grief and God bless all of us in ours.

SOLDIER SUICIDES

Recently, I met some of my Vietnam buddies at one of the Indian Casinos in California for a little R&R. This is the second time we’ve done it, mainly to honor Scotty who died a gcouple of year’s back. And, get this: he left several thousand dollars in his will for us to show up every year or so to commemorate a day when fifteen of Scotty’s comrades were killed. They were ambushed by a battalion of NVA soldiers. Our guys fought them tooth and nail, killing or wounding over a hundred. This is war, not a movie. But, Scotty and the rest of the platoon felt they’d failed. Not so but they were unconvinced.
In fact, at the gathering we worried that one of our guys was so morose that he might do himself in while here. Try as we might, we could not snap him out of it. A little like the Kansas City Chief linebacker who recently killed his girlfriend and then shot himself. Our good Sergeant didnot kill hself at our gathering but a few weeks later, he disappeared into some remote area in Alabama and probably did. What moves a person to take such a desperate out. I thought about our soldiers and vets and decided to do some research.
“For every soldiered killed on the battlefield this year, about 25 vets are dying by their own hand. An American soldier dies every day and a half, on average in combat. Veterans kill themselves on average one every 80 minutes. More than 6500 veteran suicides are logged every year. More than the total number of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined since those wars began (A columnist in NY Times).
What the f..k! This is outrageous and guess who is to blame. We are. For example, recently I had breakfast with about six or eight fellow Vietnam vets. To a person, talking about the rash of suicides, they felt that repetitive tours is the culprit. The emotions of going back and forth have to take its toll. And why is this? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to piece it together. During Vietnam, we had the draft, a ready pool of soldiers. Few Vietnam veterans did more than one tour, usually lasting 12 or thirteen months. That is it, over, finish, next case. The military wants some more soldiers/cannon fodder, they draft some more. The draft was far from perfect as about anybody who wanted could get out of it. Interestingly, often soldiers were happy to be drafted. It was a point of pride. Then along came SecDef Melvin Laird and icon Milt Friedman who sold Americans on ending the draft. The unintended consequences was a Volunteer Military that was too small and totally unrepresentative of our democracy. In other words, we now have a military of other people’s children fighting our wars. Less than 1% have any investment in our ill conceived wars or our military. And, of course Donald Rumsfelt and draft dodger, Dick Chaney, who had other priories during Vietnam, only added to the difficulties now causing an epidemic of soldier suicides. Military leadership, mainly the generals (When they are not out screwing around or sending emails: Petraeus/Allen) have to bear some responsibility with their “can do” attitude.

Fluctuating economy, kids who have limited options have joined this AVF (all volunteer force) and added to the fact that you have a lower socieo economic category (class) of soldier which also means that he has less coping skills.
It is scandalous as my mom would say. So, what is the remedy. Too late for those soldiers who have cashed out. Bring back the draft or some sort of community service. Unfortunately, we don’t have the political will. So, what then? We are F..K.

WHAT INTELL?

Listening to the UN Ambassador being grilled by John McCain and Lindsay Graham reminds me of a North Carolina bootlegger claiming his moonshine is for medicinal purposes. BS. I had always liked John McCain but think that the AZ sun and all those right wing zealots have distorted his logic. We owe the old John McCain something, not the spoil sport since the 08 elections. And, I am being charitable here. He and Graham pontificate while they ought to feel shame for supporting our misguided and misadventures into Iraq and Afghanistan. Intelligence is smoke and mirrors at best. I rate it to a long ago incident in Nam wrapped around "Intell," dicey at best. Our Intell section had said there was a big enemy presence in the area. It was after the 68 TET Offensive when the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) had replaced the VC (Vietcong) as the primary fighting force. The Company Commander didn't believe Intell. They rarely got anything right. He sent a reinforced platoon on a scouting mission and they got attacked by about a battalion--close to a thousand men, against about 40+. By the time we could rescue them with gunships and F15s, 8 guys were dead and the rest wounded. The one time out of dozens that "Intell" got it right.

Bradley Manning

What in the f..k is going on here. All along, I've thought the treatment of Bradley Manning has been heavy handed. Even if a fraction of what is reported is true, we should be ashamed of ourselves. Where are the people who are suppose to be looking at stuff like this: the Inspector general, chaplains to name a couple. We are talking an American soldier here. The last time I looked a soldier, like anybody, is innocent until proven guilty. It is almost like the Justice Dept. has its head up their 4th point of contact? Meaning their head up their ass. Manning is a soldier. As an ex soldier, I want to know, "why have we treated this guy so badly?" He has passed some gossip to Wikileaks. What is this! Look at the Generals. Petraeus has been out screwing around while he was suppose to be running a war and later the CIA. His replacement in Afghanistan, a Marine, instead of out fighting a war has been spending his time emailing some bimbo in Florida. This is f..king crazy. If the criteria is "harming the nation," let's free Manning and jail the generals. This is bullshit.

COMMO

PAYING ATTENTION AND LISTENING. I go into some pizza place to get a beer. A homeless guy (more a street hustler who knows how to spot a mark) hits me up. I say to myself, "What the hell and give him $5." He says, "Man, I got cancer." Without paying attention I say, "Good for you." Guess I should have said, "I hope you go fast."

T'Giving in Vietnam

Happy Thanksgiving. The one I remember the most is Vietnam. It was always a little funny to me that the war kind of stopped on holidays. We had this Lieutenant in Charley company. The greatest guy. Tall, blond, really handsome and he played a "mean" guitar. All those songs like "Gentle On My Mind." He sounded more like Glenn Campbell than Glenn Campbell. The Company was close into the FSB ( Fire Support Base) mainly so all the troops could be served a turkey dinner. Our Brigade commander a little of a nut to me,but I liked him. He insisted that the troops have a carcuss turkey, meaning that the troops could have actual slices of turkey right from the carcuss. A nice idea but we were at war even though not a lot was going on. Things were going pretty smoothly. I was planning make my rounds to one or two of the Companies (company is roughly a 100 men or so). Suddenly, there was this horrendous explosion. We knew immediately what it was: some troop had tripped a booby trap. It was the Lieutenant. A sadness gripped us. We were suddenly alert to war and less to a carcuss turkey.

War is awful! What a story. How sad. I know you're not the only one that remembers that day in detail. Of course, I am now wondering, "What happened to his guitar? Did they mail it to his family?" (the way my mind works)

Funny you should ask about the guitar. I kept up with the family for a long time and after I came back, I visited them in upper state NY. In their living room, they had mounted the guitar on the wall like a trophy but it had been smashed. Apparently the father was so angry that when the LT's personal effects arrived, he went crazy, smashed the guitar. Later on after he calmed down, he collected it all and pieced it together.

WOMEN IN COMBAT

SHOULD WOMEN BE IN COMBAT? Of course, they already are. They deserve the recognition they've already earned. I have no reservations, just a couple of comments. Combat is no day at the beach. It isn't a movie. All great to "support the troops" but recognize that war is hell. Young Americans die. The second thing is that women change the dynamics. I once taught in a military school at the graduate level. In a class of all men, you have one set of dynamics. Introduce a female, everything changes. The men are preening like a f..king bunch of peacocks. It is not the woman's fault. It is us sorry ass men and guess what: that ain't going to change.

A CARCUSS TURKEY

The Thanksgiving I remember the most is Vietnam. It was always a little funny to me that the war kind of stopped on holidays. We had this Lieutenant in Charley company. The greatest guy. Tall, blond, really handsome and he played a "mean" guitar. All those songs like Gentle On My Mind. He sounded more like Glenn Campbell than Glenn Campbell. The Company was close into the FSB ( Fire Support Base) mainly so all the troops could be served a turkey dinner. Our Brigade commander was a little of a nut to me, but I liked him. He insisted that the troops have a carcass turkey, meaning that the troops could actually have slices of a turkey as opposed to canned turkey. It was a wild idea but somehow we had all these turkeys. . A nice idea but we were at war even though not a lot was going on. Things were going pretty smoothly. I was planning to make my rounds to one or two of the Companies (company is roughly a 100 men or so). The Lieutenant stepped on a booby trap and was killed. It put a real damper on the day. War is awful. Sorry, mahal KO, running off at the mouth here. I love you

The troops call him Saint Petraeus. He f..ked up. Thinking with as we say, the "wrong head". I have to confess I have never  liked Petraeus. It wasn't anything personal. As a rule, I don't like generals. By the time they get to be general, they are so political that they are about worthless in terms of objectivity. And, since our leadership has no military experience, these generals lead them around like f..king sheep. The generals give what I called the "Home Before Christmas" reports--That was Westmoreland and Nixon in Vietnam. "Home Before Christmas" was bullshit as the Vietnam war went on five years more and thousands of American soldiers lives were lost because of those rosy views. MFers.  The American people who give a shit trusted Petraeus. Oh well...he moved to the CIA. As an aside, I always saw that as an escape. Petraeus knew we couldn't come out with a win in Afghanistan. He had sold the counter insurgency theory: Win the hearts and minds of the people. It can't be done. And, if it had any chance, it would take years. 10-20. Forget it. We are not staying in Afghanistan. Petraeus got the hell out. Escape to the CIA. He has literally f..ked up. Now, to defend Petraeus. He's human, seduced by some female. Thinking with the wrong "Head." I hate it that he was that stupid. I will give him this. Admit, fall on your sword and move on. The only one who could survive; "the Bill" as in Bill Clinton. What is absolutely a phenomena to me is that in the modern world for someone like Petraeus to think he could do this and not be discovered. Damn crazy. That aside, philosophically, what the f..k. The guy was stupid and it sounds like, seduced. It was a point in time where he had a shot at being above it. He failed. He is human. Next case. 

I am about tired of this but fascinated that we have Linda Tripp (of Monica and Bill fame) revisited. I am amazed. Women talk. What the hell. Us men are sorry, good for nothing MFers, let's face it. As public figures, they are not going to get past this. Petraeus and Allen have f..ked up. Just that simple. Petraeus has tried to go. Allen has too. Bad judgement, 20,000 pages of emails. The f..ker Allen is suppose to be looking out for his troops and he's emailing 24/7 to a women who appears to be a loony tune.

Trip To Abilene

TRIP TO ABILENE. This is mainly for my fellow Democrats. This guy and his wife are sitting around with his in-laws in a little Texas town called Clyde. It is like a 100 degrees in the shade. Somebody comes up with the idea of going to Abilene to the Cafeteria for supper. They load into their 48 Olds and drive the sixty miles. They have no air conditioner, the Olds has no springs. It is the most miserable trip ever. The meal is worst in the history of eating They get back in the car and drive home. They walk in the house and the wife begins to cry and turns to her husband and says, “This is all your fault.” They begin to talk and they can’t come up with who suggested it and they discover that nobody wanted to go to Abilene. the moral of the story…ask yourself often: am I taking a trip to Abilene?make sure you truly want to FO something before you make the decision.

FIGHTING TWO WARS

My favorite film of Vietnam and the most inaccurate but then again, it is a satire, right? It is not suppose to be factual and it ain't, trust me. But the film has to bear an enormous responsibility in creating the view that Vietnam vets were crazed drug induced soldiers. When we returned from Vietnam, we found we were objects of derision. If we have any legacy, it is that we were treated so badly that Americans who care and not all do, Americans have decided we will honor vets. They are our heroes. So, was it worth it that we had to fight two wars: Vietnam and one at home. In retrospect, I think so. 

HAIR

I can't think of a scenario that would cause me to vote for a Republican even if I have to admit to having voted for George W. the first time. But, I couldn't imagine anybody on the scene now which would get me to be that stupid again. The recalcitrant, just say no, racist, disrespectful, half truth: need I go on? I'm leaving objectivity to NPR.  And, if I didn't already have enough reasons--think HAIR. Romney already has a nice crop but this Ryan is unreal. And, I don't think he dyes it. Most of the Congress types who are trying to disguise the gray, pour on the "across the counter" stuff. Well not all, the late Strom Thurman, honestly, I think he did his with shoe polish. Sorry, I know we are not to speak ill of the dead. Ryan's hair is not even receding. It is growing down toward his eyes. And, it is as black as the darkest night. How in the world could bald men, those who have hair pieces, comb overs and maybe even the gray hairs, not to mention white hair, possibly bring themselves to vote for a Romney/Ryan ticket. Even the Prez's is pretty short and quickly turning grey. And, then we have the VP: hair transplant, need I say more.

THE TRUTH

Probably the most quoted line ever is Jack Nicolnson's line to Tom Cruise in "A Few Good Men." "You can't handle the truth." We don't know if we could handle the truth because we hear it so little. In particular, the truth in our present election cycle is elusive to say the least. What about "shades of the truth. There are lots of examples. How about a baseball one? Melky Cabriara, suspended for the rest of the season for steroid use. He told the truth after apparently trying to figure a way out. He tried to say, "I didn't know what I was doing. I saw this stuff advertised on TV and thought it might be OK. It was stupid. I am stupid. Plus English is not my first language." Is this the truth? Well, it is shaded at best. His fans needed a way to forgive him. He told the truth but was it the best truth. Wrong? Who knows? Barry Bonds and Roger Clements knew one approach. Deny, deny. They got away with it. Most everybody says they want the truth.  But, do they?

INSULT TO MOHAMMED

What exactly was in the film? Who made it? What were their motives? Was Muhammad really depicted? Was that a Qur’an burning, or some other book? Questions of this kind are obscene. Here is where the line must be drawn and defended without apology: We are free to burn the Qur’an or any other book, and to criticize Muhammad or any other human being. Let no one forget it. Sam Harris  Clyde, this is a very good article. Thanks for sharing it. I think this guy defies labels, I have read him before on something, maybe an article in Esquire.  To make a point, he is even harder on Mormans than I would be. The one flaw in his thinking as I see it is simple: nobody knows really what to do about the Middle East. Do we think a harder line will shake up fanatics. I don' think so. They are ignorant, uneducated, sexually repressed and blindly are willing to die. Plus, they are "used" by those that don't give a rat's ass for Mohammed or anybody, just power  Consequently we do the best we can and another war is not the answer. We are weary of war and look what Iraq and Afghanistan has gotten us. Zilch, other than dead young Americans. I do think his basic point is right. We can't be ashamed of free speech and the government that I trust (they may occasionally be intrusive, stupid, and wrong but they are not the enemy) has to unapologetically say to the Muslim world, f..k you very much but we will not alter our culture because of your fanaticism or belief system; join the rest of the world in tolerance or expect various American lunatics will  continue to insult you. Having watched the video as I said, it is, without a doubt, insulting. As Harris says, who and what is behind it. No doubt about it, The video is insulting and really a sexual fantasy in a way. But, well done in terms of the actual footage (no shaking cameras, that sort of stuff). Costs somebody big bucks. But, nothing to do about this idiot. Clyde, here is one thing that I have wondered about. My belief is that you can't just say you are a Christian as Harris article suggests. But, you have the conversion experience. In my terms, "saved." You are going in one direction, you are converted, accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, turn and go in another direction. In Islam, you merely declare you are Muslim; Morminism, you declare, you start following the rules. So, my question, why have Southern Baptists not pushed this faith idea of conversion?

The NY Times

I love to read the NY Times. When I was in graduate school at LIU (Long Island University which by the way is in Brooklyn), I took a course on how to "read the NY Times. "Every time I start on my Sunday ritual, I smile and think of that course. It was taught by this Professor who could hardly contain her disdain for my southern roots. I could give a s..t less as I was worse then than now. My objectivity  was better than hers anyway and I was the damn student. Good course. And, as I am blogging away, hating labels of Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, I think that those I want more than anything to hear my message are not reading the NY Times but sitting around listening to FOX News. F..KKKKKK

1st DEBATE

DEBATE. This is at least the third time I've tried to post this. What the f..k is going on. The Prez took it on the chin. Romney was aggressive and did what politicians always do: they never answer the question, they answer whatever they wish the question was. I will have to say this: Romney did spell out some things he was going to do away with besides Obama care: mainly Big Bird. Romney loves coal--who in this world loves coal. The f..ker is against everything, i. e., loud crinkling of paper. I can't believe any American who thinks could embrace this guy but they will. I get so tired of this, "American People." What the f..k! What "American people" are we talking about? Most that will be severely effective if Romney makes it but they don't even vote so it sure as shit can't be these folks who are the American people. A last thing. I feel badly for Jim Lehrer who lost control. Should not blame the messenger but in this case, he was suppose to be the man in charge but he took a vacation. He should have stayed home with his grand kids.  {{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}} 

FREEDOM TO SPEAK AND DO EVEN THOUGH DESPICABLE

What exactly was in the film? Who made it? What were their motives? Was Muhammad really depicted? Was that a Qur’an burning, or some other book? Questions of this kind are obscene. Here is where the line must be drawn and defended without apology: We are free to burn the Qur’an or any other book, and to criticize Muhammad or any other human being. Let no one forget it. Sam Harris  Clyde, this is a very good article. Thanks for sharing it. I think this guy defies labels, I have read him before on something, maybe an article in Esquire.  To make a point, he is even harder on Mormans than I would be. The one flaw in his thinking as I see it is simple: nobody knows really what to do about the Middle East. Do we think a harder line will shake up fanatics. I don' think so. They are ignorant, uneducated, sexually repressed and blindly are willing to die. Plus, they are "used" by those that don't give a rat's ass for Mohammed or anybody, just power  Consequently we do the best we can and another war is not the answer. We are weary of war and look what Iraq and Afghanistan has gotten us. Zilch, other than dead young Americans. I do think his basic point is right. We can't be ashamed of free speech and the government that I trust (they may occasionally be intrusive, stupid, and wrong but they are not the enemy) has to unapologetically say to the Muslim world, f..k you very much but we will not alter our culture because of your fanaticism or belief system; join the rest of the world in tolerance or expect various American lunatics will  continue to insult you. Having watched the video as I said, it is, without a doubt, insulting. As Harris says, who and what is behind it. No doubt about it, The video is insulting and really a sexual fantasy in a way. But, well done in terms of the actual footage (no shaking cameras, that sort of stuff). Costs somebody big bucks. But, nothing to do about this idiot. Clyde, here is one thing that I have wondered about. My belief is that you can't just say you are a Christian as Harris article suggests. But, you have the conversion experience. In my terms, "saved." You are going in one direction, you are converted, accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, turn and go in another direction. In Islam, you merely declare you are Muslim; Morminism, you declare, you start following the rules. So, my question, why have Southern Baptists not pushed this faith idea of conversion? {{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}} 

The Military and VA

Occasionally there is something you read that is so moving, it's hard to know how to deal with it. A piece by Nicholas Kristof in The NY Times is one of those. He hit every critical area that we face today with our vets. Major Richards is an example. He also nailed it: the military mentality. The article was pretty scathing  in terms of the Army and VA. Here's the rub:The mission of the military is designed for one thing: to fight amd win wars. When it moves beyond that, it doesn't know what to do. The Sec Def is right: let's don't kid ourselves. The VA is overwhelmed and it is only beginning. The elephant in the room is the new soldier paradigm. The modern soldier is keenly attuned to social media and aware  of the system. Even while he is in combat, he is calling home, describing the action; he's emailing, tweeting. He understands what his/her benefits are, i.e., nearly half of returning soldiers are applying for benefits before they hit the ground. PTSD is a good example. It was 10 years before Vietnam vets by hook and crook could even get a hearing and then it all had to be meticulously documented. I know,  although never filing a claim personally, I've helped many. Now, a soldier, thanks to the President, only has to say, they were "present for duty." And, let me tell you this, all combat is not equal. In Vietnam, we had prolonged fire fights that could last for days. Snipers and booby traps came toward the end of the war, wounds similar to what Iraqi and Afghan vets received. Most of the 58,000 Vietnam soldiers died in the old fashioned way by bullets fired by an enemy intent on killing him. While a good Army, repetitive tours can be directly blamed on a volunteer military that is too small and less emotionally sophisticated, making them prone to an inability to cope, possibly an explanation for the epidemic of suicides. It may be the calibre of the recruit. While the good major blames a culture of the Army, I do the same for different reasons. Instead of telling the American people that care that we will face these problems, they used tho old "can do" philosophy. Think Shinsekie, now head of the VA, when he suggested another course for Iraq, as opposed to the old, "Can do," they in essenes fired his ass. I am certainly no apologist for the VA and my disclaimer is that although never having filed a claim, I have helped many. VA has improved but is onerwhelmed. And, let us not forget: the claims side of VA is different from the medical side which is as good as any HMO or better maybe.

Dialogue With Dave

Dave, as usual good thoughts. You should write a book but then there's already dozens extolling your views which surely have merit. And, your ideas are ideal. I personally think we are on a precarious spot. If you are a democrat, you see it one way: Republican, another way. My bottom line is that Obama has learned to be a good president and deserves a second chance. From the things I read is that for the first time in history, high unemployment and other economic factors usually would turn a prez out. Not this time. And where I would see it differently is that the public trough are entitlements any way you look at it. We can say, we earned it, etc; still entitlements. A last thing and where this breaks down a bit. Let us not forget that 60 million people voted against the President in the last election. We can never truly know about racism or whether there's bias against Mormonism. But, by voting with the 1% as opposed to voting with the middle class, 12-70%, a person votes against there own self interest as the rich get richer and the poor poorer. And, as Forest Gump would say, "that is all I have to say about that." god bless.  {{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}}  On Sep 12, 2012, at 9:16 AM, "Dave Peterson" wrote: Jerry/10 Chaps  (Jerry:  I enjoy the discussion…causes me to think and check my own philosophy.   -----A couple random thoughts in response to Jerry’s thoughts.:   1)      TAKING CARE OF THE POOR:  I think it does make sense to take care of the poor.  In fact, it is mandatory.  Whether or not we get “anything personally from things like Section 8 housing or hot lunches for kids, (these things don’t put a dime in our pockets..I don’t know why we do it.”)  I believe we do it primarily because we, as a nation, are a compassionate people, and because, we, historically, believe that all mankind are created in the image of God and we must do what we can to keep people from suffering.  Having said that, I know that we are not pure and are guilty of too many inconsistencies, but in the final end, we have, as a nation, been generous and compassionate.   My problem is not that we provide welfare, but it is in the manner in which we do it.  Bottom Line:  In my opinion we would be wise to personalize the welfare program as much as possible.  As is, it is totally impersonal.  The Federal Government is too far removed from the problem.  Consequently, not only is it impersonal, but there is very little accountability.  Simply handing out funds, Food Stamps, etc.  makes a lot of people feel good, but the positive value is limited, and the negative value is growing:  I.E.  Sense of entitlement;  taking people out of the workforce; taking away from the dignity of mankind, and ultimately, the number of “have nots” dramatically increases to the degree that the “haves”  run out of funds.  I remember from some secular ethics course the professor or the book talked about the fact that our ethical system may cause us to feel obligated to provide a donation or somehow assist the poor, but we are not obligated to sell our car and give the funds to the poor because we are now limiting our ability to provide future assistance. I mention that because of the present style of the Federal Welfare Program.  Ultimately, if the trend continues we, as a nation, are limiting our ability to take care of the poor in the future.   I still believe the Welfare Program (s) would be much better served if it were pushed down to State Level (s) 2)      INVOLVEMENT OF CHURCHES:Of course the Churches are right on top of it.”  I don’t mean to communicate that the Churches are.  In fact, I know I am speaking idealistically, and agree that, the Church as a whole, has lost its compass.  Having said that, theoretically, it is possible that the Church would be revived and change its course.  During the last several months I have been preaching every Sunday on the subject of “Contending for the Faith. Jude vs. 3)  In the process, I used the history of the 1st. & 2nd. Great Awakenings as an illustration.  At the time of the 1st. Great Awakening the Nation was in bad shape…morally, ethically, etc.  A small group of ministers were convicted to gather weekly to pray for the nation and the Church.  This group increased dramatically in numbers to include a high number of lay people.   At the same time God brought on the scene people like Jonathan Edwards, and later, George Whitfield, the Wesley brothers, and various others who didn’t receive the notoriety as the afore mentioned.  Also, several natural disasters occurred which resulted in people seeking God.  Result:  A major Revival which positively impacted all of society—morally, ethically and economically.  The ministers were careful to communicate that they were not involving themselves in politics, however, because of the revival politics was affected.  I mention this because it could happen again.  3)      “And let us be honest here, it really is a little disingenuous to be so down on government when most of us are drinking at the public trough:  VA, Tricare, Pension, SS, Medicare.”  I don’t want to become defensive here because I know that I “am drinking at the public trough.”  However, I don’t put VA benefits, Tricare, pensions, SS, and Medicare in the same category of “drinking at the trough”  as Welfare, Food Stamps, Contraception/Abortion support, etc.  The reason being:  Participants in VA Benefits, Tricare, Pensions, SS, and Medicare  put in funds into the “pot” in order to receive such benefits.  In a sense, all the above mentioned are similar to an Insurance Program.  Participants don’t  and have not received the benefits free gratuitous.  In each case, they are programs which were developed by the government…basically, saying, if you meet our requirements (serving in the Armed Forces, etc., paying into the system (Medicare, Medicaid, SS, etc) we will respond with the following benefits…To some degree unemployment benefits are similar….workers put funds into Unions etc…just in case a rainy day came along. 4)      “System is broken and whoever is elect president won’t be able to fix it for years and even then it is going to take a tremendous will of the people who care and most don’t “  Agree.   Self interest is at an all time high.  It seems to me like there is very little loyalty to the nation.  So many of the “Haves” (Wall Street, Brokerage Firms, etc) have allowed greed and dishonest to rule the day.  It seems like the last several generations have lost their appreciation for the nation, for the constitution, etc.  It is really bleak.  What could turn it around?  A loss of many of the freedoms we now enjoy, a serious economical /financial collapse, or a spiritual revival .   5)      “The Hispanics, African Americans, other minorities will not be able to overcome whites like the 10 Chaps, right wing Christian Fundamentalists, and Racists.”  To my way of thinking,  I know there are a small number of “Christian Fundamentalists” in our society, however, I doubt that they have much of an impact.  However, I am not sure how you define Christian Fundamentalists. I define them as such groups as the one from Wyoming that hates Gays and goes to funerals to shout obscenities or the few who condemn everybody to Hell if there are outside of their unique doctrines…If we identify Christian Fundamentalists as the primary evangelical groups who believe in the inspiration of Scripture then I am not there. 6)      RACISTS:  I know there are a few racists in our society, however I doubt that the racists have a significant impact on the election of Obama.  In fact, my guess is that a significant number of “whites” voted for Obama because they were anxious to move beyond the culture of racism.  Although I didn’t vote for Obama I do remember, perhaps in my naivety, thinking that his presidency would go a long ways in healing the tension between the races.  I would love to live in a society where racism wasn’t a factor.  Also, if we say that many of those who are not Democrats, more specifically, Republicans, then in like manner, we should be suspicious of those, primarily, Democrats, who come down so hard on people like Congressman West, Scott, and Herman Cain when he was running for the Republican Presidential Candidate, plus a  few others..  I remember how vicious the words became when Supreme Court Justice, Thomas was nominated.  Many of the Democrats were horribly abusive, however, I don’t think it was because of racism, but it was a result of liberalism vs. conservatism, and because, it is so difficult for them to believe that an African American can be a Conservative.   What think YE? 7)      “NO TWO WARS”.  For sure, many mistakes were made during the Iraqi War.  However, I believe there is a strong possibility that the end result is going to be good.  I understand that the prospects for –a form of Democracy—and an big time economical recovery are good. Even today there are a significant number of companies (coke, General Electric. General Motors, Nokia, Lucent Technologies, Motorola , Canon) who have set up business on their soil.  Oil industry is booming …Major Oil Companies are making big time investments in Iraq         .  For sure there is still some discontent and civil disturbances, but the expectation is that they will work through it as the military (12 Divisions) becomes increasingly trained and professional.  (Iran is the unknown problem) 8)      OBAMA INHERITED THE CRISIS:   Some truth to this.  The last two yrs. of the Bush Administration were not good.  I still have a hard time believing it.  However, one factor that is not given much discussion anymore is the debacle with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage companies. .  ..more specifically, the decision of Dodd and Franks, supposedly, under pressure from the Clinton Administration, to lower the requirements of providing mortgages to people who would normally not qualify….to the degree that thousands and thousands of mortgages were given when everyone knew that there was not a chance in the world they would be able to meet the financial obligations.  However, they “were betting on the come” , but unfortunately, the housing market went belly up and it turns out to be one of the primary reasons for the recession. 9)      “I personally think that when you net it out, that Romney has the greater chance of being elected.”  I hope, but it is not looking good at this point.  In the final end I think the decision will be made as a result of the debates.  For whatever reason it seems to me like the Democrats out politic the Republicans.   Clinton carries a big stick and sways many people.  To some degree it is a mystery to me, just as Obama’s appeal is a mystery, but none-the-less it is reality.   Well, that is it for now..  Will look forward to your response.   Dave     K From: riobubba@aol.com [mailto:riobubba@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 8:37 AM To: Marvin Vickers Cc: Northrop; lamarhunt@comcast.net; Claude Newby; dbreland@st-joseph.org; Charles Clanton; Dave Peterson; Bernie Windmiller; Tom Carter Subject: Dave's Thoughts   Dave, good thoughts and my belief: in an ideal world, the churches, states, etc. could do the job. No longer possible, even if they would do it. There is almost no area of your comments that don't make sense. It doesn't make any real sense to look after the poor, the downtrodden, the real underbelly of our culture. We don't really get anything personally from things like Section 8 housing or hot lunches for kids, those sorts of things don't put a dime in our pockets. I don't know why we do it.    Of course, the churches are right on top of it. Since Jesus was here, truly we've had a shot but most don't have time; even if they had the resources.  The church wants to be dealing with abortion and gay marriage, etc. Lots more important than caring for foster kids or food stamps for illegals. I can make your case in a millisecond: it makes no sense to do what we do as a country. Since the patron saint Reagan, we have created all these social programs and haven't had the courage to figure out how to pay for them. And, let's be honest here, it really is a little disingenuous to be so down on government when most of us are drinking at the public trough: VA, Tricare, pensions, SS, Medicare.    Our system is broken and whoever is elected president won't be able to fix it for years and even then, it is going to take a tremendous will of the people who care and most don't. (Of my father's children, I love myself the best, if the Lord provides for me, the devil take the rest). I am skeptical because of so much self interest.    I personally think that when you net it out, that Romney has the greater chance of being elected. The Hispanics, African Americans, other minorities will not be able to overcome whites like the 10 chaps, right wing Christian fundamentalists, and racists. We need desperately to reform the electoral system. Al Gore, for instance, won the popular vote by over 5000 but did not have the electoral college vote. Imagine what a different place we would be in today had he won. Balanced budget we assume from Clinton. No two wars (imagine if you were the parent of a younster killed in Iraq or Afghanistan to be able to turn the clock back with no wars) or having to deal with the worst economy since the great depression (crisis happened with George W still having 18 months left on his second term).    Well, I know that nobody is convinced and I'm not trying to convince you. If I were, I would use the line from Clinton,  something like, "it is like giving Obama all these crisis, you got four years to fix them. If not, you give it back to the same guys who created it in the first place." Got to love it.  Something equally as interesting to me is, I could care less about labels, i.e., Reub/Dem; and, I did vote for George W., his first term, how did we get to the intractable point we are. Mainly, it is guys like me, who still operate with a simplistic view of, "What would Jesus Do?" basically, I think that most present day Repub views are unChristian and border on the immoral. And, I am going to have to remain immovable from the onslaught of Republican spin. They would not know the truth if it ran over them. And, let's face it, we are as intractable ourselves. Our vote is really not to count when you have six or eight states deciting the election. Airborne, Amen, power in the blood. {{{{Jda}}}} >Jerry: (I am not sure you received my previous e-mail to 10 chaps concerning my take on how to best take care of the “poor.”) >  >A few random thought in response to your view of Jesus being a Democrat…meaning, taking care of the “vulnerable” and the poor. >  >It is true that Jesus advocated taking care of the “vulnerable” and the poor, however, to the best of my knowledge, he didn’t say this it was “Caesar’s responsibility. >  >My first thought is that the Federal Government should not be in the Welfare business, including Food Stamps, birth control pills, abortion support.   and various other give-away programs. >  >I know this sounds radical, but I don’t even think the Federal Govt. should tax the public for such causes.  Why?  This is a state/county/district and Church Mission.  I know this is somewhat idealistic, but I do believe the Church, as a whole,  has abrogated its responsibility/ministry of mercy to the government. I know there are exceptions, however, if the entire US Church/Synogues/temples, etc, were united in this ministry  the problem would be very close to being solved.  Since the various Faith Groups will probably not change, the States should take on responsibility.  At this level it would be much better controlled and well spent.  In other words, they would more effectively use their respective Chains of Command……I.E. State to County, County to Communities. >  >Afterthought: I do believe the government (state level) should be involved in disaster cases..  ..such as what is happening in LA. And MS. Now.  FEMA is a good program, although, I would prefer State Level personnel oversee the mission.  (By the way, I suspect that if the truth were known, the various faith Groups did much more, and spent money much more wisely to assist in restoring communities and families after the Katrina disaster) >  >Also, I do not think that Welfare programs were ever intended to be a permanent fix. Therefore, It would be wise to put enforced time limits and restrictions on welfare programs.  Exceptions would be approved at local levels.   In addition to the States being responsible for Welfare programs the nation  would be well served if training or retraining programs for the “vulnerable/poor.” were established. I could easily accept that these retraining programs would be supported by the state and not cost the participant a thing, however, I would suggest that a small percentage be reimbursed to the state once the individual re-enters the job market.  This leads me to the thought that Obama’s view of growing/fixing the economy and creating jobs is enhancing the problem rather than solving the problem.  Small businesses are over regulated and overtaxed, consequently, with the perspective of their financial obligations increasing due to Health Care, > they are reluctant to hire more personnel.  Solution:  Follow the Reagan plan.  It worked then, it would work again. >  >To my way of thinking the present system is a short term fix to a long term problem.  In addition, it takes away from the dignity of humanity.  Most people think much more highly of themselves when they are working for a wage and providing for themselves and family.  Having said that, I recognize there are some who are very willing to live off of the government and really have no desire to enter the job market.  (That is one primary reason why I believe there needs to be restricting and rules that are enforced.  Also, the present system leads to a sense of entitlement for many.  In fact, this is a present problem within our population. There are an increasing number who are saying, “it is the governments duty to take care of me.”   That is, to my way of thinking, a false belief and expectation.  It is the result of uncontrolled, unchecked,  and endless welfare programs.  EX:  Under this administration the Number of Food Stamp recipients > (47 Million) has nearly doubled in the last 3 yrs.  Even now they are working to get more people to sign up/  Why?  My suspicion is that they have ulterior  motives---meaning, increasing the number of people who are dependent on govt……ultimately giving govt. more and more control over its citizens.  >  >After thought:  Today, on CNN I heard that the Democratic Platform Committee has taken out all references to God…The last one to be taken out is:  GOD GIVEN RIGHTS.  This really bothers me for several reason.  I recently re-read some of Alexander Solzhenitsyn writings: (My reason for being overly sensitive to such issues)   When he gave his speech at Harvard he began with the words:  What has happened to my adopted country, the United States.  He went on to show how Russia/Soviet Union/Stalin took over complete control of the people One of the first goals was to get God out of society..  Also, the story of Bonheoffer brings out the same point.    My fear is that this administration has a conscious goal of gaining more and more control of the population.  I would think that the wording of the Constitution would overrule in such a decision. (Obviously, taking God out of the mix makes it easier.)    Another after thought:  The Democratic > Platform took out the phrase that the US Recognizes Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.  Why?  This absolutely baffles me and it makes me fearful that Obama is yielding to the wishes of the Muslims.  When I recall how Obama has treated Netanyahu and the way he has dealt with Israel,  it makes me think he is anti Semitic.  Admittedly my theology increases my sensitivity on this issue. >  >Well,  that is it for now.  >  >Dave >  >  >  >  >  >From:jerry autry [mailto:airbornepress@gmail.com] >Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 12:49 PM >To: Dave Peterson >Subject: Re: Test >  >Dave, got it. I rarely check this though but I'll get better. God bless my brother.  >On Tue, Sep 4, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Dave Peterson

Vietnam's Dragon Lady

Madame Ngo,(Madame Ngo Dinh Nhu), the legendary defacto first lady of Vietnam(1955 to 1963) early on in that “sorry” war, recently died. Known as "The Dragon Lady", Madam Nago, was married to the brother of the Prime Minister Of Vietnam. The Prime Minister was a life-long bachelor. Ngo and her family lived in the presidental palace which made her the defacto first lady. Her outspoken views always shocked as “politically correct” was not part of her persona. An example of one of her many shocking comments-When the Buddhist monks began to set themselves on fire to protest the brutality and repressiveness of her brother-in-law, the President (He had never married and was later assassinated along with Madam Nhu’s husband) "She would applaud at seeing another monk barbecue show, 'for one cannot be responsible for the madness of others'.”

Don't Jump To Conclusions

Because we are so health conscience in California. Well, maybe I shouldn't say California. We did get duped by the big tobacco companies and didn't pass an anti smoking bill that would have probably saved thousands of lives. But, by in large we are health conscience and so recently when I was looking at the Lifestyles/marriage section of the Sunday's NY Times and saw what I envisioned was a somewhat large couple featured in what appeared to be an elaborate wedding. But, then as I looked more closely, I saw a portable oxygen tank and then I started reading. I was already slapping myself. Here was a couple very much in love, already into heartache road but had found each other and just as their life plans were chrystalizing, the fiancée came down with cancer. Their world shattered and with what little money they had going for medical bills, no chances for a wedding. Somehow the groom scraped together enough for a ring and an organization, Wish Upon A Wedding gave them their special day. And, the bride was sticking with him. Lesson here in addition to not being jugemental is that Wish Upon A Wedding needs to be applauded as well as the NY Times. The "Times" usually appears to feature those handsome young couples, future Wall Street Bankers amd Harvard graduates whose parents are incredibly successful themselves. And, I am going to better be on top of it: being a rather large person doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. It could mean lots of things; only the individual can determine that. However, the least of which what you look like has anything to say about who you truly are. God bless us all.

DEATH

Death is an equal opportunity player. Everybody dies. I am often so very sad when I watch the news and routinely see death and dying in places like Syria. Mostly, the results of the foibles of man, i. e., politics. F..king intolerable but nothing we can do about it. And, of course, death also has to do with  personal loss. Let's face it, we are all touched by death in one way or another. For instance, my older brother recently died. He was the greatest guy and was always there for myself and three brothers. What should have been a comforting time became a family drama. Because we were close, he told me exactly what he wanted in death. Simple things mostly. His family chose to ignore his wishes. Not earth shattering but everyday things that could have easily been followed. What is so f..king upsetting is that we all knew exactly what my brother wanted. Consequently, in my view, not following his wishes dishonored his memory. I would like to make a fuss but it would serve no purpose.

RACISM

My wife and I were recently discussing our southern roots and how Southern Baptists in particular could be so in the camp of a Mormon like Romney and the Catholic Ryan. No mystery to me. Racism. It is so deeply ingrained in those deep South states: South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas. Maybe my home state of North Carolina. Think anybody will admit it? This is all opinion. These southerners who are now embracing the Mormons are zealots. They are driven by basically, "don't confuse me with facts, I have my mind made up." Throw in the deep seated unspoken race issue and you have a "lock." And, it is easier to be a Zealot if the deep seated race Issue is there. There was a time, just a few years ago, Southern Baptists were calling Mormonism a "cult." There are so many strange things about this southern embracing Republican zealotry that can be explained no other way. Put any sort or label you want but this ain't no f..king spin. Democrats have always been concerned with a safety net. When LBJ, after passing the Civil Rights Bill said, "We've lost the South for ten years." Wrong! His statement should have been, "We have lost the South." Think about it, so much of the South is poor and programs that address poverty are those like head start, aid to dependent children, medicaid, etc. All kinds of social programs would be dismantled by Romney the Mormon and Ryan the Catholic. I am amazed. It is f..king downright unChristian.

PUTTING HEART INTO IMMIGRATION

Few movies have I ever watched that had a greater impact. While realizing that movies can make whatever they want happen, this was a fantastic movie Amy way you cut it. I knew much of the stuff. Mexicans living in America, simply trying to create a better life for themselves and their families back home. They stand on corners, literally begging for work. They are, as a rule, skilled workers and yet relegated to menial tasks to earn a few dollars. The story was all about that with a few twists and turns. The protagonist, a Mexican laborer, with a son, working as a gardener. The teenage son left without supervision is a step away from joining a gang. The Dad is trying to mdke it. Honest to the core, through a loan from his sister, he buys a truck and a future. The twist: the truck is stolen by a fellow countryman. Finally with great effort, he locates the thief who has already sold the truck and sent the money home. He finds the truck and steals it back  The rest of the story is way too familiar to us: stopped by police (LA), goes to jail, deported. Can't tell you anymore. You must see it and you'll never see immigration quite the same ever again.

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan in all his flowing robes delivered the closing blessing to the Republican National Convention in Tampa. To be perfectly honest, I don't give a f..k one way or the other. I simply find it strange that a Catholic would choose to bow and scrap for a political party that would dismantle all the safety nets for the poor, many which are Catholics. Jesus, whose ministry was build around his Sermon on the Mount could not, with the utmost stretch of compassion, embrace the Republican Party Platform. Help!

DOES RELIGION MATTER

Does it make any difference what religion a person is. I don't know. It is so incredibly definitional in America. Christianity is what Americans as a rule mean when they say religion. I always think in terms of something being moral or immoral. Or ethical or unethical. This isn't religion 101 but it is a legitimate question. An example. The Supreme Court is made up of 3 Jews and 6r Catholics. Even Clarence Thomas, black, who has ever heard of that many black Catholics. Does it make any difference. Yes and no. Let's say they are deciding on a woman's right to choose. i. e., abortion and their church strongly is against abortion which they are (hell, the Catholic hierarchy doesn't even want them using birth control). In the example, the court decides against abortion. Was it their belief, the church's belief? Were they influenced by their church? How would we know? We wouldn't. It is a thorny issue. What about Mitt Romney's Mormonism. Or, the polite term, Latter Day Saints. Joe Paterno had his statue unceremonious taken down at Penn State for a perceived or real sin for putting his football program ahead of protecting children. Brigham Young still has his statue at the Mormpn Temple in Salt Lake City. Young described black people as cursed with dark skin as punishment of Cain's murder of his brother. Mormonism through the book of Mormon suggests an alternate universe even going so far that blacks supported the fallen angel Lucifer in his rebellion against God.

WHO ELECTS THIS GUY?

When I was growing up, I worked at my brothers grocery store which was in this great little town, well, more like a village. We had a big African American clientele that were poor to say the least. That is another story, unlikely to be told by me. Anyway, one day, my brother and I are out and for some reason we were dropping off some groceries to a black family. They lived in a ram shackle house like most. On the top of it was a TV antenna. My brother who was a great guy and whose bark was about ten times worse than his bite said something like, "can you believe this, these people don't have a pot to p..s in and yet they have a TV." I remember it like yesterday, I said to him more to hassle and tick him off than anything. Remember, I am a teenager. I said something like, "Well, I don't guess that poor people don't deserve a TV or any good things in life." When I think of WI, liberal (hate labels and prefer to call myself open) bent that I am, can hardly believe that guys like Paul Ryan come from a state like Wisconsin. I am thinking that he should be from Alabama or South Carolina but not Wisconsin. He has literally in my view, taken the Republicans hostage to his idealogical views. He would dismantle everything from Social Security to Medicare and everything in between plus fork over tax breaks to those who don't need it. Amazing.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SOPHIE WILDER

In the novel, "What Happened to Sophie Wilder", writer Charlie Blakeman runs into his former college love after 10 years and finds out that she has converted to Catholicism. Charlie can't make sense of her conversion, but as he finds out more about Sophie's past, he sees her life is more complicated than he previously thought. When Sophie once again disappears, Charlie sets out to discover what has happened to her. I haven't read this book, just published. I listened to Terry Gross (my favorite interviewer. She is fabulous) interview the author. I might read it if I can get over my bias that these young novelists don't know shit about the real world and here they are writing novels as if they do. What always fascinates me is the interest that people have in religion. And, especially someone that seems almost preoccupied as does this author, at least from Terry's interview. I'm not talking about fanatics like jihadists, etc. who want to kill people but those who want to cogitate their navels. Those who are Catholics are the worst. They accept all this BS, i. e., Pope, pomp and ceremony--then they fret about it. The Protestants are as bad. The author used an example today that I thought was good. The Prosperity Gospel. A guy like Joel Osteen (he didn't mention him by name but Osteen is main proponent and has this gigantic non thinking bunch of Texans who listen to him) The author's quote,  "the Prosperity Gospel is supposed to make you feel good about the things you naturally want already." Another good Protestant example are the right wing fundamentalists who have mostly got their head up their fourth point of contact (paratrooper term for, "got your head up your ass)." Fortunately my religion is very simple. I embrace Jesus in what He "said" and "did" and this is found in the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Anything else that someone quotes is what was said about him, not what He said. And, where the f..k do the Catholics get all those ideas of costumes, pomp and ceremony:  they invented them. Sure didn't come from Jesus. He hated that stuff, only about the second time he got pissed: one was at the money changers in the temple and the other one was at the Pharisees, forerunners of the Catholics who He said paraded around in long and flowing garments and were white sepulchres, about the worst thing you could say about someone in Jesus' day. When the Catholics/Protestants spew forth with all this bullshit, I say the Pope may have said it or whatever but you can count on this, Jesus didn't say it.

AFGHANISTAN

Just when you think you've read or heard it all about our debacle in Afghanistan, something else pops up. "Little America: The War Within the War for Afghanistan by Rajiv Chandrasekaran." It is one of those books that you almost think is "tongue" in cheek." Sadly, it isn't. I haven't read it but have heard the author interviewed twice. Each time I simply shake my head. From the interviews, the book is mostly about squandered opportunities. And, he seems to pull no punches. I relate the book somewhat to a blog posting I made early on in the Iraq war. It had to do with our securing ice machines for the troops. I immediately thought, "oh no, Vietnam, here we go again." In our wars, we seem to have one "mantra," getting bogged down. The ice machines represented becoming entrenched. We are f..king stupid to the max. I always blame the generals which is somewhat unfair but I still do. In Iraq, Gerge W. relied on the neocons that proved they didn't know shit. One of the best comments that came out of that misadventure is General Tommy Frank saying something like, "the neocons are the dumbest MFers on the planet. Even if this is not accurate, it sounds good and is true from where I am. The generals know and you would think that there would be a few who would say, "hold it, this is insane. But, they don't, they slap on the '"can do" persona and march on. The immediate history of our debacle in Afghanistan is well documented. What we are experiencing is a phenomena. In the old days, say of Vietnam, the writing about the war years would be down the road, sometimes years, but because of e-books, history is written in the present. "Little America" is one of those books. The author can tell the story even as it is happening. I am reading it--not a pleasant read. The discouraging thing to me is that with all the books, credible views of our involvement in Afghanistan, it doesn't mean shit. Really, we march on in a sad, no, make that pitiful state of denial. Just recently we have signed some agreement calling Afghanistan a non NATO pact or some such bullshit. I like the SecState but the level of denial with these people is palpable. Any Army Sp4 can tell you that Afghanistan is a fast train to nowhere. I feel sorry for the people, especially the women. I hope we can figure out how any women who wants too can come to America. Karzai is corrupt and ineffective by any standards. He is at best the Mayor of Kabul and the rest of the country is up for grabs. Poppy growing with resulting drug money going to the Taliban is the worst kept secret in the galaxy. Afghan trainees shooting us. Should I go on? Giving Afghanistan some sort of Bullshit status is denial at its height. I don't know if this is some kind of politics. Worried that the Republicans searching for an issue will say we are weak on Afghanistan, we have to show support. Bullshit! There is no solution to Afghanistan. With overwhelming evidence, still we continue to deny. The Russians tried the hard core, rough, take no prisoner approach. Finally they "got it" and beat feet out of Afghanistan. Now, there is no evidence that anything works. Most Americans who care and pay any attention have already psychologically left the country? Does the Secretary of State/Prez think we won't notice that we have such a presense in Afghanistan once the "So call" combat troops leave. Come on give me a break.

Stone Angel

Stone Angel. Heavy in a way. Opening scene is a son and his wife attempting to put his mother in a nursing home. The mother was one of these "Holy Terrors" as the son called her. Lots of flashbacks which showed how dysfunctional  people's lives can be.   

STUPID VOTERS

Repealing the Health Care law. I would say that the Republican Congress is stupid. We know that. But, really the f..king stupid ones are the voters that put them in. I can't believe that Americans who care could possibly be so f..king dumb. Give me a break. Do these people have nothing better to do. The Supreme Court has decreed the Affordable Health Initiative  constitutional and yet the Republican Congress persist. They would not be doing this act of idiocy if they did not have support from back home. It is why they are worthless politicians, they play to the crowd. So, what other conclusion can we draw but how dimb ass their constituents are.

MARGARET

Margaret (weird title to me. Taken from a poem which somehow grapples with death and has great meaning to the director, Kenneth Lonergan but not to those of us seeing the movie) is one of those movies that could easily be as much about how the movie was made and all the machinations surrounding it than the actual movie itself: disputes, editing, lawsuits. I'd read about it and then heard a long interview with the director by Terry Gross on NPR. However, that is a sidebar, the movie is fantastic. The performances of Anna Paquin and J. Smith-Cameron who plays Paquin’s mother is Academy Award acting if I've ever seen it. Any parent who is involved with a narcissistic teenager will love this movie. In fact, if there were any way to insist that parents see this movie, relationships could possibly be repaired on a national basis. Parents would realize, "my selfish and disrespectful" teenager is par for the course. I can't say enough about the acting. In the movie, the mother and daughter team is realistic and movingly captured on-screen better than any movie I've seen. "Margaret" has everything: great story, good acting, funny while being sad. The sexual stuff with the teenagers was humorous and awkward, the way it is with kids--well done. With Matt Damon, the teacher, could as well have been omitted. There was a kid brother who got no attention and obviously a neat kid. He mainly gets yelled at. What is it with that? Rent this movie. A masterpiece as some have called it. Maybe?

SPECIAL FORCES TRAINING

Brien Stowe, a San Francisco Giants fan, paramedic, father was beaten senseless by some thugs at an LA Dodgers game. A tragedy in every way and brought to mind when I did Special Forces Training (Green Beret). A minor portion of the training but very important when you think of this tragedy. Could it have been avoided? I don't know but...The training taught, if you are confronted, do everything you can to get away: run, scream, call 911, anything. However, if you absolutely can't get away, then you tell the MFers that you don't want to fight and you'll do anything to avoid it but if there is no way out, you say, "this is not going to be a fight, I am going to kill you."

Book Review--DRIFT

Drift is somewhat of a history lesson on what has happened with the military and our penchant for war. And, how to conduct it with the least amount of political fallout and if not in secret, close: use civilian contractors. This has been one, if not the best book, I've read, on perspective in our misguided rosy policy in terms of the "fast train to nowhere" in Afghanistan. But, this book is more. Incredibly readable, the Commander in Chief should be reading even as we speak. Unfortunately, based on our continued direction in Afghanistan,  he will not nor his aids and that is a major f..k up. If I gave any criticism and it really is not that: it is more a different view. Maddaw, like many of the strategists about our present debacle in Afghanistan, simple don't "get" the nuances of the military, having not served. I think the president has learned quickly, i. e., the generals ganged up on him and based on his lack of experience, he caved on something like the "so called" surge in Afghanistan. It has not worked: it only worked in Iraq because the military forced their own type of ethnic cleansing and literally separated the factions. Maddow's history lesson on the love affair or lack thereof between the military and Americans, is superb and so, "right on." She does the best  evaluation I've seen about Vietnam and vets in particular. It was awful seeing the way we treated returning soldiers from Vietnam (thanks to the President who used the word, shameful). Men and women who had given their life's blood and the country gave them the "finger" with mostly nothing but distain. We will never get ovet it!  If Vietnam vets have a legacy, it is that we were treated so badly that Americans who care(not all do); are trying to get it right this time around. At least our leadership publicly acknowledge our soldiers. I doubt it will last. What Maddow gave short shift too in terms of fallout is I think the Prez is in trouble over that which he can't do anything about. Thoughts of the Republicans returning us to 1950 makes me nauseous. As a white boy from NC, I've been proud that we elected an African American president. Somehow, I thought, "wow, we have come a long way."  I never dreamed for a moment that we would experience this enormous hatred  by the right wing nuts. To me, there is simply noway to look at it but racial. And, I am leaning toward conspiracy theory. Bankers hate him, business hates him. Banks sitting on two trillion of cash. Won't lend, companies are struggling, they can't hire. Banks/big business equal Conspiracy. It sounds crazy but the objective data is there. Poor guy has learned how to be president. Inherited worse economy since the great depression, two wars. I am amazed that the guy can stand upright. So, my thought is that we Americans who care (And, not all do) need to get off our ass and stand up for what is right. F..k the racists! I was especially incensed at Maddow's  descriptions of the cavaliar contractors and their horrendous behavior and the awful way they represented our country. I, like most Americans, have been "asleep at the wheel" on this one.  The sorry immoral MFers. She nailed it. (I would like to think that "Drift" contributed to the Secret Service types getting caught in Columbia. Unfortunately, the contractors and their awful behavior seemed to get a free pass). She deals with our nuclear mess in a "shake your head" unbelief way. The practicality of where we find ourselves with all these nukes is almost beyond belief. Drift's conclusions leads us to discover that Maddow is an idealist. She thinks we can turn all this around. I am more skeptical. We would do well as a country to take to heart this very laudable and readable book. I don't have much hope that we will. I plan to do my part and read Drift again and buy two or three more copies for friends. I have never watched Maddow's show. Not a single time but I'm going to start.

SPRUNG FOR A LAST OUTING

Carolyn, thanks for remembering Raz. I will have to admit that I've had a harder time "moving on" so to speak, than I thought I would. I really miss picking up the phone and calling him. It was a weekly ritual. Plus, I am so grateful that I said goodbye and, of course, I stopped by briefly and you fed us which was great as usual.  I probably related thisl story when we were there: about the second day, Raz seemed to rally a bit and so Kathryn and I decided to take him for a drive. I got him in his wheelchair, brought the car around and got him in it. He really had had a big day, all the brothers showed up and we went to the fine dining of Waffle House. He really ate heartily: country ham, grits, etc. We laughed and told the same stories we always do. A good time. So, after a nap, Kathy and Raz and myself took off. Later on, we discovered, we were fugitives. We hadn't signed him out or anything. We decided to go for Smithfield Barbecue and I'm on the way to Fayetteville, I think. The next thing I know, Kathy, who has no sense of direction, tells me we are headed to Hope Mills. What! I do know we are way out in the country. We wander around for awhile. Laughing all the time about "touring the countryside" while looking for a barbecue sandwich.   With something akin to a miracle, we see a sign for 401. We head in that direction. Finally, after about what seems like  hours, we end up at the Cultural Center of Hoke and Cumberland County: Walmart. Low and behold, there is Smithfield Barbecue. We pull in, get a barbecue, with all the cholesterol clogging good stuff. We have a feast and Raz eats it all. We jump on 401 and head back to Raeford, still not knowing we are fugitives. Just inside what I guess are the City Limits, a policeman pulls us over. He looks in the car. Kathy is in panic mode. I'm thinking, "give me the ticket so I can get Raz on back to his present abode, Open Arms, this nice skilled nursing facility. The cop takes my license. Goes back to his car and I guess checks it. Comes back and says something like, "I don't know how you do it in California but here in North Carolina, we obey the law." I figure at this point the better course of valor is to say nothing. Finally he says, "You be careful and watch your speed."  "I will. Thank you very much." (In fact, as an aside, having spent a night at the Days Inn where I heard sirens all night. My thought: Brooklyn doesn't have that much police activity).  Anyway, we get back and people run out to greet us in a panic. They have been looking everywhere for us and have called his son and are within milliseconds of  calling the police. Well, we had temporarily sprung Raz. We thought it was funny. Nobody else was laughing. {{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}} 

AT LONG LAST

On the evening news recently was the heartwarming story of the Medal of Honor being finally presented to a Vietnam warrior, Leslie Sabo. Long overdue is an understatement of many moons.  The story behind the Medal is a backstory for sure: The writeup of the medal, lost in the fog of war or simple neglect, then recovered; there are many unsung heros, the researcher who found the citation in the archives and his own tenacity, possibly--all given faint praise in  "sound bites." At least in the modern world of media, it was something. And, we cannot forget the soldier who originally recognized the great bravery. And the recipient of the Medal: the trooper taking the fight to the enemy, pulling the pin on a grenade and shielding a fellow soldier.  It does not come close to the whole story. The drama of combat. Bravo company ambushed, firefight with North Vietnamese Regulars. In this battle, Sabo, along with many of his fellow soldiers stepped up. I hope all of them got medals. Sabo paid the ultimate price. And, his dear wife, married 31 days before her husband went to Nam. The President's remarks, very classic and sincere. He calls Rose, the wife: "I am honored Mr. President."  "No, Rose, I am honored." Classy! 

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES

When Jessie Helms ran for the Senate in NC, my mom got out of her sick bed to vote for him. He had been a long time TV type and even in those days defined bigotry. But, nobody who thought about it doubted that he honestly believed what he was preaching. Recently some Pew research type when asked, "how is it that Americans keep getting more tolerant of gay marriage when surveyed amd yet more and more states like NC prove otherwise. His answer: "those who are more open do so in a Laissez-faire type way. Yet those who are opposed are zealots. They vote. The rest of us better wake up and smell the roses or these people are going to be running the country. How scary is that?

FALACY OF AMERICAN PEOPLE

SAN FRANCISCO VOTING BALLOT GUIDE I just voted and always vote absentee  because I want time and I like doing it casually, sitting on the "John" or whatever. Because I keep up with politics, etc, I'm pretty much on top of issues. Voter Guide, we could probably save money. Do I think most pay voting much attention. Not really. I simply voted for non incumbents. Does my vote make a difference, doubt it. 50% don't even bother and this is one of the reasons that everytime I hear some politician say, "American people," I want to throw up. American people, bullshit. Most don't give a "rat's ass" about the electoral process. The dumb MFers. They vote against their own interests if they don't vote but they don't get it. It is such a bullshit term, "American People": should be "Americans who care." And, while I am on this rant, let me say this: I didn't vote for a single Republican. As an Independent, I, at least, want to be able to say I never voted for s party that wanted us to get back to 1950. In this election, I feel they will do anything to get rid of the President, even if they have to hold their nose and nominate a Mormon and gazillionaire with whom they have little in common. I'm going with a bumper sticker I recently saw which sums it up for me as I'm heading out to drop my ballot in the mail: "I think, therefore I am a liberal."

Soldier Suicides

"For every soldier killed on the battlefield  this year, about 25 vets are dying by their own hand. An American soldier dies every day and a half, on average in combat. Veterans kill themselves on average one every 80 minutes. More than 6500 veteran suicides are logged every year. More than the total number of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined since those wars began (A columnist in NY Times). What the f..k! This is outrageous and guess who is to blame. We are. For example, recently I had breakfast with about six or eight fellow Vietnam vets. To a person, talking about the rash of suicides, they felt that repetitive tours is the culprit. The emotions of going back and forth have to take its toll. And why is this? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to piece it together. During Vietnam, we had the draft, a ready pool of soldiers. Few Vietnam veterans did more than one tour, usually lasting 12 or thirteen months. That is it, over, finish, next case. The military wants some more soldiers/cannon fodder, they draft some more. The draft was far from perfect as about anybody who wanted could get out of it. Interestingly, often soldiers were happy to be drafted. It was a point of pride. Then along came SecDef Melvin Laird and icon Milt Friedman who sold Americans on ending the draft. The unintended consequences was a Volunteer Military that was too small and totally unrepresentative of our democracy. In other words, we now have a military of other people's children fighting our wars. Less than 1% have any investment in our ill conceived wars or our military. And, of course Donald Rumsfelt and draft dodger, Dick Chaney, who had other priories during Vietnam, only added to the difficulties now causing an epidemic of soldier suicides. Military leadership has to bear some responsibility with their "can do" attitude. Fluctuating economy, kids who have limited options have joined this AVF (all volunteer force) and added to the fact that you have a lower socieo economic soldier which also means that he has less coping skills. It is scandalous as my mom would say. So, what is the remedy. Too late for those soldiers who have cashed out. Bring back the draft or some sort of community service. We don't have the political will. So, what then. F..K, I don't know.

ERI've never been much of a baseball fan. ⚾Not any particular reason but I recently went to a San Francisco Giants game. Baseball crowds are wonderful. Patriotic, they are singing, "God Bless America" with gusto. A violinist played the National Anthem (white violin). The crowd is whooping it up. I look around me: the ethnicity knocks you over. It looks like the United Nations if anybody is noticing: African Americans, whites, India types, Asians of all sorts. I'm the only one paying attention because things like this always overwhelm me about America. We are probably the only country in the world that is truly multicultural and by in large nobody pays it any attention and for the most part, we get along. On any street corner, you can hear five different languages. Sitting next to me is an older gay couple. How do I know? Well my seat mate, a beautiful Filipino American pointed it out. Why the interest? I thought the elderly man might have dementia, based on the way his partner was talking to him. Sun was great, perfect day. God is in his heaven and all is right with the world. Well, at least at this baseball game⚾.

BUFFET RULE

What we are talking about here is the "fairness" issue. Every MFer you talk to or hear, has a view. Most of them are into, "how does this effect me?" Let's face it, it is simply the way it is. The most opposed are the f..king recalcitrant  Republicans who are simply interested in one thing: defeating the President. Consequently, the same sort of bullshit that they ususually throw up is ever present: doesn't help the deficit, etc. I talked with a good buddy yesterday who is totally opposed to the buffet rule. His overall reasoning is that the rich already pay enormous taxes. Well, guess what, plain and simple, the rich also avoid a lot of taxes. The tax codes need to be reformed. All agree but on the Buffet rule, it simply is the right thing to do.

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LEGAL, DOESN'T MEAN IT IS RIGHT

Recently, I was at a social gathering. Wonderful group of folks, celebrating a bunch of kids running the San Francisco Half Marathon. As we chowed down on bagels and an assortment of unhealthy eats. (Well, there was fruit), we drifted, as we usually do, into politics. Not a good move. Anyway, across the table was this economics professor at one of the local Universities. I had already sized him up as a Republican and then was surprised to hear that he voted for the President in the last election. He added, however, that he was unsure for this one and definitely would not vote for our local rep, Nancy Pelosi. I concurred on the basis of the Sixty Minutes story where she was profiled as making millions on insider trading. As we learned in the Sixty Minutes' program, Congress was not subject to the same rules about insider trading as the rest of us. We go to jail. They make millions. Pelosi's defense was that she didnot do anything illegal. What about unethical and immoral. Just because it is legal, doesn't make it right in my estimation.

To my right was a female attorney. Her defense of Pelosi was novel, at least I had not heard it before. Pelosi should not be held accountable for this transgression even if it was immoral, unethical, whatever. Her support of her congresswoman was unwavering as Pelosi spoke to many issues that were important to Californians--Pelosi should get a pass. We chatted a bit longer and all reasoning did not prevail. Plus, she used an oft repeated view that if Pelosi were held accountable, so should all politicians as they all do the same thing. The fact that the loophole had now been closed with a bill making Congress play by the same rules as all of us didn't play with her. When the bill was first Introduced, only a couple of congressmen signed on. After the 60 Minites story, over a hundred did. In the debate, it sailed through. When the president signed the bill, not surprisingly, Congresswoman Pelosi was not present for the occasion.

The big point is there is no convincing this person that Pelosi has forfeited her good will. Forget it. To me, as basically an "Independent," this is why our system is broken. We are willing to accept unethical behavior, whatever from elected officials as long as our own self interests are met. MY BELIEF.
As my cowboy hero Gus, in the TV mini series, "Lonesome Dove" said in reply to a question of giving up on driving a herd of cows from Texas to Montana. "No, I try to always get where I'm going when I started out. And, it's the right thing to do."