There are crimes against our fellow man, there are crimes against humanity, and occasionally there are crimes against freedom. The shootings at Fort Hood is one of these. Not only has the Gunman deprived his innocent victims of life and limb, he has deprived us and our nation of those who offered, with their life's blood, to ransom the promise of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Worse than this, he was their brother.
When in the military you can disagree with your shipmates and even flat out dislike each other, but when shit hits the fan you are fellow soldiers standing on the line to defend each others lives and the safety of the nation your swore your life to. The very idea of opening fire on fellow US soldiers is so abhorrent to me as a vet that I am still trying to wrap my mind around it.
This was not friendly fire, this was not a broken mind snapping in the theater of war. This was the act of a craven and a coward. Attacking those who he knew could not fight back as they would be unarmed. This was treason in every sense of the word.
This gunman is a murderer, a traitor to his nation, and a betrayer of a sacred trust. May he beg forgiveness and mercy before God, for it is my ardent hope he finds none before the law of man.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
I don't understand
Obama has been given a Nobel Peace prize... I don't get it, for what? He hasn't even been in office a year, the same wars that were raging when he took office are still ongoing. un-employment is up the economy is down
Nelson Mandela
Mother Teresa
The 14th Dali Lama
These I understand without question
Heck I can even accept Jimmy Carter for his constant efforts here and abroad to improve living conditions for .. well every one.
But some one please tell me what Obama has actually done to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize?
Tell me more what he had done prior to 2009 that even warranted nomination?
Why before 2009 you ask, because Nobel Prize nominations are made in the year before the award is given, the latest deadline is Feb 1 of the year given. So he wasn't even President when Nominated, or had just finished adjusting the name plate on his desk.
So did he get nominated for being an effective media hound and reading speeches well, or was it strictly for winning the election? Or did he win a Nobel prize by making campaign promises that he hasn't even kept? Maybe it was the ability to throw a huge party in DC?
I guess all those petitions going around a couple months back to nominate Michael Jackson for a Nobel Prize weren't as far fetched as I though they were!
Nelson Mandela
Mother Teresa
The 14th Dali Lama
These I understand without question
Heck I can even accept Jimmy Carter for his constant efforts here and abroad to improve living conditions for .. well every one.
But some one please tell me what Obama has actually done to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize?
Tell me more what he had done prior to 2009 that even warranted nomination?
Why before 2009 you ask, because Nobel Prize nominations are made in the year before the award is given, the latest deadline is Feb 1 of the year given. So he wasn't even President when Nominated, or had just finished adjusting the name plate on his desk.
So did he get nominated for being an effective media hound and reading speeches well, or was it strictly for winning the election? Or did he win a Nobel prize by making campaign promises that he hasn't even kept? Maybe it was the ability to throw a huge party in DC?
I guess all those petitions going around a couple months back to nominate Michael Jackson for a Nobel Prize weren't as far fetched as I though they were!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Obama is not a Nazi
Obama is not a Nazi, none of our presidents have been members of the German National Socialist party, nor do they fit the modern profile of what the term "Nazi" has come to mean. For that matter I don't even find him to be a Socialist.
Honestly, though some of his policies and ideals do lean towards a socialist agenda, I find him to be a Nationalist. His primary platform and political core is based upon economic redistribution, and government regulation / oversight of industrial production and labor. As well his policies fall in line with the idea that national identity and government has power to require loyalty and obedience of component bodies. (ie. States being required to pass certain laws and adhere to given budgetary restrictions in order to receive stimulus money)
Now Nationalism isn't necessarily a bad thing... if kept in moderation. If allowed to run the gambit of political power unchecked you end up with an authoritarian state. Benito Mussolini and the Italian Fascist regime is an example of Nationalism carried a few steps to far.
Now on the other side of the aisle is the Republican party, they aren't Nazi's either. So far as I can tell they are also not adherents to the ideal of Republicanism. I tend to find most modern Republicans to be Federalist. Basing their stated aims on a strong core federal government with rights to create and enforce all laws concerning currency,levy of taxes, immigration, international policy and treaties. Problem is they tend to stop there and forget that the States still have rights and are, or should be partners in the overall government of the confederation.
Both cases lead to an overbearing central government with little check on legislature or executive power who address the claim of violation of States Rights is is either in the best interest of national advancement and ideals or justified under the implied federal power to pass any laws "Necessary and Proper" in order to accomplish their enumerated tasks.
So as we go along can we dispose with the epithets of "nazi" and "socialist" and "communist"? Really if the best our leaders in Washington can do for debate, and influencing public opinion is name calling, then vote the sorry SOB's out of office and let some one else have a shot!
Honestly, though some of his policies and ideals do lean towards a socialist agenda, I find him to be a Nationalist. His primary platform and political core is based upon economic redistribution, and government regulation / oversight of industrial production and labor. As well his policies fall in line with the idea that national identity and government has power to require loyalty and obedience of component bodies. (ie. States being required to pass certain laws and adhere to given budgetary restrictions in order to receive stimulus money)
Now Nationalism isn't necessarily a bad thing... if kept in moderation. If allowed to run the gambit of political power unchecked you end up with an authoritarian state. Benito Mussolini and the Italian Fascist regime is an example of Nationalism carried a few steps to far.
Now on the other side of the aisle is the Republican party, they aren't Nazi's either. So far as I can tell they are also not adherents to the ideal of Republicanism. I tend to find most modern Republicans to be Federalist. Basing their stated aims on a strong core federal government with rights to create and enforce all laws concerning currency,levy of taxes, immigration, international policy and treaties. Problem is they tend to stop there and forget that the States still have rights and are, or should be partners in the overall government of the confederation.
Both cases lead to an overbearing central government with little check on legislature or executive power who address the claim of violation of States Rights is is either in the best interest of national advancement and ideals or justified under the implied federal power to pass any laws "Necessary and Proper" in order to accomplish their enumerated tasks.
So as we go along can we dispose with the epithets of "nazi" and "socialist" and "communist"? Really if the best our leaders in Washington can do for debate, and influencing public opinion is name calling, then vote the sorry SOB's out of office and let some one else have a shot!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Grasshopper and the Ant (revised edition)
The Grass Hopper and the Ant (revised edition)
In a field one summers day, a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.
“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”
“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”
“Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; “we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger. Grain also being the currency of the land he realized he had no job to help him get the medical care he so desperately needed. He also found himself in foreclosure on the wonderful tree stump he had inhabited and could not pay the ever increasing payments upon even though he knew they would be due. At this time he saw the ants distributing every day, the corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. So he went unto the great acorn, where the council of insects met and beseeched them to help.
“I have nothing oh worthy insects, yet the ant lies warm and comfortable in his mound, feasting upon corn, he has saved enough to feed and provide for me and my family as well as those in his own brood”
The chief executive beetle looked down upon him and said, “Shall we leave this creature out in the cold though he has wasted our resources throughout the warm seasons? Shall we not tax the ant to help provide for this poor soul?”
And so the Grasshopper was given paper pictures of grain printed in the thousands that he might have the means to pay his bills and live on equal terms with the hard laboring ant.
The ant looked upon this and said “we cannot eat the pictures of grain and if it is traded the same as grain soon all grain will lose its value. “ The ant was looked upon by the Council that met at the great acorn, they labeled him as discriminatory to other insects, and they told him that he should mend his ways.
The End
Friday, August 14, 2009
Immigration and Healthcare
On Monday Obama assured the world that he would tackle Immigration reform. Well maybe some time next year anyway. Then he took to the air burning off the JP-8 to get to the Town Hall Meetings, to promote and grandstand the virtues of a deeply flawed bill.
Health care has to come before Immigration reform, this is the current clear line of priority presented by our president. Obama is going around the country to tout the health care reform bill and attempt to convince those of us who are the unbelievers. Immigration reform will not be tackled until at least 2010, after the Health care reform bill has hypothetical passed.
It is strange that very few are willing to talk about the connection between the two. Perhaps it is because it isn't "politically correct" to point out how much illegal immigration cost in terms of health care every year.
"In Texas, where the state comptroller estimates illegal immigrants cost hospitals $1.3 billion in 2006, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is considering denying cancer care to such immigrants." (From USA Today)
1.3 Billion dollars in one state for one year. In 2006 at that, before bubbles started popping and we were all forced to admit the economy was slipping into recession. Before more and more people were unemployed and were forced to use ER's as a public clinic.
Just like the cost of malpractice insurance this cost to provide services to the those who reside in our nation illegally is passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher health care cost, higher premiums, and higher taxes to support community hospitals.
So I have a suggestion... Lets make it easier to get a migrant worker visa. (Heresy...I know!) Lets make it possible for these folks who are hard working men and women to have health care benefits and pay taxes. That's right _Pay Taxes_ which helps pay for the community clinics and hospitals that are currently suffering due to the financial burden. It also protects them from exploitation while protecting the jobs of American citizens because they would have to be paid the same minimum wage and have the same legal recourse against abuse. The same protection in regards to workers comp, access to insurance for themselves and their families.
Simply put it's a multi-billion dollar hole in logic to say that immigration has to take second chair to health care, as they have profound effects on one another.
Health care has to come before Immigration reform, this is the current clear line of priority presented by our president. Obama is going around the country to tout the health care reform bill and attempt to convince those of us who are the unbelievers. Immigration reform will not be tackled until at least 2010, after the Health care reform bill has hypothetical passed.
It is strange that very few are willing to talk about the connection between the two. Perhaps it is because it isn't "politically correct" to point out how much illegal immigration cost in terms of health care every year.
"In Texas, where the state comptroller estimates illegal immigrants cost hospitals $1.3 billion in 2006, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is considering denying cancer care to such immigrants." (From USA Today)
1.3 Billion dollars in one state for one year. In 2006 at that, before bubbles started popping and we were all forced to admit the economy was slipping into recession. Before more and more people were unemployed and were forced to use ER's as a public clinic.
Just like the cost of malpractice insurance this cost to provide services to the those who reside in our nation illegally is passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher health care cost, higher premiums, and higher taxes to support community hospitals.
So I have a suggestion... Lets make it easier to get a migrant worker visa. (Heresy...I know!) Lets make it possible for these folks who are hard working men and women to have health care benefits and pay taxes. That's right _Pay Taxes_ which helps pay for the community clinics and hospitals that are currently suffering due to the financial burden. It also protects them from exploitation while protecting the jobs of American citizens because they would have to be paid the same minimum wage and have the same legal recourse against abuse. The same protection in regards to workers comp, access to insurance for themselves and their families.
Simply put it's a multi-billion dollar hole in logic to say that immigration has to take second chair to health care, as they have profound effects on one another.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Papers Please....
A man walks in through a sliding glass door, negligently the woman there, without looking up, taps the card swipe on the counter. Nervously the man withdraws his federally issued universal ID. His hand shaking, he runs it through the reader. The woman stops briefly and glances at her screen, "I'm sorry Mister Jones, we can't help you here."
Mr Jones looks down at his card and then back at the reader.. "Ma'am I've been seeing the Dr here for 2 years... The Cancer ain't spread but it's still there, where am I supposed to go" The health care officer sighs heavily clearly annoyed at the question. "Mr Jones the system says you have used up all available funds that were allotted to you this year for advanced care, you'll just have to go to the primary care center and see what they can do for you there." As she speaks a uniformed officer steppes up beside the old man "let me help you back to your car Mr Jones." As he is lead from the building the next person in line swipes their card.
This is fiction for now Universal ID's with all of your personal information issued by the Federal Government, A cold computer system that uses some committees formulas to decide who can have what care.
Yes it's fiction for now, read the health care bill... call your Congressman.
Mr Jones looks down at his card and then back at the reader.. "Ma'am I've been seeing the Dr here for 2 years... The Cancer ain't spread but it's still there, where am I supposed to go" The health care officer sighs heavily clearly annoyed at the question. "Mr Jones the system says you have used up all available funds that were allotted to you this year for advanced care, you'll just have to go to the primary care center and see what they can do for you there." As she speaks a uniformed officer steppes up beside the old man "let me help you back to your car Mr Jones." As he is lead from the building the next person in line swipes their card.
This is fiction for now Universal ID's with all of your personal information issued by the Federal Government, A cold computer system that uses some committees formulas to decide who can have what care.
Yes it's fiction for now, read the health care bill... call your Congressman.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Face Off
Political tensions are running high, the world is watching as the media coverage ramps up it's coverage of this volatile situation.
Iraq? - No
Iran? - No
China, Russia, Taiwan, North Korea, Afghanistan, Honduras, any of those? - No
None of these, not health care, not gun control, not even hidden taxes. The President of the United States of America instead is worried about the actions of a single law enforcement officer in Cambridge Mass., who arrested a man who happens to be the presidents buddy.
Barack Obama has , As President of the United States, criticized the officer involved and even by his own words brought race into a situation where it did not need to be discussed.
Whether or not Professor Gates was aggressive or unruly enough to warrant his arrest is a matter for administrative review by the Cambridge PD, not something for the President of the United States to censure and publicly criticize when he didn't even investigate the facts in the case.
Obama is asking what's the big deal that he gave his personal opinion of the matter? Apparently he doesn't understand that he doesn't have private opinions any more. For at least the next three and half years every statement he makes is as the chief executive of the nation, not as a private citizen.
Barack Obama wanted the Presidency and he got it and every thing that goes with it. This includes the microscope of the media and the American public on his actions, and statements. Assuming the persona and onus of the office means a large level of de-personification. He is no longer just a man he is the President. 24-7, 365 days a year. Having 'private and personal opinions' is a luxury that heads of state don't get to enjoy. I guess if he doesn't like it he should be more careful what he asks for.
Though I do not think it intentional, the sway Obama has as President has been brought to bear he has exerted the power of his office on a civil case that should have been left to the proper _much lower_ authorities. Intentional or not this was an abuse of power.
Iraq? - No
Iran? - No
China, Russia, Taiwan, North Korea, Afghanistan, Honduras, any of those? - No
None of these, not health care, not gun control, not even hidden taxes. The President of the United States of America instead is worried about the actions of a single law enforcement officer in Cambridge Mass., who arrested a man who happens to be the presidents buddy.
Barack Obama has , As President of the United States, criticized the officer involved and even by his own words brought race into a situation where it did not need to be discussed.
Whether or not Professor Gates was aggressive or unruly enough to warrant his arrest is a matter for administrative review by the Cambridge PD, not something for the President of the United States to censure and publicly criticize when he didn't even investigate the facts in the case.
Obama is asking what's the big deal that he gave his personal opinion of the matter? Apparently he doesn't understand that he doesn't have private opinions any more. For at least the next three and half years every statement he makes is as the chief executive of the nation, not as a private citizen.
Barack Obama wanted the Presidency and he got it and every thing that goes with it. This includes the microscope of the media and the American public on his actions, and statements. Assuming the persona and onus of the office means a large level of de-personification. He is no longer just a man he is the President. 24-7, 365 days a year. Having 'private and personal opinions' is a luxury that heads of state don't get to enjoy. I guess if he doesn't like it he should be more careful what he asks for.
Though I do not think it intentional, the sway Obama has as President has been brought to bear he has exerted the power of his office on a civil case that should have been left to the proper _much lower_ authorities. Intentional or not this was an abuse of power.
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