Decisions Can Suck!

November 18, 2009

Our Commander-in-Chief has yet to make a decision regarding his “war” strategy in Afghanistan.  News reports indicate a decision could be forthcoming after January 1, 2010.  The Administration through the State Department and others has stated victory is no longer our goal for Afghanistan, and a stable democracy is not part of the strategy either.  Excuse me?  Why then are we there?

A politician or spokesman said the Afghans need to take over the war effort and security for their country.  Is this Administration saying we have done all we can for the Afghan people?  The Obama administration seems to be setting the table for withdrawal from Afghanistan – they don’t like Karzi because his government is corrupt.  Whatever…  Seems to me the Iraq Government was nearly or just as corrupt when the surge was implemented in 2007.  Gee, should we have withdrawn then instead of DOING THE JOB RIGHT?  Afghanistan has been the forgotten war.  President Bush and his Administration did a POOR job of managing it.  That does not mean we should quit and leave the country vulnerable for the Taliban and Al Qaeda to over-run and begin re-building their terrorist regime.  We should prosecute this war with all tools available to our troops.  Let them engage and destroy the enemy without these nonsensical Rules of engagement!

The folks running our country are CLUELESS!  The indecisiveness of the liberals in charge is emboldening terrorists across the world.  They know this Administration is weak and victory is close.  If they can stage an attack on US soil they know the Administration will not respond militaristically as they understand Liberals generally loathe the military and what it stands for.  They know Obama considers terrorism as a law enforcement function.  They know US Law Enforcement is not capable of defeating them or even slowing them down.  I am sure they laughed out loud at AG Holder’s announcement to try Al Qaeda leaders in Federal Court – so did I because it is a joke!

Isn’t it just awesome our government is giving terrorists a public platform to espouse their jihadist rhetoric?!?  To be able to recruit from the courtroom?  Defense attorneys will ask for, and receive classified intelligence data that will be delivered to Al Qaeda for them to use against us.  (I strongly disagree with Judge Napalitano’s position regarding prosecution of terrorists must take place in Federal Court.  Even though this is an undeclared war captured combatants are not entitled to our constitutional rights unless they are captured on our soil.  I don’t believe these folks are even entitled to protections granted by the Geneva Conventions as they are not wearing the uniforms of any nation or state.  They can and should be treated as spies using the Geneva Convention’s guidelines.  I believe they should be interrogated harshly to gain actionable intelligence.  (No, I don’t condone torture – it doesn’t work.  Torture victims routinely say what they think they captors want to hear.  Harsh interrogations do work.  Think KSM.))

Mr. President, make a decision.  Either give your hand-picked General what he asked for or declare defeat and withdraw our troops.  Don’t leave them in Harm’s Way wondering what they are supposed to do except try and survive.  I know it is difficult and a new way of acting since you’ve spent most of your adult life avoiding making any decisions.  Being accountable can suck, but, guess what?  You are the President and you are responsible regardless of your desire to blame Bush, Republicans, Tea Party members or whomever.  If you aren’t comfortable with having to take a stand and make a decision that might not be popular with some of your left-wing supporters, resign.  But that would mean making a decision too, wouldn’t it…

Thank You Veterans!

November 11, 2009

The memorial service yesterday at Ft. Hood makes today’s celebration a bit more somber, more poignant than previous Veteran’s Days.  My first post was Fort Hood with the 2^nd Armored Division.  It is where I learned to be a soldier – a tanker.  I learned what tanks could do when they work as a team and what it means to be my brother’s keeper.

That is what being a soldier is about: a teammate; a comrade; a brotherhood.  The speech made by a German officer to his troops in front of Maj. Winters at the end of WWII is the best explanation of what it means to be a soldier: “We Band of Brothers…”.  No truer words I know of can be said of what it means to be a soldier and share the experiences together.  No words can adequately explain what this means when friends or family ask.  It must be experienced to be understood.

To those of you I served with in the 2^nd AD at Ft. Hood and 1^st AD in Erlangen, Germany: “Thank you for your service.  Thank you for your friendship.  Thank you for being my Brother.”

My grandfather performed convoy escort duty on a destroyer in the Atlantic during WWII.  My dad served in Korea.  My father-in-law flew “the Hump” in WWII.  My wife’s grandfather served in the trenches in WWI and was gassed by the Germans.  I served in the Cold War near the Czechoslovakian border.  My son served two tours in Iraq.  I am blessed to have so many Patriots in my family and doubly blessed that all who have served in the last 109 years came home to family and friends.

I consider it an honor to be counted among those who have written a blank check to my country and am humbled by those whose check was cashed and now rest in honored memory in graveyards around the world.

Veterans of WWII have been called “the Greatest Generation”, and rightly so; however, I submit that all who serve and have served since September 11^th, 2001, are themselves a legacy because each and every one of them volunteered to serve; to voluntarily go into Harm’s Way.  They are the newest “Greatest Generation”.  These young men and women answered the call to God, Country, and Duty when they could have simply said “not me, it’s not my job.”

Though the words “Thank You” do not seem to be adequate, they do, somehow, convey a deeper meaning to Veterans.  Thank you tells them, “Yes, my sacrifice was worth it.  My Country, Constitution, Freedoms, and Liberties live on.  My family is safe and secure because men and women of principle made the defense of our nation and its ideals their personal responsibility.”

May God bless our Veterans, their families, and the United States of America.

Healthy Days Are Coming, Comrades!

November 7, 2009

Well, the House did it.  They passed what has been termed “possibly the worst piece of legislation ever offered” (or words to that effect).  2000 plus pages of language that would frustrate any law professor on earth, create well over 100 new bureaucracies, and has a CBO estimate of between 1.2 Billion and Three Billion dollars in the first decade.  Well golly gee, thank you Congress for being smarter than us poor huddled masses.  What could we do without you?

Aside from bankrupting our country and killing off medical services for the elderly and payment for doctor services, (which party wants you to die with their health plan?) this plan will also kill off existing small business expansion and dissuade entrepreneurs from starting new businesses.  Who, regardless of their state of mind, would want to start a new company, add employees, and grow their business knowing they will be punished if they are successful with additional taxes on them and their employees.  Add an employee, pay higher tax; offer health care the government doesn’t like, pay higher tax; don’t offer health care, pay higher tax. Gosh, anyone see a developing pattern?  The payment proposals contained in this bill are nothing short of jaw-dropping.  An effective tax rate of 45% on incomes exceeding $400,000 +, and 39.5% on incomes over $335,000.  (The dollar amounts listed are close to the actual but may be off a bit.)  Does anyone actually believe these rates won’t be adjusted significantly higher and the income level lowered to have a remote chance to pay for this folly?  I think it is a good bet we will see a maximum rate of 80% on incomes exceeding $100,000 and 60% on incomes between $30,000 and $100,000 within three to five years of the bill’s adoption.  Of course, if you are here illegally you will not be required to pay income tax at all regardless of income level.

One good thing coming from this piece of cra, excuse me, legislation is oil might continue to drop because unemployment will continue to rise unless the rest of the world sees how utterly worthless the American dollar is and bails out on it.  (Zimbabwe won’t be able to hold a candle to our inflation rate.)

This Administration and Congress know draconian measures regarding care for the sick and elderly will have to be enacted to have any hop of containing costs after the first five to ten years.  Does anyone, now, really believe this government when they said death panels are a myth?  I am also really excited about tax money being used to fund abortions at will.  How soon, do you think, until the new Socialist States of America government passes a bill limiting the number of children a couple may have and forcing expectant mothers to undergo abortions if they attempt to exceed the allowed number of children similar to China?  I can only hope the Senate sees this bill for what it is: Yet another government takeover of private industry and further intrusion into our lives – more erosion of our Constitutional Rights.  What could possibly come next?  Unelected Administration officials determining pay rates – Umm, wait a minute…

Before TARP, TARP II, and the stimulus I was just mad at the Federal Government.  Now I am scared.  This, and future administrations, will now have unfettered access to ALL of my personal information – and yours.  They have always had more access to personal info than I have liked but it was a bit of a pain to gather it all in one nice neat package.  That will no longer be true.  Why are we allowing our government to get so big they can forcibly make us behave as they want?  No, I am not exaggerating.  Once enacted, if we do not do exactly as they say, health care can and will be denied for us, our children, our spouses and/or our parents and grandparents until we agree to do as we are told.  Remember, this bill also has criminal penalties included to enforce cooperation – similar to the Soviet Gulags of the 20^th Century, just not as long a sentence – maybe.

I have heard folks talk about changing what is going on come the 2010 elections.  I don’t know if we can salvage our economy or our Constitution, if we have to wait until January 2011.

This is not the country I swore three oaths to protect and defend.  Socialism has no business existing in our Republic.  My bad, it is a Republic no more.  I may move to Israel.  I may move to Israel even if Iran drops a couple of nukes on it.  Living in a nuclear wasteland will probably be better than staying in what is becoming a cesspool of a country.

Have a nice day.

NOTE: I regret calling our nation a cesspool.  Shouldn’t have written this post while tired and mad.  I should have called DC a cesspool as it would have been far more accurate.  For those who are disappointed in what I said, I apologize and will endeavor to not make such a mistake again.  No, I am not moving to Israel – can’t afford it right now and there is still a chance to return our country to what the Founding Fathers wanted it to be.

Terrorism at Fort Hood?

Initial reports state the murders at Fort Hood today were not terror-related.  The shootings were performed by a Major, a shrink, who converted to Islam, who was upset about an upcoming deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan.  Two other soldiers are considered suspects and are in custody.

The FBI said “terrorism isn’t even being discussed” (paraphrased).  Well, why not?  Was an act of terror not committed?  Were people in the areas of the shooting not terrified?  Are families not terrified as they have not heard from their loved one(s)?  Are children, still in lock-down at school two hours or more after the school day is finished not terrified?  Are their parents not terrified because they can not get to their children to comfort them and possibly give them the news that Mommy or Daddy won’t be coming home anymore?

What is the difference between this event and “confirmed” terrorist attacks?  None in my opinion!  The killing of innocents by whatever means is an Act of Terror!  It does not matter whether a bomb, airplane, or firearm is used to murder one, a dozen , or thousands of innocents.  An ACT OF TERROR IS TERRORISM regardless how the pundits or government want to paint the picture!  Is their a reason the military and the Administration don’t want to call this what it is – Terrorism?

Are they afraid they will be blamed for this idiot’s murderer’s actions?  They shouldn’t be – nobody in their right mind could make that accusation without looking the fool.  Even the military can not know the mind-set of every soldier, no more than the FBI can know the mind of every criminal.

It is a soldier’s right to moan and complain.  It wouldn’t be the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or Air Force if the troops didn’t bitch about something.  Something; however, caused this (these) soldier(s) to cross the line and murder their own.

My guess?  Islam, at least on the Major’s part.  Why else would he be upset about a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan and wage war on Islamic Terrorists?  Did he believe the war is about Islam, or, was he a believer in Jihad?  Maybe we will find out after the two suspects are interrogated, if they were involved.

A Terrorist attack destroyed a part of the ‘Band of Brothers’ today.  It did not, and will not have the desired effect Terrorists so desperately want – the destruction of our military and the crumbling of morale.  If anything, the Army and the rest of our military will become closer, stronger, and much more eager to bring the fight to the Jihadii’s doorstep!

HOOAH! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coasties, and your families, always!

NOTE:  It appears the gunman survived in spite of being shot four times by a heroic civilian police sgt who was wounded in the firefight.  Numerous reports, none substantiated, have him saying or yelling Jihadist statements before and during the assault.  It is still my opinion this was a Terrorist attack!

A Warrior’s Homecoming

October 27, 2009

My wife and I received a much anticipated e-mail on Monday, October 19, from our son, Luke, informing us of his stateside arrival!  We had been waiting for this announcement for quite some time, as I explained in my “9/11” blog this past September 11^th.  His call to us in August informing us of his arrival in Germany, and his leaving Iraq for the last time lifted a tremendous weight from our shoulders.

No longer would we dread the sound of a car driving slowly around our cul-de-sac late at night; No longer would the sight of a dark colored official looking sedan passing our front window cause our hearts to skip a beat; No longer would we hold our breath praying we would not find a car parked in front of our house when we turned the corner into our neighborhood after returning from running errands!

Our thoughts then turned to wondering who would be returning to us.  Would Luke be haunted by his experiences in Iraq or would he somewhat resemble the 19 year old we dropped off at MEPPS in September ’03?  Does he have PTSD – How could he not?  Would he move about like he was still in a combat zone with a “thousand yard stare”, or learn to relax and once again become “our Luke”?

The welcome home sign we made and took to DIA received mixed reviews from the passing public.  We were pleased with the mostly positive reactions.  A number of Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, 1^st Gulf War, and the current wars stopped by or signaled their support.  It was quite moving.  40 minutes of impatiently waiting turned to joy when Luke appeared at the top of the escalator!  Tears flowed as son embraced Mother and then Dad.  The sound of applause came from behind us – seems some folks who had seen our sign decided to wait and watch our reunion and show their appreciation.  It was very humbling and very moving and for those that rendered honors to our son, we thank you!

How many times has this scene been repeated?  How many Mothers have waited for a son’s return from Harm’s Way?  How many Dads waited stoically to shake their son’s hand and tell him “Well Done and Welcome Home”?  How many, like me, wept unashamedly at first sight of their son returning as a Warrior and could not wait to hold him in my arms and know he is alive and home?

Well Done, Son!  Welcome Home!  Daddy loves you!

New & Improved Internet

October 22, 2009

Thank God for the FCC’s intervention!  I don’t know how I could handle unrestricted access to the Internet.  Now, thanks to the new net neutrality rules just adopted by the FCC, I can rest easy knowing the government, with my best interests in mind, will keep those nefarious profiteers and writers who do not follow the Obama party line will be blocked from espousing their poisonous words to the general public.  And, how comforting to know the government will be able to block access to the Internet whenever they discover a crisis or national emergency that could become worse if regular Americans were able to write and share their thoughts with others.

I just don’t understand how we survived the past decade or so of unlimited Internet access without the help of Comrade Obama’s Administration and his Socialist allies in Congress!

May Marx, Mao, and Stalin bless the Socialist States of America!

Afghanistan, Part II… er III maybe IV

Update: October 18, 2009

President Obama’s Chief of Staff now says “No troop increase until we see if the US has an effective partner in Kabul”. (emphasis added)  I agree the Afghan government is jacked up, but Iraq’s government isn’t in much different shape.  Corruption is prevalent in both governments, (you’d think they are copying the US Congress…) and we still surged in Iraq – and won, much to the chagrin of Kerry, Obama, Pelosi, Reid, et al.  President Bush made the hard choice of doing what is right rather than what is politically expedient.  The difference between the choices in Iraq -v- Afghanistan?  Who is in charge!  Conservatives nearly always do what is right regardless of opinion and liberals nearly always do what the polls and their extremist supporters demand of them.  It is a known fact liberals loathe the military believing hand-holding, apologies, and making-nice will always win our enemies approval – just look at Chamberlin and Hitler; Clinton and any rogue nation…   Face it, liberals are weak-kneed, indecisive, and scared when it comes to national defense, national security, and any measure that requires Federal action to protect American citizens.

I sincerely hope Americans remember liberals would rather implement socialist laws while ignoring our troops when voting next month, 2010 and 2012!

October 15, 2009

What to do with Afghanistan?  The Afghanistan COIN report has been ready for action by the President for quite some time now.  The President has been talking with his NSC staff and Congressional “experts” on what to do – what new strategy to implement and replace the other new strategy enacted last spring.  These “experts” include VP Biden, whom we all know to be an expert in all things military and foreign policy – like dividing Iraq into three or more regions since the war can not be won…  The President knows he has to make a decision and that is the problem.  He doesn’t like to make decisions.  He prefers to delegate or abdicate his responsibility to Congress and others so he doesn’t have to take ownership if all does not go well.

In order to appear to actually doing something, the President has staffers reviewing, commenting, clarifying, and stonewalling.  He says, through spokesmen, memos and leaks, ‘we must be judicious in our approach’; ‘we must ensure we make the proper decisions’.  (Paraphrased)  It seems not to matter his hand-picked General has made his recommendations with the approval of his CENTCOM boss.  The President is looking to make a politically acceptable decision rather than a military decision.  He wants to the outcome to make him look good rather than make our military successful.

It seems victory is not his ultimate goal since this Administration does not even consider actions against terrorism a war but a law enforcement activity.  Sound familiar?  LBJ tried something similar to this Afghan piecemeal approach in a little place called Vietnam, and turned victory into defeat.  The US decimated the guys in the little black PJs, yet we lost that “police action” because LBJ and his NSC staff were inept, and, as a result, many thousands of Americans were killed because of Washington’s stupidity!  I pray our military is given the resources they need to destroy the guys in the little white robes.

If the military is allowed to conduct operations similar to those used to defeat the Sunni uprising and cause the Sunni Awakening, there is hope.  If they are not allowed to operate as a strong military force, then there most certainly will be change.

God bless our troops, their families and the United States of America

No Joy in Mudville… um Denver & KC

Well, congrats to the Phillys.  The Rox did’nt play well enough to win.  Now I hope the Phils can beat LA!  Don’t know if I’ll watch – the loss still hurts.

KC is a perfect 0-5…  My Chiefs are NOT making my baseball sorrow any better.  Maybe I’ll just give up watching sports all together…  Naw, never mind – only 124 days till spring training!!!

O.A.R. & IAVA

The rock band O.A.R. has joined with the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA) to support our men and women who have, and are, serving our country under less than ideal circumstances.  These men and women – approximately 1.8 million – have served with honor and distinction.  This number represents LESS THAN one percent of America’s population!  They deserve more than a yellow bumper sticker on the back of your vehicle.

Please go to: www.openupyourarms.org sign up and show the world you support these heroes! You can add the support pledge and video to your facebook(tm) or twitter(tm) accounts.

God Bless our Military and The United States of America.

America’s Future?

October 6, 2009

This Administration and Congress are setting new records for expanding our national debt.  This race to see who can spend more has been going on for more years than I care to count but the increases over the last 10 years have set new levels of ineptness and shortsightedness in American history.  The dollar is rapidly losing value.  Oil is projected to top $100 a bbl before year’s end.  Gold is at an all time high.  Congress wants to shift 30 billion in Medicare cuts to states.  The EPA is using the Clean Air Act as an extortion tool to force business to support a Cap and Trade law.  Congress is considering a Value Added Tax (VAT).  We are experiencing an invisible recovery from the worst recession in 20 plus years.  Economic and business experts can’t even agree if we have seen the bottom of this recession.  Some believe real recovery will not begin until late 2010.

Regardless of when a real recovery begins the question remains: Can the US effectively deal with the national debt without crippling business and citizens with massive tax hikes and onerous environmental laws?  The simple answer is no.  Even if Congress were to approve individual and business tax cuts to encourage expansion and investment Congress itself will not exercise the necessary self-control to allow increased tax receipts to pay down the debt.  Congress would use the extra funds to create new entitlements and increase funding of existing special programs.  The only major program Congress is interested in cutting is defense.  (Seems this Administration and Congress really believe if we just make nice with our enemies they will see we mean them no harm and will just leave us alone.)

We have monetized our debt.  Trading “partners” are moving away from the dollar and using commodities to strengthen their markets.  The weak dollar may help our trade imbalance, if American businesses are still in business and located in America.  The Cap & Trade laws could force many businesses off shore or out-of-business altogether, and that does not take into account what energy cost increases will do to the average American.  Green jobs will not be able to replace the jobs lost to environmental legislation and will continue to require massive subsidies.  (Spain is living proof the green sector is incapable of being self-sustaining.)

What does this mean for our future?  I believe it means: Hyperinflation at the least, national bankruptcy in the middle, collapse of our nation at the worst.

We can look for a miracle, but I wouldn’t bet any money on that.