Ercille's Universe

Musings On Mores/Manners & Health Care

2010-03-09T02:09:00Z

For the past two weeks, the Winter Olympics and “reform” of health care dominated the news cycle. The bobsledding, curling, snowboarding, and other forms of physical activities have ended with the closing of the Winter Games. But, the other “games” of health care reform go on, and on. “Reform” has become like twin 800-lb gorillas, at almost 5000 pages for the two bills proposed by the legislative branches, squatting in our living rooms, waiting for a medal, if only for survival! “They” are sitting on me and I cannot get out or up!

In order to salvage the two reform bills that the majority of Americans do not want, the health care summit was tried, modeled after that Beer summit, but minus the beer, I think. To put it bluntly, the summit lacked dignity. The whole episode came off like an insincere imitation of a bad reality television show. The president looked like a snotty and snooty professor. Since when is it among the customs and traditions of the presidency, to have the holder of the highest office in the land, address members of the Legislative branch so informally, in a public setting? Maybe I am too much of a traditionalist, but when these branches of government get together and the cameras are rolling, I expect to hear greetings such as, “Senator Full of Yourself,” or whatever is the formal name of the Senator being addressed. “Fred” and “Jack” do not do jack for me!

Maybe this confab should have been modeled on the “Cash for Clunkers” plan. I forgot. There was already “cash for ~~clunkers~~,” votes, two examples being the alleged Cornhusker and Louisiana deals.

Stop the presses! “Cash for you name your deal,” could now be coming in the form of a judgeship for a vote. Supposedly one of the Democratic holdouts has a brother who is a judge, and within the last day or so, the judge has been offered a judgeship? I refuse to believe that our president can be so blatant with “pay you as I want your brother to go.” I am pulling a doubting Thomas and I want to see the nails in the hands and the spear in the side – of the brother who is the legislator! Without that physical evidence, I will pass on that one. My president would not stoop so low. Folks are always making up stuff….back to the real story.

I was not impressed by the “rent a doc” photo op at the People’s House, to announce that health care “reform” could be forever linked with the word “nuclear.” The nuclear option is going to be employed to pass “reform” against the will of the majority of the people, supposedly being served by passage. Moreover, the scene with the white coats, instead of inspiring confidence that members of the medical profession are solidly behind this health care reform bill, very humorously the refrain “they are coming to take me away,” kept running through my mind. I became concerned that the president was going to be taken away for repeatedly trying to peddle this King Kong bill!

There is a version of “pay as you go” in the form of a piece of legislation, called “Pay-Go.” One Senator’s ire was triggered by the failure of his fellow legislators to adhere to this recently enacted legislation, in passing another financing bill. He refused to vote for a bill extending unemployment and health benefits, unless this new bill was funded under the provisions of “Pay-Go.” Senator Bunning is to be admired for taking a stand, although he came off as if impersonating Don Quixote. I guess that he can take comfort that the windmills he tilted, did not harm him, although he took quite a few jabs, for daring to go against the old boys/old gals, club!

Did Senator Bunning think that honor, commitment, dignity, transparency, veracity had been blown into those chambers with the recent winter storms that blew through DC? Apparently, in a variation of “bait and switch,” this reform bill will have the numerous taxes included in the bill, taken out immediately – if not sooner. The “benefits” would then kick in about four years later? The vision that comes to mind is that we will be paying for a pig (in a poke), without being able to enjoy the bacon or pork chops for four years. What if restaurants or other businesses tried this method of doing business, by charging for the service four years before delivery?

First Lady Michelle Obama famously declared that she became proud of her country of birth, only because of the election of her husband, to the post of president. I am joining her in that sentiment, but kind of in reverse. For the first time, I am totally ashamed of many of the members of the branches of government running this country. For the first time since becoming a citizen, I am not proud of the awful caricatures of leaders who populate it.

How can I not be ashamed when almost daily:

▪ The stories break about the back room deals?

▪ The pages and interns viewed, and used as snacks?

▪ The “borrowing” of taxpayer money, frozen US currency replacing frozen peas in refrigerators?

▪ The promises that are deliberately made – to be broken?

▪ The legislators in the pockets of lobbyists (check the synergy between bills passed and “contributions received)?

Senator Bunning placed in perspective, the all too prevailing attitude among his peers:

“For too long, both Republicans and Democrats have treated the taxpayers' money as a slush fund that does not ever end. At some point, the madness has to stop.”

Senator Bunning, I have a feeling that the “madness” is just beginning! Removing “slush” from the funds of legislators, would be like removing oxygen from their chambers.

Radio host Mark Larson described most politicians as having an “edifice complex.” This phrase is stunningly apropos. Legislators go into office and within one term, it seems as it “coincidentally,” there is at least one building that is an ode to self.

The US is the laughing stock of the world. Even third world dictators, instead of smelling the sulfur under their own armpits, are declaring that they are smelling sulfur when the current American leader enters the room. A sulfur-smelling dictator turned on the current president even after the metaphorical “singing Kumbaya around the campfire” gesture that was extended to him. President Obama should take back the hug and return the book.

Are we that removed from 1776 where leaders were prepared to give up life, possessions, fortunes, and family to attain liberty, to now being inflicted by namby pambies who are loathe to give up ever expanding perks, privileges, and pork, for the sake of their country?

In his Op-Ed piece for USA-Today.com, Senator Bunning lamented:

Only in Washington

After four legislative days of impasse, I reached a supposed deal with Majority Leader Reid to have an up-or-down vote on a pay-for amendment that would fully fund the legislation and not add to the debt. Only minutes before the vote, Democrats used a parliamentary maneuver to set aside my amendment and not vote on the actual substance of it. Only in Washington could this happen. The Democrats did not want to vote on my amendment because they knew they were in the wrong and ignored their own rules. Hypocrisy again rules the day in Washington.

I have 40 grandchildren, and I want them to grow up in a country where they have all of the same opportunities I had as a child. I fear that they will not have those opportunities if Washington continues on its course of spending without paying for it. We are at over $12 trillion in debt. I know many Americans sit around their kitchen table and make the tough decisions. It is time for the politicians in Washington to do the same."

Senator Bunning, look out of your window. If you see pigs flying across the skies, then you stand a real chance of having politicians, whose hands are firmly planted in the pockets of American taxpayers, making “the tough decisions.” Speaking of pigs, I will no longer slur pigs by making a comparison about politicians “feeding at the trough like pigs.” Also, I continue to reiterate – I will not be participating in any government run health care plan. Prepare my cell.

I will always be proud of “America,” the America in which reside patriots:

▪ Who are taxed to death and beyond, but somehow keep producing to support their country

▪ Who sacrifice their sons and daughters to preserve their country

▪ Who give to those in need from the little that they possess

▪ Who uphold the tenets and traditions of their country

▪ Who bravely manage to survive despite oppressive laws in the “land of the free”

Thankfully, I can end this article on a good note, by including two stories about the Winter Olympics. Of course, I applaud all of the athletes whose dreams came true by getting the chance to participate, and especially when they were fortunate to leave with the medals of their desire. But, pride swelled in my bosom as I read the story about the reverential treatment of Old Glory, by three generations of the Wescott family. Third generation Seth Wescott “draped himself” in the American Flag, after winning gold in snowboarding. Bill Plaschke of the LA Times, described the scene thus:

"Imagine dozens of Canadian flags being flapped by the roaring crowd at the finish line in anticipation of a local gold. Imagine them all suddenly stopping, dwarfed by the thick whip-whip-whip of Wescott's giant Stars and Stripes."

Priceless.

US Olympian Katherine Reutter of Illinois did not win a gold medal in competition. She won silver and bronze. But, she gave a gold medal performance off the ice. She is going to use her winnings to pay to fix her parents’ house. In the age of oversized egos and selfishness, her actions stand out. "Everything that I win here is going toward your house. Start making your plans now, because we're remodeling,” Katherine Reutter told her Mom, about her plans to remodel the foundations of the family home.

Priceless.

If only those of us who love this country, can “remodel” the US that easily, by ditching negative and unproductive “change” and concentrate to the foundation, which is callously being chipped away. Positive change, while keeping the foundation intact – that would be change that I could believe in. I would hate to see the future of the 40 grandchildren of Senator Bunning, or any future generations of the US, sacrificed on the altar of the egos of those with an “edifice complex,” or an Oedipus complex for that matter.

America, let us pray for these heartbreakingly fallible men and women politicians who, whether they believe it or not, are being allowed by God, to rule over us, and therefore should honor His gift and our trust. Let us pray that they free themselves from the stranglehold and seduction of “raw, naked power.” Let us pray that they faithfully carry out the duties of their office, in service to “we the people,” Old Glory, and “the republic for which it stands,” “so help me God.” Please.

America, Watch Your Back!

2010-02-24T21:38:00Z

I know. This advice is a tad late because the casket is being covered with dirt. The undertaker has been consulted for his prices for burying a nation, after the final nail has been put into its coffin. I am selecting soaring majestic arias with the appropriate touch of melancholy, to be played as the casket is gently lowered into the ground. “Dust to dust,” and all of that.

The late great United States of America is being mourned. She will be missed. There was a tsunami somewhere in the world. Food and water eventually got there for survivors. Still, something is missing. Ah, it is the sight of US Marines, putting aside weapons, and manning lines with nourishment to defeat death, which has come to claim even more victims. “Not on our watch,” would have been the rallying cry! It sure would have been great to see the sight of those Marines, or Airmen, or Soldiers, or Coastguardsmen, or National Guard. Maybe if the survivors rub their eyes, the bad dream will go away and there will appear a platoon or two, or three of US troops marching over the hill. Sorry. This is one scene of utter devastation that will be missing the usually reliable USA.

So, why is the US missing, declared dead? For the answer, we will have to look to various and assorted corrosive agents. The US has been killed off by folks who chose to move in, and instead of helping to preserve it, for its very uniqueness, decided that they wanted to remake it in the image of the countries from which they fled. Go figure that one out. Once upon a time, those who came, came precisely because they wanted to become Americans. They were grateful to be given a chance to share in the “American dream,” a dream which meant, that no matter where you originated, you stood an equal chance of ascending to any position to which you were qualified, to climb to unbelievable heights. The examples abound, including from some occupying the highest offices in the land. “Ain't no mountain high enough,” was the theme song.

Then came a different type of “guest.” This uninvited guest invaded with the express intention to rape and pillage, in a metaphorical sense. There was no need to learn the history or culture of the country. Why bother, when it was just a giant government piggybank, funded by the American Taxpayer Machine? Learn the “system” of how to get American taxpayers to fund your lifestyle, in a manner to which you were not accustomed. Your knowledge of that system is far superior to those American taxpayers. Many of them go off working two and three jobs to survive. You don’t have to do that. “Gaming the system” is your tour de force. Your execution is impressive.

Ah the system. Other guests know that legal system very well. Infiltrate the legal and political system. Get laws passed that make Americans criminals in their own land, especially if you push that hot button “bias.” Why in my country, if my wife gets raped, I can regain my honor, by having her lashed 200 times! And, because I administered justice myself, you want to incarcerate me? That is not fair and you are being biased against me. I demand my rights!” Case hastily closed. Go and lash her some more.

Alas, it is not only the strangers who may have broken down the gate, who are versed in administering those body blows to America. Some of the most effective have been her native sons, and some daughters, especially if they fall into the political class. They are adept at turning a blind eye to the hordes, some twenty million strong, who take up residence, unhindered by laws apparently designed only for American citizens. These natives send a very strong message. If an ill wind blows and it catches both an American citizen and a non-American, in its clutches – tough Mr. American. We will miss you, if only because of those taxpaying years you still had in you. Coincidentally, per an article by Jim Kouri, Law Enforcement Examiner, the president is cutting the border security budget. Happy days are here again, or continue? Let the drugs and people flow in. The drugs are very useful in keeping the natives too drugged up to see that they are being fleeced. Keep taxpayers working as they have new tenants to subsidize, diners to feed, and when these guests are made instant citizens ahead of those who have followed the rules, they become instant voters for the political party that put these guests ahead of the citizens of the land? Damn, it pays to break the law, as long as you are not an American citizen!

While we are burying America, let us bury that old saying about “spending money like a drunken sailor.” It is no longer an appropriate description for a spendthrift. A new and worthy contender for this description is the US government. The new phrase is: “Spending money like a drunken government.” I have more fondness for a “drunken sailor,” because in addition to performing the useful purpose of fighting on our behalf, he spends his own money. Government spendthrifts, AKA politicians, on the other hand, are versed in the art of using OPM (other people’s money). The debate is still out if we are getting our money’s worth, in terms of protecting us, from the “drunken” government.

Right here in Los Angeles, the politicians in charge supposedly have a “slush fund,” off the book funds, of about $40 million, named “uncommitted funds” in” bureaucratese.” These people are truly gifted in finding ways to spend the money coming in from the fleeced. The city and indeed the state are near bankruptcy, ready to sell off parking meters and other government property to raise money, but about $40 million remains “uncommitted”? Maybe it is not the money that needs to be “committed.”

At least so far, those amounts in questions remain in the millions. To get to the really impressive spending and running up of debt, one needs to move on to los federales . On the federal side of the spending binge, the committed money is counted in the trillions. The politicians are recreating the Wizard of Oz, and this time Dorothy will be blown away by $2 billion wind turbines. The manufacturing of those famous wind turbines, is apparently creating jobs in China. In much the same way the “Cash for clunkers” created plenty of cash for non-American car manufacturers. This really begs the question. Why is it that all of the stuff that is supposed to benefit Americans, somehow so strategically benefits non-Americans? Is it because of abject stupidity? Is it a deliberate strategy?

In about a little over two years ago, the budget deficit was $161 billion. The drunken government has attained “loftier” heights, and ran it up to $1.6 trillion. What is a few trillion between friends? The 2011 fiscal budget is $3.834 trillion. Where is this money going to come from when Boomers are expected to retire and enjoy a few years before they are confronted by those end of life counseling sessions? Where is it going to come from when China and other debtors have begun cutting back on purchasing US debt? Where is it going to come from when, as usual, aid is being funneled to other nations “too rich to fail”?

The Lenten season just began and will end with the commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This writer is keeping an eye open for Good Friday, normally a day set aside for Christians to commemorate the sacrifice of Christ. While Christians are distracted, this could be the perfect day to resurrect “Obamacare.” After all Madame Speaker of the House did declare:

"We will go through the gate. If the gate is closed, we will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault in. If that doesn't work, we will parachute in. But we are going to get health care reform passed for the American people for their own personal health and economic security and for the important role that it will play in reducing the deficit."

In my humble opinion, Madame should refrain from the above activities. There is a sensible solution to this fence hopping, pole vaulting, and parachute jumping exercise in futility. Let us open the gate so that Madame Speaker can let herself out. She is confused about which direction she is headed through that mythical gate. I am concerned for the speaker’s safety if she tries to parachute or pole vault. Both exercises can cause unnecessary jarring and jolting. The speaker’s body, especially her face, needs to be whole when she has to face the camera, to announce that despite the infusions of pork and other “incentives,” the “Obama/Pelosi/Reid” health care reform bill, in its current bloated state, is dead. Maybe not even the February 25, 2010 ~~Beer~~ Healthcare Summit can breathe life into almost five thousand pages of bacteria.

Wait a minute. America is saying something. There is a pulse – a vigorous one. Let us listen in. America is singing: “Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I did not die.” Unplug that oxygen mask! The doctors, “we the people,” have pronounced the patient in fighting condition. She is immediately resuming normal duties. Yee Haw! For some reason, the month of November, the month in which Thanksgiving is celebrated, seems like a very appropriate month to celebrate the resurrection of America! But let us not wait for November 25, 2010. Let us begin on November 2, 2010 by carving up some (political) turkeys – nationwide. Hold the dressing, unless it is a dressing down!

“We the people,” let us not rest on our laurels. There will always be amoral, immoral pieces of humanity waiting to destroy our country – from within, paid off by their foreign and domestic puppet masters. Don’t be fooled by the drugs they let into the country to subjugate you. Keep clear heads. Do not be sedated by the government programs they continually try to establish to break up the traditional family, extinguish the “can do” pioneer spirit, and which are intended to foster a “hand out” mentality in you. Work as many jobs as you feel that you need to survive, since the outsourcing of decent jobs is a fait acompli, and will continue. But, save even one hour per day to get engaged and keep up with what the scoundrels are doing to your country. You know – the ones who address you as “my fellow Americans,” as they begin inserting the political, social, and economic knives in your back. Don’t be fooled by the Armani suits. Armani suits do wonderful things for the male figure. However, they do not a messiah or savior make. Remember the admonition of Thomas Jefferson: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”

As for those nations salivating at the prospect of a dead America, be careful. You may drown in your own spit. The revived America will resuscitate you – maybe.

Small Miracles, Vol III - Old Glory

2010-02-20T22:28:00Z

This edition of small miracles is about seemingly disparate events, that took place at venues from Canada to Afghanistan, with a stop or two in the US. These small miracles are kind of wrapped up in Old Glory and the courageous folks who represent her and us, from "sea to shining sea," and environs foreign and often dangerous.

My mouth almost literally dropped open when I read the story of Lance Corporal Andrew Koenig in Afghanistan. There was a story in the Wall Street Journal, http://tiny.cc/lLrd4 , about how Lance Cpl. Koenig was shot almost between the eyes. His helmet stopped the bullet. He stated that he didn't think that he "could be luckier than this." I consider it a small miracle. If the bullet had ricocheted off the helmet and hit the shooter between the eyes, I would have considered that a "ricochet miracle!"

Seth Wescott was involved in a far more genteel "war," although snowboarding can be pretty dangerous. The LA Times' Bill Plaschke, http://tiny.cc/JsQ9q , described how Seth "draped himself" in the American Flag, the particular Flag that has been in his family for generations. The following paragraph painted a very vivid scene for me, as I had not seen the televised race.

Seth's achievement in getting that gold medal was truly impressive. "Priceless," is the story of the family's patriotism and reverence for Old Glory. Their reverence shined through, as bright as did that gold medal!

A man can leave the service, but it is almost impossible to take the service out of the man. The following small miracles are about two men who are no longer active duty, but who were able to activate the skills learned while they were protecting us.

Chris Scott, http://tiny.cc/eGz2B , saved the life of his own son, while he was in training to be a 911 operator. He, of course downplayed his role. He stated that "it's in his nature to remain calm under stress." I would like to think that same calmness that served him well as a tank crew member when he was deployed in Iraq took over, when possibly someone else would have been "freaking out" as his wife said that she was. I would have skidded past "freaking" out, and gone to completely freaked out. The article ended by stating that "His employers gave him the rest of the day off." I would have needed at least a week to recuperate. I will be truthful and admit that I am not made of "sterner stuff."

Yet another Iraq war Vet, Robin, De Haven, displayed the bravery and sterner stuff that we take for granted. In this story, http://tiny.cc/IBMWQ , he rescued five persons from the building into which Joseph Stack, allegedly disgruntled with the IRS, attempted to take his revenge. Mr. Stack's apparent plan was to pilot his plane and "take out," IRS employees who work in that building. Mr. De Haven calmly placed his ladder alongside the building and did his thing. He "wanted to go help," and, thinking that his boss "would understand," he did just that. How many of us would have put concerns about the boss not understanding, and stopped to weigh in the balance "loss of job" versus stopping to help. Thankfully, in this circumstance, Mr. De Haven was not the only good Samaritan.

Stories such as these, reinforce for me, no matter how some misguided souls try to disparage the citizens of this country, what it means to be an American. An economic pundit described the US as "an oversized Third World nation." He could be proven to be correct, if we keep spending and borrowing, without ceasing. For now, he is correct in his use of the word "oversized." The US has an oversized heart for helping whoever, whenever and wherever. May that never cease.

God bless America!

America, Stop Eating Your Young!

2010-02-09T19:55:00Z

No, this is not an article about abortion of babies. This is about “aborting” the livelihoods and freedoms of too many of those we hired to protect and defend us.

Our soldiers, airmen, and Marines are sent out to fight a “War on Terror,” and increasingly, return to be locked up, instead of receiving tangible expressions of gratitude. Although the enemy remains the same, President Obama’s administration was a little too concerned with renaming this struggle against enemies who are dedicated to killing us. The struggle is no longer “War on Terror.” It has been designated “Overseas Contingency Operations.” What new name will be next? Will it be “Domestic Pulverization,” to more aptly describe the war being waged on our troops, in the name of “we the people”? Do too good a job in killing and/or capturing terrorists, and face persecution?

When did political correctness invade the US Military? World War II surely could not have been fought with this new politically correct version. Probably half of the fighting forces in that war theater would have been incarcerated for being too successful, and Americans – those still alive, would have all learned to salute “Heil" to Hitler. Will the new Marine slogan be the “few, the defeated,” instead of “the few, the proud”? There are just too many egregious examples of political correctness gone amuck, beginning to surface. Enough!

There is no dispute that those who break the law must be legally punished. That is not negotiable. But in dealing with people’s lives and livelihood, especially in this type of job environment, where a single bullet can bring an end to a career, or life itself, we must give every benefit of the doubt to our defenders. Evidence that could be potentially exonerating, as in the case of ILt Michael Behenna, should always be considered.

Ironically when the shoe is on the other foot, and it is one of the enemy standing as the accused, then the cry goes out that Americans should not “rush to judgment.” The accused killer could have the weapon in his hand, shouting the usual words of “inspiration,” as he kills, have made the requisite “farewell” video, and we should not rush to judgment? By that token, forest rangers who stumble upon a scene where a bear has half of the torso of a human being in its massive jaw, should not rush to judgment that the bear is a bear and the mangled human being is prey? No, in the politically correct twilight zone, the bear is a pussy cat strolling through the forest when this human being rushed up and stuffed half of his or her torso in the bear’s mouth! Now I get it. Political correctness is the willing suspension, or suppression, of unassailable evidence.

Well, in the real world of terrorist killers, we had better wise up and realize that a significant part of the modas operandi of the enemy being faced down, is to prevaricate – In plain English – to lie. We are willing to take the word of people steeped in a culture of deceit, death and dismemberment of innocents, over the word of a soldier we send out to take a bullet in our stead? What is the message here? Go out and die (maybe we will throw you a parade), but don’t lay a finger on a terrorist? In my heart, I don’t want to believe that any American can be that callous, but what am I to infer from the malicious persecution of US troops, by their fellow US citizens, to the delight of the cowardly enemy?

I faithfully wear my ILT Michael Behenna, www.defendmichael.com bracelet and I initiate conversations about this piece of “jewelry,” that I want to no longer wear, because my taking off the bracelet would mean that Ranger Behenna has been granted his freedom. His freedom will be the only reason to separate the bracelet from my wrist! He should be immediately released and given a medal for ridding the world of a suspected terrorist. There are two e-mails that typify the efforts that I have been led, by my sense of fairness, to undertake what little I can on behalf of ILT Behenna. His case has placed an indelible mark on my heart, as representative of those we persecute. Both e-mails were sent to friends who are also supporters of ILT Behenna.

Folks:

I received a Christmas card from ILT Michael Behenna. I went to the Post Office to collect my mail and saw a Christmas card, and I joyfully thought that it is befitting that Ms. Christmas should be receiving Christmas cards in January! I began to read the card and realized that it was from Ranger Behenna.

My heart began beating fast and my eyes were threatening to tear up. My emotions were a mix of joy hearing from him, feeling that he is hanging in there, anxiety that his hearing had gone well, and hope that he is freed - soon. I am sure that he will not mind my sharing what he wrote:

I am truly thankful to you for sending me the money order and the articles you have written about me. What gives me hope for the future is the thought that there are people like you outside of these walls listening to my story and advocating for my freedom. So I want to thank you for the work that you have done on my behalf again. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Sincerely,

Michael Behenna

I wish that I could do more. I wish that I could wave a magic wand and he is back home with his family. Instead, I will keep praying that God opens the hearts of his persecutors to end his imprisonment. I will keep praying that he remains emotionally strong and do not give his persecutors the satisfaction of feeling that they broke him. I also will keep praying that once released that he chooses a profession through which he can leave a mark on this world. God allowed this to happen for a reason.

Please keep the prayers and support up, for Michael and his family, who suffer along with him. Today it is Michael and the others that we know of. Tomorrow, persecution could come closer to home.

On January 22, 2010, I received an update about ILT Behenna’s clemency hearing, where his sentence was reduced by five years. I was steamed and fired off this second e-mail:

Friends:

This is the first e-mail I opened this morning, and my first reaction was anger and I was going to fire off an angry e-mail blaming the "broken" Military justice system , for the continued incarceration of ILT Michael Behenna!

But I am not. Instead this is a call to arms, metaphorically speaking. This is a war against "political correctness," and we have to win! I think the thing that sticks in my craw more than anything is the comparison between the way we are persecuting our defenders and coddling terrorist suspects, even at Gitmo. I hope that Michael is getting "culturally appropriate meals," and time out to pray every two minutes! But, this is America....a mixture of blessing and hurting. Blessing will win out!

ILT Behenna can probably take some measure of comfort that he is not Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, who seemed to have inspired the politically correct faction of the Military brass to try to shine their medals with his persecution. He has been tried from Alaska to Zimbabwe, in terms of time and number of trials! For four years Lt Col Chessani was pursued through Military Courts. Yet no conviction was secured. Col Chessani could now exhale a giant sigh of relief! No. Our government does not give up that easily when it comes to the persecution of one of its Marines! So Lt. Col Chessani was next hit with an Administrative hearing, something called an ABI.

The President of Thomas More Law Center stated:

"The government's persecution of this loyal Marine officer continues because he refused to throw his men under the bus to appease some anti-war politicians and press, and the Iraqi government.”

Members of Congress are getting involved, as the persecutions continue, the latest case involving three Navy SEALs. Congressman Dan Burton wrote:

“...we have created a culture within our armed forces where our military personnel are now more concerned about protecting themselves from legal jeopardy for every action or statement than they are about fighting the enemy. Our troops and these SEALs need to be bold and decisive in combat, not hesitant and over-thinking every action for fear of prosecution.”

I would agree. Couple this “culture” with the rules of engagement, the Karzai 12, for conducting warfare in Afghanistan, and we will soon have more US troops incarcerated than terrorists. Some of the dirty dozen, er Karzai 12, include the following. Foreign troops, of which US troops are part, must be accompanied by the Afghan National Police and/or Military, on searches. US troops are not allowed to take on the enemy if civilians are present. In that country, how does one know who is the civilian? US troops must warn villagers prior to searches. There is nothing like getting a heads up on a search for terrorists, is there? US troops must “trust and verify,” before they shoot at the enemy. That is my take on another rule, which prevents US troops from firing at the enemy unless the enemy is preparing to fire first? That must be working out really well – against US troops. Sounds to me like both a Catch 22 and a “catch and release,” which means US troops are screwed.

Are we suffering from “terrorism myopia”? If so, let us stop this pretense of fighting a “war.” If we no longer have the fortitude or will to defend ourselves then the proud and mighty USA should regress to the times of the Barbary Coast pirates, or follow the modern day lead of the UN and Britain, and pay off the enemy. Apparently, this tactic and the idea of conscripting members of the enemy class in Afghanistan, to form part of the government, are to soon be in the works?

I could be wrong, but somehow I remember that the last time the Taliban was the government in Afghanistan, sometime in September of 2001, an “incident” occurred. Ah yes. It was September 11, 2001, when 19 men, seemingly created by a Dr. Frankenstein of terror in Afghanistan, and all members of a certain religion, having made one last trip to the strip joints of their choice, went off and murdered almost 3000 citizens, primarily citizens of the US, and even including members of the religion of the murderers.

If defeatism is going to be the order of the day, tell that to the troops who are maimed for life. Tell that to the almost 5400 troops who have given their lives in this ~~Overseas Contingency Operations~~, War on bloodsucking cretins who want to kill us all! Tell it to Sgt Eddie Jeffers. Somehow, I don’t think that defeatism is part of the fabric of the soul of the true America, especially the America of the ones who let us “borrow” their kin to serve. Sgt. Eddie Jeffers gave up his life so that we can live. Put down that television remote, and let us show his family that “hope (no longer) rides alone.”

Hello There, Mr. President

2010-01-30T21:38:00Z

I did not watch your State of the Union speech. I already know the state of the union. It is at the point where the “lipstick on this pig” analogy is looking more and more apropos. I did not watch your speech, because quite frankly I am tired of the 365/24/7 campaigning. I suspected that it would be more of the same. It was – basically.

You already have the job. Do it. Making speeches, although necessary, is not the raison d'être of the office. I did read and hear excerpts of your speech, and I did not get a “thrill up my leg.” I experienced a shiver down my spine, which I suspect you do know, is an entirely different sensation. If I may be so bold, allow me to offer some suggestions for you to bring back the thrill for your disciples.

Dignity

"With all due deference to" the office of the president, it was unseemly for you to use the forum of the state of the union, to bash the justices of the United States Supreme Court, while they sat there – captive. It suggested a lack of class, and unfamiliarity with the word “dignity.” In case you want to know my opinion, I would get into a lifeboat with Justice Alito, because I feel certain that Justice Alito would make room for me, and would probably give his life to save mine. Also, I would not be fighting for room with a Teleprompter!

Prevarication

"With all due deference to" the office of the president, you are giving a good impression of being unfamiliar with the meaning of the word "lie," as in not telling the truth. Are you applying the precedent of “it depends on the meaning of the word is”? That has been discredited. You are apparently unaware that it is a lie and hypocritical to accuse another party of behavior in which you have indulged, and continue to indulge. I have no great love for most politicians because the joke about knowing when they lie because “their lips are moving,” is a snug fit for far too many. But, I will point out lies when I hear or read about them. "Leaving a mountain of debt," is quite ingenious. You inherited a “molehill” of debt and promptly turned it into a “mountain.” Your tripling the Federal deficit fits the bill.

How can you convince me otherwise about every time your lip moves, that you are not lying? Go to your favorite venue, in front of the cameras, without your favorite companion, the Teleprompter, and confess that you knowingly and deliberately lied to us. Give up the Teleprompter for one night. If your wife ever files for divorce, she would probably be able to list that Teleprompter as "the other woman!"

Transparency

While you are at that venue, bring out a box of personal papers and hold them up to the camera, and make the papers available for impartial scrutiny. No, I am not a “birther.” My personal opinion of the birth status of a president is as follows. I do believe that the president of this republic should have been born of parents, who are both native born citizens of the US, with no first generation ties to another country, in order to prevent possible situations of divided loyalty. The papers that I am talking about are the school records and work records. Your actions do not suggest those of someone with the required experience to run this country. When reports continue to come in that you have spent almost $2 million to forestall scrutiny, you are leaving an inescapable impression that you do have something to hide. Oh, you can also toss in the records of all of those who contributed to getting you elected, all for the sake of transparency, which you did promise.

Terrorism

How else can you make me experience the “thrill up the leg”? You could declare that we are in a war against fanatics of the Muslim religion, who want to kill us. You could "man up" by telling them to stop killing your fellow citizens, or they will be killed. Follow through. You would convince them that there are no 72 virgins. Part of that “manning up” demeanor and action, would be to cease and desist in granting foreign terrorist killers the same rights as American citizens, while persecuting US troops relentlessly. And stop the sugarcoating of the war we are in, with the innocuous sounding designations that make it sound as if you are pursuing bank robbers. We are way beyond Jesse James.

Staffing

I am tired of the jokes about only tax cheats being able to be hired for your administration. Tighten up that criterion. I even have a slogan: “No pay, no hay.” Get rid of the sycophants with whom you appear to have surrounded yourself, especially the court jester. You are smart. You figure that one out. You need men and women who can look you in the eye and tell you: “Mr. President, that is a crock of (definitely not stew)!” One qualification for the possible replacements, should be total familiarity with, and the devout practice of telling one truth, not variations of the "same truth." You may want to set the example.

Demeanor

Please go into counseling for your spending habits, spending of the people's money from the US Treasury. The descendents of today’s toddlers should not be made to work to support 21st century excesses. Please stop saying "let me be clear." Please promise to never again accuse "we the people" of "not getting it," and therefore causing you to make more speeches. We get it and please enough with the speeches! We the taxpayers are adults. We no longer need scolding from a "father." Stop with the head tilted and jaw thrust out stance. It suggests “posturing,” as in theater. Don’t ever say again, “I took my share of blank.” That is not presidential or prudent.

I almost forgot. This request is more on the policy side, but here goes anyway. Stop with healthcare reform, fondly labeled “Obamacare,” even if you generously decide to share in the pain of the same plan. Keep in mind that your "Cadillac," more like a Lexus plan, along with the other perks of the job, (170 parties?), are being paid for by the sweat, blood and tears of we the taxpayers. If you were close by, I would serenade you with a verse or two of “Old Man River.” Instead, the following verses speak for me:

You and me,(we the people) we sweat and strain
Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Ya get a little drunk and ya lands in ja-ail

I gets weary and so sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin', but I'm feared of dyin'
And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along.

Yeah, I am scared of dying because my carcass will be taxed, and my dependents will be forced to sell the farm that we do not have!

Mr. President, if you go into seclusion like the president of Nigeria and we don’t hear any speeches for at least two weeks, don’t worry that we will feel deprived. We will welcome the break. Even “Obama Girl,” is reported to be not so enraptured anymore. If you lose such fatuous rapture, that could be more devastating than al of the sinking poll numbers! Maybe you could try apologizing to the Cambridge PD. Their devotion may not be on par with that of Obama Girl, but it could be a “solid B plus” restart.

I have laid out a blueprint. Take it from there. Make the necessary corrections, so I can take baby steps and learn to respect you. I so want to experience the thrill of being proud of a president who has a “muscular” foreign policy, and listens to “we the people.” As you have stated, it is not about you. Prove it.

Thank you, Mr. President. I can learn to be your humble servant. Your serve…..

Kudos To King Kongress!

2010-01-21T22:56:00Z

There is a little movie about a blonde beauty and a beast. They met by chance. The beast fell in love. The beast lost the blonde. The beast lost his life. The movie is King Kong.

The story of that movie is about to be retold and recast, in a reality version, courtesy of yours truly. “We the people,” citizens of the United States of America, represent the blond beauty, and Congress, hereafter known as Kongress, is King Kong. Immediately, one big difference between King Kong and Kongress, springs to mind. King Kong, although a beast, was more caring. He protected his blond from all sorts of other creatures. Judging by what has transpired in the US political scene in the last year or so, the blonde/we the people would have fared better left to the tender mercies of the creature King Kong, rather than left rather vulnerable to the merciless machinations of Kongress. Some are refusing to drink the version of Kool-Aid known as Kongress-Aid, and see this “beast” for what it is.

So why is our esteemed Kongress being compared to King Kong? Glad you asked. The comparison appears to be only on the surface. Although King Kong physically threw his weight around, he still was a noble creature. He was throwing around his weight because he could, and that is what a beast of his size did. I think that I may have dismissed the comparison too soon. This “throwing weight around because he could,” is very apropos to our current band of leaders! “Because I have the power to,” has become the unspoken rationale for much of the actions being taken. This type of smugness and cavalier behavior go beyond the usual domain of leadership.

We the blond beauties are facing some tough issues. Terrorists are being emboldened by overtures of “can’t we all get along,” and increasing their attacks. An alleged terrorist struck at the heart of the US Military on one of its own base in Texas. That “in your face,” act is too unimaginable, and would have been very unthinkable, even one year ago. Iran is building its nuclear facilities and struck a defiant pose of “stop me if you can.” Domestically, husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers are out of work, not for lack of capability or ability, but because their jobs are now expatriates, or their companies went out of business. Companies are declaring bankruptcies almost every day. Banks, almost 150, have been taken over by the FDIC. What used to be called a 401-k, is probably now a 10-k.

So Kongress has been working on these issues, right? Kongress has not been merely working on these problems, but is assuming the role of a King Kong and throwing its weight around tackling these pressing issues, right? Wrong! So, what substantive issue is monopolizing the attention of Kongress, if not these issues?

Ah, here it is – HealthKare! “HealthKare” became the crisis du jour, of Halloween, of Thanksgiving, of Christmas, and now of the New Year. As King Kong rampaged through a village in the movie, killing villagers who got in his way, this Kongress is giving a very creditable impression of rampaging through the will of the people, and the Constitution that is supposed to govern us all, including members of Kongress.

“Supposed to” but in reality, not governed by the same laws as “we the people”…. that is the status of Kongress. When did this exemption of Kongress begin? Was it during the time of the fledging USA, when real men dusted off their Military fatigues, after fighting in the frontlines for freedom, and became legislators? Even if I did not know the history of this country, I would not have thought that this Animal Farm credo of “some animals are more equal than others,” would have been tolerated back then in a nation, operating under the vision of the Founding Fathers.

Somehow, over the last hundred years or less, Kongress has increasingly exempted itself from equal pay laws, insurance control laws, right-to-know-laws, among others. I was going to list the laws to which Kongress is subject, but I think that number is zero. And the Founding Fathers fought to free themselves from tyranny? They may want to be reintroduced to tyranny in the twenty first century. They were all hung up on this “all men are created equal”? They should see “equality” now. King George III thought that he and his supporters were above the laws created for the serfs? Sir, you could learn a thing from the real masters of exemption!

Kongress should certainly have privileges befitting the position of the members. These members have to make very important decisions, sometimes life and death decisions. Quite frankly, the weight of office can get burdensome. But, so many privileges? Next time I speak to high school students, I am going to tell them to grow up to be members of Kongress. Forget spending a fortune learning medicine with noble intentions of saving the lives of others. They can save more lives in Kongress. I think I may have gotten confused between the words “lives” and “livelihood.” They will certainly save and preserve their livelihoods if they enter the halls of Kongress rather than the corridors of medicine.

On the subject of medicine, on that topic of healthKare “reform,” Kongress is of course exempted from the bill which is physically almost the size of King Kong! We the subjects, will be subject to:

▪ Mandatory purchase of health insurance, or be fined or go to prison. I am getting ready, my portable toothbrush, with the cute tube of toothpaste and some pajamas. “People get ready,” for the jail’s acoming!

▪ Mandatory government committee, presumably headed by the “Health Choices Commissioner,” to determine who lives and who dies. (/It doesn’t quite say it like that, but that is my interpretation). What do I care, I will be behind bars for not purchasing health insurance.

▪ Mandatory issuance of a National ID Health card

▪ Mandatory government “direct access” to the bank accounts of citizens for “elective” funds transfers. Try accessing my account from cell #whatever!

▪ Mandatory “exchange” where benefit packages will be “housed,” (my interpretation of the government control of the benefit packages for those in private healthkare plans).

▪ Mandatory specification of benefit levels for plans…..does that mean that some folks cannot have a Ford plan, some a GM plan or some a Chrysler plan? Cars, healthcare, what is the difference? They will all be government controlled.

▪ Mandatory “linguistic appropriate services.” Does that include translation for: “I do not want to be forced to pay for your government-run healthkare”? If that can be translated, I may get a “get out of jail free card,” instead of a National ID Health card!

▪ Mandatory “advance-Care Planning Consult.” Translation: Move it along. We are not spending any more money on you. You have outlived your usefulness. You are old.

It is so ironic that we the serfs have an almost endless bunch of “mandatories” just in this healthKare reform bill, while the only mandatory for Kongress is not to be saddled with this type of reform. America, what a country…it has become!

Well, it appears that the people of Massachusetts harkened back to Revolutionary Times and sent a message to Kongress that the “I do what I want to – no matter what you say,” approach to leadership, could be in danger. There are no reports of tea being thrown into Boston Harbor, but one party was figuratively thrown overboard. The Senate seat of their venerable Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy went – not to the anointed candidate, who began with a 30 point lead – but to a guy driving a truck, a GM truck no less! Senator Scott Brown is loading up the truck, and like Mr. Smith, is going to Washington.

Well Kongress, in case you forgot the characters in this recasting of King Kong the movie, here is a reminder: You Kongress = King Kong. “We the people” = blond beauty. At the end of the real King Kong movie, Carl Denham the independent filmmaker, is told by a cop, “Well Denham, the airplanes got him,” meaning King Kong, who had been finally killed as he stood atop the Empire State Building, attempting to fight off bullets. Denham replied: “It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast.”

Cue the 11 p.m. news broadcasts. Get out the popcorn. Rev up the trucks. There will be more beauty/beast encounters with the same result.

Small Miracles-Vol II-Rescued Children of Haiti

2010-01-17T03:11:00Z

Who can explain Mother Nature and her seeming penchant for striking out and making her presence felt? Not many of us can even attempt to place Mother Nature on the therapy couch, and get her to talk. She strikes when she feels like it. In the midst of the havoc that she creates, I see a positive. When she wreaks havoc on land sea or air, she serves to remind us of our humanity and our almost unanimous, unfailing desire to rush to help our fellow human beings. We see a country in trouble and no matter our personal circumstances, we want to help. We received a chance this week when an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck Haiti. We responded.

Years ago, when I was in High School, Haiti was described as the "poorest country in the Western Hemisphere." It is still so described. But Haiti has neighbors, maybe not the richest anywhere on the globe, but neighbors willing to help. For this week Haiti's neighbors are as far away as China and Spain, among others. Omitting the US was not an error. It is expected that the US would be there and she was. The US is like extended family. No need to put in a call to family.

Haiti is receiving untold assistance in the form of labor, supplies, food, and cash. But, the assistance that most tugged at my heartstrings was story after story of "little miracles," as in little babies being rescued by news crews, rescue personnel and any able-bodied person with hands temporarily pressed into service, as digging implements.

When I was encouraged to write a weekly column about small miracles, I made the focus of the first article, the miracle of birth. This second installment, as did the first almost wrote itself, but this time it is a story of the miracle of "re-birth." Here are just two of many stories of rescue.

Haiti earthquake: Miracle baby plucked from the rubble | Mail Online

Haiti: British firemen dig out survivors - Times Online

There are numerous other stories of despair, less than noble behavior in the face of disaster, and delays in getting needed assistance to those in need. Those stories have also been covered. Some of those are situations of such magnitude, that they are going to require huge miracles. In the meantime, God has granted small miracles such as the rescue of Redjeson and Mia Charlotte, both two-years old. Their miraculous recovery is sufficient for me to absorb and to feel immense gratitude. These kids handled their perilous situation with more grace than would be expected of toddlers. In many respects, these little ones are more mature than we their elders.

I pray that this disaster can be turned into a new beginning for all of Haiti, that it will have such a positive rebirth, that the "poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere" description, will no longer be associated with it. It would be another miracle that could be handed to Redjeson, Mia Charlotte and others of the future generation of Haitians.

"Rebooting" The Image of America

2010-01-13T16:29:00Z

President Obama had a vision. He would set out to “reboot” America’s image in the Muslim world, in order to convince the Islamic world that the cowboy era of President Bush was kaput. We, including those who created “man-made disasters,” could all get along. He made speeches seemingly without end about this quest. His interminable stops on what was labeled the “Apology Tour,” reminded me of the story of the Knight on a quest for the Holy Grail. It got to the point where the impression was that he was apologizing for America inhabiting the planet! Still, I was hopeful.

Even the enemies of America began to resent being subjected to the seemingly endless apologetics, except for one group. His bowing down to other heads of state did not go over that well, even to those at the receiving end of the bows. There were quizzical looks and expressions of wry amusement. Ironically, every time a bow was made, and another apology proffered “we the people,” were always receiving the wrong view. We were beginning to develop a national inferiority complex. I continued to hold on to hope.

President Obama tried. I give him a solid A minus for his tenacity in apologizing for the perceived sins of his country of birth. I can really appreciate his point of view that the peoples of all nations should be able to be on a friendly and equal footing. He was greeted with a standing O, when he drew a line in the sand in Cairo with his declaration: “I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.” I have to admit that I was a bit puzzled at the “part of my responsibility,” phrase of that sentence, but still I was right there with him wishing that no race, creed or religion should be stereotyped. Personally, I would have settled for him stating that he would call out anyone who even tried to besmirch his country and all of its citizens.

Ah yes, the one group that did not hear that he would “fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear,” was that group made up of murderers politely called Islamist Fascists, prolific contributors to the understandable negativity of human beings being murdered on a regular basis, in the name of the religion of peace. The virulent members of that group apparently heard a conversation that went something like this:

“As president of the United States, I am going to retreat in the face of definitive proof that it is not stereotyping when it comes to Islamic fascists who want to kill my countrymen, evidenced by the blowing up of airplanes, buildings and people. I am steadfastly proceeding with plans to close Gitmo and return those 90 or so Yemenis to Yemen, to do what they do best.”

Aide interjecting: “But, Mr. President, isn’t that the same place where those radical preachers have acolytes willing, ready and effective (well except for underwear bomber boy) to enforce those negative stereotypes you are trying to erase? I am just asking.”

President reiterating: “I said – proceed with the closing of Gitmo.”

Chastened aide: “Yes, Mr. President. Right away, Sir!”

Cut to caves or other dwellings where the “decision makers” who send out the “muscle” to kill and maim, while these decision makers remain safely behind, are chuckling – “What a Dhimmi!”

Even with the bodies still piling up, I was hanging in with the president and his vision of peace on earth and good will to men. Unfortunately, America’s image got rebooted, but I do not think quite in the way the president intended. I like to think that between December 2001 to about December 2008, the image of America was that of a country that would dispatch effective and efficient troops to “discipline” terrorists who try to blow up Americans, on their own soil and on foreign soil. Maybe it was not utopia, but it was at least relatively safe. Less than a year later, the rebooted image is that of a country ripe for the picking, one airline or Military base at a time. A few troops were indeed picked off at a base, on American soil. Does the name Fort Hood ring a bell? I am still ticked off at the political correctness that was in effect prior to, immediately after, and ongoing.

Recently, seven CIA workers were blown to smithereens at a base in Afghanistan. Their killer was yet another bomber who did not get the message about counteracting “negative stereotypes.” He positively resembled the non-stereotypical Islamic Fascist who wants to kill us. As usual he had more names than can efficiently fit in a section of a telephone book. Even with the Fort Hood and subsequent killings, I was still there with Mr. President. I was even hoping for an end to the killing, primarily carried out by members of the Muslim faith, and maybe having a “People Summit,” minus beer or other adult beverages, in deference to religious sensibilities.

Then, I was sent an article, “How Many People Have Been Killed By Islamofascists In The Past Two Months?” The article was from FrontPage Magazine, and it listed terrorist killings and maiming for the last two months of 2009. Out of curiosity I actually counted the list of murdered which totaled 1154. Had underwear bomber boy succeeded in his December 25, 2009 attempt, that number could have been increased by almost 300. The killers cut a swath through barbershops, homes, mini buses, checkpoints, churches, bazaars and other various other places where victims live and congregate. The victims ranged from other Muslims, to Christians and Buddhists, real equal opportunity killings. Numerous children were included in the body counts. I did not have the heart to tally that number of dead.

I was conflicted between the president’s vision and the piles of bodies being accumulated, day after day. Do these murders fall into a “negative stereotype,” or the reality of positive proof of a love of killing by murderous thugs? I searched for answers. I sought clarification, as I desperately wanted to follow the lead of the president, in wanting to be liked. Within days, I received assistance in resolving this conflict between stereotypes and deadly actions. It was now the New Year and the beginning of a new decade. I was hopeful that maybe finally, we could all be friends. I pulled up a story showing that the New Year was ushered in with almost one hundred deaths at a sports stadium in Pakistan, facilitated by a branch of the fraternity of Islamic Fascists. My vacillation vanished.

I turned my attention to the broader concept of nations getting along. Maybe things would be more positive on that front. Under the rebooting strategy, ideally, countries such as Iran were supposed to lie down like lambs and forget about continuing to build nuclear facilities that appear to be suspiciously like facilities for weapons of mass destruction. In reality, the Iranian president is paying as much attention to the US president, and his attempts to buff up the image of America, as he is paying to those in his country, who are trying to get out from under his yoke. The only difference in results, between his demeanor towards the protestors in his country and the US president, is that many of the protestors are being permanently silenced. The parents of Dr. Ramin Pourandarjani have filed a suit to determine his cause of death. He seemingly having died once, but by multiple causes. First, it was claimed that he died from a heart attack. Later that became a suicide. The third version is that he died from an overdose. I am almost certain that the parents will never be able to find out the truth. We residing in the “Big Satan,” are stereotypically safe – for now.

I have had it. We can’t all be friends. As individuals, and also as a nation, we have to learn to distinguish between friends and enemies and structure relationships accordingly. This task brings me no joy. I hate to be the one to break the news to President Obama. He has unraveled his sublime image in the eyes of many Americans and even Many Muslims. He has not done any favors to the image of the US. Human nature being what it is, falling to your knees, bending at the waist and leaving vulnerable parts exposed, are not actions that engender respect, or even likability. Again, there is tangible proof, the bodies being scraped up from buildings and buses, that the ones who really got a reboot, to feel emboldened enough to ramp up their efforts to kill us all, are the terrorists.

The rebooted image that they perceive of America and its leader is that of a wimp in the White House, leading a bunch of potential victims. They do not respect symbolic meetings sitting around campfires, singing “Kumbaya.” The only language they understand is “strength and power,” and the will to act.

My fervent wish is that by our fearless and effective actions, the terrorists who hang out in caves, in plain sight, or in renowned universities, will perceive our president, as a great and fierce warrior. He will carry the proverbial carrot, with the flowery words of friendship, and a huge stick for “negotiations.” A new beginning for me, would be that the curricula in those schools, where terrorists-in-training are taught how to kill, is rebooted with the following lesson.

“You see that country called America. Don’t mess with it. Its president will “whup your butt.” Stop these attempts to blow up their buildings, behead their citizens, including their troops and other protectors. And…stay away from their embassies. You never know what will greet you there if you try to blow them up! The dude is serious!” Or however that translates in the language of terrorism. Bottom line: Don’t even attempt to tread on us!

I see faint signs of progress in wielding the stick of protection of US citizens. I am relieved and pleased that after initially stumbling about with his response, following the Christmas Day attempted bombing, Mr. President finally adopted the President Harry S. Truman, “the buck stops here,” style of governing. He accepted responsibility for the “systemic failure” that almost allowed a different sort of Christmas present to be handed out to close to 300 passengers on NW Flight 253. It is also a welcome sound to hear him resurrect the “T” word as in “terror.” It is great to see that this democratic republic has not changed into an autocracy.

You go, Mr. President! Show those practitioners of “man-made disasters,” AKA terrorism, your “testicular fortitude!” Check with Madame Secretary of State for any necessary instructions for implantation of said “testicular fortitude.” That is her field of expertise. I am just humbly borrowing that expression from her, unworthy though I am to even employ it. Mr. President, I want to see you succeed in protecting the lives of your fellow Americans. For that I would give you a sparking A plus!

Happy New Year, American Taxpayers

2010-01-05T00:16:00Z

Are we there yet? Yes, we are now in the year 2010, which I dubbed, the “year and a half,” in anticipation of more political monstrosities (healthcare reform?). As the old year with all of its trials and tribulations, went screaming into the night, I was left with a case that presented itself to me. Unqualified scientist that I am becoming, I will rise to the challenge. I promise not to dump the data, as was reported in that situation having to do with global “warming.”

I previously categorized cowardly men, who go around killing and maiming Homo sapiens as “homo terroriticus.” As if to bolster my case, almost on cue, on Christmas Day, an alleged candidate showed up on a flight from the Netherlands, complete with an undetonated bomb in his underwear. Next time, the “bomb implanters” should insert the bomb in his head, in the space where a brain normally would be lodged. Nature abhors a vacuum. Another few inches, and that “religious fanatic, bomber boy, with semi-exploding weapon in underwear,” could have conceivably gone to meet those famous 72 virgins, minus the “equipment,’ needed to “service” them! This “man-made disaster” thing is really just a game of inches, isn’t it? Don’t cry for him, though. He is receiving great medical care for the injury to his leg, thanks to the largesse of another group that I am about to identify. He is also all “lawyered up,” again thanks to that same group.

The group which may soon have to be placed on the endangered species list, in order to preserve it? Hint: When a country needs rescuing, money for the rescue, is confiscated, I mean raised, from that group. When a US politician comes up with a cockamamie idea that needs conscription of funds, I mean raising of funds, all eyes turn to that group. Yep, your guess is correct. The group is made up of American taxpayers.

When I see a member of that group, it is like looking into a mirror. As a matter of fact, take my name and replace it with one of theirs, or tweak the numbers on our social security cards, and we could be interchangeable! What makes us so much like peas in the same financial pod, regardless of “insignificant” characteristics such as race, creed and color? It is the taxes, stupid! Superman has his “S” on his cape. We have letter “T” on our foreheads! It should be more like a letter “V,” but that is another story for another day.

We are faceless, nameless, working everymen who contribute and contribute, and are essentially told: “Shut up and pay your taxes!” How did it all go so wrong? When did this taxing of citizens to death and beyond scheme begin? Will it ever end? Why are politicians, already in a protected status, living larger and larger, at our expense? “Too big to fail,” became a rallying cry for bailing out big business. Is the US political structure “too corrupt” to be allowed to exist?

“How did it all go so wrong”? Name the ways. The ways are like the legs of an octopus, or the heads of a hydra. Walk with me through the history books. The “Scheme” of taxing citizens, beyond the usual excise tax, began with the voluntary income tax, and the “taxers” have never looked back. The nation was already existing, without taxing the income of its citizens, when subsequent politicians began wrestling with the idea of living beyond the means of the nation, by taxing the wages of its citizens. Finally in 1913 by adding an amendment to the Constitution, the tax on income was here to stay. By 1943, someone came up with the idea of taking out the government’s share of citizens earnings, before the citizens even got to hold those wages in their “grubby little hands,” with the introduction of the “withholding” tax. Why don’t we just do away with the pretense of “gross” wages? The only thing “gross” is that it is a misleading term, designed to fool us into thinking that we are making more money than we actually receive.

Citizens, when you hear the word “progressive,” used in relation to taxes, prepare for your wallets to voluntarily go on life support. In the 1860s the average tax rate was 3%. How much will it have “progressed” to in 2010? The Founding Fathers and their fellow citizens went to war over the issue of “taxation without representation”? We now have “representation” pouring out of every hamlet and glen, seemingly proportional to the number of taxes! Now, apparently the tax cuts that were put in place by President GW Bush are about to be allowed to expire. Don’t you try to expire from this news, though. There are taxes to be paid, you working stiffs! On second thoughts, you can go ahead and expire. Your estates will take care of the tax thing. You are covered, even unto death. Lucky you.

What was another question that was posed? Oh yes. Is the US political structure too corrupted to be allowed to exist? Maybe the following examples could be a case for the prosecution, although the conveyance of funds is apparently legal. As I have already stated, I am an untrained scientist, not a lawyer. Per Senator Landrieu from Louisiana, she was able to secure $300,000,000 for her state, as part of the negotiations for the healthcare reform bill. Her critics are insisting on calling her take the “The Louisiana Purchase,” reportedly heftier than the real Louisiana Purchase. “The Cornhusker Kickback” is the fond moniker given to the deal that Senator Nelson from Nebraska got for his state. Some in the other 49 states are incensed.

They need to heed the sage advice of the Senate Leader who stated: If they don’t have something in it important to them then it doesn’t speak well of them." Translation? “If you (other senators in states who did not collect payola, I mean incentives), were stupid enough to not get your share of the pork for your state, you do not deserve a place in this august body!” Maybe I stretched the truth a bit with the “august body” reference.

Some are outraged at “Dem” are words of wisdom. But, those blunt “tough love” words prove acumen in wheeling and dealing in this new political reality, where words mean different things to different audiences, and there is an atmosphere where bills may be passed, and the public is not allowed to know the details of those bills. You go Senator Reid! Those are words to live by, and to remain part of a legacy! You are creating quite a legacy.

Speaking of legacy, someone e-mailed information about President Harry Truman, detailing his refusal to slather himself in the lard of earmarks and perks. This has apparently been making the rounds. I knew about some of the quotes, but being a wannabe sleuth, I researched and found the e-mail to be factually correct. I am in shock. He did not set himself up in the presidency to have a fabulous house in which to retire, at the expense of the “T” class? His only asset was his wife’s house that she inherited from her parents? He was living on his annual Army pension of $13,507.72, paying for his own stamps...and licking them to boot? He drove himself and his wife back to their house after he left office, and there were no droves of Secret Service accompanying him? He declared that the office of the President “doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it’s not for sale”? He refused the Medal of Honor? As president, he paid for his own travel expenses, and his food? What was he thinking?

I am puzzled. Was he for real? I will not even try to list all of the perks that being in present day politics, bring with it. It is far easier to detail items that are not perks. Tellingly, the health care being foisted on the peons is not a perk that has been chosen by the “perksters.” Some people fear that "reform" could wipe out more of the elderly than any sex-crazed religious fanatic ever could. The “perksters” should return to the drawing board, get their priorities straight, and wipe out the terrorists instead of the elderly. Even a simpleton can understand that.

I guess President Truman’s legacy is going to be that of a true, selfless, frugal American, something like they used to make them. He is not going to be among the pantheon of politicians we are currently stuck with. Politicians who after a couple years in office, get Secret Service and other protection, every other building named after them, offices paid for, medals coming out of their noses, various and all types of transportations, prodigious pensions, and interns and pages to satisfy their every whim. Scratch that last part. The interns and pages are perks while they are in office. Too bad President Harry is no longer here to “give them hell!”

Sad to say, when I see many of our current political leaders, I see visuals of bloated pigs, with the money collected from taxpayers hanging out of their snouts. Coincidentally, the visual I see of taxpayers, is one where we are herded into groups, with gargantuan herds of pigs pushing their snouts in our pockets. We are desperately trying to let the herds know that the pockets are bare, but they keep feeding! Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around – that humans feed on pigs? Whoever came up with the naming of “earmarks,” for the pork inserted in bills by politicians, is a genius! It fits in perfectly with the porker theme. From now on, every time I see some of those politicians on television, my eyes are going to be like the x-ray machines that are being hurried into use at airports. Through their Armani duds, I am going to see nothing but a pig talking through a teleprompter, quoting words written by someone else!

This American political process has left me feeling as if my innocence and naivety have been forcibly stripped from me. For a long time, I held onto an admittedly idealistic notion of US politicians, as somehow being a breed apart. Maybe I held that vision because of the history of how the country was founded, where politicians selflessly gave of their lives, fortunes and families, all in the cause of freedom. Well, the veil has been stripped away.

I now have more respect for third world dictators. They are who they are, and they make no pretense. I no longer want to hear American taxpayers addressed as “My fellow Americans.” The use of this salutation has become cynical, hypocritical and conjures up the image of Americans about to be politically screwed – yet again. My back is hurting from assuming the position! Just address “fellow Americans” by the social security #, or whatever identifier is used for tax purposes, and stop the games.

I don’t get the impression that God is going to greet some of these amoral and immoral politicians with the salutation “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Anyway, instead of wishing that they rot in hell, I will simply say, as is said in the South, “bless their hearts.”

President Truman was right on target when he declared: "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference.” I would advise whorehouses not to hire some of these current politicians. The whores and the piano would end up missing, even if nailed down!

Small Miracles

2009-12-31T05:38:00Z

This old year is in its last throes and indeed, has already passed into history in some parts of the world. We all know the headlines grabbing stories of death and destruction, wreaked by dastardly men whose mission in life is to kill and maim. This writer was almost ready to post an article on the "architects of death," but life intervened. So, enough of those who love death. Life beckons.

It is time to talk about we the ordinary, who do extraordinarily well, simply by surviving in a really hostile environment, known as the world. This post is the beginning of a weekly series on "small miracles."

Two days ago, I e-mailed some friends about my "Christmas miracles." The e-mail discussed the miracles that I had personally experienced this Christmas season. My miracles were about others showing their love for me in very tangible ways. I was overwhelmed as I was surrounded by "angels in earthly apparel," who included my Pastor, Dr. Willis Lucas, my hairdresser, Odette, and a clerk at my favorite store, Trader Joe's! I am truly blessed.

I was kind of surprised at the very positive responses that I received to that e-mail, detailing the generosity of my angels. I expected perhaps perfunctory responses, about "how great that was," along those lines. I should have known better, knowing the character of my thoughtful friends. Joyce, who I am going to, by "executive order," make my agent, responded:

Ercille, your stories always warm my heart and I look forward to treating you to lunch (or dinner, whichever you have time for).

You should write a little column about "small miracles" (good name for the column too). I think people would really enjoy it! As a weekly column in the paper (better than Ann Landers). You could go around the city interviewing people who have experienced small miracles that warm the heart and remind us that God is still in our lives. I wish I knew someone who worked for the paper who could get you an interview. Or perhaps you should just write a couple of them and send them in on spec!

To declare that my little vignettes are better than Ann Landers, is indeed high praise! I am not even worthy to pick up a pen dropped by Ann Landers, but I will enjoy the complimenty comparison, at least for one day!

Another friend, Eric, seconded Joyce's idea:

Hey, Ercille. that is a GREAT idea. Times are bad and we are inundated with negative stories. Now is the time when we need to hear positive stories to remind us that there is still a lot of good in the world. After I came back from Vietnam and before I got out, I used to have people periodically show compassion to me. Mostly it was women. Small things like talking to me. I came to believe that these people were among the angels that Alabama mentioned in the song Angels Among Us. So I guess that means I have had experience with literal and figurative angels. I don't believe angels exist. I KNOW they exist, literal ones, and being literally touched by a literal angel-------. well, you`re never the same again. And , Ercille, it`s mind boggling. Anyway, I love hearing your stories, too. Thank you so much for sharing. You never know when you might just be the inspiration someone needs.

So, I am running with Joyce's suggestion and inaugurating the "weekly column," beginning with the miracle of birth. I did not even have to go out to interview "the man on the street." It is as if this story line fell into my lap. I was able to pluck it from the family tree. My own family recently experienced two small miracles of birth, the arrival of nephew Zuri, and niece Adeola.

Last year at a family banquet, my Stepmother, Mrs. Josie Christmas, had prayerfully asked God to spare her life to see more grandchildren. She found out that God does indeed answer prayers. In the past year, she has been made a grandmother seven times, with an eighth on the way. Her sons and especially her daughters and daughters-in-law, are now expressly forbidding her to ever utter that prayer again, after those seven, including triplets! We are all delighted with each new arrival. I get to experience all of the glory of being an aunt, as I get to make announcements to my friends that I am an auntie, "again...and again," and share the cute pictures. This auntie thing is perfect....revel in the cuteness, without having to make a trip to the diaper pail!

Two of those small miracles came forth almost at Christmas time. Adeola the younger of the two, is too small to yet display a personality. Older cousin, Zuri, is already showing his personality. He has certainly affected his auntie-for the better! Brother Mark sent the following picture, and my heart was no longer mine. I had never seen a baby asleep with such a beatific expression of peace and sheer contentment, cradled in the arms of his Mom.

Since receiving the photo, I have been using it as both a wake up call affirming the preciousness of every single life, and as a reminder of the Creator of us all. Oh, that we could all be cradled in His arms! I have never been one to believe in the single cell theory of evolution, and if I did, that photo would have cured me. Maybe the single cell could "evolve" into a purely physical recreation, but the soul exemplified by that expression? Priceless and matchless!

Zuri smiles:

Christmas "roasting on an open fire"....Merry Christmas Ya'll!

2009-12-22T18:32:00Z

This Christmas season has been no different from Christmases of the recent past. The wars of Christmas began almost on schedule. Almost right on cue, the tug of war between those who have traditionally celebrated Christmas, and those who have begun to translate their resentment of anything having to do with this season called Christmas, into action to “kill” Christmas. Instead of ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” it appears that Christmas itself has been tossed on the barbie, to borrow an Australian expression. It will be “Silent Night,” without “Jingle bells” if some have their way.

Christmas is to be separated from state buildings. Christmas is to be banished from the public square. This is all done under the guise of separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson wrote about this concept and assumed that intelligent folks would understand that he was not talking about freedom from religion, but freedom of religion, not having the establishment of a state religion along the lines of the Church of England. He did not reckon with the confused who now walk among us and are so unhappy in their lives that they will be damned, and they will be, if they “allow” the rest of us to be happy in our lives.

Leesburg, Virginia, and Clarksville, Tennessee, are among the cities that will be “crèche-less,” because that baby in a manger is a very seditious symbol. Yet another shot on the bow is coming this time from the state of Washington, where no religious symbols will be allowed on government buildings.

Even the president and Mrs. President went after baby Jesus, as one headline suggested. This was a story in the prestigious New York Times, or I would not have believed it. Baby Jesus was about to be banned from the East Room of the People’s House where He had traditionally been a prominent part in the décor. The rush was on to have more “inclusion,” created by the exclusion of Jesus, as part of a “non-religious Christmas.” This was coming from a family that purports to be Christian? If baby Jesus is not welcome in a Christian home, especially the People’s House, where should He find shelter?

Apparently wiser heads prevailed. Could it be that the president was persuaded that notwithstanding the talk of some of his followers dubbing him the “messiah,” that the gig was already taken by that little baby in the manager? Moreover, most likely, the president and Mrs. President did not want that “Muslim to the core” talk about him, rearing its head again. Although, if he is/was a Muslim, he should be proud of it. I am a Christian and mighty proud and grateful. I am not hiding The Light under a bushel of political correctness.

The troublemakers have been fortunate in a sense, because they have been successful in incrementally slamming the door to the public square inn, in the face of that little baby. With a lawsuit here, a threat of a lawsuit there, they succeeded in cowing some in officialdom and commerce. But, they are becoming so brazen that we the ordinary folks are recognizing that they are doing a perfect impersonation of Ebenezer Scrooge, rabidly trying to keep taking away more and more of our traditions. We are now taking a stand and declaring – “enough is enough!”

I have a message for all of the political and business cowards who are being frightened into pushing any manifestations or symbols of the season of love, out of their buildings or establishments. “Love” brings in more money than “hate.” When folks are feeling “peace on earth and goodwill towards men,” they spend and spend some more. Those who hate are stingy with both their emotions and their wallets. Good luck in pushing the Christmas lovers out of your stores and expecting us to buy from you, or vote for you when you cannot even stand up to a few troublemakers. You have become frightened of your own (Christmas) shadow. I blame you more than I blame the “attack dogs.”

My theory for the attacks on Christmas, is that they are motivated by fear. The non-Christmas folks are so afraid of the power of the Christmas story, that they have to work overtime to silence the story of a baby in a manger. They are scared witless by the story of a helpless baby, whose parents could not even find room in the equivalent of a motel, in which to birth him. The Motel 6 of the day did not “leave a light on,” for the Light of the world.

His is a simple story. Imagine a baby came to earth 2000 years ago. He trained as a humble carpenter. He could have created His own Mount Olympus, waged wars, and easily won. Instead, He went around as what we would describe as an “itinerant” preacher, teaching about love. For His efforts, He was hung on a wooden cross. End of story.

But it is not. He still puts fear into the heart of those who hate Him, as conversely love is the preeminent emotion in the hearts of those who love Him. Ever since that day that He made His entrance in a stable, He has been a thorn in the side of those with a lust for power. He is also probably hated because he was born a Jew, and was a Rabbi. Talk about a double whammy! Well, I worry not about Him. He is preeminent, all-powerful, everlasting…that baby in the manger. He lives forever, while His detractors will keep their appointed date with the grim reaper, when He decides that it is their time.

If the Christmas-haters wanted to be really effective, they would be secure in their sense of insecurity. They would give up the efforts to shut down the celebrations for the baby in a manger. They would just ignore the rest of us. They wouldn’t give us all of that power over them. They would prove their machismo by ignoring all of those revelers celebrating the season of joy, peace and love. They would show their disdain by thumbing their noses, or any other action that shows that this season and all that it represents, is beneath their contempt. That would definitely show us that we are irrelevant in their orbit.

Christmas-haters, you can’t, can you? That little baby in the manger, and Santa coming down the chimney, get your goat every time. As my pal Sheila phrased it, He is “a stable baby for an unstable world.” Your instability is showing. Try to remember that even Scrooge had a change of heart. Open up your hearts to love. It is beyond belief to feel the surge of happiness that flows through the body, heart and soul as the Christmas carols and songs ring out, as the joy and wonder of the season, are reflected on the faces of kids, when they open their presents from Santa, helped out by Mom and Dad. Come on. Enjoy, even if you don’t believe! Those of you, who love to hug trees, go hug a Christmas tree!

In order to give as good as Christmas is getting, I was going to put “Operation, Christmas 365,” into full swing, and nonchalantly walk by the offices of known Christmas haters, with a mini crèche in one hand and a mini Christmas tree in the other. The idea was to make them foam at the mouth at the sight of the baby in the manger, when I swing by in January, February, and all the other months of the year. I was even going to see if Santa wanted to travel down from the North Pole and join me, especially as he is now considered to be a “religious symbol,” according to at least one principal at an elementary school.

In the spirit of the season, I am going to shelve Operation Christmas 365. Instead, I will simply love the haters into submission. “Love” will pierce their armor of intractability. After all, this is the season of “ho, ho, ho,” peace, love and joy! They will succumb.

My therapy will be to invite them to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life,” every other day for four days, until they remove that inner sense of failure that is propelling their actions. They will learn from Clarence, that “no man is a failure who has friends.” I will be their friend. Next, they should listen to Handel’s Messiah. They will find that they may be changed, in “the twinkling of an eye,” by the beauty, ethereal quality of the fusion of voice and instruments.

This just in! In the midst of the Christmas revelry, the reveille could have just been sounded for healthcare as we know it in the United States of America. Instead of the aforementioned “ho, ho, ho,” we should be singing “no, no, no”?Despite a majority of Americans not wanting this particular “present” under their trees, not this Christmas, or any to come, those who some are labeling tyrants, prostitutes, and worse, have voted in the US Senate, for cloture. “Cloture” sounds so much like clothing being shed. They have been accused of doing the equivalent of going into a motel and exchanging dollars for body fluids, in order to get their votes for the bill that opened the door of its crypt during the Halloween season.

But, Christmas has not been labeled “the season for miracles,” for nothing. Ebenezer Scrooge held sway for awhile. He succumbed. The political “prostitutes” and their “pimps” will succumb, either this Christmas or next one. It will be a version of “cash for clunkers,” without the cash being exchanged. The cash was already exchanged in the political motel room.

I feel strangely optimistic that long after the politicians “orgy of power,” the baby in the manger, will still give us hope, peace and love. So let the rest of us continue to revel in the camaraderie, generosity, graciousness and love on display during this wonderful season – in between calling the political pimps to let them know what we think of their “prostitution ring.” What a mix of the sublime and slime, this season has become. But – it is still “the most wonderful time of the year!”

Merry Christmas from Ms. Christmas!