WHAT 'S GOING ON??

Since May, both houses of Congress have wrapped themselves around one bit of legislation, namely, Healthcare Overhaul. Specifically, it appears that the Federal Government is attempting to gain control of all health care business in the country no matter what the impact or desires of the citizens may be.

Most of these efforts by Congress have been an exercise in futility even though one party controls all of Congress. Fortunately for US Citizens, there are still some Democratic politicians who understand that their primary responsibility is to vote for the best interests of their home constituency and not just stamp approval when told to do so.

What I do not understand is what else is happening to occupy the time of these various 535 (approximately) politicians over the last 6 months? Where are their energies being directed? what else is coming along that may be just as disastrous for the citizens? Hopefully, I am wrong and they really have been wasting all this time due to inefficiency. The point also to be considered is that apparently, the real Health Bill or various Health Bills have yet to be written.

WILL THE REAL PRESIDENT PLEASE STAND UP!

Even though I have come to distrust our President with regard to anything he says, it would be refreshing to hear him speak and make decisions on virtually anything. His Chief of Staff/ Senior Military leader/ communicator, Emanuel is the only one who appears to be out front and making decisions (Not very good ones in my opinion). He has even stopped making a pretense of just following the Presidents wishes and is now making presidential policy and direction decisions. He seems to be everywhere that the supposed real President should be. What is really of concern is that there are approximately 35 other presidential leaders (sometimes called Czars in this administration) who seem to be following Emanuel's direction and making Presidential decisions apparently without close direction from the supposed real President. The citizens of this Country are hard pressed to follow all of these decisions and absolutely have no say or voice in this Administration; by the way, neither does Congress or the Supreme Court.

I do not know where this will lead us, but, I am quite concerned about the stability and safety of the Nation.

PROCRASTINATION

I consider myself to be a big procrastinator. But, so what? If I delay making a decision or avoid completing a task it will, generally, not hurt anyone but myself; perhaps. This is true because I am not the leader of the Country or a business, or anything for that matter.

Now, apply the same concept to the Country's leader, and a much different set of results may occur. The Country's leaders should be decisive and forceful while also measuring the effect of his/her actions; or non actions! Careful deliberation utilizing the best minds in appropriate fields of endeavor is recommended, but, in the end, the leader needs to act and not procrastinate. Waiting almost 3 months to decide to change the level of military force because, apparently, the polls do not agree with the trusted advisors goes beyond ill advised and borders on the criminal. People (soldiers, sailors, and airmen are people) need to be given timely direction in order to perform their tasks.

Personally, I would have chosen not to engage our folks in the, in my opinion, worthless area known as Afghanistan (including Pakistan). To those who choose to live there, it may not be worthless, but to this Country, it is!

The point is though, MAKE A DECISION; one way or another.

234 TH AND COUNTING

October 13 marks the official Birthday of the US Navy. This year the Navy has been in existence for 234 years. A proud institution who will hopefully not be significantly changed due to the machinations of politicians.

I was proud to have been a member. And still remember and feel honored to have belonged.

PRIORITIES

As people concerned with Gay rights march on Washington DC and a good sized rally is scheduled for this Saturday night, the President is writing a speech and is planning on addressing the Gay Rights group in order to calm their fears. This activity is quite appropriate for the President to address a segment of his constituency and discuss the Administration's plans.

During the August-September "Tea Parties" march on Washington DC and rallies the President saw fit NOT to address issues and concerns to that group and did not bother to even address them. It seems to me that something is not equal in these two events. Could it be that the "Tea Parties" which were considered to be a group of fringe and extremists and were summarily dismissed as "looney" were not considered important enough while the Gay Rights advocates were closer to the mainstream? Oh, wait a minute, during the Tea Parties activity, the President was on vacation and was unavailable during the time.

Or maybe this is just an indication of where this Country is headed. For one, I say SHAME on our Government for ignoring the one group and glorifying the other.

ALONE

It seems that I am the last of my friends and acquaintances/relatives to post stuff on the Blog system. Although I am saddened by this and do miss your posts, I plan on continuing these entries on mine no matter who may or may not be reading them. It seems to be good for my psyche and I do like to show off once in awhile, even if there is no feedback.

I would be even happier if you returned to the scene.

MILITARY DECISION OR?

I recognize that military combat operations are merely an extension of political diplomacy; however, once military action has commenced, then strategy and tactics operations should be made by military leaders. Our President is about to meet with 62 congressmen (maybe some female representation as well) to decide the strategy and operational procedures to be followed in our latest "popular" war in Afghanistan. This meeting is an outgrowth of a request by our military commanders who requested certain resources to prosecute the war(?) If this is truly a war; when did Congress declare it?

In addition, I have witnessed an unthinkable series of pronouncements by our military leaders (both active and retired) in questioning the wisdom and guidance of our Administration leadership. Before this, no military leader would have ever uttered any remark questioning the authority of its civilian leadership!

So, tell me, how can a group of 63 disparate leaders with little military ability (how many of these folks were ever Commissioned officers?) rationally discuss and agree upon a course to follow? I find it difficult that our leadership could find five who can agree on anything. (unless they were all of one political party and under the strictest control of their leadership) I know, lets take a poll of all the citizens of the states of California, New York, and Utah and allow this country to be guided by the majority (or minority as deemed politically correct). Gee Maybe we should also include Puerto Rico and Kenya in the poll as well!

In the meantime we are allowing Americans to die in an effort that many other nations (Britain and The Soviet Union) could not accomplish. Instead, lets leave Afghanistan to its own misery, neutralize Iran and North Korea, and protect our only real interests, the USA.

FRANCE HAS GONE CRAZY!

I have noted in previous Bolg Entries that I hold little respect for France; notwithstanding I truly do respect French culture and it sense of history. Now I find it troubling and difficult to even maintain that respect.

The reason for this change of respect is quite simple. The venerable bastion of French (nay Western) art and culture, the Louvre museum has disclosed that it will allow the opening of a MCDONALDS restaurant within its walls! This will include as an adjunct, the McCafe expresso as well.

Where is the outrage by the French public to such a move? How did this happen? Or, did the Americans finally get some payback for the years of French dislike of anything American? What next, some competition from Jack in the Box? or how about a Wal Mart Super Center next door. With that we could also add a Gas N Go nearby. Other franchises would then soon follow.