MITCH MCCONNEL

To think l that we have to put up with McConnell's smirky scowl for the foreseeable future is more that I can fathom. F..king discouraging anyway you look at it. 

A new book called "The Cynic" deals with the rise of McConnell. According to the book, he is a politician through and through as he has positioned himself always to the next election. And he has championed all those areas that we totally abhor: wrecked campaign finance reform, cozied up to the banks and Wall Street; fought against any sort of reasonable immigration. Name it, this sorry f..ker has done it. His whole life, up until now, has been geared to "NO" if it doesn't enhance his status. But, the issue to me isn't McConnell.  We know what he is, and I am being kind. But, what interests me more are those who voted for him. 

Who are these people, having seen who McConnell  is and what he has done and aspires too. So, they endorse all the bullshit. Honestly, makes me damn ashamed. I know it is politics but still...as a southern, I have always been suspicious of KY. I think as my brother Raz would say, "Kentucky is mostly a bunch of Yankees."

I think if I could wish anything for my fellow "Mericans" who care, (and not all do) we agree to disagree but let's don't be selfish. Pluralism is a great thing and a founding principle of our country even if we don't know it: those with plenty share with the less fortunate and the majority protect the rights of the minority. We are all a gaggle of immigrants who through luck and good fortunate live in this great country and have prospered. McConnell, I fear has forgotten it, never grasped it or is just a sorry MFer who doesn't care.  

NO JOY IN MUDVILLE

When I think of the recent elections, I think "there's no joy in Mudville." This refers, of course, to the epic poem, "Casey has struck out." For us Democrats, there is no joy. I hate politics. It is our system, however, as messy as it can be. What I feel worse about are some deep seated feelings that I have about "Mericans" who care and let's face it, not all do.  

Who the f..k are these people who vote Republican and blame everything on the Prez?. To think that we have to listen to McConnell even more is pretty discouraging. He has been head of the party of NO, plain and simple. Now let's see the MFer govern. Gridlock as much as ever. And this thought about the President, nothing new but the voters apparently don't get it. The guy inherited two ill conceived wars. Both of them, as well as now, are impossible. Iraq is mired in the idiocy of religious fanaticism and gone to hell in a hand basket and nothing we can do about it. Nor can the President, despite sore loser John McCain, wantimg us to invade something. 

And, how about the worst economy since the Great Depression. We have come back. Unemployment is  down, job creation is up, the stock market is up. So, tell me why this negative attitude toward the President. Race. There is no other conceivable answer. I am a white boy from NC, there simply is no other reasoning. Do we think these people who voted in the Republicans, have an answer: where the f..k is it? The Repubs are great at slogans and blaming the President but coming up with real plans to solve our problems, they are f..king out to lunch. 

An aside, another thing that irritates me no less about elections is that the pollsters are usually right. Are we so predictable. I guess so but hate it. Plus, I am damn ashamed of my fellow "Mericans and am incensed at Democrats who did not vote. I have to think that we deserve the people we elect. 

Very simply, the Republicans duped you. They made an entire election out of prejudice. Every thing is Obama's fault. Vote me in and I will repeal health care, global warming initiatives, immigration reforms. They will kiss up to banking and Wall street. They won't do shit. 

The way I often gage things, ballgames. Look in the stands. Every seat taken, regardless: baseball, football, pro, college, stands are full. Where is the money coming from. I get the cheap seats to see the SF Giants, have a beer. A hundred bucks before you know it. Where is all this pocket of people who are really hurting that the pollsters keep talking about. Anger. What the f..k are they angry over. 

The poor, of course, and Jesus said it best, "the poor we always have with us." So, what is it. Racism. 

There is a segment of our society who simply can't stand to see a black man in the White House.  But, it isn't quite that simple. There are out and out racists, then there is institutional racism where customs, rules exclude people. Then there is a subtle racism which many deny and in a weird way don't even know or accept. And, this may the most potent. Nobody talks about it. No media type would dare suggest racism but it is there and it is real. 

Rationally, there is simply no way to explain the hatred and bad mouthing of the President. So much so that an entire election was won through the euphemisms for race in the name of the President. 

And, the Democrat politicians also bear some blame. By distancing themselves, they played right into the negative loss. Why not say, the Republicans have it all wrong. The Affordable Health Care Act has given millions assess to health care. How in the f..k can that be a bad thing? Wall Street needs to pay still for leading us into the worse financial crisis in decades. The president is concerned about global warming because it is the right thing to do. We should embrace immigration. People want to come to America because it is a great Country, home of the brave and land of the free.  We are all immigents. 

The list is endless and as Dr Phil has popularized, "How is that working for you?" Well, it didn't work? You f..ked up. Why didn't they support the president. They are cowards. 

What can we do about it. Very little. I think that race, like immigration, the homeless and politics, we just have to do the best we can. In this case with this election, we have done piss poor as my dad would say. 

MEXICO

When I was a soldier at Fort Bliss, Texas back in the seventies, going into Juarez was a treat. Gas was cheaper, clow was great. Shopping was terrific. But, guess what? You better have a wad of cash with you because you had to pay everybody off. 

Until Mexico gets a handle on corruption at every level, it will always be a 3d world country. Say what you want too about "Merica," but if you are corrupt and you are a public servant, eventually you are going to get caught and go to jail. 

Diem Brown

My doctors are seemingly giving up but I won't and can't roll over. Whatever option I have to live, I'm grabbing it. 

Picture from September. She just died of ovarian cancer. She, like our sweet Rose, fought this insidious disease for almost 10 years. She was a star of the MTV reality show, "The Challenge." Picture from the NYTmes

WHY WE LOST

Only another surge can win the fight against this dire threat. (Isis) Really? If insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I think we’re there. 

MASS PROTESTS

WHERE ARE THE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS?

"Where is the outrage regarding the seemingly casual attitude these days in sending our kids off to fight Ill conceived battles?" WD, ltr to TIME

ANSWER: No draft, even Americans who care, are uninvolved as other people's kids fight these ill conceived wars. 

WRITING AS HOBBY

Most of the time, the only person who considers me a writer, is me. It is a hobby. Some men/women have a garage set of tools or quilting material or anything that can be considered a "hobby;" or as we get older, to keep themselves busy. I write. 

But, writers want to get published and 

the process is very discouraging. For instance, the same books/authors are reviewed/interviewed. Time, NPR interviews, NY Times Book Review; think they go out for new authors, etc. f..k no, the same ones. But, have to keep this in the "hobby" perspective. I am on top of it. 

PLANET CANCER

Author, Michael Faber, has said that his latest novel, The Crimson Petal and the White is his last book. His wife, collaborator, and soul mate died, succumbed to the insidious disease, cancer. He called it, Planet Cancer, meaning it had taken over both their lives. 

I saw him interviewed on NPR (National Public Radio) and he said that he could not go on writing without her. God bless him.   

Aung San Suu Kyi

And our president. How inspiring!

PARALLEL UNIVERSE

Some Admiral was on TV tonight, spouting views like it was pre Iraqi invasion. These guys fascinate me. They live in a parallel universe. 

DELUDED

At some point, the poor/middle class will wake up and realize they have been hoodwinked into voting against their own interests or they won't. 

BIRDMAN

THE MOVIE BIRDMAN. Talk about a weird movie. Michael Keaton, one of my favorite actors, was great. Entertaining movie even in its weirdness. Basically about a washed up actor trying to make a comeback on the stage. Almost impossible to explain. Kind of gave you an inside look at the acting world. 

The title came from where the character played by Keaton made his name--A super hero in a Birdman costume. 

My favorite Michael Keaton movie was "Clean and Sober," (this is the 80s) a really good movie, about the "twenties something" crowd and their involvement with drugs. In the opening scene of the "Clean and Sober" movie, Keaton wakes up in bed with a women and she has ODed. It was very dramatic. See it sometimes. BIRDMAN. See it. 

HIDDEN AGENDAS

HIDDEN AGENDA. Throughout my military career, I often had to deal with various personalities or "turf" issues. It was always so irritating. Recently I've had two events that fall in that "hidden agenda" category. The son of one of my really good friends was killed in an auto accident. So sad. I knew the son from military days. He was a fine young troop.  After his tours in Iraq, he became a National Guard advisor. (Not totally sure of my facts but somewhere around them)

My experience with the Guard is limited but from hearing the "talk," it is pretty political, especially at the higher ranks. And, what often happens with the military; every time there is a change, the new regime wants to pitch out the old: the new one has their own agenda. It shouldn't be that way but it is. And often, it is anything but straight forward. 

In other words, the "hidden agenda." My suspicion  is that my friend's son, knowing him, wanted to make a difference and was frustrated. I think that he was a tough boss: the "powers that be" said they were reducing the budget. Hidden Agenda. The real story is they wanted to get rid of my friend's son because he was not part of the new team (if there was one) or maybe in Biblical terms, he was kicking against the "pricks." Regardless, "Hidden Agenda." 

DEMOCRACY

VETS

Just returned from the infamous pheasant hunt. And, as usual, the pheasants of North Dakota had nothing to fear from me. 

At one point I thought it couldn't get worse when it actually did. And here a few of us were joining our hunting buds like we do every year but this time it was Into the "jaws of  the right wing" Republicans. I liked them as we had been together once a year for maybe 10 years plus. But, to be honest, I was expecting the worst; at best some good natured ribbing, and at worst, they would be intolerable. They weren't. What happened was a lot of ribbing more from us than them. And, when we laid into them about views, they just smiled. I figured that since they had secured the victory who gives a flying fig, as my dad would say. Kind of weird. 

One of my fellow Democrats and a super patriot, Wayne, some of you have met hassled them about now they would have to govern, etc. It got me to thinking as we got more into hunting. Who were these guys, our good friends, our hunting buddies, who represented the very conservative? I always wonder that, not only politically but the signs of the economy, among many things. Seeing all these people in the "stands" at ballgames, who are they? 

With these who, from my perspective, literally disliked the President almost to hatred. He gets no credit for having inherited two ill conceived wars, the worst economy since the Great Depression. 

And, our buddies mostly spouted the Republican mantra: no taxes, strong defense, hate Obama Care. Arguments with reason seem to elude them. 

In our group, we had a lawyer, Gav, a doctor, a couple of young bucks,

mid to late thirties; a financial services guy, a manager of an international business dealing in hardware types of things. They were all well educated, well read and had decided opinions. 

We all knew each other mostly from hunting and got along well. My nephew, who is as close to a standup comic, a Robin Williams. He had a lot of one liners. I loved this one, "We ain't gay. We just like to hug," attributed to Williams.  Funny. 

I was bemoaning the election when Wayne said, "think about it. We got up on the day after the election. Many disappointed, bitching and moaning but when we got up this morning, there were no revolutions, nobody tried to incite a riot. This is 'Merica.' " We changed who is running the government, no big deal. We throw one group out, put another one in. No sweat. Peace and harmony mostly. People are a lot more upset on who won what ballgame. 

This is pretty fabulous if you asked me. In our group we have some extremist views. One disliked the  president, hates most everything, thinks the President is a Muslim plant and Obama is out to destroy the Christians. We laughed like mad. He also believes that having too many  African American (he actually used the word, African Americans) playing football is eventually going to hurt the teams. More laughter. Now this is really forward thinking. But, he was so good natured that we just shook our heads. 

Our lawyer was incredibly articulate, a "true independent."  He says moderation in everything but Texas A&M football. Big time Aggie. 

We have  one guy, a self avowed true expert on various subjects and as my  brother Raz would say, just shy of a bale of cotton. The sweetest guy. We constantly have tried over the years to find him a wife. He had much rather talk about getting a wife than pursuing one. 

We are walking in these fields of tall grass that was like walking through barbed wire. These right winged guys are from Texas. Why are we not surprised. Then "ultra right wing John (not his real name), as we called him handled everything we threw at him with good nature and aplomb. For two days, being together. suffering through those obstacles to blast away at a few pheasants, everything was fun. No arguments, nobody miffed when someone verbally jabbed. Laughter, pheasants, eating everything unhealthy, drinking too much. A good time. I sat back a couple of times and thought to myself. "God bless our 'Democracy,' " it couldn't get any better even if the Dems had won. 

Cognitive Dissidance

To be honest I am a little embarrassed by all the vet/soldier stuff. Maybe I've met too many professional vets. Don't know. Basically I did what I loved while serving my country. Who the f..k needs  acolytes. The flip side of the coin is that it is no small thing. What amazes me is that almost everybody I meet who didn't serve wishes they had. When I was growing up, the question was always, not "if" but "when" are you joining up?

 

Mandatory service

OBITS

I read obits. I think it is a function of age. 

You look at the page. This guy was younger 

than me, etc. I was not reading the obits but 

about this article in the NY Times,  "Big Bang of  

Social Networking," kind of giving a history of 

Social Networks.   Listed was one of the 

founders of a social networking site, Diaspora. I love the name. 

Founded by four young guys; one, 

Zhotomirskiy, committed suicide. I remember

when it happened. Sad, sad. 

I often say when I try to make some sense 

of somebody doing themselves in: when they

seem so promising; when there is 

no sense to what they have done. But, the 

article merely mentioned this and, for me, 

I put it in the obit category. 

Zhotomirskiy "A charasmatic math prodigy, and competitive swing-dancing, dumpster diving, power-kiting, unicycling juggler." 

MOST PEOPLE ARE SELFISH

I use to have a blog, "Most Americans are stupid." Pretty arrogant, right?  I didn't mean dumb. Most "Mericans (using NASCAR pronunciation) are pretty smart but let's face it, those "Mericans" who care and many don't, are pretty selfish. They operate on this basis, "Of my father's children, I love myself the best. If The Lord provides for me, the devil rake the rest." 

I don't know how the president stands upright, really. As President, he has done more than a credible job--inherited two ill conceived wars, the worst economy since The Great Depression and has essentially brought us back; yet, according to the pollsters, he goes down down. What the hell, throw in a little or lot racism and selfish attitude and what other explanation is there?  

GO GIANTS

I am beating around the City. (San Francisco) Everybody is talking Giants. What a win; favorite player. Key play of the game, Bumgartner for president or sainthood. 

Then there were these folks demonstrating in front of City Hall as I was passing by. At first I thought they could be a left over group from the night before, celebrating the Giant's victory; not so, they were pretty much railing against most things, loud crinkling of paper, whatever. A very nice lady who could have easily been a stand-in for a hippy of the Sixties gave me a flower.  God bless "Merica."

GLEN CAMPBELL

It is a curious feeling, difficult and poignant, when you reach that tipping point in the relationship where a person no longer recognizes you. I think that is very difficult. I really wish I could go over and see him and play some songs. 
Jimmy Webb, who wrote, "By The Time I get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman," for Glenn Campbell, now suffering with Alzheimer's. 

SHARON

GO GIANTS. The Sharon Series marches on. HooAhhhhhh. Above all they have "Sharon" in the dugout.

Roger that. What a great way to keep her memory alive: "Sharon's Series". To her, baseball was America's game. Wish you and Sharon could be at all of Sharon's Series. . She is watching, along with Walt, I have no doubt. 



That's Sharon's little Giant she has sitting in a little white rocker for years.
Yes, the "Sharon Series."

DO WE HAVE REGRETS

Absolutely, I have regrets. I often discuss with my GFs (old guys I hang out with that are affectionally called Girlfriends) such esoteric questions. They lie. I expect them too. Who wants to talk about their "fuck ups." Most people will say they don't have any regrets. 

Do you have any regrets? 

No. 

Not a one? 

No. 

You would live your life just as you have? 

Yes. Wouldn't change a thing. 

Damn. F..k. LIARS! (Good natureley. This is how we are. We could care less about feelings. All of us love to be brutally frank. One of the few places in our cultures where we can lay it all out).  I have so many regrets that I want to say, "How much time do you have?" 

The flip side of the coin is that when we look at things retrospectively, what we may have thought at the time was disastrous may actually have been good. Here's my example: since America is crazed about football, I will use my brief football career. I was on a partial scholarship at my college and was really struggling with academics while trying to make the team. I was about 10th string. At one football practice, I got in a fight with one of the star players. It really was not my fault I don't think. We were just lightly hitting and this guy knocked me on my posterior about three times. The coaches and most of the team were enjoying it until I really socked him and almost knocked him out. 

The coach threw me off the team. By school rules, they couldn't take my scholarship unless I voluntarily gave it up. I wouldn't do it but the Coaches really bullied me and finally I gave in. It is one of my regrets. I think. I should have stuck it out. Shortly, thereafter, I failed out of school and was drafted into the Army. Almost all of the football team avoided Vietnam. In hindsight, maybe it was the best thing that could have happened to me. 

TOUR IN THE MARINES

The Newshours did a piece about Silicon Valley (start-ups, APPs). Looking at these "would be" millionaires who weren't even old enough to shave, I couldn't help but think, these kids would do well with a tour in the Marines. 

MYERS BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR

I really am jaded at defending the president. In practical terms, it is a waste of time. I admire the guy just because he can stand upright. I can't feel too sorry for him because this is his choice. But. I get charged when I hear these f..king "know nothings" talk about his being indicisive, etc. it is politics and it is racism. I am a white boy from the South and I can recognize it when I see it. That is another topic. 

The President is an ENTJ on the Myers Briggs. The MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) is the most popular personality instrument in the country. Developed by two women who were trying to figure our people. Google it. The president personality is basically who he is, like all of us--how he acts and reacts. He is an E (extrovert) likes people, moves toward them easily. Has a good sense of humor. An N (iNtuitive) Notice the way it is written, capital N. The president is iNtuitive: innovative and creative, gathers facts. He is not indecisive, he merely is looking at his options MFers. The prez is a "T" (Thinking) in his head. Comes across in very ethereal ways. Logical, college professor. And lastly, he is a J (judgement) not judgmental but a term that Katherine Myers and Isabel Briggs came up with, designed to convey a "lifestyle." Judging as opposed to Perceptive which is on occasion flaky whereas "judging" types are organized. The president always looks sharp, crisp. He is a leader. OK, got it: ENTJ. Know why I am pretty sure. My wife has the same personality. She could easily run the world. OK, there you have it. For us Democrats, let's simply say to these party of "NO" types, get real and understand the personality of the president, asshole. 

EBOLA

Ebola. Sad and scary. Should we prohibit movement to West Africa. I think yes. Good military concept: "When you are up to your arsh in alligators, kind of hard to remember that your mission was draining the swamp." This meaning, do what we can to help the people. F..k, we have already sent the 101st Airborne to help. General Lee, my hero was first commander. 

RIGHT TO DIE

RIGHT TO DIE. I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE that California does not have a "right to die" law. California, a state that is almost buried under the weight of its citizens who are on "life support" (IVs, feeding tubes, oxygen) with no chance of recovery or getting better. 

"Sixty Minutes" profiled a nurse/daughter who was accused of helping her father do what he wanted, DIE. Her case is a typical example of what can happen. Amazing is that it is California who prides itself in "leading the way." What the f..k! We treat our animals better than our loved ones. 

In the case of the PA woman, a State Court Judge did the right thing: dismissed the charges. But, it is a perfect example. We can have "Medical Directives," which we think that the wishes of our loved ones will be honored when, in fact, only two states make Medical Directives binding. West Virginia is one. What the hell? I am going to quit putting the bad mouth on West Virginia. 

THE GENERALS

Sir, Understand your thoughts. I worked for General J A when I was with 2dBn/4th Marines. He is happy to be back in what he would consider a combat/humanitarian joint force assignment. I've briefed him numerous times...he will never rock the boat...

What this means is that even now from the generals we continue to hear these rosy reports from Iraq. Our stupidity is beyond thinkable. 

JOE

JOE is one of those sleeper movies that you see, expecting one thing but getting another in drastic form. It is about an ex-con who has these violent episodes which he seemingly cannot control. Joe played by Nicholas Cage, one of the best actors around I think.

Joe runs a crew of workers who kills trees so the forest can be replanted with healthy seedlings. It sounds like something illegal but not. This is a character driven movie. Everybody in it is somewhat damaged, maybe not the all black crew of workers. There's a mentality of survival which is dark in every way. It is alcohol, smoking, lowlife mentality. Abuse, sex, the base existence to life. 

Joe meets a kid, fifteen, Gary. He begins some redemption. The stark surroundings, the lowlife characters, the bare existence of people who survive makes quite the movie. I don't know why a movie like "Joe" doesn't get more notice. This is a people, an environment that exists in this country. They are the have nots, the survivors, uneducated and unsophisticated but remarkable in a weird way. Joe, especially. 

I originally saw this on a plane but could not quite grasp it. I
immediately watched it again. It is worth your time. 

Best Statement On Politics I've Seen Lately

Here's something (of a stretch, perhaps) to make you feel better about a potential change in control of the senate:  
1. No matter who controls the senate, gridlock will continue for the remainder of Obama's term. 
2. If the Republicans take control now they will be forced to propose legislation, rather than just oppose any and everything.
3. Because the GOP is so at war with itself it will be difficult for them to find enough common ground amongst themselves to propose anything without a major and publicly reported fight. Obama retains a veto to block anything asinine.  
4. Losing the camouflage of "opposition", enough sane and sensible middle-of-the-road American people see the GOP for what it truly represents, and vote accordingly in 2016.    RL

GET REAL

The President is following the path of George W.,  listening to the generals and others who don't know s..t, so to speak. Even though he is the president, the commander in chief, he looks at all those uniforms, those ribbons and tends

To get bamboozled. Generals want to go to war. They are Custis LeMay: let's bomb Hanoi and all the problems will be solved. Stupid. We need to cut this bullshit out. We have so many problems. You have those like John McCain who is beyond hawk to stupid. We can't solve the Mideast. Our efforts are beyond idiocy. Millions and millions of bucks to train an Army who ends up fleeing in the face pf ISIS, in running suits, no less. Now, we are back again. It is like some f..king resurrection or nightmare. Help? And Putin and his oligarchy buddies are not going to stand by and allow western armies to be on the border. Any first year political science student knows this. This is the Cold War REVISITED. What the f..k. 

AMAZON

I cannot believe that Amazon did not invite me to their "Campfire" for writers. What the hell! F..K, double F..K. I could have used some of those lavish gifts. Damn, a retreat, relaxed. Come on Jeff. Look at it like this, you invited all these big names for the last four years to your "Campfire" and now, you need a little "love" and they jump up and bite you in the arsh.   

I have been a big supporter. I am beaucoup applauding Amazon for leveling the playing field. Always before, big time, established publishers have pretty much had everything to themselves, mostly ignoring us unheralded authors. In the present dispute, I sense a lot of whining going on. 

I am not the type "not" to take sides. I choose Amazon. For us no-names, Amazon has given us a chance and for myself, if I am anything, I am loyal. 

I've read lots about the dispute and I doubt the dire claims of the "end" of publishing. If I am looking a book, I can find it somewhere.  Maybe I don't have to have it tomorrow. Manipulating ordering, pricing. What the hell, retail stores have their own systems. They put books they are pushing in strategic spots. Probably kickbacks in some form. 

As a writer and small publisher, few of the reading public understand how insane this process of getting published is.  About a hundred percent of the time, us would be published authors  cannot even get Hatchett to respond. No use blaming them. In California, we have more writers than readers. Regardless, before Amazon, we were s..t out of luck. To a large degree, Amazon and the Internet have changed that. I know for a fact that you can get a   few readers, people say to me, "where are your books?" AMAZON. No small thing. 

Here is s good example of the insanity of this business: I have been querying 
agents for months (Queried 40 plus and can't even get anybody to read my novel--they don't know if I have a masterpiece or not because they haven't read it).  But, in a real sense, pressure is off, owing much to Amazon, I have options: publish myself, get it on Amazon. Do an E-book. 

The plight of the author doesn't escape me but it has to be more than money. Sniveling aside, authors or at least those I know, to include myself, realize. this is a tough business and an insane one with no real rules. Big named authors who have made millions may feel slighted but I have a hard time feeling sorry for them. 

GETTING FIRED

This morning as I was perusing the NY Times, I read this extensive article on homeless vets who make up a quarter of the total homeless population. I am always flummoxed  at this. How do some make it and others crash and burn. Regardless, Vietnam remains in vets' psyche. 

I have a related war story. My old boss in Vietnam is reported to be one of the homeless. He and I never got along. It culminated in him telling

me to do a certain thing. I refused because I thought it would put soldiers in jeopardy. I had been with these guys for almost a year and thought I knew best. 

Probably some sort of jealousy. He replaced me with somebody else and sent me to the rear area to be sent home. What nobody could understand is why that should bother me as it got me out of combat; but to me, it was a big thing, really devastating. I was a young Captain and he was a Lieutenant Colonel. 

At war unusual things can happen. My commander was based at this place called Camp Eagle. It was at the headquarters with all the staff people and the generals--they had never been attacked. Most considered that it was safe and impenetrable. They had all the amenities. I was down South, getting ready to be unceremoniously thrown out of the country and out of the Army. Most figured I must have done something bad or whatever or else this would not be happening. I didn't understand it myself. 

Without warning, Camp Eagle came under a ferocious attack. Actually a siege, nobody could get to them. It went on for about three days. Finally, they were rescued. My boss was literally catatonic and had to be sent back to the States. I went back to my old unit. 

The interesting thing is that nobody other than me or my boss were even knowledgeable of what had gone on. Had the siege not happened, I would have gone home and been out of the Army. The rest of this is history, I guess. If there is a moral to the story, it is just, "keep your head down and see what happens." There is nothing worse sometimes than jealousy. And, in our culture, money also seems to be the winner but I am still naive enough to believe that "right" is the winner. I can tell you what it did for me throughout my career, it made me a champion of the underdog, the downtrodden or those who got on the wrong side of the beauracratic establishment. Most of my peers feel that my public "stands" probably kept me from being a general. I don't think so. 

. 

BOYHOOD

Filmed over 12 years, amazing. Three hours. Noway could a movie hold my ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) for three hours. It did. Fascinating movie. Why? I guess so much of it is "true to life." The story line, actually there was no real story line, like this is a script. The characters remained the same, just aged. Every subject was played out: alcoholism, divorce, abuse, abandonment, narcissism, surly teenagers. God, man and the Universe.

I would recommend to every parent. Good scenes that show our failures but in them, in most ways we are doing the best we can. I saw lots of cultural stuff. Only in America. With most every subject, there is something to talk about. The adults, the teachers who recognize and praise. I saw my old Ag teacher in one of them. He would chew is out for our sloven work but at the same time let us know we could do more. One of the ways I judge a movie: "am I thinking and talking about it days afterwards?" Yes. Is the movie instructive as well as entertaining. YES! Check it out.  

BUGGING OUT

The concept of "Bugging Out" was popularized during the Korean War. It had to do with a kind of "organized retreat." The North Koreans marched toward Seoul with such devastation that the Americans had to "bug out" to regroup to fight. It is tempting to apply the term to the Iraqi Army. If so, they would give new meaning to it. We poured millions of dollars into training the Iraqi Army and in the face of danger, they "bugged" out--not to a pre position to get ready to fight. They, in essence, ran. What are we to make of it. Probably that they lacked leadership. In listening to my favorite NPR (National Public Radio) person, Terry Gross, interviewing Tim Arango, bureau chief for Baghdad (NY Times), very insightful and may be the clues for the Iraqi Army "bugging out". In a word. "Corruption." From what he said, reminds me of watching "Pride and Prejudice". They have a scene where literally it is explained how an Englishman gets a commission into the military. He buys it. Same in Iraq. They buy it. This is a hell of a way to have an Army. I blame us in a sense. All the way along, why didn't some American in a leadership position stand up and say, this is a disaster. Let's blame it on the generals: Patraeus, Allen, Frank. Take your pick of a dozen or so. Civilians can be forgiven but not the American military. Actually there probably were some military types. At best, nobody paid them any attention. At worst, they chose to bury their heads in the sand. F..K. 

THE GFs LAUGH

The GFs convened at Miller's Deli in San Rafael. John and TC arrived first. We went over potential topics of the morning. John felt that we should discuss the President's latest edict on fighting ISIS. He felt that it was making war and definitely against the President's stated purpose of his presidency. 

John was somewhat giddy as he had just scored the purchase of a great clock which was very heavy as it was black onyx. John agreed that his interest in clocks sometimes overpowers his common sense. Upon hearing that he was an inspiration to our wonderful hispanic waitress; who, by the way, is to have her wisdom teeth extracted, he agreed to give up the clock for a hundred or so. 

Our resident, attorney, Sam, the Godfather, and the Battalion Surgeon arrived. We initially launched into a discussion of the value of a particular supplement that would assist in shoulder pain and arthritis. Sam agreed to try it and give feedback. Upon further reflection, he has ordered all of us a supply. 

The Doc said that he would like for us to examine the sudden and untimely death of Joan Rivers. Since her procedure was elective surgery, it is unclear who was in charge. The doc allowed that it appears there was confusion and then panic when the unexpected happened. The doc, as a young Marine Lieutenant in Nam, experienced first hand treating young Marines who had to be intibated. Sam enlightened the attentive group as to legal responsibility. For any who would like to review total communication, please check with the doc's blog if he had one. 

Just before the group hug commenced, someone intoned that it was wonderful to have a peer group where everybody was tuned in, hung on every word of an opinion and cherished this invaluable time together. 

FOOTBALL

Recently, I was in my favorite bar, SFAC (San Francisco Athletic Club). On five screens I could watch football. I was simply amazed. 

To be honest, I am pretty much turned off with big-time college football. It is simply weird to me. Here are a bunch of white people watching mostly black players. They cheer for their alma mater. Especially the Southern teams. I watched a couple of teams where almost every single player was an African American. It absolutely is a subject that nobody discusses. What is the subject really? Do we think any of these people watching say, Alabama, are going to invite the players to brunch. I doubt it. So, what is the concern? That it looks and feels like this is ancient Rome. The players are gladiators. I am having trouble framing this. Somebody help me out. I want to blog this.       

The NY Times

A good buddy of mine is always saying things like, "Don't absorb too much of "The PropagandaRag", of Hillary, aka NYT (New York Times). 

We always laugh. (I am just an ordinary reader) When I went to LIU (Long Island University) back in the dark ages, I fell in love with the "Times." Is it all the news that's fit to print?" Of course not but it is one of the truly complete newspapers left in "Merica" and I like my politics slightly to the "left"). I hate labels.  

I actually took a course on how to read the "Times." My Sociology prof, Dr. Bigliosi, taught the COURSE. He made it come alive. (He has since gone on to his great rewards and although I didn't start out to keep his memory alive, this does it for me). According to Big, You start off reading the (1)Front page. Then go to (2) Sports, then, it is what we now call, (3) Sunday Review. The rest is "personal preference," i. e., Style, Book Review, etc.--Dr Big said, "You can be an educated person by reading the Sunday Times." 

ERIC CANTOR

“THERE IS NO SHAME. Eric Cantor just landed a job on Wall Street for 3.4 mil. He has no shame. And, for this 3.4 mil, he will be going to his old friends in Congress who will look with favor on him. They have no shame.”

Opinion by GdA