Hagel will have his hands full. There's a kind of military mafia: (I just know the Army) West Point graduates who look after each other. They are "ring knockers" and help each get promoted and get choice assignments. They talk about looking after the troops but don't overall do "s..t." Their mantra is mostly, "Nothing is too good for the troops and that is what the troops get, nothing." Hagel has been an enlisted guy, he gets it.
Like Downton Abbey? There's an example: the Aristocracy (Officers) are upstairs, the Servants (enlisted) are downstairs.
Biggest challenge I think for Hagel will be the military itself. We do what we always do after wars. We downsize the military. Shrink it to where it is questionable about its effectiveness. Not to mention the fact that we get rid of some of our best men and women. In to many cases, we absolutely treat them awful. We have used them up and throw them out. The Army is already way to small. The All Voluntary Force is a bust in my estimation. Those in now are good, quality soldiers but we have deployed them over and over. They are spent. Deployed over and over. Unlike Vietnam, if we needed more "cannon fodder, we drafted more. Now, we merely sent them to war over and over.
This is an aside but so fits into the present equation. We let Melvin Laird and economist icon Milt Freeman sell us a bill of goods when we ended the draft. We could have easily turned the draft into a community service, requiring our young people to serve. After 9-11, we discovered this vast amount of patriotism across the board, the children of the "have" and the "have nots" lined up to serve and we squandered the opportunity. And, now, of course, it is too late. We don't have the political will to bring back a Community Service, giving Amerrica's youth choices. Many would have chosen the military.
Hagel is a good choice for SecDef. Those who don't think so, "F..K you very much."
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
GUNS
Part of the thing is that in days past, you could have a fight or ruckus, whatever. Now, somebody or everybody has a gun. So many crazies out there. I still remember when I went through Special Forces Training, they teach you to avoid a fight at all costs. Run away, try to talk yourself out of it, anything to avoid. However, if you can't and get backed into a corner where you have to fight or they will hurt up or even kill you, then you do what you have to do. Good advice. So...
Thursday, February 21, 2013
THE OUTPOST
Jake Tapper: 'The Outpost' That Never Should Have Been
I heard this author interviewed on NPR by Terry Gross. It was incredibly moving and as an ex military type, it made me angry. I always hate second guessing and I am going to, relatively speaking refrain from it, till I read the book. There are so many things about Afghanistan as there were about Iraq that are f..ked up at the highest levels.
Here you have, Outpost Keating, which shouldn't have been there in the first place and shows the basic weaknesses in military leadership that has failed at the highest levels.
Outpost Keating, named for the brave Lieutenant who, according to the interview, lost his life trying to make this bad scene work. He was a Lieutenant for God's sake! What was the Battalion Commander thinking? Did he feel under pressure to do this, to do something.
Based on the interview, the living conditions for the troops were horrendous. No basic hygiene, insects, things that are unimaginable for American soldiers. This was an isolated situation but shouldn't have been. Afghanistan, any way we cut it is a disaster. We can't really even fight to a standstill. Corruption at the highest levels. Our own generals have shown the worst of leadership and been out to lunch. Screwing around when he should have been countermanding
Americans that care should be shaking their heads in disgust and sorry that we have sacrificed young Americans. This isn't second guessing, this is opinion after the fact. The author's point: a disaster which should have never been. To reinforce: Outpost Keating, in addition to stupidity of putting these young soldiers at risk, to have been there in the first place, given the terrain and the likelihood that the Outpost was vulnerable, is beyond the pale.
Tapper was not a war correspondent, he simply became intrigued with the debacle of sending young Americans into an impossible situation. What the f..k. Let's read the book.
I heard this author interviewed on NPR by Terry Gross. It was incredibly moving and as an ex military type, it made me angry. I always hate second guessing and I am going to, relatively speaking refrain from it, till I read the book. There are so many things about Afghanistan as there were about Iraq that are f..ked up at the highest levels.
Here you have, Outpost Keating, which shouldn't have been there in the first place and shows the basic weaknesses in military leadership that has failed at the highest levels.
Outpost Keating, named for the brave Lieutenant who, according to the interview, lost his life trying to make this bad scene work. He was a Lieutenant for God's sake! What was the Battalion Commander thinking? Did he feel under pressure to do this, to do something.
Based on the interview, the living conditions for the troops were horrendous. No basic hygiene, insects, things that are unimaginable for American soldiers. This was an isolated situation but shouldn't have been. Afghanistan, any way we cut it is a disaster. We can't really even fight to a standstill. Corruption at the highest levels. Our own generals have shown the worst of leadership and been out to lunch. Screwing around when he should have been countermanding
Americans that care should be shaking their heads in disgust and sorry that we have sacrificed young Americans. This isn't second guessing, this is opinion after the fact. The author's point: a disaster which should have never been. To reinforce: Outpost Keating, in addition to stupidity of putting these young soldiers at risk, to have been there in the first place, given the terrain and the likelihood that the Outpost was vulnerable, is beyond the pale.
Tapper was not a war correspondent, he simply became intrigued with the debacle of sending young Americans into an impossible situation. What the f..k. Let's read the book.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
A REAL HERO
Recently I watched the president present the Medal of Honor to a young soldier who obviously showed extraordinaire bravery in the face of a tenacious enemy. From having served in combat and seen bravery close up, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that scores of heroic soldiers who should have been awarded the Medal of Honor didn't get it. This is certainly not to take away from the brave young soldier just given the MOH. Something as simple as paperwork snafus can derail a well deserved medal. I remember a medic named Smitty who during a battle under enemy and rocket fire inched his way for a hundred meters plus, to save several soldiers. We put him in for the Medal of Honor. The paperwork was lost. It bothered me and others and we resubmitted the paperwork. We don't know what happened but it never made it--time passed and everybody moved on. Not good.
Quite serendipitously, I talked to this WW ll vet, an extraordinary hero anyway you cut it. He made me think of the wonderful heroics of soldiers that never get recognized. Monti Nachman is one of those. His story is a movie. At least as interesting and maybe more so than "Saving Private Ryan." Monti was a young 17 year old when he enlisted in the Army. He didn't know what he wanted. He decided that the Army Air Corp sounded good. In good Military fashion, they socked him in the Infantry. He ended up in Germany in some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Seventh Army was routing the Germans and soldiers like Monti were on the chase. One morning, Sergeant Nanchman and his squad of soldiers came upon Camp 6 which was one of the overflow camps from the infamous Daucha. It was horrible beyond description. Human beings stacked up like cord wood and men walking around like skeletons. His unit did what they could, rounded up every blanket they could find for these pitiful souls. The sadness and pity turned to anger and when their captain sent his squad after some fleeing Germans they were more than ready for a fight. When they caught the Germans, they immediately surrendered. "It was very tempting to kill them but we were Americans and so we took them prisoner", said the Sergeant. "I will never forget that day. The experience has stayed with me all my life. I think all of us from that time were 'shell shocked.' That was what it was called then. Now they call it Post Stress or something like that. Over the years, I've met Holocoast victims. How they survived is way beyond me."
Yes, Sergeant Nachman received twelve medals, to include two purple hearts but nothing could suffice for that day. "The horror of what we experienced." Thank you Sergeant Nachman, you are a hero.
Quite serendipitously, I talked to this WW ll vet, an extraordinary hero anyway you cut it. He made me think of the wonderful heroics of soldiers that never get recognized. Monti Nachman is one of those. His story is a movie. At least as interesting and maybe more so than "Saving Private Ryan." Monti was a young 17 year old when he enlisted in the Army. He didn't know what he wanted. He decided that the Army Air Corp sounded good. In good Military fashion, they socked him in the Infantry. He ended up in Germany in some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Seventh Army was routing the Germans and soldiers like Monti were on the chase. One morning, Sergeant Nanchman and his squad of soldiers came upon Camp 6 which was one of the overflow camps from the infamous Daucha. It was horrible beyond description. Human beings stacked up like cord wood and men walking around like skeletons. His unit did what they could, rounded up every blanket they could find for these pitiful souls. The sadness and pity turned to anger and when their captain sent his squad after some fleeing Germans they were more than ready for a fight. When they caught the Germans, they immediately surrendered. "It was very tempting to kill them but we were Americans and so we took them prisoner", said the Sergeant. "I will never forget that day. The experience has stayed with me all my life. I think all of us from that time were 'shell shocked.' That was what it was called then. Now they call it Post Stress or something like that. Over the years, I've met Holocoast victims. How they survived is way beyond me."
Yes, Sergeant Nachman received twelve medals, to include two purple hearts but nothing could suffice for that day. "The horror of what we experienced." Thank you Sergeant Nachman, you are a hero.
GETTING THE FACTS
It never ceases to amaze me how little the civilian world knows about the military. Understandable, no draft, leaders have little or no military experience. Case in point. The much ballyhooed article by Phil Bronstein, formerly of the San Francisco Chronicle, about the Navy Seal who was the no 2 guy to shoot Bin Laden, like he needed killing twice. Bronstein's article says no medical care and no retirement for the "Seal." Of course, no retirement. He got out after 16 years. Why? The minimum for a pension is 20 years. The military did go through a short period when they wanted to get rid of people and allowed retirement earlier but even then it was 19 years I think. My suspicion is Bronstein wanted a good hook so maybe rendering the military as heartless was it.
A basic wrong in the Bronstein article and in a reference in Time Magazine is the VA. You don't apply for VA, you are entitled to it. The vet merely signs up. There is a "means" test which is self defeating I think. It really is punishing vets for being successful but that is a side issue. But, most, like the Navy Seal merely need to "sign up." No problem. And, all soldiers should be evaluated anyway. My suspicion is Bronstein wanted a stothesis the hell with the facts. This afterall is the guy who was married to Sharon Stone and then got bit by a kimono dragon. Does that tell us something.
A basic wrong in the Bronstein article and in a reference in Time Magazine is the VA. You don't apply for VA, you are entitled to it. The vet merely signs up. There is a "means" test which is self defeating I think. It really is punishing vets for being successful but that is a side issue. But, most, like the Navy Seal merely need to "sign up." No problem. And, all soldiers should be evaluated anyway. My suspicion is Bronstein wanted a stothesis the hell with the facts. This afterall is the guy who was married to Sharon Stone and then got bit by a kimono dragon. Does that tell us something.
Friday, February 15, 2013
SUICIDE
The lead story in a recent Sundays "NY TImes" was incredibly disturbing. It had to do with addiction, mainly a highly addictive drug frequently prescribed for someone diagnosed as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
The article profiled a young college graduate, addicted to Adderall, and the efforts of his parents to save him and the culpability of psychiatrists and various therapists who so willingly prescribed the drug. What it seems to me is that nobody pays any price for helping this youngster destroy himself other than the parents. There has to be some accountability. Or, maybe not. Maybe the health care system, the patents, friends did all they could. When somebody appears hell bent and determined to destroy themselves, can anything be done? I don't know.
The article profiled a young college graduate, addicted to Adderall, and the efforts of his parents to save him and the culpability of psychiatrists and various therapists who so willingly prescribed the drug. What it seems to me is that nobody pays any price for helping this youngster destroy himself other than the parents. There has to be some accountability. Or, maybe not. Maybe the health care system, the patents, friends did all they could. When somebody appears hell bent and determined to destroy themselves, can anything be done? I don't know.
POPE RESIGNS
What the f..k? The Pope is resigning. The Catholic World is aghast. As a non Catholic, I am at a little more than a yawn. Really, I get accused of sometimes of being anti-Catholic. Not so. Just hostile to non thinking. With all the newsworthy items in the world, this much time on the Pope's resignation is more that a bit irritating to me. I am amazed. Something like 1.1 billion Catholics world wide. About a quartet of Americans are Catholic. You can't be serious, how about a note or two but days on this, etc. Give me a break.
For starters, the Catholics have invented an entire theological system. Really, this isn't religion 101 but merely pointing out the absurdity, from my perspective, that makes the concept of a Pope, a Jesus on earth, such bullshit. Where is the authority for these claims.
This is a loose commentary but the Bible says to the disciple Peter, "Upon you will I built my church." From that the Catholic Church claims that Peter was the 1st Pope.
Hell, they have their own country. Jesus didn't say, "Let's get us a Pope." Amazing, all the teachings that the Catholics lay claim to. This one really ticks me off: "that Priests can forgive sins." The theology for establishing their church are teachings that really have no real basis in fact, like the Christian Bible.
Listening to various news accounts of the Pope's resignation, plus commentary from educated people, I am simply amazed that we are so gullible with a church that exists on such shaky ground. As a parting shot--When we look at the Catholics in the world and their social positions, defined by the Pope and swallowrd by the masses of Catholics, the Church is like the extreme right wing of Republicans that would take us back to the Middle ages.
For starters, the Catholics have invented an entire theological system. Really, this isn't religion 101 but merely pointing out the absurdity, from my perspective, that makes the concept of a Pope, a Jesus on earth, such bullshit. Where is the authority for these claims.
This is a loose commentary but the Bible says to the disciple Peter, "Upon you will I built my church." From that the Catholic Church claims that Peter was the 1st Pope.
Hell, they have their own country. Jesus didn't say, "Let's get us a Pope." Amazing, all the teachings that the Catholics lay claim to. This one really ticks me off: "that Priests can forgive sins." The theology for establishing their church are teachings that really have no real basis in fact, like the Christian Bible.
Listening to various news accounts of the Pope's resignation, plus commentary from educated people, I am simply amazed that we are so gullible with a church that exists on such shaky ground. As a parting shot--When we look at the Catholics in the world and their social positions, defined by the Pope and swallowrd by the masses of Catholics, the Church is like the extreme right wing of Republicans that would take us back to the Middle ages.
STATE of the UNION
Let's face it. If you like the Prez, he did great. If you don't, not much slack. NPR did an analysis on every word, phrase, any sort of BS. I heard the speech. I didn't hear any of the same they heard. SO.... Sometimes I think we get too much info. America has lots to face. We will do it. Politics is pretty poor to get us past our challenges. Our system is broken and can't be fixed. We refuse to admiit it. An example: Congressmen like Boehner could care less, knowing that he can be anyway he wants without voter repercussion. He is very disrespectful I think toward the President. Nobody seems to call him on it. Just my view. I think it is a constant fight and it's not going away. How to handle it? More sex. Airborne.
Monday, February 11, 2013
SCANDALOUS
My ancestors, the Irish, have done some major "f..k up"s over the years. What the hell is wrong with the Irish Catholics. First of all, they are protecting the pedophile Priests and now it has come to light that the Nuns had about 10,000 young waifs working as slave labor in these laundries called Magdalene. What the F..k! What absurdly fascinated me about this atrocity is how do these people dare invoke the name of Christ. There is no way to look at the life of Jesus, especially the first four books of the Bible, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) that essentially have recorded what Jesus said and did; not like the rest of the Bible that talks about what people said He said and did. This is what the Catholics have done: invented an entire literature claiming some sort of authority, which is basically nothing more than what someone made up. Well, I guess you can say that about the Bible in general. It is all about "faith" but at least the writing down of the narrative Bible is attributed to the Disciples. All that being said. You sure as s..t ain't going to find Jesus condoning the mistreatment of little girls at the Irish Magdalene laundry.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
DRONES
My dad had a simple ethic. Always try to do what's right. Come on! Drones targeting those who may be suspected but haven't done anything wrong. Even targeting Americans. Noway. If I have been disappointed in our President, it has been that he appears to have been led down the primrose path on these drones. Come on! Let's go with Dad, "Do what is right." Drones running amuck won't hack it in living up to my Dad's, "doing what's right."
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
FLIGHT
Denzel Washington is my favorite actor. His best movie for me was "Man On Fire. "In Man On Fire," He absolutely killed everybody in the movie but the Director. "Flight" is an ethereal movie in a way. It is about a remarkable pilot who was essentially drunk while landing a crashing plane in an impossible scenario--a feat that no one could do like Denzel. It goes against every single thing that we think/believe. Come on! The guy saves all these lives and doing it while drunk. But, he does it. We see it. Denzel is a functional drunk. Could it have really happened that way? Maybe. I doubt it. It is the movies. But, people who have made a career of drinking can and perform. I've seen it. They have the alcohol plan as I call it. The man who starts drinking on Friday after work, drinks all weekend, stops at 3 in the afternoon so he'll be ready for work. It happens. "Flight" and Denzel was one of those. Good movie. See it. A few loose ends that weren't tied up, i.e., the damsel in distress he rescued what happened to her? Here's the last thing: storyline comes down to a single question. The good and heroic pilot only has to answer one question before the Transportation and Safety Board adand he walks out, career in tact, hero. Just one last question.
drugs in a lifestyle that splt works for them for awhile. Eventually it catches up to them. In Flight
{{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}}
drugs in a lifestyle that splt works for them for awhile. Eventually it catches up to them. In Flight
{{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}}
Sunday, February 03, 2013
GUNS
Gun hearings on gun Control in Congress is like most of what Congress does: a frigging waste of time. There is no such thing as rationality when you are dealing with the NRA and a host of other gun nuts and 2d amendment zealots. Watch my lips MF. It is SYMBOLIC. Twenty precious children were gunned down at Sandy Hook School. They could have been any of our children; lives gone, no future. As a country, the majority of us want to at least feel like we are making some response, weak though it may be. Symbolic!!!! 😳😳😳😳😳😳
GOD AND SPORTS
Just heard this: some researcher, Robert Jones, in a poll, found that a quarter of Americans thought that "God played a role in winning" in Sports. In other words, God, if He/She so chose could give the 49ers, a Super Bowl win.
Bad theology, why don't I just get God to give me a winning lottery ticket. Lot of explanation and reasoning here if I wanted to take a few years. Let's suffice to say this: Ball players pray, politicians send prayers to folks in tragedy. The prez says, "our thoughts and prayers go out to them." (Could be a tragedy like Sandy Hook, refugees in Syria, etc.) the president doesn't literally pray (I don't think). It is what we do as decent human beings. We are, I believe, spiritual by nature. Athletes and politicians and us regular people are just following out nature when we say, "we will pray."
Would God reward the most spiritual ball players? Please! Come on!
So, a third of Americans believe that God determines the outcome of sports. I don't know why I'm wasting my time even reasoning about this. The pollster may have made this up. On the other hand, only a third of Americans believe this. Based on where we are in American life today and knowing a few sports nuts, you better believe they believe this, anything for an edge. Better than steroids. God bless 'em! See what I mean. Do I really want God to bless 'em. Or, will God really do it, anyway. F..k, don't we think God has better things to do. GO FORTY NINERS
{{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}}
Bad theology, why don't I just get God to give me a winning lottery ticket. Lot of explanation and reasoning here if I wanted to take a few years. Let's suffice to say this: Ball players pray, politicians send prayers to folks in tragedy. The prez says, "our thoughts and prayers go out to them." (Could be a tragedy like Sandy Hook, refugees in Syria, etc.) the president doesn't literally pray (I don't think). It is what we do as decent human beings. We are, I believe, spiritual by nature. Athletes and politicians and us regular people are just following out nature when we say, "we will pray."
Would God reward the most spiritual ball players? Please! Come on!
So, a third of Americans believe that God determines the outcome of sports. I don't know why I'm wasting my time even reasoning about this. The pollster may have made this up. On the other hand, only a third of Americans believe this. Based on where we are in American life today and knowing a few sports nuts, you better believe they believe this, anything for an edge. Better than steroids. God bless 'em! See what I mean. Do I really want God to bless 'em. Or, will God really do it, anyway. F..k, don't we think God has better things to do. GO FORTY NINERS
{{{{{{{Jerry}}}}}}
Thursday, January 31, 2013
JOHN KERRY
John Kerry confirmed as Sec of State. Good for him. Talk about a guy who, if he is anything, is resilient. A Vietnam vet, the "leader of the band" in Vets Against the War; politics, marries well. Runs for Prez. Sabotaged by the "Swift Boat Vets" who were sold a bill of goods by a sorry bunch of draft dodging Republican lying MFers. I always hated it that the Vets sabotaged Kerry. I really believed that when all was said and done, the Vets would come to their senses and stand up for a fellow vet. They f..king caved.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
INSPIRING
Listening to the president's inauguration speech was very inspiring. He challenged us with America's values and what could be better than that. As a white boy from NC, I am happy to embrace a "land of the free and home of the brave." That being said, let's get real here: What we face in the country is a great divergence of views in any area. An example: NPR interviewed several (I'm sure they try to mix it up). One in particular had travelled from my home state to celebrate. When the Interviewer asked her whether the President should talk about race. Her answer (she was African American) was NO. "No need," she said. There were other comments, one said that his speech indicated that he was committed to the most vulnerable in our society. I liked all of that, fits my views. Then, they moved to some guy in Texas which in my estimation represents what we face in the country, obviously a dyed in the wool Republican. His view was that the President's speech was totally "left wing, could not believe that a president would be so partisan." Do we think we are going to change his mind. F..k NO! Period.
With all the talk about partisanship, working together, it is very simply bullshit. This is one of those things that we talk about but ain't going to happen. The President may have gotten elected for a second term but the roadblocks remain the same. The majority voices of the people that he invoked doesn't really make any difference. Many congressman came to Washington with a mandate as they see it: roll back spending, anti social issues--that and a host of other views are not going to change. The issue is not what is good for the country but what will get them reelected. It is what we call politics. Our system is broken and we have no way to fix it. F..K!!!!!!!
With all the talk about partisanship, working together, it is very simply bullshit. This is one of those things that we talk about but ain't going to happen. The President may have gotten elected for a second term but the roadblocks remain the same. The majority voices of the people that he invoked doesn't really make any difference. Many congressman came to Washington with a mandate as they see it: roll back spending, anti social issues--that and a host of other views are not going to change. The issue is not what is good for the country but what will get them reelected. It is what we call politics. Our system is broken and we have no way to fix it. F..K!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
CONFESSION
The great mystery of many a day to me is Lance Armstrong's confession to Oprah Winfrey. Not that I am losing sleep over it. (I have never even listened to Oprah Winfrey). Why he confessed and to Winfrey, damn weird. Does he think for a moment that by confessing, people are going to forgive? What is he smoking? (Hold it there, maybe he is smoking something). I can tell you that confession won't hack it--Is he that stupid, an ego maniac, what the hell! Personally, I don't give a f..k one way or another. I have thought all along that he had probably doped but no telling how many more.
The confession has made me think. What about Barry Bonds or say, Roger Clemens. We think of course they doped and were looking for an edge. So what! But, they didn't confess. The only one Armstrong's confession is probably going to help is Oprah. She is lucky. Damn. Amazing.
The confession has made me think. What about Barry Bonds or say, Roger Clemens. We think of course they doped and were looking for an edge. So what! But, they didn't confess. The only one Armstrong's confession is probably going to help is Oprah. She is lucky. Damn. Amazing.
McCHRYSTAL
Listening to Margaret Warner interview retired General Stanley McChrystal was pretty pathetic, really. Throwing him these softball questions didn't do much. There's a side that has to admire the general. Guy runs miles a day, eats one meal, sleeps four hours, an animal. The flip side of the coin is that he represents what is wrong with our recent wars. The generals give these rosy reports and we buy into them. More Americans die and we are further behind.
Some of it has to be with the lack of understanding by the civilian/political community in what has happened to us. They don't get it because they don't know, "military speak." An example:The civilian community talks about the "surge" in Iraq. All the surge did was separate the warring factions. It did nothing to stem the overall level of violence but the military presented it as somehow a magic formula. Bullshit. Then someone like McChrystal moves to Afghanistan and he, along with his fellow general, Petraeus, when Petraeus could separate himself from his paramour, touted counter insurgency. The Prez, to his credit, bought into it until he came to realize that we were talking 10-20 years. What!!! New strategy, let's turn it all over to the Afghans. McChrystal did say one telling thing in the interview: the Afghan people are scared; their government is weak and allies are leaving. I feel really badly but the alternative is worst, staying in Afghanistan forever.
McChrystal is teaching leadership at Yale and touting his book, "My Share of the Task." I hope the Yalie's are smarter than the rest of us. I blame the generals for much of our misadventures over the last 25 or so years. In Vietnam, Westmoreland said send us more troops and we'll be home by Christmas. He neglected to tell us what Christmas. When he made that statement, we had about 7000 dead GIs. A half dozen years later, it was 58,000 plus dead. My question to the General: what kind of, "leadership" is he talking about.
Some of it has to be with the lack of understanding by the civilian/political community in what has happened to us. They don't get it because they don't know, "military speak." An example:The civilian community talks about the "surge" in Iraq. All the surge did was separate the warring factions. It did nothing to stem the overall level of violence but the military presented it as somehow a magic formula. Bullshit. Then someone like McChrystal moves to Afghanistan and he, along with his fellow general, Petraeus, when Petraeus could separate himself from his paramour, touted counter insurgency. The Prez, to his credit, bought into it until he came to realize that we were talking 10-20 years. What!!! New strategy, let's turn it all over to the Afghans. McChrystal did say one telling thing in the interview: the Afghan people are scared; their government is weak and allies are leaving. I feel really badly but the alternative is worst, staying in Afghanistan forever.
McChrystal is teaching leadership at Yale and touting his book, "My Share of the Task." I hope the Yalie's are smarter than the rest of us. I blame the generals for much of our misadventures over the last 25 or so years. In Vietnam, Westmoreland said send us more troops and we'll be home by Christmas. He neglected to tell us what Christmas. When he made that statement, we had about 7000 dead GIs. A half dozen years later, it was 58,000 plus dead. My question to the General: what kind of, "leadership" is he talking about.
ALAN AND AARON
I personally think us bloggers are about the last remaining vestiges of truth on the digital planet. For instance I have been following the comments about Aaron Swartz. I especially thought the comments from "Wired" were very moving.
Aaron is the second Swartz I've known. The first one was a great character also. Alan Swartz. He had been a newspaper man, tried many things, gone into advertising. I lived a couple of houses down from him. He rode his bike and when he caught me in the yard would stop and talk. Full of stories. Early in my career, I was forced to get one of these "super secret clearances" to do my job. Alan didn't even know I was in the military. We laughed at the absurdity of it all. The government sent out these young guys with a list of questions: mostly benigh but Alan thought a little intrusive. We laughed. He was great family man. His son, as I remember, was into swmming and had Olympic potential. Alan hit me up for a donation to help out with training or something. Later on he discovered that the Olympics frowned upon it and he faithfully came around to give back the money. Great guy.
The funniest story Alan ever told me; according to him, our greatest sense of enlightenment came when we were sitting on the "john" and the moment of elimination came. Given that scenario, Alan developed an entire advertising campaign to go on the back of the stalls--for that special moment when we are contemplating our navel.
So, naturally, it was gratifying to discover another Swartz. Alan, like Aaron left us with some drama. Alan goes off on his bike one morning and has a heart attack and dies. What a loss! I am saddened by both their deaths. Aaron apparently made this statement at some time about his depression, "Someone will say, 'Go outside and get some fresh air or cuddle with a loved one.' You do it and you don't feel any better, only more upset at being unable to feel the joy that everyone else seems to feel. Everything gets colored by the sadness."
Suicide is a terrible thing and it robs us of many things, not the least of all, the great presence and potential of a great mind like Aaron. I don't have a clue how someone like Aaron chooses his causes. If we failed him and I don't know that we did (I didn't know him), maybe it was in our failure to protect and cherish what he brought to the table. I am reminded of Al Pacino's speech in the movie, "Scent Of A Woman." Col. Slade (Pachino's character) says about Charley who is up against enormous odds: money, old school and is about to be disciplined for not "ratting" on his spoiled classmates at an elite prep school. Charley is a scholarship student. The school is assembled and the Colonel is speaking up for Charley and says something like, "I don't know if Charley's behavior here today is right or wrong, I am no judge or jury but you can know this, 'Charley won't sell anybody out to buy his future'...we must protect him, cherish him ...one day he'll make us proud." We have these big "minds" like Aaron who come up against "little" mind's and we need to be more aware of cherishing and protecting those like Aaron Swartz. God bless Him on his journey.
Aaron is the second Swartz I've known. The first one was a great character also. Alan Swartz. He had been a newspaper man, tried many things, gone into advertising. I lived a couple of houses down from him. He rode his bike and when he caught me in the yard would stop and talk. Full of stories. Early in my career, I was forced to get one of these "super secret clearances" to do my job. Alan didn't even know I was in the military. We laughed at the absurdity of it all. The government sent out these young guys with a list of questions: mostly benigh but Alan thought a little intrusive. We laughed. He was great family man. His son, as I remember, was into swmming and had Olympic potential. Alan hit me up for a donation to help out with training or something. Later on he discovered that the Olympics frowned upon it and he faithfully came around to give back the money. Great guy.
The funniest story Alan ever told me; according to him, our greatest sense of enlightenment came when we were sitting on the "john" and the moment of elimination came. Given that scenario, Alan developed an entire advertising campaign to go on the back of the stalls--for that special moment when we are contemplating our navel.
So, naturally, it was gratifying to discover another Swartz. Alan, like Aaron left us with some drama. Alan goes off on his bike one morning and has a heart attack and dies. What a loss! I am saddened by both their deaths. Aaron apparently made this statement at some time about his depression, "Someone will say, 'Go outside and get some fresh air or cuddle with a loved one.' You do it and you don't feel any better, only more upset at being unable to feel the joy that everyone else seems to feel. Everything gets colored by the sadness."
Suicide is a terrible thing and it robs us of many things, not the least of all, the great presence and potential of a great mind like Aaron. I don't have a clue how someone like Aaron chooses his causes. If we failed him and I don't know that we did (I didn't know him), maybe it was in our failure to protect and cherish what he brought to the table. I am reminded of Al Pacino's speech in the movie, "Scent Of A Woman." Col. Slade (Pachino's character) says about Charley who is up against enormous odds: money, old school and is about to be disciplined for not "ratting" on his spoiled classmates at an elite prep school. Charley is a scholarship student. The school is assembled and the Colonel is speaking up for Charley and says something like, "I don't know if Charley's behavior here today is right or wrong, I am no judge or jury but you can know this, 'Charley won't sell anybody out to buy his future'...we must protect him, cherish him ...one day he'll make us proud." We have these big "minds" like Aaron who come up against "little" mind's and we need to be more aware of cherishing and protecting those like Aaron Swartz. God bless Him on his journey.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
MY SHARE OF THE TASK
Listening to Margaret Warner interview retired General Stanley McChrystal was pretty pathetic, really. Throwing him these softball questions didn't do much. There's a side that has to admire the general. Guy runs miles a day, eats one meal, sleeps four hours, an animal. The flip side of the coin is that he represents what is wrong with our recent wars. The generals give these rosy reports and we buy into them. More Americans die and we are further behind.
Some of it has to be with the lack of understanding by the civilian/political community in what has happened to us. They don't get it because they don't know, "military speak." An example:The civilian community talks about the "surge" in Iraq. All the surge did was separate the warring factions. It did nothing to stem the overall level of violence but the military presented it as somehow a magic formula. Bullshit. Then someone like McChrystal moves to Afghanistan and he, along with his fellow general, Petraeus, when Petraeus could separate himself from his paramour, touted counter insurgency. The Prez, to his credit, bought into it until he came to realize that we were talking 10-20 years. What!!! New strategy, let's turn it all over to the Afghans. McChrystal did say one telling thing in the interview: the Afghan people are scared; their government is weak and allies are leaving. I feel really badly but the alternative is worst, staying in Afghanistan forever.
McChrystal is teaching leadership at Yale and touting his book, "My Share of the Task." I hope the Yalie's are smarter than the rest of us. I blame the generals for much of our misadventures over the last 25 or so years. In Vietnam, Westmoreland said send us more troops and we'll be home by Christmas. He neglected to tell us what Christmas. When he made that statement, we had about 7000 dead GIs. A half dozen years later, it was 58,000 plus dead. My question to the General: what kind of, "leadership" is he talking about.
Some of it has to be with the lack of understanding by the civilian/political community in what has happened to us. They don't get it because they don't know, "military speak." An example:The civilian community talks about the "surge" in Iraq. All the surge did was separate the warring factions. It did nothing to stem the overall level of violence but the military presented it as somehow a magic formula. Bullshit. Then someone like McChrystal moves to Afghanistan and he, along with his fellow general, Petraeus, when Petraeus could separate himself from his paramour, touted counter insurgency. The Prez, to his credit, bought into it until he came to realize that we were talking 10-20 years. What!!! New strategy, let's turn it all over to the Afghans. McChrystal did say one telling thing in the interview: the Afghan people are scared; their government is weak and allies are leaving. I feel really badly but the alternative is worst, staying in Afghanistan forever.
McChrystal is teaching leadership at Yale and touting his book, "My Share of the Task." I hope the Yalie's are smarter than the rest of us. I blame the generals for much of our misadventures over the last 25 or so years. In Vietnam, Westmoreland said send us more troops and we'll be home by Christmas. He neglected to tell us what Christmas. When he made that statement, we had about 7000 dead GIs. A half dozen years later, it was 58,000 plus dead. My question to the General: what kind of, "leadership" is he talking about.
GUNS
The gun debate is f..king stupid. We are gun crazy but most of it is fairly benign as we have guns. However, nobody needs assault or military weapons. And for an organization like the NRA to see everything as an attack is f..king stupid. The leadership is a bunch of zealots and there is no reasoning with these people. And, if you are a member, there is only one question. WHY?
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