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."

END of LIFE ISSUES

Recently I took a much dreaded trip back East to visit my brother, seriously ill with congestive heart failure. Pretty ominous sounding but treatable, mainly a diet sans sodium. My brother looked awful. Mostly, he had lost so much weight. He knew me, we reminisced, he was pretty weak. I became his caregiver for a couple of days. Helping him get to the bathroom, in and out his wheelchair. Quite the experience. As I sat there the better part of a couple of days, I had go think, "What has brought us to this point?" He's 85, always been incredibly robust. He has been the patriarch of our family, always there for all of us: a retired school superintendent and then into farming. He loved it. 

Our brother has done it all, a Marine on Guadalcanal, school teacher, principal and superintendent. Successful author across genres: He is the challenge man. He has faced them and made them work. 

But, my brother is sick. Health is a challenge that is out of his hands. Time to go? I don't think so. I had come to say goodbye but after being with him for a short time, I'm thinking he can rebound. Returned to his once energetic self. No. A couple of more years with reasonable quality. I think so.

There is always a certain projection with an experience like with my brother: what does this say to me? My brother had no plans to deal with a serious illness. Where to go? Caretakers? What is available? If you are someone like my brother or me for that matter, how can you let your personality get out of the way.i. e., you can say to my brother, how are you? He will teply, "I am great." (his personality--he has always been superman). He is not great and all must recognize it. For myself, should something happen to me, (Well, if I made it to 85, not bad so I could go with it). I would want to be somewhere where people could visit, like VA or some facility. But, my nature is that I would not want anybody interfering with their own schedule. For them to want to "wait" on me would simply add to the issues of my being sick.  I do not want other peoples' lives impacted because of my illness. So what to do? Make plans ahead of time. Write it out. Make sure that plans are in place. Can I do it? Will I do it?

YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO

Anybody who thinks the Supreme Court Justices aren't driven by politics, raise your hand. You have got to be kidding me. The so called conservative justices always vote the same way on hot button issues. If you listen to testimony, sometimes they disguise it but most of the time they don't. It really is a sham, I think. I tell you one of the things that really gets me. Where the f..k are all these people who have benefitted from the law. The parents, over a million of them, who have college age kids who can stay on the parents insurance until they are 26. Why aren't these people raising hell with those opposing the plan. I am no apologist for the health care bill but it at least appears to be an effort to rein in unwieldy costs, make health care affordable, an even more ethical. (I heard yesterday that some doctors order5 lots of scans. Why? They have invested in the scans and consequently the more they order, the more money they make). Damned if I get it. As a disclaimer, I have VA and Tricare and hell, anyway? as I understand it, over 60% of Americans are in some government insurance anyway. So, what is the damn outcry. I think that for some weird reasons, the politicians have made this such an issue that zealots are on board. (don't confuse me with facts, I have my mind made up). In thinking about it, "What would I get so fired up that I am out protesting?" Damn if it would be to repeal something like the Health Care law. Now, the Travon Martin shooting. I can get that: blatant injustice but health care. Come on! Do these people really hate the president this much and trying to disguise it with opposition to the Health Care Initiative, i.e., if they get this repealed, they defeat the president. What kind of thinking is that? F..king crazy.

HEALTH MANDATE

I have about heard enough. I think the courts will probably strike the "mandate" down. It sounds too UN American. Nobody is going to tell us what to do! At least not those hard headed types who don't have health insurance or those who don't think about it. I asked some thirty something at my gym about health insurance. He shrugged and said, "I never even think about it." He's healthy, in shape--he's invulnerable. And, there's an entire segment of the population that depends on emergency room health care. They are mostly the working poor, homeless, immigrants, and others that I can't even name. And who pays? We do.

The Movie, Separation

Every American ought to see this movie. It won the Best Foreign Picture at the Academy Awards. Watching it seemed that it lasted five hours but just two. Mainly the issues were so heavy and the Iranian legal system so different. I guess it was Sharia or Islamic law. Amazing. How to even explain this picture almost defies explanation. It started out with something akin to a divorce proceeding. Wife wanted to leave the country. Husband saying no, will not leave his Alzheimer's father.. A teenage daughter who will not leave the father.  Complicated to the max. The movie starts out in one direction but goes in an entirely different one. Withoit revealing too much and spoiling the movie (although to be perfectly honest, I don't think it is possible to reveal too much because the movie can't be described, only seen), let me say that it is truly worthy of the Oscar. I am going to see the others to compare. Caring and concerned Americans with even a smidgen of a world view would do well to see the movie. The Iranians struggle like us all. The sadness, the human drama: a pregnant woman, desperate to survive takes a cleaning job and as  caretaker for an alzheimers father. No training, ignorance and an adherence  to the basic rules of fundentalist Islam, is both perplexing and revealing. The mysteries of it all combined with not  lies so much as opposed to not telling everything. A trip through the legal system. Wow. Excellent acting. I give up on describing, go see.

Rush LIMBALLS

I've heard and seen some sorry ass apologies but Limbaughs takes the cake. If I was the law student, I would accept the fact that my "fifteen minutes of fame" is going to last a long, long time and so why not go with it. Sue the s..t out of Limbaugh, the people he works for, the janitor, any and everybody; think of it as practice for a newly minted lawyer. It could be her career. There's probably a platoon of shyster lawyers standing outside her door, ready to help her. The only way to  touch a guy like Limbaugh is to hurt him or his bosses in the coin of the realm. At least wound him: People quit listening, sponsors leave. Suddenly the asshole is a liability.

I don't know s..t about the process but this makes sense to me. Every woman in America ought to be up in arms. Finally, I will have to say this: I don't pay attention to the "shoulters" regardless so mine is just opinion. If I personally had to deal with an a..hole like Limbaugh, I would say, f..k you and the horse you rode in on. Sorry Mom for my language.

MARCHING TOWARD WAR

My Dad had this typical Southern view of the Jews: anybody who f..ks with the Jews will eventually get zapped. Without dissecting that view, I'm going with it with reservations, i.e., Iran.  However, what I'm seeing now is the same song, unfortunatelysecond verse. And, it appears that the President is falling into the trap. Iran has got to be contained: how to do it is a challenge. I have great faith that we can figure it out. We are smart. What we can't be is stupid like we were with Iraq and weapons of mass destruction which proved not to exist. We f..ked up but would never admit it. So here we find ourselves maching toward war again. Goated into it by Israel and to some degree, the Republicans who are reproccessed neocons, sorry f..kers who haven't had an original thought since Noah. They led George W into being stupid. Every Vietnam vet that I know who is cogitating his navel feels that Vietnam and all the lost American lives didn't count for s..t. We moved right ahead with our idiocy into Afghanistan and Iraq. Frankly, I honestly think that the American people who care (and not all do) are f..king tired of war. The country has change. Let's recognize that we cannot be the world's policement. Some hard choices here. One is that we have to tell Israel, "you start a war, your ass is on your own."

SADDENED

Nobody that I know is not saddened by what has happened by a deranged American soldier in Afghanistan. But, as the president says often, "let me be perfectly clear: this is war." As with all of Afghanistan, there is nothing that is not f..ked up. This is somewhat different but, despite the rosey reports which are so much bullshit or with lofty ideas of strategy which is equally stupid, we have a system which gives Americans, regardless of how awful the crime, their day in court.

A CRAZY SOLDIER-SNAPPED

Nobody that I know is not saddened by what has happened by a deranged American soldier in Afghanistan. But, as the president says often, "let me be perfectly clear: this is war." As with all of Afghanistan, there is nothing that is not f..ked up. This is somewhat different but, despite the rosey reports which are so much bullshit or with lofty ideas of strategy which is equally stupid, we have a system which gives Americans, regardless of how awful the crime, their day in court.

GET THE F..K OUT OF AFGHANISTAN

Listening to the SECDEF who was in Afghanistan to assure them that we're hanging in there, my first thought was "what planet are these people on?" I guess it is politics but pretty discouraging to me. In short, the SSG who killed innocents snapped, plain and simple. As disheartening and tragic as it is, this incident is not the problem but should be the catalyst for getting the f..k out of Afghanistan. There are many issues that bring us to this point.
Part of it has been in how we have promoted the success of the All Volunteer Army. I believe the Army is somewhat broken: Repetitive tours, the way wars are fought now, easy assess to family back home. The inequities of combat, infantry soldiers carrying the burden, a strategy that might work if we stayed in Afghanistan a hundred years. Should I go on.

One of the big problems as I see it: there is no political capital to be gained by leaving Afghanistan NOW. The President has a timetable, the Repubs don't want to be seen as "lite" on war. Gingrich did say, "time to leave" but he can't seem to get any traction. We are stuck. The rosy reports, the bowing and scraping to Karzai, who has only a fraction of the populace under his government--the multiple problems: drugs, Afghan riots and people wanting us out. The list is endless.

To me, there is no explanation on the SSG but he simply went crazy. It happens. And, one thing we can't deny: Fort Lewis/McChord appears to have been the focus of several missteps. Trouble before with the "kill" squads, accusations of less than sympathetic military doctors and a less than empathetic VA. It is time to get the f..k out of Afghanistan.

SEPARATION

Every American ought to see this movie. It won the Best Foreign Picture at the Academy Awards. Watching it seemed that it lasted five hours but just two. Mainly the issues were so heavy and the Iranian legal system so different. I guess it was Sharia or Islamic law. Amazing. How to even explain this picture almost defies explanation. It started out with something akin to a divorce proceeding. Wife wanted to leave the country. Husband saying no, will not leave his Alzheimer's father.. A teenage daughter who will not leave the father.  Complicated to the max. The movie starts out in one direction but goes in an entirely different one. Withoit revealing too much and spoiling the movie (although to be perfectly honest, I don't think it is possible to reveal too much because the movie can't be described, only seen), let me say that it is truly worthy of the Oscar. I am going to see the others to compare. Caring and concerned Americans with even a smidgen of a world view would do well to see the movie. The Iranians struggle like us all. The sadness, the human drama: a pregnant woman, desperate to survive takes a cleaning job and as  caretaker for an alzheimers father. No training, ignorance and an adherence  to the basic rules of fundentalist Islam, is both perplexing and revealing. The mysteries of it all combined with not  lies so much as opposed to not telling everything. A trip through the legal system. Wow. Excellent acting. I give up on describing, go see. 

SHORT STORY

"Oscar, this is going to be easy pickins." 
"I don't know, man, I ain't been into no robbin people nor stores." 
"OK, listen, Oscar, you stupid mother fucker, you ain't got nothng to jangle in your pocket, no coins to rub together and no pot to piss in. So, what chance you got. You ain't, mother fucker." Oscar shook his head. 
Bong was just getting warmed up. Bong got his name from carting water pipes and other dope smoking apparatus around. Want a pipe, Bong is your man. 
"You got an old lady who will be on your ass and a little one and teenager and no work. This is bout ten minutes. Nobody gets hurt and we can get some change. I'm telling  you, mother fucker." 
It did look simple. Service station, one attendant. 
"I don't know." Oscar watched this BMW pull into the station. "What the fuck," he smiles. "Look like those crackers got them a rider." Underneath the car something was dragging. Looked like two long steel pipes. This white guy gets out, on his knees struggling. "Hey,"  Oscar calls out, "just back over it." 
"Leave them be," Bong said. "Let their asses get gone." 
Oscar walked over to the car. "Let me see here." He knelt down. "Damn, this is a low slung car." 
"Yeah, I know. The only thing I don't like about it. A little struggle and Oscar stood with the object. "Well, I'll be, an old folks walker." I've seen it all now." He smiled. "A fine 'Beemer' overcome by an old folks walker.  

I am at the airport to retrieve my girlfriend. She has been to Omaha to visit her family. I know traffic is going to be a bitch: Friday night, I'm scared of the dark. It goes back to Vietnam. Everything happened at night. You sat around all day waiting and knowing that "Charles" as we called the Vietcong, was going to get your ass in the middle of the night. But, it is worth it all to see my girlfriend. I am like a teenager around her. I can't wait, my blood pressure is sky hight. I get lost going to the airport, a place I've been a thousand times.  I see her. It is like she has come back from Vietnam. We hug, kiss, crazy like. Finally make it to car, kiss, hug, touch. Finally get on the road. Run over something in the road. It hangs up under the car. Damn, what a time to have this happen! Can't get it out from under the car. Risk my life almost in traffic. Finally make it to a service station. Black guy yells over telling me to back over the two long aluminum pipes stuck under the car. He walks over, kneels down and wrestles the two pipes out from where they are lodged under the car, takes five minutes. "Thanks."
"No problem," he says as he walks away. On the spot I decide something,
I pull out my money clip. I only have hundreds. What the hell, I give him one. His eyes are big as saucers. He is so happy. "Bong I'm going home." 
"Oscar, you stupid fucker, you'll be sorry". 

Oscar makes his way toward home. The $100 is going to buy some groceries and give his teenager her lunch money. He stops at the bar. When he pays for his beer with the hundred, the bar keep  puts his marker over the hundred twice to see if it is real. "you are a lucky mother fucker."
"yeah, I am." 
Oscar yells as he comes in the door. His little one runs to him. Where is your Mom? He heard the TV. His wife is white as a sheet. "What'e Up?"
"Your friend Bong robbed a store and was killed by the police. " 

THE HELP

I thought the Academy Awards missed the mark on Best Picture. "The Help" should have won hands down. Since I don't know the ins and outs, I can only say no comparison with "The Artist," which I thought was boring. To me, "The Help" celebrated courage with which every older American can identify, especially Southerners. I think I have done this before but ADD that I am, can't really remember. However, here goes, "on behalf of every Southerner, I apologize and asked forgiveness for our prejudicial treatment toward African Americans. We were ignorant. It was a cultural thing during the time of "The Help" but that is no excuse. 

We didn't have the same experiences as"The Help"e but were just as prejudice and it was wrong. My brother ran a country grocery store and had a lot of black customers. Much of the business was what was called then, "on credit." I can never remember my brother ever refusing credit to anyone. I would actually go with him to deliver groceries to black families, which he didn't have to do. My brother had a "good" heart and was especially attendant to widows or those having it "hard" as he would call it, usually involved female, several children and absent father. I didn't understand it all, as I was about 14.  I would often smile because he could be so funny. He would say, "look at this, these people have a TV." (there would be a TV antenna on their usual ramshackle house, owned by their landlord. I would usually laugh and say or think, "Oh Corb., poor people shouldn't have a TV, right?" Most of the the time, we would laugh. Blacks who traded with my brother were a subculture, different from "The Help" in a sense but like "The Help" as to class (which we definitely had).  When my brother left his grocery store (too complicated to go into: involved IRS, sugar to bootleggers, etc. but, the black community owed him thousands and thousands of dollars that he forgave. I don't know if he ever came around on whether poor people should have a TV. 

NO TORTURE

Two marines and a Vietnamese scout come rushing in to the  medical bunker
unexpected  with the obviously wounded Vietnamese solder.  He has a  hole in his
trachea[windpipe] from shrapnel. A major  spray of blood comes gushing  out with each exhale and I see  he is obviously in severe
shortness of breath, in danger of asphyxiating from  blood. accumulating in his lungs with each inhale.  Also his eyes are in an
absolute terror and panic as  he looks at me. I had never seen this before. He managed to keep flailing his arms, trying to keep the corps men on and myself away.

One of the Marines tells me as they leave that the solder believes he is there to be tortured
since that is what he was was going to happen if captured.

The only ones who understand a word of Vietnamese in the bunker  are the scout and the wounded prisoner.
I repeatedly tell the scout to tell the prisoner I want to help him, to save his life. Each time the scout talks to
him, the wounded soldier goes again into another wildly failing episode as if fighting us for his life.

I am meanwhile  hurriedly preparing a surgical tray with expanders, scalpels, etc to stop the bleeding and secure an
airway by doing the tracheotomy before he suffocates from his own blood. By necessity, this has to be done in full view of the soldier.

In the context of Vietnam, I knew there was a 50-50  chance the scout was still telling him I really was going
to torture him if he did not give information about his combat unit and their plans.

To this day, I do not  do not know and will never know what was being said. If
he thought to the end that I was there to torture him or to help him.

All  of this was happening  in 3-4  chaotic minutes.

Finally did the only thing which seemed  save his life in the midst of chaos of blood spraying, prisoner terror, etc,
Pushed the scout aside, had 6 corpsman hold the wounded guy down and gave him just enough of a dose of IV sedative
 I dared to which would sedate him but not fatally   suppress his already reduced breathing ability.

Good part of the picture. It worked. Tracheal tube put in under sedation. Stable when helicopter picked him out .Every reason to believe he survived.

Not so good part of the story. Was uncomfortable to be seen as part of a possible system of medical  torturing. I knew it was not true
of any American doctors in Viet Nam.  Had real suspicions  whether it was also not true of the South Vietnamese or Korean 'allies'. But the wounded soldier lumped
myself and them  as part of the same adversary.

A day in Viet Nam. Dr. Paul L., Then Captain, USMC

MY DAD

My dad was the most ethical person I've ever known. I surely didn't realize it at the time. However, today, I "get" what an extraordinary man he was. I could probably conjure up several examples but one just made it across my radar screen. ( Could be because today, Feb 22, is the anniversary of his death).  He had a simple ethic: "always try to do what's right." This view was not always clear or made sense to anybody else but it did to my Dad. He was fond of saying he understood what "doing the right thing" was even if others didn't. The example that comes quickly to mind is a time when my Mom's folks "fell out") This is a NC term which means they refused to have anything to do with him. The perceived slight had to do with my Dad's decision to help a neighbor harvest his crops. What made this an issue was that my Uncles, Mom's brothers, wanted to have all the land in the area to farm. However, another farmer had rented acreage and would not give it up. The Uncles came up with a plan: deny him the labor force needed to harvest his crops.The idea was that if he could not harvest the crops, the landlord would not get her share and so  the land eventually would come back to the Uncles. When my dad refused to go along, Mom's folks were incensed as well as my mom. My dad's logic: not fair to the neighbor and a selfish and wrong act; "getting back at someone" was not in his nature but mainly, helping the neighbor harvest the crops was the "right thing to do."

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE

WHO THE F..K are these people? I can't help but think, who are they?. When Romney, Gingrich, Paul, Santorum speak and the people applaud, my first thought: who the f..k are these people taking in this stuff? I guess they are fellow Americans but it sure as hell doesn't make me feel any better. People whose narrow views are simply products of non thinking or bigotry or racism. Politicians, especially this Republican crowd, they'll do or say anything. They are drunk with idiocy. But, the audiences, what is it that they go for these narrow, extreme views. Bias myself? Absolutely. I hate that fellow Americans are this stupid and it is hard for an "Independent" like me to find empathy. In NC, we have a view: "you can say most anything about someone if at the end of the pronouncement you say, 'bless their hearts.' " What the hell, at least the Republican candidates, as they are bad mouthing the Prrsident, ought to say, bless his heart." They, the Repub wannabes, if they threw the "bless his heart" in occasionally would make them appear less nasty. If I were a Republican, I would be ashamed that Sarah Palin, was more or less a spokes  person for my party. She continues to command wide audiences. Don't you know that she's on her knees daily, thanking John McCain who is into the stupid and angry mode and wants to bomb most foreign counties, for picking her as his running mate. As my Dad use to say, "might as well laugh as cry."

Whitney Houston

I am not much of a celebrity worshiper but have always liked Whitney Houston.  What a voice and talent!  From my perspective, with no real facts, just observation, she was doing great and then got involved with a "dope head" and she gets all hooked on whatever dope he's into. She never came back from it although the relationship ended. And, now the irony is that the former "dope head" has pretty much shaped himself up. Here's a big-time subjective view, based on many years of counseling with couples or women. It has been my observation that women will often choose men who are absolute sorry asses by anybody's standard. I have wanted to say over and over, "why did you marry that sorry asshole?" But, I've refrained. Oh, there's the psychobabble of "bad boys" but it is more than that. Women in general seem to go into relationships that have little or no chance to make it. Just an observation and what the f..k do I know!

ROSY REPORTS FROM AFGHANISTAN

This is one of those links that you wonder if its true. I think so. I keep wondering where the f..k these rosy reports of Afghanistan come from. If this article is true, now we know. The military has always been a "can do" organization. It has worked to our detriment. And, the ones that have to be blamed, if establishing blame is what we have to do, is our civilian leaders. There are all sorts of examples. Let's cite just one off the top of my head. In the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, one general voiced opposition. Shinseki, now the head of VA. He was simply ignored. The rest of the generals were "can do." In their defense, I can only say, they view the mission, whatever it might be, as doing their job. 

http://armedforcesjournal.com/2012/02/8904030

VIETNAM AND AFGHANISTAN

In the NYT Sunday mag is a great article by a reporter who spent some time with a Marine platoon out on the tip of the spear, in Helmand province.  Makes me glad my time was in Vietnam, not Afghanistan.  It  seems not much has changed for the grunts, especially here, in an undeclared war, backed by a few, not the many.  He accurately, for me, describes the Lt. and his platoon.  
   One particular fact makes one take note: the "booby traps" aka IED's, are much more lethal in Afghanistan than in the villes and rice paddies of "Nam".  It seems that the Taliban has learned a thing or two about materials, placement, and components and explosives.  It also seems like they've figured out how to get the most 'bang' for their buck, using cheap chemicals available from agricultural sources in Pakistan.  There's something rotten in Pakistan but I don't think we should really get involved there either.  It's frustrating, knowing so little of the facts that our decision makers are privy to when deciding on strategy.
   I guess we'll have to live another 30years or so to find out what really happened.  In the meantime, we'll bear witness to the list of wounded and maimed as they return after multiple tours, fully knowing that their chances of returning unscathed are pretty much zero after 1 tour.   I guess if there is a saving grace, it's the fact that the Taliban can't mass for an assault like the NVA.  Our intell is no doubt better now and the drones keep the Taliban on the move and the night really doesn't offer the protection it once did back in the day.  I still wake up counting the hours until the sun comes up, and with it, new life.

CPT, you are getting an A on emails. Would you believe that I read the article about the Marines just yesterday. Good article and I am pretty much where you are. My thought overall is what a f..king mess to put a bunch of young Marines in a no win war. Not just "no win," a train wreck. Where I see the difference in Afghanistan and Vietnam is that we could have won  Vietnam at least in military terms. Take over the country, won the war and sort it out later. In Afghanistan, if we stay there a hundred years, will not make lots of difference. The only thing I would see if somehow, we decided to make Afghanistan as training ground for the wars to come. But, it would take lots of creative thinking and with the top levels of the military, thinking is in short supply and the high levels of government have had no military experience and don't know s..t. What it would mean is closing places like Fort Irwin where we do desert training. Instead of practicing war, we would actually be in one. Aside from that, we need to get our asses out of Afghanisyam post haste. It is only going to get worse. All the rosy picture of our progress convinces me that somebody at some level has been smoking the "John" weed. 

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES AMERICA--Get the f..k out of Europe

LEAVING EUROPE. About time. If there is anything about which Ron Paul is right on, it is reducing our footprint in foreign lands. We are bigtime stupid in this area. Why, for instance, has it taken this long to start moving out of Europe. Well, the ready answer is probably the "Cold War." I'm not going to dispute such but I can tell you this for a fact, it is now damn time. Even In the early seventies, it was not without it's problems. I was a soldier in Europe then and it was not good. American soldiers resided in substandard barracks while the Germans, at that time, having conscription, lived in new facilities. I use to think, "what is wrong with this picture: here we are suppose to be protecting the Germans from the Soviets and yet we are second class citizens." And, it was one of those subjects no one talked about. Damn straight. A tough time. Our American military was struggling with issues of racism while drugs were rampant. The draft was on its last legs and the Vietnam war was all but wound down. A hell of a hard time. And, add to this some uncaring and stupid decisions by those who made and carried out policies that related to the military. One specific one created an untenable situation where, even today, we are dealing with the fallout. Scores of Vietnam soldiers with a few months to do before discharge were sent to Europe to fill out the ranks. It was a gastly mistake. These Vietnam soldiers were expected to "soldier" when in fact, they were jaded with war. Many crashed and burned, mainly through drugs or other types of insubordination. To the active military's discredit, soldiers who had done their duty were simply and unceremously hung out to dry. The reputation of the Vietnam soldier was forever sullied as being a dope head or worst still, the Vietnam war was somehow directly his fault. Shameful is what can be said. LEAVING EUROPE IS LONG OVERDUE.

Ticking Off The Catholics

THIS ONE IS FOR ANDY
The Prez needs to take a page out of the Susan B Komen Foundation's recent book. They f..ked up. Taking back a grant from Planned Parenthood. They realized it immediately as the backlash was a hurricane. They "got it" and restored the grant, said "Sorry, we f..ked this up." They will not get back to where they were but at least they tried. The Prez or Sec of Health and Welfare, have ticked off most of the Catholic population or so it seems. Hard to say. I heard these two "talking heads" on "The News Hour." You would have thought that the mention of condoms was cataclysmic to the Catholics. Who knows (granted, I don't have all my facts together). It is politics and the Prez and cohorts would probably have been better to appease them. But, let's face it, the Catholics want to keep people buried in that bullshit of no birth control. For whatever reasons, maybe to create new believers to brainwash. Damned if I know. But, look at the poorest nations of the world, Catholic. Having babies right and left. An example that I see often: I'm stopped at a light in San Francisco: a young hispanic girl crosses in front of me,  she is pg, has about a six year old by the hand, has a small baby on her chest, pushing a baby carriage with what looked like twins:  count them, five kids. Want to bet? Catholic. A mystery to me. Even after the child abuse scandals, the Catholics seem to be stronger than ever. I am a Christian, a Bible thumper (meaning that I believe, even with all the mysteries, there is no need for anything outside the Bible as relates to the faith). I don't go for canon law, all that bullshit outside the basic Bible. Priest forgiving sins. That sort of thing but still, why offend if you can figure a way out of it. What is that saying: if you discover you are digging yourself into a hole, quit digging!!!