Oil - or the control of oil - can be a weapon to be used against us. And in our (USA) case, we are very vulnerable to having it used as such. Let me paint you a couple pictures to make my point.
1. Iran completes the construction of a couple nuclear weapons. With such weapons, they can either use them themselves, or make them available for our other enemies to use. Even without an effective delivery system, cross-country transport, and remote detonation, could be done. (IED anyone?)
2. The Taliban, or other radical Islamists, places nukes in strategic oil production/distribution locations, and hold hostage the oil from those locations. (Even low-yield nukes, would close oil fields from use.)
3. Iran commences a naval stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively shutting off shipping from that region, while countries and militaries maneuver some kind of stand-down.
4. Iran (#4 in oil production) also cuts all exports of oil to the US.
5. Venezuela (#11 in oil production), taking sides with Iran, shuts of all oil exports to the US.
With the above strategies put into action, or any of two such events, then here is what "I think" we could expect –
*Oil imports get drastically cut.
*US oil supplies get stifled, and prices jump drastically.
*Oil prices skyrocket, to $300 brl, or more.
*Gasoline prices in the US jump to $10 plus per gal.
*With a possible military threat, our military would be first on the list for oil/fuel, and could cause limited supplies for commercial use, and could even cause rationing, like what was seen in the 1973.
* Trickle up supply costs, would drive prices of all trucked goods, to go up exponentially.
* Consumers panic buy goods, drive prices higher.
* Small businesses suffer from exploded prices, and have to close.
* Gasoline shortages cause people to lose work, incomes dive, civil unrest erupts in hardest hit areas.
* Fear drives citizens to demand something be done.
* Government responses could escalate into wider war in the Mid-East.
By the way, Ron Paul fans – THIS is why I can’t support Paul. He doesn’t think we shouldn't tell another country they can’t have nukes!
Contrary to hostile nations and terror groups, we (the USA) don’t threaten another nation's “existence”, as Iran and extreme Islamists do!
We have to think far past gasoline prices for our cars, as oil is not JUST a commodity. It is a way of life in the industrial world, and in the US in particular, and is a needed commodity for everyday life and commerce.
Cut our oil, and cut our way of life and cause crisis all over the country.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Vilifying the Rich?
Today's Blog -
(This applies every day, but before Obama's State of the Union Address this date, I'd ask people to keep this in mind.)
Vilifying the Rich?
Before I begin, let me make clear the following ~ I am middle-class, at best. I am not supporting ill-gotten gains in wealth. I am not suggesting the rich be given special consideration in taxation.
I DO believe in some reasonable tax reform, where everyone pays into the system (I like the Fair Tax, but several simplified tax plans could be better than what we have now.). And in no way, should criminal activity, such as fraud, be tolerated.
This wave of blaming the rich is BS, and it's a serious diversion from the real problems in American economics and government.
But, what should we think about the RICH? Many (most?) of those Occupying Wall Street, would say we should arrest them (for what crime?) because they shouldn't have that wealth (really?). Why don't they protest a $32 million a year Alex Rodriguez of the NY Yankees? And have you noticed, many of those people doing the protesting, do so while using their Apple laptops, iPhones, iPads, and such. All those are made by one of the biggest and most successful companies out there, owned by one of the richest men in America (RIP Steve Jobs), at a net worth of around $7 billion (and their products are made in China?)!
The RICH, you know ... the ones Obama encourages many to hate and to blame for all our woes ... employ people, start businesses, and buy stuff. They buy LOTS of stuff. And that STUFF, is made, maintained, and sold by people from all walks of employment. I say, instead of vilifying the RICH, make stuff for them! Sell stuff to them! Maintain stuff for them! Make YOUR money OFF of them. Thousands upon thousands of people and small businesses are doing that right now!
Just for fun, lets make up a RICH family. A RICH family who have earned their own way, by, let's say, designing and selling the best mouse traps the world has ever known.
The RICH family is a family of four. A 46 year old dad; his business partner wife, who is also 46 (high school sweethearts); a 18 year old daughter; a 16 year old son; two pure bred Irish Setters; and an African Grey Parrot. They live on 5 acres, in a gated community, with a pool, a 4 car garage, with a 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 3800 sq ft home.
Fred RICH, drives a new Cadillac SRT.
Betty RICH drives a new XC-90 Volvo SUV.
Sandy RICH was given a 1992 Nissan Sentra for school (Dad's character builder).
Sean RICH was given ... a ride to school (also Dad's character builder).
Fred loves golf, and belongs to a country club.
Betty loves antiques.
Fred and Betty enjoy weekend day-trips on their new full-dressed Harley-Davidson.
Sandy shows her dogs on a national level.
Sean plays baseball, on the school team and on a summer league.
They all love in-home movies, and enjoy the surround sound, fully equipped home theater system, with a 72" TV, and plush theater seating.
Fred and Sean hold weekend billiard challenges in their game room.
Betty takes in-home cooking lessons, in their large country kitchen, from a professional chef.
Sandy has learned to bake Chicago style pizzas in the brick-oven (yeah, nice kitchen!).
Okay, nice, uh! Yep, the RICH have what many would think of as a well to do life. They earned it, and at a rate of $1,200,000 a year in earnings and investments. And, they have an accountant, to make sure they follow the law, and pay only what the insanely complex tax code requires. They are, by any standard normal people would say, RICH.
So, I ask ....
And how many people were involved in building their house?
What about the sub-contractors for the pool, landscaping, tennis court, gazebo, fence, ect?
How about the suppliers of all the plumbing? The electrical? The appliances? The cabinets?
How many people work in the Cadillac and Volvo factories?
Or work in the sales rooms, finance departments, service shops?
How many people work at the billiard company? Or the factory show rooms? Or the delivery and set-up crews?
How many people make and install the TVs, stereos, all the home theater furnishings?
How much gets spent in travel to all the baseball games (gas, meals, even over-nights)?
How much to maintain the Pure Bred Irish Setters, and travel for the dog shows?
How about the Veterinarians for the dog and parrot?
How many people maintain the country club, and golf greens?
What about the personal tennis instructor and batting coach?
While I don't contribute, HOW much has the RICH family spent at a two-week summer vacation at a south Florida beach condo?
When Fred and Sandy go to work, how many people are employed in the parking garage, or work in building maintenance?
And HOW MANY PEOPLE, do the RICH's employ, pay, provide benefits to?
And how many people, collectively, design, build, supply, sell, and maintain all the RICH stuff?
And how many of those protesting at Wall Street, will be hiring YOU?
Protest REAL fraud and criminal conduct!
Protest bad government! (Try DC, and not Wall Street!)
Protest wasteful government spending!
Protest government elected officials and appointees who abuse their power, and getting life-long benefits, when the rest of us have to follow laws and rules they don't!
Are YOU employed by a broke person? Or has someone with money to invest, provided a means of earning a living to you?
To Protest "the RICH", because they have, and you don't, IS STUPID. Unless - SOCIALISM is your preferred form of government!
(This applies every day, but before Obama's State of the Union Address this date, I'd ask people to keep this in mind.)
Vilifying the Rich?
Before I begin, let me make clear the following ~ I am middle-class, at best. I am not supporting ill-gotten gains in wealth. I am not suggesting the rich be given special consideration in taxation.
I DO believe in some reasonable tax reform, where everyone pays into the system (I like the Fair Tax, but several simplified tax plans could be better than what we have now.). And in no way, should criminal activity, such as fraud, be tolerated.
This wave of blaming the rich is BS, and it's a serious diversion from the real problems in American economics and government.
But, what should we think about the RICH? Many (most?) of those Occupying Wall Street, would say we should arrest them (for what crime?) because they shouldn't have that wealth (really?). Why don't they protest a $32 million a year Alex Rodriguez of the NY Yankees? And have you noticed, many of those people doing the protesting, do so while using their Apple laptops, iPhones, iPads, and such. All those are made by one of the biggest and most successful companies out there, owned by one of the richest men in America (RIP Steve Jobs), at a net worth of around $7 billion (and their products are made in China?)!
The RICH, you know ... the ones Obama encourages many to hate and to blame for all our woes ... employ people, start businesses, and buy stuff. They buy LOTS of stuff. And that STUFF, is made, maintained, and sold by people from all walks of employment. I say, instead of vilifying the RICH, make stuff for them! Sell stuff to them! Maintain stuff for them! Make YOUR money OFF of them. Thousands upon thousands of people and small businesses are doing that right now!
Just for fun, lets make up a RICH family. A RICH family who have earned their own way, by, let's say, designing and selling the best mouse traps the world has ever known.
The RICH family is a family of four. A 46 year old dad; his business partner wife, who is also 46 (high school sweethearts); a 18 year old daughter; a 16 year old son; two pure bred Irish Setters; and an African Grey Parrot. They live on 5 acres, in a gated community, with a pool, a 4 car garage, with a 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 3800 sq ft home.
Fred RICH, drives a new Cadillac SRT.
Betty RICH drives a new XC-90 Volvo SUV.
Sandy RICH was given a 1992 Nissan Sentra for school (Dad's character builder).
Sean RICH was given ... a ride to school (also Dad's character builder).
Fred loves golf, and belongs to a country club.
Betty loves antiques.
Fred and Betty enjoy weekend day-trips on their new full-dressed Harley-Davidson.
Sandy shows her dogs on a national level.
Sean plays baseball, on the school team and on a summer league.
They all love in-home movies, and enjoy the surround sound, fully equipped home theater system, with a 72" TV, and plush theater seating.
Fred and Sean hold weekend billiard challenges in their game room.
Betty takes in-home cooking lessons, in their large country kitchen, from a professional chef.
Sandy has learned to bake Chicago style pizzas in the brick-oven (yeah, nice kitchen!).
Okay, nice, uh! Yep, the RICH have what many would think of as a well to do life. They earned it, and at a rate of $1,200,000 a year in earnings and investments. And, they have an accountant, to make sure they follow the law, and pay only what the insanely complex tax code requires. They are, by any standard normal people would say, RICH.
So, I ask ....
And how many people were involved in building their house?
What about the sub-contractors for the pool, landscaping, tennis court, gazebo, fence, ect?
How about the suppliers of all the plumbing? The electrical? The appliances? The cabinets?
How many people work in the Cadillac and Volvo factories?
Or work in the sales rooms, finance departments, service shops?
How many people work at the billiard company? Or the factory show rooms? Or the delivery and set-up crews?
How many people make and install the TVs, stereos, all the home theater furnishings?
How much gets spent in travel to all the baseball games (gas, meals, even over-nights)?
How much to maintain the Pure Bred Irish Setters, and travel for the dog shows?
How about the Veterinarians for the dog and parrot?
How many people maintain the country club, and golf greens?
What about the personal tennis instructor and batting coach?
While I don't contribute, HOW much has the RICH family spent at a two-week summer vacation at a south Florida beach condo?
When Fred and Sandy go to work, how many people are employed in the parking garage, or work in building maintenance?
And HOW MANY PEOPLE, do the RICH's employ, pay, provide benefits to?
And how many people, collectively, design, build, supply, sell, and maintain all the RICH stuff?
And how many of those protesting at Wall Street, will be hiring YOU?
Protest REAL fraud and criminal conduct!
Protest bad government! (Try DC, and not Wall Street!)
Protest wasteful government spending!
Protest government elected officials and appointees who abuse their power, and getting life-long benefits, when the rest of us have to follow laws and rules they don't!
Are YOU employed by a broke person? Or has someone with money to invest, provided a means of earning a living to you?
To Protest "the RICH", because they have, and you don't, IS STUPID. Unless - SOCIALISM is your preferred form of government!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The 2nd Amendment and YOU - Updated
From many in today's world, and in particular our country, OUR 2nd amendment is under constant attack. So, I blog about my concerns and beliefs.
Internationally, the U.N. has designs on restricting America's gun ownership, as part of an overall desire to eliminate armed societies. There are those in our country, in THIS administration, who are in favor of such a movement, but know the fight will be hard to get around the 2nd amendment.
In OUR country, there have been a number of anti-gun activists through the years, and in this administration, it is rife with such people, namely the US Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the President himself. In turn, they are supported by various left-wing organizations, and strangely enough, even the ACLU (who usually defends individual rights!). They argue the 2nd amendment is NOT about an "individual" right, but only about a "militia", which would be organized and called out by the government. (The Supreme Curt has said it IS about an individuals right.)
Many non-gun and gun-owning Americans, fit into four basic positions: 1) Don't own one, and have no opinion on the subject either way; 2) Totally against firearm ownership, and believe only the police and/or military need to posses a firearm [these folks want each of us to depend on 9-1-1 to save us, and are NOT concerned that our government would ever turn on us]; 3) Believe in limited gun ownership [where one can own for protection, but don't think we should have so-called assault weapons]; and 4) those of us, who believe that the bottom line for a strong 2nd amendment, and firearms ownership, to protect ourselves AND our country. (I'm in the 4th group by the way.)
I am not speaking as a constitutional scholar, or an expert on the 2nd amendment. I am just an average citizen who reads on the various issues that concern me, and make decisions based on what I read and believe, and not what I'm told to believe (Anyone who knows me personally, can attest to that!).
But to me, one average American citizen (for whom The Constitution and Bill of Rights were written for), firmly believes the 2nd amendment was not about hunting. The 2nd amendment is about the "individual's right to bear arms, because, as George Mason has ".... believed that governmental tyranny was the primary evil against which the people had to defend ...". Having come from a country and government where the standing armies were used to control its populace, our founders wanted some measure of protection against having our own army turned against us, buy some "governmental tyranny".
If a government, insistent of "protecting" it's citizens, decides to disarm them, then what other freedoms will "they" decide is in our so-called best interest? And, if a president decides to subvert the constitutional structure of our nation, and conduct him/herself outside congressional approval, then how far is that from a dictatorship, i.e. tyranny?
If one is to accept that concept, then being able to "bear arms", to own firearms, not only protects one self and their family, but could be called upon to join with one's neighbors for a common defense, then just like the "Minutemen", a citizen would be prepared at any given moment, to help defend their community, or even their country. That principle didn't end with the Revolutionary War either.
As far as the so-called "assault weapon" issue, does one think for a moment that if our forefathers had access to a better firearm, they would buy what ever they could afford? Does anyone really think, that Patrick Henry would have said, "Yes, I know it's a better rifle to fight our well armed enemies with, but I don't think anyone needs to have more than the ol' Brown Bess!
My point is, that if firearms ARE for self defense, as well as a ready arm for a tyrannical government, then is keeping the citizens held to just a shotgun, and maybe a revolver, really acceptable? In the face of our enemies, foreign and possible domestic, who would CERTAINLY be armed with the latest in firearms, would YOU want to be saddled with such limited arms? If your enemies come to your neighborhood with AK-47s, wouldn't you prefer to have the same, or it's equivalent? And have ready access to it? (Storing them at an armory, which is controlled by the government, IS NOT ready access.)
I want to own what ever I can afford to purchase, maintain, safely store, and learn to shoot well with. Anything less, is a handicap.
Our 2nd Amendment Rights are constantly under attack. Politicians and anti-gun activists every day, are working to limit (and even eliminate) the 2nd Amendment, or at least cause it to not apply to YOU, the Individual. I will not sit quietly by and let that encroach on my freedoms and safety. I blog and write letters to Representatives, to help in my small way to keep MY rights....ALL of my rights! While many don't like my out-spokeness about such issues, I shall not, EVER, remain silent.
By the way, the NRA is the oldest and most organized organization, with 4 million strong members, who constantly watch and fight for our 2nd amendment rights. That's why I belong to the NRA. I ask you to join too.
Lastly, I want to add the following. In light of the terror and death brought upon those in Aurora Colorado, by one deranged person, I will say this -
As a former Law Enforcement Officer of 13+ years "on the street", I will ALWAYS be armed with what ever I think will best suit my needs. The Police, for all their want and try, are RESPONDERS. The call for aid/help, is most always as a result of a criminal act ALREADY committed, and victims ALREADY victimized. And friends, EVIL will always exist in the hearts and minds of the few, and no law will change that.
Internationally, the U.N. has designs on restricting America's gun ownership, as part of an overall desire to eliminate armed societies. There are those in our country, in THIS administration, who are in favor of such a movement, but know the fight will be hard to get around the 2nd amendment.
In OUR country, there have been a number of anti-gun activists through the years, and in this administration, it is rife with such people, namely the US Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the President himself. In turn, they are supported by various left-wing organizations, and strangely enough, even the ACLU (who usually defends individual rights!). They argue the 2nd amendment is NOT about an "individual" right, but only about a "militia", which would be organized and called out by the government. (The Supreme Curt has said it IS about an individuals right.)
Many non-gun and gun-owning Americans, fit into four basic positions: 1) Don't own one, and have no opinion on the subject either way; 2) Totally against firearm ownership, and believe only the police and/or military need to posses a firearm [these folks want each of us to depend on 9-1-1 to save us, and are NOT concerned that our government would ever turn on us]; 3) Believe in limited gun ownership [where one can own for protection, but don't think we should have so-called assault weapons]; and 4) those of us, who believe that the bottom line for a strong 2nd amendment, and firearms ownership, to protect ourselves AND our country. (I'm in the 4th group by the way.)
I am not speaking as a constitutional scholar, or an expert on the 2nd amendment. I am just an average citizen who reads on the various issues that concern me, and make decisions based on what I read and believe, and not what I'm told to believe (Anyone who knows me personally, can attest to that!).
But to me, one average American citizen (for whom The Constitution and Bill of Rights were written for), firmly believes the 2nd amendment was not about hunting. The 2nd amendment is about the "individual's right to bear arms, because, as George Mason has ".... believed that governmental tyranny was the primary evil against which the people had to defend ...". Having come from a country and government where the standing armies were used to control its populace, our founders wanted some measure of protection against having our own army turned against us, buy some "governmental tyranny".
If a government, insistent of "protecting" it's citizens, decides to disarm them, then what other freedoms will "they" decide is in our so-called best interest? And, if a president decides to subvert the constitutional structure of our nation, and conduct him/herself outside congressional approval, then how far is that from a dictatorship, i.e. tyranny?
If one is to accept that concept, then being able to "bear arms", to own firearms, not only protects one self and their family, but could be called upon to join with one's neighbors for a common defense, then just like the "Minutemen", a citizen would be prepared at any given moment, to help defend their community, or even their country. That principle didn't end with the Revolutionary War either.
As far as the so-called "assault weapon" issue, does one think for a moment that if our forefathers had access to a better firearm, they would buy what ever they could afford? Does anyone really think, that Patrick Henry would have said, "Yes, I know it's a better rifle to fight our well armed enemies with, but I don't think anyone needs to have more than the ol' Brown Bess!
My point is, that if firearms ARE for self defense, as well as a ready arm for a tyrannical government, then is keeping the citizens held to just a shotgun, and maybe a revolver, really acceptable? In the face of our enemies, foreign and possible domestic, who would CERTAINLY be armed with the latest in firearms, would YOU want to be saddled with such limited arms? If your enemies come to your neighborhood with AK-47s, wouldn't you prefer to have the same, or it's equivalent? And have ready access to it? (Storing them at an armory, which is controlled by the government, IS NOT ready access.)
I want to own what ever I can afford to purchase, maintain, safely store, and learn to shoot well with. Anything less, is a handicap.
Our 2nd Amendment Rights are constantly under attack. Politicians and anti-gun activists every day, are working to limit (and even eliminate) the 2nd Amendment, or at least cause it to not apply to YOU, the Individual. I will not sit quietly by and let that encroach on my freedoms and safety. I blog and write letters to Representatives, to help in my small way to keep MY rights....ALL of my rights! While many don't like my out-spokeness about such issues, I shall not, EVER, remain silent.
By the way, the NRA is the oldest and most organized organization, with 4 million strong members, who constantly watch and fight for our 2nd amendment rights. That's why I belong to the NRA. I ask you to join too.
Lastly, I want to add the following. In light of the terror and death brought upon those in Aurora Colorado, by one deranged person, I will say this -
As a former Law Enforcement Officer of 13+ years "on the street", I will ALWAYS be armed with what ever I think will best suit my needs. The Police, for all their want and try, are RESPONDERS. The call for aid/help, is most always as a result of a criminal act ALREADY committed, and victims ALREADY victimized. And friends, EVIL will always exist in the hearts and minds of the few, and no law will change that.
Monday, December 12, 2011
WHO Do You Believe?
I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick and tired of the lies and deceptiveness from Washington, and Politicians in general. And today, I include major news outlets in the same light.
In national debates for offices; in national news releases from either party and The White House; and even from network pundits ..... WHO do YOU believe?
Does EVERYONE have an agenda? Even the various news media, seems to have their own agendas, and the reporting is slanted in that way.
So, I ask, WHO do YOU believe?
WHAT IS the truth?
And WHY do I doubt everyone so much any more?
I'll take on the last one first. -
The major news outlets, have LET ALL OF US down. THEY have failed us, and continuing to fail us daily. I say this, because THEY DO have their own agendas. And their reporting, is a direct result of that bias on what we will get from them.
Ideally, the real news outlets and reporters, would report THE FACTS, and investigate the sources of such information to confirm the trust worthiness of the information being reported to us.
I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I can only do that with as honest and as complete of the information as possible. And if it is on-line or in print or electronically provided, I need to know I can TRUST the source of the information. I need to know that what I am being given, is as much of the truth as can be found, and NOT only what some journalist or media outlet wants me to know.
The good, the bad, the ugly...I want to know it all. I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I want to do it based on the fair and impartial reporting of the facts.
But today, I just don't now WHERE I can get that. I don't trust Washington, Politicians in general, AND the media. They could ALL be trying to sell me a lemon, for all I know.
I challenge ALL media outlets, to wash themselves of ALL agendas, and just report facts. I challenge them to also have REAL discussion panels, that can honestly and impartially discuss the facts and stories from all over the globe, WITHOUT their attempts to side with one side of an issue or another. I challenge them to take a pledge, of telling the truth and all the facts. No more chill up a leg for a candiate, or some favored comments of one candidate over another, or vilifying one and glorifying another.
Newspapers, and all other news agencies, should be OUR watchdogs. Not, the attack dog for any one entity or another. Otherwise, I am left to do what I can to decipher the news and do what I can do come to a reasonable decision on any important matter, on my own.
As it stands, Politicians (of all parties), and news media, dine at the same club. And that club, doesn't seem to include "the people".
In national debates for offices; in national news releases from either party and The White House; and even from network pundits ..... WHO do YOU believe?
Does EVERYONE have an agenda? Even the various news media, seems to have their own agendas, and the reporting is slanted in that way.
So, I ask, WHO do YOU believe?
WHAT IS the truth?
And WHY do I doubt everyone so much any more?
I'll take on the last one first. -
The major news outlets, have LET ALL OF US down. THEY have failed us, and continuing to fail us daily. I say this, because THEY DO have their own agendas. And their reporting, is a direct result of that bias on what we will get from them.
Ideally, the real news outlets and reporters, would report THE FACTS, and investigate the sources of such information to confirm the trust worthiness of the information being reported to us.
I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I can only do that with as honest and as complete of the information as possible. And if it is on-line or in print or electronically provided, I need to know I can TRUST the source of the information. I need to know that what I am being given, is as much of the truth as can be found, and NOT only what some journalist or media outlet wants me to know.
The good, the bad, the ugly...I want to know it all. I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I want to do it based on the fair and impartial reporting of the facts.
But today, I just don't now WHERE I can get that. I don't trust Washington, Politicians in general, AND the media. They could ALL be trying to sell me a lemon, for all I know.
I challenge ALL media outlets, to wash themselves of ALL agendas, and just report facts. I challenge them to also have REAL discussion panels, that can honestly and impartially discuss the facts and stories from all over the globe, WITHOUT their attempts to side with one side of an issue or another. I challenge them to take a pledge, of telling the truth and all the facts. No more chill up a leg for a candiate, or some favored comments of one candidate over another, or vilifying one and glorifying another.
Newspapers, and all other news agencies, should be OUR watchdogs. Not, the attack dog for any one entity or another. Otherwise, I am left to do what I can to decipher the news and do what I can do come to a reasonable decision on any important matter, on my own.
As it stands, Politicians (of all parties), and news media, dine at the same club. And that club, doesn't seem to include "the people".
Friday, November 11, 2011
To My Fellow Veterans
Attention Fellow Veterans ~
Due to recent discussions with a couple other Vets, and knowing about the passing of more of us each day, I thought I'd post these thoughts.
Our WWI Vets are gone now. We are losing more and more of our WWII Vets every day, and their numbers have really dwindled. Our slightly-older brothers-in-arms from the Korean War, are also getting older and they'll be following our WWII Vets home more and more. And for my generation, we Vietnam Vets are no spring chickens anymore either.
When our Veterans go to their final resting place, they take with them all their memories. If no one captures those memories on recordings or on paper, then no one can learn anything from what they could pass on.
I have started something of a journal, or book, for myself. I have no plans on marketing such a thing (although many do so with much success), but do want to have it printed off, at least for my kids, and their kids. I want it to tell MY story, and share my thoughts and memories. I want it to be here, long after I go home one last time. It is NOT a "hero's" story, but it is MY story or MY experiences and perspectives. In some ways, I can write, what I can not say aloud to anyone.
Everyone has to deal with their experiences in what ever way is right for them. But, my fellow Vets from all conflicts, I would encourage you to document YOUR thoughts and experiences, and keep them for those who will follow some day. With today's computers and flash drives, it is easier than ever to write such thoughts down and save them until YOU are ready for anyone else to read them. You (and I) don't have to be a "writer", you just write. Or, have someone you can talk to, write it down for you. And if you need to, made audio recordings and save those.
I would encourage all Veterans to do so. And for the record, I am still working on my own memories, and it's taking me more than 10 years, and I'm still not done. It hasn't been a constant effort, but when ever I can just sit quietly nto myself and add some lines. You too may have some things you can't say even to yourself yet, but don't let that stop you from starting, and putting down those things you have to say or share.
And with flash drives, you can write, then save, and keep it as private as you want it to be. But do not miss the opportunity to get your thoughts down. They are part of you. They may be lessons to be shared to others, after your passing, if not before. Only YOU can share those.
THANK YOU to all our Vets, past and present, on this Veterans Day.
God Bless you all.
Due to recent discussions with a couple other Vets, and knowing about the passing of more of us each day, I thought I'd post these thoughts.
Our WWI Vets are gone now. We are losing more and more of our WWII Vets every day, and their numbers have really dwindled. Our slightly-older brothers-in-arms from the Korean War, are also getting older and they'll be following our WWII Vets home more and more. And for my generation, we Vietnam Vets are no spring chickens anymore either.
When our Veterans go to their final resting place, they take with them all their memories. If no one captures those memories on recordings or on paper, then no one can learn anything from what they could pass on.
I have started something of a journal, or book, for myself. I have no plans on marketing such a thing (although many do so with much success), but do want to have it printed off, at least for my kids, and their kids. I want it to tell MY story, and share my thoughts and memories. I want it to be here, long after I go home one last time. It is NOT a "hero's" story, but it is MY story or MY experiences and perspectives. In some ways, I can write, what I can not say aloud to anyone.
Everyone has to deal with their experiences in what ever way is right for them. But, my fellow Vets from all conflicts, I would encourage you to document YOUR thoughts and experiences, and keep them for those who will follow some day. With today's computers and flash drives, it is easier than ever to write such thoughts down and save them until YOU are ready for anyone else to read them. You (and I) don't have to be a "writer", you just write. Or, have someone you can talk to, write it down for you. And if you need to, made audio recordings and save those.
I would encourage all Veterans to do so. And for the record, I am still working on my own memories, and it's taking me more than 10 years, and I'm still not done. It hasn't been a constant effort, but when ever I can just sit quietly nto myself and add some lines. You too may have some things you can't say even to yourself yet, but don't let that stop you from starting, and putting down those things you have to say or share.
And with flash drives, you can write, then save, and keep it as private as you want it to be. But do not miss the opportunity to get your thoughts down. They are part of you. They may be lessons to be shared to others, after your passing, if not before. Only YOU can share those.
THANK YOU to all our Vets, past and present, on this Veterans Day.
God Bless you all.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Veterans Day 2011
To all those Veterans of today, as well as to all those who have come before - THANK YOU for your service and sacrifices.
While it is most usual for me to go off on some political tirade, this message will depart from that. With this Veterans Day, I will fly my flag, and say THANKS in any way I can. My family, my country, and I am free, because of the fight our Veterans have taken up for all of us.
May we all show our respect, and tell a person in uniform THANK YOU. God Bless our men and women serving today, and God Bless their families.
To ALL our Veterans of all conflicts - THANK YOU for YOUR Service.
While it is most usual for me to go off on some political tirade, this message will depart from that. With this Veterans Day, I will fly my flag, and say THANKS in any way I can. My family, my country, and I am free, because of the fight our Veterans have taken up for all of us.
May we all show our respect, and tell a person in uniform THANK YOU. God Bless our men and women serving today, and God Bless their families.
To ALL our Veterans of all conflicts - THANK YOU for YOUR Service.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Courage, Commitment, and Perseverance
Courage, Commitment, and Perseverance - Three words that, to me, describe a very special segment of WWII heroes. While those apply to so many, I am referring here to those men of the Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group.
I first heard about the "Red Tails", as they were called, from my former father-in-law, Richard B. Sigle (R.I.P.), who had been a B-24 Liberator Pilot in WWII. He told me that no bomber was loss to hostile fighters, when the Red Tails were doing escorts. Wow.
Those men, those Negro Airmen of that day, had to endure so much in the segregated America, long before their introduction into the Army Air Corp. We know our history, but unless you were "colored", we can never know what they went through, or how they felt.
Yet, those men did endure the racist treatment, which continued when they entered the Air Corp. And they exceeded all expectations, persevered and attained their wings. They trained, they excelled, and they went on to serve their country, our country, in the European theater of war, and flew P-40 Warhawks, to P-51 Mustangs. The pilots and ground crews, were tasked with ground support and bomber escorts, while still bearing the brunt of racism. And that takes commitment and courage.
Those Airmen, later returned "home", only to find that America had not been any more accepting to them, as they had been before. Sadly, racism was still the way of things in even Post War America. All black Veterans, found the same America they had left to fight for, but they DID IT anyway.
We all owe a lot to Veterans of all wars, those men and women, who go into war zones for the continued struggle for our freedoms. But few Veterans know the rejection by those who held on to those racial beliefs. Sad, that such Veterans should be treated that way. No Veteran should be treated that way, but our Black Veterans of WWII went through things the rest of us can never imagine.
To those Veterans, we owe so much to. As with all WWII Veterans, they too are part of that greatest generation. The respect those Airmen are getting today, while long overdue, is so deserving.
Personally, and while NOT a pilot myself, I love all things that fly. And the men and women who fly them have my deepest respect and admiration. I do not care what their color is, their heritage, or their gender. If you have been a pilot, specially a military pilot, my hat is off to you. To those who proudly served, in the face of racism, thank you for serving OUR country anyway.
(Thanks too, to my son, Major Matt Bayes, Kansas Air National Guard Pilot, and Southwest Airlines Pilot.)
If you haven't seen it, watch The Tuskegee Airmen movie, and also the PBS special of the same title.
I first heard about the "Red Tails", as they were called, from my former father-in-law, Richard B. Sigle (R.I.P.), who had been a B-24 Liberator Pilot in WWII. He told me that no bomber was loss to hostile fighters, when the Red Tails were doing escorts. Wow.
Those men, those Negro Airmen of that day, had to endure so much in the segregated America, long before their introduction into the Army Air Corp. We know our history, but unless you were "colored", we can never know what they went through, or how they felt.
Yet, those men did endure the racist treatment, which continued when they entered the Air Corp. And they exceeded all expectations, persevered and attained their wings. They trained, they excelled, and they went on to serve their country, our country, in the European theater of war, and flew P-40 Warhawks, to P-51 Mustangs. The pilots and ground crews, were tasked with ground support and bomber escorts, while still bearing the brunt of racism. And that takes commitment and courage.
Those Airmen, later returned "home", only to find that America had not been any more accepting to them, as they had been before. Sadly, racism was still the way of things in even Post War America. All black Veterans, found the same America they had left to fight for, but they DID IT anyway.
We all owe a lot to Veterans of all wars, those men and women, who go into war zones for the continued struggle for our freedoms. But few Veterans know the rejection by those who held on to those racial beliefs. Sad, that such Veterans should be treated that way. No Veteran should be treated that way, but our Black Veterans of WWII went through things the rest of us can never imagine.
To those Veterans, we owe so much to. As with all WWII Veterans, they too are part of that greatest generation. The respect those Airmen are getting today, while long overdue, is so deserving.
Personally, and while NOT a pilot myself, I love all things that fly. And the men and women who fly them have my deepest respect and admiration. I do not care what their color is, their heritage, or their gender. If you have been a pilot, specially a military pilot, my hat is off to you. To those who proudly served, in the face of racism, thank you for serving OUR country anyway.
(Thanks too, to my son, Major Matt Bayes, Kansas Air National Guard Pilot, and Southwest Airlines Pilot.)
If you haven't seen it, watch The Tuskegee Airmen movie, and also the PBS special of the same title.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Protesting the Rich?
The RICH, and the middle class -
Before I begin, let me make clear the following ~
I am not even near rich, or even comfortable. I am not supporting ill-gotten gains in wealth. I am not suggesting the rich be given special consideration in taxation.
I DO believe in reasonable tax reform, where everyone pays into the system (I like the fair tax, but several simplified tax plans could be better than what we have now.). And in no way, should criminal activity, such as fraud, be tolerated.
But this wave of blaming the rich (what IS rich?), is BS, and it's a serious diversion from the real problems in American economics and government.
But, what should we think about the RICH? Many (most?) of those protesting at Wall Street, would say we should arrest them (for what crime?) because they shouldn't have that wealth (really?). Funny, those people do so, by sharing their views and protests while using their Apple laptops, iPhones, iPads, and such. All made by one of the biggest and most successful companies out there!
The RICH, you know ... the ones Obama encourages many to hate ... buy stuff. Lots of stuff. And that STUFF, is made, maintained, and sold by people from all walks of employment. I say, in stead of vilifying the RICH, make stuff for them, sell stuff to them, maintain stuff for them! Make YOU money OFF them. Thousands upon thousands are doing that right now!
Just for fun, lets make up a RICH family. A RICH family who have earned their own way, but, let's say, designing and selling the best mouse traps the world has ever know.
The RICH family is a family of four. A 46 year old dad; his business partner wife, who is also 46 (high school sweethearts); a 17 year old daughter; a 16 year old son; two pure bred Irish Setters; and an African Grey Parrot. They live on 5 acres, with a pool, a 4 car garage, with a 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 3800 sq ft home.
Fred RICH, drives a Cadillac SRT.
Betty RICH drives a XC-90 Volvo SUV.
Sandy RICH was given a 1992 Nissan Sentra for school, Dad's character builder
Sean RICH was given ... a ride to school
Fred loves golf, and belongs to a country club.
Betty loves antiques.
Sandy shows her dog on a national level.
Sean plays baseball, in school and on a summer league.
They all love in-home movies, and enjoy the surround sound fully equipped home theater system, with 72 " Plasma TV
Fred and Sandy hold weekend billiard challenges in their game room.
Betty takes in-home cooking lessons, in her large country kitchen.
Sean has leaned to bake pizzas in the brick-oven.
Okay, nice, uh! Yep, the RICH have what many would think of as a well to do live, and life style. They earned it, and at a rate of $1,200,000 a year, in earnings and investments. They are, by any standard normal people would say, RICH.
So, I ask ....
And how many people were involved in building that house?
What about the sub-contractors?
How about the suppliers of all the plumbing? The electrical? The appliances? The cabinets?
How many people work in the Cadillac and Volvo factories?
Or work in the sales room, finance department, service shop?
How many people work at the billiard company? Or the factory show rooms? Or the delivery and set-up crews?
How many people make the TVs, stereos, all the home theater furnishings?
How much gets spent in travel to all the baseball games (gas, meals, even over-nights)?
How much to maintain the Pure Bred Irish Setters, and travel for the dog shows?
How many people maintain the country club, and golf greens?
And HOW MANY PEOPLE, do the RICH's employ, pay, provide benefits to?
And how many people, collectively, design, build, supply, sell, and maintain all the RICH stuff?
(And how many of those protesting at Wall Street, will be hiring YOU?)
Protest REAL fraud and criminal conduct!
Protest bad government!
Protest wasteful spending!
Protest government elected officials and appointees who abuse their power, getting life-long benefits, when the rest of us have to follow laws and rules they don't!
But to Protest the RICH, because they have, and you don't, IS STUPID. Unless - SOCIALISM is your preferred form of government!
Before I begin, let me make clear the following ~
I am not even near rich, or even comfortable. I am not supporting ill-gotten gains in wealth. I am not suggesting the rich be given special consideration in taxation.
I DO believe in reasonable tax reform, where everyone pays into the system (I like the fair tax, but several simplified tax plans could be better than what we have now.). And in no way, should criminal activity, such as fraud, be tolerated.
But this wave of blaming the rich (what IS rich?), is BS, and it's a serious diversion from the real problems in American economics and government.
But, what should we think about the RICH? Many (most?) of those protesting at Wall Street, would say we should arrest them (for what crime?) because they shouldn't have that wealth (really?). Funny, those people do so, by sharing their views and protests while using their Apple laptops, iPhones, iPads, and such. All made by one of the biggest and most successful companies out there!
The RICH, you know ... the ones Obama encourages many to hate ... buy stuff. Lots of stuff. And that STUFF, is made, maintained, and sold by people from all walks of employment. I say, in stead of vilifying the RICH, make stuff for them, sell stuff to them, maintain stuff for them! Make YOU money OFF them. Thousands upon thousands are doing that right now!
Just for fun, lets make up a RICH family. A RICH family who have earned their own way, but, let's say, designing and selling the best mouse traps the world has ever know.
The RICH family is a family of four. A 46 year old dad; his business partner wife, who is also 46 (high school sweethearts); a 17 year old daughter; a 16 year old son; two pure bred Irish Setters; and an African Grey Parrot. They live on 5 acres, with a pool, a 4 car garage, with a 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 3800 sq ft home.
Fred RICH, drives a Cadillac SRT.
Betty RICH drives a XC-90 Volvo SUV.
Sandy RICH was given a 1992 Nissan Sentra for school, Dad's character builder
Sean RICH was given ... a ride to school
Fred loves golf, and belongs to a country club.
Betty loves antiques.
Sandy shows her dog on a national level.
Sean plays baseball, in school and on a summer league.
They all love in-home movies, and enjoy the surround sound fully equipped home theater system, with 72 " Plasma TV
Fred and Sandy hold weekend billiard challenges in their game room.
Betty takes in-home cooking lessons, in her large country kitchen.
Sean has leaned to bake pizzas in the brick-oven.
Okay, nice, uh! Yep, the RICH have what many would think of as a well to do live, and life style. They earned it, and at a rate of $1,200,000 a year, in earnings and investments. They are, by any standard normal people would say, RICH.
So, I ask ....
And how many people were involved in building that house?
What about the sub-contractors?
How about the suppliers of all the plumbing? The electrical? The appliances? The cabinets?
How many people work in the Cadillac and Volvo factories?
Or work in the sales room, finance department, service shop?
How many people work at the billiard company? Or the factory show rooms? Or the delivery and set-up crews?
How many people make the TVs, stereos, all the home theater furnishings?
How much gets spent in travel to all the baseball games (gas, meals, even over-nights)?
How much to maintain the Pure Bred Irish Setters, and travel for the dog shows?
How many people maintain the country club, and golf greens?
And HOW MANY PEOPLE, do the RICH's employ, pay, provide benefits to?
And how many people, collectively, design, build, supply, sell, and maintain all the RICH stuff?
(And how many of those protesting at Wall Street, will be hiring YOU?)
Protest REAL fraud and criminal conduct!
Protest bad government!
Protest wasteful spending!
Protest government elected officials and appointees who abuse their power, getting life-long benefits, when the rest of us have to follow laws and rules they don't!
But to Protest the RICH, because they have, and you don't, IS STUPID. Unless - SOCIALISM is your preferred form of government!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Budget cuts and our Military
No doubt, our out-of-control spending by the government, MUST be curtailed. And I have no doubt that every government department and agency can find cuts that need to be made. Millions and Billions could be saved.
The Defense Dept. is no exception. I bet that if we just reduced all the waste (stupid spending on over prices for hammers, for example?), we could save a bundle, without cutting critical mission tools and forces. But - For all the things we take for granted, all the things we want as a nation, all the things we hold dear, would all be gone if either of two things happened.
One - If this government ... and I don't just mean Obama ... should advance any more control over our every segment of personal and private enterprise, we will have LOST our FREEDOMS. A tyrannical (read that as all controlling) government will stifle our freedoms, our enterprising thought, and our freedom to enjoy life without a BIG BROTHER looking over our shoulder and making every decision. It's been growing toward that for several decades, and the speed of that strangulation under Obama is very, very, unsettling.
Two - Without a strong military, we will find ourselves on the defense from those who would see us as weak, vulnerable, and defeatable. While the peace-nics would have us surrender our weapons to be a peace loving nation ... the truth is this ----- EVIL does exist in the hearts and minds of too many in the world. That EVIL is boundless in it's desire to destroy all it can, just because they can. EVIL needs no reason. EVIL can't be negotiated with. EVIL can't be trusted. EVIL can not be reasoned with. Because of that, EVIL can only be fought against, by forces stronger than what EVIL will have to use.
Which leads to ... STRENGTH THROUGH SUPERIOR FIREPOWER. And that firepower, must be so strong, so terrible, that it is obvious to all others, to defeat us would be impossible. And, to attempt to further the desires of those EVIL DOERS, we must be prepared to strike fast, and strike anywhere in the world. That takes a well armed, and well placed military.
Tighten down on multi-branch duplication of spending, but continue development of weapons systems and keep our military razor sharp, in hopes we don't need to them. Sorta like health insurance. Expensive, but near as much as being without it if a catastrophic illness comes along. Cut the waste ... but NOT our military might.
The Defense Dept. is no exception. I bet that if we just reduced all the waste (stupid spending on over prices for hammers, for example?), we could save a bundle, without cutting critical mission tools and forces. But - For all the things we take for granted, all the things we want as a nation, all the things we hold dear, would all be gone if either of two things happened.
One - If this government ... and I don't just mean Obama ... should advance any more control over our every segment of personal and private enterprise, we will have LOST our FREEDOMS. A tyrannical (read that as all controlling) government will stifle our freedoms, our enterprising thought, and our freedom to enjoy life without a BIG BROTHER looking over our shoulder and making every decision. It's been growing toward that for several decades, and the speed of that strangulation under Obama is very, very, unsettling.
Two - Without a strong military, we will find ourselves on the defense from those who would see us as weak, vulnerable, and defeatable. While the peace-nics would have us surrender our weapons to be a peace loving nation ... the truth is this ----- EVIL does exist in the hearts and minds of too many in the world. That EVIL is boundless in it's desire to destroy all it can, just because they can. EVIL needs no reason. EVIL can't be negotiated with. EVIL can't be trusted. EVIL can not be reasoned with. Because of that, EVIL can only be fought against, by forces stronger than what EVIL will have to use.
Which leads to ... STRENGTH THROUGH SUPERIOR FIREPOWER. And that firepower, must be so strong, so terrible, that it is obvious to all others, to defeat us would be impossible. And, to attempt to further the desires of those EVIL DOERS, we must be prepared to strike fast, and strike anywhere in the world. That takes a well armed, and well placed military.
Tighten down on multi-branch duplication of spending, but continue development of weapons systems and keep our military razor sharp, in hopes we don't need to them. Sorta like health insurance. Expensive, but near as much as being without it if a catastrophic illness comes along. Cut the waste ... but NOT our military might.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Terror threats in America
New Terror Threat America
Sadly, we are an easy target. Much easier than most people think. I won't go into the details, but I could easily devise a plan to terrorize America, using otherwise legal weapons, and a hand-full of faithful extremists.
First, when it comes to terrorism, we need to understand that it isn't just about the numbers that would be killed. It's about the numbers that "could be" killed. Terror is in the mind. And if someone can make us feel terrified, make us lose our feelings of being secure and safe, then terrorism has worked. Fear of flying and getting blown out of the air? Fear of mass gatherings, because of a suicide bomber? Fear of buses? Fear of a Islamic "looking" person? Any progress by those who hate us, to have us grow more fearful, will broaden terrorism in the minds of those targeted.
Personally, I think it's time for the modern day "Minuteman", and every willing American legally able to do so, should learn to shoot, and have a firearm safely close at hand. We might not stop a bomb with a handgun, but if just ONE of the soldiers at Fort Hood had a handgun at the ready, who knows how many lives may have been saved. (Major numb nuts KNEW they were unarmed!)
While our police and intelligence organizations are trying to deal with all the possibilities, in the end, it could come down to more people, like those on Flight 93, to make a stand and do what ever they can to stop such an act. Americans need to adopt that mind-set of those on Flight 93, like "minutemen", in our every day lives.
We can't just leave it all to those in uniform. We need to take some responsibility for our own safety and protection as well. If and when the crap hits the fan someplace, our first responders will have their hands too busy to answer individual calls for help. It will then be up to each of us, to protect ourselves and our families.
Sadly, we are an easy target. Much easier than most people think. I won't go into the details, but I could easily devise a plan to terrorize America, using otherwise legal weapons, and a hand-full of faithful extremists.
First, when it comes to terrorism, we need to understand that it isn't just about the numbers that would be killed. It's about the numbers that "could be" killed. Terror is in the mind. And if someone can make us feel terrified, make us lose our feelings of being secure and safe, then terrorism has worked. Fear of flying and getting blown out of the air? Fear of mass gatherings, because of a suicide bomber? Fear of buses? Fear of a Islamic "looking" person? Any progress by those who hate us, to have us grow more fearful, will broaden terrorism in the minds of those targeted.
Personally, I think it's time for the modern day "Minuteman", and every willing American legally able to do so, should learn to shoot, and have a firearm safely close at hand. We might not stop a bomb with a handgun, but if just ONE of the soldiers at Fort Hood had a handgun at the ready, who knows how many lives may have been saved. (Major numb nuts KNEW they were unarmed!)
While our police and intelligence organizations are trying to deal with all the possibilities, in the end, it could come down to more people, like those on Flight 93, to make a stand and do what ever they can to stop such an act. Americans need to adopt that mind-set of those on Flight 93, like "minutemen", in our every day lives.
We can't just leave it all to those in uniform. We need to take some responsibility for our own safety and protection as well. If and when the crap hits the fan someplace, our first responders will have their hands too busy to answer individual calls for help. It will then be up to each of us, to protect ourselves and our families.
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