Education Ignores "Sticks and Stones" Lessons

The firing of Juan Williams, the film maker and "liberal commentator", is a fine illustration of the confusion in our society between words that may hurt and people who kill.  It is apparent that NPR fears Muslims terrorist so much, that they shy for even the appearance of offense.  This story reminds me of my own struggle with words.

 As puny, brown, immigrant child in a majority "white" school in 1959 my teachers taught and I learned the rhyme, 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me."  Inoculated thus, I got on with my life, knowing the difference between psychological and physical blows.  In sum, we all have to "Man Up" and become "Mensch".   Somewhere in between school and my military retirement, a cult of victimhood took hold and confused the heck of a lot people and stifled Americans to cower at verbal insults.  It's as if the country went sissy and crazy while I was away.   Now, if feelings bring hurt or somebody feels unloved it becomes a national cause of concern.  Giving offense is never kind, but this is a matter of etiquette. Earlier this month I heard a dispute where it is believed by some that saying radical Muslims drove airplanes into building on 9/11 is considered a slander to Islam.  Have we lost our collective minds?


Today, we don't recognize context.   Yes, injustice continues, today a good many are from laws fostered by federal and state regulation in the name of equality.  Yes, I do remember when black people were not merely taunted across the nation, but in the South were lynched at real or imagined slights to whites.  (In the North they had their own ways of humiliating & destroying minorities).   Yet, the civil rights movement triumphed as I and a generation of children watched a heroic people abused by words and stones, march stoically to simply demand a voice in government and freedom from harm.  The nation saw it and slowly changed in its shame.  The sticks and stones philosophy did give us a mental toughness, that didn't continually require adult or governmental intervention from abuse from the ignorant. 


Martin Luther King's said it best "legislation cannot make you love me, but legislation can restrain you from lynching me".  This is the reality, we shouldn't expect coerced friendship, love, acceptance, respect and if indifference is best I can get so be it.  I only expect government to protect me and my property from the likes of the ignorant trolls among us.  We cannot expect government do every thing especially when it comes to people dealing with people, we have to do it.  To get respect you to have to give respect. 


If we are to survive as a nation, in this radical experiment called America, we'd better get back some of the mental toughness of our founders, black and white, and latino and asian, braves and squaws, men and women, gay and straight and stop on all the whining for real or imagined slights to our feelings.  

Obama Resume

OBJECTIVE: President of the United States of America
"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington … I'm asking you to believe in yours."
Advocate for decisive change and action to restore the political, economic, military and social landscape and dominance of the United States
as a global leader. Well-respected for political judgment, integrity, ethical behavior, passion and commitment to America's citizens.
Twice honored by Time magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" (2005, 2007).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
U.S. Senator 2005 to Present
State of Illinois, Chicago, IL / Washington, DC
Elected to U.S. Senate to represent the citizens of the State of Illinois. Work across Democratic, Republican and Independent party
lines to develop, craft and pass legislative actions, bills and amendments to best serve the American people.
• ENERGY. Active and highly visible proponent of alternative energy to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign nations.
→ Introduced American Fuels Act to increase domestic production of biofuels, expand manufacture of ethanol-capable
vehicles, offer tax credits to spur cellulosic fuel production and provide corporate incentives to expand green technologies.
→ Reintroduced Biofuels Security Act calling for 60B gallons of renewable biofuels in nation's vehicle fuel supply by 2030.
→ Architected Oil SENSE Act eliminating unnecessary oil industry tax breaks.
→ Sponsored FILL UP Act requiring oil companies with $1B+ in profits to invest a minimum of 1% in E-85 pumps (ethanol).
• FOREIGN POLICY. Pioneered innovative legislative actions to protect the citizens of the U.S. and foreign nations.
→ One of the first legislators to recognize the dangers of potential avian influenza pandemic and secured $25M for U.S.
agencies working in Southeast Asia to combat and contain widespread disease outbreaks.
→ Created Darfur Peace and Accountability Act imposing sanctions for genocide and crimes against humanity.
→ Passed bipartisan amendment providing $13M for the Special Court of Sierra Leone to restore national justice.
→ Introduced Global Poverty Act, a comprehensive strategy to eliminate global poverty by 50% and achieve the Millennium
Development Goal of reducing the proportion of people worldwide who live on less than $1 per day.
• HOMELAND SECURITY. Instrumental in successful passage of legislation to protect America and its citizens.
→ Facilitated Chemical Security and Safety Act establishing a clear set of federal safety and mitigation regulations.
→ Co-sponsored amendments to increase rail and transit security by $12B and extend Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.
→ Spearheaded development of Spent Nuclear Fuel Tracking and Accountability Act to control nuclear waste.
• CRIME. Lifelong proponent of stricter criminal laws for both violent and non-violent crime.
→ Fought for passage of Combat Meth Act providing money to fight methamphetamine manufacture and use/abuse.
→ Championed laws to combat sex crimes against children, including Dru's Law (included in the larger Adam Walsh Child
Protection Act) and Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (foundation for National Sex Offender Public Registry).
→ Co-sponsored Violence Against Women Act providing funding for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. Staunch advocate for passage of a host of environmental protection laws.
→ Co-sponsored Warming Pollution Reduction Act projected to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.
→ Introduced Lead-Free Toys Act requiring Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban products containing lead.
→ Spearheaded Lead Poisoning Reduction Act requiring non-home-based child-care facilities be lead safe within 5 years
and establishing $42.6M grant program to help local communities pay to make these facilities safe.
• FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY. Leader of numerous initiatives to reduce government spending and abuse.
→ Created Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, resulting in an Internet search engine and database to
track hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans.
→ Wrote amendment to require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, PACs or political parties for whom they collect funds.
→ Actively supported amendment to provide for transparency and accountability in military and security contracting.
BARACK H. OBAMA … 866.675.2008 Page 2
Highlights of Senatorial Committee & Committee Leadership Appointments:
• Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs
• Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
• Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Member, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
• Member, Environmental and Public Works Committee
• Member, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
State Senator 1997 to 2004
State of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Won an intensely competitive Senatorial race. Partnered with Democrats, Republicans and Independents to pass favorable
legislation (e.g., education, health care, government spending, campaign finance, law enforcement).
• Provided $100+ million in tax cuts to families over 3 years through legislative changes to state tax law.
• Provided permanent health care coverage to 154,000 low-income residents (including 70,000 children).
• Reformed the state's notorious death penalty laws to help prevent wrongful convictions.
• Honored as a Keynote Speaker at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Associate Attorney 1993 to 2002
Davis, Miner & Barnhill, Chicago, IL
• Litigated employment discrimination, housing discrimination and voting rights cases.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer 1992 to 2004
University of Chicago Law School
• Taught courses in General Law, Constitutional Law and Government Affairs.
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING EXPERIENCE:
• Planned and orchestrated grassroots effort targeting unregistered voters throughout the Chicago metro area. Resulted in
150,000 new African-American voters.
• Improved living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment through work with a churchbased
group.
EDUCATION:
J.D., Magna Cum Laude, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL, 1991
President, Harvard Law Review (first African-American ever elected)
B.A., Political Science, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, 1983
PUBLICATIONS:
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, Crown Publishers, 2006
• Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, Times Books, 1995 (reprint 2004

Fidel Castro net worth rises, according to 'Forbes' - 2006

NEW YORK (Reuters) — Cuban President Fidel Castro was furious when Forbes magazine estimated his fortune at $550 million last year. This year, the magazine upped its estimate of the communist leader's wealth to a cool $900 million.

Castro, who says his net worth is nil, is likely the beneficiary of up to $900 million, based on his control of state-owned companies, the U.S. financial magazine said in its annual tally of "Kings, Queens & Dictators" fortunes Thursday.

Kings and sheikhs of the oil-rich Gulf Arab states still top the Forbes list, to be published in its May 22 edition.

Saudi King Abdullah is number one with an estimated $21 billion, followed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at $20 billion and United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan at $19 billion.

Among Europeans, Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein improved upon his family fortune of palaces, real estate and artwork with an investment in a U.S. producer of hybrid rice, for total estimated riches of $4 billion.

Perhaps the most industrious of the leaders listed is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, with a net worth of $14 billion.

Forbes estimates the renowned racehorse breeder also helped raise Dubai's gross domestic product from about $8 billion to nearly $40 billion since 1994 by diversifying its industries outside of oil and making successful investments overseas.

"He would probably be the shrewdest of the bunch," said Luisa Kroll, associate editor at Forbes.

Africa's Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, made the list of wealthiest leaders for the first time. He is estimated to hold up to $600 million, the magazine said, although an oil boom has not prevented his country's slide down the United Nations' development rankings.

Castro had said he was considering suing after Forbes released its 2005 list, scoffing then his wealth was estimated to be close to that of the queen of England.

"Do they think I am (former Zairian President) Mobutu (Sese Seko) or one of the many millionaires, those thieves and plunderers that the empire has suckled and protected?" he said last year, referring to his capitalist archenemy, Washington.

This year, Castro would be well above the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth came in with some $500 million in estates, gems and a stamp collection built by her grandfather. The list does not include Buckingham Palace or the crown jewels.

A copy of the list, compiled by Forbes editors and not confirmed by the royals themselves, was released Thursday.

"People are always intrigued. What is the ultimate fantasy but being a rich princess or prince?" said Kroll, who edits the magazine's annual list of global billionaires.

"We keep it separate from the billionaires because there are some very tricky things about these folks," Kroll said. "It's very hard to separate state from personal wealth. Some of these fortunes literally go back 800 years."

Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited

It's just a Movie?

It's not enough to say, it's just a movie, because movies hit directly at our emotions and all too often or ideas.  The emotion part is easy enough.  Directors for instance know that they must make an emotional connection with viewer in the first few minutes of the movie.  If he can't make the connection then, he won't get a second chance.  That ability to transmit emotion is the quality most sought after in actors.  It is this quality in actors, that makes their lives a mess, is that they mistake acting for love and vice versa.  The list of actors who fall in love on the set and leave their husbands or wives is lengthy. 

The part where of the movie where ideas are inserted, is the part, where viewers have a blank spot in their education, on the subject.  So, it is best to be an educated consumer of movies and not be a dolt who believes that movies are the Truth.  I am very much relieved that the vast majority of movies about the Iraq war have failed to attract many views.    That said, let me toss some cold water on you, as a mildly slam, two movies I really like. 

Take for example the marvelously crafted "Avatar," or the equally stunning "Jurassic Park" series.   Avatar never really tells you that this is the story is set in our universe, yes there are place names in the story, but we buy into into it, because the graphics draw you in.  In the "Avatar" universe where veterans do not get full medical care, unless they can pay for it.   If this story was set a hundred and fifty years in our future, it is where weapons  technology and employment is severely retarded.   It was the Vietnam War all over again.   It's like using civil war weapons and tactics being employed in our invasion of Afghanistan.  The more plausible military technology would be to simply use technology to deceive the Na'avi by employing the Avatar technology in exceptionally massive Hulks to assume lead leadership of the natives.  Yes, that was a play on Cortez. 

The Jurassic Park story, actually doesn't hinge on the inherent problem of creating dinosaurs but on hiring a computer programmer, who doesn't document his work and uses a Mac for everything. 

Cinco De Mayo - Celebrates What?

I am always game for a party, and the big one coming up.  The big party day for Mexicans in the United States of America, and probably in Mexico is the May 5, Cinco De Mayo.  If you love Mexican food like I do, take a little history with you..   So, what's with it?  Is it independence day?  No, that's Septerember 18, (1810).  Was it a victory that drove the French out of Mexico?  The French were in Mexico, why? President Juarez, decided to stop paying the $15 million dollar debt  (1/2 billion today) and a French Army came to install  Emperor Maximilian.  And he was kicked on on Cinco De Mayo, No, that day (May 15, 1867) is not celebrated at all.   So, what was it about?  Cinco De Mayo is victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla, but failed to stop the French conquest of Mexico.  So that's kinda crazy, but it's Mexico.  But Max, he was duped into this mess, but between independence and Max, the Mexicans had fifty, yes 50 presidencies.  Max did have a long run by Mexican standards but it did cost him his life.  His last words were "Viva Mexico."  Have a Margarite and watch "Vera Cruz" or "Major Dundee".

Oprah's Dad

So here's a guy who actually came forward to According to NY POST " Norh Robinson, a dirt-poor Mississippi farmer now living in a rural VA hospital, wants Oprah to submit to a paternity test that he says would once and for all prove that he sired her in 1954".

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/call_me_daddy_oprah_JilciQyKp7Pb1TQhw1c23K#ixzz0lY2lWr34

The Scolding a President

Canadian PM  Stephen Harper at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington April 12, 2010.

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter

It turns out that INTERPOL does not take lightly killing terrorists, surgically ala James (shaken not stirred) Bond, lightly.  InterPol warrant for killing terrorist commander .   Reuters report shows posted pictures in an effort to bring these villains to justice. 



On the domestic front a few crazies fearful of the "Anti-Christ" have organized for a war with local authorities, hoping to kill policeman and then their relatives at the funeral.  Pretty twisted.  Some are obviously insane, but there was a sting aspect to this.  I suspect it was a sale of military weapons that set these oafs up.  Lots of things to be upset with, but killing law enforcement officers is beyond the fringe.  Law enforcement probably ought to arrest without shock and awe, lest they be surprise themselves, ala
Waco and Ruby Ridge.

Coordinated Raids on domestic Terrorists


Round-up of would be domestic terrorists 


Christianity with a violent anti-government/law enforcement twist


Local law enforcement taught by FBI to spot IEDs 

Arrest Details

Michigan Christian Militia Hutaree Targeted Law Enforcement - ABC News

Michigan Christian Militia Hutaree Targeted Law Enforcement - ABC News

Origins of Tyranny: Comparing Hitler and Obama

Hitler and Obama do have some things in common.  Both are essentially socialists, with distinct national interest, or national socialists.   Their lives can be contrasted in many ways, but both were gifted orators.  Raised by single mothers, and both spent considerable time to organize on the mean streets of a large city.  Neither had any political connections in the beginning, but both found sudden wealth from publishing books

Both men found enemies to attack in their rise to power.  Hitler used the Jews as a scapegoat.  Obama used bankers and other rich people, who it turns out are also Jewish.  Obama, is decidedly against the Jewish state, Israel, and takes every opportunity to embrace, Israel's tormentors.  

Obama used Acorn for "street cred."  Acorn was thrown under the bus by Obama.  He's thrown his grandmother, Rev Wright, Vann Jones and countless others under the bus.  Use them then abuse them.  At first I saw Acorn as brown shirts, but they were used.  He was elected and now they're history.  The Brown shirts were slaughtered by a new force the SS, when Hitler gained elected office.  A police state does require fear, and force. The tools of tyrants vary but they are always the same.   Perhaps it will be the new 16500 IRS agents.  If these agents come off of unemployment, they may worship their new Fuhrer.  But there will be a new Geheim ( Homeland), Staats (state)Polizei (Police): Geheimstaatspolezei.

When you begin to dread and watch what you say, on line or in print, you may be on to something.  Then watch out when he wants to move you to a better place.

The Plight and Remedy of the Black Man in America. Introduction

Dear Glen,

Your letters always make me think and motivates a response.

Over the course of our adult relationship, which is now over thirty years, we've talked of many things, and the heart of the conversation returns always to The Black Man in America.  I believe it is a good conversation.

At times you do push some buttons and yet in many ways, your situation in life is emblematic of the condition of the Black Man in America.  In many ways the African Americans are tied to history far more than any others.  In some ways they, and you tell me is that you are not the masters of your destinies.  Over those thirty years, you have voiced discontent and you've blamed America, sometimes the Jews and sometimes, Capitalism.  At times I ask for specificity and you do address them succinctly.  So, if you can identify injustice, why do you fail to identify the trend.  our situation contrasted with the success of our childhood friends need and explanation.  Why did they succeed if America is so racist?  Your last letter expressed a belief that the Black Man in America is mostly bound for jail.   While you know that you are factually wrong, I believe that your fears are valid.  In my opinion there are too many black men in jail, but are certainly also guilty.   Our black school mates succeeded, because they properly interpreted their conditions.

So, where do we go from here.  What I intend to do is to explain my rational for my ideas regarding the situation of the Black Man in America and simultaneously publish it on my blog  Shay's World . I start here. medieval

The Plight and Remedy of  the Black Man in America.  Introduction

My thinking on the issue of the Black Man in America stems from my observations and in part follows on the 1944 An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy  by Gunnar Myrdal.  Myrdal incidentally was a Swedish economist and shared the 1948 Nobel Prize with Frederick Hayek the Austrian economist.  Both men had witnessed much in their lives, including the rise of communism, Nazism, two major wars and experiments to shape societies "scientifically. 

 All social issues are attempts to rectify a social ill; real or perceived.  Social ills were over time explained as bad morals, evil spirits, bad air, heredity and most recently as "inequitable distribution of wealth".  Social "scientists over the last hundred years, rejected the previous notions and settled upon the doctrine of "material determinism."  This doctrine postulated that the correction of the material conditions, would improve humanity.  This doctrine found a home in Marxism and its child Communism.   Hence, changing conditions required the entire restructuring of society.  A dozen or so countries experimented with this doctrine and everyone failed to live up to its promise. 

With all that said, I believe that there is room for improvement, but it must be prudentially executed, and best left to religious organizations and not government.  But if the government must be involved, who would we help?   It should help those that it directly effected by Governments direct or indirect commission or omission.  The Black Man in America and the American Indian were the primary victims.  One was brought in chains and the other, well the other, his land was taken from him.  All other minorities, in essence, are either political or economic immigrants.  As you should have noticed,  that each of the other groups has traveled the well trodden path to cultural, economic, and political success.  They started as the outsiders, suffered, worked hard and found success.  It is very different for Black and Indians. These groups continue to suffer, even though their "material condition" has improved.  There are other factors that I will address later.

All though there is a number of prominent Blacks and Indians who succeed, the majority have not found the American Dream.  Both of these groups, at one time had federal agencies that look out for them, but they over time these agencies lost focus and complications led to confused issues, politics and money. 

Why am I doing this?  A good many black scholars have shown me the the light, and because, I cannot be called a "Uncle Tom" for what I say, I will often repeat their words, which for too long have been ignored by black elites.


Next: History is a Bitch.

 

The Census: Counting The Burmese - Not a Good Thing

From http://burmeseconservative.blogspot.com/

It's census time, and the count is on to determine the allocation of congressional seats.   But the simple task of counting, has turned into much, much more, it has also evolved into a contest for a "fair share" of the federal coffers, as determined by race.  As odd as it may sound, our government has taken on a decidedly racist turn.  That is unless, you believe that some races are more deserving of federal monies than others. Here we find ourselves in a bind.  There are some that truly have faced historic abuse, put upon it, by the Federal government itself.  This group is the children of those who were brought here in chains; this group is the African-Americans, whose ancestors were slaves. (This does not include the children of Africans, including those whose fathers' where graduate students in Hawaii).  This is the only class of folk who really need help, but as you will see, few of these descendants get that help.

That said, who are all these other folk, clamoring for help.  But the gates are now open to all groups, and hence the problem.  So, if you are of a "minority" now, then counting by race, would make sense, because you believe you have the goods coming.  Yet,  this is the continuing effort to stigmatize ethnicity and to divide Americans.   It is and let the record show; a Democratic party  trick to get the "right niggers" in place to rule over minorities, to deliver votes,; to hold power.  Think now, if you live in, or know an ethnic enclave, which families hold power, and for how many  generations. Think about what actually happens in that district, objectively?  Are the schools better, are there more jobs, is there less crime?  How many people do you know, rise through this hierarchy of "minority" elites to positions of power?  Ask this question who really benefits from the Federal money?

Look at the Black and Mexican communities and see how this "elite" lords over their respective ghettos and barrios.   If you want to see the national goings on of the Black elites, it is "Jet" magazine.  Let's face it, the "Hood" is for those who cannot escape hell holes of poverty and despair.  Yet, where do the elites live?  Where do their children go to school?

So, let's take a look at the new immigrant waves of the Laotians, Hmong and Vietnamese.  The first two are consigned to despair and poverty in their ghettos, some even in frozen lands of the Midwest.  The Vietnamese have retained autonomy and independence possibly because they saw that the Federal government could not be trusted, witness their betrayal in Vietnam.   Look at who prospers.  Look at who despairs; it is almost without exception ones given government help.

Now it's the year to count Burmese immigrants.   They have a choice, either to become Americans and assimilate or to stay ethnic and to get ready for years in the ghetto, where they will be herded by new elites and to have their lives and families destroyed by Federal largess.  They've already lived in hell and their American nightmare is just about to start.   

As an immigrant, whose been here for fifty years, I've had the unforgettable experience of being poor, being called by every insult and overcoming.   And yes, I've prospered, through hard work and not liberal hand outs.  So who do I credit?  Of course God and my parents, and to the idea of self-reliance from; yes, Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington and to the civil rights struggle of African-Americans.  Without the 1960's civil rights struggle, I'd be a Asian gardener for what is probably the most racist area in America, the beautiful, Monterey Peninsula.   

If the Burmese, go the way of accepting minority status, to feed entirely from the Federal trough, the respect for elders will be the first thing that goes.  With that follows the deterioration in short order; of good things Burmese.  The family will be destroyed, then tradition, generosity and even delicious food.  All that will remain will be the a new underclass whose genetic trace identifies them as South East Asian.

Mark my words.

Does Ethnic Affinity Matter?

"Squandered-potential" is what I believe happened to filmmaker Spike Lee.  His "It's a black thing you wouldn't understand" to summarily exclude outsiders is something that I've pondered about my won "Asian-ness".   In college, (college is where it seems all Asians go) I joined to Asian-American club, to go to potlucks.  I wasn't interested in tales of exclusion and second class citizens, because it seemed that Asians were living the American dream, very much unlike the histories of black and hispanic suffering (even though many have come a long way, and some still exploit it). 

 

Now, I have a family member, who's made something of herself, wants special recognition of minority status for our teeny, tiny ethnic group as a honorary director of the census for this group.  Her interest, like those of so many other groups is to seek special recognition.  She campaigned for Obama, raised money for him, was invited to a whitehouse photo op and I guess now wants some kind of payback is a czarincess of my teeny tiny ethnic group.  Yes, every group does it, and but yet, why does my sister as self-made person want to penalize the new comers by giving them that government cheese (I'm figurative here), that will inevitably sour in their stomach, destroy their initiative.

I am a proud American, and a proud Burmese.  These facts of identity are not exclusive and certainly don't determine the how we live. 

Two Groups of African Americans

Dear Mr. Bailey (The Afro-American Newspaper),

I read with interest your article "African Americans Divided into Two Basic Groups".  I am not an African American, but have felt since childhood, that the fate of all minorities in America are tied to Black Americans. 

The two groups you present are essentially those who would be in some eyes be deemed as "Uncle Toms" and the others as the militant nationalists. I believe that you are selective in your quotes in attempting to typify men in either category and hence, simplify the complex issues that befall "black progress".  The historical burdens of slavery, segregation and the brutal social welfare regime cannot be ignored. 

I believe that the two better groups or better are two ideologies to define that conflict.   The conflict is actually between W.E.B. Dubois (political advocacy) and  George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington (education and self-reliance).   These objectives are not contradictory, but yet, it seems that political advocacy has dominated modern African American aspirations.  The enthusiasm and elation surrounding the election of Barack Obama is an example.  The messianic symbolism in so much of Black literature seem to come to fruition in this presidency, which by all accounts has done little to actually help the Black community.  As the saying goes "Show me the Money".

This unbalanced approach in favor of political success destroyed black entrepreneurial enterprises beyond number in the 1960's.  Consider the number of thriving black enterprises in Richmond, Washington, Baltimore etc and how they were destroyed practically overnight by the sudden flight of black dollars into white businesses.  Where I live in Petersburg, Virginia, our Halifax Triangle is vacant, but for the two mortuaries that survive.  Richmond's Jackson Ward was cut in half by I-95, thus severing the community.  Where was the out-cry.  Black business just closed up shop and entire communities died and left no examples that black people could be business owners.  What happened to the "George Jeffersons".  So hear I am crying about the past. 

So how do we move on.  I believe that America as a whole, must recognize that while we move for political equity, we must train the young to be self-sufficient, industrious and to love education.  I am encouraged to see black small business returning to cities like mine, but I also believe that they can use a hand in training and of course bolstering RELEVANT education in our existing schools.  Not every child needs to attend college.  Learning trades should be fine.  We need black electricians, plumbers and mechanics too and we need business owners.  I am simply exasperated that the gay agenda seems to be a higher priority politically, than getting our young black men off the streets and into training programs that have a future.  I am following with interest Tavis Smiley call for a "black initiative".

Peace,

Hurt Locker revisited

I still haven't seen but now I plan to. I'm a contrarian by nature and now a bunch of veterans don't like so I'm compelled. Pacifists may do likewse and garner enough dvd sales to break even.

The veterans complaints of inaccuracies cannot account for the dismal earnings of the film, so will see for myself how bad it really is.

Women in war: multi-useful

This is part of an exchange between the Boys in my clan. 

Have either of you seen the Sinhalese movie "The Terrorist'?  It's about the Tamil Tigers, and their use of women as suicide bombers.  

Getting back to the question, it appears as a necessity that we have to have women in the military and roles in combat is growing.  My preference is not to have women in mixed units, it makes everything much more difficult, but we adapt. 

The volunteer Army initiated by Richard Nixon in '73  took into account that most men did not want to serve in uniform, so the Army became unisex (in a matter of speaking)  VOLAR was the ened the draft and killed the anti-war movement.  To meet shortfalls, the Army recruited females and increased the number of non-citizen immigrants.   Manpower shortages were punctuated down in periods where national leadership (the president) was seen as soft or effeminate.  The Carter years required the armed forces to lower standards for recruitment but many of these recruits were later eliminated in early training character traits or discipline problems.  Women became a fixture in the Army in those years, with a mixed record at the unit level.  I've served with great women, and some scum bags.  Anecdotally, their record is neutral, which is desirable.

Bombastic and warlike, Reagan added at least 4 new divisions to the Army, ordered more aircraft carries, SDI, stealth planes( those were built in secret) etc.  Recruitment of would be killers was very good in those years.  Bush I got a chance to use the Army in the Gulf War, which benefited the military as a training exercise.  Clinton coming at the end of the cold war, oversaw the draw down the military, and while he was disliked, he did little actual harm to the military.  Bush II oversaw expansion of the military and what I see as problematic  growth of the military industrial complex, especially in contract services. 

With all that said, we are at a very interesting juncture in military affairs.  Is the military a fighting organization or a vehicle for social experimentation.  We cannot be both.

In all, I am of the opinion, that we cannot fight, sustain or win, the 1.5 major wars, for which our military was designed.  The military and the citizenry are burnt out on war. 

A little Latin for you to memorize.  Ce vis pacem, parabellum  = if you want peace prepare for war. 

Protracted War, the Center of Gravity and "Hearts and MInd" in Afghanistan

There is one thing you must understand when anyone talks about Afghanistan; it is not a real country.  "Country" as a "nation-state" is a modern idea just going back about two hundred years.  The idea of country for the native was a place where "your people" live and speak your language.  Given Afghanistan has 49 languages, it would be difficult for these people to share a common culture.  Afghanistan is the creation of European "statesmen" of the 19th century who drew boundaries on maps to clarify the properties of those European states.  It was only much later that the natives were informed of this action.  In many parts of the world the natives of these regions have no regard for governments outside of their tribal associations.  It is because borders are conceptual that our soldiers are having a hard time.  Despite the fact, we've been there 8+ years, there is ever the fear that the Taliban and Al-Queda, will re-emerge the moment we leave.  

So what are we up against?  Let me lay out what the obvious strategies would be for the Taliban: plan to fight against the invaders for generations if necessary.  Such a practice would be very fitting given the existence of the blood feud and honor killing.  The death of a tribal fighter by NATO, would in fact invite a vendetta killing on foreign forces.   The second part of the of their strategy is keep the insurgency in the news, just as George Washington in keeping his army intact, symbolized resistance to the British.  Their object would be to sustain periodic attacks or bombings targets which symbolically defile Islamist teachings.  Those targets would be anything Western or is tainted by their influences. 

What do we have against them.  We do seek and destroy and try to win "hearts and mind' and build an Army of underpaid but brave fights, serving underneath unskilled and inexperienced commanders.  In our current operation, where the enemy fades, suddenly to pop-up and then fade again.  We have classic guerrilla war. The enemy slinks into villages, their weapons go down to hidden bunkers and we are none the wiser.

If this sounds like another Vietnam, it's because it is.  Oh by the way, just when we leave, they'll roll back in with tanks.

My Crazy FB friends and Barry Sotero.

Yes, I have a Face Book Account and FB friends, some are a little nuts.  But certainly not as crazy those on the left.  I separate the crazies into two categories: of paying their own way and probably have guns and those insist that the government feed and protect them.  My preference is for the former.  So here's a taste of a typical thread of discussion.  (The names are changed, because I love them) 

Thread initated

Andy Burton: Doesn't anybody wonder why he changed his name from Barry Soetoro to Barack Obama? I haven't seen one interest piece in any media. I always thought journalists were curious.

Yesterday at 9:58am · Comment ·LikeUnlike

3 people like this.

Deborah Anderson: This MSM today wont because they know it will expose him for the fraud he is and they wont have an ally (nor will he)!!!!

Yesterday at 10:03am Bob Lumpkin: He has not leagally changed it back at all. His signature is fraudulant on everything. Barry Soetoro is his adopted name from when Lolo Soetoro adopted him in Indonesia.

Yesterday at 10:08am Gail Kearny: One of the many, many things that make us go hmmmmm??? The MSM is worthless. I see them as the enemy. I have been watching the Olympics on NBC. The local news (that they stick in) and the NBC idiot talking heads are killing me!! I can't stand it.

Yesterday at 10:10am  Dan Pflouffe: Way too many unexplored, unchallenged inconsistencies with Obama. Both the media and current Republican reps get an epic fail for this one.

Yesterday at 10:20am  Quentin.Hayes: When you convert to Islam, you have to change your name to an Islamic name. Until Barrak RE-converts to Christianity (which he NEVER was anyway) and changes his name BACK to Barry, I won't listen to his rantings that he's NOT Muslim!

Yesterday at 10:25am Taylor Young: you've probably seen this... but I don't get why Republicans aren't screamimng from the top of the Capital Building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FlEbBZLzo0

Yesterday at 10:39am Sam Goody: He has admitted that he is Muslim. I don't know why there is ever an agruement that he is not.

Yesterday at 10:42am Sam Goody: Dan...I agree!!! The Republicans should be all over them...and I do not understand why they are not!

Yesterday at 10:43am Dan Pflouffen :  Because our current lot of Republicans are nothing but cowards and thieves.

Yesterday at 10:45am  Kenny Macquinn: don't forget gutless too!

Yesterday at 10:50am  Bob Lumpkin: Republicans = Democrats in differant suits. They are all the same treasonist bastards.

Yesterday at 11:24am  Joyce Jones:  Have they ever proven that he legally changed his name from his adopted name of Barry Soetero? If not, then legally he is still Barry Soetero. and still an imposter.

Yesterday at 12:07pm Bob Lumpkin :He is still legally Barry Soetoro. He does not even try to hide it very well. His personal website is directed to the Whitehouse.

http://www.barrysoetoro.com

Yesterday at 12:14pm  Aby Tutweiler: Research the hebrew meanings of all parts of his name.. ADD that to everything.

Yesterday at 1:48pm Shay

Don't wonder. Mainstream journalist forget about it. I have a non-European name. I remember some other "foreign" kids couldn't stand being different so they changed name. Ramesh became Pat, and Anupe became Chris. Barry tried to fit in. Barry wanted to be loved, and at the insane asylums they call univeristies, he became radicalized and Barack. He was then and is now seeking authenticity, love and power. He suffers from inferiority complexes. His books reveal a confused man, stuck in his childhood and formative years. The boy had a screwy childhood and believes he can compensate by being the "father of the nation". His world view does not fit reality. Put it all together and you have a very strange man, with a finger of a trigger of the world's largest gun. He is very dangerous on this account. Obvious and unoriginal psychoanalysis.

Hurt Locker, Comments To "The Piss" blog Review - http://the-piss.blogspot.com/2010/02/hurt-locker-platoon-leader-of-iraq-war.html

This is a movie by the ex-wife of James (Avatar) Cameron.  Cameron on "Fresh Air" said he's still buddies with his ex.  Hollywood makes weird things a reality.  He and his ex are suppose to hate each other as God designed them.  But in Hollywood, fantasy happens and real people emulate it and they get messed up. 

So, that said.I don't know why any sane person would make this movie.  I love war movies and I don't plan to see it.

Look, this is a movie about people who are by definition crazy, they defuse bombs.
People who deal with bombs are crazy.  If you build/design a bomb (terrorist or industrialist) or if you think you're smart enough to defuse a bomb, you're crazy.  Why would I want to watch a movie about crazy people, the character know if they will be alive the next moment and we're suppose to empathize?  Wanting to make a movie about people on the verge of getting blown up is crazy. People who go to see movies, where the object to incite emotions of viewers to sympathize with crazy people is crazy.  If this movie wins, best movie, it will only reinforce what we know about the "Academy", their crazy.

http://the-piss.blogspot.com/2010/02/hurt-locker-platoon-leader-of-iraq-war.html

Programming Believers - Talking Points to Defend Climate Change

http://www.grist.org/article/series/skeptics/

Educate Yourself About Climate Change.

http://wattsupwiththat.com/about/

http://wattsupwiththat.com/climategate/

http://wattsupwiththat.com/about/

http://climatechangeskeptic.blogspot.com/

Smart Cars,Smart Roads : Not High Speed Waste

Dear Senator Martin,

You may have noticed there's not much enthusiasm for High Speed Rail. What there is, reminds me of the Monorail Frenzy Song on the Simpsons.

I know you are passionate in your opposition to High Speed Rail, per your piece on FaceBook (we're friends). I am in complete agreement. The future of transportation should be "evolutionary" and reflect how we live, rather than inserting inappropriate and terribly technology. Government has role in the development of infrastructure, this is the historical precedence from the Appian Way to the Kings Highway. HS Rail will actually be a duplication and competitor to airplanes and development and production will be foreign.

My background in summary, I am a retired Army Officer, I've worked in technological futures concepts at Fort Lee from 1996 to 2001. Successful development and insertion of technologies is dependent on business models, which is "how do we live". You spotted in this, in asking happens to high speed rail travelers at the terminus? Taxis, buses, rental cars aren't practical and are not financially prudent for day trips. The real answer is Smart Cars & Smart Road. Their development is organic and the benefit of this private public partnership will create a bonanza and challenge every American. I am not looking for job, I teach JROTC and I'm fine.
I just don't want to see a financial sink hole.

Let's get this funded. Technology has to be appropriate for the society it enters.

Excellent link.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/2862586.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123447510631779255.html

http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Smart_Road.html

http://www.vtti.vt.edu/virginiasmartroad.html

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700009394/Smart-roads-Driving-technology-accelerates.html

http://green.autoblog.com/tag/smart+roads/

WWII Japanese Barbarities Revealed

After WWII, the allied leaders, sought to make life easier for its people tired by years of war.  So the allies and their defeated foes turned to rebuilding.  Yes, the allies prosecuted the the most blatant leader of atrocities and moved to unite with old enemies against new ones.  Yet those old horrors keep coming back.

Here's tidy of WWII horrors recently brought to light.  A little more proof that man is a beast only restrained by a properly informed morality.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/7236099/Human-bones-could-reveal-truth-of-Japans-Unit-731-experiments.html

Stossel on Hayek's Road to serfdom

townhall link

letters@time.com

Obama now says Wall Street bonuses are just swell

bloomberg link

What About a People's Bail-out

Dear Editor, Letters Richmond Times Dispatch.

A year ago the Richmond Times-Dispatch was kind enough to publish my letter, first denouncing Beltway economists and then recommending government give citizens their money to let them decide who gets the bail-outs.  Simple concept, let the citizens spend their money as they like and not the winners and losers chosen by politicians, many of whom are owned by special interests.   After the election of '08 the people wanted change Washington, yet it's "still business as usual", only worse.   Take for example that assurances that bonus payments would not go to executives in bailed out companies. We've yet to staunched the flow of bonus money to the clowns who screwed up in the first place.  Additionally, stimulus monies have not "created" not or saved enough jobs to reduce the number of unemployed persons.  Talking about the unemployment rate at this point is meaningless. In October '09 there were 15 million unemployed and it's only worse now.
Sadly, government has borrowed trillions and has little to show for it, except possibly more federal jobs.  Fraud has stolen billions.  The only consumer oriented bail-out "cash for clunkers" went primarily to foreign automakers and not the government owned General Motors, for which it was intended.  Tell me again why we own an automobile company?   So, if we're going to borrow on our collective futures let's have a fling that will go down in history books.  Give the money back to the people.  This last waltz will jump start the economy and will certainly stimulate businesses large and small.   If that stimulus fails, we're in far more dire straits than anyone can imagine, and I know that we're already entering into the Enron style of accounting.  The worst that can happen is a reset of the entire economy, which may happen anyway, when the Chinese call our debt. 
Perhaps a reset will ultimately force us to rediscover the idea of self-reliance, the importance of family, civic and social virtue and even religion (you fill-in which).  We may rediscover that there is more to life than making a buck.  

Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Federal Wedge of Homosexual Marriage

Now that everyone is confused about the idea of homosexuals in uniform and about the nature of marriage and how we got to where we are, let me put some perspective on it. 

First of all, we've always had homosexual warriors.  This goes back to Sparta, Rome, Native Americans and the Nazi Brown Shirts prior to the "Night of the Long Knives".   We've had them all along in this country too, William Manchester talks about them in "Goodbye Darkness."   The military is by nature a strange thing, that no one outside the service will ever know.  We all know what the rules are, but the level to which they are enforced is another thing.  We are of all things practical people.  Yes we have the crazies, but on the whole we are not robots to be ordered to our deaths. 

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and its predecessor codes prohibited all practices of sex outside of marriage.  Did that mean we didn't have adulterers or pederasts, hardly.  The best drill sergeant of my Infantry AIT company turned out to be a predator of recruits.  No fanfare or publicity, he was set away after a courts martial to Fort Leavenworth.   By the time we got to Don't Ask, Don't Tell, heterosexual sexual mischief was rampant in society and the military was no exception.  Prudent and thoughtful commanders always wanted discretion of sexual matters by his subordinates for the maintenace of good order and discipline.  In my 30 years of service I've never witnessed a sexual orientation witch hunt.  Though I've counselled members in favor of more discretion. 

The removal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", may seem a minor acknowledgement of a persons sexual orientation to be "gay" but it is more.   Acts which dishonor the uniform, will continue to be in force.  Predatory acts by both homosexuals and heterosexuals will continue to be banned, as will fraternization.  Discretion will still be the rule, nobody wants to hear about sexual conquests in polite society, and nobody wants a flaming homosexual giving a SITREP.  No one can dispute heroic and honorable service by homosexuals in uniform, but this is not to ignore problems that we've had with predatory behaviors that were punished under UCMJ for both hetero and homosexual members.  Sexual license will always be a problem.  

The problem ultimately is that the normalization of homosexuality in the military and will necessarily become a Federal wedge into the recognition of same sex marriage in all states. It works this way. All that is required by the military today, is to submit a notorized copy of a marriage certificate to the proper offices and your spouse is issued an ID card for all their federal spousal benefits.  The recognition of a spouse, essentially says that the federal government has blessed your union and now every state must recognize your standing. 

With federal recognition of spousal rights, a gay couple wed in a state with gay marriage, need only submit the document and because, self disclosure as a homosexual is permissible, homosexual marriage will now have federal standing, the issue of a state constitutions becomes irrelevant. 

So without popular will or legal rangling gay rights, is a fait accompli.   And everyone who thinks differently is just too dumb to know what happened. 

Time for the Tea Parties and States Rights to mobilize public opinion during the year that the military will study the issue and for Admiral Mullen to retire.

Criminal Trials For Terrorists - A Pay Off to Trial Lawyer Lobby

For 8 years in this war we've employed an odd, assortment of  practices to deal with enemy combatants in our war against "terror."  The legal quibbling of the Bush administration lawyers didn't help nor did renditions and quasi-torturing.  Worse, this change of adminstrations, puts the issue into the hands of Democratic lawyers, who by tradition are silly prevaricators extra-ordinaire (remember Elian Gonzalez, Ruby Ridge and Waco) .   There is still the possibility that we will spend hundreds for millions to criminally prosecute and defend Sheik Kalid Mohadmed in a show trials to make OJ Simpson's trial look like TV's "Law and Order".

We got ourselves into this mess because of some odd words we called it a "war on terror" and the enemy called themselves "Holy Warriors" but didn't want to treat them as soldiers,   So let's treat them, for what the are, enemy soldiers.   So, we will have to put them in prison camps until the end of the war, and so we will wait it out, comes 10 or a hundred years.   Those soldiers we take will not see freedom.  They will rot in jails, without special meals, big screen TV's or special prayer rooms and no chance of a martyrs death.  So let's see if that is a deterrent, because that the idea of spending a life time alone, scares the hell out of me.

If and when the compatriots leaders surrender and the war is finally ended, and there are no attacks for say ten years, we begin war crimes trials for the most blatant war criminals.  These new POW camps will have features unlike like those of Stalag 17 or Hogan's Heroes Stalag 13, they will be maximum individual isolation camps, Supermax prisons.  There our prisoners will be deprived of the human touch, sight or word.  No hope of escape and total isolation as their reward for going against us.  Changing hearts is far more difficult than changing minds.

In depriving these Holy Warriors of their matryrs deaths, our enemy will wither as their fate is televised to the world from which they came, as a reality TV series and the would be martyrs are dissauded by the boredom promised. 

Americans want to end wars quickly, but this war is not going away, and we must employ our own concept of "protracted warfare"  and mercilessly employ the boredom to kill the will.

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Politicians say what they say to get votes. This one doesn't even bother to cover his tracks, he thinks we're that stupid.

 16 Lies in 7 minutes: State of the Union Video Breakdown

"The day I'm inaugurated...the world looks at America differently."

Political papparazzi

Now reporters are following around white house functionaries and telling us what "she she" restaurants they're eating at.

http://mobile.politico.com/storyclick.cfm?id=2178

Civil Rights Era protected by guns

The Lee Brother's on WRVA talked this morning about a Richmond Times Dispatch columnist Williams who complained about a 2nd Amendment Rally at the State Capitol on MLK Jr Day.  The columnist thought it was outrageous because MLK Jr. was killed with a gun.   The writer, of course, is a liberal and missed the point completely.  He was too young to know that guns protected blacks throughout reconstruction and segregation and even today. When law enforcement was racist it was guns that kept blacks simply alive from the marauding KKK.  Everyone thinks twice about attacking someone if they have a gun.  This was ever the fear of whites when they abused blacks during that era.  Today, guns protect blacks and any one else who live in dangerous areas.

WSJ James Taranto's "Where are the Asians"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703414504575001162237954670.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_MIDDLETopOpinion


To answer the question "where?"; is.... Asians are too assimilated and successful to associate themselves as a political affinity group.  The closest thing you may find is an Asian Business Association.   College Amer-Asians Clubs are to either east Asian Food or just to socialize without trepadation.  Yet, there are liberal Asians and are most likely the ungrateful children of very conservative parents who paid for their expensive colleges.  Asians like all minorities were abused and the Japanese have even rebounded , without government support from the infamous "internment camps", imposed upon them by a Democratic  president.  Asian success is killing them, as they assimilate and marry out of their group.  Asians are now the highest earning ethnic group, if you exclude those fresh off the boat (FOB).  Malcomb Gladwell's Outliers analysis is about right.   For some their rapid assimilation meant adopting the traits and ideas of the dominate class, and for those Asians who are drawn into the academic environment, it means adopting the liberal mindset.  John Yoo is a smart guy and his detractors rather than formulating arguement resort to yells, hoots and other liberal declamations.   As a first generation Asian, whose mother talked about real torture under the Japanese in Burma, waterboarding is just a little mind trick where someone gets wet.

Avatar Film Review

I have to weigh in on the great special effects but the vapid story. Cameron missed great opportunities to demonstrate his knowledge of economics, by inserting gun runners into the fray.   There are a good many irrationalities that are not explored, like that weight/cost of a substance that defies gravity.  How stupid was that.  In a real freemarket universe smugglers would have been trading with the Naa'vi (short for Naive Blue Creatures) guns for the anti-gravity stuff.  The silliness continues with the Naa'vi having to form a hard interface with their creatures, haven't they heard of wi-fi?

 

A quiz for Janet Napolitano (UNCLASSIFIED)

Source:  An anonymous correspondent in the national security arena.  These events are actual events from history. They really happened! Do you remember?   HERE'S THE TEST:

1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by:
a. Superman
b. Jay Leno
c. Harry Potter
d. A Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40

2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by :
a. Olga Corbett
b. Sitting Bull
c. Arnold Schwarzenegger
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by:
a. Lost Norwegians
b. Elvis
c. A tour bus full of 80-year-old women
d . Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

4 During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:
a. John Dillinger
b. The King of Sweden
c. The Boy Scouts
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:
a. A pizza delivery boy
b. Pee Wee Herman
c. Geraldo Rivera
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old
American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by:
a. The Smurfs
b. Davey Jones
c. The Little Mermaid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens , and a US Navy diver trying
to rescue passengers was murdered by:
a. Captain Kidd
b. Charles Lindberg
c. Mother Teresa
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:
a. Scooby Doo
b. The Tooth Fairy
c. The Sundance Kid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by:
a. Richard Simmons
b. Grandma Moses
c. Michael Jordan
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:
a. Mr. Rogers
b. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill's women problems
c. The World Wrestling Federation
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take
out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US
Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers.
Thousands of people were killed by:
a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
b. The Supreme Court of Florida
c. Mr Bean
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:
a. Enron
b. The Lutheran Church
c. The NFL
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:
a. Bonnie and Clyde
b. Captain Kangaroo
c. Billy Graham
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

No, I really don't see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profile
certain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winner and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling.

Suicide of Young Soliders

Townhall.com reports that young male soldiers are killing themselves and some believe that these vets are combat veterans.   The report talks about 26 suicides then goes on to cite General Shinseki suicide stats saying 20% of 30k or 5,000 suicides are attributed to veterans. I don't buy it. The countries with the highest levels of suicide are not at war and are mostly urban scandinavian or baltic nations. Japan also has high rates. Suicide has both organic and psychological factors. Let's not forget that that idiot Hasan was counseling for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome for returning soldiers.  I think when ever one cites a expert we have to consider the source.  The VA is a great vacuum of money and there is simply little accountablity.  Believe it or not all that anyone needs to do to prove they can receive benefits is to serve 180 days and then come up with a reason why they need medical care for an ailment, addiction or psychological malady.  Of course the VA must be funded because they are chartered to care for the veteran and veterans are a powerful lobby, for good and bad.

Soft and Hard Marxism

Soft Marxism is for college undergrads, high school students and actors known for their good looks. Hard Marxism is reserved for professors and those employed by philanthropic foundations. The professors are tenured glibly to cut down young people who question theories as facts. The skilled professor will actually diminish his young opponents to the point that other young people will adopt views foisted upon them. You will identify Marxists by their foreign cars, genteel beards, rustic houses and expensive clothes, usually of nature fibers and leathers. The Marxist will only dine at restaurants of good reputation that is also rustic and enjoy a glass of wine with lunch. Hard and soft Marxists vacation in foreign lands, oblivious to the CO2 emissions (that they insist must be eliminated) of Jumbo Jets. The soft will do some eco-tourism, while the hard will take on European jaunts at university or foundation expense, as they bemoan the oppression that it must have required to build grand mansions or to patronize the great artists. See if you can spot the Marxists where you live.

NPR - There's Fecal Matter Those Good Cookies

As a listener of NPR for the last 20 years, I've come to respect that it is America's most comprehensive radio news organization but there's just enough "shit" in it to make you sick.
I believe that because it produces high quality content, listeners trust the authority of its reporters and this is where the soothing voices begin to plant the lies. For instance, it was back in the mid-eighties during the Reagan administration that NPR argued vigorously against U.S. involvement in Latin America, yet when it succeeded not another word was said. As issues are raised it consistently argues against "conservatives" issues with emotional responses, when a factual argument could be musters. Their responses are generally gnostic, in other words only comprehensible to an entire world view, that is essentially the soft Marxism of the college undergrad.

Debunking the Embedded Lies: Obama Killed More Al-Queda in 1 year Than Bush in 8

Politics is war by Other Means, and the truth is a victim.

NPR's Morning Edition reports that Obama killed more Al-Queda leaders in their first year than Bush killed in 8. No sources and no tally count. No headlines anywhere. Watch the buzz and see when the story breaks about this exageration. Here what I found.

LA Times:

U.S. missile strikes said to take heavy toll on Al Qaeda

Predator drone attacks in northwest Pakistan have increased sharply since Bush last year stopped seeking Pakistan's permission. Obama may keep pace as officials speak of confusion in Al Qaeda ranks.

March 22, 2009Greg Miller

WASHINGTON — An intense, six-month campaign of Predator strikes in Pakistan has taken such a toll on Al Qaeda that militants have begun turning violently on one another out of confusion and distrust, U.S. intelligence and counter-terrorism officials say.

The pace of the Predator attacks has accelerated dramatically since August, when the Bush administration made a previously undisclosed decision to abandon the practice of obtaining permission from the Pakistani government before launching missiles from the unmanned aircraft.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/22/world/fg-pakistan-predator22?pg=2

Panty Bomber's Visa: A Forensic Audit Trail

The Nigerian boy, who set his crotch on fire a couple of weeks ago, brought about much hand wringing, finger pointing, calls for body scanners, and President Obama taking responsibility for the nonething. Certainly there were shortcomings airline security but there was no sin of commision of ommission. It was a pointless to waste a political mea culpa. The political noise and advice from all corners terribly confuses the us with things about privacy rights, racial profiling and silly rules for airplane conduct. We've now failled to grasp how data is suppose to flow in our terrorism prevention information systems, and how to make the data "actionable."

It turns out that the presidential advisor for terrorism information assessment was as confused as anyone else. The problem wasn't even inter-agency at all, it was all within the State Department, from initial visa approval to Mutallab's dad making the report to the State Department in Nigeria, to the actual honoring of the visa for the fateful trip. This is the story of garbage in, garbage out. What happened was that the State Department didn't do it's homework. It didn't register the threat in its database and quite literally ignored all the other data that was readily available about a young Nigerian jetsetter, who just liked to hang-out in Yemen. The problem was that State Department employees came to believe that machines could make decisions for them and they could just enjoy the idea of being diplomats and enjoying their chardonnay

The Long War Gets Longer

Ideas and the words they spawn are dangerous things, President Obama no doubt advised by the parsing army of deconstructionists, believes that ending the "War on Terror" only required a memorandum stop using those words. Mr. Mutallub didn't get the word in probably the same electronic glitch that the State Department didn't update their own visa database. Yet real soldiers and real civilians will really die, really really bleed and really suffer without the pain of the word, "war." Time get ready for a long, cold winter of discontent for the American people and every nation touched by the terrorism that wasn't suppose to exist when the anointed one came into his own.

Not a Construct: The World As It Really Is

The idea of the "developing world" still lives, at least in the mind of Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Developing, of course, is a world that lacks a real definition, like say "Hope" or "Change". The three legs of Madam Clintions stool for her notion of national security are: military power, diplomacy and development. Her appointment of 36 year old Rajiv Shah to head USAID she hopes will make the nation more secure. Mr. Shah, who is an MD and a development wonk for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will disburse about $50 billion a year suppose to help developing world to overcome whatever obstacles USAID stands in their way of "development." $50B will in essence make him a king maker to the 3rd World.

The problem is not development or lack of development that causes people to drive airplanes into sky scrapers or bomb buses or subway trains, it is crazy ideas that attract unstable people.
Chief among the crazy ideas is the notion that 3rd people are noble savages and that the Western World corrupted them with colonialism. The fact that the withdrawl of colonialism from the 3rd World has produced few democracies but plenty of tryrannical regimes has not dissuaded the disciples of Rousseau and Marx that their ideas are wrong.

33 years ago I faced two friendly mentor-professors during my comprehensive examination in Asian History at UC Santa Cruz and they scowled as I prophesied that the withdrawl of the colonial powers from "3rd World" countries, would return those "nations" to their state: tyranny. The facts are in, Japan, Korea and Korea are the only true democracies in Asia and that was a result of nearly 50 years of US tutelage. China is now emerging as a state, greater than Imperial Chin. Africa is now a tribal morass and killing field. Uganda's witches exercise human sacrifice and protocol officers will have to deal the how to handle the new Zulu president of South Africa as he takes on his 5th wife. Latin America is re-entering the age of the Junta with leaders like Hugo Chavez and other leaders squashing democracies, just as people got use to voting. The world continues to be a dangerous place an reality has a way of kicking one in the butt if they don't believe it.