The Tradition

Thanksgiving. When I think of what to be thankful for in this year, I am a little perplexed. I have witnessed some pretty sad things. Friends unemployed, losing their business. As a volunteer at the Cancer Infusion Center, I've been involved with a few who lost the fight to live. Cancer. You have it whipped and suddenly the SOB is back again. F..K!! 

And, then we see on TV the pictures of the awful atrocities of war. The starving children. We are not doing enough. 

When we scan the globe on this strictly American holiday, we have to be eternally grateful. Plain and simple. As "Mericans" (NASCAR pronunciation), we have a boatload of problems but a lot of Americans are out there doing what they can: working at Saint Anthony's, the Salvation Army, Glide Memorial Church--feeding the downtrodden, working at food banks. Some nonprofit is providing showers for the homeless; another has developed a website for those, like myself, who can go in and donate to a specific person. On the website, they have profiled the various persons with needs. What a great idea. Helpers are everywhere. 

Then having done their good deed 

(screw the skeptics), they are gathering with family for the turkey day meal. We will not give up the tradition. Happy Thanksgiving. We will think about all the problems tomorrow. 

GITMO

Way back at the very beginning of our misadventure into Iraq, I saw an article saying that we had imported several "ice making machines" into the war zone. My thoughts then, "oh no, here we go again." We are planning for a lengthy stay. There is something about the military and mostly good motives-- wanting to make life better for the troops; however, it is often a self defeating signal that we are going to be here awhile. 

I was a prophet. 10 plus years and it all began with the "ice makers." What the f..k is it with us. Why do we insist on making stupid decisions, absolute wrong headed decisions. 

Example: GITMO. "60 Minutes" did a piece on it where Leslie Stahl was granted assess to a kind of walk through. It was scary as you could feel the tension in her. This Military Police Colonel, essentially the Warden, escorted her on her Gitmo tour. He was one of these "by the book" Colonels who had his side to the story: accomplish the mission. He handled the interview pretty well but it was obvious to me that he had the creativity of a f..king tree. 

This is not a hit on him. He is a soldier--his mission, "run a prison." What the hell!! However, he should be relieved and replaced with an innovative, creative civilian who understands the military. The arguments for keeping GITMO open are ones that push us deeper into the chasm of no resolution and a terrible example to the world. F..k. 

Part of the interview briefly showed the living arrangement for families, they have living quarters (houses). Kids are playing soccer. Life is good. (This is GITMO)

These are "ice machines." The military has created an environment to stay. The hit is on the military. Some high ranking commander ought to be standing up and saying, "hold it." We are not setting up a permanent environment here. GITMO is closing at some point. Bullshit, I might as well be whistling Dixie. 

When I was a young captain in the Army in the Sixties, I was assigned to cover the stockade as we called it then. Most of the prisoners were young soldiers who had been AWOL (absent without leave). Few of them had committed real crimes. If they had been civilians they wouldn't have been in jail. Most were trying to escape Vietnam. We had a sharp commander who said, "let's don't be stupid. Let's get these troops back to duty. If they go AWOL again, it is better than them being in jail. 

This has been a real mystery to me concerning GITMO. The poor performance of the Church toward the prisoners. There is no way that one could read the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and not come away with the very real knowledge that everything that Jesus said and did had to do with love and peace. A time or two, he seemed to be righteously indignant at acts of wanton selfishness, i. e., casting the money changers out of the temple. 

Bad actors in GITMO? You better believe it. Let's face it, keeping them in GITMO is not going to keep us from terrorists. With these, the prisoners, we may have missed some opportunities to turn a terrorist to another life. Who knows? At the least, we should get them gone. What happens happens. We will protect ourselves. The answers are few and far between but GITMO is not one of them. . 

WHERE WERE YOU

I was a young pastor in SC, a seminary student and a young military Reservist. I was wandering around throughout the countryside and passed this house where an older lady was using a broom to knock pecans (we call them pea-cans) out of a tree. Her efforts were mostly futile. I stopped and offered help. I climbed the tree and easily began dislodging the pecans. Suddenly another older lady ran out of the house screaming, the President has been shot. The president has been shot. 

The Irony

Am I the only one in America who sees the irony of Afghanistan debating whether we can stay or not. Yes, please let us stay so we can have more young Americans killed and spend millions of dollars that we don't have. What the f..k😳

{{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}} 

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

I saw "Dallas Buyers Club." Good, maybe great movie.  Matthew McConaughey was terrific. Because  I live in San Francisco, I identity more with the entire AIDs scene. I was here when gays, in particular, were dying right and left. The movie dealt with being gay and dying and the lack of empathy and basic ignorance toward AIDS. 

 McConaughey was a maxed out hustler, rodeo rider, kind of like minor leagues. Based on a true story. The government,  medical community, all came out looking pretty bad. Given 30 days to live, after being diagnosed as being HIV positive, he states in dramatic fashion, "there ain't nothing that can kill me in 30 days." Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, (McConaughey) delivers the performance of his career, characterized not just by an astonishing physical transformation like losing 40 pounds but a determination to find a way out. Along the way, he encounters the heart of the movie, the transvestite, Rayan. 

There are a lot who can review this movie better than me but my slant would be a little different, having witnessed the utter ruthlessness of the killer, AIDS, I was moved on many levels. 

The portrayal of homophobia and ignorance was masterfully done. Well, it is Texas. Terrific movie and if McConaughey doesn't get an academy award, I will be fooled. 

The transvestite, Rayan, reminded me of an incident involving my brother who was such a wonderful older brother (As much as I loved him, will have to acknowledge his slight homophobia) and who recently transitioned to the next life. Raz came out to visit me in San Francisco years ago. Both of us love movies and so one afternoon, we go to the movies. I go in and sit down. He doesn't come and doesn't come. Finally, I go looking for him. He would talk to anyone.

When I find him, he is talking to this beautiful woman. As I stand and look, I realize "She" is actually a "He." He/She was gorgeous, just as Rayan was (in fact I will use the pronoun, she--I love her). I finally pulled Raz away and gave him the news. He refused to believe it. Over the years, I have gotten a lot of mileage out of that story. God bless you, Raz. Miss you so much. jda

MICROCOSM

Scott Simon of NPR (National Public Radio), my favorite guy, did a piece on Secretary Chuck Hegel, the DOD head. Every month, Hegel brings in about six soldiers and they talk shop. Soldiers, meaning, Marines, Navy, females, former "don't ask don't tell" types; no restrictions.  According to Simon, the soldiers talked about their career, philosophical issues like, "Purpose in Iraq?" What Simon discovered as always with soldiers, they are not in a vacuum. They are like any "aware" group of young Americans.  At the close of his piece, Simon said something like, "What I discovered was that  soldiers were a microcosm of our America society." (Definition, such as a place or an event that is seen as a small version of something much larger) What has my man Simon been smoking? Bullshit, how did he deduce such, they are far from being a microcosm, whatever he's concluded. They are a small percent (about 1%), usually drawn from a segment of society where the military becomes mostly their best option. They are good soldiers but they are not a microcosm with less than one percent of the American society having served in the military and the general public more likely than not unengaged. Honoring vets is a good idea but let's don't be thinking today's military is a microcosm of American society. It just ain't so. 

FIXING THE FLAWS

We have to fix the flaws in Obamacare: plain and simple. As I see it, biggest f..k up is that people can't keep their own insurance. Not sure what it all means but sure as s..t, can't depend on the healthcare industry. They would leave cancer patients on gurneys in the street. They are motivated by profits and we need to figure out a way to kick their ass. Unfortunately, most people labor under the allusion that HMOs care. Bullshit. They don't. 

An example which relates to myths on our part. I got dinged for a late payment on a credit card where I had a small balance. I have been a customer for 30 years. It was one of these computer generated things and when I finally reached customer service to raise hell, I got some youngster who didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Not his fault. He is just happy to have a job. Once I settled down, I realized how much this sort of stuff is related to the Affordable Health Care Act. You have all these people out there We have to fix the glitches. We are not talking about the Republican Obsession. And, we can't rely on that bullshit of "small percentage" of those who lose plans they like. It is fairly unAmerican to force people to do things even if it is good for us. But, then again, what the hell. We make people wear seat belts, have car insurance, etc. I say again, what the hell. 

Will this get fixed? I doubt it. I tell you what it reminds me of. NYC has something like 3000 muggings a week. In a city of 11 mil, 3000 is not much. However, if you are one of the 3000, it is a 100%. If you are one of the ones who loses your healthcare because of the AHCA, it is a 100%. 

THE DRAWDOWN

Watching the World Series this week, the games have honored American service men and women. Pretty inspiring to hear, God Bless America. My initial thought: the military is something upon which all can agree. Pride. However, the military will do what we always do after wars: fire soldiers. 

TIME Magazine recently had a piece about the resistance of the Army to change. Still , according to the article, after these two prolonged (useless) wars, the Army has no "after war" strategy. The Army, in particular, is still prepared for the "Cold War" and not terrorism or whatever we face in the future. 

I don't doubt any of it. Too many generals/officers at every level. Not enough emphasis on Special Ops. What this article dealt with was philosophy. Every swinging "Richard" has an opinion. The military is about to do what we always do. CUT. And, it is going to be brutal and in the long run, who suffers are the troops. We will throw lots of good soldiers out, many who have shed their life's blood in two sorry wars. Not their fault. They are soldiers, have done their jobs. Makes no difference, they are "out of here." And, I don't see anybody at the top levels willing to take on doing this "drawdown" with some common sense. The top brass of the Army can't do it. The vast majority of bureaucrats have no military experience and if these two sorry wars have taught us anything: Can't trust the rosy reports of the leaders. We have to have some "big" thinkers and I don't know where we can find them. F..k. 

THE CAPTAIN AHSO DEFENSE

The GFs ((Girlfriends--old guys I have breakfast with three times a week) gave me hell this week. The rollout of the President's health care package has been a disaster. The website could have been put together by two seventh graders. I apologize to the 7th graders, as tech savvy as most of these kids are, they could have done a better job. 

There really is no way to defend the president. He is the leader and has to take the hit. He should have put the NSA in charge, at least they could have listened to a few thousand calls and pretended it was "National Security" and the website was "top secret." Such bullshit.  

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator personality instrument pegs the prez, as an ENTJ (Extrovert, iNtuitive, Thinker, Judging). Same as my wife who could run the world. The President, based on his personality, has been a little too reticent to fire people. His management style, "give them a job and expect them to do it." Hasn't worked. 

We have to give the Affordable Care Act some time. There are problems with the "law" that are outside the mere website. The website is mechanics. It will get fixed but there are other problems--I heard this young girl with Kaiser who now had to give up insurance that she liked and go to another something, more expensive. Bullshit. These problems have got to get fixed. 

And sure as shit, we can't allow drug companies and pharmaceuticals in general to have anything to say. Their middle name is gouge the consumer. There are examples everywhere of how f..k up our system of healthcare is and it doesn't have anything to do with "Obamacare." Over the last couple of years, we have seen investigative report after report that shows how out of control, $3000 a night for a hospital room, etc--bullshit to the max. But, they are still gouging. Why? Because they can. They will exploit any loophole to sabotage reform. MFers.  

In terms of placating the Republicans. Forget it. Can't be done. The president is the smartest president I've known but when you have to deal with basic racism, he could be "Jesus walking on water" and he could't please these MFers. So, what to do? Forget pleasing, translated, politics. But, Mr. President, it is time for another strategy. The AHSO defense. Here it is. 

Captain Ahso was the pilot of a Japanese Airliner who landed his plane in the San Francisco Bay. His landing was so smooth that the passengers didn't even realize it until they saw sailboats. When all the furor died down, the FAA had a hearing and Captain Ahso was the first witness. The interrogator said something like, "Captain Ahso tell us what happened. With all the sophisticated navigation equipment available to you, plus a clear beautiful day, and you managed still to land five miles out in the San Francisco Bay? What happened?" The courtroom was quiet, all eyes were on Captain Ahso. Finally he said, "CAPTAIN AHSO FUCK UP!" There you have it. Let's quit justifying, blaming, let's take the AHSO Defense and move on. 

THE PROBLEM WITH LIVING IN TEXAS IS YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN TEXAS

The latest "Time Magazine" had on its cover, the lead story, the United States of Texas--Why the Lone Star Is America's Future. My first thought was "Time" has gone to Weedville. The article has a viewpoint: get lots for less, available jobs--a lifestyle. The problem with Texas is that you have to live in Texas. Worse High School dropout rate in America and a political system that has produced Rick Perry and Ted Cruz. And, really you want to live in Texas? Please. 

SAFE DISTRICT

SAFE DISTRICT. What the f..k does that mean? Politically what it means, I guess, is that some Republican Congressman has a district of non thinking, ignorant people who blindly vote for some sorry MFer who will sell them down the road in a millisecond for his own purposes. Instead of his constituents getting angry when they start to realize that no SS, other government safety net issues, etc. are happening, they fall over in their stupidity, "yes sir, yes sir, three bags full." 

ROBERT REICH

Robert Reich for President. He is a little guy but bigtime thinker. I have never heard him utter a word that I haven't liked. I think in the present political climate, he is like a superhero. The problem with Reich and even the documentary about "inequality" (features Reich) now in theaters is that he is preaching to the choir. The difficulty is that Republican bigoted, right wing zealots have taken us hostage. 

The one thing that Reich says that sticks out above all is that the President has the authority under the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling. If Reich says it, I believe it, plain and simple. If the president doesn't follow Reich's advice, I am going to be damn pissed at him. 

TERM LIMITS

A friend of mine says term limits are the secret. We can't bring that about. His idea is a little novel, however. He says that when we go to the election, you look at who is the incumbent and you vote against them. It might work but our system doesn't lend it that way. For instance my representative is Nancy Pelosi. I candidate emerges. Why? Money maybe which brings up another issue. Why does money rule politics. If you see an ad, you have to know that somebody is paying for it. Why should you believe it. Why should billboards, TV, radio, whatever influence you if you are a thinker. Well, our Republic has beve complicated, vast population. Where do we go from here. F..k if I know. 

BROKEN SYSTEM

The absolute height of political failure/hypocrisy is experienced in the government shutdown. The extreme example is a soldier's family not receiving a promised death benefit. This is inexcusable. This crisis will pass but this incident will not. 

This is a heart tugging example of why we are a broken system. For a weird reason, to me at least, is why would
normal/average/regular people not connect the dots. Until they do, it will remain broken. And, I am not sure that connecting the dots will even do it. Simply, zeolots choose ideology over the good of the country and they are cheered on by those who have the most to lose. Maybe this will do it: When average people begin to miss their social security checks, medicare protection, government pensions, to include disable vet checks, the Zeolot supporters might suddenly come out of the ether.

DISINGENUOUS

A MYSTERY. I am listening to Bob Scheffer interview some Republican Senator on "Face The Nation." Scheffer asked him a direct question. Something like this: "how is it that you have let a freshman Senator, somebody who has been in the senate less than a year, set the political agenda for the entire Republican Party?" 

Here is how he answered: "The President needs to come to the negotiating table and talk to us." The MFer did not even attempt to answer Scheffer's question. We all know the Congressional mantra: When talking to the media, "never answer the question asked, answer the question you wished they had asked." Congressmen/women actually go to a type of "charm" school to learn this technique. Here's the mystery to me: why does someone like Scheffer let them off the hook? Scheffer, more than most, has nothing to prove He is a veteran Newsman and an old guy, why can't he come back and say, "Senator, you didnot answer the question: repeat the question if necessary (Why would you let some asshole like Ted Cruz set your agenda). Granted, he doesn't have to be as crude as me (although it would be more honest) but any way you cut it, it is disingenuous to the listening public not to get a straight answer.  

Cecil Currey

Vo Nguyen Giap. The tenacious North Vietnam leader who would not die-- finally hits the road, 102. Vo Nguyen Giap and the victory at Dien Bien Phu essentially drove France out of Vietnam   and, of course, in our stupidity, we replaced the French. Giap did not drive us out, rather waited us out. 

The definitive book about Giap was written by my good friend, Cecil Currey. When I read of Giap's death, I immediately thought of Cecil. He had sent me his book, "Victory at Any Cost." I am not so much interested in Giap as I am in my good friend Cecil. The last time I talked with him, he was on the way to Vietnam to visit Giap as they had developed a close relationship. Cecil was a hero in Vietnam. And, I will have to say that Cecil was one of my heroes. 

We beat around the Army together for a long time. Without a doubt, he should have made general but he refused to be politically correct if it sacrificed the truth. Cecil is a perfect example in our modern volunteer military, the best leaders rarely get to the top. In my own faith, I take comfort that Giap and my good friend are somewhere philosophizing.  

God Bless "merica" (NASCAR pronunciation)

As I've totally run out of things to say about the idiotsville Congress and the governmental shutdown; and in seeing no progress, here's a good story. America is such a unique country that as we wrestle with what seems like  impossible differences, it is good to remind ourselves of the occasional unique difference in us and other countries. 

I am listening to a man in Pakistan being interviewed. He is a Christian and is talking about the targeting of the Chritian community by Muslims. Here he says, "All someone has to do is accuse you of insulting the Prophet. The first thing you know, a crowd has gathered and your life is in danger. No proof, nothing. It happens all the time. People are falsely accused: someone  starts screaming, wanting the person stoned, hanged. All on nothing more than accusation."

The difference in America. Someone accuses, starts making noises, anything out of the ordinary. Some bystander calls the police and says, "there's a nut out here screaming and hollering about something." The police come and check it out. Everybody goes about their business. WELCOME TO "Merica."

A moral Issue

What we have in America today is a f..king moral lapse. Most of it has to do with politics. 26 states don't offer the expansion of Medicaid. We are talking health insurance denied to poor Americans. And why, a Republican Governor who is morally corrupt. Paint it any way you want. MFers are without scruples. 

WE ELECT IDIOTS

“Novelist, Tom Clancey who just died said it best. Why does Washington rarely make good decisions? 
Answer: We elect idiots. 

What I think he should have added: the people who elect these idiots are just as much idiots.”

GdA

THE FINAL OUT

The last day of Baseball. I was watching the ballgame, the last game for the Giants this season. Boche, the Manager, put in Barry Zito for his last time in a Giants Uniform. He struck the final batter of the Inning out. Sharon loved Zito when he was in Oakland and then the Giants. I figured he pitched the only and last out in honor of Sharon.